#“You are going to a farm without meetings and phones and you are going to get in touch with nature and relax god dammit!”

[foreingersgod]

Can you write a CC x country reader that has a heavy accent, like Texas or smth and how it makes people react to it?

this is such a cute idea, i decided to put my own little twist on it so i hope you like it!

Texas Twang . CC

pairing: caitlin clark x reader

synopsis: you were born and raised on a texas farm, eventually moving away for college where you met caitlin. here’s a list of 5 times she’s fallen in love with you and your accent

A/N: #5 is a wee bit spicy (trying to feed ya’ll as per request) so please skip it if you’re uncomfortable with that!

also i got these sayings off of google cause i dont know any texas slang or how to convey the reader having an accent so sorry if they’re literally not real 😭

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1. when you first met

you were panicked, running around your small room trying to find your stupid fucking phone. you were already running 5 minutes behind, the clock on the wall told you, but you wouldn’t be able to find your first class of the morning regardless if you didn’t find your phone. checking under your heap of blankets, in the drawers of your desk, and even in your laundry basket, you found nothing.

then, after throwing every book out of your backpack as a last resort, you saw it laying below discarded orientation papers and sticky notes. with a sigh of relief, you snatched your phone and sprinted out of your building.

you were running at full speed, which was a little embarrassing considering every one else on campus was just walking normally. but you were extremely behind and would be so mad if you were late to your first class at this school. so you continued to weave through people. you dodged campaigners, sped through large groups on the lawns, probably knocking down a few people in the process.

your sprinting seemed to pay off when you noticed the building up ahead. you glanced at the time, seeing you still had a few minutes to make it if you really hurried. your legs ached as you continued to speed walk past bypassers.

then, without notice, you ran right into someone passing by. the force of your impact causing the both of you to fall to the ground in the middle of the quad. if you weren’t late already, you surely would have been now.

“shit” you heard the other person cuss under their breath. you looked up, still planted on the ground, to the person in front of you.

she was an insanely attractive woman. lean, about 6 foot, muscular, just your type you might add. she was pushing herself off of the concrete side walk, brushing the gravel from her pants. you followed suit, standing up then apologizing profusely for running into her.

“oh my hell, i’m so sorry” you exclaimed “i was goin’ way too fast, i apologize”

she gave you a crooked smile, shaking her head.

“no you’re ok, it happens, i should’ve been paying attention”

“no, really ‘s my bad”

her face twisted ever so slightly as you talked “you’re not from around here are you?” she blurted “sorry, that’s completely irrelevant, i just noticed the accent”

you laughed, this wasn’t the first time someone was confused by the heaviness of your accent “it’s fine, i don’t mind. yea, no i’m from a small town in texas, i moved up here for college recently”

“oh really? that’s cool” she smiled, extending her hand to you “well, i’m caitlin by the way”

“i’m YN” you returned her handshake “ ‘s so nice to meet you, but i’m runnin’ late for class”

“wait” she stopped you before you ran past her “do you think i could grab your number, maybe i could take you out sometime?”

you were all smiles “i’d like that, i’d like that very much”

2. your first argument

you don’t even know how it started. all you knew is that some girl was getting flirty at the bar and, according to your girlfriend, you were letting her seduce you. this was obviously not true. you and caitlin hadn’t been dating that long, but it has going really well and she’s incredibly important to you. important enough that you wouldn’t just be flirting with other women at the bar.

nonetheless, you were being dragged out of the bar. caitlin was oozing jealousy as you headed back to your place for the night.

“she was all over you, YN” caitlin sneered, following you into your apartment and slamming the door.

“oh my god, she wasn’t!” you rolled your eyes “good lord, arguing with you ‘s like tryna piss up a god damn rope”

“what?”

“what do you mean what?” your accent was thick, rolling off your tongue.

“what the hell does ‘pissing up a rope’ mean?” she looked at you confused, dropping the girl from the bar entirely.

you looked at her equally confused “you don’t say that here?”

“uh no, i think that’s a you thing” she said “your texas slang is distracting me and it’s making it very hard to be mad at you right now”

you chuckled, kissing her cheek “ ‘s just my southern charm, baby”

3. when you sing in the car

caitlin hated country music for the most part. but when you came along, you made it your duty to get her to enjoy it at least a little bit. she had never been subjected to small farm country music and to you, that was a sin.

so you’d play it for her on occasion, if she let you. and surprisingly it was pretty often. she would never tell you, but she only put up with country music just to hear you sing it. she was completely mesmerized by the way your accent mixed with the tune of the songs.

one day you were in the car together, on the way home from a get together with friends. it was a warm summer evening, sun on the brink of setting causing the sky to glow shades of orange and pink. cait was driving, per usual, you being her honorary passenger princess. she rolled down all the windows for you (even the sunroof) just how you liked it. you loved feeling the hot summer breeze blow through your hair with the radio turned all the way up.

“you follow me, and lead me on..” you hummed lightly, ‘all your’n by tyler childers sounding through the car radio.

she snuck glances at you as she drove down the empty street, watching how you let your arms hang out with window and let the wind fan over your face.

“so ill love you till my lungs give out” you closed your eyes, lost in the moment “i ain’t lying’”

caitlin so desperately wanted to pull over and listen to you sing all night long. your voice was like a gift from the gods. the way your accent slurred with each word had her melting in the drivers seat.

“i’m all your’n” you looked over to caitlin, smiling “ ‘n you’re all mine”

she smiled back, reaching across the console and resting her hand on your thigh.

she let you play your music the rest of the way home, just wanting to listen to you sing for a little bit longer.

4. when you met her family

you had waited months to meet caitlin’s family. no really, families were your thing. growing up in texas, it was common to be in or surrounded by a big family. and you knew big families more than anyone else, having 9 siblings, you being the middle child. it was a setting you thrived it and you tended to get along with people pretty well.

caitlin was hesitant to introduce you, she was freshly out of the closet and had never brought a girl home before. but this thanksgiving, she thought it was the perfect time to introduce you.

“so, YN” caitlin’s mother asked from across the table. “i’m sure you’re not used to such a small family, caitlin told me you come from quite the family tree?”

caitlin’s hand found your knee under the table, squeezing it lightly for comfort.

“oh yea,” you chuckled “my mama had a whole litter with 9 ‘a us. it was always crazy around the house, with 5 brothers n 3 sisters. and my daddy wasn’t around to help out off’n, but that’s a whole ‘nutter can a worms”

the way her family reacted to your voice made caitlin laugh under her breath, watching how they slowly dissected your sentence trying to make out the words from beneath the accent. she thought it was cute, lucky to have such a unique and special girl.

even the way you interacted with her younger cousins had her fawning over you, you were just so sweet and gentle.

“hiya, sweetie” you smiled as caitlin’s baby cousin accidentally fell into you “took a bit of a spill there didn’t ‘cha?”

you were the perfect picture of a warm welcome, full of beauty and grace and kindness. caitlin knew, from this moment, you’d be in her life forever.

SPICE AHEAD

5. during sex

she’d be lying if she said that damned accent didn’t get her riled up. because truly, it had her wet the second you started talking.

when she would have you pressed up against the wall, one leg wrapped around her torso as she kissed down your collarbone and onto your cleavage. the way you would moan “oh darlin’” oh so sweetly in her ear had her going crazy.

the rare instances in which you would take the lead in bed, watching as you crawled atop of her, stripping her bare. how you would hook your fingers under her underwear, tugging them down her long and toned legs. she was already bucking her hips into nothing. then you’d fasten your arms under her thighs, pulling them apart to place delicate kisses along the insides of her legs.

you’d tease her a bit more before dropping your head low, hot breath fanning against her glistening cunt. she bit her lip, trying to suppress moans of pleasure, and you had hardly touched her yet. you took your time with her, tongue dragging deliciously against her, savoring the taste.

“well you’re just sweeter than cherry pie, aren’t ‘cha baby” you’d praise, having her arching under your touch. with that, she couldn’t hold her moans any longer, completely coming undone as you continued to treasure every inch of her body.

you were going to be the death of her. 

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

A/N: alright guys i tried to make it a little spicier, so feedback is much appreciated cause i honestly feel like it sucked lol

#caitlin clark x reader #wcbb #caitlin clark #wcbb x reader #iowa wbb

[deanbrainrotwritings]

—  SWEET KANSAS HONEY

SUMMARY : invited by her friend to a bee farm, but Dean wasn’t invited to their cute day out. Dean gets pouty… and, ya know, horny.

PAIRING : dean winchester x fem!reader

CHARACTERS : lavender mcclenic (oc), athena fonseca (oc)

WARNINGS/TAGS : explicit(18+), phone sex, dirty talk, sexting, voice kink, masturbation 

WORD COUNT : 1.5k

A/N : jamies elsewhere song title. this fills the free space square on my @jacklesversebingo card. lavender is based off of my best friend (athena is based off her gf) we have fictional plans to live on a farm, and have a tunnel connecting our houses LOL xxx

“Ah, this is exactly what we said our future would look like,” Y/n grinned, fixing the sunglasses on her face. She turned to face her friend, who did the same, walking towards the little shed where they could change into protective gear.

“Not really,” Lavender laughed, “you’ve got a boyfriend you love with all your cheesy heart. We don’t have a tunnel under our house like we said we’d have,” she listed, playfully. Y/n rolled her eyes and kicked the door open gently, sliding her foot along the bottom of the door as she stepped in before Lavender, looking around curiously. 

“Well, at least we’re still here, on a farm, makin’ money,” Y/n grinned, letting the door shut once her friend was inside collecting the white suits for them to slip into. Y/n placed her phone on the wooden table inside, the walls decorated with tools, and other items she didn’t know how to use. 

She changed quietly with Lavender, lifting the white suit over her regular clothes. They looked up at the same time and bursted out laughing for no reason at all. They were both bad at emotions, at least at saying them out loud, but Y/n had a feeling that laughter was a wordless I missed you. The phone on the table buzzed and Lavender looked over curiously when Y/n didn’t look. 

“It’s that boyfriend of yours,” Lavender teased, “you were so against dating, remember that?” Y/n shook her head and laughed, making sure she was ready to leave as Lav finished up.

“Whatever. So were you,” she dismissed, grabbing her phone with bare hands at the text notification with Dean’s name. She smiled, but she didn’t open it, and Dean sent another message. Her smile got wider.

“We grew up then,” her friend suggested, walking towards the door to open it with her back. 

“Sort of, I still like bees and honey,” Y/n told her, taking her own gloves before following her friend out.

“And I still think we should build a tunnel connecting our two houses. There’s plenty of land. I’d… do anything for you,” Lav hesitated with the last part, her cheeks turning pink. 

“Lav… that’s sweet, but-”

“The offer stands. Five years, or tomorrow—until we lose it all.” Lavender waved her hand to dismiss it and walked faster to avoid the embarrassment of being, well, loving. Dean texted her once more and she groaned softly. Either it’s an emergency or Dean’s just trying to get her attention. 

“I’m gonna…” Y/n trailed off and Lavender turned around and tilted her head at her friend. She lifted her phone and shook it. 

“Yeah, go, before I embarrass us both and keep saying sappy shit like that. I need a cleanse,” Lavender grunted, meeting her girlfriend who had the honey collecting tools on standby.

“Me too,” Y/n smiled, then turned around to check Dean’s messages. 

dean : Good morning, sexy, it’s been fifteen hours since I last saw you and I’m bored. So bored. How did I go through my childhood without you? :((

She laughed softly. 

dean : I woke up early and I was so cold because you weren’t sleeping next to me. 

Liar. He wears socks, pyjama pants, and a Henley to sleep. He’s the one who provides the warmth. Of course, he was just trying to be cute. And it was working. 

dean : I did a whole bunch of chores though. I cooked. Took Miracle out for a walk. Cleaned our room. And the Dean Cave. But I’m done now.

She smiled as she imagined him doing all of that. He’s undeniably adorable. He knew that. He knew how much he meant to her. She saw three speech bubbles appear, so she waited for his next message. 

dean : Oh. Hi, baby. I see you’re reading my texts now. I just want you to know… I’m picturing you coming home with a whole bunch of honey. And guess what? I’m licking it off your body. Yummy. 

She bit her lip as heat bloomed across her face. 

me : Good morning, handsome. I miss you, too. You’ve finished doing all that? Why don’t you watch a movie now? Read one of those books you’ve been wanting to read. Go to that bar that serves your favourite nachos, boys’ night out. I’ve got loads of suggestions if you run out. 

me : Also, you weren’t cold, but that’s cute. 

me : Second also, you can’t text things like that when we’re not together… very naughty, I don’t appreciate it. X

She saw the speech bubble again and she bit her lip, looking across at Athena and Lavender laughing together while they scraped the panels for honey. She smiled at them and missed Dean even more. 

She didn’t expect to see a photo. Not one quite like the one Dean sent. 

“Jesus Christ,” she muttered, looking back up. She clicked the photo anyway, a smile growing on her face, and arousal dampening her underwear.

Dean was in the shower. 

Of course he’d take his phone with him. Of course he’d take the chance to get off. He had a high sex drive. He was daring. Unafraid. And he knew how hot he was. Especially all naked and wet. With his body all taut and flushed pink from the heat of the water. With his face distorted in delicious pleasure as he touched himself, his lip plump and trapped beneath his cute teeth. With his hand wrapped tightly around his cock. 

dean : I fig read what you seny 

She laughed softly. And decided to call him instead. He picked up instantly. She heard the water falling against tile and skin before she heard his heavy breaths or his husky voice. 

“Dean,” she whispered, her cheeks on fire.

“Hi, babe,” Dean moaned and she gasped, her stomach twisting with excitement. “I was expecting a text, a photo, not a phone call, but, uh, I appreciate it.” She shook her head, listening closely to the loud, lewd, sound of his wet hand moving quickly along his cock. 

“You’re jerking off?” She blurted out, looking up at Lavender and Athena who were waving her over impatiently. She smiled at them and nodded, putting her finger up. 

“Mmm, my morning’s been good, too. Well, kinda, thanks for asking, beautiful,” he replied sarcastically, moaning occasionally as he spoke. Her clit pulse and she squeezed her thighs to stop the discomfort of her arousal. 

“Dean…” She moaned, but there was a hint of hesitation that he picked up on. He groaned. 

“I’ll hang up, but please, text me something dirty so I get at least a bit of reality in my fantasy,” he begged. She heard him swear quietly and then he laughed breathlessly. 

She closed her eyes and thought about what to do. What to say. He sounded so hot, groaning and moaning her name, pumping his cock through his fingers faster and faster. 

“Dean,” she purred. He hummed softly, distracted by his pleasure. “Be a good boy and cum for me,” she instructed, smirking when he groaned long and loud. “I want to hear you, baby. Fuck, I wish I could see you. I wish I had you in my mouth right now so I can swallow every ounce of your cum.” Dean cursed loudly, brokenly moaning her name as he came.

He panted into the phone and she bit her lip, waiting patiently for him to recompose himself. 

“Ah, fuck,” he murmured and she lifted a brow curiously. “That was hot, baby. We should do it often. Like… even when you are here. I’ll be in the dungeon and you can be in the garage,” he laughed softly to himself and she rolled her eyes. “I miss you. I know it hasn't been that long and that I’ve been sleeping for a majority of the time… I guess I’m just not used to being alone anymore. Without you. I’m sorry for interrupting your time with your friend.”

Her smile softened. “I miss you, too, Dean. And it’s okay… I’ll be back Sunday evening. That’s tomorrow, by the way,” she teased and Dean laughed shyly.

“You didn’t say yes or no to my idea,” he reminded her. 

She smiled. “Of course it’s a yes.”

“How about tonight? Can we set up a time for it?” He asked excitedly, then the water shut off, and she heard his wet footsteps, then the soft sound of his towel. 

“Yes, I’ll text you,” she breathed out. “Now, stop doing… whatever it was that turned you on, and get some proper work done,” she laughed, putting one glove on as she prepared to go with her friends.

“I… just got horny suddenly when I was taking a break. I was reading… ya know, All About Love,” he hesitated. 

“What? Why?” She laughed, but she knew him well, and she’d read the book. “Stop thinking of me. It makes me wet,” she pouted playfully and he laughed again. “And next time you take a break, don’t touch your dick… Until I tell you to do so,” she added with a grin.

“I love you.” She could hear the smile in Dean’s voice, the open and shut of doors. 

“I love you, Dean,” she responded lovingly. She could hear him breath softly and hum shyly, a whispered bye, and she hung up. 

“Wow, you just throw around the L word, now, eh?” Lavender teased as Y/n walked closer to them, ready to join them. Y/n laughed sarcastically and Athena giggled. 

“Shut up,” Y/n grumbled, playfully snatching the tool in Lavender’s hand to help them out.

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[am-i-the-asshole-official]

Aita for having a foursome without my partner while in a committed relationship?

I, 18f, am in a relationship with my partner who I will call Mike, 21m. Our relationship started in January when we meet on a hookup sight, and we liked the hookup enough to keep seeing each other and then we developed feelings. I'm from a pretty rural place and therefore the pickings of good men are slim so it felt like I hit the jackpot when I met Mike cause he was funny and didn't pressure me sexually and could actually make me cum.

But as our relationship became more serious I noticed things that were bothering me like how he's hardly on his phone so he doesn't text me back for anywhere from 2 to over 24 hours at a time.

He also in the beginning wasn't very good at communicating which lead me to not knowing what he wants from our relationship. He also wouldn't tell me he couldn't make plans until right before, or even after, the plans were meant to start. This happened often because he doesn't tell his parents that he has other plans when they ask him to do something (he still lives with his parents) and it even happened a couple times with his friends.

This is a slightly big issue to me because I have trauma based abandonment issues and BPD, and I will get upset and have an episode. Obviously it's not his fault I have these episodes and he's not causing them on purpose, but having episodes that often was negatively effecting my mental health.

My best friend Ken and roommate, 18n, and our two other friends, Julian, 18n, and Mac, 20n, had to witness the toll these episodes had on my mental health as I grew more depressed and anxious during the 5 months I allowed this to happen. They continuously encouraged me to either speak to him about his behavior or break up and I ended up talking to him and his behavior seemed to get better. (For context I only can see him about once a week because he has a job with long hours and works on his dad's farm on top of that)

Around this time my friends starting having threesomes together (Mac and Julian are ex fuck buddies and Mac and Ken are engaged) and they kept making jokes about how it should be a foursome/I should join then.

I brought these jokes up to Mike one of the times he was going to hang out with my friends incase made the joke in front of him as i didn't want him to go in unprepared. He said I should just "have sex with them to get the joke to stop" and I was like "??? We agreed to be exclusive, that would be cheating. Also if I wanted them to stop I could just ask" and he was like "yeah I guess but I still think you should just have sex with them. Just do it" I changed the subject cause I couldn't tell if he was joking and it made me uncomfortable.

I told my friends later when we were alone and they told me that was him giving me the go to have sex with them.

So I did, even though I held some reservations that he might have been jokinh. I had a foursome with them, and as I am the photographer of the group, took lots of photos and pictures and even sent the photos and pictures to the groupchat we share so the others could have them.

Then after it ended I started to second guess myself and deleted all the photos from my phone and texted Mike that I really needed to talk to him, like sooner then we usually would (since I had just seen him typically I wouldn't see him until next week). I felt gross like I had cheated, which is something I have always vehemently been against, and betrayed Mike's trust as we're in a committed relationship. I admitted these feelings to my friends and they said it wasn't cheating cause he told me too and even if he hadn't he was still horrible to me and he deserved it.

Only the last part made me feel even worse cause I don't believe anyone deserves to be cheated on.

I ended up telling Mike everything and he told me that it wasnt cheating because I "was basically just a promoted camera man" and that he had told me to do it anyway. But them he started making jokes about it. Like if I asked if he wanted to watch a show, he'd say "I don't watch TV shows with dirty cheaters" or things like "oh yeah, Mac, your other boyfriend" or "yeah i know how close you and Ken are" and just generally seems to get quieter when i bring up those three friends. I would originally think the comments were teasing as he's a playful guy but he started to say it enough that I can't tell if there's actually truth to it and a part of him thinks I'm a cheater, or all of him thinks I'm a cheater and he's lying that he's fine about it to not hurt my feelings/ruin our relationship.

Every time I voice my feelings to my friends (even the ones I didn't have sex with) they tell me that I'm not in the wrong but I feel like I definitely am in the wrong and a cheater, and I think that Mike might feel that way too. So I've come to Tumblr to look for unbiased options on whether or not I am and asshole and a cheater for having a foursome while in a committed relationship?

What are these acronyms?

#aita #am i the asshole

[sometimesanalice]

Oh Christmas Tree

Summary: Bradley’s never been one to look forward to the holidays, that is until he met you. He’s excited to do everything, including getting his very first real Christmas tree.

Warnings: Fluff, slight angst, allusions to smut. Minors DNI.

Length: 7.2K 

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw X Female Reader

(What was supposed to be a quick fluffy Christmas fic, somehow turned into this, enjoy!)

The atmosphere at the Hard Deck was livelier than usual, the music seemed more upbeat and the voices a little louder. It was the first time in a while that the entire Dagger Squad was together in one place. News of the success of the Uranium Mission traveled fast and had been keeping them busy in the months that had followed.

Things seemed to settle down a bit as the holidays rolled around, some has dispersed home for Thanksgiving while a few others had been given last minute orders to ship out for a short mission. You’d been dying to take Bradley Bradshaw home to meet your parents in person, but he had been one of the few sent away only set to return the day after Thanksgiving.

You’re sitting across from Natasha at a high top near the pool tables in the back of the bar listening to Jake talk about his visit home, while your boyfriend next to you talks animatedly about something related to his latest mission with Bob.

“I shaved off an extra 5 minutes from the last Trot. Turns out I’m in even better shape than I was the last time I was home for Thanksgiving,” Jake brags smugly taking a swig of his beer from his nearly empty bottle.

“Wait, you come from a Turkey Trot family? That explains so much. Please tell me, you guys wear matching Seresin family shirts for it too,” you tease without remorse. “Oh! Or maybe those turkey leg bobble headbands?” 

You hear Bradley snort into his beer as he drops a well-defined arm across your shoulders. He’s wearing one of your favorite Hawaiian shirts from his collection, and you’ve been having a hard time keeping your eyes and hands to yourself.

“Bradshaw! Are you going to let your girl trash talk me like that?” You turn to Bradley to see him smirk with a shrug at Jake’s indignation.

“I mean, if the headband fits,” he replies lifting his bottle up in cheers.

“Darlin’, you wound me. And for the record they don’t match, since we all get to decorate our own with those paints in the little squeeze bottles,” he says pointing his empty bottle at you before turning to Bradley, “And see if I ever save your smug ass again.” He walks away making his way to the bar for another beer.

“Formal petition to change his callsign to Turkey now. Him and Rooster could be the Bird Bros,” Natasha jokes after he’s out of earshot. “What about you, how was your trip home?”

“It was pretty good,” you feel Bradley start playing with the ends of your hair, while he picks his conversation with Bob back up. “Since my sister had the baby, my parents have been leaning into the new grandparent thing pretty hard. So I set to establishing myself as the fun wine aunt, and basically drank cranberry mimosas all day.” You pause to take a sip of your drink, “Which I regretted immediately the next day when my parents decided it was imperative that we all go to their favorite Christmas tree farm as soon as it opened to cut one down together. Baby’s first Christmas all.” You unlock your phone to pull up the folder you made of pictures from the visit, handing over your phone to let her scroll.

“Since they’re flying out to spend Christmas with my sister and her in-laws in Philly, I tried to talk them into an artificial tree. Which is blasphemy where I’m from, I’m pretty sure the state tree is the Douglas Fir. My family takes the tree hunt very seriously, there’s a science to it and everything,” you lean over to swipe past some of the selfies you took to show her the completed tree in your parents sitting room. 

“However, as you can see, my attempt to talk them into the lower maintenance, yet slightly ostentatious, fluffy pink tree of my dreams was met with a hard pass,” you say laughing to yourself.

She swipes backwards a couple times on the pictures. “This one is cute, why didn’t you post this photo?” she asks holding your phone up showing a selfie of you at the tree farm.

“Which one? Let me see,” Bradley requests, his conversation with Bob now abandoned. He’s already leaning into you and reaching across the high top with his large hands to take the phone from Nat.

It was a photo of you that Bradley hadn’t seen before. You were pink nosed wrapped up in cozy looking scarf, surrounded by pine trees and grinning into the camera. And his heart swells at the sight of the image before him. It’s just so you.

“You really look pretty,” he states sincerely. He glances at you briefly to see a hint of a blush spread across your cheeks before turning his gaze back to the picture of you.

He’d known you had been just as eager as he was for to him come home with you to meet your parents in person. You had even concocted a plan that involved him to try and help you get your hands on your Aunt Christine’s corn soufflé recipe.

“My mom has tried to get it for years, and she refuses to share it with anyone!” you’d lamented to him one evening after a couple large glasses of wine. “She always says she’ll email it, but she never does!” You gesture wildly. He loved getting to know all sides of you, but two-drink you was a particular favorite of his.

“Mmm. Girlboss, gaslight, gatekeep,” he nodded along in solidarity.

“Exactly, Bradley! You get it!” You take another long, deep sip of your Merlot, your feet tucked under you on his couch. “Me with my wiles and you with your Rooster charisma, I think this might be the year! I’ll set the groundwork and you can lay the ruggedly-handsome-impossibly-sexy-American-hero-thing on thick,” he loved how animated you were getting and he was having a hard time keeping the indulgent smile off of his face. “And she’ll fall right into our trap and release the goods all while thinking she’s staring in her own Hallmark movie.” He knew he would do anything for you, what his girl wants she gets. If that involves some light to heavy flirting with your aunt, so be it. He was getting soufflé recipe for you one way or another.

However, those plans were quickly dashed when he got the mission orders at the last minute. His stomach was in knots when it came time to tell you, but you were quick to put him at ease by reminding him there was always next year. “Plus” you’d said, “it gives us a whole year to craft our Stealthy Soufflé Scheme. Although, maybe we can pop up in May or June? I want to show you all the sights, we can even go hiking! And I’m definitely planning on taking you on a beer tour.”

“That sounds like the perfect trip, Sweetheart. I’d love that. I’ll see about getting a request submitted first thing in the morning,” he was already setting a reminder in his phone so he wouldn’t get too distracted at work and forget. He wasn’t going to let you down again.

“Oh. That’s probably one I snapped really quick and forgot to send to Bradley. I was probably already spamming him too much as it was,” you answer in response to Natasha’s question. Even though you knew exactly why that one never made it his inbox.

Since you’d be spending the holiday apart, Bradley had requested that you send him pictures throughout your visit so that he didn’t feel like he was missing anything. You had sent him ones of you at the grocery store with your mom, of you holding your niece, a few silly ones fueled by too many champagne heavy mimosas, and some less family friendly shots of you in bed wearing the deep wine-colored lacy lingerie set you had planned to surprise him with. And then a few without the lingerie set too.

You had known he wouldn’t have the best reception, so you sent them as things happened knowing that he’d respond whenever he could. You just wanted them there waiting for him. However, a few days in was getting hard to know what was too much when all you could see were all your outgoing messages to him.

You had felt yourself getting a little self-conscious and started second guessing the things you sent, like the picture from the tree farm. You didn’t want to go overboard and scare him off or make it seem like you were rubbing his face in all the things he was missing while he was on assignment. You had just wanted him to know that you were thinking about him- which was pretty much all the time.

Turning your head to take him in next to you. He’s sitting there with a soft smile on his face while he is tapping away on your phone. When his phone lights up mere moments later, you realize he’d just sent the image to himself and was now paging through the folder looking for others.

“For being a Communications Specialist, you’re really bad about updating your own social media. That one was definitely worthy of making it to the grid,” Nat announces as she slides off the barstool taking Bob with her to go dominate on one of the pool tables.

Bradley hands you your phone back. “You know, I’ve never been to a Christmas tree farm. Or even had a real tree for that matter,” he murmurs a bit ruefully when it’s just the two of you, picking at the label of the bottle Natasha had left behind.

“When I was younger we only ever had a fake tree. And then after my mom passed, everything with Mav, and moving around so much I just kind of didn’t ever want to think about it. I never thought to get anything for myself.” He lets out a breath, shaking his head slightly. “I’m really happy you’re sticking around to show me the ropes this year,” he says earnestly, sounding much lighter than before.

The thought of him fending for himself for so long makes your heart hurt. You lean into him pressing a lingering kiss to his cheek. “I’m happy you want to spend the day with me,” you tell him brushing your nose against his as you pull away. 

“I did my good daughter duties, but flying home during the one of busiest days of the year was enough for me. And I wouldn’t want to subject you to the Richardson’s by going to Philly, my parents call them the Dickardson’s for a reason,” making a face that causes him to laugh.

“We’re going to have the best Christmas together, I wouldn’t want to spend the day with anyone else.” This time when you pull him in for another kiss your lips are eager to meet his. The slide of his mouth against yours never fails to make your heart beat wildly in your chest.

You could spend days kissing Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw and never want to break for air. It’s only at the sound of someone’s loud wolf whistle that you break apart as you’re brought back the moment.

“You know, I’m still not over the fact that my girlfriend withheld such ‘compelling content’ from me,” he teases, using air quotes the buzzwords he’s heard you say from listening to one too many of your late night zoom meetings.

“It was the last day! You were getting in before me, and I thought you’d want the real deal instead. And to tell the truth, I didn’t know if I was overdoing it. I didn’t want to make you feel left out,” you explain honestly. You’ve always been the type to keep those insecurities to yourself, but you’ve been trying to do better. He makes you feel safe enough to open up without holding back.

“Sweetheart.” He picks up your hand his mustache brushing the back of it as he places a kiss there. “You could never overdo it. Spam away, send me everything. I love getting those pictures, it makes me feel closer to you. But, I do know how you could make it up to me.” As he sends a mischievous wink your way.

You’re hit with a brief vision of you on your knees before him in that wine-colored set he still has yet to see in person. 

“Oh, do you?” You ease off your stool to stand in front of him, his legs automatically widening for you to step in between them.

“Wanna come help me pick out a tree this weekend?” he asks, slipping his hands into the back pockets of your jeans to tug you in even closer. “I hear you know a thing or two about picking out the best one,” his eyes crinkle around the edges as he smiles broadly at you.

You don’t bother fighting back the grin that takes over your face. “Stick with me, kid,” you say taking his sunglasses from where they rest against his chest and sliding them on, “I won’t lead you astray.” 

Bradley had the best afternoon learning the ins and outs of selecting the perfect tree at the tree lot with you. 

He had found a tree place with a festive name that was about 30 minutes away, it was probably a bit different than what you were used to, but he hoped you’d be happy with the options there. He had even called in advance to make sure they had the specific variety your parents usually got after texting with your dad to find out what he should be looking for.

He had wanted to pick you up from your apartment, but you had insisted on meeting him at his place since you had an early work meeting scheduled in the morning. And had greeted you with a coffee in hand from your favorite shop when you arrived.

He’d even worn the plaid flannel shirt you had bought for him when you were visiting home for the occasion. When he parked the Bronco in the lot, you had giddily exclaimed, “Bradley, look at all the trees! There’s way more than I thought there’d be. It smells like home!” 

Once you were both out of the car you had grabbed his hand threading your fingers between his, and set off like a woman on a mission. He’d felt rather pleased with himself. 

The outdoor speakers were playing the local Christmas radio station and there were rows and rows of trees under a few large white topped tents. He loved how seriously you were taking this, and if he wasn’t already totally enamored with you this would have sealed the deal.

You’d taught him how to determine its freshness, “You have to pull a needle off and see if it bends or snaps. If it snaps then it’s already way too dried out and you’re just purchasing a giant match stick.” 

From there the came the scent test, “Now sniff the tree, you have to get your face in there. The stronger the tree scent the longer it will last.” 

And finally, the aesthetics. 

“I like mine a little girthy and on the fuller side, but that’s all a matter of personal preference. You want some gaps, so that the heavier ornaments can hang better, but not too many. And the top has to be straight, no one wants a lopsided tree topper.”

“That’s not the only thing you like full and girthy,” he couldn’t help but let slip out.

“Bradley, there are children here!” you admonished while looking around wide eyed, but that didn’t stop you from grazing the front of his jeans every chance you got.

So, when he managed to find what you excitedly deemed to be the “absolute most perfect tree!”, he couldn’t help but preen his face feeling a bit warm from the attention and praise you showered him with.

He’d hauled the tree up to the check out where it was bundled while he paid, and then carried it over his shoulder out to the Bronco. You’d trailed behind him carrying the wreath you’d picked out humming along with the music.

“Is there such a thing as a competence kink? Because this,” you had mused gesturing to him tying the tree down in the back, his hands tingling, “is definitely doing it for me.” He had just grinned and shaken his head at you, his face heating up a bit. However, he couldn’t help but flex a bit more for your benefit as he finished up.

And when you made him pull off the road less than 10 minutes later, to indulge in that new self-discovery with your mouth around his cock, well that was very much for his benefit.

Now you’re with him at his place.  You guys had wrangled the perfect tree into the house and had gotten it set up in front of his windows in the living room near the upright piano he had tucked in the corner. He loved the smell that was filling the room and the way you’d lit up once it was in place. If he had his way, you’d be around all the time.

Bradley could hear you singing along to the Christmas album he had picked up that was playing on his Dad’s old record player as you worked on putting together some hot toddies in the kitchen. You had put him on light duty, and he was determined to make it the best-looking thing you’ve ever seen.

He worked going round and round the Christmas tree, the lights all shining merrily. He took his time making sure to wrap and tuck the lights around the branches, the cozy glow filling his chest with warmth.

But the longer he worked the more he was starting to get worried that he was coming down with a bug or something, his face starting to feel slightly feverish. His throat getting thick and uncomfortable.

He’d noticed it earlier at the tree lot, but didn’t want to give it too much thought. The Navy had ruined his Thanksgiving plans with you and he didn’t want to let you down again. He worked to string lights on a few more branches adamant to push through for you. 

“Sweetheart,” he reluctantly called out to you, “I think I might be coming down with something. I’m not feeling too hot, and my throat is kinda scratchy.” The guilt was starting to settle in the pit of his stomach, maybe if he rested now he could keep it from getting too bad.

He turns to see you coming out of the kitchen with two steaming mugs in your hand, your eyes going wide.

He turns back to the tree looking to see if he accidentally fucked something up. It was his first time with a real tree, maybe the lights needed to be strung differently.

“Bradley. Oh my god.”

You had just put the finishing touches on the hot toddies and were already walking out of the kitchen when Bradley had called out to you. Those beverages were quickly abandoned on his coffee table as you propelled yourself towards him.

His face was brightly flushed and his eyes were shade of red that made your own itch in sympathy. You reach up to tug at the collar of the flannel he was wearing to get a better look at the skin of his neck and chest. The scars on his neck were standing out in contrast to his reddened skin.

“Sweetheart, what are you doing?” Even his voice was sounding a bit scratchy. You ignore him in favor for undoing the buttons at the cuff and rolling up the sleeve of his shirt, trying to not let yourself get too anxious. “You tryin’ to get me to put these lights up topless like some kind of sexy Santa?”

You shush him as you finally get the sleeve rolled up when your suspicions are confirmed, his thick forearm is absolutely covered in angry looking raised red welts. 

“Oh no. Roos, baby. You’re breaking out.” Already pulling him away from the 7-foot issue occupying the living room and heading towards the kitchen, “I think you have pine tree allergy.” 

He finally looks away from your face and down to his arm, a deep furrow settling over his features, “Oh fuck.” You get him seated at his oval oak dining table grabbing your phone to figure out what to do next.

“Yeah, ‘Oh fuck’,” you repeat back to him eyes skimming the information on the page you clicked into.  You’ve always been the type to take charge in a crisis, this would be no different. You’d make sure he’s taken care of the way he needs to be. The way he deserves to be.

“How’s your breathing feel? Is your throat feeling tight or like it’s closing up?” you ask looking up at him.

His red-rimmed honey eyes seem to shift focus like he’s lost in thought for a brief moment.

“Rooster.”

He shakes his head. “Sorry, baby,” he says a bit bashfully. “I’m used to being the one levelheaded in stressful situations, but you should see the intensity on your face. I think you coulda been a pilot.”

“Bradley, I’m flattered. Truly,” you’ve learned that he isn’t the type to say things he doesn’t mean and you respect the hell out of what he does. “Although I’m sure there are a few more qualifications I’d have to pass than that,” you reply lightly, petting the back of his hand resting on the table. “But I need you stick with me here. I just need to figure out if we need to get you to the ER or not.”

He nods. “It’s a little thick, but not like it’s going to close up. And really scratchy, ‘s all.”

“Ok, that’s good. That’s good,” you repeat again more to yourself than him. 

You love this man so much, and he deserves the world. This is the last thing you would have wanted for him and his very first, and last, real tree.

You can still hear the record playing in the background as you try not to gnaw on the inside of your cheek working to put your game plan together.

After firing off a quick text to Jake, you quickly pop upstairs to Bradley’s medicine cupboard, hoping that he has some antihistamines tucked away in there. You breathe a sigh of relief when you see the pink box, grabbing it you tear off a couple squares from the silver lined sheet to bring back to him.

He’s still sitting where you left him at the dining table. He’s slumped down in the chair his mouth pulled down at the corners, and you think it’s probably because he’s not feeling the greatest right now. You hand him the meds and a fetch him a glass of water, watching as the tendons of his throat flex as they work to swallow the pills down. The red welts have finally made an appearance there too, and are an angry contrast to his usually golden skin.

“Let’s get you out of these clothes, hmm?” You bend down to catch his eyes with your and holding out our hands to him. He nods once taking your smaller hands in his as he lets you pull him up. 

You help him to unbutton and remove the flannel shirt trying to avoid further contact with the hives on his body, not wanting to cause him anymore discomfort. Once his wide chest and arms are uncovered, you work his jeans down his thick thighs leaving him in his tight black boxer briefs. There’s nothing more than you love than being up close with Rooster’s body, but right now you’re on a mission and can’t be distracted by all the skin before you.

While you’re still feeling concerned for him, you can feel your anxiety starting to settle a bit from where it was at earlier. You’ve got a plan, you’ve already checked off a few things, and you’ll be able to take a breath once Bradley is taken care of.

He’s ruining everything with you. First Thanksgiving and now Christmas. 

How the fuck did he not know he was allergic to pine trees? He’s 35, he should known those kinds of things by now. Shouldn’t he?

He is frustrated as fuck laying on top of the king-sized bed in his darkened bedroom, the stinging of the hives on his arms and upper body were driving him crazy. God, his eyes itched and burned. Although, he couldn’t tell if it as from the reaction to the tree or from fighting the sudden urge to cry for the first time in a very long time.

The afternoon was not going as he had envisioned it. He wanted to sing some carols loudly while getting tipsy off hot toddies with you. Dance with you in between hanging ornaments on the tree. Maybe fuck you under the tree if he played his cards right, he wanted to be the one to get your tinsel in a tangle. 

All he had wanted was to make you happy. You weren’t spending Christmas with your family, and he didn’t want you to miss out on anything being in California with him instead. He was really excited about the holiday for the first time in what felt like forever, and it had everything to do with you.

“Do you have any oatmeal here?” You had asked him not too long ago, and it was all he could do to point you in the right direction as the guilt was eating away at him. Once you had found it, you had sent him away to go upstairs to get him further away from the tree. His strong, capable, and pretty girlfriend was left to deal with the mess downstairs without him. 

He could hear the whir of the blender and wondered what you were up to. Sulking at the fact that all he could do is wait for the antihistamines to kick in, and hope that he’d be feeling better soon so that he could help you take care of things.

“Bradley? Baby, are you awake?” You entered the dimly lit room cautiously, approaching him gingerly on the bed and holding a large bowl with something fluffy and powdery looking in it. He hadn’t heard you come up the stairs.

He loved the sound of your voice. He loved it in the morning when it was thick with sleep, how excited you got when you were talking about something you were passionate about, and he especially loved the breathy whispers and words of encouragement from you in his ear late at night when he was moving so deep within you. What he didn’t love was being the reason you were so anxious, that he was at fault for why your tone was so laced with concerned. 

“Yeah,” although he was starting to feel sluggish, “’m still awake.” He felt your cool hands on his face and leaned into your soothing touch, pressing a kiss to your palm.

“I’m going to make you an oatmeal bath,” you informed him gesturing to the bowl in your hand. “From what I’ve been reading online that should help calm down the hives, hopefully stop them from spreading anymore.’

“Okay, Sweetheart,” he sighed. He can hear how pitiful he sounds, but right now his girl is the only thing that is making him feel good, and he will do anything you ask of him.

You set about turning the taps on for the large tub in the bathroom, twisting the handles to get the water to come out at the right temperature. Once you were satisfied, you swirled in the oat powder you had made watching as the water turned cloudy, then headed back into the bedroom to get Bradley.

“Let’s get you in the tub so you can soak for a bit, yeah?” He looks so miserable alone stretched out on the bed. “It’s not too hot, and it should help you feel better,” you help him to sit up placing a kiss to the lines of the scars on his cheek trying to comfort him.

Ever the soldier, he dutifully follows you into the bathroom. Once he is stripped of his briefs and comfortably situated in the milky mixture, his eyes flutter closed as he reclines back, leaning his head against the ledge of the tub. You move kneel on the floor next to him running your fingers through his sun-streaked waves.

Your little pocket of peace is disturbed a few minutes later by the ding of your phone.

“Jake just got here,” you announce filling him in on the next part of your plan, “He’s going to help me with the tree.” 

“’posed to be my job,” Bradley sulks making a petulant sound in his throat. You can’t help but let out a gentle tsk while fighting back a small smile at his response.  

“I just want you to relax here and let the oatmeal do its thing. I’m going to get things wrapped up downstairs it shouldn’t take too long, and then I’ll come back to check on you.”

“Mmhm, fine,” he sighs as you press a kiss to his forehead.

You let Jake in and he is quick to jump in taking over by unwinding the lights off from the partially lit tree. He’s even quicker to haul the massive thing out of the house and into the back of his truck, as the new owner of the 7-foot Noble Fir. After the tree is deposited, he heads back in and helps you coil the lights back up so they’re not in a tangled mess on the floor making some light small talk because he can tell your mind is elsewhere. 

On his way out the door he shoots you a cocky salute, a shit-eating grin already plastered on his face.  “You can thank my new Trot PR for how quickly I was able to run back to my place after I got your SOS text to get here as quickly as I did, Darlin’,” he drawls. 

You flip him off, but tell him to text you what meals he’d like you to make and bring over later in the week as thanks for his help. And with a quick kiss to his cheek, you shoo him out the door wanting to get back to your boyfriend.

After he leaves, you break out the vacuum and work on getting the needles off the ground before moving on to the laundry. You grab the pile of Bradley’s clothes from the floor in the kitchen where you had left them before stripping down to your underwear, throwing everything in the washer and turning it on to get rid of any potential lingering irritants.

You make you way back upstairs, stopping to slip on one of Bradley’s old UVA t-shirts and grabbing him a loose pair of navy sweatpants, before going in to check on him. He is still there soaking his head tilted back and eyes closed, just as you had left him. Thankfully the hives have seemed to stop their spread leaving his face untouched. His neck, chest, and arms still bearing the brunt of his allergic reaction.

You gently knock on the door to announce your presence, not wanting to startle him. “You ready to come out now, baby?” Before him you had never been a pet name person, but now all you wanted to be a source of comfort in his life. A soft place for him to land.

“Yeah,” he turns his head towards the sound of your voice, “I think I might be getting a bit prune-y, but that felt really good. Thank you, Sweetheart.” He has finally opened his eyes and looking right at you, with a smile small and soft, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. 

You’re trying not to read into it too much, not wanting to let your anxiety get the best of you. You help him up from bath and use the handheld to first shower him off, grabbing a fluffy towel to help gingerly pat him dry. As he bends to pull on the sweatpants you had brought in you turn to rinse out the remaining oatmeal residue from the tub. He presses a kiss to the back of your head as he passes by you to make his way back to the bedroom.

By the time you’re done he has already climbed into bed, the comforter on your side already pulled back as he reaches out for you to get in with him. The white percale sheets you had helped him pick out were cool and luxuriously soft to the touch, and you feel yourself release the breath it felt like you’d been holding since you entered the living room holding those long forgotten hot toddies.

Bradley is quick to lace your fingers together and tuck his face into the space between your neck and shoulder, his mustache ticking the soft skin of your throat there. For all of his golden retriever energy, he is soaking up your affection and attention like a lap cat as you slowly rub your free hand up and down his broad back.

However, he’s still entirely too quiet. Your lips press tightly together on their own accord as you begin to think that there’s something more on his mind that he’s not sharing with you than just the effects of the hives and double dose of Benadryl.

You’re about to speak up when he beats you to it, “I’m so sorry, Sweetheart. I just wanted you to feel at home and now I’ve ruined Christmas.” You’ve never heard his voice sound so small.

Oh. Oh no.

“Bradley, please look at me.” 

You lean back a bit as he removes his face from the spot it was tucked into and study his beautiful yet troubled looking eyes. “Is this why you’ve been so quiet? Please tell me you haven’t been spiraling thinking you’ve ruined anything.” He looks away, and you feel your brows scrunch together.

You cup his cheek in your hand, running your thumb down the cleft of his chin, “I love you so much and we’re going to have such a wonderful Christmas together, a tree is a nonissue here, baby. You matter more to me. I hope you know that.” His gaze finally meets yours and you continue on, “I need you to hear me. You’ve got absolutely nothing to apologize for. Nothing is ruined and nothing that happened today is your fault. Ok?” Nodding your head, needing for him to understand and let go of his misplaced guilt. 

You see the exact moment he absorbs and believes everything you’re saying to him, his shoulders releasing the tension that had gathered there. “Ok, I hear you.” You lean into him to place a tender kiss on his lips. “I love you so much,” he breaths against your mouth.

“I love you too,” you say pressing one more lingering kiss to his lips before encouraging him to settle his head back down again. He reaches for your hand, guiding it to his hair, prompting you to comb your fingers through his curls. 

“Now that we’ve settled that, how are you feeling? What else can I do to help?” 

“You’ve done so much for me,” he murmurs kissing your neck gently. “’M just tired now and want to hold you for a bit. The Benadryl is starting to kick my ass.” He pauses for a moment, “But maybe we can order some pizza, Sweetheart? And put on one of those Christmas movies you like? Y’know the ones where the people live in a town is named something like Tinselville and their dogs fall in love?” He asks his voice sounding a bit boyish and hopeful. 

You can’t help but let out a giggle because, really, his description is not too far off. You can feel his smile against the side of your neck as you turn the tv on.

“You can have whatever you like, handsome boy. Pizza and Oscar quality Christmas content, it is.” You grab your phone unlocking it and opening up to the delivery app, when Bradley plucks it from your hand tossing it to the side and placing his in yours instead.

“Order from mine instead, it’s my turn to take care of you,” he states slinging his arm low over your hip.

You click the button on the side to wake his phone up only to see your face smiling back at you on his lockscreen. Nose bright from the cold, surrounded by trees, and wrapped up in a scarf your mom had loaned to you since you hadn’t brought any practical winter-wear home with you.

It’s the picture that Bradley has sent himself the other night at the bar, and you’re flooded with a rush of affection for the man nestled against you. You notice his wallpaper is still the picture of you and him from this Halloween when you’d surprised everyone by dressing up as him, he’s kissing you squarely on the mouth while grabbing a handful of your ass. It was one of your favorites too.

You’d just finished submitting the order, when a text from Jake comes through, and you roll your eyes.

Those 5th Gens didn’t get you, but you’re taken out by a fucking a Christmas Tree. Would hate to see what one of those tree shaped car fresheners would do to you.

You’re not going to let him come for your boyfriend, even in playful roasting, when you just managed to picked his spirits up. Not tonight, Hangman. And you set to typing your response with your one free hand, the other still carding through Bradley’s curls. 

Listen up, Lieutenant Turkey Trot. I was planning on surprising you with a bottle of that Texas bourbon you like when I swing by with the food later this week, but now that’s up to you. Do with that what you will... xx

Not bothering to wait for a response you hand Bradley back his phone only to see it light up again. “Lieutenant Turkey Trot,” he snorts, “Damn. Hangman apologized. And he says he wants a lasagna and your chicken and dumpling casserole.”

Southern men are too easy. Nothing is as important to them as food and their mamas. You smile smugly to yourself, making a mental note to go to remember to stop by that speciality liquor store by your place.

The food is delivered not too much later, you and Bradley eat in bed the box sitting between you while making fun of the plot of the movie you had turned on. You can tell the Benadryl is staring to win when Bradley’s running commentary tapers and his breathing begins to even out.

“It’s ok to go to sleep, baby.”

“Just resting my eyes, wanna see if they figure out why the poinsettias aren’t blooming.”  

“You should get your rest,” you gently press, “I’ll set record it and you can find out tomorrow.”

“You’re gonna stay the night, right?” He asks sleepily as he concedes and begins to burrow down into his bed.

“Of course. If you want me here, I’ll stay.” Truth be told, you liked his bed better than yours. You’d even went back to the shop where you’d helped Bradley pick out his sheets from and bought the same percale set for your place in an attempt to help you sleep better.

You set an alarm for earlier than you’d like, remembering you have a meeting first thing in the morning. “I might have to leave a bit earlier than usual though,” you mention softly, “Since I’ll need to go to my place before I have to head in to the office.” You hadn’t originally planned on staying over due to your early morning and now you were kicking yourself for not grabbing a few things to keep in your car just in case.

“Yes. Stay,” he murmurs and reaches out to you, wrapping his arm around your midsection and pulling you to his chest. You let your fingers trace lightly down his forearm, feeling the hills and valleys caused by the welts that litter his arm. He lets out a hum of contentment in response, you’re pressed so close to him you can feel the vibrations of the sound from his chest against your back.

You think you’ve finally lost him to sleep when he mumbles already half gone, “Why don’t you keep more things here?” You can feel his warm breath against the back of your neck.

“How much were you thinking? You saying you want to share a drawer with me?” you lightly tease.

“Bring it all,” he sighs, “Want you here.”

The sound of his soft snores filling your ear only a couple minutes later.

You don’t bring up Bradley’s half-asleep musings, you won’t hold him to anything said under the influence of the antihistamines. While the thoughts of moving in and living with Bradley made your heart beat a bit faster, you kept those hopes tucked away just for yourself.

It was now a week after the pine tree debacle, Bradley’s hives were quick to clear up after a couple days and a few oatmeal baths later. Your skin was still reaping the benefits of the oatmeal too after he managed to coax you in with him one evening. 

He had texted you earlier in the day asking for you to swing by his place after work. You knew the door would be unlocked for you, and you let yourself in.

“That you, Sweetheart?” He called out from nearby, you can hear the sounds of some crooner singing in the background.

“Yeah, it’s me." You set your purse and work tote down before bending to undo your heels at the door. “Hey, I was thinking on my way over here, I bet lots of places still have artificial trees left in stock that we could get. I feel like we need a Christmas redo.” You get one off and begin working on the other, “I was planning on getting one to liven up my place too, maybe I can find one of those ostentatious pink ones I tried to talk my parents into getting and fulfill a lifelong dream.” You say that last part with a little laugh.

You finally win the battle against the top buckle of your cute shoe finally kicking it off and wiggling your toes out, “Ooh! Maybe we can go to that cute cocktail bar off 17th afterwards? One of my coworkers was talking about their new seasonal drinks today and it seems festive.”

You fish your phone out of your purse and make your way to the living room, “That is if you didn’t have anything planned.”

Your voice trails off at the end because when you round the corner you find Bradley in his living room looking very proud with a self-satisfied smile on his face already standing next to a Christmas tree.

A very large, very fluffy, pink Christmas tree.

You stand there entirely stunned. The juxtaposition of your tall, handsome naval aviator next to this truly over the top frosted tree has your brain working overtime. The entire room is cast in a dreamy glow from many strands of white lights he had already spun around it.

“I still feel bad that about what happened the other weekend, and I wanted to make it up to you. At the bar, I heard you telling Phoenix that you always wanted a pink tree, so I hope this is similar to what you hand in mind.” He seems to be getting a bit nervous now, since all it seems you can do is just blink at him. He reaches around into his back pocket pulling out a small tube, “I even got some of those scent stick things to tuck in if you-” 

He doesn’t get to finish since you’ve launch yourself at him.

“Bradley!” He catches you easily with one arm as you begin peppering his face with kisses.

His laugher fills the room and his grin lights up his face at your reaction, “Are you happy, Sweetheart?”  

“I’m the happiest! Oh my god! Are you for real?” you exclaim in between kisses. You stop the assault on his face to take it in your hands, “Seriously though, there is nothing to feel bad about. You’re what matters most to me. I mean, yes, I absolutely love this. But you should have what you like too.”

He takes a step back, with you still in his arms and propped up on his hip. He thoughtfully studies the tree in front of you both. “Yep. This is definitely the perfect tree,” he declares proudly, “It’s full and girthy. Has some good gaps, and look at that top. Straight as an arrow. Although we might need to get some more decorations for it, but I got it started.”

You look from him back to the tree puzzled, since you don’t see anything on it aside from the lights. He walks you both closer, and pulls off what looks to be a strand of curling ribbon with a shiny silver object dangling from it from a branch on the tree. 

A key.

He sets you down back on your own two feet, holding you close against his body bringing his forehead to yours. “I meant it, Sweetheart. Bring it all. There’s nothing I want more than for you to be here. All the time. With me. You’re the only thing on my list this year, you’re all I want. Will you let me give you more than a drawer?” His honey brown eyes gazing at you hopefully.

You already knew what your response would be even before he pulled that key from off the tree, and the answer must be all over your face because Bradley’s face breaks into a beam as he picks you up and spins you around.

The choice has always been easy with him, it’ll always be a yes.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Causally hyper-fixating over all things TGM at bradshawburner

You can find the prequel to this story here!

Find out what happens during their second Christmas together here!

You can read more of my stories here!

#bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x you #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw fanfiction #rooster x reader #rooster x female reader #rooster x you #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw imagine #top gun fanfiction #bradley bradshaw fic #bradley bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw #hello december playlist challenge

[harlowcomehome]

Hazel and Jade's damn cat:

You were tired of having this conversation, ignoring your husband as you continued to chase what was left of your breakfast around your plate. You were trying to be quick and finish eating before the girls were up for the day.

Jack continued to talk, you drowned him out by mindlessly scrolling on your phone.

“Y/N” he spoke sternly, as he poured his coffee into a mug. Finally getting your attention, he was growing more and more irritated that you were so clearly ignoring him.

“Jackman, I said no” you sighed, putting your phone down on the glass table louder than intended.

“Why? Jade has been asking for months. It’s almost Christmas and Lucky is lonely” he pointed at Lucky who was asleep in his dog bed without a care in the world.

“The girls hardly play with Lucky!” Your voice was louder than you had meant for it to be.

“Cats don’t need that much attention!” He defended speaking to you in a booming voice that made you shift around your seat uncomfortably.

He took a deep breath, worried the girls had heard you both and realizing he had upset you.

“Urban's friend has to rehome their cat and Urban has it right now…” He walked over to you, ready to continue the conversation as he sat down across from you at the table.

Jade and Hazel both sleepily walked into the living room, likely awoken by the argument between you two.

You however were silently thanking your lucky stars, wanting to avoid this conversation, as you ran over to them to tell them good morning.

Jack tried to hide his obvious irritation, running his hands through his curls before standing up to give the girls a morning hug and kiss.

“Daddy made breakfast, I hope you two are hungry..”

“Hungry!” Jade giggled, jumping up and down.

Jack walked into the kitchen, meeting you at the stove as you put food on plates for the girls.

“You can’t avoid this conversation forever” he whispered behind you.

“Jackman. Please!” You snapped, evidently at your wits end. You pushed past him, putting the plates down at the table for the girls.

“I’m going to take a shower” you numbly stated, going to the bedroom hastily.

“Why is mom grumpy?” Hazel whispered to her dad discreetly.

Jack stifled a laugh, “I think she’s just tired today bug. Eat your breakfast. Grandma is going to pick you up in about an hour.” He checked his phone to verify the time.

When you were out of the shower, you got both of the girls ready for their day with their grandparents, styling their hair and helping them pick outfits.

“Grandma and grandpa said we are going to go see reindeer?” Jade questioned as you put her hair into a ponytail.

“Yeah, they are taking you guys to the reindeer farm!” You nodded as Hazel sat on the bed in Jades' room.

“Were you mad at Daddy this morning?” Hazel was always good at picking up on things, which made it hard for you sometimes.

“I wasn’t mad at Daddy, I was just having a rough morning but I’m better now” you smiled.

The doorbell rang and Maggie came to the door to pick up the girls, both you and Jack giving them tender goodbyes and reminding them to use their manners.

When the door shut, you were fully prepared to ignore him, still running off fumes from the conversation this morning.

“No, I don’t think so” he stood in front of you, blocking you from moving.

“Jack- please” you sighed.

“Just talk to me! Don’t do this, communicate with me” his eyes looked down on you with so much emotion, that it was hard for you to stay upset.

“We can go see the damn cat! As in look at it! That’s it!” You rolled your eyes standing in front of him with your arms crossed against your chest.

He grabbed you, holding you securely against his chest. You relaxed against his touch, both of you muttering apologies for how this morning went.

Jack called Urban as you finished getting ready, and let him know you’d be stopping by.

Urban knew you’d leave with the cat once you saw it, but humored both of your differing opinions anyway.

Once you got to Urban's house and saw the sphynx cat you couldn’t help but giggle.

“I can just hear Jade now. Ahhh! It’s a naked kitty!” Jack mimicked as he sat down on the floor to pet the cat.

You looked at Jack and then over to Urban who made eye contact with you and smiled.

“You’re the worst Wyatt!” You playfully pushed him, making him lightly stumble backward and chuckle in response.

“So, are you taking her?” Urban grinned, handing you the pet carrier he had.

“We’re taking the damn cat” you laughed earning cheers from both men.

“But you’re on kitty litter duty for life. You’re the one who wanted her!” You turned to Jack who threw his arms up defensively.

“Fine! You got a deal Mrs. Harlow” Jack smiled.

You held the pet carrier in your lap the entire way home, peeking through the screen at the sleeping cat inside.

“You already love her” Jack teased as he drove home.

“I just hope the girls do and don’t think her hairless body is…” You paused “off putting.”

“I’m sure they won’t mind! Plus she’s not pink and hairless! Those kinda look like chickens!”

“Jackman!” You snorted, not expecting him to say that. You pointed to the pet store that was near your house, asking him to stop.

“Urban gave us her bowls and everything, remember?”

“She needs a sweater! Our house can get cold” you responded to him like he should’ve known that which made him laugh as he turned into the parking lot.

“Want me to go in?”

“Stay with her! I wanna pick the sweaters” You smiled as you hopped out of the car.

“Sweaters? With an S?”

“She has to have variety!” You stated before shutting the door to the car.

“Looks like you’re officially a member of the Harlow family little kitty. Best of luck,” Jack smiled as he spoke to the cat and watched you run inside.

When you got home, you introduced Lucky to his new friend. Lucky continued to smell her for a moment, skittish when the cat stretched its body out.

You let the two get familiar with one another while Jack set up her bed and food bowls.

“I can’t believe I have a cat” You stood there with your hands on your hips as you watched Lucky and the new addition curl up together.

“Jade is going to love her though” he smiled, truthfully not initially crazy about the idea either.

After a few hours, the girls came home and Jack stopped them at the door. You were sitting on the couch, holding the cat in your arms.

“Mommy and I have a surprise for you both but you have to be calm and use nice hands” he looked at Jade with the last statement.

Hazel already saw the cat in your arms, promising her dad that she’d be gentle as she quickly ran over to you.

“What is that?” Jade hid behind her dad’s legs.

“It’s a naked kitty!” Hazel giggled as she held her hands out to hold her.

“Why is she naked?” Jade was confused, looking up at Jack with a worried expression.

You giggled at her reaction, “She’s hairless. That's just how she looks. Do you want to put a sweater on her?”

You stood up and picked up the sweaters, handing them to her.

Hazel sat down holding the cat like a baby.

“Jadey!! She’s purring!”

Jade walked over to Hazel and sat beside her, she was still hesitant but more relaxed than she was at first.

“She’s kinda cute. She’s just funny looking!” Jade giggled.

“You’re funny looking” Hazel mumbled to herself making Jack stifle a laugh.

You rolled your eyes at your husband, and helped Jade put a sweater on the cat who meowed loudly catching everyone off guard.

“What are we thinking about naming her?” Jack smiled, waiting for the answer.

#Jack Harlow #Jack Harlow x reader #Jack Harlow blurb #Jack Harlow fic #jack harlow concepts #jack harlow imagines

[toxicanonymity]

Michael makes them watch

1.3k Words, Fem!Reader x Michael x Male Bystander

You're the only one of your friends to escape, and Michael is not giving up on you.  He follows you down the rural dirt road, and you bang on the first house you find, screaming for help.  A stranger lets you in and locks the door behind you, but before he can call for help, Michael  kicks in the door.  He strips the stranger and ties him up.  Michael has his way with you on the floor and makes the guy watch. You survive but Michael takes you with him.

NSFW 18+ Noncon, pursuit, Variety of dark depravity, choosing not to warn in further detail (haven't read it in a year), but it's dark. Read at your own risk.

You bang on the door of the only house around, screaming for help.  It’s a farm, and you pray to god someone is home.  You know Michael is following you. You were the only one to escape and you ran out without your jacket.  The cold is catching up with you now that you stopped running.  You keep knocking and a stranger, a hot farmer to be exact, lets you in and locks the door behind you.  It's warm inside.  The stranger goes to call 911.

Before you know it, Michael  kicks the door in with his huge boot.  You hide in a closet while Michael destroys the stranger's phone, strips him down to his briefs, duct tapes his mouth shut, and ties him to a chair in the dimly lit living room.  

Seconds later, Michael's large arm bursts into the closet, followed by his shoulder and broad chest and his jumpsuit’s tall, erect collar framing his mask.  He grabs you by the hair, then lifts you to your feet.  Michael throws you over his shoulder, carries you to the living room, and dumps you on the floor. The stranger tries to protest, but his cries are muffled by the duct tape.

You start to crawl away and Michael's huge, calloused hands jerk you back against him and you feel the Shape's hard bulge through his jumpsuit where your legs meet your ass.  To your horror, you feel a warm flutter between your legs. 

Michael's forearm on your back holds you down as he yanks your pants and underwear down.  You try to wriggle free and his arm digs further into you.  Feeling the Shape's giant hands on your bare hips, you're turned on. You're  wet and whimper in confusion.  Michael unzips himself and frees his giant, raging hard-on.

The stranger closes his eyes and cries through the duct tape and tries to move the chair and it topples over with the stranger still attached.  Michael, still on his knees, turns and hooks his boots over your ankles, holding you down while he  sets the stranger and chair back upright.  He scoots then holds his knife to the stranger's throat.  He forces the stranger's eyes open and manhandles his jaw to face your direction, making it very clear the stranger must watch.  

Michael turns back toward you and straddles your legs.  Then, you feel his hard length drag against your slit, and a moan escapes your mouth, startling you.  Michael tilts his head at how slick you are. He brings two huge fingers to your seam and drags them forward to your clit and back a few times and then thrusts them inside and you gasp. 

The Shape takes out his fingers and spreads your wetness on the stranger's cock.  Then, Michael picks up his knife and slices the rope off the stranger's hands. You watch Michael force the stranger's cock into his own hand.  The Shape's hands wrap around the stranger's hand and cock and jerk him briefly.  The stranger is hard.  Michael is going to force him to jerk off while he fucks you in front of him. 

Michael's large hands around your hips pull your ass back against his enormous, veiny, rock-hard length.  He drags his rough fingers against your seam again, which is somehow even wetter now.  The swollen head of his cock follows, and you feel it pressing at your entrance.  The stranger isn't stroking himself until Michael shoots him a look, then he hesitantly, dutifully begins to pump himself, still tied to the chair. 

The Shape leans into you and pushes just the tip of his cock inside. You gasp. It's already a stretch.  He forces you further back against him.  The stretch hurts so good as he pulls you back on his monster cock. You can't take the whole shaft, but he buries as much as he can inside you. 

An uncalled for, pleasureful knot grows in your lower abdomen as the Shape begins to pound into you. With each thrust, the feeling builds in your gut.  Michael turns his head to ensure the stranger's obedience. The stranger is crying, but fully erect, and his strokes have become far less hesitant.  Michael continues to pummel you, and your poor little cunt grips around his shaft every time it pulls back, begging him further into you again. 

Without pulling out, Michael looks at the stranger and rotates his wrist as though to look at an imaginary watch.  Suddenly you realize if the stranger finishes before Michael, he might survive.  Maybe you'll survive, too. 

Michael continues to ram himself into you, using your hips to pull your ass against his groin, and you give into the pleasure, angling your hips where it feels best.  You work with him, not against him.  You fuck him and allow your body to feel every bit of the twisted bliss.  Being impaled by the Shape feels otherworldly.  The knot is tightening in your core and your whole body has butterflies. 

Michael firmly grabs your ass cheeks in his huge hands then smacks one of them with a force that's sure to leave a mark. Your breath hitches and the handprint tingles with cold heat.  The next time he thrusts, you see stars.  You clench around him, pulsing on his cock with each wave of your orgasm.  A pleasant release floods your body and your eyelids get heavy.  Michael's large hands run over your ass almost affectionately.  

Michael checks on the stranger and continues to plunge his length into you. Michael huffs and you sense he's going to come soon.   You don't know how you know, but you're certain the stranger's throat will be slit if he doesn't come first. 

Michael smacks your ass again and you feel his monster cock twitch inside you.  The tension is building rapidly in your core again.  The hot stranger pumps himself furiously.  He's crying with tears running down his face.  Michael lets out a muffled grunt and his head faces the ceiling.  The stranger vocalizes into the tape, and you look over just in time to see the hot farmer's thick, white spend shoot into his abs then gurgle into his fist and he sighs in relief. 

Michael's huge, rough hands firmly grip your sides as his hips pound into you at a brutal pace.  You’re on the edge of bliss again and you whimper with the need for release.  The Shape audibly grunts, and at the sound of his muffled pleasure, you begin to uncoil.  As your cunt flutters around his cock, he erupts inside you.  You involuntarily contract around him harder and harder, milking an unfathomable load of hot cum into yourself.   You feel a rush of life that drowns out any shame. 

He doesn't only fill you with his cock or his cum - he fills you with a warm, thick, swirling dark energy that fills every nook and cranny of your being.  It makes you feel whole.  You feel connected to something.  Michael withdraws and his seed trickles down your thigh.  You feel a new emptiness without him inside you.  You wonder if you'll feel empty forever. You've never felt anything like it.   

Michael breathes heavily in his mask, then rips the duct tape off the stranger and lets you get dressed.  The stranger is sobbing.  "What the fuck what the fuck that was so fucked up oh my god." Michael holds his knife to his throat and the stranger swears he's never going to tell a soul.  Michael holds up the stranger's car keys and the stranger says "Yes, yes, take the Bronco, I don't need it, take whatever you want I'll never tell a soul i promise."  Michael nods once.  The stranger looks down at the mess in his lap and adds "I swear I'll never tell.   I could never."  He sobs in shame, apologizes to you, and keeps asking if you're okay.  When he won't shut up, the duct tape comes back.  

As you finish dressing yourself, your body is still humming with pleasure but you're also confused and tired and scared.  You can't forget your friends are dead.  Michael pockets the car keys and grabs some other stuff from the house including a cowboy hat off the wall and a sherpa lined jean jacket, which he hands to you -  Wow, Michael Myers noticed you didn't have a coat?  He leaves the stranger tied up and forces you to your feet.  You ask where you're going.  He doesn't have the patience for your questions. 

The Shape manhandles you into the old Bronco and takes you with him. 

#michael myers smut #halloween 1978 #michael myers x you #michael myers x reader #michael myers fanfic #bisexual!michael myers #toxicanonymity ☠️ #love2cuck

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Carpe Noctem 29

Warnings: dark elements, noncon, age gap, gaslighting, manipulation, violence, blood, other dark elements. Proceed with caution. (short!reader)

Note: Please let me know what you think as it helps me a lot with ideas and I love interacting with you all.

Part of The Club AU

“I should go,” you get up as Cole comes back in the back office, “I’m so sorry about today–”

“Go? Where?” He asks as he stands in the door. “Back to that maniac?”

“Well, I…” you swallow and let out an exasperated sigh, “yeah, I have to–”

“You don’t have to,” he insists, “you shouldn’t. Someone that angry can be pretty dangerous.”

“I know, it’s just–” you have no argument, no excuse, just the truth, “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“You don’t?” He wonders.

You shake your head and grab your jacket from the rack, “I’ll be fine. I’m sure he’s calmed down. I shouldn’t have lied–”

“But you did. For a reason. If that’s how he reacts… you never mentioned a boyfriend,” Cole shifts on his soles.

“Boyfriend?” You almost laugh, “no, not exactly.”

“It’s complicated, got it,” he nods, “well, you were wrong, you know?”

“About what?” You take your pure of a lower hook on the rack.

“That you don’t have anywhere to go. I’m just putting it out there,” he raises a hand to rub the stubble along his jaw, “if you need somewhere to stay, er, my parents’ could spare a guest room.”

“Oh, Cole, no, I couldn’t. That’s too much. I’d hate to impose on your family like that.”

“Uh, you definitely wouldn’t be. My mom would love to meet you,” he lets himself smile, “I brought home some of the extra treats and she loved them. She’s a baker too.”

“That’s— that’s sweet,” you shrug and look away, “I just don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“I wouldn’t suggest it if it wasn’t,” he insists, “but I really don’t feel great about you going back to a man like that. I’m big enough to defend myself, but you…”

You know he’s right. This isn’t the first time you’ve seen Lloyd get violent and just like with Johnny, it���s only inevitable that it turns on you. You’re not exactly excited to go back to that house.

“All my stuff…” you begin, arguing with yourself as much as him.

“My ma has some stuff she can lend you for the night,” he offers, “as long as you don’t mind flannel. And I’m sure you could use a nice warm meal.”

“Cole,” you rub along your jaw evasively as you look away, “I just… I feel so bad about putting you out. Your parents too.”

“You’re not. You know, I think you surround yourself with the wrong people. The sort that make kindness seem like a debt to be paid back. You don’t owe me anything. I’m just being decent, like anyone should,” He turns his hands out. “But if you say no, I’m not letting you walk out of her without my phone number. And you have to promise to call me if anything goes bad.”

You frown and look at your feet. Lloyd could use the night to cool off just as much as you. You cross your arms then force them straight. He’s entirely right. You’re letting all those others people who bargain courtesy like currency colour your doubts. Why should you begrudge him the action of others when he’s only ever been nice?

“Did you ask your parents? I don’t want to be a surprise,” you chew your lip.

He smiles, “I texted ma but I’ll give a call before we go. Trust me, you’re more than welcome.”

☕

The drive is longer than you expect, but not. You should’ve figured that the farm would be out in the country. At the same time, you never factored in the time it must take Cole to commute each day. It whittles another ounce of appreciation out of you. He seems too kind for his own good.

That generosity sees you in his passenger seat. You left your car behind at the cafe to save you gas and the trouble of driving. You didn’t fight too hard. You want to be in one place and still.

He steers down a long dirt road and as the moon disappears behind a thicket of trees, the land turns desolate. Your chest sinks just a little but as the silver light breaks free again, you let out a breath of relief. Ahead you see the yellow windows of the farmhouse and dark colossus of the barn not far behind it.

Cole pulls up behind a big red truck and shifts into park. The motor cranks slightly before he turns it off. You can’t help but wonder how someone like him came to own a cafe in the city. Maybe after so long in the rural desert, the urban sprawl must be alluring chaotic.

He gets out first before you muster your strength. He comes around, startling you as he opens the door for you. You thank him, the gentlemanly gesture almost jarring. You’re so unused to kindness, it unsettles you. That should tell you something. It’s a ringing cry for change.

“Are you sure…” you begin the same question you’ve asked every five minutes for the last hour.

“Sure,” he interjects firmly, “really, ma always cooks too much and my sister’s off finding herself. Again. She’ll be happy to have you around.”

You nod and climb up the wide porch steps beside him. He pulls back the screen door and waves you in ahead of him. A fragrant aroma draws you in; roast beef and roasted veggies. The homey glow embraces you, welcoming you without a word.

“Here,” he tugs on the back of your jacket, “I’ll get this.”

He hangs his own coat as you undo yours and hand it over. He puts it over his own then beckons you on. Hesitantly, you follow his direction, walking down a walnut trimmed hallway to a dining room decorated in faded florals and pine.

“Ethan,” a woman calls through before she appears in the doorway across from you, a large dimpled glass dish in her hands, “oh! I thought you were your father– eee! This must be her.”

She rushes to the table and sets the steaming dish on a potholder. She still has her oven gloves as she sweeps around the room, “Beverly,” she introduces herself, pulling you into a hug, “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Uh,” you gulp as she squeezes you, only releasing you as Cole clears his throat. “I’ve heard a lot about you too.”

“Really?” She nearly squeals, keeping you at arm’s length, “he didn’t say you were so pretty.”

Your eyes round and you let out a nervous giggle. Cole groans under his breath and brushes his hand over his sandy hair. It’s kind of cute when your own parents were never so excited to see you.

“Thanks, that’s too sweet,” you smile, “erm, thanks for having me.”

“Oh, of course, of course,” she titters as she lets you go, “Cole always had a soft spot for those in need.” She turns to him and touches where his cheekbone is still red from his scuffle with Lloyd, “and look at him, my knight in shining armor. How many times do I have to tell you not to fight? You never were very good at it.”

“Ma,” he urges her away from him, “I’m fine.”

A ding chimes from the kitchen and she springs back, “oh, that’s the dumplings.”

She spins and hurries off, leaving you off balance. You slowly face Cole and put your hands on your hips, “so how much did you tell her?”

“As much as I know,” he rubs his neck sheepishly, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want her to freak out when she saw my face and– it wasn’t anything that makes you look bad.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. I don’t want to be a charity case,” you cross your arms.

“Trust me, you’re far from it,” he assures you, “really. I want you here.”

You don’t know what to say. You don’t trust your own judgment. Whether he means it or not, it hardly matters. You’re just grateful to have a night away from it all. Some time might be just what Lloyd needs to grow some common sense.

#lloyd hansen #dark lloyd hansen #dark!lloyd hansen #lloyd hansen x reader #cole turn #drabble #series #au #ghosted #the gray man #carpe noctem #the club

[swann-song]

daydreaming - finale

summary: the reality of dating a farmer comes with certain expectations. meeting the chavanges makes you realise that maybe pierres family do not find you suitable.

your mother tried to pull you away from pierre. she said she expected better and you were enraged, you had many heated arguments, you threatened to stop talking to her so she changed her tactic. conveniently visiting the library with "appropriate" guys and sending you their phone numbers. "this one works in finance" she pushed her phone in your face. it was some guy in a suit. "you know as tempting as guys who do coke off your ass and fuck their secretaries are, no thank you" your mother gasped scandalised and held her chest. pierre opened the door whenever she visited your flat. pierre was introverted so it’s not like he had long conversations with her. he kept a distance and was respectful. gradually she saw him the way you did, he was kind, attentive and calm. when she dramatically declared that she approved, you rolled your eyes.

"her dream job was always being a librarian you know" pierre was listening to your mother. "i thought after university she’d do something adventurous but you know how she is" pierre nodded and offered her a plate of pastries. "pierre why don’t you go the the hairdressers, it’s getting a bit long no" pierre pushed his hair away, "your daughter prefers it this way, i can’t disobey" it’s true, you were very tyrannical about his hair. "mon dieu" your mother shook her head at you but you can’t pretend to feel bad.

"did you see what jean has done to his roof, made a complete mess of it" you watched pierre try to keep up and felt sentimental. he had a sun kiss tan from working all day. you could tell he was tired but trying, he gave you a tender smile. you’d forgotten what life was like without him, your memories were blurring and pierre was the only thing you saw in focus.

*

the chavanges' house is getting a spring clean like no other. pierre fixed flickering lightbulbs, had repainted the front door. he had deep cleaned every nook and cranny of the farmhouse. all the doors hinges were oiled, he stopped the drip of the kitchen tap. the garden weeded and blooming with newly planted flowers. pierre had even taken the time to bathe all his cows with his new farmboy, they were mirror clean. his parents were happy with the changes but his obsessive cleaning is overwhelming them. pierre doesn’t let them help, he nags at them to keep out of his way and even told them to keep their own room clean like they’re children. he needs the house to be spotless. you were seeing it for the first time tonight, he’s officially introducing you to his family and the farm. he wants this to be your home so it has to be perfect.

*

you watched pierre’s mother force a smile at your gift. you’d bought her a mug with a cow on it, it said "good moo-rning". your smile drops and you turn to pierre, he has a sympathetic smile on his face and squeezes your hand under the table. the dinner wasn’t going well. you tried to relax and be pleasant but it’s hard, pierres parents and his sister pascale have been tracking your every move. you rub the back of your neck and pick at your plate. you wanted to make a good impression but can’t seem up to find the pulse tonight. pierre was dressed sharp, he wore those tighter trousers he knew you liked and his cologne is the same you bought him for your six month anniversary, the smell reminds you of that night and you flush a the memory.

you had spent all day preparing, you even practiced conversation starters. you’d chosen an elegant and classy knee length dress, your hair pinned up sleek. the flowers, wines and now gift weren’t helping. you didn’t want to make pierre doubt your compatibility and no matter what your mother said, you want to get along with his family. not that he’d ever said it’s a requirement, in fact he’d said he’d prefer it if you hated them. pierres hand had rested on your thigh all night, his thumb strokes it to soothe you. you could tell he was trying hard tonight, leading the conversation and keeping the atmosphere light. it must be very hard for him, you know he struggles to be extroverted, especially when things are as awkward as this.

they interrogated you and you gave your most diplomatic answers but everything that came out of your mouth warranted a "huh" or "i see" from them. no you don’t garden, no you’d never been to a farm and you had only every worked at the library, a few cafes when you were younger. your ex boyfriends were bought up and compared to pierres ex girlfriends. apparently your ex's older brother was now married to pierres ex, the way that his mother said it, you’d think you set them up. you asked pierres father about current events since pierre had told you he enjoys the news. watching it maybe but he wasn’t open to discussing it with you. you were asked if you were squeamish about blood, when you made a joke that it made you faint, only pierre laughed along and you could tell it was just for your benefit. you were intimidated by pierres sister pascale, she was a few years older than you and too cool for you to talk to, well that’s how it felt. when ms. chavanges asked you how many children you wanted and if you’d taken a fertility test, pierre whispered "mother" sharp and low at her and you asked if the cows were hating this hot weather to distract, it made you sound stupid but you couldn’t think of anything else.

pierre gets up to take the dinner plates, you reach for some but pascale pushed you back down smiling, saying she’ll take it with him instead. that’s a good sign, at least his sister liked you. you complimented the home interior and the decorations, the house was cozy and welcoming, the smell of the garden flowers travelling in. after a pause, ms. chavanges starts, "you have very dainty hands" you um and look at your hands "do you have an active lifestyle". you laugh awkwardly. "actually, you know i carry around heavy piles of books up and down stairs all day... i hope that counts" you sip your wine and watch pierres mother. his father was very quite, he’d barely talked tonight. you fridget with your earrings. pierre comes back with plates of dessert, a very impressive chocolate soufflé, your eyes widen at him. he puts it before you with a flourish "voila!~"

dessert was going much better, pascale and pierre had taken over, they were reciting funny family stories to you. you really appreciated the limelight off you. you were an eager audience, pascale was more than willing to expose all of pierres embarrassing stories. pierre was waving his arms about to stop her and even covered your ears for some of them. pascale prided in telling you she used to cover his bed in hay and sneak a calf into his bedroom when he got drunk to freak him out. as the night went on, pierres parents retired with a polite goodnight. pascale left not long after, pierre offered her the spare room but she wanted to drive home. she gave you a warm hug. "i'm glad you like pierre, at least someone does now" pierre scoffed at her and you laughed bewildered. "let’s get lunch together some time, my practice is close to your library" you promised her you would and waved her off.

pierre closed the door and turned to you, he held your face. "you did well darling" and kissed your cheek. you sigh and raised your brows. "your being a little delusion but i appreciate it" you stopped faking a smile and pierre pulled you across the living room, through the hallway and into a room that looks like his office. the moonlight poured into the room from the windows and shone on pierres delicate face, his silver hair reflective and blue eyes crystal clear.

*

pierre watched you look at him with a finger on your bottom lip. he flicked on the lights, "what is it?". you ignore him and turned around the room, taking a beeline to his desk. your eyes dart around it, "how do you work like this, it’s like there’s been an explosion" you flick through some papers. "you know i could organise this, i’ve got a great system i could do for you, everything alphabetical or categorical, whichever you prefer really" pierre dragged you away and onto the coach. he can’t let you get distracted by stationary, that’s a battle he knew he can’t win. he was also feeling a little offended, he’d tidied for your visit, his desk was organised and neat by his standards.

pierre played with the the wispy strands of your hair that had come undone throughout the night, when his fingers brushed against the nape of your neck you took a breath. pierre liked how responsive you were to his every touch, he plants a kiss on the back of your neck. your eyes meet and he watches your lips, slightly open the way they are when you expected a kiss. he clears his throat. he needed to know if you approved. of the house, the dinner, his family. of him. he needed to know if you wanted a future here with him. he had watched your eyes dart around all night, you stared at the bookcase in the living room, no doubt judging their literary taste. you said you liked the wallpaper and that it reminded you of beatrix potter art. you told them you liked the fine china and the food was delicious. had craned your neck to look into the garden, his stomach flipped as he watched a soft smile grow on your lips. but he needed to know if you didn’t like any part of it, he could change it all to your liking, he only needed to be told. he was nervous you might dislike something he can’t change or not want any of it all together.

you held his hand and squeezes it, "i'm sorry i was awkward, i just need a little time" pierre looked at you puzzled and snorted a laugh, "i really don’t give a fuck about that baby" pierre grabbed a glass and poured you a wine he knew you liked, he had put some of your favourite snacks on the table earlier that day. "do you like the house" he asks casually. you roll your eyes at him, "do i like the adorable cottage with a farm and garden surrounded by gorgeous trees, yes pierre, yes i do" you sip your wine and sit back. you play with his fingers and ask, "how can you even ask?" he watched you and moved back a strand of hair on your faces, you wiggled closer to him and felt you press your tits against his arm, purposely he might add. "i want you to like it that’s all" he kisses your forehead and whisper against it "i want this to be… your home one day".

you grinned at him mischievously, "oh am i a contender for mrs chavanges, i don’t know pierre would i suit being a farmers wife" your kidding again, but pierres been too stressed and can’t seem to laugh along. you notice and stroke his hair, almost patting him. pierre starts, "i love you, i don’t want to pressure you but i need you to understand my lifestyle, you can’t run away from it further along and break my heart” your eyes narrow at him. "i mean of course you could, it’d just be really mean of you" he adds, you giggle and kiss him. pierre holds you closer, he was never gonna push away a kiss from you. the kiss goes on longer, pierre tastes you and runs his hands up your legs and to the ball of your back. you pull away and catch your breathe, pierre is mesmerised with your face. your lips were plum and wet, he’d been kissing you too long. you push his hair from his eyes and smile. "pierre i could never leave or hurt you, i love you too don’t forget" a wave of gratitude washes over him, he kisses the back of your hand. "i will warn you though i’m not gonna help in the barn, my nails are really expensive pierre" his laugh fills the room, he’d never wanted you to lift a finger and imagining you trying to herd and milk the cows was like a slapstick comedy in his head.

pierre felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. he told you openly the future he imagined with you, the farm was doing well, he’d already got a few new apprentices, training them to the standard he expected. his cows had won a few awards and that’s given him more power to negotiate for better contracts. he wanted you to know he has laid the foundation for a strong future. pierre had been taking more time off recently and promised you he’d be able to take even more. you nodded and your hand traced down his jaw to his chest. you lean close to his ear. "i like every version of a life with you pierre, you don’t need to convince me of anything, i’m not going anywhere". pierres eyes strung, of course you’d know exactly what he wanted. he pulls you onto his lap, his buries his face in your neck. he takes in the feeling of you close to him, your scent, the rise and fall of your body, wondering how he got so lucky.

"you know i used to have a crush on you when i was younger" pierres face snaps up confused. "i used to daydream of us having a picnic in the grass, on that hill up there" your voice was airy as you stared out the window and pierre loved you even more. more than he ever thought he was capable of loving someone.

the end.

thank you for reading!~ i really appreciate you taking the time, i loved swann in this movie and was inspired. thanks again xox

daydreaming masterlist

#i hate endings 🥺🥺 #thanks for reading #swann arlaud #petit paysan #bloody milk #pierre chavanges #fanfic #fluff #y/n

[why-animals-do-the-thing]

Weird question but do you think its possible to become a zookeeper without a degree? I'm 29 and don't have the time, energy, or money to go back to college and fear I've missed my chance at my dream career. I'm not sure how to get experience or what I could possibly do to help my resume.

It’s definitely possible! Not super common, but possible - and much more so than it would have been a couple of years ago.

When I was in college (early 2010s) and wanting to enter the field, there was a pretty clear pipeline: four year degree, unpaid summer internships, then apply for a part-time or temp position somewhere, and volunteer somewhere until you get a first job. This is still somewhat of the way it’s done at bigger AZA facilities.

But, interestingly enough, things are changing. There’s two things really driving that. The first is the massive push for increased DEAI efforts in the zoo industry. After the big commitments AZA and many individual zoos made during the BLM protests in 2020, one of the big conversations that started was how inequitable zoo hiring and especially internship programs are. Requiring four years degrees and large amounts of unpaid labor before getting a job - and paying poverty wages once someone gets that job - biases success entering and staying in the zoo field towards people with generational wealth. I honestly didn’t think the advocacy that stemmed from those discussions would do much, and I’ve been very pleasantly surprised to see that I was wrong! There’s a been a lot of real movement towards creating paid internships and making hiring requirements more equitable. It isn’t happening everywhere, but I know it’s becoming more and more common (and last year there was a ton of presentations about this on the AZA annual meeting schedule, which is a huge deal). The other thing that’s happening is less formal, but equally fascinating. I’ve been present for a lot of discussions about how there’s a disconnect between what zoos are hiring for (formal education, complex resumes) and what skills the job actually requires. It seems like it’s easier to train people to work with animals and learn their behavior than it is to teach people practical skills like how to do manual labor without hurting themselves and operate heavy machinery. I’ve seen some discussions of how some of their most successful new staff have come from adjacent industries or even just other “blue-collar” jobs that involve similar types of work, regardless of what their academic background is. Which is great! Because that adds to equity and diversity of staff across the industry.

To start off the rest of my answer, there has to be a disclaimer that I’m not in hiring, so I can’t say for sure what will get you a job (and while I’ve volunteered and interned, I have never been formally hired as staff by a zoological facility). So my advice for the rest of this comes from watching and listening to a whole ton of industry folk for the past decade or so, and from what I’ve seen my friends do that’s been successful to get jobs in the field.

In terms of experience, the best thing you can do - and I hate to say this, because it does require a level of privilege to be able to do - is volunteer somewhere. It doesn’t have to be at a zoo. Anything that will give you some animal experience for a resume and references will be valuable: shelters, vet offices, riding barns, farms, even 4H. You need to be able to demonstrate that you’ve worked around a variety of species (even if they’re all domestic) and have people who can speak to the fact that you’re diligent, attentive to detail, and have common sense about things like safety protocols. If you can’t volunteer, try to find a job in any of these areas with similar skills. Or where you can learn them! Say you can’t get an animal care job, but you’re good at phones and people - you could get a desk job at an animal shelter, and help out with cleaning and animal enrichment when possible. Boom! Experience!

It’s also important to learn how to shape your current job experience to an application, which is something I can talk more about and maybe pull in advice from folk actually in hiring for. There’s a ton that can be applicable to animal jobs. Office work? You can probably speak to experience with proprietary software systems and record-keeping (which is a bigger deal than you’d think). Construction / landscaping / similar physical labor jobs? You know how to work hard in a range of weather conditions, keep a project on spec, have experience with complex project planning, and probably know a thing or two about basic safety stuff (don’t store heavy things above your head, lift with your legs, etc). You’re basically looking to communicate “I haven’t worked in this field, but here’s all the skills I have that will translate to this job.”

Realistically, if you’re coming in without a degree or a ton of animal experience, you’re much more likely to be able to get a job at smaller, non-AZA facilities to start (they might not even be zoos - there’s sanctuaries and petting zoos and all sorts of other professional animal care gigs). And this is fine and good! There’s lots of good ones out there. You can always use experience gained there to move up in the field, if it’s your dream to work at an AZA facility specifically. And a lot of people do that - you’ll hear some places talk about how they know they’re training zoos, because their staff get a foot in the door and then consistently leave for other facilities after a couple years. But there’s also a lot of reasons to stay with some of the smaller facilities. They’re often in areas with cheaper cost of living, and so a zookeeping salary will go farther. I’ve also seen that a lot of the smaller facilities - ones where like, staff know and interact with the zoo director frequently - tend to take better care of their staff. They may not be able to increase salary, but I’ve seen some of those facilities go the extra mile for their people in other ways when it’s possible. It’s a very different experience than being a small cog in the giant machines that are many AZA zoos. It’s the sort of thing you have to vet carefully, but when you find a small facility that really invests in it’s people, it can be very worthwhile.

You also have to think about the fact that you don’t have to start in zookeeping to get an animal care job! I’ve seen a lot of people start in education or in summer camp staff, and then use the relationship with the facility and their track record in those jobs to transition into animal care. Especially education, if you’ve got the skill-set, because you’re often working with ambassador animals or in collaboration with the teams that care for them. I’ve seen some people start in facilities or ground crew, too, but I think that’s less common. Getting your foot in the door somehow and building relationships is one of the biggest parts of getting a job in the field if you’re not following the traditional pipeline.

If you’re near enough to a smaller facility that you can visit regularly, do. Learn as much as you can about the zoo and what they do and what they’re involved in, to show that you’re interested and invested, and then go talk to someone there. Tell them exactly what you told me: this is a dream, and you’re really interested in their facility specifically, and you’re wondering what you should do to build a resume to apply for a job there. At worst, you’ll get some advice. At best, they might take a chance on you. I’ve heard of it happening. (The hardest part of this is, honestly, figuring out who to talk to - it’s not the sort of thing where you can just ask a keeper while they’re cleaning. But you can find opportunities, and then ask if there’s someone in management who might have time to answer a couple questions.)

So in short: yes. It’ll take some work and time, and probably some free labor, but it’s doable. More so now than any other time recently. Good luck!

#zookeeping #zoo industry #getting a zoo job #how to become a zookeeper #job advice

[art-but-only-sometimes]

Stardew Valley 20 heart headcannons!

LOT of posts coming. tumblr has a word count and won't let me go past a certain amount. :/

Not trying to complain about the stuff that ConcernedApe has done. Which is incredible by the way I wouldn't even be making this post without how much ConcernedApe has worked on the game over the years but…. HEADCANNON. I REEEEEEEEEALLLLLY wish the heart events in Stardew Valley went up to 20 hearts for romancible characters. (unless there is already a mod that has it and I just haven't found it yet lol)

Like you have the normal 10 hears for non-romanceable characters. Then you have romanceable characters. The highest reasonable level that I know of is level 16. But that's after you get married. I wish that you ask a bachelor/bachelorette to be your boyfriend/girlfriend at level 10 and then you go through the level 10 to level 18 heart events as you are dating. Then you get the blue shell from the mariner and propose to them at level 18 so that you can get to level 20 and be married to them. Like you spend a bunch of time getting to know and befriend them and get a bunch of heart events levels 0 to 10 and then one or two heart events when you are dating them. Idk I'd like it to be more balanced.

Elliott first!

Elliott: 12 heart event: You go into Elliott's cabin on the days he's playing piano. He's happy to see you. He asks if he can play something for you. You sit next to him on the piano seat and he plays a song. You lean closer to him, and the song ends. He asks you if you like the song (that was beautiful/ I can think of something more beautiful) if you choose option A, he kisses you. If you choose option B you kiss him.

14 heart event: (same as the canon event) Elliott goes on a book tour to promote his book, he's gone for 8 days then comes back in the morning and sees the player.

16 heart event: Elliott feels a bit bad for leaving you alone at the farm. So he has a surprise for you. Head to his cabin at 6pm and meet him inside. If you do get there at 6 he has made a candle-lit dinner for you both.

18 heart event:(Part 1) You go over to Elliott's cabin and he seems to be having a conversation with someone over the phone. Which he was able to get after his book started doing well. He seems upset. After he hangs up he sees you at the door. He looks surprised, he doesn't want you to see him upset. (Who was that?/Are you alright?) Either one gets a response. Elliott was talking on the phone with his mother. Who called him about how proud she and her family are about how well his book is doing. You're a bit confused about why he is upset. He explains that he is upset because his family didn't care about his career before. But now that he's doing well they care a lot. Elliott says that he had thought about inviting them here but he didn't want to spring it suddenly on the farmer. (if you don't mind then neither do I/ you should invite them only if you feel comfortable). Either way, Elliott thanks you for listening to him. He says he'll ask them to come next week.

(Part 2): Elliott comes over and says that his family is coming tomorrow at 10am via the bus. The farmer meets Elliott at the bus and sees Elliott's parents. After introductions are made Elliott and The farmer show Elliott's parents around town. Meeting people throughout the day and Elliott's friend as well like Leah and Willy. At the end of the day, Eliott's parents say that it was nice to meet the farmer and say that Elliott has been doing very good for himself. They leave on the bus, and Elliott looks a little sad. He says he was hoping for an apology but didn't get one. The player looks a little sad too and gives Elliott a kiss on the forehead. He asks the player if they'd like to come over to his house for a bit because Elliott would like some company. The player agrees and they both head over there.

~ Marriage~

20 Heart Event: be home at 10 pm, after a long day of work Elliott and you get ready for bed. You both get into bed as Elliott tells you about how the two of you don't have time to talk at bedtime. Since he's busy with his book and you with the farm/mining/etc. He really enjoys the time he has with you. He asks you if you'd like him to read to you. (Yes I'd love that actually/ I'd actually just love to talk to you.) Either way, you two spend time together until you both fall asleep.

If you can think of any heart events for Elliott, feel free to add them in!

#stardew valley #stardew valley elliott #sdv #sdv headcanons #stardew valley headcannons #heart events #videogame headcannons #headcannons #stardew #valley #game #farming sim #farming simulator #elliott

[andersons-bayonettes]

Back to regular Price content, because I just really am down bad for him... so let's continue our deranged Simping!

On today's menu? Lumberjack Price heheheh

Totally not because I am such a simp for him and him, living in the woods? Say less.

The first time you two would meet would be because you got lost in the woods and saw his house. You ha djust wanted to go for a nice stroll, but in the woods your phone didn't work, it had no connection to anything you could have used to come home, you couldn't call anyone and the trees paired with the grey clouds and noises and the booming thunder just irritated you too much :(

Then, like a glimmer of hope, you saw his house! A faint light glowing through the trees and the darkness, it had started to rain so you were just thankful to find something. Rushing through the trees, and tripping once or twice over the undergrowth, catching yourself everytime, you reached his door. It was a house reminiscent of a farm, it just looked scaled down a whole lot, like a huge farm with cows had been shrunk to only harbor chickens. You debated if this was wise. Someone out here would probably want his peace, picking this place out on purpose. You were nervous and pressed the doorbell, the shrill and loud noise ringing out to you even through the closed windows.

The first thing you heard was a few locks unlocking on the other side of the door. Before it opened, a man standing in front of you, while with a little chub still muscular and toned well, hair growing on his chest and trailing all the way down, disappearing into his jeans. His hair was wet and there was a towel on the dresser behind him. "Hello?" His voice sounded, much more gentle than one would anticipate despite the way it rumbled. "I'm sorry, I got lost and because of the storm I can't reach anyone. I am deeply sorry for disturbing you, sir, but I wanted to ask if you would provide me shelter until I can find my way home again?" He eyed you for a second, rolling the idea around in his head, not even really debating it. He was a kind man, after all.

He smiled, his cheeks squishing up and your heart seemed to flutter a bit. How cute, you thought. He stepped aside. "Of course, miss. Come on in." He shit the door behind you, locking some of the locks but not all. Maybe to give you some sense of comfort, as to not give you the feeling of being trapped. He told you to wait a second and grabbed a new towel from one of the closets, handing it to you so you could have some warmth and something to dry yourself with. It wasn't much, but it was something. "I don't mind you staying here, you are probably really cold, so you are free to use my shower if you like. I can give you some clothes for the night since the storm won't stop until tomorrow morning. I'll make the couch ready for you." You really were surprised by how nice he was, how welcoming. But you didn't ask, accepting his offers graciously.

He showed you the shower, where you could dry your clothes, gave you old ones of his - way too large on your body but yet comfortable - and showed you everything you needed in case you had to get up at night. He was very nice, knew what you needed without you even uttering a word. The couch was soft and sat in, indents on the old cushions, smelling like the smoke of a bonfire, the woodsy scent of the forest, a faint buzz of cigar smoke on it as well, mixed with something else you couldn't quite place. The pillow he provided you with felt like a cloud, the blankets that had looked scratchy and poorly made were the most heavenly thing you had ever the pleasure of sleeping in. It was surprising really. But you drifted fast to sleep, adrenaline now worn off and tiring your body.

When you awoke the room was lit in a soft golden glow, it was early in the morning, way earlier than you expected to wake up, but you felt refreshed and as if you had never needed more sleep in your life. You could hear a dog barking loudly, chicken chirping. And other birds singing. It was like the storm never happened. You cuddled deeper into the cushions however, not wanting to get up just yet. And that was when the door to the house opened and the drenched man that lived here entered again. His button up shirt was soaked, the dark hairs on his chest visible through the fabric now. It clung to him for dear life, nearly drenching the big bundle he carried in his arms. Shortly following after, right at his heel was a dog, tall and wet as well, it's fur speckled with dirt, and yet it never seemed happier. He took the bundle to the fireplace, unpacking the wooden slabs from the cloth and threw them in the coals and ashes from the last fire, before he grabbed himself one of the statues standing on it, popping the head of and revealing the contraption within. Pressing a button, a pretty big flame spit out of the contraption and lit the first slab on fire, the others following shortly after.

He took his shirt off, laying it out in front of the fire, before sitting down and staring into it, while the dog instead waddled over to you, your pets earning a small, happy bark and a tail wag, before it sauntered back over to the man and floppe ddown next to him. "That's a nice dog." You commented, and surprised he turned around. He seemed puzzled for a second, probably haven forgotten about you altogether. "Her name's Riley. Good Dog. From one of my old friends." His voice was gruff and coarse. "And what's your name?" He seemed to think for a second. "John." You introduced yourself back to him. "I know I came to you in the middle of a storm yesterday, I truly am thankful for your kindness. However, I really need to go back and I don't want to overstay my welcome." He cut you off before you finished "It's alright, lass. Go and get your things, they're dried by now."

After getting dressed in your own clothes again, you collected your bag and soon stood in front of his door, him on the other side as you scrambled for words. "I really don't want to seem rude. Is there anything I can give you as a thank you?" He shook his head. "No need to, I have everything I need here." "But there must be something, I can't just stay in your house, use electricity, water and space and expect you to cover it all." "It's fine, really. I just did what any respectable man would, don't worry about it."

He told you how to find him however, considering his hut was deep in the woods and you had stumbled on it in the middle of a storm, your insistence on getting him something in return too much for him to turn down, even if you both were stubborn. He and Riley decided to help you out of the woods however - mainly Riley, considering she wouldn't stop following you and barking at John until he begrudgingly came with. As a final goodbye he tipped his hat, the edge of the woods visible. Riley earned a few scratches from you as you thanked the two again and left. But not for long, you would see them again very soon

Sorry btw that this isn't so long and took such a long time, I just had a hot ton to do at home, work, school... then I lost motivation and oh well.

Maybe a second part incoming? Idk tbh

#call of duty #call of duty x reader #cod x reader #captain john price #john price #john price x reader

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA because my puppy was destructive and did a lot of damage?

I have a five month old puppy. Since she was five months old I have used a Pet Sitter as she is a puppy and cannot be left unattended. She’s completed puppy training and I’m working through an intermediate obedience class. I’ve lent the Pet Sitter the training manual in the past, so she knows the puppy’s commands and what we are working on.

My partner and I a week off from work so we decided to travel Tuesday - Thursday and Saturday - Sunday. I picked the puppy up Thursday night and brought her back to the Pet Sitter on Saturday afternoon.

On Thursday when I picked up the puppy the Pet Sitter remarked that she didn’t know how I kept a puppy in my apartment without a yard. That the puppy had been running around since 4 am and never got tired. I explained that I walk her and mostly tire her out with mental exercises like training.

The puppy slept most of the day Friday and wasn’t interested in getting up for anything, even food. She seemed completely exhausted and I was worried that the Pet Sitter had overdone it with her. When I dropped her off Saturday I told the Pet Sitter about how tired she’d been but the Pet Sitter didn’t seem concerned.

On Sunday morning the Pet Sitter texted me about how much the puppy loved running around outside in the rain and that she thought the puppy would love to live on a farm.

Sunday afternoon, she texted me saying that my puppy had destroyed her garden. “Hi can you have your roommate come and get the dog? I cannot keep the puppy out of the garden or stop her from destroying the yard.”

By roommate she meant my partner who was with me on vacation out of town. At the time she sent this text my cell phone did not have service and I received this text as well as the others about fifteen ministers later. She sent me pictures of the destroyed garden and a text.

“She literally has chewed up part of the little fence I had around the garden.”

She then sent me several pictures of pictures of my puppy actively chewing on the little fence thing. I felt frustrated that she took pictures rather than telling her to leave it.

She said the damage happened “within 5 minutes it took me to go to the bathroom. She needs a giant farm with cattle or sheep to heard.”

And asked how soon I could pick up the dog. I said we were leaving right away but it was a three hour drive (which ended up being longer due to storms and traffic).

When I got there to pick up the dog she wanted to show me all the damage the dog did and said she left it there like it was so she could show me. I declined because I was scheduled to meet with my puppy’s trainer.

She said she knows it’s not technically my fault but I need to understand she will never watch my puppy again and does not think the puppy is suitable to live in a city and should be on a farm.

I met with my trainer and showed her the texts and pictures and she said that digging and chewing was likely a boredom response. She’s never caused much destruction at my place aside from occasionally chewing things she shouldn’t chew when I wasn’t looking which resulted in me telling her to leave it when I noticed.

I never leave her unattended around the house. She’s kennel trained and if I have to leave her alone even to go to sleep she is in her kennel.

I had no idea she’d destroy the garden, but I also didn’t know the pet sitter had a garden or that she it wasn’t secured in a way to keep dogs out or that she’d leave my puppy unattended.

I’m not sure what how I could have managed the puppy’s behavior since I was not there and hadn’t been there since the day before. I assumed the Pet Sitter knew how to look after puppies since she looks after puppies, and agreed to look after mine and had done so repeatedly.

But I feel guilty about all the damage. The Pet Sitter said she’d done hundreds of dollars of damage to the garden and gotten her into trouble with her landlady for damage done to the yard and vines on the wall.

The Pet Sitter was always really nice. She has everyone call her aunty and called the puppy our baby. She sent puppy home with new toys and gave us a giant gift bag after watching her on Christmas with a new leash and snuffle mats and toys. I’m really sorry the damage happened but I’m not sure what I could have done differently.

https://imgur.com/gallery/ZFkp8ao

The imgur link, clickable

What are these acronyms?

#aita #am i the asshole

[rainbow-nerdss]

WIP Wednesday?

I was tagged by @daffi-990

I've been so burned out on anything resembling social interaction but i'm home now and feel a bit more human, sorry to everyone who has tagged me in stuff the past few weeks 💙💙💙 I don't think i'll be able to go back and look at previous stuff unfortunately but i'm trying to be better going forward!

Anyway, here's a snip from the hallmark fic:

At the tree farm, Buck was almost more excited than Chris. They had come up with a long list of requirements on the drive, insisting that Eddie keep track of it all on his phone. Top of the list, the one thing they both refused to budge on but which made Eddie shake his head but decide not to comment on in the moment, was that it shouldn’t be too perfect. “Okay, fine! Can one of you explain what that actually means?” Eddie finally snapped when they’d been looking over an hour. Chris and Buck exchanged a look, deciding to indulge Eddie’s ignorance. “It’s gotta look real. If it’s too perfect, it’ll just look like a fake one.” Buck gestured in confirmation of Chris’s explanation. He fell into step beside Eddie as Chris continued to examine every tree they passed, looking for one which was full but not too full, tall enough to be impressive but not so tall that it wouldn’t fit in the living room. “Thanks for letting me tag along,” Buck said in a low tone. Eddie shot him a look, bumping their shoulders together. He opened his mouth, then his brows furrowed, and he closed it again. A moment later, he finally answered. “Well, from the look of things, I’d have messed up if I tried to do this alone. I’m clueless about all this stuff, apparently.” “Hey, you managed it without me for years, right?” “Sure, I did. We did. But this year… You… It’s good.” “Dad! Buck!” Chris shouted from just out of sight. “I found it!”  Buck grinned and ran to where Chris’s voice was coming from, finding him standing at the base of a tree.  Six feet tall, Douglas fir, full branches but with a bend in the trunk about halfway up, making it appear ever so slightly lopsided. “That’s the one!” Buck shouted. He walked around the trunk, inspecting it from every angle and meeting Chris back at the front. They stood side by side, looking at the tree.  “It’s a good one,” Eddie agreed. Buck looked over his shoulder to see Eddie lowering his phone, like he’d just taken a picture.

no pressure tags: @exhuastedpigeon @thewolvesof1998 @aspecbuddie @jamespearce9-1-1 @theotherbuckley @callmenewbie @loserdiaz @911-on-abc @wildlife4life @disasterbuckdiaz @jeeyuns @kwills91 @trenchcoatsandtimetravel @lover-of-mine @housewifebuck @devirnis @spotsandsocks @gayhoediaz

#wips #buddie wip #my fic #evan buckley #eddie diaz

[earphonejackx]

For the fluff reguest, can I please have Himeko x long distance childhood friend headcanon?

☆ Himeno x long distance childhood friend! Reader

☆ ANGST, readers parents are dead, smoking, death, this story is a little rushed but well written

☆ Oh lord now when Himeno was a child I feel liked she’d probably had a shit ton of friends but they all are mostly dead or gone on with their lives, This caused Himeno to think that most of her Friends are dead (devil hunter mindset) and she would probably not wanna revisit those old memories but when she found out you were still alive?? Her childhood bestie?? Oh yeah you were in for a hell of a week with her

☆ Himeno was sooo happy when she found out you were still alive and well, when she got your new phone number she immediately called you and almost started crying on the phone in happiness

☆ You had to eventually calm her down because she was going crazy! Hearing your voice was probably the best thing that has happened in her miserable life so far. Himeno would take off from work immediately to visit you out in the country side, she had to tell Aki she had to meet up with an old friend, Aki was confused that she still had other “friends” outside of her devil hunting but she had to explain to him that she found out you were alive and went to go take a vist

☆ When Himeno got to the country side her heart began to swell again, she missed the feeling of fresh air, no devils and her old life but she didn’t dwell on it long because she had to meet you!

☆ When Himeno arrived at your house she immediately tackled you with a hug, she was all over you! She was so happy to see you again, alive and well.

☆ When you two finally finished your family reunion you immediately got drinks for the both of you to sit down and catch up with the stuff you both missed

☆ Since you do live out in the country side you barely care for the shit going on in the city, you had an easy going quiet life, however since Himeno lives in the city after being forced to she had to tell you about the dreadful but gracious things that came with living in the city

☆ You noticed When Himeno was sharing her stories she definitely was quite the smoker. She just couldn’t go without a cigarette, you hated the smell but didn’t complain as she just got here.

☆ Uh oh now it’s your turn to share and then the question hits you. “So [name] how are you parents nowadays?” Silence you paused for a second. “Uh hello [name] are you in there?” Himeno said waving her hands in your face. Then you explained to her, you parents where killed not too long ago by a certain devil… they left everything behind for you. Their farm, money, work, etc. it was a tragedy but it was bound to happen soon. You warned them about going into the city before the news came back to you.

☆ After Himeno found this out she was devastated, your parents where basically like her second parents they took care of her like they’re own. And hearing this made her regret not coming back sooner to say hello. She started to blame herself but you immediately stopped her and changes the subject.

☆ Then you immediately changed it to mentioning drinks, you two talked so much that the both of you were barely able to drink and get drunk out of you minds

☆ And then boom. 1, 2, 3…. 9, 10,11…14,15,… you lost count of how many drinks you’ve drowned yourself in. You found yourself slumped against the couch while Himeno was cuddling you half awake mumbling sweet nothingness, you immediately tried to get up but her weight felt like it was crushing you… maybe you’ll stay like this for awhile right? Right.

#earphonejackx #x reader #soft icons #x y/n #csm x reader #chainsaw man #headcanon #chainsaw man x reader #himeno #himeno x reader #angst #sad thoughts #csm himeno

[smartycvnt]

Team Effort

Title: Team Effort

Pairing: Jennifer Jareau x Reader

Summary: JJ has a hard time dealing with Ash going on a mission.

Word Count: 702

Pt. 2 to Sniped

JJ paused at the door as she saw Ash's bags. It was a reminder that in just a couple of days, she'd be all alone for the next several weeks. Ash was supposed to be done with the special operations. She had, in a more official capacity, retired. Unofficially, there was no better shot than her.

"Oh good, I thought I heard you come in." Ash greeted JJ with a quick hug and kiss, just like she always did. JJ didn't want to think about having to go without their little shows of affection for that long.

"Yeah, sorry it took so long. Traffic was horrible," JJ said. Ash could tell that the blonde was clearly distracted. JJ always got a little weird whenever Ash went away on missions. Ash didn't know if it was the time spent apart that upset JJ so much or the idea of Ash being in danger.

Technically, Ash never felt like she was in any sort of danger. Her job was the safest one in the squad's. She was always the furthest away from whatever the actual danger was. Ash was a long range sniper, generally shooting from hundreds of yards away from the blast zones. It was highly unlikely for anybody to even know where she was shooting from.

"Come on, I made us something for dinner." Ash ushered JJ towards the dining room. There was nothing particularly special laid out, but it still meant the world to JJ that Ash tried. Especially since JJ knew how important it was for Ash to use this time to get herself in the right headspace. The smoother the operation went, the quicker that Ash would be back in DC with JJ.

"I wonder how different our lives would be if you decided to become a chef instead," JJ mused. Ash had spent her teenage years working as a cook in her parents' restaurant, and it was not something that she could have done any longer than she did. It was stressful as a job, but Ash loved cooking as a hobby.

"We wouldn't know each other. I'd have kept my sorry ass in Iowa and married some big farm boy," Ash said. JJ could tell that Ash knew the specifics of what her life would have been. They didn't talk about that sort of thing very often, and for good reason. "Enough about hypotheticals, I'm leaving soon and I'd like to actually enjoy my time with you."

"I wish you would just tell them no," JJ said.

"Look, when I signed the resignation papers, I wasn't ready to go yet. I like being an independent contract, it means I can stay here with you instead of having to run back and forth between here and the training center. I doubt that you're suddenly willing to uproot your life and move." Ash had a good point, but that didn't mean JJ was happy about it.

"I just wish that you could find something here that you like doing that much. Have you tried meeting with the Pentagon again? Hell, I bet that you could get a spot in the FBI as an instructor if you wanted. There's no reason for you to go so far away where I can't make sure that you're safe!"

"JJ, I know that I'm not a phone call away, but I'm always safe. I have my team to keep me safe just like you have yours. We have to trust in each other's teams because if we don't, we'll put ourselves through hell," Ash spoke softly as she took JJ's hands into hers. "It's not easy to think about, but it's the way that it is. You understand that, JJ, I know that you do."

"It's different with you. People aren't actively shooting at me," JJ said.

"And they aren't shooting at me either. I'm pretty far away from the danger. I just need to immobilize my targets or clear paths for the team to do what they need to. I'm not a soldier anymore, if anything, I'm there to minimize the casualties." Ash could tell that JJ wasn't completely over her fears, but she was calm enough to enjoy their evening together.

#my writing #one shot #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds #cm x reader #cm #jennifer jareau x reader #jennifer jareau

[was-theoretically-theo]

Twenty questions that he has to answer.

How is your sleep schedule like? Don't mess with Theodore's. I annoyed him for a year about it and finally he got it right. Tho I am sure he got it right because of someone else. (Aka you) 😏

What are your friends like? Explain in brief. Treat this like a three marks question.

What is your ideal way to spend weekends? Will you take Theodore to museums or not? Will you stay in and cancel your plans if Theodore doesn't feel like going? Without blaming him?

Do you know your love language? Do you know how to convey it? (You don't have to tell me what it is just say yes or no)

What's your favourite thing about dating my best friend? Treat this like a three marks question too.

What are some things you and him have in common?

Will you give all your chocolates to him if he asks?

What's your favourite movie?

Favourite way to relax?

Will you say sorry after an argument even if it wasn't exactly your fault? I believe that saying sorry doesn't mean that you are wrong it just means that you care enough to keep your ego aside and take accountability.

Do you like Spiderman/Percy Jackson? (Very important question)

Hobbies?

Any new hobbies you want to pick up?

Will you read a book just because it is Theodore's favourite?

Favourite poet, if any?

Will you get Theodore roses?

Will you help/ask whether you can help Theodore with his chores without him having to ask you?

Extroverted or introverted?

Most played song on your playlist?

If you could master any instrument than which one?

That's it. I guess. Hope you have a wonderful day, take care of yourself and him. Also, nice to meet you, I am Eleanor. Theodore is my best friend, I am his casual friend. I am from India. Eleanor is not my real name but that is what you can refer to me, for now. Any queries? Message me. Take care of my best friend for me. Give him hugs from my side. Time to time, lots of hugs. Theodore, give him a handshake from my side. Thank you.

passing the phone to him

Shalom!! Eleanor (can I call you Ellie?  Oo or even Elea ~pronounced Ella??~ if not that’s groovy too)

I’m very excited I’ve heard lots about you! All good don’t worry babes)

I try to sleep about seven hours a night but sometimes I sleep 8 but I couldn’t do anything less unless absolutely necessary I physically could not lose a day of beauty rest of it would ruin me

Friends….all pretty diverse actually and there are several different personalities.. I’ll give you my ride or dies so okay we All went to an alternative school not because we had disciplinary problems but because we had different problems that made normal schools challenging. Like I for example have dyslexia and ADD. Anyway my best friends and I sorta bonded over this and I’ve been friends with Elton since grade five and we still keep in touch even now but he decided to go to college and I did not he’s a literal fashion icon and the sweetest smartest cinnamon roll you could meet but if he’s not doing his work you need to get on him because he procrastinates like crazy. So now we only see each other on weekends. Kaleb on the other hand went overseas and we FaceTime every morning except Sundays because of church and she’s really into anime and I can’t tell you much about that stuff except the seven deadly sins is better than demon slayer and bleach is something Kaleb rewatchs every few weeks so you best expect that it’s going to be playing when you visit but my life really doesn’t have interesting drama thank goodness. (No offence starshine👀)

I love to spend my weekends exploring I used to hike a lot but Arc is not a fan of the outdoors though we’ve found he has a knack for gardening and does very good on the family farm he just really doesn’t see the point and I don’t really blame him I suppose it’s not for everyone and I know Arc is more of a moon person. Yes actually we do go to museums and no I wouldn’t ever get mad at him for that we all have our off days

Yes and yes but ours is not the same so it’s good to keep of communication in our relationship so we stay afloat. We really haven’t had any problems though as words of affirmation is something Arc is good at unknowingly because of his poetry addiction and I’ve always been a really touchy person

My favorite thing about dating Arc is his ability to express himself though body language for example we’re at a party I don’t have a ask in front of everyone if he’s tired from all the human interaction he just shows it with expressions or posture..or whatever he chooses to convey but I never have to ask. This can be a problem on the small occasion that I can’t see him because I cannot rely on him to tell me because I usually know.

We’re people pleasers and that’s one of things we sorta bonded over when we first met we feel horrible égéen if the thing wasn’t our problem or responsibility because it made whoever upset. We don’t have very good people skills I’m overbearing and him not enough which has lead a lot of people to sorta stay away unless of course you’re also like us. I’ve found that we both share an appreciation of art mine is more in fashion design and makeup while his is writing and visual sorta stuff

Without hesitation(I’m not a huge fan of chocolate)

Geek charming (I’m not sorry)

Meditation.

Yes because I will feel bad for making him upset though he’s probably right anyway as he’s more logical than me…but one cannot always choose mind over morals so maybe I might be right on the off occasion

Not really l…sorry..but I think wonder woman is cool if that’s the same fandom? 

Crocheting, sewing, working out, and I love to sing but I’m not very good at it despite what Arc says but I do want to get into photography 

I would if he asked me but I don’t really read them because he likes to tell me about them and I love hearing about them…he also probably wound be very happy at my reading for him because he knows reading is a struggle for me

Oh this is a good one! Probably the Edgar guy I like when Arc recites them especially Anabel Lee

No because he prefers Aster white aster to be exact..

Of course! Most our chores are mutual so we don’t have it set on who does what but if he’s doing something I’d definitely help him finish whatever it is

Extroverted

Teenage dirtbag by weetus I honestly have no Idea how I’m not tied of it yet and a close second is  in this shirt by the irrépressibles which I listen to while designing 

Definitely guitar it’s just so pretty but Theodore might get me into piano he plays like a dream

I do Hope your next three days go spectacularly well and this was really fun I definitely might consider this app or the website at the very least thank you.

#𝙼𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜 #𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬!✨