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solarianvoidthearoace · 3 years

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Excerpt#4 from my JonGerry AU WiP

CN/TW: brief discussion of psychiatric medication, amiable/loving insults and banter

Gerry swallowed, putting his phone down on the table and grabbing their mug.

„Okay, what now?“, Jon shifted his elbow on the table, leaning closer. Gerry just sighed, handing over his phone, the messages with Gertrude still open. Jon raised a brow,

„So Michael gossiped“, he shrugged,

„I don’t see why you’re suddenly this tense.“ Gerry cleared their throat, taking his phone back and looking at Jon,

„Yes, well, I know my last art show was months ago, back when we were still feeling this out. Us. But actually, I do want to invite you to my art show“, they slowly smiled.

„Jon, would you like to come with to this art show? It’s primarily my work getting displayed but the rest of the gallery is open for the event as well. And while I know tickets and all sounds like it’s this scary exclusive high class thing, it’s more of a formality“, they made a placating gesture, expression a bit awkward,

„So they know who is associated with the organisation and to keep track of who is actually there to buy something.“ He shrugged, looking at Jon with an expression he thought wasn’t too hopeful. Jon just leaned even closer, pressing a kiss to their cheek,

„I’d love to come with.“ Cupping Jon’s face, Gerry turned their head, kissing him properly.

„Martin is also invited of course, I’ll send you the calendar entry so you can ask him about it when you’re out today.“

It was a Friday, the next day. Jon only worked a half the day, due to his half-year check-in with his psychiatrist. It somehow had happened to fall into the same week as Martin’s endocrinologist appointment. He was home rather soon because of that, allowing himself to sneak up on Gerry. Obviously he didn’t want to intrude on his partner’s workspace, but if they happened to be anywhere else in the loft? Jon wasn’t afraid to admit he was somewhat of a cuddle-kraken.

Where he found Gerry was in the bathroom, but the door was open so Jon poked his head in. Bend over the sink, Gerry was picking at strands of his hair, applying dye. They did spot Jon via the mirror, though.

„You’re home early“, slowly setting the strand aside so it wouldn’t smack him in the face.

„And you’re trying to do a full touch-up of your dye job on your own“, Jon sighed. Before Gerry could answer, Jon chucked off his sweater and went looking for their package of disposable gloves.

„Thank you“, their grin was a bit lopsided. Jon just rolled his eyes,

„Yea, yea, twerp. Just the roots?“ Snapping on the gloves, he took the brush Gerry held out.

„It’s black, doll. Not like it will get blotchy if there’s too much. Just needs to cover everything properly.“ Jon sighed, giving a gentle push so Gerry would tilt their head as he needed to part the hair. Before he actually started anything, though, he handed the brush back and went over to the shower to get the shower stool. Not doing the dye job himself, Gerry didn’t exactly need to stand to look into the mirror. Gerry held the bowl for him, ducking their head this way and that, so Jon could reach every area that was left. They remained in comfortable silence for some time.

„Why do you even still dye your hair yourself?“, Jon finally asked, using the pointed handle of the applicator brush to shift some strands.

„I just got used to it“, Gerry shrugged,

„Also I did step up my game. I started using proper salon-grade hair colour some years back.“ Jon snorted,

„Yea, I got curious and looked up the conditioner you use, once“, he shook his head. As good as they could, Gerry shot him a glare through the mirror. Jon actually blew him a kiss in reiteration, before he grinned.

„My appointment went well, by the way.“ Gerry raised a brow, he hadn’t been about to ask.

„Apparently my newly changed living situation benefits my mental health, as far as my psychiatrist was willing to dip into psychologist territory“, Jon continued, shrugging,

„I mean, obviously my anxiety dropped. Within the range that’s somewhat usual for general anxiety disorder, so there’s that. But unless I notice anything specific, eh. This positive change in my life isn’t a reason to change my medication or dosage. I’m honestly fine with that decision.“ Gerry hummed in understanding. Reaching up his hand that wasn’t holding the colour bowl, they gave Jon’s hand a squeeze,

„Understandable. Changing medication is a pain in the ass.“ Jon nodded empathetically,

„Oh, that does remind me“. He paused while he looked through the sections he had made of Gerry’s hair. Nodding to himself, he grabbed the disposable shower cap from the sink. Twisting Gerry’s hair up to get it all into the cap, he smiled when they helped fixating the loose tangle for a moment.

„Where was I? Oh, yes. So, when I was out with Martin yesterday, he said he had to pick up his hormones. We stopped by here real quick and I took your prescription with to the apothecary. Restock is in the mirror cabinet.“ He pointed over to the part of the long mirror cabinet where they kept their medication,

„I know you keep them in the bedroom but since it didn’t seem urgent, I figured I would just put them there.“ Checking one last time the cap sat properly, Jon finally pulled off his gloves.

As soon as Gerry had disposed of the colour bowl as well as his own gloves, they turned and took Jon’s hands in his.

„Thank you. Was I asleep while you snuck around here?“ He raised a brow, expression teasing. Jon rolled his eyes,

„Either that or holed up downstairs. It’s not like I checked, dipshit.“ Gerry hummed, tilting their head and giving Jon a scrutinising look. Leaning back against the sink to stabilise themself, Gerry pulled Jon in, gently moving him around until he sat across his lap. Hugging him, he pressed a kiss to Jon’s neck.

„I really appreciate you taking care of me, doll.“ Jon huffed, rolling his eyes,

„It’s not like it was lengths to go to or anything. Sure, Martin did give me a look about it.“ He shrugged. At that, Gerry looked up, giving him a quizzical look, Jon waved it away.

„He knows my brand of antidepressants by now, not like it changed. But the packet-size is rather universal anyway, so I honestly didn’t feel the need to explain this to him. It’s your business. It is easy enough to figure out if he actually caught what type of medication it is but I don’t really think so…?“, Jon scratched at his neck. Gerry grinned, before putting on a mock-scandalised expression,

„Are you keeping things from your boyfriend, on my behalf?“ That just earned him an elbow to the stomach, thanks to Jon’s position.

„Oh shut up, twerp.“ The accompanying huff was unmistakably on the fond side of exasperation. They just grinned again,

„Hm, no. But maybe I will let myself get convinced to put my mouth to better use than running it.“

With how involved Gerry had managed to get Jon, a bit of the hair colour paste had smudged onto Jon’s shoulder, discolouring the strap of his undershirt. Besides that, it had been a nice and quiet weekend for the two of them. And also the last one before Gerry got wrapped up in the acute preparations of the art show. The next couple of weeks turned out rather busy. Working with Gertrude’s team to set up in the gallery meant he had to switch their daily routine, as far as it existed, to that of someone working eight-to-five. Lining it up with Jon’s nine-to-five if it hadn’t been for the librarian-slash-archivist’s overtime.

It was getting a bit hectic, though. Meaning, they did reduce their shifts at the bar for the time being. Gerry, first off, had to work actual day-time hours to be involved in the organisation. On top of adhering to Gertrude’s instructions to them as the artist. Which basically summed up to the equivalent of working over-time as well. So his work schedule almost lined up with Jon’s after all. It was nice, to get home around the same time as their partner, or only having just arrived when the front door clicked.

Gertrude was strict but she also knew not to overwork them, meaning she cut Gerry some slack in lieu of being helpful with the event organisation. Not that they got payed for the administrative help or basically doing the same job as Michael for the time being.

But at least she didn’t push any commissions at him until the art show and follow-up around the sales would be done. In those weeks, he actually was off work when he got home. This, of course, also entailed there wasn’t much time Gerry was working when Jon brought Martin with him. Meaning, they were about anywhere in the loft except for the atelier.

“Uhm, what is the dress code for the event?”, Martin spoke up at some point during an evening at the loft. Jon paused,

“Actually I haven’t thought about that. He didn’t exactly mention anything, so I figured something around business casual?”, he didn’t look all that sure. Humming, Jon got up from the couch,

“They should be upstairs so I’ll just go ask.” Martin nodded, suddenly sitting a bit stiffer than he did before, making Jon smile,

“You can come along, you know?”

On the upper floor of the loft, the bedroom door was leant, a thin gap visible. Still, Jon thought it better to check,

“Gerry, are you decent in there?” From the inside came a snort, followed by a chuckled reply,

“Morally? Never! I’m wearing pants, though, if that was the root of your concern.” Rolling his eyes, Jon turned to Martin so someone would see his long-suffering expression.

“Since we pretty much corrupted each other in our youth, of course I meant the pants, dipshit!”, he snarled back,

“Martin’s with me and I don’t want any of us to have a weird situation here.” Some clattering and rustling came from behind the door,

“Come on in, then. No need to keep talking through the door, four-eyes.” With that, Jon pushed the door open and walked in, allowing Martin to enter after him. Gerry sat on their bed, still in their black jeans from when he had been to the gallery. But they had changed the button shirt Gertrude had forced upon him in favour of his pastel hoodie. Sitting cross legged near the foot-end, he was still in the process of tying his hair back.

“So, what’s up?”

“Ah, well…”, Martin’s voice came out even more meek than usual, probably from the nervousness of standing in someone else’s bedroom,

“I was wondering about the event you invited us to. First, thanks again, of course. I’m really excited about seeing your work, properly displayed even. Secondly, while I know the appointed time and everything, I was wondering whether there will be a dress-code.” At that, Gerry blinked, before humming.

“Well… for me, I have to stick to whatever Trudie will force me to wear that night, since I’m posing as her assistant again. But the general event dress-code is somewhere between smart casual and business casual, I think.” They turned and stretched to grab his phone from the bedside table,

“I’ll ask Sasha.”

While they waited on the reply, Jon’s brow creased,

“So you’re forced into… what? Business attire? I really can’t picture that.” Gerry rolled his eyes,

“More like cocktail attire. Not exactly a distinction to business dress but Gertrude is giving us all some leeway, as long as we look official enough. Last time Sasha wore a floaty silk blouse over high-waisted slacks”, they shrugged,

“Along those lines, I guess. I always try matching her in terms of formal dress, it’s at least more coherent than whatever Michael has got going on at any time.”

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ayellowcurtain · 4 years

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Sander being down coming out of a depressive episode. Being soft, wanting cuddles and not wanting to be far from robbe if he doesn’t need to be. So robbe letting him lay his head on his lap as robbe studies for exams. Or robbe wrapping his arms around sander from behind and his legs as well as he plays video games with the boys. Basically sander following robbe around the apartment as sander heals and comes out of his episode. Robbe feeding him taking care of him. // Can you please, write about Sander having a bad dream and it waking Robbe up, Sander asking Robbe for cuddles so he can go back to sleep, Sander being the little spoon. Just Robbe taking care of Sander after a bad dream

It’s different for both of them. And it’s probably not right, but despite popular beliefs, humans don’t always process their feelings in a socially acceptable way. Robbe likes when Sander needs him, he likes it when his boyfriend is clingy, constantly needing Robbe’s touch or just his presence. And Sander feels a little bad for selfishly wanting Robbe all to himself, but he doesn’t say it, he just says fuck everyone else and holds Robbe a little tighter, closer to him.

If it was a choice, Sander wouldn’t let Robbe see him when he’s not feeling fully like himself. He knows it’s a lot to deal with it and it’s not because they are together that Robbe is forced to be around when Sander himself would like to run away.

But the problem is that being with Robbe seems to make the days go by quicker and not as bad as when he’s alone or with anyone else, because Sander can see his boyfriend right there, looking like he’s thinking about anything, never about running as far away from Sander as possible.

Robbe is not one to ditch his friends to hang out with Sander, not when he and his friends already have plans. Even if Robbe doesn’t feel like going, he goes anyway because he never likes to disappoint anyone. And they’ve been hiding inside Robbe’s bedroom for almost two days and Jens keeps texting him, asking to go skate.

Sander didn’t ask him to stay because Robbe would do it and Sander would feel guilty and Jens would probably hate him. Not that he cares that much about Jens’ opinion about him, but he doesn’t want to make Robbe deal with him for another full day.

It’s been three hours since Robbe left and Sander keeps checking his phone, trying to go back to sleep, let Robbe be a normal person for a little longer. He moves without thinking, grabbing his phone from underneath Robbe’s pillow, texting him.

to Robbe: How’s your date with Jens going?

Can you come home?

I miss you too much

He instantly regrets when he sees the online that pops on his screen as soon as Robbe receives the last text. Sander could have sent it all in one, but he decided to be selfish and send a bunch of texts to get Robbe’s attention back on him, not on Jens or the skate park.

to Sander: Is everything ok?

I’m leaving, be home in fifteen or something like that.

to Robbe: I’m ok, sorry, no need to rush, cutie.

to Sander: I’m on my way <3

Sander puts his phone back underneath the pillow that smells like Robbe, hiding his face against it for a little, smiling excitedly to himself. Robbe is too good to be true and he deserves so much better. Sander doesn’t have the courage to break up with him though. He’ll be selfish forever and always choose to stay with Robbe, even if it sucks for him.

The least Sander can do is be presentable, so he forces himself to get up, grabbing Robbe’s towel on his chair, still a little cold from not drying completely since last night, and he throws it over his shoulder. He stops at the door, watching as Milan comes home and walks past the door, going straight to the kitchen. If Sander is careful enough, Milan won’t even see him crossing the hall to go take a shower. He opens the door and quickly goes to the bathroom, locking the door.

He hasn’t showered in a few days. It was too much work to get out of his comfort bubble inside Robbe’s bedroom, probably hiding against Robbe’s neck for most of that time. It could be worse, he could smell worse, but a shower won’t hurt.

Even the shampoos and conditioners are labeled and Sander grabs Robbe’s as he lets the water hit in between his shoulder, right on the nape of his neck. It feels relaxing, a little too much for someone that’s already feeling drained, but Sander ignores it, opening the shampoo and smiling when his affective memory instantly connects the smell to the comfort of being with Robbe.

Sander likes Robbe’s hair way too much, especially the ones that are long enough to go all the way to his neck. When they’re kissing for hours and hours, Sander presses his fingertips against Robbe’s hair, wanting him even closer and Robbe whines and melts into him and that’s all Sander needs, ever.

There’s not much Robbe can do that doesn’t make Sander’s brain go completely blank, just craving more Robbe.

He takes a very quick shower, washing his hair with Robbe’s things, rushing back to his bedroom, putting some clean clothes on, lying down again, looking at the door as he waits for Robbe to come back already.

When he hears the front door being unlocked, Sander moves closer to the center of the bed so Robbe won’t have a choice but be close to him. Everyone else is home, also hiding inside their bedroom, it has to be Robbe.

Sander hears Robbe hanging his jacket and his bag, kicking his shoes off and his shadow appears at the door, carefully opening it, putting his head inside.

“Hey...” Robbe smiles bright, finally walking inside, closing and locking the door behind him, always keeping his eyes on Sander, working his magic, making Sander’s insides warm up instantly just by having Robbe’s eyes on him.

“Hi.” He lifts the blanket and Robbe sits on the bed, kissing his forehead, showing the little package that he’s been holding.

“Brought some food for you. You want it?” Even if Sander didn’t want it, Robbe is already resting against the headboard, carefully opening the package. Sander is not too hungry, but he can’t remember the last time he properly ate and that can’t be good.

He snuggles closer, laying his head on Robbe’s lap, watching him grab the plastic fork that came with the container. “You’re so sweet. Thank you.”

Robbe smiles at him, opening the container and the smell quickly fills Sander’s nostrils. It smells good at least. He watches as Robbe picks something for him to eat.

There’s no steam coming out from the angle that Sander is seeing, but he watches as Robbe takes a bite to see if it’s too hot. He raises his eyebrows when he confirms that it’s not too hot, finally giving Sander some of the food. “No, I’m actually so in love and I keep thinking about my boyfriend, lying in my bed, waiting for me and then I needed to bring him something.”

Sander is not a picky eater, so he eats whatever Robbe offers to his mouth, just enjoying how proud of himself Robbe looks. It’s a weird angle, so Robbe is extra careful not to miss his target and he smiles sometimes, making Sander smile too, not as enthusiastically.

“How was your date with Jens?” Robbe stops feeding him, raising his eyebrows, clearly bothered by Sander’s jealousy dressed as a stupid joke.

“It was lovely. We kissed and fucked, better-”

Sander feels his blood boiling even though he’s sure it’s bullshit. Robbe would never. “Stop.”

“You started...” Robbe comes closer, kissing Sander, putting his food aside. “It was cool, but I missed you terribly.”

They stay close for a while, looking into each other’s eyes, forgetting about the food, not kissing either. Robbe’s fingertips tingle under his jaw, close to his chin with the lightest touch. And he’s the one to break the silence, sitting up to put the rest of the food on his nightstand, finally coming to lie down next to Sander, purring when Sander lifts the sheets again to pull him closer, with nothing in between them, instantly tangling their legs together.

“When did you really fell for me?” Robbe asks after hiding his face against Sander’s neck for what it feels like a long - but not long enough - time.

“Before you.” Sander moves away just enough to be able to see Robbe’s face, letting Robbe’s fingertips draw small circles on his collarbone underneath the shirt (it’s actually Robbe’s shirt).

Robbe smiles, pushing his bleached and damp hair away from his eyes. “The exact moment. Tell me how it was, how you felt.”

Sander smiles, coming a little closer again, touching Robbe’s nose with the tip of his own whenever he talks.

“Ok. I think it was when we were making croques together. You were all clumsy, not knowing what to do - I like to think it was because I was there with you - and you just let me feed you and I could tell you were a little uncomfortable, astonished if I can brag a little. And you looked so handsome and soft and I just needed to kiss you, but then Britt came in and ruined everything. You?”

“I guess when I kept having to watch you with Britt and all I could think about was on how badly I wanted to be in her place. You were very touchy with her for someone that was falling for a third person.” Sander smiles and he means it this time, moving their heads a little to find the perfect angle, kissing Robbe slowly, snaking his arm around his waist, underneath Robbe’s oversized shirt.

“If it makes it any better, I was thinking about you every time I kissed her during that weekend.” Sander tries to go for his puppiest eyes, raising his eyebrows too, smiling because he knows what he said - and what he did to Britt that weekend - wasn’t right and Robbe is not the type that likes doing the “wrong thing”, so he needs to appeal to Robbe’s soft spot for him. Sander doesn’t care about doing the “wrong” thing if it takes him to where he needs to be.

And at the time, he needed to not cause any trouble with Britt so she could stay at that beach house for as long as Robbe would be there. If he fucked up that weekend, even in the little things, she would make a show, pack her bags and demand that Sander had to take her back home. And he couldn’t do that. He was finally right next to Robbe like he needed to be.

#wtfock #robbe ijzermans #sander driesen #robbe x sander #sobbe

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pbandjesse · 5 years

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Today was a pretty good day. There was a big stressful part of the beginning but the majority of the day was very good. There was even a special surprise. And yoga.

I slept super poorly last night. I couldn't fall asleep for forever because I felt sick and nauseous and bad. And then when I did fall asleep I woke up a few times again. Air conditioner turned off in the middle of the night and James rollover next to me and I woke up just horribly uncomfortable. He wouldn't turn the air conditioning back on that because he always takes care of me. And I was able to sleep until about 7.

James was awake and told me I could keep sleeping but I didn't really want to. I wanted to lay there so I just played on my phone for a while. And then I got up. I got cleaned up and dressed and I felt okay.

I hung in my hammock for a little bit and then James told me he made a waffle. And I was like okay. And I was confused because he had asked me what I wanted for breakfast last night and I said I was going to have the avocado scramble thing I made the other day. And then he remembered that after he made the waffle and felt very bad. But it was fine. He made the thing I wanted and he had the waffle for breakfast instead.

I got the best boyfriend.

We hung out for a while and then left to go to the bus. James walked me there. And then bus proceeded not to show up for almost a half an hour. I was very frustrated. Because it was supposed to be there at 9: 30 but it didn't come until almost 9:50. And we had been there since 920. So I was very stressed out and I hate being late!! I texted Tiffany and let her know and I was just very distressed.

I was about 15 minutes late in the end. Sucks. I'm going to try to get an earlier bus tomorrow. So even if it runs late I will hopefully have the same issue. Because seriously we were three blocks away from access art and our bus driver saw someone on the street that he knew and he park the bus and got off to go have a conversation with him. I was losing my mind.

But I got there and everyone was fine. We're just lesson planning so it wasn't like I was missing anything yet but I hate being late. We all kind of bullshitted and talked for a little bit and then the teacher from holistic Life Center came.

He was a really nice guy. He told really funny stories and he was young and covered in tattoos and wearing a Orioles yoga shirt. He mostly talked about mindfulness. A little bit of yoga. And we learned a lot about breathing exercises. I felt very Vindicated and validated about the types of breathing exercises I already do with the kids when they're upset or hurt. But I learned some really interesting ones today. Specifically that I breathe wrong and I'm trying to retrain myself but it's very hard. It was very enjoyable even though I hated sitting in the folding chairs for that long. My feet don't reach the ground and it's uncomfortable.

But we also played a couple mindfulness games at the end of that was cool. Stuff that we can use in the classroom and it's awesome. I'm really glad that we were able to do that.

We had a late lunch. Marcus went down the street and got me a spring roll. Was very good. And I worked on my lesson plan. Almost out. I think I'll probably end up finishing it tomorrow. And then I'll go back in and make sure it's all good. I also think I want to use a couple other visual things for the classroom. And maybe add some tutorial images of some kind. We have tomorrow and Friday to finish lesson plans. And even with my brain breaks where I sketched tattoo ideas I still got a lot done.

While I was taking a break on my lesson plan I was looking at eBay and I got a crazy good deal on a Furby buddy. Something that I've been trying to get for 2 months now there's a little plush versions of the Furbies. I don't absolutely love them but people use them to make the long Furbies. And I'd like to try my hand at that. And I got one for $5. Usually they go for $35 to $40. I am very excited. I think I'm going to use it slightly as part of my example for my quilt making lesson. I'm going to make its belly pattern based off of Victorian crazy quilts. I'm very excited.

At 3 we finished up. We all decided on which weeks we should be teaching our lessons and when. Was decided that my quilt project would go first which makes me slightly nervous but it's probably a good idea. Because it's community building project we're going to kind of have all the kids get out there art things right away before they jump into other projects and I think that will work out nicely.

And then me and fitsum went home. His driving kind of makes me nauseous. Lot of fast speed up and then stopping. But we had a nice conversation about capitalism and its downfalls. And talked about apartments because he's moving as well. We saw a couple meet cars that we pointed out and talked about. It was a good time.

He dropped me off and I made some food. Did a couple packing things. Made a pile of the furniture and getting rid of. And just kind of hung out. Me and James were going to have dinner together but I kind of just wanted to be by myself a little bit. My dad's going to come visit this weekend and he's going to take the bed. So really these are the last couple days I'm ever going to live alone if all goes according to plan. And it feels very strange. I've lived alone for a long time. But I am excited. Nervous but excited.

I was just kind of chilling. Even though it was too humid in here to call it chilling. Playing Animal Crossing and watching videos. And then I decided to go check the mail.

I was excited because I had a package. But then I saw that there was a letter in there as well from the Minneapolis Apartment project. Which means it's from the class action settlement. Which means it's a check. When we won the settlement last year they said that we would get all of our rent back. But of course it was going to go into appeals. So we would probably just get a portion of our rent back. And honestly getting any amount of money from living in those apartments would be fine. But I was so nervous about opening this check. So he opened my package first. And it was socks! very exciting. I was looking forward to those socks. They're black and they have little hearts on them.

But I couldn't put off opening the check any longer. And I did and if I did my math right I thought about nine months worth of rent back. And the checks that this might not be the only check. That I might get more? Like after all the lawyers and fees are paid if there's anything left over there going to send another check. That's wild. And like all of my money stress. The $40 me and James got scammed out of the other day. James his bike breaking. Moving. All of it. This kind of feels like a buffer. We don't have to worry about it now. Least for a while. And I'm making more money and if he gets this job he's going to be at making more money. And even if he doesn't get this job he's going to keep looking until he does get something good. Don't have to be so stressed out and nickel-and-diming ourselves all the time. it's exciting. It feels Like the universe is telling me everything's going to be okay. That means using my white privilege to help make the lives of my neighbors and Minneapolis better is being rewarded. And that sometimes being a good person and trying to help other people does pay off in the end. And sometimes in cash.

I kind of didn't know what to say when I open the check. So I called James and let him know. And then I called my dad. We talked about taxes and he's going to check with the tax lady to make sure that I have put enough aside next year. I don't want to have an issue. But yeah it's exciting. And it was good to hear dad. He sounds a lot better. And he's looking forward to coming on Sunday and I'm looking forward to having him here. We're going to patch holes but hopefully we'll also do something else. Maybe we'll eat some good food and maybe we'll go see something interesting. Unsure of what yet but I'll figure that out.

I called Jess next to let her know. And she was very excited for me. And then I went back to packing. I brought more stuff from the basement. I broke down all of my Furby boxes. I don't know why I'm keeping them but it feels weird to throw them away. So flat in the Middle East to put them in storage. And I use the box that I have been storing them in to put kitchen stuff in. Paper towels and Ziploc bags. That one bottle of alcohol I always have. And then I took a shower. I painted my toenails and I'm just watching videos and enjoying my night.

Back to lesson planning tomorrow. And then I think falafels with James. No matter what it's going to be a good day. I can feel it. Hope you all have a good night tonight. Be kind to each other. Go out of your way for someone else. Don't expect anything in return. Good night

#ootd #work #good day #weird dog #cat #drawings #wensday

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gvbejvmes · 3 years

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Drabble Days 10

Title: Forgetting Albert Rating: PG-13 Characters: Gabriel James-Michaels, Abby Smith Relationships: Gabriel James-Michaels & Abby Smith Trigger warnings for: Homophobia, transphobia, child abuse, forced regendering, mentions of drug abuse. Summary: It’s not the kind of text one would expect to get at eight in the morning. It’s more of the type of text he’s used to getting from one of the kids at two in the morning.

Gabe is in the process of dropping Bella off at pre-k when he gets the text. It’s not the kind of text one would expect to get at eight in the morning. It’s more of the type of text he’s used to getting from one of the kids at two in the morning. Can you pick me up? No explanation. Not even an address. Just the simple question. And the weirdest part? It’s from Abby, the Collective’s intern. It’s not that he and Abby don’t get along. They get along fine. She’s a great kid, and she’s a hard worker. He and Kale had already spoken about hiring her on permanently once she was finished with school. It was more that they just didn’t really talk to each other. She didn’t really care for large crowds, and tended to keep to herself more often than not. When she was with someone else it was always Kid or Destiny. So getting a text from her? It definitely didn’t sit right with him. Something was wrong. Of course. Shoot me the address. The response is almost instantaneous. It’s an address out in Jersey. A part of him wonders if he was her first text or her twentieth text, but it doesn’t really matter. He’d made it clear from the beginning that if anyone in the Collective ever needed help he’d be there - no questions asked. She’s not the first member to take him up on his offer, but it does surprise him. More than he thought it would. Due to morning traffic, it takes almost two hours to get to the address Abby sent him. When he gets there, he’s not sure why he’s surprised that he’s in suburbia. That uncomfortable feeling settles in the pit of his stomach again. The house looks picturesque - neatly trimmed yard, despite it being winter, cleaned out gutters. It looks nothing like the house he grew up in, but there’s something about it that reminds him of his childhood home. He swallows, but forces himself up the walk and rings the doorbell. At the same time, he sends Abby a text, letting her know that he’s there. It takes a couple of minutes before a stern-looking man answers the door. He’s dressed in a severe-looking grey suit, and stands in a stiff sort of way, like he learned how to stand from watching the Munsters or something. “We don’t want whatever you’re selling.” And with that the man attempts to close the door on Gabe. Pure instinct is what has Gabe sticking his foot onto the threshold of the door, keeping the man from closing the door on him. He doesn’t entirely know why, but again, he gets this reminder of his father. Suddenly he just wants Abby out of this house. “I’m here to pick up Abby. She didn’t show up for her shift this morning.” It’s a lie. A blatant lie. Abby doesn’t work on Mondays, but he gets the feeling that this man wouldn’t know that. “There’s no one named Abby at this address.” Even if Gabe didn’t have the address in his phone, he wouldn’t have believed him. The way he said it reminded Gabe of the way Francis would tell Gabe’s teachers that his latest bruise was from falling down the stairs. He pushes past the man and into the house. It’s a total timewarp. Everything about this place reminds him of growing up in the 80’s. “Abby.” He bellows. “Let’s hit the road, sweetheart.” The man rounds on him and slams him into a wall. “There’s no Abby here. How many times do I have to tell you people that there is no Abby.” And his breath reeks of alcohol. A half memory pops into Gabe’s mind then. He remembers a conversation with Kid, and an off-handed comment about the only family Abby having was an aunt who understood her. Immediately he knows this man has to be her father. That’s why he was getting the Francis vibes. He was her phobic father. He shoves the man off him, and doesn’t wait before running up the stairs. He doesn’t know why he does it; he’s never been in this house before. It’s pure adrenaline and instinct that’s driving him forward. All he knows is that he needs to get Abby out of this house. There’s a door with one of those souvenir vanity plates that says Albert. And he knows - he just knows that he’s not going to like what he sees when he opens the door. Abby looks drugged out of her mind. She’s handcuffed to the bed, and well… her hair had been buzzed. The girl, who usually wore brightly colored dresses and rompers, was dressed in jeans and a NY Giants shirt. Everything about the scene in front of him made him want to throw up. He’s across the room in two long strides. “Abby, you with me?” He’s next to her now, checking for a pulse. Her cell phone is still in her hand, and she’s conscious - just not in this reality with him. Her pulse is slow and reminds him of the time Maxxie OD’ed on Ketamine. The man is behind him, but he doesn’t jump Gabe like he thought he would. When he glances back, the man is wringing his hands and looks out of sorts. “I’m just trying to fix him. I just want my son back.” And he’s muttering to himself and looking all sorts of broken. He probably hadn’t meant to give her as much as he had. “You never had a son. You always had a daughter. She was just born in the wrong packaging.” And Abby makes a feeble sound, which makes Gabe think that she can hear them - even in this state. “Uncuff her now. I’m taking her home.” Now the man yanks Gabe up to his feet. “No! This is his home.” He growls out. “The city is what brain-washed him. The city is what made him think he’s something he’s not. This is where he belongs.” Gabe knows his type. He knows that he won’t call the cops because of whatever drugs he used to keep Abby sedated over the weekend she apparently went to visit her father. It’s this thought that has him punching the man as hard as he can, watching impassively as he hits the ground. Once he’s sure he’s out cold, he rummages through his pockets and finds the key. That done, he pocket’s Abby’s phone before unlocking her and hoisting her over his shoulder. “I hope you have everything you need because we’re not going back there.” He murmurs out softly before settling her in the back of his car and getting the hell out of dodge. Instead of driving back towards lower Manhattan, he drives in the direction of the Estate. He understands now why she chose him to come get her; he would get it in a way the others wouldn’t. It’s early evening by the time they make it to the Estate. Abby is still pretty out of it, but she was at least able to use the restroom by herself when they stopped for a break, which had calmed Gabe the hell down. He wasn’t sure how he would have handled that. As soon as they’re at the estate, he passes her off to Mrs. H before heading into town. He’s not entirely sure what she needs, but he just grabs the things his daughters have sent him out for in the past: body wash, moisturizer, powder smelling deodorant, shampoo with very specific instructions, matching conditioner which will never stop being weird to him, mousse since she’s going to have to rock short hair for awhile, clear lip gloss and mascara. He doesn’t attempt any more make-up than that. The clothes are harder, but he figures they’ll only be up at the estate for a couple of days. So he grabs a couple of pairs of fleece-lined leggings and long sleeved dresses, a pair of pjs, and a night dress. He’s not even going to attempt to figure out her shoe or bra size right now so he skips that, and instead grabs a couple of packages of underwear in different sizes. It’s easier than dwelling on the fact that he’s buying his intern underwear. As soon as he’s back at the estate, he passes off the items for Mrs. H to wash. She doesn’t even laugh at him - just makes a comment that she’ll put the too large items in the storage closet of extras for Kale’s overnight guests. He takes the bag of hygiene products up to the guest room Abby’s in. When he gets there, she’s in the ensuite in a tub filled with so much bubble bath that he can barely make out her head. “I’ll come back.” He promised. “I should probably check-in with Jay. I just wanted to leave you these. I picked up some clothes for you, too. They’re probably too big, but I figure it’s better than what I brought you in wearing. Mrs. H is washing them for you.” He set the bag on the vanity and made to run out of the room. He doesn’t make it far. “Mr. Michaels?” And it’s always been Mr. James or Mr. Michaels and Mr. Johnson. No matter how many times they tell her otherwise, she insists on calling them by their last names. He forgets sometimes that she’s not even 21. “Thank you.” His eyes close. He hates how small she sounds right now. And in the end, that’s his problem, isn’t it? He adopts any stray who wanders into his life without even thinking about it. He didn’t know why he thought having an intern would be any different. “Don’t mention it.” He swallows for a moment, but doesn’t look back in her direction. “I’ll see you in about an hour for dinner.” Later they’ll have to come up with a story to tell the others. And later he’ll have to call Kale to have him take his classes tomorrow. But for now things are calm, and that’s all Gabe needs.

#drabble #drabble days #repost #The Collective #relationship: Gabe & Abby

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rainbowsend-jm · 4 years

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Chapter 1

The first time I got on a plane was the last time I saw my mother. I was a bundle of confusion and nerves as a man I had never met before held my hand and guided me down a balmy, seemingly endless hallway leading into a flying metal bird. My heart hammered against my ribcage as I set foot inside. A young woman with skin the color of bone and platinum blonde hair greeted us in a language I couldn’t understand. After looking at the tickets in the man’s hand, she pointed to our seats. The man nodded at her and told me to walk ahead.

Once we sat down, he showed me how to fasten my seatbelt and asked me if I wanted anything from the bag before he stored it over our heads. I shook my head. Even with my coat on, my skin prickled from the air conditioner. While I was normally a very outspoken seven-year-old, being in such an unfamiliar place stifled my words. Suddenly overwhelmed with nerves, I looked up at the man and asked for my María cookies just before he stored my bag. He opened my pink and blue backpack, the one I had covered with yellow and orange star stickers on the outside to patch the holes and pulled out a small golden cylinder. I took it from his hands, whispering a thank you before I carefully peeled the top of the packaging. After I took a bite, I looked out the window at the people loading the bags outside, counting each bag as it was thrown on the conveyor belt. I didn’t know the numbers beyond 30, so whenever I reached it, I started again.

When I left my house hours earlier, my mother hadn’t said anything about where I was going or why she wasn’t coming with us. Mami didn’t like questions, especially from me. She got angry when I asked too many and when mami got mad, she didn’t look at me or make any food. She told me I didn’t deserve anything from her because I had upset her. She acted differently when I washed the dishes, especially when I scrubbed the pots clean of all the concón that had stuck to the bottom; she always stroked my hair when I took out the trash or when I brought home a good report card from school.

I figured she would join us later at the church because she had told me to wear my prettiest dress; the one I wore to the Christmas service a few months before. It was the most beautiful thing I owned, and I loved it almost as much as I loved my storybooks. I didn’t care that Glenda, Doña Margarita’s mean daughter, had owned it first or that mami had told me I was going to burn in hell because I couldn't stop smiling at my reflection in the mirror, twirling over and over so I could see the bubble effect the skirt created. Every other dress I had was itchy and didn’t fit well. But this one, this one was red velvet and it felt soft against my hands. I had on white tights and shiny black shoes. Who cares if it made me so hot, I thought I would faint? Every time I put that dress on, I felt beautiful.

Mami had tied the bow in the back then turned me around by the shoulders, gripping me tight. She had worn her favorite dress, white and tight on her body, and had put on make-up that made her copper skin glow. Her brown hair was loose instead of being in tightly wrapped around her head in a tubi. I wondered if I would ever grow up to be as pretty as she was, though I believed I had a fair chance since our hair and skin were the same color. She brushed my hair back. Her amber eyes looked strange, like she had been crying all day again.

“Pórtate bien.”

“Si, señora.”

She didn’t say good-bye or even look at me as I got in the car. It was a nicer car than mami’s, especially because it had air conditioner which was a welcome relief in this hot night. Through the window, I saw Doña Margarita standing in her porch across the street, her eyes on mami. She looked unhappy, disapproving like she usually did when mami came home late from work. I followed her gaze. Mami kissed the man on the mouth, holding him tightly, and he let himself be kissed. He took her hands off him shortly after and got in the car with me.

As the car lurched forward, I looked at her through the back window, seeing her already small figure get smaller and smaller as the car drove away. I grew confused as we sped past our neighborhood church but didn’t dare ask anything. I thought then that we were going to a fancy party in Casa de Campo, the resort where mami worked. I had never gone to a party before. The man didn’t say anything, and I kept quiet the entire ride.

Now the people walking into the plane were fewer and fewer and I had finished all my cookies but mami still wasn’t here.

“Is mami coming?” I asked in English, my voice small.

“No.”

I was grateful he spoke English. Since I could remember, Mami had made sure all the movies and cartoons that I saw were in English. She said it was the best way to learn the language and to get a good pronunciation so nobody would tease me.

“Where are we going?”

The man kept his eyes ahead, looking at the people that boarded as they got into their seats.

“Salzburg, though first we stop in Frankfurt.”

“Where is Salzburg?”

“In Austria.”

The only countries I knew were my own, along with Puerto Rico, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica and the United States. I didn’t know where Austria was, but it had to be far if we were on a plane to get there. I tightened my hold on the hem of my dress, rubbing the fabric over and over with my thumb. For a second, I wish mami was here. She wasn’t a source of comfort, but her anger and La Romana were all I had ever known. Why wasn’t she here with me? Why did she let me go with this foreigner? When would I go home? Was she sending me away because I hadn’t washed the dishes this morning?

“Why isn’t mami coming?” I said.

“Because she isn’t.”

It didn’t make sense. Was it because mami did not like planes?

Another woman dressed in navy approached our seats and asked us something in the same rough, chopped language I heard when we walked inside. She smiled at me, apparently waiting for an answer. All I could do was stare at her striped scarf. It looked like candy canes. The man answered in my stead in the same language. The lady pressed her hand against her chest, looking at me with a mix of pity and amusement before walking away.

“What did she say?”

“She asked if you wanted something to drink. I told her no. I don’t want you going to the bathroom until we are flying.”

“Is that the language you speak in Austria?”

He nodded.

“Will I have to learn it?”

“Only if you want to understand what people say to you.”

I did want to learn only I didn’t know if I could. I wished then I had something to hug, a doll or plush toy, anything soft. However, mami had never bought me neither of those things. She had said then I didn’t need anything beyond clothes, food, and God.

“Didn't Zuleika tell you who I am?” the man asked me suddenly, saying mami’s name with mild annoyance.

Why would mami tell me who he is? Mami didn’t really tell me anything. She just expected me to do my chores and behave. In fact, she always got upset when I asked her too many questions. It never occurred to me to ask her who this man was. I figured he was her friend. She never let me leave the house with anyone she didn’t know. But now… now I was afraid. What would happen to me? The fear threaded itself through my chest. I tucked my feet under me, trying to feel safe. I ventured a glance of the man seated next to me. He was staring. He hadn’t smiled once since I met him, but he didn’t look like a bad guy. I hoped he wasn’t a bad guy.

I shook my head.

His brows furrowed. “My name is Simon Rizek, Mariabella. I am your father.”

For the first time since we had left my house, I looked directly at him. His blond, ashen hair was cut neatly, and the shadow of a beard was already visible. He looked pale, like he had never been to a beach in his life. I had so many questions. Where had he been all this time? Why hadn’t I ever seen him before? Why did mami yell at me to be quiet and then cry every time I asked about him? Why did it take so long for him to come get me? Searching his face for something I could recognize, I noticed his eyes then, the color of shiny olives, just like mine.

“Is that why you’re taking me to Austria?”

“Yes.”

“Am I going to live with you?”

“As long as you don’t get into any trouble and remain useful,” he said as he turned his gaze towards the front once again, “you will always have a home with me.”

Useful? I frowned. I didn’t understand what he could mean by that. Were all fathers like that? Everything I thought a father should be I had learned from watching ‘A Little Princess’ after school. All this time I had hoped my father had been lost in a war somewhere far away where he had forgotten about me and that once he remembered, he would come to save me from my Miss Minchin, my mother. He would take me away and we would live happily ever after in a big house full of dolls and books. Now here he was, flesh and blood and without any war scars that I could see.

“What should I call you?”

“Papa.”

Just like Sara, I thought.

If he was really my father, I didn’t want him to treat me like mami did. I didn’t want him to yell at me when I didn’t take the chicken out of the freezer in the morning or yank my hair because I forgot to water the flowerpots in the front porch. Maybe, if I did my chores, he would buy me a new dress, one that wasn’t owned before by a girl who hated me. Maybe, if I didn’t make him mad, he would love me. I wanted someone to love me; I wanted to feel loved more than I wanted to eat.

“Do you love me?” I said.

He remained silent for some time before turning to look at me.

“Does Zuleika love you?”

I didn’t know. She said she did, but I didn’t believe her. I shrugged.

“Then why do you need me to love you?”

“Because you’re my papa,” I said, my heart fluttering because of what I called him.

“I am your papa, Mariabella, but that doesn’t mean I love you right away. What have you done to deserve love?” he said, his eyes on me.

I frowned, not knowing what to say. I wondered what Sara had done to make Captain Crewe love her like he did. But maybe ‘A Little Princess’ had been wrong all along. Maybe fathers don’t love their daughters just because, just like mothers don’t love their daughter just because. After all, mami said she loved me, but she didn’t come with us. Mami said she loved me, but she cried when she looked at me. Mami said she loved me, but then she didn’t when I couldn’t figure out what she wanted me to do. Why did I need love? Why did I think I was emptier without it? Was it because of the movies? Or the books? All I knew about love I had learned from mami and mami’s love didn’t feel good. It didn’t feel right, like a shoe placed on the wrong foot.

“All love does is weaken you,” he said as he closed his eyes and he settled his head against the headrest.

One of the ladies with the navy-blue dresses closed the door. The disembodied voice of a man came from above, speaking in that strange language I would have to learn. As the plane raced down the runway, tears suddenly slid down my cheeks. Panic pressed against my chest as I struggled not to make a sound. I didn’t want to wake him. I gripped the seat as we soared through the night sky, whispering a prayer to the Virgin Mary so she would spare me if the plane fell.

We kept climbing and I dared to look outside the window as I left behind all I had ever known. The tears didn’t stop as I tried in vain to figure out why mami had sent me away. Was she still angry that I had taken an extra-long nap after sweeping our backyard and had forgotten to give Doña Margarita the sazón she made? Did she notice that I took her cellphone when she was showering to play a video game? What could I do to make her forgive me and let me come back home?

The flight attendant from before returned and realized I was crying. She told me in English that her name was Annika and she told me not to cry, that the plane was perfectly safe. I couldn’t articulate the reason for my tears, so I just nodded, relieved that someone else above papa spoke English. She brought me water and vanilla ice cream with warm, buttery chocolate chip cookies from the front. I ate it all, shivering as I tried to catch my breath between the tears. After I had tired myself out, Annika took me to the bathroom so I could wash my face and pee. She then handed me my backpack from where papa had stored it, along with a blanket and a kit that contained a coloring book, colored pencils, a puzzle, lots of stickers, playing cards, and other interesting things. I thanked her and she smiled at me before walking up the long aisle. I busied myself counting stars, coloring or reading my books. I added new stickers to my backpack. I thought of mami and I wondered if she was thinking of me, too. Would she regret what she did and get on another plane to come pick me up? I must’ve fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes, the sun colored the sky pink. Annika returned with a tray with a fruit plate and a bread shaped like a crescent with butter on the side. I nibbled at the bread.

Papa didn’t wake up until we landed in Frankfurt. I cried when I waved goodbye to Annika, her kindness a balm I so desperately needed. If papa noticed, he didn’t say.

After a shorter plane ride, we finally landed in Salzburg, a land with no palm trees and thick with snow. I was numb from the cold and the terrible grief that I couldn’t articulate. Nothing looked familiar here. Not the trees, not the streets, not the shiny cars, not the people with their light-colored hair and skin, not the large mountains that wrapped around the city. Even the sky looked different, the blue not as bright.

Most of all, I was exhausted and unnerved by his silence. He only broke it to explain how far the bus stop was from his home (not very far) and how his neighbors were an elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Haas and that I was not to disturb them. The house wasn’t too far from the airport. It was a wooden cottage next to a large farm, surrounded by orchards and meadows. Next to the entrance, there was a tree as tall as the second floor of the cottage. Instead of leaves, its branches were covered with clumps of snow.

When he opened the car door for me, I got out and looked around me, searching for anything familiar. Snow smothered every inch of land with its mantle. I stepped forward, noticing how it swallowed my footsteps as if it was trying to devour all of me. Suddenly my red velvet dress and my thin white stockings were not warm enough. The snow soaked my legs and snuck into my bones. I looked down, taking note how my white stockings matched it and how it surrounded us, quiet and unyielding. I wanted to tell papa that I didn’t like this place, that it was too quiet, that I wanted mami, but his anger was not one I was familiar with and I didn’t want to meet it so soon. If he threw me out of the house the way mami did whenever her anger took over, I couldn’t just walk over to the colmado to wait until he calmed down.

Were there even colmados in Salzburg?

Slowly, the realization that I had nowhere else to go dawned on me. I closed my eyes, wishing I could dissolve into the snow and have the wind carry me back home.

“Virgencita, please,” I whispered once more to the Virgin Mary, hoping she was still listening even if I was far away, asking her grace me with an instant miracle.

“Mariabella,” I heard papa behind me, his voice anchoring my dissipating spirit to the ground. “Come inside.”

I opened my eyes to the disappointment that I was still corporeal.

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carryonourwaywardoneshots-blog · 7 years

Text

Stalk (part two)

Title: Stalker (part two)

Part One

Part Three

Part Four

Unofficial Chapter

Part Five (Final)

Ship: Dean x Reader

Warnings: Assault; Stalking; Yelling

Word Count: 2,253

Masterlist

Toby was creepy at first, staring at her as soon as she got into class and not taking his eyes off her. He never even tried to talk to her and that was one of the reasons she thought it was so creepy. But, of course, she didn’t think anything of it until she spotted him in a car outside her home. Being the person she was, she gave the man a chance and made herself think that he knew someone in the neighborhood and was just waiting for them outside their home. That was until it was night after night after night after night. After a week of this happening, (Y/N) finally decided to call the cops, but Toby was gone before they even arrived. Nothing suspicious happened after that, the car was gone and (Y/N) could safely go to class without having to worry about the strange man mostly because he didn’t even put an effort into showing up. All seemed okay and good until the night of her graduation party.

(Y/N) had a mini party with all her friends at her house, celebrating her graduation. It was such a good night besides the fact that she kept seeing Toby out of the corner if her eyes wherever she went. She asked around to see if anyone invited him without asking her for permission, but everyone denied it, not even knowing who he was when she described him. (Y/N) thought that maybe she was just being paranoid because of the week prior, maybe it was a side effect of her new medication.

(Y/N) rinsed her face off before coming up and drying off with a small hand cloth. Tonight had been eventful. Even though all her friends basically got smashed and high, she tried to stay away from everything. (Y/N) was never one to succumb to drugs or alcohol, but she still allowed her friends to do it in her home where she knew they were safe and not in public and in danger. It pays to be the mom of the group. Stripping down, she decided that a shower would be best to get rid of her small headache that was forming in the back of her head. (Y/N) adjusted the water temperature and stepped in, the hot water trickling down onto her body. After washing her body and getting all the shampoo out of her hair, she reached for the conditioner but was startled when she spotted a silhouette at the opening of her door through the shower curtain.

Freezing, she picked up the shampoo bottle and opened the curtain a little before hurling the half empty bottle in the direction of the figure. It disappeared almost immediately. “What the actual fuck?” She muttered to herself, turning off the water and grabbing a towel from outside of the shower. Her footsteps were quiet as she pattered to her bedroom, snatching her phone off of her bed. The first person she dialed was her best friend, (Y/B/F/N), who she has known for years, ever since she left Sioux Falls.

It didn’t take long until (Y/B/F/N) answered the phone, more concern in her voice than anything else. “(Y/N)? Are you okay?” From the sound of it, she was still a little tipsy from the party. “Yeah, I’m fine…” (Y/N) thought about what she was saying. She was in fact not fine. Figures kept appearing around corners at the party and spying on her in the shower. At this point, she didn’t care that it could be her medicine, she just wanted to be safe and not alone. “No, you’re not. What’s wrong?” Her friend’s voice was stern, not taking an ‘I’m okay’ for an answer. “You’ll think I’m crazy…” The girl sat on the bed, the towel still draped around her body. “When have I ever thought of you as crazy, (Y/N) Singer?!” A laugh erupted from the phone. “You’re right… I trust you.”

(Y/N) sighed before explaining everything to (Y/B/F/N), starting with when she first started noticing Toby staring at her in class, moving on to how he parked outside her house nearly every night, and how she thought she saw him in the party. “That’s fucking weird. Why didn’t you tell me all of this sooner?!” (Y/B/F/N) sounded personally offended that (Y/N) was keeping secrets from her, considering it was a secret about a stalker. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. That’s probably what… that’s probably what he wants.” (Y/N) looked around her room, making sure no one was listening in on her conversation.

“Do you need me to come back there? I don’t mind, really, Michael is working the overnight shift at the hospital, so I’m alone, too.” (Y/B/F/N) offered, making (Y/N) smile. “Please! I don’t think I can stand being alone here any longer. I might be asleep by the time you get here, though, so just let yourself in and climb into bed.”

“Oooh, baby!” (Y/B/F/N) joked before the two said their goodbyes and hung up. (Y/N) immediately got ready for bed and got comfortable enough that she could close her eyes without having the feeling someone was watching her. She just had to keep telling herself that (Y/B/F/N) was going to be there soon and the feeling would go away eventually. It wasn’t long until she started drifting off to sleep, a dream lulling inside her head, sending relaxing feelings throughout her body.

Footsteps could be heard at her open bedroom door, slightly waking the sleeping girl. Assuming it was (Y/B/F/N), she let the panicked feeling pass through her. As the other bed lowered like someone was climbing in next to her, she turned on her side towards the other person. “Thank you so much for coming over.” (Y/N) whispered, keeping her eyes closed, not wanting to let the exhaustion leave her body. (Y/B/F/N) was silent as she got comfortable next to (Y/N), lightly brushing her arm against (Y/N)’s. Chills surged through her arm when she realized how cold her friend was. “Jesus, did it snow or something? You’re freezing.”

(Y/B/F/N)’s hand found its way to (Y/N)’s hand, taking it and holding it gently, letting her feel exactly how cold the girl was. “You know, I miss nights like these. Like when we used to share a dorm room when we first started college.” (Y/N) let out a tiny chuckle, “Now? Now we have our own homes. Can you believe that? You’re getting married next fa-“

“(Y/N)? Who are you talking to?” A voice was interrupted her at the entry way of the bedroom. (Y/B/F/N)’s voice. “What?” (Y/N)’s eyes shot open. No one was in front of her, no one’s hand was in hers. “What the fuck?!” She jumped out of bed and ran towards (Y/B/F/N), panic taking over her whole body as she realized that someone – no, something – was just in her bed with her, holding her hand. “(Y/N), what happened?” (Y/B/F/N) took ahold of (Y/N)’s arms, trying to calm the now shivering girl. “I need to get out of here. Now. We need to go.” (Y/N) didn’t care that she was only in her pajamas when she drug (Y/B/F/N) and herself down the stairs and out the door to (Y/B/F/N)’s car. That night, she was sleepless even though she wasn’t at home. When Michael got home from work, she begged him to sleep in the cramped queen bed with (Y/B/F/N) and herself. The more people the better. She didn’t want to return to her own home in the morning, making (Y/B/F/N) grab a bag of clothes and necessities for her, as much as (Y/B/F/N) didn’t want to be in the house either.

It took a full week until she had the courage to return to the house, making sure to have both (Y/B/F/N) and Michael spend the night the first night. Of course, no sleep came to her in fear that the figure might make its way back into her bed with her. Everything went well, with the knowledge that two other people were in the guest bedroom, only feet away. With every creak of her home, it took all (Y/N)’s self-control not to spring out of her bed and run into Michael and (Y/B/F/N)’s like a scared child running to their parent’s bedroom.

This entire thing wouldn’t be as terrifying if she didn’t know about the real world. Being Bobby Singer’s daughter came with it’s own terrible package. Knowledge of all the monsters, ghosts, and creatures out there plagued her brain on a daily basis. Though she knew how to kill almost every one of the bumps-in-the-night, she didn’t exactly have the proper training.

The second night, (Y/N) was alone in her big two-story home. (Y/B/F/N) and Michael had to return to their home eventually – without (Y/N) – and that was the reality of the situation. (Y/N)’s two crutches had real lives and real jobs. They couldn’t be with her 24/7 and she had to face that fact. A handgun full of rock-salt took its place on her nightstand, locked and loaded and ready to get rid of any spirit that tried to fuck with her. It occurred to her that a salt line surrounding her bed would be a good idea, but discovered she didn’t have nearly enough salt to make dinner with either.

As she laid down in bed, (Y/N) continually looked to the night stand, the gun comforting her more than anything could at this moment. She began to drift off to sleep, though this time, it was lacking a dream. Not even a nightmare could accompany her. Around 4:30 in the morning, (Y/N) woke abruptly, a force pushing down on her hips as if someone was straddling her. Her eyes opened, a man with dark hair was on top of her. She attempted to push the man off of her, but her hands only when through his chest. As loud as she could, (Y/N) let out a loud scream, hoping her neighbors – anyone - would hear her and come rushing to her aid. A smile curled across his face and (Y/N) realized who he was. Toby.

“Get off of me!” She yelled as Toby’s hands found their way to her neck and began to squeeze hard. Though she couldn’t stop him or hurt him in anyway, everything she was feeling was very real, his hands gripped tightly at her neck, cutting off oxygen and blood flow to her brain. Hot tears began to stream down her cheeks as she attempted to let out blood curdling screams that seemed like no one could hear. Toby’s hands loosened around her neck, allowing her to finally catch her breath. Toby licked his lips as he let out a “shhhh” noise. With a smirk, he disappeared into thin air. (Y/N) sat up in the bed, grabbing the gun, choking on her own sobs as she gathered herself out of bed and ran out of the home for a second time that month. This time taking her used clothes bag on the dining room from (Y/B/F/N)’s house and her keys and rushing out the door to her car. She started it and made her way to the highway, determined to get to her father’s home safely.

(Y/N) paced around her old childhood bedroom, waiting for Dean to return, scared to hear what happened. She let out one important detail in what she told the oldest Winchester – that Toby was a spirit. A living spirit? If he had died, she would have heard about it. Though he was creepy and pushy, Toby did have a lot of friends who loved him, who would be mourning. It was about seven in the morning when she heard the front door of the house open, two pairs of footsteps making their ways upstairs. Before long, both the Winchester brothers stood at her doorway. “Do you think this is a joke, (Y/N)?” Dean’s stern, angry face chilled her down to the bone. “W-what?”

“Toby genuinely didn’t know what I was talking about when I yelled at him to leave you alone. He’s never been near your house, (Y/N).” His words came out even colder than his expression. “That… that can’t be. He was there. He was there, Dean!” (Y/N) began to pace even faster in her bedroom, her breath quickening as the thoughts and questions raced through her mind as to what could have happened. “Well, I just beat up some kid because you’re paranoid.”

“I’m not paranoid! I’m not!” (Y/N) yelled through gritted teeth before the thought came to her mind. “Here, you can even see for yourself.” To Dean’s surprise, (Y/N) lifted off her long-sleeved tee right in front of both Sam and Dean, revealing a black bra. Something dark and purple caught his eyes. Bruises lined her neck and collarbone, her wrists a rainbow of black, blue, and purple, as if someone was holding her down. Sam’s jaw hung open as his eyes traced the bruises that were definitely weren’t made up. There was something that she didn’t tell them. “Oh… my god.” Dean stepped forward, grabbing the tee shirt out of her hands and pulling it back down as he pulled her into a tight hug. Tears rolled down her cheeks, a whimper of slight pain escaped her mouth as his chest rubbed against the still sore bruises on her chest and neck. “(Y/N), you need to tell me everything next time.” Dean whispered into the girl’s ear, holding her close as she cried. “Don’t say next time.”

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thecelticpearl-blog · 7 years

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How I Won $10K By Tweeting

A little over a year ago, I noticed my friend on Facebook was posting a bunch of pictures of free items she had received in the mail from different companies. Some items were full size, and some were samples, but there were a lot of items that I either already used or wanted to try, so I contacted my friend and asked her how she was getting all of these FREE products. That's when she told me she was part of a Freebie Group on FB, that posted new FREE offers, great discounts and deals, and contests daily. I told her I would love to join the group (since it is a closed group, I could not see the group posts), and she added me to it.

At first, all I did was look through for all the free item posts, and I would use the links to complete the forms or questionnaires so that they would mail me my free products. And let me tell you, there were ALOT of them and I did get ALOT of free items over the next several months. Some were things I would have had to buy anyway like toothpaste, shampoo + conditioner, and some otc medications (mostly for allergies or sleeping aides). Some were items that I wouldn't have bought but was happy that I got free because we would use them like bluetooth speakers, multi tools, and even a customized whiskey glass (it has my initials etched on it). And these are just some of the things I was getting. I started getting new packages every day or every other day. I was posting photos of my "freebies" on my FB for awhile to not only show my friends what I got because I was so excited to have gotten it free, but also to let them know they could be getting all of these things free too. But then it got to the point where I had people wondering if my fb got hacked because it was nothing but pics of new products every day, and I had those negative skeptics who would contact me to tell me how careful I needed to be when getting these products because there was bound to be some sort of catch (and while I appreciated the concern, again I only started doing this after a yr or so of seeing a friend of mine do it, so I knew it was legit, or at least the group she belonged to was because if not, she would have known long before I ever even started it). But it got to the point where not only did I not want to have to keep explaining how I get everything really for free etc to the skeptics, but I also didn't want to annoy my friends with nothing but product posts which is kind of how it had gotten for awhile there, so I started only posting when I got really cool things like accessories, clothing, electronics, or stuff like that.

Then, I started noticing more and more contests that were being posted in the group and less free items (certain companies only do freebies at certain times of the year so sometimes there may not be anything available or nothing that you personally need or want) and so I started clicking on the contest links and entering the ones that I wanted to win.

Over the past year, I have won many items ranging in prices from $5-$150. I won Amazon gift cards, movie tickets, bags, clocks, gift cards to other stores, and more. But again, the most expensive thing I won was around $150 (it was a set of bags that I won from a Marlboro contest).

Besides entering contests that had prizes I liked or wanted, I would also enter contests that had prizes that I knew my husband would want or like. That is actually how I came to enter the one that I won $10k from. It was a Kelloggs + Pringles contest that had 5 Grand Prizes of $10,000 for Sports Season Tickets. Now, I will admit that I am not the biggest sports fan in the world, unless it's football I usually don't care to watch it on tv, although even I must admit there is something to be said about sitting in the stands of a live game, but I don't do that very often either. My husband on the other hand is a sports fan, a football lover, and one of the biggest Kansas City Chiefs fans I have ever known. In fact, I probably don't know anyone who is a bigger fan of any team other than maybe my Mom with the San Antonio Spurs or my Uncle with the Dallas Cowboys (my Grandma was a huge Cowboys fan too). But other than that, I do not know a more devoted fan than my husband. Birthdays, Christmases, whatever the occasion anyone who knows him knows you can not go wrong present wise as long as you get him something Chiefs related. I was even lucky enough one year to be able to take him to a Chiefs game for his birthday. We live in Texas so getting to one of their games isn't the easiest thing, but they were playing the Houston Texans the first year Reliant Stadium was open and I was able to get pretty reasonable seats at pretty reasonable prices. He was so happy, and it was such a great experience (and a great game to be at if you were a Chiefs fan, they beat the Texans 45-17). Unfortunately, we have not been able to make it to another game since (but he watches every Sun that they play, even if we have to find a Sports Bar that's airing it). So, when I saw the contest for the $10k for season tickets, I thought, oh he would love that. Plus, when I saw the contest it was in November and with his birthday and Christmas both in December I thought, man if I could win this before either of those, it would be the ultimate present for him. To enter, all I had to do was post a tweet picking either team Saturday or Sunday, and tag Kelloggs and Pringles in it. So, I posted the tweet in late November and went on about my business.

Well, I didn't win before his birthday or Christmas and to be completely honest with you, I had forgotten all about it. I enter a lot of contests so it's really hard for me to keep track of all of them, and I just always assume if I win, I will be notified, and if I haven't heard anything in a couple months than more than likely, I didn't win. So, I really didn't even think about the contest again after I entered it.

Then, last week I was sitting on my back porch with my husband when I noticed that I had a Twitter notification in my email. I clicked on it and read the message, which was a notification that I had been tagged in the tweet shown above. I looked at it for a minute and then I handed my phone to my husband and said, "Read this". I wanted to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me or that I had in fact read it correctly.

My husband, being the skeptic that he is, initially thought it might be some sort of scam, and asked me where the notification came from. I told him from Twitter from a post Pringles made on Twitter. So, he got on Twitter himself, went to Pringles page, and sure enough there was the tweet. Now, he may have still been a little skeptical at this point, but he was starting to get a little more excited about it, as was I. I then contacted Pringles with the information that they had requested from me and waited to hear back from someone. The next day I received a phone call from a woman at Kelloggs, confirming that I was indeed a Grand Prize Winner and telling me they would be sending me paperwork to sign amd then once they receive it, I will be sent a check for $10,000!!! I sent the paperwork back yesterday and it was confirmed that it was received today and once it's processed, the check will be mailed!!!

I am so excited and still somewhat in shock. I have never won anything like this ever and I don't know anyone that has won a prize amount this big without spending something up front. I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am, how blessed I feel, or how much this is going to help my family right now. What I can tell you, especially the skeptics, is that you can't win if you don't play. If you see a contest that is FREE to enter, whether you are skeptic or not, if you have the time, ENTER IT. You never know, you could be the next Grand Prize Winner!!

I would love to hear some happy stories from other winners, so if you've ever won a great prize, leave a comment letting me know what it was and how you won!

#Contest #Win #Winner #Grand Prize #Prize #Money #Tweet #Twitter #IWon #Pringles #Kelloggs #Free #PlayToWin #Lucky #Sports #Season Tickets

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baby-advice · 7 years

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Memo departing: how to collect the child in the camp?

The school year is over, camps begin first-year change, which means that it's time to pack your bags and giving young holidaymakers last farewell. Every parent wants the child is brought from the camp a lot of pleasant experiences, and then the whole year ecstatically remembered interesting cases from the "pioneer" of life.

How to captivate a child in a camp, how to diversify its leisure and organize an unforgettable shift - it will take care counselors. I, from the standpoint of his experience vozhatskogo remind a few moments to consider the parents, sending a child to camp.

Choosing a camp and program, keep in mind the age and circumstances of the child

Kid Boot Camp - with kids fainting

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It would seem banal advice. And in fact, many parents as soon as they hear the coveted "have the opportunity to send a child on the sea!" Immediately forget about age, and much more. But if the child is still small, it is better to go for a vacation in a familiar climate, without a sharp change of environment. In addition, a small child and visit the camp required more often than a teenager - it is more convenient if the camp will be located in your area or anywhere within reach, you yourself will be less worry, knowing that at any moment will be able to visit, feed the baby, if not to take away - there are different situations.

Also, when choosing a camp it is necessary to take into account the physical abilities of the child, his character, hobbies. If you have a growing competitor, do not send it in the language camp, even if you personally program seems to be very attractive and you think that a child exercise football is enough, but it's time to tighten English. Conversely, if your child - Excellent thin glasses that are hard to catch up on the bar, it is not necessary to choose the camp with a sports bias or tourist destinations. Health, stamina and optimism not increase a child what he will not keep up with the others and "spoil the performance" of the whole squad. Remember, your goal - the child pleasantly spent the summer, and did not suffer from the fact that all around strange, uninteresting, boring and even hateful.

Keep in touch with the camp administration

When the decision on the choice of the camp made contact with his administration and verify all the organizational issues, such as: Learn how to organize delivery of children in the camp, you will be able to visit the child, what kind of things need to take with you, what documents to gather and photocopied (in tonnes. Charles Medical records), whether trips are planned and how much money should be given to a child, if there is a safe in the camp, where it will be possible to deposit money and valuables, if you inadvertently put any child in a suitcase :)

Be sure to check if they have a camp site where you can get acquainted with the program of activities, and during the change of watch online for the rest of the camp and the life of her child.

Properly plan the child's budget

Check with the camp administration, whether the planned entrance fee or any other expenses (for example, a child may need to buy drinking water or souvenirs home). Depending on the action plan and purchase estimate, how much money to give to a child. Excess does not let us, as the camp is usually always have a grocery store, which sells, unfortunately, is not useful for the child's health products: crackers, chips, lollipop and all parent child leave the money there. Of course, finances can be stored in a safe, access to which have counselors, but still, if a child asks to give him "to eat", counselors are not usually refused. It's not their money, and they hold them, too, can not. Therefore, pre-negotiate with the child, that the budget is limited: it is on the water, is on tour, and no chips at all. Do not be afraid that the child will go hungry. On the contrary, children, eats chips in the store, then extremely reluctant to eat porridge for breakfast and soup for lunch.

Prepare a folder with documents

Put the child in a separate folder copies of his documents, on a separate sheet write name of parents, their place of work and position - this will certainly ask counselors when they get acquainted with a group, such as the questions asked suddenly, can easily put the baby into a dead end. Be sure to write down the phone numbers on which you, the parents, you can contact: mobile, home, work - the more room, the better, since by law meanness, when you need to reach parents, mobile phone suddenly blocked. This folder with useful information not give the escort team in the camp - most likely, your child will be in the squad not stand those counselors that will carry a child on a bus or train. Suppose the folder is in the suitcase with things, and after the distribution of the orders he would give her a child counselor.

Do not take unnecessary things

Often brought to see the pioneers of the younger teams that like ants dragging a suitcase behind, which easily fits a couple of kids. Think that accompany the child often come with the whole family: Dad carries suitcase, my mother - a bag of food in here further to drag your luggage child has their own. And the camp is usually pretty far to go to the housing ...

Do not place the child with a lot of clothes, most likely, a large part will return home in a suitcase never worn. Suffice it to take a few changes of underwear, several sets of summer clothes (t-shirt + shorts or skirts), a light shirt with long sleeves, one set of warm clothes: jeans / trousers and sweater / jacket, one set of elegant clothes for a concert or disco, swimsuit. From shoes need something closed, designed for bad weather and long walks: comfortable shoes or sneakers and a pair of open, such as sandals. If the child goes to the sea, you can optionally put it in a bag for the shale beach and tanning. But headgear is mandatory, regardless of where the camp is located. True, the branded his cap is now presented in almost all camps.

Also require personal care items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap in the soap dish. Alas, in many camps still no toilet paper and shampoo. Shampoo in large bottles do not take - is hard to bear - pour in the bubbles and place the child with a number of probes of shampoo. If the girls long hair, they can be useful and balsam conditioner for hair, especially after the sea water or the swimming pool. Also in the form of probes or butylki :)

Speaking of the package with a meal if the child will be a long road to the camp, for example, a day on the train, put him with him any long-lasting fruit, better a couple of banal apples, instant oatmeal in sachets, biscuits. This food it was enough to be fed into the train. But the pear-peach, banana and other easily rotting fruit, sausage sandwiches, milk drinks and yoghurts leave home in the fridge. Do not comfort themselves with the hope that the child will eat it quickly and it does not have time to deteriorate. The train will feed the children let not the restaurant, but fresh food and poison green with bag fare, but at the beginning of holiday - to anything. Stocks of sweets to the camp nightstand also take necessary - still according to the sanitary requirements they will have to withdraw counselors.

In order to facilitate the suitcase is not necessary to take the bricks, books, sports equipment. Anyway, the case itself is better to replace a small sports bag and the collection of things to build on its volume. And yes, do not forget the bag "sign": within the paste or sew birochku with the name of the child.

Separately say about the valuable things: the girls definitely better to leave the house gold ornaments, and all children, regardless of gender - to forget home plates, expensive mobile phones and other valuables. For calls better to take the old push-button telephone - fewer temptations to "sit" in the games and the Internet, is less chance that the phone someone steals ...

Do not hide your child's medical diagnoses

If your child has a chronic disease and needs regular medication, that information must necessarily be reflected in his medical records, and marked for counselors on a piece of paper where you wrote down the name and phone numbers of parents.

Be sure to indicate whether your child is allergic to any medications, foods, or other substances. This information will take into account the very leader and the provider of the camp, which will give the child documents. But the drugs themselves make with them is not necessary, especially with captions "from the head", "from the teeth" - you do not want your child to self-medicate? The issue of individual drug intake should be solved in advance with the camp administration: is it possible, who and how will give your child medication. In any case, in secret and bring yourself to take some drugs can not.

Many parents are silent about the diseases or the individual characteristics of their children, fearing that because of this will not take them to the camp. For example, almost always unexpectedly found out that the child enuresis ... (or a child - a lunatic, and walks in his sleep at the House ... or restless sleep, tossing and turning and the bed falls ... to hide do not need anything, because the truth will become obvious very A fast time leader warned and measures take time Where to put that to put a -.. and so that the child was not injured, and the other children did not laugh at him.

Talk to your child about the rules of conduct in the camp

It is important to convey to the child that you can not leave the camp alone: nor day, especially at night. Camp romance turns her head and the guys, especially in the senior squad, is considered a matter of honor to the city to escape the afternoon, and at night - the river or the sea to swim. And even if the case is closed for the night, there is the possibility to open the window, and counselors with sleep ... so there remains only rely on the common sense of the child, the possible dangers in detail and outline him to warn of romantic nonsense.

BUGS BUNNY LOONEY TUNES 4 HOURS COLLECTION: Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and more! [HD 4K for Children]

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It should also be understood that other teens in the camp your child can offer to smoke, steal from him a thing, sew sleeves in jackets well, etc. Do not intimidate the child such prospects, but carefully discuss possible difficulties is necessary, but at the same time to offer options for responding to them.

Well, in general, talk about the need to respect the schedule, listen to counselors - too odd not to be :)

By the way, if your child has the skills he needs a self-service or predotpusknoy master class? Is the child able faded stain on the shirt, and provide itself with clean socks? Can self-wash your hair and comb your hair? - These issues are particularly relevant to children of junior teams.

And finally:

When you come to the child in the "Parents' Day" or talk to him on the phone, you may notice that his voice was trembling, and his eyes welling with tears. Yes, even a seemingly quite older children, even boys, often miss family, my mother, especially after curfew, when overwhelmed thinking, but as there is now at home ... but that does not mean that they do not like in the camp and that they then do not cry on the day of departure, and swear to write letters to each other, at least in social networks :)

By the way, is not always the curse of melting of the camp gates. I still correspond with several former "pioneers", who now adult family people, and often remember the camp :)

#memo #departing #collect #child #camp #your child

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charllieeldridge · 4 years

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11 Unique Gifts Every Traveller Will Love (and Use)

Finding travel gifts for your friends and family who like to hit the road can be a daunting task. Not only do you need to find a gift that they’ll like, but something they’ll actually use. What do you give someone who lives out of a backpack? What can you buy your friend who’s hitting the road for a year? Definitely not a piece of furniture or artwork!

As travellers ourselves who have been on the road for 10 years now, we’ve got the inside scoop on useful and fun items for travel that would make great presents. Whether it’s a birthday, Christmas or a going away gift you’re after, you’ll find some ideas in this article.

In this post, I’ll list 11 unique, fun and practical travel gifts for your special someone.

1. Tinggly

What better gift for someone who loves to travel than giving an experience. When it comes to travel gifts, this unique idea from Tinggly is a good bet. Visit their website and choose a category that’s relevant to the recipient of the gift – “Key to Europe”, “Perfect For Him”, “Perfect For Her”, “Merry Christmas”, “Ultimate Collection”, “Bucketlist”, etc.

In each category are numerous tours and experiences for your travel loving friend to choose from (in some cases, there are over 700 options). Once they’ve chosen the event that interests them, they have 5 years to redeem it. Experiences and tours are available worldwide, so just ensure that the gift you choose is offered in the country the recipient is going to.

When it comes to travel gifts, you really can’t go wrong with a wine tasting in Tuscany, a helicopter flight over Las Vegas, a day at the spa in Bali or volcano exploration in Hawaii! As travellers ourselves, we can say we definitely prefer memorable moments over possessions.

You can opt to send a physical box to the gift recipient, or send a voucher by email. Click here to learn more about this fun gift idea.

2. JBL Portable Speakers

We’ve tried numerous bluetooth portable speakers over the years, and as far as affordable electronic travel gifts go, these speakers are the best. Everyone has a smartphone these days and connecting to these JBL speakers is easy. Plus, it weighs in at just over 1lb, making it practical for travellers.

Many people like to listen to music while they’re at the beach, chilling out by the pool, or having a relaxing night playing cards with new friends. Bluetooth speakers are a must.

We have the JBL Flip 3 and love the crisp sound this compact speaker gives off, and it’s actually quite loud. However, there’s a new model out now – the JBL Flip 4 and it’s waterproof! Click here to read reviews and compare prices on Amazon.

*Update: December, 2019 – we just purchased the latest model, which is the JBL Flip 5. It’s a little bit bigger, but the sound is great and they are waterproof! Great for taking to the beach or pool.

3. Handpresso Portable Espresso

Not only is this travel gift great for those who love to wander, but it’s an excellent idea for coffee addicts.

If you’ve gone on a long-term trip before, or if you travel on a budget, you’ll know that the coffee available at hostels and guest houses is usually sub-par filter coffee. To get that real latte or americano espresso coffee, you would need to purchase one from a cafe – and to a traveller, that’s an addition on the budget each day that not many want to spend.

Luckily, there’s the Handpresso!

This portable espresso machine can be taken on the go. It’s small, compact and all you need is some hot water (which is found in basically every accommodation), and some espresso grounds (which you can pick up at the grocery store).

You simply add the grounds to a little pod, add some hot water, pump up the machine to build up some pressure, press the release button and voila, a shot of espresso appears. You can then add more hot water to your cup to make it less strong, or, add milk like we do to have a latte.

The only thing is that you do need to be fairly strong in order to pump up the machine (men will have no issue, and women with good upper body strength will be fine!)

We’ve used our Handpresso machine in apartments we’ve rented on Airbnb, while camping, and in various hotels around the world. Click here to see reviews and compare prices on Amazon.

4. Lush Body Care

Whether it’s a man or a woman you’re trying to buy a travel gift for, with products for both sexes, and unisex items, Lush has you covered. During our recent trip to Chicago, we discovered this brand and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Lush products are vegetarian, handmade and nothing is tested on animals. Not only that, but the ingredients are practically all natural (with some safe synthetics), and for the responsible traveller in your life, they’ll be happy to know that many of the items don’t have any packaging.

When you’re thinking about travel gifts, consider the shampoo, conditioner and soap (all of which are solids and have zero packaging). Lush has shampoo and conditioner “bars”, which have no wrapping. They come in a reusable tin can (which you purchase separately) and are perfect for travellers for many reasons.

There’s no plastic waste and since it’s not a liquid, it can be easily brought on board a flight – great for those who fly carry-on. Plus, it takes up less space in luggage than a shampoo or conditioner bottle.

Nick and I both use the “Honey I Washed My Hair” Shampoo Bar and the “Big” Conditioner Bar, and I use the Ultrabland Facial Cleanser as well. I love all 3 products. Click here to learn more about Lush and to purchase items online.

5. Travel Hammock

Travel hammocks are great for those are looking to sleep under the stars, or on remote beaches. It’s also great for campers or for those who like to do some multi-day trekking (provided there are trees around to hang the hammock from!).

A travel hammock is also an excellent travel gift for those who just plan to backpack around. Setting up a hammock on the balcony of your beachfront hut, or bringing it to the beach for a day of chilling out between two palm trees is the ultimate in relaxation.

There are numerous travel hammocks to choose from, just make sure you get one that is lightweight and rolls up into a small package. Travellers like small items! The ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters and Arbor Creek hammocks have great reviews on Amazon. But, you can click here to compare prices and reviews on numerous travel hammocks.

6. Bluffworks Clothing for Men

If you’re looking for travel gifts for men, Bluffworks brand of clothing is a good option. Why? Because they are quick dry and don’t wrinkle, which is a huge issue for travellers. For business travellers, or those who jet-set, having a nice set of clothing in your luggage is essential. Even if the guy you’re buying a gift for plans on budget backpacking around the world, it’s always a good idea to have 1 nice dress shirt and 1 nice pair of pants.

You never know what can happen on the road. We’ve been randomly invited to weddings, found ourselves in the area when a new bar was opening up, and were invited to enjoy a 7 course fine dining meal. Shorts and a t-shirt simply wouldn’t meet the dress code.

Nick has owned the “Original” pants in charcoal for about 6 years now, and he wears them whenever there’s a “fancy” event happening – and they never wrinkle. Click here to learn more about Bluffworks clothes.

Bluffworks pants in action at a wedding!

7. Headphones / Earbuds

Having a set of bluetooth speakers is great, but having your own set of headphones is a must when on the road – they’re incredibly useful. Listening to music and podcasts while bumping along on a bus, chatting to a friend on video calling, or for those flight days when you want to watch a movie, headphones are a must-have and make great travel gifts.

Look for earbuds or headphones that offer noise cancellation and a mic, and also make sure that the earbuds you’re purchasing are compatible with your travel friend’s smartphone or tablet. For example, with the iPhone X, the headphones actually connect via a lightning cord, so regular headphones wouldn’t work.

We have Meze earbuds which give off a unique and incredible sound, and actually, they offer different sized silicone buds, which is great for those with small ears (me), or big ears (Nick). There are numerous option available when it comes to earbuds. Click here to check out Meze and click here to compare other brands and prices.

*Update December, 2019: We now both have Bluetooth Apple AirPods and although we can’t use them when connecting to the TV screens on airplanes, we watch our shows on our smartphones or tablet using them. Plus, when walking and working out, it’s nice to not have cords in the way. Click here to compare the different styles of AirPods.

8. Carry Case for Earbuds and Cords

There’s nothing worse than getting a new pair of earbuds or a new smartphone charge cord and have it start to fall apart. Sadly, this happens quite often to us and it’s most likely because we just toss our cords into our bags, or into a drawer and don’t really take care of them. Regardless of whether or not you’ve purchased earbuds as a travel gift, consider getting a carry case for charging cords.

I’ve just found out about this product called the “Nest” which is a silicone carry case. This practical item is extremely affordable and incredibly useful! Click here to learn more about the Nest. *Update December, 2019: While most people have AirPods these days, this “nest” is still a great idea for lightening cords which always get tangled in purses and backpacks.

9. prAna Clothes

Another clothing company that is an excellent travel gift. This time, however, it’s for both men and women. The travel, adventure and yoga clothes that prAna makes are practical, stylish and ethical. This brand cares about fair trade and sustainability.

I personally wear the Halle pant on about 95% of our flight days and I’ve always worn them when trekking – they’re stretchy and comfy. I also own a sporty tank top, a cotton t-shirt and a hooded sweater, while Nick has a polo shirt, a dress polo and some loose cotton yoga pants. The clothes have lasted us for 6 years so far and are still going strong!

I wholeheartedly recommend this brand as a gift for the traveller in your life. Click here to see prAna products on Amazon. Or, click here to head to their website. *Pro-tip, prices are cheaper on Amazon.

Stopping for a water break while trekking Torres del Paine in Chile – wearing Halle Pant

*Update December, 2019: I fell off my bike and got a hole in my Halle Pants that I’m wearing in the photo above. So, after around 6 years I finally had to purchase a new pair, this time I went with black but in the same style. And, they are still built just as well as when I purchased my first pair 6 years ago. Also, for those women who are tall like I am (5’10”), these pants come in a “tall” length!

10. Water Purification Products

When it comes to travel gifts, this might not sound like the coolest idea out there, but it can be a lifesaver and is something that travellers need to have in their bags.

When travelling to more offbeat destinations where the drinking water is questionable, it’s imperative that water from the tap is purified before being consumed. Similarly, when you’re camping, cycling or trekking in the wilderness and the water source isn’t safe, it’ll need to be purified. We used a SteriPen when trekking in remote locations in Kyrgyzstan and it worked very well.

Not only do products like SteriPen or Lifestraw remove harmful bacteria and microbes from water, but travellers don’t need to purchase bottled water, which helps to save cash and the environment. There are a few brands out there, but SteriPen and Lifestraw are at the top.

Camping and trekking in remote destinations? Water purification is a must

With SteriPen, you simply fill a (reusable) bottle with 1 liter of water and “stir” the pen around for 89 seconds. As you stir, it gives off UV rays that kill harmful bacteria. Once you see a smiley face on the device, the water is safe to drink. There are different models of SteriPen, some charge via USB, others with batteries.

The Lifestraw is only good for one person as it is a personal straw, which has a filter inside of it. It’s small and lightweight and is a good option for drinking straight from streams or puddles in emergency backcountry situations – it also filters out debris. I think of it as more of a survival tool, which could be a cool travel gift if someone is going on an expedition. Click here to learn more about the SteriPens available and click here to learn more about Lifestraw.

11. Games (fun travel gifts!)

If you’re looking for fun travel gifts, then obviously purchasing a game (or 2) is a good idea! If the person is travelling solo, then games for 1 or more are preferable but consider games that can be played with a group over a few beers.

We always have games in our backpacks and play when we’re waiting for flights, for our meals to show up, or when we’re in our accommodation. Keep in mind that travel games need to be somewhat small and lightweight.

For us, our go-to travel games are Cribbage, a simple deck of cards (to play shit head, rummy, bullshit, twos…and numerous drinking games!), pass the pigs, dice for playing Yahtzee.

Our latest purchase is Bananagrams which is kind of like Scrabble but without the board, and it’s more fun. Other hilarious adult games include Cards Against Humanity (a great way to get to know people – and their sick humour), and The Game Of Nasty Things (travellers would just bring the cards and not the actual box, obviously). We recently purchased Skip Bo and played it a lot together during our trip to Ecuador and Peru.

Bonus #12: Mini Projector Screen

We recently picked up a cool Aaxa mini-projector and we’ve been using it a lot. At 400 lumens, it’s bright enough to display with a little bit of ambient light and with a resolution of 720p it’s surprisingly crisp, even when displayed at 75″ on a wall.

The best part? It literally fits in the palm of your hand! This little thing would be an ideal holiday gift for that person who travels on a budget and loves watching Netflix. It’s affordable, sleek, useful and very portable.

Happy Gift Giving!

There you have it, 12 fun, unique and (more importantly) practical travel gifts. In reality, no matter what you give your travelling friend, I’m sure they will love it. But hopefully this article gave you some good ideas for products that can actually be taken on the road. Every time your friend uses your gift while they’re away, they’ll think of you. Happy gift giving!

Are there some cool travel gifts that I missed? Leave a comment below!

*Note: this post contains some affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase a product using our link, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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