#pink sausage unit

[fryingpan1234567]

I have a new favorite ship in Empires and it’s just because of ONE POST by @this-tumbleweed-surecan-fish (yeah it’s that easy to give me a new OTP just ONE POST)

so here have some ship and normal character headcanons in my Empires college au because there is one piece of writing about them out there and it was a short post. literally fuck me

Pix, Joel, Lizzie, and fWhip. that’s the ship. I can’t believe this.

Joel is the tallest out of them and fWhip is the shortest

fWhip and Lizzie are really good at talking and Pix and Joel are really good at listening

They all have ADHD

When they’re in public they usually pretend to be two separate couples because the public isn’t exactly used to polyamory, and none of them are really ‘BE LOUD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!’ people

Lizzie, Pix, and fWhip are all like parents to Hermes (that kid has literally five parental units what)

Speaking of Hermes!! The rest of them know of and are perfectly fine with Sausage, and he and Joel adopt Hermes one day because they find him on the streets and they couldn’t just leave him there, so. ✨child✨

fWhip and Pix are cave bros and love dark/ tight spaces, but Lizzie and Joel hate them

Pix does photography!!

And Joel does bouldering and climbing

As per Fish‘s post, they call each other gf/ bf/ wife/ husband even tho they don’t actually get married lol

Hermes made friends with one of the dodos in the orchard one day when Pix was watching him and now they’re besties; it’s like Disney Hercules and Pegasus

With that plus Lizzie’s zoology; fWhip’s cave creatures, and Sanctuary’s whole deal, he grows up to be a huge animal person

Anyways moving away from Hermes lmao

All of them flirt so aggressively help

MAKING FUN OF JIMMY TOGETHER

If they’re out and someone asks Lizzie if she’s there with anyone, because the four of them are hanging out together, they’ll all just laugh until the guy gets freaked out and leaves

They all get their hair dyed at least a little bit- Lizzie (obviously) goes all pink, Joel has his green stripe, and then Pix gets a navy blue one and fWhip does full teal and green until the roots grow back in orange. The idea was started because Lizzie was getting hers redone and asked if they wanted to participate (her kitten eyes were like a fucking off switch on their strength of will)

Everyone thinks Pix is the responsible one. He’s not. He’s just as crazy as the other three

Lizzie has dubbed herself mayor of all the pets in their dorm building, Joel drinks sketchy protein shakes with all normal ingredients other than a splash of water from the fountain outside the Historical Mythology building, fWhip reads hanging off the couch upside down like a fucking bat. Pix seems normal enough on the surface, but my man single-handedly discovered a new species of fruit trees in 3 variants, a thought to be extinct species, and a machine that’s been around since the beginning of time, and he considers emerald ore to be worth more than his life. He’s pretty far from ‘normal’

Pix runs the campus news channel, and his partners find it adorable and also kind of worrying when they walk into the living room at two in the morning for water to see Pix sitting on the floor, surrounded by stacks of paper and two laptops, three cups of coffee and one of tea, and him in the middle wearing sweats and one of Joel’s shirts/ no top if he couldn’t find any, scrambling to get the next weekly episode out. Once he had to record the voiceover around Hermits, and they harassed him the whole time and threw pencils when he made a bad joke

Lizzie and Pix got American driver’s licenses, but Joel insisted that ‘he was loyally British and he liked being British and unless America changed their shtewpid driving habits, he’d have the rest of them drive him around the whole time’

Dishes never get done in their household I swear to god

Uno/ board games/ video games are a fucking nightmare because they’re all scarily competitive

They like sleeping in one bed, but sometimes it’s too hot for that so there is two beds

They actually do go on trips!! It’s like a thing for birthdays and stuff that they’re taken somewhere

For example, they took Lizzie to the San Diego zoo, fWhip to the Carlsbad Caverns, Pix to the Smithsonian, and Joel to the Parthenon

When one of them is sick, they have a whole lot of simping from the rest of them

fWhip and Lizzie have morning classes, Pix and Joel have late ones (that usually means the first two are making/ getting dinner while the other two are in class)

Anyways. Them <33

[fattest-disney-characters]

One evening night at outside Apartment Building of Southern United States, An 5’5” 43yrs old orange ponytails, unfree-spirited chubbiest body woman name Anna, Anna waddled on sidewalk waddle way home after finishing working at her shift. Anna may be changed from seven years. Anna got pudgiest fat face, triple chin, her Breast are already that fat that they start to burst Out of her messy tank top just unlike her chubbiest single belly flops over. Her fat wide thighs Always Stick together, her fat barefoot are no longer need shoes or boots except socks and slippers. Her big fat Ass gives her pink underwear a wedge and barley fit her ripped jeans. Fattest arms, cinnamon-buns hands, sausage fingers. Anna place cigarette to her lips and sucked in deeply. Moving it away she let out a long breath of smoke as wanted to get home spending time with her big sister/now girlfriend, Elsa and maybe get some shuteye. Anna had white strips on her messy ponytail, few wrinkles and big eyebags, Anna weights 4,847lbs

The inside of the apartament was a complete mess with trash bags at the door waiting to be take to the dumpster, in the kitchen was Anna older sister, a 44 years old woman named Elsa. Elsa had changed as well, her obese body barely fit in the pajamas as her ass cheeks are bigger than yoga balls, her breast is double D and rest on top of her belly

[myranblog]

The Red Meat

Pork is hog meat harvested between the ages of six months and one year. The finest pork is grayish pink in color, firm and finely grained, well-marbled, and covered on the outside with a layer of firm white fat. Approximately 30% of the flesh is consumed as cooked fresh meat, while the remainder is cured or smoked for bacon and ham, used in sausage, and rendered to produce lard. Because pigs can contract the parasitic disease trichinosis, pork must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 °F (71 °C) to destroy the disease-causing organism.

The amount of edible flesh produced by pork carcasses is assessed. In the United States, where specific cuts are not evaluated, a U.S. Number 1 carcass has the best fat-to-lean ratio; Numbers 2, 3, and 4 have a higher proportion of fat, reducing the amount of lean. Utility-grade pork, which is sometimes obtained from older animals, has bad fat and is less firm. The most popular pig parts are hams, spareribs, loin roasts and chops, bellies, picnic shoulders, and shoulder butts.

Pork is a versatile meat that is consumed all around the world. Pork, on the other hand, is virtually non-existent in the cuisines of the Middle East and several indigenous civilizations in Asia and Africa since it is prohibited by Judaism and Islam's dietary rules. The top four pork-consuming countries are Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Austria (in terms of per capita consumption).

Spareribs are fresh swine loin, leg, and rib sections that are commonly roasted in Western cooking. Grilled or pan-fried loin and rib chops are popular preparations. A spit-roasted whole newborn piglet, or suckling pig, is a delicacy in Central and Eastern Europe; wild pigs have traditionally been prepared in the same way around the Pacific. Less desirable parts of the carcass, such as ears, tails, hocks, feet, and brains, as well as the fatty portions of the back of the carcass (fatback), may be cooked with various greens, especially in the southern United States; despite its origins in the economic necessity, this distinct style of pork cookery has an important place in American regional cuisine. Get the Best Quality Pork At Family Mart Uae

Nutritional Information and Health Benefits

It is the most often consumed red meat in the world, notably in Eastern Asia, yet it is forbidden in other religions, like Islam and Judaism.

As a result, pork is forbidden in many Islamic countries.

It is most usually consumed raw, but cured (preserved) pig products are also popular. Examples include smoked pork, ham, bacon, and sausages.

Lean pork is abundant in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

Pork protein

Pork, like other meats, is mostly protein.

Lean, cooked pork has a protein level of about 26% by fresh weight.

When dried, lean pork contains a protein content of up to 89 percent, making it one of the most protein-rich meals (1Trusted Source).

It contains all nine essential amino acids needed for your body's growth and upkeep. Beef is one of the most complete protein sources.

As a consequence, eating pig — or other types of pork — may be especially beneficial for bodybuilders, recovering athletes, those recovering from surgery, and anybody who wants to create or mend muscles

Pig fat

Pig fat content varies.

Pork fat percentage is normally 10-16% (2), although it can be significantly higher depending on the level of trimming and other variables.

Clarified pig fat, often known as lard, is used in cooking on occasion.

Pork, like other types of red meat, is largely made up of saturated and unsaturated fats in roughly equal amounts.

A cooked, ground pork 3.5-ounce (100-gram) meal, for example, has 7.7 grams of saturated fat, 9.3 grams of monounsaturated fat, and 1.9 grams of polyunsaturated fat (1Trusted Source).

Pork flesh has a different fatty acid composition than ruminant meats like beef and lamb.

[menuandprice]

Greggs Menu With Prices [March 2023 Updated]

Greggs is a well-known British chain of bakeries with its headquarters at Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The bakery is best known for serving some delicious food like sausage rolls, wraps, and breakfast bacon along with some refreshing coffee and other beverages. The Greggs menu with prices is also reasonable enough for each customer. The Greggs menu is inclusive of some mouth-watering delicacies starting from sausage rolls, salads, appetizers, sausage breakfast baguettes, and wraps, along with some drinks like latte, coffee, and more. At the bakery-cum café, you get to enjoy the finest of Greggs breakfast and pair it up with a refreshing beverage to keep you good for the day. The Greggs price list is equally attractive as its scrumptious food. This article highlights the real Greggs menu and prices so that when you find a ‘Greggs near me’, you have prior knowledge about their menu prices.

Greggs Menu With Prices

Breakfast Menu Prices Bacon Breakfast Roll £1.75 Sausage Breakfast Roll £1.75 Omelette Breakfast Roll £1.75 Bacon and Omelette Breakfast Roll £1.85 Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Roll £1.85 Sausage and Omelette Breakfast Roll £1.85 Bacon Breakfast Baguette £2.50 Sausage Breakfast Baguette £2.50 Omelette Breakfast Baguette £2.50 Bacon and Omelette Breakfast Baguette £2.60 Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Baguette £2.60 Sausage and Omelette Breakfast Baguette £2.60 Bacon and Cheese Wrap £1.65 Simply Creamy Porridge £1.00 Golden Syrup Porridge £1.00 Apple & Cinnamon Porridge £1.00 Also Check The Latest Pret A Manger Menu With Prices UK Savouries & Bakes Menu Prices Sausage Roll £0.96 Vegan Sausage Roll £0.96 Steak Bake £1.50 Chicken Bake £1.44 Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt £1.38 Vegan Sausage, Bean & Cheeze Melt £1.45 Beef & Vegetable Pasty £1.30 Margherita Pizza £0.85 Pepperoni Pizza £0.85 Also Check The Latest Bagel Nash Menu And Prices in UK Drinks Menu Prices Regular Americano £1.50 Large Americano £1.75 Regular Cappuccino £1.75 Large Cappuccino £2.00 Regular Latte £1.75 Large Latte £2.00 Regular Mocha £1.75 Large Mocha £2.00 Regular White Coffee £1.50 Large White Coffee £1.75 regular Hot Chocolate £1.65 Large Hot Chocolate £1.90 Regular Tea £1.00 Large Tea £2.00 Also Check The Latest Gourmet Burger Kitchen Menu Prices UK Sweet Treats Menu Prices Caramel Custard Doughnut £ 0.95 Pink Jamie Doughnut £ 0.95 Triple Chocolate Doughnut £0.95 Yum Yum £0.85 Cream Eclair £1.15

History of Greggs

Greggs is one of the most loved bakery-cum-cafés in the United Kingdom. Starting from regulars to travelers, Greggs is a destination that assures to make you fall in love with its delicious menu. The Greggs sausage rolls price is the main charmer besides the prices of Greggs pizza, soups, salads, and other mouth-watering eatables. The first Greggs store came up in 1939 in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The founder John Gregg started it as a Tyneside bakery with the simple intention to deliver fresh eggs and yeast to the neighborhood families through a pushbike. Over the year, Greggs has acquired several other bakery brands and expanded its reach. After the death of John, Gregg was under the guidance of his son Ian. Since its inception, Gregg’s has expanded its location in several United Kingdom States. Gregg’s takes pride in serving the most delicious pizza, sausage rolls, and much more. Currently, Gregg’s is over 2000 locations across the United Kingdom. The brand has implemented several services through the years like a drive-thru, delivery services, outlets, moment stores, etc to make the bakery even more approachable to customers. Starting from Gregg’s pizza price to Gregg’s soup price, everything at Gregg’s is value for money. Also, Gregg’s drink prices are suitable for all be its students or commuters.

Review of Greggs

The Gregg’s hours of operation vary from location to location, however, at most Gregg’s locations Greggs open at 6 am and close at around 10 pm. Gregg’s breakfast prices are affordable and are available in the early hours. The Gregg’s lunch can be enjoyed from 12 pm onwards and you can dine in the bakery after 5 pm. The Gregg’s menu is inclusive of breakfast rolls, sausage rolls, wraps, pizza slices, doughnuts, baguettes, and much more. At Gregg’s, you can enjoy a fine breakfast having options like bacon roll, omelet roll, bacon and sausage roll, sausage and omelet baguette, bacon and cheese wrap, croissants, porridge, and the like. Don’t forget to try their mouth-watering savory snack items that you just can’t stop having. Starting from steak bake, sausage cheese, and bean melt, margarita pizza, to beef and vegetable pasty, Gregg’s offers you the best of food. You can order a single slice of pizza as Gregg’s pizza slice price is also reasonable looking into the amazing product they serve. At affordable Gregg’s drinks prices, the café offers you the most refreshing beverages like mocha, coffee, caramel latte, hot chocolate, peppermint tea, and many others. Gregg’s coffee price is also worth every penny. Here you can have a wonderful time be it with friends or colleagues. Over the years Gregg’s menu prices have evolved as per their customer reviews. Also Check The Latest Wagamama Menu And Prices UK

How to Order Online from Greggs Menu in Few Steps?

If you want to order online from Greggs then you can follow the steps given below where I have discussed how you can order online from Greggs using just eat. You can also check the menu prices of Greggs by following the same method below as the prices may vary from location to location. - First, head over to Just Eat and enter your pin code. - If any Greggs restaurant delivers to your location it will appear where you can select the restaurant. - After selecting the restaurant, the full list of Greggs’ menu prices will be displayed. - Now, select all the food items that you want to order online and add them to your cart. - In the next step, go to checkout and login to your account if you have one or you can also checkout as a guest. - Fill in some details and go to the payment option where you can make the payment and confirm your order.

Greggs Contact Information & Important Links

Official Website greggs.co.uk Greggs Menu Check Here Greggs Careers Check Here Greggs Gift Cards Check Here Greggs Locations Check Here Greggs Nutritional Information Check Here Greggs Order Online Order Here

Social Media Handles

Facebook Visit Now Instagram Visit Now Twitter Visit Now

Greggs Contact Info

Greggs Corporate Office Address Quorum Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8BU Greggs Phone Number 01912817721 Greggs Contact Page/Form Visit Now

Conclusion

For over 80 years, Gregg’s has been serving the natives of the United Kingdom and indeed has become the heartthrob of the nation. The bakery-cum-café has truly changed the taste of the country and its people. It is one of the largest bakery chains in the UK and is widely loved for its outstanding menu and prices. So what do you think about Greggs menu with prices that have been discussed in detail above? Kindly share your thoughts with me in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Greggs (FAQs)

Who founded Greggs? John Gregg of the United Kingdom initially started Greggs. How much is a sausage roll from Greggs? A sausage roll from Gregg’s is priced between £0.96-£2. How much is a Greggs’s pizza? A Gregg’s pizza price starts from £0.85. How much are Greggs’s pasties? The Gregg’s pasties price varies from £0.96- £2. What is Greggs coffee price? Gregg’s coffee price is between £1.25- £3. Who owns Greggs? Greggs was founded by John Gregg. How many Greggs are there in the UK? There are more than 2,078 outlets of Greggs operating across the UK. The post Greggs Menu With Prices appeared first on Everymenuprices. Read the full article

[koothichimin]

Rich In Protien

Pork is hog meat harvested between the ages of six months and one year. The finest pork is grayish pink in color, firm and finely grained, well-marbled, and covered on the outside with a layer of firm white fat. Approximately 30% of the flesh is consumed as cooked fresh meat, while the remainder is cured or smoked for bacon and ham, used in sausage, and rendered to produce lard. Because pigs can contract the parasitic disease trichinosis, pork must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 °F (71 °C) to destroy the disease-causing organism.The amount of edible flesh produced by pork carcasses is assessed. In the United States, where specific cuts are not evaluated, a U.S. Number 1 carcass has the best fat-to-lean ratio; Numbers 2, 3, and 4 have a higher proportion of fat, reducing the amount of lean. Utility-grade pork, which is sometimes obtained from older animals, has bad fat and is less firm. The most popular pig parts are hams, spareribs, loin roasts and chops, bellies, picnic shoulders, and shoulder butts.Pork is a versatile meat that is consumed all around the world. Pork, on the other hand, is virtually non-existent in the cuisines of the Middle East and several indigenous civilizations in Asia and Africa since it is prohibited by Judaism and Islam's dietary rules. The top four pork-consuming countries are Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Austria (in terms of per capita consumption).Spareribs are fresh swine loin, leg, and rib sections that are commonly roasted in Western cooking. Grilled or pan-fried loin and rib chops are popular preparations. A spit-roasted whole newborn piglet, or suckling pig, is a delicacy in Central and Eastern Europe; wild pigs have traditionally been prepared in the same way around the Pacific.

 Less desirable parts of the carcass, such as ears, tails, hocks, feet, and brains, as well as the fatty portions of the back of the carcass (fatback), may be cooked with various greens, especially in the southern United States; despite its origins in the economic necessity, this distinct style of pork cookery has an important place in American regional cuisine. Get the Best Quality Pork At Family Mart UaeNutritional Information and Health BenefitsIt is the most often consumed red meat in the world, notably in Eastern Asia, yet it is forbidden in other religions, like Islam and Judaism.As a result, pork is forbidden in many Islamic countries.It is most usually consumed raw, but cured (preserved) pig products are also popular. Examples include smoked pork, ham, bacon, and sausages.Lean pork is abundant in protein and vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent addition to a healthy diet.Pork proteinPork, like other meats, is mostly protein.Lean, cooked pork has a protein level of about 26% by fresh weight.When dried, lean pork contains a protein content of up to 89 percent, making it one of the most protein-rich meals (1Trusted Source).It contains all nine essential amino acids needed for your body's growth and upkeep. Beef is one of the most complete protein sources.As a consequence, eating pig — or other types of pork — may be especially beneficial for bodybuilders, recovering athletes, those recovering from surgery, and anybody who wants to create or mend muscles.Pig fatPig fat content varies.Pork fat percentage is normally 10-16% (2), although it can be significantly higher depending on the level of trimming and other variables.Clarified pig fat, often known as lard, is used in cooking on occasion.Pork, like other types of red meat, is largely made up of saturated and unsaturated fats in roughly equal amounts.A cooked, ground pork 3.5-ounce (100-gram) meal, for example, has 7.7 grams of saturated fat, 9.3 grams of monounsaturated fat, and 1.9 grams of polyunsaturated fat (1Trusted Source).Pork flesh has a different fatty acid composition than ruminant meats like beef and lamb.

[waninamaelian]

Tagaytay Day Trip

October 21 - We went to Tagaytay for one of our friends' wedding. The planned to rent an AirBnB and we will just stay there overnight because we don't want to rush home since we are pretty sure that the party would end very late at night. The initially plan is for just JB and I but his parents also mentioned that they wanted to stay with us so we could go around Tagaytay the following day so that's what we did. Here are some of the places we went to the following day.

October 22 - We had our breakfast in Bag of Beans Charito. All four of us are not satisfied with the service we received. Our order came in way too late. I would understand that it would be late because there are a lot of people in the restaurant but what annoyed me is that they were able to serve the tables next to us who just came in and when I approached one of the servers, they just shrug it off and said it is just because of the number of people who came in that day but he wasn't able to respond when I told him that there were two tables who came in after us who got served first. After a couple of minutes, our order arrived. Their poor service was well compensated by the food. I ordered their Seafood Pasta and it was one of the best pastas I've had. It was delicious and they were definitely not stingy with the ingredient. We almost forgot about their bad service when JB noticed that he did not get some sausage which is supposed to be part of his order. The crew was able to give it to him immediately but he said it was not cooked properly. Overall, I would give it 6/10 for the service and 8/10 for the food.

After our breakfast we went back to our AirBnb to check out. We rented a unit in The Winds and it was okay. The place was cozy and we were able to sleep well. Though their couch and pull out bed could definitely use some upgrade but overall our stay was great and I know my in-laws enjoyed it and they wanted to do the staycation thing again.

After checkout we went to Museo Orlina to check some of the ArtWorks by Ramon Orlina. JB's Dad requested for it for he is a fan of art. I heard him tell the curator how happy he is that he was able to visit the place because he was only able to see those Artworks from the magazine before and he can't believe they are in front of him now. I can see in his eyes how happy he is and that he enjoyed our short tour a lot! We started to plan the next museums we will visit.

We then went to Pink Sisters. I have been meaning to go there for years now and finally we were able to this time. I didn't know what happened to me but the moment I entered the church, I started crying. It felt like I didn't have to utter any prayer because God knows what's in my heart. JB just held my hand as I sat there and cry. We stayed there for just a couple of minutes and then proceed with writing our petition.

We had our lunch at Leslie's. We enjoyed the food and most of all the service provided to us. There was a long queue but it didn't take long before we got seated. All I can think about while we eat is how much I would love to bring my parents with me to eat there one day. Probably on my birthday.

Lastly, we went to SnR Nuvali before going home because JB and his Dad need to renew their membership. We also bought some groceries and food that we can cook for the next few days.

Our weekend was definitely well spent. We witnessed one of our closest friends get married and we were also able to spend quality time with JB's parents. I would definitely love to do it again.

[thehungrykat1]

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Holds USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission Reception

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service recently held its U.S.-Philippines Agribusiness Trade Mission Reception last July 19, 2022 at the Diplomatic Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom. It had been quite a while since I last attended a U.S. Embassy event due to the lockdowns and restrictions, but now that things are going back to normal, I’m happy to once again be a part of these activities held by the USDA to promote American food products and increase trade and imports.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Trade Mission to Manila last July 18 was the largest trade mission sent by the United States to the Philippines in recent years. Led by U.S. Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, representatives from 29 U.S. agribusinesses and farm organizations and 10 state departments of agriculture explored trade opportunities in the Philippines. The Diplomatic Hall inside the Marriott Manila Grand Ballroom served as a fitting venue for the evening as U.S. food and beverage suppliers, importers, trade associates and partners got a chance to meet and socialize with each other in a less formal setting.

I was happy to see some of my friends from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines once again including Ramona Singian, USDA Agricultural Marketing Specialist. Aside from striking beneficial deals which improves Philippine agricultural competitiveness, the trade mission also spearheaded programs to improve different sectors of the agribusiness industry in the Philippines.

The charming banquet hall opened to reveal a medley of appetizing items prepared by Marriott Manila for the guests. They had a fresh seafood station filled with a variety of US oysters like Fiddler’s Cove Oysters, Pemaquid Oysters, Pink Moon Oysters, and Duxbury Standard Oysters.

There was also a grand Charcuterie board that showcased different cheeses and cold cuts for the guests to try. I enjoyed nibbling on the Beef Pastrami and the ham sausage with some servings of Smoked Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Sierra Nevada Cheese, and more.

I made my way towards the carving station where they were serving these juicy Baby Back Ribs with homemade BBQ sauce. The ribs were smoky and tender with a generous slather of barbecue sauce. This is how I imagined those backyard barbecues in the US would be like.

Just beside it was the Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork served together with slider buns. I placed some pork onto my buns then poured some more barbecue sauce on top.

They also had a Chicken Fajitas and Tacos station where you could customize your serving with their toppings and condiments.

The Diplomatic Hall also had its own bar station with unlimited servings of Gin & Tonic, wines and beers. I had a few glasses of this Strawberry Ginger G&T for myself.

The dessert table was full of American pies such as Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and Strawberry Pie. These really gave us a sweet taste of America.

Cake goes so well with ice cream so Marriott Manila offered its Vanilla Ice Cream topped with strawberry, blueberry, or mango syrup. We really enjoyed having these desserts while sipping our cocktail glasses.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley welcomed the participants and guests as he reiterated the history and close ties between our two countries. Philippines Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez also gave a short speech regarding our agricultural trade and how it is being given much importance by President Bongbong Marcos.

Congratulations to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service for a successful agribusiness trade mission. Three memoranda of understanding were signed in the succeeding days, with one aimed at combating African Swine Fever in the Philippines, another formalizing deeper trade ties between the Province of Batangas and U.S. state departments of agriculture, and a third between Mariano Marcos State University and the U.S. Grains Council in support of biofuel solutions and climate smart practices. Let’s continue improving our agriculture and trade with our close ally for the betterment of our country.

[starrywinters]

7 Minutes!AU — Park Jihoon Fic

requested by anon!

genre: fluff

synopsis: both jihoon and you secretly loves each other, both of you are oblivious to the other’s feelings but everyone else can clearly see it, and you don’t confess until you play 7 minutes in heaven.

Ever heard of the saying, “A guy and a girl can be best friends and stay as best friends”? Yeah, that’s a lie. One will bound to fall for the other, if not maybe both will fall for each other. Sometimes at the right time, sometimes at the wrong.

“Hey Y/N! Mommy said we kiss the one we love when we’re older. So. when we’re older, I’m definitely going to give you many many kisses!” Stretches his arms as far as he can to emphasize his point.

That was said by a five-year-old Park Jihoon, your childhood friend since diapers. The one who is always there to mend your pain away and sooth your anger.

–

“LEE DAEHWI. YOU LIL-” You began, stomping your feet and splashing droplets of water everywhere, sentence cutting off as Jihoon pulls you into a hug. You wetting his entire self in the process. It was just like any other day where Lee Daehwi, your best friend, would pull a prank on you. One time it was tampering with your alarm clock, another time with a caramel ONION. Yes, onion, instead of an apple he used an onion.

This time, a bucket of water and a classroom door was involved. You can already guess what happened. You opened the door to your first period class and the whole bucket of water fell. On you. Not on Jihoon, who was standing beside you the whole time. No, it fell on you.

Already a Senior in high school, Daehwi has still not grown out of his childish side. Sinking yourself more fully into Jihoon’s warm embrace, you slowly calm down. The thought of getting revenge on Daehwi at the back of your mind. Standing at the doorway, your face nuzzled into the crook of his neck, someone can be heard clearing their throat behind you. Bae Jinyoung, Daehwi’s accomplice in most of his pranks and Daehwi’s #1 best friend.

Grinning, waggling his eyebrows, and winking at you two, “Hey lovebirds, stop blocking the doorway and keep your PDA indoors please.”

Never separating from your hug, “Shut up Jinyoung, you and Daehwi got her mad again. When will you two stop?” He pats your head slowly, lulling you into a sleep. But at the same time, it isn’t helping your situation as your heart begins to pound against your chest harder and faster. Yes, you have a mAJOr crush on Park Jihoon, your childhood best friend. What a surprise.

“Dunno, maybe never?” Seeing that you aren’t paying attention to them anymore he mutters to Jihoon, “We’re doing this for your sake bro, let us live a little. These are the only chances where you are bold enough to hug Y/N. When will you confess to her?”

Unfortunately for Jihoon, that was when you came back to the real world, finally separating from Jihoon’s hug. “Confess what? And to who?”

“N-nothing! Jinyoung is just saying nonsensical things like he usually does, le-let’s go to class, the bell’s about to ring.”

–

The bell rang as lunch period began

Literally stomping to your table, Jihoon right behind you, you see Daehwi sitting with Jinyoung, chatting very animatedly. ’Hah, not anymore you little devil.’ Wringing the collar of his shirt in your hands, “LEE DAEHWI. HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO STOP WITH THE DAMN PRANKS. IT’S NOT FUNNY ANYMORE.”

And here comes Jihoon, your personal teddy bear. Bringing you into another hug, you hiding your face in the crook of his neck again, slowly calming down your anger and breathing. During that whole process of you trying trying to calm down, your stomach growls. Loudly. To hide from further embarrassment, you dig your face further into Jihoon’s neck and curl yourself up, practically sitting on his lap.

Across from you sits Jinhwi, witnessing everything, “Eewww, guys, please. I feel like throwing up.” Dramatically, ”Jinyoung, take me to the restroom.”

“You can go yourself, you have legs.” And he indulges himself with his slice of pizza, ignoring the nonstop blabbering to the right of him. Offended, he turns to you and Jihoon, but ends up staying mum since you were still sitting on Jihoon’s lap as he’s hugging you. Daehwi knew you were still mad, so he proposes a compromise.

“Ok so Y/N, i’m sorry I pulled another prank on you, this will be the last time. I promise. So to make it up to you– HEY! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!??1”

Repositioning yourself so you’re facing him, head against Jihoon’s chest, you glare at him. If glares could kill, Daehwi would’ve been long gone already. “What?”

“As I was saying, to make up for my childish actions, i’m inviting you to the party I got invited to last period. It’s this Saturday at Kang Daniel’s place. You know, the popular jock?” As expected of the ever friendly chatterbox Lee Daehwi.

Closing your eyes, you feel Jihoon’s grip tighten around you (be it unconsciously or not, you really liked it) and you focus on the vibrations as he talks, “I don’t know Daehwi, Y/N doesn’t do parties. You know that.”

“Ok but, just give this one a chance. You can leave early if you don’t like it, but at least stay there for 5 minutes? C’mon! It’s senior year, please?”

–

’Curse Daehwi and his cuteness. Evil otter lookalike.’ Were the thoughts that ran through your head as you stood outside your door, pouting, waiting for Jihoon to arrive. Wherever you go, Jihoon goes. You dragged him with you to the party since you didn’t want to be alone, plus you needed a savior if ever Daehwi or Jinyoung comes up with something fishy at the party. Which they will do, you can feel it.

“I don’t get it, why do I have to be here,” childishly stomping your feet, you complain to Jihoon.

Jihoon chuckling, “Because you fell for Daehwi’s cute acts. Like always.” Shaking his head in amusement.

“lisTEN, you do too ok?? Don’t target only mE.”

–

Knocking on the front door of captain of the dance team, Kang Daniel, you were let in and greeted by him. You can tell he’s a teeny bit tipsy as he leaned in to give you a hug, but you don’t even know him?? Jealous, Jihoon drags you away and closer to him. In the back, he can see Daehwi giggling to Jinyoung. Narrowing his eyes at them. ’Now, what is their motive?’

Yes, this isn’t their first time trying to set him up with you. They’ve been trying ever since they’ve met the both of you, almost giving up as they felt discouraged since they were getting nowhere. But once they found the both of you are actually really in love with each other, their motivation skyrocketed.

Throughout the night, Daniel and a few other guys consecutively tries to approach you, to get you to have a few drinks with them. Most of the time, Jihoon’s the one rejecting the offers, rarely do you ever get a chance to say (not like you’ll ever accept anyway).

Other than that, you actually had fun. Jihoon didn’t, he spent majority of the time glaring guys off.

A few minutes later, Daehwi bounces towards your direction, yelling out, “HEY Y/N, JIHOON! LET’S GO PLAY A GAME WITH THE OTHERS, JINYOUNG’S ALREADY THERE SAVING US A SPOT.” Pulling on your right arm and Jihoon’s left, “C’MON LET’S GO!”

–

And that’s how you found yourself sitting on the floor in a bedroom with many other people, staring at the spinning bottle on the floor. You still don’t understand the point of this game, ’what’s the name of it again? 7 minus oven? What? What kind of-.’

The first round’s pair was chosen, Ong Seongwoo and Kang Daniel (ONGNIEL(((;). They came out 7 minutes later, hair and clothes disheveled. What the heck is this game? Lost, you look to your right, where Jihoon sat. Understanding your confused gaze, he shrugs. ’I don’t know either Y/N.’

–

Your heart was beating rapidly, your breath hitching. You felt dizzy, nervous, your palms are sweaty. You’re pretty sure if the lights were on, the bright pink that dusted your cheeks can be easily seen. How you ended up here? You were chosen by the bottle for the third round, the other person you’re not sure who.

“H-hey, I’m Y/N. What’s your name?” Hoping to start a conversation and not do what the previous pairs did, you ask for the identity of the other person.

You feel movement, shifting closer and closer to you. He pulls you into a hug, at first you panic. Thrashing in his hold, trying to get out, but once you recognized the warmth the body radiated and the feel of the body you stop. What didn’t stop, however, was your beating heart. And that is where you are now.

You feel another set of heart beats, coming from the person who is currently holding you. “Jihoon? Why’re you holding onto me?”

“Because I don’t know when the next chance I’ll get to bravely hold you in my arms is. I’m a coward, I’m not able to hug you in broad daylight or for no reason. I want to do this now to get everything over with. Y/N, you’re literally the sweetest girl I’ve ever met. You were there for me when we were young, you never left me. Even when I was going through that phase where I stayed away from you for a few weeks because you had cooties -feeling offended, “NO I DID NOT, YOU HAD COOTIES NOT ME”- You dealt with the pain in the butt I am, and you dealt with my terrible fashion sense. Thank you for being my best friend, but I don’t think I can stay a ‘best friend’ anymore. I’ve fallen for you, hard. I’m in love with you, since 6th grade actually, and I want to take this to the next level, if you’ll let me. So, Y/N, will you agree to date this pink-colored loving boy and do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?”

Taking a few minutes to gather your thoughts and keep your heart from leaping out in joy, he nervously smiles awaiting your response.

“I-i yes! YES! I will, I’ve been in love with you since 6th grade too, when you first came to school dressed in pink. Not giving a care to what others thought about you and how you kept moving on, always trying to make me happy by hugging me to calm me down. So, yes, I will date you and I will be your boyfriend.”

Leaning further into the hug you look up at him, leaning up closer you initiate the first move. Slowly moving forward, you peck him slightly on the lips–and that is when the door opens.

Bae Jinyoung is stood there, grinning like he won the lottery, “Oho, what’s this? Are you two finally together?” Speeding off towards Daehwi, he screams, “DAEHWI! DAEHWI! HWIIIIIII, I WON THE BET, PAY UP BRO!”

Upset, you chase after him (Jihoon once again on your tail) “YAH! BAE JINYOUNG, LEE DAEHWI, YOU BETTED ON US?!?!???”

–

Sitting on Jihoon’s laps, the amount of PDA done intensifies. This time it’s more romantically than platonically. Small and short kisses were being stolen from time to time, staring into each other’s eyes were happening more often, and playing with each other’s fingers became a small competitive game between the both of you.

“GUYs, where is the gratefulness?? We don’t deserve this diSRESPECT especially since we helped get you two together.”

“YES JINYOUNG IS RIGHT, ALSO STOP FLIRTING IN FRONT OF US. MY EYES ARE BURNING.”

“Shut up Daehwi, you’re just jealous Jinyoung hasn’t asked you out yet.” (JINHWI(((((;)

“i-”

unedited!

y’all i typed this at 4AM and i kind of squealed, giggled, and smiled (very widely) as i typed this story…uhM like my heart??? was?? melting???? and i need to stOP???

anyway! i hope you like it! ♡

[jihoneytrash]

PINK SAUSAGE UNIT

[park-woojinah-blog]

God bless Pink Sausage Unit follows me where ever I go

[daehwisdays]

day 9 inktober is 2park bc i was feeling soft for their love/hate bromance

[lord-explosion-baku]

Trident Tale

Merman!Shinsou x reader, Kirishima x Reader

Warnings: adult themes (Minors DNI)

A/N: read the prologue on AO3

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3

(Original image by @maewoahoah)

Synopsis: Moving to an island where everyone is big on the surf scene and other oceanic happenings might not have been the brightest idea for someone so afraid of anything that has to do with water, but you make do by spending your days looking after the Bed & Breakfast, trying not to burn the house down when you fry a few eggs, and obsessively scrolling through Eijirou Kirishima’s social media page. He’ll never notice you, and you think you’re fine with that, until a mysterious force washes into Ms. Shuzenji’s pool after a particularly nasty storm.

Hitoshi Shinsou is a pain in the ass from the get-go, but you put up with him, fins and all, when he promises he can help unite you with your soulmate. The catch? The fish is hellbent on taking back what was stolen from him, and he won’t lift a gracious finger until he gets what he came for.

You’re helpless to lend him a hand, so long as you stay dry. Unless, of course, he has other plans.

You know how the saying goes: you rub his fins, he’ll rub yours.

Storms have never really been your cup of tea. Though you keep yourself locked inside a good percent of the time, there’s nothing quite as suffocating as the compress of clouds overhead. It’s not like you always have to see them to be uncomfortable, but you definitely feel them pressing down, closing in, and caging you, even when you’ve got yourself tucked under a blanket on Ms. Shuzenji’s couch.

It’s been a little over a year since you first moved to the island. All you needed was a new beginning, and you got that, but you got that, and the tropical weather that you’re still getting used to. It’s currently typhoon season, and holy seaweed-on-your-doorstep, is it storming.

There’s little you can do to distract yourself while staying and working at Shuzenji’s bed and breakfast. There are currently no guests, aside from you, so all the rooms are made, and the old lady is on another one of her long vacations, so you’re basically being paid to lounge. You’re grateful for that, at least. But the only thing that’s keeping you physically separated from the terrifying weather is a thick glass pane that water sloshes on every time a wave laps over the backyard walls.

The things that separate you mentally are the old-timey recordings of Shuzenji singing alongside an ensemble cast, and the little device in your hand. If you didn’t have your boss’s haunting melodies echoing throughout the house, and some big, beefy, tatted eye-candy to gawk at during the storm, you’d surely go insane.

Eijirou Kirishima, one of the island’s best surfers, is out on his board, live-streaming his current fight against the waves. His whoops and hollers can be heard over the crashing tides, getting even you excited for what’s about to come. That’s the thing about Kirishima; he’s wild, you’re not, and it’s hot as hell. Oftentimes, you catch yourself daydreaming about joining him out in the surf—he guides you through the waves, maybe yoou impress him a bit with your sudden affinity for wave-riding, and the two of you wash up on shore where you’ll both share your first kiss. It would be feasible if you could swim. It would be feasible if you bothered to learn how to swim, but for now, you’re content with your imagination. At least he can make you hate the terrible weather a little less.

The conspiratorial smirk he shows the camera is borderline swoon-worthy when the swell begins to pull him further out. It’s impossible not to bite your lip every time you catch a glimpse of his arms forcing themselves through the sea. He makes this look easy—like the storm is child’s play, and as the winds blow Shuzenji’s trash bin into the sliding glass door, you welcome the delicious distraction.

As Kirishima stands up on his signature trident board and rides one of the biggest waves he’s seen all day, you’re once again struck with how much of a coward you are. He can fight the elements, while you can hardly bring yourself the courage to talk to him. Mind you, he’s constantly surrounded by a close group of friends—a close group of friends you find intimidating—and when he’s not with them, he’s out in the water. Where there’s water involved, you’re spoken for. Unless, of course, you’d like for the first time you guys actually speak, to be when he’s giving you CPR.

Not the most ideal “meet cute”, but if it works, it works.

A loud crash snaps you out of your admittedly salty daydream. Mango, Shuzenji’s orange tabby, yowls at the blanket of water cascading down the windows, and your stomach sinks. There’s only so many minutes you can pretend that the storm Kirishima is facing isn’t the one that’s destroying Shuzenji’s yard.

With a sigh, you roll off the velvet couch, and grimace when crumbs that were nesting in your shirt fall to the carpet: a mess to clean up later. Without any guests to mind, you don’t have to worry too much over keeping the place spick-and-span, so long as things are nice and tighty by the time the old lady gets back, which will be awhile.

You have an easy enough job—at least, when there aren’t bunches of thick seaweeds crashing over the yard’s wall, flooding the pool.

“Shit.”

Water sprays in every direction. The already trash-infested pool overflows as more kelp rolls in with the maniacal waves, and angry, white foam bangs on the back door. It's a disaster outside, and you’re not sure what to do about it.

Fingers wrapped around the back door handle, you struggle to think of a way to prevent a bigger mess, but even if you could manage to clean anything, nothing is stopping the tempest from wreaking anymore havoc. Best case scenario, you stop a plastic soda-chain from washing out to see and becoming a deadly necklace for an unlucky seagull. Worst case scenario, you slip, crack your head open on the pavement, and drown before you can ever utter the words “mahalo” to Kirishima.

Needless to say, you’ll take your life over a gull’s any day.

Another sigh.

A greater wave collides against the wall, bringing more of the Great Unknown into the pool. This is going to be a fun job to clean. Good thing you’ve got Shuzenji’s service boy, Denki Kaminari, on speed dial. You think if you sound particularly distressed in the morning, he’ll show up to help you out with just about anything in the matter of minutes. God bless desperate fuckboys.

So, for now, you cuddle back up on the couch, watch Kirishima shake saltwater out of his thick, red hair, and pretend that his storm is not the same thing as your storm.

It’s early morning when you finally rise out of bed. You hadn’t gotten a whole lot of rest—something to do with the wailing winds shaking your bedroom window nonstop, but after you finally drifted into dreams about snakes and dragons, you woke to clear skies, and light seagull calls.

From the second story, you can see early birds have already gotten the jump on cleaning up the beach. The sun is shining, the ocean blue and vast. The only trace there was ever a storm is already being taken care of. There are lifeguards riding around on ATVs and younger civilians with trash bags and grapplers picking up seaweed and absconded debris. The respect everyone has for the island is something to be admired, and you half-consider going out there yourself, after you’ve dealt with your yard, which is sure to be a wreck.

There’s no interest in picking out a cute outfit for the morning you’re going to have, even if Denki might see you, so you throw on a already-worn-this-week crop top, some pink shirts, and you’re good to go.

The first thing you do after Mango’s fed is check your socials. Kirishima posted a picture of his breakfast: a hefty plate with three eggs, sausage links, bacon, cut avocado, and what seems to be low-carb toast. The post reads, gotta eat ur gainz 2 gain ur gainz, and it’s so ridiculous that you’re infatuated with this reckless himbo. You wonder if you’d ever be able to hold an intellectual conversation with him, if you could ever manage to speak to him in the first place, but conversation wouldn’t matter if his mouth was between your thighs.

Following his example, you crack two eggs over a frying pan, sigh at the mostly empty fridge, then agonize over the state of Shuzenji’s yard. It’s worse than you thought it’d be. The pool is a sickly green color, and from where you’re standing inside, its murky depths seem to be almost opaque from the seaweed and garbage stewing together. Kelp litters the beige pavement, and there’s trash hiding in the shrubs. There’s a chocolate donut floaty bobbing around in there, too, and Shuzenji doesn’t own any floaties.

What a drag.

Before you get too far in your head about everything you’ll need to do to clean up, you quickly dial Denki’s number. He picks up after a ring and a half.

“I know what you’re about to ask,” says the boy on the line, and from his cocky tone, you can assume it’s not going to be about the cleanup. “I am absolutely free tonight. If you wanted to grab drinks at the Salty Barrel, maybe go on a romantic rendezvous out on the beach, watch the sunset on or in a couple blankets, I wouldn’t complain.”

“I’m not calling to ask you on a date, Kaminari,” you say as you step outside. The pavement is cold underneath your bare feet, and you have to tip-toe around to be sure not to let any kelp touch your skin. Yuck.

“But you’re not, not calling about a date, either,” he counters. By the volume of his voice, you can tell that he’s in his van, talking to you over the speaker. Good. So he’s already out and about.

“I need you to tell me how to drain Shuzenji’s pool.” Call you cold, but you’re used to Denki’s flirty nature by now, and you’ve learned that the best way to deal with it, is to not acknowledge it. Of course, you can’t be too callous when it comes to him, especially when you actually need his help. You eye the dangerously complex-looking valves off to the side of the house, and grimace. “There’s too many twisty thingies! I’m not sure what to do!”

“Now, hold your horses, little lady! Don’t go twisting any thingies just yet. Draining a pool is a process.” There’s a long pause, the loud growl of an engine, then silence. He’d pulled over to talk to you. “How’s your TDL? And what kinda PVC pipes you got?”

“The huh and what?” You don’t need to pretend to be in distress—you have no idea what he’s talking about.

“Listen, don’t touch anything. You’re calling because the pool’s a mess right now, right? You don’t need to drain it; at least, not yet. I can swing by in an hour or so to clean it, but I’ve gotta make some stops first. You’re not the only single woman who wants to watch me do my thang, especially not after yesterday.”

“It’s so bad, Kaminari.” The water in the pool sloshes around, like there’s actually something in it causing the water to ungulate and burble. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Don’t worry your pretty, little head over it. You've got me, okay? It’s my job to protect and serve.”

“You’re not a cop.”

“Nope, I’m better than a cop. I’m a pool guy.”

He goes on to ask you to check out what kind of drain the pool has, if you can find the drain, then loses you when he starts talking numbers and gallons. While still on the phone, you send a few texts to Shuzenji, explaining the predicament, then Denki mentions rates. You’re getting the cutie pie discount, doubled because he counts Shuzenji as a “cutie pie” too—something you mention to her because she’ll get a kick out of it—then he drops all business to ask about food.

“I’m cooking my breakfast,” you say with a wary glance back at the house.

“But is your breakfast fries and a shake from Tiki Burger?”

You bite your lip as your stomach growls its empty sorrow. “No.”

“Would you like it to be?” His knowing grin is heard through the line.

“…I’m not gonna go out with you.”

He chuckles and you’re grateful that he can’t see your answering smile. “We’ll see how you feel after you see me work my magic. And hey, if you’d like me to wear a Speedo while I work—“

“You’ll be here in an hour?” You cut him off, because Denki in a Speedo is the last thing you need on your mind. The thought of Kirishima in a Speedo, however, gets you a little hot, which is saying a lot, since you’re a part of the Speedos and Dolphin-shorts Are Abominations To Swimwear belief system.

“Maybe sooner. I think my next client just needs me to check out their chemical levels. Inside pool and all. Everyone else knew to put a tarp out.”

The tarp you had blew away, but you don’t bother explaining that to Denki. Let him believe you’re the dim-witted “little lady” he wants you to be. If it means Shuzenji gets a discount, not that she can’t afford any bill Denki’s company throws at her, then let him believe you can’t open a pickle jar without a man’s help for all you care.  

“See you then,” you say, and end the call. There will be time to work on your charm once Denki gets here. Until then, you figure you could do some investigating so you’re not completely helpless.

Leaving your phone on the pavement so you don’t accidentally drop it in the water, you make your way around the pool to where you think you remember the drain being. You can’t say you’ll know what kind of drain it is, but if you remember correctly, it’s circular, and like, kinda meshy? That description simply won’t do.

Dropping down to your knees, you peer down into the pool, squinting, as if that can help you see through all the muck. There’s definitely a lot of kelp and algae, sand drifting through the water, someone’s wayward brazier, and oh. A school of fish—little babies circling about. It’s wild, but you suppose it could be possible if all the chlorine washed out and there was enough salt water to sustain marine life.

The fish move together, bopping into each other, mouths gaping open to eat whatever they find in their temporary home. You don’t know enough about marine life to know what kind of fish they are. Silvery little things. Maybe Denki has something that can help transport them from the pool to the ocean. It’s not far—Shuzenji’s house is on the beach. It would be a shame if all the little fish had to die. You don’t particularly care about touching or feeding fish, but a life is a life, and if they can be saved, you’d at least like to try.

But all your thoughts of saving fish life stop when you catch something moving in the water. It’s not the fish—they’re not that big, but it’s definitely fishlike. Fish plus. It moves like a shadow, serpentine and fluid. You catch a glimpse of scales, so it’s definitely not a dolphin—even then, it’s bigger than a dolphin, and more graceful than a shark. You begin thinking of leviathan, and other mythical creatures, as ridiculous as that is, when you see a long flowing fluke.

Okay. This thing is not just big. It’s gargantuan, and to see this much of the creature without seeing its head makes your skin crawl. You imagine falling in and being swallowed whole, suffocating in the dark, drowning in a monster’s belly.

The thought spooks you static, just in time to meet a pair of eyes in the water. This is your overactive imagination—you’re scaring yourself insane, but you don’t look away, and those eyes, almost human and curious, don’t disappear.

You’ve consumed enough media to know how these impossible interactions go. The creature is inquisitive, but keeps its distance. It often has to be coaxed out of hiding, and even then, the thing is skittish and untrusting. You’re certainly not one to go “pspsps, hey little guy, I’m not gonna hurt you,” but even if you were, you don’t get the chance, because this thing you’re looking at isn’t the least bit skittish, and in one second, you’re making eyes at at it, and in the next, the thing is exploding out of the water.

A large, broad chest towers over you. The thing pushes itself up with arms, human arms, but it’s anything but human. Sure, it has hair, although an odd purple color, framing its angular face and jaw, which are both human enough. Also framing its face are a pair of long, pointed fins sticking out from where human ears should be. Water dribbles down its chest, down to its navel—its navel. Your brain screams mammal, but underneath its navel are scales, rippling down to where its legs should be. Not human. Not fish.

Fish plus.

Man.

Fish plus man.

Fish-man.

Its eyes are almost the same color as its hair, only a shade lighter, and much sharper, narrowed in on you. It’s glaring. You realize this at the same time you realize that you're staring at it with your mouth agape. This would be so rude in any other setting. It’s also rude to pop out of a pool that isn’t yours without any other warning, but you’re not about to chastise the thing. You’re far too scared.

Then the thing reaches out to you, sprinkling water on your thighs and your shirt. Its hands look like a man’s hand, but its long fingers are connected by thin, indigo webbing that matches its tail. Its tail. You lose focus trying to find the word for this creature that’s barely on the tip of your tongue, when you realize the palm of its hand, its fishy, webby hand, is hovering over your cheek, the other carefully placed next to your knee to keep it upright.

You open your mouth to speak, but only a hiss comes out. The creature, wary, brings its hand back, but only slightly. Not enough to put you at ease, but enough to allow you to gain your composure, and scream.

“H-help!!!” You screech. “Help! Somebody! Help me!”

It claps its hand over your mouth, knocking you back. Water drips down on your shirt as it leans in, mouth curling up with distaste. Then, it does something impossible.

It speaks.

“So loud,” it growls in a low, masculine timbre.

It speaks, you think, it speaks and it has no manners!

You try to yell back, probably something with little thought, but you have a mouth full of fish-man hand, and the more you warble in its palm, the more apathetic it appears.

“Be quiet and still,” it commands, as if obeying it is supposed to be the most natural thing—something it expects from you. It catches you so off-guard that you actually listen, only trembling a little bit as those indigo eyes scan over your form. It’s uncomfortable having an unknown but cognizant creature observe you so closely. You shiver when its gaze roams over your belly, down your legs. You want to curl your legs up, move away, but you’re afraid if you even twitch more than it’s comfortable with, it’ll grab you and drag you into the pool. Your nightmare.

Instead, it does something slightly less worse. It moves its hand from your mouth to your cheek. The palm of its hand warms your skin in an unnatural way, like you’ve been laying in the sun for half an hour and it’s only your cheek that heats up. The creature's eyes widen as light begins to emanate, either from you, or from it, you’re not sure, but definitely from where it touches you. Tingles run from your neck down to your spine, and you wish you’d put a bra on before going outside, because this thing’s touch is making your body react in a way that it shouldn’t.

“So easy,” it purrs appraisingly, somewhat less insolent, but you’re still taken aback, ears hot with embarrassment.

Un-fucking-likely.

“Easy?!” You squawk out. “What do you mean by easy?”

It doesn’t answer you, and instead, moves its fingers from your cheek, down your jaw, to your chin. It begins leaning closer, heavy lids closing. You notice its lips for the first time: a defined line and a pretty bow. If you were in a less dire situation, you’d be able to admit that they’re very nice lips, but they’re getting closer to you, closer still, and you realize with a jolt what it’s trying to do.

Your foot meets its chest in a heartbeat.

“Nope!” You belt out, extending your leg so there’s more distance between you and the impolite beast. “Not today, fish-breath!”

Unperturbed, it lifts a lazy brow. Then, to your absolute horror, it presses both of its hands into your bare leg, and again you’re lit up, warm, and tingly, only far worse than before. Stomach tightening, you make a choked noise, trying to hold in the sigh that claws at your throat.

“Fish-breath.” It repeats your insult like it’s a balled-up piece of paper to be thrown in the trash. “I’ve been told that my aroma is quite appealing.”

“By whom? Other fish-breaths?!” You wriggle your leg out of his embrace, or whatever you could call that invasion, only to have it slip down so your foot rests in the fish-man’s hands, bright as the stars in the sky. “Eww ew! Don’t touch me! Get away!”

The creature scoffs, but let’s you go, and you both watch as the light disappears from the arch of your foot where he’d been touching. Fish-man slinks back into the murky water, hiding under a blanket of algae.

You have enough time to gather your composure, wipe the water droplets off your face, and rub your eyes. For a moment, you try to convince yourself that this has all been a sleep-deprived hallucination, but you’ve never really been one to delude yourself, unless your Kirishima fantasies were involved, and you know that you’ll have to try another tactic to accept the reality of your situation. Perhaps you can try to be civil with this creature, ask it if it’s…hurt, or if it needs a late night escort to get it back to the sea. But then, the thing resurfaces on the opposite end of the pool. It faces you, and leans back against the wall, arms spread out against the pavement, basking.

“You know,” he says, “your decorum is severely lacking. Don’t humans have classes that teach them proper etiquette—how to be more polite towards their guests and such?”

What’s lacking is your patience for marine life.

Standing up, you take in the thing, which you’re now pretty sure is in fact a man of sorts, in its entirety. His tail is long, longer than human legs, extending past the halfway mark of the pool, if your measurement counts his fluke. There’s a golden cuff on his right arm that spirals around, accentuating his large biceps. You stubbornly admit that it’s attractive—he’s attractive, at least, he would be for people who were into fish and not surfers. You brush whatever you’re feeling in the pit of your stomach off by telling yourself that you’re simply awestruck, and move on.

“Where I’m from-“ you begin, straightening your sodden crop top- “we offer our guests various beverages and snacks, depending on the time of day.”

Annoyingly, he looks interested.

“Since it’s the morning, I’d offer a guest tea, or coffee, and if I’m looking to impress, I’d maybe cook them a hot meal.”

The creature offers you a sardonic smile. “I happen to be famished.”

“However, with home-invaders, we’re more likely to pull a gun on them before heating up the earl grey.”

He loses the smile, and you’re glad that he might have an inkling of what a gun is. You’ve never owned one, and they don’t allow firearms on the island, but the threat stands. But if he was intimidated, even for a moment, he doesn’t show it anymore, and proves just that by turning his back on you, and resting his head in his arms. He has a dorsal fin with what looks to be a deep, x-shaped scar near his tailbone. You try not to wonder what that could’ve been from.

“Then how do you propose I go from a home-invader, to a house guest?” Asks the creature with little interest.

Cautiously walking around the pool with your arms crossed, you begin to list things off for the far-too-comfortable fish-man.

“You can start by telling me who you are, what you are, why you’re here, what you want, and why you think you can lay your webbed hands on me.”

“Oh, is that all?” He hums noncommittally. Content. Aggravating. “Why don’t you start then? Who are you, and why are you here?”

The back of your neck grows hot and uncomfortable. “How entitled do you have to be to—!” You start, but you’re swiftly cut off by the shrieking of the fire alarm. Smoke plumes from outside the house’s windows, and you curse under your breath before darting towards the door. You’d completely forgotten about your eggs.

In your haste to move the pan off the stove, you burn your fingers and drop the pan to the kitchen floor, two blackened egg crisps flaking off and diving in different directions. Mango yowls at the commotion and investigates one of the fallen egg crisps. Before you can tell him to buzz off, he loses interest in your mess, not bothering to give it a taste. You don’t blame him, but the eggs didn’t appear to be cat-bad. Ah, you can’t kid yourself. They are cat-bad. They’re completely inedible. Now you’re going to have to head to the market, while worrying about a man trapped in Shuzenji’s pool.

Your stomach roars at you.

After cleaning the mess as best as you could while desperately and ruefully wanting to return to your guest—no, not guest—invader, you get the alarm, half-heartedly fan the smoke out of the house, and return. Angry. This guy better start talking soon, or things are going to get ugly.

To your utter displeasure, he looks all the more amused at your newer, messier state.

“Was that supposed to be the hot meal,” he asks, cocky. “Because if so, I’ll pass.”

Instead of biting his head off like you’d like to, you present him with the still-dirty frying pan, pointing it at his head like you intend to use it.

“Start talking, fish-for-brains.”

The beast snickers, raising his hands in the air in mock-surrender. “Easy there, tiger shark. You know how to use that thing?”

You refuse to humor him. Instead, you keep your scowl tight, your arms steady. If he’s not threatened, he’ll lose interest in this game, then he’ll have to talk.

Lo and behold, you’re right. The fish-man rolls his eyes, and looks at you, again, with apathy.

“My name is Hitoshi Shinsou,” he says, lackadaisical, like he’s already bored of himself. “I’m one of Ryūjin. What humans have learned to call merpeople are actually descendants of the sea gods who lived centuries ago. I’m here, simply because the storm washed me here. What I want is to retrieve what’s mine. I thought I could lay my webbed hands on you—well-“ the corner of his mouth tilts up-“darlin’, it was because your body reacted to me.”

Mouth forming the beginning of a question that never comes, you stare in disbelief at this myth. Then the last thing he said dawns at you.

“I did not react to you!” You rebuke, steady hands now shaking.

“Oh no?” He says, but it’s not a question. It’s a challenge.

Hitoshi grabs the flat end of the frying pan and yanks it, and you, closer to him, closer to the water. You cringe and whine when a wet, webby hand closes around your wrist. Inadvertently, you drop the pan, but he pays it no mind as it sinks past his tail. Your skin begins to glow underneath his palms, and the tingles come back, shooting up your arm, causing tiny goosebumps to appear.

“Would you look at that,” Hitoshi croons, slow and almost sensuously. His indigo eyes narrow on your index finger where you’d burned yourself. To add to this nightmare, he closes his lips around it, and begins to suck. Your stomach flips, and you’re not sure if it’s because you’re disgusted, or scared, or…enjoying the feeling of his warm mouth, his tongue, touching your skin.

“Stop.” It’s a whisper. It means nothing. You think you want it to mean something, but your thoughts are buzzing into a blur. Knees growing weak, you descend, leaning closer to him, not caring about the water or the seaweed or the fish, and instead, entirely focused on his mouth. It’s glowing, his mouth. Faintly. Like a single candle lit in an otherwise empty room.

When he eases off of you, he runs his thumb over your now-healed finger, and let’s your arm fall limply at your side.

“All better,” he whispers back at you.

There are prickles all over your skin once you regain an ounce of dignity.

“What the hell was that?” You ask, breathless for no other reason than shock.

“The glowing?” He asks. “The healing?”

“Both.”

“Your reaction to me.” He’s cocky again. This is something sick. Mythical creature or not, this has got to be a game he plays, washing into people’s pools, causing problems, sucking on lonely girls’ fingers. He probably gets his kicks this way, and uses whatever other kind of magic he has to erase whoever he’s tormenting’s memories, if he doesn’t end up eating them when he’s done. Bogus.

You won’t let him get to you.

“Alright, Hitoshi Shinsou, how would you like me to get you back into the ocean? You healed my finger-“ although it’s essentially his fault you were burned to begin with, if you take into account the sequence of events-“so helping you out is the least that I can do.”

“I could use your help,” he muses lightly, turning his body back around to his chest and abdomen are turned towards  the sun. You tell yourself not to stare like you know he probably wants you to. Though his eyes are closed, he peeps at you, sneaking a glance. “I don’t want to go back into the ocean, though. Not until I get what’s mine.”

With the might of a girl who just wants to go back inside and scroll through her phone, you swallow your bite, and ask, “what would that be?”

“Oh, this and that-“ he waves his hand around dismissively-“other things.”

With the might of a girl who just wants to go back inside and find another frying pan, you say, “alright, listen. Someone is on their way to the house to clean the pool. I don’t know what one of Ryūjin means, but I’m guessing people like you don’t always want to be discovered by people like us. So you either tell me what it is you need, or see how my pool guy reacts to a mermaid lounging around in my backyard! I wouldn’t put it against him to call the local news station. Get this place flooding with cameras. Does that sound like a pretty picture to you?”

Absolutely none of your threats penetrate Hitoshi’s cool nature. In fact, he laughs.

“When he gets here,” the merman drawls, knowing he’s got you hanging on every word, “invite him to swim.”

[calorumcookbook]

We're so excited to reveal our official cover for the Calorum Cookbook by Sam @kindlespark​! Stay tuned for our store opening in less than a week.

[ID: A pink book cover. In the center is the Calorum Cookbook logo, the logo is a beige crown made out of food, and a blue knife and fork crossed behind it. It is title The Calorum Cookbook: Recipes to Unite the Concord. Around the logo are different foods spread out. In the upper left corner: cake, a whipped pie, a donut, candy canes and other hard candies, chocolate, rock candies, licorice, gummy bears, a chocolate rabbit, macarons, and a bowl of yogurt with fruit toppings. In the upper right corner: cherries, lemon slices, an orange slice, whole oranges, blueberries, grapes, a watermelon slice, strawberries, a whole pineapple, pears, an apple, and an avocado cut in half. In the middle right side: carrots, a bell pepper, green beans, an onion, an eggplant, a bowl of salad, peas in their pod, herbs, and broccoli. In the bottom middle: a cut of meat, fried chicken, a T-Bone steak, sausage links, a fish, and a grilled piece of meat. In the lower left corner: a slice of Swiss cheese, a cup of milk, cheese cubes, a bowl of cream, a wheel of cheese, and triangular cuts of cheese. In the middle left side: a pot of rice, a croissant, bagels, crackers, a bowl of pasta, sourdough bread rolls, a baguette, and some cereal. END ID.]

[theminecraftbee]

silly au ideas that appeal only to me: fire emblem au for empires. no we don’t have enough characters to fill out a whole fire emblem cast. no i don’t care. anyway i’m going to assign them classes (that work like the traditional fire emblem classes work - base class that promotes to a new class using a fancy seal, not the way that three houses classes work.)

scott smajor as our lord because of his main character energies. he’s cool like hector though he’s an axe lord. when he promotes he gets weapon ranks in bow and gets a stag mount. he has an icy theme. axe lord cool lord. he gets a prf that’s like... an axe that can do magic damage with an ice flavor. i think he has like. eliwood stats. even though he’s an axe user.

jimmy is like... i think it’s funny if he starts as a trainee class, like the villager. you have to BABY this man, but once he snowballs he snowballs. so starts with terrible stats but great growths in everything. i think, like many trainees, he has several class options he can take, but i sort of feel cavalier path for him? lance user. (also in the plot i think he’s related to lizzie but didn’t get the dragon genes, because...)

lizzie can be our manakete. she can have the cool awakening design for the manakete that looks like a sea dragon, except in blue and pink. i think lizzie deserves to be able to transform into a fuck-off dragon, is all.

joel gives me myrmidon vibes for some reason? speedy sword users that crit a lot. he has a bit of that slightly mean myrmidon personality that’s classic in fire emblem too. i say this with love.

pixlriffs is... actually hard for me but i think i personally like him as a white mage/healer. he gives me healer vibes. i’m also going to be nice and say “he gets the ability to cast nosferatu as white magic even though that’s less common than the healers not being able to attack” because i think he should get offensive white magic and staves from the getgo. when he promotes he also gets anima magic.

gem is, obviously, a mage class, and probably promotes to a sage and just can cast every type of magic after promotion. of the three magic types though i feel like her initial affinity/tomes is wind. no reason i just think it fits her.

sausage strikes me as an armorknight. big armor, big defensive stats, sits on the front lines and tanks every hit... as long as it’s not magic. somehow, that feels fitting for him, alright.

fwip is a wyvern rider i think. axes and lances and a wyvern. he names the dragon something fun i think. it’s black and has red wings and gem also dotes over it, almost more than fwip does.

and pearl is a classic axe warrior! she’s got big hp, a big axe, and is willing to kick your ass for free. i think in the plot she was just a farmer who joined the gang to help with their Big Quest because she likes fighting and is better at it than basically everyone else. she promotes to something that can use several weapons, i think. that or an axe and a bow.

katherine is an archer. i have no good reason for this other than “she gives me kind of archer vibes”. i like the idea of her taking up the rear, helping all of her allies by sniping from the back. when she promotes she definitely gets a mount to become a bow knight.

joey is... another hard one. i think joey is a dark mage, uses dark magic, and would prefer not to talk about why dark magic specifically. he has kinda dark magic vibes i think. i don’t know you could convince me something different for him OR katherine i’m very undecided on them.

and lastly, shubble is our pegasus knight. she found her beloved pegasus after being the lone survivor of the destruction of her farming town by the Big Evil of whatever fire emblem plot we have going on, and bonded with it. she’s lances on pegasus-back, but she eventually gets staves and swords when she promotes to a falcon knight. she has the really good speed and kind of low attack of the pegasus knight early on but is probably like. one of the best units once you use her. because she can fly.

and those are the vibes i’m feeling so far. self-indulgent fire emblem au. yes. anyone who has other ideas about this feel free to propose things. xonorth is probably an evil dragon that scott discovers is related to him or something. or, well, maybe like in empires, the dragon wasn’t the evil, this time...

[qianinterprises]

Birthday Blues

Genre | tiny angst, crack, fluff Pairing | Xiaojun x Reader Warning | sadness in the beginning, but it's nothing bad, just some moping. Word Count | 1.5k Summary | Spending his birthday without his family is hard. Spending it without you is even harder. Good thing Kun has a gift that will make everything better. Author's Note | Just a small fic to celebrate Xiaojun's birthday! Happy birthday Xiaojun!! 💕💕

Originally posted here

It didn’t come as a surprise to anyone when Dejun walked downstairs that morning, dragging his feet, shoulders slumped low as he shuffled into the kitchen where Kun was standing at the stove, stirring whatever delicious concoction he had cooking.

“Morning Junie-ge!” YangYang beamed at the slightly older man.

Dejun glanced up at him and couldn’t stop the small smile from growing on his face. YangYang was infectious. Anyone that was around him for any amount of time would be able to tell you that. He was annoying, yes. He sometimes made Dejun want to ring his neck, yes again, but he was their baby, their maknae, and he was an excellent hype man.

“Why so low?” Kun’s steady voice asked as he flipped a browning dough over in the pan.

Flapjacks and… something else…

Kun already knew why Dejun was less than enthusiastic on his day, but it still didn’t hurt to ask. Perhaps get the boy to talk before he kidnapped Bella and disappeared into his room for the day.

“You know why,” Dejun grumbled back, face falling once again.

“Tell me anyway,” Kun insisted.

Dejun huffed, shoulders shaking as he did so, but he didn’t ignore the elder.

“My parents and brother are nowhere close, so I can’t see them today, which sucks. But it’s made worse because I can’t even see (y/n) today. She’s busy and even if she weren’t, we’re in a totally different place than she is! She would have had to fly out and she doesn’t have time for that.”

Kun nodded in understanding, giving Dejun a look he couldn’t read but somehow made him feel better.

“Are you going to try video calling her?” YangYang asked.

He’d been so quiet Dejun nearly forgot the boy was there.

“I hope,” Dejun shrugged. “If she has time for me…”

“She loves you. She’ll have time for you.”

“Maybe…” Dejun muttered, shoulders slumping lower.

The kitchen fell silent save for the popping grease of whatever the hell Kun was making before being interrupted by another bright soul.

“Happy birthday Dejun!” Ten’s voice was shrill as he shrieked in Dejun’s ear, but the younger couldn’t bring himself to care as his bandmate wrapped him in a tight hug, giving him an extra squeeze for good measure before letting go and walking over to the stove to pester Kun.

“What did you do to him?” Ten shrieked, picking a silver spoon up from the counter and dipping it into the pan of whatever mysterious food Kun was cooking, only to be stopped as their leader brought a wooden spoon down on the top of Ten’s head, giving him a glare.

“I didn’t do anything to him. Now shoo!” Kun urged, pushing Ten away with his hip.

Ten stared at the male with betrayal written all over his face, but he seemed to get over it soon because he was draping himself across Dejun’s lap not a moment later.

“So why the sullen face Junie?”

Dejun groaned, choosing to ignore the male, not wanting to repeat himself as he leaned back against the chair he was sitting in. Part of him roved over the thought of pushing Ten from his lap and watching the male flounder to the floor, but even though he wasn’t exactly in a great mood, he wouldn’t do that to Ten…

...Unless the other irritated him too much.

“Something smells delicious!” Yukhei’s voice boomed as he walked into the kitchen, clad only in a pair of green and gold striped boxers.

“Seriously Yukhei?” Ten groaned.

The taller didn’t acknowledge him as he walked over to the stove to investigate what his leader was cooking when Kun suddenly turned around, his eyes falling on Yukhei’s bare chest.

Surprise was the first thing that crossed his features, but that was quickly washed away by annoyance.

“Wong Yukhei! You have better sense than to parade around the kitchen half in the nude!” he yelped. “I taught you better manners than that!”

The vein at the side of Kun’s forehead, right by his left temple, was starting to pinken up, enlarging enough that Dejun could see it pulsating with growing anger.

“But it’s hot,” Yukhei whined.

“So? Do you see any of us walking around with half our junk hanging out?!”

Yukhei opened his mouth to speak.

“No! You don’t! Because we have manners!”

Kun must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed… that… or his girlfriend was coming over and he wanted everyone on their best behavior.

“I would be completely naked if I wanted to get shouted at,” Ten indruded on the conversation, not looking up from his phone.

Kun and Yukhei turned to look at him. The vein in Kun’s forehead was becoming more prominent.

“Put some damn clothes on!” Kun snapped after a long moment of looking at Ten. “And keep your clothes on!” he snapped.

A mischievous grin crossed Yukhei’s features and Dejun knew this wasn’t over, but Yukhei knew how to pick his battles.

“I told you to put on some clothes before you left the room,” Sicheng pointed out, walking into the kitchen as Yukhei was hurrying out.

No one bothered to answer as Sicheng sat down at the table, fingers drumming on the faux wood.

“Is breakfast almost ready?” YangYang whined.

Kun rolled his shoulders and grabbed a few pot holders from their drawer. Sicheng got up from the table and moved to the stove, grabbing them from their leader. He brought them over to the table, placing them down as Kun followed close behind, one hand holding a plate of fluffy-looking flapjacks. The other holding a searing pan of egg, peppers, crushed bacon, diced ham, and crumbled sausage in a stir fry-like omelette.

Dejun squinted at the food in front of them. It looked good, but it was nothing like what they usually ate for breakfast. It was much… fancier. And yeah, it was Dejun’s birthday and all, but even still, Kun had promised him a nice dinner. They usually didn’t go all out for breakfasts on birthdays!

“Is our lovely leader trying to impress his girlfriend enough to get laid?” Ten asked, wiggling his eyebrows mischievously.

Kun’s cheeks dusted pink but he sat down in his chair at the head of the table with a huff.

“Not just my girlfriend,” he grumbled with a huff.

Dejun rolled his eyes. Naturally Kun would try to impress his lady. At least Dejun would get delicious free food out of it. That was one thing going for him today, even if the rest of his day was shot.

He had just pulled a flapjack onto his plate that Guanheng had passed out to everyone as he’d entered the kitchen, when the doorbell rang and Dejun’s eyebrows cinched. Their doorbell hardly ever rang! Anyone from the other units would simply waltz right in and shout out their presence. Any of their significant others would knock before walking in because everyone knew them well enough. The managers never bothered to knock or ring the doorbell, so they only ever heard the chime when there was a large package delivered or a new guest was showing. And it was too early for packages.

“Dejun, could you get the door?” Kun asked, shooting the male a small smile before looking back down at his plate as he scooped some of the omelette onto his plate.

Dejun let out a small huff, but decided not to argue and got up from his table. Who knew, maybe Kun had ordered a big package for him that was to be delivered so early this morning.

He walked from the kitchen and into the front hallway where the door stood. Whoever was at the door was steering clear from the window cut in the center of the door, making it impossible for Dejun to have any guesses on who could possibly be there. His hand gripped the handle and he spun it, unlatching it from the hinge and pulling it open. Only to reveal…

You.

You were standing on the doorstep, a small, rolling suitcase by your side. Your hair wasn’t done up beautifully. It was in a lazy bun. Your clothes weren’t fancy, they were simple sweats. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was you were here.

“(y/n),” he breathed.

A smile crawled its way to your face and you released your hand from your suitcase handle, spreading your arms wide enough for him to step into your embrace. And he did just that.

Your arms encircled his middle, hugging him tightly as he nestled his face into your hair.

Behind you, he noticed Kun’s girlfriend standing, a fond smile covering her own lips as she watched the scene unfold. It was then that Dejun had no doubt she and Kun had cooked this up. Had made this possible. And Dejun made a mental note to protect his wonderful, amazing leader from the shenanigans of the others for the next week, because after this amazing gift, the man deserves the world. But he would have to wait, because Dejun was going to do nothing but cherish you with him for as long as you were able to stay.

When he pulled away, he brought his hands up to cup your cheeks, thumbs gently running along your cheekbones. Your eyes locked on his as you placed your hands on his.

“Happy birthday Dejun,” you whispered softly.

That was all you were able to get out before his lips covered yours in a tender, but passionate kiss.