#wouldn't you order from pizza cat

[bookmarks-reviews]

Writing means you get to make up your own fast food restaurants

[hedgehog-moss]

I went to the small pizzeria in a nearby village last month and asked for a calzone, and when she brought it to me the owner had a look on her face I can only describe as bitter.

Naturally my first assumption was that she was judging me for my food order (maybe calzones are too easy compared to other pizzas and she felt under-challenged as a pizza chef?), but then I looked at my calzone and the more I looked at it, the more I felt like it might have been a failed attempt at a cat calzone.

(I didn't ask for a cat calzone, just a calzone.)

If I had immediately identified it as a cat calzone I would have of course said something about it, such as "Aww that's so cute! You made it in the shape of a cat!! Thank you!" — but it was too late. I hesitated too long, and it was just failed enough that I wasn't sure it was meant to be a cat.

I think this poor woman knew her cat calzone was a failure and I wouldn't be able to recognise her effort for what it was, hence the bitterness in her eyes when she brought it to me.

I asked my friend if my pizza looked like a cat to her, and she said "Are you saying this because of the olives? I think they were just placed randomly."

no, I think they were meant to be eyes, and a cat nose. And those are the ears. Wait, I'll turn it in your direction so you can see

Friend: "It's just a pointy calzone... Maybe you should ask the chef if she meant to make it a cat?"

If I tried to make a cat calzone and the recipient of this gift went like 'hey, sorry, is this weird-looking thing meant to be cat?' I would sell my pizza restaurant and drown myself in the river.

After considering this, my friend said we could brainstorm a better phrasing—but then we ended up agreeing that since the chef didn't go 'haha sorry I tried to make a cat and failed!!' when she brought my pizza, the options were a) she didn't try to make a cat; b) she feels humiliated by her failure, and either way it's better to say nothing.

But I felt deeply curious about this unresolved mystery, so this week when I went back to the pizzeria I asked for a calzone again.

The options were now: a) the chef brings me a better, recognisable cat calzone and I immediately remark upon it and she's happy and we erase the failed cat calzone from the historical record and never mention it ever;

or b) the chef brings me a normal calzone, which suggests that the vague cat shape from last time was accidental and just another instance of chronic cat pareidolia.

(I refused to consider option c) The chef brings me another failed, hardly-recognisable cat. She just doesn't seem like the kind of person who would let that happen to her twice.)

Here's the photo of the failed cat calzone from last time, which, according to my friend, just looks like a pointy calzone with randomly-placed olives and not a deliberate attempt to make a cat:

And here's what the chef brought me this time:

THAT'S A CAT.

I knew it!!!!

And it looks so sad!! This cat calzone looks like it will burst into olive oil tears if you once again fail to identify it as the cat that it is

But I didn't; I was so ready this time. I went "A cat!!!!! It's so cute!" and the chef went like yes!!! I tried to make one last time but it looked weird :(

I said I was pretty sure it was a cat last time and apologised for not bringing it up and she said no, it's my responsibility to make it a decent cat. She also said she was glad I'd come back and ordered another calzone because she was really bothered ("vraiment embêtée") by that first failed attempt, and wondering if I'd noticed an attempt was made (and failed)

That's so relatable. It's like when you make a really embarrassing spelling mistake in a text and you're not sure if the other person has seen it and is judging you for it. Should you bring it up? Can it go unnoticed if you don't? It's the cat calzone equivalent of that. I'm so glad we were able to clear the air.

[bunnys-kisses]

૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡ i love dark!simon as much as the next rabbit... but what about loving!simon?

simon had always been weary of love. he thought most women wanted a cute boyfriend, not a bulky mass of a man with more scars than hairs on his head. he was the kind of man with odd sleep schedules, he was scary and unapproachable. he remembered a time a waitress at a restaurant tried to get her co-worker to take his order because she was afraid simon was going to hurt her.

but you saw something different. you saw how he'd lean down to your level, let you kiss across the exposed parts of his face. how he'd buy you flowers on fridays and made sure that none of them could harm your cat. he was also a good cat dad to the stray you took in. simon remarked that it seemed like you had a thing for taking in strays. you just smiled and said, "well, every animal deserves a good home." and later that night carded your fingers through his hair as he rested his head on your lap. you think about delivered pizzas on tuesdays, and him trying to explain the 'complicated' nature of football (correct football).

"i'm sorry i can't be your knight in shining armor." he said with his face up against your middle, cuddling in bed. you replied, "si, i'm the furthest thing from a princess. plus, growing up i didn't care for disney movies." and the mean, terrifying solider just melted into you. simon loved you, you were what kept his heart from growing cold. you were the rays of light in the morning. being with you assured that idea that he was still human. still able to love.

and simon showed his love for you every chance he got. even in more intimate ways. sex between you two was hot, but it wasn't quick. simon mapped out each of your curves with his tongue, he made sure his girl came at least twice before his cock even got a taste of your pussy. your pleasure was his priority. and you in turn showered him in praise. kisses along his scars as you reached for his cock. it was a mutual affair, filled with an intense love.

he'd still if you made a pained noise and apologize for being too rough. his hands never left bruises on you, but you left nice hickies on his neck and shoulders. sometimes you'd be on top so you could control the pace and other times he'd have you on your back to gaze into your beautiful eyes as he moved against you. his cock was a bit of a stretch, but you made it work. even if he had to watch you play with your clit and finger yourself to get yourself nice and ready for him. and he'd eagerly watch, those brown eyes focused on your sopping wet pussy. his cock in his grasp, edging himself before he sank into your sweet sex.

afterwards, simon kept you in his arms. using his protective muscle to keep you safe. kisses on your warmed cheeks and asking if you need anything. his girl wouldn't go without. because he loved you. his entire life he had felt on the outside, like a monster. but as he held you to his side, he felt human. a human capable of a deep ever lasting love. you were his heartbeat, the rhythm that kept him alive. <3

[strawwiibernyy]

Friendzone - Yang J.

_____________________

[Bestfriend!Jungwon x Fem!Reader]

warnings! slight angst, mentions of suggestive things, mention of a chinese stereotype (that they have small d).

words: 5,5k

╰┈➤ You and Jungwon have been best friends since forever. You shared all your secrets with each other and did all the kind of activities together. However, the feelings he brought to you weren't friendly as his.

_____________________

"Who is this?" The little girl in front of you placed her finger on your phone's screen. It had gone dark, but when it felt the touch of the girl, it light up again. Then the girl traced her finger on the wallpaper, stopping at the boy next to you.

"Oh, him? My best friend." You giggled awkwardly, taking your phone away from your little cousin. It was a photo of you and Jungwon in your bedroom eating pizza. You had your tongue out while Jungwon was taking a big bite from his piece.

You met your best friend in the first grade of middle school. It was a hard year for you, since you didn't have a particular friend group. The only person you had was Sunoo, a family's friend.

"Y/N, one of my friends wants help with his English homework. I talked about you to him. Is that okay?" Your breath got stuck in your throat while Sunoo was slurping up his noodles.

Looking over at the thousand tables inside your school's cafeteria, your eyes locked on six boys. They were all so tall and handsome. How would you be able to focus on tutoring one of them?

"No, i-it's alright." Your wide eyes turned back to your friend. Later that day, one of them came up to talk to you. His name was Yang Jungwon, same age as you.

"So, are you Y/N?"

"Yes."

"Great." The boy smiled, revealing his dimples. You wanted to pock them, but of course, that scenario stayed in your mind. "I was wondering if you could help me with my English homework. If you have time."

"No, it's alright. I can help you."

And since that day, you and Jungwon have been stuck together. The brunette boy would wave at you every time he saw you at hallways. Sometimes, he would even talk to you. Asking about your day and such. It made you happy to talk to him.

"Look, I got 81% in my English test!" Jungwon put his paper on your face, hiding his huge smile behind it. You didn't care about the test, you preferred to see his smile and dimples.

"Congratulations!"

"We have to go out and celebrate it. How about for an ice cream?" Your smile dropped, freezing in place. Was the cat-like boy in front of you asking you out?

You were trying to find the right words to respond while Jungwon was still talking. You would love to go out with him, but you know yourself. Going out with a pretty boy like him wouldn't be so easy as tutoring him.

It needed ten study sessions with him in order not to blush anytime he brought his head closer to yours. This was an innocent move. Either narrowing his eyes to see better, or leaning closer to hear you.

However, your heartbeat raised when he did that. His fluffy hair had the scent of white musk. Every time he leaned in, you were trying to sniff that scent. It sounds weird, but it was a very precious moment for you.

Now that he wanted to hang out with you, what would you do? The response was obviously going to be yes. Even if you were afraid to talk loud. Even if the only words you could form around him were "hello" or "thank you". His presence only was enough to make your stomach twirl.

All the signs were clear. They formed a big label inside your brain which said "You like him." And despite all that, you didn't understand how you turned out to become best friends with him.

"Shit-" You mouthed, leaving your ice cream aside. Gripping your white shirt, you eyed the big stain from your caramel ice cream. It was fresh, some ice cream still dripping to the rest of it. Jungwon laughed at the sight while you were trying to wipe the ice cream with your hand.

"You have become a mess." He laughed, leaving his ice cream aside. "Wait, let me do it for you." The boy pulled a tissue out. Your cheeks heated up when he kneeled in front of you.

"Jungwon, you don't have to-"

"No." He cut you off, wiping with the tissue your shirt. His knees were sitting on the hard floor of the park. Tiny rocks were scratching it, but he didn't seem to care. With gentle movements, he was brushing the tissue up and down your shirt.

"It's my pleasure." Jungwon raised his head to look up at you. His brown eyes were sparkling against the sunlight. His charming smile with those dimples that you so much loved. "You are such an idiot."

"Hey!" His sudden words made you big-eyed. A breathy laugh escaped your throat, playfully hitting his shoulder. Jungwon laughed as well, and butterflies filled your stomach.

There is no way you can be only friends with him.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

Or maybe there was. Because Jungwon didn't like you back.

Those desires buried deep in your heart. You wanted to say words that friends don't say to each other. You wanted to wrap your hands around him and kiss his cheek.

But he doesn't see you that way. And you were sure about it. With him constantly in your mind, other boys were crossed away from the picture. Not that you had a lot of options, but even those a few confessions were all rejected.

However, this wasn't the case with Jungwon.

"Go Wonnie!" A girl screamed on top of her lungs, making you jump in place. Jungwon was in the football club. Your middle school had two teams fighting against each other. You were sitting at the benches, along with some other girls on the other side.

Jungwon was running along the field. The ball was currently on Heeseung's legs and the boy was waiting for the pass. Heeseung spotted him, and he kicked the ball to Jungwon.

You gripped the edge of your skirt, bitting your lip. Jungwon seemed to struggle to keep the ball. Most boys of the other team had gone up to him, and Jungwon's face scratched in annoyance.

And then, Jungwon took the risk of kicking the ball. And the ball went in light speed over the net. The goalkeeper fell to the side and Jungwon scored. You stood up and began to cheer.

You wanted to scream for your best friend. Jumping up and down in place, you threw your hands in the air. Some shouts left your mouth, but the shouts of his fans overpowered yours.

"Jungwon, congratulations!" The girl screamed. She was pretty. A very skinny girl with long brown hair. She would look perfect next to Jungwon. But you wanted to be next to Jungwon.

"AHHHH!" All the girls stood up, looking wide-eyed at your best friend. So many loud screams. Even louder than the rest. Jungwon had raised his shirt, wiping the sweat off of his forehead.

He was doing it on purpose. The shirt riding up his body, revealing his hard abs. You didn't know your kind best friend had such a build like that. You had noticed his broad shoulders with his sleeveless shirts. However, this was a new sight.

A deep shade of red crossed your cheeks, stopping all your actions. You stood there unmoved. Your eyes couldn't move from his body. Not even after his shirt covered it again.

The boy turned to look at the bench. A smirk made its way to his lips, moisturizing them with his tongue. Jungwon knew you were there. But his eyes went on the girl on the other side.

His biggest fan was currently screaming. When she locked eyes with Jungwon, the boy winked at her. And your heart shuttered into thousand pieces.

After the match ended, Jungwon came to the benches. You stood up, thinking he was coming to see his best friend, you. Yet the boy walked over to the girl from before, giving her a warm smile.

That wasn't right. You wanted to be the only one to see him smile. His dimples belonged to you. Your finger will be the only one to touch them.

Even if you could be next to him as only his best friend.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

After so many years, the last grade of high school came, and you still hadn't confessed. Your teenage years would end, and then who knows if you would see Jungwon again or not?

All those years that you spend loving him. This was the time to repay yourself. And that gift would be setting your heart at peace. He would either accept you or reject you. In both scenarios, your friendship with him would be destroyed. And that is something you don't want.

Y/N

Won, where are you?

Jungwon

I am sick 😪. Can you send

me the notes after class?

Y/N

Okieeee

"Y/N, where is Jungwon today?" Your friend asked you as you tapped on the screen. A smile went up your lips when the boy liked your message. A red heart under your message that you whished indicated something.

"He is ill. And I told him not to practice outside with a weather like that." You left your phone aside, turning back to your friends at the table. It was lunchtime, and Jungwon was missing.

"Other news? Who was that guy you hooked up with yesterday?" The girl that asked now had turned to your Japanese friend. Her name was Sayuri, a brunette girl with chubby cheeks.

"Oh, he was so good at kissing! His name was Xiaosi, a Chinese."

"Chinese? You know what they say about Chinese guys." Another girl spoke, her eyebrows frowning in disgust. You choked on your food hearing her words, while the rest of the girls laughed.

"Well, there are expectations, you know? Not that I saw anything."

When they talked about things like that, you stay silent. Not because you felt uncomfortable. A teenage girl, after all, would like to talk about things like that as well.

The truth was that you didn't even have your first kiss yet. All those years of waiting for Jungwon. You couldn't imagine any other guy being your first kiss. It belonged to Jungwon, who you loved and trusted with your entire life.

Talks like this were brought up a lot among you and your friends. However, you never felt bad about your inexperience. Not until now. It was the last year of high school and your lips were still virgin.

You had even talked about it with Jungwon. While watching a movie at your house, you decided to ask him the big question.

"Have you done something more than kissing with a girl?" You shattered, shallowing down a hard knot on your neck. Jungwon turned to look at you with a frown. Clearly he got surprised by your question.

"Y-yes." Your eyes got wide, and Jungwon chuckled at your reaction. So your best friend has moved on with a girl too? You were the only one falling behind because you were waiting for him. And he wasn't.

You felt bad. You wanted to feel the lips of another human on yours too. This feeling that people describe. When you were younger, you couldn't understand the power of skinship. Since you met Jungwon, your hands looked for his soft skin.

"Y/N, are you okay?" One of them asked you, seeing your blank gaze. Shaking your head, you turned towards them. Your nod was enough to secure them, continuing their conversation.

Those thoughts wouldn't go away. And would force you to ask for help from a boy. From a very familiar boy.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

"I am finally healed!" Jungwon said, stretching out his hands. Walking around the park with your ice creams was a habit between the two of you. Even claiming a particular bench to sit every time.

"But it was good not coming to school. I can't wait till this hell ends." He continued, taking a spoon of his ice cream. He couldn't wait like usual till arriving at the bench. Then you would chuckle at his impatience.

But you didn't. Other thoughts had filled your head. Like you were in a different place from Jungwon. The memories taking you back to the lunch table with your friends instead.

'They have done so much with their boyfriends, and I haven't even given my first kiss yet.'

"You don't seem too good though." Jungwon flicked your forehead, pulling you away from your thoughts. You turned back to him, messaging your forehead. You had arrived at the bench, and Jungwon was already sitting.

Sitting down, you began to slowly eating your ice cream while he talked. He talked and talked, but you couldn't hear. You felt done with this. You wanted to speak up.

"Jungwon, I feel I am falling behind." You finally said, making his mouth shut. He was confused. You didn't dare to look him in the eye as you spoke.

"What do you mean? You have very good grades. If someone should be worried, it's me who is again falling in English. We should repeat those study sessions some day."

"No, I mean in a social matter." You tried to explain, raising your gaze to look at him. His eyebrows had come together, looking around for a clue behind your words.

"S-social matter?"

"I mean, ah!" Your cup of ice cream hit the bench, now fully focusing on the boy in front of you. "Jungwon, you had so many girlfriends with who you did more than just making out. I don't even have my first kiss yet!"

"And? What about it?"

"What do you mean what about it?" You scoffed, getting impatient with your friend. "I want to live like a normal teenager too! At least not have virgin lips anymore. Ah, you don't understand."

Your head fell on your lap. It was so embarrassing confessing those thoughts. And Jungwon couldn't catch on them. You shouldn't have even thought of asking for his help.

However, after a while, Jungwon finally seemed to understand.

A sigh left his mouth, leaving his cup next to yours. You could feel him move around the bench and coming closer to you. But you didn't dare to look neither act. Instead, you waited for his next moves.

"I thought it didn't bother you." He whispered, and you felt his warm hand cupping your cheek. It forced you to raise your head and look at him. His bored eyes pinned on your tinted lips. "I can help you."

And with that, he smashed his lips on yours. Your eyes flew big at the touch of his soft lips. They were slightly brushing yours, hardly feeling his skin. However, once the first few seconds passed, and you didn't pull away, he got more comfortable.

His free hand rested on your hip as your lips danced with his. Those plum lips that you fantasised since you were twelve, they were on yours. His tongue wetted your lips before trying to enter your mouth.

When you felt his tongue sitting at the top of yours, you realized this had gone too far. Your hands pushed his chest away, and then they went to your lips. Some of Jungwon's saliva was still on them.

"Jungwon-"

"I am sorry." He cut you off, gripping his hair. "But don't worry, it's not like we are a couple or anything."

"What?" You froze, removing your hands from your lips. Your chest hurt and it wasn't from the boundless love you had for him. Regret. Jungwon was awkwardly laughing in front of you while tears were threating to escape your eyes.

"We are best friends. I was only helping you, right?"

That's what you wanted from him. To kiss you so you will feel included. Nothing more, nothing less. You already knew that his side was only friendly.

Then why did it hurt you so much to hear it from him?

It was wrong. You shouldn't have. Now you will have to bear the pain of both being rejected by your crush and losing your best friend. This was not what you wanted. You were dumb to think this could work out while your feelings get stronger by each day passing.

"Y/N-"

"I have to go." Some tears left without your permission. They ran down your cheek and then fell on your shirt. Jungwon noticed those tears falling, and it made him freeze.

"Y/N, wait!" You ignored his shoutings as you ran around the park. The park that you hanged out with Jungwon for the first time. The park that you hanged out with Jungwon for probably the last time today.

You hated yourself for being mad at him. For feeling all those emotions that you shouldn't do. He hadn't promised anything. Neither did he had to help you.

Then why your heart hurt for him?

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

The next day, you didn't talk to Jungwon. You were avoiding him at all costs. Every time you walked in the same hallway as him, you would rush back from where you came. Or hide in the toilets.

It was lunchtime, and you filled your tray with every kind of sweet. Some miso soup, rice, an apple and an orange juice. Your eyes wondered between the tables, only to lock on Jungwon.

Even though you and Jungwon were best friends, you both had different friend groups. Sometimes, he would come over to yours and you to his, but not frequently.

Today was the days that Jungwon had settled on your table. You knew he must have sat there on purpose. He wasn't dumb. He had noticed how you ignored him all day.

The only words he had heard from you was 'hi', before you again rushed away to your friends. You had put yourself in an awkward situation. But you couldn't pretend you were just friends with him after what happened at the park.

No. Not anymore.

"Y/N, where are you going?" One of your friends shouted, seeing you exiting the cafeteria. After placing the tray on the table, you left before your friends could welcome you. Before Jungwon could welcome you.

Footsteps were heard behind you. However, you thought of them as a stranger's ones. Thousand of students were entering and exiting the cafeteria every minute. Yet you frowned when those footsteps continued behind you.

Till the person that was chasing you covered your view.

Jungwon was in front of you, panting. His cheeks were red from running to catch up to you. His uniform wrinkled and his hair was messy. When you watched his fluffy hair, you had this huge urge to play with them.

"Y/N, can you stop ignoring me?" You stood there unmoved. Wide eyes looking over at Jungwon's brown ones. Then they fell to his lips, which were breathing in and out oxygen. Now he had straightened his back, appearing taller than you.

"Jungwon, I have to go to the bathroom-"

"No, you don't." Within seconds, he teleported in front of you. His right hand grabbed your wrist. Strong fingers wrapping around it, reddening the flesh. "When you will stop this little game?"

"It's not a g-game." You shattered, your head hanging low. All the kinds of lies crossed your mind to escape the situation. Yet Jungwon knew you too well to not catch them. It was the time that you had to stand in front of him and talk about your feelings.

It came sooner than you thought.

"Then what is all this? I told you that kiss meant nothing, so why are you acting like this?!"

"Because it meant something to me!" Suddenly, his rough side disappeared in the blink of an eye. Those fingers that marked your skin relaxed, and his furrowed eyebrows raised together from widening his eyes.

This Jungwon was something that you had never seen before. Rough and strict. It lasted for a few minutes, but his face got engraved in your mind. His soft voice had turned into a stern one that made your heart beat in fear.

Now the Jungwon in front of you was like the old one. The very, very old one. The shy and kind boy you had met in middle school. The boy which got red if a girl looked him into his eyes. The boy that only got red if you looked him into his eyes.

"What are you saying?"

"I can't pretend we are just friends, Jungwon." Those words that you held back for so many years finally were coming at the surface. It was refreshing, and at the same time painful. Hot tears ran down your cheeks, and Jungwon stepped back at the sight.

And your confession didn't stop there. You wanted to say everything. Every single thing that was sitting on your mind these past years. Ever since you met him till now.

"I loved you ever since first grade. You were so kind and caring, not like other boys. I know you think of me as a friend, but I don't. And I can't do this anymore!"

"Y/N, wait up a little-"

"I have to go." And you ran. And ran, and ran, till you exited school. Behind you was Jungwon. He was running after you, like back when you were kids. You would steal his water bottle and then he would run behind you to take it back.

It was all about the laughs and giggles. But now tears had replaced them. Jungwon's shouts made your eyes clench shut even harder to hold back the tears. His voice was like before. Loud and strict.

"Y/N, I said wait!" Your body felt weak. Your legs disappointing you. However, you were able to find a hiding spot. Rushing into a random room outside of your school, you closed the door behind.

It was dark. The dusk made you sneeze, and it echoed through the room. You could still hear Jungwon's steps outside of the door. His black shoes brushing the grass and mixing with the mud.

After a while, the boy gave up. A sigh left his mouth. Placing his hands in his pockets, he left. He left, leaving you behind in that room. Your back hit the wall as you slowly fell down.

Your hair became tangled. Your skirt had ridden up to your things, and you fixed the cloth. Touching the floor at each side of your body, you remembered something.

You had to go back to get your bag. But you had to face Jungwon again.

With heavy steps, you dragged yourself out. The bell had rang and all the students had returned to their classes. All the students expect you. With puffy eyes and stained tears on your face, you walked to your house.

Once you arrived, you locked yourself in your bedroom. There, you could grieve for your heartbreak all you wanted. Sending a message to your friends to bring your bag after school, you put on your headphones.

You excused yourself with sickness. Hursh headaches and stomach ache. Well, you had both of them, but not from a sickness. From how much you had cried, you could hardly breathe.

It shouldn't have been like this from the start. Pretending to be best friends with Jungwon while your feelings grew each day that passed. Sitting alone in your bedroom, you wondered to yourself,

'Will I ever get over Jungwon?'

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

Night came fast, and no message from Jungwon. It was midnight and your parents were sleeping. On the other hand, you couldn't seem to relax.

The same scene was replaying in your mind: your confession to Jungwon. Remembering how you desperately ran away from the boy. Remembering Jungwon's shouts.

You didn't want to remember. But your mind wanted to torture you. Every time it would drift somewhere else, something would remind you of the scene.

Messages on your phone, or a knock on your door. However, those were from your friends. They returned your bag, and you quickly shut them off.

A movie would be a good distraction. Now that your parents are asleep, you can sit in the living room. Getting your things, you walked down to the living room.

Your fingers tapped at the tv remote, searching for something. Usually, you would put on a romantic one. Where the guy is in love with the girl and he would do anything for her.

The last thing you wanted was to watch a romance movie. See all those happy couples while you got heartbroken. The safest option would be an action one. Or maybe a Disney one.

No, that was worse. Jungwon loves Disney movies. His favorite one is Aladdin. You and him have watched it more than four times together. And Jungwon's sparkling eyes stayed the same through the movie.

Settling on a detective one, you tapped on the tv remote. Next to you was sitting a bag of chips. Grabbing it, you began to throw some in your mouth.

All seemed peaceful till now. The movie was enjoyable, and the snack was enough to distract you. Your mind wouldn't go to Jungwon. And even if it went, tears didn't fill your eyelids anymore.

Not that you had a lot of them left. You have wasted all of them on the charming boy.

And between the silence, a knock was heard.

'No, it must be my imagination.'

Another knock. It wasn't a hallucination. There was someone outside your door, knocking aggressively at midnight. Fear washed over you. Leaving the bag of chips on the couch, you walked towards the door.

The knocks continued, and you looked through your window at the visitor.

And your eyes got wide.

"Jungwon?" You opened the door to reveal a soaked Jungwon. His wet hair was stuck on his forehead, and his clothes clinged to his body. Rain drops were tracing his face softly. Stopping on his lips, wetting them.

It was the first time you felt jealous of the rain.

"What are you doing here at such an hour? And under the rain?"

"Y/N." Was all he said. His body was weak, and a cough left his mouth. He had gotten sick. Taking some steps closer to you, he opened his mouth to say something.

"Jungwon, why? Come inside."

"Y/N!" He pushed your hands away from him. His eyes were falling close as he forced them open. Your hands went to stabilize him, but he declined them again. "You need to hear me."

"Yes, but can I hear you inside?" You replied, pointing with your hand inside the house. If your parents woke up, you would be dead from embarrassment. But now you had to take care of your best friend.

"No! I will tell you now. I have to tell you, ah." His condition was bad. He couldn't stop coughing and his body moved like jelly. He could fall anytime in your arms.

"Y/N, I love you. I always did. Well, not from first grade like you. But once I got to know you, I couldn't help it. You are so cool and kind, and so, so beautiful."

You stood there like an idiot, trying to progress his words. All this time. All this time that you thought your feelings couldn't be returned.

"Really now?" You choked on your words, tears falling again from your eyes. After all, you had more inside you. More raw emotion that you wanted to show to him. To your best friend.

"If you had let me reply, we could avoid all this." He said, coming closer. His fingertip brushed your cheek. Between the rain, your tears weren't visible. He had to feel them, hot running down your skin.

"I am sorry." You replied, sniffing. Jungwon's face was so close. His lips were begging you to interlock with yours. Even if you tried, Jungwon wouldn't let you get sick.

He was always so careful with you.

"It's not that easy. You have to make it up to me." Your eyebrows came together at his words.

"Make up? How?"

"Be my girlfriend." This simple sentence. Those words that will transform your relationship with Jungwon from best friends to an official couple. A huge smile went to your lips. You wondered if Jungwon really had agony to hear your response.

"Yes!" You fell into his arms and you flew on cloud nine. Jungwon was yours, and not as your best friend anymore. But as your boyfriend.

Now you can go on cute dates with him. Share a cake with him only for you to eat the most. But he would just laugh it off and pinch your cheek.

You can kiss him wherever you want and like. Hug him as much as you like and do all those stuff your friends talk about. Let him drown you in his eternal love. And as you will fall deeper, the bigger the smile will get on your lips.

Because you love Jungwon like none else, and he does too.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

"Unnie!" Your little cousin shouted, jumping in your arms. A giggle left your mouth, wrapping your hands around the kid. Even if the girl was still young, her hands struggled you.

"Ah, wait-" You spoke, trying to escape her grip. The little cousin finally left you, and you went to talk to her parents. Going back to your village every summer was a must for you.

You missed your aunt and your uncle. But mostly, that little creature. It was like the sister you never had. Sitting out with her on the balcony was a tradition. And then you would go out to buy her sweets.

"So tell me, how has school been so far?" You ask, chewing an almond covered in chocolate. The girl took one in her mouth too, before speaking. Her nose scratched at the mention of school.

"Middle school sucks. All the kids there are crazy! Especially the boys. One of my classmates licked a lollipop that he found on the floor." She said, sticking her tongue out in disgust.

"Yeah, some boys are like this."

"But I have found a boy who isn't like that." She blurted out, her face relaxing. She looked around the at the view, while a cunning smirk went up to your lips.

"Really? And what about him?"

"Well, he is shy and introverted. He is the best student in our class, but it's not like he is a nerd. He is very pretty!" She replied, widening her eyes at the last sentence.

"And? That's it?"

"Um, we talk from time to time. He asked me about my number too." You felt butterflies filling your stomach at the familiar emotion. Her time had come too. It brought happy tears to your eyes.

"Whatever happens with that boy." You began, taking her hands into yours. "Always speak your emotions. Don't run away from them." The girl frowned at the advice, but it meant a lot to you.

It meant a lot for a person to be brave. Face their emotions as they are and not be afraid to express them. When people hear that, they think of it as something useless.

However, it is that one thing that will get you forward with your life. And with that, you will reach the absolute of happiness.

The sweet moment was interrupted by the sound of your phone. The screen light up while the audio went on. You read the name on the screen.

'Wonnie'

"Wonnie? Who is that?" Your little cousin said, leaning in to look at the name on display. The call ended when you didn't pick it up, and you went to send a message to Jungwon. Your fingers tapped on the screen, explaining that you couldn't talk right now and you will call him later.

"You don't remember? The guy on my wallpaper." You replied, showing her the new wallpaper. The people hadn't changed, only the theme. In the old one, you and Jungwon were eating pizza. In the new one, you and Jungwon were hugging tightly while smiling at each other.

"You never told me his name." The girl said, raising one of her eyebrows. "He is your best friend, isn't he?"

"Almost." You said, smiling at yourself. Looking at the screen, your finger tapped softly to reveal the wallpaper again. Now it had changed. It was you and Jungwon kissing.

"He is my boyfriend."

_____________________

A/N: I have a serious obsession with Jungwon. Btw, sorry for the late update I was on vacation.

© all rights reserved to me — i do not allow anyone to copy, translate, or repost my works. all my stories are purerly fictional.

[roosterforme]

Always Ever Only You Part 13 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: When Nat and Bob are in imminent danger, Bradley is beyond furious about the decisions that have been made. It should have been him up there flying with them. As you count down the minutes until Bradley returns home, the rush of nerves feels more like anxiety than anticipation, and that does not feel good.

Warnings: Angst, swearing, fluff

Length: 5100 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

This was written to accompany my series Is It Working For You? along with a bunch of my one-shots and other series, but it can be read on its own! Check my masterlist for the reading order. Always Ever Only You masterlist. Gorgeous banner by @mak-32

Now that you were just a few days out from Bradley's return home, you were starting to feel antsy and anxious. This wasn't the way you usually felt. It used to be a rush of energy thrumming through your body, knowing he'd be back soon to hold you all night, make love to you, and fill the little pieces of your life that were lost without him. But now you just felt unsure.

When you really thought about it, you knew you and he had been missing the intimacy in your relationship for a little while, too focused on other things. The sex was still enjoyable... well, except for the last time when you felt sick with obligation. And he still held you all night. But some of the pieces of your life together felt like they had gotten lost, and you desperately wanted to find them. Because feeling nervous about reaching those previously known levels of happiness and intimacy when Bradley got back was not something you were prepared for.

So you talked to Dr. Genevieve again, and in her cool and collected voice, she said, "If something is broken, you either take the time to fix it, or you abandon it. And when it's a relationship, you don't have the luxury of making that decision alone. Do you want to fix it or abandon it?"

"I want to fix it," you replied easily. 

"And what did your husband say when you spoke to him?"

Your heart thudded in your chest as you replayed the facetime conversations in your mind and whispered, "He wants to fix it, too." 

She nodded. "Then you'll both take the time to do that."

Afterwards, you felt like hiding in your office, because what did that even mean? You knew what you wanted, but you didn't know how to get it. And you tried your best not to focus on your cycle and wanting to get pregnant, but it would have been impossible to forget about it completely. Where was the balance? You were simultaneously antsy for Bradley to get home so you could see if putting in the time to fix things was worth it and also scared that it wouldn't be.

Instead of hiding in your office, you made your way down to get a burrito bowl for lunch. "Is this seat taken?" you asked Jake, kicking the leg of his chair with your boot and nodding toward the empty seat across from him at the small table. 

"Angel," he said, meeting your smile with a look of panic. "You know I love you, right? But I saved it for Cat. Unless she decides to bail."

"Oh," you gasped, a little surprised by that. When you, Javy and Jake had gone out for pizza two nights ago, Jake claimed he was going to let Cat decide if she wanted to try to be friends with him, but you knew he was hoping for more. He sat on your couch with Jeremiah until Hondo showed up, and Jake didn't back down against the glare from Cat's Uncle. "Guess she's into the idea of hanging out? That's good?"

He kind of shrugged. "Listen, all I want to do is make out with her and hold her kid, but don't tell her that, alright? Oh, there she is."

"She didn't bail," you murmured, watching Cat make her way toward you. When she saw the small table with only two chairs, her steps slowed.

"Go," Jake growled, planting his palm against your lower back and shoving you out of the way. "I'll call you after work."

"Jeez," you groaned, glaring at him and heading toward Cam instead.

"Hey, stranger," Cam said as you sat down across from him, and soon Maria joined the two of you. Eating with them was familiar and comfortable, and you didn't have to think about it too much.

When they asked if you wanted to do brunch on Sunday, you smiled and shook your head. "No way. Bradley's coming home on Friday."

Cam smirked and said, "Oof. Lieutenant Commander Mustache returns home to his little wifey after his long, hard deployment. Sounds like a Lifetime movie."

"I don't know," Maria added. "You said long and hard. Kinda sounds like a porno."

You sat with your forehead on your tray as you shook with silent laughter. "Maybe it'll be a bit of both?"

Cam stole a bite of your burrito bowl as he said, "Report back."

-----------------------

Bradley had been chosen as the spare. When Dean told him after he had dismissed everyone else, Bradley knew it was simply to add insult to injury. But he took it on the chin, saluted the admiral, and returned to his bunk.

If Bradley said more than two words to anyone the following day, that was news to him. Nat and Bob gave him a wide berth as they got themselves prepared for the mission, and he appreciated that. He wasn't jealous of them, and he'd been quick to tell them that. And he knew they understood. This was a feeling that came along with the territory, he supposed. But this would mark the first mission he didn't qualify for, and he just needed to take a breather. 

Getting home to you was now his priority, his focus. If he could only be successful in the air or on the ground right now, he was going to choose the ground in San Diego with you. But that didn't stop him from worrying about Bob and Nat flying with Slayer. 

Bradley collapsed back onto his bed with his notebook. He decided to read what he wrote. He hadn't done that yet, favoring scribbling more thoughts and sentiments down every time he picked it up. But reading it from the beginning calmed him down, and just the thought of you made him finally able to fall asleep. 

Bright and early the next morning, he and Bob were both dressing in their flight suits. They walked to breakfast together and ate with Nat. Then the three of them made their way out onto the tarmac. But instead of being part of the main bustle of action, Bradley saluted his friends and stood next to his aircraft with his helmet on. 

The weather looked good, and the comanche was reporting back that everything looked clear. But just before the four aircrafts were due to take off, Admiral Dean made a surprising announcement over the comms. 

"Initiate the backup plan! Option B! Strike the military base first and then head back around to the communications tower. Follow the flight plan for Option B. Please respond that you understand in order."

Bradley climbed the ladder into his F/A-18 as he listened to Nat respond, saying that she copied Dean's orders. This was not a good sign that the plan was changing on the fly. There were probably loads of enemy aircrafts already airborne if such a drastic decision was being made, and Bradley automatically switched to the updated flightpath in his mind, even though he wouldn't be flying it. But being able to envision what was going on might help keep him calm. 

He got himself strapped in and ran his thumb along his silicone wedding band before sliding his hands into his gloves. And then he waited. He watched intently and listened over the comms, and when it was his turn, he said, "Rooster. Spare. Standing by."

The carrier was outrageously far out in the ocean right now. Nearly five hundred miles away from the coastline. And as he watched Nat and Bob launch from the deck, he kept his eyes on them as they faded into the late morning sunlight. It would be about thirty minutes until they were flying over land, and another five minutes more until they reached the military base. 

So he would have to sit here and wait for nearly an hour and a goddamn half while worrying about his friends and having an existential crisis about his career before they all returned and he could get changed out of his flight suit. 

"Unbelievable," he muttered to himself as he listened to the others over the comms. Slayer had been named team leader, and right now he was trying to boss Nat around. She wasn't having it though, and Bradley smiled as he listened in. 

But a few minutes later, he heard the radar tech from the comanche give a heads up that there were some enemy aircraft nearby. And then Slayer said, "Everyone else stay on course, I'll switch to tack northwest and hit the communications tower first."

Bradley lurched fully upright in his cockpit. He must have heard incorrectly. No way Slayer would deviate from the plans like that. But Bradley could hear Nat's panicked voice saying, "You won't have our laser guide! And we won't have your missiles! Stay on course, Slayer!"

"I'm the leader, Phoenix. You stay on course. I'll loop back around. It will be fine."

There was so much commotion all of a sudden, Bradley could only hear a jumble of voices inside his helmet. He did some quick math, visualizing the terrain maps he'd had memorized for nearly two months. Five hundred miles out. Five hundred back. They weren't flying at maximum speed, but they were still burning fuel fast, hauling almost two dozen missiles. There was absolutely no way Slayer would make it back to the carrier if he tried to switch course now and rendezvous with the others at the military base. He'd run out of fuel halfway back to the aircraft carrier. 

"Stay on course!" Admiral Dean demanded loudly. "Everyone stay on course!"

But Slayer was already gone. And now the comanche radar tech was reporting four more enemy fighters in the vicinity of the military base. Bradley pounded his fist on the side of his seat. Nat and Bob were completely fucking screwed. And so were Charmer, Mack and Terror. Unless all six aviators were working in unison, this was going to result in a tragedy. 

"Come on, come on," Bradley chanted under his breath, his fingers already twitching along his control panels. He thought about his friends whose handful of missiles would only get them so far before they were dead without cover. And he thought about you, but then again you were never far from his mind. His perfect wife. The main reason he did anything.

Finally his thoughts settled on the fact that he'd left his wedding band at home with you, and he felt calm knowing that you'd always wear it on your chain. 

"Send the spare." His Super Hornet was being towed to the catapult.

-------------------------------

It was a weird, stormy evening. There were clouds rolling in from the ocean, and although you could see a lot of lightning and hear thunder, it hadn't started raining yet. So you put on Bradley's sweatshirt and clipped Tramp's leash onto his collar, running your fingers along the tags your husband had gotten engraved for him. 

"Yeah, you're spoiled," you told the dog as you pocketed some treats for him. Then the two of you ventured outside and along the blocks that would take you to the beach. The wind was blowing harder down here, whipping the sand and dune grass around. But the beach was completely deserted, and the storm looked intoxicating. 

As you walked along the water's edge, your flip flops and sweatpants got soaked. Tramp kept pausing to look out into the ocean, and you said, "Daddy's out there. Somewhere." You weren't sure exactly when the mission was being flown. It could have already been completed. You had enough clearance at work to be able to find out for sure, but if Bradley caught wind of that kind of behavior, he would have a fit. You knew he didn't want you worrying about him. 

Tramp whimpered and started barking, and then the clouds rolled in faster. A loud crack of thunder had you running back up the beach with Tramp right next to you. By the time you ran up past the dunes, the sky opened up. You turned back to look at the ocean one last time before hard raindrops started pelting your exposed skin. It was almost painful, and it was hard to keep your eyes open as you made your way back to the pretty craftsman. 

You stood on the covered porch, looking down at your sandy, drenched dog and laughing. "Come here," you said before scooping him up and carrying him right into the bathroom, leaving a sandy trail along the way. 

If Bradley were here, he would take Tramp off your hands and clean him up as you soaked in the tub yourself. But for now, you'd do everything. He'd be back soon. You would take the time to fix things soon.

--------------------------

Once Bradley was in the air, the clock was ticking down the minutes until he could see land and locate the others. He'd been given permission to hit mach 1.8. Actually, he'd been given permission to do whatever was necessary. "Spare inbound. Land sighted," he said, easing back on the throttle a bit as he banked along the mountain range and dipped past the river that would lead him to the recently destroyed military base. 

Slayer had managed to destroy the communications tower as part of the solo mission he decided to go on, but at what cost? He got so far off course from the others, and backtracking would have eaten so much fuel. Bradley listened as he was called back to the carrier where he would be safe while everyone else was now in danger. 

Bradley was getting closer now as he listened to what was going on and tried to visualize it.

"Tally, tally! On your nose, Phoenix!"

"Deploying flares!"

"Incoming at twelve o'clock!"

"I can't shake them, Charmer!"

"I'm out of missiles and flares! Switching to guns!"

"We took a hit!"

He would know Nat's voice anywhere, but hearing her say that she and Bob had been hit had Bradley flying way faster than he should have been this close to the river embankment. But one more cut through the mountains, and the aircrafts were in sight. And it was the worst kind of dog fight. 

The air was a mess of flares as Bradley immediately spotted missiles being launched at Charmer. And he knew Charmer said he was out of defensive aids. 

"Tally, tally!" Bradley called out. "Bandit on your nose, Terror!" Then he laid down a cover of flares for Charmer as the other pilot eliminated one enemy with his guns. "Phoenix! Bob! How bad is it?" Bradley asked, deftly launching a missile and watching it collide with the wing of the jet that was headed for Terror. The enemy pilot ejected, but there was no point in pursuit. Not on a rescue mission. 

"We're leaking fuel," Bob shouted, and Bradley could actually hear all of the alarms going off in their Super Hornet through the comms. "Rapidly." Then Phoenix dodged past Charmer and shot down another enemy jet. "And we're out of ammo," Bob added.

"Head back, I'll lay down cover for you," Bradley told them. "Go!" There were still two Bandits, but his friends would never make it back anywhere near the carrier if they delayed leaving. He could smell the jet fuel as it permeated the air around him, and he just knew what a hazard that was. He prayed nothing would cause an explosion at this point.

"Out of ammo now," Charmer reported, and now Bradley was starting to panic. But then he saw the opening they needed. 

"Terror! Follow my lead!" The remaining Bandits saw how vulnerable Nat and Bob were and started to pursue them, so Bradley circled back to get their attention on him.

"I'm almost out of ammo!" Terror responded, getting into position. 

"Then don't miss." Bradley fired his last missile at the first one and then joined Terror and Mack in shooting down the other one. 

"That's splash six!" Charmer announced. 

"Is that everyone?" Terror asked. 

"Affirmative. That's everyone," Mack confirmed. 

"I want everyone back on this carrier, now!" Dean nearly shouted through the comms, and Bradley rolled his eyes. "Phoenix, land first, if you can even get here!"

Then thankfully he eventually heard Nat say, "We're limping in slowly now. It's gonna be close."

What a fucking nightmare this had turned out to be. As Bradley flew cleanup, since he was the only one with bullets and flares left, he kept his head on a swivel. "Comanche? Incoming?"

"Negative. Picture looks clean."

"And an ETA for Phoenix and Bob?" he asked as he followed Charmer and Terror out over the water.

"Seven minutes."

Bradley swore he didn't breathe and barely moved as he flew further away from the coastline. He didn't dare think about anything except the passing clouds overhead and the sound of his own heart beating. He didn't utter another word until he heard Nat say, "Coming in hot! Banking toward the tower. Full engine failure, no fuel to the feedline. Tailhook extended and hoping for the best."

"Come on, Nat." Bradley still couldn't see anything up ahead, but when the tower announced that Phoenix and Bob were safely on deck, he finally let out the breath he had been holding.

When he was able to circle the carrier and see it for himself, Bradley loosened his death grip on the throttle. And when he landed cleanly, that signaled that everyone was back on deck. The crews came to help him unload, and as soon as his boots left the last rung on the ladder, Nat was tossing her helmet aside and reaching for him.

"Thank you," she whispered against his shoulder. 

Years of trust and friendship had him clinging to her. "It should have been me up there with you two the whole time."

"I know. That was so fucked, Rooster."

And then Bob was there as well, looking more flustered than Bradley had seen him all deployment long. But then Bradley pushed past both of them and tossed his own helmet, shouting "What the hell, Slayer!"

But Slayer barely acknowledged him as he walked toward the tower looking like he was headed for the gallows. Bradley stood there, drenched in sweat and reeking of jet fuel, and watched the other aviator as a red faced Admiral Dean appeared on deck and started yelling. It didn't matter. It didn't matter that Slayer fucked everything up or that Bradley saved the day. The only thing that counted now was getting home to you.

-----------------------------

Friday morning seemed to stretch on for an eternity. You didn't have a specific time to expect Bradley to unload from the carrier, so you decided to go to work until you heard from him. When Bickel called you in for a progress meeting on all of the lab projects, you hauled a stack of folders in with you. And that's when you fully realized that over several years of working with him, he had made you his number two. He always wanted your opinion the most.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as you set everything down on his desk and took a seat. He met your eyes, and he was expecting an honest answer, but you knew he wouldn't give you a hard time. 

"Better. Bradley is coming home today," you told him. "Thanks again." But he just waved you off like it was no big deal and opened up the top folder on the stack. 

Later when you went down to eat lunch, you got cornered by Jake. "Come sit with me."

You just smirked as you grabbed a fistful of tiny packets of hot sauce. "Don't you want to sit with Cat?"

"No, I want to sit with you. Rooster comes back today, and I'll never see you again," he replied. "I know you're struggling, but the two of you will be disgusting again soon."

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. You were nervous. It had been building up all week. Part of you just wanted to get this over with and work things out, and part of you wanted to bask in Bradley's words as he told you how much he missed and loved you. If he told you those things. 

"I miss being disgusting," you told Jake as you followed him to a table. "But I still want to have a baby." You felt tears in your eyes as you sat down, and Jake met your gaze. "I'm anxious that Bradley is going to talk about my cycle and want to know when I'm ovulating. It's bad enough that I know I'm ovulating right now, you know? I don't want him thinking about it, too. And, fuck, I'm sorry Jake."

"Hey, no," he said, reaching across the table and squeezing your hand. "I love that you want to talk to me about stuff. But just dump your hot sauce all over your lunch and take a deep breath. Let Bradley get home and prove to you that he wants to fix things as much as you do. Give him a chance, Angel."

But your nerves carried through lunch. And now you were scared that your husband wouldn't greet you the way he always did. You were afraid that you were just a fragile, broken thing in his eyes, and there would be some sort of undertone of rejection even though the two of you said you were on the same page over facetime. 

As you walked back to your office, your phone vibrated with a text, and you already knew it was him without even looking. Your heart started pounding, knowing what you needed but unsure if you were going to get it. 

Bradley Rooster Bradshaw <3 <3 <3: I have phone reception! I can see the dock! I should be off this thing around four or five. Think you can skip out of work a little early and meet me? I missed you so much.

No turning back now. A smile actually broke out on your face. There would be no time to run home and change, but it didn't matter. You had missed him, too. 

I'll be there. Of course I'll be there.

When you mentioned to Bickel that you were going to leave two hours early, he told you to have a nice weekend. And when Cat saw you packing up your computer at 3:30, she walked over and gave you a little hug. 

"Don't be nervous."

You tried to act cool. "I'm not."

"I can tell you are. Just enjoy your weekend with your husband. I'll stay late if need be and finish the coding."

"Thanks," you muttered. You and she never explicitly talked about the fact that you were jealous that she had tiny Jeremiah in her life, but you knew she knew. And you were okay with that. 

As you jogged out to the Bronco in the parking garage, you found you were only thinking about one thing: how good it felt every time Bradley wrapped his strong arms around you and held you against his warm body. 

"Shit," you gasped, fumbling the key in the ignition. You needed that. That was it. "Fuck." You could barely start the engine, but when you finally did, you pulled quickly out of the parking space and headed the half mile or so around base toward the military docks. When you drove through the gates and parked again, you could see khaki uniforms pouring down the ramps and onto the dock.

"Oh no." You were out of the Bronco and running, scrambling for your phone. But as you got closer to the ramp, you spotted Bradley. He was so easy to pick out of a crowd. Tall and broad and impossibly handsome with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder. His head was on a swivel, probably wondering if you were here yet. 

And then you froze up. Every feeling hit you all at once as he stepped down onto the dock, boots back on California soil for the first time in almost two months. He looked to his left and then to his right, searching for you, and you could tell he was about to reach for his phone as his hand dipped down toward his pocket. But then he saw you. And that was when you realized that he had the same look of apprehension on his face that you must have had on yours. 

It was so noisy, and there were hundreds of people on all sides of you, but you could see him mouth, "Baby Girl," before his lips formed into a smile that had your feet rushing forward. Bradley was actually shoving people out of his way now which had you laughing. And when you realized you weren't so nervous anymore, tears started to fill your eyes. 

"Baby Girl!" he called out, and a second later, you were in those strong, sure arms that you loved so much. 

"Bradley." But the sound of his name was muffled as he kissed you, holding you so close to him that only your toes touched the ground as you wrapped your arms around his neck. You smiled against him as he shook his bag free and let it drop to the ground next to him, but he didn't break the kiss. 

Every voice around you and the warm sunshine melted into a dreamlike quality. You wanted to stay here in his arms where you finally felt comfortable. There was a lot to say, and you'd get to it eventually, but the feel of his big hands and his mustache were so familiar that you felt more confident again. 

When he finally broke the kiss, Bradley pressed his forehead to yours and kept one big hand at the back of your neck, stroking your skin softly as you shuddered in his arms. "I love you," he promised, voice full of desperation like he was begging you to listen. "I just needed to be with you."

You closed your eyes against your tears and whispered, "I love you, Roo." 

Then his rough fingers were moving slowly along the back of your neck, his other hand coming up to work at the clasp of your necklace. You smiled when you realized what he was doing. Bradley removed your necklace but kept his body pressed against yours and he carefully palmed your gold charms. 

"Been dying to put this back on since I took it off." He kissed your cheek and then slid his wedding band along the chain before carefully clasping your necklace in place again. Then he quickly removed the silicone ring and pocketed it before slipping his gold band into place. "It just didn't feel right. It's not the one we got married with."

And then his arms were wrapped around your waist, and you let your cheek come to rest on his chest. You didn't want to be the first one to say it, but you thought one of you should. About how much you wanted to fix things. About making things work. "Bradley."

But you shouldn't have been worried. He kissed the top of your head, his grip on you unrelenting as so many of the other officers and crew members around you were starting to clear out. "I promise you that you're everything I want. And I'll make sure you know it."

So you nodded and melted into his touch. And it was quite a while later before you moved, but you could hear Bradley's stomach growling which made you smile. "I have some Marry Me Rooster in our fridge that just needs to be reheated." 

He peppered your face with kisses until you were laughing. "Let's go home," he whispered. "Wanna see Tramp and snuggle you on my lap while we eat."

After Bradley had you safely buckled in the passenger seat, he started the engine, and you could tell he missed his Bronco too. He held your hand on the short drive home, and you filled him in on a few things. When he parked in the driveway and helped you out, you asked, "How was your deployment? I didn't even get to see Bob and Nat."

He kissed you softly as you unlocked the front door. "I'll tell you later. It's not as important as this. As being with you."

Your heart swelled as Tramp tried to jump up into Bradley's arms. "Missed you, too," Bradley told him, kneeling and scratching him behind his ears while the dog kicked his other hand. "Were you a good boy?"

"Of course he was. The best." You squeaked as Bradley scooped you up for a piggy back ride as he stood, and he carried you to the laundry room with Tramp jumping around behind you. "What are you doing?" you asked, kissing Bradley's ear as you held onto his shoulders.

"Just want to get out of my uniform before we eat." 

When he set you down and turned, you carefully unbuttoned his shirt and started working on his pins. His hands settled on your waist, stroking you through the fabric of your own khaki uniform shirt. And his eyes were soft. And he wasn't in a rush, except maybe to get dinner. And he wasn't asking about your cycle. And he didn't seem interested in doing anything at this moment except working on your pins and lining them up in the tray near the sink along with his. 

"I missed doing this," you whispered, and then his lips found yours again. And it was a few minutes before Bradley let go of you long enough for both of you to finish getting undressed and put your uniforms into the washing machine. 

"Let me put on some sweatpants, and I'll help you reheat dinner," he said, hoisting you up for another piggy back ride that had you laughing. 

"Sounds good, Roo."

He bent to pick up his duffle on the way to the bedroom, and you helped him empty and sort everything onto your bed. When you dipped your hand inside the bag, you pulled out some neatly folded undershirts and a beat up notebook. You flipped open to the first page while Bradley sat on the floor to play with Tramp. 

Baby Girl, when I think about you, I think about the rest of my life spread out in front of me. And it's not exactly like a map, because I don't know where we are going or where we will end up. But I feel safe when I'm with you. Even though so much is unknown.

You carefully closed the notebook and pressed your lips together, unsure if you were supposed to read that. "Roo?" you asked quietly, and Bradley looked up at you as you showed him the notebook. "What is this?"

----------------------------

He's home! Finally! And Slayer is hopefully completely screwed. Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 14

@hotch-meeeeeuppppp

@swthxrry

@chassy21

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[love-takes-work]

if there were a Steven Universe-themed cafe, what would you want on the menu?

Ya know, this would be very difficult to narrow down, even with you saying it would be a whole café with a Steven Universe theme so it wouldn't have to share with any other theme! Having made well over 150 Steven Universe recipes myself, I know there's a LOT to choose from, and it would be hard to get a good highlights reel down.

However, if you're gonna go with a Steven Universe theme in a café, you would have to be able to appeal to casual fans as well as deep Steventhusiasts. That means you would want the well known classics as well as stuff that the hardcore fans would remember, but you would also want stuff that's Gem-themed and fits the vibe without necessarily referencing specific food that's been eaten on the show! But of course, you also wanna have a good mixture of nutritious/filling food and snacky/desserty food. So you'd need a good variety!

We'd have to call our café The Best Diner in the World, of course.

BREAKFAST

Together Breakfast (Single or Family Size)

Best Breakfast in the World

Bagel Sandwiches

Biscuits & Jam ("He's the biscuit!" "And she's the strawberry!")

Waffle/Egg Sandwiches

Baby Melon

Various cereals (the show has cereals that look like Cheerios, Froot Loops, and Honey Smacks)

MAIN COURSES / SPECIALS

Fish Stew Pizza

Square Pizza

Hot Dogs / Veggie Dogs

Pizza Bagel with Fantastic Fries

Salmon Bagel Sandwich ("Perfectly Timed Afternoon Sandwich"), comes with Chaaaaps

Club Sandwiches with Gem-themed anchoring toothpicks

Amethyst's Torta (also comes with Chaaaaps)

Zucchini with Linguine

Pepe's Burgers Meal

SIDES & SNACKS

Fry Bits

Snack Sushi

Caprese Salad

Chaaaaps

Onion Rings

Breadsticks

Popcorn

Spicy Pretzels

Mozzarella Sticks (to violate the food treaty)

BEVERAGES

Sugar Shock Shut Down

Fountain Soda

Coffee

Tea

Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade

Apple Sidra

Fancy Orange Juice

Hot Cocoa

(You could put some of the beverages in cups or cans labeled "Guacola" and "Durian" but I recommend against actually making a drink with those.)

DESSERT

Donuts (Fire Salt optional, in cute tubes. Use Pop Rocks for sizzle!)

Cookie Cats

Ube Roll Slice

Star-shaped cookies

Steveny Gem-themed cupcakes

KIDS' MENU

Crying Breakfast Friends meal

Noodles and Butter

Hot Dogs

Juice Boxes (Durian design)

Macaroni & Cheese (Maybe let them mix it themselves, so they can be served macaroni & nothing)

Pepe's Burgers Kids' Meal

I have no idea what I would order. It would all be too tempting!

You'd have to have a performance stage up in the corner with a banner over it that says BEACH-A-PALOOZA and have local acts or open mic stuff sometimes, and stock the place with games (some SU-themed!) as well as having maybe a little gift shop with Steveny trinkets and coffee mugs. Yesss!

[ch6sos]

random choso headcanons

i <3 choso i <3 making odd ball headcanons so here u guys go

content warning mentions of "metabolism", social anxiety/anxiety (not bad though) + motion sickness, and this is not proofread and lowercase so if any of those Like makes you tingle please don't read this my sweet

he’s emo as hell, he listens to emo music. now he's the one i actually imagine listening to my chemical romance, pierce the veil, etc. (bc with nanami I feel like he'd listen to more 80s-90s rock music but this isn't about my first husband)

he suffers from insomnia and finds it difficult to sleep unless he has someone he cares about in the room or at least snuggling with him.

peacemaker: he is a peacemaker when it comes to his brothers.

"hey yuji, you should really share with him. "

"no!"

"yuji...." 

"fine."

he has an earthy aroma—he often uses colognes with earthy notes that are not overpowering (i  think he might be sensitive to strong scents).

i imagine him experiencing motion sickness. for some reason, i imagine him feeling dizzy in a car, or being unable to handle a rollercoaster without feeling extremely unwell.

would probably work at your local hot topic especially if this was set during the 2000s era where hot topic was actually catered to the alternative scene. or a tattoo shop!

several piercings. on his left ear, he has an industrial, a triple lobe piercing, and a conch— his right having a double helix piercing, a tragus, and a single lobe piercing.... and then he has an eyebrow piercing and a labret piercing :)

enjoys watching christmas movies because a lot of them are about family!

deeply family-oriented, he genuinely just wants to grow up with a family. a big one, too.

thus he may have a fear of being alone, which makes me believe that he is introverted but also genuinely afraid of ending up alone as he grows older. he values the presence of family and wants to ensure that they always surround him.

he comes across as a bit shy initially, not necessarily awkward, but it takes some time to get to know him.

still not too talkative but genuinely chill to talk to.

has a lot of accessories when he wears outfits, especially bracelets or necklaces. 

black is what you find in his closet. just black (and a couple of purples and reds but mainly black)

he be thrifting them outfit pieces too idc idc he not a shein warrior

is a bit insecure about his dark circles and markings on his face (i could imagine he still has the markings but they look more like a scar rather than what it looks like in the actual manga/anime) so he begins to cover them up with concealer sometimes.

eats a LOT of junk food and somehow doesn't gain weight. bro probably can eat a whole box of pizza with wings and doesn't even gain a pound.

he is genuinely clueless/oblivious when it comes to relationships like he doesn't know when someone's flirting with him unless they tell them straight up. and when they tell him he's like:

"...oh! me...?" because he genuinely thinks, “wow, someone likes me?!?!”

plus he would ask before initiating even after being in a relationship

“do… do you mind if i kiss you?”

“cho we’ve been dating for five months”

“oh… i’m sorry for asking… again.”

spends a lot of time on his hair !!! he has to wake up early sometimes just to do his hair. and he doesn't plan on cutting it, only trims it once in a while.

when he's home he either has it down or has it in a ponytail. he even has a silk pillowcase so it never gets frizzy.

cats or dogs— no. he likes turtles. he even has a pet turtle.

i think that he wouldn't vape or smoke the way people might expect him to. i believe he may have a weak immune system, which would make it difficult for him to engage in such activities.

socially anxious as hell bro tweaks out when he has to order at a restaurant... 

but overall he’s an anxious person, i feel like he’d suffer from anxiety a lot (as someone who has anxiety i just can tell he’d be the type to have it too)

when he dates someone he's really touchy with them because he craves physical touch. he especially enjoys when someone plays with his hair he falls asleep in a millisecond.

he loves sketching in a notebook, he loves drawing nature a lot! he likes going to the park or a forest and drawing what he sees. he also enjoys drawing people and i imagine he always draws pictures of yuji too, and he shows them to him.

tease him and his face is red, his eyes are widened, and his face is in absolute shock...

literally the sweetest guy ever; he's always looking out for everyone and makes sure everyone around him is okay

he's always cold thus needs someone to cuddle him.

is fascinated by some amphibians and watches national geographic sometimes when he knows they're going to talk about amphibians. especially frogs!

his most used app on his Black iPhone 13 Pro Max would be Spotify and he is top 0.1% listener for some underrated metal band

creative hobbies more than physical hobbies (sketching, journaling, sewing)

HE CROCHETS IDC WHAT ANYONE SAYS HE LITERALLY MADE A CROCHET ROSE FOR YUKI I D O NOT GIVE A DAMN 

when he laughs it's like a silent soft chuckle, and he usually covers his mouth when he does it

gets emotional easily, especially when he receives love. for a long time, he couldn’t believe that he would ever be loved so when he is receiving affection he gets overwhelmed and tries not to cry because he thinks “how?? why me?”

he loves holding hands. he tries not to freak out but when someone holds his hands when he’s freaking out or just in general, he loves the feeling of their warm hands against his very cold ones

apologises alot even though everything is not his fault

when he’s mad he needs time to cool off especially because he gets emotional easily. he needs time to himself before calming down before discussing his emotions with someone.

speaking of emotions, i don’t think he’d be bad at expressing emotions or speaking about it, at first yes but he begins to grow better at it and plus sometimes the way he shows emotion is more impulsive and involuntary rather than on purpose

listens more than talks because he is too busy getting sidetracked by his own thoughts or he genuinely can't talk to people sometimes

he has a fidget toy because he is always fidgeting with his fingers so yuji got him a fidget toy (probably a fidget spinner) and was fascinated with it and it didn’t help it just something he distracts himself with when he doesn’t feel like being present in a conversation or just in general

cried when yuji graduated and gave him the hugest hug of his life. and i don’t mean a few tears he BAWLED he was bawling because he was so proud of his little brother.

spends time with yuji a lot sometimes more than his own friends and they always go to the arcade or mall together

yuji got him a picture frame of him and choso posing and choso cried for several days because he couldn’t believe he has such an amazing brother

learns gen z lingo just for yuji

“oh yuji! that was very w rizz of you!”

“...what?”

“i didn’t know you had that much aura!”

I  Love Him

Missing him come back emo king

[brainrotgarbage]

it was just so freaking comfortable. yours wasn't so bad, but once he let you over to rehearse lines and you took a seat on the mattress... you were gone.

no, literally.

he stepped out to take a phone call at some point and by the time he came back inside you were knocked out. he didn't dare wake you up. you practically worked the same schedule- he knew how tired you were.

and ever since then. if he was working when you weren't he could expect you to be taking a cat nap in his trailer. he didn't mind. obviously. and you knew he didn't mind, thank god.

in fact, he minded so little, he didn't offer buying you one for your trailer because then you'd stop going over to his.

today was no different- probably. you usually texted him letting him know you'd be crashing. recently you've waited for him to arrive from set before leaving. which was funny to him. you'd just go in take a nap and leave and if it weren't for your message he wouldn't be none the wiser. is what you think. he could smell your shampoo in his pillow at the end of the night, the scent lulling him to sleep every night. another reason he wouldn't dare buy you a mattress of your own.

there was no text from you today. maybe you had a longer day with the costume designer than scheduled. he frowned, slightly disappointed. he'd already ordered some food to be delivered, if you were late it would get cold and he knew you weren't too keen on reheated pizza. he'll just have to order more later then.

the minute he stepped inside his trailer whatever disappointment that had settled in his chest disappeared in an instant.

there you were. slumped. mouth slightly open, limbs tangled in the blanket you brought once and left here. he knows you did it on purpose. it was your way of marking your territory. again, he didn't mind. not at all.

he let you sleep until the food arrived and he had the plates and drinks set up on the table. god. he was so whipped.

he woke you up by stroking your hair gently, and it didn't take much since the smell of the food weaned you off of your sleep.

"Hi, i got us food," he said, almost a whisper.

you gave him a sleepy smile, and in that moment he knew he'd burn all your mattresses to the ground.

[white-poppie]

heyy could u maybe do a fem reader dealing with sh? with kenma, bokuto, and hinata(separate) from haikyuu. like she accidentally reveals them and they notice it and they all just comfort her? thank u and have a good day!!

You drew st★rs around my scars

A/n: HUGE TRIGGER WARNING AHEAD! So sorry for delaying this anon, life has been complicated these days, I really hope it wasn't an emergency rq. Please don't read it if you are not comfortable, I don't want to accidentally trigger anyone, stay safe :)

TW: S*lf H@/rm, scars, bleeding, crying, distressful situations, poetical depictions of scars (please let me know if I am missing anything.)

NOTE: Please, in case anything is troubling you, do contact someone you trust or the national helpline of your country. It may seem that there is no point in living, but trust me, there are always things worth fighting for. Please don't hurt yourself you are far too precious to be scarred in this way. If you ever wanna talk, my DMs are always open, I have helped people before and it wouldn't be any inconvenience to help more people in need.

FInd the helpline of your country

𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐀 𝐊𝐎𝐙𝐔𝐌𝐄

The heat dampened your skin, as sweat rolled uncomfortably, sticking the clothes too close to your flesh than you would like. The salty beads of precipitation, made you hiss in pain as they rolled down the fresh, irritated scars; it was all too overstimulating.

The urge to scratch the skin over your pants was irresistible, it was a sort of double-edged sword that was ruining your comfort.

You sighed and decided to change into some shorts instead, it would prevent the sweat build-up that would irritate your skin.

The cool air of the aircon hitting your skin made it so much more bearable.

What you had forgotten in the midst of your discomfort was the fact that your significant other was in fact about to come from his practice soon. You two had planned a pizza dinner today.

"Oi Y/N?" he called as he removed his shoes before entering. You were in a state of comfort, half-bliss at the relief from the scalding sweat, it took you a few seconds before you could respond, panicking you grabbed your pants and tried to slip them over the shorts, "h-here." you called out, puffing as your voice cracked.

But Kenma was quick, agile and laser-sharp; all too cat-like for your liking. It felt like those scenes where the perpetrator was caught red-handed.

Your pants were half slipped up, only till your knees, giving a good view of the scar on your upper thighs, that lay just below your shorts.

You prayed, you hoped, you begged that Kenma wouldn't notice from that far, that the blood wasn't seeping from the fresh scars, that your lips weren't trembling in shame, that you didn't look so utterly defeated and ashamed.

So you just sat on the ground, all the effort you had put up for months, crumbling down all because of the heat -- you were far too careless. You sat on the floor, covering your face with your hands, the pants still bundled up to your knees.

Kenma was petrified, frozen, he had no idea what to do. His heart had dropped to his stomach when he entered and saw your scars in full display. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on.

He watched you break down, his hands, shaking and itching to comfort you, to help you somehow, but he is just spell-casted.

"Y/N..." he whispered softly and tries to walk with soft steps as if trying not to startle a sleeping baby, "look at me, please."

He said as kindly as possible, as he sits next to you, his heart breaking at how you softly shake your head.

"Baby please, I promise I won't get mad," he said in such a soft voice, like you would break if he was a tad-bit too loud. You shakily look up at him, eyes red and blood-shot.

"You are okay," he whispered and pat your head, "let's get you cleaned up, alright, we won't want any infections." he said and offered you a hand.

You shakily kept your hand in his as he pulled you up, ordering you to set on the edge of the bed while he got the medical kit.

"Are you gonna leave me?" you asked a little strongly, almost hating how vulnerable you sound.

"Never," he whispered softly and settled on the floor with the medical-kit, "I would never leave you when you need me the most, and I am not saying it out of obligation, I am saying it out of love."

"You are not alone, not anymore, I promise I am never going to blame you for any of this," he said and brushed your hair back, as he sat on floor, gently applying some antiseptic on your thighs with a q-tip.

He makes a mental note to throw all the blades and keep the knives and scissors away from your grasp while you are sleeping to prevent this kind of incident from happening again.

"I love you and nothing can change that, we'll overcome this together, I promise."

𝐁𝐎𝐊𝐔𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐎

Bokuto wasn't the smartest in the bunch, but he was perceptive of emotions, he noticed when people got quiet, he noticed when someone felt left out, he is always there in the sweetest way possible, his antics are just that adorable.

But right now, you wanted nothing more than to just tell him to go away, but you can't, you can't do that to Bokuto, you can't do that to your Koutaro. Even when you are on the verge of collapsing, your vision blurring as you gripped the sink to stabilize yourself from the roar of panic that echoed deeply within the caverns of your brain.

"Angel, let me in, come on," he knocks softly on the door, "I know you are crying, I'll- I'll give you space I promise, I just need to make sure if you are doing okay."

Bokuto knows how much some people value their personal spaces, it was never a problem for him, but he respected that, he would've let you be on any other day, but seeing the way you were acting for the past one week...he is scared. He is terrified of the mere aspect of you doing something reckless that might take you away from him.

"Kou, please leave me be, I just- I don't wanna see anyone right now."

"Baby, please," he almost pleads and you know he is going into his emo mode again, "I'll break the door Angel, but I am not letting you be, not like this."

You panic frantically as you hear that he will burst open the door, “Kou wait-“

“Get away baby,” he says as he braces himself for kicking the door down.

“3…”

Your heartbeat sped up, but you weren’t sure why, Koutarou’s reaction? Being scared that he would leave you? Or the fact that he was gonna break down the door and waste money for no apparent reason.

“2…”

You breath in deeply and unlock the door, standing behind it. You let him open the door.

Koutaro hugs you. No questions asked, no word spoken; just his muscular arms enveloped around your neck as he pulls you close by your waist. His lips rest on your hairline, just kissing forehead and rubbing your back, comforting you.

He slowly pulls away, and holds your face in his hands, no words needed to be spoken, you already know what he is asking, 'baby what did you do?'

You whimper and softly look down to your arms, not uttering a single syllable, seeing the beads of bloodseep into the sleeves of your t-shirt.

Bokuto gulps and looks into your eyes and then back at the sleeves. He held the fabric genty with his thumb and index finger, "I am gonna roll it up." He says and gently rolls it, careful not to hurt you. His throat turns dry and a broken gasp leaves his his mouth.

"Baby..." he says softly as tears line in his eyes.

"Kou I'm so sorry-" you sob and groan. You had been fearing that this day would come soon.

"Its okay," he says and wipes his tears and hugs you again, tightly, "I promise you won't be pushed to the edge like this again, we'll figure something out, alright?"

"We'll talk to a therapist, we'll- we'll figure something out, alright? You are safe, I'll protect you, I promise," he says and kisses your forehead as he cries again.

"I care about you way too much, please don't do anything reckless," he says softly and cries on the nape of your neck, even if you are the one who needs comforting right now. You nod against his t-shrt, your head buried in his chest.

"But baby you gotta promise me to tell me whenever you are itching to do something like this, whenever you feel as if you need to let the bad thoughts out, somehow, you need t talk to me. Give me a call if I am not here, I'll drive to you hell even run to you, barefoot if I have to."

𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐘𝐎

Hinata felt like a fool to have believed you when you said the scars that lay on your lower-belly were cat-scratches.

He noticed them when your shirt rode up a little while you stretched. the thin scars actually did resemble cat scratches, so he didn't think much of it.

Hinata was finally concerned when witnessed how you hissed when he wrapped his arms around your waist when you were doing something, or how you pushed him back a little when he poked your belly to get your attention.

For a long time he thought he had done something wrong, until he noticed how your smile was loosing its radiant glow that blinded a thousand suns, how your eyes seemed murky and grey instead of full-of verve...he knew something was very wrong.

"Did your cat scratch you again?" he asks suddenly and you are caught-off-guard.

"What cat?" you asked and he frowned.

"Love why do you have scars on your stomach then? Is someone bullying you? Hurting you?" he questioned softly, his eyes all observant and curious.

Your heartbreat fastened at the question, thumping widely against your ribs, "just nothing..." You said and internally groaned at your awkward reasoning.

"You know I am not letting you drop it, right? I care about you, even of it means that I am overbearing sometimes, I say all this out of concern, " he sighed, "I promise I won't judge you for anything." He says reassuringly, smiling with such glee that makes you tear up.

It felt as if you were cheating him, repressing your nature in front of him, but at the same time you wanted to conceal all of it. he was just too pure and you felt tainted...in the worst way possible, the irreversible way that can't be washed away like grime.

"Shoyo, I'm sorry," you whisper, "I-I hurt myself." You say as tears roll down your face.

"It got bad, I-I- relapsed, I tried to stop myself, I really did," you sob.

"You-you did this to yourself?" he asks bewildered, as if the concept of someone inflicting pain upon themselves is a foreign to him, "why?"

"It got bad Shoyo, my headspace wasn't exactly the best- I had stopped it a few years ago, took me all the effort, but I crumbled, I crumbled under the stress," you cry on his shoulder as he hugs you tightly, careful to not to touch the scars on your belly.

"I got you," he says as his lip trembles as he hugs you tightly,"I got you, I got you."

He breaks from the hug and looks at you, "promise me you won't hurt yourself- I'll figure something out, don't do this to yourself, you are so goddamn beautiful, don't hurt yourself like this." He hiccups and kisses your cheek.

"Are they new? Did you put rubbing alcohol on them? Bandage?" he asks, panicking a little.

You shake your head and he sighed, "I- sweetheart you should've cleaned them at least, they can cause an infection."

He sighs and asks you, "may- may I see them?" He questions softly and it makes your eyes widen, as you stare at him with shock.

"i promise I won't judge you, I gotta see them baby" he says softly and waits for you to roll up you t-shirt. He examines the scars on your lower belly, his heart breaking at the sight of how much you've hurt yourself, yet at the same time he is reluved that they don't see too recent, that means you didn't hurt yourself in the past few days.

He gently holds you by your waist and kisses your scars. A soft gasp escaped your mouth as he does this.

"Shouyo what are you doing?" you question, but he doesn' move, he just kisses your scars like its his lifeline, its ticklish but its so intimate that it makes you tear-up again.

"So frickin' strong," he mumbles against your skin, "I love you so much, I swear you are the most perfect person in this entire world. Your scars only make you look cooler."

He sighs and looks up at you, "but honey, you gotta promise you won't hurt yourself anymore, scars are cool, they tell your story, but I hate seeing you hurt yourself like this."

You nod hesitantly, "I'll try."

He smiles and rests his head on your skin, it doesn't matter to him, if there is a little trail of hair on it, or the scars littlering its expanse like constellations, he just loves you that much.

- HAIKYU!! - Fanfictions

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[adachicuto]

last date before wedding with skz

warning(s): food and wine mentions

↳ bang chan: your relationship would be filled with date nights at the studio and even though chris would want things to be much more special, the two of you would plan for there to be hiccups and would decide not to make any reservations etc. so, he'd be so proud of himself bc he'd get everything done at the studio a lot sooner to ensure he was completely yours for the day but of course, he'd get a call just as he was leaving the studio and he'd text you to let you know. this wouldn't be a problem for you as you both planned for something to come up and you would even have to finish up some work as well so it'd be okay but you'd have a feeling that chris would beat be hard on himself about it. so, you'd make sure to reassure him about it when he'd get home and the two of you would make homemade pizza. i could see him goofing around and trying to toss the dough and would nearly drop it. there would be lots of back hugs, soft kisses, and excited giggling when the pizza would come out much better than you'd expect and chris being excited about the cookies you'd surprise him with.

↳ lee know: i think a nice meal and a movie would be the type of date that you'd both enjoy but a few days would've passed and neither of you would leave due to all of the planning. so, i think a nice outing and getting some fresh air for a few hours would be good for both of you. you'd decide to go to a place that both of you would like and would order your usual meals and you'd both decide to get smoothies or something after. on your way to the smoothie place, you'd happen to notice a cat cafe which would look fairly new. minho would notice you staring and he'd smile before grabbing your hand and walking in the direction of the cafe. you'd go to a cat cafe minho wouldn't really care for super fancy dates. it would be difficult for both of you to not smile, especially when a bombay cat would rub against minho's leg and he'd look down and grin. minho would leave to get some drinks while you'd find a table near one of the many cat trees and maybe you'd take a quick photo of the cats lazing on it just as it would start to rain outside.

↳ changbin: with all of the stress from planning your wedding, a little getaway would probably benefit both of you. so, you'd leave the city and stay at a hotel in a cute little town a few hours away. the bed and breakfast you'd stay at would be so nice and homey that you'd both be in awe the entire time. even though it would be pretty early in the day and the two of you would plan on exploring as soon as you'd arrive, both of you would end up crashing. so, the two of you would explore the next day and would start out your day with breakfast and iced coffee. then you would go see the tourist attractions and even go wine tasting. to end off the day, the two of you would get dinner and wine at a local restaurant and you'd both get so excited about the free dessert. overall, you'd enjoy yourselves and finally get time to relax before you'd start counting down the days until the wedding.

↳ hyunjin: even though the two of you would be very busy with wedding prep, hyunjin would decide to paint a few pieces for a local animal shelter and even a preschool. you'd gladly help him, even if you wouldn't be as good as a painter. it wouldn't really matter to you because it would be a welcome distraction. there wouldn't really be a set deadline for the pieces so, you'd pick a day or few out of the week and paint together with glasses of wine and your favorite snacks and it would become mini date nights for you. even after you'd finish up the pieces, you'd still continue to paint together. then, hyunjin would come home one day with a huge canvas and he'd suggest that the two of you could work on it leading up to the wedding as a little project and you'd hang it up in your new home. so, then you'd work on filling up the spaces with different things together some days and would end your nights with face masks, your favorite drinks, and a show you'd get into.

↳ han: you and jisung would probably spend most of the day inside napping because there would be so much to do and so little time when it came to wedding planning, even if you'd want the wedding to be more on the simple side, there would be so many details and things to take in consideration. when both of you would decide on going on out, you'd go play mini golf together and you'd both get a little competitive but then one of you would miss badly, and then you'd both have to try and catch your breath from all of the laughing but then jisung's laughing/wheezing would make you laugh even more. so, it'd be a good thing that any other mini golfers were too far away to witness that lol. after that, jisung would take you to get something to eat at an amazing family-owned restaurant and you'd have to stop yourselves from wanting to order everything on the menu. when you'd leave the restaurant it would still be pretty early out and you'd happen to pass a sign advertising a pottery class. it would take both of you a minute to decide on going and you'd get lucky because the class wouldn't be full. within an hour or so you'd have matching coffee mugs that would be far from perfect but the decorations would make up for it.

↳ felix: it would be pretty fun for the two of you to spend most of the date recording tiktoks but make a date out of it and only if you'd be comfortable with that. it would be more of a comfort food crawl because of all the wedding planning and stress that comes with that. so, you'd try a few foods from some of the different restaurants and bakeries near your apartment and rate them while also pointing out what made the foods really good. the first place you would go to would be just for appetizers and the portion sizes would be huge, which would earn it an extra point, so you'd probably only have to get one. the next place you'd stop at would be a family-owned restaurant and you would both become fast friends with the owner because they'd be so sweet and would even give you something free after they'd hear you talk about the wedding. of course, you'd take funny pictures of each other getting really excited about the food and then changbin and minho would text the group chat and clown felix lol. you'd finish up with an iced coffee bc hot coffee in this heat? no way, or maybe, and the trending s'mores cookies and brownies.

↳ seungmin: seungmin has always given me coffee shop meet-cute and coffee date vibes so i think that's what kind of date you'd go on. seungmin seems like a realistic person so, i think he'd realize that neither of you would really have much time for a super fancy date, not that he wouldn't try bc, of course, he would, but i think he wouldn't want to rush things, mainly since you'd both be limited on time and something familiar would work. so, no matter how many coffee dates you'd go on during the course of your relationship or how often, they would never feel the same. even though you'd be in the midst of planning your wedding, both of you would still have jobs and work to get done. so, you would leave your place a little early one morning with your laptops, chargers, etc. and since the coffee shop and bookstore wouldn't be very far, it'd be an enjoyable little walk to get coffee and breakfast. after his first cup of coffee, seungmin would open up his laptop and work on a song that he and the rest of skz were planning to release soon. you'd also get some work done as well as catch up on a show that you missed. an hour or so would pass and then you'd move to a booth and naturally, seungmin would inch closer to you and rest his chin on your shoulder to see what you'd be working on. he'd notice your laptop wallpaper, a candid picture of the two of you at the beach smiling at each other with stars in your eyes courtesy of jeongin, and he'd have the biggest grin on his face.

↳ i.n: both of you would agree on going to a local fair. the rides and the smell of fried foods would take both of you back to your childhood. for whatever reason, you'd both get on the gigantic slide and would have matching smiles on your faces after. then jeongin would rush towards the bumper cars and you'd laugh the entire time because neither of you would be able to move from the spots you started out in and get bumped into constantly. after that, you'd get slushies and a bunch of other snacks before heading toward the photo booth. the first few pictures would be silly and you'd both stick out your blue tongues and the last would be of him kissing you. you'd end the night off by getting on the ferris wheel and you'd rest your head on his shoulder and he'd interlace your fingers, a huge smile on his face.

[carolmunson]

past five. (slice of life, soft!eddie x badatfeelings!gf)

a/n: self serving. wanted to explore the dynamics of eddie being with someone who isn't very vulnerable. this is sort of shit, but whatever.

cw: 18+ minors dni, no smut but whatever, drinking, all around mention of feelings. not from a 'you' perspective. i literally don't even say the name 'eddie' in this fic lmao.

It was hard for him, months turning to years of 'look but don't touch'. She wasn't always like this, she used to ease into his touch, his hugs, the way he'd hold her at night. She would always put her hand in his when he reached for it. It was always when he wanted to do it the most that she just couldn't stand it. She'd recoil. She'd tense. Back arched in the reverse, like the stray cats fighting at night outside of Wayne's trailer. Sometimes he wondered when she'd start hissing.

He knew now, to go slow. She wasn't touchy anymore. Maybe it's something that changed over time. He savored the moments when she'd reach for him, when she finally felt vulnerable enough to let him hold her. She didn't like to be babied, but all he ever wanted to do was baby her. "Hey, you," he said softly, shutting the door to her apartment quietly behind him, "Bad day?"

"It's fine," she shook her head, opening in the cabinets in the kitchen. Two wine glasses make their way delicately to the counter in her hands. "Didn't sound fine when you called me," he tilted his head knowingly, putting a bottle of red and white wine on the small kitchen table. He took off his jacket, placing it neatly on one of the mismatched dining chairs she kept around the table. He remembered every yardsale he bought them from to surprise her.

"You feeling okay?" he asked and noticed her jaw tick. She hates that question. Of course she's not feeling okay, she wouldn't have begged him to come over if she was feeling okay.

"I'm great," she gave him a smile but her eyes betrayed her. She's not great. He fishes his swiss army knife out of his back pocket and flicks out the wine key with his thumb. "It's already chilled, baby," he mumbles while she reaches for the white. His own back muscles tensed at the action, she always assumed he didn't think ahead the way she did. She taught him how to think like that. He liked learning how to keep up with her.

"Oh," she pulled her hand back when she saw the condensation on the bottle. He opens both, red for him, white for her. Black and white. Sweet and sour. Dog and cat. Bat out of hell, bat who rules it. She might as well be the one in the leather jacket. She reached for the bottles again but he immediately swats her hand away, "Let me do it, please."

His voice isn't gentle. He stopped suggesting to help her a long time ago when he realized she was never going to let him. Now he just does it without asking. He moves her hands away. He pulls her away from something at the hips. He watches her struggle with his arms crossed until she gives in and lets him do it. She doesn't need kid gloves, but he likes that about her. He just wishes he knew where that came from.

"Can I have a kiss, first?" he asked when she reached for the now full glass of wine in his hand. She nods, leaning forward to press a peck to his lips. He wanted more, but it'll do. It's something. His finger toyed with the edging of the plastic wrap on the chicken on the counter, "I can make dinner, you should go relax." "I just took that out, it needs a little time," she sipped her wine while she spoke, "I'll just make dinner later."

He sighed. A deep one. She won't make dinner. She'll forget it's out here and then it'll go bad.

"What're you in the mood for?" he asked while putting the chicken in the freezer, "Chinese? Pizza?" "Indian," she murmured while she walked into the small living room, separated from the kitchen by a half wall. He searched for the menu to her favorite place in the junk drawer next to the fridge, both of their orders already circled and ready to go.

"No, no, you don't have to," she called out when he took the phone off the receiver in the kitchen.

"I want to," he smiled at her, "Let me get you what you want."

He orders, she feels anxious about it even though this is what she craves from him. He knows that. He knows that she'll just say it's because she doesn't like to not be in control. But he bets it's that she's nervous he'll think that she's needy. He wishes she was. He hung up the phone, grabbed his own glass of wine and met her in the living room.

He eyed her cautiously when he sat down next to her, waiting to see her shoulders raise, a shift in her body weight. Sometimes she’d just get up. Not skittish, but wanting to be alone without him leaving the room. He silently smiled when she stayed where she was.

“You look pretty,” he whispered, letting his finger run over her cable-knit sweatered shoulder, “Red always looks nice on you.”

“Thanks, honey,” she mumbled weakly, another sip of wine drowned the word.

“Do you wanna talk about it?” he asked, skating his fingers through her hair. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment and he couldn’t hold back a blush. Always going slow, easing her into it, like taming a feral kitten.

“Not really,” she shook her head again, swallowing hard. Always no. Always not really.

“Okay,” he responded gently, his fingertips grazed her scalp again, “That’s okay. I’m here if you want to.”

“Can you keep doing that?”

“Doing what, baby?” he knew the answer, but he wanted to get her more comfortable with asking for what she needed.

“Playing with my hair,” she reached for his hand and he obliged her, running his fingers over her temple and back to the base of her neck.

“Why don’t you sit in front of me and I’ll play with it until the food comes,” he smiled while she moved between his legs on the ground. She always talks about how she loves when her niece plays ‘hair salon’ with her, even though she’s not the most gentle hair stylist — she’s only six, afterall.

He put his glass on the side table, fingers gliding from her hairline to her crown. Parting, un-parting, messy braids, scalp scratches. Her eyes were closed now, shoulders relaxed.

“You falling asleep on me?” he giggled.

“It’s just nice,” she murmured in reply. He leaned forward, tilting her head back to press a kiss to her forehead.

“I love you,” he said into her skin, “I’m sorry you had such a bad day, sweet heart.”

“Getting better,” she hummed, “A little.”

if you enjoyed this, read more badatfeelings!gf: here

[hedgehog-moss]

I realised I hadn't posted a greenhouse report since spring, and today seemed like a good day for a 2023 home-grown food review!

2023 was a great year for fruit; my apple & plum trees were so generous! In the greenhouse my most successful crops were tomatoes, red chilli peppers, beans, and pickles. I was able to make spicy plum chutney using my own plums, onions and peppers:

On the other hand I was unlucky with my non-greenhouse vegetables, there were so many insects this year and my courgettes got absolutely decimated. But then I complained about my bad courgette luck to some neighbours and was gifted 9 courgettes and 3 pumpkins. I spent the first half of my autumn cooking and freezing and pickling and preserving to try not to let anything go to waste; I made:

7 jars of pesto (with greenhouse basil); 8 jars of pasta sauce (with courgette-pumpkin-tomato-red peppers-onions-basil, + parmesan); an unknown but large amount of pumpkin-tomato soup (I put them in empty glass bottles and freeze them); 7 jars of spicy plum chutney; 2 small bottles of spicy oil for my pizzas (with some of my chilli peppers; the rest are still drying by the stove to become chilli powder); 5 jars of plum jam and 3 of blackberry jam (I also froze several kg of whole blackberries for winter desserts); 6 jars of pickles (they are delicious!! I'd never pickled pickles before this year, I'm really happy with the result); 12 small bottles of elderberry syrup; 4 large bottles of elderflower syrup; hundreds of little apple sweets; several bottles of apple juice; an absolutely dizzying amount of apple puree / compote / jelly, because I refused to leave any leftover apples for the dormouse population. They are not my friends.

(If you think I'm being too mean to the dormice, please know that a) they are unrepentant thieves; b) I became so competent at hiding my apples that a dormouse ended up sneaking into the shower at night to eat my soap. My bar of homemade (not by me) goat milk soap. It's hazelnut scented so I guess if you're a rodent it just smells like lunch.)

I took some stuff out of the freezer just long enough to take this family picture; though I already gave away a lot of things to guests and neighbours, so it's just what's left! (I also froze enough chopped onions to last until summer I think)

I am terrible at labelling my jars; in my hubris I always assume I'll just remember where I put which kind of sauce or flavour of compote. I never remember. I end up having to give my guests mystery jars, like "this is fruit jelly! Made with... fruits"

So it wouldn't get too monotonous I added various fruits to my apple purees: apple-raspberry, apple-blueberry, -plum, -blackberry... I also made a few jars of apple-pineapple-pumpkin compote because I had too much pumpkin and I regret not focusing on that from the start, this combo tasted so good and was the most cheerful yellow colour.

I finally used my last apples last week, making apple-quince paste which is currently drying in order to become sweets. I bought some pretty & thick paper to origami a few boxes to put them in, so I'll have New Year presents for my courgette-providing neighbours. <3

(My cats are currently banned from this room so they won't try to lick the fruit paste) (they don't even like it, they're just cats)

[neteyamssyulang]

⭑ Hanging with the Girls ⭑

⭑ Pairing: Tsireya & Kiri & Neteyam ⭑

⭑ Human AU ⭑

⭑ Based on this ⭑

⭑ Summary: It was girls night at the monayzey's residence and Neteyam was the only boy allowed to it.

⭑ Warnings: None, this is a fluffy story, unless you count mad princess aonung.

⭑ Total word count: 929 ⭑

⭑ A/N: First story with them as humans, @lenesketch here it is <3 I’m sorry it took so long I kept rewriting it😭

⭑ Tagging: @teyamshuman ⭑

Girls night, the one night each weekend where Kiri and Tsireya, along with Neteyam would get together and have fun. Each week it would switch between the Sully's residence and the Monayzey's residence.

This time it was at the Monayzey's.

Aonung hated it when girls night took place at his house, the girls were always so damn loud, even at night they wouldn't quiet down.

His parents were always away so they left Aonung in charge of his sister, but as always she never listened to a word he said.

It was as if he was invisible or something. And of course they never allowed him in the room, the only boy they allowed in was Neteyam. Why? Who the hell knows, it was confusing as it was frustrating.

"Kiri come, let me help you with that" Tsireya gigged as she helped her friend with the green tea face mask.

The girl smiled letting Tsireya apply it to her face, "Hey, what about me?" Neteyam pouted from behind them.

Shaking her head Tsireya moved to help the boy apply the mask on his face, it confused her how they could not put on a simple face mask.

Once she was done, Tsireya left the bathroom already having her mask on and sat down beside her bed, Kiri soon joined sitting next to her followed by Neteyam who layed on the bed.

Kiri got a book out trying to read it while Neteyam and Tsireya started up a conversation.

"Seriously Reya" Neteyam scoffed laughing "Why is your brother always eyeing me as if I'm prey and he's the hunter? It's weird."

Tsireya chuckled looking over to Kiri who was now looking at her then at her brother "Teyam, your pretty not stupid. Why do you think he's doing that" Kiri spoke still having the book open.

Sighing Neteyam took out his phone holding it in his left hand while his right dangled slightly off the bed, "I do not know, that is why I asked Tsireya" he huffed moving his gaze to his phone.

Both girls sighed before Kiri went back to reading with Tsireya looking over from time to time. Neteyam scrolled through Instagram on his phone looking at memes he could torment his younger brother with.

After a few minutes there was a loud knock on the door "Reya? Dinners here, I ordered piz-" Aonung couldn't even finish his sentence as the door flinged open with the girls and Neteyam running out knocking him to the floor.

"Pizza" he muttered following after them, by the time he went downstairs to the kitchen most of the pizza had already been eaten.

Both girls stopped mid chew pointing to Neteyam who was going for another slice. Aonung sighed shaking his head as he turned walking to the living room.

Just as he was about to sit down, a pillow hit the back of his head, "Ouch! What the fuck?!" Turning around he's met with all three of them giggling.

Huffing he was about to say something when a water ballon splattered all over his face, Aonung was nearing his tipping point "I swear to god, you throw another balloon at me and your dead."

Tsireya gulped handing it to Kiri who hissed at her then handed it to Neteyam. Aonung quirked an eyebrow "Neteyam, I would advise yo-" he hissed as the cold water splattered on his face again.

Furious now he ran towards them, Tsireya and Kiri squealed dodging his attempts to grab them and ran upstairs to Tsireya's room. Neteyam who wasn't quick enough got stuck playing cat and mouse with the other male.

"Come here!" Aonung huffed lunging at Neteyam who was quick to run around the table before Aonung could get him "Yeahhh no."

Aonung was too caught up in trying to get Neteyam that he didn't hear the girls sneaking up behind him till it was too late.

Tsireya giggled as she looked up from her handiwork on her brother, Aonung was now tied to a chair, his face full of makeup along with a wig on his head.

Kiri took out her phone snapping a few pictures of the man since she knew he wouldn't allow this to ever happen again, "Kiri so help me if you show anyone those pictures!"

The girl just rolled her eyes "Oh shut it princess", Tsireya was now on her bed reading a book while Neteyam watched Aonung making sure he couldn't escape.

It was official, Aonung absolutely despised girl night.

But he knew his parents would not allow him to go out since it was his responsibility to watch over his little sister and her friends.

He was pulled from his thoughts when he saw Tsireya walking over with a pink sparkly dress in hand, "Tsireya do not even think about it, I have had just about enough with your little game."

Raising an eyebrow she handed the dress to Neteyam who gulped nervously, it took a lot to hold down the man so Neteyam could put the dress on him.

The girls along with Neteyam howled with laughter, Aonung really looked like a pretty princess now. Finally having enough with this Aonung snapped the binds around his wrists, lunging at the group.

Screaming they rushed out Tsireya's room running downstairs and outside with Aonung hot on their trail, his hands holding the dress up so he won't trip.

Once outside Aonung froze, mortified. He had completly forgotten he'd invited his football team over to run practice drills.

God help him so he doesn't commit murder right now.

[taxevasiontactics]

The Godmother's Godchild [5] - ...Make for Such Great Falls

Synopsis: You just knew the good times wouldn't last, but you didn't think they would come this quickly. Getting hit with multiple problems in a row, you find yourself starting to thrive. It is, after all, your job to deal with major problems on incredibly short deadlines.

Warning: (Graphic?) Depiction of a major injury

For the better part of your month allowance, you work.

You don’t make any more visits out of the cottage save for necessities. Even when you need materials for some concoction, you go out, you get what you need, and you come back. The inspiration for “improvements” strikes as often as it had before, but you cannot bring yourself to care beyond “good enough”. You hate the idea of leaving behind the quick friendships and bonds you’ve made here. Still, the month wears on and your time runs thin.

You dread it. You fear it. You languish in it.

You wake up with a dry throat and a stuffy nose. The world outside is a dusky grey, even if your phone tells you it’s your habitual 6 AM. Beside you, your lazy, feline housemate continues to snooze away on the opposite pillow. Your tired eyes slide to the date, recognizing it as the end of summer. Your judgement day is drawing ever closer. Still, you have many projects to do; so, you drag yourself out, have your breakfast of quick cereal, dig out another can of tuna for the cat to have when he wakes up, and head out into the gloom. Time is of the essence, you tell yourself. Let people know that you’ll be leaving soon.

You decide that the pizzeria will be the easiest to knock out first (see: the bandaid that will probably hurt the most, thus pertinent to rip it off the fastest) and work on until the fog burns away from the warm noon sun’s rays. The phone is ringing off the hook when you come in, smelling like the forest and dirt between your fingers.

Nobody is manning the front where its shrill bell calls, not until you hear Gustavo shout from the back that he’s “COMING!” like the caller can hear him through an unanswered receiver. The place is a mess of soda boxes, napkin boxes, pizza box boxes, and a multitude of other little things you don’t have the brains to pick through mentally. A whisper of a smile runs across your mouth. You’re going to miss this place when you go, wall stains and all.

“Hey! Welcome back!” Gustavo shouts as he comes out of the kitchen. “Haven’t seen you in forever!”

He’s quick to pick up the phone, waving at you to sit down between writing down lines of the order. You look around at all the boxes and shift your bag against yourself. You feel bad, just standing around when there’s all of this work lying around. You hear Gustavo click his pen again, sigh, and stretch. He almost asks you if it’s “the usual, again?” before you interject.

“Do you want some help with putting all of this away?”

His eyebrows go up. “Are you sure? There’s a whole lot, and they’re heavy. But I don’t think Peppino or I will say no!”

“Hell, sure, better than sitting on my rear while you run around and make me sweat just watching.”

He gets a kick out of that. It doesn’t take very long for Gustavo to get through the delivery orders in the oven. You’re put to work, following him back through the kitchen door with a moderately heavy box. Peppino is there with his back to you both, still preparing toppings with a multitude of knives.

“Afternoon, Peppino!” You call across the kitchen.

“Mmhm,” he mumbles back. “Salve, salve.”

You frown. You were expecting some sort of ribbing on the way through. Gustavo leads you to a storage room half packed with disorganized junk. The other half is free for you to attempt stacking your boxes neatly. For the most part, it works, though you feel your Tetris skills protesting the rust. You finish up in no time, going for more boxes.

“What’s up with him?” You ask on the way back.

The shorter man shrugs. “Just tired, I guess. I told him to sit down for a bit, but… you know how he is by now, huh?”

“Yeah.”

You both continue to haul inventory, stack, and go back for more until the available storage space is all filled up. This, unfortunately, leaves no room for the soda fountain’s refill boxes. You and Gustavo pick them up anyways, taking them to the kitchen.

Your senses prickle from a new smell when you next pass through. It’s not the sauce. It’s not the toppings. It’s a warm, metallic scent that sets your mind on edge even when it’s masked by spices. Gustavo clicks his tongue to get the larger man’s attention.

“Hey, Peppino?” “Huh?”

He’s still chopping away, cleaver sharp and gleaming as he brings it down on the counter with a hard thump!

“Where do you want these?”

“What, where do I want what? What are they?”

“The soda refills.” “What? Oh. Over there, why not.”

Peppino turns, waving his stump of a left arm through the air towards another door. Blood splatters across the countertop from the meat around his radial-ulnar and it keeps running red rivulets down the limb. A steady stream drips onto the floor from where the rest of his wrist and hand lie in perfectly sliced sections on the cutting board, oozing a pool of the iron-rich sanguine. You drop your box on the nearest surface and rush between metal tables to get to Peppino.

“Oh.” He finally catches on when he looks at what was once his hand, face blanched. “My arm. My arm-!?”

Gustavo shouts in alarm behind you. You grab what you hope is a clean rag, snatching Peppino’s limb and pressing the fabric tightly against it. You jerk your head towards the lobby.

“Gustavo. My bag is in the front, go grab it and bring it here.”

He’s out the door in a moment. Your mind is coasting on tight rails as you coax Peppino into dropping the cleaver to hold the rag for you. Stop the bleeding. Stabilize, then repair. Within moments, your bag gets tossed onto a nearby counter. You rip it open, racing in measured, confident digs to find what you need and get suitable substitutes for what you can’t. He’s a breath away from fully panicking, muttering faster and faster under his breath an incoherent spew of words. You spare a moment, leaning into his view.

“Hey, Peppino, look at me. Look at me?”

He’s still staring at his stump, watching the rag slowly becoming more and more soaked.

“I need you to look at me. Alright? Just for a sec.”

You get what you need and set to work. He listens to you now that you’re moving more, attention drawn from the source of stress. Ok, you can work with that – you keep talking, your mash slowly becoming the green paste you need.

“You’re doing great. You’re doing great, just keep holding that on your arm. Positive pressure, ok?”

“I really did it this time,” he rambles, “this time I-“

“No, no, you’re doing good! Keep holding it, you’re doing great.”

You finish in record time. You’re thankful that Peppino cut himself in such even sections; you hurriedly paste his hand back together on the cutting board, piece by piece, with thick, creamy salve and white wrapping. You keep talking. He’s doing great. Just a little longer.

You feel the skin starting to mend when you pick the severed palm up and line it up with Peppino’s raw limb. You wrap it back on as securely as you can, all while the meat and bone and flesh zip right back up like interlocking puzzle pieces coming into place. The contact you have with every cut as they mend is not unlike feeling a bubble bath’s bubbles pop and reform into plain water, or sectioned slime closing back around the divisions. You finish up and step back with a deep, rib creaking breath.

Peppino is left with a fully bandaged hand, while yours are as bloodied as can be. He stares blithely at the once-was stump currently in the process of reconstructing dermal layers, tendons, marrow, and muscle. You’ve never been on the receiving end, but you imagine the sensation is confusing.

“There!” You laugh, breathless. Your hands are still, even if you are rife with adrenaline. “You, uh, shouldn’t use that very much for the rest of the week. It’ll hurt like hell if you move everything around while it’s still doing its thing. Just so you know. Doctor’s recommendation.”

You go to wash the tacky, drying red from your palms as Gustavo steps in, presumably to chew the man out. It’s not the first time you’ve been put on the spot like that, but it is the first time you’ve done it for someone you know. Your mind tentatively steps back into normality as the atmosphere relaxes from shock to relieved frustration. You scrub out where it’s caked between your nails.

Gustavo finishes his rant behind you as the oven timer dings. You move out of the way as he pulls the delivery order out, boxes them up, and heads out to the vespa. He leaves you with Peppino, who has been silent ever since you finished. He mulls over something in the back of his mind, mouth working over itself until he chooses to drop a single, penny-quiet word.

“Thanks.” “You’re welcome.” You toss the paper towels. “It’s my job.”

You go back for the box you had thrown on the counter in your rush, putting it in the corner Peppino had pointed out beforehand. He cleans up the spilled blood and tosses out what he had been chopping beforehand. You don’t want to know how much product had been wasted during that fiasco, but you lost out on a couple key ingredients yourself.  You’ll have to go back into the forest later and hope that they’ve regrown since harvest. In the meantime, you grab the second box; the one Gustavo had abandoned.

“I wanted you guys to be the first to hear it.” You shove it in a proper looking place. “Work called. I’ll be leaving to go back home sometime in the future.”

Peppino scoffs, though it’s more to fill the air than disbelief. “Well, I didn’t know we mattered so much. When?” “Probably towards the end of the year, or the beginning of the next. I still have to call back and set a date.” “Well, when you leave, I wish you the best of luck, and good riddance.”

“Come on, don’t act like I’m already going!” You protest. “I’m not gone yet!”

You wished you spent more time here instead of hiding in the cottage this whole time. However, you see an opportunity present itself yet again. You turn, leaning so very casually against a wall. “And, you know, I better make good on the time I have left.”

“Oh, no no no.” Peppino wipes his hands on a towel, thumping it on a counter and rounding the worktables with a accusing finger. He comes into your space, doubt and suspicion written plain on his face. “I’ve seen that face too many times, you’re up to something. What? What crazy thing are you going to suggest this time?”

“What, I fix your hand and you still don’t trust me?”

“You fix my hand and I trust you less! I can never tell what you want out of something, so what do you want?”

“The same thing I’ve always wanted,” you answer, pushing back against his presence with your own. He takes a step back. You eat the distance up and fill the space with another. “A little bit of food in exchange for my help. You’re suffering from success, I have idle hands and want to enjoy this place a little longer. I think it works out, don’t you?”

Peppino’s mustache scrunches up into his nose as he thinks it over. He doesn’t have to pay you, but you would have unrestricted time to bother him as much as you please. He needs the help, but you’re you.

You waggle your eyebrows at him and break the argument in his mind, forcing a loud “bah!” straight from his gut as both of his arms are flung into the air from exasperation. He winces, cradling his injured hand after the whipcrack motion.

“Fine!” he shouts. “But only when we absolutely need you, then I will call you in.”

“Sure.”

“And only one meal every time you come in!”

“Fine by me.”

“Then I owe nothing to you afterwards, capeesh?”

“Unless I save your life.”

“Yes, unless you save my-“ Peppino scowls. “Enough of that. You didn’t just come here to tell us you were leaving, were you?”

You make vague hand gestures to the entire kitchen. He sighs, fixes his hat with the good hand, and opens the fridge doors.

“You tell me to rest my hand, you’re working here soon, so you learn how by making your own pizza. Start with the dough in that bowl and I’ll guide you from there.”

---

You would dub the next six days as “hell week” if you didn’t enjoy the people working by your side. Peppino, true to his word, only calls for you when he absolutely needs you; unfortunately, with his hand still out of commission during the healing process, he needs you every day. Every lesson you get from him is a trial by fire. Overcoming the obstacle of sucking at something new is a process you’re abundantly used to by now. You make plenty of mistakes. You learn plenty more.

You relish the rush of getting it right.

“’Stavo need a large-“

“Coming through, here’s your box!”

“You two, another order!”

In the kitchen, you quickly adapt to the controlled chaos. Dough flies back and forth. Sauce splatters with wild yet deadly accuracy. Toppings and cheese are portioned, scattered, and slammed into the oven all while you weave between, under, and sometimes over Gustavo and Peppino. Even the telephone’s constant ringing becomes a welcome sound, signaling a new challenge for you to undo.

Similarly, for the next six nights Peppino sees to it that your dinner is covered. Mostly by leftover pizzas that were defects, but on Saturday night Gustavo makes something from scratch. It’s a bit of a tradition, you figure as you watch the man walk to the back and start up a new pot of something without any further elaboration. Your temporary boss comes to you with his bandaged hand and shakes it in front of you.

“What do you think, eh?” He does it again, showing off his range of mobility. “I think it’s good enough now to go to work.”

You tilt your head and hum. “I’d have to take a look to be sure.”

“I can move it just fine!”

“Sure, but I still want to take a look.”

Peppino grumbles yet obliges you all the same. You guide him to the counter, gingerly unwrapping the work you’d done at the top of the week and have monitored closely since. With each layer unwrapped, you congratulate yourself on a job well done. The salve has done its job and fixed him up, leaving behind clean, faded lines of scars where it had knit together muscle and bone.

“Yeah, actually,” you mutter, “I’d call that pretty good. Flex your hand for me?”

He does so, twisting and turning it with a pleased smirk.

“Wiggle your fingers too?”

He does that too, thick phalanges rasping against each other. You note that the hair on the back of his knuckles hasn’t quite grown back where he’d chopped them up, but that’s a given.

“Looks good to me. Does it feel weird or uncomfortable anywhere?” You slip from the seat to grab a cup of something to drink. Peppino makes a noise in the back of his throat behind you. You can hear his meaty hand slapping against itself as he flexes the palm a few more times in quick succession, testing it.

“Numb,” he answers. “A little.”

“That’s to be expected, but if it stays numb for a few more days, you should tell me.”

“What, so you can poke and prod at me more?”

“So I can give your nerves an extra boost to heal,” you crack back, sarcasm deflected. “Drink?”

“Cola.”

Gustavo comes out with a nice one-pot of pasta in meat sauce seconds later, happily announcing his arrival before you can all dig in.

The busy times are not to last, however. Sunday is a day of rest and cottage work. Your phone doesn’t display the affectionately named “Hookup” contact you’d set for the pizzeria on Monday, nor do you find hell on earth when you visit on Tuesday. As quickly as interest came, it dries up and dies; this is good for Peppino’s rest, terrible for Peppino’s wallet, as he complains to you over the counter. You put your heads together while you eat, but neither of you can come up with anything.

“Guess we can wait until tomorrow,” you mumble.

“So we will.” He slumps on the counter, pulling out a book on woodworking, of all things. “A domani.”

---

You barely have to search to find the source of your sudden lack of work. The very next morning, you find posters plastered in town, pasted on with old fashioned glue-and-roller glee en masse. Walls upon walls of posted paper greet you at every turn in town. Everywhere they can legally be placed you see advertisements for an instant, fuss-free, cheaper pizza delivery service. Automated perfection. Whoever put these up even tagged the grocery store, something that Pamela shrugs at when you ask her.

“They paid Mrs. Bradbury some very good money,” she answers. The register’s bell rings and you see a flash of fresh printed paper in the till. “For advertising space! Out here!”

You can only assume that the other store owners were given the same treatment, money for advertising. Still, the posters can’t reach more than a hundred people a day – tops – and it won’t do better than your word of mouth. Not to mention, Peppino’s place is the only competitor. It doesn’t add up, in your head.

“Do you have any idea who it was?” You take your groceries off the counter, one bag over either arm. “Any name, face…?”

“Not a clue! Some guy in a trench coat and hat, which I thought was super suspicious, you know. But you know, when money comes along for something easy…”

You nod in understanding, bid her farewell, and get on with going home. Whoever put those up is either in for major disappointment or is just extremely petty when it comes to rival businesses.

You call your “Hookup” the moment you get into the truck, setting your phone on the dash and driving away. Your favorite Italian answers – just as you’d hoped.

“Peppino’s Pizza, how can I-“

“Peppino!” You hear him sputter on the other line, script interrupted. “I found out why we’re getting zero business! Some schmuck is undercutting us. And they have instant delivery! The most irresponsible use of teleportation I’ve ever seen-“

His voice takes on an incredulous, accusing tone. You can practically hear him wave his hand in the air, pacing behind the front counter.

“What? What?! How do you know this? Did you see them?”

“No, but there were posters plastered all over town, you just could not miss them. Pamela told me someone, didn’t see who, came in and paid Mrs. Bradbury for the wall space.”

“Maledizione, non riesco mai ad avere una pausa…”

“No idea what you said, but that’s what we’re dealing with. I don’t have any bright ideas yet, so…”

You squint at the front of the cottage, trailing off. There’s a strange structure just off the road in front of it.

“Actually, hang on a second.”

“What is it? Is there something wrong?”

“Just- just one moment. Hang on.”

The truck rolls to a stop, you throw it into park, and you marvel at the sight.Piled up outside of the fence is bushel upon bushel of tomatoes. So many tomatoes, you can barely see the red fruits peeking out of the top box. So, so many tomatoes, you can smell the summer ripeness captured in their slightly firm, juicy skins. So, so, so many tomatoes, you nearly miss the note tacked onto one of the boxes right at your eye level. It’s written in a child’s hand, jagged yet on the cusp of neatness.

Dear Doctor,

You still can’t tell if the kids in this town have forgotten your last name again or they’ve all mutually agreed to just call you by that.

Thank you for all your help with the fields. We are sorry that the tomatoes came late. We think that giving you the best tomatoes instead of just the first ones is a good thank you. We hope you like them lots and lots. They grew very well because you helped us.

Love,

The Anderson Family

And Marnie and Agatha

You sigh, folding the note up and sticking it in your pocket. You love those kids. You really do. What are you supposed to do with all of these tomatoes, though? You can’t use it. You couldn’t possibly cook down and can all of these tomatoes by yourself.

“Hello?” Peppino reminds you of his presence through your phone’s speaker. “What is it?”

“Well-“ You grunt as you attempt to move the precariously stacked boxes to the ground, tucking your phone between face and shoulder. “I don’t have an idea, but I have recently come into possession of many, many tomatoes. You wouldn’t know how to get rid of, say…” You pause, huffing. “Three hundred pounds, give or take?”

Peppino goes quiet on the other end for a moment, thinking. You hear him drumming his fingers on the countertop, murmuring in Italian, and moving some papers around. Whatever he finds, though, it has him sounding hopeful once he speaks up again.

“If you haul it all to the restaurant, I can do something about it.”

You grin. “Great, time to work some magic!”

“Don’t bring your crazy magic things in here! I have pots already! Plenty of pots! And regular stoves!”

“Too late!”

You cackle and hang up. Of course, you won’t actually bring anything but the usual bag and yourself. You gird your loins (and your back), preparing to lug everything into your truck.

---

Offloading everything was a cinch between the three of you. Getting to work was harder, though now you’ve all gathered in the back for an unofficial-official meeting over coring, cutting, and dumping a third of the tomatoes into a big pot to cook down for sauce. It’s the most immediate way to use up a big portion of them without waste. This was also the extent of the head chef’s creativity when it came to getting rid of the red fruits.

With so much time left to do menial tasks, brainstorming is a natural consequence of conversation.

“Ok, how about specials?” You take a gulp of water, fanning yourself in the hot kitchen. “We can run specials, every time I get a new batch of produce.”

Peppino frowns. “Specials, as in special dishes?”

“Right. The posters only extended to pizzas, very plain pizzas. Pepperoni. Cheese. One or two popular toppings. That’s it.” You dump another handful of tomatoes into the communal pot, bumping elbows with Gustavo. “Sorry.”

He shrugs. “That’s alright, keep telling your idea.”

“Anyways, if we stand out, we have a chance to get some customers back. I could put up posters-“

“We don’t have money for advertising space,” Peppino counters.

“Ok, then I’ll try and spread the word again! We do specials, we make the pizzeria stand out, and people come order them with a pizza or two to go. How’s that sound?”

He goes through another three tomatoes in lightning quick cuts before he stops and sighs. You reach out for another fruit and core it, as does he. “Whatever I come up with will not be so creative,” the man grumbles. “It won’t even be edible.”

Gustavo clicks his tongue and swats Peppino’s arm. “Don’t say that! You’re a great chef! People wouldn’t have been calling for a month if you weren’t, and we like your food!”

“Yup,” you agree. “It’s what kept me coming back, I will attest. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

“Then why would they stop? It cannot all be just about the money, or the delivery time, or the- the- the-“

His hand waves through the air, searching for a word but finding none to pull. He sighs, goes for another tomato, and cuts it just as clean as the others.

“They stopped for one reason or another, and some special food will not bring them all back.”

“Doesn’t have to bring them all back,” you answer. “Just enough to keep things going.”

The next hour is dead air, filled only by kitchen fans humming, knives rasping against tomato skin, and the dull thump, thump, thump of quarters (or thirds, Gustavo and Peppino bickered about it in the beginning) falling into the pot. You help them lift the giant pot onto the stove and snag the lighter as Gustavo turns the gas on. He gets a step stool, you wash your hands, and Peppino scowls at the remaining bushels of tomatoes. With one large hand rubbing his chin, you practically hear the rusty gears turning in his head.

“Alright,” he mutters, “I’ll try.”

You don’t get any explanation of what’s going on as he experiments with a few of the thicker, fatter heirlooms. It’s not what you usually use in the restaurant, that honor is reserved for the humble roma, but the big fruits he picks from the bunch get sliced, tasted, and graded by some scale in his head. The phone rings for another order. Gustavo leaves to answer. You step in to stir the pot in his stead.

Out of the corner of your eye, you watch the chef go for one of the many blocks of mozzarella in the fridges - as well as flour, egg, and breadcrumbs - before he slips a shallow pan of oil onto an adjacent burner to yours. You have a faint memory of watching diner cooks work back in the city. Mozzarella sticks were one of your favorite treats after a shift. Cheap, filling, and plentiful when you were a regular. He starts to cut them into roughly equal slices to the tomatoes from earlier.

“What’s going on in that head, Pino?” you call over your shoulder. “Looks like mozz discs, to me.”

He scoffs. “Pino?”

“It gets tiring saying your full name all the time. Work with me, here.”

“You have to say the full name of the cheese, at least. Fried mozzarella is what it looks like, but this is not the only part of the dish.” He finishes, starting to bread them. “Have you heard of a Caprese salad?”

“Sure have.”

“If they want something special, they will get something special. I am doing it differently!”

Your brow shoot up. Wow. Frying the cheese, stack between refreshing tomatoes and basil leaves, serve drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Crunchy. Juicy. Snappy. It’s a hit combo. Gustavo comes back with an order ticket; just in time to leave the sauce to simmer. You abandon the pot to help and time passes in a blur. By the time you’ve sent him off with all boxes strapped to the vespa, Peppino is busy with the last touches to his creation.

Good gods and every other higher power listening, watching him plate it up with as much care as possible does something for you. It’s not just the careful way he arranges the slices of deep fried mozzarella and tomatoes, nor is it the way he tears apart the basil so delicately. It’s not even the loose, easy way he shakes out the dark and light dressings in generous swirls. It’s the small glimpse of a confident man doing exactly what he’s always wanted to.

A fond warmth blooms in you. He has a real passion for the art. When he’s focused like this, all the anxiety melts away into a pervasive desire to get the job done right. He presents the dish by sliding it your way, grabbing two forks as he follows it over. He hands one to you, and you both dig in with a delicious **crunch** of tearing a fried piece apart.

“Holy shit,” you mumble around a mouthful. “Holy shit.”

It’s good. It’s really good. It’s better than what you thought.

“Peppino, I’m not joking, this is genius.”

He frowns, rocking his hand back and forth. “Salt. I could have salted it after frying.”

“Yes! Ok, salt after frying-“ You go back for another bite. “-and box it up. We could put the dressing in little cups for delivery?”

“That’s easy, like the sliced peppers.”

“Yeah!”

He’s excited as you talk over the little details. The delivery method. The plating in the box. How to keep the fried things crispy and hot. The minutia are more or less accounted for and the tester plate emptied by the time Gustavo gets back. He laments at not getting to try any, so Peppino goes to make another round of it just for him.

The anxiety creeps back now that he is no longer occupied by the testing phase. You see him stiffen up and slouch back into his usual frown. You lean in on his space, lifting your brows. What's got him down this time? He sighs, flipping the breaded cheese over.

“I only hope that the customers like it.”

You huff. “They will. I’m sure of it. You’re a good chef.”

-----------------------

turns out switching to full time when you're used to part time makes you very, very tired. yayyyy more free labor. at least he seems to trust you, now.

[star-vibing-prompts]

Random quotes from different Fandoms as prompts.

Yes you can use these. Yes you can change the pronouns. Also NOTE: None of these are in particular order.

Warnings: Mentions of drugs, swearing, a very long post, and maybe yandere stuff??

"I hope he didn't care about that pizza..."

"[Name], have you seen [Name] this morning?" "Yeap. He's hanging out with some weirdo. I think he's trying to vaporize [Name]."

"[Name], I blame YOU for this." "Eh, that's fair."

"Also, I cleaned up your awful, awful mess. You’re welcome." "You did WHAT?! I have a system!"

"I never asked for it to be this way. I never asked to be made!"

"Admit it. I'm just an embarrassment to you!"

"I'm not gonna let you stand there and remind me of everything I hate about myself!"

"How will StarClan come back if we keep breaking the code?"

"I really-really-like you. I've always felt that we might be mates one someday. And now that I'm a warrior, maybe this is the time for us to start thinking of each other in a new way?" "I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt like this, [Name]. I like you a lot, but I always thought of you as a friend-a really good friend, almost like another littermate. I've never felt...that way about you." "But now that you know how I feel...do you think that in time, [Name] you might feel the same way?" "I don't think so. Actually I...I like another cat. I'm so sorry, [Name]."

"Wow, [Name]. I know your thing is honesty, but come on!"

"No disrespect ma'am, but there's a big difference between pushing yourself as hard as you can, and just being reckless. And if being reckless is what gets rewarded around here, if that's what it means to be a Wonderbolt, then I don't want any part of it."

"Hey, now wait a minute! Just because I don't have a pet now doesn't mean I never want a pet!"

"Oh, that's my new toy. Pretty, isn't she? I bet I'm the only queen with my very own RainWing."

"Now really, this is getting insulting. You're in my territory. Apparently you're living under my mountain. I am only the most important dragon for hundreds of miles. How dare you not recognize me?"

"It doesn't matter what Earth is like, it's not going to be like anything soon!"

"Don't you Gems have anything better to do than annoy me?"

"Ohh, I adore these fantasies! They have the best fashions."

"Wait! I-I wouldn't have called just to waste your time with a report."

"Just being on a ship with [Name] made me tired."

"So am I gonna have to wear a star? Where am I gonna put the star?!"

"It'll be better this time. I've changed. You've changed me. I'm the only one who can handle your kind of power."

"You can't lie to me. I've seen what you're capable of. I thought I was a brute, but you... you're a monster."

"There's always someone to fight! There's just no one left worth fighting..."

"Uh, that was way more explosive than I expected."

"Someone ordered some noodles?"

"Yeah. I was about to take my break. So..."

"To be fair, do you trust any man? Any men? Men?"

"Does that mean I don't have a free room anymore? Aw, well shucks."

"OH MY GOD! My drugs! Damn it!"

"W-well I-I just wanted to look a little nicer for you. This is our first real date after all."

"I'm sorry, [Name]. I'm sorry for…everything…happening right now. I know it's…a lot. I, uh-- I should have listened."

"We're rich and we are hot. People want our money AND our bodies! Speak for yourself, princess."

"I swear… If you go near her I will destroy you!"

"I don't care what your arrogant brother thinks!"

"That. Was the sound…OF A FUCKING DIVORCE!"

"My hair is ruined!"

"My face. My face! MY FACE! GIVE ME BACK MY EYES!"

"I bet you don't even HAVE friends..."

"Your fans are watching you right now. I know."

"What's that supposed to mean, you got a problem or somethin', sour cream? Don't fuck with me!"

"Alright shit talker, but there hasn't been a soul yet who can beat me at my own game. So you better bring the fire baby!"

"Could've just used the door, dude. Doesn't need to be this whole thing."

"Do you think they saw me? Fuck! I did my make-up shitty today!"

"Oh, what does it matter?! You’re not my real dad, I was almost eighteen!"

"Totally. But since then, you've had me teaching you. You're stronger now. Don't you feel stronger?"

"I found out where it lives."

"I've won. You can all see that. We can end this now, without killing anyone. I ask you all to let him live!"

"He's just a human! He isn't a threat at all! He's not one of them!"

"I just want to go home."

"You don't understand! Just leave me alone."

"Slow down, kiddo. This is the thanks I get for checking in on my favorite student?"

"Unloaded all your secret insecurities on me! I know! But hey, no shame in that, man. Sometimes you just gotta talk it out, y'know? I don't really do it. Maybe I should. But we'd be here all day so..."

"Totally. But since then, you've had me teaching you. You're stronger now. Don't you feel stronger?"

"What we had wasn't healthy. I never want to feel like I felt with you. Never again! So just go!"

"I was terrible to you. I liked taking everything out on you. I needed to. I-I hated you. It was bad!"

"[Name], you can still wear the hat, if you want." "Thanks, but I'm not putting that on my body."

"It was an endless, crushing darkness. Wet and bleak and suffocating. Water was the tomb I lived in for those months."

"You do realize that I spent the last few months trapped under the ocean, right?"

"For a moment, I really felt like things were different, but they're not. No matter where I go, I'm trapped."

"I'm done being everyone's prisoner! Now you're MY prisoner! And I'm never letting you go!"

"Let's stay on this miserable planet, together!"

"Spoiler alert, the butter is spoiled."

"Sorry I fucked your husband."

"The FUCK is "insurance"?"

"It's only just come into existence, and it already doesn't like us."

"He can be a real sweetheart once you get to know him."

"We knew for sure you would prevail."

"I'm the monster."

"You're... going to LOVE ME!"

"Now that we've gotten that out of the way, how about a game?"

"A baby dragon! Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's so cute."

"[Name], I think our work here is done." "Put your clothes on, [Name]."

"I just want everyone to know: my plan would have also worked."

"All that matters is that [Name] is happy."

"What's in these things?"

"That's not my baby!"

“If I were forced to sing those same stupid songs for twenty years and I never got a bath? I’d probably be a bit irritable at night, too.”

“I’m still here. I will put you back together."

[sharpsuite]

❛ we can order pizza, watch a movie, whatever you want. ❜ / idk man normal world cuishiya and game designer normal world niragi . . i have a vision .

↳ I COULD DO WITH SOME SOFTER PROMPTS PLEASE🙏

Something about this situation feels UNREAL to him. Like a dream that could easily be shattered and broken the way a reflection on the still surface of water can be disturbed. Chishiya still can't quite wrap his head around the situation despite how many hours he's spent thinking about it after work or on his breaks. ( Not that he intends to ADMIT THAT to Niragi - both from pride and a feeling he'd never live it down.) It's certainly not unpleasant, but it borders on absurdity in the context of Chishiya's life. Because Chishiya is....Chishiya. Despite how intelligent and attractive he is, he doesn't DO things like this and everyone knows it. He never has, and he thought he never would. That had been the plan at least. And yet here he is.

" WHATEVER I want? " Chishiya tilts his head with a conniving little gleam in his eyes like a cat about to get into trouble. It's late and he draws in a deep breath of the slightly chilly night air as he looks at the man beside him. " I'm just kidding. " He adds after a heartbeat with a hint of a SMILE before Niragi can regret his choice of words. Maybe. Chishiya's not entirely sure Niragi wouldn't try to come up with some clever way to see to what Chishiya might say just to show off. He likes that about the man though ; likes that the other can challenge him in ways no one else ever has.

His shift is finally over, and Chishiya reaches up to tug his ponytail down, letting his blonde strands fall free. " Your idea sounds perfect. I like the sound of pizza and a movie. " It feels like an easy way to coax himself into relaxing considering he has the next few days off. Normally he'd just....do nothing. Go home, eat maybe, and then sleep until he woke up eventually. RINSE AND REPEAT. It makes something in his chest ache the way Niragi seems to want to do something to help him unwind - he'd much prefer a night in with movies and pizza and desserts than going out to hit the town. " Can we get dessert too? The pizza place has that brownie cookie combo that's so good. I promise to share. " His calm expression falters at the corners of his lips where he's trying to suppress the small grin. He can already feel his mouth watering at the idea.

Chishiya's rather surprised to find how much he really wants this idea Niragi's presented. He's not used to it: TO WANTING.

" Ah. " His head tilts back a little more to look at Niragi. " I meant to ask you on my break but it got cut short. You were working on that bug you recently found in the game today, right? " Chishiya didn't particularly understand any of Niragi's tech speak after the basics, but he had REMEMBERED that Niragi mentioned over text. Besides, sometimes he just liked listening to the other chatter away. It was better than the loneliness he'd always known." How did that go? " / @crue11