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bluesfortheredj · 4 years

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Myths and legends.

There had long been talk of a curse placed upon your family many moons ago, but you always took such whisperings with a heavy pinch of salt and a large amount of disbelief. Witches? Curses? It was the twenty first century not the sixteenth, and the fairy tales that you heard from family members were getting rather tiresome. All you’d heard throughout your life was how the women of the family were doomed to be alone, never destined to be married unless they found that one person who would break the curse and lay true love’s kiss upon their sweet lips. It was a cliché, it sounded as if it was straight from a Disney film in all honesty, and even when faced with the facts you were very dubious about how true this was; it could be pure coincidence after all. So what if none of the women in your family had married? So what if many had come close but all had failed due to unforeseen circumstances such as sudden deaths and disappearances? Didn’t mean it was true, it was simply bad luck! A self fulfilling prophecy in your opinion, especially with how much people were obsessed with it.

“This isn’t to be taken lightly (Y/N),” your mother warns as you dismiss your Aunt’s insistence that you need to take all of this seriously, “if you find someone and they propose you could be putting them in a very dangerous situation.”

“Isn’t that the only way to find out whether it’s true love or not? How else will you know? You kiss him and then suddenly the world fades around you both and fireworks go off everywhere?!” you question sarcastically.

“Don’t be so ridiculous!” your Aunt scolds, “this isn’t a joke.”

You sigh as you sink into the armchair opposite her, “I’m sorry. I know it’s not. I’m sorry about what happened to Daniel, and I’m sorry about what happened to dad; are you sure that this is the so called ‘curse’ though, and not just bad luck?”

“We’re sure,” your mother sighs sadly, “you need to realise just how powerful true love’s kiss can be. It can change your life, it can break all manner of curses, it can change the future of this family.”

“But how will I know? Aren’t there some instructions or something that comes along with a curse? I’ve kissed a fair few people; how do I know I haven’t met the one yet?”

“It’s said that you’ll wake to a brighter world once true love’s kiss has been placed upon your lips,” your Aunt replies, “whatever that means.”

“And although you loved your partners, you never felt like that?” you ask as you look between the two women.

They both shake their heads solemnly, “unfortunately not.”

“So why did you go ahead with the wedding plans knowing that you could be putting them in danger?”

“Because we were like you!” you mum exclaims, “young and disbelieving that anything bad could happen. I know that a couple of generations in this family were never warned in the first place, the curse having been forgotten, but it soon reared its head again and we’ve made sure it hasn’t been overlooked again.”

“Hmm,” you hum, quickly checking your watch, “I’ve got to go, I promised I’d meet Gwil, I’ll see you both later.”

“Bye sweetie.”

“I’m sorry by the way,” you add when you reach the doorway, “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

You get into your car, a renewed worry now washing over you, and drive into town where you were to meet your lifelong friend Gwilym. The older you got the less you saw of each other, but you always tried to make time for one another at least once every couple of months or so. He knew about the supposed curse on your family and the two of you had joked about it at length, but now you’d truly been convinced that it was real it suddenly lost all comedic aspects. What if you never found the person to break the curse? There’s billions of people on earth, the chances of you finding your one true love were slim to none as far as you were concerned. Luckily the sight of Gwil was enough to brighten up your face a little and as you walk into his open arms you feel a bit better than you had done on the drive here as you mulled things over in your mind.

“Hello you,” he sighs happily.

“I’m so glad to see you,” you reply, your voice muffled by his jumper.

“What’s wrong?” he frowns, holding you at arm’s length and studying your face, “sit down and tell me all about it.”

“Oh, you know, the usual… the great curse that hangs over my family and the fact that the chances of finding anyone to break it are pretty much zilch.”

“Ah. So they’re still going on at you about it?”

“I brought it on myself, I was being my usual ignorant self and talking about how it was probably just a coincidence or self fulfilling prophecy type thing… but it’s not,” you pause as you exhale, “it’s really not.”

“Right then, you’d better sign up to every dating site going so we can find you your true love!” he announces, slapping the table triumphantly as his idea, “you can start downloading apps while I get us drinks. Tea with a chocolate chip muffin, yeah?”

“You know me so well,” you chuckle as you get your phone out of your pocket.

You download the first free dating app you find, one you’d used before, then fill in your details and start swiping through your initial matches just as Gwilym arrives at the table with a tray of treats.

“Show me,” he grins as he sits down and slides your phone towards him.

He begins to flick through the options and as you look at each picture of the men you instantly dismiss them for what you realise is the same reason every time; they don’t look like Gwil. You cover your face with your hands, and hear his familiar laugh at your action.

“That bad, huh?”

“You could say that.”

“Well come on then, describe your perfect man,” he suggests as he locks your phone and picks up his mug instead.

“Well… y’know… rugged good looks, thick hair that you can run your fingers through, tall, someone with some meat on them so you’re not hugging a lamppost, a guy who can take the piss out of himself and who has a wicked sense of humour, someone who’s family orientated with a big heart… I dunno, that’s all I can think of.”

“Not to be big headed but that kind of sounds like me,” he winks.

“You?!” you laugh, a little too enthusiastically.

“Ouch!” he chuckles.

“I didn’t mean to laugh so much… I just… I think I need to go actually,” you frown.

Gwilym quickly reaches out his hand and places it gently on top of yours before running his thumb along your skin softly, “stay,” he whispers, “please. Don’t be scared.”

“But I am,” you admit quietly as you relax back into your chair.

“Why?”

“Because I have bottled these feelings for so long that I don’t know how to deal with them. It was fine when I didn’t believe in anything my family said but now it’s different, it’s very real, and I am not willing to put you in any danger.”

“What if I want to take that risk? What if I propose right now without even knowing the answer? It’d be worth it in my opinion.”

“Don’t you dare!” you warn him with a gasp, “do you realise what that could mean if… if it wasn’t you?”

“Do you think it isn’t?”

“I don’t know what I think but all I know is that I can’t involve you in this, it’s not fair.”

“I want to be involved. Please. I’ve wondered if you’ve felt the same for so long and I can’t let this opportunity slip now that I know you feel the same.”

You slide your hand out from underneath his and sip your tea quickly as you begin to wonder how this meet with your close friend had suddenly taken a very different turn, and Gwilym leans back in his chair as he drinks from his mug, giving you some space that you definitely needed.

“Will there be some kind of sign if it is true love’s kiss?” he asks casually after a few minutes of silence.

“Apparently,” you nod.

He smiles then leans forward and swoops in to kiss your lips with a softness that you’d only ever dreamed of before. He places one of his hands on your cheek, his finger tips gently caressing your skin as his lips move with yours in a joyous dance, and the arm that’s nearest to his body reaches out to land on his thigh as you lean too far forwards on your chair, almost toppling it over.

“So…?” he grins as he pulls his lips away reluctantly and rests his forehead against yours.

You look into his eyes as you open your lips to reply, but then you gasp as the blue of his irises suddenly appears to illuminate right before you, and you pull back in shock as everything around you glows.

“(Y/N)?” he questions as he sees your gaze darting around the cafe to make sure you were seeing things correctly.

“I… Gwilym!” you laugh as you take his hands, “why didn’t you kiss me before?!”

“No!” he chuckles, “really?!”

“Yes! Did you know?”

“Well I certainly knew that you were the one for me… I just wasn’t completely sure that I was the one for you...”

“You’ve always been the one for me Gwil, I was just too scared to admit it.”

So not 100% sure how to do a submission and saw you were gonna stop writing soo was wondering if youd be willing to do a story of either Charlie Nelson or gwil (I'll let you pick if you write it) and have it be something like true loves kiss breaks the curse or saves the day?

@painthatiusedto @winnielinleigh @queenslandlover-93 @excellentbecca @peachllobotomy @lovemarvelousfics @lovemelikeyou1997 @readinghorn @godohammers @timeandpixiedust @lv7867 @fuckyou-imspiderman @aynsleywalker @the-baby-bookworm @chlobo6 @drivenbybri

#gwilym lee #gwilym lee x reader #gwilym x reader #gwilym lee au #gwilym lee imagine #gwilym lee fanfic

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gleekto · 4 years

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Summary: College AU/Famous!Blaine and Fanboy!Kurt - Kurt POV

Kurt really doesn’t have time to figure out the dating world between being a freshman at prestigious theatre school, LAADA, and his active but secret blogging life in the Sing!Fandom. So what if Sing! ended last year? There are still fics to read and actors to follow. Especially the uber talented heartthrob lead, Blaine Anderson. He can act. He can sing. He can even dance. He’s gay. He’s out. And he’s only 24. Kurt is willing to twiddle his thumbs and click refresh until Blaine Anderson’s next project.

He just didn’t expect the next project to be on his roommate Rachel’s new TV show.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10

Even Better than the Real Thing (11/13)

Well, so much for finally getting a decent night of sleep.

Night three of Kurt’s staring at the ceiling is, however, significantly better than the first two. Kurt reads Blaine’s text over and over again, Some rules are made to be broken, as if it will somehow reveal its hidden meaning. Which, as Mercedes texts to Kurt the next morning, really isn’t that hidden.

Kurt: What could he mean?

Mercedes: Kurt, he practically spelled it out for you.

Kurt: He said he wouldn’t have asked me out if he had known. Golden rule.

Mercedes: Rules that are sometimes made to be broken.

Kurt: What should I do? Should I-

Mercedes: Oh shit.

Kurt: What now?

Mercedes: Kurt, you better get on tumblr right now-

Kurt: I don’t have a blog anymore. What?

Mercedes starts sending him screen caps of her dashboard. The picture already has 343 reblogs. Blaine Anderson with a fan at the Coffee Bean in Los Angeles...and that random guy he was with sitting as inconspicuously as possible in the corner. Oh god.

I spy with my little eye a potential new boy with him...

Oh I see him! He’s cute. (Thanks. He’ll take it). Same age-ish? Maybe younger? Definitely isn’t a friend we’ve seen before. I think something is happening...

Oh there he goes queerbaiting again. This time coffee with a well dressed friend (Thank you?). Could he be any more obvious?

OH MY GOD THAT IS @LIMABLAINEFAN!! I swear guys. I met him at the Sing!Con two summers ago. That is HIM. Literally having coffee with Blaine Anderson!! (Shit shit shit shit).

And fandom, the story is heating up because we obviously all remember that @limablainefan stopped posting a little while ago because of a conflict with a “friend” who knew Blaine and he DELETED his blog yesterday.

What? omg limablainefan deleted? I’m so sad. I love him and I love his blog. (Well, thanks).

Mercedes: At least you’re loved?

He’s fucking dating him. How can Blaine Anderson be dating a fan? Like a fan who drooled over him for years. There must be a law against this.

Kurt: Well, that’s it. So much for a second chance. Blaine is going to hate everything about this.

Mercedes: He probably won’t love it.

Kurt: Ugh Mercedes. What do I do?

Mercedes: Tell him, obviously. After all that, no more lies, right? He was there. He knows the picture was taken. It is not actually your fault that it ended up on tumblr.

Kurt hates when Mercedes is right. Which is usually. Anyways, his overnight basking in Blaine’s suggestive text is over and it’s time to face the music. This was not exactly his hoped for song but alas. He responds underneath Blaine’s previously hopeful breaking the rules text.

Kurt: You may want to take back that offer.

He sends the screen cap of the pic in the coffee shop.

Kurt: The fan pic from the coffee shop ended up on tumblr. And I got recognized. With you.

Blaine texts back immediately. Shock face emoji. Cry-laugh emoji. Okay, this isn’t the worst sign.

Blaine: Two celebrities trying to have a normal adult conversation and suddenly it’s the talk of the town.

Kurt: Not sure tumblr is exactly front page news.

Blaine: Only for the Sing! fandom.

Kurt: So you knew about all us fans and our crazy?

Blaine: Of course. Well, not about you specifically. But generally, yes. How else would I know what outfits pop? Or who I’m rumoured to be dating?

Kurt sends him the screen cap discussions.

Kurt: Ugh. Sorry about this.

His phone buzzes and it’s Blaine. Calling him.

“This thing is not actually your fault.”

“I could have made sure I was not in that picture.”

“I knew you were there. Everything I do can end up on the internet - twitter, tumblr, paps. Last year, there were amazing pap pictures of me eating a banana in pajama bottoms and nothing else on a walk of shame the morning after the night before.”

“I remember those,” Kurt says it before he catches himself. “Though of course I didn’t know it was a walk of shame,” He adds quickly.

“Mr. Pink, actually.” Okay, Blaine’s not mad and now all Kurt can think of is Blaine gently peeling his banana after a steamy night in a terribly decorated bubblegum room.

“Of torrid sex fame?”

“I hope that part wasn’t on tumblr.”

“Nope. No one ever got a picture of you with Mr. Pink actually. ”

“I told you that you had one up on him.” Kurt thinks he hears a smile in Blaine’s voice. He couldn’t possibly think this is funny.

“You’re really not mad?”

“At you? No. This stuff happens. But please tell me that you are, in fact, 19?”

“Almost 20.”

“Okay, I’ll handle it.”

“Just to be clear - it’s the talk of Sing! Tumblr. Blaine Anderson dating a longtime fandom fan - he’s younger-”

“And well-dressed,” Blaine chimes in, reading the caps.

“Yes, well, I try. Seriously, though, we’ve got excitement, jealousy, speculation, denial - soon there will be fics-”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Kurt can hear comical amusement through the phone.

“X-rated ones,” Kurt adds for emphasis.

“I hope so or what’s the point? I better be good in bed,” Blaine says flatly. Kurt laughs, slightly scandalized. “Honestly, I’ll deal with it.”

“As long as you know that we are the current headline, and everyone is talking about Blaine Anderson and his younger fanboy tryst.” Kurt may be exaggerating slightly but over the top honesty is better than any more secrets.

“Fanboy tryst?” Blaine repeats.

Just as Kurt’s trying to think of something appropriately flirty but not too suggestive to say back, there’s a knock on his apartment door.

“Sorry, I have to get the door. Rachel’s filming all day. I’ll call you back in a sec.”

Or not. The door opens and Blaine is standing there with a smirk and flirty, amused eyes. He’s leaning casually against Kurt’s door post in tight blue jeans and a white t-shirt, slightly untucked.

“Let’s give ‘em something to talk about.”

#gleekto writes #even better than the real thing #wonder what comes next...

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

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Survey #406

“turned on all the lights, the tv, and the radio / still, i can’t escape the ghost of you”

Have you ever had an ulcer? No. Do you have any rare medical conditions? I believe AvPD is considered to be a rare mental disorder. Do you have to carry an epi pen? No. What color is your mailbox? I think it's black. I don't pay attention. Would you ever want a job working with animals? I'd love to. The thing is, without a degree in something, my duties working with animals would almost certainly involve cleaning up after them, which I am WAY too squeamish with fecal matter and vomit to do. It's extremely embarrassing, but I've never even been able to clean up after my own pets if they ever had an accident or got sick. I obviously couldn't do it with random animals. Did you have a good high school experience? It's... so odd, retrospecting on high school. In some ways, it was the best time of my life because of my memories with my friends and especially Jason, but at the time, I absolutely loathed it and was horribly depressed. But at least I saw a future for myself. I took better care of myself, all that stuff... That Brittany would be fucking mortified to get a glimpse at who she becomes. Have you ever watched any Monty Python movies? Which one is your favourite? I know I've seen some of at least one. Would you ever get a "below the belt" piercing? Nah. If a couple is married, do you think there should be any legal punishment if one person cheats? No...? Like don't get me wrong at all, I am firmly against cheating under any circumstance, but for there to be legal retribution seems extreme. What is the greatest source of anxiety for you? My future. Are there any hallucinogenic drugs you’d like to try? Nah man. What made you choose your current job? I'm unemployed. Do you feel uncomfortable on the dance floor? Or are you confident with you dancing abilities? Oh hunny, you won't see me on the dance floor. Unless MAYBE if the Cha-Cha Slide comes on, or the Cupid Shuffle. That's as skilled as I get, haha. Is it exciting to you to imagine having an affair with a teacher? ... No??????????? It's fucking creepy. Adultery isn't exciting. Do you like your smile? No. I absolutely look high when I smile. What is something silly that you believed to be true when you were a child? That I could invoke the traits of any animal, which I just referred to as my "animal powers." Like for example, if I "called upon" a kangaroo, I could jump higher. I was a weird fucking kid. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone you completely connected with on a mental/emotional level, but did not find physically attractive in any way? Was physical intimacy a problem? How did it work out? I was never really physically attracted to Girt, but it was never a big deal to me. I cared way more about his personality and how much he cared about me. We were never really "intimate," per se, we just would give each other a simple peck. It didn't work out, but not at all because of physical things. He was just too much of a brother to me. What classic or cult movie have you never seen and have no desire to? Hm. I know there's some, but I'm blanking. Does The Human Centipede count here? Like everyone knows about it, so I would assume it does. I have ZERO desire to see a second of that repulsive movie. Have you ever taken a real liking to a band/singer you never ever....ever thought you'd enjoy? Maybe Melanie Martinez? Her voice is so cutesy, as are some of her songs, but I really enjoy how dark her lyrics can be. People who know me would probably be shocked to hear I thoroughly like her. After seeing the movie Avatar did you suddenly view our Earth as ugly and/or boring? If you have not seen the movie, do you think it’s worth your time? I've seen a little bit of it, but I never finished it because I was very tired and chose to go to sleep. I actually do want to see the full thing, though; it looks very good. How helpful are your parents to you? Would they help you to pay for your first apartment? College? Where does the line end? My parents are truly incredible with helping me the best they are capable of. They helped me pay for school, among other things, but I doubt they'd help with my first home, whenever that is. I wouldn't really want them to, either, because that's my responsibility for sure. Do you like playing video games? If so, what do you usually play? I love video games, and horror is absolutely my favorite genre. I also love fantasy games though with deep stories. I've never been the best at playing super long games, like Final Fantasy games, even if I'm seriously invested in the story, though. I burn out. Have you ever sewn a garment? No. Are there any plants in the room you’re in? No. I don't bother with plants. What’s your highest level of education? Some college. What’s the most important thing in any kind of relationship? Proper communication, probably. If you wear lipstick, what’s your favourite colour to wear? I only really put on lipstick to occasionally take a picture, and it's pretty much always black. Is your style feminine, masculine or somewhere in the middle? Somewhere in the middle, I guess? Are there a lot of dragonflies around your house? I've never seen one around this house, and I doubt I ever will because it's too urban. When we lived in the woods, however, I saw them a lot. Of all the Disney couples, which one would you say is your favorite? Kovu and Kiara came to my mind first. Do you think it is cute/funny or disgraceful when a child swears? It's shocking, more than anything. You don't expect it. I don't believe it should be encouraged, but only because children just don't know when swearing really isn't appropriate. If/when you have a baby, how do you think you would want to decorate its room? I don't want kids, but I'll entertain the question and assume this is before the child is born and develops interests. Whether it's a boy or a girl, I'd probably go with a cutesy animal theme. Would you more likely buy a shirt with a picture of Mickey/Minnie Mouse, a Winnie the Pooh character, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, or Tweety Bird on it? None, honestly. Perhaps like, a gothic Hello Kitty. Of all the states you have been to, which one did you have the best experiences? Putting aside the AWFUL heat and humidity, I probably had the best time in Florida. I loved all the palm trees, seeing so many lizards on my grandma's patio, and going to Disney World was a blast. I liked that swimming pools were always warm, too. Have you ever had a crush on someone “too young” for you? No. Do you regret losing your virginity to who you lost it to? No. I was madly in love with him, so no regrets on that. If your boyfriend ever hit you, would you dump him? HA, BYYYYEEEEEEEEE MOTHERFUCKER. ZERO hesitation. Did the one person who hurt you most in your life apologize? He did, but I honestly don't know if he meant it. Is there anything you want to say to someone? It'll probably go unsaid for the rest of my life. If they were to televise a live execution, would you watch it? Yikes, hard pass. If you could be the president of the USA, would you be willing to do it? Noooo thank you. Did you wake up in the middle of the night? I always do. Does your animal sleep with you? My cat does. Venus obviously sleeps in her terrarium, but she is in my room. Last color you dyed your hair? Red. Will you keep your last name when you get married? Very unlikely. I don't like my last name. What are you looking forward to? Hearing back again from the woman whose wedding I shot literally two years ago. I thought she ghosted me, but she messaged me the other day about seeing the pictures again and going through them to actually buy some. I don't know why the hell it took her two years, but whatever, I guess? I spent two whole hours resizing the files and re-adding the preview watermark (I deleted the OneDrive folder for space forever ago, but I have the files still), so I hate to sound like an ass, but she better buy something. Between sweating my ass off on location when I shot the wedding, editing those 100+ pictures two years ago, and now re-doing the previews, I have invested so much goddamn time into them that yeah, I think I have the right to be pretty damn salty if I don't hear back from her again. If your significant other cut sex out of your relationship for any reason, what would you do? It'd be whatever. I mean sure, that sort of intimacy is a very special part of serious romantic relationships to me, but I can live without it pretty easily. What was the last thing you said out loud? "Thank you for dinner" to my mom. She brought home Hardee's. Who are your godparents? I don't believe I have any. Do you like Gushers? omggggg yes Can you touch your nose with your tongue? No. Is there a particular sport you follow on a regular basis? Nope. Are you waiting for something to arrive in the mail? No. Think of the last film you watched. Who was your favourite character? Uhhhh what was it... The Shining, I think? I didn't really develop a favorite. Do you have a friend whose name starts with ‘L’? Describe him/her. Lisa. <3 She's one of my WoW friends. She'll talk your ear off, but I don't really mind. She is SO sweet and caring for other people and loves to cook. She recently had triplets, and seeing as she had a son only months before accidentally getting pregnant with the triplets, she's obviously been MEGA busy so we haven't talked much lately. When you’re being kissed do you like it when they hold your face? Yeah, but not too early on. Doing that has a promise of seriousness and passion in it to me, and it would probably weird me out if that happened too soon. Last thing that made you cry? My health. Would you ever consider getting a piercing in your septum? Nah. I don't think it would look good on me. Do you enjoy being outdoors? If it's cool outside and I have a place to sit when I want to, yeah. Do people tell you that you have an accent? Only sometimes. It's definitely not as bad as your average Southerner, though. Do you enjoy watching fireworks on the 4th of July? Ha, what nice timing. I think they're very pretty, but I believe I went over in a recent survey how I don't encourage their usage in consideration of veterans with PTSD as well as being conscious of animals and the absolute terror it can cause for them. What’re some unspeakable subjects for you? So my sister is a children's social worker, and she shares a LOT of stories with Mom (and me, if I'm present) that I can't listen to. The ones that involve pedophilia and/or rape, especially from the child's very own parent(s), I just cannot listen to. Period. It's so fucking repulsive and just unimaginable to me how even a monster of a human can commit something THAT goddamn vile. What’s your opinion of root beer? I'm not a big fan. I mean I can tolerate drinking some of it, but I don't really *enjoy* it. Have you ever seen The Breakfast Club, and what’s your opinion of it? I have, and I didn't get the appeal at all. Did you have a Furby when you were younger? Oh god, I did. Those things are so creepy. If you had a baby boy, what would you name him? Damien, most likely.

#survey #surveys #random questions #lyrics: ''the ordinary world'' by the hit house

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aboutcaseyaffleck · 3 years

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Actor Casey Affleck Reflects On The Past And 'The World To Come'

The last time I saw Casey Affleck was after an 8:30 a.m. Sundance Film Festival screening of “Manchester by the Sea,” which left my colleagues and I so emotionally drained we were pretty much useless for the rest of the day. Affleck finds this very funny. “Oh man, that’s awesome,” he laughs. “That was a tough screening. At Sundance I’m usually just going to sleep at 8 a.m.” We’re talking on the phone a few days after the festival’s virtual premiere of his latest movie, “The World to Come,” which made its Sundance debut last month under very different circumstances. “It’s so strange doing these things sitting in front of your computer,” he sighs.

Directed by Mona Fastvold, “The World to Come” is a powerful period piece about a forbidden love affair between pioneer women played by Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby, set in upstate New York during the early months of 1856. Affleck produced the picture, in which he plays a supporting role as Waterston’s uncomprehending husband, and he did his best to soldier through a crowded Zoom Q&A after the Sundance screening, with results pleasant enough, but nonetheless missing that in-person festival magic. “I used to love going to film festivals and talking to journalists and seeing all the movies and talking to other filmmakers,” he laments. “Sitting here alone in a little office in my house is such a drag. But it was nice to know that the movie was getting seen, at least.”

While big brother Ben plays Batman in studio pictures, Casey has exhibited a restless independent streak ever since he was a student at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. (Our ninth-grade classes competed against each other in the Mass. High School Drama Guild Competition. His won, perhaps unsurprisingly.) A longtime friend of the Brattle Theatre and former creative advisor for the Independent Film Festival Boston, the younger Affleck has always seemed more at home in indies. Not a lot of actors would follow an Oscar-winning role in “Manchester by the Sea” with a microbudget art film like “A Ghost Story.” But then his internalized, minimalist acting style is often at odds with the concerns of contemporary blockbusters. There’s a weird dissonance watching something like Disney’s hokey Chatham sea adventure “The Finest Hours,” with Affleck going full Montgomery Clift while surrounded by CGI silliness.

“The World to Come” is the most ambitious project yet from Affleck’s Sea Change Media, which partnered with Pamela Koffler and Christine Vachon’s legendary NYC indie institution Killer Films for the arduous production that began with a conversation between Affleck and novelist Ron Hansen nearly a decade ago. “When I did ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’ I got to know Ron Hansen, just because I loved the book so much. Ron has a very unique talent for writing 19th century language. He’s just from another era. I asked him if he had something he wanted to work on together, and I thought he would send me one of his things. Instead, he sent me this story by Jim Shepard. It was beautiful. I said, why don’t you and Jim write the script? And they took about six years, but it came together beautifully. Good things come to those who wait, I guess.”

The film eventually shot in Romania with a break built into the schedule to accommodate the changing seasons that are so crucial to the movie’s rugged, outdoor textures. “We were way out in Transylvania, out in the mountains,” Affleck explains. “We were just in some valley and they built a couple of farmhouses. I like being far away in a new place. It makes you feel outside of your life. And I love working in weather. There are so many aspects of moviemaking that are artificial, but when there’s extreme weather, it’s real. I did this Disney movie about a boat rescue, and it was, like, December in friggin’ Quincy and they were just soaking us with water every single take. There’s not a lot that you have to quote-unquote act. You’re just standing there, teeth-chattering, shivering, just being.” This reminds me of the scene in “Manchester” when he and Lucas Hedges have an argument walking in the blistering cold and can’t remember where they parked. “I forgot about that one,” he laughs.

I’d never say so on the phone, but I consider Affleck’s performance as Lee Chandler in “Manchester by the Sea” among the finest I’ve seen in my 22 years of reviewing films, worthy of discussion alongside Brando’s Terry Malloy in “On the Waterfront” in its aching, inchoate longing. Lee holds his grief somewhere very private and dear, as if to begin to forgive himself would be an act of betrayal. The movie nails a gruff, emotional constipation popular among men of a certain stripe, especially in New England. (My mother offered my favorite review of the film: “Why don’t they just talk to each other? Jesus, this is like watching you and your father.”) Words don’t come easily to most of Affleck’s movie characters, but he chafes at the description of them as inarticulate. “It’s funny, I find the characters in ‘Manchester’ to be sometimes very articulate,” he argues. “There’s misunderstandings, but they end up communicating what’s inside.”

“The World to Come” is rife with such mixed signals and miscommunications, about which co-star Katherine Waterston raved during the Zoom Q&A after the Sundance screening. “It was so much fun to play the scenes with Casey,” she said. “A lot of these scenes are written as dances, where somebody tries to reach out and engage and they’re misunderstood. Inarticulacy is a very interesting thing to see in film. The failed attempts. Failed communications. It’s actually fun to play those things. You don’t know what the other person’s going to throw at you. It keeps it really alive on set. Mona and I felt if we had the money we could have kept shooting this thing for months, because the scenes were so much fun to explore.”

Affleck agrees. “When Katherine’s character writes in her journal or she starts talking to Vanessa, they have this beautiful, expressive way of speaking to each other,” he enthuses, whereas his character “says what he’s gotta say in as few words as possible. He’s very brusque and curt, which I enjoyed. The way that he talks is the communication equivalent when he gives her a birthday gift of sardines and a tin of raisins.”

Indeed, her increasingly florid diary entries — originally intended as a ledger to keep track of the farm’s monthly expenses — become the heartbeat of the film, providing an emotional release otherwise suppressed by the rigid formality of the era and the ugly drudgery of day-to-day farm life. “The World to Come” is ultimately a movie about the need to share our stories, and how through telling them we make sense of ourselves. As producer Koffler explains in the press notes, “Part of the film’s vision is to dramatize a very basic human impulse: to create, to connect, to say ‘I was here, and I mattered.’”

This has become a recurring theme in Affleck’s recent work. In 2019, he wrote, directed and starred in “Light of My Life,” a little-seen but strikingly tense post-apocalyptic road movie about a father and daughter hiding out in the wilderness after a pandemic has wiped out most of the women in the world. The film begins with Affleck telling the little girl a bedtime story that runs almost 13 minutes and sneakily sets up the movie’s major themes. Then in last month’s well-acted but regrettably soggy “Our Friend,” he starred as real-life journalist Matthew Teague, whose soul-baring Esquire story about his wife’s struggle with cancer became a national phenomenon.

“Matt Teague wrote that article and then wanted it made into a movie as his way of processing everything that had happened,” the actor elaborates. “You transform pain into other things as you go through life. That was all him working through it. I like stories about storytellers and I like stories within stories. Obviously, I wrote and directed a movie that starts with a 12-minute bedtime story. I love that. I know that other people don’t love it as much as I do, so I have to be careful about it.”

That kind of love led to last summer’s “Stories From Tomorrow,” a project initiated during lockdown by Affleck and his schoolteacher mom Christine, encouraging children to send in poems and short stories to be read on social media by celebrities like Matt Damon and Jon Hamm, as well as his “The World to Come” co-stars Waterston and Kirby. “That was something I started out at the very beginning of the quarantine as a small project to encourage kids to write creatively, because I know it can be a great way of processing anxiety and working through feelings that you aren’t really talking about or aren’t aware that you’re having. It wasn’t something I thought would go on forever; once the kids are back in school that ought to be where they should be doing all that kind of work. But while they were sitting at home, I thought it would be a good way to get their attention off the awful news and into something more imaginative. And I also got a chance to read all these super-cool stories! Really creative stuff that kids sent from all around the world.”

Finally, as a Boston publication it would be dereliction of duty not to mention the hysterical Dunkin Donuts commercial parody from when Affleck hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 2016, so dead-on in its depiction of a local 'regulah customah' that on one of my critics’ poll ballots that year I tried to nominate the sketch for Best Documentary. Alas, the performer shoots down a pet theory I’ve been hanging onto ever since, that the dirtbag Boston guy in the Bruins hat is secretly a grown-up version of Affleck’s scene stealing, bug-swallowing Morgan from “Good Will Hunting.”

“I hadn’t thought about that, dude. That’s really funny. It never crossed my mind." He pauses before confiding, "I wasn’t that great on SNL… I just wasn’t all that funny on the skits, because it’s live and you’re reading the cue cards and it was my first time. But when we went to make that little pre-recorded short film of the Dunkin’ Donuts ad, I really felt like that was my wheelhouse there. I could’ve played that character in a movie. I could have gone to work and played him every single day, and I would have had a blast. That was really fun to do. I would love to do another one of those. That would be funny to see that character again.”

I bet that guy’s got some stories.

“The World To Come” is now in theaters and will be available via video on demand Tuesday, March 2.

[source]

#casey affleck #the world to come #quote #photo #movies

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sidneycarter · 4 years

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ink and cocoa stains

its me, back with part 2 of the love letter au ! part 1 can be read here. i think it would make most sense to read part 1 first, but im sure this could be a standalone if you wish.

Sid x Sullivan

Pretty PG again

Father Brown finds out why Sid has been feeling so blue.

Father Brown has noticed the concerned glances Lady Felicia has been throwing at Sid all evening.

He’s glad he’s not the only one that’s noticed his unusually down mood.

Under normal circumstances Sid would be dancing along to the wireless, teasing Mrs McCarthy, and wolfing down his Shepherd’s pie. Tonight he’s done nothing more than gaze gloomily at the sugar bowl, prodding lifelessly at his dinner.

Even now, as everyone has retreated into the snug for a game of Cluedo, Sid had declined the chance to join in.

“Do you mind if I use the study, Father?” He’d murmured quietly. “I need to... write a letter.”

Father Brown knew better than to ask, knowing that Sid would volunteer information quite freely when he felt ready. “Of course. There should be paper and pens on the desk. Stamps are in the top left drawer.”

That had been quite some time ago now. Father Brown has narrowed down his suspects, and he’s almost certain it was Professor Plum with the Candlestick. In which room, however, he isn’t so sure.

Lady Felicia makes a final accusation, suggesting Professor Plum with the Candlestick in the Billiard’s Room. She’s right of course, and she leans back with a triumphant grin.

“Ah! Drat.” Father Brown says. He’d been so close, yet so far.

Mrs McCarthy smiles as she clears away the board. “I wasn’t even close,” She ponders. “Anyone for a hot cocoa?”

“Oh please Mrs M, that would be wonderful. Victory has exhausted me.” Felicia says, collapsing back against her chair.

“That would be lovely, Mrs McCarthy,” Father Brown adds. “I shall go and enquire if young Sidney would like some.”

The study door is fractionally ajar, the fire still crackling low in the hearth. Father Brown pushes the door open gently. “Sid?”

A smile takes over his face when he spies the reason for Sid’s extended absence. He’s fallen asleep, mouth open and snoring softly, against a pile of books stacked on the desk.

He’s surrounded by piles of screwed up paper - Father Brown can see the furious lines where things have been crossed out and amended.

There’s one sheet that’s been kept in somewhat pristine condition on the desk in front of Sid. Father Brown approaches slowly. He knows he shouldn’t be prying, but his inquisitive nature combined with his concern for his friend’s sadness takes over.

He peers down at the paper over the top of his glasses.

My Tommy,

I’ve always thought of you as that, funny as it is. Mine. From the very beginning, if I’m honest. Since that first day you strolled in to Kembleford nick with your fancy tailored suits and your fancy polished shoes and your fancy slicked back hair. Then you told me you were arresting me on suspicion of arson. From that moment, you were my Inspector. The one that I could wind up, the one that I could poke and tease and push and see how long it took you to crack. Something about you caught my attention and I couldn’t look away, couldn’t stop until I got your attention in return.

Then you started working with the Father more, and we became something like friends. You’d think I shouldn’t have needed your attention any more because a lot of the time I had it. But by then just a little bit of your attention wasn’t enough. I needed it all the time.

I spiralled if I’m being honest, especially after that time you let me stay for a cup of tea when I fixed the Police Cottage’s plumbing. I had, what, twenty minutes of just me and you, and then I decided that I wanted you all to myself. It’s quite selfish really.

You see, I’m a simple man, Tommy.

I don’t do commitment. I’m not one for romance usually. Love ‘em and leave ‘em, that’s what Lady F says. I chat to the girls and I flirt with them and I charm them, but that’s all it is. It’s never meant anything to me. Never meant anything at all.

You, on the other hand, were a whole new kettle of fish. You made me feel something. Always. Can’t explain it. Don’t know why. Don’t know how it happened. I just know that you got under my skin.

I think it really hit me, properly, for the first time, when you came to the pictures with me and the Father - that time we went to see House of Wax. It wasn’t even that scary, but you looked TERRIFIED. I knew how I was supposed to feel in that moment. I knew I was supposed to laugh at you, the big, brave Inspector quaking in his boots. But all I could think about sitting there in the dark was reaching out and holding your hand. I wanted to make you feel better, to walk you home safe from the dark, to tuck you up under my arm until your heartbeat slowed down again.

I don’t know how to write letters like these, you know. I’ve never really had need before. But what I’m trying to say, Tommy, is that I’ve fallen in love with you.

If I’m being quite honest, I don’t know what the hell to do about it. Sometimes I think you deserve so much better than me, but I can’t bring myself to let you go. Selfish, I know. I can’t see you as anything other than mine.

You deserve poetry and perfect letters and beautiful things and I won’t be able to give you that. But what I can offer you, if you’ll take it, is me and all of my heart, which has been yours since the beginning.

I won’t ever be able to explain how I feel for you in words. If I could kiss the life out of you right now I would. But I know you’re mad at me, and I know it’s my fault. If there’s any motivation for being better, it’s you. I’m really trying.

I hope you understand, Tommy. I hope you do, ‘cuz at this point I don’t think I could live without you.

I’ll speak to you soon

I love you,

Your Sidney.

Father Brown raises his eyebrows as he finishes the letter. He feels a little choked up.

Sid and the Inspector.

He’d had his suspicions. There are only so many sly glances, lingering touches and evenings spent together before he would start to presume something.

The only slightly surprising element here is that Sid appears to have fallen deeply in love. Father Brown traces back the contents of the letter and things about all the times he’s seen them interact. He’s surprised now that he didn’t become certain that this was serious sooner. Certainly from Sid’s point of view.

He remembers House of Wax. He remembers Sid’s arm lying across the back of Inspector Sullivan’s chair for most of the film.

And those seconds of eye contact at crime scenes seem to carry much more weight now.

How wonderful, Father Brown thinks. How lovely it is to experience love. He hopes it works out for them. It almost certainly will, if he has any say in it. Next time they go to the cinema, he shall resolve to sit a few rows forward. He can say his eye sight isn’t what it used to be, and it is true his glasses prescription hasn’t been updated for a while.

For now, he’ll keep the whole thing quiet. Shan’t tell a soul. Clearly there’s been a bit of an argument, so he’ll wait for Sid and the Inspector to work something out on their own terms.

Father Brown returns to the doorway and raps his knuckles against the door a couple of times. Sid jerks awake with a startled “’Ullo?”

There’s a sheet of paper stuck to his cheek which he removes quickly when he sees the Father.

“Sid, Mrs McCarthy is making some hot cocoa before we retire for the night, and we were wondering if you’d like some?”

Sid stretches and yawns, looking tired but like a little bit of weight has been lifted from his shoulders. “Yes please.” He says, folding up the letter in front of him and tucking it in to his pocket.

Father Brown smiles as Sid heaves himself up off his chair. “It’ll be ready in a minute. Join us in the snug when you’re ready.” He says.

He bows out of the room and heads to the kitchen to tell Mrs McCarthy it’s cocoas all round. A gentle smile plays on his face for the rest of the evening. Sidney Carter, He thinks with a chuckle, the old romantic.

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imagine-loki · 4 years

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Gifted

Title: Gifted (Sequel to Giftless)

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 47/?

AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE:

Imagine that you are Stark’s niece and you secretly share a strong relationship with Loki since he entered the crew. One day you get hurt so bad during a mission that you are about to die. Loki knows a spell that will save you and share his immortality with you but you and he will be linked forever sharing thoughts, pain, emotions…

RATING: T NOTES/WARNINGS: Also on AO3 click here

Your phone woke you and Loki both stupidly early the next morning with its incessant ringing. Why was the stupid thing ringing? It was too early for such nonsense after how late you’d been up the previous night. “Hello?” you growled into it, not bothering to check to see who was calling you. It was too early for any such nonsense.

“Meet me outside your suite in five minutes. No Loki, no excuses,” Kelly’s voice greeted me, sounding much too chipper and awake.

“Kelly?” you groaned, sitting up to look at the clock. It was after 8am. You had only thought it was stupidly early because you’d been up dancing stupidly late. And you never ever seemed to get enough sleep no matter how hard you tried.

“Yes. Now get up. You’re down to four minutes,” she grumbled at you in the phone.

“Where are we going?” you asked as you got out of bed and began rummaging in your bag for something to wear.

“To get ready for the premiere of course. Plain clothes is fine. Hurry up,”

“Kelly, it’s 8am. The premiere isn’t until 6 tonight. What can possibly take all day?” You whined.

“You’ll find out. Come on!” she hung up on you then.

You groaned and glared at your phone incredulously. You weren’t used to people talking to you like that. Not anymore. And while you were annoyed, you were also glad to be spoken to like a real person and not a celebrity or a super strong super.

“What’s going on?” Loki asked groggily. He wasn’t a morning person either, especially not after a late night.

“Apparently it is going to take me and Kelly all day to get ready for this premiere. And you’re not allowed to come,” you told him, tossing your phone on the bed so you could find something to wear. You finally settled on jeans, a nice shirt, and your converse. Kelly could just deal with it if she didn’t like your outfit. Or you’d change it with magic later. “I’m sure Tom will be coming for you soon,” you told him as you brushed out your hair. There was a pounding on your suite’s door. “Shit, that was a fast four minutes,” you grabbed your phone and purse, kissed Loki goodbye and went to greet Kelly who on the other side of the door, prepared to keep pounding.

“Took you long enough,” she greeted you with a smile. She pressed a cup of coffee into your hands. You gave her a smile then instead of the curse words you were going to give her. You refrained from that since she gave you coffee.

“Thanks,” you told her. “Morning Tom,” you greeted him when you saw him standing behind Kelly. He was impossible to miss since he was so tall.

“Have fun you two,” he told you warmly. “Is Loki still in bed?” he asked with a smile before Kelly could drag you away.

You nodded and gave him a reassuring look. “I think he was hoping to get more sleep. He is clothed, though, if you’re planning on ruining his plans,” you told Tom with a grin. He gave you a mischievous grin in return, one that looked far too much like your Loki’s.

“Of course I am.” He then looked concerned. “It will just be you two girls today. Kel, are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” He sounded so adorably concerned, though usually the humans weren’t as overprotective as the gods and supers in your life.

You drew a dagger from the sheath at your back with a well practiced movement and spun it in an elegant flourish to reassure him. “We’ll be fine, Tom,” you reminded him as you re-sheathed the dagger. That was even without magic.

“Yes, don’t forget that I have Lady Sigyn guarding me today,” Kelly reminded him and gave him a kiss goodbye. She was perfectly safe in your care.

/Lo, Tom’s going to barge in to drag you out to do…something. Kindly don’t kill him for breaking in to our suite/ you warned Loki. You’d let Tom have his fun, but you didn’t want him to die for it. Loki could get a bit stabby when he was barged in on. Especially when he wasn’t expecting it. And you really didn’t want him to hurt Tom.

You left with Kelly and found that she had a driver hired for the day. Apparently it was common on premiere day. You spent all morning getting your hair and nails done, as well as all sorts of uncomfortable waxing. You were reassured numerous times that it was mandatory in order to look your best for the premiere and on TV. You weren’t convinced, but Kelly was having fun, so you tried. /Kelly’s torturing me with getting my hair and nails done. And waxing/ you whined at Loki while you were boredly waiting for your nails to dry.

He laughed at you in reply. /Tom decided I needed to watch a…baseball game, since he found out that I had never seen one. It is quite boring/ Loki whined at you across the bond.

/So is waiting for my nails to dry/ you huffed back at him.

You had a light lunch at a little bistro near the salon and then spent the entire afternoon with the stupid dress people. You had to be fitted for a gown. A designer gown. Despite your protests that you could summon a perfectly tailored gown with magic. Then there was jewelry, and makeup, and all sorts of hell that you’d never go through voluntarily on your own. Hell, for your prom, Loki had used magic to conjure your outfits and do your hair. The last time you had done anything like this had been the day of your soulbond ceremony in Asgard.

You ended up in a dark blue ballgown with silver sparkles all over it. It looked like the night sky and was absolutely gorgeous. It also had no sleeves. You had a feeling that they wanted to show off the soulbond marks on your arm. You also had to wear stupidly spiky heels tonight. Great. Just what you didn’t need.

There were two limos waiting outside of the dress place. You never did find out what that place actually was. Oops. It wasn’t really important.

Tom was standing outside one of the limos and Loki was waiting at the other. Both were wearing gorgeous suits. They moved almost simultaneously to greet you and Kelly. Loki bowed over your hand and kissed the soulbond marks on your knuckles. “Lady Y/N,” he greeted you with a smile. "You look ravishing as ever, my darling,”

“And you are the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on, my prince,” you replied. You saw his shocked expression at that, but it was fleeting, replaced with a glowing, loving smile. You’d never called him a prince before, except when you introduced him to your parents using his formal title. He didn’t seem to mind at all and in fact seemed pleased by the term of address. He offered you his hand.

“Shall we, princess?” he asked, reminding you that on Asgard, you were, in fact, a princess. You placed your hand on his arm and he led you to the limo. The driver was standing at the open door waiting to close it behind you. Loki helped you in. You moved to slide over so he could climb in after you, but both he and the driver stopped me. “Darling, this is your side. A princess does not slide.” He went around the limo and got in on the other side.

“This is so weird and fancy,” you told him softly.

“It is fun. Relax and enjoy it,” Loki bid you warmly, making you beam up at him.

It was a short drive to the red carpet of the premiere. You were glad that the limo driver seemed to know what he was doing, since you had no idea what was going on or what you should expect. Tom had promised to help you, but he apparently didn’t think you needed help with this part.

The limo driver opened Loki’s door first. Both of them came around the limo to open your door. Loki reached down a hand to help you out of the limo. You were grateful for it. You rarely wore heels as you hated them and always felt like you were going to fall. You were nearly blinded by the lights of the cameras going off in front of you. You stood next to Loki for a minute while your picture was taken repeatedly.

“You are tall tonight,” Loki commented while the pictures were being taken, careful not to move his mouth too much. He’d learned how to deal with the press on his time on Midgard.

“I have to wear heels with this dress. If I fall, I’m taking you down with me,” you threatened.

Loki laughed and the cameras flashed faster. “Then I shall have to make sure you do not fall,“ he replied with a smile.

After your eyes adjusted, Loki offered you his hand in formal Asgardian escort. You placed your hand on his and you made your way down the red carpet. It was slow going, as you kept getting sidetracked by people wanting autographs.

Loki and Tom both got stopped by a woman dressed as Lady Loki in the crowd. She requested that they kneel, and neither Loki or Tom could deny her. Both of them knelt elegantly, bowing their heads to her. You and Kelly both laughed at their antics. They really were far too similar for anyone’s good. You were also not prepared to be interviewed by the press, but you was so used to being interviewed and famous that you didn’t think anything of it. After that you had to take a big group cast picture, which Loki and you were somehow invited to participate in. You had tried to decline, tried to remind them that you weren’t part of the cast, but they all insisted that you were and you got dragged into the picture.

It wasn’t long before you could take your seats. The director came out to say a few words, then: "Before we start the film, we would like to present to you… the gag reel!” There was a roar of applause from the crowd.

“Oh gods,” you grumbled, horrified. You were sure you were going to be featured on the gag reel. You had had far too much fun playing around with the cast when they were at the tower filming for you not to be. You weren’t let down in the slightest. The gag reel was hilarious as expected, even though it did feature you running around the set with the entire cast chasing you to get their prop weapons back, your impromptu dinner after filming one day, all of the Loki extras claiming to be Loki when your uncle was looking for your Loki, as well as other bits of silliness and lack of ability of the cast to remember their lines, or not mess them up when the cameras were rolling. The gag reel ended with the scene of the entire cast bowing down to you sitting on a ‘throne’ in one of the restaurants you frequented after filming one day.

The crowd cheered at the gag reel when it had ended.

You enjoyed the movie with the cast. You had already seen it, of course, but it was still nice to see the official final version.

There was a huge after party with the entire cast and crew and of course reporters and fans. The party was fun and lasted all night and you ended up with all sorts of swag from the crew, including gifts from the director. Loki was given the iconic scarf the character wore when he was wearing Earth clothes. You were given Sigyn’s necklace from the movie. “We hope you’ll agree to being in future movies with us,” the director said with a grin before the party broke up.

You promised that you would.

This one had been such fun after all.

#Loki #Lover #Submitted fic #submission #gifted #chapter 47 #nekoamamori

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virtual-lara · 4 years

Text

FHM - Rhona Mitra Interview

Interview appeared in the November 1997 issue of FHM magazine. Article was written up on fansite 'The Tomb Raider Archive'. VL Note: This interview is long and it is full of awful non-gaming questions with some cringey answers, but it was conducted in 1997 for a mens magazine.

Sex and videogames don't usually mix too well. Indeed, the popular view is that men who play them have such poor complexions and social skills that they've been forced to replace the pleasures of the flesh with bashing the hell out of pixellated monsters. In short, successful users of the chat-up line "I've top scored on Story Of Thor 2" are few and far between.

However, there is one exception to the rule. In November 1996, Tomb Raider appeared, featuring the adventures of Lara Croft. The premise of the game was that Lara, the daughter of an English aristocrat, had decided to forego her inheritance in favour of travelling around the world in search of ancient artefacts. As with most adventure games, this involved plenty of running, jumping, swimming and shooting. But unlike other games, its central character became the computer world's first sex symbol, and Lara Croft quickly catapulted Tomb Raider to the top of the games charts. With her ample chest and powerful thighs, Lara was created as the gamer's ultimate fantasy figure and the strategy worked.

Now, for the imminent release of the sequel, Tomb Raider 2, Lara is made flesh. And fortunately for us, it's in the form of 22-year-old actress Rhona Mitra, a woman sexy enough to equal the charms of the video character. As well as appearing in the press campaign for Tomb Raider 2, Rhona has recorded an album as Lara (produced by ex-Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart), from which the single, Getting Naked, is to be released next month. There is even talk of a Tomb Raider movie, for which Rhona ought to be a shoe-in for the lead role - a heady jump from her last big part, playing a teenage seductress in Jilly Cooper's The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous.

So, to celebrate the arrival of the new sexiest woman in Britain, what did we do? Take lots of fantastic pictures of her? Of course. Ask her a shed-load of questions about what it's like to play a character invented to satisfy the libido if a twenty-something programmer? Certainly. But first we took her to London's Trocadero centre to see if she could cut the mustard in the original gaming arena - an amusement arcade.

The truth is, she's pretty adept. She powers past three (male) opponents on an arm wrestling machine, gives a credible display at dynamo-hockey and is equally at ease bombing about on the virtual skate-boards. Her strongest suit, though, is the bowling range. After a slow start, three spares in a row see her powering into the lead as FHM skew another ball into the gutter.Only two consecutive(and highly suspicious) zero scores in the last two rounds barred the way to victory. And perhaps not surprising for a woman who's beaten stiff competition to play the most lusted after computer game character of all time, she doesn't accept second place for long. "I let you win, you know," she smiles triumphantly.

FHM:

Games fans are notoriously obsessive. Are you ready to be pursued by blokes thinking that you really are Lara Croft?

Rhona Mitra:

After The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous I had a lot of bizarre fan mail. I remember receiving a beautifully-typed letter from twelve boys in Exeter asking if I'd marry them all. Apparently I was supposed to be shared on some kind of weekly rota system. I was thinking, "Hmm, two a day. How am I supposed to manage that?" And I've already had people post notes on the Lara Croft website thanking me for improving their sex-lives.

FHM:

And how exactly have they done that?

Rhona Mitra:

They get their girlfriends to dress up as Lara, like I do. Apparently, it works wonders for them - maybe it's the rubber outfit.

FHM:

Do you think it's scary that there are men out there fantasising over a computer-generated character?

Rhona Mitra:

No, because men will fantasise about anything. Compared to a sheep or whatever, I think Lara's quite a healthy fantasy. What's wrong with wanting to sleep with a computer-generated character? She's got a perfect figure after all.

FHM:

Talking of perfect figures, there was a story in the tabloids about you having a breast enlargement operation performed by your dad...

Rhona Mitra:

That was rubbish. My dad is a surgeon and he does do cosmetic surgery, but he doesn't perform breast operations. I don't think he was too bothered about it, though - apparently a load of people phoned up the hospital where he works, the next day asking for tits like Rhona Mitra.

FHM:

But you have had your breasts enlarged.

Rhona Mitra:

Yes, but my dad had nothing to do with it.

FHM:

Where does the name Mitra come from?

Rhona Mitra:

It's Indian - my dad is from Calcutta. But I'm also part Irish. It's a confusing heritage. I never know if want to be running across fields with no clothes on or sitting in the pub drinking Guinness.

FHM:

The Lara Croft single is called Getting Naked. When was the last time you were naked in a public place?

Rhona Mitra:

I don't think going starkers in a public place is especially commendable. You can go to Stringfellow's for that. Although they don't get it all off there, do they? The song is really about one night stands and a woman saying that she'll go so far but not the whole hog. Why does all frolicking have to end in penetration?

FHM:

Does Lara have sex, then?

Rhona Mitra:

I should bloody well hope so. I'm sure she wouldn't be the woman she is unless she did.

FHM:

You recorded half the album sailing down the Amazon in Dave Stewert's boat. If the boat had run aground, would you have been prepared to eat him in order to survive?

Rhona Mitra:

Hmm, he hasn't really got enough fat on him...

FHM:

That beard might have been a bit tough to chew as well. Maybe you could have stuck it on your face when you'd finished eating the rest of him.

Rhona Mitra:

I would have worn the beard proudly. It's a fine feature.

FHM:

You were expelled from two boarding schools. Naughty girl, were you?

Rhona Mitra:

No, I just had a problem with complying with the rules. I went to convent school and it was totally ridiculous. We weren't even allowed to go into town at the weekend. So we used to nick holy wine from the church and drink it in the potato patch at the back of the school. I remember one time me and a few girls ended up dancing in the garden at four in the morning, wearing nothing but wellington boots.

FHM:

Is that why they kicked you out?

Rhona Mitra:

No, that was for taking a sixth former's car and driving it down to the local boys' school. I was only about fourteen. I'd left stuffing under my bedsheets but one of my friends told on me and the headmistress tracked me down. They put me in this room with bars on the windows to punish me. I was stuck in there for a whole week with just a rosary for comfort, having my dinner brought in on trays. The only time I got out was to say confession to the school priest. After that, they booted me out. Then at the next school the other girls used to blame me whenever they got caught for something, so all the parents wrote in and said they didn't want me at the school. I crammed my exams in London and did fine.

FHM:

You recently said that Lara represents the woman of the future. So what is the woman of the future going to be like?

Rhona Mitra:

She'll be more robust. In order to be strong in the mind, women are going to have to build up their bodies. Having a big arse will be alright, having a big pair of breasts will be alright, as long as they exercise as well.

FHM:

We had a discussion in the office about men of the future, and we reckon that evolution will make their heads and penises bigger.

Rhona Mitra:

Sounds good to me.

FHM:

Okay. Let's test your credentials for playing Lara Croft. To start with, when was the last time you raided a tomb?

Rhona Mitra:

Er, I haven't. I only raid my friends' wardrobes. And my dad's drinks cabinet when I was a kid.

FHM:

Would you take on a bear unarmed?

Rhona Mitra:

I'd probably try and cuddle and sweet-talk it. I've charmed men worse than bears.

FHM:

Can you handle yourself in a fight?

Rhona Mitra:

Absolutely. I had the whole Swiss army after me once. I was skiing with friends and we were getting hassled by some guys who wanted us to dance. They ended up calling us dykes and then turned nasty. I kicked one in the ribcage. It turned out that he was with a load of Swiss army guys and they chased us up the road. We ran faster than them, though.

FHM:

Some Tomb Raider websites feature a nude Lara Croft. Would you ever emulate them and do Playboy?

Rhona Mitra:

I'd never say never. But not right now. It's not even negotiable.

FHM:

What about the orgasmic noises Lara makes when she bumps into walls? Have you been perfecting those?

Rhona Mitra:

Oh yes, of course. Listen. [Makes weird orgasmic noise not unlike "Uuh!"]

FHM:

Lara spends most of her time in caves full of gun-wielding nutters. What's the most dangerous situation you've been in?

Rhona Mitra:

I got buried under sand in Tunisia. I've just shot a film there called A Kid In The Arabian Knights. We were supposed to be mocking up this sandstorm and I was buried right up past my head, but I couldn't breathe because the sand was so heavy. I had to breath through a bamboo straw for about twenty minutes. The crew were getting their cameras up and I was screaming "Hurry the fuck up, I'm dying under here."

FHM:

Did you used to play computer games when you were growing up? I remember getting hooked Jet Set Willy on the ZX Spectrum.

Rhona Mitra:

I had an Atari. I used to play that tennis game where you had two bats at either end of the screen and had to try and keep the ball in play.

FHM:

You mean Pong!

Rhona Mitra:

That's the one. But I used to do a lot of things to entertain myself. Do you remember those portable tape recorders that had flat speakers on the top? I used to put a piece of cellophane on top of the speaker and crumble biscuits on top of it. I'd then play Super Trooper by Abba at full volume and watch the crumbs jump up and down with the vibrations.

FHM:

Blimey. You were easily pleased.

Rhona Mitra:

That's not all. I loved pouring yoghurt all over my dog and watching him lick it off himself. And when my parents had dinner parties I'd chop up his dog food into chunks, put cocktail sticks in it and then walk around the living room in a sari asking if anyone wanted hors d'oeuvres.

FHM:

The guests must have loved you. Have you carried any bizarre habits or phobias into adulthood?

Rhona Mitra:

I can't sit still. That's why I'm very difficult in a relationship. Men get jealous of me travelling - they don't understand that just because I disappear on my own doesn't mean I'm going to shag someone else.

FHM:

Have you always been faithful?

Rhona Mitra:

Always. But I can appreciate why people wouldn't be. It's like ice-cream - you can really love vanilla, but you still want to try some other flavours just to make sure that you really do love vanilla best. I haven;t actually been out with that many men. I've been in two relationships which have taken up five years of my life. The second one of those recently ended and since then I've concentrated on my work.

FHM:

What kind of man do you go for?

Rhona Mitra:

I like healthy-looking guys with good, clean skin. And I like men who have brains but are still very childish. Immature guys.

FHM:

Are you actually any good at Tomb Raider?

Rhona Mitra:

Yeah. I finished it in about two weeks.

FHM:

I heard that Bruce Willis has bought the rights to the Tomb Raider movie and that Demi Moore is pencilled in to play Lara. Could you have her?

Rhona Mitra:

Oh yeah, of course.

FHM:

Be careful. After filming GI Jane, she's quite buff these days.

Rhona Mitra:

So am I. And I'm younger than her. The idea of her playing Lara is sacrilege. She has to be a posh English girl with a stiff upper lip.

FHM:

Finally, elsewhere in this issue we discuss the phenomenon of lesbianism. Have you ever been tempted by the charms of another girl?

Rhona Mitra:

Any woman who says she hasn't isn't truly a woman. Even if you don't go as far as doing something physical, you should be able to appreciate the female form. Men are beautiful too, though.

All rights belong to FHM and/or their affiliated companies. I only intend to introduce people to old articles and preserve them before they are lost.

#Tomb Raider 2 #TR2 Interviews #All Interviews #VL Posts

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cherry-holland · 5 years

Text

Dmitri Island: ch 1

A/n: here’s the first chapter!!! Sorry it’s so long I wanted to get the reader and Tom’s back history started!! But I hope y’all enjoy it 🥰

Beep, beep, beep.

[[MORE]]

The blaring sound of your alarm rang through your ears, waking you from your dreamless slumber. Groaning, you fiddled around in the darkness searching for your phone.

Where is this damn thing? And why is it so loud?

Once you found it, you brought it close to your face and stopped the obnoxious alarm from ringing anymore to give you a peace of mind. Your phone cleared the alarm away from the screen as you saw a row of messages from Tom, your best friend.

T: loooooooove, WAKE UP!!!!!!

T: (y/n/n), I need you!!!!!!! 😭

T: Come overrrrrr 🥺

T: this is verrrrry important (y/n/n), n I need ur help ASAP xxx

T: (Y/N)!!!! ANSWER ME THIS IS URGENT 😰😰😭😭🥺🥺

“Oh my gosh,” you let out a loud laugh as you scroll through the extensive, dramatic messages left by Tom.

Some say it was crazy how you met Tom. You had just moved to London after your job had you transfer to run their UK division from your cozy, well-known New York office. You were so excited for the opportunity for change, even though you loved your NY team. You were desperate for a change of pace, so it was only natural for you to say yes to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Not too long after you moved, you were checking out the scene that engulfed your new apartment, and had stumbled on a cute & quaint coffee shop. You walked in, and was in the middle of picking up your coffee when you felt a stiff, dark figure bump into your left shoulder, causing the coffee to spill everywhere.

You let out a small gasp as the scalding cup of coffee landed on the sleeve of your grey sweater. How in the hell does this happen to me? You were about to curse out the person who bumped you when you looked up and saw what was the most beautiful boy you had ever seen.

He was dressed in all black, with the collar of his pea coat cuffed up to cover his neck from the London cold. He definitely looked to be about your age, maybe a bit younger if anything. He had the most gorgeous head of dark brown curls, and they looked so glossy and soft under the warm lights of the dim cafe. His dark brown eyes were wide with fear (probably because of the scowl you were sporting) and embarrassment, but still there was a glimmer of something else you couldn’t make out. His chiseled face was flushing a deep red, and his mouth was hung wide open.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry, love. I wasn’t paying attention and didn’t see you there and-“

“No, no, it’s okay,” you sighed, feeling the creases of your forehead lift at the sight of the boy in front of you. “It was an accident, it’s all good.”

“Oh, good,” the boy relaxed, “because I thought you were gonna full-on beat me up.”

Your ears perked at his charming British accent, something you still hadn’t gotten used to after being in the UK for about a week at that point. “Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. It’s not usually a good thing when someone does what you did where I’m from, guess it was a quick reaction.”

“It’s okay, darling,” the boy smiled. “Where I’m from, it’s usually a cause for conversation with a pretty girl.”

“Hmm, is that so?” You felt your cheeks get hot at his comment and tried to flush it down by feigning confidence. “Well that’s a funny way to get someone’s attention. Guess that’s how it is over here, innit?”

“Yeah, it’s an unusual way, but it works quite often for me,” the boy winked at you as you felt the heat return to your face. “I’m Tom, by the way.”

“Hi Tom, I’m (y/n),” you replied, sticking out your hand to reach Tom’s already outstretched hand.

After that initial conversation, the two of you sat down in that coffee shop and talked for hours, getting to know one another. You found out he was an actor, and that he had just left New York after filming the new Spider-Man movie, and he found out you were from New York and the reason for your move.

Ever since that day, the two of you were inseparable. Even Tom’s friends and family would comment at how he always seemed to be by your side, but it never traveled over that line. That invisible line between friends and lovers, despite the fact that it felt like you two were always dancing around that line.

You were pulled out of your thoughts at your phone dinging, signaling another text coming through. However, it was not Tom that was ringing you this time, but Harrison, Tom’s best friend who was also yours.

Haz: dude, if you don’t get your 🍑 over here ASAP, tommo’s gonna combust 🙃

You: lmao, I’m coming!!!! Tell the div to chill and I’ll be by within the hour 💃🏽

You type away, and went to your contacts and searched for Tom’s number, hitting the call button as you peeled yourself out of bed to grab some caffeine.

“You know, a simple reply would have been really great, (y/n). Almost gave me a heart attack,” Tom’s dramatic voice filled your kitchen after not even one ring.

“Well good morning to you, too. Tommy, you know Saturday’s are my days to sleep in. Not everyone has the requirement to wake up at ungodly hours on weekends to exercise,” you chuckled. Sometimes, being friends with an actor can be so... dramatic.

“It’s a part of the job, darling. This is my line of work,” Tom replied, and you could hear the sarcasm dripping in his voice.

“Sorry your line of work sucks,” you snorted as the beeping of your coffee maker sounded, signaling the end of the brewing.

“(Y/n), are you seriously still drinking coffee? We have to change that - you’re a Londoner now!” Tom shouted.

“No way, Tommy. I’m a New Yorker through and through, and there is no way I’m gonna have tea before coffee. Once a New Yorker-“

“Always a New Yorker. I know,” Tom interrupted, causing both of you to laugh. “So, darling, when are you popping on over?”

“Soon. I still have to get presentable, you know. Can’t come over in my pj’s,” you speak while taking a big gulp of the sweet caffeine in your favorite mug. It was a mug Tom and Harrison had given you for Christmas, and it had a picture of the New York City skyline covering the entirety of the mug. They gave it to you because it was the first Christmas you were not able to go home, so the two of them, Tom’s brothers Sam & Harry, and you guys’ other best friend, Tuwaine, brought Christmas in New York to you. Tom had organized the whole thing, and it made your heart swell.

There were so many moments in you guys’ friendship that twisted your heart in ways that should have killed you in the best way. But that day was the day everything changed for you. The way the day was planned, down to the gift that he and Harrison (but mainly Tom, because Harrison sometimes has a tendency of forgetting things) had gotten you, made you realize you were falling for your best friend.

It was hard not to - Tom is gorgeous. Like the kind of gorgeous that could take your breath away. And what made it even better is his sweet heart. He loved people with his whole heart, and he always made sure everyone who was around him was well taken care of. Despite his movie-star status, he still remained humble, which was so admirable to you.

“(Y/n/n), you could come over in a garbage bag and it would still be acceptable in my house,” Tom giggled, interrupting your thoughts.

“Oh hush, you. Okay, lemme get ready and I’ll be there in 30!”

“Okay, darling! See you soon!”

With that, you hung up and padded over to your room. You opened the sliding doors of your closet, sifting through the cozy linens and sweaters lined up in color order. London was a lot colder than New York during the fall, which you appreciated, but sometimes it got hard finding an outfit to fit this chilly weather. So you went with your go-to.

Working in the city taught you a lot about fashion, especially working with a fashion magazine. You were always up-to-date on trends because of it, and being editor-in-chief, it was necessary. Most people would go for a full-on sweatsuit with old sneakers, but your mind was trained to always look put-together, even when you were being “bummy”.

You pulled out your black jogger sweatpants and a long-sleeved, white, cropped graphic tee with an artsy-looking face on it, and your undergarments. You threw it on, and fast-walked to your bathroom, where you washed your face and brushed your teeth. Afterwards, you put on a little bit of concealer, blush, mascara, and eyebrows, and ruffled your hair out of its bun. You didn’t care to style it because it was your day off, and you were just going to hang out with your best friends, so it was highly unnecessary. Also, you were having a pretty decent hair day, so you just went with it.

Before leaving, you grabbed your black and white-speckled pea coat and slid on some pointed black flats. You took your keys and purse, and before opening the door, you grabbed your phone and headed out the door.

Fifteen minutes later, you pulled up to Tom and Harrison’s apartment and hit their buzzer four times. You hear the lock click, and you quickly walked into the warm building.

You could hear the chatter of multiple boys behind the door of their apartment before opening it. Tom and Harrison always knew to leave the door unlocked when you came over, mainly because of laziness, but it was definitely more of a comfortability, which you didn’t understand.

“You know, boys, having your door unlocked is super dangerous. I could’ve been a murderer for all you know,” you shouted as you stepped into the cozy modern apartment.

“(Y/n), we know it’s you. You have such a unique buzzer, so we always know,” Harrison rolled his eyes as he walked over to give you a hug.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Where’s the fussy boy at?” You replied as you were taking off your coat.

“Over here!” Tom perked up from behind the massive dark grey couch. His wet, post-shower curls bounced up from over the cushions, his face painted with a huge grin.

“What are y’all doing?” You asked as you made your way over to sit by Tom on the couch. While walking over, you saw the heads of more familiar sets of brown curly hair turn to face you.

“We’re looking to see where we all wanna go next on holiday, (y/n/n)!” Sam, one of the twins grinned.

“Yeah, we’re going on holidayyyyy!” Harry, the other twin, perked up, his grin reaching the freckles that lined his cheeks.

“No way! Is this what you were bugging me about, Holland?” You bump Tom in the shoulder as you sat down.

“Yes! I told you it was urgent! We need help finding a place,” Tom replied, tugging your arm in fake desperation.

“Okay, okay. Let’s look and see what we can find,” you sighed, eyes lighting up in playfulness at his response.

You took out your phone and began searching. It felt like forever, because there were so many different places you guys looked at. And it seemed like everyone was saying “no” to everyone’s ideas.

Twenty minutes later, your landed on a page talking about this island in the states that you had never heard of. The header of the article read, DMITRI ISLAND: THE BEST DESTINATION YOU NEVER HEARD OF. You figured, hmm, this could be worth a shot. You skimmed the article quickly, and as you were reading it, you knew in your heart this was it.

“Hey, have y’all heard about this? There’s this island that’s off the coastline where there’s only a population of 110 people, and there’s all this historic stuff about it and the only mode of transportation is golf carts,” you said, scrolling through the beautiful photos of the island you found on google.

“No I don’t think I have. What does it look like?” Tom asked, leaning over your shoulder as you scroll through. He rested his cheek on your shoulder while his curious brown eyes scanned the screen, causing a faint blush creep onto your face.

“Guys, we’re supposed to be looking for vacation spots, not desolate islands,” Harrison groaned into his phone, giving your right arm a little shove.

“Oh come on, Haz, this is a vacation spot! There’s multiple accesses to the beach, a live lounge where music plays all throughout the weekend, a tequila distillery, and a massive golf course in one of the hotels that are there,” you laugh, returning the shove into his left arm while wiggling your eyebrows.

“A golf course?! Mate, we’re definitely going. (Y/n), book the ferry tickets!” Harry perked up from his current binge of Stranger Things on the enormous SmartTV to jump out of his seat, shaking Harrison’s right shoulder in agreement.

You had to laugh to yourself at your friends. They were all so different, and such dorks, you just couldn’t help but admire their banter and energy. “Alright, y’all, the ferry tickets are booked. Vacation, here we come!”

A chorus of shouts and cheers erupted in the expansive living room of the boys’ apartment as the excitement and promise of a relaxing vacation starts to become a reality.

You know the boys needed this vacation, especially Tom. They all have been working so hard to get their careers on the path that they desire, and Tom has his fair share of craziness this past year. With Far From Home, Endgame, the press tours, and his other projects that were coming up, you knew he was exhausted beyond belief. He wouldn’t admit it to himself, but he desperately needed a break from reality. And that’s what you vowed you would do - get him and the boys a chance to breathe without people constantly bombarding them with questions, invading their personal life.

You were determined to make this vacation worthwhile, and as you looked down at Tom, you saw a new glow lit deep within him. His smile was practically taking up his entire face, he had a small flush of pink on the apples of his cheeks, and a glint of excitement in his deep brown eyes.

And it was a glow you wanted to continue seeing in him.

A glow you wanted to be the reason for.

#tom holland #tom holland x reader #tom holland imagine #tom holland blurb

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softforcal · 5 years

Note

Could we have some headcannons with Poly!Lashton but you and Ash were dating first before you bring Luke in and he's so shy cause you and Ashton were dating first so how does he fit in?

POLY!LASHTON (Luke joining)

-fam. i am so ready for this

-okay so you and Ash are a couple

-you’ve been a couple for ages

-and you two are super sexual

-like. lets be real here

-while writing Youngblood they spend a lot of time in the studio and it was not uncommon at all for Ash to message you and for you to show up and the two of you disappear for a half hour before he came back with a lot of energy to make music

-the guys always laugh about it

-except for Luke… cuz you’re gorgeous and the two of you vibe really well

-and it’s tough for him

-because when you and Ashton started dating and he introduced you to everyone you and Luke hit it off

-since then you’ve become really great friends but Ashton is always around

-and Ashton loves having his arm over your shoulders or his hand on your thigh so it’s a constant reminder that Luke can’t fucking touch you

-and then the album comes out and of course you’re coming on tour

-like, it’s not even a question

-and everyone knows what this means

-because they’ve all been on tour before and they know about the cramped bed spaces in the busses and they all know how horny Ashton gets after shows when his adrenaline is still pumping

-and Luke is kinda just like “fuuuuck” about the whole situation

-especially because you definitely see Luke as your best friend in the band

-like you hang out with him all the time

-at parties Ash throws where he has to run around and make sure people aren’t ‘pulling an Ashton’ and chopping down one of his trees, you usually hang out with Luke

-and he knows he should be somewhere else with some other girl who he might actually be able to take home, but he can never bring himself to drag himself away from you

-and Ashton just thinks Luke’s being a bro about it

-”thanks for looking out for her mate.” Ashton always says when he shows up again, arm going around your waist, “if you weren’t here she’d probably be fending off a group of guys right now.”

-like, people mistake you and Luke for being a couple all the time

-because you are super close

-i’m talking pictures where his arm is around you

-pictures where you’re kissing his cheek

-pictures where you’re lying down across him and Ashton

-because you’re best buds

-and any time Luke hangs out at Ashton’s place you’re chill to just walk around in your bikini and hop in the pool while the guys are out and about

-because you’re Ashton’s girl

-Luke always hates himself for looking when you walk past in a bikini. but he can’t help himself

-Cal notices a week before they go on tour

-you’re at a house party and you’re playing beer pong with Ashton and you look radiant. and Luke is staring because holy fuck you look so good

-”you gotta sort that out mate.” Cal sighs, taking a drink of his beer

-”what?” Luke asks, snapping out of it

-”you can’t go after Ashton’s girl.” Cal clarifies

-”fuck. i know.” Luke groans

-he does know. he does. but fuck you look so good

-he watches as you get a ball in a cup and Ashton wraps his arms around your waist, lifting you off the round and pressing his lips to yours while you scream and laugh, two sounds he loves so much

-so the day of tour comes and you all head to the airport

-your neck is covered in spots from the night before with Ashton and it makes Luke’s stomach churn

-”hey Giraffe.” you tease, linking your arm with his, “you excited bubba?”

-all the pet names make his heart sore and Luke smiles slightly, “yeah, looks like you and Ashton had fun last night.”

-”we have fun every night.” you wave your hand as if it’s the most usual thing in the world. and it is.

-the two of you talk as you get to the plane and while boarding Ashton’s arms slip around your waist as he pulls you down into the seat next to his

-Lukes seat is, of course, right across the aisle from yours

-he gets a full view of you and Ashton putting ear phones in together and beginning to listen to music, Ashton tapping out the beat against your face while he kisses you and you giggle

-the flight kicks off and it’s a long one so Michael is already passed out in the seat behind you. Cal and Luke on their phones

-a while in, the cabin lights dim because a lot of people are sleeping. Luke doesn’t look up when you get out of your seat and move to the bathroom

-but when Ashton stands a few minutes later, he looks up

-he watches Ashton go into the same bathroom you just did

-Luke puts in his ear buds

-the two of you come out a little while later, Ashton’s hair messy and the two of you grinning at each other as you head him back to your seats

-Ashton meets Luke’s eyes and winks

-Luke nods slightly with his chin, smiling, as if to say ‘good for you, mile high club.’ like any other dude bro would when his best mate just got laid on a plane

-as soon as Ashton isn’t looking, Luke’s smile falters

-he continues to look at his phone and then looks up when you get into the seat next to him. Ashton is asleep across the aisle. “Luke, i’m bored. let’s watch a movie.”

-he agrees and the two of you share ear buds as you choose a movie to watch

-you rest your head on his shoulder and you stay there the entire film. and the film after that.

-Luke is about to ask you about the third movie when he notices you’re asleep on his shoulder

-heart. melted.

-you and Ash both wake up as the plane begins its decent, you wave at your boyfriend from across the aisle, “Luke and i watched movies.” you inform him and Ash is, as always, super chill about it

-the plane lands and you meet Ashton in the aisle, his hands settling on your waist as he kisses you like he hasn’t seen you in ages

-and Luke has a full, up close and personal view of it

-they get their stuff and pile into the van, Ashton pulling you onto his lap as the car takes you to the first hotel where they can all rest a bit before their first show

-Ashton’s lips tease your neck and you’re laughing and trying to pull out of his grasp, “Ash!” you giggle and he just grins, “don’t fight it Princess, you know you love me.” you relax back against him and let him nip at your ear, a huge grin on your face, “yeah, i do.”

-Luke puts in his ear buds

-getting to the hotel and you and Ash can’t wait to get out of the car and get the keys to your room.

-waiting for the elevator and Luke steps in but Cal is like “Luke maybe we should take the next one-” but before Luke can leave the elevator, you and Ash have entered and Ashton has hit the close the door button and now you’re pressed against the wall in the elevator, legs wrapped around Ashton’s waist and Luke is just there

-and of course this is a mirrored elevator so anywhere Luke looks he sees you

-Ashton is kissing your neck and you open your eyes, staring directly into Luke’s and he just flushes a bright red and looks down

-you finally get to your floor and Ashton carries you out of the elevator and before Luke can even blink, the two of you are in your hotel room and the door is closed

-Cal and Michael’s elevator comes up a few seconds later and Cal is just like “you should take the elevator with us next time mate.”

-”why are they so horny all the time?” Luke sighs

-”to be fair, they just had a 12 hour flight and didn’t fuck-” Michael begins

-”no they fucked while you two were asleep.” Luke interjects

-”no fucking way!” Michael laughs, “what a fucking legend.”

-the band gets some rest and when it’s time to all drive to the venue, the group is waiting in the car for five minutes before you and Ashton come running out of the hotel

-”sorry we’re late, Y/N got a little tied up.” Ashton grins

-and of course everyone fucking knows what this means

-like seriously Ashton? you’re not suave.

-getting to the arena and stuff goes pretty normal

-you hang out while they do band stuff

-Ashton goes to get dressed into his stage outfit and after a while you seem to disappear too. Luke doesn’t think much of it until he walks into one of the back stage dressing rooms and gets a full view of Ashton fucking you against a table

-Luke turns around and leaves while Ashton yells “close the fucking door!” and Luke can hear you both burst into a fit of giggles while he follows Ashton’s command

-Ashton comes out a little while later looking energetic as fuck and he goes onto the stage with a huge grin

-Luke is surprised when they get off stage and Ashton doesn’t immediately drag you off somewhere, instead Ashton is like “who wants to go to the club?!”

-everyone agrees and after they get changed out of their clothes they all head over

-but as soon as you and Ashton enter the club, one of your favourite songs starts playing and you drag Ashton to the dance floor

-you know the term ‘sex with clothes on’? yeah. thats how you and Ashton dance

-you dance for a bit before the two of you approach the table everyone is sitting at, “I’m going to get drinks.” Ashton declares.

-”and i need a new dance partner!” you grin, grabbing Cal’s hand, “Cal come dance.” “kinda tired Y/N, sorry.” Calum smiles softly. Michael is on his phone so now you turn to Luke, “Luke. You. Me. Dance floor. lets go.” and when your hand grabs his of course he lets you drag him through the crowd

-he loves watching you dance

-and you’re just bopping around having fun and being silly and it makes him laugh

-you grab his hand and make him twirl you and it’s just honest to god softness

-then your eye catches something over Luke’s shoulder and you scream “Ashton has drinks!” then your dragging Luke back to the table

-you and Ashton don’t last that long after that

-at one moment you’re dancing in the crowd then you’re gone and Cal sighs, “okay, we can leave now.” none of them were super into it anyways and now that their ring leader is gone they can head back to the hotel

-”who has a room next to them tonight?” Michael asks as they get into the cab

-”I do.” Cal sighs, “but i brought ear plugs so it should be fine.”

-Luke can’t sleep. not because he can hear anything but because he knows whats happening like less than 100 meters away

-the next morning Ash wakes everyone up early to grab breakfast and they’re all so confused, especially Calum who is straight up like “but you didn’t sleep! i know for a fact you and Y/N did not sleep last night, how do you have so much energy?”

-Calum won’t let Ashton into the elevator and makes him take the stairs while the rest of you take the elevator

-you look a little tired too but cute as fuck in one of Ashton’s worn out hoodies

-Calum walks with you and makes Ashton stay at the back of the group because “Ashton its a day into tour and i’ve had enough of this.”

-and at the restaurant Calum and Michael sit on either side of you

-”come on, this is a bit much don’t you think Cal?” Ashton laughs, sitting across from you

-you and Ashton try to touch feet under the table and Calum is just like “seriously?!”

-”yeah keep it in your fucking pants.” Michael laughs

-and of course Ash can’t just pass up an opportunity to feed you pancake so you’re that couple that’s leaning across the table and he feeds you like that

-”come on!” Cal puts his face in his hands, “well. i tried.”

-so tour continues and you and Ashton continue to be way too sexual

-Luke learns that ear buds are his best friend and to always knock on any closed door

-also, a week in you start wearing Ashton’s button ups and that is sexy as fuck

-like, even Michael and Cal’s eyes widen when you walk into rooms in Ashton’s button ups

-and of course you wearing Ashton’s button up is just to tease the fuck out of Ashton

-”i’ve been looking for that shirt.” Ashton says, hands settling on your waist

-”well here it is.” you tease, fingers lacing in Ashton’s hair

-everyone groans

-you and Ash leave the room

-its almost time to go on stage and the band is getting restless, “where is he.” Calum sighs. “fuck, i’ll go find him.” Michael sighs. “no, i’ll do it.” Luke groans, standing up

-he finds the room pretty fast, the noises are louder than normal, he knocks but there’s no answer. he stands there for a second, then takes a deep breath, opening the door

-”Luke!” Ashton screams as soon as Luke opens the door

-Ashton has you against a wall, ringed hand on your throat, you’re still wearing his button up but it’s completely open and Luke gets a good look at your body before he states, “Ash we need you on stage.”

-”in a minute.”

-”now.” Luke sighs

-Ashton stops, still inside you, “you going to let me finish or what mate?”

-”i’m not leaving until you do.” Luke says. its a gamble. he knows it.

-Ashton looks at you then at Luke, “do you mind princess?”

-you meet Luke’s eyes then shake your head slightly

-well. Luke’s gamble fucked up

-but he’s not about to pussy out, he closes the door behind him and leans back against it while Ash begins to go to town again

-Ashton grins when he notices your eyes slipping over his shoulder once or twice, “you like this Princess?” he groans, nipping at your neck, “you like looking at Luke while you take my cock?” “yes daddy sir”

-(i was in class while writing this and had to stop because i am a fuck)

-Luke is so shook

-”do you want Luke to join babe?” Ashton asks

-Luke’s heart stops in his chest

-your eyes meet Luke’s and he doesn’t say anything but you nod, “yes Ashton.”

-Ashton looks around for a second before his eyes land on the couch, “okay baby, on the couch.” he pulls out of you and you walk over to the couch, discarding the button up and getting on your knees, on all fours with your hand resting on the arm rest, you’re face is around waist level and this allows Ashton to half kneel on the couch behind you

-”well Luke, what are you waiting for?” Ashton asks, groaning as he slides into you

-Luke practically stumbles over, looking at you, “are you okay with this?” he asks

-”just take your dick out Luke.” “yeah Luke, take your dick out.” Ashton repeats what you said with a laugh

-”fuck, you said we have two minutes?” Ashton asks, grip tightening on your hips

-”yeah, fuck.” Luke groans as you begin to blow him

-”better work your magic then babe.” Ashton instructs you, “can’t leave Luke blue balled before he goes on stage.”

-Luke’s about to say that you’re already doing a fantastic job but then you suck harder and you’re doing this thing with your tongue and his eyes close as his head lols back, fingers going into your hair

-they’re both getting close when Ash says “you can’t cum in her mouth.”

-”what?!” Luke asks, eyes snapping open

-”i said: you can’t cum in her mouth.” Ashton repeated, “when you’re close, i’ll move her and you can come on her tits and stomach.”

-and it’s not like Luke can argue

-a few more seconds go by and Luke says “fuck, okay, i’m close.”

-Ashton hand wraps around your neck as he pulls you back against his chest as Luke finishes himself off, cumming on your tits and stomach like Ashton instructed

-Ashton’s grip on your throat tightens and you stare at Luke through your eyelashes while Ashton cums too

-Ashton’s hand lets go of your neck and he presses a kiss to your cheek, “see you after the show babe.” he picks up the button up you had been wearing and puts it on, pulling his pants back up while Luke does the same

-before Luke can say anything Ashton grabs his shoulder and pulls him from the room

-you clean yourself off and put on clothes, lounging on the couch and catching your breath

-”Ashton-” Luke starts to say but they reach the side stage and a stage manager ushers Ashton on stage before Luke can say anything else

-Luke is freaking out but he goes on stage and somehow manages to get through the whole show

-as soon as it’s over and the band exits the stage Ashton grabs you and pulls you into a kiss before the two of you head out to the van to take you back to the hotel

-”Luke are you okay?” Michael asks, watching Luke watching you and Ash leave, “what happened in the dressing room, you were gone a while.”

-”I… uh…” Luke begins to try to answer

-Cal’s jaw dropped, “did you… did you join them?”

-”holy fuck!” Michael laughs and they both turn to look at Luke, “you totally fucking did!”

-Luke just groans, hiding his face in his hands

-”lets just head back to the hotel.” Luke sighs

-they all have an early morning getting on the tour bus and going to the next city and thats probably a good idea

-”you don’t want to talk about it?” Cal asks

-”yeah spill the details mate.” Michael grins, “Ashton’s always ranted about how amazing her mouth is but i’ve always thought that he’s probably lying. was he lying?”

-”he wasn’t lying.” Luke sighs

-”fuuuuck.” Michael groans, “no shit.”

-”Luke-” Cal begins because he definitely knows Luke’s legitimately in love with you

-but Luke cuts him off, “don’t want to talk about it.”

-they get into the van and head back to the hotel, it’s a pretty quiet drive because Michael obviously wants more details but as they roll up to the hotel Michael sighs, “fuck. can’t believe Lashton was the first threesome.”

-Luke gets out of the shower when his phone buzzes, its a message from Ashton: ‘watching that movie you wanted to see. come over.’

-Luke sighs but throws on sweats and a hoodie and trudges over

-you open the hotel door in (once again) a button up that goes to your mid thighs, “hey!” you grin, getting on your tip toes to hug him, “Ashton’s in the shower.”

-”i got a text-”

-”from me. yeah, i messaged you.” you answer, ushering the tall boy into the room before closing the door, “wasn’t sure how else to get you here.”

-he laughs awkwardly, “what do you mean?”

-”we should talk about today, you looked kinda distraught when you left.” you respond. you pull him to the bed and sit down, getting comfy against the pillows and making space for him

-he sits and Ash comes out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, “hey Luke.” he says, dropping the towel to pull on some sweats and Luke averts his eyes but Ashton laughs, “you’ve seen it all before.”

-this is the most awkward Luke has ever felt with the two of you and it’s showing

-”Luke we really don’t want this to be awkward.” you say, “we talked it over and we were thinking, if you want to, you could be part of this.”

-”what?” Luke laughs

-”she likes you, you like her, we’re best mates, that threesome was fun, you could join.” Ashton tries to clarify, when Luke still looks lost Ashton laughs, “come on Luke, you’ve heard of polyamory haven’t you?”

-”so you mean join like… like…” “like date us.” you finish for him, “we’re both starving, we’re heading to a 24/hour a day burger joint. you should come.”

-”okay.” Luke agrees

-you grin, pulling Luke into a hug and kissing his cheek before getting off the bed as Ashton tosses you sweats and a hoodie, you shed the button up and Luke gets a full view of your gorgeous body as you pull on the clothes

-Ashton goes and opens the door and you pull Luke off the bed by his hand, the two of you leaving the room past Ash who closes the door behind the three of you before putting his arm over your shoulders

-walking that way works really well?

-you ask Luke how the concert went and you all just begin talking

-talking has always been easy for you three

-the night goes really well and you all end up at the hotel, Luke goes to get his room key and Ashton is like “what are you doing mate?” “getting my key?” Luke answers. you and Ashton laugh as you pull him into your room

-your lips attach to Luke’s and he melts into the kiss while Ash closes and locks the door behind the three of you

-Ashton comes behind you

-because you’re all in sweats and hoodies it’s easy as fuck to get all your clothes off, especially because you and Ash were practically nude under your clothing anyways

-and Ash is calling all the shots

-that much is obvious

-it’s wild and kinky but Luke fits so naturally into it because you’re all so comfortable with each other

-falling asleep between the two gorgeous blondes

-a loud banging at your door waking you up, “Ashton! Y/N! we need to be on the bus in five minutes!” Calum is screaming

-”shit.” Luke says, the first one to get up and throw on his clothes

-as he opens the door to the hallway he realizes Cal is now knocking on his door. Cal turns and notices Luke coming out of Ashton’s room and sighs, “come on mate, you didn’t.”

-Luke mumbles an apology before pushing past Cal and into his room

-when he gets down and onto the tour bus you and Ash are already there with Cal and Michael in the couch area

-You and Ash make room for him as Michael explains the new game he got for his nintendo switch that’s connected to the TV

-Luke’s hand goes to your thigh and you grin at him, he gives a small smile back

-and thus begins the Lashton triad

-Calum stares at the three of you a lot because he’s worried about Luke

-a few days of the three of you sneaking off and stolen kisses go by before Luke and Ashton decide to to tell Michael and Calum

-they are both shook

-”so Ash… you just invited Luke to start dating your girlfriend?” Michael asks in shock

-”i mean, Y/N and i have been talking about it for a while,” Ashton shrugs “so when Luke came into the dressing room-” “we don’t want to hear it.” Calum sighs, hiding his face. “yes we do!” Michael grins

-Michael and Cal though you and Ash were sexual. throw Luke into the mix and it’s even worse better

-wearing Ashton’s button ups and having Luke’s glitter on your face

-painting their nails

-and of course Ash has this brilliant idea where you should totally be able to paint one of their nails while getting fucked doggy style by the other

-yeah, you three depend on hotel rooms

-when you’re on the tour bus it can be a bit tough because Luke feels like you should sleep with Ash because you and Ash were the original couple so you and Ashton have to assure him that you’re both cool with you sleeping in his bunk sometimes too

-Luke never wants to over step and it takes a lot of assurance for him to realize that the three of you are equal in the relationship and that it’s an actual relationship and not just you and Ash letting Luke join sometimes

-this is super weird to mention but like… Ashton lets Luke cum in you instead of on you and for some odd reason that shows Luke that he’s in the relationship?

-you and Ash have already said i love you because you’ve been dating a while and the both of you have been best buds for ages with Luke so you’ve both definitely said ‘love you’ to him before

-you tell Luke you love him one morning when the two of you are cuddling and Ash is still asleep and he melts, saying it back immediately

-fans notice the three of you out and about together more often

-but most are just like “Luke and Y/N are great friends so it makes sense.” which, like, valid

-but then a pap gets a shot of you kissing Luke in a diner while Ash was in the bathroom and fans went wild

-the first instinct was that you are cheating. which is not great.

-so the three of you all decide to clear that up as soon as you can

-Cal and Michael are baes so they send the three of you all the pictures they have of you three, some of which were from when you were just friends with Luke but those are super cute pics too

-you post a picture of each of them kissing your cheek, taken backstage a few days before, with the caption: “two love bugs are better than one.”

-Ashton posts a picture from his house party before you went on tour, the three of you in the kitchen making cocktails together, with the caption: “couples who make cocktails together, stay together.”

-and Luke gets a picture of the three of you walking through a venue, each boy with a hand in your back pocket, with the caption: “one happy girl//two happy guys.”

-#Lashton blows up on twitter

-so Ash is the main dom

-Luke can dom but he still falls under Ashton’s power control

-you the sub bbg

-we all know Ash is super into being a dom (daddy or sir whatever you’re comfy with) and spanking and choking

-but Luke has a huge thing for over stimulation?

-and that boy knows how to use his tongue

-Ash usually tells Luke to get you ready for them

-lube. in your purse. at all times.

-Ashton’s the ass man. i’ve said it in so many Ash posts. but i stand by this assessment

-group hugs with these golden boys

-a super dirty group chat

-they love carrying you too, like one of them is always throwing you over their shoulder

-the sexiest dirty dancing when you go to clubs together

-the tour ends and you all head back to LA and Luke’s afraid something’s going to change… but it doesnt

-you and Ash show up at Luke’s place to go for walks with him and Petunia

-spending most days at one of their houses just lounging around and loving each other

-cute videos of you, Ash and Petunia all over Luke’s insta

-going for drives with you in the back of the car so you can lean forward and play with your boys hair

-being with them while they make music

-you definitely are their muse

-Ashton taking so many pictures of you and Luke dancing and being cute with you in a button up or Luke holding Petunia

-this is just such a cute triad

-like last time i wrote about this triad here i nearly died

#ashton irwin #ashton irwin x reader #ashton irwin smut #luke hemmings #luke hemmings smut #luke hemmings x reader #hc #softforcal #lashton #lashton x reader #poly #polyamory #poly!lashton #lashton smut #5sos #5 seconds of summer #luke 5sos #ashton 5sos

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x--daughters-of-darkness--x · 4 years

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Evanescence's Amy Lee Talks Musical Evolution, Growing Up & Life Under Quarantine

The frontwoman opens up to the Recording Academy about the hard-rock mainstays' forthcoming album, 'The Bitter Truth' and its lead single, "Wasted On You"

The current coronavirus quarantine has turned out to be a mixed blessing for Evanescence leader and singer Amy Lee. While she is elated about the new music her band is producing for their first album in nearly nine years, they have to figure out how to finish the project being apart. They also had to postpone touring Europe with Within Temptation and cannot interract with their fans anytime soon. That feels ironic given the anticipation for their new release. At least Lee did not have to face being separated so soon from her five-year-old son Jack and explain why his mother had to go away on tour, and she got to jam virtually with Lzzy Hale on the Halestorm song "Break In." At the same time, Lee admits, her immediate family members are driving each other a little bit crazy. That's to be expected.

Lee and her bandmates have been adjusting to the circumstances. They decided to change the choice for the lead single off of their forthcoming album The Bitter Truth by swapping it out for the song "Wasted On You." Thematically, however unintentionally, it feels like now and features all five band members in their own homes engaging in various activities from contemplation to playing music. The video is very fitting for a band whose singer frequently channels inner emotional turmoil that people struggle with alone. Thus the clip feels like a natural extension of their work.

"Yeah, this is the place I always put myself in," concurs Lee, speaking on the phone to the Recording Academy from her home in Nashville, which fans are seeing for the first time through that video.

"Most of us in the band are very private," notes Lee. "Showing my home is a big deal for me. Just being our real selves without makeup, just living in real life, not acting. What's powerful about that is that everybody around the world is doing the same thing. The idea behind it was to show that at our core we're all still connected even though we're not physically together."

When she saw the first edit of the clip from director P.R. Brown, whom she praises highly, it made her feel very connected to her band. "I missed them," admits Lee. "I pulled the trick on myself, feeling all these emotions about being close to you guys and how we're going through the same stuff. I guess it was going to be effective because it totally worked on me."

Given how depressing life feels for many people right now, Lee believes that new music is extremely necessary, and there are new Evanescence songs still in the making. The Bitter Truth is not actually finished yet, and Lee is not sure how many songs will make up its entirety. Individual tracks will just be released when they are and eventually be collected as a cohesive whole.

"I like living in the moment, and I don't have it all planned out," says Lee. "And that's beautiful. We always wanted to do it this way. It's lucky because we got to continue down our path. We went in for the first batch of songs with Nick Raskulinecz in the beginning of February. We have that batch, but I'm not sure exactly when we're all going to be able to get back together again since we live all over the world. Jen's in Germany. But whether we're going to have to do some things remotely, we still have to get together to some degree."

Usually, the band records new music and it takes a year or so for it to reach the public's ears. They started working on "Wasted On You," a break-up song of sorts about freeing oneself from routine and toxic patterns, the day before New Year's. Sharing it with fans and getting feedback so soon after it was completed feels like a gift of instant gratification that they find special and rare.

Naturally, many fans have been anxious for a new Evanescence album, but they have continued to snap up concert tickets and have remained loyal throughout the near decade-long duration. "It's not like they got pissed off and left," remarks Lee. "They still want it whenever it's going to come, and that's a huge gift. Especially now. There's just so much music out there that you can only find if you're searching for it."

Lee has continued making new music over the last nine years. Following her emancipation from her previous label Wind-up Records in 2014, she jumped into many new projects. The first was the Aftermath album that served as the soundtrack to the movie War Story starring Catherine Keener as a war zone photojournalist. That was done in collaboration with cellist Dave Eggar, who also worked with her and producer/composer/drummer Chuck Palmer on music for the 2015 short film Indigo Grey: The Passage by Irish/hip-hop dance troupe Hammerstep. The musical trio further collaborated on scores for the documentary short I Am Her (2016) and the feature film Blind (2017). In 2016, inspired by the birth of her son two years earlier, Lee did an album of children's music songs entitled Dream Too Much.

Such diversity should not be surprising considering that at the core of Evanescence swirl goth, metal, and pop sounds that commune without overriding each other. This makes the band less easy to tag and simply reflects Lee's diverse musical tastes. Last year, they released a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain."

"I like a lot of pop music," says Lee. "I like a lot of dark, trippy, trap-pop weirdness. Even if that just comes out in the way that I'm crafting a melody, it's there for me enough that I feel it in the way that I want to feel it. Then all those other elements that play a role, like cool guitar riffs and things from other genres, it's when it all blends together that it really sounds right. That's a picture of who we are."

While she knows people certainly expected certain new music from her, Lee has needed to scratch that creative itch that led her to such outside explorations. She felt that denying herself these opportunities would make her feel like she was not being true to herself, even though her fans craved a new Evanescence album. Lee felt compelled to work on that "weird song idea" or collaboration with a cellist. "If I don't let myself do it, then I get frustrated," she concedes. "There was something else I needed to get off my chest first."

The singer and pianist mentions that when she was pregnant, she thought her mom phase would outweigh work, but her need to create only got stronger because it was such an emotional time for her.

"Up until the week before Jack was born, I was working on that Aftermath album which was so great because it was moody and weird and creative, and it didn't all rely on the same old tricks," recalls Lee. "A lot of it was instrumental. People want me to sing a ballad. I actually wanted to play the piano live with Dave [Eggar] and write as we play and record that, then create the song that's totally weird, electronic, Africa-inspired. There's all kinds of weird stuff on there."

Ten months after Jack was born, a lot of emotions were welling up inside of Lee, which naturally led to Dream Too Much. "I just felt like I had a whole new chamber of my heart that started up that I didn't know about before, and I needed to express it," she elaborates. "Weirdly, becoming a mom made me need to create a lot more. There hadn't been an all original Evanescence album until now, but it's just been everything else." She chose to jump onto all of those "someday, I want to do..." projects.

When Lee did return to making music with her main project, it was for 2017's Synthesis album featuring Evanescence songs reworked with a full orchestra and electronic music elements along with two new songs and three instrumentals. She notes that many people thought that that release was a clue as to where the band's music was heading, but in fact, it was the opposite.

"Because we got to do that very different thing, I felt so motivated and inspired to run the other direction and really dive headfirst into the rock part of our music and our current sound as a band," says Lee. "I think allowing yourself to do all the things that your heart wants to do as an artist is just healthy. It's not like there won't be more fuel inside you that's going to want to create more the next day."

The long break between albums certainly helped feed her fire for the band. Further, Lee's artistic life has been augmented lately by two special musicians. The first is aforementioned cellist Eggar, whose resume includes The Who, Josh Groban, Beyoncé, Carly Simon, Bon Jovi and Manhattan Transfer, has been a great collaborator for her.

"He's just got such a bright energy and is so encouraging but also really, really talented," enthuses Lee. "He pushes me to the next level without it being painful, if that makes sense. We were talking about wanting to make a documentary of his life because you just sit down and listen to him talk about stuff like living on a beach in the south of France and playing a million dollar cello."

On the recommendation of Eggar, Evanescence guitarist Jen Majura came into the fold back in 2015 following the departure of longtime member and songwriting collaborator Terry Balsamo. She is the other key player.

"What I've learned over the years is the harder thing about finding a person that's going to be in your band family is the way they fit as a person," explains Lee. "There are a lot of people that can play amazingly, and Jen is a great musician, but for somebody to really fit into your family dynamic is hard. I called her and flew her to New York, and we just spent time together. We went to guitar shops, went to lunch, got drunk, and had conversations about music and jammed a little bit. But mostly it was just becoming friends, and it happened really quickly. It just felt right. We knew that. I knew that I liked her, and I could see things in her that reminded me a little bit of myself. It's been really nice to have such a cool jolt of positive energy that she inserted when we needed it a lot. Now we can also have background vocals. We've never been able to have that before with me being the only girl, and I wanted it to be a female voice."

Circling back to the new song "Wasted On You," there is reference to being "six feet low" that reminds one that on first two Evanescence studio albums there was one song apiece that referenced Lee's late sister, who passed away at the age of three when the singer was six. It turns out that Lee recently lost her younger brother, who died at the age of 24.

"It's really hard," says Lee, turning somber for a few moments. "This has been a crazy time, the last few years. A lot has happened to us within the band. Since the last album, there's a lot to say. We are still who we are, but there have been things that have caused us to change our perspective, and the way that we see the world, the way that we see other people, and the way that we think because of the losses that we've suffered. I'm speaking in plural because our bass player Tim just lost his stepdaughter."

Lee adds that this has been a time during which, in so many ways, she had to grow up and didn't want to. "I just want to be a kid again," she concedes. "I just want to be a kid with my siblings and my mom and dad, and somebody else I know at the end of the day is going to take care of it. Somebody else is going to be the dad, somebody else is going to be in charge. It's a really shitty thing that when you grow up, you have to be the one who does that. You have to be the one to make everybody else feel okay. And sometimes it's not okay. That's the bitter truth."

This moment dovetails into the Recording Academy's recent conversation with Tori Amos about how one does not really understand another's pain unless they have experienced it personally. And a person does not need well-meaning but cliched platitudes from others to deal with pain. They just need to process it in their own way.

"That's a huge part of this band and making music for me from day one," declares Lee. "I just need to process the fact that I hurt right now, and not say, 'But it's gonna be okay.' I still have hope after all, but I think it's important sometimes just to say, 'Hey, I hurt' and let that be the message because other people are hurting too. Instead of being fixed immediately, we need to process our pain, we need to feel the pain. It's important. It's part of what is eventually going to let you get through it. The only way out is through."

That concept might seem anathema to many people caught up in a social media and mass media world where everyone wants to put on a happy face and does not admit to feeling wounded or defeated.

"Right, we don't show the pictures," acknowledges Lee. "I don't Instagram when I'm having a horrible day. We're just showing little clips of life when something was awesome, so when you look through that window into somebody's life you're not getting the full picture. You're just getting the highlight reel. That isn't real."

Funnily enough, the music and videos of Evanescence represent the opposite aesthetic. They show when they are not having a good day.

"That's true," concurs Lee, laughing out loud. "You just listen to my album, and you hear how horrible everything is."

At least that emotional sincerity has allowed her to produce some timeless tunes, with more on the way.

#Amy Lee #Evanescence #2020 interviews

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peggysousfan · 4 years

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Captain America: The First Super Soldiers

Chapter 3 is done!!! Lots of peggysous in this one;) Enjoy!!:)

Plane 1943:

There sat Colonel Philips, Agent Carter, and Lieutenant Sousa on a plane; a plane flown by Howard Stark. Stark insisted if they were flying, then he would be the pilot. As they all sat there, waiting for their arrival to London, Philips was fast asleep, and Carter was resting her head on Sousa's shoulder.

"Hey." He said. "Are you asleep?"

"No." She replied.

"I just...uh, wanted to thank you. Again. For getting me here." She lifts her head from its comfortable spot, and faces him. He looks at her and she takes his hand once more.

"You did this, not I. You worked your arse off at camp. You were kind and brave enough to help those that you were competing with. You earned the spot for taking the serum. And YOU alone got yourself here. Not me." He smiles bashfully and turns away.

"But it was you that convinced him,"He nudges to the Colonel, "That I should be on this plane,with all of you, right now." Now its her turn to smile bashfully. As the two look into each other eyes, they are once again stuck in a trance. They both lean in at the same time, and meet in the middle. Their lips fit perfectly with the others. Daniel places his left hand in her hair, as she places both on his cheeks; neither of them letting go. Too happy in this moment, they don't realize Stark or Philips watching them. Howard smirks and keeps flying, and Philips? He just grumbles and goes back to sleep.

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Europe 1944:

In America, on stage, months after months, Steve Rogers stood and performed for America. Show after show he remembered his lines, took pictures with fans, and did films with other actors; he was know as Captain America, and the children loved him. Little did he know, the disgrace the soldiers thought of him.

"Hey, look at this!" A soldier exclaimed. "I'm Captain America and I have a plan!" They all laugh at his portrayal of Steve dancing around stage.

"God, what an idiot." Another soldier says, as he sips some 'water' out of his canteen. The soldiers in camp have just survived a sour mission, and they are missing more than half of their battalion. They drink and entertain themselves to keep away the fresh, gruesome memories; and to distract themselves from thinking of their comrades.

"And those tights? What is he? Tinkerbell." They all laugh.

"Whats so funny?" Daniel and Peggy come out of a tent.

"You two have fun in there last night...?"

"Zip it, Smith." Peggy snaps and kicks over his drink. As he thrust his arms in the air, in disbelief, Daniel just smiles at her and asks his question again.

"Whats so funny, Johnny?" Daniel sits down on the log with Peggy by his side.

"Captain America," And they all start to laugh again, but Peggy and Daniel are not as amused. "Well, not the real one. Not you. But the 'Star spangled man with a plan'," He hands them a photograph and Peggy and Daniel laugh. "Rogers looks like some ballerina in a spandex." They all laugh again. Peggy laughs so hard she leans in closer to Daniel to keep her grounded.

"What in blazes is he doing?" she exclaims

"Dancing. And getting ready to 'hit' Adolf Hitler." Daniel shakes his head as Peggy laughs again.

"Poor guy. Should have never taken that stupid deal." Sousa says.

"You know what? Hes coming here next week to do a show." Everyone stops laughing and drinking, and stares at Smith.

"Wait what? Rogers is coming here? I thought he was in America." Peggy says.

"He was. But for the past...two weeks I think, hes been doing shows here, in Europe. Its extra publicity for the allies and more bonds for the government to win the war." He explains.

"Well, look on the bright side." Peggy says, sneaking a hand onto Daniels leg and stealing a piece of his food, " We'll all be able to watch this 'Star spangled man with a plan' and finally get some real entertainment around here" And they all laugh once more and enjoyed the rest of their morning. Danial whispers in her ear and she blushes. "Wouldn't you like to know." She whispers and teases back.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next week:

"You know Rogers is gonna be here sometime today?" Daniel says. Peggy hums as an answer and snuggles closer, resting her head on his chest. "We should probably get ready, speak to Philips about the mission for the 107th and-"

"Daniel." She lifts her head to look into his eyes. "He won't listen. No matter how many times we confront him, he won't make a plan to rescue them."

"Peg, it isn't right." He turns around to face her. "They could be being tortured right now, even as we speak. They could all be dead. We owe it to their families to give them a solid answer of if they are dead or alive. They at least deserve that."

"I know, darling." She places her left hand on his cheek and slides it into his hair. He closes his eyes and leans into her more. "And its admirable for you to want this so badly. But I've run my throat sore and dry trying to convince him of this. " He sighs and she kisses his head. Daniel leans over her completely and now rests his head on her chest.

"I feel like I'm going crazy, Peg."

"I know. But you're not alone in this, I promise." He grabs her by the waist and pulls her closer. "I'm in this with you until the end , Daniel. Don't you ever forget that." She feels his smile and he reaches up for a kiss; and she happily obliges.

Hours later and Steve Rogers and his group of lady dancers arrive. Daniel Sousa stays in his tent and draws out a plan from blueprints of Hydras base. He's determined to bring the rest of the 107th back, properly. Agent Carter watches from a distance, not close to stage, but not too far from Daniel. As the 'show' ends, Steve gives his speech.

"How many of you are ready to help me sock old Adolf on the jaw?" The soldiers are not amused. "Okay. Uh. I need a volunteer."

"I already volunteered! How do you think I got here?" One soldier says, and everyone laughs; including the lady Agent.

"Hey," Daniel nudges her.

"Hi," She says. She reaches up and kisses his cheek, and he pulls her closer by the waist.

"Bring back the girls!" another soldier from the crowd roars. And the two lovebirds laugh while everyone else cheers.

"On a scale of one to ten," Daniel says lowly. "How bad was the show?" Peggy snickers.

"At best? I'd give it a 2." And they laugh again."He lifted a motorbike, which was impressive, and the dance routine was alright. But... what I've seen you do with your hands is much more impressive" She flirts. He draws her closer until their chest meet.

"You're trying to tempt me, aren't you?"

"Mmm, is it working?" Daniel laughs as she leans in.

"Maybe..."

As the two share a passionate kiss, the crowd of soldiers around them encourage the dancers to come on stage.

"I think they only know the one song, but um, I'll see what I can do." Rogers says.

"You do that sweetheart." A soldier says from the crowd.

"Nice boots, Tinkerbell" Hodge says from the crowd. And they all laugh.

"Come on, guys, we're all on the same team here." Steve exclaims.

"Hey, Captain! Sign this," A soldier stands a pulls down his pants, and moons Steve Rogers. Once more the crowd roars with laughter. They start to throw tomatoes at Rogers, and he walks off stage. As he leaves Daniel looks up.

"You should probably go say something to him." She reaches up and kisses him again, he groans.

"And why, pray tell, would I want to do that?" She drags him back into the tent when no one is looking, and zips it tight. He starts to laugh.

"Because its the right thing to do." She shoves him and he sits down. As she straddles him, he grabs her waist. Peggy rests her arms over his shoulders and snakes them around his neck as she kisses his cheek.

"And why..." Daniel groans again. "Should I have to do it? Hmm?" They kiss passionately and Peggy starts to undue his jacket. "You could go and support him, You're both super soldiers."

"Yeah..." He stops her hands."But I have to give those plans to Philips."

"No more of this." She kisses him again and again, but Daniel stops her.

"Peg." Now she groans out of frustration. "We're going to get caught."

"I highly doubt that. Everyone is far to busy with their own...shall we say..pleasure." He laughs and kisses her.

"Go. Talk to Rogers. I'll handle Mr. Grouch." She really doesn't want to talk to Rogers; especially after his woman in the military comment.

"Ugh!!" He gets her off of his lap, and she leaves the tent. "This isn't over, soldier."

"I don't doubt that, Agent." And with that she leaves.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Steve Rogers sits in the rain, doodling in his notebook, someone appears behind him.

"Hello, Steve"

"Hi," He says. Hes surprised to see her. Its been almost a year. "What are you doing here?"

"Officially I'm not here at all."She sets down Daniels jacket that he gave her. "That was...quite a performance." It takes everything in her power not to laugh.

"Yeah, uh I had to improvise a little bit," He looks away from her."The crowds I'm use to are usually more, uh, twelve." For several moments, all is quiet as Agent Carter looks for something to say.

"I understand you're 'America's new hope'" Although she tried to hide it, the tone in her voice wasn't thrilling. 'it should be Daniel' she thinks, 'Hes the one actually doing the hard work'.

"Bond sales take a 10% bump in every state I visit."

"Is that senator Brandt I hear," She squints her eyes and slightly glares. This man has all the limelight in America and parts of the world, and he can't even think his own thoughts...

"At least he has me doing this. Philips would have had me stuck in a lab." A lab is better than dancing like a show girl and taking credit from another man' but Peggy doesn't say any of this.

"And these are your only two options. A lab rat or a dancing monkey?" As she refers to his drawing. "You were meant for more than this."

"Ya know, all I ever wanted was to serve overseas and fight for my country. And I got everything I wanted. And I'm wearing tights." Hes not too happy about this fact, but that fact that he could have fought and tried to prove himself would have been better. He could be serving his country even without tights; but he took the easy way out.Before she can say anything, a jeep beeps its horn and carries more injured soldiers to the infirmary. "They look like they've been through hell."

"These men more than most." She looks at the soldiers and nurses escorting the injured amputee."Schmidt sent out a force to Azzano. Two hundred men went up against him, and less than fifty returned. Your audience contained what was left of the 107th." At this his head whips to her.

"The 107th!?"

"What?" Steve starts to take off, so Peggy grabs Daniel's jacket to shield herself from the rain, and runs after him. He stops once hes reached Colonel Philips tent, and Rogers confronts him.

"I need the casualty list from Azzano."

"You don't get to give me orders,son." But Rogers doesn't give up,he demands one name, Sergeant James Barnes from the 107th." Philips looks at Carter and speaks in dismay.

"Later, you and I are gonna have a conversation that you won't like." Peggy sighs and looks down. 'I'm going to have words with Daniel after this,' she thinks. Rogers asks again and starts to spell out his name, but Philips interrupts and says he an spell. He says the named sounded familiar and Steve insisted on knowing about a rescue mission.

"Yeah we have one, Its called winning the war.

"But if you know where they are, why not at least-"

"God dammit you sound like Sousa. They're thirty miles behind the lines through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd loose more men than we'd save." Steve turns red at the mention of Sousa. "But I don't expect you to understand that because you're a chorus girl."

"I think I understand just fine." Peggy can't help but roll her eyes.

"Well then understand it somewhere else." Steve looks at the map of the base and storms out. Agent Carter glances at him then the map, then follows him.

"You're not really so dense that you'd try and go there by yourself. What do you plan to do? Walk to Austria?"

"If thats what it takes."

"You heard the Colonel, your friend is most likely dead-

"You don't know that." She takes a deep breath and tries to not get angry.

"Even so, he and Sousa are devising a strategy. If he detects.-

"By the time he's done that, it could be too late." Hes been rushing to throw in a jacket and change of boots."Besides, how does Sousa have anything to do with this? Hes in Alamogordo."

"No hes not. Hes been here, in Europe, since he received the serum."

"Wait, what? You know what.Never mind, I have something else to worry about." She looks at him confused. 'Why do you need to bother with worrying about him?' He races out of the tent and she follows him.

"Steve!" he tosses the shield from the performances in a truck and turns to her.

"You said you thought I was meant for more than this. Did you mean it." AT first she hesitates, then answers.

"Every word. But that doesn't mean to go on a suicide mission to prove that."

"You have to let me do this."

"No I don't." She takes the keys from the ignition and runs off to find Daniel. When she does, hes in his tent.

"Hey, Peg how'd it-" She shoves him.

"You should have talked to Rogers. Not .Me." She shoves him twice more with her last two words. He leans back against the table, terrified.

"Okay, okay, okay. What the hell happened." She still has her angry face and leans forward, and he flinches; but instead of hitting him, she tosses the keys to the jeep next to him. "Uhh, okay. What are those for...?"

"You deal with the damn fool."

"What did he do, Peg?"

"Hes trying to go all the way to Austria to recuse the soldiers that were captured in the 107th.Specifically his friend, who may, or may not be alive."

"What? By his self? Why?"

"Because, Daniel. Hes a bloody idiot. I don't want to deal with him."

"Peg-

"NO. Don't Peg me, Daniel. I won't have it." He steps back again and raises his arms in defeat.

"Well, I- I don't know what to do Peggy. He'll find a way to get there, with or without our help." She whips her head around to him.

"What!? Daniel, have you gone mad? Why should we help him."

"Because we could use this." She looks at him, puzzled."Think about it Peg-"

"I don't want to. Hes being a damn fool. And unlike you who has been planning for over a week on how to get to them, hes going out on a bloody whim because of one person."

"Thats not a bad thing,Peg."

"How isn't it? I wouldn't go off and risk everything for one person, and neither would you."

"I would for you." And with that, the whole room went silent.

"Daniel..."

"Look, Peg. Hes gonna do it. We might as well give him transportation. I'll talk to Colonel Philips about my plans again and tell him about Rogers. "

"He may be pissed off if you tell him that we helped Rogers."

"We?" She smirks and rolls her eyes. "Yeah, he will. But, he might actually listen if he realizes whats at stake." She takes a deep breath and sighs. He walks over to her and holds her. He tries to look into he eyes, She smiles and places a kiss on his lips.

"I would for you too, no one else..." As she says this she leaves. He calls to her and tosses her the keys, then she makes her way to Steve.

"I thought you weren't going to help" he says, as she paces him the keys.

"I can do more than that."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Austria in a Airplane 1944:

As the three people in the plane fly to their destination, Peggy talks Steve through a some-what plan.

"The Hydra cap is in Krausberg, tucked between these two mountain ranges. Its a factory of some kind."

"We should be able to drop you right on their doorstep," Stark explains.

"Just get me as close as you can."Steve says. Peggy cant help but think of how horrible this will turn out to be."You two are gonna get into a lot of trouble when you land. "

"Oh and you won't?" Carter says. Steve goes on and says that if anyone yells at him he can just shoot them, but they can't do that. She argues that they will shoot back at him, so he taps the shield and hopes it works.

"Agent Carter," They both turn to look at him. "If we're not in too much of a hurry, I thought we could stop off in Lucerne for a late-night fondue." Peggy shakes his off and continues to look at the map.

"Stark is the best civilian pilot I've ever seen. Hes mad enough to brave this airspace"She explains, hoping to get Rogers to stop glancing between them. "We're lucky to have him." AFter a few moments of silence, Steve breaks it.

"So do you two..d-do you...fondue?" "I beg your pardon?" She feels her skin start to heat up.

"Ya know..uh-together, d-do you...fondue?"

"Stop." She takes a deep breath and shakes her head."This is your transponder, activate it when you're ready and the signal will lead us straight to you."

Are you sure this thing works?" He questions.

"Its been tested more than you,pal"Howard says. After he speaks there is gun fire. Steve grabs a parachute and jumps.

"Uh, shouldn't he have waited to do that?" Stark exclaims.

"Theres nothing we can do about it now, Only hope what he does will work. " Stark turns the plane around and they head back to base.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You two did what!? Strictly against my orders!" Daniel stands his ground to Philips and explains his plan again.

"Sir, its best he had a little push in the right direction rather than going on a whim, half cocked and getting himself killed immediately. If we go with this plan, we can get Rogers, and everyone else."

"You said do yourself,sir" Peggy enters the tent. "Its better to pick and choose your battles to win the war, and this is one of them." Colonel Philips grumbles.

"How do you know this will even work?"

"We have faith,sir" he grumbles again, but finally caves in.

"Fine! But if this fails, you two are on the first flight back to the states and are to be punished for disciplinary action. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes,sir" They say. As the plan set into motion they gather up the soldiers needed. At this moment at the Hydra facility, Steve is sneaking around the base.

"Halt!" A Hydra solder demands.Before Steve can defend himself, hes taken down and locked away with the other prisoners.

"Hey, who are you suppose to be?"

"I'm Captain America" He replies, "But things didn't exactly work out like they were suppose to."

"No shit."As they all sit there waiting to die Steve asks where Sergeant Barnes was. They told him her was taken away, and those that were, never came back....Hours and hours they sat in their cages, waiting for the inevitable, until a man appeared above them; am man that wasn't Hydra.

"You guys okay?" He asks. As Steve looks up, hes meet with a familiar face.

"Sousa? What the- How the hell did you get in here?"

"Save that for later Rogers. I'm getting you all out of here." He breaks the bars and jumps down. When he gets to the cages, he looks at the locks.

"You need the keys to unlock em'"

"No. No I don't."He smirks at the man. Daniel looks away, takes the lock in his hands, and breaks it off.

"Damn man!"

"C'mon, we gotta hurry. The planes just outside the boarder. All we gotta do is get there." He breaks the rest of the locks and Steve leaves to find Barnes. Sousa tries to stop him, but decides to get everyone out first. The Red Skull sees Rogers and Sousa and sets the facility to self destruct. Dr. Zola sees this and tries to stop him.

"Our forces are our matched" He says. And thats when Zola notices the super soldiers. The two begin to flee, when they run into Rogers. Surrounded by fire, the two talk, but Steve punches him and his fake face falls off. Schmidt and Zola get away, while Barnes and Rogers make their own way out. All of the 107th soldiers were fighting like hell, and they were winning. They over took the base and made it to the plane.

"Alright, boys, lets go!" Sousa orders. They all get on and head back to camp.

"Well all be damned," Colonel Philips exclaims as he sees the men unload out of the plane."What was it you said earlier, Carter? Faith?"

"Yes sir" She says. He nods and walks away. As Steve talks to the Colonel, Peggy speaks with Daniel.

"It worked." He says. She throws her arms around him and puts all her strength into this kiss.

"I'm glad you made it back in one piece," He smiles, "And back to me," Her sincerity takes him off guard, so he takes her away from the crowd, and kisses her tentatively. She'll never say it out loud, but she was terrified the mission would go south; and she was terrified she would loose him.

"I'm in this with you,till the end, Peg. Remember?" she bites her lip and nods her head.

"I love you, Daniel..."His eyes enlarge at her statement. This is the first time shes said those three words. After his shock he breaks into a smile and kisses her with all of his might; which leads them tumbling into the cot. "Sorry, forgot my strength for a second." She laughs.

"Whatever you say, Captain."He kisses her again and unbuttons her jacket. "Daniel... we'll get caught!" She foreigns his comment from earlier.

"I don't care." He says. "I love you, too, Peggy." They smile once more, and show each other just how much.

#peggysous #peggy carter #daniel sousa #Peggy x Daniel #au fanfic #fanfiction #anti steggy #anti steve rogers #catfa

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eldritchsurveys · 4 years

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647.

Do you play Pokemon Go? If so, what level are you and who’s your buddy? >> No, but Sparrow does. I think it’s pretty neat, I’m just not motivated by the things that playing Pokémon with any regularity requires you to be motivated by (and I’m definitely not motivated by any of it enough to go outside for it). Do you ever sit indoors and wear sunglasses or a hat? >> I’ve worn sunglasses indoors, because indoor lighting can be particularly harsh. And I’ll put my hoodie on with the hood up if my head is cold. Are you putting off doing something right now? If so, what is it? >> No, I’m waiting for a download to be done so I can do what I want to do. What’s the most daring thing you have ever done? >> *shrug* Do you know how to read animals’ behaviour? >> I have a vague understanding of the behaviour of most common housepets. It’d be more in-depth if, you know, I cared more.

What would be something that made you think less of a person you just met? >> Unabashed bigotry.

Are you like me and hoard notebooks and pens? >> No. Do you like playing video games? If so, what do you usually play? >> I do. I play MMOs a lot now -- World of Warcraft and Guild Wars 2 and ESO, particularly -- but my original favourite kind of game is the single-player narrative/character-driven RPG (like what Bioware became popular for). I am also very good at Guitar Hero. Are you sitting in front of or by a window? What can you see out there? >> I’m by a window. It looks out onto the parking lot and the rest of the apartment complex. Are there any coasters on your table? If so, do they have text or pictures? >> We have coasters kind of... strewn about the apartment. I’m the only one who uses them with any regularity, though. There’s one with a raven on it and one with a sugar skull on it on my desk. I think the other sugar skull ones are on the coffee table, if not just... lost to the black hole that sometimes spawns and devours things we could have sworn was just [wherever]. Have you ever sewn a garment? >> No, but I’ve mended and customised garments. Why do you take surveys on Bzoink? >> I don’t, I take them from bzoink and post them here. Do you have a song playing in your head right now, too? >> No. Do you ever dance to the song playing in your head? >> I don’t think I usually do that. How are you environmentally friendly? Or do you just not care? >> I don’t consider myself “environmentally friendly”. I’ve not made much of an effort to be, so I assume I’m as environmentally unfriendly as your average modern-era consumer. I have the ability to care, but right now I don’t have much willpower to, especially since if we’re honest, most of what’s immediately going awry with the various ecologies of the world isn’t my doing, per se, and nothing I did differently would stop it from happening. Back in 2004, were you into that The Sims story craze? >> I don’t even know what that was. How long have you had an online presence for? >> I’ve been online in some form since the turn of the millennium. Don’t you hate it when people answer to surveys with one word answers? >> I fail to see what that has to do with me. I only read certain people’s survey answers anyway. I don’t have time to be reading everyone’s surveys and getting mad about how the fuck they’re taking it, lmao. When paying for things, do you prefer NFC payments or cash? >> I don’t know what NFC payments are. I usually use a debit card. Isn’t it cool how we can google anything, anywhere we are, in seconds? >> It’s very cool. It has its downsides like literally everything, but it’s still very cool and I make great use of it daily. Or do you just never google anything and just ask others to do it for you? >> I’m definitely the type to plug whatever little thing I’m curious about into a search engine. I remember one time back in the NY days there was this ongoing argument between Sigma and Vlad about how Sigma would always google whenever someone had an idle curiosity and Sigma could never understand why Vlad thought that was a bad thing. (Vlad is/was just... remarkably old-fashioned, for whatever reason, and thinks that we’re all slowly going stupid because we don’t have to look things up in encyclopaedias anymore or... whatever. I never really understood her point of view.) If you got a chance to go to space, would you? >> Yes, absolutely, if I was cleared for space travel. Which, let’s be honest, I probably wouldn’t be. Ever watched a cat or a dog sleep and run/twitch in their sleep? >> Yeah. Have you ever had an “adults’ toy”? If so, how often do/did you use it? >> I’ve had one in the past, out of curiosity, but I only used it once. It became a bathroom decoration instead. As cool as they are in theory, toys just... don’t do it for me, for several reasons. Do you read erotic stories or watch porn? (No, 50 Shades doesn’t count) >> 50 Shades absolutely counts, since it’s an erotic story. Shut up. Anyway, yes, I read erotic stories and watch porn sometimes. Do you do your own nails or do you pay for someone to do them? >> I don’t do anything with them, most of the time. Are there any plants in the room you’re in? >> Yeah, there’s a spider plant. Have you ever cold brewed tea or coffee? >> No. What’s something we do every day but they don’t depict in movies? >> *shrug* Do you enjoy travelling? >> Eh. I used to enjoy it a lot more than I do now, but now my sensory issues tend to get in the way of my enjoyment more often than I’d like. Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve been to so far? >> *shrug* What’s something cool about the city/town you live in? >> Hm.

Which body part do you think you touch the most throughout the day? >> I don’t know. What’s your highest level of education? >> I graduated high school. If you were to open a business, what kind of business would it be? >> --- What’s the most important thing in any kind of relationship? >> Don’t ask me. What do you do when you have an itch in a spot you can’t reach? >> Use an object or a wall corner. If you wear lipstick, what’s your favourite colour to wear? >> Plum. Is your style feminine, masculine or somewhere in the middle? >> Somewhere in the middle, I’d imagine, but listing towards masculine. Do you usually carry a backpack, a shoulder bag or something else? >> I carry a backpack or a tote bag most of the time. Have you ever made your own jewelry? If so, what have you made? >> No. Do you wear glasses? >> No. If so, have you ever tried to fix them when they’ve broken? >> --- Have you ever made a friend online who lives in another country? >> Yeah. Are there a lot of dragonflies around your house? >> I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dragonfly around here. I like dragonflies and there’s one flying around the parking lot. >> Sweet, I also like dragonflies but I don’t think this is their preferred environment. Have you ever seen two dragonflies mating? >> Yeah, the first time I saw it I was like 11 and I was transfixed, lmfao. What smell brings back a memory for you? >> *shrug* What’s the best foreign film (and not made in Hollywood) that you’ve seen? >> Oh, I don’t know. What’s a song you just can’t stand? >> *shrug* In your ideal profession, would you need a work uniform? >> I don’t have an ideal profession, but if I did, I’d assume being able to dress comfortably would be one of the criteria for it.

#surveys #survey #random survey

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leepace71 · 5 years

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The Political Avenger: Chris Evans Takes on Trump, Tom Brady, Anxiety and Those Retirement Rumors

Ahead of 'Avengers: Endgame,' the progressive Captain America actor and Twitter firebrand says he's ready to retire his Marvel hero for directing gigs, a new Apple show and the fight against the "dumb s—" president: “I’d be disappointed in myself if I didn’t speak up.”

It's a Friday afternoon in February, and the view from Chris Evans' house in the Hollywood Hills consists mostly of fog. He bought this place for $3.2 million in 2013, back when he was two hit movies into his seven-film stint as Marvel Studios' Captain America; there's a Zen-ish garden inside the front gate, and a stone Buddha sits by the door. Evans banishes his dog, Dodger, to the guest room, shuts off the TV in the family room (CNN on mute), cracks a can of Modelo, and takes a seat on the couch. His arms are insane, as thick as thighs.

Evans has a movie coming out in a few months — an intimate little passion project called Avengers: Endgame (April 26). It's the sequel to last year's Avengers: Infinity War, which raked in $2 billion worldwide and ended with Thanos (Josh Brolin) disintegrating half of Earth's population, including the still-bankable likes of Black Panther and Spider-Man. The moody trailers for Endgame are designed to reveal even less than usual, but it's safe to assume that Captain America rallies Earth's mightiest surviving heroes for a rematch with the mad god who finger-snapped their friends and loved ones into oblivion, which means this will be the first of the four Avengers movies to depict actual avenging.

Evans — who made $15 million for the past two Avengers films, up from $300,000 for his first stint as Captain America — has said he's done playing the character after this. It's been reported that he intends to retire from acting entirely. And yet the announcements of new work keep coming. He's in Rian Johnson's crowded-house murder mystery Knives Out, due in November. He's playing the father of a teenager accused of murder in Apple's forthcoming limited series Defending Jacob. He's in talks to star in Antoine Fuqua's Infinite as a presumably Chris Evans-ish guy who can recall his past lives. It's a crowded dance card for a newly retired 37-year-old actor, and when I bring this up, Evans gets as annoyed as he'll get all afternoon.

"I never said the word 'retire,'" he says. "It's a really obnoxious notion for an actor to say they're going to retire — it's not something you retire from."

All he said — back in 2014, as the end of his obligation to Marvel loomed on the horizon — was that he was hoping to get behind the camera more, and that he'd told one of his CAA agents, "We are turning a corner." Cut to 5,080,000 Google hits for "Chris Evans retiring."

So, for the record: He's not retiring. He'd love to direct more, but the way he talks about it makes it sound more like a five-year plan. He's been looking for a good script, except the problem with good scripts is that they tend to go to great directors, which is not a weight class Evans would put himself in, not yet. He's directed one film, the slight-but-not-embarrassing indie romance Before We Go, which grossed $37,151 in theaters in 2014, or roughly 0.01 percent of what Infinity War made on its opening weekend. When that project is faintly praised in his presence — he also starred in it, opposite Alice Eve — he waves this off, saying it mainly taught him how much he didn't know. "I'm OK with making mistakes," he says, "and I learned a lot from that one."

Once he's done helping Marvel hype Endgame, he's going to take advantage of the security provided by nearly 10 years of huge superhero movies by letting the next phase of his career unfold at a more leisurely pace. "Momentum is a real fallacy, in my opinion," he says. "But it has a really strong hold on a lot of actors' mentalities. You really believe that while the ball's rolling, you gotta keep it rolling. I could be wrong, but to me — I just don't believe in that. I don't think that's real."

I guess we'll find out.

Evans laughs. "My last cover interview."

Here are some things we learned about Chris Evans, from what may or may not be his last cover interview:

He uses the word "pretentious" a lot, usually because he's worried something he's just said sounds pretentious, which it rarely does.

He will talk at length and in detail about himself, and his neuroses, and the conversations he has with himself about his neuroses.

He keeps it closer to the vest about other people. He mentions in passing that Justin Timberlake lives around here — "I think" — without mentioning that Timberlake lives around here with his wife, Jessica Biel, who was once Evans' girlfriend. Nor does he mention his former girlfriend Jenny Slate by name, although he occasionally says things about what it's like to hang out with a bunch of comedians, something he clearly knows because he dated Slate, on and off, for a while. They are off again, per the gossip pages; on Valentine's Day, a few weeks after we meet, Evans will tweet a picture of himself nuzzling Dodger and wish the best to his 10.6 million followers "from this pair of dysfunctional codependents."

When asked how he functions in relationships, he says: "I'm the one who fears being enveloped. I was always a really autonomous guy my whole life. Camping by myself is one of my favorite things. I really like to be with someone who also has their own thing to do as well, you know? If I'm with someone who just kind of adopts my life, that can feel a bit suffocating."

Evans and actress-comedian Jenny Slate, in 2016. At her urging, he read a collection of feminist essays, The Mother of All Questions. "You have to understand that you don’t understand," he says.

When he's not working or camping by himself, you can find Evans camped out on Twitter. He is extremely online in a way that actors who headline ultra-mainstream movie franchises tend not to be; on any given day, you can find @ChrisEvans quoting Idiocracy to mock President Trump's McDonald's buffet for the Clemson Tigers, signal-boosting tweets about gay purges in Chechnya, or addressing Sen. Lindsey Graham as "Smithers."

He worries about doing too much of this sort of thing, about it seeming performative or becoming white noise — Chris Evans, back on his bullshit. He does not worry about saying something online that might inspire MAGA-minded fans to microwave their Captain America action figures. And for what it's worth, he says, "Marvel has never said anything. On the contrary — when I bump into Kevin Feige the first thing out of his mouth is 'Man, I love what you're doing [on Twitter].'"

"I don't see it as trash-talking," says Feige, Marvel's president. "I see it as very astute, very honorable, very noble, very Cap-like. Commentary and questioning. I've said to him, 'You're merging! You and the character are merging!'"

"I’d be disappointed in myself if I didn’t speak up. Especially for fear of some monetary repercussion or career damage — that just feels really gross to me."

Evans campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016; and while he has not decided on his 2020 candidate, his crusading use of his platform has made him a real-life superhero to a certain segment of the online #Resistance. Days after we talk, he pops up on Capitol Hill to do some bipartisan grip-and-grins with Senate Democrats Brian Schatz, Chris Coons and Jeff Merkley and Republican Lisa Murkowski. In March, he does the same at the House of Representatives. It turns out he's conducting interviews for A Starting Point, a politics website whose mission is "to create informed, responsible and empathetic citizens." He's a co-founder, along with the actor Mark Kassen and entrepreneur Joe Kiani; the launch date has yet to be announced.

While he's only visiting Congress for now, everyone jokes about him getting a job there someday. There's familial precedent; his uncle is former Massachusetts Representative Mike Capuano (who lost a hard-fought race to Ayanna Pressley, a progressive city councilwoman, in September). For now, Evans feels obligated to do what he can, even if it turns his social media mentions into a garbage fire.

"You don't want to alienate half your audience," says Evans. "But I'd be disappointed in myself if I didn't speak up. Especially for fear of some monetary repercussion or career damage — that just feels really gross to me."

His willingness to call bullshit on anyone abetting the disintegration of our republic extends to his home state's favorite sons. When we talk, Tom Brady is two days away from leading the New England Patriots to a sixth Super Bowl win; when I ask if the chance to play Brady in a biopic would bring him out of non-retirement retirement, he looks grim.

"I don't know," he says. "I really hope he's not a Trump supporter. I'm just hoping he's one of those guys that maybe supported him and now regrets it. Maybe he thought it was going to be different — and even that bothers me — but maybe there's a chance now he just thinks Trump's an absolute dumb shit, which he is. If he doesn't, if he's still on that Trump train, I might have to cut ties. It's really tough."

"I think maybe a couple of years ago," he continues, "I might have tried to pull some, like, mental gymnastics to compartmentalize, but I don't know if I can anymore. So I'm just hoping he's woken up."

Evans has a platform and he's using it. But like a lot of straight white men seeking to consciously and conscientiously navigate a tumultuous moment in the history of straight white male-dom, he's learned that shutting up is important, too. At Slate's urging, he read Rebecca Solnit's The Mother of All Questions, a collection of essays about the insidious side effects of patriarchy, and took away a great deal. "You have to understand that you don't understand," he says. It's not the most action-heroish way to look at things — but that may be the secret of his appeal as a movie star.

"At the root of it, he has true humility," says Robert Downey Jr., who's played Tony Stark against Evans five times. "I think it's the reason he was able to kind of come to the front and be our team leader in the Avengers. I think a lot of his theater experience helped, too. Because it was like, 'OK, I'm going to dress up, I'm going to go out, and I'm going to tell the truth.' It's very kind of old-school Spencer Tracy. Although I guarantee you Spencer Tracy never would've put on that getup."

Unsurprisingly, Evans blows off discussion of his own goodness. "The characters I play do a lot of that heavy lifting. If people knew me — I'm just an asshole."

He seems a little uncomfortable. I change the subject by asking him to tell me what happens at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Evans laughs. "Yeah," he says. "I wish I could. Uh, it's — I mean — it's a good one. It's a real good one. I saw, like, the first hour of it."

So you watched it up to the point where Cap dies?

"Right, exactly," Evans says. "After I die by Tony's hand, I just said, You know what? I can't watch this."

I should make it clear that this is a joke, even if it feels like the kind of joke that could turn out to be true. "I can't believe they even cut together a trailer," he says, "because so much of it is a visual spoiler. You'll see. A lot of the characters have"—

He stops, covering his mouth.

"Probably shouldn't have even said that," he says.

READ REST HERE...

#chris evans #interview

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unnecessary-database · 5 years

Text

every movie has multiple epilogues, right?

(the epilogues will be multiple) (if you’re new here, don’t start here.)

Filming with a freshly engaged Kara and Lena was both a dream and a nightmare, Sam reflected. Their chemistry on screen had only grown with the years, going from something big and raw and nervous and real to something easy and safe and true and wonderful. It was exactly what Sam wanted to show on screen with a relationship, especially between two women. It went even better since Lena and Kara were so clearly stupidly in love and on the same exact page. It was a nightmare because they were stupidly in love.

Sam had been dumb enough to film the bedroom scenes in the middle of the schedule. There had been another hickey fight, which the makeup department thought was amusing until they realized they had to cover said hickeys every morning. Kara had most definitely started it this time. Kara still maintained it was Lena's fault, since Lena started it the last time. (That was partially true. Lena had started it in revenge for the first time, though Lena had started it the first time too. Sam was still torn between grateful and annoyed she had them film those scenes towards the end of the movie last time, so they were together in real life when they did it. She had specifically planned it so hopefully they'd get their shit together and she wouldn't have to suffer through them playing that one out as "best friends". She was right, but then had to deal with them as a couple. It was a marginal win.)

The hickey fight was, while amusing to most of the crew, almost entirely irritating to Sam, though she was sure she'd laugh about it eventually. Like when she used it as blackmail. She did have plenty of pictures of both of them covered in hickeys in bizarre locations. "I'm honestly stunned the two of you manage to contain the hickey fight to the filming of those scenes," Sam muttered at them at the end of one. Kara, already a little red, blushed scarlet, and Sam held up a hand. "I don't want to know."

Filming with them was also a nightmare because of how many of Sam's crew were hopeless shippers that couldn't stop sighing dreamily whenever they did something especially cute. And a fifteen-year-old Ruby that only wanted to spend her time with Lena and Kara, who were mostly only too happy to take her in.

But all in all, the dream side won out. Sam rarely had to track them down separately anymore. They both had their own trailers, but Sam was pretty sure that Ruby had taken over Lena's and turned it into a video game hideout, and Lena had yet to be seen inside of it. They were both always in only the highest of spirits, and did that annoying thing where they dragged everyone else up to cloud nine with them. Mostly though, Sam was just pleased she didn't have to watch them dance around each other anymore. That shit had been painful.

Maybe also because Kara and Lena had already asked her to officiate the wedding.

---

"Lena," Kara whined. "We. Are. Going. To. Be. Late."

"And whose fault is that?" Lena called, and Kara sighed.

"Sam's, I'm gonna say," Kara yelled back. "She put filming that final sex scene on the second to last day. She knew we'd have another hickey fight."

"And yet," Lena reminded her, appearing from the bathroom and tilting her head back for inspection. Kara nodded; nothing was visible. "You were the one who put them in such an obvious spot." Kara tugged at her collar wordlessly, baring her collarbone, which was much more colorful than usual. Lena shrugged, unrepentant. "Maybe I did it because I knew Sam wanted you in suits until the movie came out for promotional reasons."

"Uh huh," Kara said, accepting Lena's chaste kiss on her cheek. "Or maybe you are the one that wanted me in suits."

"So what if I do?" Lena asked nonchalantly, reaching for her purse and heading for the door. "It's good press, that's all I have to say about--oh!"

Kara had picked her up from behind and spun her around. "If you do, I might have to have a word with your inner demon-witch," Kara said, releasing her and failing to contain a smile. "Because she's not quite so inner every once in a while."

"Oh, please," Lena huffed, "I've been like this the entire time you've known me and you love it."

Kara tilted her head, considering. She twisted her lips to the side, and Lena raised an eyebrow. "You're right," Kara decided. "Now come on, Miss Morally-Redeemable-Demon-Witch, we've got tickets to the gayest show on Broadway's final run with its original stars and we really cannot be late, Winn and James will kill us."

"Alright, alright," Lena said, pushing at Kara's stomach to get her to move out the door. "After you, Prince Charming."

"Don't start," Kara warned, trying for stern but unable to stop the smile from pushing up at her lips. "Actually, why did you even start that?"

Lena shrugged. "I think it's very fitting. You're very dashing, you always charm everyone, you're like this paragon of goodness. You rescued me from my horrible family."

Kara wrapped an arm around Lena's shoulders and kissed the side of her head gently. "I know we've talked about this a million times before," she said in Lena's ear as they stepped onto the sidewalk, "But I never rescued you. I'm thrilled to be awarded the honor of being there for you, but you rescued yourself all on your own."

Lena took a deep breath in and out. "I know." She was silent for a moment, squeezing at Kara's hand. She smirked. "Maybe it's just because of your abs then."

"For the love of--"

"Come on, Kara, we can't be late. I know you've seen the show fifteen times already but it's still their last run." Lena tilted her head thoughtfully, smiling widely. "And Winn and James' two-year anniversary."

---

"Soon-to-be-married superstars are taking a break to go rebuild a barn?" Alex stared at them. "Lena, unless you've got something up your sleeve, this is a very poor plan. Kara knows nothing about building. She might look it, but she is not the handy type of gay. She can build a set, but structural supports? That thing will crush you in your sleep and I am not ever going to be in the mood to drive an hour upstate to come dig the pair of you out of the rubble."

Lena snorted and Kara protested, Maggie snickering in the background. "Relax, Alex, we're just redecorating. We already paid someone to do it. We're just helping with the design. It's where we're going to have the wedding, you know we've already set the date. Plus, you're all welcome to come visit."

"Just not right away," Kara muttered. "We've barely finished with the press tour and haven't been alone together for more than a minute since New York." Lena slid her fingers into Kara's, whose frown eased out slowly.

Maggie raised a glass. "Cheers to your lesbian hideaway, then. May we borrow it when you aren't aware for forevermore."

---

Lena woke up to the sound of Kara cursing fluently and the smoke alarm.

"Fuck ow shit damn fuck, the fuck is wrong with this thing? Shut up, you're a fucking mechanical piece of engineering, so stop beeping at the smell of my burned flesh it is seven thirty in the morning, for the love of god and sweet shit, there isn't even any smoke, thank you, that's right, shut the fuck up you motherfucking little--oh. Hey Lena."

Lena felt her eyebrow rise as she moved into the kitchen, wrapping her robe a little more firmly around herself. They were still working on central heating solutions. "Having fun with the kitchen?"

Kara smiled sheepishly, her face at total odds with the stream of venom coming out of her moments ago, especially with two of her fingers stuck in her mouth in a fashion that could only be described as adorable. She removed them to show Lena a mild burn across the backs of them, and Lena clicked her tongue in disapproval, moving the freezer to pull out the frozen peas. "Thanks," Kara murmured, hissing as Lena pressed them against the burn.

"Morning, darling," Lena said mildly, and Kara looked up from her burned hand shyly.

"I was going to make you breakfast," she said. "I had not, um, something went wrong."

Lena glanced over to where Kara had at least successfully turned all the heat off the range. "Has it been a while since you cooked this?"

"New recipe," Kara admitted guiltily. "I wanted to try that thing on Giada last night."

Lena's stomach chose that moment to grumble, and Kara quirked an eyebrow. "Shut up," Lena muttered automatically, and Kara grinned. "Darling, that's very sweet of you, but I thought we established after the knife-in-your-finger-instead-of-the-corn and blood-in-the-cornbread incident that you wouldn't try any new recipes without going over them with me first so we could plan it out?"

Kara pouted, and Lena sighed. "But Giada went over it," she whined at her peas, still firmly facing the floor.

"You have different strengths than Giada, superstar." Lena ducked to kiss Kara, who accepted it with her lower lip stuck out just the slightest, and Lena smiled into her. "Sit down and walk me through it." The smoke alarm went off again, and Lena sighed. "Over cereal," she added firmly, and ignored Kara's dramatic sigh. "I have plans for you that involve you being whole, and I am not about reschedule because you were feeling chivalrous, Prince Charming."

Kara smiled, slow and easy, and Lena felt the familiar warmth creep into her chest. "Yes, ma'am, Miss Robot Murderer."

"That really was your favorite role of mine, wasn't it?” Lena mused, pulling cereal out of the cabinet. “And we hadn't even met yet."

Kara blushed and looked back at her peas. "No comment."

Lena narrowed her eyes. "Oh, there will be a comment," she vowed, and watched with satisfaction the red creep up Kara's neck.

#movie au #supercorp #id like to apologize to proudtobealuthor for making another outside the masterpost #oh well #we all know im a mess #finals aint too bad thanks for checking in #this is like #structured procrastination #it motivates me #so i tell myself

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searchingwardrobes · 5 years

Text

Natural Opposite 8/16

* Before writing this fic, I did some -not a ton, but some - research on Dancing With the Stars. Every source I looked at said that the pro dancers on the show are forbidden in their contracts from getting romantically involved with their partners. That's why relationships are only ever "rumored" until after the season is over. While many hook ups have happened - even marriages - nothing is ever official while filming is happening. That doesn't stop the hosts from asking questions, of course, but the dancers and celebs are usually coy about it. Until this season!!! I don't know how many of you watch DWTS, but Alexis Ren told her partner Alan that she was developing feelings for him - on camera. The following week, Alan told her he had feelings for her to, and kissed her! On camera! Believe me, this has NEVER happened before! Derek Hough even got in trouble ages ago when compromising paparazzi pictures came out of him and his partner. I based my fic on what I knew of the show in the past as a fan and through my research. So thanks a lot DWTS for making me seem like I don't know what I'm talking about!

* Once again, many thanks to my artist @optomisticgirl. There isn't chapter art this week, but some AMAZING stuff is coming that I can't wait for ya'll to see!

* And my beta, @distant-rose, was incredible. Her insights on Henry's character especially influenced this chapter. So thanks, Ro!

Also on Ao3

Tagging @bethacaciakay @teamhook @kmomof4 @snowbellewells @whimsicallyenchantedrose @kday426 @snidgetsafan @delirious-latenight-laughs @jennjenn615 @followbatb @onceuponaprincessworld @hollyethecurious @ohmakemeahercules

Chapter Eight: See the Light

Emma snuggled into the corner of the couch with a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. A box of pizza lay open on the coffee table. She honestly couldn’t believe she agreed to this. The rules on how much time partners on the show could spend together was hazy. Romantic relationships were expressly forbidden in everyone’s contracts. However, there were no strict guidelines to prevent them. And honestly, since rumors of romance helped ratings, the producers typically looked the other way.

So the fact that Killian Jones was currently sitting on her living room floor playing video games with her son wasn’t a shock because of contractual agreements. No, it was a shock because Emma Swan didn’t do things like this. She didn’t invite men over to hang out and eat pizza with her and Henry. She enjoyed hanging out with her fellow pros on set, but that was as deep as things ever went. One night stands were also common in Emma’s social life, but she had strict rules for those. It was never anyone she knew (even a first name was more than she needed or asked for), and she never brought them home. Most of her one night stands happened on tour while Henry was spending the summer with Ingrid; a way to release pent up frustrations with her social life.

Killian groaned as he dropped the video game controller in his lap, and Henry fist pumped in victory.

“Hey,” Killian protested, gesturing at the screen, “in my defense, it’s been awhile since I played one of these. They’ve gotten way more complicated. Am I right, Swan?”

Emma shrugged when he turned to her for back up. “I don’t know, or maybe you’ve never had game.”

“Oooh, good one mom!” Henry laughed.

“Ouch,” Killian said, pretending to grimace with genuine hurt, “how quickly my partner turns on me!”

“That’s because I’m her kid, right Mom?” Henry replied with a grin.

Emma smiled back. “True. And because you’re my kid, I also have to tell you it’s bedtime.”

“Aw, Mom!” Henry groaned. “I thought we were gonna watch some Star Wars.”

Killian slapped his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Maybe next time, lad.”

His words caused Emma’s throat to constrict, and she felt a sudden, familiar urge to flee. Killian had talked her into doing this because he said they had to celebrate their great scores. She never expected him to bond with Henry or expect a “next time.”

Henry, however, had no such qualms. “Sweet,” he said, giving Killian a fist pump. Then he brushed a kiss to Emma’s cheek and whispered in her ear, “Thank you, Mom! The kids at school are gonna die!”

Once Henry’s door shut behind him, a slight awkwardness descended on the room. Killian glanced her way, ducking his head when she turned her gaze intently into her mug of cocoa. She took a sip as he grabbed some of the pizza boxes and took them to the fridge.

“I wonder why Elsa’s not home yet,” she muttered. The words fell flat. Why should he care where her roommate was?

“You want these boxes taking up your fridge, or should I get some aluminum foil or something?” Killian asked, pausing in front of the open refrigerator.

Emma waved her hand. “Oh, just shove the boxes in. Henry will scarf the rest down in no time.”

Killian nodded and did as she asked. Then he shuffled awkwardly in the middle of her kitchen. “He’s a good kid, Henry.”

Emma smiled wistfully. “The best.”

Killian eyed her a bit warily as he came closer and eased down next to her on the couch. He was treating her as if she were a skittish animal who might bite him. She rolled her eyes. This was ridiculous! They were in each other’s personal space constantly rehearsing and dancing. Why was it awkward now? Emma shifted away from the corner of the couch and offered Killian half her blanket. He shook his head that he was fine, but the gesture had its intended effect. He relaxed and settled back against the couch, flinging his arm across the back of it, his hand resting just behind her shoulder.

“Can I ask you a question?” he asked.

Emma hesitated, biting her lip.

“I think I’ve earned it, don’t you?” he asked her softly.

She set her mug down on the coffee table. “I thought my life was an open book. With everything reality TV has dug up.”

Killian nodded. “Aye, but you managed to keep some things private.”

Emma held her breath, clutching the blanket in her fists. Henry’s dad. That was the only thing he could be referring to.

“Why is your name Swan and David’s isn’t?”

Emma let out a long, relieved breath. If Killian picked up on her emotional reaction, he didn’t let on. “That’s simple, really. He’s an optimist. I’m not.”

Killian tilted his head. “Meaning?”

“He still clings to the hope that our parents had a good reason for doing what they did. I just can’t. Who leaves their babies on the side of the highway? We could have been killed!” Emma toyed with a frayed edge of the blanket. “Our names were stitched into our baby blankets. We both still have them, actually. David thinks it’s a sign,that they loved us.” Emma shrugged.

Killian nodded thoughtfully. “Has he tried to find them? I mean, I’m guessing it’s possible if you know their last name was Nolan.”

“Yeah,” Emma answered as she picked up her mug again, “social workers found records at a local hospital of twins named David and Emma Nolan being born a week before we were found. To a Ruth and Robert Nolan. But they must have changed their names or something, because after that, they completely fell off the grid.”

“So they don’t want to be found.”

“Exactly.” Emma agreed, sitting up and clutching her mug tighter. “I’ve tried to tell him a million times to drop it, but . . . every once and awhile, he starts digging again. Ingrid’s the one who loved us and accepted us. She’s the one who gave us a home.”

Emma stared off in the distance, thinking back to the dance class she and David took at the Boy’s and Girl’s club. They were eleven years old and in a group home. Ingrid volunteered her time teaching the dance lessons. Emma always loved how patient she was, so calm. Her gentle smile when she told Emma that she had raw talent was like someone offering a cup of water in a desert.

“I hated how people judged Ingrid,” Emma said aloud. “They tried to make it seem like she only cared about grooming David and I for stardom. Elsa too. But it wasn’t like that. She wasn’t some crazy stage mom. We all just love to dance.”

“What about your other sister, Anna?”

Emma chuckled. “I’m surprised you even know about her.” Emma cut her eyes to look at Killian. “Did you cyber stalk me?”

He shrugged and gave her that disarming smile of his. “I had to learn a little bit about my partner. And actually, I have a confession.” He took a deep breath, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. “I was a fan. When you were on So You Think You Can Dance. When I said I was hoping it would be you, I meant it.”

Emma blinked, her throat suddenly going dry. “You . . . were a fan?” she finally squeaked.

Killian raised his hands quickly. “I’m not saying I had some celebrity crush.”

Emma exhaled loudly and they both laughed. “Good, I was starting to worry you were a stalker.”

“No, I always liked that show. The performances are so incredible.”

Emma’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Thank you. But you said before you never watched Dancing with the Stars. So why do it?”

“I know Regina told you. This is Neverland’s final season. Do you know how many TV stars have one hit show and little to no career afterwards?”

Emma abandoned her mug for good and leaned against the back of the couch, shifting to face him, “A lot, now that I think about it.”

“Exactly. And a lot of times it’s because people see them only as that character they played. Captain Hook is a larger-than-life role. I wanted people to see that there’s more to me.” Killian shrugged. “And I know the tabloid stories haven’t helped. I won’t lie – I got caught up in the sudden fame at first. Partying almost every night, keeping my romantic entanglements . . . casual.” He blushed as he glanced her way. “So you were right about me, Emma. But Rose and other friends helped snap me out of it. And I’ve left that all behind. I’m trying to be a better man.”

Emma tapped the arm of the couch. “You don’t have to defend your past to me. I get it.”

Killian seemed to visibly relax at that. “Good. So . . . your other sister?”

Emma nodded. “Anna. Well, poor thing was the clutz of the family. Tried dance classes when she was little, but it just wasn’t her cup of tea. Anyone who claims Ingrid was just adopting kids with dance talent should see her with Anna. She’s the reason Ingrid moved out to Colorado.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. Anna and her husband Kristoff run a ski lodge out there. They’ve got four rambunctious boys who are seven, five, three, and eight months.”

Killian whistled, his eyebrows raising to his hairline. “She’s got her hands full!”

“Which is exactly why Ingrid’s out there. She needed the help desperately.”

Silence fell between them, but not an awkward one. Emma rose and took her mug to the sink, pouring the last bit of hot chocolate down the drain. Once she’d rinsed it and set it in the dishwasher, she turned to find Killian up and collecting his jacket.

“I should probably get home,” he told her, “we have to start a whole new dance first thing in the morning, right?”

“Right,” Emma agreed with a nod and followed him to the door. She was genuinely surprised that he hadn’t pried about Henry’s dad. It also made her like him a bit more. As a friend, anyway.

He opened the door, then turned to her with a light in his eyes and mischief in his smile. “It was a lovely evening, Swan,” he told her, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips. His eyes never left hers as they lingered there for half a beat.

Emma scowled and snatched her hand away. “Why do you have to go and do that?”

Killian’s eyes widened. “Do what?”

“Get flirty like that. We were talking, and having a nice evening, and then you have to go and ruin it.”

Killian arched a brow at her. “And how did I ruin it, exactly? I merely thanked you for the nice time we spent together.”

“This wasn’t a date,” Emma hissed through her teeth.

He sauntered closer to her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, his breath fanning hot across her cheek. “And yet, you’re the one who brought up the subject. You sure it didn’t feel like a date?” Killian pulled back, grinning at her scandalously, his tongue darting out of the corner of his mouth. “Or were you waiting for a goodnight kiss?”

“You’re full of it Killian Jones,” she snapped, giving him a firm push out the door. “I’m not so sure you’ve changed at all.” Then she slammed the door in his handsome, cocky face.

Emma jumped when she turned to find Henry standing in the hallway behind her.

“Why were you so mean to him?” Henry accused. “I like him!”

Emma sagged against the door, rubbing her forehead wearily. “He’s an actor, Henry. You can’t trust him.”

Henry stood there, regarding her silently for a moment. “I think he likes you, Mom. And not every guy is like my dad. Not every guy’s gonna leave you.”

Henry didn’t wait for her to respond. He just turned and went back to his room, shutting the door gently behind him. Emma turned and pressed her forehead to the door with a groan. She couldn’t figure out Killian Jones. There were times he was full of swagger, then other times he was sweet and even a bit nerdy. Sometimes he seemed he wanted to be her friend, then other times it felt he wanted more. Then there were times he flirted outrageously and it seemed all he wanted was to get in her pants.

Emma pushed away from the door, resolute. It didn’t matter. They had a show to win. And after that, they would go their separate ways. She loved Henry, but he was too young to understand what men like Killian Jones were really like.

************************************************************

Emma dashed up and down the corridors backstage, swearing under her breath. This was the last thing she needed right now – a missing partner. She was already having to deal with a thick blonde Rapunzel wig that weighed a ton and a gimmick for their routine which hadn’t worked at all in dress rehearsals.

It was Disney week, and Killian had been both relieved and excited when they had been assigned a waltz to “I See the Light” from Tangled.

“I was worried they would make me Captain Hook – the cartoon version,” he had told her honestly.

“What?” she had teased. “Waxed mustaches and perms aren’t your thing?”

Despite the door slam to his face at her apartment, Killian had gone right back to their usual friendly, sometimes snarky banter. The only stress, honestly, this past week was the pressure they felt to deliver another high scoring routine. It may have been why Emma decided to open their number with Emma in a tower. Literally. It involved wires and the two of them actually rappelling down the side of a fake tower. Seriously. What had she been thinking?

And now it was only ten minutes till show time, and Killian had disappeared. Suddenly, Belle crashed right into Emma. She wore a blue dress identical to the one her namesake wore in the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast. She and Jefferson were doing a quickstep to “Bonjour,” with Jefferson as Gaston. They really had cast everyone perfectly, including Killian, who made an excellent Flynn Ryder.

But suddenly, Emma realized that Belle was trembling and crying. “Belle? What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“I – I didn’t mean to cause any trouble . . . I was looking for Jefferson . . . “

Emma hurried past Belle when she saw Killian behind the brunette, shoving Robert Gold into a wall. Killian held the other man, who was dressed like Facilier from The Princess and the Frog, by the front of his shirt.

“Killian!” Emma called out. “What the hell?”

The snarl that had marred Killian’s face melted when he saw Emma. Belle ran past her then with Jefferson at her heels. She ran forward and pulled gently on Killian’s arm. He allowed her to pry him free of Gold.

“He’s not worth it, Killian, please,” Belle spoke to him gently, “you’ll only get yourself in trouble.”

Killian deflated and nodded, giving Belle a tremulous smile. Then he turned to Gold and got right in the man’s face.

“I’m honoring the ladies’ wishes. A quality of a gentleman that I suggest you learn.”

Killian turned away, jaw clenching even as Gold laughed sarcastically. Jefferson shoved the older man in the shoulder and told him to shut the hell up before escorting Belle towards the dance floor. As she and Killian fell in step behind them, she elbowed him in the ribs.

“So, you, uh . . . want to explain what that was all about?”

Killian rubbed his jaw and continued scowling. “It just angers me when a man won’t take no for an answer.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “If Mr. Gold has hurt Belle, the producers won’t stand for it. I mean she needs to –“

“No,” Killian assured her quickly, “it isn’t that. He just keeps pestering her to go out with him. She tried to be nice at first, but it’s gotten to where he just won’t leave her alone. I caught him taking her by the arm just now, and when she tried to pull away . . . “

Emma squeezed his bicep, as they neared the wings. The introduction was already playing, and they had to make their appearance in less than five minutes. “Hey, I get it. The man’s a jerk, but you’ve got to calm down. Think of it as acting. Okay, Flynn Ryder?”

Killian grinned down at her, slipping easily into character, his hair falling rakishly over his eyes. “Are you ready for the smolder?” he teased.

Emma rolled her eyes, but was secretly relieved to have such an utter professional as a partner. They came out on stage doing the little bit they had practiced. A stagehand gave Emma her prop: a frying pan, and she made a big show of threatening Killian with it while he waggled his eyebrows charmingly. The rest of the cast was announced to roaring applause. Disney week was always popular.

Luckily, their dance came early in the show. Emma wanted to get their risky stunt out of the way so they could enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Killian came to the tower and made a show of calling up for “Rapunzel” to let down her hair, then grasped onto the vines snaking around it to climb up to her. They embraced at the window, then repelled down the tower together on the system of wires. Once at the bottom, they unsnapped the harnesses and started the waltz.

Once the opening stunt was out of the way, Emma fully enjoyed their waltz. It had been the easiest dance style for Killian to pick up, having done it on episodes of Neverland. Emma felt like a true Disney princess in her lavender gown, and the lanterns dangling from the ceiling washed the entire dance floor in a romantic glow.

“All at once, everything is different,” sang the studio band as Killian sank to one knee. Emma sat on the knee he offered, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her forehead to his. “Now that I see you,” the singers crooned the final line of the song.

Emma cheered, shaking Killian’s shoulders excitedly, knowing it was the best they had danced it. The studio audience agreed, cheering and surging to their feet. The cheers soon turned to boos, however, when Blue complained about the elaborate opening, telling them they should just stick to the waltz. Tiana and Teach weren’t all that thrilled with the stunt either, and in the end, they got two 8s and one 9 (from Tiana, of course). Emma was more frustrated this time than Killian, and as soon as they suffered through a short interview with Ashley, she stalked backstage in irritation.

Killian found her leaning against a wall backstage, her arms crossed tight around her. She knew the cameras couldn’t be far behind. It didn’t stop Killian from putting his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder.

“I think we killed it,” he told her.

Emma sighed and rolled her eyes.

“You know I can actually feel it when you roll your eyes at me?”

That managed to get a chuckle out of her. He eased her around to face him, gently lifting her chin so their eyes met.

“I just feel like I cost us a better score with my stupid tower idea,” Emma said, gesturing with her arms in irritation.

Killian shrugged. “The scores were still pretty good.”

“But we’re favorites now! The judges are going to keep nitpicking us, and I let the pressure get to me this week.”

He pulled her into a hug, and even though she knew this would probably end up in the recap footage next week, she let him.

************************************************************

The studio audience and the celebrities were shocked when it was announced that no one would be going home this week. The pros, on the other hand, pretended to be shocked. There was always a “non-elimination” week, and nine times out of ten, it was Disney week. Killian turned to her with a grin and a hug once the taping was over, but Emma was less enthusiastic.

“That means there will be a double elimination next week, so don’t get cocky, Jones.”

Liam came out on the dance floor to join them, giving them both hearty hugs. “Great job, little brother!”

Killian opened his mouth as if to correct him, then seemed to decide it wasn’t worth his breath. “Thanks,” he said instead.

Liam’s eyes suddenly lit up as he glanced over Killian’s shoulder. “Belle! Lovely to see you again! You were perfectly cast, of course.”

“Thank you,” Belle replied, grasping her skirt and making a little exaggerated bow. “With my name and a vlog called Beauty and Brains I was sort of asking for it.”

“Have you two watched Belle’s youtube channel?” Liam asked Emma and Killian. “It’s incredible! She gives young women fashion and makeup tips but also recommends classic literature for them to read.”

Killian glanced at Emma, his eyes alight as he quirked a brow. “And my brother is watching a fashion vlog . . . why? Need eyeliner tips, Liam?”

Liam turned a bright shade of red and started gaping like a fish. Belle, meanwhile, smiled up at him beneath her batting lashes. “I think it’s sweet,” was all she said as she took his hand and gave it a squeeze. Jefferson called for her then, and she dashed off, leaving a bewildered Liam behind.

“Liam,” Emma said, clearing her throat, “I thought you’d be heading back home by now.”

“Umm . . . I’ve . . . decided to stay a bit longer,” he murmured distractedly, his eyes still fixed on Belle’s retreating form.

Killian gave his brother a little shove. “Then go talk to her, you git.”

Emma and Killian both laughed as he nervously approached the petite brunette. Emma turned her head from studying the elder Jones brother to study the younger one. His face was relaxed, his eyes filled with delight as he watched his brother smile and laugh with Belle. As if he felt her eyes on him, Killian turned to her suddenly. She blushed and glanced quickly away.

“It was the smolder again, wasn’t it?” he teased. “I really can’t control it, you know.”

Emma rolled her eyes and punched him lightly in the gut. “And what I wouldn’t give for a frying pan right now,” she quipped.

#2018 csbb #csbb #2018 csbb fic #dancing with the stars au #enemies to friends to lovers #captain swan #captain swan ff #natural opposite #searching wardrobes

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