#olympic orchids | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

piratefalls · 4 months

Text

new list, new year, (trying out a) new header, new post day. i'm back after a nice little vacation where i got almost zero reading done, so no one is more surprised by the amount of holiday fic here than me.

list one. list two. list three. list four. list five. list six. list seven. list eight. list nine.

No Consequences by AnchoredArchangel

"I sort of came out as bisexual to both Nora and myself when we were watching that fucking snoozefest of a Royal Wedding years ago, and I told her with no hesitation that you were on my list.” Suddenly, Henry looks very present in this previously one-sided conversation, eyes boring into him even if he sounds a little choked as he clarifies, “I was on-” “My No Consequences sex list,” Alex confirms brazenly, “Yeah." Or: During an inadvisable spot of dating years back, Alex and Nora made a game out of making extensive lists of celebrities they could hook up with without it being cheating. One breakup and several years later, Alex meets someone on his list for the very first time at a charity gala and decides it's appropriate to tell him all about it.

Wash a Bad Day Away by stellarmeadow

Alex has a bad day and needs to drown it in a tub.

this year I will fall by railmedaddy

Henry has many regrets in his life, but leaving the ice rink after a literal run in with the potential love of his life without even obtaining his name may be his biggest. With his family visiting for the holidays for the first time and ever-present work deadlines looming, he's too busy to think about how to engineer his own happy ending worthy of the novels he edits. But what if fate has other ideas?

the mountchristen pharma job by coffeecatsme

The alarm blares. Still, the man slides the key again and enters the room. He closes the door behind him, flips the flash drive in his palm. Walks to the room that’s supposed to be empty, the room they made sure was clear before they made their move. Except it’s not. And the man recognizes that head of blonde hair all too well. Henry fucking Fox-Mountchristen. Six years ago, Mountchristen Pharma's reckless actions caused Rafael Luna's death. Alex and June want to make it right, but they're not the only ones.

Take a Trip Into My Garden by @sparklepocalypse

Alex groans. From the sound of things, he’s in no better state than Henry. “Why in the absolute fuck does your family have a fucking Viagra orchid?” (A sex pollen fic that takes place on the grounds of Kensington Palace between the Cornetto scene and the interview blitz.)

you could call me babe for the weekend by weather_stained

It's been three years since Ellen Claremont lost the 2016 Presidential Election, and Alex hasn't seen Prince Henry since the Rio Olympics. When Alex, June, and Nora take a post-finals trip to a Vermont ski resort, Henry and his best friend Pez are the last people they expect to see waiting in line for the chairlift. To Alex's great displeasure, Nora and June end up quite takenwith Pez, and Alex is forced to spend time with Henry. In one weekend, they become closer than he could have ever imagined.

come away with me by rizcriz

Alex closes the door behind himself and turns into his tiny apartment with an exhausted sigh. As he turns to flip the lightswitch, the subtle sound of fabric rustling hits his ears; carefully, he unclips his gun at his waist band, flips the light switch, and turns around, pulling the gun on the intruder. He nearly drops it at the sight of a familiar head of shining blond hair. “What the fuck?” Alex asks, taking a step in, and reaching with his free hand into his holster for the pair of cuffs he knows he clipped in this morning. “Intel said you were in London.” Henry Fox, international thief and conman, tilts his head where he’s sitting in Alex’s favorite armchair. “Honestly, Alex,” he says, waving a hand. “Put the gun away. We both know you’re not going to shoot me.” “Fuck you,” Alex hisses on impulse. “Put your hands up.” -- or Con Man Henry and Interpol Agent Alex

(Dil)Do It Yourself by happinessofthepursuit

“Listen,” Nora starts, turning her body once more so that she’s sitting sideways in the chair with her legs thrown across the armrest. “I did the math. There’s a 79% chance you’re gonna become a slut to the power of the prostate, and while we’re not dating anymore, it’s my duty as your fellow slutty bisexual to get this party started.” Or, when Nora drags Alex to a holiday dildo workshop, he doesn’t expect to find someone to use it with.

Gonna Give You Something (So You Know What's on My Mind) by affectionatelyrs

Alex hums, turning around to pull open the freezer drawer. “You want anything?” But Henry barely registers his question. Not when Alex is slightly bent over, allowing Henry a perfect view of his perfect ass. Each individual ridge of his spine is visible due to his lack of shirt. All of these things combined would normally be a large enough issue in itself to render Henry dumbstruck, except— Except, that’s not the only thing that Henry’s faced with. Right there, clear as day: blue lace, delicately peeking out from the waistband of his joggers. Henry’s hand immediately flies up to his cheek. The skin is hot to the touch, and he feels the imprint of where the material once lay like a brand. - Or, With the help of a white elephant gift, Henry learns that maybe the whole being-in-love-with-his-roommate thing isn’t as one-sided as he thought

i've forgotten if they're green or they're blue by metacrisis

When the worst snowstorm New York city has had since the Great Blizzard of 1947 snows Alex and Henry into their Brownstone, Alex falls into a bizarre dream and awakens in a world much like his own. Only it seems like he's suddenly five inches shorter, five years younger and why is Henry the only person who can tell? AKA, Movie Alex falls into Bookverse before he and Henry get together.

Ho for the Holidays by @whimsymanaged

“Listen, don’t worry about this,” Henry says quickly, already mentally crafting the passive-aggressive text he’s going to send Pez. “Better luck next year. I’ll just be off—“ “Hold your damn horses.” Alex stops Henry with a fast, surprisingly gentle hand to his wrist. His eyebrows furrow. “What did you put on your questionnaire?” Henry’s ears go hot. “That’s none of your business.” Alex scoffs and leans in closer. “Baby, we matched. It’s safe to say we have at least some interests in common. Be honest—was it because you confessed to having a secret desire to slap me?” Or, Pez organizes an event called Ho for the Holidays, and these two idiots get paired up.

Waiting in the Wings by DracoWillHearAboutThis

Henry had always known he would end up in an arranged marriage. He had not expected, though, to end up in an arranged marriage with Prince Alex Claremont-Diaz, who he'd secretly been in love with for the past fifteen years.

Fill My Stocking by songliili

Alex has spent the past fifteen minutes talking with David about his favourite treats. Not that the dog answered, but Alex was undeterred and kept going, uncaring that Henry had asked him to give him an hour and then he’d join him in hanging up fairy lights and mistletoe everywhere. Very well. If Alex wants Henry’s attention, he'll have it. It's probably not what Alex thought he’d accomplish with his little scheme, but it's a compromise between Henry's needs and Alex's wants, and that's all that can be done. OR: Alex wants some attention and Henry has to get creative.

Here With Me by SatinBirds

When Zahra asks, “Would it make any difference at all if I told you not to see him again?”, it’s the easiest thing for Alex to categorically answer, “No.”

because it's Tuesday by headabovethewater

Right, so, here’s the thing; Alex hasn’t shaved in a while. He’s been so consumed by stress for his exams, his thesis, the post-election work he’s been doing for Ellen… It’s been a bit much for Alex, and while Henry is impressed by the fact that he’s able to keep himself standing and functioning, he has noticed that the scruff on his face has increased. A lot. Oh, Henry has noticed, alright.

i want to mark my skin (it is paper thin) by violetbaudelairequagmire

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Subj: Tattoo Reference Attached: 1 file (orionsketch.jpg) Hello, Attached you’ll find a line art drawing of the constellation Orion. The shoulder blade is the intended location. Best, H.J. Fox OR: It's a Tattoo Shop AU!

Can't Buy Me Love by everwitch

Alex is a high end escort. Henry is his wealthiest client. He's also a total asshole, which Alex has zero patience for. He'd never let a client walk all over him like that, not even one with striking features and an air of firm authority that Alex has to keep reminding himself he’s not attracted to. But over time, Alex learns there's more to Henry than fiery insults and cruel dismissal. So much more. Alex is in so much fucking trouble. He should end things with Henry before he gets burned. (He couldn't end things with Henry if he got paid for it.)

He Was Here With Me by absoluteaudacity

Arthur lives: a wishlist

(Door)Dash to the Heart by bleedingballroomfloor

The man looks up when Henry opens the door. "Henry?" Henry clears his throat. "That's me," he manages. "Cool," the man says. "You're making me hungry for breakfast with this order, man. Which is bad for me, because my breakfast is usually just coffee, and there's no way I can drink that this late." "Uh," Henry says. He's pretty sure dashers don't talk this much during orders. "Anyway," the man says, handing the bag of food to Henry, "enjoy your night." Five times Henry gets late-night food from his insanely hot DoorDasher Alex, and one time they get food together at a normal time.

(here's my number) so call me, maybe by villageidiot

"I could go a few days without contact, you know." Henry looks over at Alex, who's splayed across the couch, and places a finger on the page he's reading to keep his place. "I'm…sorry?" "While you're gone, I mean. I could handle a few days of not talking to you." Henry still looks a little baffled. "Is this something you want to do? I'm still unclear on the 'why' here." And so is Alex, honestly. or: five times Alex fails at the whole "go a whole weekend with no contact" thing (and one time Henry does)

the beagle, the ghost and the wardrobe by stutteringpeach

Henry’s new flat comes with one unexpected feature: it’s already inhabited. But not by a human. By a ghost.

Night Class by OrchidScript

Alex how found the simplest solution for all the facts he had been presented. There were plenty of them to make sense of. Alex was taking the path of least resistance, accepting that whatever remained after all was stripped away must be the truth. June could laugh at him for the rest of time if she wanted. He was right. He knew he was right. He had to be right because nothing else on earth or in the universe made sense. Henry Fox — his smarmy, entitled, wealthy, bland, irritating neighbor — was a vampire. Alex knew it. He could prove it.

Piss-up in a brewery by clottedcreamfudge

"I hate this," Alex says, not for the first time, and Henry covers his face with his hands. "Yes," he says, a little muffled, "that's coming across." "It's not, like, personal," Alex clarifies, even though it fucking is. "I just don't really like sleeping with other people. I mean, sleeping in beds with other people. I like having sex-" "Yes, alright," Henry says peevishly, not moving his hands at all. "You needn't extol further on your love of intercourse." "Who the fuck talks like that?"

Sleepless Nights by stripyjumpers

Henry's insomnia has been getting worse. He thinks it's fine, until it all finally catches up to him.

move fast (and keep quiet) by HypnosTherapy

Henry’s smile goes slightly strained at the edges. In his ear, Nora hisses at Alex to walk away. He firmly ignores her. “What brings you here tonight, Foxy?” Henry brushes Alex’s hand off him. “The same thing that brings us all here,” he answers. “Not only a girl’s best friend, after all.” -- Alex is a spy tasked with securing a case of diamonds being auctioned off by black market smugglers. Henry is a rival spy who happens to be tasked with receiving the same case of stones. When Henry wins the auction, Alex has to retrieve his target, no matter the cost.

Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured by myheartalive

“Fox,” he hisses through his teeth. “How about you take the tube tonight? Or go for a nice long walk?” Henry’s stunned. “Excuse me?” “Yep, I will excuse you. Now do us both a favour and find another way to get home.” — OR enemy co-workers Henry and Alex get unwillingly shoved into a cab together (and finally sort their issues out)

the best intentions by smc_27

He sees the flyer when he’s in town picking up the fabric and books June wanted from the market. Once a year. On the prince’s birthday. The chance for his one true love to rescue him from the tower. A cash prize to go along with the prince’s hand in marriage. The title of Prince Consort and a palace of their own. Alex knows himself. He knows how people are with him. He’s made people fall in love with him without even trying for it. He’s had to break hearts since he was 15 and Charlotte Marks told her father she was going to marry Alex. He can get some cloistered prince on board.

A Life, in Names by th0ughts

Macsomething continues to flounder. “I arrived just as someone came out, you see. A woman, with the hot pink jacket? I told her that I’m Roy Maclanahan—” (bingo. Henry knew it was Maclanahan.) “—here for Mr. Claremont-Diaz, I work with him you see. He invited me over, to look through some documents? And she told me that I was in luck, that he was home. “Either way I am so sorry to have disturbed you your hi—Henry. She must’ve been mistaken. I’ll take my leave and return when your husband’s arrived.” Maclanahan is wringing his hands and looks just about a second away from nervously combusting but the entire ordeal has Henry’s face blooming in a smile. _____ Musings of a life, in four surnames.

In my dreams (In your dreams) by lizzie_bennetdarcy

He opens his mouth to tell Alex it's fine, they can stay, when Alex shakes his head. "The room is spinning. That's not fun. Alright, sweetheart, let's go home." He jumps up from the stool, and immediately lists sideways into Henry. "What will it take to get you to carry me home?" "More than you're prepared to give, I'm afraid." Kiss me, marry me, have my children, please. Alex is very drunk, and very affectionate, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for Henry to pretend like he isn't completely in love with him.

when he breaks so beautifully by viciouslyqueer

Henry thinks it’s just been a rough day – it certainly wouldn’t be the first time – but he only realizes just how wrong he is when his boyfriend actually gets home. Slumped shoulders. Twitching fingers. Red-rimmed eyes glistening with tears. Henry’s heart breaks on sight. — Alex has a rough day at work and asks Henry to be mean to him. Henry praises him instead.

Twenty Seven Batters by politics_and_prose

A ballplayer will refuse to stop playing because they want one more hit, steal, strikeout. One more homerun. One more win. So they get old and they lose their skill and embarrass themselves long after they should have hung up their spikes. If that’s the rule, then Alexander Claremont-Diaz is the exception. Because today, at age 38, Alexander Claremont-Diaz is six outs away from a perfect game.

forever yrs, for evermore by indomitablelove

‘Wake up,’ Henry whispers. Alex turns and squints his eyes open. He looks at the clock. ‘Baby, why the fuck are you waking me up at six am? I’m on vacation.’ ‘I’ve got a surprise, come outside. You can go back to bed after, I promise,’ Henry tells him with a smile. ‘I’ve made you coffee.’ Alex sits up with a squint and a stern, unimpressed look on his face. ‘You better have a fucking good reason for getting me up at sunrise.’ --- or, a lake house proposal fic

Aged Like a Fine Wine by allmylovesatonce

At a gala for the Okonjo Foundation, Senator Alex Claremont-Diaz runs into Prince Henry of Wales for the first time in two years. Something is different about him, and it's not just the revelations that came out the last time the two saw each other. When they're encouraged to spend more time together, it lights a spark that could send both of their lives into a tailspin. Will Alex resist the temptation or will he find the courage to pursue what he's wanted far longer than he's let himself acknowledge?

All our Sweetest Hours Fly Fastest by AHistoricDistraction

It has been three years since they were outted and Henry and Alex have finally settled into a groove that works well for them, except for the fact that it feels like they're always having to steal time together. Queen Mary constantly coming up with excuses to get Henry out of public events with Alex isn't helping, and Alex is done with it. After a long conference in Tokyo that Henry couldn't attend, Alex's flight home being delayed is the last straw and he calls Henry to say they need to figure out a better way to do this, to which Henry agrees. But fate has other ideas. Alex's flight goes missing somewhere over the Pacific, no trace of it to be found, leaving Henry and Alex's family struggling to not lose hope while unable to do anything.

as always, let me know if you want to be tagged, either for author purposes or just to know when these go up! see you next tuesday!

tagging: @starkfridays @stilesgivesmefeels

#rwrb #rwrb rec list #firstprince #red white and royal blue #rwrb fanfiction #alex claremont diaz #henry fox mountchristen windsor

128 notes · View notes

hearts-hunger · 1 year

Text

sweet peach || sam kiszka x reader

Read on AO3 | Masterlist

Summary: Sometimes, you want special attention from Sam. He reminds you that all you have to do is ask.

Pairings: Sam Kiszka x Reader | Genres: fluff, angst, emotional hurt/comfort | Word Count: 3k | Chapter Warnings: none, I think?

A/N: This is, like, Hollow To The Touch's fluffier sister fic. Idk why Sam conjures these angsty stories in me, but I sure do like writing them! I hope you like it too! ♡

“Look! Here it comes.”

You pointed to the model train that wove its way through swaths of flowers and low-hanging palms, a delighted smile on your face as it passed you by and chugged up to the miniature bridge suspended overhead. You followed it until it came back down to steam through a scale-model town complete with shops and a train station.

“You sure do like that train, don’t you?”

You looked behind you and grinned at your boyfriend. “How could you guess?”

He chuckled, watching with you as the train continued to another part of the greenhouse. Sam had surprised you yesterday with a weekend getaway trip to the Biltmore, and you’d been telling him excitedly about the model train exhibit in the greenhouse since you’d gotten in the car.

“Isn’t it gorgeous in here?” you asked, looking at a display of lovely pink and orange orchids.

He hummed in agreement. “Hey,” he said, gesturing to the small sign in the display. “These are your special orchids, honey.”

You smiled, seeing that the sign read peach dendrobium orchid. Sam had called you “peach” since your first date where you’d worn a soft pink dress, and the nickname had stuck.

“They are my special orchids, aren’t they?” you said happily. You glanced at the camera that rested against his chest, wondering if he’d offer to take a picture of you with the orchids, but he gave the flowers one last look and headed on to look at a different display.

You bit the inside of your cheek. You knew it wasn’t fair, but you didn’t want to have to ask him to take your picture; you wanted him to do it because he wanted to do it.

Pushing the thought aside, you joined him at the model greenhouse.

“There’s us,” he said. He looked over your shoulder. “And I think your train’s coming back.”

You watched the little tunnel to your right until the train came through.

“That’s my dream job, I think,” you said.

He smiled. “What, model trains?”

“Yeah,” you said, following the train through the flowers to the next exhibit. “It would be so fun to build all this stuff and set the track up, don’t you think?”

“I think it would drive me crazy to set up all this little stuff,” he said, but he wasn’t unkind. “I’m glad you like it, though. We should get a model train for your Christmas village this year.”

You smiled up at him. “Could we?”

He shrugged. “Sure. You’ll just have to keep Josh from staging train robberies with all your little village people.”

You laughed and went to take his hand. Just as your fingers glanced his, though, he took his camera and snapped a few pictures of the greenhouse roof through a spray of palm fronds.

You swallowed another pang of hurt and put your hands in your dress pockets, following him as he continued down the brick path through the greenhouse that led out to the garden.

Sam wasn’t the most overtly lovey-dovey boyfriend, that much was just a fact. You’d known it going in, and you’d convinced yourself it wasn’t that big of a deal. Most of the time, it wasn’t — you knew that he loved you, and he showed you as much as he told you. He was patient and kind and gentle with you all the time. He remembered little things you told him, things even you’d forgotten you’d mentioned to him. He was forever finding little ways to serve you, from carrying your bags to getting you coffee to everything in between, and he was the Olympic world champion of writing little love notes and leaving them where you’d be sure to find them throughout the day. He loved you, and there was no way you could ever doubt it.

But, as far as public displays of affection went, they just weren’t his thing. He preferred not to kiss in public, and hand-holding was usually met with a sort of willing indifference. He didn’t really think to take pictures of you when you were out and about, and you always had a tough time getting him to dance with you at parties. You’d learned to be okay without those things; besides, when you were home and you gave him even the slightest bit of prompting, he’d shower you with kisses and affectionate touches and spontaneous dance parties until you thought your heart would break.

But every once in a while, when you wanted it when you weren’t at home and you wanted him to start it, it would hurt. You guessed today was one of those days.

You trailed behind him out in the garden, watching the butterflies drift from flower to flower. In the shade of the long, vine-covered pergola a few paces away, a couple giggled and took a selfie as he kissed her cheek.

“Hey, peach.”

You tore your gaze away from the couple, trying to ignore the jealousy gnawing at you. “Yes?”

Sam beckoned you over, and your heart jumped for a moment; you practically skipped to his side and waited for him to take your hand or put his arm around your shoulder or something.

He nodded to the huge, wine-colored tulip amid a few pink ones.

“Can you hold that purple one closer to the pink ones?” he asked, hunkering down and getting his camera ready.

Your heart dropped to your shoes, again. “Oh. Uh, sure.”

You did as he said, holding the flower just so in order for him to get the perfect picture. Photography had become a hobby of his lately, especially with his fancy new film camera, and you usually enjoyed indulging his desire to get a very specific shot. Today, though, you felt embarrassed to be standing awkwardly, holding a flower for your boyfriend who didn’t even care about you.

You grimaced. That last thought had been uncharitable, and you knew it wasn’t true. Still, you couldn’t ignore the bitterness and hurt that was welling inside you with an alarming quickness.

“Perfect,” he said, grinning up at you. “Thanks, peach.”

You managed a tight smile. “You’re welcome, honey.”

Sam tried to engage you in conversation as you meandered through the garden, but you couldn’t quite muster up any enthusiasm for talking.

“It’s a great day for strolling through a garden, huh?”

“Mmh.”

“I’m glad I’m spending this beautiful sunny day with you.”

“Right.”

“I think we should buy the Biltmore and have a baby for every bedroom, what do you think?”

“Okay.” You registered what he’d said a second too late. “Wait, what?”

He gave you a slightly worried smile, cocking his head at you as if looking at you from a different angle would reveal something.

“You okay, peach?” he asked gently.

You wilted, knowing you were being rude. “Yes. I’m sorry I wasn’t listening.”

“That’s alright, honey.” He held the waist-high gate open for you as you walked to another part of the grounds. “We can go back to the hotel for a power nap or something. Or go do that wine tasting thing in the village if you’re tired of just walking around.”

“I don’t care what we do,” you said, and you smiled to soften it. “Really. I’ll do whatever you want to do.”

He frowned. “But it’s your vacation.” He ducked under a low-hanging willow branch. “You’re supposed to be the one calling the shots.”

You sighed. If that was true, Sam would be smothering you in kisses and telling every person you walked by how much he loved you and how beautiful you were.

“I hear you sighing, peach,” he said. He unfolded his map of the grounds and tried to figure out where you were. “Are you gonna tell me what’s wrong, or do I have to twenty-questions it out of you?”

“Not twenty questions,” you said, embarrassed.

“No?” He peered over the map and through the winding shrub garden. “Glad to hear it. So, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you lied. “Sometimes I just like sighing.” You sighed again to prove your point.

He laughed. “Okay.” He put his map away and looked back at you.

“Would you like to go to the azalea garden or the Italian garden?” he asked. “Or somewhere else, keeping in mind that I am perfectly happy to go anywhere you want?”

You felt a sharp sting of guilt at how petulant you’d been acting. Sam didn’t deserve for you to be moody, especially not on a trip he’d planned for you, and certainly not when he’d never set the expectations you were upset with him for not meeting.

“I’d like to go to the Italian gardens,” you said meekly. “Please.”

He smiled and gave a grand, theatrical gesture to his left. “Right this way, my lady.”

You walked close to each other as you set a leisurely pace for the Italian garden, and you twisted your fingers together to keep from reaching out and taking his hand. You didn't think he wouldn’t mind if you did, but you didn't like to want things from him that he didn't want from you. You twisted the worn pearl ring he’d gotten you at an antique store forever ago around and around on your finger.

You came through the opening in the hedgerow to the long stretch of ponds lush with water lilies. Little statues were interspersed between the ponds, and you took your time wandering around to see the flowers and the koi fish that swam among their roots.

When you came near to the house, Sam stopped at a statue of a woman and a child dancing with flowers in their hair. The woman was nude from the waist up, one hand extended upwards in her dance, the other holding on to the child’s hand.

“It’s called ‘The Dancing Lesson’,” Sam told you. “Very ‘Flower Power’, don’t you think?”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, I’m sure your song is what the artist had in mind.”

He smiled, pleased he’d amused you with his joke. He raised his camera and took his time getting the picture he wanted.

“She’s beautiful,” he said, and your heart twisted with foolish jealousy. When he reached out to touch the statue, you turned and walked up the steps to the library terrace a few feet away.

“Peach, wait!”

You ignored him. You didn’t want to turn back and see him touching the statue and taking pictures of it and saying how beautiful it was. You didn’t want to feel jealous over a stupid statue, of all things.

“Peach, honey, hold on.”

Sam caught up to you and took your wrist in a gentle grip to make you stop. You felt a full-body shiver of delight at his touch that only made you feel worse.

“Let go,” you said, pulling out of his grip. He released you without protest.

“I’m sorry for grabbing you,” he said, thinking he’d upset you with his touch instead of his lack of it. “I wasn’t trying to be a jerk.”

Neither of you said anything for a moment. You started to twist your ring uncomfortably again.

“What’s going on, honey?” he asked. “Are you sick?”

You shook your head.

“Okay,” he said. “Are you hungry?”

Again, you shook your head. It seemed like he was having to do twenty-questions with you after all, but you hated to tell him what had gotten you so upset when it wasn’t really his fault.

He started to say something else, but a tour group came out of the double doors that led from the library out to the shaded terrace. He gently steered you out of their way and found a bench in the far corner, pulling you to sit with him.

“Let’s just sit here a minute and cool off, okay?” he said.

You nodded.

“And when you’re ready,” he said, “I’d really like for you to tell me what’s going on.”

You bit the inside of your cheek. “There’s nothing going on.”

“Peach,” he said, gentle. “I don’t lie to you, so I don’t want you to lie to me. Alright?”

You nodded, but you didn’t say anything. He put his hand over yours after a moment, and you wished it hadn’t been a crisis that had drawn him to hold your hand.

“I want to fix it, honey,” he said, and you knew he meant it. “I didn’t plan this trip so we could sit here and be upset with each other. Help me figure out how to get my sweet peach back to her usual chirpy self.”

You felt the sting of tears. “Your sweet peach?”

“You are, aren’t you?” He squeezed your hand. “Come on, my sweet peach. Tell me what’s bothering you so much.”

“I want you to hold my hand,” you said, almost in a whisper.

He held your hand tighter, the one he was already holding. “Okay. What else?”

You didn’t say anything for a moment. You knew he deserved the truth, and he was being so patient with you; you looked up and met his eyes even though you wanted to run and hide.

“I want you to hold my hand in the garden,” you said, and your voice was wobbly. “When we walk together. I want you to hold my hand.”

He nodded after a moment. “Okay. I will. Have you... have you wanted me to this whole time?”

A tear rolled down your cheek, and before you could reach up and try to hide it, Sam had touched his fingers to your cheek and brushed it away.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said quietly. He tucked your hair behind your ear. “That makes me sad, peach. I wish you would have asked. You know I would have loved to hold your hand if you asked me to.”

“I know,” you said, and you hated yourself for how bitter you still felt. You raised his hand to your face; he splayed his fingers and cradled your cheek.

“So why didn’t you, honey?” he asked.

You met his eyes, desperate to make him understand.

“I don’t want to make you do it if you don’t want to,” you said, the words spilling out of you now. “I always feel like I’m asking for things you don’t want to give, and then something like this happens and you say you’ll hold my hand and take pictures of me and whatever else I want, but isn’t it just because I asked you to do it and not because you want to do it?”

You stood, agitated and ashamed at your behavior.

“I don’t ask because I don’t want to be needy and clingy, but...” You gave a helpless laugh and wrapped your arms around yourself. “I guess that ship has already sailed.”

He didn’t answer right away. You couldn’t bear the silence, and you walked over to the terrace railing and looked out over the mountains in the distance.

You heard him join you, and you let out a shaky breath when he brushed his thumb over the strap of your dress.

“I forgot to tell you how pretty you are in this dress,” he said. “I think you’re prettier than any of the flowers in the garden, peach.”

Your throat felt tight. “So why didn’t you take a picture of me?”

He sighed. “You know I’m not good at that kind of stuff, honey. It’s not that I don’t want to, it just... doesn’t occur to me. You have to ask.”

He tugged gently on a lock of your hair. “And I know you don’t want to have to ask. I understand that. But it doesn’t make you clingy to ask, and it doesn’t mean I don’t love you because I don’t think to do those things for you. I’m trying to be better about it, to be more... aware of it. But it’s not going to happen overnight, sweetheart.”

The guilt in his voice tore at you. You turned to face him.

“Do you have something you want to ask me?” he said, tender and sweet.

“Can you hold my hand?” you asked quietly.

A smile flickered across his face. “Of course I can.”

He took your hand in his and squeezed it gently.

“Can I...” You wavered, even though he’d said you could ask. His smile was soft.

“Does my sweet peach want a... kiss?” he asked.

You blushed and gave a bashful nod.

“A kiss for my sweet peach, then,” he said, and gave you a gentle, chaste kiss. “See how easy it is? You don't ever have to worry that you're asking for something I won't give, honey. I promise.”

You leaned your head against his chest. “I’m sorry I didn’t just ask, Sam. I'm sorry about... all of this. It’s not fair of me to expect you to read my mind.”

“No, it isn’t,” he agreed. “But I understand why you were upset. Thank you for apologizing.”

You looked up at him. “Will you forgive me?”

“Already done.” He kissed your temple. “I promise to pay better attention and try my best to initiate more. You’ll just have to take it easy on me, okay?”

You cherished the way his touch lingered. “Okay.”

You walked together, hand in hand, back to the greenhouse and around to the azalea garden. The shrubs were in full bloom in every shade of pink, purple, and white, and birds flitted to and fro as they sang.

“Sam, look!”

Your voice was hushed as you walked carefully, quietly over to a bird’s nest in a cradle of pink flowers.

“Look how pretty they are,” you said, looking over the fragile little eggs inside.

“Peach.”

You looked over your shoulder at his voice, a smile on your face, and heard the camera shutter before you saw he was taking a picture.

“Sam,” you chided, bashful even though you were happy he’d done it.

“It’s a beautiful picture, honey,” he said. “Stay just like that.”

You did as he said, and you felt a rush of eager butterflies when he lowered the camera after he’d taken another picture. The way he was looking at you spoke more than any words, and you twined your fingers with his as you came close to him again.

“Sam?”

“Hm?”

“Will you give me a kiss?”

He grinned and did as you said, quick and sweet and gentle. “I like it when you ask me for what you want, peach. I always love to give it to you.”

You brushed his soft hair behind his ear. “I love you very much, Sam.”

He smiled, sunshine-soft and full of tenderness.

“My sweet peach,” he said gently. “I love you very much too.”

sam taglist: @lil-twilight-glow @dannythedog

gvf taglist: @malany-gvf @spark-my-nature @eearevee @madneedshelp @demonrat444 @josh-iamyour-mama

@gvfrry @ohhey1293 @the-chaotic-cow @mountain-in-springtime @xserenax-13 @stardustjtk @brooke-gvf @weightofdreams-gvf @jakeydoesit @gretasmokerising @hayley1623 @doodle417 @finestoflines @brokenbellz @bowievanfleet @s0livagant @strugglingtodoshit @s-u-t @kay-jordan @gretavanfleas @jakeyboiiiiiii @gretavansteph @gretavanbitches @myownparadise96 @luverleaver @weightofdreamz @greatervanfleet @maedesculpaeusoubi @jakekiszkasbestie @pineapple-photographer @baguettejuliette @alexxavicry @levi-wants-ur-bones @carlybubs @cowboysamkiszka @dannyandthekiszkas @jordierama @slutforsteve @starshine-wagner

sorry if tumblr didn’t tag you — it’s stupid sometimes. but i’m real thankful for you, sweet peaches! and if you’re a new bestie and would like to be added to my taglist, check out the form right here!

#let me know what you think! <3 #sam kiszka x reader #sam kiszka fanfiction #sam kiszka fluff #greta van fleet fanfiction #gvf fanfiction #maddie writes stuff!

311 notes · View notes

accio-victuuri · 7 months

Text

the make up artist @ yibo’s hangzhou asian games promotion video shared some info 💕:

It is impossible not to have pressure. His last costume was from a long time ago, so when we were preparing, we combined what was needed for this promotional film — the style, color of clothes, and his recent costume makeup (there are also many processes, so I won’t explain them one by one) and finally create an exclusive wang laoshi, who performed break dancing in the Olympic Games, was quite excited when I saw the finished film today. Yes, I am honored to participate, and I am grateful to meet.

At that time, I was thinking about this makeup style. A gentleman is like an orchid, as gentle as jade, and women admire him. A gentleman is like an orchid, as white as snow, and a woman thinks of him. A gentleman is like an orchid, and a scholar is like water. Women seek him. If you ask for it but don't get it, you just look at it from a distance. It must set off his cool, elegant and gentle temperament, not. If you need too many colors and accessories, just be simple and elegant.

( wyb’s clothes ) It adopted elements from the Song Dynasty and invited a cultural heritage teacher to give instructions.Guide the patterns and accessories on the clothes, even the buttons on the waist. It's very particular.

#wang yibo #accio victuuri translation

45 notes · View notes

fatehbaz · 2 years

Text

[T]he [...] Amazonian Andes, the territory that is home for the spectacled bear, or ukuku, as the Quechuas of southern Peru call it. [...] Perhaps due to its size or almost human habits, the ukuku has always fascinated people. It is represented in the iconography of ancient pre-Columbian cultures, and for the mountain dweller, it is a symbol of the cloud forests, equivalent to the condor, the Andean “King of the skies”. The bear’s fame even reached Europe, where it is known by generations of English children who grew up reading the story of Paddington, “the little bear that came to London from the darkest of Peru.” [...]

[T]he ukuku is the only bear that lives in South America. It is an elusive species that can be found mainly on the eastern slope of the Andes, the Amazonian cloud forest. [...] [L]ayers of phosphorescent green moss and ferns, carpets of orchid -- of all sizes and colors, [...] go from the ground to the tops of the trees. [...] The destruction of its natural habitat has placed this bear on the list of species threatened with extinction, and in countries like Venezuela it has almost disappeared. [...] [W]hen it wants to run, it can beat even an Olympic champion. The ukuku likes to eat ground and arboreal bromeliads – those “air-plants” that are relatives of pineapples – in addition to picking berries. Occasionally, it climbs trees [...].

But perhaps, one of its most remarkable roles is that the ukuku “makes” its own forest, dispersing the seeds of the plants that will later feed it and creating the environment for new plants. This makes it a keystone species in the forests’ natural regeneration.

The Andean inhabitants, for whom the ukuku is a much loved and even revered creature, have understood this very well, protecting it, and giving to it a special place in their traditional folklore. The bear is often a main character in Andean dances and customs, such as that of the Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo, Cuzco.

In recognition of the ukuku’s special place in Andean cultural traditions and ecology, the local communities of Jajahuana and Juan Velasco Alvarado in Cuzco -- together with [...] other local partners -- have proudly inaugurated the Andean Bear Interpretation Center at a spectacular site adjacent to the world-renown Manu National Park. On the grounds of the Wayqecha Biological Station managed by the NGO Conservacion Amazonica in the Kosñipata valley, visitors can walk along the paths where the bear lives, taste its food, learn about its habits, and enjoy the stories of the bear’s relationship with people as told by the villagers themselves.

---

Images, captions, and text published by: Enrique Ortiz. “How bears ‘make’ a forest (commentary).” Mongabay. 30 September 2022. [Some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me.]

353 notes · View notes

plumslices · 9 months

Note

i remember you mentioning that you like camphor scents so i urge you to try olympic rainforest by olympic orchids! it's a very damp forest-y herbal camphor scent and it makes me smile from how immersive it feels. hope you get to try it sometime :)

Im in there.

17 notes · View notes

fruitchouli · 2 years

Text

hello lovers here’s what i’m selling 🌝

Michael Kors White Luminous Gold 3.4oz 98% full- unique designer green amber - $18

Banana Republic Dark Cherry & Amber 2.5oz 95% full - sweet cherry blossom amber, alleged BR540 dupe - $26

Goutal Un Matin d’Orage EDP 1.7oz 90% full - dense creamy gardenia - $42

Guerlain Mon Guerlain EDP 3.3oz 90% full - Guerlain’s take on a mall vanilla with lavender and tonka - SOLD

Vintage Lancôme Magie Noire 1.7oz 30% full - classic floral chypre with a spice oriental base - SOLD

Olympic Orchids Ballets Rouges 1oz 85% full - modern rose chypre, roses and 🚬 - $36

Goutal Rose Splendide 3.4oz 95% full - grandma’s rose bush with the subtle sweetness of pear - $40

Bottega Veneta EDP 1.7oz 95% full - modern leather chypre with oakmoss and patchouli - SOLD

Histoires de Parfums 1876 Mata Hari 2oz 75% - femcel’s musty bedroom, spicy woody rose with cumin and lychee - SOLD

Etro Dianthus tester 3.3oz 70% full - powdery, creamy, and softly spicy carnation with vanilla - $38

Mugler Womanity 2.7oz 98% full - ocean air and fig leaf - SOLD

Lolita Lempicka Green Lover 3.4oz 98% full- gin & tonic vanilla - SOLD

Lolita Lempicka Lolitaland tester (no cap) 2.7oz 95% full - ultra sweet peach Bellini gourmand - $22

Lolita Lempicka L L’aime 1.35oz 95% full - citrusy floral sandalwood musk - $13

Gaultier Ma Dame EDP 1.6oz 90% full - fresh, sporty rose patchouli - $20

Paul Smith Rose 3.3oz 85% full - fresh dewy rose à la Roses de Chloe - $26

Rogue Perfumery Chypre Siam 1oz 90% full - inspired by the original chypre, Coty Chypre, this is shades of green: kefir lime, basil, oakmoss with warmth and richness from ylang ylang and civet - SOLD

DSQUARED She Wood 3.4oz 98% full - fresh violet cedar - $54

Vintage Dior Dune 3.4oz 55% full - drift wood oriental, featuring rosewood and sandalwood - SOLD

Bvlgari Petits et Mamans 1.3oz 65% full - alcohol free soft chamomile vanilla musk - SOLD

Montale Dark Aoud 3.4oz 95% full - smoky dry woods with leather, vetiver, and sandalwood - SOLD

DM if interested 🌞

Shipping was factored into the cost.

Payment preferred through Venmo or Paypal. If on Paypal, please select that this is a personal friends & family payment, not a goods or service payment so I don’t get TAXED!!!! please and thank you.

#for sale

69 notes · View notes

coyoteincense · 1 month

Note

okay this is a super long list and im sending it here rather than messages in case you wanna publish your opinions ^^

by zoologist i got bee, dodo (jackfruit edition), and tiger

by imaginary authors i got a whiff of waffle cone, cape heartache, fox in the flowerbed, slow explosions, the soft lawn (super intrigued and excited for this one cause of the tennis ball note), and yesterday haze

for olymic orchids i got rainforest, blackbird, kilauea, night flyer, seattle chocolate, and carolina.

like i said definitely wayyyy too many but i want to figure out what kind of scents i actually like ^^; and Olympic orchids has so many alluring options, especially for summer. lemme know your thoughts! and if you want i can send in my review for each one once i get them and can try them all :]

AAHH first of all i really really want to smell seattle chocolate so bad....

ive heard really good things about the soft lawn too and im itching to get a sample of it as well but ik the other picks of yours are pretty solid >:) and tiger is my fave zoologist so far (but i love smoky earthy smells)

definitely send your reviews when u try em...

2 notes · View notes

moratoirenoir · 2 months

Text

#olympic orchids #night flyer #zoologist perfume #zoologist #bat #ellen covey #cannibal holocaust #ruggero deodato #carcinoma #marian dora

5 notes · View notes

ofpolitics · 1 year

Text

𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚗𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚍𝚘

𝙾 𝙽 𝙴 / listen, i don't know if this is 'nifty' but it's kind of important but also a cool skill in a way, so here it is: because tenel ka's sense of humor is notoriously bad, she usually knows if someone laughs at her jokes they want something from her. she's amused by things rarely and generally, it's things she shouldn't be amused by. if she's witty sounding.... she did it completely on accident. she's actually being either sardonic or utterly serious. she wasn't intending to be witty or funny, and she rarely jokes.

𝚃 𝚆 𝙾 / she believes it is more important to rely upon what one's body can physically do unassisted rather than anything her force sensitivity can augment, so she is actually quite the opponent even without the force. her hand to hand combat skills are impeccable, and her physical endurance impressive ( think olympic athlete level ) ... even before bringing any powers onto the board. with both, in either timeline, she is as deadly as they come. her one slight flaw is her dislike for ranged weapons, so her accuracy, while naturally good, isn't the best there.

𝚃 𝙷 𝚁 𝙴 𝙴 / both due to a natural need as the queen mother of the hapes consortium and her abilities with the force, tenel ka is extremely perceptive of other's emotions. even if they're masking them through, as she does, through a careful management of her body language and facial movements, she can often perceive the general turn of another's emotions. if they are shielding from her in the force, it is far more difficult for her, but rarely does she meet someone with that ability. otherwise known as: she'll probably know if you're lying to her.

𝙵 𝙾 𝚄 𝚁 / one of her few hobbies is somewhat tied to her role as queen mother, but she does enjoy it: cultivating rare orchids. typically, a queen mother chooses some skill which both mirrors her beauty as her education. her choice was both something she could reasonably accomplish on her own as well as another excuse to spend some time alone. it is, however, a subject on which she has become quite knowledgable, and it is a safe and pleasant choice for conversation.

𝙵 𝙸 𝚅 𝙴 / another, which is almost unknown unless you have a source connected to her clan, is the ability to both tame and ride rancors. she's quite able at this... and it is how she came to earn her dathomiri battle armor. due to this, she's actually quite fond of rancors...

𝚂 𝙸 𝚇 / she is supremely organized. at any one time, she is aware of and juggling up to a dozen intrigues. at least half of them are her own. she allows scheming nobles to remain close to her because of their more powerful and loyal connections while at the same time, manipulating them against her enemies... or themselves. she is nearly impossible to catch out in this way.

𝚂 𝙴 𝚅 𝙴 𝙽 / if she had to blend in with 'the lower classes', she absolutely could. she's never been fond of her power, let alone the grievous deeds of the dynasty that she's inherited. combine this with so many of her childhood years being spent with the jedi or the dathomiri clan of her mother, she can blend in with ease... and would be more than content and comfortable with it. ( she would canonically love to leave it all and raise her daughter in a modest apartment on coruscant near the girl's grandparents... but she knows both of them would be hunted down and killed. )

𝙴 𝙸 𝙶 𝙷 𝚃 / her sabaac face is unparalleled. give up now while you still can. this woman will beat you every time.

𝙽 𝙸 𝙽 𝙴 / good luck getting her to break her emotional mask. you can't. not even if you threaten her daughter's life. ( that being said, she's actually quite an emotional and affectionate person... if she trusts you. )

tagged by : @debelltio tagging : @mutatiio @notimminent @b1rkn @visionhaunted @croyant @lionthought @jaigalorad @scoundrvls and whoever wants to cause this was FUN

#am i using the pinned post thing until i get around to actually making new banners? yes #shhhhh #· headcanon / tenel ka » this is the hapan consortium: i govern here‚ not you

10 notes · View notes

theenbyroiderer · 6 months

Text

On my perfume tray right now. Lots of tobacco and smoky scents.

Slumberhouse Baque, Sova & Jeke, Pineward Steading & Murkwood, Rogue Derviche, Olympic Orchids Dev #2, Lush The Voice of Reason, and Mona di Orio Cuir.

#perfume #fragrance #perfume collection #indie perfume #niche perfume #smoky perfume #tobacco perfume

26 notes · View notes

iriel3000 · 2 years

Text

Friday Recs - One Year Anniversary Double Edition

Happy Friday! some reading recommendations for your enjoyment. No particular order and more to come.

I can't believe it's been one whole year of Friday Recs!!😀and we are not done! Big Shout Out to all of the Clintasha authors that keep the fandom alive and us entertained.

There is a shocking lack of stories under the 'anniversary' tag so I thought we would go old school Sports Illustrated and do a double issue of different Alternate Universes. You know, the ones where Clint and Nat can be happy together...

Thank you everyone for supporting Friday Recs and leaving Kudos for writers, I appreciate you very much 😘

technically, aug 6th 2021 was 1st rec post...

Crumbling Corner of Paradise by @sokovianrevenger

Clint Barton is a Senior at Waverley University, and he meets the young, red-headed librarian Natasha. He decides to undertake a small project to improve the destroyed building. She thanks him for his help, and the rest is history.

Be Seeing You by @Alistra and @AlphaFlyer

At the height of the Cold War, freelance American assassin Clint Barton and rogue Russian spy Natasha Romanoff find themselves abducted and transferred to a strange village. Guarded by an unknown foe, the two rival agents must learn to work together to escape.

I'd Give It All by @hellaskye/@skyewritcs

“When did you start working here?” Clint asked, somewhere between the aviary and the puppy kennel. “I woulda remembered you, Red.”

sunflowers and orchids by @gsparkle/@quidnunc-life

Clint is a florist, and Steve is his best friend and delivery driver. After months of sitting empty, the store next door is bought by Natasha, who is opening a tattoo parlor with her best friend Bucky.

Black Roses aren't real (but you and I are) by @MorganBartonRomanoff

When the beautiful redhead moves in across from Cupid's Flowers, Clint is thrilled. He is less so when he finds out that she is a florist too.

The Hawk and the Spider by@sgteam14283

As a bounty hunter, Clint never let it get personal. Then he met Natasha.

sorry about the blood in your mouth (i wish it was mine) by@ashlearose13

The thing about dying is that it's only supposed to happen once.

Once Upon A Time in the West by @NyxEtoile and @ OlivesAwl

The Madam - Natasha Romanova has fought too hard to find a home to give it up now, so she asks for help from

The Deputy - Clint Barton thought he left Triskelion behind a long time ago, but when his old love writes him, he hops a stage and meets

some things I mean by @samalander

Wrong Number AU: In which an Olympic Archer gets drunk and tries to text his ex, but ends up talking to a young ballerina who desperately needs a friend.

Chance Encounters by @CloudAtlas/@cloud--atlas

His knuckles are swollen and his bottom lip is split and he appears to have multiple bandages under his ill-filling suit jacket. He doesn’t, however, seem to have any pets.

Rinse Cycle by @Arukou/@arukou-arukou

There's a red-haired beauty doing laundry two machines down, but Clint's pretty sure those suspicious stain's aren't ketchup.

an anchor, mooring me here by@andibeth82

the AU in which Clint is retired from S.H.I.E.L.D. and owns a used bookstore in Brooklyn, and Natasha takes the wrong direction on the subway, and as it turns out, there are a lot of secrets between people who run from their past lives.

If you are one of the authors or know them on tumblr and they are not properly tagged, please let me know in comments and I'll add them. Also, feel free to browse other categories, click the Iriel3000fridays recs link below.

Next week's category: CA: Winter Soldier 2

#iriel3000fridayrecs #hawkeye #clint barton #clintasha #black widow #strike team delta #natasha romanov #clint x natasha #clintasha fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #iriel3000fics #anniversary #double issie

39 notes · View notes