#(had this saved from monday evening and was like ‘big if true’ but there was no doubt)

[seawaveleo]

ZITS reunited!!!

#skizzleman #tangotek #zedaph #impulsesv #hermitcraft #hc s10 #hc10 #team zits #zits #mcyt #(had this saved from monday evening and was like ‘big if true’ but there was no doubt) #fanart #digital art #waveleoart

[deathbecomesthem]

Three's Company +18 ONLY minors DNI

Part 2 - Ready, Steddie, Go

*This is a reupload from my old blog. If you think it sounds familiar, it's because it probably is.

Pairings: Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader Everyone is about age 30 in this one, think mid to late 90s.

Summary: You and Steve share a live in boyfriend, but you're ready to consider a different dynamic. | 3.8K

Contains: Poly relationship dynamics, smut (oral, anal, vaginal), and lots of feelings. It's so soft guys.

A/N: I came into the fandom through the Steddie pipeline, but this is the first time I've tried to write a Steddie x reader. Take it or leave it, this is what I have to offer. I wrote this today, so it's a quick and dirty writing.

---

Months have passed together. You and Eddie. The move into his place was seamless. The room at the end of the hall has been vacant since they first moved in, a three bedroom apartment without a third. It wasn’t Eddie’s idea to add you to the lease, but he was overjoyed when the proposal was made. How could he not be? The love he had for you was something he thought was impossible, and yet - here you are. At the end of the hall.

Family dinner twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays. It was designed to bring the three of you together, and it worked. Those nights are filled with heartfelt discussions and deep laughter that bubbles up from the true places inside of the three of you. On those nights, the hesitation is gone, and Eddie sees his lovers reach across the table and connect in ways he had been dreaming about. A real friendship, a foundation that will last.

Eddie has too much love. With each touch, it folds over and over inside him, growing exponentially. It’s too much for just one person, too much for two. It’s something that Eddie has heard his entire life - he’s too much. Everything about him is too big. But you’ve never made him feel that way, and neither has he. You both take his love, and give what you have in return. Too much love? There’s no such thing. When it overflows, you step aside and let him take the excess. He does the same. The simplicity of it all sent your head reeling those first few weeks, but not now. No, you see it clearly. Each one made for the other, a perfect balance of love and connection.

“I know how it sounds. I get it, I’m not your type,” you smile at the man across the booth slyly, “but I just want you to think about it. I promise, I won’t talk to Eddie unless you and I have an understanding.”

A deep sigh is exhaled from the chiseled jaw of your man’s lover. He shakes his head and widens his hazel eyes before he brings them to meet yours, “Oh, my type? I don’t even know what that is. Eddie’s my type. And so are you.” He offers you a crooked smile, eyes twinkling with the charm that so many people had fallen victim to over the years of his reign as King, “I get it. I see it in you, why he loves you so much.”

And that’s how it goes, toes dipping into the lukewarm waters of possibility that afternoon in the coffee shop down the street from your shared apartment. Open and frank conversation, guilt free about excluding your mutual interest - Eddie. Let him save the heartbreak if the feelings fall too short of something that would work. That’s something you share - you could never hurt him, never be responsible for any of his pain if it can be avoided.

The two of you continue the conversation over the following weeks. Likes. Dislikes. Hard boundaries. Soft boundaries and how to maneuver them. You search your heart and mind, meditating on the idea of the thing. How it will change things, if the things that change will make your lives fuller, or if it will lead to the slow march of relationship death. 

You push away the negative thoughts, they’re fueled by insecurity and the unknown. You won’t be ruled by that. This life is the one you have, and you share it with Eddie, the love of your life. Steve though, can he be more than a third roommate? You’ve been letting yourself look at the lines of his face and neck. You’ve let yourself imagine what your fingers would feel like when they slip through his sweat soaked hair. The smell of him lingers in every corner of this home, his smile is safe and kind. 

—

It took longer to convince you than it did Steve, even though the idea had sprung up from inside your own mind. You took a month to let the trepidation and nervousness reign before allowing the warmth of possibilities to gain the advantage. Once they won out, you were ready to give the go ahead and talk to Eddie. Let him see the offer, openly given with no hesitation, a gift for him - the love at the center of yours and Steve’s worlds. 

“Eddie, my love,” you whisper to him in the darkness of your bedroom. You can feel the brush of his eyelashes against the bare skin of your chest, fluttering at the sound of his name. He hums, the vibrations are an acknowledgement that he’s listening to what you have to say. It’s stupid to want to talk about this now, but Steve has left the ball in your court - he sees the way you’ve wrestled with your own mind over the idea, and it’s in your own bed with the reassuring warmth of Eddie where you feel the safest. Cared for, protected, and less insecure about where you fit into this unlikely familial unit.

You waited until your lover crooked his neck to make eye contact with you in the thick darkness of the midnight hour that softens the overwhelming thoughts that you need to share with him. You push away the shadow of a curl that hides the fullness of his visage before saying the words that have been sitting at the back of your throat for weeks. “Do you remember that conversation we had a few months back, about me, you, and Steve?”

Eddie remembers, it was a night a lot like this one. In the dark he had whispered his secret to you, a precious and fragile thing that you’ve held in your heart, careful not to crush it. He’d wiped the tears from your eyes when you told him you weren’t ready for something like that, fearing he might lose his love for you. That night had reinforced things for Eddie, he knew he could tell you things, he knew you could be honest with him. The love never faded, instead it grew roots that threaded the love he felt for Steve also. A forest canopy where the three of you find shelter.

“I remember,” Eddie’s calloused fingers run down your cheek and under your eyes, a wordless question answered when they leave dry, “but we don’t have to talk about that, Baby. We’re so good.” He kisses at the skin of your chest, warm and soft breathing out the rest, “I love you.”

“I love you, Ed. But I want you to know, Steve and I have talked about it -” Eddie sits up straight in the bed, wide eyes shining by the sliver of moonlight sneaking between the drawn shades of the room.

“You and Steve have been talking?” Eddie repeats. You wait to see if he says more before you give him the rest. “You two talked about the three of us being together?”

“Yes.” You reach your fingers out to gently play with the curls at the side of his face to calm the sudden anxiety that’s building between you. “I didn’t want to talk to you until I knew that Steve and I were on the same page. I didn’t want to disappoint you.” You surprise yourself when the last sentence is choked out on a quiet sob. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m crying about this.”

Eddie pushes aside the anxiety and wipes away the tear that has escaped from the corner of your eye, “what did Steve say? I haven’t talked to him about adding a third since I met you. I know how he felt about it after he met you, but you two have your own friendship and stuff now.” 

You breathe out a relieved sigh. Steve had told you that he had initially hoped the three of you could have something shared, but a part of you hadn’t fully believed it. Hearing Eddie confirm it rouses the butterflies deep in your gut. “Steve’s on board. I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking about everything, and I want it too. I trust you both so much.”

“It’s ok if you need more time, or if you change your mind -” you cut Eddie off with a kiss. Lips brushing lips. You finally tell him the thing you’ve barely been able to admit to yourself.

“I want it. My two beautiful boys.”

—

Saturday mornings are for coffee and cigarettes on the balcony with Steve and Eddie. This morning is much the same, but with sidelong glances between you and two sets of eyes watching as you lazily blow smoke from between your lips. You heard the boys whisper to each other in the kitchen before they came out to join you. The sexual tension is so ridiculous, it makes you bark a laugh when you see Steve lick his lips.

“Jesus Christ, Steve, you’re drooling. See something you like?” You wiggle your shoulders under your oversized pajama shirt that leaves everything to the imagination. He’s seen you in it a million times before, only this time it’s different. He’s thinking about what’s underneath knowing he’ll get to see the curves and angles of you soon. It’s been a long time since he’s been with a woman, and he can’t stop thinking about how soft your skin will feel under his hands.

“Sorry.” He’s sheepish, the tips of his exposed ear immediately turning red at your teasing. It sends a rush of desire through you to see him flush under your gaze. He clears his throat, “I’m sorry, ok. I can’t help it.”

Eddie’s giggle fit is the catalyst for your own. The tension releases in a flurry of gasping laughs and an indelicate snort from your lips. You feel like a teenager with a crush. A first date with the cute boy for which you’ve been harboring a secret crush for months. But it’s just Steve. He buys your Tampax and cleans the bathroom when you and Eddie forget. He’s smiling shyly behind his acrylic frames, and you wonder how you’ve missed it for so long. You push back the regret, because this is how it’s happening. Better now than never.

“Don’t be sorry, Stevie. I like it when you look at me like that.” You drop your voice. You let yourself feel sexy despite the coffee breath and last night’s makeup smeared beneath your eyes. 

“Jesus Christ, you two are fucking killing me.” Eddie shakes his head and drains the last dregs from his mug before he kisses your cheek to head inside for a shower. “You guys need this more than I do.”

Steve follows Eddie into the apartment a couple seconds later, leaving a soft kiss on your cheek as he passes. A thing he does often, but he feels warmer today. You notice the honey highlights of his hair under the early morning sun and sigh. It feels right, seeing him like this. It feels good having him look at you.

It’s the farmers market first where you get fresh bread, cheese, and loads of veggies. Eddie’s making dinner for the three of you, roasted vegetables with tempeh and rice. The bread and cheese is for a quick snack lunch down by the river, sitting between the two warm bodied men, their hands meeting behind you in an embrace. The river hypnotizes you, the quiet rush of the water insistent. You leave them on the river bank and shed your sandals. With your jeans rolled up, you step into the shallow water, smooth pebbles under your toes. You can feel eyes on you, and let them watch you watch the water move downstream. Steve and Eddie watch you wet your toes, never saying a word. 

The whole day is quiet. Even Eddie finds words unnecessary, a rarity. The shy flirtation between you and Steve has an effect on him. It’s killing him, every moment of the day the tension builds more and more. He’s been half hard since he saw you teasing Steve under the early morning sun. He wishes he could have hauled you both into the bedroom at that moment, hands and mouths mapping undiscovered territory - but this is what you all want. A day together, a reminder of what’s real before you all get lost in the fog of lust. But, it’s killing him. 

By the time you all finally make it back to the apartment, the sun is low in the sky, light fading. Three heartbeats in a steady rhythm, nervous giggles escaping lips while shoes are thrown in the corner of the living room. Steve doesn’t even care that not a single one made it to its assigned spot, he can only see you and Eddie. You hold out your hands to him and to Eddie, both happily oblige. The wine from dinner gives you a pleasant buzz, the anxiety is gone completely with your fingers tangled in theirs while you lead them to Eddie’s room. 

The door between yours and Steve’s is your shared boyfriend’s. A bed rarely slept in, his time split between his lovers’, but tonight it will be full. The symbolism is not lost on any of you, neutral ground for the newest chapter in your story. All day you’ve wondered if you’d be able to follow the steps. There’s been a prickling anxiety that it might feel unnatural, but it doesn’t. All you feel now is heat in your belly when you see that Eddie and Steve are hard in their jeans. A pulse begins to pound where you want to be touched, and he’s on you as if he can feel it himself.

Eddie’s kissing you hard, his hands immediately find the curve of your ass and you wonder how you could have ever doubted this. Steve is still gripping your left hand, his large thumb runs across your knuckles as Eddie’s tongue breaches your lips to taste you. You squeeze back, the sweat of your palm mixing with Steve’s while Eddie moans deep. 

“Can I watch you two?” Steve’s voice is hoarse and full of want. “You’re both so pretty.”

You break away from Eddie, mouth opening, closing, opening again. No sound coming out, too lost already. Eddie helps, his head resting on your forehead and turns to see Steve before answering, “Stevie wants to watch, Baby. He can join in when he wants, though, right?” You nod, keeping your eyes on Eddie, already overwhelmed. 

It’s enough for both of them, and clothes are sloughed off onto the carpeted floor until you’re bared completely for Eddie. For Steve. You know this dance, even with an audience of one. Eddie and Steve both sink to their knees. Eddie pulls your legs apart wide while Steve rests his head on the mattress next to you. A perfect viewpoint to watch Eddie’s tongue and fingers work. 

“This is the best part, Steve. She makes the prettiest sounds when you do this.” Eddie spreads your legs apart, wider than normal so the view is completely unobscured before he flattens his tongue and runs it hard along your slit. Once, twice, three times. With laser focused precision, he zeroes in on your clit and begins to rub it between his upper lip and tongue while two fingers breach your hole to move inside of you. 

It’s all faster than usual, urgent and desperate, but your body reacts in kind. It meets Eddie’s need, and you can hear yourself crying out without any conscious decision to do so. A hand finds yours, threading between your fingers with digits longer and thinner than Eddie’s. Steve’s hand in yours while you climb the mountain of pleasure. He’s keeping you firmly on the ground. 

It’s Steve that talks you through the white hot lighting that spreads across your vision. “Oh wow. You’re doing so well. You’re so perfect, taking what you need from Eddie. God, I can smell you from here, you smell amazing Baby.” It’s Steve’s firm hand that rests on your hip when you start to pull away. He holds you there to ride through your high while Eddie drinks you up.

When you open your eyes you see them kissing, tongues sloppily dancing. Steve whining at the taste of you on Eddie’s lips. The hand that held you down now threading through the curls at the nape of Eddie’s neck, drawing him closer and closer. You’re still pulsing, and the sight makes you ache for them both. 

“Fuuuuucccckkkk. Oh my god.” Your panting voice breaks their kiss, and you regret it immediately. Pink cheeks and hooded eyes take in your naked form in front of them, and pupils dilate. “Please. Please. I need you.” 

I need you. You don’t know if you’re talking to Eddie or Steve or both of them. It doesn’t matter, because they answer by smiling at each other, Steve’s fingers undoing Eddie’s belt, and then Eddie’s hands pulling Steve’s shirt over his head. On and on and until they’re both on display in front of you. Works of art for you to admire. You burn it into your mind’s eye, hard cocks lazily held in hands while they eat you up with their eyes.

You know what comes next because it’s something you’ve all agreed you want to try. Eddie’s cock stretches you open in a familiar way that feels like home. A whimper leaves his lips when he sinks all the way into you. His eyebrows knit together, concentrating on the feeling of you surrounding him, swallowing him up. Your eyes seek out Steve and see him holding his heavy cock firmly in his grip. He’s matching Eddie’s rhythm, he’s trying to feel what Eddie feels. 

Your second orgasm crashing down on you under Steve’s weighty gaze, it’s impossible to hold back. Eddie never falters, if anything he picks up his pace trying to reach you while you soar high above the bed. He’s so deep, Your hands are tugging at your nipples, desperate for anything to latch onto. You realize that Steve isn’t by your side anymore, he’s behind Eddie now. 

With Eddie still deep inside, the head of Steve’s cock begins to play at Eddie’s hole. Eddie stills at the feeling. He keens, a sound you’ve never heard him make before, and you pulse around him. You can feel Steve push into Eddie, his cock reaches deeper inside of you. And again. Eddie’s hips are moving only through the force of Steve’s. It’s so beautiful to see this sight in front of you. Eddie’s gone at the feeling of Steve’s cock buried deep inside of him. Steve’s hand is in Eddie’s hair, pulling his head back to give you a full view of your boyfriend’s lovely neck. Every thrust of Steve’s hips is met with a small cry from Eddie. The cock inside of you slips out, and you decide it’s time to make a quick change. 

You reach up to cup Eddie’s cheek in your hand and say, “turn around, Baby. Let me hold you.” Eddie’s too gone already, you and Steve turn him around. You pull Eddie back against your chest to hold him, and Steve spreads his legs open wide. From this vantage point Steve is so beautiful it makes you ache. His pretty cock leaking arousal. And then it disappears again, deep inside Eddie. 

Steve’s eyes are fixated on your face, and you're fixated on his. One of your hands is in Eddie’s sweaty hair, soothing him while Steve sets a bruising pace. You reach down and grip your fist around Eddie’s leaking length. It’s bouncing against his stomach, so hard and desperate to be touched. You push the hair away from Eddie’s ear and begin to speak. Your eyes never leave Steve’s.

“You’re doing so well, Eddie, taking that fat cock in your tight little ass.” Steve falters for a second, his jaw is clenching at your words. He’s trying to hold on until Eddie cums at least. “Your boyfriend is so pretty, Ed. How’d I get so lucky, hm? The two prettiest dicks I’ve ever seen, all for me.” Steve's hips move faster, he’s close now. So is Eddie. Wordless whines at the back of his throat and reverberates through your chest. 

There’s a sort of power you had not expected in this position. Both men under your spell. And you decide - mercy. You know exactly how to push them both over the edge, break this fever. They both sit painfully on the edge of oblivion, Steve’s eyes still on yours, lost in chasing the rhythm of his hips.

“He’s good, isn’t he, Steve?” His eyes widen, it’s the first time you’ve directly addressed him in this bedroom. You can feel Eddie begin to pulse in your hand, stomach muscles tensing, and you shoot to kill - “I’m good too. Do you want to feel how my asshole feels while Eddie fucks my pussy, Stevie?”

Eddie lets out a strangled cry, cum shoots up his stomach and over your fingers, while Steve slumps down on top of Eddie. Shallow and deep thrusts accompanying his moans. You reach out, finally able to touch Steve, and run your fingers through his sweaty mane. You run a finger along the line of his jaw while he and Eddie find their breath. 

“Your girlfriend is evil.” Steve huffs out the words into the skin of Eddie’s chest while you all still lay in a pile of sweat and cum.

“Mmm, I know she is. But I think maybe she’s your girlfriend too, Stevie. She doesn’t invite just anyone into her ass.” Eddie can’t even fully deliver the line before he’s laughing. A joyful sound that feels like relief. “God, we’re a fucking mess.”

“Everyone needs to get off of me right now, I can’t breathe.” You feel weak under the weight of both men, pushing on Eddie’s shoulders with little effect. Steve rolls off Eddie, pulling him off of you at the same time. 

You look at the clock. 9:30. You laugh, and groan. “I’m taking a shower and getting the butter pecan from the freezer. You two do what you want.” 

You leave the room, not bothering with your clothes, and hear the boys groaning. You know they can’t resist ice cream. You think that it might be a good idea to do some bed shopping tomorrow. The queen won’t do it, not for the three of you.

#eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson smut #steve harrington smut #eddie munson x steve harrington #steddie x reader #steddie x reader smut #steddie x you #eddie munson #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader

[lz-didyounotice]

The girl with a thousand faces : Part 1

Hey guys! hum warning, this is my first fanfiction on Doctor Who. I wrote this one with the tenth doctor in mind. English is not my primary language, so please be indulgent. This fic will be in two or three parts depending on what the general reaction will be :0 So hum yeah. Also in the first chapter, you're given a certain name, but it will not be definitive.

Froggit-

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

Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3

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

Your destiny wasn’t what you could call “normal”. For a human at least. 

Playing, studying, going to college, finding a job, having a family, and growing old, could be called a winning ticket. You, on the other hand, had to deal with something else for as long as you could remember. 

Remembering. Here was something you were good at, something you had done for dozens of years without even understanding why it was happening. All those faces, all those lives you had to leave behind you. A single heart that had to grow again and again, without knowing where it would end up next, what language it would speak, what future it would be. 

A miracle some would call it. To you, it was purely a curse. The process of dying, being conceived again, growing up, and remembering your past lives, was getting tiring as the years came by. But here you were once again. And this time, your death had been quite special. Never would you have imagined dying to free a city.

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

Paris was beautiful, it was true. But too many people lived there for it to be breathable. Summer was a pain in the ass, having no air circulating between buildings, and the cramped space of the streets, making the temperature grow higher each passing day. It wasn’t bearable. Breathing wasn’t easy, and there was as much that water could solve. 

Today was one of those days. Waking up to windows covered in craft paper to reduce the heat coming in the house, the rod from your old shutters, still in a corner of your room waiting to be saved. A kitchen, a little too small for even one person, and a pan to heat the water. A simple life in a busy city.

The bus had taken its sweet time to arrive, making you late for work. As soon as you entered the small café, you were in for quite a lot.

“Oh! Louise te voilà enfin! t’as presque une demie heure de retard, Naeva te cherche partout. J’ai mis ton uniforme dans l’arrière boutique 

oh! Louise! here you are, you’re practically Half an hour late, Naeva was searching for you. I put your uniform in the back

-Ah! Merci beaucoup Fély! je ne sais pas ce que je ferais sans toi. Désolée pour le retard, mon bus a encore été dévié.

Ah! Thanks a lot, Fély! I don’t know what I would do without you! Sorry for being late, my bus took another route again.

-C’est pas à moi qui faut dire ça, allez dépêches toi, on ouvre dans 5 minutes.”

I’m not the one you should tell this, and hurry up, we open in 5 min.

With a big smile, you walked by the kitchen to finally get dressed in your work attire.

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

Working wasn’t a passion. Making drinks had become mechanical long before even entering this café. Made it more of a chore to keep a place to live. 

Even with the knowledge of a thousand years, you had stayed here, certain that something special would happen in this life. This “something special” came with the name of John Smith. A beautiful man in a striped suit, bearing a gorgeous smile. Never would you have guessed that this man could bring so much trouble with him. 

You were happy to have learned how to regain your memory faster. And practicing sports did wonders. But Running from potato-headed soldiers wasn’t how you imagined your Monday to go. Their guns secured in hand while they tried to shoot you and the man beside you. 

Somehow, you managed to get shot in the side. Sure it hurt like a bitch, but it wasn’t your first rodeo with this kind of injury.

Making a new turn, the two of you had entered a small building. As soon as the door was closed, you heard a weird vibrating sound and saw “John” hunched over the door lock.

“It should last us a bit before they can get us.

-Who the heck are you ?! You seem to know an awful lot about what those are.  

-I’m the Doctor.

-The Doctor? What kind of doctor runs from bald potato soldiers?

-I could ask you the same. And you were also shot. Do you think you can still help?

- I might die either way. Let me be useful….”

“ So… what is the plan? “

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

The Sontarans had tried to sneak a bomb on Earth. Similarly to a mine, someone had to walk on it for it to detonate. In this case, only a human could make it explode. The bomb was still on their ship, and the Doctor had found their teleporter. 

The safe was easy to find, but to take down the fleet, the bomb had to be activated. 

“Doctor, I know it’s not the best option, but I'm the only one here able to make the ship go down. I’m already injured so it wouldn't be a big loss. You'll probably find me again in another life anyway. You, on the other hand, I’m not entirely sure.

-What do you mean another life ?! You're not dying, not on my watch…!”

The brunette seemed stressed. You knew he was trying to hide it, but you had too much time in your life to know what was going on in his head.

“You know what? Can I promise you something?

-I don’t think I quite follow but go ahead.

-I promise you, I'll always come back. No matter what. Might take a few human years but I'll always be back. No matter the life. “

The doctor seemed surprised. Humans surely made shallow promises in the hope of making things better, and to make others less guilty. But the sincerity of your voice made him believe it, and it scared him.

“Who are you, Louise....?”

All you gave him was a small smile before picking yourself up, blood still spreading on your shirt despite having transformed your apron into a temporary bandage. Only three digits were necessary to open the door. Your hand on the lock, the door slides open, and the monstrosity you had before your eyes made you want to throw up. You knew of the pain that was going to go through you. It wasn’t your first death by a bomb, but the last blasted your brain in tranches below the surface.

The bomb looked like a normal sewer lid, it would have been easy for a citizen to mistake it for a normal one. Checking Behind you, you had hoped to see the face of the doctor one last time before taking a step.

His eyes held sorrow, convinced that he had to make something else work. In comparison yours held hope, knowing that it wouldn’t be your end. But as red lights came into existence, he had to run. His eyes turned as he ran away to get to safety.

Once you knew he was far enough, as your foot barely touched the bomb, you felt your skin burn like a thousand suns. It was almost welcoming.

Darkness took over, letting you sink into the unknown.

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

Has you opened your eyes again, all you could see was the face of a beautiful woman. A halo was drawn on top of her head, as she whispered a sweet lullaby.

making gurgling noises, you finally reached for her nose, desperate to touch something again. And all you saw was her smile as she put her head against yours. Your name fell beautifully from her lips. 

“Welcome to the world… Y/N Noble…”

#doctor who x reader #10th doctor x reader #tenth doctor x reader #the doctor x reader #donna noble x reader #noble family x reader #doctor who x imortal reader #sontarans #doctor who

[smallgodseries]

[image description: A thin red figure with irregular horns, a long tail, long pointy ears and pointy black fingernails sticks out his long curled tongue. He wears a long red cloak lined in a mangy fur that might once have been white. He holds a switch in both hands. Behind him the curve of the earth and a vague aurora. Text reads, “168, krampus – small god of secret santas”]

• • • • •

“Are you doing Secret Santa this year?”

“Yeah, but I got Chloe, and you know she never likes what anyone gets her, and she always comes in under the dollar amount by as much as she can get away with.  That wouldn’t be so bad, except she brags about it.  You were supposed to be getting me a Christmas present!  Why is it appropriate to tell me that you saved seventeen dollars out of a twenty dollar budget?  It’s like, come on, Chloe, read the room.”

“At least you don’t have to put too much effort into whatever you get for her.”

“True.  It’s just going to wind up at next week’s White Elephant party no matter what.  Ooo, maybe I should get some of that bodywash I like!”

“Isn’t she allergic to that?”

“Show me where I care.”

Santa—true Santa, Santa prime, Santa in the sky with reindeer—is not a small god.  Santa will insist that he isn’t a god at all, but he carries the hopes and prayers of children, monuments are built in his honor, and priests garb themselves in replicas of his raiment to grant absolution.  He is a god, like it or not, and he is not a small one.  He stands outside the purview of our chronicles.

Krampus, while he once had a shot at the big sleigh, lost that bid thanks to a less than marketable image and a fondness for stuffing naughty children into his sack, and has since settled in to a slightly narrower sphere of holiday cheer.  And while he still does all the traditional Krampus things—lots of respect for tradition at the North Pole—his main sphere of influence is a little more adult in nature.

When you think “I could pocket half the budget” or “I don’t like Becky from HR enough to get her anything good,” Krampus is there.  Putting you on the naughty list, remembering your name.  When you think “peanuts are delicious, who cares if she’s allergic, maybe she’ll give them to me,” Krampus judges you even if no one else can.

Judges, but doesn’t stop.  Because there are many ways to punish the naughty, and they don’t all end with childhood.  He can’t truly live as he desires unless you sometimes misbehave.

Disappoint Krampus.  Be a good Secret Santa this year.

His sack is waiting.

• • • • •

Please join Lee Moyer (Icon) and Seanan McGuire (Story) each week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a guide to the many tiny divinities:

WordPress: https://leemoyer.wordpress.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/smallgodseries/

Homepage: http://smallgodseries.com

Mastodon: @[email protected]

#Small Gods #smallgodseries #Seanan McGuire #Lee Moyer #icons and stories #krampus

[jaybirdss]

comic store crush |

 Jay x gn reader 🛼

SORRY THIS TOOK ME LITERAL MONTHS LMAO, I HOPE YOU ENJOY 

It all started with Jay entering the comic book store one on an average Monday afternoon.

you’d just clocked into your shift, standing behind the counter watching people come and go. the blue ninja walked into your store, from what you hear he was a regular. his usual purchase was the latest Fritz Donnagan comic issue. He came in once a week at least, usually around the mornings, surveyed the figures and arcade games, purchased his comic and left.

You watched with little interest as he begins his routine. it was the same thing every day. the only interesting thing about today was he came in later than usual. you’ve never been on the clock when he came in late.

the blue ninja rushed to the stands for the new comic, only to find it was sold out already. “aw man ! you’ve got to be kidding me!” he exclaimed, clearly distraught over it. “yeah, you should have come earlier” you said, “the build up for this one’s release was big, there was a crazy amount of people here” you knew that because you arrived early to purchase a copy for yourself. you were too big on comics but figured this would be a good place to start, so you snagged one while you had the chance.

“Do you guys have any left anywhere?” he asked, hoping desperately there was one left for sale. “no,” his shoulders sagged, “but we’re getting another shipment in by thursday if you want to come early for that. Or i can save you one” you offered.

immediately he brightened up, “Really?” he asked, feeling it was too good to be true. “yeah, just don’t tell anyone” you said, lowering your voice and looking around “we’re not really supposed to do that”

jay nodded with understanding, a serious look on his face. “I see..can you save me one then? i’ll come in whenever your in to get it and pay!” he said, barley containing the excitement in his voice. he may be bummed that he can’t get it today, and he’ll have to avoid any and all spoilers until he got his hands on it, but he was still excited that he could get it.

you nod, looking at him clearly. freckles ran across his right cheek, over his nose bridge and to his left cheek. some went lower and were more sparse, like they got separated from the group. and others went higher, on his forehead and the sides of his eyes. they all varied in pigmentation, from a few shades darker then his skin, to several shades darker. they created an intricate artwork along his face.

his mouth was quirked up in a goofy smile, his lips a warm rosy shade. they were freckled, too. a single dark freckle lay on his lower lip, just by the corner.

his eyes were bright and optimistic, his excitement making them shimmer under the fluorescent lights above.

“oh, yeah I can do that for you. I just need your name?” you said, plucking a sticky note from its pad, and a pen from the cup to your right.

“it’s Jay! Jay Walker!” he said proudly. “well it’s nice to meet you, Jay Walker, i’ll save one for you. i’ll be in friday if you want to pick it up then?” you tell him, revising your work schedule in your head. “oh and saturday, both in the evenings” you recount, waiting for his response of which day he prefers.

he hummed, tapping his foot in thought. “I think…” his eyes wandered to yours, “i’ll come for it Thursday!” he decided shortly. with a thank you he left the counter to survey the figures and merchandise.

Thursday rolled around, and you were waiting behind the counter bored. you started your shift half an hour ago, but Jay hadn’t shown up yet. you were beginning to think he wouldn’t show up at all- until of course, he came barreling in through the front glass doors.

Jay stumbled up to the counter, sweaty and out of breath. “Woah, what happened to you man?” you asked, concerned. He was red in the face, his hair damp and frizzy. not to mention he smelled..

“Oh, you know, saving people and stuff” he huffed out, bent over. it took him a few minutes to regain his composure and to be able to stand up straight. “i’m sorry i’m so late” he apologized, wiping his face with his hand.

“it’s okay, i got your comic” you spoke softly, turning to look for the mini fridge under the counter. you duck down and pop back up, a cold bottle of water in hand. “here, you look beyond thirsty” he took it graciously, downing half of it quickly. “Thanks! I really was thirsty!” he sighed, taking a deep breath. 

you set the plastic wrapped comic on the counter, scanning the back of it. “4.99″ you smiled, looking back from the register to him. jay was staring, and seeing this caught you off guard. your felt your face get a little hot, staring back at him. he smiled, a small, goofy looking smile. he handed you a slightly damp 10 dollar bill, grimacing a little at the state of it. 

“thanks so much for holding this for me again!” he grinned. “not a problem,” you replied, turning to scrawl something on a sticky note. you folded it up as he watched from the other side of the counter, confused. you shakily passed it to him, “open it outside” you smiled.

jay smiled, and after another round of thanks and a goodbye he left. wou waited anxiously on your stool, waiting to see what he would say. 

half an  hour had gone by without a text, or a call. you worried he didn’t feel the same. how could you be so stupid, you asked yourself, forehead against the cool glass of the counter. deciding your fate was made, you sighed. maybe you would mope about it all day, and when you got home you’d eat ice cream and move on. 

until the ding of your phone pulled you back to your senses. 

‘I think you’re cute too, I’d like to get to know you more :)’

and another ding, 

‘sorry that took so long, got caught up fighting more bad guys >_<’

#jay x reader #jay walker #jay x male reader #jay x gender neutral reader #jay x female reader #lego ninjago x reader #ninjago #lego ninjago #ninjago x reader #ninjago fanfiction #ninjago headcanons #writing #lego ninjago jay x reader

[rainparadefromhell]

s4 "quick" review.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

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this is probably the best piece of television i have ever seen. this is why i am so in love with writing and characters and storylines and imagination and creativity and my god do the duffer brothers have all those things. i am actually in awe.

some things that i LOVED that come to mind :

- literally loved every new character?? except jason, is that even his name he can rot why was he in every corner with the satanic shit giving me a migraine smh, eddie is the loml, rip chrissy she was cute and more importantnly steve FINALLY made a new friend his age yay!!!

- steve harrington is gonna do one thing every season and that is be steve harrington aka slay every and any one and he is the best character blabla u already know. also him fucking tearing that bat creature apart was so hot for no reason

- dustin!!!!!????! CARRIED this season. always loved him but his humor really stood out to me this season, gaten acted his ass off

- lucas and that little speech telling max he is always there for her? he has my heart

- sadie oscar when?

- i was screaming "WILLIAM!!" at any mike and will scene. idk why the government name jumped out of me buuuut oh my god i felt so bad bc he is clearly in love w mike and i don't think it's reciprocated....i do think mike knows bc some of them scenes were so awkward but cute i love will

- loved seeing jonathan be so fun (i mean he was high most of the time but still lolol)

- robin????? kiss??? me???? oh MY GOD, her steve and dustin were my absolute favorites, everything she says is comedic gold

- VECNA'S ORIGIN STORY FUCKING DUFFER BROTHERS PLEASE SPARE SOME TALENT. no but i was screaming "he's number one!!!!" when he tricked el. the actor is so talented and his monologue was perfectly evil without being corny. i LOVED them fleshing out the villains more and the whole 1920s victor creel storyline with that beautiful house and the clocks and everything was so stunning visually???

- THE FUCKING SPECIAL EFFECTS CGI WHATEVER THE FUCK WHEN VECNA WOULD BREAK PPLS BONES IT LOOKED SO FUCKING CREEPY AND AWFUL AND SADISTIC AND AMAZING R U KIDDING ME????? this just put ST on another level. the way that that genuinely freaked me out so much with their jaws hanging and missing eyes??? it was truly horror this season.

- hopper and the russian prison guard fighting the demogorgon actually had me on the edge of my seat, it was amazing!! also joyce saving the day by pushing random buttons is such a joyce thing to do lol.

- imma need a written note from netflix and the duffer brothers that my girl el will live a nice, calm and comfortable life in an isolated cabin somewhere after all of this on my desk by monday bc tf?? millie was just flexing her talent bc she was crying and in pain like 90% of the season so far. chefs kiss as always

- dr. br*nner is the biggest piece of shit i have ever seen and if we ever cross paths he is catching these hands. bitch.

things i didn't like :

- there is seriously just one big thing and that is nancy and steve. i love both characters and steve is prob my favorite even but my god do they just not fit at all....nancy and jonathan are both calm and very similar and i just wanted steve to thrive whether by himself or with a new girl. the show made a point that nancy never really loved him and now suddenly it's true love? give me a break, they barely interacted in ages. it just seemed like they didn't know what to do so they used them for cheap drama even though the nancy and jonathan long distance issues were, in my opinion, enough and completely valid and relatable. also emotional cheating isn't cute.

- wanted to see more of mike. a lot of people don't like him but i do. feels like the show doesn't know what to do with him sometimes though.

and that's it. bc the season was basically perfect in my eyes. 10/10

i was, as i'm sure many people as well worried that ST would decline in quality after season 3, hell even 2. but s4 just proved me the fuck wrong. it is absolutely my favorite season so far. i know we are getting a s5 but this makes me want at least 5 more!!!!! but i do trust the duffer brothers to end everything on a high note. but i just cannot wrap my mind over how good this season was??? everything just clicked with el's backstory in the lab and vecna's origin story they REALLY thought everything through and it SHOWS.

this is what tv should be. just pure talent and a thought out idea. and of course an incredible cast. what a delight. i am filled with serotonin. congrats to everyone involved in making this season from the creators to the cast & crew. we will be talking about s4 of stranger things for a looooooong time you best believe.

in short I FUCKING LOVE ART!!!!!!!

#stranger things season 4 #stranger things s4 #stranger things #stranger things spoilers #stranger things netflix #spoilers #mike wheeler #nancy wheeler #will byers #jonathan byers #eleven #steve harrington #dustin henderson #lucas sinclair #max mayfield #robin buckley #eddie munson #jim hopper #joyce byers

[letsberealgenz]

Why finding your purpose matters

Growing up I was surrounded by fixed-minded individuals. I wouldn’t blame them because it is the security state of mind that had a stronger gravitational pull in their life’s journey that led them to worship their 9–5 as a “need” not a “want” and this was a pretty common scenario whenever I looked around. So I thought to myself this was the norm and this is how you’re meant to be living. Instead of chasing my life’s purpose now I was chasing the rat-race dream!

You know how it all begins scoring the A’s all throughout kindergarten to secondary just to be an elite for the job market. But how little did I know it was the dregs that win big in life compared to “paper” elites. Do you know why? Because it takes an endless passion, a burning desire, relentless amount of hard-work and a fulfilling dream to pursue a risky adventure with a high probability of failure coupled with a no-guarantee outcome of success!

It is these people whom later on makes their way to sit on the “board of directors” list in the same company that you’ve invested years of your rat-race effort just to find yourself serving below them! That’s when you begin questioning life and find yourself using the “life is unfair” phrase more than ever with your like-minded individuals. I am here to let you know if only you understood the word “purpose” and why it is so important, today your life would be different!

Why purpose even matters? This is not an ordinary purpose you hear for your minute of meeting but it is your soul’s purpose. Your true life’s purpose. Your calling. What you are meant to be doing throughout your limited time on Earth should be your #1 priority from the day even you begin thinking. Here’s why:

Pursuing your true purpose contributes a lot to your long-term success and a fulfilling life

What is success without fulfillment? As Tony Robbins always says:

“Success without fulfillment is ultimate failure.”

You can be extremely successful but if your success does not fulfill your soul to its very core then you are definitely playing a risky game here my friend. A game that could result you enduring a “mid-life crisis” which initiates a lot from hard mornings that you have to force yourself to get out of bed. To turn off your alarm and drag yourself to work. Is this even a life you picture yourself to be living until your retirement age kicks in?

What if I told you today that you’re one step away to saving yourself from this crisis? If only you knew how to make a living out of your purpose utilizing the abundant of resources available at your fingertip today, life would be different! Think about all the amazing individuals whom made history through their life-saving inventions. Now if I may ask you this:

Can they ever achieve that level of success if they didn’t pursue and believe in their life’s purpose?

I doubt so. Because it is through their life’s purpose that enabled them to pursue a pathway which is often walked by a very few! It is a lonely, weird and scary road when you decide to pursue your calling. It is only you whom can see something that is not visible but just because you believe in it (your greater WHY) and choose to do something about it then it becomes a reality. Often times it is this reality that makes history my friend. As Les Brown says:

“When your why is big enough you will find your how.”

When your purpose serves a greater meaning beyond yourself then you wouldn’t find yourself dreading to get out of bed every morning. You wouldn't find yourself having “Monday blues.” You wouldn’t invest more than half of your day just in the name of “paying your bills” or even to secure a “car” and a “house.” This is where 90% of the world’s population fit into!

Instead pursuing your life’s purpose should be exciting. It should be the “alarm” that gets you out of your bed every morning. It should be the driving factor that pushes you forward despite the countless amount of setback and failure you would face. It should be the reason you tap into your unlimited potential and serve the world for the greater good. It should be the reason you find yourself on a ticking clock journey where every second matters.

When your why is strong enough no matter what comes into your way you have your eyes on your end goal. You are not someone whom is easily bought by a promotion. Through a salary increment. Through bonuses. Through better quality of life and et cetera. When pursuing your life’s purpose you are not someone whom can be easily influenced or drifted just to serve someone else’s dream!

Before I leave let me share this with you:

It is the greatest gift of life one can pursue their purpose that fulfills their soul, to make a living out of it, to achieve massive success from it and to serve the world for a greater good using their purpose!

Yours, Asrajjit Kaur

#purpose #mindfulness #spiritual awakening #spiritual community #spiritual development #law of success #success story #business success #successful #successmindset #succession #law of abundance #life series #reality #life lessons #real life #life goals #lifestyle #life #business #entrepreneur #career #career advice #self improvement #self help #self development #personal development #growth mindset #personal growth #growth

[reblogthiscrapkay]

Travel Tips

In talking to people I realize that I have some really specific things I do while traveling that make my life easier that people don’t seem to know about. Here’s a list of those things. Planning: Plug everything into Google Maps beforehand. Whether you’re driving, walking, or taking public transport, when you plan a daily itinerary, always check how long it’s going to take to get from place to place. You may have vastly overestimated how much you can actually do in the time you have. Leave a little space. I’m a habitual overplanner so I frequently have to remind myself that I should make sure that after I have the couple things I really want to do properly fit into the day, I should just leave some wiggle room. This is especially true if you are doing anything involving nature. Maybe you’ll not want to rush off the beach. Maybe you’ll take a little detour on your hike that seems fun. Have backups for weather. Depending on the trip, the weather can really mess with your plans. On a recent Nevada/Utah trip, our plans to see Bryce Canyon full of snow were thwarted by thick fog. Thankfully, we were leaving out of Vegas and we had plenty we could do there instead. Always have an alternative.

Food: Buy a little extra food with breakfast. I suggested to students on my DC trip that when we went to Dunkin’ in the morning they didn’t just think about what they needed right there, but also that they pick up an extra bagel or doughnut for when they need a snack before or after lunch. Apparently this was genius. Act like restaurants will all be closed by 6PM and plan accordingly. I recently messed up on this one and arrived at 8:30PM in a town in Nevada with two restaurants that both close at 8. Needlessly to say, breakfast was incredible. This is less important if you are going to a big city on a day that isn’t Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday but still worth considering. Just bring some bars. Granola, Clif, Luna, whatever. Just bring a few for emergencies. Packing: Don’t overpack!!! Everyone always does but I’m so serious about this. If your trip is 1-3 nights, you just need a backpack. If it’s a week, you can take something more like a duffel. You only need a small suitcase if it’s over a week, and if you crawl into your suitcase you better be going somewhere for over a month. Create a standard packing list. To save myself the stress of creating a new one each time and also to make sure I can cull things or add things with experience, I have one standard list. It has the categories of “toiletries” and “technology” which are universal for any overnight, “cold weather” and “hot weather” depending on the time, and a section called “circumstantial” which has some generic items I may need depending on the trip (like a book, a bathing suit, or feminine hygiene products) and two subcategories of “international” and “car travel” for if I’m going overseas or if I’m road tripping in my own car. Even in confusing situations like Iceland in the summer where I needed both a bathing suit and a rain jacket, it’s super helpful. If road tripping, bring an empty backpack. One of the more brilliant tactics I have came from a four week long road trip across the west and southwest. Obviously I needed a full suitcase for the journey but we were staying at different hotels almost every night. Instead of bringing in the suitcase every day, I could just keep my toiletries, chargers, and PJs in the backpack and add a new outfit every day. Then in the morning, I would put my old clothes in my dirty clothes bag in the suitcase and replace the outfit with tomorrow’s. Do laundry. I don’t even mean pay for laundry services. When I did a Greece and Turkey trip that lasted three weeks I only packed half that amount in clothes and just washed things in the hotel sinks. I got so sweaty every day anyway that I did it almost daily. Travel size shampoo, conditioner, and soap are necessary for international travel. Unless you are staying in nice accommodations (and I often am not), bringing little bottles of these things is really good to have as they are not always provided. I also steal them from nicer hotels I stay at to have a little supply at home.

#i should be packing for morocco right now but I accidentally set a fire and now I'm at the library while the smoke clears #personal #travel #life hacks

[thepropertylovers]

Our 7th Wedding Anniversary

On Monday, as we do every October 17th, we quietly celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.

We have a tradition every year where we walk to our favorite little Italian restaurant downtown for a nice dinner and a glass of wine, and of course, always save room for dessert. This year we remembered we actually had a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant (!) which made it even better. It would be like someone is actually taking us out for dinner on our anniversary!

We dropped the kids off at PJ’s mom’s house and showered and got dressed, and planned to start walking downtown. As we were leaving, we looked in the spot where the gift certificate has been for over a year, only to find that it wasn’t there at all. PJ had cleaned off our office desk the weekend before and apparently moved it somewhere he couldn’t remember, so afters rummaging around the house for 15 minutes trying to find it, we declared defeat and gave up. We didn’t have a babysitter all night long!

PJ then suggested, since we don’t have any obligation to go anywhere anymore, that we go to our other favorite Italian restaurant just 15 miles down the road in the next town. Ding ding ding!! Yes! I told him, that sounds perfect. It’s a little more upscale with a slightly bigger menu, and it just sounded better all around, so we made the drive and settled in at our table.

I tried something new, while PJ got his tried and true favorite. We split an appetizer and I ordered a glass of chardonnay while he got a glass of Prosecco. It was so nice to just sit and relax for an hour, PJ looking so handsome in the seat across from me. We talked about what we hope the next seven years look like and our hopes and dreams for the future. We both agreed that the farm plays a big role in our future as a family. How nice it is to be on the same page on most things (still trying to convince him for us to tile the entire kitchen, but that’s a discussion for another day).

After dinner, we walked next door to a donut shop. At first I said “just to look” but PJ made the point that “it’s only our anniversary once a year”. So we each picked out to donuts and ate them in the square, feeling a slight chill as the wind blew to remind us that fall is in full force in East Tennessee. After donuts, we drove through one of our favorite neighborhoods and looked at all the new, gorgeous homes that remind us of Alys Beach in Florida. And then we headed back home to pick up the kids and get everyone in bed for the night.

It was a lovely evening spent with the love of my life, celebrating our life together as men, as husbands, and as fathers. It’s hard to believe we’ve been together for 12 years, because it’s sometimes hard to even remember my life before PJ, before I came out, but at the same time it feels like no time at all has passed since I was 19 and he was 24. I am forever grateful for this man and how much he’s shaped my life and the person I am today. I can’t imagine raising kids and sharing a name with anyone else.

What a wonderful adventure it is loving him.

[buckyismybicycle]

CHAPTER 1

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Steve Rogers Rating: Explicit (later) Tags/Warnings: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Insecurities, Body Image Issues, References to Depression/Anxiety/Eating Disorders/Alcohol Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Alternate Universe - No Powers/Hockey, Team Bonding, Slow Burn (sexy tags include Service Top Bucky Barnes, Hair-pulling and who knows what else)  Summary:  Boston Bruins trade notorious party animal/human disaster Bucky Barnes to the Dallas Stars, and captain Steve Rogers is not impressed when Fury puts him on babysitting duties. But, as he gets to know Bucky - really gets to know Bucky - he wonders if maybe the media has got it all wrong - very, very wrong. [Read on AO3 here] A/N: I’ve been posting this to AO3 but honestly it’s beloved so it’s coming here too. This is the second of my two fics for WIP Big Bang, so updates will be heavy until September 22, 2022! My lovely artist, kingstoken made me cover art, which can be seen below the cut and in my masterlist! 

Steve

When Steve hears that they’ve traded for James “Bucky” Barnes, he can’t believe it’s true. He has to bite back the spike of frustration towards management — so instead of calling Fury, he calls his James – Rhodey – instead, telling him how garbage the move is.

“It’s all good, Cap,” Rhodey chuckles all too cheerfully. “I only got a year left on my contract and the wife’s been buggin’ me. I didn’t think I was going to get much longer anyway.”

“Aw, come on Rhodes, that’s horse shit. Your age ain’t ever held you back.”

“Well it sure as shit makes things harder, don’t it?” Rhodey fires back. “Look… Wife’s expecting again.”

“Shit,” Steve blurts out before he saves himself. “Congrats man, that’s amazing.”

“Yeah! Yeah, it is. She’s just a few weeks so we haven’t told anyone. Anyway, I want to experience it this time. Not always on the road… I’ve got a fair share of diapers to change to catch up.”

“You’re retiring,” Steve states blankly.

“Yeah, I’m probably gonna make it my last year,” Rhodey confirms.

It’s a lot for Steve, to hear that not only is he losing his alternate captain to another team, but that he’ll soon be out of the sport entirely.

“I’m happy for you,” Steve settles on, trying to summon the enthusiasm for his friend. It’s the truth; he is happy for Rhodey, it’s just not the life he ever saw for himself. He loves the sport too much to leave it. “We should get together before you go.”

“Yeah, for sure.”

The phone call had put him in an even worse mood.

—

When he gets a call two hours later from the GM, he picks it up with gritted teeth.

“This is Rogers.”

“I know you’ve heard the news.”

“I have.”

“Good,” Fury says with a breeze, either not sensing or simply not caring about Steve’s inner turmoil. “Then you know I have a special assignment for you.”

“Are you serious?” Steve doesn’t bother to try and hide the disdain.

“He needs a role model, Rogers.”

“He needs his parents,” Steve retorts.

“Yeah, we’ll he doesn’t have any, so, you’re going to have to do. I’m not asking.”

That’s the kind of finality that makes Steve take a breath. He’s a professional, he’s a team captain, he can handle a rowdy kid.

“Right.”

“We’re putting him up in the same building, he’s 514. His flight lands this weekend. I’ll send you the details. Just show him the ropes, move the kid in, and make sure he gets his ass to the intro meeting on Monday morning.”

“Right,” he repeats.

—

He spends the next two days cleaning and re-cleaning even though his apartment is pretty tidy already, a perk of living alone. He doesn’t even know why he does it, it’s not like he needs to show off to some wild child that he’s babysitting.

James B. Barnes was notorious for his partying — hell, it’s probably why he’s being booted out of Boston. Steve remembers a tiny feeling of resentment when Bucky had been drafted first overall to Boston Bruins, Steve’s hometown.

And while Steve played for Dallas, a part of him will always be the ten-year-old scrawny kid in his Boston Bruins bedsheets, with posters of Bobby Orr and Raymond Bourque on his walls and the Stanley Cup in his dreams.

So yes, he had been bitter about not winning the cup, like he is every year. But he had watched Boston go on, living the playoffs through them vicariously. He had watched the team push into the finals, and battle it out, keeping an eye on all the players. Barnes was good — fast, and a hard shot to boot, even as he danced around the ice. His skating was beautiful, and Steve would never admit it, but he envied it.

And then they won the Stanley cup, and Steve watched a baby-faced, nineteen-year-old Barnes lift the Stanley Cup in his fucking rookie year.

Then, he had watched Barnes absolutely tank his second year in Boston. How the internet blew up with pictures of Barnes dancing on table tops shirtless, his smile drunk and dopey and headlines that read “out of control”. After that, all Steve could think about was what an idiot this kid was, drinking his opportunity away when he’d only just gotten into the league. A dream for most, and he was throwing it away.

Seriously, why is he cleaning his place?

He stops himself, forces himself to send a captain-ly message to the phone number attached to introduce him and welcome him to the team. It sounds like a cookie cutter message even to him, but then again, so is the reply.

“Thanks, looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the team.”

—

True to his word, he reads the email that’s forwarded to him with Barnes’ itinerary. The greeting email he’s copied on from management, though? That one, Steve skips. He’s not in the mood to read the fake, sugary welcome.

On Saturday morning, he hops in his truck, and leaves for the airport, fifteen minutes early, in a simple pair of jeans and a light grey shirt to combat the Dallas heat. The windows are rolled down, the radio playing softly, and when it’s time for the flight to land, he hops out of the truck and leans against it to wait.

He sends a message to the number he was given, with a description of his truck and what he’s wearing. It’s another twenty minutes of Steve dicking around on his phone until a tall brunette, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, walks towards him with a duffel bag.

Steve has to resist the urge to roll his eyes at the obnoxious display incoming – black skinny jeans and a shirt that’s too tight on top of the cap and sunglasses? Yeah, Steve can already tell he’s not going to like this kid.

Bucky

It’s a new start for him, that’s what Bucky keeps telling himself because it’s all he can do to make it feel better, make it feel less like rejection. Less like he’s being thrown out like last week's trash. It hurts — it cuts deep in a way that he never expected, the words burrowing into his heart and making its rotten nest there.

“You’re going to Dallas.”

He understands that it’s hockey, that trades will happen and it feels like only 1% of the entire league will stay playing for the same team their whole careers, but he hadn’t expected to be picked first overall, to win the Stanley Cup in his first year, and have it mean nothing. Every drill he’s ever run and every 5am workout seem like a slap in the face now. Why had he so desperately pushed himself to be the perfect star, if they were just going to give him away? And that’s the thing – they traded him for James Rhodey, who’s near the end of his career, and 4th round pick, which means shit all.

Because that’s what Bucky’s worth. Shit all.

He’s staring at the suitcase that he’s packing, sees the white, black and yellow jersey that he had kept as a momento and he simultaneously wants to cry and set it on fire.

Pierce comes in then, it’s just the two of them since his wife is at work, and gives him a look, one that screams disappointment. Bucky can feel his eyes sting.

“We’ll have to get you to the airport first thing in the morning,” Pierce says. “So make sure you don’t leave anything.”

Maybe it’s meant in a way to gently remind Bucky not to forget anything he needs, but what Bucky hears is “don’t leave a single trace of you in my house.”

He nods.

“I’m sorry, James, but it was merely business.”

Bucky didn’t expect any favouritism, of course, but he had hoped that his billet family would have considered him more than just another player. But Pierce, who had been his coach, his father-figure, his keeper, didn’t even look back. Bucky packs up the last few things that were his and closes the suitcase, laying back down on the bed that he would sleep in for the last time.

The thing about airports is that there’s always an ocean of people — something that Bucky is still nervous about. He doesn’t mind flying with the team for away games, he doesn’t mind flying with his friends, but now he’s on a commercial flight all by himself, after his face has been plastered on every sports magazine and online article possible. He is very much aware that he had been trending on Twitter, even though he was instructed by PR not to look at anything. But Bucky’s curious by nature, how could he not look?

He hadn’t gotten out of bed at all that day.

Bucky shoves a baseball cap on, low and right over his eyes, even though he put sunglasses on as an extra safety measure. Hoping that his clothes were pretty nondescript, he spent the whole flight with his head down and his headphones in, praying that the next few hours pass without any recognition.

At least the flight is smooth, with no delays, and he finds himself looking out the window at a whole lot of land. He’s played Dallas and watched their footage at practice, so he knows they’re a decent team, they just don’t have the same energy as the Bruins. The welcome text he had received from the captain seemed pretty standard, so he had replied in kind because he was raised with manners, and now the same phone number texted him again.

“I’ll be waiting with a blue Ford truck. F150. Jeans and a grey T-shirt.”

As if Bucky wouldn’t remember what the captain of the Dallas stars looked like, the goddamn brickhouse that he is, with a wicked slapshot and baby blue eyes.

There weren’t a lot of people on the flight, which tells Bucky a whole lot about Dallas as a vacation spot, so he’s able to get through bag check quickly. He regrets the hoodie, because even inside the airport – with air-conditioning – he can already tell that it’ll be a hot mess outside. Tying the hoodie around his waist instead, he follows the signs with his duffle slung over his shoulder and his suitcase rolling behind him, trying to find salvation.

When he does get outside, he’s thankful for his thin white shirt because it is balls hot. He doesn’t even need to scan for that long before he finds a giant pick up truck with a giant man leaning against it.

Something about the way that Steve Rogers stands commands a certain respect. It reminds Bucky of Rumlow, who stands at 6’1” with his arms crossed at all times and a stance that suggests you were in trouble. So even though Steve is leaning against his truck, it’s almost like Bucky is about to get scolded already. Steve looks up at him as he approaches and Bucky can’t read his face, but it looks annoyed. Hell, Bucky supposes he’d be annoyed too if his Saturday morning was spent picking up baggage. The anxiety makes Bucky heat up even worse than the Texas sun.

“Hi, Steve,” Bucky greets as best he can, keeping the tremor out of his voice and offering his hand.

“James.” Steve takes the other hand with a firm grip. “If nothing’s going to melt in there, feel free to throw them in the back.”

Steve

James nods, then chucks his duffle into the bed of the truck with a little effort and then picks up his suitcase and does the same. Steve looks away from where the white shirt has risen up, because he doesn’t need to know that James Barnes wears Calvin Klein and can’t afford to get distracted by the beautiful, intricate lines of his tattoo running up Bucky’s arm.

Steve doesn’t say all the things in his head like “do you know how hard some people have to work to be here” or “you’re wasting your talent” because he’s not even that much older than James, and also: it’s none of his damn business. When James hops in the car, he closes the door surprisingly gently, which earns some points from Steve, he supposes. Even with both their windows rolled down, Steve can make out some sort of rich cologne underneath a fresh spring smell and it… It‘s nice. James takes his sunglasses off and Steve’s caught off guard for a moment when the most brilliant sapphire eyes turn to look at him.

“Thanks again for this,” James says. His voice is softer than Steve remembers.

“S’not a problem,” Steve replies cordially, looking over. The moment their eyes meet, James turns to look out the front and something doesn’t sit quite right in Steve. James is — because Steve had done his research immediately — 6’1” and 200 pounds. It’s only an inch shorter and fifteen pounds less than Steve, but at their height it's a nearly indiscernible difference, and yet James looks small. His head practically rests on his chest, looking down at his hands, which are empty, but fidgety. The lines in his shoulders are tense, since they’re up to his damn ears which makes Steve take a step back in his head.

And immediately makes him feel like a dick.

James had just packed up his life and moved a good six hours a way with no friends and no family. Steve remembers that feeling, of starting in a new place. Granted, he didn’t have any family and had stayed with the owner of the team, Tony Stark, who spared no expense. James had just won a Stanley Cup and then been traded. And Twitter (and SportsNet and TSN and Instagram and —) had put him through the wringer.

The more Steve thinks about all the things that he’s sure makes James hunch in on himself, the guiltier he feels. He clears his throat.

“You hungry?”

James’ head snaps to him, like he’d been lost in thought, and opens his mouth to speak. It takes a moment, as if he were trying to think of the words carefully.

“Um, I was planning on exploring, after, maybe,” he fumbles anyway.

“There’s a great diner on the way,” Steve offers, watching James weigh his options. After a beat, he adds, “I could use it too.”

“If you’re sure,” James replies, like he’s still not convinced what the right answer is.

“I’m sure.” At that, he watches James’ shoulders drop, just a fraction, and maybe, just maybe, his face loses some of its tension too. Steve’s distracted by the way the soft strands of James’ hair whip around him as they drive, when he leans on his elbow, resting half outside the window.

And the road. He’s obviously watching the road.

Bucky

When Steve pulls into the diner, the sign is a neon red and reads “Maximumoff Effort” with a soft glow of fluorescent lighting. There’s other cars in the parking lots – mostly trucks and a shiny blood red Jeep Wrangler that Bucky admires. The outside looks quirky, with a deer head hanging over the door and the wooden exterior reminds Bucky of a cabin.

He can smell the food before they even enter the doors – like fried goodness and an artery clog. Still, he follows Steve diligently into the restaurant and the inside is, for lack of a better word, whacky. Honestly, Bucky kind of falls in love. The diner’s filled with red seats and silver barstools, and there’s more of that neon lighting inside, such as a huge “BAR” sign with an arrow pointing to the back in a matching red as the sign outside. There’s one for “DINING” and “WELCOME”, some exit signs and one that simply says “JACKASS”. Bucky likes the Jackass one a lot, because it’s green and white, the Dallas Stars colours, and it’s hanging over a jukebox. There is a jukebox.

Aside from that, the restaurant is actually dimly lit, and there are people seated all over the place. A man, who has his back turned to Bucky, mans the bar and he can spot a woman with long, red hair bustling from table to table.

Bucky takes a look at all the decorations, misplaced but artfully so, rugged and homey in a kick your shoes off anywhere sort of way. It’s already so different from Boston, and Bucky doesn’t want to jinx himself, but he already likes it here. Steve nods at the redheaded waitress, and goes to take a seat at a booth, closer to the back, and Bucky follows his lead. It seems like Steve comes here frequently enough, especially when a server comes by with a “the usual?”

“Actually, I think I might take a look at the menu today,” Steve responds, clearly surprising the server. His name tag says Pietro, and his light hair is tousled atop his head, his facial hair trimmed.

“Well, well, aren’t we full of surprises!” Pietro dutifully grabs them two menus, and asks if they want to start with something to drink. So it’s water to start, and Bucky finally opens his menu. They’ve hit lunch time so the lighter breakfast options are off the table, much to his dismay. The burgers though – the burgers look amazing, and he knows that’s what he can smell in the air, and shit, it’s been so long since he’s had a burger. He’s practically salivating at the thought, what is wrong with him?

He forcibly tears his eyes away to the salads and other entrees, but every few lines, his eyes jump back to the Stars Burger. It’s funny, and even if their hockey team wasn’t the Dallas Stars, Bucky would still be drawn to it, because barbecue sauce on a double patty? It sounds like heaven.

“See anything?” Steve asks, interrupting Bucky’s internal dilemma.

“Um –” Bucky pauses, because he doesn’t want to make a bad impression in front of his new captain. “Uh, everything kinda looks good?”

“Hm.”

Bucky squirms inside, because it’s a flat-sounding hum, and Bucky feels like he hadn’t given the right answer. “The, uh, the Stars Burger, they didn’t name that after you, did they?”

That, apparently, is a better answer because Steve throws his head back in a laugh. “No, otherwise it’d be the Rogers Burger.”

Oh, alright, so Rogers can joke now, huh?

The smile stays on Steve’s face when he continues, “but it is named after the team, yes. It’s actually my usual.”

Bucky’s eyebrows raise in surprise, but before he can say anything, Steve closes his menu and says, “try it.”

Don’t tempt me.

“Er – I –” Bucky stops, then thinks about his past week. Had he had a cheat day? Not that he can recall… So maybe the burger wouldn’t be so bad? He looks up to Steve, who’s looking back expectantly. “Yeah, okay.”

Steve offers him a small smile, and a warm feeling of something akin to acceptance bubbles in his chest.

When Pietro comes back, Steve sheepishly orders. “The usual,” he admits, and Pietro rolls his eyes.

“How did I know we would come back to this, hm?” He hasn’t bothered to take his notepad out.

“Same for you?” Pietro asks Bucky, not realizing that Bucky has no idea what The Usual even entails.

“Ah, my usual is the burger with a side of fries and a vanilla milkshake.”

“Oh my god,” Bucky blurts out, the sheer amount of calories shocking the words out of his mouth. “Um, I mean – just the burger for me.”

“You sure? We got the best fries on this side of town,” Pietro waggles his eyebrows.

“It’s true,” Steve confirms. “Trust me.”

“Okay, the fries too, then,” Bucky caves, secretly thrilled. “But water’s fine, thanks.”

“Comin’ right up,” Pietro promises, and floats away to the other tables. Even though the restaurant is pretty full, the two of them don’t seem to need any help at all.

“That’s his sister, Wanda,” Steve explains, watching Bucky’s eyes. “The restaurant’s been in their family a while.”

Bucky nods, because it makes sense why they’re so comfortable. “It’s nice.”

“It’s a team favourite, you’ll be back a few times.”

It’s something in the way he says it, with a certainty — you will be back, not you might be back. The smallest grain of something settles in Bucky.

“Lookin’ forward to it,” he says, smiling genuinely for the first time since he landed in this sweltering place.

Series Masterpost | Overall Masterpost | Next Chapter >>

💕Stucky Tag List: @moonlightreader649 @moviequeen51 @ohtobehappy @fluffyunicorn-96 @goldylions @angryknightstatesmantrash @rookthorne @buckybarnesau

#stevebucky fanfiction #steve/bucky #stevebucky #bucky barnes fanfiction #stucky #stucky fanfiction #steve rogers fanfiction #stucky hockey

[beyondxmeasure]

Monday Morsel (aka a very late Sunday Snippet)...

This is from a collaborative fic I am working on with @larrieblr for our @erodaficfest. It's an Eroda x OFMD fusion/crossover fic.

He soon realized he didn’t have any kind of plan, no set course or destination, no supplies. Harry had spent all of his savings to buy the boat, not thinking any farther than that. On the eve of his second night at sea… lost at sea, if we’re being honest, the boy saw a light off in the distance. A golden glow that shimmered amidst the outline of a ship, as the moon rose overhead. Gratefully, he gazed out into the horizon, comforted by the thought he was no longer alone. Growing up within a tight-knit fishing village, of course, he heard his share of pirate stories, but he always took them for what they were, stories, fables, folklore. Pirates didn’t really exist in reality. Besides, there was no flag in clear view. If it was a true pirate ship, it would have a flag.

Harry knew if he could just get closer, the mariners would surely help him. Perhaps give him directions or a small ration of supplies to carry him through to his next port. He soon realized just how wrong he was, but by then he was spotted and his fate was sealed. This was a pirate ship, and he was doomed.

“Ahoy! Surrender. You have no chance of escape. Prepare to be boarded.” A man in a teal overcoat shouts as a rope ladder is thrust, unfurling over the side of his ship. “My name’s Stede. I’ll be your robber here today.” The man in teal bowed with a genuinely polite smile as he introduced himself. He was a true gentleman, even if he was a pirate.

Thanks to @larrydoinglaundry @wabadabadaba @larry-hiatus @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed and a handful of others for tagging me lately. I have been slacking big time with snippets recently. Tagging back @chloehl10 @parmahamlarrie @allwaswell16 @thinlinez @jlf23tumble @littleroverlouis @comebackassholes @justalarryblog @disgruntledkittenface @greenfeelings @thebreadvansstuff @beelou @haztobegood @zannithinks and anyone else who feels like sharing something!

#monday morsels #sunday snippet #wips #cyantific fics #eroda fic fest #eroda fest snippet

[weirdboi]

||Wich The Bad Guys character are you||

Enjoy :>

Rules:

No looking at the results,first answer the questions and then you can look at the results

Don't do this quiz if you necer read the books or you'll get confused

Answer honestly no lying

Enjoy

What would you do if a child was starring at you?

💛I would smile at it

💚I would say "Boo"

🧡We would have a starring content

💙I would just turn around

🤍I would just wink

🖤The child would just start crying,I know it bc that always happens

2.If yiu found a wallet on a street, what would you do?

💛I would try to find the owner

💚I would take it,I mean no one leaves a wallet on a street unless that don't need it

🧡I would ask everyone in town and if it's nobody's i would just leave it on a street

💙I would gave it to the police

🤍I would try to find the owner but I think they would got scared so :')

🖤 Depends

3.If your friend is upset,what do you do?

💛Ask them what is wrong and if they don't want to talk about it I'll be ok with it

💚 Pretend like I don't exist

🧡Ask them what's wrong until they tell me

💙Make them some tea to feel better

🤍Give them a Biiig hug

🖤Still Depends

4.If your friend comes out as LGBT+

,what is your reaction?

💛 I'm glad you found your true self

💚Good for you I guess

🧡WE NED TO CELEBRATE THIS

💙I always knew that your gay

🤍Give them a hug and promise that I'll suport them no matter what

🖤Gives a big hug that they can berley breath

5.You didn't learn for a big Monday test,what are you going to do?

💛Learn at the lunchtime

💚 Depends from wich subject the test is

🧡Panic and scream in bathroom

💙I try to learn for test very fast

🤍I accepted my future

🖤It wouldn't be the first time so

6.It's movie 🎥 night,wich film do you want to pick?

💛 I'm ok with everything except horrors

💚 Anything without clowns

🧡✨Drama✨

💙 Romance

🤍 Something with romance and tragedy like Romeo and Juliet

🖤 Horrors something like Mr.Babadook(2014)

7.Someone wnats to fight with you,what do you say?

💛No way!Call me a pussy but I ain't fightin with you

💚Ok when,where and are any weapons allowed?

🧡BRING IT HERMANOO!!!

💙Just walk away

🤍Bites him and job is done

🖤Ummm hi 911?There us a guy I had fight with and now he can't stop bleeding

8.You have a crush on your best friend and how will you tell them that?

💛I like you,more than friend,I really like you and I think we could work out

💚Hi I like you

🧡 Marry me 😍

💙I like you,do you like me back?

🤍*Writes on paper* I luv you be mine pls

;)

🖤*Kiss* Your welcome

9.There's a fire,who do you save?

💛 Family

💚 Myself

🧡I try to save everyone in the place

💙The children

🤍I save everyone except myself and die slowly

🖤I caused the fire so

Results:

💛If you had most of the yellow hearts,than your Mr.Wolf.

You are fun, loyal and always there for your friends.You'll always believe in them even when they don't believe in themselves

💚If you had most of the green hearts,you are Mr.Snake.You care and love you friends,but you don't show it that much.You have a bit bigger ego than theirs and you would do anything for your friends even if that means becoming Satan's batler

🧡If you had most of the orange hearts,you Mr.Piranha.Yoy are a funny and sometimes a bit annoying person.You are full of energy 24/7 and love Mexican food.And you also have stomach issues

💙If you had most blue heart,your Legs/Mr.Tarantula.Your a small person with big brain.You always want to help and you are ready to give people second chance (Only if you believe they deserve it)

🤍If you had most white hearts,your Mr.Shark.You're a quiet,shy and big person who isn't the main character of the group but you still help.You have some issues that mess with you but you're still trying to get up.Also you have an amazing taste in clothes

🖤If you had most of the black hearts,your Joker Black (my Tbg Oc). Your a bit creepy but funny person.Sometimes you do some evil things to help others and you like hanging out with boogie mans and clowns.You have some amazing powers and aslo daddy issues :)

Tell me in comments wich characters did you turn out to be

Luv you 💟

#the bad guys book #quiz #whic characters are you #joker black #tbg

[yes-thelatter-blog]

Betrayal

I decided to start blogging again. I have this feeling for awhile now and never had to time to put it into action. So, here it is.

Why and what makes me started to, so-called, rewrite. I guess I needed that space to let out. I lost hope in humanity. I lost hope in friendship. So I’m going to use this space to let my thoughts out.

So, here’s why. She whom we gonna label as NRL is a colleague who is soon going to be an ex-colleague. She’s new with us for almost 3 months. Only during her last month, we somehow got close and I, got invested. It started off with her ranting to me about her reporting manager who is my ‘longest’ colleague MCSH. MCSH has always been that loud, grumpy and aggressive kind of ‘Boss’. Also, nothing new to me, all his ex-female drafters have approached me with the same vent. This ranting session is nothing new to me, however why NRL was an exceptional? First off, she’s someone much elder that me, 18 years older (a year older than MCSH). I’ve always connect with people whom older than me much better that those of my peers. My peers are all so lame. Secondly, it was easy to talk to her as she’s very laid back kind of type. Thirdly, we both decided to take up a course together, this very point - I have been waiting to pursue this course for the longest time just that I procrastinated cause I didn’t want to go alone. So, things clicked on well. We spoke casually. She also allowed me to hop on the journey to school with her. And I always thanked her graciously after each ride. To add on, we even decided to go a second course together in the following week. We wanted to go for baking. Always wanted my sister to go, but there is always a but. Save that for another.

I decided to allocate 3 days back to office to so-called accompany her and prevent her from further ‘bully’ from MSCH. I did that. I even did not bring my home cooked food so that we can have lunch together. I took 3 days off from site for this. That’s something big that I have never done for anyone else in the Company.  I was concerned for her health condition, any excessive stress might cost her life or even back to stroke. I went out of the way to ensure that she doesn’t get pressured towards her last days with the Company. True indeed, MCSH toned down when I’m around and she felt better. I thought of her as friend.

Then. One day. On the 3rd day of those allocated days, before I return to site on Monday. She. Have accidentally vented to the wrong chat. To me. About me.

She was ‘frustrated’? I don’t know how to describe her feelings. Now that she’s no longer truthful, I can’t really tell. So, she frustrated that I didn’t acknowledge her as “Kakak” and spoke to her in aku-kau lingo. Ok. Listen. Where do I even freaking begin.

1. I don’t even call my own Kakak, Kakak.

2. Aku-Kau? I used that lingo during jokes, only. Most of the times I go by I / You.

3. Everybody in the Company is technically older than me! You expect me go everywhere Kakak Abang every single bugger? This is a Company. Not my family tree. (See point 1)

4. If you hear me calling someone Kakak / Abang, I clearly need something from them or we’re casually talking and joking with each other.

5. People like Kakak Thien, Kakak Jenny, Uncle Neo, all this people have been with me since I was 20. Until now. My respect for them is different compare to her whom I invested 3 days with. You cannot claim yourself a big deal just because of your age.

6. In Company, despite age, we look at designation. You have to call me Ms A, because I’m sitting on a higher pedestal than you are now. But, I’m humble and kid shit about designation. You are holding my position when I was 20. I’m not looking down on you. But, move on. These little petty things don’t worth to be on my mind.

7. You are new to the Company. Some people were there and returned. Some people grew up in the Company. You cannot bring in your culture into ours and you cannot think that because you are older (in age), hence making you the senior in the Company. I repeat, I am not mocking her age or whatsoever. I have been called “Kakak” from someone elder than me cause they see me as Senior in the Company. Now how?

8. I am younger than you. I have a say in the Company. My voice is heard. I climbed my way up. Hence, I get things done my way and I make sure things get done too. So if you heard me say “Ahh. Aku balik dulu ah.” at 1530hrs. You jolly well shut the hell up cause you don’t know how much I have invested in the Company and yes, that’s a privilege. Sorry, you didn’t get to live that life.

9. I grew up in the Company. I’ve been through so many idiotic managements. And what I learnt is not to bring my heart to work. Whenever I leave for work, I leave my heart for my love at home, unless he’s not home, I leave my heart at the door. I’ll pick it up once I’m back from work. Metaphorically saying that, I don’t care about the people at work. I go to work, to work. Not to care about people. Yes, there are some we care for. But we don’t give our heart and soul to them. We care by listening. That’s all. Unlike her, she cares. She cares so damn much that later she question herself why after she rants about it.

10. Rude. Is it Rude? To not call your colleagues with Kakak / Abang. Eh sial ah ni office tau! Office!

I don’t know man. I just gave 10 points. So, have I been rude and sinful all these while?

I have another 6 days with her. May Allah spare me some of his patience.

This betrayal hit me different cause it’s been some time I didn’t have a female companion. And this is why I’m so done with making friends with the females.

*Add-on*

I think because she overheard me calling another colleague as AbangNZM. But that is because he also knew from way back and plus he asked to be called AbangNZM.  Another thing, even if I don’t call you as “kakakxx” or “abangxx”, that doesn’t mean I treat you as adik-adik what.

xK

[orphancookie69]

Now Traveling: Lake Havasu City, AZ

It is that time of year again. Work is slowing down and I am ready for a vacation. Is there a purpose this time? (Do I need one?) Yes, holiday shenanigans ya know?

Friday:

Drive up was relatively quick, 4 hours or so. Stop by Oatman,CA. I have been by Oatman before, but it was my sister's first time. The donkey's are so cute. There was a scavenger hunt there at night but I was the only one that wanted to go. After we stopped by Bunker Bar. It was 3 miles off the road. We went off roading in a Cadillac. We were supposed to stop by walmart for supplies but the day ran real long. We went to Javelina's Cantina and had nachos for dinner. The christmas lights out there are wonderful. The weather? Cold AF. We watched, A Boy Called Christmas, on Netflix and it wasn't bad.

Saturday:

We got an early appointment with our family friend/Hair magician at Secrets of Beauty! It always does my heart and soul so much good to see her. We came back, stopped by College Street for lunch. We went to Walmart for some supplies. We had dinner at Angelina's. Seriously some of the best pasta ever, like not including from Italy directly. A big part of the trip was supposed to be the 2023 Lake Havasu City Boat Parade of Lights, but I am telling you-people were camping at the channel to watch it in the evening as early as 10 am. It was really cold outside, besides a high of 60/low of 40-there was a wind factor. So we watched from our balcony. We played some Farkle and I won no money.

Sunday:

We woke up and got some breakfast at Makai's. Me and my sister love that diner. My grandma was supposed to practice at the shooting range and we made plans to go Axe throwing, but when she heard about our plans she cancelled hers. So we tried to have lunch at a new Mediterranean place called Majik Bistro, but it was closed. We tried an italian deli that just opened up called Marisa's Italian Deli. The food was so good, they also sell pasta and coffee imported from Italy. I got chocolate lavazza coffee. We got a shake at Dutch Bros, has anyone looked at that menu? It is so massive. I got a Pink Flamingo Frost. We watched a couple of movies: The Secret Dare To Dream and Wind River. The Secret: Dare to Dream was a romantic movie based on the book-better than it should of been. Wind River was a crime movie based on a true story. We went to Yosemite Axe Throwing Havasu. That was way funner than that should of been. We looked at our family friends house being built and its coming along, new houses and construction is everywhere it seems. We tried to go to an arcade bar but decided to save that for next time. We played some farkle before getting ready to go home the next day.

Monday:

We left early, on top of the fact that AZ is an hour ahead, to head home. Drive home took about 4.5 hours. The worst part of the drive is always the california traffic.

Good trip, some old things some new things. Definitely not enough sleep and way too cold. But it was a nice way to round off the year as December just mulls us all over. I for one can't wait to find a local place to go axe throwing.

#rant #now traveling #lake havasu city #arizona #vacation #family #road trip #oatman #bunker bar #walmart #javelina cantina #winter #december #College Street #secrets of beauty #angelina's #mexican food #foodie #italian food #2023 lake havasu city boat parade of lights #farkle #netflix #breakfast #lunch #dinner #makai's #majik bistro #mediterranean #marisa's italian deli #axe throwing

[magnusrosen-blog]

Blog 10

"The Tree Of Life Tour" together with Green Cross blogs for Sweden Rock Magazine.

Bengt, I and Ivo are sitting in a rented bus for our mission. The clouds are big and towering in the sky with sunbeams shining through here and there. I think to myself, let the rain come and fertilize nature with the substance that makes life possible "the water" that we so easily take for granted. Even though we will be out in the rain forests for a couple of days, I hope for rain 🌧️ as it is really needed.

So curious about the day. We have a bus and a trailer with 5 people plus driver besides myself and Bengt in our film crew including guide. The guy driving the other vehicle is also part of the film crew / producer is also a Metal bass player for many years. His name is “Jayth Neto” It's absolutely amazing that it knows my rear end this far away. I get to hear stories where you yourself are involved. Yes, people know a lot more than you might expect.

I didn't expect anything myself, so this comes as an extra pat on the back.

This morning, as almost every day, we have interesting conversations about humanism and also apparatus that can make a self-propelled in the form of cultivation and energy / electricity. The conversations at breakfast were about solar energy based on solar panels where the energy can also be saved for the night without "environmentally dangerous" batteries!

Yes, we will now check this with people we know who work to calculate how this simple but very functional apparatus could look in terms of size and what energy supply would be possible.

After a few hours of travel!

When we checked into the small, simple hotel, it was time for lunch. Then we entered the Amazon rainforest. So far, the air conditioning in the bus was doing its job, but when the door opened and we stepped out, the heat and humidity hit like a road. The sweat poured down and the t-shirt got completely wet as well as the pants. Hot and stuffy was just the first name. The jungle with its tall trees and small streams that wound their way. If there were mosquitoes, the answer is yes, I had bargained on quite a lot of mosquito spray but didn't think it really kept the little critters away from me.

Standing in the middle of the Amazon is something absolutely fantastic. The day before, bassist Jayth Neto talked about legends and myths, beings and creatures from the rainforests. These stories made the forest even more alive. As if the forest had a soul of its own.

It has been seen on satellite images and other discoveries from ground level that there have been large civilized cityscapes inside the Amazon jungles in the form of outlines under the vegetation. Yes, this part of the world contains secrets that we still don't really know much about. The riddle hides far back in history from developed civilizations with knowledge and perspective about the miracles of life.

The film we are making here is about Dreaming visions and faith in the future for the rainforests and those who live there.

It will be a music video mixed with documentary elements. Our mission and belief in a healthy world. It's something we can all do, it's just trying to make the right choice in a small or big way on different levels. Our plan is Love peace understanding. Most things start with a dream loaded onto a simple paper plan with ideas thrown into the future to one day come true! The song will be Paperplanes which I and Chitral Somapala have written from Sri Lanka.

We will spend a few days here in the jungle.

On Tuesday there will be a solobass concert in Manaus, which I'm looking forward to, plus I'll be sitting on a rock jury to select the band that will play cover for Blind Guardian. There are also some special meetings that will take place on Monday. Will report back on this. But now there will be a video / film in a couple of days!

I believe human rights is Peace. if you cant find a peace solution then its wrong people round the table!!! Thats what i believe!!!

Make the world a better place 🌍 Love Peace Understanding Questions give knowledge Free Speech is given a Free World

Magnus

For those interested in the following, Sweden Rock Magazine's page is: https://www.facebook.comswedenrockmagazine Green-Cross www.green-cross.se

Magnus Rosen - Ambassador for Green Cross www.magnusrosen.com

[umichenginabroad]

WEEK 6: Weekend in Prague, Nice pt. 1 

Dobry Den!

Last weekend was my only weekend here in Prague, and I was so excited, but unfortunately I got sick. I’m not sure what it was, but I’m guessing I may have eaten something bad (a lot of the chicken here is suspicious- or I’m just bad at cooking it lol). We did go to the famous touristy 5 story bar on Thursday which was fun (we met so many other tourists around our age) until I got sick and was down for the count the rest of the weekend. My roommates and I were planning on doing a day trip to Bohemian Paradise, a really cool hiking spot in Czech, and I even bought a train ticket, but when I woke up I was feeling too sick so I stayed back to rest. The one time I left the apartment that day, I went to the park to read my book and I stumbled upon a new park. It was called Grebovka and it was so pretty! I’m so glad I found it and I’ll definitely be back more often. 

Robotic bar (from the 5 story bar) and Grebovka park

On Sunday it was a beautiful day and we decided to go on the paddle boats on the river. We were feeling slightly homesick over the Fourth of July weekend, as all our friends were on boats listening to country music and watching fireworks so we tried to recreate that lol. It was so relaxing and fun and only 100 Czk per person (about $5!) for an hour! We’d definitely do it again, maybe at sunset and bring some snacks/charcuterie.

Alyse and I went to Paprika, a Mediterranean restaurant in our neighborhood, for dinner because we want to try more restaurants here before we leave and it was sooo good. They gave us some falafel for free and then we both got a chicken Shawarma wrap. It was huge and pretty cheap! I will definitely be trying more restaurants here because usually I cook my own meals to save money but I want to explore the food scene more before I leave.

On Monday I had to bring my suitcase to class (true study abroad core) and I headed to the airport right after class ended. My friends and I were going to Nice, France and we were soo excited! We have been planning this trip for forever and it was our big “vacation” (from the 8 week long vacation haha). We arrived in Nice Monday night and checked into our airbnb, which was a super nice apartment in the heart of Old Nice, just a couple minutes walk from the beach, market, and city center. We seriously couldn’t have asked for a better location or nicer apartment, and I still don’t understand how we got it for so cheap (obviously we’re all on a tight budget after traveling for the past 6 weeks lol). 

On Tuesday, we woke up and went to the Cours Saleya market, which is a famous fresh market in Nice, and there were so many fruits, vegetables, souvenirs, pastries, and more.

For the rest of the day, we walked around Nice, climbed up Castle Hill (a pretty lookout spot), laid on the beach, and went cliff jumping!

It was the most perfect day (best way to spend 4th of July!) and we ended it by grabbing a takeout pizza and eating it on the beach while watching the sun set. 

On Wednesday, we took a train to Cannes (which only took about 30 minutes) where we had a Catamaran boat excursion that we booked on Viator. It was such a nice day and I’m so glad we chose to book the boat. It was three hours long and $90 and definitely worth it! We laid out on the deck, jumped off the side (obviously I had to do a backflip when the workers weren’t looking), and went swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling! There were so many activities for us to do and they even offered us fruit and drinks! I think we can all agree that the boat day was one of our favorite days of the trip. It truly felt like I was on a nice vacation that I would take with my family!

Weekly favorites:

Cafe: Zrno Zrnko 

Restaurant: Paprika

Coffee: I’ve been on a bit of a 2 week coffee cleanse to save money and fix my caffeine tolerance haha so no favorite coffee this week

Sight: Vltava River from the paddle boats!

Food: Billa chocolate filled cookies (my roommates and I like to try new desserts from the grocery store each week lol)

That’s all for now- I’ll tell you all about the second half of our trip next week! Thanks for keeping up with my adventures!!

Parker Peterson

Industrial and Operations Engineering

Engineering in Prague

#UmichEnginAbroad #IPEPrague #ParkerPeterson #IPESummer23 #CzechRepublic