bethsuglywigs

[bethsuglywigs]

I know you said you have a lot of GG prompts already but, if you’re feeling inspired, I’m so curious what you’d come up with for brio: 28 feeling for each other in the dark

L for the minifics being: a stolen kiss.

Our Endless Numbered Days Beth x Rio. NBC Good Girls. 6k words. M. -

For a minute, it’s hard to see the source of the blood, rivulets running down the thin lines of his abs, pooling in the hollow of his belly button. It smears red across too much of him, and Beth has to lean in a little closer until the metallic scent of blood hits her nostrils and it’s all she can smell. She curls her hair behind her ears, traces her gaze until she finds the wound that’s still weeping. A round little puncture about the size of a watch face, a newborn’s yawning mouth, a golden dollar, in the normally honeyed skin at the edge of his left hip.

Beth exhales, and she’s close enough it hits his side, if the shiver that runs through him is any indication, and she shifts back onto the couch as she looks back up at him. -

A blackout rolls over the city and Rio shows up at Beth's in need of a little care. Set post-s4.

#HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[bethsuglywigs]

never forget

[bethsuglywigs]

Beth should have been at the club

[bethsuglywigs]

“That’s good at least. Probably don’t have to deal with wild rumors that something happened, then.”

Rio opens his eyes. Gnaws his lip. He glances over at Mar. “Something did happen.”

“Oh shit.” Mar perks up, eyes flicking to the backseat. “Like—?”

“No, uh—just a kiss. Nothin’ wild.”

Not that it hadn’t made him feel wild. Thinking about it again, the way her hand felt against his face, the way she’d been tugging him closer so that the bike rolled an inch forward, it makes his ears hot and his skin all buzzy.

“Shit, finally!” 

Mar gives him a congratulatory punch to the shoulder, and Rio stifles a grin.

“I was gettin’ worried there. I was about to lose a bet—with myself. Tried to bet Elena, but she said she doesn’t gamble.” Mar dramatically rolls his eyes.

Rio quirks a brow. “Oh, you wanna go there?”

“I take it back,” Mar says quickly.

But Rio’s already started counting on his fingers. “How long did it take you to make a move again? Was it three—no four months?”

“I said I take it back!”

“Even that might be givin’ you too much credit. The way I remember it, she had to nudge you along.”

“Yeah, yeah, we can’t all be you,” Mar says, brushing it off. “So, then, what was your move this time?”

“What d’you mean?”

“I mean, not only did Beth Marks let you kiss her when she’s dating the prom king quarterback hot shot—”

“We’re 1 and 4,” Rio deadpans.

“Oh, and since when have you been following the school record?” Mar inquires, mock-curious, twirling an imaginary beard in his hand.

“Since I figured out that when they win, I make more money.”

(Had Rio recently considered that he won either way now? Either he was lining his pockets, or Boland was making an ass of himself in front of Elizabeth? Yeah, sure, he had. But that wasn’t what Mar asked.)

“And Jake Mahler won prom king,” Rio adds as an afterthought. “I know. I was at his party—”

“Anyway,” Mar says, barreling forward. “My point is, she has a boyfriend, right?”

Rio waits for the point, but Mar waits until Rio echoes him. 

“...Right.”

“So what I’m sayin’ is, not only did she let you kiss her… but you got her to kiss you back. On Homecoming. That’s, like, double his territory. That’s game, dude.” Mar shoots an imaginary ball at a hoop, hissing a sharp, “Swo-oosh!”

Rio scratches behind his ear and looks out the window, but it’s so dark out that he mostly sees his own reflection. That’s how he sees Mar’s suddenly flash into view behind his shoulder. He’s leaning forward, reading Rio in an instant. 

“Nuh uh. You were so cocky earlier. Don’t tell me she didn’t—?”

“Nah—nah—that’s not—” Rio huffs out a breath. “She kinda… kissed me.” 

“Damn, dude! I wouldn’t have bet on that.” Mar laughs, but underneath, he’s impressed. “That’s actually kinda phat. She just went for it, huh?”

Something loosens in Rio. It wasn’t like he wasn’t very into the fact that Elizabeth had pounced on him. But a different part of him had still kinda wanted it to have been him. And a different, less familiar part had been kinda anxious that he’d choked, and even more so that he didn't know how to admit it.

He looks back at Mar, and for the first time, he thinks he might actually get it. If he knew he was gonna freeze up like a statue even though every fiber wanted to do the exact opposite? Shit, he might’ve put it off too.

He was out of control in that moment, almost powerless. But here Mar was, making it all sound like Rio had orchestrated something. Like he was dope.

Rio tries to shrug, nonchalant, but his cover’s blown by the grin tugging at his lips. 

“Hell, yeah. Was she wearing the lip gloss?”

Rio blinks. “What?”

“Don’t act you you don’t—the lip gloss, dumbass. The ‘she won’t even let me watch her put it on!’ lip gloss.”

“Man, shut the fuck up.”

“C’mon, Elena is always telling me to get better details—”

“Or maybe don’t go and tell Elena this, yeah? She flipped enough over me taking her home.”

With a click of his tongue, Mar concedes. Rio stifles a yawn. His earlier annoyance creeps back into his mood. 

“Elena was wearing lip gloss,” Mar offers, like it might clear the air. “Which is kinda funny, ‘cause she doesn’t usually. She doesn’t like makeup because, y’know. Microplastics.”

“Nah?” Rio doesn’t think he’s ever noticed. He knew that Elena was pretty—he wasn’t stupid—but he didn’t spend too much time paying attention to the details of it, how she made herself up or whatever. “Too bad, man.”

“I can’t believe you like it. That shit’s too sweet. Leah wore, like, cotton candy or some garbage. Tasted like poison.” He makes a noise of disgust in his throat, remembering. “Plus, it’s all sticky. Not a fan.”

Rio couldn’t agree. He liked how it could make things messy, how it could leave a trace. Best of all, he liked that he could still feel Elizabeth afterward, all tacky on his lips. 

“Elena’s didn’t taste bad, though. It wasn’t even sweet. I don’t think it tasted like anything.” Then, wistfully, he adds, “Actually, she tasted like popcorn.”

Rio makes a face. “That’s fuckin’ weird, man.”

“Right. Like you wouldn’t be fist-deep in a tub of Orville Redenbacher’s right now if it were reversed.”

Scoffing, Rio shakes his head like he hasn’t been craving a warm, gooey mango empanada for the last two hours.

“So. What did she taste like?” Mar looks at him expectantly. 

“Nuh uh. Nope.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be a li’l bitch about it. I told you.”

“And I could’ve gone without knowin’.”

Mar cups his ear. “What’s that? 'Cause all I hear is a li’l bitch.”

Rolling his eyes, Rio thrusts his hand into his pocket and shoves the orange tub into Mar’s hand. Triumphant, he squints to read it in the dark.

“Mango? Nice. Not as good as popcorn—but nice.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Rio holds out his hand, expectant. 

“I know you’re obsessed with her and all, but stealing her lip gloss? That’s a whole new level, even for you.” 

Mar tosses the tube back and Rio catches it in one hand, then slides it quickly back into his pocket, ears burning. 

At least Mar didn’t know about the bracelet. 

“Jesus, I didn’t steal it—she asked me to hold onto it.” 

“What, she said, ‘here, hold my lip gloss,’ and then laid one on you?”

“No—she didn’t have pockets.”

Mar looks around the car, then cocks his head, confused.

“No, we were on a bike. What? She didn’t want me to drive—I’d just smoked a joint.”

“Uh huh,” Mar says slowly with an exaggerated nod. 

“I didn’t steal it.”

“Right, no. You just, what, swiped a bike from Morris’s house, rode a couple miles to drop her off, then rode back to grab your car?”

Shifting in his seat, mouth in a tight, flat line, Rio doesn’t answer.

“Yeaaaaah. Thought so. Just real quick: that no-girlfriend, no-expectations thing? Is that goin’ good, or—?”

“Y’know, for someone that regularly loses his wallet, you’re always real good at remembering shit I said a million years ago.”

“Yeah, well, I forget important stuff, but I remember stupid stuff, no problem.” Mar taps his skull and grins. “And everything you’ve said about not wanting a girlfriend? It’s stupid f’real. I mean, what is all that bike shit if it ain’t makin’ a move?”

The thing was, with a different girl, it probably would’ve been. But all Rio was thinking about then was that she’d asked him. Not her boyfriend. Him. And she’d even promised him her real address. When she’d hopped off that bike and stood in front of her place, he felt like he’d felt when he’d seen other girls stripped naked. This was different in most ways, except it was the same in that he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He doesn’t think he could name the color of her apartment door if somebody offered him a hundred bucks.

“You wanna know what I think?” Mar asks, drawing Rio’s attention back.

“I’m good.” 

Hadn’t this conversation stated with Mar declaring that Elena was right, that he had to make a decision about what he wanted?

“You do, trust me—because I’m about to simplify this equation. Get it? It’s a math joke because—”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“Elena’s question—the do-you-want-a-girlfriend-or-not-question? That’s too hard for you, because, y’know, you’re an idiot.”

“Cool. Thanks. Good talk.” Rio reaches for the car door handle.

“No, wait—it’s also the wrong question.”

“Yeah? And what’s the right one?”

“It’s easy: what would you do to be able to kiss her again?”

#HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO #🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

[bethsuglywigs]

Oh but can you IMAGINE what it woulda been like if Christina Hendricks and Manny Montana did just ONE. ONE delicious promo interview together, sitting side by side, talking about the show, their characters, their dynamics together, brio. Just... The off screen chemistry? The... Well I guess tension... I mean CAN YOU IMAGINE?

I know, I know, there were (probably) some behind the scenes issues and everything but.... I mean, the chemistry was undeniable throughout and I just wish we got to see how they interacted and their dynamics outside the show. The frenzy it would send the fandom into. FRENZY.

The fact that we only have two behind the scenes photos of them out of character and literally nothing else will forever be our cross to bear as a fandom, anon.

Like Christina Manny bts pics you will always be famous.

#society if!

[bethsuglywigs]

can you believe i saw on of your paintings on my dash and immediately went,, that has to be alex!! and i was right!! did something happen for you to change blogs?

Glad you recognized me 🥹😘

Nothing happened per se, I just decided I wanted all of my artwork on one blog instead of posted across several. This blog is meant to be my digital sketchbook and server as a catalogue/archive of my work. I’m reposting almost everything from my fan blogs and my personal blog as well as some previously unposted sketches and unfinished pieces.

I’m not deleting anything I’ve already posted or deactivating any of my other blogs:

@femalegothic

@bethsuglywigs

@autrhaenyraautnihil

Going forward, I will post all new work on this blog and then reblog to my other blogs as I see fit.

#fysa #I don’t think I posted about this blog here yet #buw is not abandoned btw #I’m still here and checking my notifications etc

[bethsuglywigs]

Hope you don’t mind me asking but do you still plan to update PBS and finish the bank robbers au? Love those fics so much!

I don’t mind you asking at all. I do plan to finish both of those fics even if it takes me a million years. I’ve been writing more lately but it’s VERY VERY slow going… almost like I forgot how 😔 but know I’m still chipping away. One sentence at a time.

#asked and answered

[bethsuglywigs]

What Spring Does with the Cherry Trees

Part Five / Read on ao3

If he thinks she hasn’t noticed when he doesn’t turn the page for ages he’s wrong. And if he’s not actually reading then what the hell is he doing? He should just watch the movie!

It’s clear he’s doing all this to irritate her and it’s not working.

“You don’t have to sit out here while you read,” Beth blurts out. Aimed right at him. Tired of the impasse. This little unbothered act he’s putting on.

Rio pouts his bottom lip like he disagrees, doesn’t look away from his book. “Bein’ social.”

“But if the movie’s distracting you—”

“It ain’t.”

“You haven’t turned the page in like five minutes.”

“You timin’ me?”

“No,” Beth huffs, frowning.

“Cause you got previous.”

That sets her on edge. The way his tone changes as he says it. The burst of memories he purposefully digs up between them.

“I’m not.”

“Then relax,” he drawls.

“I’m perfectly relaxed,” Beth grits out. Crossing her arms and dropping back in to the couch cushion, hadn’t realized she’d been straining forward.

“Seems like it,” Rio smirks.

#FINALLY something good to eat

[bethsuglywigs]

delinquents | chapter 10 | homecoming night

artwork commissioned by the amazingly talented @horreurscopes

#she would post this during the 18 hour period I was in the woods

[bethsuglywigs]

Thoughts on the Gwyneth Paltrow trial? 😭🫣😳

I can’t say I was following it closely but I do stan Gwyneth and co-sign every single batshit insane thing she ever says or does. She was so iconic for wishing him well and I hope she sends him a pussy candle in the mail.

The trial itself really wasn’t that interesting. It’s just a standard personal injury civil suit. I don’t think people realize this but this kind of suit is common after accidents and especially when dealing with insurance, which can sometimes force people to go to court even if they’d rather not. The only reason anyone paid any attention to it is because she’s Gwyneth Paltrow lol, which is reason enough to care imo.

#asked and answered

[bethsuglywigs]

“Just tell me the truth,” Ruby said, sucking in a big breath before she met Beth’s gaze. “Are you about to Lorena Bobbitt this man?” Her eyes only widened at Beth’s immediate and loud laughter. “Beth! Yes or no, tell me now!”

“Jesus, Ruby,” Beth managed, still laughing as she got out of the car, sure to grab her purse.

“Is that a yes?” Ruby called from the car, sounding a little frantic.

[bethsuglywigs]

Rio @ Beth

#I was so right about this

[bethsuglywigs]

idk if this is a young fan thing or new fandom culture but some of yall think fics are abandoned way too quickly. a few months or a year or two is not unusual to go without a fic update. sometimes fics take longer to write, other times writers have rl events, or maybe there's multiple fics and one gets more priority. there are tons of reasons for fics not to be updated every week or every month. it also isn't uncommon for people to come back and update fics after a number of years—ive read updates that took five, or ten years. people's lives change, but they still want to tell their stories. personally, i never consider a fic abandoned unless the author has said so; though if it's been a few years i manage my expectations. but a last update being a year ago is... generally not a sign that a writer has abandoned their fic

#re: my fics #they’re not abandoned #I’m just a lawyer now

[bethsuglywigs]

beth's "sometimes [mommies] go away but they always come back" line really hits different when you know her mom is manic-depressive

#how did I not see this before?? #or at least not remember it?

[bethsuglywigs]

still love that they put gayle in those pants and that polo for the role of “temptress”

#and she was still so sexy

[bethsuglywigs]

#the multiple attempts on his life were how he knew she was the One™️

[bethsuglywigs]

Are your Brio fics still on AO3???

I can’t find them when I search your name.

😢💔

That’s weird! I haven’t taken anything down.

#asked and answered