#february2022

[kalicocal]

miss caitlyn kiramman is in the house

PRINT

[storyofmychoices]

After Dark Part Two: Satisfaction Guaranteed

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist]

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC) Book: Open Heart Word Count: ~800 Rating/Warning: Teen, just to be safe (no warnings)

Prompts: @choicesmonthlychallenge “to be”; @choices-february2023 Valentine’s Day;  @choicesficwriterscreations (pre) Valentine's Date, @choicesholidays "be my valentine"

Synopsis: Bryce has a special surprise waiting for Olivia.

*This is a follow up to the textfic Build-a-Bear: After Dark

Olivia paused in the doorway, her eyes widening, her brow arching curiously. "What's that look for?"

"What look?" He shrugged, feigning innocence. 

"You know the look. What are you up to?" Her gaze narrowed on him. 

Bryce stepped aside, revealing two boxes on the table.

"It's not—" She panicked for a moment, hoping she hadn't gotten her days wrong, but no, it was definitely still the thirteenth. "Valentine's day is tomorrow."

"I know!" 

"So what are these?"

"You were so excited about them that I thought you deserved an early gift."

Her puzzled expression quickly gave way to warm, rosy cheeks. "Oh... Oh! From my text? You really bought them?"

"How could I not?" He wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Her face scrunched as she bit her lip nervously. "Do I want to look? How cringy are they?"

He nipped her ear softly, whispering, "only one way to find out."

She inhaled deeply, preparing herself. "Okay. I'm ready. Wait—where are we hiding these?" She panicked. "We can't let anyone else see them. Ohmygosh, where is Keiki? I can imagine her commentary if she found them."

"Relax." He held her tenderly, nuzzling into her neck. "Keiks will be staying with friends for a couple of days. It's just us. This is for us. No one else needs to know if that's what you want."

"Are you sure?"

"This is for you, for us, whatever makes you happy."

Olivia nodded, her smile growing. "Do you know which is which?"

"Yes."

"Should we open them together on the count of three?"

He pressed a kiss on her shoulder and moved beside her, taking one of the two boxes. "Ready?"

"Yes... 1...2...3..." Olivia closed her eyes as she opened the box quickly. 

Bryce laughed, watching as she opened one eye and then the other, stealing a peek inside the box. 

Her worry faded quickly, a smile growing wide. She lifted a stuffed bunny dressed in a white robe with bunny slippers, a mask, and rose wine. "What is this?"

"I went to order two from the ones you sent me, but while I was on the Build-a-Bear After Dark website, I found this one, and I felt it was much more you than the other two."

"Bryce!" Her eyes widened as she hugged the stuffed animal to her chest. "She's adorable, but what about yours?"

Carefully, he opened his box, revealing a sophisticated bear in a silk robe and pajamas, pouring a glass of champagne. "I thought this would match yours better. I mean he's a handsome bear, and he doesn't need to be lounging in front of a fire in his boxers to be handsome. He knows he's got it."

Olivia stifled her giggle in her stuffed animal as she held it to her face. "They're perfect. Thank you. I love them so much... I love you so much."

"I love you too, Liv." He extended his hand to her. "But you're not done. This gift has a part two."

She laced her fingers with his. 

"What? There's more? Bryce. It's not Valentine's day."

"I know." He took his bear from the table. "Your bunny needs to come too."

"Why am I suddenly nervous again?"

"Don't be." He led her to the bedroom. The soft glow of candles bathed the room in their warm light. A white robe lay on the bed, bunny slippers on the floor below it matching that of her Build-a-Bear. 

"What is all this?"

"How can you have a spa day rabbit without a spa day for yourself, or in this case, a spa evening?"

"Bryce, I—" She shook her head, searching for the words as she took in the tranquil scene. "I can't believe you did all this."

"You deserve it." His thumb brushed over hers as he released her hand. "I'll take your bunny. SpaOlivia and ClassyBryce will be over here enjoying their evening together. You relax, have a glass of wine, wash up from work, and when you're ready, I'll be here ready to give you a massage."

"A massage or a massage," she smirked, knowing all too well how this could end up.

"A massage, the very best, satisfaction guaranteed. My magic hands are ready to pamper you all night."

"What did I do to deserve you?" Her finger traced his jaw as she studied his face. 

He leaned down, meeting her lips softly, capturing her in his arms once more.

"Bryce?"

"Yes?"

"Will you be my valentine?"

"Always."

"Even if it's not technically Valentine's day for a few more hours?"

"Today, tomorrow, and every day after that. I will always be your Valentine."

"Good. Me too!" She rocked up on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss on his cheek before grabbing the robe and slippers and retreating to the bathroom to wash up for her spa evening.

I wrote this in about 20 minutes and didn't really have time to edit/revise so I apologize for any errors, I really just wanted to share this story now incase I never had time to fix it up.

I absolutely loved the original Build-a-Bears Olivia sent in her text. I totally could see Bryce getting them for her, but upon further review of the "After Dark" part of the B-a-B website, I found these two others that I feel perfectly capture each of them a bit better. I hope you enjoyed this, I know a few of you were curious to see which Bryce bought and I hope you were not disappointed

Thank you so much for reading. I am truly grateful for your support.

[insertsomthinawesome]

SOME WINTER ART AAAAA (diluc took forever asdfasdf) These are the designs that I somewhat showcased here but now have actually illustrated! asdfasdfasdf

-NO ROMANCE INCLUDED-

_

miHoYo is the owner and creator of Genshin Impact

Please do not REPOST, EDIT, or USE this art without Permission.

_

[choicesmonthlychallenge]

Thank you to all of those who participated in this event. I hope you had fun exploring the fluffy side of love as well as the angsty possibilities of heartbreak and unrequited love.

Crimes of Passion

Drabble [Trystan Thorne x NB!MC] by @lilyoffandoms

Open Heart

All I Need [Bryce Lahela x F!OC] by @storyofmychoices

Black [Ethan Ramsey x F!MC] by @liaromancewriter

Coffee Break [Ethan Ramsey x F!MC] by @lucy-268

Donahue's [Ethan Ramsey x F!MC] by @peonyblossom

Drabble [Bryce Lahela x F!OC + the gang] by @lilyoffandoms

Forever Love [Bryce Lahela x F!OC] art, submitted by @storyofmychoices

Kind of our first Valentine’s Day… [Tobias Carrick x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

Spice [Ethan Ramsey x F!MC] by @liaromancewriter

The Competition [Sienna Trinh x M!OC] by @liaromancewriter

The Curious Case of Ramsey and Ramirez [Ethan Ramesy x F!MC] by @gryffindordaughterofathena

Under the Sea [Sienna Trinh x M!OC] by @liaromancewriter

Red Carpet Diaries

The Bogart Diaries #27: The Big Game [Thomas Hunt x F!OC] by @theartoflovingthomashunt

Dancing Art [Thomas Hunt x F!OC] submitted by @theartoflovingthomashunt

The Royal Romance

Heart-On [Drake Walker x F!MC] by @burnsoslow

Never Gonna Let You Go [Maxwell Beaumont x F!MC] by @they-call-me-princess

Valentine's Date [Maxwell Beaumont x F!MC] by @they-call-me-princess

Open Heart

Acts of Kindness - Valentine’s Day - Intern Year [Ethan Ramsey x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

Unblemished [Tobias Carrick x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

Red Carpet Diaries / Open Heart crossover

Love Finds a Way by @theartoflovingthomashunt

Not to Be: Thomas Hunt x Sienna Trinh

(possibly) To Be: Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer (F!OC)

Late submissions will be accepted until February 26

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Giant Dead Leaf Mantis - Deroplatys desiccata

The Ontario Science Centre showcase continues with a brand new insect which has provided a much needed boost to a particularly cryptic insect order. Over the weekend I got the chance to visit the Bug Lab showcase created in collaboration between Te Papa and Weta. The exhibitions feature large models of insects in their environment and exhibits that demonstrate the beauty and terror of insects and how much there is to learn about them and apply that knowledge to our society. It’s mostly geared towards children, but I’m very grateful I was able to attend and experience it. Images of the showcase will arrive on the blog next Tuesday (déjà vu), while today we conclude the showcase of exotic insects for the public, many of them a familiar sight in the educational environment. Since these insects belong to the Centre, I’ve labelled them with the Mantis logo. During the live showcase, our presenter was kind enough to allow us to take pictures of this cryptic creature after introducing them to the audience. This beautiful insect is more commonly found in Asia’s forested regions such as those of Indonesia and Malaysia. Seen in person, she could comfortably stand on the palm of your hand, but she couldn’t be taken out of her terrarium to be handled as her wings are fully developed.

True to its name, this solitary hunter owes its success to an effective camouflage that resembles a fallen, dried up leaf. This similarity even extends to the insect’s veins which mimic those of a dried leaf! This disguise allows this large Mantis specie to escape from predation by falling into the ground’s leaf litter and also allows it to get the jump on unsuspecting meals by fooling them into thinking its just a leaf. It even pretends to blow in the breeze if it senses a disturbance (unseen in these images). When a tasty insect approaches as the Mantis maintains cover by barely moving, and then suddenly lunges; the captured insects are no match for this hunter’s spiked-lined raptorial forearms! When hunched over with its claws together, it gives the impression that this insect is plotting something dastardly. Only just turning its head to keep you in her sight, the Mantis huntress is always vigilant and cunning. You can tell she’s a female by looking at the thorax’s shield (see Picture 2 for a better view): females have sharped points in the structure while males carry more rounded shields. Females are generally larger too! Finally, while this specie dresses to hunt and hide, if in jeopardy this Mantis reveals its secret defense. It flashes its wings, revealing prominent eyespots which startle predators! While its aggressor is frightened, the Mantis can escape and continue its hunt.

Pictures were taken on February 20, 2022 at the Ontario Science Centre with a Google Pixel 4 (bottom 2 pictures with a OnePlus 3). Please go and visit the bugs while you can!

[positivegreenford]

A peacock butterfly, probably blown from its place of hibernation by the powerful winds of Storm Eunice, staggers along one of the steps to a subway. A40, Park Royal, London Borough of Ealing, London, UK, February 2022. #insects #StormEunice #weather #A40 #ParkRoyal #LondonBoroughofEaling #London #UK #February2022 #suburbs #suburban #suburbia #photography

[detroithippiechick]

RESULTS: What’s in the Cards for February 2022?

I want to thank those of you who participated in the pick a card reading from a couple weeks ago. Since the most selected piles were 2, 3, and 4, I have decided to post those pictures within the next few slides along with the messages from those piles below:

(The pictures of the piles 2, 3, and 4 are in order from left to right)

Pile #2 – Let your inner strength and balance create outer stability. Don’t let anyone else dim your light. You are the sun. With the card ‘sync with the moon’ use this Full Moon in Leo energy to your advantage by releasing limiting beliefs that may no longer serve you. 🌕♌️🦁

Pile #3 – See the bright side of every situation. Avoid people who may have ulterior motives. Take time for self-care and to recharge. You know which actions and next steps to take regarding your passions and what’s important to you. Don’t give up when it gets hard, you’ve almost reached your destination. You’re on the horizon of greatness. Remember to have gratitude for how far you’ve come. Your thoughts will deceive you, but you know who you are. Get curious. Remember your mission. You are ready; trust yourself. Put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others with theirs. Stop compromising your boundaries to please others. Write out your emotions when they become too heavy to carry.

Pile #4 – You have options career wise. Reconnect with your childlike wonder. If you have children, reconnect with them by cooking their favorite meal or by spending quality time with them. Go towards the unknown or what’s unfamiliar to you. Find a new hobby. It’s okay to be vulnerable and to release what you keep inside, no one expects you to hold it all together all the time. Embrace darkness; create your own version of light. You don’t need anyone’s permission to be yourself. Trust where your intuition is guiding you. You hold all the answers. Reconnect with yourself by taking a relaxing bath with your favorite scents. Don’t be afraid to ask for support when you need it. You are elevating.

**Names of decks and authors are listed in the previous post!

Love,

Detroit Hippie Chick 🔮🐞💕

[onaie]