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quillandinkjournalism-blog · 5 years

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{ @quillandinkjournalism | @nightmare-keef }

Jamie sat at the desk in Nightmare's room, twirling a pen in his fingers and leaning back in his chair, staring at the computer screen. He'd been working on finalization for his exposé, including an article on multiverse theory and the Nightmare Dimension. However, he knew he'd have to speak with those better versed in the multiverse to complete it, and he still didn't have the courage to leave the room.

Overall? He was bored out of his skull. He had burned through the books he brought with him, and while he knew he could get Nightmare to bring him more (and he would), the truth of the matter was that Jamie was simply no good at sitting around and doing nothing. He didn't know what it meant to relax, to not be working. Nightmare used to have to force him to take a day off - Quill and Ink took so much of his time just to run, plus rushing around to get the freshest, most interesting stories.

Humming to himself, he picked up his phone, opting to call Nightmare instead of texting him. At least seeing him always made Jamie feel better. They had fun together. He tapped his fingers on his desk as he waited for Nightmare to pick up.

Nightmare had been going through drills with his doppelganger for a good portion of the afternoon. The Nightmare had been ready to call it quits hours ago, but Keef simply had a way of convincing him to do these things. He had become a much better fighter because of it and it was always pleasant to spend time with his alternate- at least, now that Keef did not want to kill him every time they locked eyes.

They had just finished a round when Nightmare's communicator went off. It gave him an excuse to catch his breath as he lifted it to his ear and answered while Keef dried the sweat from his neck with a clean towel. "Hello Mr. Deveraux. How can I be of assistance?"

Jamie raised an eyebrow, leaning forward to rest his elbow on the desk, then his head in his hand. "You sound out of breath. What are you up to?" He asked, and then continued in a breathier voice, hopefully just a touch sultry, "I was just wondering if you would like to spend some time with me this evening?"

Nightmare chuckled, shifting the phone to rest between his ear and shoulder as he put away his weapons, "I got talked into being Keef's sparring partner today. Spoiler, he is way better." The tone in Jamie's voice had Nightmare instantly blushing and turning away from the other redhead and replying a little more quietly, "I would love to.. do you have anything specific you wanted to do or just wing it?"

Jamie could almost giggle - he heard Nightmare get a little quieter, could almost hear the blush in his voice. He stopped spinning his pen, tapping it instead between his teeth as he crooned, "Oh… I think maybe we should just… Wing it. I'll see you soon?"

Nightmare gave a slightly shaky chuckle and replied, "Heh.. ah. Yeah. I will be there really soon." He hung up the phone and let out a soft sigh, turning to his alternate with a sheepish grin, "I'm ah. Gonna cut this one short, I think."

Keef gave an understanding smile of his own and approached Nightmare, reaching out to fix his hair a bit with the tips of his fingers and replying, "You do you, friendo. And don't be so nervous. He is crazy about you. And you are adorable, even though you are sweaty. Go get 'im."

Nightmare chuckled and gave Keef a smile before stepping back and vanishing on the spot, reappearing just outside his own door. He lifted a hand, taking another breath before tapping on the door with his knuckles.

By now, Jamie wasn't surprised with how quickly Nightmare came when called as it were. Grinning to himself, Jamie stood from the desk and slowly made his way to the door, smoothing down his clothing and adjusting his glasses as it went.

Pulling open the door, Jamie leaned against it and smiled at the other. His outfit today was fairly simple; form-fitting jeans and a dark flannel shirt, unbuttoned halfway down and rolled up to the elbows. "Why hello there," Jamie purred, taking a couple steps back to welcome Nightmare inside.

Nightmare had tried to keep himself composed as the door was opened but found himself instantly ogling the human in his tight jeans and his collarbone visible from his open shirt. It took nearly every ounce of his willpower to bring his eyes up to the boy's face and say, "H-hi, James."

He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him and leaning against it as he sheepishly added, "You look good."

Jamie's smile widened as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed, leaning back slightly with his hands behind him and crossing one leg over the other. "Hi Keef. So do you - not your usual aesthetic but, I think I can get behind the armour," he said, clocking his head to the side and raising one hand back up, tilting his glasses down giving Nightmare a once-over above their frame.

Nightmare flushed brightly, looking down at the armor and sword belts he was wearing. It certainly was not his usual. He glanced back up with a half smile and explained, "They are Keef's. The other Keef. The real one. I don't really… ah. Have sparring gear. But I probably will at some point, I guess. I don't imagine Keef wants to loan me his stuff every time he wants to kick my ass."

He seemed to realize that he was rambling and lifted one hand to rub his neck nervously, "Thank you, though."

"Well, they look great on you," Jamie replied, patting the spot on the bed next to him. "You just gonna stand across the room, or are you going to come over here and join me?"

Nightmare pushed himself off the door the moment that Jamie had bid him to come over, unable to resist him as always. As he walked over he unfastened the sword belt and dropped them onto the table and then sat down beside Jamie and added, "I should probably take a shower before I subject you to the grossness that is me. He had me running for hours."

"Oh, of course. If you'd like," Jamie replied with a smile, raising a hand to glide his fingers down the chest piece of Nightmare's armour. The other wouldn't even be able to feel it, but he knew the gesture would bring out another adorable blush. "I will be waiting right here for you."

The gentle touch to his breastplate and the sultry tone that Jamie was using was not lost on him. He had been with this boy for years, they had shared a bed many times. Nightmare had committed all of his mannerisms to memory and had spent so many nights over the years imagining this exact smile to soothe himself from loneliness in the Nightmare.

He glanced up at the human, the blush on his cheeks just as vibrant as he could have been imagining it would be. He reached up a hand, grasping Jamie's lithe fingers in his and brought them up to his lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles and assuring as he stood from the bed, "I am just going to. Ah. Freshen up. A bit."

He backed away a few steps, flashing a bright smile before turning and bounding into the bathroom attached to his suite. He closed the door behind him, leaning against it for just a moment, dragging his hands through his hair and whispering to himself, "For fuck's sake, he has no business being that hot."

He took a breath and rushed through the process of cleaning himself up and changing into some clothes that were far more him, a pair of purple slacks and a yellow short sleeve button down shirt with a pair of purple suspenders. He looked himself over in the mirror and spent several moments pumping himself up before turning and walking back out the door.

Jamie had shifted while waiting for Nightmare to finish up, laying across the bed facing the bathroom door, resting his head in his hand. The collar of his flannel dipped low and the hem trailed up just slightly to show the dip of his hip bone above the waistband of his jeans.

Grinning, the human looked Nightmare up and down again. "That was fast. You know, I dig the armour, but you are much more adorable in your own clothing."

The instant that he stepped out of the bathroom Nightmare was blushing again. Jamie looked fucking amazing stretched out languidly on his bed, flashing little hints of skin at him. The compliment made him warm beneath his shirt. As he stepped towards the bed he brought up one hand and tugged at the collar slightly. He sat on the bed with a complete lack of grace, certainly jostling the lounging boy as he said, "Thanks… and ah. Sorry."

The human only giggled as the bed shifted with Nightmare's unceremonious entrance and scooted a bit closer, raising his free hand to trail his fingers along the seam of Nightmare's pants. "Sorry? What in the world would you need to apologize for?" He asked, looking up at the other and fluttering his eyelashes.

Okay. Maybe he was putting it on too strong. But seeing the man unravel was something he always adored. That blush, the freckles, the bashful expressions. Oh yes, it did very nice things.

Keef looked down at the boy, biting his lip softly before replying playfully with a raised brow, "Sorry for bouncing onto the bed while you are doing your damnedest to be as irresistible as possible."

Jamie laughed lightly, continuing to trail his hand up until it was over Nightmare's chest, grasping one of his suspenders to tug him down a bit closer. "Well, is it working?"

The redhead let our a shaky breath as he was pulled down to nearly eye level with the other and replied in little more than a whisper, "Yes."

He pressed forward, kissing Jamie and letting himself fall forward onto the bed, but catching himself with one hand to stop him from landing on the brunette.

Jamie let out a small, pleased moan when Nightmare kissed him and came in close, keeping his one hand on the other's chest but dropping the other out from under him, relaxing into the bed. He let that arm instead slide around Nightmare's shoulders as he returned the kiss, letting his eyes slip closed.

Nightmare purred softly moving to deepen the kiss as he brought his hand up to cup Jamie's jaw, savoring the taste of the human, especially with the lustful hormones that were practically rolling off of him.

After just a moment he pulled back, catching his breath and saying softly, "Wait… wait. James, we need to talk about this first. I need to make sure this is okay."

Jamie had been fully prepared to deepen the kiss and to pull Nightmare closer, but before he had very much time to react, the man was pulling away. He seemed confused at first, but his expression soon softened, as did his grip on Nightmare's shirt. "I thought my body language made it obvious, but checking verbally is an excellent habit. Yes, this is okay. It's more than okay. I want this, Keef. If you want it, too, that is."

The redhead gave a soft nod, swallowing thickly but managing to reply, "I want this. I want you." He leaned forward and pressed a far more chaste kiss to the boy's lips, pulling back after just a moment as he brushed his fingers along Jamie's jaw and added softly, "I have missed you so much. I love you, James."

The gentle touch to Jamie's jaw elicited a shiver from the human, a warm smile crossing his lips at Nightmare's words. He slid his hand up, mirroring the movement with his thumb along Nightmare's freckled cheek. "I love you too, Keef. I'm so happy to be with you again," he said softly, leaning up to kiss the other again before pulling back, brow furrowed. "This does mean… I am with you, right? Are we… Are we getting back together?"

Nightmare purred into the gentle kiss before Jamie pulled away and asked him those questions that made his stomach knot nervously. He swallowed thickly and asked, "Is that what you want?" His brow furrowed and he continued, "And are you even in an okay place mentally for any of this? I mean you have been through so much and it is all still fresh for you. I will wait for you, as long as you need me to for you to heal and be okay. I do not want you to rush into anything you are not ready for."

His frown deepening, Jamie tightened his grip on Nightmare's shirt. "I want you, Keef. I know things have been crazy and difficult. And that I have had… Maybe a hard go at things. But I haven't been this sure about anything in a long time. Since before we broke up."

Sighing, the human relaxed into the bed, looking away. "It's okay if you don't want to, or if you don't think I'm ready yet. We can wait. But I really do want this. And you."

The redhead could not help the smile that tugged at his lips as Jamie began to speak. It was everything that he had wanted to hear for years and that he had convinced himself he never would. When Jamie looked away from him, however, the boy gave a soft chitter and reached out to turn Jamie's face back toward him with a gentle prompt of his finger and softly shook his head, "Thinking of you has been the only thing that has kept me sane, James. I want you, more than I have ever wanted anything. If you want to be with me, I am here and I am yours. I always have been. I just do not want to rush you. I want to know that you feel you are ready for the stress of a relationship. Particularly with a lizard person."

Jamie looked back up to Nightmare when he was prompted, leaning up to press another kiss to his lips. "You aren't rushing me, Keef," he said as he pulled back, keeping his forehead pressed to Nightmare's. "I love you. I haven't stopped loving you. And I want to remember what it feels like to really be loved back. I am ready."

He pulled back again, raising his brows and adding playfully, "Particularly with a lizard person."

The redhead smiled softly at the admissions and reassurances, chuckling softly at the quip. Nightmare tugged his lip between his teeth for just a moment before flicking a forked tongue playfully against Jamie's cheek. He pulled back enough to smile at the human and give him a nod, "Then I am ready too."

Jamie giggled, wiggling in response to the little lick to his cheek, grinning widely as he tossed his arms around Nightmare's shoulders, tugging the man on top of him. "You have just made me one very happy boy, Keef," he said, pulling Nightmare down to kiss him deeply.

Nightmare gasped when he was tugged on top of the other, his lips stolen in that passionate kiss. He moaned softly into the contact and opened his mouth, slipping his tongue, which he had not bothered shifting back to a humanoid shape, into Jamie's mouth, relishing the feeling.

After a few moments Nightmare pulled back just enough to force his suspenders off of his shoulders, ducking forward to kiss Jamie again as he reached between them and began to shakily unbutton the human's shirt with one hand.

Jamie moaned into the kiss, too, pleasantly surprised at the feeling of that forked tongue against his own. In all other respects, the kiss was exactly how he remembered it to be albeit with added adrenaline and excitement, particularly concerning Nightmare's real form and those powers he'd never been aware of. It was certainly a worthy reunion.

The human couldn't help but to arch into the feeling of Nightmare's fingers working at the buttons of his shirt. He shifted his hips slightly, purposefully rubbing up against the other as he hooked one of their legs together, pulling him closer.

Nightmare stifled a moan at the roll of Jamie's hips, but could not restrain a growl as he was pulled against the human. He wanted this boy more than he could possibly say, and the soft sounds he was making, they way his body shifted and especially the smell of him had him at his wits end.

The redhead pulled back again with another growl, abandoning the task of undoing his buttons and instead simply grabbing the fabric of the shirt and tearing it open, sending several buttons flying through the air. He gave another growl as he looked the human up and down for a few moments before ducking down to attack his neck with gentle kisses and bites.

The growl that came from Nightmare sent a delectable shiver down Jamie's spine. It only caused him to roll his hips again and moan a little more loudly. He was about to complain when Nightmare pulled back, leaning up to try to catch his lips again, but gasped when his shirt was torn open, a deep blush tinting his skin.

"K-Keef!" He began, but immediately let his head fall to the side, moaning again as Nightmare began to kiss and bite at him. Jamie slid his hands down, reaching the hem of Nightmare's shirt to slip them beneath it, pressing his fingertips into the other's skin.

Nightmare shifted his hand that was not currently supporting him to slide along Jamie's exposed side and chest, while he was exuberant he kept his touches light, able to still clearly see the bruises along the boy's ribs. The sight of them made him soothingly angry and he firmly decided to himself that Chris had earned some extra time in the Nightmare for it. But he did not say anything about it, keeping his focus on giving Jamie softness and passion, all of the things he deserved to receive.

He pulled away from Jamie's neck to trail his kisses along the boy's jaw muttering soft 'I love yous' against the skin and finally catching his lips again.

Jamie had begun to pant lightly, squirming and pressing himself against Nightmare wherever he could and revelling in his soft touches. He didn’t even remember the bruises; he couldn’t feel them he was so focused on the wonderful attention he was being given now, making up for lost time. He leaned into each kiss, moaning ‘I love yous’ back, fingers sliding up along Nightmare’s back and bringing the shirt up with them.

He pressed into the kiss, opening his mouth to urge that tongue again against his own, savouring the familiar taste of him.

Nightmare gladly deepened the kiss with a throaty purr, letting his tongue twist against the human's as Jamie began to lift his shirt. He lifted his hand to undo the top button of the yellow button down and then pulled back just long enough to pull the fabric over his head and toss it to the side, then he was back in place, kissing Jamie all the more passionately.

He had always been rather timid in the moments leading up to love making, but once he was in the throes of it, he tended to find his confidence, moving without overthinking and letting himself simply sink into the feeling of the moment- it was the same now as he moved his hands between them, unfastening the human's jeans with nimble fingers and slipping his fingers into the band to tug them off of Jamie's hips, straightening himself up to be able to remove them completely and toss them in a random direction.

He looked down at the boy, exposed before him, legs spread and wrapped about his waist - already hard and wanting for him. As his eyes raked over Jamie's form hungrily he mused, "You are the sexiest human I have ever laid eyes on."

Nightmare did not wait for the boy's response, instead ducking down to trail kisses along his stomach and down to his hips, wrapping one hand around the base of his member as he began to tease the tip of Jamie's cock with inhuman flicks of his forked tongue.

Jamie had resigned himself quite happily to lay back as Nightmare touched and kissed him, breathing heavily when the other pulled back to remove his own shirt. Hands free, he let them roam all over Nightmare’s back, moaning into his mouth.

The human let his head fall back into the pillows, watching Nightmare as he undressed him completely and wiggling out of his now ruined flannel, tugging his lip between his teeth, skin flushed all over and breathing quite heavily. He could now see the bruises peppering his ribs, hips, and thighs, but chose to ignore them and focus his attention on Nightmare. He still found Jamie attractive, still wanted to give him love and pleasure despite everything that happened, looking at him with those hungry, lustful eyes. It made him feel desired.

He had been about to reply and return the compliment as Nightmare began to kiss down his abdomen and along his hips, but gasped loudly, the words choking in his throat as Nightmare took his cock in hand and began licking the sensitive tip. One hand shot down, grasping the man’s shoulder while the other tangled in the sheets, gripping them tightly. “Oh, God, Keef,” he moaned, unable to take his eyes away while Nightmare began to pleasure him with that delectable tongue, “F-fuck.”

Nightmare grinned at the feeling of Jamie's fingers grasping his freckled shoulder and the sound of the choked words, the panting breath and the smell of lust rolling off the boy. He looked up along the human's frame, focusing on his face as he took the member into his mouth, suckling gently as he let his tongue curl around its width and began working his hand slowly along the length of him.

All Jamie could do was continue to moan, struggling not to thrust his hips up into Nightmare's mouth. As the man took the length of him into his mouth, sliding that incredible tongue against him and stroking in tandem, Jamie let his head roll back into the pillows, arching his back against the bed. "Oh my God," he whined, not attempting to be quiet or restrain his noises as he might in their apartment.

Nightmare hummed softly at the sight of Jamie lolling his head backwards and crying out at the sensations he was providing to him. The way that the human moved, his back bending delicately while his fist gripped the sheets- it was beautiful and it made him feel incredibly warm. He quickened the pace of his strokes and began to take more of the boy into his mouth, hardly even gagging when Jamie hit the back of his throat.

He took it in stride, not stopping his movements and instead working to relax the muscles of his throat to take more of him in.

"Oh God, Keef," Jamie moaned again, his hand moving from Nightmare's shoulder into his hair, the other hand coming down to join. Both entangled in the locks of red hair, Jamie writhed against the sheets as he felt himself growing steadily warmer, the all-too familiar feeling of getting close to climax thanks to Nightmare's almost relentless pleasuring. "K-Keef," he whined as an early warning, unable to restrain himself from wiggling his hips up into Nightmare's mouth.

Nightmare could not help but purr at the sound of his name being huskily moaned by the brunette. He had no business being this sexy and sounding so utterly delectable. Instead of slowing down or backing away at the warning the redhead maintained the same rhythm and pressure, letting his eyes slip closed as he prepared for the climax to hit his throat.

"Oh fuck, Keef," the human moaned again, thrusting his hips up into Nightmare's hand and mouth, breath hitching in his throat as he came hard in the back of the other man's throat. His brain was full of fog, only able to feel the pleasure of his climax. He shouted Nightmare's name over and over, fingers digging into his scalp.

Slowly, Jamie began to relax back into the bed, panting heavily and his thighs quivering around the man between then, his grip beginning to loosen in those red locks of hair.

Keef chuckled softly as Jamie released him enough to allow him to pull away, lifting himself up as he raised a hand to wipe at his mouth. He crawled up Jamie's body, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw and then to his lips. He nuzzled softly against the human and asked playfully, "Was that fun?"

Jamie was still panting when Nightmare crawled up beside him, but he let out a small giggle and kissed him back, wrapping his arms around the other to pull him close again. "You, Keef, are incredible. That was amazing."

"You're amazing," Nightmare countered with a smirk before kissing the human soundly. He slipped his tongue into Jamie's mouth as he reached between them to unfasten the button on his slacks. Before he got all the way through this process, however, he pulled back slightly from the kiss and said, "We can stop here, if you want to wait. I do not want to overwhelm you."

Jamie kissed Nightmare back just as deeply, but let out a small whine of displeasure when he pulled away and began to speak. He tightened his grip around Nightmare’s shoulders slightly, pulling him back into the kiss before replying, “I don’t want to stop, Keef. Please. I want you.”

The redhead purred softly into the renewed kiss, smiling softly when Jamie confirmed that they were still on an okay path and the human wanted him. He gave a soft nod, ducking back down to kiss at Jamie's neck while he finished removing his pants from his hips, adjusting slightly to be able to kick them off all the way.

Once he was relieved of the clothing he leaned across the bed to open his bedside cabinet and return with a small bottle of oil. He straightened up to kneel between the human's legs, placing one of his hands behind Jamie's knee and gently pushing it forward toward his chest while he coated both himself and the boy's entrance quite liberally with the slick lube, not wanting to hurt him.

While he wanted nothing more than to go for it, give into the desires he had been holding onto for years now, he began by gently pushing his finger into the boy, moving slowly and steadily as he nearly withdrew it only to push forward again. As he prepped the human, slipping a second finger into him he softly said, "I love you, James. You are so beautiful."

Jamie laid back, biting his lip in anticipation as Nightmare removed his pants completely and began to prep them both. He was instantly thankful for the lubrication, but still found himself wincing as Nightmare slipped that first finger inside, more out of anxiety than any real discomfort. He had to work to push down the bubbling fear, reminding himself that this was the man he had known intimately and passionately for five years.

He let out a shaky breath, keeping his eyes trained on the redhead before him, focusing on the feeling of his fingers moving and the sweetly spoken words. “I love you, Keef,” he replied in a breathy whisper, “I love you so much.”

Nightmare could both see and practically smell the anxiety rolling off of the boy. He did not stop, but leaned forward and kissed him gently, pulling back enough to whisper back, "I will not hurt you, Jamie. I love you more than anything. Know that you can tap out at any point. No hesitation, no questions and no judgement."

He placed another soft kiss to the human's lips as he withdrew his fingers entirely, lining himself up with his entrance and pushing forward gently, his forehead pressed against the other's, maintaining eye contact and kissing him sweetly.

Jamie pressed back into the kisses just as softly, letting his hands slide back up to wrap around Nightmare, keeping them close to one another. He only nodded in response, licking his lips nervously . He kept eye contact with Nightmare as the man began to push inside of him, letting out a small gasp at the pressure. He took a few steadying breaths, trying to keep himself relaxed, the tensions slowly beginning to ebb into pleasure.

When Nightmare began to move against Jamie it was slowly and gently, keeping his eyes trained on the boy's face to gauge his reactions, mentally preparing himself to stop at a moment's notice. The sensation of Jamie relaxing around him was a relief, he had begun to worry that they had taken this too far, that he was doing more harm than good. But the human pulled him close and began to breathe into the sensation, soothing some measure of the redhead's own anxieties.

Keef gave the human another soft kiss as he began to speed up his rhythm just slightly, keeping his touch gentle but increasing the friction as he moved Jamie's leg to rest the boy's knee on his shoulder.

The human’s steadying breaths began to grow deeper as Nightmare continued to move, increasing his speed and adjusting position slightly, further helping him to open up and relax. His breathing gradually shifted into light panting as his jaw dropped open, staring intensely into Nightmare’s stunning candy apple green eyes. Jamie pressed his fingers into Nightmare’s skin, unconsciously bringing his hips up to meet the other’s, beginning to match his rhythm.

Nightmare could not help but to let out a throaty purr as Jamie began to let himself sink into the sensations of their love making- his breath beginning to become husky, his cheeks beginning to flush softly, his brilliant azure blue eyes dilating. He was stunning.

When he pressed forward to kiss Jamie again, it was less gentle, full of passion and desire. He began to steadily increase the pressure of his thrusts, rolling his hips against the human and beginning to growl possessively against Jamie's lips.

Jamie pressed back into the kiss with just as much exuberance, needily pawing at Nightmare as he continued to roll his hips against Nightmare’s, matching the speed as he increased it.

Any negative or anxious thoughts had faded completely. When Nightmare growled, such a possessive and inhuman sound, Jamie had to break from the kiss to roll his head back and moan loudly. “Oh, Keef,” he gasped, leaning up to press kisses instead along Nightmare’s throat, collar, and shoulder, continuing to moan his name against his skin.

Nightmare continued the low, rumbling growl as Jamie pawed at him, kissing at his throat and chest. The redhead moved his arm that was not supporting the boy's leg to the side of Jamie's head, supporting his weight on that elbow, his hand tangling in the boy's hair as he found a good rhythm, timing his thrusts with the roll of the human's hips beneath him.

Nightmare's steady growling sent delectable shivers down the human's spine. He arched into each movement and continued to moan, becoming louder and more enthusiastic with each thrust. He had always been quite vocal, but was especially so now when he was feeling so needy and so desirable.

"Oh, Keef - oh my God, h-harder," he managed to gasp, nipping at Nightmare's throat and scraping his short nails down Keef's back.

The redhead hissed softly in pleasure at the feeling of the human's fingers digging into him. The hiss quickly turned into a deep moan, the familiar pressure of eminent climax filling his gut and urging him forward with vigor. He tried to continue whispering sweet nothings at the boy, but his voice was long lost to him, instead only allowing him to let out panting, shaky growls as he straightened his back, letting both of his hands rest on Jamie's hips, pulling the boy toward him with every thrust.

Jamie tossed his head back from Nightmare once again, shouting and writhing into the bedding as Nightmare shifted positions once again, each thrust hitting his prostate and bringing him quickly close to climax as well. He closed his eyes tightly, unable to make a coherent sound but did manage a whine, the only warning he could give before he came again, arching his back as cum spilled across his abdomen.

Nightmare moaned loudly at the feeling of Jamie tightening around him as the human climaxed. He continued the motions of his hips for a few more thrusts, finally passing the brink and coming with a throaty growl, spilling into the boy's body before he practically fell forward, catching himself with shaking arms before he collapsed on the boy beneath him.

He panted raggedly, beads of sweat matting his mop of red hair to his brow and Nightmare slowly pulled out of his lover entirely, but did not break eye contact with him. He wore a half grin as he looked down at those starling blue eyes and whispered between breaths, "I love you, James."

Jamie was quite near losing his mind as Nightmare kept going, shouting once more as the man came inside of him and slowly pulled out, relaxing into the bed. After catching his own breath, he smiled lovingly up at Nightmare, caressing his cheek. “I love you too, Keef. That was - wow, that was something,” he giggled lightly, still deeply flushed and his body quivering.

At the words Nightmare grinned a bit more brightly, adjusting his weight onto one elbow and bringing the other hand up to lightly trace Jamie's jaw with his knuckles as he asked playfully, "And is something a good thing?"

“Oh, something is a very, very good thing,” Jamie replied, shifting forward slightly to rest against Nightmare’s chest, taking a slow and deep breath. “I have missed you so much. I’ve missed that. Us.” He looked up again, eyebrows raised and a bit of a sultry smirk on his lips and added, “And by God, Keef, that growl. I think one of the most arousing sounds you have ever made.”

The redhead chuckled and moved to the boy's side, wrapping one arm around him and pulling him close to rest on his chest properly. Once they were settled Keef pressed his lips into Jamie's hair and mused with a chuckle, "You can't imagine how hard it was to not make fucked up monster noises for five years during sex. It was a lot of work to pretend to be human."

Jamie hummed as he was pulled onto Nightmare’s chest, taking in a deep breath of him. While he didn’t have such advanced senses as, apparently, the majority of people he knew, he could smell the soft floral scent of the shower oils and the soothing scent of lavender. “Well,” he said, “I don’t want you to hide that anymore. Please. I want all of you, the real you.”

Nightmare nuzzled his cheek against Jamie's hair before letting his head fall back into the pillows, grinning up at the ceiling at the human's words. He let out a truly contented sigh and replied softly, "I am yours. All of me. Everything that I am."

Jamie let out a small, happy sound, squeezing Nightmare tightly for a few moments and letting his eyes slip closed. He knew he should get up and clean himself up, but couldn’t find the energy to move. “I love you, Keef,” he murmured again, shivering as he began to feel the chill in the air as his heart rate dropped. “Now gimme a blanket. Will you stay the night this time?”

The redhead hummed softly, shifting his weight a bit to tug one of the blankets over them before hugging Jamie tightly and replying, "I love you too, Jamie." He paused for just a moment before adding, "If you want me to stay, I will stay. I have missed falling asleep with you. It would be really nice."

“I do want you to stay,” Jamie said, nuzzling into Nightmare’s chest and sighing softly. “You can spend as many nights with me as you want. I’ve missed it, too.”

"I will stay then," he replied wistfully as he began to run his fingers through the boy's hair and let his eyes slip shut, a soft purr causing his chest to rumble softly against the human's cheek.

#when life gives you lemons #smut ahead listen im on pc and don't have the right tag on here forgive me #nightmare keef

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sablelab · 6 years

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Covert Operations - Chapter 7

DISCLAIMER: This is a modern AU crossover story with Outlander and La Femme Nikita. LFN and its characters do not belong to me nor do those from Outlander. This is a complete work of fiction and as such is an entirely fabricated tale created in my imagination.

This story follows Jamie and Claire as they travel to Hong Kong in search of the leader of The Rising Dragons triad group, but along the way they encounter many hurdles in his pursuit. In seeking his capture they have to go undercover on several occasions and in doing so come across members of the triad’s hierarchy who prove to be just as deadly as the Dragon Head of the Rising Dragons … Sun Yee Lok.

Manip - @sassylover-stuff

SYNOPSIS: A flash briefing takes place given new Intel about the victims and suspected triad members. After the briefing James Fraser collects his weaponry needed for the mission to Hong Kong from *Murtagh Fitzgibbons in Munitions.

CHAPTER 7 Dougal Mackenzie, aka Operations had assembled the operatives once more at short notice to go over the Intel that Fergus Claudel had found due to the discovery of last minute details about the deceased victims on the junk. James Fraser and his team were seated around the briefing table already dressed in their Mission gear and ready for the trip to Hong Kong. They sat in silence waiting for Operations and Madeline to make an appearance. Eventually the leaders of Section One strode in side-by-side, eyes fixed straight ahead. When they approached the table Madeline quietly sat down while Operations stood casting his gaze along those gathered watching their reactions intently before beginning the team briefing on the upcoming mission to Hong Kong. Seated at the opposite end of the table Jamie’s expression as always was a blank stare. James Fraser never gave his superiors any inclination of what he was feeling and his stoic demeanour always infuriated them especially Madeline whose job it was to ascertain any weakness in their captured targets and those who were at Section. Jamie though was a conundrum. Although she suspected that he may have a weakness she was yet to discover what or who it was, however, if and when she did she planned to use it to her and Operations’ advantage to keep their Level 5 operative under control.

Concurrently, Jamie Fraser studied Operations carefully as he delivered the Intel while Madeline on the other hand, sat with her hands loosely clasped in front of her seemingly oblivious of any scrutiny. She was however; ever watchful of those gathered at the briefing table especially Geillis Duncan and Rupert Mackenzie hoping that they would be able to carry out their profile effectively.

Operations’ guttural voice resonated around the room. “Yesterday, we engaged in an operation to ascertain if the Rising Dragons were indeed responsible for the deaths on the floating junk.”

Nodding his head at Fergus to activate the holograph, the faces of three individuals flashed across the screen one after the other. “This woman is Annalise de Marillac, the daughter of the Canadian ambassador to China who was working as an exclusive call girl. Her parents were unaware of her seedier lifestyle and given her father’s position, they want to keep her and their name out of the newspapers.”

Jamie stared at the photo of the woman so similar in looks to Claire that it was uncanny, then lowered his eyes before Madeline caught his interest.

“Her father is Alain de Marillac who has been posted in China for the last year.”

Continuing, he focused his attention on the other victim. “The Chinese national found with the girl is Chen Yong Wu a prominent Chinese politician and businessman, who has a record for associating with anyone who can further his career or business opportunities.” Geillis Duncan broke in with a question. “And what do they have to do with the Rising Dragons?” Operations glared at Geillis for disrupting the briefing before proceeding. “It would appear that Mr Wu has connections to a Tony Wong … known as The Fighter or Hung Kwan in Chinese … who is a member of the Rising Dragons’ hierarchy. Mr. Wu may have been murdered by the Rising Dragons for failure to comply to their demands and for doublecrossing this Tony Wong.” “Let me explain,” Madeline added interrupting Operations to relay what she had discovered about Tony Wong. “Apparently he runs an extortion racket among the fishermen in Aberdeen, a fishing village on the southern side of Hong Kong Island.” “How do we know he is still there?” Geillis asked again for clarification. “Information from our sources state that he blackmails and threatens the people who live in Aberdeen and uses their vessels for criminal purposes for the Rising Dragons,” Madeline elucidated. Looking intently at the assembled operatives before turning his gaze to Geillis Duncan once more, Operations continued. “Tony Wong is an overbearing … intimidating bully who is feared by the people given his position in the Triad. Because of this and fear of retribution and reprisals, the village people have remained silent.” Casting his glance towards Fergus Claudel, he then indicated for him to continue. “These are photographs of Mr Wu and men he has been linked with over the last couple of months,” he said. He activated the images of the people associated with the Rising Dragons that had previously been seen in his company. “One of these men is Tony Wong.” “Cross checking the images that Fergusl has of Mr Wu and what we know thus far … it seems highly likely that this man is our target,” Operations stated, as the image of a stocky, bald-headed Chinese man with a moustache appeared on screen. “So our target is Tong Wong and not the Rising Dragons?” stated Rupert. With an annoyed glance at Mackenzie for stating the obvious, Operations replied tersely. “The evidence found on the junk pointed to a conspiracy instigated by one of the Rising Dragons’ hierarchy therefore …” he glared at Rupert for a brief moment hoping that he was absorbing all of what he was saying, and wasn’t as incompetent as he appeared to be, “… Tony Wong can prove to be the link we need to flush out Sun Yee Lok.”

Turning his steely eyes on the others Operations declared, “We want 100% containment on this. Looking over at Jamie he stated. “James will proceed to Aberdeen to secure the target along with Claire who is currently en-route to Hong Kong working undercover at Hong Kong Police Headquarters.”

“What about us,” enquired Geillis? “You will provide back up if needed. Until then you will check out Mr de Marillac … I have suspicions that he is not all he seems to be and there is more to this man than meets the eye.” Continuing Operations’ train of thought, Madeline stated. “Our Intel is sketchy on him … He was recalled from his previous appointment to Africa for some dubious connections, which an internal review found unsubstantiated.” Capturing the other team members in his gaze, Operations affirmed. “Your mission is to infiltrate and collect data on his movements in the diplomatic circles in Hong Kong.” “And the woman?” Jamie asked looking over towards where Operations was standing. “We are unaware who her employer is at the moment. There could be a connection there. Find it.” “Of course.” “Madeline has profiled a scenario for you. All Intel is on your panel.” Always thinking two steps ahead Jamie again asked, “And Claire?” “She will be informed once you make contact with her in Hong Kong.” Operations dropped the holograph remote back on the table indicating that he had concluded the briefing. “You'll get further details from James en route. That's all. Van Access in twenty minutes.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jamie Fraser’s team members had already made their way over to Munitions; they’d picked up their weapons from Murtagh Fitzgibbons and had proceeded to Van Access to wait for him. However, Jamie sat at the briefing table a little while longer mulling over the Intel that had just been disseminated. Most disturbing for him had been the image of Annalise de Marillac. Her resemblance to Claire was eerily similar. Everything about her, from the long, brunette hair and blue eyes to the lithe body, was comparable. The two women could easily have passed as twins. Jamie knew only too well that Madeline had noticed the similarities as well and would in some way use this in Claire’s mission profile at some stage.

Eventually he made his way over to Munitions to pick up the weaponry he would need for this mission too, but Jamie’s mindset centred on Claire. The quicker he got to Hong Kong the better, he thought. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ While Murtagh checked the inventory for the Hong Kong mission once more waiting for Jamie to come and pick up his equipment, he sighed wistfully thinking of his younger days when he was a field operative. Some of the weaponry requisitioned for Section One’s consummate operative James Fraser brought back memories of his time in Vietnam as well. He had used similar kinds of arms with lethal precision in getting the better of the Viet Cong and Murtagh remembered especially when his platoon was on routine manoeuvres near Chin Duc and they were ambushed. If not for the weapons and some uncanny luck that day and on others during the war, he and his platoon may not have survived some very close life and death situations. Running his eyes over the weaponry on the table, the older operative reminisced yet again. He knew that these little beauties were so deadly that it took a very special operative to have the competence, skill and respect … not to mention “the balls” … to use them. There was no doubt Jamie Fraser fit the criteria, Operations was the second and he the third who would ever know of their finer capabilities. A reflective sigh escaped his lips … Ah! … If only!

He was jolted from his musings when he heard the unwavering footsteps of James Fraser and looking up Murtagh saw him approaching.

“I need that equipment now,” Jamie stated abruptly as he stopped at the table where the assortment of weapons was on display.

Ignoring Jamie’s tone, Water announced, “Hey Jamie… Check it out; it's all ready to go for you.” Handing him a PDA listing the inventory drawn for the mission, Murtagh excitedly stated, “I’ve got everything that you need plus a few little surprises to catch them on the hop.” Jamie cast a wry look his way noting an extra enthusiasm in the weapons’ expert’s voice. Laid out in front of him on the table, was an array of equipment along with a selection of martial arts weapons. Jamie recognised many of the armaments, as he had used them in training with the Master. He fingered the objects with reverence … remembering … then looked up at a smiling Murtagh. “Those are some beauties hey Jamie?” he said excitedly, then knitting his furrowed brows leaned in closer to him stating seriously … “But treat them with respect, they are deadly, lethal and accurate.” James Fraser glanced at Fitzgibbons but his expression remained blank before returning his gaze back to the PDA thinking, “The same has been said about me.” “Yeah, yeah! You already know that,” Murtagh replied stating the obvious. Jamie merely nodded as Murtagh blurted out his inner thoughts. “I must say, however, I am envious of the fact that...” Jamie looked up and caught his regretful look, “… you will get to use these … James, I think that's great.” Without drawing breath Murtagh pensively continued as he casually fingered the weapons, “Boy! … Wouldn’t I just love to be out in the field with you this one time?” Responding to the munitions’ expert comment, he declared. “Perhaps … you never know Murtagh.” “Nah! I’m too old for all that field work.” He laughed, but was thankful for Jamie’s understanding. Hesitating he remembered one other piece of equipment that he had forgotten to give him. Reaching for a small vial of tracking spikes his eyes connected with the expressionless eyes of James Fraser. “Right-e-o!” He continued matter of factually holding up the vial for Jamie to see, “When you drop these little beauties on the floor … Hey Presto! They will adhere to the sole of the shoes of the target and then Fergus will be able to track them within a ten mile radius with all his whiz bang gizmos.” As Jamie finished gathering up the equipment from the table and prepared to leave, Murtagh’s infectious, enthusiastic voice was hard to ignore. Glancing up unresponsively Jamie stretched out his hand for the vial and he placed it in the palm of his hand. As he pocketed it in his Mission jacket, the two men then shared a look.

“I have to go now,” he stated, and with that James Fraser turned on his heel in the direction of Van Access.

As he walked away, Murtagh’s next statement stopped the Level 5 operative in his tracks for a moment. “Look after my Sugar,” he said in all seriousness. Jamie knew that the older operative was staring at him and he could feel his eyes boring holes into his retreating back. “I will,” he replied earnestly as he kept walking. Laughing Murtagh replied a little louder knowing that Jamie could still hear him. “I don’t want to have to come after you James Fraser.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ to be continued

*MURTAGH FITZGIBBONS - Section One's munitions master, a weapons expert who trains Claire Beauchamp in the use of firearms, explosives and a variety of (usually very destructive) gadgets he creates. Once a field operative, he's been around since the beginning, long before Dougal Mackenzie became head of Section. Murtagh is a free spirit, cantankerous at times, rebellious at others, but he has learned the art of survival, and is constantly trying to impart that knowledge to Claire. MUNITIONS - is the Section One department overseen by Murtagh, who is responsible for supplying mission teams with all the armament and equipment required by a mission profile.

Should you wish to access the other chapters of this story …https://sablelab.tumblr.com/covertoperations

Thanks for reading, the likes and reblogging my crossover story. Much appreciated. xox

#crossover #jamie x claire #outlander/lfn #fanfic #covertoperations #jamieandclaireau #outlander

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geminiamethyst · 3 years

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Dragon Seekers. Chapter 21

Chapter 1: click HERE Chapter 20: click HERE

Chapter 22: click HERE

Walking around the grounds almost felt like home to Jamie. The house was surrounded entirely by the large forest. It brought Jamie comfort and a little bit of homesickness. The trees, the earth, the familiar smell of nature all made him light and less tense. It felt like he had found a new safe place. The only difference was that there were crystals spread out in the forest. Most of the crystals were a luscious green, but the rest were also silver. Just like what happened back I’m the underground cave. All the crystals, even the silver ones had plants growing out of them. Ash stepped over to a silver crystal and rasped her knuckles on it.

“What’s the deal with these crystals? They’ve never done this before,” she muttered as she looked around. She then looked right at Jamie. “It all changed when you were getting your egg.”

“I’m sorry that I caused this,” Jamie found himself saying unconsciously. It felt like it was his doing anyway.

“What are you? Daft?” Ash suddenly shouted, crossing her arms irritably. Jamie flinched back as she said that. “How could you have caused this?”

Jamie struggled to come up with an answer. He couldn’t just say that he picked up his egg and that’s it. He felt like it wasn’t a proper explanation. Ash looked impatient before she turned around and continued walking. Jamie followed as best he could all while hearing Cinder’s wings above the trees. Ash only walked at a fast pace, keeping to the invisible path that she knew well. Jamie kept up, waiting for her to slow down so he could keep up. She didn’t. She just kept on walking, following Cinder’s harrumphs as the dragon seemed to have landed somewhere. She only came to a stop after treading down a slope. Jamie stopped right before he did the same. She was standing before a ring that seemed to resemble a bowl. It had targets that were beaten up and a rack full of different weapons such as spears, swords and even bows and arrows. There was also a small area where different crystals sat. All of them seemed to be one from each of the crystals that Jamie had already seen, even the blackened one and one silver crystal.

“Right! Let’s start off with this,” Ash muttered, suddenly grabbing a spear from the weapons rack.

“Start off?” Jamie echoed.

“What? You expect to not see yourself fighting?” Ash rolled her eyes as she shoved the spear into Jamie’s hands.

“But, I’m not-” out came his protest, but Jamie didn’t get to finish it.

“-not the fighting type, I know. You’d rather be a punching bag, right?” Ash rolled her eyes again, as she stood facing one of the targets.

“No! I just don’t believe in violence to solve my problems,” Jamie shouted, feeling his face heating up in anger. Ash glanced at him, a smirk gracing her face.

“Good. You’re angry. Use that anger,” she said. She suddenly brought up her spear, levelling it with her ear. She pulled back and with great strength, launched it through the air. It went fast and straight like a bullet. It caught the sun’s rays as it flew. There was a solid THUNK as it hit the target. Jamie found himself stunned as it was a perfect bullseye. Ash looked satisfied, almost gloating.

“So, stay angry and hot the target,” she said as she turned to Jamie.

“Wait! I’ve never done this before!” Jamie exclaimed, his hands shaking as he held the spear in both of them. It felt heavy, like it would take an Olympic weight lifter to carry it. Ash suddenly approached him. She hurriedly got him into the same position she was in. Feet spread apart, left in front of right. His body was facing toward Ash but she made him look at the target. She had him lift the spear up to where it was horizontal with his ear and have his left arm stretched out in front of him.

“When you’re ready, step forward and throw as hard as you can,” Ash smirked, stepping away from Jamie. He looked at the target. It was one next to Ash’s. He couldn’t stop looking at how easily she had done it. He knew that she was a fighter, Bruce felt more intimidated by how effortlessly she did that. He could never match up to that. He was pathetic and useless. He was weak. He couldn’t even hurt a fly. The fly would probably hurt him first. He can’t do this!

“Geez! You really are a punching bag!” Ash suddenly scoffed, loud enough to almost shout the taunt. Something inside Jamie suddenly snapped.

Jamie didn’t know what happened. He was so mad that he didn’t realise what happened until he heard something impact the ground. He stood still, breathing heavily. As his rage died down, he could see again. The right side of his body was forward now, his right arm stretched out completely. The spear that he had was gone, and was now stuck in the ground just a couple of metres away from the target. The spearhead was buried deep, showing how hard he had thrown it.

#Dragon Seekers

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1dreality · 7 years

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Niall Horan Talks "Too Much To Ask," Maren Morris Duet & Harry Styles

The One Direction alum talks his debut solo album, 'Flicker,' the genesis of the songs "Too Much To Ask" and "Seeing Blind," and what he misses most about his former group

TIM MCPHATEGRAMMYS OCT 12, 2017 - 9:46 AM

These are exciting times for Niall Horan.

The One Direction alumnus is readying his debut studio album, Flicker, for release on Oct. 20. Featuring collaborations with producer/songwriter Greg Kurstin, the LP has been preceded by a trio of singles, including "Too Much To Ask" and "This Town," which in Horan's words, gives fans an "idea of where I'm headed."

In the meantime, he has plotted a 2018 world tour in support of Flicker with GRAMMY winner Maren Morris, who coincidentally joins Horan on a duet for the track "Seeing Blind" on his album.

In this exclusive interview, the Irish singer/songwriter opens up about the biggest hurdle he overcame with his debut album, how "Too Much To Ask" and "Seeing Blind" materialized, what he thinks of Harry Styles' debut album, and what he misses the most about his days in 1D.

What was the biggest challenge you encountered with making your first solo album?

Trying to get people to bring the songs to life in the way that I pictured them. Explaining it to people was obviously harder than I thought. I wanted to make the album with a live band; that was a big thing for me. I had some people that I really wanted to [collaborate] with and with the help of my A&R I got the chance to work with some great people. But I think, initially for me, [the biggest challenge was] trying to get people to understand how I wanted it to sound.

What was the inspiration for the single "Too Much To Ask"?

There's obviously a lot of autobiographical stuff. And it was kind of from the heart. It actually took me probably three or four [tries] at it to actually write the song. It had been a line here or there for a while, and musically it wasn't really coming together. And one day I just sat down at the piano with a friend of mine [Jamie Scott] and sometimes you just need a second mind to bring [a song] to life. And he helped big time. Actually, I wrote "This Town" with him as well. Musically, we work well together. It's another special song for me and, with the three songs that I've released, it's kind of starting to sum up the album. I think people are starting to get the idea of where I'm headed.

What was it about Maren Morris that led you to want to collaborate with her on the track "Seeing Blind"?

With "Seeing Blind," I had written the song with a friend of mine, who is a female singer as well. And literally after the first couple of lines I was like, "This has to be a duet." She sung on the demo and then I was like, "Alright, I want to find someone to sing on this." I was going through the motions in my head and picking people out ... I really wanted the song to come to life because it was another personal one to me. … I had heard a lot about Maren and she was making a lot of noise clearly with her album. And I watched the GRAMMYs, she performs with Alicia Keys, she wins a GRAMMY. I'm like, "That is right up my street there." I literally don't know how I didn't think of it before. This song is kind of country based so it makes sense.

I got her email address and sent her the song. We'd never met before or anything. I was like, "Listen, no pressure. If you don't want to do it, it's completely fine. But just let me know what you think." And she was like, "Yeah, it's right up my street." So she recorded it. And we've met a couple of times, now that I've been to Nashville. She's great and I look forward to hopefully performing with her — she's coming on tour with me next year. I'm sure we'll be onstage every night singing it. I can't wait.

You worked with GRAMMY winner Greg Kurstin on the album. What did you learn from collaborating with him?

First of all, I couldn't believe I got in the door with Greg. He just finished the Foo Fightersrecord. And he's worked with Paul McCartney and Beck and me. I'm like, "Are you for real?" Even just to spend 20 minutes talking to him would have been enough for me. I just think the guy is a musical genius, watching him in action. To meet Greg, you wouldn't even think he worked in music. He's very calm — you know, everyone in music seems to be mad. But he's very calm, collected, goes about his business. He can play every instrument under the sun.

I wrote a song called "Since We're Alone" for my album and I was leaving the studio at 5 p.m. and it was like 10 minutes to 5. I'd been doing a session there all day with another writer and I didn't feel like it was going anywhere or whatever. And Greg sat down at the piano and he started playing these few chords. I said, "Greg, could you just put the mic on? I'll go in there and just let me sing over what you're playing." And I just started mumbling stuff, random melodies and within four or five hours Greg had created a full-on track, played every instrument and just sent me all the best bits of what he thought were good melodies. And off the back of those melodies, it's a song on my album.

I don't know anyone that could curate just me mumbling — it was incredible to be in touch with that. He produced "Too Much To Ask," he's produced "This Town" and he produced "Since We're Alone." So I worked with him on a few songs on the record and it's just been an amazing experience.

Harry Styles released his first solo album in May. Have you had a chance to chat with Harry and compare first-album notes?

Harry's album is great. … Harry [and I] would have — out of all the boys — the closest taste in music. We would always be passing around different bands that we found or just share old classics together. So I'd say that, just in general, we would be fans of each other's music. I love Harry's rockier stuff.

One Direction is currently on a hiatus. What's the one thing you miss most about being in the band?

The day-to-day general madness of One Direction [I] miss. I guess, in a way, it's been quite calm for me. It's been quite chilled-out, a kind of normal life at some level. The whole idea of anytime we rolled into town, everyone knew we were there. It was a lot of screaming people everywhere. It was all kind of high-energy stuff. But I gave myself a year and a half, basically, to make an album and really hone in on everything music, which has been great.

#niall horan #niall's solo project #niall's album #niall's promo #harry styles #harry's solo project #narry #1d hiatus or split?#Niall and his team are covering all their bases for the promo of his album....I mean getting an interview with the Grammy....#Is Niall about to campaign for a nom for Slow Hands????#Also Niall so did you or did you not exchange notes with H...You kind of deflected on that question..

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the-record-newspaper · 5 years

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Award wining filmmaker and Wilkes native returns home for project

Ritchie Greer

By HEATHER DEAN

Record Reporter

Wilkes native Ritchie Greer is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, director and writer with some impressive works under his belt.

Greer has just completed his 22nd screenplay through his production company, Magic Arrow Films, with three other films in the works, not to mention five of his stories have been turned into novels. His most recent film “Lost and Found," won Best Drama Short at a prestigious international film festival.

His film "Underdog” took home the award for Best Narrative Feature at the Los Angeles Film Awards this year. The Director’s Cut of “Underdog” will be shown on June 13th at Twin Rivers Theatre, with red carpet at 6 p.m., and the film being shown At 7 p.m. Underdog’s cast includes Brian Krause (Leo Wyatt, Charmed); Mark Krenik (Big Little Lies, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood); Sherry Hursey (Chronicles of Riddick). There will be a Q&A session with the cast after the film, which includes Becca Buckalew, who won Best Actress in the LA Film Awards; Amber Wegner, Daniel De Weldon, and Phillip Andre Botello.

With all this talent one would think Greer had been raised in the fast and furious California film scene, however Ritchie is from right here in Wilkes County. Greer attended West Wilkes High School where he was named Mr. West High in 1988 then went on to college and became Student Body President. After college, he moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he became the entertainment director for one of the largest night clubs on the East Coast. In 2009, he made the move to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a writer-director.

Speaking to Greer last week, I found out that we had a lot in common as far as the creative process goes. With a background in theatre, I too have written and directed, as well as been involved in short films by local cinematographers, either acting or costuming. I asked him what his favorite part of the creative process was: that first AH-HA moment of a story line, the writing process, or seeing the words on paper beginning to flesh out through the actor? “It's really a combination of all three. It's crazy to think that you can take a minute idea and see it blossom into a full-fledged story with different levels of thoughts, emotions, and depth,” he said.

Most of his stories sound like they could have been pulled out of today’s headlines, and I wondered if he drew from those to create an awareness in moviegoers. “I know how tough real life can be. And I hope that as a filmmaker, I'm able to take people out of the difficult situation and struggles they might be going through in their life for at least a couple of hours and bring them into a world that I've created, that show the underdog overcoming incredible odds, while pulling at your heart, making you laugh, cry, and keep you on the edge of your seat. : It's the basic good vs. evil dynamic which is something that we can all relate to. How we deal with these challenges in life can ultimately shape who we become. I love stories that take you on a journey; let's face it; we all need to go on a trip from time to time,” Greer said.

Greer’s film UNDERDOG is about Samantha, who as a young girl watches her mother gets murdered. Now 17, Sam’s foster parents try to help her but she continues to spiral out of control, resorting to stealing cars to get drugs. Sam bumps into her brother Bobby, a speaker at NA, where she admits she is afraid she will end up being a drug abuser like their mom. At a local boxing/MMA gym, Bobby introduces Sam to Coach Donovan, and the pair quickly form a bond based on their mutual struggles with their own addictions. Sam, an unknown underdog, gets a shot at the title against the most feared female fighter in history. But several questions remain in her quest way to recovery and dreams of one day becoming world champ.

Like me, Greer is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Greer said, “Times have been tough, but it’s really not about winning or losing; it’s about the love of the game.” Speaking about ‘love of the game’, that takes us to Ritchie’s latest project “Weekend Warriors: Some Games Aren’t Meant To Be Won”, features Corbin Bernsen (LA Law); Maurice Kerry (US Marine Corps veteran; Operation Iraqi Freedom II.); Phillip Andre Botello (Pledge).

In this film, Joey convinces his niece, Jamie, and nephew, Scotty, to go on a weekend camping trip to the mountains with him and some of his college friends. Joey explains to the kids it's not an ordinary camping trip: this one is centered on War Games. What starts out as paintball catch the flag game, turns deadly and the hunt intensifies; it is now a desperate fight for Scotty and Jamie’s lives.

I asked Greer what real world advice he gave others who asked how to get in “the biz;” after all, if Greer could come from small town America, make the magic happen, then bring it back home, couldn’t anyone?

“I always tell anyone who approaches me, whether they're an actor, director, or writer that the number one thing they need to do is to create their own content. Don't wait on anyone else. If you do that, you're going to waste a lot of time. Chances are, if you wait on someone else, it's never going to happen. After years of trying to get production companies to return my calls and to give me a chance, I got to a point to where I was frustrated and decided to take charge of my career. So I created my own company, Magic Arrow Films, and started filming. I was able to do this by reaching out to other people in the industry who were equally frustrated, but passionate about the art of making films. Anyway, you just have to find a way to make it happen.”

Greer also said that in this day and age, there are affordable cameras that will shoot quality films almost as good as what the industry uses today. I can attest- I have a big fancy camera, but mostly use my I Phone for pictures and video to cover events; it’s not as bulky or heavy.

Greer says he will never stop making films that everyone can enjoy, and is giving back to his hometown with more than just good advice for others following their filming dreams. Weekend Warriors will be filmed in various locations around Wilkes County, use locals as production assistants and extras.

“My time in North Wilkesboro has helped shaped the man I've become today,” he said. “I'm eternally grateful to still have my family and friends in this great town I knew that filming here in my hometown, my team and I would be welcome with open arms and people would go out of their way to help us succeed even if they have nothing to gain from it. We've already had a lot of help from Mayor Robert Johnson and especially Terri Parsons who has been instrumental in getting put together for this project. You’re my people, I may live in L.A., but Wilkes is my home.”

Find out more about his films and his books (Weekend Warriors, Underdog, Lost And Found, The Legend of Catclaws Mountain, Fast, Bloodlines, Highway 9, Abalus & the Adventures of the Mud Mud Gang, Abalus & the Witches of Balador, Abalus & the Rise of the Shadow Man, Running South, Cinderella & the Fairy Godmother, Geppetto, Little Flyer, Rain Dancer, The Electrician, Treasure Reef, Ho Ho Ho Mr. President, My Justice, Rain Water Falls, Son of Salem) or to watch the trailers go to www.magicarrowfilms.com

www.ritchiegreer.com

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frenchibi · 7 years

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Oh!! Please give us fic recs for each of the authors you mentioned and your personal faves!!! ❤️thank you!

(This was referring to this post, in case you missed it.)

Okay, okay – thank you, anon, for asking me this – it tookme a while to get around to answering, but I am very, very happy to.

Before I get into details, though – the ratings on these ficsvary, and there’s some explicit stuff here. So please check the tags if youclick on any of the links I’m adding, if there a certain fics you want toavoid.Alright, let’s do this!! It’s gonna get long, so it’s going under thecut.

@josai / thunderingskies - god, where to even begin. CJ is avery important friend to me and she is a FANTASTIC writer. She’s probably bestknown for Beam Me Up Hajime, but she has so, so many fantastic works and tbh I’d just recommend you go toher ao3, pick a fandom and just… go through everything xD

Ok, but you wanted specific recommendations. CJ’s IwaOi willalways be my favorite; examples here(soft fluff) and here(more fluff) and here(Fighter Iwa and Interpreter Oikawa – bro) – and also here(you might remember that one post I made about Tooru on the Olympic Team butwith his jersey reading “Iwaizumi”? This is the fic, man. Read it.).

CJ also writes a whole host of rarepairs though, IwaKyou, KyouTeru, IwaTeru, BokuTeruand, most notably, my absolute favorite TeruDai work ever, I will never see TeruDai the same again, I have written a fanfic to thisfanfic ok that is the level of love I have for this.

She’s also written several other fics for those pairings, theseare just examples and I warmly recommend you go… peruse her list of works. Yes.

Also, if you like Kuroko no Basket? May I direct you to herAoKaga here, it is… 10/10.

Overall, just… read her stuff. Also – we may or may not beworking on something huge so keep your eyes open for that :D

@chxngsey / hajiiwa. Jasper is also a very important friend,and he writes *clenches fist* so. good. My personal favorites are FMK(which is cute & funny), this IwaOiMatsuHana, the new Of Fountains and Flowers which is SO. FUCKING. GOOD. GO READ IT RIGHTNOWand… probably one of my absolute favorite iwaoi fics of all time??barely 1k words and so, so many feelings. I’m dead. I’ve re-read it like 60times. Bye.

@marleeb – Emma writes and makes art and you should checkout both. As for concrete recs - I have yelled about this before and I willagain, it is a fucking fantastic fic.

@cheatos / koffein - thisand this, Lou’s got a lotta short but very sweet stuff? I love. Also holler @ her aboutIwaoi lol she’s fun!

@ghost–fox - Mariwrote Scattered Light, which is an absolutely fantastic and devastating kagehina ficand SO worth the read. Also a bunch of other cool stuff?? Including Serial Killer Oikawa which is terrifying and very intriguing :0 Not for the faint-hearted though.

@anyadisee – Aya wrotethis fake dating iwaoi fic that RUINED MY LIFE, go read it immediately – and alsothis very adorable kyouhaba ficand a bunch of matsuhana and more iwaoi?? Her writing is amazing.

@seijouho / Your_Friendly_Neighborhood_Pigeon – Jamie has so,so much good Seijoh 4 content, in any pairings you want, and also in wonderfulpoly ships. There’s a lot going on there, but one of my faves isthis IwaOiMatsuHana fic. Yes.

@queeniwaizumi / qrandkinq – Hayley also writes for Seijoh 4 in a lot of combinations and I LOVE – especially this fic here.

@warmybones – Ula writes for Voltron now (worth checking out if you’re in the fandom bc her writing is A+) but also wrote twoof my favorite iwaoi AUs;this one which is so soft and has poetry and I DIE, and this onewhich hurts but sdjlahdfkjds

@thehibiscusthief – Sara writes for a wide variety offandoms as well – I’m particularly taken by her iwaoi,this one has BUBBLES, this onehas wonderful pining Oikawa and this oneis my new favorite take on Soulmate AUs. Yes.

@astersandstuffs – Rikka is a wonderful friend and her work is extraordinary. Herwriting is so poignant and just… really special? I love this BokuAka AUcollection, and these iwaois: here (SNOW),a relationship study that is just… on point, andthis college AU which is equally amazing. Her writing is an inspiration.

@fairylights101writes – Sky is amazing and has an EXTENSIVE collection offics - I’m embarrassed to say that I am way behind in reading them :’)Various pairings (so many??? SO MANY) and varying from fluff to explicit, Ijust… go open ao3 and take your pick. Seriously. The writing is SO GOOD.Aquamarine is one of my favorite IwaOiMatsuHana fics EVER, it just just… fullto the brim with amazing ideas??? Also Page by Page, which may or may not have made me cry. Yup.

…now these are just the ones I mentioned in that post, and I know I’ve forgotten SO MANY already??? – I doplan on making a fic rec page, though, and soon. Because there is SO, SO muchgood stuff out there that does not get enough recognition.

I just wanna mention a couple more friends here - Lisa ( @lalikaa, how could I forget?? I feel awful) who was my secret santa and is overall amazing - she’s got a BoKuroTeruDai Hogwarts AU which I adore and a very cute TsukkiHina fic :D -- and also Avien ( @cheetahleopard ) who has a lot of KyouHaba content - I love this in particular? - and they also have a lot of experimental stuff and collections of ideas that are cool. :D

Well, I rest my case. For now. Go read these people and LEAVE THEMCOMMENTS. This is the mission I’m sending you off with. Leave comments.

That is all.

#French speaks #anon #rec #I know I haven't been very active lately #I'm working through some stuff #I will be back though #for now GO SHOW THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE SOME LOVE

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drabblemesilly · 7 years

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Jamie Benn #5

Requested by Anon: Hi!! I love your writings and I read them all as soon as I followed you! But I was wondering if you could write something about Jamie Benn? I'm feeling something sad so idk something like he was in a bad accident and now he's in a coma and he has been for a while (a couple of years) and you visit him every day but now you're wondering if you should move on and idk... You can end it however. Thanks !!

*Than you so so much! I hope you like this and I know it’s been a while but I hope you’re feeling better now (I feel like you wanting something sad is a projection of what you were feeling when you made this request but IRDK). Caution: really sad and a lot of internal conversations. I am not a nurse/doctor/or someone who works in the medical field so if I got some things wrong, please bear with me. :) Enjoy!*

Word count: 932

The steady beep, beep, beep of the heart monitor that was once a solace has now become something of a death sentence you can no longer ignore. Behind you, the tv is playing the Stars-Avs game, Razor’s voice booming and lively. How they managed to get the Stars games in British Columbia, you still don’t know but you’re thankful nonetheless.

Just as the Stars’ goal horn sounded, with Jordie assisting on a Tyler Seguin goal, his mom came up behind you, reaching out to comb Jamie’s hair back, “he’s doing better today,” she said, voice so quiet that you had to strain your ear to hear her. It’s as if she’s scared to be too loud.

“His levels are going up,” she continued, not really caring if you were listening or not, “his brain activity is getting better too.”

You smiled at her, gently squeezing her arm in the process, “how are you?”

If this is finally taking a toll on you, you just can’t begin to imagine what his mom feels right now.

“Eh,” she shrugged, her smile not quite reaching her eyes, “no news will always be good news, right?”

You nodded, “right.”

She walked over to the corner chair, where she always sits, “how about you?”

You smiled genuinely at her, “you’re the strongest woman I know,” you told her instead of answering her question, “I’m not sure if I can be as strong as you,” you told her honestly. The moment she understood what you were saying, a sad shadow passed her face before she schooled her features.

“You’ve already done enough,” she told you, voice cracking.

You smiled and nodded at her before sitting on the edge of the bed. You looked down to study Jamie. He’s lost a lot of muscle now since the accident nine months ago. If you put your arm against his, you’re pretty sure your arm is bigger now. Every few weeks, a barber comes in to cut his hair but it’s not the sleeked back style you’ve grown to love anymore. Now, it’s kept short and clean, like a military cut. How fitting, though, because military people are fighters and, if the last nine months are anything to go by, Jamie sure knows how to fight hard.

His right hand is bloated from water retention so you got it and started to massage his fingers, “hey Jem,” you whispered, “let’s just get you through today, eh?” you told him, just like how you’ve told him every day since that night he was checked really hard that he almost flew, headfirst, into the stanchion. You always gave him a hard time for not wearing a visor – “it obscures my vision and I feel claustrophobic,” he said – because you were always so scared he’d get a puck to the face or high stick. Then, the accident happened and you realized that if he had a visor, it might have broken and stabbed him in the eye. For once in your life, you were thankful he wasn’t wearing one.

The first few days after the accident, you only ever did three things: cry, tell him to wake up already, and replay how it happened.

You’ve seen what happened to Max Pacioretty when Chara hit him but the one that happened to Jamie was a million times worse. He didn’t just hit the stanchion head first but he also hit his neck and back on the barrier when he was going down.

Freak accidents happen in hockey and it happened to Jamie. Oh well.

How can it have already been nine months since the last time you heard his voice?

Your phone was already ringing before you even walked out of the airport, “yeah, yeah, I’m here. I’m gonna make the game,” you told Jamie, laughing.

“I was just making sure,” he said, “I really just want you here tonight.”

“Jem,” you started to say, “it’s February and it’s just a regular season game,” you reminded, “why is this suddenly more important?”

You imagined him shrugging, “it just it,” he chuckled, “where are you?”

“Airport.”

“Want me to pick you up?”

“What?” you laughed, “as if you can, it’s fifty minutes to puck drop,” you said, “you need to go warm up.”

“I know, I know,” he harrumphed, “come here already, I can’t wait to see you.”

“See you soon,” you said as you hailed a cab, “love you.”

“Love you too,” he smiled.

That was the last time you talked to him. You don’t believe in premonitions and stuff but he was adamant that you fly home to Dallas earlier than planned because he didn’t want you to miss his game. As it turned out, it was all for good reason because halfway through the third period, he was rushed out of the arena, unconscious and barely breathing.

Then it dawned on you, how can you be tired of waiting for him to wake up if he’s not even tired of fighting yet? You love him and even though sometimes you question yourself and you feel like maybe you’re just wasting time away caring for him… this is Jamie Benn.

And if you have to spend the rest of your life coming to his parents’ house every day to give unconscious him updates about hockey and your work, then you would do it. It’s Jamie and you want nothing but to spend the rest of your life with him.

You looked down on his sleeping form before kissing the top of his head, “I’m here Jem,” you whispered, “I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

#jamie benn #jamie benn imagines #nhl imagines #hockey imagines #imagines #my writing #drabble #drabbles #fanfic #dallas stars

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onlinemarketingcourses · 5 years

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The rise (and further rise) of Google My Business spam

Back in 2017, Google proudly told the world that it had eradicated 70 percent of all fake Google Maps listings in the two years prior. They put this down to innovations in machine learning and new business verification techniques.

Two years on, and it seems the machines are today wearing dunce caps and verification is just not working. How else do you explain Google My Business listings like these slipping through the net?

Here are today’s rejected edits: #stopcraponthemap pic.twitter.com/a2vQAJ1rgo

— Brandon Schmidt (@brandonschmidt) March 11, 2019

You’ll note that not only are these spammy, keyword-stuffed business names but that the supposedly trusted Local Guides trying to suggest edits to report them are having their edits rejected. We’ll come on to that in a little bit, but for now let’s take a look at how we got here.

GMB is the new local business home page, social network and feedback channel, conversion path, and…

Over the last couple of years, Google has been going all-in on expanding the functionality and potential use of its Google My Business profiles, elements of which appear in the Knowledge Graph, in Google Maps, and in the Local 3-pack.

Due to this increased use and visibility, and new social features like the introduction of a ‘Follow’ button for Google Maps users and ever-more-prominent Google Posts, consumers are being driven to consider a business’ GMB profile as a single source of truth, even over and above the local business website.

Because of this, GMB has become a wedge driven between consumers and businesses. Searchers can no longer get a first impression of a business created and tailored by the business itself. That first impression now belongs to Google, and for better or worse, search marketers have to make exceptionally good use of the wide range of available GMB features to ensure that their businesses or clients can stand out against their competitors.

With GMB now such a critical part of the consumer’s journey, it’s inevitable that people would seek to take advantage of weaknesses in the system in order to benefit their businesses’ positions. Thus we have Google My Business spam, and with it no end of keyword-stuffed business names, fake listings, fake reviews, and more.

The real impact of Google My Business spam

You might easily dismiss it as a non-issue, but whereas other instances of spam can be easily filtered out using technology, no such filter exists for GMB, and so spam on this platform can have far-reaching impacts.

These impacts have been well-documented in a recent BrightLocal poll that focused specifically on GMB spam. 77 percent of respondents felt that GMB spam made it harder to deliver good rankings for their own businesses or their clients.

Still not convinced it’s an issue? Imagine it this way: you’re a local SEO professional following every bit of best practice under the sun to optimize a website for the right search terms, to feed GMB the right data, and to generate great reviews. You put hours into this work and finally rank well for the required local search terms.

And then you look up the business one day and you see these…

4 fake spam results, 3 don’t have a website listed. #stopcraponthemap pic.twitter.com/BnCgU88qNG

— Jason Brown (@keyserholiday) March 8, 2019

GMB spam isn’t just unfair, it risks damaging the reputations of Google My Business as a trustworthy source of information as well as the many industries which seem to be more likely to take part in GMB spam, like auto repair, locksmiths, garage door contractors, and (though they really should know better) legal professionals.

And although GMB spam isn’t a new problem, it seems to be getting more prevalent. The aforementioned poll asked how listings spam had grown in the previous year.

Fifty-nine percent believed it had increased, and 25 percent of them said it had increased significantly. So the question I find myself asking today isn’t just why is there so much GMB spam it’s “why is there so much now?”

Who you gonna call…?

For a time, Google Gold Product Experts and spam-fighters like Joy Hawkins, Ben Fisher, Jason Brown, and countless others, gave their free time over to helping business owners report spam for removal in the (soon-to-be-defunct for reasons I’ll come to) Spam and Policy board in the Google Advertiser Community Forum. Sure, you could tweet @GoogleMyBiz or message them on Facebook, but this was a great way to add plenty of detail around a spam report and engage with someone who really cared, one on one.

Then Google took over.

For reasons I’m not personally privy to (but would love to hear your theories about in the comments below), Google made the decision to close the GMB Spam forum and instead encourage people who discover spam to report it via a new online form, stating simply:

“We’ll close the Spam board on this community, so please use the new form to report spam-related issues.”

“Complaints submitted through this form will be reviewed in accordance with our guidelines for representing businesses on Google Maps.”

As sad as I was to see the forum close, I rather foolishly believed that this was a sign that Google was going to finally take spam seriously, writing on the BrightLocal blog at the time,

“This week Google finally took a big step towards acknowledging the damage GMB spam does to consumers and businesses alike.”

What a fool I was. I thought that having human staff at the other end of these complaints showed Google was starting to care more, and that the use of a standardized form meant that the process of actioning complaints would be simpler.

Sadly, right now it seems I was wrong. Just follow the popular #StopCrapOnTheMap thread on Twitter and you’ll see an even more steady stream of Local Guides and spam-fighters sharing sadly comic examples of particularly egregious and obvious cases of GMB spam.

Even before this new wellspring of spam, Joy Hawkins spoke on an InsideLocal webinar about the efficacy of making ‘suggested edits’ to spammy GMB profiles (now one of the only recourses for Local Guides trying to fight spam), saying:

“I think it works less and less. It used to work a lot better when Map Maker was around because peers could review your edits, but we’re seeing suggested edits being less useful in most cases. Google’s turnaround time is about 3-4 months, we’ve been finding.”

So we already have a case where:

Google My Business is critical to business success

People are taking advantage of its weaknesses

Google has made efforts to make the spam-fighters toothless

Spam still works, and “the situation is getting worse, not better” (as Joy Hawkins again testifies below)

Looking today, 20-30% of the listings ranking for a personal injury lawyer term in a major city were fake. The situation is getting worse, not better. #StopCrapOnTheMap

— Joy Hawkins (@JoyanneHawkins) March 11, 2019

Then lots and lots of Local Guides started having their accounts suspended for no apparent reason…

Nice job @localguides – 6 years of MapMaker and your program, Level 10 with over 100k edits, only to end up like this… pic.twitter.com/6bMzn0FGLj

— Michael W. Jones (@MJonesOTSC) March 7, 2019

The above is a particularly bad example of Local Guides being stripped of their accounts without reason. While Google’s aim might have been to automatically delete the accounts of Local Guides behaving dubiously (a noble aim, I’d add), when dedicated Local Guides are unceremoniously removed from the program without warning, one has to question Google’s overarching approach to spam removal.

As always, this all comes with the customary silence from Google.

So what can we do about it?

Although the above might come as depressing reading, I must stress that the vigilance of good SEOs trying to do right by their local business clients is very heartening to see, so there is hope.

Google might be clumsily breaking the tools in our spam-fighting arsenal, but we’ll always have heroes like Dave DiGregorio (below) to thank for helping to spread the word about other, clever ways to identify spam:

Great little tip: Looking for spam listings on Maps? Use the search operator ‘allintitle’ to find them easily

Ex: ‘allintitle:car accident lawyer’ https://t.co/gbsTt4i9jt

This will find GMB listings with ‘car accident lawyer’ in the title – which we know, are most likely spam pic.twitter.com/gYcvM9Mby7

— Dave DiGregorio (@deegs20) March 13, 2019

In the meantime, keep building up those Local Guide levels, keep suggesting edits, keep filling out Google’s “Business Redressal Complaint Form,” keep reporting spam to GMB Twitter and Facebook and stay positive.

I still have faith that one day, once Google realize that the issue is damaging trust in their products (and, obviously, stopping business from advertising with them), they’ll invest in far better technology to finally #StopCrapOnTheMap.

Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.

About The Author

Jamie Pitman is Head of Content at local SEO tool provider BrightLocal. He’s been working in Digital Marketing for nearly ten years and has specialized in SEO, content marketing and social media, managing successful marketing projects for clients and employers alike. Over this time he’s blogged his heart out, writing over 300 posts on a wide variety of digital marketing topics for various businesses and publications.

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jonathanbelloblog · 5 years

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Pininfarina Is Now Its Own Car Brand, with an 1,800-HP Hypercar—What’s Next?

In 2015, Indian carmaker and industrialist Anand Mahindra acquired a majority stake in the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina. Creators of hundreds of beautiful cars, including countless dozens of Alfa Romeos and Ferraris since its founding in 1930 by Battista “Pinin” Farina, the firm is now headed by his grandson, Paolo. Last year, the company lent the elder Pininfarina’s first name and the family’s famous surname to Automobili Pininfarina, a new Mahindra venture that came to this year’s Geneva auto show with the Pininfarina Battista. According to its makers, this $2 million, 1,800-hp, all-electric, all-wheel-drive rocket ship—with its four electric motors and powertrain supplied by Rimac, the unlikely Croatian leader in high-power electric-car technology—will make it from rest to 60 mph in less than two seconds. Our New York bureau chief Jamie Kitman spoke with the new company’s CEO, Michael Perschke, following the Battista’s official launch. The interview has been edited slightly for length and clarity.

Automobile Magazine: Explain where Automobili Pininfarina fits in with Pininfarina, the design house.

Michael Pertsche: We will continue to see Pininfarina SpA as a design and engineering house in its own right. It will still continue with its business model as a B2B [business-to-business] company. What motivated Pininfarina to do this? I would go one step further [and ask] what motivated Anand Mahindra after the acquisition of Pininfarina SpA to actually spin off this business and make it an independent, completely new company.

Because that’s what we are—we carry the same brand and the same name and we have the same heritage, but the difference is that this is a B2C [business-to-consumer] company. We are building a brand for future customers of Pininfarina. The Pininfarina family always had the idea but they needed a foresightful, strategic investor of his caliber to take it to that next level.

Tell us more about Mahindra.

It has a market capitalization of about $10 billion USD on the Mumbai Stock Exchange; it is the best performing Indian stock for the last 15 or 20 years. So it’s a real blue chip and it’s gone from strength to strength over the last 15 years, especially since Anand Mahindra became chairman. It’s the world’s largest tractor manufacturer. And you probably can compare our story to the JLR story [and its ownership by India’s Tata]. At the end of it, no JLR customer really cares who own the company. Mahindra is very much in the background here, but we definitely use a lot of its expertise and skills, and especially the connections of Anand Mahindra. Anand addressed World Economic Forum in Davos where he was on stage with Al Gore talking about climate change, for example. And he is a co-chairman of the California Global Climate Action summit.

Mahindra has invested in electrification for three reasons. The economic side, of course. Then it’s proving that the company’s ready for the next fleet on a global basis, and thirdly because the whole sustainability topic is very dear to him. And I think that makes it a perfect blend because we have a very foresightful investor with long-term thinking. It’s not a private equity or venture capital play; you know if you’re tied up with PE or VC kind of companies the thinking is short term. This ultra-luxury business we are in is a long-term one, yet we want to be profitable about five or five and a half years after inception. We would still be 10 years earlier than somebody like Elon Musk. So we have the confidence, we have a good investor, we have good technology partnerships with Pininfarina, with Mahindra Racing, with Rimac, and based on that we are developing a network of strengths to make sure this car [was finished] in record time. The brand was incepted on 13 of April last year. Within record time we came up with a supercar which can already drive on its own wheels. You wouldn’t be able to do that if you wouldn’t have access to exciting talents and resources.

Does Mahindra have an interest in Rimac?

No, we are partners, we are friends, and we are Rimac’s single biggest client.

How does one get your job?

I was born in Germany, in a mountain town, like Denver. (Laughs.) I led the Audi business in India, and made it number one against BMW and Mercedes. We came from a distant number three to number one position. During my three and a half years in India, I got to know Mahindra’s CEO Pawan Goenka and Anand Mahindra, the chairman. And we had a couple of ideas about what we could do together, which never materialized. I left India in 2013 and went back to Europe. But we stayed in contact and when Mahindra acquired Pininfarina I sent Anand a note and said “Congrats, great design house, if you have any plans let me know. I would love to be a part of that exciting story.” One and a half years later I got a call and somebody said, “Look, you know we bought a design house . . . Mr. Mahindra would like you to be a part of it.”

Right, that’s flattering. Your life at Pininfarina must be quite different than when you were with the Volkswagen Group.

Absolutely, though I don’t regret one single minute of my big corporate life. Here, it’s different. I sat with the team more or less just after board approval with a piece of paper, a PowerPoint presentation, an Excel spreadsheet, and a few design sketches. With four to six artisans and partisans—we put the plan together. I have probably the best job in the industry. It’s a combination of running Ferrari and Tesla in one. You can’t get better than that.

What are your goals for Pininfarina?

First and foremost being successful from a customer point of view. Fulfilling customer expectations, that people love the cars. Secondly, from my shareholder point of view, that we are going to make money in 2022, or 2023 at the latest. And that we have a portfolio of three to four killer products that not only in static but also in dynamics perform so awesomely that people start to say, “Well, they have to find a new benchmark.”

We want to be the first sustainable luxury car company, which created a new breed of vehicles for people who are beyond status, beyond 16-cylinder engines, beyond emissions. People who reach a point of what I call self-actualization: “I don’t need that anymore. But if I buy myself a luxury car, a hypercar, I buy Pininfarina because its luxury without guilt.”

So you’ll never make an ICE car?

No. We’ll never do a single ICE car. Will we have maybe one day, fuel cells? Maybe. Will we have different forms of zero emissions? Maybe. But definitely we want to go beyond the internal-combustion race. There are many reasons for that and Mahindra wouldn’t have invested into Mahindra Racing and the Formula E team if he would not believe that that’s the future.

What is your product portfolio going to look like? What comes next?

We call Battista our Bugatti Chiron fighter. So people who are today considering something like a Chiron or a Pagani or a Koenigsegg, this is going to be their first choice because nothing else is available which combines beauty, performance, and electricity. Then the intent is to have a Lamborghini Urus fighter. The single largest market for sure will be the U.S.; we saw that clearly in Pebble Beach, where the response was amazing. Our intent is to sell around about 50 Battistas in North America, including Canada. Our orders are now 60, 65 percent already for the North American allocation and that was even [before a running prototype was shown.] We’ll tour a running, but not final, prototype in the spring. I think by the time it reaches Pebble Beach this summer, we will surely have sold out for the North American market. There’s only going to be 150 made total, giving the car these three key ingredients: beauty, purity, and rarity.

I posted a picture and people were excited about it, but many said, “Kinda looks like a Ferrari to me.” Pininfarina has a glorious tradition of revisiting its own designs, but how do you respond to that?

Yeah, well, I think I would maybe, without sounding cocky, like to rephrase that statement. Pininfarina has designed 64 Ferraris; Pininfarina for a long time was a company who delivered the shovels for Ferrari to dig for gold. I think now we’re ready to dig our own gold, design our own cars, and sell it with our own brand. And I think that it will look Italian, but I think you will see a lot of things in the details that Ferrari would never do, which is the new interpretation of past and present. In the future I think Pininfarina-branded automobiles and Pininfarina-created products will be very different interpretations of classic Italian design. It will compare to Fendi and Prada Italian fashion design houses; they share things in common, and yet they are different.

Follow Jamie Kitman on Instagram and Twitter.

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jesusvasser · 5 years

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Pininfarina Is Now Its Own Car Brand, with an 1,800-HP Hypercar—What’s Next?

Automobile Magazine: Explain where Automobili Pininfarina fits in with Pininfarina, the design house.

Tell us more about Mahindra.

Does Mahindra have an interest in Rimac?

No, we are partners, we are friends, and we are Rimac’s single biggest client.

How does one get your job?

Right, that’s flattering. Your life at Pininfarina must be quite different than when you were with the Volkswagen Group.

What are your goals for Pininfarina?

So you’ll never make an ICE car?

What is your product portfolio going to look like? What comes next?

Follow Jamie Kitman on Instagram and Twitter.

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eddiejpoplar · 5 years

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Pininfarina Is Now Its Own Car Brand, with an 1,800-HP Hypercar—What’s Next?

Automobile Magazine: Explain where Automobili Pininfarina fits in with Pininfarina, the design house.

Tell us more about Mahindra.

Does Mahindra have an interest in Rimac?

No, we are partners, we are friends, and we are Rimac’s single biggest client.

How does one get your job?

Right, that’s flattering. Your life at Pininfarina must be quite different than when you were with the Volkswagen Group.

What are your goals for Pininfarina?

So you’ll never make an ICE car?

What is your product portfolio going to look like? What comes next?

Follow Jamie Kitman on Instagram and Twitter.

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rodrigohyde · 6 years

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The top 10 Hollywood bulk-ups of all time

Has anyone ever received more praise for getting fat than Robert De Niro? In 1980, the method actor famously gained 60 pounds of flab by gorging himself on pancakes and milkshakes to play bloated ex-boxer Jake LaMotta in Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull. Nearly 30 years later, film buffs are still marveling at his man boobs.

Nothing against De Niro's amazing performance, but Men's Fitness has had enough of critics praising extra pounds.

That's why we're paying tribute to 10 actors who worked their abs for their art—because it takes more effort to curl 80 pounds than it does to gain it.

[RELATED1]

10. Eli Roth in Inglourious Basterds

For his role as a Nazi's worst nightmare in Quentin Tarantino's fantastical World War II flick, the already physically fit Eli Roth needed to step up his game. His character — Sgt. Donnie "The Bear Jew" Donowitz, a Boston badass who disposes of SS officers with nothing more than a bloodstained Louisville Slugger — isn't the type of guy who would be caught anywhere near Crunch fitness. Instead of getting cut, Roth needed to bulk up. So the Massachusetts native headed home to Beantown, mastered the local accent, stuffed his face with steak, and hit the gym until he packed on 40 pounds of heavy muscle. If you've seen Roth swinging for the fences in the film, you know his dedication paid off.

9. Jason Statham in The Transporter

British actor Jason Statham didn't set out to be an action hero. Starting his career in Guy Ritchie gangster flicks like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, the former championship diver was best known for playing skinny conmen before Hollywood came calling. So when he was cast as the world's most dangerous chauffeur in the 2002 martial arts flick The Transporter, the part-time model needed a physical overhaul. But instead of going the typical Hollywood route of hiring a personal trainer, Statham motivated himself, increasing his time in the gym and taking his interest in mixed martial arts to the next level. By the end of his intense training, Statham was so physically fit he was able to perform most of his own stunts in the film.

8. Robert De Niro in Raging Bull

Here's the flipside to De Niro's Oscar-winning performance—before he gained the equivalent of a small child to play Jake LaMotta in his darkest, fattest hours, the New York native got completely shredded to play the Italian middleweight pugilist in his prime. But De Niro didn't just hit the treadmill to achieve this look. The GoodFellas star underwent a full-on training routine, working closely with the real-life LaMotta on every facet of a boxer's regiment. In fact, De Niro was so dedicated to becoming a convincing brawler, he actually competed in three organized bouts, winning two. LaMotta was so impressed with De Niro's dedication, he claimed the actor could have fought professionally if he wished.

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7. Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday

Thanks to the Academy Award he nabbed for the 2006 Ray Charles biopic Ray, Jamie Foxx is no longer known as that scrawny dude from Booty Call. But the actor first showed his dedication to his craft in Oliver Stone's 1999 football flick Any Given Sunday. For his role as fictional quarterback Willie Beamen, Foxx hit the weights hard, bulking up to a solid 200 pounds. Then, the former MF cover model reported to football training camp and dropped 25 pounds as a result of the vigorous, real-life training. Luckily, the muscle remained and Foxx ended up with the kind of chiseled physique that looks even better on film. "It made me look bigger on the screen because I was tighter," Foxx told MF.

6. Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler

To take on the role of washed-up grappler Randy "The Ram" Robinson in Darren Aronofsky's 2008 film, Mickey Rourke had to do a lot more than just bleach his hair and wear lime green tights. In order to convincingly portray the kind of guy who could hold his own against King Kong Bundy, the 55-year-old had to pack on nearly 30 pounds of lean muscle. Realizing this could be his comeback role, Rourke dedicated himself to the part, working out religiously and training with professional wrestler Afa the Wild Samoan for months prior to shooting. Rourke pulled it off and his impressive build not only added to the realism of the film, but helped him land a role as a villain in the upcoming Iron Man sequel.

5. Ryan Reynolds in Blade: Trinity

Much like Jamie Foxx, Ryan Reynolds was best known for a not-so-great sitcom (the poorly-titled Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place) before an eight pack turned his career around. When the relatively unknown actor was cast as a vampire hunter in the third film in the Blade trilogy, he knew he needed to do something to grab the audience's attention — after all, he was starring alongside Jessica Biel. So the Vancouver native began to train like a madman, doing everything from intense 3-hour daily workouts to a eating eight to 10 small meals a day. The result? Countless magazine covers, the leading role in the upcoming Green Lantern flick and a marriage to Scarlett Johansson. If that's not motivation to get into the gym, we don't know what is.

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4. Edward Norton in American History X

Before he knocked audiences on their asses with American History X, Edward Norton wasn't much more than a solid actor with a bad haircut and few decent flicks under his belt. Then he stomped onto the screen as Derek Vinyard, a raging neo-Nazi skinhead with the kind of physically imposing look that would make most men cross the street. Norton didn't just have the cut biceps and chiseled chest of a typical Hollywood leading man, he looked like a guy who had spent some time lifting weights in the joint. So how did the scrawny Ivy Leaguer go from Yale grad to jail bird? A high protein diet mixed with strength-building exercises like squats and presses. If only Norton could've manned up like that in Fight Club.

3. Christian Bale in Batman Begins

Christian Bale's physique in this Batman revamp may not be the most spectacular on the list, but consider this — six months before playing the caped crusader, Bale weighed 120 pounds. Taking a page out of Robert De Niro's playbook, the Welsh actor had dropped over 60 pounds (mostly through a steady diet of coffee and apples) for his role as an emaciated insomniac in the psychological thriller The Machinist. When he landed the lead in Batman Begins, Bale only had half a year to get in shape. Wasting no time, Bale started a high protein diet while utilizing heavy core training, plyometrics and resistance training. By the time cameras were ready to roll, Bale had packed on 100 solid pounds. Ironically, director Christopher Nolan felt Bale had gotten too bulky and ordered him to drop 20 pounds.

2. Will Smith in Ali

If you're going to tell the story of the greatest professional boxer of all time, you have to do it right. Working with Sugar Ray Leonard's former fitness coach, Will Smith rose to the occasion, turning his 185-pound frame into 220-pounds of lean, sinewy muscle through grueling six-hour-a-day workouts and intensive weight training. At his peak physical condition during the filming of Ali, Smith was benching 350 pounds while moving with the agility of a skilled fighter. Through his focused training, the rapper-turned-actor ended up with a physique just as impressive as the former World Champion. And while the film garnered mixed reviews, Smith's performance was praised and the actor received an Oscar nomination.

1. Gerard Butler in 300

To portray King Leonidas, a Spartan warrior who disposes of thousands of hapless Persians while wearing little more than a Speedo and a cape, Scottish actor Gerard Butler needed a physique right out of a comic book. But the longtime smoker's body was far from loincloth worthy. Enter Mark Twight. Twight, a renowned mountain climber and conditioning coach, put Butler and his costars through hell for four grueling months. A small sample of their agonizing daily workout included non-stop sets of pullups, deadlifts, pushups and clean-and-jerks, coupled with unorthodox training methods like Olympic-style ring work and flipping gigantic tires. While Butler did most of his preparation with his co-stars, the 6-foot-2 star had to look even more chiseled than the 299 other shredded warriors who were standing behind him, so he would put in an extra workout after these training sessions. The results speak for themselves.

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from Men's Fitness https://www.mensfitness.com/life/entertainment/top-10-hollywood-bulk-ups-all-time

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egooksconnolly · 6 years

Text

The top 10 Hollywood bulk-ups of all time

Nothing against De Niro's amazing performance, but Men's Fitness has had enough of critics praising extra pounds.

That's why we're paying tribute to 10 actors who worked their abs for their art—because it takes more effort to curl 80 pounds than it does to gain it.

[RELATED1]

10. Eli Roth in Inglourious Basterds

9. Jason Statham in The Transporter

8. Robert De Niro in Raging Bull

[RELATED2]

7. Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday

6. Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler

5. Ryan Reynolds in Blade: Trinity

[RELATED3]

4. Edward Norton in American History X

3. Christian Bale in Batman Begins

2. Will Smith in Ali

1. Gerard Butler in 300

[RELATED4]

Celebrities

Article source here:Men’s Fitness

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