#nice garden with some outdoor seating

[bouquet-of-clumsy-words]

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Happy

#is this too deep? #idk man #i just want a house #nice garden with some outdoor seating #lots of cats #cosy #and a welcoming place for pals

[dragon-kazansky]

Bridgerton shade of blue

Benedict Bridgerton x Female Reader

Benedict bumps into you, quite literally, at a ball while trying to escape his mother's attempts to find him a partner. You decide to humour him with a dance, not realising just how entwined you would become with him. It seems the universe will find every excuse to push you and Benedict together, no matter how much you fight it.

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Season one

Chapter Thirteen - Passionate

♡♡♡

A garden party was a nice occasion. The joys of being outdoors while socialising with dear friends had a calming and charming air about it. You found it rather pleasant being in the outdoors.

The flowers smelled wonderful, and you couldn't help making mental notes of some of the flower arrangements for, perhaps, future uses.

As you stroll, you come across the Bridgertons. You smile at Violet as you get closer, though she is talking to Eloise, who sounds less than pleased with the topic of conversation. You decide to narrowly miss this conversation for now and walk past them to where Benedict and Anthony were talking to a couple of young ladies.

Both men seem to perk up at your appearance beside them.

"Hello," you smile at the pair.

"Good afternoon," Anthony smiles back.

"Enjoying the fresh air?" Benedict asks, also smiling. Smiles all around, how joyous.

"Yes, very. This is lovely."

Anthony waves over a servant with a tray of lemonade and hands you a glass. You take it with a soft thank you, missing the look Benedict gives his brother. Anthony elects to ignore Benedict as he smiles at you again. You sip the lemonade.

The sound of someone clinking their glass to signal attention has everyone turning around to look at Colin Bridgerton.

"Can I have your attention?" He asks, looking around at everyone.

"What's he doing?" You ask quietly to the brothers beside you.

"No idea," Anthony mutters.

"I would like to make a small but important announcement," Colin declares. He is standing next to Marina Thompson. "I have happy news to impart. I have asked Miss Marina Thompson to be my wife and she has accepted."

You nearly choke on your lemonade. Benedict and Anthony look at each other. Anthony, in particular, looks less than pleased by this.

People clap around them. You clap for appearance sake, but you look up at Anthony. "Did you know?"

"No."

Anthony steps forward to talk to his mother. You can't hear what they're saying. You look up at Benedict. "I wasn't even aware your brother was courting."

"Neither was I." He says with a little shrug.

Everyone moves to go congratulate the couple. As you pass Anthony, you look up at him. He offers you his arm and you both approach Colin and Marina.

You could feel him seething behind his calm exterior.

After the party, Anthony takes Colin into his study to talk to him. You have no idea what they discuss, but you can take a pretty good guess.

♡♡♡

The next morning, you went to the Bridgerton house to see Violet. After Colin's unexpected announcement, you wanted to know all was well with the rest of the family. They were already without a sister now. They did not need to lose Colin so soon, surely.

Lady Bridgerton was most pleased to see you at her door. She told you they hadn't even started breakfast yet and invited you in. Benedict was there with the two youngest siblings. You smile at him as you enter. He smiles back softly, seemingly pleased to see you.

"Take a seat," Violet says kindly.

You sit next to Gregory, opposite Hyacinth, who sits beside Benedict. The eldest son at the table hasn't torn his gaze from you at all.

"Tea, ma'am?" The butler asks.

"Yes, please."

A cup is poured for you.

"Are you hungry?" Violet asks.

"No. I ate at home. Thank you, though." You smile at her. She returns the smile and picks up the paper in front of her. "How are you all?" You ask.

"Uh, well," Benedict nods. You smile at him.

"Violet?" You looked at her.

"Hm?" She looks up from her paper. "Oh, uh, yes." She nods, and then lowers her gaze back to the paper.

Benedict gives you a look that you understand clearly enough. His mother has been better.

"I suppose it's too soon to hear from Daphne yet?" You ask.

"I'm sure they'll have made it by now. They'll be enjoying their honeymoon period, no doubt." Benedict chuckles softly.

You smile softly and look into your teacup. "I wonder what it's like..."

"The honeymoon period?" Benedict asks, looking up at you with slightly flushed cheeks.

"Being married," you correct him.

"Oh..."

Violet looks up at you with a small smile, her eyes sparkling. "When you marry your best friend, it's the most wonderful feeling of all."

You smile at her. "I want that."

"Youshall have it. One day, dear."

You are grateful for Violet and her kindness. You've never known a more warm and welcoming woman. Your mother was nice, certainly, but she was eager just to see you wed. Violet made marriage sound magical.

You sip your tea and listen to Hyacinth bicker with Gregory over a ribbon. Benedict tries to be the middleman and solve this peacefully. You chuckle at their antics. Gregory tries to get you to defend him, but you put your hands up and explain that you weren't here when the crime was supposedly committed. Benedict also comes to your rescue.

You smile at each other.

Colin walks in.

Conversation becomes quieter. You pour yourself another cup of tea and avoid looking up at Colin. You feel like this may be a little awkward. You grab a slice of toast for the centre of the table and butter it quietly, needing to keep your hands busy.

Benedict seems to realise what you're doing and says nothing to you.

"Good morning." Colin greets his family.

"Morning, brother."

Colin nods to you, too. You offer him a smile which you then hide behind the toast you had buttered.

"Colin, your engagement is in Whistledown!" Hyacinth exclaims cheerfully.

"Hyacinth!" Eloise scolds. You hadn't even seen her lingering in the back of the room.

"What? It is!"

"Very well. Everyone out, I think." Benedict says as gently as he can.

"Yes," Violet mutters.

Benedict calls your name softly. You nod and down the rest of your tea, taking the other half of the toast with you as you rise with the others. Eloise grabs her plate and glides past you quietly.

Colin approaches his mother as you all leave the room. When the door shuts behind you, yo turn to Benedict. "Will he be alright?"

"I'll let you know after."

You follow him down the hall.

The two younger siblings follow their sister into the drawing room. Benedict reaches out his hand to grab lightly at your arm, stopping you from going any further.

"Could I... show you something?" He asks.

You look at him, brow slightly furrowed, and nod. He smiles, that crooked little smile of his and guides you down the opposite hall, leading you toward an empty room. There was minimal furniture in there, which confused as to why he brought you here.

"I like to come in here for some quiet." He explains.

He offers you a seat on one of the chairs in the middle of the room and disappears for a brief moment. You look around the room as you wait. When he returns, he's carrying something.

"I don't usually show other people my work, for, I admit, I am not happy with it, but I would like to share a piece of me with you." He says, placing the book on the table between you.

For a moment, he sits there with his hands planted firmly on top of the book and then pushes it closer to you. You reach out and take the book carefully. His hand slowly slides from the cover, and you watch him become riddled with anxiety and nerves as his passion lays slowly in your hands.

You turn your eyes to the book and gently curl your fingers around the cover, pulling it open slowly, hoping not to disturb the pages. You start from the beginning. Mere scribbles of a person. You turn the pages slowly. Different angles. Different body parts up close. Eyes, noses, hands, lips. Nearly 6 whope pages are focused on hair styles on ladies. There are pages focusing on the folds of clothes and how they hand. Particularly dresses.

You browse the sketchbook slowly and carefully, taking I never details.

There is some evidence of torn pages within the book. You wonder how many times he sketched something and torn it out with anger with displeasure.

"Well?" He asks after a long pause of silence.

You lift your eyes to meet his. "You drew all of these?"

"Yes..."

You cast your eyes on the book again, admiring a sketch of a hand up close. The long fingers, the bend in the knuckles, the lines on the palm.

"You're very talented, Benedict."

You hear the breath leave his lips and look up to see the way his eyes light up with surprise. He clearly was expecting a very different comment.

"You think so?"

"Yes." You nod. "Very."

Benedict seems to relax immensely as he looks at you and then sits back in his chair, looking relieved.

"I want to create something people will remember and talk about for years to come," he confesses. "But I cannot. I do not possess such a talent."

"Nonsense."

"No, really." He leans forward again.

"Can I ask why you decided to show me this?" You ask, looking at the open book again.

"I trust you." He speaks softly. "Are we not friends?" He asks.

"Of course."

Hs lips twitch into a smile. "I trust you," he repeats.

"Well, I'm very glad you do." You close the book and hand it back carefully. "I trust that you will create something spectacular one day."

You had no idea how much your words meant to him or for how long he would end up carrying those words with him. If you could see the artist he wants to be inside, then surely one day it shall come true. Benedict swears on his heart that anything you day could become true just because they are spoken from your lips.

He hadn't even noticed his eyes had glanced at your lips, not until his eyes met your eyes again. You don't seem to have noticed.

"I think I've taken up enough of your family's time now. I mostly wanted to check on Violet after Colin's rather abrupt proposal."

"Yes..." Benedict wasn't entirely certain what you had just said, he just agreed. His mind was reeling.

Had he really just stared at your lips without realising he was doing it. Why does he feel the urge to look at them again?

You stand before he can get the chance.

"See me out?"

He snaps back to reality and stands quickly. "Yes."

You chuckle and begin to leave the room. Benedict follows you, pretending nothing is amiss. He was confused by his own behaviour.

You assumed it was a Bridgerton trait, if nothing else.

Benedict shows you to the door, and you step outside. Your carriage awaits. You turn and smile at Benedict.

"Do not give up."

"Hm?" He looks at you confused.

"Your art. Do not give up. One day, your work will hang with the greats."

Your words set his heart fluttering. He takes a deep breath and nods, not tristing his voice. You chuckle again and bid him farewell as you walk away.

Benedict closes the door and turns slowly, looking at the empty hall of the house.

"I need a drink."

"It's barely 9," Eloise says from the open door of the drawing room.

Benedict nearly jumped out of his skin.

♡♡♡

@callmemana - @lilscast - @imgondeletedis - @benedictbridgertonss - @clownsdiehard - @wxnterwidow333

@sillynilly27 - @autumn-slaves - @ben-has-arrived - @ajdelilah - @aadu2173

@booknerdlife - @tamlinrose - @sarahskywalker-amidala - @cheryyluv - @louschan - @lou-la-lou - @cultish-corner

@hopshusushi - @katherinejess - @nannabug - @afunkyfreshblog - @f0x33 - @dd122004dd -

@jupitervenusearthmars - @orchiidflwer - @bespinnn - @captainlunaxmen - @winchestersimpalababy - @acupnoodle

@ms-fandomgirl - @fablesrose - @anyaisinyourcloset - @meowzerzstuff - @orchiidflwer - @bespinnn - @crazymar15

@cosmixstar - @bree3parchen - @berrnuu - @biancamde - @charmainemaclendon - @pinkpantheris - @krismdavis

#Bridgerton shade of blue #benedict bridgerton x reader #bridgerton #female reader #dragon writes

[tsunami-of-tears]

So High School headcanons

Rhys, Cassian, Azriel, Lucien, Eris & Tamlin

Specifically the part where she’s being touched in front of his friends and stifling her sighs…

A/N: Just something short and sweet to get me back in the groove. I usually get pretty severe PMS, but apparently I get the ovulation sads as well. SO FUN!!

Warnings: Sexual themes, the males are horny 

Rhysand

Rhys may be the most powerful high lord, but there is nothing subtle about him. The male makes thunder noises when he winnows for god’s sake. 

If he’s touching you in public, everyone knows. 

He does it everywhere, using the smallest excuse to show off what is his (respectfully)

You have two thrones in the CoN, but yours doesn’t see much use. Rhys would rather have you sitting on his lap. 

Cassian 

Okay side note - Travis gives me such Cassian vibes (he’s an athlete who’s obsessed with his lady). Don’t tell me Cass wouldn’t be making friendship bracelets with the Valkyries 😭

Anyway - I bet you and Cass have a running competition. How far can you go before someone notices? 

His hand will be inching up your thigh further and further under the booth at Rita’s. 

A gasp slips out and eyes are straight on you.

Busted - Cassian’s hand returns to your knee, starting the game again. 

Azriel

Az will be scout’s honouring you without even using his hands. 

Dancing at Rita’s? Shadows are caressing the curve of your butt.

In the CoN? They slink under your dress, rippling up your legs.

At family dinner? They’ll be holding your legs open under the table as they slip inside. 

You have a similar game to Cassian but if you lose the game with Az, he’s not as nice to you. 

The second you moan out loud, you know you’re in for a rough night when you get to the privacy of your bedroom…

Lucien

Lulu is so traumatised, I feel like he’d be so loving with his mate. He’s also a total gentleman so he keeps his hands to himself when with company. 

That doesn’t stop the two of you slipping into a quiet room in between meetings. 

Or maybe even right before, trying to finish before the other High Lords and courtiers enter and sit around the table you’re currently lying on. 

You quickly fix your skirts as the handle turns. Lucien will brush aside any hairs that have fallen out of place for you. 

You take a seat, knowing your scent is all over the room. Brows are raised as people enter, but no one says a word. 

Eris 

Like Lucien, Eris is traumatised. After Beron’s death, he starts to open up a lot more, finally able to show his court a softer side. 

He made you his High Lady, so you attend every single meeting and ball together. 

He’s shy about PDA at first but after taking you in the throne room (privately), he realised he got a thrill from the possibility of being caught. 

From there, you couldn’t sate him. Anytime you’re by his side, his hands are all over you. 

Tamlin 

Tamlin is the king of outdoor sex. 

Calanmai, in the forest, in the garden, by the pool of starlight… 

He takes you on romantic strolls around the court and it always ends with him between your legs in some picturesque location. 

At least Lucien doesn’t have to chaperone you…

#acotar #a court of thorns and roses #acotar men #acotar headcanons #rhysand x reader #azriel x reader #lucien x reader #eris x reader #cassian x reader #tamlin x reader

[shadowynn]

| the paradigm complex | one |

pairing: ot8 ateez x fem! reader

genre: yandere!vampire!cult!poly! ateez au

warnings: yandere behavior, some cursing

They'll do whatever you ask. Anything you need. Anything you want. It's yours. They'll fulfill your every desire and whim. Give you the life you had always dreamed about.

And in exchange, you wouldn't just give them your soul. Oh, no. They weren't demons. What good was your soul alone when your purpose was better served alive and well? Your soul was nice, sure but it wasn't all they wanted. It wasn't all they needed. They needed your body, your mind. Your blood. You entirely. Every single fiber of your being was essential and would soon be theirs and theirs alone.

The moment you signed that contract, everything would change. For them and for you.

You just didn't know it yet.

And there was nothing you could do about it.

wordcount: 4.8k

a/n: it's here! perhaps a bit shorter than i expected, but as i was getting into things, i figured this was a good place to end the first chapter. i am so incredibly excited for this project and can't wait to start getting into the nitty gritty of it all. if you weren't around for the preview a while back, or just missed it, this piece is inspired by the movie 1BR with the addition of vampires, because I just can't help myself. (though, these types of vampires won't be like your typical vampire) this work will be a lot different than my other, in both writing style and in content, as it will have an overall, much darker tone. sure, they'll be plenty of fluff pieces. like i have so many scenarios in my mind i want to do (helping mc move in and putting furniture together, random shopping trips, movie/game nights, letting mc do laundry at their place when your machine just so happens to 'break' etc.) but their relationship with mc will not exactly be the healthiest. hope you all enjoy :)

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“So, what do you think?”

You were startled from your thoughts at the voice that spoke up next to you. The empty seat beside you now occupied by the sweet-talking man who had been your tour guide for the day - Yeosang if you were recalling it correctly. It had surprised you how young he had been when you had signed in for the open house an hour or so ago and you were once again struck by that very same notion as he plopped down next to you, pocketing his phone and propping his head up with his right arm.

“It’s very nice,” you replied, eyes once more taking in the scene around you. After touring the available unit for the first half of the showing, you had been brought to the center of the complex that was used as a community center. The outdoors area was enclosed by the building around it and included everything from a garden and greenhouse to a swimming pool and grilling area. “And the community also seems great.”

You referred to the young boy currently sitting in your lap, content with scribbling over one of the applications you had been given at the end of the tour to fill out. You didn’t know anything beyond his given name, Junseo, but he had become attached to you when you had noticed him crying on the ground near the edge of the garden. While the others in your group had swept their eyes right past the sniffling child, you had approached him, rustling through your purse for the bandages you kept there when you noticed the cut on his knee. His mother had thanked you profusely when he had led you to her, too busy attending to another part of the garden to notice what had happened. And though you had left him with her, it didn’t take long for him to return to you, preferring your calm company over the few other kids scattered around the grounds while his mother worked.

You thought it strange, but the wave his mother sent you when she saw him with you told you she didn’t mind. It made you wonder just what sort of community there was here for her and the others to be comfortable letting their children run unsupervised, especially with people they didn’t even know. 

It was just another piece of evidence of how nice this place was. You had heard the rumors, but seeing it in person was something else. There wasn’t a single factor about this place that deterred you in any way, and the longer you spent here exploring it, the more you fell in love with it. It was absolutely perfect, everything you could ever wish for, but-

“But…” As though he had read your mind, the man finished your train of thought, a hint of a smile tracing his lips as his eyes traveled to the papers you had left for Junseo to scribble over.

“But it’s a bit out of my price range, I’m afraid.”

A bit was an understatement; the place was double what you could reasonably afford. Though you had known that going in. Since The Paradigm had popped up a few years ago, it had quickly risen the ranks to become one of the most prestigious and highly exclusive apartment complexes in the city. You had known the price for the available unit would be high above your budget, and yet, you couldn’t stop yourself from signing up for the open house the following weekend when you noticed a few spots were still available. It wasn’t often units opened up, with the last one being nearly a year ago, and the timing had been impeccable.

You weren’t really looking for a new place to live. You had one in the south end of town with your boyfriend, and yet, that hadn’t stopped you from looking at available housing in the city on your laptop late at night when he was still at ‘work’, but you wanted out. You had wanted out for months now since you had first caught wind he was cheating, and still cheating, but it had always seemed so impossible. You were still finishing up your last year in school, and even with working enough hours to be considered full time at the bookstore, you could barely afford your half of the rent. A fact he readily reminded you of any time you threatened to leave him. As much as you hated every time he said it, he was right. You did need him. Unless you were willing to sacrifice your own safety and move into a shitty unit in a sketchy part of town, you were stuck exactly where you were. You needed him and he was more than happy to hold it over your head.

Perhaps it was because of this that you had come out today. He had been scheduled weekends at the hospital for the month, leaving you more than free and able to come to the open house without him questioning you on your whereabouts when you left. The Paradigm was a life you could never afford, and yet, it was nice to escape reality for a few hours. To sit and imagine what your life would be like if you hadn’t landed yourself in such a sticky situation. And yet, you hadn’t expected the stab of melancholy that had hit you as you had roamed the studio apartment available, nor as you sat here in the courtyard with the pleasant buzz of the complex’s current tenants as they took advantage of the beautiful day.

“Does that mean you’re looking for a place on your own, then?” he asked, attempting to blow back the piece of hair the wind had cast in front of his eyes.

“Myself?” you asked, unable to stop the tiny stab of panic that ran through you at the mention of you being on your own. Was that something you could really do? Was leaving him something you could really do? “Uh, yeah, it would just be me.”

“Well, if you ask me, it doesn’t hurt to still apply. We’re always more than willing to negotiate prices for the right person,” he hummed, fingers tapping against the table. “Though it would probably be best if I grabbed you a new copy. Junseo seems to have taken yours for himself.” At the mention of his name, Junseo looked up and matched the goofy smile Yeosang sent his way.

“That’s very kind of you, but even then…” You turned your face away, fighting the blush the embarrassment your current situation brought. Despite attempting to dress up for the event, you still stuck out from the others who had signed up. The designer clothes and custom handbags a stark contrast from the outfit you had thrifted the day before. Hell, even Junseo had nicer clothes than you to run around the garden in. “To be completely honest, I really just wanted to get an inside peek of this place. I knew I couldn’t afford to live somewhere like this at the moment, or perhaps ever, but I thought it might be fun to just imagine it for a moment.”

You resituated Junseo’s position in your lap, taking in the people milling around the grounds. It was a beautiful day, bright and warm compared to the rainy days that had plagued the city for the past week. It was the perfect day to spend time outside and enjoy what little remained of summer and you could see yourself fitting in well here. Helping out in the garden in between playing with the few children scattered about. Maybe even take a dip in the pool afterwards to cool off from a hard day’s work before lounging in a nearby chair to soak up the last bits of the summer sun.

It was just too bad it was a lifestyle you could never afford on your own. Not while you were still in school and already struggling with bills and debt as it was.

“But you are currently looking for a new place to live, right?”

“It’s not an immediate necessity at the moment, but yes,” you nodded, “if given the opportunity, I would move in a heartbeat. Not just here, but anywhere. As long as it was safe and something I could call my own.”

“Then fill out an application.” He ruffled around in his bag, pulling out another application and pushing it towards you. “I’m close with the owner and can put in a good word for you. Just fill it out, list the rent you can feasibly pay at the moment, and we might be able to work something out. After all, we’re much more concerned about quality than quantity here at Paradigm.”

“You would do that?” Your eyes widened, wondering why on earth this man would do that for you when the rest of the group you were with would be willing to pay twice the starting rent just for the opportunity to say they lived in the most exclusive complex in the city. “Why?”

“I like to think I have a nose for good people,” he smiled, fingers tapping against the application, “and you’re a good person, y/n, I can smell it. So, come on, Junnie,” he reached for the boy on your lap, ignoring the pout that crossed his lips as he took him from your hold, “let’s get you back to your mother so the pretty lady can fill out her application.”

He left you at that, but only made it a few feet before he was stopped by a nearby couple in the tour group. By the glance they sent your way, you knew they had overheard Yeosang’s mention of putting in a good word for you and hoped to earn a similar feat for themselves. After all, it didn’t matter who was the first person to apply for the unit or who was the highest bidder when it came to The Paradigm. You didn’t get to choose whether or not you lived here. They chose you. And a good word from the tour guide was exactly what you needed to get in.

Not wanting to stick around for the conversation, Junseo wriggled his way out of Yeosang’s grasp and made off in the direction of his mother with one last toothy grin in your direction.

You turned back to the second application he had handed you, twirling the pen in your hand as you mulled it over. None of it made much sense in your mind. Why would they select your application when there were hundreds of others that would willingly pay triple what you could? But even if that was true, and the chances of you getting in were close to zero, what did you have to lose?  What was the worst that could happen? That you’d be left exactly where you started. In a shitty situation, but no shittier than it already was. And on the tiny chance it did go through, well, your entire life could change. You would have that fresh start you had been yearning for so long.

That and, well, there was something charming about Yeosang, something about him that was enticing. It didn’t slip your notice that he had called you pretty in passing, and though you knew it was just the way his personality seemed to be, you still felt a pull towards him. He was someone you could get along with, that much you could tell. Someone that you would enjoy getting to know and become friends with if you had the chance to. 

So, before you could overthink it and talk yourself out of it, you pulled the application closer towards you and began filling it out.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

If there was one thing in life that stressed you out, it was phone calls. You never knew what about them always caused your anxiety to spike each time you saw an incoming call flash up on your phone screen, but you avoided them as much as you could, preferring to either text or talk in person. So, when a call from an unknown number interrupted the song coming from your car’s speakers, you made to silence it knowing that if it was important, they would just leave a message. However, something about the number on your screen seemed familiar and made you pause., 

You didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment, not after all the shit you had dealt with the first half of your shift for the day, but your finger still hovered over the accept button as you quickly searched your brain for the reason behind its familiarity. Thinking it might just be your doctor finally returning your call for the refill you had been waiting for or even possibly a call on one of the countless job applications you had been filling out the past few weeks, you grudgingly accepted figuring it would be better to get it over with now instead of living with the stress of what it might be the rest of your shift. 

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this l/n y/n?”

“Um, yeah.” You shifted the phone in your hand, trying to place the familiarity of the voice on the other end. “This is y/n.”

“This is Kang Yeosang from Paradigm. I’m calling to let you know that your application for unit 604 has been accepted.”

“Wait, are you serious?”

You couldn’t hold back the gasp his response elicited, but you were able to catch the string of curse words before they slipped out. Despite Yeosang’s promise of putting in a good word for you, you had never expected anything to come out of it. Not when you had followed through with his suggestion and wrote down the actual amount you could feasibly pay for the place. And though you had held on to some hope something would come from it, you had already come to accept the fact you would never hear from them again. 

“I can assure you, I’m quite serious,” he chuckled. “I talked with the owner about your application and he was more than willing to accept it as long as you were willing to accept a few additional stipulations that I’d like to discuss with you now if you have the time.”

“Oh, okay.” 

You did your best to hide your disappointment, already fearing the worst. Despite Yeosang’s insistence they were willing to negotiate on pricing, you should have known they would never just drop the rent in half for you because he had felt pity towards you.

“Don’t worry, it’s not like we’re going to ask you to sell your soul,” he chuckled. “You see, one of our administrative assistants recently put in her resignation and we’re in need of a replacement. When we looked over your application, we noticed the address of your current residence and place of work are on the other side of the city and came to the conclusion you would likely be in need of a job with a better commute if you were to move here.”

You felt yourself begin to relax; the dread his earlier statement had caused slowly being replaced with excitement once more as he began to explain himself. Was he alluding to what you thought he was?

“We’d like to extend a job offer towards you here at The Paradigm, which if you were to accept, would cover the cost of your rent in addition to a biweekly stipend to cover any other expenses you might have.”

“And what exactly would the job entail?” you asked, trying hard to cover the shock his reply gave you and trying just as hard to not let your hopes get too high before you figured out exactly what it was he was offering you. There had to be a catch. The offer was just too good to be true. So what was it? “I’m finishing up my last year of university online, but I would still need some flexibility in my schedule to account for my classes.”

“Oh, it would just be your typical administrative work. You’d mostly just be assisting myself and the other managers here and we’re more than willing to work around your class schedule,” Yeosang replied without skipping a beat. “I understand this is quite a bit of information for you to go through and a big decision to make, so please take your time. I’ll be sending an email to you here soon that includes a detailed description of the job alongside the logistics of your pay and housing for you to look through when you have a moment. It will help in giving you a clearer idea of just what you would be signing up for if you were to accept.”

You were silent, unsure of what exactly to say. What could you say? Everything you had wished for the past few months was finally being extended towards you. A new job, housing of your own, and most importantly, a way out of the toxic relationship you had been stuck in for so long. All of it. Everything you dreamed of for so long, now within reach.

There had to be a catch, right? It couldn’t be as good as it seemed, right? So, what was it? 

“Like, I said, you don’t have to give me an answer now. Read through the emails I’ll be sending you and just give us a call back sometime within the next two weeks when you’ve decided.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You had briefly looked over the emails Yeosang sent you over the last few minutes of your lunch break, but it wasn’t until the next morning that you had a chance to sit down and really go through them, bogged down with school work when you had gotten home from work the night before.

You were curled up on the couch with a blanket, nursing a cup of tea as you read through the email for the fifth time that morning, trying to figure out what the catch was. But just as always, you couldn’t find anything. Everything seemed straightforward and in order. No loops or holes or questionable activities in sight. The hours were flexible to account for your current classes, and they only required you to start working full time when you graduated at the end of the year. And yet, despite only having to work half the hours you currently were, it was still enough to cover your rent and utilities, as well as a more than generous stipend as long as you agreed to stay with them for the next two years. 

There were a few other stipulations lined out towards the end of the agreement, but they were menial tasks compared to what you had been expecting, and something all occupants were asked to follow. It was mostly spending a few hours every month volunteering in the community garden - which also paid out in receiving part of the harvest for free - and then donating blood every other month as long as you were in fit condition to do so. You had found this last one strange until you remembered reading about how The Paradigm also ran their own blood bank which served the nearby hospitals, and requested their residents give through the program as part of their fee for living there.

You sighed as you reached the end of the email once again, eyes glancing up at the apartment around you. As usual for a Monday morning when he was working weekends, your boyfriend was nowhere to be found. He claimed work as the culprit per usual, but you weren’t oblivious to his charade anymore, not like you used to be. It wasn’t work that kept him out so late. It wasn’t his twelve hour shifts running long that kept him sleeping at the hospital instead of coming home. And when he finally came home tonight long after you had already gone to bed, you’d be stuck acting like nothing was wrong on the following days he had off.

You had wanted out of this hell for so long, but just always assumed it would be impossible, especially at your current stage in life. He was several years older than you and had a steady, well-paying job as a nurse at the nearby hospital. His offer had been so enticing when he had asked you to move in with him nearly two years ago, but that had been a different time. A time where his pretty face and charismatic character had swept you in before trapping you here with him with no way out.

You didn’t understand why he was so intent on having you stay. It was clear his interest in you had waned over the past year, but anytime you mentioned leaving, he flipped. Those were the nights when everything became blurred. You always went into the conversation with the full intent of leaving, oftentimes bags already packed and ready to go, only to find yourself curled up in bed with him once again the following morning, head pounding, memories blurred, and bags unpacked and put away. 

He was always sweet to you in the days that followed, giving you his full attention and telling you how much he needed you and how much you needed him. Of just how important you were to him and how he would never be able to survive without you. But his words were only ever short lived, and he’d be back to his old habits a week or so later, creating an endless cycle with no way out. Or at least you had always thought.

All you had to do was accept the offer in front of you and you would have that fresh start you so desperately craved. No more shitty relationship. No more shitty job. No more shitty apartment. And no more feeling like complete shit because of all of it.

In front of you was the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity to live at one of, if not the most, prestigious complexes in the city, and for all intents and purposes, being paid to live there. All you had to do was accept. Accept the offer they had handed you and start your life over again. 

And as Yeosang had joked, they weren’t even asking for your soul in exchange. It was simply being the right person at the right time. Not that it had mattered, you’d probably give it to them anyways if they had, gladly giving it away for the hell you lived in now.

Your hand hovered over the phone beside you, debating whether or not to call the number Yeosang had left for you and make the active decision to finally change your life.

“Thank you for calling The Paradigm Complex, how may I help you?”

You didn’t recognize the voice at the other end, signaling it wasn’t Yeosang you were speaking to this time around. And though it did make you a bit nervous, unsure of what the other workers might be like, Yeosang had promised everyone there was a delight to work with, including the upper management.

“Um, hi, this is l/n y/n, and I’m calling about my acceptance into unit 604.”

“Ah, Miss l/n, it’s a pleasure to hear from you. I’m Jung Wooyoung, one of the other Property Managers here at the Paradigm. Is there a question I can help you with or do you by chance have an answer towards your acceptance here?”

“Well, I’ve gone through the email you sent me a few times now and I think…” you paused for just a second, taking one final look at the apartment around you. “I think I would like to accept your offer if that’s okay with you.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful to hear! We’ve all been very excited to have you on board with us here after everything our Yeosang has had to say about you. He has a great eye for people, after all,” he chuckled, easing some of your earlier worries. Yeosang was right. He seemed nice. And if these were the types of people you would be working with, it would be a vast improvement over your current workplace. “We’ll need you to come in sometime within the next week to go over and sign some paperwork before everything can go through and we can hand you your keys. Is there a time or day that works best for you?”

“Oh, well, I’m free today if that works,” you reply, feeling more eager than ever to finally go through with it now that you had finally made that first step. It was really happening. You were getting out of here. “It’s last minute, I know, so if not, I don’t think I’d be able to come in until Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.” 

It was only a partial lie. You would probably have time to make it in before their office closed tomorrow or any time on Thursday, but then your boyfriend would start to get curious as to why you were either out late, or going out when you didn’t have work. And until all the paperwork was signed and everything was certain, you didn’t want to mention any of this to him. Not when he would do anything and everything to keep you from following through and leaving him.

“We could definitely fit you in sometime today if that’s what works best for you,” he replied and you could hear the distant clacking of a keyboard. “I don’t think Seonghwa is too busy today, so I’ll send him a message and let him know you’re coming in so he can help you get everything signed and situated. Does around two work for you?”

“Yeah, that works great.” It was impossible to keep the smile off your face as you switched your phone over to your other ear. “Do I just come in the same entrance I did for the open house?”

“The gate to the parking garage will be locked, but just page the front desk when you pull up and I can let you in. From there, just park where you did before in the visitor section and I can once again let you inside the building when you get to the door.” He paused for a second and you hear the muffled sounds of voices as someone approached him. “Sorry about that,” he continued after a few moments, “Seonghwa just popped in, so I let him know you’d be headed this way in a few hours. He told me to let you know that either Mingi or Yunho should also be free around that time to draw a sample of your blood for testing. That way we can see if you’re fit to be a donor with us during your stay, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat beforehand.”

“You do it all there?”

“We have our own clinic on the property, yes, and though it’s mostly used as a blood bank for our give-back program, our staff on hand is also available and qualified to help with any other medical needs you might have during your time with us. All of which is completely covered.”

“Oh, wow.” 

“It’s just one of the many added benefits you’ll have while you’re living and working here with us. All of which will be gone over with Seonghwa when you’re finishing up your paperwork later this afternoon,” he replied, and you could hear the chuckle your earlier response caused. "We like to think of The Paradigm as its own individual community here in the city and aim to be as self-sufficient as we can, so if there’s anything you ever need, just ask. We’re always more than happy to help each other here. Our only request is that you return the favor for us whenever the roles happen to be reversed.”

And they will. Oh, they will. You could count on that.

They'll do whatever you ask. Anything you need. Anything you want. It's yours. They'll fulfill your every desire and whim. Give you the life you had always dreamed about.

And in exchange, you wouldn't just give them your soul. Oh, no. They weren't demons. What good was your soul alone when your purpose was better served alive and well? Your soul was nice, sure but it wasn't all they wanted. It wasn't all they needed. They needed your body, your mind. Your blood. You entirely. Every single fiber of your being was essential and would soon be theirs and theirs alone.

The moment you signed that contract, everything would change. For them and for you.

You just didn't know it yet.

And there was nothing you could do about it.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

taglist: @penguichuu @peppermint-tea-life @mrcarrots

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#ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez x reader #vampire ateez #ot8 #ot8 x reader #hongjoong x reader #seonghwa x reader #yunho x reader #mingi x reader #san x reader #yeosang x reader #jongho x reader #wooyoung x reader #yandere ateez #yandere

[a-d-nox]

wyrd web: what to gift a person based these three numbers

this is just a theory of mine because these bubbles of the matrix should represent earthly desires. this is not to say that you can't enjoy things not listed in your category / under your energetic number. this is simply what i believe people with these numbers would enjoy receiving as a gift.

1 - the magician

flowers / garden seeds, gear for their passion project(s), business/self-help books, a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, art supplies, things that are homemade/artisanal, careof for brain support, things for their computer or car, a diary or journal (moleskine), sunglasses or blue-light glasses, joke books (for the dads with 1 placements here), paid classes, rosetta stone subscription, genetic tests (ancestry.com or 23&me), manicure/pedicure voucher, merchandise from their favorite singer / group / tv show / movie, mittens / fingerless gloves, house plant, sewing/knitting/crocheting supplies, stationary, or tickets to a concert

2 - the high priestess

things that support their spiritual practices, things that support feminine health (hum women's probiotics bundle, honey pot oral vaginal care probiotic, etc), bake goods / baking gear, barbecue sauce sampler / grilling gear (for the dads pt 2), bar in a jar (for those of drinking age) or really any beverage tester kit, bath/spa kit, beach vacation, boat, cruise, careof for brain support, truly nice melons boob butter, candles (it doesn't have to be yankee candle either - bent candles, spiced votive candle, etc) or candle making kit, imported cheeses, clothing staples (blue jeans, black turtleneck, etc), juice cleanse or other things that support digestive health, cooking classes or meal kits (hellofresh, homechef, etc), a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, or outdoor cameras or other home security tools

3 - the empress

pillows, stuffed animals, rose quartz, personal celebrity cameo, clothing, tickets for an art museum tour, ballet tickets or classes, art supplies, makeup pallets and/or brushes, flowers, jewelry, candy/sweets, money, bells / wind chimes, clothing, designer pieces, cosmetics, dolls, a trip to a fancy restaurant, fruit basket / dried fruits, gardening supplies, jewelry, concert/orchestra tickets, poetry book, tickets to a play, a purse, lingerie (if y'all are close like that), trip to a vineyard (for those of drinking age), couples' dancing classes, or a wallet

4 - the emperor

skincare, rock climbing voucher or some other physical activity they enjoy, an adrenaline rush activity (skydiving, bungee jumping, etc), careof for brain support, crafted wooden objects (cutting boards, tables, etc), coffee trials/samplers, sunglasses, blue light glasses, hair care products/supplies, scalp treatments/care, oral health care (thera breath, whitening products, etc), meditation app subscriptions / in person sessions for meditation, or a planner

5 - the hierophant

moss agate (don't question how random that sounds this is some intuitive stuff), artwork, an architectural tour, beauty products/supplies, historically significant objects, pastries or sweets/candies, earrings, sour dough starter kit, jewelry in general, piano/organ lessons, singing lessons, a wallet, or any classes where they can learn something fun and new to them

6 - the lovers

car stuff (seat covers, cup holder coasters, etc), bicycle or bicycle accessories/gear, books (the more educational the better), briefcase / work tote, bus tickets for a day trip, gym membership or soulcycle classes, crystals, a standing desk / cute office supplies (for the work girlies both those who work in office and from home), hand & foot message, manicure voucher, newspaper subscription (i am a fan of new york times, washington post, and the new yorker), language classes or rosetta stone subscription, magazines subscription, merchandise from their favorite singer / group / tv show / movie, train trip, or we're not really strangers card packs

7 - the chariot

gardening supplies, hermit crab, baked goods, bath products / beauty products, boat, cruise, car stuff (seat covers, cup holder coasters, etc), truly nice melons boob butter, juice cleanse, gut health thrive market kit, glassware / blown glass, stuff they need / need for their home (security system, chest freezer, etc), hotel or bed & breakfast stay, kitchenware, lake trip, pearls, real estate / land, restaurant voucher / gift card, silver jewelry, shopping gift cards, a trip, or intention journal

8 - strength

amusement park tickets, supplies for their passion projects, ballroom dancing classes, tea sampler, games (video games or board games), movie theater gift card, personal celebrity cameo, flower garden supplies/seeds, stuff for their pet, or a belt

9 - the hermit

pet related gifts (if they have a pet that is), bookshelves (they probably need one), juice cleanse, gut health thrive market kit, a cat, clothing, oral health products (thera breath, whitening products, etc), stationary, emergency preparedness (ready to eat meals, fire blanket, etc), cook books, dining ware (new plates/bowls, cups / glassware, silverware, etc), food subscriptions (home chef, hello fresh, pickle of the month club, bokksu japanese snack box, etc), careof subscription, gloves, herb garden kit, a one way ticket to anywhere, or a hiking trip

10 - wheel of fortune

incense, cleansing herbs, bow and arrow, sapling, land, dried berries, budget book, gym/exercise membership, religious/spiritual/philosophical books, poker set, cloth (if they like sowing), wool (if they like weaving, crocheting, and/or knitting), wool clothing, a coat, trip to a country or place they have never been, oral health products (thera breath, whitening products, etc), etiquette classes/books (this is great for the traveler because they are often interested in learning customs before going on their trip), figs, fruit basket (like edible arrangements), honey sampler / royal jelly, horseback riding lessons, lottery tickets, merchandise from their favorite singer / group/ tv show / movie, shoes, really any game, any subscription they have not tried, things that support their spiritual practices, or book on positive mindset

11 - justice

personal celebrity cameo, tickets to a ballet or to an art gallery, air purifier, portable heating pad, spa voucher, cosmetics, lingerie (if y'all are close), closet organizational items (space saving hangers, linen bins, accessory hanger, etc), pastries and sweets, diamonds (perhaps propose to your lover), a dress, tickets to a fashion show or exhibit, flowers, a luxury chair, jewelry, concert tickets, poetry books, any quartz pieces, chocolates dipped strawberries, hair extensions, logic puzzles, a voucher for an escape room, or a kitchen/baking scale

12 - the hanged man

bar in a jar (if they are of drinking age), a book on angel numbers, a book on natural medical remedies, ballet classes or tickets to see a ballet, bath bombs and other bath goodies (salt, bath table, candles, sugar scrub, bath teas, etc), beach vacation, tea or coffee sampler, butterfly farm kit with caterpillars, disposable camera or a camera they would like (polaroid, filming, etc), scientific kits (geode kit, grow your own crystals, etc), cigars (for the dads in your life), unsolved mysteries or crime kit, dance classes, smutty/romance/fantasy books, fairy garden, a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, budget book, makeup palettes or other cosmetic they enjoy, concert tickets, paint, poetry books, clue the board game, a pass to an indoor pool, a book on poppet making, meditation membership or a voucher for in-person sessions, or something to support their curiosity for new spiritual insight

13 - death

hermit crab, a jumping spider, a reptile, homeopathic books for natural cures and remedies, operation the game, butcherbox subscription, a book on how to cook and trim meats, beginners chemistry kit, a colon cleanse, sea monkeys, unsolved mysteries or crime kit, philosophy of death books, books on magic, magic the gathering the card game, period products (portable heating pad, the diva cup, etc), poisonous plants (belladonna, foxglove, lily of the valley, etc), a frog pond, a scorpion, a snake, a burr/boo basket (these people love seasonal stuff), or marie kondo's life changing magic of tidying up

14 - temperance

a hunting trip, bow and arrows, books on religion or philosophy, book of devotions, book on dream meanings (hello, freud haha), a certification course or college class, horseback riding lessons (for the newbie or a younger sibling or your child/niece/nephew), horse drawn carriage ride (for the couples *smirk*), logic puzzles, things that support their goals, or a book of angel number meanings

15 - the devil

a fan or air conditioning unit, if you have the land for it a cow/horse/goat, kinetic tape, arnicare bruise cream (this is a joke... unless...), coal or a diamond (this is also a joke... unless...), a clock or a watch, cuticle trimmer (and other nail care things), room darkening curtains, a happy lamp, lotion/cream, hat/scarf/gloves, hair products (extensions, shampoo subscription, etc), leather fashion-ware, gardening supplies, ice maker, or a juice cleanse

16 - the tower

tiger balm or other pain relieving ointment, acrobatic/gymnastic classes, homeopathic books for natural cures and remedies, first-aid kit, baking kits, barbecue sauce sampler, barbecue sauce sampler / grilling gear (for the dads), gift card for haircut, dollar shave club (for the dads pt 2), metal works (spoon handle rings, metal roses, etc), boxing lessons, boxing match tickets or monster truck tickets, butcherbox subscription, a book on how to cook and trim meats, crafted wooden objects (cutting boards, tables, etc), cactus plant, beginners chemistry kit, cookbook, pocket knife or leatherman/multitool, tool kit, jenga, emergency kit, food, first aid kit, merchandise for their favorite superhero(es), electric lighter, liqour or bar in a jar (if they are of drinking age), rock music (a vinyl or concert tickets), pepper plant, pipe for smoking (if they like to smoke that is - my grandfather had a collection), lego kit, or lincoln logs

17 - the star

friendship bracelets, a fan / ac unit, model airplane, flight lessons, compression stockings/socks, architectural tour, astrology reading, car stuff (seat covers, cup holder coasters, etc), club memberships (golf, racket ball, sam's, etc), electronic devices (a new phone, amazon fire stick, solar portable charger, etc), movie on blue-ray or dvd, movie gift card, a camera (polaroid or another type they have been eyeing), disposable cameras, camera gear, shadow work journal, aesthetically pleasing bluetooth retro radio, streaming service subscription, a book on health or mental health, or a book on positivity

18 - the moon

abstract art, bar in a jar (if they are of legal age), a fish, a fish tank, tickets to an aquarium, cocktail book (if they are of legal age), a fishing trip (for the dads), book of conspiracy theories, the conspiracy theory map, a crystal ball, unsolved mysteries or crime kit, a jellyfish, a tarot/astrology/mediumship reading, a camera (polaroid or another type they have been eyeing), disposable cameras, camera gear, poetry book, hydroponic starter system, games that involve bluffing (clue, poker, herd mentality, etc), shoes, sleeping eye mask, silk pillow cases, new bed sheets, bonnet, socks, a computer keyboard, typewriter, a book on shadow work, a puppy, or a book on dream meanings

19 - the sun

maine coon, autobiographical books, ballroom dancing lessons, poker set, oral health products (thera breath, whitening products, etc), card games, personal celebrity cameo, circus fruit basket, chocolate gold coins, classes that encourage creativity (create it and break it sessions, pottery classes, etc), jewelry or an engagement ring (if it's been more than 2 years y'all should know what you are doing at this point), flowers, indoor herb garden, tickets to race of some sort (cars, horse, sporting events, etc), sporting equipment, ivy plant, a pottery painting voucher / gift certificate, or something for their passion project / hobby

20 - judgment

a reptile, ant farm, a guide on astral projection, operation the game, the chameleon game, clue game, unsolved case files game, grand theft auto video game, assassins creed video game, dungeons and dragons the game, yahtzee, emergency preparedness kit, magician kit, poisonous plants (belladonna, foxglove, lily of the valley, etc), the divine comedy, puzzles, a rodent of some sort, or lingerie (if y'all are close)

21 - the world

gardening supplies, acoustic guitar, air conditioning or fan, architectural tour, teddy bear, snow globe, boots, calendar or planner, supergoop (sun protectant) products, wooden objects (cutting board, chest, box, etc), carpet, clay (air drying or via kiln), a clock or watch, compression stockings/socks, collectible coins, pain patches or kinetic tape, crystals, budget book, lotions for dry skin, dried fruits, gloves/mittens, hair care products, ice machine or ice making trays, ice cream subscription, pottery classes, rain coat, real estate or land, zen sand garden, sculpture, or snake

22 - the fool

flight lessons, model airplane, a flight to anywhere, car stuff (seat covers, cup holder coasters, etc), an astrology reading, bath products, biking gear, movie theatre gift card, clock or watch, club memberships (golf, racket ball, sam's, etc), mood lighting or strip lights, a train ride, fun magnets, motorcycle accessories/training, microphone (maybe they are filming or recording something), patterns for cross stitch / knitting / crocheting, a camera (polaroid or another type they have been eyeing), disposable cameras, camera gear, stuff for the tv (surround sound, sound bar, streaming subscription, etc), or classes for one of their interests

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[natsukishinomiyaswife]

⋆ 𝓓𝓮𝓾𝓬𝓮 𝓢𝓹𝓪𝓭𝓮: 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓜𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓜𝓮 𝓢𝓸 𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 ⋆

Please note: This is a repost from my old blog, @sugarcookiesheep!

⋆ You had never been with anyone as sweet as Deuce, dedicated and determined to be the best boyfriend he could be. You still remember the time before you started dating, how he would fumble and stammer trying to impress you. He would ask for advice from anyone he could, from his friends to his mom to even your best friend. Though his mom was the main person he would go to, calling her whenever he could. By the time you finally met her she seemed to know everything about you, Deuce bringing you up whenever they talked.

⋆ When you had agreed to go out with him, he was on cloud nine. He couldn’t stop himself from pumping his fist in the air, realizing what he had done when he heard you laugh. He wanted your first date together to be perfect, looking up ideas and asking others for their opinions. You remember it like it was yesterday, opening your door to find Deuce ten minutes early, sweating and nervous. He was dressed in a nice suit with his hair styled back, looking a bit uncomfortable as he tugged at his collar. He held a bouquet of your favorite flowers in his hand, his grip tight as he presented them to you, almost shoving them in your face.

⋆ You spent most of date trying to get him to relax, assuring him that you were having a great time and that he didn’t need to be nervous. You liked him as much as he liked you, and he didn’t need to do anything fancy to impress you. As long as you got to spend time with him, that was enough. Towards the end your words seemed to have reached him, his nerves dying down as he took you home. He walked you to your doorstep, stopping at the threshold. You thanked him for the date, saying you should do it again sometime and wishing him a goodnight. He stops you before you go, his face pink and eyes determined as he asks if he can kiss you.

⋆ Your heart races as you nod, closing your eyes as he leaned in, kissing you gently. You opened your eyes as you parted, looking into his deeply as he leaned down for another. This one was deeper but just as gentle, your arms moving to wrap around his neck. This was only the start of your relationship, yet you knew you didn’t want it to end, clinging on to this moment for as long as you could.

⋆ For your anniversary, Deuce decided to recreate your first date, wearing a suit similar to the one he wore before. His hair was styled back, with a bouquet of your favorite flowers in hand. He looked far more comfortable this time around, giving you a quick kiss as he handed you the bouquet. He got on his blast cycle, helping you on and waiting until you were ready before taking off. You held onto him tight, pressed against his back as he drove. You closed your eyes, breathing in his cologne. You always loved riding with him. The wind whipping around you, racing down the road as you watched the scenery pass by, enjoying his warmth.

⋆ The sun was starting to set when you reached your destination, a small restaurant his grandmother had recommended. It was a nice place, with a patio for outdoor seating. You were surprised to find that he had called them in advance, being seated at the same table you sat at during your first date. It was near the middle of the patio, overlooking the gardens. The view was just as amazing as the first time you saw it, with rows of flowers as far as the eye could see. You looked back at Deuce, your heart racing at his dedication. He had recreated your first date perfectly, down to the minor details, some you had even forgotten. It truly felt as if you had traveled back in time, back to when your relationship was new and only just starting.

⋆ You smiled as you thought back to how nervous he had been, panicking when he knocked over his drink. He had been so worried about impressing you, not wanting to miss his chance, that he never realized that you would still wanna be with him, no matter how your first date had went. You watched as he looked over the menu, debating what to get. “You make me so happy, Deuce” you say, a fond smile on your face.

⋆ It takes him a moment, your words catching up with him as he stammers, rushing to reply. He stands up, startling you as he scrambles to lean over the table, taking your hands in his. He looks you in the eyes, his face pink as he says, “Really!?” You laugh, nodding as he clutches your hands tighter, shouting

“You make me happy too! So, so happy!! I couldn’t have asked for a better partner!” ♡

Originally posted: March 2nd, 2024

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾! ♡

#♡.sheep writes #♡.twst #♡.deuce spade #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #deuce spade #deuce spade x reader #deuce x reader

[hometoursandotherstuff]

"The Desert Flower" is a uniquely beautiful home, inspired by earth ship homes, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 5bds, 7ba, $3.754M + $41mo. HOA fee. (You can't even escape the HOA in the desert.)

This home is an amazing example of how beautifully adobe, stucco, stone and wood can be sculpted when you know what you're doing. Look at the glass roof above the beamed ceiling.

Look at this sunny, cozy little space to sit. That must be a light fixture above the table.

Lovely indoor patio is also a conservatory.

The kitchen cabinetry is built with various types of wood, perhaps salvaged. Wonder what they made the counters out of, they look so smooth. And, check out the kitchen sinks. There's even an exhaust hood fashioned from stucco.

This den has a built-in corner desk, a shelf inset in the wall, and some cool shaped windows.

This is a very large home and one of 7 baths has a large shower, a shelf, and a round bowl sink in a vanity that fits in perfectly with the style of the house. I like the shape of the door, too. It would fit my hips.

The primary bedroom is large, has lovely double doors to the garden, plus a lighted niche, small fireplace in the wall, and a cabinet. The scalloped ceiling is also interesting and ties in with the door.

Beautiful en-suite has a nice big vanity.

The cozy family room has a unique long triangular fireplace, a skylight, (this house gets a lot of natural light from the many skylights), plus a cool lofted area. Not the side table in the corner is built into the wall, plus there's a little shelf on the fireplace wall. There are also some built-ins on the left.

This is the entrance to steam room and sauna, with shower. What an interesting doors and look at the storm cloud window in the door. This is so cool.

The doors open to the sauna and steam rooms. Note the control panel on the right.

Another lovely sitting area with a great fireplace and doors to the patio are in a secondary bedroom.

This secondary bedrooms is spacious and has doors to the garden.

I love the wall and how the pebble design on fireplace mirrors the pattern.

Isn't this beautiful? A natural looking tub & shower with a fireplace. This would be my favorite bathroom.

Check out the shower. It has a built-in seat and a little shelf.

Outdoors is a lovely private pool.

Beautiful wildflowers grow in the yard. The home has 11 acres of land.

This is an amazing home, isn't it?

This is the guesthouse.

Patio and outdoor kitchen.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/41-Estrada-Calabasa-Santa-Fe-NM-87506/6845716_zpid/

#pueblo style home #desert home #natural architecture #unique homes #unusual homes #houses #house tours #home tour

[tresapes]

Short Mary & Matthew ficlet

Prompt was Mary pushes Matthew out of his (slight) depressive state during his injury with some tough love. Enjoy!

Isobel and Lavinia started making their way to the Abbey to visit Matthew early that morning, right after breakfast.

They'd found him in the library with Mary, picking books that Mary was pilling on his lap, and he was trying to hold steady. They were so engrossed with the task, they didn't notice them walk in.

Matthew had his eyes trained on Mary, who was inspecting the spines of more books, and he sighed "If we're going to move the entire library to my room we'll need more man power"

Mary didn't even look at him, as she picked another book and dropped it on his pile "You can manage. And besides, you're going through them like you're a man on a quest."

"A quest to alleviate boredom, yes."

She rolled her eyes, turning to look at him now, "You'd be less bored if you ever left the house."

He turned his face away from her, refusing to meet her eyes as he laughed darkly "And go where? And how?"

"We could at least try to go to the village. Just once. It wouldn't kill you, you know."

"No thank you. I get enough pity here, I don't need more of it for the sake of a walk. Or a roll, more like it. Unless you or... anyone else, are that eager to get rid of me."

Isobel saw a shadow pass across Mary's face, almost too quick to notice, and watched as Mary turned to face Matthew fully. He stared up at her with some defiance, as if he also knew that something was coming. Mary had opened her mouth to speak, but Lavinia chose that moment to say hello. Isobel watched as whatever staredown was going on between them was broken, as they both turned to gree them.

Lavinia moved to take her place behind Matthew, to wheel him to the seating area. Isobel stood back, still watching as Mary's shoulders dropped, ever so slightly, and she let out a long breath, unceremoniously dropping the books she was still holding back on the shelf.

"Are you all right dear?"

Mary looked up startled, as if she'd forgotten Isobel was still there. Her features back to their usual mask of politeness "Oh, yes, Isobel, thank you, I'm fine."

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

After they took their seats, Isobel and Lavinia on one sofa, Mary across from them, and Matthew facing them from his chair, the quiet seemed to overwhelm the room.

Isobel quickly decided to get the conversation going "So, what are your plans for the day?" she asked Lavinia.

The girl seemed to appreciate Isobel's strive for keeping their spirits up, and responded as brightly as she could "Well, the weather does look nice. I thought I could take Matthew to the gardens at least. We should get some sun while we can, don't you think?"

Isobel smiled back, if a bit sadly. "I do, it's a lovely idea."

There had been a frosty silence from their other two companions while tea had been served, and both of them hardly spoke a word throughout the visit, Isobel and Lavinia doing most of the work to keep the conversation going, even if Mary had been as polite as ever when spoken to.

She seemed however to have come to a decision now. Because she turned to look at Matthew quite intensely as she spoke "Isn't it just, Matthew. Don't you agree?"

Matthew's gaze was as impassive as Isobel had ever seen it, and she had seen a lot of it in the months since his injury. "What do you mean?"

"I'm just asking. Do you want to go to the gardens today?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

Mary lifted her shoulders, ever so slightly, as if to appear indifferent, but her gaze was steady "I don't know. You seemed so set against the outdoors earlier."

Matthew seemed to start getting annoyed, shifting on his chair in discomfort, as much as he could "I hardly think being pushed to the gardens is the same as being paraded around the village."

"We don't have enough trumpets for a parade. And you still haven't answered my question."

"It's a ridiculous question."

"Is it?"

Matthew shook his head, leaning closer to Mary "What exactly do you want from me?"

There was an obvious tension rising, one that must have been building for a few days at least, and Isobel saw Lavinia lean towards Matthew, probably to sooth him. Isobel put her hand on her arm, shaking her head. She rather hoped she knew what Mary was trying to do here, and she wouldn't let anyone stop her.

"I want you to stop being so pitiful. You're begining to sound like Edith. And I want you to tell us what you want to do."

"Pardon me for not being a ray of sunshine, stuck in this chair all day."

"We can get you another one if you don't like it."

Matthew seemed to come out of his posed indifference then, and responded angrily "Stop being flippant Mary, you know what I mean!"

Mary was unfazed, and she insisted "I'll be as flippant as I want until you give me an answer."

"I won't argue with you."

"That's a first. Let me get my diary, it's worth a mention."

"You don't keep a diary."

"That's beside the point. I'm tired of talking around the subject, just answer my question."

"Stop pushing me."

"Matthew, do you want to go out in the gardens today, or not?"

"I want to not be treated like a child for once! There. Is that what you want to hear? I don't need anyone's input and can decide on how I want to spend my time. And if I want to spend my day reading, I'll spend my day reading." The entire speech came out of him like an explosion, his anger making Lavinia jump while

Isobel let out a long breath, feeling somewhat relieved. She wanted to cry herself, seeing her son so upset, his eyes swimming. But he seemed to have needed it, the tension that had been filled the room to the brims suddenly dissipated.

Mary had dropped the mask of indifference she'd been hiding behind throughout the exchange, and her eyes softened with more love and care than Isobel had ever seen on any face, even as her voice remained as cool and unaffected as ever.

"Fine, then pick a book from the pile after tea. There's plenty of places to read in the house."

His answer, when it came, was finally calm again. And with some humour. "How would you know? You never read in here."

"Perhaps, but I'm not you."

Matthew chuckled, if a bit darkly "Thank God for that at least."

They finished their tea in relative peace, and Lavinia got up, saying she'd brought some of her needlework with her, and Matthew agreed they could sit in the small library, where he could read.

Isobel was following Lavinia out the room, but she turned and paused, as she saw Mary place her hand on Matthew's shoulder, in quiet comfort. She almost got up to make her own way to the door, but Matthew quickly grabbed her hand, stalling her movement.

"I..."

"Hush. Go. Read."

"I've read this one before."

"It will be easier to navigate then."

"Mary..."

They just looked at each, something understood and unspoken passing between them, as Matthew brought her hand to his lips, and dropped an almost reverent kiss on her knuckles.

Isobel walked out the door. She thought they'd seen enough tragedy in this house. But it seemed, there was another one building. And she knew there was nothing she could do about it.

#my fic #mary x matthew #mary crawley #downton abbey

[welcome-to-neighborhood-park]

Julie Joyful and Frank Frankly

Playfellow Engineering would love to introduce to you the second most iconic duo in Home! The joyous Julie and frank Frank shows what opposites attract can really mean!

Characters Information Below

Julie Joyful is undoubtedly the neighborhood’s happy and silliest neighbor! Always with a smile and new game to play, Julie is sure to make your time at Neighborhood Park is never a bore! Her cheerfulness is contagious as this excitable rainbow monster dances around sharing the fun of the neighborhood to all who visit! Frank is her best friend, roping him into her daily shenanigans while he provides his frank and grounded perspective to keep things getting too out of hand. Julie loves gifting visitors their own games to play and has a variety of small bundles to hand out to anyone who asks!

Julie’s house is the perfect place for the perfect photoshoot! With props and Julie there to do your hair, visitors can take home fun and memorable photos of their time in the neighborhood! Also inside her home are many indoor playsets for the little ones looking to play away from the sun. Visitors can also gather around Julie’s dining table to make custom bracelets! Speaking of bracelets, complimenting Julie’s charm bracelet will make her feel inclined to give you one of your own. This is that start of Julie’s Charm Hunt! The bracelet she gifts you is empty and there are a total of Nine charms to collect, one for each neighbor. Julie will only give you her charm once visitors have collected the other eight!

Julie has the most thrilling ride in the park! Pedal To the Pedal is a wild ride the speeds and twirls through all of Julie’s favorite flowers! This highspeed floral thrill is one of two rides at the park with the highest measurement requirement. To get to the coaster, visitors will walk through the outdoor playground and fair. Swings, slides, climbs and more alongside a multitude of fair games like balloon darts and high striker!

Eye Color: Orange Height: 5 feet or 60 inches Age: mid 20s Additional Details: high ponytail, flower belt buckle, earrings, dress pockets, charm bracelet, and matching bracelet with Frank

Sentient. Unaware.

Frank Frankly is Home’s most bookish and matter-of-fact neighbor! While he is well read in many subjects, butterflies are his area of expertise. Don’t let that frown fool you, Frank is always delighted to share any insect and butterfly facts to willing ears. Frank is also the grumpiest of our cast of characters, making him the straight man of the bunch. This contrasts well his best friend Julie’s bubbly and energetic personality, keeping her out of (some) trouble while she brings out his playful side! If you ask nicely, Frank will give visitors a small butterfly toy to take home with them, it’s quite accurate to the species!

Inside Frank’s house, visitors will find Neighborhood Park’s quiet and sensory area. A quiet atmosphere with many sensory activities, this quiet area is a perfect way to decompress and treat the senses. The living room is one of the coziest spaces in the neighborhood, with comfortable seats, blankets, and pillows neatly scattered about. Frank’s reading room has a plethora of books available for all ages, and younger visitors can gather around and listen to Frank read stories from his favorite chair.

Behind and connected to Frank’s garden is the Butterfly Garden Maze. This maze is lush and floral with a variety of butterfly species living amongst the plant life. Frank and Julie worked together to create this fun and whimsical attraction for all ages. With two entrances, visitors can enter from between Frank and Barnaby’s home and exit to Julie’s. Or once visitors reach the center garden, they can take the straight path down to Frank’s garden fence and go through the house.

After making your way through the maze, feel free to take a ride with the butterflies on Frank’s butterfly migration ride Butterfly Go By! Supposedly named after an unreleased duet between Frank and Julie, Butterfly Go By takes visitors on a fun and educational journey alongside migrating monarch butterflies!

Eye Color: Yellow Height: 5'7" or 67 inches Age: late 20s Additional Details: simple beetle shaped vest buttons, right breast pocket, shoe buckles with flower buckle, matching bracelet with Julie, beauty mark under left side of bottom lip (i think its a stain lol)

Sentient. Aware?

#Julie and Frank are open for asks! #these two are my fav duo #the quiet area is also a great place to take my laptop for some work ngl #neighborhood park au #welcome home au #welcome home #julie joyful #frank frankly #cast member information

[m0nswoon]

Palia house update - 8/27/2023

Welcome to my home. Here is an updated tour of my house! Topdown view

3 medium rooms, 1 small room, 5 hallways. Front of the house

Right side of the house - my garden, currently growing blueberries, tomato's and 1 apple tree.

A rustic seating arrangement beside the garden for all small outdoor gatherings.

Infront of that, you have the money makers, my preserve jars and worm farms

Left side of the house - my campfires for making grilled fish for my glow worms.

Back of the plot - my furniture tents, and storage tent. Since we cannot sell them yet, I will hoard until we can.

Main Entrance - with gardening being my highest level skill, I think it was good to go with the farmhouse theme

Kitchen - finally equipped with a fridge and a small hallway, turned into a nice place for plants.

shoutout to my fellow fire signs!

Crafters corner - I decided to bring the crafting stations indoors with the addition of the fireplace I think it give it a nice vibe. Entrance from the living room

Now to the right side of the house, my bedroom and bathroom Bedroom is still keeping with the farmhouse theme, while the bathroom takes an upscale turn. Entrance from living room

I love this rug so much.

Now leading into my bathroom.

Finally with the proper mirror, which makes it look a lot nicer.

And that's the full tour so far! Thanks everyone for looking, and shoutout to the Palia community who I've already made some mutuals with and have been so warm and welcoming.

#palia #palia game #welcome home #cozy mmo

[gottahunt]

“ nothing makes me happier than seeing a plant i’ve grown from a seed produce a gorgeous bloom !! ” ;; @silverjetsystm

animal crossing quotes ;; accepting

Greer had seen plenty of greenery in her time; jungles to botanical gardens, to the little hanging plant pot she had on her windowsill and oh shi—that was probably dead now. Had she ever watered it?

Point was, her own dead plant aside, she liked the outdoors and nature. She didn’t have the best of green thumbs herself but that also let her have some appreciation of people who could keep plants alive and thriving. And Marc (right, sure, mask on and that made him Mr Knight) did seem to have that touch. She wasn’t sure if it was therapeutic or he wanted to make some kind of a statement by having several types of potted plants around his seat. Like a throne. The thought made her snicker, which set off the tingle in her nose once more.

Greer turned away, hand over her face and sneezed. Probably not the response he wanted? Aw well.

Her sneeze turned to a burst of laughter which turned to a grin. “I don’t know what I was THINKING when you said you wanted to show me something, but a flower in bloom?” Unexpected. Even more surprising to hear the words ‘happier’ said in his voice. Funnily enough, that made her happier. “Look, I don’t have the patience for this. So I’m impressed. That was an impressed sneeze.”

Was she going to tell him the flower stank? No way. Happy guy, happy life. This was a secret to take to the grave.

“It looks beautiful,” she had to admit, her bright grin turning warmer and softer as her gaze went to the flower once again. “It’s amazing you got this to bloom…” Everyone needed a hobby, and bringing a seed to bloom was a lovely one. It was nice he could still surprise her.

#silverjetsystm #🐾 it’s just instinct. this cat's got to hunt. ★ ˎˊ˗ greer nelson

[danicruel]

Where the grass grows tall (18+)

Jess McCready x Lupe García fic

Alternate Universe - Cowboys Falling in Love

Summary: Lupe Garcia arrives at the McCready farm to do a job - shoe the horses ahead of the Moose Jaw rodeo and maybe stick around as a farm hand if she's lucky. But when she meets the farmer's daughter, Jess, she quickly realizes she's not only in it for the money.

(Or: Lupe Garcia falls in love with the dirty, feral farm boy Jess McCready.)

(Photo Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Lupe arrives to the McCready farm in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan sweaty as all hell.

The leather upholstered steering wheel of her growling 1995 Ford F-150 is hot under her calloused hands, and both her thin cotton t-shirt and undershirt are clinging to her back. Her dark, chin-length curls are tousled around her face from the earlier highway winds, and she’s trying to get some air flow behind her by sitting forward in the driver’s seat.

“Fuck me,” she mutters under her breath.

It’s mid July, and the truck’s air conditioning has decided to die on the hottest week of summer so far. She’s driven from her little rental apartment in a town called Drinkwater, 30 kilometers southeast of the city, with both of the two-door’s windows cranked all the way down to no relief.

She’s also stressed, so that may be contributing to the sweat dripping from her hairline.

And Lupe knows she shouldn’t complain about today’s high of 29°C, but she hasn’t spent a summer in her home state of Texas for years now. Instead, she’s spent the past few years roaming the Canadian prairies, working as a travelling farrier in the springs and summers for rodeo season and then as a farm hand in the falls and winters when there wasn’t as much shoeing work. She’s built something of a reputation for herself across the prairie provinces, and that’s how Mr. McCready heard of her. Based off the phone call she had with him last week, it sounds like he wants Lupe to work both roles for him.

Today’s her first day, and with McCready being such a well-known name in the rodeo scene, Lupe is determined to prove herself. She could use some steady work and a place to settle for a while. Being on the road has started to wear on her.

She turns down the volume of her ‘50’s Country Hits’ CD as she rolls up the long, gravel driveway, passing several sprawling pastures on her way. When she reaches a fork in the driveway, she slows the truck to a crawl to take in her surroundings.

To the right, there’s a pale-yellow farmhouse with tall double-hung windows and a big, wrap-around porch to the right. A wall of sunflowers sway against the side of the house, and the fenced off garden at the front is teeming with growing produce. Upon closer inspection, Lupe notices there’s a younger man sitting on the porch stairs, hunched over, smoking a cigarette.

From under the brim of his cowboy hat, he gives her a nod.

“You the farrier my dad’s expecting?” he calls out.

“I am – Lupe García,” she hollers back.

“Nice to meet ya, García! I’m Matt. Dad’s in the horse barn,” he points across the driveway.

She raises two fingers on her steering wheel at him. “Thanks, Matt!”

The barn looks straight out of a picture book, complete with red wood, white framing, and two big sliding doors at the front of it. The doors are open, but the inside is too shadowed to see anything from the driveway. Further in the distance, on the far side of the barn, there’s a fenced-off outdoor arena, outfitted with a holding pen and chute.

Another smaller barn off to the left looks to be where the cattle are housed.

Straight out of the early 1900s, Lupe thinks. It's charming.

She parks her truck twenty feet back from the barn’s doors, leaning to grab her ball cap from the passenger seat before she hops out. Outside, the air is sweet with the smell of alfalfa and grass, and the gravel crunches under her chunky, lace-up leather boots. It feels cooler now that she’s not baking in her oven of a truck, and she pulls her shirt away from her skin with a sigh. Stretching her arms over her head briefly, she shakes out her hair before pulling her ball cap snug onto her head.

“García, is it?” a voice calls from inside the barn.

“Hey there!” she calls back, striding toward it.

She’s got her favourite pair of Wrangler jeans on, held up with a black leather belt and her chunky 1994 roping champion belt buckle. In her plain white t-shirt, she suddenly feels underdressed when she spots who must be Mr. McCready dressed in starched jeans and an ironed long sleeve button-up. He’s leaned up against the outside of one of the horse stalls, looking straight out of an 80s Wrangler advertisement with his crisply shaped straw cowboy hat.

He’s also wearing a wide, toothy grin on his face.

“Mr. McCready, I assume?” Lupe approaches him with her right hand out. “Lupe García.”

“Please, call me, Tom,” he says, grabbing her hand for a firm handshake.

Tom McCready is a tall man, at least 6’3 in his boots and hat. He’s lean and a little weathered looking, like most of the older generation farmers are, and there’s a warm friendliness to his tanned face as he regards her.

“Welcome to the McCready farm, Lupe,” he says, gesturing around him.

The barn is even bigger looking on the inside.

There are five stalls and one tack room on both sides of the red brick alley way, and the rich smell of leather lingers in the air. Directly over their heads is what looks to be a loft, accessible by a wooden staircase over to the right, and at the opposite end of the barn is two more sliding doors to match the ones Lupe just walked through. They’re open as well, and from here, she can see somebody riding a horse in the outdoor arena.

“It’s a beautiful place you have, sir,” Lupe says.

“Thank you. It’s been in the family for generations,” he sighs. “Why don’t I show you around?”

“Yeah, please.”

They head further into the barn, passing many empty stalls on their way.

Both tack room doors are open, and from the brief glance Lupe gets as they walk past, they look stocked. She counts eight western saddles, at least a dozen colourful saddle pads sitting on a rack, and upwards of twenty bridles hanging on the walls.

And that’s only what’s visible.

“Most of the horses are turned out today,” Tom says. “You would have driven past the big field they’re grazing in on your way here – you can see it from the highway. The broncs are in another field further out.”

Lupe makes a noise of acknowledgement, wondering to herself how many horses are on the property total, if 10 are just the ones that stay in the stable.

“A few of the horses belong to folks boarding or training with us, but most of ‘em are ours,” he explains. “All of my kids are still so dedicated to it … I suppose they don’t know anything different. They were born and raised in the industry, but it still makes an old man proud.”

“How many you have?” Lupe asks.

“Six – five sons, one daughter. In that order, too.” he says, smiling fondly. “The oldest is 33, married with babies of his own, and the youngest is 25, still living and working here with me.”

Tom McCready is guiding them in the direction of the outdoor arena, and Lupe’s watching the horse and rider circle around the pen at a jog. It’s a long-legged sorrel paint horse, muscled and built out. She’s pretty sure she can make out long blonde hair on the rider, bouncing to the rhythm of the horse’s stride.

“You got a family, Lupe?”

Lupe nods, immediately thinking of her own younger siblings, who she left behind in Texas five years ago when she had been 22. They’ve been able to stay in touch through email, but she’s made a point of being inaccessible to her parents, on the odd chance they did want to reach out.

“They’re in Texas, actually. I moved up here a few years ago and haven’t really looked back. Something about the prairies agrees with me, I guess. But it’s just me here, sir.”

Tom nods thoughtfully.

Now that Lupe isn’t stuck in her stuffy truck, the sun feels pleasant on her bare arms and the back of her neck. The light breeze and shade from the cover of maple trees – in combination with Tom McCready’s warm, pleasant nature – has put her at ease, and she can feel her heart slowing to its regular pace.

As they get closer, Lupe can see that it’s a woman on the horse, wearing dark-wash blue jeans and a white ribbed undershirt identical to the one she has on underneath her own t-shirt. She’s got on a pair of yellow leather work gloves, and Lupe thinks they look almost comically large at the end of her long, lean arms. But then her eyes travel up those arms, and she finds her gaze hesitating at the swell of well-used biceps and triceps, and then further up to tanned, broad shoulders. Lupe also observes the soft way she uses her hands to steer the horse, and how she sits deep enough in the saddle that really only her hair jostles to the rhythm of the horse’s trot.

“Jess, come say hi!” Tom calls out.

The rider – Jess – glances back over her shoulder then, before turning her horse to face them with a small adjustment of her wrist. She’s holding the reins in her left hand, and she brings her right hand up to shade her face and squint across to where they’re standing.

Lupe adjusts her hat on her head.

Jess trots toward them on the prettiest paint horse Lupe’s ever seen. Soft in the eyes, ears pricked forward with curiosity, their coat is a rich, dark red colour with white patches that look like they’ve just been scrubbed clean. Jess rides with a loose rein, and their heads hangs softly.

Then the details of Jess become clearer, and Lupe finds herself blushing.

Jess has a strikingly angular face, with a wicked sharp jawline and high cheekbones that appear to be in the early stages of a sunburn. The bridge of her nose is narrow, and she’s squinting in the afternoon sun, so that her thin, light eyebrows cast a shadow on her eyes below. From this distance, Lupe thinks they’re probably blue or green based off their lightness.

Then Lupe makes the mistake of looking down at Jess’s mouth – deep pink with pouty lips that are pulled up into a smirk – and her stomach drops between her knees.

Standing there with one boot raised up on the bottom slat of the fence, Lupe suddenly realizes it’s been a long time since she’s felt this kind of electric tension in the air – the kind that prickles along her neck and threatens to produce a shiver. Perhaps, she’s just been so focused on securing work and making ends meet that she’s regressed to some teenage-boy level of touch starvation, she thinks.

But despite her roiling feelings, she forces an easy smile on her face when Jess stops at the fence.

“Jess, this is Lupe García – our new farrier and, potentially, farm hand if she feels like sticking around for a while,” Mr. McCready says, turning to Lupe with a wink.

Lupe chuckles, like she’s not at all flustered by the way it feels to have Jess’s eyes – definitely blue – flit over her, up and down. They jump back up to her face, and the two share what feels like too intense of eye contact for a first meeting. Jess’s lips part, like she’s about to say something, and Lupe’s eyes flick down to them just in time to watch her lick them.

“And Lupe, this is my daughter Jess.”

Daughter.

Oh, fuck.

Note: Hiiiii, thank you so much for reading! This fic is on AO3, and I will hopefully be updating regularly, so please subscribe to get updates on it if that’s your thing. I will try to update it on tumblr, but I likely won’t be posting full chapters again. Love youuu, byeeee 💗💗💗

Link to AO3

#a league of their own #aloto #aloto fic #jess mccready #lupe garcia #jess mccready x lupe garcia #jess x lupe #jelupe #smut #fan fiction #fluff #ao3fic #jesslupe

[peekaboo-icyou]

“Captured”

Pov:you get kidnapped by a dangerous mafia boss

The phone rings “hello, can you hear me?” “Yes boss” “good, I just wanted to check in with the special vip you have in the back of your car” “boss this isn’t even what my job is” “I understand this is a very..off topic job for you, your not very used to kidnapping, to be honest I’m not the biggest fan of kidnapping as you can tell, but the person your carrying is a very important person to me I just wanted to make sure your being super careful I don’t want to find a scratch or bruise on them, do you understand” “yes boss” “thank you Bruno I appreciate your work at such a late hour” he hangs up and looks at a picture of you he has on his desk “soon you’ll be home with me…but I understand you most likely will be angry with me which is understandable…I can almost imagine you here sitting beside me getting to know me…” he hears a car pull in and rushes out side “Bruno I see that you kept the cargo in tact” he checks your body “hmm not a scratch or bruise, you do,do remarkable work thank you, there will be a pay raise and a lot of free time on your hands for the next 2 weeks” he Carrie’s you inside, your still asleep “let’s get you into a nice seat for you to wake up in” and hour later you wake up you try to move but there’s chains on you the door starts to open you hear a small gasp “good morning..or good evening I should say” “w-where am I?…” “well your in your new home of course..oh right I haven’t introduced myself properly, I am Wilbur soot but you can call me Will, your future boyfriend and eventual husband, well I’m getting ahead of myself of course, I’ve had my eye on your for quite some time everything you do is enchanting to me, your talk, laugh, your kindness I’ve studied everything about you, I’ve truly fallen for you and I want you to fall for me, and we’ll of course there’s something in it for you, you can power anything you desire with me by your side and all I ask in return is your undying love I don’t want you to look at any one else but me” he smirks lovingly, he gets a call and sighs angrily and he answers it outside of the room your in, after a while he comes back in “we’ll darling it seems as some assholes have decided to do exactly what I said not to so I’m going to lead you to your new room and then I sadly have to leave but later tonight when I come back we can talk however long you want,ok?” “O-o-ok…” he leads you to your room and when you go inside it’s an exact replica of your room at home except the windows are made of bulletproof glass and everything is child proof so you can’t hurt your self, he taps your shoulder “I’ll be back in an hour or 2 darling ok?” He kisses your forehead you sniffle and flinch “shut did I make you uncomfortable I’m so sorry, I-I’ll just go bye!” He leaves for the next few weeks he brings you food and comes to talk to you but you haven’t been outside your room at all besides to use the bathroom but that’s still technically in your room, and you’ve been feeling sad because one of your favorite things is going outside, Wilbur noticed this immediately and has been trying to ask you what’s wrong without really asking, “darling you know if you ever need anything you can ask me…” he caresses your face, you’ve kinda warmed up to him so you lean into his touch, “I-I know” “so what’s wrong?” “Nothing…” “darling I know something is wrong if you tell me I’ll give you something in return, how that sound” you contemplate telling him and you decide to “I-it’s just I-I miss the outdoors….” He smiles happy your starting to open up to him “I can have something arranged if that’s what you’d like, I can have a small garden built for you, how’s that sound?” He smiles softly cupping your face in his hands “you don’t have to” “well I may not need to but I want to, whatever makes you happy makes me happy” you smile softly “there’s the face I love…so darling what do you want for dinner?” “Pancakes?” He chuckles “yes darling”

Please send requests for the mafia au

#wilbur x reader #wilbur x y/n #wilbur x you #mcyt x you #wilbur soot x reader #wilbur x reader fluff #mcyt wilbur #mcyt x reader #mafia au

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Okay, this is weird. Apparently, this Pueblo style home on the Rio Grande River in Embudo, New Mexico, was a commune. But, the commune members lived across the river and hosted some famous guests here, like Bob Dylan. The description says that they used the now-restored log cabin to share meals and birth babies (and, it didn't have utilities or plumbing back then). 2bds, 2ba, $1.490M.

The property can be used as a venue b/c it has parking for 100 cars. The home is fine as a single family, but plans were drawn up by architect Greg Allegretti for a future expansion of 2bds, 1ba, and an outdoor deck w/a fireplace. They, also planned to enlarge the current office into a casita. (Additionally, the property is known for its weddings and the cabin is used as a VRBO rental.)

The front door leads into this step-down room with a cute corner fireplace. It looks like they're using it as a guest room.

The home has an open concept living/dining room.

But, it's a relatively small space. There're nice big beams in the ceiling and a stone fireplace in the corner. Doors open out to the garden.

The everyday dining table is right outside the kitchen.

And, there are doors that open directly to the patio.

Cute modern knotty pine cabinetry. Love the reproduction vintage stove, too.

Stairs to the 2nd level bedrooms.

The primary bedroom has 2 sweet window seats on either side of the bed.

I doubt if you can actually see it from the tub, but there's a view of the Rio Grande.

Bedroom #2 is in a loft overlooking the main floor and the rooftop deck.

This small enclosed porch looks like it's also used as a guest room.

The property is beautiful and the lot measures 2.70 acres.

This stone arch and wall make a nice entrance to another area of the property.

Small patio among the trees.

The adobe wall that extends along part of the river bank.

It's a very peaceful looking property. I wouldn't enlarge it to make it a venue.

#pueblo style home #log cabins #houses #house tours #home tour

[camels-pen]

ride to the end

Summary: The kids are taking a school trip out of state. They try to pass time on the early morning train.

based on @summerssixecho's prompt "Oh, no, I thought you meant the red vial." and @ave-aria's prompt "Post Reveal: Team Phantom plays Never Have I Ever with the A-Listers. Things get out of hand very quickly. (Bonus: can include Valerie)"

Ao3 Link

An early morning train ride in the middle of November—where it’s dark outside the window and you can only vaguely see the outlines for things thanks to streetlights dotted here and there when you pass over a bridge, near a street, or through a train stop—is pretty peaceful, all things considered.

The passengers are quiet, getting an extra few hours rest before they reach their stop and the trip can begin. Most passengers anyway. 

Sam and Tucker sit across from you, a deck of cards on the table. Valerie sits next to you, taking the last empty seat at your booth and flipping through one of the books assigned for English. The people in the booth across from you sound awake too, but your eyes are drawn to the glass.

You want to talk about how you could only really see your surroundings if you allow your eyes to fall out of focus. How the more you try to pay attention—the more you try to squint—the less you could see the outdoors. How you could only see your reflection in the window, otherwise.

You want to talk about how nice the world is, out of focus. How looking out, but not looking too hard, would let you experience it in a way that seemed never ending. How the continuous visuals of vague outlines of trees, rivers, and changing landscapes could make you think there was no final stop. That you could stay on and ride until you were ready to leave it behind. Ready to take the next step on your journey, wherever that may be.

You want to, but you don’t want to sound weird.

So until you reach your stop—the real one that you are, in fact, headed towards—you huddle further into your thick sweater, tuck your hands deeper into your pocket, and listen to the rumbling chink cha-chink of the train running along the tracks beneath you. 

The smell of hot food makes your stomach rumble. Your attention draws to the aisle. A woman offers boxes of breakfast made fresh in the kitchen car not long ago. You and your friends take some. The group across from you—the A-listers, surprisingly—take some too.

The woman leaves. Everyone starts to eat. There’s more than one person complaining about the choice of food and portions. 

“Shoulda had more meat,” Tucker mumbles, digging into the sausages.

“Should’ve had a vegan option,” Sam says, peeling open a package of apple slices.

“Or display all the food as a buffet,” Paulina says quietly, stifling a yawn as she pokes at her meal. “It would literally solve everything.”

Everyone else mumbles some kind of agreement. You and Tucker both hand Sam your fruit cups and hash browns. Valerie does the same.

“‘M not gonna finish all this. And I really hate how these taste.” Sam used her fork to nudge away the fruit cups. 

“Trade?” Kwan asked, holding a bag of baby carrots. At you and your friends’ staring, he shrugs. “Mom always makes me bring a healthy snack.”

Sam agrees. And like they were all waiting for permission, each of them starts to toss food back and forth, you included. You are one of the first to stop. They continue on. You start on your meal. While you chew, you try to look at the others the way you did the passing scenery, but it doesn’t work as well. The outside world was nicer, out of focus, but the inside world had its charm in the details.

Valerie’s scattered papers on the table, each with her name messily written at the top. Tucker’s PDA and stylus, speckled with bits of scrambled eggs despite how careful he tries to be. Sam’s palms, smudged with what was almost certainly soil from her garden. Each one of the A-listers’ tired faces. The different bedheads they all—minus Paulina—are sporting. You drink it all in. You find comfort in it. Your friends are relaxed and the trip out of state would mean they would stay that way for the rest of the week, no worry of ghosts coming to interrupt them. And you find comfort in the details of the others, too. That despite how high and mighty they like to seem, despite how carefully they craft their images, they are human. Just like you.

Long after your plate was clean, you continued to enjoy it. And it was all well and good until everyone else had finished their breakfasts and you all were left with a pile of fruit cups that no one wanted to eat.

The thought of wasting food doesn’t sit right with Sam and Kwan, and after seeing—and starting—one too many food fights, Dash is certain Lancer would yell at them for it. None of them wanted to deal with that and neither did you; it wouldn’t be a good way to start the trip.

So, they plot. 

Dash suggests pelting some of the other students with them, so they get caught with the food instead of us. Tucker says he just wants to hit unsuspecting nerds with it and he doesn’t deny it.

Kwan, with Sam’s approval, suggests putting them away in their bags to take home with them or eventually give them to someone who does want to eat it. Valerie rejects it and says something about not wanting her homework to get all sticky.

Star asks why they can’t just return the fruit cups to the kitchen car, since they’re still sealed. Paulina says it would be rude to just return the food, and besides she’s got a better idea.

You watch quietly as Paulina passes out one fruit cup to everyone. She sticks her straw through the lid of her own. “Never Have I Ever. Instead of taking a shot, you drink a sip of the juice in the cup.”

You feel a hint of disgust just thinking about it. The others look to feel the same. “I’m in,” you say.

The A-listers, either emboldened by your choice or bored out of their minds, are soon to agree. Tucker shrugs and agrees as well. Valerie, when prompted, gives her own distracted agreement, nose buried back between the pages of Lord of the Flies.

Sam groans. “I’m really gonna hate this.” She agrees anyway.

The minutes tick by. You become a little more awake while playing the game, laughing at specific scenarios meant to target friends. You try to do the same with Tucker and get more than a little offended when he turns the tables on you.

“Never Have I Ever been turned into a half-ghost!” he whisper-shouts.

You grumble and try to take a sip, but you’re sucking on air. You smirk. “It’s a shame, but I’m out.” You hold up your cup and shake it a little. Tucker squints at it. “Guess, we’ll have to end it there.”

“Nuh uh, not how it works, Fenton,” Dash says. “You gotta drink first. Anyone got some fruit juice left?”

There was a chorus of “no”s and with the light from the sun quickly peeking up over the horizon, you’re sure you’re gonna be home free. Dash tries shaking everyone’s cups just in case and you turn back to the window, wanting to savour the scenery again, now that it is easier to see. You miss the near pitch black of the early morning, but this—this was good too.

Dash makes a sound of triumph. Valerie makes a sound of protest. In his hands is a clear plastic bag with two vials. 

Valerie doesn’t want to lose her energy drink experiments to a dumb game. Dash says she can make more later, but that you need to drink one now to “preserve the sanctity of Never Have I Ever”. 

You didn’t even know Dash knew what the word “sanctity” meant. Honestly, you think he still might not. 

Valerie sighs. Rubs the bridge of her nose. “Fine, just give him the skinny vial.”

Dash hands you a vial. You’re hesitant to pop the cork.

“Aww don’t be a wuss. Where’s all that courage you have as Phantom, when you’re beating up ghosts twice your size?” You think he makes a good point, sort of. You still don’t want to drink it. “Just slam it back quick and you won’t even taste it.”

“Isn’t tasting it the whole point?” Star mumbles.

“You don’t… have to.” You look at Sam. She looks worried. “We won’t think less of you or anything.”

“Speak for yourself,” Tucker said. He raised a fist in the air. “Slam it home, Danny!”

“Slam it home, Fenton!” Dash and Kwan say.

And. Well. You can’t just not drink it now. 

So, you pull off the cork, ignore the upsetting smell, and chug it in one go. Dash, Kwan, and Tucker cheer you on.

It tastes. Bad. Worse than your mom’s ectowieners. You didn’t think that was possible.

It burns. Going down. A pain that spreads through your mouth, your throat, and—and your stomach. Ancients, your stomach. 

You don’t notice much else other than the acid-like burning. You clutch at your stomach. Someone shakes your shoulder. You can’t quite hear what they say to you. It comes out distorted and practically inaudible.

Somehow, this was worse than being surrounded by blood blossoms during your trip through time. You didn’t think that was possible.

Your vision starts to fall out of focus. You start to feel slower, too. One moment, you’re slumped on the table. The next, you’re laying sideways on the bench and someone’s hand is pressed against your forehead. 

“You gave him the blue vial, right?” Valerie’s fuzzy voice says above him.

Everything looks fuzzy. 

Dash answers, “Oh, no, I thought you meant the red vial.”

You think you don’t like the world losing focus like this.

#Danny phantom #phic #phic phight #phic phight 2023 #nemo the writing ho

[garden-with-squid]

8/31/23

Last day of August! Just passed another heatwave, so I watered, pruned, and fertilized. I removed the Black Cherry tomato, may it rest in peace, because it looked spent. Your fruit made so many bowls of pasta - store bought does not hold a candle to your deliciousness.

For seeds, the onions are leggy but alright (I added sifted compost and half strength fertilizer), the lettuce has germinated, and the zinnias look amazing. I think the compost mix really held moisture like I wanted. And since I struggle with starting indoors, I sowed some more onion seeds in an outdoor container. It’s shallots, then Texas early, then red onion (I think)

This rest of this post under the cut will be a season review and planning for fall.

Summer season review: Overall, I did experience the same garden fatigue from the heat and watering, even though this summer was way more mild than last year. The ollas work great so far, so maybe that will help next year. I loved every bowl of homegrown cherry tomato pasta we made, and we even got some chilies and bell peppers. Great improvements over last year!

While it will stay hot for another month or two, I’m excited to try new things during fall. Apparently, California’s expecting lower than average temps and more rain; the whole year’s been like that.

Considerations for fall:

How densely do I plant to soak up extra water while allowing airflow/avoiding disease?

Will be there be enough sunlight to grow everything?

What if we get a freeze?

What if there are storms?

Upcoming projects/plans:

Cover crop beds 1 and 3

Plant beds 2 and 4 with onions, carrots, garlic, lettuce, broccoli, etc

Start a container garden on the pavement with berries, strawberry tower, tea plant, dragonfruit trellis, flowers, etc.

Install ollas and arch trellises between the beds

Replace daybed with little table and chairs to make a nice seating area, no rat nests!

Maybe set up an outdoor seed starting station? The bench is getting pretty full

Add dwarf tomato to the kitchen windowsill

At my parent’s house: harvest persimmons, sow wildflower seeds, plant trailing nasturtium

As you can see, I really want to do a lot this season. Invest some money and level up my gardening! I’d love for my garden to look more like the ones I see online, and it will take a few more years of experience to get there. If I challenge myself, I can get there.

#garden logbook #gardening #tomato #onion #flowers #seed starting