#frat boy james you will always be famous

[static-radio-ao3]

@croptopjames // frat boy james in a very tiny t-shirt proves to be quite distracting when regulus is trying to study // words: 687

Regulus is just about to consider the pros and cons of repeatedly slamming his head into the desk when the door opens.

He’s holed away in James’ room, escaping the madness of his own dorm, where Evan is frantically trying to memorize human anatomy, and the library, where Regulus’ soul vacates his body one hour at a time.

James is a willing host, although he seems to have some trouble letting Regulus study. He had to send his boyfriend on a run to get some quiet, because James can be very very distracting when he wants to be.

Thankfully, Regulus has managed to make his way through a good few chapters by the time James returns and it’s for the better because—

“Hi, sweetheart,” James pants, sweat dripping down his neck, catching on the gold chain that disappears under the collar of his shirt. “Got some studying done?”

Regulus swallows dryly. His eyes catch on the strip of skin between the hem of James’ t-shirt and shorts.

His t-shirt. His very tiny t-shirt. His t-shirt that rides up when James lifts a hand to card through his sweaty curls and reveals more tan skin. Dark hair trails down his stomach and disappears beneath the waistband of his boxers, a path Regulus is eager to track.

There is cotton in Regulus’ head, static between his ears, not a single thought behind his eyes, only a continuous loop of JamesJamesJamesJa—

“Take a picture, baby. It’ll last longer.”

Heat floods Regulus’ face. “Shut up.”

“No, I’m flattered, really.” James lifts a hand and presses it against his still-heaving chest.

“Your own boyfriend ogling you is not a flex.”

“No, but half the campus ogling me is.”

“Only half?” Regulus mocks, bottom lip jutting out in a pout. He ignores the spark of annoyance he feels; James is just trying to rile him up, he knows this. But James is very good at finding Regulus’ last nerve and picking at it until it snaps.

Admittedly, the stress of exam week leaves him slightly more irritable than he usually would be, so when he asks, “Where is the rest of your shirt, by the way?” there is a bit more bite in his tone than he intended.

James simply shrugs. “Laundry day.”

Regulus’ eye twitches.

He turns in his chair again, eyes trained on the chapter he is currently revising. It is riveting stuff, something about Alexander the Great and his conquest of Macedonia. Except, the words swim on the page, none of them registering, but Regulus refuses to give James the satisfaction of— of— well, he just refuses to give James the satisfaction.

“Sweetheart…” James murmurs, voice low and sweet, tempting Regulus into looking up again. He’s leaning against the door frame, posture relaxed but his brow furrowed. Neither of them says anything when their gazes meet.

“You really shouldn’t be allowed out of the house like this, you know. It’s obscene.” Regulus’ voice sounds rough. It is not annoyance that makes the words gravelly.

“Are you mad at me?” James crosses his arms in front of his chest, the muscles in his arms bulging a little with the movement. He tilts his head in consideration.

Regulus scoffs and a slow smile spreads across James’ face.

“Regulus, sweetheart, are you mad at me?”

“Yes!” Regulus slams his textbook shut. “Because you’re distracting me! Again!”

The corner of James' mouth twitches. He says nothing for a moment, simply regards Regulus. Then:

“Wanna get it out of your system?”

The question has barely left his lips before Regulus is shoving the chair back, not too worried about the way it topples over onto the floor. He is much too busy tugging James’ shorts down, allowing a hand to trail up up up under James’ shirt and splay possessively over his abs while he swallows his boyfriend whole.

The next time James and his very tiny t-shirt go for a run, Regulus makes sure no one gets any ideas. A hickey on the tan skin of his stomach tells everyone that they can look all they want but James Potter is a taken man.

#frat boy james you will always be famous #james in a crop top would also distract me to be fair #regulus didn't stand a chance #happy james day to those who celebrate #he's about to get his soul sucked out #everybody cheer #james potter #regulus black #jegulus #mil's microfics #mil's writing #frat boy james au

[treadmilltreats]

Train wreck Woodstock 99

So if you follow me you know I grew up in upstate New York, in none other than the most famous place in history…Bethel, New York, the home of the original Woodstock.

Yes, the 1969 world famous 3 day peace love and drugs music festival. There will never be another Woodstock but someone always has to try and unfortunately they always seem to fail. This was a once in a lifetime event and I am glad it was in my lifetime and my hometown. Be it as it may, they tried anyway, once in 1994 but the biggest disaster was in 1999.

So in 1999 in Rome, New York they decided to try to recreate the famous Woodstock festival. Since Bethel, New York would not host this, they moved it upstate more. But this was not anything like the original. A quarter of a million young people for 3 days were going to try to make this the "Woodstock" of their generation. 

They thought that this would be better than the original but that is not the way it ended up. The original founder of the first event, and the disastrous 1994 attempt, Micheal Lang, wanted to do it again to try to capture the magic one more time.

They decided to do this on a closed air force base not in a field like the first one. So it definitely started out, not like the original one. In their defense of trying to recreate the original, they booked some of the most famous bands in the world. Korn, Aerosmith, Sheryl Crow, Metallica, DMX, Red Hot Chili peppers and more.

They thought that this line up would be historical.

Well, day one happens and James Brown opens the concert and it all seems like it's going to be a good time.

When Sheryl Crow came out and the crowd started screaming, show me your tits, and you already knew this was not going to end well. These frat boys with their macho attitudes started with their drunkenness. People were getting pissed because everything there was so expensive, like a 65 cent bottle of water they were selling for 4.00 a bottle. This was not peace and love this was commercialism at its 

best. This was a perfect storm, hot as hell, drunk and pissed off people. Yeah, this was not going to end well.

The line up that they put together was rough rock and roll with an attitude and that lineup fueled the fire in these drunk, pissed off people. This music was the complete opposite of the peace and love of the original, speaking about coming together, and loving one another. 

On Saturday, day 2 you can see that this was going downhill fast. With the mountain of trash as far as you could see, you knew that this was not going to end well. Then throw in one of the hottest days of the year with many people dropping with heat stroke. And prices of water went up to 12.00. There were dirty portapotties, no clean water and food prices beyond what you could imagine, and yet no one saw this storm coming? 

More than a thousand people were treated that afternoon alone.

Add to that the lack of security, and the bands riling up the already unruly crowds it's no wonder that 3 people died and there were multiple sexual assaults and at least 5 known rapes that were reported.

At the end of the 3 days they decided to give candles to promote and honor those who were killed by gun violence. That quickly backfired and bonfires broke out throughout the crowd. Vehicles were flipped and set ablaze. Vendor booths and merch tents were destroyed and used as fuel. Eventually, the New York State Troopers and local law enforcement were able to diffuse the riots, but Griffiss Air Force Base still ended up looking like a bomb hit it

The Huffington Post reported in 2014 that Woodstock 99’s production costs were $38 million, and that there were 400,000 festival goers who paid $150 for tickets. That means organizers raked in $60 million on ticket costs for a profit margin of $22 million

The San Francisco Gate reported in 1999 that the looting, rioting and vandalism cost “millions of dollars.” It was not clear from the article who paid for the damage.

So today my friends I can tell you that unfortunately there can never be another "Woodstock 69" that was a once in a lifetime event. But I will always have that honor of my hometown who amazingly put on the best festival the world has ever seen and will ever see.

"Be the change you want to see"

@TreadmillTreats 

"Be the change you want to see"

@Treadmilltreats

"And just when the caterpillar thought his life over...he turned into a beautiful butterfly"

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[blazedgraysons]

You're No Good - Ch. 2

C.J. Bennett is an overly ambitious student who dreams of shadowing her favorite author, Eli Jennings. The only thing standing in her way: Grayson Dolan.

warnings: this is a rough draft of a series i never finished. i'm posting the finished chapters before leaving this account. 🤍

part 1

If American Lit 1102 was C.J.’s personal hell, her job could at least be considered her own reprieve.

Sunnyside Vintage is an old shop off of Sunset, having been open for the last 30 years. It wasn’t the nicest of thrift stores — the clothes always have a weird mothball smell and everything is old - and not in the trendy way.  C.J. loves it. The windows are huge, letting California sunlight wash the stucco walls gold, and the mannequins are always dressed straight out of the 70’s. The pay isn’t always great, but C.J. is allowed to take whatever she wants more than makes up for it in her eyes.

“I just don’t understand. I mean, Stevens has praised me this entire semester. She even told me personally he’s never had a student write as well as me nor pick up on the work as fast as I have. Wouldn’t that be qualities you’d want in an intern, Bea? Even Grayson Dolan would’ve been a better pick.” C.J. turns to her boss, angrily folding flared jeans.

Another reason C.J. loves Sunnyside —  her boss, Beatrice “Bea” Walker. Once a glitzy soap star of the ’50’s, she retired with her husband and opened Sunnyside in the late 80’s. Despite being in her late-70s, she still holds on to the same glamour and charm that made her a household name a century prior.

“Maybe there was another reason. It could be something other then your application.” She croaks, lifting a pumpkin to place next to a costumed mannequin. As halloween rapidly approaches, the store was starting to transform to fit the fall season — hoping to draw in customers to purchase unique costumes for the holiday.

Before she can move to help Bea, the doors chime, signaling an entrance. Walking through with seemingly-glowing skin and a symphonic smile was Alexi, C.J.’s best friend and roommate. It’s hard to miss Alexi whenever she walks into a room — from her bleached-blue hair to eclectic style, she’s never been afraid to follow her own path, something C.J. has always admired. She walks straight to C.J., wrapping her in a loving embrace

“Are you okay? James told me what happened.” Alexi leaves an arm around her, and while C.J. knows it’s supposed to be comforting; all she can think about is how much she wants Alexi to leave. It’s one thing to rant to her elderly boss, someone who would love her in spite of her shortcomings and faults. But to know her own friend group has already heard about her misfortune, sending over someone to comfort and soothe, it was all just a little too pitiful for her to handle.

“Theta’s are throwing a party tonight. It’ll be the perfect pick-me-up, and you can forget all about Evans Jensen-“

“Eli Jennings” C.J. corrects.

“Whoever” Alexi rolls her eyes at the interruption, “is missing out on your incredible talent because of an idiotic professor’s incompetence. Everyone’s going and it won’t be the same without you, C.”

“As much as I would love that, Lex, I really just want to be alone tonight. Shitty beer, cheap Indian food, a sad movie so I don’t have to think about how these past four years have been a waste.”

“Not a waste, first of all. Look, I know that you’ve had this whole plan for your life since you popped out the womb, but shit happens, things change. This isn’t a failure, just think of it as a temporary setback. Plus, when life gives you lemons, you…” She trails off, waiting for C.J. to finish.

“Make lemonade?” She sighs.

“Use it to chase tequila.” Alexi giggles.

“I would go, but I have to close. Right, Bea?"

"Don't use me as an excuse. You should go, maybe find a boy to take home." Alexi makes a face at Beatrice's statement and C.J.'s face heats up.

“You’re going - no more buts. Wear something cute. Something that maybe doesn’t make if look like you were alive for Vietnam.” Alexi’s already leaving, kissing Beatrice lightly on the cheek on her way out.

This was how C.J. found herself standing outside the Theta Lambda  frat house, October air chilling her through her jacket. She shifts her weight between her feet, surveying the small group around her. Alexi talks animatedly on the phone, asking for whoever to meet them out front.

A random person bumps into her, forcing her to spill the contents of her purse onto the dewey grass. C.J. groans, bending down to pick everything up while mentally thinking to herself all of the other things she could be doing right now.

A pair of dirty air forces steps in front of C.J. and she slowly looks up at the girl standing in front of her. She’s pretty, stunning actually. C.J. recognizes her immediately. Channing Williams - social chair of Rho Xi sorority and the key to all the best parties on campus. Dressed in a black romper and red velvet jacket, she’s everything C.J. isn’t and a quiet twinge of jealousy plucks her heart. ‘I bet she’s never lost out on an internship.’ she thinks bitterly.

“Sorry, do you know anyone?”  Channing asks, voice soft and sweet with a clipboard in hand. C.J. looks at Alexi, waiting to hear her answer.

“Not really? I mean we know people, but we aren’t going to be on your clipboard or anything so if you could just let us slide through, I’m sure there’s someone here who could like vouch for us or something?” C.J. wants to slap her — not only did she drag her out in below-freezing weather, but she couldn’t even guarantee them a way inside.

“Well this is a greek-only party so unless you know anyone….” Channing trails off, not openly wanting to kick them out in front of so many people.

“That means no GDI’s.” C.J. didn’t even notice the miniature-sized freshman standing besides Channing. She clearly looks annoyed at the intrusion, keeping her from inside where everyone else is to deal with their little group. C.J. briefly wonders if the upturned stare is a requirement for Rho Xi or if that’s was just especially reserved for her.

“Geed’s?” Alexi repeats, raising an eyebrow.

“Goddamn independents. Y’know, not greek-affiliated.” At this point, C.J. is ready to call the whole night and retire in her bed when she see’s someone appear in between Channing.

“They’re cool, Chan. They’re with me.” Micayla Zhao enters, covered in glitter, sweat and what C.J. is almost sure to be a line of salt from a body shot. C.J. has always considered Micayla the only cool Rho Xi, having had multiple classes with her over the years. Micayla fit right in with their group: smart, beautiful and a wicked sense of humor.

Channing nods, seeming bored and just wanting to get back inside with everyone else. She does a quick finger tap with Micayla (sacred Rho Xi bullshit is what Alexi always calls it) and moving along the line.

“Are your sisters always that charming?” Micayla rolls her eyes, grabbing C.J. to move them through the house to the backyard. A huge bonfire is set up in the middle with a canopy near by for the designated drinking spot. She watches as Micayla confidently moves through the crowd, stopping from time to time to say hey to friends and classmates on the way.

“Most of the time. Look, they’re just possessive over tradition and the Rho-Theta party has always been major exclusive, Channing’s been fighting to make it open to outsiders.” Micayla yells over the thumping bass.

“Yeah, I’m sure they love all the GDI’s.”  C.J. exaggerates her voice, pinching her nose to capture the nasally, valley accent Channing is almost famous for. Micayla stops, and had C.J. not been paying attention, she would’ve ran into her.

“Dude, you’re kind of being a bitch right now. Look, I get your bummed about your internship, but Channing wouldn't have let you in if she didn't want to. Would you rather be getting drunk, in your apartment alone?”

“Yeah, actually.” Micayla stares at C.J. for a second, looking like she’s about to bitch her out. As if Alexi can sense the fight forming, she grabs Micayla by the arm.

“Let’s go get a drink, you look like you need a drink in you.” They both walk towards the house, Alexi mouthing ‘Be Nice’ over her shoulder before disappearing completely. C.J. exhales, counting to 3 in her head before walking over to where drinks are set up.She fills up her solo cup, watching as the fizzy liquid moves closer and closer to the top.  Before she can take a sip, someone bumps into her spilling half the drink over the side.

“Hey, watch it!” A thick Jersey accent exclaims, and C.J. groans, wondering if this night could get any worse.

“Bennett?”

Grayson appears in front of her, denim jacket over a black t-shirt and black jeans. She takes note of the dark spot growing on the front of his shirt, from where she spilt her drink.

“What’re you doing here?”

She simply shrugs, refilling the missing contents of her cup.“I didn’t know parties were your scene. I always imagined in your free time you’re in like a dark room, crying alone to Sylvia Plath novels.”

“Nice to know you think of me out of class, Grayson” C.J. takes a sip of her beer. She moves to walk away, hoping he would take it as an end of conversation.

"How'd you get in? Isn't this like Rho's only?" He asks, following her to the edge of the bonfire. She looks at him, watching as the light frames the features of his face.

"Couldn't I say the same about you? You're not a Theta." He just stares at her intensely until she relents, "Micayla Zhao got me in. Y'know her?"

"We had history together sophomore year. She helped me cheat on the midterms."

C.J. laughs shortly. "Sounds like her."

Grayson opens his mouth to speak again, but is cut off.

“As much as I’m enjoying this conversation, Grayson, don’t you have someone else to bother? Someone who, y’know, actually likes you?” If that comment bothered him, he didn’t show it, continuing talking to her as if they haven’t pissed each other off continuously for the past four years.

“What do you think about Michael Eichler getting the internship spot?”  He asks. As if it wasn’t bad enough that she didn’t get the spot, now she has to sit and rub salt in the wound with her worst enemy.

“What’s there to think about? He got it, I didn’t. Fucking sucks.” He laughs, holding up his own drink.

“Cheers to that.” They both clink cups, and C.J. briefly wonders if the universe is still laughing at her.

"You know, that spot should've gone to one of us." He muses, watching the partygoers continue to stumble around them. He doesn't say anything after that, and she bites.

"Why should it have gone to one of us?"

"Well, think about it. We're both the top of our class, and I know for a fact Stevens has submitted your writing to collegiate magazines. There's no fucking way Michael fucking Eichler should've got that spot over one of us." C.J. pauses. She had known that Stevens appreciated her writing, but not enough to submit it anywhere. If what Grayson was saying was true, why hadn't she gotten the apprenticeship?

"Nothing I can really do about it now. He got the spot, I didn't. I guess I can become a second rate author now." She takes another sip, and Grayson snorts unattractively.

"I'm sure you'll be okay, Bennett. If Stevens like you, I'm sure there's another author dumb enough to want to publish your work too." She glares at him.

"And here I thought we were becoming friends."

"As if you actually would've wanted to become friends with me."

"Oh yeah, that's what I do in between my Sylvia Plath crying sessions. Desperately wish that Grayson Dolan would become my best friend." Sarcasm drips off every word and he looks at her before taking another long sip of his drink.

“You know you’re actually kinda cool, Bennett. When you’re not trying to bite my head off in the middle of lecture”

“Maybe if you didn’t have such shitty takes, I wouldn’t want too.” Whatever retort Grayson was planning falls from his lips when Channing appears by his side, tucking herself underneath his arm.

"Hey, Gray. I got you another drink." Two Coronas hang from her manicured hand, and he whispers inaudibly to her, giggling between the two of them. C.J. begins to feel awkward, and coughs uncomfortably.

“Oh, you’re the GDI from earlier,” Channing looks up at her half-lidded, dark eyelashes framing red-tinged brown eyes.

“Yeah, that’s me.” Channing shifts her weight, biting her lip and feeling like an intruder. "I didn't know you two knew each other?" C.J. supplies, feeling desperate for conversation

"Gray and I had math together freshman year, "They both stare at each other awkwardly, silent tension as they wait for the other to speak.

“So, I’m gonna go." She speaks.

“No, you don’t have to." Channing is already turned back to Grayson, looking like she wouldn't mind C.J.'s exit.

“No it’s fine” Neither Grayson nor Channing seem to protest anymore, and C.J. turns back to see her friends looking at her, both amused and curious at her interaction with the duo. She begins to walk towards them, feet and heart sinking with every step, not feeling any better about her current predicament.

“Hey Bennett,” She turns around to face Grayson. “Think about what I said. About the internship stuff” She just nods, and leaves the pair. The moment she reaches her initial group, Alexi pulls her towards them.

“You and Dolan were just talking and it didn't end in a screaming match. That’s new. What did he want?”

“Nothing. Just typical Grayson Dolan bullshit."Alexi looks like she doesn't believe her, and frankly C.J. doesn't believe herself. She thinks back to what Grayson said, about how they were the only real competition for the apprenticeship. Whatever he meant by that could be handled tomorrow.

"C’mon. Didn’t  you say something earlier today about tequila shots?” She asks

“Atta, girl. That’s what I’m talking about.” She lets Alexi drag her away, sparing one last look at Grayson before entering the fraternity house.

#grayson dolan #grayson dolan series #grayson dolan smut #grayson dolan imagine #grayson dolan blurb #grayson dolan fluff #grayson dolan angst #grayson dolan x reader #grayson dolan x y/n #dolan twins #dolan twins series #dolan twins smut #dolan twins imagine #dolan twins blurb #dolan twins fluff #dolan twins angst #dolan twins x reader #dolan twins x y/n

[hopelessromantic1352]

Trouble In The Night

@alleksa16 here is special request #6. Stephanie gets slightly wasted at a club and Thomas has to pick her up. This is early on in their relationship. Word count is 2,100. I hope you enjoy it ❤

Tags: @alj4890 @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @choicesfactor @choicesmakemychoices @pb-boeboe @marycarrillo21 @lxaah11 @kuladekiwi @ajayismybae @zeniamiii @choices-dan @galaxiia-quean @fangirlingmum please let me know if I missed anyone or you'd like to be tagged!

Disclaimer: Pixelberry owns all of these amazing characters! (And me of course 😂)

"Stephanie?"

My clouded brain barely registers my name. Someone is talking to me.

"Stephanie Park?"

I turn to see a young, frat guy walking towards the empty barstool next to me. His long, blond surfer hair hangs down over his eyes and he wears a smug smile over his thin lips. The polo shirt is way too tight around his steroid enhanced muscles and his shorts are too short for any guy to be wearing.

"I am." I raise an eyebrow, "Who's asking?"

The green eyes skim over my body, causing my skin to crawl. I do not need another guy advancing on me.

"Name's Ty." He extends a clammy hand, but slowly retracts it when I just stare at him, unmoving. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"No, I'm good. I'm just waiting for my ride to get here."

As if he knew I was talking about him, my phone buzzes with a text from Thomas.

"Out front."

Short and to the point. Totally Thomas, I'm surprised he even texted me. I was about to reply to let him know I was on my way out, but Ty grabs my wrist.

"How bout a dance? Kill some time before your rideshare gets here."

I pull my arm back, "It's my boyfriend, not a rideshare and he's here, so goodnight."

I stand, letting my head catch up with my movements for a moment which allows him to jump in front of me.

"Whoa, baby, I'll take you home later. We can get a couple more drinks and dance the night away. Then, we can head back to your place. Or mine." His gaze travels over my body again.

I shudder in disgust, "Let me think about it. No. For the last time. Now please move so I can go home."

I attempt to walk around, suddenly aware of no one around me paying attention to the unwanted advances this frat boy is making on me. The club is so loud, no one will be able to here my denials. Plus, everyone is so drunk, no one will even care.

Ty comes closer. Close enough for me to smell cheap beer on his breath and even cheaper cologne on his skin.

"I promise," his hand reaches out and slides down my arm, "It'll be worth your time."

"No!" My voice raises and I attempt to step around him again, but this time he grabs my waist.

"I wasn't asking." His smirk turns into a sick scowl.

Roughly, he grabs my arm pulling me towards the back of the club. I fight him, tugging my arm with no avail.

"Hey!" Ty nearly shrieks as he gets jerked backwards, his hand releasing me, and suddenly someone's fist connects with the frat guy's jaw.

He hits the floor with a loud thud. A few people who were standing close, turn towards the commotion. Thomas shakes his hand, gritting his teeth, and walks quickly to me.

"Are you alright?" His hands reach out cupping my face.

I nod, sobering up as my mind begins to realize what exactly just happened. Thomas just punched a frat guy. I almost got taken advantage of again. My legs feel weak and everything mixed with the alcohol was making my stomach uneasy.

Nodding, I grab his waist, steadying myself.

"I believe we should take our leave." He glances around the small crowd gathered, interlacing his fingers with mine and starts for the door.

I follow, gripping his hand tightly. He leads us out of the chaotic scene into the calm of the night. The fresh cool air chills me causing a shiver to run through my body. Thomas notices and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

"I left my jacket in the car," he smirks, "I didn't think I'd need it."

"Well, if your car has those fancy heated seats, you'll make it up to me." I give him a lazy smile.

The alcohol is enhancing my exhaustion and I yawn in response.

His smile is small and fleeting as we reach his black Aston Martin. Fancy, stylish, and sexy all wrapped into one package. And I'm not only speaking of the car.

"Are you certain you are alright?" His hands caress my cheeks again, thumbs gently rubbing across my skin.

I nod, biting my lip to hide any attempt my eyes were making to cry. He looks at me warily, not completely satisfied with my answer, but releases me nonetheless.

With a stern look on his face, he opens the door for me and I slide into the passenger seat with assistance from him, relaxing into the sporty chair. He gently shuts the door before walking to the driver's side and getting in behind the wheel. His hand unbuttons his vest with ease as the motor roars to life.

"James Bond's car, huh?"

He quirks a brow. "It is a practical car known for it's quality."

"Mhmm, I think you just enjoy feeling like 007." He pulls out into the flow of traffic, as I deepen my voice and speak in a British accent, "Hunt. Thomas Hunt."

He forces his lips down after showing a sliver of amusement. "I believe you enjoy teasing me."

"Always. But seriously, how much is this car worth?"

"I do not remember precisely how much I paid for it." He glances in his mirror as he changes lanes.

The white dress shirt hugs his body perfectly as his muscles stretch. His jaw clenches when we hit a red light and he shifts down with perfected movements.

"I bought it new after Marionette went big at the box offices. I was young and wanted to treat myself." His eyes go distant for a moment before he accelerates when the light turns green.

"Well, I would treat myself if I was as famous as you." The small giggle that escapes my lips causes him to smile.

"What would you like to buy? Now, that The Last Duchess has been fully released?"

His hand rests on the console between us, without thinking I rest mine on top of his, careful of the forming bruises around his knuckles. Our relationship is still in the beginning stages and I am still trying to understand what kind of affection Thomas is comfortable with, but I do know the warmth from him relaxes me.

I look over to him and see his jaw clench slightly, "You should let me ice this." I nod down towards his knuckles.

His eyes dart to our hands before focusing on the road once more. My fingers curl around his larger hand softly as his thumb traces across my knuckles, soothing my racing heart.

"I'll take care of it when I get home." His voice has an edge to it, as if he doesn't want to hear another word that will remind him if his actions at the club. "Are you going to answer my previous question?"

I sigh at his tone, deciding to ignore the sharp tongue. "I'm not sure what I want to buy. Chazz helped me get into a new apartment after Tender Nothings. It's nothing fancy, I mean you've seen it, but I kind of like it. Maybe I'll help pay my mom's mortgage." I shrug, realizing that I want to know what exactly happened at the club. He'll just have to deal with explaining himself. "So, do you go around punching frat guys a lot?"

He winces and his entire body goes tense. "I do not know what came over me. I never lose control like that."

Noting the shame slowly etching into his features, I decide to drop the subject.

"Yeah, well, thank you. That kid came onto me hard."

"You are welcome. I am just glad you were unharmed."

A tense silence falls between us as my foggy brain thinks back to the reason I went to the club in the first place.

"I'm sorry."

He glances at me, eyes softening before he turns back to the road. "For?"

"I was feeling really down today. Viktor was on the news channel that I just happened to be watching and everything came rushing back." Involuntarily, I grip his hand tighter, his thumb continues the soothing motions. "I know you called me, but I didn't want to talk with you because I didn't want you to think I was overreacting or freaking out for no reason."

We pull into his garage and I hide my shock poorly.

"I am not letting you sleep alone tonight." A knowing smile finds his lips, "And you do not need to apologize, but I do need to inform you that you can come to me with anything."

After taking the keys out of the ignition, he turns to me taking both my hands in his, the serious expression replacing his smile.

"Stephanie, we--our relationship may be new, but I know my feelings are much stronger than I anticipated them to be. I care for you enough to open up to you, even if it is rare for me to do so, I don't speak as freely with anyone else as I do with you. I trust you and I want, no I need you, to trust me. I would very much like for this to work."

My heart swells, the drunk part of my mind wants to cover him with sloppy kisses, but the sober part tells me to stay put.

"That means a lot Thomas, and I do trust you, it's just...you don't need me to throw a bunch of crap on your shoulders. You're busy and stressed enough, I don't want you to have to carry my burden, too."

He frowns, thumbs running across my knuckles before he releases one of my hands and cups my cheek.

"I never thought that I would meet anyone who I would gladly accept their burden, but you Stephanie, are not anyone." He pauses to brush a strand of my curly hair behind my ear, letting his fingers linger on my neck. "I will be glad to accept any burden you need to rid yourself of."

I smile feeling my shoulders relax, as if the weight is being lifted off with his words. His hand cups my cheek again, pulling my lips to his. Our mouths move together gently, sweetly and I tug on the lapels of his vest, feeling his body sink in closer to mine. I smile into the kiss when his hands travel down to my waist and then further, resting on my hips. He pulls away to plant feather light caresses down my neck and across my exposed shoulder, sucking in places, leaving marks that will be visible in the morning. My hand reaches into his hair, enjoying the feel of his thick, black locks surrounding my slender fingers and his lips loving on my skin.

"You know, this is kind of hot."

He pauses and pulls back to look at me, his eyebrow quirked questionably.

"We're getting it on in 007's car."

He blushes lightly and looks away, hiding a smile. "You speak your mind even more freely while you are intoxicated."

I giggle, "Is that so? Well, I think we should move this inside. Unless Bond wants to stay in here?"

He smirks and tunes his voice into a perfect British accent, "I think 007 is quite ready to take his lady inside for the evening."

"I don't know how it's possible, but I think you're even sexier when you're acting."

"Believe me, I know the feeling." His eyes widen as he realizes what he said. "What I mean, is that--"

My lips attack his in vehement kisses, cutting off his backtrack. Our tongues meet momentarily before I pull back, beaming at his disheveled state.

"Let's get inside." I start to get out, only pausing to glance back at him.

His lips are lightly bruised, dark hair is mussed, and his tie is off center. Yet, somehow he is still more attractive than any other man in my eyes.

"I can't look at you anymore. You're too hot." I open my door and stand, but lean back down to see his wide grin.

He chuckles, "I think I enjoy your loose tongue. It flatters me."

"It'll flatter more of you if you come inside." With that I shut my door and head for his house, my hips swinging suggestively, tempting him to follow.

As I reach the door into his home, I glance back to see his mouth agape and a fresh blush on his handsome face. Inwardly, I smile proudly, my drunken self can still get him riled up.

#choices #playchoices #thomas hunt #thomas orson hunt #professor hunt #rcd #choices rcd #red carpet diaries 2 #hunt x mc #mc x thomas hunt #red carpet diaries #red carpet diaries 3 #thomas hunt fanfiction

[princess-of-france]

Loving your MBTI series, as a psych nerd and someone who used to be super into that a few years ago I’m all about it. I’m just curious — do you have any MBTI headcanons for King Lear/L.E.A.R.? I’m trying to figure out Edmund... No rush to answer obviously

Hey angel! Sorry it’s taken me a millennium and a half to get back to you. Thank you for this ask — so happy to hear you enjoyed my MBTI Heroines series. (Credit to @donnattartt​ for creating those gorgeous moodboards!)

So, MBTI! 

As a playwright, I try never to write a character within the strictures of a psychological type (be it MBTI, Zodiac, Enneagram, etc.). That’s the fastest way to kill emotional authenticity. 

If I want to amuse myself by trying to map my characters onto these models, I always wait until after I’ve completed the entire play. Better to create a motley array of messy humans that don’t fit neatly into types than a full dramatis personae of box-ticking drones. 

As you know, L.E.A.R. is not a finished product yet. But it’s also a bit of a unique project, because my primary goal is to color all my characters inside the bold, clearly defined lines of Shakespeare’s King Lear.* In other words, the process of writing L.E.A.R. is less about imagination and more about psychological imitation, so diagnosing the characters’ types actually feels useful rather than inhibiting. And now that I’ve written at least a few scenes for every character in L.E.A.R., I feel like I can at least give them all at least an approximate type. 

* The exception to this rule, of course, is the three Mothers.

MONTGOMERY

Lear (ENTJ) — CEO who gets off on his own authority

Goneril (ESTJ) — born to lead, but lacking her father’s gravitas

Regan (ESFP) — firecracker, rule-defying, Insta-famous party girl

Cordelia (INTJ) — serious & judgmental, a self-hating strategist

GLOUCESTER

Caleb (ENFP) — too dumb, loud, & entitled to be anything else

Edgar (ISFJ) — frat boy or not, he would die for his loved ones

Edmund (INTP) — perceptive, guarded, & clinically opportunistic

ALBION CORP.

Geoffrey Kent (ISTP) — architect & accountant, sharp as a tack

James Albany (INFP) — poor sweet boy in a pool of sharks

Vaughn Cornwall (ESTP) — goes sky-diving on his lunch break

Oswald (ESFJ) — definition of a “people-pleaser”

MOTHERS

Luce Montgomery (INFJ) — an idealist, even in death

Marianne Gloucester (ISTJ) — “practical” is her middle name

Kessa Miller (ENTP) — the matriarchal version of her son

SUITORS

Étienne Arnaud (ENFJ) — kindness + leadership skills = golden boy

Ivan Chapuis (ISTJ) — won’t marry a girl without a dowry, come on

Aaaaaand I think that’s it! Tagging @harry-leroy and @hechiceria because possible interest?? 

Love you, hun. xx Claire

[tobesoeros]

part 1 - 5 & 17!

17. Are you more of a sunrise or sunset watcher?

sunrise. i go on camping trips with my frat and i get up really early to always see the sunrise on the lake :) 

you can’t make read mores in asks rip

PART 1. Ask me about myself…

1. Do you like the way you look?

yeah most of the time. i know i could look better if i put in more effort into working out and stuff, but overall yeah. im not completely mad. 

2. Have you ever cut your hair yourself?

yeah when i was little my bangs were a shit show lkjdads

3. What’s your Instagram @?

mutuals can follow at @xsabrinalynn :)

4. Favorite console to play video games on?

i don’t play a lot of video games now, but i really loved my nintendo ds when i had one.

5. Do you collect anything?

all my tickets from flights, concerts, movies, etc.!! 

6. Have you ever smoked a cigarette?

nope!

7. Are you a fan of bread and butter?

yes!!!!! outback bread is my fave 

8. Does everything happen for a reason?

yeah. 

9. What’s the most embarrassing thing that happened to you?

oh god. i accidentally texted my dad that i wanted to f*ck harry styles. 

10. Have you ever almost died?

yeah. i fell off some stairs and went backwards, falling half way down the long staircase, but i grabbed onto the railing somehow. i know if i didn’t try to grab onto something i probably would’ve broken my neck. 

11. Go-to ice cream order?

anything strawberry!! or taro! 

12. Do you like your room?

yes!! i like my college and home now, we just redid my home room :’)

13. What do you like to do when you’re feeling stressed?

do nothing. sleep. 

14. Who’s your best friend?

idk honestly. 

15. Favorite animal?

cats! 

16. Do you like to read?

yes!! 

17. Are you an extrovert or introvert?

ambivert!

18. Biggest regret?

not confronting people in my past sooner. would’ve saved me my mental health. 

19. Are you a fan of theme parks?

yes!! california adventure was the best! 

20. Have you crossed anything off your bucket list in the past 2 months?

i don’t have a list???? but im doing everything i wanted to do this summer. 

PART 2. Ask me if I’m a believer…

1. Do you believe in aliens?

yeah! 

2. Do you believe the butterfly effect is real?

uhhh idk 

3. Do you think love at first sight is legit?

yeah i think so. 

4. Do you think we go to heaven or hell when we die?

idk im not religious so idk 

5. Do you believe in karma?

yeah to some extent

6. Do you believe in witches and/or magic?

no

7. Do you think ghosts are real?

yeah! 

8. Do you believe in anything mythical/supernatural? (Bigfoot, Mermaids, Vampires, etc.)

yes and no, like i want them to be real but i don’t think they are. 

9. Do you believe in a God?

no

PART 3. Ask me about relationships & love…

1. Are you in love with anyone at the moment?

no

2. Do you want to eventually get married?

idk if it’s really the right person

3. Have you ever broke a friend’s trust?

yeah

4. What was your first kiss like?

haven’t had it

5. If a friend called you to help hide a body, would you help or turn them in?

god idk i don’t think i would do anything?

6. Have you ever had a crush on someone that, now as you look back, is completely embarrassing?

oh god yes 

7. Explain your dream date.

a theme park. 

8. How would you react if you had a secret admirer?

try to figure out who they are (ive had one and knew who it was lol)

9. You’re having dinner with your s/o, are you guys eating at a restaurant or having a home cooked meal?

restaurant unless they know how to cook

10. Talk about one of your favorite memories you share with a friend.

i got close with one my friends at a party and it was really nice cause we clicked immediately we’re really great friends now! 

11. Have you ever secretly taken something from a friend and not given it back?

i don’t think so?

12. How would you react if a friend started dating your ex?

haven’t had ex’s so

13. Do you think any of your friends talk about you behind your back?

yeah

14. Where would you want to have your honeymoon?

santorini

15. Do you believe in sex before marriage?

yeah why no 

16. Are you currently single?

yeah

17. Have you ever broken up with someone?

no 

18. Have you ever cried over a break-up with a friend?

no 

19. If you were in an emergency, which friend would you call first?

my dad 

PART 4. Ask me about my favorite things!

1. Favorite feel-good movie?

to all the boys ive loved before

2. Favorite song from before 2005?

hey ya! - outkast

3. ALL-TIME favorite album?

god. probably i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it - the 1975 

4. Favorite actress?

brie larson

5. Top 3 favorite colors?

pink, blue, purple

6. Favorite book genre?

young adult

7. Favorite poem?

ithaka by c.p. cavafy

8. Favorite actor?

tom holland dakjsdk obvs

9. Favorite type of food?

italian!

10. Favorite pair of shoes you own?

my white leather converse 

11. Favorite song right now?

senorita - shawn mendes, camila cabello

12. Favorite show you’ve ever watched?

bates motel 

13. Favorite show as of right now?

good trouble! 

14. Favorite quote?

“we are the choices we make. and have to make. we aren't anything else.” - chaos walking  

15. Favorite thing to do when you’re bored?

tumblr, watch a movie or sleep

16. Favorite food?

baked ziti or arroz imperial 

17. Favorite sea animal?

dolphins! 

18. Favorite perfume/cologne/body spray?

elizabeth james nirvana white 

19. Favorite drink to order at a coffee shop?

chai tea latte 

20. Favorite person you know?

my dad 

21. Favorite blog(s) here on Tumblr?

you!! @tomhollandcouk @parkerpete @parkerleeds @zendhaya @officialtessaholland @tmholland​ @akapeterparker​

22. Favorite Youtuber?

mikey murphy 

23. Favorite place to shop?

f21

24. Favorite book?

chaos walking series 

25. Favorite musician?

the 1975!

26. Favorite city you’ve been to?

chicago!

27. Favorite sport?

american football

28. Favorite outfit you own?

my overalls with a simple t-shirt and my converse

29. Favorite app to use?

instagram

30. Favorite flower?

sunflower

PART 5. Ask me Would You Rather…

1. Eat a slug OR Eat a cockroach?

cockroach

2. Not take a shower for a week OR Not brush your teeth for a week?

teeth? gum right??

3. Cuss out your boss OR Tell your mom she looks fat?

tell my mom she looks fat cause she asks me this anyways 

4. Fart in front of your crush (and they know it’s you) OR Accidentally sneeze in your celebrity crush’s face?

sneeze dkaskd

5. Jump off a cliff into the ocean OR Go skydiving and jump out of a plane?

skydiving

6. Be the girl who was known for eating her tampon OR Have everyone in your life legitimately hate you?

the tampon i think rip 

7. Not be able to own anything that costs more than $20 OR Only be able to own things that cost $100 or more?

$100 more 

8. Shit your pants on nation television OR Shit your pants at a job interview?

job interview shit happens lmao 

9. Be famous while you’re alive but forgotten when you die OR Be unknown while you’re alive but famous after you die?

famous after i die

10. Go to jail for 5 years for something you didn’t do OR Get away with a horrible crime and live with guilt & fear?

jail for 5 years 

#sabrina.txt #milesgmorales #ask #long post

[captainmarvels]

bittersweet {1}

Summary: Steve lost you once, and he doesn’t want to risk it again. Too bad he only has three months. | modern AU

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Warnings: Language

Word Count: 2.4k

A/N: This is part 1 of my entry for my lovely Sofi’s [ @nataliarxmanxva ] writing challenge! My prompt is Summertime Sadness, by Lana Del Rey, which appears in the second part. This is also my first actual Steve fic, so I hope you all enjoy! | masterlist

A midnight summer’s dream.

Something that sounds… unattainable.

Unrealistic.

Too good to be true.

Coming home to Brooklyn after years abroad, you never thought you’d stick out more. You were the talk of the town; well in this case, the neighborhood. You couldn’t stand on your front porch without hearing hushed whispering somewhere on the street.

As much as you loved and missed Brooklyn, it just wasn’t for you.

You only returned at your mother’s request; it had been 5 years since you had last stepped foot in your childhood home, and she wanted to see you one last time before you settled in Europe.

You accepted, knowing full well it would be the last time you’d ever come back. One summer. Three months. No problem.

Or so you thought.

You had one condition for your return home; no men. Your time and work abroad had left zero time for dating, which you were more than okay with. You had sat through more than enough breakups with your best friends to know just how terrible and cruel love - and men - could be.

You refused to let a man ruin your last summer at home. If you were going to come back, it was going to be hassle-free.

You returned earlier than planned, as a surprise. You asked your childhood best friend and neighbor, James, to pick you up from the airport. He had grown up to be a proud, fine man. You were glad the two of you had kept in touch after high school; being best friends with an Army man was difficult enough as it is. You practically jumped into his arms once you stepped outside, your bags dropping to the ground as he lifted you up, laughing.

“Long time no see, munchkin.” You smacked the back of his head, prompting a roll of his eyes as he set you down. “What? I thought you loved that nickname, Y/N.”

“You are still the worst person alive, Barnes. How’ve you been?” You grabbed your backpack, graciously letting James take your two suitcases as you headed for his car.

“Pretty good, actually. I’m on leave for the summer, so you’re stuck with me for the next few months, kid.”

“I am no kid! Just because you’re 4 months older than me does not make me the kid, James.” He chuckles, nodding as he stops in front of his truck.

“Alright, alright. Your mom invited me over for dinner tonight, said there was something she wanted to talk to me about before you show up. You okay with being alone for a bit?” You nodded, sighing as you imagined just what your mother wanted to discuss with him.

“As long as you promise to tell me what she tells you, Bucky.”

“There it is. I was wondering how long it would take for you to slip back into your old ways, doll.” You punched him in the arm, giggling as he tried to hit you back, to no avail.

“It’s good to be home!”

You found yourself staring a little too intently at Bucky’s decor as you took a quick stroll through his house. You knew the man had no taste, but clearly someone living in his place did.

“You got a secret girlfriend or something? There is no way in hell you designed this place. Not by yourself, at least.” You turn to face him, rolling your eyes as he places his hand over his heart, stepping back against the wall.

“Your words hurt, munchkin. They hurt. Your mom and Steve helped, actually.” There it is.

“Oh?” You tried to hide the excitement in your voice, but Bucky knew you too well.

“Yes, Y/N. Steve is still here, unfortunately.”

“Don’t talk like that, Buck. It’s been years. Actually, like a freaking decade.” He rolls his eyes, prompting you to do the same. “You’re so stubborn, you know?”

“When it comes to him, yeah. Also, you have no right to pull the ‘it’s been years’ card, missy.”

You drop down onto his couch, sighing peacefully as you sink into the plush cushions.

“Oh, please. I’m over it, unlike someone.” Bucky sits down across from you, resting his feet atop his coffee table.

“Yeah, the way you perked up at the sound of his name definitely means you’re over it.”

“Shut up, jerk.”

“Punk.”

He’s not wrong, you know.

“Shut up,” You mutter to yourself, grabbing your glass of wine off the counter. You make yourself comfortable on Bucky’s massive couch, throwing your favorite blanket on top.

You manage to make it through a few episodes of 30 Rock before hearing the front door open, the lock clicking soon after. Bucky strolls into the main room, shrugging his peacoat off while slipping out of his dress shoes.

“Wow, very fancy, Mr. Barnes. Didn’t know my mom was some celebrity.” You chuckle as he rolls his eyes, bunching up the sleeves of his dress shirt to his elbows.

“Funny. We need to talk.” He sits down next to you, moving your legs onto his lap. You sit up, setting your glass on the table next to you.

“About what?” You ask.

“Steve.”

“What is there to talk about? I told you, I’m over it.”

“Yeah, well we both know that’s a flat out lie, so,” You throw a cushion at him, which he gracefully catches, throwing you a side eye as he sets it down. “Seriously, Y/N. It’s been ten years - don’t tell me you’re still in love with him.”

“I was never in love with him, James!” You say, smacking him in the arm as you bring your knees into your chest.

“He forgets we exist for the past ten years, and you talked about him every day like he was still our best friend, Y/N. If that’s not love, then clearly-”

“I hate you. And he didn’t forget we existed. Just because he was off doing his own thing in Belgium-”

“For almost ten years, Y/N! He said it was going to be one year, and he’d be back with us at NYU in no time. All he ever cared about was himself, and you know it.” Bucky shakes his head, resting his arm on the back of the couch as he turns to face you.

“I told you I was over it. Don’t bring this all back again.”

Fresh out of high school, the golden trio - Bucky, you, and Steve - were ready to take on the world. The three of you were set to attend NYU together; Bucky enrolled in the ROTC program part-time, Steve on a fast-track science program, and your five-year master's program. Everything was like a dream; living with your best friends in the heart of New York city, doing what you loved best.

Unfortunately, that dream came apart as quickly as it had come together.

Steve was offered the chance to take a gap year and do research with NYU scientists in Europe; he was the science genius in the group, so it was no wonder he was chosen for the competitive program. The opportunity was once in a lifetime; he would be able to take classes abroad, and his full ride scholarship would cover all the costs.

He felt horrible that he was ruining the plan the three of you had spent months putting together, but you and Bucky knew this was a big deal, and it was more important that Steve live up to the potential he had.

His last night in the city, the three of you spent in your new apartment, plates full of pizza and wings sitting in your laps as you finished the fifth Harry Potter film.

“How long’s the flight again, champ?” Bucky asks from the kitchen, his eyes focused on the pizza in front of him.

“A little under 9 hours; I have a layover in London.”

“Wow, enthralling. Don’t die!” You whisper, not looking away from the screen.

“Not nice! I hate flying, but this is worth it.” You laugh, nodding as you pat Steve on the shoulder.

“Just promise you won’t forget about us when you become famous, big shot.” Bucky says, sitting down on the couch behind you. You look over at Steve, pointing at Bucky and nodding.

“What he said, Rogers. I didn’t waste the last 16 years of my life being friends with you for nothin’!” The boys roar out in laughter, Steve throwing a napkin at you as you double over, nearly dropping your plate onto the floor.

“I hate and love you guys. Don’t know where I’d be without you.”

“Ew, don’t get sappy on us now, Stevie. Otherwise I’ll have to punch you before you get on the plane.” You laugh, high fiving Bucky as Steve just rolls his eyes.

“Remember to send us postcards; I doubt we’ll be leaving this place anytime soon.” You all laugh again, tears welling up in your eyes from all the joy. Steve wraps his arm around your shoulders, his other hand hitting Bucky in the knee.

“I promise I won’t forget you, as long as you promise to hold these movie nights forever.” You lock eyes with him, nodding before turning to Bucky.

“Always; it’s a lifelong tradition!”

It was only a short time after Steve had left, and the new chapter of your lives began, when Bucky confessed something.

You were at a frat party; having lost a bet to Bucky, you were his designated driver for the night. You were sitting on the back porch of the apartment, secluded from the rest of the drunk students, Bucky’s head was resting on your shoulder, his breath heavy with the smell of beer and vodka.

“Y’know, there’s something I’ve been meanin’ to tell ya for some time now, Y/N.” Bucky’s words were somewhat coherent, considering you took away his last beer nearly an hour ago.

“What’s that, Bucky?” You glanced over at him, seeing his eyes shut.

“Remember Stevie’s last night with us? When I sent you downstairs to see if our neighbor had plates we could use so we didn’t have to… have to wash our own?” He giggles, burping while trying to focus on his train of thought.

“Yes, I remember. What about it?”

“Stevie made me do it so he could... so he could tell me he liked you.” Bucky’s head drops, and you carefully guide him to rest on your lap.

“You sure this isn’t something your drunk self is making up, Barnes?” You play with his hair, trying your best not to let his words get to you.

“No, no, I swear. Stevie didn’t wanna tell ya because… uh, because he said he didn’t wanna ruin his chances with you. Said somethin’ like he didn’t think you should have to deal with inconsistency on his part because of uh, distance. Yeah.” His soft snores follow soon after, and you shake your head, covering him with his jacket. He doesn’t know what he’s saying.

Except Bucky does.

The next morning, he brings you breakfast in bed, a pair of sunglasses perched on his face.

“Good morning, hangover.”

“Shut up and eat, loser. Remember what I said last night?” Your eyes widen, nodding as he sits down on your bed.

“You remember, too? I thought you were still drunk.”

“Drunk me has a very great memory, apparently. It’s weird. Anyways - wanna talk about it?” You shake your head no, your mouth full of pancakes. “You sure? I know you have the biggest crush on him so-”

“Had, Barnes. I’ve been getting over it since he told us he was leaving. I’m okay; promise. Besides, Steve did the best thing for us both; I don’t think I would’ve been okay with him dropping something like that on me when he was going to be gone for so long.” Bucky nods, reassuringly squeezing your knee as you took a bite of your toast.

“What do you say to some Dexter later?”

“Oh hell yes.”

Steve’s gap year eventually turned into years; his time abroad pushing him towards brighter and better opportunities. Sadly, that meant leaving a few things behind. Including you and Bucky.

“First he said one year. One. Now it’s four years later, I’m about to graduate, and he can’t fly in for one lousy weekend? Who the hell does he think he is?” Bucky was shouting at no one in particular, his hands running through his hair as he paced back and forth in front of you.

“He’s speaking at a symposium in Poland that weekend, Buck. There’s not much he can do.”

“He knew about it since October, Y/N. He definitely could’ve at least tried to figure something out. Steve doesn’t care anymore.”

“Don’t say that, James; we don’t know what-”

“Exactly! We don’t know what’s been happening with him because he’s forgotten about us, Y/N. Take the fucking hint; he doesn’t care.”

“I know you don’t want to remember, but it’s kind of hard not to. He’s a shitty friend, Y/N.” Bucky’s head rests in his hands, your own heart sinking at the thought of his words. At the thought of your best friend.

“What were you going to tell me? Why are we even talking about Steve?” You whisper, wrapping the blanket closer to your body.

“Your mom asked me if I thought it was a good idea for him to stop by the house and see you. He’s been back for a month, and she let slip you were coming home. He really wants to see you, but I don’t want to see you getting hurt. Especially by him.” You roll your eyes, gently shoving Bucky with the heel of your foot. “What?” He asks, glancing at you.

“I can take care of myself. I’m not the same girl Rogers left behind ten years ago. I want to see him, James.” He sighs, reluctantly nodding his head as he moves to stand up. You grab him by the arm, locking eyes with him as he raises an eyebrow.

“Tomorrow. I want to see Steve tomorrow.”

#steve rogers x reader #sofi's scwc #steve rogers #steve x reader #steve rogers fluff #steve rogers smut #steve smut #steve x reader fluff #steve fluff #steve rogers x reader smut #steve rogers x reader sluff #chris evans #chris evans smut #steve rogers au #steve rogers modern au #reader insert #marvel au #bucky barnes

[becbibliophile]

Boy, what a year 2019 ended up being! As I’m closing in on the year, I’m nearing 278 books read this year. So picking the top 10% (ish) is quite a task. This year held a lot of surprises for me. I had some of my most anticipated make this list but also had some new to me authors and so of my old favorites make a comeback into the list. I had such a hard time getting it down, so I fudged a little, including some entire series (all released this year) because I just couldn’t pick which one to choose.

I hope you’ll give some of the authors on my list a try, especially ones you may not have heard of because each one of these authors is a shining star! I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings to my kindle and my never-ending TBR!

#ROMCOM #FriendsToLovers

‘Getting lucky’ is a phrase I could barely say without blushing…

Yep! I’m that girl. The one my friends call goody two shoes…

But…good girls don’t finish first. THEY—GET—DUMPED. Even after investing—no, wasting—six years of their life on the guy who was supposed to be the one.

So…I traded in my halo for a pair of horns!

Hello, world…Clover Kelly is single and ready to mingle!

Then it happened, I suddenly found myself staring in the dating game to beat all dating games.

While pouring out my heart to my best friend, my new quest for lust is accidentally broadcast live…ON THE RADIO! Yay, me!

Did I mention my best friend is an uber-famous radio personality…and a guy? A really hot guy? Yeah, his face isn’t plastered all over town simply for his name…

When the requests to win my heart came pouring in and became date after horribly bad date – I couldn’t help but wonder…

Could he? Could we? I mean I’m already breaking all the rules.

What’s a girl gotta do to get lucky?

MY THOUGHTS

What could go wrong when you fall in love with your best friend? LOL

Friends-to-lovers is my favorite genre and Cary nailed it in this super cute, fun yet sexy read.

Cary is one of those diamonds in the rough – more people need to be reading her. And this ROMCOM is the perfect segway into reading one of my favorite authors. If you haven’t picked up this book you must! Check out the trailer for the book.

  GOODREADS | AMAZON

#SuspenceRomance #MafiaRomance #FriendsToLovers

She fled from the depths of hell, her life barely intact.

Iris is finally living a peaceful life away from all that she fears. She’s ready to come out of hiding and start living again.

He walked away from a life no one is supposed to escape.

Callan’s been looking over his shoulder for the past two years. There’s a reason they say the mafia is for life. Now, in a new city, and as the guardian of his sister, he has the chance to create a life he can be proud of.

Iris’s world is rocked off its axis when she meets her new neighbor with turquoise eyes and a protective streak a mile wide. Soon the chemistry between them sparks to life and it’s not long before passion consumes them. But their pasts are never too far away…

When those he loves the most are threatened, will the cost of his sacrifice be his own life?

MY THOUGHTS

Vow of Sacrifice was book 5 in the series but each can be read as a standalone. This entire series is AMAZING!

We finally get mysterious Callen’s story and it did not disappoint. I loved seeing the softer side of Callen and Iris brought out all the softness and sexiness of Callen.

This book gives you a wide range of emotions, as Iris is running from an abusive relationship, while Callen is trying to live his life the best he can away from the mafia. From the first time we meet Callen in James’ book, you know that there is a depth and such a story behind his stormy eyes. How he’s raising his little sister and now as he takes in Iris to be her protector.

Emma does a great job of balancing the suspense with the romance. Once you start one of her books, you don’t want to put it down. As always, each book can be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend Emma’s Vow Series. It’s seriously one of my top suspense romance series!

 SERIES GOODREADS | AMAZON | B&N | APPLE BOOKS | KOBO

#FakeRomance #SportsRomance

Wanted: one hot guy with rock-hard abs and a big stick.

Broke and desperate, Sugar Ryan has no use for arrogant, bad boy athletes . . . until she’s forced to bargain with the cockiest of them all.

If only he knew she was alive.

Her mission? Get on this hockey player’s radar any way possible.

Zack Morgan is the king of the ice and the bedroom—but nothing prepares him for the mystery girl who shows up everywhere he does—frat parties, his favorite bar, and finally his front door with an offer he can’t refuse. The only rule in her boyfriend bargain: no falling in love.

But after one (um, two) smoking-hot hookups, he’s done with pretending and vows to make their fake relationship real. Too bad she can’t trust a player with a reputation for breaking hearts.

Will this hockey star score his forever girl or will their Boyfriend Bargain end in heartbreak?

A standalone hockey romance.

MY THOUGHTS

TALK ABOUT SWOONY!!! OH MY Z for the WIN! And everyone knows that I am a big sucker for hockey romances.

Sugar and Z were so much fun!

Boyfriend Bargain starts as the typical fake boyfriend story – but as you dive in, it becomes so much more than the need to pull the wool over someone else’s eyes. From the start, Sugar and Z are burning hot together. And with each page turn, you become more and more invested in these two into becoming more. Both have pasts that are full of demons and heartache which makes them all the more better to become a team together.

Zane is smoking HOT. And thank you, Ilsa, for this cover because he definitely makes the perfect Z

GOODREADS | AMAZON

#FriendsToLovers  #SportsRomance

What happens when an almost thirty-year-old virgin agrees to let her Scottish footballer best friend give her some lessons in seduction?

Lots of banter, awkwardness, jealousy, and heat.

Midfielder Maclay “Mac” Logan is a loud-mouthed, tattooed ginger content with focusing on football. But when an adorably-freckled seamstress comes barreling into his life, he finds Netflix-And-Bickering with her to be his new favorite pastime.

Freya Cook is used to being the invisible woman with a needle and thread, offering cheeky punchlines as she helps dress London’s finest. She’s plus-sized in body and spirit, and other than her friendship with Mac, talking to the opposite sex is one skill she never mastered.

However, after one innocent game of Never Have I Ever, Mac offers to play Love Coach for Freya.

What neither of them see coming are the feelings that develop when the clothes come off.

Now they’re both about to learn the biggest lesson of all: Don’t fall in love with your best friend.

MY THOUGHTS

Such a cute story about best friends who decide to add some benefits to their lives and it ends up being a lot more than either of them expected!

First off, I have to say that I want Amy to never stop writing in the Harris world. I feel like she could go on forever with this klan and I would be plum happy to aways have storylines coming from the other side of the pond with their sexy footballers.

Freya and Mac may seem like an odd couple but the two have been the best of friends for the past year. But after an innocent game of Never Have I Ever at a party – Mac comes to find out that Freya has little experience with the opposite sex. So he decides that maybe he can give her some pointers on how to date. What he never expected was that his own feeling for the quirky yet cute redhead would come bubbling to the surface and he would come to find his jealous side when it comes to all things Freya.

This was such a fun, laugh out loud, cute yet super sexy read. I loved Mac and Freya together!

GOODREADS | AMAZON

#MilitaryRomance #SecondChance #SuspenceRomance

We were best friends at ten. Lovers at sixteen. Going to be married at nineteen.

Until she woke up one day and couldn’t remember me.

Leaving the small town was easy. Leaving her was my only regret. Ten years later, with a resume that said I had the perfect kill shot, I landed a job at a Security firm. Finding my way in the civilian life, I never thought it would be her I would find.

She still owned my heart. She still looked at me like I was a stranger. I wasn’t leaving her again. This time, we were playing by my rules. I’d been given a second chance to right my wrongs and I was going to start by claiming what was mine.

We were lovers at twenty-eight. Getting married at twenty-nine.

Until she woke up and remembered me.

MY THOUGHTS

WOW!!! This book was Amazing!! I don’t even know where to begin with this book. Tina is a new to me author and I was so taken by this book, I read it all in one sitting.

There really isn’t much I can tell you about the book without giving away major plot points. But it was a page-turner. It will keep you on edge and surprises arise throughout the book.

A second chance romance with a twist!

Such a great read and I look forward to reading more from Tina!

GOODREADS | AMAZON

I hope you will check out these books – at least add them to your TBRs and I’ll see you back here tomorrow for #25-21.

xo –

Enter to win a $25 Amazon GC!

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See my list of the top reads for 2019! I'm kicking it off with numbers 26-30 today. @authorcaryhart @authoremmaren @ilsamaddenmills @amydawsauthor and Tina Saxton Boy, what a year 2019 ended up being! As I'm closing in on the year, I'm nearing 278 books read this year.

[whereikeepfics]

Friends to Lovers Fics: Updated 3/3/2018

Less Than 15K

Cause You Get Lighter The More It Gets Dark - transstevebucky (camping au; pining) Louis and Harry go camping with Doris and Ernest, and have a lot of feelings.

Just The Thought of You Can Drive Me Wild - larrymylove (college au) Harry and Louis are childhood best friends and roommates and Louis is a YouTuber famous for his prank videos - all of which Harry is on the receiving end - and Harry may or may not be more than a little in love with him....and also wants to get him back with a prank of his own.

Never Be Ready - afirethatcannotdie (pining) A high school AU where a summer without Harry makes Louis realize that he wants to be a little bit more than best friends.

Strawberry Moon - turnyourankle (fantasy; body swap) Harry really should have known better than to agree to one of Niall’s schemes. Especially one that involved Irish magic. Then again, how was he supposed to know he and Louis would end up swapping bodies?

Under Me, You - hazzafrazza (superhero harry; friends to lovers; smut; b!harry) Harry wants a lot of things – fame, glory, Louis – but that last one is particularly hard to get when everyone thinks you’re dating your secret superhero alter-ego and suddenly you’ve become your own worst cockblock.

What’s Stopping You - kikikryslee (b!louis; smut; roommates)  Harry wants to get over his crush on Louis, so he makes a Grindr account to find someone new. Of course, Louis messages him, not realizing H's real identity. It only takes a few days for them to figure it out.

Your Love is Bright as Ever (Baby Love Me Lights Out) - tomorrows (fluff; smut) Harry's got a late night talk show, Louis' got a couple of Grammys, they're best friends who like to kiss.

Less Than 25K

Heading For a Small Disaster - suspendrs (uber driver harry; businessman louis) Harry drives an Uber and Louis’s life is falling apart.

In Dreams - dolce_piccante (teacher harry; tattoo artist louis; smut; fluff) When Harry moves to a new city, his new flat come with a number of sweet, anonymous gifts and surprises that brighten his days. Could it be a friendly ghost? Another friendly presence in his new building is his tattooed neighbor, Louis, who seems determined to put a smile back on his face.

Less Than 50K

Blind From This Sweet, Sweet Craving - missandrogyny (teacher louis; photographer harry; fake relationship) There are definitely worse ways to spend the weekend than pretending to be engaged to his best friend.

Here Comes the Sun (Little Darling) - you_explore (circus au; b!harry) Louis and Liam are a trapeze act who’ve just joined syco circus. despite his best efforts, Louis immediately falls head over heels for harry, one of the jugglers with a penchant for glittery pink leotards. but Louis' had issues before with intra-circus dating, so he’s trying his best to ignore his feelings. which is why he’s not at all bothered by harry flirting with everyone but him.

Long Before We Both Thought The Same Thing - allysavedtheday (fluff; pining) Louis maybe, sort of realises he's in love with his best friend of almost twenty years and he maybe, sort of thinks that said best friend could love him back? A prequel to If You Asked Me If You Love Him (I'd Lie).

Remind Me Again - momentofclarity (fluff; smutt) The romantic platonic friends to lovers AU where they are forced to speak about everything that has always been unspoken.

Rivers ‘til I Reach You - embodied (friends with benefits; angst; fluff; smut)  Louis studies astronomy; Harry studies Louis. They spend their summers on the water and it shouldn't be complicated (spoiler: it is).

Runner on Third - kikikryslee (slow burn; teacher harry; fluff; smut; b!louis)  Louis and Harry were best friends growing up, but lost touch after Harry moved away. Ten years later, Harry has moved back to town, but he and Louis don't pick up where they left off.

Take Me Back to Where We Started - amory (famous/not famous; fake relationship; famous louis) Starring Harry as the petty ex, Louis as the new James Bond, Niall as a boy genius and fake boyfriend extraordinaire, and Liam and Zayn as two friends just trying to make it out of this weekend alive.

The Sound of Your Voice From Far Away - pukeandcry (road trip au; canon compliant) After the U.S. leg of the Take Me Home tour, Harry and Louis drive from L.A. to NYC. They figure some things out, like how to deal with the distance that's been growing between them.

To Be Loved (And To Be In Love) - nouiiam (high school au; b!louis) Louis’s popular, Harry’s not and they bond by trying to get their friends together while accidentally matchmaking the entire school.

Less Than 75K

Homegrown - casuallyhl (fluff; smut; gardening) Harry is new to town and the newest volunteer at the local gardening club, Louis is the attractive grandson of one of the members, and the nosy volunteers hatch a plan to get them together.

Less Than 100K

Atlas At Last - louisandthealien (1970′s fic; road trip au; angst; fluff) It’s 1978. Harry and Louis are just trying to get to San Fran in time for the Queen concert.

Come Away With Me - suspendrs (kid fic; single parent louis; babysitter harry) Louis has to pick up the pieces of his and his daughter's life after his wife dies, and Harry is a beautiful stranger that just wants to help.

Like an Endless Summer - anonymous (summer camp) Louis is a riding instructor at a summer camp, and Harry is a fellow counselor who he’s been successfully managing his crush on for the last two summers. That is, until Harry shows up this year leveled up and lethal, and all Louis’s formerly perfected veneer of nonchalance melts like a popsicle in the sun.

Nocturne in Silver and Blue - tinyweirdloves (louis is a star; fantasy) Louis is a fallen star and harry brings him home. Told over the course of fourteen years.   

Less Than 150K

California Sold - isthatyoularry (fake relationship; famous/not famous; famous Harry; fluff; angst) When Harry needs Louis with him in LA, a publicity stunt gone wrong changes their friendship forever. A fake-relationship AU between two lifelong best friends.

Dress You Up In My Love - lucystarkid (smut; light angst; pining) Harry is single, and more than anything wants to find love. Agreeing to sign up to a dating website was a bad, bad idea. Niall's bad, bad idea. Louis is single, but has no interest in relationships. Or so he tells himself.

If It Kills Me - you_explode (the office au; angst; fluff; slow burn) Harry and Louis have worked together in a difficult office environment for six years. They're best friends; Louis is the bright spot of all of Harry's days. But Louis is in love with Harry, and Harry's engaged to someone else. And that's only the beginning.

Just Ask Me To - tellmethisisnotlove (canon compliant; x-factor era; angst;smut; fluff) “You’re telling the truth,” Louis whispers. “You were not supposed to–” “I was not supposed to do what? Tell me please,” Harry urges, taking Louis’ hands gently in his.

My Lights Stay Up, But Your City Sleeps - pearlydewdrops (college au; artist harry; rich louis; fluff; smut; angst) Louis has trouble sleeping, Harry has a habit of wrapping himself around Louis during the nights, and a mutual agreement to engage in a fun and simple thing quickly turns into something perhaps not so fun, and certainly not simple.

We Are Only Just Beginning - afirethatcannotdie (college au; pining; fluff; smut) Domestic sappiness, waffles, tattoos, late nights and early mornings, and above all, Louis and Harry against the world.

Less Than 200K

Your Mess Is Mine - amory (famous/not famous; famous harry; single parent louis; kid fic; fluff) Louis is the father to the most brilliant little boy in the world who is all Louis really needs, or at least that's what he tells himself. Harry is a gorgeous boybander fresh off a two year break and a massive scandal that's left him a little broken and more than ready to move on.

Greater Than 200K

You Are In Love - wildestdreams (college au; slow burn; angst; fluff; smut; they kind of share that) The one where there’s late night coffee runs with deep conversations, lots of frat parties with cute frat boys, TV show references, numerous social network interactions, first kisses in the rain and a slow burn love story between two unlikely people. (271K)

#mine #friends to lovers #fic rec #larry fic

[dracoisthebae]

The Wonder of a Fairy-tale (Chapter 1)

James Ryan Haywood has felt something inside his mind telling him he doesn't belong here for a long time, telling him he needs to head away.

Gavin Free wants to escape but doesn't really understand why? Will Michael and Jeremy stop him from making such a big decision or will he meet Ryan on the journey of a lifetime? 

Hello, welcome to my new fic! I've been planning this since watching Mamma Mia Here We Go Again so it's been a few months in the making, I'd appreciate any feedback I can get.  

This was it. James Haywood was out of here. Three years of college had left him with a degree and a whole lot of debt, but that was something that future James could worry about. All through his youth James knew that there was no way he would enjoy the life his mother had planned for him, succeed in high school and head over to college where afterwards he could get a respectable job and raise his own family only to have her force his children through the very same thing. Before today he had only ever had slight instances of rebellious behaviour, growing his hair and staying out at night despite the fact that he didn't drink was about as bad as it got. But now, James Ryan Haywood is an adult, legally he doesn't have to live with his mother anymore. So this was it, this was the adventure of Ryan Haywood. He'd taken the decision that with his drastic change in life he was going to go by his middle name. He'd felt that a change like that was necessary to brace himself for what he was about to do.

After his graduation, he returned to his apartment with Geoff Ramsey and Jack Pattillo his two roommates whom he'd spent the last three years with. The apartment itself was quaint, originally sold as a one bedroom but the three of them had managed to fit, had a small kitchen that went mostly unused unless James felt up to cooking his famous enchiladas as well as one bathroom and a storage room. It was a vast improvement to the university digs from the first year. The apartment had a large fire escape attached to it that the three of them referred to as 'the balcony', even taking it upon themselves to move a set of chairs out on it.

"So, what now?" Geoff questioned, he and Ryan had sat out on the balcony while Jack went to grab two beers and a Diet Coke for the three of them. The other two never questioned Ryan's choice to not drink, instead choosing to accept and move along with it. At the beginning of their friendship, Geoff's only comment was that the less than James drank more left for him.

The three of them looked like a strange bunch of men, Geoff having a curly moustache and a fair amount of smile lines despite his age after spending so much of his life giggling, Jack and his big burly beard contrasted by the bright ginger tones within, and James. Ryan, James... he hadn't entirely gotten used to going by his middle name yet, he'd read somewhere that it was something the Welsh did. Ryan looked like somewhere between a frat boy and a hippie, he hadn't yet decided on his 'look' and honestly, he thought he never would. In his opinion, it was better to go off personality than looks.

"I say we just do what we did for the last three years but without the whole education bit," Jack responded, placing the drinks on the table before taking a seat next to the other two.

"What? So stay inside playing video games? Somehow I don't think that would work." Geoff spoke as though the thought of that was impossible despite the fact that they had seen many people do so before. But they had needed to live with their parents.

Ryan took in a deep breath and spurted his thoughts, "I'm leaving." Ryan turned to look at the two other men, the shock and confusion on their facer was clear. Geoff spluttered out the sip of beer he had just taken in.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Jack questioned before Geoff butted in, "James, where would you go? You've just graduated?"

"Greece. I'm going to Greece, I just feel it calling me, You knew this wasn't for me. This life. This city. I've booked a flight to Paris tomorrow and then I'm going from there. I've decided that I'm going to be Ryan Haywood. No James. It's not me." Ryan stood, walking out toward the edge of the balcony and gazing out at the city. "I feel like my life just isn't gonna happen here, not that I don't like you two. You guys are the best friends I could have had, but... I just don't feel like me here."

Geoff turned to face Ryan, his hands had gone up to massage his face, "Right, but why the fuck are you going to Greece? It's a bit far, isn't it? Couldn't you just go to like a national park or something?"

"I don't know, I guess I understand the need to travel. Maybe you'll meet someone. I'm not quite sure why you waited until after a degree and a heck of a lot of debt before travelling the world though..." Jack had moved to stand next to Ryan, placing his hand onto Ryans back before continuing, "So is this a long-term thing or just a holiday?"

Jack had always been the voice of reason amongst the three, ironic considering him and Ryan had very similar voices. Jack also understood the tension between Ryan and his mother.

Ryan turned away from the balcony, "I don't know... For however long I need to feel complete. I wish I understood. It used to be so nice, it used to be so good" Taking the few steps back into the apartment, he began to pack his clothes. "Guys, you made me feel alive, but something died I fear. I really tried to make it out, but there's only so much of this type of life I can take. There's more I know it."

Ryan didn't have much in that apartment that was his, he'd always known that he wasn't going to stay. His bags were almost constantly packed for this very reason. Geoff and Jack had questioned his lack of possessions once or twice, he guessed it was all clicking in his head now. The only reason he came to college was for the sake of his mother. Ryan had always known that he was destined for something more than software development, the thought of working in a small office and doing the same thing every day until he was sixty was horrific to him.

Ryan sat on his bed, closing his suitcase and turning to his two roommates.

"They passed me by, all of those great romances. It’s as if you’re robbing me of my rightful chances. My picture clear everything seemed so easy. And so I dealt you the blow, one of us had to go. Now it’s different, I want you to know..." The two other men knew that Ryan was talking about his mother, he hadn't spoken much about her but what he had said was enough for them to understand that he had been forced into this college and career path.

Geoff moved towards the bed, picking up what was left of Ryans possessions. He could tell that Geoff had warmed up to the idea of Ryan needing to find himself as he began speaking, "One of us is lonely, one of us is only waiting for a call, sorry for himself. Feeling stupid, feeling small. Wishing he had never left at all. We know that you didn't want to come here."

"We just hope that you let us visit," Jack said as he moved over to the other two and helping pack away what little possessions Ryan had.

Ryan moved the last few items into his bag, "I saw myself, as a concealed attraction. I felt you kept me away from the heat and the action. Just like a child, stubborn and misconceiving," He stood up, moving towards the door and motioned to the other two, "Come on, walk with me. That’s how I started the show, one of us had to go. Now I’ve changed and I want you to know." His bag held in one arm, using the other to open the door.

Jack tilted his head to the side while Geoff headed towards Ryan, "You have told her haven't you?"

A great sigh left Ryans throat, "She'll find out, wherever she is. She'll know."

The three college graduates headed out into the damp streets, the recent rainfall reflecting the street lights back into their faces. Ryan knew that the other two would understand everything after a while, it was just the thought that he hadn't planned it despite the fact that Ryan had been planning this for his whole life.

"I have a plan, a loose one, I'm heading to France. Finding a hotel there and travelling. There's this island, Kalokairi. Only accessible by boat, I've been researching it every day in the library. Talking to the geography lecturers. I know that that's my goal." Ryans hair had flopped in front of his eyes, the shaggy locks were something he probably should've fixed before now. The recent sun had highlighted parts of his mane to become a light blonde.

His clothes were another thing, he didn't have many. Loved living a minimalist lifestyle while still having clothes that expressed himself. Brighter tones that played up his blue eyes to a shine that he knew never belonged in Georgia or even America.

"James, do we want to know the name of the game? What's your reasoning? Upturning your entire life for this feeling in your gut?" Jack appeared concerned for Ryan, his eyebrows had knitted together along his forehead.

"Yeah, I get feelings in my gut all the time but its usually just telling me I need to vomit." Geoff barely got through the sentence, giggling halfway and ending with a wheeze.

Jack glared over at him, "Time and a place Geoffrey."

Ryan turned around, walking backwards, "Schoolbag in hand, I left home in the early mornings. Waving goodbye with concern in my eyes. Is it so much to want a different life for your self? I feel everything slipping through my fingers. The feeling that I'm losing myself without even entering the world." His empty arm raised, "I let precious time go by."

"What happened to those wonderful adventures, the things we had planned to do?" The tone in Jacks' voice was honest and confused.

"We can still do all of that, think of all the adventures we can have when you visit, I'll write to you every chance I get." Ryans arms had lowered, a smile gracing his face. "A new place, new people, new adventures."

The main thing that had appealed to him when they had been hunting for apartments had been the fact that theirs was so close to the airport. A quick escape. No time for emotions to get the worst of things. In almost no time at all they had arrived at the airport after walking down the cobbled road, Jack finally accepting what Ryan was about to do.

"We'll be thinking about you." Jack had raised his palm onto Ryans shoulder while Geoff pretended that he wasn't crying his eyes out, "Yeah, you better share everything with us!" He had been so happy when he had finally gained an appropriate amount of facial hair to call a moustache, but now Geoffs moustache had drooped with the frown on his face.

Ryan took a deep breath, he had spent years thinking of this moment and he knew that all the thoughts he'd had didn't weigh up to the real thing. He turned to the two other men, "Bye gents, I'll share every moment with you." Ryan turned to rush up the stairs towards the check-in desk.

The first thing Ryan noted about the airport was that it was bright, almost congratulating him on making the decision. Walking over to the lady manning the desk he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, "Uh hello!"

She looked up, her hair was tied back into a bun and she had a fake smile plastered on her face, "Hello Sir, where are you flying to?" Her hand came out to reach for his ticket, Ryan handed over the blue and white piece of paper that held his fate in its print.

"Ah, Paris. A romantic I take it then?" She looked back up at him, the smile had transformed. Oh... She fidgeted with a loose hair that had fallen out of the hold of her hairspray. Ryan moved a hand up to rub at his neck, this wasn't quite what he was expecting... The feeling in his gut told him to ignore her, Greece was more important, he would find his fate along the way.

"Uh, not really I'm just going around Europe looking for something..." The ticket lady scoffed and handed the ticket back to him, and Ryan said his thanks and went on his way over to security. This was right.

#ryan #ryan haywood #Gavino Free #Gavin #Gavin Free #mamma mia #freewood #geoff ramsey #Jack Pattillo #au #alternate universe #Wonders of a Fairy-tale

[settingtrends]

ziam fics for the soul

I’ve read (and reread) loads of amazing fics lately, soooo here are some recs!!! If you read them, please, p l e a s e, please remember to leave kudos and/or comments!!! 

Long & Lost by abovetheserpentine

Retrograde Amnesia. Zayn’s learning all kinds of things about the brain and memory, and how the brain accesses memory. It’s interesting – he’s always been silently intrigued by these kind of things, loving to read the Wikipedia articles in his spare time. It’s different, though, when it’s happening to you.

Especially when the likelihood of his memory returning decreases with every hour that he can’t recall anything past July 2014.

Set early 2015.

*it is angst hell but very very beautifully written

Young Gods by abovetheserpentine 

This is Liam’s first Grand Slam. He’s eighteen, he’s a wildcard, and he has a thirst to prove himself even if he can't quite believe he's in Australia. Backed by world famous coach Louis Tomlinson, Liam feels like his chances are pretty good.

Then he remembers that twenty-two year old Zayn Malik is back from injury to be a part of the tournament. Suddenly, Liam’s odds don’t seem so good anymore.

Can’t Help Falling in Love with You by eternallyunleashed

In the 18 years he's been alive Zayn has learnt to deal with the insane amounts of anxiety and stress that life threw his way. It was always easy to stay back and pretend he was invisible. After agreeing to Harry's idea of an internship he realizes all his hopes of maintaining a quiet simple life as he works towards Med-school get tossed out the window. Liam Payne enters his life. Zayn can't put a name to all the whirlwind of emotions that threaten to rip his body apart by just being near Liam, but he is certain of one thing. The mere thought or sight of Liam makes him lose the ability to breathe.

For Liam his goal is pretty simple. Ever since he laid eyes on Zayn, who looks like sin in human form with eyes that threaten to rip a man's heart out, he knew he had to have the boy. He needs him more than he's wanted anything in his entire life. Otherwise his red hot desire for the boy might just take him to his death.

Jinx by JoMouse

Famous actor, Liam James Payne, has quit acting at the height of his career.

University student, Zayn Malik, wasn't expecting to see his celebrity crush enter the laundry room of his dorm, but there he is.

Comically by TeamEmma

Zayn is a professor and also renown Comic book writer.

Liam is his nervous, bumbling student who needs this English class to graduate.

Carlo’s Bakery by sunnysideup

Where Zayn can’t bake. Zayn is skint, Liam runs a bakery, Liam has a vacancy in the bakery, Zayn’s best mate can bake, Zayn tells a white lie and this is what happens next.

The Money Maker by deniallisstrong

This is who I gotta pretend to be in a relationship with?” Zayn whines, shaking his head when he sees the crinkly-eyed boy with the buzz cut, the hoodie, the sunglasses.

“You’re no looker yourself,” Liam snorts, squinting his eyes at Zayn as he pulls off his sunglasses. But he’s lying. Of course he’s lying. His cheekbones are sharp enough to cut wood, his eyes bright enough to start a fire. But Zayn doesn't have to know that.

Zayn is perplexed—already—by Liam. He’s sharper, quicker than he expected. With a sigh, Liam slides down his hood, tiredly sliding his fingers through his hair. “Alright, well, let’s get this… thing started. I want it over as soon as possible.”

Zayn wonders suddenly what Liam’s hair feels like, has a strong urge to reach forward and kiss him back into the wall, find his own fingers in the boy’s brown hair.

Zayn's lying, too. But Liam doesn't have to know that.

(Or a fake relationship AU where Zayn struggles to hide his fond for Liam, and maybe--just maybe--Liam has the same problem with Zayn)

Viva La Vida by iambluehead

In which Liam is not a princess, but needs saving anyway; everyone is just a pawn in a dangerous game of politics and brutality he’s not sure anyone knows how to play; there’s more than one side to everything and maybe no right side to anything; and you can find and love and learn to live without people even after you’ve lost them. And instead of a princess that needs saving, there might be a boy who never needed anything, except maybe something worth dying for.

(Or, Liam is the crown prince of England who gets kidnapped by rebels and finds out that the world is a big, ugly place full of beautiful, broken-up people who may never get a happily ever after, no matter how hard they try.)

For All the Stars We Cannot See by iambluehead  

Zayn grins sheepishly, the light hitting his face and making him squint, his fingers curling around the strap of his bag and his other hand rubbing at the back of his neck, a habit of Liam’s own that he recognizes on the other boy. “Yeah,” he finally says. “Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow?” “Yeah,” Liam says, letting out the breath that he’d been holding in his lungs until it burned. “Yeah, see you then.” The door slams shut, and Liam watches him walk up to his front door, wondering what would have happened if in that moment, he would have just leaned forward and— “The boy’s in bloody love with you,” Louis says bluntly, pulling away from the house and slamming around a corner at the speed of light. “You should get over your fear of everything and just kiss him already.”

(This is the high school AU where Liam plays football and is afraid of failure until someone puts Zayn in his life and he learns to be brave. There’s music Liam’s never heard of, eventful rides home from school, and drunken toasts to the stars they can’t see from Wolverhampton.)

Slow and High Tempo by zipplekink

"I just want you, Liam," Zayn whispers, skating his lips across his. "Can I?" Liam's lips part more as Zayn's do, exhaling slightly as Zayn's words sink in. He doesn't understand what they mean, but he knows he meant it when he said Zayn could have anything he wants.

His eyes flicker open to stare up at Zayn's dark ones, filled with a warmth that seems to consume Liam as he waits for him to respond. "Yeah, babe."

Through the summertime, winter, spring, and fall by zipplekink

They change with the seasons, burning bright during the summer and biting cold during the winter, but that feeling of being in love Zayn found in the summer clings to him through it all.

Tunnel Vision by scottmcniceass

In which Zayn is an award-winning popstar with a knack for getting himself in trouble, and Liam is the bodyguard he didn’t want to hire who has a few problems with staying professional. 

Double Standards by rorz94

it doesn’t have a description but Zayn is a secretary at Liam’s company, basically. A really good read!!

It’s Always Darkest Before The Dawn by historyziam

At a time in his life when Zayn thinks he has forgotten what genuine happiness feels like, Liam comes into the picture and changes everything.

*read the fic’s tags before ya read it

(never) how it should have been by zizizrites

In which Zayn has a park to oversee, Liam is the raptors’ whisperer, Harry and Louis are the bickering computer techs and Niall accidentally creates a Holyshitosaurus.

kill monsters in the rain by blackwayfarers

A story where Liam can't get over how great Zayn is at singing and drawing and pretty much everything, how just being near Zayn is enough to make Liam's life a hundred times better, how lucky Liam is to have a best friend just as dedicated to pretending to be a superhero as he is.

we are the quiet ones by englandziam

Zayn feels invincible, in the midst of this small town with a couple of best mates and literature students who seem to get him. He misses home but as every day approaches these people feel less like strangers and more like family.

(Or a University AU where Zayn is an English student and Liam is the football captain).

you can coax the cold right out of me by loveontherocks

“Give me a week.”

Zayn raises his eyebrows. “What?”

“Give me a week,” Liam repeats. “Seven days. Just come hang out with us and let me show you what we do. Please? If by the end you still hate us and everything we stand for, then I won't stand in the way of your petition. Just let me show you.”

“A week?” Zayn asks. “That's it?”

It's a good argument. Seven days and he can meander around hungover college kids and make a list of all the reasons Greek Row shouldn't continue.

Nodding, Liam reaches out his hand to touch Zayn's arm. Zayn doesn't brush Liam off.

“Alright, fine. One week, Liam. And I'm not easily amazed, so I hope you've got something interesting to show me.”

Laughing, Liam rescinds his hand from Zayn's forearm and shakes his head. “I think you underestimate us, honestly. But just you wait.”

or; zayn drafts a petition to shut down the frat houses, but liam convinces him not to.

Once For Everybody Who Got Left Behind by pukeandcry

Liam doesn’t know how to wrap his head around this, because the question shouldn’t be -- the question should be how is there a ghost in his room, not whether or not he’s done something to offend it. “Well, like. I might’ve told him that ghosts don’t exist?”

“Oh, no, he doesn’t like that,” Louis says.

(or, the AU where Zayn is a ghost, and Liam moves into his attic).

When we meet on a cloud by retts

'By the way, Liam, Zayn here is your biggest fan. He’s a total fanboy. Practically lives in your tag on Tumblr, he does.'

Zayn is going to kill Louis.

Picture Perfect by zayniekins

Inspired by Liam and Zayn mirroring each other's selfies.

Aka the one where Liam discovers Zayn's Instagram by accident, tries to copy some of his poses, gets caught which initiates a selfie war and the fluff and smut that comes in between.

i’ll see you down the line by blurrychildren (roadside)

AU where Zayn works in the snack shop of the local skating rink and Liam’s a hockey player (worse, an attractive one).

Be cruel to me (’cause I’m a fool for you) by frenchkiss

“Baba, can I get the same job as Leeyum when I grow up?”

“If you want, flower,” Zayn snorts, ruffling her hair fondly. “Liam here can teach you.”

“Oh, no, I can’t have someone who could potentially love penguins more than me threatening my job,” Liam says in a fake-serious tone. “I mean, Raani here even has a t-shirt and I don’t think I can compete with that.”

“No, no, Leeyum, I won’t steal your job,” Raani shakes her head hurriedly. “I’m only five, I don’t think I can steal your job until I’m old.”

Or the one where Zayn is a stressed out single dad, Liam might just be what he needs, Louis and Niall are always happy to babysit and Harry's a loud snorer.

#ayyyyyyyyyyyyyy #i hope i didn't fuck anything up #also zayniekins got some shit that sounds good af *side eye emoji* #i put links to authors i've read before and know for sure there's more good stuff if you're wondering #why some are linked and others aren't adlfkjadfl #but i could fix that if anyone wants #i hope y'all enjoy #like i think i've rec'd some of these fics before but i reread them so why tf not #plus i loved a lot of these loads #also i miss blue #her fics are sososososososo good #ziam fic

[thotyssey]

On Point With: DJ Johnny Dynell

[Photo by Alex Colby]

It’s impossible to discuss the history of NYC Nightlife without considerable mention of this prolific musician, whose recordings have cemented themselves into the foundation of all dance music. As a club DJ, he has spun in basically every legendary spot the city has boasted since the 1980s, and he’s partied with luminaries ranging from his Ball family House of Xtravaganza to superstars Elton John and Debbie Harry. To this day, he remains one of the most in-demand stars of the scene, spinning such huge events as Night of 1000 Stevies and the Black Party. And hell, he put out a big Vogue record a whole year before Madonna. It’s DJ Johnny Dynell!

Thotyssey: Johnny, thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions! As I'm writing this, I'm listen to your classic 1983 single "Jam Hot," which sounds like it influenced so many dance songs over the decades. Do you feel like you hear pieces of the song in a lot of other stuff? I know Fatboy Slim officially sampled it. Johnny Dynell: “Jam Hot” gets sampled, remixed and covered constantly. I went on iTunes recently to buy it (It was easier for me to pay the 99 cents than to look for it), and I saw that there were like a hundred versions of it. I was shocked. 

A lot of people know the 2010 remix that Tensnake did, but my absolute favorite is a cover version that this great Hip Hop group from Australia called Koolism did. I like it better than mine. It’s so funky. 

But the best is this big fat hairy construction worker in England who sings it in on YouTube. It’s genius!  “Jam Hot” is now a term in the Urban Dictionary. That’s pretty cool.

[Performing “Jam Hot” at Danceteria in 1983. Photo by Chris Savas]  

You've had such a prolific run as a recording artist and club DJ, going back decades. Had you always suspected you'd have a lifelong career in music? Hell no. I came to New York to go to art school in the late ‘70s. At the time, downtown was a very creative scene. Art, music, fashion, film--everything was connected, and anything was possible. I started playing in No Wave art rock bands, even though I had no musical training whatsoever. That led to DJ’ing and recording. But music was never my original goal. Where's your hometown? I’m from a very small town on the Canadian border. 

What were your earliest musical influences?

Growing up there was always music playing in our house. My mother especially loved R&B like James Brown, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin. There was always a radio playing. What was it like in your early days of exploring NYC nightlife? What were you seeing? New York was very creative and very exciting in the ‘70s and’ 80s. Originality was crucial. Today, people freely appropriate things from the past and pass them off as their own. When I go on a music site like Beatport, I find it virtually impossible to find a song that is not blatantly stealing from another song. I’m sorry, but putting a new kick drum under “September” by Earth Wind & Fire is not writing a new song! Then I get sick as it goes to number one on Beatport.

 Some people defend this by saying “there’s nothing new under the sun,” but that’s bullshit. Disco was new. Punk was new. Hip Hop, Scratching, Rap, Break Dancing, Voguing… they may have had their roots in something older, but they were all brand new. 

In 1979, I saw Grandmaster Flash in this church basement and I lost my mind. It was totally new! That’s what I’ll always remember about my early days in New York. How fresh and original everything was. Today for example, it’s all about deep house, acid house, etc., and I love it. I loved it 20 years ago. 

How did you join the House of Xtravaganza, one of nightlife’s largest and greatest ball house families? I was first exposed to the Ball House scene at the Paradise Garage and hanging out at The Piers, but I officially became an Xtravaganza in the 80s through my DJ friend David DePino. Angie was my mother, and David Ebony was my father. 

[Mother Angie Xtravaganza at Nell's] Were you a dancer as well? I am definitely NOT a voguer. In fact, David Ian and Danni Xtravaganza used to make me vogue at TRAX, and everyone would just roll on the floor laughing. Some of my Old School Ganza sisters will STILL try and get me to vogue at parties like Battle Hymn. They just want a good laugh, the bitches. The Madonna Effect dictates that gays raised from the early ‘90s to today know "Vogue" primarily from her single, even though you and Xtravaganza basically invented the dance and the scene--your "Elements of Vogue" was the original anthem!  In the mid ‘80s, I worked with Nick Egan & Malcolm McLaren a bit. I loved the way Malcolm would throw different cultures together, and come up with crazy new hybrids like mixing hip hop with square dancing or opera. After his success with the Duck Rock and Fans albums, he was in LA looking for something new. I called him up and told him to get back to New York and check out the Ball House scene. It was so him! 

At the time, I was trying to help Jennie Livingston get money for her film Paris Is Burning, so I stupidly sent Malcolm some of Jennie’s video footage. Of course, Malcolm immediately sampled it and “Deep In Vogue” was the result. [My wife] Chi Chi wrote the famous lines in the song: Sometimes on a legendary night. Like the closing of the Garage. When the crowd is calling down the spirits. Listen, and you will hear all the houses that walked there before.” 

Around that time, the House Of Field was born. (I actually have duel citizenship. Mother Angie and Father Pat Field allowed me to be a “Field-Xtravaganza” because the two houses were more like sisters than competitors).

 At the very first downtown crossover ball, the now legendary House of Field Ball, Chi Chi and I met London designer Kitty Boots. We talked about doing a Voguing record. Two weeks later David Ian, David DePino, Chi Chi and I were in London recording “Elements Of Vogue”. I wrote the music on the plane and gave Ian a rhyming dictionary to write some lines. He wrote like ten pages, and I just took the best as verses. I will always love the lyrics to “Elements Of Vogue,” they’re so funny. David Ian was an absolute genius. 

"Elements Of Vogue” came out a year before Madonna’s “Vogue”. It’s not as commercial or has sold as well as hers obviously, has but I’ll always love it.

I noticed that you are credited in the cast of Liquid Sky, one of my all time favorite crazy cult “scene” films from the early ‘80s!

Yeah. I was cut out of most of it (thank God!). Originally it was, like, twice as long. It was ridiculous. They cut out, like, an hour. It's so stupid. 

How did your own DJing career begin?

I started DJing at the Mudd Club. I wasn’t trying to be a DJ; like a lot of things at the time, it was just random and crazy. Justin Strauss and I both started at The Mudd around the same time. Then we went on to DJ at AREA. I played Wednesdays and Fridays and Justin played Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s nice to see that he’s doing so well now, and it's fun to run into each other. We have such a long history.

[DJing at AREA, photo by Patrick McMullan]

The dancefloors in the era you came up in were mixed: gay and straight and everybody in-between. And you worked the legendary floors, as you’ve said: AM/PM, the Pyramid, the Roxy! It was all about the music and everybody coming together. It's so hard for queer kids today to understand the appeal of that, or how it worked. What would you say it was that made that scene great? Things are so compartmentalized now. Frat boys are in the East Village, hipsters are in Brooklyn, twinks are in Hell’s Kitchen, and they all have their own soundtrack. Back then people mixed more, and the music was more varied. When I look back at the songs that we played at, say, AREA or Danceteria, the variety is astounding. Everything from Talking Heads to First Choice. We played reggae, and songs by Fela. It was much more creative.  Were you consistently recording and writing your own music while you were DJing? Yes. I’ve always had fun putting out quirky records. I’ve been really lucky to have worked with some incredibly talented people. Arthur Baker, Malcolm McLaren, Eric Kupper, Jocelyn Brown, Peter Rauhofer, David Morales and Danny Tenaglia, to name just a few. 

For the past few years, I’ve been working with Pink Martini from Portland. I co-wrote “Una Notte A Napoli” with them. Carlos Santana recently did a cover of it, which is gorgeous. I also did a total ‘70s Disco remix of ABBA's “Fernando.” Pink Martini recorded this (in the original Swedish) with the Von Trapp great grand children. And last November, Pink Martini released their album Je Dis Oui. I co-wrote a song on that called “Segundo.” It’s a classic Cuban son montuno. 

On March 31st, I have a song called “The World of Tomorrow” coming out on the TRAX album I <3 NY. This album was complied by Tyler Stone, and has songs by New York’s hottest House DJs. It benefits Youth Communications, a Chicago based non-profit group that helps teens. 

Spinning vinyl is a skill most newer DJs have never even attempted. Music technology is obviously amazing today, but nothing can replicate that raw vinyl sound. Do you abide by the Old School, that "Real DJs" do vinyl and everybody else is just hitting “Play?” There is this really cool thing that happens sometimes on Monday nights at Bowery Electric in the East Village called Mobile Mondays. DJ legends like Nicky Siano, Tony Smith, Joey Carvello  or Danny Krivitt spin vinyl 7-inch 45s. It’s truly amazing to watch these artists work songs that are, like, two minutes long! They asked me to do it, and I tried and tried and tried to put it off, explaining that I haven’t touched a record needle in 20 years and don't even own vinyl anymore... but finally I said I'd do it. 

I borrowed a few 12-Inch records from Will (Carry Nation) Automagic, and played an hour set. There were all these people crowded around to watch me. But watch me what? I put the needle on the record, then mixed it into another record. That was it. 

That’s when I realized how limiting vinyl is for me now. I’m not Grandmaster Flash, I don’t scratch or put on shows. I just play records. I couldn’t loop or do any of the things that are possible with digital music. Vinyl sounds a lot better, and I really admire the DJs that play it, but for me it’s too limiting. 

Some kids today add “DJ” to their name on Facebook, hit play on their laptop and call themselves DJs. They are not DJs. Susan Morabito and I talked about this one night at Scissor Sundays. We agreed, you don’t have to spin vinyl to be a “Real DJ", you can play with a laptop. It's what you do with the technology that makes you a DJ. How many actual vinyl records do you still have? And what’s your favorite?   I have about 30 records now. Records that are autographed, rare test pressing, or records that have sentimental value... but that’s it. I would say that “You Know How To Love Me” by Phyllis Hymen is my favorite record, but that might be because that’s what I’m listening to right now. You mentioned your wife Chi Chi Valenti, another NYC club legend. How's she doing? This time of year she is always swamped with her “Night Of 1000 Stevies” event at Irving Plaza.  This year will be the 27th. She is also a board member of Howl Arts, which keeps her busy with the Howl Happening Gallery on East First Street and The Actors Fund East Village wing. She works too much.

[Chi Chi at Night Of 1000 Stevies. Photo by Jeremy Rocklin] You and Chi Chi are well-known for being co-founders of Jackie 60, the legendary early 90's party--and, later, club (that would eventually become Mother). Anybody who lived through 90′s nightlife have tales to tell about Jackie 60. How would you describe what made the scene so special to the uninitiated? Jackie 60 was a community. It was never “Johnny & Chi Chi present...” It was always “Jackie presents,” because, who is Jackie? "We’re all Jackie,” we would answer. 

I think Jackie 60 was special because she was the culmination of a Downtown art/club scene that was quickly coming to an end. From our disco beginnings through punk and new wave, through house music, club kids, drag performance etc., the experiences were all churning around in our brains. Our combined history at The Pyramid, Boy Bar, AREA, Danceteria, The Mine Shaft, Esquelita... all came together every week in the different themes. There was “Phantom Of The Paradise Garage” and “Valley Of The Queens: Secrets Of The Pyramid.” There would be tributes to “The Trucks” or “Lee’s Mardi Gras.” What came out in the 500 themes we did over ten years was really just a reflection of our lives. 

That’s why on the last Tuesday of 1999, even though Jackie was still packed every week, we closed it. At first I didn’t get it, but Chi Chi was very adamant about not bringing Jackie into the 21st century. She saw what the Meat Market was going to become, and wanted no part of it. She wisely knew that Jackie belonged with her legendary 20th century nightclub sisters that had gone on. What is your favorite memory from that period? That’s a tough one. Every week, there were supermodel catfights and scandalous couplings, as well as all the incredible shows on the stage. Performers took gigs at Jackie 60 very seriously, and we pushed them. Michael T in blackface was a rapping “Snoop Truthy Truth” in “Fiddler In Da Hood,” Sherry Vine was Jonbenet Ramsey in “Daddy’s Little Prostitute.” 

We cast Amanda Lepore as Sid Vicious in our production of Sid & Nancy.” Amanda was amazing in drag as a man and gave an Oscar worthy performance. Amanda Lepore is a stunning beauty, but hiring her to just sit on a couch with a bottle of vodka is just a waste of her talents.

[Debbie Harry, Rob Roth and Paul Alexander in “Revenge Of The Geisha” at Jackie 60. Photo by Paul Brissman. Still from the upcoming movie “The Last Jackie.”]

The big clubs started going down in the 90's due to skyrocketing rents, impossible ordinances, drugs and crime and changing nightlife trends. It's more difficult than ever to keep them going today, as we've seen from the recent closing of XL and the upcoming end of Space Ibiza. Can we--should we--save the big clubs? I’m a firm believer in letting the marketplace decide. If a city is tuned into the Zeitgeist, as New York still is (for better or for worse), she will produce the clubs that she needs. As Michael Musto said, “Each generation gets the clubs that they deserve.” 

I remember going to the opening of the Palladium; it was gigantic. Chi Chi just turned to me and said, “It’s all over.” And it was. 

When I play in some smaller American cities, I notice that a lot of times there are just one or two clubs, and they have usually been there for, like, 40 years doing the same thing week after week. New York, on the other hand, is cutthroat: she is always changing, evolving, killing off the weak, thinning the herd. The small clubs of the 70s turned into the big clubs of the 80s, which turned into the small bottle bars of the 90s. 

Getting it right is a crap shoot. We were involved with Crobar in the 2000s. It was such a beautiful club with an amazing sound system, and basically was perfect... but it couldn’t make it. Even though there were, like, 4,000 people every Friday and Saturday night, it just wasn’t enough. That’s crazy.

What are some of your favorite floors to play in today? I play for a lot of special events like the Elton John Oscar party in Hollywood, and the AMFAR party at the Cannes Film Festival. They are really fun, and they raise a lot of money for AIDS. But playing in clubs is really in my blood. That’s where I’m most at home. 

As far as a favorite dance floor, I’d have to say playing at The Ice Palace on Fire Island is always special. I really get off on the club's history, and being a link in her chain. I think of all the legendary DJs that have played there, and of all the dancers that have passed on. Young gay boys today take it all for granted. They have no idea what it has taken to get to this place. I tell them to Google Michael Fesco, or read Love Saves The Day, by Tim Lawrence.

[Elton John Oscar Party. Hollywood, 2015.]

How do you think nightlifers have changed today, compared to how they were in the 90s? I know it’s a cliche and I know I sound like some Grumpy Granddad, but a lot of kids today don’t seem to be living in the here and now. 

Last year, I was playing at this club. We had just opened the doors, and there were about ten guys standing at the bar, all of them on their iPhones of course. I’m sure they were all on Grindr or Scruff, and probably sexting the guy standing right next to them. It’s like, if Logan Hardcore was drowning in the Ice Palace pool after one of her afternoon shows, these kids would be Instagramming it with the hashtag #help! or  #loganisdrowning! or  #Someonecall911! Not one of them would think about reaching down and actually pulling poor Logan out of the water! Besides having mad skills, you've clearly lasted as long as you have because you're adaptable. And there's a variety of gigs that you're involved in:

1) FEMME at Drexler's in the East Village. You were just there on March 12th, and maybe you’ll return next month?

I [also] spun there for the opening [two months ago] with Matty Glitterati. It was amazing. The looks were off the hook! The boys were girls, the girls were boys… I gave up trying to figure out what was what and that is EXACTLY what needs to be done today. 2) Daniel Nardicio's Mr. Nude Orleans "pageant" and party in New Orleans on March 19th! New Orleans is a mad fun gay city. And naked people are always fun!  New Orleans is such an amazing city. It’s like the last stop on the L train. Chi Chi and I have an 1880s Double Shotgun house there that we are fixing up. In fact, Daniel Nardicio and Jake Shears have places around the corner from us. It’s nice. 

Daniel has been doing cabaret shows there for a while now. He’s brought Alan Cumming, John Waters, Dina Martina, Lady Bunny, and in April is bringing Diamanda Galas to the Joy Theater. Daniel and I doing “Mr. Nude Orleans” is just a logical step. 

In events like Mr. Nude Orleans, do nudity and general sexiness ever prove too distracting when you're Djing? 

No, I’m really just about the music. However, I do love the sense of freedom and joy that these parties have. There’s something so primal and tribal about them. The Black Party and Daniel Nardicio’s Underwear Parties both have this fantastic feel of old New York. I think one big reason is that there are no cameras allowed, and people have to check their phones. There are no selfies, no Snapchats, no texting or sexting. People have to actually interact. It’s great!

[Daniel Nardicio’s UNDERWEAR PARTY at The Ice Palace, Fire Island. 2016. Photo by Koitz] 3) Speaking of which: THE BLACK PARTY on April 1st, location TBA! That one, of course, is infamous for being the source for Anything Goes. Have you ever DJ’ed that one before? I think I played in the Lounge a few years ago but no, the Black Party is not a regular gig for me. I was really, REALLY honored to be asked. The Black Party is so legendary; I’m very excited about it. 

4) And then on May 5th: “Night of 1000 Stevies” at Irving Plaza! Chi Chi is the major creative/planning force behind this event, as you’ve mentioned. "Stevies” is a loooong running party/show that's evolved considerably from just a place where everyone dressed like Stevie Nicks. Can you even describe what it is today?

“Night of 1000 Stevies” has gotten so big, we do it with Live Nation now. People travel from all over the world to come to it. It has sold out Irving Plaza for the past four years, but somehow Chi Chi makes sure it still maintains its underground style and sense of humor. 

And no, Stevie has never been. She loves the night and has supported it, but she is always on tour somewhere when we do it. However, she did say that one day she will come dressed “as Stevie” and no one will know who she is until she walks up on stage and sings “Edge Of Seventeen.” I just love the idea of the real Stevie Nicks dressing up as one of our 1000 Stevies. Life imitating art?

[Night of 1000 Stevies 2014, by Jeremy Rocklin]

 And I'm sure there's a lot more coming up for you... Pride is already right around the corner!  Besides Pride in New York, I might be doing Pride in New Orleans with Daniel Nardicio. I hope that works out. Finally: You mentioned fellow DJ legend Michael T earlier. I interviewed him recently, and he seemed rather pessimistic about the future of nightlife. What are your thoughts about what lies ahead? I’m a little more optimistic (and a lot prettier) than Michael T. The reason I’ve dropped so many names in this interview is because I'm hoping that kids will Google them. I’m hoping they read Love Saves The Day and Life & Death On The New York Dance Floor by Tim Lawrence. I'm hoping they put down their phones when Logan Hardcore is drowning in the Ice Palace pool and pull the bitch out. I’m hopeful about the future. I think the kids are alright.

[Hangin’ with the kids on Delancy Street. Photo by Sabrina Haley]

Check here for a list of DJ Johnny Dynell’s scheduled NYC gigs, or his website. He can also be followed on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, iTunes and Soundcloud.

On Point Archives

#onpointwith #johnnydynell #queerdjs #clubkids #oldschool #danielnardicio

[yay-yas]

The One With The Sitcom AU

Hey! So I had this idea sitting around for a while, and what I’m going for is classic TV sitcom tropes, so bear with me on this one. This isn't my first time writing fanfiction, but this will be my first chapter fix for Yuri On Ice. I like the idea of the characters working in this universe, and have worked on a couple of chapters already. Hope you like it, and please let me know what you think!

Episode 1; The New Neighbours

The late afternoon sunlight shone through the huge bay window into the open plan apartment, reflecting off the flat screen TV mounted on the dove grey walls. Around the TV were posters featuring James Dean, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman - memories of a romantic Hollywood. Beneath these stood a long storage cabinet crammed with all kinds of books; textbooks from economics classes with barely a crack on the spine; anthologies from old poets, long since dead, with a couple of dents that ran along the pages, marking key quotations; trashy teen novels amongst a few pulp fiction novellas salvaged from Goodwill. On either side of this display were two doors, the first had a poster of a Japanese figure skater on the door, mid salchow. The other had the letters P. C. sprayed onto the woodwork. Both doors had large, tarnished-gold doorknobs that were always cold to touch, regardless of the time of year. 

The space in front of the TV was occupied by a large oak coffee table, again salvaged from a Goodwill. On it was a half-full coffee cup that was not on the coaster that had been carefully laid next to it, the TV remotes, and a pile of more economics textbooks. A couple of large armchairs that had the memory of a damask pattern on the body stood on opposite ends of the room. The chipped wood that made the arms and legs matched the coffee table, and also the legs of the main attraction of the room: the couch. The couch could have almost been a bed, and was often used as such by the boys who lived in the apartment. As it stood now, one of the residents, Yuri Katsuki, was sound asleep on the couch. The dove grey cushions were feather down, and made up the entirety of the back and base of the sofa. On top of this, the boys had piled a number of homemade quilts and cushions, the ultimate comfort on homesick nights.

Yuri was currently laying on his stomach, with his head facing the TV that was, at a low volume, selling a number of wonderful cleaning products. His arm stretched out into the room, under his body, and his too long legs were curled up under him. While it was not a comfortable position, the boy snored lightly as he slept, the blue-rimmed glasses that had hung precariously between his fingers had dropped onto the plush rug that protected the hardwood floors from this fantastic collection of furniture. 

Suddenly, there was an almighty crash that came from outside the apartment, followed by a string of expletives, shouted with a slight accent.

Yuri stirred on the sofa, rubbing his eyes, confused after being woken from his nap.

‘Phichit? Is that you?’ He slid up into a sitting position, still sinking into the soft cushions. He looked over the back of the sofa and at the yellow door that led out to the hallway. The outline of the door was fuzzy, and he could barely make out the letterbox that had no reason for being there. He pawed at his head for his glasses, and sighed when he felt their absence. After this, he ran his hand through his hair. It still felt damp from his shower, so he can’t have slept for that long.

He turned his body to the coffee table, where he could just about outline the shape of the remote and his coffee cup. He sighed again, pressing the bridge of his nose whilst suppressing the urge to yawn again. Napping always made him feel groggy. He reached out and tentatively felt the sides of the cup. It was luke-warm, so he drank what was left in one gulp, almost instantly feeling the effects of the caffeine. He could just make out the voice of the enthusiastic woman selling the mop on the TV when another crash made him jump. This was followed by a different voice, one with a much softer cadence, still sounding slightly foreign. Yuri imagined a young couple, bickering over their new apartment. The Johnson place opposite theirs had been on the market for precisely one week, but being located on the Upper East Side in this fairly famous building, it was snatched up instantly.

He swung his legs off the sofa, and his toes came in contact with something cool and metallic, as well as the plush rug. He snatched his glasses up, and rubbed them clean with his shirt, before sliding them onto his face. He stretched up until he was standing, almost touching the beams that ran along the ceiling, arcing his arms in a semi-circle around himself.

Slowly, he lumbered towards the door, dragging his feet. It was only 2:30 in the afternoon, but Yuri had spent last night in the newspaper offices at his university, so he had taken advantage of the unusually empty apartment. He had a lecture in a couple of hours, so it was probably for the best that this couple had woken him up. Still, while moving is stressful, he did not feel at all ready to forgive being woken up.

Before he realised where his feet had led him, he had swung open the door, rubbing the back of his neck, and looking out with bleary eyes at the scene in front of him. The hallway was stacked high with boxes. A trail of them led past the purple door that was directly opposite his own, and led into the apartment. He could still hear a trail of foreign expletives being yelled from behind a mountain of boxes inside the apartment, but he couldn’t make out any bodies. He glanced down either side of the corridor, before turning back into his apartment.

‘Wait!’ Yuri heard the yell before he could shut the door.

‘Hello?’ He called out into the empty space. His voice bounced off the boxes that were stacked directly in front of him. It was from behind these boxes that a face popped up, resting a structured chin on a pair of slender arms, crossed pensively. The slender face was framed by a few stray silver hairs, contrasting the sharpness of the cheekbones and the jawline. Yuri jumped, blushing a little at his reaction.

‘Sorry neighbour! Didn’t mean to startle you. Did we wake you also?’ They tilted their head to one side like a puppy, eyes shining wide, taking in the man in front of them. Yuri was wearing his university sweatpants and a matching baseball jersey. He had no shoes on, and his glasses slid down his nose as he looked down slightly to shake his head. 

Yuri looked back up, hoping his blush had died down, sliding his glasses back into a more comfortable position on his face involuntarily. This made the person behind the boxes blink, briefly masking the teal pools that reflected the fluorescent lights in the hallway.

‘I needed to wake up anyway. I have a lecture in an hour or so-’ Yuri was interrupted.

‘Oh, you’re a student! How exciting! Frat parties all weekend, right? Hey, Chris!’ The head stepped back from the boxes to shout into the apartment behind them. As they turned, Yuri stared at the long, flowing combination of ponytail and braids that had been concealed behind the packing. It was silver, reached down to their waist, and also reflected the fluorescent light, almost as if this person was not affected by the false light.

Another form stepped out into the hallway, and Yuri was equally taken aback by this person. Chris, as shouted by his companion, was slightly taller and stockier, with sharper, more masculine features. He had a tight fitting shirt that matched his bottle-blonde hair in shade, but it was covered in dust at the moment. This was probably a more accurate match to his hair, which was a combination of the long bottle-blonde and a mousy brown root. His hazel eyes looked Yuri up and down, before holding out a hand to shake.

Yuri met him over the boxes, and instead of shaking his hand, Chris grazed his knuckles with his lips, maintaining eye contact. Yuri blushed again, and looked down at his bare feet.

‘I’m Chris. I’m sorry that we woke you,’ he laughed as Yuri rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, before running his hand through his hair. The silver-haired person laughed at this, before nudging who Yuri assumed was their boyfriend.

‘Now Chris, don’t go scaring off this neighbour as well! We won’t have any new friends. I’m Victor by the way, Victor Nikiforov,’ Victor held his hand out to Yuri, who took it, and was not surprised to find it was incredibly warm to touch. Victor’s lips formed a V when he smiled, and he held his head on a tilt when regarding Yuri.

‘He probably already knows who you are, babe. You don’t need to tell everyone your surname,’ Chris picked up a couple of boxes at once, the one marked ‘FRAGILE’ on the bottom and upside down. Victor pulled his hair through the hand that had just shook Yuri’s, draping it over his shoulder and picking up the boxes that sat between them. Yuri just stood in the doorway to his own apartment, shuffling his weight between his feet.

‘Well, it was nice to meet you-’ Victor had turned so that the boxes were now facing the door to his own apartment, but he had turned his head to face Yuri.

‘Y-Yuri. Yuri Katsuki,’ Yuri offered, mentally cringing that he had also given his surname.

‘Yuri Katsuki. Hmm. I know a Yuri back home. Well, nice to see you, Yuri Katsuki! Hopefully we will be seeing you more?’ He handed the boxes in his hands to Chris, who grunted as he took them.

‘Y-yes. Absolutely,’ Yuri smiled, and Victor picked up one of the last few boxes that remained. 

Yuri felt the exchange was over, so he turned on his heel and swung the door shut behind him. 

#The One With The Sitcom AU #yoi fanfic #yoi #Yoir writing #Yuri on ice #Yuri katsuki #victor nikiforov #victuuri #chris giacometti #phichit chulanont #fan fiction

[aion-rsa]

Lex Luthor: The Actors Who Have Played the Greatest Criminal Mind of Our Time

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Jon Cryer is the new Lex Luthor, but he sure isn't the first. Let's have a look at the other men who have played the role.

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The Lists

Books

Mike Cecchini

Superman

Mar 17, 2019

Lex Luthor

supergirl

DC Entertainment

Supergirl Season 4

Gene Hackman

Jesse Eisenberg

Superboy

Lex Luthor! The greatest criminal mind of our time! Superman's biggest and most enduring pain-in-the-ass! Mr. Luthor has a screen history almost as storied as that of his caped nemesis, and he's about to be reborn once more on Supergirl, played by Jon Cryer.

Jon Cryer has just been revealed in all his glory as the next bald scientist on the block, but he's certainly not the first. We look back at some of the notable actors who have played Luthor on the big and small screen. While this list isn't comprehensive (we offer our apologies to Super Friends voice actor Stanley Jones, and a number of talented actors who have given voice to Luthor in a number of DC Universe animated movies, for example), these are the guys who made the most impact portraying Superman's greatest foe.

So, fasten your wigs, it's off to the lab!

Lyle Talbot

Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)

Atom Man vs. Superman was released right on the cusp of the golden age of sci-fi b-movies, and Lyle Talbot's Lex Luthor was a mad scientist at a time when that really meant something. How many other actors can say that they played Commissioner Gordon AND Lex Luthor? None, that's how many.

read more - Lex Luthor: Jerk of All Trades

Not only was Lyle Talbot the first actor to play Lex Luthor (arguably the first live-action interpretation of any legitimate "supervillain" this side of Flash Gordon's Ming the Merciless), he was also the first to sit behind Jim Gordon's desk (in 1949's Batman and Robin serial). Talbot gleefully wears the rubber bald cap for his time as Luthor, and sports a bizarre, Easter Island like headpiece for his part as the Atom Man.

It's tough being the first, but the veteran character actor is as accurate a representation of the post-WWII Lex Luthor as you can hope for. 

Gene Hackman

Superman: The Movie (1978), Superman II (1981), Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Despite being easily the most well known actor to ever play Lex Luthor, Gene Hackman's performance has always been a little divisive. While there's no questioning Hackman's acting chops, some have cited the series' questionable decision to make Luthor and his associates less menacing than they might have been. Hackman's refusal to go bald for the role (except for a handful of scenes) necessitated this version of Lex Luthor to sport a variety of elaborate hairpieces, several of which were used to great comedic effect by his co-star, Ned Beatty. Nevertheless, Mr. Hackman brought an arrogant charm that worked perfectly against Christopher Reeve's perfectly earnest, no-nonsense Superman.

read more: Ranking the Superman Movies

Hackman's Luthor, while clearly well-versed in science (we see more of this in the otherwise unfortunate Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, where he creates Nuclear Man out of some stray Superman genetic material), is more concerned with lining his own pockets with beachfront property (via a real estate scheme that would wipe out the existing West Coast of the United States in Superman: The Movie, and his desire to co-opt Australia for his services in Superman II) than eliminating Superman or advancing the cause of mad science.

Scott James Wells

Superboy (1988)

In 1986, DC Comics reinvented Lex Luthor. No longer was he a mad scientist intent on destroying Superman at ever opportunity in between stints in maximum security prisons. Lex became a billionaire and a well-respected man, who hid his evil deeds behind charitable works and an army of lawyers. Scott Wells was the first actor to take on the role in live-action (Michael Bell beat him to the airwaves by a few weeks as the voice of an animated Luthor cut from this mold in the criminally underrated Ruby-Spears Superman cartoon that ran from 1988-1989) in the first season of the syndicated Superboy TV series.

read more - Men of Steel: 11 Actors Who Have Played Superman on Screen

Wells' Luthor, who took on a young Superman during their years in college, was an obnoxious frat boy, involved in everything from petty campus crime to fixing basketball games to black market dealings. Unfortunately, this Lex often came off more like a heavy in a Revenge of the Nerds sequel than a foe really worthy of the Boy of Steel. After the first season, both John Haymes Newton (who played Superboy) and Wells were replaced.

Which brings us to...

Sherman Howard

The Adventures of Superboy (1989-1992)

Sherman Howard (Bub the zombie from George Romero's Day of the Dead) gave comic book fans a more familiar Lex Luthor. Gone was the big man on campus, replaced by a mad scientist with nothing to lose. Early in his tenure, Howard occasionally overplayed the part, taking Lex into realms of psychotic glee usually best reserved for the Joker, but in the post-Nicholson/Keaton Batman world, who could really blame him?

read more: Does Superman Have a Future in the DCEU?

By the third and fourth seasons, Howard had grown into the role nicely, and the show (which shifted its tone dramatically) became a remarkably accurate live-action interpretation of the Superman mythos. Combining the "classic" Luthor sensibilities of mad science and deathtraps with the "Gene Hackman" Luthor's taste in bumbling assistants, Howard delivered one of the most faithful representations of the character we've ever seen. (image courtesy of SuperboyTheater.Net)

John Shea

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)

Often overlooked, John Shea is a truly formidable Lex Luthor. Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman premiered at the height of Luthor's "well-respected businessman" phase. John Shea, particularly in the show's first season, played Luthor as an impossibly charming, witty, debonair man, who was not only a rival with Superman for the best interests of Metropolis, but also a legitimate competitor for Clark Kent in the affections of Lois Lane.

read more: Complete Schedule of Upcoming DCEU Superhero Movies

It's almost impossible to dislike Shea's portrayal of Luthor, full of icy cool humor and always with a glass of cognac, a cigar, or a beautiful woman at his side. This is Lex Luthor as Bond villain: charming, urbane, and as deadly as a cobra.

Clancy Brown

Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000), Justice League Unlimited (2000-2006)

There have been plenty of other actors to give voice to Lex Luthor in animation (most recently Rainn Wilson in the excellent Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen animated movies), but none have put in the hours that Clancy Brown has. Featuring in nearly every episode of Superman: The Animated Series, and as a recurring baddie on Justice League Unlimited, this Lex Luthor is of the "billionaire industrialist" variety, but has plenty of hands-on scientific knowledge at his disposal. By the end of Justice League Unlimited, Luthor certainly puts that scientific knowledge to bad use, and this character had none of the aversions to getting his hands dirty sometimes displayed by other "corporate" versions of Luthor.

read more: The Three Times Lex Luthor Became President

Mr. Brown was smooth, menacing perfection in the role, and the show's design (Luthor is at least as tall and broad as Superman) offered just the right of physical intimidation to mesh with Clancy's voice.

Michael Rosenbaum

Smallville (2001-2011)

The small screen's most famous Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum perfected the art of the slow heel-turn for TV supervillains. While you may have liked John Shea's Lex Luthor in spite of his clearly devious nature, Rosenbaum's Luthor actually made you question whether you ever really wanted to see him go down the dark path that we all knew was inevitable.

read more - Flyby: The JJ Abrams Superman Movie You Never Saw

In many ways, Smallville was as much a show about Lex Luthor as it was about Superman. Often the most interesting character on the show, and free of the doe-eyed romantic tension and existential wonderings that plagued Clark Kent, Smallville's Lex was self-assured enough to want to forge a destiny apart from that of his notorious father (Lionel Luthor, played to perfection by John Glover), and was often fiercely loyal to his best friend, Clark Kent.

Nevertheless, by the time the show started giving viewers glimpses of Lex's villainous future, Rosenbaum rose to the occasion admirably.

Kevin Spacey

Superman Returns (2006)

In many ways, Superman Returns is a continuation of the previous big screen Superman franchise. There are familiar story and design elements, the return of John Williams' soaring Superman theme tune, and a Lex Luthor who is obsessed with real estate profit potential, hairpieces, and inept assistants.

While not as shy about going bald as Hackman's character, and perhaps a little more involved in the scientific end of things, the Lex Luthor of Superman Returns also has more of a dark side. Just witness his savage beating of a Kryptonite-shivved Man of Steel, and you'll see echoes of a man who has been hardened by years of prison. While this is destined to remain Spacey's sole outing as Superman's greatest foe, it's a memorable performance.

read more: What Went Wrong With Superman Returns?

Jesse Eisenberg

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017)

Jesse Eisenberg's casting as Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was divisive from the start, even before everyone realized what a divisive movie Batman v Superman itself would turn out to be. But despite a script that often gave him some bizarre dialogue to chew on, Eisenberg brought a manic, boy genius quality to the role that definitely fit within the larger tapestry of the character's history. Given what a malevolent force Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (who Eisenberg had portrayed in The Social Network) has turned out to be, this was a brilliant bit of casting.

Eisenberg returned, looking and acting very much like a more traditional version of Lex Luthor in the post-credits scene of the Justice League movie, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what Lex might look like as he tries to assemble a Secret Society of Super-Villains to counter the League. Will we ever see Eisenberg as Luthor again? Given the ongoing state of flux that the DCEU is in, that's unclear, but he may deserve another shot at the role.

Jon Cryer

Supergirl (2019)

The Supergirl TV series has been flirting with the Luthor family almost since day one, notably by bringing in Lex's sister Lena Luthor as a series regular as a friend to Kara Danvers and sometimes-ally of Supergirl herself, and having Luthor technology (such as the powersuits) turn up from time to time to bedevil the heroes. Jon Cryer is the first actor to portray Lex Luthor in the Arrowverse, but he has a history of his own with the Luthor family, having portrayed Lex's idiot nephew Lenny Luthor in the dreadful Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. Something tells us there won't be any Lenny in Cryer's Lex... 

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#aion-rsa #Books

[oselatra]

Essential New Orleans

An extensive guide to eating, drinking, dancing, karaoke-ing, strolling and Carnivaling in the Crescent City.

Carnival season in New Orleans kicked off in early January and reaches its peak on Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras day, which falls this year on March 2. Any time is the right time to visit New Orleans, but there is something special about this time of year, when it can feel like the whole creative force of the city is devoted to the art of celebration. No rough guide can do it justice — the city is inexhaustible — but here's a starter kit. If you're picturing frat boys barfing on Bourbon, don't worry: There's a better way.

Eat

First things first, pack in as many of these New Orleans classics as you can: The fried chicken at Willie Mae's Scotch House, the muffaletta at City Grocery, oysters at Casamento's, the jambalaya supreme at Coop's Place. Other good spots for Cajun/Creole/soul food: Li'l Dizzy's Cafe and Dooky Chase. And yes, I'm stating the obvious here, but it must be said — go get beignets and a cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde. A tip that might save you an hour: If there's a line, ignore it. They don't make this clear to tourists, but locals know — there is no hostess, you just keep your eye out for someone leaving, have a seat at any un-bussed table, and a waiter will swoop in before you know it.

While this is a topic of endless local debate, for my money, the best po-boys in town are at Domilise's. For a different twist, try the immaculately stuffed barbecue shrimp po-boy at Liuzza's by the Track. If you want the full po-boy tour, longtime midtown haunt Parkway Bakery and Tavern is also worth a visit. And to cure your late-night hankering, Gene's dishes out hot sausage po-boys 24 hours a day from its can't-miss-it bright-pink building at the corner of St. Claude and Elysian Fields, always a wild (if occasionally dodgy) scene in the wee hours.  

On the fancier end of the spectrum, the hottest table in town might be Saba, the new Mediterranean restaurant from James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Alon Shaya. Among the elaborate and unforgettable hummus options: blue crab with beech mushrooms, lemon butter and mint; lamb tongue with pickled barberries, red onion and almonds.  

Cochon, from another James Beard award-winner, Donald Link, is a favorite spot for casual splurging for locals and foodie visitors alike. Cochon serves up Cajun-influenced downhome gourmet; it's the sort of place where you can find both a world-class wine list and fried alligator. The Louisiana Cochon is its show-stopper: pork braised overnight into a succulent and crispy cake, topped with pork cracklins, cabbage and pickled turnips. If you can find the room, other highlights include the wood-fired oyster roast, the rabbit and dumplings, and the indulgent charcuterie plate. Ask about moonshine offerings. Other great restaurants from Donald Link: fine dining at Herbsaint, seafood at Peche and casual Cajun deli and butcher shop Butcher next door to Cochon.

Cochon is one of a number of contemporary restaurants in New Orleans that blend fine dining with country cooking. A couple of other masters of this form, both uptown: Coquette and Patois. If you can score the one outside table at Patois, it's the perfect romantic spot for a date. Have yourself a pickle-tini: Hendrick's gin plus juice from Patois' homemade bread-and-butter pickles.

Meanwhile, for fine dining on the finer end, the big spenders should make a reservation at August or Compère Lapin. Or if you have a hankering for old-fashioned New Orleans decadence rather than the contemporary foodie scene (think turtle soup, Oysters Rockefeller, bread pudding, classic French Creole rabbit dishes, served up in roaring-'20s opulence), some of the best options: Brigtsen's, Brennan's, Clancy's and the ultimate classic, Commander's Palace, where the 25-cent martini happy hour for Friday lunch remains the supreme see-and-be-seen scene for the dandy set.    

If you want to go fancy but you're on a budget, check out the city's best happy hours: Domenica — 2-5 p.m., half-off wood-fired pizza and half off drinks; Luke — 3-6 p.m., 75-cent oysters on the half shell and half-off drinks.

The best bang for your buck in town: Boucherie. Everything on the rotating and vibrantly eclectic "casual fine dining" menu is good: boudin balls, scallops, grit fries, sashimi, bacon brownies, Waygu beef brisket, Krispy Kreme bread pudding. And it has the best Pimm's Cup in the city, if you ask me. Its sister restaurant around the corner, Bourreé, a Cajun smokehouse, butcher and patio beer garden, serves up seasonal fresh-fruit daiquiris, hot wings, boiled peanuts, boudin links and more — an absolute gem for laid-back al fresco dining.  

Other cozy, relaxed neighborhood spots: Bennachin offers up West African comfort food in the French Quarter; Bacchanal is a wine bar in the Bywater that serves exquisite tapas in a picturesque outdoor courtyard with live jazz; the small and intimate 1000 Figs serves impeccable (and affordable) Mediterranean cuisine in mid-city; and Pizza Delicious is a casual, counter-service restaurant in the Bywater that has become a local favorite — true to its name, its thin-crust pizza is delicious. Be ready for lines, but check out Turkey and the Wolf, the Irish Channel sandwich shop that was recently named the best new restaurant in the nation by Bon Appétit magazine.

For breakfast, the best vibe is Pagoda and the best food is Toast, while the talk of the town is a new spot, Molly's Rise and Shine. Satsuma Cafe and Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar are great neighborhood spots. If you're in need of morning munchies in the Quarter: Stanley is a touristy but fine option in Jackson Square; Clover Grill on Bourbon Street is an inviting greasy diner for the hungover set.

Drink

My vote for the best cocktail in the city is the Ramos Gin Fizz at the Sazerac Bar. Yes, it has a hefty price tag at $14. But you're on vacation: Treat yourself. The Sazerac Bar, in the Roosevelt Hotel a block off the Quarter, is an art deco masterpiece, with a mahogany bar, walnut-paneled walls and iconic murals by the artist Paul Ninas. This is the bar where legendary Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long held court, always with a Ramos Gin Fizz in hand. The story goes that Long got a highway built between Baton Rouge and New Orleans just so that he could speed his limo from the state Capitol to the gin fizz awaiting him at the Sazerac Bar in an hour flat. Among the other too-good-to-check stories: While staying at an upscale New York hotel, Long was unsatisfied with its version of the drink and flew the top bartender at the Sazerac Bar up to "teach these New York sophisticates how and what to drink." I don't blame the Kingfish — the Sazerac Bar's Ramos Gin Fizz remains heavenly stuff.

Meanwhile, for inventive and contemporary takes on fancy cocktails, stop by Bar Tonique, or check out the Cuban-inspired frozen cocktails at Manolito.

But maybe you just want cheap beer that's cold, and you don't mind a little grit and grime. The following dive bars have low prices, an aroma that lingers from before the city's smoking ban, and plenty of character (and characters): Iggy's, The John, Big Daddy's, BJ's, Bud Rip's, Cutter's, Snake and Jake's Christmas Club Lounge, Miss Mae's.

While gallivanting around in the French Quarter, have a Bloody Mary at Molly's at the Market (ask for it spicy). Other cozy bars downtown that are worth a pit stop: In the French Quarter — Lafitte's, Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone, Cosimo's. In the Marigny — Lost Love Lounge, R Bar, Mimi's.

And when it's time to take it all in, the best rooftop bar, with stunning views of the city: Hot Tin.

Be merry

Preservation Hall remains the city's premier place to see traditional New Orleans jazz; make sure to get tickets in advance, as the intimate space inevitably fills up. For the booming funk of the city's many brass bands, the more adventurous souls among you might seek out the hallowed neighborhood dives that serve as meccas for live brass: check the listings at the Candlelight Lounge, Bullet's, Vaughn's and the Mother in Law Lounge. For the uptown set (Tulane students like to dance, too!) — the Maple Leaf is another great spot. Or just wait for the happy surprise of seeing a brass band play in the street — walk around Frenchmen Street and you'll inevitably come across one blasting on a corner. Frenchmen is home to the Spotted Cat, a terrific spot for trad-jazz, klezmer, Cajun and blues, with patrons spilling out to dance in the street; other spots to check the listings on Frenchmen include Snug Harbor, d.b.a. and Blue Nile. If you are lucky enough to be in town when a second line parade is rolling with a brass band on a Sunday afternoon, this quintessential New Orleans experience is not to be missed — check wwoz.org for upcoming second lines or just keep your ear open for tips.

Karaoke in New Orleans is like karaoke everywhere, except the guy belting out "Born to Run" might be wearing a space insect costume made of immaculately woven neon tinsel. Kajun's, a divey downtown joint, is thusly one of the most spirited karaoke bars I've ever set foot in. Located on St. Claude Avenue, a hard-partying street in the heart of a hard-partying city, Kajun's has all of the cheap-beer-fueled abandon with a dash of psychedelic mayhem. If New Orleans is famous for its high-culture musical traditions, the city also hums on pastiche and kitsch. Kajun's is the sort of establishment where the besotted fool singing a Lisa Loeb song begins to feel like a messenger from God.

St. Claude Avenue is rapidly gentrifying these days, but remains home to longtime bars that serve as nightlife headquarters for the city's outré scenesters. Just down the block from Kajun's, the AllWays Lounge, an expansive freaky-deaky performance space and watering hole — what David Lynch might imagine for a dive bar — is one of the most joyously unique venues in the city, and a great spot to see the full creative wizardry of local revelers. Other venerable bars on the strip to check out, hosting everything from dance parties to brass to death metal: Hi-Ho Lounge, Saturn Bar, Siberia. One block up, the extremely divey St. Roch Tavern hosts raucous and sweaty nights devoted to New Orleans bounce music. The St. Claude corridor would also be the area where you might befriend a crusty rogue at the bar who can fill you in on the wacko happenings in the New Orleans downtown scene that are too spontaneous and secretive to find in listings like this one.

The best place to swim in your undies and/or eat a waffle: The Country Club, a Bywater mansion that houses the late-night after-party scene for weird New Orleans — with a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. They no longer allow skinny dipping, but the Country Club retains a swanky anarchy in the wee hours; meanwhile, once the sun comes up, they serve one of the best brunches in the city.

Out and about in town

If you need a quiet moment to get away from it all, head to City Park. The 1,300-acre sanctuary is one of the nation's oldest parks, offering a green respite from the concrete bustle and buzz of New Orleans since 1854. Rent a paddle boat, canoe or kayak to explore the park's waterways, or wander around and check out the botanical garden, the sculpture garden, the antique wooden carousel at the old-time amusement park and the New Orleans Museum of Art, the city's flagship fine arts museum. It's also worth a stroll to follow the bayou on the east end of the park down into the picturesque Bayou St. John neighborhood.

City Park features the oldest grove of mature live oaks in the world. The Singing Oak, near the park's Esplanade entrance, is one of the most enchanting spots in the city. The work of local artist Jim Hart, the tree is subtly adorned with giant chimes (up to 14 feet long), positioned to catch the breeze from the nearby lake and ring a pentatonic scale. Sit beneath the shade of the drooping live oak and enjoy the gentle symphony. It's the perfect place for a picnic: Grab provisions at mid-city's neighborhood grocery store Canseco's or, better yet, pick up a few pounds of cooked crawfish from Danny's #1 Seafood in the Seventh Ward. Short of stumbling upon a neighborhood crawfish boil, a do-it-yourself, peel-and-eat picnic is the best way to have crawfish in New Orleans; skip the buckets at overpriced French Quarter restaurants and get a big bag fresh from Danny's or from Cajun Seafood, which has various locations around town. FYI for the hardcore mudbug fanatics eager to host your own boil: You can get live crawfish shipped home or even take them as a carry-on on a plane.

One of the most delightful ways to see a long stretch of the city is to hop on a streetcar. If you're in the French Quarter and want to see uptown New Orleans, take the St. Charles streetcar, which goes all the way from the heart of the Quarter to the riverbend on the other side of the town, through the north end of the Garden District, Audubon Park and just south of the Loyola and Tulane campuses. It's a perfect trip for house-gazing and people-watching. New Orleans Original Daiquiris is just around the corner from the last stop uptown; pick up a daiquiri to give your ride a little buzz. Warning: Trying to take the streetcar on Mardi Gras weekend can be nearly impossible because of the crowds; the St. Charles streetcar is also not an option when St. Charles is on a parade route.

For shopping and strolling, try Magazine Street six blocks south of St. Charles at the other end of the Garden District, a charming stretch of boutiques, antiques and restaurants. The French Quarter is also great for ambling. Skip Bourbon Street unless you just have to have a grain alcohol concoction in a novelty neon container; instead hop one block over and try walking the length of Royal Street from Canal to Esplanade during the daytime. You can also catch a $2 ride at the foot of Canal Street on the Algiers Ferry, which offers beautiful views of the city as it crosses the Mississippi River to Algiers Point, a walkable neighborhood on the West Bank.

And make time for these absolute New Orleans treasures: Domino Sound Record Shack, a collector's paradise; the interactive sound installation Music Box Village, an open-to-the-public wonderland of musical houses and structures; and the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a warmly curated collection honoring Mardi Gras Indians, second lines, jazz funerals and other aspects of the city's black cultural history.

Carnival

If you want the absolute pinnacle of Mardi Gras madness, you'll want to make the trip for Mardi Gras day and the weekend preceding it, but keep in mind that the parades and celebrations of Carnival go on for weeks beforehand, with schedules easy to find online.

The bigger parades can be overwhelming, but they're a fun window into how much of a communal, family event Carnival is (particularly further from the Quarter on the parade routes). The best of the biggies: the irreverent Krewe du Vieux, famous for its wicked satire, kicks things off in mid-February; the all-female Krewe of Muses rolls uptown on the Thursday before Mardi Gras (its elaborately bedazzled shoes are one of the most prized "throws" of Mardi Gras season); and the historically black Krewe of Zulu tosses hand-painted coconuts in its mammoth procession on Mardi Gras day.

Everyone, at least once, should try the bone-rattling thrill of hanging out under an overpass on a Mardi Gras parade route, where the processions pause for the high-school marching bands to take advantage of the throbbing acoustics under the bridge.

Various nontraditional parades have more manageable crowds, more opportunities for impromptu participation, and often the most interesting DIY art. Dance along with the costumed revelers at the Box of Wine and Red Beans walking parades; check out the incredible shoebox-sized tiny floats of the all-miniature parade, 'tit Rex; gawk at the rolling art installation that is the science-fiction-themed Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus; and woof along with Barkus, the all-dog parade. Things get stranger still if you can hunt down one of the various secret, no-permit parades by word of mouth; the Mystic Krewe of Eris provides an experience you won't soon forget if you can find them.

If you are in town for Mardi Gras weekend, check out the Panorama Brass Band at AllWays Lounge on Saturday night. Make sure to get some sleep on Monday — the party on Mardi Gras day starts first thing in the morning and lasts all day. Start downtown with the walking parades of the Society of St. Anne or the St. Anthony Ramblers, featuring the most lovingly outlandish costumes in the city. They don't follow precise routes, but R Bar or Mimi's are good spots to join up, and they roll down Royal all the way into the Quarter. Or start your morning uptown on St. Charles to watch Zulu and follow them into the Quarter. One way or another, spend some time checking out the costumes and mini-krewes on Royal, which provides a steady stream of wonders all day. Catch an outdoor band in Jackson Square, then duck into Pirate's Alley around the corner for an absinthe, then mosey to the Moonwalk riverfront park, where the day's adventurers take a minute to relax by the Mississippi.

It may take some searching, but Mardi Gras day is also one of just two days a year that you can witness an utterly singular New Orleans cultural tradition: Mardi Gras Indians are out chanting, singing and strutting in the stunning costumes that they have worked on all year. The best spots to find them are under the I-10 overpass on Claiborne and outside the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Seventh Ward. 

Essential New Orleans

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