#cincinnati trees
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For Cincinnati, Raking Autumn Leaves Was A New-Fangled Fad
Ho, hum! On these great autumn morns
I surely hate to wake up,
Because on the front lawn I know
There’ll be more leaves to rake up.
Do you enjoy raking leaves? Or are you more inclined to agree with Enquirer columnist Sam Hill, who composed the doggerel above on 18 October 1923? Mr. Hill, while bemoaning his annual autumnal chore, must have realized that his forebears did not share in his drudgery. All evidence suggests that almost nobody in Cincinnati raked leaves much before 1900.
For one thing, there were hardly any leaves to rake. Early photographs of Cincinnati depict mostly denuded hillsides. For much of the city’s existence, wood meant heat for Cincinnati households. Consequently, any substantial tree was nothing more than a fuel supply. The earliest records of men being hired to rake leaves appear around 1880 in the budgets of the parks department, and then only in certain parks. Burnet Woods, always fairly wooded, was raked each spring to clear out the flower beds, while Eden Park – mostly open fields until the 1930s – did not require that service.
Some of the earliest reports of people raking leaves do not involve lawns but roofs. Once a homeowner let a tree grow in the yard, the biggest concern was not leaves on the ground, but leaves piled on the roof catching fire. Sweeping the roof, a dangerous task, often fell unfortunately to children. The Enquirer [2 October 1871] relates one such tragedy:
“A little daughter of Mr. William Simrall, residing at the corner of Eleventh and Russell streets, Covington, fell from the roof of a shed on Saturday and fractured her skull. She was sweeping leaves from the roof when the accident occurred. Her recovery is doubtful."
Leaves were so rare in Cincinnati that railroad excursions were organized to convey city dwellers out to remote areas, such as College Hill, not only to see the autumn colors, but to actually bring some leaves back to town. Yes, Cincinnatians paid railway rates for the privilege of riding out to the burbs so they could gather leaves and haul them homeward. Why? To decorate their houses, of course. According to the Cincinnati Gazette [6 November 1874]:
“The bright tints of autumn leaves are very lovely for ornamenting our parlors, boudoirs, and dining-tables. Brackets and picture frames can also be adorned with them, and they add greatly to the beauty of one’s surroundings.”
The Gazette recommended lightly brushing each leaf with olive oil, then gathering bunches into bouquets tied and supported with wire and accented by acorns.
“Prepare a large number of these sprays mounted on wires, and then arrange them in vases, about picture frames, over mirrors, and as ornaments to lace curtains, and your apartments will present a festive appearance, although the dreary winter weather has browned the face of nature.”
The earliest advertisement I have found for a domestic leaf rake dates from 1930. No sooner had leaf-raking been adopted as an annual duty than it earned a reputation as a useless occupation. By 1930, the United States – and Cincinnati – had fallen into the Great Depression and a lot of men lost their jobs. With public sentiment opposed to “the dole,” government relief programs mandated that welfare recipients had to perform some work to earn their relief payments. The Great Depression closed factories and shuttered businesses, so leaf raking remained among the few make-work options. The newspapers were almost unanimously against it. The Enquirer editorialized [11 May 1933] that welfare recipients should undertake “real” projects like sewer construction:
“The Welfare Department workers will have completed a project of much greater value to the public than the pulling of weeds or the raking of leaves.”
An Enquirer columnist [27 December 1934] lambasted welfare projects as either boondoggles or make-work scams:
“The phrase, ‘public works,’ calls up in most minds either some elaborate project which will take years to finish and will cost millions of the taxpayers’ money to operate or else it evokes a picture of men raking dead leaves in the city parks from one side of the path to the other.”
Based on an overseas cable, the Cincinnati Enquirer [24 November 1931] issued a warning for domestic leaf rakers:
“A British earl dropped dead while mowing the lawn – and, fellows, the thing to do now is convince your wife that raking up leaves is even more dangerous than mowing the lawn!!!!”
It was not an idle caveat. Local newspapers reported the sudden deaths of Paul Smith, Mount Auburn (1921); Herman Gilbert, Walnut Hills (1927); Hanna Schott, Avondale (1930); Jesse E. Taylor, Hyde Park (1931); Alma Bickel, Mount Washington (1947); Carl Whittier McNary, Liberty, Indiana (1960); David H. Wharton, Covington (1969) and Frank X. Zerhusen, Lakeside Park (1965); all struck dead while raking leaves.
This roll of casualties does not include Chris Weller, Hyde Park (1944) or Adelaide Nagel, Norwood (1941) who were run over by automobiles while raking leaves. Not to mention Raymond Saunders, injured in 1938 at the city incinerator in Madisonville when a pile of leaves he was raking exploded, apparently because he had raked up a bullet along with the resplendent autumn foliage.
Leaf raking is not for the faint of heart! Be careful out there!
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“taylor they literally can’t read that tweet” - tree paine, probably
#taylor swift#swifties#eras tour#taylor#tree paine#tstheerastour#eras tour cincinnati#twitter down#twitter death
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Cedar Lake by Anna Nielsson
Via Flickr:
Cypress knees around Cedar Lake, Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati.
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Tree & Shrub Care Program
At ExperiGreen, we recognize that the trees and shrubs on your property represent one of the biggest investments you’ll make to your outdoor space. Healthy landscapes beautify your property, protect your house perimeter from heavy precipitation and high winds and improve the air quality in your yard. Your large ornamental plantings directly contribute to the overall assessment of your property, boosting resale value by as much as 15%. This makes proactive, consistent care essential to sustain the longevity and health of these outside assets.
#experigreen#tree care services#shrub care services#lawn care services#landscaping services#westland#michigan#cincinnati#ohio#dublin#indianapolis#indiana#mishawaka#gahanna#west chester#tinley park#illinois
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Cast of WKRP in Cincinnati
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🏈 NFL Saturday Day Football 🏈
🟠Cincinnati Bengals 11-34 Pittsburgh Steelers 🟡
📺:SNF on NBC
CINvsPIT | #Christmas2023 | #NFL
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“Sahra’s Wish”
Sahra under the Macy’s tree, making a wish. She wishes for a Li’l Fairy to join her friend group, though, the funds for even a secondhand one eludes me. Hopefully, we can get her one soon.
#Sahra#doll hybrid#cupoche hybrid#cupoche#Azone Li'l Fairy#early morning#Azone.JP#azone doll#doll photography#cincinnati#macy's tree#downtown cincinnati#digital photography#taken w/ my fujifilm#fujifilm finepix#FinePix JX520#a wish#upcoming holidays#smol#morning photography#good morning#making a wish#Personal Fave
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Tie a string around your finger, so you won't forget...
The Carolina Parakeet was declared extinct in 1939.
Up until just the year before, people were still claiming to have sighted the yellow-headed parakeets in the wild—in the impenetrable depths of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp; along the Santee River basin of South Carolina, where people still search for the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker to this day—but evidence suggested only escaped, feral species of pet birds, tinged by wishful thinking.
The last definitively identified specimen of Conuropsis carolinensis, a male named Incas, had died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. As it happens, his last home was the very same cage in which Martha, the endling Passenger Pigeon, had spent her final years. 2014, the hundredth anniversary of Martha's loss, brought the publication of a number of new books on the topic of the Passenger Pigeon and even a documentary; the centenary of Incas' death, by contrast, warranted only a handful of mentions of our lost native parrot.
Hardly a hundred years later, our parakeet has faded from common memory—like the fading text on the tags that twine around the feet of the study skins that fill museum specimen drawers, where they should have filled the sky, should have filled roosts in hollow trees, should have filled our backyards; should have filled their lungs with air, and our hearts and imaginations and eyes with the sight of their iridescent green feathers.
The title of this painting is Memory Knot. It is gouache on 18 x 13 inch paper, and is the 9th piece in my series on the extinct Carolina Parakeet. It is also the final piece in the series as originally conceived (though inspiration continues to strike, and this is not the last appearance the species will make in my art).
Please, remember that there was a bird called the Carolina Parakeet. Remember what happened to it. Remember that we are the only ones who can keep it from happening again.
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It's important for #decks that have lots of #trees and #plantlife around and over top of them to get maximum protection. Trees and plants 🪴 keep things cooler and provide more 😎 shade. They also keep things wet, and damp. It's vital that a #thickbuild #industrialgrade #deckcoating is used that can properly cover cracks, nail and screw entry holes 🕳 and provide a high-build layer of Armor protection over the surface that stops water penetration . @kongarmor has #waterlock and our #beadanddroptechnology technology that causes water droplets 💦 to bead immediately and bunch together and become heavy. So that gravity can drop them down and off. It also has #mildewguard #algaeguard #MoldBlock ...organic growth does not like to live on its surface 💯 👌 The only #deckarmor system backed locally by its own #deckrestorationpainters #deckrescuepainters via : #lifetimelimitedwarranty 📜 #lifetimeservicepromise📝 #northernkentucky #cincinnati #southeastindiana and parts of #centralky can benefit from our #lifetimedeckarmorsystems #linkinbio #linkinprofile https://www.instagram.com/p/ClEq46BJa7W/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
#decks#trees#plantlife#thickbuild#industrialgrade#deckcoating#waterlock#beadanddroptechnology#mildewguard#algaeguard#moldblock#deckarmor#deckrestorationpainters#deckrescuepainters#lifetimelimitedwarranty#lifetimeservicepromise📝#northernkentucky#cincinnati#southeastindiana#centralky#lifetimedeckarmorsystems#linkinbio#linkinprofile
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Tommy Adkins, Bob Mills, and the wonders of genealogy
Genealogy chart in Tommy Adkins' letter to Bob Mills
On October 17, 1979, ten months after the estate of Tom Packard had been closed, Tommy L. Adkins (of 4825 Roscommon Drive in Lansing, Michigan) wrote Bob Mills, asking for help in gathering the history of his family, using a genealogy pedigree chart. Following this form letter, he notes that "after your grandmother [Mable Hattie Packard?] past the family just sort of lost track of your grandmothers side of the family," asking for any assistance, noting he has "records, documents and such on the packard side going back as far as 1636 to Samuel Packard." He further claimed he had "verified many times over this info every step of the way" and also has the "names of a good many of the brothers & sisters, aunts and uncles etc." That may be a bit optimistic, because looking back at the claims now, a number of them are clearly faulty.
On October 21st, Bob wrote Tommy Adkins a letter of response, saying that he was thrilled because "Mabel [sic, should be Mable] Hattie Packard and the Landstroms were household words in my father and grandfather's houses." He further noted that while he never met Mable, that his family, and himself, "made several trips to Shelburne Falls and Heath, and exchanged visits with Charlie Packard, John Packard, and Margaret Packard during my youth." He also added that Tommy's interest in family history was interesting, since he added information "from a family chart I made up in 1970 which hangs on our wall at home."
This is the family chart Bob created. Current names of living individuals have been redacted
He then hilariously, before accounting the children of Cyrus Winfield Packard with Dora Mills and Clementina Cheney, calls him "the prolific old goat that started much of the recent family history with three wives producing 12 children." After that, he notes that his grandfather, RBM I ("Uncle Rob") "managed hotels in Cincinnati and elsewhere," dying in 1950, with his wife Hattie E. Mills dying in 1949, also in Cincinnati, with his grandparents and parents buried in a family plot in Spring Grove Cemetery.
He goes on in his letter by noting that Uncle Rob and Hattie "adopted my father and changed his name to Mills when he was very young," and that they had a "child of their own, Stanley Sterling Mills, born in 1901 who died in 1934 in some bizarre manner." He then outlines his own two children, those of his sister Helen, and those of his sister Carol. He ends by saying that he is "fascinated with your chart going back to Samuel Packard in 1636," adding that he believes "migrated from Hingham, England," asking "since my records are very sketchy, could you send me a copy of your history? I would appreciate it very much." That is how family histories were conducted then and are done much differently now, without a doubt.
The letter ends by him noting his role as a professor of psychology and criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati, "where I direct our graduate program in criminal justice," noting that he would be glad to give more details if Tommy would like.
Following this is the response from Tommy, which reveals much about him and his life. The letter, mostly in blue pen ink on hole-punched paper, is undated, but I would say it would have to be written in either late October 1979 or early November 1979. Of course, Tommy was, as he notes in his letter, delighted to hear from Bob, adding that they are "cousins through my wife Janet Elizabeth (Hall) Adkins, who by the way sends her regards and best wishes." He then gladly remarked that it was a pleasure to be "finally contacted [by] someone in the family who wants to know the families['] history." He then buffs out the Packards by declaring it "one of the oldest families in this country," saying members served in King Philips' War in 1675-6, adding that "I feel we all need to know where we come from so that we can better understand who we are," which is often a motto for genealogists!
He prefaces his list of family information by saying that "the only time I actually have to keep up with my correspondence is late in the evening." He then lists the generations, which can be visualized as follows, showing 10 generations: RBM III-RBM II-Cyrus W.-William H.-Barnabas III-Barnabas II-Barnabas I-John-Zaccheus-Samuel. He adds to this that "there were three Barnabas's in a row each of the last two [were] the son of the former." After that, he was apparently tired, as he says "that's about all the energy left in me" as he switches to pencil for some reason (maybe because its easier than writing in pen? He notes that Harold Packard died one year after Tom Packard which was "a great shame," and that he has "a great amount of history on other members of the family not in our direct line" which he would send if he had time.
He closes his letter by talking about himself and his wife Janet or "Jan." He notes he is an auditor for HEW, saying that he and Jan moved to Lansing, Michigan from Massachusetts in June of that year. Additionally they have three children, he notes, who are as follows: Thomas A. Adkins, Heathe Jo Adkins, and Sarah Christen Adkins. The letter ends by saying he became interested in genealogy three years before (in 1976) and has, since then, "some remarkable success, [and] also some setbacks," while also asking for the birthdays and places of birth of Bob's children, as it likely seemed like a fair trade to him, perhaps.
What happened to Tommy Adkins? I don't know, as I could only find, with a quick search a person of the same name in Georgia, but not one in Michigan. Searches for the others have been, at this time, unsuccessful, even when looking at who lives at that current address at the present time.
That's all. Until next time!
Sources used for this post
Genealogy-letter pedigree form letter and short letter on back from Tommy Adkins to Bob Mills, October 17, 1979
Typescript letter of Bob Mills to Tommy Adkins, October 21, 1979, within Family Records folder and black binder for family records.
Handwritten letter of Tommy Adkins to Bob Mills, likely late October 1979 or early November 1979, within Family Records folder and black binder for family records.
Note: This was originally posted on Apr. 29, 2019 on the main Packed with Packards WordPress blog (it can also be found on the Wayback Machine here). My research is still ongoing, so some conclusions in this piece may change in the future.
© 2019-2022 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.
#packards#genealogy#family history#genealogy research#ancestry#lineage#family tree#heath#shelburne falls#shelburne#massachusetts#cincinnati#hotels#spring grove cemetery#stanley sterling mills#king phillip's war
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I Wish You Would
•pairing: Joe Burrow x reader
•series summary: Y/n Hubbard, the younger sister of Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End Sam Hubbard, finds herself in a difficult situation after a steamy hookup with her brothers best friend, who just so happens to be the quarterback for the Bengals. In just nine months their lives will be changed forever. How will Y/n and Joe manage to to go through parenthood together? more so, how will Sam take the news he is going to be the uncle of his best friends baby?
•chapter summary: Sam pours his heart out to you and Joe, hoping you two will forgive him and his behavior from the past six months...
•word count: TBD…it’s a very long chapter though (i was too lazy to put it on a google doc lol. i’ll fix it later today)
•warnings: pregnancy, pregnancy hormones, reader is extremely turned on by Joe (whos not? LOL), slight smut/more like allusions to sex, mentions of pregnancy loss, SAM, some confrontation, some angst, fluff, basically the basic daddy issues warnings lol
series masterlist
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May 21, 2023
6 months pregnant
You took a deep breath as you leaned against the counter, arms crossed over your chest and resting on your growing baby bump as you watched Joe prepare a protein shake after his workout. You huffed out a sigh as you watched the muscles in his biceps and forearms flex with each shake of the bottle. It was almost like they were teasing you, wanting you to grip them tightly as you and Joe...
"Y/n," Joe's voice snapped you out of your wandering thoughts, "You OK?"
You felt your cheeks flush as you looked into Joe's blue eyes, his gaze making butterflies swarm in your belly. You gulped slightly, hoping he didn't pick up on your body language. I'm OK, you thought, I'm more than just OK, actually..
I'm extremely turned on right now by your black compression shirt...
Your bulging and drenched in sweat arm muscles...
and don't even get me started on that ass...
"I'm great." You said with a small smile as you uncrossed your arms and adjusted the shirt that tightly hugged your body. Joe's gaze never once left you, making your body's excitement grow more and more.
Stupid pregnancy hormones. They've been raging recently, wanting you to pounce on your boyfriend at any moment and climb him like a tree. Joe could just glance at you and your body made you need him, all of him.
Joe furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at you. It seemed like he wasn't believing your response. He set his shaker bottle down on the counter and made his way over to where you stood on the other side of the counter. Joe stood in front of you, crossing his arms over his chest which of course made your eyes wander. Your eyes widened slightly as you took in the way his chest looked hugged by his compression shirt. Joe noticed your gaze fall to his chest. Oh. The lustful look in your eyes made him chuckle. Lovely pregnancy hormones.
Joe smirked as he uncrossed his arms and walked up to you, holding them out for you. "C'mere mamas."
The name had you practically melting into Joe's arms. You fell into his embrace, bringing your baby blue manicured hands up to his hard chest. You slowly ran your hands down Joe's chest and abdomen, your arousal growing as you felt each ab on your fingertips. You bit your lip slightly as your hands came back up settled on his sternum. Joe stood there as you felt his body, his arousal growing as you got up on your tip toes to kiss his neck. You started delicately sucking at the skin of his neck, making Joe groan softly. You kissed along his jaw line before going back to his neck, making sure to mark him up. Before you could leave a deep purple mark on his neck, Joe pulled away from you, making you whine.
"Joeyyy."
Joe narrowed his eyes at you. Already knowing the answer, he still decided to ask, "Why are you so..."
"Horny?" You finished for him. Joe chuckled at your bluntness, "Yeah."
You pulled yourself completely away from Joe and leaned against the countertop, "Well," you sighed, "I went to my doctors appointment a couple days ago." Joe nodded along as you spoke, interested to see where you were going with this.
"And not only are my hormones raging right now, but Doctor Montgomery said it might be a good idea to stop having sex once I reach the sixth month mark."
Joe's eyes widened slightly as his mouth formed an O. You sighed once again, bringing yourself close to your boyfriends chest again. "So Joe, please," you practically begged, "all I want is for your to slam me against this countertop and screw me like there's no-."
You got cut off by Joe's lips slamming onto yours. You instantly kissed back just as harshly. He pulled away, a small smirk on his face as he looked down at you. "Say no more..." he said, huskily under his breath. You let out a breath of anticipation as your smirk matched his.
Joe pushed you against the counter, wrapping his arms around your waist.
"Jump." He instructed.
You did as he said, jumping just enough so you could sit on the countertop. You straddled his waist, your fingers digging into his toned back. You threw your head back, moaning as Joe put his lips against your neck, sucking at the skin just enough to get a reaction out of you, but not enough to leave deep marks. You brought your hands up to his hair, pulling on strands of his dark blonde hair, "Joe, don't stop..."
He pulled your tight fitting white t-shirt off of your body, throwing it across the room. Joe bit his lip, observing your chest which has gotten significantly bigger since you've gotten pregnant. You grabbed his hand, placing it on your right breast. His palm instantly kneaded at the swollen skin. Joe's other hand traveled down to your waist band, his skilled fingers hooking under and slowly pulling them down your thighs. Both of your breathing was quickening as he traced the lace of your panties...however, as Joe's fingers pulled at the material of your panties, a sudden wave of guilt came flooding over you.
"Wait," you suddenly pulled away from Joe, making him remove his hands from your waist. "stop." you said, removing his other hand from your chest. Joe pulled away from you completely with a puzzled look on his face. "What's wrong?"
"I feel..." you trailed off, pulling your pants back up and gulping slightly as you made eye contact with a concerned and confused Joe, "dirty."
Joe's eyes widened slightly as he was taken aback by your confession, "D-dirty?" he chuckled, "Why d'you feel dirty, babe?"
You put your hands on your belly, "Because we have the little guy in here listening to everything, and it just feels wrong." You shuddered at the thought of the baby boy in your womb hearing everything.
"Babe, we've done it before with the little guy in there," Joe said, gesturing to your bump as he reassured you, "It's fine, really."
You shook your head, your hormones suddenly changing their minds. "I was only what, three months pregnant? I was barely showing, and he couldn't hear things. Now, I am really showing, and he can hear us, Joe. Do you really want our son to hear us having sex while he's in here?" You finished, pointing to your baby bump.
Joe laughed, "You- seriously?" You giggled, "Yes, seriously!"
"Y/n, baby, he's going to hear us when he's out of there, so he might as well get used to it now."
You gasped at Joe's words, lightly hitting his chest as both of you chuckled at his joke. He did have a point...but that didn't stop you from feeling guilty, nor did it change your mind at all.
"Maybe we should just wait to do this until after I give birth. I feel guilty if we finish..." You trailed off with a sigh. You looked up at Joe, smiling sadly as you looked into his eyes. He was just as turned on as you were...what a bummer. "I'm sorry, Joey."
Joe chuckled as he picked up your shirt and tossed it to you. "Stop. Don't be sorry." He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into a warm embrace. He placed a gentle kiss on your forehead before he spoke, " It's fine with me, sweetheart. Whatever makes you the most comfortable."
"Thank you, Joe." You said quietly as a smile tugged at your lips. He was so patient with you and your pregnancy hormones. It meant a lot to you that he was so patient despite the raging hormones and mood swings you were experiencing. You pulled away from Joe, placing a gentle kiss to his lips which he gladly returned. You let out a soft sigh before you spoke, "It's probably a good thing we didn't participate in any...activities."
Joe chuckled at your use of the word "activities".
"Because," you continued, glancing at the clock, "we're supposed to meet Sam for lunch in forty minutes."
Joe's mouth formed a straight line as his shoulders dropped at the mention of your older brothers name. The brother you haven't spoken to since the day of your sister in-laws baby shower. The day that was supposed to be a happy and exciting day, turned into one of the worst day of yours and Joe's lives. Joe didn't want to see Sam, not after all the drama and hurt he caused you both emotionally and physically. Maybe he was being overdramatic, but Joe doesn't think he'll ever forgive Sam for being the reason you could have lost your unborn son.
"Joe," you said his name softly, pulling him out of his thoughts. Joe hummed in response. You noticed how he tensed up and how his jaw clenched at the mention of meeting up with Sam.
"I know you don't want to see him, but I think it would be good for us, all of us to hear what he has to say."
Joe just nodded at your words. You frowned softly as you said the next part, "And as much as I want to stay mad at him for everything he has done to us and our relationship. I really miss my brother."
Joe sighed softly as he snaked an arm around your waist, gently pulling you into him. He didn't want to admit it, but deep down he did miss Sam, too.
"I know," Joe said, "I miss him too."
You smiled sadly and pulled away from Joe, grabbing his hand and slowly leading him out of the kitchen, "Then let's go get ready." Joe nodded and followed you out of the kitchen and upstairs to get ready for lunch with Sam.
It was a day you were both dreading, but you knew it needed to happen sooner rather than later. After hearing how guilty and genuinely sorry he seemed, you realized you needed to let Sam talk and have the opportunity to apologize. You and Joe needed to hear where he was coming from. You may not always agree or get along, but he is your brother. What he did wasn't right, but you can't ignore him forever. While it may take some time and effort from all three of you, Sam does deserve a chance to make things right.
time skip
You and Joe walked into the restaurant you agreed to meet Sam at, both of you simultaneously taking a deep breath as you stepped through the entrance. It wasn't too fancy, just a local sandwich shop in Cincinnati, a place you and the other wags met up at often during the off-season. Sam made sure to have you all meet up when it wasn't super busy since you didn't want to be bombarded by fans. You also didn't want any speculation to start swirling around the league after you were seen sporting a baby bump while out with the star QB...
You knew you wouldn't be able to hide your unborn baby and his fathers identity forever, but you liked what privacy you and Joe had for now. You would tell the world about everything when you were ready, and right now is not that time.
As you walked further into the shop, you saw Sam sitting in a booth, staring intently at his phone. You took another deep breath as you looked at your brother. You could feel your heart race and your palms grow clammy as you realized it was finally time to have that conversation or should you say conversations you've been dreading. You and Joe agreed to go into this day with an open mind, wanting to stay as civil as possible. You’d only get confrontational with Sam he if he got confrontational with the two of you.
Joe could sense you tense up beside him, so he placed a hand on the small of your back, giving your hip a gentle reassuring squeeze. You looked up at him and smiled softly, giving him a small nod before the two of you made your way over to Sam.
As you grew closer to the booth he was sat in, Sam snapped his head up from his phone. His eyes lit up as he saw you and Joe standing in front of him. He didn't think you were going to show up.
Sam stood up, wiping his hands on his shorts and taking a deep breath before he spoke.
"Y/n, Joe," he said, sounding almost relieved to see both of you, "hi."
"Hi Sam," you said softly, giving your older brother a small smile, "it's good to see you." Sam smiled sadly at you, his blue eyes apologetic as he replied sincerely, "It's good to see you too, Y/n/n. I've missed you."
"We've missed you too." Joe answered, making your older brothers eyebrows raise slightly. He wasn't expecting that answer to come from Joe, and neither were you. You briefly looked up at Joe before turning your attention back to Sam, giving him a closed lip smile.
"You want to order some food and maybe get a table outside? It’s pretty nice out, plus it gives us some privacy." You said, voice growing quieter by the end of your suggestion. Your brother and boyfriend nodded, agreeing with what you said. The three of you proceeded to the counter to order your sandwiches before heading outside. After getting your food, Joe chose a table for you to sit at a few feet away from the entrance. Once you were all seated and settled, Sam spoke up.
"So how have you two been?"
"Really good," Joe said, glancing at you with a small smile on his face. You nodded, adding on, "I had an appointment last week, passed my glucose test and baby boy looks great." Sam smiled at that, "Good," he said , "I'm glad to hear that."
You smiled, "Thank you. He had us worried there for a while, but doctor says he's happy and healthy."
Sam's smile faltered slightly at the mention of how your baby's health had you and Joe worried for a bit. It took a lot of reassurance from Emma and the others that it wasn't his fault and scares like that can just happen, but Sam still couldn't help but feel guilty about the whole situation. He put so much stress on you and Joe during those early months, he knew it had to be his fault.
Sam gulped slightly, "Well I’m happy to hear that. You look great by the way, Y/n/n."
Sam's nickname for you made you smile slightly. While he's made you extremely upset and been quite a douche lately, you canto deny that you've missed him so much.
"Thanks Sammy," you replied, your nickname for Sam making him smile this time, “How’s Emma doing?”
“Good, her and baby girl are healthy. Em’s a bit uncomfortable though. Just ready to have the baby,” Sam chuckled, “but I constantly have to remind her she’s still got about eight more weeks left to grow.”
“It’s because she’s growing your big ass baby, Sam. How much more growing could she have left?” Joe said, joking with his best friend, “is she measuring ahead at all?”
Sam chuckled lightly at Joe’s teasing before answering, “Yeah she’s actually measuring two weeks ahead. We’re going in for an ultrasound in two weeks to confirm, but doctor thinks the due date will get moved up.”
“That’s great if it does,” you smiled, “Not only does it save her weeks of discomfort, but your daughter will be here before training camp.” Sam nodded at your words, “Oh yeah,” he agreed, “we’re hoping that’s the case.”
You and Joe nodded in agreement. You’re not at that point in your pregnancy yet where you’re extremely uncomfortable, but you know you’ll be feeling exactly how Emma feels in just a few weeks. For now though, you’re just thankful for how good you feel during the end of your second trimester.
For the next fifteen minutes or so, you, Joe and Sam ate your lunch in a mix of tense, yet comfortable silence while making the occasional small talk. It was obvious the three of you wanted to get into the reason why you’re meeting up today, but nobody seemed to be the one that wanted to bring it up.
You knew Joe wouldn’t bring it up. At all. And you didn’t necessarily want to be the one to start the conversation, but you also didn’t want to avoid the discussion anymore than the three of you already were. Someone just had to “rip off the bandaid” and finally start that conversation…
You wiped the corners of your mouth before folding your napkin in your hand and setting it down on the table. You adjusted your position in the chair you sat in, uncrossing your legs and sitting straight up. You cupped your bump and cleared your throat before speaking up, “I hate to be the one to bring it up…” you trailed off, eyeing the two men sitting with you, “but we do need to talk.”
“Yeah.” Joe sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his fingers through his grown out hair. Sam nodded as he too adjusted his position, “We do.” He confirmed, sighing softly after he spoke. Sam wore an apologetic expression as his eyes darted between you and Joe. He took a deep breath before taking a moment to spill his heart out to both of you. Months of pent up emotions would be spewing out in just a matter of seconds.
“I don’t even know where to begin. I just, I feel terrible. Terrible about how I’ve been treating you two and how I reacted to the baby—your baby. Terrible about what happened the day of Emma’s baby shower. If it wasn’t for me and my outbursts, you guys wouldn’t have almost lost your baby boy that day.” Sam’s voice cracked with emotion as he said the word “baby”.
You pulled your bottom lip between your teeth as you listened to Sam’s voice break. Joe brought his hand under the table and placed it on your protruding belly. He started to stroke the bump with his thumb, comforting both himself and you with the reassurance that your son was still safe and sound in your womb.
Sam continued speaking, “And don’t even get me started on the Ohio State situation. I had no right getting in-between the two of you like I did, even if it was for the best.” he sighed softly, as tears began to well in his eyes, “I, god, I feel terrible about everything I’ve done.”
You frowned as you saw how emotional Sam was getting. He did seem like he genuinely felt bad. You wanted to speak, but Sam wasn’t done.
“I understand if you never want to see me again—either of you. I wouldn’t want to see me ever again either if I were you.” Sam wasn’t one to usually show his emotions, but right now he was showing all of his emotions. His chin quivered as he spoke, “I am so, so sorry for all of the shit I’ve done and said to both of you. Not just with the pregnancy, but with your relationship. Neither of you deserve the shit I’ve put you through, and I am so sorry for that. I wish things could go back to how they were before between us. I wish I wasn’t selfish. I wish I wasn’t such an asshole. I wish you two would come back into my life again because…”
You and Joe stayed silent as Sam spewed out his jumbled apology. You were trying to process all the things he was saying to you, while also allowing him to have the chance to get everything off of his chest.
“I love you both so much,” Sam continued, his tone somber, “Y/n/n you’re my baby sister and Joey, we’ve been friends for so long that you’re not just my best friend, you’re my brother. I should’ve never treated you guys the way I did because as long as you’re happy, I should be happy, right?” He sighed once again, taking a moment to think of the right words to say next, “I’m genuinely sorry for the last few months. I’ve been overreacting like crazy, and if you’ll let me, I’d like another chance. I want to make things right.”
You took a deep breath as you took in all of Sam’s words, which was a lot to take in. Joe removed his hand from your bump, bringing it up to his hair. He wet his lips as he ran his fingers through his grown out hair. The air between the three of you was tense as Sam waited anxiously for either you or Joe to respond to him pouring his heart out.
“Sam,” Joe spoke, his voice quiet. Both you and Sam turned your attention to the blonde sitting next to you. “I understand why you reacted the way you did when we told you about the baby. I do, and I forgive you for that. But,” he sighed before continuing, “Why did you do it? If you love us as much as you say you do, if you want us to be happy as much as you say you do, why did you do it?” His voice was full of confusion and pain. You could feel the tears well in your eyes at the sound of Joe’s voice. You knew exactly what he was referring to…and so did Sam.
“I was trying to protect both of you.” Was all Sam said. Joe furrowed his brows and cocked his head to the side, “From what?”
“A lot. Protect Y/n getting her heart broken and losing the one boy she ever truly loved. Protect you from getting stuck at Ohio State and throwing away your whole career for my sister. Joe, I love you man but you and I both know things would’ve ended worse between you two if I hadn’t stepped in.”
“You were protecting us from eachother?” you asked, voice laced with so much confusion and emotion. It didn’t make any sense to you.
“Yes,” Sam confirmed, “I was protecting both of you from eachother.”
“But Why?” You and Joe asked at the same time.
“Because I knew it wasn’t going to work between you two at the time.”
You and Joe both furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. “Why?” You asked, genuinely confused. Sam scoffed lightly, “If you’d let me explain, maybe it’ll answer your question.” You and Joe closed your mouths, your silence urging Sam to continue.
“Joe, you were in love with my sister since the day you met her, and Y/n, you couldn’t stop drooling over Joe after I let you spend the night at our apartment for the first time.”
You and Joe both blushed lightly at Sam’s words. Neither of you had realized he knew all along about the infatuation you and Joe had for each other as young adults.
Sam continued, “And as much as you loved each other, I knew it wasn’t going to work out at the time. Joe, if you stayed at Ohio State I doubt you would’ve gotten any playing time until it was too late. I knew for you to achieve your dreams, you had to go to LSU—even if it meant breaking my baby sister’s heart. And Y/n,” Sam turned to you as he spoke, “if Joe would’ve stayed in Ohio he would’ve held you back from getting that internship in Los Angeles that gave you your job for the Bengals. You needed that time away from him and he needed that time away from you.”
You hated to admit it, but Sam did have a point. If Joe would’ve stayed at Ohio State…would you even have your job with the Bengals right now? Better yet, would Joe even have his job with the Bengals? It all started to make sense now…
Sam didn’t make Joe break up with you in college because he didn’t want you two together…
He did it because he wanted you two to find yourselves before finding each other.
“I felt like an ass having that conversation with Joe, acting like I hated the idea of you two dating. I knew it had to be done though for both of you to have the futures you wanted. But, I knew it would all work out for you,” He looked at both you and Joe with a genuine glint in his eyes, “Because you two were so in love that I knew someday you’d find your way back to each other,” Sam smiled softly as he looked between you and Joe, “and look at you now. You’ve got your dream jobs, you’re in a happy relationship, and you’re having a baby. Now you can say I’m wrong all you want, but, it looks like you found your way back to each other after all.”
You glanced over at Joe. The corner of his mouth was pulled up into a slight smirk as he shook his head at Sam.
“Wow,” he said, a light laugh escaping his lips, “You, I don’t even know what to say.”
“You really were looking out for us.” You said, looking back at Sam. He nodded, “Could I have executed it better? Oh yeah. But did it work? I’d say it did.”
You smiled slightly at your brother as tears welled in your eyes. You were overwhelmed by everything Sam had just told you. He knew all along that you and Joe were sneaking around behind his back. He knew how much you and Joe have always loved each other. His actions in college weren’t out of spite against you two, really, he was just looking out for both of you all along. It was hard to stay mad him now, now that you found out the truth behind everything.
You stood up from the you were sitting in, walking over to the other side of the table where Sam sat. He stood up from his chair, and as soon as he was standing you wrapped your arms around him. The two of you hugged tightly in silence for a few moments before you spoke.
“I forgive you Sammy.”
Sam smiled and squeezed you gently. He pulled away from you, turning his attention from you to Joe, who was now standing. You stepped to the side, letting the two have their moment. Joe pulled Sam into a “bro hug”, the two not saying a word, just nodding and slapping the others back the way men do when they hug. After pulling away from each other, the three of you sat back down.
The air amongst you wasn’t as tense as before Things were finally starting to feel normal between the three of you again. You spent the next teeny minutes talking some more, all three of your sharing some more of your feelings. You and Joe both agreed to give Sam a second chance. Your son deserves to have great relationship with his Uncle Sammy.
"Do you guys want to meet Emma and I for dinner next week?" Sam asked before the three of you went your separate ways. You smiled at your brother, your smile only widening as you glanced up at Joe. A content smile was on his face as he nodded at Sam. He didn’t have to say anything. You and Joe both knew that this was his way of beginning to forgive Sam for everything.
"We'd love to."
"Okay, great," Sam replied with a smile, "Jeff Ruby's or Boca at eight?"
"We've never been to Boca." Joe replied for the both of you with a shrug.
"Boca it is then."
After months of you and Joe both not speaking to Sam and being on not-so great terms, after today, it's safe to say things might finally be starting to look the way they did before this mess. While it's still a work in process, you finally had your big brother back in your life and Joe finally had his best friend back in his life.
You both couldn't be happier.
hi loves!!!
omg long time no see, lol. i feel like haven’t updated this in such a long time! (it’s because i actually haven’t😂)
i’ve been dealing with college, writers block, a football funk, and having ZERO motivation to write for this series. it was tough for a while because i loved working on this series over the summer, but something happened (i don’t even know what) and i lost all motivation for this series. maybe it was because football season wasn’t feeling like football season or because i started watching hockey. i don’t really know why, but the good news is, i finally have ALL my motivation back!!🤍
and with joe being out for the rest of the season now, i’ll be keeping up with updates for this series because i know that’ll keep our “joe community” happy while our joey recovers from his injury :)
i apologize if this chapter is all over the place and if the conversation with sam makes absolutely ZERO SENSE. i wrote that at like 4am, plus, i had no clue how to write this chapter. i just knew i needed to get it done and published! the next couple chapters im so excited to write, they’re going to be so sweet🤍
thank you so much for all the love and support you all continue to show me. it means the world to me. thank you for your patience too, i know it’s not always easy waiting months for updates lol. you are all the BEST!😚🫂🤍
tags: @dandelionwrites8 @joeburreauxsworld @theflawedwriter @mrsshiesty @ann288 @ijustcrypretty @theoneandonlyfanz @wickedfun9 @venus-b @hummusxx @stainednailpolishremover @a-moment-captured @alternativemadchen @erinmartin1987 @sirlewisworld @kkrenae @unhingedfangirl @sublimemusic-rebel @meameagirl @ilovejoeburroww @hallecarey1 @j-worlds-blog @blinkloverx3 @jordyn14 @kristencochefski1125 @ryiamarie @unsaidjaelinrose @sinners-98-world @ozwriterchick @evernova @fangirl-madz @jackharloww @emherb10
#joe burrow#joe burrow x reader#joe burrow x y/n#joe burrow x you#joe burrow series#dad joe#daddy issues#guys this was probably the worst one yet.#i am SO SORRY LOL#don’t get your hopes up…i’m just a lil rusty
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Animal of the Day!
Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis)
(Photo from Naturalis Biodiversity Center)
Extinction Date- 1939
Habitat- Midwestern United States
Size (Weight/Length)- 280 g; 25 cm
Diet- Seeds; Fruits; Nuts
Cool Facts- The Carolina parakeet was once one of the three parrot species native to the United States. These brilliantly colored birds were once found from New York to the Gulf of Mexico along riverbanks and cypress swamps. Flocks had up to 300 individuals, building nests in tree hollows and eating nuts or fruits. Carolina parakeets were in decline since the last glacial maximum, and combined with inbreeding and capturing for museum specimens, the parakeets were eradicated from the wild by 1904. A pair of Carolina parakeets, Incas and Lady June, in the Cincinnati Zoo passed away in 1918. Strangely enough, they were not classified as extinct until 1939 under the hope that some parakeets remained in the mangroves of Florida. Today, the sun parakeet, or sun conure, remains their closest relative. Sun conures are endangered due to hunting for their feathers, habitat loss, and capture for the pet trade. Conservationists are rushing to protect the sun parakeet’s remaining habitat and cracking down on cross-border trade.
Rating- 11/10 (Possibly poisonous from their diet including cockleburs.)
#animal of the day#animals#bird#parrot#parakeet#conure#tuesday#october 10#carolina parakeet#biology#science#conservation#the more you know#extinct#taxidermy#extinctober#sun conure#sun parakeet
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Path by Sam Cooper
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christmas (baby please come home)
pairing: joe burrow x reader
summary: on the way home from the patriots game, joe and the team have flight troubles and might not make it home in time for christmas
warnings: language, a little bit of suggestive content
a/n: i wanted to get a christmas fic out before the new year so here you go.
joe was so excited to be finally heading home from the patriots game. after the near loss, joe was on the plane and going home to his favorite person, you. joe smiles to himself as he thinks about you most likely being in the kitchen making a large amount of desserts for just you two.
and he was right. you are currently in the kitchen of yours’ and joe’s shared home frosting sugar cookies while singing along to your christmas playlist. you couldn’t count the amount of time you’ve been in your kitchen even if you tried. like joe, you were excited for him to come home from the game. you opted to stay home so you would be able to get everything ready for tomorrow.
on the plane, the pilot announces that there are troubles with the plane’s engine and they need to make an emergency landing. “fuck.” joe says. if he isn’t able to make it home to you for christmas, he will lose it. once they land, joe asks the pilots when they can get a flight. “i don’t know, son.” one of the pilots says. “it could be in a few hours, or it could be tomorrow. i’m sorry.” the other one tells joe.
joe runs a hand through his hair, and ja’marr notices his stressed out state. “you good joe?” ja’marr asks him. “what am i gonna tell y/n? we’ve both been looking forward to this for so long, and i have no idea how to break it to her that i might not be home for christmas.” joe tells him worriedly. “just call her and tell her man. i know y/n too, and i’m sure she’ll understand.” ja’marr reassures. “yeah you’re right ja’marr, thanks.” “no problem joe, and tell y/n i said hello.” joe just nods and pulls out his phone to call you.
as you’re adding the finishing touches to the cookies, your phone rings. you wipe off your hands and pick it up, smiling when you notice it’s joe calling. “hi joey.” you say. “hey y/n.” you immediately notice something’s up with him because he almost never calls you y/n. “what’s wrong?” you ask him becoming slightly worried. “listen i’m so sorry but the plane had engine troubles, so we had to make an emergency landing. we don’t know when we’ll be able to get a flight back to cincinnati, so i might not make it back in time for christmas. i’m so sorry honey.” you want to cry, but you don’t, knowing it’s not joe’s fault. you take a deep breath and reply, “it’s okay joe, it’s not your fault. just be safe and i’ll see you soon, okay?” “yeah okay. thank you for understanding baby. i love you so much.” “i love you too joey.” he hangs up the phone and you look down at your beautifully frosted cookies. you now have a sour feeling in your stomach because he might not be able to even eat them anymore. he might make it back in time, you think. there’s still a chance.
you continue finishing up the cookies, and as you are doing so, your favorite christmas song starts to play.
(christmas) the snow’s coming down
(christmas) i’m watching it fall
(christmas) lots of people around
(christmas) baby, please come home
you chuckle a little bit, thinking about how this song fits perfectly with your current situation with joe. you start to sing along softly as you finish the cookies and start to clean up.
they’re singing deck the halls
but it’s not like christmas at all
‘cause i remember when you were here
and all the fun we had last year (christmas)
once you’re done cleaning up the kitchen, you remember you still have to wrap joe’s presents. you walk into your closet and grab his presents that are hidden away under your clothes and shoes. you set everything on your coffee table and get to work.
after wrapping joe’s first present, you look up at your christmas tree, remembering when joe helped you decorate it and even lifted you up so you could put the star on top.
pretty lights on the tree (christmas)
i’m watching them shine (christmas)
you should be here with me (christmas)
baby, please come home
before you can stop it, you feel a tear roll down your cheek. you quickly wipe it away and shake your head. “there’s still a chance that he’ll be here in time.” you say to yourself. you begin to wrap joe’s next present, a pair of spongebob shoes you had custom designed for him. your brain quickly goes into overdrive as you’re wrapping, and you’re able to forget about joe for a little bit.
you don’t know how long it took, but you were finally done wrapping presents. you put the tags on all of them and set them under the christmas tree.
you quickly clean up your makeshift wrapping station and sit back down on the couch. you order food from uber eats and turn on national lampoon’s christmas vacation, your favorite christmas movie. you can’t help but think about how joe should be sitting next to you, laughing with you.
you had hope a little while after he first called, but now all your hope has completely dissipated. but you can always celebrate the day after right? it wouldn’t be the same, you think. all you want is to spend the perfect christmas with your perfect boyfriend eating a much larger amount of food than either of you should be eating.
your food arrives, so you pause your movie and head to the front door to meet the delivery driver. you open the door, but when you open it you’re greeted with a “merry christmas eve baby.” you immediately freeze. “joe? i thought you weren’t gonna be able to make it.” you tell him unable to contain your smile. “well, i was able to catch a flight a couple hours ago, but i decided not to tell you so i could surprise you. as i was pulling up i noticed the delivery guy walking up to the door, so i paid him to give me the food.” he says proudly as he holds your dinner out to you. you laugh and take the food out of his hands. you set it down and immediately jump into his arms.
“i’m so happy you’re home. i didn’t wanna celebrate christmas without you.” you tell him on the verge of tears. “me neither honey. but i’m here now, so we can celebrate christmas the right way.” he pulls back and looks at you with such love and adoration. you both lean into each other and share a sweet kiss. as you pull away, you lead him into the house and grab your food. when you bend down you feel joe give your ass a quick slap. you stand back up and give him a look. “what?” he asks. “i haven’t seen you since yesterday and i missed you.” he says defensively. “did you miss me or my ass?” you ask sarcastically. “both?” he replies jokingly. you just smile at him and grab his hand so you can sit on the couch together. “what are we watching?” “christmas vacation.” you tell him. “yes!” he whispers.
yeah, this christmas is gonna be perfect.
#joe burrow#joe burrow imagine#joe burrow x reader#joe burrow fluff#cincinnati#cincinatti bengals#nfl#christmas
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Frostbite & Mistletoe
Summary: An extremely long shift at a Christmas tree lot brings an unexpected customer with an unusual request. Agreeing to help Austin Butler acquire a Christmas tree leads you down a path of rather unexpected events.
Pairing: Austin Butler x Gender Neutral Reader
Warnings: Language, Holiday Fluff, Christmas Trees, Car Trouble, Cold, Snow, Exhaustion, Allusions to Mental Health Struggles, Mature/Explicit Themes [Hickeys/Love Bites, Oral – m/f receiving, Condoms, Lube, Manual Stimulation – m/f receiving, Penetrative Sex] – 18+ Only
Author’s Note: This is pure fantasy! While it’s fun to think of going home with a random celebrity, please try to be more circumspect in real life! Also - Thank you for your suspension of disbelief about the weather!
Word Count: 6179
Just twenty minutes more. In twenty minutes, you would be free of the longest day of your life.
Cincinnati, Ohio was certainly not the coldest place on earth but eight hours outside in an unprotected Christmas tree lot had chilled you to the bone. It was a tradition of yours, to volunteer for a few shifts and help raise money for the children’s hospital. It had proven to be one of those winter days where the temperature dropped by the hour and the person scheduled to take over for you never showed up.
Meanwhile, the weather had done nothing to deter the steady flow of customers. So as the sky clouded over, you had agreed to stay and help the next shift until closing at eight. Nineteen minutes to go. Walking down the aisles in your bright orange hi-vis vest, you were tidying and cataloguing the remaining trees. Yet another thing on the never-ending list of shortages and inflated prices. Demand was high as everyone was throwing themselves headlong into a holiday season with every cliché trimming. It was only day one and a third of the stock was already sold.
Over-sized, fluffy snowflakes had been gently falling for the past two hours; so light that they seemed to defy gravity, hanging in the air or some even floating back upwards. If one had to pick the best kind of snow, that would have to be it. The strains of Frank Sinatra’s Christmas Waltz reached your ears for what felt like the hundredth time that day, but you were practically euphoric at the prospect of going home in eighteen minutes and allowed your feet to shuffle across the snow-covered asphalt as you waltzed along to the music.
Frosted windowpanes
Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes
On the tree
Seventeen minutes. Spinning dramatically, you turned up the next aisle to continue tidying and collecting inventory.
It’s that time of year
“When the world falls in love, every song you hear…”
Your feet stumbled to an awkward stop as a rich, male voice joined in with Old Blue Eyes from right behind you. You turned quickly to see what you guessed was a long, lanky man bundled up in several layers including a baseball cap, hoodie, and peacoat. A man with azure eyes that were sparkling with mirth at having caught you waltzing to Christmas music in a tree lot.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you stop…it’s just such a good song…” He grinned, the movement drawing your eyes to his plush, pink lips framed by a golden-blonde goatee.
You hugged your clipboard to your chest as though it were armour that could protect you from your mortification.
“D…do you need any assistance?” You asked, forcing a professionally pleasant expression despite your embarrassment.
“Well…” He chuckled awkwardly, pulling at his lower lip with long, chilled-looking fingers. “I do have a bit of an odd request? I really, really want a tree, but I don’t have a car…Do you do delivery at all? I’d be happy to pay…”
You stared at him, brain struggling to process his request after such a long day.
“But…how did you get here?!” You blurted and winced as maybe that was not the best tone.
“Walked…” He grinned sheepishly. “I’m in town on business and pass by here every day with my driver. I came as soon as I could, but I don’t think I can carry a whole tree back to my rental…”
You swallowed thickly, closing the distance to an appropriate conversation proximity.
“How many blocks?” You asked, looking up at him. Definitely tall.
“Maybe ten?” He cocked an eyebrow, and you felt your throat tighten as you realized you had seen that face before. On a movie screen. On a tv screen. “Look I brought $200 to make it happen, happy to donate it to the cause…well causes. Your hospital and my sanity.” His laugh rang a little hollow.
Swallowing painfully, you managed to clear your throat.
“We close in…” You glanced at your watch. “Fifteen minutes. I have a roof-rack, I can help you.” You smiled softly, hoping to cheer him a little.
The way his eyes lit up…well, like a Christmas tree…brought warmth back into the chilled cheeks. His smile was infectious, and you felt the tired muscles of your face stretch to echo his grin. You took a moment to properly introduce yourself before getting back to business.
“So…what kind of tree are you looking for?” You asked.
He shrugged with an adorable, hopeless expression and shrug of his shoulders. You could not help the laugh that tumbled from your lips.
“Long needles or short?” You started simple.
“Short, like a fake tree but real.” He nodded authoritatively.
“Ok then, let’s walk away from these scotch pines.” You chuckled and led him over to the fir trees.
Working with his description of the space he wanted to fill, you helped him choose a six-foot douglas fir. You moved to pick it up, but he beat you to it, slinging the bundled tree over his shoulder. You paused a moment to appreciate the sheer physical presence of him before swallowing again tightly and leading him up to the cashier. He handed over his two one-hundred-dollar bills to the bewildered woman who, upon your explanation, beamed and tucked it into the cash box.
You handed in your inventory list to the site leader who thanked you for working a double with a great big hug. You shook your head warmly and promised to see him again next weekend, leading Austin over to your somewhat dated, compact SUV. The snow was falling thicker now, clinging to both of your outerwear, making everything dramatically whiter as you strapped the tree to your roof-rack.
“Do you know if your rental has a hacksaw?” You asked curiously.
“Yes! Yes, I checked that. There’s a tree stand, a whole box of decorations, and everything I need…except the tree.” He beamed proudly and you felt warmth emanating from your chest.
“And you’ve fixed that now too. Hop in.” You shook off some of the snow and slid into the driver’s seat as he did the same, sliding in across from you.
The vehicle seemed just as tired as you, the engine turning over sluggishly before it finally roared to life, and you found yourself able to exhale the breath you’d been holding. You cranked the heat before heading out into the rapidly accumulating snow.
“Well, I guess it’s fully winter now…” You muttered and followed his directions to a small home fairly close to downtown.
As your limbs began to thaw, a bone-deep ache of exhaustion bloomed throughout your body. You could not wait to crawl into the tub and stay there for hours, topping up the hot water as needed. You pulled into the driveway. Perched on the doorsills, the two of you worked together to untie the tree before you jumped down to help ease the tree to the ground as he slid it off the back. The angle cause all the accumulated snow on the tree to cascade onto your head and down the gap at the back of your collar. The pathetic gasp was completely involuntary, causing him to leap down and quickly take the tree, looking you over.
“Are you alright?!” He asked, resting the weight of it against his body and gently dusted the snow from your head and shoulders. “I’m so sorry…”
You smiled up at him wearily and shook your head.
“I should have seen that coming…” You sighed ruefully and carried the tree up to the porch.
Making sure the stand was ready in the living room, you held the tree as he cut a slice off the bottom of the trunk, under your instructions. You could tell he wasn’t the most natural handyman, but precision was not a huge concern here. Using the screws in the stand, you made sure the tree was standing up straight before filling the well with fresh water.
“You need to water it every day.” You instructed him as you ensured the heating vent behind the tree was closed. “And never leave the lights on when you’re not home.”
“Thank you.” He smiled as he saw you back out to your car. “Really, you have saved the holidays for me, thank you.” He repeatedly earnestly and held his arms open. “May I give you a hug?” He asked before sinking his teeth into his lower lip.
You regarded him with wide eyes for a moment before nodding shyly as you looked to the side and shuffled forward into those open arms. He wrapped them around you tightly, surrounding you in warmth and the heady scent of cinnamon and black pepper. Your exhaustion had you forgetting all sense of propriety as you leaned into his chest with a deep, contented sigh. You’d never fit so well into someone’s arms before…
With one last squeeze, he pulled back slightly.
“I should let you get home; you must be exhausted.” He smiled gently and you nodded, dumbstruck at how truly gorgeous this man was.
“I’m crawling into a hot bath and staying there until tomorrow.” You managed to murmur and tensed as you realized you were close enough to feel, as well as see, the warm puffs of air falling from his lips. “Have a good night.” You said quickly as you pulled back and waved somewhat awkwardly before climbing into the car.
As that sluggish, shuddering sound emanated from your engine once more, your initial reaction was denial. It worked last time, you just needed to try again. And again. And…and then it wasn’t even making a sound at all. You pressed your forehead to the steering wheel, taking deep calming breaths as the temptation to just cry was overwhelming. Thankfully you remembered your AAA membership and quickly dug out your phone and membership card.
Austin knocked on your window and you rolled it down.
“I’m gonna call for a boost…” You sighed and dialed the number on the back of the card.
“Come inside before you get frostbite…” He insisted, opening your door. You sighed as the recorded voice assured you ‘your call is important to us’ and followed him in without argument. It was nowhere near cold enough for frostbite, but his concern was genuine and touching.
You sat at the kitchen island and quietly watched him get a kettle boiling as the overly cheerful hold music played in your ear. As he shucked off his winter coat and pulled off his hoodie, you gulped audibly at the peek of his tanned, toned abdomen as his white t-shirt caught on the fabric.
“Put it on speaker, I don’t mind. Let me take your coat so you can warm up properly.” He smiled and held out his hand as you quietly obeyed. You could not help but watch the way his bicep bunched at the weight of your sodden jacket.
“Hello this is John speaking, how may I help you?” A human voice suddenly filled the room and you fumbled with the phone to answer as he took your coat to hang it up to dry.
“Six hours?!” You cried out incredulously at the service estimate and the agent issued a litany of apologies. You were furious and seriously questioning why you paid for this service, but poor John sounded just as tired as you felt, and you knew it wasn’t his fault. “Ok, thanks.” You ended the call and looked to Austin pathetically as he filled two mugs with tea bags and boiling water.
“Must be the cold and all the snow out there…” He murmured sympathetically.
“Yeah, I guess. I’ll get a cab or something and come back when they call.” You opened your ride share app and gasped at the wait times. Your last-ditch effort was the taxi app, but the fare estimate was murder.
Sliding a mug of tea to you, Austin leaned in.
“This is entirely my fault, please. Please just stay here until they can come.” He looked up at you pleading through his lashes. “There isn’t a tub but there’s a shower and I can get your clothes dry and…”
You blinked back tears of frustration yet again and took a shaky breath. The snow dump that had covered you had now melted in the warmth of his rental and had water dripping from the ends of your hair onto your shirt. Completely disarmed by cold and fatigue, you were helpless against that look. That pleading.
“Ok…” You breathed meekly and sniffed. “Sorry, it’s just been a hell of a day…” You apologized, gesturing at tears that had snuck into your eyes despite your best efforts.
He pulled you in for another reassuring hug and you sighed warmly.
“No apologies” He smiled and stepped back, holding out his hand. “C’mon, shower’s this way.”
You took it slowly with yours, marveling at the way his warm skin completely enveloped yours, making you shiver deeply.
“You’re freezing…” He frowned and tugged you to your feet before leading you quickly down the hall, past the stairs. “Robe for you to wear, stay as long as you like. Lock on the door too.” He touched the items as he mentioned them before stepping out to leave you in peace.
Stripping off your wet clothes, you stepped into the warm spray of the shower with a deep moan, not being mindful of your volume at all. It just felt far too good. You shuffled back to sit on the shower bench and let your skin soak in the warm water. After a good ten minutes you finally felt the ache and tension leave your muscles. Coming to your feet, you borrowed whatever was in the shower to wash your hair and body before you turned off the water. Stepping out in a cloud of steam, you towelled off before pulling your underclothes back on, putting the robe on top.
Carrying your damp clothes, you rejoined him in the kitchen, smiling softly to see him ladling hot soup into bowls.
“That was a lot shorter than I thought you’d be.” He smiled. “But I’ve got dinner ready!”
“Truly, this is beyond generous, thank you very, very much.” You shook your head in awe.
“Here let me put those in the dryer really quick. You eat.” He set a bowl and spoon on the counter and snagged your clothes before disappearing downstairs.
Sitting down, you dug in happily, groaning a little a how hungry you suddenly realized you were. You’d eaten nearly half before he reappeared to join you, chuckling and giving you a few pieces of bread to mop up every last drop. He sat beside you, eating his own bowl as you leaned heavily on the counter, making small talk about the weather or something. Honestly, now that you were fed and warm, you found it quite difficult to keep your eyes open.
“Why don’t we go sit on the couch…” He offered generously and you nodded, shuffling after him.
You grabbed the thick, cozy blanket that was draped over the back of it and wrapped it around your legs before sitting down carefully. Through your drooping eyelids as you watched him turn on the gas fireplace.
“So how long do I have to wait to decorate again?” He asked as he sat down at the other end of the couch.
Inhaling through your nose while rolling your shoulders back, you tried to wake yourself.
“A couple of hours. The branches will relax, and you’ll smell the pine when it’s ready.” You nodded before giving in to the temptation to rest your head back against the couch. You briefly felt a surge of guilt as you had a fleeting recognition that you were falling asleep but were too far gone to do a thing about it.
The sound of soft curses, muttered under Austin’s breath, sunk into your consciousness and your eyes flashed open. You were fully curled up on the couch, tucked under the blanket, and Austin was fighting with a tangled string of tree lights on the floor before you.
“Shit, I’m so sorry…” You hastily apologized and sat up. “How long was I asleep?”
He glanced at you before clearing his throat and looking back to the task before him. You glanced down at the gaping robe and quickly covered yourself, pulling the belt tight again.
“A couple. Don’t worry about it, I had some work to do. But now, now it’s time to decorate this tree. As long as I can get these untangled.” He muttered bitterly and you carefully slid to your knees on the floor across from him.
“Let me help.” You smiled softly and worked patiently at the various snags until all the lights were stretched out and ready to wrap the tree.
You looked over to it, smiling as it did indeed look perfectly ready to decorate.
“You picked a very nice one.” You carried the first string over to begin weaving the lights through the branches.
He beamed brightly and you were grateful that the tree bore the brunt of that blinding smile. For two people who had only met a few hours before, there was remarkably no sniping, and no heated comments as you worked together on a typically frustrating task. You were about halfway up the tree, and thus far your soundtrack had been Austin humming snippets of an assortment of holiday songs. The brief contact of his fingers against yours as you handed off the string of lights caused shivers of electricity to flash across your skin. You snuck glances at his profile while he was busily weaving the lights on his side of the tree, and felt, more than saw, him doing the same – the heat of his gaze tingling along your skin. He always looked away when you raised your head, however. That is until his eyes deliberately sought yours through the curtain of pine needles.
“May I ask you a question?” He asked solemnly.
His tone of voice was so serious it made you hesitate, uncertain if you were honestly awake enough to engage in a meaningful conversation while half-inserted into a tree. Straightening your back, you nodded, trying to convince yourself that there was little he could ask that would be truly catastrophic.
“Sure” You nodded, hoping your tone registered as light and care-free.
“Do you consider Die Hard to be a Christmas movie?” He continued in that serious tone but that spark of mischief was back in those sapphire eyes.
You stared at him, jaw slack, stunned. Leaning around the tree, trying to read if this was a joke of not, you saw his lips trembling with the effort not to smirk.
“I was fully prepared for you to ask me something….I don’t know, sensitive?!” You exclaimed with a guffaw of laughter.
“Some people find this a very sensitive topic!” He countered before losing control of his face and breaking out into giggles.
You could not help but join in, letting your head fall back as your laughter came from deep inside you, somehow erasing a large portion of your disgruntlement over the events of your no-good, terrible day. Eventually you were able to contain yourself and you cleared your throat before answering.
“Absolutely. It takes place during a Christmas party, features Christmas music, and Hans Gruber even says ‘ho ho ho’” You nodded emphatically.
“Ho, ho, ho” He grinned as he delivered a very convincing impersonation of Alan Rickman’s German accent.
After the laughter subsided you tilted your head.
“In that same vein….Is Hallelujah a Christmas song?” The lights were winding higher and it was a bit of a stretch for you….not for him though.
“Absolutely not.” He replied firmly, lips drawing into a thin line as he shook his head. “It’s literally about an intense and painful relationship. Nothing festive. Not even in the same orbit as the holidays.”
You nodded in agreement.
“This tree-decorating partnership can continue.” You grinned. “Though, I might just be support at this point.” You commented as he easily wrapped the lights all the way to the top before plugging the string into the star.
“Now we see how it looks!” He said excitedly, turning off the overhead light before plugging in the tree.
The glow of the multi-coloured lights was a comforting as a hug from each one of your holiday memories delivered directly to your heart.
“Incredible…” He sighed contentedly and you nodded, somewhat speechless.
You turned to look up at him, recalling that sense of heavy sadness he’d had when discussing his sanity back in the tree lot, and swallowed to see hit tanned face lit by both the tree and the firelight. He was a work of art come to life before your very eyes. The lines of worry had also eased across his features, leaving an adorable exuberance. You had a feeling that the duality of this man could easily obsess scholars for centuries…
So deep in your own thoughts you were, that you did not notice that his own eyes were tracing your features in turn, a contemplative expression falling over his face.
“Are you up to some more decorating?” He asked softly and you watched the way his lips caressed the words he spoke.
“Mmmmhm” You intoned, biting your lip at the hum of desire in your lower abdomen.
The glare of passing headlights beaming through the front window jarred you from your state and you cleared your throat, quickly kneeling to unpack the rest of the decorations from the box. You had already thrown caution to the wind and put yourself in a very vulnerable position with a total, albeit famous, stranger. There was no need to make it more complicated…despite the throb between your thighs.
“Definitely a coordinated person’s decorations…” You chuckled softly as you pulled eight boxes of matching Christmas ornaments in neutral shades.
Kneeling down across you he chuckled softly.
“Given how they decorated the rest of the house, this does not surprise me at all.” He hung a couple of them on his fingers before taking them to the tree to continue decorating.
Collecting your own assortment, you focused on the lower branches, being sure to reach in and hang some closer to the trunk to give the tree dimension. You did not notice the way the branches of the tree pulled at the robe, loosening it once more. Nor the way that it slipped off your shoulder as you knelt over the remaining boxes of ornaments, opening them up for ease of access. That is, until he knelt beside you, tracing the backs of his fingers across your shoulder and down your bicep. You shivered softly as his touch raised goosebumps in its wake.
“Mmmm sorry…” He murmured and leaned in to press an apologetic kiss to your skin with lips that felt just as soft as you had imagined. “Your skin just looks so soft…” He whispered, the tickle of his facial hair making you gasp raggedly.
As his eyes snapped to yours at that sound, a thrill of heat ran through you at their noticeably darker appearance. His lips stretched into something markedly predatory as he raised an eyebrow before slowly raising his eyes to the ceiling above you. You hesitated a moment before tilting your head back to follow his gaze, your entire body freezing at the sight of a swag of artificial mistletoe hanging from the light fixture. Leaning in, you felt his goatee tickle against your ear.
“Caught you…” He murmured.
The way his lips and warm breath caressed your skin made you tremble from head to toe. A choked-off sigh fell from his lips, and you turned your face towards his, noses brushing due to his proximity. Your eyes flicked up to his before falling back to his lips. You’d done the ‘right’ thing all damn day and it had led to an accidental double and a dead car. Now? Now you were going to do what you wanted.
“Better kiss me…don’t want any more bad luck…” You breathed shakily.
“Very true…” He whispered in return, hands rising to frame your face as he leaned in to close the last few inches of distance between you.
With a tilt of his head, he fit his lips firmly against yours. Your eyelids fluttered closed at the silky warmth of his mouth, your body turning towards his full as you reached up to cup his cheeks in return. He pulled back a little, looking over your face as your heavy breaths mingled in the space between you. You glanced up at his eyes briefly before pulling his lips back against yours, sighing happily. Licking at the seam of his lips, your tongue begged entrance.
He grunted happily and hungrily greeted your tongue with his, one hand traveling down your throat and over your shoulder to press against the flesh of your back beneath the robe, pulling you closer. You raised up on your knees to correct the height differential and raked your hands through his carefully tousled hair. You delighted in carding your hands through it, disordering it completely. A mutual need for air had your lips parting and you quickly pressed wet, open-mouthed kisses along his sharp jawline and down his neck to lap at the hollow of his throat.
With a soft growl, and eager arch of his neck, his hands moved to grasp the backs of your thighs and haul you up to straddle his lap. You whimpered against his damp skin and licked a wide stripe up along his adam’s apple back towards his lips. He caught your lips in a searing kiss, tongue pressing into your mouth eagerly, making you both hum happily at the delicious feeling of his wet muscle sliding against yours.
Wriggling a little, you encouraged the robe to gape open completely, allowing you to settle fully against the growing bulge in his jeans. His fingers slid up under the edges of the robe to grip at the skin of your hips, chest rumbling eagerly as you undulated against him. Pulling back, your chest heaved as you mewled at the feel of his teeth nibbling at your lower lip. Gripping at his shoulders, you ground against him with more intent, shivering as you felt his hands yanking at the knot in the robe’s sash. You dropped your hands to help him slide it completely from your body.
Supporting your spine with his forearm, he swept the ornament boxes to the side and lay you back on the plush rug. You stared up at him in awe as the glow of the fire caressed his features from behind you while the Christmas lights painted a riot of colour onto him from the side.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous…” You let the thoughts tumble from your lips without even trying to hold back.
You watched as he drank in your figure, only your underclothes obscuring his view, thumb and forefinger pinching and pulling at his lower lip.
“Bold words from a heavenly creature like yourself…” He whispered in a hushed sort of awe before covering your body with his, suckling your collarbone as his free hand traced along the planes of your chest and abdomen.
Arching into his touch needily, you began to gather the back of his t-shirt into your fists, pulling the hem higher before you tugged it up to his shoulders. He rose up briefly to shed the interfering cotton before quickly divesting you of your underclothes, baring you completely to his heated gaze.
“To think I got to unwrap you under my Christmas tree.” He grinned lopsidedly, eyes twinkling with that mischief as you rolled your own playfully at his seasonal corniness.
Chuckling to himself, he dragged his lips along your collarbone before kissing down your sternum. He briefly diverted to flick his tongue across each of your nipples before he continued his journey down your body. The muscles of your abdomen flinched at the tickle of his facial hair, making you chuckle breathlessly. His eyes, now nearly black as his pupils had devoured the blue of his irises, watched your face intently as he skipped over the desperate place that wanted his touch the most before pressing his lips to your right knee cap. His long fingers wrapped around the outside of your thighs and gently, yet insistently, parted your legs.
Sealing his lips around the tender flesh of your inner thigh, he sucked at your skin eagerly, drawing a shuddering gasp from beneath your breastbone.
“Austin…” You exhaled the extra oxygen that had brought into your lungs, fingers once again twining into his sandy locks.
He fairly purred against you before pulling back, licking his lips as he turned his head to treat your other thigh to the same, if only a little closer to where you really wanted his mouth. His fingers massaged your outer thighs as he sucked a series of deep purple marks higher and higher on your inner thighs until you were quivering with need.
“Please…” You keened and tugged on his hair as you felt his hot, damp exhales against the source of your pleasure, back arching and hips squirming as you ached for his mouth.
“Who am I to deny you…” He replied, voice roughened by desire before he, at last, lay his mouth against you.
Your anguished moan echoed through the room as you clenched your eyes shut tightly, chest heaving, breaths harsh. His hands wrapped around your hips, holding them down as they were bucking against his face needily. The familiar tingling began to blossom at the base of your spine, making your toes curl and heels dig into the rug.
“I’…I’m close…Austin!” You gasped out and then whimpered as he pulled his mouth away, eyes flashing open to watch him lick at his goatee-framed lips.
“Just wait right here…” He rasped; voice notably deeper.
He pressed a brief but fierce kiss to your lips before rising to his feet. You gnawed on your lower lip at the distinct outline of his cock in his jeans before he disappeared up the stairs. He was not gone a full minute before he returned with a bottle of lube at the telltale foil packet of a condom. Pushing yourself up with unsteady arms, you reached out to take said items from him to free up his hands. Setting them aside you waited until he stretched out on the rug beside you before pushing him to his back, pining him by straddling his hips as you kissed him hungrily.
He groaned hungrily into kiss as you ground along the length of him through his jeans before sliding back onto his thighs and working his belt and fly open. Inserting your fingers into the waistband of his boxers, you raised up to strip him entirely in one greedy motion, tossing the clothing aside as you settled back onto his thighs. Drinking in the sight of his needy cock, you picked up the bottle of lube, delighting in the way his length twitched as you drizzled it with the slick substance.
Your name fell from his lips needily as he gripped your thighs, hips straining towards you, raised from the rug. You swallowed thickly as you wrapped your hand around his girth, rutting against his thighs at the noise of pure sin that emanated from his throat. You could not get enough of the way expressions of pleasure flitted across his features as you traced his tip with your thumb before sliding your fist up and down the length of him torturously slow. His breathing was beginning to shallow, abdominal muscles trembling when you pulled your hand back. A taste of his own medicine while also ensuring he would last long enough to put that impressive cock inside you.
His eyes flashed open with a slight glare, but he sat up and grabbed the sides of your jaw, pulling you close for a sloppy kiss full of teeth and tongues. Groping blindly, you managed to locate a pillow on the couch and pulled it down to set it on the ground beside him, pulling back to stretch out on your front, hips propped up on said pillow as you looked at him meaningfully.
He did not need any further instruction, taking the lube in hand as he coated his fingers before easing them into your entrance with thoughtful patience.
“Fuck, look at you all needy and on offer for me…” He groaned and you pressed your forehead into the rug, shuddering with a groan of your own as he worked you open, preparing you for his sizeable length.
He pulled his fingers from you, and you canted your hips back, chasing the feeling as you glanced back at him over your shoulder. You watched with hooded eyes as he carefully rolled the protective latex over his cock, pumping it a few times indulgently, before stretching out over your body. Sinking into you slowly, inch by inch, you moan deeply at the stretch and fullness of him.
“Oh Austin!” You cried out, curling your fingers into rug.
“I know, oh fuck, I know” He panted, hands pressing into the backs of yours, fingers sliding between yours once he was seated inside you fully.
You felt his nose nuzzling against the nape of your neck, hips rocking against yours and, in turn, rocking the source of your pleasure into the pillow. You felt that same sucking pressure now against the back of your neck as he slowly slid out before quickly sliding back into you, leaving yet another mark on your body. Keeping your legs tightly together by squeezing them between his knees, he made sure you felt every single ridge and bulging vein of him as his rhythmic thrusts drove you both closer and closer toward release.
Each snap of his hips against yours had your body rocking forward, the rug applying delicious friction to your nipples, ripping pathetic whimpers and keens from you as your thighs between to quiver between his knees.
“You’re…going to…?” He panted against the damp mark on your neck, letting his teeth graze the sensitive skin.
“S’close.” You slurred in the plush fabric beneath you, arching back tightly against his torso.
“Oh yes…please…please…cum…for me….”He rambled, punctuating every few words with an insistent thrust of his hips that had your legs drumming against the floor as your release broke over you in waves of shimmering colour behind your eyelids and a nonsensical wail that ripped from your throat.
Pressing his face into the crook of your shoulder, his thrusts became erratic and sharper until he came with a hoarse cry of your name, rutting against you as he filled the condom. You could feel him trembling from head to toe above you, yet he still managed to carefully pull out and roll to the side before collapsing on the rug between you and the tree.
Resting your cheek against the rug, you drank in his debauched form, painted in ethereal, multicoloured light. Extracting the destroyed pillow from beneath you, you tossed it aside and shuffled to lay on your side next to him. Gently, you freed him from the condom, tying it closed and struggling to your feet to dispose of it in the washroom. Grabbing the blanket from the couch on your return, you cuddled up next to him, wrapping your still-trembling bodies in warmth.
He grinned at you warmly, kissing your forehead. You thought he might fall asleep, but instead he began asking you questions about your life in Cincinnati – job, friends, family, holiday traditions… You grinned a little as you were definitely doing this get-to-know-you thing in the wrong order, but you were happy to answer and ask him questions in kind. You ended up talking for hours in the low light, his fingers tracing the features of your face endlessly. Whenever his fingertips neared your lips, you would press a soft kiss to them. You did not notice who fell asleep first, though it was most likely you. The sounds of your phone ringing, however, jarred you both away in the deep, pre-dawn darkness. You struggled a little to answer it, blinking your brain into focus as a voice on the other end was saying something about your service call arriving soon…Groggily, you asked them to repeat the message before it clicked.
“Oh!” You exclaimed at the sudden return of cognitive function.
Looking down at the drowsy man beside you, his fingers stroking along your arm warmly, you swallowed and shook your head before remembering you needed to speak to communicate during a phone call.
“No longer needed, sorry I didn’t call sooner…no not at all…thank you…” You ended the call and turned to Austin as he sat up and kissed your shoulder warmly. “Bed?” You asked and he nodded quickly, helping you to your feet. You turned off the tree and the fireplace, before the pair of you headed up the stairs where you remained for the next twelve hours.
#austin butler x you#austin butler x reader#austin butler x y/n#austin butler x gn!reader#austin butler fic#austin butler imagine#austin butler smut#reader#y/n#reader insert#christmas imagine#holiday imagines#austin butler#blurredcolour
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