#light gardens there are some where i live but only during the winter

[happiighost]

HAVE YOU SEEN THE ANIMATRONIC SPINOSAURUS THEY HAVE AT A MUSEUM IN JAPAN?

THE WHAT?!? I HAVE NOT !!!

AHHHH THANK YOU FOR INFORMING ME!

I've only seen one at the field museum. Who is still very neat but alas cannot move.

[2baabbies]

🖤 Summer in Winter (faerie!felix x human!reader)

I’ve been working on drafts of this since last October so I think it’s just time to post it lol

Words: 4200

Summary: Felix visits often, but is usually gone when you wake up in the morning. Wouldn't it be nice if he stayed?

Fantasy + Fluff + Smut + Humour

afab + fem!reader

CWs: none really, maybe pining?, implied scary fae lore but not elaborated on

Smut Tags: use of pet names, confessions during sex, chatty sex, light teasing, fingering, praise, so kissy and cuddly waaa, some dry humping, cunnilingus, reader is desperate af/slight begging, Penetration™️ (p in v), unprotected sex (practice safe sex pleeeease), creampie

@bookswillfindyouaway @rixenluv

🔞 MINORS DNI 🔞

!!ATTENTION!!

Reposting this fic to other platforms, including as a translation, is expressly prohibited. Do not copy, alter, or claim this fic as your own. Absolutely no permission is given to anyone to post my works, even with credit, and this fic should only appear on Ao3 or Tumblr under my accounts. Reposting is not only plagiarism, but a direct violation of my wishes as the original writer and owner. Please respect writers and don’t steal!

Likes, reblogs, asks and comments are very welcome and appreciated <3

~~~

Perhaps it should feel abnormal to welcome the fae into your home, knowing the warning tales you grew up with as a child, but it does not. Especially when it is Felix. He was the first to find you when you moved into this new town- the first you trusted- and he only makes his presence more apparent once the cold winter hits. His visits become more intimate than they were in the warmer seasons, when he would linger at the edge of the treeline and watch you garden until you left a gift for him near the brush. Now when he visits he comes right to the door, asks to be let in, then sits and chats with you late into the night. Sometimes he is there when you wake up, puttering around the kitchen or reading in the living room. Sometimes he is not, and your gut sinks just a bit.

There is no name for your relationship, but you feel the tension building all the same. Felix, always a gentleman, sleeps on the living room couch when he stays over. But the unsaid ‘what if’ lingers in your mind at the end of each night, when you curl up alone in your own bed after long conversations by the fireplace. You try to stay awake and listen for his footsteps on his way out, but you never do hear them. 

One night, hours after you have retreated to your room for bed, you use the excuse of needing a drink of water to see if he has left yet. You are slightly surprised to see him still on the couch, his eyes shut and his breathing slow as if he is in a deep sleep.

Your heartbeat quickens as you look him over, you note how the moonlight catches the softness of his lips and the highlights in his golden hair. His pointed ears and nimble fingers twitch when the floorboards creak as you creep into the room. His freckles and delicate cheeks still charm you even if they are barely visible in the dim light. His eyes open slowly as he turns his head to look at you; lazily, eyelids half-lidded to give the impression that he was truly sleeping, but his sudden awareness breaks the façade.

“Can’t sleep, darling?”

His voice is gentle and a little deeper than normal, which rumbles you in a pleasant way.

“I’m thirsty.”

“Ah, let me.”

He rises from his spot and gracefully steps out of the room. You remain where you stand, waiting as you hear the glasses clink and the tap run. He returns and regards you calmly as you blink the sleep away.

“Are you alright?” He asks.

He guides a glass of water into your hand and tidies your hair where it was mussed by your pillow.

“I’m fine.”

You sip your water as he hums quietly.

“You just look like you have something to say.”

“When do you go back to the forest?”

He cups your cheek with a soft smile.

“When I know you’re asleep, and safe.”

“You don’t have to wait for me to fall asleep, you know. You can leave whenever you want.”

“But wouldn’t you be disappointed?”

Your cheeks flare as you feel caught.

“Does that matter?”

“It wouldn’t to some.”

Your heart skips.

“But it does to you?”

“Of course.”

“You really don’t have to stay, Felix.”

“I know, but I have to know you’re alright. I’ll just keep thinking about you if I leave now.”

His response may as well be a confession with the way Felix says it, and you do not know how to react. You blink a few times, suddenly sure you must be dreaming or hallucinating this. His warm hand on your cheek, caressing you gently, reminds you that this is real. 

“You will?”

It is all you can manage and your voice quivers out at the end of the question. You shiver and let him take the glass from your hand. Perhaps you are both nervous that you will drop it with how shaky his words have made you.

“You should get back in bed, sweetheart.”

You nod and let him lead you back to your bedroom. He sets the glass down as you crawl into your bed. You gaze up at him in the dark, feeling him pull your blanket up and tuck you in.

“Felix?”

“Yes?”

“Will you lay with me?”

He pauses as he contemplates your request.

“I’m cold,” You add, desperate to convince him.

“It is cold, isn’t it?”

You say nothing as Felix lifts the blanket and slides in beside you, but feel a bit of pride that he accepted your invitation. You try not to dive into his arms as they come around you, try to restrain yourself from melting immediately when you breathe in his fresh summer scent. He lays his head on the pillow next to you and, very loosely, embraces you. The position is a little awkward, but you are too embarrassed to move any closer.

“You avoided my question earlier,” You murmur into the pillow, half-hoping he ignores you.

“Hm, what was the question, darling?”

“Do you really think about me when you leave?”

You shut your eyes, your face feels on fire.

“Oh, always.”

“Always?”

Felix sighs softly and whispers, “I can’t think about anything else sometimes. It’s… difficult.”

“Why?”

“Because… I can’t help but fret over you. I wonder if you’re eating, and if you’re sleeping. I wonder who you are seeing. I wait helplessly when you go far away. I worry something wicked will find you, you sweet thing. And to be worrying like that all the time, it can make a faerie weak.”

You open your eyes and meet Felix’s gaze, longing and tired as he watches you.

“Oh.”

“Yes. Always on my mind. Isn’t it shameful?”

“Why would you be ashamed?”

“Doesn’t it make you feel ashamed?”

You swallow.

“Not because… I think those feelings are wrong. Well, actually, that’s a lie,” You laugh breathlessly, “My whole life I’ve been told how dangerous your kind is, and not to let myself get trapped in fae magic. And love is a sort of trap, right? It’s vulnerability, it’s deals and promises, and in theory I should be wary. But I’m already so far gone, so what am I holding back from? But I don’t necessarily think these feelings are bad or want them to stop. God, I never want this to stop. I’m so happy with you. I just don’t know. I don’t know what to say, and I know I’ll say something that will make me more anxious because…”

You trail off as you notice Felix watching you with wide eyes.

“Because of this. Because I’ll run my mouth and regret it afterwards,” You finish.

“Oh,” Felix answers carefully, “You think wanting me would be wrong. Because you’re a human.”

“No, I-I don’t. I don’t care if it’s right or wrong, I just… I get embarrassed because I don’t know how to make it make sense to both of us. I can’t speak in front of you.”

“You’re speaking right now.”

You laugh at his teasing lilt.

“Yeah, and making a fool of myself.”

“Well, then you understand my predicament.”

“I don’t.”

“The feeling you’re describing now, this fear you have, I feel it every day when I leave you.”

“You do?”

“Yes. And it is so, so relentless.”

He continues to stare, patiently awaiting your reply. You shudder at the intensity in his eyes and they soften, before he pulls you closer.

“Are you still cold, my darling?”

You tense as he pulls you in. Your head comes to his chest and he slips his thigh between your legs. Your bodies curl together and his arms hold you a little tighter, with more certainty than before. You shakily squeeze him back, but the closeness is not what makes you shiver.

My darling. 

The alteration to your pet name is intentional.

“Felix?”

“Yes?”

“Do you…”

He chuckles and your lips shut tightly.

“Yes?”

“Do you feel the same way?”

“I do.”

“Can you kiss me?”

He pulls back to look down where your head rests on his chest, and you look up.

“I could kiss you. That is certainly within my abilities.”

“You’re- ugh.”

You both laugh as he presses his forehead to yours. You begin to realize how warm he is, how every spot where your body touches his is soothed. His magic seeps into your body, making your chest tighten and stomach flip. The heat is almost too much, almost burning, but you refuse to move away. Everything intensifies when the laughter dies down and he finally kisses you.

His mouth moves slowly against yours, giving you time to register the contact and adjust to it. Your thighs tense as you press closer, and you feel his thigh move just a bit higher to put some pressure between your legs. You gasp and he breaks away, enough so you can both pant into the space between you. You duck your head as your cheeks heat up again and he gives you an experimental nudge. You barely muffle a moan in his shoulder.

“Sweetheart, how does that feel?”

You try not to rut yourself on his thigh but he pushes against you again, and you instinctively roll your hips to chase the pleasure.

“A-Ahn, nice,” You cry softly.

“Nice?”

You bite your lip and look up pitifully as he leans back to take you in.

“Mh-hmnn…”

“Oh, you are precious.”

You whimper at his tone, somehow sounding both enamored with you yet taunting your reactions.

“I haven’t…”

“Hm?”

“H-haven’t b-been touched in a while…”

“Oh, sweetheart,” He coos, “Would you like me to help with that?”

You nod and shakily exhale. He smiles and pulls his leg from between yours to replace it with his hand. You make a wrecked sound as his palm presses through your pants to cup your pussy. You whine and throw your head back as he rolls his wrist and spreads your legs wider.

“Fe-elix…”

He makes a pleased sound and, very chastely, kisses the dip of your throat. This draws a longing moan from you.

“Lovely little thing. I haven’t had a moment’s peace since I met you, you know? Not a day that I’m not thinking about you. You’re so much trouble.”

“M’sorry,” You moan.

“Mhm, are you? Does it not excite you a bit, to have me in the palm of your hand?”

You laugh at the irony as he draws his hand away.

“I-I didn’t know…”

“Oh, I know,” He breathes as he brushes his hand over your abdomen, “My sweet girl.”

You moan in agreement as he slips his hand down your pants and beneath your panties. His middle finger brushes over your clit then he curls the first digit between your folds. You jolt at the intrusion and tuck your face in his neck as he lovingly pets your hair. Soft sounds escape your lips as his finger carefully swirls inside you.

“M’sensvmmm…”

“Hm, darling?”

You buck your hips and whimper as he finally thrusts his finger to the hilt.

“M’sensitive…”

“I know, sweetheart. You like it though, right? Feels good?”

“Mh-hmn…”

You are adjusting to his touch now, and begin rocking your hips as he adds another finger. He presses a kiss to your temple and cups the back of your head as he begins thrusting his fingers faster. You tense under his touch, becoming more wound up as he settles into a rhythm. You make a desperate sound when he spreads his fingers open and grazes his thumb over your clit.

“Felix,” You sigh, “Oh, Fe-elix…”

He chuckles and noses at your scalp as you press closer.

“You sound lovely, my darling. So good for me.”

Something snaps when he speaks and your climax hits you suddenly. Your body shudders from the intensity as he coaxes you through it with quick pecks and careful attention on your clit. You take in a gasping breath before his lips crash into yours, swallowing up your sounds of pleasure. His touch slows, but does not stop, as your legs tremble and you become boneless in his arms. He breaks the kiss and smiles as you whimper and twitch against him.

“Nhnnn…”

“Good?”

You nod sleepily as he finally slides his hand out of your pants. He gives his fingers an experimental lick and smirks as you throw your head back with a groan.

“You’re too much…”

“Hm, get some sleep, my love.”

Your head snaps back and he pecks your forehead as you stare blankly at him.

“Hey, w-wha-”

“Hm?”

“Um, we’re going to bed after doing that, are you kidding me?”

He chuckles.

“You’re not tired?”

“You’re not… horny?”

Felix laughs and blushes as you pout at him. He swipes his thumb over your hip as he speaks.

“I have patience, darling. I waited this long for a moment to lay next to you, I’m sure I can wait a bit longer.”

You huff as you move to straddle his hips. He lets you shove him to the bed and stares up expectantly as you settle on top of him.

“What if you don’t have to wait?”

His eyebrow cocks up and his eyes rake over your body.

“Impatient, are we?”

You give your hips a tentative roll and bite your lip to muffle the whimpering gasp that threatens to spill out. Your clit is still throbbing, but your desire outweighs your sensitivity. You grind down again and smirk as you draw a groan from him. His hands fly to your hips and hold you in place as he bucks up to meet your thrusts. You giggle as you lean down to kiss him, which he returns eagerly. You lean away with a smirk.

You squeal when he flips you over and dives in to kiss you again, nibbling at your lips and peppering your face with sweet pecks. Delight bubbles in your chest as your abdomen swirls with desire. His hips are pressing against yours so you can feel his cock strain through his pants and the contact makes your head spin. He nuzzles his nose against yours and smirks at your moans.

“Do you want me, sweetheart?”

He pulls back slightly to look at you. You blink dazedly, still feeling drunk on your last orgasm and the heat of him on top of you. You spread your legs wider to let him press closer, which he does. You nod as you throw your arms over his shoulders.

“Of course, Felix. Do you want me?”

“I do,” He murmurs, “Every touch. Every kiss. Every moment. I want to take care of your every desire.”

“My desire is that you fuck me.”

He laughs.

“I will… do that, yes. I’m more than happy to…”

You laugh at how his usual eloquence has dissolved into sultry rambling, and draw him in for another kiss. You part your lips and he laps into your mouth, his hips jumping at the moans you let out. He slides your pants and panties down, allowing you to shimmy them off. You start to pull your shirt off and pause when he begins kissing down your neck, to your stomach, and lower below the blanket until he stops between your legs. You fling your shirt away and make a wrecked noise as his tongue slips between your folds.

“Mhm, Felix…”

You melt as he laps at your sex and hum his name shamelessly. He groans in response, vibrating your clit and drawing another wrecked sound from you. You whisper his name and try to stifle the crescendo of needy sounds he pulls from you to no avail. Suddenly, he stops and pops up from under the blanket. Your disappointed moan trails off into a fit of giggles as you take in his disheveled appearance. His hair has been fluffed up by the blanket that now hangs loosely off his shoulders. He blinks back at you, trying to decipher your reaction.

“Are you alright?”

“Come here.”

You pull him in for a kiss and taste yourself on his tongue when it slips into your mouth. He sighs when you reach down to unbutton his pants and wrench them down so his cock springs free. He breaks the kiss to mouth messy bites over your jawline and throat. You giggle and tilt your head back to ease his access, while one of your hands slips under his shirt and traces his abdomen lazily.

“Felix, come on,” You whine when he lingers on sucking a hickey into your shoulder, “Come on, please.”

“Remember when I called you impatient, my darling?”

You huff and smile wryly as he rises to pull his shirt off and fully remove his bottoms. He kneels between your legs, his cock standing hard against his stomach. You tsk softly and pull him into your embrace, lovingly cupping his cheeks as he sinks on top of you. He beams and brushes his nose against yours shyly.

“I haven’t been fair to you, have I?”

“I’m in no rush,” He breathes, his eyes fluttering as his cock presses against your soft skin, “Y-You’re always fair to me.”

“Are you okay?”

“Mh-hmn,” He pecks another kiss on your cheek.

“You’re sure?”

“I just love you so much.”

You freeze at the confession, staring through the dim light as Felix peppers kisses down your neck. You grasp his cheeks and pull him up to face you, he stares back with a surprised expression.

“Do you mean that?”

“Of course,” His brows furrow, “Of course I do.”

“You promise?”

He breaks free from your grasp to peck a needy kiss to your lips, then murmurs, “I couldn’t lie if I wanted to.”

“Lix,” You whine, “Please, I really need you. Fuck me.”

He laughs softly as he resumes kissing over your face and hooks his arms under your thighs, then slowly eases into you. You gasp as he fills you and your eyes shut in bliss when his cock presses deeper. A whimper escapes your lips as he slowly pulls out and lazily pushes in again. You open your eyes to see him studying your reactions, his lips parted in shuddery groans with each calculated thrust.

“Felix... Felix, oh my God…”

He kisses you, messily, open-mouthed and desperate as he draws another moan from you. You let him lick into your mouth and nibble your bottom lip as your mind goes hazy.

“That good, darling?”

“Ye-es…”

He chuckles and leans back to let you breathe, still thrusting intentionally.

“My lovely girl. You look so good like this, my darling. I love it, I love you. Wanted this since the moment I met you.”

“Mh-hm?”

You let your head fall back as his pace quickens. Somehow your hands have managed to find his arms where they support your thighs and you grip his biceps tightly. He makes a pleased sound and presses closer, pushing your legs up to thrust deeper inside you. You whimper as the tension builds and you hear your own wetness dripping around his cock.

“Oh, love, my love,” He sighs against your chest as he rests his forehead in the crook of your neck.

You make a giddy sound when you feel his hips stutter.

“So good, Felix. I love you.”

He nods and nuzzles closer.

“J-Just about… there. Oh, darling, please.”

You giggle when his movements pause again.

“That’s- ah- perfect, Lix. You gonna come? Come on. I want you to, want you to come i-inside.”

He nods and continues with as many shaky thrusts as he can manage. He pushes in and pants into your neck as he finishes. You whimper at the sensation and squirm for some stimulation as he presses you into the bed. He drops one of your legs and reaches his hand between you to play with your clit. You whimper and look at him as he chases after your lulling high. His cock is still nestled between your folds when you reach your orgasm, and he groans when you clench around him. He gazes into your eyes lovingly as he rubs you through each wave of pleasure, until you begin to whimper from the overstimulation.

“Felix…”

His hand slowly draws back and he gives you a deep kiss as he pulls out.

“Mhm, sorry. You were so lovely, darling. I didn’t want to stop.”

Your legs quake as you let them fall, while Felix kisses your forehead.

“Oh, Felix.”

He laughs and presses his forehead to yours with a cheeky grin.

“My, you really are sensitive. What a shame you haven’t been touched, you needed it.”

“Hah, you- mhm…”

He lets you recover from your orgasm with long, doting kisses to your lips and cheeks. You sink into the bed with a blissed out smile as his hands coast over your stomach and thighs.

“Still good, darling?”

“With you? Always.”

He chuckles.

“Always? That’s what I like to hear.”

“Don’t get too cocky.”

“Why not? Telling me you’re not satisfied? Please, feel free to speak your mind.”

“You didn’t last very long,” You tease.

“Neither did you.”

Felix winks and pecks your forehead before settling down next to you. You roll into his arms as he pulls your thigh over his hip and fixes the blanket over you both. You rest your hand on his chest where his heart is still pattering and feel your own swell with affection.

“Next time,” You decide.

“Hm?”

“Next time we’ll take it slower.”

“So, there will be a next time?”

You giggle.

“Of course,” You gaze up at him dreamily, “You’re not done with me already, are you?”

It is supposed to be a joke, but you cannot help but worry.

“Darling,” He whispers, but it sounds like the air has been punched out of him as he gazes back at you, “I will never be done with you.”

You shiver as his hand rests over yours and he kisses the bridge of your nose.

“Oh.”

“I promise, I meant it. Since the moment I met you, I knew we belonged together. And I was right.”

Your eyes tear up a bit and you nod quickly.

“I guess I just… I didn’t know if love meant the same thing to you that it does for me…”

His eyes soften and he pauses to search for the proper response.

“Maybe not, but I know with all of my being that I love you more than I can bear. Even harder when you love me back.”

“Felix.”

“Because it hurts me so much to be away from you, and I want nothing more than to spend everyday with you like I am right now, I think it’s safe to say I want to be yours.”

You nod and sniffle.

“I want to be yours, too.”

“Always?”

“Always. I promise.”

He smiles.

“You know the fae aren’t ones to go back on our promises.”

“I know. I’m not either.”

His thumb glides over the back of your hand in soothing strokes as you finally drift to sleep.

When you wake the next morning you are alone, and for a moment your heart aches. You sit up slowly in the early light and sigh as you listen to the howling of winter winds and firewood crackling in the living room. Your brow furrows slightly and you move to get out of bed, then you pause when you realize you are dressed in your pajamas. You are feeling the soft linen and questioning when you were dressed last night, when your bedroom door opens.

Felix eyes you with shock when he sees you are awake and hurriedly comes to your side.

“Oh, darling. Did I wake you?”

You watch him intently as he sits beside you and pulls the blanket up to your chest.

“It’s still quite cold, love. Go on, you can go back to sleep. The fire is just building up now.”

“Felix.”

“Hm?”

He is rubbing your arm gently, spreading warmth over you like a second outside of the blanket will leave you frozen.

“You stayed.”

He pauses then looks at you with some relief.

“Oh… I did.”

“You… didn’t have to.”

You let him crawl in beside you and tuck the blanket around you both. He rests his head on your chest as you run your fingers through his hair.

“I think we’ve been over this, yeah? You don’t like it when I leave.”

“I know, but you usually go when I fall asleep.”

“Yes,” He leans up to look at you, “That doesn’t mean I have to leave when you fall asleep, does it?”

“No.”

“Then I’m going to stay.”

He smiles and rests his head on your chest again, snuggling in with a content hum. Your fingers play with the hairs at the base of his neck as you stare at the ceiling.

“Felix?”

“Hm?”

“How long will you stay?”

He hums.

“As long as I can. But don’t worry, my love, I’ll come back.”

You smile and let your eyes fall shut as you fall asleep in his embrace.

“Always?”

“Always.”

“I love you, Felix.”

“I love you, my darling. So very much.”

[sailboatdreamer]

Back to the Night We Met

Hello! I'm Arcadia (she/her) and this is my first fic <3 i loved the holdovers so much it actually drove me to writing especially because of the lack of Angus fics rn :) Ill definitely continue it if people are interested, i have a pretty good idea of where to take it, this is just setup.

-You are a female student from a sister school who has to board over at Barton for the holidays, Mary comes to pick you up, and you have a first impression of all the boys- 859 words - slight blood mention.-

Angus reminded me of many men i had known, in various ways, throughout my life. Cold at first, brash, defensive- but equally in need of a love that was not easily accessible.

The first time i had ever met Angus, it was Christmas of 1970. The corresponding sister-school to Barton, Ada’s School for Girls, had just let out all the girls for winter break, except of course myself, who was doomed to two weeks of almost complete solitude. My only recompense being the books in the library, and my carefully hidden ration of cigarettes given to me by a friend as a Christmas gift.

I’d assumed that my stay at Ada would be chaperoned by one of the sisters from the convent, as they lived on campus and were usually the go-to call for holdover students, however when it came time to say goodbye, an unfamiliar face was awaiting me outside the aching, old oak doors.

“Hello young lady, I believe you’re staying with us this time.” Boston accent.

A beautiful woman, with a soft spoken voice, stood up against a powder-blue Impala, cigarette between her fingers. I came to learn that this lady was Mary Lamb. She was a cook from Barton, who’d elected to stay over the holidays due to the untimely and tragic death of her young boy, Curtis, a student. In her words, she felt going home would’ve abandoned his memory during this time that meant so much to both of them. As she drove me to Barton she explained i’d be staying with the other male holdovers due to ‘administrative difficulties’ whatever that meant

Quickly sensing my discomfort with this idea she said “Listen, you let me know if those little shitheads give you a hard time okay? My quarters are just past the dorms, near the garden.” i nodded appreciatively, smiling at her choice of language. It was surprising to hear it from such a demure lady, but Mary’s streak of subtle rebellion ultimately made her one of my favourite people i ever got to know through my school years.

When we arrived to Barton, Mary directed me towards the infirmary, as it was the last room in the entire building that had any heating, as i approached the door there was a clear noise of a scuffle going on inside. I gently pressed the door open, beat-up suitcase in my hand, glasses pushed to my nose. Two of the older boys were hitting each-other wildly, although it really seemed more girlish than i assumed boys fought. The minute they saw me, they got up and hastily tried to straighten out their shirts.

“Who are you!? The fuck-a girl?” A blonde boy, blue eyes, very irritating.

A rally of small, meek, lower-year boys stood around the room, just watching. The other boy who i’d seen flinging punches on the blonde was seething, he had a little blood running down his cheek, and he didn’t really acknowledge me, he seemed too focused on whatever his next chance was to knock the blonde’s lights out.

“Hello…..” i wave shyly, putting my suitcase by a free bed.

”hi, hello,- um-hi” the room grumbles back at me.

The air in the room is thick, and tense. Worried, nervous glances are passed between myself and the rest of the room for what feels like endless minutes before someone breaks the silence. “Do…. do you need help with your bags.” a nervous mutter from the boy who’d previously not acknowledged my arrival. And i actually did. Some of my books i insisted on bringing, assuming i’d have a boring two weeks had been a weight on my luggage. “Yeah… yeah i’d appreciate that. Thank you.” He follows me out, leaving the other boys to debrief among themselves. As we wander down the long, aging halls, and the noise of the infirmary grows quieter, i try to break the tension. “so….I’m (y/n).. i go to Ada,and uh- our nuns, shacked up for the winter apparently so that’s why i’m here. I met Mary, she’s… she’s really sweet” As i speak he nods gently, listening before speaking. “I’m Angus. And that (he points back at the infirmary) was Teddy Koutnze. Resident dickhead. The other kids i don’t know so well, they’re first years but-… they’re not too bad.” It was my turn to listen this time, as we walk i study the features on his face. Strong, angular features and deep, brown eyes, nearly carvaggian. He helps me with my other bags, opting to take the heavier one for me kindly, but as he’s picking it up, i again notice the blood on the side of his face. Without a second thought, i reach out to touch it, as i would’ve for any of the girls back at Ada. “You’re bleeding….”

His hand immediately rushes to his cheek, and i notice as his cheeks flush red, i recognise my mistake and apologize hurriedly “Oh-sorry, i-uh…” i try to brush off the blood on my skirt, and i we struggle to meet eyes “its… its okay” He grumbles, not meeting my eyes, we both walk back awkwardly, i know my face is flushed and i internally curse myself for doing something so careless. We share in the silence and a little smeared blood on our fingertips.

[delta-pavonis]

Ficlet: O that I were a glove upon that hand

Dreamling || Human AU || Rated E || ~1100 words

(Because Tom doing Romeo at VogueWorld 2023 gave me some feelings and Ferdie is often in his Venice Preserv'd look in my head... although with longer hair.)

This has, perhaps, gone too far.

Let's back up.

Everyone in the department, most people on campus, and – because of a viral video of him going off at the director during a dress rehearsal of a Shakespeare in the Park performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – a damned large swath of London all know of Dr. Robert Gadling's particular and peculiar hate of the Bard. It is what makes this whole thing incredibly frustrating.

Gifts. Hob has been getting gifts. Left for him in conspicuous places, each more finely crafted and expensive than the last. And each with a goddamned Shakespearean love sonnet on it.

If it wasn't for the nature of the gifts themselves Hob would be absolutely certain someone was taking the piss. (Jo, that would probably be Jo.)

But each gift is so bloody thoughtful; carefully chosen with an uncannily tuned awareness to Hob’s personal needs and tastes. This person either really cares for him or… well, he would think the person a possible stalker except that everything they have done relates to something that has happened in public, with full easy access for many people to make a judgment that Hob likes or needs something. 

There have been six of them now. And aside from the fact that Hob’s living room wall now looks like all those movies where the authorities are frantically tracking a serial killer, complete with a map of London and lots of red sharpie, he is rather… flattered? 

It has been a long time since… well. The anniversary of Eleanor's death will be rounding on eight years this winter. 

Hob thinks he has worked out a pattern to when he gets the gifts, is like 80% confident he can guess when they have gotten placed in each location, from his university office, to the men’s dressing room at the White Horse Community Theater, to his usual table at the New Inn. Add to that his approximately 60% confidence in the reasoning behind the temporal spacing of the gifts, and he is ready to roll the dice.

He locks up his office a tick early, as usual on Thursdays, and makes all appearances to head home before going to that evening’s rehearsal. But as soon as he gets home he is donning a new hoodie no one has seen him wear before, slinking back out the garden door, over the hedge, and jogging to the theater. Hob closes himself into the darkness of the men’s dressing room a solid two hours before anyone is scheduled to be anywhere near the place. 

And he waits. 

Hob is good at waiting.

He is crouched where he will be behind the door when it opens, but this puts him immediately next to some of the accessories storage for costuming for this show. And oh, they have gotten in a new pair of leather gloves for him.

Just because he is good at waiting doesn’t mean that he never gets bored. 

Hob slips on the new gloves and works his hands in them. These will be perfect to swordfight in, fantastic.

And then the door creaks open. 

He freezes and watches, only the sliver of light coming from the hallway to help him. A masculine figure, slim, in a peacoat, walks silent as a hunting cat to the second chair from the far wall, just where Hob usually gets ready. 

A hand runs softly across the back of the chair once before a small box is left on the tabletop. Then as quietly as they came in, the person turns to leave. 

Just before they get to the open door Hob pounces.

There is a shout and a scuffle, the two men – for it is another man, of that Hob has no doubt – grappling as one tries to escape and the other hold on.

Which is how Hob ends up with his black leather-gloved hands wrapped around the pale swan neck of his longest friend. 

They haven’t seen each other in… fuck, it feels like more than a hundred years. And they had not parted on good terms. 

“Christ, Dream?” Hob pants out the nickname but does not let go. 

Diamond-sharp blue eyes that could belong only to one person stare at him from beneath heavy lids. He parts his lips to speak, but at the same time Hob shifts the grip of his hands and any words Dream was going to say get lost in a breathtakingly thready moan. 

Barely a heartbeat later they meet in the middle, Hob’s hands going to the back of Dream’s head and Dream’s arms going around his shoulders and their mouths fit together like goddamned puzzle pieces and Hob knew, he fucking knew, it would be like this. 

They knock over no less than two chairs, collapse against a wall for a minute, then one of them pushes off and they are almost going ass over tea kettle onto the couch. A bit of quick footwork on Hob’s part and they are on the opposite side of the room.

By the time Hob has Dream sitting on the vanity they have gotten their shirts off and his bare back slams into the mirror’s surface, sliding and squeaking with the thin sheen of sweat. He gets his hands under Dream’s thighs, hikes him up to grind their clothed erections together, and once Dream has his legs wrapped around Hob’s hips he brings one hand to his mouth to pull off the gloves.

An unsteady hand grabs his wrist. “Leave them on.” Dream’s voice is even lower than Hob remembers it. 

There is fumbling to get flies open and then Hob has his hand wrapped around both their cocks and is pumping. Dream’s fingers are now tugging on Hob’s hair, his body arching prettily as Hob gets his lips and tongue onto that beautiful neck.

Hob is about to be embarrassed by how quickly he is nearing completion when Dream pulls him into a kiss, moaning into his mouth as he shudders through his orgasm. 

“Come with me, Hob,” is whispered against his lips and Hob is absolutely lost to it, shouting into Dream’s collarbone.

They are still panting, large heaving breaths, when Dream tugs Hob’s hand up from where it is wrapped around their spent pricks so that he can lick the leather clean. Hob watches that pink tongue dance between his fingers and his cock almost twitches in interest. He huffs a laugh and takes Dream’s chin in his grip, pulls their mouths back together so that he can speak against them. 

“Hello, Stranger.”

[ego-meliorem-esse]

TBH your Francis sounds like he sees Matthew more as a pet rather than a child

I think thats the root of the problem. Not really a pet but rather a status symbol. Look at him he has a child who is a personification who looks like a mini version of him that means he is truly influential and an empire bla bla.

I consider love Arthur has for alfred pretty linear. From year 0 when Al is born he is loved fully. He is loved fully by his father (even if showing it would be less likely than cutting his own limbs off with a shovel) during the civil war, he is loved fully during the great war and the war that followed. He is loved fully today.

Matthew and François have a different love. Or rather, François' love is very non linear. I imagine it has spikes, but also periods of drops. When Mathieu is born François is proud. He loves his son but pride is stronger. Is always is for François. He has his own very kitch life, he is not made to be a father. Especially not to an emotional and sensitive lil babe. Mathieu is forgotten often and when he does ask for his needs to be fulilled, when he asks for any kind of attention form his papa, it comes to him with conditions. Yes, you can have new books imported from Paris but I will choose what you read. Yes, you may spend time with me but its going to be at a ball with hundreds of other aristocrats. Pets? Alright, but only the small and weak dogs that show status. It died during the winter? Oh well, that happens.

After a while Mathieu doesnt ask for anything. He yearns and accepts whatever comes his way in regards of a show of affection from the one who made him. If he gets attention its because he did something right, if he is forgotten, its becouse he isnt adequate.

I like to compare Arthurs and François' love by comparing their homes. Arthurs country mansion where Alfred grew up has signs of Alfred everywhere, in every room. You can tell there is a child living in this house. Not only is there a child living in it, you can tell exactly what type of person that child is, what their interests and hobbies are. One look at the bookshelf and you see what fascinates the boy. When you look at the very desk in Arthurs study, its cluttered with neat and precise handwriting with scribbles and doodles right under. The garden with fantastic and grand flowers has small patches of trampled flora at every point. The room where the child resides is always open, always visible from the staircase.

Françpis' home in the heart of Paris is clean. It smells of parfume and repolished wood. His hallway is cluttered with French history. The partlor is tidy except from vibeantly dyed clothing hanging drom the chairs and sofas. There is a half empty bottle of expensive wine on the table next to neatly placed, yet scattered papers. The only noteworthy contents of those papers is the exquisite handwriting that lays upon it. The floor is clean. The sofa is clean. The space is tidy. You can tell a man lives there. A man. Nobody else. If you were to take a peak behind the closed doors of the other rooms you'd find a room with a grand bed with eternaly disheveled blankets and pillows along with pieces of clothing hanging from the edges. Its a used bed. This bed is used by a man. Another peak behind another door at the end of the hallway shows a guest bedroom. A guest bedroom for a child. Some ten books are stacked neatly on the small yet elaborately decorated table next to the bed. A bed with clean and unwrinkled bedding. The colors of the room match to a fault except for the small personal items of the guest child. One could assume the child had no idea what the room they are staying at would look like and whatever it did look like, theyd spend so little time there that in the end it doesnt matter how it looks. The closet is extensively decored with patterns of gold and light blue without a scratch on it. The floor is clean and tidy. It would seem the child forgot to bring any toys while residing here. One wouldnt be at fault for thinking this man has some distant relatives or personal friends with children, and would ocassionaly let them stay at his home.

It's a long conparison but its the best way i can explain myself while sporting a pulsating headache after a long day of classes

So yeah, while I dont think Mathieu is in a position of pet by his father, he is in a position of child who is the result of an one night stand and has to visit his father whenever the court decides and whenever his father decides its convenient.

[bonefall]

Glowworms

(because i keep getting asked about them)

[ID: An adult female glowworm of the species Lampyris noctiluca. It has a bright green glow and clings to a plant.]

Before I even get started, let me lay down some education on the entire Lampyridae family so that we're all on the same page about the specific species that I'm going to talk about for the UK. I've done more research on this topic than the last time I brought it up, and I come bearing knowledge

Lampyridae is a family of beetles, descended from a bio-luminescent ancestor. There are more than 2000 species of Lampyridae, and they can be VERY different. This family is called "fireflies," "glowworms," and "lightningbugs" but ALL of those common names are AWFUL for referring to the full family becaaaaaauuuusee...

Not all lampyridae can fly

Not all lampyridae can glow as adults

Not all lampyridae light up passively; some use it as a lure or a warning

Not all lampyridae light up during flight

In the US, our most iconic species light up during flight, and our most common species have males and females capable of flight. So when I'm talking about "glowworms," remember that those traits are not shared by ALL species of Lampyridae, and especially not this one.

The UK has one species of glowing Lampyridae, Lampyris noctiluca, the Common Glowworm. There's one other, non-glowing species but it's extremely rare and only in the south, and an occasional visitor from mainland Europe.

GLOWWORMS

Only the female lights up, and her final stage is not capable of flight. This is called a "larviform female," because she looks like the wormy adolescent stage that all Lampyridae go through.

The female will climb up to the highest blade of grass she can find and wiggle her butt around until a male, who CAN fly and does NOT glow, finds her. Then she lays eggs and dies.

So because the adults do not eat and quickly die after reproduction, most of a glowworm's life is spent as a larva.

The larval glowworm is a SPECIALIZED predator of gastropods. They hunt snails and slugs for ONE or TWO YEARS (depending on how much food there was in the first year), hibernating over the winter, then waking up and doing it again. All movement in the species is done by the larvae; they have a REALLY hard time establishing new colonies because of this.

This is NOT a pioneer species. You need to have undisturbed grass, moor, or heath, no pesticides, not overgrazed, not brightly lit, for generations of these insects AND their prey. It's REALLY easy to decimate the glowworm population in an area via carelessness.

(let alone the horror story in the Glowworm Survey page where a tiny colony was intentionally destroyed, which is why they have a policy about keeping quiet on reports of certain colonies except to researchers ;_;)

so LOOK AT ME

HOLDING YOU BY THE SHOULDERS

You need to protect glowworm populations when you can. If you ever briefly hear posts in passing shouting about sterile lawns, light pollution, and pesticides, THIS IS WHY. If you live on the island and feel like there's a shit ton of slugs in your garden for some reason? Might be because these factors killed off their specialized predators, leaving you with an unfilled ecological niche.

Environment

Hypothetically, glowworms should be distributed all across Great Britain, except the Scottish highlands, though they have the strongest concentration in southern England.

Functionally, their population is incredibly fragmented. They need tall grass or heather, low light pollution, undisturbed (no pesticide) land, and lots of gastropods to eat. While they can work with forest verges and railways, places for them to thrive are getting rarer and rarer in the UK.

So to restate their very specific environmental needs;

Undisturbed land Glowworms and construction don't mix. Pollution, pesticides, and destruction can destroy the little patches of land glowworms have left. They need up to two years to go from eggs to adults, and a safe place for that to happen in.

A population of gastropods Baby glowworms eat slugs and snails. Because of that, they can't live where it's too dry.

Tall grasses, shrubs, or heathers, but not TOO tall A tree won't do! Glowworms do not live in trees! The females need a tall stalk to climb to the top of, so that they can signal to flying males. At the same time, they can't hunt or find each other in a savanna or a wheat field. Well-managed heathlands are excellent habitat for glowworms.

Low light pollution If it's too bright, males can't find females. Highways with heavy traffic, urban areas, and anything else that gives off constant light will affect the glowworm population.

They glow in June to May, in summer, at night. You won't find glowworms in winter, as all the larvae are hibernating at that time.

BB FAQ

When I determine if something will show up in the Better Bones AU and my Clan Culture expansions, I use iNaturalist to suss out if people are seeing it in the modeled region. Lads, there is a bald spot in my modeled regions. It's almost comical. The closest is in DERBYSHIRE, RIGHT out of reach.

So I'm still unsure about adding them. For now, they are not in BB. I GOT A REPORT FROM A FAN I will be adding them to BB.

"How do Clan cats feel about them?" They're unfathomnably holy, especially because they spend their larval stage eating snails which can be used in divination rituals. WindClan in particular considers themselves blessed for living around them.

"Can you use glowworms to light up the night?" Yes but that's really bad for their populations; leave them be! Clan cats wouldn't use something so holy in such a trivial way.

"Can you eat glowworms?" No they taste really bad. The chemical that makes them light up is REALLY bitter, and it's present in both the larvae and adults. Plus Clan cats wouldn't eat something so holy.

[countrymusiclover]

3 - The Feast pt 1

Part 4

The Last Velaryon

Tag list @rise-my-angel @cdragons

Chezney and I followed Robb's heel's quickly through the winter castle. All our belongings were being brought in by some of their guards and the rooms being prepared by the maids. But none of that matters to me. The ends of my dress had begun being covered in thick mud. "So where are we going now, Robb?"

He glanced over his shoulder causing his curls to bounce as he walked ahead of us. "It's just a little further, my ladies. Don't you worry I won't keep you out long to catch frostbite."

"It's colder than I anticipated it to be, Haelesa." Chezney shivered under her one layer winter fur causing me to pause in my step and drape mine over her shoulders to which she protested. "You'll catch a cold for sure."

Shaking my head I kept walking forward. For most of the remaining trip I didn't notice the cold too bad until we stopped moving and ended up underneath a large red tree in the middle of a winter garden area. "She's right, Lady Haelesa. I would never hear the end of it if you froze to death on my watch." Robb came over sliding his light colored fur cloak off his shoulders.

"Robb, that's not necessary. You'll surely freeze too." I attempted to turn down his offer.

But the Stark boy was raised to be honorable and kind by his parents. He placed the cloak over my shoulders and it almost fell off since it was bigger on me than him. He moved his hands down, tying the laces so it stayed on. "I was born in the North, remember. I'll last longer without a cloak than you and your friend would have."

"Well thank you. So what is this place?" I lifted my head up slightly eyeing the tall red tree in front of the three of us.

He lifted his blue eyes upwards the tree. "This is the Godswoods of Winterfell. My parents were married underneath this tree and someday I shall be too. I thought I should show you since they probably don't have one like it in the south."

"I must say I've seen more of the North than the place I shall call home for the rest of my life." I sadly admit to him.

He apologized. "I'm sorry."

"Not you're doing. It is the fault of my new golden husband." Shrugging my shoulders.

He made a face at me. "You're the girl from the foreign fish house by Dragonstone. My father mentioned it once but I didn't think I would be meeting you during the king's ride here."

"Yes well, my father had legitimate son's. The one he has is only concerned with bedding girls instead of helping the family name. So it all hangs on my head." I explained to him.

Robb eyed me silently for a moment. He wasn't sure what had come over him but he knew he couldn't keep it to himself. "You don't want the marriage to the Kingslayer do you?"

"I told her he might be nice once she gets to know him." Chezney remains the hopeful one.

Turning my head slightly back and forth the wind managed to catch some of the baby hairs that couldn't fit into my braid. "I've heard some good and some bad. Rarely any good ones come from an arranged marriage in this life."

"My mother claims that hers ended well. Five Stark children and an honorable husband." He pointed it out to me.

Nodding my head I kept on. "Indeed it appears so. I dream of the day but it is not my only dream in life."

"An arranged marriage is not my dream either.  But I was raised to be lord of Winterfell. I must do the duty of my house." He declared dropping his brown gaze onto me. "What is your dream, Haelesa?"

Throwing my arms away from my sides I raised them in the air feeling a rush of excitement at somebody finally asking me after all these years. "What I want is to see the world. I've lived my whole life in a castle surrounded by water. After the Targaryen reign ended my house fell into the shadows. I assumed I would die in that castle until my father declared I was to wed Jaime Lannister."

"But we are seeing the world, D." Chezney attempted to say.

Sending her a glare I wasn't finished. "Until we're shipped off to Casterly Rock surrounded by the ocean once more. Forgive me, Robb but what I want is something I shall never have."

"I understand, my lady." He replied softly. "You want love and adventure. Same as I."

I chuckled lightly at the eldest Stark boy. "Aren't we a pair."

Chezney turned her attention away from our conversation hearing the galloping of hooves coming our direction. Robb and I soon noticed it and turned our heads over our shoulders seeing a Stark knight. "My lord, my ladies. Lady Stark sent me to retrieve you for the feast tonight."

"Thank you, ser. We were just on our way back." Robb nodded at one of his father's men.

Chezney and I watched the knight remain there where she spoke up. "Was there something else, ser?"

"Ser Jaime wishes to see his betrothed before the feast tonight. I was informed to escort you to him." The knight said.

Tugging the cloak closer around me I huffed following Robb back on foot. Chezney was behind us and the knight followed from behind even though I didn't feel afraid in these woods. "And so it begins." Getting back to the castle I didn't bother with changing out of my muddy clothes if he wished to see me it would be like this. The Stark knight led me through some hallways until we reached the chambers we had been given by Lord Eddard for our time being here.

The Stark knight held open the door and I shooed him away where he shut the door before my betrothed ever uttered a word. "I was wondering if you were ever coming back or had you and your lady in waiting scampered off to the woods with that boy."

"The boy's name is Robb. Now what is it you wished to see me for?" I questioned him.

Jaime smirked, taking a step towards me. "Ah already on a first name basis are you. Tell me are you more intrigued by such danger of getting caught. Because I can gladly help you with your desire before the wedding in a few weeks."

"Hah. I have no desire to share your bed." I scoffed.

He shook his head. "But you'll have to at some point."

"Not by my choice." I sniped, closing Robb's cloak tightly around me. "If you called me here just to make flirty remarks I must be ready for the feast."

"I have something for you actually. If you're interested." Spinning on my heels I headed towards the door until he spoke up. He went over to a crate drawing out something long wrapped in a cloth sheet. He unwrapped it revealing a shiny new blade.

Tilting my head to the side I slowly moved away from the door admiring the newly forage sword that he had placed on the edge of the bed. "Did you have it made for me?"

"I did my best to get the balance right. If it's too heavy I can have the blacksmith change it." He said back to me.

Slowly wrapping my fingers around the handle I took a hold of it with both hands. Swinging it lightly around I could feel much better balance than the one I held at Kings Landing. "This is much better but I don't understand. Why do this for me?"

"It's very unlikely we will fall in love with this arrangement. So I thought I'd do something to make you happy. I saw that we are both in our true element when we were sword fighting. It's yours, Haelesa." Jaime explained resting his right hand on his hip.

Laying the sword down on the bed I sent him a tiny smile. "Thank you, Jaime."

"You're welcome. Now you best get ready for tonight. We can practice before we leave here in a few days." He says while I put the sword back in its holder and headed for the door.

Opening the door I halted in my tracks seeing his sister standing there where I quickly gave her my best curtsy. "Your grace."

"Little Velaryon." She greets me with a stern look walking past me and into her brother's chambers. Once the door was shut behind the young Velaryon Cersei changed her entire demeanor towards her brother. "What exactly do you hope to gain with her?"

Jaime sat down on the bed confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I am talking about. I have spies everywhere in the city. They told me about you sword fighting with her and her lady in waiting. Now you present her with her own sword. Father won't be happy with that."

He rolled his eyes. "Father has rarely ever been happy with anything we've done in our lives."

"Probably because you and our monster of a brother never did what he wanted. Like jumping off the side of the Rock when we were children." She grumbled to him.

Jaime rolled his eyes. "There was nothing wrong with what I did until you told him about it. Now is there something you want to tell me or did you just come to snoop on me?"

"I came to warn you of her. She won't love you. She's a child and she will never have what we have." Cersei stepped closer to him, throwing her bright red dress around as she went.

Jaime dropped his hands in his lap. "Don't tell me you're jealous of the Velaryon girl. She doesn't want this marriage. The only thing I can do is make it look like this can work between us. If I make it clear that I am with you both our heads will be on spikes."

"You let me worry about my drunk husband. And remember that father doesn't care if you make her slightly happy or not." The queen of the seven kingdoms eyed her brother.

He got to his feet snagging her wrist and bringing her to his embrace. "Lannisters don't act like fools. It's the family name that lives on. Nothing else matters."

"So give her a child and then be done with her. That's the plan." She nodded to him in agreement sepering from him and leaving him to prepare for the feast herself.

I wasn't familiar with the rules of many feasts where the royal family was present. Thankfully I wasn't the one hosting such an event. I simply had to represent my house to the best of my ability. Chezney and I made our way down the cold stone stairs that led into the large dining hall. "I can't believe we're here together, Hael."

The feast

"It's not that exciting." I told her where she huffed and I knew I needed to change my attitude about this. "I'm sorry, Chez. This just doesn't feel like me. All the formalities, gowns and accessories. I don't care for it all."

She squeezed my arm that was looped through hers. "Yeah. I suppose you'd rather be running through the woods like a wilding."

"I wouldn't say that - oh I'm sorry." I accidentally bumped into a young girl with dark brown hair and a messy dress. Tilting my head to the side I recognize her as the youngest Stark daughter. "You're Arya aren't you?"

She spun around on her feet. "You're the Velaryon girl. Come sit with me." She takes hold of my hand and drags me to her seat with Chezney trailing behind us and pulling up a chair for herself.

"So how boring are these things normally?" Chezney asked the young girl.

Arya sticks her tongue out. "Extremely. I don't like them. But I can't stand that either. I'm Arya, what's your name?"

"I'm Haelesa and this is Chezney." Following her gaze I saw that her older sister Sansa was gossiping with her friends. She kept aweing the blonde haired prince who was looking in her direction. I couldn't blame her for not liking it. Yes he was cute and had the title of Prince but that wasn't important if he was a brute. "I see that. I never had any sisters to relate to."

"She was stuck with me. I think I do a rather good job." Chezney throws an arm over my shoulder.

Arya smiled, grabbing her fork and getting some cake on the end of it. "Watch this, it'll be funny."

"Arya!" Sansa gasped shapely when the cake from the fork smashed on her cheek. Some of it fell and got on her dress which caused laughter to fill the hall. Covering my mouth with my hands I couldn't contain the laughter that fell from my lips. Chezney nearly fell backwards off her chair.

At that time Lady Stark sent her eldest son a look sending him over to the three of us. Robb began coming in our direction where I warned the girl. "Run Arya."

"Come on. Get some more." Chezney attempted to help her get some more cake on her fork to do it a second time.

Scrambling to my feet I moved around in the blue dress I wore hoping to block him from his sister. "Haelesa, what are you doing?" He chuckled moving but I got in front of him at every step.

"Keeping you from her, what does it look like?" I teased him with a grin.

Robb made a move but I jumped in front of him yet again. He kept his hands at a distance where if he had he could easily beat me here. He was much faster and stronger after all. "My mother wants me to put her to bed before she embarrasses us more tonight."

"Sorry Robb. But it's three against one." I chuckled seeing his eyes shift from me to my best friend and his sister then back to me. "What's the problem, Stark. Afraid to fight a girl?"

He answered my question. "I was raised not too."

"It's all in good fun." I responded.

Chezney nudged Arya who bent her spoon back and launched cake in his face. He ran toward her and he almost grabbed her until I jumped on his back and we went tumbling to the cold floor. "Haelesa!" He called out my name in a fit of laughter.

"Ha we beat you." Chezney teased him with Arya proudly at her side.

Robb rubbed the back of his head while I brushed the dirt off my dress. "Yes you did. Now off to bed you." He forced himself to his feet pushing his sister towards the hallway.

"At least you're not a sore loser, Stark." My best friend sticks her tongue out.

I pushed myself up to stand on my own feet not bothering with fixing my messy hair. I felt my chest rising up and down knowing I was enjoying myself at this moment. "Uh, I need some air." I told the pair sensing that someone was watching me. I was right to assume so because Jaime was leaning up against the wall watching the whole moment between us. I didn't feel comfortable being myself with him watching me.

"I'll come with you." Robb offered me his arm since I wasn't familiar with the grounds and it was nightfall now so it was easy for me to get lost.

Chezney waved bye to us. "See you later." She saw Robb and I walk away from the feast yet she wasn't the only one watching in the room.

Unknown to the young pair King Robert and his friend Lord Eddard were the ones watching them. "Ned, there's something we should talk about."

"Of course." He agreed to his friend leaving the feast.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[dira333]

What’s summer to you?

Is it the city baking in the sun, popsicles and summerdresses like a sea of colorful wildflowers in between all the grey? Or the golden fields in the countryside, driving your bicycle next to them as fast as you can? 

Is it the sea with it’s salty breath or searching for a reprieve from the heat on a mountain top?

-

As a child, summer used to be spent in your mothers garden. There was always something to do, some poor plant in need of water or a tree to sit under when the sun burnt too eagerly. Even as a teenager you’re drawn to the quiet between the flowers and the trees, especially when they reward you with so much sweetness. 

“Here, have some pie.” You offer Yachi your bento box filled with cherry pie. Her eyes grow big as she takes in the desert. 

“Did you make these yourself?”

“Yes. We’ve got a lot of cherries this year. We’re making jam and juice as well if you want some.”

“I’d love to… Oh, this tastes so good, how did you-”

“Yachi!” A ball of orange stumbles through the door, “There you are!”

“O-oh, H-Hinata-kun, I-I’m sorry, d-did I forget something?”

“Not really, I just wanted to ask if you have time to go over English because Suga-san said we’re not allowed to train during lunch unless we get better marks.”

Yachi’s scrambling for her stuff, accidentally knocking into you and Hinata’s eyes move onto you. 

His smile knocks the breath out of you. 

Now you’re the one stuttering, asking him if he wants to try some cherry pie. He leaves with the whole box and you feel like you’ve seen the sun for the first time in your life.

It’s always like that. 

Hinata drops into your days unexpectedly and deliciously. A minute with him is as thrilling as summer break used to be. You long to be near him as if the heat of his smile could chase away the chill from past winters.

Three years go on like that and then he’s gone.

But even from the other end of the world, he warms your life. 

When you have to decide between an office job or your dream of working outside in a garden, you think of him, the heat of his enthusiasm and his never ending motivation and you go for your dreams.

When you have to decide between staying in Miyagi where you can call every flower by name or take your heart in your hands and make the terrifying move to Tokyo, you think of his smile and dare to live.

The sun, just like Hinata, moves behind clouds sometimes, to places you cannot see. 

But every day you tend to your plants and watch them grow you’re reminded that even if you cannot see the sun today there’s a point in growing.

-

What’s summer to you? 

Is it the time of the year you can play with your kids in warm water, run after your pets in the garden, kiss your spouse in the late hours when the sun paints them golden?

Is it the warmth that chases the chill of winter away or the unforgiving heat you can only escape by diving into cold water?

Summer is the busiest time of the year for you, the longest days the hardest hours, having drinks with Kai after work, dirt around your noses, sweat drying on your skin.

It’s laughter and silence and him poking you, day after day, telling you that he knows some guy you’d be interested in.

It’s finally agreeing to it, baking a cherry pie in the summer heat because your mother raised you right and writing your hands around the box containing it.

“So this is Kenma,” Kai introduces you, “He’s basically a cat in human form, you’ll like him.”

“Pie.” Is the only thing Kenma says before he plucks the box from your hands and shoos you inside.

“Kuroo,” Kai points to a dark haired man lounging at the kitchen counter, “Fukunaga and-”

“Hinata-kun?” The words slip out of your mouth before your brain has even registered who’s sitting in the middle of the room.

His face lights up just like the sun does before it dips into the ocean.

“It’s you!” He grabs your shoulders and hugs you close and you can’t help but laugh.

-

What’s summer to you?

Is it meeting the love of your life when you least expect? Is it loving someone for years and growing beyond it only to find them again?

What’s love but the warmth of the sun poured into a heart?

-

requested by @revasserium - if you find mistakes, please return them to the owner - me - and keep in mind english is not my first language

My Kofi if you want to tip me

[ladyvictory22]

(Fall into Temptation) III: Jealousy

Like adulterers in the forbidden garden, their souls slither among the buds of temptation. Jealousy, like venomous snakes, coils around their love, whispering sins on every fallen leaf. Can they redeem themselves in the aridity of their own Eden, or are they destined to be eternal exiles from celestial peace?

In their little bubble, they had created a small domestic life that they enjoyed. Their weekend meetings were not just for pleasure; even if the moment was right or they truly desired it, they would yield to their desires. Other times, they simply slept, talked, cuddled – a moment used solely to forget the reality they lived in and enter their own world. It was like... feeling as if they had been together for many years, at least that's how they felt.

One thing Toto had noticed in their domestic bubble was Christian's ease in falling asleep, especially on him. He knew that Christian relaxed enough, and sometimes in the middle of a conversation, the younger one would slowly drift into sleep. On other occasions, Toto would run his hand down Christian's neck, applying pressure at certain points where Christian quickly relaxed.

They were in that position now. Christian slept or tried to sleep on him, in Toto's room in the hotel where Mercedes was staying. In the last two races, they couldn't be together, especially during Christian's birthday week because... their wives would be there.

So, both of them had silently clung to each other. They were going to be separated for a long time, especially after the season ends; the winter break was another matter they had been avoiding, but that time was looming over them.

To ran his hand on Christian's back, gently moving up and down when he felt the younger one stir. He got up gently with slightly tired eyes. He had spent the last half-hour trying to sleep, but thoughts were bothering him.

"What's wrong?" Toto asked.

Christian looked at him and sighed. "Nothing."

"Am I doing something wrong?" Toto asked, sounding concerned.

"No... it's just that... I can't sleep," he said softly.

"Then I'm doing something wrong," Toto said, running a hand through his hair.

"It's not that... it's just that I'm thinking about... the winter break approaching," he said, avoiding Toto's gaze.

Toto smiled gently. "Chris..." he approached and kissed his cheek. "We'll figure this out, don't worry."

"But we haven't talked about this. We've been apart for a week... but three months?" Christian said.

"We'll figure it out. Maybe we can find some time outside of our business commitments," Toto suggested.

That was another pending topic of conversation. In all the months they had been in this affair, they hadn't seen each other outside of their work moments. Christian was afraid of doing something like that, afraid of being discovered. So, he stayed silent because, in the end, it seemed like the only solution.

"Christian, that's another issue we've been avoiding, and you know it," Toto emphasized. "We'll be careful, maybe once a month."

Although they knew that once wasn't enough, even if they managed to escape for a whole day, it wouldn't be sufficient. They barely tried to get enough with the times they saw each other during the Grand Prix weekends.

"It's the only solution, I suppose," Christian whispered.

"Yes, but we'll discuss it later. Look at your eyes," Toto said sweetly. "You look tired, darling."

"I am," said Christian, trying not to blush.

They had recently started using affectionate terms between them, occasionally. They were afraid of getting used to it, but when Toto spoke to him that way, Christian melted.

They looked at each other, smiled, and Toto leaned in to unite their lips, the sound of a sweet kiss resonating in the room.

"Come on, let's go to sleep," Toto said.

They settled in more comfortably. They had left the room dimly lit, but they turned off the lights entirely, and darkness enveloped them.

Not long after, they were asleep, in the same position, Christian on top of Toto, hiding his face in his neck.

~~

There are many topics they are avoiding, gradually accumulating in a to-do list that they don't want to touch.

Lately, both have been experiencing conflicting emotions. Christian becomes desperate at the thought of being away from Toto for too long. It's not because he can't be away from him for an extended period, but rather, it's about who Toto will be with during those days.

Christian reproaches himself for those thoughts and discomfort, not wanting to have them, not wanting to be possessive with Toto.

Because... until they decide what step to take, exclusivity is forbidden. Christian has fantasized a lot about the "what if." In his mind, he has created different scenarios, knowing each other when they were teenagers or when Christian was just starting in TP, and he always asks himself, "Why didn't fate bring us together earlier? Why do we have to live through this?"

Toto, on his part, has noticed the same sensations, well, since that time when they were distant and Toto felt so possessive, and he still feels that way. He knows he can't mark Christian the way he wants. He lets Christian do it, lets him scratch his back as much as he wants, mark him if he wants. If only he could do everything he wants—bite him, leave hickeys.

But Toto controls his strength and knows it would be unleashed if he did it once, although something deep down can tell him that it might happen soon.

~~

Jealousy at the beginning is sweet, playful games that end in a pleasant and flirtatious outcome.

The first time it happened, Toto sensed a different scent on Christian, and he knew perfectly well that it was the scent of a woman. Christian's wife had been accompanying him a few days before to celebrate the upcoming Grand Prix, but she had to leave due to some commitments, so the weekend plans had changed for both of them.

Christian was so excited that after dropping his wife off at the car that would take her to the airport, he went straight to the hotel where Toto was staying. He bit his lower lip with a smile, hadn't told Toto yet, and wanted to surprise him. They had made plans to spend time together before his wife decided to join him, so they had exchanged room numbers, as they always did, just in case they had the opportunity.

When Toto opened the door to his room, Christian smiled at him with excitement.

"There's been a change of plans," he said, smiling.

Toto sighed, sounding relieved, and smiled faintly.

Then Christian entered the room and pounced on Toto, hugging him tightly. When Toto wanted to bury his face in his neck, he felt that scent, inhaling the perfume that was subtly perceptible, a trace of jasmine and sandalwood, like an echo of her presence.

And then, jealousy took over his feelings as he inhaled that perfume that didn't bear his name. The mix of emotions enveloped him, the reminder that Christian is not entirely his invaded him.

Toto stepped back, and Christian looked at him with confusion.

"What's wrong?" Christian said. "Aren't you happy that I'm here?"

"Where were you before coming here?" Toto asked.

Christian was surprised by the question. "I escorted her to the car to go to the airport and then came straight here," he replied.

Toto clenched his teeth, imagining a sweet farewell, and his mind began to reach its limit.

"What's happening?" Christian insisted, noticing Toto's gaze.

"Her scent..." Toto whispered. "I can smell her perfume on you."

Christian smiled, noticing how much Toto was controlling himself. Getting jealous over just a scent would feel silly, but it's Toto, and he continues to surprise Christian, and above all, he loves it.

Christian placed a hand on Toto's abdomen, using his thumb to circle gently. They locked eyes.

Then Christian separated from him and lowered Toto's gaze, searching through his belongings. He found his perfume, and when he returned, he took Toto's hand, sat him on the bed, and then settled in his lap, placing his perfume in his hand.

"Drench me in your scent then," Christian challenged. "Remove that scent from me."

There were many moments when Christian let himself go and stopped thinking for a moment; those were the moments where Toto, and only Toto, existed in his mind.

So there he was in Toto's lap, captivated by the man's jealousy and with a strong desire for him to claim what is his, and Toto doesn't lag behind.

With delicacy, he let the aromatic drops caress his wrists. With movements full of tenderness and connected gazes, Toto slid his hands over Christian's skin, ran his fingers, and made small circles.

Christian sighed at the touch, stretched his head, exposing his neck more. Shortly after, Toto approached, and with his eyes closed, he inhaled the scent. The other perfume had disappeared; now, Christian once again had his mark, his scent, stating that he belongs to him.

There's nothing Christian likes more than seeing Toto so hungry, his eyes turning dark, like a wolf about to catch its prey, and Christian is offering himself on a silver platter.

Christian let out a small laugh and caressed Toto's face. "I already smell like you, don't I?"

Toto just nodded, and when he tried to get closer to capture Christian's lips, he was stopped as Christian covered the Austrian's mouth.

"Jealous," he whispered, smiling, and then moved his hand away.

"So are you," Toto replied.

"Maybe, but I'm not so possessive," Christian said, his hands now on Toto's abdomen, starting to unbutton each button.

"You like it when I am," he said, sighing as he felt Christian's hands move up and down his body.

The shirt descended, revealing his back and abdomen.

"I do like it, yes," Christian affirmed, and this time, he joined his lips with Toto's.

A slow but intense kiss, tongues playing with each other, a small bite on a lip. Christian began a trail of kisses along Toto's neck, gently biting his collarbone, descending down his chest. Toto's breathing became heavy, enjoying the lips marking his skin.

Christian's hands traveled to Toto's belt and slowly unfastened it. Then he stood up from the bed and slid to the floor, kneeling in front of Toto.

In his years as a Team Principal, not even as rivals for a decade, Christian would have imagined being on his knees in front of him, looking up at him larger than life, and him returning the gaze with hunger and surprise.

Christian just smiled and winked, knowing that Toto wants him, and he's there to give it to him. He could already feel it half-hard between his pants; the visual image delighted him. How much Toto would give to have Christian like this every day if he could.

Christian started with gentle licks, working his way to the base, keeping his mouth there for a while. Toto's body felt electricity for a moment; he threw his head back in a sigh. And Christian continued his work, moving up and down slowly. Toto's hand traveled to the other's head, stroking his hair as his breathing became labored. They were just starting with everything they wanted to do, and they knew it was going to be a long time.

Jealousy at the beginning tends to be playful, showing desire and possession as a display of affection, indicating that they only want each other in their bubble, not allowing anyone else to enter.

They demonstrated it by increasing their flirtation, discussing it superficially because, for the time being, they could control it, diverting their thoughts for a while.

And yet, they didn't know how long it would last.

Later, when both were satisfied, they lay on the bed facing down. Christian had his hand in Toto's wet hair, his fingers playing among the strands, while Toto had his hand on the other's mouth, his thumb slowly caressing the reddish lip.

"Satisfied?" Christian whispered with a smile.

"With you, I'm never satisfied; I always want more, darling," Toto replied.

"I'm glad to hear that; I feel the same way," he leaned in for one last kiss, amid soft smiles and looks of longing.

~~

As long as it was like this, both would be comfortable with the situation. However, disagreements wouldn't take long to arise, one of the reasons why Christian was nervous about the winter break. He remembered what happened during the summer break just a few months ago.

The inevitable moment when jealousy intensifies began to approach.

They could say they had mentally prepared themselves to be apart from each other for a long time, and Christian believed he could endure it. They had scheduled a day to call and talk, to hear each other's voices.

They had exchanged messages, yes, but due to their commitments, they couldn't do it frequently.

Anxiety became frequent. Christian could suddenly be nervous with just one thought crossing his mind, wanting to know what Toto was doing, and more importantly... with whom. It was corrupting him.

So, the eagerly awaited day for their call had arrived. Christian had decided to lock himself in his office for more privacy. To distract himself, he had started to get ahead on work for when they returned to the factory.

Half an hour passed, an hour... no call, no message. Anxiety returned, a fleeting thought of calling crossed his mind. Maybe Toto was waiting for his call?

He hesitated a bit, unsure. Who knows what he could be doing... he could send a message, but no, it had to be a call.

Christian made up his mind, called. The phone rang once, twice, three times... nothing. It was nighttime, and Christian's thoughts couldn't help but delve into what Toto might be doing. When he checked his social media, the icing on the cake was seeing her recent posts, uploaded just a few hours ago. He felt sick for a moment, a shiver ran through his body, and he felt a knot.

Then he remembered he couldn't get angry like that. They didn't have the right to claim who they touched when they weren't together. In reality, at least for Christian, he had stopped touching that person for a while. And when he did, he couldn't help but feel strange, as if what he was doing wasn't right, when it should be the other way around.

His head hurt, amid so many thoughts and his struggle to push them away. He closed his eyes and let the tears flow.

Days later, the call came. He was in his living room, trying to watch TV when the phone rang. His wife asked who it was, and he quickly lied about something work-related. When he went to his office, he placed the phone on the table and let it ring, not answering.

Another call, no response. Christian didn't know how long he could endure without answering, just staring at his name on the screen.

He felt a lump in his throat. He had tried to dispel his anxiety for days but hadn't been able to.

One last call, and this time, he decided to answer, but probably not in the way Toto expected to hear his voice.

"What do you think you're doing? I'm with my family now," he said, trying to sound upset.

"Excuse me, but I owed you a call... I just wanted..."

"No, don't say anything. You were probably too busy to give me time," he said, and it sounded like a complaint.

"Let me explain..."

"You don't have to explain anything. We had a day, that day has passed, and now you come and talk to me when I'm busy."

"But you answered, so we could talk as we agreed."

"I don't feel like talking, and respect my time because I respected what we had said," he continued. "But who knows what you were doing."

"What are you implying?" Toto asked, sounding annoyed on the other end. "Do you think I didn't respond because I was doing something else?"

"Who knows what you can do one night with..."

"Christian..." Toto said.

"I don't know. I'm not going to blame you for anything, but again, respect my time," Christian said.

"Darling, it's not what you think."

"Whatever," he said and hung up.

He felt a stab in his heart, feeling bad because he didn't feel entitled. Toto wasn't entirely his, and Christian wasn't entirely Toto's.

But Christian felt like he was giving himself completely. He hadn't noticed when the tears were flowing down his cheeks. He left his phone on the desk and listened to it ring, another call, and Christian focused on looking at the sky.

With the sound of a call and then a few messages, he looked at the sky through the window, asking the sky why it was so hard to love someone.

Stormy days followed. Christian immersed himself again in not eating or eating very little. Thoughts were tormenting him, and he slept more than he could.

He felt unstable, unable to believe how difficult it was to be in love—a torture when you're in a prison, unable to touch or have the precious freedom in your hands.

On the other hand, Toto hadn't called back, and that only killed him even more. Although he told himself that he was stupid to think that Toto would talk to him all the time.

They had argued—or well, there had been complaints about Christian's jealousy, and Toto knew how Christian reacted when he let his thoughts take over. That worried him. It was something Christian dealt with—what's right and what's wrong. Toto had decided to give him his time, fearing that the younger one would feel bad.

It's not that Toto thinks it's right to be jealous, but he understands Christian. He, too, has had torturous days this summer, trying to get it out of his mind that the person he wants is not with him.

If only Christian knew the days Toto had dedicated to him, looking at the moon, wishing that he could be the one by his side.

The race that marked the return from the summer break was in Austria, a bittersweet cocktail for Christian. He was angry with that tall man, like a tree, and, on top of that, the return race was Red Bull's home race, but also that man's home race.

It was inevitable that he would seek him out in the paddock, because that's what he did.

There were a few knocks on the door of his office in the motorhome, until he let him in.

"Hello..." he said cautiously.

"Hello," Christian replied, trying not to look at him, focusing on his documents.

There was a moment of silence until Toto decided to break it.

"So, are you going to ignore me, or can we talk?" he said, trying to be patient.

Christian sighed, closed his eyes, and with another sigh, he looked at Toto.

"What do you need?" he said softly but with a very serious look.

"To talk, that's what I need, but not with the team principal. Please, just give me Christian for a moment," he demanded.

"I'm here, can't you see me?"

"I see you, but you have the same behavior when you get angry in a press conference and don't want to see anyone."

"Toto, enough. I have a lot to do; it's Red Bull's home race..." he said sounding exhausted, and he was. The last week before this weekend had been torturous. He knew this moment would come, and Christian sank into anxiety.

"Have you even slept? Have you eaten?" Toto asked.

"You're not interested in that," he said defensively.

"I'm interested, I'm as interested as the day I couldn't call you"

"We've closed this topic. Leave it there."

"Christian..."

"Seriously, Toto, just leave it there," he said decisively, getting up to look for other papers, not wanting to see him.

He couldn't believe that even when Toto had come to find him, his jealousy was still there. Mentally, he cursed himself because he didn't insist on calling him, but there he was, the bastard was there, claiming that he was being ignored, when he had been doing who knows what during the other days of the summer.

Toto sighed, and he didn't care about anything else. He approached Christian and took him by the arm.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Christian said, annoyed, trying to break free.

Toto put his hand on Christian's neck to hold him and brought their lips together.

"Toto!" Christian resisted the other's lips.

He didn't say anything and sought his lips again, pressing them, and Christian tried to resist the kiss, feeling Toto's tongue trying to enter his mouth. But he didn't resist for long until the longing and the repressed desire to feel those lips for a long time invaded him.

When they separated with a thin line of saliva connecting them, breathless from the lack of air, Christian's eyes moistened. He wanted to stand firm against his complaint, but he couldn't anymore.

"I missed you," Toto whispered.

Christian looked away, trying not to cry. Toto hid his face in his neck. "I didn't call you that day because I had an impromptu dinner with some friends. I was trying to distance myself when I saw your call, but it wasn't allowed. Then, my son approached, and he wanted to spend time with me."

Christian opened his eyes in surprise and pulled away. Toto continued.

"I wasn't doing anything, I promise," Toto said, pressing his forehead against Christian's.

"You don't have to say that," Christian said with a slightly choked voice. "I was wrong... I..."

"Stop... don't torment yourself," Toto silenced him. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry," said Christian.

"I'm sorry," Toto said, looking gently at Christian, and shortly after, they kissed again and embraced.

"I missed you..." Christian finally said.

---

They knew it was difficult not to have these jealousies with the nature of their relationship. They had been apart for a long time, but over time, they started talking about things. They tried to be honest, and Toto made sure that Christian didn't stay silent because he had started doing that.

In these two weeks when they would be separated due to the presence of their wives, Toto had struggled with the fact that Christian would be accompanied. In his mind, he could have organized a nice dinner on a quiet night, but they couldn't.

In that case, he prepared a gift, an elegant box lined with velvet, containing the treasure that Toto had carefully selected for Christian. The box, adorned with silver details (a subtle sign of the giver) and a gracefully twirled red silk ribbon, was a prelude to the jewel that awaited inside.

As he uncovered it, the light revealed a meticulously designed watch, whose pulsating beat marked the time. The dial, adorned with a design reminiscent of the curves of a race track, shone with timeless elegance.

However, the truly exceptional part lay on the back of the watch. There, engraved with surgical precision, was the dual declaration that encapsulated the complexity of their connection: "I Hate You and I Love You." The finely crafted letters stood out in contrast, like the paradoxes that wove the very fabric of their relationship.

The watch, more than a simple measure of time, stood as a silent witness to their intertwined emotions.

Christian was delighted; he smiled like a fool throughout the rest of the day. As he adjusted the strap around Christian's wrist, the watch became a tangible symbol of their unique connection. When he saw Toto walking in the paddock before the free practices, he gave a subtle wink accompanied by a smile.

For the moment, everything was going well. Even Christian felt that he was handling it better than it seemed. The watch had been something he had loved. Now, he had to think about giving something special to Toto since his birthday was also approaching.

Christian doesn't know how, but on Toto's birthday, he managed to slip away, and when he saw Toto approaching his motorhome, he first made sure the man was alone, then ran behind him and hugged him.

Toto let out a laugh.

"You said we couldn't see each other," Toto said, smiling as he glanced at the watch Christian was wearing.

"I had to thank you for the gift," said Christian, letting Toto turn around.

"Maybe we can't do anything more special, but I wanted you to know that I always think of you," he said, taking Toto by the waist.

And then they merged into a kiss, the only one they could share for this time, or so they thought until they ended up cuddled inside the motorhome. They knew they were taking a risk, but they wanted to be like that, alone for a while.

So, in their Garden of Eden, everything seemed calm. It felt like it was always spring, even though it turned to fall for a while, it always returned to spring.

However, the fear that winter might come still persisted—a winter that would last for a few months. Christian feared letting himself be carried away by his thoughts again.

Fear can take over when a love of shadows is in the air, when you fear that anything could break your idyll, when you fear that everything could be uncovered.

The inevitable winter break arrived, along with a series of events that Christian feared.

A couple of weeks had passed, things were generally going well; they talked from time to time, and if there were any complaints, they resolved them.

But some events were approaching, along with encounters that would be difficult to digest. Christian was going to be awarded for his career in motorsports, a gala would take place, and Toto would be present.

This time, he would accompany his wife, as she would present awards. You never really know how fate works in others.

But fate decided that Toto would be sitting at the table in front, and Christian at the back, right in his line of sight. Torturous, Christian closed his eyes and inhaled, trying to calm down. His wife was by his side, proud of the award Christian would receive, taking photos and enthusiastically talking about the topic.

But Christian couldn't play along; he felt that at any moment, he would be told to shut up, and not in a nice way. His self-control and patience were being put to the test. Why today? Precisely today?

He took it as a divine sign—enjoying the sin but at the same time, remembering the reality. Christian looked at his watch, the watch Toto had given him, and he felt... bad.

Not even a watch could make him feel special because he remembered that on his hand was a ring that didn't connect him to Toto, but to someone else. The person who wore the ring that committed her was right in his line of sight.

Talking to him, smiling with him, and Christian just watched, becoming more anxious. Sometimes he wanted to connect his gaze with hers.

"Turn around," he thought, "look for me," although he regretted it shortly after.

On the other hand, Toto knew that this could be a problem. He wanted to look for Christian, but when he wanted to turn around, he saw Christian talking to his wife.

So Toto decided not to look, he already felt uncomfortable, and this would only make it worse. So there they were, both knowing they were close but divided by a barrier of reality.

This is how it felt to be outside their garden, outside their bubble, the reality check of having to pretend they have cordiality and that their relationship is only professional.

Toto went on stage to present the new award category, his wife by his side, and Christian couldn't stand to look at it.

Complicit glances, smiles, everything was overwhelming for him. He felt so displaced that he thought he would cry at any moment.

Then he stood up, headed to the bathroom, and it was empty. He stopped at the sink, feeling his hands trembling, the vivid memory of what he had just seen while Toto was on stage hurt, it was a thorn in his side.

He closed his eyes, counted to 10, tried deep breaths, and didn't calm down.

He wanted to hold back the tears; he shouldn't cry. They haven't given him his award, and he can't go up looking upset to receive it.

But he couldn't, not when everything he had seen that night crossed his mind again.

"Why can't it be different?" he whispered in tears. "Why can't it be us?"

Many things crossed his mind—fantasies of being the one with Toto, of showing off his partner at the gala. All the things he wanted to do outside their bubble. But the thoughts turned darker the more he pondered.

"No, you don't deserve happiness," a thought whispered. "That's what you're going to destroy," it reproached.

Christian closed his eyes, trying to silence his mind.

"What if you surrendered, but he didn't?" the thought whispered again. "This is the consequence not only of your sin but also of how you treated him in the past," the thought continued. "Have you already forgotten what you said years ago in Qatar?"

And Christian couldn't take it anymore. In his tears, he whispered, "I apologized... I apologized to him."

What if this was the consequence of being a sinner? The constant reminder of what you can't have even if you want it.

The memory that you can only have it in privacy, in the darkness of a room, in the sheets, but all in secret, without anyone knowing.

He splashed water on his face, took a deep breath, and despite the thoughts, he returned. When he sat back at the table, his wife asked him what was wrong. He quickly denied that something was happening and focused on his phone.

At the other table, Toto had already come down from the stage, and for a moment, he allowed himself to look at Christian. He was looking at his phone, and Toto could see he was wearing the watch.

He smiled softly, at least he was wearing something of his, but that smile changed when he saw Christian talking to his wife, and she was touching his arm... placing her hand on his watch.

Toto didn't like that; his expression turned darker.

"Take your hand off there," he thought.

However, everything escalated when the woman's hand moved up to Christian's face. Toto decided not to look anymore and not to turn again for the rest of the night.

When Christian received his award, he felt the tension passing by that table; he knew Toto would see him, follow his steps, but with what little was left of his professional demeanor, he decided to ignore the presence of the other for his own good.

In his eyes, a distant weariness could be seen, the eyes of a person who has just cried—Toto was one of those people. He noticed Christian's gaze.

Later that night, during the ongoing reception, Toto managed to take him by the arm and lead him to a secluded place.

"Are you okay?" Toto said. "You didn't look well during the speech."

"I am," said Christian, but he felt... distant. "Don't worry; I'm just very tired."

"Have you rested?" Toto asked. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I am," he said again. "Excuse me; I have to go back. We can't be like this for too long, remember?" He said and walked away.

Toto felt the distance; he saw him moving away and getting lost among the people, leaving him with words on his lips.

The distance would persist for the following events—the premiere of a movie, both invited, both attending with their wives. Christian recognized him, as always, one of the tallest people in the room. Of course, he felt a pang when he saw them, holding hands, smiling at others.

And the questions returned, "Why? Why didn't we meet earlier? What if it were us?"

The worst part is when, in front of you, that person is looking at their official partner, the one everyone knows as their partner, looking affectionately at each other, and you feel like the world is crumbling around you.

Then doubt emerges, guilt appears—should we really continue with what we have?

The night goes on; Christian is the one in the spotlight now, and that gives him a glimmer of relief. At least he feels like he could enjoy the movie.

The garden is now in winter, feeling the distance between them, spring has yet to appear, and it feels like it doesn't want to peek out.

Toto, who is a few seats away, sees him and imagines being there by his side. Maybe they could hold hands since they are in the dark, he thinks.

His wife snaps him out of his trance when she talks to him about something related to the movie. When he turns back, Christian has his wife on his shoulder again, and he thinks about the perfume... the damned perfume.

For some reason, Christian feels strange in that gesture, in the way he's positioned with her—it's the way he is sometimes with Toto. Still, he senses Toto's gaze on him and feels nervous.

This time, he doesn't feel the jealousy to be playful; it feels more bitter, more distant, more... like winter.

Christian doesn't know, but suddenly his wife commented on something, he smiled, and she playfully kissed him on the cheek, although she later pointed out that she had stained him with lipstick.

Dazed and feeling strangely embarrassed, he got up and went to the bathroom to clean up.

Toto, who was at a distance, witnessed everything. It seemed like time froze at that moment, and a knot formed in his throat.

It seemed like destiny wanted them to reflect on what they're doing, on what they have to decide until this progresses further.

When he saw Christian come out, he waited for a moment before coming out as well. He found Christian in the bathroom, cleaning up.

"Hello..." Christian said when he saw him in the mirror.

"Hello," said Toto.

Toto approached and noticed that Christian had wet towels there; he took one and wiped the other's cheek, running the towel over his beard until there was no trace of that lipstick. If you ask, yes, he felt the perfume, but he cared more about removing that stain. Christian just looked on, and when Toto finished, they stared at each other for a while.

And to finish it off, Toto took his face and kissed him. Christian was getting carried away, but he remembered where they were, so he pulled away.

"We... we could be seen," he whispered.

Toto nodded but, when Christian turned to grab the small pack of wet towels, he hugged him from behind.

"Toto," he warned.

"Look at us," Toto said, and with his face, he directed Christian's gaze to the mirror.

And they looked at each other, like a postcard, like a couple's photo. Toto rested his chin on the shorter one's shoulder and winked; Christian smiled gently.

"We look good, don't we?" Toto said.

"Yes," said Christian, smiling at the image reflected in the mirror.

"These days are torturous, believe me," he whispered. "I want to see you, have you all to myself for a whole day."

"I... I don't know... you know it scares me," Christian responded.

"Just think about it, a getaway just for us, without work in the middle," he said, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Tell me you'll think about it and let me know."

"Alright," Christian conceded.

And another kiss emerged as a farewell – a slow, tender kiss accompanied by looks of longing.

Both exited the bathroom at different times.

Christian thought about it for a few days and decided that maybe it would be a good idea. Wouldn't it be? Meeting to dissipate the anxiety that afflicted them and spending some days together.

The idea was discarded when an article was published accusing Toto and his wife of a conflict of interest in their work. There was a great uproar on the internet; everyone was talking about it.

Christian called Toto.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"In theory, yes, but... well, there are people who aren't okay," Toto said cautiously.

Christian understood. "That article... only someone trying to create chaos would write it," Christian said.

"I know," Toto said. "For now, I'll see what I can do; she doesn't deserve this."

Something touched Christian beneath those words. No, Toto wasn't referring to them, but it could be taken in both ways.

Something Christian knew about Toto was that he always spoke well of people he cared about. It's undoubtedly something he struggled to differentiate, especially with the nature of the relationship he has with him.

When Toto talks about her, and in this case, with genuine concern, Christian knows that despite their relationship, affection for that person won't disappear – just like his own affection for his wife.

But it's challenging to live in that moment, especially when they talk about it and set aside their relationship.

However, in those same days, as a way to help, Christian spoke with the other Team Principals, communicating that they should all disassociate because no one had made such an accusation. He gathered the courage to highlight Toto's qualities and, biting his tongue a bit, spoke of her qualities.

So that day, everyone communicated simultaneously, releasing the new statement – all the teams in a form of support.

Shortly afterward, Christian received a call.

"I appreciate it," Toto said as the first words Christian heard. "Fred told me you campaigned in the shadows to defend me."

"Well, I... it was the least I could do... you don't deserve... well, neither of you deserves that," Christian said.

"I know how hard you try not to let your thoughts take over... thank you, my love," he whispered on the call.

Christian gave a gentle smile.

"That's what we're here for, to support each other," he said.

"Yes, I'm grateful for this support," Toto said. "We'll see each other, my love, I haven't forgotten... we have a date to keep."

~~

Christmas was tough. Christian believes he has endured everything because his children give him the energy to do so. They haven't spoken since that call, and obviously, Christian is getting desperate. He saw Susie's statements, and she hasn't posted again.

He's trying to be patient and not be anxious as he was in the summer.

"Don't think, don't think," he tells himself.

Three weeks pass, even Christmas and New Year.

During that time, there were a few messages, "I'm traveling, but I promise to see you on New Year's Eve."

The winter felt even darker then. Christian tried to control his thoughts, but it's so difficult when visual images come, scenarios he doesn't want to see. Anxiety appears from time to time, scaring him, making him desperately try to distract himself.

There were days when he cried because he no longer wanted to think. His thoughts screamed that Toto was just using him, other times that he deserved it.

There were days when he simply stared at the sky and wished for the new year to come quickly.

Christmas and New Year passed, and he sent kisses into the air and the sky, hoping the breeze would carry them to Toto.

There had been no messages. A part of him believed he had grown accustomed to it (he hadn't).

When he had returned to work at the factory, there were still no messages or calls. However, Toto's birthday was approaching.

Christian had a shirt made in a soft blue tone, as that color suited Toto perfectly. It was embroidered with Toto's initials and on one of the sleeves, "Te Odio y Te quiero" (I Hate You and I Love You).

He was still deciding whether to send it or wait to give it in person. This time, he felt a bit more prepared to see whatever appeared on social media.

And so it happened. He saw a photo posted by Toto's wife, a shiver ran through him, and he couldn't stop thinking about the way Toto looked at her in that image.

But he decided to silence his mind, telling himself that a photo wouldn't tell him anything, that all he had to do was talk.

So he decided to ignore everything for the day.

A few days later, he received a call while he was at the factory in Milton Keynes.

"Hello," Christian said with a small smile.

"Hello, Mr. Horner... tell me, would you like to go out today?" Toto's deep voice sounded.

"Really?" Christian said with a laugh.

"How willing are you to go out?" Toto said.

"What do you have in mind?" Christian said, thinking it was all a joke.

"The anxiety of wanting to see you," he replied softly. "Now tell me, can you leave the company today? Sneak out?"

Christian hesitated for a moment, but excitement invaded him. It had been so long since they had seen each other; they were going to take a risk.

"Yes, I can," he replied.

"Good, I'll pick you up in half an hour," Toto said.

"Don't you think it would be risky... you..." Christian said.

"I'm not coming in a Mercedes, for your safety, love," he replied.

Later, ironically, a Ford arrived a bit far from the entrance. Christian said he had a meeting elsewhere and would take his car until the next day or later.

"What kind of joke is this?" he said, referring to the car.

"I thought you'd like me to bring you in a Ford," Toto said with a laugh. "You know, it sponsors your team."

"Do you really own a Ford?" Christian said.

"God, no, but at least I made the gesture," Toto said.

"Bastard," Christian said, laughing.

"I missed you," Toto said, leaving a small kiss that deepened.

Toto then took them to an apartment, a private condominium that was only half an hour away.

"This place..." Christian said, thinking it might be a home for Toto and his wife.

"It's an apartment I own," Toto revealed. "Sometimes I come here... usually when I argue with..."

"Oh... so there are no things of..."

"No, just mine," Toto said.

He approached and took Christian's hands.

"I know we need to talk," Toto said.

And after a long time, they allowed themselves to talk. Christian poured out everything his thoughts were telling him until he started to cry.

Toto apologized for provoking such thoughts in Christian, for indirectly hurting him. Even though Christian insisted he was okay, it wasn't enough for Toto. They needed to clarify everything, to build their trust.

Then they agreed that there needed to be changes, that they should talk when discomfort arose, when something bothered them, even if it seemed silly.

Anyone would think that due to the lack of tact, they wouldn't be able to keep their hands off each other. However, they were mature individuals, old enough to talk first before going further.

They did just that. Christian admitted his jealousy, his distancing at times, his fear of reaching out to Toto. Toto did the same, admitting that he had wanted to reach out but remembered Christian and the last time during the summer break.

Some time later, they were in bed, cuddled up and had been talking a lot. Although they weren't doing much more, the way they were together was enough.

Toto looked at the watch he gave to Christian, observed how it looked on Christian's wrist – it looked good.

Christian then looked at him, and they smiled, followed by a kiss.

"I missed you, I love you," said Christian.

They hadn't used that term yet, and Toto smiled satisfactorily.

"I missed you too, I love you," he whispered.

They began kissing again, this time feeling that they had somehow overcome another step. Under different circumstances, Christian might have been more nervous, but this time, he genuinely missed the other's embrace.

The kisses intensified with their breaths. At the moment of surrendering after so much time, desire emerged, and along with a sweet confession, they had to seal their love.

Subsequently, brief dates began to emerge, outings and getaways.

Christian was happier now, feeling that taking risks was okay. He even started occasionally wearing Toto's shirts.

Spring arrived in the garden, butterflies returned to play among the flowers, while they enjoyed the flourishing of their adventure.

But some storms had to happen because there was a secret that had to be discovered sooner or later.

~~~~

I want to thank @silvereds for some inspiration for some scenes in this chapter ♡

[furiarossa]

Hi there! I need stuff to doodle and have been drawing other artists’ gargoyle ocs! Do you have any gargoyle ocs you’d like drawn? Or even a canon gargoyle works! Hope you’re having a great day 🐸

Oh hi there! That's a neat and generous idea, y'know?

We have quite a number of Gargoyle OCs, yes... here's some of them!

Liuneddu (it means "small lion" in Sicilian)! He's a small guy, 156 cm, and he often acts like a pet towards people. He's very pragmatic and smart, and loves to help!

2. Petrina is a small (even smaller than Liuneddu) garg born and living in Palermo. In the 9th of May 1943, her city was mass attacked by Angloamerican bombers; she managed to survive with her brother Atlas, even if some of her clan mates didn't make it, but during one of the explosions her wings were hit and damaged by the debris bullets that started flying as a result of the severe bombing. She was five. Since she's very light and tiny in size, she could have been one of the few grotesques able to fly, but the damage sustained by the wings which reduced the available surface of the membrane, only allows her to glide (and she's not that balanced either).

3. Inverno (it means Winter in Italian). He's immediately distinguishable by his delicate colors and his malewife vibe. He diligently watches over a winter garden, and that is where he got his name from.

Fatherly, gentle, and very confident, Inverno has a good sense of humor and appreciates those who show sharp wit, and despite his own kindness, he likes the "vicious ones": fierce, brutally honest, or with a clever, venomous tongue.

He's our tallest garg, with 1,80 m of height!

4. Frisca/Whistle. She doesn't use a name, you can call her whistling!

(Here she's with another of our gargs, Chatterbox)

We have other ones, but these are our main ones :)

(And thank you for contacting us! We hope you'll find many beautiful and interesting gargoyles characters that you'll have fun drawings!)

[profilozof]

Sorry for the late ask but I just loved the additional headcannons to your RILL: Rose from the garden AU. Can we have some more? (also I totally bet Isha would definitely shipped Ruby X Weiss AKA Whiterose)

No worries I honestly need some motivation to write more about daid au/WiP.

So headcanons:

1. As most warhammer fans know 3 Aeldari gods survived the fall: trickster, war and life. Which is quite intresting given that those were atributes of other Chaos gods. The thing is that an reflection of Slaaneash in Aeldari Pantheon also survived, not that anyone is aware of that. Vaul lives. The god of smiths and heroes who was chained to his anvil by Khaine still lives his prison became his fortress which was hiden to all.

2. Until light of adoption of Ruby Rose basicly shone as bright as astronomican which reveal that to the seers.

3. Freeing Vaul thusly is/will be a 3rd arc of the RILL.

4. Anyway, Ruby is not having a great time following becoming an Aeldari. Eldar in general have highten emotions compared to humans and if you add to that traumatised teen and powers of a demigoddess things get really messy. Which is why between Isha storming out of the garden and Vaul prison being found (seers only realised that he lives not where he lives) Ruby is very much in therapy. Oh don't get me wrong on her better days she talks with tons of people (she is still getting used to being reveared), tries to help her new mom, studies about her new home and tinkers with bonesinging (until she has flashbacks to listening to Weiss singing and has breakdown again), but on bad days she causes a winter to come early

5. Speak of given that I am not an ass/GW Ruby won't replace Ynnead as Aeldari god of the dead. But she will be an heiress to Kuranos as goddess of hunt and her personal portfolio will include seasons (yes the lack of control over weather changes is a checkovs gun to asscend ruby during her rescue of Vaul)

6. Isha meanwhile is flooded with work making her court in exile with most of her followers being exodites (because I have a chance to make ruby ride a T-Rex and I am not wasting it), she is making preperations to cleanse the webway and spank drukhari into the next mileania

7. Meanwhile in the imperium there is a small revolt when some member of Inqusition realised that the Archtraitor is alive again and Guilman isn't speedrunning to kill him. He send Russ to deal with that. And just when he thinks that everything is alright Lion returns.

8. Guilman is pleasntly suprised because Lion become chill over the last 10k years and instead of going for Horus he went for Orks Empires that Guilman just didn't have a time to deal with alone and Russ invited himself so 3 primarch crusade is a go.

9. Horus and his rag tag group of humans freed from nurgle meanwhile are on the side of said ork empire rebuilding civilisation with slight help of Aeldari.

10. Trazyn the infinite manged to find something/someone out of this world

[lorifragolina]

Sweet Pies

Last entry for Mungrove Summer Bingo 2023 prompt: A1 Carnival It has been a large ride, thanks for all!!

@mungrovebingos

Carnival

Eddie Munson collected the mail near the gate while he’s returning home with his car. He found a brown envelope and he ripped the paper, smiling silly when he took a magazine from it.

The naked truth said the main title on the cover of that number of Carnival, the music and lifestyle magazine, where was a full body photo of Eddie, with a cowboy hat, a leather harness around his naked, tattooed chest and his thumb tucked in the belt of some black skinny jeans, pushing then down showing his happy trail.

The allusive pictures were not the spicier thing in the article about him, his music and especially his private life.

Eddie scoffed and started the car again, finally approaching the entrance of his mansion.

Billy and Steve would literally go crazy about it.

Eddie entered the fancy hotel in Boston, followed by an ice cold wind blow. He shot a flirting look to the receptionist.

“I’m here for Nancy Wheeler from Carnival” and in a minute a woman in a red suit came from a table of the restaurant, extending a hand to him and driving to a private table. Eddie took off the scarf with the skulls he was wearing (a silly present from his boyfriends that time he caught an illness insisting to get out without a jacket, being very fussy during an entire week) and ordered a double coffee, then sat down to relax on the small sofa.

Nancy placed a little recorder between them and started with some light chat, then took a notebook from her purse and stared at a page with a pen, for a minute or two.

“Do you mind if I smoke?” asked Eddie. The journalist shook her head, they were in the smokers area of the restaurant. He took his zippo from the pocket, looking at the engraved orca on it for a moment. It was Billy’s lighter and he took it by mistake when he left home, causing a fuss that Steve could barely manage. The gold ring at his finger sparkled when he moved his hand close to his face.

“So you’re ready to start the interview?” Nancy asked, checking the recorder.

“For you I’m always ready” cooed Eddie, and Nancy had a little shiver, although she knew he wasn’t interested in her, he couldn’t resist for a second to flirt.

She cleared her throat.

“Ok, let’s start” She smiled. “So, you started your solo career this year and you already have a new album rising in the ranks…”

He moved into his new mansion in Montecito last September, just a month after the last Corroded Coffin concert. The house was quite good and he had just to set his studio in the basement and fix a little the garden. Billy and Steve kept their apartments in Malibu and Portland, but only technically, in fact they lived there with him. Steve moved to the little keeper’s outbuilding in the garden, to write quietly, and sometimes he played the security guard at the gate, a thing that literally turned Eddie feral.

He had already planned to release a solo album at some point and had most of the songs already written, so the album was easy to record. He planned a little USA tour for the winter and, despite all his effort, an Europe tour between spring and summer. He was adamant to have at least a month free next summer to go away with his boyfriends, and although they have busy summer plans too, they all were looking forward to going to Mykonos in July.

Surprisingly, the album was full of love songs and ballads, and was an instant success. His fandom immediately associated those songs to his relationship with Billy; he wrote some of them for Steve too, but they didn’t come out yet as a poly couple, but for the moment it was enough. Thanks to the news of the house, they didn’t go out a lot lately, and they were happy in this way.

“And what did you feel when your bandmates decided to temporarily retire from the live shows? Are you still on good terms? And do you think about coming back with them sooner or later? -

Eddie smiled and shook the ashes off the cig.

Gareth and Martha tied the knot in late September in his hometown in Indiana, from when Corroded Coffin started and they all ran away just when they could. The ceremony was sweet and intimate, Gareth's Irish catholic family wasn’t quite happy Martha showed her almost six month belly, but she was so pretty and sweet that nobody cared after a while.

Eddie attended with Billy and Steve, Gareth insisted on that, and Billy, as usual, passed almost all the ceremony whipping softly behind his sunglasses. They felt a little too cocky and didn’t pay enough attention to professional and amateur photographers and someone almost caught the three kissing together behind the trees.

After the dinner Eddie was frankly drunk, Steve and Billy never saw him at that point, despite the heroic quantity of alcohol he usually drank when he was happy. He also lit a few joints and they were wetting themselves from laughing.

Eddie was dancing with Gareth's great-grandma, a little old lady with a cane who was incredibly agile despite it.

“I’m a little horny” Eddie drunk-said to the lady, who luckily was a little deaf. Billy was dancing with Gareth's little niece and overheard the conversation, his belly hurting for the laughs.

“Ok Eddie, time to go” He took Eddie and tried to drag him out of the dance floor; he whispered what had just happened to Steve and he doubled up with laughter too.

“Come on Eddie, sit down here” and Billy sat down too to catch his breath.

“Once I took a schoolm… a school… a friend over there and we caug… we caught… we thought there were wolves…” Eddie kept munching nonsense for some time, while Steve was trying to give him water.

“You want to kill me, this shit kills,” Eddie kept saying, trying to catch the glass but missing it badly. “You hate me? Do you hate me?”

Billy was in tears. “Come on, Billy please, put yourself together, you’re always crying!” mocked Steve, provoking more laughs and more tears.

Finally, Eddie drank the water and stayed for a moment, regaining control a little . Suddenly, he becomes a little pensative.

“Ehi” he said out of nothing. “Want to go there” and he pointed far in front of him. He got up and started walking to the woods.

“Eddie, Eds, wait!” Billy tried to stop him, but Eddie took his hand and they followed him.

A minute walking from the hotel they came to the trailer park. Eddie told them about his childhood with Wayne in a trailer and, although he bought his uncle a fancy house, he kept the trailer and sometimes went to rest there.

Eddie knew where the spare key was and they entered, in silence.

“Here is where you used to live?”

Eddie nodded. He entered his old room that Wayne was keeping as when he lived there, just a little more tidy and clean. He sat in the bed.

“You know? I never had a fuck here”.

Billy looked to Steve and found the same sparkling glare in his eyes. He knelt at Eddie’s side, and Steve knelt at the other.

“No? Really?” said Billy. “Why?” he opened Eddie’s belt and Steve took off his shirt from his pants.

“I wasn’t out, and I ran away right after the graduation” he smiled remembering while the two took off his pants and underwear completely.

“And now?” asked Steve, jerking a little Eddie’s dick, hard and leaking already.

“And now I will fuck both of you here” he grinned, pushing Steve’s head on his legs.

Billy whined biting the pillow while Eddie spread his legs a bit more. He was on his stomach, naked, a leg bent and filled by his boyfriend so good and deep. Eddie was grabbing him by his waist and fucking him with a blissful face and eyes closed. Steve jerked himself near Billy’s face, then pushed his dick in his mouth. Billy moaned and looked at him with eyes full of tears while Steve stuffed all his length deep into his throat. Eddie extended to kiss Steve passionately and pushed faster into Billy.

“Fuck, yes Eddie, yes” cried Billy, grabbing the sheet on the verge of coming.

“No” said Eddie, coming out from him. He tilted his head to Steve and he took his site behind Billy.

“Do you want more, Billy?” whispered Eddie on Billy’s ear, kissing him deeply with his tongue in his hungry lips.

“Yes please, please” he whined, jacking himself off on the bed. Eddie kissed Steve again and tickled him on his spine, rubbing on his tailbone, then pushing his fingers on him, kneeling behind him spreading the leg, still hard and willing.

“Come on, sweet pie” he whispered to Steve. He lined his dick to Billy’s pulsing ring, wet for Eddie’s precum and well stretched. He entered with a single move and Billy arched and cried. Eddie pushed him against the bed again, then coated his dick in lube again and glided smoothly inside Steve. He didn’t lose the pace he’s keeping in Billy, but arched in turn and bit his own lips.

Billy started shaking under them both and his breath broke, he jerked himself faster and pushed his face on the pillow coming hard in his own hand.

Eddie trapped Steve between his loins and Billy’s ass and came inside Steve pulling so hard his hips that Steve screamed in pain. Eddie collapsed on the bed at Billy’s side and Steve kept a little inside him, after loading him with a growl.

“Fuck…” he whined come out from Billy, letting him leaking and trembling, still spreading on the bed.

Eddie hugged Billy and Steve leaned his head on Billy’s back.

“So we revenged young Eddie, right?” whispered Billy, smiling sweetly.

Eddie whined, and didn’t answer, just hugged his boyfriends a little more.

They collected their clothes from the floor. Eddie sat in the bed putting his pants on, but suddenly he stopped, staring at the void.

“Eddie? All right?”

Eddie sighed, biting his lips.

“I want to marry you” he whispered.

“What?”

“I want to marry you”

Billy laughed. “We already have the rings, Eddie, don’t you remember?”

Eddie shook his head. “Yes, but I want to marry you, for real, I want a wedding, I want a party, I want everyone to cheer for the husbands, I want to have a ceremony with you…”

“Oh, Eddie…” Billy knelt to hug him. “I love you too” he kissed his forehead.

Steve hugged them both. “I wish I could marry you for real too… I love you”.

Nancy scribbled some notes about what Eddie told her about the solo album and his relationship with Gareth, then took a sip from her cup and looked at Eddie smiling.

“I know we agreed on the topics of this interview with your staff, but what about some more personal questions? Our readers are very avid about some particulars, obviously, if you want. If you’re more comfortable, I can turn off the recorder”.

Eddie nodded. “I can talk with you about everything” he flirted again, batting a little his eyelashes, and Nancy turned off the recorder with a little shiver.

“Well, you came out some years ago already. What about your recent flirt with Billy Hargrove, the supermodel?”

“It is not a flirt” said Eddie smiling, without harm in his voice.

Nancy blushed a little. “And what about this summer’s pictures in Mykonos? You know, Billy presumed cheating with Steve Harrington, who was working with you on his series soundtrack? It’s all good with your boyfriend now, or…”

Eddie scoffed, leaning back on the sofa with a smile. “I don’t know anything about Billy cheating” he said, without adding more explanation. “We’re doing very well and we are doing good together, and I work very well with Steve, of course. But he’s not my boyfriend anymore” Eddie waited for Nancy's reaction, and he didn't have to wait.

“What? Are you breaking up…” she sighed, really surprised.

Eddie giggled and raised his left hand. “If you promise to keep the secret, he will be my husband soon. And… ” Eddie blinked at Nancy. The recorder was turned off, but she scribbled in her notebook.

“Oh, come on, put a price tag on me and sell me already!” Eddie protested, shaking under Billy’s hands.

“Eddie, for Christ’s sake, stay still, stop wiggle”.

Eddie grunted again, snorting and looking in the mirror.

“Please, I feel all compressed, you know I don’t like it!”

“Stay straight and stop complaining. It’s Steve's big night, so shut up” Billy tied strong Eddie’s tie trying not to strangle him.

“If it’s Steve’s big night, why are you dressing me like that?”

Billy scoffed and pouted. “Because I know elegance. Now stop fussing!”.

Obviously, Eddie didn’t stop. “Why can’t I simply dress like at Gareth's wedding? I was elegant”.

“Look, leather pants and a vest were right, but I said you have to be classic for the gala. Last word” Billy dusted Eddie’s shoulders. He looked at himself in the mirror and barely recognized himself, he had a dark gray three piece tailed tight, a silver tie, cufflinks and coordinated leather shoes and belt. He felt like a puppet and he was really uncomfortable. Billy wore a similar suit, a little clearer, that really matched his colors, and seemed like he was wearing his pajamas.

“Now the hair” said Billy, and Eddie screamed.

They finally came to the gala and came out to the limo and walked to the red carpet.

It was the presentation gala of the new series The man who invented electricity based on Steve’s books, and Corroded Coffin did the soundtrack.

Eddie took Billy’s hand during the walk, waving at fans and posing for the photos, smiling and feeling like a scarecrow, furthermore, Billy won about his hair and now he had a messy bun that squeezed all his head. But he was quite happy, Billy was really beautiful at his side and didn’t let him go, grabbing his waist from time to time. They passed the photocall at the entrance and they gave the reporters a sweet kiss to talk about, and after a little interview they could enter and wait for the show.

Steve was already there, as principal guest, they were excited for their boyfriend’s big night.

Gareth was already in with a really pregnant Martha, they went away after the first part of the gala; Eddie was in charge for a little talk on behalf of Corroded Coffin and that reminded him of the Gelato gala at the beginning of the summer. He was so full of love at that moment, two beautiful pairs of eyes were chained to his’, and he fiddled with the silver ring.

When all the talking was done and the real gala started, Eddie and Billy sneaked out of the party and got into an empty room, where they drank from the classic Billy’s flask and started kissing. Eddie finally got rid of his stupid jacket and rubbed on Billy, who was really turned on by the alcohol and the glamour.

The door opened again and they froze.

“You better close the door,” said Steve, closing the lock.

“We’re waiting for you, sweet pie” smiled Billy.

“It’s your day” echoed Eddie, opening his arms for Steve.

They kissed their star of the day. He started touching Billy’s crotch, but he moved his hands.

“Oh no, sweetie, it’s your day” he repeated, and opened Steve’s belt. Eddie knelt in front of him, and Billy followed.

Steve licked his lips and grabbed both heads under him.

Eddie called for Steve and Billy from the entrance. They were watching the sport in the living room. Eddie waved at them, and they really didn’t pay attention to him. He showed the magazine to them from the door and then threw it to them on the sofa, and went on the stairs, waiting.

“Eddie!!” cried Billy with a feral crazy voice.

He ran upstairs. Steve came out the living room running behind him, and Billy followed him immediately, squealing.

“Eddie!! Where is that harness? Eddie!! Come here!”

They threw themselves on him in their room, falling in their big big bed; the TV kept talking alone in the living room, reflecting on the silver frame of a photo on the fireplace; they were together, in Tulum, with a big green arc of plant and white flowers, all dressed with white shirts and linen trousers, barefoot and a silly bouquet for each.

That day, only a few weeks after, they had a little private ceremony, although symbolic, and they exchanged their silver rings with three old fashioned yellow gold wedding rings.

They were husbands now, each other and forever.

[cityandking]

🧱 😱 ✨ 🐺 for dai, minah and anticlea!

thanks dear!! // prompts I'd like to receive

[ 🧱 ] how would you describe your muses’ morality? what are their core values?

DAI — "nothing is more important than the responsibility my faith confers upon me to help others in need." originally his altruism was structured by the tenets of his faith, but he's come to understand that his altruism is his own and faith is just one way to guide it. with or without pelor, with or without tempus, he wants to help people and do good. he was lawful good when the campaign started, but he's shifted to neutral good over time.

MINAH — minah's morals are a little hard to pin down, tbh. she has a deep-seated lack of trust in any authority or organization, so her morality prioritizes the individual over rule of law. her sense of right and wrong is largely based on her moment-to-moment gut instincts in a situation, but tends to be driven primarily by her desire for personal safety and security (financially, physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.) and secondarily by an impulse towards compassion (she'd really really rather not break any fingers). she meant it when she told cian that there's always unfixible things, and she's not particularly interested in fixing them—she tries to keep out of the big-picture politics and ethics, and she's likewise not planning to cut down on the thieving any time soon—but that doesn't mean she can't tip a busker or talk to a half-blind orphan lordling or offer to save a templar's lover from tranquility (as an interrogation tactic, but hey! still an offer). it's the little touches when you desperately need them that matter most. minah is true neutral.

CLEA — clea lives by the old girl scout law of leaving a place better than you found it. she's lived a long time and values heart and courage and kindness and growth. at the root of everything, she's just a gardener. clea is neutral good.

[ 😱 ] does your muse have any specific fears? where did those fears come from?

DAI — he's afraid of deep water. his first death was pretty traumatic ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I rolled a couple times during the kaiju arc against panicking while they were underwater but he kept it together (shout out to that high WIS mod). besides that, he's afraid of failing the people he's supposed to be taking care of, which was always there but really kicked in when Izzy died. a lot of things changed for him when Izzy died.

MINAH — she's got a couple, yeah. she's a lil claustrophobic—she can deal with tight spaces, but she needs to be able to access an exit, otherwise she gets panicked about being trapped. a few escapes have gone badly over the years—crammed in some tiny hidey-hole hoping no one notices her, or not quick enough and ending up arrested—and she's afraid of ending up back in a cell

CLEA — her son's memory haunts her—she dreams about him sometimes, when she's not dreamwalking—but mostly she's just grateful to see him. it's the only way he lives on. she's definitely afraid of foresyhte going to the abyss (and then losing him just like everyone else), which is why he won't be going! problem solved.

[ ✨ ] what aesthetics or symbols do you reference when writing your muse? are these backed up by canon, if your muse comes from a canon? is there any specific relevance to these choices?

DAI — shields, the sun, wings, light. wounds/sickness come up pretty often, which makes sense because he's a healer (but *cocks gun*). lava, recently :)

MINAH — I associate her with the tragicomedy masks, and also songbirds. molten gold, a bit. silks (the aerial kind, mostly, but also costumes). the theater, of course. and nomadism—living on the road, horses and caravans, that sort of thing.

CLEA — old trees, shrikes, white winter foxes, snow. furs and beads and silver jewelry. weeping willows and labyrinths and tea and bright embroidery. the way sunlight feels through the trees on a cool day in early spring, a touch of warmth after a long winter.

[ 🐺 ] does your muse like solitude? do they prefer it to being around others? how easily does your muse get lonely?

DAI — definitely (desperately) needs his alone time. he's a true introvert; no matter how much he likes hanging out he simply Has to find some quiet time to rest and recharge. the trip through the storm where they were all crammed together in the tiny hut was one of the worst experiences of his life and he's literally in the abyss right now. he doesn't get lonely easily, in part because he's always had pelor with him—the loneliest he's ever felt, I think, is when his faith was in tatters and he didn't know where to turn.

MINAH — minah likes a little private time to take the mask(s) off, but she gets antsy if she's on her own for too long. even if she's not entertaining, she likes to be in a group—she's an extrovert

CLEA — she gets lonely really easily, actually. back home she was part of a big community, and then when she left she was constantly meeting new people, going new places, traveling with her party. being in selto is nice—she likes the city and she's got friends and plenty to keep her busy—but she never lived alone before. she has a tendency to talk to the plants (and the neighbors) when she's undersocialized. she really does wish forsyhte would visit more often.

[simp-ly-writes]

Friend of the Captain

Pairing: Edward "Eddie" Horniman x afab!Reader

Summary: You and Eddie grew up together: from jealousy, emotional angst alongside some cute and loving moments, a lot has happened from throughout the years.

Warnings: 3000~ words, jealousy and light teasing.

A/N: I think the utter brainrot has gotten to me once again. Legit have a whole list of scenarios I want to write about... stay tuned~

Masterlist | Taglist | somewhat un-edited.

(pt.1) (pt.2) (pt.3)

↳ From having mothers who were university friends- Your's and Eddie's families were quite close to one another, where one's land ended yours began and vice versa. Holidays shared to both tropical and cold places from skiing in the Alps to winter spent in the South of France. Going over for season festivities- sharing countless gifts and meals with one another you both also always made time to see one another outside of these large events often sneaking off to your shared treehouse or by the pond as kids.

↳ Both of you would always promise to only spend a few hours yet your parents always showed a knowing look- understanding that those few hours extended into sunset and even beyond as you both slept over at one another's estates (in separate rooms of course- you mom would suffer a heart attack to the family reputation if else wise).

↳ Yet you would somehow find one another asleep on the couch or on the floor after nightmares or late night talks. Eddie always made sure he faced the door. A quality you had yet to take notice of at such a young age.

↳ During dinners you would often share food off each others plates as well, trading sides and offering bites of new dishes. Yet when it came to a beloved stuffed bear of yours named effectively- Teddy or the ripping of your new spring dress- you were heartbroken and distraught. Refusing to see Eddie who broke both of them after a series of playtime together.

↳ Seeking revenge, you tossed his dress shoes into the pond and his fencing gear up a tree as you instructed the garden keepers to not help the young boy in anyway as they bowed to your request with laughter in their eyes and hiding in their cheeks.

↳ It got so bad after three weeks of not seeing one another that your fathers had stepped in, setting up a formal meeting between the two of you as Eddie had written he would do his best to not break another thing of yours as you promised to at least listen to what he had to say and to not throw his gear away so close to one of his tests. You remember shaking on the agreement, shaking hard- waiting for him to drop as your hands turned red. Your father pulled you away, proud smile across his features as Eddie shook his hand- glaring at you slightly as you blinked twice innocently back.

↳ Hangouts would soon return after another week, boredom eating you alive after classes. From Hide in Seek in the hallway, sneaking away with a packed lunch towards the treehouse in the woods during the afternoon and stargazing in the evenings as various groundskeepers warned you of the rapidly dropping temperature as you both ran inside, sitting down by the hearth in the living room while dinner was being prepared. At every meal you beside one another, playing footsie or making faces until manners yelled else wise when you both were growing up.

--

↳ Moving into early teenage years, things started to become weird. Your parents separated you both more often as you were sent to an all girls school. You started to notice changes in Eddie's appearance, his voice dropping- accent darkening. His cheek bones raised and muscles filled yet Eddie watched you as well- often keeping a step just behind your own during events as others witnessed your beauty during dinners and charity events.

↳ During one fall, you two shared your first kiss together after horseback riding inside one of your family's estates. It started to rain soon afterwards as you both darted back inside, stowing the horses away and laughing as he helped to dry your hair before being pulled away by the staff.

↳ Even during more of your rebellious phases, you remember sneaking outside the house- night-robe clutched tightly to your frame as Eddie stood, cigarettes in hand. You took his current one out of his mouth, taking a drag while winking towards a dazed and drunken Freddy that stumbled over, offering you his coat before Eddie swooped in and offered you his in stead. Freddy frowned, tossing the rest of his drink on your sock covered feet and Eddies slippers. Having to throw both articles of clothing away after being unable to wash the smell away from whatever cocktail he had concocted.

↳ However, you were all unknowing to a certain younger sister, Charlotte. Who raised a small eyebrow at you all out of the house in the middle of the night, informing both mothers through the landline as they chuckled to themselves- observing you through the various estate windows with binoculars. "Quite the son-in-law I will be having, at least he lights it for her," Lady Sabrina chuckles, swatting your mothers hand away lightly at the tease. Your mother starts to frown at the statement, "We can never be too sure about things like these..." Sabrina rolls her eyes, "Are you willing to bet?"

↳ After a fight Eddie sustained while trying to stand up for his brother, you ended up your room's bathroom with a first aid kit as he sat on the edge of the bathtub, stool pulled in between his legs as you dressed the various wounds and cuts across his cheek and hands. He tussled your hair in thanks as you huffed out, kicking him in the shin as he cursed out, running after you as you darted down the hall and towards the treehouse.

↳ Eddie's and your parent's watched as Eddie carried you over his shoulder as teenagers, threatening to drop you into the pool as you kicked and squealed in protest. Having stayed the whole afternoon so far on the sun lounge with your book and lemonade. You swung rapidly at his back, fists turning his skin red as he laughed and ended up jumping in with you in his arms. You quickly swam to the surface, trying to fix your hair from your eyes as Eddie swam over to help you- doing his best to contain his laughter that soon became contagious as you splashed water on him- fathers now yelling at you to settle yourself as a particularly big wave nearly drenched them all and the awaiting staff. Mothers sharing a look between one another, clinking their glasses together

↳ You remember listening to Eddie throughout the years as he matured. Unknowing of what he wanted to be and where he should go. You would hold him during those nights, on the same couch by the same fire, leaning against the furniture while sat on the floor. A snacks board set on the coffee table just off to the side with your teas. You talked Freddy back from collapsing multiple times as well, your number set to the top of his emergency contacts- higher than even his brothers yet you pinky-swore to keep that a promise yet somehow Charlotte always knew... almost knew everything.

↳ Last Christmas (I gave you my heart), you were walking around the Halstead estate, champagne glass taken from a stock tray in the hall as you wondered where Eddie had gone. You could only listen to Freddys most recent... indulgence so long or the other young ladies escapades with their stable boys and trainers before taking a breather outside. Walking out onto the balcony, leaning over and letting the breeze cost across your collarbones. The staff offered you a blanket as you thanked them and tossed it over your shoulders.

Suddenly a snap, fabric being shuffled and a series of moans. You peered slowly and further down the estates gardens, eyes squinted into the moonlight and stars as your breath caught in your throat, heart stopping. Tears began to well in your eyes, hands began to shake as you shook your head rapidly. The staff hurriedly asked if you were feeling ill- all you could offer was a shake of your head before stumbling back into the party. Both mothers held your shoulders, fathers stood that much taller as their eyes scanned the crowd in curiosity as to who or what made you have such a reaction.

"Is everything alright dear?" Lady Sabrina asked you, lips pressed together, eyebrows upwards as you shook your head once more. Bowing your head to hide the ruining of your make-up. "I-It's nothing, just emotional about not seeing you all for a little while."

"Oh, darling," she pulls you into a tight hug, her furry shawl brushing against your nose as her hand lighting rubs your back in a comforting motion. She pulls away, hands on your cheeks as she dabs away your tears with a napkin, "You are always welcome to visit, no matter what." You took in a sharp breath of air, smiling at the mother figure before making an early departure that night.

Eddie strolled in as soon as you left, the duchess he kept company with following behind a few minutes afterwards- touching up her lipstick. His cheeks were painted a redish-hue, his dress shirt no longer finely pressed as his mother smiled tightly at him. His father merely shrugging before continuing possible business conversations with your mother and father.

↳ The weekend after, you were spending some last minute time with Charlotte. "Are you an my brother together?" She asks calmly, sipping her tea as you both walked around a shopping centre in need of new clothes for your upcoming extended vacation abroad. You stopped in your tracks, head slowly turning to face her with a sad smile. "No, I don't think things like that are in the books for us... he is my greatest friend, I am my truest self when with him yet, I-I..."

"It's alright, I think of you as a sister no less," she says, placing a hand on your shoulder before tipping her head into another boutique as you smile, picking up your bags once more before walking in with her. Charlotte would later ask her brother the same reply, he looked at her, not meeting her in the eyes before turning his back to her, his foot tapping in contemplation. "Hm, No I don't believe so," Eddie stated before pivoting out of the room without another word.

↳ You and Eddie attended one another's graduations later that year. Your remember breaking a heel while trying to run over to their family who's mother held a large rose display. You ended up falling into Freddys arms as he look as you shocked, his girlfriend Tammy raised a brow before chuckling to herself at the unamused look coming from Eddie. You perfected the hug, standing up straight while whispering thanks into his ear as he shrugged, taking the flowers from his mother and shoving them in your face playfully as you sneezed lightly at the pollen flooding your senses.

↳ Later, using the fake IDs that Freddy obtained for the both of you to sneak out to foreign bars in celebration. The both of you don't remember much of that night spent together, dancing under the strobe lights, sharing un-mannerly touches as your lips dusted over one another's- drinking yourselves delirious before calling Freddy for a ride back against both of your better judgements.

--

↳ That would be the last summer you would share at the Halstead residence. Your parents taking you away on a world tour before you were off to college. Your father spoke ill about Eddie's family, a dark look painted in his features. "I know you two are close, good friends and I hope that whatever little flutters you are having or just that. I don't want to see my daughter involved in their types of business-"

"Don't they just sell sheep and wine?" you questioned only to receive silence as your answer, you kept your lips shut with this speck of information.

↳ As young adults, you got accepted into an American college and were leaving early to familiarize yourself with the country before the school year started. Eddie had enlisted and began basic training as soon as you left. Yet before boarding the plane, You both gripped one another closely, eyes closed before pulling away, staring deeply in a silent promise to see each other soon...

↳ Eddie was there to listen to your first boarding school abroad abroad as you wrote letters to one another. You checked every week, waking up at the crack of dawn to have the halls to yourself- fingers tracing over every word with a small smile- looking outwards to the rising sun wondering if Eddie was doing the same as he was placed somewhere else across the country.

↳ Eddie anxiously waited for each letter- this was the longest you both had spent from one another and each holiday break seemed to get further and further away as you did too. His night terrors soon faded back in as he patrolled boarders and directed various men and women in war-torn states. Blood coated his hands, his face, staining his uniform and hardening his face. He breathed in the compliance of his staff, the air of freedom- of having a name for himself outside of his family's heritage- he was so close to promotion. Yet he hated dressing his wounds alone in a tent or temporary housing, his thoughts consumed by wondering what you were doing in that moment as the days only progressed by...

↳ You remember jumping into his arms at the airport (Eddie insisted on being the one to pick you up after getting his drivers license) yet he only brought a two seater and was shocked to see another young man standing beside you- shuffling awkwardly on his feet as he waved Hello, bags by his feet.

↳ His arm still hovered over your waist as you introduced your new boyfriend with rosy cheeks and lips as you leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek. Eddie remembers the firm handshake they shared, the locked eyes as they froze in that moment. Shoulders up straight, eyeing up one another's business verses military uniforms with distaste before you called for a new driver to take your boyfriend back home with you

↳ Eddie opened your door, taking your hand and helping you to step into the vehicle. Closing the door and unfolding his sunglasses, he smiled teasingly towards your boyfriend who could only silently glare in return- sitting at the back of a black SUV, following you both onto the highway and back home.

↳ Both of your mothers spat out their wine at the introduction of your boyfriend as he kept a polite yet straining grip on your hand as you shook it away, shaking it in an effort to circulate your blood once more. Mothers looked between one another, and then back at you, towards Eddie and then gulped nervously. Eddie's father raised a brow- not processing the possibility of this outcome as yours nodded once in your direction in approval. Eddie took his seat at the usual table, smile falling as you took a seat next to your boyfriend instead- offering him a polite smile in sorry.

↳ Yet this would start the cycle, every other winter break, you or Eddie would come home with a new girlfriend or boyfriend all the way up until your graduation and Eddie's promotion to Captain. Family dinners only became more strained as your mothers were beginning to lose hope in the two of you. Your fathers pulling you both apart, insisting on separating businesses and breaking contracts.

↳ What had formed as children was remarkable now in difference. What had been shared food and time, gifts by the fireplace, falling asleep underneath the stars to distant looks in the hallway. Hands brushing against one another's in boardrooms while learning from each of your fathers before the split was put into effect and in a way that was also the end for both yours and Eddies relationship as your hands drifted apart to collect your pens and papers.

↳ "See each other soon," soon became the occasional video call, to voice message, text happy holidays, and then nothing...

(pt.1) (pt.2) (pt.3)

╰┈➤ A/N: Hope you enjoyed~ Let me know if you want a (pt.2)! Taglist request can be found at the top of this post or under my blogs main materslist :)

[annoyingwerewolfwizard]

Where Does Your Food Come From? Part 2-Backyard Gardens

Backyard gardens have gone from a necessity to a hobby and now are maligned by certain people we will call, “globalists.” Claims that backyard gardening has a carbon footprint 5 times greater than commercial growing have been published along with a lot of other rubbish, as if the amount of carbon you make growing plants makes a difference in the global climate. The fact is that plants need CO2 to produce oxygen and to grow. In any case, we need to eat and during WWII, Great Britain would have gone down and during the Great Depression, there would have been more starvation without backyard gardens. Today, we are faced with a similar situation where much of the food we can buy is not good for us and is getting less and less affordable. Whenever times are hard, gardens become increasingly important by providing cheap, nutritious sources of food.

I grew up with gardens. I even had one at an apartment complex where I was living. People laughed at my little garden- a container of tomatoes, two of peppers, and a bucket of potatoes, until the tomatoes came on. Home grown tomatoes outshine store bought any day. When I started my own family, I also started a small farm on 1/3 of an acre. It was already planted with oranges, plums, cherries, peaches, grapes and artichoke and asparagus beds. I added a spectacular variety of vegetables, a couple of ducks to eat the slugs and snails and a little coup of chickens. Our grocery bill was the lowest on the block.

Now I understand that this would not be possible anywhere. It was in California, in the Central Valley where the growing season is long. However, no matter where you are, you can grow something. Fruit and nut trees are seasonal, but they produce each year and only need minimal care. The same goes for many berries. Asparagus and artichokes will also produce as long as the beds are taken care of, and the winter temperatures are not super cold. As far as the super cold is concerned, I read about one family that lived in a very cold, snowy area and raised winter crops in a greenhouse heated by rabbits. That’s a two for! The point is that where there is a will there is a way.

If you’ve read some of my other articles on food, you already know there are plenty of reasons to have your own garden. The biggest reason is that it’s your garden and you are in control of what methods to use, and what chemicals, if any. The second best reason is that the food tastes better and is more nutritious than that grown in large monocrop fields. Then there is the time you spend outside, collecting vitamin D from the sun and getting a little exercise. There is a food shortage already happening. With the crop failures, the movement to stop meat from being produced, farmland being taken out of production, and other problems, it is getting increasingly difficult to be able to afford nutritious food. It may at some point get difficult to find at all.

In light of the above, having whatever garden one has the room for, or can make the room for, is going to be important. I know many are not able to have gardens because of space and other reasons. In that case, community gardens, farmers’ markets, or just getting to know a farmer through doing business with them would be a plus. As for those who have the space but claim to have black thumbs- My oldest daughter claimed to have a black thumb yet when she took over management of a small 7-acre farm, she not only raised many animals, but her vegetable garden was an unqualified success. She used the internet, other gardeners, and books on gardening as her guides to achieve this success.

A wealth of information exists on different kinds of gardening, The internet, of course, has a ton of information. People around you can also be a source of information that is more local and can give you tips based on the locality. Rodale put out a series of gardening books with some great information as have a number of other publishers. Local groups organized around the planted seed can be contacted as well as your state agriculture organization.

I understand that some of you live in the city where space is at a premium. You might not have a backyard to plant in. Container, vertical, roof top, and hydroponic gardens are an answer to this problem. The point is to start thinking about your food now. Just stocking up will only be a temporary solution. Fresh food needs to be added to the mix both for nutrition and to make the preserved supplies last. My advice for anyone able to do it is to bury some seeds.

If there is a subject you would like to hear about food, food production or even stories about my experiences in the food industry, and I have some great ones, drop me a line by accessing my contact page on my site: https://irawhite.com/contact/

[chicwishblog]

Chicwish Reviews by Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter 

No matter where you live, how you live, clothing is an essential part of our lives. Whether you realize it when you're searching through your wardrobe or planning your ensembles, your clothing selections might be some of the most significant decisions you make in your day-to-day life. We exhibit ourselves via our clothes, which may be a fun way to express your individuality. But dressed badly for a given occasion might make you feel awkward and perhaps make you appear unprofessional. Thus, be sure you're dressed appropriately for the occasions, circumstances, and times.

If seasons are taken into consideration, clothes can be broadly categorized for spring, summer, fall, and winter. It is necessary to choose an appropriate clothing for the corresponding season to wear the right look and get the desired comfort. For example you must choose the light and breathable fabric for summer that would keep you cool during summers. Similarly, it is recommended to wear heavy clothing for winters to seek best protection from the chilling air outside.

Apart from the choosing the appropriate seasonal clothing, another aspect to keep in mind is to choose the right shopping avenue. At a time when digital platforms are on the rise, the demand for online shopping store are high. And, there are hundreds of online clothing stores available these days. Sometimes it becomes difficult to choose the best shopping avenue. Among various online clothing stores available today, ChicWish has become immensely popular in recent times. The online fashion clothing store not just sells fabulous clothing products for women but also endeavors to deliver a never-before e-shopping experience to its buyers.

Whether you are looking for a top, bottom, sweater, jacket, denim or anything else, ChicWish has a wide range of products to choose from. In other words, it is a one-stop shopping destination for women looking for products for all seasons – spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Below are some popular reviews that testify why Chicwish is a pioneer in seasonal clothing.

https://www.chicwish.com/solid-color-flap-pocket-blazer-in-black.html#reviews

“I ordered this blazed to keep myself comfy during light winters and it did the job pretty well. Soft on skin, easy to carry, excellent quality fabric – this winter clothing piece is just awesome. I got a perfect fit it helped me got my curved covered in a fabulous way. Highly recommended to people with over-sized figure like me.” – Celena G.

https://www.chicwish.com/bowknot-waist-pleated-midi-skirt-in-emerald.html

“This is a beautiful skirt. I’m only 5’1” so I have to watch the length of things or they will make me look shorter. This however is a beautiful piece. I received many compliments on the skirt. Material is nice, feel is nice and it’s comfortable. Extremely happy.” – Casey

https://www.chicwish.com/eternal-paisley-cutwork-lace-frilling-dress.html#all-reviews

“Just worn this dress at a garden party and couldn't be happier! It was incredibly comfortable to wear throughout the day. The paisley print is so distinctive.” – Serena

https://www.chicwish.com/contrast-edge-flap-front-tie-bow-knit-dress.html

“Being honest, I got a little sad once I realized it was going to be below my knees because I’ve never had a dress like that so I thought I would not look good with it but once I put it on I was super happy because it looks even better this way as it looks elegant. It is also super flattering so I loved it. I’m 5’2 and 113lbs (bought an XS)” – Andrea

https://www.chicwish.com/fancy-with-bowknot-knit-top-in-black.html

While browsing through the website, I came across this black-colored long sleeve top which is simply stunning. I made no delay in purchasing this piece of clothing and it was really a great decision. I wore it for a local party and I grabbed the eyeballs of everyone around. Thanks ChicWish for making me stand out. A lovely dress with a perfect fit.” – Liza K.

The Conclusion

Whether you are looking for quality and durable winter wear or modern and stylish summer wear, ChicWish is the most sought-after online clothing store where you can browse through a wide range of items at the best rates. However, before you shop, it is better to go through Chicwish honest reviews available online on several websites.

END OF THE DOCUMENT