Tumgik
#and jamie is ready to just stake himself in the heart
artsninspo · 6 months
Note
Glad to see my girl is back and active. 🤗
Hope you’re taking care of yourself outside of tumblr as well. Xx
I have an angst request please. Jamie has so much going on in the moment and he feels like having a relationship right now is not ideal for him. So he decided he’s going to end whatever he has currently with his girl cause in his mind, that’s the best decision. His girl is simply dumbfounded and initially thinks he’s joking but he’s being frl
Maximum angst+++ no happy ending they simply part ways with a heavy and broken heart 💔
Tumblr media
“SO GOODBYE, PLEASE DON’T CRY”
Author's Note: Wrote this one thinking of Whitney Houston’s I will always love you. So feel free to listen to it on a loop while reading to add to the experience.
Pairing: Jamie (Topboy) X Reader
Word Count: 1.3K
____________
If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way
Jamie’s been distant lately. Work has been occupying his time and so had the repercussions of his lifestyle. The stakes are higher,  things aren't even what they used to be with Stef and Aaron. The rift is growing wider and wider. His attention is split so many different ways and he’s stretched too thin. Closing his eyes he tries to recall your smile lately but he can only recall the toll his lifestyle has had on your overall health and happiness. He noticed your anxiousness, your weight loss, your fidgeting. He noticed the more distant he was  the more you leaned in trying to help and fill in the gaps. He couldn’t ask for a better woman, a better best friend, a better partner, a wife, a mother for his children. You’re what he thinks of when there’s talk of the future.
His heart is yours and always has been.
But this isn't what you signed up for. He’ll only drag you down living. Six months without him, followed by another six of turbulence, no cute dates or romantic gestures, holidays together, quality time. He cannot stomach his mistreatment of you even if there's love there. He cannot justify not giving you the world or you having anything less than everything you've ever wanted. He’s a man who’s used to making hard decisions. He’s a man used to adversity, he’s used to violence and tears and taking lives but not with you.
Bittersweet memories
That is all I'm taking with me
So goodbye, please, don't cry
We both know I'm not what you, you need
Using his key for what he resigns will be the last time he lets himself into your flat. He’s already paid the rent for the next two years. He’s done all the background work to make sure you're in a comfortable place. The scent of his favourite dinner hits him. Leaning in the doorway his eyes close, his heartstrings being stretched to their limit.
Lasagna 
His favourite meal awaits him even in spite of his absence and poor communication. In spite of his shortcomings and failure to be present, attentive and loving.
“Jamie?” your soft voice says bringing him back to the moment. His eyes focus on yours.
“Are you alright? You look… Has something happened?” you question knowing him well. He watches as you rub your fingers nervously. He wants to take your hands and kiss you but that isn't the reason he’s here.
“Y/N we need to talk” he says the dreaded four words. Your reaction isn't the fear it should be. He watches you not ready to take whatever shit he hands you in stride.
“Okay” you say kissing him just like he wanted to do to you. You make your way to the couch and Jamie takes note of the place for the last time taking a mental picture to store into his memory.
“Jamie what is it?” you ask unnerved a little by his silence and reservation.
“We need to break up,” he says, making you laugh. It's Jamie's favourite move, something horrible to lessen the blow of the inevitable bad that will follow.
“Now the truth” you smile reaching for his hand. Jamie withdraws, touching you is the absolute last thing he can stomach.
“This is the truth, we're done, Y/N I can’t be in a relationship. I dont have the time for it” he says.
“Jamie, this really isn't funny. Stop it, tell me the truth” you shift on the couch, his head bows and when his eyes hold yours you feel it in your bones. The chill that follows makes the hair on the back of your neck stand at attention.
Your heart skips a beat.
His fisher’s closer to cracking.
You blink.
Jamie does too, his jaw clenching. You give him time, time to renege, time to take back those words but only silence fills the space between you.
He’s killing you. You go to speak but no words are audible. Your lips close as tears well.
“Dont cry” his voice cracks, his eyes softening. “Please” he begs, fighting to keep it together. There's no turning back now, he’s in it. He’ll follow through.
“No” you refuse.
“Y/N you deserve better than me”
“Don’t tell me what I deserve” you snap ready to fight for the relationship you've already put so much time and love into. Jamie isn't only the love of your life, he's family too. He’s your heart.
“I cheated” he lies.
“No you didn't!” you snap knowing him. Jamie’s loyal to fault and would never. His frustration confirms this. “Why are you doing this, has someone threatened me?”
“Y/N I dont want to be with you anymore.”
“Easy Jamie, I can only take so much rejection” you warn standing. “I made lasagna, go eat” you snap leaving the living room. Jamie follows watching as you pour yourself a glass of wine. He fights instinct to comfort you, to make you smile, to ease the pain and tension.
“Y/N, I’m serious”
“SHUT UP!” you shout slamming the pan on the counter. “Enough Jamie, for fuck sake, what are you trying to do to me?” you ask. 
“Y/N I cannot be in a relationship right now” he snaps growing frustrated with your commitment to ignoring his attempts at ending things.
“You’re trying to turn me mad” you mutter to yourself, wiping your eyes.
“Don’t cry” Jamie repeats incapable of seeing you cry without taking action, only he cant kill himself for the hurt he’s causing you.
“So you're done with a relationship, you want to end us?” You shout completely unlike yourself. Jamie swallows, unable to say it like that. Ending is the last thing he wants but it's necessary.
“It’s what needs to happen”
“Youre a fucking knob” you snap.
“Me?”
“Yes of all the things you quit, it's me?! Me not the roads, not the lifestyle that's caused this, you quit on me, when I’ve been here. I haven't complained and I’ve loved you through it all!” you shout.
“I can’t walk away”
“Yes you can, you have a passport and enough funds! We could take your brothers and figure it out” you reason but he shakes his head.
“It doesn't work like that,'' Jamie snaps, having already weighed all his options.
“Jamie if you walk out, I’ll never forgive you, I’ll hate you forever” you promise. Jamie sees the truth in your eyes. He loves you with everything in him, but this is the best thing for you - he’s setting you free even if you can't see it.
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish to you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love
“You should” is all Jamie can muster without breaking. Taking his keys from his pocket he removes yours placing it onto the counter as he walks out without another word. You fall to the ground and he takes the stairs needing to keep moving. He can't stop and wait at an elevator or he’ll turn back. His heart races as he gets into his car, chest heaving and heavy with regret. Looking up to your unit he can't see you crying. Needing movement he starts the car he drives, disconnecting his usual playlist and turning on the radio as an escape.
Whitney Houston’s I will always love you, begins. He remembers the words from when his mother used to play it. The pain is too much and he’s forced to pull over. 
I’m sorry.I love you, always will. This is what's best. If you ever need anything I'm always here.
-Jamie
Hitting send on the message his heart breaks further as the text goes green. Only great love could make you hate him this much.
And I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you, I
I will always love you, you
__________
Thanks for reading, like comment & reblog. Hope you like this one.
30 notes · View notes
starsvck · 3 years
Text
this love
Tumblr media
bucky’s flower continues to follow him along his journey in defeating karli, even going as far as to leaving her home and tagging along.
fatws!bucky x younger!reader
warnings: the falcon and the winter soldier 01x04 major spoilers, age gap, slight violence, alpine makes an appearance, and slight language.
note: sorry this took an incredible long time to post, i’ve only found the motivation to finish it now... keep in mind this is proofread yet !!
READ PART ONE HERE
“Were you ever offered it?”
The question, ever so random from the Sokovian laying on her couch with an ice pack over his face, takes her by surprise.
Though, as she doesn’t react, keeps a demeanour that mocks carelessness for the situation, she still listens in with an open ear for Sam’s reply.
“What?” He questions.
She knows too well what Zemo is asking of the man, even with the lack of knowledge she has on the world of superheroes and galactic beings, she’s more aware of the very question Zemo is asking Sam.
“The serum.”
“No.”
Sam answers with no hesitation and it makes her smile at the genuineness it voices. She thinks of how her Jamie has such a great person for a friend, and admittedly, Alpine thinks so too as the feline meows in return and rubs against her leg.
The conversation ensures and she listens.
“If you had been, hypothetically, that is, would you have taken it?”
Once again, Sam Wilson impresses her when he answers no second later. His tone, everything firm and true to its desire that even Zemo voices his admiration.
“No hesitation. That’s impressive.” She hears a groan emit from the Sokovian and she itches from where she’s sat crisscross on the floor with her cat, wanting to help the man only to be stopped when he raised a hand.
“Sam, you can’t hold out hope for Karli. No matter what you saw in her, she’s gone. And we cannot allow that she and her acolytes become yet another faction of gods amongst real people. Super Soldiers cannot be allowed to exist.”
She swallows down the frustration and anger that bubbles in her throat when she hears Zemo speak. Wondering if it counts for her lover but not only that but for the hypocrisy the Sokovian holds when he speaks about the way the world should be in his own perspective.
“Isn’t that how gods talk? And if that’s how you feel; what about Bucky?” Sam shares the same thoughts as the silence passes. “Blood isn’t always the solution.”
The sound of the front gate echoes into the main room; all attention, now focused on Bucky who struts inside her home as he peels off his jacket.
“Sweetheart?”
His tone is ever yet so soft and gentle when it comes to her and when he finds her sat crisscrossed in the middle of her living room floor with a jingling cat toy in her hands, his shaking hands and racing heart settles down.
While her head perks up at the call, Bucky finds worry written in the brows of her face and love swollen depth in her eyes. He smiles at her, kindly, patting the top of her head where she sat before he made his way around their kitchen.
“Something’s not right about Walker.”
“You don’t say.”
She watches as her Jaime pulls out a glass from her cabinet, though, should she really say their cabinet as he owns the place just as much as she does. After all, he did live with her for the very first year he was here. She didn’t mind it, only enjoying the way she’s able to refer something as theirs.
And clearly, she sure must offer the best of her liquor she has to offer to her Jamie. As she peels herself off from the ground, following along the trail of her lover’s steps, she reaches over the counter with a hand over his metal one pushing away the old stake whiskey.
She grins up at him when he raises a questioning brow at her. “I have something much better.”
Bucky returns to his conversation, sighing as he reaches and stretches his arms and back wide with a slight groan.
“Well, I know a crazy when I see one. Because I am crazy.”
She returns with a much finer bottle of whiskey, smiling when he reaches out to her and pecks her cheek in greeting.
“Can’t argue with that.”
She looks up at her Jamie with curious eyes, waiting for a response when he pours himself a glass and downing the liquid in a few sips. She hears him exhale and smack his lips and her heart races at that alone, wondering if he had liked what she had given him.
“How is it?”
He dons a smile, nodding his head to tell her with a lack of words but she knows well know that he truly did enjoy it. As he turns back to Sam, now a furrow lining his brows, she reaches out to pout herself a drink this time.
“Shouldn’t have given him the shield then.”
“Jamie...” Y/n’s attention snaps to her Jamie, a pout lines her lips at his accusation, being well aware of what Sam had done, yet never holding it against the man or his intentions.
“I didn’t give him the shield.”
Bucky looked up from where he stood, a hand holding the glass of whiskey with a tight grip as he glared at Sam. “Well, Steve definitely didn’t.”
The tension was obvious in the air and it made Y/n uncomfortable to have such unease and discomfort especially in her home. Alpine definitely felt it as well as the small kitten circled around her owner’s feet and meowed.
She ignore the feline, only to place a hand over her lover’s arm and bring his attention back. He saw the obvious discomfort he had inflicted and he reached out, only for it to be a moment broken when the doors slam open.
She’s met with two men, both of which she knows from TV; Captain America and Battlstar. She doesn’t care enough for both of them either way and she frowns when she realizes that not only are they trespassing but they’re scaring Alpine.
She huffs and points. “You are not welcome in my home. I want you to leave.”
The blond caught her pointed finger and paused, there was a moment of silence in the room before his chuckle echoed as he ignored her.
“Anyways; that’s it. Let’s go. I’m now ordering you to turn him over.” John Walker pointed at Zemo himself with some sort of fiery rage present in his eyes.
“Hey, slow your roll.” But Sam wasn’t having it. “Shield or no shield, the only thing you’re runnin’ in here is your mouth. Now, I had Karli and you overstepped. He’s actually proven himself useful today and we’re gonna need all hands on deck for whatever’s coming next.”
“How do you want the rest of this conversation to go, huh?” She heard the scoff and tone of ignorance present in his voice and some part of that made her blood boil at the audacity John Walker had. “Should I put down the shield? Make it fair?”
There was the sound of silence amongst the people when John had settled down his shield but that didn’t stay for long when a spear flew across the room and hit a wall.
Y/n watched with wide eyes as a group of women, all in uniforms and she had assumed these were the people of Wakanda James had spoken about.
She stayed close with an arm linked with her lover while he kept her there. Though, his focus was anywhere but on her. She caught sight of the way his shoulder stiffened and hands shook, causing her to intertwine her own with his in an effort to calm him down.
And when the Dora Milaje spoke to her lover, in a language one Bucky spoke but she didn't, she was attentive to the way he held himself. Almost like a child being scold for doing such wrong. Though, she could understand why, Zemo was a man who had done many wrongs to people, it was only fair for justice to be rightfully served
"Release him to us now."
Alpine stood on the counter with an odd look, one of the women staring at the feline as it meowed back at them.
Though, John didn't seem to take the hint from these women and stood front, a sense of ignorance to his stance, even with a hint of cockiness.
"Hi. John Walker. Captain America." He stated, as if it wasn't the obvious with the whole stars and stripped costume.
And when the women didn't seem to care about his status, only staying still with no care in the world for who and what John Walker may be, he took some offence to it while Sam, Bucky and Y/n smiled at the sight.
"Well, let's, uh, put down the pointy sticks and we can talk this through, huh?"
"Hey, John, take it easy." Sam had a grin present on his face, just as Y/n did when she turned to her Jamie. "You might wanna fight Bucky before you tangle with the Dora Milaje."
John ignored the man's words, turning back to the women to speak once more as if he had any right.
"They don't have jurisdiction here..." He said it as if he had any as well.
The Dora Milaje took no offence but some sort of annoyance with the man, just as the men and Y/n in the room did as well.
"The Dora Milaje have jurisdiction wherever the Dora Milaje find themselves to be."
Awkward silence crept into the room before John chuckled in pure unease.
"Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot." He reached out to touch one of the women's shoulder, a wrong take on his end as he was met with a spear to his abdomen, a hit to his knee, then one right to the face. Then an accompanying woman kicked him against the wall, causing a smile to erupt on Y/n's face which her Jamie saw.
Though, while no one really minded the ass kicking of John Walker, Y/n did grow concerned for the severity of her home. With her plants' pots broken and shattered, she frowned at the sight.
Y/n shared a look of concern with Bucky, but all her lover did was snake an arm around her waist and pulled her close against his side; his lips, hot and heavy against her ears as he spoke.
“Can you keep Alpine in our room first?” She nodded at his request, moving to scoop her kitty up but she’s stopped once again by her Jamie. “Do you also still have your emergency suit case ready to go?”
She frowned at that mention. She knew dating a man who had enemies of himself, dozens of them, especially in this time of day, she knew that she would have some backup plan.
Which is why when they had first gotten together, their love had run so deeply that she had created an emergency suit case with all of her necessary belongings if there had been a scenario where she was forced to leave.
Though, she was hesitant, he gave her a nod and a peck to her nose before he shooed her away. And while she reached for Alpine, the small kitty meowing at her for some sort of answer, she still had open ears for the conversation that was taking place.
"We should do something."
Yes, you probably should. They are ruining my tulips!
However, as she was making her way back into her shared room with her Jamie, she was met with Zemo, a raised brow on his end as he held a empty glass in his hand.
They spoke nothing of the sort but Y/n knew there was the underlying sense that he was going to leave, she would stop him, she really would but she stood there rather afraid at the way some sort of evil held Zemo.
He simply smiled back despite her thoughts and assumptions, then handed her the empty glass of whiskey as he made his way down her hallway where she knew the bathroom would be.
She took a shaky breath, hopeful that her Jamie will never know what she had just done and let a man who had been deemed a criminal and a murder out into the streets.
She continued regardless into her room, eyes swelling with tears of how she must be a bad person. The sounds outside her room loudened and she worried if her Jamie was now suddenly apart of that sight.
She took it as her queue to go, settling the bag of her belongings on the floor as she raced outside once more. She was only then gifted by the sight of her home in ruins, though, not too much damage had been done, her plants, paintings, and decor had been peeled off from where they had been.
She frowned but it was worse when she had saw her Jamie standing there with one less arm. A gasp tore through her and she rushed towards him.
"Oh, Jamie, what did they do?" She looked at him with tears in her eyes, picking up his arm and handing it to him, only for him to snatch it back in an offended manner. "Are you alright? Did you know they could that?"
Sam joined them as well, eyeing as Bucky attached back the vibranium arm with ease. He shook his arm and scowled with a groan.
"No."
One of the women, Ayo, returned back into the room, eyeing down Y/n as she held herself close to Bucky with a worried look and tear stained cheeks.
"He is gone." It almost seemed directed at her. Like she knew. "Leave it."
Y/n returned her focus back on her James, still ever so concerned, she had a hand flat against his chest. He reached out for her hand, a gentle smile somehow present on his lips as he reached it over and kissed it.
"I'm alright, flower." He told her, voice ever so gentle it was almost a breeze of air. "We have more serious things to attend to than a silly arm. I'm fine."
Bucky leaned over and kissed the crown of her head, in resulting making Sam roll his eyes.
"I'm fine too. Thanks for checking up on me."
Bucky clicked his tongue at this, swatting the man on the back before he and Sam followed along to where Zemo escaped. Y/n followed the men, nervous to see how the man truly did escape under home and when she saw it, she felt no more stupid than a cow.
"I can't believe he pulled an El Chapo." She spoke, prominent disappointment present in her voice.
Bucky chuckled at her words and so did Sam, both shaking their heads at the sight of it.
"We gotta go. God knows Zemo is still out there and so is Karli."
Sam gave a nod, sighing at the situation. Both criminals, both having extreme ideals being pushed to the core. One indicted as a war criminal by a hundred and seventeen countries and one seen as a terrorist. They needed to go and they needed to go soon.
And Bucky knew that as he turned to his little flower, her eyes wide as she peered up at him. She knew what he was going to do. She was well aware. She knew what it came to date her Jamie, the fights, the dangerous, still, she'd risk it all for him.
And he didn't need to speak or ask for her permission to know that. She just smiled, held his hand tight and nodded.
"I will be fine." She told him. "I know the plan. I will wait for your call and I will be by your side, Jamie. You know this."
He reciprocated the gesture, a smile lining his lips just as one did hers. Though, hers will never compare to how it brightens his day. Its one that he always cherishes. One that he'll never take granted.
Sam noticed the tension in the room, opting to give the lovers some space as he excused himself outside. And when it was only the two of them, Bucky gave an awkward smile at his love.
“I mean what I said, James.” She told him, her hands intertwining itself with his own. “I will be fine. I don’t want to burden you of your duties.”
He shook his head at her words, a furrow now present between his brows as he took her face between his palms. Just as simple as that, his whole world was now in his hands.
“I love you.”
She grins and reaches to top his hands.
“I know you do, Jamie.”
When he leans to kiss the top of her nose, he travels further south to her lips. Soft and gentle, he kisses her, and he tastes of strawberries, nectar, and everything that is the good in his life.
Bucky swears it’s more than enough. If anything, she is his whole world. He wouldn’t mind if he stopped fighting if she asked.
Anything, for her. For his flower and his love.
132 notes · View notes
sabra-n · 2 years
Text
Ted Lasso 02x11 - Midnight Train to Royston
"You spelled favorite wrong."
WELP.
Look, I'm going to start with this: Roy and Keeley aren't breaking up, y'all. Because a) I said so, and b) Roy, going by precedent, will take about a day and maybe a Diamond Dogs session to realize Jamie's feelings aren't Keeley's fault. Also c) I SAID SO.
Thanks for those faces at the end, Brett and Juno, way to stab me in the emotions. But! Even with that, Roy was so friggin' funny this week. The eyebrows, the dark heather charcoal, the Everything when talking to the lollipop teacher. Beautiful.
Also, Roy's eyebrows are PERFECTLY FINE, geez. As a fellow Muppet-eyebrowed person, I object to this calumny. That said, Beard's line about them being psychotic was A+ because Brendan Hunt is just great like that. Same goes for the utterly shameless "They're not in sync" line during the dance rehearsal. He elevates it.
So let's talk about Sam! First off, I love Edwin Akufo! I love how he's a parallel and a foil for Ted and Rebecca and seemingly a soulmate made just for Sam. But there's just the slightest edge of something...not exactly sinister? But like. He creates these half-illusion scenes just for Sam when he really doesn't need to; the truth as he tells it is more than compelling enough. It makes me wonder how prone he is to storytelling in less salubrious contexts.
That said, Sam, don't you even fucking dare think of staying for Rebecca. She literally said she can't promise you anything. Stay because your team is about to get back into the Premiere League and that level of play is way better than what you'll get in Morocco. Stay because you like Ted. Do not freaking stay for the hope of a maybe relationship when you are 21 friggin' years old and have so much time to meet someone else.
My one deeper nitpick with this storyline is that they didn't tie it into all the stuff about the team's financial worries earlier in the season. Why not say that Edwin's extravagant offer for Sam is what they need to avoid insolvency, or at least financial disaster? That would absolutely add stakes and build from past events - the team got relegated because Rebecca sabotaged them; they lost their sponsor because Sam started a protest. To put the power to fix the subsequent financial issues in their hands would have been really compelling. To the point where I'm like. Confused that it didn't happen.
To go to a more definite goodbye: DOCTOR FIELDSTONE NOOOOooOOO. It's...pretty fucking wild she lied about her last day, though. I guess to me what made it worth it is Ted's anger - the fact that he feels he can just express that with her is so huge. Ted was so real and vivid this whole episode, so present in a way he hasn't been for most of the season. And that's thanks to her.
And ugh, he's going to need that stronger footing to deal with what Nate just did. Y'all called it, fandom. And it makes sense, it really does - to Nate, a panic attack is weakness, and weakness is to be taken advantage of. He wants to be the boss and this is how he thought he'd go about it.
He's going to regret the shit out of that decision, though; I think the Keeley storyline illustrated that. He instantly felt terrible he'd kissed her, and he wasn't reassured by Keeley's insistence that it was fine. When he spit at himself in the mirror that last time it wasn't a confidence-raiser; it was pure self-hatred.
Nate isn't actually a shark; he just thinks he's one. And the next time he faces Ted he's going to feel reeeeeally bad. If Beard and Roy even let him within twenty feet, because it's going to take them about thirty seconds to figure out who leaked that. Trent didn't need to say a thing.
Which, side note: TRENT WHAT R U DOING. I'm going to guess that Nate never actually got any promise of anonymity, because otherwise Trent straight up broke one of the biggest rules of journalism. You don't give away your sources! What the frick, dude? I also wish it had been made clearer that the article was waiting for Ted's comment or lack thereof, because you don't run a story on someone without asking them to comment on it. That's just...not how it's done.
But. The cat is out of the bag, and the results aren't going to be pretty, even though Richmond has been on one hell of a streak since Roy was hired and are almost definitely going to be promoted. Which is like, supernatural levels of coaching ability from someone who still only half understands the sport and spent most of the season severely depressed.
So yeah, maybe Ted is going to take a mental health break in Kansas or something. Because he really needs to deal with the issue of where home is - it's at the heart of his panic attacks. It would also be a great chance for Nate to learn that he is in no way ready to be a head coach because he's a complete numnuts with personnel management and that's, y'know, a huge part of being the boss.
I still don't get how this is tied to Rupert, though, and what he whispered in Nate's ear, and why he's giving away his Richmond shares. Hmm.
Other things:
I'm choosing not to address the fact that I May Destroy You exists in the Ted Lasso universe because I value my sanity.
The sad thing is that Nate was getting credit. How often does a Championship League assistant coach get headlines? But he's like Jamie last year; a divo who doesn't get that he's part of a team.
Keeley once jumped out of an airplane topless while eating a hamburger.
Speaking of which: whyyy is Phoebe drawing tits? Is the implication supposed to be that that's Keeley? I donated blood today and I'm really sleepy so it's possible I missed something there.
In an alternate universe, Ms. Bowen and Roy might have been a great couple. But we're in the universe where he's completely gone on Keeley, so I don't know why the show expected me to believe for even a second anything was going to happen there.
I want Keeley to propose. I'm putting that into the universe. DO IT.
It was a fun touch - though certainly not a subtle one - that Keeley's jewelry for the photoshoot was all cuffs and locks. This is the first time in her life she's let herself be tied down, and that's hard!
Keeley's still such a people pleaser she was trying to make Nate feel better after he pulled a complete dick move, and at some point I think that's going to need to shift. You can't be the boss if you totally sublimate yourself to the needs of others. Ted knows it. Keeley still needs to learn.
Higgins wrote a play! Beautiful. And I will note that he's back in his office home.
My amateur hour prediction, coming from someone who is absolute garbage at these things, is that Richmond will get promoted and Roy and Keeley will be okay, and Nate's betrayal and the fallout will be the main terribleness next week. No clue what'll happen with Sam.
That said, you know what I was right about? That Dr. Fieldstone would be part of Ted's life once she got a chance to a) be silly and b) drink or eat with him. It started half-involuntarily with the concussed voicemails and the water she reluctantly gave him at her apartment. It ended with the easy goofiness at the pinball machine and shared beers.
I'm going to miss her so much guys! Sarah Niles is just so fucking good she's making me want to watch I May Destroy You even though it'll scar me for life.
The use of "Karma Police" for the end credits music was A++++, even by this show's standards. SO GOOD.
I'm still nervous/excited for the finale and how it's going to set up the journey for Season 3. I really appreciate how this show doesn't really hide anything; it just doesn't always tell you when it's showing its cards. Will Rebecca come to Ted's office to drop another truth bomb next year? Will they "win the whole fucking thing"? Entirely possible! But the way they do it, those aren't spoilers; they're a promise: Come and see how we get from here to there. It's going to be a hell of a trip.
8 notes · View notes
Text
Friends Who Will Run Through Walls
Day 3 of TK Strand Week: “I can’t believe you dragged me into this” + Friendship
Read on AO3
*A special shoutout to Jamie (@officerrxyes) for providing me with the idea for this. Thank you so much again, dear.* 💛
--
“Hey Strand,” 
TK looks up as Marjan, clad in climbing gear, approaches him. He smiles as she takes a seat on the bench next to him. Earlier that day, they had decided that a hangout between the two of them had been long overdue. Without another afternoon off in the near future for the both of them, they had decided that sooner was much better than later. Now they sat near the bottom of a rocky cliff, taking a breather after their second climb before moving on to their third and final one. It had been TK’s idea, with him and Carlos having planned to have a date night doing this particular activity. So, he had been quick to invite Marjan and Mateo along for a nice double date opportunity. 
“How much do you want to bet I can beat you to the top of the next one?” 
TK raises an eyebrow at her, before looking over to the cliff that they are about to climb. It’s definitely doable for him to do in a half decent amount of time, but Marjan was also a very good climber. He looks back at her. “What are the stakes?” 
“Loser mops the bay floor for a week.” Marjan suggests. 
TK shakes his head. “Is that all you got?” 
She gives him a look, TK can’t quite put his finger on it, but it’s a look that says that he had made a big mistake in trying to challenge her. “Okay Strand, loser mops the bay floor and washes the truck alone for a week.” 
Yup, big mistake. But there was no going back now. TK nods and when Marjan puts her fist up, he bumps his own against it. The look in her eye is one that makes TK feel as though he is really going to regret this whole ordeal. 
“Are you guys having fun?” TK asks, nudging her arm with his elbow. 
She smiles, bright like the Austin sun that hangs over them and nods. “We are. Thank you for inviting us, you really didn’t have to. We could have figured something out. I hate to think we stomped all over yours and Carlos’ plans. This was supposed to be a you and him thing.” 
TK waves her off with his hand. “Don’t be silly, Marj. Carlos loves you and Mateo.” He says as they both glance over to where their boyfriends are standing, deep in their own conversation. TK was grateful to have this moment here with them. 
“How are things going with you two?” Marjan asks as she twists the cap off a water bottle and takes a long drink. TK shrugs, his gaze still locked on Carlos. 
“We're good.” TK finally answers after a moment. “Better than good actually. I think we’re finally in a spot that we are both comfortable with. It’s nice to have someone to spend time with.” 
Marjan nods. “I can tell he’s a good one. Good for you.” She grabs his hand, snapping his attention towards her. “I’m happy for you, you know that? When you first got here, I wasn’t sure what to think and you seemed closed off. But ever since that day at the station when you told us about what had happened back in New York - you seem so much happier, TK. And you deserve that. Truly.” 
TK smiles at her, squeezing her hand against his. “Thanks Marjan.” He pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath. “Moving here was hard but ever since the day I did, I haven’t once doubted you guys. You all seemed so right to have in my life at that moment. I was never wrong about you guys, I knew you would be there for me through anything. And after the day at the station, after you guys accepted everything, I knew that I didn’t have to fight alone.” 
“You don’t. You’ll never need to fight alone, TK. I can’t speak for the others, but I am always here for you. Whenever you need me, whatever you need me for. I’m here, you got that?” 
He nods. “I do. Same goes for you.”
She does the same and lifts a finger to wipe away at her eye. TK would tease her for it but he could feel his own eyes watering so he decided to stay silent. They sat there for a few moments, just enjoying each other’s calming presence before Marjan released his hand and stood up. 
“Alright, enough of that. Let’s go so I can kick your butt and make you clean for a month.” 
“Aw, that’s cute.” TK starts as he stands up beside her. “You think you’re going to win.” 
“Oh I know I’m going to win.” She confirms before she begins to walk over to the bottom of the rock face, ready to get strapped into the climbing harness. 
Carlos and Mateo go first, making it to the top before TK is getting strapped in, he’s looking up at the wall of rock in front of him. It really doesn’t seem that bad. This was about the size of a small New York City skyscraper and that he could deal with any day of the week. Yeah, this would be nothing. 
“Ready?” Marjan snaps him from his thoughts and he looks at her, nodding his head. 
“Bring it on Marwani.” 
And she did. She started quickly, somehow finding all the right spots for her feet to sit and her hands to grab. It was amazing to watch and TK was, as he was still a few feet below her. But he was going to be able to catch up. He had to. God, he didn’t want to mop the entirety of the bay area and he most definitely didn’t want to wash the truck by himself. He grabbed onto one of the ledges of the rock and then placed his foot. When he went to step up, he felt that foot slip and he slid a little, hissing as the rock bit into his knee. 
“Shit.” He mumbles to himself. 
“Are you okay?” Marjan calls down to him. 
“Yeah, I’m fine! Just slipped a little.” He reassures her. 
She accepts it, which isn’t normal but TK was telling the truth this time. He wasn’t hurt. Sure his knee was scraped a little but nothing that he couldn’t deal with. When he looks up towards his goal, he sees Marjan nearly there and he quickens his steps. But ultimately, he witnesses the moment that Marjan disappears over the ledge. He lets out a deep breath and continues to climb until he too, is coming over the ledge. 
He pants, his entire body struggling for breath as he straightens again. As his gaze falls upon Marjan he finds her with her arms crossed, her eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face. 
TK shakes his head. “I can’t believe you dragged me into this.” 
Marjan opens her mouth in surprise. “Me? You agreed to this, Strand! Don’t be a sore loser!” 
“That was unfair! I slipped and scraped my knee! I was injured.” 
“Sure, whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night.” Marjan teases. 
TK could hear Mateo and Carlos chuckling, and he rolls his eyes but there is a smile clear as day on his face. “I’ll win the next one, just you wait.” 
“Oh yeah, I’m on pins and needles.” Marjan’s voice is dripping with sarcasm and TK realises then and there just how much he cares about her. “I love you, TK. You know that.” 
“I do.” TK confirms. “I love you too.” 
“We need to do this more often.” Marjan suggests. 
TK gives her a nod. “Yeah we do.” 
As they begin to walk away from the ledge, TK can't help but to smile to himself. The thing was, and he wouldn't tell Marjan yet, but her friendship had been one of the best things that has happened to him since coming to Austin. It was something that he would make sure to cherish and hold close to his heart forever.
--
@tkstrandweek
20 notes · View notes
dopescotlandwarrior · 4 years
Text
Bluegrass-Chapter Seventeen
Tumblr media
                     A special thanks to @statell​ for making my stories flow
Previous chapters at AO3
Chapter Seventeen
Claire was unnerved when she learned of the deliberate interference of the two jockeys. Jamie told her it was an isolated incident of an owner in New Jersey and described Runner’s protectiveness to bolster her courage. He had given in to Claire’s desire to enter the Kentucky Derby, so his demeanor changed, and he became her coach rather than her doubting boyfriend. There was one race in New York before the Derby, and it was an easy win for Runner. The famous Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack where the winning horse gained one hundred points and the purse was one million dollars. The whole world would be watching the remaining Derby contenders battle it out.
There would be two weeks between each of the remaining races and Michael adjusted Runner’s supplements to give the additional energy for such a tight racing schedule. This was when the rubber meets the road, he told Claire. There were two or three stakes races each weekend somewhere in the country, where Derby contenders would gain points if they won or wash out if they lost. Everything was in flux right now he told her. It was the most exciting time of the year for horse racing.
When they arrived in New York they were cocky and confident. Runner drew crowds wherever they landed which fueled Claire’s confidence and need to dominate the race. Runner was favored to win and all she had to do is stay in the saddle.
Claire felt nervous waiting for the race to start. She reached for her juice box and granola bar, not sure if it was her blood sugar or her nerves making her feel anxious and shaky. Jamie grabbed her hand to walk her outside where she waved to the yelling spectators before being launched into the saddle. She was feeling a bit better when a track pony brought her to the gate and Runner loaded without an issue.
There were only eight horses in the Wood Memorial Stakes and Runner was coming out of post position two, statistically proven to launch the most winners. Claire was ready to leave everyone in her dust and take home the winner’s cut of the million-dollar prize money and 100 qualifying points.
When the gate opened, Runner jumped into his lane and quickly passed one horse at a time until he was neck and neck with the third-place horse. To Claire, he was conserving his strength until the dash to the finish line. When Runner did not accelerate after the second turn Claire knew something was wrong. He seemed to be giving all he had just to maintain his third position. As the finish line approached, the lead horse was seven lengths ahead and there was no time to catch him. They wouldn’t win, they couldn’t win, and she felt the shock of that truth run through her body.
Claire’s brain turned off the roar of the crowd, and it became silent. It turned off the thundering hooves and all other noise except her own breathing and Runner’s. When she crossed the finish line in third place all the noise came crashing back into her head as Runner slowed to a trot immediately.
It was very hard to comprehend losing the race because she had complete confidence Runner would win. A track pony took her reins and delivered her to the men waiting, all looking grim. Jason walked the big colt until he cooled off and Jamie pulled Claire into the shade. She cried on his shoulder as he reassured her it was just one race, and Runner would be ready for the Derby in two weeks.
Jason noticed Runner tossed his head when the bit moved even slightly from Jason holding the reigns. It was clear he was in pain and Jason got the horse back to Claire right away. Pulling the bridal off hurt so much he reared in protest and refused to open his mouth. Claire grabbed the bridal and put her hand on his neck. She told him to relax, no one would force him and in ten minutes she asked him to open his mouth when he was ready. He finally did and the pain was so obvious Claire winced.
She could feel the fever in his muzzle and chest and felt panic creeping up her spine. When she could finally look in his mouth the giant abscess dropped down from the roof of his mouth the size of a golf ball and full of pus. She realized the bit had rubbed against the pressure and pain throughout the race.
He was given an injection of pain killer and antibiotics by the track veterinarian who helped hold him for Claire to lance the abscess and flush it with Hydrogen Peroxide. It was a very painful procedure, but Claire was fast and thorough alleviating the pressure the instant she cut into the bulging balloon and Runner settled down for the remainder of the procedure.
They all thanked the track vet for his assistance and packed up to fly Runner home. The reporter from Sports Illustrated strolled through the stalls and caught the last few minutes of the surgery. He expected something like this and caught Jason in the aisle telling him to shake Runner’s hay and check the wood chips in his stall for razor blades, pins, or burs. He had seen the near collision of the race in New Jersey and thought it prudent to check for foul play.
Jamie and Claire drove Runner to the airport and explained the abscess and surgery to the handlers. Once Runner was dozing in his transport stall the captain came in and spoke to them running his hand down the colt’s neck. Claire kissed his nose softly and told him to sleep tight.
When they returned to Aqueduct to pick up the guys, both Michael and Jason poured huge sharp burs found in the hay and floor, into Jamie’s hand. There were six burs that drew blood when Jamie pushed his finger into the points. Jamie looked up at the numerous cameras throughout the building and went to find the barn manager.
Before boarding the plane, Jamie called Rupert to warn him they would be picking up a drunk Colt with a sore mouth. Rupert sounded crushed they lost the race but assured Jamie they would be extra gentle with the laddie.
Claire was quiet on the trip back to Kentucky. After checking the foals and Runner she just wanted to go to the house and sit in silence for a while. Jamie kissed her before she got out of his truck and promised to be quick with his chores.
Claire sat on the patio and admired the stars shining brightly above her. She replayed the race, minute by minute, and decided the only reason they did not win was the pain in Runner’s mouth. They all knew from that point forward; Runner would be guarded while away at a race and they would provide their own food and hay. She felt completely exhausted and leaned her head back on the lounge. She would not let this discourage her from the Derby. They had two weeks to heal his mouth and they would be unbeatable again.
Jamie sifted through his mail quickly, wanting to get back home and relax with Claire. He almost missed it, the envelope from the Kentucky racing commission. Thinking he had forgotten one of the many fees required for the Derby he opened the envelope and felt his heart fall into his stomach. He launched from his chair and ran to catch Michael.
“She has raced at Churchill Downs twice, why is this coming up now?” Michael’s face was red and his eyes bugged out. “This is bullshit!”
Jamie looked at the floor. His heart was beating hard enough to give him a heart attack, so he took deep breaths and tried to calm down.
“I don’t know who is behind her disqualification, but I know what to do about it Jamie. Tell Claire I’m on this and to keep the faith. I’ll see ya tomorrow.”
The snail’s pace at which Jamie walked from his truck to the house broke land speed records. It was that slow. He would pay any price to keep this information from Claire but there was no way out from this truth. It was still difficult to breathe and he stopped at the garage and bent over to steady himself, before he found Claire and broke her heart.
She was walking somewhere feeling peaceful and happy when a little girl handed her a bouquet of beautiful flowers. She smiled at the girl and thanked her pulling one rose out of the bunch and handing it to her. The sun was so warm, but her cheek was suddenly very cool. Jamie’s hand on her cheek brought her quickly out of her dream and she smiled at him for the nine seconds it took to register the sadness in his eyes. She sat up quickly.
“What is it, Jamie?”
She saw the rims of his eyes, deep red from tears that were coming, and felt alarms going off in her head. She wanted to run and get away from the pain she knew was coming.
“Is it Runner? The foals? Is anyone hurt?”
Jamie grabbed both of her hands and fought his emotion until he could calmly speak. It was no more than a whisper.
“Ye’ve been disqualified from the Derby lass. Your jockey license does not meet the requirements of the track because you’re an apprentice. The Kentucky Horse Racing authority states there is no appealing this ruling. Runner can enter the race with a qualified jockey, but we both know that won’t happen.”
“Jamie?”
He could hear her voice, still strong, still hopeful, and he hated the world at that moment because there were no options.
“I’m sorry, love. Michael said he was on it and left, but the letter is clear, there is no appeal.”
Claire launched out of the lounge, suddenly very awake, fighting the urge to scream about her own helplessness and the cruel forces that stole her dream of winning the Kentucky Derby.
“He is Horse of the Year for Christ’s sake. How can they disqualify him?” She spoke softly like she couldn’t summon the strength for more volume.
Runner is not disqualified, only you sweetheart. When he doesn’t race, the world will be very unkind and make up their own reasons. I found dozens of comments online about the Wood Memorial. People are sayin it’s a fault in his breeding, findin all kinds of other reasons for his loss.
He reached for Claire and she hugged him with the dawning knowledge of what he was losing too. They held each other up until they could walk upstairs and said not another word about it. What could be said?
Runner’s mouth healed with no more sign of infection by the following week. He repeatedly tried to engage Claire, but she was in her own head and quiet with everyone else in the barn. She just didn’t have anything to say. Each morning brought her one day closer to the most famous race in the history of horse racing and she couldn’t go. She couldn’t get the knot out of her stomach or concentrate on anything else but the race she would miss. The town was energized with the upcoming festivities that were broadcast from radio shows and city news continuously. It was enough to drive her mad, so she just shut down.
Michael never came back after the night he read the commission’s letter. He said he would fix this and then vanished. It felt like the final insult to Jamie, but reminded himself that Michael was here to write the story of Midnight Runner, and if he didn’t enter the Derby there wasn’t much to write about.
Jamie and the other guys tried to pull Claire out of her funk until she begged them to let her be. She apologized for being moody and promised to bounce back if they would just leave her alone. She promised Jamie she would feel better when the race was over and then went back into her head.
The last foal dropped on Thursday night. Claire delivered the filly late at night with Jamie’s assistance. The Derby was two days away. When she tried to smile at him the corners of her mouth quivered a bit and he could plainly see she felt no smile on the inside.
Jamie set up his cot near the stalls and went to find Claire. He almost missed her standing behind Runner who was still as a statue and very awake.
“Sassenach?”
He pulled her to him and she sobbed like her very life was draining away. All he could do is hold her and pull her to his cot so he could wrap himself around her. When he heard the steady breathing of his sleeping love, he said the Gaelic prayer for courage, strength, and love. He said it for her so she could find her happiness when this nightmare was over. He slept little so she would feel his grip on her through the night. His wounded love.
The next morning, the big doors opened with a crash bringing both Jamie and Claire to their feet in seconds. Both blinking against the morning light wondering what catastrophe had befallen them now.
“Jamie! Jamie!! Go find him squirt and hurry. Jamie, goddammit, where are you?!”
“What the devil is this about?” Jamie growled at Michael, “what’s happened to ye?”
“I have been pounding on your front door for thirty minutes. Finally decided you were already here. Where the hell is Claire? Me and Jason will be twiddling our thumbs out there waiting for our rider. We have some work to do, so where is she?”
“What are ye doin Michael? There is no more racin and I’m sure ye remember that.”
Claire sat on the cot and listened with little interest in Michael’s ranting.
“Oh, sorry, what the fuck is wrong with me? Here.”
Jamie took the new license and studied the signature from the racing authority. It was a Journeyman’s license and looked legitimate but that was impossible.
“What trickery is this Michael?”
“No tricks, promise. The journeyman license has requirements for races, time in the saddle, experience on the track and with other horses, among other things. Poor Claire had no handlers to workout the Colt because he wouldn’t allow it. Consequently, she logged enough hours in the saddle, on the track, and in the race to qualify for Journeyman.”
Jamie stared at the license waiting for it to suddenly turn to dust and blow away. “How did ye do it?”
Michael smiled at Jamie, “the governor’s dad and my old man go way back. I grew up around their family and the governor himself was my babysitter on several occasions. It took a week and a half to see him, but I told him about Claire and Runner, the unique circumstances of their partnership, I avoided the whole talking to animals thing. I told him they deserve a space in the gate tomorrow. He agreed and we met with the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority and figured out how she could qualify for a Journeyman’s license. That is how I did it.”
The men saw Claire run by them like a streak. Ten minutes later she was pulling her helmet on and walking toward them with a beautiful blush in her cheeks.
“I love you Michael and I have the rest of my life to thank you, but right now we need to ride. The race starts in twenty-eight hours, let’s go.”
Claire was off toward Runner’s stall and came racing back to kiss Jamie hard and show him a brilliant smile.
“We run for the roses tomorrow, just like we planned, my precious love.” Then she was gone, leaving a smiling Rupert and Angus in her wake.
Jamie stood rooted to the ground, shaking his head and enjoying the moment. There would be time to panic trackside tomorrow, this was too good to ruin. He decided at that moment to host a celebration, tomorrow night, win or lose it would celebrate the perseverance and dedication of a phenomenal woman and horse. One way or another he would see it done.
Michael watched Runner with excitement. The rest made him a bit hot, but he used the energy for speed and Claire could hardly keep him breezing. It was a great workout and Michael told Claire she would be in the money tomorrow with him running like that.
“Actually Michael, I plan to win tomorrow but thank you for the good wishes.”
When Jamie finally got Claire into bed that night, she seemed tired enough to sleep filling him with relief. The enormity of the race tomorrow was mind-boggling to him. Of the billions of people in the world, only twenty-two are chosen each year to compete on a track of superstar Thoroughbreds. Because the Derby was open only to three-year-olds, those horses that didn’t make the cut lost the opportunity forever. Jamie held her close until her breathing became deep and even. He stopped thinking and dropped into the void.
Jamie’s sleep became fitful later in the night and he turned to hold his Sassenach only to find an empty bed. It took a while to find her and he approached quietly and listened to her grill Runner while she paced the aisle. He could see Porcelain’s big eyes watching Claire, and Runner, like a new recruit standing at attention. She looked like a funny little commander pacing in her robe and slippers and Jamie’s chuckle made her stop and look up.
“Suppose ye let Runner sleep a bit before the big race mo chridhe. I’m lonely for ye.”
The Kentucky Derby is a race like no other as people come from all over the world in their finery and decorative hats to witness the race and socialize. One hundred fifty thousand spectators fill every seat, inside and out, including celebrities from movie stars to Saudi princes. The infield is a giant party for the who’s who and a bank of photographers sit patiently along the side of the track. The event is bigger than the Super Bowl or the World Series, all steeped in history and tradition.
Claire was overwhelmed by the enormity of the event and found it hard to focus on the horses she would have to beat. When she was ready to mount for the parade and warm-up, Jamie stopped her and whispered in her ear.
“This is a once in a lifetime race for both of ye Sassenach, so feel every minute of it. Just gettin here means yer a winner so be proud of him and yerself lass and know how much I love ye.” He kissed her softly, “one more thing, the colt runs like a fat cow. Tell him I said so.”
Claire’s lead pony was waiting and pulled Runner’s reins to wrap around the horn of his saddle. When Runner started to act up, he would pull his head to the pony’s to settle him down. Claire was released to warm up and she looked at the staggering amount of people and felt the deafening noise they were making. She hoped Runner would relax a bit and stay in a safe range with all this noise, and color.
Runner was hot as they ponied to the gate. He was ready to explode from high-calorie food all week and too much rest. There was some acting out getting loaded into the gate as he reared up and told them to leave him alone. Claire waved the handlers back and asked them to let him load without the manhandling. He felt tense waiting for the bell and Claire willed the doors to slam open so she could direct all his extra energy. Each minute seemed like an hour.
Claire wrapped Runner's mane through her fingers and prepared to get off his back. She had spent several hours talking to him about winning by the space between him and the next horse, trying to make him understand it was not only beating the individual horses that mattered. Runner was looking for Sham and Angle Light, making Claire nervous about him acting up before they could get out of the gate.
“Jamie said you run like a fat cow. Just sayin”
The doors slammed open in the next minute and twenty-one horses made a mad dash for the track. When Runner jumped out, she could feel his extra energy and she watched for the best way through the mess of horses ahead.
Runner was doing little more than keeping pace with the pack until the first turn when he broke to the outside and picked up his speed. He stayed on the outside down the backstretch passing horses, one after the other. He overtook the pack and headed for the front seven horses. Claire could see Sham was in third place coming out of the second turn and they were still five horses behind him. Runner was increasing his speed and she tucked tight going into the home stretch. She watched horse after horse fade away in a blur as Runner accelerated toward the lead horse. He didn’t dawdle and run neck and neck like he usually did, it was all business today as she felt him accelerate one last time.
The noise from the crowd, the thundering hooves, and the loudspeaker barking the positions of the horses, all went away. Claire knew they were lengths ahead of the other horses and stretched her arms to allow the maximum lengthening of Runner’s stride. She watched the finish line come closer, scared shitless another horse would zoom past her and take the glory. She couldn’t help herself from yelling at Runner to hurry. The finish line was five feet ahead and she felt his front legs reach forward like in slow motion and saw the flash of the camera. She turned her head to the left and saw no other horse. She turned her head to the right and saw no other horse.
Claire was not processing anything during the next minute. She was trying to slow Runner down and looking around her at the other horses and jockeys sporadically spaced. So the race was over and I don’t know what to do now, she thought. As she came around the turn she saw Jamie and Michael jumping as high as they could and pointing at her. She started crying when she looked at Jamie. She could read his lips and see his incredible face. Jamie says I won, she thought and in the next second the deafening noise of the crowd came back and she heard the announcer say “the winner, Midnight Runner, by three lengths.
“Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Runner! You won, you won!! You won the Kentucky Derby!! Jesus H Roosevelt Christ, we just won the Kentucky Derby! She pulled on his mouth to slow him down and stood triumphantly in her stirrups, crop held high, rubbing her sleeve over her eyes to see the crowd through her gushing tears. When Runner had slowed to a trot, she found the governor who had abandoned his fancy observation box to get closer to the track.
Claire pulled Runner to a stop in front of the governor and unsnapped her helmet. Her hands were shaking so hard she could barely manage, but she pulled off her helmet in a salute as her tears flowed down her dirty cheeks. Her eyes locked with his for a brief moment and he nodded to her and smiled.
“Your team is busting at the seams Claire, let’s get you to the winner’s circle.”
Her favorite handler and his pony guided Runner to the incredulous faces of Jamie, Michael, and Jason. Claire tried to stop crying as they draped Runner in the garland of roses. Claire felt every moment like it was a sole event and smiled through her tears at the camera followed by a bank of cameras that flashed continuously. Runner was a stunning gentleman, watching the weird goings-on of the people all around him. He was telling them all that he was the fastest horse but only Claire heard him. She dropped her body down on his neck, “you are the greatest horse that ever lived.”
When Claire sat back in her saddle the reporters asked what she just said to the horse, making her laugh. When she slid into Jamie’s arms there were cameras flashing and questions shouted. As she hugged each man on her team the cameras caught it all. They were clamoring for her attention until she walked over to Runner and placed her cheek against his head so she could thank him. The reporters were suddenly quiet but the air around them flashed continuously and didn’t stop.
The reporters were pressing in making Claire feel like she couldn’t breathe. Jamie tried to steer her away, but she gave a look that said she was fine to stay. She just won the Kentucky Derby, after all, the first woman in history. She could stay for a while.
It was many interviews and hours later before they had Runner packed up and loaded into the trailer. Claire was so high she had trouble feeling her feet as she walked, and her smile looked as permanent as Jamie’s.
Jamie and Claire walked toward Runner’s wing and Jamie held her hand to make sure she didn’t get away. When they turned the corner a table had been set up next to the stalls and a crowd of people stood up and said surprise! One by one, her friends gave hugs and congratulations. Michael, Jason, the governor, racing commissioner, Molly, Lulu, Angus and Rupert. The people kept coming and Claire saw a blonde head at the end of the table sitting next to Molly. She kept watching that direction as she hugged more and more people. When the hugging stopped, Molly stood up and pulled the arm of the blonde until he stood up.
And there he was.
Dusty blushed crimson as he approached and hugged his dearest friend. Claire was completely overwhelmed by this and refused to let him go. It was a hug worth a whole year to both of them and Claire cried with happiness. Dusty shook hands with Jamie and the barn personnel he remembered, checking his watch every other minute. When they all sat down to eat a catered dinner arranged the night before by Jamie, Dusty was gone and Claire’s heart sank.
“Molly, where is Dustin?”
“He is coming right back, maybe thirty minutes. He has something important to do.”
Molly’s voice was relaxed and nonchalant, so Claire dropped it and fed her ravenous hunger stealing kisses from Jamie between bites. The governor and commissioner nibbled a bit and excused themselves from the party. Claire shook both their hands and with tears rolling down her cheeks, again, she thanked them from the bottom of her heart.
Returning to the table she had five minutes to relax before Dusty walked back in, holding the hand of a tiny girl with long blonde hair and big blue eyes. She was introduced as Dusty’s wife and Claire shot out of her chair to hug the stuffing out of her while Dusty laughed. It was quite a shock to everyone but Molly who had become Dusty’s dear friend over the hours and hours of phone calls. Molly knew Dusty’s story, from his heartbreaking love for Claire, through his lonely months at school when he wanted to quit, to his new found love. It was Molly who pulled him through and encouraged him to approach the girl named Summer.
Claire looked from Dusty to Summer with a brilliant smile. “You two look like shiny new pennies.”
“And they both have a 4.0!” Molly added.
After much food and drink the stories started and each of Claire’s good friends had something hilarious to tell, including Jamie who recounted Claire’s drunk phone call a very long time ago. Molly and Lulu were complicit with their giggling. Dustin told them all how he toppled Claire’s yoga position by honking his horn and had to speak to her cowboy boots when she did a headstand where she fell.
Claire watched Dustin talk, smile, and remember a day in their life together a long time ago. She was so proud of him and couldn’t wait to catch up on every single moment of his life during the past year. Deep down she knew, had always known, what kept him away and she was so happy he found such a perfect partner to share his life with.
The caterers were cleaning up and carrying everything to their van. On the last trip, they brought an enormous cake with sparklers all over it. Claire was crying again when she read “Kentucky Derby Winner” and below that, “1st woman in history.” She walked over to Runner and pressed her face into his neck, thanking him for making her a winner, just like he promised so many months before. She was seeing sugar cubes in her mind and laughed at his hopeful face before running to Jamie’s office to get handfuls for the most amazing horse that ever lived. Her best four-legged friend.
61 notes · View notes
mcustorm · 4 years
Text
Thoughts on Love, Victor Season 1
PSA: If you think that you might be gay, don’t get a girl emotionally invested! Please!
Ya know, at first when I thought about what I was going to write about this show, I thought that I should split the writings into the first half/last half of the show. Now I’m thinking “screw it”, if only because if I was going to go that route I should have stopped, parsed through my feelings about the first 5 episodes, and written those thoughts before proceeding with the next half. That, of course, did not happen, so to prevent the back half of the season’s events from miring the first half, I’ll just write about the whole shebang. There’s probably a joke about that word somewhere, I’ll try not to make it.
Anyways, let’s start by saying that on the whole, I really liked this show. It was not as good as Sex Education season 1, yet in my opinion waaaay better than HSMTMTS season 1. Most of the characters were likable and felt developed enough, it moved at a nice pace, and you can tell that a lot of heart went into this. Perhaps because we all watched this in a day, it felt like a 5 hour movie rather than a 10 episode tv show.
Additionally, I of course like the Latinx representation. The intersectionality of the Latinx community and the LGBTQ+ community has been presented on at least five TV shows to my knowledge: Ugly Betty, One Day at a Time, Diary of a Future President, The Baker and the Beauty, and now Love, Victor. Let’s keep it up!
As for the premise of the show itself, I *love* that this show acknowledges that Simon’s journey, at least at his house, was leaps and bounds easier than many other people’s. Victor’s parents are more conservative and religious, and they don’t have their shit together, so this is not the best environment to drop that bombshell in (which is why it was so incredible when Victor decides to do it anyway). Simon and Victor’s DM’s being a framing device for the show was a great way to tie the universe together.
The hook of Love, Simon was that you know all those cheesy and cliche rom-coms that straight people have gotten since the dawn of time? Well LGBT people deserve those stories too! Love, Victor is sort of presented with that same thesis in mind, which is why watching these episodes felt like different things I’ve seen before all over. The whole season ironically feels like Alex Strangelove: The TV Show, right down to the often cringy relationship with the girl, the openly gay love interest who conflicts our protagonist, and the goofball friend who chases after a girl who is seemingly out of his league.
Mia’s character felt a lot like Laila from All-American, being a black girl who is ordained as the hottest girl at school (which I feel like is a title only given in fictional schools), who also has a missing mother and problems with her rich dad. Pilar, on the other hand, feels like Casey from Atypical, in that she is openly rebellious in large part because of her mother’s infidelity.
Victor’s story this season sure was something to watch. The biggest question for me was, just how much sympathy should he be given? The world is inherently unfair to Victor. None of us should have to go through the agony and anxiety that so often comes with being in the closet and coming out. But for Victor to have visited those problems on Mia, who is going through things herself? That makes him pretty morally gray.
But he was still finding himself! But he loves Mia, just not like that! I get it, which is why he should have cut things off as soon as he got back from New York, no he should have cut things off when she asked him if there was “anything else” in her bedroom, no he should have cut things off when he literally felt like he and Benji were the only two people in the room at the concert, no he really shouldn’t have done this to begin with.
The line between Victor finding himself and him deceiving Mia is the conflict of the show, but the moment for me when I was like “Damn, Victor” was after he intentionally derailed Mia’s shebang-ing that she planned, he found the gall to lie to Benji and plan a seduction! That is why the season finale was so glorious. Because yes, while the world is unfair to Victor, he’s being unfair to the people around him.
I have made it a point not to read other people’s opinions extensively so as not to bias my own thoughts, but is Felix everybody else’s favorite? Felix’s character and arc was great. He was a supportive friend yet still felt like he had a story and stakes of his own, something which some TV shows get right (Sex Ed) and some TV shows get various shades of wrong (Jamie Johnson, Andi Mack). I like that he knew his worth and cut things off with Lake, and I like that she realized that her happiness with him should take priority over what others think of her.
I was soooo sympathetic to Mia. Her world is being turned upside down at home. Clearly, she has not even processed her mother being out of her life, and now her Dad is “replacing” her Mom while the baby is also “replacing” her! In Mia’s eyes, at least. Mia just needs to know that she is loved and appreciated. Which she *thought* of all people she’d be able to get from her boyfriend. Shucks.
As for the rest of Victor’s family, I also thought the parents’ storyline was pretty interesting yet unfortunate. Armando just can’t come around to trusting Isabel, which I actually kind of understand. Isabel, meanwhile, is being prevented from doing the thing she loves to do, which sucks especially because she’s in a radically new environment. Adrian is of course great, protect him at all costs. Pilar’s seemingly permanent mode of “angsty” is completely justified, as her friends back in TX are moving on just fine without her, she’s having trouble opening up and fitting in, and her family is WYLIN.
Some things that didn’t go so well for me was Andrew’s character, who feels like he’s just there to obstruct at any given moment. Y'all knew that when Victor and Benji were having that convo in the bathroom, someone was in the stall and someone was Andrew. Also, my guy, how are you not even somewhat aware that you are a total douchecanoe? I liked Benji, but Venji didn’t quite work for me because of all of the cheatation that it took to get there. Benji was pissed and ready to stay away from Victor permanently after the [attempted seduction], but once his relationship was over he was completely fine with putting his tongue down Mia’s boyfriend’s throat.
Overall, I really enjoyed this show. Some of these teen dramas I’m admittedly only watching for the LGBT content, so to have that be at the forefront of a show for once was amazing. The conflict was realistic if frustrating, and to me most of the characters seemed fully realized. Thankfully, the show didn’t even feel too “spin-offy” even with Nick Robinson being all over it.
In any given multi-season serialized show, the trajectory of the show goes one of two ways: the first season puts your feet on the ground of the series, and then later seasons go above and beyond with the storytelling (The Office, Breaking Bad, Bojack Horseman, Jamie Johnson) OR the first season is pretty great TV, and the following seasons fail to live up to its glory (The Good Place, Dear White People, really most every Netflix show ever). Which category Love, Victor ends up in is something to look forward to. Where do we go from here now that Victor is taking his first steps out of the closet?
Stray thoughts from the episodes:
The soundtrack on the whole, was not my cup of tea. I still liked a couple of songs, so that means somebody out there liked more of them.
I completely forgot Natasha Rothwell was in Love, Simon. More of her! More of Ali Wong! More of Beth Littleford! They were all great.
So Roger got his ass beat by Armando, and he still wants to get back with her?? Roger is reckless, man.
Speaking of reckless, Victor’s closet skills completely fell apart towards the end there. Assume somebody’s always watching!
Lake’s mother is a trip.
Good for the family for standing up to the grandparents.
Oh my god, Simon and Bram. Those guys are mine, and now they’re growing up and moving to the Big Gay City. They’ve come a long way.
Speaking of the Big Gay City, we were in Atlanta for a season and got *0* acknowledgement of the vibrant gay community there. More things to look forward to.
Was anybody else singing Selena along with Isabel? That is my favorite Selena song!
By rule of Felix being a male and Pilar being a female close in age, I immediately thought they were going to be a thing. The writers didn’t pull that thread too much...
That moment at the end there when we all thought Victor was going to hold off on his announcement only for him to go “fuck it” and say it anyways? And then he got to exhale? Perfect. chef’s kiss
What with June being Pride month, the SCOTUS ruling a couple of days ago, this entire show premiering today, and Delliot things going down in less than 24 hours, this will likely be the gayest week of the year. I suggest we all enjoy it.
Stay Peachy!
28 notes · View notes
smol-and-grumpy · 5 years
Text
Dear Dean (Chapter 7)
Re-post
Pairing: Dean Winchester x OFC (Jamie Blum)
WC: 3.6k
Summary: After taking Saint Lo, by sheer dumb luck, Lieutenant Dean Winchester from the 29th Infantry Division, Baker Company, received a truckload of replacements for his platoon that was falling apart. Little did he know, that one recruit would change his life forever.
Chapter Warnings: There’s a little angst and fluff!
SERIES MASTERLIST
Tumblr media
August 12th, 1944
“We’ll be moving out in the next few days. Get your men ready, get some training, double it if you must. Anything to get the men used to being in the front line again. Any questions?” Lieutenant Novak looked around the room, searching their faces to see nobody objecting. “You’re dismissed.” Novak, the new CO of Baker company, said, nodding at his men.
Dean turned around trying to make a quick escape, when Castiel singled him out. “Dean?”
“Yeah?”
“How’s your ankle?”
“It’s fine. Cas, I’m fine, don’t you worry.” It wasn’t a lie. It was so much better already. Dean only hoped that it would be good enough come the time to move out.
“You’d tell me if there’s anything alright?”
“I will.”
“How’s Bambi?” The question was sudden, Castiel’s blue eyes flickered to Dean. Dean swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wondered if Cas knew.
He frowned at Cas, raising an eyebrow. “What’s with Bambi?”
“I mean, how much do you need him in your platoon, because as you know, I lost a lot of men in two and three platoons. I could use him there.” Cas looked at him, unfaltering.
Shit, he really meant it.
“I’m sorry, Cas, but Bambi is not up for discussion. He’s valuable to my platoon, too.” Dean knew that Cas was the CO. He knew that if Cas wanted Bambi in another platoon, he could just fucking do it, and Dean could do nothing against it. His only hope was that Cas was still his friend and would act like it. He always used to consult him and thought highly of Dean.
“That’s what I thought.” Cas lowered his gaze and fished out a cigarette tin from his webbing before he flickered open the tin and tugged a cigarette between his teeth. “Just wanted to ask.”
“Sure.” Dean nodded, and made his way out with his hands full of mail from home.
Dean made his rounds, dropping the mail off to his men. They eagerly tore open the envelopes, swallowing down the words they read. Some of them laughed, some of them had tears in their eyes.
He saw Bambi, sitting by the fire, his gaze fixed on the flames that were dancing, making his face light up in a warm glow. Looking at the fires reflection in his large eyes made Dean shift his weight, he decided that there was no time like the present to talk to Bambi. Talk about what happened on that day in the alley. Clear the air. He avoided it for too long already and hell, he still had to work with the guy.  He wanted it out of the way. Dean wasn’t really a poster child for healthy communication, he knew that, but he was a leader in the damn war and he needed to act like one.
“Sir, anything else?” Harvelle asked eyeing Dean when he didn’t react to their questions. To be frank, he didn’t even realize they were talking to him.
Dean blinked. “Huh? No. As you were.”
The soldiers went on with their duties, some were cleaning their weapons, some opted to write back to their families and sweethearts.
“Bambi,” He approached the small private who still watched the flames and cupped a metal mug in his hand.
“Sir?” He was at attention immediately, like he’d being drilled in Basic, and then when Bambi looked at Dean, the small private grinned.
Dean put a hand on the private’s shoulder. “Everything ok?”
“Uh..Fine.” Bambi put down his coffee. “Just lost in thoughts, sir.”
It was almost funny, Dean thought. Bambi’d been lost in thoughts and Dean’d been lost in him.
He was curious what Bambi was thinking about. Was he thinking about what happened in the alley? Maybe he thought about it as much as Dean was? Because even if Dean didn’t want to think about it anymore, the last thing on his mind before he laid himself to sleep is of the private’s gentle lips and how they felt on his.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Dean asked him, squeezing his shoulder a little, and Bambi looked up to him. Bambi’s grin was gone, but he nodded. “Let’s take a walk.” Dean suggested and began to walk ahead.
Bambi caught up to him quickly, and was soon walking beside him, his hand in his pockets.
“You sure you alright?” Dean asked after a while as they took a turn into a street which was less busy. Abandoned and destroyed buildings left and right of them.
“Sir, I’m fine.”
I’m fine. Dean knew that saying. It meant that nothing was fine, but he’d take it and didn’t ask more.
Dean needed to be somewhere more private for him to talk to Bambi about what happened. He knew that he couldn’t risk someone eavesdropping on them, because the last thing he needed was being thrown into jail for being queer - which he was not.
He tried and opened up the next door he found that was still in its hinge and peeked inside. When he saw that it was clear, he opened up enough for Bambi to step in and Bambi did it without questioning him.
Bambi stood in the room, turning to face Dean as he closed the door behind him.
Dean took a step closer to the private. His heart was pounding out of his chest and he didn’t even know why. He felt blood rushing through his head and he couldn’t hear anything other than the drumming of his heart that, by the growing smirk on Bambi’s full lips, he assumed that Bambi could hear it too.
Dean cleared his throat before he spoke.
“Listen,” He started to say and took a deep breathe. Hell, he’d been practicing before. He had this whole speech prepared to tell to Bambi; had his words carefully arranged to tell the private that he was not queer and the kiss was a mistake and he didn’t mean to; but it seemed like now, his mind was blank.  
“I’m listening, Lieutenant.” Bambi was still smirking. He didn’t wear a helmet for once. They didn’t have to around there, and Dean could see that the private’s hair was slowly growing out. It was sticking out a bit over his ears, and it looked really cute on him.
Dean shook his head. No, shit… he couldn’t think that the private was cute. Especially then. Not when he was supposed to be shutting it down.
Dean swallowed again. “I..uh.. I wanted to talk to you about what happened.”
“What did happen, Sir?” Bambi raised an eyebrow with a grin.
That stupid grin.
“Bambi, the kiss.” Dean hissed. Bambi was clearly fucking with him and Dean was slowly growing impatient.
“Oh, that…” The private had his lips in a tight line, his cheeks puffed out as if he’s trying to hold back a laughter.
“Look, I’m really not queer,” Heat rose up Dean’s neck and cheeks, his heart still beating fast and he thought, well, I’m really not? “It was a mistake.”
“A mistake… huh!” Bambi exhaled the huh empathetically, raising an eyebrow at Dean again, paired with a frown. “And there I thought that you were in love with me, Lieutenant.”
Dean gasped, his eyes widening. It felt like the air had been punched out of his lungs.
The private’s face turned red from holding in his laughter.
“Just kidding.” Bambi doubled over, laughing hard then. He gathered his breath and he looked at Dean smugly after he composed himself.
He exhaled and tried not to look into Bambi’s big doe eyes. Instead, he looked at Bambi’s boots. “We shouldn’t. It won’t happen again.”
“Sure,” Bambi shrugged nonchalantly and it drove Dean nuts. Why was the private shitting him? Did he not realize how serious it was? What was at stake?
Bambi was standing in the middle of the room, a wicked grin on his face and even though Dean said that it won’t happen again, all he could think about now was that he wanted it to happen again. He wanted to just grab the privates soft cheeks and smash his lips against Bambi’s pink and plum ones.
Dean balanced his weight from one foot to another. His ankle is doing much much better already.
“I’m really not… you know, interested… in men.” Dean muttered half heartedly, taking a step towards the small private to try to intimidate him.
“Me neither.” Bambi was still grinning very arrogantly, when he too, took a step towards Dean. Unfazed by Dean’s demeanor.
“But the kiss,” Dean began, as he took another step. All of a sudden his mouth felt too dry and he licked his lip deliberately.
“What kiss?” Bambi asked when he took another step and then the private echoed Dean’s lip licking and he flashed his teeth and fuck… Dean’s heart picked up speed. The private’s lips were slick and shiny and it looked more kissable than before.
“Bambi! Focus!” Dean was now so close to the small private and he could smell the coffee Bambi just drank a moment before when the private let out a deep breath.
“Oh..,” The private’s lips curled up into a grin. “You mean that kiss!” Bambi giggled and Dean really didn’t know how he should react to that until Bambi added “It was a nice kiss, sir.”
And if Dean was blushing before, he was a tomato now. He swallowed the lump that built up in his throat as he tried to form something coherent to say. Something he could come up with as an answer to that, but Dean’s brain failed him once more. It was a nice kiss. Before Dean even realized what he was doing, he scooped Bambi up into his arms and smashed his mouth against Bambi’s.
Bambi hooked his feet at Dean’s back and his arm around Dean’s neck, clinging to Dean and opened his mouth for Dean to lick into. He walked the couple of steps to the next wall and pushed Bambi against it while he kissed the private hungrily, his tongue tasting the familiar taste of burnt coffee. Bambi moaned into Dean’s mouth as he nibbled at Dean’s bottom lip with his sharp teeth.
The kiss was all tongue and teeth. Raw and sweet at the same time, and Dean groaned as Bambi sucked in his tongue, making him forgetting his own damn name.
Bambi cupped Dean’s cheek, his tongue pushing against the roof of Dean’s mouth and Dean ground his hips up, searching for friction the private would provide him, but then something was not right.
Dean stopped dead in his tracks. Pulling his face away from the private. His bulge would have met another bulge when he ground his hips up, but there was no resistance. Nothing. Nix.
Dean’s eye widened as he looked into those big eyes of Bambi. He was met by a stupid grin on the private’s face. “What the fuck?” Dean muttered out of breath, his forehead resting on Bambi’s as his gaze travel down between them.
Bambi giggled then and Dean started to blush more and more.
“Bambi, what’s going on? Where’s your fucking dick?” Dean can’t believe he would ever say a sentence like this in his life.
“Uh..I guess I left it back in Trenton, sir.” There was a cheeky wink and Dean didn’t know if he should punch the private or kiss Bambi stupid for that. He was confused and as of yet, undecided.
“What the fuck is going on? Are you… wait, no.” Dean shook his head, not sure what was going on and he was irritated to say the least.
“Come on, sir. You really didn’t notice? You’re a smart man. Come on now, show me that you can put two and two together.” Bambi cupped Dean’s cheek again, making Dean look at him. His brow furrowed but the private’s thumb painting circles on his scruff and strange enough, it calmed him down and put him at ease.
Dean searched his brain, trying to put two and two together.
“Fuck! No shit!”
There it was. The realization that hit him like a freight train and Bambi laughed at him now before she pecked his lips again, and Dean muttered underneath her lips. “How did you get in?”
“Lieutenant, you just have to know one thing,” She said, her eyes glistening in the dim light of the room as she winked at him and smiled ever so sweetly. “Never, ever, underestimated me.”
And then Dean rested his forehead back on hers and chuckled out a “Yes, Ma’am.” before he bumped their noses together.
Bambi kissed him again now, and this time, the kiss was different. It wasn’t laced with a weird feeling of doubt, fear and uncertainty anymore. It was more passionate, more sweet, demanding even. Dean broke the kiss just to be able to breath and look at her again. “Fuck, what are you doing to me?” He murmured, kissing her cheeks and down along her jaw to bury his face in the crook of her neck. “As much as I want to spend more time with you, Bambi, but I think we need to get back.”
Bambi giggled before Dean let her down. They’ve been away for too long and it’s close to dinner time. There would be another opportunity where they would have more time together, Dean was sure of that. Even if it would mean that Dean needed to convince Cas to double up sentry.
Dean tried to rearrange his combats to conceal the straining bulge that he wished he could act upon, before he looked at how she straighten her jacket. “But hey, I told you that I wasn’t queer, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, sure.” She laughed at him with a shrug, “Told ya I wasn’t queer either.”
Dean opened the door for her but pulled her back by her arm before she could step out and kissed her one last time. He couldn’t get enough of her, Dean knew that much and maybe it would be his downfall.
They talked on the way back to the campfire. No, of course she doesn’t want anyone to find out and she’ll rip Dean a new one should he tell it to anyone. Dean made a mental note of that, because he was sure that Bambi would be true to her words.
No, she doesn’t want for him to send her home. It’s not that he didn’t try to tell her that he could send her home with a lame excuse.
No, she doesn’t want special treatment, but she was glad that the secret was out so at least she had someone who knew why she might not want to do things with the others. She explained why she did it and her motives were sincere. Dean would have done the same if he was her. Hell, he was sure that he probably would. Knowing that Sam was out there and he had to sit at home because he was a damn girl? Nah, he would have done the same or at least he would have tried. He probably wouldn’t have come that far.
They parted and when she walked back to her friends, Dean watched her go. He was glad that he really wasn’t queer because damn, how could he tell Sam about that one. He was glad that he didn’t have to. But on the other hand, there was a new problem. Bambi was a freaking girl. A girl that he liked and fuck, he didn’t want to get attached during war, but he gets what he gets, right?
Tumblr media
“And there was this broad, right? Fuck, her hips as wide as my shoulders,” Trenton was telling them about a conquest in England and they were all grinning, including Jamie. They all knew that Trenton was all talk, but they let him because his stories were amusing. Now, Jamie was there that night, and she knew exactly what happened but she kept mum.
Trenton went on, “Fucking child bearing hips, man, and all I thought was that I wanted to give her the children she deserved because those hips should have been illegal!”
“Cut the chase, Trenton! Did you?” Dopey was leaning closer to Trenton and Jamie could see that he was obviously on edge to know if Trenton did in fact, bed that broad. Maybe it was the lack of entertainment while they are awaiting to move out. Meaning, there was none. They kept each other entertained by telling stories and jokes and honestly, Jamie thought that she heard them all.
“Of course I did, man! Pumped her full. Maybe I’ll be a dad real soon!” Trenton chirped, a shit eating grin on his face.
There were cheers of oooohhhhh’s and uuuuhhh’s. And even though Jamie knew that it was a total lie, she kept it to herself. There was no way that she’s going to steal Trenton’s thunder. She’d let him shine. The war is though enough and hell, she didn’t even know if half of the stories of the others were accurate, so.
“What’s so funny?” Jamie knew that rough voice. It was Dean’s. She looked behind her to see him and Lieutenant Balthazar balancing trays of food. Gabriel and Castiel were still in line.
“Trenton is telling us about his baby mama he left back in England, sir.” Dopey shouted and smiled brightly at Trenton, but Trenton didn’t return the smile. He was a little embarrassed, and Jamie could tell that by the blush that started to spread on Trenton’s face.
“Is that so?” Balthazar chuckled, and instead of them going to another table where the other NCO’s of their company were sitting, Balthazar put his tray down next to Jamie. “I wanna hear all about it.” And they all scooched up to accommodate the Lieutenants and the ones who were still waiting in line.
Dean was sitting across of Balthazar and maybe Jamie just imagined it but he had a little smile on his face when their eyes met.
“Uh..sir, nothing really worth telling.” Trenton stammered a little. Sure thing was that he can tell the story to his mates, but for him, it was a whole other thing telling it to his superiors. Trenton didn’t know where the line was and he didn’t want to cross it and anger them.
Dean chuckled at that. “Come on, Trenton. Share it with the class!”
“Al-alright, but you asked for it, sir.”
Dean and Balthazar looked at each other, raising their eyebrows and shrugged before they turned their attention to Trenton and he began to tell them the story again.
Jamie didn’t listen. She had heard it too many times already.
At the end, they were all laughing again and she wondered if they were laughing to make Trenton feel better.
“Was that your first time?” Balthazar asked bluntly. He was like that. Balthazar always was a bit rude and a little straight forward. Jamie was glad that she wasn’t in his platoon.
“Balth,” Dean tried to defuse the situation, because everyone could see how uncomfortable Trenton was feeling.
Balthazar shrugged at Dean. “What? It was just a question. My god…”
“I think, with all due respect, sir. It’s none of your business.” Jamie jumped in and turned to look at Balthazar, now the shit eating grin was her face.
Balthazar was speechless for a moment and the distraction came in the forms of Lieutenants Gabriel and Novak who sat down at the table.
“I think Blum’s right, Balth,” Castiel took a bite from his food, “You’re being an asshole.”
Balthazar looked at Jamie, grinning back now. “You think I’m rude too, Bambi?”
“Balth,” Dean said again, this time, a little louder, a little stern and it made Balthazar blink a couple of times. Jamie knew that he was probably pissed that Dean jumped in.
“Yes, sir.” Jamie’s voice was calm.
Balthazar looked at her, and then he started to laugh, throwing his head back dramatically and everyone was just looking at him, waiting for him to calm himself down. She raised an eyebrow. She thought the behavior was weird because it really wasn’t funny.
As Jamie thought, it wouldn’t be long until Balthazar would pick on her again and she was right. He turned his attention back to her, “And you, Bambi? Did you ever get laid or are you going to die a virgin in this war?”
“Balth!” Dean stood up from his seat and smashed his fist on the table angrily, spilling some drinks on impact. The whole hall went quiet. “Shut the fuck up! If you want to shit on a platoon, do that to your own. These are my men and they deserve to be treated with some goddamn respect!”
Dean lowered himself back to his seat, as he let his words sink in, and Jamie grinned before she spoke with a steady voice. “With all due respect, sir, first of all, Bambi is the name that only Lieutenant Winchester and my platoon are allowed to call me. Second of all, sir, I’ve probably bedded more broads than you because I’m cute and you’re just an asshole.” She grinned wide and added “At least that’s what your mom said to me.”
The table was still and Balthazar gasped. Nobody dared to say a word until a laughter broke the silence. Novak, who knew Balthazar since they went to Kindergarten together had a laughing fit, snorting even signaling that it was safe for everyone else to join in.
Dean smiled at her, his green eyes glistening, silently telling her that she did good.
Tumblr media
CHAPTER 8
Tumblr media
57 notes · View notes
awesomeeyeroll · 5 years
Text
FIC: Ride Off Chapter 3
Thanks everyone for all your support with this fic. Apologies for the delay in getting this chapter out, my children keep managing to hospitalise themselves and between that, moving house, work and still not having any internet at home none of it has been conducive to actually getting this chapter written. But here ti finally is and I hope you enjoy it.
The rest of the story and my other work can be found here
Claire woke early. Although it was summer and the sun rose almost ridiculously early anyway it still had that watery paleness that suggested it had not been risen long. It had rained overnight and there was an undercurrent of greyness to the light that filtered through the gap where her open window had blow the curtain aside. Usually a late riser, for a moment Claire didn’t know what had woken her. A little flutter in her stomach reminded her. Jamie.
She had arrived home about 11.30 the previous night. Geillis’ light had still been on so she had slunk up the front stairs and into her flat like a cat burglar. As much as she loved Geillis, she did not want to rehash the day for her and Louise. Whilst her friends would never deliberately try and ruin things for her, she just wanted to keep Jamie and the feelings that he stirred in her, to herself. She could happily wait to be grilled by Geillis on whether or not she ‘got the ride’ until another day. She had showered and then laid in bed just savouring how she felt. The thought of seeing him again made her tingle from the very tips of her toes and she knew there was no way she’d be getting back to sleep. Sighing she climbed out of bed and padded towards the kitchen. Coffee, the Sunday papers and a decent breakfast were in order.
By 8.30, Claire had breakfasted, showered and was dressed waiting for Jamie. The dark clouds from last night’s storm showed no sign of shifting so she put her raspberry pink culotte suit back in her wardrobe and was instead dressed in a white button down shirt, tucked into brown jeans and a tweed blazer.  Unable to decide what to do with her hair she settled for tying it in a low ponytail and grabbed her felt fedora for in case the rain returned.
She then paced the apartment with the energy of a caged tiger, moving restlessly back and forth checking her watch.
At 8.55 her doorbell rang and despite being in a state of high alert for just such an event the sudden intrusion into her thoughts made her jump. Forcing herself not to run down the hallway and fling the door open, she walked slowly counting as she went. When she reached the door and 15 she slowly opened the door.
Looking at him made her feel weak at the knees. Every time she saw him he seemed to get more handsome. Today he was standing in front of her wearing off white polo breeches, shiny boots with a dozen buckles and a dark blue polo shirt with a brown jumper over the top. His colouring was flattered by both the blue and the brown and his hair was brushed back from his forehead celebrating impossibly high cheekbones and cat like eyes. She had the fleeting and slightly manic thought that this was literally what a Disney Prince might look like if he were a real man before firmly getting a grip on herself before some of her internal dialogue made it out of her head and out of her mouth.
****
As a lifelong equestrian, who had grown up on a working farm, early starts where in Jamie’s blood. It had to take a ferocious hangover to keep him in bed in the morning and there were always horses to work, practice chukkas to be played or tactics to be discussed. Since he was in the city and his horses for today’s matches were being driven there by his head groom, Lulu he would normally have used this time to go to the gym and train or to go through horses which horses the team should take for the upcoming cup in Deauville. Instead he lay in bed and thought about Claire. She was mesmerising. Jamie had had a lot of lunch dates with pretty women but never in his life had he had a lunch date with a woman like her. Not only was she so beautiful that she took his breath away, but so intelligent, interesting and funny too. There was not a single moment of stilted conversation, not a second of bashful silence. He felt both like he had known her forever but also that she was shiny and new. He wanted to know everything about her. Unlike many of his peers, who seemed to view unfaithfulness in marriage (both their own if they had them and in their parents) as de rigeur, Jamie had raised by parents who were very happily married and his father had always told him that one day he would find someone who would give his life as much happiness and meaning as Ellen MacKenzie had brought to his. For a long time, Jamie had treated this piece of wisdom with scepticism as the parents of his school friends fell foul to messy divorces and much younger second wives. But a small part of him had kept hope and it was part of why he was less predisposed to taking up with the cadre of ready and willing young women that haunted the stands and pony lines at every match than many of his peers. For the first time, Jamie thought his father might have had a point. Claire appealed to him on every level. Jamie’s first love had always been horses and polo and pursued excellence with dogged and single minded determination. For the first time in his twenty five years, he found them taking a back seat in his thoughts to something, someone else.
Pulling up outside her house the following morning he found himself checking his reflection in the mirror of the range rover before he got out. It felt like a lifetime between him knocking on the door and her answering, despite it being less than a minute. As she pulled the door open her face lit up in a smile and despite the greyness of the day, he felt as if the sun had come out. Before he could even formulate a coherent thought, he was kissing her, his hands on her face. Her lips were soft and warm against his own and as she returned his kiss he felt his heart would explode into pieces. Every moment of joy, of contentment, of victory paled in that moment to the feeling of her lips against his, the softness of her skin against his fingers, the feel of her arms going around his neck. They broke apart and Jamie pressed his forehead against hers, eyes closed as he fought to regain his composure and not simply sweep her up into his arms and back into her apartment.
“Hi” whispered Claire and he could hear the smile in her voice.
“Hi” he murmured back, opening his eyes but not yet ready to take a step back and lose the physical connection with her. She ran her hand down his jaw and he followed her hand with his mouth, kissing the palm before finally stepping back.
“I’m sorry, Sassenach. I don’t know what came over me”
Claire smiled at him again, raising one eyebrow slightly.
“Well as long as it comes over you again, I’ll accept your apology”
Claire had never seen anything like the opulence. The Gold Cup on Friday had been heady and glamorous enough, but very much a family day out with dogs and children, alfresco drinking and a rowdy and exuberant crowd of spectators. The Hurlingham Club on this particular Sunday was something else altogether. Although, just like Friday, the sartorial choices of the patrons ran from Cocktail wear to horsey chic, the feel of the whole place was elevated. The car park was a sea of rolls royces, high end horse boxes and sports cars and the shadowy presence of dark suited men in dark glasses and ear pieces suggested that the VIPs were seriously VI. Looking around there was a tent sponsored by Taittinger and another by Moet. The food was being provided by Fortnum and Mason’s of London. Not normally one to feel self conscious, the years of living in remote locations had made her used to being different, she felt a slight pang of unease. If these were the people that Jamie lived and worked with every day how could she ever possibly belong in his world? As if sensing her unease, Jamie squeezed her hand and smiled at her. After a detour via the Taittinger tent where a word with the head barman and a hastily and secretly exchanged five pound note to make sure Claire was taken care off, Jamie led Claire towards the stands.
“I’d take you down to the pony lines, but Dougal is likely to be like a bear with a sore arse. His mistress is in town and so she will have been wining and dining til the wee small hours. He’d likely put you off polo for good. But dinna worry, I will make sure ye have some good company”
He led her half way along the benches and up to the third row where sat a beautiful woman of about 45. Her hair was swept back and held in place with a scarf knotted at the nape of the neck, and like a good number of the spectators she wore s striped shirt with the collar turned up, a blue puffa jacket and the air of one whom is extremely at ease in their surroundings.
“Claire, might I introduce you to Minerva Wattiswade Grey, Lady Melton, the Duchess of Pardloe.” Claire was struck silent for a moment before both Jamie and the Duchess began to laugh.
“And a good day to you too, Laird Broch Taurach” Claire’s eyebrows were raised up to her eyebrows and she was about to turn to Jamie when the woman turned to Claire, grasping her hand in both of hers.
“Don’t listen to Jamie, I’m Minnie and it's my absolute pleasure to meet  any friend of Jamie’s” Minnie’s smile was sincere and Claire felt herself relax a little. “Off you go to the pony lines, Jamie. Word has it Laura is once again trying to get Dougal to leave his wife and it's making her more cantankerous than ever. The gossip is that she threw a tantrum and a rather excellent dessert over him whilst in dinner at Dougal’s club and its only through the liberal exchange of 10 pound notes that it didn’t make Dempster.* As a result, Dougal is giving Gheghis Khan a run for his money on the overbearing jack booting bully stakes. Hal tells me that Rupert is threatening not to play Dougal has been so vile. Best you run along and if not soothe the savage beast, at the very least put him in his place by reminding him that you are the captain. I’ll look after Claire and make sure by the end of the day she knows all the scurrilous polo gossip.” Jamie’s jaw set at this and he nodded grimly.
“Best I be off then. Our match is second and then there will be a break until after lunch. I’ll come back for you then.” He kissed her briefly and Minnie raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Come, my dear,” urged Minnie, sitting herself back down. Claire sat down next to her and scanned the crowd.
“That blonde man down there, in the lavender shirt, is my husband, Hal. The shorter man is his brother, John, who you will get to know as he is very good friends with Jamie” She looked sideways at Claire as if inviting her to share her relationship with Jamie. Claire studiously ignored the look.
“The both play for Helwater, which is currently trying to entice Jamie to play for their team. They very recently, as in this morning, lost their professional and as such have a ringer who is here from Mexico buying horses standing in”
“What happened to him?” The story was ringing vague bells in the back of Claire’s mind “ahh, the wife and daughter” Minnie laughed, “well not the wife, that was just a story put around by Lionel Brown, pharmaceuticals tycoon, patron of one of the teams playing in the first match and who is pathologically jealous of men like William Dunsany who not only were born into wealth, but know how to keep it and are effortlessly accepted into the polo elite. He was delighted when he heard Geneva was catting around with Christie and decided to add fuel to the fire. No one really believes it, Louisa and William were childhood sweethearts and still seem to think they are on their honeymoon. Sadly, their mutual and ongoing infatuation with each other has meant that their daughters, the eldest in particular, have not necessarily had the oversight in their upbringing which one might consider desirous.”
It was Claire’s turn to raise her eyebrow at this. “In other words, Claire my dear, the girl is a hellcat.”
At this point the stands began to fill up and Claire found herself and Minnie surrounded by a cabal of Minnie’s friends. They were a high spirited bunch and very friendly to Claire, including her in conversation and generally making her feel much more at ease.
Once the matches started the focus shifted to the pitch. As Jamie has predicted, the increased security meant a smaller crowd which meant the more casual spectators weren’t present. The group of young women who sat in the stands closest to the pony lines, were present but in far fewer number than had been on Friday, as only the better connected amongst them had been able to get access. About half way through the first match an incredibly beautiful girl with big hazel eyes, a rose complexion and a waterfall of chestnut hair entered the stands along with two other women, who, being only slightly less eye catching were  clearly be close relations.
“Those are the Dunsany’s” Minnie leaned into Claire. “The middle one is Geneva, you can see why she has no trouble distracting her father’s players. The other two are her mother and sister, Isobel.”
“Wow, good looking family” Claire murmured back. She was about to turn to Minnie again, when the whistle blew for the second half and all attention turned back to the field.
The first match between the Browns and a team sponsored by Cartier in which two of the Sultan of Brunei’s sons were playing in, was fast paced and engrossing. The grass was wet and the going tough due to the overnight rain on the previously sun hardened ground and what had 15 minutes ago been a sea of emerald grass was now a sea of mud. Even to her untrained eye, Claire could see the game was dirty as hell, with foul after foul being committed. It was also plain to see that the Umpire heavily favoured the Blackers.
After a fifth uncalled foul against the Cartier team, up went their sticks. The crowd was booing by now and the Umpire sensed he did not have the support of anyone other than Lionel Brown and his brother Richard who played back. Once again, it was Minnie who provided Claire with the context.
“The umpire is Arvin Hodgepile. He’s an american, but rumour has it his patron won’t be extending his contract beyond Deauville. He’s hoping to curry favour with the Browns as a result” Claire nodded thinking that the politics of Polo were definitely more complicated that the game itself.
After a brief interlude where the field was returned to its former glory it was time for Jamie’s match. She had enjoyed watching Jamie on Friday, but given the events of the last 36 hours, the thought of seeing him thunder down the boards to ride off an opponent gave her a frisson which was alarmingly close to sexual.
She sat up straighter as the players lined up, Jamie easily recognisable from his size and the shock of red hair which peeked out from under his helmet. She saw him scanning the crowd for her, lifting his stick to her in a salute when he located. She waved back shyly but was aware of a pair of hazel eyes looking at her from two rows down with no attempt to conceal the unflattering mixture of surprise and disdain in them. Claire, tossed her head and pretended not to notice, but Minnie had caught the exchange.
“Dearie, if you are going to get involved with James Fraser, you might as well get used to that look. He’s the most eligible bachelor on the polo circuit”
The match itself was thrilling. Mid way through the first chukka the rain which had been threatening all day made its appearance. Umbrellas went up, mackintoshes were retrieved and hats were donned. But no one made to leave the stands. This was polo for the serious and it would take more than a summer storm to shift people from their seats.
The match was faster and more thrilling than the first, Leoch and Highgrove, for whom the Prince of Wales played, were all skilled and aggressive players. From throw in to final whistle, each chukka was more thrilling than the first with players shifting horses at breakneck speed until the number three for Highgrove overturned a pony. The pony mercifully righted itself and seemed sound if a little shaken but after that play became less frenetic and more considered as many of the players swapped out for heavier ponies, better suited to the conditions.
Despite 4 goals, score by Jamie, who had had an stunning game, Leoch ran out the losers, by 2 goals, largely due to Dougal spending a large amount of the match charging round, shouting orders and crossing the opposing player’s lines.  As the team rode off the pitch at the final bell, Claire could see Jamie’s jaw quilted with tension and noticed the way his fingers beat out a rhythm on his thigh as he cantered off the pitch. Deciding Jamie might not be putting in an immediate appearance, she took the opportunity to nip to the loo. Once inside the stall she heard the arrival of a group who had clearly decided to take advantage of the increased breaks between matched caused by the wet ground to do the same thing. They mostly seemed to be concerned with repairing faces judging from the exuberant chatter and Claire let it wash over her until she heard Jamie’s name being mentioned.
“Did you hear Jamie Fraser has a girlfriend?”
“What Juliette Summers? Despite what she tries to claim, that lasted one lunch and a dinner, where he left early because one of his horses was due to foal”
“No, no, not Juliette, someone new.”
“Araminta Jex-Harrison apparently went to Annabel’s with him a few weeks ago. She’s been haunting the pony lines ever since.”
“Wasn’t he stepping out with Maxima Shand? I’m almost certain he took her to the polo ball.”
“No, this one is NEW. No one has seen her before, she’s not part of the club. But she’s here today sitting in the stands with Minnie Grey and acting like the cat that got the cream”
“Well if she is Jamie Fraser’s girlfriend she *is* the cat that got the cream”
“Please, one, Jamie Fraser never goes on more than two dates with anyone, so chances are even if he did bring her here today, it’s the last we’ll see of her and two, if Jamie Fraser goes to play for Helwater, Geneva Dunsany will have him in her bed before he’s been there a week”
“Oh I don’t know, Jamie isn’t the push over Tom Christie was. She may have to work a bit harder there than she’s used to.
“Puh-lease - when did Geneva Dunsany ever not get her man? Jamie Fraser hasn’t a hope. Its enough to make you feel sorry for whoever this new girl is. She has NO idea.”
The group laughed and Claire heard the door open and they moved out. Taking a moment to compose herself, she unbolted the door and moved to the sink. Juliette and Araminta and Maxima and Geneva. Jesus H Roosevelt Christ, she muttered to herself. She liked Jamie a lot, but she also knew she liked him too much to be involved with him if this was his game play. Nothing ever lasted beyond two dates. And this was their second. And probably final. Claire splashed water over her face, she felt foolish, but collected herself. Jamie was nice. Jamie was more than nice. But Jamie was clearly a playboy and there was no way this going anywhere. She would put on her big girl pants, go out there, tell him she needed to leave and go. Coming down the stairs from the bathroom she could see Jamie, his back to her talking to someone. Her heart fluttered for a moment and her resolve wavered. What was so bad about maybe having a little fling? Maybe it was different between them, it had felt different. As she stepped off the last stair in order to walk towards him, he shifted slightly revealing who it was he was talking to. Chestnut lashes fluttered as hazel eyes looked adoring at him, a tinkling laugh at whatever he had said, a delicate hand which strayed too long on his bicep. Jamie laughing down at her, at his hand removing a piece of straw from her hair. Feeling like she had been struck, Claire wheeled round and headed for the door. Apparently, two dates was his limit and there was no guarantee of his exclusivity even for the duration of that. Her haste towards the door sent her careening of another person. She muttered an apology as she tried to dodge them, but a clipped voice called out her name. “Claire? You’re Claire aren’t you?” She looked up to see a handsome man in his late forties, with fair hair and blue eyes. It took her a moment but she placed him as Hal, Minnie’s husband. Jamie clearly having heard Hal call her name swung round and she almost broke into a run to get to the door. Fuck being a grown up. She needed to get out of there and fast. Practically shoulder barging the door open she headed out of the clubhouse and toward the exit. She wasn’t entirely sure where she was but they were still in London which meant there had to be a tube station somewhere. Forcing herself to walk rather than actually make a run for it, she found herself, in a ironic facsimile of her walk to the door this morning, counting in her head. She was half way down the street when she heard the sound of someone running behind her and calling her name.
“Claire, Claire” His voice was getting closer. She debated briefly whether she could out run him before accepting that it was unlikely and slowing her pace and accepting her fate.
“Claire, where are ye going?”
“Home Jamie. I’m going home” As much as she wanted to be able to face him down she couldn’t look at him.
“But why, Claire?”
“Why?” she looked up at him. “Why? Because of Armanita and Juliette and Maxima and fucking Geneva. Because not only do you never go more on more than two dates, it seems you spend the second date lining up your next conquest. Who were you out with when you met me?” Her voice had gotten steadily louder. Realising this she dropped to a hiss. “That’s why.”
“Claire, ye have me all wrong.” His voice was low and his accent so strong she had to concentrate to make him out. “Yes, I go out with lasses. No, I tend not to go out with them more than a couple of times. But it's not because I am some kind of casanova, luring women to ma bed and throwing them over. I never go out with them more than a few times, because I realise very quickly we have nothing in common and I’m no in the habit of stringing people along.” He took a shaky breath.  “Claire, I’m no lining anything up with Geneva. I’ve known her since we were both little and I’m probably one of the few people who despite knowing that she is poorly disciplined, overly indulged and under worked, actually likes her. Probably because I’ve seen her knee deep in horse shit and it’s a great leveller of people ye ken.”
Claire looked at him sceptically. “Well the word on the street is that the second you go to play for Helwater, she’ll be hatching her plots to get you into her bed” Her face was still tense but her voice had lost its edge.
“Aye, so I hear, but fortunately I get a say in the matter. Like I said, I like Geneva more than most but not like that. She could do the dance of the seven veils outside my bedroom window and I’d still no let her near me. Claire, listen to me. I ken I only met ye, what? Less than 48 hours ago? But I also ken I want a good deal more than two dates wi’ ye. If you’d be willing?”
He brushed a curl from her face, the thumb dusting her jaw as he did. Claire looked at him and felt her stomach dip. It appeared that dating Jamie Fraser evoked similar feelings to being on a rollercoaster.
“Yes, yes.” she whispered “I’d be willing” Standing on tiptoes she kissed him gently. “I’m sorry I overreacted. It's just …” She gestured around her and shrugged. Jamie nodded understandingly.
“I have to stay til after lunch when they do the presentation. I’d look like a terrible sport if I don’t, but we’ll get out of here then. Claire nodded and took the hand Jamie proffered her as they turned back towards the club.
Lunch turned out to be a raucous time, with Minnie playing host. Hal and John Grey, it turned out where charm itself and it didn’t take long to discover that Hal knew her uncle Lamb, albeit casually from the time his father had dispatched him to Cairo for a summer on a dig when he felt that he was spending a little too much of his time in the Goat and Boots, the pub near the estate where John and Hal had grown up. Jamie introduced her to everyone and was never more than a few feet away from her and even when he was deep in conversation with the Prince, she got the sense that he was keeping an eye on her. The entertainment came around three pm, thankfully after the Prince had left for another engagement when Dougal’s mistress arrived and began aggressively flirting with Helwater’s Mexican ringer, Jorge. This had exactly the desired effect on Dougal who had a somewhat hypocritical view on the extra curricular affairs and after the kind of hissed and clench jawed row which has everyone around you shifting uncomfortably, her whisked her off to Claridges for dinner and most likely a king sized bed.
Finally leaving about four, Jamie drove Claire home. She was working earlies the rest of the week, so much as would have liked to join the rest of the Leoch team for dinner she opted to go home for a shower and an evening watching Songs of Praise and reading. She and Jamie chatted easily on the journey and he dropped her outside her flat with a kiss that almost made her drag him out of the car and into the flat with her. Eventually she disentagled herself from him and climbed from the car, with Jamie promising to call her the following evening.
Slightly drunk on both champagne and Jamie it took her three goes to get her key into the lock. Walking down the hall towards her living room, humming and discarding hats, jackets and boots as she went, she heard the TV on in the lounge. Thinking she had forgotten to switch it off in her excitement and nerves, she pushed the living room door open. She clicked on the light only to discover she hadn’t left her TV on. She had a visitor and not a welcome one.
“What are you doing here, Frank?”
*Dempster is Nigel Dempster a celebrity gossip columnist/ journalist in the 1980’s
192 notes · View notes
huffle-dork · 6 years
Text
Damaged Minds and Temptations (Part 5)
Part 4: [x]
“So,” Marvin breathes once he’s awake, “I’m not free of Phantom yet?” He sighs and puts his head in his hand then laughs bitterly, “O-of course… of course this wouldn't be over so easily….” He looks about ready to cry and Jameson quickly comes over and sits with him on the hospital bed, rubbing his arm in comfort.
“Don’t give up hope Marvin,” Chase quietly encourages, “There’s gotta be some way to free you from Phantom…”
“Like what?” Marvin snaps, “Destroying the scepter did nothing! What else is there?!”
There’s a moment of silence.
“.... Didn’t you sign a contract?” Jackie asks timidly, afraid of Marvin’s rage resurfacing. Marvin opens his mouth like he’s gonna snap again but quickly closes it and thinks.
“... yeah i did. Do you think…?” Marvin poses the question to the group. Jamie nods enthusiastically and signs, “We break the contract, then you’re free!”  
“But how do we get to the contract? I mean Phantom has a shop where he does business… but im sure it’s guarded and the contracts are probably enchanted with strong magic… It won’t be so easy to destroy them.” Marvin sighs and rubs his eyes tiredly, “I’m the only one with powerful enough magic that could break it… but if i go near him again…” Marvin bites his lip and grips at his hair, looking terrified. The others get the message.
“What about Jamie?” Chase pipes up. Jackie jumps up at that, “Yeah Jamie has magic too! He might be able to break it!” Jameson has a wide eyed look of fear on his face as the others all turn to him.
“JJ…” Marvin starts, “Do you think you could?”
Jameson nervously signs, “I don’t know… my magic is not strong like yours.”
“But it is something… something the others don’t have. It might be all we have to fight against Phantom.” Jameson nods but he looks nervous.
“I don’t know… I’m afraid.” The gentleman signs again, nervously picking at his vest buttons once he’s done.
‘We’re all afraid Jamie,” Jackie says comfortingly, “But… Marvin is falling apart. No offense, Marv. And if we don’t do something soon to free him… who knows what will happen.”
Marvin grips at the bed sheets in frustration, gritting his teeth. “If i wasn’t so stupid… this wouldn’t have happened.”
Chase softly bumps Marvin’s shoulder, “Bro, this wasn’t your fault. It’s Phantom’s. He takes advantage of people’s dreams to take them down. You weren’t the first to fall with him, and sadly you probably won’t be the last.”
Marvin nods but a single tear falls down his face and he bites back a sob. Jamie quickly leans over and gives him a well meaning hug before getting his attention. He quickly signs with a determined look in his eyes, “I’ll do whatever it takes to help you, my friend.”
The plan was simple. Jameson would sneak into Phantom’s shop and try to find the contracts. Jackie would be in his ear through a listening device so the others staked out could come if Jamie needed help. Marvin also had a minor mental link connected between him and Jamie, so he could understand him if he needed to ask questions. They had to stay back at the apartment though, Marvin was nervous about being too close to the shop. But if need be, he could get them to Jameson with his magic.
“Don’t be too nervous Jamie,” Marvin reassured him, “I remember Phantom telling me he can’t stay in one place for too long, and once he secures a deal, he’ll crash at that person's place till they… well… you know. We just gotta cross our fingers and hope he’s been busy.” Jamie nodded and quickly found the little shop, that kinda resembled a niche little fortune teller’s shop. The sign read: Phantom Dream Emporium. Jamie scoffed and rolled his eyes. What a cheesy name.
He cautiously peered through the blinds on the windows and was happy to see the inside was dark. He looked at the door and tried something he was sure wasn’t gonna work, he tried to turn the knob. But, the door was unlocked.
Jameson was surprised, but didn’t want to spit in the face of good luck. He opened the door. Jackie mumbled to the rest of the group, “Sounds like he got inside okay.” Marvin frowned, “Well that seems… easy.”
The gentleman tiptoed inside, looking around the dark parlor, He could see glints of decorated tables and crystal balls flashing from the moonlight outside, but other than that it was hard to tell where he was. He ran into what felt like a couch and stumbled back, rubbing his knee. Then suddenly, the lights flashed on, casting the whole room in a dull red glow.
“Ah, Jameson Jackson,” came a voice from a curtain behind him. The way parted and Phantom stepped out with a sly grin, “Welcome in. Glad you’ve made yourself at home.”
Jamie stumbled backwards and almost knocked over one of the tables, quickly starting to shake. But he put on a face of steely determination.
“Oh that’s right,” Phantom mused as he made his way to his intruder, twirling his cane in his fingers, “You’re the silent one of the Septics…. Must be hard.” He flashed a almost caring looking smile down at him, but his eyes gave away his malicious intent.
Jamie pointed to Phantom’s scepter, before making a motion to his heart and signed, “You have something that belongs to my friend.”
Phantom laughed and shook his head, “You know i can’t really understand you there, Jackson. But i can guess what you want.” He twirled his scepter up again and held it to his face, staring inside as magic swirled through the glass. “You’re here to free Marvin aren’t ya?” He chuckled and set down his cane so he could lean on it while he regarded Jameson, “I knew you all would try eventually. I can still feel our deal, though it’s a bit corrupted from our little spar the other day.” He grinned and snickered, “But your little magician is still mine.”
The quiet little magician held out his hand and tried to bring Phantom towards him, but his little amount of magic just merely pulled on the demon’s collar before it fizzled out. Phantom threw back his head in laughter.
“Was that supposed to be a threat?” He continued to laugh then he pointed the crystal ball Jamie’s way before it started to glow red. Next thing he knew he was being thrown into the wall at blinding speeds.
“Jamie! JJ!” Jackie was shouting in his ear, only hearing bit and pieces of the commotion, “What’s going on?!” Marvin bit his lip, “You know he can’t answer you right?!” Marvin concentrated and speak through Jamie’s mind for a moment, “Jamie are you alright?”
“P-Phantom,” Jamie wheezed through his mind as he struggled to get up. Marvin gasped and addressed the others, “Phantom’s there.”
Phantom taps his way across the hardwood floor before he leans down by Jameson. “You know, Jackson. We don’t need to fight. The answer to your little problem is quite the simple fix.” He used his crystal ball to bring the kneeling man’s chin up and gave him a shit eating grin, “You just have to make a deal with me, and I’ll free Marvin.”
Jameson springs away shaking his head and looking angry. He crossed his arms in front of his face like an x,making sure Phantom knew he would never. Phantom just chuckled.
“Oh Jameson,” He spoke gently, weaving his way around the man, “You must have gotten the wrong idea about me from our good friend Marvin. I’m not a bad guy.” Jamie rolled his eyes and made a silent scoff, Phantom continued with a grin, “I’m really not. All I want is help folks make their dreams come true. Is that so bad?”
“Jamie whatever you do don’t listen to him!” Jackie shouts in his ear, “Find the contract and get out of there now!”
“I can tell you have big dreams, Mr. Jackson,” Phantom smoothly coos, “Sure it might seem like you don’t want them now. But i can tell… they’re exactly what you need.” He points his cane Jameson’s way and suddenly the room is being filled with red smoke. ‘Let me show you,” Phantom sings through the fog and Jameson panics and tries to back away but there’s nowhere to go.
“JJ! Jamie!!” Jackie shouts in his ear, but before he can continue, Phantom sneaks behind Jamie and plucks the device out of his ear and flicks it into the smoke, “Let’s get rid of that distracting noise shall we?” Jameson swallows but already the smoke is worming it’s way into his senses and he starts to see all he desires appear before.
“I can see it,” Phantom narrates as he looks too, “You just want to be understood. It’s hard being a silent voice in this loud and crazy world. I see your desire to be heard. But I also see a desire i don't quite expect... The desire to get revenge on the one who stole your voice from you.” Jameson swallows and his hand flies up his neck, where a bright painful looking scar is present just below his collar.
“I can get you all of that,” Phantom whispers in Jameson’s ear, “With my power, you can have everything you need to be heard, to cause pain to those that hurt you. And to provide peace and protection to those you love…. Your magic won’t be feeble little party tricks anymore.” He slowly grabs Jamie’s arm and brings it up and positions his fingers to snap. Once Jamie’s fingers click together a bright teal flame bursts forth and Jamie stares in awe.
“You can have power unlike the world has ever seen, Jameson…” He grins as he lets Jamie go and the man stares at his hand in wonder. Phantom starts to see a red glint flicker in his eyes and the con man smiles. “You can do everything you want, and free your friend. And you can make sure nothing can hurt them again. All you gotta do,” He snaps and a scroll and quill appears and the paper unfurls itself in front of Jamie, ‘is sign.”
“Dammit!” Jackie shouts and throws his earpiece, “We lost him!” Marvin swallows and tries to use his mental link again. But all he gets in response is white noise. Marvin’s hands are shaking and he has a pit in his stomach. He needs to get there and save Jamie.
He pushes himself up and grabs Jackie’s and Chase’s hands. He then closes his eyes and suddenly Chase disappears from sight.
“Marvin?! What are you doing?” Chase wonders, his body now invisible.
Marvin mumbles, “I can only keep up this spell for so long, Brody. If Phantom gets me… You need to be fast and find the contacts okay? But we gotta get to Jamie now.” Marvin squeezes both of their hands as he squeezes his eyes shut and quickly transports them to the shop in a poof of green and blue smoke.
Jameson reaches for the quill as if in slow motion, clearing trying to fight to smoke’s influence. But Phantom knows he’s won. The gentleman takes the quill and shakingly goes to put the quill to the paper. But then the room explodes into a mix of red and green smoke.
Jackie springs out of the smoke as soon as he can and fans it away, “Get away from him Phantom!” he cries and Phantom whips around. Jameson pays them no heed and continues to stare at the paper.
“Ah, so the cavalry arrives,” Phantom laughs, “ And i see you brought back something that belongs to me!” Phantom clears the smoke away to see Marvin, glaring at him with glowing blue eyes. But his whole body is shaking like a leaf.
“Hello again, my little Magnificent,” Phantom smirks, “I often forget how strong your will is…. Trying to get you back to me was quite the task. And yet.. Here you are.”
Marvin grits his teeth, “You’re not gonna win Phantom! I’m stronger than you! And you’re gonna pay for hurting my friends!”
“Oh? Am i? Cuz i think it’s you, that’s gonna hurt your friends,” Marvin freezes as Phantom holds the scepter towards him. Inside the crystal ball Marvin swears he sees an outline of his broken self staring out at nothing. Then it turns and regards him with pitch red eyes. Marvin stumbles backwards and nearly toppled over one of the decorated tables nearby, unable to breathe. Marvin’s vision starts to turn red and he gasps out loud, trying to fight it.
Jackie gasps and rushes over to Marvin and yanks on his arm, trying to get him to snap out of it. “Don’t give in Marvin! C’mon fight it!!”
Marvin grits his teeth, “I-i’m t-trying…” He grips his hands into tight fists, trying and trying to keep his thoughts his own. But before he knows it, he’s throwing a red tinted punch straight into Jackie’s stomach, sending him flying across the room to crash against a wall.
Marvin feels his body moving on its own, marching it’s way back towards Jackie.. His arm readies another blast. But Marvin quickly shouts out loud and uses his other hand to grab the other, trying to keep the hand from outstretching to the hero. Marvin feels sweat start to run down his face from the effort, but he refuses to budge.
Phantom growls and slinks back to Jameson. The gentleman is still stuck in the same place, but the sounds of his friends fighting seemed to have woken him up. His hand still hovers over the dotted line, shaking and trying to pull back from signing.
“Jamie,” Phantom softly calls to him before he grabs his shoulders from behind and whispers to him, “Do you really want your friends to take your dreams from you? They’re trying to keep you stuck in the same place..” He waves his hand and scarlet smoke gathers around, “Why don’t you show them just how powerful you can be without them?” The smoke curls around Jamie’s face before it dives straight into Jamie’s mouth. Jameson gags and coughs, tears springing up in his eyes. He tries to retch, tries to get the smoke to go back out of him but soon he stills. He regards Phantom with cloudy dull eyes and Phantom smirks.
“Prove yourself to me, won’t you Jackson?” Jameson nods and turns to see where Marvin is still fighting against Phantom’s control and Jackie is struggling to get back on his feet. He opens up his palm towards them before the two are knocked apart by a brilliant flash of teal.
Jackie slides across the floor, almost flying out the parlor door. He rubs his head and catches his breath, but soon he’s lifted up into the air. He sees that Jamie is holding him up in his blue light, eyes cloudy and distant.
“J-Jamie!” He tries to call, but soon he’s shoved against the wall by the force of the magic. Jameson dives after him and presses Jackie’s neck, starting to choke him. Jackie coughs and tries to fight back, but Jamie is too strong. Stronger than Jackie has ever seen the small dapper man to be.
“D-Don’t make me.. Hurt you.. JJ!” Jackie whimpers, trying to kick and claw at the gentleman’s hold. Jamie doesn’t respond, expect for grabbing the hero’s neck tighter. Jackie yells out in pain and quickly powers up his foot and jams it into Jamie’s ribcage, sending him crumbling to his knees. Jackie slides down the wall, his vision foggy as he swallows up any air he can get.
Marvin flew into the opposite direction, head hitting the wall filled with crystal balls. He barely has time to react before Phantom is shoving his foot into Marvin’s chest and pointing the crystal ball in between Marvin’s eyes.
“I think you forget your place, Magician,” Phantom sneers, “Or did you forget who you belong to?”
Marvin wheezes but manages to glare at Phantom as he spits, “I. belong. to. no one!”
Phantom regards Marvin coldly as he charges up his scepter with powerful red magic. Marvin cries out, his head filled with intense pressure, feeling ready to explode.
“Wrong answer,” Phantom bites back. He shoves the scepter into Marvin’s face and Marvin screams in agony, his body convulsing. The magician claws at his forehead, his hair, trying to fight the demon’s control.
“Now, let’s try again…” Phantom commands, “Who do you belong to?”
Marvin screams until his voice breaks. Then suddenly there’s a flash and Marvin’s head hits the floor with a dull thud, fight suddenly drawn out of him. He slowly turns to Phantom, his eyes red and glazed over.
“You..” Marvin whispers quietly. Phantom grins sinisterly and lets the magician up. “Good. Now help Jameson over there eradicate that useless hero. He’s been a pain in our side for far too long, wouldn’t you say, Magnificent?”
Marvin stands up on wavering legs, swaying like a man waking up from a dream. Then he stands at full height, hands filling with red magic. “Yes…” he mumbles distantly, “I’ll get rid of him…”
Marvin snaps his fingers and scarlet lightning flies across the room, striking Jackie in the shoulder.
The hero screams and falls to his side, holding his now injured arm and shaking slightly from the electricity. He can hear the smoking of his skin and his nerves feel like they’re on fire. He grits his teeth past the pain and tries to get up. But Marvin is there suddenly and he kicks the hero over and stomps on his throat, readying another blast to hit his face. Jackie chokes, trying to call out to his friend, but he can’t make a sound.
Phantom calls out from the back, draping himself across the couch, “Oh, don’t kill him just yet, Magnificent. Break him first, then we’ll kill him slowly. Have a little fun~!” Phantom cackles.
Marvin regards Jackie with a terrifying grin, his eyes glowing brighter. An unstable laugh starts bubbling up in the magician's throat as he grabs Jackie and pulls him up before he throws him across the room. He catches the hero before he slams into a bookcase in his telekinesis before he slams him into the hardwood, over and over again. Marvin giggles madly, a crazed look on his face.
Phantom grins, pleased at the chaos before he gets back up and wraps an arm around Jamie. “Now Jameson, let’s finish our deal, shall we?”
As soon as they appeared in the parlor, Chase had sprinted away to try to find the contracts. He was so thankful for all the smoke, and Marvin’s quick thinking about making him invisible. He only had a few seconds before someone would notice him, so he dived quickly behind the curtain Phantom had come from earlier. Chase found himself in a long narrow hallway, the path dark and dreary. He shivered slightly, the air feeling cold here. But he braced himself and trudged forward.
The first couple doors led nowhere. There was a dressing room, a supply closet and a bathroom. Chase half expected one of these rooms to lead straight to hell, but these were too normal. Finally, he stopped by a door at the end of the hall that had a dull glowing light peaking underneath the crack.
“Bingo,” Chase whispered with a smile. He opened a door right as he heard Marvin scream.
He jumped and nearly bumped a couple of crystal balls off the wall. He stared down at his hands and realized he was visible again. He swallowed a lump in his throat. He needed to hurry.
The room was decorated much like the main parlor, walls lined in red velvet with gold decorations and spooky fake decor. But the room was also just shelves upon shelves. There were about a dozen other glowing orbs collecting dust, looking like they’d fit right into Phantom’s scepter. And there was over a hundred rolled up scrolls lining the walls.
Chase timidly touched one of the orbs and was shocked backward by screams of terror of the souls trapped inside. Chase swallowed. He’d have to come back and save these people later.
He looked at the magnitude of contracts in the room and balked. Where would he even need to start? He could hear the sounds of pain and fighting back in the main room and he knew he was running out of time.
Then something in the corner caught his eyes. A scroll almost completely buried behind two others was glowing a faint red. Chase scrambled to pull it out, wincing as the others clattered to the floor. He quickly unfurled it and saw Marvin’s familiar messy signature lining the bottom.
Jackie coughed up blood when Marvin finally let him drop fully to the floor. He was wheezing and he felt the sharp pang of something that snapped in his chest. He coughed again and saw drops of blood leaking from his face. His nose was definitely broken and he was having trouble breathing. His arms threatened to give out on him as he shaking tried to sit up. He fell back down in a broken heap, hardly able to keep his eyes open.
The hero heard footsteps coming his way and he forced himself to open his eyes. He saw Marvin making his way towards him, hands fizzling with more magic. Jackie shakily tried to push himself back up but he kept falling down. He coughed and tried to find Marvin’s eyes.
“P-Please Marvin..” Jackie rasped, feeling blood running into his mouth from his broken nose,” Please s-stop..” Jackie’s arms gave out again but before he hit the ground, a foot caught him. He looked up and saw it was Marvin and for a second Jackie smiled, hoping he had come back to his senses.
But then he’s shoved to the side and the foot that caught him slams hard into his arm, and Jackie hears a sickening crack. He howls in pain and whimpers, cradling his arm. Marvin laughed maniacally as he opened up his palm and surrounded the broken arm in magic before he yanked back. Jackie screamed as Marvin threatened to pull his broken arm right out its socket.  
Phantom has Jameson by the hand, leading him to put the quill to paper. Jameson looks about ready to sprawl his signature, his expression still distant.
Suddenly a loud bang echoes throughout the parlor as a bullet whizzes by Marvin and past Phantom’s ear. The bullet slices through the floating contract and it disappears in a cloud of smoke. Jameson’rumbles to the floor, gasping for air with eyes cleared of fog. Phantom whips around in anger only to see he’s staring down the barrel of Chase Brody’s gun.
“Not another step Phantom,” Chase commands, holding a slightly glowing piece of paper. Marvin’s contract. Marvin stares at the contract, eyes flashing between red and blue as he regards it in desperation.
“Where did you get that?” Phantom spits, aiming his scepter to blast Chase away. But Chase locks his gun on Phantom’s head and tuts, “I wouldn’t if i were you. Do you really wanna see if magic beats a bullet, con man?”
Phantom growls, but slowly he smiles and begins to laugh, “What makes you think that you can break that contract so easily, Brody? It takes strong magic to best me.”
“Is that so?” Chase counters, “Cuz that contract you were trying to get Jamie to sign ripped just fine. So i’m sure i can just do … This!” Chase reaches down and uses his teeth to rip the contract in half.
“No!” Phantom screams, trying to reach out stop him, but as soon as the paper rips he falls to the floor, writhing in pain. Marvin drops too, gripping his chest and screaming, eyes blood red. Phantom grips his scepter to his chest as he battles the pain. A red light suddenly bursts forth from the orb and whizzes around before it ascends into the air. Phantom shouts and tries to catch it but it’s too fast. As it flies, it turns from blood red to a beautiful bright green blue. Without much warning, it flies straight into Marvin’s chest. Marvin’s screaming stops as his eyes turn completely blue. He heaves the spot where the orb flew in glowing a soft blue and its spreads like veins throughout his body. Slowly, his eyes dim and Marvin falls over, eyes rolling back into the back of his head.
The room is silent for a few tense seconds before, “It was that FUCKING EASY?!” Jackie yells as he tries to sit up again. Chase bites back a laugh, but soon he’s laughing out loud. He can’t tell if it’s out of relief or terror though.
Phantom growls and tries to push himself up, but he falls over, looking pale and spent.
“y-You! You..can’t stop me… so easily!” He wheezes, shakily pointing his cane Chase’s way. “You.. can’t make me… disappear! I am PHANTOM!” As he shouts he manages to pull himself up just enough to charge up a shot at Chase. But suddenly a hard gold object cracks against Phantom’s head and he falls unconscious to the ground. Jameson stands above him, holding one of his decorations, breathing heavily.
Chase stares at him in awe, then beams at him. “Way to go, Jamie!” He quickly rushes over and wraps the small man in a giant bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay..”
Jamie blushes and tries to push Chase away. There’s a cough behind them as Jackie shakily tries to stand again.
“O-okay.. Jamie’s okay. But I’m not…” He coughs up more blood and spits it out of his mouth, “Can we save the celebration for just a sec while we get me to a hospital?” Chase and Jamie break apart and quickly nod, Chase quickly calling Schneep while Jamie helps Jackie to stand. Chase gently scoops up Marvin as the sounds of sirens echo down the street and soon the boys are whisked away to the care of the good doctor.
Part 6: [x]
114 notes · View notes
lawofavgs · 6 years
Text
The Sacrifices We Make - Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 
Chapter 3
The next morning, I spent an unreasonable amount of time in my room. Everything I could think of to delay going downstairs, I did at a snail’s pace. I made the bed, with corners that would impress any drill sergeant. I dressed myself with the care of someone who had never worn the traditional 18th century garments. I finger-combed my hair, stroke after stroke, until I could no longer find a tangle. Eventually, I had to face the terrifying concept of going downstairs for breakfast – and the potential conflict awaiting me. I just had to keep telling myself the result of what I had done was worth the cost.
I crept into the kitchen, heart beating rapidly as I looked around for signs of danger. A couple of servants bustled in and out – less than I was used to seeing around Lallybroch. A sigh of relief bubbled out of me as I saw a pot of porridge still simmering. Scoping myself a portion, I turned to scurry back to my room and let out a yelp, nearly dropping my bowl in the process.
“Murtagh!”
The man in question raised two bushy eyebrows in surprise before looking at me speculatively. He took in my appearance and I tried not to shrink under his appraisal.
“Aye, and ye’re the Sassenach witch Brian’s been havering about for years,” he spoke plainly, and I expected no different. It was certainly better than the first first impression we had – him playing rescuer then kidnapper all in the span of 2 minutes. Though I was looked upon as a witch, I felt secure in the knowledge that no one at Lallybroch would have me burnt at the stake.
Save perhaps one inexplicably angry red head.
“Well, not exactly a witch, but yes. The Prophesizing Sassenach. I should take my act on the road. Though, I refuse to sing this time.”
Murtagh looked at me as though I was a loon, and I could tell he was already itching to make a hasty retreat from the kitchen. “I dinna ken what you are, truly. All that matters is that ye’ll bring no harm to the people here.”
“Never. You have my word. I just want to see everyone at Lallybroch safe,” I promised. After searching my face for honestly, he nodded once, appeased by what he saw. Without another word, he grabbed a bannock and marched out of the kitchen.
Right past a glowering Jamie.
I couldn’t understand it. What had I done to enrage him so? Not once in all the time I had known him had he once shown this kind of derision for me. Even before we were married, traveling with the rent party, it was more like gentle impatience when I refused to open up to him or accept the Highland way of life.
Hell, even in France when I tried to stop him from duelling with Randall, his rage was reserved for Black Jack. I only received his hurt and betrayal.
“You may have my father fooled, but I’m no’ so easily swayed by mysterious words and a sweet smile,” he warned before disappearing after his godfather. I was left speechless. Did saving his father and sparing him from Randall really change him that much? I couldn’t see a trace of the sweet Jamie I had known for three years.
One thing hadn’t changed though. Jamie was still a man who would defend his family against any perceived threat, and to him, that’s what I was.
Shoulders slumped, I tried once more to escape to the sanctuary that was my room. Fate seemed to be against me, however, as I saw Jenny darning socks in the sitting room.
“Dinna fash yerself over my brother. He has his own matters to deal with,” she informed me with a smile as she continued her work.
“Yes, I gathered that. He was never so....”
“Angry as a stung horse and stubborn as an ox?” Jenny finished for me. I couldn’t help the wry laugh that escaped me.
“The stubbornness I expected. That is a Fraser trait, after all.” At this she smirked and offered no argument. “The anger, however, that one is new. I thought with the information I gave your father and the moments he averted, Jamie would have had an easier life.”
“Well, I dinna ken exactly how things were supposed to go originally – Da was always vague about the details – but life has no’ exactly been easy for Jamie since that prophecy of yers. I get his frustrations. Father would barely let me cross the doorway without an escort, and always sent me to the priest hole when there were sightings of Redcoats. But for Jamie, it was worse. The lad fostered at Leoch and studied at a university in France. He was ready to be a man upon returning to Lallybroch but was instead treated as if he were a boy. Hiding from the English and never going to Broch Mordha without Father or Murtagh. He thought he would be marrit with bairns by now, preparing to be Laird.”
I started at both revelations: that Jamie had led such a sheltered life these past 6 years, and that he was still unmarried despite his status (and many other positive traits).
“I didn’t…I didn’t realize your father would go to those extremes. I thought he would just prevent the one incident I told him about, prepare for the failed uprising, and then life would go on as normal,” I stuttered, setting my now-cold porridge on a table and dropping onto the settee.
“Oh aye, it was like father changed overnight. We could see the difference in him after he brought you back to the fairy hill, but after whatever happened or didn’t happen that October, he became paranoid. His father always had an interest in the supernatural, but Da held no stock in seers or fairies or the like. It was bad enough that people called him a selkie. Once he believed what you told him to be true, it was like he feared fate would come to rebalance the scales.”
“Do you believe me? That I’m from the future?” My voice came out small, and I was surprised at how badly I needed her to say yes.
She regarded me for a moment, weighed the thoughts in her mind and took measurement of them. Finally she said, “I do, aye. I dinna ken what you are exactly, or how it works, but I ken you had knowledge of events that would come to pass and you shared that information with my father. Was it really because you wanted to help? You had no ulterior motives?”
“I swear to you,” I breathed out, “I only meant to save your family from pain.”
Jenny graced me with that typical Fraser nod of acquiescent, confident in her assessment of me, before she returned to the task in her hands. As I rose to leave, I heard her add, “Be patient with Jamie. He’s thick-heided but he’s kind. Once he figures out for himself that you mean no ill will, he’ll no’ treat you so rudely.”
I certainly hoped she was right.
After half-heartedly prodding at the congealed porridge I had brought up to my room, I managed to finish every last bite – the thought of the upcoming famine never far from my mind – and meandered out to the courtyard. The promise of summer was slowly starting to fill the air, and I considered asking Brian if I could tend to some of the gardens. If I were to take up the post of healer for Lallybroch and Broch Mordha, I would need to build up supplies and....
“What are you doing poking about?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin upon hearing Jamie’s near-accusing question. “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ! Must you sneak up on people like that?”
Despite his stormy demeanor, he managed a smirk – bloody bastard was pleased with himself. “Aye, weel, if you arena doing anything wrong, you wouldna be so quick to startle.”
“I’ll have you know I was just taking stock of what the gardens need,” I informed him as I crossed my arms defensively. “There are plenty of wild herbs growing on the property that can be transferred and tended to here.”
“Ye ken what grows on the property, do ye?”
I sighed, still coming to terms with his attitude paired with such a familiar voice and face. It was a constant battle to remind myself that this wasn’t my Jamie. This Jamie cast a suspicious eye on me, wary of my intent and annoyed at the shadow I left over his transition into adulthood. I knew he blamed me for the change in his father’s personality, and despite the reason for it, it was hard for him to gain perspective.
It would be easy to think him ungrateful, given the changes made and the trials and tribulations avoided, but to him those events would simply be abstract concepts. How could one wrap their mind around terrible things that would never come to pass? The only thing Jamie knew was the sudden lack of freedom and a superstitious father. Besides, according to Jenny, Brian never went into detail about the horrors that would befall their family.
Still, it was difficult to be at odds with Jamie, any version of Jamie. I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t flutter when Jenny mentioned he was unmarried. Visions quickly flashed through my mind, of the two of us together and happy and whole, with our child on the way.
But how could that dream ever be reality when Jamie held such a disdain for me? And how do you tell a man that even though you’ve never made love, you’re carrying his child? It was a concept I could barely straighten out in my mind, and I was living it. I started to wonder if coming back to Lallybroch, if staying here, was the right choice. Once again, I had to remind myself that this wasn’t about me; every decision I made would have to be for the baby. In the end, I knew that no matter where our paths led – together or separate – I needed to end this battle.
“All right, that’s it. You and I are going to discuss this like adults. No more sneering or snide remarks. I’m sure you have a lot of questions and I’m willing to answer them,” I informed him, squaring my shoulders and preparing for conflict.
Jamie had the good sense to look at least a little chastised but shook his head. “I’ll no’ get into a stramash wi’ you in the dooryard of my home.”
“Then where would you like to go? The barn? The mill wheel? The other side of the broch?” I could hear the snippiness in my tone but I couldn’t help it. Even if Jamie was acting out over something he didn’t understand, he was still being an arse.
Surprisingly, Jamie turned with a huff and nodded towards the barn. Maybe I had expected him to refuse my suggestion of a tête-à-tête and continue on stubbornly with his bitter behaviour. It was hard to predict his thoughts and his future choices the way I once used to. Where once stood a man forced to grow up quickly, now was a lad whose protected life may have bred an immaturity I never saw in him.
When we stepped inside the barn, I held my arms out in a gesture of invitation for his interrogation. “Whatever you want to know; ask. I will try to answer as best and as honestly as I can. Someone once told me about having room for secrets but not for lies. You have my word that everything I tell you will be the truth, but I reserve the right to hold onto some secrets of my life.”
Jamie sized me up, taking pause to formulate a line of questioning – or perhaps a plan of attack. Steeling himself in a gesture I had seen before, he started, “Are you a witch?”
Suddenly I was seated under a giant tree that blocked out the sun, my dress torn and my back stinging from being strapped. Instead of a suspicious tone, I heard one of concern. I saw blue eyes that pleaded for truth, regardless of what that truth might be. I saw a man who was not looking to condemn me, but protect me.
“I’m not a witch,” I answered, the same way as the first time. “In truth, I don’t know what I am. You’ve heard of “The Woman of Balnain”? That seems like the closest explanation, though not entirely the same. The only thing I do know is when I touch the stones atop Craigh Na Dun, I travel through time. I don’t know the rhyme or reason behind when I end up. I’ve also met one other woman with the…ability.”
Geillis Duncan. Would she have met the same fate in this altered timeline? I couldn’t think of a reason why it would have been avoided. The only difference would be her going through the trial alone.
“What purpose did you have, coming here and warning my father of dark days?” he asked as he lowered himself onto a rickety old stool. Even seated, he was an imposing figure. I pondered his question, piecing out how to answer truthfully without revealing facts about the life we would have led together without my interference.
“At first, I didn’t know what year I was in. With no family to go to, I figured here would be the safest. I knew the people to be kind and trustworthy. When I met your father, I decided to warn him.” As I explained my rationale, I wondered if that was the reason I ended up in 1740. My mind and my heart had been so focused on saving Brian – wee Brian, not yet born, perhaps the stones saw fit to send me to a time where I could save his namesake instead. “How much did your father tell you about my warning?”
“I thought I was the one asking questions,” Jamie remarked with a half-smile. I must have been so starved for positive affection from him, because that small joke paired with the slight upturn of his lips had me glowing. I watched Jamie’s brow furrow as he recalled Brian’s words from years past. “All he said was a White Lady had warned him of life-altering events caused by the British army, and that the scenario you spoke to him about came to pass. He never said what was to happen, or what proof he had that you were anything but a loon. All I ken was how fearful he became every time he heard tell of Redcoats near our lands. I believe if he could have locked Jenny and I up in a tower, he would have.”
Given what Jenny told me, I knew Brian had withheld what I told him, but I didn’t realize to what extent. I was curious as to why he chose not to tell his children, even if it meant bearing their resentment or confusion. And though it may not have been my place, I truly felt Jamie deserved to know the full story. And so I told him, in general statements that were still more detailed than the information he had, about what had been prevented. I watched the colour drain from his face as I went on, confirming to him why Brian had developed such an aversion to the English.
“Please don’t be angry with your father. I’m sure he had his reasons for not telling you the whole story.”
Jamie’s gaze remained fixed on a far wall – the thousand yard stare I had seen from him many times before. I could tell his mind was working hard, turning over what I had said and moments from the past six years that were taking on a new meaning to him. Finally he looked at me, seeing right to my very soul, before standing and walking past me towards the door.
Before he could cross the threshold, he stopped and turned back to me. “I still don’t understand this, but if what you say is the truth, then I thank ye. Not just for me, but for my family and our tenants. For saving my father’s life. And…I’m sorry. I blamed you for things that werena yer doing, painted ye in a false light, and I treated ye poorly.”
With a stately bow, Jamie took his leave. It was all I could do to remain on my feet and get my emotions under control enough to head back to the house.
285 notes · View notes
adamwatchesmovies · 6 years
Text
Twister (1996)
Tumblr media
Twister is not a great movie but it has some charm, particularly when it comes to the special effects sequences. You can see why the movie was a success, despite its faults.
Bill Harding (Bill Paxton) and his new fiancé, sex therapist Melissa (Jami Gertz) meet with Bill’s ex-wife Jo (Helen Hunt). The divorce papers have nearly all been signed but it’s clear that they have some lingering feelings for each other. This becomes all the more obvious when Bill is sucked back into the world of tornado chasing with Jo and her team. Opposed to our heroes is the “villainous” Dr. Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes), a smug researcher who “used to do it for the knowledge but now has corporate sponsors. He’s doing it for the money!”.
When people don't have strong winds battering them about, the plot of Twister is laughably predictable. There is so much romantic tension between Jo and Bill (Credit to the actors and the dialogue I guess?) you know Melissa will break things off five minutes in. Too bad for you, as this is the kind of movie that never tries to mix things up. If there’s going to be a big as a romantic reconciliation, a villain getting his comeuppance or a tragedy that suddenly tells you that “the stakes are real now”, it’ll only come right at the end. I don’t even know why they bothered for the most part, particularly when looking at Dr. Miller. He’s a buffoon that doesn’t have the “heart” of Jo and her team, so you know he stands no chance whatsoever. Either he will comically find himself stranded, with all of his equipment destroyed or he will meet a gruesome, tornado-related death after ignoring some good advice from Bill and Jo. I’m not going to say which outcome it is, but the fact that his fate can immediately be reduced to one of two options shows how flat his character is.
The other side characters are ok. Sometimes Philip Seymour-Hoffman as Dusty leans towards irritating with his cool-guy, loveable couch potato kind of attitude, but he’s alright. He brings some nice light moments with Melissa and a sliver of drama with Jo’s aunt Meg (Lois Smith). It counts for a lot and makes the filler between the scenes of big special effects tolerable.
Speaking of which, let’s talk about the destruction in this film. It’s what you came to see and there’s plenty of it. Credit goes to the SFX technicians for making the storms look great (a few small moments are a bit dated, but for 1996, it’s aged well). The film really shows off the thunderous power of Mother Nature by having cars, trucks, cows, houses and being tossed around like sheets of paper. There's good tension throughout; as our heroes desperately try to get their equipment ready to study the storms, they’re always in danger of getting sucked up and shredded. Usually, I’d criticize a film for trying so hard to give a natural weather phenomenon a villainous personality, but it actually kind of works here. You’ve got an escalation in the severity of the tornados, more and more devastation as the movie goes on and thanks to the enthusiastic attitudes of the leads, Twister manages to draw you in. There’s just something about these swirling winds that entertains and considering the alternative is badly shot footage of glory-seekers with handy cams driving to what could be their certain death, it’s actually kind of satisfying.
This isn't a great film, but it is entertaining and thinking about seeing this one on the big screen with an excited crowd, that really would have been something. Unfortunately, there’s little about Twister that would earn it a return to the theatre. Call it a guilty pleasure or a movie you need to turn your brain off in order to enjoy, but it isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. If you want to see it, you’ll enjoy it. (On DVD, April 16, 2014)
Tumblr media
5 notes · View notes
betweensceneswriter · 6 years
Text
The Second Wife-Chapter 12 : The Invisible Girl
Second Wife Table of Contents
Second Wife on AO3
Previously -  Chapter 11 : Blind With Need ‘I willna say I have live a monk…’
"‘It was she,’ she said, with a certainty that was faintly eerie in its calmness. ‘She cast her spells on him from the day she came to Leoch—and on me. She made me invisible. From the day she came, he could not see me’" (Drums of Autumn, 478).
     During her silences, Laoghaire’s mind was whirling.  She kept on looking back, wondering what she’d missed, what she could have done differently, how she could have acted in a way that her life would not be the wreck it currently was. 
     The sad conclusion she came to was that it was all Jamie’s fault.  But yet, not his fault, entirely.  He could have loved her.  He could have been satisfied with a girl from Leoch.  They would have made their home there, had babies that looked remarkably like Marsali or Joanie.  And when Dougal had died at the Rising, and her wounded husband had come home, he would have been Laird of Castle Leoch, and she its Lady.
     But it wasn’t Jamie’s fault, was it?  It was that witch, the Sassenach.  Claire.
☆☆☆☆☆
     Word had quickly spread around the castle about the miracle.  Laoghaire was grateful her cousin was better; after all, there had been tales of boys who died after visiting the Black Kirk.  What she didn’t like was the way people watched the Sassenach reverently as she entered the hall to listen to Gwyllyn.
     Laoghaire was sitting in the back, a few places away from her da, who was watching her like a hawk these days.  She saw the Sassenach’s face as she entered, but did not smile.  Jamie had sat all the way on the other side of the hall.  When Laoghaire had met his eyes, she had colored and looked down shyly.  But when she looked back up, he had moved on and wasn’t even looking at her anymore. How could he act like nothing had happened between them?
     He was, however, looking at the Sassenach now, waving his hand wildly, trying to get her attention as she somberly nursed her glass of Rhenish in the back.  Giving up, he had crouched down and gone to retrieve Claire, cheerily whispering to her and then leading her by the hand back to his seat.  Then he eagerly acted as her translator, leaning closer to whisper in her ear as the Sassenach listened with rapt attention.
     Laoghaire fumed inwardly.  The Sassenach had made it clear at the first concert that she wasn’t interested in Jamie.  She’d tried to get him to pay attention to Laoghaire, to encourage her to be confident.  Hadn’t she said that it was the job of the woman to help a young man know his own mind?  Had she changed hers? 
      At luncheon the day of the oathtaking, Laoghaire was allowed to leave the bustle of the kitchen to serve in the dining hall for a time, where she wandered up and down the tables, providing water and whiskey.
      “Where’s Jamie been?” Laoghaire asked Murtagh offhandedly as she refilled his glass with whisky.  “I havena seen him here in the castle today.”
     Murtagh looked up at her from under his bushy eyebrows, immediately seeing through her façade of ambivalence.  “The lad canna be here for the oathtaking,” he said.  “So he’s making himself scarce.”
      “Why can’t he?” Laoghaire asked, confused.  “He’s Colum and Dougal’s nephew.  Surely he should be here, pledging fealty with the rest of the men.”
      “Aye, so you’d think lass,” Murtagh nodded.  “But Jamie canna pledge fealty to Colum, because he isna a MacKenzie.  He’s a Fraser.  Clans are Tanist, which means that a maternal nephew is the preferred heir to an uncle. Because Ellen, Jamie’s mother, was a MacKenzie, he’s in line after Colum to be laird.”
      “It seems like that wouldna be a problem,” Laoghaire said.  “If that’s the way ‘tis meant to be.”
      “Aye, but there yer wrong,” said Murtagh.  “Dougal isna the war chief for nothing.  Have ye seen how fierce the man is? As it stands, he is next in line after Colum.  But should Jamie pledge fealty, he will be replaced, and he canna tolerate that. Jamie would barely stand up from kneeling, and he would be dead at Dougal’s hand.”
      “Well, then,” said Laoghaire, wide-eyed.  “I’m glad he’s making himself scarce.”
      “Agreed, lass,” said Murtagh.  “There will be time enough to see him after the gathering.”  He grinned at her knowingly.  Had Jamie told him?  Laoghaire wondered, blushing in embarrassment. At least he’d acknowledged their dalliance to someone.  Maybe he hadn’t forgotten her entirely.
      That evening at the oath taking, every man, woman, and child present was dressed in their finest.  After a long day in the sweltering kitchen, Laoghaire had bathed and dressed, and now she was standing with her da in the hall, watching as one after another the men went up, removed their dirks from their sheaths, and pledged their fealty.
     Her attention was elsewhere, to be honest.  The more she thought about it, the more Laoghaire determined that she must help Jamie know his own mind.  And she must also make it clear to the Englishwoman that Jamie was hers.  Surely the Sassenach had simply forgotten her intentions to return to her family in France.  And if she didn’t plan to make a home in Leoch, she would step aside once Laoghaire made it clear that she was interested in Jamie.  When she saw Claire’s expression of boredom and quick dash out of the hall, Laoghaire followed her, forming a plan in her mind.
     As far as she could tell, it went well.  She had accidentally startled the Sassenach at the entrance to her surgery.  Mistress Beauchamp was breathless and distracted, and it took time to clarify what she wished for.  If Claire had the power to bring a dying boy back to life, surely a love potion made by her would be particularly powerful. 
      “I was wonderin’ if you would have a potion that might open a lad’s heart to a lassie.” Laoghaire had finally said.
     The look of derision on Mistress Beauchamp’s face when she realized Laoghaire was asking about a love potion almost discouraged her from continuing.  But she had to stake her claim; maybe flattery would help.
      “Well, I thought…ye aid so many with yer healing that maybe ye have something in yer keen knowledge that could help a lass hold a lad’s attention.”
     Claire had smiled compassionately when she realized Laoghaire was talking about Jamie. 
      “Mr. MacTavish?” she asked.  “Well, you didn’t appear to need much assistance the last time I saw you two together.”
     She had seen?  Laoghaire had a moment of embarrassment, but, again, it would be good if the Sassenach knew that Jamie belonged to her.  “Not for that.  It’s for moving his heart forward.”
     The look on Mrs. Beauchamp’s face was one of sympathetic thoughtfulness.  As she went away to mix up the brew, Laoghaire felt a sense of elation.  Jamie was going to be hers. 
     Back in the hall again, Laoghaire had felt even prouder of him, and more possessive, as he stood before the Laird and did not take an oath, but yet did not receive the sharp end of Dougal’s sword, either. 
     She had been clenching her fists in fear as Jamie approached Colum.  When all was resolved, she realized that she was tightly gripping the bottle of potion Claire had given her.  She slipped away in the commotion to sprinkle the dry brown powder in front of Jamie’s door. 
     The faint smell of horse dung rose to her nostrils as she stood on the doorstep, providing a vivid olfactory reminder of the man when he had held her close in the alcove.  Clicking her heels together, Laoghaire pictured herself and Jamie on their wedding day, having babies, growing old together.
     “There’s no place like love,” she whispered.  “There’s no place like love.”
      The next day, once again she managed to wheedle her grandmother into letting her leave the kitchen for a period of time. “’Tis the last game,” Laoghaire begged.  “I need to cheer on the Castle Leoch lads.”
     Laoghaire didn’t really understand the rules of shinty.  All she knew is that her blood stirred when she watched the lads play fiercely, driving their shoulders into each other and whipping their wicked camans about as they fought desperately to maintain control of the leather ball.  The men were violent and didn’t always fight fair, but the game roused them; with their flushing wives and lasses on their arms, they left ready to prove their manliness in other ways.
     Her da would sometimes joke that Highland men took shinty as seriously as they did their boar hunts.  He could barely get through the punchline without his face reddening and laughing heartily, saying, “Though there is possibly just a little less bloodshed during a boar hunt.” 
     She had told her Gran that she wanted to cheer on the Castle Leoch lads.  That was almost the truth.  There was one Castle Leoch lad in particular that Laoghaire longed to see in action, and she was not disappointed. 
     She arrived mid-game, and eyed the field diligently until she found the muscular form topped with fiery red hair on the far end, keeping the ball in front of himself with his caman before swiping it swiftly to Murtagh farther up the field.
      “Go, Jamie!”  Laoghaire exclaimed, unable to restrain her admiration.
      “Ah, so that’s Jamie,” said an irritated male voice to her left.
      “Hugh,” Laoghaire replied in measured acknowledgement, not looking at him. They hadn’t really seen each other since the alley incident and the almost-beating.
      “Ye used to like me more, Laoghaire MacKenzie,” he said somberly.  “But now I see the big, muscled, red-haired reason why yer heart isna mine any longer.”
      “My heart?”  Laoghaire asked with a skeptical side-long glance at him.  “My heart was never yours.”
      “Well, ye shared yer lips rather freely, then,” Hugh grumbled bitterly. “It appears I was wrong to assume a lass wouldna give herself wi’out also giving her heart.”
      “I didna give myself to you, Hugh,” Laoghaire hissed.  “And if ye keep on speaking thus, ye willna get my lips again, either.  But now we speak on it, it certainly wasn’t you volunteering to take my beating at the hall, was it, though yer the reason I was going to get one?”
     Hugh looked away shamefacedly. 
      “Now, leave,” Laoghaire commanded.  “In case my da or my gran has spies out here.”
     Laoghaire returned her attention to the field just in time to witness what appeared to be a two-man battle for dominance.  After the conflict at the Oath Taking, it was as if Dougal and Jamie needed to draw blood to prove who deserved to be Laird.  Dougal might be older, but he was still fierce and fit.  Laoghaire winced as Jamie took a hit squarely to the back that forced him to the ground.  Even after Jamie caught up to Dougal, the elder had the advantage, repeatedly striking Jamie with the head and handle of his caman.  The sounds Jamie made had Laoghaire wincing, recalling the way Jamie grunted and cried out during the beating.
     Then, with one final burst of strength, Jamie maneuvered himself under Dougal’s arm, and flipped his uncle to the ground, where Dougal lay with the wind knocked out of him.  There was no lasting bitterness, though; Jamie reached his hand down to help his uncle up, the two stood shoulder-to-shoulder, chins high, eyeing each other ferociously, and then it was over.
     Laoghaire was standing at the sidelines as a handsome young man wearing a MacLeod tartan strolled up beside her.  “Fierce game, aye?”  he asked.
     Laoghaire ignored him.
      “Which young man is yers?” he asked, making a second effort.  Good.  He didn’t assume she wasn’t spoken for.
      “Jamie MacTavish,” she announced haughtily.
      “Really?” he asked skeptically.  “Seems I’ve seen him much in the company of the Sassenach wench lately.” 
     Laoghaire turned and glared at him.
      “No, lass, truly.  It isna a lie.  Some lads and I ran into the two of them last night before the oathtaking.  Seemed to be coming back to the castle from the direction of the stables.  And I might be mistaken as to what they may have been doing in the stables, but I can tell ye there was a good deal of straw on their garments.  Her hair was disheveled; he was carrying a travel bag.  And holdin’ hands, they were.”
     Laoghaire’s lips had gone white, and only then did the gentleman see how much he was upsetting her.  “Oh, I didna think.  Are you promised to each other, lass?”
      “No, but he has spoken of marriage,” Laoghaire said, trembling slightly. That wasn’t a lie, precisely.
      “Well, he’s a fool if he’s choosing that white English witch over a bonny Scottish lass like yourself,” the young man said.  Laoghaire looked at him.  His eyes were brown, as was his hair, but he was handsome and lean, with a square jaw.
      “Will you be leaving once the Gathering is over?” the man asked.
      “No.  I’m from Castle Leoch,” Laoghaire answered.  “Laoghaire MacKenzie,” she said, proffering her hand.
      “John Robert MacLeod,” he said, dipping his lips to brush them against her skin.  “Of Killiecrankie.  Pleasure to make yer acquaintance.”
      It turned out Murtagh was wrong; there wasn’t much time for visiting Jamie. The Gathering was barely over before Mrs. Fitz announced that they must pack up the wagon with food for the rents party.  It was a big task, as the group of men was to be gone for several months collecting rent from the different tenants across MacKenzie land.
     Slowly the list of those going along trickled in.  Laoghaire’s stomach was sick, waiting to hear if Jamie would be gone.  Dougal, of course, and Ned Gowan to keep the ledgers.  Angus and Rupert, Dougal’s right hand men.  Willie, the young MacKenzie lad they were going to train.  Murtagh.  A few of the other fierce clan warriors.  There was much to defend when the rents were collected.  When Laoghaire heard his name, her heart dropped.  Jamie was going.  She instantly ached with missing him. 
     The early morning of the rents party departure, Laoghaire came down as the lads loaded the food items onto the cart.  Onions, apples, flour for bannocks.  They’d hunt along the way.  Jamie was over by his horse, strapping his bedroll onto his saddle, when Laoghaire approached him. 
     She stood on tiptoe, pulled his face down to hers, and quickly kissed him.  He looked around to make sure none had seen, and he patted her on the arm.   “I’m waiting for you, Jamie Fraser,” she whispered in his ear.  He smiled at her.
     Laoghaire turned back toward Castle Leoch, feeling calm.  Then she saw her.  Mistress Beauchamp, carrying her healer’s bag and a valise.  She also saw Jamie’s face perk up as the English woman approached.  He came around his horse and helped load the Sassenach’s luggage, smiling and chatting with Claire as he did.
     Laoghaire would be waiting here at home.  That witch was going along.
On to Chapter 13 : Letters and Lallybroch The Balriggan Frasers take a trip to Lallybroch.
25 notes · View notes
chicagoindiecritics · 4 years
Text
New from A Reel of One’s Own by Andrea Thompson: Top Films Of 2019
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
By Andrea Thompson
I state that my list wasn’t too late, 2020 came too early. So here are my top 25 movies of 2019.
25. Avengers: Endgame
Tumblr media
Walt Disney Studios
Fan service doesn’t have to be a bad thing. While “Avengers: Endgame” mostly gave fans what they wanted, it was also a fond farewell to an MCU that had been building for over a decade, one that would be greatly altered by the movie’s end. Making good use of its three hour runtime, “Endgame” takes it time wandering through its own universe in a way that’s both heartfelt and entertaining before getting the gang together in an absolutely jaw-dropping, action-packed climax that had the most jaded moviegoers cheering.
24. Knives Out
Tumblr media
Lionsgate
Rian Johnson may have had a complicated year, but “Knives Out” has him on top of his game. Johnson has built a career around toying with audience expectations in the most enjoyable way possible, and he does so yet again in “Knives Out,” giving us a whodunit that seems to reveal who in fact dun it pretty early, only to provide even more layers to peel back. After wealthy patriarch Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) dies in an apparent suicide, gentleman detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is hired to investigate, only to discover some very combative family dynamics, with caregiver and audience surrogate Marta (Ana de Armas) caught in the middle. Anchored by an all-star cast that also includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, LaKeith Stanfield, Toni Collette, and Chris Evans, Johnson keeps the mystery and the fun coming from start to finish.
23. Monos
Tumblr media
IMDB
Just when you think the eight isolated teenage soldiers in “Monos” are treating the unnamed war they’re fighting in like a neverending slumber party, tragedy strikes, and they become very aware of what the consequences of failure are, and the life or death stakes they’re involved in. As they descend from their remote base in the mountains to the jungles below, their bond is torn and transformed into something far darker, as the beauty of their natural surroundings likewise becomes less of a contrast and more of a complement to humanity’s brutality. Moisés Arias is a standout as the group’s charismatic leader, who likewise leads his charges (and peers) into their own increasingly insular culture, as the bonds of adolescence enable them to surrender more and more of their humanity.
22. Toy Story 4
Tumblr media
Walt Disney Studios
“Toy Story 4” certainly had no business being good. It was another sequel in a franchise that seemed to wrap everything up neatly in the last film, not only giving Woody (Tom Hanks) and his pals a happy ending, but reassurance that life would go on after their beloved Andy grew up and grew beyond them. So what else was left to stir any kind of conflict interesting enough to prevent one of the most creative and commercially successful film series ever made from devolving into one of the most cynical cash grabs of all time? Thankfully, quite a bit, and it mostly amounts to a case of white male anxiety. Woody had always been sure of his purpose, but when he runs into Bo Peep (Annie Potts), he’s inspired to rethink his life, as his former love has transformed from the demure, delicate toy who stayed behind on adventures to a capable leader who’s embraced life without a child, assists other discarded toys, and plans to see more of the world. It all amounts to a progressive message, that of being who you are right now. Life may change, and your place in it can become frighteningly precarious, but you should never be defined by your past, whether it was scarred by tragedy, or was the source of your happiest moments. Throughout it all, friendships, family, and love can last. To infinity and beyond.
21. Hustlers
Tumblr media
STX Films
“Hustlers” is one of those films that could’ve just been a puritanical cautionary tale about the dangers of girls gone wild. Good thing writer-director Lorene Scafaria saves her anger for the patriarchy rather than the strippers who come up with a plan to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients after the recession hits. Even smarter, Scafaria anchors her story in the friendship between Ramona (Jennifer Lopez in a career-best performance), the originator of the scheme, and Destiny (Constance Wu). Before 2008, they and their co-workers are able to earn more than a good living, but after the financial crisis, their profession becomes less than viable. So they decide to drug wealthy Wall Street men and get them to spend ridiculous amounts of money, which they would then keep for themselves. By giving women who are normally sexualized furniture center stage, Scafaria allows us to share their delight in scamming the scammers, then their fear as their world inevitably unravels, resulting in an insightful, female-centric crime story that mostly unfolds sans judgment.
20. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Tumblr media
A24
Gentrification has been given the movie treatment before, but “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” doesn’t just show the scope of its horrors, it makes you feel them. In this world, it’s perfectly feasible for a little girl to happily skip down the street while men in hazard suits are cleaning up the water, as long as she resides in a neighborhood the rest of San Francisco is determined to leave behind in its mad rush for profit. Jimmie Fails (co-writer Jimmie Fails, who plays a fictionalized version of himself) has one thing to cling to though: a beautiful house in the heart of the city, which was built by his grandfather after he returned home from WWII, and is now occupied by an older white couple. When the couple departs, Jimmie and his friend Mont (Jonathan Majors) decide to move in as squatters in a desperate attempt to reclaim it. A tribute to a city that provokes love and despair in equal measure, “The Last Black Man” is a devastating indictment of an America that claims to reward hard work, yet often condemns those who are born with the most odds to overcome.
19. Ready Or Not
Tumblr media
In-laws can be tough, but the clan in “Ready or Not” could probably teach the Lannisters a thing or two. Having grown up in foster care, Grace (Samara Weaving) is eager to bond with her new family, so she happily participates in their tradition of choosing a random game to play on her wedding night. But when she draws the card “Hide and Seek,” she discovers that her new relatives believe that if they are unable to find her and kill her before the night is over, they will lose their vast family fortune. In addition to making the honeymoon awkward, Grace must fight to stay alive in an environment where everyone now regards her as disposable, an acceptable sacrifice to keep the money flowing in. As wickedly funny as it is violently entertaining, “Ready or Not” is a surprisingly heartfelt tribute to humanism and the benefits of being an outsider…especially when insiders have murder on their minds.
18. 1917
Tumblr media
IMDB
Sam Mendes has a reputation for intensity, but his harrowing war drama “1917” brings more suspense and terror than most horror movies. During WWI, two young British soldiers are given a seemingly impossible mission of going behind enemy lines to deliver a message. If they make it through, they’ll not only prevent a disastrous attack, but save quite a few lives, including the brother of one of the soldiers. Shot to give the effect of one continuous take, Mendes turns what might have been a gimmick and uses it to capture the horrors of war, and the humanity that often emerges in spite of it, all in a technically masterful work that showcases a filmmaker at the height of his storytelling abilities.
17. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Tumblr media
Sony Pictures
Given that 2018 saw the release of the critically and commercially successful documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” did 2019 really need another film about Fred Rogers? Hold that thought, because “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” makes an enthusiastic case for yes. It’s probably no coincidence that the posters for both films also mention kindness, since Fred Rogers not only advocated it, he seemed to embody it, and not only to the children who were the target audience of his wildly successful show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Even if Tom Hanks doesn’t have much of a resemblance to Mr. Rogers, he nevertheless seems to channel him and the values he tirelessly championed to an uncanny degree, enough to make journalist Lloyd Vogel’s (Matthew Rhys) journey from cynic to believer feel fresh rather than tired. Director Marielle Heller also brings the same clear-eyed compassion that made “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” so heartfelt to this story of a budding friendship between two very different men.
16. Her Smell
Tumblr media
Elisabeth Moss has long since proven she’s a force of nature, more recently on the Hulu series “The Handmaid’s Tale.” So what more does she have to prove with the film “Her Smell?” Quite a lot it turns out. If “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a showcase for Moss’s powers of restrained passion, then “Her Smell” allows her to tear up the screen like a tornado, destroying all the mere mortals unfortunate enough to become swept into her path as the self-destructive punk rocker Becky Something. As Becky’s mood shifts with the rapidity of a deranged pinball, she can’t seem to latch on to anything resembling stability, despite the efforts of her bandmates, collaborators, and ex-husband to steer her towards a healthier direction. Or just anywhere other than the rock bottom she seems determined to hit with full force. If Becky’s downward spiral is difficult to watch, it’s even harder to look away, as Moss infuses her with a charismatic talent that makes the inescapable tragedy feel Shakespearean in scope.
15. Varda By Agnes
Tumblr media
If the documentary “Varda By Agn��s” is difficult to define, it’s because the late great filmmaker Agnès Varda herself defies anything resembling easy categorization. Like her other films, the premise of “Varda By Agnès” is deceptively simple, yet soon reveals layers of complexity which unfold throughout, as Varda looks back on her life and career while articulating her style of filmmaking. However, the doc is far more than a retrospective, and far less predictable, at one moment reminiscent of a casual chat with an old friend, the next an imaginative journey wherein a great artist instructs devoted cinephiles and neophytes alike on how she not only viewed, but interpreted the world. It’s a fitting end to a decades-long career and life, both of which 90-year-old Varda defined on her own terms to the end.
14. The Farewell
Tumblr media
IMDB
A movie with a character who happens to be a terminally ill grandmother is a tough sell for a comedy. But the matriarch who receives a fatal cancer diagnosis isn’t just a side character in “The Farewell,” she’s the central plot point. After struggling New Yorker Billi’s (Awkwafina) beloved Nai Nai (Shuzhen Zhao) is diagnosed, her family opt to keep her illness a secret and decide to throw a fake wedding to provide an excuse for them all to gather in China and celebrate Nai Nai one last time. And it’s…pretty funny, with not just the expected dark humor, but a wide spectrum of hilarity abounding alongside the touching moments of grief. Based in part on writer-director Lulu Wang’s own experiences, “The Farewell” is apt to make you laugh and cry not just in equal measure, but simultaneously.
13. Little Woods
Tumblr media
IMDB
You can never have too much of Tessa Thompson, and “Little Woods” allows her to fully immerse herself into a role and world where a single wrong step could tear through a life with the force of a tornado. And she downright mesmerizes as Ollie, who finds herself in tight circumstances with a mere eight days left on her probation and the hope of a new life. Or rather, her somewhat estranged sister Deb (Lily James) does after their mother dies, and Deb and her son find themselves on the verge of homelessness and destitution. To help her family, Ollie decides to reenter the world of prescription drug smuggling, a dangerous but profitable business in their bleak rural North Dakota town. Remarkably, this is director Nia DaCosta’s feature debut, and the fact that she gives us a brilliantly realized modern Western with a feminist twist, where a drug run to Canada also doubles as an attempt to receive a safe and low-cost abortion, is hopefully indicative of much more to come. Thankfully, there are already hopeful signs of just that.
12. Dolemite is my Name
Tumblr media
IMDB
Just when you think Eddie Murphy might be teetering on the edge of irrelevance, he reminds you why he’s a pop culture phenomenon by tearing up the screen as Blaxploitation legend Rudy Ray Moore, who became famous in the 70s for his portrayal of alter ego Dolemite in his film and stand-up career. Even if we’re aware of how this is going to end, with Moore investing – and risking – everything he’s built to make a film based on his Dolemite character, Murphy is astounding, radiating joy as he brings his larger-than-life energy and charisma to Moore, who was similarly magnetic. And it’s not just Moore, but the people he’s gathered around him who succeed as well, many of whom were just as underused by the mainstream entertainment industry. As they all revel in building and profiting off a film made on their own terms, it’s the kind of tender, inspirational tribute that earns every bit of its charm and intensity.
11. Queen & Slim
Tumblr media
Universal Pictures
“Queen & Slim” kicks off with its title characters on a date that is only remarkable for its lack of spark, but things get heated in the worst way after a police offer pulls them over for a minor issue, and things escalate, with Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) getting shot and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) shooting the officer in self defense. The two then go on the run together, with their bond and their relationship blossoming as they drive south through a lush vision of Black Americana. That they both come off as deeply human while remaining symbolic of the tragic human cost of racism seems due in large part to the near symbiotic creative melding of director Melina Matsoukas, who also directed Beyonce’s “Lemonade,” and writer Lena Waithe, the creator of the series “The Chi” and who also wrote the acclaimed “Master of None” episode “Thanksgiving.” Their story is tragic, but it is also full of beauty and humor as Queen and Slim dare to hope for something better, even as they know the odds against such a thing are overwhelmingly stacked against them.
10. Fast Color
Tumblr media
Lionsgate
It’s said that not all heroes wear capes, and certainly none of the women with superhuman abilities do in “Fast Color.” This criminally underseen gem has many of the beats, but almost none of the familiar tropes of typical superhero fare. Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays a woman named Ruth, a fugitive on the run from authorities attempting to harness her abilities, and most critically, from herself, since those abilities have become a destructive force she’s unable to control. In this bleak dystopian future which is rapidly running low on resources, the key to Ruth’s future may just lie in the home she fled years ago, where her estranged mother (Lorraine Toussaint) and daughter (Saniyya Sidney) embody a past she tried to escape, and a more hopeful future they may be able to bring to fruition.
9. The Souvenir
Tumblr media
IMDB
Joanna Hogg’s semi-autographical film “The Souvenir” is like a deceptively calm pond which conceals a raging torrent just beneath the surface. Honor Swinton Byrne, the woman responsible for the storm that’s eventually unleashed, may still be constantly referred to as Tilda Swinton’s daughter, but this film suggests that won’t be the case for long. Her performance as Julie, a young film student in the 80s whose dreams are nearly derailed by her involvement with an older man who is also a heroin addict, is the kind of on-screen arrival that the term breakout role was made for. With part two arriving next year, it’s hard to imagine how Hogg or Byrne will match the kind of urgency they brought to this film, but this creative pairing – which feels like a match made in cinematic heaven – could feasibly pull it off.
8. One Child Nation
Tumblr media
One Child Nation
Director Nanfu Wang grew up in a time when China’s infamous one-child policy was at its height, with every facet of society extolling the virtues of having a smaller family…and the consequences of disobedience. After Wang had a son, she decided to investigate the policy she’d never given much thought to and its impact. When she uncovered was a complex and horrific hidden history of forced abortions, child abandonment, and infants who were literally torn from their arms of their families and given to American couples for adoption, who were tragically unaware that they were abetting kidnapping. Wang fearlessly confronts her own complicity and that of her family and community as she delves into the past, and how China is attempting to erase it from its future.
7. Uncut Gems
Tumblr media
A24
If we’re our own worst enemies, then Adam Sandler’s New York City jeweler Howard Ratner will never have a worse one. A gambling addict who’s always in search of that next big score, his need for his drug of choice has wreaked havoc on his personal and professional life. He’s managed to get his hands on the titular gem that may finally change his luck…if he can somehow hold off on his on self-sabotaging impulses. Anchored by not only a career-best performance by Sandler, but a breakout one by Julia Fox as Howard’s mistress, the Safdie brothers immerse us into Howard’s world, then his mindset as he unravels, all the while clinging to the belief in that one big break that could still change everything.
6. Bedlam
Tumblr media
Sundance Institute
In exploring the history of mental illness in America, director Kenneth Paul Rosenberg explores his own family, and how they reacted to his sister’s mental health struggles, then expands his scope into the personal and political ramifications of how we decide to treat a hidden social crisis of our time, one that is steadily worsening. As he travels to jails, Ers, and homeless camps, Rosenberg grounds his documentary with subjects who permit him a staggering amount of access to the highs and lows of their journeys to stability, and more often, how ill-equipped the system is to assist them. It will leave you emotionally gutted, but also with a much-needed greater understanding of a large population who are in desperate need of both compassion and assistance.
5. Luce
Tumblr media
IMDB
No one escapes unscathed in “Luce,” including us, as director Julius Onah slowly but surely tightens his grip on our collective throats, forcing us to realize how even the most privileged among us are caught up in a system that ultimately demeans us all, with little doubt as to just who bears the brunt of the consequences. The titular Luce (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) first seems to have it all and more. Adopted as a child from war-torn African county by suburban white couple Amy (Naomi Watts) and Peter (Tim Roth), Luce is a star athlete, a top student, and popular with students and teachers alike. It’s only when his teacher Harriet (Octavia Spencer) alerts his parents to a potentially disturbing essay by Luce that the cracks in the facade start to show, and Amy realizes just how little she may know the son she’s loved and raised, and perhaps also tokenized. Harrison’s masterful performance is equal parts chilling and heartbreaking as a young man who may be capable of great and terrible things. Just what will Luce become? The film has no answer.
4. Little Women
Tumblr media
Sony Pictures
Greta Gerwig didn’t just write and direct Louisa May Alcott’s beloved 1868 novel, she brought it to life, with each of the four March sisters getting their due. Yes, even Amy. One of the most brilliant decisions Gerwig makes is to bring the book to the big screen in a nonlinear fashion, juxtaposing scenes from the sisters’ idyllic childhood with their darker adulthood. While the Civil War rages, depriving them of their father, the March family becomes a matriarchal worldutopia, wherein Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen), and Amy (Florence Pugh) are free to explore their hopes and ambitions, guided by their beloved Marmee (Laura Dern), and befriended by their wealthy neighbor Laurie (Timothée Chalamet). As each sister struggles to find her way, Gerwig takes care to ensure that their lives not only feel familiar, but relevant as each wrestles with how to balance their dreams with the narrow expectations imposed on them.
3. Atlantics
Tumblr media
IMDB
Mati Diop made history in more ways than one with her feature debut “Atlantics.” She was the first black woman to have a film in the main competition at Cannes, where “Atlantics” won the Grand Prix. The film more than lives up to the hype, with a touching love story that is also part supernatural fable and devastating indictment of modern exploitation and rampant poverty. Ada (Mama Bineta Sane) lives in a Senegalese suburb, and is promised to a wealthy man. But she is in love with Souleiman (Traore), a construction worker on a futuristic tower which is due to open soon. Souleiman and his co-workers haven’t been paid for their labor in months, so they decide to take their chances and depart by sea in search of something better. As Ada waits for news of him as she prepares to marry, she gradually learns that the spirits of Souleiman and the other young men are possessing the bodies of the living and demanding justice. As Ada slowly comes to accept the truth and take control of her own life and body (she’s forced to take a virginity test), Diop infuses her story with a beauty that never belies its sense of urgency for compassion in a world that can often seem short on it.
2. Parasite
Tumblr media
IMDB
The word parasite conjures up images of a creature which takes from a victimized host without a thought of giving or the consequences thereof, but as Bong Joon-ho’s latest slice of brilliance unfolds, it’s unclear just whom is feeding on whom. But in the vicious capitalistic times we’ve arrived in, perhaps everyone is feeding on everyone, whether they know it or not. In the story of the impoverished Kim family, who manage to scam their way into various positions of employment with the wealthy Park family, Bong Joon-ho serves up a scathing indictment of the inequality which twists haves and have-nots alike. As one jaw-dropping development after another threatens to deprive the Kims of their newfound prosperity, both families suffer the horrific consequences. And even if you are able to free yourself from the dark obsession inherent in wanting a good life which remains tantalizingly out of reach, the vicious cycle, one borne out of a need that will never be quenched, continues.
1. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Tumblr media
IMDB
If Céline Sciamma had just wrote and directed a romance between two women who find the kind of love that leaves the screen burning from their mutual passion, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” would still have been one of the best films of the year. But Sciamma does so much more, making the case for an entire history that has mostly been unacknowledged by the art world. Not just of the female artists who managed to create in spite of the obstacles, but the lives of women in general, who are often not considered worthwhile subjects. (Times have sure changed, huh?) “Portrait” may take place in 18th century France, but its insights into the dynamics between artist and muse, how art is created, and how those who are silenced manage to find a voice, feels very much needed in our present moment.
from A Reel Of One’s Own https://ift.tt/2RcXbMK via IFTTT
from WordPress https://ift.tt/35SBg2A via IFTTT
1 note · View note
dopescotlandwarrior · 4 years
Text
Bluegrass-Chapter Ten
Tumblr media
                           My thanks to @statell​ for your help and wisdom
Previous chapters on AO3
Chapter Ten
The track stewards were unmoving in their decision to disqualify Midnight Runner. Track officials made a public announcement, and then it was over. The final word was that Runner had bumped the second-place horse in his rapid advance late in the race. The bump was hard enough to knock the horse's stride off thereby eliminating any chance to win.
Michael, Claire, and Jamie studied the race video repeatedly to see what happened and decided there was little that could have prevented it, unless Claire was doing her part as a jockey.
“It’s a big part of what the jockey does, you watch for openings and potential problems Claire. It’s time for you to become his jockey.”
Claire looked at Michael, “It’s about God damn time.”
They had two weeks before the next race in Kentucky and Claire would learn as fast as she could to prevent further bumps. She would have a long mental talk with Runner, so he understood the consequences of bumping another horse.
Jamie and Michael made sure Runner was safely boarded on the plane and rode back with the handler who brought them. Claire had everything packed and ready when Jamie returned, but she was too quiet. Jamie hugged her and asked for some honest talk time before they left. Sitting across from each other he asked what was on her mind.
“If something goes catastrophically wrong in a race, like yesterday, I wouldn’t be responsible for it up until now, because I wasn’t guiding him. Now I’m nervous that I won’t be a very good jockey and my direction to Runner will be wrong and cause a real mess.”
“It sounds like you trust Runner more than yerself lass. Can ye not see how much yer needed now? The races get harder from here because the weaker horses are gettin pulled from the stakes races. He will be runnin against better horses and he needs yer guidance.”
“I have two weeks to learn how to guide a twelve- hundred- pound speeding bullet with other horses all around us, and I’m terrified at the thought.”
“Ye said ye rode hunter-jumpers until two years ago but ye did more than that, didn’t ye lass?”
She threw him a questioning look.
“Forgive me Sassenach, I checked because I had to know everything about ye. This was back when my crush first started before I kissed ye the first time. It was the only thing I could do when I was missin ye.”
“I’m not sure I follow where this is going, Jamie.”
“Ye did more than just ride. Ye showed them competitively, even through vet school. Ye won yer class at the Hampton Classic did ye not? I watched your jump off and almost had a heart attack at the height and size of the jumps, the tight corners and angles, and the speed! Have ye forgotten that Sassenach? What ye will do in the race doesn’t even compare to that level of control.”
Claire blushed and looked at her hands. “That seems like another lifetime ago Jamie,” she said quietly.
“Well, it wasn’t, love, and it’s time to channel the competitor Claire and learn to race. I haven’t a single doubt about yer ability to learn, and ride him straight through undefeated.”
Jamie pulled her into his arms and kissed her with all the love and passion he felt. The colt was still proving he was one in a million with each race he won so they had to keep going. Now that they were going back to Kentucky, there were other issues they would have to deal with. He needed to see her strength, now more than ever.
It was decided that Michael would bunk with Jamie until he found somewhere to live and purchased a car. Jamie hoped Isobel would be cordial and accept the new roommate for the short time he was there.
Rupert pulled up to Claire’s house and waited for Jamie to walk her inside. She clung to him and kissed him before he was out the door, leaving her with all her doubts.
Jamie had explained his living situation and the presence of Isobel to Michael the best he could. The men stopped at the compound to look at the new quarantine wing where Runner and Porcelain Love would stay safe from outside threats. Jamie looked at the new multiplexer and thirty-two cameras that were displayed across two large screens in his office. Tomorrow he would get the doors online and provide pass codes for all the borders and staff. Isobel would not be getting a password and if she walked into the compound she would be followed closely by Rupert or Angus.
Michael appreciated the high tech facility and the improvements Jamie had made while they were in New York. He wasn’t a stupid man. There was more to the story than Jamie had shared and it piqued his interest, not only for Runner’s safety but for the wellbeing of his new friends. He would keep his eyes open and melt into the background for now.
Finding the house empty of one irritating Isobel, Jamie showed Michael to a guest room and went to bed. He sent a text message to Isobel telling her they had a guest so she wouldn’t shoot him when she came home. He laid in his bed and dialed Claire. He missed her already.
“Beauchamp.”
“My love, ye have caller ID do ye not?”
“I never remember to look. How is the most handsome man in the world?”
“What in God’s name is going on over there?”
“Sorry.” Claire closed herself into her room and the giggling girls were no longer heard. “That is Molly and Lulu and some boy that stopped by. I haven’t figured out why they are so happy. They talk so fast I can’t understand a thing they say. They make me feel old.”
“I’ll miss ye tonight mo chridhe. Runner has another two days of rest and I will lose my mind by then. Can I come over tomorrow night?”
“Anytime, day or night, Jamie. I’ll miss you too. Goodnight love.”
“Goodnight.”
The weight of the world became too heavy for Jamie to bear so he gave in to sleep and let the blackness carry him away.
Michael struggled with insomnia and tonight it was next to impossible to fall asleep. He decided to take a walk and stop sheet boxing. Once on the road, he naturally walked toward the compound enjoying the lovely evening. Large floodlights made it easy to find his way into the stall area and he walked the aisles looking at beautiful horses tucked in for the night. He found Runner’s wing and slipped in to give him some love when he was jumped from behind and almost strangled in the process.
“My name is Michael, I’m a guest of Jamie’s!”
Suddenly the weight on his back was gone and Rupert was sputtering his apology. Once Michael could breathe again, he asked why he was attacked. Rupert explained they were taking turns sleeping near Runner for his protection.
“Jamie will activate the new locks tomorrow, so we won’t have to do this anymore.”
“What are you protecting him from?”
“Well, two years ago someone tried to poison Jamie’s horses. Several died but Claire was able to save the others, including Runner. She cut him right out of the dead dam. So lately, there’s talk of someone comin into the stall area, late at night. Jamie and Claire got worried the same person was tryin to kill them again. Or steal them. That’s why we have all this new equipment and this quarantine wing. Just an excuse to fortify the walls, purify the air, and keep the feed separate. They never found the guy that tried to kill them so he’s still out there.”
Michael couldn’t believe his ears but now he understood all the new security. It seemed a bit over-reactive, but he never had someone try to kill his horses before.
“This person who came to the stalls recently, who saw him and did they ask why the guy was here?”
“No, Claire heard about it from Runner who was scared shitless about it, and it was a woman.”
“Come again?”
“It was a woman he said.”
“Who said?”
“Runner.” Michael was trying to keep his composure as he backed away from Rupert. He wanted to get out of the compound and back to the sane people right away.
“I see. Well, goodnight, sorry I bothered you.”
Rupert watched the man walk swiftly to the outside door thinking he was a bit odd. The horses were sound asleep again, so Rupert jumped back into his blankets and joined them.
Michael was replaying the scene with Rupert on his way back to the house, convinced Rupert was challenged in some way and Jamie gave him a job out of the kindness of his heart. That must be it, he told himself. Before he got to the house his cell phone was vibrating with a message from Claire. It was only ten o’clock so he called her back.
“Beauchamp.”
“Claire, hello, just got your text as I was walking back to Jamie’s. I went down to the compound to walk off some stress and ran into Rupert.”
“Oh, okay, now you’re walking back. I see.”
“Rupert told me about the woman who was coming to the stalls late at night. I was wondering, who found her?”
“No one found her.”
”How do you know she was here then?”
“Runner told me.”
Michael heard the bomb go off in his mind and he staggered to get his legs under him so he didn’t fall. His heart was pounding, and his hand pushed sweat off his forehead.
“Well, goodnight Michael. I will see you in a couple of days.”
“Yes, goodnight Claire.”
Michael felt like he was in the twilight zone where people seemed normal until they had you on a breeding farm in the middle of nowhere and then revealed they were all crazy. He couldn’t walk himself out of here if he tried. It had to be many miles to the nearest store or gas station, and he had no idea which way to go. He had no choice except lock himself in his room until morning then ask for a ride to town.
Jamie was pulling wire into his office the next morning when Michael came in. He looked a bit under the weather and Jamie asked if he was well. Michael was fidgeting and looking at the ground while Jamie was distracted by running the wire.
“I came down here last night when I couldn’t sleep. I spoke to Rupert after he nearly choked me to death. We had a nice talk about things.”
Jamie looked at Michael, “what kind of things?”
“Well, the woman who visits the stalls late at night. He said Runner told you.”
“Nah, he doesna talk to me, only Claire.”
Michael was positive now, they were all crazy. “Do you think I could get a ride into town, right now?”
“Of course, Rupert can drive ye.”
“Is there anyone else available?”
Jamie put down the wire and looked at the trainer.
“What’s goin on Michael, yer acting very strange and why don’t ye come in and take a seat?”
“I need to get on my way actually, right now, and I can’t wait.”
Jamie could see the man was terrified and wondered what happened to him.
“Michael, ye mean a lot to us and I hate to see ye go. What’s happened to ye?”
He described what happened the night before and his brief conversation with Claire.
Jamie dialed Claire and told her they were coming over so she could talk to Michael about talking to animals. On the way, he had plenty of time to explain what happened the first time Claire came to Highland Brothers to do yearling checks and instead, walked into a mass poisoning.
“She held their head and started calling out drugs to mix into a cocktail. No way she could have assessed the poisoning so precisely but in the end, she saved all but five. My prized dam died and Claire cut the colt out of her. I bottle raised him which is why he had to be taught to run, I think. I dinna think he knew he was a horse. Claire taught him by racing him like he was a kid. It worked, now he only wants to race. When I saw him really run, I was stunned by his speed. He wouldn’t accept a rider until Claire held his head and told him something. She is the only one who can ride him.”
Michael looked like he wanted to open the door and run. Anywhere, it didn’t matter, as long as it was away from Jamie. The story he just heard was pure fiction, that was obvious, but who was such a master to perpetuate such a tail. Claire. She must truly be gifted to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes, he thought. He felt a bit sorry for gullible Jamie, but it wasn’t his business. He had one task in front of him, get away from these people and find a way back to New York.
Claire clicked off feeling a deep worry about Michael leaving them. She asked Molly to please stick around to add her testimony and rushed to get dressed.
Claire welcomed them all to sit on the patio and went inside for a pitcher of lemon aid. Jamie followed her and told Molly to make sure Michael didn’t bolt for the stairs.
“Give me yer mouth Sassenach,”
Jamie kissed her several times before carrying the pitcher outside, followed by Claire who sat down and waited for Michael’s questions. The neighbor's cat was a regular visitor to her porch and jumped into Claire’s lap, purring with happiness at being stroked.
Claire could see Michael was not open-minded now and her answers fell on deaf ears. She told the cat to lick the face of the man near the stairs and sent a mental image.
“Michael, do be kind and let the kitty lick your face, don’t scare him.”
Michael looked at Claire like she was crazy because cats didn’t like him and never gave him a second look. The cat jumped in his lap and got up on hind legs to lick his cheek. Then it went back to Claire’s lap and curled up in the sun.
The silence was deafening as Michael struggled to accept what he just saw with his own eyes.
“Michael, it’s not important that you believe me, those closest to me had a very hard time with it. I understand that and do not force the issue. We can all coexist for the sake of Runner and hold our own beliefs. We are not a group of crazy people that believes we can talk to animals. Only me.”
That seemed to snap Michael out of his fear-based silence and he looked at Jamie.
“You don’t hear animals talking?”
“Never have, only Claire.”
“As long as I don’t offend you believing animals can’t talk to any human, I’m in.”
“It will not offend me, Michael, and I am very relieved to hear you are still with us.”
Jamie gave Claire a long look as they were leaving. It seemed she was always alone, starting with her parent's death and now a special gift that no one believed in. He wondered how she could be so level-headed, so compassionate, and not hate the world. He could hardly wait to get back here after work. He needed to hold her and tell her what was in his heart.
49 notes · View notes
rhina988 · 7 years
Text
Indecent Proposal - Chapter 3
Read from the beginning
Read Chapter 2
I must’ve been driving for at least an hour when I finally stopped at one of the viewpoints. It seemed as the perfect place to think and gather my thoughts. I got out of the car and leaned against the hood to look over the city. I couldn’t believe what Jared just asked me. Did he actually expect me to just take his damn money and pretend to be his happy little wife? How dare he insult me like that? God I was so furious I could kill him on the spot. I wasn’t much of a fan of his before, but now, now I wasn’t going to talk to him for the rest of my life. In the middle of my interior monologue, I heard my phone buzzing.
“Hello, “ I answered to an unknown number.
“Hey, Melody, it’s Jack” Jamie’s father “Jamie’s condition just got worse, do you think you could come to the hospital? He wants you by his side” tears had immediately overflown my face.
“Oh my God, no…” I cried out “Yes, I’m on my way” I hung up and ran to my car. 
I felt like the drive took forever, even though I was in the hospital within 20 minutes. Every second felt like a lifetime. Why did this have to happen to the best person in the world? Jamie was the most selfless, kind, warm, loving, and amazing person I’ve ever known. He didn’t deserve to have this kind of life.
I was finally in the hospital garage, parked my car, and stormed inside the building, to be by Jamie’s side. I was in front of Jamie’s room when I heard a crowd of doctors and nurses rambling. Jamie’s mom Karen and his father Jack were staying by the bed, hugging and crying. It seemed as if Jamie was struggling after today’s dialysis.
I walked inside and instantly started to cry. Jack and Karen saw me and came closer to give me a hug. They cared about me as if I was their daughter.
“What happened?” I asked in tears.
“His other kidney is almost completely out of function. They need to perform a surgery as soon as possible. He literally has a couple of ….” Jack could barely finish the sentence while Karen couldn’t stop sobbing “… a couple of days to live” Jack was crushed “Damn money… why… God…” he just hugged Karen and fight to contain his tears and anger.
My heart was crushed. I felt like my entire world was falling apart. A part of me was dying along with Jamie, and I couldn’t have let that happen. I would give my life for him, and I knew he’d do the same for me. If I had to sacrifice everything for him, I would. He was the brother I never had and he deserved my help more than anyone else in the world.
“Don’t worry,” I wiped the tears of my face, pulled myself together and hugged Karen and Jack, “Jamie’s gonna be just fine. I promise.”
I went to talk to the doctor, and he had told me that Jamie needs to go in surgery first thing in the morning, or he might not make it until the day after. I said I’ll have the money by the end of the day, so they should prepare him for a transplant. Jack was a match, so he could be a donor, and, luckily, that was not an issue. The money, or the lack of one to be exact, however, was. It was the only thing in the way of Jamie’s healthy life. I guess some lives, unfortunately, have an exact price.
I ran to my car and headed back to Jared’s house. There was only one thing I could’ve done, and now I knew I didn’t have any other choice. I entered the empty house, so I started to shout and call for Jared. I looked everywhere and finally found him alone at the studio. I stormed inside the room and saw him sitting, playing the guitar. I can’t imagine the look on my face, but it must’ve been terrifying, because Jared instantly jumped off the chair and put the guitar down when he saw me.
“Hi, what are you doing here?” he was surprised to see me, that’s for sure.
“I came to tell you that I’d accept your offer…”
“Would you, now?” he interrupted me and raised his eyebrows, so I lifted my hand at him signalizing him to stop talking.
“… but I have two conditions” I raised my eyebrows and tilted my head expecting a reaction.
“OK…” he said and nodded in surprise.
“The first one is that you pay me $500 000…”
“Excuse…” he interrupted me again.
“I’m not finished!” I shouted “You need my help, right? So, either it’s my way or no way at all” I acted all defensive and confident. I could barely recognize myself right now. Usually, I wouldn’t have known how to stand up for myself, but now when Jamie’s life was at stake, I guess I was ready for anything.
“Fine. What’s the other condition?” Jared asked and crossed his arms over his chest.
“You’ll pay me $250 000 right now, and the rest when we get married” I said and waited for Jared’s response.
He put his hands in his pockets, smiled, waved his head, and came close to me. He looked me in the eyes, touched my cheek with the back of his hand,  “I thought you said I couldn’t put a price on you” he said with the sleaziest grin on his face.
I slammed his hand off my face “You can’t! But unfortunately money is sometimes the only way for someone to stay alive” I said and pulled away from him.
“What is that supposed…” he tried to ask, but I wouldn’t let him.
“Look, are you gonna do it or not?” I was determined to get an acceptance from him now. Jamie didn’t have much time and Jared was wasting precious minutes on this conversation.
“That’s a lot of money” he said cynically, while his eyes sparkled. It almost looked like he liked that I was so feisty. 
“Yes, and you have it” I said furiously.
“True… but I wasn’t planning on spending so much, on my fake wife,” he said emphasizing fake which only made me hate him even more, “So if I’m to give you all that money, I’m gonna have some conditions of my own,” he licked his lips and checked me out from head to toe. This only made him that much repulsive that I could vomit.
I took a deep breath, tried to control myself instead of telling what son of a bitch he’s being right now, “Fine. What do you want from me?” I asked pretending to be all right.
“That’s for me to know, and for you to find out … when the time comes,” he said and offered me a hand to shake, “Deal?”
The mere thought of touching his hand was more grows than shaking the hand of the devil himself, but a girl’s gotta do what girl’s gotta do, “Deal” I said and shook his hand.
Jared put that ridiculous smile on his face and nodded saying, “Good girl”. Those two words echoed in my mind like crazy. Somehow, it made me feel like he thought of me as his property. Did I just sign a Faustian deal and was on a highway straight to hell?
I did sell myself to him, but it was for a good cause, right? Oh God I needed Jamie’s advice on this ,so bad,  right now; but the fact that I wasn’t able to count on him now, only showed me I had made the right choice. I need him back in my life to support me and encourage me, so he can’t leave me now. Or any time soon.
“Come with me” Jared said and walked out of the studio. I followed him to his office, so he could write me a check. He put $250 000 on it and gave it to me right away “Here you go”.
“Thank you,” I said, folded the check and put it into my bag, “So, what happens next?” I asked nervously and started pacing through the room.
“Dum, dum, da dum” he started to sing the rhythm of a wedding march, never taking that smile off his face.
“Ugh.. Obviously the wedding. But when, how, I need the details,” I rolled my eyes and looked at him with repulse. He was so irritating.
“What do you say we talk about that over lunch? You’re free for today anyway, I spoke to Emma after you left this morning,” he suggested and leaned against his desk waiting for an answer.
“Well, I guess we should be seen in public a couple of times if we’re gonna announce the wedding, right?” I looked at him, he just nodded and bit his lower lip “OK, but I have to do one thing first. I’ll meet you at that restaurant you like to go to, around 1 o'clock?”
“Great, I’ll see you then, wifey” ugh, that word stabbed me like the knife straight to the heart, which made me flinch. 
This is not the way my life was supposed to be. But if Jamie’s gonna get better because of it, then I have to take it. I left Jared’s house and went straight to the bank to put the cash from the check on my account, so that it can be transferred from that one to the hospital’s. I got back to the hospital afterwards, to see Jamie. The doctor was again in his room checking up on him.
“How is my strong man?” I asked and forced a smile, to make sure Jamie’s not discouraged by my sad face.
“Not… so strong” he managed to whisper a little.
“Well, you’ll be all better tomorrow” I approached his bed and patted him on the forehead.
Jack and Karen looked at each other, then at me. They were confused by my answer. 
“Don’t you worry a thing” I said, kissed him on the forehead and waved my hand at Jack and Karen, so we’d get out of the room.
“What did you mean by that?” Jack asked me, since Karen was too miserable to even speak.
“I got the money for Jamie’s surgery,” I said and took Karen by her hand, which instantly brought back the biggest smile on her face. 
Jack hugged her and smiled, then asked me “But how? Where did you..?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I rubbed his arm and smiled, “All that matters is that you’re gonna go to surgery and help your boy be healthy again.”
They couldn’t speak from all the joy. Karen just gave be a hug, almost suffocating me. Then she started to cry, but this time those were the tears of joy.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Melody… I’m speechless,” Jack said and shed a tear. Then he wiped it off with his finger, and took a deep breath “I want you to know that I’ve always appreciated you, but now… now I consider you to be my other child, ” his words literally touched my soul. I couldn’t believe what he just said.
“Thank you, Jack,” I said and touched my chest as I was so moved by his statement, “I’ve always looked up to Jamie, and he was like a brother I never had, so I couldn’t let anything happen to him.”
“We’ll be forever in debt to you,” Karen said and sniffled a little.
“No, the only thing that matters is that Jamie gets better. You don’t owe me anything. Just keep him safe and healthy after the surgery. That’s all,” I said and hugged them both, “I have to go now, but I’ll be here first thing in the morning.”
I left the hospital and went home to take a shower and change for my lunch with Jared. My worst nightmare was about to begin. I had no idea what Jared had planned for the two of us, but I knew I had to put on a brave face and play the game by his rules. No matter what they were. 
Read Chapter 4 
Feel free to comment and leave feedback.
Let me know if you’d like me to tag you in the next chapters.
Hope you enjoyed it.
@legolasothranduilion @chris-evans-whaaat @woohooargentina-blog @nikkitasevoli @wolfgirl1074 @snewsome756  @leto-madness @iamthejaredleto
For some reason I still can’t tag @nuu-nuu , so if anyone can do it for me please do so. I don’t get this blog in suggestions when I start typing in the username. And I’ve checked if I spelled it correctly and I did, so I don’t know why I can’t tag it.
46 notes · View notes
oxfordeliterp · 7 years
Photo
Tumblr media
CONGRATULATIONS, HARLEEN!
You have been accepted to play the role of MARC ARKWRIGHT with the faceclaim of SEBASTIAN STAN/MATTHEW DADDARIO. Please create your account and send it to the main in the next 24 hours. I have never believed in quantity over quality and your application, albeit relatively short, manages to paint a clear picture of who Marc is to you — and what he is to you, he became to me, because you are clearly inspired and ready to guide him in an unique way as the roleplay group grows. I, for one, am excited about every detail of your application and seeing them played out is certainly going to be entertaining, no matter what your concrete plans are. Your passion and seriousness are showing and are contagious. Please message the main, alongside your account, regarding your final faceclaim choice. Thank you.
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Name and pronouns: Harleen. She/Her.
Age: 18.  
Time-zone: PST.
Activity level: Right now, I have a short break before my summer classes start up, so I am basically free all of the time. But, even when my classes do start up, they will be manageable and I’ll still be able to get on. And, just to put it out there, I never ghost rps! I hate it and I never do it, I always give my 100%!
Triggers: removed for privacy
IN CHARACTER INFORMATION
Desired character: Marc Arkwright – aksfjkdsg I read his bio and instantly fell in loveee! I’m a sucker for broken characters, oops?  And, I saw soo much potential for him, and so much that I could do with his character! I have a lot of different ideas for family/sexuality/Elizabeth and I would love to get the chance to develop him!!
Gender and pronouns of the character: He/Him.
Changes: I am torn, I love Sebastian, but I also love Matthew but I am TORN rn... will I be able to make a final fc decision after / if accepted? (If not, I’ll stick with Sebastian no worries!) 
Traits:
everyone always sees marc as hot-headed & aggressive, but they always forget he’s nothing if not loyal & fierce. and, rarely, they can catch him being tender & driven – he’s got too much going on in his mind to focus on letting his guards down or wondering about the future when his present is at stake. dealing with a chronic illness [ooc: yet to be decided], marc has become angry at the world, reflective of his mistakes, but nonetheless – he still keeps his head up, because, goddamn, he’s still marc fucking arkwright, and if the world’s only catching up to him now, it still has a long way to go.
Extras:
major: business – a choice probably pushed forward by his father. marc sort of hates business, unless he’s thinking about himself as the CEO of something.
his mother’s absence probably has something to do with his extensive trust issues
he’s always been close with his father, until recently [ooc: i might link this back to his sexuality]
sexuality: bisexual – and hiding it. he’s known for the girls falling at his feet, and he’s not ready to break his reputation [ooc: i want to make his reputation a big important thing for him, and i’m probably going to link this back to his father/having to act masculine/straight/etc vs finding out he’s sick/ready to give it up, and if i get accepted + i can make a full/better developed biography!]
PARA SAMPLE
Marc was late and there were six missed calls sitting on his phone. However, he had already made it here before the first call – he just couldn’t make it inside.Marc looked up at the church casting abstract shadows around him and fought the temptation to reach for another cigarette. But, he had already smoked one on his way here and another as he paced in the parking lot. There was a precarious feeling shifting through his bones as he stood in front the ethereal church. If he closed his eyes, he could remember fragments of blue skies and Sunday services and that uncomfortable feeling under his skin every time he was forced to walk into a church- the feeling was still there. Expect, this time, it was mixed with crushing guilt and a heavy feeling tearing at his heart. And, it wasn’t just blue skies he remembered, but bright eyes and light laughter. If only she knew what he could be capable of.  
Giving one last look to his sleek car parked recklessly on the side, he stepped off the curb and pushed away all of the thoughts of speeding away. Marc walked toward the front steps of the church, hands fidgeting at his sides before he shoved them into his pockets. He held his breath as he walked in through the large doors and he could feel every single head turn, all of the pairs of eyes staring him down, and he could already sense the gossip stirring in mouths. Tilting his chin up like a fuck you, he let all his nerves unravel as he sauntered over to where he saw Jamie standing. Marc pulled his hands out of his pockets and tugged at his tie as he fixed his eyes to the front, the casket sitting in a halo of sunlight pouring in through stained windows. He felt something nudge his side, and looked up at Jamie. “Hey,” the other’s voice seemed to reach out and pull him out of his trance. He met his eyes and tried to stomach his tight-lipped smile. But, it only made him that much more sick. Turning back to the front, Marc let everything drown into static. Near the end, Elizabeth’s family had left a slot of time for him to speak on behalf of his classmates. If only they knew what he was guilty of.
Stumbling up the few steps, he walked over to the podium and tried to take a deep breath in. But, suddenly, Marc couldn’t breathe. He was suffocating, but nobody noticed. All eyes were on him, but nobody fucking noticed. His heartbeat was racing rapidly. Shit, shit. “Fuck, I can’t,” The words tripped out of his mouth, as he stared at everyone looking at him. He couldn’t register their faces, couldn’t register anything besides the guilt ripping him apart. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He broke for a faltered second, before instinct was pulling him back in. Taking a step back, he drew in a large breath. The room was silent and everyone was watching him closely – waiting for his next move, and he had to calculate if carefully. Glancing up, he shifted closer to the podium. “If only Elizabeth was here, to see me like this. She would crack some joke,” he let out a soft breath and tried to ease the tightness in his bones. “The first time I met her, I…” Marc looked at the crowd and quickly fell into his place as Marc Fucking Arkwright, just as quickly as he had fallen apart. If only everyone knew how practiced he had become at pulling himself together.
1 note · View note