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#two cups of coffee can put me on a caffeine high too
endthedream · 11 months
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5 1/2 coffees to love
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pairing: barista!jungwon x customer!reader (she/her)
summary: When Jungwon finds out you hate coffee, he makes a bet with you that he will be able to make you fall in love with coffee. But what if you fall in love with him instead?
words: 15.3k
story colour: yellow
notes: This is for my fellow coffee haters and probably the fluffiest fluff I’ve ever written. I hope you enjoy this story and always remember to spread kindness!🪽
masterlist of enhypen as jobs
Coffee.  A beverage brewed from the roasted and ground seeds of the tropical evergreen coffee plant. One of the top three beverages in the whole world.
And you hate it. You absolutely despise it. The bitter taste, the obnoxious smell. Everything about it makes you want to take whatever plant it comes from and destroy it forever.
Okay, maybe you’re just being a bit dramatic. But still, you don’t get how people actually enjoy that drink.
When you first tried coffee, you were 5 years old. You saw your mom drink it every day and as a curious child, you wanted to try it too. So, when your mom wasn’t watching, you grabbed her cup and drank a sip. Almost immediately your face scrunched up in disgust and you let out a small yelp.
“Oh sweetheart.”, your mom cooed, taking the cup from you. “You’re too young to like coffee. But believe me when you’re older you will like it just as much a mommy does.”
The second time was when you got into high school. The sudden pressure and the amount of homework kept you up a lot, so you thought that coffee might help you with the tiredness. You even went as far as to go all the way to a coffee shop to get professionally made coffee. And still the moment you got back home, ready to take a sip and stay up all night to study, you learned yet again that coffee isn’t something for you.
The third and until now last time, was when you met your best friend. Sunoo and you met up in your first year of college. The two of you immediately got along and now you’re not only best friends, but also roommates. The only problem is, Sunoo is a vivid coffee lover. He claims to not be able to get through the day without coffee. You heard him praise the beverage every day and since you were older and more mature, you thought that maybe now you will like it. But once again you were wrong. Not even Sunoo’s special preparation could change your opinion on coffee.
So, now you’re here. In your second year of college, sitting at the kitchen table, trying to study, and having to endure the obnoxious smell that lingers around the apartment.
“I swear, if you make that face again while I enjoy my coffee, I will pour it on you.”, your best friend speaks up from his seat on the couch.
“I just don’t get how you can drink that, Sunoo. What is there to enjoy about?”
Your best friend rolls his eyes and walks over to where you sit at the kitchen table. He puts his cup down in front of you, on purpose, and takes a place on the other chair.
“You just haven’t had good coffee before.”, he states with an innocent smile on his face.
Good coffee? Does good coffee even exist? You doubt it.
“Honestly, I gave up on liking coffee and so should you. I mean, not on liking coffee, but on forcing it upon me. There are other things I can drink. Like a good hot chocolate or Red Bull if I need some caffein. And see it as something positive. It just means more coffee for you.”
Your best friend shrugs at your answer, already used to your stubborn side and knowing that it has no use trying to start a discussion with you about that subject. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡
There is nothing you hate more than exam week. Not only is your head exploding from all the knowledge you have to force into it, but the lack of sleep you’re getting is making you look and also act like a zombie.
But it’s over. Well, at least until the next exam week starts, but that’s for your future you to worry about. All you want to do is go home, change into comfortable clothes, and spend the whole weekend sleeping.
„Let’s go into a café.”, your best friend says the moment you get into your shared apartment.
“What?”
“Let’s go into a café.”, he repeats himself, taking your bag from you and tossing it on the couch. “Come on, it’s fun. A friend of mine is working there, and I always wanted to check it out. He’s working today and I just know the two of you will get along.”
“You have friends?”, you ask amused, throwing yourself on the couch with a groan. “Besides that, I just had the worst week of my life and all I want to do is sleep.”
Sunoo rolls his eyes, before sitting down beside you, taking your arms and making you sit up, which you did but not without letting out some protesting whines. “First of all, I do have friends, thank you very much. And second, that’s exactly why we should go out. You need some distraction and I’ve heard that the café makes the best hot chocolate and strawberry cake.”
You can’t deny that that offer sounds good. So, with a few mumbles of complaint, you stand up and walk towards your room.
“What are you doing?”, Sunoo asks, watching you leave.
“Changing. Which you should too, so we can leave soon.”
♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡
The moment you step into the café, you are thankful that Sunoo made you come here. The smell of fresh baked goods overpowers all the sleepiness in your body. You can almost ignore the smell of coffee. But just almost.
The café itself is rather small, but one of the prettiest things you’ve ever seen. The place is filled with a lot of green plants, fairy lights on the yellow walls and couches on the side. The tables are decorated with cute yellow napkins and behind the counter where the machines and the display window with the cakes in it are, hangs a little sign reading ‘today is your day’. It has you smiling a bit, loving the positive and comfortable atmosphere in this little space.
The yellow theme makes it even better. While yellow isn’t particularly your favorite color, it works as a little happy.
“Wow, Sunoo, this is the coolest place I’ve ever seen. Why didn’t you bring me here earlier?”
Your best friend admires your beaming face, having been worried the whole week about your wellbeing. Sunoo knows that once you want something, you do everything possible to achieve it. In this case it’s good grades. He knows how hard you study to be on top of your class and how you will neglect every important thing in your life to get this achievement. Important things like sleeping, eating and your social contacts.
“I’m glad you like it, Y/n. Oh look, there is Jungwon.” You follow the eyes of Sunoo to spot a young boy talking to an elderly woman. He is leaning down, intensively listening to what the woman is saying and smiling politely at her. You immediately notice the dimples that form on his cheeks. Cute.
“Let’s sit down and wait until Jungwon can take our order.” The café is mostly empty, aside for the older woman. And you’re thankful for that. Crowded spaces aren’t exactly your preferred type of place to hang out.
Sitting down with Sunoo at a nice table gives you some time to look around the café yet again. Somehow with every time you look around, you see something new appearing in the small space. A new detail that makes this café even more adorable. Like the small sundae formed out of clay that sits on top of the counter. Or the picture of a croissant sitting in front of the Eiffel Tour while drinking a coffee hanging on the wall. You also notice the way all the plants are in perfect order, not one stands out of line or is overgrown. They are perfectly trimmed and look like they get watered regularly. The yellow napkins are formed into little butterflies with a small chocolate treat on them. They too are perfect. Folded so precisely, you swear that if you just had to make one, you would have lost your nerves. But what is yet the sweetest and also most considered thing, is the little mental health cards all over the room. Small cards with different quotes, positive affirmations and motivations on them. You swear that you just walked into heaven. How can this place be so perfect and yet not overfilled with people?
“I’m sorry for the wait.”, a voice brings you out of your thoughts. “Oh! Hey, Sunoo! You really came.” Looking up, you see Jungwon smiling at your friend.
“Of course! I could not miss out on this place. And you didn’t lie, it’s amazing. Right Y/n?” Suddenly the attention of both men is on you.
All you can do is nod, giving a quick thumbs up.
“Y/n? You must be Sunoo’s best friend. He talks a lot about you.”, Jungwon exclaims, giving you a sweet smile. Damn, that really is his charm.
“You talk about me?”, you ask your friend with raised eyebrows. “I knew it. You are obsessed with me.”
Sunoo lets out a scoff. “Don’t let it get to your head. I’m just mentioning the person I’m literally living with.”
Before the two of you can continue to argue, Jungwon gets in between. “What can I get for you? Have you decided on something to order?”
“I want a mint chocolate mocha and chocolate cake.”, Sunoo says, beaming up at Jungwon.
“Well, for me a hot chocolate and a strawberry cake.”
Jungwon writes your orders down on a little notebook that he carries around in his apron. “Your order will be here soon.”
You watch as he leaves, truly captivated by him. That doesn’t go unnoticed by your best friend. “What’s got you so kept up?”
“Hm?”
Your friend can’t help but chuckle as he looks at your confused face. “Oh, someone has a little crush on Jungwon.”
“What? No. I just met him five minutes ago.”, you exclaim, shaking your head.
“Doesn’t mean you can’t find him cute.”
Well, maybe you do think he is cute. How can you not? The small dimples that appear whenever he smiles, the cute cat-like features he has and the kindness he carried the moment you stepped into the café. Maybe it does sound like you do have a crush on him, but that’s not the case. You could never catch feelings for someone this fast. You were never a believer of love at first sight, even if you call yourself a hopeless romantic. For you love is something that blossoms over time. It’s built up from trust and trust can only be formed with a lot of time passing by. It’s built on respect from both sides. Without that love is simply not possible, so you won’t even consider it. Not with someone you met a few minutes ago.
“A mocha and chocolate cake for you, Sunoo and hot chocolate and a strawberry cake for you, Y/N. I hope you enjoy it.”, Jungwon speaks in a gentle voice as he puts your orders on the small table in front of you.
“Do you have a few minutes to spare?”, Sunoo asks Jungwon, already taking a bite of his cake.
“Yeah, there isn’t a lot going on at the moment, so I think I have a few minutes. Why?”
“I thought maybe you can join me and Y/n, so we can talk and catch up a bit. And you two can get to know each other a bit more.”
“Sure, why not.”, Jungwon agrees, sitting down on the empty chair between you and Sunoo.
“How’s English Lit going?”, he asks Sunoo who in return lets out a deep sigh.
“Same old. Mr Walker is still as mean as ever.”
Now it’s your turn to let out a sigh. “God, don’t even let me get started.”
“Why?”, Jungwon asks. “You’re in the class too?”
“In the class? No, I’m suffering through it.”, you frustratingly munch on your cake before continuing. “I cannot stress enough how this man should not be a teacher. Don’t get me wrong, he can explain good and has so much knowledge, but when it comes to human interactions or empathy, this man is lost. You know how in English Lit we are supposed to discuss English literature and also express criticism towards it, which leads to discuss and so on. Whenever someone criticizes something or even just expresses their opinions, he declines it and continues his lesson. He gives us no room to voice our thoughts. He just does his thing and goes.
“And the assignments. They are longer than my will to live, I can tell you that much. I spent so many sleepless nights writing and doing research and what do I get? Nothing. He just grades it and sends it back, no comments, no helpful tips, just the grade and that’s it. I’m honestly so sick of it. I want all my hours of sleep back.” Dramatically you let your head fall on your arms, realizing a little whine.
“Sorry.”, Sunoo says, rubbing the back of his neck. “We just had exam week and she is exhausted. And well, since she doesn’t drink coffee to keep her awake, she pretty much could fall asleep anywhere at this rate.”
“You don’t drink coffee?”, Jungwon asks, his voice laces with a bit of shock.
“Nope.”, you state, lifting your head up again. “Hate it. Worst drink in the whole wide world. Disgusting. Disgraceful. Infuriating.”
Jungwon lays a hand on his heart, gasping loudly. “How can you say that to a Barista? Coffee is the best thing this world has ever experienced.”
You just roll your eyes, taking a huge sip of your hot chocolate out of spite. “I highly doubt that. But I can’t argue with coffee lovers. You guys are strangely stubborn.” You give Sunoo a pointed look to which he just sticks his tongue.
“Believe me. Try one of my coffee’s and you will change your mind.”
“Don’t even try.”, Sunoo intervenes. “I’ve been trying for over a year to get her to like coffee, but she just won’t. You will just waste your time.”
“Oh no, believe me. I can make her like coffee.”
You let out a laugh, which sounds more like a scoff. “Nice try, but I don’t believe you.”
“Okay, then let’s make a bet. If I can make you fall in love with coffee, you will have to do something for me.”
“And if you don’t?”, you ask.
“Then I will have to do something for you. Anything you want.”
“Anything I want?” It’s a good deal, you think, but is it worth it having to drink a lot of coffee?
“I don’t have the time to come to your café every day.”
“Well, then how about once a week? It gives me time to perfect my coffee creations and give you the best versions of it.”, Jungwon grins, holding his hand out for you. “Do we have a deal?”
You sigh, taking his hand in yours and giving it a firm shake. You would do anything to prove to a coffee lover that coffee isn’t that great. “Don’t make me regret this.”
“I won’t! Just see, you will become a coffee lover!”
☕1: Mocha
Rain. There is something so comforting about rain. The way it feels when soft, cold droplets of it fall on your heated skin. Relaxing your muscles and making you feel like you’re floating on top of a cloud into paradise where all your worries in life disappear and you can just exist. The smell, how it creeps up your whole body and makes you want to stop and take it in until even the dwell of it disappears. And you don’t mind that you come home with soaked clothes and wet hair. You don’t mind the coldness that lingers on your skin. Because the moment you dried your hair, changed your clothes, and got yourself a cup of tea, you can sit in front of your window and watch how the streets get washed up from the rain. You observe the cars driving into puddles and splashing the water in every direction. You watch as a couple, sharing an umbrella, walks past your apartment building, arms wrapped around each other to keep the other one warm from the coldness of the rain. And you look at the rain drops on your window, betting in your head on which one will win the race, happy when yours won and disappointed, when you focused on the wrong one.
You wrap your blanket around you tighter, as you hear the door to your apartment open. Knowing it’s Sunoo, you stand up, tiptoeing out of your bedroom.
“It really had to rain today.”, you hear him complain. “Out of all days.”
You snicker a bit, watching how he tries to fix his wet hair in the mirror of your hallway. “Don’t laugh at me.”, he speaks up, pouting in your direction. “Not all of us are rain lovers.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. Rain is awesome.”
Sunoo walks into the kitchen, taking out the rest of the Chinese food the two of you ordered yesterday. “Yeah, when you sit at home and don’t get wet.” He puts it on a plate and into the microwave. “Want some too?”
“No, I will pass.”, you say, heaving yourself on top of the kitchen counter. “I will save my hunger for later. I want to eat another strawberry cake when I go to the café.”
“Oh right.”, the boy exclaims, taking out the plate and digging into his food. “You’re meeting up with Jungwon today. Excited? Nervous? Giddy?”
You pull your eyebrows into a frown. “Why should I? I’m just fulfilling my side of the bet.”
“Yeah, and also meeting up with a super cute boy. I saw you looking at him. You definitely find him cute.”
You roll your eyes, jumping down from the kitchen counter and walking back into your room. “Cute or not, I’m just there to proof him wrong.”
♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡
Entering the café, you are immediately overcome with the same tranquility as last week. Insane how one place can make you feel so at ease.
“You made it!”, you hear a familiar voice exclaim. You look up to see Jungwon behind the counter. He’s dressed in a white shirt with blue pants and his apron on. You notice the little print lingering on the left side of his chest. ‘Café Sunshine’. Last week you didn’t look at the café’s name, just amazed by the unique furniture, but it definitely makes sense why the café is named that way. Despite the rain you feel like you have stepped into the definition of sunshine.
“Yeah, sorry for being late. My bus driver thought it was necessary to talk to another bus driver for 5 minutes.”, you roll your eyes, sitting down at the same table you sat at last week.
“Don’t worry. Because of the rain no one came in today, so I had a lot of time to perfect your drink.”
You nod at him, showing him a slight unsure smile. Being honest with yourself, you have to admit that you’re a bit scared. It’s been a long time since you last tried coffee and trying it in front of someone who makes coffee as a living is intimidating you. You don’t want to be rude if you don’t like it. Despite loving to prove coffee lovers wrong, Jungwon is still mostly a stranger to you. A really friendly one as well.
“Okay, but please don’t be too disappointed. I really don’t want you to put so much time in it just for me to hate it.”
He just smiles at you, his dimples on full display. “Y/n, don’t worry, okay? I love making coffee and you just give me a reason to practice more, that’s all. And if you don’t like it, I will just finish your drink.”
You let out a deep breath, that you weren’t aware you were holding, clearly relieved at Jungwon’s reassurance.
“So,”, he says, putting the coffee down in front of you. “this is a Mocha. It’s a variation made from espresso, hot milk, and liquid chocolate. I even put a little cream topping on it to make it look cuter. And the same chocolate and high milk content makes the Mocha taste very mild and sweet. I gathered that you might dislike coffee because of the bitterness, so this is a great start.”
You listen to everything Jungwon tells you and you have to admit, it makes you smile a bit. He really put a lot of thought into making a coffee that might match your taste.
“Thank you, Jungwon.”, you say, grabbing the cup with one hand. You can’t lie, it looks pretty good, and the chocolate almost covers the smell of coffee. But just almost.
“Y/n.”, Jungwon calls out your name, making you look right into his worried eyes. “You don’t have to drink it if you don’t want to. You know that, right? I know we have a bet, but I would never force you to do anything you don’t want to do.”
You show Jungwon a smile, appreciating his kindness. You swear this boy couldn’t get even more perfect.
“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, I’m just scared of the taste. Last time I drank coffee I had a full on fit and had to drink a liter of milk to make the taste go away.” That earns you a little chuckle from the boy sitting in front of you.
“I have an idea.”, he says, standing up and walking back to the counter. He grabs a plate and puts a piece of the strawberry cake you ate last week on it. Walking back to you, Jungwon puts the plate down in front of you and takes a seat again.
“Here.”, he says showing you his dimpled smile. “I saw you enjoying this cake last week. If you don’t like the coffee and need to get the taste away, just eat the cake.”
“I like your way of thinking.”, you state in a teasing voice.
You grab the mug once again, this time taking a small sip. The first thing you taste is the strong flavor of chocolate, but sadly that isn’t lasting long. Because two seconds later the espresso makes itself present on the flavor buds in your mouth. And while it’s not strong, you still shudder slightly at the bitterness.
Jungwon watches the whole scene, amusement clearly written all over his face. “That bad?”
“No, it’s not bad. I mean, it’s not good either. It’s just the bitterness.”, you answer, already shoving a spoon of cake into your mouth.
“You’re really a tough case, huh?”, Jungwon remarks, leaning his head on one hand, watching you with his cat-like eyes.
“Warned you before, but you wouldn’t listen.”, you shrug, sighing at the welcoming sweetness of the strawberries. “Want to just call it quits and admit that you won’t get me to like coffee?”
“What?”, Jungwon exclaims, eyes wide and mouth agape in fake shock. “Calling it quits? Never. Darling, this is just the beginning of this journey.”
☕2: Cappuccino
Jungwon wasn’t kidding when he told you that this was just the beginning. For the whole week he kept on texting you, sending you different designs of coffee and hyping up his recipes. He told you he is trying even harder to make you like the next one but when you tried to get some hints regarding the next coffee, he declined immediately, telling you to be patient.
And as much as you hate to admit it, you are actually looking forward to meeting him again.
Other than last week, the sun is out. Shining down on earth and painting it in a soft glow. That doesn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the people living in your town. The once empty café is now filled with people to brim and instead of calmness washing over you when you enter, you feel a wave of stress overcoming you.
You’ve never been a people person, preferring staying at home in the comfort of your room where no one can disturb you. The only person you really tolerate is Sunoo and that also took a while until it got to that point, even if he is the complete opposite of you. Sunoo is a social butterfly, making friends wherever he goes. And while that sometimes annoys you, you’re happy your friend has that ability.
“Hey, sorry Y/n. I will be with you in a second. Sit down and I will bring you your coffee.”, Jungwon says as he passes you by, already hurrying to the next table he has to serve at.
You look around the room, recognizing some familiar faces from your college. It was bound to happen that this place wouldn’t stay hidden for a long time, but you’re kind of sad that so many people discovered this place and disturb your peace and quiet now.
Instead of following Jungwon’s instruction, you stay standing at the entrance. You don’t see a free table anyway. Every table is occupied by students who are loudly talking to each other. You see how Jungwon easily makes conversation, laughing at the things the students say and in return making them laugh at whatever he remarks.
Envy is what’s filling you. You wish you could have this ease while talking to people. You wish you could just get over yourself, sit down and drink that damn coffe so you can go back home. But not only envy is filling you, disappointment as well. You were really looking forward to this. To spend time with Jungwon and trying something new. The whole weeklong you texted each other, not only about the coffee, but about random events in your life.
He told you how his cat at home only cuddles with him whenever she’s sleepy and how when she’s awake, she is a little diva. He also told you that that’s probably the case because he treats her like a queen, giving her everything she wants and almost never being able to say no. You told him how you miss home sometimes. How you miss your weekly family night game evenings where you would destroy your brother at Uno and how all of you would lose your nerves over board games.
You shared a lot with each other and for some reason it wasn’t even hard. It felt so easy talking to him, opening up and sharing stuff that took you a while to tell Sunoo. It’s like you’ve known each other for years already. So, it’s understandable why you notice the slight feeling of disappointment coursing through your veins.
Jungwon notices you not moving away from the entrance and while he gets a few seconds to spare, he looks at your face. And what he’s greeted with worries him. You’re pale. Your face shows clear signs of unease. And he feels stupid. He feels stupid because you told him how you don’t like crowded spaces and he forgot. He should have cancelled today and made you come back on a less crowded day, but he forgot. He was simply so excited to see you again and show you the coffee he’s been working on, that he just forgot. But you’re here now anyway and he would regret it if he just sent you away.
So instead, he ignores the call for his name from one of the tables and makes his way over to you. He gently takes your hand and guides you behind the counter where the register stands. “Wait here.”, he tells you in a gentle voice before walking back and grabbing a chair. He takes it behind the counter and places it down in front of you. “Just sit here, it’s the furthest away from all the people.”
You show him a small appreciative smile before whispering a quiet thanks.
“I’m going to serve one of the tables and then I’m right back with you, okay? We can try the new coffee then. Is that okay with you or do you rather want to go home?”
Going home sounds tempting, but you’re already here and while you still feel a bit of panic in you, you actually really want to stay. For the bet, of course.
“No.”, you croak out. “I want to stay. I will wait here.”
Almost immediately, his face breaks into a wide grin. “Okay, great. Give me a few seconds and I’m right back.” And with a bit more speed in his walk, he goes to serve the customers. From your position you have a good view of the table Jungwon is standing at. You recognize the girls sitting there from your math class. You see how they twist their hair as they talk to Jungwon, giving him flirty looks with their eyes and a small laugh escapes your mouth. Because while they’re obviously flirting, Jungwon seems to be oblivious to it. He notes down their orders, giving them polite smiles and keeping the conversation light. It’s cute.
When he returns a few minutes later he smiles, a bit relieved you’re still sitting in the same position as before. “I’m making your coffee now and believe me when I say I perfected this one.”
You watch as he walks over to the machine, only three steps away from you and starts his work. He looks like he’s been doing this for years by how professionally he handles everything.
“You know the girls were trying to flirt with you?”, you say, giving him an amused smile.
“What?”, he asks, thinking he heard you wrong over the loud noise of the coffee machine.
“The girls at table 3, they were flirting with you.”
“Really?”, he questions, looking back just to see them smile and wave at him. “I didn’t notice.”
“I know.”, another laugh escapes your mouth. “You’re so oblivious to it, it’s honestly funny.”
“So, you find it funny, huh?”, he asks teasingly, raising his eyebrows. “Not so funny if I would put a lot of salt into your coffee.”
You gasp. “You would never.”
“Oh, watch me.”, he says but before any of you can continue, a voice interrupts you.
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to be a bother.”, the elderly woman that you saw here two weeks ago states. “I just wanted to pay, it’s a little too crowded in here for me today.”
Jungwon gives her a gentle smile before putting down your half-made coffee and walking to the register. “You would never be a bother, Mrs. Sim. Okay, you had your usual so that makes 8.99.”
The lady takes out her purse and lays the money on the table. “That your girlfriend?”, she asks, a sly smile on her face.
“Oh, no.”, Jungwon stutters out, cheeks turning into a slight shade of red. “She’s my friend.” You give the lady a shy smile, trying not to let your heated cheeks show.
“What a bummer. She’s pretty.”, she takes the change out of Jungwons hands and gives you two a last smile. “See you tomorrow, Jungwon. Have a great day, you two.”
Jungwon returns back to the coffee, a slight tension of embarrassment lingering in the air. “You know this lady well?”, you ask, trying to break the tension.
“Oh yeah.”, he clears his throat, trying to hide his cracking voice. “She’s my friend Jake’s grandma and was really close friends with my grandma. I look up to her because she’s been huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.”
You watch him as he purrs milk into the coffee, creating some kind of pattern. “That’s so sweet. She seems really nice.”
“She is.”, he remarks, walking over to you and handing you the cup of coffee. “Tadaaaa. I even made coffee art for you.”
As you look down at the hot liquid in your hands, you can’t help but smile. With the milk foam he created a little heart on top of the coffee.
“Aw.”, you coo at the boy in front of you. “This looks so pretty.”
“Now you only have to like it. It’s a cappuccino. Pretty much everyone that has stepped foot into a café has heard of it. Cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink made from an espresso and hot milk froth. I put a gentle sprinkle of cocoa powder on top to make it sweeter, but not too much because I didn’t want it to distract too much from the original taste.”
A call of Jungwon’s name interrupts the small moment between the two of you.
“I will be there in a second.”, he replies to the customer, still looking at you. “We have to hurry up a bit today.”
You nod, slowly guiding the cup to your lips and taking a little sip. Jungwon watches you intensively and you try your hardest not to show your dislike for the coffee he made.
“You don’t like it.”, he states.
“No, it’s fine. I mean, it’s coffee, but it’s fine.”, you try to convince him.
“Y/n, don’t lie. I can clearly see how you don’t like it.”, you can see the flash of disappointment in his eyes, but he quickly tries to play it off and shows you a bright smile. “Third times a charm, right? Next time you will love the coffee.”
And for some reason you really hope you will. Even if that means you lose the bet.
☕3. Bómbon
“How do you even know Jungwon? I mean it’s not like he goes to our college.”, you ask Sunoo who lays beside you on the couch, watching an episode of a k-drama you found a few days ago.
“He did.”, Sunoo answers, eyes focused on the tv. “We met at the history course first year of college and just sat beside each other for a while. Before he dropped out of college.”
“Why did he drop out?”, you ask, turning your body so you can look at your best friend better.
“I don’t know.”, he mumbles. “Never told me. Every time I saw him, I forgot to ask and now it would be too weird to bring it up now.”
It’s a shame, you think. You didn’t know that Jungwon was at your college, if you had, maybe you could have been friends earlier. Or you would have never talked to him. That’s the most likely scenario. If it weren’t for Sunoo bumping into you and spilling coffee on your favorite shirt, you would have never talked to him. Sunoo felt so bad that he searched online where your shirt was from and bought you two new ones. He gave those to you the next day and told you he bought an extra one in case someone else bumps into you and ruins the shirt again. After that, Sunoo decided to spend everyday with you. He walked with you to class, accompanied you to the library to study and trusted you enough to tell you his whole life story. And almost a year later, the two of you are roommates. Walking around each other with unbrushed teeth and bed hair, crying your eyes out after watching a sad k-drama and caring for each other whenever the other person lays in bed with a cold.
To sum it up, you have seen each other at your worst and that all wouldn’t have happened if Sunoo wasn’t so determined to be your friend. Without that happening, you probably would sit in a tiny apartment, watching tv all by yourself and wondering where the hell you went wrong with your life.
“Sunoo?”
“Yeah.”, the questioned man hums, still trying to focus on the drama that’s playing.
“Why did you decide to be my friend?”, you ask him. Noticing that you have the urge to talk, Sunoo grabs the remote control and stops the k-drama. Moments like that happen rarely, where you start a conversation leading to a deeper and more emotional topic. That’s why he faces his body to you, giving you his full attention before he says his next words.
“Well, if I spilled my coffee on any other person’s favorite shirt, they would have lost their minds. They would have either cried or started screaming at me. But you just smiled at me. You told me that’s it okay and that you get that my mind was somewhere else.”, he smiles at the memory of the day you two met. “You even went as far as telling me that the life of a college student is stressful enough than to worry about a shirt getting ruined. But even through your kind words and your bright smile, I could see some sadness in your eyes. I could tell you really liked the shirt, but instead of making me feel bad, you tried to comfort me.”
Sunoo leans forward, taking one of your hands in his. “And from that moment on, I knew that I had to have someone like you in my life. And as cheesy as it sounds, but everyday that I get to spent with you as my best friend, I’m glad that I spilled my coffee all over you.”
♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡
A frown appears on your face as you read the ‘closed’ sign that’s hanging on the door of the café. Looking through the window, you see no one inside, not even Jungwon. Did you mess up the day? But you clearly remember Jungwon telling you to meet him here on Saturday. Maybe he forgot. Or maybe you did read the message wrong. Unsure, you take out your phone, checking your messages.
Jungwon: Let’s meet up on Saturday. It’s less crowded then. Does 2 pm sound good to you?
It is Saturday and while you’re here 10 minutes earlier, you don’t see how it can be closed. The café normally opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm.
You sigh, putting your phone back into your pocket, taking one last look into the café. You get ready to just go home and spend the day either doing left up work for some assignments or just get into the bathtub with the book you’ve been wanting to read. But before you can even turn around to walk back to your apartment, you hear a familiar voice calling for your name.
“Y/n”, Jungwon calls out. “Wait up.” He jogs over to you, keys jiggling in his hand.
“I’m so sorry. I wanted to be here earlier, but my mom had a problem with her phone, and I had to fix it for her.”, he explains as he opens the door to the café, holding it open so you can be the first one to enter.
“It’s fine. You don’t have to apologies, Jungwon.”, you say, as you sit down at your usual table which thankfully wasn’t filled with students this time. Jungwon tosses his jacket on the chair next to yours, walking behind the registers and getting his machines started.  
“Why aren’t you taking the ‘closed’ sign away?”, you ask him, watching how he ties his apron.
“Because we are closed today.” His answer is kept short as he’s already focusing on making your coffee.
“What do you mean closed?” You walk over to him, hating the distance between the two of you. You hate to admit it, but you like looking at him when you talk. For some reason, you find the small facial expressions he does whenever you talk to each other adorable. And those dimples. Yeah, can’t get enough of them as well.
“I closed the café today, because I wanted you to feel comfortable while trying the coffee I make. And well, last week I could see how the only thing you wanted to do was go home, so I made sure today that won’t cross your mind even once.”
You feel heat crawling up your neck, painting your cheeks in a red color, as you listen to Jungwon’s words. He closed the café just to make you feel more comfortable.
“Jungwon, you really didn’t have to.”, you say, but as soon as those words leave your mouth, he dismisses them.
“Y/n, it’s important to me that you feel comfortable. I know that this is all a bet we try to win, but over the last three weeks you became a dear person to me, and I will do anything to try to make you as happy as you can be while spending time with me.”
Butterflies fly wildly through your stomach, and you think you might have to throw up. What is happening to you?
Before you can answer him, which you weren’t even sure if you can, he takes the cup of coffee and walks back to your table. You trail behind him like a puppy and take a seat, looking down at the two layered coffee.
“This one is called a Bómbon. It’s originally from Spain. It’s just two ingredients, espresso and sweetened condensed milk. It has two layers, because the condensed milk holds the espresso up without mixing it like milk would do. It’s perfect for someone with a sweet tooth.”
If you had to decide between the two coffees you’ve seen and this one, you would choose the Bómbon based on its looks.
“Well, it already won, because it looks good.”, you remark, making Jungwon let out a small laugh. Another wave of butterflies’ courses through your belly as you hear the gentle sound. Maybe you’re getting sick.
“Give it a try.” And like routine, you take a small sip, ignoring the waiting eyes of Jungwon.
But this time is different. While you can still taste the lingering bitterness of the espresso, the sweetness of the condensed milk is almost completely washing it away. You know, you will still not order this for yourself next time you go to a café, but you can admit that it’s not bad.
“I actually kind of like this one.” Jungwon’s eyes widen at your statement, making him look like a little child on Christmas.
“Wait really?”, he asks, not believing what you just said.
“Yeah. I mean, I will probably not order it again, but for coffee it’s good.”
Jungwon could just accept that, say the bet is over, get his side of the prize and move on with his life. But for some reason that still isn’t enough for him. Three weeks ago, he told you he would make you fall in love with coffee, the same way he fell in love with it. You, telling him the coffee he made is good, but you won’t drink it again, isn’t what he meant when he was proposing the bet.
When he heard you admitting to hating coffee, he felt a crack in his heart. Jungwon was surrounded by coffee his whole life, his grandmother introducing him to the wonders and varieties of it. He learned to love coffee at a young age. When he was ten, he could do better coffee art than most of the big café owners in the city. And while he accepts that every person has different tastes and opinions, something in the way you were so sure of yourself made him want to challenge you. Because who could change your mind if not him? Even his grandmother would have tried to do the same.
So, he can’t give up on the bet. Not when he is that close to making you like coffee. He just has to find the right one for you.
And maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t want the time with you to be over yet and searches for an excuse to see you again. Even if it’s just once a week.  
“Jungwon?”, you gently call for his name. “Are you okay? Did I upset you?”
“No!”, he croaks out, clearing his throat before continuing. “You could never, Y/n. Especially not with expressing your honest opinion.”
He shows you another smile. “I think I already know what coffee to do next.”
“Next? Didn’t you win the bet. I mean I liked this coffee.”, you tilt your head to the side, giving him a confused look. And he thinks that this might be the cutest thing you’ve ever done.
“The bet was to make you fall in love with coffee, not to make you like a drink that you won’t ever touch again in your life. I want to make a drink that you can’t get enough of.”
You look at him, out of words. “The determination you have.”, you say, shaking your head. “But this can’t go on forever. We have to set some kind of limit or else I won’t even have the possibility to win this bet.”
“Okay, how about two more coffees. If I can’t make you fall in love with any of those, you won.” Once more, Jungwon holds out his hand for you. You take it, giving it another firm shake, sealing the new deal.
“To whoever wins the bet and has to fulfill the wish of the other person.”, you cheer on, holding the coffee up in the air.
And while Jungwon is watching you, he isn’t sure who he wants to win the bet anymore.
☕4: Frappuccino
The sun is shining brightly, laying warm on your skin, and filling you with happiness. Maybe that’s why Jungwon decided to close the store again and have the two of you meet up at the local park. On any other occasion you would have thought it was date, but since you know this is all just for the bet, you quickly dismiss that thought.
Instead, you sit on the small park bench with your eyes closed and a small smile on your lips as you enjoy the warmth of the sun. Considering it just being the beginning of spring, the sun hasn’t shown its face in its glory a lot. So, you take in every ray of sunshine you can before it decides to go away again.
As you sit on the park bench, waiting for Jungwon, you take in your surroundings. You listen to the soft chirping of the birds that fly over your head, searching for things to build their nest with. A little squirrel, happy about a nut he found, quickly making its way across the wide meadow of the park to the tree it houses in. Kids are playing on the small playground, running around, and laughing until their stomach hurts. You see the parents, watching their children with fondness in their eyes, wishing to be a kid again and having back this ease in life. An older lady sits at the small pond, throwing bread into it for the ducks to eat. Which they do, giving their approvement of the bread in the form of loud croaks. A blue butterfly makes its way over the meadow, flying gracefully and settling down on a flower not far away from you.
While you watch all of that unfold, your thoughts keep on drifting away to one specific person. Jungwon.
The two of you spend the whole week on the phone together, calling each other after every hard day and talking until late in the night. Just for the two of you to wake up the next day tired, but with fond memories.
The more you talk to him, the more you realize the constant feelings you have when you’re around him. While you do have butterflies swirling around your belly whenever his name is just mentioned, you don’t feel nervous around him. Of course, your cheeks turn into a soft shade of marron when he compliments you and your breath sometimes stocks for a moment, when he gets closer, but you still feel comfortable around him. Completely at ease. Like you do when you step foot into the café. Jungwon makes you feel like you could conquer the world if you wanted to. Encouraging your every dream and never failing to make a miserable day better.
You realize how you suddenly don’t want the bet to end. You don’t want to not see him every week anymore.
All you want is to spend everyday with him. Listen to him ramble about the customers that visit Café Sunshine, hear him laugh at a bad joke you tell and look at you with his wide eyes and dimpled smile.
But the more time you spent thinking, the more anxious you got. You two never met up outside of the café. It was always at the same location, the same comfort zone. What happens if you two realize that outside of the café you might not get along that well? What if he was so dazed by work all the time, that he never actually took a good look at you. And now out in the open with the sun shining so bright, he might change his mind about you. While you don’t think Jungwon is shallow, a part of you still makes you want to cancel the meet up.
You are so kept up by your thoughts that you don’t even notice someone sitting down beside you. Jungwon watches you with an amused smile, seeing that you’re deeply lost in your own thoughts.
But that gives him some time to take you in.
Because of the sunny and warm weather, you opted to wear a yellow summer dress that makes you look like you’re out of a Disney movie. There is some part of him that hopes that you put this dress on for him. That you put this dress on thinking about the theme of his café and him and wanted him to notice that. But he ignores that thought and instead decides to just keep on watching you. As creepy as it may look like, Jungwon finds it really comforting. Sitting in silence with someone, appreciating nature and just living in the moment. These are moments Jungwon doesn’t get often since he works at the café all day long. And when he gets home, he is too tired to do anything except for laying in his bed and sleep. It’s no surprise Jungwon barely has any friends. There are regulars that come to the café, but most of them are elderly people. Sometimes, like two weeks ago, there are people his age at the café, but college life is hard. The constant study and the lack of money is keeping most of the students away from his café. He understands that, of course he does, but part of him is disappointed. Jungwon wished he could make more friends, have people to talk to everyday about the things that are going on in his life. Have people to go on trips with, making late night drives to McDonalds and laughing at the lamest jokes together. Have karaoke nights, get completely wasted together and have one of those 3 am deep talks. That’s all Jungwon wants. And while he does have Jake in his life, he doesn’t get to have those things. Jake moved to Australia two years ago to study. So Jungwon really has no one. No one but you.
And for once in his life, he thinks he can really have all the things he has ever wished for with you. He sees this kind of person in you that he doesn’t want to lose, that he can’t lose. It’s been 4 weeks of texting, calling, and meeting up once a week and he already can’t imagine a life without you. It’s weird. It’s weird how you can meet a person and from one to another day that person is one of the most important people in his life.
Jungwon also can’t deny the underlying feelings he’s evolving for you. He isn’t stupid. Of course, he notices the way his body reacts whenever you step into the room or when he hears your voice over the phone. It also doesn’t help that he thinks about you everywhere he goes. Somehow, he sees you in everything. When he goes grocery shopping and he sees hot chocolate, he thinks about you and the first time you met. When he walks past a book shop, he thinks about you and your constant complains about your stupid English Lit teacher. And only yesterday when half the city was covered in rain and the other blessed by the light of the sun, he thought about you. He wanted to send you a picture of the rainbow that was forming in the sky, telling you how beautiful it is. And if you agreed, he would have told you that it’s not half as beautiful as you. But of course, he can’t do that. He can’t do it because you would think he is weird to tell you such things. And he can’t do it because there is no way you could ever reciprocate his feelings.
Jungwon notices that quite some time passed by, so he decides to gently tap your shoulder. You wipe your head around, looking right into his eyes. By the sight of his face, you let out a sigh of relief.
“You scared the shit out of me, Jungwon.”, you say, a small laugh escaping your lips.
“Sorry, I’ve been sitting here for a few minutes, but you were so deeply in your thoughts, I didn’t want to disturb you.” Blush creeps up your neck. Have you really been that kept up in your mind that you didn’t even notice Jungwon’s presence right beside you?
“Penny for your thoughts?”, he asks, scooting a bit closer to you.
“Oh.”, you stutter a bit. “Uhm, just college stuff. Assignments, exams, deadlines, you know the drill.”
Jungwon nods and you can see something changing in his face. Did you say something wrong?
“Let’s pick out a place to sit, I brought a blanket and some things from the café.” You nod at his words, standing up and following him as he walks through the meadow. He finds a place where the grass isn’t high and no flowers bloom, so you two don’t destroy anything. You help Jungwon lay out the blanket and together you plop down on it.
“Want to know what special drink I prepared for you today?”, Jungwon asks, already opening the small basket he took with him.
“What a stupid question, of course I want to see it.”
He laughs at your choice of words and gets out a plastic cup, putting it down in front of you. “I have to say, I went against all my barista morals with this one.” You take the cup in your hand, gasping slightly as you feel the coldness in your hands. “This is a Frappuccino as Starbucks likes to call it. It’s basically espresso, milk, ice cups and whatever sweet thing you want to have in there. Normally I don’t make stuff like that. I like to stick to the classics, but since it’s really hot today I thought that it would be nice for you. And I heard a lot of people say that this is a great starter drink for people who don’t like coffee. I never made it before, so if it sucks, I’m so sorry. Blame the Starbucks recipe I followed, not me.”
You listen to his ramble with a small smile on your lips. It’s cute how much thought he puts into your weekly coffee meet up. You just wished he would do it for you and not for the bet.
“Well thank you, Jungwon. It looks pretty tasty. What sweet thing did you put it?”
“I put in caramel, since it’s one of the sweetest things I found in the café. I hope you don’t mind.” You shake your head, finding his constant appeasement adorable.
“I don’t mind at all.” The cold drink in your hands feels refreshing compared to the hot weather. You’re not used to these temperatures, having lived in cold winter for a few months. But you can’t complain, you love that the sun finally shows its face again.
Without thinking much, you raise the cup to your mouth, placing the straw between your lips and taking a small sip. All while Jungwon watches you with an expecting look on his face. This is the second to last coffee he made for you. Of course, he still has one more chance to prove to you the wonders of coffee, but the hopes that this one will be the mind changer for you are high. After all he has to remind himself that this is a bet. A silly little bet the two of you agreed on, nothing more.
“You’re torturing me with your poker face. What do you think?”
“If I’m being honest with you,”, you start your sentence looking down at the drink. “I like the ice in it since it’s really cooling down my body, but the drink itself is okay, I guess.” You shrug your shoulders but keep your gaze down, so you don’t have to see the flash of disappointment on Jungwon’s face. “I liked the drink last week better. It tasted more real, you know. I could taste how much love you put into the coffee and this one tastes really artificial.”
Even though Jungwon feels a bit sad that you don’t like the coffee he made today, a part of him feels proud on how you can taste the differences in the coffee he made. Last week as the weeks before, he made the coffees with a lot of time and love, not thinking much of it and just following his passion. With this one he tried too hard. He tried too hard to find something you could like and forgot what this is actually about. He made something that he would never sell in his own café, and it felt  so wrong, but he was so desperate to find something you will like, that he went against his own comfort.
“Thank you for noticing that, Y/N. I promise you that next week I will make something I stand behind again, instead of trying to copy coffee from Starbucks.”
You smile at his words, putting the drink down again. “Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you some iced tea in case you don’t like the coffee.” Jungwon grabs the basket and takes out the drinks he brought, along with all the snacks he made himself.
“Jungwon, you didn’t have to.”, you coo, looking at the delicious treats. You can feel your belly grumbling, remembering that the only thing you ate today was a bowl of cornflakes.
As the two of you munch on the snacks in silence, you remember the conversation you had with Sunoo not so long ago.
“Can I ask you something?”, you speak up after a while, making Jungwon look up from the cake in his hands. He nods softly, dimples appearing on his cheeks. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but it’s just something that’s been on my mind.”
You clear your throat, moving on the blanket so that you sit facing him more. “Sunoo told me that the two of you went to the same class for a while last year, but suddenly you stopped going. When I asked him why, he said he didn’t know. Why did you quit college and started working at the cafè?”
Jungwon knew this question would come sooner or later, but the timing of it still catches him off guard. He thinks for a few moments, not sure how he should answer you.
“Well, I started going to college because I wanted to get a higher education. I always loved going to school and if you believe it or now, but I never missed a day of school when I was still in high school. I didn’t quit because college got too much for me, I loved going there. I loved the stress of the deadlines. I loved spending nights studying and I loved attending all the classes and gathering new knowledge.”
“Then why did you quit?”, you ask.
“Because my grandma died.”, he says, his voice breaking at the end of the sentence. “It was all so sudden. She was fine before and then suddenly I got a call in the middle of class telling me she was at the hospital.”
You scoot forwards, taking his hands into yours and giving them a soft squeeze. “My grandma spent her teenage years dreaming about owning a café. It’s all she ever wanted. Back then she didn’t have a phone where she could google recipes for coffee. She had to teach it to herself and that’s exactly what she did. My grandma sat in the garage with a coffee machine she got from an old store and coffee beans she stole from her parents and worked on the perfect coffee recipes. While other teenagers her age had lemonade stands, my grandma had a coffee stand. She sold the coffee she made and saved the money.”
You can see the fondness in his eyes as he tells the story. “One day as she walked through the city, she saw a for sale sign in front of a small building and when she looked inside through the window, she knew that this was it. This was the place she wanted to build her café in. And against her parents’ will, she did. She bought all the furniture and put months into making it look the way it is. My grandma was the one who painted the walls yellow, who created a save space for people and made everything that’s on the menu herself. She created a place where everyone can be themselves, where no one is excluded, bullied, or shamed in any way. She chose yellow because it symbolizes optimism, energy, joy, happiness, and friendship.”
“From the second I was able to walk I learned all about coffee. How to make it, how to serve it and how to create my own recipes. She taught me the knowledge I have today.” You get lost in his words, the story playing in your head. And you are thankful. Thankful to a woman you’ve never met for not only giving Jungwon something he talks about with so much passion, but for also being such a huge positive part in his life.
“She also named the café after me.”, he adds, a shy smile forming on his lips. “When I was a child, I would always smile. At stranger in the supermarket. At the waitress in restaurants. I was a happy child and so she gave me the nickname sunshine. She would always call me by that name. And one day when we walked into the café together something clicked inside of her. She made this place to bring joy into people’s life and no word describes it better than sunshine.”
You grin at that yourself, finding the little nickname fitting. From the moment you met him, you noticed the positive energy about him, like he baths in sunshine every day. Something about just being in his presence makes all your worries melt away.
“So, when I heard the news, I knew I couldn’t give the café up. My parents are busy at their own workplaces. And no one could have continued my grandma’s dream better than me. I mean, she taught me everything she knew, everything she put into the café. The only logical thing was to drop out of school and continue what my grandma couldn’t finish. It’s what she would have wanted.”
You nod at his words, taking a few seconds to process all the information you just got. Jungwon gives you that time, looking down at your hands which are still holding his.
“I’m sorry for what happened with your grandmother. I’m really sorry you had to go through that.”, you start, squeezing his hands softly again. “And I love how passionate your grandma was about her dream. I admire her for building up something and putting so much time and energy into it. I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been. But I have one question.”
Jungwon’s head lifts, gently tipping to the side, signaling you to continue. “You said that your grandma would have wanted for you to run the café. But do you want it?”
Jungwon is taken back by your question, his face forming into a frown. If he wants this? He never thought about it. For him it was a no brainer. He loves making coffee and talking to people, hearing new stories and making their days better, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Jungwon knew no one could do the job better than him and that his grandmother would have never trusted anyone else with the café. But does he actually want it? He never thought he would be at this place. He thought he would finish college and get a high paid job his parents chose for him. Jungwon never thought he would drop out of college to become a Barista.
He looks into your eyes, uncertainty still lingering in them. “It’s not what I planned for myself, if I am being honest with you, but it is what I want. I love doing it and I can’t imagine my life without going into this little café every single day.”
You smile at him, pleased with his answer. “Are you happy? Happy with the decisions you made so far?”
“Yes.”, he answers. This time without a hint of hesitation. “Yes, I am happy.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear.” You let go of his hands, grabbing your iced tea again. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”
And in that moment as Jungwon hears the words that leave your mouth, he knows that there is no way out anymore.
He has fallen for you, way too hard and way too deep.
☕ 5: Vanilla Latte
Over the whole week Jungwon barely texted you.
He wished you good luck on one exam you had and texted you the details of the next time you meet up, but other than that, he stayed silent.
And while you could have just texted him, part of you was holding you back. You never talked about what the two of you are. Friends? Acquaintances? Or more? Is this going to end after the next time you meet up? Or have the two of you become so close that you will still want to see each other afterwards?
Mulling over those questions, you didn’t want to text Jungwon, thinking that it will just confuse you even more.
Jungwon on the other hand waited for you to text him. While this sounds super childish, he just wanted to see if you reach out to him yourself. Maybe he just thought you missed him as much as he missed you this week.
As Jungwon stands in front of the milk counter in the grocery store, he doesn’t notice a figure approaching him.
“Jungwon?”, he turns around, being faced by a bright smile.
“Sunoo, hey. It’s been a while since we’ve last seen each other. How have you been?”
Sunoo sets down his grocery bag that’s already filled with plenty of things. Jungwon assumes you send Sunoo to shop for the items you need, since you told him once how much you hate going grocery shopping and how time consuming and energy draining it is. “I’ve been great. College life is stressing me out, but it’s nothing I can’t manage. What about you?”
“That’s great to hear, Sunoo.”, he sends Sunoo a soft smile. Even though he barely sees Sunoo anymore, he was an important person in Jungwons life for a few weeks. He was the only friend Jungwon had in class, a person he could talk to in his breaks and someone he could exchange notes with. It also helped that Sunoo always knew how to make Jungwons day a bit better. “I’ve also been good. The café is getting more popular, which means more work for me, but I enjoy it. The people are all so kind and I’ve never had this many good conversations with strangers before.”
“That’s amazing, Jungwon. I’m so proud of your accomplishments.” Sincerity laces Sunoo’s voice, clearly happy for his friend. “I would love to continue talking to you, but I have a hangry girl in the apartment and if I take any longer, she will be even more obnoxious than she already his.”
He can tell Sunoo is being sarcastic, but he can’t help to be jealous about it. Sunoo gets to see you every day. He comes home everyday to you.
Jungwon envies him for that. Not only does he want to see you every day, but he also wants a great relationship with you. He wants to be able to tease you and make jokes until your belly hurts from laughing. He wants to come home to you and watch as you study, listening to your complaints about the work and lending you a helping hand. He wants to be the person you put your trust in, the person you rely on when things get tough. But he can’t have that and it’s tearing him apart.
“How is Y/N?”, he asks before Sunoo can leave. “We haven’t texted much this week.”
“Oh, she’s good, I guess. Stressed out and sleep deprived, but other than that fine.” Jungwon just nods, sending Sunoo an appreciative smile before turning back to the milk. Sunoo notices the change in his behavior, seeing right through him. Everyone with a working pair of eyes can clearly see what is going on between the two of you. “But she misses you.”
Jungwon wipes around at those words, eyes wide and mouth agape. “What?”
“She misses you. She talks about you everyday and how she can’t wait to see you again on Saturday.”, Sunoo smiles widely, grabbing his bag again and throwing it over his shoulder. “She seems to really like you, because I never heard her talk about someone as much as she talks about you.”
Jungwon doesn’t know what to answer. A million thoughts swirling around his brain.
“I really got to go now. Have a great day, Jungwon. We will hopefully see each other soon.” With that Sunoo turns around, disappearing in the big store and leaving Jungwon to stand there alone with his thoughts.
What is he supposed to do now?
♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡
There are signs of nervousness seen in your steps as you walk to the café. Everyone that’s passing you by can notice that. The way you pick the skin on your fingers, how your tongue darts out every five seconds to wet your lips and the obvious shaking of your limps. People could also think you are on hard drugs, but you quickly dismiss that thought.
You don’t even know what exactly makes you so nervous about today. Maybe it is because you haven’t heard from Jungwon and you’re scared that you did something wrong. Or maybe it is because you know this day will end your bet and you have no idea what will happen after it.
The uncertainty is really driving you insane.
You tried talking to Sunoo about it, explaining him your situation and having him understand you. But you quickly noticed how that did not work out, because all your best friend said was ‘Just confess to him. Tell him how you feel and how you don’t want to stop seeing him. What’s the worst that could happen?’
The worst is that you will end up making a fool out of yourself. You still hope that the least Jungwon wants is to stay friends with you and continue your weekly meetups. You don’t want to ruin that just because you feel nervous about him. It’s not like you do have feelings for him. It’s probably just a stupid little crush that will go away as soon as the two of you leave the getting to know phase.
Still, you stand in front of the café, a place you feel comfort and happiness in, and you can’t get yourself to actually open the door.
Seeing you through the window, Jungwon walks up to open the door for you. “Hey Y/N, come in.”
With hesitant steps you walk past him and almost immediately, the familiar feeling of tranquility washes over you. You take in the scent of fresh baked cake and newly brewed coffee, thinking that this could possibly be the last time you stand in here. And you notice the slight scent of Jungwon.
Every time you walked into the café you noticed a scent that you couldn’t recognize. Not a bad smell, just something that mingles with the normal scent of the café. Only last week when the two of you sat in the park together, you noticed that that scent belonged to him. And weirdly enough, it brought you comfort. Maybe it is because you associate it with the Jungwons’ workplace or maybe it is just Jungwon himself that makes you feel that way.
“Are you okay?”, he asks as he pulls out the chair - of the table you always sit at – for you to sit down.
“Yeah, I’m fine. What about you? Did you have a stressful week?” As you watch how Jungwon makes his way to the counter to prepare your coffee, you notice how you could never get sick of looking at him. Everyone with eyes sees Jungwon’s obvious attractiveness. His sharp features, the cat-like eyes, his silky brown hair, the wide shoulders, and the dimples. God, those dimples will kill you some day. You could look at him all day long and not get tired of seeing his face, of seeing his smile or the concentrated look on his face whenever he makes coffee. But not only does his appearance allure you, but his personality as well. The witty comments, the way his voice changes whoever he is talking to, his friendliness as he talks to customers. The way he leans down to talk to the children who come to the café, showing them a warm smile as he gifts them a free cupcake. The care he shows for the people he loves, even if it’s sometimes not as noticeable. The passion he carries for his job and the things he loves. And his mind. The thoughts and opinions he carries with him. The way he voices his feelings and tries to never hurt anyone with the things he says.
You could never get tired of that. You could never get tired of him.
“My week was good. The café is booming with new customers, so I have a lot to do. But I’m not complaining. I love how this place gets more and more recognition the more time passes by.” He walks back to you with a see-through cup in his hand that he puts down on the table in front of you.
“This is a Vanilla Latte. It’s not been on the menu for so long, I just added it a few weeks back. It is made of espresso, steamed milk, a little bit of fine foam and lastly vanilla syrup. It’s sweet, maybe he even a bit too sweet. But I thought since you kind of liked the Bómbon, this will be a good choice for you.”, he smiles, sitting down on the chair beside yours.
“What will happen if I don’t like it?”, you ask him, eyeing the coffee in front of you.
“Then you won the bet.”, he answers you, stating the obvious.
“No, I mean what will happen to you? Will you be disappointed?”
“Yeah.”, he says. “I think so, but there is nothing I can do to change that. Even though I put a lot of effort into making those coffees for you every week, it was still fun for me. And a way to practice my abilities. So yeah, I will be disappointed, but I will also be happy that you at least tried to understand me and my love for coffee.”
You nod at his words, taking them in. Part of you was afraid of taking a sip, just like the first week of your bet, but this time for a complete different reason. This time you aren’t afraid of trying something new. This time you are scared that whatever will happen after you take a sip, will change the relationship between you and Jungwon. Now you really want to like the coffee.
Your hand trembles as you reach out for the cup, but the warmth of it eases your nerves, even if it is just a little bit. You lift it to your lips and before thinking too much you take a sip, already used to this routine. Jungwon, as perse, watches you with wide, curious eyes. The hope of turning you into a coffee lover still lingers inside him.
“So, what are your final words?”, he asks after a few seconds.
“It’s definitely the best one you made so far. I really like how strong the vanilla flavor is.”, you answer, trying to end it on that.
“But?” He hears it in your voice and sees it in your face.
“I’m sorry, Jungwon. I just really don’t think coffee is for me. I am so thankful how hard you tried, and I could really see and taste the love and time you put into this. And I’m so proud of you and you should be too, because you have a real talent and make a lot of people happy with what you do.” You smile at him, putting the coffee down in front of him. “But I guess I will just stay with hot chocolate.”
A shy smile forms on Jungwons lips as he hears your kind words, and he can feel the heat crawling up his neck. “Thank you, Y/N. You don’t know how much your words mean to me. And don’t worry about not liking coffee. As you said, it’s just not for you. Even someone like me has to accept that there are actually people out there who don’t like coffee.”
There is something lingering in the air. Like the two of you desperately want to say something, but the words don’t want to come out. You feel the mood visibly shift into awkwardness, uncertainty, and maybe even longing. You can’t handle it. You can’t handle the mess of the feelings inside of you and the way Jungwon looks at you right now. His eyes shimmering with a feeling you can’t describe. He is looking at you like he can read you. Like you are open book to him, and he knows all the answers to the questions that circle around your mind.
It’s getting unbearable. You think you might break under his gaze and spill out every question that you don’t even have an answer for. And that’s not what you want. As long as you aren’t sure about things, you won’t talk to him about it.
So, instead you get up from your seat, earning a confused look from the brown-haired boy. “Are you leaving?”
“Yeah, sorry. I promised Sunoo to be home early so we can have a movie night.” You put on your jacket, grabbing your bag. “Thank you for everything Jungwon.” You send him a wave and a small smile before heading to the door.
“Wait!”, he calls out for you, making you turn around. “You won the bet. What about your prize?”
“I will get back to you for that one. See you, Jungwon.”
And before he can say anything else you are out the door, leaving him and taking half his heart with you.
☕ 5 ½ Affogato
In fact you did not get back to Jungwon. He can’t lie and say that he hasn’t been waiting every day, checking his phone regularly to see if you texted him. Even when he hears the door open, his head whips up just to be disappointed that it’s not you coming to the café.
When the first Saturday came around, Junwon felt weird seeing other customers in the café and not just you. He felt as if a part of him was missing. Somehow, he couldn’t get himself to stop thinking about you wherever he went.
You on the other hand spent most of the last days in your room. Except for the times you had to go to class. You keep on mulling over the things in your head, trying to figure out your feelings. It doesn’t make sense to you that you have feelings so strongly for someone you just met. You thought that the feelings would go away as soon as you didn’t see Jungwon anymore. Thinking that it was just a small crush. But the more time passes and the longer you go without seeing him, the more you long for him, the more you miss him and the more you have this wrenching feeling inside of your chest. When Saturday came along, you didn’t know what to do with yourself. You wanted to go to the café, surprise Jungwon and tell him all the thoughts which have been plaguing your mind. But you couldn’t. There is a part of you that still isn’t sure if what you feel is genuine and a part of you is afraid of rejection. Just because you feel that way doesn’t mean he will. You yourself have doubts on how fast those feelings blossomed. There is a huge possibility that he just did all that for the bet. For the sheer satisfaction of being right. Of proving a point.
All of this didn’t go unnoticed by your best friend. Sunoo has been worried about you ever since you came back from the last time you met Jungwon. He noticed that something went wrong and as he tried to talk to you about it, all you did was dismiss him, telling him you didn’t want to talk about it.
But Sunoo is sick of it. Sick of seeing you so sad and he decides that something has to change.
He ignores your sounds of complaint as he enters your room, muttering for him to leave as you hide yourself under your blanket. “Get up.” His tone is stern, the complete opposite from his normal sweet and friendly voice. It makes you peak your head out of your blanket to look at him.
“Why?”, you ask, making him sigh. Sunoo sits down at the edge of your bed, pulling your blanket down.
“I want you to stop drowning yourself in self-pity and instead get up and do something against whatever it is your feeling.” You sit up, knees against your chest, wrapping your arms securely around them. “Stop being so oblivious and open your eyes. I don’t know what exactly you’re going through, since you won’t tell me, so I’m just going to assume. You are in love with Jungwon, but you are scared. Not only that he won’t like you back, but you are scared of love itself. You fear the potential heart break that it can leave. You think that if you feel this worse already even though you are not even dating, you don’t want to know what it feels when you actually get your heart broken.”
Sunoo takes a deep breath, running a hand through his hair and thinking carefully about his next words. “But that is not how life works, Y/N. If you go through life, afraid of everything that might hurt you, you won’t live. You will hold yourself back from opportunities, from new doors opening. You will stay where you are right now, not moving an inch forward. And believe me that’s not how you want to live your life. So please, for the love of God, go to the poor boy and confess your feelings. I met him at the store the other day and when I told him that you miss him, you should have seen the way his face lit up. He is head over heels for you. He closed his god damn store on Saturdays for you just so that you could feel comfortable while meeting him. He researched coffee and spent a lot of his time making them just to find something that you will like. And when you had a bad day because of the college stress he spent the whole night on the phone with you, making jokes and trying to get you to laugh. That’s not something someone does just because. Jungwon does those things because he likes you.”
“You really think so?”, you ask, your voice small and showing all the doubts that gathered over the days.
“I know so.”, Sunoo answers, squeezing one of your knees softly. “Go get your man.”
♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡
You never thought you would be in a situation like this. It almost feels like you’re in a movie.
The way you run to the café, 5 minutes before it closes, just so you could catch Jungwon before he leaves. The wind blowing your hair through the air and the flowers of the cherry blossom trees, swirling around, painting the scene even more dramatic than it already is.
By the time you arrive at the café, you are out of breath and covered by the pink flowers. But you don’t care, you storm into the small building with determination.
Jungwon stands with his back turned behind the counter, washing the dishes since there is no one in the café anymore. “I’m sorry.”, he says, back still turned to you. “I’m closing now. You can comeback tomorrow and I can make you some delicious coffee.”
You smile at his words, walking up to him. “You can’t even make an exception for me?” At the sound of your voice, Jungwon turns around. Forgetting that his hands are still wet and drenching his apron and the floor with it. But that is not important. What is important is that you actually stand in front of him.
“Y/N? What are you doing here?”
“Well, I won the bet. I came to claim my prize.” A smile graces your lips, but Jungwon doesn’t know what he means. He doesn’t know anything. It’s like his brain stopped working the moment he heard your voice.
“Yeah, right.”, voice breaking in nervosity. “What is it you want me to do?”
“I want you to go on a date with me.”
“What?” Jungwon can’t believe his own ears. Did you really just say that?
“I want you to go on a date with me.”, you repeat. “Over the past few weeks, I noticed myself slowly falling for you. I didn’t tell you because I was scared. I was terrified of getting hurt, to the point where I thought that shutting you out and denying my feelings for you was the best way to deal with this situation. But I quickly got to see that it only caused the exact opposite to happen. I started missing you so much that I felt like a piece of me was not with me anymore. I realized that I can’t live like this. I can’t keep running away from things the moment I get scared and finally face my fears.” You smile at him, tears forming in your eyes.
“I like you, Jungwon. I like you so much, it’s scary. But even considering all this, I want you in my life. No, I need you in my life. And you may not feel the same thing, but I can’t go on knowing I never tried.”
Junwon doesn’t know what to say. No words want to leave his mouth. So instead of saying anything, he walks around the counter and stops right in front of you. He pulls you closer to him and the next thing you know you feel his lips softly pressing against your own.
You melt into him, gripping his shoulders tightly as you kiss him back. You get lost in his scent, in the softness of his lips and the warmth inside of your heart. And you know that this is something you could get used to.
“How about we have it now?”, he asks you after breaking the kiss. His hand tugging a stray strand of hair behind your ear.
“Start what now?”
“Our date.”, he states, letting go of you and walking back behind the counter. “I have the perfect idea. Sit down please.”
You do as he says, watching him work on something. Jungwon joins you not long after, placing a big bowl of ice cream in front of you.
“This is an Affogato. It’s not really coffee, more of a dessert. But it is vanilla ice cream with espresso shots. I got this idea last week and thought you might want to try it out.” Jungwon grabs a spoon himself and together you take a bite of the dessert he prepared.
“Thoughts?”, he asks, the situation way too familiar to the both of you.
“Meh, it’s fine. But I think I will just stick to normal ice cream.” He laughs at your words, a bright cheerful laugh, that fills your whole body with joy.
“I really thought that could be the last thing to change your mind and make you fall in love with coffee anyway.”, he says, a small pout adoring his lips.
You can’t help it but lean over and place a gentle peck on his lips. “Well, I didn’t fall in love with coffee, but I sure as hell fell for someone else.”
You watch as his cheeks turn into a soft shade of red, adoring the way he looks when he’s shy.
“And I sure as hell fell for you too, Y/N. More than you can imagine.”
Bonus
☕4 years later
“I’m sorry, we’re closed.”, you say as you hear the door of the café open. Busy washing the dishes, you didn’t even look over your shoulder.
“You can’t even make an exception for me?”, you hear a familiar voice say. Turning around you are met with the face of your boyfriend, flowers in his hands. This scene seeming way too familiar to you.
“Jungwon!”, you exclaim, drying your hands and walking over to him. “What are you doing here? You are supposed to be resting. I thought you were sick.”
Jungwon shows you a sheepish grin. One of hands reaching up to rub his neck nervously. “Well, about that. I may or may not have lied to you about being sick.”
“What?”, you say, a frown forming on your face. “Why would you lie to me about that?”
Jungwon lays the flowers down on the counter before reaching one of his hands into his pocket. “I had to get something.”
Looking down at his hands, you see him pull out a small velvet box. And before you know, Jungwon is already kneeling down on one knee.
“Y/n, we’ve known each other for the past 4 years and those have been the best years of my life. Before I met you, I felt alone, completely distant from the world. But when you came into my life, suddenly everything made sense. You accepted my love for coffee and even tried to love it as well, which we know didn’t quite work out as planned. You gave me the life I always wanted and now it’s my turn to give you something in return. So, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”
Tears stream down your face as you look at the man before you. The man that has done nothing but give you all his love for the past four years. The man you would do anything for. And the man you want to the spend the rest of your life with.
So, there is really no other answer to his question, but…
“Yes. Yes, of course I will marry you.”
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redbleedingrose · 4 months
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This idea popped into my head while making my coffee this morning. How do the batboys like their coffee? Do they like the specialty drinks or just a good cup of coffee?
I could honestly go both ways. Like some morning I just want a cup of coffee with some cream and sugar but some days I want a specialty drink that will give you a cavity by just looking at it lol
OH MY GOD!!! I LOVE THIS!!!
Coffee/Latte Orders of the Bat Boys and Vanserra Bros
Rhysand
I think it depends on the day but Rhys gives me Cold Brew vibes. He needs the espresso for sure with all his high lord activities! But he absolutely adds oat milk to it, because he does not want plain black coffee.
I don't think he likes the actual flavor of the cold brew, he def drinks it in the morning because he needs it to function, but later he would drink homemade caramel cappuccino.
And I think he wakes before you, so he will make you a cappuccino as well. He always sits himself at the edge of the bed, watching you sleep peacefully for a couple of minutes while sipping on his cappuccino, thinking about all the things he is grateful for, before leaning down to brush your hair out of your face and pepper kisses all over your face.
Once you wake up, and you give him his "proper kiss," he will leave you to continue his work, your piping cappuccino set on your beside table for when you're ready to start your day.
Cassian
Cass does not give me a cuppa joe kinda male. He likes his water and fruit juices and smoothies.
He drinks water throughout the day, especially because of the amount of training he does. He has one of those huge water bottles that has all the water he is supposed to drink in a day, and he carries it around religiously.
He def gets one for you and will check in on you throughout the day and remind you to drink your water, especially if you are behind on your water intake. He is the kind of male to make it into a contest between you two, just to make sure your competitive ass gets enough water.
He also appreciates putting strawberries, lemons, cucumbers, pineapples in his water so that the fruit can infuse its vitamins into the water.
And the smoothies are his morning meal. He adds protein powder, fruits, and greens into these and he loves them. He feels super refreshed by them, and will try to convince you (and his brothers) to give them a try, and they turn out to be pretty good when he makes them. If you attempt to make them, they kinda taste like grass in water.
Azriel
Az screams black coffee. He drinks his coffee hot, plain and simple. He uses this dark roast blend that is very traditional to the Illyrian mountains. His mother used to drink coffee like that, and I think it would remind him of her, and thus, he drinks his coffee black. He is proud of it too, smh.
I think it helps him poop, poor male is chronically constipated from stress
When he meets you, he teases you for adding milk and sugar to your coffee, but once he gets a taste of your coffee, he may or may not sneak in a sip or two from your mug when you aren't looking.
You both like to start off your days sitting on the balcony, steaming cups in hand with Az's wing wrapped around you to keep you warm, and you watch the sunrise together.
It tends to be really quiet in the morning hour, and it is a special time for you and Az to kinda soak in the peace and allow for your mating bond to glow as the bright as sun.
Lucien
Luc is for sure an oat milk chai latte girly pop.
He also appreciates a matcha latte here and there. I think he likes the earthy flavor, so if he is not feeling chai (which is very rare), he will go for the matcha. If he is feeling extra spicy, he will drink it iced.
I think the spice of the chai latte really brings him back to all the good times in his childhood, when Eris would sneak little five year old Luc some caffeine through the chai.
I think if Luc were to drink coffee, it would be a caramel apple flavoring that comes around only during the fall seasons in Day Court.
I feel like Lucien would be the kind of male who wants to support small businesses, so he would go to different cafes throughout the court to try their chai lattes and would bring you home a fresh pastry and warm coffee. It's especially fun for him when you wake up early and join him.
Eris
Er's coffee order is interesting and complex, just like the male himself.
He likes to drink Autumn-spiced mocha lattes. It is an espresso with steamed goat milk, chocolate, cinnamon, and other spices. It actually is incredible, and he gets it every morning with a warm almond croissant for breakfast.
He likes his goat milk. I don't know why, but he does. Fucking sexy ass weirdo
Later in the day, he will have a honey cream latte which is an espresso with steamed goat milk and honey. His afternoon drink is not because he needs the energy, but I think he likes to have a warm drink in between lunch and dinner.
You usually join him in the office, warm latte in hand with your own drink, and you sit together on his green velvet couch, his free arm around your shoulders playing with strands of your hair as you discuss your day and plans for the night.
When you're done with your drinks, you will take his empty mug back to the kitchens, but not before he kisses you.... and attempts to bite your cheek off.
he loves your cheeks, what can I say?
Masterlist which severely needs updating
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fullofpossibilities · 8 months
Text
Sonder (DPXDC)
Tim isn't quite sure what put him in such a weird, philosophical mood (probably the caffeine crash) but as he was waiting in line at the new coffee shop waiting for his 5th cup of the day, he took a moment to look around at the other customers. Some were your average high school/college students split up into studies groups, others were adults working on what must be business projects on their computers and phones. There were couples scattered around and those that looked like their day was just starting despite it being noon.
"Tim?" Steph shakes his arm and gives him a teasing if slightly worried look. "You're looking a little dazed there, too much caffeine already?"
"Yea-I mean no-just-" Tim looks around again, trying to find a way to put what he wanted into words.
He didn't actually say anything until they two had grabbed their drinks and headed to a more secluded table, one where no one would bother them. "It just hit me, all of a sudden, that we're surrounded every day by people, where we're the ones kind of in the background. Don't you ever think it's weird, how each person is kind of the main character in their own story, but you might just be the background character? Who knows what kind of things are going in their lives, adventures that we miss out on because we're not the main characters of their story."
Steph gives him a weird look and slowly takes a long sip of her drink.
"...shut up."
"Hey I didn't say anything, Socrates."
"Yeah yeah."
The two bicker quietly amongst themselves, then quietly head out once they were done. Tim takes one last look around the shop, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. This is what he was fighting for. Maybe it doesn't matter that he's not an important character in every person's story, so long as he does what he can in his own.
'Besides, who's life is as crazy and adventurous as mine, anyway?'
He smiles and opens the door to the shop, letting those outside come in before leaving with his friend and platonic soulmate.
The newest customer of "Dour Drinks" turns around to stare at the person who opened the door for him before they slip out, a strange feeling in his chest.
The person at the register notices her friend and calls out. "Danny? What is it?"
He startles and looks back around. "Meh, probably nothing. Don't worry about it."
Word of the day: Sonder
Noun
The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own - populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries, and inherited craziness - an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passage-ways to thousands of other lives that you'll never know exist, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.
Taken from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig
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bee-saucee · 11 months
Text
5 Things Shinsou & Kaminari Can't Live Without | GQ
Warnings for mentions of sexual content and ShinKami! This is supposed to be like GQ's 10 things blank live without videos. I used to love watching these in high school and thought it would be fun to write a version with Shinsou and Kaminari! 10 felt like too much for each of them, so I went with 5 each. It's as if they filmed two separate videos back to back. Enjoy!
“I managed to get my husband to drink some of this coffee without a pound of sugar in it and he almost liked it which I think speaks for its impeccable flavor and quality itself.”
*Intro*
“Hello GQ, my name is Hitoshi Shinsou, and today I'll be sharing five pretty important things to me.”
Essential one: Organic cat food
“So, this is really more of an essential for my spoiled kittens, but being a good parent to my cats is what keeps me mentally stable, so I’m counting it. My husband Denki and I are trying to eat more clean and so naturally our cats have to as well. When I saw all of the preservatives and fake shit in the old cat food brand we had, I instantly knew we had to switch. So after some research and testing out different brands on our little guys, Tender and True Organic Cat Food is the pick. They also raise their cage-free chickens humanely so it was a must.”
Essential two: Hand balm
“My dad actually put me on to this one. We’re both pro heroes and we both use capture scarves, but it can leave me with lots of cuts, calluses, and rug burn if I’m using it a lot. I’ve been training with him since high school and I knew that I accepted him as my adoptive father the moment he shared this hand balm with me. He actually gets it specially made by our old school nurse so this is some top secret stuff. She formulated it to heal any problems we might have with our hands. I keep telling her she needs to patent this shit or something and sell it en masse, but she’s currently bent on just making vats of it for my father and I. She also refuses pay, but she loves peach tarts so we always bring her enough to feed a small village when we pick some up.”
Essential three: Stoneware mug
“So I’m very much into coffee. And one thing I’ve come to learn after years of drinking way too much of it is that drinking coffee isn’t just about what’s in the cup, but the entire experience. A large part of said experience is the cup itself. It changes the taste and there are even psychological influences with colors and such.”
“I’ve been building up a collection of different mugs of various types to properly suit the coffee drinking experience I want at any given time, but I really just wanted a mug that felt right for me. The right width and height, handle, material, all that. So I knew what I wanted, but when I went searching I could not find the right mug to save my life."
"I wind up mentioning my mug debacle on Twitter and one of my fans reaches out to me and they say ‘hey, I make pottery, I can custom make you mugs.’ You can imagine my excitement. So we talk, meet up, and they essentially fit this mug to my hand and all of my desired specifications. I commission them to make me a few of these stoneware mugs and they all have customized drawings on them. Like this one has our cats on it. I also had them make one for Denks. It has a chicken on it. Whenever I make him hot chocolate in the morning and hand it to him in that mug he’s like ‘oh fuuucckk, it’s a chicken mug day?!?!’ That means it’s gonna be a good day to him.”
Essential four: Coffee
“Bet you couldn’t see this one coming. I usually work nights but have to be quite alert so coffee is my stimulant of choice. I decided I’d use my status as a pro hero for personal gain and create and sell my perfect cup of coffee. It’s fair trade, organic, comes in three different flavors and has…a lot of caffeine. One of the best things about having my own coffee brand is that I get to try a shit ton of samples and get on PR lists for different coffee companies. Needless to say our home always smells like coffee.”
Essential five: Animal crackers
I don’t really know how this started. But I’m thoroughly addicted to animal crackers. Specifically, the ones that come in the red box that looks like a little circus train car or whatever it’s supposed to be. It is the most boring yet immaculate snack food that has ever graced this planet. Whenever we go grocery shopping, I pick up 12 of these without fail. Denki is into the frosted ones now too and he always tells a story where our graham crackers fall in love before meeting a horrific end in our stomach acid. It started out being reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet but has morphed into being more akin to that movie featuring both Godzilla and King Kong framed as a tragic love story.”
“So those are my top five essentials exclusive of items necessary for basic human survival and well-being such as food, water, and shelter. Thanks for spending some time with me today.”
---
“I kind of had a breakdown before coming here because I have way more than five favorite things. I shit you not, I had a tear forming in my eyeball because I had to leave behind my giant corn plushie. A complete and total tragedy for real.”
“Sup GQ?! It’s stun gun hero, Chargebolt but you can call me Denki. Today I’m gonna be showing you five of my most favorite things on the entire planet. Let’s rock and roll!”
*Intro*
Essential one: Chokers
“I couldn’t not talk about chokers. I love them so much. There’s just something about them that is so sexy but also badass. Like, please, look at my throat and wish you could bite it, you know? I like to switch up what choker I wear with my hero costume, but I also wear them when I’m off the clock. My husband Hitoshi, who by the way just did his interview and did such a good job your life will actually be ruined if you don’t watch his essential video too, likes to take me to concerts a lot so you know I’m pulling up in a choker every time. I even have this lacey one which I only wear when I’m really feeling my oats. So if you see me out wearing my lace choker you know it’s a super confident Denki day.”
Essential two: Lube
The lace choker thing was really to prep your mind for talking about lube because we gotta talk about fucking lube. There is something that is just so special and refined and intimate about having good, quality lube. I’m not just saying this because she’s a friend, but Midnight has a line of really high-quality lube. Don’t get me wrong, Toshi is good at sex but I swear whenever we use this stuff my soul leaves my body. So please, use lube and treat yourself to a really good quality lube. Miss Midnight even has flavored lube, so stop sleeping on it and pop that shiz in your cart.”
“This is also your regular sexual health reminder. Wrap it before you tap it, use dental dams or a properly cut condom when in a pinch, never use spit, and regularly get tested, alright, babes?”
Essential three: Bose SoundLink system
I’m always listening to something and I just really love music so I can appreciate a good speaker system. Toshi’s papa got us a whole set of these nice nice Bose SoundLink speakers that all sync up as a wedding gift. And you guys. Life changing experience for me and my little ears. When I am listening to music on speakers, a lot of the time I’m doing something where I’m moving between rooms like cleaning, chasing my husband around, dancing, all that. We have one in pretty much every room so the transition is seamless and Bose speakers are really good so I thank these speakers and Hitoshi’s papa every day.
Essential four: Fidget toys
“Okay so I really hate that these kind of got meme'd on because fidget toys are something I legitimately need and use. We have meetings every morning at my agency and holy fuck my ADHD brain struggles with it sometimes. I also use them when we’re walking around during patrol sometimes and for paperwork. No one talks about how much fucking paperwork comes with being a hero, but there is so much paperwork. Like, at least digitalize it y’all. Save the trees, you know?”
“Anyway, I have a lot of different fidget toys, but I’ve really been into this one that’s like a joystick. It’s a bit quieter than this clicky cube one, for instance. So it’s really perfect for meetings and stuff to just have in my pocket.”
Essential five: Hitoshi Shinsou
Denki whacks a seat that has been added next to him. “C’mere sweetcheeks.”
Shinsou groans off camera before sliding into the seat next to Denki who instantly latches onto him.
“Okay, so he looks a little put out because we specifically agreed that we weren’t going to put one another on our lists. But I just couldn’t leave out my little love muffin, so say hi to my fifth essential, my husband Hitoshi,” Denki says.
“I promise I love my husband. Even if I don’t break rules and add him to my essential list.”
“He does love me very much,” Denki gushes as he rubs the tip of his nose against Shinsou’s.
“You’re going to make everyone projectile vomit, Denks.”
“That would be kind of cool though-”
“-No it wouldn’t.”
“Hear me out, hear me out. A headline: pro heroes Chargebolt and Mindjack make everyone forcibly vomit watching sickeningly sweet interview.”
“Well shit, we have to keep it up then,” Shinsou exclaims.
“Guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. I just love my bubs dearly. I think we really balance one another out and bring out the best in one another. It’s one of those things where I’m like who the fuck was I before he was fucking me, you know? But also not just that. I just wanted to say that because it has a flow. He also emotionally supports me a lot and has changed me for the better by just being his super rad self.”
“I honestly don’t think I’m capable of loving another person as much as I love Denki," Shinsou says softly.
Denki smiles big and kisses Shinsou’s cheek over and over. “Alright GQ, I gotta get my introvert home and cuddle the living hell out of him because he’s being an extra big sweetie today.”
“It’s at home date night,” Shinsou states.
“Running home. Booking it. You could even call it sprinting. The… 15-mile dash back home for at home date night. Anyway– thanks for letting us chill with you, GQ! It’s been real! And thank you for watching! Byeee!”
Thanks for reading! ( ͡ಥ‿ ಥ)━☆゚.*・。゚
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I’m scared…
[katsuki, izuku, kirishima]
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WARNING: MENTIONS OF ABUSE, BURNS, BROKEN BONES, GASLIGHTING, SELF HARM!
Something made his gut scream at him to rush to your side without hesitation when you did everything possible to avoid eye contact with everyone who passed. That wasn’t too out of character for you, since mornings were a bit rough in general without your daily dose of caffeine, yet the heavy way your head hung low told of a secret he had to know. It wasn’t going to be so easy for him though. You were a damn good master at putting up a façade so others couldn’t guess what you were thinking or how your life was outside these walls. Some decided to give you space since you didn’t seem up to your usual self even when armed with several cups of coffee within your system but that knot in his stomach twisted more when the odd addition of a scarf around your neck slipped just enough to reveal bruised flesh. He didn’t approach though until it was just the two of you, the artificial lights above your heads casting his features into a shadow almost too dark for you to see as he “accidentally” tugged on the flimsy fabric while trying to reach for a file just over your shoulder.
Black and blue finger shaped bruises decorated both sides of your fragile throat. Not only that but there were inflamed bite marks leading downwards to disappear along your shirt’s collar. The high collar shirt…use of a scarf despite spring giving way to summer…your avoidance of people…
He didn’t like where this was going but the words still leapt from his lips nonetheless. “When did you get those”
Tears burned the backs of your eyes as you wrenched away, pushing against your desk. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.” A gasp slipped from your raw throat, coming out almost as a cry, when his large calloused fingers found your wrist.
“You can’t hide anything from me, (Y/n), we know each other way too much to even try to pull that crap.” The chuckle at the end of his sentence was fake, both of you could tell, but the sincerity ringing behind every word nearly made your heart crack. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
Words flew up your throat before you could stop them. “F-Four…” Bile rose to coat your tongue when his eyes widened. What disgusted you most though: the fact you hid it from your best friend for so long or the fact it was happening in the first place? The words you were attempting to stop rushed forth on their own when he made to speak, as if they were rushing to heard before you could swallow them down. “…months, two weeks, three days…”
The fingers around your wrist instantly released their hold but they found the collar of your shirt. Fabric tearing filled the air yet you didn’t flinch as the air met your skin. It’s been a long time coming, someone was bound to find out or you were eventually going to spill the beans about what’s been happening, a part of you were relieved that it was him who had finally confronted you while the other sobbing in a corner begging for his forgiveness.
Muscular arms that could crush boulders and lift slabs of concrete began to shake as his gaze bore into yours. “So this whole time that you’ve been flinching when one of the guys says your name…”
A tear slipped from your eye, causing his expression to increasingly become more pained as each droplet that followed answered each statement.
“When someone touched you without warning…”
Another tear.
“…all the times you were checking your phone because it kept going off…”
This time several spilled down your cheeks.
“…and you didn’t say anything because they told you no one would believe you…”
Broken sobs wracked your body as the wall met your back, vulnerability crashing over you as he remained standing and his shadow fell over your haunched figure. Your arms rose shakily to wrap around yourself as if seeking stability and recoiled violently when something brushed the top of your head. Whatever it was withdrew completely, making you want to dig a hole in hopes of disappearing within it, and let out a gut wrenching scream when vice-like objects wrapped around you in a near straight jacket hold. Fight mode failed to engage as he was replaced by someone else who claimed they did what they did because you deserved the treatment.
Because you talked to another person without their permission…
That your clothing is too provocative though they complimented similar styles on others…
Your body wasn’t to their liking anymore despite your efforts…
Just as they said, you were powerless…and weak…unimportant…
“Stop it.” His voice was so dark that you nearly didn’t recognize it despite his lips being right next to your ear. “Don’t believe a single word they said.” The two objects confining your movements began to softly sway back and forth as a weight settled upon your shoulder. What you recognized as his arms gave a squeeze. “You’re not going home tonight.”
Terror flittered through your veins as the vision of a certain someone waiting for you to walk through the door back at a residence the two of you shared. If you didn’t return by a certain time, you’d receive a real punishment that made your current state seem lax. And once they caught wind of the fact you were alone with him of all people… The shadow of your hair fell over to conceal the upper half of your face. “I…”
His rocking ceased at your hoarse whisper. “Stay with me tonight.”
A quiver appeared within your lip at how gentle his tone had become, how careful he was holding you, even the fond way his gaze felt when it met yours when he withdrew so he could clean your face with his sleeve. The lingering dark image from memory dissipated as his name rose up your throat. “I can’t…need to go home…”
The protest was weak, even to your own ears, yet your body attempted to remove itself from his hold without full strength. He let his arms fall to rest at his sides as you remained sitting in silence. You weren’t going to relay or describe the punishment surely waiting for you, he didn’t need to know, but that didn’t stop your mind from painting one anyway.
Fists or palms? Possibly both would pummel across your body the moment you’d entered. Their voice filling the air with accusations and profanity as new bruises bloomed like flowers on your body in places clothing would hide them. There would be no food for you at least for another week because you’d be gaslighted into thinking the situation was your fault and it was how your psyche reacted in response to stress. Food would no longer hold any joy for you until they voiced their forgiveness so why eat it? You could loose a few pounds anyway, so they say, maybe this time you’d keep off that weight.
A calloused palm met your cheek. The swimming thoughts and blurs of images ceased, replaced by his worried gaze that bore into your own. “Talk to me. Please.” His bottom lip became caught between his teeth when you didn’t speak.
You’ve never seen him like this and it was making your stomach knot knowing that it was you causing him whatever he was feeling. Did he hate you now? Did he think you were weak? Was he going to turn his back and leave as if he knew nothing? A small voice in the back of your head rose, growing louder with each passing heartbeat that sounded within your ears, calling out his name in desperation. It was strangled to silence by the many memories of hands which had embedded themselves within your flesh and mind.
“Come home with me.” Stern finality entered his tone when you still chose to remain silent. Standing, he encouraged you to do the same by means of a slight pressure to your jaw that caused and your body unconsciously obeyed without hesitation until you too were standing, and the hand he’d used drifted down to brush your fingers.
Those battle and train worn fingers were gentle yet affirmative as they helped you into his car, never straying from yours for too long if they could help it, and they were quick to find yours when you began shaking when passing the exit that would take you off the main highway towards the side of town where your residence was. Once arriving they carefully helped you from the car with subtlest pressures to guide you in a certain direction until you were stepping through the entryway that was his home.
And still you lacked the strength or will to fight as he led you up a staircase to where he said you’d be staying in a spare bedroom suite close to his own. Why weren’t you fighting back? You shouldn’t be here! This was wrong! He was your friend, your colleague, it was inappropriate! Stiffness entered your steps while nearing the suite until you came to a stop.
He was instantly standing before you, the idle chitchat he’d been going on about that you should’ve been paying attention to ending in silence as your gazes met. “It’s okay,” he said softly, “you’re okay.”
But you weren’t. Though they were miles away it still felt like your partner was attempting to rip you apart from the inside. Even from such a great distance they still had a hold on you.
Tears that had dried returned as you shook your head. “I’m scared…”
“You don’t have to be anymore,” he whispered while tucking a strand of fallen hair behind your ear.
Again your head shook, this time vigorously as the tiny voice fought its way up your throat with a choke. Stepping back from him, your hands removed the high collared shirt and pants to reveal everything to him. Bite marks, bruises in the various shapes ranging from fingerprints to blunt objects, long thin scars or cuts gradually leading to your wrists, faintly blotchy patches of skin from where burns were still healing courtesy of cigarette burns; almost every inch of your skin was covered in a wound of some sort. You could feel his gaze tracing every single one of them, it felt like a knife stabbed your heart when within his gaze rose emotions swirling in a typhoon of color, but they never lost their worry or warmth when they met your own. “I don’t…I don’t want to die…” Sobs wracked your body when he moved to catch your exhausted being, his much larger frame easily cradling yours as you shattered into a million pieces. Every wall that you’d built up to lock away your emotions recently came crumbling down with each soft spoken affirmation that passed from his lips into your ear.
That night he never left your side. Not even for a second. A shower, hot meal, clean bed, fresh medicine and bandages were accompanied by his attempts to make you show the ghost of a smile he’s missed. Some lame jokes were said which earned your eye rolls but buried deep beneath the ruins you were still there just waiting for the right time to appear. He diligently stood watch over your night terror stricken being with blazing gaze locked on the single entrance that a certain someone would have to come through if they wanted you. One of his hands was always at the ready to soothe you with head pets, massaging your temples, even offering you his flesh when instinct demanded you lashed out blindly.
How they found out where you were was no surprise to him. He’d spotted the Life360 app on your phone when it had been placed on the charger, yet even through the darkness there appeared a glint of something unbecoming of the hero as tires came to a stop within the driveway around two in the morning. It was too late for any welcomed visitors and judging from the footfalls they weren’t any he recognized. He took a brief moment to brush the fallen hair out of your face. When was the last time you’d been able to sleep this peacefully? All of the worry lines and wrinkles you’d gained in the last few months were beginning to disappear before his very eyes the longer you’d slept under his careful watch. It did him good in multiple ways having you here; knowing you were safe, cared for, and protected. The heart in his chest gave a squeeze when instead of flinching away from his touch, as you had earlier, you’re slumbering form appeared to relish it with a soft hum.
Footsteps came to a stop at the front step, the familiar weight and sound more than enough to wake you instantly. He was there though to soothe and calm you back down. Sleep would be near impossible for you now knowing who was just downstairs on the opposite side of your friend’s front door…but you weren’t aware of the melatonin he’d included within your dinner. Soon you were drifting off to sleep against his shoulder as he silenced the alarms when the uninvited visitor attempted to break in. Tucking you back under the covers, he took a moment to survey the multitude of bandages that covered your being. He’d done his best to treat your wounds, making mental note to take tomorrow off so as to take you to a hospital, and silenced your phone with a swipe of a fingertip across the power button so the alarm wouldn’t wake you.
Gentleness within his features gave way to calm nothing as he exited the room to close the door carefully behind him. Justice would be served tonight. Tomorrow’s dawn would bring to light everything needed to persecute this individual.
“(Y/n)! Get your ass out here now! I know you’re in there—!”
Their sentence was cutoff by him wrenching the door open and stepping out into the night, forcing them to take a step back, and closed the door behind him with a click. Calm melted away to expose unbridled wrath as his gaze locked upon the figure. Fury unlike any had known capable by this man rose like infernos within his gaze as he faced the shadowed person who had come for you. “Let’s have a talk.”
For those in similar situations, I have something to say: please do not stay silent! Your suffering can be stopped before it’s too late. It’s hard to believe but there are hundreds and thousands of people who understand the pain you are experiencing. There is help available for domestic violence. We are not victims…We are SURVIVORS. Our power is much greater than that of our abusers. Don’t believe the sugar coated lies such as “I only do it because I love you” or “I promise to never do it again”. Especially when you hear “no one will believe you” or “it’s your word against mine”. If you can’t talk to family or friends, reach out to the local police department, hospital, church, or firehouse (not the restaurant). Anyone can receive shelter and aid until addressing the abuse can be made.
Silence is not golden.
Speak up, speak out.
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deputy-buck · 8 months
Text
Good Coffee and Good Mornings
Maybe it’s their shared childhood trauma, or their rigorous training provided by good ‘ol Uncle Sam, but neither Gutterson boy can sleep past 06:30. It’s not like their jobs allow for them to get too slack on their sleep schedules anyway, Tim being in the Marshal Service, Cade being in the Fish and Wildlife Protection Service, both up and out the door before the sun most days.
Habits die hard or don’t die at all in what’s left of this family.
They find each other in the kitchen at 06:12.
Cade, with a cup of coffee in his hand and dressed for work, is waiting patiently for his biennial ‘Big Brother Duties’. He doesn’t move an inch when Tim walks silently through the threshold in boxers and a pre-caffeine scowl, but he does track all of Tim’s movements with his eyes. Early August’s morning sunshine is just starting to peek through the blinds above the sink, tinting the light countertops and dark hardwoods so many shades of orange that it feels like they’re bathing in it. He only gets to have this familiarity for two weeks every other year, he’s going to soak it up.
The younger man only has two things in mind: Good coffee and a forehead kiss. In that order.
"I should be back before nineteen hundred." Cade breaks the morning peace, taking another mouthful of coffee while he watches his little brother grab a cup from the top shelf, having to arch up on his tippy-toes to reach the off-white handle of a coffee cup. It wasn’t intentional, but what’s normal height to Cade is a little high for Tim, eight inches between them and all. 
"Mm." Tim grunts, voice sleep rough. He's already grabbing the coffee pot before his heels even reconnect with the ground, pouring steaming liquid to the brim and taking a sip all with his eyes half closed.
God, this shit's good, Tim thinks to himself.
"I got work tomorrow, too." Cade leads on with an extra hint-hint nudge-nudge to his tone, southern drawl thick and taunting. He's fighting back a smile at Tim's unobservance, happy Tim isn't immediately on high alert in his house.
Cade worked hard from day one of Tim’s life to make his little brother feel unconditionally safe in his presence, it wasn’t easy given where they grew up, but damn it if Cade didn’t do everything he could to make himself Tim’s personal safe haven. And now Tim feels safe here, Cade could never ask for anything more. Cade only hopes that Tim feels like this place is his home as well.
"Mm-hmm." It’s more so a hum this time, throat soothed with high-quality caffeine. Tim can tell his big brother is still in the ‘wow, I can buy nice things without feeling guilty about wasting it because of surprise deployments.’ phase of Vet-Life eight years later. Good for him.
"You just want me to tell you 'bye' right now so I'll have to say it again in an hour, huh?" The older man accuses, smile finally splitting his features in two. He wishes he could have this every morning, the easy flow between them, a quiet yet full morning. He’s tired of an empty house. No, he’s tired of not having Tim around anymore; the six dogs, ferret, and red-tailed Boa fill the house plenty. Not to mention the goddamn horse outside. 
"Mm, not bye, just good mornin’." Tim corrects easily, eyes now fully shut, enjoying the familiar ease of summer mornings in Shelby, Texas. 
"You're still mentally like, eleven, ain't you?” Cade throws his arm around Tim’s shoulders, putting most of his weight down for a moment just to be an ass. “Same height at least."
"I enjoy routine and tradition, sue me." Tim says, pointedly not responding to the age-old jab verbally. Instead, he leans his shoulder into Cade’s side, digging the sharp bone into sensitive nerves layered over the taller man’s ribs. He only lets up when Cade squirms and takes the weight off his shoulders. Cade lets his hand rest on the countertop behind Tim’s back, his forearm pressed to blanket-warm skin.
This feels right. Why did this ever have to fade away? The plastic dog door flaps open as Tracker makes her way through it excitedly having heard Tim, i.e. her favorite human. Tim is suddenly being pressed harder into the body he was only leaning on, big, spotted paws on his side pushing him closer while Cade cranes his neck down to reach Tim’s forehead. 
“Good mornin’, Bubba.” Cade murmurs with his lips pressed between the shorter man’s eyebrows. When the hand previously resting on the lacquered wood comes down to pet his prized hunting dog, his fingers land on a set of spindly digits already blindly scratching through short fur. “You need to pluck your unibrow.” 
“Fuck you, man. I come here to get away from whiny old men, not deal with a different one.” Tim outright whines, eyes finally opening to glare at Cade in that stupidly petulant way he’s capable of even at forty. 
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bella-goths-wife · 1 year
Note
I love this idea of james and faith in the middle of an intense argument and the reader is just like, dad dwayne how do I deal with this shit.
I'm imagining their poly line and it's making me laugh thinking of like, reader falling asleep and James and faith are passive aggressively covering them up with the blanket like 'I think she looks hot' 'WELL she told me shes cold!'
Or like 'here babe, try this cake I made'
'No try my one its better'
*intense glaring*
Marko and paul are watching it with popcorn and Dwayne is just sitting with his daughter (who's probably laughing let's be real) like ah, yes, like father like daughter
Faith and James interactions if they were in a poly line
This would be a bit further on in the future obviously because the two haven’t met yet but you’ve inspired me
James x reader x faith
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“Babe I got your coffee” James yelled as he entered the cave, long since caring about his manners with your fathers
You were sat at the table with faith close by as you did her hair into the style she always adored.
“Actually I already got her some” faith said innocently enough to you, but subtly rude to James “perks of living here”
“It’s fine, I need the caffeine tonight” you said as you poured both cups of coffee into a mug before returning to faiths hair.
“Not been sleeping good?” James asked before looking at faith with a smirk “must be hard when you have something clinging to you all night”
“I don’t cling, I cuddle” faith answers back, offended at his choice of words
“No it’s not that I enjoy faith being in the bed with me” you say and faith beams “I’ve just been getting these really bad headaches lately”
“Oh me too” James said before giving a pointed look at faith “mine comes along whenever I hear this god awful high pitched noise”
“Don’t take the lords name in vain” faith demands as she throws a pillow at him which he quickly dodges
“There it is again” James exclaimed dramatically and you rolled your eyes
“So what’s the plan for tonight?” You ask as you gently finishing faiths hair off with a bow which James scoffs at, thinking it’s childish.
“Well I thought I could take you on a bike ride and we could go swimming in the lake like old times” James says as he leans down to peck your lips and sits in the seat that faith left for 3 seconds to look at herself in the mirror
“It’s the middle of September” faith snaps “are you trying to freeze her?”
There’s a moment of tension in which you can make out the giggles of Paul and marko on the couch before faith continued
“I thought we could go to the diner and have something to eat then catch a movie?” Faith says as she walks in front of you, you put your hand on her cheek and she gives your hand a kiss
“Don’t you do that all the time?” James asked rudely and you shot him a playful glare
Faith ignores him as she settles in your lap and then pokes her tongue out at him, how mature.
“We’ll figure it out later” James waves off the conversation “it would just be a waste for nobody to see you in that outfit.
You shoot him a wink and he leans across the table, and across faith to give you a kiss.
“We could always watch a movie” you suggest with a grin at the affection you’re receiving
“That sounds good” faith says as she goes to kiss you but leans back at last second as if she forgot something
Faith reaches into her pocket and grabs a napkin before gently wiping off any trace of James from your lips. She then leans in to give you a deep kiss
“That’s uncalled for” James snarls at faith
Faith then gets up from your lap and gets in James face and the usual arguments commenced.
You got up and went to where Dwayne was sat and sat down next to him as you could still hear the bickering.
“You’ll get used to it” Dwayne said as he pays you knee lovingly.
“My bets on faith” marko said excitedly “she reminds me of a young me when it comes to fights.
“Shut up dad” you groaned out as you closed your eyes in an attempt to block out the mocking.
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^ real footage of what happened the one time you all slept in the bed together and they woke up without you there
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restlesscrybaby · 1 year
Note
Werewolf Jack and reader? Perhaps?
Him going out, promising to be safe, coming home injured
Maybe the next month when he starts to turn its in a different room and he locks reader out, it would definitely be scary for him, especially when he pieces together all the symptoms over the past month up to this point
GAAAH THIS IS JUICCCCYYY
Me to this idea
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~ WEREWOLF! JACK X READER ! ~
~~ HEADCANONS. ~~
'I can smell your scent for miles.'
☆ CONTENT WARNING : BLOOD, INJURIES, BODY TRANSFORMATION, ☆
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I promise I'll be safe.'
Those words now rang in his head like a bad melody he couldn't quite get out of his head.
He had left one day, he promised you he'd be safe , but you told him too. You made him pinky promise you.
All for some stupid tin heart from some stupid tin man who put up a fucking fight.
He now leaned against a door, his hard back pressed against the hard mahogany surface. He was looking towards his hands, which shook like he took some kind of caffeine patch with 8 cups of coffee in it.
You stood on the other side, your hand against the cold, golden handle. You rattled the locked door, as you called out his name.
Of course, he should've told you. That scratch along his chest should've let you know he was injured. But, he hid it away. No matter how much it gushed. He hid it with his coat, as it seeped through even his vest. He never let you know, but he should've told you.
Henstill doesn't regret not telling you.
Pain suddenly struck him.
He felt like bellowing, as pain practically coursed through his veins, as his head reared back. He clenched his eyes shut, as ringing bang through his ears while you cried out his name. Pleading with him to open the door.
Of course, he wouldn't. Something was wrong.
He lowered his head, god, his hands hurt so bbbaaaaaaa....
Ooohh..
No.
His eyes widened, as his lips pursed and some teeth showed. Patches of dark fur coated his hands, his palms remained the same, but hard claws adorned the tips of his nails now.
What was going on ...
He screeched, as pain coursed towards his back, practically wiping out towards his legs. He hunched over, as some tears formed at the corners of his eyes rhat clenched shut now. Typically, pain, doesn't do much to him, but god it hurt so bad.
You, of course, heard his loud bellow of pain. Worry now hit you like a train, as you desperately tried to break down tje door. You rammed your shoulder into the door, only letting pain pulse through your own body. But, the adrenaline made you not feel a thing.
He lifted back up, but..
...
Did he get taller?
His blurry vision caught hook upon his legs.
His pants torn, his heels he loved so much had now torn and rested helplessly on the ground. Two large paws heeled on the ground, bent knees coated with fur, beautiful white fur, almost tinted purple.
... Was this why he was craving meat so much?
Wait a God minute.
Fear struck his heart, as the big, Grey, moon shined through the tacky stain-glass, shining on him.
Is this why he wanted to be awake more throughout the night?
Pain suddenly slammed him in the chest, as he nearly fell to his knees. His vest buttons popped, one, byone, until it tore entirely. He watched, as tears plucked his eyes, one slipping down his red cheek. That white undershirt tore like paper beneath the power, his dark lavender coat struggling to keep up.
His chest adorned fur, coats of it, his belly sucking in only a tad as fur piled upon him like feathers applying to glue.
Is this why he felt the need to be outside more? But, even more, why he had such intense chills but such a high fever? But, his belly-- Is this why he ate so much, but it never seemed to ease his hunger?
He screamed in pain, as agony practically broke the bones in his arms. His own bones forming and shifting into a werewolves, agony practically yelled in his face like laughing at him.
The arms of his coat suddenly tore, only to sadly flop onto the ground, as fur coated his arm like some velvet cover. His head hang low, as a tear slipped out once more.
Is this why he got so many aches in his bones during the night? Yet, there was no cure?
Oh god. His heart beat quicker.
But, he could hear you sobbing as you begged him to let you in, fearing what was going on on the other side.
He opened his mouth to speak, but a sudden aray of hurt rammed its hard horns into his head. He couldn't even cry out in pain anymore, his jaw practically locked as something grew and and grew out. A long snout, his once hooked nose now adorned a cute button nose on a large snout. His teeth hurt and hurt, as two rows are shape, uneven teeth chipped out longer.
Is this why his teeth felt so funny? Why he got body spasms?
But, his head spun, churning out smogs of nothing, as his ears formed into two sharp wolf ears on his head. His face churning.as his skull reshaped itself. He couldn't think anymore.
But, headaches, body spasms, nosebleeds, it all made sense..
But..
It was soon done.
His head lifted up, as you sobbed on the other end. Hoping he was okay, your head against the door as you sat upon the cold floor...
His ears twitched, before going down, everything was so much louder. He was hungry. His tail swished side to side, as his eyes cocked towards the door behind him. His large claws going towards the handle..
But he snatched the door open, practically ripping the door off its own hinges as his large paws grabbed the one he called his love.
You were scared, of course, what were you supposed to do?
Drool dropped from his lips, as his lips bared back, showing those sharp canines that adorned his snout. This wasn't Jack, it was wereJack..
His eyes were wide , his pupils practically two little slits as he stared upon you. He brought you close to him, his hot breath hitting against your face.
He was gonna eat you, huh..?
But, his nose twitched, he sniffed you..
He would remember you, right?
...
You watched, as you tried to pull your head away from his large mouth that dripped drool onto his perfect floor he needed cleaned everyday.
...
But his eyes softened, almost flooding with tears.
His large arms wrapped around you, slamming you into his fuzzed chest, his head tucking in to try to protect you in his own arms. His tail tucked between his legs, as dog-like whimpers escaped from between his teeth.
You didn't know what to do. He seemed scared, scared of himself, he didn't know what was going on.
It was going to take a miracle to fix this.
Or, a potion...
Or, just some getting used too..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Hunt you down, eat you alive. Just like animals.'
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ksfd892 · 1 year
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Looking and Seeing
Fictober Prompt, for ‘you’re looking, but you don’t see’ set around a year before AYITL.  The timeline might be a little off! Hope you enjoy!
Rory puts a hand to her mouth.  It’s him, right? Water cascades off the umbrella and into her eyes but she still calls out, “Hey, Jess!”
He stops and turns, his umbrella shadowing his face, but Rory sees a smile.  It is him! Sometimes she’s sure she sees Jess out in the crowd only to realise it’s some other man, including a humiliating moment where she actually tapped some guy on the shoulder, but she knew it this time.  She only saw Jess for a second but Rory knows that walk, that look.  The rain hid his expression but she’s willing to bet it was the kind Jess wore whenever he wanted to get somewhere fast, intriguingly, the kind he often had with a book in his hand.  Jess lifts a hand in greeting now as he and Rory walk over to each other.
“Hey, Gilmore,” Jess says.  “What are you doing out here?”
“Here in the rain or here in New York?”
“Both.  Either.”
“I’m here for work – I interviewed an artist who has some pieces in an exhibition.  You?”
“Work for me too – I had to meet some publishers out here.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah.”
They practically have to shout over the rain.  Rory leans forward, causing her umbrella to knock Jess’s, and through their laughter suggests, “You want to get out of here? Maybe grab a coffee?”
“Lead the way.”
“Why am I leading the way?”
“Because you’re Rory Gilmore – if you haven’t found all the decent coffee places within a five mile radius already the world might officially be coming to an end.”
“True, very true.  Come on.”
They walk down the road and off two side streets before Rory stops outside a coffee shop. It’s nothing too fancy but it’s out of the rain and Rory gratefully lowers her umbrella, holding the door for Jess behind her.
“Here.  It’s not the funkiest of places but it serves coffee.”
“That’s all I care about right now.  That and being out of the rain.”
“Amen to that.”
They order two coffees before sinking at a table, almost literally in Rory’s case as the cushion slides back as she sits. She pushes herself back up, hoping she didn’t look too undignified, but can see Jess badly hiding a smile.
“Permission to laugh.”
“Thanks,” Jess says, chuckling as he gives Rory a hand.  “They should put a warning on those things.”
“Agreed.”  Rory moves over to a different chair, less comfortable than the first but sturdier at least.  The coffee is brought over and Rory focuses on taking a large sip, enjoying the warmth.  As she looks up over the edge of the cup she notices that Jess is equally as focused on his.  Rory takes another sip, relieved to have a moment to think about what to say, but when she does start to speak all she says is, “So.”
“So.”
They look at each other, eyebrows raised and then start laughing, Rory first and Jess seconds after.
“I don’t think we’ll be the next Abbott and Costello,” Rory says, wiping her eyes, and laughs again as Jess says, “Hey, come on, you had that whole bit with the chair.”
“Right!”
“But what happened to that girl who talked fifty miles a minute?”
“They say drugs were involved.”
“Something besides caffeine?”
“Mariano, you don’t want to know.”
“Fill me in,” Jess says, leaning forward.  “How long’s it been?”
“A year? Two years?”
“I saw you at Thanksgiving,” Jess remembers, “and that was last year.”
“I didn’t see you!”
“No, I mean the Thanksgiving before.”
“Right,” Rory remembers.  “We sat at opposite ends of the table and I had to leave early.  And I couldn’t make it back for Christmas.”
“Such a high flyer,” Jess teases but he sounds proud.  “Too busy for us these days.”
“Me! What about you? Mr Published two books already and working on a third?”
Jess nods, looking embarrassed, as Rory adds, “And owning a business!”
“We make peanuts.”
“Not the point,” Rory argues and this time Jess smiles as he nods, drinking more of his coffee.
“You’re not doing too shabbily either,” he remarks.  “Who’s this artist you’re writing about?”
“Oh, she’s doing this whole series of abstract stuff.  The theme is looking, not seeing.”
“Huh.”
Rory looks sharply at Jess who is taking another sip of coffee.
“You think it’s pretentious.”
“I never said that.”
“But you’re thinking it, right?”
“I think it could be pretentious,” Jess allows.  “I don’t think it definitely is.”
“And what’s the determining factor?”
“I’d have to see it.”
“You can’t yet – it’s not open for another week.”
“Okay, but you’ve seen it,” Jess says, putting his cup down.  “Is it pretentious?”
“You said you had to see it.”
“I trust your opinion.”
Rory sits back against the hard chair, taking another sip of coffee before she answers.
“I thought it would be,” she says carefully.  “I mean, that kind of stuff can be, right?”
“Sure.”
“I didn’t want to be a total art snob though,” Rory says.  “But I was still kind of expecting it and at first, when I saw the paintings, I thought they were – you know, obvious and pretentious.  But when I looked at them closer there was all this stuff I didn’t see.  And it was in a really cool way, and she had totally got down looking but not seeing.  So I don’t think it’s pretentious.”
Jess nods and Rory adds, “But you should see it.”
“I will.  Sounds kind of like this painting we have in Truncheon called Untitled – Luke just didn’t get it.”
“I remember,” Rory says, smiling, and then it fades slightly, that day coming into focus.  She thinks about saying something but instead asks, “So what’s going on with you these days?”
Jess looks surprised at the change in subject but says, “You know, work.”
“And that’s it?”
“What do you want to know?” “More than what we get from quick conversations at Thanksgiving or Christmas or email, when you actually look at it.”
“Hey, I always reply.”
“Yeah, but not right away!”
“I don’t like staring at a screen.  It’s bad enough having a computer and now it’s on my phone?”
“Mr Too Good For His Cellphone.”
“Ouch,” Jess retorts, shaking his head. “I just don’t like being tied to it.”
“I know,” Rory says, leaning over.  “So come on – tell me.”
“There’s not too much to tell.”
“You seeing anyone?”
“Subtle,” Jess snorts, but he smiles.  “Not really.  No.  I was seeing someone for a few months but we broke up before New Year’s.”
“Sorry.  What happened?”
“To give the cliché answer, it just didn’t work out.”
“Well, is it true?”
“True enough.  We didn’t cheat on each other, we didn’t have a big fight, we just got bored, I guess, and called it quits.”
“What was her name?”
“Laura.”
“Oh.”
Rory wonders why she even asked and sighs as Jess asks, “Okay Gilmore, what about you?”
“Mariano, you don’t want to know.”
Rory drinks more coffee before looking up to see Jess looking expectant and says, “Same old.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means going out on pointless dates on apps.”
“You meet guys on apps?”
“Hello, technology snob!”
“Sorry, I just didn’t think it would be your thing.”
“It’s not really, but it beats being set up with guys at work parties.  I haven’t seriously dated anyone in a while.  It all just seems pointless, you know?”
Jess drinks more coffee instead of answering and Rory sighs.  Is it her or is the guys? Emily berated her for not giving any of them a chance and she finds herself admitting it to Jess.
“Are you giving them a chance?” he asks directly and Rory shrugs.
“I want to say yes and Emily’s being Emily, but I don’t know. I never feel interested in them.  I’ve been on a few dates with this guy called Paul but I don’t know if it’ll go anywhere.  Maybe I should give it a chance.  I saw Logan at some work event in Germany not too long ago and that was weird.”
She leaves out the part where she slept with him but Jess seems to know as he says, “You can do better than him.”
“Yeah,” Rory says quietly.  “I feel like I’ve been a mess lately, romantically at least.”
A mess since she slept with Logan.  That was a stupid thing to do, she knows it, but hell, it was fun in the moment.  It was good just to be with someone who doesn’t expect anything from her, who has fun with her and is going to be a good time.  Okay, and the five star hotel was nice too.  Rory feels embarrassed remembering it and knows her cheeks are going red.  Why does she have to be so obvious?
“What’s making you a mess?” Jess asks and Rory sighs heavily.
“I don’t know.”
He looks at her and says, “This calls for another cup of coffee.”
Rory nods miserably, and only after a few long drinks does she say, “I don’t know what’s going on.  Well, I guess I do, some of it.  Work’s been slowing down lately.  I got this assignment with the artist, and it’s great, but I haven’t had one like it in a while.  I used to get them a lot more.  It’s like they want more people to look at the site than what’s actually written – I mean, I know that’s how business works, but it was like before, they cared about us writing interesting articles. Now it’s like we just have to write something that will they make people click on it, and that’s the only thing that matters.  So many jobs are being cut! It’s crazy – they want us to do the work of half the people and they wonder why the quality’s going down. But I guess the quality doesn’t even matter…it’s depressing.”
Rory stops for a breath and Jess nods, observing her.  Rory drinks more coffee and says, “I think I might lose my job.  I don’t know.”
“You’ll figure something out.”
“I hope so.  But it’s not just work stuff.  My grandfather’s been sick lately – he’s okay right now but it’s scary, you know?”
“Yeah,” Jess says gently.  “I know.”
Rory sniffles, drinking more coffee.  So much for a fun catch-up.
“Here we are,” she says, attempting humour.  “Two romantic messes!”
Jess laughs, making Rory laugh too, as he says, “I can’t deny it.”
“At least you had a relationship recently,” Rory concedes but Jess shakes his head.
“We were bored from the start.  Like with Shane.  I mean, she wasn’t like Shane, but we both knew it wasn’t going anywhere.”
“Why’d you date her then?”
“I thought maybe it could.  Wishful thinking or whatever.”
“So much for knowing more as you get older,” Rory remarks.  She thinks back to being heartbroken when it ended with Logan after graduation, thinking it was okay, that she had all this time ahead of her.  And when it ended with Jess, and thinking that was what she should think, but it was as if the pain would never end.  It was always less simple with him.
“Communication was never my strong point,” Jess says.  “Shocking, huh?”
“I’m floored.”
They drink more coffee and in a rush Rory says, “Jess, I’m sorry about the time at Truncheon.”
“I know.”  He doesn’t need to ask which time.
“I was such a jerk.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“I was still a jerk.”
“You were hurting.”
“I’m still sorry.”
“It’s okay.”  They smile uncertainly and Jess puts his cup down.
“If we’re talking about this, I’m sorry I asked you to run away with me.”
Rory’s breath catches in her throat.  That night! She hasn’t thought about it in so long and here it is, fresh in her memory.
“It’s okay.”
“I was so stupid.”
“Jess, we were what, nineteen? It’s okay.”
“No,” Jess says, shaking his head.  “I read this book Luke gave me on relationships and I wanted to tell you how I felt, and I did it all wrong.  I saw Dean and I panicked and asked way too much of you.  I was just going to ask if we could start over.  I’m sorry.”
“I know,” Rory says quietly.  She thinks back to that night, to Dean, sleeping with him soon after and it all being tangled up in that.  “Jess, you did it wrong but it was years ago now.”
“I was so dumb.  I was doing what that artist said.”
“Huh?”
“I was looking without seeing – I was looking at you but I wasn’t seeing you.  Make sense?”
Rory ruminates on that.  They looked without seeing for years, she thinks, it wasn’t only then.  So many other things going on she missed, that they both failed to see.
“Jess, it’s okay,” she says, looking into his eyes.  “You messed up but you tried.  I get it.”
“Can I ask you something? When I saw Dean there I got a vibe…”
“A vibe?” Rory teases but she nods, figuring she may as well cut to the chase.  “Yeah.  I got together with him after that.  It was stupid.”
“Because of that?”
“Maybe,” Rory says honestly.  “But that whole year was bad for me.  I was lonely.”  You’re looking, but you don’t see.  That was the exhibition title and it seems accurate for that year, now that Rory thinks about it.  She definitely hadn’t seen sleeping with Dean that way at the time.
“It was a bad year for me too,” Jess says.  “I’m sorry, Rory.”
“Thanks, Jess.”
Jess nods, exhaling.  He and Rory smile unsurely at each other and Jess says, “What are you doing now?”
“I have to get a train to Brooklyn.  You?”
“Train back as well.  You want to walk to the station?”
“Lead the way.”
It’s still pouring and, as they jump to avoid a car splashing the sidewalk, Jess lands with his feet in a puddle.  Rory suppresses a giggle until Jess looks at her and says, “Permission to laugh.”
He laughs with her and it feels so good, walking and laughing with Jess that Rory’s sorry when they reach the station.  Jess sounds sorry too as he lowers his umbrella and says, “See you, Rory.”
“See you, Jess.”
“I’ll work on looking at my email more.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Trust me.”
They smile and, without thinking, Rory puts her arms around him in a hug. Jess hugs her back, seeming surprised, but he holds her closely and is smiling as they step back.
“I’m this way,” he says, pointing at the platforms and Rory nods.
“I’m that way.  Safe trip.  Hey, you want to do this again sometime? I can show you the exhibition.”
“It’s a deal, Gilmore” Jess grins.  “It’d be cool to see the paintings with you.”
“Cool seeing you look at what you see,” Rory says, and Jess laughs, lifting a hand in farewell before walking away.  Rory watches him for a moment before walking to her train.  She and Jess can look and see every detail.
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koffeeexpress · 1 year
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Best Coffee Brands From All Over the Country
Your morning latte deserves a better bean.
While it’s hard to argue with the delicious hit of serotonin that comes from visiting your favorite coffee shop (not to mention the joy of supporting a small business), I’d say it’s still worth it to have a homemade caffeinated beverage that doesn’t require you to get high. shoes, a coat, or even pants. For many of us, that means investing in a decent pour-over and keeping a carton or two of dairy-free milk (I’m a fan of Minor Figures Barista Blend) in the fridge for frothing. To others, it may seem like a high-end espresso machine that can deliver a flawless cortado or latte (no art included). Regardless of how involved your home coffee station is, you’ll need beans, ideally the ones your barista would approve of.
intellectual cafe
Courtesy of Intelligentsia
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787 coffee
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“My vote goes to my Australian friends at Partners for their quality, roast, and commitment to sustainable farming and production. They source their beans from direct farm relationships and their single-origin beans are hard to beat. My favorite is El Ramo, a beautiful medium to light roast (many roasters tend to want to roast dark coffee to the center in the US, burning the roast). They roast to order and offer whatever grind you want if that’s your thing.” — Melanie Hansche, Associate Editor
Cafe Sey
“When I’m in the mood for a beautifully bright, acidic yet balanced cup of coffee, Sey is my go-to. This Nordic-style roaster not only produces amazing light roast coffee but is passionate about the sustainability of the coffee industry. Their in-season beans are packaged in beautiful, elegant boxes, each indicating both the source and the producer for complete transparency. If you can visit their Brooklyn cafe in person, I highly recommend it for good coffee, prepared right in front of you by their friendly and knowledgeable staff. For a fun at-home experience, Sey also offers a monthly coffee subscription, where you can have one to four boxes of their select seasonal beans delivered right to your door.” — Elsa Saatela, Senior Digital Producer
brio coffee
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Do you know what you need at 8:00 am? to put. when you arrive in a small Vermont town after a seven-hour drive before dawn? Coffee. Very good coffee. And a lot.
Click here farmer brothers
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blitzendoggo · 1 year
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Caffeine Cat
Canyon is not allowed to have caffeine. This is the story of why.
No Ships (1656 words) AU where Canyon isn’t evil and the party stayed together.
**
The smell of perfectly cooked bacon, eggs, and toast wafts up the stairs, drawing Canyon from his heavy slumber. With his eyes barely open and his nose in the air, he pulls himself out of bed and lumbers down the stairs, mindless as a zombie.
“Good mornin’, Mr. Canyon!” Goodbid says from his spot in front of the stove. Canyon doesn’t respond, choosing instead to walk up to the half-elf, stopping a little too close, staring at the plate of eggs he has. Goodbid laughs, pulling the plate away from the overgrown cat and points at the table. Canyon turns, his mouth-watering and stomach growling, as he spots the plates of food stacked a foot high sitting at the table. 
Still not fully aware of his surroundings, Canyon shoots forward intending to snatch one of the plates but crashes into S.G., falling flat on his tail before he can reach the bacon. The changeling glares -well Canyon thinks they're glaring, the lack of eyes makes it difficult to tell- down at him. 
“Sorry, S.G.,” he says as he gets to his feet. “I didn’t-”
“Do not talk to me until I’ve had my morning tea,” they say, cutting him off. Canyon stares at them, confused, only for S.G. to shove past him and walk into the kitchen. They take a cup off the counter and begins to stir sugar into it.  
Canyon shrugs it off and goes to the table, piling half of his body weight of food onto his plate. 
Goodbid laughs from the kitchen, catching the cat’s ear.
“Jeez, S.G., would ya like some tea with your sugar?” he teases, still smiling brightly as he brings Canyon his half-gallon of milk. 
“Shut up, I will take no criticism from a man who drinks black coffee like a sociopath,” S.G. huffs, striding past him and plopping down next to Canyon. “Save me some!” They snap, taking a piece of toast off of his plate and putting it on theirs. 
“I wouldn’t need to if you weren’t so slow,” he says bluntly before looking at Goodbid and asking, “what’s a black coffee?”
Goodbid laughs goodnaturedly but swiftly turns confused when Canyon’s questioning gaze doesn’t waver.
“Come on Canyon, surely you know what coffee is,” he says, just short of pleading.
“No, is that some sort of drink?” the tabaxi asks around a mouth full of eggs which he swallows with a gulp of milk. 
Goodbid looks to S.G. desperately, but they shrug, offering no help in Goodbid’s time of need. 
“What are we arguing about?” Glib asks with a yawn as he comes down the stairs.
“Canyon doesn’t know what coffee is!” Goodbid says, still desperately trying to rationalize how the cat doesn’t know about the elixir of life that is coffee.
“Tabaxi probably don’t drink it,” Glib says from the kitchen as he pours himself a glass of cold blood before using a heating charm to bring it up to the appropriate temperature. 
“You think just because I don’t know what something is, that means all tabaxi don’t?” Canyon says with a tsk.
“Wow, Glib,” S.G. says slowly. “You just had to be racist.”
“I’m not being racist!” Glib shouts back, padding into the dining room and taking his normal seat.
“Glib it is too early for you to be shouting,” Goodbid says calmly before looking to the two troublemakers, “stop antagonizing him.”
They lower their heads and grumble before Glib continues, “I just assumed that tabaxi can’t have coffee because I can’t have coffee.”
“But you're also a vampire,” S.G. points out, sipping her second cup of sugar tea.
“Even if I wasn’t, that much caffeine with my tiny body could put me in a hospital,” Glib rationalizes, dipping a piece of toast into the blood coffee before biting it. 
“But Canyon is twice your height,” Goodbid points out.
“Yeah, but house cats can’t have coffee grounds,” S.G. counters.
“Whose side are you on, S.G.?” Canyon asks, laughing. 
“No side, only chaos,” they say instantly, stabbing a piece of bacon with a fork. 
“And even if coffee grounds are poisonous to house cats, Canyon’s a bit bigger than a regular ol’ house cat,” Goodbid points out to which Canyon nods. 
“I can also have alcohol,” Canyon reasons.
“Then give him some,” Glib shrugs, “Just have healing word on stand-by in case it poisons him.” 
Canyon perks up at the mention of him trying the mysterious liquid. 
“Yeah sure,” Goodbid shrugs, pushing his mug over to the cat. “Drink your fill Canyon, I’ll get myself another cup.” 
Canyon tentatively takes the cup and sticks his nose near the liquid before pulling away gagging. 
“That smells bad,” he grumbles, pushing the cup away slightly much less interested now.
“Just try it,” Goodbid pushes.
“Goodbid, don’t be a monster, give him some cream or sugar,” S.G. chides, mage handing the milk, cream, and sugar, pouring them into the cup and swirling it with the end of their fork. “There, now it will be edible.”
He sniffs it again, agreeing with the sweeter smell before slowly lifting the mug up and taking a tiny sip. The bitter mixed with the thicker cream and sweet sugar, mellowed with milk gives the liquid a taste that Canyon was not expecting. 
Glib snickers as Goodbid leans forward, “so? You like it?”
Instead of responding, Canyon upends the cup, guzzling down the warm drink in three seconds flat. Goodbid and Glib roar with laughter as S.G. tsks. 
“How could you fall to the dark side,” they grumble. “We could have enjoyed tea together.”
“S.G. you know I like tea,” Goodbid says once he calms down, “I just like coffee better.”
“I like coffee,” Canyon says quickly, beginning to feel jittery and very happy. “I like it a lot.”
Goodbid and S.G. continue their mini-argument about their breakfast drinks, but Glib catches Canyon’s words. 
“Aye, Kitty Soft Paws, you okay?” he says, putting his glass down.
“Yeah, I’m fine, completely fine, why wouldn’t I be?” Canyon says quickly, eyes wide and staring blankly ahead. 
The argument dies down as they shoot Canyon worried glances.
“Uh…” Glib begins, pushing his seat back.
“I’m gonna go. I’m gonna go do something,” he says, standing up abruptly, the chair screeching loudly against the wooden floor. 
“Uh, are his pupils supposed to be that big?” Glib asks to Goodbid.
“Canyon, have ya ever had caffeine before?” Goodbid asks slowly.
“No,” he says probably too quickly. “Is it obvious?” He starts fidgeting in his spot, tail swinging high as his ears twist and turn. 
“Uh,” S.G. says slowly. “Goodbid how much caffeine was in that cup?”
“Not a lot,” the southern man says. “Not until you put a ton of sugar in it!”
“I didn’t put that much!” S.G. snaps, gesturing to the cat who is steadily twitching more and more. 
“Uh, guys,” Glib says quietly. Canyon tenses and crouches low.
“Obviously you did!” Goodbid shouts back. 
Canyon pins his ears. 
“Guys,” Glib says a little more forcibly. 
“You can’t pin this on me!” They yell.
“Guys!” Glib shouts as Canyon takes off, running on all fours, knocking over the furniture, and scratching the wood.
“Ah, shit!” Goodbid yelps, dropping to his knees as Canyon careens over his head before bounding around the table and running up the stairs. 
“I don’t care which one of you did this! Y’all need to fix this shit!” Glib roars before ducking, barely missing the flying cat. 
“How do you want us to fix this?” Goodbid shouts back, catching a picture that flies off the wall.
“Call Callisto damn- AH!” Glib aims for threatening but the effect is lost as Canyon grabs him by the hood and throws him around like a chew toy.
“S.G.!” Goodbid yelps as he fights with the hyperactive cat for the squishy -and screaming- frogman. 
“Working on it!” The changeling snaps back. 
Suddenly a portal opens in the center of their living area and a very confused Prophis steps out followed by an irritated Callisto.
Canyon, who has seemingly not noticed their presence, drops Glib and begins to run in circles around the house. He defies gravity by running up walls and carves a path of destruction as he zooms between rooms.
“Callisto do something!” Glib yells as S.G. is knocked off their feet by the speeding tabaxi.
“What do you want me to do?” Callisto asks boredly, side-stepping Canyon.
“I don’t care just some- shit!” Glib yelps as the cat throws him into the air again. 
Prophis throws out a hand and, using telepathic magic, catches the blue frog and gently sets him on the ground before looking to Callisto. “Surely there is something you can do?” he says quietly.
Callisto tsks before he begins to track the caffeinated cat with his eyes. “I can do this I suppose.” He sticks out a hand and whispers a spell and as suddenly as the cat began to move, he drops to the floor, snoring loudly. “That should do it.”
Slowly, the others approach Canyon, inspecting him for any sudden movements. 
“I didn’t kill him,” Callisto says bluntly. “I simply sedated him.”
“Will he… ya know, wake up?” Goodbid questions already working the mental math that it will require to lung this 7-foot-tall dead-weight cat up the stairs. 
“Contrary to popular belief, I do have a heart,” Callisto hisses.
“You coulda fooled me,” Glib grumbles quietly.
Callisto shoots him a glare as he says, “The cat will wake up in two to three hours.” He turns and re-opens the portal and gestures Prophis through as he turns back to the group. “For the record, if you ever let him have even a drop of coffee again, I will make your fight with the Aragdian Royals look like child’s play.” Before the others can get a word in, he joins Prophis. 
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freakdeerr · 2 months
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There's something about the extremely strong matcha lattes I make for myself that causes extreme feelings of elation and like joie de vive I guess that bring me to tears and melancholy with their intensity. Like "wow life is so beautiful, and it's killing me.", "life is so beautiful and horrible in tandem, and that beauty and happiness can exist while terrible suffering and cruelty also exists, that is killing me." The whiplash is killing me. The conflict in my heart is killing me.
I don't think it's the caffeine, because when i have coffee i mostly just want to kill everyone around me and also be mean to them with my words.
Whatever other compounds exist in the matcha tea (regular tea doesn't do it for me, just gives me the zoomies and sleepiness at the same time, must be something in high concentration in the matcha) causes me euphoria and despair.
I wonder if it's context specific too, I usually have coffee at work and school where I am upset and angry and surrounded by literal mouth breathers and people being loudly wrong and there are expectations being placed upon me. Matcha is my train/subway ride drink (the most beautiful places in the world bc you are in transit and allowed to simply exist, the waiting places) and my sitting on the couch in the morning pretending I am going to be productive drink. Also when a friend invites me to a coffee shop it is my go-to choice even though it's enormously disappointing most of the time, so many pre-sweetened powders that turn yellow when you brew them lol.
I don't know why I wrote this. I am really bad at eyeballing matcha powder and I hate weak/non-bitter/overly sweet matcha beverages so I probably am doing like 1 tablespoon in a mug with a little less maple syrup (it helps make a paste where you don't require the little bamboo whisk to prevent clumps, could also sift the matcha first if it's still problematic).
I never measure the water or milk, I just estimate based on the size of the cup, usually half and half of the remaining volume. I usually froth way too much milk and kind of add it while I drink anyway.
I haven't had dairy milk regularly since I was a kid (last year i ate a japanese cheesecake tiramisu made with whipped cream and proceeded to empty my guts for like six hours lol), my favourite is unsweetened silk brand soy milk (asian brands are usually always sweetened and really thin, the silk is way creamier and more milk than water-like) but bc of the economy or whatever it's priced at an insane $4.75 per carton (2L?) on sale!!!, meanwhile a local store has the vastly inferior Blue Diamond almond milk for 3 (I wanna say they're 1L each) for $5 for months now.
It's also my bf's preferred nondairy beverage and he is the one with a car and grocery money, I go to the store about half as often as he does so it's all we have usually. It's too salty and makes the matcha feel extra bitter and astringent to me but I'll take it over nothing. Also both have no "seed oils", which is a hysteria I try not to subscribe to for mental health reasons but it still creeps up on me, I get why they put canola oil in non-dairy milk but I'd rather not be drinking it y'know.
Anyway this is what I mean by pretending to be productive. I had a matcha because I wanted to get a lot of work done, and y'know caffeine helps with the focus and ADHD inertia or whatever but instead of even glancing at school work I have written this and already watched two Suede concert films (I feel like Neil is so underrated, sure fans appreciate his beauty but I feel like his musicianship and singing is less lauded).
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surrealinkrpstories · 11 years
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FuckinLucid
[I stroll into “The Coffee-Bean” where I’d first met @FuckinSway, only this time, the place was packed out with only one waitress serving. Without even thinking or asking for permission, I take a deep breath and stride to the counter, lifting the bar-part and shoving my bag somewhere out of the way. I grab a spare cleaning rag, tray and glance back at the other worker who is staring at me wide-eyed.]
You serve! I’ll take care of the tables.
[It was the safest thing I could do. I didn’t know the procedures for the coffee-maker and now wasn’t exactly the best time to ask for training. I started at one end. Putting empty mugs and plates onto the tray and wiping the tables down. I asked customers as I passed if everything was okay and if they needed anything. One couple complained their coffee was served to them cold. I smiled brightly and informed them I’d bring them a free refill. More people entered the shop and I directed them to the clean tables. People would usually go to the bar-counter to place their order, but it would be so much easier for the nameless waitress if I placed the orders instead. She couldn’t panic over angry customers and making mistakes. Half way around the room, the chaos was starting to get under control. There were still a few unhappy people who walked out and didn’t pay, but I had a feeling it would have been a lot worse if I hadn’t stepped up to the mark. Ten minutes later, another waitress walks in apologising for her lack of punctuality. I don’t say anything as the two women fight about shifts and work. If I were them, I would have taken it into the back or saved it for later when there weren’t as many customers about. But waitress number two took over from the first one who gestured for me to halt what I was doing and follow her over to a table. She was carrying two cups of coffee and I was grateful. Despite getting a couple of hours sleep last night, I was feeling a little worse for wear and needed the caffeine high. I sit down opposite her.]
“I want to thank you for your help, I very much appreciate it. My name is Rose, I’m the assistant manager here.”
[Rose, a fairly young woman in my opinion to be in a management position, was shorter than myself with dark hair like my own. Tied back neat and tightly. She gave the impression that when pushed, she didn’t really give a shit. I smile at her and take her hand in a soft shake.]
Pleasure. I’m Aleva.
[I introduce myself. I then take a much needed sip of the coffee and curl my fingers firmly around the coffee mug. Waiting for Rose to continue.]
“So, Aleva. What is it we can do for you?”
[Straight to the point. No bullshit. I admired that and answered straight back.] 
I’m looking for a job. I came in here the other day and it looked like you could use an extra pair of hands.
[I nodded as I spoke, but Rose wasn’t wearing a smile on her face anymore.]
“We’re not hiring.”
[I frown as a feeling of disappointment overcomes me, quickly trying to replace it with a smile.]
I don’t mind volunteer training, if that’s what you’re worried about?
[I know some places would train their staff for a week and it would turn out the trainees were merely looking for some quick, easy cash before bailing when the week was out. Rose’s expression didn’t change.]
“I’m afraid there’s nothing I can offer you. We have a very narrow budget and we’ve got all the staff we can afford.”
[She explained. I sigh and look down at my cup. The coffee was all of a sudden too warm. In this heat as well, I was feeling too relaxed. Like I could just curl up and snooze right here. The thought of falling asleep had me sitting up straight, strengthening my resolve.]
Look, I don’t really care if you’ve hired a whole football team to work here. Your staff obviously aren’t pulling their weight and it’s causing your business to look bad. You realise there were five customers who walked out today and didn’t pay their bill because they were unsatisfied with their service? I want… NEED this position and I guarantee I’ll do a better job than half your staff put together!
[I slammed my hand down on the table to emphasise how seriously I was taking this. Rose was also surprised and it took her a moment to regain her composure. She was blinking at me and inside, I was doing a happy dance because at least I’d convinced this woman from saying “No chance in hell!” to “It’s a possibility.” After another few moments, she nods at me and I smile back.]
“Alright Aleva. Can you come back tomorrow and I’ll see what I can do?”
[She doesn’t wait for my reply. Standing up and taking our mugs, she moves back towards the counter and follow her to grab my bag. Rose puts down the empty coffee cups and grabs a spare apron, handing it to me along with my possessions.]
Thank you!
[I tell her gratefully. Not wanting to risk any mind changes, I turn and walk away.]
“Aleva…”
[Rose calls to me. I turn with a questioning glance.]
“Six o’clock sharp. In the morning!" 
[Ouch. That was early. But I nod once again and head out of the shop. Away from the air conditioning and into the Texas, humid air.]
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passingthetime · 3 years
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I'm honestly surprised people don't seem to use St.John's wort as a recreational drug...
#does it just not have the same effect for others?#i drank st john's wort tea on its own for the first time#before i used to drink a mix with valerian and lemon balm which have a sort of sedative effect#so those i think softened the effect of st. john's wort#becasue damn that stuff had me running around the house with a grin and babbling on joyfully#i decided out of nowhere to set off to the pub alone even!#it was like some stimulant!#i heard people combine it with kratom to self-medicate for depression#but i honestly don't think i'll ever combine it with kratom that sounds like waaay too much#i was way fast and careless with just this kratom sounds like a baad idea#but my depressive thoughts and gloomy mood definitely disappeared from it!#i'm no longer experiencing the same excited glow as when i drank it#but i'm still feeling so calm and serene#it's super interesting#sometimes i'm surprised people don't think of certain things as really effective when they are things i very clearly experience the effect#like do various substances just affect me easier than others?#two cups of coffee can put me on a caffeine high too#though i do only experience it with stimulants interestingly#i feel the effects of caffeine and kratom a lot more than anyone else i know#and apparently st. john's wort too#i'm really glad this plant just happens to be a thing readily avaiable#it might just save my life for the time being#will definitely be important in staying productive and functioning until i get to therapy#rambling
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dycefic · 2 years
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The Late Traveller
I should have known, of course.
A little old hotel in the middle of nowhere, with a creaking wooden sign instead of neon? Red flag.
A hollow-eyed, weary-looking young woman at the desk who seemed hesitant to let me get a room? Red flag.
A picturesquely old-fashioned room with a patchwork quilt on the bed that smells a little too musty? HUGE red flag.
Only they’re actually not. Not the first two, anyway. I travel a lot. There are a lot more seems-haunted old-house-turned-traveller’s-rest places than most people think, and in my experience most night auditors are hollow-eyed, faintly eldritch, and disinclined to let someone check in just before dawn.
Of course, the patchwork quilt should have been a dead giveaway. Tired 80s decor and a chenille bedspread? Entirely normal. Patchwork quilt and nineteenth century charm for less than $100 a night? Sus. Very sus. Should have warned me then and there.
In my defense, I was really tired. I’d been driving for two nights and a day, I was exhausted, all my car snacks were gone, and I just wanted to close my eyes and get horizontal. I handed over some cash, stumbled upstairs, made sure the blinds were down, and passed out.
I didn’t wake up until late afternoon, and I felt like shit on a shingle when I did. It took me a couple of attempts to put on my pants and stumble out of the room to look for some sustenance. My expectations weren’t high, but most places at least have coffee-making facilities, and in a pinch a cup of coffee and chugging all the available milk will keep me going for a while. There might even be some of those little packages of cookies, which usually give me an upset stomach but are better than nothing.
There wasn’t a coffee station. What there was was a vending machine with a buzzing, flickering light inside it that made the dusty snacks look even less appealing than they already did.
I was debating whether to risk a can of soda of unknown brand and vintage - sugar and caffeine don’t readily go bad, and I was starving - when I heard a little cough behind me. “Are you a guest, dear?” the old woman said when I turned around to blink at her. She was thin and tottering, faded-looking, and while there weren’t actually cobwebs on her, she looked as if there should be.
“Yes. Is there a kitchen or something where I can get some food from this century?”
Her eyes flicked away. “There’s a diner,” she told me. “Not far down the road. You should try there. I’m afraid the facilities here aren’t what they once were.” She sighed deeply.
Belatedly, my sense for the uncanny started to tingle. “So I should check out and keep moving, huh?”
“Yes, dear. If you can,” she added, and she glanced over her shoulder. “Before sunset.”
Aha.
I could have been more tactful with the old dear, I suppose, but I didn’t have it in me just then. “Lady,” I said, folding my arms and glaring at her, “I am very tired, and very hungry, and being tired and hungry makes me very cranky, so I’d really appreciate it if you could get to the fucking point. You’re a ghost. This is one of those haunted hotels that lure in travellers to sacrifice them to demons or beg them to break curses or whatever. Fine. That’s on me. Shouldn’t have been suckered in. But enough with the veiled warnings. Just tell me what you want.”
The old woman hissed softly, like a startled cat, but she didn’t vanish on me. That was good. The really timid spirits did, and it was annoying as shit. Then she shook herself and cocked her head. “I see,” she said, her voice stronger but less human-sounding. Ghost voices don’t have the body of a human voice, unless they really work at it. “You’re not… ordinary.”
“That’s an understatement.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Okay. You’re here. You’re trying to warn people off, so you’re not a willing participant in whatever’s going on here. I don’t mind releasing you, because I personally find the binding of unconsenting spirits to be a disgusting abomination, but if you don’t get to the point I’m going to get even testier than I am now.”
“We’re bound here.” The night-auditor was in the doorway, three or four shadowy figures behind her. I heard a faint murmur that suggested there were more further back where I couldn't see. “He traps us, and kills us, and then we’re still trapped.”
“Okay, there’s a he. Necromancer?”
“Not exactly,” the old woman said grimly. “It’s the fear that sustains him, the fear and the suffering. Do you know how long it takes someone to starve to death?”
“About a month, usually.”
“He can usually drag it out to at least two, by allowing a little food now and then. An illusion of hope.” The old woman looked bitter. “I was the first. This was my house. He came, one night, and I opened my door to a lost traveller. I’ve had many long years to regret that.”
I allowed myself a small growl. That wasn’t just evil, it was rude. “Well, he made a mistake this time, just like you did.” I paused. “He’s not a demon or something is he? Because that takes special equipment, and I’m not sure I have enough wormwood in the car.”
“No, he’s no demon. Only a mortal magician who draws power from the suffering of others.” This was a spirit who hadn’t spoken before, a man with the pouchy, drooping look of a stout man who’d lost a lot of weight before he died. He looked shrewd, though, and the look he gave me was assessing. “He’s living.”
“Oh, good. In that case, lead me to him.” I felt in my pockets for the charm I’d picked up six small towns ago. I tend to tap out protective charms fairly quickly, but this one still had some life in it. She’d been a gifted witch, that one… and a good kisser, too. I’d try to stop by there again soon.
They led me down to the cellar, and showed me the hidden door. In theory, the door couldn’t be opened from the outside. In practice, most doors open once you put your fist through them and then rip them right off their hinges. That sounds impressive, but behind the disguising layer of dried clay it was one of those flimsy modern doors that’s basically made of laminated paper and plywood a toddler could break through.
I went through the door fast, not wanting to give him time to get a spell ready if he didn’t already have one going. He hadn’t been expecting me to come through the door - I got a look into his scrying mirror over his shoulder, and he was watching my car. Probably getting ready to pixie-lead me back to the hotel when I tried to leave, the normal next step in this game.
I’d taken him completely by surprise. He managed one hex-bolt, which I shrugged off, and then I had hold of him. Like most of the spider-types, who let their webs do their hunting for them, he wasn’t physically strong or fast. I am.
Much more so than any human.
It felt fitting, that a man who starved and tormented his prey should find that he’d caught a bigger predator than he was. I didn’t drop the body until I’d drained it of every accessible drop of blood. We don’t usually do that, despite the stories. We’re still equipped with all the usual human organs, and a human stomach is not designed to hold five liters of fluid in a hurry. Ours do get a bit bigger, over time, taking up some of the space in the abdomen that the atrophied bowel doesn’t need any more, but I still felt as bloated as a tick when I finally dropped him.
“I needed that,” I admitted, licking a trace of blood off my lips and tucking the feeding fangs away behind my teeth. “Thank you.”
The ghosts might have feared a vampire in life, but they all looked delighted now. They clearly appreciated the poetry of the man who had starved them being devoured before their eyes. “At least he left someone with a full belly,” the girl who’d posed as a night auditor said with satisfaction. They were already looking less… real, and less human. Without magical anchoring, ghosts who have been dead for a while can’t usually pass for living any more. There were at least thirty of them, all up. He'd been here for a long time.
“His spells still bind us here,” the formerly-stout man said, tugging on something I couldn’t see with spectral hands. “Can you undo them?”
“Technically, no. Most vampires aren’t magicians.” I grinned at him. “But here’s an interesting fact. Phosphorus fires burn magic. That’s why so many vampire and magician strongholds are burned down.”
He grinned back, a deaths-head grin that would have frightened someone mortal. “And you have phosphorus?”
“Got some in the car. I’ll go get it as soon as the sun goes down and set this place alight.”
We had a nice chat until sundown. The old lady showed me around, and I filled a few boxes with antiques and other valuables or items of sentimental value that she didn’t want torched. I put all the identifiable stuff the wizard had taken from his victims - IDs, rings, engraved watches, that sort of thing - in a separate box, and buried it with enough juice from the corpse that any dog, sniffer trained or otherwise, would go straight to it. The ghosts’ bodies were all buried under the floor of the cellar, they said, so once the fire was out and the investigation started, they’d be found.
Of course not all vampires are alike. We’re as different as any humans are from each other. But most of us feel a certain kinship with our fellow dead, especially the ones who didn’t go by choice. I volunteered to be turned, but I know plenty who didn’t, and I don’t care for that any more than I do for binding spirits. It was a pleasure to be able to help them out, and make sure their families found out what happened to them.
It doesn’t take much phosphorus to set a fire. When I drove away, the house was already ablaze, and the ghosts had vanished.
Or so I thought. Three miles down the road, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a familiar face. “Haunting the photographs, huh?”
The old lady shrugged. “I can if I want to.”
“I’m not judging. Anywhere you want me to take them?”
She beamed. “Somewhere interesting. A museum or something, where there are a lot of people and interesting things to see.”
So yeah, I’m basically the reason there’s a haunted 200-year-old patchwork quilt hanging in the Texas Quilt Museum. I donated it, along with the picture of my old lady’s grandmother (who made the quilt) and the old lady (who I credited with the donation). Nobody seems to have noticed yet, except a local witch who’s started hanging out there to get knitting advice from the old lady.
You know, vampires get a bad rap, but we really do a lot of good for the community… in our own way.
#
Note: To my knowledge, there isn’t a haunted quilt in the Texas Quilt Museum. But the museum itself exists, which is very neat, and it looks well worth the visit even without a ghost.
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shingia · 2 years
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not many people would be willing to be used as a way to prove eren jaeger wrong. but jean kirstein would, as long as he gets something out of it.
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CHAPTER 1: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
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↳ series masterlist
↳ cw: mentions of alcohol, swearing | wc: 2.5k
↳ jean kirstein x f!reader
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four knocks, always the same rhythm.
that left no place to doubt. 
mikasa stepped out of the bathroom, her hair still dripping from her shower, and she shot you an amused look as she headed towards the door.
it didn’t matter how many times you had told armin that he was allowed to use his spare key whenever he came to join you for breakfast - which happened almost every morning now that him and eren were living in the apartment right above yours - he was obviously still reluctant to do it.
“hi” mikasa greeted the two boys standing in your doorframe, and stepped aside to let them come in.
if armin looked fresh as ever, his hands busy with two cups of coffee, eren, on the other hand, looked like he had not slept in the past 36 hours. which might have been true.
dark circles, dirty hair that he had tied in a bun, probably thinking it would make it better, and red eyes. it was hard to believe that he would be heading to class in less than thirty minutes.
“let me guess” you put your book down on the coffee table, nodding a ‘thanks’ to armin who was handing you the coffee cup with your name scribbled on it, “rough night?”.
eren sat on one of the high chairs surrounding your kitchen counter, the ones you had bought with sasha last weekend. “best night ever you mean” he answered in a muffled voice, his face buried in his arms.
his voice was raspy, the voice of someone who had drank a tiny bit too much last night. already, mikasa was dropping an aspirin in a glass of water that she handed to him. “thanks” he told her in a relieved tone, before drinking it all in one go and slamming it back on the counter. probably muscle memory from the insane amount of shots he must have drunk yesterday. “i told you, you guys should’ve come”, he wiped his lips with the sleeve of his hoodie, “even armin had the time of his life”.
it was almost comical how fast mikasa and you simultaneously turned around to look at your other friend, eager to see his reaction.
“it was okay”, the blonde nuanced eren’s claims as he sank further into your couch, making his roommate roll his eyes, “not really my thing but it’s not like i had a choice anyways”.
mikasa and you shared a knowing look, remembering for how long eren had begged him to come along yesterday, after you two had made it very clear that you would stay home with sasha. eren didn’t seem to understand that you guys might not really feel thrilled by the prospect of spending your evening exclusively around political science students. not that there was any problem with them in particular, but the fear of not fitting in was a good enough excuse.
“i swear you guys are missing out on so many things”, eren crossed his arms, leaning against the backrest of his chair, “but you’re too stuck-up to mingle with the others”.
it was now armin’s turn to give eren a roll of the eyes, and his were much more deadly. ‘here we go again’ you heard mikasa mutter under her breath.
“so what, we’re supposed to be looking forward to getting fucked up four times a week?”, you asked him with a frown. if only sasha had not spent the night at niccolo’s, she could’ve ended this conversation a bit more lightheartedly. but she had, unfortunately. “and besides, we can mingle very well on our own, thank you very much for your concern, jaeger”.
you loved eren dearly, he had been one of your best friends for several years now, but there was something borderline insufferable about him whenever he was hungover.
“oh yeah?” he scoffed, stretching his arms with a yawn, “i’d love to see you prove me wrong”.
maybe your coffee was extra-caffeinated this morning. or maybe it was just eren being an extra-asshole, but something made you reply to his remark instead of just letting it go like you normally would have.
“alright. i will”, you stood up, showing him exactly how serious you were being. behind you, mikasa and armin weren’t missing a thing from your interaction.
“really?” eren stood up as well, with an intrigued smirk; but immediately had to lean on the counter to keep his head from spinning too much - which made it difficult to hold back a laugh, “…what about this: i’ll bet you anything that you can’t hook up with someone from uni in less than two weeks”.
although your gaze was fixed on eren, you guessed - based on the noise - that mikasa was letting out the biggest sigh ever. an understandable reaction, which probably would have been yours if you hadn’t been at the receiving end of this bet. armin, however, could not stay quiet:
“eren that’s not-” he tried to intervene, “i’m sure she can find other ways to mingle”. but he didn't even have time to finish his sentence that you were already shaking hands together.
eren knew exactly what he was doing, and you liked to think that you did too… but when he left your apartment to head to his first class of the day a few minutes later, he also left you with the impression that maybe you had gotten a little ahead of yourself. something that mikasa and armin’s stares only increased tenfold.
however, you had a secret weapon that he probably hadn’t thought of. or rather, two secret weapons. one was named connie and the other was named sasha.
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the only disadvantage of studying for the same degree as connie and sasha was that it was getting harder and harder not to share their habit of skipping classes. today, however, seemed to be your lucky day: both of them had attended all of your communication classes, and connie had even helped you take notes, which only happened once in a blue moon.
but luckily for them, you had a reward for their diligence throughout the day.
all three of you were sat on a patch of grass next to the campus’ science building, waiting for mikasa’s last class to end. and it seemed like the perfect moment to bring them up to date on what had happened this morning.
“so… i made a bet with eren today” you blurted out and closed your textbook - which you weren’t actually reading anyways, putting it on the wooden bench behind you.
your friends were sat face to face, playing a card game that you were pretty sure they had invented, and sasha was still eating the snack niccolo had made for her this morning.
“what kind of bet?” connie inquired but didn’t look up, right before slamming a card on top of sasha’s with a victorious grin. she frowned at the realization that he had beaten her once again, but her food was probably too delicious for her to actually get mad.
“i have to hook up with someone from here in the next two weeks…”
your announcement was apparently shocking enough for a slice of tomato to stay stuck in sasha’s throat. used to that, connie slapped her back a few times - maybe a bit too strong to her liking - but this time, he remained entirely focused on you.
“you what? what kind of bet is that?”
“a stupid one, but that’s not the point. we shook hands, so i can’t back out” you told him, and he seemed to agree with the last part, “anyways… i need you guys to help me”.
sasha’s coughing fit was slowly coming to its end, but it seemed like she still needed a few seconds to come around. connie, however, had never been more alert:
“wait- do you… i mean, are you asking one of us to hook up with you?” he ventured to ask, but his confused face quickly turned into a confident one, “because you know… i’m always willing to help a friend out”.
the slap you gave to the back of his head was more than deserved. and he couldn’t deny it, so he simply put his hands up in capitulation. too early for teasing, he thought to himself.
“oh! i know exactly what you need!” sasha finally spoke up, excitedly pointing at you with her fork, and you noticed that her mouth was already full, once again, “you, my dear, need to go to one of porco galliard’s parties”.
you only knew a few things about ‘the’ porco galliard. he was a few years older, majoring in business and management, and a member of eren’s basketball team. but what mattered the most, was that he also happened to throw the wildest parties of the entire university. many people said that your college experience wasn’t complete until you had experienced a ‘galliard party’.
“niccolo told me he was throwing one this saturday. and if there's one place where people hook up with each other, it's there” she remarked, and rightfully so, “maybe he can get us all in!”
“eren would lose his fucking mind if he could” you laughed, remembering how he was always fuming everytime he realized that porco hadn’t invited him, “thank you sash... although i still can’t believe we’re seriously considering this”.
but connie, who had not said a word since your palm had hit the back of his head, was suddenly struck by a flash of genius, and quickly patted sasha’s shoulder to get her attention, as she was already pulling out her phone to text her boyfriend.
“we’re so dumb. we already know someone who can definitely get us in”
a few seconds of hesitation followed connie’s words, but the look he gave sasha let you know that she would eventually understand who he was talking about. and indeed, you could pinpoint the exact moment when her brain made the connection, when her lips rounded in a perfect ‘o’.
a smile crept on both of their faces: “JEAN” they exclaimed in unison, pointing at each other.
you knew jean about as well as you knew porco. the only difference being that he was a close friend of connie and sasha, and that you had seen him a couple more times than porco, but never for too long. actually, you were wondering if you two had already had a conversation…
the fact that your interactions were so scarce could have been surprising, considering how much time connie and sasha spent with him. but then you remembered: jean was ‘that tall guy’ in eren’s basketball team, the one he wasn’t very fond of… so that explained why he wasn’t around more often.
“i’m texting him right now” connie told you, his fingers already typing at lightspeed, “but i’m 100% sure he can get us in, he’s a good friend of porco”.
“management majors privilege…” sasha sighed and laid down on the grass, hands resting on her belly to process all the food she had just gulped down, “but connie’s right. jean himself said he’d invite us to one of galliard’s parties. trust me, there’s no way in hell we’re letting you lose that bet”.
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