#you can save your seeds to plant after last frost

[rubyroboticalt]

gardening is something that can be so healing. put your hands in the dirt. dig up a worm. send it home with a seed. in the summer i will have peas and beans and squash

[aristocratic-otter]

Howdy y'all!

It seems like I can only find the wherewithal to post on Sunday these days. Please don't stop tagging me for Wednesdays, though! I have hope that I'll build up the free time for it again!

Thanks to @prettygoododds, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @larkral, @wellbelesbian, @artsyunderstudy, @nightimedreamersghost, @rimeswithpurple, @shemakesmeforget, @whatevertheweather, @ileadacharmedlife, @facewithoutheart, @cutestkilla and @alexalexinii for tagging me over the last couple of weeks!

First things first, To Heal A Broken Mind is in the homestretch, y'all! It ought to be done in the next two weeks, and then goes to my beta, and then I finally get to share it with @yellobb-old and the rest of the world! Here's a bit of softness from the final chapter:

“I love you!” I blurt, and then squeak and hide my face in his shoulder. But he doesn’t let me hide, just chuckles and lifts my head up so I’m facing him again. . 

“I love you too,” he says solemnly, and I feel tears burn at the corner of my eyes. “But hold that thought. After tomorrow, say it to me again. And I’ll do the same. And we’ll start our new life…or, at least, my new life, with you in it. For good this time”

Westward Son is also on the downhill slide, both in the story and in the completion of it! I estimate that the final chapter will go up before November. Here's our crew getting to know a new friend:

Acorn knows where all sorts of forest gleanings may be had. He shows us berry bushes that still have ripe fruit, though chilled by the frost. He digs up squirrel hordes of acorns (his namesake, he chuckles), along with other nuts and seeds. And, while he is strictly a plant eater, he isn’t offended when we hunt the beasts of the forest. He even shows us the best places to set traps or string fishing lines. 

When I ask him if he’s bothered by us eating meat in his presence, he’s philosophical. “Should I grow angry at the puma or the wolf because they consume the beautiful deer and rabbits? Their needs are not mine, and so I am content with eating differently from humans, because I am not human.”

The next chapter of Saving Simon Snow is coming soon, lol (and so is Simon) (warning for smutty snippet below):

It’s harder than you’d think to roll your eyes and sneer in disgust when the love of your life is rocking in and out of you, and you feel so full that you’re certain you’ll burst. But I put in the work. 

“Consummated? You’re a moron, Snow,” I grumble, even as he steadily takes me apart. 

He laughs. “I feel like you should call me Simon when I’m fucking you,” he says, panting. 

“You’re a moron, Simon,” I repeat obediently. 

Here's a little bit of tension from Snow Fox (next chapter also up in a day or two!)

Gareth comes into view, his pistol now pressed to the back of Malcolm Grimm’s head. “I tied up the Lieutenant, Sir. Shall I give the rest of these blackguards the same treatment?”

Forgive me, Baz.

“As you please,” I tell Gareth, keeping my tone light. “And no need to be gentle.”

From my CORB, The Heart in The Well, Baz is in a spot of trouble.

A sharp pain in my skull, and I found myself facing a hobgoblin. He was holding me up by my hair. Hobgoblins are related to goblins, but their skin is more greenish-grey than green, and they’re far uglier. But they eat people, just like their prettier cousins. I wondered if I was about to be their next meal. 

I hoped they’d choke on me.

From what I am currently calling "Simon the TikTok Dancer" (which will absolutely not be its final name), try to guess who Simon's teacher is 😉

At least Snow’s obvious progress makes what I have to tell him tonight easier. I’ve been dreading it all day. San Diego State University starts up again on Monday, and so our dance season is over. I have to say good-bye to Snow, at least for the school year. 

I indulge myself in watching him dance, not eager to bring down the mood already. 

I can see spots where his control is rough, and areas where he needs more precision, but truly, he’s already beautiful to watch.

And finally, a little Simon and Baz bonding from Stars, Flowers, and Children:

Simon is bubbling over with excitement, and I can’t help being infected with his enthusiasm. The moment we reach the pond, he spins to face me with a wild grin and says, “We’ve found Blackbeard’s lagoon, Baz! His buried treasure must be nearby!” 

I stare at him. What on Earth is he on about?

Simon’s smile fades a little. When he speaks again, it’s in a softer, more coaxing tone. “Come on Baz. Haven’t you ever played a game of make believe?”

Is that what this is?  “I didn’t grow up around many other children,” I admit, stiffly. 

Simon’s expression softens into something that looks very much like pity. It’s intolerable. 

I'm actually posting well before midnight for once, so I'm going to tag generously. Welcome and join me if you'd like, friends!

@angelsfalling16, @aroace-genderfluid-sheep, @annabellelux, @bazzybelle, @bloodiedpixie, @bookish-bogwitch, @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @captain-aralias, @cosmicalart, @confused-bi-queer, @dragoneggos, @erzbethluna, @frjsti, @fatalfangirl, @gekkoinapeartree, @giishu, @hushed-chorus, @ionlydrinkhotwater, @ivelovedhimthroughworse, @ileadacharmedlife, @j-nipper-95, @jbrrring, @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists, @krisrix, @larkral, @letraspal, @martsonmars, @messofthejess, @melodysmash, @moments-au-crayon22, @moodandmist, @mostlymaudlin, @onepintobean, @prettylightsbigcity, @palimpsessed, @sillyunicorn

[unzip21]

Discover the Delight of Lemon Cucumbers: A Fresh Twist on a Classic Veggie

When you think of cucumbers, you might picture the standard green variety, crisp and refreshing, often used in salads and sandwiches. But have you ever heard of lemon cucumbers? This unique and eye-catching vegetable adds a fresh twist to your typical cucumber and is worthy of a spot in your culinary repertoire. Let’s dive into what makes lemon cucumbers so special and explore their benefits, uses, and how to incorporate them into your meals.

What Are Lemon Cucumbers?

Lemon cucumbers, also known as lemon squash or lemon gourd, are a variety of cucumber with a distinctive appearance. They are round and have a bright yellow skin that resembles a lemon, hence the name. These cucumbers are not actually related to lemons, but their sunny color and tart flavor set them apart from the traditional green varieties.

They are a member of the Cucurbitaceous family, which includes pumpkins, squash, and melons. Lemon cucumbers are slightly smaller than their green counterparts and have a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of citrus. This subtle tang makes them an exciting addition to a variety of dishes.

Nutritional Benefits

Lemon cucumbers offer the same health benefits as regular cucumbers, with some added advantages. They are low in calories and packed with water, making them an excellent choice for hydration and weight management. Here’s a closer look at their nutritional profile:

Hydration: With a high water content, lemon cucumbers help keep you hydrated, which is essential for overall health and well-being.

Vitamins and Minerals: They are a good source of vitamin K, which is important for bone health and blood clotting. They also contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports your immune system and skin health.

Antioxidants: Lemon cucumbers contain antioxidants that help combat free radicals in your body, potentially reducing inflammation and supporting overall health.

Culinary Uses

Lemon cucumbers are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Their unique flavor and appearance can add a fresh and vibrant touch to your meals. Here are some ideas for incorporating lemon cucumbers into your cooking:

Salads: Add sliced lemon cucumbers to your salads for a pop of color and a burst of flavor. Their crisp texture pairs well with leafy greens, tomatoes, and avocados.

Pickles: Lemon cucumbers can be pickled just like traditional cucumbers. Their tangy taste makes them a great addition to any pickle assortment.

Snacks: Enjoy them raw as a snack. Slice them into rounds and serve with a dip, such as hummus or tzatziki, for a refreshing treat.

Garnishes: Use lemon cucumbers as a garnish for dishes like fish or chicken. Their bright color and mild flavor can elevate the presentation of your meals.

Smoothies and Juices: Blend lemon cucumbers into smoothies or juices for a hydrating and refreshing drink. Their subtle flavor blends well with fruits and other vegetables.

How to Grow Lemon Cucumbers

If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you might want to try growing lemon cucumbers yourself. They are relatively easy to cultivate and can be grown in both garden beds and containers. Here’s a brief guide on how to get started:

Planting: Start seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and when the soil temperature reaches at least 70°F (21°C). You can also sow seeds directly into the soil if you’re in a warmer climate.

2. Sunlight and Soil: Lemon cucumbers need plenty of sunlight — at least 6–8 hours a day. They prefer well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Ensure the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Maintenance: Provide support for the vines to grow upward, which helps save space and keeps the fruits clean. Regular watering and occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer will help ensure a healthy crop.

2. Harvesting: Lemon cucumbers are typically ready for harvest when they reach about 2–3 inches in diameter and have a bright yellow color. They should be firm and slightly glossy. Harvest them regularly to encourage continued production.

In Conclusion

Lemon cucumbers are a delightful twist on a classic vegetable. Their unique appearance, mild flavor, and versatility make them a valuable addition to your kitchen. Whether you enjoy them fresh in salads, pickled, or as a garnish, lemon cucumbers offer a refreshing change from the norm. Plus, their health benefits and ease of cultivation make them a fantastic choice for both culinary enthusiasts and home gardeners.

So next time you’re at the farmer’s market or grocery store, keep an eye out for these bright yellow gems. They might just become your new favorite ingredient!

[downtoearthmarkets]

Located on 200 bucolic acres in Marlboro, NY, Caradonna Farms is a fourth-generation family grower of fruits and vegetables, producing a diversity of stone fruit, apples and berries. Owner and farmer Skye Caradonna loves to experiment and follows agricultural developments around the world to learn about new varietals and better ways of growing fruit. We recently chatted with Skye to hear more about his unique farming techniques, what crops he’s currently focusing on and how the farm is handling the unpredictable, and often extreme, weather patterns of late.

How did Caradonna Farms get started? There's a farming background on both sides of my family. My maternal grandfather was an Italian immigrant who saved up enough money to buy 23-acres of land in Milton, NY on which he operated a diversified fruit and vegetable farm. My paternal grandfather and great-grandfather went into farming after World War II when they bought land in Marlboro and started a chicken farm on the property. Once my grandfather retired, he transitioned the farm to a fruit and vegetable farm because chickens were not as profitable.

Given your family history, were you predestined to become a farmer or was it not always in the cards? I went into the Navy for four years during which time I was stationed in Seattle, which is where I did college too. After graduating, I went into banking and worked on Wall Street. When the 2008 financial crisis hit, my dad talked to me about farming and said, “you’d better get your finger in it.” By 2011 or so, I had returned to the farm.

My dad was a true farmer’s farmer who didn’t focus too much on the marketing or financial side of things. However, he started listening to me and I helped grow the farm and its revenue. We currently attend thirteen farmers markets, including Down to Earth Markets’ Ossining and Scarsdale locations. We have forty Michelin Star restaurants in New York City buying from us regularly, including Blue Hills which purchases whatever fruit is in season 2-3 times a week.

How have you seen growing conditions on the farm change in recent years? We are experiencing milder winters, which is both a blessing and a curse. On the positive side, the milder weather gives us a longer growing season that starts earlier and lasts till much later. Sometimes, we’re getting two crops out of our vegetables. Around thirty years ago, we used to see our first frost by late September. Now we’re still producing tomatoes in October and November that I can store to sell fresh for Thanksgiving!

Here in Marlboro, our conditions today are like those of mid to southern New Jersey around 100 years ago. I can now plant varieties of fruit like peaches, apricots and plums that I couldn’t have planted on the farm before. Plus, when temps don’t fall below zero, I can plant more apricots and peaches. In the last 5-6 years, I’ve put in more Californian fruit tree varieties and less cold weather varieties. These new varieties produce a better yield and higher quality fruit. However, if we have an extreme cold snap, these trees will die.

On the flip side, cold hardy fruit trees like pears that need the cold winter are doing more poorly. All fruit trees need a certain amount of cold to harden off. They need a fair number of days below 32 degrees to produce fruit in the spring.

How have growing conditions been this summer so far? Everything is two weeks early this year thanks to the warm, mild May. I use succession planting to have a longer strawberry season. I plant early season strawberries and only seed 4-5 rows, then later I plant the next variety and so on. This year it’s been so hot that all the different strawberry plants produced at the same time with flowers and berries coming in all at once. However, it’s been a great cherry season for all cherry types – white, yellow, Rainier and sour. They've been deliciously firm and crunchy.

We currently grow 38 varieties of apples. Because of the hot sun, we’ve been spraying the fruit coming in with calcium chloride which acts like a mineral sunscreen. It protects the apples from getting white sunburn spots on their skin. The sunburn won’t affect the quality, but shoppers don’t like to see it. Calcium is good for all apples as there’s always a deficiency in the ground. It gets absorbed by the fruit and it’s good for us too as we intake it when we eat the apples.

What other technologies have you been using to optimize sustainability and yield?

We installed frost protection windmills in our orchards to help protect against frost damage. The windmills are diesel powered and stand 33 feet tall with two long propellers. They are commonly used in New Zealand and British Columbia and are more sustainable than other frost protection measures, such as sprinkling freshwater. During cold, windless nights after a sunny day, warm air rises and cold air settles near the ground and on crops. These technologically advanced wind machines pull down warm air from the upper inversion layer and blow it across the lower layers, mixing it with the cold air.

We are experimenting with new high density tree architectures. These UFO (Upright Fruiting Offshoot) training systems were developed in Washington State and entail growing nectarines, peaches and cherries in narrow rows along wire, just like grapes.

We purchased a new electrostatic crop protectant sprayer that employs variable rate control. This advanced sprayer uses lidar sensors to measure the density of the tree canopy and then processes that information to adjust individual sprayer nozzles. It results in a 50% reduction in inputs.

What Caradonna Farms fruit can shoppers look forward to in the coming weeks? This year we’re producing big crops with tons of fruit. It’s a banner year for strawberries, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots. We have four acres of melons including musk, honeydew, cantaloupe, and red and yellow watermelon. Melons can grow over a foot a day! They love the heat so they have flowered early and will most likely be ripe one to two weeks ahead of schedule. We’re growing eighteen varieties of grapes with the first ones slated to be ready by late August and harvests lasting through October.

Thank you, Skye, for taking the time to share these fascinating insights into the many exciting things happening on Caradonna Farms. We can’t wait to taste all the delicious, locally and sustainably grown fruit that is coming our way this season thanks to your hard work, vision and technological savvy.

[automaticlovercomputer]

Creating a Vertical Cucumber Garden: A Simple Guide

Transforming your gardening space by creating a vertical cucumber garden is a wonderful way to optimize space, improve plant health, and make harvesting easier. This approach is ideal for small gardens, balconies, or any area where space is limited. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide to help you set up and maintain a vertical cucumber garden.

Benefits of Vertical Gardening

Space-Saving: Perfect for small spaces, allowing you to grow more plants in a confined area.

Better Airflow: Reduces the risk of fungal diseases by improving air circulation around the plants.

Ease of Harvesting: Easier to spot and pick cucumbers hanging from the trellis.

Healthier Plants: Keeps fruits off the ground, reducing the risk of pests and rot.

Materials Needed

Cucumber seeds or seedlings

Trellis or vertical support structure (wooden frame, metal trellis, or netting)

Garden ties or soft twine

Fertile soil and compost

Watering can or hose

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Select the Right Cucumber Variety

Choose a variety suitable for vertical gardening. Vining types like 'Marketmore,' 'Straight Eight,' and 'Lemon Cucumber' are excellent choices.

2. Prepare Your Growing Area

Find a sunny spot in your garden or balcony that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Ensure the soil is well-draining and enriched with compost or organic matter.

3. Install the Trellis

A sturdy support structure is crucial. You can use:

Wooden or Metal Trellis: Sturdy and long-lasting.

Netting: Stretch strong garden netting between two posts.

String System: Tie strings from the top of a frame to the ground.

Ensure the trellis is securely anchored and stands at least 5-6 feet tall to support the growing vines.

4. Planting Cucumbers

Seeds: Sow seeds directly into the soil after the last frost date. Plant seeds about 12 inches apart.

Seedlings: If using seedlings, transplant them when they have at least two true leaves and the risk of frost has passed.

Place the plants close to the base of the trellis to encourage vertical growth.

5. Train the Vines

As the cucumber plants grow, guide the vines towards the trellis. Use garden ties, clips, or soft twine to gently secure the vines to the support. Check regularly to ensure the vines are climbing correctly.

6. Watering and Fertilizing

Watering: Cucumbers need consistent moisture. Water deeply at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to diseases.

Fertilizing: Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to lush foliage but fewer fruits.

7. Pollination

Cucumber plants need pollination to set fruit. If natural pollination is insufficient, hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from male flowers (those without tiny fruits) to female flowers using a small brush or cotton swab.

8. Pest and Disease Management

Pests: Look out for common pests like aphids, cucumber beetles, and spider mites. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if necessary.

Diseases: Monitor for signs of powdery mildew or downy mildew. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize fungal issues.

9. Harvesting

Cucumbers are typically ready to harvest 50-70 days after planting. Pick them when they are firm and green before they become overripe and turn yellow. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruits.

10. End of Season Care

At the end of the growing season, remove the vines and any plant debris to prevent diseases from overwintering in the soil. Clean and store the trellis for future use.

Tips for Success

Mulch: Apply mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Companion Planting: Growing cucumbers alongside beans, corn, or radishes can enhance growth and deter pests.

Crop Rotation: Avoid planting cucumbers in the same spot each year to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a thriving vertical cucumber garden, even in a limited space. Happy gardening!

[taimio]

Tips for Successfully Growing Bitter Melon in Your Garden

Bitter melon is a popular garden vegetable with a reputation for being difficult to grow. It's an annual, which means it needs sunlight in order to grow. In fact, it doesn't do well in shady conditions, so try growing bitter melon where there is plenty of natural light. The plant has very strong spines and can be rough to the touch if you aren't careful. Since it's so thorny and prickly, you should also make sure that your garden border has enough space around the melon plants so that they don't get crowded down by their neighbors (also known as "carnivorous plants"). Bitter melon does best when it's grown in full sun. It will grow quickly and reach its largest size of about 4 feet in about 6 weeks after planting. You can expect the fruit to be about 1 ½ inch across and red or purple in color if you plant them during the summer months. If you're looking to grow your own bitter melons but aren't quite ready for the challenge yet, check out some tips on how to grow bitter melons from sources experienced with them.

How Do You Grow Bitter Melon?

Growing bitter melon may seem challenging, but with the right knowledge and care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of this unique vegetable. As someone who has experimented with growing bitter melon in my own garden, I have some tips to share.

First, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Bitter melon plants thrive in warm temperatures, so make sure to plant them after the last frost has passed. I recommend starting with seeds, as bitter melon plants can be sensitive to transplanting.

Patience is key when growing bitter melon. The vines can take some time to establish themselves and start producing fruit, but the wait is worth it for the delicious and nutritious harvest.

Water your bitter melon plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pruning the vines can also encourage more fruit production and prevent overcrowding.

When it comes to pests and diseases, bitter melon plants can be susceptible to common garden pests like aphids and powdery mildew. Keep an eye out for any signs of infestation and treat them promptly using organic methods, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Harvest your bitter melon when they are still young and tender, as older fruits can become too bitter to enjoy.

Use the harvested bitter melon in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to curries and salads.

Save some seeds from your harvest to plant next season, ensuring a continuous supply of bitter melon in your garden.

By following these tips and techniques, you can successfully grow bitter melon in your own garden and enjoy the unique flavor and health benefits it has to offer. For more in-depth information on growing bitter melon, check out this comprehensive guide.

Learn more about gardening with Taim.io!

[chappythegardener]

Shooting Stars eggplant Seeds

Introducing Shooting Stars Eggplant, a fantastic addition to your organic garden. With 30+ seeds available, this variety comes personally recommended by Chappy the Gardener. Let's explore the three solutions that this product offers for organic gardening enthusiasts: Compact and Space-Saving Growth Shooting Stars Eggplant is specifically bred for its compact size, making it ideal for small gardens, containers, or urban settings. Now you can enjoy growing eggplants even in limited spaces without compromising on yield or flavor. High Yield and Excellent Taste This variety is known for its abundant harvests of delicious, tender eggplants. Shooting Stars Eggplant produces an abundance of glossy, purple-skinned fruits with a delicate flavor and a creamy texture, perfect for a variety of culinary delights. Disease Resistance and Reliability Shooting Stars Eggplant is bred to exhibit excellent disease resistance, ensuring healthier plants and reducing the risk of common eggplant diseases. With this variety, you can have peace of mind knowing that your plants are more resilient and have a higher chance of successful growth. How do I germinate Shooting Stars Eggplant seeds? Start by sowing the seeds indoors, 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Plant the seeds in seed trays or individual pots filled with well-draining seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C) for optimal germination. Transplant the seedlings into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Can I grow Shooting Stars Eggplant in a container? Absolutely! Shooting Stars Eggplant's compact size makes it a perfect choice for container gardening. Choose a container with good drainage, at least 12 inches in diameter, and fill it with nutrient-rich potting soil. Place the container in a sunny location, water regularly, and watch your eggplants thrive. Is Shooting Stars Eggplant suitable for organic gardening? Yes! Shooting Stars Eggplant is an excellent choice for organic gardening. It is specifically bred to have good resistance against common diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions. By following organic gardening practices, you can grow healthy and flavorful eggplants while minimizing environmental impact. Limited gardening experience Shooting Stars Eggplant is a beginner-friendly variety that is relatively easy to grow. With proper care and following the provided instructions, even novice gardeners can enjoy a bountiful harvest of tasty eggplants. Lack of garden space Shooting Stars Eggplant's compact growth habit makes it an ideal choice for small gardens or container gardening. Now you can grow eggplants in any space, whether it's a balcony, patio, or windowsill. Concerns about disease susceptibility Shooting Stars Eggplant is bred for disease resistance, offering better protection against common eggplant diseases. By choosing this variety, you can enjoy healthier plants with a reduced risk of disease-related issues. Ready to experience the joy of growing Shooting Stars Eggplant in your organic garden? Don't miss out on this fantastic variety! Visit our website and click the "Buy Now" button to get your hands on 30+ fresh seeds. S tart cultivating your own delicious and compact eggplants today. Happy gardening! Read the full article

[reasoningdaily]

If you usually buy your flowers from the nursery, this year is a good time to switch things up and grow from seed! You’ll save money, get to see your seedlings from start to finish, and have lots of plants to fill your garden.

Growing from seed doesn’t have to be difficult. With some basic knowledge and a few tools to get started, anyone can have success growing their own beautiful flowers to line their flowerbeds in the spring. In fact, sowing seeds and recording their growth is a great activity to do with kids, and there are a number of different ways you can do it!

In this article, you’ll learn about what you’ll need for a basic seed-starting setup, as well as some of the most beginner-friendly flowers to grow from seed. So, let’s go! Your new flower garden starts right now!

Flowers to Direct Seed

Sow the seeds of the following flowers right into your garden beds outdoors! Many of these germinate better after a period of cold winter temperatures, called “cold stratification”. Keep in mind that all of these flowers can be grown indoors as well, but their germination rates may be impacted when started indoors.

Sweet Williams

Sweet Williams are a profusely flowering cottage garden favorite. These colorful little flowers reseed themselves. Plant them once, and you’re likely to have them in the garden for years to come! They will grow into a lovely patch of fringed flowers in hot pink to dainty blush over time.

Sweet Williams flowers will bloom all summer long and last for weeks when cut for the vase. If you prefer to grow them inside, plant seeds near a sunny window or under lights 6-8 weeks before your last frost. These mildly clove-scented little flowers are an easy way to bring lots of color to the garden!

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are pollinator favorites and produce delicious seeds! These popular and low-maintenance annual flowers are a garden favorite for many reasons.

There are many different types of sunflowers that bloom in a number of interesting shades. They grow in several different sizes and have many bloom forms. The classic ‘Helianthus annuus’ grows from 2 to 10 feet tall, depending on conditions.

Growing sunflowers is simple. Kids love planting their large seeds and watching them climb toward the sky.  These beauties are native to the US and tolerant of drought, deer pressure, and poor soils.

They can be sown indoors and transplanted if you’d like an earlier bloom. However, direct sowing yields better results because they have a long taproot that doesn’t respond well to transplanting.

Hollyhock

Hollyhocks add dramatic vertical garden color. Each tall stalk can grow up to 10 feet, and their large, showy flowers open over an extended period. Plant them near the house or along a fence to provide support.

Hollyhocks grow easily and need no attention once they mature. They are biennial, meaning they concentrate on growing their roots, stems, and leaves in the first year and flower in the 2nd.

Once they flower, you can harvest the seeds or leave them to scatter on their own. They’ll reseed, giving you a gorgeous patch of constant flowers in the coming years.

Lance-leaved Coreopsis

This cheerful wildflower is native to parts of Canada and the US.  It needs cold stratification, so you can direct sow as early as November. Loads of flowers with fluted bright yellow petals (sometimes with a maroon base) grow atop an upright, attractive plant.

Coreopsis attracts beneficial insects to the garden that will eat unwanted pests. It’s easy-going and self-seeds, making it a cinch to fill a garden bed or pot with lots of sunny garden color. Plant in full sun.

Blue Wood Aster

Blue wood aster grows into a 3 ft. tall bushy shrub covered with small lavender star-shaped flowers. It blooms in late summer or early fall, providing color as many other blooms begin to fade.

This US Native grows well in part shade and even puts up with dry conditions once established, making it a perfect choice for those difficult garden spots.

It’s a butterfly host plant and supports many specialist bees that can only feed on its nectar. It will spread, so plant it somewhere you’d like a swath of lavender color!

Penstemon Digitalis

Penstemon digitalis, or Foxglove Beard-tongue, is the beautiful wild cousin of garden foxglove. It has similar flower spikes, with pretty tubular flowers beloved by hummingbirds. Sow Penstemon digitalis in fall through late winter, and you’ll have blooms by early summer!

The snowy-white blooms are tinged with pink. They are long-lasting and look beautiful when planted en masse. Penstemon is rugged. It will put up with drought, clay soil, and harsh sun. In southern climates, it can be evergreen.

Bradbury’s Bee Balm

This flower is a member of the mint family, which spreads readily to form pretty flowering clumps of ivory to blush flowers. It’s native to the Eastern US but will grow readily anywhere with lots of sun and medium to dry soil.

The fluffy, ragged blooms are unusual and sometimes spotted with purple. They contrast well with the plant’s dark green foliage. Some gardeners like to harvest it to make mint tea. Plant ‘Bradbury’s Bee Balm’ in an informal area where it will have a bit of space to spread out.

Black-Eyed Susans

Black-Eyed Susans are a long-time favorite, with golden-yellow daisy-like flowers and deep brown centers. Some have an attractive burgundy floret in the center. Plants grow to about 3 ft. tall and have lance-shaped fuzzy leaves.

Rudbeckia hirta is another butterfly host plant. Like many natives, it will spread a bit if it likes the conditions. Direct seed in full sun fall through late winter, and look forward to lots of joyful golden blooms!

Shrubby St. John’s Wort

Did you know you could grow robust shrubs from seed? Shrubby St. John’s Wart is easy to grow and forms a 4 ft. shrub smothered in bright yellow flowers. Individual flowers are small, but they appear in such proliferation that the bush has visual impact in the garden.

The real stars are the prominent fluffy golden stamens, which add interest to the blooms. St. John’s Wort likes full sun. Rabbits and deer avoid it, while it’s an important nectar source for many native beneficial insects.

Commonly used as an herbal remedy, Shrubby St. John’s Wort makes a beautiful and easy low hedge when several are planted in a row.

Hungarian Breadseed Poppies

The delicate, papery blooms of the Hungarian Breadseed Poppy are breathtaking in the garden, especially when planted in large numbers. These hardy seeds can be sprinkled right onto the soil outdoors from November through February. They can even be thrown out on top of the snow!

As they start to sprout, the large blue-green leaves almost look like the start of a head of lettuce. Soon, long stems will produce big buds that open into white, lavender, or deep purple, with signature dark centers.

Best of all, Breadseed poppies have gorgeous ornamental seed pods that are striking in garden beds. They can be harvested to replant next year.

Nasturtium

In my book, nasturtium, with its huge lily-pad leaves and colorful blooms, is a garden essential. Not only is nasturtium easy to grow- it also provides benefits as a companion plant. Nasturtium attracts beneficial insects and makes the calcium in your soil more accessible to other plants.

The whole plant is edible and has a delicious peppery taste popular in salads. To plant nasturtium, sow the seeds directly into the garden (about ½ inch deep) about 2 weeks after your last frost.

They thrive on neglect, so once established, water only when the soil is dry. Soon you’ll have a rainbow of blooms!

‘Purple Sensation’ Allium

‘Purple Sensation’ Allium is simple to grow from seed planted directly outside in the fall. Come spring, they shoot up and produce showy globes of 50-plus deep purple flowers. They come back every year and produce lots of seedheads to increase your plants for free! 

Alliums are beautiful and useful in the garden. They emit a mild oniony smell (they are in the onion family) that isn’t noticeable to humans but repels aphids and Japanese Beetle grubs.

These quirky plants are often grown from bulbs but are just as easily started from seed. A simple way to add eye-catching blooms to your garden beds!

Flowers to Start Indoors

Plant these seeds in seed trays or small pots with drainage. Keep them under grow lights or place them in a sunny window. To speed germination, provide humidity by covering pots with plastic wrap and uncover when sprouts appear.

Strawflower

If you love colorful long-lived blooms, Strawflowers are a must. They look a bit like fluffy daisies, with stiff paper-like petals that last forever.

Strawflowers come in a rainbow of colors, with warm shades of red, orange, hot pink, and yellow being the most popular. They provide lots of interest and easy color in the garden.

Strawflowers are simple to grow from seed. Plant them indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date and transplant them directly into the garden after temperatures have reached 70 ℉. They’ll bloom all summer through early fall and make great cut flowers!

China Asters

China Asters look fantastic in containers with other flowers. They fill a large pot beautifully and have robust 3-5 inch blooms. China Asters don’t need a lot of water and will last about 10 days in the vase.

They came in many bloom styles and colors, but I prefer the large pink peony-like blooms of ‘Rose Quartz Mix’. Whatever color palette you prefer, there’s a China Aster for you!

These grow easily from seed when planted indoors in small pots. Keep them evenly moist and transplant the seedlings after all danger of frost has passed.

‘Cupcake Blush’ Cosmos

Cosmos are a cinch to grow and provide lots of aesthetic value for little effort. They have lacy, fern-like foliage and large blooms that float above 2 ft. tall plants. Plant them inside 5-7 weeks before your last frost, and plant them in the garden in early spring.

‘Cupcakes Blush’ is a unique variety with large, pale pink blooms and an interior ring of tufted petals that look like cupcake wrappers.

For a bushier, more productive plant, grow them about 8 inches tall, then pinch back the growing tips right underneath a set of leaves. Soon, you will have more branching and more blooms!

Cosmos often reseed themselves in the garden, so look out for their little sprouts next spring.

Final Thoughts

Growing flowers from seed is the easiest and cheapest way to get a beautiful garden. There’s nothing like observing the growing process from seed to bloom, along with the pride of growing your garden all on your own!

If you haven’t tried starting with seeds before, these easy flowers are a great way to begin. Whether you decide to start your seeds indoors near a sunny window, have an elaborate setup with grow lights, or prefer to plant directly outdoors, there are varieties that will grow well for you. Enjoy your flowers!

[thedreamlessnights]

Not an end, but the start of all things

{chapter one} - {chapter two} - {chapter three} - {chapter four} - {chapter five} - {chapter six} - {chapter seven} - {chapter eight} - {chapter nine} - {chapter ten}

Vampire!Viktor x F!Reader AU (Eventual NSFW)

Synopsis: Spring arrives, and her gentle roots bring rebirth - in all sorts of ways.

Warnings: Mentions of blood retrieval through finger pricking, general NSFW content, oral (male and female receiving), P in V sex, fingering, edging, slight overstimulation, pulling out, intimacy and tenderness...

Word Count: 6.8k

A/N: Here we go, friends! One more chapter left, a total of ten! I wrote this while I had COVID - comments are very, very appreciated if you'd like to leave them ♥

Spring comes in sweetly this year. Delicate warmth floods the sky, citrine light heals. The frost melts, the sun comes out, and you find yourself in the garden more than not, soaking up the sweetness of the light.

Viktor mostly reads in the mornings - after kissing you, of course - later venturing out into the sunshine to plant new seeds, nurturing them up with gentle hands and even softer words as you accompany him. New seedlings sprout into green leaves. Signs of winter fade.

Nox grows and grows, so much faster than you could have imagined, and spends his days lounging on windowsills, soaking up the sunlight. 

Then comes the rain. 

The first time it falls, it soaks you to the bone. You’re too shocked to move for cover; not for a good moment. And when you and Viktor both scatter indoors, laughing, you realize that this is how you heal. Not just your body or your mind, but your soul.

A gentle haziness that soaks deep into your core. Spending breakfasts over tea, noting how long Viktor’s hair is getting, and hugging your arms around yourself. Being grateful, mostly. Feeling free at last.

It takes you two weeks to realize that Viktor isn’t eating - at least, not human food. When you sit him down, he sheepishly confesses that he’s been nervous to finally taste things, so the two of you take a trip to the market, arm in arm. 

With the winter gone, the market is bustling more than ever. Pastel greens and yellows and blues stream at the top of tents, signaling in the season. The aroma of fresh bread and pastries floats through the air, accompanied by floral notes of flowers blooming and the sweetness of warm grass and dirt.

Instead of building snowmen, the children make potions of dirt and rocks and sand, basking in the warmth of the sun as they play. You watch a child that must be Jayce’s son - he looks almost identical to him, only much smaller. He’s energetic, naturally, but he also has a kindness with the other children that must have come from Jayce.

Jayce must be around here somewhere, too, but you leave it be. Today is for you and Viktor, and you want to leave it that way. 

Viktor, who’s been quiet as you’ve taken in the market. When you turn to look at him, his eyes are fixed on you. Of course they are. He offers you a small smile as you lean into him, pulling him closer to you.

“Are you ready?” you ask him. “Where do you want to start?”

“I’m ready,” he confirms. “And, eh, anywhere. You’re the one who’s tasted all of these - you tell me.”

Naturally, you head straight for the chocolate, if only to watch the way his smile softly grows wider. 

He watches you with bright eyes as you flit from stand to stand - and despite the way he assures you it’s fine, it still leaves a pit in your stomach, using his money.

You can’t help wondering if they’d let you open a stall here. You can sew, if nothing else. Mostly, you just want to be useful. That all can be saved for later, though. 

You spend your time picking out an assortment of things for him - candy, of course, but also lemons, scattered greenery, fresh bread and butter, and a few key ingredients of your favorite dishes.

When you end up with a basket full of food, he presses a tender kiss to your forehead.

“This will all taste good, yes?” he asks, fiddling with his cane. You immediately feel a little guilty about the lemons. 

“Hopefully,” you tell him, flashing an innocent grin. “But, while we’re here, I’ve been meaning to ask.”

Viktor doesn’t exactly look fooled by your smile, but he takes the bait anyway.

“Yes?” 

His hair is a warm chestnut brown in the sun, soft and glistening in the light. Gingerly, you take a strand of it between your fingers, then tuck it behind his ear.

“Are any werewolf barbers in season?” 

You wouldn’t ask - even jokingly - if it wasn’t so clear that the length of his hair annoys him. He’s spent the last three weeks frustratedly shoving it away from his eyes, trying desperately to tuck it behind his ears. In fact, you’re almost surprised that he hasn’t taken scissors to it in a fit of impulsivity, but it won’t be long now, and you don’t want to risk it anymore.

For a moment, Viktor looks caught between wanting to roll his eyes or giving a laugh at your remark. Instead, he sighs, taking your hand.

“No,” he says. “I cut my own hair.”

Terror flashes through you at the thought of that.

“Let me cut it,” you nearly beg him. “I’ve cut hair before - I’ll do a good job. I promise.”

His eyes narrow for a moment, his grip tightening just the tiniest bit before he gives your hand a gentle squeeze and rubs his thumb over your knuckles.

“Alright,” he says, albeit warily. “Just don’t… make me look ridiculous.”

“I promise,” you repeat. “And if you look awful, you can chop up my hair and make me look hideous.”

That earns a small smile from him, despite the way he tries to hide it.

“Nonsense,” he says, pulling your arm into his, starting back home. “I would make your hair look nice.”

─────────────────────────────

Two hours later, the aroma of cooking food has your stomach growling. You can’t even imagine how Viktor feels. If anything, he seems nervous, his good leg bouncing when he’s sitting, his fingers twiddling when he’s standing.

You do notice that he hovers behind you, helping with the preparation, eyes fixed on you as you sample things for taste. You want everything to be the best that it can be, of course, but you do feel bad trying things without him.

Even so, he won’t take anything when you offer it to him - not before all the food is done. He’s adamant about that. And with all this food, you’re not exactly sure what to have him try first. Granted, there will be years and years of this - sampling all the different dishes that you could think of - but… you want it to be good for him. You really, really do.

Which is why, after some careful consideration, you end up giving him hot chocolate before anything else. Rich, creamy, sweet. Warm, but not hot enough to burn. 

He smiles when you push it toward him, as if he’d expected it.

“Of course,” he says softly. “With the way you looked at that chocolate, I should have known.”

Without another word, he fixes his hands around the mug, eyes bright as he presses it to his lips.

He startles a little when it meets his tongue, brows creasing, which makes you quite anxious - had it been too hot? Then he takes a full swallow, throat bobbing as the liquid goes down. 

The drink leaves a little residue on his top lip, which he licks off as he sets the mug down, rapping his fingers on the table as he thinks about it. Then he presses a hand to his chest, presumably feeling the warmth of it run through him.

You think of that day after the market, the two of you chatting with each other as the hot chocolate was prepared. The fact that he’d bought it for you without you even having to ask. The longing in his eyes as he watched you drink.

“I like it,” Viktor says, picking up the mug again. He downs the rest of it in two swallows and nods again, a grin fixing on his lips. “It’s - it makes me feel… warm.”

“One of its best qualities,” you say, instantly relieved, taking the empty mug from him. “A perfect winter drink, but almost as good any other time of the year.”

Next, you serve him warm bread with butter, which he insists you eat with him. You’re happy to oblige - the smell of it has been making your stomach growl.

This one, you can tell he likes immediately. After his first bite, he smiles, observing it in his hands before he takes another bite. 

“Very good,” he says approvingly. 

When you take a little more bread and butter and smear it with honey, his curiosity clearly piques - and he likes that even more than just the plain bread and butter. In fact, it turns out that anything sweet you put in front of him, he likes.

Viktor with a sweet tooth. It suits him.

Various sweets from the market - coconut ice, pear drops, caramels, toffee - all soon prove to be favorites of his, along with the honey-buttered bread and the hot chocolate.

As he eats dinner, he finds he likes mushrooms and sprouts and rosemary. Lemons, too, in mixtures - for instance, in the meal you cooked for him - but not on their own (as you learn from his glare, once he’s stopped puckering).

“Cruel,” he says, reaching for some water. “Very cruel.”

Still, he hides a smile as he drinks.

He’s also not fond of raw garlic; though, to your credit, you don’t give him that one. He tries it while it’s sitting on the counter after dinner, and immediately spends the next five minutes rinsing it out of his mouth before going back to his bread and butter.

“I think,” he says, looking very exhausted, “that is enough for me tonight.”

You can’t say you blame him - though, you do notice that he carries the rest of the chocolate with him upstairs when he goes to bed.

The next morning when he wakes, you slide him a cup of coffee, waiting next to him with cream and sugar at the ready.

“It’s bitter, and different people like it prepared in different ways,” you tell him as he observes it, swirling the mug around in his hand. “Some like it plain, and some prefer cream and sugar.”

As he lifts it to his lips and drinks, it’s immediately clear that he doesn’t like it black. 

You can see it - the way he recoils a little, pursing his lips. The way he shakes his head, moving next to you, dumping an outrageous amount of cream and sugar in and stirring it before he takes another sip.

“It’s… an acquired taste for some, too,” you laugh, watching to see if he likes it any better.

“It’s not bad this way,” he tells you, drinking some more. “I like it, I think. Just… not plain.”

You can’t say you blame him. He likes the eggs and bacon you give him for breakfast much better, though. And, after seeing it sitting on the counter, he helps himself to more bread and butter.

Then comes a scowl, and him shoving his hair behind his ears.

“Will you let me cut your hair now?” you ask, trying to fight off another laugh. “My hands are steady.”

He nods, but not before finishing off his bread. Then he shows you where the hair shears are - which are thankfully sharp - and you pull out a tattered old sheet to wrap around his neck.

“Let us pray that you’re as skilled as you say you are,” Viktor teases, sitting down in a chair, and pressing a soft kiss to your hand. “Lest I will not be able to look in the mirror.”

“Oh, be quiet,” you say, spritzing down his hair with some water, pressing an apologetic kiss to his head when he flinches from the cold. “You’ll look alright.”

“Just alright?” he asks.

“Handsome,” you correct. “You’ll look very handsome, and every werewolf in the market will ask you where you got your hair cut, and you can direct them all to me. I’ll open up a shop, and stop using all of your money.”

You expect him to laugh, but he just goes silent for a long moment.

“I’ve told you,” he says softly, “you don’t have to worry about the money. I like using it for you. Seeing you happy.”

You pause for a moment, giving a sigh and setting the shears down. 

“I know,” you murmur. “I do know that, Viktor, it’s just… I used to support myself, always. I learned all these skills so that I could have a home, and I was very happy doing it. I only stopped because I was dying. Now that I’m healthy, It feels wrong that I’m not… back at it. I’m happy here, with you, but… being able to do what I used to do would make me happy, too.”

Viktor is quiet for a bit longer, only speaking once you press a kiss to his shoulder.

“You might be able to… ask Jayce,” he tells you, turning to look at you. “About any places that you could work. Or whether the market has any open stalls. I’d be happy to help you.” 

Relief floods you immediately. You have to suck in a shaky breath just so you don’t cry, mustering the biggest smile that you can for him. 

You’re grateful, mostly, that he understands - or that he tries to, for you. 

Viktor returns your smile, reaching around for your free hand again, wrapping his fingers around yours and giving a squeeze.

“Now that I’ve found the blood replacement, I have more time,” he continues. “I just want to make sure it’s distributed.”

“Thank you,” you whisper, throat going tight. “I’ll do that the next time I see Jayce. And, if I can help with the distribution in any way, I’d be more than happy to help you, too.”

“Thank you.” He squeezes your hand again, then releases. “I... appreciate that.”

The rest of the haircut goes smoothly. 

You start by gently wetting the rest of Viktor’s hair, combing through it, and carefully beginning to trim. The gentle click of the shears becomes rhythmic to your ears, lulling you into a state of fixed concentration as loose bits of hair fall out around him and onto that tattered old sheet. 

Viktor is a master at holding still for you, turning his head where you need it to be, murmuring soft responses to your requests. 

He’s beautiful. You think that to yourself every day, but you mean it every day all the same. The sharp angle of his cheekbones, the golden glow of his irises, and the rosy, healthy sheen that he’s had ever since he’d started getting enough blood - they all add to it. You feel lucky just to get to look at him every day, much less kiss him.

And when you stand in front of him, combing through his hair with his hands and making final adjustments, those eyes stay fixed on you, too. Studying you. Watching your expression. Crinkling a bit, when you scrunch your nose in indecision.

You’ve been itching to cut his hair for weeks, but you can’t decide which style you’d like most. The same as when the two of you met? Shorter, but with fluffed-out bangs? Uniform and crisp?

“Let me see?” Viktor requests, and you shift from side to side anxiously.

“It’s not finished yet, Vik.”

But he still gazes up at you expectantly, so you hand him a mirror.

He looks mostly pleased, gazing at his reflection for a moment, rotating the mirror around him to see.

“A bit shorter,” he requests. “You’ve done a fine job, though.”

Ah, so he wants it how it was when you two met. Alright. 

At the compliment, you shoot him a look that must contain the full smugness you feel, because he rolls his eyes as he gives the mirror back to you. 

“I’m meeting up with someone tomorrow,” he tells you once you’ve started trimming again. “Another vampire - Sky. I knew her as a child. She’s been raised on animal blood.”

“Oh?” you question.

“Yes,” he confirms. “I’ve… worried, recently - that perhaps the replacement isn’t as effective to those who’ve only been exposed to animal blood. I’d like to experiment as much as I can before I begin distributing the recipe, and Sky has a steady source of human blood if it doesn’t work for her. She’s willing to try it.”

He turns his head toward you, only realizing his mistake a second too late as you trim. Your heart immediately starts pounding through your chest, and you let out a soft curse.

“Are you trying to have me chop off your ear?” you ask, half-joking. “How am I supposed to give you a good haircut in these conditions?”

“Ah,” he says, shooting you a soft, apologetic look that warms you from the inside out. “Definitely not - I’m sorry. How bad is it?”

As your heart rate slows, you let out a shaky breath and look at the damage done.

“Thankfully not bad,” you sigh. “I was already going to take off that bit. Go on?”

“Oh, eh - I was… I was hoping you would come with me,” Viktor stammers. “Tomorrow. To meet with Sky.”

“Of course,” you hum, combing through his hair one final time before setting down the shears. “I’d be happy to come with you.”

“Thank you.”

This time, Viktor reaches for your hand again, watching you as you pull the sheet away from his neck with your free hand.

“Ready to see?” you ask, grabbing the mirror and holding it to him. “You look very handsome, you know.”

“Do I?” Viktor asks, grasping the mirror from you. This time, he smiles, looking very happy with it, eyes crinkling around the corners. “Ah. You did well,” he affirms. “Just as I always knew you would.”

“Funny,” you say. “A true comic poet. I’ll ask Jayce if there are any openings for you at the market.”

“Trust me, I never doubted you for one second,” Viktor continues, reaching for his cane before he dusts the remaining hair from him and kisses you on the cheek. “I had full faith in your abilities.”

You can’t subdue the huge smile that spreads across your lips as you watch him walk away.

─────────────────────

When you wake the next morning, you walk into the kitchen to find Viktor in the midst of gathering ingredients, collecting papers, and snacking on various sweets. Ever since he found the peppermints at the bottom of the sweets bag, he’s grown quite fond of them.

When he leans in to kiss you, you find he tastes of sweet mint, scented of clean clothing and dirt and honey. You’re not one to complain about these things. You like peppermints, too.

Once afternoon has come and Viktor is fully ready, the two of you set out to meet Sky at the edge of the werewolf village, a mile past the market. It’s a brisk walk, but there’s a flat trail the whole way through - something that would have been nice to know when you’d journeyed in to meet Jayce all those months ago. 

Still, birds are singing in the trees above you, the sun is warm, and Viktor is more excited than, well, you’ve ever seen him. You’re content to stay in this moment forever, if you should ever have the choice. 

The time passes anyhow, but you’re determined to enjoy it all the same. 

Sky is early - already waiting there when you arrive, accompanied by her husband. She’s a shy, smiley woman with curly hair and glasses, and an addictive, soothing voice. You find yourself quite liking her as the two of you chat, but it’s not long before Viktor is stealing her away, eager to get started with the replacement. 

You can’t blame him. He’s been waiting his whole life for this.

Sky’s husband is a lanky brunet man who hovers at her side, mostly silent, observing you and Viktor with dark eyes - but there’s gentle warmth to them if you look long enough. You think he might have been introduced to you in the heat of everything, but you can’t remember his name.

In any case, the two of you mostly end up on the sidelines as Viktor takes Sky through the steps of the recipe. She doesn’t even flinch when Viktor pricks her finger, though the man next to you tenses. 

Independence for each vampire is Viktor’s overall goal, though, so naturally, it would require each vampire to avoid becoming reliant on anyone else. Sustainable ingredients that anyone could access. A harmless amount of one’s own blood.

A small price to pay for freedom, you suppose. Hopefully, her husband will understand.

This is your first time seeing this process, too, and remembering the nasty cut you’d bandaged on Viktor’s hand those weeks ago isn’t making you feel much better. Guilt still lingers behind you when you think of it - that you hadn’t been awake to help him.

Not that you could have helped it, of course, but it pains you all the same. At least he’d gotten the replacement out of that process, if nothing else.

He looks anxious, but his hands are steadier than ever as he drops the blood from Sky into the mixture. Very, very slowly, the liquid turns a deep, inky black. Even Sky’s husband looks perplexed.

Everything halts as she drinks it. The birds go silent. The wind stills, and your breath hitches in your throat. All you can see is Sky tilting the mixture to her lips, swallowing it, and shuddering. 

Very, very slowly, you exhale.

She says something very softly to Viktor - something you can’t pick up from your distance, but as soon as you see the look on his face, you understand - it worked.

A huge smile breaks out on Viktor’s lips, and he immediately pulls Sky into a hug. You can’t help rushing over to him, and his arms quickly wrap around you, so tight that it nearly crushes the air out of you. 

You don’t care at all - he could break one of your ribs and you wouldn’t care at this moment. You’re so happy that you can barely breathe, clinging onto him, grasping his arm as Sky’s husband claps him on the shoulder, smiling for the first time since he’d arrived.

In the upcoming moments, you discover his name is Pierre, and he keeps thanking Viktor on repeat, despite how Viktor tries to brush off his successes. 

“It’s nothing,” Viktor tells him over and over. “I’m glad to help.”

After the initial burst of joy, Viktor gives the list of ingredients to Sky, as well as some other instructions - to let him know if she notices anything off, to tell him of any heightened senses she experiences, and to share the recipe with anyone she thinks might benefit from it.

Sky seems to be floored by the latter instruction.

“What?” she asks. “Viktor, this is your recipe. I can’t just… go throwing it around without due credit! You should be the one sharing it with everyone!”

“It would be impossible for me to get it to every vampire out there,” Viktor says, tone frustratingly logical. “Paying it forward would give the best chance of it doing the most good.” 

When Sky still doesn’t seem convinced, he sighs.

“Please,” he implores. “I didn’t do all that research to keep it locked up.”

“Alright,” she says warily, tucking the recipe into her coat. “But I’ll be telling them all where it came from. You still deserve credit!”

And with that, she and her husband leave.

Viktor seems to be in shock at her departure, watching the two silhouettes fade into the forest.

“She’s right, you know,” you tell him, moseying up to him. “You deserve credit for your work.”

Viktor scowls. “Getting the recipe out is more important,” he says. 

Still, he spends the whole walk home chattering about his relief - about how he hadn’t been sure that it would work, and how much good it’ll do now that it’s out there. About how many vampires he knows who are in desperate need of it, that will finally be able to gain the true independence they’ve been looking for their whole life.

You can’t help but smile, arm looped in his.

“What?” he asks when he notices.

“You’re very inspiring,” you tell him. “You make me want to do good in this world.”

“You have,” Viktor tells you with a crooked grin. “For me, and undoubtedly for others. And you will, for as long as you live.” 

And when the two of you get inside, he kisses you like he’s never kissed you before, tucking his cane up on his arm.

He still tastes faintly of peppermint, lips soft and sweet against yours as his hands trail down your waist, settling at your hips.

You’ve gotten to this point once or twice in the last few weeks, and every time, you’ve stopped for the same reason - neither of you has ever gone past this.

Or at least, that’s what you’ve been able to discern from Viktor’s stammered apologies, every time he’d pulled away. And you’re in no rush, despite the lingering heat his indisposition always left you with.

This time, he seems to be fueled by adrenaline - made clear by the ardor of his actions, by the way his hand fists into your hair, then relaxes, his thumb brushing at the sweet spot behind your ear.

You can’t help but shudder at that.

“I… don’t want to stop,” he murmurs against your lips, fingers tracing down your jaw. “Do you?”

“No,” you say immediately. “I want you.”

And, for as fast as life has been happening the last few weeks, the sex starts remarkably slow.

First of all, the two of you agree that you should be in Viktor’s bedroom. His bed is bigger than yours, and it just seems right. You head up there in silence, though, his hand lingering on your back speaks volumes.

When the two of you get in, Viktor sets his cane down and sits on the bed, his golden gaze trailing your every moment.

Your hands are slow, too, when they start peeling the layers off him - watching the way he takes in a startled breath, eyes dilating when they meet yours. His hand is warm when it cradles your face, thumb slow when it strokes your cheekbone.

You move slowly when you take his shirt off, pressing feather-light kisses to the skin, relishing in its softness. To his clavicle, you do the same, and to his sternum, and the soft curve of his stomach. When you go a little lower, pressing your lips against the waistband of his trousers, he makes a soft sound and places a hand on your shoulder.

He’s gotten hard in the last few minutes, and you can’t lie to say that you aren’t eager at the sight of that.

“Can I try something?” you ask, pulling up to kiss him, brushing a loose strand of hair out of your eyes. “Is that okay?”

“Alright,” he confirms breathlessly, though his hands linger on your waist like he doesn’t want to let you out of his arms.

Then, all at once, everything is fast.

You unbutton his trousers, nibbling at his ear, and it becomes clear just how affected he is - his underwear straining against him. Heat floods between your legs, the back of your neck grows hot, and you can swear that even your mouth starts to water.

As you press your palm to his erection, Viktor whimpers, and the sound opens up into a moan as you repeat the action.

You could listen to that moan forever, but you have other plans in mind. You pull at his underwear. Viktor is quick to stop you, though, tugging at your clothes.

The message is received quickly - he’d like to not be naked while you’re fully dressed, please. And you’re happy to oblige, although you can’t help but feel vulnerable as the two of you peel the layers away, exposing your chest to the balmy air.

His hands start by moving to your ribs, trailing up to your right breast almost exploratively, pinching at a nipple until it goes hard, then mirroring the movement on the other side.

“How does that feel?” he asks. “Is that alright?”

“It’s perfect,” you murmur, pulling at the last of his clothes. “Don’t stop.”

And he doesn’t. He circles one of the hardened buds with his finger, bending down to wet it with his mouth, sucking on it until you’re fighting back a sound. Then he repeats it on the other one, leaving you to cling to him and shudder until you remember what you’d been doing.

Soon, he’s naked, and you are too - and embarrassingly wet, despite the way you’re trying to ignore that. You know for a fact that you’re leaving a wet spot on top of the thigh you’ve been straddling, though you’re quick to move further down.

When you press a kiss to the bone of his hip, Viktor flinches hard, drawing in a shaky breath as he stammers out your name, his cheeks and the top of his chest flushing a deep, rosy color. His eyes shimmer as they look at you, glimmering like freshly fallen snow.

“Can I?” you ask, and he nods, thumb brushing against your cheek.

Your fingers trail downward, past the dark, curled hair, to the silkiness of his cock, warm and smooth in your hand. Immediately, he chokes out a groan, fingers moving to fix in your hair.

“Fuck,” he breathes. 

In a moment of sheer curiosity, you circle your lips around the head of it, gently moving your mouth down. His response is similar - a hissed curse, fingers tightening into your hair. His cock twitches in your mouth, and that’s about all the encouragement you need.

You’re careful about it - the movements of it, listening for the telltale moans. You’ve never done this before, but you’ve crossed through enough dark alleyways to have seen it done - enough to at least have a general idea of what you’re doing. You mind your teeth, use your hand when you’re not sure if you can fit more of him, and eventually, you taste salt.

Not enough to be a full climax, but enough to let you know that you’re getting close. And, wanting to draw it out, you pull away. 

Viktor shudders at the loss, closing his eyes for a moment. His ribs expand as he inhales deeply, then his eyes are back on you.

“Tell me what feels good,” you request, stroking his length up and down as you kiss his thigh. 

He laughs a little, sighing at the sensation of your hand on him, his fingers still clenched - albeit, gently - in your hair. “E-everything,” he manages. “Everything. Please, don’t stop.”

And you don’t intend to - not until you’re satisfied.

This time, you’re a little bolder, taking him a little deeper, sucking a little harder. His moaning gets louder, which only encourages you to try more. Your free hand ghosts over his thighs, and - in a moment of impulsivity - runs over his scrotum, earning a soft whimper from him, but a hip jerk of sensitivity as well.

You try again, this time much softer, and he pants, hair plastered to his forehead, hips canting up to your mouth, cursing mixed with the sound of your name.

“I’m - close,” he grits out, hand tightening in your hair as a warning. “Fuck, I - I…”

And, well… you want to see him come. So you don’t stop. You keep the rhythm up, you keep your mouth and your hand on him, and moan around him for good measure. And that does it.

He thrusts into your mouth, letting out a soft, searching noise which turns into the sound of hissed air as his lips fall into a soft ‘o,’ his free hand gripping at the sheets as he shudders and heaves.

His release in your mouth is salty-sweet, light and warm against your tongue. On instinct, you keep swallowing until it stops, until Viktor lets out a final groan and jerks as you mouth against his now sensitive tip.

“Fuck,” he says, gently pulling you away from him. “Come here.”

You nose along his clavicle, pressing soft kisses to the bone until he tilts your chin up with his fingers and presses his lips to yours.

You wonder if he can taste himself on your tongue.

You don’t get the chance to find out. Soon, he’s kissing down your neck, and every thought in the world fades away but the feeling of his lips against the vein of your jugular, his teeth gently nibbling against the skin.

He kisses from your sternum down to your thighs, only halting to nudge your legs apart. It’s only then you realize his goal, face heating as he tucks your right thigh over his shoulder, gently nibbling at the sensitive skin.

“May I?” he asks. “I… want to taste you.”

You feel like you’re on fire, burning up from the inside out, but you muster out a nod. It’s funny how confident you’d been with your mouth around him, but you’re ready to shrivel up into a ball with the way he’s looking at you now, gold eyes flaming, slowly dilating in the low light. 

“Tell me,” he requests softly.

“I want you to,” you breathe, trying not to throw your hand over your face to avoid his gaze. “Please.”

That must be enough, because he settles himself between your legs, his breath hot against you. You can’t help shivering, reaching out to grab the sheets next to you. Viktor grumbles, moving your hand into his hair.

“Pull, if you like,” he says, and without another word, his mouth closes around you. 

As always, he starts off experimental, letting out a soft moan when he tastes you. 

Then a gentle move of the tongue, a ghosted circle around your clit, anything that makes you tick. Whenever you make a noise, he repeats the most recent action, and soon your back is arching off the bed and he’s practically holding you down.

Then he adds his fingers. 

You’ve always had an admiration for them - slender, nimble, steady. Inside you, they serve to make your muscles tense, heat pooling up in your core, pleasing building in waves until Viktor abruptly stops, then starts up again a moment later - this time much softer. 

When his fingers curl in just the right spot inside you, you gasp, pulling at his hair, chasing down the pleasure.

“There,” you pant. “Please, there.”

Viktor immediately fixes his fingers to the same spot they’d just been and lightning courses through your veins - sparks of pleasure, electric ecstasy, sweet release as you grind down into him.

He moans in response, and the oscillation has you whimpering, just on the verge of a climax. Your muscles are tensing up, so close, and just a moment later you’re crashing down, clenching around his fingers, bathed in ambrosial pleasure.

You definitely end up moaning out his name in the midst of it, and you think he might moan again when he hears it, but everything is too fuzzed up to really be sure.

Afterward, when you’re finally recovered enough to think, you sling your arm over your face, laughing a little.

“Christ,” you murmur. “When my parents told me a vampire would eat me, this isn’t what I pictured.”

That earns a laugh out of him.

“What a shame - vampires are completely misunderstood.” He presses a kiss to your thigh, sucking a little. “This entire time, we’ve only been trying to get between a pair of very nice legs.”

You echo his laugh, sighing deeply and contently before he speaks once more:

“Can you go again?”

You think about it for a moment, recalling some intimate previous experiences you’ve had with yourself on long nights after a day’s labor.

“Yeah,” you tell him. “Yeah, I think I can.”

And Viktor returns to his work.

This time, his tongue is softer, and you’re much more sensitive. His mouth, warm and wet, is dizzying against you. Sweet, gentle, skilled - it’s not long before you’re hovering on the edge again, only able to say his name.

He backs away like before, and after you’ve been riled up to the peak again, he slows down once more, rendering you a shaky mess.

If you’d been in any state to question him, you might have. Instead, you whine out a soft Viktor and let him do as he pleases, bringing you up and down from the edge twice more before he finally brings you all the way up to orgasm.

As it washes over you, you tremble from head to toe, panting, shuddering, crying out in ways that would be positively shameful if anyone lived close at all to the two of you. 

Luckily, no one does - meaning that you’re free to moan and pull at Viktor’s hair and whimper at the aftershocks until they fade. You’re left shivering with sensation and sensitivity until Viktor finally pulls away, pressing one last kiss to your thigh before climbing up to you.

He starts by settling himself next to you, brushing damp strands of hair out of your face. Then he presses a kiss to your cheek, nosing down into your neck as he wraps his arms around you.

To your complete shock, he’s hard again - you can feel it, and it’s confirmed when you look down.

It stirs something up inside you - pumps more adrenaline into your veins and heat between your legs as you reach for him.

“Fuck me,” you breathe. “Please?”

“Demand after demand,” Viktor mumbles teasingly, but you don’t miss the way he twitches at your words. 

Pushing up above you, he props most of his weight on his good knee, spreading your legs open around him as he slowly presses against your entrance.

“Fuck,” he groans. “You’re - so wet.”

“And whose fault is that?”

He laughs.

“Eh, mine,” he says. “But I can’t take all the credit.”

And then he’s kissing you, and slowly pressing into you, checking in soft, murmured words that you’re alright - that it doesn’t hurt.

And, after your affirmations that it doesn’t, he begins to thrust.

It immediately becomes clear that neither of you are going to last very long. The way he stretches you - the maddening roll of his hips; it drives you up and down the peak of climax, similar to his tongue. You’re both trembling, panting, trying to hold on, but you don’t care. You wouldn’t trade it for the world.

You’re very content to hook your arm around his back and press kisses to his face and shoulders, and he rocks up into you in steady motions that stoke fiery heat in you, and grow in desperation as you start to tense.

As both of you grow closer, he kisses you hard, pressing his forehead against yours. You come just as he pulls out and spends on your stomach, still heaving from the orgasm.

The two of you watch as the pearly substance drips down your abdomen, hypnotic and glistening in the light. Then Viktor heads out for a moment to get a wet cloth to clean you up with.

When he returns, his actions are gentle and tender, and the two of you change the sheets together, laughing at your new clumsiness. 

Apparently, your knees don’t like to be mixed with sex.

“You need the cane more than I do,” Viktor tells you.

In response, you laugh - laying yourself down against the fresh sheets. Viktor is quick to join you, pressing a kiss to your forehead, turning down the lamps before silence falls and his breathing goes even.

He’s quick to fall asleep. You can still see him as the night goes on, your eyes adjusting to the soft glow of the moon, watching him as he rests and his eyelids flutter.

You can’t seem to find that same rest, however much you want to. Your mind races with today’s events, refusing to be quiet or still. The blood replacement. The sex. Even the bite plays on your mind, over and over again.

And Viktor tosses and turns in his sleep, mumbling softly under his breath as he dreams. You find yourself listening for words, but they’re indiscernible. His chest rises and falls, and you itch to touch him.

Eventually, you end up with his back facing you, sheets draped over his lower half. There, freckles dot the silky, porcelain skin, mapping out stars over the ridge of his shoulders, dark flecks that run down his spine. Just as beautiful as the rest of him.

You can’t resist gently tracing them. Gently smoothing fingers over soft skin, forming your own pattern of moon-kissed constellations before he stirs, turning toward you.

“Hm?” he asks, barely awake. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you murmur, fighting back a soft laugh. “Go back to bed.”

Then his arms wrap around you, and blissfully, sleep comes in the warmth of his touch.

tags: @mischievous-piltovan @yeehawbvby @dianounais @avid-main @stararctic @doctorho @mello-jello29 @arcane-is-life @am-3-thyst @thefiasco-onyourblock @glowstick-cafe @orangechickenpillow @the-lake-is-calling

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[chaoscommissioner]

How to prepare for winter during the autumn:

- Wash your cooler, summer bedsheets and replace them with warmer, flannel ones. The nights are growing colder, so you'll need them!

- Switch out your summer wardrobe for your winter one. It's time for sweaters and jeans! Remember to try on everything and make sure it still fits. If anything needs patched, now is the time to do so.

- Descale your coffee maker so it's ready for brewing. Fresh, warm beverages like tea, coffee, and cocoa are a must in cold weather! Descaling is easy to do and ensures that the coffee will brew nice and strong without getting gunked up.

- Clean out the house one final time from top to bottom. You won't be able to air out the house as much during the winter if you live in a colder place like me, so with the house shut up for so many months a dusty, dirty home can get overwhelming and lead to depression. My advice is to start with emptying out the cupboards and placing anything you haven't used or think you won't mix in a box and put it in the garage or some other storage place. When spring comes, keep anything in the boxes that you actually missed during the winter. If you didn't miss it or forgot it existed during that time, then the item no longer serves you and can be given away or repurposed. After cupboards are organized and decluttered, wipe down any ceiling lights and fans, dust and repair any furniture, scrub down the windows, and vacuum or sweep the floors. Finally, air out the house and freshen up the vibe with some candles or a potpourri. Try not to use incense since the smoke is better for spring (in winter you just trap the smoke in the house and it settles on the furniture!).

- After that last incredibly long paragraph, we continue to the more niche categories. If you have a fireplace, a wood-burning stove, or a firepit outside, make sure the firewood is chopped and easily accessible. You'll want to keep the fires burning all winter long. If you have an electric or gas heater, switch out the filters and check to make sure it runs properly before you really need it.

- If you grow a garden, take in your harvest and complete all of your canning, jarring, and otherwise preserving of foods to squirrel away and hold you fast until next summer when produce returns. Then tear up the dying plants to empty out the garden beds (unless it's a plant that needs to stay rooted until next year like garlic or onion). Make sure to save and label seeds from your best plants too so you can grow them again next year! Bring in any flowers or house-type plants from outside if you want to keep them, and cover up any berry bushes to protect them from the cold. Fertilize the now empty garden beds and till the soil to expose pests to the frost.

- If you have an orchard, make sure you take all of the old fruit out of the trees and move it away, as it will otherwise attract insects as it rots. After the first hard frost, spray down the tree trunks thoroughly with neem oil (it's completely naturally derived and organic, don't worry) to kill off any pests or fungus hiding in the bark and weed around the tree base. Then use a pitchfork to fluff the soil, exposing any bug larva and eggs to the chilly frost to cull them and keep them away from your trees during the next year. Wrap the base of the trees in garden fleece to prevent any more insects from attempting to re-lay their eggs in the bark. And finally, you'll want to do the pruning during winter itself since the tree will be dormant then.

- If you hunt or fish, the season is upon us! Properly get your license and/or permit and only take what DNR or your local equivalent says you can. They set those limits for a reason, so follow them! Place any extra meat in a freezer to use throughout the winter months. Personally, I highly suggest learning how to butcher and process prey on your own because it's less wasteful when you have the option of keeping the bones (broth and tools), the pelt or skin (leather), etc. All organs are just as edible as the meat itself and are far more nutritious. If you don't like the taste, smoke it and make it into jerky. There's honestly no excuse to waste anything, regardless of which side of the fence you stand on with meat-eating. If you have the time to go sit outside for hours and hunt, you have time to respect the animal and do things properly. Plus, there will be more resources for your time. Try to only take what you will actually need and use. Anything you don't use, give it to the eagles, crows, foxes, etc. Because they will be more than grateful for the easy prey during the scarcity of winter. You can also respect and honor the prey populations by leaving out some grain for them for the same reason.

- If you have any sort of livestock, winterize their pens/coops and make sure they will be comfortable during the dark months. Stock up on any feed they will need to ensure they won't go hunger and deep clean their areas thoroughly, including their troughs and water areas. Contrary to the belief of some farmers, corn damages your animals insides to a severe extent as no ones bodies (even ours!) are actually made to eat that. We just can't break it down all the way, and the vast majority of corn is sprayed to Pluto and back with harsh chemicals that cling to the grain. Take the time to look up proper diets for livestock (and yes, affordable options DO exist while still maintaining the health of the animal!). This will also grant you better quality product as well and is well worth it Check the animals over for any diseases and deal with them.

- If you follow the more rugged, off-grid path, collect any final herbs, spices, or mushrooms you may require during the winter. Craft and stock up on medicines, candles, soaps, and any other tools you might need. Check over your energy/power source to ensure they function properly and your water system for any issues. Make any necessary, final updates to the house (check to make sure the windows are tight-fitting, insulation is up to par, etc.) so it stays warm and safe during the winter.

[miss-choco-chips]

F’coffee

-.-.-.-.-.-

Honestly. What did Bruce even think would happen? He should have known better.

Tim wasn’t Dick, indoctrinated from a young age to be a good, somewhat (when convenient) obedient son. Tim only went along with Bruce’s shit because, more often than not, it aligned with what he himself wanted. He also wasn’t Damian, so easily manipulable when one knew which buttons to push. And he certainly wasn’t Jason, who would sink his own ship to kill the captain.

So, when Tim and Bruce fought, and his adopted father decided to pull the ‘you live under my roof and work in my company, so I’m the boss all the way through’ card, well…

Yeah. Tim wasn’t going to take that lying down. He had a childhood of zero authority figures to obey and an overabundance of sass, plus a complete lack of fucks to give.

It was bound to go down like this.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

And, well. Tim had money. Like, an absurd amount of money. Even before being adopted by playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne, Tim had his own no small fortune stashed away, a couple of properties gathering dust, two trust funds and more antique cars that he knew what to do with. So he could just… burn through that money, or sell the cars, or make a living of renting the buildings he owned, and he would barely even scratch the surface of his deep wealth.

But it wasn’t about being able to live comfortably with minimum effort. Tim was trying to prove a point here. What point, fuck if he knew. But a point.

So here he was, on the other end of the wooden counter, a cute red cap falling over his eye as he looked dead into his friend’s eyes.

“Tim. Tim, you’re rich. Why are you working in a coffee shop?”

Seeing as Kon and Cassie were currently too busy being shocked, Tim shrugged and went back to cleaning the cup in his hands.

It was a plastic cup. It didn’t need cleaning, he could just toss it away. But it was his favorite plastic cup, and he was gonna save it as a family heirloom forever.

(The fact that the pretty customer from the morning shift had drawn cute little doodles all over it had nothing to do with it’s worth.)

“Teenage rebellion”, he finally said, carefully putting his treasure away.

“You are twenty.”

“Time is a social construct and I’m but a slinky falling down an endless flight of stairs.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Your face doesn’t make any sense. How is it so symmetrical? It defies nature.”

-.-.-.-.-.-

“What can I get for you?”

“I'll have a mocha caramel latte-chino, made with skim milk, no whipped cream.”

“Bart, no.”

“Please put that in a grande cup”

“I’m begging you, don’t do it.”

“But use the same amount of coffee that you'd put into a tall.”

“I’m warning you, you don’t want to do this.”

“That way there's about an inch of extra room on top.”

“I wish you had an extra inch so I could look straight into your eyes when I murder you.”

“To stir in my own nutmeg without spilling any coffee at all.”

“You’re dead to me. Also, I AM going to make you that drink and you WILL finish it or so help me God.”

“What do you want, Kon?”

“To not be here when Tim’s looking like he’s planning both our unsolved murders.”

-.-.-.-.-.-

When Kon entered the shop, the messenger bag slung over his shoulder bumping against his hip as he rushed in to get his caffeine intake before his evening classes, he wasn’t surprised at the scene.

Cassie being there was a given, since there was always at least one of them there at all times, supporting Tim in this ‘independence’ thing he was dead set on trying. Kon himself had his Tim Shift later that day, after his creative writing course. Bart had probably just left, considering the amount of empty cake platters littering the counter.

Tim being face down in said counter, uncaring about the mess, was also old news. The dude barely ever seemed to leave (Kon was almost completely sure he actually owned the place, since he’d never seen any sort of manager and Tim’s hours seemed to work around his weird sleep patterns all too perfectly), and distraught was his general state of being, so. Normal day as far as he could see.

Still, he had to ask. “What is it today?”

Cassie, eyes never leaving her magazine, chin resting in one hand as the other one scratched at Tim’s scalp, snorted.

“A cute boy started working in the tattoo place next door. He came in for a morning fix, when Tim was barely awake, and he said something stupid, so he’s been having an existencial crisis ever since.”

“I said ‘you too’, Kon. He said ‘thanks for the coffee, I’ll enjoy it!’ and I said ‘you too’. What is wrong with me?”

Kon snorts a little. Tim doesn’t seem to be very interested in doing his actual work, so he just jumps over the counter and starts working the machines himself.

“You know that’s a question you can only ask your therapist, Tim, but if you need to know, I’d say you’re highly sleep deprived and a dysfunctional bi?”

At that, Tim does turn to look at him. There’s some cake frosting clinging to his eyelashes, and his hair is a mess. It looks cute, to be completely honest, and Kon has to leave his unfinished latte on the side so he can hug the little shit.

“Aw, don’t pout, Timbo. I’m sure he thought you were cute. Just try to sleep a bit more tonight, so when he comes back tomorrow you’ll be a little more alert and won’t embarrass yourself.”

“What do you mean, when he comes back?”

“I mean, if he works next door, he’ll probably get his morning coffees here all the time, right?”

That seemed to drive Tim back into the distraught spiral. He smashed his head back into the counter, making dying whale noises until Cassie’s hand returned to his scalp.

Kon privately thinks Tim’s life is starting to sound like fanfiction. He wonders which type of background character he would be, in it.

-.-.-.-.-.-

The shop is called F’coffee. That’s why Cassie is convinced Tim is the actual owner; no one else would really think that’s a proper name for a serious establishment. Kon isn’t convinced all the way yet, but with Bart on her side and Tim staying silent on the subject, it is just a matter of time until she convinces him it’s totally okay for him to do his gym routine there. She thinks, with Tim being his own boss, no one would tell him to stop it, and it would help his friend’s business to bloom with new customers.

The place's general aesthetic is exactly what you would expect, with old wooden tables, comfy chairs, potted plants hanging from the walls and tall windows just a little bit stained. The smell is constantly of the strongest brew Tim has, Death Coffee (which he’s actually not legally allowed to sell, so he keeps it for himself), and just setting a foot in makes her feel instantly awake. It's also always warm, and the sweets on display look mouth watering no matter your personal preferences.

In short, it looks like something out of a movie. It’s a tad too perfect for her friend, but she thinks it also fits his obsessive need for perfection.

Except for the board. Oh, the board. Cassie loves it more than life itself.

Tim has divided the drinks in categories. And made up names for all of them.

“Yes, hello! I’d like to order a grande, iced, sugar-free vanilla Latte, with soy milk, but I can’t seem to find it in your menu…”

Tim’s dead eyes turn to Cassie for a second, before facing his customer again.

“You’re probably looking into the Normal People section”, he points out, before raising his hand to signal a bit to the left. “There you have the Pain In The Ass selection. There’s nothing just like you asked, but you have the It’s Britney Bitch beverage, which is almost exactly the same except I’ll add a middle finger drawing in the cup and charge you extra for emotional damages. Also, we’re out of soy milk.”

Or…

“Hey, good morning! I’d like to order…”

Tim raised a hand, stopping the chirpy, good looking young man dead in his tracks.

“Don’t tell me, I know what you need. I’ll just go ahead and prepare it.”

“But you don’t even know what I/”

“You’ll have a Cougar Bait. It has cacao cream, a strawberry pucker and some grenadine seeds. I think it's fitting, for you.”

And also…

“Hey, hum… Sorry, I just have to ask… what’s on the ‘Barista’s heart’ drink?”

“Cacao powder, almond milk and espresso. Also some organic coconut ash, that gives it the blacker-than-night color, that’s just a shade lighter than my soul.”

“...noted.”

Cassie snorts into her cup of Jack it up (coffee that tastes just like a Jack Daniel’s; having Tim working here has opened up her eyes to the possibilities), watching as Tim makes his own usual.

“What’s in that one?” She asks, out of curiosity, when she’s sure there’s no other customer close by.

“Six espresso shots.”

She waits for a second. Tim finishes the drink, carefully handling the dark liquid inside his favorite plastic cup.

“...okay, and?”

“And that 's it.”

“Tim, that-- that would kill you?”

“Duh. Why did you think it was called The Last Sip?”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

[walks-the-ages]

I think Tumblr ate my other post, so here's the short and sweet version above the cut:

January 2022:

*literally* every single week, every price-change night, grocery prices are going up.

There's four weeks in a month and that means grocery prices are going up at least 4x every month.

If you have the means, please consider stocking up on the staple foods of your households.

Don't clear the shelves or anything, but if you can, try to invest in a chest freezer (we got one for $200 a few years ago, you might be able to find them cheaper used), and maybe start grabbing an extra loaf or two of bread, and extra box or two of butter, and putting the extras in the freezer.

Stock up on staples that you know you will use.

Start buying the big boxes of instant oatmeal.

Start buying the big bags of rice.

Start buying big bags of the different kinds of dried beans (these can also be used as seeds to grow your own in the garden! Simply plant directly in the grown after your last frost, popping them in the soil and covering lightly)

Stock up on potatoes, and onions, and look up the best ways to store them (seperate from each other!) So rhat they last for months; if they start to sprout, you can plant them in containers. (Potatoes will grow more potatoes, while onions will grow greens and eventually flower and set seed that you can plant at the correct time for your zone.)

Stock up on sweet potatoes. (Cut the end off of one while you're prepping them and sit it propped up in a glass of water. It will send down roots and send up shoots-- once the shoots are long enough, gently break them off the sweet potato peice and plant directly, or stick into water to root further before transplanting.

.Sweet potato leaves can be eaten like spinach, and the vines if left to spread over the ground as they grow will root and form even more sweet potatoes.

Though they both have "potato" in the name, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are completely seperate species and you should *never ever* eat the plant section of a potato plant.

If you are lucky enough to have your potato plant flower, hand pollinate it, let it set *inedible* fruit, and save the seeds when the fruits are fully ripened. Again, do not eat the fruit, it's poisonous-- but you now have TPS, or true potato seed. Clean it, dry it for a few days with a light fan, and store in a cool dark place like your other seeds. You can now grow your own unique potato varieites next year and save the tuber's of any that turn out well to clone them in the traditional way)

If your fridge is actually organized, you can stock up on apples that are on sale and store them in the fridge-- many of the newer varieites such as Cosmic Crisp and Envy are bred for storage; CC can last up to 6 months in the fridge with proper storage.

Stock up on canned foods your family actually likes, as well as canned goods such as "cream of" soups that can be mixed with rice to create a flavorful meal.

Stock up on ramen noodles-- not much, but it's something, and a hot meal even in the poorest of times. Grab spices and seasonings to refresh your pantry so you can jazz up even simple meals.

If the garden center in your local grocery store is set up, get your seeds early and learn when to plant them in your area, and how to save seeds from what you grow so you don't need to buy seeds again.

If your tap water isn't good (aka like 90% of Americans) stock up on gallons of water, as well as flavoring packets to make the tap water more palatable.

If you drink coffee, get at least one container of instant coffee, and a container of powder creamer if you usually use liquid.

Stock up on frozen meats that are still relatively cheap compared to their fresh counterparts, or buy fresh meat when it is on sale and freeze it, taking steps to prevent freezer burn. Meat prices are going up around a dollar per pound (or more!) each week that I have done the price changes on fresh meat.

Again, don't clear out the shelves, and I'm not trying to panic anyone.

But I work in a grocery store, and every single week I am watching prices go up over and over again.

[tightwadspoonies]

Grocery Store Gardens

Did you know that if you buy just about any fresh veg from a grocery store, you can grow more of it on your own? 

It’s true!

While some of these methods might not net you tons of produce, they’re a fun project and can at least save you a little in produce expenditures (and decrease waste!) if you were originally planning on throwing the seeds/butts/eyes of your fresh veggies away, here’s a chance to give them new life!

From Seed:

Trying to harvest and grow fruit and veg from seed is often the least reliable way to grow veg from supermarket produce (due to hybrids and interbreeding, which means you’re never really sure what you’re going to get-if anything- with grocery harvested seeds), but since seeds are familiar, it’s definitely worth mentioning! Seeds that are most likely to grow are those that have not been irradiated (which stops the seeds from being able to grow), and those that are fully mature (for example, colorful peppers instead of green peppers, which are not ripe enough to produce viable seeds). It is advisable to wait until the fruit/veg is very ripe or overripe before harvesting your seeds.

Tomatoes: Slice ripe tomatoes into slices, and place 4 of the slices in a gallon container of potting soil. Cover with a half inch or so more potting soil, place in a warm, sunny place, and keep moist. Seedlings should start sprouting in 7-14 days, at which time you should pull the strongest ones and re-plant them in their own pots. Once there is no longer a danger of frost, you can plant these in the ground outside or move their pots outside on a patio.

Peppers: Remove seeds from ripe (orange, yellow, or red peppers are most likely to be ripe) peppers, dry them for a few days. Once dry, test your seeds by placing them in a clear zip bag with a damp paper towel in it, and taping this to a window. The ones that sprout (time to sprouting can vary) can be moved to starting trays or their own pots. Once there is no longer a danger of frost, you can plant these in the ground outside or move the pots outside on a patio.

Winter Squash: Wait until the squash is as ripe as possible without rotting (slightly rotten is fine if you weren’t planning to eat it, or didn’t get the chance to), then remove the seeds and let dry for several days. Do as you would for peppers. Keep in mind that the squash that grow from grocery store squash seeds may be very different than the squash they came from.

Citrus fruits: Remove whole seeds from the citrus fruit of your choice, and place in a bowl of water. The ones that sink are the most developed and have the best chance of growing. Wrap in a damp paper towel and place in a clear zip bag but leave the bag slightly open. Place in a dark place (like a drawer or in your closet) for 2-6 weeks, until 2 small leaves are clearly visible. Carefully plant this tiny plant in a container of soil. Keep the soil moist. If kept well, this will form a tree that will bear fruit in 3-6 years. In a warm climate the pot can be moved outside, while in a cooler one you may want to keep your tree inside in the winter.

Avocado/Mango: Do as you would for citrus fruits, but instead of waiting for leaves, just wait until the root is about 3in long before taking it out and planting it in a pot (you will have to scrub the mango pit clean, let it dry a few days, and remove the outer part of the pit to get to the large bean-like thing in the middle, you do not have to do this for the avocado). Note that it will take about 8 years to start producing fruit, and when/if it does, it may not produce the kind of fruit you were expecting. But they do make a nice houseplant!

Stone fruits (peaches, apricots, plums, etc...): Place the pits in a small jar of dirt in your fridge for 3-4 months, until they start sprouting roots. When they begin to root, take them out of the fridge and plant them in pots. These are another 3-6 year investment, but of all the store-bought-pit-trees, these are probably going to produce fruit that is most similar to the original fruit.

From an existing base or part of the fruit/root:

Growing things from existing parts of plants will yield you a lot more consistent results and is often a lot easier than growing from seed, but it is a little more of a unique challenge!

Onion/Green onion/Celery: Cut the base off the onion or celery bunch about an inch from the roots. Set in a small, shallow container about half-full of water, coming up only a quarter to a half inch up on the base. In a few days, you’ll see shoots come up and roots start to form. Change water every day or so until there are plentiful roots, and then transplant to a container filled with potting soil, where they will continue to grow.

Turnips/Beets: Cut the root off about 2 inches below the top. Eat the root and plant the top in some potting soil so the very top is just sticking out of the soil. It will grow greens, which you can harvest and eat raw or sauté, and over time the rood will re-grow.

Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes: Wait until eyes start to form on your old potatoes. Cut them up, making sure that at least one sprouting eye is on each piece. Get a deep container like a trash can and fill the bottom 6in with gravel or rocks. Fill the container with potting soil/dirt and bury your potato pieces about an inch deep. They will shoot up leaves and stems within about a week (you can eat sweet potato leaves, but NOT white potato leaves). Place outside if it’s after the last freeze where you live or keep inside by a window. Wait about 4-5 months or until the above ground plants die, then dump out the container and find all your new potatoes! Its like a scavenger hunt!

Garlic:

Outdoor: Stick a single clove of garlic 2 inches deep in the dirt in the fall a few weeks to a month before the ground freezes. The bigger the clove, the bigger your bulb will be when you harvest. Cover with mulch or straw or cardboard or whatever you have if you live in an area with cold winters. Harvest in July/August the next year. 

Indoor, for garlic greens: Plant 3-4 cloves in a pot by a sunny window. The cloves will shoot up greens within about 2 weeks, which you can cut and use like garlic.

Ginger: Essentially, take a piece of ginger with some eyes on it (more likely if it is older (but not shriveled) or organic, as conventional ginger is often treated with growth retardants which make it take a lot longer to grow) and do as suggested for avocado/mango, as above. You can harvest the above-ground shoots and it will grow more ginger below ground over time!

[bamfdaddio]

X-Men Abridged: 1981 - the Body-Swap

The X-Men, those body-swapping mutants that have sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them, are a cultural juggernaut with a long, tangled history. We’ve been untangling that history for a while, but sometimes, you really want a more in-depth look. Interested? Then read the (un)Abridged X-Men!

(Uncanny X-Men 151 - 152) - by Chris Claremont and Josef Rubinstein

Emma Frost and her frenemy Ororo Munroe have not been getting along! One fateful evening, as the two quibble away, they mysteriously switch bodies and minds. Talk about your Freaky Friday! What lessons will they learn, walking a mile in one another’s shoes? And will they be able to switch back, or will they stay in each other’s bodies forever? Mutant Monday, coming soon to a cinema near you. Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Angela Bassett and Elliot Page. (PG-13)

For a moment, we’re in a proper period drama: a letter delivers ill tidings!

I love that Kitty’s parents are so self-involved that it took them A WHOLE YEAR to realize that it’s weird that Kitty is the only non-adult attending the Xavier Institute.

I can only assume the mailman interrupted a pool party of some kind? Or a communal shower? I get why Kurt would not swim a lot - all that fur - but did Scott wear that while they were splashing around? Was it a beach volleyball competition where one half got to wear swimsuits and the other half superhero costumes? Most importantly, was Scott’s costume always this tight?

Not that I’m complaining, mind you.

The awful thing is that Kitty’s parents are transferring her to the Massachusetts Academy, not realizing that headmistress Emma Frost is, in fact, a terrible human being. Charles, uncharacteristically, says that changing their minds telepathically is a line he does not cross (any more) and half the viewing audience bursts out in laughter. More importantly, last they saw Emma, she was kind of dead-by-Phoenix, so it might be better there this time? Kitty does a Classic Teenage Stomp-Off and Storm comes to comfort her. Kitty cries that life is unfair (“My parents are only doing this because they’re splitting up”) and Ororo tells her that yes, life is unfair. You just gotta roll with the punches as best you can.

To be fair, bald men are technically all cheek, so it doesn’t matter where you kiss them.

While I enjoy the relationship Kitty has with the other X-Men (Scott gave her a compliment! Logan told her his name!), especially the mother-daughter-bond she shares with Ororo, the whole Piotr-thing always gives me pause. Even if we’re being very generous with age, Kitty is, what? 14 going on 15? And Piotr is… 19? At best? I get why Kitty would have a crush on him: he’s a gentle hunky giant: at fifteen, my teenage ass would have felt the exact same viz-a-viz Colossus’ upper arms. The fact that Piotr reciprocates feels skeevy, though, especially because they’re always treated like star-crossed idiots these days.

Skee-vy.

Ororo drives Kitty to Massachusetts, where her young ward is greeted by someone named Muffy and whisked away for orientation. All seems well. Ororo stands in a parlour, surveying the grounds and considering that they should have fought harder for Kitty. Still, nothing seems too wrong just yet: this Academy just seems very preppy.

Not-at-all-dead Emma takes her cue and jumps out, saying (essentially): “Surprise motherfucker.”

There’s a flash of light, and then...

I’m willing to bet that Emma’s EVIL journal has the following to-do-list: - Steal Storm’s body. - Experiment with her powers. - See how good Storm looks in white. (Leather? Fur?! Both!??) - REWARD: Smoke break.

I wonder if Emma’s plan hinged on being able to body-swap with Storm, or whether any X-Man would have sufficed. Was her original target Xavier? Cyclops? What if one of Kitty’s parents had brought her to Massachusetts, would she have taken Kitty instead?

In a locked cell, Storm wakes up in Emma’s body and is horrified. I wonder why Emma didn’t take any more precautions. Couldn’t the guy who made the freaky friday-gizmo also make a power dampener to nullify not!Emma’s telepathic abilities? Or did Emma count on her victim being so utterly incapacitated by her mind-powers that they’d be driven mad? (This would actually tie in with some of Emma’s later-revealed history: when her powers first emerged, she also got locked away in a padded room because of her madness.)

Emma is not wrong, by the way: Storm can’t get a handle on Emma’s powers. What follows is possibly the sweetest moment in an arc filled with sweet moments:

This arc isn’t drawn by any of the regulars - not Byrne, not Cockrum - but Josef Rubinstein brings his own kind of panache to the pages. I love the way he draws women’s faces: in a story that’s all about women, their faces are actually distinguishable. Kudoz.

Emma, meanwhile, coordinates with Sebastian Shaw to execute the second part of their two-pronged attack on the X-Men. They both laugh evilly in their phones while the mansion is attacked by Sentinels! These androids take out Cyclops and Xavier with some sleeping gas and knock out Nightcrawler, but the rest of the X-Men manage to trounce these robots. Then ‘Storm’ appears! She zaps the rest of the X-Men (and Amanda Sefton), successfully finishing their master-plan.

It’s not entirely clear what the Hellfire Club wants with the X-Men this time, but I’m assuming it’s more experimentation to improve the sentinels? Eh, doesn’t matter! Nefarious Hellfire Club is nefarious.

The real Storm, meanwhile, comes to claim Kitty, forgetting that she looks like the one and only Emma Frost. Kitty spooks and Storm accidentally reaches out, knocking her out telepathically. Whoops! Storm takes Kitty and flees in a car, while Emma gives chase. (How dare Ororo run off with her body, which is absolutely the kind of hypocritical hilariousness we all love Emma for.)

Kitty awakens and jumps from the car, causing Storm to swerve and...

JETSTREAM!? Speaking of which, where are the Hellions in all of this?

Kitty sees that an unconscious ‘Emma’ is about to burn to a tender and moist little crisp and she is faced with the hero’s dilemma: would you save a villain that would never save you?

Emma, meanwhile, has realized the downside to body-swapping: somebody else gets to run around with your body too. Shaw, of all people, talks her down from her anger.

You can’t just introduce a persona exchange gun to the plot WITHOUT EXPLAINING WHERE THE FUCK YOU GOT IT FROM.

My favorite detail is that Emma keeps calling Kitty brat, like she’s some sort of Pokémon-villain.

Kitty, meanwhile, has saved ‘Emma’ and tied her up with a special knot. Storm tries to convince Kitty, going for the “ask me something only Storm would know”, but Kitty’s all: “Duh, you’re a telepath.” Ororo insists, but the thing that clinches it is when she breaks free of her ties without breaking a sweat. That knot was taught to Kitty by Ororo and she’d be the only one who knew how to break out of it.

Storm and Kitty recruit Stevie Hunter to come pick them up and during the ride, Storm-being-angry-mother!Storm convinces Kitty more than anything else:

After all, Storm was voted most likely to say: “If you don’t stop this nonsense immediately, I will turn this Blackbird around, so help me God!”

Ororo and Kitty sneak inside. Ororo even uses Emma’s telepathy to help her pick a lock after phasing through a door. (Kind of funny: Kitty’s still such a neophyte that she can’t even phase with anyone else yet.) Emma, meanwhile, taunts the captured X-Men, presenting herself as the new white queen:

Anybody feel the inclination to point out that the Hellfire Club did this exact same thing last year, except then they tried it with a redhead?

I secretly suspect that the Hellfire Club’s plots always revolve around seducing X-Men to their side and dressing them up in sexy lingerie. (Which: fair.) There’s also a subplot where the guys Wolverine cut apart last year want to exact revenge on him for being made bionic, but eh. We’ll start paying attention to them when they become actual Reavers.

Kitty phases through the locks of the X-Men, freeing them, and a kerfuffle ensues. Emma starts using Storm’s powers, but they grow out of control. Colossus tosses Shaw out of the window - which should just be company policy, really: all Shaws should be defenestrated - where he’s promptly hit by a rogue thunderbolt.

When he doesn’t get up, Emma starts to lose it. The weather goes wild. Storm intervenes, using her telepathic power to help calm down Emma (and the raging storm), but she also manages to get a hold of the swap-gun. There’s a zap, and with a satisfied sigh, the status-quo is restored again.

My favorite implication is that, apparently, Emma decides which school Kitty attends and not her parents.

While this little arc is neither the most iconic nor the most profound of 1981 -- those would be Days of Future Past and I, Magneto, respectively -- I still love this for a couple of reasons.

As a lover of Freaky Friday, 17 Again and the new Jumanji-film, I just have a soft spot for body swap plots. (Hi Psylocke!)

It focuses on the Xavier Institute as a school, planting seeds for the upcoming New Mutants.

It is very female-driven without beating you over the head with it. (Looking at you, Birds of Prey.)

It has three definitive main characters, who all get fleshed out in fun and interesting ways. It starts the trend of robbing Ororo of some of her powers and tossing her into against-the-odds circumstances, only for her to come out on top.

It solidifies the Storm/Kitty mother/daughter (or older/younger sibling) dynamic. Kitty is a believable teenager when it comes to Storm - clever and kind, but also looking for answers and prone to rash decisions - and I love how much they care for each other.

Jean/Storm-friendship-callback, yay!

Emma gets fleshed out as a villain. Resourceful and petty, powerful and vain. It’s no wonder she’s one of the break-out antagonists of the X-Men, because, like Magneto, Claremont is not afraid of giving her depth. Arguably, she is the most three-dimensional of the Hellfire Club at this point.

Yay! And fuck completely sensible plots, if you don’t know what to do with your plot, just introduce a random persona exchange gun. Let’s use it on Xavier and Legion in Way of X next!

[hiimsociallyawkward]

the darkest hour pt 2

i'm back with my bs. this is for my bestie @lady-ofmagic-andstars. basically, all of my dumb thoughts while i watched 'darkest hour pt 2', 04.02 of merlin. in case you weren't aware.. ✨spoilers✨

right off the bat i'm sad

ok when i first watched this i was really confused. i mean, you see others when they interact with the dorocha have that perpetual frost on their face right? all of them, every single one. so imagine my surprise when merlin has no frost on his face, and he's miserable yea- but he's not dead??

like tbh, watching this again, ik why but when i first watched this, i was SO confused.

arthur looks so worried slkdjfalskfsd

him being willing to abandon the mission to get merlin back to camelot to be treated 😔🤪😎🤤🤩 lots of emotions

LANCELOT. of course it's lancelot. santiago is perfect. actually.

merlin looks so SICKLY. it physically pains me to see him like that

okok hahaa. the scene where percival is carrying merlin. i have several notes on that.

1) ik it's supposed to be all 'noble' looking. yk? them walking in slow mo, percival carrying merlin like he's been slained in battle. knights looking knightly

ALL I CAN FOCUS ON IS THE LACK OF PROPER NECK SUPPORT FOR MERLIN. PLS TELL ME I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE.

like pls

second note, idk why this remind me of hagrid carrying harry back

idk maybe that's just me but it feels oddly reminiscent

colin is SO pale my heart is actually hurting for him what the heck

asf;lsdjfa;lsdfj 'take me with you' stop.

dude they ACTUALLY care about each other. i just love them. arthur is so worried rn and while i'm like 'alsjfalsdj i don't want arthur to be sad and worried' we can see just how MUCH arthur cares about merlin.

like yea, we KNOW that they care about each other. but arthur is the prince and merlin's a servant so arthur can't have friends, but they're friends, and they care, and it makes me happy

ok it's sad and everything that merlin's basically dying but is it bad of me that i chuckle at merlin SLUMPED over on his horse?? probably.

but i mean, merlin is already raising himself up so he can sit more comfortably on the horse. ik that doesn't mean that he's in the clear yet, but he's doing a LOT better than the other people who ran into the dorocha. idk where i'm going with this

to quote the destiny and chicken podcast (who i love btw, if you want an awesome merlin podcast, check them out), they stay on arthur's face for SO long after merlin and lancelot leave.

i feel EVERYTHING that arthur is feeling in this moment. he's so pretty

there's another beautiful landscape. i'm not even sorry i'm gonna attach them ALL.

tell me that's not gorgeous

LMAO WHAT IS GWAINE DOING IN THAT TREE.

gwaine is the EMBODIMENT of 'boys will be boys' when he sticks his hand into that tree and gets swarmed by bees.

he's adorable and i love him

ok but also, someone tell me why capes are so hot. someone TELL me.

separate from the episode but on the note of capes being hot, i want a cloak SO BADLY. like the whole gist. floor length, big hooded cloak. why?? it's not like i'm sneaking anywhere but still. ✨cloak✨

ok the line where leon goes 'if anyone can get merlin back to camelot, it's lancelot' and arthur's face?? idk what to make of it. someone help me pls.

ok actually this probably isn't the best reaction shot but someone please help

the only thing i can think of is that arthur momentarily forgot and was reminded that merlin was in danger bc of him?

another thought is that he thinks he should take merlin back instead of lancelot?

ik for a fact you guys are better at analysising this stuff than i am so pls, thoughts?

i love lancelot so much. first time i watched this, i was CRUSHED

him carrying merlin to the lake(?) pond(?) area and then covering him with his cape? i love it

ok idk why but i love the idea of merlin instinctively going towards the water

it makes me think back to how he's made of magic and basically everywhere, espeically nature, has magic and instinctively- he wants to connect with nature as much as he can so his body just puts his hand in the water

a dumber thought i had, his hand is ✨sparkly✨in the water HAHAH

omg when the water called lancelot i deadass thought it was freya. i'm actually dumb i have WATCHED this before and i STILL thought it was freya

'a future that has been written since the dawn of time' makes me so proud but also so sad at the same time

it's like, yes, merlin is going to 'save the world' but it's like he's there just to do that. anyways, i just want him to be happy

MORE SPARKLY

these water spirts are op but also MORE SPARKLY. hehe i thin kthat's so funny

also, i'm literally only like 7 mins in. buckle yourself in

l;askdjflskdjf arthur going into the tunnels with the wilderons?? i miss merlin ouch. AND THE GAJA BERRIES. arthur misses merlin.

ok percival tackling gwaine?? cuties ;))

heheheeh gwaine kicking a skull and then running directly behind arthur for protection?? pls stop. i already love you

HAHA OK. THEM WEARING THE GAJA BERRIES ON THEIR FACE REMINDS ME OF THIS FACE MASK . THAT'S LITERALLY HOW I LOOK WITH THAT THIS FACE MASK ON HAHAA

yes im dumb, but the 5 of them slowly peeking over the rock and then ducking back down?? i love that so much they're so cute

omg what's wrong with me. not these knights literally FEARING their lives and me going 'they're so cute'

ANYWAYS

gwaine you absolute dumbass. smh merlin just took it but you just HAD to stab it. #cancelled

FRICK. YOU. AGRAVAINE.

YES. i have a love hate relationship with gaius, but BUST into the council room. king energy right there

smh gaius you pUSH over.

I LOVE GWEN RIGHT HERE

YES

FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

DON'T LET ALL THOSE SMELLY OLD COUNCILMEN PUSH YOU AROUND

THIS IS ACTUALLY QUEEN SH!T RIGHT HERE EVERYONE ELSE CAN LEAVE

stfu agravaine 'gueniviere'. ST F UP

ok gwen. pop OFF

you KNOW that arthur would've fought agravaine on this. GO GWEN for speaking her mind

oh look at me with anotehr fic rec. sort of, not really. ok but this scene with gwen talking about all the villagers remind of this fic called To Love, Honor, and Piss Off by @thenerdyindividual .

ok so it's basically a fic where basically merlin and arthur have this 'arranged marriage' type thing for 3 years, and merlin is arthur's 'common consort'. what that means is that arthur marries merlin as a show of good faith and to learn more about what it means to be a commoner- merlin giving arthur the tea about commoner life

anywAYS. check that our if you want, but i loved it

stfu 'i feel the pain as much as you' agravaine. hop off my dick

YES. GWEN. PLANT THAT SEED OF DOUBT THAT AGRAVAINE MIGHT NOT BE ALL THAT HE SEEMS. i love gwen :,)

wow when she's intellegent with her speaking so everyone HAS to side with her but also respectful so NO ONE can get mad at her?? i stan. i ACTUALLY stan

santiago is so pretty

the PANIC in his voice. i stan.

HAHA AND MERLIN'S SNARKY 'SHH'

merlin is ready to GO. he's like, sorry for almost dying. that was ill advised of me.

i'm actually soft for any displays of friendship ever. what does that mean about me 💀 KIDDING. anyways..

i love the *swing* *duck* 'yea, not as quick as arthur

sa;kfs;akdfj lancelot insisting that merlin go back to camelot and merlin just nOt

LADS

stop rn. lancelot's face when merlin turns away. i am in pAin. I AM SO SAD OVER LANCELOT. PLS LANCELOT.

this isn't exactly, but morgana's paleness from here on out reminded me of merlin when he was literally DYING.

anyways, that's my note on that

like, yes- i get it- morgana is evil now. but idk should i feel bad for her? she looks so pale and ghasty and just :(

aksfhaskdjfas;ldf morgana

HAHA MORGANA IS SO EDGY IN THIS MOMENT. 'I'D RATHER DROWN IN MY OWN BLOOD THAN SEE THAT DAY' SO DRAMATIC. WHY IS SHE SO EMO/GOTH. LIKE IK I SHOULD BE SCARED FOR WHAT THAT MEANS BUT I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING

stfu don't kill gwen i'll KiLl you

agravaine literally needs to die

stop. i am literally SCREAMING when agravaine is asking gwen to meet him in his chambers. PLS. STOP. STOP STOP STOP. I NEED A WHISLTE. I BITE MY THUMB AT AGRAVAINE. HE NEEDS TO SACK THE HATEFUL MANSION. BETTER YET I'LL BURN HIS MANSION

again, someone tell me why capes are so hot. especially these red ones?? i'm in love with them.

ok see this guy?? he just died with the forst on his face. not merlin?? he started getting better. surly that should've tipped them off that merlin was different

merlin's little head quirk when he does magic. ALSFJASLDFJAS MERLIN. NO ONE SAID YOU WERE USELESS. AND IF THEY DID I WOULD BEAT. THEM. UP. GIVE ME ADDRESS RN.

wow. seriously. i'm gonna attach all the pretty landscape pictures

morgana's like 'i'll cut a b!tch'. ok ik morgana's evil and everything, but morgana flinging that guard against the wall is bad ass

oh this is weird but gwen telling agravaine to 'show courage' but the whole room tinted green? ik this isn't harry potter or anything but idk i thought that was interesting. i'm not abt to go into if i think agravaine is a slytherin or what but still

STOP. GET. YOUR. HANDS. AWAY. FROM. HER. I ACTULALY HATE HIM. SHE'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE. BACK THE FRICK UP AGARAVINE.

morgana :( smh you can't deny that morgana and gwen carried for each other and morgana flinging gwen away is making me sad. don't touch me

asldjfasldasd 'you're never alone' elyan i love you

lancelot and merlins being lads. omg no them talking about gwen

lancelot is SO noble. stop this reminds me of Die for you in secret by @emrysofmagic so much right now. not gonna lie. your fic LITERALLY lives in my head rent free and sometimes i think of it and my heart just HURTS in those last few chapeters. PHYSICALLy. i am in pain. anyways.

stop the trope where it's like "i love them, but i just want them to be happy. it doesn't matter if they're with me or not. i just want them to be happy"

I WAS LITERALLY SCREECHING AS MERLIN WAS CALLING KILGHARRAH i'm not even capping

ok so it's been like a month ish since i've watched merlin bc i was waiting for @//f-f-podcast 's destiny and chicken podcast, so i don't exactly what terms kilgharrah and merlin are at right now

still i think it's very sweet of merlin to bow slightly when kilgharrah looks at him

'the bravest and most noble of them all' 🥺

aw. merlin is really saying good bye right now

ok this scene is weird bc like i said, i don't rlly remember how merlin and kilgharrah are right now but it still makes me sad

asldjfslakdjfasd merlin and kilgharrah are old friends now. that makes me happy but sad at the same time

ok the 'it will be an empty world without you, young warlock' kills me.

obviously, we know that even though they butt heads, kilgharrah and merlin both care about each other

not only is kilgharrah being forced to let merlin go right now, but he's making peace with the fact that he'll be alone

the last dragonlord is planning to die. and kilgharrah is going to be alone again, like he was in that cave.

another thing is that if merlin died rn then we would never have aithusia. i'm kinda going on a tangent now but idk this scene is sad

this forest is so pretty

literally just lancelot's face and lancelot in this whole episode.

that's my note

HAHA GWAINE BURNING IS SOCKS

LADS BEING LADS

I LOVE THEM

omg i always see posts about this.

like merlin and lancelot planned that lancelot was going to walk in first and trick them and THEN merlin walked in

that's so funny to me. they're SO dramatic HAHAH

merlin looks so happy

BRO

ARTHUR

JUST HUG

HIM

PLS

STO

P

JUST HUG HIM WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM

Tell me why they actually look MARRIED here. PLS

🥲🥲 SELF SACRIFICING IDIOTS I LOVE YOU BOTH YOURE BREAKING MY HEART

LADS I LOVE THEM

🤠🤠 arthur wanting Gwen to be happy is KILLING ME. He loves her so much

This is so pretty. Honestly like how

Who let merlin have this many pretty landscapes

HOENSTLY

Lajs;dlkfajd buds in a boat together.

This reminds me of going to amusement parks and there’s always that boat ride

They’re the cutest

Ok so they also have this picture. It’s actually 3 pictures spliced together because the episode pans down and it’s really badly spliced (sorry) but LOOk how pretty that is.

WTF

Omg not me literally copying merlin with his slow mo head flick at the wyverns to make them go away

;sldkfjasdlkjasd leon percival and elyan and my heart.

Ok i’m not even gonna try to lie. They all have my heart

Frick you cailleah

Omg i was like ‘gwaine you dumbass’ jK i love him. Pls don’t come for my neck

Asldjfasldjfka ‘i’m prepared to pay whatever price is necessary’

HAHA CAN YOU NOT. WHAT IS WITH THIS CREEPY ‘COME HITHER’ HAND MOTION MS CAILLEAH

Stopp rn. ‘It’s my density

STOP. I AM HOWLING. LANCELOT

WHY

COME BACK

NO NONO PLS. YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME.

stop rn merlin is all alone.

PAN TO ARTHUR WHO IS LITERALLY SURROUNDED BY EVERYONE.

Stop they all look so sad. I’m so sad.

merlin looks like he’s cried

I’m not sure abt arthur with his ‘no man is worth your tears’ type business but still

I am ✨sad✨

I screamed at this picture. I am depressed

Anyways

Gwen’s face is killing me

I’m so sad i don’t even want to write commentaries

Arthur realizing that lancelot only died because he loved gwen

Gwen standing in front of the fire

Aslkdfjasldjfa im so sad

HER STANDING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE ALL ALONE.

I. AM. SO. SAD.

STFU THAT THRONE IS NOT “RIGHTFULLY” YOURS MORGANA

STOP PLS GET AWAY

WHAT IS WITH THIS WEIRD TENSION

PLS DO NOT STAND WITHIN KISSING DISTANCE

IK YOU’RE NOT TECHNICALLY BLOOD RELATED BUT STILL.

PLEASE.

STOP.

I HATE AGRAVAINE

✨we hate agravaine in this house✨

😭😭 not merlin having ANOTHER secret. I’m so sorry bby

Anyways! I’ll be back next week to rant more about the wicked day so I’ll see you then! thanks I love you bye

[chappythegardener]

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