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#I’m waiting to watch the new season until it’s like...all released so I can watch it in one sitting in the dark at 3am
moonflowerdamie · 2 years
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ok so i just watched volume 2. gonna tell you guys my thoughts because WHAT THE FUCK.
⚠️STRANGER THINGS V2 SPOILERS!!!!!⚠️
seriously. what. the fuck. did i just watch.
i have so many thoughts about ep 8 and 9 so i’m gonna try and condense them into lil sections for y’all so. here goes.
•brenner’s death•
-we were supposed to find it…sad? the death of the man who kidnapped and abused children for his own gain? yeah, nice fucking try duffers, with the ‘sad emotional music’. honestly i’m glad the fucker’s dead. one of the only good things to come out of vol 2.
•will and mike•
-i now understand why the duffers waited until after pride month to release the new eps because wtf??? they’ve built it up that will’s in love with mike the whole season (the whole damn show) and then he just…doesn’t say anything? sure he had that monologue where we all know he was talking about himself and not el but. he didn’t even come out to mike? or anybody for that matter. sure, the scene with jonathan is undeniable that jonny boy knows and accepts him and it was a really sweet scene, but it felt like a cop out. will didn’t ever actually confirm anything. fucking bullshit. william byers get behind me, i’ll protect you from the duffers this time.
•stancy•
-fuck ME i hated this storyline. i fucking HATED it. i’ve already spoken on here about why steve and nancy should never be romantic again, and the fact that the duffers tried to push that arc was bad enough but. also. did you guys clock how ooc steve was because of it??? like, he just starts spouting shit about wanting six kids and a perfect life to nancy, who just NEARLY DIED, and then does it again in the woods when robin runs off alone—completely ignoring her well-being and safety in favour of trying it on with nancy again. that’s so not the steve we know. the steve we know and love would never let robin run off alone, and he certainly wouldn’t be basically ambushing a girl with his fucking life plans that make no fucking sense. and if that all wasn’t bad enough, THE WHOLE PLOTLINE WAS IRRELEVANT ANYWAY. they don’t get together because nancy’s still with jonathan and it never gets addressed again. fucking idiotic storyline.
•jancy•
-ok so can we all agree that this ship has run its course? like, don’t get me wrong, they’ve been cute the past few seasons, and i wouldn’t hate it if they were endgame, but. come on. jonathan is STILL LYING TO HER about college, their plans clearly don’t align anymore and they just want different things in life. and i get it, it’s cute that the actors are dating in real life, but that shouldn’t be the only thing holding the ship together. i just think the duffers have made it clear throughout the season, then with that ending scene in vol 2 when jon and nancy are repairing hop’s cabin, that these two are going to inevitably part ways.
•jopper•
-one of the saving graces of these eps. they FINALLY kissed and it was sweet and cute and perfectly built up, in my opinion. joyce and hopper stay one of the best ships in the show.
•max•
-is she alive? is she dead? WHO KNOWS???!!? honestly the HORROR the duffers have put me through with her this season. it was fucking brutal having to watch her bones snap like that. i was honestly shaking, like holy shit. and then she died, and then she didn’t? hmm? what did el do that saved her? what consequences will that have??? so many unanswered questions. but, i will say this: sadie sink deserves a fucking emmy.
•ronance/vickie x robin•
-i am so beyond pissed at the duffers brothers for the shit they pulled with robin in these 2 eps. like, vickie’s not in the season except for one two minute scene in ep 1 and then they bring her back for the last ep? and yeah, her and robin could be cute i guess, but it felt so shoehorned in. like they clearly just shoved that scene in at the last minute to fill a diversity quota and makes me fucking ANGRY. the opportunity was there for robin to have a fully fleshed-out, meaningful, poignant romance with nancy. they’ve been together all season, they’ve grown closer, understood each other, looked out for each other. hell, i even thought the duffers might go there with that scene where robin grabs nancy’s hand outside the creel house. but no. because why give us an actually good wlw relationship when you can shove it to the side and give us absolutely crumbs of representation? bullshit.
•eddie’s death•
-tbh i was expecting him to die, and so i wasn’t shocked but. it felt very anticlimactic. like, the whole focus was on him dying a hero—but then he didn’t technically save anyone? he just…died? for seemingly no reason? and yeah, dustin’s reaction BROKE me, but like then nobody else ever mentions it? not even steve, robin or nancy, who have been with him the whole season. it just all felt so rushed. joe quinn, you did a great job man, and you deserved better writing.
•elmax•
-is it just me or did every one of max and el’s scenes together feel very…romantic? like, yeah they’re best friends who haven’t seen each other in a while, but all of their interactions were framed and built up to seem almost like lover’s reuniting? like they’re touching each other’s faces constantly when they first see each other again, max is looking at el’s lips, max’s ‘death’ involved el crying over her just as much as lucas. and when el visited her in the hospital everyone like made way for her as if she’s the most important person to max. am i going crazy here??? someone tell me they get what i’m trying to say. anyway, another saving grace of the season, elmax remains superior.
•the ending•
-i actually think the ending was pretty cool. like it sets up a vastly different, darker and more epic final season. we actually saw the battle with the upside down and vecna having disastrous effects on hawkins. and i thought the return of the mind flayer actually was kinda cool, and the way everything was explained was pretty good. but, after these 2 eps, i’m not sure i trust the duffer brothers with another season. well. we’ll see what happens i guess.
overall, volume 2 was a let-down. ooc characters, messily wrapped up plot lines, shoved in, shitty representation. it all felt rushed and like the duffers kinda gave up halfway through. highlights of the eps include: the jopper kiss, elmax, robin grabbing nancy’s hand when she was scared, hopper beheading a demogorgan, eddie playing guitar, erica kicking that one guy in the balls and natalia dyer, noah schnapp, caleb mclaughlin, millie bobby brown and sadie sink’s acting.
what did you guys think?
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betterthanburrow · 9 months
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Cowboy Girl’s Luck - Instagram AU
(Bengals Quarterback! Joe Burrow x Podcast Host! OC)
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Bengals: Full of hit tracks 😏
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username1: y’all can’t leave Dallas without the WIN!
username2: i’ll be at the AT&T Stadium for the game!
username3: kickoff at 4:25pm?! … it’s going to be a long football game on Sunday 😳
username4: WHO DEY NATION! LET’S GO BENGALS!
username5: “world in our hands” but the bengals have more loses than wins so far this season 😵‍💫
↳ username6: there’s only been 1 football game so far this season (since we don’t found the pre-season).
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liked by 555,009 users
yourinstagram: a new episode of Note To Self featuring a very special guest will be available to listen and watch on any platform wherever you get your podcasts this Sunday at 10am CST ✨🍀
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username1: NEW PODCAST EPISODE ON SUNDAY?!
username2: it’s been a long time since there was an unannounced guest on the podcast… this better be a good special guest surprise!
dearmediastudio: we’re excited for the new podcast episode with a VERY special guest 😉
username3: i can’t wait until Sunday… i need to know who the special guest is NOW!
username4: EVERYONE IN THE COMMENTS! GO LOOK AT @.JOEYB_9’s INSTAGRAM STORY!
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Burrow_Updates: it looks like Joe will be the special guest of Y/FN Y/LN’s next podcast episode which will be available to listen and watch this Sunday!
(Joe Burrow’s Instagram Story from today)
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username1: a Bengals football game and a Podcast episode with Joey B on Sunday?! … it’s going to be a busy Sunday!
username2: OMG?! i’m excited for the podcast episode!
username3: i’ve been wanting Joe to go on the NTS podcast for YEARS!!!
↳ username4: Y/N hasn’t been doing her podcast for years… but i understand the excitement!
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DallasCowboys: 🔒 IN FOR #GAMEDAY
#CINvsDAL | @.att | #DallasCowboys
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demarcusware: The time is now 👊🏿👊🏿
username1: this should be an easy win!
username2: i hope it’s better than last Sunday 🙄
↳ username3: it won’t be… being a Dallas fan is pain!
yourinstagram: let’s go cowboys 🤠💙
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NoteToSelfPodcast: The Newest Episode of Note To Self is available to now on all platforms whenever you can listen and watch Podcasts ✨🗒️
thank you to @.joeyb_9 for being our guest for our special 50th episode of the Note To Self Podcast!
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username1: THIS PODCAST EPISODE WAS SO GOOD! it was nice to learn more about Joe Burrow, especially since he has a very private life outside of football.
username2: was it just me… or did anyone notice Joe and Y/N flirting with each other throughout the episode 👀
↳ username3: YES I NOTICED IT TOO! they definitely started to flirt with each other as they got more comfortable throughout the episode
↳ username2: THANK GOD someone noticed it… i didn’t want to sound like i was crazy 😵‍💫
↳ username4: when Joe complimented Y/N and then called her out for blushing and she kept denying it but you could see the redness on her cheeks to the point where she hid her face and then Joe asked her to uncover her face so he could see her… I DIED!
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joeyb_9: cowboy rodeo training 🏈
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username1: today will be my first time watching a Bengals game LIVE at the stadium!
username2: in Burrow we trust!
yourinstagram: good luck Quarterback!
↳ joeyb_9: i don’t need luck from a cowboy’s girl… but thank you.
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yourinstagram: Cowboys’ Girl at Heart 💙
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username1: Bengals fans aren’t going to be happy 💀
username2: HOW DO YOU RELEASE A PODCAST EPISODE INTERVIEWING THE BENGALS QB AND THEN GO TO THE THE BENGALS VS THE COWBOYS FOOTBALL GAME AND NOT ROOT FOR THE BENGALS TO WIN??
joeyb_9: hmm… i see how it is 🙄
↳ yourinstagram: maybe you did need that Cowboy Girl’s Luck after all!
username3: as a Bengals fan… can we blame Y/N for the lost of the game instead of the head coach?!
username4: when joe asked which team going to be rooting for to win today’s game and all Y/N could do was laugh… i knew we couldn’t trust her 💀
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Author’s Note:
if you have a request for an Instagram AU, please send the IG AU request to my Inbox and i’ll get the requested Instagram AU published as fast as i can!
thank you all for the love and support! 🤍
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willaferrreyra · 1 year
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seven miles straight up — greg hirsch x fem!reader
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gif not mine
greg hirsch is afraid of flying and in need of a distraction — luckily you’re an expert in that field.
1.3k words
contains: just pure fluff, love confessions, kind of cliché but whatever….we all need some cliché greg fluff i think
disclaimer: i do not proofread my work so please excuse any grammatical errors! so happy to be back writing again before the new season :)
"Do you ever, like, get nervous when you fly?"
Greg posed the question as you stood next to him, waiting to board the 777 bound for London. In a few days you'd both be attending what Tom promised would be the "marital event of the century". Everyone else would be making the journey in sleek private jets or at least a decent commercial business class. You and Greg, however, were stuck flying coach. It's not like either of you could afford much else.
You paused to ponder Greg's question.
"No, not really. I mean, I trust the pilots. You know, air travel is statistically the safest form of travel," you looked up at your friend standing next to you. "How about you?"
He was always anxious. After being his friend for the past few months, you knew that. It wouldn't surprise you to find out that he's a nervous flyer.
"Oh, uh, me? No," he shook his head. "Definitely not. 40,000 feet is like nothing."
"7 and a half miles straight up is nothing?" you teased.
"Yeah, that's like doing the walk from your apartment to that brunch place you like, like 7 times," he said matter-of-factly. "It's easy."
You chuckled and shook your head. It was an easy walk, two miles round trip. You and Greg had made it a tradition to get Sunday brunch once he started working with you at Waystar. You needed a set day to release your work frustrations, and it didn't hurt to add a mimosa in the mix.
Once you boarded the plane, you wished you could've opted for the business class seat. Sure, it was uncomfortable for you, but Greg? Zero legroom. You watched as he shifted his legs around, trying to settle on the least uncomfortable position.
"You good?" you asked as you noticed him shift his focus to the tiny screen on the back of the seat in front of him.
"Oh yeah, just...just, you know. Settling in."
Whether he wanted to admit it or not, you could tell he was anxious. Worse than that, anxious and uncomfortable. Anxious, uncomfortable, and in need of a distraction.
"So, Tom's wedding," you shifted the conversation. "That's sure to be interesting."
“Uh huh,” he replied, nervously looking around the cabin upon hearing the ding for the seatbelt sign.
You were going to need a better distraction than that.
“Hey, how about we play a game?” You suggested.
Greg’s attention returned to you at the mention of a game.
“Like what kind of game? I don’t think you’re supposed to, like, stand up during takeoff, you know?”
“This game doesn’t require any standing. It’s called truth or drink. It’s like truth or dare except if you don’t want to tell the truth you, well, you drink,” you explained. “If you dodge all of my questions you’ll get drunk, fall asleep, and forget that the ground is 7 miles below us.”
Greg hesitated for a minute, debating whether or not he should actually take out the safety card for the safety demo. Nobody else seemed to be paying attention.
“I mean, it sounds like fun but what if I drink too much and we crash and then I’m, like, too incoherent to evacuate?”
“Well, in that case I’ll make sure to answer all of your questions so I can stay sober enough to help you out of the plane. Deal?”
He nodded, watching the window as the plane began to pull away from the gate.
“Great!” you grinned. “I mean, we won’t be able to get any drinks until after takeoff so for now it’ll need to be truth or truth. So get your good questions out now.”
“Okay,” he paused for a minute. “If you could have any job at Waystar, what would it be?”
“Easy. Head of entertainment,” you said. “I could get out of New York and set up shop in the LA office. Enjoy the sunshine and get myself a little bungalow in the Hollywood hills with a pool. You get the gist.”
“Wow, that was quick,” Greg chuckled. “You don’t like working in parks and cruises?”
You shrugged. “I mean, it’s alright. I don’t think it’s a forever job, though.”
“Yeah, yeah, no. Not a forever job,” he replied.
“Okay, your turn,” you smiled.
The truth was, this little distraction game of yours had ulterior motives. It sounds so high school, but ever since Greg began working with you, you had been head over heels for him. You loved how he always waited for you after a meeting. You loved it when he came over to your desk with one of those little plastic water cups. You even loved it when he needed help with something because, despite your heavy workload, helping him with his tasks just made you feel good.
You had to know if he felt the same way even through the means of a stupid game.
You knew that you couldn’t just outright say “who’s the prettiest girl in the office” (even though you really wanted to). So, you decided to go for something more subtle.
“Are you interested in anyone right now?”
Greg furrowed his brows. “Like how? Romantically?”
You nodded.
“No, I mean, not really.”
“Really, Greg? Out of everyone in the entire office and beyond, there’s not a SINGLE person who you have the slightest interest in?”
He shifted his gaze from you to the window as the plane continued its taxi.
“Well, I mean, there is this one girl who I think is kinda cool if that’s what you mean by interest,” he said.
“Oh? Who is she?”
“You don’t know her,” he added quickly. “She works…upstairs.”
“Well, what’s her name?” You pressed. “I know more people in the office than you’d think.”
Greg continued to avoid eye contact as he stared at the plane’s engine. He couldn’t decide what was worse, revealing that he liked you or lying, avoiding eye contact, and witnessing an engine failure in the process.
“I actually know she doesn’t know you because I told her about you once and she, um, she said she didn’t know who you were.”
“Well if you won’t tell me her name can you at least tell me what she’s like?”
“She’s uh, she’s really nice to me. Which is weird because I feel like most people weren’t super welcoming at Waystar, y’know? She’s always helping me with the day-to-day stuff. She lets me complain to her which is nice.”
You could feel your cheeks start to get hot. You knew where this was going. Or did you? Maybe there really was another woman upstairs who you didn’t know about.
“Yeah…what else?”
“She’s always so put together,” he continued. “Even on days when she comes into work and she’s like ‘oh, I look bad today’ I think she looks beautiful. But I never tell her that because I don’t want to come off as a creep.”
You nodded. You often came into work on an off-morning complaining about a bad hair day or the bags under your eyes which were the result of an all-nighter.
Greg finally turned to face you, deciding that this was better than witnessing a potential engine failure.
“And she loves brunch. And movies. And she’s really good at calming you down if you have a fear of flying.”
You smiled as the plane began to speed down the runway.
There was a panic in Greg’s eyes and you couldn’t tell if it was the result of takeoff or his recent confession. Either way, you had just the trick to distract him.
You leaned in to kiss him and his lips happily met yours, welcoming the distraction. As the plane climbed in altitude, the butterflies in your stomach intensified. You weren’t exactly the most comfortable flyer either, but you’d never felt safer and happier in your whole life.
As you pulled away, you couldn’t help but notice how calm he looked.
“Should we get those drinks now?” you grinned. “I think they start serving them around 10000 feet.”
Greg looked out the window and smiled. “10000 feet? I didn’t even notice.”
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girlwithamissingpearl · 8 months
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Here we go again. The criticism of SH’s Sassanach Gin tour is as expected. Not everyone has to like what he does. That’s fair. But that continuing narrative that he takes advantage of his fans? Sorry, but that’s a hard no for me.
Personally I don’t know how the actual fuck he does it. Ten years in and he is still gracious and accommodating to all his fans, even those that cross every line. How is unsolicited groping ever acceptable? I think he is far too affable. But the he’s taking advantage of his fans continues. If all he wanted to do was was an Outlander pump and dump cash grab, not only is he doing it all wrong, he’s working far to hard. Rather than invest his own money and produce a craft product, he could have purchased a house brand equivalent of whisky and gin, and concentrate on labels. Imagine limited edition pumpkin spice, thanksgiving, Christmas, new year’s, Valentine’s Day, shirtless-you get the idea- SH limited edition bottles. I think he’s looking beyond that and trying to build a brand.
There’s also been a lot written about the individual appearances and signings. I would never camp out at midnight to get a place in line, but a 6-8 hour wait? There are a small group of gals that I follow and Dm with, that I would gladly grab a lawn chair and sunscreen and happily take my place in line with. Not sure if they would be as keen, but @khccbc1745, @kiaora45, @harriethattie, @caldineens, @collectido, @ maryofboston, @ Stargazer74 , @andorra97 and many more, who take the time to not only comment, but call me out when I get things wrong(which I have been known to do) you know who you are- I’d wait in line, with any of these women, in a heartbeat. Even though we range in age-40-80- I don’t think we would have a single second of silence. With a group, you take turns getting coffee, snacks, lunch…quick SH selfie, hotel nap, dinner and drinks. I think that’s the part people don’t get when they see the long lines. It’s not for everyone, but it’s also for most a once in a lifetime thing. Go ahead and laugh, a couple of years ago I was the first to make fun of people like me, but scrolling through the fandom has become one of my favourite things to do, and something I don’t have to share with other family and friends that will never understand the joy of all things Outlander and SH😊. The other thing that most people don’t get is that, and I think I can speak not only for myself but the other amazing women in the fandom, we really don’t take each other that seriously. This is fun, and for me definitely a guilty pleasure bc🥸I’m so happy that I have these like minded people I can commiserate with because I just watched the last mid season episode of season 7. How dare they say…to be continued next year. Next year? Ffs.
On a final note, a fun fact. If we didn’t have tickets for tennis, I definitely would have gone to the Scottish festival in Fergus Ontario to see our very own hometown boy CV, and RR and for once be able to post some original pics. Not far from home, I’ve been to the festival in the past- definitely have Scots in the family tree including a competitive bagpiper- and its always fun. I’ve really enjoyed CV as WR in the first part of season 7 and really looking forward to watching his story unfold. But having to wait until next year to watch the second half of season 7, and who knows how long before season 8 airs. Don’t even get me started about DG, and the timeline for the release of book 10. Seriously considering a class action lawsuit for the cruel and unusual punishment inflicted by DG when she said Jamie’s ghost story would be revealed in the last page of book 10. Why DG? Why? On the other hand, I can take my time scrolling, commenting and posting about season 7. If I was a patient person, which I’m not. So for now I’ll make due with the ongoing commentary of how people around the world refer to the “pineapple swim trunks” SH sports in an upcoming episode of MIK 2. Something budgies….🦜🏊‍♂️🩲…
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Not Real
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Paring: Matthew Gray Gubler x gender neutral reader
Summary: You watch the episodes of Spencer’s kidnapping and torture during season two of Criminal Minds, and you’re unable to handle seeing Matthew like that, even if he’s acting.
Warnings: Mention of torture, drugs, lots of crying, hurt/comfort. Please let me know if there is more.
Word count: 1k>
MASTER LIST
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As Matthew's partner, you were always supportive of his career. You went to premieres with him, release parties, you name it. You were always there by his side to be his number-one fan. At this point, Matthew has been on Criminal Minds for almost two years now. You always watched the episodes alongside the cast as soon as they aired. But due to your schedule, you weren’t able to watch each new episode as they were released, so to make up for the missed time, you watched a couple of missing episodes from season two before Matthew got home.
What you didn’t expect was how devastating the episodes would be. You knew they were fake, you knew it was just a T.V. show, but seeing Matthew on screen going through unimaginable things, even if he was in character, it broke your heart into a million pieces, forever unmendable. Warm tears quickly stream down your face as you watch Matthew go through such torture. Wait, no, Spencer. This isn’t real, Y/N. Stop thinking it’s real. Spencer sobs and begs tirelessly to not be injected with Dilaudid. No matter how hard you tried, all you could think about was Matthew. Your heart ached, and you sobbed until your voice was too tired to speak anymore.
Soon, Matthew comes home, unharmed and safe. He heard your cries and quickly heads towards the sound, seeing you clutching the sofa as the traumatic scene plays out on the television. You look up, seeing Matthew standing before you, face drenched in worry.
“Matt… Matthew…” you whimpered. He meets you on the floor, holding you in his everlasting embrace. “Baby, oh god. I- I should have told you,” he whispers, kissing away your tears as he spoke. “I- I wasn’t supposed to spoil anything about the season. I should have told you. I'm so sorry, baby. So sorry…” The guilty infliction in his voice makes your heart ache even more.
Matthew takes you off the living room floor, sitting you securely on his lap as he gently rocks you back and forth in his embrace. “It’s gonna be okay, baby. It’s okay. Remember, it’s just a T.V. show, just a show…” His soothing words slowly calm your nerves, and you’re able to speak once again.
“Watching the show… I- I couldn’t help but imagine it was you, and- and that you were in… pain,” you whisper as small tears begin to form in your eyes again. Matthew wipes away your tears before they can fall, gently pressing soft butterfly kisses on your swollen skin. “Nothing bad is ever going to happen to me. As long as I’m with you I’ll be safe, okay?” he reassures.
“Promise?” you ask as you finally make eye contact, your eyes red and swollen from the tears. Matthew nods. “I promise. I’m safe, and most importantly, you’re safe. I’m never going to let anything happen to us.”
Text divider by -> cafekitsune
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mawarimichisae · 10 months
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Happiness From Love Spread Afar / Part 1 / Aira FS2
Aira Feature Scout 2 Story Translation, Part 1 | Next
Characters: Aira, Kohaku | Writer: Suika
"Eh!? T-that's not true at all!"
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Season: Winter
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Aira: O~i, Kohakucchi! Over here!
Kohaku: Pardon me for suddenly callin' you out, Love-han. I have some time on my hands until my next job so I was feelin' a bit bored.
Love-han, are ya really not busy?
Aira: It's all good. Today's work and lessons are over, and I was just thinking of heading back.
If anything, I'm happy that you called me out like this. I wanted to talk to you too ♪
Kohaku: It makes me happy as well to hear ya say so. Thank you, Love-han.
Aira: Ah, the always-popular window seat is open! Hooray, Kohakucchi ♪
Kohaku: Alrighty, then I'll grab us some drinks and snacks.
At any rate, today you're in a grand jolly mood. Did somethin' good happen?
Aira: Ehehe, you can tell? Actually, an idol group I've supported since their debut was selected for a release event!
Kohaku: Release event, as in the event they do when they release a new CD for sale?
Aira: Yep yep. It's an event we're very familiar with, huh?
So about this group, a year ago they were only known to a few enthusiasts.
But a little while ago, a short video they posted became trending on social media. From then on, they gained a lot of fans in one go - currently their popularity is booming!
So, the competition for this time's release event was supposed to be rough. I thought they might not be selected...
But when I checked my phone after filming just now, they won by a landslide!
My tiredness from work already went off and disappeared!
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Kohaku: Well, that's wonderful. When's the release event being held?
Aira: Next weekend. I'm planning to go straight there after I finish up my work scheduled for that morning.
Why can't the day come quicker ♪ I can't wait anymore.....!
Kohaku: Kohkohkoh ♪ When I see Love-han gettin' excited, I also become happy.
Aira: If watching me makes you happy, feel free to keep watching more and more ♪
I'll share the happiness that I've received with Kohakucchi as well⭐
Kohaku: Yer mood sure is great, huh. Well, it's much better than bein' down.
...Oh, if it ain't Anzu-han. Anythin' happen?
Aira: Anzu-san. You want to talk about the "Feature Live"?
Ah! Could it be my turn next!? Is that why you called out to me?
W-what should I do? Happy things keep happening one after another today - I might've used up all my luck.
Kohaku: Yer overexaggerating, Love-han. Even so, I'm glad for you.
Aira: But a "Feature Live," huh...
That means all these fans will come to the live just to see me, huh....
Anzu-san? Am I nervous? Well, of course I am. Just by imagining it I feel like my legs are trembling!
Kohaku: Don't ya think ya don't need to be that scared? For sure, bein' alone on such a huge stage might make you feel helpless.
But I think that until now, Love-han has done a great job as an idol already.
Aira: Kohakucchi....
You're right. If this was before, I might've said "Just me alone can't deliver a successful stage"
But I'm now different from those underachiever days....Yeah, Anzu-san. I'll try my best!
I'll give the best performance so that all my fans can make the best memories of their lives!
Kohaku: Kohkohkoh. That's the spirit, Love-han ♪
Anzu-han, you'll take photos for the feature live's pamphlet, yeah?
Aira: You came to discuss candid shots with me? Uwah, uwah.....! So that's what it's gonna be about after all!
I love this concept, since you can see the expressions of idols that you can't normally see when they're being idols ⭐
"Do you already have an image of what kind of candids you want to take?" you said?
As expected of Anzu-san to see through me....Actually, I've taken some pictures that I thought would be good for this concept.
Kohaku: You've gotten around to takin' photos already, that's amazin'.
Won't ya let me see them too? I might serve as a good consultant for the shooting ♪
Aira: This is kinda embarrassing but.... s-something like this!
Kohaku: Love-han spendin' time in a stylish lil' cafe. Love-han illuminated by the sunset. And this one's Love-han walkin' under the moonlight.
Aira: "Do I also have ones that aren't selfies?" Yes, actually I received help from everyone in Alkaloid.
Kohaku: Yer right. There're some photos where your unit members show up too. Looks like fun ♪
Aira: So, how do they look? I think something like this would be good.....
"They're well taken"? "Because you understand the charm of idols well, the scenes are chosen well too"?
Ehehe~ It makes me happy to be praised by Anzu-san ♪ Then let's put this one in the pamphlet...
Eh? "Please wait a moment"?
Kohaku: ....It seems Anzu-han and I have the same opinion. These photos of yers are a bit uncanny.
Aira: ....What part was no good?
Kohaku: It's not that it wasn't good. It's just, some of em' don't feel like Love-han....
Like the photo in this cafe. This store has been trendin' on the internet recently, so it's not strange for Love-han to spend time here.
But I dunno. I jus' feel like the vibe of this photo doesn't suit Love-han.
It's like I've seen this somewhere, or like some other idol took a picture like this before....
Aira: Anzu-san? Yep. I've collected everyone else's Feature Live pamphlets, of course.
...."Could it be that you adopted the same vibe of other idols' candid shots that you used as reference"?
Er, in that case, I'll retake them....! These photos should convey my image, after all.
If I retake my photos to feel similar to this, it'll work fine for the pamphlet, right!
Kohaku: ....Isn't your demeanor a bit strange, Love-han?
Aira: Eh!? T-that's not true at all!
These are the candid shots I finally get to do, I just want my fans to be happy with them...!
Kohaku: True as that may be... wait, there's already an expression that you don't show when you're an idol, right?
See, when Love-han gets fired up talking about idols....
Aira: Uwaaaaaahhh!?
Kohaku: Y-ya surprised me! What happened!?
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Aira: S-sorry! I just remembered that I have to meet up with Hiro-kun!
I've gotta go!
Kohaku: Eh, Love-han!? ....and off he goes. I wonder, did I step on some kinda landmine?
"He was acting strange"? You think so as well, Anzu-han?
He wants to hide the fact that he loves idols, huh.
But there should be fans who already know that Love-han likes idols.
I feel like there's no meaning in hidin' it at this point....is there some other reason?
Anzu-han. Could you try askin' Love-han once again?
I too am lookin' forward to Love-han's solo live. Anzu-han, I'm countin' on you.
If there's anythin' that I could help with, feel free to say so anytime. I'll lend you my strength ♪
endnotes: ik I'm inconsistent w/ how I format Kohaku's dialect but hey I think it sounds more natural this way totally not an excuse👍
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I think I finally found someone who’s just like me but you’re an online person 😭
I also watch films/tv shows months after it airs or released, or when the hype dies down, because of noise. It’s like, I want to enjoy it on my own, not because I’m too cool for mainstream stuff (lol I’m not, I’m a basic bitch). Maybe because hype ruins things for me and I don’t want to read everyone’s opinions on the show while I’m still watching it.
Last year or was it the year before, when a super popular show came out, everyone on social media was on the side of this one team. When I finally got around to watching it after the season was over, I found myself being on the other side 🫣 so glad I wasn’t watching it while everyone else was or I would’ve been screaming at social media or second guessing myself
Hahaha kindred spirits! So for TV shows I prefer watching things when they're finished. That way I know exactly how many seasons I have, how many episodes, how many hours, so I can pace myself properly and control how often I watch it. I'm not watching everything in one go and then I'm left with nothing for a year. And when I was younger and watching things on TV with my family there were so many shows I loved which got cancelled on a cliff hanger so this way I know the shows which got to end properly and the shows which didn't. I do the same with books.
For movies, I think part of it is just my natural instinct to not do things people are telling me to do lol. I have this innate resistance to anything that feels remotely like a demand. So if someone says "watch this show, you'll love it", even if I probably will love it and they've recommended good stuff in the past, my brain goes "don't you tell me what I'll love, you don't know me" hahaha. I think the noise thing is part of that. I don't like feeling pressured to watch something just because everyone's talking about it. Basically I don't want it to feel like a chore or a task I have to complete. So for me it's not about completely shielding myself from any discussion, it's just about waiting until all the hot takes and the daily debates about the film have died down so I can go into it feeling like I have the chance to actually enjoy it on my own terms. You only get one chance to watch a film for the first time and so I want that to be when I'm ready and when I can take the time to think about the film without the online discourse changing every five minutes with a new opinion. I'm also just very lazy and prone to procrastinating so I rarely see things in the cinema anyway!
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enchantmentandshadows · 9 months
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SJM Crackship Month : Historical AU
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SJM Crackship Month - Day 15 - Historical AU
Crackship: Nuala x Eris
The ball was a smashing success, every prominent family for miles was in attendance and Beron Vanserra stood watching the whole thing proudly. His gatherings were always the talk of the season as he spared no expense, each gathering more grand than the last. Perhaps the most satisfying thing, was knowing that those who hated him were as desperate to receive an invitation as those he called friends.
Beron surveyed the ballroom, noting each of his sons entertaining ladies of exceptional breeding and wealth. His name and legacy would live on, he’d made sure of that, and if his sons were as ruthless as he’d taught them to be, they would amass even more power and wealth than he’d managed to do in all his years.
Eris, his eldest, also stood scanning the crowd. As Beron’s heir, he knew he was always being closely watched. As heir, he had to be most discerning of the female company he kept, at least in public. Whispers and gossip made no secret that the Vanserra sons, arrogant and wicked as they could be, were exceptional lovers.
“See anything you like?” Eris’ youngest brother Lucien asked, joining him to look over the crowd.
“Same faces we see at every other ball.” Eris answered, not looking away from the crowd. “Though I suspect that suits you quite well. Have you had your requisite dance with Elain Archeron yet?.”
“Her sister is here, if that’s what you’re asking.” Lucien smirked, not denying that Elain Archeron had captivated him from the very moment they met.
“I’m not.” Eris said tightly. It was true that Nesta Archeron had fascinated him for a time, but her venomous ways had grown tiresome quickly. He had enough misery dealing with his father, he wasn’t looking to marry into more no matter how pretty a package it may come in.
“Right, well if you don’t dance with someone soon, father will have words.” Lucien reminded, clapping him on the back.
“Father can-” The insult died on his tongue as he watched an absolutely breathtaking woman enter the ballroom. Hair shining and black as night, skin a rich umber and the grace of a Queen.
“Can what-Eris!” Lucien laughed, taking the drink Eris shoved at him before descending the grand staircase. He wanted to see what or who had captured his brothers attention, but a certain doe-eyed Archeron was looking quite lonely and in need of a dance partner and he wouldn’t keep her waiting.
Quickly, Eris made his way through the crowd, weaving through guests until he reached the mysterious new beauty in the lilac gown. Against all reason and propriety, he reached out and grabbed her gloved hand. She whirled on him instantly, both of them startled and stunned into silence. She had the most stunning grey eyes he had ever seen.
“I’m sorry.” He said, recovering first and quickly releasing her hand.
“It’s quite alright.” She said with a nod before turning to leave again. Eris' hand quickly found hers again. Slowly, she turned, looking at him apprehensively.
“That wasn’t a dismissal.” He said, a small smile playing at his lips. Did she not know who he was?
“Nor was it a proper introduction.” She said, her tone light even as she scolded him. “Are you always so familiar with women you don’t know?” She asked, brow raised.
“My apologies, lady.” He gave a bow, not mocking, though there was a mischievous gleam in his eye that didn't go unnoticed. “Please, allow me the pleasure of a dance so that I might further apologize for being so forward.”
Eris extended his hand, holding his breath while she appeared to consider his offer.
“I don’t dance with strangers I’m afraid.”
“Eris Vanserra." He offered quickly. "My father is hosting this ball.” He said smoothly. If she wanted to play games, he would be more than happy to oblige her. “And you are?”
“Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Eris Vanserra.” She smiled, placing her hand in his and allowing him to sweep her into a waltz.
“That was only half an introduction, you know.” He reminded her, desperately needing to know her name.
“Perhaps you could guess it.” She smiled up at him, her grey eyes seeming to see straight through to his soul.
“The only name that comes to mind is Aphrodite.” He smiled, her answering laugh like music to his ears but she offered no name to soothe his burning curiosity.
“Who are you here with?”  He asked, approaching from a different angle to solve this mystery.
“Well I’m here with you, my lord.” She smiled, twirling under his arm.
“Are you always so vexing?” He asked, extending his arm to twirl her out before watching her flutter back to him.
“Oh no. It’s never quite this much fun.” She laughed and Eris couldn’t stop himself from smiling.
“I will find out, you know. I have my ways.”
“I don’t doubt that for a second, my Lord.” She admitted, joining the other ladies in the center of the room. Eris watched her graceful turn, searching for any hint that she might know the other ladies but he found none before she rejoined him.
“I could order you to tell me.” He said, having absolutely no intention of doing so.
“But then our little game would be over.” She smiled, knowing he wouldn’t.
“You must give me something.” He insisted, positively charmed by her.
“Rose.” She answered.
“Too common.”
“Peony.”
“Lovely, but I don’t think so." He decided with a shake of his head.
“Mildred.”
“Liar.” He scoffed.
There was that laugh of hers again. He would hear it all night if he could, if she would allow him to jeopardize all her attention this evening. Panic was already beginning to set in as they reached the end of the waltz and he bowed to her again.
“Another dance?” He asked before one of his brothers barreled into him, trailed by a few others. He was clearly drunk and rambling on about challenging someone to a duel over a game of cards, one he’d likely cheated at.
“Aiden, you idiot.” Eris frowned, helping keep his brother on his feet.
“Get him to his room in one piece and make sure he stays there.” He ordered his younger brothers, handing Aiden back into their care. They muttered apologies, taking him away, but when Eris looked back, his Aphrodite had already vanished.
He searched the entire ballroom, even returning back to the top of the stairs but she was nowhere to be found. All night he searched for her, only engaging in conversation to enquire if anyone had seen the beauty in the lilac gown but no one had. It was as if she were a figment of his imagination, a dream he’d been forced to wake from and couldn’t seem to find his way back to.
Eventually, he’d given up and lost all interest in the goings on downstairs, instead electing to retire early. He’d get an earful from his father tomorrow for not entertaining the right ladies, or making the right connections, but he couldn’t be bothered to care. So lost in thought was Eris that he didn’t notice the discarded gown until the lilac fabric was at his feet. He snatched it up, immediately recognizing it as Aphrodite’s gown and frantically began searching for her.
Eris didn’t have to search for long before a figure darted from the shadows of an adjacent hallway, crashing into him with such force he was nearly knocked off his feet.
Stunning grey eyes met his before the lithe beauty shoved away from him and darted off, dressed in black clothes that clung to her like a second skin.
“Aphrodite.” He breathed, tearing off after her, her gown still clutched tightly in his hand.
She was fast, but he was determined, reaching her just as they heard shouts from the corridor ahead. She didn’t resist, not when he grabbed her hand and pulled her in the opposite direction, or when he ducked into a narrow hallway his dark coat shielding them, his hand pressed over her mouth. His wild amber eyes scanned the hallway, his body tensing as the guards rushed by without glancing in their direction. Her eyes, however, remained on him. Quietly memorizing the lines and angles of his handsome face, his dusting of freckles and the subtle hint of a dimple on his cheek.
He was helping her, but why? Surely he would change his mind once he realized why she was there. Slowly, his gaze shifted to meet hers and she realized she’d been clinging to his sides. There were questions burning in those amber eyes of his, but he knew better than to ask them here. They’d been lucky not to have been discovered, she wouldn’t ruin her luck now by arguing with her savior.
“Why are you helping me?” She finally asked as she allowed him to lead her through the manor.
“You know, my father doesn’t like being made a fool of.” He said, ignoring her question. No wonder she hadn’t revealed her identity earlier.
“And you-
“Love making him miserable.” Eris cut in, holding up a beautiful necklace of glittering rubies and diamonds. She patted her neck, where the necklace she’d purloined from Beron’s safe sat only moments ago.
“But this does not belong to you, my lovely little thief.”
She reached out, fast as lightning but he was quicker, tucking the jewels into the pocket of his waistcoat.
“How?” She frowned, now following him of her own free will. "How did you slip that off without me noticing?
“You’re not the first lady I’ve liberated from her apparel.” He answered with a smug smirk she’d have liked to wipe from his face. She had plotted and planned carefully for weeks only for things to go horribly wrong as soon as she’d snatched that necklace.
She opened her mouth to return a venomous barb when they both stopped, the exit blocked by more guards. Eris hissed, grabbing her hand again and leading her deeper into the manor, taking servants hallways and stairways to help remain hidden.
“They won’t cause a scene, not while the ball still goes on. My father would have their heads if they did.” Eris assured her, handing the rumpled ball of lilac fabric back to her.
“Sneaky as you are, a woman in such a state of undress is sure to be noticed. You’ll want to put that back on before you go.”
“But it’s so hard to move around in.” She offered with a dramatic sigh, once again letting him pull her out of the hallway and into a dark room.
“For a gentleman, you really are quite scandalous you know. Taking a lady into a darkened room like this.”
A lantern flickered to life, illuminating his handsome face and part of the room. His hair was like fire, even more so in the flickering lamp light. Quietly, he made his way to another lantern, lighting it as well.
“What an ostentatious room.” She said, nose crinkling as she looked around, her lilac gown carelessly left on the floor. “What preening peacock must rest his head here.” She teased, knowing exactly whose room she was standing in.
“If you’re so put off by it, allow me to help you take a leap from the balcony.” He said sourly, leaning against a chest of drawers, arms crossed as he eyed her carefully.
“Oh, don’t be so offended.” She said, waving a hand in his direction as she slowly made her way around, examining the decor more closely. “Is any of this really to your taste anyway? Looks more like your fathers.”
“There is only my fathers way here.” He answered. “Why are stealing from him?” He asked, shucking off his coat and tossing it onto a nearby chair.
“And you don’t enjoy things here?” She asked, ignoring his question.
“The eldest son of a wealthy Duke.” She observed, picking up baubles and books, carefully examining them before setting them back down.
“A handsome rake with quite a reputation.” She could feel him watching her every move.
“Tell me more." He said. "And do start with how handsome you find me.” He answered, watching as she slowly made her way around to him. Truly he had never met a woman so beautiful, nor one who intrigued and fascinated him so thoroughly.
She laughed and he thought his heart might burst at the sound of it, paired with seeing her this way. Every tempting dip and curve on full display. Her lips parted and he waited for whatever answer she might give. Not a doubt in his mind that it would continue to fan this flame between them. Instead, their flirtation was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door causing both of them to freeze, looking wide eyed at one another.
Before she could utter a word she was tackled onto the bed, a protest on the tip of her tongue when the door flew open.
“Your grace-“
“GET OUT!” Eris ordered, voice full of command. “Can you not see my attentions are quite occupied?
The guard glanced at the discarded dress on the floor and Eris’ coat, haphazardly strewn on the chair.
“Of course your grace, apologies." He stammered. "But there’s been a theft-
“Whatever it is, you won’t find it here.” He said, his tone clipped. “Nothing stolen here but the virtue of this delicious little minx.” Eris all but purred, looking down at the gorgeous female under him.
She couldn’t stifle her laugh, reaching up to run her fingers through Eris’ soft, red hair for effect. He leaned into her touch, for effect or purely out of pleasure, neither was sure.
“Out.” Eris repeated, turning his burning gaze to the guard, the door quickly slamming shut. Neither of them moved, not until the guards footsteps disappeared down the corridor.
Slowly, Eris rose from the bed, offering a hand to the lovely thief. She took it, rising and looking up at him as if he were a mystery that she too was trying to solve.
“Things could be worse,” He said in answer to her earlier question. “But life here certainly has its moments.”
“So you’re not just a poor little lord in a gilded cage?”
He scoffed, tipping her chin up. “Any pity would be wholly wasted on me, Lady.”
Gods, he was so tempted to kiss her, he could swear he saw the same need in her eyes but neither made a move.
“You still haven’t told me why you wanted that necklace.”
“Not me, my handsome Lord. I am but a humble servant to those who pay me.”
“And who paid you for that piece?” He asked, his voice quiet, softer than she’d heard before.
“I think you know, my Lord.” She said, slipping a small envelope from her pocket.
Immediately, Eris recognized the elegant script of his mother. The mother who’d been forbidden from seeing her sons after she fled her abusive husband and married one who loved her instead. The mother he’d only seen a few times in passing, forbidden to even acknowledge her lest he be thrown into the streets, leaving his brothers behind.
“She bade me give you this, though I will require a small payment first as you’ve prevented me from completing my job.”
Eris only raised a brow in answer.
“One kiss, to make up for all the trouble you’ve caused me tonight.” She said, waving the small envelope at him before hiding her hand behind her back.
“Is everything a game to you?” He asked, stepping toward her, one warm hand cradling her cheek, the other reaching for the envelope behind her back.
“I only play games when there’s something worth winning.” She whispered, moving to meet him halfway, pressing her lips to his.
She practically melted against him, letting him pull her closer as he deepened the kiss. He was like fire, wild and unpredictable but warm and comforting at the same time. Everything about him was carefully crafted, a mask and a half truth but not this. This kiss was all Eris, truth and passion and for just one moment, she wasn’t a liar or a thief, she was just a woman. The kiss wasn’t chaste or vulgar, but somewhere in between where passion and yearning intertwined.
She was the first to pull away. He’d have kissed her until he ran out of breath, but he remained, eyes closed as her delicate fingers threaded through his hair and caressed his cheek.
“You should lie down.” She said softly, taking him by the hand. Eris opened his eyes and realized he was swaying on his feet. Still, he was confused by the look of concern on her face as he allowed her to sit him on the edge of the bed.
“I’m afraid I dosed you with a sedative earlier when you grabbed me." She explained, the smallest hint of guilt in her voice. "You didn’t feel a thing, such a big, strong man.” She smiled, guiding him back to lie down even as he reached for her, grabbing her hand.
“You’re going to sleep, Eris.” She explained, her voice soft and soothing as she easily slipped her hand from his weakening grip. “Just long enough so I can slip away without you giving me anymore trouble.”
His brow furrowed, his body betrayed him as he fought to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Heavy lidded eyes followed her hands as she slipped the sparkling necklace from his waistcoat pocket and replaced it with the letter from his mother.
Eris watched helplessly as the woman of his dreams slipped through his fingers, likely never to be seen again. She gathered the mass of lilac silk and lace, stopping to look over at him one last time, his pleading eyes stopping her in her tracks. Slowly, she made her way back over to him, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
“Nuala.” She whispered to him, noting his subtle smile and the sweetest dimple in his cheek as he let his eyes close at last. “My name is Nuala.”
@sjmcrackshipmonth
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“I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!”
Fanonwriter2023 on AO3
Where CANON and FANON collide!
Season 7 FANON Speculation: Buddie Multi-Chapter Fanfic - Hiatus Reading: “I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!”
Chapter 14 is now available on AO3
This is an EPIC LOVE STORY!
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“I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!”
Currently 14 chapters completed: 417.2K Words Rated: Mature
One chapter will be posted at a time.
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The Buckley parents make an unannounced visit which causes Buck to do something he hasn't done since his breakdown and Eddie has an interesting conversation with his father about Helena.
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Here's a snippet from Chapter 14 of a conversation Buck and Eddie while they're sitting in Buck's oncologist's office waiting for the results of his Cancer Screening.
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After a few seconds, he meets Eddie’s eyes and asks, “Eddie… what if… I—I mean… what if the results…” He inhales a deep breath and continues. “I love you and Chris so much, you’re my family and if I have Cancer, I don’t want you to watch me…” He trails off because he can’t even say the word “die” anymore. He knows he’s only admitted he died two or maybe three times since March but now that a Cancer diagnosis is staring him in the face, he can’t even bring himself to say it.
Eddie shakes his head no. “Buck… don’t even think about that, ok? It’s not going to happen and like I said last week, if you do have it then I’m going to be right by your side.”
He releases Buck’s hand then he uses both of his hands to cup Buck’s cheeks. He admits, “I love you! I’m not going anywhere and we’re going to be together forever. I can’t live without you because I don’t want to and neither does Chris. You’re my everything… and I refuse to believe after all that screaming the universe did to remind us we belong together… it’ll end with you leaving me before we’ve had enough time to cherish it. We’re going to grow old together and we still have to travel the world. Remember we agreed we’re going to make love in Venice, eat pizza in Naples… and go shopping in Florence but first… we’re going to London to find your father.”
Buck exhales a shuddering breath then he nods because he wants all of it with Eddie. They’re supposed to cherish every moment they spend together and as he remembers the lyrics to the song “Every Moment” by Jodeci; he’s determined to fight as hard as he can to keep this life he’s been dreaming of for the last six years.
Eddie leans in and softly kisses him on the lips and after he pulls back, he says, “We’re in this together and I’m not going to let anything take you away from me or me away from you. We’ve come too far for Cancer or anything else to take us away from each other. If you do have Cancer… we’ll fight it together with everything we have in us. Me and you… we’re going to die on the same day fifty years from now like Thomas and Mitchell did because I don’t want to live in a world without you in it.”
A tear falls from Buck’s right eye but Eddie catches it with his thumb and wipes it away.
“I love you too Eddie, so much. I don’t want to live my life without you either.”
They stay in the moment and have a silent conversation until the door opens and Dr. Brossard enters the office.
“Hello Buck and Eddie, thank you for coming in today and like before… I apologize for my tardiness.” He sits at his desk, pulls his eyeglasses out of his white coat pocket, puts them on then says, “Buck… let’s discuss the results of your Cancer Screening.”
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This is an EPIC LOVE STORY!
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Fic Summary: Months after Buck and Eddie were hit by the same lightning strike; they’re still struggling with the aftermath of it.  But before they make their love confessions, they’ll spend time getting to know themselves as individuals first. Eddie learns to enjoy the simple things in life as he participates in activities on his own and with new friends while Buck learns the rest of the 31-year-old deep dark family secret about his conception and birth. Their journey to forever is still a work in progress but once they finally admit they’re in love with each other, everything that follows their love confessions will be cataclysmic.
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Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1 - Eddie makes a new friend while Buck receives devastating news regarding the sperm donation he made for Connor and Kameron.
Chapter 2 - Buck does a lot of research to learn more about the abnormalities found in his red blood cells and Eddie starts a new therapy journey that’s all about him and not the traumas he’s experienced.
Chapter 3 - After more than a month, Buck and Eddie finally spend time together outside of work but it doesn’t end well and they part with a lot of uncertainty regarding their places in each other’s lives.
Chapter 4 - Eddie has a few realizations about his life which causes him to consider moving back to El Paso, TX while Buck continues to be reminded of his past which causes him to take an impromptu road trip across America.
Chapter 5 - Both Buck and Eddie have difficult conversations with their parents and Buck finally learns the truth behind the reason why his mother despised him while Eddie finally tells his mother about the way she tries to control him.
Chapter 6 - More than two weeks after Buck pushed Eddie away after suggesting they needed a break; Eddie decides to try again. Eddie’s there for Buck when he’s at his worst just like Buck was there for him when he was at his worst and he won’t let Buck give up.
Chapter 7 - After Buck’s mental breakdown, Eddie has his back the same way Buck had his when he had his own breakdown more than a year ago.  They share several vulnerable and emotionally intimate moments with one another and they begin to realize their small, sweet and caring gestures matter just as much if not more than any grand gesture ever could because these are the foundations of a long-lasting love relationship.
Chapter 8 - Buck, Eddie and Chris all have their own therapists and during their sessions, they reflect on their pasts while they’re in the present so they can prepare for their future together as a family.
Chapter 9 - Buck and Eddie are there for each other when Buck has to testify as a witness during the trial.  But by the end of it, they’ll both realize their individual and shared traumas are going to keep resurfacing until they talk about them, deal with the fact that they’re in love with one another and face the fact that they can’t live without each other.
Chapter 10 - As Buck and Eddie finally begin to confront their past traumas, they realize how much they need each other to fill in the gaps of their memories.  Additionally, the universe screams at them for what appears to be the one hundredth time so Buck can realize he doesn’t have to ‘find it’ because he already ‘made it’ and Eddie’s reminded tomorrow isn’t promised and he doesn’t have to die alone if he doesn’t want to.
Chapter 11 - A “virga” or dry thunderstorm is in the forecast but once the rain starts, the thunderstorm happening outside won’t be able to match the storm brewing inside between Buck and Eddie.  It’s the universe’s final scream and when the tumultuous winds begin to blow, they’ll have one last chance to hold onto everything they’ve built over the last six years or they’ll lose it all forever.
Chapter 12 - Buck and Eddie have always shared a deep physical attraction and an emotional intimacy that’s unmatched but now that they’re in a relationship, they’re learning how to navigate the romantic intimacy they’ve been waiting for six years to explore. The love they have for each other is a once in a lifetime, soulmate, love of their lives type of love that transcends space and time.
Chapter 13 - While navigating the newness of their romantic relationship, Buck and Eddie take advantage of every moment they spend together. As their individual lives, people from their pasts, time constraints and the possibility of losing each other again make attempts to interrupt and interfere with their journey to forever, they love, care for, support and hold onto each other even tighter to withstand it all.
Chapter 14 - Buck and Eddie can see the lights at the end of the tunnels regarding the results of Buck’s Cancer Screening along with everything else they’re dealing with. But are the lights they see exits to the tunnels or are they headlights on different runaway trains that are speeding towards them in an effort to interrupt their forever?
Chapter 15 - Will be posted soon.
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Read chapters 1-14 are available on AO3.
Continue reading on AO3
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episode 0 - a prologue
It’s a beautiful, sunny summer morning in Muskoka, Ontario. TV host Chris McLean is looking spiff and spim, dressed in his usual “too cool to care” casual look, tiny bag full of baby teeth around his neck, smile bright and blinding as he steps out in front of the camera crew for the first time that season. 
“Yo, we're coming at you live from Camp Wawanakwa somewhere in Muskoka, Ontario. I'm your host, Chris McLean, dropping season eight of the hottest reality show on television right now!
Here's the dealio: Twenty-two teens have signed up to spend eight weeks right here at this crappy summer camp, where they'll compete in challenges against each other then have to face the judgment of their fellow campers. After every challenge, one team will either survive another day or watch one of their team members walk down the Dock of Shame, take a ride on the loser boat, and leave Total Takes Island for good.
Their fate will be decided at the dramatic campfire ceremonies where each week, all but one camper will receive one marshmallow. In the end, only one will be left standing- and will be rewarded with cheesy tabloid fame and a small fortune, which, let's face it, they'll probably blow in a week. To survive, they'll have to battle black flies, grizzly bears, disgusting camp food...
 ...and each other.  Every moment will be caught on one of the hundreds of cameras situated all over the camp. Who will crumble under the pressure? Find out right here, right now, on Total... Takes... Island!"
Chris takes a deep breath as the director calls “CUT” and everyone moves their equipment to the docks in a flurry of production assistants and cords. Chris stands by, sipping on his low-fat white chocolate mocha and tapping his foot until he’s called up to his place. 
Just as rehearsed, he smiles, waits for the director’s signal, and then spots a gleaming white boat off in the distance just as the cameras begin rolling. 
“How about we meet our campers, huh?”
The boat arrives in mere seconds and the ramp rolls down for the first time of many, giving way to a short, brunet man who’s likely a little too excited for his own good. 
“Peter, my man, what’s up?”
Peter drops his bags, still onboard, and then bounds down the ramp to give Chris a spine-chilling hug. 
“This is so sweet, I’m on Total Drama Island! Nyehehehe,” he says before looking directly into the camera, finally releasing Chris. “Shoutout to the gang back home in Quahog! Joe, Cl-”
Chris cuts in before he can divert the segment any further- they have a schedule to keep, after all. “Great! Here’s Sha-Mod!”
The next contestant off is a gentleman wearing a gray hoodie, and, strangely, a large printed out photo of former contestant Lightning over his face. Chris blinks- it’s certainly not the strangest thing he’s ever seen, but it’s definitely new. “Hey, man, what’s with the face?”
Sha-Mod shakes his head. “As if I'd let a bunch of randos see my real face,” and with that, he picks up his bags and walks away. Chris stares in bewilderment for a moment before the next contestants arrive. 
“Alrighty, then. Next up we have a classic three-parter: Joner, McLovin, and Michael!”
The boat speeds away as the next three approach. McLovin- a too-tall too-skinny nerdlet with glasses that hang at the tip of his nose- is holding one of Joner’s- a too-short too-fat teenage boy lite- hands, while Michael- an average-sized green haired girl in a parka- holds his other. 
Chris stifles a laugh. “What’s with the, uh…” he gestures to the hands. 
Michael starts: “He-”
McLovin makes sure to butt in, very matter-of-factly. “He’s scared of boats,”
A brief flash of annoyance crosses Michael’s face. “Yeah, that,”
“My buddies are just looking out for me, and besides, nothing wrong with best friends holding hands!” Joner pipes in happily, beaming. Chris chuckles. 
“Great. I see not a single way this friendship could possibly go awry!” he says. “Next up, Fren!”
The boat comes by with a mysterious figure on board. Everyone stares in awe as Fren, a steampunk-esque quirked up white boy with pink hair stands aboard. The boat stops and he steps off and gives a formal bow. “Nice to make your acquaintances,”
Chris chuckles yet again. “Formal. Nice,”
Fren offers a hand to Chris for him to shake, which he accepts with a grin. He sighs happily as Fren walks away- what a great season this is going to be. 
“Next- Julia!”
Julia beams at the slowly-growing group as the boat disappears once again. She adjusts her glasses and tightens her ponytail before smiling professionally at the group. 
“I also go by Jules, if you'd prefer,”
No one verbally responds, though Joner waves. 
Chris smiles. “Good for you. Austin!”
Julia's calm, confident entrance is immediately crushed by a wave of groovy tunes and good vibes. A tall, bespectacled swinger is standing at the very edge of the boat, arms out Titanic-style. He grins, showing off his extremely British teeth, and shouts loud enough for the rats on land to hear. 
“Right groovy baby yeah!!”
Before the boat can dock, Austin dives off it and plops into the water below. After a few seconds, he resurfaces and scales the docks, approaching the crowd whilst dripping wet. He flashes a smile at the ladies and swipes seaweed off his shoulder. 
“Lovely birds out today, yeah?”
Julia and Michael both give him a strange look and then glance at each other with the same mystified expression
“Psychedelic, man,” Chris says. “Courtney, everyone!”
Courtney is the picture of grace as they step off the boat, the sun reflecting off their many piercings and highlighting their pink hair. They're clearly trying to make a good impression as they grin and waves. 
“Happy to be here! It's nice to meet everyone,”
Everyone gives a half-enthused wave except for Austin, who smiles widely and waves excitedly. 
“And give a warm welcome to Patrick!”
Contrasting Courtney’s warmth, Patrick walks rigidly down the docks, listening to something over his headphones with a deadened expression. 
Courtney puts on a smile and attempts to approach, much to everyone else’s dismay. “Hi, it’s nice to-”
In a single shove, Patrick moves Courtney out of his way and continues on his stiff path to the edge of the docks, where he proceeds to brood in silence. 
“Jeez, what’s his deal?” Joner scoffs. 
McLovin nudges his friend with his elbow. “Dare you to hug him,”
“No way! Make Michael do it!”
“As if!”
Michael groans and turns to her other side as McLovin and Joner bicker. 
Julia winces on her behalf. “Do you know those guys?”
She sighs and gives an apologetic smile. “Friends from back home,”
“Ah, I see…”
The boat returns, though this time, there’s a definite spooky, dark, looming energy emanating from it. Chris grins wickedly. 
“Scary and Frollo, glad to see you,”
First off is Scary, who cartwheels down the ramp and lands perfectly next to Patrick. He ignores her. Frollo steps off the boat next, clutching a Bible, and joins the crowd. though, when he notices he's standing too close to the women he takes a step away.
“Kitty!”
Kitty has the exact opposite energy as they bound off the boat on all fours and then somersault into the water, disappearing into the ocean.
“Mal!”
Mal steps off with her head held high, clutching her phone closely. She's not a spectacle, but she emanates a certain intimidating energy, Courtney's eyes widen and they suddenly seem very nervous.
“Hello, Chris,” Mal smiles. “Great day, huh?”
“Nice to see you,” Chris grins back. “But, we do have a no-phones policy, so... Chef!”
Chef walks onto the dock and skewers Mal's phone with a spear, then dumps its sparking body in the water. She reacts with a small smile, though her left eye twitches.
“No biggie! Just happy to be here,” she walks off and stands besides Courtney, giving them a small, slightly sinister smile that quickly disappears when Julia looks over. Courtney shudders. 
“Bonnie, welcome aboard!”
Bonnie steps off the ramp, looking thoroughly unimpressed. They set down their bags and walk over to Chris. “I was told we'd have wifi?”
Chris chuckles. “Oh, yeah. We lied about that,”
Bonnie grumbles and then steps away, standing beside Mal and Courtney.
“You know what I do when I'm having internet withdrawals? I take deep breaths and count to ten,” Mal says, still smiling. Her voice is soft and calm, though there’s something unsettling about it. Bonnie frowns. 
“Sure. Thanks,”
“Scruffy, our local Total Drama historian!”
Scruffy jumps straight off the boat, clutching a disposable camera and a notepad. “Glad to be here, man! my master thesis is gonna be concrete after this season, I'll tell ya,”
“If you survive it!”
“What?”
“Huh? Oh, here's Ass!”
Ass steps off-board, looking not quite happy but not quite upset, either.
“Welcome to-”
Ass holds a finger up to chris, silencing him with their sheer power alone, and then stands near Patrick and Scary at the end of the dock
Chris shudders. “Yeesh. Max!”
Max follows, looking over the crowd of people already collecting on the docks. He’s dressed like he wants to get booted first, in a prep school uniform- tie and all. 
He sighs. “Not impressed,”
“That makes two of us, buddy. Alex!”
A fairly good-looking brunett with sharply cut bangs steps off the boat and frowns deeply, their eyes darkening. “Um, actually, I sent your legal department an invoice, I use Staci, thank you very much,”
“Oh, we got it, it's just that we already had a Staci-”
“Yeah, that's the point,” they roll their eyes.
Staci walks over to the crowd and stands between Austin and Julia.
They give the both of them an angry glance and then look back dead-ahead. “It’s Staci,”
Austin and Julia look at each other nervously and then nod. 
“O and Kelly!”
Kelly and O step off, also holding hands. Kelly, though the same age as everyone else, has a certain milf-y energy about them. O looks ill but is smiling anyway. The two are talking amongst themselves as they step down the ramp. 
“And just remember, next time you're feeling seasick, just let me know,”
“Thank you, Kelly,”
Chris chuckles. “How sweet. And finally-”
Chris is suddenly interrupted by the sound of a helicopter landing. Everyone covers their ears and ducks down to avoid the winds, except for Austin, who is blown straight back into the water by the air current.
The helicopter stops and someone steps off- an impeccably dressed television icon in purple, who just about everyone recognizes.
He grins. “I hope I'm not late,”
Chris’ eyes narrow and he sighs before responding in a low grumble. “Just in time, Caesar,”
“And I'm sure you got my memo?”
“Affirmative,”
“Lovely. Then I'm glad to be here,”
He turns straight to the camera. “This is Caesar Flickerman, reporting live from Wawanakwa! May the odds be ever in my favor, amirite?!”
No one responds. Chris seethes a little before collecting himself. “Right! anyway, group photo, anyone? for memory's sake?”
Everyone grumbles in dismay, but shuffles to the end of the dock as Chris takes the picture from the shore.
“Ready? one- two- three- say "Wawanakwa!"”
Before the contestants can respond, the helicopter suddenly takes off, blowing everyone into the water. Chris laughs.
---
Chris has everyone gathered around the campfire now, either standing, sitting on the slightly-burnt grass, or seated on one of the few logs placed around the pit. 
“This is camp Wawanakwa, your home for the next two months. The idle teens beside you will be your teammates, your competitors, and maybe even your friends, but more importantly, the camper who remains throughout the competition will win one million dollars!”
A happy murmur rumbles through the crowd. 
“You'll be living alongside each other in the team cabins- one side for girls and such, one side for boys and such. Here's the deal: if I call your name, I want you to stand over here, behind me,”
“Austin,”
“Frollo,”
“Jooooner,”
“Julia,”
“Kellllly!”
“Max,”
“Michael,”
“O,”
“Scary,”
“Scruffy,”
“And Staci! You are the Inane Anons!”
Joner frowns as he looks at McLovin on the other side of the fire pit. “Ah, crap. sorry, man,”
“No, it's ok. I'll take my loss like a man,” McLovin steps away from Joner and Michael and tears up. Courtney pats his back reassuringly, and gives a concerned look to the rest of the team. 
“The rest of you are the Flying Fujoshis!”
Fren grins. “Cool,”
“You and your team will be on camera in all public areas during your time here- you'll also be able to hold confessionals in the outhouse to get whatever's on your mind out to the world!”
xxx
Bonnie crosses their arms and frowns. “Yeah, this is terrible. But I might as well make the best of it while I can. There's bound to be some terrible, mind-numbingly awful drama here, so... at least I won't be bored,”
---
Peter is grinning, so close to the camera you can barely see his face. “This is sweet!!”
---
Patrick simply sits and stares into the camera. 
---
Chris grins. “Any questions?” Everyone raises their hand. “No? great! your cabins are right up ahead.”
---
Patrick frowns as he enters, slinging a long duffel bag over his shoulder as he studies the cabin. “This is terrible,”
“I don't know, it's kind of giving... cute, campy, even!” Caesar chuckles, dusting the dirt off the bunk-bed blankets. The two turn to Sha-Mod as he begins walking back outside. 
“I think I just saw a rat giving birth under one of the beds,”
Peter awwwws as Patrick and Caesar look at each other nervously. 
---
Scary walks in and immediately crawls under one of the beds on all fours. 
Julia raises an eyebrow but says nothing, and walks over to the other bed, setting down her things. Michael is on the bunk above
“You might want to take a top bunk, man. I'm pretty sure I saw a possum laying eggs under this one,”
Julia’s face flushes white and she picks her bags right back up. “Noted!” she says as she moves to the bunk across the room. 
Kelly enters and grins, lugging several heavy designer suitcases behind her and panting. “Say.. could I... ask you girls for a little... Help over here?”
Julia scoffs, earning a frown from Kelly, but Michael shrugs and slides off the top bunk, going around to the other end of the large suitcase and hefting it up with a wheeze.
“Jesus, this is heavy, what's in here? Bricks?”
Kelly chuckles. “Portable tanning bed. Never leave home without it!”
Michael blinks. “Right,”
“Where exactly do you think you're gonna fit all that junk?” Julia asks, crossing her arms. Kelly thinks for a moment, surveying the cramped cabin with a frown before turning back to the girls with an apologetic smile. 
“Anyone not using their bed?”
Chris’ voice suddenly blares over the loudspeakers. 
“Attention, campers! Put on your swimsuits and meet me at the top of the big old cliff across the island in ten minutes for your first challenge!”
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the-somwthing · 2 months
Text
Here we go, every episode of the Life Series, in order, organized, with context for who is/isn’t present or has an episode, and spoiler prevention measures.
Have you been meaning to get into the Life Series, but you’re not sure how? Wanna watch one of my favorite YouTube series? Heard about this series and wanna see what the hype is about? This doc is for you!
Basic instructions on how the doc works are inside the doc, so read through that and you’re all set! But if you’re confused or want a little more information on WHY I’m doing it this way or anything like that, read below the cut!
ALSO, PLEASE, I REQUEST NO SPOILERS IN THE NOTES. I understand many people who want to get into the series already know some spoilers but I want this post to be as spoiler free as possible since it’s meant to help new viewers.
First of all, I’m so sorry if the doc looks atrocious on desktop, I use mobile 99% of the time and have no idea what anything looks like on desktop.
So! I’ll admit to you dear viewer, my method of how you should watch the series is… not a common one that people recommend. BUT I firmly believe this is just because a tool like this doc didn’t exist, and now it does! And also that they didn’t really think about it.
Normally one suggests watching one person’s POV all the way through, episode one to the finale, and then check out others. I HIGHLY disagree, for you miss out on SO MUCH context, and you’ll likely have a harder time remembering when certain events occurred in relation to each other. I only recommend watching someone’s POV all the way through like that if you’re doing a rewatch, or wanting to see their POV after already watching the season from others’ POVs.
So what do I think you should do, then? Go session to session. Pick people you want to watch. Let’s say for example you’ve decided you want to watch Grian, BigB, and Martyn. Go to the Session 1 section and watch their episodes from that section. Do not move on to session 2 until you have done that. Once you’ve watched them, think about if there’s anything you noticed from that session that made you want to watch someone else’s perspective. Did you see someone die in the chat and want to know what happened to them? Were they acting weird and you want to know why? Watch their episode for that session! Once you feel satisfied with your knowledge on what happened during that session, you may move on to the next, and repeat the process.
THE REASON I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD DO THIS is, other than what I said about the main method people suggest making it more confusing, that this is the closest way to replicate watching the series live. Once a week everyone would release an episode, and we fans would watch as many as we were interested in, until the next session finally came out. This allowed us to have a better understanding of events, characters, and see things we may have missed otherwise!
A problem with watching only one perspective is that they will sometimes leave things out of their perspective to encourage you to watch another one. If you don’t, you’re just confused. Some POVs also leave out important events such as deaths to encourage you to watch other POVs, and also not spoil you on the other POVs (in my personal opinion this makes them excellent first POVs if you’re planning on also watching others, the two I can think of off the top of my head that do this most often are Scar and Bdubs).
BUT WAIT POPPY, you say! WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO WATCH THAT MANY POVs?! Well, my first answer is that you may do whatever you wish, I’m only trying to provide you with the most engaging ways to watch this series, you don’t have to follow through if you don’t want to. BUT MY OTHER ANSWER IS, watch with friends!!!
Watching with friends is another way to replicate watching the series live. Between sessions, the fandom would discuss the events that occurred, so even if you didn’t watch someone’s POV you would’ve maybe known what happened in it. I’ve watched every single season live, but I did so with my sister. Basically, we would each pick a main POV, watch it through, then discuss with each other what happened. So I would know all about what happened to the players she watched despite not seeing it myself! It gives you more context and encourages discussion between fans.
So, my advice is, if you have friends who want to watch with you (they could be new to the series or just in it for a rewatch), each of you pick a different POV. For the most possible coverage, pick opposing players, but if the two of you are watching allies that’s fine too, they’ll still have different things happen to them, and you’ll be an expert on that alliance lol. Watch your respective episodes at the same time, then once you’re done, discuss with each other what happened. Talk about your favorite bits, ask the other if they know what happened with something that confused you, etc! Then once you’re satisfied with that session, move on to the next and repeat!
And of course you could both (or all, if there’s more of you) watch more than one POV. And once you’re done discussing with each other, you can watch more POVs from the same session (you’ll typically feel more like you want to after discussing things lol). Do what you want. If you don’t want spoilers but you’re getting a friend who is already a fan to watch with you, then try asking them not to spoil. If you DO want them to spoil it, ask them to >:). YOU’re the friends, not me!!
BUT POPPY WHAT IF I DONT HAVE FRIENDS??? You ask. Well yeah that’s what the entire rest of this post is about. You can watch the POVs on your own without discussing it with others.
SO LET’S GET MORE INSTRUCTIVE WITH IT!
I highly HIGHLY recommend you select a “main POV”. This is someone you will watch every single episode from. I feel like it’s important to have an “anchor” when diving into all of this, and your main will be your anchor. You can change your main at any point, but just try to make sure you’re not mindlessly hopping around POVs, otherwise unless you are watching every single one (or just a lot of them) you might miss something, and that something could be important.
IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE “SPOILER PREVENTION MEASURES”
They’re not the most solid. Basically, whenever a player is out of the series, I will leave a random link in place of their episode for the sessions they missed due to being dead. This way, when scrolling through the list of episodes, you don’t see exactly how many people are dead by each session and when they get out.
There are a few problems with this which is why I have instructions. First problem, which is admittedly entirely my fault, is that some of the fake links have spoilers. Yeah, a spoiler prevention measure with spoilers. This is because I wanted the videos I linked to be relevant to the life series, and a lot of things have spoilers!! There might even be spoilers for other seasons? Though I tried to avoid that, to be safe you should still avoid clicking the fake links until you are totally caught up on the series.
This is why I recommend you have a main, and also try to watch multiple POVs. If you have a main you’ll know exactly when they die, or their allies or enemies, so you’ll know not to click their link for next session. And by watching multiple POVs, you can make sure you didn’t miss anything that your main left out, such as someone being eliminated. PLUS, if you make sure you always watch your main first, then you’ll see if someone’s not there even if you didn’t notice they were eliminated in the previous session, so you’ll know that their episode that session is a fake link (and if you’re not sure, just check their previous session’s episode and see if they died). Basically, having a main is good so that you don’t accidentally start with a fake link, which you might do if you’re just watching one random person each session without having any consistency.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING ABOUT HAVING MAINS. If they don’t have an episode for the session you’re about to watch, DO NOT SKIP THE SESSION, you should instead watch their closest ally’s POV as a replacement (sorry if they don’t have any allies, just pick someone). ESPECIALLY if it says that your main is present in the session but doesn’t have an episode. You’ll want to know what happened to them! Even if they have a recap in the next session’s episode, they’re not typically very descriptive recaps and you’re also not guaranteed to get one. Basically, just… never skip a session, even if your main isn’t in it. Sometimes players miss out on the most wild sessions imaginable and you don’t wanna miss it too!
I err uhh blanked out and forgor what else to write here 💀 I’ll edit this later (my favorite part of read mores is that if you edit something with a readmore then it’ll still show up on every reblog!) I just wanna get it posted now.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, feel free to send an ask! If you prefer you can ask in the notes IF ITS NOT SPOILERY, if it’s spoilery please take it to my inbox, like I said I want this post to be as spoiler free as possible.
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gaywatch · 8 months
Note
Hi Brittany!
I’ve got an organizational question about the second season of Good Omens. Maybe you can help?
I kinda wish amazon had released the new season one episode per week. And I still hope they change the way they release this particular show until (hopefully) season 3 airs.
Tbh I’m a bit confused why they dropped all episodes at once in the first place. When it comes to their own tv shows, amazon generally does release the episodes weekly or they drop 2 or 3 episodes at once and then continue with a weekly release schedule. Maybe there aren’t enough episodes in a Good Omens season to take this approach? However they did this with Rings of Power, which had only two more episodes than Good Omens. Although RoP should have been their big flagship, so it’s a given that they wanted to spread the release. But saying this, I always got the impression Good Omens was rather successful as well?? Maybe?? So why not keep GO2 a bit longer in the spotlight by releasing it one episode per week?
Of course I could have restrained myself from watching Good Omens 2 over that one weekend (I was already very proud of myself for not bingewatching it on one day.), but especially with regards to the ending we got, it would have been nearly impossible to avoid spoilers.
Idk, over the last couple of years I started to dislike bingewatching or rather the procedure of dropping multi-part content at once more and more.
I hope I could make myself understood. English is not my first language.🫣
My semi-educated guess would be similar to yours, in that dragging out Rings of Power gave it more time in the spotlight and the benefit of suspense. I assume ROP is more complex than Good Omens 2 as well (not a dig, just a narrative observation), which may have been a factor in not wanting to bombard people with too much dense material.
In GO2's specific case, I can see why they would drop it all at once. The vibe and pacing is VERY different from season one, it's much more like a slice-of-life/slow burn than the previous multiple-threads-meeting-for-the-highest-stakes-possible. If it was dropped once a week, the odds of casual viewers turning it off halflway through because "nothing is happening" is much greater, whereas when you have all the episodes at your disposal you're more inclined to finish it because it's there and not that long in the first place. So despite Good Omens' huge popularity, a big drop could be beneficial.
I definitely agree about bingewatching fatigue, though. Sometimes it's great because I'm a very excitable ADD person who wants all of it NOW with no waiting, and I've always loved a good marathon. But when it's practically ubiquitous and there's always something dropping, it can get overwhelming pretty quickly. Plus there are times when it makes more sense to tease out the story anyway.
(And as a Youtuber, season drops like this are murder. It's a several day frenzy of watching the thing as fast as possible, editing as fast as possible, and posting as fast as possible because the interest drop off is incredibly fast. Not quite as fast as music releases, but still a major ticking clock. Once or twice a week episodes are heavenly by comparison.)
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midnightmagpiemama · 1 year
Text
The Photographer - part 2
I've been having fun with these two. This is Y/N and Tommy's first meeting, where it all began. Setting things up for some future tales. Thanks for reading, it always surprises me when someone enjoys these little stories I write! I don't know what this week will hold, I am off work until the new year, but not sure if I'll have much time for writing!
Warnings: None (I think)
Word count: 1500 approx.
The Photographer Masterlist
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You opened your email one morning, to find an email from Ada.Shelby-Thorne[at]shelbycoltd.uk.com:
I got your email from a friend, you shot her wedding last month in London. I hear you’re new in Birmingham and you might have some availability for the Christmas party season. I’m organizing the Christmas party for our company, Shelby Company Limited, and I’m hoping that we might be able to get a few professional shots as well as event coverage. Please let me know if you have any availability for the second Saturday in December, as well as your price list.
Thank you in advance,
Ada Shelby-Thorne Vice-President, Real Estate
You smiled as you read the email. You’d heard about the Shelby Company Limited, how could you not. The biggest organization in Birmingham, they seemingly had a hand in most industries. You replied, attaching your price list and confirming that you, indeed, were available that night.
You arrived at the venue, half an hour earlier than scheduled, finding no one there. It didn’t bother you, you just wanted to make sure that you weren’t late, you hoped that this would be the beginning of a great business relationship, you were new to town and a good review from the Shelby Company Limited would do wonders for your own business.
When the family arrived, you were quickly introduced to everyone, but you were sure you wouldn’t be able to remember them all. You quickly organized the family, posing everyone in front of the bar which was emblazoned with the Shelby family name. You gathered from the conversations you’d had with Ada that the dynamics of the family were somewhat difficult, sometimes challenging. Everyone seemed eager to get out of the shoot, but they weren’t cooperating.
You eventually had to shout above the conversation to get their attention. “I know you would rather be anywhere but here, but the quicker we get through this, the quicker I can get you out of here.”
Surprisingly, your little pep-talk worked and you were able to arrange them quickly. You organized them from left to right, Michael Grey, Arthur Shelby, Polly Gray, Thomas Shelby, Ada Shelby-Thorne, John Shelby and Finn Shelby. You tried several different arrangements, mixing up who was sitting and standing, getting as much as you could, as quickly as you could. Ada asked you to take new headshots as well, so you scouted a spot with better lighting and ran your way through the family.
As you ran through the others, you could feel the President/CEO, Thomas Shelby, watching you. You looked up and caught him and smiled at him. You knew he likely saw this as a huge waste of his time, and company money, but you hoped that he would see the value in the end product at least. He smiled back, just barely, and continued to wait for his turn for his headshot.
Soon it was Thomas’ turn. You smiled again at him, this time though, it was a real smile. “Okay Thomas, your turn.”
“Y/N, right?”
“Yes.”
“You can call me Tommy, most people do.”
“Okay, Tommy. If you stand on the mark, I’ll try to make this quick and painless.”
“It’s not so bad. I’m just a little nervous for the party tonight.”
“How come? Have you got a big speech to give?”
“I do. And we’re making a few big announcements tonight.”
“Exciting! I hate speaking in front of crowds too. Give me a signal if you need me to spill a drink or something to take the attention off you.” You smiled at him, earning yourself a smile back.
“I’ll keep you in mind. Thank you.”
You took a few more pictures of Tommy, then you released him. Ada came up to you, “So we’ll see you in about an hour and a half? At the hotel.”
“Sounds good. I’ll go and set up the photo booth, make sure everything is good for tonight, that nothing is blocking the podium.”
“Thank you. I’ll find you when I get there.”
“Thanks Ada. Don’t worry about anything.”
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Ada kept her word, and found you as soon as she arrived. She introduced you to her husband, Freddie, and once you got the schedule for the evening, she went in to sit down and enjoy the party. You wandered the room during speeches, each of the vice-presidents gave a short speech, thanking their employees and recognizing their achievements and service.
Finally, Tommy got up to deliver his speech. He gave a little bit of history of the company, telling the attendees that this had been a very profitable year, that they had done well, and as a result, they were making a sizeable donation to the Royal British Legion, a cause that was close to his heart and those of his family members. He went on to explain that the work the Legion was doing to help veterans, such as himself, work through all sorts of issues including employment, housing, medical conditions and psychological health was incredibly important and in desperate need of funding. This earned him a roaring round of applause from the room.
You wiped a stray tear from your eye, the Legion was a cause very close to your heart too. Suddenly this man wasn’t just the President/CEO of the company you were working for, he was a decorated veteran as well.
When the applause ended, Tommy took a drink from his glass of water. “And tonight, I would like to announce that Shelby Company Limited will be opening a new womens’ shelter in Birmingham. This will be a place of refuge and respite for women and their children fleeing domestic abuse. It gives me great honour to announce that the shelter will be named in memory of my late wife, Grace Burgess-Shelby. I know that she would have been so proud to open such a facility, here in Birmingham. She would be honoured to know that we are helping others in her memory.”
Another round of applause roared throughout the room. You were trying your best to keep your mind on the job at hand, and not to let it wander to the questions swarming your brain regarding this man and his family.
Finally, the music came on and the dancing began. You worked the room, taking photos of people deep in conversations, out dancing on the dance floor, and generally enjoying themselves. Every so often, you felt eyes on you, and you looked around, always to find Tommy slightly smiling at you. You always smiled back. Finally, you caught him smiling at you on film, knowing that that was going to be your favourite photo of the evening.
Tommy watched you, working your camera, making polite small talk with his family, employees and their guests. You smiled all night, but it was never the same smile that you returned to him when you caught him watching you. He thought to himself that your ass looked amazing in those pants, why was he looking at your ass?
As the night ended, Ada came to find you to send you off, “Send me the invoice? You were wonderful tonight, thank you for squeezing us in.”
“It was no problem, Ada. I actually had a really great time. I will send you the invoice and you should have your photos in a couple of weeks, will that be alright? If you needed the photos from earlier this afternoon, I could probably get them to you this week.”
“It’s no worry, but if you could, I would definitely appreciate it.”
“I’ll see what I can do. I’ll just finish packing up and I’ll be out of here.”
You packed up and headed to your vehicle, heading home for the night.
After you had left, Tommy found Ada, “Where did you find her?”
“Who? The photographer? She came highly recommended by some friends. She’s new to town so she’s got a bit of availability when everyone else has been booked for months. She’s amazing though, she’ll be booked in no time.”
“Send me her details, I think it’s time to redo our website this spring.”
“I saw how you looked at her Tom. Are you ready to get back in the game?”
“Not yet. I’m still working on myself. I’ve only been out of treatment for ten months, I’m not ready yet. She’s beautiful though, her smile is so amazing.”
“You should set up a meeting with her to talk about your vision. Get her invested in the project, our company and you.”
“What would she even want with me. And, how do I even know she’s single?”
“Tommy, you’re a catch. A veteran, you’re an amazing dad. Do your research, look at her portfolio. She’s got an amazing eye, she’s been all over the world. Her weddings are to die for. You’ll find something to talk about, but get her in a room with you, find out what makes her laugh. I saw how she watched you all night too – she couldn’t take her eyes off you. And – I happen to know she moved here because of work and there was a guy back home, she’s single.”
Tommy thought about what Ada said and on Monday morning, you received an email from Thomas.Shelby[at]shelbycoltd.uk.com requesting a meeting to discuss a future project.
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@gypsy-girl-08 @cillmequick @stevie75 @lyarr24 @forgottenpeakywriter @globetrotter28 @dandelionprints @muhahaha303 @look-at-the-soul @elenavampire21
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girlwithamissingpearl · 8 months
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I finally did it. I streamed all 6 episodes of Outlander season 7. I’m not saying I was disappointed but…
First of all I immediately re-watched episode 1. And I’ll tell you why. Streaming 5 seasons of Outlander while reading or listening to all 9 books has made it difficult to separate the book from the show. Like many I discovered Outlander during Covid and was immediately addicted. I started reading the books but found I would get impatient and speed read throughout the book looking for Jamie and Claire. When I started listening to the audio versions it was a completely different experience. Also a humbling one as I started losing count of all the words I had mispronounced, and context I missed speed reading through each book. Naturally I started to notice where the series stayed true to the books and when it didn’t. I’ll use book and season 1 as an example. I watched the series first then read/ listened to Outlander and very slowly book JF and CF became series JF/SH and CF/CB. For those who haven’t spent 40 hours or so listening to each book, take it from me, you get things mixed up.
Fast forward to Season 7. Remember book 9 was released during the long drought so I was already decades ahead of where the season started. Plus I already had favourite scenes I was looking forward to watching. The reason I felt I had to immediately rewatch ep 1 was because I felt they tried to tie up too many story lines in an hour. It felt rushed to me because I was comparing it to the book and parts that were changed or not addressed. Fortunately by episode 6, all was well in Outlander land.
A few points:
For the first time I really enjoyed watching SS as Briana, especially during her scene with JF/SH by the stones
I thought the casting of Rachel and Denzel Hunter were very close to the book version
Casting CV as WR was perfection. At times I could really see a strong resemblance to SH. The scene where Rachel shaves William, in the light, his profile, jawline and clear blue eyes are so close to the book version but also SH as JF. Even off camera based on sm the way they are athletic, extreme sports, love of music, build etc. Totally believe they could be father and son. By music I mean CV can and SH wants to play😉
That said I can’t believe we have to wait to see the father/son reunion. I don’t believe that they have even done any press together
I wish my hair could grow as fast and long and lovely as CF. CB just gets better with every season. She just never ages. Perfection as CF. Love that WR referred to her as a curly wig general!
With so many stories, timelines, time travel and new characters JF sort of becomes a supporting cast member at times. The screen time with JF/CF is great to see but not given the time to let us enjoy the magic of previous seasons. But the love is still there.
Finally SH as JF. I was a bit teary watching the scenes at the stones and I’ll miss young Jemmy. Again I really want to see father and son together. As for his acting, SH has become JF. I know we joke about his 5 acting things, but even in limited scenes with no dialogue his performance is powerful.
Now if I could just sit back and enjoy the rest of the season without trying to compare it to the book, look for clues as to the future of J &C and what that blasted last page of book ten will reveal. Until then, thank fuck for great pizza, wine and twizzlers. And of course the amazing gals that put up with me in my small corner of the fandom😉
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wisdomssdaughterr · 11 months
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PROJECT SUNSHINE CHAPTER SEVENTEEN → THE PREMONITION
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summary: steve harrington x oc
when another product of Hawkins National Laboratory escaped a long-survived nightmare alongside her sister, she crashed into one unsuspecting teenage boy and dragged him deeper into the dark mysteries that made up their hometown.
word count. 1.1k
warnings: cannon typical violence, child abuse, horror, gore, and depictions of mental illness. parts of this story were written pre-season 4 release. cannon divergence.
notes: and that’s a wrap on season 1! thank you all so much for reading <3 keep an eye out for some character moodboards of my lovely ocs and for season 2!
previous chapter ← → next chapter
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“Go fish.” 
“This is the worst,” a young girl groaned, leaning back in an uncomfortable folding chair. She blew a strand of blonde hair from her face and tossed her cards onto the table. 
Across the table sat her brother, who looked just as unenthused by their tenth game of Go Fish that day. 
“I’m so bored,” she groaned. 
He rolled his eyes with a quiet huff. He was bored too, and he was tired of having the same conversation day after day with his sister because she couldn’t accept the slow roll of their new life. “Well, we can either play Go Fish or we can help commit a felony, Leia.” 
Leia scoffed but said nothing as she dragged her eyes around the dirty warehouse, they were staying in. It was cold enough inside the building in the winter that they had to wear jackets or risk getting sick. The walls were covered in graffiti and the whole place smelled like iron and garbage. 
At least if she was committing a felony, she’d get some fresh air and a change of scenery. Instead, due to her brother’s moral compass, her lack of social skills, and their unwillingness to be apart for too long, Leia remained inside the abandoned warehouse that was the furthest thing from home-y. Not that she had never lived in a home long enough to relish in what it felt like, but she had snuck into enough movies to understand that where she was, was not a home. 
“Hey, Luke?” Her brother raised his eyebrows, prompting her to continue. “Do you think we’ll be here forever?” 
A beat passed as he thought of the right thing to say to comfort Leia, but all he could muster was a simple, “I hope not.” 
The future was a fickle thing, Leia had learned in her short twelve years of life. The future loomed over everyone’s heads like a dark cloud of uncertainty; no one knew what waited for them until they faced it. No one had the ability to see what would happen before it did, no one except the blue-eyed boy across the table from her.  
Leia outstretched her hand across the table and wiggled her fingers. “You could see for sure that we won’t be here forever,” she said. 
A stiffness overcame Luke, and he was quick to push himself away from the table and bring his hands into his lap. “No. I told you-” 
“It’s dangerous. It’s irresponsible. Blah, blah, blah,” Leia repeated the same scolding he’d told her a million times before. Using his abilities to take a quick glimpse into the future did sound as dangerous as he made it out to seem. “Yeah, I know, but all I want is to know if we make it out of here. That’s all. Can’t you just take a quick peak?”  
Luke shook his head. “No, I won’t. I can’t. That’s not even how it works.” 
A deep frown fell upon his sister’s face as she retracted her hand. 
He sighed and tried to find another way to lift her spirits that didn’t involve him messing with something that did not want to be messed with. 
If Luke had learned anything in his painfully long twelve years of life, it was that the future did not take kindly to prying eyes; it didn’t like being tampered with either. On top of that, if Luke witnessed one more tragedy in the future, he’d for sure fall into a full-fledged breakdown. He couldn’t risk looking into his sister’s future and watching something horrible happen to her. He had seen it too many times in too many futures of the people he loved. Leia was one of the last people he had in his life; he rather not know her future than be unable to stop it from happening. It was like watching someone die a slow death and each day they grow closer and closer to their inevitable fate, while Luke stands back and watches. He had tried to change the future before; it bit back at him with snarling teeth. There were things he did not need to know, and things he did not want to know. 
“I don’t need to see the future to know we won’t be here forever. I promise. I just can’t…” 
Something strange rattled in the very back of his mind. He was stuck, suddenly, with a wave of nausea that caused him to double over. He grabbed a hold of the table so tight his knuckles turned white. His mind was pulled by rough hands, tugging him away from the present. Luke tried to fight back against the unwanted pull, but he wasn’t quick enough and before he could utter a word to his sister, he was ripped away from any control he held over his consciousness and dragged down into the dangerous tide of the future.  His head lulled forward, smacking against the table as the rest of his body went limp. 
“Luke?” Leia sprang to her feet, knocking over her chair. It fell onto the concrete floor as she rushed toward her brother. A panic-ridden expression overtook her face at the state of Luke. 
She couldn’t touch him. All she could do was watch as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and blood flowed from his nose.  
“Look alive little gremlins! We’ve returned!” A new voice rang out through the warehouse. The sound of their footsteps stopped when their eyes landed on the scene at the card table. 
“What’s going on?” Another member of the group asked. They all gathered around the twins, growing uneasy at the sight of Luke. 
Leia shook her head frantically. “I don’t know! I think he’s having another episode, but I didn’t touch him. I don’t know what happened!” 
Blood dripped onto the tabletop and his finger twitched from his dangling, limp arms at his sides. 
A purple-haired girl kneeled in front of him, dressed in all black and fixed in a hardened gaze that she was almost never seen without.  
“Luke? Can you hear me?” she asked, her voice level. 
He didn’t respond, took lost inside his head. 
Panic rose inside Leia. She clenched her hands into tight fists and did her best to not freak out. In and out she breathed through her nose and mouth, but her emotions started to slip from her hold. The lights hung high over their heads and began to flicker in time with her heartbeat.  
“Kali, do something!” Leia shouted, causing one of the lights to rain down sparks a couple of feet from the group. 
“Quiet,” Kali snapped. “He’s seeing something.” 
A few agonizing moments later, Luke let out a loud, strangled gasp as his eyes opened. He lifted his head off the table and clutched the fabric of his sweater over his heart, breathing heavily. 
Luke blinked back and forth between his sister and Kali; his eyes illuminated a brilliant hue of electric blue.  
His lips parted, letting out a shaky breath before he mumbled one name that left both Leia and Kali in stunned silence, and the rest of the gang in confusion. 
“Eleven.”
End Of Season One
Tagged: @sattlersquarry @lovefrom-theother-side
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ladylooch · 8 months
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Letters in Your Last Name- Chapter 11
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A/N: So the next several chapters center in the COVID universe. A fun dynamic of Kevin has to leave and Sam has to stay. Our lil babes are gonna go through it a lil bit now 🥺
Word Count: 4.6k
Warnings: COVID talk, swearing, angsty
NHL suspends season indefinitely as coronavirus outbreak continues.
The air in the apartment is almost giddy despite the unknown of what is to come of the 2019-2020 NHL season. With the Coronavirus beginning to grip the world more fiercely, all large events in the United States have come to a screaming halt, seemingly overnight. As disappointing as it is for obvious reasons, it is even more so for the Wild specifically as they were really beginning to turn their season around. The last game against the Ducks in Anaheim was a dynamic game for Kevin with two power play goals to lead the team to their latest, and maybe last, win of the season. For now, players, and their families, have no choice but to wait in limbo to see what the next steps will be.
Now with all that, why are we giddy? Because since October, we haven’t spent more than 7 consecutive days together. Therefore, the idea of getting extra, almost borrowed time, has us both on a comfortable high. Kevin and I are having a lazy day, a rarity during the late season that we are taking advantage of now. We already ate a delicious dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup. Now we are catching up on a few Netflix releases we have missed in the last few weeks. To All The Boys Part 2 is playing on our living room TV. My hand loosely fingers the strands of Kevin’s hair. I can tell he is drifting in and out of sleep on my lap.
The shrill sound of his phone ringing jolts both Kevin and I from our relaxed positions. He reaches for it on the coffee table, flipping the screen. We both see the picture of him and his mother. He clears his throat and rubs the sleep from his eyes.
“Ahoj?” Kevin answers in Czech. I can hear the rushed sound of talking over the other end and furrow my brows inquisitively. Kevin stands and walks out of the room to our bedroom, listening intently. When he returns a few minutes later, he is off the phone and has a worried expression. “The U.S. is banning air traffic to and from Europe on Friday.”
“What? No way… that can’t be true.” I say, becoming alert. How has this already escalated to a point where we would essentially shut down commerce and travel between continents? Fear grips my throat at the look on Kevin’s face.
“My mother just told me.” He motions to his phone. He reaches for the remote for the TV and flips to one of the national news programs. There, the President is confirming what Kevin’s mom told him just now. A travel ban will begin on Friday. All non-US citizens are restricted from entering the United States if they are coming from 26 different European countries- including Switzerland and Sweden. For now it seems, Kevin would be able to return to Europe from the United States. How long that will last is unknown at this time.
Kevin and I grow dead silent as we watch the press conference play out on NBC.
“Does this mean you need to go?” I wonder what we are both thinking out loud.
“I… Don’t know…” He trails off. I faintly hear a sound and I know it’s the fictitious noise of our bubble of bliss giving way to the cold, dreadful reality of a global pandemic.
“Kev, I’m getting nervous.” I admit to him. He reaches for me and pulls me across the couch, into his chest.
“Me too.” He whispers against my head. “I’ll call around tomorrow and figure out what I should do.” He assures me. I know his words are meant to soothe me, but they don’t. Instead, the lump of fear in my chest expands until I feel like I’m suffocating.
The next day, I sit quietly at the island in the kitchen as Kevin makes his calls. The kitchen is filled with smells of soup simmering in the crock pot and my latest bath and body works candle burns in the center of the counter. It feels like any other, winter day, but it isn’t. His first call is to Andy Heydt, Director of Hockey Operations for the Wild. Andy is still unsure of the exact direction the NHL is advising for players, but he promises to follow up with Kevin once he hears more. The next call is to his agent, who echos the same thing to Kevin- they still don’t know what to advise players to do at this time. The next few calls are to his parents, a few friends in Sweden including his trainer, Andreas. Life seems to be going on normally in Sweden despite the news from across the pond.
“This seems to be a lot of hurry up and wait.” Kevin shrugs as he tosses his phone down and sits next to me. He reaches for a piece of granola from the bowl in front of me and crunches on it. “I can’t really do anything until the NHL decides what we can do.”
“Well, they have already suspended the season, so it’s highly likely they would support players returning home.” 
“Yeah, it’s just tough because we don’t know how long that will be. A few weeks, a month? No one knows at this point and if they let us leave, we likely won’t be able to return until the travel ban is lifted.”
“What a mess.” I murmur, grabbing a cluster of granola. I bring it to my lips, but can’t stand the idea of eating anything else while my stomach summersaults inside of me. I drop it back into my bowl and push the rest to Kevin. “If you can go, do you think you will?”
“I’m not sure. Honestly, I might have to with my VISA. If the league isn’t running, that means I’m not authorized to be here longer than 90 days. This shutdown could be longer than that.” Kevin explains to me, letting out a frustrated sigh. “At least we can spend some time together.” I nod in agreement. Yet, I can’t help but reflect on how long we will have.
Kevin and I pass the time snuggling on the couch under a large blanket, watching HGTV. I’m a sucker for Love it or List it even though the entire show seems staged and fake. At least it is a distraction from the heaviness of what is happening in the world right now. Kevin has fallen into a brief cat nap when his phone begins to buzz again. He puts it on speaker as Andy’s voice rings out.
“Hi guys. I just got word from the NHL & NHLPA that they are making moves to allow for players to return home. An announcement will likely be coming in the next few hours. Because of VISA expirations, the NHLPA is recommending all Non-U.S. Citizens return home. Kevin, at this time you are required to return to Sweden and self-quarantine for now. Start looking for tickets for the first flight you can find. They’re going fast. If you need help, let me know and we can get our office on it as well. The NHL & NHLPA will be meeting again in the next few weeks to decide on additional next steps for resuming the season. There is optimist talk for that to begin at the end of this month, but the likelihood of that is looking slimmer by the hour.”
“Okay.” Kevin confirms. I don’t look at him while he wraps up the conversation.
“Be safe, Kevin.” Andy ends the call with a click, off to call the other international players on the Wild.
“I guess I’m going.” Kevin whispers, pulling me into his lap. He buries his face into my body and I hold him close. I don’t want him to go. I am so afraid that he can’t stay with me. The idea of no set date of a return for the league, and therefore Kevin, makes my stomach twist into an uncomfortable knot. The way this seems to be coming together- the talk of visa expirations and leaving despite a travel ban- the league is preparing for an extended break. Kevin lifts his face and looks into my eyes. A pained expression flashes across when he takes in my tears. Now that they have started, I can’t stop them. 
“I know.” He tells me, pulling me forward and resting his cheek against mine. “I’m sorry.” I nod and a hiccup sob escapes my lips. “It will be okay.” He assures me. We both know he can’t guarantee that, but it eases a bit of the pressure in my body to know he believes it.
The rest of the day is awful. Kevin begins to make his arrangements to leave and soon we can’t hide from the truth. He leaves tomorrow for Sweden on a one-way ticket. Kevin releases a heavy sign when his purchase is confirmed and flips his phone to the other side of the couch. He looks at me, but I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze. I know I should at least be pretending to be supportive in this, but it’s difficult. There is so much unknown in this world. It’s scary, yet I felt like if we were together, we could make it through. Now he is leaving and the loneliness is hovering. I can feel it descending on me like a despondent shadow trying to steal my joy.
The crockpot beeps in the kitchen signaling the Chicken Wild Rice soup is done. We both glance in that direction before our eyes meet in a loaded look. I feel tears stinging my eyes and I have to look away. I don’t want to cry again. I want to be strong for now and then completely fall apart after he leaves tomorrow.
Kevin stands and slowly walks over to the windows, looking out at the Minnesota skyline. The sun has set and the city lights twinkle in the cold winter night. I know we are both thinking similar things. This morning when the sun rose, everything was okay. Different, but okay. Now, when the sun rises tomorrow, Kevin will leave for an undetermined amount of time. I swallow the lump in my throat and slowly rise to finish the soup. I stir in the heavy cream and spoon us both up a small bowl, handing Kevin his at the window. He turns to me, grabbing it from my hands and pulling me into his arms.
“Sam, I don’t want to go. I need you to know that…” He trails off, whispering into my hair. All I can do is nod my head in acknowledgement.
“This is going to be really hard.” I whisper to him. I’m afraid if I talk any louder, my voice will break.
“I know, baby.” Kevin rests his mouth on the top of my head. We stay like that for minutes- until the soup is cold and the show ends and the sadness has begun to suffocate us. I pull away first to look into his beautiful face.
“I love you.” I say simply. It won’t fix anything or change this pandemic, but at least we have that.
“I love you too.” He responds. I grab his soup bowl from the table and walk back into the kitchen. I set the bowl down on the counter and frown at all the soup in the crockpot. The last thing I’m interested in right now is eating. The only thing I feel right now is nothing at all. I’ve evidently gone numb in the last hour.
“Baby.” Kevin calls to me from the hallway. “Let’s go to bed.” He holds his hand out for me and I take it, following him slowly down to our room. But I don’t want to go to bed. I don’t want to fall asleep and wake up knowing he will be gone in a matter of hours. Kevin throws the comforter back on our bed and pulls me into him. He settles me deep into his chest and holds on tightly. No wandering hands. No sexy smooches. Just the deep intimacy of holding one another close.
“Maybe it won’t be that long.” Kevin murmurs to me. I shake my head no. My heart can’t take the speculation of the what ifs tonight. I tilt my face up to look at him, wanting to memorize every bit of this moment together. “Even when I leave tomorrow, a part of me is staying here with you.” He tells me, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear and holding my face in his hand. I close my eyes and lean into his touch. His thumb brushes against my lips before I feel him kiss me. It’s emotional-filled with pain, sorrow, and a deep love that leaves me aching. His hands pull me in tighter and I lace my hands behind his head.
I don’t know how I will possibly let him go tomorrow.
_ _ _
“Alright. I think that’s it.” Kevin says as he grabs the final suitcase from my SUV. He sets it on the ground and closes my trunk. Between the multiple suitcases and all of his hockey equipment, he has the luggage cart overflowing. I can’t imagine how much that all costs to fly across the ocean.
“Do you need help?” I ask him, fidgeting with my keys.
“No, I got it.” He assures me, sliding each of his arms into his backpack. “Come here.” He demands, tugging me into his chest and squeezing me tightly. We stay like that for several moments. I realize that I’m crying and I don’t even care. What is the point in being strong now? This entire week, this entire virus, has been exhausting, terrifying, and at times, heartbreaking. I want to go back to yesterday morning. The blissful, ignorance of it all was reassuring and safe. 
“I don’t want to let go.” Kevin whispers to me. I just shake my head in response; there are no words left to say.
His hand rubs comfortingly up and down my back through my winter jacket. I blink rapidly as I pull away, rubbing the sleeves of my sweatshirt under my eyes. Kevin’s arms stay around me as he looks down into my face. 
“I don’t know what to say to make this less hard.” He admits to me. “All I know is that I miss you so much and I’m not even gone.”
“Kev, we can’t change this. Just be safe.” I mumble to him, standing on my toes and bringing our lips together. He immediately opens his lips and his tongue finds my mouth. The kiss is passionate and painful. I never want it to end. His hands pull me tighter to him. I grip his jacket firmly, trying to stay as close and held by him as possible. 
“I love you.” I tell him earnestly when we pull apart.
“I love you too.” He repeats to me. The sadness on his features breaks my heart all over again. “Be safe, okay?” I nod my head as my bottom lip quivers again.
With all my remaining resolve, I step from his arms completely. Kevin stays there for a moment, just looking at me. I’ve never seen his face so sullen, his eyes so desperate and his demeanor so damn sad.
“Kev… just go.” I encourage him, knowing it’s what he needs to hear. A final, dark expression crosses his face but he nods in response.
“Bye.”
“Bye. Have a safe flight.” I watch as he puts his mask on. I swallow hard, determined to keep it somewhat together until he has disappeared into the airport.
“I’ll call you when I get there.” He tells me as he puts his hands on the cart. It takes all my will power to not step towards him and beg for him to hold me just a few moments longer. Instead I look at his shoes, because if I look at his face, I’ll be done.
“Okay.” I whisper to him. When I lift my eyes to his, I’m right. I’m done. Tears fall from my eyes in a steady stream. Kevin’s eyes are getting glassy and he’s trying hard not to let his tears fall. He reaches for me and I rush into his arms one final time. My tears soak into the shoulder of his jacket. When we release each other again, we know it has to be the last time.
With a final longing look, he turns and pushes the cart towards the door. I watch his retreating back, eating up every second that I can get of him. When he disappears through the door, a strangled sob escapes my lips. God damn it. Leaving him at this airport might just kill me. I suck in a breath of air and it immediately comes out as another sob. I press my hand to my lips and turn, jumping into my SUV and resting my head on the steering wheel. I don’t care that I’m sitting in a space someone else could use. I don’t care that security is walking along the sidewalk encouraging people to keep moving. I can’t think of anything beyond the deep, aching pain in my chest.
This is not how it’s supposed to be.
_ _ _
In July, the ringing of a FaceTime call pulls me away from my intense concentration of coloring in my adult coloring book. Entertainment is tough to come by when most of the city is shut down still due to COVID. Living in downtown was warm and homey prior to COVID. Now, it’s just cold and industrial without people around. I miss the constant stream of cars and noise. In April, I had to buy a white noise machine just to be able to get to sleep every night. 
I reach for my phone, smiling when I see Kevin’s face. 
“Hi!” I say excitedly, “Tell me you have good news!” 
There have been rumblings in the hockey and media circles that the NHL is close to resuming. It’s been almost five months since the NHL season was paused. It’s been over 100 days since I’ve seen Kevin. To say it’s been difficult would be an understatement. What feels more difficult is that Kevin is able to live relatively normal in Sweden, while we have been under various mandates and lock downs to mitigate the spread of this virus. When Kevin first returned, he was cautious. He spent most of his time in his apartment or training at the local arena. However, as the months have dragged on, he’s gotten pretty loose. Part of me worries for him and the other part of me is insanely jealous.
“Relatively good.” He confirms. “I’ll be back soon!”
“Yay!” I yell, kicking my legs in excitement.
“And then I’ll be leaving for Canada in three weeks.”
“What? No.” The smile drops from my face. “The league is doing the bubble?” I groan, throwing myself back down onto the couch.
“Yeah.” He sighs deeply. “Sorry, babe. But at least we will have some time together.” I watch as Kevin walks out of the arena and into the bright sunlight. Sweden looks gorgeous today. Kevin waves to someone out of the camera view, then looks back down at his phone. “I’m heading back to my place to look at flights. I can let you know what a few of the options are to see what works best?”
“Whatever gets you to me the fastest and soonest.” I say to him. He grins in response, nodding. “I miss you so much, Kev. I’m so excited to see you!” 
“Me too, baby. What are you up to?”
“Coloring.” I show him my coloring book. It’s a black and white page filled with different types of flowers. In the middle in loopy calligraphy are the words eat a bag of dicks. “For Alex.” I wink at Kevin who bursts out laughing.
“I want to be there when you give that to him.”
“You better get here soon then. I think I’m going to frame it and give it to him for his birthday next week.” I giggle wickedly at that. “Speaking of birthdays, what are you doing for yours tomorrow?” I wonder, tossing my art project to the side and focusing in on him.
“Andreas is taking me to a good pizza place here.” He mentions his off-season coach as he settles into the driver seat of his car. “I wish you were here though.” He gives me a small, sad tilt of his lips.
“Stupid COVID.” I pout at him. “I hope someone gets you a princess cake!” 
“I actually got myself one already.” He admits somewhat sheepishly. “I’ve been dying for a piece all day but forced myself to wait until after training.”
“Cake for breakfast is definitely a birthday tradition for you.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him. We both grin as we remember his birthday last year in Sweden. Frosting everywhere, his sheets being ruined and us not caring at all.
“Just doesn’t taste as good without you though.” He beams at me.
We chat a little bit longer as Kevin drives back to his place. Eventually, we end the call as Kevin gets ready to hop into the shower. He has a meeting with a company for a potential sponsorship opportunity. It’s an athletic, energy drink that we do not have in the United States. He says he will bring some back for me to try.
Once our call ends, I busy myself with completing Alex’s picture. I search around various websites for a frame, finding one on Amazon that can be delivered tomorrow. Satisfied with my purchase, I begin the chores I’ve been putting off for the last few days, including laundry, dishes, and cleaning the bathroom. Once I’ve accomplished those, I turn my attention to dinner. I found a soup recipe on Pinterest that seems light enough for summer. Even though the summer heat in Minnesota feels oppressive at times, there is something about soup that comforts me. I could use some of that as I wait out the last few weeks before Kevin arrives. I ponder when he may be back. Hopefully it’s within the next week or so. It’s hard to know what options are available with how limited the flight choices are these days.
My phone jingles as I’m cutting up the onion for my soup. I glance down, seeing it’s the front desk of our building. I click the green button and shove my phone between my cheek and shoulder so I can continue working on dinner.
“Hi Dave.” I answer. We have a few people who work the front desk here, but I know it's Dave today. With limited interaction with the outside world, I've gotten to know the front desk people and their schedules well. Dave is my favorite though. He's in his second career after retiring from the Postal Service at an early age.
“Hi Sam, you have a food delivery here.”
“Oh, really? I didn’t order anything. Does it say from where?” I ask adjusting the phone from my shoulder to my hand.
“Not sure. It’s just a white bag.”
“Okay, I’ll be down in a second.” 
I end the call as I’m stuffing my feet into my sandals. I grab my keys from the bowl, trying not to frown at the sight of Kevin’s keys. Soon. He will be home soon. I take the elevator to the lobby. Dave is waiting for me outside the elevator and hands me the white bag.
“I figured I’d save you a few steps.” He smiles kindly at me.
“Thanks, Dave. Are you heading home soon?” 
“I am, but I’ll be back tomorrow- same time and place.”
“Well, I’ll stop by with some soup. I’m trying a new recipe tonight.”
“I’d like that. Goodnight, Sam.”
I wave goodbye and hit the 15th floor again before peering into the bag. I can see a gold, Wuollet’s Bakery sticker on the white box along with a red ribbon securing the sides. It’s sizable and heavy, but I’m unsure what is in it or who it could be from. When I enter the apartment, I set the bag on the counter and carefully lift the box out of the bag. Beneath the box is a white card with my name on it. I open the envelope and flip the card over to read the message. 
Save some for when I’m home on Friday. I love you!- Kevin
My stomach drops to my knees and I let out an excited squeal. I carefully undo the ribbon from the box and open the top to reveal a Princess Torte. Although not completely the same, it’s very similar to what Kevin will be having tomorrow for his birthday. I glance at the time, seeing it is after midnight in Sweden, meaning it’s officially his birthday. I grab my phone and click on his name to begin the FaceTime call. Kevin picks up after one ring.
“Hi birthday boy.” I murmur to him through my large grin. He cheeses back to me in his dark apartment.
“Hi beautiful.” He tells me as he sits up, pausing the show he is watching.
“It’s your birthday, but I’m getting cake?” I ask him, flipping the camera so he can see the cake.
“Well, it is technically for both of us.” He insists, his smile somehow grows larger.
“You’re really coming back that soon?”
“Yep!”
“Baby…” I trail off, looking back at the princess cake.
“Friday.” He confirms to me.
“Two more sleeps.” I respond.
“I have to quarantine…” He reminds me.
“Shush. Don’t ruin it.” I tell him, grabbing a knife to cut into the cake. 
“Okay.” He laughs. “Hey, that’s a big piece.” He scolds me jokingly, watching me cut into the green fondant. “At this rate, you’re going to eat it all without me.”
“Oh my god, Kevin. You like this cake more than me.” I tisk at him, turning the camera so it’s back on me.
“Eh.. It’s good, but not that good.”
“Uh huh.“ I roll my eyes at him while savoring the bite of sugary goodness.
“It’s really doing something for me watching you suck on that fork.” Just to tease him, I flick my tongue up the fork and giggle. “You’re gonna have to pay for teasing me like this.”
“Looking forward to it.” I tell him, running my tongue along my lips tantalizingly slow. I watch him gulp before I take another slow bite of the cake.
“Damn.” He mutters to me, blowing out a quick breath. “I can’t wait to kiss that mouth.”
I take a sip of my water from my Yeti and laugh lightly. When I return my gaze to him, he’s watching me through sleepy eyes.
“You should go to sleep. Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you get a day off from training.” I tease him. Kevin yawns and rubs a hand over his face.
“That’s true. If anything, I’m probably going to get my ass kicked.” 
“That’s how you know Andreas cares.” I give him a sweet smile, pushing the cake away to lean against the counter. “I’ll see you soon though.”
“So soon.” He whispers back to me. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay. I love you. Happy birthday, babe.”
“Thank you. Love you.” He smiles before I end the call.
My heart swells as I glance at the clock.
Only 48 more hours of living in different countries.
But who’s counting?
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