#is Caviar in your hair healthy?

[veryinnovative]

@jegulus-microfic | january 2, prompt: fire | word count: 1.575 featuring older ceo regulus black and younger intern james potter

“A truffle wagyu burger with hand-cut fries? What does that even fucking mean?!” James shouts into the receiver as he winds through the busy masses of bodies crossing the roads, the traffic light across blinking for him to hurry. “Can’t I pick up something for him from Burger King or something? You know, like a normal human being?” 

On the other end of the line, Barty snorts a derisive sound. “Yeah, you try feeding him cheap chain franchise slob and see how that plays out for you. The fucker thinks Versace is a low-class brand, James. He probably doesn’t even know what the inside of a Burger King looks like. Besides, that place is fire. They have good shit.”

Groaning, James picks up the speed and sets out for a sprint, having missed the bus to Howick and resorted to the most reliable way of transport—his two sets of healthy, always moderately trained legs. 

“Are you running? You better not be fucking running, Potter. You’re going to come back all sweaty and with creases in your cheap-ass button-up and then I’m going to be the one getting shit for not driving you and ruining the image of Regulus Black’s executive assistant—”

“Suck a dick, Barty,” James bites back after barely evading a car, its tires screeching at him in warning. He throws the driver an apologetic smile.

“I’m serious. You meal-prepped, Potter! Asked where the fucking office microwave is, are you out of your mind? Lunch is on company credit, for fuck’s sake. You’ve got an image to uphold now you’re working for Black Enterprises!”

“The cafeteria is too rich for my taste. Besides, I like meal-prepping. It’s calming.”

“Your fucking tuna stinks up the place.”

“Maybe that’s just your big bullshitting mouth.”

“Listen here, you piece of—”

“Oops, entering a tunnel, hear that?” James cups a hand over the receiver and makes a low, grating sound—mimicking the static rasp of a bad cellular connection. “See you!”

He tucks away the phone before entering Beauxbatons, the restaurant Barty had told him to go to because Regulus was craving his guilty snack, which, to James, sounded like an item right off a witch’s menu. Then again, he was a poor twenty-three-year-old who had just had a gap year fresh out of university, lived in a run-down apartment tucked in Southern London, and knew nothing of the expensive tastes a man like Regulus Black possessed. Thirty-something years old and not a single skin blemish. Must be all the fucking truffle and caviar and whatever Boiron guava puree he eats.

“Welcome,” one of the employees asks. Of course, all of the staff are also wearing pristine clothes and have perfectly sleeked-back hair.

“Hi,” James answers, now all too conscious of the developing sweat marks below his armpits and the dampness cooling on his back. “I’m, uh, here to pick up lunch? Sorry, I forgot my order so let me have a peek at my messages…”

The employee blinks like James has grown a second head. “Take-away? Sir, this is a dine-in restaurant.”

Good thing James has come prepared. He shuffles through the contents of his bag, phone in the other hand and tip of his tongue peeking out in full concentration. “Oh, that’s alright. I brought something to carry it with me. I also got some Tupperware if you don’t mind rinsing it beforehand.”

“No, sir, it’s not a matter of containers,” the employee starts, her lips pursed into a tight line. “We don’t do takeaways.”

James stops and frowns, bag half slung over his shoulder. “Isn’t this Beauxbatons?”

“It is.”

“My boss sometimes has people pick up his lunch here.”

“You must be mistaken… We do not lend any type of service like that.”

James sighs. Great. Amazing. Just what he needed. “Right. Do you mind if I make a call? I’m sorry, there must have been a mistake then.”

The employee, undoubtedly taking pity on him and his disorderly state that suggests he’s been running the past ten minutes, nods. “Of course.”

Heaving a sigh, James scrolls through his contact list and taps on ‘Regulus’, never mind that he has been firmly instructed to only call him during emergencies. But considering the sort of day he’s been having, he considers this one.

Regulus picks up after the third ring. “Potter?”

It’s been two weeks and he still won’t fucking call him by his name, going off on tangents about formal office conduct and etiquette. Potter this, Potter that, bridling when he’s called by his first name for a change in an environment that would kiss the soles of his feet if he’d ask. “Hi, I’m at the place you sent me the address of but they don’t do takeaways so I wanted to know what you want to eat. You cool with Wagamama?”

There’s a pregnant pause—all too telling of how Regulus is probably taking a deep breath and doing the thing where he either pinches the bridge of his nose or rubs his eyebrows. “Have you mentioned the takeaway is for me?”

“No, I haven’t.” What difference would it make, James wants to ask. But in a world where Regulus Black is pretty much revered, he is confident it would make a little difference at least.

“Do that, Potter.”

James rolls his eyes before returning his attention to the employee. “He wants you to know his name is Regulus, by the way.”

Her eyes widen. “Reg—Do you mean Mr. Black?”

James clicks his tongue. “That the one.” The employee doesn’t look convinced and James holds up his hand just above his chest. “About this tall? Curly black hair? Probably in one of today’s morning tabloids, not hard to miss. I could put him on speaker if you’d like?”

There’s the frantic wave of her hands, head shaking vigorously. “Oh! You should have told me from the start, Sir. Please, what would Mr. Black like to eat for lunch? I—I’m sorry. We are very exclusive in our service and are most honored Mr. Black has once again chosen our humble establishment—”

“Just,” James sighs, skimming over the menu laminated standing on an easel by the entrance, not possessing the energy to listen to someone go off on tangents about his boss again. Not like he does so internally at night, anyway. Absolutely not. “A truffle wagyu burger with hand-cut fries.”

“Not fries, a salad—” Regulus reminds him over the phone, but James has decided that he will just about eat whatever James decides on.

“Potter—” Regulus tries again and James flat-out hushes him. To his surprise, Regulus actually shuts up.

The employee nods, over-excited. “Oh, of course, an excellent choice. How would Mr. Black like it to be cooked?”

James shrugs. “I don’t know, on a grill?”

There’s a faint garbled noise coming from Regulus that James will definitely tuck away in his memory.

But the employee is too thrilled to be serving someone as pompous as Regulus to notice the lack of culinary terminology James possesses. “Oh, I meant the cook of the meat!”

“The cook of the meat?” James repeats. “I don’t know, whoever is on shift? Regulus, who do you want to cook your burger?”

The employee makes a high-pitched sound at the same Regulus sighs in a very exaggerated, exhausted manner. “Just tell them medium rare.”

“Medium? What is this, a video game difficulty?”

“Medium rare!” the employee chirps, her smile wry. Strands of hair stick out of the previously perfectly pulled-back bun like the situation has created plenty of static to dishevel her updo. “One medium rare wagyu—”

“Don’t forget the fries,” James adds, unable to fight off the grin cleaving his face. This, he loves most—fucking with rich people. ‘Who do you want to cook your meat?’ he’s a genius for that one, an absolute innovative mastermind. Make him head of corporate next at this rate.

“You had to call me for this?” Regulus asks him as James watches the poor girl scurry off to the back, undoubtedly to ring in the order and gush about the perfect, rich, hot-looking Regulus Black on the phone by the restaurant’s hallway.

“It was an emergency. I get you the wrong order and you, I dunno, bite off my head like Miranda Priestly.”

“I don’t know a Miranda Priestly.”

“No? Shame. Would’ve loved her, a real feisty woman that one. She works in the fashion industry, though.”

“Potter.”

James tries not to bark out a laugh. He can’t help it, Regulus is just too easy. “Yeah, I’ll get you your overtly expensive A3-grade cut of meat that could pay for my weekly rent. Didn’t take you for the type of man to get burgers, by the way.”

“That’s why I’m asking employees of a lower tax bracket to pick them up for me.”

Okay, that’s kind of funny. Regulus Black can be fucking funny if he wants to, he just rarely chooses to. James barely masks his snort at it. “Got me there, boss.”

“Get a cab back to the office. And stop calling me boss.”

“My bad, Sir,” James drawls, knowing that Regulus reacts particularly well to this specific formality. 

A second of silence that stretches on for a little too long. James clears his throat, wondering if the line cut off. “Regu—”

“See you soon, Potter,” Regulus speaks, faster than usual, almost like he’s flustered, and with a strange pitch to his words before he hangs up.

#jegulus #james potter #regulus black #jegulus fanfiction #marauders #marauders au #jegulus microfic #starchaser #sunseeker #this one is for mil bc she plotted this w me so extensively #and also for cass <3 bc they synced w my brain today #ino microfic tag!

[ivsanbernardusa]

Pets Skin Therapy: Restoring Healthy Skin for Your Beloved Pets

As pet owners, we understand the importance of keeping our furry friends healthy and happy. One crucial aspect of their well-being is the condition of their skin. Just like humans, pets can experience a variety of skin issues that can cause discomfort and affect their overall quality of life. That's why it's essential to prioritize skin therapy and restoration for our beloved pets.

At Iv San Bernard, a leading European manufacturer of Animal skin care products, founded in 1995 in Italy, we specialize in providing effective solutions for pets' skin problems. With our wide range of products designed for different coat types and dedicated to proper skin management, we can help restore and maintain healthy skin for your pets.

Understanding the Importance of Pet Skin Care

Before delving into the details of skin therapy and restoration, let's first understand why pet skin care is crucial. The skin is the largest organ of the body and serves as a protective barrier against external threats. It plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, preventing dehydration, and warding off infections.

When a pet's skin is unhealthy, it can lead to various issues such as itching, redness, flakiness, hair loss, and even infections. These problems can cause discomfort and distress to your furry friend, affecting their overall well-being and happiness.

Common Skin Issues in Pets

To effectively address skin problems in pets, it's essential to identify the most common issues they may face. Here are some of the typical skin conditions in pets:

1. Dry and Flaky Skin

Dry and flaky skin is a prevalent issue in pets, especially during the colder months. It can result from a lack of moisture in the air, poor nutrition, or underlying health conditions. Dry skin can cause itchiness and discomfort for your pets, leading to excessive scratching and potential skin damage.

2. Allergies

Pets can also suffer from allergies, just like humans. Allergies can be triggered by various factors, including food, environmental allergens like pollen or dust mites, and flea bites. Allergic reactions in pets often manifest as redness, itching, rashes, and even hair loss.

3. Hot Spots

Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are localized areas of irritated and inflamed skin. They can be caused by allergies, insect bites, or excessive licking and scratching. Hot spots are typically painful and require immediate attention to prevent further irritation and infection.

4. Dermatitis

Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin and can have various causes, including allergies, infections, and exposure to irritants. It can result in redness, swelling, itchiness, and even the formation of blisters or sores.

Iv San Bernard's Product Lines for Skin Therapy

1. Atami

The Atami product line is formulated to address dry and flaky skin in pets. It provides intense hydration to moisturize the skin and prevent dryness and itchiness. The products in this line contain nourishing ingredients that help restore the skin's natural moisture balance, leaving your pet's skin healthy and supple.

2. Black Passion

Black Passion is a specialized product line designed for pets with black or dark-colored coats. It focuses on enhancing the natural shine and color intensity of the coat while promoting healthy skin. The products in this line contain ingredients that nourish and protect the skin, ensuring your pet's coat looks vibrant and lustrous.

3. Caviar Green

The Caviar Green product line is formulated to address allergies and sensitive skin in pets. It contains gentle ingredients that soothe and calm irritated skin, providing relief from itching and redness. This line is ideal for pets with allergies or those prone to skin sensitivities.

4. Derm

Derm is a specialized product line for pets with dermatitis or inflamed skin. It contains ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce redness, swelling, and discomfort. The Derm line provides targeted care for pets with dermatitis, promoting healing and restoring the skin's health.

5. Fruit Of The Groomer

The Fruit Of The Groomer product line focuses on maintaining healthy skin and coat through regular grooming. It includes a variety of products such as shampoos, conditioners, and finishing sprays, all enriched with fruit extracts that nourish and protect the skin. This line is ideal for pet owners who want to maintain their pet's skin health between grooming sessions.

6. Mineral Complex

The Mineral Complex product line harnesses the power of minerals to promote skin health and vitality. It contains a unique blend of minerals that provide essential nutrients to the skin, helping to restore its natural balance and resilience. The Mineral Complex products are suitable for all pets and can be used as part of a regular skin care routine.

7. Mineral Red

Mineral Red is a specialized product line designed to address specific skin issues such as dryness, itchiness, and inflammation. It contains a combination of minerals and natural ingredients that work synergistically to soothe and heal the skin. The Mineral Red products are particularly beneficial for pets with dry or sensitive skin.

The Importance of Proper Pet Grooming

In addition to using suitable skin care products, proper grooming practices are essential for maintaining healthy skin and coat in pets. Regular grooming sessions not only keep your pet looking their best but also promote skin health and prevent common issues.

During grooming sessions, be sure to:

Brush your pet's coat regularly to remove loose hair, tangles, and debris.

Bathe your pet using gentle shampoos and conditioners suitable for their skin and coat type.

Trim your pet's nails to prevent overgrowth and discomfort.

Clean your pet's ears to remove excess wax and prevent infections.

Brush your pet's teeth to maintain good dental hygiene and prevent dental-related issues.

Conclusion

Pets' skin health is a crucial aspect of their overall well-being. By prioritizing skin therapy and restoration, you can address common skin issues and provide relief to your furry friends. Iv San Bernard offers a wide range of products specifically designed for different skin conditions and coat types. With our natural and effective solutions, you can help restore and maintain healthy skin for your beloved pets.

For more information about IV San Bernard and our products, please visit our website or shop now!

#animal skin care #horse skin care #deskunk shampoo #skin restoration for pets #pet skin supplements #animal skin care product #pet skin therapy

[wtfcannabis11]

Caviar extract for hair: what is it and how does it work?

Caviar is no longer considered a premium ingredient. Loin roe's stylish cousin is high in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Its composition has piqued the interest of the scientific community, particularly in the beauty industry. As a result, you may find caviar extracts canada in a wide range of hair and skincare products. Caviar hair products have anti-ageing characteristics and potent chemicals that restore, renew, and alter hair, making them effective answers to even the most difficult hair issues. If you're interested in the subject, be sure to read this post all the way to the end: we'll go over all you need to know.

What is caviar?

Caviar, derived exclusively from sturgeons, consists of unfertilized fish eggs that are carefully salted. This culinary delicacy is often savoured raw, serving as a popular appetizer. Sturgeon was originally sourced from the Caspian and Black Seas, but because of overfishing and laws, hair caviar is now produced responsibly on farms across the world. Other popular varieties of fish roe include salmon roe (which is often bright orange and often served with sushi), but sturgeon roe is regarded as "true caviar." Some fish roe, such as loin roe, have a similar flavour, texture, and biological properties to caviar and can be used as a replacement. In the beauty business, caviar extracts canada are frequently used to reduce cellular inflammation, regulate blood pressure, increase keratin and collagen formation, and prevent ageing skin and hair.

3 Amazing Advantages of Caviar-Based Hair Products

Caviar provides several advantages to the scalp and hair. This ingredient's extracts are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and protein molecules, all of which can help to maintain healthy hair. With a considerable influence on the scalp, most treatments containing this component can give restructuring and healing advantages.

1. Essential Acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids promote skin, hair, and nail health. They stimulate the creation of collagen and keratin, two proteins essential for smooth, lustrous hair. Hair ages on its own, becoming fragile and prone to breakage. When this happens, you lose colour and lustre, as well as flexibility and the most crucial protein, keratin. Caviar can assist in rebuilding hair and scalp.

2. Antioxidants.

Caviar includes antioxidants and proteins that help to strengthen hair follicles and prevent collagen and elastin degeneration. This leads to thicker, stronger hair. Antioxidants also hydrate hair, preventing it from dryness, UV rays, and other environmental elements that might harm it. Antioxidants' preventive function, as well as the protein and omega fatty acid barrier, can help prevent additional hair damage, such as split ends (which can contribute to breaking) and thinning.

3. Vitamins

Caviar includes vitamin A, which promotes healthy sebum production while also preventing dryness and hair breakage. Vitamin D is another key vitamin that promotes hair development and prevents hair loss. Furthermore, zinc is beneficial to the immune system, cell regeneration, and strengthening strands and follicles. Other advantages of the nutrients included in caviar hair products include moderate moisturizing, greater hair elasticity, and overall better scalp health.

How do you include these things into your regular routine?

Using a caviar-based hair product is the quickest and most cost-effective approach to see results for your hair. Because it is a difficult and expensive commodity to obtain, it is preferable to utilize caviar items that are edible. It is also safe for all hair types, including extensions. However, it is especially effective on dry, brittle, dyed, and ageing hair. Those with damaged hair, whether due to chemical treatments or incorrect heat style, should check into leave-in caviar hair products. A caviar shampoo and conditioner designed particularly for dry hair and devoid of harsh chemicals will greatly improve the feel and appearance of your hair. They provide lustre, reduce frizz, and moisturize damaged and fragile hair. Keratin treatments can give moisture to the hair follicle, preventing breakage and frizz.

Precautions for Use

Caviar-based hair products may be overly rich for people with very fine or greasy hair. To avoid weighing down your hair or causing extra oil production, utilize lightweight oils and lotions. Using products made particularly for fine or oily hair removes the greasy residue that tends to accumulate and weigh down fine hair.

Conclusions

Caviar is a cherished element for our palate, but it has also been shown to be quite effective in cosmetic goods. The massive volume of acid, vitamin, and antioxidant solutions has proven to be critical for individuals seeking a revitalized, moisturized, and stronger scalp and hair. These fish eggs are a true cure for our beauty since they may immediately nourish the hair follicle, which is responsible for the growth of our locks. If you're shopping for new hair care products, including shampoo and styling products, check for ones with caviar extracts canada on the ingredient list. Remember to incorporate them into your cosmetic regimen, and your look will improve in no time.

#caviar extracts canada

[nanolamination]

Hair Botox Treatment and How It Benefits Your Hair

Hair is a beautiful natural thing that plays an important role in enhancing your look. We know that you love your hair so much. You can not tolerate someone saying bad things about your hair because hair is the only thing people notice in your personality first.

After all, you do not need to worry as here is a solution. Botox hair treatment is an entirely chemical-free solution. It can help you to maintain perfectly straight, smooth and silky hair. Hair botox has rich vitamins, proteins, and collagen, the ultimate restoration treatment for damaged tresses. Hair botox treatment is a new trend in the market among celebrities and hair care specialists.

Read below to learn more. 

How does Hair Botox treatment work?

Hair botox is a life-giving treatment for your damaged tresses. It is a deep conditioning treatment which coats hair fibers with a filler. This treatment helps to fill the breakage and thin areas on every hair strand to make the hair fuller and more lustrous. Professionals use certain ingredients to treat your hair and make it thicker. It can be Keratin, Collagen, Vitamin B5 and E, Caviar oil, and BONT-L'Peptide.

After all, you get a hair spa done at the salon, the same way hair botox strands have dried and straightened. This will seal the components in your cuticles. is directly applied to your hair strands. Your hair specialist first washes your locks and then uses the botox treatment, and then you need to sit for 60-90 minutes. After having it for a while, you will find that your hair treatment?

What are the benefits of botox hair treatment?

There are many benefits of botox hair treatment. Continue reading for its detailed benefits.

Reverses hair damages

You will face the fact that your hair is damaged by the environment. Hair botox can help restore health and shine in hair. Each day, your hair has to deal with dust, pollution, humidity, and the sun. This can take away its liveliness and make it appear dull and damaged.

You use shampoo and conditioner to overcome the damage, but you unknowingly use harsh chemicals and surfactants in your shampoo, and it can also leave you with split ends and frizz. Botox hair treatment is the only way to seal the cuticle layer and helps reverse hair damage.

2. Deep conditioning for frizzy hair

Hair botox is excellent for people with dry hair that doesn't absorb moisture easily. The treatment makes each hair strand healthier and adds moisture to dry hair. It helps seal the outer layer of hair and stops water from leaving, which keeps your dry hair hydrated.

3. Strengthens hair

Hair botox brings your damaged hair back to life. It makes your hair more flexible and helps to stay hydrated. These essential things help make your hair healthy, giving you solid and beautiful hair that can handle styling and damage.

4. Boost hair volume

This treatment makes flat hair look thicker and fuller. Hair botox contains protein, collagen, and other nutrients that help fix damaged hair by filling in the gaps in your hair strands. This makes each piece of hair look thicker. It can make your whole head of hair look fuller.

5. Protects from damage

The hair botox conditioning agent fixes the hair from the inside and creates a protective layer to stop more damage. This strengthening effect of hair botox helps keep your hair healthy and moisturized while growing. If you take care of it properly, you can ensure your hair stays healthy and smooth for many months.

Conclusion

Hair helps you look better. To maintain the beauty, you should consider botox hair treatment. It has been a prevalent treatment among people for years. 

Visit Nano Lamination to shop for the best hair botox products. 

#botox hair treatment

[webnewsify1]

Top 3 Best Shampoos for Men in 2023

If you've been buying the notorious all-in-one products and struggling with brittle, damaged hair, it's time to raise your standards and equip your shelf with the best men's shampoo for dry hair. We can imagine how amazingly high the racks of the beauty and grooming section can get. To save you the trouble of checking labels and searching for information, based on our expertise, we have curated a comprehensive list of essential shampoos that repair dull, dry and frizzy hair. Cleansing your scalp is at the top of the hair care game. Dry hair needs deep cleansing as well as deep nourishment. The right shampoo will effectively get rid of build-up, dirt, and grime, without stripping the scalp and hair of natural oils. With an appropriate shampoo session that includes conditioning and weekly masks, you'll see healthier hair that feels nourished and is easier to style and maintain. To keep your dry hair care regimen going, check out our line-up of the most loved and top-rated men's shampoos:

1)Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Buy Now on Amazon From joining the haircare roster of celebrities to trending on social media, Olaplex Shampoo has been an exemplary product for treating dry hair. Contains OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology that repairs, hydrates and nourishes hair, leaving it looking shiny and healthy. While maintaining the bonds, this shampoo ensures less breakage and split ends. Get better manageability and softer hair in just a few washes. Just apply a generous amount, massage well and wash off!         Pros - Free of silicons and oils - Hair strengthening - Damage repair - Works well on fine hair - Cruelty-free - Value for money - Pleasant smell

2)SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo for Dry

Buy Now on Amazon Treat your dry hair to intense moisture and start the treatment with SheaMoisture's Hydration Shampoo. Key ingredients are shea butter, mafura oil, manuka honey, baobab oil and fig extract, which work together to replenish and revitalize your hair. The chemical-free formula is enriched with natural goodness and works well for all hair types to provide clean, soft and shiny hair. By creating a rich lather, the shampoo also protects hair from environmental stressors.         Pros - Pleasant smell - Cleanses well - Hydrates - No paraben - No phthalates - No mineral oil - No animal testing - No petrolatum

3)Nexxus Therappe Moisturizing Shampoo

Buy Now on Amazon Bring salon-goodness into your home with Therap Shampoo from Nexus. Formulated with ProteinFusion Blend, Elastin Protein and Green Caviar Complex, the lightweight formula leaves hair moisturised for up to 24 hours. Essential nutrients hydrate hair, lock in moisture and provide a smooth finish. The shampoo also maintains the natural movement and flexibility of the hair. The science-backed haircare provided by the shampoo aims to repair dry hair and combat damage, bringing life back to your hair.        Pros - Convenient pump - Great for regular use - Good smell - Maintains curls - Lasting quantity     Read the full article

[snassallamy]

Caviar hair mask has become a must-have artifact for many hair care professionals! Now it's your turn to experience its charm! Give your hair an eye-catching healthy glow with this Caviar Hair Mask!

#hair care #hair color #hair dye #hair salon

[lavyahairdesign]

Hair Botox - A Safe and Effective Hair Treatment

Hair Botox is a safe treatment that can help improve the condition of your damaged hair. It can be used in a salon or at home. However, you should be aware that this hair treatment is not permanent and may need to be repeated 3-4 times a year to maintain the results. Before you undergo this treatment, it is important to find a reputable salon that uses quality ingredients. You should also check the product’s ingredient list to make sure you don’t have any allergies or irritation to the chemicals in the hair treatment. If you do have a sensitivity, you should consult your dermatologist or try a test spot before having the entire treatment.

The Botox hair treatment can help to restore the appearance of your damaged hair by nourishing it and locking intense moisture into each individual strand. This helps to reduce frizz and provides a smooth, soft and shiny finish to your hair. This treatment is suited for all hair types, but it is especially effective for dry and low porous hair. It can also help to reduce hairfall.

This deep conditioning hair treatment is free from chemical smoothers, such as formaldehyde, and instead nourishes the strands with natural ingredients. These include caviar oil, antioxidants, vitamins B5 and E, and a collagen complex. The treatment can last up to several months and is highly recommended for those who suffer from dry, frizzy and dull hair.

After shampooing your hair, your stylist will apply the treatment to each strand of your hair, section by section, and leave it on for about 20-90 minutes. The stylist will then blow dry your hair and straighten it with a flat iron to help the product penetrate the strands of your hair more deeply.

The stylist will then rinse off the treatment and shampoo your hair again. It is important to use a sulfate-free shampoo as this will prevent your hair from drying out and will help extend the longevity of the treatment.

Hair botox can last up to 2-4 months depending on how often you wash your hair and what products you use. It is important to visit a salon for this hair treatment, as they will ensure that the process is applied evenly and that it does not cause heat damage to your precious tresses. They will also recommend that you use a sulfate-free hair conditioner after each hair wash to retain the effects of the treatment and keep your strands looking healthy and strong. If you follow these tips, your hair will look amazing and will be stronger and more resilient to damage. This treatment is worth the investment as it can help to restore your damaged strands and give you the beautiful and healthy hair that you deserve!

Lavya Hair Design are your first choice for a Hairdresser in Toowoomba for modern hair cuts, crisp clean hair colours and naturally nourished hair.

Visit our brand new salon in Toowoomba Plaza near Kmart, where you can relax in style and be pampered whilst enjoying our affordable hair package deals.

#bridal makeup toowoomba #botox for hair treatment #botox hair treatment #botox treatment hair

[kimiricamarketing]

Best Plant-Based Extracts That Are Used To Make Your Skin Healthy And Radiant

Despite the fact that self-care is an essential everyday ritual, many of us skip it. And even if many do take the liberty of indulging in it, they chose the wrong products. Laced with harmful chemicals and toxins, the new-age skincare products cause more harm to your skin than heal it. So, how do we choose the right products then?

Since time immemorial, plant-based ingredients have been used for daily skin care. No wonder people in ancient times had healthy and radiant skin. With growing awareness, using plant-powered products has become an enduring contemporary trend.

The plant-based extracts derived from natural ingredients work wonders on your skin giving it a healthier and glowing look. It is hence important that you make a conscious choice of using products that comprise plant-based extracts. On their own, these extracts are natural healers and provide powerful skin benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best plant-based extracts used for healthy and radiant-looking skin.

Squalane

     It is known as Nature’s best hydrator for a strong reason. Squalane provides intense hydration and improves skin at the cellular level. It protects the skin from the loss of moisture, strengthens the skin barrier, and also neutralizes the damage caused by UV light. This extract is naturally derived from Olives and is known to mimic skin’s natural oils making it an excellent skin and hair emollient.

Amla Extract

Worried about the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? Try including skin care products with amla extract in them. Why? Amla extract derived from the Indian Gooseberry is a natural antioxidant that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of skin conditions. It is an excellent superfood that can contribute to the glowing complexion of your skin. Its incredibly high antioxidant abilities also make it an anti-aging hero. As an active constituent of Purifying+Oil Control Face Wash, it protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals. It acts as a lightning agent and gives a radiant feel to the skin.

Ashwagandha Root Extract

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng is a powerful herb that has been used in traditional Indian skincare for centuries. It has a variety of skin benefits and has its place in the ingredients of many skin care products. It is non-comedogenic in nature and clears the dirt present in the pores leaving your skin clean and fresh. It effectively diminishes fine lines, marks, deep wrinkles, and scars. The Ashwagandha Root Extract in this Skin Rejuvenating Serum can help improve the health and appearance of your skin, adding youthfulness to it.

Liquorice Root Extract (Mulethi) and Turmeric Root Extract (Haldi)

These plant-powered extracts are irreplaceable constituents in the skin-care essentials of the age-old Ayurveda for flawless beauty and radiant skin. Mulethi is a potent antioxidant and helps prevent skin damage. It also reduces the formation of excess melanin on the skin reducing the chances of hyperpigmentation. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent. Haldi is an age-old healing agent known for calming and soothing the skin. It provides a natural glow and luster to the skin making it radiant.

Both the Liquorice and Turmeric Root extracts are the major skin-brightening ingredients in the Hydrating+Brightening Face Cream. As the major constituent of many plant-based serums, Mulethi extract acts as an excellent skin exfoliant, and Haldi extract is used for reducing dark circles and dark spots.

Organic Plant-based AHA

Extracted from the Organic Australian Caviar Lime, this organic plant-based AHA gently exfoliates dead skin. It promotes collagen production and boosts blood circulation. Found in the best skincare products, it evens out the skin complexion and reduces hyperpigmentation & blemishes. Also, due to its unmatchable benefits, most plant-powered beauty serums contain organic plant-based AHA. It helps in reducing dark circles for a healthy and bright under-eye area. Its regular use also prevents acne resulting in healthy and clearer-looking skin.

Brown Rice Extract

This active ingredient is known for its ability to make your skin blemish-free. It acts as a powerful exfoliant and is a major part of skincare products such as face washes because of its high concentration of vitamins B1, B2, and E, minerals, and proteins. Brown rice extract helps to moisturize the skin, and strengthen the skin barrier. It also promotes cell growth and stimulates blood flow giving you a vibrant and bright appearance.

Oats Extract

An active ingredient that does it all. This Oats extract which is also known as Avena Sativa possesses skin-barrier-repairing omega 5 & 6 fatty acids. It has excellent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, moisturizing, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It maintains the skin’s barrier integrity and protects it from free radical damage. This extract is popularly used as a constituent in a body lotion as it helps retain valuable water needed to keep our skin healthy and hydrated.

The escalating trend of using plant-powered skincare products has proven how people are becoming aware of the toxic effects of chemicals on the skin. Plant-based extracts work wonders with no harsh effects on the skin making it naturally healthy and radiant.

These are laced with multiple healing properties and do no harm even when used for the long term.

#Hydrating+Brightening Face Cream

[brainbanjo04]

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[kujakumai]

cleaned up old WIP, 2800 words, AU where Yami Bakura succeeds in switching hosts in DK and Mokuba makes friends with an evil ghost. Not going to be continued but it literally would not leave my brain alone until I finished it.

Things were not going according to plan.

The plan was to take control of a soulless puppet, an easy vessel incapable of interfering with his ends. He had the vessel, had accomplished that much, but he was not expecting the pharaoh and his little friends to succeed and convince Pegasus to give everyone their souls back. So now not only was there a second person in this body he had to keep suppressed, but now he was stuck impersonating a child, smiling through an awkward reunion and then placed onto a helicopter next to a gangly high school student who was watching him like a hawk.

The spirit-that-was-no-longer-Yami-Bakura knew that he was supposed to be Mokuba, but he did not remember the tall one's name. K-something. He had a stupid jacket and hardly took his eyes off him the entire ride, as if he thought his little brother was going to disappear in a puff of smoke when he wasn't looking. Annoying. Infuriating. Luckily it did not seem he wanted to talk, or at least accepted silence. No one expects recent kidnapping victims to say much, which was a boon. A little dazed, a little quiet, a little off, and no one really found it unusual.

They dropped off the pharaoh and his friends, and finally landed at a gaudy and ostentatious house so large it took him a second to realize it was a home at all, an absurd monument to decadence with grounds full of ugly topiaries. Wealth, then. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad. He could work with this. The rich kid in the stupid coat quietly held his hand the entire walk up the driveway, until they entered a foyer just as gilded and obscene as the outside had been.

No, things were not going to plan, and playing grade-schooler was awkward and an insult to his dignity, and he was farther away from the other millennium items as he ever had been. He would have to grit his teeth through it until he could figure out the next step. In the meantime, perhaps, enjoy some amenities.

Richie rich sighed, relaxed his shoulders the moment they got inside. He looked at who he thought was his little brother and gave him a small, exhausted but genuine smile. He struggled with what to say next.

"Mokuba," he said, "I have to check on a few things in my office. See what kind of damage they did. Do you want to come with me?"

"No." Finally, a chance to be out of this idiot's sight.

This answer seemed to surprise him, a twitch of skepticism. "Will you be okay by yourself?"

He nodded. Keep answers short, when you're impersonating.

His face betrayed more skepticism, concern, and the tiniest hint of disappointment. As if rich kid himself was the one who was scared to be alone in his own house. He accepted the answer, though, to the spirit's relief.

Rich kid bent down and pulled him into a tight hug and ruffled his hair. "We'll get something special for dinner, okay? And ice cream."

"I do like ice cream." This was true. Ryou Bakura almost never bought ice cream, and when he did it was the stupid healthy kind that everyone knew shouldn't even really qualify as ice cream, which was another reason he was a terrible host. That and the fact that he was startlingly pale and had the upper body strength of a limp noodle and the personality of skim milk. This would be better, even if he had to deal with the abrupt drop in height.

Rich kid headed off towards the staircase with another tired but trying-to-be-reassuring smile, and it was then that the spirit of the ring felt an annoyance in the back of his brain. A presence. A scratching, biting, flailing presence, screeching mad, which he had been suppressing for a while now but finally broke through.

get out get out get out get out give it back its MINE get out

The host, awake. What a bother. More rambunctious than Bakura, then? No matter. He could handle a child.

that was MY hug and MY headpat and MY big brother and you can't have them he's been gone for ages and they're mine not yours get out get out get out

The spirit pushed back, ignored him. Shush. He had planned to hold this body alone, and he did not intend to go back to sharing. If you're good, I might let you have it back for a little while later.

shut up go away go away go away go AWAY

And then Mokuba Kaiba did something, something the spirit was not accustomed to or expecting at all, something which Ryou Bakura had never been willing or able to do. He shoved, violently, and the spirit of the ring was ripped out of control with some amount of panic.

"SETOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Why you insolent little--

Seto Kaiba was not aware of the mental turf war happening over his little brothers body. What he did see was his brother scream his name and fall down, and the whole room echoed with a metal clatter as his briefcase fell on the floor and he ran towards him.

--

The ring had been discarded unceremoniously to a side table, and not-Bakura-and-not-Mokuba-either had no choice but to wait and observe, as a pediatrician on a sudden housecall shined lights in the boy's eyes and rich kid, who the spirit had since gleaned was named Seto Kaiba, looked on in worry.

"You said you heard a voice?" The doctor asked.

"Uh-huh. I think it lives in the necklace."

"You got that thing at Pegasus's house?" Kaiba asked, in disbelief.

"I don't remember. I was just wearing it when I woke up."

"What did the voice say?" the doctor continued, professionally ignoring any talk about magic necklaces.

"Not a lot. It was kind of mean."

"I see." She turned to Kaiba. "He's fine, physically. You might want a psychologist." and Seto Kaiba made what could politely be referred to as A Face. This was not what he wanted to hear, this was news that worried and annoyed him in equal measure, and to some degree was news he had half-expected.

"He's had a rough few months. I'll look into it." and she was dismissed, and Mokuba hopped down from the counter.

"Can we order pizza?" he asked, with big pleading eyes.

Kaiba watched him with dry amusement. "Mokuba, you can have anything you want from any restaurant in a forty mile radius."

"And I want pizza. Real pizza, from somewhere that doesn't also serve caviar."

"Cheap pizza?"

He nodded very seriously. "The grossest greasiest cheapest."

"I can do that. Anything else you want?"

Mokuba's eyes lit up, and soon he was dragging Kaiba by the hand towards somewhere else in the house. "I got to this really hard level in my game I can't get past and I wanted to see if you could beat it, and I found this really cool video I wanted to show you, and I got a really good report card you never saw, and--" and months worth of pent up requests were tumbling out rapid fire, and Kaiba was smiling with affection and some amount of relief.

Loud and clingy, then, was the normal and expected behavior. The spirit of the ring made note of this, as he lie abandoned.

--

The ring was still sitting on a side table, in Mokuba's bedroom, apparently because no one knew what to with it or thought it mattered much. This was a problem. The spirit couldn't do anything without a host, and now everyone was suspicious, these stupid rich people worried too much and paid too much attention.

He was forced to sit there all night, pondering about how he was going to get out of this mess, when at one or two in the morning he observed Mokuba wake up, and rub his eyes, and hop out of bed. He did not turn the light on, but he did check the time, and reach under his bed to retrieve what appeared to be a small backpack. He took it with him as he moved quietly towards the door, and the spirit saw his chance.

Hey, kid. He was near enough to speak into his head. Maybe this wasn't a dead end.

"You!" Mokuba stopped in his tracks and looked right at the ring.

Yes, me. This could be salvaged, he thought, concocting a plan. This was a child. Play friendly ghost and imaginary friend. Surely it would not be hard to weasel himself into the good graces of a sixth grader.

Mokuba glared at the ring with suspicion. "I don't think Seto believed me when I said you could talk, but I knew it." He picked it up delicately by the string to examine.

Where on earth are you going at this time of night?

Mokuba was the current host, technically, so there was a connection, and 11 year olds are not particularly used to or adept at hiding their own thoughts, especially inside their own heads. The answer, if not in words but in abstract concept, was provided instantly as it bubbled to mind. He was going to the kitchen, as he did once or twice a week, not their personal kitchen but the house staff kitchen, where he would move a chair to stand on the counter to reach the very back of the highest shelf of the third cupboard to the left, which was where one of the cleaning staff kept a pile of chocolate so he could cheat on his diet without his wife knowing, a fact Mokuba knew through surreptitious eavesdropping. Mokuba's end was to steal just enough of it that he wouldn't be noticed, and add it to a stash of snacks and other shiny trinkets currently hidden in the bottom of a pile of legos in his closet.

...You steal food to hide in your closet? Why would a child who lived in a three-story mansion need to steal?

Mokuba was only mildly perturbed by the fact that someone had just read his mind. He was mainly curious, now. "Our dad didn't like junk food, so I always took stuff to keep around." he explained, "I guess I don't really have to anymore, 'cuz Seto will let me have whatever I want, but--" he faltered, unable to finish or give a reason.

There wasn't a reason, and Mokuba knew that. There was no need to sneak or stash or steal anymore, but he kept doing it, irrationally, for reasons that confused him, a complicated swirl of things a child could not name or understand but were very easy for the spirit to read. Fear; compulsion; habit; the illusion of safety; the sense that your life was precarious, unstable; a need to exert control over your surroundings. It was not the food or the stealing that mattered, but of the hiding, of having something they could not take away from him.

Mokuba didn't understand any of that, because he was 11 and 11 year olds don't understand why they do anything. He just knew he liked sweets and hated people telling him what to do and that having bags of chips and other people’s lost jewelry at the bottom of an old toybox made him feel better.

Can I come with you?

"No! You tried to take control of me!"

Yes, but you kicked me out, and you'd probably be able to do it again, so I would be stupid to try. I also like chocolate, you see, and it's very boring to be stuck here on your desk.

"Can you even eat? You're a necklace."

I can when I borrow a body.

"You tried to take over me so you could eat chocolate? I'm not stupid enough to believe that."

That and other things. I can't do very much at all, while stuck in the ring. No food, no sunshine, no running around. It's no fun to be without a body, which is why I am occasionally driven to steal one. Terribly sorry about that. he added, in his most pathetic-sounding tone, Please? I don't have anyone else to talk to.

Mokuba was hesitant, but clearly found the fact of his existence too interesting to ignore. "Fine." He picked up the ring and dropped it unceremoniously into his backpack, which had a dragon on it.

Not trust yet, but tolerance and curiosity. One step at a time.

You shouldn't go barefoot, you know. Socks will be quieter if you're trying not to get caught.

"I didn't ask you."

So Mokuba descended down the stairwell, in the dead quiet and dark of the Kaiba Mansion, with no flashlight because he knew it well enough to navigate blindfolded. The place was decadent in the ugly way rich people's houses were, luxury but without taste, soft carpets and gilded banisters.

Mokuba had not quite realized yet how to think at the ring, so he spoke in a low whisper. "What are you, anyway?"

A ghost. So much more complicated than that, but simple words were suitable for children.

"How'd you end up a ghost in a necklace?"

I died, and then someone put me in a necklace.

"That's not an answer." he followed up, "Do all dead people become ghosts?"

No. Just sometimes, maybe, if the way they died was especially violent or gruesome or terrible.

Mokuba frowned. He had caught on remarkably quickly to guarding his own head, but the spirit could tell he didn't like this answer.

This was delicate, but he risked a push. Was there someone you had in mind?

Mokuba said nothing. He reached the staff kitchen on the lowest floor, and opened the door, slow and careful. He was deciding whether to say anything, as he climbed up as quietly as he could and reached far into the back of the cupboard, scrabbling.

"Our dad killed himself last year. Jumped out a window." He finally said, hopping down with his spoils. He said this the same way one might dolefully report the milk had gone bad. Unfortunate but boring.

You don't sound very sad.

"Nah, he sucked. And he never liked me." he said, "Seto was really really upset though. He was pretending not to be, but I could tell." Now there were feelings there, big and weird and sad and clinging ones. For reasons the spirit could not discern, the simple phrase ‘Seto was upset’ carried with it more weight, a thousand million times more weight, than news of a father's tragic death by defenestration. "I hope he's not a ghost. I don't wanna see him again."

Probably not.

Mokuba sat down cross-legged on the kitchen floor, unwrapped candy in silver foil. "You really can't do anything from in the necklace? Like, ghost stuff? Make things float or anything?"

No. It is a bit like being trapped in a very small box.

Mokuba mulled this over for a little while. "If you wanted to borrow a body to do fun stuff, you could have just asked."

Really?

He nodded. "Not being able to eat chocolate sounds lame. It'd be mean to just leave you like that." He put one chocolate into his mouth and dumped the rest in the backpack, where they covered the ring unceremoniously. More indignities. "Not in front of my brother, though. And you have to give it back whenever I say so."

...I could agree to such a compromise. Your candy haul is impressive, by the way.

"Thanks!" He grinned, emanating genuine pride. No one had ever complimented him for stealing before.

Tragic, the work of great thieves. How the very best of it can never be bragged about, the most impressive of skills gone unnoticed by nature, how the very success of a perfect crime relies on keeping your mouth shut about it. An unappreciated art, where even mastery gains you no respect.

You don't care that this poor man has to go out and buy twice as much food to make up for what you steal?

"No, he's a jerk. One time when I was six they confiscated my gameboy, so I went to steal it back and he caught me and told my dad and I got in huge trouble. So every day for a week I snuck down here and moved his keys to a different place so he couldn't find them. They were all so mad at him for losing them all the time, and he thought he was crazy."

Why was your gameboy confiscated?

"Don't remember. I think I bit someone at school." he shrugged, "They probably deserved it, though."

Mokuba Kaiba. he said, I think you and I are going to be excellent friends.

"Okay. Do ghosts watch cartoons?"

#unsure if this is good enough to post to AO3 #but it was fun!

[weeinterpreter]

Could u please write a fic of artemis dying again..? Pleaaaaaaaase i beg u .

He hadn’t thought of them in a long time, but that afternoon Artemis caught himself repeatedly, reminiscing about the two people that were absent in his life.

Juliet Butler had lost her hardest battle almost fifty years ago. The cancer had moved fast. So fast that she didn't even have time to say goodbye. Dear, old Butler never recovered. Alex liked to say that the loyal servant had died from a broken heart.

Artemis sat up, slowly, wincing. Alex was by his side in an instant, pushing a pillow further up.

"And that, despite my healthy lifestyle," Artemis joked, gasping for breath. Alex chuckled, the lines around his eyes growing deeper. A grey strand of hair fell over his forehead.

"You mean caviar and Earl Grey? How did you ever survive without me?" Alex asked, placing a wrinkly hand over Artemis's.

"How ever, indeed," Artemis murmured, examining the age spots on his hands. Their grip had weakened over the years. The arthritis had restricted Alex's movement, but they were still as warm as ever. "You know, I always expected Butler and me to die on a deserted island... or was it at the foot of a volcano? No, no, it was in an abandoned mine shaft. And Bach's... Mozart's Requiem would play in the background, stopping–"

"Stopping at the note, Mozart finished himself before dying?" Alex finished with a raise of his eyebrow. "How very melodramatic."

They shared a quiet laugh before Artemis became serious again.

"I'll be miserably lonely in Hell."

"Of course, you will," Alex said with a snort. "But I'll get you out and then we'll sneak up into Heaven and you start trafficking priceless angel memorabilia. As long as there are no staircases to climb."

Artemis laughed until he coughed violently. He wiped away the tears from his cheek with a trembling hand, and the two men sat in silence, listening to the birdsong outside the window. Almost like their personal little concert.

Suddenly, Artemis frowned. "What time is it?"

"2:23 in the afternoon," Alex said, almost apologetically. "I will say 'hi' to them for you."

Artemis nodded, relaxing. "Did I mention I am still de facto president of the People?"

"Only about 325 times, love," Alex said, rolling his eyes.

Both looked up to see their daughter and granddaughter entering. Roisin – her eyes red and swollen – stopped next to Alex, bending down to kiss first him, then Artemis on the cheek.

Meanwhile, Aisling climbed on the bed, hugging a doll to her chest and regarding Artemis for a long moment.

"Will you get better?"

Roisin's lips trembled, and she turned away, rushing to the window. Artemis waved his granddaughter closer.

"Unlikely," – he wheezed – "but I can tell you where I have hidden my secret fairy treasure."

Aisling's eyes went round.

"When I was about your age, I kidnapped a fairy and stole all her money."

"That's not very nice, is it?" Aisling asked, wrinkling her nose.

Smiling at the indignation in those big green eyes, Artemis shrugged. He didn't finish the story as his body shook with another coughing fit. Roisin lifted Aisling from the bed.

"Grandpa can tell you the story another time, darling," she said. "We'll let him nap for a moment, okay?"

Aisling waved them goodbye. Artemis weakly lifted his hand, but dropped it back on the cover.

"I’m tired."

Alex smiled, his eyes treacherously moist. "Rest. I can read you something, if you like?"

Artemis nodded and closed his eyes one last time.

#you asked for it #have yourself some death #i also added that little extra bit of artemis running for president that a-c-u-l-o-s and i came up with because it's hilarious #artemis fowl #alex rider #alexmis #domovoi butler #fowldom #x #request #wee's writing workshop #fanfiction #artemis fowl fanfiction #juliet butler #writers on tumblr #writeblr #angst #death #artemis fowl ii #weerequest

[thatesqcrush]

Game Night

Rafael Barba x Reader. CW: Rough sex, dub-con to be safe, talks of dom/sub dynamics. NSFW. AN: Fills the mirror sex card in kink bingo. WC: 2371

AN: Y/B/F/N: your best friend’s name 

--

Rafael hadn’t meant to overhear your conversation. He presumed you were asleep as he had to work late in the office finishing up a motion for summary judgment. You were standing against the door of the bathroom, talking to whom he assumed was a friend. He wasn’t expecting what came out of your mouth next.

“I wish he would do that. Just take me, bend me over and fuck me. God, that sounds so fucking hot!”

The Catholic guilt set in. He knew he should go straight down to your shared bedroom. Curiosity bested him and he took another step forward. The floorboard creaked and he automatically froze. You did too and peeked your head out. “Rafi! You’re home!” You turned to the receiver, dropping your head down. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow – Thai for lunch? Perfect.”

You hung up the phone and placed it on the mahogany stained console table before straightening the vase of roses that graced it – roses, Rafael had bought for you earlier in the week.

“Guapo!” You greeted him once more, wrapping your arms around him. “Welcome home. I’ve missed you.” You pressed a large kiss on his lips before nuzzling his neck. Rafael squeezed your close to him, his fingertips pressing into the dip of your waist. He returned your kiss.

“I’ve missed you too.” He murmured. “Who was that you were talking to?”

“Oh! Y/B/F/N – work had her overseas for a bit, remember? She just got back earlier today. We’re going to have lunch tomorrow.” You spun on your heels and made a move to break the embrace, when Rafael pulled you back closer to him. You let out a giggle, feeling Rafael’s hardened cock against your ass. Feeling lascivious, you wiggled against his erection. Rafael let out a small growl before picking you up and throwing you over his shoulders. Marching towards the bedroom, he gave your ass a resounding smack which caused you to squeal. And then in the bedroom, he made you come again and again and again.

--

You were surprised the next morning when you found Rafael sitting on the couch, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. You wore his old Harvard t-shirt, which had seen better years. It was tattered and frayed but extremely soft and comfortable. Rafael had purchased a new one and planned to toss that one, but you insisted on keeping it for yourself.

You threw yourself onto the opposite end of the couch, stretching out your legs, until they had just touched his outer thighs. “I thought you had work.”

Rafael put down his coffee and paper on the end table, before grabbing your feet. You let out a soft moan as he began to rub them. “I took the day off, figured we hadn’t had a long weekend in ages. We were overdue.”

You let out a squeal before your plans for the day smacked you in the face. “Ah shit, I have plans with Y/B/F/N for lunch, remember?”

Rafael cocked his head. “Well, go to lunch. I know you’ve missed her. In the meantime, breakfast? Russ & Daughters?”

You nodded in agreement. “Just don’t get the caviar cream cheese again.” You crinkled your nose, making a face. Rafael let out a guffaw. “Duly noted.”

--

While you had gone out to lunch, Rafael busied himself with errands. He dropped off his suits at the cleaners and picked up a rare two volume set at Argosy Bookstore. He was drinking an Earl Grey latte when he walked past the store front for a sex shop. Rafael paused, taking in the brick and mortar shop. The window front appeared tame upon first blush, but on closer inspection, it was the opposite. Frosted glass covered the majority of the window, but past the coated glass, there was very sensual black and white imagery: a woman moaning, an image of sinewy thigh – and the implication that they wore a strap-on, hands gripping someone’s skin tightly. Curiosity piqued and your comment haunting his mind, he took a large gulp and went inside.

The store was elegant, with curtain lights hanging off the ceiling. Floor to ceiling bookshelves were filled with books covering every kink and pleasure known. Vibrators, dildos, anal plugs of all shapes and sizes graced floating shelves. Rafael chuckled quietly at the handcuffs.

“May I help you? I’m Liria and I own this shop.”

Rafael jumped slightly and turned around. He came face to face with a petite woman in an off the shoulder billowing dress with a bemused look on her face. An obscene amount of bangles hung off her wrists and clanked together as she clasped her hands together.

“I… my partner…” Rafael began, finding himself at a loss for words. He had always assumed you and him had a healthy and happy sex life. You never once voiced that it was anything but. Your comment gnawed at him and he was eager to want to please, but he wasn’t sure how.

“Deep breath sir. Nothing to be ashamed of here.” Liria winked. “Tell me about your partner. Tell me about their wants and your desires.”

Rafael ended up staying in the shop for hours on end, going over details of his sex life with you with someone who was a complete stranger, but yet, felt comfortable being a complete open book with. As a lawyer, as a prosecutor, Liria explained, Rafael was a natural dominant. There was truth within that role that resonated with being a dominant. Thanks to the nature of his work, he was worried about taking on such a role.

“The goal is to alter your style slightly based on your submissive; you will still have a style distinct to you. You can keep those elements of what are true to you without compromising the needs of your submissive. You’re already going to be a good dom. In order to be an effective dom, it requires intuition, reading nonverbal communication and empathy, all of which you have. That said, submission is about the giving/receiving of power. Think about how you want to feel. Think about what arouses you. Think about what turns you on.”

Finally Rafael blurted out what he had heard you say. “She wants me to just bend her over –"

The sound of his phone vibrating interrupted him. “Excuse me.” Rafael apologized. Liria watched Rafael intently as he spoke with you. Murmurs of a game night invite popped up, to which he agreed to. Liria raised a finger, mouthing she would be back to which Rafael nodded. A few minutes passed and he was off the phone. Liria returned with a host of different items.

The air in the room changed with Rafael realizing he had to be on his way. Liria continued talking to him about dominating as he paid for a few items that he was certain would help spice things up. And then he was on his way.

--

A sucker for trip-hop and downtempo music, you had an eclectic mix of music playing loudly in the apartment when Rafael returned home. He set down his bags and walked down to the kitchen in search of you.

“Y/N?” Rafael called out.

“Bathroom, doing my makeup.” You called out.

Rafael made his way to the bathroom and felt his cock stir in his pants at the sight of you bent over, in just a loose tanktop, that barely skimmed the tops of your thighs and lacey black panties. From the reflection in the mirror, he can tell your nipples are hard. His eyes darted to the phone and your comments ring in his head once more. He walked over to the kitchen, poured himself a scotch and downed it in one gulp. He slammed the drink on the table and walked into the bedroom where he whipped off the sweater he wore and made his way back to the bathroom.

You felt Rafael’s presence behind you as you glued on a false lash. You squeezed your eye shut, adjusting and then opened them, batting your lashes repeatedly. Your lips were painted a bright orange-red and your cheeks were dewy. You smiled brightly at Rafael’s reflection and moved to coat them in mascara. A large hand trailed down your back, landing at the hem of your underwear. Rafael traced it ever so lightly before snapping the band. You were about to turn your head to say something when Rafael wrapped his hand around your hair and pulled tightly.

“Look at you, teasing papi like that… you make my cock so fucking hard.” Rafael growled in your ear.

“Do I now?” You breathed, your heart racing in anticipation. He let loose your hair and took your hand before placing it on his erection. You rubbed his erection and a rumble emanated from his chest.

Rafael braced you over the sink, his hand splayed down the small of your back, forcing you to assume a subservient, bent over position. An ache pooled between your legs and you felt yourself grow wet when he nudged your feet apart with the tip of his brogues.

Rafael rutted against your ass as his hands ran over the front of your chest, grabbing the swells of your breasts and pinching your nipples. “You’re going to take this cock, me entiendes?”

You let out a whimper and nodded. Rafael stood back and freed his cock, giving the length a few pumps before he got to the waistband of your underwear. Rafael pushed the material aside as he slipped two thick, long fingers inside of you. You moaned loudly in response.

“Did I say you could moan?” Rafael grunted as he pumped his fingers in and out of you. You shook your head as you bucked against his hand, eager for more. In response, Rafael stroked you harder, his fingers curling to stroke that sweet spot inside of you. You could hear how wet you were as his digits moved in and out of you, twisting and scissoring. You gripped the edges of the sink, trembling as you felt your orgasm grow in your belly. Just as you felt your orgasm broach, Rafael took his fingers out roughly and you whined at the absent feeling. Rafael brought his fingers to your mouth and you accepted them eagerly, sucking them off as if they were his cock.

Rafael removed his fingers and bent you over again. “What do you want?”

“Please.” You begged. “Fuck me.”

You felt his cock at the tip of your entrance and he teased you, smacking his cock against your cunt. He slipped through your slick and settled at your entrance. “Is this what you want?”

You nodded. “Please, please.” You begged shamelessly.

Without warning, Rafael thrusted fully into you, burying his cock into you. You let out a gasp and Rafael began to fuck into you hard and fast, his balls slapping against you.

“Oh fuck!” You moaned. Rafael’s hands smoothed up your sides, pulling your tank top up roughly, exposing your breasts. He cupped your breasts, tugging on your nipples until they were more sensitive than they were before. One hand remained on the dip of your hip, pulling you down onto his cock, while another wrapped up into your hair, pulling you so you were flushed against him. Rafael’s breath on your neck was hot and you could smell the scotch he had earlier.

“Look in the mirror.” Rafael grunted and he moved his hand from your hip to your chin, forcing you to look in the mirror. The reflection of Rafael’s stern face as he fucked you from behind – him taking you without abandon, titillated you. “Look at how beautiful you look getting fucked with my cock.”

You let out a whine as he slowed his pace, teasing you with a circle of his hips. It didn’t last long as he began to fuck into you even harder, your ass jiggling with every impact of his hips smacking against yours.

“I am going to come…” you warned. Rafael nipped your ear, gripping your hair tighter.

“Better ask my permission.” He replied, his voice low and husky.

“Please… can I come?”

“You want to come for me? Come on that cock?” Rafael asked as he reached down to rub your clit.

“Please! Please let me come… oh fuck, oh fuck!”  

“Come for me, show me how much you enjoy being fucked like a good little slut you are.” Rafael commanded. Your walls fluttered around his cock. 

“That’s it.” Rafael encouraged. “Good girl.”

You wailed his name as you came. Your orgasm tore through your veins and your cunt gripped his cock tightly, triggering his own release.

“Oh shit. I am going to come!” Rafael grunted as he thrusted erratically. His fingers gripped your hips tightly as he stiffened. You could feel his cock pulse and twitch inside of you. He pulled out, stepping back on slightly wobbly feet. Rafael reached and fixed your underwear.

“That was so much better than I could have ever imagined.” You replied dreamily, as you felt his cum seep out of you and ruin your underwear even more. A thought occurred to you and you looked at him, eyes wide. “How did you know?”

“I heard you on the phone.” Rafael confessed. “But it was okay? It was good for you?”

You wrapped your arms around him and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Of course.”

After a few beats Rafael asked you about the upcoming game night and you moved to freshen your makeup.

You went to change your underwear after choosing your outfit when Rafael stopped you.

“Leave them on. I want you to wear them the whole time at game night. Just think about me fucking you.” Rafael purred.

--

At your friend’s place, you and Rafael sat across from each other, as it was girls vs boys in charades. You shifted in your seat, your underwear thoroughly ruined from earlier. Rafael took a swig of his beer and cocked a brow at you, causing your cheeks to burn.

“Oh, Y/N?” Rafael called out to you oh so innocently. You looked at Rafael as everyone began to settle in.

“Remind me when we get home to tell me about a little shop I found. You’re going to love it.”

FIN

--

Tags: @madpanda75 @tropes-and-tales @delia26 @mgarner1227 @beardedmccoy @youreverycolor @neely1177 @the-baby-bookworm @mrsrafaelbarba @skittle479 @ottosuricato @prurientpuddlejumper @sass-and-suspenders @mommakat32 @dreila03 @beccabarba @garturbo @lovebennycolon @imjustreallynosy @sweetsummertime99 @whyissvuruiningmylovelife @annabelleb49​ @scarletsoldierrr @cesarofangirl78 @redlipstickandplaid @redlipstickandblacktea​ @zoeykaytesmom​ @differentshadesofgray​ @misssirenlove​ @esparza-army​ @bananas-pajamas @mishaissocoolike @thefanficfaerie​ @theenchantedgalleryofstories​ @catnip987 @choppedgalaxynerd @pieceofshittytitty​ @ktiz90​ @evee87​ @itsjustmyfantasyroom @blk0912 @detective-giggles​ @rampantmuses​ @jazzyjoi​ @caked-crusader​ @rachelxwayne

#thatesqcrush kink bingo #rafael barba smut #rafael barba x reader #rafael barba imagine

[markleesthighs]

omg i didn’t know you did male reader scenarios! i read the mark and jaemin scenarios you made and i love them!

i watched nct dream arm wrestle and thought of jaemin and jeno who are not idols were childhood friends and practically grew up together with y/n , but y/n who’s from a wealthy family moved away when he was 9 years old to go to a prestige school then he came back 10 years later now they turn everying into a competition, trying to impress y/n with their strength, like carrying y/n’s luggage, where they both do uncessary things just to show their strength and even having somesort of cocky bicep and flexing competition? hope it gets to you! thank you! :D:D:D

-aw yeah! I love writing ones that help include everyone! I’m glad you enjoyed it! This concept is cool thanks for sending it in!

Ten years. After ten years you are finally returning to your hometown. You missed your old friends Jeno and Jaemin. You grew up with them since birth, being an iconic trio throughout elementary school. However your parents didn’t think you were living up to the standards of your family, so they moved to Paris, where you could focus on your education at a preparatory school. Your parents removed their numbers from your phone, not wanting you to cry over spilled milk. They also wanted you to focus on becoming valedictorian, which everyone in your family was. You did become valedictorian and got into a prestigious law school overseas in America. You were coming back to your hometown because your grandparents lived in your old home, and your family wanted you to come back for the holidays.

You were on your private jet plane ride, worried about seeing your old friends. They lived down the block from your old house so you wouldn’t be shocked if they decided to visit you. Little did you know your parents called them up to pick you up from the plane, as a nice surprise. You stepped out of the plane to see two handsome men waiting for you. You didn’t know who they were until you saw them smile, it was Jeno and Jaemin?? They were taller, more handsome, and very muscular. You noticed Jeno dyed his hair blonde while Jaemin dyed it a light brown. Jeno and Jaemin didn’t know what to think of you. You were no longer a kid that sold mud pies, you were a grown adult that made four figures in one sitting.

You hugged both of them and they strangely smelled good. Jeno grabbed your handbag as Jaemin walked to to the limo holding your hand and opening the door for you. They quickly came to sit down next to you on both sides eagerly asking you questions wanting to catch up.

“How’s was Paris?”

“Is living in the states hard?”

“How’s school?”

“Has your fashion sense changed?”

“How many guys have asked you out?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“I think we should go shopping y/n!”

“No, no, no let’s take y/n out to eat she must be starving!”

“Guys, guys! I just want to rest, it’s been a long flight for me.” You yawned as you rested on Jaemin’s shoulder.

You couldn’t see or hear it but Jeno and Jaemin were silently fighting at each other. Jeno wanted to move you on to his shoulder so you wouldn’t get a strained neck, while Jaemin wanted to keep you there, not wanted to disturb your slumber. Once you arrived at your old house, Jaemin tapped you awake as they both helped you out of the limo. As you got out they rushed to the trunk to help with your luggage, rushing to see who could carry the most. It looked like it was straight out of a cartoon, scrambling to beat each other. (jokes on them because you brought about ten bags)

As they were having their little feud you walked up to the door bell to be greeted by the butler who saw Jeno and Jaemin racing up the stairs with your luggage. Jeno screamed

“I won! Did you see that y/n?!”

“I did, very impressive.” You said in a sarcastic tone. You weren’t shocked by this behavior as you would watch Jeno and Jaemin race on baseball fields after little league practice.

The butler then called the maids to bring your luggage to your room and invited you all into the house. Your home looked exactly the way you left it, still perfectly polished and a few new plants here and there. You all walked into the living room to see your grandparents and your mother and father. You parents greeted all of you as you went to give your grandparents gifts you bought for her overseas (it was Rolex watches). You all sat down and chatted for a bit. Your father would grill you on your education while your mom would ask you if you’re looking to date and how she can set you up with one of her friends sons. Your parents invited Jeno and Jaemin for dinner which they agreed to, because they always remembered how good your family’s dinners are.

You excused yourself to go to your room to changed out of your airplane clothes and Jeno and Jaemin followed like little puppies. They joined you in the elevator up to your room, on the seventh floor. You saw maids putting the final touches on your room as they left seeing the trio enter. Jeno and Jaemin idly kept following you into your walk in closet. They looked at all your designer clothing from custom made pieces to basic sweatpants.

You grabbed your Burberry hoodie, Versace pants, and Gucci slippers as you walked to change, you saw Jeno and Jaemin still relaxing in your room.

“Guys, I’m going to change, no peeking you pervs.”

You said as you closed the door to your closet. You changed into your new, comfortable clothes, throwing the older ones into the hamper. Little did you know Jeno and Jaemin were peaking through a crack in the door. Mischievous Jeno found the crack and Jaemin and him were fighting over to catch a glimpse of you. They only saw your bare back but they still fought over taking times looking. They saw you walking to the door as they ran to pretend they were laying on the bed playing on their phones. You joined them on the bed wanting to fall asleep. Jaemin pet your hair as Jeno rubbed your back. You were interrupted from your daze by the PA system in the house calling you down for dinner. You groaned as you all got up to have dinner.

Jaemin rushed to the table to open and push in your seat for you as Jeno sat down next to you. Jaemin sat down on the other side of you smiling at you, anticipating the meal.

“Tonight we have an Alaskan wild caught king salmon with a lemon beurre blanc sauce, gold flakes, a truffle drizzle, and matsutake mushrooms. For your appetizers we have a platter with caviar along with some seared wagyu steak and foie gras, enjoy.”

You licked your lips, missing your expensive cuts of food, no longer eating Mcdonald’s every other day. You saw Jeno and Jaemin drool looking at the food, which you thought was cute.

“Can someone pass the bread please?” You asked

Jeno and Jaemin grabbed the basket at the same time and they were fighting over who should give you bread. Eventually Jaemin won, distracting Jeno saying that your mom was calling him. You thanked him as Jeno pouted angrily continuing to eat. Jeno knew you loved wagyu so he gave you extra feeding it to you. Jaemin, wanting your attention, also gave you his wagyu feeding it to you. Then the salmon came. It was beautifully presented to all of you, you all ate in in an instant. Jeno and Jaemin giggled at your eager eating. Dessert was some fruit, wanting to have a light and healthy dessert for everyone.

After everyone was excused from their meals, the three of you stayed in the living room raving about the meal. It led to Jeno and Jaemin fighting about who was stronger. Wanting to prove their mouths, they wanted to have an arm wrestling competition. They asked you about what the prize was for winning. You jokingly said a kiss but they surprisingly agreed.

They began by flexing their muscles and you weren’t going to lie, you were drooling a bit over both of them. You watched as they held their hands together and began to wrestle, best two out of three. They went back and forth but not touching the table, you were worried they were going to break the glass table if one of them lost. First winner was Jeno, second time around it was Jaemin, so it all came down to this final match. As Jaemin appeared to be winning Jeno pulled his strength over him and won. He got up jumping around the living room as you comforted Jaemin.

Jeno then smirked looking at you wanting to claim his prize. You walked over to him and pecked his lips. He collapsed to the floor shy. You saw Jaemin look disappointed so you walked over and gave him a peck as well and he just froze. You sat on the couch waiting for them to respond to you.

“So...”

“So, y/n...what now...”

“Are you guys that dense?”

“huh?”

“I love both of you idiots, I thought you guys knew that,”

“We know you love us but...like love us? Like a boyfriend?”

“You could say it like that, I’m sure my parents wouldn’t be shocked if I started dating both of you, to them it means more wealth and more powerful heirs. But to me, it means I get to have double the fun” you said with a wink.

“That also means double the trouble” Jaemin said as Jeno and Jaemin kissed both your cheeks.

You grabbed the both of them to walk to the elevator where you went to your room. You changed into your pajamas and let Jaemin and Jeno borrow some of your clothes (after begging, and wanting their clothes to smell like you). You all cuddled up in your king-sized bed with Jeno on your left and Jaemin on your right. You began watching tv as you fell asleep with Jeno and Jaemin admiring you in your slumber, peaceful in both their arms.

#nct #nct 127 #nct imagine #nct mark #nct fluff #nct incorrect #nct incorrect quotes #nct incorrect texts #nct angst #nct u #nct dream #nct dreamies #nct dream imagines #nct jeno #nct jaemin #lee jeno #na jaemin #nct!poly #nct imagines #nct scenario #nct scenarios #nct smut #nct au #nct ridin #nct!rich #crazy rich asians #nct drabble #nct drabbles #nct dream jeno #nct dream jaemin

[pluto-art]

Syncytium - Chapter 3

Title: Syncytium - Chapter 3 - Sodium Bicarbonate Words: 7,115 Rating: T

Fan Fiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13712482/3/Syncytium

As always, I recommend the fan fiction version, which includes all italics. Other than that, enjoy the full story below the cut!

September 16th, 1993 - 11:48 PM

Two little feet raced pitter-patter down a chatter-filled hallway in A.C.M.E. Arts & Sciences, its occupant laden with pen and petition, eagerly calling out to any hapless individual that came her way as that ever-present tam-o-shanter bounced atop her head.

"Signatures! Come put down your signatures! Sign the petition! Bring baseball back to A.C.M.E.!" Olivia called out, her little jingle ringing in its thick Scottish accent down the corridor and bouncing off the walls. "Baseball for all! Hear you shout! Let them know or we'll strike out!"

Like a fuzzy brown bullet she shot through the school, passing students and teachers, janitors and gym instructors, nearly running into the wall on two occasions, and receiving a sharp reprimand of "Watch it!" or "Land sakes!" from those whose book pages and scarves she ruffled on her flight down the hallways.

"Let your voice be heard! Put your name down! Have a- OOF!"

Olivia gasped as she landed on the hard, linoleum floor, having been knocked back by something tall and firm. She shook her head and looked up... and up... and up, into the stern face of Basil, teacher of Advanced Science and Deduction. Even for a mouse he was rather lanky, towering above Globetrotter and practically a giant to Olivia. The only other mouse in the school who reached his height was Pinky. He glared at her, one eyebrow cocked in silent judgement as he peered down from above, a great slab of papers cradled snugly against his side.

"Oh...," Olivia mumbled, gulping as she quickly stood up, face scrunching, and shook off her clothes, her little tam-o-shanter and petition laying very sorrowfully at her feet.

Basil sighed.

"Young lady," he began, bending down to pick up her hat and place it securely back on her head. "This is the third time this week we've met under unnecessarily chaotic circumstances and it's become... rather an interference in my daily schedule. Would you kindly keep harnessed certain frivolities at play, Miss Flabbergast?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Basil," Olivia muttered shyly, and not unkindly. "I'll be more careful."

She picked her clipboard with petition up off the floor, a little embarrassed.

"Sign my petition...?" she ventured, holding up the paper for Basil to see. He bent down to get a closer look at it.

"What's this for?" he asked.

"It's for a baseball stadium!"

"Baseball stadium?"

"Yes!" Olivia said, nodding excitedly. "So we can get sports back to the school!"

"Sports?" Basil nipped, practically spitting out the word as though it was a nasty slur. "Miss Flim-Flam, the last thing this university of science and culture needs is a bunch of dimwitted degenerates galloping about chasing after a ball. You'd do better to abandon the whole matter, in my opinion."

Olivia hung her head.

"But I doubt it will amount to anything," he continued, picking lint off his cardigan in a snooty fashion. "The most you could hope for is ten signatures, at least. Continue on your hapless venture if you must."

"Really?!"

"Yeeees yes yes. Now, run along."

"Thank you, Mr. Basil! I'll get more than ten. You'll see!"

"Jolly good," Basil replied curtly, sarcastically, pausing to flick a piece of dirt off Olivia's jacket. "Good day to you."

Olivia watched him as he went, his long shoes snapping click, click, click against the floor. She drew out a long breath of utter relief. Basil was fairer than Globetrotter. Anyone was fairer than Globetrotter. However, he still could get a bit cross when rubbed the wrong way, and it certainly wasn't the first time she'd gotten on his irritable side. She'd have to be more careful.

And so, as she continued her trek down the school hallways, calling out as she went (a bit more quietly this time), she jogged rather than sprinted, slipping between passerby with an "Excuse me" or "Pardon" and taking extra precaution not to bump into any more teachers, especially Globetrotter...

"Petition! Come you all and sign! Redefine!"

Maisy tossed Olivia an annoyed glance as she ran past, huffing a little and flipping back her hair as she dug through her locker.

"Since when did the principle allow kids to run around the school? I didn't think he'd be cool with that," she muttered.

Next to her, a chocolate-furred mouse leaned against his adjacent locker, deep in silent conversation as he texted rapidly on his phone.

"Why do you care?" he asked, not looking up at her.

"I dunno. It's just... This is like... a high-profile university, right? There shouldn't be any kids."

"We're kids."

"Um... Excuse me. I'm like... nineteen."

"Yeah. That's young, Maisy."

"Whatever," she spat, flicking her hair back again as she found what she was looking for: a red pencil with yellow flower print slapped all over it.

"Olivia is Flaversham's daughter," Gadget spoke from across the hall at her own locker, snapping her bulbous goggles atop her head as a matter-of-fact. "Everyone knows that." Tillie nodded next to her.

"Okay, but, like...," Maisy continued, pulling out a journal and tucking it under her arm, "... he works. When does he have time to watch her? He just lets her run around the school?"

"Well, isn't Mrs. Judson her nanny?" Tillie offered helpfully, albeit rather quietly. "I think that-"

Several students sprinted by. Tillie paused to let them pass before continuing.

"I think that she watches her in the nurse's office most of the day and lets her run errands."

"Yeah, but-," Maisy began, before being cut off herself as another batch of students trundled by, and then another. "But that doesn't give her leave to just-" More students. "To just run around whenever she-" Even more students. By this point, she could barely even see Gadget and Tillie. "Oh my gosh! I hate not having neighboring lockers!"

"It's lunchtime, Maisy," the male mouse said beside her, closing his phone with a sharp snap. "We should get going."

"Ugh. Fine. I'm starving anyway."

And so off they went, quartet heading for the cafeteria at the prompt hour of 12:00 PM, taking care not to bump into anyone as they entered the huge room.

Unlike the rest of the school, this area was terribly outdated. Or, rather, it had none of the classiness that the majority of the facility offered. Far from being dressed up in a mahogany coat, with comfortable seating, double-pane windows, and classical music that pumped itself like oxygen through the more casual areas of the building, the cafeteria resembled nothing less than something vomited out of an 80s shopping mall. The blue and purple paneling; the flashing neon food signs; the Whitney Houston music trapped perpetually within the speakers. It had it all. Students called it "The Flashback" or "The Blot", depending on who you talked to. The space had been heavily renovated a decade ago in an attempt to reflect the aesthetic at the time, and if the principal in office hadn't been ousted at the time for his radical ways the facility may very well have looked quite different by this point. As it stood, the cafeteria was an eye sore for some, a breath of fresh air for others, and it was a popular spot in which to congregate. If nothing else, the music was a relief. There was only so much Chopin one could take.

Chatter filled the dining area as the quartet entered. Already the tables were filling up, the smell of pizza and dumplings heavy in the air. Once upon a time, the food had reflected the decor: posh, healthy, and expensive. And then, of course, the cafeteria had been renovated, and with it the menu. No one had ever bothered to change the hot dogs back to ham; the grilled cheese back to caviar. Lemon sherbet tasted much better than shitake, and the students liked it that way.

"Think they're gonna have the jelly sauce again today?" Gadget asked, standing up on tip-toe to peer over at the food counter.

"Ew. Gosh. I hope not. That stuff is gro- HO MY GOSH," gasped Maisy.

"What?" Gadget asked, looking around, eyes wide. She hoped another wasp hadn't broken into the cafeteria again. Two had welcomed themselves in in the last week and she didn't think she could handle the stress another day.

"He's here," Maisy stressed, clutching at her heart and grabbing hold of Gadget's shoulder rather tightly.

Tillie and Gadget followed her gaze all the way across the floor to the food bar. There stood Pinky, dressed today in lab pants and a blue and gray striped shirt whose sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Had it not been for the ridiculously long white lab pants that spilled over his shoes, Gadget thought he might have looked rather fetching. As it stood, though, he didn't. Maisy thought otherwise.

"Ugh. He's so hot."

"So hot he melts your brains?" the male mouse quipped, back to texting on his phone.

Maisy shot him a nasty look. Tillie didn't even notice.

"Wow. Clam chowder special," she mused, completely serious as she stared, astonished, at the counter.

"You're focusing on the food?!" Maisy exclaimed, flabbergasted. Tillie remained oblivious.

"Oh, I hope Mrs. Brisby isn't too early today. I rather like lunch break...," Tillie mused, loosening her shawl a little.

"But you also like her classes," said Gadget, smiling.

"I do. They're fun."

"Learning about weeds is fun?" asked Maisy.

"Agriculture is more interesting than you think it would be! You should try it sometime. It's fun!"

"Tillie, the only fun thing about this school is the lunch break."

The dark-furred he mouse with them rolled his eyes, his hands in his pockets.

"Seriously, Maisy? Not even the Chemistry class is interesting?" he mentioned, incredulous.

"Okay, well, that is a little bit interesting..."

The he mouse sighed.

"You're incredible. Our parents are paying good money for this school. You should be grateful. Come on. Let's stake a seat."

A few tables down, a gaggle of mice, moles, and a rat or two sat, chattering loudly. One of them, a black-haired mouse in a frilly, once-piece dress, sash around the middle and dark hair tied up in a bun, stood up in her chair and waved in their direction.

"Maaaaaaisy, girl! Come on! We've been waiting for you!"

"GIIIIRL! I was just about to ditch these losers! Gimme a sec!" Maisy called back, beaming. "Sorry, guys. I gotta go."

"Wha-..? But I thought we were gonna-" the male mouse began, taken aback.

"Sorry, Dex. I forgot I'd promised Marvell I'd be here at noon. We'll catch up later, I promise. Okay?"

"Yeah. Sure...," Dex shrugged dejectedly.

"Thanks, Dex. Bye, y'all!" said Maisy, and she ran off to join the loquacious group.

"Bye, loser!" Gadget joked back, shaking her head. "Airhead."

"Remind me why we hang out with her again?" Tillie asked, as the remaining three headed for the food bar.

Gadget shrugged.

"She's been my friend since middle school. I'd feel weird just ditching her."

"You wouldn't be missing much," Dex muttered, although there was a hesitancy in his voice.

Gadget threw him a sideways glance as she grabbed a tray, Tillie and Dex following suit.

"You know that's not true, Dex. She's a bit into herself, but you know she loves you."

Dex shrugged.

One by one, a steady line of students at the bar filed past the counter, picking off a box of salad here, a cup of macaroni there. Things reached a stand still at the chili bowl. Dex and Gadget stood up on tip-toe for a couple seconds, flattened back out on their feet, stared at each other, and rolled their eyes, sniggering. But of course...

The hold up, as per the norm, was Pip, one of the restaurant hands and the only chipmunk in the entire school. He was terribly chatty, not to mention contentious if you dared complain about any aspect of the food. Either something was wrong and he needed to comment on it, or someone he recognized as a friend had just crossed his path. Judging by the chipper tone of his voice, Gadget guessed it was the latter today.

"So what's with this petition? Lemme see that paper, sister!"

And he whipped from someone's hand a petite clipboard entrusted with several sheets of lined paper. He read through it quickly, nose almost touching the paper.

Gadget, Dex, and Tillie peered around the crowd ahead of them to see who had handed him the paper. Oh. Naturally.

There stood Olivia, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet as Pip perused her petition, a wide, expectant smile on her face. Was there no place she wouldn't invade?

"Hmmm," Pip mused, tapping his foot a mile a minute as his keen eyes roved over the paper one more time. "Weeeeeeell, I don't usually sign these things, buuuuut... baseball sounds like a worthy cause. Ya' got a pen?"

"Here you go!" Olivia squeaked happily, extracting from the inside of her coat pocket a blue pen and offering it to Pip. He took it swiftly and signed the petition just as fast.

"Just make sure you get me a position as umpire!" Pip said, handing her back the petition and pen.

"Oh, I will! Thank you!"

"Say, uhhhh... how many signatures you got on that thing so far?"

"Twenty-three!"

"Heeeeeey. That's not bad!"

"Come on, Pip!" a student piped up, brows furrowed.

"Yeah, we've got class!" a girl vole squeaked from behind the trio.

"All right, all right already! Sheesh!" Pip nipped back, rolling his eyes. "Hey. You keep gettin' those John Hancocks, okay?" he said, winking at Olivia.

"Um... Okay!"

And with that, she was off, not even bothering to grab an apple or a cracker, something that others cast glances at her for. Olivia passing up an opportunity to nab some food? She must mean business...

"She's so cute," Gadget mused, watching Olivia sprint around, on the hunt for more signatures, as she moved up a couple steps in line.

"Yeah," Dex said, arms folded. "She's a trip." Despite himself, he smiled after her. Little kids amused him sometimes, even if they could be a bit pesky underfoot.

As more students spilled into the cafeteria, fingers pointed, some quite shamelessly, in the direction of the food bar. Dex followed the invisible lines to a spot some paces behind them in line. But of course. They were all directed at the new teacher, Ronald Pinkus. The girls seemed particularly smitten, giggling and whispering and acting, in Dex's mind, perfectly idiotic. In fact, come to think of it, as he looked about the room, most of the girls were in deep conversation, their eyes trained on the same subject in the room, including Maisy's group. He shook his head. This was a university, not a middle school. Daftness came in all ages, he supposed.

"What?" Gadget queried, taking notice of the furrowed brow and the folded arms.

"Nothing," Dex muttered, shuffling forward a few paces as the line moved ahead. Both he and Gadget grabbed a plate of chocolate cake.

Gadget looked back at the new teacher and snickered.

"Don't let it get to you."

"She's just as bad as everyone else."

"Who? Maisy?"

"Yeah..."

Gadget shrugged.

"It's probably just a phase. Next week she'll fall for Basil again or someone."

Trays full, they set off to find a table. Tillie waved at them from a corner. They headed towards her.

"I dunno. I kinda...," Dex began, then stopped as they reached the table, sitting down with their trays. Tillie was already deep in her bowl of clam chowder.

"You what?" Gadget asked as she pulled her chair up.

"It's... whatever."

"What?"

Dex picked up his spoon, swirled it around in his own bowl of clam chowder, then set it down. Screw it. He grabbed his fork and dug into the chocolate cake instead.

"I miss when we used to hang out more."

"What are we talking about now?" Tillie asked, only half-interested.

No one said anything right away. Gadget picked at her sunflower seed salad for a minute, then spoke.

"You're her brother. She'll come back around eventually."

Dex shrugged again. He was about to shove another large piece of chocolate cake into his mouth when something lightly bumped his elbow. He turned and looked down. It was Olivia.

"Sign my petition?" she asked, her little whiskers upturned in a wide smile.

Dex couldn't help but mirror that infectious grin. In the distance, something... someone... caught his eye. It was Maisy. She frowned at him and shook her head. Dex frowned back. He took the clipboard and pen from Olivia's outstretched paws.

"You know what? Sure, kid. Baseball, right?"

"Uh-huh! We're going to have a mascot again, too! I hope..."

He handed her back the clipboard and pen and ruffled her hair, or, rather, the top of her tam-o-shanter.

"Break a leg, kid."

"Thank you!" she beamed, and off she went.

Dex smiled. In the background, Maisy shook her head. Dex snapped his fingers and winked, finger-gunning her. She rolled her eyes and went back to talking to her friends.

"Ugh. He's such a tease," complained Maisy to her company, twirling a strand of her long, golden hair as she sipped soda through a straw.

"He just cares about other people. Heck, I signed her petition," the black-furred mouse said. "How come you never hang out with your brother anymore? He's been lookin' kinda sad..."

"He's not even my real brother, Marvell. He's just my half-brother. You know that. Do we look like we're related?"

"But y'all used to be so close! What happened?"

Maisy shrugged.

"I dunno. We just... shifted."

"Don't you mean 'drifted'?" offered up a boy rat next to her.

"Whatever," Maisy shrugged. "Anyway, what do you guys think of him?" she smirked, jerking her head in the direction of Pinky still in line at the food bar.

All at the table turned their heads to look at him. He seemed to be picking out quite an odd assortment of foods: a hot dog, two cups of custard, and several pieces of cheese - just cheese. Every person that passed him a "hello" he greeted with a chipper "Good morning!", and his attitude towards the servers was polite and enthusiastic. Those around him couldn't seem to keep the smiles off their faces. Even the students generally known to be more reserved or stuck up couldn't help but throw him a curious glance. He was, for lack of a better term, "sunshine-y".

The boy rat popped several corn puffs in his mouth, his dry expression unchanged.

"He's kind of a twink, isn't he?"

Maisy slapped him on the shoulder playfully.

"He is not!"

"Dude. Come on..."

"He's not that young," Marvell said, filing her nails as another of their group, a white mouse in a red shirt and with a yellow sash tied about his neck, came and sat down beside her, a cup full of fizzy raspberry water tottering dangerously on the edge of his tray. "He is kinda cute, though..."

The white mouse set down his tray carefully... but not carefully enough. Slip went the cup, the mouse grabbing it before its contents could spill out entirely.

"AH!" Marvell yelped, jumping a little. "Stuart, that's the second time this week!"

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry, Marvell!" the little mouse said, apologizing profusely as he skittered off towards the food bar. "I'll go get some napkins!"

"Awww, man. I just washed this," lamented Marvell, picking up a corner of her frilly blue frock, now tainted with fizz. "Well... At least it's just water. I can work with this, right? Looks kinda... sassy?"

The boy rat sat up, the better to look at Marvell's new fashion statement. The water had painted the rounded edges of one side of the dress. It could have passed for an interesting pattern if one squinted hard enough.

"Yeah, sure. You could pass it off as the new look," he suggested, smiling.

"Hm," Marvell replied, smirking as she sat back down, ringing out the dress edge.

Maisy didn't seem the least bit phased.

"I think he's kinda hot," she said, eyelashes fluttering as she sipped at her soda noisily.

"Hotter than Globetrotter?" sniggered the boy rat.

"Okay, Globetrotter's in his own league. Okay? I can never compete with that."

"Ummm...," Marvell mumbled, covering her mouth in a vain attempt to hide her embarrassed smile as she pointed to a figure behind Maisy's back.

"What?" Maisy asked, craning around slightly to look before swiftly turning back 'round in her seat again, shoulder hunched as she visibly blushed. "Oh my gosh," she whispered, burying her face in her hands.

The boy rat beside her could barely hide his laughter as Globetrotter walked past them, his nose deep in a very thick, very red, and very heavy-looking book. Had he actually been paying attention to their conversation Maisy might have had more reason to involuntarily add a bit of color to her cheeks. As it stood, however, he had not, and so continued towards the bar, oblivious to the fact that he was now fifth in line behind Pinky.

"That's astounding!" Pinky exclaimed, tray of food all but forgotten as he leaned across a glass awning in front of him, totally invested in Pip's latest story. "But... how were you able to keep the syrup layer from separating?"

"Oh, that's easy!" Pip replied, and on and on he went.

Two students ahead of Pinky peered back, interested. Others behind him simply chuckled... or tapped their foot impatiently. To Globetrotter it was complete gibberish. The culinary arts was a branch he rarely dabbled in unless absolutely necessary. Although I do make a mean rigatoni, he thought to himself before shaking his head disgustedly. Where the heck did that come from? He was supposed to be engulfed in Brownian Motion and Stochastic Calculus, but, as it stood, he found his attention inexplicably pulled towards a much... lesser subject. It was unfathomable how anyone could be so intrigued by such mundane topics as the properties of pancakes and how effectively one might prepare them, but the fanaticism with which his coworker now described it was almost... infectious. Nevertheless, Globetrotter frowned as he checked his watch. 12:18 PM. They were wasting precious time. He was wasting his precious time.

"Will you move along already!" he called out, voice peppered with vexation. "I've got class in twenty-seven minutes!"

"Oh! So sorry!" Pinky called back, paws quickly grabbing hold of his tray once more. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Pip. Good luck with your pancakes!"

"Same to you, my good man!" Pip squeaked back. "What a pleasant fellow," he muttered to himself, smiling as Pinky walked off towards the refreshments bar, laden with food.

Globetrotter huffed and moved forward, grabbing a single bowl of fruit and a cup of cottage cheese on his way down. As he passed the pasta section, he paused, reached out a hesitant paw towards a plate of spaghetti, then quickly snapped it back, sighing and frowning sadly as he moved on to the refreshments, grabbing a banana on his way over and angrily slapping it down on his tray.

He stopped beside Pinky, who was humming and pouring himself some English Breakfast tea. Globetrotter huffed again. Flavored water - a poor man's excuse for caffeine. How anyone could drink that stuff was beyond him. He went for the coffee, pulled down the carafe lever... and grumbled. Empty.

"Is there any place in this building that can afford a mouse a decent cup of coffee?!" he whined, popping his empty cup back onto the others.

"Oh, that's a shame there, isn't it? Have you tried the tea, Brain?" Pinky offered helpfully, as he popped a lid on his own steaming cup.

"I refuse to bow my knee to such a lowbrow form of refreshment," Globetrotter bit back, picking up his tray. "And it's Brian, you nincompoop."

"Well, how do you know you don't like it if you don't try it? Poit!" Pinky replied, unfazed by the retort.

"If I liked it I'd drink it. Good day to you."

And off he went, choosing a spot as far back in the room as possible, Pinky sadly watching him as he picked out a table devoid of occupants. Pinky looked back at the empty coffee cup, a light whimper escaping him as he stared at it dolefully. He turned back to focus on Globetrotter, who was once more lost in his big red book. Students who sat nearby gave him as wide of a berth as they could. Pinky's ears drooped. What a sad little man, he thought. But it wasn't long before they perked back up again. Why, yes. Of course! Beaming, he set his tray down at an occupied table ("Watch this for me, will you?"), and rushed out of the cafeteria, leaving several students at the table to stare after him, puzzled.

Flip. Globetrotter turned a page of his massive tome, popping a grape in his mouth and crunching down on it satisfactorily. Flip, flip, flip. He looked to his right. A girl mouse sat nearby, also buried in a book. A huge pink bow sat atop her head. He recognized her. She was one of his students. Teresa, her name was, if he recalled correctly. She was one of his brighter subjects, but struggled with the occasional mathematical theory. As it was, her nose practically brushed the pages of a book that Globetrotter recognized by sight alone: Calculus by Gilbert Strang. Teresa sighed deeply, her unironed brow effectively relaying her frustration. She looked up... and jumped a little as she noticed Globetrotter staring at her, a light pink almost the exact color of her bow kissing her cheeks. Globetrotter slowly ducked back into his own texts, his peripheral vision catching Teresa shifting her seat over a notch in embarrassment.

A paw reached out to grab for his coffee, and he looked up when it touched nothing. Right. No coffee... Sighing, he popped another grape in his mouth, biting into it rather harder than necessary. Nearby, at another table, several students whispered.

"Did you find out what he teaches?" a girl vole asked, her question laced with ardor.

"Yup. He teaches Trozology," replied a male rat next to her, a pair of thick headphones hung about his neck.

"What the heck is that?" voiced another female rodent at their table, a cream-furred mouse decked out in purple - purple shirt; purple pants; purple socks; purple everything.

"I dunno," the rat shrugged. "Sounds kinda cool, though."

Globetrotter frowned. His ears twitched as tinkling laughter echoed from another table beside him.

"I knooooooow. He's so cute!" chuckled a rosy pink-eared mouse. She spoke in a barely-contained whisper along with the rest of her group, all of which sported bulky backpacks laid out on their table and decorated with all sorts of patches, stickers, and keychains. "I hope I can get a spot in his class!"

"I think he still has slots open!" one of her friends, a field rat, spoke up. "As far as I know, though, no one's actually signed up."

"Whyyyyyy? He's adorable! I'm gonna sign up just so I can stare at that face every day," a girl hamster said.

"What if you don't even like the class?" the second friend spoiled. "Maybe it's a dud. And we don't really have time in our schedules for another course..."

They all paused sadly and contemplatively at this. Then the first girl perked up.

"Well, I guess we'll get him all to ourselves then. If no one else likes the class then we'll stay just for the teacher!"

"Yeah, until every other girl does the same thing. You know we're not the only ones with the hots for him," the hamster said, taking a swig from her soda bottle.

"Well, then I guess we'll just have to fight for him," smiled the rat nonchalantly as she picked at her nails.

"Fight for him?!" yelped the other girls, covering their mouths at their loudness. "Oh my gosh. Seriously?!"

"Yeah! Anyone who comes up, we'll tell 'em to meet us at the park at two. No knives. Just like... nail clippers and hair curlers or something..."

"No no! Wait! We tell them to meet us at the baseball stadium!" offered the hamster, soda pop forgotten.

"You mean the one Olivia's petitioning?" the girl mouse asked. "It's not even built yet!"

"Yeah, but when it is we can tell them to meet there!"

"Winner gets dibs. They get to call first date," said the rat.

"And the loser has to pay for the dinner tab."

"Yeah!"

"Oh my gosh, you guys are so funny," the mouse chuckled.

They all laughed gaily.

Globetrotter's frown deepened, his mouth hanging open, another grape suspended in mid-air. Was Pinkus really... that popular? He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the conversations now swimming about his consciousness, when yet another light exchange, a distant one this time, caught his ears.

"... thinking of actually dropping Globetrotter's class to take that Ronald guy's one. It's just as many credits. Probably way more fun."

Globetrotter gulped. He tried reading a sentence in his book, only to find that he kept gracing the same words over and over and over again. Blast it. He couldn't concentrate. He plopped the book down on the table and went to devouring his cottage cheese, all around him oblivious to the private war going on in his mind.

Why do you care what they think? They're kids. They're idiots.

Yes, and have you forgotten what happened when Basil came to the school two years ago? They went gah-gah over him, too.

They didn't all abandon my class!

Nooooo, but half of them did. And Basil taught a required course at the time. Same as yours. They all went for his. He was much more interesting than you.

That's neither here nor there! I'm still employed, aren't I? My class is still sought after.

For now, and only because it's required. This new guy is significantly more popular. What if his class becomes required? What if it's worse than before? What if you become... old hat?

"No!" Globetrotter yelled, out loud. Half the cafeteria paused to stare at him. He sunk in his seat a little. How embarrassing...

In mock resoluteness, he grabbed the book before him and went back to reading. But he was only truly pretending to read, the bright crimson covers a pathetic excuse for a hole in which the frightened mouse hid.

The truth was that, despite his behavior being anything but amicable, his notorious reputation in the school had garnered him something akin to a celebrity status over the years. The course was required, certainly, even though he wasn't the only teacher who taught it, but the struggle to survive the rigorous schedule and harsh grading system he doled out had become a flat out challenge to the students. How long could you last? Would you manage to nab the ever elusive 'A' during a semester? One pupil even became famous for handing out "I Survived Globetrotter's Class" t-shirts. They hated the teacher, but reveled in the challenge. It was something that Globetrotter became ironically comfortable with over the years. Being notorious was better than not being noticed at all. He couldn't abide the thought of being second fiddle; of falling into obscurity. He'd never had reason to be concerned about it for seventeen years, even during Basil's "reign", but now...? Now he had legitimate competition. In all his years at A.C.M.E. Arts & Sciences, he'd never known an instructor so heavily discussed, so quixotic, so beloved, even on the very first day of his employment. Pinky was new and different, in all the wrong ways to him, yet in all the right ways to the students. And it terrified him.

On a sudden whim, he whipped out a pen from his inside jacket pocket and wrote feverishly on a napkin in front of him. He didn't see the tall figure approach him.

"Hello, Brain!"

Globetrotter practically leapt out of his skin.

"AH! Wh-... You..! Don't... do that!" he remarked, hastily stuffing the napkin and pen back into his coat pocket. He clutched at his heart, taking deep breaths as he rested his head in his palm.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Brain!" poor Pinky replied, resting a hand on Globetrotter's back comfortingly. Globetrotter shrugged it off, literally.

"And don't touch me! I just... h-had this... p-pressed," Globetrotter snapped, still catching his breath. "Who knows where your... paws have... been..."

"Oh, well, they haven't been far, Brain. They're always at my side! Ha-ha!"

Globetrotter cocked an eyebrow up at him, speechless. There was no way anyone could be this inordinately stupid.

"Mind if I join you?" Pinky asked, all innocence, that perpetually sunny smile never leaving his face.

"As I matter, of fact, I-"

"Oh, thank you!" Pinky initiated, grabbing a chair and pulling it close up to Globetrotter. Too close for his comfort. Apparently, personal space was something of a foreign concept to this character. "You know, I don't usually eat in public. Don't want to miss The Brady Bunch, you know? Hm hm. But it's rather nice out here! I might come and sit with you more often."

Heaven forbid, Globetrotter thought, ears reddening.

"Would you kindly refrain from mentioning that abomination of a tv show in my presence? It sickens me. And I don't appreciate your unnaturally close proximity."

"Come again?" Pinky asked, cocking his head.

"Move," Globetrotter said, managing, with difficulty, to push Pinky and the chair he sat in over an inch.

"Well, you could have just asked," Pinky chuckled, still smiling. He complied, scooting his chair a couple more inches away from Brain.

"Thank you," bit Globetrotter, turning away from Pinky and directing his attention back to the giant tome in front of him. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like a little privacy."

"Oh, but, I came to give you something!" Pinky exclaimed, and Globetrotter, despite himself, shiftily looked over as the lanky mouse dug in his pants pocket for... something. "A-ha! Here ya' go!"

And he handed him... a teabag? No. Not a teabag. It was too big to be a teabag.

Globetrotter took it from him tentatively, two fingers holding it away from his body as if it might explode.

"What is it?"

"Chicory root! I just thought that, well, when you couldn't find any coffee it reminded me of my mum. She used to be a big coffee drinker, too. She stopped recently, but she still missed the taste. Chicory root tastes a lot like coffee, only better! M-Maybe you'd like it, too?" Pinky offered helpfully, a tinge of shyness peppering his smile.

Globetrotter looked up at Pinky, nonplussed... and a wee bit confused. No one ever gave him anything; not unless he directly asked for it. To be fair, no one was ever bold enough to even attempt to show him much kindness, seeing as the result was often times a sharp reply and a sinister glare. This newcomer obviously hadn't learned the rules yet.

"Teachers... don't usually give me gifts," Globetrotter admitted. "Not unless I ask for them." Nevertheless, he pocketed the chicory root.

"Perhaps that's because you don't ask nicely, Brain? People give you lots of things when you're nice to them!"

It wasn't so much the statement itself, but the boldness of its deliverance that took Globetrotter aback.

"Sooooo... you're saying... I should be nice... to get rewards?"

"Oh, no, Brain! That would be taking advantage! You should be nice to people, 'cause, well, it's nice! And then they're nice to you! Don't you like making people happy?"

"No."

"Not even a little bit?"

"No one has ever given me reason to."

"Well, maybe they would if you showed them a little smile!"

And he actually stuck two fingers up against Globetrotter's cheeks, pushing up on each side in an attempt to draw something close to a grin on his drooping face.

"Ohhhhhhh. There's that smile, Brain!"

"Would you get off?!" Globetrotter blasted, waving his arms around as he flung Pinky off of him. "I told you not to touch me!"

His cheeks and ears burned red at the sound of laughter nearby. Some of the students had been watching and were now drowning in a hushed fit of giggles. Naturally...

"You dimwit. If you're still sitting in that chair in five seconds, I shall personally have to harm you," threatened Globetrotter, cheeks reddening worse than ever as his paws balled into fists.

"Do I get a prize if I leave in four?" Pinky smirked.

"One..."

"Or maybe I'll get one if I stay longer! It pays to be persistent sometimes, Brain."

"Two..."

"You know, you're rather funny when your ears turn red. Nya-ha-ha!"

"FOUR...!"

"Going, Brain!"

And with that, he was off, picking his food up off his tray to take back to his room, giggling to himself and humming, of all things, "Camptown Races" as he headed for the doors. One of the teachers, a Dr. Dawson, smiled at Pinky as he walked past him. And Dr. Dawson... Oh, have mercy. Dr. Dawson started singing along with him.

"I say. I do recognize that tune, young man!" Dawson said, grinning warmly. "Camptown ladies sing this song! Doo-dah! Doo-dah!"

"Camptown race-track five miles long! Oh, doo-da day!" Pinky sung back, beaming.

Others joined in. Still others. Soon, almost the entire cafeteria, minus Globetrotter and a few stragglers, was decked out in song.

"Gwine to run all night! Gwine to run all day! Bet my money on the bob-tailed nag! Somebody bet on the bay!"

And with that, everyone burst out into hearty laughter, Pinky's wail the loudest of all. He and Dr. Dawson exchanged a friendly word or two, shook hands, and with that, Pinky departed, leaving a trail of chuckles behind.

Globetrotter blinked, his mouth hanging slightly open again. Whatever had happened was... terrifying. This bloke didn't just have an effect on the students, but on the whole school. Even the teachers were getting involved! It was official. This needed to end. He had to be stopped...

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Pinky was still humming "Camptown Races" all the way back to his classroom. He'd just reached the door when a little someone came pitter-pattering down the hallway after him.

"Mr. Pinky! Mr. Pinky!" she called, hat bobbing wildly up and down on her ruffled, furry head.

"Hello, Olivia!" Pinky said, grinning from ear to ear.

"That was amazing!" she gasped, panting. "Mrs. Judson said she could hear you from the nurses' office. She was singing with you!"

They both giggled at this.

"Well, tell Mrs. Judson that Mr. Pinky is glad she enjoyed the song!" Pinky said.

"Oh, I will! I will! By the way, umm... do you have any more classes planned?" Olivia asked, tucking her paws behind her and rocking back and forth, the pink cheeks only complementing her humble posture. She looked awfully cute.

"Hmmmmm. Will you be here tomorrow?"

"Is that a Friday?"

"I think so."

"Yes! Yes, I will!"

"2:00 PM sharp tomorrow, little lady," Pinky said, winking at her.

"2:00 PM sharp, Mr. Pinky!" Olivia repeated, saluting him. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

And off she trotted.

"Oh! Olivia!" Pinky called.

Olivia stopped and turned around, her mouth in a curious little 'o' shape. Pulling a hand out of his pocket, Pinky tossed her a bag of crisps. She caught it with a trained paw.

"Thank you!" she exclaimed, popping open the bag and tossing a chip in her mouth as she ran off and around a corner.

"Olivia!" Pinky called again, a hand to his mouth.

"Hm?" she queried, popping her head around the corner.

"How many signatures?!"

"Thirty-seven!"

"Woo-hoo!"

"Woo woo!" she called back, before flying off once more.

Pinky smiled, giggling to himself, as he turned the door handle and disappeared inside.

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

Author's Notes:

- Marvell is an original character created by a friend of mine who goes by the cognomen of "Geeky". You can find her lovely art and cute character on Twitter at: GeekyBlackGirl

- Flip phones weren't exactly in wide use in '93, but I cheated here for convenience's sake and story purposes.

- The book that Teresa was reading, as well as the book Globetrotter carried around with him, are actual published works. Stochastic calculus is, apparently, a very advanced form of the subject. Brain considers it light reading.

- Your typical volcano science project is partially composed of baking soda, which, in turn, is made up of sodium bicarbonate. The whole thing is a reference to Globetrotter's explosive personality, and how he views the current predicament as such: one big problem on the verge of erupting and destroying his position if he doesn't do something... and fast.

- Globetrotter going for the cottage cheese and fruit, while sadly eschewing the pasta, is due to the fact that, in this story, he has terrible bowel and diarrhea issues. He's been told by his doctor to avoid certain foods, but finds this... a struggle at times. I dunno why I decided to give him this problem, other than the fact that it amuses me. Lol.

- Olivia is a lot of fun to write. :)

#fan fiction #pinky and the brain

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #397

“you’re my religion, you’re my reason to live  /  you are the heaven in my hell”

Do you think that you’ll always love who you love now? Even if we're never together again romantically, I will ALWAYS love her at least as a best friend. Have you ever made out with a random person? Yeah, no. If you could do your first kiss over, would you? No. I'm lucky that my first kiss was honestly cute as hell. Do you like your country’s president or prime minister? Well I voted for him, so I obviously can't hate him. He seems to be doing fine so far, though take that with a grain of salt seeing as I don't keep up with politics. Even before voting for him, I just did a small bit of researching on his values. What color is your house? Yellow with white accents. Do you listen to Christmas music during the holiday season? No, I don't enjoy it. Man, Jason's mom sure did, though... I loved how in the spirit she'd get and always played Christmas music in the car during that time of year. I miss that woman and I sure as hell hope she rests easy now. Do you like ginger ale? Solely if I have a stomach bug, and I can only ever sip it. What are you listening to? "Electric Sugar Pop" by Jeffree Star. What’s the last thing you watched on TV? The TMS office has the TV on, and the woman who overlooks it (I have zero idea what her position is called) tends to have it either on a cooking channel or a home improvement one. Today was a cooking one. Is your favorite author the author of your favorite book? I don't have a favorite author. Describe someone you find really attractive: M-Mark Fischbach. *___* If you HAD to look like someone else, but could choose who, who would you choose? Hm... maybe my friend Alon. I've mentioned I feel like a million times that she is like, ethereal with how gorgeous she is. Have you ever seen someone get a tattoo done? If so, what was it? Did they cry or were they in a lot of pain? Yeah; it was a watercolor feather with "ohana" written below it. She didn't cry at all, but she grit her teeth a few times. Do you have anything you couldn’t go a day without? Some form of technology. Have you ever gotten caught doing something illegal? No. What’s your favorite flavor of Vitamin Water? I don't even think I've ever tried it. Is there someone you wanna date right now? Yeah. What first attracted you to the last person you kissed? If we're talking the very first, our vast similar interests. How many brothers does your father have? None. Does your best friend have any tattoos? No. Do you like Ben + Jerry’s? Yep. Man, I want their Phish Food ice cream now. Would you ever wish to be the opposite sex? Nah. Do you think you’re attractive? Nope. What is your favorite card game to play? Magic: The Gathering. I really miss my PS3 where I had Duel of the Planeswalkers installed on it, it was really fun. Do you own a globe? I don't think we still do. What is your favorite wild cat? Perhaps clouded leopards. If your bedroom had three portals to anywhere, where would they lead? South Africa, Sara's place, and maybe a nice little cabin in the mountains for when I'm feeling a peaceful getaway. You can ask any author one question about their story. What do you ask? I have zero idea. What’s a place you have a strong emotional connection to? The pond behind the local community college. Jason and I took our first prom pictures there. Do you take yoga classes? No, but I'm actually considering it since they offer those at the YMCA Mom and I now go to. What is a decision you’ve made that changed your entire life? To let Jason go. It's pretty great, my PTSD has been less of a bother lately! Have you ever made any money from a side-hustle? Could you consider being paid to take pictures once in a blue moon a "side hustle" when I don't even have a main job? Do you ever wonder what kind of person you’d have turned out to be if a certain event never happened to you? Ugh... it's incredibly painful to wonder how life would be if Jason never left. If you could have anyone’s singing voice, whose would you choose? Adele's or Amy Lee's, probs. What are your top 3 favorite genres of music? Metal, hard rock, alternative. Do you think Mars will be colonized in your lifetime? No. Have you ever been homeless? If so, what led to your homelessness? Technically, yes, because Mom couldn't afford the rent. She, my little sister (who still lived with us at the time), and I each were accepted into the homes of willing, kind people, though. Have you ever been on a ship? No. Who was Van Halen’s better singer - David Lee Roth, or Sammy Hagar? David. Which fictional character has the most memorable quotes? Heath Ledger's Joker is quoted all the time, so probably him. What do you think of the "Healthy At Every Size" movement/philosophy? Before I answer this, I want you to keep in mind that this is coming from someone who is obese, so I would positively love to agree with that for my own self-confidence, but I don't. I believe it's a very dangerous mentality. I think you should cherish your body unconditionally, like it's an amazing machine, but I firmly believe you should have an active interest in becoming what is physically healthy. You couldn't pay me millions to convince me that, say, a 300 lb. person is healthy. What was the name of the first person you ever had a crush on? Why did you like them? I think my first *real* crush was this guy Sebastian my freshman year of high school. I thought he was very sweet, funny, caring, and attractiveness was a bonus. What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Sashimi, caviar, raw eggs... Which famous person would you like to be BFFs with? Bindi Irwin, for one. What kind of natural disaster is most common where you live? Hurricanes. Have you ever had an animal get into your attic? No. Have you ever been bitten so hard that there teeth marks were there after? I mean I've had hickeys before if that's what you're asking. Ever gave one? Oh, I guess you were. Yeah. Do you think its weird if guys wear make-up like eyeliner? Not at all. Would you ever date a disabled person? (Be honest) Yes. Would you rather adopt or have your own child? IF I wanted kids, I'd rather have one myself because I'm well aware I personally need that special connection. Stepkids count, too, because they'd be my partner's and therefore very important for me too. What is the most personal question you have ever been asked? Probably TMI, so here's your fair warning, but I've been asked before if I "touch" myself and I was absolutely repulsed that someone would ask me that. Were you abused by your parents? No. If you’re not straight, who was the first person you came out to? Sara. Were you one of the smartest in your class? Up to finishing high school, modestly, I was. Where did you meet your first crush? Art class my freshman year of high school. Do you ever go places with wet hair? Yeah, idc. Who is your favorite little girl? My niece Aubree. She's such a wonderful girl. Does your best friend have kids? No. If you were pregnant, would you want a boy or a girl? Hypothetically, a girl. What place outside of your own home do you spend the most time at? Um, maybe my older sister's house? Have you ever participated in a medical study? No. Do you have any family members who are cancer survivors? Yes, including my mother. Twice. Are you allergic to any medications? None that I've tried. Do you have any licenses other than your driver's license? I don't even have that. If you’re atheist, would you raise you kids believing in God or not? No; I wouldn't intervene with their own spiritual (or lack thereof) journey. They'd learn what they'd learn and decide themselves what they believe. Do you like reading self-help books? No, I just can't get invested in those. What is your opinion on sex change? If you're unhappy with your body, you're more than free to surgically change that with no judgment from me. Do you have any goals for this summer? If so, what are they? Yes, to lose weight. Can you get a strike at bowling? I have before. There was one occasion where my first go was a strike RIGHT after saying I sucked at bowling, hahaha. Do you ever take pictures of negative moments? Well, I photograph roadkill, and that's one hell of a sad moment. I actually wouldn't mind broadening my horizons of photographing negative moments (with permission of course), because I actually find these very impactful and even builds empathy. I will never, ever forget this one picture I saw sometime of an emaciated boy huddled in the dirt with a vulture close by watching him... like fuck, it made me want to sob. No one should ever have to live like that, especially a child. Would you ever post a picture of yourself crying on social media? No. I know that sounds contradictory to what I just said, I just wouldn't be able to do it myself. Have you ever held a newborn baby? Once, when my last niece was born. I'm terrified of holding them because they're just so fragile. Do you know anyone who has twins? My friend just had triplets. What is your favorite country in Europe? Germany. Are you thriving in your life right now? BOY HOWDY- Do you remember to water plants? I don't keep plants. Name three YouTubers you aspire to be like. 1.) Markiplier in a vast plethora of ways; 2.) Jeffree Star for his incredible work ethic; and 3.) Shane Dawson for his incredible compassion. Yes. I know the controversy, but regardless, he cares a lot about people. Who is your favorite character from Harry Potter? I wouldn't know, given I haven't read the books or seen the movies. Do you watch PewDiePie? Not anymore; his content doesn't interest me anymore. I watched him religiously back in the day when he was a serious let's player, though. Do you have a Steam account? Yes. Have you ever played Five Nights at Freddy’s? No, not personally. I like watching LPs of it and I find the story fascinating, but it's not the kind of game I'd enjoy playing. Have you ever tried Akinator? Yes. I don't think I ever beat it, except maybe once. Are you wearing socks right now? No; unless I'm wearing closed-toe shoes like sneakers, I never do. I hate the feeling of them. Can you twerk? Haven't tried, don't wanna. Do you like dabbing? No, it looks stupid. Do you like fishing? I honestly do think it's fun with all the anticipation and thrill of seeing how big the fish is, however I don't support it anymore unless, like hunting, you genuinely need it for food. The only case where I'd go again was if my dad asked me, because that's always been our bonding experience. Do you have a Spotify account? Yes. Have you heard of Blizzard Entertainment? Well, they're the company behind World of Warcraft, so obviously. Do you like bananas? Yes, but only for a VERY short window of time. I am beyond picky with the ripeness of bananas. Are you addicted to anything? Caffeine and technology. Do you know your phone number? I actually don't. Do you swear in front of children? No.

#survey #surveys #random questions #lyrics: ''here for you'' by ozzy osbourne

[kreekey]

Wedding Bells Are Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine

Chapter 1/1

Pairing: Linda McCartney/Paul McCartney, John Lennon/Yoko Ono,  John Lennon & Paul McCartney

Genre: Fluff

Words:  2391

Summary: That title may sound a bit melancholic given the real context, but all things must come to an end. It’s funny to see the person you’ve known your whole life only begin to settle into themself. There’s a moment of fondness leading up to the split. 

Is ‘fondness’ the right word? 

It’s pretty amicable, anyway. 

Two different kinds of couples have a night together. It’s like a dinner party, except the (Ono) Lennons aren’t really sure how to throw a dinner party. Conversation is had. John entertains the idea of a soon-to-be Beatle breakup. Paul refuses to get his head drilled into. Everyone has found somebody to love.

(See the AO3 Post for author’s notes)

John’s apartment - I guess it’s Yoko’s now, too - was already littered. It was no different from the closets we used to live out of in Hamburg, except this one must’ve cost a few thousand pounds. They had just moved in and half the floorboards were hidden underneath newspaper clippings, clothing, and dirty plates. At least they had the courtesy to move some of the piles against the wall before we came over.

Not that it eased Linda at all. We sat with our knees bumping against each other and hand over hand. I whispered sweet jokes to her in the living room as we waited - I don’t know why I whispered. It was only John’s flat. His home. It didn’t feel like a home, of course. It felt a bit like an alley you might find yourself in after a night of drinking. Funny, considering I used to live in this same building a couple of years ago. Things have changed since then.

Yoko’s bare feet padded in from the kitchen. She smiled in a way that rivalled Mona Lisa, saying, “The food is ready.”

I took Linda’s hand as we stood and followed Yoko down the short hall. She walked with care, making every step deliberate. It all felt very formal for a visit to an old friend’s house.

We stepped into the dining room and found John sat cross-legged on one of the dining chairs. There was a smile underneath all that hair he’s grown out. Two sturdy seats sat across from each other at an intimate wooden table. He beckoned us with the signature Lennon confidence, saying, “Come, sit.” Yoko took his hand and he guided her into the seat beside him. They reminded me of one of those old couples who’ve known each other for decades.

As we settled into our seats, Linda and I gave each other a glance after noticing the food. It could barely be considered dinner. An opened bottle of champagne stood proudly in the centre, surrounded by plates of crackers and half-hazardous dollops of caviar. There was a bowl of a thousand different kinds of foreign cooked vegetables dressed with pepper. At least now I could be sure there was food in John’s house. He seemed so fragile and thin nowadays. Of course, he’s the same fiery Lennon he’s always been. I think.

John reached out for a cracker and he leaned on the table, saying, “Me and Yoko have got ourselves on this macrobiotic diet. I hope you like it, it’s good for you. Gets rid of toxins and all that.” He stuffed his mouth with a biscuit.

“‘‘Macrobiotic’?” I laughed. “I still remember you sneaking Eric’s chocolate at the studio.”

He smiled, “That’s the old me, Paul.”

“We were at the studio this time last year,” I reminded him. That nice familiarity that always came to me whenever I visited John began to creep up. “Eric was yelling at George because his truffle was gone, but you fessed - eventually - that it was you all along.”

“Sometimes John will still slip and eat a chocolate bar,” Yoko said airily with that same enigmatic smile, hands folded in her lap. “But the point is that it’s very healthy. We eat grains and vegetables, you know, that kind of thing. It’s very, very good. That’s why we do it.”

John hummed chirpily, teasing us with his raised eyebrows. Linda put on a weak polite smile for them before staring at the plates. She rarely knew what to say to Yoko. I mean, we know she’s mostly harmless. She’s just from another world. I grabbed Linda’s glass and poured the champagne, nudging her for reassurance. She scooted her chair closer to mine until our knees started bumping again.

We ate sparingly and drank freely. John and I made conversation about nothing memorable, catching up on our intertwined lives. Linda would chime in with something smart before returning to listening. Trying to keep up with a conversation with John makes anyone a bit disquiet. Yoko would often watch, occasionally regaling us with an explanation for something we didn’t know we wondered. Her ideas always had John turning in admiration or ferocious agreement. As the drinks kept flowing, I even began to seriously consider some of their proposals.

“Wait, d’you remember the letter I sent from Amsterdam, Paul? You fancy getting the trepanning thing done?” John brought up after a mention of their peace demonstrations.

Linda and I gave each other a look. John’s letters during his honeymoon were often illegible. Even when you could make the words out, he never made sense.

“You kind of have a hole bored into your skull and it relieves the pressure,” John explained in an instant upon seeing our expressions. He seemed eager, almost bouncing in his chair. My wife gaped at me, eyes widened. I shrugged. It was kind of amusing.

Linda spoke straight to Yoko the first time this night and gawked, “Hold on, do you believe this?”

“We’re always looking for new ways to expand our consciousness,” Yoko replied without the slightest inflection in her voice. I swear I could tell her smile opening up the slightest bit. She giggled softly, “But John is more focused on this method than I am.”

It’s almost startling to hear her laugh. Yoko turned into a sliver less of a mystery. Linda and I made eyes at each other, lips curling upwards. Before we knew it, we were dissolving into laughter. I almost forgot about the people across the table. Linda looked lovely, just like herself, a blush colouring her face as she cracked up without a care. Yoko tittered along shyly, gazing at her husband.

John continued with a wide grin. He gripped the table and leaned in closer. “No, this isn’t a joke! All you’d have to do is just bore a little hole in your skull and it lets the pressure off. We met a doctor in Amsterdam, and he has a paper on it. A scientific paper, a real one. You could get a permanent high from this!”

Linda leaned over and laid her head on my shoulder with a content sigh. It could’ve been a tired one. Wrapping my arm around her and pulling her closer, I replied, “C’mon, Johnny. You must be joking.”

“No, no! Listen, let’s go next week. We know a guy who can do it, and maybe we can all do it together!” John gestured with his hands like he was bursting with genius ideas. I half-expected him to shout ‘Eureka!’.

“Look, you go and have it done, and if it works, great,” I grinned. “Tell us about it and we’ll all have it.” Linda hummed in agreement.

John threw his hands up, saying, “Oh, fine, fine. You’re too cynical about things like this - ”

“Thank God,” I interrupted. Linda almost guffawed.

He gestured to me with another cracker, “You’re no fun anymore, Paulie.”

My wife relaxed against my body, radiating warmth, and looked back across the table. It felt sweet coupled with my drunk buzz. She said, “I just think that there’s so much crap that you’ve got to be careful of.”

“But John’s more open to things like that,” I winked at him, wanting my cheeky smile to push his buttons. His eyes narrowed at mine, though the rest of his face stayed nonchalant. The room turned silent and I realized all eyes were on John, waiting for his usual witty response. Yoko looked at him, unfocused, not a hint of a frown on her face. John bounced his leg in thought.

“Well, whether you believe it or not…” John finally said, a degree colder than usual. “Either way, I don’t resent ye for it - I don’t resent your husband, Linda,” he turned to her. “I feel sorry for him.”

Linda didn’t let her surprise show. John Lennon could catch most people off guard in a snap - not me. She began to sputter before I cut in heartily, “That’s very kind of you, Lennon!”

John chuckled, “No, really, McCartney. If you say no, you mean no. It’s very kind of you not to call me fuckin’ crazy.”

“It’s just not something I would like to do, Johnny. But you let me know how it is,” I said, squeezing Linda closer out of habit. John nodded, turning his eyes elsewhere as if it’s all exasperated him.

“I think John wanted to put some pressure off. For both of us, you know,” Yoko said. Her voice was smooth and delicate, almost jarring compared to the madness a few moments prior. “We are the only people going through the same problems.”

I wondered, ‘What do you say to that’?

But John seemed to know. John understood her, something most people couldn’t do. I’ve been aware of her for three years now. I never really got on that well with her.

“We’re in the same position. Our fame, y'know, the people we know. And The Beatles… for now, I mean. Until you release that album of yours, Paul.” John turned his eyes back on mine.

“Well, the recordings’ going well,” Linda said with a sense of nerves.

“What do you do in the album? It’s refreshing to see another woman working on the album of a Beatle. And you know, when Beatles are recording, there’s very few people around, especially no women,” Yoko said. John gave me an empty look before returning to face his wife. Memories of asking Yoko to go sit in the back of the studio - an act I used to try to hide from John like a dirty affair - flooded our minds. I ignored that thought.

“Strictly speaking she harmonizes,” I answered. As I stared down at her I found myself admiring every feature - as always.

I continued, “But of course it’s more than that. She’s a shoulder to lean on, a second opinion… and a photographer of renown.” She glowed when I kissed the top of her head. I looked back up at the Ono-Lennons, beaming with pride.

“Cor, replaced me already?” John jested. I made an affirming sound, taking another sip of champagne with my free hand.

“Yer killing us, y’know. The band. I don’t understand. I’m not ashamed of The Beatles,” John shook his head. “I did start it all!”

“Well, I’m doing what you and Yoko were doing last year. I understand what you did, now.” I said. It’s stupid to defend it. I shouldn’t have to, it’s only an album.

“Will Paul and Linda become a John and Yoko?” John used that mock-deep voice, the kind he uses when he jeers at the media.

“No. They will become Paul and Linda.” My wife melted in my touch as I wrapped my other arm around her. She looked up at me with a smile.

“Hmm,” John half-lidded his eyes. “Good luck to yer.”

We went on with the evening, skipping over any unmentionables. Linda and I would try to, anyway. John and Yoko didn’t mind. It went well, I imagine. I love them - I know that I love John. I respect him, at least. And John loves her, and there’s nothing to be done for it.

They waved us goodbye at some point early in the morning. As we walked onto the street, Yoko stood with John in the flat’s doorframe, hand on his chest. His arm snaked around her waist. They were so small, so compact. Like they made their own bubble. Impenetrable. There was ‘John and Yoko’ and there was the rest of the world. All that ‘interconnectedness of the whole human race’ (or whatever’s said these days) was hard to sense sometimes. Really, though, they must be in love. I can’t say there’s anything wrong with that.

I gripped Linda’s hand, leading us away. Our steps were uneven, unsure, but we leaned on each other throughout the cold walk back to Cavendish.

“'Trepanning’ - was he really sitting there saying we should do this?” Linda muttered in disbelief. When she looked up at me, there was a smile on her face. She was glad to say what she wanted, especially with me.

I laughed, “Well, John always wanted to jump over the ‘cliff’ - “

“The 'cliff’?” she questioned. It wasn’t in the way some girls used to question me, twirling their hair as if they still didn’t know anything, only to flirt. Linda wasn’t coy. Linda knew who she was, and she knew me.

“Y’know, the cliff,” I said, confident that the explanation will be a tad silly. “The cliff - going full tilt. He once said that to me. 'Have you ever thought of jumping?’ I said, 'Fuck off. You jump, and tell me how it is.'”

Her shoulders shook from laughter, still gazing up at me.

“That’s basically the difference between us.” I motion with my head. “I love John, and respect what he does - though he doesn’t really give me any pleasure. Not with his, y’know, kooky ideas. I get tired from it all.”

“‘Tired’? Oh, Paul.” She squeezed my hand.

“Sorry. I don’t like it either, getting tired.” I sighed. “It makes it all harder.”

“It’s allowed, you know,” she said, sinking into me. “Allow yourself to be tired.”

A smile warmed up onto my face. I nodded gently because she was right.

Linda continued to relax against me, the way I found myself letting go of my worries when I was with her. It felt silly, being in love and feeling like you were 16 and discovering that giddiness again. But it was perfect. She’s the perfect thing to end the night with after a dinner like that. Just the person I need - that I always need. Not that the Ono-Lennons aren’t pleasant - but they’ve turned a hint unfamiliar. They were something that I didn’t want to handle. Linda lifted it all away.

We continued stumbling down the road, mumbling sweet conversation to each other. Reminiscing about the night we just had, giggling at old jokes again. She let go of my hand and wrapped herself around my arm, entangling us further. I wouldn’t mind if this moment lasted forever. I’d go down any path with her. It didn’t matter, because she would always be there; she’s a shoulder to lean on, a second opinion, and someone who believes in me - constantly. I didn’t know how much I needed that.

#beatles #beatles fic #fan fiction #oneshot #fluff #the beatles #paul mccartney #John Lennon #yoko ono #linda mccartney #writing #love #personal #my work #my writing