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thosequeenboys · 4 years

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Love Is Love Is Love - Chapter 4 (Ben Hardy x Joe Mazzello)

Summary: Ben, Joe and Alex prepare for Ben’s departure to film a movie in London, with all related emotions.

A/N: The next chapter will be cheerier, I promise, as the boys reunite - with some London surprises! Thanks to: @jessahmewren for your recent encouraging words that helped me reunite with my muse and work through this intense chapter! You’re the Bee’s Knees! Thanks also to: @heybuddy-drabbles for ongoing support and listening to me kvetch while writing this chapter. You’re the Cat’s Pajamas!

Warning: This chapter has smut. I mean, the guys are about to be separated! It has an 18+ Only warning and a fire emoji on my Masterlist. Some cursing too.

Tag List: @warriorteam1924 @cardyandy @watercolouredreams @jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels @crazylittlethingcalledobsession @queensilveryrog @im-an-adult-ish @marianaletosnape @the-baby-bookworm @honeymazzello @igotsuckedintothevoid @oniriquex @roger-hardy-taylor @doctorqueensanatomy @chocolatekisses8

June was the best month because summer was just starting, and it stretched out carefree before them. The spring perennials had dried into brown stalks and were now replaced with hearty hydrangeas in blue and pink hues. The neighborhood’s evening rituals prolonged the seemingly endless days: tonguing ice cream cones before they dripped from the evening heat, racing scooters on the sidewalk, chalk drawing on the pavement, telling jokes on the stoop. The fragrant rose bushes arched over the iron fences that framed the small front-yard gardens. The evening activities extended into the darkness. Finally in bed, Alex found it hard to unwind despite Ben’s patient efforts. Lots of chatter and three books later, he finally fell asleep.

This June would be remembered for preparations surrounding the inevitable separation. While Ben put Alex to bed, Joe ventured upstairs to the ‘extra room’ where infant clothes in plastic bins and baby paraphernalia were scattered among items they seldom used. Walking through the maze of random possessions, Joe found and hefted a large suitcase and duffle bag on wheels and carried them down the steps into their bedroom.

Ben was stretched on their bed reading a script, his long legs crossed at the ankles. He raised his eyes at Joe’s entrance.

“I kept wishing these would magically appear, but….” Joe said, easing the luggage onto the racks he had set out.

Ben nodded and resumed reading.

“Ben, Baby, you have to talk to him. Start preparing him. It won’t really sink in until you’re close to leaving, but… You need to get him ready to separate from you.” Joe said.

The phrase ‘get him ready to separate from you’ made Ben feel like he was punched in the stomach. Finally, Ben spoke. “I’ve been putting it off….I didn’t want to think about it. Just focusing on the script. Compartmentalizing. I never thought the travel, being away, would have negative implications. It seemed par for the course and even glamorous. An Actor’s Life. I wasn’t thinking of a family. Now, it’s tearing me up to think of being away from him…and you.” Saying it made it real. Images of his upcoming destiny started to come into focus: he pictured being on the outskirts of the city, working on set for grueling hours every day and then alone in his London flat at night, managing the basics-meals, laundry – under a fog of exhaustion. It was as if he had to picture it to make himself accept it. Denial can only take you so far.

Joe climbed on the bed next to him. He could tell Ben was off in another place, anticipating the trip as he hadn’t until now. “Hey,” Joe said. “Don’t think about it tonight. Be here with me.”

Joe took the script tenderly, moving the Post-it stuck on the back to the open page. He leaned over Ben and placed it on the side table, then opened the drawer to retrieve the lube. He kneeled in front of him, tossing the lube next to them. He slid Ben’s t-shirt up, and with a combination of mouth and hands covered every inch starting at the waist band, pushing the garment upward to access more of that delicious, toned body. Ben raised his arms and the t-shirt was removed and tossed as Joe straddled Ben, gliding his hands softly now over the smooth, bare chest. “Joe…” Ben said, “Just…I want to feel you in me.” Joe pulled off his own t-shirt and removed his bottoms. Next, Ben’s sweatpants and boxers were eased off and tossed. Sitting back on his knees between Ben’s open legs, Joe’s strong torso arched back slightly. It exuded a perfect combination of intensity and softness, confidence and vulnerability, as would their lovemaking. The two naked partners eyed each other. Joe grazed Ben’s thighs, easing them apart, and the blonde closed his eyes, releasing an anticipatory moan, as Joe moved his hand to his husband’s hardening manhood. He worked it a bit as Ben gasped and thrusted to Joe’s rhythmic pulls. Joe moved his other hand tenderly along Ben’s jawline which caused his lover’s eyes to flutter. “Look at me, Baby.” Joe said. “I want to imprint your look – your passion and lust and love for me - into my brain.” He flipped the cap of the lube open, and Ben bent and spread his knees wider to allow full access.

Joe rolled next to Ben and started to ease his dripping fingers into him, one at a time, feeling the resistance and grasp, followed by the release, allowing him to enter deeper. Finally, Ben whispered, “Joe… God, feels so good. I’m ready.”

Joe kneeled in front of Ben and pulled him toward his own hardness, which he lubricated generously. He entered Ben slowly, propping himself on an arm, his other hand on Ben’s thigh easing it wider. They moved so right, so easily as one, each advance joining them, sealing their love deeply. Joe resumed stroking Ben, now fully erect, as their rhythmic thrusts quickened. “I love you, Ben,” Joe panted. “Love you,” Ben said. They both moaned as they released, their smooth movements becoming jerky. They disconnected, Joe rolling next to Ben, as they faced each other and kissed passionately.

The next morning, upon waking, Joe ran his fingers through his hair, last night a glimmer and reality looming harshly. “I need to get the apartment ready for Mariel. She’ll be here in a week.” With Ben’s extended absence, single parenting would be challenging for Joe, especially with his Netflix consultation requiring monthly trips to LA. The baby’s eventual arrival would add a layer of complexity. They hired Mariel, an au pair from Peru eager to come to NY, who planned to eventually study graphic design. Her references boasted that she was a warm, loving and responsible caregiver. While Ben knew this was a necessity, he was unsettled that their triad was vanishing. Sands would be shifting over the next year as a new normal emerged-a desired and exciting new normal, indeed. They would have to carve out a new family life with the arrival of the baby. The guys decided to hold off telling Alex about the baby until they reunited in London, figuring he could only process one big change at a time, the most imminent one needing to be addressed first.

After breakfast, Ben called Alex over and hoisted him onto his lap as Joe cleared the table, his eyes trained on the two of them.

“Hey, Buddy, I’m going to be leaving for London in a few weeks for work. I’ll be gone over the summer, but you and Papa will visit me in the middle, so it won’t seem like that long. And we’ll FaceTime in between, so you can tell me all about your summer. Alex listened. “And, the exciting thing is you’ll have someone special to keep you company-a woman named Mariel. She’s super nice and she can’t wait to meet you. She’ll live in the apartment downstairs. She’ll take you to gymnastics and music, and she…”

“ I don’t want ‘she.’” Alex said matter-of-factly. Why would he? “I go to Lon-down. Papa too.”

“I know you don’t want someone else. But, Papa has to work and go to LA sometimes. I’ll be working so much and wouldn’t be able to spend time with you if you lived with me in London. So, Mariel will help take care of you. It will take some getting used to, but I know you’ll like her.” Ben encouraged. Alex had said his piece and didn’t see a need to prolong the discussion. In his child-like fashion, he quickly scrambled to higher, more familiar ground. “Gymnastics.” he said, sliding off of Ben and proceeding to the foyer where he sat on the bench and waited for help with his sneakers.

“That went rather well,” Ben said eyeing Joe, not trying to cover his sarcasm. He knew this was the first of many discussions, and as the day of his departure approached, there would be more emotions all around. For now, he packed a water bottle and some snacks and joined Alex to prepare to leave. At the kids’ gym, Ben peered through the window in the parents’ waiting area. He gave himself permission to bask in Alex’s unrelenting joy as he raised and lowered the parachute with his mates, and ran into it when it was his turn, retreating to his spot before it fell upon him, his feet moving in time to his giggles. Ben hoped the reality of their imminent family changes would land just as gently upon him as the parachute would have, had he not escaped its billowing descent in time.

So, it went like that leading up to the separation. They’d mention it, Alex would listen and then deflect. Joe, meanwhile, dealt with his own onslaught of emotions by pouring his energies into helping Mariel acclimate to their routines and home, the details of which he documented copiously. She joined their excursions and began to get comfortable with them and dote on Alex. Ben showed Alex images of London: double decker buses, the London Eye, Big Ben (not named for Daddy), The Princess Diana Memorial Playground-hoping to build his enthusiasm for their reunion, while reinforcing that Ben would be in another place. Alex gradually registered the images and the impending reality. He couldn’t ignore the clues that Ben’s departure was lurking: Ben’s sudden shopping trips to pick up last-minute items and Joe throwing items into the suitcase, packing and repacking. Then there was the vocabulary associated with travel and separation. The worst word, Alex decided, was ‘gone.’ It was concept he couldn’t fully wrap his head around, but it had a finality and a sadness. He knew it meant that Daddy wouldn’t be with him.

Four days before Ben’s departure, Ben and Joe woke suddenly to loud wails. “OHMYGOD,” Ben bolted out of bed in his boxer briefs and tore down the hall to Alex’s room, where he found him sitting up in bed, tears falling off his face. “Alex, are you sick??” Ben practically dove onto the bed and wrapped him in a hug. Joe appeared at the doorway. “You left and didn’t say bye-bye,” Alex said through tears.

“You had a bad dream! Of course, I’ll say good-bye and I’ll hug you…..I won’t leave without saying bye-bye. I promise,” Ben reassured.

The day before his departure, Ben brought Alex to the couch. He took two small blue microfiber pouches from his backpack. “I got us some things to help us look forward to seeing each other and remember our times together when we’re apart. Want to see what I got?” Alex nodded enthusiastically. Ben handed him a pouch and helped him loosen the strings and open it. Alex reached in and took out a puzzle piece. Ben retrieved a puzzle piece from his own pouch, which he inserted into Alex’s, forming an octopus. “When we see each other, our pieces will join. But meanwhile, each piece is waiting for the other, just like we are waiting to see each other.” Alex nodded. He reached into the pouch and took out a little whale statue. Ben took out a sea turtle statue. “We both have a sea animal.” Ben noted. “When you come to London, we’ll go to the Aquarium!” Alex smiled. Next up were a pair of small model airplanes. “When you visit me, you’ll get to fly on an airplane, and this one,” Ben said, retrieving his own, “will bring me home to you.” Finally, Alex reached in and pulled out a glittery firm heart. Ben took his out too. “These hearts remind us that even though we’re not with each other walking or talking or laughing or playing or reading, we’re still together -- in each other’s hearts.” Ben lined his red heart up on Alex’s chest, while he eased Alex’s hand that clutched his red heart against his own chest. They smiled. Then, Ben put the items into their respective pouches. He leaned over and kissed Alex, who wrapped his slender arms tightly around Ben’s neck. That feeling was the most important thing he wished he could stuff into his pouch.

The final morning Joe’s eyes opened at 5:45. They had 15 minutes before Alex usually woke up and a little over an hour until Ben’s departure. He rolled over and draped his arm over Ben, who was curled up on his side facing away from him. Joe’s other hand stroked his blonde hair. “Hey, pretty boy, how about a treat to start the day right,” Joe cooed in his ear. Ben rolled toward Joe onto his back and Joe’s hands followed, draping one over his chest and the other on his forehead, fingering the blonde tresses. He moved on top of Ben, letting his weight press into him. Ben beamed up at him, wanting to take that feeling - the heaviness, the warmth, the familiar, perfect fit - with him. They moved together urgently, clothed in boxer briefs, kissing as soft moans escaped. Joe latched onto Ben’s neck, sucking him slowly, leaving fresh marks, the ones from the prior night had started to fade. Ben’s mouth found its way to Joe’s neck, leaving marks as well. Time of the essence, Joe slithered down Ben, taking Ben’s boxers with him.

“Hey,” Ben crunched his abs with a raised head.

“Are you protesting?” Joe asked.

“No, I mean, What time is it?? Alex will be getting up….” Ben glanced sideways at the clock.

“I’ll make it quick. Lie back. I want you to leave you with a memory of me, showing you that I love you.” Joe took in Ben eagerly, with focus and passion.

“Oh. God. Fuck. Joe.” Ben’s voice was low, and steady, his hips rising slightly in time to his quickening heartbeat. “Yeah, like that. Fuck. Harder,” he directed. His clipped exhales were punctuated with a rhythmic chant, “Joe. God. Harder. Joe…” Ben felt himself so close to release, his hands tugging on Joe’s auburn locks, when the unmistakable voice called out.

“Daddy? Are you leaving?” It was a sad question, with a known answer.

Joe detached himself from a heavily panting and pink Ben, who held his breath to stop making any noise, his heart beating into his throat, his stomach in a tight curl. After a deep breath, Joe uttered firmly, “Alex, we need a few minutes to get up. Go downstairs and play. We’ll meet you soon..”

“Ok,” the soft voice padded away.

Joe glanced at Ben eager to finish him. “I can’t, he needs me….I won’t be able to…” Ben said breathlessly, his head raised.

“You can and you will, if I have anything to do with it.” Joe said. He wanted to please Ben and have a few more moments of intimacy, delaying the inevitable. Joe knew it was time to pull out the big guns. “I want you to come for me, with my lips wrapped around you…sucking you hard, taking all of you in. I’ll look up at you as you thrust into me, and release into me, looking so beautiful. Can you do that for me?” He didn’t wait for an answer. Ben crashed his head into the pillow, aroused again, and Joe resumed his skillful pleasuring. He added a gentle massage of Ben’s balls, causing Ben to resume his chant between moans. Ben came, Joe’s name on his tongue as the gestures slowed, and a final kiss was granted.

“Mission accomplished.” Joe smirked, easing next to his husband.

“God, you’re amazing.” Ben said panting. Then turning to Joe, he asked, “Do you think he heard? You know, when he was outside the door?”

“Heard you cursing? Moaning? Telling me how to get you off? Chanting my name? Probably. Look, he’s good in math. Eventually he’ll figure out that you cursing PLUS you moaning my name over and over TIMES you sounding slightly bossy EQUALS you having an extra spring in your step.” Joe smiled, very proud of the audible results of his handiwork.

Ben looked horrified.

Joe winked. “Don’t worry-at this age, Nah.” He switched gears. “I’ll duck into the bathroom quickly and then go downstairs.”

“Joe,” Ben said. “I can…”

“You don’t have to….I have last night as my go-to.” A vision of their prior evening’s passion that started in the shower and ended in bed flashed before Joe’s eyes. “I wanted to give you something special to remember me when you’re away.” Joe whispered.

“You’re imprinted in me. All of you. I love you so mu…” Ben stopped, overcome with emotion. He swallowed. “We better get moving. I’ll take a quick shower.”

Joe’s hand reached for Ben’s jaw and a kiss enveloped his beautiful full lips.

There wasn’t much talking over breakfast, each of them consumed by their own emotions. Alex ran a small car back and forth on the table, the movement distracting and soothing him. Ben kissed his head before he made a final trip upstairs to finish his ablutions and pack a few final things. He returned with a backpack slung over his shoulder, maneuvering the heavy suitcase. “I better call the Uber,” he said, moving the luggage to join the full duffle bag, already by the door. Joe wiped the counter with a sponge, yet again, trying to distract himself from his own emotional onslaught.

Ben went over to Alex and sat down. “Hey, Buddy, come here.” he tapped his knee. Alex came over and Ben picked him up under his arms. He brought him back against his chest and wrapped his arms around him. “I have my blue pouch in my backpack, so I’ll always have it close by. You have yours on your bedside table, yeah?” Alex nodded; his distress evident.

“Good. I’ll miss you and I’ll think of you every day. We’ll FaceTime…” Ben’s phone lit up. The Uber was two minutes away.

Joe sidled behind Ben’s chair and rubbed his back as he stood up, easing Alex off his lap. They walked to the entry foyer and Joe took the suitcase down the stoop. Ben grasped the backpack and duffle bag and Alex’s hand. The car pulled up just as they arrived on the sidewalk. The driver loaded the luggage and opened the passenger door. The three boys hugged.

“Text me when you land,” Joe said.

Ben nodded and then kneeled bringing Alex in for a final hug and “I love you.” Rising he brought Joe into a hug and kiss. They both uttered “I love you,” at the same time. They chuckled, and Ben peeled away. He eased into the car and shut the door. Joe and Alex waved to Ben who turned around and waved out the back window.

Joe stood behind Alex and placed his arms on his shoulders. “C’mon, Babe. Let’s get ready for playgroup. Now we’ll start counting the days until we see Dad again in London.” Alex nodded. He placed his hand on his chest, soothing the emotions that collected there, causing a metaphorical ache. He didn’t need any words or pictures. He now understood the meaning of ‘gone.’

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winterisakillerwrites · 4 years

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Enough

Title: Enough

One Shot: 1/1

Character: Tom Hiddleston/Sadie Collins (OFC)

Genre: romance/slight angst/realistic fluff

Rating: T

Summary: Sadie was everything Tom had always wanted; she was brilliant, funny, well read and, in his opinion, one of the most beautiful people he’d ever known. She held his attention like no one else in recent memory had. The only problem? She already belonged to someone else…

Authors Notes/Warnings: This is for @just-the-hiddles 1k writing challenge, my dialogue prompt was “All I wanted was a happy ending”. This story took several twists and turns before ending up here. I hope you enjoy this @just-the-hiddles. A huge, huge, HUGE shout out to my writing partner in crime @redfoxwritesstuff, you have been an absolute godsend with this. I am eternally grateful for all your support and encouragement.

“All I wanted was a happy ending. Was that too much to ask for?”

The words fell softly from her trembling lips. She kept herself apart from him, hands wrapped protectively over her chest. Tom could see the shine of unshed tears in her eyes and felt his gut clench. Pain radiated off of her in waves and in that moment there was nothing Tom wanted more than to take away her pain. To fix everything. To see her smile again. Just once more.

Tom had always loved her smile; the way it lit her face and warmed any and everything around her. It had been one of the first things that had captured his attention nearly a year and a half before. He’d been dragged to yet another party (a way for him to meet people his manager assured him would benefit his career) and had found himself caught in another boring conversation when he’d allowed his gaze to wander around the room. She’d been standing near a bookcase, talking with a woman he’d recognized but couldn’t place. She’d been smiling and laughing at whatever her companion had said and Tom found himself unable to look away.

It had taken nearly fifteen minutes to work his way through to the room to reach her. He’d been stopped several times both by various actors he’d worked with in the past and by industry people who were interested in picking his brain regarding upcoming projects (had he ever considered this or that idea or was he looking forward to working with this actor/actress or this director). Tom has done his best to talk with them all (wouldn’t Luke and Michael be proud to see their continuing lectures on marketing oneself paying off), keeping a weathered eye on where she’d stood. The last thing he wanted was to risk losing sight of her and have her disappear right under his nose. Not when was so close.

Tom smiled as he finally extracted himself from conversation with a fellow RADA graduate he’d not seen in years but had gotten on with fairly well, wishing the man luck in his next endeavor; a period piece set to air on the BBC the following spring. Tom stole a quick glance toward the bookcase and was grateful to find her still there. Though her conversational partner had changed.

She was quite short, he’d noted. Shorter than he’d first thought. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a bun at the base of her skull, leaving the smooth skin of her neck and shoulders bare to his gaze. She’d dressed simply in a tea length dark blue dress. Nothing quite as flashy as he’d found to be common place at such gatherings but something that seemed to suit her perfectly.

“Excuse me,” he started, moving the last few feet towards her. Tom was exceedingly grateful to find her on her own; the companion he’d seen her with a few moments earlier had disappeared. “I don’t mean to be forward but I realize we’ve not been introduced and I wanted to remedy that. I’m Tom Hiddleston.”

He extended his hand toward her and felt a jolt of something when she took it gently in her own. Her hand was soft and warm. So small compared to his own.

“Sadie Collins. Very nice to meet you, Tom.”

And just as easily as that, Tom found himself completely lost.

They spent the rest of the evening simply talking. He’d learned she was a script editor for the BBC (she’d studied literature and film at Uni and had been lucky enough to catch the right person’s eye shortly after graduating) and had grown up not too far, incidentally, from where he himself had lived as a young boy. She was an only child and found his stories about his trials and tribulations as the middle child between two very different sisters hysterical. Sadie loved dogs (and cats and most mammals if she was being completely honest) and they talked at length about their mutual desire to own a dog of some sort once their lives were more settled. He talked about his recent experiences filming in the states and his upcoming projects. She talked about the latest show she’d been working on. Tom couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so utterly at ease around another person.

It wasn’t until Sadie mentioned the trip she’d taken a few months prior (a surprise anniversary gift from her boyfriend of two and a half years) that Tom felt the cloud he’d been standing on disappear. Of course she wasn’t single. Why would she be? She was a fascinating, brilliant, and charming woman. Any man would be out of their mind to let her get away. He silenced that small voice in his head roaring its displeasure. You can’t win them all, Hiddleston.

“Greece is absolutely lovely.” He’d found himself answering, hoping his smile hadn’t faltered. “Where exactly did you end up staying?”

She gushed about the tiny villa they’d stayed in and the days they’d spent exploring. Her boyfriend worked as a researcher for one of the university’s she’d liaised with through the BBC. They shared a love of exploring and history and it was abundantly clear to Tom she adored him. The way her face lit up as she talked about the history and the culture she’d immersed herself in during her trip was absolutely breathtaking.

He’d thrown out his own opinions and experiences and soon felt the disappointment in him tamper down. She might be taken but that didn’t mean the end of the world. Besides, with the way his career was shaping up, any sort of romantic relationship would unfortunately be forced onto the back burner. He simply wouldn’t have time to dedicate to building a meaningful something with another person.

That, in part, was why his last relationship had fallen apart. He had hardly been home in the last eight months and his ex couldn’t handle that. Especially knowing that it wasn’t (and couldn’t be) a one off thing. If he wanted to actually work in this industry, wanted to truly make a go of it, he had to keep himself out there and take any and every opportunity he could. So she’d handed him back her key to his flat, kissed him on the cheek and left. It had hurt, losing what he’d hoped would be a solid source of love and normalcy in the chaos he knew his life was diving into, but he’d understood. So he’d let her go.

“My god, it’s nearly midnight.” Sadie exclaimed, glancing at the watch on her wrist in disbelief. “I can’t believe it. I hadn’t planned on staying so late.”

Tom blinked in surprise. “Is it really?” He could have sworn it was much, much earlier. Surely they couldn’t have talked for hours. He let out a soft chuckle. “I guess it’s like they say, time flies when you’re having fun.” The words were lame and he’d known it but they’d left his mouth before he’d really processed them and there wasn’t anything he could do about it now.

Sadie laughed softly and shrugged. “I guess so. But that being said, I best be off. It was wonderful meeting you, Tom. I hope to do so again in future.”

He offered a small smile, ignoring the small jolt in his gut at the thought of her leaving. “I hope so as well.”

With a wave and a smile she was gone.

—

Tom had done his utmost to put that night behind him (and any lingering hope of what could have been had so many things been different), throwing himself in the maelstrom that his life was becoming. It was more difficult than he’d bargained for though. Sadie would creep into his thoughts seemingly at random throughout the day; he’d find himself studying lines and wondering what she was doing, sitting in a make-up chair and remembering the way her hazel eyes sparkled when she laughed, trying to squeeze in his daily run and replaying the stories she told him. It was utterly ridiculous. And there was little he could do to stop it.

If any noticed his distracted behavior, they had the good grace to never mention it. And that, Tom felt, was both a blessing and a curse. It meant maybe this…whatever it was…hadn’t been affecting his working life nearly as badly as he feared. It also meant that no one was there to really snap him out of it, save himself. And he managed, well enough. Jumping from project to project to promotion helped. Half the time he was too exhausted to do more than fall into whatever hotel bed he’d been assigned for the night, sleeping like the dead until he was roused by Luke or whatever poor sod was sent in his place. It wasn’t a maintainable pace by any stretch of the imagination, but he was young enough still and didn’t want to risk missing a single opportunity while he had the chance.

He spoke as often as he could with his mum and sisters, clinging to that small piece of normalcy and comfort they provided. He endured his mother’s quite vocal concern that he was burning the candle at both ends and could easily burn himself out in the process with as much grace as he was able. She’d had a point, of that he was most certainly aware. But, he’d assured her, this was only temporary. He would slow down as soon as he could. He told her that he knew his limits and he respected them. It was clear she didn’t quite believe him but she didn’t fight him on the matter. Not too much, anyway.

When he’d finally made it back home (he’d scored a brief two weeks completely free between projects and dear god it was desperately needed), Tom had all but cried in relief. It was wonderful being in his own space, to be able to see his friends and family. He’d filled a great deal of his time trying to squeeze in seeing everyone he could, something his mother chastised him for during the afternoon he’d taken to drive up to Suffolk to see her. “Not that I am not grateful to see you, darling. I just worry you’re doing too much. This is your rest time. You should actually try to spend it doing just that.” The time he didn’t spend sleeping or with friends and family was spent trying to finish all those little tasks that seemed to slip to the wayside.

He’d been out, finishing a quick round of shopping (yes, he could have people do it for him, and yes, it would make his life infinitely easier, but he’d needed the chance to feel as normal and grounded as possible) when he found himself staring at a very familiar face. He’d all but collided with her in his hurry to get out of the shop and on his way back home.

She stared up at him in bewildered annoyance before a spark of recognition flashed in her hazel eyes. The same eyes he’d seen all too often when he’d closed his eyes at night. Not that he would ever tell her so.

“Tom!” Sadie exclaimed, happily; her smile wide and bright. She moved, resettling the reusable shopping bag farther back on her shoulder. “How have you been?”

He returned her smile with a genuine one of his own. “Sadie, it’s wonderful to see you. I’ve been well. Busy but well. How are you?”

“Busy as well,” she answered with a laugh. “Though granted not quite as busy as you’ve seemed to be.”

Tom rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “Yeah. It’s been a bit…”

“Insane?” She offered.

He laughed and nodded. “That would certainly be one way of putting it.” He adjusted the bag in his hand, consciously aware of the fact that he needed to get his perishable items home relatively soon. But doing so would mean leaving Sadie and leaving now was something he knew he absolutely did not want to do. “Things still going well at the Beeb?”

Sadie laughed and nodded, “Very well. I’ve got two series getting ready for production in the next few months which is exciting and terrifying all at once.”

“I can imagine.”

The glint of light off her hand as she brushed a stray lock of hair from her face caught his eye.

Her left hand.

Tom felt his gut clench as his eyes focused on her hand and the ring that rested on her finger. It was a lovely piece of jewelry, he had to admit. A thing gold band with a rather large diamond (he didn’t know enough about diamonds to guess its value other than it must have been worth quite a fair amount of money).

She was engaged. When had that happened? He’d known she was seeing someone (and had been for a while) but an engagement meant the relationship was serious. The small bit of hope he’d stubbornly clung to crumbled in that moment and he cursed himself for ever even entertaining the idea of having any sort of chance with her in the first place. She wasn’t his to claim. In reality he’d only known her a few handful of hours. How that could ever translate into anything more…Especially not with regards to the madness that was his life at the moment.

He cleared his throat and nodded softly towards her hand. “I see congratulations are in order.”

She looked at him in confusion for a few moments before her face cleared and she smiled brightly. “Thank you. It’s been about a month now and I’m still trying to wrap my head round it.” He watched as she unconsciously looked down at the ring on her hand before raising her eyes back to his.

Tom returned her smile (though the action felt strained). She seemed so happy though, and he couldn’t let himself do anything to jeopardize that. “Understandable. Have you set a date yet?”

Sadie shook her head. “Not formally, no. But we’ve been thinking sometime late next year or early the year after at the latest. Nothing over the top, though. Something small, intimate. Just us and family.”

He nodded, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Sounds wonderful.” And he’d meant it. Silence fell between them and they stood, watching one another for several minutes before Tom cleared his throat. “I…I need to get this shopping home. It’s been wonderful seeing you again, Sadie. I hope I will get to do so again in future.”

“Well if you ever find yourself on a BBC production…” Sadie let the words hang between them, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

Tom smiled warmly at her. “If I do, I will certainly look you up.”

She stepped to the side to let him pass, raising her hand and offering a quick wave. He nodded his head towards her, taking her in one last time before hurrying off down the busy pavements towards home.

—

Two days later found Tom sitting across from his agent, script in hand. It was still technically his holiday (he had two more days of freedom before delving back into the chaos of another long shoot) and when Michael called that morning his first instinct had been to switch the bloody device off and to let the man hang. But his damned curiosity had gotten the better of him.

He’d been sitting, nursing his coffee and reading through the newspaper before him when his mobile rang; Michael’s number scrolling across the screen. Tom groaned aloud, disgruntled at his peace being disrupted and curious as to what was so urgent that his agent couldn’t wait another few days. A part, it seemed. And one he’d fully believed Tom would jump at.

So far Michael had been correct. He’d only gotten through the first few pages but he was already hooked. He also didn’t miss that it was a modern take on a very familiar Shakespearian play. Tom sighed, knowing full well he had a type and just how well those around him seemed to know it. Still, judging by the length of the script and the bare details Michael had given him, the project appeared to be a lengthy one and Tom wasn’t sure how his schedule, as packed as it was rapidly becoming, was going to be able to fit this in. He was getting up there in recognition (something he still couldn’t quite wrap his head around) but he didn’t quite think he had the clout to entertain the idea of getting this project to work around his schedule and not that of its producers.

“Well?” Michael sat across from him, hands folded on the desk top, eyes intent.

“It’s quite good…Very good, if I’m being honest…”

“Then why am I sensing a bit of hesitation?”

Tom scrubbed a hand over his face. He’d forgone shaving during his break and therefore had the makings of a fairly decent beard. It had itched something fierce coming in but he’d found it rather comforting now, mainly for the bit of anonymity it brought him. People who spotted him on the street still stared but now couldn’t quite seem to place him. It was wonderfully freeing to wander down the streets of central London left more or less to his own devices.

“I just…You know how packed my schedule is.” He paused, picking up the script and held it up towards Michael. “I love this, and you knew that I would, but how can I possibly fit this in…I’m booked very nearly solid for the next several months.”

Michael nodded. “Fair point, Tom. But they want you and they are willing to work with your schedule if that means getting you.”

“Seriously?” It didn’t make any sort of sense. Yes, he was doing rather well for himself, but there was a staggering difference between that and having a production company point blank that they were willing to work around your availability.

“Seriously.” Michael leant over the desk, smiling at his client. “So shall I ring them and say you’re in?”

Tom blinked, letting the idea slowly sink in. It was a fantastic part and he very much wanted the ability to work with it. After several moments he nodded. “Yes, please.”

—

Tom settled himself at the table set up for the day’s read-through. He’d made small talk with a few of the actors and the show’s director as they waited for everyone to trickle in. Catching up with familiar faces and introducing himself to those he’d not had the pleasure of knowing. For the last several months he (and Michael and Luke) had been in constant contact with the show’s producers, trying to nail time availability and start planning concrete rehearsal and filming schedules. It was grueling and the stress might certainly have done him in had he not been so excited to start.

Murmured conversations echoed all around him as he grabbed a water bottle that had been left at his place and twisted its cap off. A quick glance at his watch told him they had maybe five minutes before things were set to start. He glanced around the room, taking in a few familiar faces as the writing team settled into their respective places. At two minutes to the hour the door opened once more. Out of habit more than anything, Tom glanced up and felt everything around him freeze.

With her hair piled high on her head and a warm, royal blue cardigan wrapped around her shoulders, Sadie slipped into the room smiling warmly at various faces she recognized. He hadn’t he faintest idea she was at all involved in the project and felt idiotic for not realizing it sooner. She was a script editor for the BBC and had worked on similar projects (he was willing to admit, if only to himself, that he had looked up her work history online after their initial meeting; his innate curiosity winning out over his sense of propriety). It would make complete and total sense that she’d be involved in this.

It wasn’t until she’d settled between the director and the head writer that Sadie seemed to take note of him. The smile that had spread across her face was bright and Tom swore he could feel the warmth radiating from it. She mouthed a quick ‘hello’ which he returned in kind with a wide smile of his own. There was a brief flurry of introduction before they set to work on the first proper table read. They flew through the first few pages with ease, pausing occasionally to play with wording or with the timing of a pause or start of a line.

Tom had always enjoyed this process of a new production; getting to build off of his fellow actors and see the raw form of the story they were telling start to take shape. There were several kinks still to work out, as there tended to be this early in the game. Odd phrasings or scene placements that didn’t quite fit. Nothing they wouldn’t eventually sort out one way or another.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tom could see Sadie scribbling furiously away on her copy of the script, occasionally breaking to share an aside with the writer. He smiled at the obvious dedication she had for her work. It was yet another piece of the puzzle that was her and he was eager to learn all that he could. He did his utmost best to focus on the pages before him. The last thing he wanted was to be the one holding up their progress through the script. They made it through the next several pages before breaking for lunch.

Several people attempted to engage him in conversation and he’d done his best to remain polite while trying to slip through the throng and catch Sadie before she had a chance to disappear. True, she would most likely be back after lunch, he’d known that, but it hadn’t stopped the need to talk with her. By the time he’d extricated himself from the rehearsal room, Sadie was nowhere to be found. He cursed his own innate sense of politeness and headed through the hallway, hoping she’d not gone too far.

He caught up with her at the coffee cart in the lobby of the building. She was in the middle of her order, absently reaching into her purse for her wallet. Without thinking, he pulled his from his back pocket and took out a crumpled twenty pound note, handing it over to the woman running the cart. “A pour over as well, love,” he added. The fleeting worry that perhaps he’d overstepped his bounds hit him as soon as the words left his lips. Gods above, I sound like a complete arse.

Bewildered, Sadie turned around. Her confusion quickly melted into surprised amusement. “Tom?”

“Sadie.” He took the change handed back to him, dropping a few of the pound coins into the tip jar. “Sorry, I know I am intruding, I just…It’s wonderful to see you.”

“It’s nice to see you as well Tom.” She took the coffees, handing Tom his steaming mug, before turning back and grabbing the sandwich she’d ordered. “You didn’t have to buy my lunch though. I may not be rolling in coin like someone I know,” she shot him a knowing look, “but I can afford a coffee and a sandwich.”

Tom winced. God, he had overstepped.

Sadie tossed back her head and laughed. “Jesus, Tom, I was just messing with you. I’m not at all upset that a rather well off film star felt the need to buy me lunch.” She reached up and patted him lightly on the arm. Tom felt the familiar surge of electricity in her touch. “…Honestly, though, thank you. You really didn’t have to.”

A wave of relief flooded through him (the absolute last thing he’d wanted was to turn her off by acting like a prat) and he offered a small, but cheeky smile. “You can spot me next time then.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “You seem so certain there’ll be a next time.”

“Hopeful is more accurate,” he answered with a small shrug. “I figure I will be seeing a lot of you on this project, with your job and mine being what they are, and a friendly face is always a welcome sight on shoots.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand, knowing he was letting his mouth run away with him once again. He was forever being lectured about it from both Michael and Luke (“My God, Tom, for once can you think before you open your mouth?”); what could be endearing also tended to be a logistical and PR nightmare in certain situations.

“Fair point,” she conceded, smiling as she shook her head. “But keep in mind, next time I am paying, Hiddleston.”

“Dully noted.”

—

As table reads turned into rehearsals and then into actual filming, Tom found himself lost once more in the insanity that was his chosen career. He was grateful for the lack of heavy, often stifling period costume. As fun as it could be to play dress up (his inner four year-old still giggled in delight that he was actually paid to do this), running around in several layers of leather and the like was not something he particularly enjoyed.

The modern setting of this particular story meant a much shorter jaunt in make-up and wardrobe and in a much freer feeling of movement. Alice, his costar, had been in full agreement. “Corsets are bloody murder,” she’d told him as they waited for the scene to be set on the first few days of filming. “They may look pretty but fuck if you have any real ability to move.”

Sadie had been on set most days over the last several months, running back and forth with updated copies of scripts and talking with the director and cast as needed. And Tom had done his best to try to pick her brain whenever she saw her on set. They’d taken to making coffee runs and, when they could, quick lunches (mostly whatever they could nick from the catering tents) and endless, endless talking. Sadie, he quickly found, was one of the easiest people to talk to. She was brilliant and quick on her feet and willing to match him word for word in whatever debate they ended up in. It was easy for Tom to forget he hadn’t known her forever, that they hadn’t been friends for ages.

In a way her engagement (it still tugged at his heart to think the word and of just what it meant) had been a blessing in disguise. Tom had wanted her from the moment they’d met (there was no point in denying it to himself anymore) and had she been free and he’d made a move….would he be sitting here now, across from her talking about the latest books they’d read (she tended to lead him in that category as his life had been far too chaotic to allow him time to truly lose himself in a book that wasn’t work related). Or would it have burnt out just as quickly as it started and have left him never knowing just how amazing a person she truly was. It didn’t bear thinking. And honestly what good would thinking about all the ‘what ifs’ and ‘what fors’ do him? Things were as they were and he couldn’t change them even had he wanted to. He accepted it, was grateful for the small pieces he was able to have. The warmth of her friendship was worth any lingering want.

—

“What are you doing for the holidays?” Sadie asked, bringing her takeaway coffee cup to her lips and blowing softly before taking a cautious sip. It was a week before filming was set to break for the winter holidays. She and Tom taken to hiding in his makeshift trailer between takes most days that week as they’d been finishing most of the exterior scenes.

It had been an absolutely blustery day and despite the fact they’d broken for lunch nearly twenty minutes before, Tom still felt half frozen. He’d kept the parka he’d been given by the wardrobe department on and cranked the tiny space heater he’d found in his trailer as high as he’d dared, and still he was shivering intermittently. His only saving grace was the idea that after today the majority of the exterior shots would be complete. And thank god for that.

Tom chuckled and rubbed his hands up and down the insides of crossed arms, hoping a bit of friction would stop the shivering. “My eldest sister and her husband are flying in from India. We’re all heading up to my mum’s for Christmas. I haven’t had a Christmas at home in the last few years, with my life being what it’s been, and I am so, so glad I’m able to this year.” He paused and took a sip of his own coffee, wincing as it burned his mouth and throat. “And you?”

She smiled warmly at him. “Andy and I are heading up to Edinburgh to visit his family.”

“Very nice.” Tom paused and took another sip of his coffee. “When are you heading up?”

Sadie placed her cup beside her on the trailer floor. The small table beside her had been taken over by pages of script and other various bits and bobs Tom had collected in the past few weeks of filming and was virtually unusable as a table. “Friday afternoon. He’s got a late class at the university and we’re heading up after.”

Tom nodded in understanding. “I’m heading to mum’s Saturday morning. My scenes should be wrapped up by then and I’m hoping if I leave early enough I can beat a fair bit of the traffic.”

“Good luck with that,” Sadie laughed, shaking her head. “We’re taking the train.” She laughed at the face Tom made. “Yes, I know it’ll be crowded but it’s infinitely easier than driving the whole way. Andy’s brother is set to collect us from the station and take us to his parents.”

A knock sounded on the trailer door followed by the familiar voice of Hanna, one of the PA’s on set. “Five minutes, Tom!”

“Alright!” he called back, glancing instinctively towards the door. He turned his attention back to Sadie and felt the familiar pool of disappointment in his gut as she smiled at him and pushed herself to her feet.

He watched as she gathered her bag and her nearly empty coffee cup and headed towards the trailer door. “I’ll let you get back to work. If I don’t see you before we break, happy Christmas Tom.”

“Happy Christmas.” He took two steps towards her and pulled her into a quick hug. “Take care of yourself alright?”

“Always.” She shrugged into her coat and slipped out into the windy afternoon.

Tom sighed as he heard the door click closed behind her. He settled himself onto the narrow and far too short couch and closed his eyes, wanting to enjoy his last few moments of warmth before having to surrender himself to the mercy of the bitter cold. He had just managed to get warm enough to doze off when another knock sounded on the door. With a groan, Tom flipped off the space heater and headed out of the trailer, following Hanna back towards set.

—

Tom settled himself onto the couch the following Friday evening, a cup of hot chocolate in one hand, and sighed. His bag was packed and waiting by the door in the front hall. Part of him had been tempted to say ‘fuck it’ and drive up that night, but the sudden hit of his own exhaustion steadied his hand. The absolute last thing he’d wanted was to end up wrapping his car around a tree because he’d nodded off at the wheel. Best to try to call it an early night and leave first thing in the morning like he’d originally planned.

He took a small sip of the steaming chocolate and let its warmth flood through him. He bent forward, grabbing the remote for the television he hardly ever used and turned it on. Several journeys through the channels later he settled on a Christmas special for one of the newer BBC dramas. He hadn’t a clue what was happening in the program but the background noise was a lovely distraction to the silence of the house.

Tom had just about dozed off when a buzz sounded from the front hall. He sat up, blinking fuzzily as his brain tried to place the noise and its meaning. The front gate. Right. He pushed himself to his feet, placing the now empty mug on the edge of the table, and stumbled towards the hall and the gate security panel. He pressed the button which cued up the camera and blinked for several seconds as his brain attempted to process just why Sadie was standing at his front gate. Shouldn’t she be on a train to Edinburgh?

Knowing none of his questions could possibly be answered by simply standing there like a dolt, he pressed the intercom button and waved her in. A few moments later her hesitant knock came on his front door. Tom pulled it open quickly and found her shuffling from foot to foot, a lost look in her eyes. “Sadie, darling, are you alright?”

She took a deep breath and shook her head. “Can…Can I come in?”

“Of course,” he assured her. “Of course you can.” He stepped quickly aside and allowed her to slip quietly past him and into the hall. “Would you like a cup of tea? Coffee? I’ve hot chocolate if you’d rather?”

She flashed him a small smile which didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Tea would be lovely.”

He ushered her into the living room before darting into the kitchen and setting the kettle to boil. He pulled a tin of Earl Grey and a mug from the cabinet and placed them both on the counter near the kettle. Once the kettle boiled, he set to brewing the tea. He padded towards the fridge, pulling out a carton of milk and adding a splash to the steaming amber liquid. He carried the mug back into the living room and offered it to her without a word.

Sadie took it with a soft murmur of thanks and held in between her hands. She’d settled on the couch, shoes on the floor and her legs curled beneath her. He settled himself into the arm chair opposite.

After several minutes of silence, Tom leant forward resting his elbows on his knees. “What’s happened?”

Sadie took a deep breath, her fingers curled around the mug. “I’m sorry for just showing up here…I just…I was walking and I looked up and I was here…I know you’ve probably got things you need to be doing. I’m sorry…” She pushed herself to her feet and placed the undrunk tea onto the table. “I should leave you be.”

“Don’t,” Tom started, jumping to his feet. “Please, somethings obviously wrong. Sadie, you are my friend. You came to me. Please let me help if I can.”

She nodded and sat back down on the couch, wrapping her arms around her middle. It was several minutes before she spoke again. “He left.”

Tom blinked in confusion. “Who left? Andy? You mean he left for Edinburgh without you? Why?”

Sadie shook her head. “No…Well yes, he did leave for Edinburgh. But no, he’s left me. He was gone when I got back to the flat this evening. I called, thinking maybe I’d gotten the times wrong. And he…” She paused and took a deep breath before carrying on, her voice cracking slightly as she did so. “He said he can’t do this anymore…That he’s been thinking about it for a while now. Told me he’s not ready for this kind of commitment; that he hadn’t been sure when he proposed but went on with it anyway…He said he was so sorry but he couldn’t keep going on with this, with us. God, Tom, he just…Four fucking years and he just…”

“Oh Sadie.”

She blinked up at him with glassy eyes. “All I wanted was a happy ending. Was that too much to ask for?”

He took Sadie’s cold hands into his own, rubbing them; hoping to infuse some of his warmth into her. She offered him a tremulous smile and he felt his heart break at the sight. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, squeezing her hands gently. It wasn’t all he’d wanted to say. Not even close. But he couldn’t see any way of saying what he wanted desperately to say that wouldn’t frighten or overwhelm her. And scaring her was the absolute last thing he wanted to do.

“I just…Why wasn’t I enough?” The words were whispered, clearly not intended for his ears. But he heard them all the same.

Tom wasn’t a violent person by nature but Christ, he wanted nothing more than to rip the asshole who’d broken her heart to shreds. To tear him limb from limb for the audacity to be so careless with such a wonderful, loving heart. To string Sadie along, make her promises, build a life with her, and then rip all away because he ‘wasn’t ready’.

The rational part of his brain knew it was better that Andy had ended it before he and Sadie actually married. That even though Sadie was hurt (and it was so clear that she was blindsided by this), she would recover from this much easier than if she’d actually tied their lives together in the legally binding sense. But rational was far from Tom’s state of mind at the moment. He fought to keep his hands from shaking as they held onto hers.

“You are enough,” he heard himself growl. He felt Sadie’s hands tense in his and he cursed his emotional response. God, she didn’t need this now. Tom cleared his throat, hoping to calm himself enough to speak rationally. To express himself in a way that wouldn’t scare her. “Sadie,” he started again, his voice even, “you are enough. And if he can’t see that then it’s his loss. If he can’t look at you and know for certain that you are what he wants then it’s no one’s fault but his own.”

She blinked up at him. “Tom, I…”

Tom smiled softly at her as he brought her hands to his lips, kissing them gently before releasing them. He took a deep breath. “You might not feel it right now. But Sadie, to me you are enough. You’ve always been. You are smart and you are capable. You are brilliant and funny and warm. You are so many wonderful, amazing things.” He clasped his hands before him in his lap and smiled warmly at her. “You’ve become such an important part of my life. So much more than I will ever be able to say. And I know this is too soon and probably too much, and I probably shouldn’t be saying this at all but I want you to know…I want you to understand, that you are someone’s first choice. You are my first choice, hands down. Every. Single. Time.” She opened her mouth to speak and he held up a hand to silence her. “Wait, please.”

Confusion shone in her bright eyes as she stared at him in silence. After several moments she nodded silently.

“I want to know that you, just as you are, are enough.” He smiled softly at her before rushing on. “You are more than enough. And I don’t say this to force you into returning my feelings or to pressure you into something I know you are in no way ready for. I say this because I want you to know that no matter what you choose, you have me in your corner. I will love you as a friend or as more. That choice is yours and you have all the time in the world to decide what it is you want. Sadie, you have become one of my dearest friends. I value your opinion and your candor above all others. You are my friend and if that is all you need of me then I will gladly accept it. That would be enough for me.”

Tom watched the emotional swirl across her face. Confusion, uncertainty, disbelief, and just a fraction of hope. He took another slow breath and waited, knowing that whatever happened next, good or ill, he would bear and gladly if it meant she could have a moment’s peace. That would be enough.

#Tom Hiddleston #Tom Hiddleston RPF #Tom Hiddleston x oc #Tom Hiddleston x original character #Tom Hiddleston x ofc #tom hiddleston x original female character #justthehiddles1k

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fandom-collective-writers · 5 years

Text

Shall We Dance? (Sirius x MC Univ-AU)

Title: Shall We Dance?

Fandom: Ikemen Revolution

Pairing: Sirius Oswald x MC

Genre: Fluff

Words count: 1073

Written by: @the-cashewpeia

Request: "If its not too much trouble could I get a sirius x mc where they just slow dance together enjoying ones presence"

Note: I hope you enjoy it, anon ^^

"Ugh, when will it be done?"

A girl, no older than a second year university student, grumbled in an annoyed tone. She already wasted her precious time learning how to sway her stiff body properly for some hours straight. And here she was, body pleading to stop yet getting no result she hoped for.

She couldn't help herself as the campus she went to held a ball once a year, at the end of the study period. As one of the students, especially as a scholarship student, the girl needed to attend the party. No words of objection or excuse could build a wall up for her, or else she must pay the schooling fee by herself.

Another querulous sigh escaped her plump lips as she almost tripped her own feet.

"Is there another way to learn this kind of dance quickly?"

"Maybe we could try it together, little lady?"

A baritone voice answered her rhetorical question, causing the girl to grow tense. She knew the owner of that tone, let alone the unusually doubtful remark at the end of the spoken words.

"Uh, oh." She turned her head, fully aware of the fact that she just recited her thoughts out loud. "I'm sorry!"

The taller man, a senior who everyone talked about, chuckled as a slight smile played across his lips, "I don't remember you doing anything wrong, so you don't need to apologize. Or am I disturbing your practice?"

The brunette senior, whose name was Sirius Oswald, waited for her reply. He expected the girl to dodge the too friendly question, since he was just a stranger to her.

"You... you are not!" She shook her head quickly, but the gesture adorable in his eyes. The violet orbs of his searched her own as she lowered her gaze, before looking at his surroundings.

He paced towards a large curtain, before pulling it open in a swift move. "You must have been practicing for too long."

The smaller figure followed his eyesight as the cosmic dust sprinkled against the dark glaze of the sky before her vision. Just then, she realized how long she had practiced for, her friends were helping her before they all left to go home, leaving her companion less.

"Oh my... I didn't realize it. I should practice harder if I want to go home quickly."

She rushed to her previous spot, humming a certain song to match her steps, determination pushing her to dance better for the upcoming event. As her concentration built up once again, Sirius stood behind the window completely forgotten. He chuckled silently, keeping his eyes on the way she moved in a carefree manner despite the tiredness that consumed her body.

"You sure are a good dancer, little lady." She was caught off guard at his compliment, as she almost tripped on the floor.

"I'm not, but... thank you. I'm still learning a few basic steps." Her smile glittered even brighter than the lamp hanging above them.

But her happy beam was soon replaced by a shocked expression as Sirius strode closer to her and the unexpected words escaped his lips.

"'A few basic steps is enough. You're plenty capable of teaching someone how to dance."

"Teaching... someone?" She blinked, not sure with his chosen wording.

He didn't mean....

"Yes." A nervous smile carved on Sirius' lips, "You know... I'm a very bad dancer and I am looking for a tutor to teach me."

The girl couldn't hide her surprised expression. How could she when a perfect senior asked her to gave him some lessons for dancing?

"... If that doesn't bother you, of course." His perceptive remark was followed by a slight curve that adorned his attractive face.

She shook her head, feeling bad for being absent minded when he demanded her answer. "it's not like it's bothering me, but... I think it'll be better if we practice together."

"Oh?" Sirius' heart skipped a moment at her sudden yet bold suggestion. His reaction was caught by her eyes, as her cheeks were painted as red as the garden of roses that bloomed in spring.

"Uh... I mean...." Her mind stopped working the second she realized what he would be thinking of her.

The older man's smile grew wider. He found her strangely amusing as she tried to explain what she was really intending. Somehow, he wanted to say that he got the idea of her invitation. But playing dumb seemed like a better choice for now.

"I mean... we could... point out our mistakes easily and...." She almost lost her mind as Sirius eyed her like an eagle did its prey, "Ah, what should I say!"

A low chuckle filled her ears as she snapped out from her own thoughts. The girl glanced towards Sirius, who now stood not too far from her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh." He offered his right hand to her like a gentleman as his tall figure bent just before her, "Shall we start our lesson? I recall that you wanted to go home as soon as possible."

"I'll be glad to." She took his big hand in hers as a shy and nervous smile creeped upon her lips.

Their first steps were accompanied by the younger girl's slow hum. She kept looking down at their disparity pace, even as she was trembling under his touch. The man silently followed her track with an encouraging beam, even though the girl couldn't see it.

"Shouldn't we look into our partner's eyes while dancing?" Sirius playfully asked as her head snapped up, eyes focusing on his violet orbs. Her flushed face took him aback for a mere second, but he hastily put an invisible mask to cover his shocked expression.

As the slow hum grew into a louder song, both couldn't tear their eyes off another. Their steps naturally adjusted to the tune and to each other's track, even though sometimes they missed the beat or unintentionally made a little mistake.

But the false timing was soon forgotten as their mismatched steps moved by their own, followed by the laughter that slipped past their lips. Soon the plan to go home was out of their minds as they drowned in each other's embrace and in the sea of adoration in their eyes.

How badly they wanted the time to stop. Just this once, to savor this moment before the striking clock coerced them back to their ordinary life.

#ikemen revolution #ikerev fanfic #sirius #sirius oswald #sirius oswald x mc

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tsgwilmington · 4 years

Text

An Expert’s Guide to Travel: A Conversation with Megan Winslett

Photo by: Camilla Cheade. Shot on location for TSG Wilmington at The Hotel Continentale in Florence, Italy.

Meet Megan Winslett, owner of Megan Winslett Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell Travel, a luxury travel consultancy. Megan’s professional background includes stints as executive director of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s foundation, and in executive-level leadership development partnered with the Center for Creative Leadership.

Travel has always been an important aspect of her life. She grew up in a military family, and she always thought of a travel career as a dream job. Two and a half years ago, Megan made the leap and established her own travel advisory business affiliated with Brownell. For Megan, it’s the perfect mix of being an entrepreneur designing custom travel itineraries for clients with the ability to tap into the resources of a well-established, premier travel company. Brownell luxury travel consultants have been advising clients since 1887, and their network of independent advisors expands around the entire globe. Brownell consultants have guided clients through wars, global pandemics, and everyday hiccups that can happen while traveling.

We caught up with Megan to get her thoughts on the topic on every traveler’s mind, COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus, as well as the benefits of working with a travel advisor when planning your next vacation, or altering plans when unexpected challenges come up! Here are her recommendations.

British Virgin Islands

TSG: We're heading into a busy time of year for travel. How are you advising clients who are planning or have already planned a trip during this period when we are experiencing uncertainty when it comes to the coronavirus?

MW: Truly, it’s a case-by-case situation. I’ve looked through my list of clients with upcoming travel and have been reaching out with updates, giving them the time and space they need to think through their travel plans, as well as their own risk threshold and preferences. For instance, I’ve talked to clients who are more susceptible to the virus- families with children with a compromised respiratory system, and those who are going overseas and over 60- and gave them facts to evaluate the options available so they can make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

For some people, the risk isn’t about the virus itself, rather the consequences of travel that could hold them up in an airport or postpone their return from a trip. While there’s always a risk of viruses like the flu or general travel delays, it’s more about trying to take the emotion out of the news and discuss reality on a factual basis.

In times where there are major disruptions like this, I see it as our time to shine.

TSG: Walk us through the process of working with a travel consultant like yourself right now. What’s involved?

MW: I start the process by having a “discover call” with each client, not just to talk about the nuts and bolts of their trip, but also to cover key topics like their travel style, and what they are looking to get out of the trip. Lately, I’ve been leading with the fact that we’re in unknown times, but many of the people who are planning right now know and understand the climate, and are moving forward with plans. Some people have made adjustments to their itineraries, but what’s most important from the advisor role is communication that many partners are loosening cancellation policies and some waiving fees to accommodate the needs of travelers. The companies that Brownell works with are not looking for the quick sell, it’s about building relationships with our clients through thick and thin.

In times where there are major disruptions like this, I see it as our time to shine. We are able to provide the best service possible for our clients, and the partners we work with are really able to build a relationship with travelers that will last longer than the trip. One small example is the Brownell Travel Air Desk, which helps with flight changes, and the use of an emergency number for any after-hours flight cancellations or disruptions. From the minute they leave their home, my clients are backed with 24/7 global support that is part of the service.

Cartagena, Colombia

People who move forward with travel always have my full support and that of Brownell, which can provide peace of mind when something, anything, comes up during travel...

TSG: What are some of the places people are interested in traveling to right now, and where are you recommending people visit?

MW: It’s all changing so quickly, but as of right now I would say that the United States, Central and South America, and the Caribbean are the “safe” destinations, but I’m still booking Europe and have several trips for clients on the horizon for the summer in Italy. A key right now is managing the changes that are happening all the time. I get updates three times per day, which helps me have the most up-to-date information to share with my clients. The main partners that we use are focused on making everything easier for people to move on with travel plans and minimize any risks.

One thing I always recommend is travel insurance to protect your investment. It is, of course, a personal decision, but the best insurance is CFAR insurance, aka “Cancel For Any Reason,” which allows travelers to cancel their trip as needed when problems like an epidemic or pandemic arises.

Southern California

TSG: If somebody did have to change their plans on short notice, are you recommending any in-state or regional trips?

MW: I’m working with a family who has had to adjust their spring break plans which they’ve switched to Colonial Williamsburg, Washington, DC, and Charlottesville, VA. It is going to be a great trip for them, and an added bonus is that they’re able to work in some college visits.

Florida is also an option for a quick-change getaway. The Florida Keys are a great place for spring vacation. My own family is headed to southern California for spring break, and I am planning to travel to Mexico and the Caribbean in the coming weeks, as well as a multi-week trip to Europe this summer. I would never want to put myself or my family at risk for any potential issues, but I’m moving forward with my own plans to visit probably four countries in Europe this summer, and of course heeding the advice that I’m giving to my clients when planning personal travel.

People who move forward with travel always have my full support and that of Brownell, which can provide peace of mind when something, anything, comes up during travel no matter the status of any high-importance travel watches.

Washington, DC

TSG: Finally, are there any websites that you recommend for people to follow during what seems to be a crisis?

MW: It’s all about getting the facts. I’m recommending to clients (and following myself) the World Health Organization (WHO), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as Johns Hopkins University, which has a tracking map updated in real-time and informative blog. I also always recommend registering with the State Department and checking for advisories in case anything happens, we know our citizens who are abroad.

Megan Winslett Travel is an independent affiliate of Brownell Travel, one of the oldest and most prestigious travel organizations in the United States. Brownell is a premier partner with Virtuoso, a ‘by-invitation-only’ network of luxury travel providers. Leveraging Brownell’s prominence in the travel industry and partnership with Virtuoso, Megan's affiliations ensure her clients receive additional value through unparalleled level of service with additional amenities and upgrades.

Megan will be featured in the upcoming Scout Guide Wilmington VOL 4. Follow her through Instagram at @meganwinsletttravel or reach out via email at megan [at] meganwinsletttravel.com

#learn visit travel brownelltraveladvisors meganwinsletttravel meetyourinspiration livelovelocal tsgwilmington thescoutguide

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emisonme · 5 years

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Lauren's coming out...(long)

I started writing this, before Expectations was released. I thought it was better, to post the Consequences and Expectations post first. And, since I put some of this post, in that one, I had to do some rewriting.

I was first going to go into more detail, about how management, through Astroturfers, manipulated, what is in my opinion, the Camren truth, to fit the Laucy narrative. But, I decided, since I posted the other one first, I could skip all that, or the majority of it, and just get to the heart of the matter.

It is important, to always remember, THEY love to take a truth, and manipulate it, to fit a narrative. With that said, we now need to remember what Lauren said about her coming out process.

In her beautycon chit chat, she said that she had a hard time accepting her sexuality. That she had her "fuck it" moment, and knew who she loved and who she didn't. That she had a girlfriend at the time, she came out to her parents, and then she wrote her Op-ed about Trump supporters, and came out publicly...Then in the video, with Troye, she said that she didn't acknowledge she liked girls, until she was older, and "in this phase of my life". That she understood why people fear coming out, because where she grew up, people would have, "torn me apart".

She said, more, but I addressed some of it, in my last post. These are the things I'll be focusing on, for this post. I gave you, what I can see as the Camren time line, through 2012/April 2014. I believe Lauren's "fuck it" moment, came around the 1975 concert.

Her "fuck it" moment was important, because it's when she actually decided, for herself, that she didn't want to be, 'just friends', or even friends with secret benefits. She realized, and understood, her internal struggle, accepting herself, was causing her to push away, and lose someone very important to her.

So, once Lauren accepted herself, and the fact she likes girls, (one girl in particular) it was time to come out, to her parents and family. The big question is: When did she do this?

It is, in my opinion, Lauren came out as Bisexual, to her parents, around January of 2015. In March, of 2015, she didn't give a shit, who knew. She no longer tried to hide, nor deny, her sexuality, after that.

What does this tell us? Well, if she had a girlfriend, when she came out, to her family, and if she came out in January of 2015, then that girlfriend COULD NOT have been Lucy.

Lauren and Lucy, didn't "rekindle" their friendship, until sometime after Lucy's car accident, back in May of 2015. Lauren was already in the process, of tip-toeing out of the glass closet, through her Tumblr, BEFORE Lucy came back into the picture.

Lauren also said, she refused to acknowledge she liked girls, until she was older, and in this phase of her life. What does this mean? It means she denied her sexuality, until sometime AFTER X-Factor. We know this, already. We witnessed it.

Let's clarify something here. Lauren KNEW she was Bisexual, before X-Factor. She probably ALWAYS knew she liked girls, she just didn't want to acknowledge, admit, or act on that fact. She denied her truth, until after she got away from home, and Catholic School, and found herself in a friendlier, more accepting environment. There's also the fact, she finally met a girl, she couldn't hide, or deny her feelings for.

Though she tried. She continued to deny her truth, through mid 2013. She had a harder time, denying it, in late 2013 and early 2014. In the Spring of 2014, she accepted her truth, and could no longer deny or hide her true feelings. In 2014, she was older, and in this phase of her life. Camila was her inspiration, for admitting and accepting her sexuality.

The next thing we need to figure out, is when did Lauren and management, make the decision to bring her out of the glass closet. I mean, they had been monitoring her Tumblr, so they knew, she wasn't exactly hiding her sexuality, any more.

We also have to remember, there was no way in hell, THEY were going to let Camila, come out of the closet, or be considered anything but straight, when it comes to the general public. THEY chose her, as their next big Pop Star, and she needed a "straight" image, for that to happen.

So, they had to figure out a way, to get Lauren out of the glass closet, without bringing Camila out with her. March, 2015, seems to be the month, a lot of decisions were made. It was a very interesting month.

If you believe in the Camren ring, Lauren gave that ring, to Camila, in February. Lauren had her public "fuck it" moment, via Tumblr, in March. Camila turned 18 years old, in March, and that's also when THEY made the final decision, to start pushing Camila as a solo artist, and out of Fifth Harmony.

THEY ramped up the Taymila friendship, and was distancing Camila from the girls. In April, Candece Campbell was taking Camila to "private" dinner meetings, with Charlie Walk, and preparing for her first solo venture. April, 2015, is also when they started putting the rumors out there, about Camila and Michael.

Yes, I say rumor, because there were no pics, only a rag sheet article, saying a "source" saw them secretly meeting at a damn restaurant. They needed Camila, publicly "linked" to a man, to dispel the Camren rumors, and the Camren ring. They only wanted it to be "rumored", because they really wanted Camila to appear "available", as the possible "love interest" for her upcoming duet partner. Camichael came in right handy, for the subject of the eventual duet, as well.

Shawn, was the chosen duet partner, and they really wanted, and needed, people to ship them together. Hello Shawmila! Hello IKWYDLS! Goodbye Michael.

Yeah, I know. When Camila described her best date, she described her "secret dinner" with Michael, perfectly. Almost like it was ripped right out of the headlines. Unless Camila and or Michael, were the "inside source" that described that "Secret dinner date" to the media outlet, and described it as them "giggling like school kids", then it was all bullshit. A prepared answer from a prepared headline.

They now have Camila's "straight" image intact, with the rumored date with Michael. Then, they had her start hanging out with Shawn, all the time. That made the Shawmila shippers, flip their shit. Now, all they needed, was to find a female, to connect with Lauren, that wasn't Camila, but that could fit into Lauren's, (and Camren's) story.

What to do? What to do? It has to be someone, who could fit the narrative, and who also wouldn't mind the spotlight being placed on them, when it was time for Lauren to come out.

Hello Lucy, an aspiring model, wanna be artist, her father is famous, and she is already known to the fandom, as her and Lauren had been BFF's since middle school. For Lauren, Lucy is the perfect choice.

Management wise, she is also the perfect choice. Lucy was a College student, and had summers and long holidays, off. She went to school in NOLA, which was an easy stop for Lauren, while traveling to and from L.A. and Miami. It helped, that her father is a Sony Artist, so people will just assume Lucy is paying her own way, while following Lauren around. Hell, all Lauren has to do, is hang out with her best friend, and vise versa. It's a win win.

Now, that all the players are in place, it's time to start implementing the plan. Camila finds herself, smack dab in the middle of a hetero ship war, with Camichael, and Shawmila. Lauren takes some dude named Noah, to her birthday dinner. (this is important for later)

Camila and Shawn record IKWYDLS. While they are busy separating Camila from the girls, and the fandom, with Shawmila, a duet, and that stupid bullshit about Camila going behind the girls backs, Lauren is busy "rekindling" her friendship with Lucy.

Then, late July/early August, Camila done something she wasn't supposed to. They did an interview, the one where they all admitted to lying, and really got the rumors flying. The interviewer asked, "Who's the guy, that makes you go crazy?" Of course, Camila responded with "Why do you assume it's a boy?" You can tell, that was an unplanned, off the cuff, statement by Camila, because she didn't have a planned response, for the follow up. "Who's the girl that makes you go crazy?"...*crickets* Camila thought and thought, and the only girl, (that wasn't Lauren) she could come up with, was ED SHEERAN. Hey girl, hey!!!

THEY wanted Camila to stay far away from Lauren's coming out, but Camila wasn't having it. That pissed them off, so they decided to show her who was boss. THEY faked and "leaked" some very discriminating messages, that made Camila look like a racist bitch. This happened in early September. The sad part is, apparently, it's OK to have people think she is racist, but God forbid, people think she is gay. Sick and twisted logic, for a sick and twisted Industry!!!

Anyway, I digress. Towards the end of September, they had Lauren start putting the idea out publicly, that she might not be as straight as she lead folks to believe. During a press junket, for IILWAM, In one of the first interviews, Lauren answered a question about lessons learned from being in love with a monster. Lauren's response was, "...or whoever they are, because it might not be a boyfriend." (Keep in mind, this is after her trip with Lucy and Keena, to Hawaii)

The same day, different interview, they were asked almost the same question, and Camila answered with the, "a bad boy, or a bad whatever." That same interview, Camila inadvertently, all but confirmed Camren, when asked about OTP's in the group, and she said, "OTP's in the group haven't quite worked out." Meaning, there had to be one to begin with, for it not to have, worked out.

You could tell, Camila had pretty much had enough, at that point. She was pissing Management off, left and right, and who could blame her. Lauren may have had her "fuck it" moment, but Camila had her "fuck you" moment, when it came to management.

Let's skip ahead to November. It brought us, the official release of IKWYDLS, and the narrative that put an official end to the Camichael bullshit. It also brought us another song, people seem to forget about.

One week after the release of IKWYDLS, The Vamps released "I Found A Girl". People immediately connected the song, to Lauren Jauregui. The Vamps manager, even made it a point, to like a tweet, saying the song was about Lauren.

The timing, of the release of the song, wasn't an accident, either. Lucy was everywhere Lauren was. The summer tour, Hawaii, Bahamas. We got a heavy dose of Laucy, before that song was released. Lauren had been in a PR stunt, with Brad, from the Vamps. This song, was used as part of Lauren's coming out process. They wanted us to believe the song was about Lauren, and with the timing of the release, they wanted us to think it was about Lauren and Lucy.

We know, it was part of the plan, because no one, not even Lauren, made a big fuss, over the speculation, of it being about Lauren. We weren't told we were delusional, or disrespectful. We didn't get a long ass rant, about assigning a sexuality to her. Lauren was fine, with the all-assuming speculation, as long as it was speculated about Lucy, and not Camila.

Of course, people seem to forget, if there was any truth to that damn song, what so ever, it couldn't have been about Lucy. Lauren and Brad, "dated" in the later months of 2014, again, when Lucy wasn't in the picture...But, they had no problem getting folks to believe in the Laucy narrative, because the Astroturfers were out in force, pushing the Laucy narrative, from that moment on.

December was a fucking mess, so let's just skip it. The only thing we really need to remember, is this is the month Maverick took the reigns.

January 2016, was a fun month. This is when, they began to destroy Camren, and put Laucy on the radar, as more than just friends. This is also when Jillian Gutowitz became involved in the narrative.

2016 started, with Lauren going with Lucy, to Columbia. Then, Lauren's Birthday gift to Lucy, was a good old fashion, road trip. It was the end of January, that brought us, two significant parts, to all this bullshit.

Jillian wrote an article for After Ellen. In that article, she spun a web to follow, disguised as "Jordan". Some don't think Jillian's "Jordan" story, was about Lauren. I'm positive, it was just part of the plan.

The reason for this story, was to make a romantic connection, between "Jordan" and a "childhood" BFF. The timing of "Jordan" and everything we had been getting from Laucy, was meant for us to make the connection, of "Jordan" being Lauren, and to propagate a past, romantic link, between Lauren and Lucy.

Coincidentally enough, or not, it is around this same time, "fans" decided to "hack" the girls. THEY FAKED, then "leaked" messages, trying to convince us, Camila is guzzling cum shots, on the rocks, on every damn Continent. The purpose of that bullshit, was to make Camila look straight as fuck. I'll say this, if my foot, ever crosses paths, with a couple of Managers nuts, they will be properly introduced!!!

Those of you, still not sure about the "Jordan" story, I had no problem tracing it back, to Lauren and Jillian. Remember, they like to take a truth, and twist and manipulate it, to fit their false narrative.

Jillian wrote, "...upon their second meeting...", and "...the second day, "Jordan" told me, she had been making out with her childhood BFF, for years...".

The first meeting, wasn't important, because Jillian focused on the second meeting. That second meeting happened at a two day event, for them. That two day event, would have been, the World Wide Radio Summit, that took place, April 22-23, 2015. Zack Sang, Jillian, and Fifth Harmony were there, both days.

The term "childhood" was likely chosen by Management, to mislead the fans. It connotates, "Jordan" had been friends with this girl, since they were young children/kids. In actuality, "childhood" spans 0-18 years of age. So, technically, 15 and 16 years old, fits into that "childhood" time frame. Plus, this better fits, Lauren's own story, of NOT ACKNOWLEDGING she liked girls, until she was "older and in this phase " of her life.

But, again, with all the Laucy being SHOWN to us, from July 2015, the intention and plan, was for everyone to equate "childhood" with Lucy. Mission accomplished! (for most)

On March 9, 2016, Lauren and some of the other girls, went to get their ears pierced. There, we got a shot of Lauren's lock screen. We could tell it was a girl, but it was so damn blurry, we couldn't tell who it was. No problem! One month later, on April 10, Lucy posted the same photo to her Instagram. Basically, THEY sent the photo to Lucy, to post on her account, so we would know exactly who it was. Her!

April and May, we had more Laucy thrown at us. Then June rolled around, and Lauren's Birthday. Lucy was Lauren's shadow, yet again. We got some pics and video of them spending time together on her Birthday. More importantly, we got a photo from Jillian, that day, as well.

Jillian's picture, took us right back to her "Jordan" story. In the story, "Jordan" invited Jillian to her Birthday celebration. She mentioned "Jordan" making out with some guy, at this B-day celebration...Low and behold, the picture Jillian posted, was of herself and Lauren, at Lauren's Birthday dinner, 2015, for which Lauren showed up, with that walking dick, Noah. (That fucker had to be useful for something.)

So, on Lauren's 2016 Birthday, we got reminded of an article, about a "gay" girl named "Jordan" who had made out with her "childhood" BFF, for years, but couldn't understand why people thought she was gay. Then we get Lauren and Lucy, together, celebrating her birthday, one year later, in Brazil....Can you see the planned progression, yet?

Let's skip ahead, to September 2016, because it was another pivotal moment, in the planned narrative. That month, had Camila and Lauren all up in their feels. I'm sure, for multiple reasons, but one being, they were fixing to kick their plan into overdrive. They were fixing to start visibly pushing Laucy, as more than just friends.

The first sign, of playful "flirting", from the stage, during BBW, was actually on August 14, in Indiana. A few weeks later, they would replay the same scene, but with HD video, for the same reason.

Is it a coincidence, the day after the Indiana exhibition, After Ellen opened up nominations, for their Hot 100? No! Jillian wrote for AE. She is the one, who brought AE into the fandom, places-to-watch, list. They put all five of the girls, from 5H, on the Hot 100 nominee list. They then let it be know, the girls were nominated, and put the voting machine to work.

Yes, I'm saying that AE poll, was all part of Lauren's coming out process. Lauren was announced the winner, of the Lesbian Blog poll, on September 2, 2016. Yep, that's the very same night, Camila missed part of the show, due to anxiety. Coincidence?

September 4, is the other show, they had Lucy front row, so Lauren could "flirt" with her, again, during BBW. Like I said, this time, they had someone there, with a HD camera, ready to catch the whole thing, and show Lucy "flirting" back.

September 6, Jillian's AE Interview, with Lauren, is published. Lauren isn't offended by being the object of Lesbians desires. She is appreciative people think she's hot. Funny, how we Camren shippers, are only delusional, disrespectful, sick fucks, when it fit's their narrative... We also find out, Jillian conducted that interview, the same day Camila missed half the show. Again, coincidence?

On September 8, Lauren has her breakdown on a Phoenix stage. That whole seven day period, was very hard on Lauren and Camila. Management was in full swing, in their plan to "kill" Camren, by pushing Lucy as more than just Lauren's friend. I think, that week, a few final decisions were made.

Later that month, on a Mexico stage, Lauren took it upon herself, in front of everyone and their cameras, to let Camila know, that she is pretty fucking dope.

Then 5H went to Europe. The Barcelona show was special. That BHB moment, was the last OT5 moment, we would get. THEY separated Camila from the girls, after that, and prepared the 4X1 narrative, for Camila's departure.

They also had to make it seem like Lauren and Camila, were no longer close, in any way, shape, or form. They were preparing to put the death nail in Camren, and bring Lauren out of the closet, with her BFF Lucy.

In November, they did just that. With a staged picture, and a Trump supporter rant, they effectively destroyed Camren, in most shippers eyes, and Laucy was "born".

That's pretty much, step by step, how management was able to "kill" camren, get Lauren out of the closet, maintain Camila's "straight" image, get her out of the group, and start the 4X1 narrative, to help push Camila's solo career.

It's pretty sad, that with a staged picture, Lucy became Lauren's unconfirmed "girlfriend", the "childhood" friend, Lauren had always had feelings for, and the only girl, Lauren had ever liked. That's all it took, to successfully erase Camren's past, to all but the hardcore shippers, and those of us, who could see what they were doing.

That is how they took the Camren truth, and manipulated it, to sell the Laucy lie. In my opinion, the only truth, in all that bullshit, was Camren. Everything else, was false narratives, for image and promotional purposes.

As always, I could be wrong...But, that's how all the dots connected for me...Sorry this is so long. I tried to shorten it, but it’s still a damn book...my bad!

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punky-pinkhaired-hufflepuff · 6 years

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How he met your mother (Mycroft Holmes X Reader)

“Uncle Sherlock? How did mum and dad meet?” asked your daughter (D/N) to your brother in law.

“Oh you know boy meets girl, they fall in love blah blah blah nothing terribly exciting. It is Mycroft after all.” Sherlock said rolling his eyes.

“What do you mean?” she asked innocently tilting her head to the side, puzzled expression portrayed upon her 5 year old face. Sherlock sighed. He was never one for human interaction but from day one your daughter squeezed, pushed and shoved her way into the bleak robotic heart of his.

“Your not going to do anything until I tell you are you?” He asked deadpan facing his computer where anyone who knew him could find him.

“Nope” she said putting emphasis on the “p” and grinning.

“ Alright well let's see where should I begin?” He thought out loud to himself.

“Be careful with your words Sherlock” John spoke from across the room behind the newspaper between his hands.

You and Mycroft would be out of town for the weekend. Mycroft had planned a date trip oh yes ladies eat your heart out for when your in a relationship with Mycroft Holmes you don't just get date nights, you get date weekends. You would have rather your daughter stay with someone more mature and reliable but Mycroft had stated that Sherlock owed him. To this Sherlock's response was he was expecting to go track and find some russian hooker spy, but instead he was stuck babysitting.

“Alright kid here is the story of how my brother Mycroft met your mother.” He bagan. Your daughter giggled with delights and quickly plopped down onto the floor and began listening intensely.

“I was in high school and Mycroft was almost done with college. Somehow some way your mother and I were paired up with for a project together. She had insisted on not doing any group activities at her house. Stating it wasn't a good work environment and always a mess. I went a long because I had no reason not to let her into my home. She was pretty cool, I had never hung out with her though. Your mother was a regular part of the group I hung out with, stoners, hippies, pot heads, yeah know.” Sherlock shrugged it off nonchalantly turning back to his computer.

“Uncle Sherrrlock? What is a pothead?” Your daughter asked innocently looking from Sherlock to John.

“Oh yes right well they are -” Sherlock began.

“Nope!” John stood up abruptly from his usual spot in the living room, scooped up the little girl and swiftly brought her into the shared kitchen and sat her on the countertop gently.

“(Y/N) will have your head if you talk about her that way to her 5 year old daughter. And your brother will help her follow through with it.” John said sternly to his roomate

“I'm only telling the truth John it's not my fault she made poor choices. I mean come on look where it landed her living with my brother of all people.” Sherlock responded his voice heavily lidded with attitude.

“Wait wait wait!” Your daughter called out kicking her feet over the counter top. Both men froze and broke away from their slight argument.

“Is that it?!” She asked wide eyed. Both men smiled at her.

“No” the both said at the same time.

“Well get with the program guys I'm not gettin any younger” your daughter through her little arms up in the air with sass. She got that from you.

“Well things weren't so easy with your mum and dad. They are both very difficult people. But it all started the day our lab project started. Little did I know I would begin a new more tedious and obnoxious project. Your mother showed up to my house in the early afternoon on an average spring day. She had called and claimed she would be walking to my house and was wondering if there was anyone there to give her a ride back to her house.

~flash back~

“Hey Myc? Could you bring my lab partner home later on today?” I asked begrudgingly to Mycroft, even though I had a pretty good idea the answer.

“Why must I bring them home?” He asked annoyed and snidely.

“She doesn't have a car” I started guessing that was her reason.

“She? Your having a female over” Mycroft asked still annoyed but a little amused.

“Don't say it like that, she's my lab partner in my eyes she's practically a man, can you drive her home or not!?” I snapped getting far to aggravated for such a insignificant task. Mycroft inhaled clearly preparing to speak when the doorbell rang. We both froze just staring at each other then the door.

“Are neither of you going to answer the door? I thought I raised you better?” My mother came stepping in scolding us. I made the first move heading towards the door.

“It's just my lab partner it's fine” I said opening the door. Mycroft looked over my shoulder to get his first glance.

A gasp slipped his lips as he swiftly turned around and left. Our mother trying to stop him but no use he was gone. O quickly apologized to (Y/N) for the wait and my circus monkey of a brother. To that she giggled and said and I quote “itsall good dude”.

She was everything Mycroft should ditest. American culture and accent, bubbly laugh and bright smile. She smelled of sage, campfires and a hint of cannabis most high school boys dreams. And here Mycroft was a college student studying at the most elite high scollar schools attracted to her. The thought itself made him uneasy and squeamish.

As the day began to end I checked yet again with my oh so dear brother if he was still free to drive (Y/N). Her and I had already made plans to continue working more on this that upcoming Thursday night. My thoughts faded from the project as I approached Mycroft door. I knocked once and only once and spoke through the door. “Brother mine? Are you still available to bring (Y/N) home?” I asked quite possibly louder then I should have for it had gotten (Y/N)'s attention in the process. A low quiet no was spoken back from Mycroft .

“What?! Why not?” I asked dumbfounded. His response was he didn't like her and didn't want to have an unpleasant uncomfortable car ride with her.

“How could you not like her you ran away as soon as you saw her?!” I called back getting a little annoyed now, my lazy brother just didn't want to do it. So I thought. Though he didn't respond.

“What ever brother mine be that way I'll ask mum” I said walking away. What happened next I found out later on from (Y/N) during one of those in depth conversations you have at 2 AM when your stoned off your ass and two drinks in. While I was in the kitchen dear (Y/N) snuck and crept her way to Mycroft’s room. She inhaled deeply, knocked once, exhaled fully, inhaled deeply once more and Walt's into Mycroft's room.

She found him casually sat at his desk sipping some tea and reading a book intently. Upon her entranced he choked and almost did a comical spit take.

“Bloody hell woman are you mad?!” He asked slamming his book shut and standing up at his desk.

“Slightly but that's not the point. Look if I did anything to make you hate me I'm terribly sorry. But I think your cool and would love to get along with you how I get along with Sherlock so how about you stop being so cold?” She asked with a beautiful cocktail of sass sincerity, humor, and charm. His heartbeat increased far to much for hosting licking in that moment. God what was he to do.

Looking over her taking in what she had just said he saw her all of her. Not the American ways, not the immaturity that should come with hanging around Sherlock, not the potentinal stoner labido. But her. A beautiful young lady he could see himself falling for. Bloody hell what was he thinking. Feeling we're never in his forte, feelings were irrelevant ,meaningless, vacant to him even. Why now of all times where they effecting him.

“Hello?” (Y/N) asked now closer to him, one ark leaning on how desk the other waving her dainty little hand in front of his face. He gasped and was taken aback. He cleared his throat and looked away from her, anywhere but at her.

“My apologies miss, we got off on a wrong foot. I'm not a people person. You'll have to forgive me. If you'd like I will still escort you home.” He said turning his British charm dile up to.maximum strength.

“I don't need you to see me as miss, Sherlock and I are okay together your going to he seeing me a lot more buddy but thank you I would love for you to drive me home.” She said sweetly then leaning forward and poking Mycroft's nose and waltzing out swing in her step as she made her way to the door.

“I'll let you know when I'm ready to go, oh and call me (Y/N) , Sir.” She said flirtatiously exiting the room. Leaving behind a very befuddled blushing Mycroft.

#mycroft x reader #mycroft holmes #sherlock #sherlock holmes #reader imagine #fanfic

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tsgaustintexas · 5 years

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Due East x Rancho Pillow Mercado

Somehow, in this jampacked spring season, we caught up with Mollie Brown, Founder & Owner of Due East. We sat down with her between her most recent pop-up at the famed Rancho Pillow and an upcoming trip to Marrakesh - dream job, amirite?? Mollie is our go-to lady for when we want to add a little warmth to our space, her curated collection of textiles + home goods ethically sourced from Morocco are the best around. I’ve recently become the proud owner of two Due East poufs and I - and anyone that steps foot in my house - am obsessed. But after hearing all about Feast In The Field’s Mercado, I have my eye on an updated version of this classic...

Keep reading for all the details and next time you shop with Due East, be sure to tell her that The Scout Guide sent you! xo - LAK

Photos by Mollie Brown of Due East

LAK: You recently popped up at Rancho Pillow’s annual Feast In The Field - tell us everything!

MB: It was a whirlwind! I attended one of the first Feasts in the Field a few years ago and have been dying to go back ever since but my schedule never allowed it. The stars aligned this year and I was asked to be a part of their pop up, Mercado. The good energy from the whole experience went far beyond the pop-up. The food, the music, the guests and the amazing humans working it ... it was magic.

LAK: Loving that there was a New Orleans twist this year, what were your culinary highlights?

MB: Kelly Fields of NO’s Willa Jean and Cheetie Kumar of Raleigh’s Garland put together a delicious menu for us, each night with a special twist. The highlight was definitely the lamb slow cooked over an open fire.

LAK: Kudos on being asked to be part of the Mercado, what products were shoppers loving on the most?

MB: Due East sold rugs and poufs but what I’m most excited about is selling out of a brand new line of kilim square poufs (they’re firm enough for a seat and can serve as a side table, too). They went so well that I have set up a pre-order for the new collection!

LAK: Did you have any time to go exploring - what was your favorite find?

MB: I didn’t get to head into the fields, but in the Mercado, I was joined by the most amazing artists and everyone contributed something special. Depetra from Houston makes stunning jewelry, Ellen Macomber from New Orleans makes one-of-a-kind wearables and Rancho Pillow had its own line of goods this year, too.

LAK: Now that you’ve had a little R&R what’s next for Due East?

MB: I have spent a lot of time in the last few months working one-on-one with retailers and designers on custom projects which I really enjoy. I love how personal it is. No project is the same and I really enjoy how much of a creative, collaborative process it is. All that said, I don’t have any plans to abandon the site. I still love that part of the business and it’s what started this whole thing in the first place!

LAK: Do you have any trips planned to return to the motherland?

MB: I’m packing now! I head back to Morocco April 11th and am so excited about getting back to the place that gives me constant inspiration.

LAK: So jealous! We will definitely be following you on Instagram. What is at the top of your sourcing list?

MB: This trip is half sourcing and half reconnecting with business partners and artisans, new and old. For product, I’m most excited to source some new vintage kilims for the poufs that sold out at the Mercado!

LAK: When will we get to shop your latest Moroccan haul?

MB: I’m slowly throwing up some of the pieces I sourced for the Rancho Pillow Mercado on my site and there are a lot of new gems in my office waiting to go live, so keep an eye on my Insta for the latest!

LAK: Let’s wrap it up with a fun question. Where’s your favorite spot to cool down on a hot day? Which are quickly approaching...

MB: I may be the only human in Texas who doesn’t love the water but my husband loves Deep Eddy and I’m perfectly fine to accompany him and lounge ;)

LAK: Let’s end with a fun fact: For those that don’t already know, where did the name ‘Due East’ come from?

MB: Texas and Morocco share the same latitude lines so if you were to head “Due East” from here, you’d hit Morocco! Another fun fact is that if you follow the actual central latitude line of Marrakesh, Morocco west back to Texas, it goes through a sparsely populated area in Texas with an old rock church in the middle of nowhere ... where I just so happened to get married. Chills, right?!

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papermoonloveslucy · 6 years

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LUCY on PASSWORD ~ Part 1

1963-1964

“Password” is a game show created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman Productions. The host was Allen Ludden, who had previously been well known as the host of the “G.E. College Bowl.” In the game, two teams, each composed of a celebrity player and a contestant, attempt to convey mystery words to each other using only single-word clues, in order to win cash prizes.

“Password” originally aired from 1961 to 1967 on CBS, along with weekly prime time airings. An additional 1,099 daytime shows aired from 1971 to 1975 on ABC. The show's regular announcers were Jack Clark and Lee Vines on CBS and John Harlan on ABC.

Two revivals later aired on NBC: “Password Plus” (originally titled “Password '79”) from 1979 to 1982, and “Super Password” from 1984 to 1989, followed by a primetime version on CBS from 2008 to 2009 “Million Dollar Password.” All of these versions introduced new variations in game play.

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The theme song used on “Password” from 1961 to 1963 was called "Holiday Jaunt," composed by Kurt Rehfeld. That theme was followed later by "You Know the Password," composed by Bob Cobert, which was used from 1963 until the CBS version's cancellation in 1967 (listen above). When the show returned on ABC in 1971, Score Productions composed "The Fun of It." The theme used later in that version's run, beginning in 1974, was called "Bicentennial Funk," which was used until the ABC version's finale in 1975.

“Password” was most often taped in New York at CBS-TV Studio 52 (later converted to the Studio 54 disco) and CBS-TV Studio 50 (the Ed Sullivan Theater) until the end of the daytime run in 1967. The original CBS version made annual trips to CBS Television City during the 1960s. Mark Goodson opposed a permanent move to Hollywood so the network canceled the series.

The Milton Bradley Company introduced the first home version in 1962 and subsequently released 24 editions of the game until 1986. Owing to common superstition, these releases were numbered 1-12 and 14-25, skipping 13. It was tied with “Concentration” as the most prolific of Milton Bradley's home versions of popular game shows. Milton Bradley also published three editions of a “Password Plus” home game between 1979 and 1981, but never did a version for “Super Password.” Lucille Ball was fond of playing the home game.

In 2013, TV Guide ranked it #8 in its list of the 60 greatest game shows ever.

“Password” ~ September 26, 1963

Lucille Ball (Celebrity Player)

Gary Morton (Celebrity Player)

[Note: No video footage of this episode was available for preview]

“Password” ~ December 26, 1963

Allen Ludden (Host)

The program is sponsored by Tame hair care products. The top prize is $500 and the consolation prize is $50.

Lucille Ball says that next Monday on “The Lucy Show” she will conduct a 45 piece orchestra. She is referring to “Lucy Conducts the Symphony” (TLS S2;E13) on on December 30, 1963.

LUCY’S PARTNERS

James Waldo from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is in a stock broker training program.

Mary Ellen MacInally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a student who plans to enter the ministry.

William Sexton from Evansville, Indiana, has been married for a year and a half.

Ralph Jones from Westfield, New Jersey, is studying mathematics at Union Junior College.

Gary Morton says that he, too, will be on “The Lucy Show,” in an episode that Lucy had written for him about his favorite sport, golf. He is referring to “Lucy Takes Up Golf” (TLS S2;E17) airing on January 27, 1964. In it, Gary plays Gary Stewart, Lucy Carmichael's ‘golf nut’ boyfriend.

GARY’S PARTNERS

Margery Blom from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a newlywed.

Robert Davidson from Rego Park, New York, has an insurance firm in Manhattan.

Jackie Lane from Nashville, Tennessee, is enjoying her trip to New York.

Sigrid Newman from New York City is a registered nurse at the New York Hospital.

TRIVIA

In round four, the password “TINKLE” makes everyone giggle. Ludden is relieved when Jones successfully guesses it in the second try.

When the password is “PROPOSAL” and the clue is “MARRIAGE,” Lucy's mind immediately goes to “DIVORCE.” Lucille Ball divorced Desi Arnaz in the spring of 1960.

At the end, Lucy says her son [Desi Jr.] beats both her and Gary when they play at home. Ludden makes the usual mistake of guessing that her son is named Ricky. Lucy corrects him, smiling. Ludden says that Vivian Vance has challenged Lucy to a game. Vance appeared on the game twice previously, once in 1961, and a second time in November 1963, where she likely issued the challenge. A year later (September 24, 1964 - see below), the challenge was accepted.

THE RESULTS

Lucy and James Waldo win the first round.

Gary and Robert Davidson win the second round, despite Gary saying he’s not being sure of what several of the words meant.

Lucy and William Sexton win the third round.

Lucy and Ralph Jones win the fourth round.

“Password” ~ May 7, 1964

Allen Ludden (Host)

Bern Bennett (Announcer)

The program is sponsored by Salem Filter Cigarettes.

THE PLAYERS

Lucille Ball is introduced as the start of television, motion pictures, and the Broadway stage. She had just finished her second season of “The Lucy Show.” Allen Ludden implies that there was a question if it would be renewed for a third season. Lucy reminds the audience that the show will start at 9:00pm in the fall, a half hour later.

Gary Morton is introduced as the star of television and supper clubs. Ludden talks with Gary and Lucy about golf, Gary's favorite pasttime.

Lucie Arnaz is from Los Angeles, California. She is 13 (in July) and in seventh grade. She doesn't know what she wants to do when she grows up.

Desi Arnaz Jr. is from Los Angeles, California. He is 11 and in sixth grade and plays little league baseball. He is a center fielder but would like to play second base.

In round one, Lucy's partner is Desi Jr. and Gary plays with Lucie.

In round two, Lucy's partner is Lucie, and Gary plays with Desi Jr.

In round three, Lucy's partner is Gary, and Desi Jr. and Lucie play together. The children are playing for their allowances; a quarter a point.

TRIVIA

This episode was taped in at CBS Television City in Hollywood.

In round one, the password is “LEOPARD” and Lucy's clue is “STRIPED.” She instantly realizes her mistake, as does the studio audience.

When the password is “HARP,” Desi Jr.'s clue is “MARX”, thinking of Harpo Marx, who made a guest appearance playing his namesake instrument on an episode of “I Love Lucy.” The audience audibly gasps at how clever Desi's clue is. Gary gets it right.

In the lightning round, the password is “THUNDER” and Gary's clue is “LIGHTNING,” to which Desi Jr. says “ROUND.” Ludden stops the clock, momentarily confused if Desi is just repeating the name of the game. In that same round, the password is “COWBOY” and Gary's clue is “GUNSMOKE.” Desi responds “CHESTER,” which is the first name of one of “Gunsmoke's” leading characters played by Dennis Weaver.

In the final round, the password is “CARROT” and Desi's clue is “RED.” He was probably thinking of his mother's hair, not the vegetable.

THE RESULTS

Lucy and Desi Jr. win the first round.

Gary and Desi Jr. win the second round.

Lucie and Desi Jr. win the third round.

All their winnings will go to a summer camp for underprivileged children.

In the final moments, Ludden says that Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart will be on the show next week. He gives a plea for helping the Peace Corps.

“Password” ~ September 24, 1964

Allen Ludden (Host)

Jack Clark (Announcer)

The program is sponsored by Salem Filter Cigarettes.

THE PLAYERS

Lucille Ball is introduced as the comedy star of television, motion pictures, and the Broadway stage. Lucy says the new time slot for “The Lucy Show” is 9 o'clock and that Vivian Vance is still with her on the show. She also mentions future guest stars like Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, and Ann Sothern. The show's third season premiered three days earlier on CBS with “Lucy and the Good Skate” (TLS S3;E1).

Lucy's first partner is James Horn from Hubbard City, Texas. A student, he spent the summer working at the Texas Pavilion at the New York World's Fair. Ludden says that the most popular day at the fair was 'Lucille Ball Day.' The event was held on Monday, August 31, 1964.

Lucy's second partner, Vivian Vance, is introduced as “a housewife from Stamford, Connecticut.” This is indeed where Vance was living at the time, commuting to Los Angeles to do “The Lucy Show.” Vance's appearance is obviously a complete surprise to Lucy, and even to Morton, who is just as shocked to see her. She is playing for a charity called Medi Help.

In round three, Lucy is partnered with Peter Lawford and Gary with Vivian.

Gary Morton is introduced as the star of television and supper clubs. Gary promotes their 15-minute CBS radio show “Let's Talk To Lucy.” As Lucy tells listeners, “Don't boil water or you'll miss it.” Morton is the show's producer and announcer. Dean Martin, Mrs. Dean Martin, Red Skeleton, Mrs. Red Skeleton, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are some of the upcoming guests.

Gary's first partner is Kelly Brummer from Denver, Colorado. She is a student with a merchandising major and a French minor, which confuses Lucy.

Gary's second partner is Mr. Peter Lawford. At the time, Lawford was married to President Kennedy's sister, Patricia. Lawford had an uncredited role (voice over) in the 1945 film Ziegfeld Follies that starred Lucille Ball. He often appeared on Goodson-Todman's other panel shows “What's My Line?” and “To Tell the Truth.” His winnings will go to the Kennedy Library.

TRIVIA

Trying to get her partner to say “FRECKLE” Lucy is chastised by Ludden to “watch her gestures.” Gary uses the clue “DAY” to get his partner to guess it, to no avail. He is referring to the popular singer and actress Doris Day, who famously had freckles.

As usual, Lucy is startled by Ludden's “Yes!” when she gets it right.

When the password is “DRAPE” and the clue is “CURTAIN,” Lucy sings a bit of “Everything's Coming Up Roses” from the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy: “Curtain up, light the lights...”

During Vivian's entrance applause she and Lucy exchange some barely audible chat:

Lucy: (to Vivian) “What a wonderful surprise. I was calling and wondering why you weren't home.” Vivian: “I wanted them to introduce me as Mrs. John R. Dodds.” [Vivian's husband at the time.]

When the password is “PANTS,” Gary gives Lawford the clue “STRETCH” and he guesses correctly. Lucy says she would have thought girdle.

Ludden: (to Vivian) “Does Lucy have a lot of stretch pants?” Vivian: “Yeah.” Lucy: (chiding Vivian) “Don't tell him everything!”

As usual with Lucy, Ludden has to admonish her for gesturing too much.

Ludden: (to Lucy) “Watch those hands!” Vivian: “Oh, she cheats!” (laughs)

While Lawford is thinking about a clue, he tuts at Lucy and Vivian, thinking they are cheating.

Vivian: “Oh, no! She said I look thinner. We didn't say a word about what was here.” (referring to the word card)

Ludden stops the clock momentarily when Gary inadvertently says the password during the lightning round.

When the password is “FEMININE” and Lawford's clue is “MASCULINE,” Lucy guesses “VERILITY” and then makes a lewd gesture thrusting forward her stiffened arm and clenched fist. She immediately softens it. In a previous appearance she gave her husband the middle finger!

THE RESULTS

Lucy and James Horn win the first round.

Gary and Peter Lawford win the second round.

Gary and Vivian win the second round.

Ludden closes by promoting that Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart will be his next celebrity guests.

“Password” ~ November 12, 1964

Allen Ludden (Host)

The program is sponsored by Clairol and Bufferin.

THE PLAYERS

Lucille Ball says “The Lucy Show” is on at a new time, 9:00pm. She promotes that later in the season, for three episodes, Ann Sothern will appear. Lucy says that they are trying to get Jean Arthur to guest star. [This never happened.]

Gary Morton promotes Lucy's radio show, “Let's Talk to Lucy.”

Lucie Arnaz is 13 years old and in the 8th grade.

Desi Arnaz Jr. is 11 and a half years old. He has a new record out for Reprise Record with Dino Martin and Billy Hinsche.

For round one, Lucy and Desi Jr. are partners against Gary and Lucie.

For round two, Gary and Desi Jr. are partners against Lucy and Lucie.

For rounds three and four, Lucy and Gary are partners against Desi Jr. and Lucie.

TRIVIA

When the password is “FLEA,” Desi Jr. mistakenly thinks it means “RUN.” He realizes his error in the second clue, which he gives as “DOG.” Lucy says “We're going to have spelling lessons when we get home.” Lucy and Desi Jr. win the round.

In the lightning round, Desi Jr. is startled by the word popping up from the desk. It quickly goes back in and pops back up again.

While Lucy and Desi are playing, Gary unwittingly says the last clue “HUNGRY” even though he is not playing. Ball momentarily shoots her husband the middle finger! [see above photo]

In round two, Ludden starts with the wrong team and shouts “Cut! Cut!” after hearing a voice from the booth. It is unclear whether this was edited out for broadcast, but was left in for the syndicated master print seen on the Game Show Network (GSN).

Mother and daughter win round two. This time it is Lucille Ball who is startled by the pop-up lightning round passwords.

In round three, Lucie and Desi Jr. are playing for their allowance: 25 cents for each point they earn. Ludden says that they did this the last time they were on. Lucy says if they win too much, they can't have it all at once. The youngsters prevail.

Time runs out before the end of round four, but Lucy and Gary win $250 for their charity anyway. Lucy announces that all the prize money will go to a Child Guidance Center in Los Angeles.

The announcer promotes that Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows will be next week’s guests. Promoting Desi's upcoming record Ludden says the titles are “We Know” and “Since You Broke My Heart” although Ludden mistakenly says “Your Heart”. Desi quickly corrects him. Although Desi said earlier that the record due to be released soon, Desi failed to realize that the program was pre-taped and would air ten days after the single debuted.

Coming Next! LUCY on PASSWORD ~ Part 2 (1965-1987)

#Password #Lucille Ball #Lucy #Game Show #Allen Ludden #TV #Gary Morton #Desi Arnaz Jr.#Lucie Arnaz #Vivian Vance #Peter Lawford #1963 #1964 #Goodson-Todman #CBS #Jack Clark #Bern Bennett #Lightning Round #The Lucy Show

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thehikingviking · 4 years

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Piper Peak from McAfee Canyon, Silver Peak Range

Brett Marsciani and I had been messaging each other for upwards of a year regarding the possibility of hiking a peak together. I really thought we were on track to do so in the spring, but Asaka’s pregnancy threw a wrench into those plans. I proposed a trip to the Inyo Mountains, and while I found the trip unlikely due to complicated logistics, Brett was somehow able to make my plan of a car to car work by issuing the help of a Jeep club. The itinerary left the previous Saturday completely open, so I proposed a trip to Piper Peak, a neglected P4k on the Great Basin Peak List. The King family was also interested in joining so we decided to meet at the trailhead south of the peak in McAfee Canyon at 10am. The others planned to arrive the morning of, while Asaka, Leif and I drove to the remote trailhead the night before. It was a lonely and dusty drive up the canyon. I parked in the flattest spot I could find next to some water collection tubs and we slept until the sun woke us up the next morning. We were ready to go by 10am, but there was no one else to be found. After 15 minutes of waiting, we decided to get started with or without them. I wondered if there was a different trailhead that they were possibly starting from. Shortly up the deteriorated road we encountered a severed hose with water dripping out. At one time this must have connected to the water collection tubs down by the car. I was surprised to find the spring somewhat active in such a dry place.

The road ended after a short distance and we took an old use trail to the ridge above.

I searched around the nearby ridges and canyons to see if I could spot any other hikers. I also considered the possibility that the others were simply late. This wouldn’t impact us too much, since we planned to stop along the way to feed and change the baby. This would allow the others to catch up. The most important thing was getting a head start on the warm June temperatures, which would get worse the longer we waited.

At 10:45am I noticed a couple cars pull next to my Jeep down below. I watched them from a distance as they shuffled in and out of their cars. They ended up getting started around 11am.

The first mile was steep and rocky. Whatever faint use trail we had in the beginning had now disappeared, but our route was simple. All we had to do was follow the top of the ridge.

White Mountain, standing over 14,000 ft tall, watched over us to the west.

As expected, the route became more gradual as we continued. We assumed a slow and steady pace, watching out for snakes. We ended up seeing none the whole day.

Asaka found a nice patch of trees with shade to feed Leif. Without delving into too much detail, I was a bit concerned for Leif. He hadn’t pooped in almost a week. After he was done feeding, Asaka checked him and surprise! Perhaps the altitude had unintended benefits, adding well needed pressure to the inside of his stomach. Unfortunately, the situation was too messy to contain. I buried the dirty diaper. Normally, I would feel a great deal of guilt about this, but on such a remote peak with very little impact, I felt my actions were acceptable. As we were wrapping up, I heard a faint voice from elsewhere in the forest. Sean, Scott and Brett emerged shortly after. This was my first time meeting Brett, and for some reason I expected him to look older and a little out of shape. It was a bit of a relief because the hike we had planned for the upcoming Monday would require extremely fit partners. We continued up the ridge now as a big group, catching up on past hiking experiences. The summit came into view as we climbed over a small rock band.

We passed a seasonal pond that was dried up.

We reached the summit after 1pm. At 9,450 ft, this was the highest peak I had taken Leif up, and he seemed unaffected. To the west was White Mountain.

To the north was the northern portion of Fish Lake Valley.

To the east was Silver Peak.

To the southeast was Blue Dick Peak, a potential bonus peak for later in the day.

To the southwest was the southern portion of Fish Lake Valley.

Behind the White Mountains were the Sierra Nevada.

We enjoyed lunch and had a relaxing time on the summit.

Afterwards, Brett, Sean and I walked over to the alternate summit where we found the benchmark.

For some reason, I felt like visiting the spot mark on the topo a half mile to the west.

Scott and Asaka were not interested and continued on their own back to the cars. I gave Leif to Asaka and headed off across the flat saddle.

We found a structure on the summit. I wondered if whoever serviced the structure needed to hike up the mountain every time or if they used a helicopter. While one method sounded tiring, the other sounded expensive.

Brett, Sean and I hiked back to the original route. We talked about some old, rich guy who hid a 2 million dollar treasure somewhere in the Rocky Mountains for treasure hunters to find. Someone allegedly died looking for the treasure, while someone else actually found it. We all regrouped once more and hiked together down to the car. There was one steep and loose section, but aside from almost falling down with Leif strapped in, we made it down with no incident.

We took Leif out of the carrier for the last half mile and took turns walking him to the car.

Afterwards, we caravanned back out to Highway 264. We had just enough time to drive up to the summit of Blue Dick Peak. With a 2WD vehicle, one can drive to within a mile and a half of the summit. Brett’s car was having trouble locking into 4WD mode, so we drove him to the top in our Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the whole effort felt like a peak bagging chore, it was nice to check off an easy yet remote P2k.

I finally coaxed Asaka and Leif out of the comfortable car. I shielded Leif from the wind with my down jacket.

Afterwards, we drove to Big Pine where we ate dinner at Country Kitchen.

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sangsanghaebwa · 7 years

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Mr. President (M)

Genre: Smut, University!AU Word count: 3k Description: Getting some private time gets harder and harder when both you and your boyfriend are busy with responsibilities. Seems like it’s your turn to be bold and make a move on your stressed man. Warnings: Mature content Author’s note: It’s been a while since I wrote anything and even though I wasn’t particularly skilled before, now I’m extra rusty. This was more practice than anything and hopefully I’ll like my next works more. Or maybe I’ll even like this one more in the morning, who knows. :D I didn’t proof read this one yet, I’m just eager to finally have something to post... I’m almost done with university but I will have other stuff going on this summer, so I’m still not sure how often I’ll be able to write. However I do have a chaptered work started so I’d love to release that. ^^

Dating the student council president meant busy and conflicting schedules, constant worrying when you’d see the dark circles under your boyfriend’s eyes during your morning coffee dates, and that tiny feeling of inferiority you’d try to hide whenever someone mentioned how smart and charismatic your partner is. The fact that you recently took up editing the university’s newspaper did help in boosting your ego; however making time for dates became an impossible task during busier weeks. On the other hand the student council president you were dating was Kim Namjoon, which meant constant messages no matter if he was in the same lecture hall or attending a conference across the country, deep meaningful talks about everything and nothing at all, sweet dates and mind blowing sex, which would leave your lower body sore for the next day and your skin painted in poorly hidden blotches of blue and purple. To your delight, Namjoon himself would also look like a glowing disaster when you’d spot him in the halls the next day – the usual hickey on the sensitive part of his neck making you bite your lip in satisfaction.

No matter how busy the both of you would get, it was a healthy relationship where you’d just make it work somehow, supporting each other in any way you can instead of feeling disappointed when you can’t meet. That is probably how your newest tradition of doing work dates started – not meeting up for extended periods of time was starting to weight on both of your moods.

You were skimming through an article that a freshman journalism student had submitted that morning when you hear Namjoon sigh for what must have been the sixth time now. He didn’t even notice your worried stare, his own eyes focused on the laptop screen, brows furrowed. Suddenly he was grabbing his phone and storming out of the room, calling someone, leaving you confused. Whatever it was, it must have been serious because Namjoon wasn’t one to get so agitated over things. He would rarely ever show frustration and you almost felt bad for thinking he was hot when he was like that – after all it must have been a difficult situation.

“Fucking idiots.”

The door shut loudly after Namjoon stormed back in cursing, forcefully tugging on his own hair as he dropped back into the leather chair behind his desk, typing on his laptop some more. He had your full attention now and while there was no way you’d go back to your own work, you were still hesitant to approach him, afraid to disturb him in case he was doing something really important. You considered your options for a few seconds and finally go up from the sofa you were sprawled on working, to tip toe to the door and lock it - all without Namjoon taking notice. It was rare for anyone to visit Namjoon’s tiny office without invitation, but you wanted to be safe just in case. In case of what though? Deep down you knew what you had in mind but you didn’t even want to admit it to yourself. Namjoon was always the one initiating things. Even though you two have been dating for a while now, anything beyond a heated kiss was usually started by him and while you did want to be bold sometimes, you still couldn’t get rid of the fear that he’d reject your advances, chastising you that it wasn’t the right time and place.

While you were still leaning against the door, giving yourself a mental pep talk, Namjoon’s phone went off, vibrating against the table and this time he didn’t bother leaving the room.

“Did you fix it?”

Whoever was at the other end of the line must have been in big shit for your well-mannered man to snap at him like that. Namjoon continued with more frustrated grunts and a few choices of curse words and you heard enough to realize someone made some major mistakes in the budget planning for the upcoming festival.

You approached Namjoon from behind and he finally noticed you moving, following you with a tad softer gaze while still barking orders to the person on the phone. The moment your hands settled on his tense shoulders you could hear his voice waver a little, surprised, but pleased. You tried to work out the knots in his muscles the best you could and the moment he ended the call, he dropped the phone on the table without a care and relaxed under your hands, leaning his head back against your stomach and glancing up at you with affection.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping you relax.”

“How can I relax when the festival-“

“I know babe, I heard enough. You worrying your pretty head over this won’t solve anything though.”

Namjoon chuckled almost shyly at your choice of words and gently grasped one of your hands, pulling it to his lips, to leave a chaste kiss on the back of it.

“Thank you baby, I should really look into this more though.”

He was slipping out of your grasp and you were torn, whether to abort your mission and go back to your own work, or proceed with what you really wanted to do. In a split moment decision you found yourself leaning down and pressing a kiss to Namjoon’s neck, too tame to match up to your usual bedroom antics, but suggestive enough to let Namjoon know what you had in mind.

Before you even got the chance to enjoy his smooth warm skin and familiar scent, you felt Namjoon freeze and sit up straighter, clearing his throat. Embarrassment washed over your cheeks and you stood up straight again, hesitant to walk away only because you didn’t want Namjoon to see your disappointed expression.

“I’m sorry, I should probably go and let you work.”

“What? Why? No, please don’t go!”

Namjoon whipped around in his office chair so fast, you were startled, confusion apparent on your face.

“I just… thought I was disturbing you? I mean I shouldn’t have started anything when I knew you were busy.”

You were looking at your feet, so when Namjoon’s hands slipped around your waist, hugging you and pulling you onto his lap, you almost yelped.

“My princess’s kisses are always more important though.”

The nickname and the smirk Namjoon got on his lips sent a jolt straight to your center and suddenly you felt silly for being so afraid of approaching your own boyfriend. He craved your closeness just as much as you did in that moment and it gave you a boost of confidence. You fixed your position so you could straddle his thigh and leaned into his chest, enjoying his soft body, familiar yet missed.

“What should I do to help you forget all the stress? Sir?”

Namjoon groaned at your words and his fingers were suddenly digging into your hips. If sexual power trip was what could help your boyfriend to feel like he had everything under control again, then that’s what you were going to give him.

“Come here.”

Before you knew it Namjoon was kissing you breathless, his plush lips moving in all the ways he knew you loved, nipping on your lips and releasing small whimpers here and there. Your hands found his shoulders and once you felt steady enough in his embrace you were rolling your hips against him, your clit buzzing with the friction from his thigh. You could feel his growing erection against your thigh and a tiny moan slipped past your lips, into Namjoon’s mouth. You couldn’t tell who initiated first but the next second your tongues were sliding against each other and the familiar taste of your boyfriend somehow made everything even more erotic.

Namjoon pulled away first, intending to devour your neck next, but you beat him to it, latching your lips onto his jawline, a surprised groan escaping Namjoon’s throat. You worked on his ear, sucking on it and biting in all the right ways, proceeding to give attention to the sensitive spot behind it. You left a trail of nips, bites, and licks down his long, smooth neck, and practically made out with his sweet spot near his collarbone, making sure to suck on the soft skin just enough to leave a pretty rosy mark. He all but gave up on masking his sounds of pleasure and you felt elated, being with a man who wasn’t afraid to be vocal about the way you made him feel.

“I’m pretty sure I’m becoming even more tense, rather than relaxed, princess.”

Namjoon smiled down at you, teasing, and you stopped grinding against him, deciding to forget about your own burning core for now. You moved to stand up from Namjoon’s lap and before he could protest, you were already on your knees in front of him – a view he couldn’t even hide how much he enjoyed.

“What should I do to help you relax sir?”

You teased and Namjoon’s hand unconsciously creeped into your hair, before you even started doing anything.

“Fuck relaxing, you can get me as tense as you need to if you just keep doing what you’re doing.”

You bit down an amused smile and slowly dragged your palms against his tense thighs, skipping his straining crotch, to grasp his belt and undo it with practiced skill. While initiating sex was a struggle for you, once you started it was as if a new person took over you. In no time you were already urging Namjoon to assist you in dragging his jeans and underwear down, just low enough for his half hard cock to spring free. It wasn’t even near to what you wanted to see, so you wasted no time in engulfing the tip with your lips, digging your tongue in the slit and sucking like you were having a taste of your favorite popsicle. Namjoon all but groaned above you, fingers gripping strands of your hair just a tad harder and you felt powerful knowing you were just starting. You released his head only to grip him by the base and lick a stripe all the way from the bottom to the glistening tip, repeating it again and again until Namjoon’s cock was shiny with your saliva and he was already starting to pant above you. He was fully hard now and you could feel your pussy clench at the thought of how well his thick cock could stretch you. It wasn’t about you however, and that’s what you told yourself when your mouth sank down on his cock again, strangely enjoying the way his tip poked the back of your throat. You set a rhythm, bobbing your head over him, jerking the part that you couldn’t reach with your hand, but you knew it wouldn’t be enough. Namjoon could go on for a long time and while you usually blessed his stamina, this time you wanted to drive him over the edge fast, before anyone could interrupt you two.

“Fuck doll, keep going like this.”

Namjoon sounded more breathless and way less in charge than usually and you almost rolled your eyes because he was thinking this was all you had planned for him. You felt his hips start twitching slightly and you knew soon he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from fucking your mouth, so you decided to just go all out and took a deep breath before sinking all the way on his cock, until your nose poked against his pelvis, deep throating his throbbing length. It took you a lot of practice to get past your gag reflex but Namjoon’s fucked out face and growls of pleasure was all worth it. You experimentally swallowed on him and his hips instantly shot up, almost choking you.

“Ugh babe I’m sorry!”

You couldn’t see Namjoon’s face but you could imagine his miserable expression – stuck between apologetic and turned on beyond belief. You moaned with his cock still down your throat, the vibrations driving Namjoon mad. He grasped your cheek and gently guided your mouth away from him for a second, with a gentle ‘breathe love’, sending warmth all over you with his care even when he was half way out of his mind. You did listen, taking in a few deep breaths before you sank down on him again and now when you swallowed on him, you also brought your hand to play with his balls, gently cupping and fondling them, giving him that little extra stimulation, and before you knew it Namjoon was a moaning mess, patting your cheek in warning.

“Love, I’m gonna cum-“

You pinched his thigh with your free hand and the surprise was all it took for Namjoon to burst his load in your mouth. You made sure to suck him all the way through his orgasm, milking every last drop from him and swallowing it all with pleasure, you should have probably been embarrassed about.

“God you’re such a cum slut, it’s so hot.”

Namjoon’s words coupled with his fucked out yet still turned on expression made the already hot situation heat up even more, and you couldn’t help the tiny whimper when his derogatory words made another wave of liquid heat flush out of you, leaving your panties a sticky mess. You tucked his softening dick back into his underwear and leaned your cheek against his thigh, looking almost cute if not for the situation.

“If you want to call me a slut, you should be ready to take responsibility, you’re well aware of what it does to me, sir.”

You bit your lip suggestively, still somewhat trying to stay in character, even though Namjoon already seemed sated for the time being. Nonetheless he chuckled and beckoned you to climb back up to his lap, but not before stopping you to tug your jeans off, followed by your messy panties. Once you climbed out of those Namjoon decided to pick them up and bring them up to his face, examining the glistening evidence of your arousal, and you couldn’t help blushing, making Namjoon laugh and tug you in to his embrace. His lips found yours again and you almost forgot your lower half was naked until his hot palm settled on the inside of your thigh, caressing it gently, travelling further and further up.

“May I?”

You hummed in approval against his lips and he moved to latch those soft pillows on to your sensitive neck, while his fingers found your wet slit and started rubbing around to spread the wetness everywhere, finally settling on your pulsing clit. You gasped, throwing your head back, both his lips on your neck and his skilled fingers pushing you to your high at a rapid pace. He carefully slipped one finger inside you and you instantly clenched around it, moving your hips to get more friction. Seeing your reaction he added another one and made sure his palm was rubbing your clit, while you rode his fingers like you usually would with his cock, your juices slipping out, trickling down Namjoon’s palm and making obscene noises resonate in the small office.

“Sir, please, I’m close.”

You whispered, not trusting your own voice, and Namjoon’s free hand was instantly groping your breast through your t-shirt, almost harsh – just how you loved it. You could feel his teeth tug at the skin of your neck and his mumbled encouragements vibrating against your throat.

“Cum for me, my little slut.”

This was all it took for you to clench your eyes shut, your head swimming in dizzying blackness while your walls clenched around Namjoon’s fingers, not letting them slip out while you rode out the pleasure.

You slumped against Namjoon, all the feeling in your legs lost for the moment, and he pulled his digits out of you, caressing your still throbbing pussy gently, before he wiped your cum off on his jeans and went to embrace you lovingly, kissing the top of your head.

“I hope you realize how perfect you are.”

You chuckled against his chest and raised your head just a bit to peck the naked skin just above the neckline of his t-shirt.

“I hope you’re at least a bit more relaxed?”

“Babe, I’m basically melting in this chair, I don’t think I could be more relaxed.”

You both laughed and then continued to cuddle each other in silence for a few more minutes.

“I guess my panties are ruined?”

A chuckle and a hum confirmed your worries and you groaned in desperation. You moved to get up and try to get dressed, but Namjoon’s hold on you didn’t let up, making you search his face in confusion.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk about for a while now… and I suppose now is as good time as ever.”

Your worried expression didn’t go unnoticed by Namjoon and he was quick to assure you.

“It’s nothing bad! I mean, it will depend on your answer, I suppose…”

“What are you talking about baby?”

Namjoon hesitated for a few more seconds, avoiding your eyes and absent mindedly drawing invisible patterns on your thigh.

“You know how we barely have time for… this lately. The last date we had was two weeks ago and it was also the last time we properly had sex and I get it if you’re content with it, but I would like something more?”

You weren’t sure where he was going with his speech and while it did leave an uneasy feeling within you, you couldn’t lie that you hadn’t thought about it too.

“I get what you mean and I do feel the same, but is there even anything we can do about it? You’re not going to quit being the student council president and I can’t give up my responsibilities either?”

An almost shy smile graced Namjoon’s lips and his eyes finally met yours, looking hopeful.

“That’s true, but if you’d like to, you could move in with me? We could spend more time together in the evenings and having sex would be easier…?”

The hopeful look in Namjoon’s face turned into a full blown smile once he registered your excited expression, nodding at his words.

“I would love to have you available every night, Mr. President.”

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sailor2xmoon · 7 years

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Mafia/Hitman AU Pt. 3

In which Victor Nikiforov is a Man for Hire. Urban legends say that, for the right price (and sometimes just for kicks), he can single handedly pull off any job in the world. Beautiful, invincible and filthy rich.

Enter Katsuki Yuuri and it all goes to shit.

Part 1 (x)

Part 2 (x)

AO3 here (x)

A hometown hero. Minako says to Yuuri as he packs a suitcase for the upcoming business trip. Hasetu needed to establish some lifelines and it was up to Yuuri Katsuki to make it happen.

Hasetsu was a tourist town, small and cozy with valuable land but the past couple of years have a been battle for small time businesses to stay away from bankruptcy. Yu-topia, one of the final hot springs in Hasetsu left was sinking and his parents have been under scrutiny to keep the books in the black. Even in the face of increasingly aggressive contractors offering to take it off their hands, the land Yu-topia stood on was their version of the family heirloom, it was not up for sale.

We're counting on you, Yuuri! He knows they're supposed to be words of encouragement and yet all he feels are the burden of roles he needed to fill. Carrying on the hopes of his entire family and the residents of Hasetsu by proxy did not make Yuuri feel like the valiant hometown hero everyone else expected him to be.

Yuuri spent the last 5 years abroad in America, studying as an undergrad at Berkeley for a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship with the intent of returning to revive the family business. He graduated with honours, so Yuuri knows how to crunch out numbers and graphs on projected growth, on efficiency, on trend line predictions with the best of them, that was never the real hurdle. Networking presented a challenge, surrounded by charisma and innate charm, Yuuris' anxiety weighed down on him. Still, Yuuri could manage to get by with his hard knowledge and a few close friends.

Problems arose when it came to presentations, where his charts and figures failed, regardless of how accurate they may be. Yuuri realizes that a large part of being successful with clients was about selling yourself rather than the product. Selling yourself as someone competent, self assured and thrives under the pressure of great responsibility. Someone clients can trust with their assets, someone who won't buckle. Unfortunately, professors never covered much of that in lecture.

This upcoming banquet would serve as a major opportunity to make connections with powerful investors that Hasetsu would otherwise never even hear of. No more quietly standing in the shadows, Yuuri needed to be on top of his game and stand out.

Yuuri loses track after drink number 6. The world got soft around the edges and he feels as if the entire room is filled with old friends he just happened to forget. Except, Yuuri can feel someone watching him in his periphery, could it be an actual old friend? Yuuri turns to look and... Definitely not someone you could forget easily, if at all. If Yuuri wasn't drunk he'd swear that man was glowing.

No to old friend, Yes to whatever that man wants to be.

Who is he? Yuuri doesn't know if he said that out loud but someone answers anyways.

"Victor! I didn't expect to see you here." A cheery woman in an evening gown approaches the glowing man and embraces him in a hug. When Victor turns to greet her, Yuuri zeros in trying catch Victor's eyes, do you see me? He succeeds for a split second and is sure the moment deserves a slow motion replay, not enough time has never been such a big problem.

That's it. Yuuri has just had four more glasses of something that turns everything around him into a fairytale and the prince just spotted his beau of the ball. He's certain the fantasy ends when the clock strikes midnight and every glass he knocks back just delays that hour a little longer. Yuuri never knew beer goggles, he just has champagne tinted glasses and it comes with a certain brand of confidence.

The DJ puts on a new track and a seductive rhythm kicks his fairytale off to a intoxicating start. Yuuri is pulling at his tie and swaying across the lounge to introduce himself to Victor. The beautiful glowing man raises his eyebrows in surprise when he catches sight of Yuuri just short of charging at him. Its debatable if Yuuris hips are rolling with the music or he is just...enthusiastic. Yuuri stops a few steps short, extends a hand out to Victor with half hooded eyes and his shirt more than half unbuttoned.

Dance with me. Not a question.

It's a bit obscene.

When Victor tentatively slips his fingers into Yuuris' open palm, Yuuri sees the devils mischief in a smile. His hand closes around Victors and Yuuri pulls him forward hard enough Victor almost stumbles. Yuuris body is there to catch him, they're pressed flush from knee to chest when Victor swings his right leg back for support and caresses his left thigh up against Yuuris' leg. The mischief in Victor smile transforms into...

"It is a tango, after all." He says to Yuuri, voice reverberating through them both. Yuuri didn't expect the accent but certainly appreciates it.

Yuuris' free hand is pressed against the small of his back (pull him closer, no, closer) and with the other sliding slowly down Victors' arm, he cross steps the both of them onto the dance floor. Victors traces a figure 8 and snaps into a back boleo with his leg bent upwards into a v while the other stays extended behind him, toes sliding against the marble floor as Yuuri pulls him forward. He doesn't break eye contact so why should Yuuri, they're both deadlocked in a gaze, barely catching their breath in a sweetheart embrace. Yuuri pivots Victor in a carousel and with forehead to forehead, dips Victors backwards with an arm wrapped around his waist. The song, as if on cue, plays a woman's breathless moan.

Obscene.

All those years of lessons in Minako's studio might as well have been built for this moment. Yuuri makes a mental note of getting Minako a nice present for her next birthday.

At one point, Yuuri mistakes Victors' step back for a move to walk away so he pulls the loosened tie over his head and tosses the loop over Victor, giving a very firm tug once around the Russian man's neck. The gasp he hears is not from the song.

Everyone, dance floor and beyond, is staring. Staring and scandalized and possibly taking photos. Had there been children present, their eyes would be covered by a parents' hand.

Where do you think you're going?

They are close enough for Yuuri to steal a breath from Victor. An arm wraps gently around Victors back and Victors arm is draped across his shoulders. In the figures of Argentine Tango, this particular expression of emotion has a name; you are mine.

Victor whispers in Yuuris' ear about his impressive stamina and Yuuri is determined to prove him right. Either the DJ had an extensive block of fiery tango music planned or Cupid himself, was enjoying the show. By the time the dance floor clears, the pair has danced to fourteen songs back to back. They end in a dramatic final figure, with Victors' leg hooked on top of Yuuris' thigh and their bodies pressed together from the chest down. If Victor was feeling tired before, he's certainly feeling something else now.

When the night comes to a close, Yuuri is responsible for 15 empty flutes though he only drank 14.5. Victor is wearing the last half in his jacket and only then decides it might be a good time for the alcohol to stop flowing. Yuuri is clinging to Victor, his hips rolling on their own accord, slurring out his subconscious. "Victooooor" Yuuris' arms squeeze around his new dance partner. "Come viii-situh me in Haasetsuuu, my family owns a HOT springs, it's reeeeally w-" GASP. "Let's be bussinessssss partners Victooor..... I'll give you mmhmyy carrrr-duh, you'll be my partner riiight??"

By the next morning, Yuuri doesn't remember much from his alcohol induced fairytale. There are some fuzzy snippets in his memory about dancing with a beautiful, possibly glowing man and asking him to become part of his professional network... or something. All Yuuri knows for sure is that he ended up in the right bed in the morning with his phone and wallet intact, dignity not withstanding. Well, it was his bed, whether or not the right one is up for discussion.

On the night stand there is a glass of water and a business card. It just says Victor with a phone number listed below. If Yuuri was more observant, he would also see the faint outline of a kiss preserved in Chanel lip balm on the back. But he isn't, and the kiss goes undelivered.

After an abnormal amount of social media stalking and a relentless stream of what do I say? Because oh my god this guy is going to think I'm a drunken idiot that hits on strangers and propositions them to be an investor in his family business while partially undressed and Victor probably dumped him off in the hotel room after drunk Yuuri passed out post banquet. Which means he probably took a taxi with drunk Yuuri, had to dig through drunk Yuuris pockets for a room key, took off shoes, socks and glasses for drunk Yuuri, most likely got propositioned to be another kind of partner by drunk Yuuri and declined from the lack of a Victor shaped imprint in the space next to him. Oh god.

Sober Yuuri mentally berates the drunk one for messing up a legitimate chance to network with apparently a powerful and wealthy business mogul.

There is no way on the face of this planet Yuuri is calling Victor. He is flying back to Hasetsu and never drinking again.

Four days and a snow storm later, Victor shows up at Yu-topia. Yuuri finds him soaking in the hot springs. Naked. So very naked.

Victor moves in with Yuuri that very same night. There aren't many hotels in Hasetsu and their banquet hall has been doing little outside of collecting dust so Victor asks to rent it out. Yuuri's mom, Hiroko, would have accepted a smile as payment if Victor offered. Hiroko tells Yuuris' sister how glad she is now that Yuuris' FINALLY brought someone home. So handsome too!

Yuuri insists it's not like that. Mari gives him a pointed look. Victor is lying on the floor, sleeping, but not really.

That night, Yuuri realizes his heart is pounding because he is so happy.

#yuri on ice #yuri katsuki #yuuri katsuki #victor nikiforov #victuri #yakov feltsman #victuuri #hitman au #mafia au #yoi

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emotions-in-a-book · 4 years

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Endowed: Chapter 4 - What is Happening

We walk outside where class was held if it was not raining. Once there we sit down on the grass near the building waiting for our mentors to come outside and begin our training. Everyone had their own mentor and sometimes the mentors had us duel with our fellow classmates. It was hard work but it was worth it. This place called Creed’s Home was very small and only had twelve students of different ages and we all had the same sixth period class. With everyone coming outside, we all then waited patiently for the upcoming class to start.

Our mentors walk in and take attendance. As we all wait silently, Ms. Agora, the head of Creed’s Home, announces, “There have been a change of plans. Can everyone please group together within their age groups?”

This is different. Normally there were two students per teacher but this time there were only three teachers. Where was Ms. Kelsey and all the other teachers? Slowly, we move within our groups. It was awkward but we had to obey or punishment was severe. The last time someone did not do as Ms. Agora asked us to do, they were kept in a closet. The student doesn’t speak of it and no one since has tried to question Ms. Agora again. Ms. Agora was a tall slender young woman around in her mid-thirties and wore her hair short to her shoulders. She was strict and expected many things from us.

She continued, “I will be direct with all of you as you are mostly old enough to grasp whatever I will be telling you. We will be moving from Creed’s Home to a different site. Another thing before we continue, you and your group will now have one mentor instead of having one per two students from now on.”

As we stood with our groups she slowly walked around us as if she was inspecting us and was trying to figure out something from us. She walks to the front of the three different groups and turns to us.

She says, “I will now assign the new mentors to the groups. For the six year olds, Andy Angora, Sammy Newman, and Lucy Hearten their mentor will be Ms. Ana Christenson. For the fifteen year olds, Stacy Spark, Kari Springs, Jacob Sky, Lasco Ice, Kayla Collins, and Austin Ballof their mentor will be me. And last but not least, the eighteen year olds, Kale Spark, Frank Collins, and Luanda Fend their mentor will be Mr. Hardwick. There shall be no complaints. Now all of you must go inside and pack your belongings. You have four hours to pack and another half hour to meet with your group in the lounge. Now go.”

Not knowing what was going on, everyone heads straight to his or her room and starts immediately. I rush upstairs to my room where I find one small red suitcase sitting on my bed. Where did this come from? What was happening? I walk over, open it and start to organize my clothes in it. As I start, Kayla and Lasco both walk in and they too start packing. They also had one suitcase but theirs were different colors. Lasco’s suitcase was white and Kayla’s was green. We pack in silence. I can fit no more in the small suitcase and only pack the essentials. I make sure I have enough clothes, two of my reading books, and other small knick-knacks that I have gathered over the years. I grab my backpack and shove my laptop, some essential toiletries, and a pullover sweater. I look at the clock on the wall and I see that two hours have passed. I look towards where Lasco and Kayla, they were starting to fill their backpacks. I make sure my mother’s necklace is around my neck and I sling my backpack around my shoulder. If there was anything I could not lose, it would be my mother’s necklace that my mother gave me the day that my life was ruined.

I turn to Lasco and Kayla and ask, “Do you want me to wait for you?”

Lasco responds, “Actually I am done here and we can wait for Kayla to finish up and then we can all go together.”

“I am finished.” Kayla speaks up.

“Great. Now we’re ready to go.” Lasco says in return.

Lasco Ice was tall and muscular for his age. He was only fifteen and was well mannered and mature than the rest of us. At Creeds Home the teachers were stricter with him because he was telepathic. So far, he had been able to add images to other peoples minds and was working towards speaking with them. His backstory was different, no one is sure but it is said he was found to be running around the streets of Chicago at age nine and since he was orphaned they brought him here. He had a mysterious sense to him but he was quiet and kept to himself, and never really allowed anyone to become close to him. Besides, his muscular features and grey eyes only added more to his appearance.

The three of us grab our suitcase and bags and head out the door into the hallway. We make our way to the stairs and slowly we descend. Once on the first floor, we pass the four classrooms and we notice that they were empty. No tables, no bulletin boards or white boards, and no chairs, just emptiness as if no one had walked in or out of the rooms. When did this happened? Perhaps lunch when we were all preoccupied? We keep walking down the hallway passing the small dining room. We then enter the large room and find that everyone else had barely arrived as well and was waiting. Everyone was either standing up or sitting on the couches with their suitcases next to them and their packs over their shoulders. Seeing us enter, Ms. Agora stands up and turns to the three groups and mentors.

“Great. Now that everyone is here and ready. We are ready to leave. Once outside everyone will be assigned to a van.” Ms. Agora starts to say.

With Ms. Agora leading the way, we slowly file out the lounge with our heavy suitcases trailing behind us. We follow her out the big oak doors and walk silently down the stony pathway to the driveway towards the vans. Reaching the vans, Ms. Agora tells us to stop and to stand in a line. We do as we are told and stand silently waiting for instructions. Ms. Christenson and Mr. Hardwick each walk to one of the two vans and opens it. They open the back and stay there waiting for us.

Ms. Agora then says to us, “Each of you will have a partner. If something happens and you get separated from us, you are to stay with your partner and protect each other…”

“Are we in danger? Is that why we are leaving?” interrupts Kayla.

Ms. Agora turns to her and in return, “No. We are just taking the necessary precautions to keep each and every one of you safe for all we are doing is moving to a new location. Now listen and pay attention for I will not repeat my self. There shall be no complaints on the partner decisions.”

She slowly looks at each one of us and continues, “The assigned vans will be as such. In van one with Ms. Christenson and I are Austin, Kari, Stacy, Jacob, Luanda, and Sammy. While in van two with Mr. Hardwick are Frank, Lucy, Kayla, Lasco, Andy, and Kale. As for the partners I will tell you later when we reach the airport for our flight.”

“Airport?!” exclaimed Kari and Kayla.

“I thought you said…” Kayla starts but is interrupted. “We will be going far away from here to Toluca, Washington, but instead we will take a plane to Bakersfield, California and then drive in the same vans up to Washington. It will be a long journey but everyone will have to deal with it since we will be taking rest stops on the way. Now no more questions and every please go to your assigned vans.”

We walk as quickly as we could to the vans. Once there, Ms. Christenson and Ms. Agora walk to the front seats, start the van and wait for us to get our things inside the back of the van. Everyone is in silence as if wondering what was wrong and what was going to happen next. As we finish and get inside in the van, rain starts pouring and we hear thunder near by. Ms. Christenson whispers something to Ms. Agora but I am only capable of hearing three words ‘follow, destroy’ and ‘manipulate’ as we start moving towards the airport. I have no idea what they can mean so I turn my attention to Kari who was playfully punching Jacob. It seemed as if nothing was happening and that this was only a trip to the airport to some place. So finding no meaning in pursuing my own thoughts, I relax in my seat for a one hour drive to the airport and only listen to the whispers and rain pouring on the roof of the van.

#endowed #chapter #chapter 4 #what is happening #incident #writing #write #book #chapter book #story writing #story #read #reading #fan #fiction #fan fiction #fans only #fyp

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weddingaaha · 5 years

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Wedding Wisdom: Advice From Former Brides and Grooms

There are some lessons that can only be learned after your wedding day.

We asked our readers to share some of what they had learned from their trips down the aisle. Here is a selection of tales of lost rings, ripped gowns and sweaty nuptials from former brides and grooms.

1. Cherish Time With Those Who Matter

It’s O.K. to not invite people. We stressed over the guest list for a long time, but by keeping it to close family and friends we were able to spend quality time with all our guests. Looking back, I know that the day wasn’t just for us. It was also to celebrate the love and support of those who helped us get to this point in our lives, as a couple and as individuals. I was lucky enough to dance with my grandfather at my wedding. It was the last time we were together as a family, he passed a few months after. It will remain one of my favorite memories of that day.

2. Ring Overboard

Our wedding rings were kept in one jewelry box that our best man was holding in his pocket. My ring had a bracket with the center engagement ring inside; my husband's ring was in the pocket of the box. We repeatedly told the best man that my ring was loose, so be careful opening the spring-loaded box. Unfortunately, that advice wasn't enough. As I was coming down the aisle with my father, he opened the box to get the rings ready without looking at it closely. My ring popped out and fell to the deck of our Waterside Lake ceremony. The engagement ring popped out and fell into the lake! Our best man crashed to the deck, but couldn’t save it. My husband thought he passed out from the 90-degree weather, but soon learned that my engagement ring had fallen into the lake. I didn't know this happened until the middle of the ceremony when my husband had the ring in his hand, and I whispered “Where's the other half?” He said, “Just roll with it." So the lesson learned: Have the rings in separate boxes or have them tied to a pillow. Fortunately, we had a successful ending with a ring retrieval. We used the photographers light and a very trustworthy friend in the lake. My ring was presented to me at the reception, and all was made good again.

3. How to Wine and Dine

I wish I had stayed in close touch with the caterer the week leading up to the wedding. Because of a miscommunication, I walked into my reception to find the wrong entree on the tables. Check in all week long as you prep for the reception, and triple check the menu for any changes. My brother-in-law went out and bought a bottle of each of the wines the caterer had suggested for his daughter's upcoming wedding so he could sample them at home. This was a genius idea. You could taste them at a leisurely pace, and you can also know what they taste like an hour after they've been opened.

4. Make Your Wedding Feel Like Home

Money saved! We got married in our living room. Then, five months later, we had a cookout with a D.J., open bar and food. Everyone said they had a blast, and a couple people even thanked us for being “nontraditional.” We invited all of our friends in town, got a couple of Airbnbs and planned a Detroit-themed weekend. We spent $3,000 for everything, cash. Then saved up and spent $15,000 on our two-week honeymoon to East Africa.

5. Not For the Faint of Heart

Take location seriously because your photos show so much more than a beautiful view. I loved that we had our wedding in Mexico, but the weather wasn't for the faint of heart. We didn't even make it to pictures before our wedding party was sweaty, hot and out of their suits. Yes, aesthetics are the ultimate goal, but unhappy people aren't fun. And that's the point of weddings: fun.

6. All the Wrong Things Make All the Best Stories

Just as my then-fiancé and I stood up from this photo, he stepped on my dress and ripped part of the train. I'd been so careful to shield my dress from horses, dirt paths, unfinished wood, my own heels and grass. None of this was easy when you're getting married in a field outside of a ski lodge in Idaho. In one second, all of that work was rendered fruitless. I wish someone had told me that no wedding is perfect, that something is always going to go wrong. More likely, numerous things are going to go wrong. The hairstylist will get amnesia and forget what you agreed on (this also happened to me). The cake will fall apart. The flowers won't arrive until after the ceremony. People will give toasts regardless of your efforts to stop them from grabbing a microphone after a bottle of wine. That's just what weddings are like, and that's O.K. It's more than O.K. A perfect wedding is a boring wedding. It's the things that go wrong that become the stories you'll tell the most after the fact, especially when you're trying to comfort other brides.

7. An Old Tradition Gone Wrong

Don’t let your girlfriends have the keys to your wedding suite. They put crackers in our bed and said it was an old Swedish tradition. It ruined our sleep and we were so tired from the long day.

8. Memories Aren’t in the Details

Don’t get a wedding planner. Also, no need to spend money on small details (stationery, table décor, etc.). No one will remember them anyway.

9. The Less the Merrier

Don’t make assumptions about how many guests will decline. Plan as if each invitee will be there. This means you need to think carefully and practically about the guest list. We started with a large list and delicately (and sometimes uncomfortably) whittled it down. This is your day. Who do you actually want to share it with?

10. If It’s Fine, It’s Good Enough

As a professional event planner, I thought I would handle my own wedding planning easily. In reality it meant that I overthought and second-guessed every decision because I thought it had to be “perfect” — in hindsight, I wish I had realized that “good” was fine! I sent my bridesmaids dozens of emails with ideas for which bracelet I should wear. I researched countless floral arrangements and color schemes. I meticulously sewed 100 napkins in vintage floral fabrics. And for what? I wish I'd just relaxed, and enjoyed the process, and stopped doing so much work to decide everything. I always joke with my brides now, “Did you keep dating after you got engaged, or did you stop looking for a partner? Were you able to meet every single available person out there, or did you stop when you found one you liked?” I wish I'd applied that lesson to my own event and looked at a floral arrangement and said, Yup, that works just fine.

11. Listen to Your Feet

Wear whatever shoes you want. I wore Toms, because they're comfortable. People will try and tell you that you should wear cute sandals or heels, but believe me you will thank yourself if you wear shoes that you enjoy. They're your feet and you have to stand a lot of the day. Be comfy.

12. Stranded at the Altar

Get a day-of-wedding coordinator! Our hired transportation for guests to the venue dropped the ball, leaving many stranded without a ride. The minutes before walking down the aisle were not spent sipping champagne but on the phone screaming at the bus company while my brother was helping great-aunts figure out Uber. We spent a lot on the wedding, and I wish we spent just a little bit more for someone to handle the hiccups in the day.

13. An Accordion Too Many

Although now 41 years ago, I still give all brides the same advice: Make sure your band is listed in the contract by musician’s name and instrument. I booked my band with a band leader who played at the Chicago Gold Coast Hotel. I verbally specified a piano, sax, drums and bass and said I hated electric guitars and accordions. But it wasn’t written in the contract. So guess what showed up! My only compensation was that my lawyer uncle got a 50 percent refund, but it was too late to change out the musicians that night!

14. Don’t Sweat the Weather

I always dreamed of the perfect fall outdoor event. I was glued to the weather reports leading up to the ceremony. It didn't rain, thank goodness, but it was very hot and humid despite it being October. My husband's glasses fogged up during the vows and his best man was sweating more than I thought humanly possible.

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kennethherrerablog · 5 years

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Catch a Lyft to Everest: How a Chance Meeting Turned into a Trekking Company

Ever since reading Jon Krakauer’s “Into Thin Air” about a 1996 Mount Everest disaster, Mark Johnson and his wife Holly had been interested in making the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal, despite having only ever traveled out of the country for a trip to Cancun and being novice hikers. For years, the journey sat on their bucket lists, uncrossed.

Mark was never one for conventional careers. While I was researching an article about unique jobs you can get with an English degree, he and I began trading emails. I quickly learned that Mark had done them all.

Mark graduated from East Carolina University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in English. He’s held positions as a blogger, editor, graphic designer and director of communications, earning more than 100 national awards for writing, photography, editing and video production. After discovering his love for bluegrass music, he even spent 13 years in Nashville as a musician and songwriter.

His career path has been so eclectic and full of 180-degree turns that when he decided to team up with a man he met during a Lyft ride and launch an Everest Base Camp trekking company, it was almost to be expected.

When Your Lyft Driver is a Sherpa

It was by sheer chance that Mark, who was considering a communications job with Lyft in Nashville, decided to use a Lyft instead of an Uber in August 2016. His driver was Dawa Jangbu, a charismatic Lyft driver and Nepalese Sherpa who had made the Everest Base Camp trek many times.

Thanks to his general exuberance (which I could sense even over the phone as he and I spoke), Mark struck up a conversation with Dawa.

Mark wanted to hear everything, but Dawa had to move along to his next fare, so the two traded numbers to arrange a conversation. Three days later, Dawa, Mark and Holly met at a Starbucks inside a Target to discuss Dawa’s time in Nepal over caramel macchiatos.

Mark and his wife clung to every word as Dawa talked them through the trip: the costs, the length — all of it. Mark remembers Holly being brought to tears as they listened to this man describe his experience doing the thing they had so longed to do.

“[The memory is] as clear as something that happened 10 minutes ago,” Mark told me.

After that conversation, the couple committed to making the trek in spring 2018. They had no hiking experience, Mark had just left his job at the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and they had three kids. But they knew they would make it happen somehow.

Over the next two and a half months, Mark was applying for jobs left and right. But he found that he enjoyed being at home after working in an office for more than a decade. He wanted to find a career to supplement his blogging that would let him stay at home.

During those months of job searching, Mark could not stop thinking of the trek that was now only a year and a half out and whether he would be able to make it happen. He and Holly shared the news of their scheduled trip with anyone they could tell, mostly to hold themselves accountable to following through. But they discovered something exciting in telling others of their plans for Everest: They were not the only ones who wanted to do it.

One day, while training on a local track (and still out of a job), Mark was struck with an idea. He had researched the trek thoroughly online and found that there were no companies in the middle of Tennessee that offered packages for Everest. In fact, there weren’t many in the U.S. at all, and most were based on the West Coast or in Colorado.

Yet so many people he had spoken to were interested in making the trek. What if he partnered with Dawa to launch a Southeastern U.S.-based company that arranged treks to Everest Base Camp?

Launching an Everest Base Camp Trekking Company

Dawa had the trekking experience necessary but no marketing expertise. Holly was good with financials. And Mark? Well, Mark could write — persuasively.

“I can tell you right where I was standing [when I had the idea], and I turned and walked to my pickup and called my wife,” Mark said. “She was so immediately interested, she didn’t even hesitate.”

Getting Dawa on board was a little more challenging. After all, the pair barely knew each other, and here was Mark, suggesting that they go into an international business together. It took Dawa a few months, but eventually, the two embraced this new, mutually beneficial partnership.

Once Mark had gotten Dawa’s buy-in, he designed a website and a marketing campaign — something he knew how to do from his career in writing and marketing. In January 2017, he and Holly brainstormed company names. Eventually, they landed on Hobnail Trekking Company. It’s named after hobnailed boots, which are famous for their role in historic Everest summits.

Since launching the company, Mark and Holly achieved their ultimate bucket-list goal: They hiked Everest Base Camp on the company’s inaugural trek in spring 2018. The company now arranges treks at Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and Annapurna Circuit.

Dawa, as a subcontractor of the company, gets his cut for leading the treks, and Mark earns his paycheck as owner of the company. Mark is also the company’s biggest advocate with his writing, marketing, social media presence and photography.

Thus far, the company has sent 19 Americans to Everest Base Camp with several more lined up for the 2019 season. “When we began the business, we projected that it would take two to three years to really have it moving, and that’s pretty much what’s happening. The interest has been amazing, though,” Mark said.

Hobnail Trekking Co. does all the work — aside from the actual hiking. Mark and his company make all the arrangements so that their guests can show up with their gear without having to worry about navigation, food, lodging, etc. The popular Everest Base Camp trek currently goes for $4,790 for the upcoming season. But Mark’s company also offers an International Flight Package that takes the cost to $6,540.

To supplement his income from Hobnail, Mark also runs a business called Big Harvest Creative Group that does freelancing, e-marketing and builds websites. Because he has a knack for juggling so many careers, he actually launched the company at the same time he started Hobnail.

“I’m not getting rich from either business, but I’ve also been able to be here when my kids get home each day, prepare home-cooked meals, drive people to doctor’s appointments and Scout meetings and all that stuff while also doing work that I’m passionate about, rather than driving through traffic each morning to a 9-to-5 job,” Mark explained. “That’s the huge appeal of being an entrepreneur.”

What Mark loves most about his work at Hobnail is that his story and the stories of the people who have made the trek through his company (including a 72-year-old woman with two replaced knees) are proof that something so monumental can be achieved by “normal people with kids and bills and dirty dishes.”

What’s even cooler to me is that Mark was able to do all this — Hobnail, his music career and everything in between — with an education in English. As someone who faced criticism from friends and family for pursuing an English degree, it’s reassuring to see someone hone the skills he learned and do something so unique that still pays the bills.

And, like a true English major, Mark has written a book that chronicles his Everest adventures. “Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp: One of Planet Earth’s Epic Adventures Told by a Slightly-Less-Than-Epic Guy” is available now on Amazon.

Timothy Moore is an editor, freelance writer and proud English major. While he hasn’t made the Everest trek in Nepal, he has happily taken on the biggest mountains Scotland and Ireland had to offer — and his legs still feel the burn.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

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