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thorne93 · 5 years

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Stan Lee University (Part 8)

Prompt: What would the Avengers be like in college, more importantly, what would they be like if Y/N existed around them?

Word Count: 3588

Warnings: drama, language, betrayal

Notes: This is based on a HC from @carryonmyswansong. They helped brainstorm and write part of this series. In this AU, no one will have powers, everyone is a normal human. Beta’d by @carryonmyswansong

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Saturday - the day of the party that you’d invited Stephen to.

You weren’t sure if he was really going to come alone. You honestly hoped he didn’t come at all. You didn’t want to deal with the awkwardness or his assholeishness. You weren’t sure why it got under your skin.

Maybe it was because he’d given you every reason to think he was into you. He touched you often in lab. His fingers grazing yours to grab a notebook, to pick up a tool. He pretended to graze your ass once and said it was an accident. He showed up to your pre-med club and joked with you. He always smiled when he saw you.

So why be a dick when you invite him out? How did that even add up?

Instead of dwelling on him, you pulled on some black slacks and a flashy top. Loki was taking you and that’s all that mattered. No Stephen, no Bucky, no homework. Just a night with friends and a new date.

You didn’t get too fancy with your makeup and hair because this was a college party and chances were your hair wasn’t going to stay intact.

At 6:15, a knock came at your door. You figured it was Loki and found yourself thrilled when you saw him on the other side of the threshold.

“Ready to turn heads?” he asked with a smug grin.

“Let’s do it,” you cheered before grabbing your bag and following him out the door.

The party was at Tony’s house, a huge place on the very rich side of town. You took your car, as you already knew the way to the place.

“So you good friends with this Stark guy?” Loki asked halfway to his mansion.

“Yeah, we’ve known each other pretty much all our lives. Most of us have. Small town and all that.”

“Must get annoying, everyone already knowing everything about you.”

You shook your head, frowning. What an odd thing to say.

“No, not really. I feel like I have a huge family. Which is why what Wanda did hurt so bad. These dudes are my extended family. Gosh, Clint’s spent almost every Christmas with my family. I’ve had Easter egg hunts at Tony’s for years. So no. I think it’s nice.”

“Yeah but don’t you ever like keeping some mystery?”

“I do have mystery. There are things I’ve shared with Bucky that only we know. There are little moments with Clint that we know. There are still some places and things I love that no one knows. I’m not an open book, you know.”

He peered at you. “Hmm, I’d like to know some of those things, one day.”

You lightly laughed. “Maybe… One day.”

A moment later, you pulled into the driveway, lots of other cars already there.

“Ready for this?” you asked, raising your eyebrows at him playfully.

“I was born ready, darling.”

The two of you jumped out and you walked up the sidewalk, not bothering to knock. When the door opened, it exposed you to about fifty people. You knew quite a few of them, but some were new faces.

The two of you made your way through the party to the kitchen, where Tony and Bruce stood.

“Hey guys!” you greeted, waving with a grin on your face. “I brought Loki.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand to the two.

“Likewise, Shakespeare,” Tony teased. “I’ve got the open bar, as usual, chips, and pizza is on the way.”

“Went all out,” you joked.

“Hey, if you don’t like it, you can leave,” Tony said with a huge grin before he looked over your shoulder. “Hey! Richie!”

With that, he was off and Bruce seemed to walk away to meet up with Peter.

Awkwardly, you turned to Loki and said, “Well, would you like a drink or…?”

“Aren’t I supposed to offer you one?” he asked with a side smile.

You bobbed your head. “Technically, but I know this place better than you. How about a Jack and Coke?” you asked, tilting a bottle of whiskey back, looking at the island in the kitchen.

“That’s a little heavy,” he mused, taking in the inventory.

“Oh, lightweight, huh?” you teased.

“Hardly. I can drink Thor under the table.”

“Hey, speaking of, is your brother here?”

“Probably,” he scoffed, seeming uninterested in talking about his sibling.

“Okay so no Jack… What about a hurricane? Dirty martini? Old fashioned? Cosmo?”

“Did you take a bartending course or what’s with the drink list?”

A laugh escaped you as you shook your head. “No, not quite. Tony just loves to drink and pretends that mixology is a science.”

Loki touched a few of the bottles and noted, “Apparently. Um, make me something blue.”

“That’s vague as hell, but sure. A Jack Frost, one of my favorites.”

You set to work making the drink, grabbing the blender from its place in the cabinet. Tony wasn’t one for blended drinks, but in the summer during his pool parties, you often manned the slushy duty.

The drinks were done and you poured them in solo cups. You would’ve preferred to do it properly in a nice glass with shredded coconut on the rim, but at this party, it was best to use plastic.

“Want to go out on the patio?” you offered.

“Sure,” Loki said with a smile.

The two of you walked out where Scott, Clint, and T’Challa were sitting.

“Hey guys,” you greeted with a bright smile, sitting across from them. Loki sat next to you on the bench swing, putting his arm behind you.

“Hey, Y/N,” Scott said happily. “Heard about the internship. That sucks. Sorry about that.”

You waved it off. “Hey, it’s fine. There’s others out there.”

“Wanda’s here, you know,” T’Challa noted.

“That’s fine,” you assured. “It’s water under the bridge.”

“So you’re not still pissed?” Clint wondered, frowning.

“Oh, I’m furious but I’m not about to stay away from all my friends for her, and I don’t expect her to do the same. Karma will get her back. I just need to live my life.”

“Very mature of you, kid,” Scott slightly joked with a wink before tipping his beer bottle back.

“Thanks, old man,” you shot back, hiding a smile.

You all began to chat, they directed a lot of questions at Loki, as he was the new kid in the group and everyone was highly interested in him and his brother. Last night, only Scott was at the party.

Eventually, T’Challa saw a guy he knew from his Congress class and Scott went in for a refill and never came back. Natasha found Clint and drug him off to God knew where. Then Thor discovered Loki was at the party and those two bantered for a moment in front of you, making you giggle.

Wanda made her way out to the patio and the two of you exchanged a glance that didn’t go unnoticed by the small circles you were in, but no words were said before she went back to talking to her brother and a guy you’d never seen before.

By now, it was about 2 am, and more than half the attendees had gone home or were asleep.

“Hey, hey, hey guys,” Tony said, poking his head out onto his patio, the pool light reflecting off his face. He was totally shitfaced as Pepper hung on him, laughing at something unbeknownst to you. “We’re gonna play spin the bottle, come on.”

Loki smile at you. “Shall we?”

Immediately, you reclused. “Uh, no. I’m good.”

“What? It’s harmless. Come on,” he coaxed.

“Nah, it’s not really my thing.”

He nodded. “Well, suit yourself then.” With that, he stood and went inside, where you saw everyone sitting in a huge circle in Tony’s living room. You shook your head and sighed.

“Unbelievable…” you scoffed. You walked over to the old swingset Tony kept in his yard and sat down, just swaying.

You couldn’t believe that after the wonderful time you had last night, and the good time you were having tonight, that he just ditched you like that.

“This seat taken?” Stephen’s voice suddenly said and your head snapped up.

“You’re here?” you asked, surprised.

“Nope, I’m an apparition,” he quipped as he walked over and sat beside you in the swings.

“Oh, that’s good then. I’m glad I don’t have to actually converse with the jackass who thinks he knows the difference between velocity and acceleration.” You smiled to yourself, stealing a glance at him.

He grinned as he gestured to the air. “Precisely. You can just, talk to the air about how much you hate me.”

“Sounds perfect to me,” you remarked with a grin.

His voice got more serious as he swung over, bumping your seat. “Hey, why are you out here all alone? Shouldn’t you be inside, sucking face with the Drama King?”

You peered at him out of the side of your eyes. “How’d you know I came with Loki?”

“Saw you two walk in.”

“You’ve been here all night?” you wondered.

“Mhm. And you’ve avoided my question. Why are you the only one out here?” he pressed, thrusting his head towards the house where you could still see everyone laughing and kissing.

“Just not my scene. What about you? What’s a strapping young doctor-to-be all alone on a Friday night doing out here, hanging out with the idiot that only looks up definitions?”

He hung his head, grinning. “Well first off, I’m not alone. I’m at a famous Tony Stark party with the popular Y/N. Secondly, even if you do just look up the definitions, you’ve got a better handle on the science than most of the other so called ‘future doctors’.”

“Careful, Stephen, that almost sounded like a compliment,” you teased. “So I’m not sucking face because it’s not my thing, but what about you?”

Stephen looked forward, watching the lot of them laugh, kiss, and get even more drunk than they already were. “Call me old fashioned, but when I kiss someone, I don’t want it to be a bottle deciding who, when, or where.That goes for empty ones and one’s I’ve finished off.”

At his words, you peered at him. Dammit, why did he have to remind you why you liked him? Sure, at first, it was a physical thing. Then he was into the same academics as you. But he was always so arrogant, with reason to be, and always making all these clever witty little remarks that stuck with you.

And now, now your date was in there kissing anyone the bottle landed on, and the guy you actually liked was out here with you.

“So how’s SLU treating you?” you wondered.

“I like it just fine, other than Stewart.”

“Stewart is literally the only bad thing about SLU,” you promised. “I’m glad to hear you like it though. I was worried I might’ve scared you into going back to your old school.”

He let out a soft laugh. “I don’t scare that easy.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“So graduating high school early, huh? How’d that come about?”

You shrugged. “I was doing really well in my classes, so my teachers pushed me to do some extra work. I eventually got a lot of work done during summer and stuff and graduated early with Tony and the gang.”

“Do you miss high school?”

You laughed. “Uh, no, not really. I mean I got my prom and everything. I was focused on school. Besides, I have more than enough fun on campus.”

“Not a lot of people would be willing to give up their youth like that, jump right into college, then a career.”

“Not a lot of people are like me,” you noted softly.

“That’s true,” he agreed in a whisper. “If I’m honest, I just thought you were pushed through.”

“What? You mean like rich parents or something?” you wondered.

He bobbed his head side to side, hesitant to agree.

“Yeah, you aren’t the only one. Well, my friends know I got here based on my academics, but…”

“But?” he urged.

“But they think my parents paid my way. They don’t. I actually got a few scholarships. My parents help with meals, because they want me to focus on school but, that’s it. Clint knows they don’t, but the rest of them don’t seem to believe me when I tell them I have financial aid. I mean, my parents aren’t rich by any means, just above comfortable, you know?”

He nodded, listening.

“They think the same thing about you, you know,” you mentioned. “They think you’re a spoiled rich kid, floating by on your parents money.”

“That what you think?”

“Why does it matter what I think?”

“It matters to me,” he said firmly.

You stared into his grey eyes for a moment, appreciating their haunting color. “No, no I don’t think you’re some spoiled rich kid. Do I think you’re a dick? Yes, but that has nothing to do with your tuition.”

At this, the two of you laughed before you suddenly noticed Loki walking across the patio and pool area towards you two.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Loki asked.

“I told you I wasn’t into that,” you informed, gesturing lazily to the house.

“I didn’t know you were such a prude,” he remarked with a scoff.

You glared at him. “I’m not a prude because I don’t want to mouth fuck all of my friends,” you snapped, jumping from the swing.

“Oh, well excuse me for trying to liven up the party.”

“Liven up and be a total manwhore are two different things,” you said angrily, shaking your head. You pegged Loki all wrong. You thought he was a good guy, maybe a little mischievous but he was so sweet and kind last night. And up until the whole spin the bottle, he still seemed great. He was funny, witty, charming.

But then he had to go and swap spit with most of the people you’d grown up with. What kind of guy does that? He was your date to this party.

“At least I’m not skulking about like some moping child,” he retorted. “You could’ve joined the fun.”

“It’s not fun to me, don’t you get that?” You turned back to Stephen. “It was nice to see you, Stephen. I’m gonna go. Getting late...”

Stephen nodded meekly and gave you a tiny wave with a side smile, trying to ignore how awkward this was to be caught between the argument.

You looked at Loki. “Find your own way back to campus.”

“Oh is that how it’s gonna be?” he slurred. “Fine! I’ll have any one of these lovely ladies bring me back. You could’ve had me, Y/N, you could’ve had me tonight!” he shouted after you. You walked down the lawn, thankful that the party goers seemed oblivious to the ordeal except Clint. He saw you walking away and he put his beer down to run toward you.

“Hey, hey, you okay?” he asked, stopping you and putting his hands on your shoulders.

“Yeah, just… Loki being an ass. I asked the jerk here and he went in there without me and made out with everyone.” You shrugged, shaking your head slightly. “It’s fine, Clint. I’m fine. He’s just an asshole. I’ve seen ‘em before. I’m gonna go back to campus and prevent a hangover. You need a ride back or are you good?”

“I’m good. Are you?”

You nodded “I stopped drinking hours ago. I only had two drinks anyway.”

He peered at you with worry on his face. “Alright, if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

With that, he let you go and said he’d see you later. You got to your car and sat there a second before starting it. With your head resting on the window, a knock came to the passenger side window. If it was Loki, you were going to tell him to eat shit.

However, when you glanced over, ready to tear him a new one, it was Stephen.

Confused, you rolled the window down.

“Hate to bother you in the middle of a meltdown, but could you give me a ride?”

“How did you get here?” you wondered. You really needed to be alone and hoped his ride here could just redo the favor. Any other night, you would probably jump at the chance to be in the same room as the handsome jerk, but tonight you’d had your fill of assholes.

“By portal,” he joked with a ‘give me a break’ look. “I came with Sam, but he’s passed out in the living room.”

“That… sounds about right,” you agreed. “Alright, yeah, come on.”

He climbed in.

“Thanks.”

“Sure thing.”

You took off, and drove slowly through the neighborhood.

“So date didn’t go as planned, huh?”

You glanced sideways at Stephen, wondering if he was trying to be a dick on purpose. If so, he and Loki were both out of the running for any sort of romantic relationship. You didn’t need or want games or drama.

“No, it didn’t. I don’t know I just… He was so cool last night.”

“Last night?” he wondered.

“Yeah we went to Scott’s party last night and he was perfectly fine. Now tonight he was… I don’t know. I don’t know what that was.”

“Think you’ll see him again?”

You scoffed. “No, most likely not.”

Quietness filled the car for a second.

“You know what bothers me the most?”

“That his IQ isn’t anywhere near yours?” he joked with a serious face before a small smile slipped in there.

You smiled despite yourself. “No, not that. It’s that he seemed really cool, just like a really good guy to be around, at least like a friend. You know? Entertaining, charming, well-read. Now, he’s just another douche at a party. So I’m sad that what could have been a good friendship was ruined by one night.”

“It doesn’t have to be ruined. Maybe he’s just shitty boyfriend material,” he offered.

“I don’t know. If you treat your date like that, are you really going to be any better as a friend?”

He bobbed his head side to side in contemplation.

“I don’t know. Do you think I’m a prude or that I overreacted?”

He took a deep breath. “Seeing as I wasn’t participating in the game, I can’t call you a prude. Overreacted… maybe a little bit, but to be fair, I wouldn’t be thrilled if the chick I brought to a party was doing that either. However, how many times have you two gone out?”

“This was date number two. We’ve had lunch and stuff on campus and study sessions but…”

“Well in one way, you could say you two aren’t serious yet and no one’s put a label on anything and he didn’t do anything wrong.”

“And the other way to look at it?”

“That he’s a sleazeball,” he remarked with a smile and laugh.

This made you chuckle as well.

“Glad to see you can still joke around. There may be hope for your sense of humor afterall.”

“And there may be hope for your physics grade afterall,” you shot back with a coy grin.

“Oh, okay, taking shots too now, are we?” he commented with a pleased smile. “I can appreciate that.”

A minute later, you were back on campus. “Where is your dorm?” you asked, ready to turn wherever he needed.

“Let’s go to yours.”

“What?” you asked, appalled. You sincerely hoped he didn’t think you two were suddenly going to hook up, did he?

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Not like that. I’m not the type of guy to take advantage of a girl who had an asshole encounter. I just want to make sure you get to your dorm safe, and I’ll walk to mine from there. That’s all.”

“Oh,” you said, a little embarrassed. Your cheeks started to heat up.

He turned to you a little more pointedly. “Would it really be that abhorrent if I did offer it though?” he asked, offense evident in his voice.

“Tonight? Yes.”

“Ah, but not all the time.”

At this, you laughed. “No, not all the time.”

Normally, you’d never been this candid about your feelings about a guy. You’d hide them for fear of rejection or worried he’d make fun of you. Especially with Stephen. So far he’d just given you crap. But in a way, you trusted him. Besides, he already knew you liked him, you’d asked him out on a date. That was easy enough to deduce, so the rest was just details.

You parked just outside your dorm and the two of you got out. He walked you up to the lobby door.

“Thanks for the ride,” he said with a smile.

“Yeah. It was… I’m glad you were there to have someone to talk to.”

He shrugged, looking away. “I thought you might not wanna be alone. That’s all.”

“I really didn’t, so thanks for that.”

“Sure thing. See you Monday in class?”

“Yeah,” you said with a head nod and smile.

“Be sure to look up all the big words in the lab manual. I don’t want you getting scared,” he said as he walked away.

“I’ll only be scared if you start to understand the material, jackass.”

With that, he waved, not looking back.

You couldn’t help but smile before going into your dorm, Loki’s antics long forgotten.

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calorieworkouts · 6 years

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The 29 Most Incredible Themed Races of 2014

Why run the very same ol' 5K when you can race in a bunny outfit or, emergency room, in your birthday celebration suit? Whether you're seeking to dress up, obtain slimed, deal with barriers, or obtain in on some endless Twinkie activity, our roundup of one of the most incredible themed races around has something for everyone.

When putting this list with each other, the fun element wased initially and also foremost, however we additionally considered the swag bags, after parties, areas, charitable associations, and also, of program the hilarious memories you'll gather together with your finisher medal. Shoelace up those kicks (and also possibly start working on your gag reflex), since we're off!

EAT AND RUN

1. April Fool's Day Twinkie Run Distance: 5K Location: Ann Arbor, MI Twinkies are a significant issue-- you saw how people lost it when the factory closure was announced-- as well as this occasion honors the famous shortcake treat. Runners are dealt with to limitless Twinkies at the starting line and afterwards unleash to run a 5K through Ann Arbor's Gallup Park. For those who require to refuel, the mushy covereds are offered at the 1.5-mile mark, and once more at the finish line as a. recuperation treat. Make certain to rate on your own though, there are a lot more Twinkies post-race (those ones are homemade and even more decadent than you 'd ever believe). This run, currently in its fifth year, is arranged by Ann Arbor Active Versus ALS.

2. Hot Chocolate 5K/15K Distance: 5K and 15K Location: Various Nothing contrasts to the pleasant heat of warm delicious chocolate on a chilly wintertime's day, besides possibly the Hot Delicious chocolate 15/5K Finisher's Mug full of delicious chocolate fondue, dip-able snacks and, of program, hot chocolate. However initially you have actually obtained to go the range: 3.1 miles or 9.3 miles, with your city of choice (Chicago, Denver, Philly, and San Francisco among 10 others). Now in its 6th year, the run draws greater than 200,000 chocolate fans all over the country, with a section of earnings benefiting the Ronald McDonald Home Charities.

3. Krispy Kreme Challenge Distance: 5 miles Location: Raleigh, NC Who doesn't dream of a doughnut break throughout their run? A dozen doughnuts ?! Those who accept the Krispy Kreme Difficulty will certainly never ever look at the pleasant reward the exact same method again. The run kicks off on the school of North Carolina State University in Raleigh and directs sugar-hungry challengers 2.5 miles through historical downtown Raleigh to a Krispy Kreme store where they feast on one loads original glazed doughnuts prior to treking the 2.5 miles back to university. Catch is, you've obtained to complete the run-- and also every last doughnut-- in much less than a hr to be acknowledged as a challenger. If you're not right into downing 2,280 calories at one time you can register as an informal runner, which simply requires you to stabilize the box right back to the goal. This occasion remains in its 10th year and benefits the North Carolina Kid's Hospital.

4. New York Hot Dog Challenge Distance: 3 to 5 miles Location: New York, NY Some hot dog-eating competitions are for beginners, and also others are for champs-- as in those of you who can down 10 hotdogs (buns and also all) while hustling along a 3-to-5-mile course with hectic Downtown Manhattan. Individuals race from hotdog vendor to hotdog vendor, but they do not know where the vendors will certainly be established until race day (event organize keep the training course map secret to stop technique runs). Individuals are appointed a referee to make certain each canine is entirely feasted on before joggers go to the next cart. Runners have to shell out the dough for each and every canine, so sponsorship is allowed. Oh, and puking disqualifies you.

5. NYC Pizza Run Distance: 2.25 miles Location: New York, NY Who offers New York City's best slice will most likely always be up for debate, but just what you could figure out for certain is whether you're able to devour three pieces while running 2.25 miles through the sandy roads of Manhattan's Lower East Side. The NYC Pizza Run is a yearly difficulty kept in Tompkins Square Park (4 laps around the park, counterclockwise) where you have to finish a piece (crust and all) at the beginning of each lap prior to proceeding into the following. The initial jogger to surface is crowned the New York City Pizza Run Champ and the fun continues down the block at Commonalities, a neighborhood pub, where individuals get a cost-free drink to wash everything down. Now in its fifth year, a portion of the run's proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes mellitus Research study Structure International.

6. The Corndog Challenge Distance: 5K Location: Tulsa, OK You have actually never experienced the Tulsa State Fair rather such as this-- covered in sweat and also with a belly loaded with circus deals with. Ok, possibly that's how most of us experience state fairs, but still. The Corn Pet Challenge is going to show you something you've never ever seen before as it leads you on a licensed and timed 5K course via the fairgrounds during the starting phases of reasonable set-up. Oh, as well as did we discuss you'll be called for to load your tummy with lemonade, candy floss, and a corndog along the road? With each mile you full, you'll be handed one of these treats to devour before competing on. For those not seeking to attack into a difficulty rather like this, there's constantly the Corndog Classic 5K, where you'll obtain the exact same behind-the-scenes sights without the calories. Proceeds from the occasion, which is in its 4th year, benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Culture as well as Tulsa Area United Way.

7. The Wicked Wine Run Distance: 5K Location: Various When you recognize there's a glass (or three) of wine awaiting you at the surface line, you could simply log a new PR. The Wicked Wine Run leads joggers on a 5K through a lush vineyard-- believe path running with grapes. In enhancement to the run, the wine aficionado in you can participate in the 1K Sampling Stroll, which includes 4 wine-tasting stops along the course. Be certain to hang around for the post-run concert and relaxing sunset.

Get in Character

8. A Christmas Story Run Distance: 5K and 10K Location: Cleveland, OH This vacation season, why not take a run down film memory lane? Register for either a 5K or 10K that takes individuals via A Christmas Tale's set areas in stunning Cleveland, OH. If you're a fan of the flick, absolutely nothing says Christmas quite like joggers in pink rabbit matches, lampshade hats, as well as Santa beards jostling along to incantations of, "You'll fire your eye out!,"' Oooh fuuudge!,' as well as 'Fra-gee-lay. That should be Italian!' The run starts at the website of the former Higbee's Chain store and also makes its way 3.1 miles to A Christmas Tale Home & Museum. The 10K training course heads back towards Public Square, a plaza in midtown Cleveland, where the classic holiday flick will be playing on a Jumbotron. Race entrance includes entrance to the home as well as museum, as well as immediately goes into joggers in an attracting to win their personal leg lamp! Race proceeds benefit A Xmas Story House Neighborhood Restoration Project.

9. Boston Urban Idiotorama Distance: 3.5 miles Location: Boston, MA If you're a group gamer with an imagination (who also occurs to take pleasure in a draft beer or 2) after that this run is for you. All you've obtained to do is obtain 4 to 6 fast buddies with each other (see to it they're at least 21), find a shopping cart, stock up on canned products, as well as register for the Boston Urban Idiotorama. The occasion copies the layout of the Iditarod, the popular Alaskan sled canine race. In the Idiotorama costumed runners and their themed shopping carts weave Boston, examining in at 5 local bars along the road. Why the cart? With each check-in runners encourage spectators to give away as much food as possible for the Boston Medical Facility Food Pantry.

10. Caliente Bare Dare 5K Distance: 5K Location: Land O'Lakes, FL " I vouch, I might be making such better time if it weren't for these darn clothing!" If this idea has ever before crossed your mind while sweating through a 5K, after that you could desire to disrobe for the Caliente Bare Dare. While nudity is not called for, it actually is suggested-- not being in the nude ways you 'd totally protrude like a clothed thumb as you made your method via the trail course. The 5K takes place each year at Caliente, a high end clothing-optional resort located in Land O'Lakes, FL. The event showcases a poolside afterparty, along with a day pass to the resort. (If you wear nothing else, make certain to throw on sun block and also tennis shoes.)

11. Cupid’s Undie Run Distance: 1 mile Location: Various Cupid's Undie Run has joggers demanding from the starting line quicker compared to the little cherub's arrow, because well, this mile( ish) run happens on a freezing February weekend break with individuals in their Valentine's Day most ideal-- of course, negligees, cotton bloomers, and also diverse underthings. Runners warm up with a two-hour pre-party prior to the sprint as well as defrost with a post-race dance-off. Organized in cities across the nation, proceeds advantage The Kid's Tumor Foundation.

12. Mustache Dache Distance: 5K Location: Various We mustache you a concern: Are you up for a dash to the coating line? Alright, alright, we promise, this 5K isn't really almost as corny as that joke. The Mustache Dache is actually quite amazing. This philanthropic race advantages Movember, a foundation ensuring prostate cancer cells awareness. You'll swear you've never seen many Steve Prefontaines in your life! Individuals are encouraged to expand out their upper lip ideal for the mustache contest that follows the race. Even the girls as well as children will certainly be shaking 'staches for this, politeness of a face-painter who will certainly be on hand to wisp on the hairs. (Oh, and also do not be amazed if you see a life-size mustache racing past you on the course or busting out the Charleston at the afterparty.)

13. Rock ‘n’ Roll Series Distance: 5K, 10K, half, complete, as well as relay Location: Various You know how crucial a solid playlist can be. Merely assume how amped you'll be when you're running to live bands spread out along the training course of your selection-- 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon, or relay. Local bands line options in cities around the world, doing a variety of categories, from choice, classic, as well as punk rock to blues, jazz and also soul. Where the tunes go out, applaud teams as well as dance teams are on hand to do as well as transform up the power. You may be stunned just how a sing-along can offer you that 2nd wind you need!

14. runDisney Distance: 5K, 10K, half-marathon, as well as marathon Location: Anaheim, CA and Lake Buena View, FL All your running desires make sure ahead true becase runDisney supplies half-marathons, marathons, 10-milers, as well as adventure races, all showcasing your preferred Disney concepts! Light on your feet? There's the Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend break at Disneyland including a Tinkerbell fifty percent, 10K, as well as Neverland Family Fun Run 5K. Perhaps you're yearning a brand-new PR? If so, attack into the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Disney World featuring a night-time fifty percent marathon winding through 3 parks and completing with an afterparty at the Epcot International Food & Wine Celebration. Simply always remember, it's about using your Disney best!

15. Superhero Scramble Distance: 4 miles, 8 miles, half-marathon, as well as marathon Location: Various Calling all superheroes! There is a threat wreaking athletic havoc in your town, through barrier races of differing distances and also increasing problem! The Wall charger (a 4-miler ), the Intimidator (8 miles), the Villain (13 miles), as well as a Super Bad guy (26 miles) all should be dominated. Switch out of those civilian clothes and also slide right into the spandex, due to the fact that your durability, toughness, endurance, and also superhero capabilities are about to be examined. For those in addition to their evil-fighting video game, you can enter the Scramble Gamble, in which you place your cash where your health and fitness is for a benefit in prizes.

16. The Bad Prom Run Distance: 5K Location: Various Some things are so bad that they're really pretty outstanding, one being The Bad Prom Run. This 5K makes up for where your prom dropped flat. Run (or dancing) your way with 4 light-up-the-night senior prom styles along the program, while an epic soundtrack bumps in the background. Don't stress over bringing a day though, simply concentrate on dressing for the occasion, and also be certain that your operating shoes totally complement your appearance, since you never ever know whose eye you'll catch throughout the afterparty. A portion of your prom ticket will approach a regional charity.

17. The Zombie Run Distance: 5K Location: Various Didn' t you understand? Zombies have a lot more fun, at the very least throughout this 5K run. If you're right into running with the undead, join as a zombie. After you get all gore-i-fied (by an expert makeup musician) you're unleash into a sea of fresh flesh to go after the runners that have registered as human beings as well as swipe their "life flags." Those who sign up to run as people have to complete the keep up a minimum of among the three flags got at the starting line. The course is created like a zombie motion picture set: After the first kilometer you'll enter a military-controlled apocalypse area as well as strive to endure while darting through chemical spill zones and previous auto accident and far from zombies. No matter whether or not you survive you'll still be allowed to complete the race. For an additional 10 dollars you could get an additional flag-- earnings go to children fighting mind injuries and disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute.

18. The Tribal Run Distance: 120-mile relay Location: Various We wish your spirit animal happens to be a quick one, as well as into late-night experiences. Gather a team of joggers and go out on a 120-mile relay race via the wild. The race starts Friday mid-day, and proceeds with the evening, completing Saturday sometime in between 9 a.m. and also 4 p.m. (on standard the run takes around 20 hours to total). All people will run relay style, rotating with all 3 loopholes, which are lit solely with candles. (Your spirit animal is needed to keep up a headlamp.) It is an experience that mixes the best of running, outdoor camping, tribal dancing performances, tough costumes, and much more. Honors are offered for quickest time on each loop, best group costume, best team name, and also ideal group campsite.

Take on a Challenge

19. Armageddon Ambush Distance: 5K Location: Various It's the end of the world as we understand it! Only point is, we didn't recognize it would certainly be so darn vibrant. Armageddon Ambush is a strenuous 5K mud and barrier course designed to challenge your need to make it out alive (or at the very least to the beer-filled afterparty). You'll be routed along a sturdy program towards 15 to 20 end-of-the-world calamity barriers while being ambushed with different colors bombs.

20. Dirty Girl 5k Mud Run Distance: 5K Location: Various Hey, women ... you all set to obtain filthy? This mud-drenched barrier race will certainly have you kicking butt and taking names. The Dirty Girl 5K Mud Run showcases obstacles like "PMS" (Pretty Muddy Things) an unpleasant mud pit, Runaway Bride (a challenging balancing walk), and Dirty Dancing (a plunge down an epic slide).

21. Great Urban Race Distance: 4 to 8 miles Location: Various If you have actually obtained a fast stride and also an even quicker mind, the Great Urban Race must be a cinch for you. This scavenger hunt of a run turns your city right into a puzzle that can only be resolved by complying with 12 cryptic hints that will lead you to physical and mental obstacles. Your team is cost-free to pick your personal route as you hustle from idea to hint walking or by means of mass transit. Once you have actually solved all the hints, you'll locate on your own back at headquarters for a raging afterparty and honors ceremony. The leading 25 qualifying groups obtain an invitation to the National Championship Race.

22. Reebok Spartan Race Distance: 3 miles, 8 miles, and also 12 miles Location: Various " There is fire, mud, water, barbed wire, and sometimes Hell on Earth," caution race promoters. Ah, absolutely nothing a Spartan cannot manage? Each one of the Spartan races-- Spartan Sprint (3 miles, 15 obstacles), Super Spartan (8 miles, 20 challenges), and Spartan Monster (12 miles, 25 challenges)-- were developed by eight athletes that comprehended the relevance of fast decision-making when faced with adversity. Yet are you a Spartan? Can you drag stones on chains, flip logs, and lug tires ranges you never thought of at speeds you never ever believed impossible? Well, there's just one method to find out.

23. ROC Race Distance: 5K Location: Various It's all enjoyable and video games until someone obtains removed by the Sweeper, an enormous turning obstacle. Ok, it's still fun and also games even after being taken down by the Sweeper, because that's specifically just what the ROC Race is-- one big video game show-inspired obstacle run showcasing 12 epic obstacles. Being that the race is untimed, you'll be able to far better concentrate on making it over the massive jump rounds, with the tire mile as well as down the world's biggest inflatable water slide. Earnings benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

24. Tough Mudder Distance: 10 to 12 miles Location: Various Tough Mudders are team players. Simply puts, you're going to intend to wrangle a few pals who understand a thing or more concerning endurance, mental grit, as well as sociability since there's no various other means you're going to make it through this hardcore 10 to 12-mile challenge program including mud, ice-water, and live dangling electric cables. The program is actually actively designed making Mudders rely upon each other for bodily and also mental increases. Clocking a great time is excellent, however pushing limits as well as getting over all barriers via synergy, now that's a challenge for a Hard Mudder.

25. Warrior Dash Distance: 3 to 4 miles Location: Various Warriors typically aren't simply birthed, they are made on the battleground, which in this case on this fierce three-to-four-mile course including 12 severe challenges. Runners have to leap through the flames of the Warrior Roast and over the upright Vicious Valleys. Considering that introducing the Warrior Dash in 2009, greater than a million joggers have asserted the title of warrior, elevating $7.5 million (and counting) to profit St. Jude Children's Health center. This year the battle ends up being much more extreme as the leading 25 man and also leading 25 women finishers of each routine season Warrior Dashboard contend in the Warrior Dash World Champion for a $100,000 prize. After overcoming the Battleground, Warriors commemorate with turkey legs, draft beer steins, and also live music at a post-race party.

Brighten Up

26. The Electric Run Distance: 5K Location: Various There ain't extinction like the night life, and also there ain't no night run fairly like The Electric Run. Joggers spruced up in blinking, shining, glowing lights actually change the 5K program into a bar that runs out this world. The training course showcases beautiful neon columns as well as arches that transform colors to the beat of the songs, passages with dance patterns and figures on the walls, ceilings, as well as floors, and fluorescent fountains streaming to the rhythm. The coating line spills joggers out in front of a main stage where the lights and audios are kicked up a notch for an electrical dance party.

27. The Color Run Distance: 5K Location: Various Now that happiness is exactly what it's everything about (thank you, Pharrell) what better time to run the "Happiest 5K in the world"? The Different colors Run, with greater than 170 events in 30-plus countries, almost paints a smile on individuals' faces. Throughout this 5K, joggers clothed in all white barrel with clouds of lively paint powder, all the while attempting to catch their breath in between bouts of pure giddiness. Over half of the individuals are new 5K joggers, which makes The Color Run the excellent catalyst for encouraging participants to stay on par with the active, healthy and balanced lifestyle.

28. The Blacklight Run Distance: 5K Location: Various This will be just one of those couple of times in which you in fact wish to obtain caught under a blacklight. This 5K weaves through color-designated Blacklight Zones (eco-friendly, pink, as well as orange) where joggers are blasted with Blacklight Run UV Neon Glow Powder that promptly lights them up! Do not anticipate the radiance to fade out at the goal though, because this is where it actually stands out! A 'Celebration Radiance Throw' of powder is thrown into a group dancing under blacklights every 15 minutes throughout the afterparty.

29. The Slime Run Distance: 5K Location: Various Who really did not intend to obtain slimed as a kid? Who doesn't desire to get slimed as an adult? The Slime Run places runners in slippery circumstances, where they have to shake with slime-filled passages and also slosh through slime-filled pits, to name a few barriers expanded over a 5K course. Heads up for when you discover on your own encounter down in a puddle of slime-- it's edible. Yeah, we understand you were always interested regarding that.

#fitness #health #health and fitness #pilates workout #workout

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anxiously-shipping · 4 years

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MESSY MURDER {1}

Description: The dead body of Ali Blacksky is found in his English country mansion, broken and bloody. The detectives get called in. It's obviously a murder. For ex world-famous detective Logan Croft and his brand new assistance, Roman Milton, this is just another day in the figurative office. But murder gets messy. Murder gets especially messy when Roman has a crush on the best suspect and Logan gets himself an admirer among the staff. And when new bodies begin to pop up. Yeah, that can complicate things too...

Triggers: Dead bodies, injuries, police, murder, previous case mentions, PTSD

Ships: Eventual prinxiety, eventual logicality, pre-existing demus/dukeciet

He had felt empty for eight months. His life had been empty for eight months. It was continuous, boring and repetitive. Nothing changed. He went to work at an office every day, at the same time, at the same desk on the same floor of the same building after walking the same streets. There were no case files given to him the moment he stepped inside, no pictures of dead bodies or autopsy reports. No congratulations for a successful detection, no promises of celebratory parties, no people staring at him in awe, eyes filled with the feeling of safety and respect.

He had felt the same nothingness for eight months. No one cared if he were once a world-renowned detective. No one cared if he had met presidents, prime ministers and the queen. No one cared that he had been knighted just for looking at crime scenes and finding the murderer within a week. Everyone was too busy fussing about their own skin. He had been worthless for eight months but he still didn't want to go back to where he had once been.

But they wanted him back. So he had come back.

Logan walked into the police station, getting many respective nods from workers. A few newer recruits, by the looks of it, practically grovelled as he breezed past them. Everyone in the police station knew Logan Croft. After all, it was he who had solved the Gunningforth murders four years ago when he was just a new recruit. He had outshined the old detectives, completing the case in record time and he was supposed to be retired. Or, at least, working without dead bodies.

But here he was. The Sherlock of reality. Back in business because, apparently, there was a new case that had specifically asked for him. Damn his popularity.

Logan only exchanged a small nod with people he knew, who all looked stunned to see him back. Because he said he wasn't coming back. Not after his last case. Not after he nearly became the murderer's' final victim. That can put a person off detecting.

The young man stalked up to his old office, where he was told to go and swung open the door bossily. Police officers looked up and one young man in the corner straightened happily.

"Well?" Logan said before any could exchange polite greetings. "I thought I said I don't want to be called in unless no one else could solve it."

"Mr Croft, we're so sorry we've pulled you back-"

"What's the case, Archie?"

Archie had been one of Logan's' best friends when he still worked here. The man used to be the superintendent's' assistant, the man who fetched coffee. But, Logan had put him all the way up in the food chain and it looked like, even after his friend was gone, the timid man had climbed up himself. He had curly black hair, dark eyes, pale skin and warm freckles. He spoke chirpily with a small stammer, hardly noticeable.

His old friend smiled nervously. "Well, it's an odd one. We were called by a young man, frantically begging us to send in Logan Croft because there had been a murder. He said his name was Patton, he had found the body with his friend, Janus."

Logan clicked his fingers at a young woman who was sitting down and she hopped out of the chair obediently. Many rumours had been spread around about Logan's' wrath and he was definitely in a bad mood which no one but Archie seemed to face. Logan sat down in the seat.

"I was requested?" He frowned.

Archie nodded, sitting opposite him. "Yes."

"Where's the case?"

His friend leaned back. "It's at Blacksky Manor, an old country house. Classic, Edwardian, renovated to suit modern needs. Absolutely huge, it's got a pool, an orchard, live-in servants. Even some horses on-site, with a carriage."

Logan nodded, letting the information sink in. "Who died?"

"Ali Blacksky," Piped up a young, attractive man. He was Latino, with green eyes, light brown hair and smooth skin. His arms were strong, his teeth were white and he had a natural tan. He spoke confidently, hiding away the amazement of being in the same room with Logan. But he didn't lose himself over it. That could be respected. "He owned the manor, age thirty-two. The people in the hamlet the manor belonged to said he was a nice man to most, but never had the best relationship with his younger brother."

"And the brother's set to gain the inheritance?" Asked Logan. The young man nodded and Logan turned to Archie. "Case closed, it was the younger brother. He's got a strong motive, already had a bad relationship with his brother and the murder could have happened in a heat of an argument. He ran away in shock and the body was later found by Patrick-"

"-Patton-"

"And they called in for me. Solved." Logan stood up. "May I go now?"

~'^'~

"You could've said no," Logan grumbled grouchily, sipping the coffee.

"And would you have listened?" Joked Archie. "You were far more likely to say yes if I asked you out for coffee to catch up then if I said you had to stay."

Logan sighed, smiling with exasperated fondness at his friend. He lost his humour as he remembered he was supposed to be annoyed. "I've already solved the case, Archie."

"No," Archie replied, wagging his finger, "You guessed at the case."

The old detective sighed again, averting his gaze out of the window. "You know why I don't want to do this. Eight months ago was too... just too wracking." He glanced back at his sympathetic friend. "I still wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat and screaming, because of what happened. Get someone else in, disappoint them. I don't want to go back."

"But you need to," Archie replied, gently. "I barely recognised you when you came in. You looked tired, drained and bored as hell. And don't pretend you didn't love all the respect you got from people when you came in." Archie quickly jumped in with a grin, wagging his finger and making Logan smirk guiltily. "Your eyes lit up like a Christmas tree with everyone staring after you like you were a god."

Logan locked eyes with Archie, the smile reluctantly fading. "Maybe I do enjoy the attention again. But it's still not safe. After last time, I swore to never put my life out on the line again. I nearly died, Archie, and I'm not going through that again."

Archie reached out, putting a hand on his friend's' shoulder. "We can give you someone to help out, then. If you stay with them the whole time, whoever killed Mr Blacksky is gonna think twice before trying to get you."

Logan still looked unsure.

"I know what," Archie said, smiling again. "I'll get you Roman."

"Roman?"

"The Latino, back at your old office," Archie explained. "The guy who told all about Mr Blacksky. He's got a lot of athletic achievements on his resume, he'd be great at keeping you safe if you still feel uncertain. Besides, he's the second-best detective we've ever had.

Logan frowned. "Who's the first?"

Archie grinned. "I'm looking right at him."

#sanders sides #sanders side fic #prinxiety #logicality #tw murder #tw death #logan sanders #roman sanders #virgil sanders #patton sanders #janus sanders #remus sanders #ts talyn #ts joan #authorchan #anxiouslyshipping #it's all set in england

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lilymanaged · 7 years

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take the leap

Silence blanketed the room at her admission, and Lily shivered. His stare burned into her, boring a hole where the side of her head was. Her breath caught in her throat, and her cheeks burned. There was a moment where everyone stood motionless, eyes switching between the two of them standing on the opposite ends of the room, waiting for someone to break the tension that rested upon the room. Sirius was that person.

“Okay, everyone, party continues in the Common Room. Moony, get the alcohol. Pete, help me, please. Everyone, get the fuck out! Oh, for Merlin’s sake, move!” With that, they herded everyone out to the room with little effort; Lily heard Sirius mutter about them being like sheep and let out a breathy giggle. As the people left, whispers broke out. By tomorrow, the entire school, first and second years and staff included, would hear about the great Lily Evans’ fell for the famous James Potter.

The door shut behind Sirius, who threw a last glance at James and Lily, nodded, and departed. Lily sat on the couch in the center of the room, hands in her lap, eyes trained on them, praying please let this be a dream please let this not be happening.

James moved toward her, sitting on the opposite end of the couch. “Lily, are you okay?”

She paused before answering him in a whisper. “Yes.”

“Okay,” He said, voice far away sounding though he was less than two feet from her, a fact that she was incredibly aware of. She could smell his aftershave at this distance, combined with his own scent: laundry and early spring and boy. It came off of him in waves, taking her with it. She wanted to make it stop. She wanted him to move. She wanted to be anywhere but there, on the couch, next to him but not able to actually touch him, too scared to even breathe.

When she was younger, Lily imagined love to be like in the movies. She and Petunia would watch movies that featured princesses with pretty voices and pretty faces, and they would dance along to the last scene when everyone was happy and everything worked out for the better. There was always a handsome prince to make the princess happy, to whisk her off to an enchanted life in the end. She expected that love was simple and direct, not tangled and twisted and dark, like she was experiencing now. There was nothing simple about this feeling inside her, had been buried deeply inside her for as long as she could remember. She could easily look at her life and try to imagine a whole variety of men or boys beside her for the long run, but none of them fit like he did. Because it could never really be any other way. When she was younger, Lily imagined love to be like in the movies: a boy and a girl meet and there is magic.

It all made sense to her in that one half-drunk moment. It was James Potter. It was James who she wanted to speak to, who she wanted to spend her free time with. It was James who motivated her, challenged her, made her want to be better. It was James who she wants to fall asleep with at night and it was James who she wanted to wake up next to in the morning. It was James who she wanted to see when she was upset, and when she was happy, and it was James who she wanted right now, in that moment of confusion and chaos and pain. It was James who was a beacon of light for her in the middle of this war, and it is James who she wanted to fight beside.

“Lily.” His voice cut through her consciousness, bringing her back to the moment. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears, blood pumping through her veins as he looked at her, eyes wide. With a great breath in, she turned her head toward him, eyes determined to meet his straight on. Time to face her fate.

“James.”

And then his mouth was on hers.

There are a lot of types of kisses. There are friendly kisses, pecks really, where there is the perfect amount of comfort and affection that it is not awkward, but instead loving. There are tender kisses, short and sweet, full of softness. There are romantic kisses, conveying everything that words cannot say, swept up in emotion and giddiness. There are passionate kisses, all fire and ice and hands on skin, full of desire to get impossibly closer, to feel the other person completely. There are soft kisses, hard kisses, nice kisses, dirty kisses, contented kisses, and maddening ones.

And then there are the kisses that make your toes curl. The kisses that make you lose your breath too fast but you would rather die than end. Kisses that make your chest ache, your head spin, your knees weak. Kisses where the other person is never close enough, always just slightly too far away. Kisses that make the world turn upside down, and all the things you think you know invert. Kisses that hypnotize you. Kisses that consume your entire being until there is nothing but that other person, forever a part of you, forever etched into your soul as that person.

After all those years, all those petty fights and arguments and rampages, all those monumental efforts to be friends and play nice and coexist without ripples, James Potter became that person for Lily Evans. Because it could never really have been anyone else.

He pulled away for a moment to pull her under him, and she missed him instantly, craved the feeling of his body against hers until it returned, this time hovering above her. His mouth slotted against her perfectly why have I been holding back for so long she thought, shivering at the way his hands ran over her body, one down to her thigh, the other up to her hair, tugging gently at the mess of red there, tipping her head in order to get a better angle.

Then he was gone, sitting back up on the couch, pushing himself away from her. She made an indignant noise at the back of her throat, throwing herself up into a sitting position and glaring at him. He met her stare, eyes wide and unsure.

“What am I doing?” he muttered to himself, hands running through his hair and then over his face, causing his classes to go slightly askew. “What are we doing?”

“Well, it looks to me like we are making out. Maybe more, if you’re lucky and you’ve been a good boy this year…” She leaned up on her knees, trying to bring his mouth to hers again. He moved away, dodging her advances. Lily instantly went red, allowing herself to sit back, and dropped her eyes.

“Lily, we can’t. Not right now.”

“And why not?” she demanded, embarrassed at the harsh, shrill, whiny tone her voice made as it echoed in the room around then. She cleared her throat, and started again. “Why not, James? Huh? Isn’t this what you want? Me? Wanting you? James, come on!”

“No, Lily, this isn’t what I want. You can’t just…just decide one day that you love me, too. I have spent years of my life loving you and waiting for you and wanting you and I want this to be perfect. We can’t just jump into things like this, like none of those days and weeks and months and years mattered. I love you, Lily Evans, but this isn’t a game for me.”

“I’m not playing a game. I want this for real, James, all of it. I’m sorry I took so long to realize it. I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”

He stared at her for a minute before he answered. “Don’t be sorry. Just understand. I can’t jump into this like it’s nothing, not with everything going on right now. I have a responsibility; I have already made my choice. I’m of age, meaning that I’m in this war. I don’t have time for silliness or games or joking around. Not with you.”

“James, I’m right there with you. I’m fighting with you, for me. This is my war, too. Maybe even more than it is yours; my people are the ones dying, the ones being tortured, the ones that are considered unclean. Obviously I’m grateful to you and everyone else fighting for me but don’t for a second think I’m not constantly thinking about it, too, evaluating all my choices against it. I’m sorry you think I’m playing with you, but I will not be seen as a silly girl who isn’t thinking about the consequences of her actions. Yes, this whole situation has been less than ideal. I certainly didn’t think that the first time I allowed myself to admit that I had feelings for you would be when I was drunk at pre-Christmas party but here we are. James, this is the time to do this. We don’t know what is going to happen later on, so why can’t we just do what we want now?”

“It’s not that simple, Lily.”

“Of course it is, silly. If we want it to be, we can make it that simple.”

“What happens if we do this, and it doesn’t work? But then what happens if we do work? What happens if we fall in love and everything is perfect until it isn’t anymore? What happens if I get hurt? What happens if you get hurt? What about me then? I can handle never having you; I can get over that, get over you, move on. But I can’t handle having you and losing you. That might kill me.”

“I love you, James. I do. You have to trust me. Please, take the leap with me.”

He looked at her for what felt like an eternity but could only have been a moment. “Lily, this is all I have wanted for such a long time, and I don’t want to screw it up.”

“You couldn’t screw this up if you tried. It’s you and me, James; there isn’t anyone else. I’m sorry I took so long to cotton on to it.”

He smiled brightly at her, eyes twinkling. “Just more proof that I’m the beauty and the brains of this operation.”

“Oh, please! We all know that youre just the muscle,” she retorted, finally closing the gap between them.

#jily #writing #I've been sitting on this trying to make it longer for ages

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jenmedsbookreviews · 7 years

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Can’t take the credit for the picture this week – that’s from Pixabay – but I was where this was taken, Dundee, on Friday. Had the dubious pleasure of driving across that old Tay Bridge and back on a flying visit to the town. Downside of being so danged busy last week is I am fluffing knackered and have done not a lot of anything interesting. Upside – I managed to complete another audio book.

Well – I take that back. I say I’ve done not a lot of anything interesting but over the weekend I did find the energy to attend the blogger/author bash organised by Kim Nash in Birmingham where I caught up with a number of lovely bookish friends old and new. Always a pleasure and the venue is really nice too. I have no pictures as evidence as I hate selfies, but there are some knocking about the old tinterweb if you care to look about.

Book post wise, apart from a few more Mr Men Christmas books that I bought myself for November’s Christmas month I have had none. Zip. Nada. Nothing for over two weeks now. I am pondering my imminent retirement from blogging as clearly everyone hates me 😦 Just as soon as I’ve read the four hundred plus books I still have waiting for me to read, I’m straight on it.

Bookish buys wise, I’ve had a pretty poor week too. Seems like everything bookish is drying up… I only bought 7 books, 5 of them were Mr Men and 2 of those were even preorders. The 2 non Mr Men books were preorders too. It’s like a virtual bookish apocalypse for me. Unheard of. In case you care, I preordered the new Carol Wyer/Robyn Carter thriller, The Silent Children, due in November, and Kelly Rimmer’s new book Before I Let You Go which is due out next year. Mr Men wise I preordered Mr Happy and the Office Party and Little Miss Shy Goes Online Dating. Yes. That’s right. Mr Men for Adults. I can’t wait. Mr Men for kids wise I am now the proud owner of Mr Men Meet Father Christmas, Mr Noisy and the Silent Night and Mr Men, A Christmas Carol.

Netgalley wise, I picked up four books, three of which are for blog tours so therefore not really adding to my total. Sort of. Ish. These were Bad Sister by Sam Carrington, A Cosy Candlelit Christmas by Tilly Tennant, The Lost Child by Patricia Gibney and Murder Game by Caroline Mitchell. Really looking forward to reading them all.

Reading wise, I’ve been fairly productive considering I had an 18 hour working day on Friday mucking up my plans. Still on track with the three books a week target at the moment so fingers crossed.

Books I have read

The Mistake by K.L. Slater

You think you know the truth about the people you love.

But one discovery can change everything…

Eight-year-old Billy goes missing one day, out flying his kite with his sister Rose. Two days later, he is found dead.

Sixteen years on, Rose still blames herself for Billy’s death. How could she have failed to protect her little brother?

Rose has never fully recovered from the trauma, and one of the few people she trusts is her neighbour Ronnie, who she has known all her life. But one day Ronnie falls ill, and Rose goes next door to help him… and what she finds in his attic room turns her world upside down.

Rose thought she knew the truth about what happened to Billy. She thought she knew her neighbour. Now the only thing she knows is that she is in danger…

The Mistake is a completely gripping thriller that will keep you up all night, from the top ten bestselling author of Blink, Liar and Safe with Me. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

Loved this. I only meant to start reading a few chapters, maybe half the book, because I was so tired already on Monday evening. Five hours and a lot of nail biting later I had finished. What a story. So many twists and such an occasionally dark but always compelling story, I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it as part of the blog tour. In the mean time you can preorder a copy here.

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Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances by Sue Watson

Escape to Devon for blustery walks along the beach, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and proof that miracles really do happen, especially at Christmas.

A year after she separated from her husband, Gianni, on Christmas Day, Chloe’s heart is still in pieces as she unpacks the decorations for her first ever festive holiday alone. That is, until the phone rings…

It seems Gianni’s new seaside restaurant is in trouble and Chloe must go to Appledore to save the business – and him. Equally famous for his experimental culinary extravaganzas and his explosive temper, Gianni has been really stirring up a sensation with the locals – and not in a good way!

As pans fly and the temperature in the kitchen rises, Chloe’s calming influence and magic touch might just get critics back on side in time to save the restaurant from sinking like a sad soufflé. But will it be enough to save their marriage?

Chloe came to Appledore in search of her Christmas sparkle, but when the snow clears, will she finally find the way back to her husband’s heart?

A laugh-out-loud festive treat that will give you the tingle of freshly-hung tinsel. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Abby Clements and Debbie Johnson.

You know that with a Sue Watson book you are guaranteed a feel good, heart warming and very funny book and this was no exception. Chloe and Gianni are polar opposites – even their star signs are against them – but there is an irrisistible charm about the pair. Full of laughter, ice cream and dishes which sound like they’d make even Heston Blumenthal baulk, this is a book which will make you smile, if only for Gianni’s unique way of describing the beach… My review will be up soon as part of the tour but you can pre-order the book here.

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The Preplexing Theft of the Jewel In The Crown by Vaseem Khan

The second book in the heartwarming and charming Baby Ganesh series.

For centuries the Koh-i-Noor diamond has set man against man and king against king.

Now part of the British Crown Jewels, the priceless gem is a prize that many have killed to possess.

So when the Crown Jewels go on display in Mumbai, security is everyone’s principal concern. And yet, on the very day Inspector Chopra visits the exhibition, the diamond is stolen from under his nose.

The heist was daring and seemingly impossible. The hunt is on for the culprits. But it soon becomes clear that only one man – and his elephant – can possibly crack this case…

Book two in the Inspector Chopra series sees our interpid hero caught up in the case of the theft of the Queen Mother’s Crown, believed to be an attempt to reclaim the Koh-i-Noor diamond for it’s rightful owner – India. I am loving this series and the setting and pace of the book are brilliant. I’ve listened to rather than read both of the first two books, with book three lined up for a weeks time when I travel to Bracknell. Each book has been laced with a side mystery and more than a little excitement involving the wonderful baby Ganesh. You can order a copy of the book here.

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Her Last Secret by Barbara Copperthwaite

There are some secrets you can never tell.

The last thing to go through Dominique Thomas’s head was the image of her teenage daughter’s face and her heart lifted. Then the shot rang out.

They were the perfect family. Successful businessman Ben Thomas and his wife Dominique live an enviable life, along with their beautiful children; teenager Ruby and quirky younger daughter, Mouse.

But on Christmas Day the police are called to their London home, only to discover a horrific scene; the entire family lying lifeless, victims of an unknown assailant.

But when Ruby’s diary is discovered, revealing her rage at the world around her, police are forced to look closer to home for the key to this tragedy.

Each family member harboured their own dark truths – but has keeping their secrets pushed Ruby to the edge of sanity? Or are there darker forces at work?

Oh my. What an opening. And what a tale. An family nursing secrets, one of which could prove to be deadly. I loved the suspense in this book and was hooked from the first page. I needed to know what happened and why. I absolutely needed to know the secret Ruby was keeping and the reason for her rage. I am sure that when you read it, you will too. You can preorder your own copy right here.

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Four books. Not quite as impressive as last week but given the week I’ve had, I’ll take it. Blog wise it was another full on week recapped below.

Alison Brodie, author of #Zenka

Guest Post: Billy McLaughlin, author of The Daughter

Review: She Did It by Mel Sherratt

#Blogblitz: Cold Blood by Robert Bryndza

#BookLove: Patricia Furstenberg

#BlogTour: The Frozen Woman by #JonMichelet trans. Don Bartlett

#BlogTour: Reach For The Stars by Colleen Coleman

Guest Review: Forgotten by Neven Carr

This week is just as busy with #booklove from my guest reviewer and older sister, Mandie and blog tours for Maria In The Moon by Louise Beech, Kisses From Nimbus by P.J.Riley, The Surrogate by Louise Jensen, House of Spines by Michael J. Malone, Operation Clean Up Day by Jason Tucker, We’ll Always Have Christmas by Jenny Hale and Lies That Poison by Amanda Fleet.

And finally, I’ll jsut say that my Bloody Scotland giveaway is now closed and the winner will be announced in due course. Watch this space.

Have a fabulously bookish week all. I shall be knee deep in paperwork as I try and prepare next years budget. No small feat believe me.

Jen

Rewind, recap: weekly update w/e 24/09/17 Can't take the credit for the picture this week - that's from Pixabay - but I was where this was taken, Dundee, on Friday.

#Rewind Recap #Weekly Round UP

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