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elucubrare · 11 months

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What are your biggest turn-offs when reading/watching historical fiction or retellings of myths?

this is really complicated - i can put it in two boxes, both of which are packed very full.

disconnection from the material reality of the past

when characters display a very specifically modern mindset (about social issues especially, but other stuff too)

(I also get bothered by some kinds of modern language - I don't mind it when, idk, an author uses "sensible" with the modern connotation of "practical" and not the 18th century "emotional" or "empathetic", but "yeah" or "okay," or even, as i found out when someone used it in medieval fantasy, "holy shit" will get on my nerves.)

there are modern things where (made up example!) a character who's supposed to be a cook will talk about making caprese salad for a fancy restaurant in December, and someone snarking on the book will say "yeah, right, they should know better than to make something that depends on a fresh summer vegetable!" and even with greenhouses, that's pretty fair. and that's even more extreme in the past. it's 1650 in Verona, it's December, you cannot obtain fresh tomatoes. i don't think this means that people in the past were, necessarily, more emotionally or spiritually in tune with the cycle of the year, or the labor it took to get clothes, or furniture, or any other material item, and of course wealth can insulate people from some of that difficulty, but it does mean that the seasons had more direct impact on people's lives. It's possible to, for example, buy clothes ready-made, but for anything fancy, it's more likely that it'll be made to fit if it's new, or altered extensively and painstakingly if it's not. that means that tearing or staining a fancy dress isn't just an issue of looking bad - you can't just replace it, and you probably won't throw it out - you figure out how to reuse it. those concerns of access to material goods are just a lot closer to the surface of the world than they often are now.

my objections to modern attitudes about the world are not that people in the past 100% accepted the views of their contemporaries - there were always people who didn't, and it makes sense that a protagonist would be one of them. but people wouldn't phrase those objections in the same way that modern people would - say your main character doesn't want a woman accused of being a witch burned. "God's power is such that the Devil cannot give this woman the ability to sour milk" is most likely going to be more persuasive to the crowd than "witches aren't real." and sometimes that's rough - it's not super fun to read about a Roman with Roman attitudes about provincial wars, or slavery in the city, but I put something down because a Roman character said (in internal dialogue) that he was disgusted to see that a man had been tortured because "Romans simply didn't do that." Historical Romans did do that, routinely - a slave could not testify in a law court unless they had been tortured. Even with distasteful things like that, I'd much rather it just be glossed over than to have them say the "correct" modern thing. It just makes it feel too much like the theme park version of the culture.

Both of these are because of specific things I come to historical fiction for - I want that sense of alienation, the gulf of experience. I hate that most historical fiction (and fantasy set in semi-recognizable periods) characters don't really care about Honor, except as a joke, because I love when characters organize their lives around arcane rules and systems that cause tiny things to escalate into blood feud. I just think they're neat! I like it when people's worldviews are shaped by their lack of scientific certainty about what causes crops to fail! If I wanted to read about people who thought and acted like me, and had lives that were mostly similar to mine, only cooler, I'd just read contemporary fiction.

#my thoughts on...

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steddiealltheway · 1 year

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Steve is forced by his parents to go to a New Year’s work event where he knows no one. And before he goes, his mother gives him a rundown of the general rules of his behavior - including not eating or drinking anything there. She doesn’t want to risk him spilling anything on his expensive suit or embarrassing her with the way he eats.

So Steve goes to the event and is entirely miserable. His parents ditch him early on and he just wanders around the venue making brief small talk with some of his parents' coworkers. He sticks to his mother’s main topics - his age, lying about where he goes to college and what he’s studying, and the damn weather.

The food looks absolutely enticing, but it seems like every time he wants to sneak something off a platter the caterers are bringing around, his mother is watching him. So he adverts his eyes, keeping his gaze low but then his father comes by to whisper how he looks too submissive and not like a man, so he’s forced to straighten up.

Then he spots him, a caterer scowling as he attempts to balance a platter while blowing a strand of dark, curly hair out of his face. His hair is messily tied up in a bun he looks like he was forced to wear along with a suit he keeps pulling at. Steve has never felt like he’s related to someone more.

The man’s doe eyes land on Steve, catching him staring at him, and Steve quickly looks away and back towards his parents. To his surprise, they aren’t looking at him to mess up for once, too busy seemingly sucking up to someone “important.”

Steve takes the opportunity to glance back over at the man, but instead of finding him where he used to be, he’s steadily approaching him - platter of what looks to be fancy skewed meatballs in hand. Steve has never been more miserable by his mother’s rules - no eating and absolutely no talking to the caterers.

By now the man is in front of him, scowl gone and replaced with a soft smile as he offers him the platter. Steve politely shakes his head with a tight smile. The man frowns, and Steve wonders if he saw how intently he was eyeing the food before he declined. Nonetheless, the caterer continues on, even passing by his parents who both grab a skewer after the person who they’re talking to does.

Steve’s hands flex and he pinches his nose as he continues on, trying to push down the bubbling anger. He runs into a different couple and has the same damn conversation all over again before moving on to the next.

But then it happens again, the man with the messy bun and small dimples approaches him with a different platter - this time with smoked salmon. Steve politely refuses again, and the man’s frown tugs a little deeper.

For the next half hour, it’s as if the man is following him around, different platter each time - shrimp tartlets, deviled eggs, caprese salad kabobs, crab cake stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped apricots, chocolate covered cheese, cheesecake bites…. All of which Steve politely refuses as the man frowns at him as if personally offended.

As the party drags on, Steve gets more and more bored and antsy. He just feels so shut in and hangry and he needs to get air. Whoever’s mansion they’re in has to have some type of balcony, so Steve wanders some more, spotting the staircase he’s passed several times, red rope making it off limits.

There’s a bit of commotion when the champagne tower comes out, and as everyone is distracted, Steve easily steps over the rope and sneaks up the stairs. When he’s hidden from sight, he lets out a sigh of relief and continues his search. He quickly finds a suspicious set of curtains on a wall, and he pulls them back.

Perfect. The doors are simple and white but to Steve’s surprise they slide apart. Dramatic. But it’s a balcony. He makes his way outside, closing the curtains and doors behind him before he takes in a breath of cold air. He feels better already.

There are two white chairs that look beautiful but incredibly uncomfortable, so Steve settles for sitting on the ground, putting his legs between the slats on the balcony railing, and glancing down at the large outdoor pool. Happy new year to him. He sighs.

The door behind him opens, and Steve whips his head around ready to be chewed out by his family or the owner.

“Shhh,” the server shushes him dramatically putting a finger to his mouth. He sets a platter filled with various finger foods down on the balcony table then closes the curtains and door behind him.

Steve stares unsure of what to do or say. His heart thuds in his chest. “So, here’s the thing,” the man says, “all night I’ve seen you practically drooling over this food, but every time you’ve refused it. At first, I thought maybe you were vegetarian, but then you refused the meatless options. Then I thought you might have some type of weird allergies, but then you refused the food that was specifically made for that. So, my question is, why are you not eating?”

Steve stares at him for a moment and finally replies, “My mother told me not to.”

The man's eyebrows pinch together. “Do you want food?”

“Desperately."

The man smiles brightly and dramatically gestures to the tray. “Voila!”

Steve glances at the tray with items stacked on top of each other because it seems like the other man ran out of space when making it. “That’s all for me?” Steve asks with the first smile of the day tugging at his lips.

The man picks up the platter and sets it next to Steve, sitting beside him. "I snuck a few bites for myself throughout the party, so yes." Steve laughs and immediately digs into the platter. "Good choice on the French rosemary chicken linguini," the man says.

Steve gives him a look while finishing chewing. "I thought this was steak."

"This is why they pay me not to speak," the man says with a cheeky grin. "I'm Eddie by the way."

"Steve," he replies, holding out his hand for Eddie to shake. Eddie grabs it and kisses the back of it. Steve laughs, "You're strange, you know that?"

"Absolutely," Eddie replies and leans in to bump his shoulder against Steve's.

They continue chatting, with Eddie spewing out some random name for whatever Steve is sampling. Every time it manages to make Steve laugh which in turn makes Eddie smile wider and scoot closer. And whenever Steve tries something he absolutely hates, Eddie will have part of the other half and either shame Steve for his horrible picky taste or break the food apart to toss through the slats to see who can get closer to getting their piece in the pool. Steve wins that game a lot.

When the food starts thinning out, Steve tells Eddie how he partially wishes the lies his mother told him to tell the others were true. How he wishes he was in college doing something instead of staying at home because he hadn't gotten into any college. Eddie tells him how he flunked out three times before he dropped out of high school. The catering job is just for the night as he samples around what he wans to do. Steve admires him for that.

They make plans as if they were going to run away together. Where they would go and what they would do if they could. Steve would teach kids and Eddie would play guitar for a living. As the night goes on, Steve is almost convinced that their dreams could maybe become a reality.

From the balcony, they can hear the distant cheers of a New Year's countdown. "Think we could do it this year?" Steve asks, countdown to eight.

"Run away together?" Eddie asks, countdown six.

"And make the life we want," Steve replies sincerely, countdown to four.

Eddie pauses and considers for a moment. "I would love to," he replies and leans forward, countdown to one.

Steve meets him in the middle and kisses him as if it this was possible and he could turn his dreams into a reality. He breaks away and whispers, "Happy New Year, Eddie."

"Happy New Year, Steve," Eddie replies smiling against his lips.

Steve kisses him again knowing his parents are going to be screaming at him later, but it won't matter when he's packing his bags for the New Year.

#steddie #steddie ficlet #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things

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pelova4president · 5 months

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The bestest of friends

Grace Clinton x Reader

summary~ You’ve been bestfriends for years and somewhere along the way you caught feelings.

You don’t know when these feeling started to creep up on you but you were miserable, miserably in love with her.

You met her when you were about 7 and she just turned 9. You wanted to play football with the boys. They told you no but even at 7 years old you wouldn’t take no for an answer. If you wanted to play, you would.

You asked them why you couldn’t play and they simply said that girls shouldn’t play football and you should go home.

It was then that you started to get angry and instead of going home you ran into their game of football and tackled one of the boys. You started to dribble towards their goal and passed two midfielders. There were still two defenders left, you ran to the right one and passed the ball right through his legs. The other defender tried to tackle you but missed the ball and you jumped over his feet. Only the goalie was left and you knew you had to score. And just like that, the ball went off your feet into the top bin.

They were shocked and to be honest so were you. It was then that you noticed the girl that was stood watching you. She clapped, impressed by what you just did. You looked down, blushing like crazy.

And from that day on, you didn’t have to beg the boys to play. Grace was there whenever you wanted to play footie.

You were always with Grace, who you called Gracie now. Both in the same school, both in the same neighbourhood and both obsessed with football. You were in different grades but that didn’t stop you from seeing each other. You would bring a football to school and play with Grace in breaks and after school until most of the kids had been picked up by their parents.

When you knew it was time to go home, Gracie walked you to your front door, everyday.

When Grace turned 13 she got scouted by Everton, you were over the moon for her. When she told you, you jumped into her arms and told her just how proud you were.

But you couldn’t help but feel a bit sad and disappointed. You knew you had a lot of time, Grace was older so ofcourse she would get scouted first. But that stinging feeling of not being good enough was still there.

So when Grace started to train more and more at Everton you were working your ass off too, at the local football club. And at 13 it all payed off, you got scouted by Manchester United.

Grace was happy for you, at least she tried to be. You played for a different club and she was afraid you wouldn’t have time for her anymore.

At 14 and 16 you knew that there was more than just the platonic friendship you had. Whenever you would hang out together she was touchy, she always was. But why did you notice it so much now.

She cuddled you, she held hands with you and gave you kisses on your cheek or forehead. ‘This is just what friends do’ you told yourself. But your cheeks coloured a dark shade of red every time she did things like that.

It was when she signed for Manchester United that you knew you loved her, and not just as friends.

She invited you to a sleepover and you couldn’t say no. She was giggling the moment you arrived. You asked her what she was giggling about but she just shook her head and told you ‘oh nothing’.

You ate pizza together, sharing half half like you always do, a peperoni and a caprese. She watched you take a bite and hum, you both knew you shouldn’t eat unhealthy things like this in the midst of a important season but you couldn’t resist.

It was when you took another bite that she couldn’t contain her excitement about the big news anymore. “Y/n, i’ve signed with Manchester United.”

You were shocked, in a happy way. When you didn’t react she just walked towards you and gave you the biggest hug. “Oh my god, Gracie that’s wow.. that’s just amazing” you whispered. “Y/n were gonna play together, you scoring all the goals that i’ll assist” she whispered back.

You took your head out of the crook of her neck and looked at her with glossy eyes. “We’re really gonna play together” you repeated. She nodded and kissed you on your forehead. You couldn’t of gone redder at that.

In and out of football the two of you couldn’t be separated. They put you in Gracie’s team so you could develop better as a player. It had it’s perks, you were in a team with Grace but one of the cons was that the whole team acted like you were at least 5 years younger.

Every time they made jokes about your height or age Grace tried to stifle her laugh but ended up laughing with them. You would give her a death stare and she would tell everyone to leave you alone. Now that you think of it, that may be the reason why everyone thought you were together. Or was it the handholding or the stares you gave each other…

At 17 Manchester United didn’t really give you any play time and you were frustrated, didn’t you work hard enough?

Grace knew that you were frustrated, when she searched for you after training and she couldn’t find you she knew exactly where you were.

You were on the pitch dribbling, shooting and running your heels off. After watching you for a bit and you sat down she walked up to you and sat down.

“Y/n, are you okay?” she asked. You looked down at your feet and started to fidget with your laces. “I don’t know Gracie” you told her.

She hugged your from aside and just nodded. “Y/n, you’re gonna be alright. You’re full of talent, you’re nothing but amazing, you’re beautiful and you deserve the world.” she assured you. You hugged her back and whispered “You think i’m beautiful?”.

Grace chuckled and looked at you. “Y/n, i’ve always thought you were beautiful… How could i not.” You looked her in her eyes and leaned forward to kiss her. She kissed you back and when you looked back at her she was smiling like crazy.

“You know how long i’ve waiting to do that” she told you. You smiled back at her and whispered “Hmm tell me all about it.”.

She drove you home and like always, she walked you to your door. But this time she kissed you goodbye.

It was time for England camp and you’ve been looking forward to it. Playing for England had always been a dream but playing for England with Grace by your side was just magical.

Everyone at camp already knew you were inseparable and so did the fans. So when England posted on their socials nobody was surprised to see you two together, side by side.

(pretend that you’re ella/alessia)

Lionesses

liked by lucybronze and 34.689 others

camp cuddles 🫂

comments

woso4lover they’re so cute together

lucywalshbronze are they dating??

↳ leahisbaee no they’re bestfriends

↳ arsenalww4 they would be cute tho

Camp was perfect, everything was perfect, until you went to Manchester United again. They weren’t extending your contract. You were absolutely heartbroken. You couldn’t bring it in yourself to tell Gracie the news.

Meanwhile Gracie heard she was getting loaned out to Tottenham for the season. She was frustrated and kind of angry. Didn’t she do enough to deserve a spot on the team. Why didn’t they want her?

But all of those emotions subsided after you learned that you were both going to Tottenham, together. Sure things weren’t perfect but with Gracie by your side everything was okay again.

graceclinton_x

liked by y/n_y/l/n and 11.479 others

first day in the office

comments

y/n_y/l/n the kit looks good on you ;)

↳ graceclinton_x i like it better on you

alessiarusso99 graciegirl 🥰

ellatoone proud of you 😍

y/n_y/l/n posted on their story

After scoring your first goal for the club Grace took you out to dinner. She told you to dress comfy but classy. When she picked you up she looked at you for a few second and leaned in to kiss you. “You like what you see?” you asked her. She nodded and leaned in to kiss you again.

You ate dinner at a Italian restaurant, she knew you liked pizza and pasta. You chose a pizza peperoni and a caprese, how could you not. After dinner she took you on a walk exploring. You sat on a bench by the water and talked for a bit.

She conversation fell into a comfortable silence. You had your hand resting next to you on the bench. Grace layed her hand on yours and squeezed it. You looked at your hands together and then quickly looked away.

“Y/n i know i’ve already said it but you’re beautiful. And you’re kind, talented, smart, all of those things and i’ve always thought that about you. It’s just that for a while now i’m not just feeling that anymore, i really like you. And i know you like me, so y/n will you be my girlfriend so i can keep sharing my pizza with you.” she told you, staring at the water infront of you.

Now it was you squeezing her hand to get her attention. “Gracie, you already know my answer. The pizza’s are too good to say no” you giggled. She turned her head and you kissed her.

graceclinton_x posted on their story

The two of you decided to tell a few of your teammates, including Ella and Alessia who apparently had a bet going on. “See Tooney, i told you they’d get together before the Euros!” Alessia pushed Ella.

After hanging out with the two best friends you both were tired and went home, Grace driving you home since you were her passenger princess.

“Aww Gracie, look at what Lessi posted” you told her.

alessiarusso99

Both you and Grace knew that it wasn’t long before the media would find out about your relationship so you hard launched. You wanted to be able to kiss her in public and not to sneak in a bathroom of some restaurant just to give her a kiss.

graceclinton_x, y/n_y/l/n

liked by ellatoone and 14.526 others

loved her long enough to finally call her my girlfriend

comments

alessiarusso99 my little kids 🥹

↳ ellatoone they’re mine too

↳ alessiarusso99 we can share tooney

leahwilliamsonn too cute

lucybronze the kids are falling in love 🥹

↳ keirawalsh lucy you’re acting like their grandma

↳ lucy bronze let me be emotional

wosofann i knew it!!!

footballstacay11 bff goals 🥰

↳ woso4evr they’re lesbians stacey

A/N i really liked writing this fic, i hope you liked reading it too :)

#grace clinton #grace clinton x reader #woso x reader #engwnt #lionesses #lionesses x reader #woso community #woso fanfics

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its-time-to-write · 1 year

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dress

this is my first time writing for anyone so… i guess we’ll see how it goes. reader and jamie are getting ready for a fancy dinner/benefit thing. it’s cute, a little swearing, no angst. allusion to sex but that’s it. i wrote this mostly for myself because there’s an appalling lack of jamie tartt fics. anyway.

dress

It is 3pm, and you have to leave in an hour and a half to make it to the annual benefit. Jamie goes every year, but this is your first. You had been talking to Keeley about it, lamenting your inability to pick something to wear, when she grabs your arm and says, “Don't worry about it babes! We can pick one out together.”

“Keeley, I’d love too, but I’m absolutely swamped with work. My forty hours are filled with clients, so my free time is basically all notes and treatment plans. That's why I’ve ghosted pretty much everyone except you and Jamie.”

“It's pretty much just Jamie at this point,” she says mischievously. “I’m not sure we would have made it to coffee if we hadn’t made these plans three weeks ago, especially because you didn’t even tap back to that pun I sent that Ted made the other day.”

You laugh. “I suppose you’re right. I am sorry, it’s just been so much work, what with taking on that new case and wrapping up that other one-“

“Like I said babes, don’t worry about it,” she says sympathetically. Her hand is still on your arm. “I totally understand what it’s like bein’ a young woman in business, yeah? We'll talk when it slows down.”

You take breath and nod. You both sit in silence for a moment, and then (because it’s Keeley and she is allergic to silence): “What if I took Jamie with me??”

You look at her, confused.

“What if I took Jamie with me to pick you out a dress? I know fashion and he knows you, and I think between the two of us we could pick out something absolutely fantabulous! What do you say? I can text him right now.”

Keeley's practically vibrating from excitement, and you know for absolute certain if you say yes, they are going to come home with something the price of your first apartment. You also know they’ll bring you coffee on the way back so really, is there any option other than yes?

——

“No, you can’t see.”

Jamie has a large, nondescript bag that he is holding very tightly and an iced coffee that he is holding less tightly. You swoop in on the coffee as Keeley chimes in with: “It’s a surprise babes. You can’t see it until the benefit.”

Jamie points to her with his bag hand. “See? She agrees.”

You squint at Keeley. “This is why I hate it when you two hang out. You get together, you make plans to torture me and sure, you bring me coffee, but god at what cost?”

Jamie and Keeley are giggling like a pair of kids as you stand, still doing your best to glare and drink your latte. They do this every time, come up with some scheme because they think it’s funny when you get “upset.” It’s like a ritual. They go shopping, spend an inordinately long time, bring you coffee to appease you, and then purposely push your buttons. They feed off of each other like a pair of weird siblings and you love it. They both can tell when you’re too tightly wound and take it upon themselves to get you to laugh. Jamie waggles the bag under your nose which makes you crack a smile as Keeley cheers. “See, I knew you loved us babe. Or at least, I knew you loved me. Jury's still out on what you think of Jamie.”

That brings a full-on laugh as Keeley dances around the kitchen.

“You staying for dinner, Keels?” you ask, although you already know the answer.

“What are you making?” she asks, Jamie behind her mouthing in unison. You suppress the urge to giggle.

“Caprese salad, pesto chicken and pasta, and Thai tea limeade. Oh, plus I made those tiny baguettes you like and Jamie, I put your tea into smoothie form. Got spinach and all that.”

“Hm,” she says, finger to her chin and head tilted. Jamie mimics her. “I suppose that I can stay. Just this once though, and not very long.”

You smile and Jamie comes around the counter to kiss you.

“I’m going to hide this,” he holds up the bag and points a finger at you “you don’t go looking for it.” He turns to Keeley, “You distract her.”

Keeley stayed her usual short amount of time, a mere six hours, giving you and Jamie a solid four hours of sleep until he has to train.

——

You shake yourself from your reverie as you reach for the dress bag. You unzip it to find something metallic with power shoulders and long sleeves, and are those little spines all over? It is long and black, yet somehow also purple and red. It is, in a word, hideous. You cannot reconcile what you see in front of you with the fact that both Keeley and Jamie picked it out, because they have never failed before, so maybe it looks better on? You sigh and begin to undress.

——

It is not better.

You go to find Jamie, looking fit in a cream hoodie and bubblegum pink suit, who takes one look and begins uncontrollably laughing.

——

“Jaim, listen. Jamie-” you’re cut off as Jamie doubles over in laughter. You’re laughing too as you catch his arms. “Babe- you can’t, you cannot leave me like this. How am I supposed to go the benefit like this? I look like a goth puffer fish!”

Jamie has collapsed to the floor in a fit of giggles, taking you with him.

“I- I’m- it-“ he gasps, “it’s so much worse- it’s so much worse than I thought it was going to be!”

You stop mid-giggle. “I’m sorry, it’s what?”

Jamie has laughed himself near tears as he holds your waist.

“Listen. Babe. You are not allowed to be mad at me. But. I may have let Keeley pick out that dress because- because,” he shushes you as you begin to protest, “I knew you would hate it, and you had nothing else to wear, and therefore you would have to wear the one that I got you.”

Your face goes through an inhuman amount of expressions as you process everything he just said, until you land on- “you bought me a dress on your own?”

“Yeah, yeah I did.” Suddenly Jamie looks incredibly shy. “Look, babe. I love your style, but the thing is, you like to play it safe.”

You frown, and Jamie holds up both his hands.

“Listen. You play your version of safe, but I think if you gave it a chance, you could expand your repertoire and we can be remembered as the hottest fuckin’ couple alive. Plus, it’s definitely way better than that horrid thing Keeley got.”

You’re distracted by his correct use of the word repertoire, and all of a sudden you don’t care about wearing the dress anymore. All you can think is that you want it off and that ridiculous, handsome pink suit should come off too, and maybe it would be better if you both were on the bed than on the floor.

Before you can develop this thought further, Jamie is getting up and pulling you with him.

“C’mon, wait till you see it,” he says, maneuvering you out of the bedroom and into a guest room of all places.

“I had to put it somewhere you wouldn’t see it,” he explains.

All the breath has left your lungs as you look at the dress on the bed.

Jamie has purchased a short, lime-green, tulle halter-neck dress with a fluffy train in the back. It's your dream dress. The one you used to look at as a high schooler, a college student; the one that you dreamt of being able to justify; the one you told Jamie about exactly once, and yet somehow, somehow it is right in front of you in your house.

Jamie’s arms snake around your waist, lips against your neck. “Do you like it?” he murmurs into your skin. You smile at that and turn to put your arms around him.

“Do I like it?” you grin, “Jamie Tartt, you wonderful, beautiful, thoughtful boy, I love it. How on earth did you remember?”

Jamie smiles back, arrogance clearly written across his expression. “You think I’m beautiful?”

You roll your eyes. “That’s what you got from this you prick? I want to know how you remembered? I mentioned this dress once and somehow, it’s sitting right in front of me because you got it for me.”

Jamie is still grinning. “Tell me how beautiful you think I am, and I’ll tell you how I remembered.”

Your face hurts from so much laughter. “Jamie, you beautiful, beautiful man. I love your hair, your eyes, your smile, your lips, your-” you are cut off by his lips on yours.

“Get changed, yeah? Then I’ll tell you.” You kiss him one more time, then he’s out the door.

——

You hear Jamie clattering around in the kitchen as you put on your shoes. You re-touch your lips and hair, then you’re on your way down the stairs.

“Hi babe,” you say to Jamie’s back, fiddling with the coffee machine.

You’ve never had someone look at you the way Jamie is looking at you now. It's the way you look at a good piece of chocolate cake: with a little bit of reverence, and the desire to devour. You forget to blink for over a minute, trapped in his gaze.

He breathes out a single, “Holy fuck,” as he walks toward you and spins you off the bottom step. “you look fuckin’ amazing.”

“How did you know?” you ask, for what feels like the hundredth time.

Jamie sets you down on your bubblegum pink heels. “Easy. That was when I first realized I loved ya.”

Your face heats up. “You… realized you loved me… when I was rambling on about a dress I’ve wanted since high school? That was your moment?”

Jamie’s hands are still around your waist, your hands on his biceps. The room is pleasantly spinning a little bit, and a family of butterflies has taken up residence in your stomach. God, all this time with this boy and he still has the ability to make you feel like a giddy teen with a crush.

“Well, yeah babe, kinda obvious why, innit?” You scrunch your nose in confusion as he continues, “I realized you were talking to me like a real person, as Jamie Tartt, human, not Jamie Tartt the footballer. I felt all weird, so I talked to Keeley about it. Called her on the way home that night. After she finished laughing, she told me I was probably in love with you. Hearing it out loud made me realize she was right.”

The words are barely out of his mouth and you’re kissing him again, pulling him closer and closer until the moment is broken with a ding from Jamie’s phone. It's Dani, asking if you can pick him up on your way. Jamie ushers you out the door and into the car, and for a singular, spectacular moment, everything is perfect.

#jamie tartt x reader #jamie tartt x y/n #jamie tartt x you #jamie tartt imagine #jamie tartt fanfiction #ted lasso #jamie tartt

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whentherewerebicycles · 2 months

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hello dear Jes, I am all out of good meal ideas!! I’m always in awe of your drive to cook and the great-looking meals you create. Any good recs for yummy and relatively easy / quick recipes? thank u 🙏

hello!! yes here are some very easy, low effort low prep recipes i love. the bolded ones are the ones i find myself making most often when i am like wow i do NOT want to cook but if i must do so, i wish to make the easiest thing ever.

shakshuka (all recipes are basically the same! i make it with canned tomatoes to cut down on prep, add a sliced jalapeno to make it spicier, and top it with feta and cilantro. if you are not crazy about eggs my sister often makes it with chickpeas and no eggs!)

thai peanut noodles (you can make as-is but i often add roasted broccoli and air fryer tofu if i have time!)

ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli and chickpeas (i roast the broccoli rather than broiling it as i am afraid of broiling lol but it's very easy and delish)

creamy corn pasta (my beloved)

spaghetti with onion-"bacon", corn, and basil

roasted sweet potato tacos (roast sweet potatoes, warm black beans on the stove with spices, and make easy quick-pickled onions if i have time - then you can add avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and any other toppings you like!)

potato egg and cheese breakfast tacos (i roast or air-fry small-cubed potatoes, scramble eggs, melt cheese into the eggs, and top with the salsa of your choice!)

migas breakfast tacos

tortellini with pesto and roasted veggies

caprese toasts (toast bread of your choice, then add pesto, sliced mozzarella, sliced cherry tomatoes, basil if you have it, and balsamic glaze... my all-time fave easy/no-cook meal)

pesto pasta with frozen peas (another super easy one i make when i want to barely cook at all - you boil the frozen peas in the pasta pot for the last three minutes of the pasta's cook time. then add pesto, grated parmesan, a squeeze of lemon, and halved cherry tomatoes if you have them)

easy asparagus soup (thinly slice a leek and cut 1-2 bunches of asparagus into half inch pieces. melt 3 TBS of butter in your pot, then saute the leek plus 5-6 cloves of garlic for 8 min. add asparagus pieces and 4-6 cups of veggie stock, bring to a boil, salt and pepper, and simmer for 30 min. transfer it all to a blender and blend, then add 1/4th cup grated parmesan and the juice of half a lemon. serve with crusty croutons and sliced chives)

roasted sweet potato & figs dish (you can also make with dried dates if you can't find figs!)

easy chana masala

nectarine, arugula, and feta salad (best in the summer when it's nectarine season but delish all year round... you can also use peaches. i usually serve it on a bed of quinoa so it's more filling/more of a main dish. the basil dressing is to die for i could eat it with a spoon)

avocado & egg sandwich (you can make this on a bagel, english muffin, or bread... just toast your bread, mash avocado onto the bread & sprinkle with red pepper flakes, and then scramble or fry eggs to your liking and put on top)

#jes cooks

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jewreallythinkthat · 6 days

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"but cakes at Pesach aren't very nice"

WRONG

I tried making Italian torta caprese this year, it's literally butter, egg, sugar, chocolate and ground almonds/hazelnuts and it's delightful.

#jumblr #jewish food #jewish joy #pesach cakes can be nice if you make them yourself

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sgiandubh · 7 months

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By special request- Sherlock's Lemon Squares

To end the Wikipedia saga on a cheerful note and since it's been asked or rather alluded in comments, it's with great pleasure that I am sharing with you my foolproof lemon squares recipe I nevertheless managed to completely screw yesterday.

This is my way of saying thank you, all of you. And satisfy @sop123456778 's sweet tooth.

It takes about one hour from start to finish, baking included. A 10 year old could make it without any trouble. And it's so good, I always bake a double batch for friends: it will not last overnight, otherwise.

Before you start: preheat oven at 350 F/180 C.

For the crust, you will need: 1 cup (2 sticks)/250 grams softened, diced butter (take it out of the fridge half an hour before), 1 cup/125 grams icing sugar, 1¼ cups/200 grams flour (Robin Hood is a good idea and yes, they have it in Greece), 2 cups/200 grams finely chopped nuts (not macadamia and not pecan: walnuts/ hazelnuts are perfect and pistachios are spectacular). If you want a nuttier base, you can play with flour to nuts proportions.

Step 1: mix everything, preferably using one of those blenders/choppers (five minutes tops will do, in this case).

Step 2: gently pat evenly onto the bottom of a 13x8 (lined with parchment paper, of course) baking pan.

Step 3: bake about 15 to 20 minutes (not more!). That toothpick must be dry, after all, but you don't need crunch at this point.

In the meanwhile, whip the topping in an eyeblink:

You will need: 4 eggs (at room's temperature, always); 1,5 cups/300 grams granulated sugar; juice and zest of 3 plump lemons (Meyer lemons would be ideal, but we miss them sorely here and I sometimes mix 2 lemons and 1 lime, sky is the limit) and 4 tablespoons/60 grams flour (I put half of it, but that's me).

Step 1: gently mix everything with a spoon. Do not overmix, no need, just allow for that sugar to dissolve properly (again, five minutes tops).

Step 2: immediately pour this mix on the hot crust you just took out of the oven (that was the lightbulb moment, hehe).

Step 3: bake for 15 to 20 more minutes. Immediately and liberally dust with icing sugar (which may or may not caramelize a bit).

Let cool. Cut into squares only when completely cooled. Try not to eat everything before guests arrive.

This is the end result, last time I made it (emphatically not yesterday):

If I manage another sleuthing feat of the sort, I promise to unveil Watson's Torta Caprese, ok? :)

You are so welcome. And yes, my Greek kitchen's floor stopped being cool circa 1981. :)

#cookery

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bunnakit · 4 months

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bake me please finale thoughts, feelings, etc.

normally i only break down whole eps for last twilight but this finale sure is. a finale. definitely is one of those.

this shit with the social media feels very dramatic for some cakes. like??? listen, i work in social media for a small company, this year we had something VERY major fuck up one of our shipments, but even with that huge fuck up no one responded even close to this lmao. this is ridiculous and overly dramatic - which like, i know the show has been, but this just felt dumb.

well that's not true, you just had a whole fit last episode about how Sweetheart managed to rip off your recipe, so like... someone is definitely making that cake, bud. i don't get his obsession with the torta caprese, you are not the only one capable of making it. make a fucking croquembouche and then i'll be impressed.

and once again Peach saves the fucking day. how did any of you live without him? like honestly, the amount of physical and emotional labor Peach takes on is INSANE. why is he the most well adjusted person in a group of 5 adult men? i'm begging you all to pass the singular brain cell you share around.

not that Peach is perfect, because he then lies to Guy, says he has the flu, and expects Guy not to show up and try to take care of him? buddy Guy is besotted with you, he cried because you were crying, of course he's going to try and come take care of you.

so here's something i liked about this conversation - that there was a conversation. Guy found out Peach lied, Peach apologized, and they talked it through. not all of Guy's responses were perfect but he listened and he didn't shout or lash out. he took time to hear Peach and understand what was going on.

and instead of shouting, he tells Peach to go.

so there's absolutely a parallel here to draw between Shin telling Guy not to come back and Guy telling Peach not to come back - just like Shin, Guy is hurting. he doesn't want Peach to go, doesn't want to say goodbye, but he knows that's what Peach wants and he's willing to let him go. the difference comes in that this is very likely also the perfect opportunity for Guy to seek some distance. he's recently been rejected by Peach and knows there's no place for his feelings with Peach, so it would be better for them both if they can have that space.

he communicates it in a way that's better than Shin, without the shouting and the hurt and the insult, just a quiet resignation. and you see Peach isn't that upset, not even half as upset as Guy was when Shin said the very same thing to him - because Sweetheart isn't where Peach wants to be and both he and Guy know that.

WELL THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE INFORMATION TO HAVE IN EPISODE 1. so Shin, Oab, and Guy started Temptation together and were all shareholders, which is both pretty impressive and makes Guy leaving all the more tragic. i can get why Shin was so hurt, but Guy's hurt is amplified as well because he went into a business with his friends and was sidelined, essentially.

i am so glad to see him come home, though. what Guy shows us is sometimes you need space and time to gather your thoughts, feelings, and gain perspective on what matters most to you. after everything Guy still came back because this place and these people are his home.

"My ego is not as important as this shop and all our efforts."

wow what a mature thing to say, amazing. what a concept. Why the fuck wasn't Guy our main.

okay, I know I'm on my Guy soapbox, I'll get off it soon, but just - Guy being the one to take Peach back to Shin? what the FUCK. it hurts. it hurts so bad. he literally takes Peach by the hand and leads him back to Shin so they can reconcile. from his earlier talk with Shin he knows he feels bad, he knows he misses Peach, and from Peach's rejection he knows Peach misses Shin. he puts all of his own love and feelings aside to bring them back together. i know he did some shady and petty shit but he really is the Guy (lol) of all time.

the fact that Shin apologizes better to Guy than to Peach drives me up a wall. Shin talks to Peach about not being firm enough and being impatient or whatever and it's like CAN YOU JUST SAY YOU'RE SORRY? i'm begging you to apologize for not listening, for calling his dream stupid, etc. NOT FOR NOT BEING FIRM ENOUGH WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?

NO. ANGRY BUZZER NOISE. NOPE. PEACH YOU DID NOTHING WRONG. YOU COMMUNICATED ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME UNTIL YOU FELT LIKE YOU COULDN'T ANYMORE. YOU PUT THAT 'WE' BACK IN YOUR MOUTH.

their reconciliation just felt so weird, like Shin never apologizes for FUCKING CALLING PEACH'S DREAM STUPID like??? hello? i would not be able to move past that, myself. dreams are all we have in this shitty difficult world and then you're gonna insult someone's dream? get fucked.

okay i'll admit i did REALLY like the parallels of these two scenes, this was very sweet and well done. and that sassy look between Guy and Oab - i'll be a GuyPeach bitch until i die but it was very cute and very suggestive.

i am not buying this for an instant though, from Guy or Oab. i think they both loved Peach and Shin very much, but saying this might make moving on easier for them both. i don't know what world Guy lives in but crying because Peach is crying? that's not something you do for a simple crush. rushing to his house because you heard he was sick? not crush behavior. but whatever makes it easier to move on babes.

having the family reunited after all of this feels so fucking good, though. i'm going to talk about this a lot more later but they're my comfort idiots, your honor.

AND GRANDMA SURVIVED TO THE END!! WE DID IT!!! HELL YEAH!!

alright since this is basically the end i'm just going to talk about the things i liked and didn't like about this show and the ending. i haven't read anyone else's posts because i really didn't want to be influenced and i'm glad i sat with my thoughts for a bit.

what i really enjoyed about Bake Me Please is the warmth of it all and the aesthetics. there are so many beautiful shots in this show it's almost like a work of art. they do so much with light, framing, the food, etc. it really is a delight to watch. the plot was fine, a little rushed at times but that's to be expected with 6 episodes, it wasn't anything special and it wasn't terrible - it just was. i think @mikuni14 really said it the best that one of the most charming things about Bake Me Please is that each character feels like a real person you could come across in your day to day life and this is both for better or for worse, because sometimes people are so frustrating. they don't feel like characters or caricatures but actual fleshed out people and i love that, because i would sometimes forget i was watching a show.

another thing i loved from BMP is Atom and Oab's relationship. it's so easy for shows to make brothers rivals, to pit them against each other, but Atom and Oab have so much love and support for each other and it was so refreshing to see. Atom doesn't want to work at a bakery but he does it for Oab because he loves him and wants to help him - and Oab knows he doesn't want to work there and is doing it in part because of their mother and promises to help and support Atom when he does find his dream. i could watch an entire show just about the two of them, i really fell in love with their love for each other.

i also very much appreciated the reunion and the way they all came back together as a family. they're a collection of broken pieces and i suppose Peach has become to glue to hold them together (though i wish he didn't have to be.) the atmosphere of the bakery is completely changed, there's palpable joy in the environment, and hopefully they can continue this feeling.

now what didn't i like? Shin and Peach's entire relationship feels like such an emotional weight thrust onto Peach's shoulders. at every turn it's up to Peach to draw Shin out of his shell, to mend missteps, to learn how to navigate around Shin, and it feels like Peach dancing with a brick wall rather than the two of them waltzing together. i didn't really find them getting together all that satisfying, especially not once they'd slept with each other. i will say, all of this did put an spotlight on how important communication is in relationships, so for nothing else i suppose there is that.

i guess it's not just Peach either, though. the emotional weight of Shin and his attitude and hang ups is really put on everyone else and very, very, VERY fucking rarely does Shin ever take any PROPER responsibility for that. he says a few sorries, not as many as he should imo, and everyone just moves on.

this isn't just me shitting on Shin, though. i really didn't like the constant referring to Shin as heartless. like, fuck, those are your friends!! the people you went into business with!! ouch!! so i can get why he was a dick sometimes but you cannot go through your whole ass adult life acting like that to everyone. and we do see he has a few wake up calls, especially when encountering Oab's mom.

which brings me to my next gripe - i hope that woman explodes. they showed us quite a bit of her and her shitty attitude and all of that led nowhere. i'm not saying i needed some great sob story of her realizing all the pressure she was putting on her kids, etc. i just wish we'd seen.. more, i guess. even if it wasn't resolved or there was no happy ending. generational trauma is such a hot topic these days and Asian families arguably suffer from it more than others. it would have been nice to see some of that explored and seen Oab be less of a doormat - or at least take steps in that direction.

i also wish we'd seen more development between Guy and Oab rather than just these little crumbs at the end. i can't help but feel like they were two consolation prizes just coming together because why not? and it's like, i don't know, i'd rather see something form slowly over time and maybe before the finale - like simultaneous with them dealing with their feelings for Shin and Peach maybe they also struggle with some burgeoning feelings for each other. i think that's the only reason i can't get into them too much, there's just nothing there for me to really latch onto emotionally.

finally, i'm disappointed Peach's dream is never addressed. sure, they sell his grandma's cakes in the shop now - but those are the cakes that inspired SHIN. everything is once again about SHIN. how is Shin supporting Peach? what is Peach's current trajectory towards his dream? it's giving woman with high aspirations gets married and becomes a house wife while her husband gets all the glory. yuckers.

sometimes the show also just kind of felt like one big excuse to make their music videos. the videos are good! i listened to Poom's on repeat today, but idk. i just wonder why this show was made. what message were they trying to convey? i get not all media has to be this big, deep thing but i just really feel like i missed the why here. maybe it was just to enjoy the aesthetics, the music, and have something short and low key? and if that's the case it did really nail it!

all in all, i'm not upset i watched it, Chef Guy will always have an incredibly special place in my blorbo heart, and i would recommend it for anyone who might want a short, casual palatte cleanser show between heavier shows (i know it has been a great break in my week between all the heavy shows airing right now)

i think we can all agree Poom was the best thing to come out of this show and it was a great way to showcase his exceptional acting skills and put him on our radar. i cannot wait to see more of him in the future.

i hope you guys have enjoyed the gifsets and my rambling, i'm smooching you all, and have a happy holidays!

meta tag loves: @callipigio

#bunn meta #userjamiec #bake me please #bake me please the series #shinpeach #guypeach #guyoab

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universitypenguin · 8 months

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Have princess and Lloyd ever celebrated his birthday together? Has she done something for him like how he pulled all the stops for her birthday? I feel like he’d be shy about celebrating his day but she would def show him how much he is loved by her 🥰

Thank you for the lovely ask!

I think Lloyd is a little reserved about his birthday. However, for Princess, birthdays are a big deal because her family always celebrated with dinner, cake, and presents. Lloyd’s impact on her life and his support as a friend and mentor caused them to grow closer, so when his birthday rolled around, she really wanted to help him celebrate. Working with him made her feel like Dr. Watson, trailing along with Sherlock Holmes on his adventures.

For the first birthday he had after you were hired, you were a bit nervous about surprising him. Though you’d thought a lot about what to get him, Lloyd wasn’t someone you could easily buy gifts for. He had a habit of getting himself anything and everything that caught his eye. Therefore, you leaned into your other options and decided the best way to celebrate his birthday would be with a meaningful gesture.

On Lloyd’s 39th birthday, you planned a picnic for Lloyd and his friends. You were aware of his grumpy attitude towards his birthday but didn’t let that hamper your enthusiasm.

That morning Bishop’s assistant had ordered him a birthday cake that was served at the morning staff meeting. You were proud of him for holding back his cranky comments until you were safely ensconced in his office and patiently listened to his grousing about cake being served before lunch. When you suggested he take a proactive approach and arrange for a vegetarian platter to be served next year, he sneered and declared that he hated celebrating his birthday. It wasn’t the best kick off to your surprise, so you warned him that you had something planned for this afternoon.

This information seemed to peak his interest and restored your hope that the catered picnic you’d arranged would go over well. Fortunately, you had a busy morning doing interviews at the courthouse in preparation for a mediation case that would be arbitrated next week. The distraction saved you from prying questions from the birthday boy.

As you drove back from the courthouse meetings, Lloyd sat in the passenger seat, absorbed in reading his notes.

“Are you hungry?”

He was so focused on his paperwork that he didn’t look up.

“Lloyd? Are you hungry?”

“Hmm? Yeah, I could use a bite.” You turned left at the park and Lloyd looked out the window. “This isn’t the office. Why are we here?”

“Happy birthday! I thought we’d celebrate with a picnic. Zach is picking up the food for me and he’ll be here in five minutes, so please don’t say no.”

*****

Lloyd helped you set up the picnic table with a plastic table cloth and set out the placemats before Zach pulled up in his Chevy Tahoe. Landon and Jake carried over the large cooler and unpacked the containers from Garden Table Bistro. It was Lloyd’s favorite lunch restaurant near the office. There were caprese salad skewers, an orzo salad, baked salmon filets, sweet potato fries, and eclairs, and lemon rolls for dessert.

“You arranged all of this for me?” Lloyd asked.

“Well, your birthday only happens once a year. It’s customary to celebrate the occasion with friends.”

“I’m aware of the practice,” he said dryly.

Zach had brought a football for after lunch and there was a debate over how teams should be divided. Jake had poor hand eye-coordination and so he was declared the referee. At Landon’s insistence you were paired with Lloyd to counterbalance his semi-professional skills.

Much to everyone’s surprise, you didn’t end up being much of a handicap. Landon and Zach tried to gang up on Lloyd, which left you wide open. His throwing arm was just as accurate as it had been when he was quarterback at Harvard and you caught the pass easily to score a touchdown. After that, the game remained deadlocked. When Jake finally called time, you and Lloyd won 0 to 1.

When the others left, Lloyd slung his arm around your shoulders and pulled you into a hug. His lips brushed your temple, setting off butterflies in your stomach.

“Thank you for today, Princess. I had a good time.”

“Really? You’re not just saying that? After you hated the cake this morning, I was worried about your reaction. If you want me to ignore your birthday next year…”

“Sweetheart, I haven’t had anyone around who wanted to celebrate my birthday for nearly thirty years. What you did was personal. It was for me. The cake they served this morning was only there because everyone wanted an excuse to stuff their faces with chocolate.”

“Does that mean I can start planning something for next year?”

Lloyd squeezed you. “I’d like that.”

“Awesome. You know, if someone had told me a year ago I’d be playing touch football with you on your birthday, I’d have told them to get their head checked.”

“We may not have gotten off on the right foot, but I’m glad you stuck around.”

You turned your face into his neck to appreciate the faint scent of his cologne mingled with sweat before stepping back.

“So am I.”

*****

By his 40th birthday you and Lloyd had grown much closer which was why you felt comfortable giving him a spa certificate for two. Of course, he invited you along as his guest.

You enjoyed a complimentary breakfast on the patio with herbal tea before soaking in the outdoor mineral pool. Lloyd had selected a Swedish massage while you went for the hot stone option. After your massages, you met in the garden for lunch before your mani-pedis and appointment with the esthetician for facials. The final event of the day was a relaxing hour in the sauna where you tried to avoid drooling at Lloyd’s chest muscles.

The day at the spa marked a shift in the intensity of your physical interest in Lloyd. You’d always been aware of him as an attractive man, but seeing his chest, arms, and legs up close and personal twice in one day left you with plenty of fodder for lusty dreams. Therefore, as enjoyable as your spa day was, for his 41st birthday you retreated to less personal territory and gave him a private tour of his favorite craft brewery and tap house in Maryland with three guests. You’d expected him to invite Zach, Jake, and Landon, but the latter ended up having plans with his girlfriend. In light of the group needing a designated driver and your well-documented aversion to beer, you’d ended up tagging along.

Your strategy of giving Lloyd gifts that focused around time and enjoyment made him feel valued because they were so personal. In the past he’d viewed his birthday as just another day, but thanks to your influence, it’s become his favorite day of the year. He spends the entire month prior to his birthday looking forward to whatever you’re going to think of next. There was an incredible sense of contentment that had taken root in his life since you’d become a part of it. His once chaotic existence now held some semblance of stability. It wasn’t that his wild mood swings and stubborn nature had been vanquished, but your support that had caused the difference. You gave him balance and helped him lean into his strengths instead of asking him to change - and that was a gift he was thankful for everyday.

#the princess and the lawyer: ask #the princess & the lawyer: ask #lloyd hansen imagine #lloyd hansen fic #lloyd hansen fanfic #lloyd x princess #lloyd hansen x y/n #lloyd hansen x you #lloyd hansen x reader #lloyd hansen au

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atinylittlepain · 3 months

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Sunday Lunch

a part of the girl boy universe

steve harrington x f!oc

a/n | idk this just happened, love is stored in the weekend sandwich and pickle lunch combo and i stand by that

.....................................................

They are nothing if not creatures of habit. Every Sunday the same, sometimes hungover and slinking around their shy headaches, sometimes in the rain, in the dread of another week of classes, bleary eyes and jittery hands. There’s a deli three blocks from her apartment tucked between a laundromat and a used bookstore. Candy cane-striped awning and checkerboard linoleum and they just hope nobody else from campus finds this spot, because most Sundays it’s only them and a congregation of old women who always seem to have new gossip about this or that grandchild, this or that obituary. Their ears prick, catching snips of lives long lived while they wait for their food.

This the same too. She commands her order with quick flickers of her hands, seeded bread, turkey and cheese, sharp cheddar, and honey mustard, and sprouts, no tomato, toasted, a bread and butter pickle on the side because this is the only place she can find them in spears instead of chips and she loves them. His order is faster, italian sub, chopped, cold, with extra pepperoncinis on the side. Crinkling parchment paper and those woven red plastic baskets and they share, two bites of his, two bites of hers. The old ladies like to watch them as much as they like watching the old ladies, easy love, young love, usually an errant comment with a waft of old, floral perfume about such a sweet couple.

Both of them miss that little deli when the year is over, but Andy quickly finds a new spot in her neighborhood that she takes him to. Still Sundays, a few hours before his trainride back to Philly, both of them a little drawn, a little weary about the catch and release of these years, of this time apart. Their orders change, a brief stint of vegetarianism for her, veggie wraps with hummus, still the pickle, and a tuna melt for him on whole wheat, popping a soft-melting mint after, anticipating a kiss at the station, an aching goodbye.

Neither of them care for cheesesteaks, for the record, once they’re both in Philadelphia. They know something is about to change when suddenly the thought of a bread and butter pickle makes her want to gag, new tastes, new chapters, she gets through that pregnancy on multigrain bagels with veggie smear, and, shock horror, tomatoes. He splits them with her every Sunday at the diner down the street from their apartment.

Later down the line, they do something that would have embarrassed their younger selves. They join a co-op, organic produce and sprouted bread, and he makes jokes about the eggs they buy coming from chickens with college degrees. But the cafe attached to the shop makes good sandwiches, so the Sunday ritual stands.

Pre-grocery slog, the oldest gets caprese on ciabatta, already eons more sophisticated than them at the wise age of seven. The middle child isn’t quite there yet, a fancy peanut butter and jelly on sourdough for her. And the youngest, well, she’s still working on solid foods, snugged close to Steve’s chest, asleep and milk-sweet. Andy tries to sneak in bites of her own sandwich (turkey and cheddar, honey mustard, a return to a classic) between passing napkins and keeping the middle in her seat, sticky peanut butter fingers slipping away, then reaching and asking for a bite of his (egg white, sundried tomato, and spinach on focaccia, don’t tell anyone though) and he offers it to her easy enough. Little bites of everyone’s, even the oldest relents to sharing in exchange for one of her mother’s bread and butter spears. Easy in their own perfect chaos, a smile is shared between them in this little ritual that has spanned the decades.

#steve harrington #girl boy #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington ficlet #steve harrington au #steve harrington imagine

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