“Jesus, it’s hot out there!” Sam slumped against the motel door as he entered the room, wiping sweat off his forehead with his free hand. He let his sweat-soaked jacket fall to the ground before taking a few steps into the room to place the grocery bag down on the small table, brows creasing with confusion, “I thought you said it was only 40 degrees?”
Dean nodded toward the news that was playing on the tv in the corner, barely bothering to look up from his magazine, “That’s what it told me.”
Sam turned to look at the info on the screen for himself. After a moment, he shook his head, “That says 40 Celsius, Dean.”
“What the hell is Celsius?”
Sam shook his head and made the short trip over to the freezer, grabbing an ice-pack, “It’s another temperature scale.” At the look, he raised an eyebrow, “You thought Fahrenheit was the only one?”
“Temperature’s temperature! If it’s hot, it’s hot, if it’s cold, it’s cold.” Dean’s nose crinkled and he held his hands up in mock surrender, magazine slipping into his lap, “Why would it be different here?”
The re-write of my second book, Melting Hearts, Sunburns and Tanlines is coming out soon, so I decided to contrast the long-form fiction of the book with this extremely short fiction challenge!
It’s also not a coincidence that there’s 10 weeks of summer left and 10 stories here. Feel free to read 1 a week to give yourself a micro-dose of summer antics – with a dark twist!
Or, read them all now and then end your summer by (re-) enjoying my second book!
Written: 26.06.18
NFF
1. What a scorcher! He kicked the door to his motel room closed as he wiped sweat off his face. At least I’ve got… his thoughts trailed off as the AC made a terrible crunching noise before bursting into flames.
2. “My ice cream tastes funny.”
The ice cream man leaned a little further out over his counter in, using his free hand to slide the cooler door closed, smile faltering slightly as it caught on the wrist of the dead body, “It’s just a new recipe, that’s all.”
3. “Somebody, anybody – help!”
The lifeguard checked his watch as he heard the commotion that was happening on the other side of the pool and shrugged, “I’ve still got 5 minutes of break left.”
4. She held her hand up over her mouth in an attempt to keep her laughter at bay as her husband walked in – he was was practically glowing, his skin was so red.
He noticed her face as he flopped down on the couch with a defeated frown, “I did forget the sunscreen.”
5. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she walked out in the new bikini, “I-I think I love you.”
That earned him a chuckle and she waved a dismissive hand as she turned to look at herself in the dressing room mirror, “Guess that means I’ll take it.”
6. The mom’s face lit up with a confused smile as her three-year-old came running back over to where she was sitting, “Where’s Daddy?”
The toddler presented a single flip-flop that was spattered with blood, before pointing out toward the water, “Swim.”
7. His eyes bulged out as he fell to his knees, weakly reaching out to grasp at her skirt with one hand while the other pounded itself into his chest.
She moved a few steps backward as she watched him choke and frowned at him with feigned confusion, “I thought you said you liked grapes with women?”
8. The toddler’s bottom lip poked out as he took in the expression on his mother’s face. He turned back to the freezer that held the family dog and shifted his weight – maybe Daddy was kidding when he talked about making a dog-sicle?
9. “Baby, I’m so sorry!” He rushed over to his girlfriend, boulder settling into his stomach as he watched her pick the broken bits of balloon off her now-soaked shirt.
She swatted his hands away as she took a few steps over to the bucket of water balloons that was sitting on the lawn, unable to keep the smirk off her face as she sent a wink to his friends, “It’s okay, Baby – I’m not mad.”
10. He trudged through the door, shaking his head in defeat – sighing as sand fell from it. He made it inside and let out a deflating sigh as he tossed the un-used knife onto the side table, I’ll try again next year.
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“Wow,” She let’s out a breathy sigh as she watches the sunset. In the next moment, she’s pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them, eyes sparkling with awe as she looks out over the water, “Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”
“Not even close.” He can’t help but smile – his eyes have been on her since they sat down. Watching her every move, trying to memorize every curve of her body, and every tangle of still-dripping hair.
He had been with many people in the past, but none of them ever affected him like she did. He’d do anything for her, just for the promise of getting to see that gorgeous smile of hers. Blow off work because she’s sick? He’s dialing while rushing down to the kitchen to make her soup. Go for an impromptu beach trip to watch the sunset? He grabbed a blanket, the keys and her hand before she’d even finished asking.
It was just so… effortless to care about her.
“I love you.”
She blinked in surprise, peeling her eyes off the sun for the first time since they’d got there. Her mouth was open in a little, wordless, oh shape. The oranges and reds of the setting sun were reflecting off her skin, but he could still tell she was blushing.
He found himself suddenly wishing he was smart enough to remember his camera.
He felt his back hit the sand, arms instinctively wrapping around her back in the next moment. There was a sudden flurry of kisses up and down his face and excited squeals as she attacked him.
After not nearly long enough, she propped herself up on her arms, breathlessly smiling down at him, “I love you, too.”
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Sam rolled his eyes as he handed the steaks off to his brother, “I’m only 5 minutes late, Dean.”
“Yeah, well, it might as well be an hour,” The blonde shook his head, fiddling with the barbeque dial, “You know how old this thing is. It doesn’t hold heat correctly.”
The giant shook his head, grabbing a beer from the cooler, “Why didn’t one of us get him a new one for his wedding, again?”
“Because Bobby wouldn’t use it.” He kicked the side of the grill, holding one hand above the grill to check the temperature, “Not until this one finally dies.”
The youngest leaned in, peering over his brother’s shoulder at the dark grill, “…You sure it’s not already dead?”
“Don’t think so.” The blonde turned the dial again, practically willing the grill to heat up, “Maybe we could just order steaks.”
Sam scoffed, “How are we supposed to do that without Bobby noticing?”
Dean’s eyes flicked up to where his kids and father figure were playing – chasing each other around one of the junk cars a few feet away. He slapped one of the steaks onto the grill, shoulders deflating in disappointment as it made no noise.
He brought his eyes back to his brother, lowering his voice, “Make the call on the front porch. Don’t let anyone see you.”
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Based on the song Beer In The Headlights by Luke Bryan. (Listen to the song here!)
He watches in wide-eyed amazement as she jumps out of his truck, floating over to stand in the middle of the dirt road. She starts swaying in the headlights, and he can’t help but smile as he reaches over, turning up the radio.
She returns his smile as the music gets louder, and points at him with the hand that’s holding her plastic cup. She wiggles her eyebrows at him before turning around, small dust cloud rising up around her ankles at the action. He shakes his head, so engrossed with watching her dance, even thinking about moving seemed ridiculous.
She narrows her eyes at him as she takes a sip from her cup, before gesturing again, more insistently than before. He chuckles before nodding, hopping down out of his truck bed, glad it was dark so she wouldn’t see the blush that crept up his face.
He joins her in the headlights, stomach fluttering as her smile widens. She closes the distance between them, gently draping her arms around his neck. She drops down off her tiptoes just as the song fades out.
He can’t fight off his urge any longer, and steals her cup from her, swallowing down the mouthful that was left before placing it down on the hood of the truck. Her brows furrow in confusion as another song starts. Before she can speak, he captures her lips with his, easily lifting her off the road, smiling against her mouth as her legs instinctively wrap around his waist.
He slowly walks them over to his waiting truck bed. He carefully sits down on the edge, adjusting his hands so he’s holding her hips. They break for air as he pushes the cooler backward, before laying himself down on his back. The image of her there, long brown hair blowing in the gentle breeze, smiling down at him against a backdrop of millions of shining stars makes his stomach flutter again. He can’t help but smile as she tucks some hair behind her ear, before beginning to unbutton her shirt, this is my last first date.
Written for the SPN Amino Heat Wave Weekend Challenge.
Yes, this is an ‘extra’ fic, that doesn’t fit into the 1 fic every 2 week posting schedule, so you better enjoy it. 😛
“Son of a bitch!”
Sam bolted upright, jumping off the bed, snatching his gun from the bed side table, slowly stalking toward the open motel room door, “… Dean?”
At the lack of response, he stiffened, bracing himself as he came up to the door. He took a deep breath and ripped it all the way open, nearly shooting his brother in the face.
“Whoa! Dude, what the hell?” Dean swiftly disarmed his brother, tucking the gun into the back of his pants, “Are you crazy?”
Sam shook his head as he was instantly hit with a wall of summer heat. The kind that makes you feel like you can’t breath, “Oh my God.”
“I know, right?” Dean shook his head before walking back into the motel, “The first day we get off in how long and it’s this gross out?” He let out a heavy sigh as he grabbed a beer from the fridge, “So much for a day at the beach.”
Sam closed the motel door behind him, easily catching the beer his brother tossed at him, making his way over to the small table his brother had stopped at, “Alright, so what’s Plan B?”
“Well I don’t know what you’re gonna do,” Dean shrugged as he crossed the room, grabbing the laptop off the night stand before nearly throwing himself down on his bed, “But I’m gonna sit here, drink and, uhm…” He adjusted his sitting position as he settled against his pillows, “relax.”
“Yep, got it,” Sam nodded, swallowing down a gulp of beer before snatching his phone and key off the night stand, making his way to the door, “I’m gonna go to the library.”
Dean snorted, raising an eyebrow at him, “You are allowed to have fun once in a while.”
Sam shook his head, hand pausing on the door, “Text me when it’s safe to come back.”
“No promises.”
—
Ugh, Sam pulled at his sweat soaked t-shirt, doing his best to unstick it from his chest as he made the way back to the motel, how is it still so hot out? He checked the time on his phone and shook his head, it definitely should’ve cooled off by now.
He continued down the sidewalk as the motel came into view, glad it wasn’t too far away from the library. I never thought I’d be looking forward to a motels’ AC. He took his key out of his pocket, unlocking the door just as he heard his brother swear.
He opened the door, hope dashed as he didn’t feel a temperature difference between the street and the room. He raised an eyebrow as he saw his brother, sitting on the floor, face twisted in despair, disassembled AC unit laying in front of him, “Uh, Dean?”
The blonde wiped the sweat off his forehead with one arm, desperate eyes flicking up to the giant, “I-it just stopped working. I tried to fix it, but,” he kicked it, face falling further, “Stupid thing is too old.” He got up, giving the thing another kick, before turning his eyes to the giant, “What are we supposed to do now?”
“Well,” Sam couldn’t help the smirk he felt split his face as he made his way toward the freezer, “I’d start with removing the flannel.”
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Started: 16.08.08 (Originally written for Melting Hearts)
Rewritten/Finished: 20.04.15
Words: 1,128
Sabriel, Fluff
“Sa-am!” Gabriel bounded down the stairs toward the front door, “Come on!”
“Will you relax?” Sam came out of the kitchen, lifting the bag of snacks onto his shoulder, “I’m almost certain the beach will still be there.”
“What if it’s not?” The shorter man fake pouted as he slipped on his flip flops, “Do you really want another bowling alley fiasco?”
Definitely not, Sam chuckled at the memory as the ball of energy adjusted the duck floaty he had around his waist, “Why are you so interested in going to the beach anyway?”
“I… have my reasons,” Gabriel winked and wretched the door open, narrowly hitting the giant in the face.
“Gabriel-”
“To the beach!”
—
Gabriel smushed his face up against the glass of the bus, eyes wide with excitement as they passed the sandy shore. He pulled the string so hard Sam was worried he was going to break it.
“Okay, c’mon,” Sam stood up with the bag, extending his hand out to the angel.
Gabriel took the hand and stumbled behind the giant to the back door, slamming his shoulder into the pole as the driver stopped the bus, asshole.
“Gabriel, you can’t say that to the driver,” Sam hissed as they got off.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gabriel brushed off as he hurried off toward the sand.
“Hey,” Sam caught his arm before he could get away, “you can’t call the driver an asshole. You don’t want to say the wrong thing to the wrong guy.”
“I didn’t say anything, Sammy.”
“Gabriel, please.”
“What? Sammich, I’m not lying. I didn’t say anything.”
Gabriel bounded off toward the beach, leaving Sam standing on the sidewalk confused. Why does he keep saying that? He didn’t say anything, I heard him, Sam shook his head and started off toward the shorter man, trying to put the pieces together, He didn’t say anything…
C’mon Sammich. Put it together so we can have fun.
“But Dean,” Sammy whined, crossing his arms over his chest with a pout, “I want to go play!”
The blonde shook his head as he tucked his brother into the motel bed, “You know the rules. You can’t play outside at night.”
He raised an eyebrow as he pointed to the still sunny window, “It’s not night time!”
Dean chuckled and shook his head, pointing to the clock, “It’s 9pm, dude.”
The 5-year-olds eyes went wide and his jaw dropped open, “B-but it’s still sunny!”
The blonde shrugged before getting up off the bed, “That’s how it is in the summer.”
“But that’s not fair!”
Dean shrugged again, “Sorry, dude. I don’t control the sun.”
Sammy crossed his arms back over his chest and pouted, absently watching his brother get dressed, “Where are you going?”
The blonde shrugged on his jacket, flashing his brother a toothy grin, “Out.”
The youngest rolled his eyes, “Well what am I supposed to do?”
“Well you could try sleeping for one.”
“I can’t sleep when it’s sunny!” He pulled a face, “I’m not a baby, y’know.”
Dean shot him a sideways glance as he sat on the edge of the other bed, pulling his shoes on, “Oh sure, pouting because you aren’t getting your way is so grown up.”
“Why are you being such a baby about this?” Sam raised a questioning eyebrow, “Just come with us.”
“Why won’t you take no for answer?” Lucifer grit his teeth, hands balling into fists before he disappeared into thin air.
Whoa, The hunter sat on the edge of the couch, running a hand through his hair, what the hell was that about?
—
Hey.
Sam sat up in bed, looking around the dark room, hey.
Relax, I’m not there.
Oh, he settled back against the pillows, going back to his laptop, areyou ready to tell me what the hell that was all about?
He heard a sigh, and could picture the fallen angel scrubbing a hand down his face, I shouldn’t of got that worked up.
No shit.
But you should’ve stopped pushing it, too.
I wasn’t trying to push you. Sams’ stopped on the line he was reading, not actually taking in the information anyway, I just thought you’d have fun. And I’d really like it if you came with us.
If you’ve been here before, you’ll know that even before going vegan, I was never much of a beef/pork/red meat fan. Chicken was more my jam. I don’t know why, other meats just didn’t taste good to me. (Especially beef)
One of my absolute favourite things ever was having a breaded chicken burger, with some Miracle Whip and lettuce. There’s something just very… I don’t know, satisfying about it. It hits the spot every time.
When I saw these, I was obviously excited to try them.
I had tried one other chick’n burger brand that was pretty good (I thiiink it might’ve been Yves), but the patty wasn’t breaded. Which, was fine, but I really wanted to find a breaded chick’n burger, so I didn’t have to cross them off my list of favourites. And, I’m so thankful that the vegan movement has come such a long way, and that there are so many different options on the market to choose from, because these looked and tasted just like I remember! (They might even be a bit bigger, too)
Like some of their other products, Gardein only puts 4 in a pack, and I just want to ask: why is the majority of vegan food packaged so small? Are they assuming not whole families are vegan, or that no one will bring their products to get togethers’ for others to try? How do you expect people to share their vegan food with other people (and possibly convince others to go vegan) if you don’t make the food optimal sharing size? You could easily fit at least two more patties in that bag. Honestly the amount in one bag is usually the only thing I don’t like about their products. If they upped their product to bag ratio, they’d be golden.
The inside/chick’n part tastes just like the rest of their other faux chick’n products (I’m pretty sure it’s just tofu), and the breading appears to be just plain old breadcrumbs. Nothing that fancy to write home about for these guys, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not great! Sometimes, all you need/crave is something simple. I understand why vegan companies keep trying to outdo themselves, and go bigger and more flavourful, but sometimes the simplest ingredients/flavours are all you need.
Another great thing about these burgers, is what I’m dubbing The Vegan Advantage: they take virtually no time to cook. 10 minutes on medium heat in a frying pan, or you could throw them in the oven to bake and in almost no time, they’re ready to go.
Put these babies on a whole wheat bun, topped with Hellmann’s’ Carefully Crafted Dressing and Sandwich Spread (vegan Miracle Whip), add some lettuce, and bam! You’ve got yourself a no fuss, filling and flavourful dinner.
Seriously, there’s not even that much more I can say to describe them. If you haven’t tried them already, go out and do it, and watch how fast they become a favourite/summer staple.
