#also im really into thai boxing now!!!

[luridcomixofthenuit]

I am having a lot of fun learning!!!!!!!!

#myart #comix #ftm #trans #transgender #orgo chem #<3 #teehee #also im really into thai boxing now!!! #id like to humbly offer my services to any mtf's who would like a terf punched in the throat #i will protect u women #shoutout to women #gotta be 1 of my favorite genders

[mirrorballhughes]

champagne problems: l.fantilli x oc

blurb: in which luca fantilli & marley sebastian meet because of college and long the road marley shocks her would-be fiancé and their families by turning down a marriage proposal right before Christmas.

the words like this are flashbacks, then words thay arent italic are present day/ time skipped.

luca booked a night train for a reason. his eyes were glossy and swollen from crying. the boy rested his head against the train window, the ring box in his hands. the people around him were mainly sleeping or in their own world. the boy's phone was non-stop ringing. he had no energy to answer anyone. he sat there on the train in silence, the moment replaying in his head.

on the other hand, marley was now in her car. her phone was also getting blown up, the girl sat there in silence her eyes welling with tears. the sebastian girl sat in her car replaying the moment in her head. she had no words. she didn't know what to do so she went with her gut.

“this way” luca said smiling holding his girlfriend's hand walking down the rainy sidewalk to a restaurant. the pair was celebrating their 2 year anniversary. high school sweethearts who only got together in senior year but were pinning each other since. “slow down lu” marley said with a giggle following her boyfriend. the pair was now sat at a table. they were giggling and laughing. this relationship was filled with so much light and laughter. before marley knew it, luca was in front of her holding out a ring down on knee.

“would you marry me?” he asked, marley looked around just now realizing her family and his family were all there. the girls hand started getting shaky as she looked around. the girl brought her attention back to luca, the boy smiling so bright up at his girlfriend. she couldnt bring herself to look at him, “no. im sorry luca.” the girls voice broke as she rose from her chair. she quickly ran out of the restaurant not looking back. she felt eyes on her the whole time she ran away. she could feel luca’s face drop from here. marley knew she left luca there in disappointment. she also did just make a life changing choice. she wasnt even sure if she made the right choice or not. she just jumped empty handed and was left empted handed when she landed.

Champagne problems.

her problems. the girl's anxiety always got in the way of things. she knew that and she also knew that luca knew that but he didn’t really understand. him proposing in front of their families just made her get anxious, especially her parents as they rarely reached out of marley since she has been in college.

luca’s moms ring was sat in his pocket now. his mother thought marley was the one so she passed the ring down to him. this ring has been in the family for many generations. it just wouldn’t feel the same if marley wasnt the girl wearing it. a picture of marley sat in his wallet. it was from their first ever date, 10 grade year the couple went out for dinner and ended the night with milkshakes. the brunette braces wearing marley was sat in the booth with whip cream on her nose (in which luca did) she was smiling and laughing like crazy so of course luca had to take a picture.

marley knew luca’s heart was glass but she dropped it. it instantly broke once she ran off. she felt awful and wanted to run back and pick up all the little glass bits, if she did she would get cut. definitely not a win-win situation here.

Champagne problems.

luca was overthinking any and all possibilities on why marley said no. he knew she suffered from anxiety and depression. maybe bringing their whole families together was a bit too much. but at the same time he thought it was important for them all to share this moment.

luca told adam instantly about wanting to marry marley. he just couldnt keep that from him.

“thank you meeting me here.” luca spoke as the brothers were now sat at lunch. adam had free time from blue jackets practice so the fantilli brothers had planned a lunch meet up. “anytime bro, whats up?” adam asked as luca rambled on about college and how marley was doing. the pair took turns talking about their lives from since being split up.

“adam. i'm thinking of asking marley to marry me.” luca blurted out randomly as the pair was wrapping up. “what? that’s exciting dude.” adam exclaimed, looking forward to the wedding. marley and adam always gotten along well. “this is what i was thinking.” luca smiled going into full detail of how he planned it to adam. shortly after his whole family knew, and he talked to marleys parents right after as well. the only person who didnt know was the brunette girl.

marley popped open a bottle of champagne, some splashing out a little. she had spent a lot of money on this. she got it especially for the couples 2 years. the girl giggled while sipping on the drink, she had a few too many glasses. she was trying her best to get her brain to shut off but that was most definitely not happening. now no one is celebrating. the Dom Pèrigon was hitting her so hard.

no one was applauding. the whole room was silent, only thing that could be heard hear was marleys heals running off and lucas voice softly yelling “mar!” as he chased after her. no one knew what to do. “called it.” a girl mumbled rolling her eyes at the brunette girls dramatics.

Champagne problems.

luca had a speech planned but suddenly hes speechless. he stood behind marley not knowing what to say. marley on the other hand, was shaking and anxious. love just slipped beyond her reaches. she just knew this was the best but at the same time was it really? “why?” luca asked looking over at marley, as the girl looked over her shoulder her mouth opening as nothing came out, she couldn’t give a reason.

marleys hand on her door made it feel like it turned into gold. her eyes stayed on luca until he was out of her eyesight. she then got in her car and sat there. it was november and cold. she looked in the back seats seeing the boys flannel. in one quick movement the girl was now wearing it taking in the older fantilli brothers cologne.

the pair was now in marks dorm. it was freshman year and a bunch of his hockey teammates were also there. it was very loud and crazy. “are you sure you wanna be here?” luca asked pulling his girlfriend closer to her. he knew how anxious marley gets around being many people and loud noises. “this dorm was once a madhouse.” adam replied to the pair as he just walked in after the couple. the trio came together and carpulled. “well, its made for me.” marleys spoke joking around with the two brothers getting adam to laugh but luca wasnt. he knew the girl was way too hard on herself.

marley also seen a hockey hoodie sitting in the back of her car, knowing their group of friends would never hangout again and they will all be ignoring her. the hockey boys were lucas friends, they were never marleys. but its gonna be hard to not talk to any of them after this.

the ex couple both shared the thought of each other moving on while they were upset about it. they also didn’t want it to be true.

deck the halls was playing full blast in marleys ears at the umich hockey team's christmas party. of course marley did not want to go, but surprisingly adam had persuaded her to go. so here the girl was wearing a christmas sweater walking into the house with her best friend beside her. while everyone celebrated this holiday the girl was stuck in her own pain.

once the pair was out of the kitchen the christmas music slowly getting quieter with every step they took. marley was looking for adam, but has not seen him yet. hearing a giggle, the girl turned seeing this blonde girl standing all cuddly with luca. the brunettes heart broke again seeing that image. luca felt eyes on him and he was met with marley, who was quick to run off. the blonde girl smirked as she pushed lucas lips into hers.

“oh hey marley!” adam spoke seeing the brunette walk quickly by, “why did you invite me?” she asked pointing back to luca and that blonde kissing. “what? marl? i haven't texted you since friday.” the younger fanfilli brother spoke pulling his phone open, clicking on the girls messages, seeing they had texted but it was not him. before he could say that, marley was out of sight. he soon realized it was maria? mae? he doesn’t even remember she’s irrelevant to him.

marley was now sat in her dorm. she was upset and hurt. a picture of luca sat on her desk staring back at her. she knew what she did was the best thing for her, but still she missed luca. she wasn't ready to watch him go.

she thought back to the night luca proposed.

she was very comfortable with luca and loved being around him. marley wasnt even aware she did want a future with luca until she was put on the spot. then was forced to decide.

luca was on both of his knees, making marley think he was begging her to accept his marriage proposal and not to leave him. before the proposal, marley didnt know her answer but she does know it now.

“what a shame shes fucked in the head.” someone spoke, marley overheard them which made her feel like they were right. but at the same time everyone thinks women should desire being married. marley on the other hand wasn’t ready and her mental health came first.

“luca will find the real thing instead.” marley spoke resting her head against her pillow “she'll patch up his tapestry that i shred.” she said again thinking back at the moment when the random girl and luca were talking and laughing at the party. luca would never be the same after that. i totally ruined him, he deserves the best. No one should shame him about this.

well here stands marley now.

she was at lucas and mayas wedding. the pair was dancing, mayas grip on lucas hand strong she wouldn’t let go, unlike marley. maya never left luca stranded. crestfallen on the landing.

sure she did all those things, but adam knew something everyone didnt. luca still loved marley. this maya girl has been hiding in the background since the beginning. she was at the proposal, and the christmas party. she just showed up out of the shadows.

with champagne problems, marley held the glass of champagne watching the newlyweds. when he asked her he knew the same ring was in his pocket, hands shaking not wanting the same thing to happen. He probably has a picture of her in his wallet. he won’t remember all of marleys champagne problems.

“you wont remember all my champagne problems.” marley mumbled finishing the rest of her glass and slipped out of the doors with tears in her eyes.

#joss writes #luca fantilli #luca fantilli fic #luca fantilli imagine #luca fantilli x oc #umich #umich imagine #umich hockey #umich blurbs #joss 300 follower celly <3 #marley & luca #Spotify

[judasgot-it]

this isn’t exactly a request but if you have the time and also feel like doing it could you just- idk, say everything that u like about Tetcho?? Just anything and everything that comes to your mind whether it be about the way he’s written by Asagiri, or anything really lol because I have a feeling you really like him

I want to save this for Wednesday but if anything major changes (probably will. Everyday I thank bones for making him their fave) ill add more cause AHGGGHGGHG this man....

Not enough Tecchou lovers out there. Asagari hasn't said anything on his backstory and I'm waiting for it so for now I'm making shit up (all I know is that IRL Tecchou was from a rich samurai family so how that ads to his character? Idk. Im sticking with child soldier tho for now one day ill write a fic)

BUT AHHHHHHHHHH OMG listen with what we DO have he's a good character. He clearly cares for his teammates, he's the person who cares about Jouno even when Fukuchi never believed in him being a good person (thats actually upsetting af but Tecchou is a real one for seeing Jouno for who he is)

HE LOVES ANTS AND RESPECTS LUCY BECAUSE SHE CARES ABOUT HER FRIENDS EVEN THOUGH HE GENIUENLY THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE TERRORISTS AT THE TIME !!! HES A GOOD MAN !!!

He would put those he loves above justice, the thing he put his life on the line for its crazy !!! He plays the hero, but at the end of the day, his friends and family mean more, and that's wild cause that goes against his entire thing !!!

Literally, even though he hasn't been in the series long for what we do have so far, I can't help but like him, idk what it is about him but he's a likable character for me

Sometimes I like to think about him and cry like the loser I am. Anyway.

Since this is my soap box moment for talking about Tecchou and all my thoughts I need to add a theory here - he quite possibly is a foil for Fukuchi

Fukuchi was in the war and saw soldiers die for one another in horrific ways that no one should see - it changed him. He told Fukuzawa that he never wanted to see that horror again.

But Tecchou is clearly thay same soldier again, what he WANTED to prevent from happening, who is willing to die for his comrades in war no matter what

LIKE FUKUCHI MADE A WHOLE ASS FAMILY WITH THE HUNTING DOGS AND THEN DESTROYED IT IN THE SAME WAY HE WAS TRAUMATIZED BY. LIKE WTF

But unlike Fukuchi, I don't think Tecchou would become a monster. He still has some semblance of humanity. He can remove himself from his sense of 'justice' and care about those around him.

It's a ramble but I like to think there's a Tecchou v Fukuchi fight coming up eventually and Tecchou would win. CAUSE ITS SO NOT FAIR THAT HE KILLED HIS COMRADES TURNED THEM INTO VAMPIRES AND THEN GETS AWAY WITH IT CAUSE OF A TIME SWORD LIKE WHAT

Anyway that is another ramble but I love him, he and Jouno are among my favs cuz they're so silly and I think have some deeper character development that might be explored later in the series. I'm praying and hoping every chapter that they come back.

Pleaaaasssseeeeeeeeeee asagari LIKE IM BEGGING YOU I HAVE FAITH IN THEM

Anyway I'll possibly add on later but anon ily I'm giving you many air kisses mwah

My last thoughts on Tecchou. Why isn't he real bro

Also omg I could write a full length novel on him cause this man must be immaculate. Idc if he isn't real I'm gonna make shit up about him. I'm delulu craycray a freak a weirdo !!

#this isnt anything x reade #still tagging it tho !! #god thank you anon #I LOVE HIM !!! HES MY FAV CHARACYER #hes so much fun to write cause he just is a good guy like in canon !! #yea he did fight a 14 year old but #i can forgive him... #anyway #bsd x reader #tecchou x reader #bsd tecchou #bsd tetchou #tetcho headcannons #i have brainrot #and i know this shit will be shown in court

[brella-boi]

Been a while crocodile were back on that grind and things have been moving slowly forward. Now that my shop update is done I can focus majorly on this again.

The fabric came! I couldnt find a scaled fabric thay didnt cost a kidney to import, so shiny velvet it is.

But lets not get ahead of ourselves. I was in feather hell. All 110 feathers are now carved and reinforced.

The tail feathers were the ones that needed the most help.

The largest is about 40cm in legth. We cant have a floppy tail on our hands now can we?

Using a 3mm garden wire I have found in y box that was supposed to be used for sculptures is being repurposed after a 5 year wait (sometimes it pays off to be a hoarder).

I hot glued the wires on very carefully and then used foam clay to secure it on top and make it invisible. That stuff is really cool. It feels like youre working with slime putty and it dries to be literal foam??? Insane.

It looks ugly rn but once its all spray painted itll be fine.

However it takes a couple days to dry and my thumb muscle was in excruciating pain therefore it was time to move on.

GLOVES. I used pattern #2 from my tests and slightly adjusted it for the wrist and rest of the arm. Aligning the material to sew was actual hell. Do not talk to me. I pinned it all up, left to the post office, came back and it was scrunkled again. Jesus christ.

Anyway.

Gloves! And they fit on pretty snug too. I have the claws varnished and will glue those on top once i have the feathers done too to minimise crying over having super glue all over my hands.

Theres elastic at the end of the gloves to keep it on my arm once the feathers are on. And if thats still not enough ill figure out some kind of loops or whatever.

I have also varnished the mask by now. The first coat i thought i was going to sob. There were patches and it looked ugly and i thought i was gonna have to remove the varnish and my alcohol didnt work and then i read to just apply a second coat and it WORKED so now im a happy camper.

Now to fur the mask and start working on the feathers once the clay has dried :') the worst is yet to come now

#kenkuproject #god help me #i hope yall are enjoying my pain with this #costume #fursuit

[seekdestr0y]

tagged by @antiquesintheattic yay i love having an excuse to talk about myself

are you named after anyone?

not first name but my middle name is my great grandma’s (maria)

when was the last time you cried?

DUDE idek actually and i do be crying tho uhhhh imma say last week it was probably from a sad tiktok LMAOOO

do you have kids?

NO WHAT THE FUCK

what sports do you play/have you played?

i swam i love swimming i haven’t swam competitively since graduating high school. now i just like to lift weights at home (im actually not that strong) LMAO but i wanna do muay thai bc ive been on my mma shit recently (well me n my family love combat sports my little bro does boxing) but i wanna do that or bjj but i don’t wanna take my piercings out

do you use sarcasm?

duh but not a lot in text unless i know you bc it’s easily confused bc OBVIOUSLY

what’s the first thing you notice about people?

THEIR SMILEEEEEE awwww well mouth i guess idk that’s usually what i look at idk why or eyes but im not to fond of eye contact to that’s like number 2

what’s your eye color?

blue, it’s actually kinda crazy bc my great grandpa on my dads side his whole family has colored eyes no matter WHAT kinda freaky even if they’re like more tan their eyes r hella blue

scary movies or happy endings?

BOTH????? I love everything scary movies with happy endings hmm but yeah

any talents?

no LMFAO i’m pretty good at drawing i guess cats used to be my specialty in high school cuz i’d just draw cat memes on sticky notes and give them to people

where were you born?

california BAY AREAAAAAAAAAAAA yeah yeah im cool as fuck

what are your hobbies?

none jk not really but i like to read comic books when i can im not that deep tho LIKE SUPER INTENSE shout out to you people who are tho bc i want to be like you. i just got house of x powers of x for christmaaaas so imma read that yay i also like swimming duh

how tall are you?

5’6” average i wish i was taller though

favorite subject in school?

SCIENCE i love all science ive been really liking chemistry bc that’s all i do but its cool actually or english i loveeeeee english lit super super fun i love writing essays so much

dream job?

i want to be an aquarist i wanna work at an aquarium SO BAD i love the ocean that’s why im majoring in marine bio yaaaaay

taggingggg @jwowwsboobs i can’t think of anyone else to tag im having a brain fart LMFAO and anyone else who wanna do it <3

#tagged <3

[felixethereal]

10 questions: #Straykids interview for spacebar thailand (English translation by tooampm) | Rough and simple translations

Q2: What Stray Kids have learned from being An artist and a role model for fans from the first day till today?

🥟: Being an artist or an idol is good. Everything is always highly competitive. We have learned to work as a good team and to always improve ourselves in every skill in the performance, and we also want to be better and better every day.

🦊: I learned about love. If I want to get love from fans I have to let them know that the love that I have for all my fans is also unbeatable.

Q3: what are the goals that stray kids want to achieve in 2023?

🐰: for me, this year is 2023, I'm excited. To meet fans from many cities in the world, and my personal goal is I want to try going camping trip n add up in the long run and if i have the chance to do something in 2023, I would like to do this.

🐿: For my goal, this year I want the fans to see new images from the songs we have made and I also want all of us ,our members to be healthy this year. I also want to try setting goals for myself, which is exercising (😄).

🥟: As this year we will come and have a concert in Thailand. This is our goal and we want to come here often. Coming to Thailand is really a great pleasure for me. “KOB KUN KAPP” (Thank you in Thai).

Q4: What Stay will see of Stray kids this year?

🐺: This year is a good year to start something new including our tour that will happen soon WORLD TOUR “MANIAC” we r ready to show how fresh and fun our show will be different from the past.Hope to see u all year round.

🦊: In this year I want to try harder than ever. As the fans expected it. and want to make a good album as good as the fans are waiting for it too.

Q5: How are you preparing for the concert on 2-3 Feb?

🐺: It's time for us to come back and have a concert in Thailand. We prepare a lot of fun in this also such a great honor to meet Thai fans, kinda exciting for this tour, fans will see our new things & new productions.

Q6: About “Mirror Mirror” song / what Changbin wants to say to his fans who likes this song?

🐷🐰: working with Thai artists both Mili & F.Hero I feel that I have had a great experience. It's a song that I like to listen to a lot. It's very catchy. Thank you to all the Thai who like the song. Personally, i feel touched. It's full of very good feelings to have this song come out. (🙏)

Q7: The growth of Stray Kids from now on after the World Tour ends.

🐥 : SKZ always aims for our growth. After a lot of things happened That made the world stop for almost 2 years. We wanna have an adventure and grow further. The good thing about this year is that we've been able to travel around the world, go on tour, have concerts, and met with fans from all over the world (after the pandemic). It helps us learn more about our development. even after the tour ends, I will continue to develop myself better.

🦊: I always thought that I will try even harder as the fans have been waiting for. From now on, I want to be cool and be cooler. (😁).

Q8: Thai culture that #StrayKids would like to learn about. What does the band want to learn about some Thainess?

🐥: I feel that I would like to learn a lot about Thai culture, including Thai food that has a very unique taste. I watches a lot of tiktok about muay thai and is interested to try it sometime. Also tourist attractions in Thailand as well. I always search for those places, especially many food markets in BKK. If there is a chance, I would like to go to those places as well.

🐷🐰:( get up and act like he was boxing 😁)

Q9: Personal individual goals that you want to achieve this year.

🐰: For this year, im going to focus on getting fit, looking healthier, and taking care of myself both physically and mentally.

🐿: I want everyone to be healthy. I want both members and Stay to be very happy as well. I want you to have a great thing happen in your life throughout this year. For this year, im going to focus on getting fit, looking healthier, and taking care of myself both physically and mentally.

🐿: I want everyone to be healthy. I want both members and Stay to be very happy as well. I want you to have a great thing happen in your life throughout this year.

Q10: Anything to say to your Thai fans?

🦊: I would like to give a message to Stay who r still not sure whether to come to our concert or not. I want to say that “don't hesitate”. We have a lot of good shows waiting for everyone. So please come to our concert. ( 🙏😄)

🐥: I feel like this concert will be another one that u will never seen before .I want everyone to come and have a look, let's have a new experience together, I want everyone to come and experience it. Come and listen to our songs.

#Stray kids #bang chan #lee know #changbin #hyunjin #han jisung #felix #seungmin #I.N #skz #스트레이키즈

[thestudentfarmer]

February 13 2023

Hello hello everyone!

Today's post I figured I'd do something a lil different!

I'm gonna talk bout chickens!

Mostly cause I've heard a lot of folk talking about getting them recently and since I've had em awhile maybe give some info folks might find helpful in the decisions on if chickens (or other feathered flocks) might be a ya or nay~

⚠️BE WARNED ⚠️ ⚠️ LONG POST⚠️⚠️ CW

Discussion of topics some may be sensitive to. mention of death/processing/butchering of animals that is associated with keeping animals for homesteading purposes.

🐥The first and foremost I tell everyone, check into why you want them. I have chickens primarily for eggs and composting purposes. I get free pest control as a side benefit. Meat purposes are mostly secondary for me. I tend to go for a mixed variety of duel purpose breeds (meat and eggs).

🐥Second, research into them.

Breed, ability to survive in your area. How big they'll get, noise level. What kind of feed will you be looking to give them? What sort of shelter/housing will you have for them. Do you need to have a vet? (If so, where is your vet?) What kind of chicken is best for the purpose you want them for? Are u getting chicks? Pullets? Adults? How much do they need to eat? Drink?

If you get them for eating how are you getting that done? Self processing and butcher? A processor/butcher shop? (Also what about the by products? Feathers, feet, heads, organs?)

If they get sick or are doing poorly and they need to be dispatched, how are you doing that?

If you get chicks and end up with mostly roosters, what's your plan?.

I bring up the last few because many who get into them for homesteading/farming/self sufficiency sometimes don't think about those things ahead of time. I didn't right away and have had to deal with all 3 situations.

On an equally important note: what if you get them and don't end up wanting to keep them or find you can't do or keep up with their care? Chickens and other homesteading animals aren't generally kept as pets and can be difficult to "adopt out" in urban/inner-city areas. (Alternatively, if you have kids there might be more questions and situations.)

🐥🐥 Make sure you check that your allowed to keep chickens where your at

For me, that meant checking my state, city and municipality rules. If you live in an hoa or similar you'll need to check that out too.

Now you may be told no, their not allowed. If you really want to keep birds for meat or eggs see about quails. Many places don't have rules against them and they can be kept in cages indoors. Be sure to check the legality of doing so in your state especially as some quail breeds are illegal. ( where im at bobwhites you need a game permit, courtinex are fine though.) Or ducks. Same as the research with chickens tho, and I suggest a good pond filtration or thay you don't mind changing pond water frequently.

🐥🐥🐥Make sure you have shelters, runs and other supplies ready BEFORE you get your birds. Feed, lights, wateres, feed trays, nest boxes, perchs, bedding, vitamins/electrolytes, etc

🐥get your eggs, chicks, pullets, adults and enjoy!

Also Google and chicken forums can be excellent resources!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I like to get chicks and start them off in a big pond tub/ kiddie pool like container something that will be big enough for them to run around in that let's them decide how close to the lamp heat they get.

My last batch of chicks, their always so darn cute!

For chicks,

🌱 Be sure to have a non tipable waterer. I suggest on a rock and as far away from the heater lamp as possible. The water can get pretty hot otherwise and chicks do not like hot water much. Be sure to clean this twice a day or more as they will track bedding into the water. As they get older either a larger waterer is needed or more frequent fills

🌱A heater lamp, a cardboard box or other object so they can hide away from the heater lamp. I like to place my waterer on the other side of this spot too and make it about half the container. Chicks need a warm spot and cool, generally they need a larger warm spot but always be sure there's plenty of cool down room.

🌱A low bowl or plate to put chick gravel and their feed. Chick starter and gravel can usually be found at farm stores and some pet stores, same as adult feed, though the selection will be a lot smaller than a feed store. They will kick the feed and rocks everywhere as a heads up. Check a few times a day to make sure they have feed and the lil chick gravel available. Food should always be available to your chicks at this point

🌱a space to keep the chicks in.

I personally use a hard pond tub thing. And a cover. I use old window screen and clip it down. This is to keep them safe from popcorning or hopping out as they get older and to keep things out of their coop. When I've no chicks I use it to mix potting soil and the screen to cover seeded rows.

Time: Be aware, chicks become chickens fast. They don't start laying eggs until around 6 months of age.

They will outgrow the chick pen faster than you think as well, so make sure you have their adult housing before you get them.

Minimally You will need waterers, feed tray, roost space, nest box and a run for pullets and adults.

This pic was a few months before most started laying. I have an enclosed run & hutch and give them 'free range' of my yard most the day. I do live in a neighbourhood, less than a 1/4 acre I believe. Most neighbours don't mind so long as the birds are kept clean, quietish and don't hop fences/escape. Some breeds that'll mean enclosures their whole life or clipping wings feathers and small time frames where you remain out with them while they wander the whole yard.

Either way, be aware they do get bored and enrichment makes their life better. Here's some things I do...

I like to lay out boards on the lawn and flip em over every so often. They love the bugs and sometimes will stand by and "scream cluck" until I flip the board.

"Chicken ball" I hang from a post or the roof of the run a cabbage/caulifloer/lettuce/leafy ball and let em hop to pick it. Please be aware, don't leave hang nooses to tie the ball. Chickens can and do get stuck. I found using a big hook screw and screwing the "ball" to hang down best. Make sure your birds CAN NOT get the screw in their beaks.

I take the bedding chips I use for the chick pen and the roost/hutch and sweep them into the run both for cleanliness and enrichment to scratch in. kitchen and garden scraps are added as well to supplement feed. When it's time to change out/clean the bedding. I rake everything up and toss it in piles in the yard. The chickens will tear it apart looking for bugs. We'll rake it all back up 1-2 times a week and let them repeat till it's gone entirely. We've not had issues with it but if pests or smells are an issue clean pen and run as often and disposed of as needed. Be a nice neighbor.

A water source like a shallow pond of kiddie pool. It gets hot where im at so I have a few ponds. I'll put mint, herbs, ice cubes, small feeder fish inside. (Not all at the same time, not making a potion or soup lol) they'll drink from the ponds, hang around them to keep cool and pick at the stuff inside or go swimming so to speak. Some chickens eat the fish (if not I do have ducks too, the feeder fish never remain more than a few hours max) sometimes I leave the pond empty and dump crickets or mealworms inside. The chickens favorite! There is never any leftovers and it very fun to feed them from your hand occasionally.

A sand spot, or soft sandy spot. Chickens dust bath to keep clean of mites and other pests. They may not use your selected spot. It's just best to let them chicken on in their elected spot awhile and then fill it in and cover it for a few weeks. They'll find another spot.

Yard/lawn clipping, garden maintenance, kitchen scraps.

Always check your chickens can eat anything you give them. Generally they can eat just about everything. Though they may not want to.

From yesterday when i was trimming the ducks area. These gals are a laying well at this time of year (in a few months that'll sadly change)

Some notes, for adults you will want to have calcium. That can be satisfied a few ways. Commonly that means Oyster shell or egg shell. Crushed Oyster shell can be got at feed/farm/tractor stores. If you do use egg shells be sure the shells are boiled (to wash/sanitize) drained, dried and slightly crushed before being supplied. To supply, you can mix in food, toss out in the run areas or just have an extra bowl of it. They'll find it as they need it.

Sometimes the girls need extra protien. Yes, chickens are not vegan. To do their best They need a omnivore diet. You can cook up their eggs and feed them back if you want, always cook the eggs and serve shells/egg seperate. This helps prevent egg eaters in your flock. Give them mealworms, crickets, bugs (dead or alive, just be sure not to introduce invasive species to your area.)

Fresh greens, I like to do this more than grains if possible. But if only occasionally given that's fine too, again be sure to check its not toxic for them.

That's my quick n dirty notes and tips for chickens.

🐥🌱Happy critter keeping and homesteading to all🌱🐥

#homesteading #self sufficient living #studentfarmer #thestudentfarmer #self sufficiency #food #garden #gardening #low waste #chickens #chicks #animal husbandry #be responsible animal keeper #do your research #responsible keeper #farm #animal

[syngonivm]

after picking up the adansonii i visited a plant shop my therapist recommended and while some of their stuff was overpriced some stuff was surprisingly well priced

got a cute little string of turtles that has been on my wishlist for a while for now its in the bathroom but hopefully i can make some room for it in my bedroom with the rest of the plants

also got this syngonium im not sure what type but i think it's the one i loved and accidentally overwatered and killed a few weeks ago 😭 it was really small just 3 leafs or so and i repotted it cause it came in a clear cup with no drainage... and i think the repotting and watering killed it 🥲 killed by what i was trying to avoid. ive been missing it so i was really happy to see it at the store and immidiately grabbed it its quite big too. i assume it needs bright light for the leafs so hopefully the spot i picked is enough 🤔 it's a little tucked into a corner but u have a south window with barely anything blocking the sun it gets mega bright in here so fingers crossed it wont need to move

my first time seeing a scindapsus exotica and its leafs were huge!!! especially on the bigger mature plants but theyre were too expensive for me. i opted for a juvenile instead and it had a yellow leaf that was concerning but i asked the workers and they said it's fine and the plant itself is heathy it's just an old leaf. hopefully theyre right but the plant does look healthy otherwise. it stormed all of the sudden on the way home and it fell off from the rain so guess it took care of itself

also saw Huge silvery anns with palm sized leafs and i was sooo tempted but decided since i already spend 20€ i cant buy more and the other plants i wanted more... so i snipped off a vine lol it's always morally correct to proplift from chains 💚 i saw a whole bucket of broken off vines in a corner and so many broken off leafs it might as well have happened while someone more clumsy was handling it. did the same to a donkeys tail and found some broken off leafs next to it that i grabbed. also found these two peperomia watermelon leafs on the ground im gonna try propping too :) the stem is a scindapsus exotica i too found on the ground, left it in the prop box hoping to get a plant i can gift away to friend

the store also had a hoya linearis that is on my wishlist but it was 17€ and rlly sparse and had these black spots on its leafs and stems i decided to leave it behind. didn't seem worth the price especially cause the online marketplace i use has cuttings for 1€. guess when fools spring season is over and its actually warm here i can just order some cuttings and grow my own for way less :p plus at the moment i got no way to hang plants so i would've struggled giving it what it needs.

also saw two huge beauties i just had to snap a photo of: a big mature monstera thai constellation and the biggest pothos i have ever seen in my life

[fuck-customers]

Bro okay so I work at Drumbl and this lady and her daughter (regulars) came in and asked for a 4-pack. So I said cool and then thay asked to get two cookies in separate boxes. I explained that we could do that but we would have to charge them for the boxes (the total would be about 50 cents). She was very distraught and said that the cashier last time gave them for free. I apologized (at this point her 12 - year old daughter was avidly telling me that she distinctly remembered getting them for free last time) and asked if she wanted me to double check with my manager. She said yes so I checked and my manager said we had to charge her and it was company policy. I tell the lady its company policy and that unfortunately I will have to charge her the 50 cents, and she blows up. "I'm a manager too and if I ran my store this way there would be NO customer service! These cookies are for teachers are you going to tell me you're gonna charge for teachers? If I ran my bank this way..." etc. Etc. Im apologizing the entire time but im not budging. She can either pay the 50 cents or separate the cookies herself. She says fine and to charge it so I do. Its also apart of the cashier process to ask the customer if they'd like to tip. So I turn the tablet towards her and tell her its going to ask if she'd like to tip. "Nope! I would have before but now I wont."

Okay??? Your 2 whole dollars are really making my wallet hurt babe. And its the fact that if she had just been nicer about the entire thing instead of blowing up over 50 god damn cents, I would have told her that 4 singles was about 2 dollars cheaper. Also, with her trying to do a whole "its for teachers" thing. Like dude. Im sorry but last time I checked teachers didn't make our company policy??? I'm sorry that the cashier last time didn't follow the policy, but I just got this job not too long ago and im not losing it over you and your 2 damn cookies.

[hotchseyebrows]

thoughtfulness in little things

a derek morgan x penelope garcia fic

a/n: can you believe that is my first ever full length morcia fic? me? resident morcia nut? wow. what a world. anyway!! i hope yall like this (and if you noticed it was already on ao3 earlier today shhh this is a scheduled tumblr post im Sleeping rn) and hopefully i dont take 4 months in between posting fics again, but i make no promises!!! my brain is Evil

thank you @blkantigone for being my beta and thank you @derekmorqan for letting me barf 1k of this in our dms a while back, i love you both sm

they do kiss a fair bit in this (it is, in fact, a first kiss fic) and its a little steamy, but by no means explicit and is rated teens and up on ao3 :)

read it here on ao3!!

Penelope splutters. “Sugar, you don’t have to stay here with me, it’s really not that big of a deal.”

He shrugs. “How am I supposed to party when my best girl is stuck at work?”

-

Everything changes during a late night in Penelope's batcave. But really, nothing changes at all.

word count: 3000

Friday nights without a case are a rare treasure for SSA Hotchner’s highly sought after team of profilers. Normally, Derek and Penelope would be taking advantage of the freedom by dancing all night, but sometimes the universe has other plans. 

Penelope used this week’s case-free time to put the finishing touches on an antivirus and security software of her own creation. The personal information of her beloved BAU babies was a hot commodity well worth the additional protection, and she’s always looking for a reason to fiddle with Quantico’s servers. It ended up being a whole production, taking the entire afternoon and then some. Apparently, she still doesn’t have all of the permissions required to make certain adjustments which means that she’s fiddling and bending her way into all of the things she needs to do. If that wasn’t bad enough, the whole damn thing crashed around 4:00. She managed not to pull her hair out, but it was a close thing and it set her back at least an extra hour.

Derek stops by a little after 5, his jacket slung over his shoulder. “Baby girl, I can hear the bottles of DC’s finest vodka and Hennessy calling our names, are you almost ready to leave for the day?” He pauses in the door, taking in her furious typing and furrowed brow. “Whoa, Mama, what’s the matter? You’ve got Hotch’s eyebrows.”

She throws her arms up. “The entirety of the FBI and also the world is getting on my nerves!” He walks over to her, leaning on the side of her chair and turning her away from her monitor. His hands gently grab both of hers and he rubs a soothing circle with one of his thumbs. 

“Explain, baby girl.” 

She does, eventually just ranting and raving about how annoying it is to still be put in metaphorical handcuffs by the FBI as if she can’t just do what she wants anyway. “I’m not even breaking any rules, technically, they’re just making things annoying and long winded.” She sighs, moving her hands to interlock their fingers. “But now that it’s started, it would be doubly annoying to stop it and come back later. So I’m stuck here until it’s done, which might take a while.”

He nods, thinking. Then he straightens up, grabs the extra rolling chair, and sits down. 

Penelope splutters. “Sugar, you don’t have to stay here with me, it’s really not that big of a deal.”

He shrugs. “How am I supposed to party when my best girl is stuck at work?” She blushes, turning away to hide it on instinct. 

“You cheeseball.” She spins around to lightly push on his arm. He just smiles. 

They sit together for 20 minutes in relative silence as she continues her work. It’s a comfortable silence; his occasional humming soothes her rising annoyance at how needlessly long this is taking. She can hear him playing with one of the fidget toys she keeps on her desk behind him. When she gets to another point of sitting and waiting, she turns towards him and asks him about his day. He tells her about how Prentiss helped him get Reid back for a prank by distracting him in the break room while he switched out the keyboard of Reid’s computer with an identical one with a grass garden planted inside. “It’s a long con for sure, but I’m hoping it sprouts this weekend.”

She laughs. “How long did it take you to set this up, dumpling?” She already knows the answer, but it’s nice to see his slightly sheepish but proud look about his dedication to his prank war. Her computer beeps at her, and she spins back around to begin working again.

He rolls closer, avoiding her question and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You getting hungry yet?”

She relaxes, leaning against him. As if on cue, her stomach grumbles. “Yes, I’d say so.”

He leans over and moves a strand of hair out of her face. “Okay baby girl, I’ll go grab us food and be right back.” She nods, lifting her cheek on instinct to meet the kiss she knows is coming. He stands and sure enough, leans down to kiss her cheek. “I’ll be quick. Be good.”

“How can I do anything else if you’re not here?” She bats her eyes up at him. 

He grins. “Oh, I’m sure you’d think of something.” He brushes his knuckles against her cheek. It makes her shiver.

She watches him leave, catching the kiss he blows at her from the door. Turning back to focus on her work, it feels like she blinks and he’s back. A glance at the clock tells her it’s been over a half hour. He puts the bag of food onto the table before coming to pull her away from the computer. 

“One minute, I promise, I’m so close to just letting this thing run for a little.” He twirls her hair around his fingers before dropping his hands onto her shoulders, rubbing away the tension. A minute and a half later, she leans back in her chair with a sigh. She tilts her head back and sticks her tongue out at him. He smiles at her. 

"Come eat, baby girl. Don't think you're getting out of eating my hard won dinner." He moves to the table and pulls out her chair. She follows and sits.

"Hard won — mon cher, you didn't tackle a wild animal and lug it home to our log cabin in the woods, you drove your car 20 minutes."

He kisses her temple, handing her a pair of chopsticks. "Yeah, but I would lug home whatever you needed anytime, so the sentiment is the same."

She smiles and knocks their feet together under the table lightly. He moves his chair, so they are sitting right next to each other on the same side of the table. The heat from his arm is palpable.

Derek grabs a box from the bag and splits the vegan pad thai within onto two paper plates. He opens the box of spring rolls and places it in between them while she places napkins in front of them both. He pops the cap off of her bottle of lemonade without her asking, and sets that in front of her too. “Thank you, handsome.” He smiles in response. They start eating and the comfortable silence returns. 

She talks him through what she still needs to do to fix everything in between bites, even though she knows he doesn't really understand her technobabble. But Penelope can feel his eyes on her, and without looking, she somehow knows that something has shifted in the air around them.

"What?" she asks, turning her attention away from gesturing at her computer with the chopsticks. "Do I have something on my face?"

He chuckles. "Actually, yes, c'mere." He brushes away a stray spot of sauce on the corner of her lips with a gentle swipe of his thumb. The rest of his hand stills on her cheek. She shivers. She can see him notice it, his attention focusing in on her. Penelope's blood is thundering in her ears as he glances in between her lips and her eyes.

She leans purposefully into his hand. His thumb brushes over her lips again and her mouth falls open a little. 

"Penelope, I-" he cuts himself off with a hard swallow. "Penelope." His eyes flicker down to her lips and back up to her eyes quickly again.

She can only blink at him for a moment. "Yes, Derek?"

"I don't kn- um. Can I-" She's never seen him flustered and unsure like this. But they've never been out of sync before and they aren't about to start now, so she nods, bringing up a hand to rest on his. A smile grows on his face before he starts to lean in. His hand slides along her cheek to more firmly grip her face- it makes her gasp.

He pauses, thinking something is wrong. "Penelope, are y-" Her heart swells at how careful he is to take care of her always, and she meets him in the middle, pressing their lips together in a soft, purposeful kiss.

For a moment, all is still. The world boils down to just the place where their lips are touching. Their lips barely brush against one another, but already Penelope feels light headed. Derek separates their lips for a moment before kissing her again, a firmer touch this time. She sucks in a breath through her nose. His lips are incredibly kind- that’s the only word for it. He doesn’t seem to know the word “take” right now because all she can feel from him is “give.” As he presses into the kiss and gently cups the side of her face, her brain wildly spins through thoughts about how of course he’s like this even when kissing her and how good he smells and how she can’t believe they haven’t done this sooner.

He draws her closer against him, pressing into the kiss more insistently before bringing his other hand up to her face and holding her. His fingers move to cup the sides of her neck and she tilts her head to the left a touch, letting her mouth fall open in a sigh. He makes a soft noise before tentatively sliding their tongues together. A full body shiver runs down her spine and through her limbs. Another small noise falls from the back of his throat. Her stomach swoops like they've just dropped down the side of a huge arch in a roller coaster. She places both hands on his chest, pressing forward. He moves with her, chair squeaking underneath him as he presses closer, one arm snaking around her back. Penelope’s heart pounds even louder. His tongue is gentle even in its insistence as their kiss turns slightly desperate. 

It feels like someone has lit a fire underneath Penelope’s chair, warmth washing over her whole body and radiating out from everywhere they touch. One of his hands tangles into her hair as he gently tilts her head back. If she wasn’t sitting her knees would have buckled so long ago, but now she would absolutely be on the floor. It’s no surprise that Derek Morgan is an incredible kisser, but knowing something and knowing something is so different. 

He pulls back, letting their foreheads rest together. Her eyes stay closed, tingles radiating from everywhere his fingers are tenderly holding her face. She tightens her grip on his shirt. He kisses the tip of her nose. "You still with me, baby girl?"

She nods, breathless. She slowly opens her eyes and smiles at him. "Hi." It's the first thing she thinks to say. 

He laughs. "Hey you."

She has so many questions- how long have you wanted to do that, can we do that again right now, can we do so much more right now, right here- but before she can ask any of them, her computer beeps loudly. "Oh!" She jumps at the sudden noise. He drops his hands and leans back, looking far too much like the cat who got the cream. "I should- right, I should deal with that," she says, standing on shaky legs. Heels were never so precarious. Of course, there is no hiding from a profiler.

He grins up at her. "Need some assistance?" His eyes are shining like he's hiding a joke. She scrunches her nose at him, biting back a smile.

"Oh, hush you. I’m perfectly capable of walking 3 feet, thank you very much." Her tenacity is a little undercut from the way her hands are trembling a little as she smooths her skirt, but still. The point remains.

He raises his hands in surrender. "Alright baby girl, go on then."

She walks over to her computer and stays standing to fiddle with the wires behind it before bending over at the keyboard and reading the report on the screen. "It shouldn't be much longer now, it just needs to run the last new anti-virus- what?" He's leaning back in his seat and staring at her, a small smile dancing on his lips.

"What, Mama?" But he knows what, clearly evident from the way he is trying to school his expression into something innocent.

She blushes. "Derek Morgan, I don't know what I'm going to do if you keep looking at me like that."

"Oh, I don't know. I might have some ideas."

She sucks in a sharp inhale through her nose. Playing nonchalant, she turns back to her computer. "Well, I might have to hear your ideas out."

"Yeah?" 

She glances at him out of the corner of her eye and he's grinning.

"Yeah." she says, not trusting what will come out of her mouth if she elaborates (probably something along the lines of “I’d listen to all your ideas, do your ideas include any semblance of forever, if you keep grinning like that I'm gonna lock the door and do something reckless”).

They sit in relative silence, just the sounds of her typing filling the room. When she finishes, she spins her chair around. "Hi," she says again.

"Hi baby," he responds.

Her fingers twist and curl the hem of her skirt. "So, uh, well, that's gonna take at least another 30 minutes to finish running."

He raises one eyebrow. "30 minutes, huh?" 

She nods. "Might be a good time for some of those ideas." 

He stands and walks across the room to her. She takes his offered hand and stands as well. They stay there, inches apart and holding hands as the charged atmosphere around them seems to crackle. In the same breath, they lean in to kiss again. Both of her arms wrap around his neck as he tucks his around her waist. He pulls her against him, fully pressed together as the soft kiss deepens into something heated and desperate.

He bites her bottom lip gently before the kiss turns open mouthed and slick. She arches against him as they slide into a slow rhythm. She feels fluttery, like his arms are the only anchor point in the whole world and if he let her go, she’d simply float away. He tastes like lemonade, sweet and alive. She hums as he tracks his hands in a slow circle at the base of her spine. Her knees really do buckle a little as he attempts to tug her closer, but he holds her steady. She rests a hand on his cheek and grounds herself by using the other to grip the back of his neck. She’s utterly swallowed up by him, his arms and his mouth and just him surrounding her in their own little cocoon. He separates their mouths to kiss across her jaw and down her neck, hands flattening on her back. He places a line of long kisses down to the crook of her neck. She lets out a sigh, letting her head fall to the side to give him more room. He sinks his teeth into the same spot lightly, and she shudders. 

"Derek," she whispers. She can feel his smile against his skin as he kisses the same place again.

They slow to a stop, tucked against each other. He rests his face against her neck and mumbles something against her skin. "Hmm honey?" she says, hand rubbing a circle on the nape of his neck.

"I got us that Talenti ice cream you like," he says, only moving enough to be heard. “Chocolate peanut butter cup, and the color changing spoons are still in the break room.”

"Oh Der, that's so sweet, you didn't have to do all of that." Her heart skips a beat. 

He shrugs, kissing the side of her neck. "I wanted to."

She is half tempted to haul him in for another kiss, but as if on cue, her stomach grumbles. He picks his head up and smiles at her. "Come eat now," he says before giving her another quick peck. 

She lets him pull her to the table, but before they sit, she pulls him in again. He chuckles into the kiss.  "Eat, you menace." He mumbles against her lips. Pulling back, he plants a kiss on the apple of her cheek as he guides her into her seat.

She bites a retort about how she was trying to but he sees it on her face anyway. 

"Later, baby girl. Dinner first."

“Then dessert?” She tilts her head and gives him a flirty smile. 

He runs his thumb along her bottom lip. “All the dessert you want, Penelope.”

Much the same as before, they eat in comfortable silence. Except this time he rests a hand on her thigh, and traces a slow lazy circle with his thumb. The conversation picks back up and turns to unrelated things. Derek muses about possible retaliations from Spencer once he notices his new desk plants as he casually offers her a bite from his plate. She takes it, humming.

Something Penelope did not realize had lost its footing resettles in her chest. Nothing is different, not in any way that would scare her or be a loss. They are just the same as they've always been, but also more. (Though she'd be hard pressed to think of a time when this wasn't the way they were. Maybe things are just being unveiled, not changed.) 

When they finish eating, he goes to get the ice cream and two of the fun spoons from the break room. They split the pint and laugh far too loudly for how late it is. The computer beeps for a final time, software finally fully uploaded and settled. She still has to run tests and double check that everything is working, but that can wait. Derek offers her a bite of ice cream, and if he kisses her again to remove the ice cream from her bottom lip, she can't say she minds.

#morcia #derek morgan #penelope garcia #cm #cj.txt #cjs fic #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds

[romcommunist]

what type of soup are you making? want to drop a recipie?

its like a very bastardized thai soup lmao ive made it before its this thing. excuse the shit lighting lol

1. sweat 1 large red pepper, yellow onion, carrot, celery stalk in oil (veg/coconut) 2. add garlic, ginger, thai red curry paste, curry powder, cayenne, salt, optional 2 chopped thai red chilis if you want more heat. i like them. sorry i dont measure anything i just taste/know now LMFAO but start with like 1tbsp curry powder/paste and a little less of cayenne if your spice tolerance isnt very good. i def add more lol 3. 2 can (abt 800ml) coconut milk and either chicken or vegetable stock (if u want vegan or not - box is perfectly fine but if u can make your own its obv better. low sodium if you want more control over salting). let simmer 4. add chopped coriander to taste 5. noodles of ur choice (ramen is good hence bastardized lmao. egg noodles also very good). taste before u do this because the noodles are gonna cook fairly quick so make sure your seasoning is proper here 6. finish w more coriander AND LIME i cannot stress how good lime makes this

you can use chicken (either already made rotisserie if u want it quick or brown your own w your ovens broiler on both sides n can use the same spices in #2) but tofu/mushrooms/water chestnut is also really good in this. when u add it depends on what you’re using lol

when i make this for myself and not for my entire family im gonna fuck around w lemongrass and possibly something peanutty (which will kill my mom so im not doing that rn) but if u wanna go ahead and let me know LMAO. oh and fried onions on top very good

#food cw #recipes #Anonymous

[yongtxt]

hundred [johnny]

word count: 4.5k words

characters: boxer!johnny x doctor!reader

genre: fluff

warnings: blood/wound/stitches mentions, johnny hates hospitals but he likes the pretty doctor, [im not a doctor nor a boxer pls dont say that i have info wrong because I Know]

author’s note: i know this isnt long to some of u but to me it is and i havent written this much for so long im so proud of myself for finishing this:( it isnt that good but this is the first long fic ive written in a while and shhsdjk also i needed to get this out of my system ive thought about this au since that jcc came out where johnny and hyuck was doing muay thai plssss (i couldnt find a better gif tho) ok this is getting too long / feedback is appreciated tysm

Johnny Suh hated hospitals with a burning passion.

It wasn't from a past trauma nor was he afraid of it, it wasn't that serious. He wasn't exactly sure what the cause of it really was. If he had to make a guess, it was probably from the accumulation of the little things, the insignificant factors people would usually dismiss but bothered him enough that it contributed to the big hatred he built for hospitals.

Maybe it was the distinct smell of hospitals, it reeked of death and old people. Maybe it was the atmosphere of the fluorescent-lit hallways, always gloomy and heavy. Maybe it was also the fact that the fees were so expensive and yet the food they provide tasted horrible, even the coffee was a hit or miss. The only upside he could think of was people get better in hospitals, but even that wasn't assured.

Despite how much Johnny despised hospitals, he always finds himself coming back. If he wanted to get better, he had no choice but to go. He would endure the gruesome process over and over again whether it be to treat his wounds or to stitch his cuts.

With his jaw littered with small bruises and his lips busted at the corner, he sat impatiently on the hospital bed as he waited for his doctor. He was fiddling with his fingers, knuckles bruised the same way his face was. He looked beaten up, he always did.

The clothes he wore contradicted the state he was in, they were fresh and laid back. He looked like a college student from the way he dressed. A delinquent more like, if one considered his cuts and bruises. Before heading to the hospital, he always makes it a point to shower and make himself appear presentable to the public. Although no one really bothers to take notice of his effort, only him.

The sliding door opened and Johnny's attention shot up from his phone, his gaze meeting with yours. Your head popped in, peaking through the small crack you made. Your eyes lit up in recognition as it always did whenever you see him.

"Youngho-ssi?" You spoke almost as if it was a question, voice barely above a whisper to make sure you were in the correct room, about to tend the correct patient.

Johnny didn't understand why you always did that, call out his name as if this was the first time you were seeing him. At that point, you've been already acquainted with him enough due to his numerous trips to the hospital. Either way, he nods every time.

You gave him a small smile, widening the door enough so you could enter. You wore a white lab coat, a name tag pinned to your chest and a stethoscope hung around your neck. You were small, although anyone compared to him was bound to be comparatively smaller – that wasn't the point, you looked young and that never fails to astound him every time you go through the door.

You had a clipboard in your hands, scanning through what he assumed to be his condition that a nurse had written earlier after a quick checkup and disinfection of his open wound. Your lips were formed on a tight line, eyebrows furrowed. He continued to stare at you with such amusement.

"You don't have to answer my question, Youngho-ssi, but why are you always here?" You finally broke the silence, startling him in the slightest. You never bothered to ask before, always just offering smiles and small talks while you did your work; maybe his sudden regularity of coming to the hospital recently made your curiosity peaked.

He couldn't blame you. Anybody would be curious why a 24-year-old man keeps coming back to the hospital with no clear explanation.

He cleared his suddenly dry throat, he never liked saying his job. He said, "I box for a living."

"Ah, that makes sense!" Your eyes visibly glimmered, absentmindedly jotting down notes on his medical records. "My coworkers and I thought you were in a gang or something."

"I don't think I would be allowed to be here if I was." He chuckled, making you giggle as well.

"Seo Youngho, 24, minor lip laceration in need of immediate suture." You read of his data from the clipboard, almost comically. It was medical terms he was unfortunately already too familiar with, to him, it basically meant that he had a busted lip that needs to be sewed shut.

"You can just call me Johnny. Youngho sounds too formal to me." He said nonchalantly. You nodded your head to his simple request; it probably was best if you got to know him better since he frequented the hospital so much.

"Alright, Johnny. We'll start the process now, okay?"

With keen eyes, he watched you slip on a pair of surgical gloves. You grabbed a tissue from the metal tray that sat beside him and began folding it into squares. He felt his heartbeat quicken, he hated getting stitches or any form of medical treatments for that matter, but as morbid as it was, he thought of it as punishment for his recklessness in the ring.

"Isn't boxing just, I don't know, senseless violence?" You asked, tone dripping with pure innocence and unadulterated interest as you gently dabbed away the remaining dried blood the nurse failed to clean earlier.

"It's a sport, it's how I bring money to the table." He pursed his lips, ignoring the twinge of pain that surged through his nerves. He visibly relaxed when you placed a hand onto his shoulder to reassure him.

Ever since the first time you got assigned to him, the first thing he took note of was the softness of your hands. You handled him as if he was fragile glass, despite how he easily towered over you. He felt pathetic as a 24-year-old but your gentle touches would greatly help put him at ease.

"I guess. I didn't mean to be rude." You were hesitant, Johnny could tell but he was glad you didn't push on any further. He couldn't handle explaining his occupation when you were about to pierce his skin. "Okay, Johnny, now that your lip is clean and the anesthesia had seeped in, we'll start. I think you know how it goes by now."

"Make it quick, please." He nodded, squinting his eyes shut at the mere contact of a surgical pen grazing over his gaped lips. You were relieved that his cut wasn't too big, you couldn't stomach the idea of putting him in too much pain for longer.

As you picked up the tweezers and string of nylon, you couldn't help but laugh at the six-foot boxer in front of you who was clearly petrified of getting stitches, "This will be done as soon as you know it. You won't really feel it because of the anesthesia, remember? Now count to a hundred backward for me."

Once the numb feeling of nylon dragged through his lips, he swore he saw white spots flicker in his vision. His eyes immediately watered and he tried his best not to squirm under your hold, beginning to count to a hundred backward like you had instructed him to. You admitted it to him the first time you stitched him that it was a trick that you learned from your pediatrician friend. Despite it being for children, it helped to get him distracted while you focused on your job.

Minutes felt like hours, Johnny had been fighting the urge to punch something, anything, to release tension and nerves. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he took a peak and tried to take his attention away from what was currently happening on his lip. His gaze landed on your pretty eyes, how it was narrowed in focus and how your lashes perfectly framed it.

This wasn't the first time he'd observe you up close, there had been many occasions in the past that you had been too close for comfort in order to tend his wounds. It had been too many that it was almost as if he was close to memorizing your features. You were not only beautiful but you were also a smart and capable doctor.

Eventually, you finished and started to rub ointment on his sore lip — the finishing line.

"Try not to eat anything spicy or hard. You know the drill." You grinned at his suddenly pale features, ripping off your gloves as his eyes adjusted to the bright lights of the room. "You're good to go. Be careful next time."

He let out a shaky breath, clearly still winded up from the procedure, "I'll try. Thanks again, doc."

-

The punching bag felt great against Johnny's fists. There wasn't a feeling in the world that could compare to the impact of leather slamming against his skin. He could last hours mindlessly pummeling the bag if his stamina just allowed him to.

Hyunsik, Johnny's manager and personal trainer, drew away from the punching bag he held in between his arms. He let out a breath and held out a hand to motion that Johnny has done enough.

Johnny was hurting, Hyunsik could see that much. The bandages he had wrapped for the boxer's fingers were turning into a shade of red that they were all too familiar with.

Hyunsik clicked his tongue, "You should've used your gloves."

"How can I grow stronger if I keep relying on them?" Johnny rolled his eyes. His muscles needed a boost and this seemed to be the only logical way to strengthen them — a little blood never hurt anybody.

"Someday you're gonna fracture your hand and you'll be forced out of the ring. Remember that." Hyunsik huffed, his voice stern. "Take them off, I'll clean the blood off."

Johnny reluctantly did as told, unfurling the bandages wrapped around his fingers. The pain was excruciating when the fabric grazed along his tender skin, he winced at the unsightly view of his reopened wounds.

Hyunsik led him back outside of the ring to the benches where the first aid kit was. He made the boxer sit down so he could start cleaning off his wounds. It looked horrific, more so than it usually did and he had no choice but to break the news to Johnny.

"It looks really bad. You need to go get that checked in the hospital and have it sewed back." Hyunsik said, taking a wet towel and carefully dabbing it across Johnny's bloodied knuckles.

He didn't want to go to the hospital. Going to the hospital to have his wounds treated meant that Johnny would be medically required to take days off work to let his hand heal. Johnny frowned, "Don't you have an ointment or something that could help? I can't afford to lose a day of practice."

"Don't you think I know that?" Hyunsik rolled his eyes. "As your manager, I want you to be in top shape for your match next week, even if it means sacrificing a day or two for you to heal."

Johnny could only nod. He sat through Hyunsik's lecture on the changes he should make to his dietary plan and the exercises he should do during his temporary break. It infuriated him that he couldn't do anything about it but nod along.

The incoming match that was set next week would make or break his career as an underground boxer. He didn't have the option of missing it because of some measly reopened wounds. If he had to rest to get better, he had no choice but to suck it up. This was his fault anyway for pushing himself too much.

Johnny showered in the locker rooms and changed into nicer clothes that didn't reek of blood and sweat. His hands were stinging but he shook it off.

He ignored the concerned looks other boxers were giving him and begrudgingly made his way to the hospital to get himself checked in. You wouldn't be happy to see him all bloodied again, he thought.

-

Much to Johnny's surprise, it wasn't you who was assigned to him. It was a much older doctor with graying hair and a nose stuck too far up in the air. She was rude and condescending, her lack of politeness to her patients was quite appalling. If Johnny wasn't in such a bad mood, he might've complained already.

God, this day couldn't get any worse.

With a meek voice, Johnny asked where you were and at the mention of your name, his doctor gave him a narrowed look. She sneered, "She's handling much more important cases. Does she know you?"

"I think so." Johnny gulped, unsure of the answer himself.

The doctor's grip was tight and she was hasty. It was as if she was trying to speed through the process to just get it over with. Johnny wanted to cry because he was starting to get traumatized by this doctor's procedure, he didn't want to hate the hospital more than he already did.

He internally screamed for your name as he watched the doctor pull on the gloves. The sliding door harshly whipped open and there you were in all your glory, like an angel sent from above to save him from the devil incarnate who was about to pierce his skin.

You were panting and the sheen on your forehead made it obvious that you ran your way to his room. Johnny's heart leaped with glee.

"Unnie, I'll handle him." You said, unable to catch your breath as you made your way inside. "I think the ER needs you more than me."

The doctor seemed hesitant at first but you tried to convince her otherwise. She eventually agreed and left you with Johnny who had a cheesy smile on his face the entire time since you've arrived.

"So Johnny, what happened this time?" You asked, picking up the clipboard that sat next to him on the bed.

"I overdid the punching during training and it reopened some old wounds on my knuckles. It hurts like a bitch."

You pulled a face, "That's a bit intense."

He chuckled, "It's normal."

"Can I please see it?" You opened your palm so he could place his hand on yours. You observed his cuts and the scabs that were beginning to form around it, it was too deep to let it heal on its own so you made the verdict that he needed to get it sewed back together ⁠— as unfortunate as it was since he was a boxer and he needed his hands to box.

You tugged on a new pair of gloves and began the painful procedure, Johnny started counting down even without you instructing him to. You quickly got to work and stitched back his wounds with your lip in between your teeth

Johnny felt squeamish, he could never get used to the feeling of stitches. His eyes were glued shut and he mumbled numbers like it was mantra.

Once you were done, you smiled fondly at your work. You managed to get by with fewer stitches and you felt pride swell up in your chest. Johnny noticed and, as lightheaded as he was, couldn't help but smile as well.

"You're pretty good."

"At stitching?"

Johnny nodded with his cheeks flushed, he made a mental reminder to smack himself in the head later for such a crude comment. You probably thought he was an idiot now.

"I sure hope so." You chuckled, making him blush even deeper if that was even possible. "It's part of my job."

Johnny shook his head in embarrassment, his dark hair bouncing from how vigorously he did it. He mumbled, "That sounded really lame and not smooth, I'm sorry. Please forget I opened my mouth."

You could only chuckle as you apply the ointment around his knuckles. He wanted the ground to open up and just swallow him whole.

"Please let this heal completely, Johnny. Don't apply any strain on your injuries for a couple of days and refrain yourself from carrying anything heavy so that the stitches won't rip." You said, carefully placing down his hand back on his knee. You were gentle as ever, Johnny swooned. "Absolutely no punching for a while."

"I have an important match at the end of next week. Is there any way to speed up the healing process?" Johnny asked, his eyes were almost pleading at you and you blinked at him in surprise.

"Apart from what I just said, there's really nothing else you could do." You pursed your lips, watching his expression visibly deflate. "If you want to have even a sliver of a chance at winning your match, I suggest you do as I say. Your stitches won't take too long to heal, I promise."

If Hyunsik was there with him, he would've probably already scolded him but the point would be the same. He had always prioritized Johnny's health above winning.

"Okay, doc. I'll do my best." Johnny said, defeated.

"You know, I always see the aftermath of your matches and your training. I want to see you in the ring next time when you're not bloody and beaten up yet." You smiled at him and you swore that all the color that was previously drained from Johnny's face came rushing back. "If it's okay."

"Are you serious?" Johnny asked, almost dumbfounded. Did the pretty doctor he'd been crushing on for months really just asked if she could watch his match?

You nodded with the same hue of red now tainting your cheeks.

"O-Of course! It's on Saturday next week! Please come and cheer me on!" Like a little kid, he excitedly rambled on about the details about the upcoming match and you nodded with the same enthusiast as you wrapped bandages around his hands.

You weren't from his world so everything he said sounded foreign to you. The terms he said, the infamy of his opponents, the prominence of it all — you were eager to learn it if it meant seeing him this happy.

You've always known that he hated hospitals. It was clear from the way he acted during your first meeting. He was stiff and tense, the body language he exuded just screamed that he wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there. As he visited the hospital more and more, you noticed the hatred never faltered. He only became better at hiding it from you.

To see him so relaxed and carefree within the four walls he hated with all his being, it was a breath of fresh air and the feeling you had in your chest grew stronger.

"You're good to go. I promise to see you in your match." You were jotting some last-minute details on the clipboard and you missed the way Johnny kept grinning like an idiot. "As much as I love seeing you here, I hate that you keep getting yourself injured. Keep out of trouble for me, Johnny."

You left the room without letting Johnny say another word.

Fuck, Johnny realized he hadn't asked for your number.

-

Johnny's match started in ten minutes. His heart was pounding in his ears, he almost couldn't hear what Hyunsik was shouting to him.

The underground stadium was filled to the brim with people, he felt more nervous than he did during his first boxing match. A lot was at stake for this win, he needed the belt. He was desperate for it.

"Johnny, are you listening to me?" Hyunsik raised his voice, aggressively slapping Johnny's cheeks together in his hands so he could focus on him. The boxer's mind was fleeting and it was his job to pull him back to reality now.

He hadn't seen you since last week and as much as he wanted to go back to the hospital to see you, he refused to badly hurt himself in the days that led up to the match. Johnny scanned the crowd for your face but he couldn't see it. You weren't there.

At the lack of your turnout, he failed to mask his disappointment. Hyunsik let out an aggravated groan and pulled the boxer on his feet to berate him further.

"Johnny, please for the love of all things holy, look me in the eye."

"I'm sorry. I'm okay now. I'm listening."

"Good because your match is starting soon and I need you to win this. All your hardships and sacrifices boils down to this match, you hear me?" Hyunsik bellowed, trying his best to keep his voice louder than the cries and chants of the audience. "Show them what Johnny Suh is capable of!"

Johnny nodded fervently, forcing himself into a state of serenity of peacefulness. He let out heavy breaths to even out his breathing as his team surrounded him, prepping him for what was about to come.

Hyunsik raised his hand at Johnny. He had five minutes left until his match started and he wasn't calming down.

"Can I please have some water?" Johnny asked and his medic stumbled on his feet to fetch him a bottle from the nearby cooler. He couldn't help but let out a shaky chuckle, his team seemed tenser than he was.

He downed the bottle as soon as it reached his hand. His hand was shaky. Goddammit, why was he so nervous?

At the corner of his eye, he saw Hyunsik making his way over to the barricade that separated his corner to the rest of the stadium. He arched his neck in a way that would let him take a peek what was so important that Hyunsik had to leave his side when the match was starting in a few minutes.

It seemed like Hyunsik was trying to stop a girl who was forcing her way in through the barricade. His stomach lurched at the sight of her familiar face.

As if he was acting purely on instinct, Johnny shot up from his seat and ran towards you. Hyunsik held up his arm to stop him from going any closer to you. You could've been a deranged fan, for all Hyunsik knows.

"Johnny-"

"I know her."

Hyunsik was startled at his response and started to profusely apologize to you. You looked nothing but smug and Johnny let out a breathy laugh that helped unravel the knots in his stomach. The boxer quietly motioned for him to take his leave and Hyunsik hesitantly did as told only after tapping his wrist as a sign that time was ticking.

You bowed at him apologetically, "I'm so sorry I'm late! There was this damn patient-"

"It's okay. You're here now." He cut you off, a cheesy smile on his face. You easily reciprocated it back.

"I just came down here to wish you good luck." You said with the usual confidence in your tone gone and now replaced with a sudden timidness and bashfulness. "Not like you need it or anything."

"Where are you sitting?" Johnny asked, noticing that you were struggling to keep your attention on his eyes. He peered down and realized that he didn't have a shirt on, he chuckled.

You pointed near the walls of the stadium and he strained his vision to see so far away. He pursed his lips and let out a noise of discontent. You said that it was the only seats available because you were so late.

"Why don't you sit here with them? They wouldn't mind." Johnny said, jutting his thumb over to his team who was furtively watching his interaction.

"Oh no, it's okay."

"I insist. I want you to see me win up close."

You blushed a deep shade of scarlet and Johnny grinned at his successful attempt at a flirt. Was it even a flirt or was it an ego stroke? Either way, it didn't matter because you were smiling at him. You were easing his nerves and you didn't even know.

"I got out of my shift early so I wouldn't be in the hospital later to stitch you up." You teased, softly prodding his shoulder blade.

Johnny playfully puffed out his chest, "I don't plan on getting too injured today, I wanna look cool in front of you."

"Whatever you say, Johnny."

"But I'm nervous. I'm actually really nervous today." Johnny mumbled as if he didn't want anyone else in on your conversation, gone all traces of his cockiness as his heart thudded erratically against his chest when he heard Hyunsik's call of the last minute until he has to go inside the ring.

You gingerly reached for his taped hands and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Just count back from a hundred like I always tell you to. You'll do fine."

"Wait for me after the match, okay?" And so you did.

Counting down the numbers, Johnny clambered inside the ring and the bell rang to signal the start of the match. Being in the medical field meant that you were against all forms of violence so you couldn't really watch the entirety of the match without feeling sick to your stomach. Johnny didn't care, he was just happy that you kept your promise and was cheering him on.

It was hectic and everything was happening all at once. It was loud and everybody was screaming. This wasn't your world, it was Johnny's and your heart fluttered at the thought that he was willing to let you in it.

Eventually, the match ended in Johnny's favor and the next thing you knew, you were being hoisted up in the air. You had the biggest smile on your face, similar to Johnny's who now had a shiny belt slung over his shoulder. All his hard work and all his trips to the hospital paid off.

"Congrats on your win!" You exclaimed, placing your palms on his chest to steady yourself.

"I wanted you to see me get the belt." He admittedly sheepishly, reaching out to hold your wrists in his bruised hands.

"Aren't you hurt in any way? We can drop by the hospital if you want." You asked, checking to see if he had any major injuries but true to his word, Johnny was inflicted little to no injuries during the match, exclude the few bruises on his jaw and a busted lip

"Actually, I'd rather we get some coffee instead." Johnny said, the small smile on his lips making you chuckle.

"I'm sorry, I don't date my patients." You smirked at Johnny's crestfallen expression, softly shoving his side to make it known that you were only joking.

Johnny pulled a face, releasing a breath he didn't realize he was holding once he realized your joke. He played along, "I think you can make me an exception, I don't usually invite people to my matches."

"So this is about getting even, huh?" You were teasing him and now your faces were merely inches apart but before Johnny could even think of leaning in, you spun around and grabbed his hand once more. "C'mon then, my treat!"

Johnny let out a laugh. A boxer and a doctor, who would've thought?

#johnny #johnny suh #johnny seo #nct johnny #nct 127 #nct #nct imagines #johnny imagines #johnny au #nct au #johnny angst #johnny scenarios #nct scenarios #johnny fluff #nct fluff #nct timestamps #johnny timestamps #johnny fanfics #johnny x reader #nct x reader

[ncssian]

A Favor: Part Two

Nessian Modern AU

Masterlist

a/n: im so sorry i know i need to start editing these

***

Nesta stands in her guest room at Cassian’s cabin, hands on her hips as she eyes the garbage bags full of things she managed to salvage from her old apartment. 

All of her rain-soaked clothes sit in two huge bags, waiting to go through the laundry, while her books are carefully spread out on the windowsill, floor, and anywhere they can catch enough sunlight to dry their pages. Nesta almost cried when she saw that Lorene had salvaged her few adult coloring books and the art supplies to go with them, still dry. 

For a brief moment, she’s glad she didn’t buy any physical copies of her textbooks this year— the loss of that money would be too much to bear.

A brief knock sounds at her door, and Nesta spins to find Cassian standing there, laundry basket in hand. “I can take your clothes down for you if you want,” he offers, lifting his own basket with a hand. 

Nesta’s lips tighten. He wants to do her laundry with his. Their laundry will get cleaned together. Her underwear will get tangled up with his. 

Cassian’s brow furrows. “Nesta?”

This is her new reality now. She’ll have to accept it at one point or another. 

“We can do separate loads if you want,” Cassian adds. “Feyre told me you— well, she said you might be more uncomfortable with some things than others. It’s totally fine if you don’t want your clothes mixing—”

“No.” Nesta finally snaps out of it. “I don’t care about the laundry. My clothes are right here.”

 Because she has a sneaking suspicion she might be being unintentionally bitchy again, Nesta helps Cassian drag her bags of drenched clothes downstairs. 

“I feel sort of bad for bullying you into this deal,” Cassian rambles as he dumps clothes into the washer. “Which is why I need you to know you can enforce whatever rules and boundaries you want while you’re here. If you’d prefer I never speak to you for the rest of your time here, I can manage that, too.”

Nesta looks at him with a hint of disbelief. Sometimes he says the oddest things. “I don’t want you to never speak to me again.”

There’s relief in his sagging shoulders. “That’s good,” he says as he pours out detergent. “I mean, I was a little worried you were against this so much because you hated me, but you don’t know me enough to hate me, do you?”

Hate. Nesta rolls the word over her tongue, tastes the hard corners of it, and decides it doesn’t fit for Cassian. Not even close. She wonders how to articulate this to Cassian.

She settles on: “You seem nice enough. Obviously, since you’re letting me live in your luxury mountain cabin for free. But I don’t want to set any boundaries while I’m here. You shouldn’t have to change your normal lifestyle just for a guest. Do whatever you want; it’s your place.”

Cassian presses a button and the rumble of the washing machine begins. “I want you to be comfortable,” he says, turning to face her completely. “Whatever you need, Nesta, seriously.”

For starters, it would make Nesta comfortable if he didn’t say her name like that. His earnestness makes her skin itch, but she’s not going to tell him that. 

Instead, she bravely lifts her chin. “I’ve been pushed so far out of my comfort zone that I don’t think I know how to find my way back.” The honest truth. “At this point, you might as well keep me out here.”

Cassian’s eyes narrow. “If you don’t tell me what things bother you, I’ll have to find them out for myself, you know.” It sounds like a challenge.

“Go ahead,” Nesta deadpans. She doesn’t know what Feyre’s told him about her, but contrary to popular belief, Nesta isn’t a glass doll. Sensitive, high maintenance, yes, but fragile? Never.

She turns on her heel and leaves Cassian in the laundry room, determined not to let her circumstances get the better of her while she stays here.

***

Cassian takes everything back. He’s obsessed. 

He can’t pinpoint the exact moment, how or when or why he decided he likes Nesta. Maybe it was an amalgamation of different things, but by the time she settles onto his living room couch with a box of takeout Thai food, it’s safe to say he’s fascinated.

She’s nothing like how Feyre talks about her. She’s barely anything like the woman he met at the dinner party two years ago. The problem is, Cassian hasn’t pinpointed what she’s like. There’s still too many walls in place, but here, as she slurps noodles unabashedly while watching TV with an intense fixation, she’s softer than he’s ever seen her. Maybe it’s because she doesn’t feel the need to defend herself to a sitcom; there’s no self-consciousness, only a deep focus on the Community episode they’re currently watching.

Cassian splits his focus between offering commentary in an attempt to make Nesta laugh and observing her reactions from the corner of his eyes. A few things he’s noticed so far: 1) Her cheeks bulge like a squirrel’s when they’re full of food; she seems to have no shame about this. 2) She isn’t inclined to respond to Cassian when he makes comments on the show, but the corners of her mouth tilting up imply that she likes it anyway. 3) She watches sitcoms like she’s studying for a final exam about them. 

When the episode finally ends, she turns to him and glances at his hands. “Are you going to eat that?” she says. 

Cassian glances down at his untouched container of food, a little surprised, but hands it over to her without a fight. He can’t pretend it doesn’t do something to him to see her eyes light up over something as simple as curry and rice. 

Nesta’s poking her chopsticks around the box when she notices Cassian watching. “What?” she says, immediately on the defensive.

“You eat funny,” he admits. Her brows furrow so deeply he thinks they might create a permanent indentation. He’s quick to add, “It’s adorable. Seriously.” It isn’t something he would have said yesterday, but he’s taking Nesta’s words from the laundry room to heart. He won’t put a damper on his personality as long as she can handle it. 

Her hand comes up to self-consciously touch her cheek, but she quickly drops it. “Play the next episode,” she says as she picks up her chopsticks again, and that’s the end of that.

***

Cassian wastes no time coming up with ways to push Nesta out of her comfort zone, just as he promised. The next morning, he greets her downstairs in nothing but a pair of sweatpants. Nesta takes a long, slow blink at his bare torso, muscled arms, and brown skin, and turns around to get started on making breakfast. It’s not good enough— he catches a glimpse of her reddened cheeks when she reaches for the milk container anyway.

It’s only until they’re both settled in the living room after dinner that he realizes he doesn’t have the upper hand he thought he did. 

Nesta is stretched out on her stomach on the Persian rug in an oversized tee and nothing else. Her bare legs swing in the air behind her, and she’s listening to music and coloring. 

Cassian’s unanswered emails sit abandoned on the phone in his lap. He truly can’t stop staring; there’s just too much to absorb.

For starters, she wears glasses. Big, round, gold-rimmed glasses that are almost slipping off her nose at the moment. That revelation alone is so affecting that he has to quickly move on to other, smaller details. Like the sound of her uncapping different markers and filling in smooth lines on the page before her. Cassian feels a desperate desire to see what she’s coloring. Her hair is up in a ponytail, and her legs…

Cassian can’t say that ever since he first took notice of the beauty mark at the corner of Nesta’s lush mouth that he hasn’t wondered where else on her body she might be hiding little moles and freckles. He just never expected to get an answer so soon. Because right there, where her shirt rumples up to reveal her bare thigh, is the smallest dark spot. 

He wants to put his mouth on it. 

His own thoughts take him by surprise, and he realizes he’s gripping his phone so hard the screen might crack. 

He uncurls his fingers from the phone and squeezes his eyes shut against the wave of desire crashing into him. Desire and something else, something achingly fond and frustrated at the same time.

“Cassian?” The sound of his name has his eyes snapping open. Nesta’s watching him, brow furrowed. “Are you feeling okay?” she asks.

He feels stupid for trying to play this push-and-pull game with Nesta, because it’s barely even started and he’s already losing. “I’m gonna go put a shirt on,” he mutters, moving to get up.

Nesta’s lips turn down a little. “And ruin the view?” She says it completely seriously, not a hint of slyness to her words.

Cassian’s ass falls back into his seat in pure surprise. His eyes widen. “Was that a joke?” Did Nesta Archeron just make a joke?

Her frown turns deeper. “I don’t think so. Was it funny?”

“It was teasing.”

“Then it wasn’t a joke.” She shrugs and returns back to her coloring. “If you put a shirt on, I’m putting my pants on,” she says without looking up. 

Cassian has absolutely no idea what he’s gotten himself into. But he doesn’t move from the couch for the rest of the evening. 

***

By the end of the weekend, Nesta has gotten the hang of being around Cassian. There are several occasions in those first couple of days— slips of the tongue, really— where she pauses in trepidation, worried she’s said or done too much. She is always doing too much. But then Cassian grins, or laughs, or as of more often lately, teases her right back, and her muscles can relax again. 

He has also relaxed around her. Nesta knows that quiet front he put up when they first met was partly for her benefit, because the more comfortable they become with each other, the more he reminds her of the Cassian Feyre’s always talking about. And yet, the person he is with her is nothing like the person she’s seen hanging around Feyre’s inner circle. This person doesn’t make her feel excluded or ignored. It’s the exact opposite— she hasn’t been on the receiving end of this much male attention since Tomas. 

And as much as it surprises her to like it so much, she’s not in the mood for his particular brand of teasing at seven in the morning on a Monday. 

She stumbles into the kitchen fully dressed and more than a bit disgruntled, needing the strongest cup of coffee available to get through her morning classes today. Cassian is already sitting at the island with his laptop, and raises his brows to see her up this early. He dares to smile at her before the sun is even fully up. “Glad to see you woke up ready to play, Nesta.” 

Nesta almost throws her empty mug at his head. “Don’t talk to me,” she says, thumping her mug down beside the coffeemaker. 

Taunting becomes questioning as he eyes her outfit. “You have somewhere to be at this hour?”

“I’m a law student,” she grumbles, punching buttons on the coffeemaker. “I have morning classes three days a week.” It’s unacceptable, but it isn’t the worst thing she’ll go through as she tries to get her J.D.

Cassian sits up straight at that. “Who’s taking you to class?” Her car is still in for repairs, and she has yet to rent one to make up for it.

“I’m Ubering,” she tosses over her shoulder.

“That’s ridiculous,” Cassian says. “I’ll drive you.”

Nesta spins around at that. “No way in hell.” She throws whatever bite she has into her refusal. 

Cassian is unfazed. “It’s on my way to work.”

“You work from home.” He’s not even dressed.

“Then today is the day I’ll make a stop at corporate headquarters. My subordinates get to see my pretty face for once, you get to go to class, and we all win.” He grins, and in this moment Nesta truly hates his grin. It lights up his whole face in a way that should be illegal. He’s probably robbed banks with that grin. 

Nesta doesn’t have the brain capacity to argue with him. She doesn’t even feel like criticizing the fact that at twenty-seven, Cassian runs the entire security division of Night Court Inc. thanks to the help of the CEO, also known as his adoptive brother.

She’s never met anyone who makes nepotism look so good.

Grabbing her steaming coffee mug and taking a deep sip, unflinching at the feeling of her tastebuds being burned away, she meets Cassian’s expectant gaze. “Get dressed.”

***

When Cassian texts to ask her when she’s getting out of class, she doesn’t expect him to actually show up outside the law building with drinks and a paper bag of food. She has to stop and glance around for a moment, as if he could possibly be here for somebody else. 

Approaching him cautiously, Nesta takes the cup holder from his hand and inspects the contents. A green tea and a rainbow-colored slushie. She looks back up at Cassian, and he smiles. “Shall we?”

They end up settling under the shade of an oak tree on the lawn outside where her Principles of International Law class is held. “So how was your day?” Cassian asks as he bites into a burrito. 

Nesta can’t remember the last time someone asked her that and sounded genuine about it, and she almost doesn't know how to answer. “It's noon,” she says.

“Fine. How was your last four hours?”

“Nothing more interesting than yours.” She eyes his outfit at that. She’s never seen Cassian in this manner. Work Cassian wears expensive buttondowns tucked into slacks. Work Cassian must use some kind of fancy product on his hair to make it so flowy, because for the first time ever, he looks exactly like the amount of money he makes. “You look so...adult. I’d almost buy it if you didn't have the taste palate of a five year old.” Nesta sips from her tea.

He actually rolls his eyes at her. “You wish you had what it takes to handle an every-flavor-slushie.” Because that's what he’s drinking, a heart attack in a 32 ounce cup. 

“That's bait, and I’m not falling for it,” Nesta says through a mouthful of burrito. 

“You don't need to.” He offers the drink out to her. “Try it.” 

Nesta stares at the cup, chewing slowly. Usually the thought of sharing a straw with someone would disgust her, but— 

She just wants to know how it tastes. Swallowing quickly, she grabs the drink. “Whatever,” she mutters, and wraps her lips around the red straw. 

Cassian watches intently as she takes a deep pull. Ten different flavors hit her tongue at once, and she thinks her brain spasms. She's too tough to make a face, and swallows the slushie like it's nothing.

“You like?” Cassian looks hopeful.

Nesta slams the cup down. “It’s disgusting. My point was proven.”

He laughs. “Weak.”

More easy moments pass like this before he says, “I wish you came around Feyre’s more often. I could have gotten to know you earlier.”

Nesta stills, food halfway to her mouth. “What do you mean?”

Cassian shrugs. “It just seems odd that we’ve talked more in the last three days than in the last three years I’ve known of you. Why don’t you hang out with Feyre like Elain does?”

She stiffens, and considers whether the conversation is even worth continuing. “Feyre’s always with you guys,” she chooses her words carefully. “There’s rarely time left for me.”

She waits for Cassian to tell her that sharing exists, and that she’s allowed to be at Feyre’s place with Feyre’s friends at the same time, but he just watches her patiently. Waiting for her to go on. 

“Besides, I used to come over all the time before my sister moved to Velaris. You were there, too.”

“I was?” That gets his attention; he drops his food and turns to face her fully. “What are you talking about?”

Nesta nods, but an odd, old feeling is bubbling up in her chest. It tastes hard and a little sad. “I doubt you noticed, but I was there. In the background while you guys got drunk or laughed together.”

He huffs an odd sort of laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. I would have noticed you from a hundred foot radius from Feyre’s apartment. We’ve only seen each other twice before this weekend.”

Nesta is caught between disbelief and disappointment, but she hides it well with a scoff. “We’ve only spoken to each other twice, idiot. I’ve seen you plenty of times.”

Cassian looks like she just came up to him with scientific evidence that the sky is green and grass is blue, and he can’t wrap his mind around it. “That just doesn’t make sense,” he says.

Nesta raises a brow. “Are you implying I’m lying?”

He shakes his head quickly. “No, but— it’s like you’re saying I failed to notice a fucking lion in the room every time I didn’t see you. It’s just not something someone fails to notice. It’s impossible not to notice!” He throws his hands up.

You’re impossible not to notice. Nesta has no idea what to make of that, or whether she should be insulted or not. He didn’t say it with the same backhanded tone as so many of the people she knew in high school, but it didn’t sound like high praise, either. On the other hand, the words are so ironic they’re almost funny.

She settles for a shrug and begins sweeping up her napkins and trash. “Well, it isn’t impossible for a lot of people.” The look she throws him says clear enough, Including you.

He works his jaw, seeming upset, but helps Nesta up from the ground anyway. Walks her all the way back to his truck in near-silence and drives them home.

A/N: you’d think the ‘ready to play’ line was a cute reference but i actually just suck at writing banter so i needed to borrow from sarah.

tagging: @ladywitchling @sjm-things @thewayshedreamed @drielecarla @sensitiveillyrian @superspiritfestival @aliveahaahahafuck @cupcakey00 @sayosdreams @rainbowcheetah512 @claralady @thebluemartini @nessiantho @missing-merlin @duskandstarlight @lucy617 @sleeping-and-books @awesomelena555 @julemmaes @wickedqueenoffantasy

if you want to be added or removed please send an ask or dm!

#nessian #nessian fic #ncssianwrites #nesta archeron #cassian #a favor

[adowbaldwin]

Baldwin x shitty Roman jokes

Rebecca, forever the doting Niece always loved listening to her favourite Uncle drabble on about Rome. It was one of their pass times. He rarely (even more rare then a pink Unicorn) ever spoke of his personal life and Rome but to his Cara? He would almost tell her anything.

Well, except the times he joined in on Mark Anthony & Cleopatra's Egyption orgies but there are things off limits between Uncles and Neices you know? Its just not right.

"So Nero was gay?" She asked astonished "thay certainly did not teach us that in school"

He laughed at her shock "Rome was much like the free world you grew up in Cara. Same sex relations were not frowned upon, men wore dresses, women had vocations. Quiet advanced until Religion and other Politics changed and shaped the world"

"Well, what else did he do?" She asked excitedly. Sure school was great, almost 10th grade but nothing compared to the wealth of knowledge of her family. From private science lessons with Marcus to Spanish with Fernando and history with her favourite Uncle, it was no suprise she was a walking brain box.

He hummed for a moment, debating what juicy details would keep her intested "in 64AD He banned the practice of Christianity in the Roman Empire"

She gapsed "Really? I cant believe it!"

He laughed "thats what all the Christians said at the time"

She pulled a mocking face "Oh you now make shit jokes hmm? What happened to the surly, too serious for humour Uncle from my childhood?"

He shrugged, holding his hands in surrender "cheap shot, i had to take it" he cleared his throat, picking his glass up and swirling the wine "im not suprised he banned Christianity. At the time they critisized the Roman that crucified him"

She scrunched her face up in disbelief "Good, thats a shit way to kill an innocent man"

He smirked "I dont know, i think he nailed it"

She groaned, already internally cursing herself for falling into the trap of his shitty dad jokes "Thats it, you are on a fun ban" she wagged her finger in his face "no more shitty Roman jokes do you hear me?"

He almost pouted. It wasnt a pout, because he was still Baldwin De Clermont but he did have those bastard big puppy eyes "okay, one more then we go back to teaching?"

She sighed deeply, being literally over 2000 years younger then him but feeling like the adult. She also loved being basically the only one in the world to bring out his silly side "alright, one more. Then the plot of 68AD against him"

He nodded smiling "How was the Roman Empire cut in half?"

She played along "I dont know, how was the Roman Empire cut in half?"

He tried to hold in his own laugh, but a small baritone chuckle slipped as his spoke "With a pair of Caesars!"

That one got her. She had a stitch by the time she was done laughing at his awful joke, and he had to wipe a tear.

#drabble #fic #adow #stupid joke #a discovery of witches #baldwin montclair #baldwin de clermont

[aphrodite1288]

Hi

Why are you so convinced there will be a ksoo dating scandal? Have there been hints?

I don’t want my ship to sink 🥺

It may happen. He was discussed to have a dating scandal, i mean he is on the list with many others Bang*tan/Got*7 members as well and , they cant risk B*TS cuz they in the EPITOM of their career, and for Ksoo not now but after his album looong after maybe??? Dunno when exactly But not too soon. He was discussed to have a setup dating back in the years but becuz he was still a rookie in acting and didn't want to ruin Ekso image and schedule S/M didn't want to risk his debuting acting career and damage his reputation and the group projects especially with the damage of having two members dating scandals exposed to the public and one marriage and pregnancy/kid, they couldn't add more damage to the group back then, also HE (KSOO) had to go to military and he wasnt on good terms with SM since 2017 and in military rules, the idol is better to go off to the Army clean and clear without scandals, so it's very preferable that the idol goes with no dating or any other scandal to military in order to maintain his image and insure that in army he will be fully focused on serving his country and not having an affair with a girl or going through court sessions or rehab in case of bad scandals such as drugs or molestation or rape or corruption or bullying etc...

But after military it's okay to have a setup dating, It's necessary to promote his actor image, he must be involved in a relationship to promote his next projects especially if a movie or drama ends up being extremely successful they won't hesitate to promote the couple in order to promote the drama/movie, that's a well known plan all actors go for, they are asked by either their official companies or their current production company and producers to go through dating scandals with their co-actresses wether they were really dating or just set up but in both cases it will promote the drama/movie they starred in. So please expect this sooner or later. IT WILL HAPPEN.

Cuz it happened with many many actors who really dated or fake-dated their co-actresses in order to promote their dramas, some even went to the extent of marriage and they eventually get divorced, i think u may know some couples wether in the korean film industry or the western industry, this is a very common thing, that actors fake date their co-stars to promote their projects especially if it's a ROMANCE 💒 DRAMA PROJECT, ppl start shipping and the shipbase gets bigger and the Romance project gets highest views and box office tickets and highest rates etc.... So the project is successful=Cash Cash CASH 🤑💰💰💰

I can list many many set-up couples from the kdrama industry to the turkish industry and the american industry and the Cdrama/taiwanese and Thai drama industry but im so lazy probably won't do it eventually but i got names but uk me I'm always lazy. Maybe the other admin would do it for me? I dunno I'd have to beg her hahahha.

But i guess u can guess urself some kdrama setup couples and as ksoo is getting his place and rank pretty high in the kdrama industry and is in the climax of his career, he might have one to promote his "straight manly actor who gets all the co-actresses all down for him" image. They may set him up with some famous rising actresses to promote the actress and him and their project as well if they had one.

" It's all about the money money money "

#kaisoo #kadi #love #kaisoo love #dika #kaisoo love story #Kyungsoo dating scandal #it's all aboit the money 💲

[tiliamericana]

Muay Thai: 1.17

Lind A: bring me lunch!

It was after eleven. She should be getting up and opening the dojo. This argument wasn’t quite enough to compel her legs to move from the bed, however, so Nairi lifted her phone and answered the text instead.

What do you want?

Lind A: idk get something you like and we can share Lind A: im at my studio!!

k

The ‘a’ button on her keyboard was sticking something fierce, and the black coating was worn away on the space bar and surrounding keys. Maybe she should get a new phone. She let the blackberry slip back down to rest on her chest as she went back to staring at the ceiling of her bedroom. The blanket was too hot where it was wrapped around her legs, and her shoulder was starting to ache where it had been pressed into her pillow and mattress for too long.

What did she like to eat? What did she like to eat that Linden also liked? Or, well, what was between here and Linden’s studio that had vegetarian options and food Linden liked, was probably the better question.

It was another ten minutes before she could make herself stand up and find a pair of jeans.

Almost an hour after that she’d made it to Linden’s studio, coffee and pastries in hand. Loud music was pumping out the propped-open door, grungier rock floating past the concrete paint can in sharp opposition to the cheerful pop from the last time she’d been here. Nairi stepped inside with her offerings, looking around for Linden.

“Oh hey, I thought you’d abandoned me,” said Linden cheerfully, and Nairi tracked her gaze down to see her sprawled on the floor. She was grinning up at her, hips twisted with one knee folded over her thigh, back pressed to the ground.

Nairi held up the paper bag by way of explanation. “Never. There was just a queue. Are you okay?”

Linden nodded sagely and shut her eyes, rolling her hips back down and shaking out her leg. “I had to pick up a box of glue off the craft shop floor this morning and I foolishly bent with my back instead of my knees, so now I must pay for my hubris.” She groaned as she sat up, taking a coffee from the proffered tray and grinning at Nairi. “Twenty-seven is way too young to even be having these issues, I swear to god.”

“Maybe your back’s just advanced for its age,” said Nairi, setting her tea and the pastries down on an unoccupied stretch of counter space.

Linden got to her feet and laughed brightly as she leaned over to her beat up ipod where it was sitting in a dock on the sill, spinning the volume almost all the way down. She straightened to grin at her head on as she reached out for Nairi’s hand. “Dad always said I was precocious. Come on, I made something for you!”

“Oh, what?” said Nairi, feeling the corner of her mouth twitch up as she let Linden tug her across the studio. “I only just figured out how to hang the last thing you painted me.”

Linden laughed again, letting go of her hand to reach up and pull down one of the two jackets from a hook on the back of the far door. “Well, this one hangs in a wardrobe, so I’m sure you’ll figure that out on your own.”

Nairi looked at the leather being offered to her, then back up at Linden, who jiggled the coat hanger at her.

She took it. It was a heavy, white motorcycle jacket, with two crisp stripes running the full length of the sleeves in red and green. The cuffs were zipped with sturdy silver tabs, and the pockets looked to fall just under the ribs with the same zips as closures. It was high-necked and padded in a way she instinctively approved of, with extra buckles at the neck and waist over the front zip. On the back Linden had painted an ourobouros of a dragon in green and black, its eye the same bright red as the stripe on the sleeves.

“Try it on,” said Linden eagerly, nodding at her. “I snooped in your drawers before I bought the jacket, so it should be the right size.”

Nairi felt her mouth twitch again, and she slipped the jacket on over her shoulders. It was comfortably snug around her arms, and heavy in a way that made it feel like it belonged there. The leather was a little stiff, not yet worn in, and the zip sufficiently toothy so that it took a second try to tug it down again. “It’s great,” she said, looking up and smiling back at Linden. “Thank you, you didn’t have to get me this.”

Linden was reaching up bring down its twin, and she glanced back over her shoulder at Nairi as she pulled it on. “Look, I saw them as I was walking past and I wanted one for me, and then I saw the white and I just hadto.” Hers was dark, crimson like her favourite wine-red lipstick, with thick, soft, elasticated fabric around the cuffs and waist hem. The painted embellishments were little lines of matchstick fires around the wide pockets, and a cherry tree in full blossom on the back, with a vintage style painting of a pair of cherries over one shoulder like a fake patch. “It gave me an excuse to break out the good paints too, the ones I haven’t used since I was a student. I had a lot of friends who did costume shit for theatre, the hardcore kind, it was nice to use them again! And like, I know it’s totally the wrong time of year for warm jackets and I should’ve held out for your birthday ‘cause it would’ve been perfect, but I got excited when I finished them and it’s been hard enough keeping my trap shut while I waited for them to dry.”

“It’s totally fine,” said Nairi, watching Linden give a little spin to show off her jacket before she shrugged it off again. “It’s just an early birthday present. Very early—preparatory, so I don’t have to wait for my birthday once it starts getting cold, and now you don’t have to worry about getting something for the day as well.”

Linden laughed again, ushering her back across the studio towards the pastries. “Oh, nice try, but you’re not escaping the birthday fun that easy,” she teased, picking up her coffee and nudging her broken chair towards Nairi with one foot. “Come on, sit, eat, give me the good goss, tell me how you and Aggy are going.”

“There’s not a lot happening, really,” said Nairi blandly, taking her tea back from Linden and sitting gingerly. The chair held, thankfully, if with a little more bounce than she’d been expecting. “You know, everything’s just kind of… fine.”

Linden pouted over her coffee before proceeding to loot the pastry bag. “Oh, that’s boring though! You two never do anything exciting, and you’ve been dating for like, months now. Seriously, nothing new?”

The impulse to laugh bubbled high in Nairi’s throat, and she swallowed it, wondering briefly where it had come from. “I think I’m okay with boring, honestly. Is your dating life not exciting enough?”

That got a snort as Linden resettled herself to lean back against the counter, raspberry crown in hand. “It’s a little cooled down at the moment, I won’t lie. Like, Simon and I are technically still ‘on’,you know, we’re just not, doing as much.”

“Tapering off, or just laying low from Nicholas?” asked Nairi with a small grin, catching the pastry bag as Linden tossed it to her.

Linden rolled her eyes, taking a drink from her coffee. “Si’s a big boy, he doesn’t need Nick barging in to tell him how to live his life. He’s still fun, it’s just, you know, reaching the point where people start making comments about taking him home to meet Dad and it’s definitelynot that kind of relationship.”

“Because you’re not expecting a ring or because he’s not up to scratch?” asked Nairi, tearing at a croissant.

“Yes,” said Linden, laughing. “Fuck, jesus, I’m nowhere near thinking about that, much less with Si’! That and Dad would eat him alive, he’s got an English degree—the only thing worse would be fine art.”

She hadn’t said it with any malice, so it was probably a normal sort of joke to make? “High expectations to meet?”

Linden grinned wolfishly. “Any partner I nail down better be ready to jump,” she joked with a darkly amused tone to it. “Dad’s good at what he does so he has high standards—typical lawyer shit, you know?”

Nairi shrugged. “Most of the lawyers I’ve met have just been dicks, but I think it’s different when you’re working with them as opposed to like, being raised by one. Is he defence or attack?”

Linden laughed loudly at that, hiding her grin behind her coffee cup again before answering. “Prosecutor, he’s a DA,” she said, sounding a little lighter. “Highest conviction rate in the state, only the best efforts for his job.”

“Damn, alright,” said Nairi, raising an eyebrow. “Kind of a bigshot?”

Linden nodded, setting her cup down. “Yeah, he gets kinda high profile sometimes—I don’t know if you remember a couple of years back, uh, Maxim Bailey? That guy?”

Oh yeah, she’d heard he’d been arrested. Nairi nodded, making a general noise of affirmation, and Linden nodded along with her.

“Yeah, he’s still salty he didn’t manage to get him on the murder charge, despite getting the other convictions,” said Linden, still nodding like a bobble-head. “Caught a little bit of media at the time, too.”

“Hell of a job,” said Nairi. Her thigh vibrated and she set her tea down to tug her phone out of her pocket.

“Stressful, he’s been talking about changing up careers for a couple months now,” said Linden, finally stopping the motion of her head.

Aga D: How’s your day? Any students for the first couple of classes?

She hesitated, chewing the inside of her cheek as her thumbs hovered over the buttons.

“Is that your giiirl-friend?” asked Linden, her drawl long and amused, and she lifted a leg to prod Nairi’s knee with her toe, making the chair spin a little.

Nairi glanced back at her phone, tapping out a response quickly. “Yeah, she’s just checking in.”

A couple yeah. Just having a quiet day.

Aga D: I’m glad! I’ll let you get back to teaching and stop distracting you :)

She tucked her phone away and picked up her tea again, suddenly not feeling much like eating anything.

Linden’s eyes were unreadable over her coffee, but she was smiling when Nairi looked at her. “That’s nice of her,” she said with a funny note in her voice. “I’m really happy for you two, you know that right?”

“Thanks,” said Nairi, shuffling her unappetising croissant back into its bag to avoid Linden’s piercing eyes. “I’m, um. I’m glad you both, sort of, uh, adopted me? Even if it’s in different ways. It’s been good. Really good.”

She covered her expression with her tea, not really tasting it as she drank. Why had that been hard to say?

Linden’s mouth twitched at the corner, just a hint of her normal dimples. “I’m glad you let us,” she said warmly, and suddenly her eyes were back to normal. “You looked like you could use a couple of friends when we met, and god only knows Agatha needed a relationship that actually worked out after her streak.”

“Yeah?” said Nairi, leaning to set the pastry bag back on the counter.

Linden nodded, giving her a rueful look. “Yeah, I mean, she told you how we met, right? Her boyfriend of like, ten years or some shit was one of my regulars, and when she found that out she showed up on my doorstep in tears, it was kind of fucking rough.”

“Oh, damn,” said Nairi, for lack of anything better. Ten years?Agatha had left that out.

“Yeah,” said Linden with an exaggerated grimace. “I mean, fuck, I’m pretty mercenary when it comes to cheating and the job, but even I felt bad. I helped her do some vandalism on him, and then I introduced her to Flo and some nice single people who helped her figure out she was into women, so like, it all worked out eventually, but it was kind of a rough time for her, you know?”

“Yeah,” echoed Nairi, feeling the pastry sink to the bottom of her stomach. “I’m glad it worked out, in the end.”

“Like I said,” said Linden, nudging her again with a wink and a smile, “she just needed someone like you to swoop in and be the good, stable girlfriend for her.”

Her tone was light and teasing, and Nairi made herself swallow more tea before she answered. “Right, yeah. I don’t know how ‘good’ I am at the whole, Prince Charming thing.”

She’d been trying for a joke, but it fell flat between them.

“You’re doing fine,” said Linden, her tone softening a little, and she looked at Nairi with earnestness in her eyes. “Seriously, Princess. You’re doing fine.”

End of book 1.

#book muay thai #series honey tree #serial fiction #lgbt fiction #117 #book 1