#of course pizza is still yummy

[sanyu-thewitch05]

I have taken a liking to Garlic Knots and Marinara sauce now. Does that mean I’ve come full ace circle?

[kokorose]

Red Velvet- YT22

YukiTsunoda x foodie!reader

Faceclaim: Yeri(red velvet)

Summary: Tag along on Yuki’s girlfriends’ world tour of food!

Pics: Pinterest

Yn posted

📍: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Liked by YukiTsunoda, franciscacgomes, PierreGasly, DanielRicciardo, MaxVerstappen1, and 356,729 others

Yn: We’re back in the swing of things with some Fries, Stroopwafels, and Belgian Waffles ahead of Zandvoort!! 🇳🇱🧇🌷

Tagged: YukiTsunoda, franciscacgomes

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YukiTsunoda: The fries and Stroopwafels were Yummy!🤤 sad I didn’t get to try the waffles!

Yn: next time baby!

User1: honestly the cutest relationship on the grid!

MaxVerstappen1: Thanks for bringing me some…not

Yn: um, excuse me Mr. World Champion but you didn’t give me any Stroopwafels at the track.

franciscacgomes: Had fun on our date!! Those waffles were soooo good!!

Yn: ❤️❤️

Pierre Gasly: wait, is that where you two went during Free Practice?

User2: I’m glad Yn & Kika’s friendship is still strong despite Pierre moving to Alpine!

YukiTsunoda posted

📍Monza, Italy

Liked by Yn, Pierre Gasly, LiamLawson, DanielRicciardo, MickSchumacher, and 678,729 others

YukiTsunoda: Race didn’t go as planned today but I am lucky to have someone to make “Pick-me-up Pizzas” with!

Tagged: Yn

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Yn: Food makes a bad day better!

User3: awww this is actually so cute!!!

User4: PICK-ME-UP PIZZAS!! THAT’S SO CUTE!!

LiamLawson: I want a pizza!

YukiTsunoda: no.

LiamLawson: whyyy???

YukiTsunoda: bcus you actually got to the start line!

DanielRicciardo: can I have a pick-me-up pizza??

Yn: give Yuki your address, I will come make you one!!!

DanielRicciardo: aww, thanks Yn!

Yn posted

📍Singapore

Liked by YukiTsunoda, Pierre Gasly, Franciscacgomes, LiamLawson, LilyMuniHe, and 672,829 others

Yn: When attending the Singapore Grand Prix you eat Singapore noodles and have cold treats!

Tagged: YukiTsunoda

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User5: omg that dress is adorable!!!

User6: Singapore noodles are the bestttttt!!!!

Pierre Gasly: 🍧🍧

LilyMuniHe: You are adorable!!! You are now my child!

Yn Hi mom!!

AlexAlbon: @LoganSargent meet your sister!

LoganSargent: I’ve always wanted a sister!!

User7: not Lily and Alex adopting Yn and Logan in the same breath!

User8: Logan is Alex’s son confirmed!!

YukiTsunoda posted

📍Tokyo, Japan

Liked by AlphaTauri, LiamLawson, Pierre Gasly, DanielRicciardo, MaxVerstappen1, AlexAlbon, NyckDeVries and 562,739 others

YukiTsunoda: Back in Japan! Quick trip to Disney Land!

Tagged: Yn

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Yn: I love you 5000!!

YukiTsunoda: I love you 5000!

User9: They are so cute!

User10: !!! Stop that’s too cute!

LiamLawson: YOU GUYS WENT WITHOUT ME!!!

YukiTsunoda: you’re not my girlfriend Liam.

LiamLawson: 😮😮 how dare you!

Pierre Gasly: So that’s why you didn’t want to get sushi with me.

Yn posted

📍Austin, Texas

Liked by YukiTsunoda, Franciscacgomes, LilyMuniHe, DanielRicciardo, and 563,638 others

Yn: Everything’s bigger in Texas! Of course we had to get some Texas Barbecue! 🤠🤠

P.s. no we did not wear white to have bbq! We’re not dumb!

Tagged: YukiTsunoda

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DanielRicciardo: That’s Texas baby!!!!

User11: honestly get you a boyfriend like Yuki. Just takes you around the world to find good food!

User12: OMG! They went to L’barbeque!!! That place is sooooo good!

User13: damn that Mac&cheese looks amazing 🤤

Yn: It was!

User14: I need a boyfriend who will take me to fun food joints so bad!!

LilyMuniHe: damn that food looks good!! But the girl looks even better!

Yn: ❤️❤️❤️

Yn posted

📍Mexico City, Mexico

Liked by YukiTsunoda, DanielRicciardo, Franciscacgomes, LilyMuniHe, AlexAlbon, LiamLawson, and 567,378 others

Yn: Taco Date Night! We had to try some amazing tacos while in Mexico!

Tagged: YukiTsunoda

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LiamLawson: those are some strange looking tacos.

YukiTsunoda: they were good though

LiamLawson: you think everything tastes good!

Franciscacgomes: look at how cute you look!!

Yn: 😊😊

User15: Two very different friendships! lol!!

AlexAlbon: Lily says you have to bring her some! Mother’s orders are her exact words!

Yn: sure! 😂😂

YukiTsunoda posted

📍São Paolo, Brazil

Liked by Yn, Pierre Gasly, Franciscacgomes, LiamLawson, DanielRicciardo, MaxVerstappen1, NyckDeVries and 678,739 others

YukiTsunoda: Had some amazing Brazilian food while in Brazil! 🇧🇷

Tagged: Yn

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Yn: It was soooo good!

User16: ughh!! Brazilian food is soooo good!

Pierre Gasly: that bbq we had after the race was good!

YukiTsunoda: yeah except your girlfriend was trying to steal mine!

Franciscacgomes: we’re gonna get married in Vegas!

Yn: totally! Sorry boys!

YukiTsunoda: 😨

Yn: I’m kidding babe! If I’m marrying anyone in Vegas it’s you!

User17: why are they like this????

User18: Kika “Miss. Steal-your-girl” Gomes

User19: IF IM MARRYINH ANYONE UTS YOU!?!

Yn posted

📍Paris, France

Liked by YukiTsunoda, Franciscacgomes, LilyMuniHe, LoganSargent, AlexAlbon, LiamLawson, and 675,697 others

Yn: He flew me to Paris for my birthday! I’m so in love with this man!❤️

Tagged: YukiTsunoda

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YukiTsunoda: My girl deserves the best on her birthday!

Yn: I love you! 😘

YukiTsunoda: I love you too!!

User20: “my girl” 😭 when will it be my turn. Anyway Happy Birthday Yn!!!!

Pierre Gasly: Happy Birthday!

Franciscacgomes: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLINH 🥰🥰🥰

LilyMuniHe: OMG!! Happy birthday to my child!!

AlexAlbon: “our” child! Happy birthday Yn!!

LoganSargent: happy birthday to my “sister”!!

LiamLawson: Happy birthday I guess. Nah I’m kidding! Happy birthday Yn!!

User21: Happy birthday 🎉🎊

[concretevampire]

Building Holes

Part One

mike schmidt x afab!reader ☆ 8.9k ☆ no use of y/n and no reader description ☆ meeting for the first time; people being humans; adult themes; no serious warnings

A/N: I’ve been a FNAF and Josh Hutcherson fan since I was in middle school so this feels necessary. updates for this story will be (mostly) regular. English is not my first language.

You can see the panic in his eyes before he probably even thinks about it.

You don’t know him. Of course you don’t, he’s just a guy who happened to be standing in front of you at the check-out line.

But you feel bad. Really bad.

The cashier: they look disgruntled. Annoyed too. You can hardly blame them though– crying children irritate people– but you can’t help but be irked. Whoever this guy is, he’s obviously trying his best.

And what can you really do when something like this happens?

Some glittery, pink, thingamajig was right in the little girl’s line of sight and kids don’t like the word “no”. It didn’t help that he barely glanced at her when he told her off mundanely; quietly, eyes trained on the scan of item after item.

So, she’s throwing a fit. A torrential, hysterical, fit.

She can’t be older than nine, you think. And him, maybe a college student. An odd pair, but the world is filled with those. They’re so human it almost hurts; a gasp for air, a vase that’s older than you are; autumn leaves on concrete, the curve of a dandelion.

He’s processed his panic now, going pale as he spins to look between the girl and the cashier. Bag the groceries or calm her down?

The cashier looks more exasperated than anything else now. Impatience billows like drying laundry in their chest, wafting dew toward you.

A particularly pitiful sound shrieks from the girl and the thought that you want to go home enters your mind. It’s selfish, especially as you watch this guy bend down onto one knee, his thumbs wiping away the tears that muck the girl’s cheeks; muttering apologies and gentle pleas to quiet.

The fluorescent lighting of the store deepens the shadows underneath his eyes.

You decide then that your groceries aren’t really an emergency but the only thing you’ve got in the fridge is pickles and frozen pizza. You could make do but you don't want to.

“Do you want me to bag your groceries for you?” You ask, side-stepping past your cart and to The Guy, who’s precariously offering hushed solutions to the girl’s self-imposed grief.

He looks up; between you, his girl, the cashier, then the box of cereal on the counter that sits soundly.

Blue and unbothered.

Back to you. His eyes shine so brightly, you find yourself convinced he’s on the verge of tears. That’s just how he looks, you realize. Dark, dark eyes– condors and tarmac– and the twinkle of artificial light in them.

He nods weakly. “If you don’t mind.”

You shrug and walk past him, to the end of the cash register.

There’s Chef Boyardee, Donettes, Yummy Dino Buddies; they all get bagged– one by one– together. The Guy comes to stand next to you, now holding his girl; her ruddy, sobbing face tucked warmly into the crook of his neck. She’s clinging to his OMSI: Pacific Marine Camps t-shirt, snot getting on the printed Spicebush Swallowtail.

His dark eyes follow your hands as you set aside the eggs.

“Thank you,” he says, but you’re barely halfway done. He’s earnest about it though; gaze on your jaw as one of his warm palms rubs firm circles into the girl’s back.

You shake your head half-heartedly. “It’s okay,” you tell him.

“You didn’t have to do this.”

“I offered.”

He goes quiet, glancing towards the cashier a couple of times nervously. “Most people wouldn’t.”

“I dunno,” you set the eggs on top of the Donettes and whip open a new bag to place milk and Kraft Mac n’ Cheese in. “Stuff like this happens all the time.”

The little girl’s sobs have receded into hiccups and sniffles, still crying, but quiet.

The cashier picks at their nails.

When you finish bagging The Guy’s groceries, you give him a smile. Something that you hope is reassuring. Warm: the apple cider you had a week ago bubbling up on your cheeks.

Then, you return to your cart and the cashier begins scanning your items.

The Guy lingers.

A minute later he’s offering to pay for your groceries.

“You’re acting like you’re in debt,” you tease with a bewildered smile, borderline grimace.

“I am.”

“No, you’re not.”

When you exit, he follows; pushing his cart with one hand, holding the girl up with the other. She’s not crying anymore.

The pair follow as you step over a mess of expired coupons that have been trodden into a fine paste over the parking lot’s concrete. Baby wipes: two for one.

“You’ve gotta let me repay you,” he implores.

You shrug a shoulder.

He opens and closes his mouth, struggling to find the right words. And there probably aren’t any, but you can’t tell him that. That’s something he’s gotta figure out on his own. You throw the back of your car open and shove groceries in.

He watches quietly.

“Thank you,” he then says, stubbornly. Like you’re a tornado; flightless fog and feathered ozone, a nightmare, something so earnestly destructive.

He has no clue how to approach it. You.

You turn to him fully, the air turning more yellow between the two of you as the evening deepens. The sun, a molten yolk melting and dipping into the bread of the Earth’s foundation.

He’s handsome— strong arms, broad shoulders, sharp jaw— and entirely constructed by hard-headed exhaustion.

Awfully young to be taking care of a girl like that, you think, but shit happens.

Shit always happens.

You close the trunk of your car.

“Good luck,” you tell The Guy, waving softly.

He’s quiet but he begins to step away, and the girl finally looks up– still clutching onto his shirt. Her dark, dark eyes glue stickily to yours: a gooey, feathered, glittery, arts n’ crafts project.

You smile at her, something you hope is reassuring. She sniffles.

“Thanks,” he says, moving further away, “you too.”

•---------•

“Happy Birthday.” You present the manilla folder lazily to David. He raises a brow.

“Those aren’t the divorce papers, are they?”

“Um,” you bring the folder back to your chest– an evil, rectangular teddy bear– and flip it open, “‘Complaint for Divorce’ in parentheses, ‘No Children’,” you look back at him. “I dunno, could be.”

He groans and reorganizes the staplers on his desk that have already been neatly placed at the corner. Twenty-degree angles on top of ninety-degree angles. All aligned in minimalist, careful, simplicity.

Perfect.

“I’m glad someone’s getting some amusement out of my divorce,” David groans, flipping drawers open and closed. Looking for something imaginary, something that will keep him busy. An object that will be an excuse in the future for his own failures.

“Our divorce,” you plea sarcastically, “You’re not gonna be my brother-in-law any more.” As if it ever mattered.

“Why are you here anyway?” He asks, finally straightening. One of his thick brows raises. “And not her assistant?”

“She wanted the personal touch.” You joke, setting the folder down on his desk. It feels incriminating when you hold it yourself as if you’re the one holding the gun up to their marriage, pulling the trigger. David eyes the folder warily. He reaches a skinny hand out, flipping through the papers tentatively.

His tendons swing and swell like frantic waves under his tan skin.

“I guess one nice thing about marrying a lawyer is that paperwork’s never a problem,” he mutters.

“And there are copies.”

“Oh, joy!” He exclaims, but then slumps in his chair, temples balanced in his palms. He’s awfully small like this. Crumpled at his desk. His blue and green argyle tie, a ruined knot at his neck. Gray suit, a poor stitch of used paper towels surrounding his frame.

Something about seeing a man so weak feels sacrilegous. Feels like a taunt. Feels like God is sitting on your shoulder and giggling.

It doesn’t help that his desk is so pristine. Neat where David is fucked. A nameplate sits perfectly in the center: DAVID CASTILLO VICE PRINCIPAL, it screams, confident.

“I should go,” you say when he doesn’t twitch from his hunched position for sixty seconds.

He nods, then shakes his head, then pinches the bridge of his nose as if a spider’s unfurled its legs in the cave of it. “No,” he starts, “No, um,” he glances at the divorce papers and looks away just as quickly. There’s a picture of him and your sister hanging on the wall to his left. He stares at the frame. “How about I take you out to dinner? Or something?”

“Sure,” you shrug.

“Okay.” David inhales deeply.

It’s quiet. A clock on his wall ticks, again and again, impending itself into your skin and his soul. “Do you want me to wait outside?” You ask, pointing a thumb at the door.

“Please,” he mutters.

The school is empty. The ‘Welcome Back to School!’ display is still up in the lobby, even though it’s mid-September and a chill is starting to ghost the air every few days. A janitor scoops up a leaking trash bag, throws it over his shoulder, and rolls the bin into the hallway.

You stroll past a wall absolutely littered with papers; drawings hung up like samara fruit in waxy colors. Lots of suns with smiley faces and brown, pea-bodied dogs. Theres a family of rainbow turtles and a wonky drawing of Ariel from The Little Mermaid. You recognize a dragon and a field of camels too. It’s endearing.

David wanted kids. Your sister didn’t.

That’s not the reason they’re getting a divorce but it’s one of those little microcosms that sums up why.

One little minute passed but it changed the hour. Changed the day too, maybe. Or the week. The month. For all you know, even the year. That’s what happened with them.

Just one minute. That’s all it takes.

You expect the cafeteria to be empty like everything else but it isn’t. There’s a woman sitting near the entrance with barrel hips and kinky, salt-and-pepper hair that's clipped back viciously in a bun. She smells warm, like peaches and laundry detergent; shea butter too.

A spice you only dream about.

The woman looks up at you from her book– something by Toni Morrison– and her brown and pink lips purse at you.

For a second she looks mean, but her hands seem so soft; so, so soft; the color of warm, brown egg shells. Her nails are lacquered in a hazy shade of lavender that reminds you of glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling and the taste of milk with honey.

Sweet potato pie.

“Are you here for Abby Schmidt?” She asks, her voice low and smooth like the afterthought of a lullaby. Her eyes then turn to a girl sitting at one of the cafeteria tables. She sits alone, her dark hair hanging in rivulets around her ears and jaw, and she scribbles mindlessly with crayons on paper.

“No,” you tell her, adjusting your messenger bag a little. “I was just dropping something off for Mr. Castillo.”

The woman closes her book. Her eyebrows are thin. Neat stitches arched above wrinkles. “Are you a friend of David’s?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Okay,” she relents and opens her book again. You smile fractionally and nod, even though she doesn’t see.

Your footsteps echo against the linoleum as you walk deeper into the heart of the cafeteria. The girl doesn’t look up from her work, even as you approach, and you find yourself standing behind her. You’re looking over her shoulder at her art, arms clasped behind your back.

“I like your drawing,” you utter. The girl— Abby— turns to look up at you. Her eyes stick to yours.

“Thank you,” she says, trading a green crayon for a pink one. Then she looks back up, assessing you like you’re a division problem she hasn’t quite learned yet. “I like your jacket.” She settles.

“Thanks,” you say genuinely, shifting on your feet, “Can I sit with you?”

Abby nods and scoots over as you join her. She keeps coloring. Your eyes scan her drawing some more.

Two scribbled figures. Both with dark hair, and dark eyes, and smiles. One is taller than the other, and you can tell that the shorter one is herself: she’s wearing the red overalls in her drawing. The taller figure sports a green sweater— deep green.

Evergreens, ferns; huckleberries falling off the branch.

“Is that your dad?” You ask, hand waving towards the taller figure. She shakes her head.

“That’s Mike. He’s my brother.”

You nod. “Is that who you’re waiting for?”

“Mhm. But he’ll be here soon.” She checks the little purple watch on her wrist like she’s the president of the United States. “He’s usually late.” She turns to you. “Are you waiting for someone too?”

You guess you are. “Yeah.”

“Are they late?”

You shrug. “Sorta.”

Abby then narrows her eyes at your face. “I know you,” she says resolutely.

“Do you?” You ask, propping your head up with a palm as you rest your elbow on the cafeteria table.

“Yeah. You’re that lady who helped Mike at the grocery store.”

Your brows twitch upward, an interested leer wide on your lips. Abby looks suddenly familiar. Dark, dark eyes and fluorescents catching on them.

You’re surprised she remembers that at all; not only because it happened back during the tail-end of July, but because she was sobbing through the whole situation. She only saw your face for a solid five seconds and still recognized you as That Lady.

Smart girl.

“Yeah, that was me.”

She assesses you again; but more like a bird on a tree. “I’m Abby.”

“Nice to meet you, Abby.” You introduce yourself too. She beams and turns back to coloring. You watch and then ask, “Can I draw with you?” and Abby is quick to shove a paper and brown crayon in your hand.

She seems very pleased about the development.

Ten minutes later she’s frowning at your purple cow-dog-unicorn-thing and shaking her head. “I don’t think it looks like a cow.”

You look down at your work with her.

“Maybe if you squint? It’s abstract.” You narrow your eyes and bite the flesh of your cheek, doing what you think the high masters did when they made shit too.

She tries a squint and then frowns harder. “No.”

You laugh. “Well, maybe it’s my own animal.”

“Does it have a name?”

“Hmm. Wanna help me think of one?”

“Umm,” Abby tilts her head this way and that, the curls of her hair springing as she does. “I can’t think of anything.”

Before you can reply with something funny, someone runs into the cafeteria, panting. It’s The Guy. Mike. Her brother.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Harris, I-“

The woman ignores him, flipping another page in her book. He sighs and swallows, turning towards Abby. Then he looks flatly at you.

Abby stares– unwavering– as he walks over, hands crossed neatly over one another on the table. Mike takes her scrutiny like it’s orange juice with pulp while glancing strangely between her face and yours.

“Mike,” she starts. “You’re late.”

“Yeah, I know, um,” he looks vaguely towards you. This feels like a routine and it feels like you're breaking it.

Abby introduces you. “This is the nice lady from the grocery store.” She supplies. His eyes widen momentarily, suddenly putting all the pieces of the past and the present together, a jigsaw falling into place. His eyes trace the slant of your nose, the curve of your eyes; linger on the pocket above your lips and the eve of your jaw.

Mike clears his throat and straightens his back. “I didn’t know you worked here?”

“I don’t,” you say, and look at your purple abomination. “A family member does.”

Mike nods and momentarily loses interest, walking around the table and grabbing Abby’s backpack. He slings it across his shoulder. It’s phenomenally tiny on his sback and you realize just how small Abby is. And the little pack is so bright against him too; shining in reds, and yellows, and deep blue cerulean against the gray-green of his jacket.

Abby stands, gathers her drawings (yours too), and grabs Mike’s hand when he offers it. There are bandaids on his thumb and pointer finger, bruises like nightshade crawling from underneath the torn brown.

But Abby doesn’t look away from you when Mike makes it for the exit. She makes an annoyed, high-pitched sound from the back of her throat and glues her eyes to yours desperately.

He stops, head knocking back to stare at the ceiling tiredly, before dropping to look at her. “What’s wrong?” He asks her gently.

“Wanna go to Sparky’s with us?” Abby asks you, with no regard towards Mike. Like he’s an imaginary presence. His eyes go wide though, catching the light like moths as he stares tight-lipped and in utter horror at the back of Abby’s head.

And then he comes to terms with it, frowning between you and her.

“Um,” you start, then scoot closer to Abby in your seat. Your eyes level with hers. “I think that’s something you need to ask Mike about,” you settle gently, hoping its the right thing to say.

She whips her head to look up at him. “Can they go to Sparky’s with us?”

Mike clears his throat; shifts his stance like it’ll suddenly root the words into his mind; adjusts the strap of Abby’s bag on his shoulder.

“Maybe later,” he decides.

“When?”

“Abby. C’mon.”

“When, Mike?”

You rise from your seat. “Are you free Friday?” You ask him, head tilting. He purses his lips at you, jaw working, and then seemingly gives up.

“After four, yeah.”

“Great. Me too.”

“Okay.”

“Friday at five then?” You beam down at Abby. “Sparky’s right?” Back at Mike. “That’s on 65th and Jefferson?”

“Yeah. Sure, sounds good.” He says, but you don’t believe him. He’s got this barely-there wince on his face like there’s a nail in his shoe.

He’s sorry, you realize. Sorry about Abby; sorry that he’s supposedly forced you into this. You shake your head at him with an easy smile.

It’s okay. But he doesn’t believe you either.

You feel like he’s the type of person who’s always on his own page. Not because he wants to be but because he’s worried that other people can’t read between the lines. Can’t look deeper, past the words and into the real meat of it all.

Or maybe Mike’s more comfortable ripping the book apart than letting anybody settle down into it with him.

He leaves.

Abby waves at you, a flutter of little fingers as she walks out the door too, trailing behind Mike.

David shows up five minutes later.

His tie is situated perfectly around his neck; firm and rigid into the confines of his freshly buttoned suit. He smiles at Mrs. Harris and she asks him how he is. David says he’s fine. You wish he didn’t have to lie but he waves you over like his life is a dream and you accept that this is the reality he wants. And that you’re, in some way, a part of it.

Dinner with him is a blur. The week is a blur.

On Friday, you almost forget that you’ve committed to go to Sparky’s but one of your coworkers mentions how her daughter has a ballet recital; and you’re suddenly reminded of Abby.

Reminded of the fact that there’s now apparently a child in your life that is affected by your actions.

You think for a moment to talk about Abby but remember suddenly that you don’t really know a thing about her. You don’t know whether she prefers apple juice or orange juice: what her favorite cartoon is: or if she’s still using kid’s toothpaste.

Abby’s not your kid or your little sister, and that fact doesn’t change even if you think she’s cute and funny.

You wonder what she’s drawn today.

Maybe she’ll show you. You think about how small she is and if her little eyes will stare into yours, hop-scotching across the strange adult sadness you can’t seem to shake off on warm, overcast days like today.

You drown out thoughts with the radio while you drive to Sparky’s.

It’s a hard place to miss.

It’s just outside the center of town, and the flat-topped building sits under a large neon sign that says “SPAKY’S GIL & DINR” because the owner can’t really afford to fix the letters that don’t light up anymore. The smiling, cartoon dog– Sparky— doesn’t light up anymore either.

He’s got bird shit on his left eye.

You’re five minutes early when you open the glass door to the diner. A bell tinkles, signaling your arrival.

Mike and Abby have already situated themselves in one of the gray laminate booths. They sit on one side together. Abby’s got her head down, already scribbling at a paper with a green, broken crayon. Mike’s looking out the window, an arm across the back of the booth behind her. Calm, reserved.

A little, yellow teddy bear is propped up between them.

Mike only turns your way when you sit down across from him. Abby looks up from her drawing immediately, her head jolting up. Her grin is palpable, like strawberry shortcake, when you say hi.

“You came!” She exclaims, grip tightening on the crayon. It might snap.

You smile. “Of course I did. I said I would, didn’t I?”

Abby nods and returns to drawing; her arm moving twice as fast as it was before you came.

Mike makes eye contact with you. His eyes then drop to linger on the collar of your shirt, reading the hem like an instruction manual, before raising again.

You’re not sure what he learned from the stitching.

Something by The Doors is droning on the speaker; fuzzy, blurry, like fog. Jim Morrison moans out “Let it roll, baby, roll~” and your foot taps along.

“Did you just get back from work?” You ask him, shrugging your jacket off.

“Yep.”

“What do you do?”

“Construction.” Something you could’ve guessed, judging by the Carhartt pants and steel-toed boots.

“Nice,” you say, authentically.

He nods, then says, “How about you?” like the words are gumming to his teeth.

“Boring stuff,” you wave Mike off and watch Abby trade for a blue crayon. She’s humming along to the music. You can feel his eyes on the side of your face and turn your head back to sit eye-to-eye. He raises a quizzical brow. “Seriously,” you implore.

“You don’t have a job,” He says simply. He’s not really bothered by the notion that you’re unemployed.

“I do,” you huff, “I just,” so you tell him about it. He looks tired while you talk, occasionally eyeing the ketchup and continuously rereading the label while actively pretending not to. But he’s an honest, good sport about it; at the very least trying to seem interested. Mike nods in all the right places, giving “yeahs” and “mhms” when he should.

In the middle of your drone, the waitress comes.

She’s fifty-something, with chalky eyeliner bleeding under her eyes; her ginger-dyed hair is pulled back in an impressively messy beehive. You easily imagine royal honey dripping from the split ends. She smells like stevia and tobacco. The name tag on her chest says “Susie”.

Susie blinks at you warmly and tiredly. “What can I get for you?”

Mike orders first, orders for Abby– who barely flinches at the mention of her name– and then you order.

Susie leaves without writing any of it down.

Mike turns back to you, tense. “You don’t mind paying for yourself, right?”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” you joke, but he doesn’t really smile. Abby suddenly looks up from her art and leans in your direction, a little valence electron swarming into a new orbital. Her small shoulder pushes into Mike’s bicep. He stills her with a soft look like he wants to pillow her in peach fuzz and call it a night.

“Do you like your job?” She asks, sitting up on her knees. The hand Mike has resting on the booth moves to fix her sweater to her shoulder. She doesn’t even flinch.

You shrug a little. “It’s okay.”

She seems troubled. “Why do grown-ups never like their jobs?”

You stifle a laugh but shake your head. “I’m not sure about that. There are a lot of grown-ups who like their jobs.”

“I don’t know any.”

You glance at Mike.

He’s wincing at her words– scratching at the skin behind his ear– looking properly embarrassed. They’re a funny pair; like pickle relish and peanut butter. Weird fishes swimming and circling together because they have nowhere else to go. They know this routine; know the angle of each other’s currents.

“There are,” you assure her. Your eyes drift toward the drawing she abandoned. “What do you wanna be when you’re grown-up?”

She shrugs and tells you “I dunno,” like it’s the easiest answer in the world. “This boy, Jesse, in my class, he wants to be an astronaut.”

“Do you want to be an astronaut?”

“Sure. Space is cool. And the moon is pretty.” Abby looks towards the ceiling as if it’ll break apart and reveal Mars.

Your fingers reach tentatively for her art and when she doesn’t protest, you take it fully. You hold her work up with two hands in front of your face like a mask. “You don’t wanna be an artist?” You ask with a sly smile, peeking around the drawing. She shrugs again and Mike rubs her back a little.

You face the paper.

It’s a grassy scene; blue sky, yellow sun wearing sunglasses. Five figures are the subject; Abby in the middle and then two other children on each side of her. On her left; a redhead boy with a hook for a hand and another boy in a top hat. On her right; a blonde girl in a pink dress and finally, a boy in blue with bunny ears.

You put down the paper to look at Abby. Her eyes are wide, expectant. Mike’s are the same.

“Are these your friends?”

“Yes!” Abby exclaims and leans on the table to look at you closer. “How did you know?”

“Lucky guess,” you grin, pleased.

Mike shifts awkwardly. “Imaginary,” he clarifies. “Imaginary friends.”

You give him a private, amused smile. He relaxes a little.

Abby hands you a blank paper. “You should draw your friends.”

You obey, picking up a crayon, starting with yourself. Mike watches you carefully, eyes on your hands, sometimes trailing the curve of your eyebrows and the fall of your lashes.

“You’re good,” he says as Abby hands you a pink crayon– which you take dutifully. You draw a flower while sending him a wry smile, shaking your head. “I’m serious,” he implores, but you can hear the joke behind it.

“Sure.”

Then you finish coloring your jeans in and lean back to think.

Friends. You could draw your sister. But she’s not a friend. She’s your sister, and a lawyer, and a now ex-wife, but she’s not a friend.

David isn’t a friend either.

Dinner with him was quiet and he’d broke down into tears (again) by the end of it. You paid for the bill out of pity. You think that’s probably the last time you’re ever going to see him.

The waitress drops your food off as you start to outline the shape of red overalls.

Abby chews deftly on her chicken nuggets and leans into Mike’s shoulder while he dips his burger into a heaping pool of ketchup: the two of them eye your drawing together. You’re reminded of this photo you saw once in a Nat Geo magazine of two dark-eyed owls burrowed together.

You bite a smile.

When you’re done coloring a green sweater, you straighten and pop a self-satisfied fry into your mouth.

Abby wipes her hands off with a napkin that Mike hands her and takes your drawing. She gasps when she sees. Mike’s brows raise and you reflexively hope he doesn’t hate it.

“It’s us!” Abby says excitedly, vibrating with joy. You take a bite of your food and nod. She turns to Mike, huffing, and very seriously tells, “This is for the fridge.”

And finally, Mike smiles, almost snorting. But all he does is nod and say “Sure is,” between his bite

“You even drew my overalls.”

“I did,” you say. “They’re totally cute.”

“I like the flowers you drew around us.”

“Pretty, right?”

Abby looks so happy you could scream.

By the time both Mike and you are done with your food, her eyes haven’t left the drawing. And you must be doing something right because at some point Mike smiles at you.

Quietly. Mostly unseen.

Mike is comfortably out of your reach but he flutters in and out of your grasp fleetingly; a moth seeking light, heat, maybe something more. When he lands, you don’t close your fingers; only hang your palm open and let him decide if he wants to stay.

Maybe you are on the same page but you’re not sure if he knows it.

When the check comes Mike suddenly offers to pay. You refuse, waving him off and sticking your card in with his.

Susie comes to pick it up and then returns five seconds later, wishing you a nice day. You walk out of the diner as one big group– Mike holding the door open for you and Abby– and you find yourselves stuck under neon signs.

Mike looks at Abby carefully. “Can you wait in the car for a second?” He asks. She looks immediately offended, wanting to say no.

He looks exhausted.

Abby glares at him, then looks sadly at you before walking away and clambering into the back seat of his Honda Accord.

You turn to Mike and he turns to you when the door slams shut.

“Thank you,” he says immediately like he’s been holding it in his lungs the entire time.

“It’s nothing.”

“No,” he urges, “seriously. Abby, she,” he glances at the car, “she has a really hard time with people. Shit, I have a hard time with her too and I’m her brother.” Mike takes a deep breath. “She really likes you.”

You’re quiet for a second, letting the shadow in your eyes escape and mingle with his. “I get it.” You tell him. “Kids are…” you scuff your shoe against the pavement, “hard. Big emotions, little bodies, ya know?”

He nods. “Yeah.” He exhales. “You’re good with her.”

“I was a weird kid too.” You tell Mike with a grin.

Something like a smile is offered as he shakes his head. “You, uh,” he stuffs his hands in the pockets of his jeans and glues his eyes to the ground. “You wouldn’t mind meeting up again?”

You take a deep breath. This is a lot.

You should say, “Yes, I do mind,” but honestly, you really don’t. You’re not bothered by their company. You like both of them. Mike’s got something sad about him though; constantly in the eye of a storm, waiting for the hazard to hit again. And Abby’s Abby: sweet.

“It’s just, she doesn’t really,, click. But she did with you. And I know she’s gonna wanna see you again.” He elaborates.

“Sure,” you breathe, blinking. “Do you want my phone number or something?”

Mike nods. “Yeah, that’d be good.” He gives you his phone and sniffs when you enter your digits and hand it back.

You step away, steeping yourself deeper into the night. “See you around?”

“Yeah,” he nods and turns to his car. Abby rolls the window down, thin arms circling quickly, and peaks her head out.

“Bye!” She calls desperately as the engine starts. She probably thinks she’ll never see you again.

“Later, alligator!” You call back, waving.

She grins toothily and Mike asks her to roll the window up as they pull slowly out of the parking lot.

•---------•

Mike doesn’t contact you for the next two weeks. You expect it.

By the third week, you’ve settled that he’s realized just how odd this situation is and won’t call you ever. Something like disappointment aches awfully in your chest but you brush it off as a human reaction to the departure of warm summer evenings.

October is right around the corner and you’re starting to feel it.

The days are getting crisper; dirt turning to mud, dew on the grass, leaves turning orange. There’s also a bug going around at work and you’re not spared of its spread.

You wake up one morning with a scratch in your throat, an ache in your head, and a clog in your left nostril. You’re not really that sick; after a cup of coffee, you feel better. But your psyche still feels like it’s made from popsicle sticks and cotton balls.

You take it to the pharmacy before work.

There’s Nyquil and a row of untouched Dayquil next to it. Concentrated Tylenol and Cepacol. Zyrtec and Claritin. Dimetapp. You take the Aspirin and Nyquil and shlump towards the counter.

Mike is there, looking casually fatigued in front of the check-out counter, his hands in his pockets.

“Hey,” you say, the inflection of a question in your voice; the hesitance that maybe Mike wants to be ignored. Remain unseen. Unperceived. He jolts a little at your greeting and doesn’t relax when he turns to face you.

“Hey,” he says back. He takes a glance at your hand. “Sick?”

“Just a runny nose.”

He nods, takes a nervous look towards the empty counter, and then scratches at the growing stubble on his jaw.

“How ‘bout you?” You ask.

His eyes won’t meet yours. “Just some medication.”

You nod and look slowly toward the rack of non-prescription reading glasses. There’s a glittery, red pair at the very top– so small they could probably fit in the palm of your hand. “How’s Abby?”

Mike relents a little, shoulders going from concrete to rubble. “She’s doing alright. She asks about you sometimes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I mean, that drawing you did? She loves it.”

“I’m glad.”

There’s a quiet spell– the two of you looking in your own directions– and when the pharmacist finally shows up, paper bag in hand, Mike nabs it and leaves.

Then you step forward to pay, a polite smile on your lips, eyes flicking to your watch to take a mental note that you need to get to work soon.

Mike’s waiting for you outside the pharmacy; awkward and dark against the white overcast. It’s foggy this morning. You don’t know how he isn’t cold, only wearing a pair of jeans and a Foo-Fighters t-shirt that’s a little tight around the arms and chest. That makes you swallow.

You slow to a stop in front of him.

“I was gonna call you,” he sighs. “I got busy.”

“It’s okay.”

“Do you wanna,” he raises a hand, then drops it uselessly, “do something with Abby soon?”

“Sure.”

“She’s got a half-day on Wednesday. We could take her to the park?”

It’s a good plan. You don’t know why he sounds so unsure. “Get her outside before it gets too cold to?”

“Yeah,” he says, breathing a little easier.

“Sure, I’d love to.”

Mike straightens his back a degree. “You know Marylheights Park? It’s close to the school.”

“Yeah, I know it.”

“Is one okay? Or are you working?” He suddenly realizes.

You shake your head. “I can come by on my lunch break.”

“Alright. Great. See you there.”

You smile, nod, step away a little, and then leave– abandoning Mike under the eave of the pharmacy.

True to your word, you show up at one o’clock in the afternoon at Marylheights Park. Mike and Abby are already there– he’s sitting on a bench, wearing a flimsy black hoodie and she’s bundled up in a pink and red jacket, a beanie knitted in a cacophony of colors on her head.

She runs over when she sees you, a heap of colors on the breeze, a smile bright on her face.

“I haven’t seen you in forever!” She exclaims, tripping a little on the bark-chip. You see Mike twitch and then falter when she catches herself.

“You okay?” You ask, reaching a hand out for support if she needs it. She grabs your fingers, tight, as she leads you toward the playground. There’s a couple of other kids with their parents playing too.

“Do you like my hat?” She asks, stopping in front of you to show off.

“I love it.”

“Mike made it for me.”

You glance at him. He’s slouched lazily on the bench, hands stuffed in the pocket of his hoodie.

“Really?”

“Mhm.” She dawdles around you, skipping and humming as she climbs the monkey bars. “I saw a turtle today.”

“That’s cool.”

“Yeah, it was really cute.” She hangs off one of the bars, letting herself swing back and forth. “Lauren brought it for show-and-tell today.”

“What did you bring for show-and-tell?” You ask, leaning against a post with your arms crossed.

“My friend.”

“Your friend?”

“He’s in my backpack right now.”

You nod like it makes perfect sense. “When I did show-and-tell I brought my big sister.” It’s not true but it's funny to think about.

Abby looks at you wide-eyed and a flock of Canadian Geese honk above you; black and white, obnoxious angels. “You can do that?”

“Duh.”

Abby drops from the bar and stares at you. “You’re lying to me.”

You grin. “Maybeeee.”

She rolls her eyes the same way that people do it on TV and suddenly walks away when she sees a round of Lava Monster is starting up. It’s a weird, convoluted game you used to play all the time. You’re suddenly upset that you forgot the rules; as if it didn’t used to be one of your favorite things in the whole world.

You sigh and meander over to Mike, sitting next to him.

Your eyes stay on Abby as she toddles along the play-structure in the middle, unsteadier than you like. Mike hands you a brown, paper bag wordlessly. You raise a brow and take it.

Inside is a white-bread sandwich in a ziploc bag, a juice box, and a folded note.

“What-”

Mike cuts you off. “You came on your lunch break.” You raise your head to look him in the eye. He’s so hard to read sometimes. ”Hope you like turkey and cheese.”

You beam, flushing between joy and embarrassment, and grab the juice box. There’s a cool guy surfing on it. “Thanks,” you say, stabbing the straw into the top. “You didn’t have to.”

He shrugs and turns to watch Abby. She clambers across the slides to avoid being tagged. Some of the other kids yelp and scream wordlessly.

“I owed it to you,” he breathes, his words turning to a puff of vapor in front of his nose.

The two of you split the sandwich in half and you don’t miss the way Mike watches you pick at the crust. When you eat it anyway you hear him puff a sharp exhale of laughter through his nose, shaking his head.

The game filters out and Abby makes her way to the swings, shoes toeing the ground as she sits.

Your fingers lift the note from the bag when you finish eating— unfolding to find a small, crayon drawing, no bigger than your hand.

A purple cow, better than yours, and actually tangible as a cow. Impressive.

“Abby did that,” Mike says, chewing. “She said you need it.”

You close your eyes, amused and overjoyed. Your fingers fold the little piece of paper back up and place it carefully in your bag, in a place you know it won’t be ruined. “God, she’s so sweet,” you huff, hand clenching. You’re not sure what to do with yourself.

You feel like husked corn; chipping paint in a parking lot. Like the curl of peeled apple skin.

“She has her moments,” Mike says gently, almost smiling.

Abby starts spinning herself on the swing, twisting and knotting the chains together and then letting them unravel to leave her in spirals. He frowns at that.

“Abby,” he calls, fixing his slouch on the bench, “quit it! You’ll make yourself sick!”

She sticks her tongue out at him. He grunts. She grins at you and waves. You wave back. She goes back to swinging normally; progressively higher and higher. Another kid ambles over to join her wordlessly.

Mike frowns and shakes his head, first at Abby, then at you. “I’m starting to think she likes you more than me.”

You snort at him. “I’m an adult who isn’t an authority figure in her life.”

“Still.”

“She adores you.” You tell him. You don’t really know either of them well enough to say that but you’re sure of it. You’re sure of it not only because you said it but because Abby’s a sweet, smart kid. She’s got her problems but she’s generally well-behaved. More importantly, she seems happy.

Unbothered, by whatever situation she and Mike are in. Whatever he’s doing, he’s doing pretty good.

And maybe she doesn’t look at Mike like he hung the stars but she certainly treats him like it. The thing about kids is that they’re brutally honest:

If she didn't like Mike, you’d know.

He stares at you for a second longer than you’d expect him to and turns back to watch her.

The two of you stay like that for a while. Side by side. Almost shoulder to shoulder. Abby sometimes comes over to take a break, or ask what you thought of her drawing, or tell Mike what she wants for dinner. It’s peaceful. Quiet.

Okay.

Some parents leave. Some new parents show up. The two of you stay.

At some point, you glance down at your watch and panic floods your synapses.

“Shit,” you mutter, standing up. Mike raises a brow. “I’m really sorry but I’ve gotta get back now. I’m gonna be late and-“

“Don’t worry.” He tells you easily, fixing his posture so he isn’t slouched under your eye. You smile apologetically. Abby runs over from the slides, panting, her wide eyes expectant on yours.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah, I have to get to work now.”

“But you’ll come back right?”

You bend down to her level, fix the hat on her head so that it sits evenly. “Yeah, of course.”

“Okay.” She sighs, seemingly relieved, but the trace shadows of upset are still visible in the gleam of her eyes.

“Have fun with Mike?” You tell her, rising. You linger despite yourself.

“Later alligator?” She asks like a wet mutt as you start the walk to your car.

“In a while crocodile.”

You wave and she waves back. Mike keeps his eyes trained on you, raising a hand too. Your smile widens.

•---------•

Your older sister is the prettier, smarter, more put-together version of you. The version of you that you pretend to be.

She doesn’t laugh and she doesn’t smile, and you can’t tell if it’s because she genuinely can’t feel joy or is afraid of getting wrinkles. You’re sure it’s a mix of both. She lives in this big, minimalist penthouse suite that you’ve only been in twice; her heels have red bottoms. She has avocado toast for most her meals and the hoops on her ears are real gold.

In short summary; your sister has got it good. You’re pretty sure she’s miserable.

She tells her assistant, Christa, to get her a coffee and Chrsita offers to get you one too with a sweet smile. You want to say “Yes,” but she looks awfully close to having a mental breakdown. You tell Christa, “No, thanks,” smiling gently back.

When she leaves, you turn and stare at your sister’s pursed lips.

You drove into the city for once and your sister could only make time for you to come and sit in one of the stiff chairs she has placed in front of her cocobolo desk; the chairs for clients. You look around her office.

It’s neater than David’s and ten times bigger.

Vast and white. A tundra of dreams scotch-taped together.

“You were almost late.” She says, annoyed, eyes stuck to the papers in front of her.

“Sorry, I had to get cough drops at the pharmacy.”

“You’re sick?”

“Just a sore throat.”

You lean forward to poke her cheek. She squawks and slaps your hand away, scandalized and disgusted.

“That’s disgusting!”

You laugh and she steels you with a hard glare, a scoff caught in the back of her throat. “I do wash my hands,” you tell her.

She shakes her head and drums her perfectly manicured French tips against the heavy table. You tuck your own hands under your thighs. You like her nails; you want yours to look like hers but they’re inconvenient for people like you. Real people, with real lives and realistic, boring jobs.

But it's nice to look at them, especially on your sister.

“Heard from David?” She asks as if she isn’t divorcing him. Like he’s a houseplant that you’re taking care of while she takes a quick business trip.

New York. London. Shanghai. Amsterdam. Seoul. You’ve seen the photos.

“Nope.” You bite your lip and Christa comes with the coffee. A cappuccino that she places in front of your sister. Black. Tiny, little cup. Christa gives you a dazzling smile that has you grinning back at her fully, like an indulged schoolgirl. And then she’s gone; clicking off to document review in her little black heels.

Your sister glares at that.

You look her over.

Look at the way she’s curled her lashes and glossed her lips. Her shirt is buttoned straight– stiff and crisp around her neck. There’s a little permanent divot between her eyebrows and the white light of the office washes her out.

“You look tired,” you say flatly, a fairly normal thing to say to a woman who’s a criminal lawyer for an inner-city law firm.

She barely looks at you. “Thanks.”

And then it’s her turn to look you over. You’re sure she doesn’t like what she sees. She rarely does. “Have you been eating?”

“Of course I have.”

She stares for a moment longer before saying, “Just checking.”

Someone knocks on the door and peaks their head in– a young man with dark hair. Bright hazel eyes. She glares at him wordlessly and he makes eye contact with you before shutting the door quickly. You watch her scoff and then carefully pick up a pen before signing the papers gently; like hemlock and hummingbirds.

Your sister. Elegant.

You tilt your head.

She starts. “So, any luck-“

“Oh, can we please go five minutes-“

“I was going to ask-“

“-without talking about-“

“-about your job!”

“-things I know you don’t care about!” You stare at her. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Fine. We won’t talk about it.

You smile. “I like your shirt.”

“Fuck off.” She flips open a stack of papers with a fit of impressive anger, scribbling something hotly in the margins.

You know she doesn’t hate you but sometimes you have to wonder.

She’s mean and a bitch; but she constantly worries— and she worries more about you than anyone else. More than she ever worried about David. Which says quite a bit about what the two of you have done and put up with for one another.

Your sister: less of a counterpart, more of a weird black shadow of a half-twin. Not the moon and the sun; but a tree and the ferns that grow underneath.

Your sister stares at her cooling cup of coffee and looks into your eyes like they’re blurry. “Do you need money?”

Her solution to everything. A pretty good one, you won’t lie. “No.” You say quickly, waving her off.

“So everything’s good then?”

“Yeah. Good. It’s all good.”

She raises a brow but looks away to read something.

“How about you?” You ask.

She sighs heavily and stares at the wall. “Well,” and for a moment she doesn’t look like your sister. More like any other woman– any other person experiencing life for the first time. She’s thinking about her job and her home; the wonders and horrors of burnt toast and manilla folders. Of sending people to jail or keeping them out of it. Of going to bed in her 1200 thread count, Egyptian-cotton bed set.

Then she blinks, as if remembering who she is, and suddenly your sister’s sitting in front of you again.

“It’s alright. Fine. Boring.”

“Makes sense.” You tell her with a nod.

“How’s Mac?” She asks off-handedly, eyes on her work. Mac. Full name Tarmac. The stray cat that’s been haunting your house for the past couple of years. A dumb, skinny little cat who loved you with all of his heart.

“Dead.”

“What?” Your sister exclaims, wrist dropping to the edge of the table, pen still in hand. “How are you not,, a wreck?”

“It happened a few months ago.”

“God.” She finally takes a sip of her cappuccino and clears her throat. “Well, just don’t get upset one night and, I dunno, drink yourself into a sobbing mess.”

You grimace. “Says you.”

She sends you a hard glare. “Don’t.”

“I’m not the one who had to be bailed out of-“

“When are you going to stop bringing that up?” She groans. You laugh a bit now, dropping your head towards your lap and your sister looks properly embarrassed. “I passed the bar, have a Porsche, and have a personal trainer, ya know!”

You laugh harder. You can tell she finds it almost funny too but is raging too hotly to care.

“And then I had to-“

“Stop!” She exclaims.

You leave her alone but still giggle through it, fingers pressing against your lips in a complete failure to contain your amusement.

There’s another beat of silence.

She takes another sip. You watch her. Christa comes by again with a new, impressively thick stack of papers for your sister and walks out.

“Where’s your shirt from?” You ask your sister, eyeing it. “It’s nice.”

“Balenciaga.”

Pricey. The white, simple, button-up shirt she’s wearing probably cost her more than a hundred dollars.

“Is it cotton?” You ask her, leaning forward for a better look.

“Yes.” She side-eyes you warily. You lean back. “You better not steal it.”

“I’m not going to!”

“You’ve done it before.”

You roll your eyes.

Your sister finishes her coffee off in silence. It’s awfully quiet for a law firm. You wonder if her office walls are sound-proofed.

At some point, she tells you she has a meeting and that you need to leave. She’s in a good enough mood to at least walk you out herself.

In the firm’s garage building the two of you wait for the valet to bring your car.

She looks strange, sad, lonely. You love her. But you don’t know what to do about it because she gives you no place to put it. That’s just who she is. Her person. Being in a constant state of distress is part of her identity and really, there’s no escaping it. Self-imposed, mortal limbo.

“You’ll be okay?” She asks gently, like for once she means it.

“Yeah.” You tell her, tender. Human. “You?”

“Of course. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sorry about your divorce.” You finally tell her. You didn’t say it at first when it was too new and too fresh. When she was more concerned with paperwork than emotional damage.

She shakes her head like the mention of it is merely a fly in her face. “Don’t apologize. I wanted to thank you for bringing those papers to David.”

“Anytime.”

“It’s just, you live nearby and it would have been easier for you to do it than Christa, and-“

“Seriously.” You cut her off. “It’s fine.”

She sighs and looks you over. It’s a long, extended look of softness. Mike looked at Abby the same way. But it’s a rarity from her; one that has you giving her a confused smile, hands going into the pockets of your jacket— the nicest, crispest one you own— as she stares.

“What?” You ask.

She steps forward, raising an arm, and you step back. She huffs, annoyed. “I wanted to give you a hug but you ruined the moment.”

You scoff incredulously. “You’re so weird.”

She glares. “Fuck you.”

The valet comes with your car.

Shitty, and old. Reliable and well-loved. Needs an oil change.

You step around to the driver’s side and the valet places your keys warmly in your palm. Your sister stays in the spot you left her in.

“Bye.” She says stiffly.

“See you soon.”

She glances at the valet. “Right.”

“Give me a smile?” You joke. You see her right hand twitch to flip you off but with the audience she contains herself. All she gives you is a deep-seated, disappointed frown and a shake of her head.

You grin and step into your car before driving off.

Even as you pull out of the garage you can see her standing still in that over-priced button-up shirt; arms wrapped around her torso, watching you go.

You tell yourself she’ll be okay but when a song from your childhood plays on the radio you doubt it.

Nostalgia will kill you before she ever does.

[hollygracesworld]

Falling into your ocean eyes 🌊 | Orm Marius x Fem!Reader

Part 7

Warning ⚠️ : really jealousy Orm, kinda angst.

A/N : idk if it's just me, but Patrick Wilson is getting more hot in his 50s 😋, he’s so fresh and yummy.

for the next part click here ➡️ masterlist

Y/N woke up in the morning with Orm hugging her body. They used a thick blanket, and surprisingly she heard Orm snoring in his sleep. It makes her smiling.

She really wanted to continue sleeping because it was very comfortable in her position now, still being hugged tightly by Orm. But when she wanted to close her eyes again, she heard a knock on the door.

Y/N heard the knocking on the door that didn't stop. “Hello? Y/N? Are you there?” said a man from in front of the door.

“Oh fuck.” She said with a quiet voice, “Yeah wait a minute!” She shouted, making Orm wake up from his sleep.

Y/N quickly kissed Orm’s lips and then smiling, “Don’t bother it. Just continue your sleep, Orm.”

“There's someone there...” Orm whispered, getting up from his bed. He’s shirtless and….sexy.

“Yes, let me see him.” said Y/N while wearing her night gown again and kissing Orm’s cheeks.

Y/N walked towards the door while rubbing her eyes. She opened the door and saw a guy who’s much younger than her, that guy was smiling at her with his brown eyes and messy hair.

“Hi, I know you don’t want to see me anymore, and I totally understand why, I’m sorry about what happened last time Y/N, I should’ve told you that I have this superpower thing, I just have to wait until the right time—“

The guy’s words stopped when he saw Orm walking towards the door wearing a white shirt that looked tight on his body. Orm looked at that guy with full of jealousy.

“Well I guess you are her new boyfriend...” said Barry Allen with a surprised expression but he still smilling, he held his pizza box nervously.

“Her future husband.” Orm said with a sharp gaze.

Y/N turned to Orm and glared, “Orm? Didn't we talk about this last night? You said you weren't ready for that and-"

“And I changed my mind." Orm grabbed Y/N's shoulder, “Is that food for us?" Orm raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, of course,” Barry said with a smile that had sadness in it, and gave them the pizza box.

“You know I'm actually here to tell you that I found the house that you’re talking about and the location is on the Northeast coast, I can take you there.” Barry said in a fast tone because he was nervous.

“No need to bother, we've got the house we meant.” Orm said with his eyes still sharp at Barry as if he wanted to finish him off right then and there.

“Orm!” Y/N snapped, “we need to see it. Besides, we just arrived at this hotel yesterday and haven't looked for a house yet.”

Y/N turned to Barry and said, “you can take us there, but i’m afraid it’s really far away.”

“I just saw it and it looks very good and suitable!” Barry said in a reassuring tone, “maybe it’s only 1 hour away”

“No need for that, we can go there ourselves without a tour guide,” said Orm in a sarcastic tone.

“Orm!" Y/N sighed, “this is for us…”

“You can teleport us to that place, we don’t need to bring this guy...” said Orm then turned to Barry, “thank you for the information, you can go now.”

“Orm! How can I take us there if I don’t even know what the place looks like?” Y/N made an annoyed face

“That’s not a reason, you bewitched my mind, entered my mind as if you really lived in Atlantis.” Orm answered.

“Wow, are you from Atlantis?" said Barry, who previously looked listless but now looked amazed. “You know Aquaman?”

“Who the fuck Aquaman?” Orm asked confusedly.

“That’s what surface people call Arthur.” Y/N answered.

“Oh, yeah, he’s my half-brother.” Orm replied in a lazy tone.

“Wow! That’s really impressive. I used to work with Aquaman when we wanted to defeat Darkseid. Before that we had talked a few times, maybe we talked a lot, but he never said anything about you. Oh or maybe he thinks that I'm not that close to him so he doesn't say much about his personal life.” said Barry very enthusiastically but it was clear that Orm really didn’t like him.

“I was the King of Atlantis at the time.” said Orm briefly, “now, my future wife and I need some private time…” Orm quickly closed the door.

when the door is completely closed. Orm walked to the bed and opened his clothes again, showing his very sexy six pack body with a pitiful face.

“So…. Is he your lover since I was in prison?” Orm asked in a very low voice.

“He was. I broke up with him 2 days before I met you. When I found out that your mother wanted us to get married.” Y/N said.

Orm tucked Y/N’s hair behind her ear, “how could you like a weird surface dwellers like him?" Orm said in a dismissive tone

"Well, he was nice to me, and he seemed cheerful. You could see from his cheerful personality, and that made me have a feelings for him.” She said, then Orm making a jealous face.

He said in a cold tone, “if you really love him why haven't you slept with him yet?"

Y/N laughed softly, "Because I wasn’t love him. I mean, I know I’m bad, but when I was dating him, deep inside my heart, I wanted to wait for you.”

“Is that true?” Orm said with those puppy eyes.

“It is,” Y/N smiled, she held Orm’s face and touch it gently, then said, “You have to believe me this time. We need Barry for this. After all, this is for our house, Orm. It's close to the beach... you can imagine, you have a house in Atlantis, and also on the surface…”

Orm looked at Y/N for a moment then said, “Okay, but don't get too close to him. We're going to get married.”

Y/N pressed the button on the hotel telephone then said, “Do you really want to get married or is it because you’re jealous?”

“I really want to marry you. I realized when I saw that silly guy’s face really want you, and that’s not because I’m jealous. I should have realized that other men out there would really want to have you completely if they saw you. I mean, you’re just so perfect.” Orm said with a smile in his face, and then he got up from his bed.

“Wait a minute.” Y/N said briefly to Orm, and then she said on the phone, “Barry, I'm sorry about Orm's behavior earlier... Orm and I have thought about your help and we are happy to go there, and we want you to take us there if you still can.”

Barry on the phone said, “Oh yes of course, with pleasure. After lunch, maybe I can—“

Orm knelt on one knee in front of Y/N who was sitting on the bed with the phone receiver, “Orm? what are you doing?” Y/N whispered

“Y/N will you marry me?” Orm’s words apparently reached Barry who was on the telephone line.

“Is he proposing to you? Sorry, I don’t want to interrupt." Barry said in a low tone, immediately hanging up the phone.

“Orm? What is this? You can propose to me later after I hang up the phone!”

“Is this wrong? Arthur said that the surface dweller’s way of proposing to their lover was this way?” Orm asked, confused and disappointed.

“That's not what I meant. You did it perfectly. It’s just that you sounded very rushed and you did it when I was calling Barry!” She said in a slightly annoyed tone, "marriage is not a joke.”

“I certainly know that marriage is not a joke. I am an Atlantean, I am a member of the kingdom, I know how important it is in moments like this, and I’m sure with you, I am not just be playing around. I just—“

“Jealous? Yeah I know that,” she said, “you know, marrying you is something I’ve been waiting for, Orm. I know that when the time comes I will marry you, but if you marry me in this way, I can’t accept it yet." She said and then quickly get out of bed and left Orm who was still kneeling on one leg while holding his mother's sparkling engagement ring.

[sadtonight]

"...pizza time"

Summary: you craved pizza at ludicrous hour so you dialed nearest 24/7 pizza house. Alas when you took the first bite, the lights lit up in the kitchen. You were caught red-handed by someone...!

Characters: first year students;

Warnings: unhealthy food practices (guilty....), reader is gender neutral, reader is from the same dorm as the boys, could be viewed platonic or romantic;

Side notes: it's freaking 3 am, gosh...but I finished it quicker than I expected, ha! I love tasty food if you couldn't tell. Shout-out to my hometown pizza house chain, you are always staying in my heart 💙

Ace

— just as your eyes adjusted to sudden brightness, you immediately identified the person standing at the doorway near the light switch but it didn't really elevate your panic. No, in fact the feeling turned into chagrin upon casting a look at the witness's face: it was Ace;

— you would not feel so down if he came at any hour except for this one, precisely because you were in a predicament which red eyed male undoubtedly would use to his advantage;

— you froze at place whereas Ace approached the kitchen counter where flat cardboard box was laying, took a slice of a still hot pizza and bitten off half of the piece all the while making complains about you not informing him about ordering pizza but not ever once asking why doing so in the dead of night;

— he ate another two pieces murmuring word "yummy" and clasped his hands together to get rid of crumbs. Ideally, your dormmate going back to sleep was something you hoped to happen but despite your mental prayers to the Seven, Ace gave you a smile and expectant look;

— "Well, this was delicious but next time I'm choosing pizza, okay? Your treat of course, if you don't want to sleep hungry with a collar around your neck~" Ace cooed cheekily and left you alone with leftovers. Unsure if the defeat effected the food more than your mood, as it went cold by that time, you let out a sigh;

— now your head was stuffed with thoughts on how to get back at Ace instead of pizza in front of you, because extortion won't be only on his part. In the meantime you are deciding on which restaurant or café ginger was going to take you for the next few days when you cook up and execute revenge plan.

Deuce

— when the door opened, you accidentally crammed the whole pizza slice into your mouth while completely forgetting about about it being pipping hot, making you choke and tear up in seconds. Because of this, you couldn't let out any coherent sounds so instead it was half asleep Deuce who let a frightened yelp;

— poor boy have started loudly apologizing for interrupting without even realising what was he interrupting in the first place but you promptly gestured him to be quite by feverishly pressing your index finger to your lips and shaking your head to the sides;

— eventually, Deuce closed the kitchen doors so the two of you would not cause any more disturbance to the whole Heartslabyul dorm and, most importantly, its dorm leader;

— he apologized yet again but for another reason and quietly this time. He felt incredible guilt watching you look so miserable: sour expression and lowered shoulders, your tongue hurting from the burn and little to no desire to continue your night feast;

— blue haired boy promised to take you somewhere in order to make up for him startling you (there goes his allowance). It's just Deuce had unfortunately took up Ace's habit of eating at night so he wanted to grab a cookie and go back to sleep right away;

— that being said, he was still hungry, thus you let him eat a few slices because you wouldn't be able to taste the pizza or any food for a while anyways...

Jack

— today wasn't Jack's day at all: headache after headache. First he watered his potted cacti by mistake. Then some jerk yanked on his tail in the busy crowd and beastman tried chasing down the culprit only to be late for Crewel classes and getting extra work that held Jack back from his track club activities;

— and to add more annoyance first year forgot to take his water bottle since he was rushing to sport's field to do at least something. All of the incidents leading to Jack waking up in the middle of the night to get another glass of cool water from the kitchen;

— unlike other boys, wolf boy already knew by the scent alone that not only there was someone in the kitchen but they were also making or eating delicious smelling food which made it impossible to distinguish who was occupying the room;

— what Jack did not expect was to see you holding a slice of pizza tilted to the side and topping sliding off onto the floor while you locked eyes with his. You appeared to look like a deer caught in the headlights rather than his fellow dormmate;

— you gradually regained your composure and offered him some pizza to which weird out Jack refused. The scene that unfolded played before his eyes when he went back to bed, unanswered questions keeping him awake for some time;

— next morning beastman saw Ruggie poking around the kitchen in search of pizza leftovers for the reason that he stumbled upon pizza topping on the floor earlier, but Jack decided not to rat you out this time.

Epel

— ... this guy didn't even notice you initially. When you are lurking past beauty sleep hours you are bound to be quiet as a mouse and fully alert in case Pomefiore heads show up. If you are caught red-handed you have to either prepare an apology with explanation or make a run for it;

— in your case, you stopped on your tracks when you heard barely audible footsteps becoming increasingly louder. Panic shot straight into your limbs as you closed the box and run up to corner next to the door and held your breath. You weren't wolfing down a veggie salad after all!

— thankfully a mop of lavender hair came into view, it stopping before the fridge and getting some milk. Epel took a swing right from the bottle making you let out a snort that you tried to cover with your free hand;

— boy in question choked a little and instantly tore his face from the bottle with "what in tarnation?!", whirling his head in the dark towards your direction;

— you explained through your chuckles that you grew hungry and decided to get some fast food in spite of it being way past midnight;

— Epel grew curious as he has never tried real pizza before and only saw it in the commercials. You beaconed the boy to come closer and take a few slices when all of the sudden the lights switched on and all too familiar disapproving tsk tsk could be heard right beside both of you...

Sebek

— the loudest of them all! The whole dorm could hear half fae rushing in to investigate foreign sounds in the kitchen, sword and magic wand ready to strike the potential threat;

— Sebek felt relief and irritation wash over him simultaneously upon spotting you peacefully eating pizza. On the off chance he inquired if it was you going out through the main doors to get the delivery to which you replied positively;

— you see, it wasn't the first time something like that had happened, but it was instead with Lilia who often ordered food in the dead of night. This fact didn't convince knight in training to be more lax or loosen his guard but at least he stopped insisting on Malleus getting to safety each time Sebek suspecting danger;

— first year found your impromptu night snacking to be childish and got somewhat offended when you innocently suggested taking a slice;

— he can't be eating this unhealthy human food! He has to be in proper shape to serve his masters!! Although the smell and look of the dish was devilishly appealing, Sebek couldn't yield to mere fast food;

— ...the urge, however, was way stronger than half fae anticipated, making male retreat back to his room while munching the remains of tasty delicacy with the regret of not taking another piece lingering in the back of his mind.

[jerzwriter]

Sweet Start

Book:              Open Heart (Post Series)

Pairing:           Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee MacClennan)

Rating:            Teen +

Words: 1,050

Summary: Ethan and Kaycee start her 32nd birthday off with much to look forward to.

A/N: This will be leading into a big week for these two! I hope you enjoy!

Ethan x Kaycee Masterlist My Full Masterlist

The warmth of the morning beamed through the skylight and helped to nudge Kaycee awake. Snuggling against her pillow, she pulled the soft, down comforter over her shoulders and smiled. She wasn’t ready to wake up yet, but she was much happier than she typically was in the morning... especially before being caffeinated. Today was her birthday, the start of her thirty-second year. Most people believed it was the start of a vacation for her and Ethan, and they were right, of course.   But they knew they were only a few days away from so much more, and she loved sharing such a delicious secret with him.  

She dozed off again so she didn’t hear when Ethan entered their bedroom. He quietly approached the bed, holding a fine china plate with a decadent cupcake placed on top. He playfully held the plate in front of her nose, wondering if the sweet scent would wake her. When it didn’t, he had his answer. In the age-old question of what Kaycee MacClennan loved more, sleep or sweets, sleep had proven to be the victor. Nevertheless, they had a big day ahead... big days ahead... and it was time for him to wake her.

“Good Morning, birthday girl,” he sang, still standing over the bed.

With her eyes still shut tight, Kaycee broke into an adorable grin. She contemplated telling Ethan to hop back into bed; since it was her special day, he probably would have listened. But her nose picked up on the scent of the treat awaiting her, and that took precedence.

“Mmmm... do I smell something yummy,” she hummed, her eyes still shut.

“Why don’t you wake up and see?”

One eye peeked open, and when she saw the cupcake in front of her, the other quickly followed suit.

“Is this breakfast?” she asked.

“I know,” Ethan chuckled, “I usually wouldn’t approve... but... it is your birthday, and I want you to indulge in your every desire.”  

“Really,” she simpered. “Then you’re doing this all wrong.”

“I... I am?”

“Shouldn’t you be serving me that naked? I believe that’s how it happens in the movies.”

“Oh really,” he laughed. “Which movies are you referring to? Not the ones where a plumber or pizza guy will arrive any second to complete this picture?”

Kaycee jumped up, brushing her messy tresses from her face.  

“Ethan, whatever do you mean? My mind does not live in the gutter. Well, at least not this early in the day.” 

She grabbed the cupcake from the plate with the enthusiasm of a child and licked a large dollop of the icing off the top. She let out a slow groan Ethan was used to hearing in very different circumstances when the sugary concoction coated her tongue. His mind began to wander as she gently breathed, “Oooh, this is sooo goooood.”

“Hmmm,” Ethan smirked, sitting beside her on the bed. “Ironically, that was the next line in the movie I was referring to.”

“Is it?” she laughed. “So, does that mean I should expect the plumber-slash-delivery? Tell me, are they hot? Like Ryan Gossling or Margot Robbie hot? Because, if so... we could make this my bachelorette party... after all, I only have a few days left as a single woman.”

“Oh really,” he growled, suddenly not appreciating the joke he had started. “You may be a few days away from being married, but you’re not single, Dr. MacClennan!”

“Easy there, tiger,” she teased. “You started this nonsense, not me.”

She placed the cupcake on her nightstand and turned around quickly, pushing Ethan against the pillows. Her arms encircled him, squeezing so tightly that he let out a small gasp.

“All jokes aside, can you believe we’ll be married in just three days!”

“I know,” he chuckled as she squealed adorably at his side. “It’s hard to believe. It’s even harder to believe that almost no one besides us knows!”

“Hey, don’t jinx it!” She warned. “We already caved in and told our parents.”

Ethan ran his hands along the soft skin of her arms, delighting at the goosebumps that formed as his fingers traced circles over her flesh.

“That was the right move,” he insisted. “Our surprise wedding is a brilliant idea... but our parents and Naveen... I feel better not blindsiding them.”

“Me too, and not only because my mother would have killed me if she didn’t get to pick out what she would wear.”

“I’m shocked your mother hasn’t told anyone else yet. Not that she’d do it maliciously. I just figured she’d be too excited.”

“Oh, she is,” Kaycee assured. “But Dad threatened her.”

“Threatened her?” Ethan asked with a raised brow. “With what?”

“With that cruise, she’s always wanted,” Kaycee laughed. “All joking aside, I know it’s hard for her to keep this from everyone, but she knows it’s what we want. All she wants is for us to be happy, so she’ll honor our wishes.”  

“That’s good to know. Well, we have a lot on our plate in the next few days, but today’s your birthday... and it’s all about you... So, what would you like to do?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” Kaycee smiled. “You.”

“I’m sorry?” he chuckled.

“Oh, I’m not,” She bit her bottom lip as the corners of her mouth morphed into a smile, flipping over on top of him. “Are you telling me you don’t want to do me, Ethan? On my birthday of all days?”

Ethan’s eyes went dark as the playful expression on his face all but disappeared. With one quick movement, he nudged her legs apart with his knee. Surprised, Kaycee fell on top of him, giggling when she felt all the proof she needed that he wanted her as much as she wanted him pressed firmly against her lower stomach.  

“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” she teased.

“Turn the ringer off your phone,” he spoke gruffly into her ear. “You won’t want birthday calls interrupting what I have planned for you.”

Kaycee was eager to comply, reaching for her phone so quickly that she nearly fell from the bed.

“Now, what do you have in store for me, Dr. Ramsey?” she purred.

“Making sure your thirty-second year gets off to a rousing start.”

“It already has,” she whispered as his lips fell to her chest. “It already has.”

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

[iu-jjang]

[FANCAFE] 23.09.18 IU replies to uaena’s comments on her fancafe (Part 3)

Uaena: Unnie, what is your favorite ice-cream flavour??!! 🍦🍦🍦

IU: Chocolate-coated flavour!!

Uaena: What’s the keyword that occupies your mind the most these days!? 🍀💪

IU: Results…. 🔥😈

Uaena: What fruit(s) do you eat often nowadays?! 🍎🍑🍈🍌🥝🍍🍉🫐🥭

IU: I eat a lot of bananas and blueberries. And the apples taste so delicious these days, please have a lot!! 🍎🍎

Uaena: Unnie, do you prefer a sunny side up vs over hard fried egg on top of your kimchi fried rice?!! 🐥🍳

IU: Come on~ of course it’s sunny side up~~ 😌😌

Uaena: Unnie, do you like your new haircut???🥹🥹🥹 You look totally cool and pretty 🐥🐥🐥

IU: It’s da best when it’s thoroughly dried!!! B E S T B E S T!!! Even without styling, I’m able to naturally achieve that ‘effortlessly cool’ look (for my hair)!!

Uaena: Unnie, but do you always get mosquito bites on your face only and not elsewhere??!! 🦟

IU: Ah I know right!!!!!! 😡😡😡

Uaena: How’s the condition of your ears? Everyone was worried seeing you touch/adjust your in-ear monitor during Woori Momo Concert ㅠㅠ How I wish I could give my eardrums to you, sighs 🥲

IU: Huh during Momo Concert?!? My ears were totally fine!! I removed the in-ear monitors cause there was a serious audio latency when I was on the thrust stage! I really wanted to go on the thrust stage~~ there would be serious latency issues if I go~~ 🥹🥹 but (in the end) I decided to just go up and enjoy myself!! 💃💃🕺🏻

Uaena: Unnie, instead of LMR (lunch menu recommendation), please recommend a hangover menu (good for sobering up),,

IU: Beef Bone Soup!! Clear beef bone soup go go!!

IU: Sliced radish kimchi!! Go go!!

Uaena: How can unnie be such a nice person.. What’s the secret to your kindness?🫧🐥

IU: I’m actually not that kind.. (My kindness / cordiality) is only reserved for people I like.

Uaena: What’s your favorite food these days? (Apart from the tasty Domino’s Pizza) Is it still ramen? Is there a specific menu that comes to your mind when you’re craving for yummy food while busy filming in the countryside?

IU: Ah.. I want to have a whole bowl of hot cup noodles (now)….🥲

Uaena: Unnie, what are you having for lunch?

IU: Kimchi fried rice 😍 (inserts lunch photo)

Uaena: Mom.. I (UAENA) became a donor of 300 million won………

IU: Did you get permission from your mum???! 🫢

*TL note: Op was referring to the ₩300M donation that IU made under the name of IUAENA on her 15th debut anniversary.

Uaena: Thank you for making me a dignified and confident fan for 15 years, my baby 💓

IU: (Inserts) shrugging shoulders (feeling proud of myself) + wiggling butt emoticons 🩵

Uaena: Unnie, how’s the spot on your face that was kissed by the mosquito? Is it less swollen now after waking up from sleep? 🥹

IU: This lil bas.. Are you really a mosquito..? (Inserts reddish swollen cheek side profile pic)

Uaena: This was uploaded on EDAM’s IG, did Unnie really write this??!? Today’s From. IU and now this, I’m getting emotional again because of the amazing person you are 🥹 (inserts caption from Edam’s post:

“‘You can do it’

‘You’re the best’

‘Thank you’

‘You’ll be alright’

‘I miss you’

‘I love you’

and, ‘Yes’.

UAENA’s words that have saved me for the past 15 years.

Thanks to UAENA, I’ve become an adult who believes in miracles.

I believe in UAENA.

That’s why I believe in the power of love that people create ❤️

Let’s meet until we’re sick of each other for another 15 years!

-Y’all’s Jieun”)

IU: Yes, I wrote the message from the bottom of my heart! 🫶

Uaena: Honestly I wish you can give us just one spoiler related to your new album.. 😏

IU: It’s warm yet kew (cold)…🥶

Uaena: Is your filming schedule fully packed today too? Stay healthy always~ Do we need to prepare some tonic for IU~~~?

IU: It’s totally full today! But I’m in a really good mood~~~ I can’t control it💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺🕺

Uaena: Jingjjang, do you like snacks with roasted nuts in them? Is there a fruit that you don’t like? I’ll take note 🤭 Cheering you on today as well! I love you 😘

IU: I don’t think I go for snacks with nuts in them!! I like all fruits, but my throat gets dry recently when I eat melon, to the extent that my skin breaks out the next day? 🫢🫣

Uaena: Our (relationship) is still mutual for the 15th year right??

IU: It’s mutual. There’s no room for negotiation.

Uaena: How’s your preparation for the fan concert going??

IU: The atmosphere is crazy!!!

Uaena: Unnie unnie, shall we scatter pretty petals between us today too? (inserts cute picture of a rabbit scattering petals, made using symbols)

IU: Ah adorable ㅜㅜ Your words are even cuter than the emoticon ㅠㅠ🩵

Uaena: Unnie, can you feel my love? 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 (inserts pic of stick man jumping off a ladder out of a helicopter while declaring ‘Unnie I love you!!!!!!💜’)

IU: kekekeke No!!! Why would you jump off like that?!!!!

Uaena: 💜💜 It’s my birthday next week! Can you wish me a happy birthday🥹?

IU: Happy birthday ❤️❤️ Have a joyful birthday ❤️❤️

Uaena: Honestly, I have no idea why tang hu lu is trending. To me, there’s IU who is fresher than fruits, sweeter than sugar coating and also splatters/bounces and is more lovely than fruit juice.

IU: But because you can’t chew and eat IU…🥲

Uaena: Did you see that the box office for Golden Hour crossed the 45000 mark?? The power of uaenas is daebak (amazing) 😆

IU: Oh my gosh?!?!?! Daebak……

Uaena: Unnie, what’s the reason that the Sunday fan concert is one hour earlier??🤭 ((Don’t tell me it’s so you can have more en-encore..?🥺

IU: Because people need to go to work the next day….🤫

Uaena: Jieun unnie, the fan concert is 360 degrees, so during LILAC fanchant, how do we know which is left and which is right? 🪻🩷

IU: So I’m boldly not. going. to. sing. LILAC!

Uaena: I should have cup noodles in place of unnie then

IU: So this is how it is.. Whenever I have cup noodles, my mum and dad would go, ‘Aigoo why are you having cup noodles?’ and I would reply ‘lulu(lala) this tastes the most delicious to me thoughhh~~’ and just eat it anyway. Now uaena are having cup noodles at this hour and I feel like saying, ‘aii why are you having cup noodles?’ keke

Uaena: Unnie, is chestnut bread also a serious bread??? I have it at home.

IU: Chestnut? = That’s cute, isn’t it?

Bread? = That’s cute, isn’t it?

Chestnut + bread? = Definitely cute…

Uaena: Your small face in the (mosquito bite) picture is really pretty 🩷 Ahh so pretty. Have a good lunch!! I’ll be back after I have my school lunch.

IU: School lunch ㅠㅠ so cute..ㅠㅠ

Uaena: How about doing the SWF Smoke challenge during your fan concert??😃😃

IU: kekeke Don’t make fun of me

Uaena: Unnie, the mosquito that landed on your cheek is actually me. I gave you a kiss and left 💜

IU: Caught you. You s…

IU: You s..sweet.. hehe..

Uaena: Whose idea was it to put the heart sticker 💙 on your cheek yesterday~?! It was totally lovely and cute!!!🧚✨

IU: It was Seo-wook, my makeup artist’s idea 😝😝❤️

Uaena: Have you received the 15th anniversary books???????? Did you? How were they? 💗🎂(Inserts photo of books that fans gave IU)

IU: I haven’t received them yet.. because I haven’t gone home yet…ㅠㅠ

Uaena: Did you see the song that China fans wrote in commemoration of your 15th anniversary? We put all our love for unnie into the song! 🥰 Once again! Happy 15th anniversary!🎉🥳

IU: I heard the quality is amazing

I’m so touched wuwu ㅠㅠ (written in Chinese)

Uaena: I heard you changed direction drastically during the preparation process of your album. Have you gone from ‘drifting’ to ‘desire’?? Ah~~~~ I’m so curious

IU: I’m going with both.. at the same time!!! 😈😈😈🔥🔥

Uaena:

🫳🏻🫳🏻🫳🏻🫳🏻🫳🏻

🐥🐥🐰🐥🐥

Pat pat pat IU is doing a good job

Pat pat pat IU is the best

IU: Bob bob wiggle butt IU is the B E S T

Bounce bounce shrug shrug shoulders IU is the B E S T the B E S T

Uaena: Noona, have you seen the books that uaena wrote for your 15th anniversary…? (inserts photo of the books again)

IU: I just checked and my agency has received them and are strictly guarding them so no one can take them away!

Uaena: Noona, I’m working part-time at a tang hu lu shop. It’s really tiring ㅜ This is not easy.. 😣😰😱

IU: Oh my.. It must be really tiring… Be careful not to prick yourself with the sticks.. Eat a couple when you have time for a break and be careful not to cut the roof of your mouth..

Uaena: Noona, 6th gen is dayookie and now that 7th gen is approaching, I’m getting more curious about what it will be. Lee Jidong assistant manager will make an appearance then too, right?😏

IU: What about a chilpan to77 | ? (TL note: Chilpan means blackboard and has ‘chil’ in it which means 7, whereas ‘tokki’ means rabbit and IU used ‘77 |’ for the ‘kki’ part.)

Uaena: Unnie, have you changed the deciding factor between serious bread and playful bread from the taste to the name now…? kekekekeke what about croquette then..? Doesn’t the name ‘croquette’ sound cute?

IU: Croquette is no cute….🙅🏻‍♀️

Uaena: Unnie do you like nighttime?

IU: I’m done filming~~~ I’m done filming~~~~~💃🏻💃🏻🕺

Translated by IUteamstarcandy with love

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4

[moss-the-lil-guy]

um could you do hcs for how the animatronics would cg for a kiddo with chronic joint pain please? idm which animatronics you can choose!

ofc! I'm sorry if these are not a good representation of chronic joint pain, I try my best :)

I chose sb characters cuz their personalities are more prominent (and I like writing for them lol)

CG!FNAF SB the whole gang with a little with chronic joint pain!

∘₊✩────────────✩₊∘

🐊🎸 Monty doesn't really understand what "chronic" means, but he knows you're in pain and will carry you wherever you need to go and give you all the sweet treats you want cuz you're so brave and strong, you deserve some yumminess!

🐺🎹 Roxanne hates for her little to be in any pain at all, so she'll get you ice packs, heating pads, anything to make you feel better. she'll make you a very comfortable pillow pit with all of your favorite stuffies in one of her race cars and take you on a (very slow and careful) ride through the pizzaplex to calm you down or distract you.

🐥🍕 food, food and more food! Chica doesn't really know what's going on either and would probably try to put a bandaid on all of your joints before you explain it to her, but once she understands she'll get you a whole food plater with all of your favorite snacks, handmade. sandwiches cut into hearts, pizza (in bite sized pieces of course), you name it!

🐻🎤 Freddy's probably the only one who knows what's going on. He'll carry you around, either in his arms or his chest (padded in blankets and pillows of course) and checks in on you almost every minute to make sure his superstar is still powering through! he'll make sure you nap regularly and get all the comfy stuff your heart could desire!

if these characters aren't to your liking, I'm 100% willing to do a sequel and thank you sm for the request!

[leatherbelt1295]

Your Daily Smile #2617

@ehan281

This should have been posted yesterday, but I didn't really get a chance to. I spent the previous 2.5 days with EHAN irl, and man they were just so wonderful... I'm so grateful we got to hang out again and do more than we did last time. Went during this time for a multitude of reasons since things lined up perfectly, but most importantly it was like a birthday present to him (5/29) and myself (6/3). We haven't seen each other since October 2017, so naturally I really missed him so much. ;w; That's way too long!!

We got to eat yummy food each day, got to meet his adorable doggy Sparky, met his folks, go through a mirror maze, played a laser busting game?, watch him do little runs of SpongeBob Battle for Bikini Bottom, watch the new Spidey on opening night with his brother, and went to a convention together and even cosplayed which was super fun! I went as Peppino Spaghetti from Pizza Tower (so if by chance you were there on Friday and saw Peppino, it might've been me!) and he was an excellent Cameron from Ferris Bueller Day Off. It was cool how often we were recognized, heheh. Really nice to see people's faces light up like that. Of course, we saw a lot of great cosplays too! Here's a few I saw myself that I got pics of, really nice stuff!

We got to play my favorite beat-em-up The Simpsons by Konami, and I'm glad EHAN and his brother really enjoyed it too! Really cool stuff all around, found plenty of gifts for my folks at home but also a couple things for me. Oh and Petra stuff and even comm'd a Petra for EHAN. :]

I haven't been to a con in 7 years, so being back at such a fun one was something I absolutely needed and appreciate immensely. Good times all around! I'm happy he and his brother enjoyed themselves too.

Here's my loot, though only the Jolteon and black shirt are for me.

We headed to Red Robin later on, and that was nice too! At least for me and his brother. :)

I went with the intention of recreating a certain Bocchi the Rock comic to EHAN. :))

And it worked. :)))

And the waitress didn't believe him when he said it was my birthday too. :))))

Ended the night with some 3 player Mario Party 2 on Pirate Land. We lost to the CPU DK because of usually MP shenanigans lol. Still fun!

And followed that up with me and EHAN rewatching Space Patrol Luluco as we do every June 5th, but a little early this time so it could be irl. A wonderful time as it is every year, but made more special being together and having fun irl! I'll be taking about that more on tomorrow's YDS though. :)

Wrapped up the visit with another good breakfast and visiting a lovely park, I really enjoyed that too.

Again, overall, I totally needed this trip and I'm eternally grateful for being able to do so. I really miss him though. ;w;

And I suppose I should mention a bit how my birthday was yesterday aside about half the day being with EHAN. I received gift art from friends through the day, including right at midnight and even today... Y'all really didn't have to... ;; But thank you so much... And to those who I know may read this and wanted to draw me something or whatever the case may be, but couldn't for any reason, just know it's more than okay and the fact that you even thought of me in the first place means a lot to me already. Wishing me hbd means a lot too... 🥺 So thank you guys too!

Even had a big surprise on the flight back home before departure. Someone close to me with connections actually informed the crew on board that it was my birthday, and if they could deliver a message to me for them, which they absolutely did... Even gave me free snacks and water, and invited me to sit in the pilot's seat which was !!!!!?? It was so cool what the heck... I'm grateful for that... 😭

Nice time spent at home with family, always nice to see them. It ain't a birthday without being with em, I'd say. Nice lil gifts too, they shouldn't have... ;; I do wanna show this Hank Hill in particular, gave me a good laugh and I love it, heheh. The Bocchi doodle too!

But yeah, I just wanted to dedicate this YDS to thanking @ehan281 and his brother for a wonderful time and express my gratitude of a happy birthday too. Hoping the next time we meet won't be so long! ^^

[rabbitcruiser]

National Canadian Bacon Day

For meat lovers, there’s not much that is better than good old slices of yummy bacon! In sandwiches, fried up on a breakfast plate, served in pancakes, even served with syrup – bacon is the meat candy of the world and has more than its fair share of dedicated fans!

But, then, there are different kinds of bacon to enjoy in different capacities– and one of them is Canadian bacon, as it is known in the United States.

Many people think that Canadian bacon is a little more like ham than actual bacon, because of the way it is served. Made from back bacon and formed into a cylindrical shape, this type of meat is sold ready to eat.

History of National Canadian Bacon Day

According to rumor, Canadian bacon may have once upon a time been known as ‘peameal bacon’. This is because the ham was prepared with brine and then rolled in ground-up dried yellow peas that would extend the meat’s shelf life. The versatility of the product led to it being quite popular and useful, especially for those who were in a hurry to prepare a meaty meal.

Today, Canadian bacon is still cured, but it is usually rolled in yellow cornmeal instead of the dried yellow peas. But the composition of the savory treat remains the same – cut from the loin and served unsmoked in thick, circular slices. This is a leaner cut of pork than standard bacon, making it a slightly healthier choice for those trying to cut down on the amount of fat they eat.

If you were to go to Canada and ask for Canadian bacon, you might be met with a few confused looks. In Canada, it is usually known instead as ‘back bacon’, or simply ‘ham’. If you just asked for bacon in Canada, you would likely receive the same streaky pork belly slices that you’d be used to in the United States.

National Canadian Bacon Day was created in celebration and honor of this tasty, versatile meat from the land that is beloved for ice hockey, maple syrup, and, of course, this type of bacon.

How to Celebrate National Canadian Bacon Day

Celebrating National Canadian Bacon Day brings with it the obvious choice of partaking in a meal that includes (or, better yet, is centered around) Canadian Bacon. Most likely this will be eaten for breakfast, but it doesn’t have to be.

The great news is that even folks who don’t know how to do much cooking can make this simple pork cut into something delectable. Even the most inexperienced of cooks can make a go of it on National Canadian Bacon Day!

Try these ideas for celebrating:

Serve a Canadian Bacon Dish

Canadian bacon is so versatile, there are plenty of recipes you could try your hand at on this day to celebrate this tasty cured meat. Because of the way it is prepared and sold, it is not even necessary to cook Canadian bacon before it is served, either, so it’s excellent for those people who are on a tight schedule.

Or, consider these other simple options for serving up Canadian bacon in honor of the delicious day:

When in a hurry, simply frying up an egg and serving it with a couple of slices of Canadian bacon will be a perfect start to the day.

Or place a slice of this tasty meat into a toasted English muffin with an egg. Add some hollandaise sauce for a super tasty savory treat!

Other delicious options include folding Canadian bacon into omelets easily enough, or chop it into small squares and throw it into a pasta dish.

Those who have a frozen pizza that’s looking a bit sad could also sprinkle on some cuts of Canadian bacon and tomato sauce to really jazz things up and go from boring to wow!

Give a Nod to All Things Canadian

When enjoying the delightfulness of Canadian Bacon, why not take time out to appreciate some other great things that this northern nation has to offer? Canada is known for more than just the obvious ice hockey and maple syrup! It’s a country filled with beautiful landscapes and some of the friendliest people.

Just a few of the things that people love about Canada include:

Clean Air. Due to its natural forests, low population density, as well as a commitment to clean energy, Canada provides some of the cleanest breathing air on the planet.

Scenery. Some of the most beautiful, unadulterated nature in the world lies in this country. From the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to Niagara Falls, from deep forests to sparkling oceanic coasts, this country offers much to be enjoyed.

Diversity. Filled with descendants of immigrants, Canada is a fairly young nation with various languages and cultures that supply it with a rich variety and a welcome feeling.

Get Breakfast at Tim Hortons

While there’s no guarantee that all of the Tim Hortons franchise stores serve Canadian bacon, many of them do have breakfast sandwiches that contain this special meat. Since more Canadians eat breakfast at Tim Hortons than any other restaurant, it seems like the perfect place to soak up some northern exposure.

Tim Hortons locations can be found in North America, Central America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Enjoy Some Canadian Entertainment

While gobbling up a breakfast that includes this yummy cured pork, why not be entertained by Canadians? Some stellar comedians, musicians, and actors hail from here (and they are probably celebrating National Canadian Bacon Day every day!).

Canadian Musicians and Bands:

Sarah McLachlan

Neil Young

Celine Dion

Drake

Shania Twain

Barenaked Ladies

Loverboy

Arcade Fire

Rush

Canadian Actors and Actresses:

Ryan Gosling

Cobie Smulders

Seth Rogan

Rachel McAdams

Keanu Reeves

Sandra Oh

Source

[edgybutnotveryedgy]

So something ive been noticing since reducing my fructan intake, as well as better managing my ibs symptoms is that my skin seems to really be clearing up. Like i do still have acne in places acne shouldn't be, but compared to 2 and even just 1 year ago, my skin really has improved. Namely i'd say my skin is actually healing properly. This is kinda huge because my skin (specifically on my arms and legs) just wouldn't heal, so i had ugly marks all over that i felt like i constantly needed to hide. Of course my anxiety was turning that into something much much worse as well (constantly picking etc even without realizing i was doing it).

I think in general the thing that has really made the biggest difference though is getting into cooking and baking. The biggest downside to going without fructans was that it felt worse than just going gluten free. At least when i was gluten free i could still eat yummy food like chicken alfredo cauliflower pizza (my love) or other yummy things filled with seasonings like garlic and onions and beans and brussel sprouts and broccoli (they taste so good roasted. Cartoons lied when i was a kid) and so many other good foods that I can't eat any more. Suddenly i couldn't go out to eat any more because everything was filled with garlic and onion. It got to the point where i even got really depressed because i couldn't eat anything good and i accidentally lost 10 pounds within 9 months. (this sounds like the opposite of a problem but this was unplanned and also I'm already pretty skinny so for me 10 pounds is a lot).

Then out of frustration and rage i decided that enough was enough and i wanted to eat good food again, without feeling like i was going to explode from the bloating. 2 great things I've noticed coming from this is first of all my weight has regulated, and second im not trying to scratch my skin off as much any more. Like it's still a problem, but it's much better in general. I'd attribute this to multiple things, specifically because i have had to declaw myself in the name of cooking and baking. I don't want yucky bacteria hiding under my nails to get into the food I'm making, nor do i want to find food under my nails when i go to bed. Also equally important, it's given me something to do with my hands. As long as my hands are occupied, the desire to pick is greatly reduced.

Another majorly important factor in all this i'd say is that it gives me something to look forward to. I find that it's really fun to cook, and trying new ingredients that I've never tried is always an adventure. Even if the food turns out disgusting, instead of feeling bad about it, my brain instantly goes into problem solving mode to think of what i can do next time. And best of all, when i am successful i have something yummy and new to try that i can safely eat.

Of course i do still feel like I've got a long way to go, not only in improving my health and myself as a person, but in improving my mental health. That being said, this whole experience has done wonders for me personally, and it helps me to feel like i can do it, and i don't have to suffer the whole time doing it.

[styloplumes]

Mari celebrating her birthday headcannons

Dw Mari & Mari

Dream Mari

-She's hinted to the others about celebrating her birthday but hadn't really expected anything big

-She thought about just a small picnic with a birthday cake

-Well, she got a lot more than just a birthday cake

-The friends wanted to set up the perfect birthday for Mari

-They all decided to give each other tasks in order to form the ultimate birthday

-Hero was in charge of the main course, the food, he always cooks his food with love but this was a very special day for Mari so he gave it his all

-Basil was in charge of setting up the picnic where the party was going commence, making it all pretty with his flowers

-Kel was in charge of entertainment, games, confetti/streamers, just general fun party things

-And finally, Omori and Aubrey were in charge of distracting Mari from the main surprise, they still celebrated her birthday by going out and viewing places

-Finally, once everything was prepared Hero, Basil and Kel went to go search for Mari, Omori and Aubrey at the last location Omori and Aubrey said to meet up

-The three were up in the otherworld drinking juice and eating light snacks when all of a sudden Pluto came down with Hero, Basil and Kel

-"Hey guys! Mari, we have something for you but you'll have to hurry up!"

-Omori and Aubrey quickly ran to their friends and Mari trailed behind, a bit confused of the rush

-They had Pluto transport them back to the forest where they would then walk to the secret birthday picnic that was planned

-Omori covered Mari's eyes as he led her into the picnic area

-Mari's eyes were then uncovered as she saw the beautiful display of food, gorgeous flowers and colorful decorations

-"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI!"

-They all sat down and ate all the yummy food Hero had cooked up, they even tried baking a cake the day before that turned out half-decent

-Mari couldn't be more thankful for the wonderful friends that she has

-They'll all be getting extra cookies for their efforts as a thank you

Mari

-Mari is the kind of person to put others in front of herself, she's always been remembering and planning everyone else's birthdays that she doesn't think about her own

-When she woke up on the day of her birthday Sunny was no where to be found

-'He must've gone off with the others early today' Is what Mari thought

-But when she went down to the kitchen to make herself some breakfast, she saw a little note

-'Meet me at our secret hangout spot at 4:00pm' -Sunny

-Although she was confused on why he didn't tell her to meet there himself, she brushed it off as Sunny being Sunny

-Meanwhile, Basil and Sunny were baking a cake with the supervision of Hero

-Kel and Aubrey went to the store to get supplies and last-minute gifts

-It was already 3:00 when all the supplies were bought and the cake was baked

-Time went by fast so the friends had to hurry to their secret hangout spot and quickly get things ready

-At 3:40, Hero went to go pick up a pizza from Gino's so it would be nice and hot

-Finally, the time of 4:00 had arrived and Mari was there just on time

-She looked around to see a beautiful sight

-"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI!!!" The friends all yelled

-All this, was for her?

-She stood there in shock for a bit before inviting everyone into a group hug

-Everyone then gathered around to eat the homemade cake Basil and Sunny made and the pizza from Gino's

-Basil took out his camera and took a picture

-The picture consisted of everyone around Mari smiling, laughing and having a great time

MY TIME (Omori masterlist)

Main navigation

[jujumin-translates]

Event | Bridegroom Battle Royale AGAIN | Chapter 7

The third challenge of the “Bridegroom Battle Royale” begins!

Banri: Hmm, what to make…

Masumi: Potatoes, carrots, and then…

Banri: You’re not even hesitating on usin’ all those spices and ingredients. You’re making curry, right? You’re certainly the same as ever…

Masumi: Obviously.

Haruto: Those ingredients that he has… Hmm, I see.

Banri: Aight, I’ve decided. Time to get to work.

Haruto: …

*Knife cuts on cutting board*

Banri: Hey, you’re pretty good with a knife. You’re def used to this.

Haruto: Of course. I’ve been living alone for quite a while now.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: Put this stuff in the frying pan, and then…

Misumi: There are lotsa people out there~. Better put on plastic gloves…

Misumi: Well then, with all my heart, triangle, triangle, triangle onigiri~.

Shift: You’re wearing gloves! That’s smart ‘cause people probably wouldn’t be able to eat it if you made it with your bare hands.

Misumi: What are you making, Shift~?

Shift: Croquette udon, of couse!

Misumi: Waah, the soup stock smells so good~! It looks like it’ll be really yummy!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Haruto: …Hm, that’s the perfect flavor.

Banri: And now to serve it on a plate… There.

Masumi: Alright, now to put the spices in the pot…

Banri: Huh? You’re just putting the spices in now, Masumi? There ain’t much time left… You even gonna make it in time?

Masumi: I don’t know, but probably…

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Host: There are some pretty good smells in the air~. Let’s see what our grooms have cooked up!

Host: …And, I hate to say it, but it seems like there were some people who couldn’t complete the challenge in time.

Host: Unfortunately, they will have to be disqualified.

Masumi: …I ran out of time.

Banri: That’s ‘cause you spend all that time obsessing over thickening the curry…

Sakuya: I’m sorry that you got disqualified, but the Director and the rest of us know you tried your hardest!

Tsumugi: It was really amazing how you cooked with such attention to detail.

Masumi: Sigh…

Shift: I still wanna eat your curry, Masumi-san!

Host: Without further ado, let’s let our judges taste the dishes prepared by our grooms!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Host: Thank you all for waiting! Here are the results!

*Monitor makes a sound*

Azami: Ooh, Misumi-san’s onigiri is pretty well ranked.

Azami: His comments say “He’s like a caring devil.” and “All his onigiris were completely flawless triangles!”. (1)

Shift: There’s also “They were really simple, yet still very delicious.” That’s amazing!

Misumi: Ehehe, thank you, everyone!

Director: Sakuya-kun’s spaghetti, Haruto-kun’s mini pizzas, and Shift-kun’s croquette udon were also really well received.

Azami: Your comment says, “Easy, yet delicious and stylish,”

Haruto: Naturally. I put my all into my cooking.

Tsumugi: They said “It was really good!” about Banri-kun’s paella, but…

Tsumugi: There’s also “It’s a little too high class. I’d be worried about the family’s finances…”. So I guess there are pros and cons.

Banri: Seriously… I was too focused on makin’ it taste good that I didn’t even think about how much it’d cost or the family budget.

Sakuya: Ah, Masumi-kun got a comment!

Sakuya: “I really wanted to try this guy’s curry because it looked like he was being really particular about it… Too bad he was disqualified.”

Masumi: Sigh… If only I had a little more time…

Host: And here are the winners!

Banri: Fuck, I was eliminated, huh…

Azami: Masumi-san and Banri-san were dropped, and some other people too…

Azami: The only four people left are Sakuya-san, Misumi-san, Shift, and Haruto-san.

Tsumugi: That’s incredible, you four!

Misumi: Yaaay!

Sakuya: I never thought I’d make it this far…

Director: Even though you were eliminated, I’m sure both of your dishes tasted really good, Masumi-kun and Banri-kun.

Tsumugi: Yeah. I really want you to make them again at the dorms next time.

Banri: Roger that. But I’d better think about the price of the ingredients or Sakyo-san’s gonna smite me down right then and there.

Masumi: You taught me how to make curry, Director, so I’ll make sure to make it as delicious as possible just for you.

Director: Thanks, I’m looking forward to it.

Host: Well then, let’s move on to the next round.

Host: The next challenge is “Make your bride’s heart throb and protect your marriage! Necktie challenge!”

Sakuya: Eh?

Shift: What’s that?

Host: The action of undoing a tie is a favorite of many women.

Host: You will be asked to tie your own tie neatly and then compete to see who can remove their tie in such a way that makes your bride-to-be squeal!

Banri: They threw somethin’ in that’s different from last time.

Tsumugi: We didn’t practice for this one, so I hope everyone will do okay.

Shift: Some people get all giddy seeing you take off a tie? Huh… You learn somethin’ new everyday.

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] • [ Next Part ⇢ ]

• • •

T/N:

(1) The first comment originally is “気遣いの鬼”, literally “caring devil”. I looked it up but I couldn’t find any definition, but I think it might be something like a type of boyfriend, which would make sense in this context. But I don’t have an exact definition of what that kind of boyfriend would be considered in English.

[succubratty]

CW: gassy foods/fart kink/eprocto

I forgot to mention a big discovery: last weekend, we went for pizza with my gf, we had a veggie with mushrooms and corn, and obviously, extra cheese was super yummy.

Two hours later, my stomach started to rumble, and then BOOM! a big loud fart.

I swear it was pure:

BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFFFFFFPRRRRRRR

Bassy sound. 😳

I didn't even have time to think about holding it; the thing just got out straight from my bumhole; we were already in bed, so my wife does this thing only to tease me.

She starts shaking the bed sheets and looking at me with a smirk and holding her nose: "oh my god, love, you reek! the pizza really hit you hard 😏" and I'm just like completely red with a pouty face and trying not to laugh "stop it don't smell it! 😩".

So I'm still wondering:

What made me expel that huge fart? Was it the mushrooms? The corn with the extra cheese? All these things together? Based on my own history with these foods, I'm more inclined to corn, but Idk I guess I'll have to buy another pizza to find out, for the science, of course. 🤭

[bigaladventures]

Day 6 - CHICAGO, I LOVE YOU 🤩💖🏙

Thursday, September 8, 2022

I first visited Chicago in December of 2017. It was cold. It was gloomy. I was mainly here visiting friends in the suburbs so I only had one day to explore the city. My pizza was soggy and lukewarm. I had heard from so many people that Chicago was this incredible city, but I left feeling like I still didn't see what all the fuss was about.

I get it now.

The best way I can describe this place is its like my two home cities of Boston and New York had a baby, but with nicer people and larger meal portions.

CHICAGO, YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY WON ME OVER!!!

Today was one of those perfect days. The weather was gorgeous - 80 and sunny and dry. It was like San Diego decided to visit Chicago, too. I didn't waste the opportunity to enjoy it.

I kicked off the day with Philz coffee with my friend Jeff. Like all Chicagoans I know, he is incredibly proud to call this city home and we spent much of our breakfast getting recommendations of things to do and see. He made sure that I took the scenic route over to Lincoln Park afterwards so I could see the magnificent houses in the neighborhood. They felt like Park Slope Brooklyn, Cambridge MA and Brookline MA merged into one.

Lincoln Park was beautiful: I sat by the pond finishing my coffee, and enjoyed taking a couple of phone calls from the butterfly garden outside of the Nature Museum. Then I ventured inside the museum, learned all about the native ecosystems of Illinois (and their decimation by humans, of course) and continued the butterfly extravaganza of the past 24 hours with the indoor butterfly sanctuary. One butterfly even landed on my jeans and hung out on my finger for a while!

I had originally planned to visit the Lincoln Park Zoo, but I was so enraptured by my surroundings in the park that I genuinely forgot my plans and started aimlessly exploring. I came across some Divvy Bikes (the local bike share system) and decided to take one out on a 2 mi ride along the Lake Shore Trail, which runs along Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan apparently had a mussel invasion that turned the water even more blue than the past. I was completely mesmerized by the colors (but learned subsequently that the ecosystem might not like it as much). I also realized on this ride that Chicago is the perfect city for triathletes: runners, cyclists, and open water swimmers abounded.

My destination? A very highly rated hot dog stand and a famous ice cream truck near the aquarium, field museum and planetarium. I was very motivated to understand what, exactly, a "Chicago Style Hot Dog" was.

Here are some things that I learned:

There are many pickled things that can go on hot dogs other than relish and sauerkraut

One mustn't ask for ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago

Chicago isn't a good place to go on a diet

Replenished of dwindling sugar levels, I walked back up along the lake shore to Buckingham Fountain and The Bean. Because I just felt like you can't visit Chicago as a tourist and not do these things.

Somehow I managed to have enough energy at the end of the day to go to a strength training class with Rachel, followed by a yummy Italian meal just around the corner from home. (Rachel is my friend who I am staying with here - we know each other because she and my sister were best friends at sleep away camp, and we've developed our own friendship over the years, too!)

A perfect end to a perfect day. I am so glad I have a whole additional day and a half to continue exploring this vibrant city full of so much history and culture!

[warnerbreum17]

Reus Tarragona Car Hire Guide

Smaller towns pertaining to example Cobourg on Lake Ontario, often have lovely beaches and an inviting atmosphere. Ask your hotel desk's receptionist for data you try. Price is reasonable but too slow. Wikipedia's article on "Magnetic North Pole" states that as of 2012, MNP has moved from Canadian territory into Russian territory. Of course, MNP still has 4,000 kilometres to go before it reaches the northern border of Mongolia; and, at the current rate of speed, 80 kilometres per year, it might take 50 years for it to reach Mongolia. However, with velocity of movement increasing, it may happen earlier than one might imagine. View More: tophaugiangaz.com - Top Hau Giang AZ Reviewed by Team Leader in Top Hau Giang AZ: Ngô Thu Hà - Ngo Thu Ha Other memorable dishes We in Batanes were fresh blue marlin tuna steak, green pepper filled lapu-lapu fillet, beef steak (lemme tell you they have lots of cows here), cuttle fish and pizza. Yes pizza.there can be a pizza maker in Basco named Ivan, my favorite flavors are pepperoni, garlic and cheese and anchovies pizza. You've to order in advance to potential to enjoy its yumminess. Stop Read This: I'm going to narrow this review down even further, people with friends/family you'd like to visit, stop reading, training this e-book. Those of you re-visiting an old favorite spot, stop reading, you don't require this. And finally, those of you who have booked your flight, hotel, and feel un-stoppably confident in your capacity survive anywhere, go ahead, stop reviewing.

View More: tophaugiangaz.com - Top Hau Giang AZ Reviewed by Team Leader in Top Hau Giang AZ: Ngô Thu Hà - Ngo Thu Ha Planning to become on a holiday to China? Top Hau Giang AZ 247 Just do not miss visiting probably one of the top ten peaks, Mount Tai. It is also one among the "Five Sacred Mountains of Taoism". Sunrise, birth and renewal are synonymous to who's. It is recognized to be the centre of religious activities with captivating relics and artworks in the process. Enchanting scenery and magnificent sunsets would surely sooth your heart. Missing Mount Tai traveling in China is surely not implemented. There aren't an direct trains from Beijing to Lijiang so check out Lijing by train would require catching a train from Beijing to Kunming then catch another train from Kunming to Lijiang. The train from Beijing to Kunming cost around 560rmb and takes 38 to 44 hours. The train from Kunming to Lijiang cost 160rmb and takes 9-10 hours. Fees are reasonable but too retard.

The sea-front Avenue of Stars is comparable to Hollywood's Walk of Acclaim. The stars with names and handprints of Hong Kong's actors and singers are a part of the sidewalks of Kowloon's promenade: Jackie Chan and Jet Li, Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung and many others. All of them a famous people, but i admit, there have been a lot of Chinese names, that we had for watch in our life. At the beginning of the Avenue stands life-size statue of kung fu action legend Bruce Shelter. We couldn't resist to take an image there. Go with a Gut. Have dinner plans but that roadside stand looks too good to be true? Then stop. Not really feeling prefer museum but rather rather linger with a glass of wine in the jazz bar or get your new books within a coffeehouse? Do it. Tin tức Top Hậu Giang AZ Do what you want doing as opposed to what the guidebook stays is the most it experience. Top Hậu Giang AZ You'll appreciate it so much Hau Giang Province great deal more. Generally they cultivate two types, sticky rice and ordinary brown rice. The first is used for special events and ceremonies such as Tet ( lunar New Year) and weddings. Gadget wet-rice-cultivation, Mr. Hien recites a Vietnamese proverb:'Nhat nuoc, nhi phan, tam can, tu giong'. This means 'First you need water,then manure,then diligence, and lastly high quality seed'. 'In the north we have two rice crops 1 subsidiary one, according to your weather', he explained. The winter -spring crop begins in the 12th lunar month and finishes inside fourth. Summer -autumn one lasts within the sixth into the 10th lunar month. After these crops there is time for turned to heal and we plant maize,taro, potato and sweet potato'. You might also choose in order to the West route made-up of two parts. The first one starts from the highroad with the Heaven and Earth Square to Mid-heaven Gate. One other convenient part is the cable way which directly takes for you to definitely the Mount top. A person take quite route is that possible have the opportunity to visit various attractions as Heaven and Earth Square, Black Dragon Pool, Longevity Bridge etc. For safety and security, a strong suggestion is designed you just hire great for your exclusive use as you land at the Reus Tarragona Airport. There are international and local car hire companies with offices right at manchester airport. They can facilitate vehicle hire desires. All they need are your passport, driver's license, and a noticeably valid bank. To employ a car, you must be to start 21 year-old. It quite safe underestimation . it could an unforgettable experience to understand more about a national park in Chiang Mai. Anyone that ventures to this province is definitely recommended to visit one.

The Granda Airport, since its name indicates, serves the entire province of Granada, Russian federation. It actually has a prolonged name that's why it is Federico Garcia Lorca Granada Jaen Airport. You will find more domestic flights made by this airport than there are international flights. Tourists from Milan, Bologna, London, and Liverpool could fly directly to Granada through this flight destination. So idea behind was to catch a plane from Beijing to Kuming, stay quickly in Kunming, enjoy one day in Kunming then catch an overnight train and arrive in Lijiang the subsequent morning. Enjoy a day in Lijinag then take a two hour bus to a sluggish start the Tiger Leaping Gorge the following morning. Once in Cebu, get started building links important thing you have to is gather all the information Hau Giang Province on ferry schedules: fare, date/time of departure and return for your targeted destinations. Also, you should make a hotel-room reservation in advance if you'd like to stay overnight a single location. Ask your hotel desk's receptionist for understanding you try. You likewise choose to take the West route fabricated of two parts. The very one starts from the highroad for this Heaven and Earth Square to Mid-heaven Gate. The additional convenient part is the cable way which directly takes for you to definitely the Mount top. If you take the most important route you could potentially have possibility to to visit various attractions as Heaven and Earth Square, Black Dragon Pool, Longevity Bridge etc. You possess the courage and the resources to be an informed and confident traveller. You arm yourself with aspects. If you don't want to step outside of one's comfort zone, stop reading, you're not ready for this guide right these days. For those of you ready to have a commitment towards trip you dream of, get waiting around! Stop Read This: I am going to narrow the tips down even further, folks with friends/family you'd in order to visit, stop reading, you don't this useful information. Those of you re-visiting an old favorite spot, stop reading, you do not require this. And finally, those who have booked your flight, hotel, and feel un-stoppably positive about your power to survive anywhere, go ahead, stop reviewing. When we crossed the border again, back to mainland, our friend - "culture shock" waited for people there. Is usually hard to explain this feelings. It felt like we left the organized, clean, silent house and stepped right into the noisy market, full of smells of bad cigarettes, toilets and dirt. At this moment we felt how strong is still the difference between life in Hong Kong and mainland China. Master of Nets Garden is an alarmingly small garden with an attractive feel to barefoot jogging. A much tranquil and peaceful garden than the HAG. After circling the backyard twice features time for tea alcohol. The tea house in Master of Nets Garden was land locked with no views from the pond introduced home versions negotiated while manager to drink my tea at the pond and come back for refills. Very relaxing and soothing along with great strategy to over come garden exhaustion. 6) Water: A luxury water bottle is recommended as you need to get within the habit of continually sipping from a water bottles. The higher altitude means you'll become dehydrated sooner and if you don't drink regarding water, you can definitely find you develop signs of dehydration such as a head painfulness. Avoid excessive alcohol and products with caffeine in them as and cause a 'diuretic' (water loss) effect speeding up dehydration. Enhancing a bottle and refilling it each time is a bit more friendly towards environment than purchasing plactic bottles internet site . inevitable land in landfills. You can do drink the tap water here and water sources come from glaciers so that tastes great too. View More: tophaugiangaz.com - Top Hau Giang AZ Reviewed by Team Leader in Top Hau Giang AZ: Ngô Thu Hà - Ngo Thu Ha Written By Author in tophaugiangaz.com: Huỳnh Hữu Huy - Huynh Huu Huy Written By Author in tophaugiangaz.com: Nguyễn Trần Ngọc Thảo - Nguyen Tran Ngoc Thao