#⟢ ❮ nina rosario ❯ ━━ ❝ i used to think we lived at the top of the world.

[pika-ace]

I FINALLY SAW THE IN THE HEIGHTS MOVIE

HOLY SHIT

HOLY FUCKING SHIT I JUST WITNESSED MANNA FROM THE FUCKING GODS

My skin is clear, my children are fed, and my crops are thriving and I have SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT IT

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT! Seriously, do not read if you want to see the movie, I want you to experience this emotional ride yourselves

- I don't really need to talk about the music because, as expected, it was top-notch. Everyone was great, great voices, god-tier dancing, just good shit all around

- Songs are cut and things are changed, but honestly, NOTHING was lost so there's no need to worry. For every story element they take away, they add SO MUCH MORE with the changes they made to make up for it. It's like ITH for the first time all over again :D

- First up, Usnavi. MY GOD ANTHONY RAMOS, I AM SO SORRY I'VE BEEN SLEEPING ON YOU FOR SO LONG! I never paid him any mind back in the day because his face was just plastered all over Lams stuff (UGGGGH) so seeing him doing his own thing SEPARATE from that? I WAS ONCE BLIND BUT NOW I SEE

- The whole beach story-telling thing was throwing me off the whole time. I remember how PETRIFIED everyone was when the trailers showed that, but I had faith that there was a point to it and I WAS RIGHT!! The SECOND Sonny pointed out that green crab he painted, it was like a slap in the face, and when Usnavi started his whole 'There goes my flight' part, my cousin and I silently fist pumped in pure joy

- Also, USNAVI👏AND👏VANESSA👏AS👏MARRIED👏BUSINESS👏PARTNERS👏FUCKING👏ALL👏MY👏YES (Why did none of us think of this before????)

- USNAVI AND VANESSA GETTING A CANONICAL DAUGHTER, FUCKING YES PLEASE, PUT THAT HAT ON HER HEAD

- Next, Nina. Just...OH her voice...so soft...so gentle...I could fall asleep to that shit...

- The extra details of her being discriminated against at Stanford, just...DAMN, that shit HURTED. Best Girl doesn't deserve that shit!!!

- And her deciding to go back after learned that Sonny wants to be like her but can't due to discrimination just...BEST GIRL

- Benny just...OOZED charm, man. It almost makes me sad that he and Nina didn't play as big a role in the movie as they did in the play compared to Usnavi and Vanessa. ALMOST.

- Speaking of, Vanessa got an expanded role, HELL TO THE FUCKING YES. (She got a last name change from Otilla Garcia to Morales, but hey, her last name was just a workshop thing anyway so it's JUST not-canon enough to make changing it acceptable)

- Vanessa being the one who decided on the mural thing and getting Pete and Sonny to help just...BEAUTIFUL. That's TRUE LOVE right there

- Lin as Piragua Guy and Chris Jackson as Mr. Softee; that was the funniest meta shit I've EVER seen.

- I?? Did not expect?? To come out of this LOVING Kevin Rosario??? Like, he was SO MUCH BETTER and less antagonistic??? And I LOVED IT??

- Seriously though, getting rid of his prejudice against Benny was THE MOST WELCOME CHANGE in this whole movie (to me at least). When those two were together in the dispatch during the Blackout and helping people, that was just *chef's kiss* That was the pseudo-father-son shit I have been CRAVING for those two!

- Blackout was much less scary and chaotic than we were led to believe in the stage play; a part of me was disappointed, but the way they made it with everyone taking it in stride made up for it. It was like 'Aw dammit, blackout! Welp, bust out the fireworks and the Bingo boards, we're gonna be in the dark for a while, you all know the drill.'

- Also, lights turning back on RIGHT after Carnival del Barrio? Nice touch 👌

- Pete was SO GOOD. Favorite scene:

Usnavi, with Sonny: You're out here; who's watching the store? *points to Pete who's booking it out of the store having stolen something*

Sonny: *runs after him* PETE NO, YOU CAN'T JUST DO THAT!!!

- Age gap still seems a bit ambiguous between Sonny and Pete, so until confirmation is given, this pairing is staying EXPLICITLY in the stage version tag on Ao3 XD

- PETE PROVIDING VANESSA WITH INSPIRATIONAL MATERIALS, THAT IS A FACET OF FRIENDSHIP I NEVER KNEW I WANTED

- Also, appreciate Usnavi being MUCH less antagonistic towards Pete, just treating him as an annoying kid that enjoys getting a rise out of him rather than a vandal that's a bad influence who Usnavi WILL call the cops on if pushed.

- Daniela and Carla were REALLY awesome together and I'm DOWN for them being a couple, even though Hollywood STILL decided to be cowards about it with no on-screen kiss or mention that they were girlfriends (come on guys, it's 2021, stop hiding the gays!!)

- Abuela. ABUELAAAAAAAA. NEED I SAY MORE????

Usnavi: I wanna take you and Sonny to DR

Abuela: I'm not leaving without Sonny

Me: MY QUEEN, YEEEEES

- When I saw her lying down during Blackout and staring at Usnavi and Sonny and then started transitioning into Paciencia y Fe, my writer brain IMMEDIATELY began putting those metaphor pieces together and was like 'No...no no no no NO, don't you do this to me, DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE DO THIS TO ME-'

- Alabanza had me sobbing; no comment.

- The lotto money twist was SO GOOD??? Like, my cousin and I were VERY concerned when it wasn't brought up AT ALL, but then when it turns out she saved the ticket to give to Usnavi as a final gift after her death just...TEARS EVERYWHERE

- And last but not least...Sonny. Sonny Sonny Sonny Sonny SONNYYYYYYYYYYY! My son, my child, the light of my life, the stars in my sky, was given justice on this day!!!

- HE HAS A DAD!! IT'S A SHITTY DAD BUT HE HAS A PLACE TO LIVE!!! IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAD BEFORE AND I THANK BASED LMM FOR GIVING MY BOY THE BACKSTORY HE DESERVED!! (Fanfic writers, I expect MOUNTAINS of angst and hurt/comfort from you all with this new material!)

- RIP Smol Sonny, but that baby face of his MORE than made up for it :3c

- Usnavi WANTING to take Sonny to DR right off the bat, just...THANK YOU. That was DESPERATELY NEEDED and was even wrapped up early and neatly with Sonny saying to Usnavi 'Nah, I grew up here in NY, I have no memories of DR but YOU do, so if you wanna go, then go, I like it here.' and since he HAS A FUCKING HOME here, the worry for his well-being is GONE and it feels GOOD.

- Learning Sonny was undocumented was a PUNCH IN THE FUCKING HEART! My mind IMMEDIATELY reminded me when his dad asked Usnavi why he only paid Sonny in cash and the FACE HE MADE when Nina said that undocumented kids can't get in college just BABY NOOOOOOOOOO

- Usnavi. Using. The goddamn lotto money. TO GET SONNY DOCUMENTED. MY DE LA VEGA COUSIN LOVING HEART HAS FUCKING ASCENDED AND IS NEVER COMING BACK DOWN. DADNAVI SUPREMACY.

Do I have ANY gripes with this movie? Yes, I do.

THEY FUCKING KILLED CAMILA. I DO NOT APPRECIATE BEST MOM GETTING THE DISNEY TREATMENT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH >:/

Other than that though, this movie is a 10/10, go see it. Right now. I mean it.

#in the heights movie #in the heights 2021 #sonny de la vega #usnavi de la vega #in the heights

[blue-eyed-giant]

my opinions on the in the hights movie (part 2)

patrick page has become "the capitalism guy" for me lmao he has a character type that's for sure but he is a linen salesman why does he want rosario's?

again i don't exactly remember where this belongs but what is the purpose of sonny's father? he shows up for one scene, says a few words and doesn't add much to the story. why did they add him?

so kevin didn't actually fire benny and since camilla isn't around and kevin is a drastically changed character neither him selling the business nor nina dropping out are huge deals. so there isn't any actual family drama. and benny and nina are good. what. the. fuck.

anthony kinda lost the awkardness usnavi has during the club scene but i'll allow it it's just one song.

benny didn't get fired but still talks about getting fired. what the hell at least cut it out.

no drama between benny and nina. the fight also doesn't happen. between this and blackout the whole thing is a badly cropped and sticked mess and nothing makes any sense.

the dancing tho. it is the only thing that makes the scene tolerable.

blackout is a mess. there are so many things wrong i can't even get my thoughts straight. kevin doesn't search for nina. benny and nina don't have a fight and make up, since there is no conflict in their relationship there won't be a resolve do the relationship stays very one-dimensional. the whole "you abandoned me" thing with vanessa and usnavi seems so shallow because usnavi didn't run to abuela as he should have and was with vanessa the whole time. the shop isn't at danger, which is a bad strike for graffiti pete's character and on top of that we don't see how dangerous this blackout is, the whole tension is scrapped away.

"hundreds of stories" is gone. it was a very nice and comedic song i think they should have kept it somewhere as a comedic scene. it also explains usnavi's name way funnier than a simple dialogue.

everyone coming together at abuela's home was very heartwarming 🥺 even though i didn't like how they made the situation more fun than scary in blackout i enjoyed this scene very much ngl

paciencia y fe was the only song i couldn't forgive the writers if anything happened to it since it is such an emotional song for me. i can gladly say that i was not dissappointed this version of paciencia y fe is the only song i like better in the movie. the visuals were amazing and olga merediz delivered the song as wonderfully as always. the theme of abuela travelling all her life and finally reaching a destination where the options are home and death was poetic cinema as i understand the term lmao. and her seeing everyone being happy without her help and understanding her goal and job on this world is accomplished was incredibly emotional. i have to confess, i cried for the first time in a long while when watching a movie.

as a note, i have a feeling if they didn't get olga merediz for abuela she wouldn't be such a powerful character in the movie. imo she is the best abuela there is and captures the essence of the character better than anyone else. not being on a stage alone for her solo but with a huge ensemble and lots of settings and props could have affected any other actress's performance but they only strengthened olga merediz's.

with "sunrise" out of picture people teasing benny about him and nina is pointless because they've been together for a long while??? it's nothing new??

so the actually important songs get cut but "when the sun goes down", a song that could be easily replaced with a sinple dialogue stays for the cool effects? smh

champagne is in past tense because of the time skip lmao dunno why i found this so funny

i like how in the movie we see vanessa and usnavi's stories get wrapped up but the uncertainty in the stageplay was also a different kind of vibe. makes me sad that usnavi couldn't realize his dreams so he imagines his barrio as his bar tho that kinda broke my heart but seeing him be happy with vanessa and their daughter immediately fixed it :) i wish we had seen what happened of sonny too

some end of movie thoughts:

i feel like they focused too much on the younger generation of the barrio and not enough on the older generation. of course the today is important but the elders (abuela, kevin, and camilla) told us the story of the past which is equally important. they carried the cultures of their homes and told us about where this barrio came from but the young ones couldn't because they spent all their lived in the us. they tried to load all that onto abuela but it just didn't feel right because her experience wasn't the same as the rosarios'.

the other thing is wardrobe choices. in the stageplay the clothes showed us the socioeconomic situation of the barriovery clearly but in the movie all the women are dressed like models which doesn't make sense when they start talking about the economic struggles they face. i especially noticed this with vanessa because she seems to wear the most pricey clothes while supposedly being the poorest.

and lastly: how the fuck did this movie end up just as long as the stageplay when all these stuff are cut out????

#thanks for bearing with me #in the heights #ith #musicals #lin manuel miranda #usnavi de la vega #vanessa in the heights #abuela claudia #benny in the heights #sonny de la vega #nina rosario #daniela in the heights #carla in the heights

[consider-thecoconut]

In the Heights

first song i ever heard from it: the first time I heard it was when I was seeing it live, so it was In The Heights

have i seen it live? Yes, at my former college and my former high school

if applicable, when/where was the first time i saw it live: at my college in April 2017

favorite song(s): When You’re Home and Paciencia y Fe

favorite character: Nina Rosario the barrio’s best

quote from the show that sticks out to me: “I used to think we lived at the top of the world, when the world was just a subway map” and the follow-up: “take a train to the top of the world, and I’m there. I’m home”

random opinion i have about the show (if i have one): it’s an amazing show and it deserves as much love as Hamilton

overall rating (scale from 0 to 10) 10/10

[limpblotter]

(Kiss prompt) 19 screams vanina to me

(I think I’ve done this in the past, Vanessa kissing Nina to distract her so here is loosely the opposite) 

“Nina come ooooon” Vanessa yanked back Nina’s overly plushcomforter off her bed. Instinctively looking for warmth Nina brought her legsto her chest and groaned as the chill of being blanketless intruded her. “ItsBlack Friday and we gotta get to 181st before all the good deals aregone. I’ve already devised a plan—“

Black Friday was literally the worse day of the year. Ninahad returned to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Though they didn’t appreciateNina and Sonny tag teamed speech about how the very definition of Thanksgivingwas nothing but a hallmark hoax to cover up the bloodied American truth. Thataside, the dinner was great. Of course somber without Abuela but Usnavi turnedout the turkey and the roast pork shoulder like it was no one’s business. Ninaand her mother made the rice and beans, and Vanessa managed to make a pie thatdidn’t require her to watch it for too long.

Now it was the day after, Nina’s stomach was stillrecovering from the copious amounts of food she chose to ingest. Certainly anynormal person didn’t want to run around, stomach half full from the nightbefore, into the bitter New York cold of November just for a couple of sales.

“NINA”

Certainly Vanessa wasn’t normal.

“Vanni, please, I’m tired.” Nina grumbled, pressing hersleepy face against her pillow so there was nothing but a mane of curls and noface exposed. She felt the bed shift a little as Vanessa got on, and knelt byNina’s side. “Vanessa, please.”

“Nina-Maria-Rosario” Vanessa pulled out the full name usingNina’s never used confirmation name against her, “you promised last night you’dgo shopping with me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about-“

“Maybe you shouldn’t have sipped that wine then” Vanessarolled her eyes and Nina could practically her it in her voice. “You lush.”

“Vanessa, its not worth it. The sales aren’t that great andall the shops in 181st are closed. That entire shopping district isbeing gutted, all you’re going to find are empty stores and gentrified up andcoming high end places.”

“That have sales.”

“You’re feeding into the murder of an entire culture.”

“Aye, Nina please!” Vanessa sat on the bed, her back toNina. “So a couple of shops closed down, so the hood is changing, its cleanerand yea, its whiter and richer. So what I stop living my life? I can’t stop thechange, you can’t stop it either so what do we do? We either get out of NewYork or we change with it. Those shops are gone but that doesn’t mean our cityis gone. Before the Hispanics and the Latinos it was Jewish and Italian places,before them it was the Germans and the Dutch. The city is like a life cycle.”

Nina rose her head up a little bit. As a sociology majorthis was beyond compelling, without even trying Vanessa in her own way wasexplaining a delicate concept of urban life cycles. She marveled in the subtle brilliancethat she was sure Vanessa didn’t know she had. Or maybe she did.

“Parts of it die, and the only thing we know for certainthat in a couple of decades whatever is being put there now is going to diesoon. Because there is one thing no culture is immune to…and that’s how fuckingexpensive New York rent is. No one can afford a store there for long, whichmeans if we go shopping and I get my sale products I’ll have a piece that in 60years tops will be worth something much more~”

And the brilliance came to a small, materialistic halt. Ninasat up and wrapped her arms around Vanessa as she rambled a bit over the storesshe wanted to check out first. “The most I’ll do is window shop.” Nina addedturned her head a bit, Vanessa looked back at her to argue the fact she wantedNina to at least try something on when lips touched hers.

The kiss was never just a peck, they were always more. Theywere always hungry for each other, passionate for something even if it was justin the moment. Nina pulled away and felt dizzy spells come over her just bybeing in Vanessa’s rare, smiling presence. “Fine.” Vanessa defeatedly kickedoff her shoes, “sleep for one more hour but then we go.” She flopped backtaking Nina down with her and resumed a state of warm, body to body cuddling.  

#limpypreguntas #ith #in the heights #vanessa otilia garcía #nina rosario #vanina #ninessa #hi anon #kissy prompts

[bwayaes]

//nina rosario moodboard - in the heights// i used to think we lived at the top of the world, when the world was just a subway map -requested by anon-

#nina rosario #in the heights #mandy gonzalez #lin manuel miranda #broadway #moodboard #aesthetic #broadway moodboard #broadway aesthetic #musical #musical aesthetic #musical moodboard #musical theatre aesthetic #musical theatre moodboard #musical theatre #red #white #lights #paper

[otc-dramaturgy]

Miranda Monday

This might be the best blog post I make this year, because it highlights the work of one of the hardest working people at Olney Theatre Center, Kate Brittingham, our Props Master, as well as the incredible work of Props Apprentice Grisele Gonzales (G-money, as she is known around these parts) and scenic artist Fred Via. Today, on our second design feature, we’re talking all about props.

Now, I don’t know if you all know this, but there are a lot of props in In the Heights, which Kate and Grisele were working on simultaneously to all three National Players shows. I don’t think either of these women slept for the first few weeks I was here. I had the opportunity to walk the set with Kate and Grisele and hear them talk about the hard work that went into things, as well as some Easter Eggs you might miss. (I’ve broken down the next bit into sections with hopefully clever titles for ease of reading)

"When You’re Home:” A Look at the Apartments

Our set, as featured on last week’s Miranda Monday post, has a second story, in which several apartments and fire escapes are fully functional. At the first rehearsal onstage, Kate and the other designers realized that, from our mezzanine, you can see inside the windows of said apartments, even with curtains. So Kate decided to fully furnish both of these two living rooms. 

The stage right apartment is described as being for a “mid-century young artist.” This person is traveled, as seen by the Chinese dragon on their wall, as well as the books inside their table (see below). Their artistic style is Cubism, as seen by the reproduction of a Picasso painting on their easel. 

The stage left apartment belongs to “an old Brazilian man.” He has a Brazilian flag hanging on the wall, next to a picture of Jesus, because he likes to “keep God and country close.” There are cigarettes in his ash tray and the photo on the table is of his family on the beach. My personal favorite touch is the monkey with cymbals who lives underneath the ash tray. (I’m led to believe, by this description, that the Cosmo on the coffee table belongs to the actress who uses this fire escape, rather than the fictional character Kate created, but maybe he has a penchant for sex quizzes, I don’t know, I don’t judge him)

More seen by the audience is the apartment of the Rosario family, featured in the party scene. This apartment, which coincidentally is right above Rosario’s Car Service (they have the same curtains), shows off the pride Kevin and Camila have for Nina: her Stanford acceptance letter and high school diploma hang on the wall, prominently displayed. Also on the wall are pictures of their extended family (these pictures are in fact of Grisele’s own family) and a lighthouse from the city they lived in before they moved to the United States (I didn’t get a picture of this, but you can see the frame on the edge of the first picture). 

Another small nugget that is hard to see from the audience are the mailboxes in Abuela Claudia’s building. Of course, Abuela lives there, but so do the five members of the creative team, Robin de Jesús, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kate Brittingham, her sister, and Josiane Jones, our Associate Production Manager/ Company Manager. Unfortunately, these people are all living without air conditioning; a box fan is placed in a window. Perhaps this is why Abuela starts her song by saying, “Calor! Calor! Calor!” (translation: “Hot! Hot! Hot!”). 

Several of the apartments onstage are also for rent, as shown by the “Se renta” signs in the window; these buildings are owned by Latinx landlords, rather than Uptown Investments, who is buying up the block, as seen by the influx of their flyers across the block. 

Stage Business: Working in the Barrio

There are three businesses onstage: Usnavi’s bodega, Daniela’s salon, and Kevin’s car service. Each of these is filled with Easter eggs of their own.

The bodega, for instance, is fully stocked with products, both empty and full, that were provided by the cast, crew, apprentices, etc. The cigarettes on the shelves, for instance, are empty cartons from three different employees, who were having a competition to see who could provide more. One of those same packs of cigarettes is actually full, but sealed shut, because it was accidentally left onstage. Ironically enough, there is an advertisement for Newports on the wall, but there are no Newports available in the store. The baked goods on the top shelf were provided by our finance office, who always have snacks available. Kate, upon watching the invited dress rehearsal, realized that Usnavi talks about Abuela Claudia loving glass Coke bottles, so she bought some to make sure the bodega was stocked with them.

The fridge in the corner of the bodega is the old concessions fridge from our Lab Theatre. The cash register, which is fully functional, was borrowed from Signature Theatre. The Slushie Machine and the Pepsi Machine, due to space limitations, couldn’t be fully realized; instead, there are simply wall decals. 

The salon has a sign that says “Cash only,” with a sign directly underneath that says “American Express.” The mirrors inside had to be frosted because of the lights (and because the actresses in the salon kept looking at themselves during scenes). Daniela’s is closed on Wednesdays because the 4th of July, when the salon officially closes, would have been a Wednesday in 2005 (when we had initially discussed setting this show, though we’ve since updated it to 2008). 

Rosario’s Car Service has similar hidden gems. The mail, for instance, is printed and addressed to the Rosarios. The mic, which was bought for $9 on eBay, is actually fully functional, much to Kate’s surprise; this is highlighted in “Benny’s Dispatch.” There are papers on the board detailing shift schedules, as well as notes, etc. 

Paciencia y Fur: A Story in Animals

There are three birds on the set of In the Heights, one of which migrates during intermission. The first of these birds lives on top of the lamp post near upstage center. The second of these birds lives in a “New York” bird’s nest (a bird’s nest made of trash and all sorts of things that don’t belong in a bird’s nest) on a stage left fire escape. The final of these birds, nicknamed Sketch, was backstage when I visited him; he lives on the trashcan near upstage center, but flies away during the riots at the end of the first act. Scenic artist Fred Via really brought these birds to life by adding bird poop on the fire escapes. 

(Yep, that’s me and Sketch hanging out in front of an Uptown Investments flyer)

There is a cat in the bodega, named Fe (as in Paciencia y Fe), who similarly flees during the riot. Fe is electronic and therefore moves at several points during the show. There was a Paciencia, but Marcos Santana, our director, decided that she was “too clean,” saying that she was “an upper East Side Cat.” (Ironically enough, Kate didn’t buy Fe. She was looking at electronic cats on eBay, but didn’t purchase it. Then, several days later, Fe showed up at her door.)

There are also four rats in the sewer. The sewer is in no visible from the audience; there is a grate onstage where subway lights and steam emerge from, but there is no direct line into it. However, if you come to the edge of the stage, you can look in and see one rat sitting atop the hazer, with three rats near him. Kate says, “They are having a meeting to conspire against us all.” 

Also featured on the set are two dogs. No, not real dogs, that’s happening in Annie, don’t get ahead of yourselves now. There are lost dog posters hanging throughout the set: one of these features Kate’s dog, Penny Lane, and the other features the recently-deceased dog of Marcos Santana and Nova Bergeron, our assistant director. 

“She sang the praises of things we ignore:” Other Odds and Ends

There are plenty of other things to note about Kate’s amazing prop work:

- In New York, it is illegal to put plants on fire escapes. Marcos asked Kate for “illegal” plants and she said, “Like marijuana?” Four of these plants can be seen in the show.

- The payphone, which is owned by Olney Theatre Center and has been borrowed by many of the local theatres, is the only push button payphone prop that Kate knows of in the D.C. theatre scene. There is a quarter in this payphone during the show, but it gets stolen by an ensemble member. 

- There are posters onstage for a Dia De Los Muertos event; in the club scene, the eyes on these posters glow.

- The garbage cans onstage normally live outside, in the Bank of America Plaza at Olney Theatre Center

- We set this in 2008, which allows us to use smartphones; the first iPhone came out in 2007.

- The fire hydrant, which is from Traverse City, Michigan, was originally yellow, but Kate painted it black, per Milagros Ponce de Leon’s research; the rusting effect was added by Fred. 

- There are a huge number of flags used in the show: three from the Dominican Republic, one from Puerto Rico, one from Mexico, one from Brazilian, and one from Cuba. Kate provided stage management a “How to fold this flag” guide, to ensure that we are being respectful. The Puerto Rican flag was the hardest to find, because the flag commonly sold in the United States is the wrong shade of blue. These “wrong” flags use the same shade of blue as the American flag, but it’s actually much lighter. The Puerto Rican flag painted on the Piragua cart is the correct shade of blue as well. 

- Speaking of the Piragua cart, there’s a rumor that Marcos said it’s better than the one used in the Broadway production. 

- Two Baby Ruth bars have disappeared from the shelves in the bodega... 

- Fred Via deserves another shout out; his attention to detail is massive. For instance, he painted all the graffiti seen onstage, as well as the “Yo <3 Mi Barrio” on the back wall. His work on dirtying the set, adding dirt to ledges and such and the aforementioned bird poop, shows just how much focus went into this set. 

Alright, I know that was a long post, but I’m so happy I get to highlight these amazing artists. Come see In the Heights to see everything they and the other designers have done! 

#miranda monday #props #kate brittingham #grisele gonzalez #fred via #milagros ponce de leon #in the heights #lin manuel miranda #robin de jesus #scenic design #scenic artist #easter eggs #marcos santana #nova bergeron #Olney Theatre Center #dramaturgy

[a-weird-blog-in-general]

Heathers/ITH Au

What do ya know it’s another AU. Look, this one was waiting on the back burner, and now it’s done. So sit back, relax and watch me delve into this.

So they way I’ve got it is this: 

It starts off pretty much like Heathers, with a few changes (to both canons, actually):

Sonny would be our Veronica, and a 16-yr junior, while pretty much everyone else is a senior; it does cause conflict, everyone he knows is graduating and getting out and he’s gonna be alone, further fuel for the “I hate school fire.”

Nina (17) could be Martha, closest friend Sonny who’s really smart, and she would have a crush on Benny

Benny (18) and Lincoln (17)  could be Ram and Kurt, respectively, minus the assholeness; they fit the same arc (somewhat, obvs. some things will have to be redacted), just not the character. They’re both trying to fit in by being on the football team; Benny because he comes across as a tough guy, why wouldn’t he be on the team? And Lincoln because he’s trying to please his father. They’re just going along with what the rest of the team expects to not be socially shunned (Lincoln especially).

Usnavi (20) doesn’t fit into a character (besides being a parental figure); he’s there for comfort, to provide Sonny advice (doesn’t always work). Looks after Sonny with Abuela Claudia (though Chip probably does most of the work). Usnavi’s been crushing on Vanessa for ‘about two years, hasn’t taken any initiative of course, for reasons (coughagecough). He still runs the bodega, and Sonny still works shifts there.

Pete’s kind of like J.D.? (hear me out); Pete’s got this friend who has the more “unstable” personality and mental traits. The two of them together create the whole J.D character, Pete being the part that genuinely cares for Sonny and doesn’t like society, the “friend” the part that deals with all their problems by blowing them up. Oh and Pete’s 18, the friend 19

And of course, the queens: Vanessa (17), Daniela (18), and Carla (17). They’re the Salon Girls (always hanging out at some salon, their bags have enough stuff to be a mobile one). They act the way they to fit in expectations; do they really want to be such bitches? Not really, but it keeps them on top. Vanessa-H. Chandler, Daniela-H. Duke, Carla-H.Mcnamara

And then we move onto a plot I’ve conceived for this.

The girls take Sonny under their wing because he manages to talk their way out of a problem and make him a pretty boy. (But he’s not getting rid of the hat, no one can do that).

Sonny meets Pete first at a shop, probably at Usnavi’s bodega, Pete there freezing his brain, lowkey flirtation starts, and then Sonny's introduced to Pete's friend, who is acting shady af. And they hang out until Usnavi comes in and asks if they’re gonna pay for all those drinks (and lowkey get away from my cousin you look like gang members so please back off). Sonny introduces Pete to Usnavi, and Usnavi is suspicious™.

The girls try to get Sonny to get Nina to embarrass herself at a party at one of the homecoming party at some dude’s house. Sonny denies them at first, and the girls are like “Sure, do what you want. Just don’t come crying to us when everybody hates you.” Benny ends up inviting Nina anyway.

Doesn’t matter much, because Benny and Lincoln are there to defend her

Sonny, drunk and high af (Usnavi would be disappointed), is having a good time and he brought Pete along (Pete’s just uncomfortable he’d rather be tagging a wall). The girls are about to pull some sick joke on Nina, so Sonny confronts them and vomits on Vanessa’s shoes. Sonny drags Pete with him when he runs out of the party. Benny and Lincoln take Nina home.

The whole “Dead Girl Walking” thing doesn’t happen (yet?). Sonny’s drunk and high (not a healthy combination) and Pete’s not drunk enough to just do something like that with Sonny, no matter how much Sonny insists it’s okay. Both of them are not in the most stable mental place right now to make that decision and deal with the repercussions. The end up agreeing that they have a thing (whatever that could be), but they’re not going to deal with the have stuff yet.

"Pete, I'm probably gonna die tomorrow, both socially and physically, so I really want to take our relationship up like three levels." "wat."

The next day, Sonny and Pete go over to apologize to Vanessa about last night (for moral and ethical reasons), and Pete's friend comes along (they weren’t invited, and want to be involved in something). The friend pulls off the switch drink with cleaning solution, but Pete notices and slaps the drink out of Vanessa’s hand (a bit too late; she did drink some of it)

Vanessa ends up in a coma. And Usnavi is not happy with that no no. Now all Usnavi knows is that Sonny was invited to some party, not everything that followed. Sonny doesn't want to say anything because a)Last person at the scene of the crime and b)He'll have to explain everything else and Usnavi already doesn't like Pete and hates the friend.The event is painted as a failed suicide and generates sympathy for Vanessa. It also provides an opening for Daniela to take control of the Salon Girls. Sonny's not dealing with any of this well, and while Pete is trying to be a source of comfort, but the friend is making it apparent that they like Sonny at the same time.

Kinda inconvenient timing, seeing that Sonny and Pete at this point are kind of a thing.

Some rumor starts up that Sonny's gay (and a little something else that I won’t say now) and it's high school people are fucking rude and they bash on him for it. Lincoln ends up coming up to him and they have a little heart to heart conversation where Lincoln comes out as gay and Sonny really appreciates the support (Sonny feels this isn’t something he can turn to Usnavi for). Nina pops up too and they both help Sonny sort through what’s going on.

The friend, on the other hand, manages to convince Sonny that they can socially attack whoever started the rumor (all they know is that it was someone on the football team) and bury away Sonny’s social stigma. Pete’s already in on it so Sonny agrees, but he’s not buying the "Ich Luge" bullets bullshit. But Pete’s not questioning anything so Sonny reluctantly goes with it. (The basically called two “random” guys from the team to have them fake a suicide pact, bringing them under the premise that the Salon girls wanted to see them). Sonny’s supposed to keep the guys in a certain spot until the friend fires the gun. Turns out it’s Lincoln and Benny. Sonny tries to subtly tell them to run, but Lincoln gets shot before the message is received and Benny books it. And what does the friend do? Straight up shoots Sonny.Sonny ends up in the hospital, and Usnavi’s so worried and he’s asking all these questions and Sonny just can’t take it and breaks down. But he still doesn’t say anything to Usnavi (boi just talk to your cousin). All he really manages to say is “Cuz, I think I fucked up.”

Usnavi’s not having any of this first Vanessa now Sonny wtf is going on. And Sonny’s not helping with Usnavi’s parental anxiety.

It’s when Sonny gets back to school that Lincoln actually died and he’s just living in a panic cause shit he and the other guys go to the same school how the hell am I going to avoid them? Cause he doesn’t want to see either of them because they’re both bad news and he’s done with everybody’s bullshit. Not to mention he blames himself in a way for Lincoln’s death.

Nina is not okay. She’s just so sad and lost. She goes to Benny (those two have been growing closer), and Benny kinda spills that Sonny was there when Lincoln “died.” Nina goes to confront Sonny about what Benny said, but he refuses to say anything and Nina’s particular dislike and eventual resentment of Sonny grows; he's acting weird and he's not answering her questions (she needs answers please just help her). She almost tries to commit suicide but Benny’s there to help her.

Sonny does run into Pete, and while he’s unsure about everything, the two patch up and manage to get on some level ground.

The friend, however, thinks they did nothing wrong and Sonny is being unreasonable. I poisoned a girl and killed a guy for you and you still won’t go out with me?The friend breaks into Sonny’s room, detailing the plan to blow up the school (Pete’s already there setting up the bombs). 

Fighting time! Sonny and Pete gang up on the friend and they end up getting shot (taste of your own medicine you jerk). But now what to do with the bomb? Pete got the bomb out while Sonny was distracted, and is determined™ to blow up with it. Sonny obviously ain’t having that and literally they have a fight over the bomb until the friend comes up and just holds them all together before taking the bomb. But he doesn’t back up and it goes off too close.

But everything’s okay because while badly injured they still manage to stay alive and with the troublemaker gone we can try to patch things up and bring things back to normal. Vanessa wakes up after the social hierarchy is broken down, so she can just relax. Nina gets her acceptance letter into Standford, Benny manages to convince Mr. Rosario to give him a job at their dispatch (I think you see where this is going).

#ah dear god the length is killing me

[ninasfireescape]

In the heights :)

THANK YOU

Listened to It | wtf is that | LOVE IT | meh | um…hate it | heard of it | yes!!

Rate: 96000/10

Favorite Lyric: “I used to think we lived at the top of the world. When the world was just a subway map.”

Favorite Song: When You’re Home

Favorite Character: NINA ROSARIO THE BARRIO’S BEST

Best Moment: So many some of my favourites are Benny and Usnavi dancing in the Club and the beginning of Blackout when everyone is using their phones and Sonny’s verse in 96000 (in fact all of 96000) and I find Pacienca y fe is a really emotional and true song

Something that makes me angry: WHY? DID? THEY? HAVE? TO? ERASE? THE? GAY?

Gives me the chills: Nina’s bridge in Breathe “WHEN I WAS A CHILD I STAYED WIDE AWAKE CLIMBED TO THE HIGHEST PLACE ON EVERY FIRE ESCAPE”

Overall opinions: This is such a feel good musical which I listen to very often. I saw it in London and it was very good (even if they cast some white actors in the Latinx roles which was very yikes) I wish it got as much appreciation as other musicals *cough cough* Hamilton

Send me musicals

#asks #anonymous #ask games for ts

[limpblotter]

Fly me to the Moon

[Previously…] [Next...] A/N: Usnavi is so turnt and Johan is seeing stars. (two more parts left!) Summary: Frank Sinatra, Fire escapes, late night chitchats over fine wine makes for a Johsnavi aesthetic WordCount: 3298 Taggies: @hell-yes-puns-and-ships The hum of cars still passing through the darken streets filled the already unsettled air. There was always a sound, a passing car, a distant siren, a train rolling past, dog barking, one could go on and on listing off disturbances in the city. But from the comfortable post of a fire escape about three stories high there wasn’t a sound that touched the moment between the two men. All Johan could hear was the deep and steady breathing between gulps of wine coming from Usnavi. He watched as the Dominican man tipped the bottle into his mouth taking a third chug. He placed the bottle down between them and ran a hand down his mouth wiping his wine stained goatee. “Gotta love summer in the city.” The night was cooler, nice August night breeze felt good on Usnavi’s flushed cheeks. It made the drunk in him feel less drunk. The breeze anchored him down to a reality and kept his mind from spinning. “It is quite nice…” Johan agreed, there was nothing in particular he cared for. Nothing he could pinpoint and say that was nice, but the moment felt nice. This felt...nice. He took the bottle and tilted his head back as well. After a long sip he sighed with gusto and pointed. “That a star?” He motioned to the white dot against the dark, opaque sky. It stood out so brilliantly like a certain someone’s laugh that suddenly filled the air. 

“Nah, man, that’s a plane.” Usnavi stared at the same dot and watched it move by. His eyes glanced over just barely catching Johan’s disappointed frown. The way his lower lip jutted out…”My abuela Claudia…” He began speaking in a tender voice, eyes closed for a moment. Grief still stung when he spoke her name out loud. “She use to complain how you couldn’t see the stars here...one night she swore she saw some…” It was near impossible to see stars in the city but Claudia saw the beauty in so many things everyone took for granted. Usnavi believed she saw her stars that night. 

“Did you see stars?” Johan’s frown curved up into a smile watching as Usnavi’s expressions changed so rapidly. Thanks to the wine no doubt. 

“I saw hella stars when she told me she won the lotto that night” He smirked, “And gave me ⅓ of it.” 

“Wow, really?” That was genuine surprise. Someone who won the lotto and got some money off it, why was Usnavi trapped at a corner store? “What happened to the money?” “Well…” Usnavi ran a hand down the back of his neck. “Abuela passed away the next day...that afternoon actually… with her share of the money I did the good she would have wanted to do. Gave some to Benny to help him out while he looked for a job, to the Rosarios to help them while they got Nina back to school. Helped Daniella so she could co-sign Vanessa’s apartment, and Carla for the salon. Gave some to the Piragua man who passes by here and--” “What’s...Pear-a-wah?” Johan tried to pronounce the words but they came out sounding like an alien language to Usnavi. “Oh...Piragua (PEE-AR-GOO-WHA)” He repeated slower just for him, Johan absorbed the sound and mouthed it to himself. Usnavi turned away feeling the heat from the wine stain his cheeks...of course just the wine. “It's shaved ice.” “Oh that’s neat.” 

“Yeah...gave everyone some money to help them out...even commissioned Sonny’s dumb boyfriend to paint some pieces for me...Everyone that abuela ever cared about...I know she’d want to help them even just a little.” Usnavi felt a hollow ache in his chest. Nothing he didn’t know how to manage. Johan looked back up at the bleak sky. The plane had long crossed the sky and left not a single shred of light. “Your ab..abuela sounds really nice. I would have loved to meet her.” “She would have loved you.” He answered immediately, no doubt about it. “She was a great judge of character. She would have loved you more than I…” His mouth suddenly felt try, he wanted to reach for the wine but he had to finish his sentence somehow. “Than I could even imagine.” Nice save by De La Vega. 

His tall Californian friend didn’t seem to notice, much to Usnavi’s approval, and nodded. “So what about the other thirds of the money?” 

“I put Sonny’s away in a savings account, hopefully he won’t do nothin’ stupid...he probably won’t. Sonny is a lot of things but he’s a good kid with a good head on his shoulders.” Usnavi couldn’t take any credit for that. Sonny was always a sweet kid who’s only real drive was to help his hood and more importantly the people in it. “Mine...I paid off the store debts, I own it now…” It felt good to own the store officially. “The rest I still got...sitting around... “ Though Benny might have been wry of Johan getting all this information about money...Usnavi didn’t feel an ounce of stress. He didn’t think Johan cared about the money. Another moment of silence feel on them. “Sounds like you have everything figured out…” Which was more than Johan ever had his whole life.

 “...well I spent my life making a list of goals and cross them off as they come along…sooner or later there won’t be anything left to cross out...I’m not looking forward for that.” Usnavi always thought he would be living his life according to his parents, work until he died. But after all that's happened, all the changes he was afraid his list wasn’t long enough to keep him going. He was terrified of the unknown.  

Both men went reaching for the bottle, looking away unsure what to say. Both had been internalizing their worries because neither wanted to ruin this moment. Their hands met at the neck of the bottle and with much delay, they turned, eyes on their brushing fingers. Johan slowly turned his hand, palm up, as if offering his hand to Usnavi. However, the action of his hand moving made the skittish Hispanic pull back fast. 

“...” Johan stared at his empty hand and sighed, he wrapped his fingers around the bottle and stared down at the drink. “Vanessa…” He began without thinking, his mind absently wondering if there was something between them. Johan noticed how they danced, laughed, smiled, history no doubt. Perhaps more than he imagined. Usnavi turned his head waiting for Johan to finish, all eyes on him now that he mentioned Vaness. No turning back now, “you and here seem close, after all you helped her out and stuff…” He sipped feeling absolutely idiotic for even mentioning that. Who cared? He shouldn’t have cared but his drunks words were slipping out of his mouth before his brain could edit. 

“Oh...yeah…” He smiled a bit, a sad tinge to his face. “Vanessa and I...we had a thing.” Johan knew it. Now with his confirmation Johan was no longer as happy, there was a small v shaped wrinkle forming between his furrowed brows. “But I ended it.” Usnavi looked out at the street. Johan’s face eased, he looked over at Usnavi and felt guilty for bringing it up. He looked heartbroken. “I mean, I had to, after our second date I realized we…” He pulled his knees to his chest and rested his chin on the top of his knees. “She’s on her way, making big strides, the world is in her eyes...she’s outgrown the barrio and sooner or later she’d outgrow me. I saved us the trouble of her feeling like I was holding her back.” He’d never forgive himself if he kept Vanessa from going as far as she wanted. “I’m a streetlight stuck to my island.” 

Shame washed over Usnavi’s face. “I envy you.” Johan spoke softly. “I mean...you know where you belong. You know you belong here and this is home. Me? I’ve been moving around looking for somewhere to settle. Every time I get close something...something in me changes and I’m back on my feet.” Johan slowly started to open up and once he did the drunk floodgates overflowed. “My parents were not conventional. They were hippies who thought home was anywhere they could make a canopy in. I never had a home like this, people I’ve known all my life, a neighborhood. It's been my parents, my sister and whatever ratty creature wandered into my sleeping bag that night.” Johan laughed bitterly at the memories of his strange upbringing. Yes, they had their charming quirky moments but he wondered if perhaps… they made him the way he was. 

“Hey…” Usnavi smiled weakly, he had ruined the mood. As always he never knew who to socialize normally. Damn, what would he give to be the life of the party. “Hippie parents sound cool.” 

“If you think being biracial during the 80s is ‘cool’ having parents who were hippies were even ‘cooler’” Johan’s voice was lined with sarcasm. Bitter, bitter sarcasm. “There was bullying, trouble fitting in, I learned fast to just put myself above everyone. If they made fun of me, just brush it off...then as soon as high school was over I ran. Kept moving.” “So what made you come back?” “ … Sister, Family…” He shrugged a bit, “I look at my sister and realize how normal she managed to build her life...normal within her capacity but normal enough. House, kids, husband. Stable and it looks nice.” Johan thought he wanted that too but once he started to get comfortable the itch to leave again would hit. Something would scare him back out and it was back to another country. 

“It’s nice. Take it from me...knowing no matter how far you go there is a home waiting for you..” Usnavi never thought of looking at his life like that. He could go anywhere and know his home, his island, was still in the back of his mind waiting for him. “You’ll find a reason to settle down...it's only a matter of time.”

 “Settling down sounds so boring at the same time...it sounds so...typical. Are people really meant to be settled with one other person? For their lifetime? Isn’t that a commercial ideal put out by hallmark consumerism looking to make a quick buck on heart throb moments that don’t even last...then funnel capitalism in the divorce business when it all goes to shit?” Johan rolled his eyes, the idea of being dedicated to someone sounded more like prisoner. 

Usnavi chuckled a bit. He began to find Johan’s weird rambles adorable. He could listen to him blab for hours even if he had no clue what he was going on about. Johan joined in with Usnavi’s chuckling and laughed lightly. “Shame, Daniela was looking at you like she wanted to snatch you up.” “Oh, is that so?” Johan arched his eyebrow and snickered a bit more. “Shame she’s not my type.” 

“You have a type?” He rolled his eyes, “Lemme guess Cali-girl?” “Ooo far from it.” Johan shook his head, “try again.” “European? Thats gross I heard they don’t shave their pits, asco!” He wrinkled his nose, he was being somewhat serious. 

Johan only laughed harder. “That is a terrible stereotype.” Johan shook his head, “My type is a less of a type and more of a combination of traits.” “Anja, so like a build your own girlfriend.” “Or boyfriend.” He answered without skipping a beat. Too bad Usnavi’s heart skipped three. “My type is someone...different. Someone who makes me feel different but normal. All my life has been an adventure with no one to share it with. Someone who can make any place feel like…” He turned his head a little realizing Usnavi had been staring at Johan this whole time. “Home.” 

Usnavi clutched the wine to his chest, his eyes glued on Johan’s. They were half lidded, puppy like eyes. The way the light hit his eye was like a star breaking through a dark sky. Johan had stars in his reflective eyes, Usnavi was getting lost in them ...that was until he saw his own reflection in his eyes. Scrappy, scraggy, withered, tired, anxious storekeeper with nothing going for him other than a debt free living and a bank account that wasn’t dismal. What chance in hell did he have with Johan...why did he even want a chance? Even if Usnavi humored the idea he was interested in men, why someone like Johan? He was basically like Vanessa, a restless, traveling soul who was going to take on the world. A constant changing variable to Usnavi’s permanent constant.

 He broke the gaze first, looking down with a sigh. “It's late.” Silence, this time it hung heavy...it was unsettling now. 

A car came by and parked in front of the building. The door opened as the driver walked out to have a smoke. His radio, somewhat low, carried the music up to the boys on the fire escape. A tune, Johan had recently recognized. “Sinatra.” He smiled a bit, Usnavi arching his eyebrow. “Sinatra is playing.” 

“Huh…” Usnavi closed his eyes and focused on the low, retro tune. “You’re right. My parents, when they first came to this country, were nuts about him.” 

“He’s got a way of making things sound snazzy” Johan started to snap a bit, “Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars. Let me see what spring is like on A-Jupiter or Mars” He sang in time with the low music. “In other words, hold my hand.” He offered his hand to Usnavi. Melting in the moment of being somewhat serenaded he placed his hand in Johan’s large hand. Johan clasped it tight and pulled Usnavi a bit closer, “In other words, baby, kiss me.” He purred and Usnavi’s mind fried.  Would he? 

Johan could almost smelled his nerves and pulled Usnavi’s hand to his lips and placed the softest kiss on the back of his hand. Usnavi would have run for the hills but he was frozen to his spot here. The music kept playing for a while and Johan hummed along. His hand still holding Usnavi’s. It felt...right. Usnavi wasn’t sure what this was, this ease that glossed over his near constant anxiousness. He for the first time in a long time felt like the store didn’t matter. Nothing really mattered, what mattered was how warm he felt. How nice it felt having someone’s strong hand hold his with so much security. This fire escape could collapse right now, which was possible given the decades of rust he collected, and he felt safe. He felt like…

Usnavi whispered to himself, ”Fireworks…” He blushed a bit as the music came to its crescendo end and Johan finished belting out the last few lyrics. “Fill my heart with song! And let me sing forever more. You are all I long for, all I worship and adore. In other words!” He smiled brightly at Usnavi, the reflection in his eyes didn’t seem so bad. Usnavi didn’t look tired, he looked...alive. “In other words” Usnavi sang back at Johan to his surprise. “In other words!” Johan leaned in a bit, raising his voice to the starless, night sky. “I love youuuuuuu!” They dragged out the last line together. Usnavi’s heart was a wreck, even if it was just in a song, he barely heard those three words from anyone. Family or friends. He leaned back in laughter, his hand squeezing Johan’s as he let out peels of carefree giggles. “Fags.” The driver got back in his car having watched them the whole time, unimpressed. The car took off but not before Usnavi got to his feet and leaned against the fire escape. “Say it to my face maldito hijo de puta!” He spat, growling at the car as he drove off. “Like he hasn’t seen two guys enjoying a goddamn song.” Usnavi flipped off the night and turned to Johan’s side. 

He sat a bit closer, automatically putting his hand back in Johan’s. Where, without questioning it, Johan took it back and held it. “It is getting late...I better head back to the hotel before my sister decides to call the police.” Johan sighed. “You can stay, I can take the policia.” Usnavi was riding the high of his machismo bravado.

“Seeing how things are these days, I rather you not.” He squeezed Usnavi’s hand, melting away his agitated testosterone. “I’ll call a cab.” Johan pulled out his phone with is free hand but Usnavi shook his head. 

“I got you.” Usnavi pulled out his phone instead and dialed a number. He spoke Spanish into the phone and in a matter of minutes a black car came by and parked in front of the apartment. “Some of the other taxi drivers that worked for the Rosarios picked up another company, I call in favors once or twice. You won’t have to pay.” “Aw...Usnavi you shouldn’t have.” Johan said his name again and just like the first time, his heart sputtered like a stalling car. “Thanks for inviting me.” He slowly released his hand, his fingers aching. 

Usnavi looked down at his hand and nodded, “I wanted to see you again.” And again, and again. 

“I won’t be in New York for too long. I’m glad I got to see you tonight. I had fun, dancing with you was...a trip.” “Was that a joke about how we almost tripped because I’m a lot better at dancing when I’m not drunk.” Usnavi smirked, he watched as Johan hesitantly went to the fire escape ladder and held onto the bars. “Text me when you get to your hotel safe.” Usnavi leaned over the ladder, looking down at Johan. Strange, the man was tall so Usnavi didn’t think he’d have a chance to look down at him. 

“Will do.” Johan looked up at Usnavi, his eyes still glistening. “Adios.” “Adios.” Usnavi repeated with a nod. He watched his special guest scale down the ladder, muffling a laugh when he tripped over the last bar and nearly fell on his ass. Johan turned around making sure that Usnavi hadn’t seen that. They exchanged parting glances and soon Johan was in the car and driving away. 

The car ride back to the hotel was quiet. Johan was pretty tipsy, his mind spinning now. He replayed the last few moments with Usnavi. The sound of his laugh, holding his hand, the smile, the look in his eyes...all to that Frank Sinatra song. “In other words…” He hummed to himself. 

Johan barely remembered getting to the hotel. He didn’t remember remember the elevator trip or what his sister said when she saw him come in, smiling like there was no tomorrow. The last thing he remembered before he drifted into a drunk induce sleep was texting Usnavi. 

/Johan: I’m home, safe and sound. 

Usnavi: Good, now I can sleep easy. 

Johan: Were you going to stay up thinking about me? 

Usnavi: I don’t think I can stop thinking about you. /

Johan closed his eyes unsure what to say. What he knew was it made him smile, he held his phone to his chest. His heart pounding against his ribs, he was being thought of... His phone buzzed again, he opened one eye and realized Usnavi had messaged him again. And again /Usnavi: sorry thatwasweird. And it buzzed again. 

Usnavi: I don’t know...like...I’m not like this!

Usnavi: seriously I don’t know why I said that /

Johan quickly responded before Usnavi worried himself to death.

/Johan: I don’t think I’ll get that song out of my head tonight or any night. Goodnight Usnavi /

/Usnavi: Gnight. /

“Crap” He sighed, putting his phone aside. He hug the pillow to his chest as a nervous smile slowly made it's way across his face. “I /do/ like him” He buried his face into the pillow and felt the rush of blood stain his face. 

#johsnavi #josnavi #johsnavi fic #josnavi fic #fanfiction #johan johnson #usnavi de la vega #blackish #In The Heights #flying to the moon #fluff #more slow burns