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najia-cooks · 4 months

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[ID: First image is a plate of stuffed grape leaves, zucchini, tomatoes, and lamb chops next to a bowl of yoghurt, seen from the top; second image is a close-up on the grape leaves and stuffed zucchini, seen from the side. End ID]

كوسا محشي مع ورق العنب / Kusa muhashshi m'a waraq al-'anub (Stuffed zucchini with grape leaves)

"كُوسَا" ("kūsā"), meaning "zucchini" or "courgette," is from the Persian "کوسه" ("kūse"), meaning "shark" or "beardless man"; it is so called because of its smooth skin. "مُحَشّي" ("muḥashshi" or "maḥshshi") means "stuffed"; مَعَ ("ma'a") is "with"; "وَرَق" means "leaf" (or "paper"); and "عِنَب" (Levantine pronunciation: "'ineb") is "grape." (Grape leaves are also sometimes called "وَرَق الدوالي," "waraq ad-dūwāli," in Palestine). Thus: stuffed zucchini with grape leaves! Stuffed grape leaves themselves date back to Medieval times, and are popular amongst various regions throughout what was previously the Ottoman Empire; however, each cuisine has slight variations in how they are cooked, and what they are called.

To prepare Palestinian duwali, one stuffs grape leaves with one of two types of filling: a meat one, using rice, ground lamb, and a variety of aromatic spices; or a vegetarian one, including rice, herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. A large pot is then prepared, sometimes lined at the bottom with meat—usually rack of lamb, but sometimes chicken, or whatever else is to hand. The meat is topped with sliced tomatoes; sometimes, with hollowed baby zucchini or eggplant ("بَاذِنْجَان"; Levantine pronunciation: "bātinjān") stuffed with the same filling; and, finally, with the grape leaves. The whole is simmered in an aromatic broth before the finished dish is tipped out of the pot into a large platter. It is usually served with plain yoghurt, which plays beautifully against the mild sweetness of the zucchini, the slightly sour grape leaves, and the savory, tender spiced rice filling.

This dish is usually made in large batches, with the women of the family sitting in a group around the kitchen table rolling tiny grape leaves. It was traditionally made in the spring or summer, when zucchini and grape leaves were in season—but it is now often made as one of the centerpieces of a Christmas meal, with frozen grape leaves that are thawed in hot water.

Christmas (Arabic: عِيد الْمِيلَاد‎, "ʕīd al-mīlād," "feast of the Nativity," or "mīlād," "Nativity" for short) is a Christian festival and feast day commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The largest meal of the Christmas season is usually eaten on Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on the 24th of December (in the Gregorian Calendar) by Palestinian Catholics. Large families travel across Palestine to come together for a dinner featuring bread, several vegetable salads, meat dishes (such as stuffed lamb or chicken), grape leaves, topped flatbreads and other savory pastries, and an assortment of cookies. Chocolates are often given to children.

Christmas festivities are observed in Palestine during Advent ("مَجِيء المَسِيح," "madji' al-masīḥ": "the coming of Christ") and Christmastide, and at different times by different sects of Christians. One of the most common destinations for Christian tourists is the ancient city of Bethlehem (بَيْت لَحْم, "bayt laḥm," lit. "house of meat"; related to the Aramaic בֵּית לַחְמָא "house of bread"); pilgrims flock from around the world, and from other locations in Palestine, to attend church services and festivities and to visit holy sites. The Church of the Nativity (كَنِيسَة المَهْد, "kanīsa al-mahd"), so called because it is built on the place where Jesus was believed to have been born, is a particularly popular destination.

Bethlehem also has an ancient history as a home to many of Palestine's grape orchards; after the widespread destruction caused by the Crusades, some of the only vineyards in the area were in Bethlehem. Christians in Bethlehem have tended these grapes since Medieval times; today, farmers and companies in Bethlehem (such as Cremisan) make wine from several ancient varieties.

Despite hosting one of Christianity's most important sacred sites, Bethlehem's population of Christians has been continually shrinking for the past century. Arab Christians comprised an estimated 84% of the population in 1922, but by the end of the British Mandate years (1948) this number had dropped to 75%. By 1998, Christians made up a minority, at 33% of the population, and by 2007 this had dropped again to 28%. This dramatic decrease is a microcosm of the situation in Palestine overall, where the Christian population dropped from an estimated 20% in 1948, to just 2% in 2007, to less than 1% in 2017. Statistics from the Gaza Strip look similar. Bethlehem, however, remained a significant part of Palestine's Christian enclave: nearly half (49.4%) of all the Christians in Palestine in 2017 lived there.

As of 2004, an estimated 56% of all people with Palestinian Christian ancestry were living outside of Palestine. The trend shows no signs of slowing down: a 2020 survey found that a much higher proportion of Christians than Muslims wished to leave Palestine. Respondents cited dire economic circumstances, the dangers of military and settler violence, and religious intolerance, including job discrimination and difficulty having church marriages legally recognized.

Bethlehem is nearly completely surrounded by Israeli settlements, which hem residents in and threaten to cut off connection to other Palestinian territories. Israel has used its military codes, as well as its control of private companies, to annex nearly 2,000 acres of land in Bethlehem's immediate surroundings since 2004. Residents of Bethlehem's villages are subject to violent assaults by West Bank settlers, as well as destruction of property (such as uprootings of crops).

The economy within Bethlehem is also threatened by Israeli occupation. Income that could previously be made through tourism has dropped significantly due to settler violence, and to Israeli control of all borders and crossings into and out of occupied Palestine. In 2013, Israeli travel companies used this latter advantage to provide various services to 1.16 million pilgrims to Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity alone, starving Palestinian companies and tour guides out and leaving many in Bethlehem unemployed. Tourism to various holy sites injects billions of U.S. dollars per year into Israel's economy. Israeli winemakers, who had previously sourced grapes from Palestinian farmers in Bethlehem, have also started cutting Palestinians out, turning to growing grapes themselves on expropriated land.

The Palestinian Authority has stated an intent to try to keep Christians in the West Bank by promoting Christmas festivities. In 2022, a Nativity scene and Christmas tree were publicly displayed in مَيْدَان المَهْد ("maydān al-mahd"; Manger Square) in Bethlehem: the Catholic Church in Bethlehem lights the tree for Advent, beginning four Sundays before Christmas. A Christmas parade, with brightly lit floats carrying Christmas trees, people dressed as angels and Santa Clauses, and Nativity scenes with live actors, took place again for the first time after having been interrupted due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and was broadly attended by Muslims and Christians.

Another parade marched through streets near the Church of the Nativity for Christmas Eve in 2021: musicians beat drums, played bagpipes, and waved Palestinian flags while onlookers ululated and cheered. Bethlehem's Catholics attend a قُدّاس مُنْتَصَف اللَيْل (quddās muntaṣaf al-layl; Midnight Mass) service in St. Catherine's Church, with prayer, carol-singing, and the burning of incense; another service is held in the Church of the Nativity on January 6, where Christmas falls on the Orthodox calendar.

During the first and second اِنْتِفَاضَات‎ ("intifāḍāt"; singular اِنْتِفَاضَة "intifāḍa," "uprising" or "rebellion"), the tree in Bethlehem was no longer lit due to widespread mourning—Masses continued, but not the public festivities. Instead, private celebrations would take place within the home. Some families began buying artificial Christmas trees rather than real ones, since they were easier to tuck away from windows where they would not be seen from the outside. Even after the lights returned, Israeli military border walls, checkpoints, and curfews hampered Christmas celebrations for many: Christians from Gaza need permits from the Israeli military to take pilgrimages to, or visit family in, Bethlehem and other places in the West Bank, and the majority of those requested are not granted. كنيسة المِيلَاد الإِنْجِيلِيّة اللوثرية ("kanīsa al-mīlād al-ʔinjīliyya al-lūthri"; Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church) referenced the ongoing genocide in their Nativity scene, in which a baby Jesus wrapped in a Palestinian كُوفِيَّة (kūfiyya) lies amidst a pile of rubble.

Mayor Hana Haniyeh expressed that the local economy's "crash" was "nothing" compared to "what's happening to our people and Gaza." In 2021, the Catholic community in the Gaza Strip comprised 133 people, or 0.0056% of the population (out of 1,017 Christians of all denominations; 0.043% of the population). The sole Catholic parish in Gaza, overseen by the كَنِيسَة العَائِلَة المُقَدَّسَة ("kanīsa al-'āʔila al-muqaddasa," Holy Family Church), faced the destruction and partial destruction of several buildings by Israeli airstrike in 2014, and again in 2021.

During the 2023 genocide, parish buildings including the church, monastery, school, orphanage, and مَرْكَز تُومَا الأكُوينِي ("markaz tūmā al-ʔkoni"; Thomas Aquinas Center) have sheltered hundreds of Christians and Muslims. On the 16th of December, 2023, and amidst heavy bombing of the surrounding area, Israeli soldiers, claiming that the parish hid a missile launcher, opened fire on anyone leaving the church, killing two women.

Help Palestinian Christians evacuate Gaza

Support traditional woodworking and glass-blowing in Bethlehem

Try Cremisan Palestinian wine

Equipment

Large, thick-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven

Vegetable corer (مأورة "maʔwara"), or thin teaspoon measure

Ingredients

For the dish:

About 300g grape leaves

2kg baby zucchini (كوسا صغير)

2 large beefsteak tomatoes

Zucchini should be about 1" in diameter and 5" in length. If you don't have access to baby zucchini, use the smallest you can find. I halved my zucchini lengthwise to get the correct size.

If you happen to have a grape vine, harvest grape leaves early in the spring for this recipe, and freeze them for use throughout the year. Otherwise, you should be able to find jarred grapeleaves in a halal grocery store. You will want the smallest, earliest-harvested (say, March-May) grape leaves that you can find.

For the filling:

600g (3 cups) Egyptian white medium-grain rice

300g (about 1 1/2 cups) ground beef substitute (to replace minced lamb)

1/4 cup good olive oil

5 tsp allspice, or Palestinian 7-spice / mixed spice (بهار مشكل)

1 Tbsp turmeric (optional)

1 1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Large pinch ground cardamom, from 2-3 green cardamom pods (optional)

Salt, 1/4 tsp, or to taste

Spices used in this dish may be as minimal as salt and black pepper. Allspice or 7-spice are almost always included. Cinnamon and turmeric are the next most common additions; occasionally, cardamom is added. I have gone for a maximalist, aromatic approach here, because the taste of other ingredients (e.g. zucchini) is quite mild.

You will want a medium-grain white rice for this dish—the rice should become extremely tender without being fluffy or sticky. Egyptian medium-grain rice can be found at a halal grocery store from a brand such as Baraka. If you can't locate any, another kind of medium-grain white rice will do.

To cook:

Vegan lamb chops, or other meat substitute of your choosing

Juice of 1 lemon, or 1/4 tsp citric acid (if using jarred grape leaves that don't include citric acid)

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1/4 cup good olive oil

Salt, black pepper, and 7-spice

Vegetarian chicken bouillon cube or stock concentrate

Water to cover

Chicken stock from making another dish is sometimes used in place of water here; or else a chicken boullion or Maggi cube may be added. You could also use a vegetarian beef stock concentrate, or a bit of soy sauce, to mimic the stock that would result from lamb being simmered at the bottom of the pot.

Instructions:

Prep work:

1. Prepare the rice. Place a strainer in a closely-fitting bowl and add the rice into the strainer. Fill the bowl with cool water and rub the rice between your hands to remove excess starch. Lift the strainer out of the water to strain the rice, and pour the starchy water out. Repeat this process 3-4 more times, until the water comes away mostly clear.

(Starchy water from the first 2 or 3 washings can be saved and used to thicken soups and stews. If you're not sure of the cleanliness of your rice—i.e. if it came in a container that was not airtight—only use water from the second washing onwards.)

2. Return rice to bowl and pour cool water to cover. Soak for an hour.

3. Prepare the zucchini. Cut the tips off of both sides of the zucchini, only taking off as much as you need to. (If your zucchini are over 6" / 15 cm or so long, cut them in half widthwise).

4. Starting from the tip (or, if it's the 'bottom' half of the zucchini, the cut end), hollow out each squash with a vegetable corer until a ring of flesh about 1/8" (1/3 cm) wide remains around the edges. If you don't have a vegetable corer, use a small teaspoon: make a small divot in the center of the zucchini and then deepen it, constantly rotating the zucchini as you push the spoon in, to hollow the zucchini.

(Save the zucchini flesh to use in a soup or stew later!)

5. Soak the zucchini. Place zucchini in a large bowl of salted water and let soak while you prepare the grape leaves.

6. Prepare the grape leaves. If using grape leaves from a jar, pull out a group (they will probably be rolled together) and lay them flat on a plate. Go through grape leaves to find leaves of appropriate size; anything too much larger than 4" in diameter should have its outer leaves shortened with a sharp knife; anything larger than 5 or so inches should be halved down the central vein, and then flled "sideways." Lay the grape leaves out in the bottom of a large bowl or tray.

7. Soak the grape leaves. Pour just-boiled water over the grape leaves and let sit 10-15 minutes.

8. Meanwhile, remove zucchini from soaking water and place on a wire rack, hollow-side-down, to drain while you make the filling.

To make the filling:

1. Drain the rice and shake the strainer to remove excess water. Combine all spice ingredients together by kneading well with your hands. I recommend toasting the spice for a minute or two in a small, dry skillet on medium-low hest, until fragrant.

To stuff the vegetables:

1. Stuff the zucchini. Once the zucchini are drained, use your figners to push filling down into the hollowed openins. Don't fill them up all the way, or the rice will come out as it expands; leave about 3/4" (2 cm) between the top of the filling and the edge of the zucchini (about the length of a finger up to the distal knuckle).

2. Remove grape leaves onto a wire rack to drain for 4-5 minutes. They will be easiest to roll if they are still slightly damp.

3. Stuff the grape leaves. Add a very small amount of filling (a bit more than 1/4 tsp and less than 1/2 tsp) in a horizontal line towards the bottom edge of a grape leaf.

The leaves will be rolled much like burritos: fold the bottom edge up once or twice to cover the filling, fold the sides in over that, and then roll away from you, folding the tip of the leaf inward as well if needed to avoid having any spikes sticking ourt.

Roll tightly enough that the leaves will not come undone with jostling, but loosely enough to give the rice some room to expand. I did this by leaving a tiny bit of space on each side of the filling as I folded the edes in. Leaves can be stuffed by laying them flat on the counter, or by holding them in your non-dominant hand.

Keep going until you run out of grape leaves. Keep any extra filling to stuff tomatoes, eggplant, etc.

At some point during this process, taste a bit of a grape leaf and determine if it is sour enough that you will not need lemon juice later in cooking.

To cook:

1. Coat the bottom of a large stockpot with a couple tablespoons olive oil. Slice a large tomato and arrange the slices on the bottom of the pot so that they do not overlap.

2. Add stuffed zucchini, either standing up (filling-side-up) or arranged horizontally in a single layer, depending on the size of your pot.

3. Top with stuffed grape leaves; just pour them in and give the pot a good shake, or arrange them in concentric circles.

4. Mix just-boiled water with spices, stock bouillon or concentrate, tomato paste, olive oil, and lemon juice (if using). Pour water into the pot until it comes up to the bottom of the stuffed grape leaves.

5. Choose a heavy plate that fits inside your pot with an inch or so to spare (to allow steam to escape) and weigh the grape leaves down.

6. Raise heat to return water to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low and keep at a low simmer for an hour, until zucchini is very tender, rice is fully cooked and a bit mushy, and there is almost no water in the pot. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

To serve:

1. Cover the top of the pot with a large, upside-down platter and turn over the whole to empty the contents of the pot into the platter. Lift the pot straight up.

2. Shake the platter slightly to encourage the stuffed vegetables to spread out. Remove any grape leaves that have burst or come unfolded, if you want to. Some blackening of the pieces that had come into direct contact with the bottom of the pot is not a problem.

3. Arrange seared lamb chop pieces among the stuffed vegetables.

Serve warm with lemon slices, yoghurt, pickles, and side salads.

#Palestinian #long post /#vegetarian recipes #vegan recipes #zucchini #tomatoes #ground beef

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anemoelliacia · 6 months

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the five times diluc knew he loved you

warnings: female reader, mention of very minor injuries in one part, no warning really needed except for this being super sweet fluff <3 this turned out longer than i expected. I meant it to be a short drabble but-

▶ I recommend listening to the song This Side of Paradise by Coyote Theory while reading this chapter. <3

The first instance was when you wanted to bake him a birthday cake. The moment that started it all. You don't have to cook, or bake, you're not that good at it anyways. You know it, and he knows it. Simply tell Adelinde what you want done and she'd do it. She even offered to help you bake, but you insisted on doing it yourself. Diluc came home to see you in his kitchen, flour all over your dress, and somehow even on your forehead. He watched you from the doorway, as you intently tried getting the icing on the lopsided cake in an even layer, a look on your face that said determination, with the tip of your tongue sticking out, eyes piercing with pure focus. He softly smiles, thinking to himself, "I think I love her."

Secondly, when you patched up his minor wounds after his dark knight hero activities. He had come back home to the winery, and you were in bed patiently waiting for him as you usually stay there on the weekends. He wearily took off his disguise, and you saw a few minor injuries on him– just a few scrapes and cuts. You looked at him concerned, and Diluc could practically feel the worry oozing off you. He insisted he was fine, but you insisted otherwise. You sternly made him sit down so you could clean up his injuries, despite your tone he knew you were not mad, you were just showing care for him– and despite your own discomfort with blood and injuries, you took your time with a gentle, loving hand to properly clean and bandage his wounds. He watched you, seeing the concentration on your worried face, thinking to himself, "I think I love this woman with all my heart."

Thirdly, when he found you picking grapes on a busy day at the winery. He had been stressed lately, the winery was far more busy than usual. He had his own work to attend to, plus now not enough hands on deck to pick the grapes– so he'd have to help with that on top of all his other duties. He had been venting to you about how busy it was, not that he wanted you to help with such hard labour, he just needed an outlet. Later that day, he found you outside in the vineyard without a word said to him about it, one of the staff teaching you how to properly harvest the grapes. He admired you from afar, looking with eyes full of affection as you decided to help around the winery despite not being a staff member. He thinks, "I truly love her."

Fourthly, when you were in bed together both minding your own. You were sitting beside him reading a thrilling book, and unbeknownst to you he was watching the little reactions on your face. He looked away from you momentarily, only to hear a barely audible gasp escape you. Diluc turned his head back in your direction, only to see a few tears trickling down your cheeks, the book having elicited an emotional response from you. He chuckled quietly, and reached over to the bedside table to grab a clean handkerchief, he handed it to you so you could wipe away your tears. He thought to himself once again, "wow, I really do love her..."

The fifth and final instance that made him realize you're the one was something simple, so domestic and mundane. It happened when you helped him put his hair up one morning when he was too tired to do it himself. You had spent the night, and he hadn't slept well, which was no one's fault, he just had too much on his mind. He could hardly shake the fatigue off, and the half-drank coffee in his hands hadn't kicked in yet. He was exhausted, but the day must still go on. He sat on the edge of the bed sipping his coffee, trying to wake up. You placed a chaste kiss on his forehead, before wordlessly climbing onto the bed behind him with a hair brush, a hair tie and a few hair pins. You carefully and meticulously brushed the tangles from his thick hair, and pulled it up into a high ponytail with a loving touch, gently pinning up a few stray hairs as well. In the back of his mind, there was an ever present thought that you're the one, as this moment tugged on his heart strings. So, "I love you," he finally said, now knowing it to be true.

▶ if you liked this, check out the other parts linked in my masterlist :) every genshin man i write for is getting their own part.

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact headcanons #genshin impact smut #genshin impact drabble #diluc x reader #diluc ragnvindr x reader

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a-d-nox · 4 months

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web of wyrd: goals you should set to become your best self

this is just a theory of mine because these bubbles of the matrix should represent your higher self. i feel like it could work for the outside numbers too that changes yearly... anywho - this is not to say that you can't accomplish goals/resolution not listed in your category / under your energetic number nor that your efforts not listed in your selection don't make you a better person. this is simply what i believe people with these numbers would benefit from doing and how they can gain new found confidence in themselves.

1 - the magician

start a garden, work on passion project(s), read or write a business/self-help books, get a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, study more tarot/astrology/mediumship, complete an art project, make your own soap or candles, start taking vitamins daily, declutter, learn to cook, learn to code, get car detailed, start journaling, do a paid class or certification course, start learning a new language, learn more about heritage, learn how to do nails at home, start a side hustle, learn to knit or crochet, learn how to manage a bonsai, or go to a concert

2 - the high priestess

delve deeper into spiritual practices, eat to support hormones, learn to bake, take a mixology course or find your signature drink (if you are of age), start or restructure a self-care routine, take a beach/cruise vacation, play brain games, learn to makes candles, go to a fondue experience, reset closet or revamp style, try a juice cleanse, take a cooking class, get a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, practice tarot/astrology/mediumship abilities, or take self-defense class

3 - the empress

build up your crystal collection, reset closet or revamp style, go to an art museum, see a ballet or take a ballet class, sketch daily, practice makeup looks, keep a flower garden, get jewelry cleaned or revamp jewelry collection, save for real pearl/diamond/stone jewelry, learn to make your own candy/sweets, start a budget or emergency fund, reset closet or revamp style, save for a designer piece/accessory, start a new beauty/skincare routine, take a trip to a fancy restaurant, learn how to dried your own fruits, start a garden or try to grow something new in your garden, go to a concert/orchestra, read or write a poetry book, go to a play, start wearing lingerie (sometimes it's a pick me up to know you look good for yourself), get a boudoir photoshoot done, go to a vineyard or wine tasting (for those of drinking age), or take a dance class

4 - the emperor

start a new skincare routine, go on a rock climbing retreat, start going to the gym or become a personal trainer, try an adrenaline rush activity (skydiving, bungee jumping, etc), take a wood shop class, get more into your coffee - learn about sourcing/grinding beans, start taking better care of your eyes, start a hair care routine, start an oral health routine, start meditating, or start using time blocking or following a planner

5 - the hierophant

sketch daily, go on an architectural tour, start a beauty routine, go to a history museum, learn how to make pastries/sweets/candies, get your earrings cleaned professionally or save for a quality set, learn how to make sour dough, save for real pearl/diamond/stone jewelry, take piano/organ lessons or give them, take or give singing lessons, or take a class

6 - the lovers

get car detailed, get car license, do a bicycle marathon or learn how to rider a bike, read a set number of books, buy a quality briefcase / work tote, go on a day trip, start a gym membership or soulcycle classes, build up you crystal collection and learn how to use them, upgrade your desk set up, go for hand & foot message, learn how to do nails at home, start reading the newspaper (i recommend the new yorker), take a language classes, learn a new language, take a train trip, learn how to better your communication with others, or start talk therapy

7 - the chariot

start a garden or try to grow something new in your garden, learn how to bake or learn how to bake something new, start a new beauty routine, go on a boat trip / cruise, get car detailed, try a juice cleanse, upgrade glassware, declutter, invest in home, stay at a hotel or bed & breakfast, upgrade kitchenware, go on a lake trip, go tubing, invest in pearls, invest in real estate / land, try a new restaurant, get silver jewelry cleaned professionally, shop your pantry, go on a trip, or start journaling your intentions / bullet journaling

8 - strength

go to an amusement park, work on or finish a passion project, take ballroom dancing classes, learn about tea and tea leaves, learn to read tea leaves, start playing a new game or design a new game, practice vulnerability, go to the movie theater, start a flower garden, or get a pet

9 - the hermit

get a pet, organize bookshelves, try a juice cleanse, upgrade clothing or declutter closet, start an oral health routine, start journaling more consistently, learn more about emergency preparedness, invest in emergency preparedness, learn to cook something new, invest in new dining ware (new plates/bowls, cups / glassware, silverware, etc), try a food subscriptions (home chef, hello fresh, pickle of the month club, bokksu japanese snack box, etc), take care of a bonsai, take supplements, learn to knit or crochet, start an herb garden, learn to dry your own herbs, take a one way trip to anywhere, or go on a hiking trip

10 - wheel of fortune

learn about different incenses/herbs, practice or take a class in archery, plant a tree, invest in land, learn how to dry berries, start a budget, learn how to budget, start going to a gym / exercising, expand religious/spiritual/philosophical knowledge, learn how to play a new card game, learn how to spin your own wool (then you can move to weaving, crocheting, and/or knitting), learn how to make your own clothing, buy a luxury coat, take a trip to a country or place you have never been, start an oral health routine, take an etiquette class, learn about the customs of other countries/cultures, eat more fruit, get a beehive / harvest your own honey, start taking royal jelly, take a horseback riding lesson, upgrade shoes / shoe collection, support spiritual practices / keep learning about what you believe in / trust, or start practicing a positive mindset

11 - justice

go to a ballet or an art gallery, start using or invest in an air purifier, learn how to take care of house plants, buy a house plant, take a spa day, go to a spa, reset your cosmetics (please clean your brushes and sponges), wearing lingerie (sometimes it's a pick me up to know you look good for yourself), get a boudoir photoshoot done, organize your closet, declutter your closet, start a capsule wardrobe, learn how to make pastries/sweets, invest in diamonds, propose to your lover, buy a dress that makes you feel good and take yourself on a date (fancy diner and a play/opera/ballet), go to a fashion show or exhibit, buy yourself flowers, start a flower garden, invest in a luxury chair (a chaise, reading chair, gaming card - whatever your thing is, justice person), declutter your jewelry, invest in luxury jewelry, get your jewelry professional cleaned, go to a concert, read or write a poetry, buy yourself chocolate dipped strawberries, get hair extensions (i know you want to lol), do logic puzzles, or go to an escape room

12 - the hanged man

take a mixology course or find your signature drink (if you are of age), learn how to better decode angel numbers, look into / practice natural medical remedies, take a ballet class, go to a ballet, revamp your self-care routine, go on a beach vacation, try a new tea or coffee, learn more about tea or coffee, practice photography or start a photography side hustle, take a dance class, read or write a smutty/romance/fantasy book, make a fairy garden, get a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, practice your tarot/astrology/mediumship abilities, start budgeting, try a new makeup look or practice your makeup skills, go to a concert, paint something, read or write a poetry book, take a swim class, make a poppet, or practice meditation

13 - death

start practicing or expanding homeopathic cures and remedies, learn more about meat sourcing, purchase/invest in half a cow or pig, learn how to cook and trim meats, try to be a vegetarian or a vegan for a month or longer, do a colon cleanse, read a philosophy of death book, expand your knowledge of magic, try a new period product, learn more about poisonous plants, make a frog pond, buy a scorpion/snake/snake, gift someone something unexpectedly, or declutter your space

14 - temperance

go on a hunting trip, take an archery class, read a book on religion or philosophy, start a devotional journal, read the book of your core religion or philosophy, purchase a book on dream meanings and keep a dream journal to reflect on your dreams, take a certification course or college class, take a horseback riding lesson, go on a horse drawn carriage ride, do logic puzzles, or learn how to better decode angel numbers

15 - the devil

invest in a fan or air conditioning unit, if you have the land for it - buy a cow/horse/goat, learn how to use kinetic tape, start dry brushing, invest in diamonds / diamond jewelry, propose to your significant other, invest in a luxury clock or watch, practice/learn better nail care, invest in room darkening curtains, invest in and use a happy lamp, start a lotion/cream skin routine, learn how to knit or crochet, invest in hair products (extensions, shampoo subscription, etc), start a hair routine, invest in leather fashion-ware, start a garden or try to successfully grow something new in your garden, invest in an ice maker or ice molds, or try a juice cleanse

16 - the tower

practice yoga, take an acrobatic/gymnastic class, learn about and practice homeopathic cures and remedies, take a first-aid course, learn how to bake, learn how to season and marinate your meats, get a bad haircut or shave your hair off, learn how to use a straight razor, learn knife skills, get a custom metal works done, take boxing lesson, go to a boxing match or monster truck duel, learn more about meat sourcing, purchase/invest in half a cow or pig, learn how to cook and trim meats, try to be a vegetarian or a vegan for a month or longer, take a wood shop class, start a cactus/succulent garden, buy a cactus or succulent, learn how to cook something from scratch (and be okay with failing at it multiple times), invest in pocket knife / knife set /leatherman / multitool and learn how to use it, invest in a tool kit, read or write a comic or graphic novel, take a mixology course or find your signature drink (if you are of age), listen to more rock music, invest in a vinyl, go to a rock concert, maintain a pepper plant, or build a lego kit

17 - the star

learn how to make friendship bracelets, invest in a fan or air conditioning unit, take a flight lesson, use compression stockings/socks, take an architectural tour, read or write an astrology reading, get car detailed, get a club memberships, invest in an electronic device brand, collect movies, watch a new movie, invest in a camera, film a short film or practice photography, start a photography side hustle, practice shadow work, get rid of unused subscriptions, take an acting class, read or write a book on health or mental health, or read or write a book on positivity

18 - the moon

make a piece of abstract art, take a mixology course or find your signature drink (if you are of age), pay a fish, visit an aquarium, go on a fishing trip (for the dads), watch a fishery documentary, read or write a book of conspiracy theories, learn how to read a crystal ball, buy a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, practice your tarot/astrology/mediumship abilities, invest a camera, practice photography or start a photography side hustle, read or write poetry book, attempt hydroponics, practice bluffing, take an acting class, invest in new shoes, start using a sleeping eye mask, invest in silk pillow cases, buy yourself new quality bed sheets, start using a bonnet, invest in a typewriter, practice shadow work, buy a puppy, or purchase a book on dream meanings and keep a dream journal to reflect on your dreams

19 - the sun

read an autobiographical books, take ballroom dancing lessons, start an oral health routine, try a new card game, make your own chocolates, take an artistic/creative class, get new jewelry or an engagement ring, buy yourself flowers, start a flow garden, start a herb garden, learn how to dry your own herbs, go to a race of some sort (cars, horse, etc), invest in sporting equipment, buy and maintain an ivy plant, take a pottery class, or work on your passion project / hobbies

20 - judgment

buy an ant farm, practice astral projection, learn more about emergency preparedness, invest in emergency preparedness, practice illusions and slight of hand, buy and learn about poisonous plants, read the divine comedy, do a puzzle, buy a bubby, or wearing lingerie (sometimes it's a pick me up to know you look good for yourself)

21 - the world

start a garden or try to grow something new, take or give a guitar lesson, invest in air conditioning or fan, take an architectural tour, make your own teddy bear (literally sow one), buy a pair of quality/luxury boots, keep a calendar or planner, practice sun protect / use sunblock products, convert to wooden kitchen supplies (cutting board, spoon, etc), buy a luxury carpet, make a clay house guardian, invest in a luxury clock or watch, use compression stockings/socks, collect coins, learn how to use kinetic tape, build up your crystal collection, start a budget tracker, start a lotion for dry skin routine, learn to knit/crochet, start a hair care routine, invest in an ice machine or ice making trays, learn to make ice cream, take a pottery class, invest in real estate or land, keep a zen sand garden, or invest in a sculpture

22 - the fool

take flight lessons, take a flight to anywhere, get car detailed, get an astrology reading, practice your astrology reading abilities, learn how to ride a bike or do a bike marathon, go to the movie theater, invest in a luxury clock or watch, start a club memberships, take a train ride, take motorcycle classes, do something impulsive, filming or recording something and upload it online, learn to cross stitch / knitting / crocheting, invest in a camera, practice photography, watch a new movie / tv show, invest in a new tv, or take a class

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hoodharlow · 4 months

Text

Sleeping with the Enemy

AN: this is my first time writing Jack as a non-rapper so pls be kind 🥺👉🏼👈🏼

Requested? Yes by my fave @harryshouseparty

Warnings: smut (girls kissing with slight groping, bathroom head, car head, all ending bedroom) and a 🤪 ending

Word Count: 6.6k words

For once there was no dinner rush and Leia could step out for a quick bathroom break. She took off her apron and undid her ponytail braid. She made her way to the bathroom in her office. She did her business and took a second to fix up her office. All her diplomas, awards, accolades and certifications were neatly adorned on her wall perpendicular to her desk. The only award not in her office was her James Beard medal. She kept that safely displayed in her newly decorated condo she shared with her boyfriend.

At twenty-five she’s accomplished so much as a chef and she couldn’t feel prouder of herself. Moving out of her hometown at eighteen to go to culinary school then working at various high end restaurants all over the US and Mexico, Leia moved back to her hometown and began working as a chef in the restaurant sister to the vineyard her parents owned. ‘Sabor a Mí’, her restaurant, went through several renovations and it quickly became one of the most popular high-end restaurants in Kentucky.

Everything was coming together. She was in a good place with her boyfriend, a lawyer, of six months and he was going to meet her parents. They’ve seen him at the restaurant when he’d invite his clients to dinner at her restaurant but haven’t been properly introduced. Her parents knew it was serious if she asked if could bring him over to the house. Hell they didn’t know if she was even interested in anyone. For a while they thought Leia was going to be a nun or something because the last time she mentioned liking someone was in high school when she planned to ask one of the most popular guys for the Sadie Hawkens dance her senior year. Though that resulted in a shit show and since then she never revealed any interest to anyone. It was also one of the reasons why she moved to New York for culinary school.

It didn’t help that his family was the competition. Well not entirely. Jack Harlow’s family ran a successful bourbon distillery. According to her twin brother, Lucas, (their dad was a huge Star Wars fan and named them after the siblings from the franchise) he was 'chill'. Leia knew that of course. She and her brother were in the same friend group as Jack. But after that night, she left the friend group and kept to herself until she left Kentucky.

Leai’s timer went off in her pocket, letting her know her five minute bathroom break was over. She pulled her wavy hair back into a tight ponytail braid. She did her rounds around a few tables asking if people were enjoying their meals. Everyone complimented her and her employees’ hard work. She walked back to the kitchen when a loud cackle followed up a clap, caught her attention. She turned her head and lo and behold her #1 enemy was sitting at the head of one of the large tables for groups of eight or more. Leia spotted her brother beside him and composed herself.

“What the fuck is Jack Harlow doing here?” She asked Berenice, her best friend and pastry chef of the restaurant.

“No fucking way? My girlfriend has been–wait, why are you annoyed? It’s good for business if someone like him is here.” She shrugged.

“Personally I don’t want the enemy at my restaurant.”

Berenice rolled her eyes. “Just because sells alcohol like you doesn't mean he's the enemy, escandalosa.”

“Yes it does, now go kick him out while I fight my brother.” Leia pleaded.

“Stay in the kitchen, we sent out their entrees when you took your bathroom break. They’ll be gone in half an hour tops.”

“Fine, but I'm not doing it because you told me to.”

Leia took a meat tenderizer and went to town on some chicken breasts for milanesa de pollo. Her cooks knew of her temperament and just let do her thing when she was stressed and overwhelmed. A few minutes later she cooled down and went to the station where the cooks brought out the finished meals for her to approve and get taken to the guests.

“It’s still overcooked for his liking.” a server came by with steak and bean puree with a salsa verde gastrique.

“It’s a fucking thin cut of meat, obviously it won’t be rare.” a cook mumbled.

“What table is this?” Leia asked them after sending out a plate

“Table twelve.” the server said.

Leia poked her head out of the kitchen door and scoped out who was at table twelve. Her heart dropped to her stomach. Seated at table twelve was her boyfriend, Javier, sitting next to him was a beautiful woman. It took Leia a moment to realize it was Agnes Ngyuen, the daughter of one the partners from the law firm Javier worked at. Leia didn't think much of it. Javier always went out with partners from the law firm. It wasn't until he held her cheek and kissed her. Berenice came to see and saw her best friend’s boyfriend.

“Leilita, I’m so–”

Leia closed the door and grabbed a large carving fork. She approached the cook that was remaking the steak for her boyfriend and grabbed the cast iron skillet with an oven mit.

“Leia, where are you going?” Berenice asked her cautiously.

“I’m bringing our esteemed guest his rare steak.” Leia smiled.

With her back Leia pushed open the door. She strutted her way to Javier’s table with a bright smile. She caught Jack’s attention when she walked past them.

“Where’s Lucas?” A woman dressed similar to Leia asked Jack’s table.

“He left five minutes ago.” Jack answered.

“Fuck, I think his sister is gonna kill him.” she said

“Who?” He asked.

“Her boyfriend…well soon to be ex-boyfriend, depending if he survives this.”

The entire restaurant got quiet as Leia plopped a piece of meat in front of some guy. The woman sitting next to him jumped back.

“Is this rare enough or would you like me to get a live cow and carve out a piece from it?” Leia asked the man.

“Baby,” he began but caught himself when he remembered he was sitting next to him.

“Baby? Who is this Javier?” the woman next to him.

“‘Who is this?’” Leia mimicked her. “We’ve met a handful of times at your father’s stupid dinner parties. You would bore all the guests with stories about your overseas travels to Europe.”

“Leia, this isn’t the time or place.” Javier said, pulling her away.

“You made it that when you deci–”

“You’re embarrassing yourself.” He cut her off. He waved to the woman beside him. “Let’s go.”

They walked past Leia. she looked up and her eyes landed on Jack, but she quickly turned away. She fixed her chef’s jacket.

“I apologize for causing a scene. All meals will be comped and we’ll be sending out desserts to go.” she said before walking back to the kitchen.

Once the restaurant went back to people being lively as if the head chef didn’t just catch her partner cheating on her in her own restaurant.

“Excuse me.” the woman that approached Jack’s table looking for Leia’s brother said.

“Wait,” Jack said, going after her.

“Yes?” she turned back.

“How much do y’all make in one night?” He asked her.

“Depends, weekdays we don’t make much. When we do reservations only, there’s more demand and people want to pay more, on weekends we make the most profit.” she explained.

“Can you give me a ball-park estimate,” Jack read the name tag, “Berenice?”

“Tonight we were going to make about five grand. It was a pretty slow night.”

“Okay thank you.” He said.

“WHERE’S THE FUCKING MEAT TENDERISER?!” Leia yelled from the kitchen.

“If you’ll excuse me.” Berenice smiled.

“I’ll be at my table.” Jack nodded.

Berenice’s smile dropped and she pushed the kitchen door open. Jack heard yelling in Spanish between both women and took it as his cue to go back to his table.

“Who’s Leia to you?” Nickie asked in a tone that implied he wasn’t asking out of curiosity.

“Lucas’s sister.” Jack answered.

“She’s also his ex from high school.” Ace said mid chew.

“She would have been if he didn’t leave her fine ass hanging the night of our Sadie Hawkins dance because Kelly Cole asked him to chill at her place because she wanted to get her college boyfriend jealous.” Urban said nonchalantly.

“Shit why don’t you go to the middle of the restaurant and tell my fucking business to the rest of the people eating.” Jack grumbled. "Also you would have done the same. It was Kelly fucking Cole."

“No, I wouldn’t have. Leia’s fine as fuck now and she was fine as fuck then.” his best friend shook his head.

Urban didn’t see Leia like that, but he was well aware of the fact that Jack and Leia liked each other back in high school. He knew his best friend was an idiot for ditching Leia.

“She’s hot, if you’re into them being a bit crazy.” Nickie shrugged.

“Repeat that shit tomorrow when we meet up with Lucas.” Ace shook his head. “In her defense I’d go full Catherine Zeta Jones in No Reservations if my partner showed up to my restaurant with their side chick.”

“Honestly that guy is lucky Lucas is whipped for Harumi and left us or he’d be leaving in an ambulance instead with his two feet.” Urban sipped his exported beer.

Jack went back to his food. It had gone cold but it was still delicious. He missed Leia’s cooking. It had been almost seven years since he ate any of her cooking. The few times he’d go over to the Ruiz's after a soccer game with Lucas the food wasn’t the same. Mrs Ruiz was a phenomenal cook but Leia’s food was out of this world.

He knew she was going to go far in cooking. To this day he still felt bad for ditching her. Even more because the night before they had sex and he knew it was Leia’s first time. He tried reaching out that night but she removed him from social media and blocked his number. She was valid for being upset with him but he still wanted to apologize.

A server came by with a tray of desserts already packaged for the group.

“Can I get the check?” Jack asked.

“We’re comping all meals tonight.” They said politely.

“I know but I wanna leave a tip.” He said, doing his signature grin.

The server’s cheeks flushed. “Of course, follow me.”

Jack got up and followed them to the counter to pay. He took out five hundred dollar bills and handed them to the server. “These are for you.”

“Oh thank you so much.” They grinned.

They turned the iPad over to Jack with his total. It was well over $300. He put in a custom tip of ten grand and paid. He signed the e-receipt then flipped the iPad to the server so they could print it. They ripped the receipt out of the receipt printer and scribbled something on it before handing it to him.

“We’re not accepting payments.” Leia said, snatching the receipt from the server. She caught their number written at the bottom before fisting it and tossing it on the small trash bin. “Bere is taking care of closing. Tomorrow we’ll be closed so show up on Saturday at three for prep.”

“Yes chef.” They nodded.

“Have a good rest of the night and see you Saturday.” she smiled. She turned to Jack. "And you, leave my property before I call the police to escort you out."

"Even you know that's extreme." Jack leaned in on the hostess booth. "I'm merely a customer of this fine establishment."

"You're not a customer. You're the enemy and probably spying on us. Should I expect y'all to open a restaurant soon?" She crossed her arms, slightly pushing up her breasts to him.

Jack chuckled. "I’ll see you around Leia." He shamelessly gave her a once over eyeing her chest then went back to his table.

"He's so fucking infuriating. How fucking dare he show up to my restaurant? As if there weren’t other places he could've eaten at." Leia paced around her best friend, Whitney’s closet.

After hearing about the shit show Javier pulled on Leia through Urban, her boyfriend, Whitney invited Leia to go out for the night with some friends. But Leia was in no mood to go out. She knew at her fragile state she would either hook up with someone she would regret instantly or call Javier to take her back. But Whitney managed to convince her and now Leia was several outfits deep with her face outlined with bronzer and liquid blush.

She was unsure of her living situation so her safest bet was to stay with her parents until she got her ducks in a row. Leia’s mind was flooded with a million things she needed to do. She first needed to get her things out of the condo she began renting with Javier. She still had a few months left on her lease from the storage unit she was renting out for her things, so she could store her things in there once more while she looked for a new place. She had enough in her savings to put in a down payment for her own place, but Javier convinced her that renting was the safer route before they could buy their own forever home. Leia felt so stupid. She fell for his bullshit lies in just six months. On paper Javier was the perfect man. But the more she thought about him and his qualities he became a piece of shit. At thirty-five he was still renting from a shabby apartment, he hadn’t made partner in the law firm he worked at despite working there for over six years and always prioritized himself and expected for Leia to drop everything to appease him. He thought the restaurant was a bad investment for her parents but he would take his clients there, drive up the bill and pretend to pay for them knowing Leia wouldn’t charge him. Not once in the six months they’ve been together has he done something for her. He always had some excuse to not to and Leia understood and hoped for ‘the next time’ that he promised every time.

"For someone who swears they don't give a fuck about Jack Harlow, you sure bring him up a lot." Whitney teased her.

"I don't. And of course I bring him up every once in a while because he's one of my family's rivals." Leia huffed irritably.

"Your family sells wine and tequila. Jack's family sells bourbon. The only thing in common is that y'alls companies originated in Kentucky. Well except the tequila that was in Mexico, but besides that, you don't have any sort of rivalry. You made that shit up to have an excuse to hate him because you know well that still hating him for what happened in high school is childish." Her friend explained.

Leia knew she was right but she won't admit that. She was hurt that Jack ditched her to be one of the girls that made her life a living hell in high school the day after he took her virginity but she got over it. She made a name for herself outside her parents wine and tequila company with her cooking and accomplished great things. The real reason why she’s so irritated at Jack, but she wouldn't admit it out loud, is that she's embarrassed that he was a witness to what Javier did. She would have rather had the pope sitting there instead of Jack.

“Okay you can vent about him later, get ready so we can leave. I told Ceci that we were going to be there at ten and it's almost eleven.” Whitney said as she matched her clutches to her outfit in front of the mirror.

Leia sighed, already agreeing to go out. She finished blending her makeup and carefully outlined her lips with a red lip liner then swiped some red gloss over them. She carefully folded all the skirt & top sets, dresses, tops and pants she was trying out and went with the sheer two piece she tried on first. She grabbed her phone off the charger and followed Whitney outside.

There was a black SUV waiting for them in front of the apartment building Whitney lived in. They climbed in and within twenty minutes they arrived to the club. Whitney grabbed Leia’s hand and guided her to the VIP area. All their friends cheered and squealed excitedly when they saw Leia.

It had been months since the group had properly hung out. After school they all went their separate ways but they always try to meet up once in the summer and then during the holidays. Leia went around hugging and greeting them.

Once she settled a bottle girl in black catsuit came by and poured them a round of vodka shots. Leia took hers and grimaced. She was not a vodka kind of gal. She mostly drank wine and tequila based cocktails. As the night settled Leia found herself getting flirty with the bottle girl that served them their first round of vodka shots. Next thing she knew, Leia was perched up in the bathroom sink while the bottle girl attacked her neck.

Leia reached up and squeezed her breasts, earning a soft moan from the bottle girl. Leia’s skirt rode up to her hips as she opened her legs wider and dug her heels into the bottle girl’s thighs. The bottle girl reached back and undid the back of Leia’s top. She bent her head down and kissed Leia’s now bare chest.

The door abruptly opened. Leia and the bottle girl untangled themselves. Leia’s eyes met an all too familiar set of blue eyes.

“Harlow.” She greeted Jack nonchalantly.

“Ruiz.” He nodded, quickly glancing down at her bare chest then he looked over to the bottle girl. “Kayleigh you get paid to shove drinks down the patrons’ throats not your tongue. I’m sure this could've waited until after your shift.”

“My apologies Mr. Harlow.” The bottle girl looked down at the ground embarrassed.

“You may go back to work. Tell Clay to assign you a different section for the rest of the night.” He said dismissively.

Kayleigh walked out of the bathroom without another word.

Leia fixed her top and got down the sink to fix her skirt. She leaned over the sink and touched up to lips. It was the second time in less than six hours that Jack caught her doing something embarrassing. Not that kissing a woman was embarrassing, it was more the fact that she was so desperate to feel someone on her that she forgot to do the most logical thing and lock the bathroom door.

“Even a fucking moron would’ve made sure to lock the door.” Jack commented.

“What are you doing here?” She turned and crossed her arms to look at him.

“This is my brother's club and I can come and go as I please.” He said, standing in front of her.

“I meant the bathroom. I'm aware this is Clay's club.” She deadpanned. Not that she was paying attention but he didn't go into the stall to do his business. He sat on the couch while she covered herself up.

“Don’t get in your head that I was purposely cockblocking you. I needed a break from Urban and Whitney dry humping each other. I would've gone outside but it's raining.”

“Please, I hardly think of you.” Leia rolled her eyes.

“Neither do I, if you’re wondering.” He said.

“I wasn't.”

“Right.” Jack smirked.

“Does this,” Leia gestured to him, “get the women turned on?”

“I mean at one point it got you turned on.” He shrugged.

“I was seventeen with low standards. I've evolved.”

“Yeah, to cheaters that take their side chicks to your restaurant. What an upgrade.” he answered sarcastically. The words slipped out before he realized. “That was too–”

“Fuck you, you fucking asshole.” Leia cut him off.

Jack caught her wrist before it met his cheek. He looked down at her. Her chest huffed angrily. Her lips were still puffy and swollen from the makeout session with Kayleigh. He did the most logical thing and kissed her. He wasn't sure why but it felt right.

It took Leia a second to process what was going on but once she did, she kissed him with full force. Jack picked her up by the back of her thighs and carried her to the door. He pressed his hips against hers and locked the door.

“See that wasn't so hard.” He smirked.

“Shut up.” Leia mumbled against his lips.

Jack carried her back to the couch. They continued their makeout session. Jack's hands wandered down to her ass and he gripped her ass, holding her in place as he grinded himself onto her. Knowing he was going to bust if he kept at it, Jack dropped to his knees.

He slowly dragged Leia’s panties down and pushed her skirt up to her waist then opened her legs to him. He placed her legs on shoulders and he teased her with his fingers.

“If you're just going to poke around, save us both the embarrassment and let me go find the bottle girl so I can get off properly.” Leia said, trying her best to mask how needy she was for his mouth.

“I forgot that patience is not your virtue.” Jack chuckled. He slipped his ring and middle fingers in her, earning a moan from her. “See what happens when you wait.”

“You're annoy–” Leia was cut off by her own moans.

Jack smirked and wiggled his tongue on her clit. He took his time with her. Leia's desperate moans and whimpers egged him on. Jack nearly came undone with how tight she gripped his curls, keeping his head in place as she grinded her hips against his face.

After a while Jack sat up and pushed her legs to her chest, so she was more exposed to him. With one hand, he pushed up her top, exposing her breasts. He roughly squeezed them as he continued to eat her out. His nose pressed on her clit, making her a moaning mess. With his fingers still fucking her at an agonizing slow pace, he sat Leia up and brought her mouth to his. Jack's beard was dampened by her arousal, a few drops fell onto her neck, rolling down to her chest.

She whimpered and reached down to his wrist. “I'm close…shit!”

With that the intensity she felt disappeared. Leia had Jack's name on the tip of her tongue. She almost came undone on his hand.

“What the fuck?!” She frowned.

“What?” Jack asked, adjusting his pants to hide the tent in them.

“You didn't get me off?”

“I know.”

“Why?”

“Because when I do, I want you naked under me in my bed begging me to get you to come. You're going to be so desperate that you'll even beg to choke on my dick after. Okay?” He asked, holding up her panties.

Leia snatched them from him and pulled them on. “There's no way in hell I'm leaving with you and begging to have your dick in my mouth.”

Jack gripped Leia’s hair and watched as his length disappeared in her mouth. He closed his eyes and leaned against his seat. Leia had left with him. Jack excused himself, making some excuse about having meetings. Five minutes later Leia said her Uber was waiting for her. The drive to Jack's place was relaxed. Their sexual tension oozed out of every pore they had, but it wasn’t until they entered Jack's neighborhood that Leia got handsy.

She kissed his neck while one of her hands dropped to his crotch. She sucked on his neck as she palmed his erect length. She undid his pants and stroked him until they got in his driveway. The second Jack turned off the ignition, Leia's tongue was licking the tip of his cock. She let out determined moans and choked out sounds the further she took him down her throat.

One of his hands gripped the back of her head, keeping her in place as he thrusted into her mouth. Leia let out soft moans. Her hands gripped his legs, nails digging into his thighs, keeping her from losing balance. Minutes later he spilled in her mouth. She had pushed his hands off of her as she continued to stroke him as he came, taking all of his release. Leia swallowed every drop and licked her hand clean.

Jack reached for the glove box and took out a small pack of wet wipes. “Here.” He passed it to her.

“Thanks.” She said cleaning her hands.

Jack took out some Kleenex and cleaned himself. He grabbed a wet wipe and wiped his hands off. He looked over to Leia and saw her looking out the window.

“If you don't want to hook up, we don't have to. I can take you home or wherever you're staying.” Jack said, making her look over to him.

“I was just thinking how crazy this night has been. If I hadn't caught my boyfriend– I mean ex, cheating. I probably would've gone home to him and gotten some mediocre sex and hopefully an orgasm. But instead I'm sitting in your car about to have sex with you.” She said, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Unlike your ex I'll give you all the orgasms you deserve.” He smirked.

“Well you did leave me hanging in the bathroom. So we'll see.” Leia shrugged.

Jack chuckled and leaned over the center console of his car. He gently grabbed her face. He claimed her lips and his hand dropped to her breasts. He slipped his hand inside her top and ran his thumb over her pert nipples while he deepened their kiss. Leia climbed over to his lap and held onto his face as she moved her hips against his.

“Condom?” Leia asked after she pulled away to kiss his neck.

“I have some inside.” He managed to say before moaning when Leia nipped his neck.

“We should get inside.” She murmured against his lips.

“We should.” Jack agreed before kissing her.

They made out in his car for another fifteen minutes. The December cold got them out of the car. They barely made it to his front door before Leia was using Jack's thigh for sort of relief while he got the door unlocked. Jack pried her off his thigh and guided her inside. He slipped off his coat and hung by its collar on the coat rack.

The pitter patter of paws came down the hall. Jack cursed. He thought he put LouLou in her crate before leaving. He prayed to every higher power that she didn’t use the hardwood floors as her toilet.

“And who's this cutie?” Leia crouched down to pet LouLou.

The puppy gave in and shoved her whole face into Leia’s hand. Leia scratched the back of her ears and rubbed her face with her thumbs like she does with Canela. Her pitbull mix. Canela lived in her parents’ rancho. She originally lived with Leia but when she moved in with Javier, Canela went with her parents because the apartment didn't allow large pets.

“That's Louise, but we call her LouLou.” Jack said.

“We?” she asked curiously.

She shouldn't be surprised at the possibility of Jack having a roster. In the last few years he grew into the confidence he had when they were in high school. She won't admit it outloud but he got even better looking. The beard suited him a lot.

“My family. My mom adopted her but she kept wanting to fight her neighbor's rottweiler every time they went on their walks with their other dog.” he said. “Do you mind if I take her out in the yard real quick?”

“No, do what you need to do.” She said.

“Help yourself to water or whatever in the kitchen.”

Jack turned on the kitchen lights and Leia nearly came at the sight. It was her dream kitchen. It was rustic farmhouse style. The stove was backed up on a brick wall with a double oven that matched the stove. The countertops and kitchen island were made out of light brown quartz and the cabinets were cornflower blue. The kitchen was modern but had a homey vibe.

Leia hopped on the kitchen island and closed her eyes, imagining all the meals and dishes she would make if she had this kitchen. The one at her condo was small and there was much space for her things. It didn’t help that Javier used the kitchen island as a work area because the spare room in their condo was converted into a home gym. In addition to the small space, Leia couldn't experiment in the kitchen because of the lack of equipment. There would be times where she would spend the night in her restaurant cooking new ideas. Or she'd leave early in the morning when she felt inspired.

“All set.” Jack said, walking in the kitchen.

He locked the sliding door and made his way to the fridge. He noticed Leia didn't get anything to drink so he took a few water bottles. At the rate they were going at it they were going to need them.

“Ready?” He asked, kissing her shoulder. Her coat had fallen off her shoulders.

“Yeah.” she nodded.

Jack took her hand and tugged her down the kitchen island. He pulled her along, up the stairs all the way down the hall. He opened the door and motioned her inside. He didn't waste another second without having her mouth on his. The only time he broke their kiss was to take off his knitted sweater and the black undershirt.

Leia did the same with hers and also took off her skirt, standing in only her panties. She let out a soft ‘oof’ when Jack tossed her on the bed. She moved towards the middle and leaned against the pillows. Jack kicked off his sneakers and pants off to the side, climbing on top of her.

He didn’t kiss her right away. He zoned in on her chest. He licked her nipples and tugged at them with teeth, leaving her a moaning mess as he made his way down her body. Jack slowly pulled off her panties, tossing them to their pile of clothes. He pushed himself up and rolled onto his side to grab a new box of condoms. He pulled off one from the sleeve and offered it to Leia.

“Care to do the honors?” He asked.

“Always making me do all the work like in Mr. Sánchez’s AP econ class.” She grumbled, taking the condom.

“I was starting to miss that bratty attitude but you know when to bring it back.” He scoffed, taking the condom from her. He got off the bed. “On all fours.”

“Wait, what?” She asked while complying.

Jack brought her closer to the edge of the bed.

“You were bitching about having to do all the work.” He began. He slipped his hand in between her thighs and rubbed some of her arousal on his cock. He slid the condom on and lined himself up behind her. Leia whimpered, moving her ass against his length. Without a warning he slammed his hips into her. “Now you don't have to.”

Leia gasped. She dug her nails into the comforter. She was not expecting to feel so full. She was aware of his size from having half of his dick in her mouth earlier, but she was visualizing something different for when he was inside of her.

Javier was long but he wasn't as thick as Jack so whenever he was inside of her it felt off. The first few times they were together he'd make back handed comments that she was too loose because of the amount of past partners she had and the sex toys she used. After that he kept comments to himself and pouted when she had to get off with her fingers or vibrator. Plus, she hadn't had sex in weeks so anything more than middle and ring fingers was too much for her.

“Good?” Jack asked, gently rubbing her ass.

“Yeah, it's been a minute.” She said.

“If it's too much let me know.” He said.

“What? You think I can't handle you? Please, you're not all–”

She yelped when Jack's hand struck her ass and he thrusted into her at the same time.

“I don't want to hear another peep from you unless it's to beg that I make you come.”

Jack tilted her head up so he could kiss her. His lips and tongue went at the pace he thrusted in and out of her. He wrapped one of her legs around him, bringing them closer as he took her. Her breath hitched at how good it felt. Jack must have noticed, and continued thrusting in that spot. The familiar feeling came over her once more. Leia was about to come, and Jack was well aware of it. His thrusts got more precise, hitting where she needed him. He just needed her to say at least ‘please’.

And he hoped that it was happening soon because he needed to come too. He thought she'd give in when he was fucking her from behind, but she didn’t. He almost got her off, but at the last second he pulled out of her. Leia let out a few explicit words. Jack ate her out once more, even then she didn't beg. Now he had her under him, chest to chest.

“Please, Jack.”

It was almost inaudible. Her voice was scratchy and exhausted. Like it was Leia’s final plea.

“Please what, Lei?” he asked her.

“Make me come.” She groaned. “Please.”

That was all Jack needed to hear. He motioned her to lift her hips, she obliged. He slipped the pillow under her back, so Leia's hips were elevated and he wouldn't put any weight on her. With that he continued where he left off. He wrapped one of her legs around him, bringing them closer as he took her. Since he was still kneeling, he reached forward and used one of Leia's shoulders to anchor himself as he sped up.

“C’mon, Leia, let me hear how you come undone on my dick.” He leaned in and whispered in her ear. He softly kissed her temple and said, “You've been taking me so well. Come for me, Leia.”

The tenderness in his voice pushed her over the edge, and she repeated Jack’s name over and over until her high faded. Jack continued thrusting in and out of her. His thrusts grew sloppy. After a few minutes passed, he stilled his movements quietly moaning out her name as he came. He pulled the pillow from under her and rolled on his back.

Leia didn't waste another second. She shot out of bed and went to the bathroom. She inspected herself in front of the mirror. She looked thoroughly fucked. Her body was covered in hickies. Her hips still had Jack's hand prints from where he was holding her when he fucked her from behind.

“Leia?” Jack called for her from the other side.

She went to open the door and found him in a fresh pair of boxer-briefs. She crossed her arms and averted her eyes from how low they say on his hips. “Yeah?”

“The rain picked up again. You're gonna have to spend the night.” He said.

“I can just Uber. I'll be fine.” She pushed past him to get her clothes.

There was a clap of thunder followed by flashes of lighting. She hated thunder. When she lived in Acapulco she endured various thunderstorms and even a hurricane. She couldn't sleep because she'd get startled and think someone was trying to break in.

“You can take one of the guest rooms. I'll drive you home in the morning.” Jack offered.

“Okay, but only because Ubers charge more when it rains.” She said.

Jack nodded. He went into his walk in closet and got her a t-shirt and a pair of compression pants that he ordered online but came in a smaller size than the one he wore.

“Here.” He handed them to her and guided her to the guest room next to his. “There should be a toothbrush and toothpaste under the sink.”

Another clap of thunder filled the bedroom. It was louder than the one before, making Leia curse from being startled. That was when Jack remembered how she would always ask to sleep in his bed when their old friend group would go out in the woods.

He approached the bed and lifted the comforter. “There's no sheets on the bed.” There were. But Jack knew Leia wouldn’t straight up ask him if she could sleep with him. “It would be just easier if you slept in my room.”

Leia nodded in agreement. “Yeah whatever you think is best.”

They retreated to Jack's room. Leai got dressed and brushed her teeth then settled in Jack's bed. While he was in the bathroom, she set up a pillow division between them and rolled onto her side, facing away from Jack. Moments later she heard him toss the pillows on the floor and got in bed.

Leia was too exhausted to tell him to put them back and closed her eyes. They were mature adults; sharing a bed for one night wouldn’t kill them. They knew how to keep their hands to themselves.

The following morning, Leia couldn't breathe. It was like she was being held down. She opened her eyes and saw Jack's arm around her with his face nuzzled in her neck through the closet door mirror. To make matters worse, his dick was digging into her ass, reminding her of how her face was buried in a pillow as Jack ravished her. She pushed her ass back, testing the waters. She was about to do it again, Jack stopped her by holding her hips.

“Don't.” he murmured in her ear.

He rolled on to his back and stretched, pushing the comforter off them. His cock strained against his boxer-briefs, begging Leia to take him in her mouth.

“Need help taking care of that?” She asked.

“I'm not gonna stop you if you want.” He held his hands up in surrender.

Leia pushed her hair back and climbed on top of Jack. She kissed his lips and slowly made her way down his body until she reached his boxers. She kept her brown eyes on Jack's blue ones as she took his cock out and slowly stroked him. Her mouth practically watered at it. She sucked his tip and licked his sides.

Miriam’s eyes never left Jack’s as she took him back in her mouth. His stomach began to contract after a few bobs, letting her know that he was close. Slowly, she pulled him out of her mouth until only his tip rested on her tongue. She widened her eyes, making her look more innocent as she stroked him.

Unbeknownst to them, someone entered Jack's home. They dropped off the food they brought in the kitchen and made their way upstairs to his room. Without knocking they entered his room.

“Jack, baby, I know I said I was going to come in the afternoon but– oh!”

Taglist: @heavyhitterheaux @cherry4everrr @carma-fanficaddict @youngharleezy @youngharleezyxo @babyharleezy @that-90s-girllll @alinaharlow @harlowcomehome @nattinatalia @webinurcloset @gassyandsassy1 @jackharloww @awhore4moree @noescapricho-essentimiento @neon-lights-and-glitter @purecinnamonextract @whywontyoulovemecami @camificrecs @itsyagirljaz @w1ldthoughts @vanwritesfan-fiction @xxkoolkatxx

#jack harlow #jack harlow smut #jack harlow fanfic #jack harlow imagine #jack harlow oneshot #jack harlow x oc

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whorecrux-of-slytherin · 1 month

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Slytherin Boys try to impress you with their idea of an ideal date.

(part.1) : Draco | Blaise | Theodore

Warning - mentions of kissing, slight toxic behaviour if you squint. This is not proof read, so kindly ignore any grammatical errors or typos

a/n . I have only included Draco, Blaise and Theo in this because if I add the rest of them ( Enzo, Matheo and Tom ) it'll be far too long. But for the most part I'm too lazy to write for everyone in one go. I don't mind writing a part 2 if someone requests. Also yes I made the mini mood boards 😌

Kindly do not copy my work.

DRACO MALFOY:

Draco Malfoy is the definition of generational wealth, so there's no doubt that he'd plan something romantic and lavish to spoil his partner.

He's not the best at expressing his feelings through words, so he loves making grand gestures in spoiling you. This is his way to show his upbringing and heritage; that he is worthy of your time and can treat you right.

Firstly he would pick you up personally then gift you a bouquet of your favourite flowers & something exquisite, like some custom made jewelry -an elegant bracelet maybe.

He'd go all out and book a private roof- top classic candle light dinner at the most famous and exclusive wizarding restaurants with the perfect view of the Eiffel tower in Paris. He'll hold your hand across the table, gently rub circles and occasionally give it a kiss. He also arranges for a pianist to play your favourite pieces.

After dinner, he would surprise you with a suite at a luxurious hotel to spend the night together. He'd run you both a bath and wash your hair for you while you enjoy some champagne and the most delicious macaroons you've ever had.

BLAISE ZABINI :

Blaise may come off as the most unbothered slytherin boy and honestly speaking, he is. But not when it comes to you.

You are special to him and he'd make it a point that you know. To prove this he would opt for an unconventional but romantic date night idea.

I just feel that he'd know how to drive a charmed car and owns a wide collection of vintage cars ( few from his ex step -fathers' as well). So he would take you on a romantic drive in the evening on his favourite classic vintage Porsche.

Both of you spend the night driving through the night sky watching the city lights of London; making conversations about what you like the most about each other.

Then he'd make a stop at one of his favourite spots secluded from the city to spend time watching you gaze at the stars and cuddling to get warmth from each other's bodies while he hums a soft tune.

He'd then drop you home safely but not before he kisses you passionately and say those three special words for the very first time.

THEODORE NOTT:

Theo is the pretty boy of the group. He is no doubt loaded with money- their family basically mints money for Gringotts from generations (so duh-) but he doesn't like to flash it the way Draco does.

He uses the 'dead mother' card to pull girls but in reality, he is quite the player. Deep down he at times, craves for female validation or attention. So he surrounds himself with different girls every few weeks so that he wouldn't get too attached to them.

But then he meets you and he just knows that you're the one for him. So he chases you down until you fall for him and now he wants to surprise you with the perfect date idea.

He invites you to his holiday home in Italy for the first time. The place where he grew up until his mother's death when he was 7 years old. He shows you around the huge property facing the sea and telling you about his childhood adventure there and secretly hopes that he would one day get to spend his life there with you.

He would then cook you dinner himself. Spaghetti- in the traditional Italian way with some vintage wine from his family's vineyard in the countryside.

..........................................................................................

Thanks for reading! 🤍

Do like, share and comment down about your thoughts 🤔💭

Who would you go on a date with and why?? 🐍

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astroismypassion · 2 years

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Social media poppin’

Or how to use the energy of your MC while on social media

Credit goes to my astrology blog @astroismypassion

Aries MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 1st house, Aries degree (1, 13, 25)

Post a picture of you hiking, climbing or being at the top of the mountain, photo of you in action/while doing something or intensely focusing on something, work out photos. Fresh starts. Selfies or where you are on the photo on your own. You in athleisure or work out clothes. Reaction videos. Live TikTok videos. TikTok challenges. Gym selfies. Running videos.

Taurus MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 2nd house, Taurus degree (2, 14, 26)

Post flowers, food, meals that you cooked/baked, new clothing. Photos of homemade goods (jams, pie, pizza). Photo of you in the grass or field of flowers. Photos of you at a coffeeshop with baked pastry. Teenage photos. Landscape photos. Photos of nature. What I Eat in a Day videos. Dance video. Cooking videos. Photos of you with a bouquet of flowers. Singing videos. Doing my makeup video.

Gemini MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 3rd house, Gemini degree (3, 15, 27)

Post a photo of what you did with your hands (pastry, vase etc.), what you’re currently learning (coding, pottery), show your face without makeup, start a blog, start a running journal and post it online. Sell things you don’t need. Facebook Marketplace. Write a short story. Or the story of when you almost gave up. Photos in the library. Hands photos or couple holding hands. Whiteboard videos. Unboxing videos. Gaming videos. Animated videos. Tutorial videos. Language channel. Grammar video. Photos of you at your old elementary or high school. Live stream.

Cancer MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 4th, Cancer degree (4, 16, 28)

Showcase your close friend, family members (especially your mother) and other siblings. Photos of you in childhood or your home, before and after photos, photos of your family members generations ago, whatever you’re collecting. Family game nights. Photos of the rain. You in a vineyard or a wine gathering. Baby photos. Photo of the Moon. Post about children’s rights. Christmas video. Home/family videos. Birthday collage of photos. Singing videos.

Leo MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 5th house, Leo degree (5, 17, 29)

Show your doodles, drawings, the latest creative project. People just love your personality, so showcase whatever makes your personality stand out more. Photos from a date, a picnic. Soft launches. Photos from a live concert. Photos of you at a theatre. Love song. Love poem. Photo of you doing something creative with children or young adults. Posts about politics. Photos of your back. Music video. Short film. Lip-sync (singing) videos. Post about education. Dance video. Video essay. Fan made video.

Virgo MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 6th house, Virgo degree (6, 18)

Showcase your drawings, doodles, paintings, sculptures, collages. Review foods, describe your daily duties and reaponsibilities at your workplace, start a blog, photo of you in an actual shop. Journaling, news. Content about how to organize, eat in a more balanced manner. Masquerade photo. Photo with you reading in it. You on the bicycle. Workout videos. Ask me anything videos. Educational videos. Draw my life videos. Product reviews. Study with me video. Study with me video. “Choki” type of comforting videos. Etiquette videos. Language channel. Day in my life video. Video about a job profile.

Libra MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 7th house, Libra degree (7, 19)

Post cakes, cookies, pastries, you enjoying your meal in a nice restaurant. Couple photos. High-key launching of your partner (people LOVE to see who you’re paired with), wedding photos, engagement photo. Furniture pictures in your home. Photos celebrating love. Dressed up photo. Autumn photos. Photos of nature. Photos of jewellery. Brand deals. Lifestyle blog. Dance video. Doing nails. Get ready with me video. Beauty vlogs. Make-up artist videos. Cooking channel. Sip’n’Paint videos. Couple cooking recipes. Relationship advice videos.

Scorpio MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 8th house, Scorpio degree (8, 20)

People love to see you wear leather, black matte clothes, stockings, tight clothing and everything black or red. Working out photos, ‘just ran a marathon’ photo, black cat photos. Photos of you from behind. You staring directly in the camera. Halloween photos. Photos of your eyes. Photos with a scarf. Swimsuit photos. Transformation videos. Weightloss journey. Behind the scences videos. Short documentary. Storytime/Tea time videos. “Haunted house” video.

Sagittarius MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 9th house, Sagittarius degree (9, 21)

Post videos, vlog, diary entries from your travels (especially long-distance ones), show that photo of your college degree, photo of you in an airport or in a foreign country. Motivational quotes. Inspiring stories from your life. Travel vlogs. Challenge videos. Study with me video. Representing your University (like those Day in life at University of Cambridge etc.). Language channel. Day in my life video. Videos about your native country. Geography channel. Travel vlogs with a friend or a partner (videos from date trips). Photos of you at your university. Graduation photo.

Capricorn MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 10th house, Capricorn degree (10, 22)

People love to see you in a uniform, full on suit, they love when you give off CEO AND parent energy. Post new career milestone that makes you look like a good provider. Photo of you being presented an award. Photo from the workplace. Photo with your parents on your birthday. Photos of mountains. Photos of your (grand) parents. Study with me video. Day in my life video.

Aquarius MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 11th house, Aquarius degree (11, 23)

Photos of a nature scavanger hunt. Photos of you volunteering. Photos of group gatherings. Astrology tiktoks. You coding or learning something new. Photos of you at a protest or a social activism gathering. Photo of the night sky or of the stars. Influencer content. Webinar. Drone shoots. Space food videos. Videos about electric cars. Tarot. Videos explaining astrology placements. Trailer. Zoom call video. Conference video.

Pisces MC, ruler of the 10th house in the 12th house, Pisces degree (12, 24)

Songs, poems, your love letter to someone, illustrations, tarot videos or tiktoks. Do yoga and document it. Selfcare videos. Movie night. A sleepover. Photos of you at the sea. Of you painting. Photos of the rain. Photos of you in a gallery, museum or a hospital. Astrology tiktoks. You at the movies. River/ocean/sea/waterfall photo. Animated videos. Short film. Paint with me video. Acting video. Open love letter to someone/your boyfriend.

Credit goes to my astrology blog @astroismypassion

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syntheticavenger · 8 months

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wicked ones - intro

... I'm going for it.

Ransom Drysdale x Female MC / Ransom Drysdale x Personal Chef! Female Reader / Joel Miller x Personal Chef! Female Reader / Dark Steve Rogers x Personal Chef! Female Reader

Word Count: 1.7K

Warnings: 18+ ONLY. Language, a mild threat.

Summary | Hired as a personal chef for a wealthy family while they vacation in Martha's Vineyard seems like an easy job until a disappearance of a guest makes you wonder if you'll make it out alive.

There aren’t many summers that you can remember that allowed for such a breathtaking view. Cotton candy pink and purple hover as the dawn begins to form, opening the window to let the cool, salty air inside your room, goosebumps forming on your arms. It’s worth it to wake up before the rest of the household, stealing a few moments to yourself.

Pre-med wouldn’t allow this – the ability to have a whole suite to yourself for the summer on Martha’s Vineyard, a personal chef for one of the wealthiest families in Massachusetts. Being a personal chef never seemed like it was in the cards. At least, not by your father’s hope for you to become a doctor. Your childhood dream ended up being something he held onto throughout your teenage years and onto college, giving you the silent treatment for a whole two weeks before he finally caved. Deep down, your happiness is what mattered, something your mother had instilled in your since you were a kid. So they’re happy now – even if they’re still not used to you being away during some of the major holidays and seasons.

Still, it’s worth it. Working for the Drysdale-Thrombey family hasn’t always been a walk in the park – an hour long interview with Harlan about your background and another two hour interview with Linda and Walt about various allergies and menu items that they expected and a month later, you were hired. Which means that you reap the benefits when the family heads toward the Vineyard for the summer and into fall.

This morning, you’re expecting three more guests. Ransom and his girlfriend, some socialite turned model that you’ve seen on the cover of Vanity Fair and his twin, Steve, who is flying in from London.

Twins, Stella had reminded you when she had taken your bags to your room, ignoring you when you’d protested that you could do it, slapping your hands away.

“Steve is the blond one, Ransom is the brunette. Both are just like Linda, in a way. Best to steer clear of them,” Stella warned you, her midwestern accent sweet while she ushered you down toward the kitchen. “They’re a lot to deal with.”

It doesn’t matter to you, especially since you’ve only heard of them in passing. Linda seems to be proud of both of her sons, even going so far to use them as a threat to Joni when she has too much to drink and you’re making her something quick to eat so that it absorbs the alcohol, Linda muttering under her breath for Joni to ‘just wait’ until her boys come.

You’ve learned to mind your business from day one and let them deal with whatever complicated relationships they have. There’s nothing for you to understand anyway, not with the amount of the money that separates you from them. You’re paid well to cook and that’s what you plan to do, with a little free time to explore the town.

Three extra mouths to feed won’t hurt.

“Ransom, will you slow down? You told me you don’t even like your mother,” Caroline mutters, her heels tapping loudly on the pavement. “Is it really that serious?”

“I need a drink,” Ransom snaps, the door opening as Linda stands in the entryway.

“About time,” she greets her son, looking over his shoulder at the woman following behind him.

He’s already up the stairs, Linda raising an eyebrow in interest at the outfit she’s chosen. This one has zero awareness of what is acceptable to wear in a place like this and it shows, the young woman placing her hands on her hips when she notices that Ransom is already heading inside, not even giving her a glance.

“Not another model,” Linda says under her breath to Ransom. “These never last, you know.”

“Yes, because your taste in men is so refined, right Mother?” Ransom fires back, continuing through the foyer, leaving Caroline to stop in her tracks at the way Linda glares.

Linda knows that all the girls Ransom brings are a test. Not for Linda, not for Harlan but for them. They always leave miserable or in tears and Linda isn’t sure what this one will do. Judging by her dolled up appearance and her huge designer bag that she swings over her shoulder, she guesses that it will be tears.

“You must be Mrs. Drysdale,” Caroline greets her, looking around her to see if she can see Ransom. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Linda gives her a cold smile at her feigned and failed charm.

“You know, this is usually a family vacation,” Linda reminds her. “Consider yourself a plus one but don’t get any ideas. You aren’t family. Understand?”

“Yes,” Caroline huffs. “You’ve made that clear.”

“Good,” Linda replies, slamming the door in her face.

The last thing Ransom expects to see is your eyes wide in surprise when he bursts through the kitchen, heading straight for the liquor cabinet. It was a mistake to bring her here. Ransom knows it. He can tell her to leave – order her to – and he’ll be at peace. There’s a sense of enjoying the spoils of the chase that makes him remember why she’s here.

“Can I help you?” you ask, placing your knife down.

He ignores you, giving you a passing glance while he rummages through the cabinet, pulling out the bourbon and searching for a glass. He thought you’d at least give him some assistance, the sound of the knife slicing only irritates him more.

“Need a little help here,” Ransom tells you, hearing you drop the vegetables into a bowl, reaching for another tomato.

When you don’t answer him, he closes the cabinet, clearing his throat.

“A glass?”

“You know where they are,” you answer back, nodding over to your left. “Help yourself.”

He scoffs at your response, moving toward the cabinet, plucking out a glass. He hovers near you for a moment, sizing you up.

Harlan did mention bringing along his personal chef but like the others, he’s ignored whoever is in the kitchen. They don’t matter to him – Joni uses it as a personality trait when she’s among the other ass kissers who congregate at the country club, trying to one up each other.

There’s something about you that throws him off. Your demeanor, confident and focused, not giving him the time of day like the other chefs and help around the house do.

“Do you know who I am?” Ransom inquires, pouring his drink into the glass.

You lift your head slightly, still finishing up your task, moving onto a clove of garlic.

“Light coconut allergy,” you reply without making eye contact. “Not a fan of chardonnay.”

Ransom downs his drink, narrowing his eyes at your response.

“Reduced to notecards, huh?” he answers back. “You must be new.”

“Am I supposed to know you?”

He isn’t sure to reply to your question, your control on the knife impressive while you mince with precision.

“Most of the help does.”

“Then perhaps that’s your problem. I’m not the help,” you counter, still not giving him an ounce of your attention. “I’m here to make sure you’re all fed. I get paid to cook, not to find out who you are.”

“Bold,” Ransom quips. “We’ll see how long you last.”

“I hope that isn’t a threat, Ransom.”

His head snaps to attention at his name, your back to him as the pan is placed on the stove, the garlic and oil tossed inside.

“So you do know me.”

“Never said I didn’t. I asked if I was supposed to know you.”

Ransom empties the last of his glass, placing it loudly on the counter.

You don’t flinch, your back to him still while you stir the mixture in the pan.

“Maybe not,” he says after a pause, giving you a lustful up and down before heading back to the living room. “But you will.”

Caroline ventures down the stairs in the darkness, aware that any slight noise has the capability to wake Linda.

Ransom hasn’t come to bed and her curiosity has gotten the better of her, taking one step at a time until she reaches the ground floor, hearing hushes voices coming from Harlan’s study.

One sounds distinctly like Ransom.

And so does the other one, the more she gets closer. Shadows dance on the ceiling from the fireplace when she peeks through the door, seeing Ransom sitting in one of the high-backed chairs, sipping a glass of bourbon.

“You had to know she would say something,” the other voice says from the other chair. “Slum it if you want but she won’t be acceptable.”

“You really think I find her acceptable? I found her entertaining,” Ransom corrects. “Did you happen to see the new chef Harlan has?”

“No. Why would I need to?”

Ransom leans forward, a smirk appearing on his lips.

“She’s pretty to look at.”

“You really are relentless. Try not fucking the help this summer, will you?”

“No promises.”

Caroline seethes, her hand on the doorknob so tight that it creaks when she finally lets it go. At the noise, she covers her mouth.

“What was that?” the man asks, their conversation cut short.

“What was what?” Ransom answers.

The person in the chair stands up, Caroline moving away from the door and running right into you. Gasping in surprise, the door opens wider, Caroline pleading with her eyes for you to say something – anything – to get her away from this situation.

Plate in hand, you size up the man at the door, Ransom standing behind him. They look similar – the man standing next to Ransom does nothing to calm the situation, studying Caroline and you for a moment. They look nearly identical, with the blond one wearing an pair of black slacks and a loosened black tie with a white shirt, as if he’d come from some event.

“It’s late,” the man says, raising an eyebrow at Caroline, who swallows at his hard gaze.

“She was asking me where the kitchen is,” you reply, turning her back around. “Follow me.”

“You must be the chef,” the man says with a nod.

Caroline looks over her shoulder, seeing you reply in kind.

“You must be the one who isn’t a fan of parsley,” you respond. “Pardon us.”

“She has us written down like notecards,” Ransom reminds him.

“Steve,” the man calls out.

Caroline pauses, feeling your hand at her shoulder to make her go forward.

“I’m aware,” you reply. “Goodnight.”

Once you’re both out of earshot, Caroline exhales, grabbing your arm.

“How did you know to save me from that?”

“I didn’t,” you answer her. “But I don’t trust them.”

“Which one?”

“Both.”

#ransom drysdale #ransom drydale x you #ransom drysdale x female reader #ransom drysdale x reader #steve rogers #steve rodgers x reader #steve rogers x female reader #steve rogers x you #joel miller #joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #joel miller x female reader #slasher fic

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razbunz · 19 days

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Best of the worst (Pt 2)

Toji x Fem Reader CW: Drinking/Smoking, Older Toji, Gets a little spicy, Shiu and others are mentioned, Cursing. Word Count: 5K (I cooked on this)

Husband Toji! Quickly packs for a honeymoon to Spain, A whole AirBnb for a week on the island of Ibiza, The warm waters rolling over your skin as you swim with your husband taking in the salty air of the coast.

Husband Toji! Splashing you aggressively with water when diving into the balearic sea, Soon taking you to a seafood dinner. Candlelit with flames wavering with every warm breeze that passes through the gazebo It's easy to gorge on crab legs and to chat playfully with your freshly wed husband. The wedding band on his finger shining in the moonlight as cicadas hum an evening tune.

Husband Toji! Gifts you a sundress, and goes grape picking at a local vineyard in the summer heat. He helps you reach the tallest vines by lifting you up by the hips; gripping them tightly so you stay sturdy in his arms. He holds the basket of grapes collected and once you reach the rim of the wicker pail he's coated in sweat- looking nothing less than ethereal. Toji hands over the grapes to the vine assistant, who suggests that they can make a small batch. It's heartily agreed it will be your ‘honeymoon’ blend.

Husband Toji! Eagerly taking the opportunity to get wine drunk with you at the rental house- laughing as you get more whiny and needy with each sip. Toji can't help but pout and tease you during your hazy state, eventually he will show kindness though- it's your honeymoon afterall.And will lay you on the bed gently, kissing and suckling at your supple flesh until you beg him to do something more, until your crying of pleasure.

Husband Toji! Trying not to pout as he boards the plane, internally he fears that you're only sticking around like some fucked up ‘honeymoon phase’. He will never admit to you but it really hurts his feelings, you're not sure he knows just how serious you are about him.

Husband Toji! He goes back to work soon after, he's heard your complaints that his field is dangerous and he shouldn't be doing that, More than ever now that he's married.

But in his head it's the only way and the best way to make money to support the both of you, Though he doesn't want to hurt your feelings It's something that must be done.

Husband Toji! He goes to work with his hands covered in leather gloves so his ring doesn't rust with blood he has to deal with on a daily basis. His gloves are drenched in a sticky maroon substance as cuts the hands off of a victim. It doesn't make his stomach feel bad anymore… it hasn't for a while. He offers it to the commissioner as some sort of sick gift- they hand over a briefcase of money and he's back home to being your loveable bear of a husband.

Husband Toji! But because of his job it's easy for him to help you during your period. He knows you try to avoid him during that time, And he laughs when you explain why. It pisses you off to the nth degree but he reassures you that he isn't disgusted. His hands are a warm safety when you're cramping, he runs his fingers up and down your stomach until the pain goes away. Even once when you stain the sheets while you expected him to be mad he races to the corner store to buy you snacks, as he sets the sheets into the wash. When he comes back he watches whatever film you want as he stirs up hot cocoa which he is a master at making.

Husband Toji! Hearing you throw up one morning, He rushes to the bathroom to see you spill your guts out; Lifting up your hair he pats your back soothingly. He's groggy but it comforts him to know that you're okay. But this pattern continues... Morning after morning you start to feel nauseous and ill, It's starting to scare him.

He's making dinner one night, suddenly noticing that you've been in the bathroom for almost an hour. He calls out your name and as he walks closer to the bathroom his ears prick up as they catch your sobs.

“Princess?” he calls out into the hallway awaiting a response. Your chest racks and you stop crying, trying to compose yourself to respond.

But he knocks on the door “Are you okay, pretty girl?” The silence echoes throughout the house.

Behind the door you're biting your lip to stop a sob.

“Princess, Open up please.” His voice itches with anxiety, He's growing impatient pacing through the hallway until he breaks open the door with a sharp CRACK the lock splintering immediately.

“Baby?” He sees your figure on the floor clutching something to your chest.

“There you are pretty.” his voice makes you shiver into the ground-he reaches out to you but you shrink back, whimpering in fear.

“M’sorry m’sorry toji.” you sound more pathetic than you ever thought.

“Sorry?” he scoffs “For what?” Standing back to give you some space, Instead of words you pass what's clutched to your chest. With one glance it makes him want to hurl.

Soon to be father Toji! Turning the blue stick in his hands, Two blue lines staring up at him like daggers.

“M’sorryyyy Toji” by now you're hyperventilating, as he acknowledges the weight of it all.

“Baby it's okay!” He crouches down and offers you a hand brushing your hair back.

“You're gonna kill me.” he shakes his head, you’re being dramatic.

“I'm not going to kill you princess.” pressing a kiss to your hand.

He chuckles for the second it takes you to realize that he is not made, he's rather happy.

Lifting you up he hugs you tight, peppering your wet cheeks with kisses, wrapping his hands around your waist.

“God I love you so much.” he confesses to you “Always wanted a little brat, hmm?” he looks down to see your face.

“You want one with me too mama?” you nod enthusiastically before admitting to Toji

“I thought you didn't want one!” you breathe a sigh of relief now knowing that you were wrong,

“Of course I did!” he pauses “I didn't think you wanted one with an old man like me!” He blushes and combs through his hair to reveal more of his face.

“Well clearly you're not that old.” You gesture to your body.

Laughs fill the bathroom.

Soon to be Father Toji! Goes to every single one of your doctor visits, He can just be back from a mission with bloody clothes in the back of the car but will be there. Holding your hand throughout the first ultrasound. When a heartbeat shows up on the monitor he squeezes your hand, smiling cheesily as a tiny baby shows up on screen-He keeps an ultrasound photo in his wallet now.

Soon to be Father Toji! If you thought he was protective before, When you're pregnant he might as well be a guard dog. Holding your hand everywhere and when people come up to gush about having a kid he is only 4 seconds from committing another murder. You're his wife and that's his kid. They shouldn't touch you.

Soon to be Father Toji! Ikea shopping with you as your due date approaches, By the end of the trip you’ve got a Crib, Dresser, and changing table with plenty of storage.

When they arrive at the house he sets an entire day aside to build it all, yelling at the instructions while you sit down. Admiring him hammering everything together- his biceps taut as he holds pieces together. Needless to say, you're happy to watch.

Soon to be Father Toji! Who looks at you odd when you hand him a tiny gift bag, When he opens it to see pastel pink onesie with a card saying ‘Its a Girl’. He's ready to be a father right then; letting you find names for his little girl. And with some guidance you both decide on the name Tsumiki, A beautiful name for his baby to come.

Soon to be Father Toji! Adores stepping into stores with his pretty little wife in his hands, buying whatever your eyes even flick over. When you paint the spare room an ash blue he asks

‘Would you ever share your plushies with her?’ The look you give him shuts him up immediately, he’ll take that as a no.

He still loves you even when you woke him up at the asscrack of the morning because you were craving Auntie Anne's Cinnamon sticks, dragging himself out of bed because he wants to see you happy. When he gets them (and a cinnamon roll for himself).

You eat them in the car, music low so you can talk to him. He chuckles when you mention that this scene looks so familiar- Time has passed, but you've only gotten more irresistible to him (especially when your swollen with his child)

Soon to be Father Toji! Whereas as soon as the slight wince of discomfort leaves your lips, he's dragging you to the hospital even when you say you can wait it out a bit longer, he'd rather be safe.

He enters the Maternity Ward with you trying to calm your nerves to the best of his ability. Toji has seen lots of morbid things before…Torture victims and bodies without heads, but its different when its his precious wife screaming in agony with every contraction. He avoids looking at your form until he hears the cries of a child. His child. Walking up to your sweat slicked form he gives you a small peck on your forehead, hushing your whines of pain as they take your daughter away for a health check.

“You did so good mama, so good for me hmm?” you don't have the energy to respond but soak in the voice of your husband and your body resting. Tsumiki is a healthy little girl, And much to Tojis relief he can't sense cursed energy.

It makes him unbelievably happy.

Father Toji! Letting you rest while he cradles his little girl in his arms, she's so small in his arms he's afraid that one wrong move and it'll be over. So he sits as still as a statue so his baby can sleep. He shakes his head at his life, never did he think he'd be a dad. Especially to a girl who resembles you so much, your small smile in particular.

Father Toji! Hates Hospitals to an incredible degree and races out the hospital with his baby, Tsumiki is held in a baby carrier with his grip unwavering. He places the carrier in the back and starts up the car for the drive home.

He drives much more carefully then he ever has, you could even say legally.

Father Toji! Lets you take the next few weeks easy, he dearly wants another kid- but doesn't want to force another child on you; At least not this early. It's hard to compose his thoughts though when Tsumiki cries at 1:48 in the morning…like clockwork, You go sometimes but if you're deep sleeping there isn't a reason to bother. He swaddles her while she cries going into the pantry to fetch some formula hoping that she's just hungry. He has work in the morning but he knows you're just as tired.

So Toji hums strangers in the night softly, the words are mumbled and hushed so he doesn't wake you up in the next room. But upon not feeling the comforting warmth of your husband you look around the house. To find Him in the nursery coddling Tsumiki, bouncing up and down to a soft rhythm.

He looks at Tsumiki like it's his whole world.You dont say anything,You slink behind the wall hoping he doesn't sense your presence. You keep it short,retiring to sleep while you hold the memory close to your heart.

Father Toji! After feeding Tsumiki, he makes dinner for the two of you. It's filled with light conversation but he can sense your not saying something.

Once you finish though you look him dead in the eyes and ask

“Do you not want another kid with me?” Your voice is shaken and Toji is bewildered that this question would ever arise.

“What? Of course, Whatever gave you that idea?’” He retorts finally thinking his hints have clocked in

“I- just thought you were a one and done type of guy…” A pregnant pause prevents both of you from talking.

“Absolutely not. I love Tsumiki and she needs another sibling-maybe even a brother!” He sounds 10x excited at that.

He closes the distance between the two of you going to nip at your neck, biting it harshly.

“Why, Wanna try? Hmmmm?” He grins and bites your cheek, you cringe at the feeling of wet saliva on your cheek- nodding as you lay back onto the bed letting his larger form crawl on top of yours.

“Need words baby~” he coaxes you to speak, he loves seeing you desperate for him.

“Please Toji?” You test the waters,but he shakes his head.

“Please touch me Toji daddy?” and you pout giving him puppy eyes. At that he undos his belt taking the cool leather into his calloused hands.

“Take it real fucking good then.”

Father Toji! Makes sure you take everything he has to give, Cleaning you up gently but it’s all a blur when you look back at it. You wake up the following morning with the scent of honey and sweet fruit. When he spots you trying to stand up to meet him halfway, he ushers you to sit down on the bed handing you a cup of tea with waffles and fruit. It makes you smile at his softness.

Father Toji! Just as equally excited when you tell him you're pregnant again, he knows it will be a challenge but it's one both of you want to face together. Since this one is planned you both take the pleasure in throwing a baby shower.

You invite all of your friends as does Toji, who has gotten closer with other people now that he is settled down- he won't admit it but it's easier to make friends when he doesn't constantly have to move around with a price on his head.

Well he still does…But at least he's home. At your home.

Father Toji! And Shiu about everything that's taken place this last year…

“Two kids, big man?” Shiu jokes to him, jabbing him in the side while looking at your unknowing figure, as you chat to your friends.

Toji looks at his drink and chuckles “It's a huge change, I mean anything for her. That's my girl right there.” His eyes meet yours and you give him a wide smile, he grins back.

“You ever thought about settling down Shiu?” Toji asks, setting his glass of champagne down onto the cedar table.

Shiu shakes his head “I'd like to, now that my best client is turning to mush on me.” Shiu snickers to himself.

“No the fuck I aint. I still kill people mind you.” Toji objects to his partner.

“You gonna do that when Tsumiki has a sibling too?” Shiu quips, hitting toji with verbal whiplash.

He doesn't know how to reply.

“ I… I don't know.”

“I'd figure that out before your woman does.” Shiu swigs the rest of his glass down, setting it down before walking up to you to say another congratulations.

Father Toji! Uncharacteristically shaken by that conversation with Shiu, though he powers through the party to hear some good news, It's a boy.

He’s ecstatic at just the thought of Tsumiki having a little brother and already brewing names.

As you drive back home with gifts packed into the trunk you giggle about some drama spilled earlier, he laughs commenting on your tales- but he's really thinking.

“Let's name him megumi.” you're talking when he says it- catching you off guard.

“Like how could sh- What?” you fumble over your own words forgetting the story that once filled your mind.

“Megumi.” he repeats; you nod, mouthing it trying to see how it flows off your tongue.

“I like it.” You agree fidgeting with your maternity dress. He smiles lightly at that, kissing you gently at the next stoplight as if you might shatter from his touch.

Megumi’s his little blessing to come, Toji’s so thankful for you and his kids.

Father Toji! Megumi comes into the world with a fight, it's harder on you then Tsumiki. He's louder and fussier with his food, not liking the ones Tsumiki once did. Sweet potato puree is suddenly garbage now. Toji notices you need more rest after Megumi and how you spend more time in bed then with the 3 of them, He does the best he can though- he always does.

Father Toji! Is super excited (emotional) when you begin to play with Megumi and Tsumiki, trying to get Tsumiki to walk often and feeding the two of them. Which Toji is unarguably better at, he's a master at feeding his kids. Baby food? Easy win, Solids? Something so easy that he's starting to enjoy cutting up tiny pieces of chicken and apples to feed them.

Father Toji! Denies that Megumi is a mirror reflection of him, Makes you frown thinking of the nine months of pain and cravings and hormones… just for him to look exactly like his father.

Toji doesn’t claim that his pout comes from him but it most definitely does.

Father Toji! Loves watching you take care of Megumi, the way you play with him, playing peek-a-boo and talking to him about your day as if he can understand you. You tell him about how you and Toji met, just explaining his dad to him.

“Toji’s a big scary bear, But he's nice huh gumi? Your dad loves you soooooo much” You look Toji in the eye when you say that, beaming as Megumi spits out baby gibberish as a response.

“I am not that scary!” Toji retorts going up to take Megumi from your lap, you hand him off- Megumi gives a bit of a tussle crying clawing at his dads skin but calms down when Toji offers him a lighthearted smile. (Megumi’s scared of him smiling with teeth)

Kiddos (Double dad Toji?) Are both sad that your kids are now both in elementary school. Megumi isn't super social, and likes to stay silent in class making pictures that he hands to you at the end of the day. Megumi is a big reader and listener which doesn't help, especially when it includes curse words that he hears mostly from his dad, occasionally you.

Meg’s has picked up “Motherfucker” too quickly for your taste. Tsumiki on the other hand is a social butterfly, playing with other kids and humming tunes she hears on the radio. She loves to hang around in the school garden with her closest friends and play ‘Bug matchmaker’ Megumi has joined her in this, and it freaks you out sometimes when they do it at home.

Double dad Toji! Knows Megumi has cursed energy, he's known it since Megumi was 6 months old. It scares him deeply- He doesn't want his kid to turn out like him, being thrown to the side when he’s not ‘good enough’.

So when Megumi comes home during second grade petting something invisible, he picks up the aura of a curse and tries his hardest to be normal about it. Toji only wishes his kid didn't have cursed energy but it's too late for that. He can sense the energy is mostly positive-it gives him some sort of morbid solace.

Double dad Toji! Has explained cursed energy to you before, and while you can't use it you try your best to understand it. Toji can't bring himself to tell you about what it can mean for Megumi, and he doesn't want to think of your reaction if you find out it could bring Megumi harm. So he goes to Shiu…

He pulls up to a bar slamming the doors to his Maserati he bought an suv after having kids

Ordering a Jack & Coke as he sits down next to Shiu

“How's the wife and kids?” Shiu asks politely before they catch up.

“Wife's good, but ummm… Megumi is definitely a Shikigami user and I need your help.” Shiu’s eyes draw wide.

“When did you find this out??” Shiu asks, fully engaged.

“Like fuck I dont know, couple days ago?” Toji bites his lip and raps his knuckles against the sticky wood counter of the sports bar. A game he betted on plays above but he cant bother to look up. Someone scored- he can't care for who,Shiu spends the time of the pause to think.

“How about you drive me to your place and I can tell you just how bad it is.” Toji knows Shiu can see curses so hopefully whatever it is…is good.

“Let's go then.” Toji grabs his keys and they speed off to your house.

Ringing the doorbell its only worse as Megumi opens the door

Toji can sense the energy and grimaces, while Shiu laughs holding his temple and rolls his back to let out a cackle.

You travel to the foyer seeing Toji pale and Shiu red with laughter.

“Back so soon?” you question as you hold Tsumiki's hand, who smiles e at her dad and greets shiu with a tiny bow.

“Yeah, there wasn't much going on.” Toji lies through his teeth.

“What about your game though? Yankees and the Dodgers?” you pressure him.

“We can watch it here.” Shiu tacks in “And the bar ran out of our favorite bourbon anyways.” It's a simple, yet effective excuse.

They walk to the coffee bar you have, cramped in the corner where he pulls out what he needs to make a vodka cran. You continue to make mac and cheese for dinner for the kiddos, not before asking toji to make you one as well. He kisses you on the cheek and mixes your first so they can talk business.

“He's a shikigami user alright, but they are his for sure.”

“10 shadows technique, you think?” Toji asks, sipping lightly at his drink.

“Mhm, he's got it in control though, He has two dogs” Shiu takes a swig “They are his friends though, he was petting them at the door.”

Toji sighs with relief-

“Ima need a smoke after this, you gonna join me?” Digging through his overcoat pocket for a carton of Marlboro reds offering to shiu as he pulls out one.

“When don't I?” he smiles, as they walk out to the porch.

Double Dad Toji! Is a total Dad, In the beginning of your relationship he thought yall were gonna bang and be done. Now he's standing over an ice cream cart letting Megs and Tsumiki choose what popsicle they want. Megumi chooses the spongebob one and Tsumiki chooses Bubbles. You find him doing this unspeakably attractive. He's a Total Dilf, the ones you used to dream about when you scrolled through ‘hot dad’ blogs. And he's yours.

Kiddos! Middle school is interesting for you and Toji watch to say the least. Megumi has started to talk more and fights a lot, this leads to plenty of parent meetings for you and Toji to deal with. Leading to Tojis favorite saying (much to your anger) is “Hey at least he has good grades” Which he is right… But that doesnt give him to make the entire campus fear him

You can only ‘wonder’ where he got it from. Toji, Of course it’s toji.

Your daughter, Tsumiki loves to go to the mall with her best friend buying whatever she can afford from claires. Much to Megumi's dismay he is dragged around the wholeeeeee time, into Bath & Body works and turning away when they point out Victoria's secret. The only thing he gets out of it is Cinnabon and Hot Topic.

Double Dad Toji! With you, explaining to Tsumiki that Megumi won't be going to the same high school as her. He can sense his energy growing and is used to feeling his dogs' energy around the house.

“He's going to go to a different high school then you Tsu,” Toji tries to his daughter.

Tsumiki takes a sip of Fanta before sitting down,

“Why?? Does he not want to go with me?” She questions

Tojis sends him to Tokyo Jujitsu High.

He’s special… kinda like Shiu and me, we can both see and do things that you can't.”

Tsumiki nods “Is he a sorcerer?”

Toji sighs “Yes he is, me and mom-” he looks at you nod offering some sort of non-verbal comfort “think it's best to have him there.”

Tsumiki rubs her eyes.“When is he going, Can he visit? Wait, is he going to be okay?! Does he know???”

Tsumiki is a big questioner, it takes some time to explain to Tsumiki before she calms down

When Megumi comes back from detention that day Tsumiki gives him a huge hug. With tears pricking her eyes. Toji kisses your forehead before calling in pizza to lift the mood for the evening.

Double dad Toji! Thought he was done with parent meetings, he was wrong.

He waits outside the teachers office with you waiting for his main teacher, Satoru Gojo.

You're both ushered inside by the Snowy Haired man who grins at the both of you.

Gojo seems to frown looking at your husband but still eagerly greets the both of you.

“So your Megumi’s Dad, it’s no wonder your son is so strong!” He kicks up his feet on the desk.

“You must be his mother, pleasure to meet you too!” you agree and settle into the dark leather chair.

Gojo, Quickly moves onto talking about Megumi.

“He's a really bright kid! Great test scores on all the basics and he really shines on the Battlefield with his partners.” Gojo gushes, pulling out a lollipop humming to himself “Ah yes, my partner says he is a total team player.”

Toji nods while gritting his teeth, it's no secret he isn't a fan of him.

“His Shikigami are strong and lives up to other users of the Ten Shadows Technique, maybe one day he’ll even tame Mahoraga!” Gojo laughs and adjusts his sunglasses.

Toji isn't pleased hearing this “As long as it won't destroy the kid.” They make eye contact and Gojo throws his hands back.

“I'll make sure of it, for both of you.”

His teacher goes back to explaining a lot of terms you just don't get. But toji seems to be following along well enough besides his piercing grip on your thigh and his eyes twitching every now and then.

Once you leave the office, you walk to the training fields where Megumi is supposed to be.

When you see him he's laughing and talking to a pink haired boy and brown haired girl. It makes you extremely happy to see Megumi having friends.

A tall, long black haired man approaches you- putting his hair into a bun.

“You two must be Megumi's parents, Satoru told me you guys were coming to visit.” Toji shakes his hand firmly.

“But where are my manners! I'm Suguru Geto, the other teacher here. I'm mostly in charge of keeping them in check…Since I'm sure you can guess.” He leans in “My associate wont” you share a laugh with him.

He's a refresher from the partner, though probably complimenting each other's teaching skills.

Megumi looks up from his friends and lightly jogs to the two of you.

“Mom! Dad! Hey!” He is red from laughing and working in the sun- he now adorns a black fitted uniform not unlike his partners.

You hug him and Toji asks-

“How's it going kid?” giving him a head pat, “Haven't seen you in awhile. Your sister is supposed to graduate early. Did you hear that?”

You spend the afternoon catching up with your son and meeting his friends.

Toji holds your hand as you walk out of the campus, it's comfortingly silent, and he opens the door of his old car for you before he drives home.

Double Dad Toji! Is emotional when Tsumiki graduates from high school, she's wearing a dark blue slim fit dress. The black graduation gown is open and she wears her hat.

When they toss the hats into the air it's impossible for him to not feel that he's done something right in his life.

You and him raised a kid that's starting to bloom in a beautiful way. It does horrify him at the realization she is attending college soon enough. And when you come back from the graduation he makes sure he proves your ‘silver fox’ comment.

Double Dad Toji! Letting you adjust his tie when you get ready for Megumi's graduation not long after. It's a smaller scene with mostly family and close friends protected by a veil.

The Upperclassmen cheer them on with smiles and taunts to ‘Just turn 1st grade already!’ after their teachers give heartfelt speeches.

He steps on stage with his partners and a beautiful shower of flowers covers their stage as they hug each other, cheers radiate from the people there.

You're crying, and Toji, well- he's almost there.

Toji. Who finds comfort in you growing older by his side, Completing crossword puzzles with coffee and going on art museum dates. He's put down his weapons but not the cigarettes,

And you who loves to read next to him, appreciating the gentleness of his forever calloused hands still in love with the scent of his cologne and smoke.

It feels good to be in love, to have two kids who love you both endlessly. To live a dream- with you.

Thank you so much for reading! This took a lot of time but I really do love it. Requests are going to be open soon if you would like me to write anything! Love,Razzy!

#toji fushiguro #toji zenin #jjk fluff #toji x reader #jjk writing #this took forever #i love writing for him #older bf toji

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glitterslag · 6 months

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anthroponymy in the bear

Apologies if someone's done this already, but I've been thinking a lot about the names of the characters in The Bear, and how almost nothing in this show is accidental. It's led me to wonder whether the names chosen are also intentional and if they can tell us anything about the characters and their journeys.

Firstly, we have Michael. The name is derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning ‘who is like god’ (often posed as a question). It’s fitting in my opinion. His character certainly is a godlike presence, his influence and love felt but not seen in The Beef. As the eldest sibling, he’s presented as a leader, and Carmy and Richie worship his vision.

There’s a creation aspect with Mikey. He plays god from beyond the grave, literally breathing life into The Bear through the money he stashed in the tomato cans - we have him to thank for its establishment.

The tomatoes remind me of the bible story of the feeding of the five thousand. In this miracle, Jesus is able to feed five thousand hungry people from just a few loaves of bread and a few fish. In ep 1.08, a humble tin of tomatoes - just as much a symbol of modesty as a loaf of bread - is opened to reveal a wad of cash. From this money comes The Bear, which hopefully will go on to feed just as many hungry mouths, if not more!

Interestingly, 'michelin' is a diminutive of 'Michel', an alternate spelling of Michael. I wonder if there's a connection there? Maybe the key to The Bear earning its Michelin star will lie with Michael? A recipe of his, or a piece of advice he gave Carmy? (Sidetracking, but I just think it’s cool!)

Next, we have Carmy, who’s full name is Carmen. I’ve looked at a few sources, and there seem to be a couple of different meanings for his name. The Latin meaning comes from the word for a song or a poem. The Hebrew meaning is garden or vineyard.

‘Song or poem’ to me reflects Carmy’s creative nature, his love of cooking and drawing. ‘Vineyard’ is interesting, considering that Donna is an alcoholic, and that as far as we know, Carmy is either sober or drinks very little.

Carmen is also a gender neutral name. For me, one of the significant themes of the show is masculinity, and how different ideas of masculinity are warring with each other. To me, Mikey and to an extent Richie represent one particular masculine ideal, one that’s maybe a bit toxic. Carmy meanwhile is not painted as the stereotypical masculine guy. Richie often insults Carmy’s masculinity, jeering at his culinary training, being homophobic, making fun of his lack of experience with women.

There’s so much I could say about this dichotomy, even right down to the dishes that are associated with each character. Richie’s idea of The Beef serving ‘food of the working man’. The sandwiches - their red meat fillings. Mikey’s spaghetti, in its simplicity, its earthiness, its history as a staple food of the working class. To me, it’s a masculine, down to earth dish, very at odds with the fancier, more elegant dishes we come to associate Carmy with.

Then we have characters such as Luca and Marcus - both of whom are associated with baking. You don’t have to be a genius to know that baking is seen as a feminine art. Luca and Marcus arguably don’t fit the macho man ideal either - both of them being depicted as a lot more gentle, calm, and creative types.

Next - Sydney. It’s an Old English name, and there are a few different interpretations of it that I could find. One is ‘wide meadow’ or ‘wide water meadow’.

When Syd breezes into The Beef in ep 1, she’s literally a breath of fresh air. She’s a meadow! Her vision for what the restaurant could be, both in terms of the food served and the way the kitchen could be run (i.e. mutual respect, a smooth chain of command, no psycho bosses) is an idealistic vision, a utopia, a garden of Eden type image.

This brings me to the link with Carmy’s name:

Remember how one of the meanings of Carm’s name was garden? In my opinion, this similarity only reinforces the writer's intentions for us to see Syd and Carmy as kindred spirits. Gardens, meadows… both peaceful, calm, beautiful places. To me, it tells us they’re each other’s peace. It also tells us if they learn how to work together, they can create that ideal vision for the restaurant that they both crave.

Another interpretation of Syd’s name is that it means island or island dweller. This brings to mind the phrase ‘no man is an island’, which to me perfectly summarises her character’s central struggle. The phrase means that humans need each other. We need support, and we can’t do things alone. I think Sydney is shown as someone who can be prone to bottling things up, and maybe finds it difficult to ask for help and to be vulnerable. She’s not shown as having many family and friendship connections, and we see a lot of scenes where she’s alone - eating in restaurants, on the train, cooking at home. In that sense, she is a bit of an island, and I hope we see her become able to rely on others a little more in seasons to come (and hopefully Carmy gets his act together enough for her to trust him to be her support!).

Next up: Jimmy. Short for James, a derivative of the Hebrew Jacob, it means ‘supplanter’. A supplanter means someone who takes the place of something else, like a usurper. Now, in ep 2.06, Jimmy and Donna’s dynamic was a little suspect, and I think a lot of people would agree that we’re supposed to infer something was going on there, with Cicero figuratively and perhaps literally taking the place of Bear senior. My theory is that there was an affair, and that Jimmy is actually Mikey’s father. JAW and Abby Elliott look pretty alike I’d say, while John Bernthal has quite different features. Was this intentional? Who’s to say, but I think there’s definitely a case to be made for there being two different fathers. Equally, Mr Bear could be Mikey’s dad, while Jimmy could be Nat and Carm’s true father - he has their lighter hair and eyes, so who knows!!

In Genesis, Jacob supplants his twin brother by buying his birthright. In the show, Jimmy attempts to buy the restaurant, which of course once belonged to Carmy’s dad. Although the show doesn’t give us the full story of the pair, we gather that Jimmy and Bear Sr. were old friends who were almost more like brothers, until a feud ruined their relationship. Interesting for sure!

Next is Tina. Short for Christina, which means ‘follower of Christ’. Her last name, Marrero, is interesting. Deriving from Spanish, it means stone-breaker or hammer, reflecting her strength of character. She’s a single mother, an immigrant, and has been working in male-dominated kitchens with all these shitty, angry men for years. As far as we know, she was the only woman at The Beef pre-Syd. She dealt with Mikey and Richie’s shit for years. You’d have to be pretty fucking tough.

On the other hand, T is so warm and kind underneath it all and seems able to penetrate through the other character’s exteriors relatively easily - Richie, Carmy, Ebra, Syd. They can all be pretty grumpy, but they all have SUCH a soft spot for Tina and only Tina. She’s the stone breaker to their stony surface! 💖🥰💖🥰

Okay those are the main ones I wanted to talk about, but here’s a few more in brief:

Richie: short for Richard, which means strong or brave ruler/leader. In the final episode, we see Richie leading expo and doing a great job. He’s finally living up to his name - literally finding his purpose.

Donna: means lady in Italian. Madonna, or ‘my lady’ is another name for Mary, Jesus’ mother. The ‘mother of victory’ referenced in the prayer that Carm, Nat and Richie say before the soft open is the same Mary. Whilst Donna definitely doesn’t share many characteristics with Mary, I think the comparison is useful in showing the bear kids’ conflicting view of their mother. They of course still love her and crave her love and her blessing for the restaurant in return.

Natalie: means ‘birth of the lord’, literally, ‘Christmas’. There could be a connection here to the Fishes episode, which takes place on Christmas.

Pete: short for Peter, it means rock. When Jesus made the disciple Peter the first Pope, he said, ‘on this rock I build my church’. Pete is Nat’s rock and I think that’s beautiful!!!!!!

Ebra: short for Ebrahim, an alternate spelling of Abraham, which means 'father of many'. He’s a father figure for The Bear!

I know there are a couple I've left out from the main cast, one being Marcus, whose name means 'follower of Mars', the Roman god. I'm still figuring out whether there's a significance there - I'm sure there could be. Maybe I'll do a part two with the rest of the characters!

Anyways I just think it's neat how fitting a lot of the names are... and I really don't think a lot of them were accidental!

Pls feel free to add on and/or correct me if I got anything wrong!

#yeah i'm riddled with catholic guilt for all eternity but at least i can make the bear meta #the bear #the bear meta #sydcarmy #(tagging sydcarmy cause i know the sydcarmy army love the meta)#sydney adamu #carmy berzatto #the bear hulu #the bear fx #jeremy allen white

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