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#car roof box
giapremix · 1 month
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Protecting Your Roof Box from Fading: A Comprehensive Guide
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In the quest to safeguard your roof box from the detrimental effects of fading caused by UV exposure, delve into this comprehensive guide. Roof boxes serve as indispensable companions during family vacations, offering ample storage space for luggage and essential gear. However, the persistent issue of fading can mar their appearance, detracting from the overall aesthetics of both the box and the vehicle.
Understanding the Roof Box:
A roof box serves as a valuable addition to your vehicle, providing additional storage space for camping equipment, sports gear, and other essentials. Crafted from versatile materials such as fiberglass, aluminum, and plastic, roof boxes come in various shapes and sizes to cater to diverse needs. Despite their utility, roof boxes are susceptible to fading, primarily when exposed to direct sunlight, particularly during the scorching summer months.
Here you can explore the reasons that made the roof boxes to fade. Generally, gelcoat, a type of roof box and pigmented polyester can be used to manufacture the roof box. When the material surface is directly exposed to the UV rays, especially in summer months, then sure its color and shine will start to fade and dull. 
Causes of Fading:
The fading of roof boxes can be attributed to their composition, typically comprising gelcoat and pigmented polyester. Direct exposure to UV rays accelerates the process of fading, diminishing the vibrancy and luster of the box's surface. Manufacturers are compelled to adhere to stringent environmental regulations, necessitating the reduction of certain substances in their products, such as cobalt, to mitigate environmental impact.
Preventing Fading:
While it may be challenging to entirely shield the roof box from sunlight due to its fixed position atop the vehicle, several preventive measures can effectively combat fading. One such method involves minimizing direct exposure to the sun whenever possible. Additionally, employing products like Polytrol proves highly effective in restoring the color and shine of the roof box, offering a simple yet efficient solution.
Application of Polytrol:
To rejuvenate the appearance of a faded roof box using Polytrol, follow these steps:
Clean the surface of the roof box with warm, soapy water.
Allow the box to dry for approximately 12 hours.
Apply Polytrol evenly using a brush or cloth.
Let it sit for about 20 minutes before wiping away any excess product with a lint-free cloth.
Allow the roof box to dry thoroughly.
Regular application of Polytrol can effectively revive the color and shine of the roof box, combating the effects of fading over time.
Benefits of Polytrol:
Polytrol, characterized by its advanced formula, penetrates deep into the surface of the roof box, restoring its original color and vibrancy. Not only does it enhance the appearance of gelcoats, plastics, and metals, but it also offers protection against corrosion, ensuring the longevity of the roof box. Unlike conventional coatings, Polytrol leaves no film residue, guaranteeing a durable and flexible finish that withstands the rigors of UV exposure.
Additional Preventive Measures:
In addition to using Polytrol, adopting regular maintenance practices such as cleaning the roof box with a soft brush can help remove dust and contaminants, preserving its appearance. Applying protective coatings like sealant, wax, or ceramic coating offers an added layer of defense against fading. When the vehicle is not in use for an extended period, consider removing the roof box and storing it indoors or under cover to minimize exposure to sunlight.
Conclusion:
By implementing the strategies outlined above, you can effectively safeguard your roof box against fading, ensuring its longevity and maintaining its aesthetic appeal. Don't wait until fading becomes noticeable—take proactive steps to protect your roof box and enjoy worry-free travels with family and friends.
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calixroof · 2 months
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Boxing Day Boxers: Part 6 – Subaru B9 Scrambler Concept, 2003. First shown at the 37th Tokyo Auto Show, the Scrambler was designed by Andreas Zapatinas with influence from Subaru's aircraft heritage. It was powered by Subaru's 2.0 litre flat-4 hybrid powertrain driving all 4 wheels. Subaru have been using flat-4 boxer engines since 1966
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subzeroparade · 11 months
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is there a reason that you portray ludwig as a cainhurst man? does something point towards it in canon? i love the concept but am beyond curious
I think if you string a few things together via lore you can make the argument, without being able to prove or disprove it either way. 
(I’m not the first to point out any of this btw, all credit to precedent lore-hunting) -
Cainhurst has several visual references to horses, including the castle’s mounted knight statues not found anywhere else; the spurs on the boots of the male Cainhurst noble's garb; the reiterspallach’s literal meaning of rider’s broadsword; the NPCs called, in English, Indentured Chevaliers. In French, the noble’s getup is translated as Chevalier - which can mean simply knight (as in the military rank) but does also literally mean mounted combatant. This is why, in my writing, Ludwig has the formal title of Chevalier - because of his ancestry.  
Outside of the Cainhurst context, there are almost no references to horses or mounted fighting within Yharnam itself. Take all of that and apply it to the fact that Ludwig looks a lot like he was riding a horse when he succumbed to the scourge, and you’ve got a connection, if a little tenuous - but so is most speculation in Bloodborne. If I were to argue this as an art historian, I’d slap a footnote on this with some caveats but I’d still put it forward.  
For my own narrative purposes - I’m going to assume you’ve read my work and that’s why you’re asking - it makes for a fairly compelling “outsider” perspective to the intricacies of Yharnam, and a different lived experience/history when I’m writing from his POV. The overt xenophobia of Yharnamites and the tension with Cainhurst are rich textural and plot elements for storytelling - there’s more than one way to lose your humanity, and being a foreigner in a hostile environment is one. It also creates opposition and variation alongside both Gehrman and especially Laurence: Ludwig, a member of the landed gentry who has never wanted for anything in his life but still feels duty-bound to be of service; in contrast to Laurence, who grasps at every advantage he can get and still acts like the world owes him.    
Ty for the ask :) Here is an unironically pretty WIP of Ludwig in some Cainhurst-inspired costume ideation. 
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synonymroll648 · 2 years
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what if the gang went on a forbidden cities field trip but instead of walking by foot normally or hailing a taxi or two or something they just. took some cardboard boxes and cut them out to vaguely resemble cars and then walked around with those on their heads. like they walk down the streets of new york with car boxes on their heads and half of them are making goofy sound effects and stuff. (bonus points if they just head to mcdonald’s purely to go through the drive thru in cardboard box cars.) 
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rain-tiefu · 3 months
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pixelsnpaper · 9 months
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roofcargobox · 1 year
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When you have a lot of stuff to transport, a roof cargo box is a great option. It's easy to load and unload, and it keeps your belongings safe and out of the way. But before you hit the road with your new roof box, there are a few things you need to know.
In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to drive with a roof cargo box. We'll cover how to safely secure your belongings, how to account for the extra height and weight, and what to do if you encounter any problems on the road. With these tips in mind, you'll be ready to take on any adventure with your roof cargo box.
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mqslow · 1 year
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Small minimalist gray three-story wood exterior home photo Small gray minimalist wood exterior house image
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seat-safety-switch · 1 month
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Are you now, or have you ever, been a member of the American Horticultural Society? If you answered in the affirmative to this question, there are several detectives down at the station who would like to talk with you about your activities over the last few weeks. Don't worry, I'm no snitch: I just want my shitboxes back.
Gardeners are nothing if not resourceful. If you go into a good-sized suburban backyard garden, you'll see trash cans getting used to protect plants. Old lawnmower-struck hose irrigating tender veggies. And CD-ROMs dangling everywhere, to alternatingly antagonize and beguile the crows into not eating all the cucumbers this year. I admire this kind of waste-not-have-not mentality, but sometimes it goes a little bit too far.
A couple months ago, there were some rumblings about "guerrilla gardeners." These rogue seedsfolx would roam the countryside, eyes peeled for opportunity to plant a garden on land they don't own. Upon finding old abandoned lots, sun-bleached traffic islands, and unattended flower beds, they would strike, stuffing innocent lands with their ovules. Soon, a gorgeous garden of hardy plants would be in that place. Pissed off the bylaw officers, who now had to deal with the beauteous, chaotic bounty of nature, rather than dead, brown grass when it came time to mow. I thought this was pretty funny, until it happened to me.
Do you know why they tell you not to leave your dog inside a car? Because it gets really hot inside a car. Sun goes into the windows, but the heat can't escape. We call this a "greenhouse effect." Do you know what else has a greenhouse effect? Fucking greenhouses do. One morning, I came out to my yard full of several dozen non-operable, shit-box automobiles to find that someone had jimmied the locks on each and every one of them. On the seats? Plants. Some were exotic hothouse varieties. Some were simply pretty flowers. And they were all growing strong, fed by the sunlight through the greasy windows, the controlled drip of rainwater through the rust holes in the roof, the iron-rich powder on the seats, and the humid rainforest atmosphere of my cars' interior. What was this town coming to?
I cleared this out, of course, placing the plants gently outside, where they belonged. Soon, even more exotic varietals of botanist-lust found their way into the cars to replace them. If I turned my back for a weekend, I'd be chopping a strange kind of vine that even Wikipedia says "I dunno" about. The local bylaw officer noticed, too, while trying to do one of her routine sweeps to see if she could get me on a technicality. Seeing the work of the guerrilla gardeners enraged her so much that I don't think she even noticed I started parking the Viscount in the neighbour's swimming pool to keep the interior safe from all but water lilies.
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calixroof · 2 months
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Avoid Packing Mistakes: Utilize Roof Boxes for Safe Travels
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Are you prone to packing errors when loading up your car? Discover how to sidestep these mishaps and enhance your packing skills with the assistance of premium roof cargo boxes. The process of packing and moving can be a daunting endeavor, often leading to chaos if not executed carefully. Particularly when dealing with smaller vehicles tasked with accommodating bulky items, the margin for error increases significantly. However, fret not; this guide is here to enlighten you on the common mistakes encountered while packing your vehicle and provide effective strategies for avoidance.
Identifying the Top 5 Packing Blunders
Let’s delve into the five most prevalent mistakes made during car packing:
Improper Weight Distribution:
Placing heavier items atop lighter ones is a cardinal sin in car packing. Such negligence can result in damage to the lighter items due to shifting during transit. To evade this misstep, meticulously organize your load based on weight and value. Consider conducting a test ride before embarking on your journey to ensure optimal packing efficiency. Investing in a modern, high-quality roof box can also provide additional storage space, thereby mitigating this issue effectively.
2. Inadequate Cargo Securing:
Neglecting to secure your cargo adequately poses a significant risk during transit. Utilizing cargo straps and ratcheting mechanisms can offer a secure hold, preventing potential accidents and injuries. Many states have enacted laws mandating the protection of cargo within vehicles to ensure safe travels. Incorporating a roof box atop your vehicle further enhances cargo security and minimizes packing-related concerns.
3. Window Obstruction:
Blocking windows with oversized items compromises visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents and item loss. Avoid this pitfall by refraining from stuffing larger items in passenger or back seats. Opting for a roof box installation alleviates space constraints while providing unobstructed views for drivers, thereby enhancing safety on the road.
4. Tower Formation on the Roof:
Building towers of cargo atop your vehicle is a grave mistake that compromises safety and performance. Most vehicles are not designed to withstand excessive weight on their roofs, which can adversely affect braking capabilities. Avoid this hazard by opting for a quality roof box installation, ensuring a clutter-free and safe packing experience.
5. Violation of Overhang Laws:
Failure to adhere to overhang laws can lead to significant legal and safety repercussions. Each state has distinct regulations governing the size and securing of items within vehicles. To comply with these laws, refrain from carrying oversized items that impede visibility or pose a hazard to other motorists. Incorporating safety flags and utilizing roof boxes to distribute cargo weight appropriately can aid in regulatory compliance and ensure a trouble-free journey.
Conclusion:
Armed with insights into common packing mistakes, equip yourself with a roof box to streamline your packing process and embark on a safe and hassle-free journey.
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spnbitchnomore · 1 year
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Boston Deck Pergolas
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Amazing North India
North India is the place where your imagination takes natural shape.
Here are 5 places to surely visit
Mussoorie
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2. Leh & Ladakh
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3. Haridwar & Rishikesh
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4. Kullu & Manali
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5. Nainital
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But,
Where would you keep the necessary luggage that you will need on your weeklong tour?
Let us take care of it.
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We provide super-useful roof boxes and roof bags so you don't to worry anymore.
For more info visit: https://www.awayindia.in/
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thuleshop22 · 2 years
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Kup wodoodporne boxy dachowe w thuleshop
Kup boxy dachowe w thuleshop.Nie martw się deszczem.Łatwy w obsłudze i wygodny w podróży.Wystarczający rozmiar w boxach dachowych.Nadaje się do każdej sytuacji. Drobne przedmioty są również bezpieczne w boxach dachowych. Najlepsza jakość. Brak przenikania wody do wnętrza dachu.
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golden-cherry · 10 days
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deal - cl16 (30/?)
Pairing: Charles Leclerc x Reader
Series Summary: Your whole life has gone to shit. Your boyfriend broke up with you, you just lost your job and the Monegasque, who suddenly stands in your doorway, claims that it’s his apartment.
Chapter Summary: The Leclerc family dinner is something else.
Warnings: this is just cute, mentions of injuries (due to Monopoly), alcohol consumption, Arthur Leclerc
Word Count: 3.8k
series masterlist
previous part
A/N: happy birthday to the lovely anon from yesterday! this is not smutty, but I hope you'll still like it! feedback is appreciated!
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When Charles brings the rickety Renault to a halt and pulls the handbrake, you can hardly believe your eyes.
The car is parked in front of a large, white house that is surrounded by green ivy on one corner. The black roof perfectly matches the black shutters leaning against the wall of the house, giving you a glimpse of the interior. Above the double doors of the entrance is a small balcony with a black metal fence and small flower boxes in which beautiful, colorful flowers are sure to bloom in summer.
It looks like a painting.
You stare open-mouthed through the windshield. "It's gorgeous."
Your friend smiles. "My mother had it renovated last year. The façade was crumbling a bit and the windows were no longer in good shape." He shrugs his shoulders. "But otherwise it's stayed the same. I grew up here."
You can hardly take your eyes off it as you get out of the car. "It's beautiful. It must have been great growing up here."
"It was." He rounds the hood and stands next to you. "Unfortunately, I was always on the road because of karting and the older I got, the less time I spent here. But this house holds so many memories." He exhales deeply. "This is my home."
You turn your head in his direction before reaching for his hand and squeezing it. "Thank you for taking me with you."
Charles smiles gently at you and pulls you a little closer so that you can feel his warm breath on your face. "Don't get too excited. You haven't met my brothers yet."
You tilt your head a little. "Are they that bad?"
"The worst," he whispers and leans forward a little. His gaze flickers briefly from your eyes to your lips. Your heart leaps a little. "But I'm the worst."
"Shouldn't I stay away from you then?" you ask him. He's so close to you that you have to tilt your head back to look at him. "Good girls should keep their distance from bad boys, shouldn't they?"
Charles releases his hand from yours and gently places it on your neck, leaving you no choice but to look at him. His other arm wraps around your waist and he pulls you all the way against him. Chest to chest, he looks down at you before licking his lips. You can feel the arousal pooling in your panties. "Are you a good girl, mon amour?"
As one of the front doors opens, he disengages from you with a smooth movement, as if nothing had ever happened and as if it wasn't running through your mind how you would have loved to get down on your knees for him right there. As he walks towards the house, you can see his back muscles dancing under his shirt. How you wish you could scratch him with your fingernails and -
"Maman. It's so good to see you," he greets his mother, who kisses him left and right on the cheek, snapping you out of your super non-platonic daydream. Which maybe isn't the worst thing, Charles is your friend after all.
"Yes yes, it's nice to see you too," she replies, before pushing past him and coming towards you. "Chérie, I'm so glad you're here!" The woman hugs you tightly before also kissing you left and right.
"It's nice to see you again too, Pascale," you smile. "Thank you so much for inviting me. The house is gorgeous."
"Thank you, chérie," she replies and reaches for your hands. "Come on, come on. Let me show you the house." Before you can say anything back, she pulls you towards the house, past Charles and through the door. "Charles! Your brothers will be here soon. You can set the table," she calls to him over her shoulder.
"Of course, Maman," he replies and when you look back at him, he rolls his eyes in mock annoyance.
"And please take the good china! We want to make a good impression."
"Of course, Maman." Charles, who has followed you into the house, closes the front door behind him.
The inside of the house looks like it's from another world. Large, white tiles adorn the floor, the furniture is kept simple, but still looks luxurious and so expensive that you'd be worried about scratching the surfaces with your car keys if you put them down. The lower floor is open plan, with a large kitchen with a kitchen island, a glass dining table and the living room. There's a soft-looking sofa in front of the fireplace, where you can definitely warm up on cold days. There are countless pictures on the walls - a mixture of art and personal photos.
"Would you like something to drink, chérie?" asks Pascale as you stop in the kitchen and she lets go of your hand. She opens the fridge and starts rummaging around in it. "We have water, orange juice, spritz, wine and cola."
"I don't need anything, thank you," you reply with a smile. You're a little overwhelmed that she's being so nice to you. You're not used to parents being so sweet and kind. Yours certainly weren't when you lived with them.
"All right, then. If you need anything, just take it. Make yourself at home." She squeezes your shoulder briefly before scurrying past you. "Charles! The table!"
"I'm on it," his voice comes from another corner of the room before he steps back into your field of vision. He is holding expensive-looking tableware in his hands, which he carefully spreads out on various coasters on the glass table. "Could you please take the cutlery from the top drawer there? There must be six of us. Enzo wanted to bring his wife Charlotte."
You take the cutlery from the drawer and count it off before joining him at the table and distributing the items. "I'm a bit nervous," you confess quietly. As you place a fork next to one of the plates, Charles grabs your hand.
"We can leave if that's too much for you," he suggests. " I'm sorry. My brothers aren't that bad. They're nice and funny and I think you'll get along fine." He strokes the inside of his wrist lovingly with his thumb. "You really don't need to worry. But if you want to leave, I can understand that."
You shake your head slightly. "It's all good. Your mother cooked dinner especially for me and it would be rude to leave now." You chew the inside of your cheek. "I just want to make a good impression."
Charles takes the rest of the cutlery from your hand before interlacing his fingers with yours. "You really don't have to worry about that, mon amour. She already loves you."
You raise an eyebrow in confusion. "And how do you know that? Did she tell you that?"
"She didn't need to," he replies with a smile. "When I introduced her to Annika back then, she reacted differently. No kisses, no dinner to get to know each other better. And she definitely didn't ask her to feel at home here," he explains, placing his free hand on your cheek. "She has good intuition and the fact that she took you to her heart within minutes just shows me that I made a good catch with you."
"Excuse me! There are children here!" a male voice shouts across the room. You would have liked to take three steps back to put some distance between you and Charles, but he keeps you in place.
"I don't see any children," replies the man in front of you, glancing over your head towards the kitchen. When you turn around, a young man is standing there, grinning and leaning against the kitchen island. "All I see is an annoying little brother who doesn't know when to hold back."
Playfully hurt, the stranger puts his hand on his chest. "Ouch. I'm not the one who can't seem to just pull through ." Before you can say anything back, he takes the few steps towards you and stops in front of Charles. The two stare at each other for a moment before a wide smile spreads across the shorter man's face. "Good to see you, big brother."
Charles releases his hand from yours so that he can embrace his baby brother. "You too." With a smile, he hugs him before gently pushing him away. He turns to you. "This is my little brother Arthur."
"It's nice to meet you," he replies and - in true Pascale style - gives you a little kiss on each cheek before winking at you. "Maman has already told me about you, but she didn't tell me how beautiful you are."
"'Keep your hands off, Arthur,' your roommate warns his brother, but he just waves it off.
"Don't worry, Charles. I'm not here to take your girlfriend away." You raise your hand and open your mouth to correct him, but he turns on his heel and walks back towards the fridge. "I'm here because I was promised good food. And maybe a game of Monopoly?" He waggles his eyebrows in anticipation.
Charles shakes his head vigorously. "Absolutely not. Last time Enzo nearly lost a finger because you thought he was cheating the bank."
Arthur rolls his eyes. "The whole thing would be unfunny without a bit of violence." His gaze shifts from his big brother to you. "What about you? Do you like Monopoly?"
"Monopoly? Maybe we should look for the first aid kit first," laughs the young woman who has just joined you. With her long blonde hair and wide, pearly-white smile, she looks so beautiful that it almost takes your breath away. Without giving the guys in the room a glance, she walks straight up to you and hugs you tightly. "Hi, I'm Charlotte. Enzo's wife." She gives you a quick hug before pulling away from you. "I like your top."
You introduce yourself to her as well before thanking her for the compliment. "Is Monopoly really that crazy in this family?" you ask quietly, watching Charles and Arthur tease each other in the kitchen.
"When it comes to winning, the men behave like animals," she explains, putting her slender arm around your shoulder. "That's why it's all the better that you're here now. Maybe they're acting a bit more grown-up this time then."
"Everyone here is an adult," another person defends themselves. The black-haired man tries to get Arthur out of Charles' headlock. "My little brothers might be a bit wild, but we're all old enough to behave reasonably." As he separates the two bickering men, he stands between them with his arms outstretched.
Arthur points his finger at the eldest of the three brothers. "You once knocked over the whole board because you had no more money to pay Charles."
Charles briefly runs his fingers through his tousled hair to get it into style. "And you once kicked us out of your apartment because you didn't have a hotel to take out a mortgage."
Before you know it, Enzo grabs his little brothers and tucks them under his arms, but Charles is quicker. With an elegant twist, he wriggles out of his brother's tight grip and twists his arm a little so that he can't get hold of him again, while Arthur tries with all his might to free himself.
"I told you," Charlotte whispers to you. "Like animals."
"Are you out of your minds?" Pascale's voice drowns out the boys, who abruptly move away from each other and blink at their mother. Arthur's face is red, while Enzo tugs his shirt right. Charles throws you a grin and a wink. "I'm cooking for everyone here and you're acting like children! Come on now! You know what you have to do!" she nags her sons, who quietly apologize to her and then scurry back and forth to put the rest of the things on the table.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" you ask the young woman next to you, but before she can answer you, Pascale is standing in front of you.
"Please take a seat. You're our special guest today and if I even see you lift a finger…" She gives you a stern, loving look before pulling one of the chairs from the table. With a nod, she tells you to sit down. Her look leaves no room for discussion.
"Would you like a glass of wine? I've brought a lovely sweet Riesling," Charlotte asks as she takes two wine glasses from one of the cupboards in the kitchen.
"Yes, please."
As she sets your glass down in front of you, the men also sit down at the table while Pascale places various bowls in front of you. When Charles tries to sit on the chair opposite you, his mother promptly stops him.
"The chair is broken, chéri. I'm afraid you'll have to use that stool there," she says, pointing to the small stool in the corner of the room.
Without hesitation, Charles swaps the pieces of furniture, but when he sits down, he grimaces. "My goodness, that's uncomfortable. It's sure to give me a backache."
"Maybe your lovely girlfriend can give you a back massage later," Arthur suggests, wiggling his eyebrows. Before he can react, your friend has reached into one of the bowls in front of you and thrown a piece of bread at his little brother. "Ouch, what the hell? I didn't say anything! It only becomes ambiguous when you make it ambiguous."
"Boys, pull yourselves together, otherwise it'll be the last time I invite you all here for dinner," Pascale scolds her sons, but you can tell she's not serious. She sits down at the table in front of them. "Now eat before the food gets cold."
-
"How did you two meet?" asks Enzo, popping a spoonful of vanilla ice cream into his mouth.
The pasta that Pascale cooked especially for you tasted absolutely fantastic. While you ate together, you talked about all sorts of things. About Enzo's work, Charlotte's recent seminar, new recipes that Pascale really wants to try out and your photography. At the beginning you were worried that you wouldn't be able to join in as you didn't know anyone from this family, but there was never a moment when you felt left out. It feels nice to be part of a family again - even if it's not your own.
Charles, who stretches his back briefly, looks at you across the table. "That's a funny story. Would you like to tell it?"
As all eyes turn to you, you have to swallow. You weren't expecting the attention. But Charles looks at you so gently and his smile is so warm. He makes you feel like you're not in the wrong place.
"He surprised me when I came out of the shower half-naked," you grin back. All you hear from the corner where Arthur is sitting is a whistle.
"Hey, that's not quite true," your roommate defends himself. "You were living in my second apartment without me knowing! Joris rented you the apartment and didn't tell me. And when I turned up there, you came out of the shower. It's not my fault." He raises his hands. "And you wanted to beat me up with a magazine!"
You reach for your wine glass and take a sip. "You were a stranger who suddenly appeared in my apartment. How else could I have reacted? You were so close to calling the police."
"You were standing half-naked in my apartment. It could have been that you were a crazy fan and somehow found out the address."
Charlotte looks up from her bowl of ice cream at you. "Didn't you know who he was?" As you shake your head, she claps her hands several times in delight. "Oh how cute! Just like in the fanfictions you can read on the internet! That's awesome!"
Her husband gives her a puzzled look. "You read fanfictions about my brother?"
Charlotte rolls her eyes. "Are you crazy? Of course not! But every now and then I just hear about it."
"And you've just decided to share the apartment," says Arthur as he scrapes two more scoops of ice cream out of the ice cream container.
"Yep. Just like that," Charles explains, and you smile gratefully at him. You're glad you don't have to explain that you're unemployed. Especially since everyone at this table is pursuing promising careers. Your friend smiles back affectionately before arching his back. "And it would also be the best decision I've ever made if I didn't have to sit on this stupid stool all evening. My spine feels like pebbles."
"Don't be like that," his mother grumbles at him. "You're still young. Your back pain can't be that bad."
"Arthur is younger than me. Shouldn't he be sitting in this chair then?" Charles tries to get out of it, but he falls silent when Pascale gives him a dirty look.
"But I don't have a girlfriend who can rub my back later," grins the youngest Leclerc. "I'm sure she won't mind."
"Arthur!" Pascale reprimands him. Her gaze shifts to you. "I'm so sorry. I thought I'd brought her up better." She puts her head in her hands.
"Oh, Maman." Charles gets up from his uncomfortable stool and you can tell by the way he looks that his back is actually hurting. He stands behind his mother and puts his hands on her shoulders. "We know you did your best. And we actually turned out well." He can barely suppress his grin. "Except for Arthur."
"Hey!" Arthur jumps up from his chair so quickly that you fear he's going to fall over backwards, but Charlotte just manages to catch it. Arthur chases his big brother around the room while Enzo stacks up the ice cream bowls to take them to the kitchen.
"Wait, I'll help you," you offer, reaching for the cutlery that has been left behind, but Pascale's hand on yours stops you in your tracks.
"If you lift a finger, the same thing will happen to it as with Enzo's fingers at Monopoly," she threatens lovingly and gets up to clear away the rest of the things herself.
You look at Charlotte uncertainly and she waves you off. "Don't worry about it. She doesn't mean any harm. She just wants you to feel comfortable here and make sure you have everything you need. You'll get used to it over time."
"Thank you," you reply with a smile. "I think if you weren't so nice to me, I'd be really scared of you."
The blonde has to laugh. "Unfortunately, I hear that a lot. But I know what it's like to be new to this family. It can be quite nerve-wracking and overwhelming. But they're all lovely people. You don't need to worry about that." She puts her hand on yours briefly before rising and joining her husband in the kitchen.
A short time later, you feel two large hands on your shoulders. "Are you all right?" Charles asks as you lean your head back to look at him. "My family didn't scare you off, did they? Or are you sick of it and don't want anything to do with me anymore?"
"A terrible family," you reply and feel his thumbs rubbing gentle circles into your skin. You feel warm.
"I can understand," he nods and leans down towards you so that the tips of your noses touch. "So that's the last time we'll see everyone. I definitely prefer your company to that of the others."
You have to stifle a giggle. "You're only saying that because you're hoping to get a back massage from me as soon as we get home." Your mouth goes dry at the thought of running your hands over his muscular back and feeling the soft skin under your fingertips.
"You're right about that," he admits. "Shall we go? I've had to share you with my family long enough."
"You want to leave already?" asks Pascale, who has rejoined you at the table. You didn't even realize she was back until she started talking.
"Yes, maman. My back really hurts and we have a lot to do tomorrow," he apologizes. It's news to you that you have plans. But maybe it's just an excuse so that you can be alone again more quickly. And you definitely have no objections to that.
Friends, sure.
"All right." She puts her hands on her hips. "But I'll expect you both back here at Christmas. I'll prepare your old room so you can spend the night here." Her smile is warm and heartfelt. As you get up from your chair to say goodbye to her, she wraps you tightly in her arms. "It's so nice that you're part of our family now. I'm already looking forward to having you back here at Christmas. It's only a few more days until then."
"Thank you for your invitation." You return her hug. "I haven't felt like part of a family for a long time."
Apparently she sees something in your gaze, something sad, because she has to swallow before she starts speaking again. "We've been through a lot as a family - and I think you have too. You're always welcome here. No matter what happens. Even if you need someone to be there for you in the middle of the night. The doors of this house are always open to you." She blinks away a few tears and you briefly consider hugging her again.
Which you finally do. "Your family is wonderful. You've raised three great sons. If your husband was anywhere near as kind-hearted as they turned out to be, then he must have been the most lovable person in the world," you whisper to her.
"He would have loved you. I'm sure of it." As she breaks away from you, she wipes her eyes once. "Thank you for looking after my son. There's no denying how good you are for him."
As if on cue, Charles stands next to you and puts his arm around your waist to pull you close. You feel his body heat, the pressure of his fingers on your skin.
After this morning, you had been unsure whether you would ever be so close again despite the misstep, or whether you would keep your distance because the situation would be awkward for people who are actually just friends. But Charles' smile is genuine, his gaze gentle and his lips soft as he presses them lovingly to your forehead.
"She's the absolute best thing that could have happened to me."
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