#otp: how did I get so lucky finding you?

[buckttommy]

everything about rick and michonne is so PASSIONATE. the way they kiss, they way they love, the way they touch, the way they fight , the way they have sex is just... soaked in this hungry, unquenchable need and desire for the other. it's so insane, so fucking insane. like they take unhealthy codependency to the next level until it circles right on back to healthy again. like. imagine being loved like that. i can't. i'm fucking ill. i have never wanted two people to make it back home so badly in my entire life oh my god

#jack.txt #tv: the walking dead: the ones who live #tv: the ones who live #otp: how did i get so lucky finding you? #richonne

[puniflash]

I am unwell.

I feel like this episode tore my heart into pieces and fixed it up again all in a time span of round about 45 minutes.

This was a true masterpiece. It felt like a Fanfiction coming to life. And watching it had me in a whirlwind of emotions throughout the whole episode.

It's almost 4 am and I am unable to fall asleep because I feel just as broken as Rick looked the moment Michonne gave him the phone with Carl's portrait on it.

Today's top three dialogue moments that broke my entire existence:

3. “You're the love of my life. i couldn't just let you go. It felt like my heart ripped itself out of my chest and walked out the door"

2. "Carl. They took Carl. I lost him again."

1. "I can't live without you. Without you, I die."

Anyways, I'm gonna go rewatch and cry again. What else am I supposed to do?

#the walking dead #the walking dead the ones who live #the ones who live #twd #twd towl #towl #towl spoilers #season 1 #episode 4 #rick grimes #michonne grimes #she is his wife at this point #I don't accept another surname for her #richonne #otp: how did I get so lucky finding you? #i love their love #they are beautiful #I gotta drink like five gallons of water to make up for the amount of tears I lost to this episode #what a masterpiece

[vtforpedro]

long life update - TWs in tags

It feels like it's been ages. I'm so exhausted and in a lot of physical pain. Going on two months of it being the worst it's been right after a couple of months of the best it's been. Chronic pain + grief + trying to get help from doctors who should have their licenses revoked + dealing with a shit relationship with my mom + a good, decades-long friendship ending + the ongoing disability process with the SSA + LAW FIRMS.

I'm so fucking tired. I don't remember if I updated that the appeals council decided not to review my case because the 'judge followed the law' except that he didn't. So, as it turns out, my original attorney (and he did not tell me this) before he left, wrote that if they denied me, it should go to federal district court.

I'm now working with a NY law firm to take my case to federal court because my current law firm believes it has merit, and I guess they do, too. That's how fucked the decision was, and I'm glad my initial reaction of bewilderment and anger was spot on lol

The good news is, it should only take another year! ._.

My neurologist is the worst doctor I have ever come across and I'm quite literally stuck with him with nowhere else to go. I wish him upon no one. I'm so tired of calling the SSA, getting documents to them, signing things for law firms, contacting law firms, getting no responses, and contacting them all over and over again. I am in incredible physical pain, like this actively makes my neuro stuff worse. Everything makes it worse. I have autonomic testing in a few days, and idk if I'll get through it b/c I have to stop the meds that keep me out of the ER two days prior, and it scares me.

My relationship with my mom is fractured and I don't feel like family therapy is actually helping. I had to end a friendship with someone I love and care very much about but who was growing too comfortable mistreating me and I was giving them too many passes 😞 I've known them for the better part of two decades.

It's been over seven months since my cat Isis died. I don't know how. It feels like she was here just yesterday. Yet, all the nights I've sat and talked to her and wept are all too real. I miss her more than I can say. She was my soul cat. I keep thinking about tomorrow and how she'd be so nosy getting into EVERYthing when gifts are opened at Christmas. Having to stop her, move her, laugh because she was just so n o s y and it was hilarious. And she's not gonna be here for that ever again.

I'm having a really fucking hard time tonight. It's just hitting me how god-awful this year has been and how I have a bad week to look forward to before even getting to the new year lmao I have to stop taking so many of my medications 48hrs before 1.5-2hrs of testing to see if we can find out Yet Another Thing Wrong With Me but knowing my luck it'll be 'no findings' and the mystery of why my core body temp plummets to 93.9 in the blink of an eye won't be solved until I have suffered juuuuust enough.

It never ends. Never. I want to give up. I'm so tired of doing this. I don't want to anymore. It never. fucking. ends.

I absolutely cannot say it's all been bad, though. I've met incredible, warm, welcoming, giving, kind people this year. Y'all have helped me more than you know and I'm so so so lucky to be able to call you my friends. This year has sucked for so many of us, but I want to say I'm proud of you, and I love you all very much.

My fic is gonna be printed in a hardcover zine early next year. I participated in a Big Bang for the first time and that'll also go out early next year. I'm hosting a tiny event in my tiny fandom server that I'm super excited about. I have a raffle prize to write (bagginshield !!!! SO EXCITED to revisit the og otp) and a Valentine's gift to write for another fandom.

I posted 401,000 words this year and wrote many more unfinished wips, plus a long one (90k) that I am very invested in finishing.

I painted and drew so much this year. I improved a lot, too! I got a couple of portraits printed from inprnt to see how they looked, and it was MY art, and they were GORGEOUS. I thought I would hate seeing my art professionally printed, but no! I almost cried. They looked so lovely.

My cat Lilly had health issues almost immediately following Isis's passing, but she is doing so well right now. She's blossomed into another cat, and while she's not my constant companion, she is with me so much more than she used to be. When she walks onto my desk I am to stop everything and hold her like baby in my arms until she decides that's enough (or I really need to move) lmaaao she's such a goober. My heart cat. <3

I'm not doing well right now--my MH is bad. Especially tonight. But it felt good to write the good things.

I'm sorry for my lack of replies and kinda disappearing. I'm running on fumes. I hope next year will bring physical relief so emotional relief can happen.

For those of you facing difficulties of any kind, I am holding your hand in spirit.

#vtforpedro personal #vtforpedro medical #tw mental illness #tw medical #tw depressing stuff #tw pet loss #I always wish I have something better to write #gonna try to do everything in my power to make that happen next year

[musingsofvenus]

Inspired by the first prompt from a height difference OTP prompts list and made for the lovely @the-most-pathetic-edge-marquis! I was originally going to make this a kind-of follow up to To All the Monsters I Loved Before, but it didn't fit the bill. This is some sort of Twilight AU-- a short & cheesy moment that exists outside of canon. 💞

Jacob rushes to the front door after he hears the doorbell ring. As soon as he swings open the door, he’s greeted with a DVD case held inches from his face. 

“Tada!” Bella exclaims, grinning ear to ear. Her cheeks and ears are bright red from the cold air.

Sunday afternoons were reserved for their weekly movie night session.  

Every week they switch between who gets to pick the next movie to watch. Their typical choices of movies quickly devolved from Bella’s favorite Jane Austen adoptions and Jacob’s classic spaghetti westerns to the most outrageous B-movie horror flicks they could find.

This week is Bella’s week, and she chose a movie called ‘Suburban Sasquatch.’ From the DVD’s cover art alone, Jacob was sure he wouldn’t be able to make it through the first five minutes without hysterically laughing at the poor production quality.

Jacob plucks the DVD from her hands. “Well hello to you too, Bells.”

Bella snickers, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Hello, hello,” she says belatedly. She rests her chin on his chest. For a few seconds, Jacob is flustered into silence by the cute gesture. And Bella, watching him closely, wiggles her eyebrows like she knows. Because of course she knows. 

“Your ears are turning red,” she sings.

Jacob covers his traitorous ears and averts his eyes. “They are not!”

Bella falls into a fit of giggles that makes Jacob grin. “Are you gonna let me in before I freeze to death?”

Jacob clears his throat. “You have to pay the toll to enter,” he intones.

Bella releases him to shoulder off her tote bag. She holds it open to reveal several soda cans and an assorted variety of popcorn and cookies. “I come bearing snacks.”

Jacob squints at the contents of her bag. “That’s not enough to cover the toll, Bells. I do accept bribes, though,” he says, tapping his lips with his pointer finger.

“You don’t have to play this game to get me to kiss you, you know? I like kissing you.”

“And I like messing with you.”

“Jacob, come on! It’s really cold,” Bella whines. “I don’t have werewolf powers to keep me warm, unlike some people!”

Jacob opens his arms and sweeps Bella off her feet. “Personal space heater, at your service.”

“Jake! Put me down!”

“How am I supposed to kiss you from all the way down there?”

An indignant blush colors Bella’s cheeks. “Maybe you’re just too high up!”

“If you say so. Now about that bribe-”

He barely gets the question out before Bella leans in to kiss him. It starts off a bit forceful on Bella’s end because of her lingering frustration before she starts to relax. The kiss was just turning soft and sweet before Bella’s hand tangles in his hair, no doubt in an attempt to pull him closer. 

Jacob obliges her wordless demand until her fingers brush against the back of his neck. He abruptly pulls away from the kiss with a yelp.

“Your hands are like ice, Bella,” he complains, setting her back down on her feet.

Bella rolls her eyes. “I wonder why, you jerk!” She crosses her arms with a scowl. “You’re lucky that I love you,” she grumbles under her breath.

“What did you say?” He teases, poking her side. “I couldn’t hear you from way up here.” 

Bella huffs, looking up at him while a blush spreads across her cheeks. “I said, I love you, you giant idiot.”

Jacob pretends to contemplate her words, nodding to himself. “Yep, I think that just about covers the toll.”

“You’re not saying it back?” Bella pouts, poking her lip out and everything.

“Oh, come on, Bells,” Jacob chuckles, grabbing her icy hands and peppering them with kisses to get rid of the cold. He pulls her into the house. “I love you, too. You know that.”

#im feeling jxb in this chilis tonight #bella x jacob #jacob x bella #them 💗 #my writing #the only reason i didn't make it a to all the monsters follow up is bc bella is supposed to be the menace in that AU #but in this it's the opposite #anyways merry chysler #I'm not sure how i feel about this lil fic lmao

[elwenyere]

Fic Writer 20 Questions

I was tagged by my beloved @frostbitebakery: thank you so much, my friend!!!

1.) How many works do you have on ao3

56

2.) What's your ao3 word count?

301,664 words

3.) What fandoms do you write for?

So far, the MCU, Star Wars, and Top Gun.

4.) What are your top five fics by kudos?

Call Me By Your (Pet) Name (MCU, Sambucky)

Tactical Engagements (Star Wars, Codywan)

Citation Needed (MCU, Stony)

Helps to Relieve My Mind (MCU, Sambucky)

Good Soldiers (Star Wars, Codywan)

5.) Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do, yes! Sometimes it takes me a little while to write back if things in real life are hectic, but eventually I do, because I love chatting with readers about what they noticed in a story and what I was thinking about/working on while writing.

6.) What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I have never written what I would call an unhappy ending. But sometimes what we know about the canon ending can still make the ending of a fic bittersweet, and that's true of a fair number of fics I've written. I think the two fics that leave canon angst most fully on the table are my MCU ficlet A Stitch in Time, which is about what else Steve might have done while returning those stones, and my wee Star Wars piece Yes, It Feels Like That, which is a moment with Leia's grief during ANH.

7.) What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I swear: I used to write plenty of fics that were happy all the way through! That happens a lot less frequently now. But Right on Time is just about the happiest ending I could give to a post-war Codywan, and my Sambucky fic Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice is (to me) maybe the funniest fic I've written.

8.) Do you get hate on fics?

I've been very lucky with readers who are largely very generous.

9.) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

I am a relative newcomer to writing smut, but I have dabbled, yes. I'm not sure what kind of smut it is. Feelings-forward, I guess?

10.) Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I think the only thing I've written that could come close to being classified as a crossover was my very first multi-chapter fic, Should You Choose to Accept It, which included characters from both the mainstream Avengers and Agents of SHIELD and mashed up the plots of Iron Man 3, CA: TWS, AOS Season One, and Mission Impossible 3.

11.) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of.

12.) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not yet!

13.) Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Yes! The Stony identity porn/professor AU fic Citation Needed was a collaboration with the incredible @festiveferret, and it is the most fun I've had writing fic.

14.) What's your all time favorite ship?

Cannot pick a favorite, but my first OTP was Mulder/Scully, and they will always have a special place in my heart.

15.) What's a WIP you'd like to finish, but doubt you ever will?

God what a painful question. 😅 I am a stubborn bastard, and I don't know if I've fully admitted defeat on any of my WIPs, even the ones I've neglected the most. But the WIP that's probably been waiting for my attention the longest is the sequel to my Stony fic Three Little Words; or, Five Times Steve and Tony Didn’t Actually Apologize + One Time They Did, which I cannot abandon or scrap for parts because I'm really attached to the bits that I have written, but which I haven't been able to make progress on for a long time. Bug me for snips about it if you like: I would love to be able to share what I have so far.

16.) What are your writing strengths?

A borderline aggressive amount of figurative language, narrative beats that feel layered, and I think I have a decent ear for dialogue.

17.) What are your writing weaknesses?

I'm so, so, so inexpressibly slow, and I also build up increasing levels of anxiety about WIPs when I'm not getting outside perspectives about them, so I find it nearly impossible to write anything longer than 20k.

18.) Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I have experimented with this a little bit in the past, and I'm currently trying it again in a WIP in a language I'm not deeply familiar with, which is nerve-wracking. But I think it can be so effective when done well, and I'm excited to keep growing in that area.

19.) First fandom you wrote for?

Stony in the MCU: a missing-scene fic from Endgame

20.) Favorite fic you've ever written?

I love all my children equally, but my Codywan fic Recollection is probably the fic that felt most ambitious to me at the time that I wrote it: memory-related temporal shenanigans, surreal scene changes, some heavy psychic territory, and my very first smut scenes. I'm proud of how many new things I tried.

----

Open tags for anyone who would like to play!!! This was very fun: @ me with your answers if you'd like to join. <3<3<3

#tag game #writer memes #thank you for the tag frost!!!

[azurelyy]

kakashi!!

Hi, sweetheart! <3 One Copy Cat Ninja, coming right up!

1: sexuality headcanon

Kakashi isn't as experienced as people make him out to be. The main reason he's good in bed is because of all the porn he reads. That and he is just ~naturally gifted~ lol. But seriously, I don't imagine him having many notches on his bedpost. He most certainty isn't a fuck boy - he doesn't have the time, energy, or patience for that. No, if you're lucky enough to get with Kakashi then it's because he has an overwhelming attraction to you, and finds your personality addictive.

2: otp

I don't ship him with anyone in the canon show, tbh. Does @delirious-donna count? 😂 I am going to say so!

3: brotp

Gai! Come on! There is no other answer. These two are the best of fucking friends, and Kakashi knows it. He can deny it all he wants, but I know the truth.

4: notp

KakaSaku if we're sticking to canon where he was her fucking Sensei. I recently have opened my brain up to reading fics about them that alter the canon timeline, because honestly, it's some of the best written out there and I am starved for good Kakashi content that isn't y/n. I AM SORRY BUT THE FACTS ARE THE FACTS. Sometimes, you just want a third person story.

5: first headcanon that pops into my head

Kakashi literally doesn't stop. Even if he feels like shit, or is so sick he's struggling to keep his eyes open, he will still get out of bed and attempt to do whatever he had on his to-do list for that day. His partner will need to literally force him to stay home, and even then there's no way he is staying in bed. The second their eyes are off him, he's up trying to do chores around the house.

6: favorite line from this character

"Today, I got lost on the road of life." Iconic.

7: one way in which I relate to this character

There are so many to choose from... Unfortunately, I am going to have to go with the sort of sad option here and say I relate to how distant he can be when first meeting people. Basically, he and I share a trauma response lol. Maybe we could help each other get over it!

8: thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character

I will never get over the fact that he did this. Ever. It is burned into my brain.

9: cinnamon roll or problematic fave?

He's a problematic KING. But we love him for it. It's okay, Kakashi - we're all a little fucked up in our own ways. <3

#kakashi hatake #kakashi headcanons #kakashi smut #azurelyy scribbles

[mousegard]

For the character ask game: Dorothea Arnault

ooh, dorothea! i love dorothea but man i have written so little about her...

favorite thing about them

dorothea being a classically trained singer and opera star is my absolute favorite thing about her. mainly because i have an older sister who got her degree in classical singing and is like literally dorothea irl (she works in cybersecurity now and sings on the side, what a career path)

least favorite thing about them

no a-supports with bernie or ingrid :( like i get that ingrid is offput and made uncomfortable by dorothea's reflexive flirtiness and it's a compelling flaw in her characterization that she doesn't know how to "turn it off" sometimes... i just wish that at the very least they'd had an a-support where they could kiss and make up

favorite line

does it count if i just put down "every time she sings something" because man allegra clark just kills it

brOTP

as much as i'm disappointed that her supports with bernie only go up to b i do love the idea of her and bernie as platonic friends. dorothea being the first commoner friend bernie has made since the yuri incident just feels so sweet... i love how dorothea helps bernie get over that wall and escape her father's control so she can be a bit more adventurous

OTP

there are so many dorothea ships that i just love to death that i don't know where to start. dorothea x petra and dorothea x edelgard have a lot of the same appeal. after a life of having to rub elbows with the nobility and hold her nose while she cynically searches for a spouse she can tolerate who will take care of her when her beauty fades, she finds the pinnacle of nobility—literal princesses, later a queen and/or an emperor—and they love her not for her beauty or her voice but for her heart, and she loves them not for their wealth or security but for their hearts... she earned a fairytale ending she didn't think was possible

also! also! i love dorothea x hubert, which really doesn't get enough attention. i got their paired ending on my first playthrough of crimson flower and i love the idea of her and hubert operating a spy ring together out of her opera company. it'll always hold a special place in my heart

nOTP

i don't think there are any dorothea pairings that i just viscerally shudder at, but there are plenty of possible pairings in canon that just leave me cold. felix x dorothea is just kinda... there? the two characters never really feel like they have any chemistry between them, but they get a paired ending anyway. weird.

random headcanon

i didn't invent this but my headcanon is that dorothea has stretch marks. she was underfed and undernourished on the streets, obviously, but getting scouted would have given her body a sudden influx of nutritious food and caused a growth spurt that definitely would have left its mark on her

another headcanon: if you look closely at her list of liked and disliked foods, she dislikes every fish dish in the monastery. in fact the fish dishes are the only dishes she dislikes. since enbarr is a coastal city, you can infer that fish (most often quite past its recommended sell-by date) comprised a lot of the food dorothea had to choose from as a child on the streets. my headcanon is that she got horribly sick off of bad fish once and was lucky to survive

unpopular opinion

since i'm not clued into the fandom attitudes about dorothea i have to just assume that an "unpopular opinion" would be that every barbed insult dorothea throws at a male character is something they deserved, at the time

yes, even ferdie. her insults help him grow as a person

dorothea did nothing wrong. i'm just assuming that's an unpopular opinion in the fandom because. you know. that's what fandoms are always like

song i associate with them

one of the most famous arias from one of the most famous operas, "vissi d'arte" ("i live for art") from puccini's tosca, is a song i think fits dorothea very well. the eponymous character of floria tosca had to be at least a minor inspiration for dorothea!

tosca is a tragic story about a celebrated singer living in a time of political turmoil and caught between her lover mario cavaradossi, a painter with radical sympathies who has offered shelter to an escaped political prisoner, and baron scarpia, the corrupt chief of police who is determined to both capture the prisoner and seize tosca for himself at any cost... i'm sure a fe3h tosca au would be a pretty natural fit for a fanfic :P

I lived for my art, I lived for love, I never did harm to a living soul! With a secret hand I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of. Always with true faith my prayer rose to the holy shrines. Always with true faith I gave flowers to the altar. In the hour of grief why, why, o Lord, why do you reward me thus? I gave jewels for the Madonna’s mantle, and I gave my song to the stars, to heaven, which smiled with more beauty. In the hour of grief why, why, o Lord, ah, why do you reward me thus?

favorite picture of them

_ONEINCHSWING

i like it when dorothea shoots lightning at people :) tosca would have had a happier ending if tosca could do that

[allylikethecat]

January OTP Prompts

Update: these are in fact still easier to write in the morning an I deeply regret that I once again left it until the evening. It's such a funny trend, the ones I like I write in the mornings, and the ones I am unimpressed with I write frantically at night. I also did not proof read this in the slightest so lets gooo. On that note, this one is brought to you by the fact that I once absolutely ate shit after slipping on a floor that had Pledge on it (google seemed to think they have Pledge in the UK but to those of you that don't know it's a spray furniture polish that makes floors EXTREMELY slippery)

17. Slippery

George swore softly grabbing onto the edge of the side table, catching himself from tumbling to the ground at the last possible second. He glared down at their hardwood floors in shock and distrust, having not expected to nearly fall onto his ass because he had the audacity to hop skip down the last step while wearing socks. He cautiously let go of the side table, and took a step forward, nearly losing his footing once again as his sock clad foot slid across the floor out from under him. His frown deepened as he tried to rationalize why the floor was so slippery. It looked the same as it always did, and their housekeeper, Sheila, had come by earlier that morning— 

George’s eyes widened. Sheila hadn’t come that morning, her assistant Daisy, had, Sheila was out of town visiting family and George couldn’t handle missing a house cleaning appointment if he wanted to continue living with Matty, the messiest person alive in harmony. Sheila had understood and sent Daisy, whom George had seen spraying Pledge heavy handedly onto the table he was currently clinging to when he left for his yoga class that morning. She must have accidentally gotten the furniture polish on the floor George realized, turning the base of the staircase into a slippery death trap. 

He pulled his phone out of his back pocket, quickly Googling how to resolve the slippery floor issue. He knew that even if he told Matty to be careful coming down the stairs, he would forget within the first ten minutes and fall straight onto his ass if they were lucky, and onto his face if they weren’t. Luckily, Google seemed confident that he would be able to resolve the issue with a bucket of warm water and dish soap, both of which he knew he would be able to find under the sink. If he was lucky, he would be able to resolve the issue before Matty came looking for him.

Carefully, he started making his way towards the kitchen, not trusting himself not to slip even once he was past the Pledge spray zone. 

“Hey, can we order pizza tonight?” Matty called, making his way downstairs in search of George, “I know you said you want to cook more, but I can’t be arsed to go to the shops and pizza sounds so good right now,” Matty said.

“BE CAREFUL,” George shouted, starling Matty as he stepped off the staircase, Matty frowned and took another step forward as George tried to get the words out faster “thefloorisslippery!” 

“The floor is what?” Matty asked, his brow furrowed as he stepped onto the slippery patch and just as George predicted, slipped, landing heavily on his butt, blinking up at George in surprise and confusion.

“The floor is slippery,” George said with a grimace. “You okay?” He carefully made his way over to Matty who still looked absolutely flabbergasted that he had ended up on the floor. 

“The fuck?” he said, taking George’s offered hands and pulling himself up carefully as if he didn’t trust the floor. George could relate. 

“Daisy got Pledge on the floor,” George explained. “And now it’s slippery.” 

“Yeah,” said Matty, rubbing a hand over his sure to be bruised tailbone. “Yeah, I can see that.” 

Day: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

#allylikethecat #January OTP Prompts #Matty fic #gatty #keep it kind #prompt fills #prompt fill #still cant believe we're on day 17 and i havent given up #last night and tonight i really didnt wanna do it not gonna lie #but i've made it this FAR #(i 100% sang that line from that twenty one pilots song as i wrote it) #ALSO #I recently remembered that band fun. existed? #Some Nights was SUCH a good album wtf #Jack Antanoff should go do that again instead of whatever it is he currently is doing #just saying

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

20 questions for fic writers

i was tagged by @stevethehairington, thanks mack!!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? only 10!

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 149,243

3. What fandoms do you write for? mainly been stranger things and one little spn drabble here on tumblr and my st/spn crossover fic

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

1. Several Notes of the Most Amiable Nature - aka secret admirer au (my first fic!) 2. A Recipe for Disaster - the princess diaries 2 au 3. (Reprise) - sequel to Several Notes 4. i'm outta my head over you - my mixtape fic 5. of sunshine and starlight - PWP 😏

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? i am so super behind, but yes!!!! and i appreciate them all so so much 🥺

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? definitely it's a date, my summer challenge fic (but i am working through a follow-up that makes it a happy ending i promise 😭)

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? of all of them, i would probably say Several Notes; that one is the schmoopiest ending of them all, but next would def be outta my head.

(i don't want to count Recipe for Disaster since that's the same ending as the PD movie so... 😅)

8. Do you get hate on fics? i've been lucky to only get a little bit of screaming at me for it's a date, but not hate. they were all justifiably ASKLFAJLFASF at the plot twist, but it was all in good fun/still loved 🥰

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? yes!! my number 5 most liked fic is just PWP! and it's always been cute fluffy "real" smut so far, like the two being goofy with each other and super in love and shit lmao 10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? yeah! only the one though, my wip ST/SPN crossover fic You Will Never Walk Alone (You Can Always Reach Me); and to the previous question, my first smut was in chap 3 of this one and i am super proud of it still 😊

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? i really hope not???

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? not yet!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? nope!

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? oh fuck...honestly? it's probably steddie. my OTP is destiel, like, they are the blueprint, they are the ones i have the most history with, but in complete honesty: in my head steddie is much more fluid/blorbo-y than destiel are. dean and cas are so fuckin' good in canon and kinda rare-er for me to find a good au with them that they still seem like themselves? if that makes sense?

with steddie, they are so moldable and fit into any spot you put them; i prefer canon adjacent but anything they do seems so correct, whereas dean and cas will always be a hunter and angel you know? that's how their story has been for so long, and all my fave fics of them are canon spn universe - a spell, a different timeline, a hunt, it's always them™

idk if that makes sense to anyone else, but maybe it's because destiel have been destiel for like 11 seasons and 15 years, and steddie have so little with only one season/summer that they are more moldable but... 🤷‍♀️

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? honestly, it's probably my hispanic!eddie au, but my casper!eddie has been falling off at an exponential rate and it's bumming me out tbh

16. What are your writing strengths? i think it's dialogue? i think that's the thing i've gotten the most comments about, the wit and snark of eddie and his internal voice, or just conversations in general. i like to think through how conversations will go in a fic first, like, how exactly they would realistically speak to each other or how an accent (wayne) would come through and how best to type it out so others can 'hear' it correctly 😊

17. What are your writing weaknesses? writing out action/feelings well. maybe it's cause i get super engrossed in what i'm writing and am looking at it too long, but a lot of the time it feels like i'm just writing "he did this 😐 and then he did this 😐 then said this."

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? i do my best!!! like with the short drabble i did that started the hispanic!eddie au, i did best i could to translate the couple spanish phrases in it, but i don't speak spanish myself. my husband is hispanic and is fluent, but when i wrote that one i was much to embarrassed by why i would be asking him, that i didn't ask him to translate 😭

19. First fandom you wrote for? stranger things! the st/steddie fandom was so supportive with my secret admirer drabble that i made it my first full fic!!!

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? my fave that i've written is my mixtape fic i'm outta my head over you. i wrote so much for it in such a short amount of time for steddie week but it really came together and was all me!

i do also LOVE how my version of a princess diaries rewrite came out, but the plot is just a copy of the movie and isn't really mine you know?

not sure who all has been tagged already, but here are some no pressure tags!!: @thisapplepielife, @azrielgreen, @its-steddie-time, @strawberryspence, @sayesayes, @undreaming-fanfiction, @greatunironic, @fairyfried

#noelle writes #ask game

[blackbird-brewster]

Getting to Know Me(me)

Found my original in my archives and thought it'd be fun to update this one! Original answers from 2015 >> New answers in 2023

Name: Kit  Age: 26 35 Persuasion: Homoromantic demisexual Queer Location: USA Aotearoa 10 Facts: 1. I have 25 35+ tattoos 2. I'm a full-time writer 3. I am on Tumblr more than I should be (still true) 4. I can get through the entirety of 'Fifty Nifty United States' in one breath 5. I have multiple mobility aids and they all have names. Cane: Elvira, Walker: Christopher Walkin', Wheelchair: Wheelie Boy 6. My partner (Doom Them) and I are the penultimate example of queer domestic bliss 7. I met some of my best friends through Tumblr! 8. I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under 3 minutes (still true) 9. I used to be a professional actress (Still true) 10. I have travelled to 17 20 countries

9 Fandoms:

1. Criminal Minds 2. Doctor Who 3. X-Files 4. Bones Critical Role 5. Fringe 6. Community Dimension 20 7. the L word Warehouse 13 8. Legend of the Seeker 9. SVU Xena

8 OTPS:

1. OTP: Blackbird (JJ x Emily - Criminal Minds) 2. OTP: Burning Up a Sun (Ten x Rose - Doctor Who) 3. OTP: How Long? (Olivia x Alex - SVU) OTP: I Thought We'd Get Lucky (Tara x Emily - Criminal Minds) 4. OTP: I want to Believe (Mulder x Scully - X-Files) 5: OTP: Fringe With Benefits (Peter x Olivia - Fringe) OTP: It'd Be With You (Thirteen x Yasmin - Doctor Who) 6. OTP: I think you’ll know (Callie x Arizona - Grey’s Anatomy) OTP: Science Wives (Sam x Janet - Stargate SG1) 7. OTP: Blood and Battle (Lagertha x Ragnar - Vikings) Let's Go Steal an OT3 (Parker x Eliot x Hardison - Leverage) 8. OTP: Oatmeal (Holt x Kevin - B99) OT3: Je T'Emily (JJ x Emily x Tara - Criminal Minds)

7 Books:

1. Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling Heartstopper by Alice Oseman 2. Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins Wonder Woman Graphic Novels (Greg Rucka, Gail Simone) 3. Anita Blake Series by Laurel K Hamilton Nevermoor Series by Jessica Townsend 4. The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein 5. The Witches by Roald Dahl Tiny Beautiful Things by Sheryl Strayed 6. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 7. Bones Series by Kathy Reichs Gender Failure by Ivan E. Coyote & Rae Spoon

6 Foods:

1. Pizza 2. Protein Shakes Mac and cheese (Kraft blue box) 3. Hummus Strawberry Poptarts 4. Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches 5. Cookies and Cream ice cream 6. Tacos

5 Things You Can’t Live Without:

1. Coffee 2. Netflix 3. My Phone 4. Music 5. Fanfiction * No changes from 2015 to 2023

4 Life Goals:

1. Finish school for Forensic Anthropology Find joy and contentment in all I do 2. Study abroad Fly my friends to Aotearoa for a visit 3. Visit every continent 4. Publish a novel (<<did it!) Live authentically, without regret

3 Characters You Relate To:

1. Temperance Brennan Thirteenth Doctor 2. Emily Prentiss 3. Jean Grey / Phoenix  Fox Mulder 2 Quotes:

1. Why waste your life being normal? 2. The entire poem of Invictus Be gay, do crime 1 Selfie (If you want):

2015 vs 2023

 Not tagging anyone, this one was completely self-indulgent so I could have the update in my archive <3

#about me 2k23 #about me 2k15 #god I've been on this webbed site so long #my face #tag you're it #tag game

[buckttommy]

obsessed with the, like. the "you will never be rid of me" vibes michonne is exuding in this episode. she's like. we're going home together. no? okay. then we're going back to crm to kill jadis, and then we're going home together. no? suit yourself. i will walk out of this apartment alone but we will be leaving this building together. oh there you are, finally. ready to go home? no? ok well we are in this room that's falling down around us. don't want to make a decision? well hell, i guess we'll die together too. like god. god. it's not even devotion at this point, it's pure insanity. they are insane for each other in a way that makes no logical sense. it's like. what's that quote that's like, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. and it's like. how is this not the definition of that. how is this woman standing before this man asking him, begging him, reasoning with him to come home not the definition of being insane. and the thing is, it actually fucking. works. he comes home, or at the very least, they agree to try to go home because HE'S INSANE TOO. he's like every single escape attempt failed and i mutilated myself for this, but hell, what's one more time? like my god. my. GOD !!!!! they are crazy, big time, and i love them. god .

#jack.txt #tv: the walking dead: the ones who live #tv: the ones who live #otp: how did i get so lucky finding you? #richonne #michonne grimes #murder daddy rick grimes you are everything to me

[sparrowmoth]

Matchablossom for the ship ask: 8, 12, 21, 29 and 44 🥺

@fuck-you-i-am-spiderman Thank you very much, lovely! 💖💖💖

8. Who gets extremely competitive playing Mario Kart?

They’re both extremely competitive in everything they do together, so why should Mario Kart be any different? They’re not against fighting dirty, which means things tend to get physical—foot to the face, elbows in ribs, “accidentally” disconnecting the controller, etc.

(Miya regrets ever introducing them to the game since no matter that he beats them both almost every time, it seems like all they ever care about is who came in 2nd vs. 3rd between the two of them.)

12. Who does the hands-over-the-eyes “Guess Who” thing?

Kojiro, just because he knows Kaoru “hates it” and somehow that annoyed sigh is terribly endearing—all the more so when it comes with an insult like, “I don’t know, did the zoo lose their gorilla?” If he’s standing, Kaoru might then turn around to face Kojiro as those large, warm hands slide down to his back, and if Kojiro is lucky, he’ll get to kiss away a pout.

21. Who’s clumsier?

As adults, neither of them would be considered clumsy, as much as Kaoru huffs that Kojiro’s like a great dane with no idea just how big he is. It’s not really true. Kaoru knows that damn well. He just likes to get a jab in at Kojiro. Seems only fair considering how it used to be—

As kids, Kaoru was the first to hit his growth spurt (and it hit him hard). He was tall and lanky and terribly clumsy, no sign of the elegance he’d one day grow into. Kojiro, who’d grow past him in high school, got a fair few laughs in between kindergarten and then, watching his best friend flail and trip and stumble around like a newborn giraffe.

29. Who licks the spoon when they’re baking brownies?

Kojiro, which Kaoru of course finds scandalous because, “You’re a chef! You should know how many germs—” Kojro cuts him off by shoving the spoon between his lips and laughs when Kaoru goes wide-eyed, like Kojiro’s trying to poison him. “Relax,” Kojiro tells him, “it’s not going back in the bowl—I promise.” Kaoru looks at him suspiciously as he grabs the spoon and licks it more tentatively, like a cat unsure of the quality of its water bowl. “It better not,” he grumbles, backing away with the spoon like Kojiro might try to steal it (which he does, but only a few minutes later, seeing as Kaoru’s still absently licking at it, cleaning it to a shine).

44. What are their nicknames for each other? Apart from the colourful insults they exchange like a love language and the skater names they only use at S, Kaoru’s nicknames for Kojiro include: “Koji” (a nickname from childhood said more fondly now that they’ve grown), “Jiro” (a nickname that emerges primarily when Kaoru is sleepy or drunk), “Koko” (a teasing nickname only used to provoke annoyance), “KJ” (a nickname Kaoru hasn’t used as much since they were teens), and “Ko” (another sleepy nickname).

As for Kojiro’s nicknames for Kaoru, he’s partial to using cute and sappy pet names like princess, precious, love, doll, babe, angel, etc (sometimes he’ll say these sarcastically, but never out of malice). He also uses “Ru” in quiet, tender moments, like when he’s comforting Kaoru or they’re cuddling in bed.

In high school, he’d call Kaoru “Yashiki” when he was annoyed. Kaoru, of course, would say that two could play at that game and start calling Kojiro “Nan,” at which Kojiro would shoot back with “Yash,” and then they were down to “N” and “Y” until all they could do was stick their tongues out at each other until one of them smiled and the other accused in triumph, “Made you smile!” And that would be swiftly denied, but that was a whole other argument.

OTP Ask Meme

#fuck-you-i-am-spiderman #<3 #matchablossom #joecherry #SK8 #SK8 the infinity #sakurayashiki kaoru #nanjo kojiro #SK8 headcanons #my headcanons #thank you for sending me some my dear <3<3 #I'm so enamoured with these dorks #feels good to write something #even if it's just headcanons

[narcissa-black-supermacy]

42 please!! would you kill me for suggesting orion/walburga 💀 or lucissa, or any narcissa pairing (or narcissa&draco!)

42. What's their favourite type of weather to enjoy together? (getting snowed in together, watching thunderstorms, etc.)

No, why would I!! All Blacks are welcome in this house, we do not discriminate. I was going to make this very angsty at first, but this lil drabbly drabble had a mind of its own, so here is just a lot of dysfunctional family chaos feat. Walburga trying to catch a break and just enjoy some thunderstorms in peace.

Send me an OTP question from the list and a ship and I’ll respond with a drabble.

-

There is something very poetic about thunderstorms.

The way the sky goes from being crystal clear to completely obscure in a matter of minutes at times, hiding the earth away from the carpet of stars above it that people usually take comfort in when they look up. It roars, and strikes, and rages, and there is something very soothing and comforting about its fury, about the angry cries of the sky, the noise and the flashes that it brings with it to tell everybody just how outraged it is.

There is something weirdly familiar about it, something that almost brings memories from the childhood; when you are so small and so insignificant compared to the world around you, and everybody seems to know better than you, always telling you what to do and how to do it, and the only comfort you can take is in the rage of the skies above when everything goes pitch black and rain pours down on earth, reminding everybody how utterly pathetic they are in comparison to the force of nature.

The rooftop of Grimmauld Place is a nice spot to watch the storms from, but it does not compare to the clear, wide view that’s visible from the balconies of her brother’s Manor, at the far outskirts of London. It’s a very lucky thing indeed that the weather seems to play so nicely with their plans this Christmas.

Walburga leans back further in her chair and relaxes, letting her lungs suck in the fresh, cold air of the storm outside as she raises a cup of tea to her lips to take a sip.

She hears the door to the balcony click behind her and Orion pushes through, slowly lowering himself into the chair beside her with a grunt. He heaves out a long, exhausted sigh and reaches for his pocket to pull out a cigar. “Have you seen the letter?”

“The one about Regulus?”

“Regulus?” Orion echoes, sounding surprised. He lights up the cigar with a snap of his fingers and pulls it away. The smoke he breathes out rises into the air, taking the shape of a small raven that rises up to circle above them. “Why, what did he do this time?”

“He, uh- transfigured some kid from his class into a bear carpet and hanged him upside down in the-- never mind.” She waves her hand in the air dismissively, the significance of the words suddenly dying out as soon as they are out of her mouth in the open. “What letter are you talking about?”

Orion presses his lips together. He floats the cigar up by his side for a moment and reaches for the inside pocket of his suit, fumbling around until his hand finds a yellowish envelope with Hogwarts' familiar red stamp on it. “Sirius was involved in some…” he pauses for a moment as he holds out the letter to her, pondering over the correct choice of words, “unconventional extracurricular activities.”

Walburga huffs. “Isn’t he always?” She reaches out to take the letter from his hand. She is just about to open it when her hand falters for a moment and she glances up at her husband. “Do I want to know?”

“I don’t know, Wal, do you?”

She pauses to consider the question for a moment. “Did it kill someone?”

Orion shakes his head. “Not yet, I don’t think so.” He picks up the cigar from the air and presses it between his lips to suck in another lungful of smoke.

Walburga reverts her attention back to the letter at hand. “Then tell that circus of a school to shove these letters down their throat.” She throws the paper up in the air and makes two swift cutting motions with her fingers, the letter successfully tearing apart to her eyes and flying outside into the storm, carried away by the waves of roaring wind around them.

“We pay them enough money to not have to deal with these atrocities ourselves.” She pushes herself up from her chair and swipes her hands against each other before turning back to the balcony door. “Shall we go back inside?”

The Rosiers and the Crabbes are yet to arrive, but Druella and Cygnus are already seated in the living room by the fireplace, discussing something over a bottle of firewhiskey and a copy of the daily paper while their two younger daughters are huddled over the table behind them. Regulus is seated at the other end of the same table, eyes running back and forth across the pages of a book in his lap, legs propped up on the table as he lounges in the chair lazily.

“Regulus Arcturus, take those feet off the table.”

Regulus raises his eyes from the book in his hands lazily, mouth half close around a slice of an apple in his mouth. Very slowly, all the while keeping his gaze locked with hers, he slides the feet off the surface of the table and lets them drop down to the floor.

“Where is your brother?”

“I don’t know.” He shoves the slice further into his mouth and bites on it loudly. “Outside.”

Walburga raises an eyebrow. “Doing what exactly?”

“I don’t know.” Regulus says again. He flips over a page in his book, then looks back up to her. “Testing out the new broom with Bella.”

“During a thunderstorm?” She steals a fleeting glance outside the nearest window. Well, if that isn’t just bound to end well.

Regulus simply shrugs, uncaring, and reaches over the table to grab another slice of apple from the bowl on it. Making her peace with the fact that she will not pull anything remotely useful beyond that out of her youngest, Walburga turns to the other end of the table, where Narcissa and Andromeda are seated at.

Now that she’s looking, she can see that there is a bundle of herbs on the table between them, tightly tied together with a red rope. Narcissa is holding up a candle to burn them, while Andromeda is holding it up from above. Underneath it there is a body of a large toad, opened up right in the middle with half of its organs outside on the table.

“What are you two doing?”

“Burning some sage, for luck.” Narcissa says casually, her eyes intensely fixated on their craft.

“We’re hoping that Bella and Sirius both get striked by lightning.” Andromeda adds in brightly, which earns her a pointed glare from her sister.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” the blonde chasties, “we are trying to find out the name of my future husband.”

Andromeda grimaces. “Oh, are we?”

Walburga tunes out the rest of their bickering, eyes glancing between the dead toad and the bundle of sage floating above them. “If you want to draw a love interest, you should use lavender instead of sage.” She says, both girls immediately halting to look up at her. “And if you want to direct a lightning hit at someone, you need a personalised item, and the toad has to be alive for the ritual.”

Andromeda and Narcissa blink up at her, then turn to face each other. They exchange a loaded look before Andromeda pushes her chair back and bolts in the direction of the staircase. “I’m going to go get another toad.” She announces.

“And bring me some lavender!” Narcissa yells after her.

“Wal,”

Walburga turns around at the call of her name. Cygnus raises his glass in the air in greeting and sends her a wink. “Lovely weather, isn’t it?”

Walburga steps over to their sitting lounge by the fireplace and pauses by her brother’s chair to take the glass out of his hand. She brings it up to her lips to take a sip. “I suppose so.”

#this is the longest one ive written so far for this #1300wc? wow #i enjoyed this one sm thank you <33 #my writing #walburga black #orion black #the blacks #house of black

[typingtess]

NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Rewatch:  “Under the Influence”

The basics:  The team is tasked with finding the daughter of an ambassador.

Written by:  Anastasia Kousakis wrote "Hot Water" in season eight.

Directed by:  John P. Kousakis directs his first season 13 episode.  Kousakis directed "Imposters", "Sacrifice", "San Voir" part one, "The Fifth Man", "Parley", "Inelegant Heart", "Chernoff, K.", "Active Measures", "The Long Goodbye", "Talion", "Glasnost", "Unleashed", "Party Crashers", "This Is What We Do" (episode 200), "Goodbye Vietnam", "Ninguna Salida", "The Guardian", “High Society”, "A Tale of Two Igors", all of the Afghanistan scenes from "Iron Curtain Rising" to "Zero Days" in season five and all of Kensi’s injury/recovery storyline scenes from "The Queen’s Gambit" to "Sirens" in season eight.  

Guest stars of note:  Briana Marin as NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Aliyah de León is back from “A Land of Wolves”.  Caitlin Carmichael as Gia Michelle, Louie Enriquez as Curtis Jenkins/Recycling Man, Patricia Rae as Anna Jenkins, Nick Marini as Jaxon King/Supreme King Daddy J, L'lerrét Jazelle as Angel Soars/Sharon Cunningham, Deji Laray as Alan Bristol, Mikie Beatty as Joey and Matthew Jayson Cwern as Leo the Paparazzo

Our heroes:  Find a well-connected Influencer.

What important things did we learn about:

Callen:  Wonders about parenting advice.   Sam:  Was told he had no controle so speak his truth and set a good example while being a parent. Kensi:  Wonders why some boys aren’t raised to be decent to women. Deeks:  Would do anything to protect their child. Fatima:  Semi-recognized by a paparazzi.   Rountree: Vacation. Kilbride:  Understands Bitcoin.

What not so important things did we learn about:

Callen:  Given a late intro to Aliyah. Sam:  Not happy he’s lost his parking spot. Kensi:  See Callen. Deeks:  Influencer Party Marty.   Fatima:  Likes to drive. Rountree:  Absent. Kilbride:  Parking in Sam’s spot.

Where in the world is Henrietta Lange?  Not a mention.

Who's down with OTP:  Kensi and Deeks work out some parenting issues – kids with cell phones, expectations of male and female children – while working on the case.

Who's down with BrOTP:  Callen and Sam are in fine form in this episode, joking about Sam’s car and speaking seriously about Sam’s mother.

Fashion review:  Dark red and dark blue plaid button down shirt for Callen.  Red long-sleeve tee for Sam.  Black henley for Kensi.  Blue-grey long-sleeve tee for Deeks.  Fatima bravely wears a denim jacket with matching jeans – it works for her.  The jacket is over a black turtleneck.  Dark three-piece suit, white shirt and

Music:  “Ladies” by RoRo plays in the teaser.  “Won’t Be Misunderstood” by Huxley Ware, Ships plays when Kensi and Deeks are talking to Angel.

Any notable cut scene: Not today.

Quote:  Deeks:  “I can't stop thinking about what I would do to protect our daughter.” Kensi:  “Right?” Deeks:  “I mean, I was barely holding it together when you were in Mexico.” Kensi:  “Well, if we have a kid, lucky enough to have one, they may not end up in a dangerous line of work.” Deeks:  “Okay, but what if she does?” Kensi:  “Then we would do the same thing we would do with a kid regardless of their gender.” Deeks:  “All right, so, support her unconditionally. Teach her jujitsu, tactical training, maybe some sayoc.” Kensi:  “Oh, geez.” Deeks:  “What? I mean, look at Gia. Even if we raise a strong, confident, independent woman with an amazing skill set, she could still end up in danger.” Kensi:  “I get it now. Why people pledge to do right by their daughters. I just wonder why we don't put that much thought into how we raise our sons.”  

Honorable mention:  Callen:  “What's the best piece of advice you ever got on parenting?” Sam:  “You have no real control. The best you can do is speak your truth, and set an example.” Callen:  “That's good. I bet whoever told you that was a pretty good parent.” Sam:  “She was the best, G. The best.”

Anything else:  A young woman is in an area with some balloon arches and street art.  With her phone, she’s recording herself posing around the balloons.  When she finishes, the young woman walks up to her scooter. Seeing a passerby, she asks if he will take her picture and to make sure the logos for her helmet and scooter are in the photo.  The passerby complies, taking several photos with the woman’s phone.

Looking at the photos, the woman is unhappy with how she looks wearing the helmet.  Leaving the balloon arches behind, the young woman starts scootering down the street, talking to her “fam” on the phone.  As she continues to promote the scooter to the “fam”, she runs into a homeless man’s shopping cart.  This isn’t an accident.  She’s knocked out as she falls into the cart.  As the man walks away, he has tarps to cover what’s in the cart.  The scooter is left on the street abandoned.

A very unhappy Sam is with Callen outside of the office.  The Admiral’s classic pick-up truck is now parked where Sam usually leaves his car.  Sam realizes he’s never getting that spot back.   The Hellcat is now parked under some birds which is messing with Sam’s weekly detailing of the vehicle.  Callen asks Sam to just tell Kilbride he wants the spot back.  Sam insults the Admiral’s parking skills instead.

In his little locker off the bullpen, Sam is looking for his shampoo.  Callen hates to break it to Sam but Sam isn’t in the mood for bald jokes.  The shampoo is for his car.  As Sam is about to clean his car, Fatima arrives.  They have a case.

The young woman kidnapped that morning is Gia Michelle – “yes, the Gia Michelle,” Fatima tells Callen and Sam.  Callen and Sam are unfamiliar with Gia’s oeuvre.   Gia’s “Giaography’ feed has 15-million followers on Instagram, 40-million followers on TikTok.  And none of them are Callen and Sam.  Fatima envies Callen and Sam having other things on their brain than Gia.

Gia is a “mega-influncer”.  A dancer turned influncer, she posts regularly on her social media accounts but was dormant in the last day.  The concern is that Gia has been kidnapped so the team is being asked to investigate.  Callen is skeptical – why is NCIS on this case.  The Admiral arrives with his own opinions on social media and the empowerment of the selfie but NCIS is involved because Gia’s mother is Linda Burke, the US Ambassador to Lebanon.  With the State Department’s security services spread thin in Los Angeles, the Secretary of State asked SECNAV for help.  Foul play needs to be searched.

Showing Gia’s last video, Sam hears her crash in to the shopping cart.  Fatima notes that Gia didn’t even post a video to say she wasn’t hurt.  Her content is “pretty tidy” according to Fatima.  With Gia’s cellphone turned off, they can’t track her.  Kensi and Deeks are on their way to Gia’s house in Beverly Hills.  That stops Callen – how much does someone like Gia make?  Sam starts to chuckle.  Fatima explains big money but the Admiral reminds Callen and Sam that there is no price on pride.  Leaving Ops, Sam asks if Callen if his pride pays his rent.  It doesn’t, Callen replies, but Callen is pretty sure Sam paid for the boat using his pride.

Kensi and Deeks walk up Gia Michelle’s house.  It is a nice mansion in Beverly Hills with a pricy sports car (red) and SUV (black) in the driveway.  Deeks can’t believe Gia made all this money doing dance videos.  Kensi explains that Gia is a multi-hyphenate with acting roles, a beauty brand.  She sells flat tummy tea which Deeks thinks sounds worse than a flat-earther.  It is, Kensi tells him – the tea gives the drinker diarrhea.

Dancing himself, Deeks thinks he could be an influencer as Party Marty.  Kensi doesn’t see a big audience for a white surfer dude who can’t do The Floss but he could find some thirst-traps.  Looking at the Ferrari in Gia’s driveway, Deeks has some thirst.  

A man pulls up in a bright green sportscar, asking if Kensi and Deeks are from “the agency”.  They are, just not the one the driver thinks.  Joey, the driver complete with his name on his uniform shirt, takes care of vehicles and was driving the green one around the block.  Gia just lets them sit and that’s not a good thing for the cars.  Asked if he knows where Gia is, he doesn’t.  He hasn’t seen her in a while.  Gia is not big on direct eye contact.

Deeks asks if Gia owns all the cars.  She does not own any of them.  In fact, she doesn’t have a drivers license.  The cars are props, Gia takes some pictures with them and puts it on social media.  If she doesn’t have a license, Kensi asks how does Gia get around.  Gia has a driver – Alan.  Deeks asks about Alan but Joey is worried that he’s in violation of his NDA.  Giving Joey his card, Deeks says as a lawyer and an investigator, Joey isn’t going to get in trouble.  Even if he wasn’t supposed to be driving the cars.  Deeks goes with quid pro quo.

In Ops, Fatima is looking through Gia’s social media accounts when the Admiral arrives.  Pushing through to ask for help, with Rountree on vacation and Gia being a prolific social media presence, she needs “another pair of eyes” according to the Admiral.  Aliyah walks into Ops.  Fatima has all the help she needs.

Offering a sitrep, Fatima tells Aliyah that Kensi and Deeks are bringing Gia’s driving to the boatshed.  Aliyah looks at all the social media content on the big screen and thinks it takes a lot of time to do all that posting.  Fatima’s tablet beeps – Gia’s phone is back online.  On the big screen, a crying Gia looks roughed up.  Talking to her “fam”, she’s asking, and this is not a joke, she has to raise $10 million in Bitcoin or she’ll be killed.  “Please help me.”

Where Gia was grabbed, Callen and Sam are watching Gia’s hostage video.  Callen wants to know how can they be sure it is not a hoax.  Fatima tells him he’s not the first to think that – Fatima does not have an answer.  She is trying to trace the feed.  Sam heard Aliyah is there and Aliyah introduces herself to Callen (who missed the last episode).  He’s happy to have her onboard.  

Whoever put the video online knows what they are doing – it is being put through several programs to make tracing who has Gia impossible.  Callen noted that Gia used the word “they” when talking about who kidnapped her.  Sam says Gia could have been warned not to give up identifying clues.  Callen and Sam are going to look for witnesses and surveillance cameras.

Gia’s driver Alan is exhausted when he walks into interrogation with Kensi and Deeks.  He’s looking for some coffee, which he’ll get after he answers some questions.  Questions like how long has Alan worked for Gia.  The answer “two or three years” has Deeks asking about the 365 day different in the answers.  Alan was Gia’s bodyguard for a few years before switching to being her fulltime driver.  Kensi asks why Gia would need a bodyguard.  Gia was involved in an internet beef with another influencer.  The other influencer wasn’t the problem, it was the influencer’s fans that caused problems.  “If she wears the wrong color lipstick, they tell her to die and go to hell.”

Asked about their relationship, Alan said he and Gia get along like “pancakes and syrup”.  Kensi shows Alan his arrested record, which includes some domestic violence charges.  Alan explains his ex-wife has mental health issues.  Asking who they are supposed to believe, a yawning Alan tells Kensi and Deeks they should go with their gut.  Kensi wants to know why Alan is so tired – where was he last night?  He was driving for the carshare aps.  Gia had to ride her scooter all day as part of the paid promotion.  When he dropped her off in Hollywood, he was done for the day.  Gia’s other bodyguard would have picked up at the end of the day but she gave him the night off.

Bring up the “celebrities are just like us” photos of stars eating fast food or getting coffee, Alan explains that sometimes even celebrities just want to be normal.  “Even people like Gia.”  Asked if he knew anyone with the skills and means to kidnap Gia, Alan does not but he’d like some coffee.  Deeks points out that Alan doesn’t seem to like Gia.  Alan tells Deeks that Gia would set her own dog on fire for followers.  And no, he won’t be donating to the $10-million save Gia fund.

Callen tells Sam there is $150,000 in bitcoin to save Gia.  He isn’t sure if Gia is in trouble or just troubled.  Sam is worried about social media.  It is hard to find your North Star when everyone is just photoshopping theirs in.  Callen says that Aiden and Kam turned out alright but Sam thinks that’s only because they didn’t care about social media (don’t run down your parenting skills, Sam).  Then again, there was no Arab Spring without social media.  Callen wonders what Ambassador Burke thinks of the hostage note.  If this is a hoax, that could damage the Ambassador’s career.  As a father, Sam wouldn’t worry about his career, just his family.  Callen asks what was the best parenting advice he ever got.  Sam answers that he was told he had no real control but speak his truth and set a good example.  Liking that statement, Callen says it likely came from a very good parent.  “The best,” Sam tells him with a smile.

Walking back into the office, Kensi and Deeks are discussing giving a kid a phone.  Deeks can’t see any reason for it.  No social media, no internet trolls and no porn, which Deeks only knows is on the internet because other people have told him it is.  Kensi talks about their possible 13-year old not being part of a class text chain because they don’t have a phone.  Deeks thinks that’s a good thing.  Kensi talks about their child needing their help – it would be better if they could call for a ride home than drive home drunk.  Deeks snarks about phone first, then potty training.  Kensi is serious – they can’t pretend the digital world does not exist.  Deeks jokes about shoving Playboys under the mattress but an arriving Fatima notes home many trees have been saved now that porn is online.  “So I’ve heard,” she adds quickly.

Fatima has an update – digital people are nasty.  She’s put together a list of the trolls Gia has including the ones she blocked.  “People are nasty,” she notes.  Kensi and Deeks are going to put some names to the trolls.

In Ops, Aliyah explains to the Admiral about the way the kidnappers will get the Bitcoin.  Right now it is untraceable.  The Admiral can’t believe anything is untraceable to NCIS but right now it is.  Reviewing Gia’s accounts, she has an ongoing feud going with another influencer, an Angels Soars aka Sharon Cunningham.  Cunningham believes Gia stole content from her and that contact got Gia a lucrative endorsement deal.  Aliyah also tells the Admiral that Cunningham uses they/them as their pronouns.  The Admiral understands pronouns but wants to know how bad things are between Gia and Cunningham.  It hasn’t gotten violent but it is still going on.  

Aliyah’s tablet beeps – there is an alternate account raising money to pay Gia’s kidnappers to kill her.  Both accounts – the one to save Gia and the one to kill her – are nearing $1 million with the one to save her just a few thousand dollars ahead.  The Admiral asks what kind of person would contribute to the account to kill Gia and asks non-rhetorically.  Aliyah explains it is an incel account and then explains what incels are to the Admiral.  He is familiar with the term and is disgusted.  “Smoke these cowards out of their digital cave.”  

Yet another tablet beep – Fatima found a Jaxon King, one of Gia’s more prolific trolls.  He was fired from five jobs in the last year.  With a current address, Callen and Sam are on their way to King’s home.  

The Admiral assigns Kensi and Deeks to follow Gia’s timeline in reverse – interview everyone Gia interacted with over the last day or so.  Fatima found a new photograph of Gia taken by the paparazzi on the day she was kidnapped ��� the outfits matched.  “Start searching the gutters for the paparazzi,” the Admiral suggests.  He also wants them to speak to Angel Soars/Sharon Cunningham.  Kensi is introduced to Aliyah and is grateful for all the work she did while Kensi was being rescued.

At King’s house, Callen and Sam find “a big pile of pizza grease.”  The place is a disaster.  Callen finds a laptop, that’s locked.  Sam calls Aliyah to get the laptop unlocked and to start a Kaleidoscope search for King’s car.  Jaxon King does not have a car.

Fatima interviews the paparazzi who is stalking an “A-lister who is pretending she’s not pregnant.”  The photographer tells Fatima she looks familiar and Fatima quickly moves away from that.  Asked if he regularly follows Gia, he doesn’t.  Gia’s people contact him with a place and a time so he can shoot away.  “Gia knows how to play the game.”  The photographer is sure he knows Fatima.  Fatima is sure he doesn’t.  When the photographer agrees to show Fatima the photos he took of Gia the prior day, “for a price”, that price is Fatima getting the boot removed from the his car.

Updating the Ambassador, the Admiral hopes to have good news soon.  Aliyah is combing through King’s laptop remotely when King returns home.  He races out of the house with Callen and Sam chasing behind.  The chase doesn’t take long.  As King tries to get back on his bike to ride away, he’s hit by a car.  

In interrogation, King makes it clear, he doesn’t have Gia.   Callen reads some of King’s social media posts about Gia, posts that go back four years.  King doesn’t care – all he’s done is trolled her, nothing more.  She has thousands of haters.  Callen asked why did King run.  King said he walked into his house with two strangers inside, he thought was going to be robbed.  Sam asks King if he’s sure there is nothing more to his trolling of Gia.  King says there is nothing.

In their gym studio, Angel Sores/Sharon Cunningham is livestreaming their workout when Kensi and Deeks arrive.  Sores won’t hurry up the end of their workout for Kensi and Deeks.  When they’re done, Kensi and Deeks ask Soars about their relationship with Gia.  They asks if someone like Soars are kidnapped, would NCIS be looking for them.  Kensi assures Soars that the Feds would.  Soars won’t talk to anyone until consulting a lawyer – then they will speak to Kensi and Deeks.  Kensi explains it doesn’t go that way.

Deeks tells Soars it is in their best interest to cooperate but Soars walks away.  When Kensi and Deeks try to follow, a foolish bodyguard puts his hands on Kensi to stop her.  Deeks asks Kensi if she needs some help.  She assures him she’s got it.  And she does, making quick work of Soars’s security.  Soars films Kensi’s work and is impressed.  So impressed, they want to post it.  Kensi tells Soars to talk to Kensi’s lawyer first.   Soars becomes cooperative.

While there are some drug purchases and a lot of legal porn on King’s laptop, there isn’t much about Gia.  There are connections to incel communities and there is one poster – “The Last Gentleman” – who not only frequents all the communities, he’s pushing for the kidnapping of celebrities like Gia Michelle.  Aliyah is trying to track him down.  

Callen and Sam ask King to spill about The Last Gentleman and they’ll skip over the drug transactions on his laptop.  King says he doesn’t know The Last Gentleman, just admires him.  The Last Gentleman has been rejected and dumped by a number of women.  Callen and Sam are not impressed.  Sam asks King if he knows was a real man does when a woman rejects him.  King is all ears.  “Absolutely nothing.  He moves on.”  King notes that Callen and Sam probably haven’t had the same dating woes he and his friends share – that’s why the incels have their communities to chat.

Saying The Last Gentleman is not his friend, Callen wants King to share his name.  King doesn’t know the real name.  Sam makes it clear that King is an accessory – they can use all the chats the two shared as evidence.  King spills – Curtis Jenkins.  Callen runs out of the room to give Aliyah the name while Sam stays with King.  King says he never thought any of this mattered.  Not the trolling, not his own voice.

Aliyah finds Curtis Jenkins, who more than fits the profile.  With the paparazzi photos, Aliyah found Jenkins in one of the shots – he was following her.  Aliyah is sending his home address to Kensi and Deeks.

At the Jenkins residence, Kensi and Deeks find his mom.  She didn’t know he was not in the house until she checked and found his van gone.  Kensi and Deeks asks if they can check his room.  Since Curtis lives in the guest house, Mrs. Jenkins has to let him in.  

Opening the guest house, she admits she’s not allowed in without permission.  She’ll have to vacuum their footprints off the rug.  The guesthouse is immaculate.  Deeks asks if her son is out a lot during the day.  Mrs. Jenkins says he’s going on interview and doing freelance work.  “Your average semi-launched 20-something.”  She tries to give her son his space – it keeps the peace.  Curtis gets prickly sometimes.  Kensi finds a note to Mrs. Jenkins in his son’s handwriting.  Mrs. Jenkins falls apart reading the note – Curtis has Gia and the note was his goodbye.

While Kensi is talking to Mrs. Jenkins, Deeks finishes with Aliyah.  The counter-campaign has far more money than the campaign to save her.  Kensi asks Mrs. Jenkins if her son has any friends they can interview.  Curtis didn’t have friends.  After the death of his father, Curtis spent all his time online.  Curtis and his father were close.  They use to go to the family beach house all the time.  Kensi and Deeks know where Curtis is keeping Gia.

Callen, Sam and Fatima are all racing their way to the beach house.  Fatima is the closet.  Fatima is the closest.  The Admiral realizes the easiest way to stop all this is to take Curtis off the internet.  At the beach house, Fatima shuts off the power.  Curtis starts to freak out – there is no power and the cell service is bad.  Gia mocks Curtis – he’s not going to make it to the grand finale.  Curtis tells her people are paying a lot of money to see her die, he plans on giving them their money’s worth.  

Running outside for better cell service, Curtis runs right into Callen, who has his weapon drawn.  Curtis races back into the house to find Sam standing there and Gia gone.  Curtis is surrounded by Callen and Sam.  Curtis threatens to kill himself and hopes Gia thinks about him every day.  Sam brings up Curtis's dad, who died hoping he did right by his son.  Curtis drops the gun and Callen takes him down.  Fatima has Gia in her car – she’s safe but not alright.

Walking back into the office, Kensi feels sorry for Mrs. Curtis.  Deeks’s sympathy is more with the Ambassador.  Deeks talks about how he was barely holding it together when Kensi was lost in Mexico, he couldn’t fathom being the Ambassador today.  Kensi talks about them being lucky enough to be parents, they’ll teach their child to protect themselves.  Deeks comes up with a list of training to keep their child safe.  Gia was a strong, confident woman and look what happened to her.  Kensi understands why people pledge to do right by their daughters.  She just wonders why people don’t put that kind of thought into how they raise their sons.

Fatima is back in Ops, much to Aliyah’s surprise – she figured Fatima would have returned home.  Fatima likes to drive – it clears her head.  Also clearing her head is making sure everything is just as it should be in Ops before going home.  Aliyah goes to leave.  Fatima tells Aliyah she fits right in with the team.  Aliyah offers to buy Fatima a drink.  Fatima would prefer a coffee.  Aliyah will make hers an Irish Coffee and the two are off.

On the near back dock in the boatshed, Callen and Sam wonder how long Gia will be offline.  The Admiral arrives with the Ambassador’s sincere thanks.   As he is leaving, the Admiral tells Sam his detailer is on his way to Sam’s place to clean up the Hellcat.  He thanks Sam for letting him use the parking spot.  Sam admits it isn’t technically his spot.  The Admiral says if that’s true, he’s claiming it as his own.  Callen just laughs.

What head canon can be formed from here:  While I think we’ve gotten some of Sam’s father’s history before meeting him and I think we’ll get a lot of it going forward (Richard Gant is a great hire), I’d like to know more about Sam’s mom, especially if his father spent time away from the family with the Marines.

Again with the Kensi and Deeks parenting swaps, City mouse Deeks seems to be the one more likely to want their kid to have a phone than let’s go camping Kensi.   Also, wouldn’t the woman whose Marine father taught her how to shoot, how to track, how to do all sorts of things be more interested in teaching their child how to defend themselves?  The conversation at the end, however, was great.

The paparazzi guy semi-recognizing Fatima was not revisited.  That was a lost opportunity

Episode number:  Episode nine of season 13, episode 289 overall.

#NCIS: Los Angeles Rewatch #NCIS: Los Angeles #NCIS: LA #NCIS Los Angeles #ncis la

[monthofsick]

Under the Surface

Nov(emeto)ber 2022, Day 9: The first time ___ has seen ___ sick

OCs: Natalia, Ketan, Cassandra, Calvin, Zena, Ezra

Is it just me or are some characters begging to eventually have a total meltdown? (This sounds so bad, I swear I'm not a horrible person in real life, I even save fruit flies from drowning.) Not gonna lie, this one hit me harder in the feels than I had expected.

TW: Vomit, alcohol, mental breakdown, unsolicited kiss

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

Natalia and Cassandra had never argued in front of their friends. Apart from some benign bickering, they were usually one heart and soul. Even when Natalia got on everyone‘s nerves with her capricious airs, Cassandra was the one to jump to her defense and take the wind out of the prima donna’s sails. That’s why the entire group was completely blindsided when the two BFFs clashed violently.

The night had started like countless others – the six friends filmed a vlog about them going out. Of course, they opened with a montage of their struggles to find the right outfit or nail hair and make up for a certain relatability factor. Them meeting and hugging, then coaxing Natalia into trying cheap junk food. Zena’s local secret bar advice and the usual quarrel about today’s club of choice. The difficult agreement was ultimately contrasted by scenes inside their prefered location with all of them dancing and sipping on colorful cocktails. A glimpse at their life that made their followers feel like they were part of the circle.

It all went downhill as their casual chatter shifted to vacation planning.

„We should totally travel together again!“ Ketan was in his usual state of euphoric enthusiasm. „Our voyage vids are still our most successful.“

„I don’t know about that.“ Ezra instinctively placed a hand on his stomach. „Our trip was, quite literally, a shitshow. What if we’re cursed and it happens again?“

„Oh, please!“ Natalia rolled her eyes. „How hard can it be to stay away from the seafood? Spoiler alert: If you don’t eat stuff that’s notorious for giving you food poisoning, you will most likely not get food poisoning.“

„Fish poisoning is pretty common as well and we still took the risk“, Zena pointed out with a shrug. „We were just lucky we got away.“

„Uhm, can we stick to the fact that we’re obviously not cursed?“ Ketan glared at Ezra scoldingly. „Do you really think there is some kind of higher power with total control over us that intentionally throws us into random situations just to make us sick?“

„I wasn’t talking about an emetophile eldritch entity.“ It was impossible to tell if Ezra was offended by Ketan’s allegation or if he felt caught. „But it’s easy for you not to worry. You weren’t the one puking up your guts at least twenty times per day.“

„Uhm… guys?“ Calvin cleared his throat. There was a tense nervosity about his demeanor. „I’ve been invited to my aunt’s house, so… I wouldn’t be able to join in on the fun.“

„Wait, you’re spending your holidays without us?“, Ketan sulked. „Why didn’t you tell us earlier?“

„Yeah, about that…“ Cassandra took a deep breath. „He won’t be, like, completely without us because… I’m gonna join him.“

„What. The. Actual. Fuck?“ For a moment, Ketan’s eyes went big like two dark saucers. Then he broke into a radiant smile and clapped, barely able to contain his excitement. „I’m living for it! Who’s ready for some couple content?“

„Stop it!“ Cassandra placed a finger on Ketan’s lips. „We’re not even officially dating yet.“

„…but you are dating unofficially?“, Ketan grinned in spite of Cassandra‘s efforts to shush him. It earned him a kick against the shin with Calvin’s leather shoes.

„Aaaaw, you guys were my OTP all along!“ Zena looked like she had just seen a fluffy puppy flying by.

„Are you for real?“ Unlike her friends, Natalia wasn‘t overjoyed or smitten. Her lips were tightened and raised into a one-sided smile while her eyes remained cold and narrowed. „No shade, but… is this a prank or one of Ketan’s idiot PR moves?“

„You did not just say that.“ Cassandra’s jaw dropped. „What the hell is that even supposed to mean?“

„Well, just because the guy’s been simping for you since basically forever, it doesn’t make him your match.“ Natalia let out an exasperated scoff. „And, by the way, I thought you wanted to join me for spa week?“

„Don’t ever call Calvin a simp again.“ Cassandra was infamous for her deadpan snark, but she usually wasn’t one to openly flaunt her emotions. The unmistakable expression of raw anger seemed weirdly out of place on her features. „Also, pro tip: If you want me to join you for anything, it would really help if you just asked.“

„Yeah, because he didn’t spend our entire vacation drooling over your micro bikini.“ Natalia took a sip from her cocktail, trying hard to display a superior attitude. „Jeez, sorry for assuming that was obvious when I raved about it for a week or so. It’s not like we’ve always travelled together before, except we totally did.“

„Oh my God, I just can’t with you right now.“ There was something bubbling under Cassandra’s surface. The tension in the air had been palpable all along, but at this very moment, the argument entered minefield territory. „Are you actually salty that I didn’t catch your non-existing invitation or is it because I might care about anyone else but you?“

„Do you really want to go there?“ After an instant’s hesitation, Natalia decided to ignore the warning sign – yet the brief pause made it perfectly clear that she had undoubtedly noticed it. „Funny how little miss basic nerdy bitch clung on to me when it came in handy. A hunk like him wouldn’t even have noticed you before you met me. But sure, I’m the jealous one when you ditch me last minute because you’re thirsty or because your parents are pestering your ovaries to finally pop out some babies!“

„Leave my parents out of this!“ Cassandra was screaming. Whatever had been building up inside of her was now released in a massive explosion. „And don’t you dare to call me a leech! You wanted to be friends with me because I was the only one who wasn’t just after your money and fame! I was stupid enough to believe you’re more than an arrogant, entitled bitch, but you know what? I’m starting to think that everyone else was right about you.“

Cassandra sprung from her seat and stormed off. Calvin hurried after her, equally bewildered and worried. The remaining friends needed a moment to overcome their state of shock.

„That… was wild“, Zena muttered after an uncomfortable period of silence. „I mean, don’t you think you should follow her and apologize? You said some pretty fucked up things, you know.“

„Yeah, she’s the victim, I’m the villain, I get it.“ Natalia emptied her glass in one go. „Now would you kindly get off my back?“

With a frosty expression, Natalia waved at a waitress and ordered another drink.

-

Natalia got hammered and it was highly uncomfortable to watch. She did it quickly and on purpose, going from slightly tipsy to completely plastered in a timelapse. When she made efforts to attract the attention of a waiter again, Ezra brought himself to grab her arm.

„Pretty sure you had enough for the night.“

„Lemme go!“ Natalia knocked his hand out of the way. „Zena, tell Kurt Cobain you ordered on Wish to mind his own business!“

„No, sweetie.“ Zena turned Natalia’s face towards herself. „You can barely see straight, it’s about time you go home.“

Ketan chewed on his lower lip while he fought an internal struggle. Calvin was his best friend and he was mad at Natalia for trashtalking him. On the other hand, it was obvious they couldn’t leave their dead drunk princess alone. His own appartment was closest to Natalia’s, so it made sense that they would share a ride. The crisis talk had to wait until her alcohol level had dropped significantly.

„Let’s call an Uber for both of us“, Ketan sighed, resigning to his fate.

„Hello? Did I agree to that going home bullshit?“ Natalia crossed her arms in front of her chest. „Stop treatin‘ me like a baby!“

„Then stop acting like a baby.“ Ezra was clearly done with her antics. „You know what? I’ll pick up the check, you guys pay me back later. Just get her out into the fresh air.“

„Thanks, I’ll keep you guys posted!“ Ketan put his arm around Natalia’s small waste and pulled her up. „Come on, it’ll do you good. You don’t want to make a scene, do you?“

Natalia huffed, then almost stumbled over her own feet. Five inch heels weren’t necessarily made for a drunken stagger. It was quite the challenge to get her out of the club safely. Even a simple thing as standing in place required constant readjustment because Natalia threatened to topple over in every possible direction. So at first, it was a huge relief when their Uber finally arrived.

„Girlfriend had a good time, eh?“, the driver asked with a grin, but there was an element of caution to his words. Ketan put on an innocent smile.

„She’s fine“, he declared with the utmost conviction.

„Does he look like ma‘ boyfrien‘ to you?“, Natalia slurred and sank back into her seat. Ketan’s grin froze in place. He was more than ready to leave the disaster site, crawl into his bed and pretend it had all been a nightmare. The last thing he wanted was to be kicked out of the car again.

„Puke fee’s 200,00 $. Still willing to take the ride?“

„Ah, yeah, sure.“ Ketan‘s cheeks glowed with embarrassment and anxiety. This was uncharted territory for him. Ketan had never seen Natalia drunk, let alone sick. She could hold her liquor remarkably well and she didn‘t pass the line of losing control. The external expression was everything to her. Ketan wouldn’t have believed anyone who told him that the elegant diva would ever crash and burn like that.

The car took off and Ketan kept his fingers crossed that Natalia’s stomach would survive the trip unscathed. She leaned against the head rest, eyes closed like she was about to doze off. For at least ten minutes, Natalia barely moved a muscle. Just when Ketan dared to gather some hope, the inebriated blonde began to shift in her seat. Her glossy pink lips curled into a frown and she hugged herself with a pained groan.

„Hang in there, Nat, it’s not far now.“ Ketan awkwardly stroked Natalia’s shoulder. It felt peculiar, almost illegal. Under normal circumstances, she would have never allowed him to even think about comforting her. On the other hand, it seemed wrong to just watch her suffer – and he wasn’t keen on paying the vomit fine.

„Where is Cas?“, Natalia whined. Her gestures were uncoordinated, an odd staccato of rubbing her belly, clutching the shiny fabric of her dress, covering her lips, turning her head. Every now and then, her face contorted into a silent retch.

„You’ll see her again soon.“ Ketan tried to come up with some kind of appeasement that, strictly speaking, wasn’t a lie. „Now try to breathe and relax, will you? I mean, I’m here, that’s at least… something.“

„I want Cas.“ The expression on Natalia’s face could have been both intense pain or nausea. She waved her hands like she was trying to fan herself, then curled up again. Her pursed lips formed an O and she let out a hybrid of gag and moan.

„Remember, puke fee is…“

„…200,00 $, I know.“ Ketan wearily cut off the driver and put his hand on Natalia’s back. Thanks to a generous cut-out, he could feel her clammy skin under his palm, shivering with every twitch of her muscles. „Nat, listen, are you going to be sick? Do we need to pull over?“

Natalia shook her head vehemently, then squinted and scrunched up her nose. Her fingers pushed against her lips. Ketan’s tension grew, but then again, they were barely five minutes away from his apartment building.

„Try to hold it in, we’re almost there!“

A violent jolt rocked Natalia’s body. She raised her head with a sudden jerk and her eyes flew open. Frantically, her unsteady hands grabbed the skirt of her dress. She spread her legs, bent over and vomited on the champagne colored fabric.

Ketan covered his face with a hand while rubbing Natalia’s convulsing back with the other one.

„Hell no!“, the driver grunted. „I knew it was a mistake to give you a lift.

„She – she caught it“, Ketan stammered apologetically, just to be drowned out by a full-throated retch. It was not a sound he had ever expected to come out of the ever so graceful Natalia – let alone the following gush of puke that splattered on the velvety material. The pond of watery sick sloshed back and forth in her impromptu barf bag. „Can you pull over really, really gently?“

Another stream of multicolored liquid poured out of Natalia’s heart shaped mouth. Ketan held his breathe – not because of the stench, but in tense anticipation if her skirt would be able to contain the flood. What the blonde expelled had the acrid odor of alcohol with only the slightest hint of vomit, which was a good thing. The lustrious synthetic fiber seemed to be waterproof, at least nothing had seeped through so far. If only the barf lake wouldn’t spill over…

Finally, the car stopped at the curb. The regurgitated drinks swashed dangerously between Natalia’s legs, but she held up her skirt with the courage of despair.

„Don’t move, I’ll come over and lend you a hand.“ Ketan jumped out of the car and rushed to Natalia’s side. He pulled the door open, then deliberately paused to change the pace. Slowly and very, very carefully, he helped Natalia turn towards him so she could gently slide over the seat and out into the open. It was not until they had moved away at least five baby steps from the vehicle that Ketan let go of the satin. He leapt backwards as Natalia released the collected sick all over the sidewalk.

The driver had already left the cab to thoroughly check for stains in the backseat area. Ketan’s heart was pounding like a jackhammer. Finally, the driver turned around, shrugged his shoulders and gave Ketan a crooked grin.

„Looks like your girl can aim“, he sneered. „Dodget the bullet. If you ask me, the lady is a keeper.“

„Yeah… thanks.“ With a sheepish smile, Ketan took out his wallet and expressed his gratitude with a generous tip. There was a flutter of relief when the driver finally left. Then Ketan remembered that he still had to drag a wasted and puke-soaked Natalia into his apartment.

This was going to be a long night.

-

Surprisingly, Natalia didn’t put up a fight when Ketan lead her into his humble abode. Maybe she was too wasted to care that this wasn’t her own place. Even though Ketan felt like a creep, he knew he had to get the girl out of her spoilt dress. There was no way Natalia could stand up long enough to remove her clothes, so he sat her down on his couch.

„Sorry, don’t mean to be a perv, but we have to get you into something clean and dry.“

The last out of all possible reactions Ketan had expected was the very drunk version of a seductive smile, but that was exactly what Natalia gave him. With maximum discomfort, he pulled the dress over her head, doing his best not to soil her ombre hair. He tossed the saving piece of textile straight into the adjacent bathroom – a daily routine he was well-versed in when it came to his own clothes. Avoiding any closer look at Natalia in her underwear, he tried to wrap her in his blanket when she suddenly pulled him into a kiss.

To say that Ketan was flabbergasted would have been a gross understatement. His brain couldn’t even make sense of Natalia’s arms around his neck and her soft lips pressing against his own. She tasted like vomit and hard liquor, but that wasn’t the actual issue. Natalia’s ability to make rational decisions had clearly been drowned in a flood of alcohol. Gently but firmly, Ketan pushed her away and put the blanket around her shoulders.

Natalia stared at him in bewilderment.

„How dare you?“ Her voice quavered. „I’m way outta your league, you should have been grateful!“

„Nat… you don’t want to do this.“ Ketan tried to reach out for her, but Natalia slapped back his hand.

„You’re insane to turn down a woman like me!“, Natalia huffed. Then she hunched over and puked on Ketan’s lap. He cringed as the flaky mash splashed on his pants. This was definitely more than pure alcohol – maybe remains of the chicken nuggets they had forced on her earlier. Natalia sobbed, which immediately turned into a heave that brought up a second helping of soupy gruel. The spurt became thicker towards the end until the last lumps of sludge plopped heavily on Ketan’s thighs.

Natalia lifted her head. Trails of mascara ran down her flushed cheeks and mixed with the vomit stains around her mouth.

„Nobody needs me“, she wept, seemingly unaware of the fact that she had just thrown up on her friend. Ketan was overwhelmed by helplessness and compassion. Hesitantly, he put his hands on Natalia‘s shoulders.

„That is BS.“ Ketan softly wiped away Natalia’s tears, trying to ignore the puddle of sick that already began to cool down on his lap. Some bigger chunks of meat and soggy batter lazily slipped down the sides of his legs. „You are our friend. Of course we need you!“

„But Zena and Ezra are basically siblings and Calvin’s your best mate and now he’s Cassandra’s bae and I’m all alone.“

„What are you even talking about?“ Ketan put on an encouraging smile. „You’re still part of the squad. You fucked up pretty badly today, but I’m sure Cass will forgive you if you apologize.“

„I miss her“, Natalia cried and threw herself at Ketan again. She didn’t notice that she soiled herself (and the blanket) by crawling into her own congealed vomit. Ketan pushed his instinctive disgust aside and put his arms around Natalia’s body that was still wrecked with sobs.

„I know“, he soothed the trembling blonde. „You just have to be honest with her. Tell her that you were acting like an arrogant prick because you are terrified of losing her. I promise it won’t hurt you to be a little soft and vulnerable sometimes.“

„But what if she hates me?“ Natalia pressed her wet face against Ketan’s chest. It was incredible how she had turned from an overconfident queen into this shivering bundle of insecurities.

„No way!“ Ketan stroked back Natalia’s long hair. The light blond tips had not been spared by her vomiting fit. „If you open up, I’m sure she will understand. And even if she needs some time to get over your fight, you’re still not alone in this. I’m here for you, and I’m sure the others will be as well. Especially if you show them for once that you care about them.“

Ketan pulled Natalia closer and caressed her neck until she relaxed in his arms. As her body began to feel heavier, he carefully straightened her up.

„Don’t snooze off yet. We still have to clean ourselves up. You made quite the mess, my dear.“

„I dunno where that came from“, Natalia pouted.

„Well, I’m pretty sure I know.“ Ketan wrapped his arms around the intoxicated girl and led her into his bathroom. Physically and mentally exhausted, she was already half asleep under the warm shower and snuggled into the towel as Ketan dried her off. Against his better judgment, Ketan decided to postpone the puke cleaning session of his couch for the next day. He apologized in advance to future Ketan, then put his coziest pajamas on Natalia and himself before cuddling up with her in bed.

Ketan completely forgot about placing a bucket next to her bedside, but he was granted several hours of peaceful sleep before he came to regret this unfortunate oversight.

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

Archive of our own: Up all night to get Bucky

tumblr: birdnamedenza

#submission #tw vomit #tw alcohol #tw mental breakdown #tw unsolicited kiss #tw emeto #nov(emeto)ber 2022 #novemetober 2022 #2022 day9 #prompt: the first time ___ has seen ___ sick #fandom: original characters #birdnamedenza #breaking the fourth wall a bit i see XD #really love the tension in this fic! #the fight felt very realistic to me #also... NATALIA?? i'm so intrigued #like i would hate to encounter her irl but she's very entertaining to read about :>

[gifted-burnout-archive]

Who Would’ve Thought

Requested?: yes! so this is a mashup of sorts. I got three separate requests: the first being an interview scene with a bitchy reporter, the second a y/n x luke with some enemies to lovers and an argument, but the actors get on really well, and the third was for a similar teasing, y/n x luke concept. This doesn’t quite cover every part of each request, but it gets a bit of all of them in, ya know?

Word count:

Author’s Note: i think this is the point where i just accept i am a jatp smut writer, right? i mean, it was only a matter of time before it happened... i liked this, writing it was so much fun, if you like this and want more send it in to me!

Warning: this became fluffy smut, you’re very welcome.

the masterlist is here, because i have more stuff like this.

--

“Ok, ok.” The laughs around set subsided after Madison’s joke, the reporter sitting up a little straighter and coughing to compose himself. “I have to ask, and I have to know since that trailer dropped last week… Y/N, I think everyone watching wants to find out a bit more about you and the character you’re bringing to season two?” He asked, turning his attention from the show’s star to the young woman sat beside her, who was wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, trying to stop laughing.

“What is it you want to know?” She asked, sharing a smiling with Madi as she too sat up straight in her chair once more, running a hand through her hair and crossing one leg over the other, all triggers to help her subside the giggles waiting to erupt from her chest, to calm down and get back to the professionalism she had practiced in her bedroom mirror.

“Well, for starters, what’s it been like, joining the Julie and the Phantoms crew? Am I right in saying this is your breakout role, just like it was for Madison last season?” He asked, and Y/N nodded, gripping Madi’s hand in hers.

“Yeah, it is. And I’ll tell you something, I wouldn’t have known what to do on day one without Madi. The closest I came to acting, to television, before this was when I played a tree in my kindergarten school play.” She explained, glancing past the reporter’s shoulder to see Kenny stood watching them with a grin, sending a thumbs up her way. Her body relaxed a little. “Yeah, I auditioned as a dare from a friend at college and, well…” She smiled wider. “Seems like the best decision I’ve ever made.”

“And from what I can tell, the rest of the cast sat in on your audition?” The reporter asked, looking to both girls for an answer.

“Not the first one.” Madi cleared up. “But Kenny and the casting team loved Y/N, and wanted to make sure she was the perfect fit. They had her perform on the sound stage, and the rest of us just sort of snuck in to watch.” She explained, letting go of Y/N’s hand to gesture as she spoke. “We were all just blown away, and Charlie was the first to shout out after she finished. He called out… What did he say?” Madi asked Y/N, who was laughing to herself at the memory.

“Kenny, will you hire her already?” Y/N answered, and the reporter chuckled again. “And from that moment on, I was Grace.”

“Yes, Grace, our mysterious new rebel child. What can you tell us about her?”

“Ok, so, we’ve got Kenny on standby in case I mess up and give away too much.” Y/N prefaced. “So, Grace is the new girl at Los Feliz High, Carrie’s cousin, and coming in with a bit of reputation where we left off season one. I think the best way to describe would be a musical influencer?” She glanced to Madi, who nodded in agreement. “Bit of a rebel, bit of a spanner in the works for Juke despite her and Luke quite adamantly disliking each other.” She added, and the reporter was nodding his head feverishly.

“Yeah, the trailer seemed to show it. Is that the character’s big goal, breaking up our OTP?” He asked, and Y/N bit her lip as she thought for a moment.

“I think she’s a character with a lot of growth, you get a lot from her in the season, which I was so honoured to bring to the table. We’re doing some reshoots tomorrow, finalising one of the big scenes the trailer didn’t show. I can’t say a lot, but Grace is definitely causing some tension this season, throwing in some music of her own too.” Y/N added, quick to change the subject of discussion to something she knew she was safe to talk on.

“What was it like, working with the rest of the cast on the new season’s album?” The reporter quizzed, taking the hint. “Madi, we heard you and Y/N singing together on the trailer, saw it in one of the stills, I can only wonder how two such talented singers get into each other’s rhythm, especially with the difference in genre. Obviously, Madi you have piano, but with Y/N on guitar, I just wonder how it all worked out while filming?”

“We actually wrote the song for the trailer, along with Charlie. The three of us brainstormed the thing for the first few weeks of filming, just like Charlie and I did with Perfect Harmony last season.” Madi explained. “And you know, we all come from very different musical backgrounds, and it allowed for this amazing mixture of pop and rock and grunge that just works. You only hear a snippet of our song, but just wait until you hear the full thing.” She was beaming, and Y/N couldn’t help but smile and nod along.

“The day we recorded it, man, we were all just electric. There’s this section with the guitars…” Y/N paused. “That I won’t spoil… You can tell this is my first press junket, right?” She laughed, earning chuckles from the studio. No-one blamed her for being new, she was learning quickly enough that it wasn’t a problem.

“So, on the topic of Charlie, who is waving at us right now from behind the camera,” The reporter paused as the girls laughed and waved past the camera recording them all at their co-star. “I have to ask about Julie and Luke, and now this new dimension of Grace.” The girls nodded, a question they both had expected and prepared for. “Madi, are we getting a Juke kiss this season?”

“I really can’t spoil it. It’s not fair… But their relationship does take a few turns, it’s a really interesting subplot.” She said with ease, a rehearsed line.

“And what about Grace? What are her feelings around Juke? Jealousy, perhaps?” The reporter questioned, and Y/N glanced over his shoulder to Kenny, who nodded for her to go ahead.

“Oh, she’s definitely jealous, though it might not be the reason you initially think of.” She said with a smile, quite proud of herself for keeping the answer vague enough, a light switching on on the camera to alert of their time finishing. Y/N smiled, getting herself ready to stand up, glad she had ended the interview on a good answer, when the reporter held up a hand for her and Madi to pause.

“And I mean, that chemistry seems to be translating off-screen too, no?” The reporter pressed on forward with his questions. “I mean, the chemistry you and Charlie have off-screen, Madison, is pretty clear. Is there jealousy off screen from you Y/N?” He asked, the questions turning from family-friendly to gossipy rather quickly. The executive producers stood behind the reporter had lost their smiles, Ortega and Becker ready to march forward and end the interview themselves.

But then, Y/N burst into uncontrollable laughter as a response, Madi quickly joining in one the sole base that Y/N was a rather infectious person. Soon, the whole cast was laughing along, the reporter left in the dark as the camera shut off and the girls left the press set stage in giggles, the crew suddenly moving quickly to start packing up for the night, the reporter being led off by assistants as the girls made their way over to their waiting friends and castmates.

The interview had been Y/N’s first and the team’s last of the day, and with the next day being their final shoot day for the season, the younger cast members had decided to celebrate and go out to dinner together, a pre-celebration to the wrap party the next day.

Stood by the studio’s exit was the rest of the dinner party: Jadah, Savannah, Owen, Tori, Sacha, Jeremy, Booboo, Tori, Kyra, Sofia, Halle, and Charlie, the last of whom swung his arm over Y/N’s shoulder as she and Madi joined the group, starting out for a restaurant on the far side of the lot.

“Not bad for a rookie, sweetheart.” Charlie spoke with a teasing tone, earning an elbow to the ribs from his friend. The pair had been inseparable for the whole year, since Y/N got the role in fact, and his arm across her shoulders was such a familiar and comforting feeling, that she found herself cuddling into him as they got out onto the lot and the Vancouver wind chill hit hard. Without pause, Charlie shrugged off his jacket and sat it over Y/N’s shoulders, the pair sharing a smile.

“You know, you should invest in shirts with sleeves, Gillespie.” She muttered, rolling her eyes as he responded with a smirk, flexing his biceps as his arm settled back over her, this time Y/N’s hand coming up and their fingers interlocking as they followed the group towards the restaurant. Madi and Savannah were up front with the other Dirty Candy girls, all singing one of the new songs from the show as they skipped their way across the lot, while Jadah, Sacha, Owen, Booboo and Jeremy were in the middle of the group, seemingly discussing what they were getting for dinner, confirmed when Owen started to rave about one of the desserts the restaurant had rather loudly.

Y/N watched the scene with a smile, watched all her friends with a smile. She knew she was lucky, she reminded herself of it every day she spent with the group of amazing people she had come to call her family. The move to Vancouver for filming was a huge shift, and she had initially thought she’d be alone and homesick, spending all her free time at her rented flat reading out scripts to her walls, but it hadn’t been the case. The cast had adopted her like she had been there since day one, they made her feel welcome and at home in the foreign city, Charlie especially. He was the one who got her out of her shell, who made sure to invite her to every dinner and party and hangout in the first few weeks of filming. He was the one who played guitar with her, who came and stayed with her for a week when she was unwell and stuck inside her little flat.

He was the one who was watching her at that moment in time, a dopey smile on his face as he pulled her closer into his side, pressing a kiss to the side of her head as they followed their friends round a corner, their destination that night coming into view, along with some extra familiar faces.

“Gotta be careful, Y/N, Charlie has a habit of passing on his fleas.” The teasing came from Charlie’s sister Meg, who slipped through the small crowd to hug her brother and his best friend hello.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been getting him treated.” Y/N responded with a grin, the pair sharing a tight hug before Meg moved on to squeeze her brother in hello, both girls smiling at his surprised expression.

“I didn’t know you were coming over.” He guffawed, his smile radiating as he hugged Meg tightly, Y/N moving off to greet Carolynn, Jeremy’s wife, who had also surprised with her appearance. By the look of pride on Owen’s face, it was pretty clear who had planned the gift for his friends. Y/N held out a fist to Owen, who quickly pounded his own against it before the girl continued walking, making her way to Savannah’s side as they found their table in the restaurant far corner, the pair getting themselves sat down. With the two playing cousins on the show, they had both made an effort to get closer, an effort Y/N had made with the whole cast, though her and Savannah got on like a house on fire: they were the same age, and had assumed the roles of big sisters to the younger cast members like Madison and Jadah.

“Charlie’s jacket looks good on you.” Savannah commented with a wink, and Y/N rolled her eyes, shrugging the item off just as Charlie and Meg entered the restaurant with Jeremy, Carolynn and Owen.

“You need to stop; you know Kenny has started commenting on what a good couple we’d make thanks to you?” Y/N questioned, and Savannah nodded with a proud smile. “I suppose you actively put the idea in his head?” She quizzed further, receiving another nod.

“We’re all just waiting for you to get together at this point.” Savannah said with a shrug, a few sets of eyes looking over.

“What, Y/N and Charlie?” Sacha asked from across the table. “Oh, yeah, definitely.”

“Every three months we start a pool and bet on specific dates for you two finally giving in and dating.” Booboo said through a mouthful of bread. “Whoever gets closest is going to be so, so rich.”

“How many people are in on this?” Y/N asked, wide eyed with raised eyebrows. It was new information, at least to her it was, but the rest of the table had heard it all before.

“Sixty three.” Tori answered, sending over a wink as the table burst into laughter, quickly shutting up as the final members of their party started sitting themselves down, Charlie sliding himself along the booth chair to sit beside Y/N, Meg on his other side.

“What’s the joke?” He asked with a cocked brow, and Y/N shook her head, warning him to not venture any further. “Better not to ask, got it.”

“So, we’re thinking of karaoke later?” Kyra spoke up from the top of the table, earning nods from around the table. “Perfect, I’ll book the room.” She said quickly, typing away on her phone to set the group’s plans for the evening in stone.

“Maybe Y/N and Charlie can give us their ABBA medley.” Jadah suggested with a wiggle of her eyebrows, sat on the other side of Savannah. Y/N gave her the finger while Charlie chuckled, throwing an arm over her shoulder.

“Come on, it wouldn’t hurt you, would it Y/N?” Charlie asked, using his best puppy dog eyes on the girl, who reached to grab a slice of bread before Booboo finished it all, chewing it thoughtfully.

“Only if Sacha is our Dancing Queen.” Y/N said with a happy sigh, the blonde boy across the table nodding quickly.

“Happy to do it. Yes. Yes.” He nodded fast, feigning a bow as the table cheered, Charlie looking over at Y/N with a soft smile. She smiled back before resting her head on his shoulder, a part of her still recuperating from the interview. How these guys had done multiple that day, how Madi had sat through almost every single one, Y/N couldn’t figure it out; but the thoughts faded away as menus were brought over and drinks ordered, setting the evening off on the right foot.

By the time food was placed down, the topic of conversation was focused on Carolynn and Jeremy’s dogs, the pair quite happy to show off photos of their fur babies as castmates ate around them, with brief interruptions to talk about the upcoming wrap party the day after, and discussions of the season two premiere plans the following month. With the filming almost finished up, everyone was making plans to head back home to families as they all awaited the news of renewal for a third season. Apartments in Vancouver were being packed up, Y/N herself had started the process of boxing up the life she had made over the past year in the city, with her friends, to ship back off home.

“You alright?” A whisper came into Y/N’s ear, pulling her from her zoned out state as she twirled spaghetti mindlessly round her fork, blinking a few times before looking over at Charlie, who watched her with concern in his eyes. She nodded a little, setting down her fork and taking a sip of her soft drink before shaking her head, lifting up Charlie’s beer and taking a swig, frowning at the taste but swallowing anyway.

“Just thinking about leaving is all.” She muttered back, shrugging a little before trying again on her pasta, eating a mouthful before continuing. “Just, what happens once we wrap for the season? What happens if the show doesn’t get renewed?” She asked quietly. “I don’t want to lose all you guys… I just got you.” She tried to make a joke of it, but the thought had been weighing on her mind for a while. Would they all stay friends? Keep in contact even though they would be spread over the globe?

“I can assure you, sweetheart, no-one will be losing contact with you. If any of these guys love you half as much as I do, they won’t be able to say goodbye to someone as awesome as you.” Charlie whispered in her ear, his hot breath fanning over her neck, and Y/N blushed a little, taking his free hand in hers and giving it a quick squeeze to say thank you.

“How’s it all going, everyone?” The server broke apart the moment and halted the rest of the table’s conversations, Y/N and Charlie quickly dropping their hands and turning back to their own meals as the rest of the table chorused compliments of the food, Booboo and Jadah insistent that dessert menus be brought along as soon as possible. A quick glance around the table revealed that Y/N was extremely far behind the rest of the table in finishing her meal, but her appetite had suddenly disappeared, most likely from the melancholy.

“Could I get a triple vodka coke?” Y/N asked the waiter before he left, smiling up at him as she closed her cutlery.

“Of course, miss. Anymore drinks?” He asked, jotting down a cocktail for Halle and another small glass of wine for Jeremy, disappearing back into the main body of the restaurant as the last few party members finished their meals, drinks arriving with dessert menus.

“A toast.” Jeremy raised his glass, prompting the rest of the table to follow suit. “To Julie and the Phantoms, to found family… And to another season.” He thought over the words as he spoke, Carolynn watching him with adoring eyes, their hands linked atop the table. The toast was met with cheers, Owen letting out a rather loud ‘Whoop!’ as glasses were clinked and drinks were sipped, the night only just beginning.

--

Kenny Ortega was rather glad he had left Y/N and Charlie’s big confrontation scene for their last day of shooting, and after walking into work the following day and finding, quite literally, everyone glued to their phone screens, he decided to check his own Instagram.

The night before had been a success for the young cast, and after dinner the group had travelled into the centre of town for a night of drinks and karaoke, the evening’s highlight being the video that was circulating that morning, of Charlie and Y/N sharing a mic as they sang ‘Waterloo’ by ABBA: Owen had caught the whole thing and put it on his story.

That video was also followed by a photo of Y/N and Charlie sleeping on the couch together at Owen and Charlie’s place later that night.

There was a level of professionalism that had to be maintained in a workplace for productivity, but the ‘something more’ friendship the two guitarists shared had caught the attention of the whole team. It had started betting pools and conspiracies and a game amongst the team to catch pictures of the pair acting like a couple. The kids had started it, of course, but seeing the way the two interacted both on and off-screen had gotten the rest of the crew involved. There was an undeniable connection there, and the waiting game was part of the fun.

And so, as the cast started to arrive for the 12 pm call time on location at the garage, all the reshoots that day needing midday sunshine, no-one was surprised to see Charlie carrying Y/N into work on his back as the pair shared a joke. In fact, they were quite excited to see how they would react to the final scene they had to shoot.

Kenny had given them both the script the week before, but refrained from discussing it with the pair until that day, partially pressured by the likes of Savannah and Owen, simply because an authentic kiss, without the practice or specific instruction from the director, would make for better tv. The plan was to get some close ups, positioning them for certain moments, then run it through once, getting as many extra shots as possible, with the hope being they could do it in one take. At best, it would work, and at worst, both Charlie and Y/N were still actors, and could make a kiss look real.

It took about an hour or so for the cast to get through the makeup, hair and costume departments, and Kenny pulled in Jeremy, Owen and Madi for some reshoots first, leaving Y/N wandering with a bottle of water in one hand and her script in the other, pacing back and forth as she ran the lines over and over again in her head.

The scene was an important one, the start of Juke’s conflict for the season, of Grace’s and Julie’s friendship being tested. From what else the girls had filmed over the past few months, it was clear that the season would leave their friendship on a cliff-hanger, this scene being the catalyst. And it was funny for Y/N, to go from her friendship with Charlie to being Grace, the girl that hated Luke. It took her a little while to get into the right headspace, though it wasn’t easy with all eyes on her, nor with the teasing she was receiving from friends about the night before, and her crashing at Charlie’s. It wasn’t news, Y/N sleeping over at Charlie’s, or vice versa; it was common place actually, after the first few months of friendship it just became a norm for them.

Grace’s character arc was one of reckless abandon, and she almost becomes a bad influence on Luke’s bandmates with her risky ideas and rebellious attitude. They had shot the previous scene, in which Julie falls down the school bleachers while with Grace and twists her ankle badly, the character very lucky it wasn’t worse. And Luke, already disliking Grace, confronts her when the girl comes looking to apologise. The tension that they had built over the season boils over, and Grace kisses Luke, the first time either of them have touched before.

Y/N was a little nervous about that last part.

She was an actress, but it would be her first on-screen kiss, and while the thought of it being with her best friend should have eased her mind, it did anything but. Kissing Charlie, whether she wanted to admit it or not, was probably going to be awkward, cause a rift between the two for at least a little while. And that would have been fine, if they weren’t all heading off home to separate corners of the world for however long.

“You look worried.” It was Owen’s voice that pulled her from her thoughts, the girl turning to find him leaning against the prop table nearby, arms folded and a look of concern on his face. “You alright?” He asked, glancing back over at the set. Jeremy and Madison were still getting some reshoots done, and Charlie was with Savannah and Booboo over in costumes, chatting away as the seamstress sat his clothes just right.

“I don’t really know…” Y/N admitted, looking back at Owen with a shrug. “I mean, I just…” She paused, letting out a sigh. “I’m worried things might be weird? Worried I might suck at the whole kissing thing, ruin the last scene we have to shoot?” She explained, glancing back down at her script as Owen watched on, thoughtful.

“Y/N, you’re a good actress. If the last year has proved anything, it’s that you are meant for this role. You’ve just gotta… You’ve gotta embody Grace, don’t think of it as you and Charlie anymore, because I know that’s what you’ve been doing for the past week. It’s Luke and Grace, yeah?” Owen stopped to make sure Y/N was following, and she nodded. “We need to get you into that headset before we start, alright? You know how to be Grace; you need to get into her before the cameras start rolling. I mean, you’re already dressed like her.” Owen gestured to the clothes she was in, and Y/N smiled.

She did already feel a bit like Grace in the outfit, style choices she had helped to make at the start of the season. To contrast from Carrie, she offset her cousin’s pink and preppy wardrobe with dark colours: Y/N was currently in black jumper with red detailing, paired with a short, tight black denim skirt and a belt that pulled in her waist, plus the fishnet tights and sturdy doc martens her character would soon be known for. Those shoes were the only pair she had worn all season. The makeup and hair team had left her looking flawless, with her hair curling and her eyeliner in a perfect wing.

The more she thought about Owen’s words, the less anxiety she felt.

The more she felt like Grace.

“Ok, ok… We’re getting somewhere.” She informed her friend, Owen holding out an arm for Y/N to link with, the pair beginning a sure march over towards the set, watching Madi finish the last few takes.

“You need anything else?” Owen asked, raising an eyebrow to the shorter girl when she nodded, watching her take a deep breath.

“Put on some music? Just… Something fun?” Y/N asked, having faith that music would completely rid her of her nerves for the scene. Kenny called cut, Madi and Jeremy making their way off set with smiles as they headed towards Owen and Y/N, the blonde boy connecting his phone to the nearby Bluetooth speaker while the set was changed for her and Charlie’s scene.

“I can’t believe this is the end of season two… Y/N? You ok?” Jeremy commented then questioned as he came over with Madison, the latter reaching a comforting out to Y/N’s arm.

“She’s getting in the zone.” Owen explained, finally deciding on a song, the music playing around them and earning a few cheers from the other cast mates, Charlie looking over from where he stood with Savannah and Booboo, his eyes landing on Y/N, who had begun swaying along with the song. She had a habit of this, using music to get into character, though it was usually through headphones in some far off corner.

“Loving you isn’t the right thing to do.” The speaker sang out the Fleetwood Mac hit, Booboo and Savannah beginning to dance along by Charlie as he watched Y/N from across the room, curious as to what she might do. “How can I ever change things that I feel?” Lindsey Buckingham’s voice resonated around the room, and Charlie took a step closer to his main castmates, watching as Madi held Y/N’s hand, quickly realising why the music was blaring.

Y/N was nervous.

“If I could, baby I’d give you my world.” The tracks vocals were overshadowed as Charlie began to sing, heads spinning to look at him as he spun himself around and started his way towards Y/N. “How can I, when you won’t take it from me?” He sang, holding out a hand for her to join him. They were both well aware that two things in particular made Y/N feel better: the first was music, the second was Charlie. With a push from Madi and Owen, Y/N could no longer hide the smile that was forming on her face, taking Charlie’s hand as he led her into a space in the room’s centre. While the crew set up for their scene, cast and producers watched on as the pair got into character.

“You can go your own way!” Y/N sang out, spinning under Charlie’s arm with a grin that scrunched up her nose and made Charlie smile right back, singing the response harmony of the chorus. “You can call it another lonely day!” The pair sang together, Kenny himself starting a clap in time with the music, the whole set soon joining in, cheering the pair on as they got themselves into character.

“Tell me why, everything turned around. Packing up, shacking up is all you wanna do.” Charlie sang scowling at Y/N with his rather adorable grumpy face, and Y/N held a hand out to stop him from coming any closer, playing the part of Grace.

“If I could, baby I’d give you my world. Open up, everything’s waiting for you.” She sang, bouncing a little as she sang, shaking away the last of her nerves as the second chorus came in, the whole room singing along now.

“You can go your own way, go your own way. You call it another lonely day!” As the crew finished setting up the garage for their scene, Charlie grabbed Y/N’s hand as squeezed it tightly.

“We’ve got this, alright?” He reassured, and she nodded, the pair getting into places as the music slowly died down and their fellow castmates and crew members cheered.

“Feeling better?” Kenny asked as the two got into positions, Charlie sat inside the garage as Y/N stood just beyond the doors, being handed a bouquet of flowers by the props manager.

“A lot, yeah.” She smiled, and Kenny gave her shoulder a pat.

“Just go for it, alright? Give it everything, give it electricity, you’ve got this.” His motivational words brought a smirk to Y/N’s face.

“I know I do.” She answered with a nod, Kenny walking back to behind the cameras and taking a seat, Y/N taking a one more moment to focus herself before Kenny yelled ‘action!’.

--

Grace wasn’t used to feeling guilty about anything, it just wasn’t a part of the life she enjoyed: she wasn’t an inherently bad person, though it could be argued she was a bad influence. As she stood in Julie’s driveway, a bouquet of flowers in hand, she felt like a bad influence. No, worse than that.

She felt like a bad friend.

Julie wouldn’t be in this mess if Grace hadn’t convinced her to go out with her the night before. Of course, she should have known that this time of year, with the uncommon rainfall and milder weather, that the bleachers would have been slippery. Grace should have suggested going somewhere else, shouldn’t have rushed up the steps and forced Julie to follow.

And while flowers weren’t going to help a lot with the twisted ankle, she hoped they’d lift Julie’s spirits a little. The doctors said it wasn’t serious, just a week or so in a pressure sock to stop anymore damage, and Julie had promised her the day before she was fine, but even so. Grace had picked out dahlias, Julie’s favourite, and was hoping to bump into Alex or Reggie or Carlos, leave them with her apology for Julie without much confrontation.

Instead, heading up the driveway and pulling open the garage door, she was welcomed by the sound of an acoustic guitar, and a frown settled on her features. Of course, of all the people it could have been, Luke was the one at home.

“What are you doing here?” He asked quickly, jumping up from the couch and setting down his guitar. Grace sighed, a roll of her eyes causing Luke to scoff.

“You know, I’d punch you if I could ghost boy.” She muttered, setting the flowers down on the coffee table. “I just wanted to leave something for Julie, alright? Don’t get your…” She paused, thinking for a moment. “Do you have underwear? I mean, ghost clothing isn’t exactly my specialty.”

“You’ve got some nerve showing up here after what you did to Julie.” Luke said coldly, arms folded across his chest as they stood at opposite sides of the room. He took a few steps to the side, lifting himself up onto the piano. Luke liked to have the high ground.

“What I did to her? Luke, she fell over. It was an accident!” She exclaimed in response, already riled up just being in the boy’s presence. She wasn’t quite sure why she had been cursed with the ability of being able to see Luke at all times, but she wasn’t going to let her annoyance with the guitarist go unsaid.

“An accident that could’ve killed her!” Luke snapped back. “What if she had hit her head instead of just twisting her ankle? Can you answer me that Miss Influencer?” He asked, and for the first time since the pair had met, Grace didn’t answer him back. Luke scoffed; quite certain he had won. “I don’t know what voodoo you put my friends under to make them like you, but I promise I see right through you. Through the clothes and the Instagram followers. All of it.”

“Do you think I wasn’t scared for her? Huh, Luke?” Grace snapped back. “I was the one there, watching her fall down the bleachers, the one who rushed after her and called her dad. Where were you, exactly?” She asked, a smirk settling on her lips. “You know, Lover Boy, if I remember correctly, you were off moping because I’m a better guitarist.” Her tongue came out to graze her bottom lip as she smiled, walking over to Luke’s electric that sat on a nearby stand.

“First off, you aren’t. It’s quite clear who’s better between the two of us.” Luke fought back, jumping off the table and marching over to pick up his guitar before Grace touched it. “And second, I wouldn’t have left her if you hadn’t been there. Because actually, Grace, it’s you that’s the problem!” He had raised his voice as he walked back across the room, setting his guitar atop the piano. Grace scoffed; he just didn’t want her touching his things.

“Right, because Julie can’t have friends if it’s not you, right?!” She was almost yelling now as well, but it was to be expected of the pair. Every conversation they had had was building to this argument. Every conversation they had shared was just bickering. “Hey Mr Invisible Man, news flash! Your crush is allowed to have relationships outside of you! I realise being dead is probably very boring, but Julie’s alive.”

“I just don’t think my friends should be associating with someone as infuriating as you, Grace!” Luke turned to face her again, all wide eyes and gestures. “I didn’t think I could hate people before I met you! I’ve had my music stolen; I’ve almost been enslaved for eternity; I died! And yet, the person I despise most in this world is you. Congratulations!”

“I take it as a compliment! You know, I’m honestly proud that I’m not friends with a self-centred, arrogant, inconsiderate, overbearing jerk. If anyone is fooling our friends Luke, it’s you.” The words were quick and cold, and Luke found himself marching forward until the pair stood about a foot apart, Grace forced to to look up at him, keeping big her chin high.The words were quick and cold, and Luke moved a few steps closer, and Luke moved a few steps closer, the pair a few feet apart, glaring one another down.

“They aren’t our friends, Grace. My friends are just too nice to leave you hanging.” Luke voice had lowered in volume, but the venom was still there as he took a step closer, then another. “You act all mysterious, but you’re an open book, Grace. You’re a lonely girl with a taste of relevance. That’s it.”

“Like you aren’t the same?” Grace asked, stepping forward so the pair were no more than a foot apart. “Quit pretending you aren’t still the lonely kid who ran away from home in 1995, give up the high and mighty act.” She paused, looking him over with a smirk. For a moment, she forgot he was just air.

“I know who I am.”

“Do you?” Grace asked. “That’s not what I see.”

“You don’t know anything about me.” Luke countered.

“And vice versa, ghost boy.”

“I know you’re manipulative, and cold. I know you’re insufferable to be around.” Luke stated firmly, his voice low and laced with malice.

“Anything else to share?” Grace asked. “Or are you done?”

“This is exactly what I mean.”

“You don’t know me!” Grace answered back. “You don’t know why I’m here or where I came from, or what I came from. You don’t get to tell me who I am or what I do or how I act when you have made zero attempts to check your information. I know you because I ask about you! I can call you an arrogant, self-serving halfwit because I actually have tried to figure out why you hate me so much!” She paused for a second, Luke watching in surprise. He didn’t quite feel bad for Grace, but something was building in him, something foreign he had buried away. “If you knew anything about me, you would know what I’m about to do next.”

“What? Leave?” He guessed, his tone still harsh and hostile, but his answer was incorrect. It was quick, something Luke couldn’t process fast enough; but within a second of his reply being given, Grace had somehow managed to touch him, holding her hands to his neck and pulling him down to her level before pressing her lips against his.

—

Y/N and Charlie both had plenty of experience kissing people, but neither of them had felt like that before.

The moment Y/N’s lips were pressed to Charlie’s, it felt like a thousand butterflies had exploded to life in her stomach, the feeling of his lips on hers making her lightheaded. Charlie’s hands immediately came to Y/N’s waist, pulling her so their bodies were flush and her fingers found their way into the curls at the back of his head.

There was a moment there, as the pair held one another, as they kissed one another, that the rest of the world melted away. One of Charlie’s hands moving from Y/N’s waist to her cheek set the skin on fire, had her heart pounding like it was trying to break out of her chest, had her knees going weak that the only way to stay upright was to pull back, to rejoin reality.

It was only as she looked up at Charlie, still dress like Luke, her peripherals reminding her where she actually was, that a shaky breath left Y/N’s body, and she took a step back. Out of Charlie’s embrace, towards the garage doors she had entered the scene through.

“Make sure Julie gets the flowers… I…” She spoke as Grace, shaking her head in disbelief before exiting out of the garage, leaving Luke, or Charlie, dumbfounded. She couldn’t tell anymore if it was real or acting, the lines had blurred a fair amount.

“And that’s a wrap!” Kenny yelled from behind the cameras, the deafening sound of the cast and crew cheering forcing Y/N to slow her pace, to quickly get accustomed to the noise before joining in. A rather large part of her head was telling her to run and hide, to disappear and never return, to book it for the airport and save herself the embarrassment of her flushed cheeks, of seeing Charlie after what she just felt with his lips on hers.

Her eyes eventually travelled up to see Charlie coming off the set with Kenny in one side of him and Jeremy on the other, Madi and Owen walking over to meet them, the latter waving her over quickly with a grin.

“That was amazing to watch!” Kenny was raving when Y/N arrived over, hands clasped behind her back as the director turned his attention to her. “What did I ask for? Y/N, you nailed it! You both did! The whole place was just electric.” He complimented, Charlie letting out a breezy chuckle as he raised a hand to rub the back of his neck.

“What can I say? You hired some great actors, Kenny.” Charlie felt off saying the words, glancing over at Y/N as he said them, the pair sharing a weak smile. What Charlie had felt while the cameras rolled was definitely not something he faked for the screen. His stomach was still in knots, trying to untangle itself after the way Y/N had kissed him left him speechless.

What exactly was he supposed to do? That information had the ability to ruin the friendship he and Y/N had, he couldn’t risk losing her so permanently. He knew Y/N, if they talked about how he felt kissing her and didn’t feel the same way, Y/N would distance herself from any and all contact, and with them all heading home by the week’s end, it was the last thing Charlie wanted to happen.

“That I did.” Kenny agreed, glancing at his watch. “Right, I’ll let you all go and get out of costume. Wrap Party begins in an hour.” He said with a nod, patting Y/N lightly on the shoulder as he left.

There was a moment of silence between the five of them, an uncommon occurrence, no-one quite sure who should speak first. Instead of speaking, Y/N gave Madi’s arm a squeeze before heading off to the costume department to get out of Grace’s head. Maybe the thoughts of Charlie would clear up once she was back in her own clothes, her own headspace.

The four friends watched her walk off, waiting until she had rounded a corner before Charlie received three pairs of hands punching his arms playfully and shaking him, all their of his on-screen band mates barely able to contain their excitement.

“What, what?” Charlie asked, taking a step back to avoid further battery.

“What?!” Madi exclaimed. “That kiss! Charlie, we all know that wasn’t acting.”

“I’m pretty sure everyone in Vancouver could tell that wasn’t acting.” Jeremy added with a grin, nudging his friend who was slowly getting some colour in his cheeks.

“You guys are all insane.” He said quickly, starting his way over towards makeup, but his friends were hot on his tail, none of them letting this budge. Not again: Charlie and Y/N had gotten away with their flirty behaviour plenty of times before, but this was different.

“You should at least talk to her about it.” Owen said with a grin, hands stuffed in his pockets as they entered the trailer and Charlie sat down, helping himself to makeup wipes and removing the thin layer of foundation on his face. “Charlie, come on… I know that your eyes were closed, but we watched you two kiss. If you’re feeling something, Y/N is feeling it too. There’s no way you both faked that.”

“I’m not ruining my friendship with Y/N over a stage kiss.” Charlie said quickly, pulling off his shirt and switching for his own clothes, looking up as the door opened and Sacha came in with Savannah and Tori, the seven all sharing glances.

“Convinced him to go for it yet?” Tori asked after a moment, and Charlie rolled his eyes, jumping out the chair and walking past his friends. “Oh, come on Charlie! It’s clear you both like each other!”

“Tori’s right!” Madi agreed, first in following Luke out onto the trailer lot. “Why are you so hesitant?” She asked, and Charlie came to a quick stop, spinning on his heel to look at his friends.

“I’m going to go see Y/N. Not because of whatever fantasies you all have in your heads, but because I want to make sure my friend is alright.” Charlie explained, though his words didn’t seem to convince any of them. That was fair, he didn’t convince him. “I’ll see you all at the wrap party, ok?” He clarified, but before he got an answer he made his way into the maze of trailers, taking the precise turns needed to get to Y/N’s trailer.

As he turned onto her row, Charlie found himself slowing to a stop about two trailers away, and taking a nervous gulp. Why, why had it taken so long for him to figure out his feelings? Why was it only once they had kissed that he felt all this emotion surging to the surface? For a moment he wondered if it was just his body reacting to kissing a pretty girl, but he knew that wasn’t the truth. Not in the slightest.

The truth was Charlie wanted nothing more than to feel that ecstasy that came with Y/N’s lips on his all the time, and he quickly formed a do or die plan in his head as his feet started back up, bringing him to the steps up to Grace’s trailer. Her name was pasted with gold sticker on the white door, the tension quickly building in Charlie’s chest.

Do or die.

The polite triple tap on the door hurried Y/N’s getting ready, the girl quickly zipping up her dress before slipping on her shoes for the night and answering the trailer door, the butterflies exploding in her stomach as she found Charlie stood in front of her door.

“Got a second? I was hoping we could talk…” Charlie said quickly, hands shoved in his pockets, a nervous smile on his face that had Y/N thinking the worst. This was about the kiss, it was about how awkward he felt about it, no doubt. She knew her anxiety before it was right, she knew that this would ruin things.

“Of course, come on in.” She said with a little smile moving back onto the trailer and allowing Charlie to make his way inside. As Y/N turned to pick up her phone off the table and place it into her handbag for the party that night, Charlie closed the door behind him with a nervous breath. He watched her for a few moments, smiling at her absentminded humming of the song they had sang together while she packed her things away for the party tonight. He took a step closer, running a hand through his hair and straightening his top up, psyching himself up for what he was about to do. She had changed for the party, and Charlie couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she looked in the baby blue sundress. “So,” Y/N asked as she started to turn around. “What is it you want to tal-”

Y/N was cut off when Charlie gripped her by the waist and crashed his lips against hers, not that she minded in the slightest. She was quick to kiss back, her hands coming to his neck as his hands pulled her closer until their bodies were flush. Whatever worry Y/N had been having about what their characters’ kiss would do to her and Charlie’s relationship was evaporated by the heat, the passion, the electricity of his lips on hers.

Charlie was hit with relief when Y/N kissed him back, when she pulled him closer, just thankful that she might have felt exactly what he did on set. He was about to pull away, apologise for what he was doing, for intruding and not letting her ask her question, but as he pulled back to take a breath, Y/N caught his bottom lip between her teeth for a moment, and Charlie was gone.

He pulled her close again, this time his tongue entering her mouth and starting a battle for dominance against Y/N. His hands travelled towards her ass, only gaining control of the kiss when he surprised Y/N by picking her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as her dress rode up her thighs, hands moving from his neck to grip the front of his shirt, breaking off the kiss for a moment.

They looked at one another, breathing heavy and pressed to one another, both just trying to comprehend what they had done. Y/N was the first to catch her breath, looking up at Charlie with a blush across her cheeks and blown pupils.

“No-one’s ever kissed me like that…” She whispered out, smiling as a smirk played on Charlie’s lips.

“Same.” He responded, walking over and setting her down on the trailer’s kitchenette counter, a hand coming to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “We’re… We’re idiots, right? For not realising it before?” He asked, and Y/N laughed.

“The amount of time we’ve wasted…” She muttered before pulling him for another kiss.

It quickly became heated again, neither of them quite able to control themselves. It was tongues and teeth and moans, and it wasn’t long before Charlie was leaving a hickey on Y/N’s neck and she was pulling off his shirt, quickly reminded of her friend’s body… God, he was hot.

“How long until the wrap party?” Y/N asked through a moan as Charlie pulled away from her collarbones, marks scattered over the skin Y/N would struggle to hide. He pulled his phone from his pocket, checking the time before setting it on the counter beside her.

“About 10 minutes…” Charlie answered, raising an eyebrow when Y/N bit her lip. “What did you have in mind?” He asked, stepping closer, his hands running up the sides of her thighs as he did, pushing her dress up further until he could catch a glimpse of the pastel pink panties she had chosen to wear that day, causing him to groan a little. He could feel his blood rushing down, his jeans becoming tighter around the groin.

“Well, I mean… We’re two consenting adults…” She trailed off for a second, her hands starting on his belt buckle in an uncharacteristically bold move. Charlie’s head fell back as her hand brushed against his bulge, breathing getting heavier once more. “And I’m on the pill…” She added, pushing Charlie’s jeans down slightly, then his boxers, her hand circling his shaft and beginning to stroke it slowly. She was teasing him, waiting for a response, an innocent look on her face that drove Charlie wild. He quickly pulled her panties off, tossing them to the floor and bringing a hand back to her core.

“So wet… And all just for me.” Charlie smirked as Y/N’s expression changed from feigning innocent to one of pleasure: a whimpering moan passing her lips as her eyes fluttered shut, a reaction to Charlie’s thumb circling her clit. “You know, all you had to do was ask.” He whispered in her ear, more of a growl than anything, quickly lining his cock to her entrance and pushing himself inside.

They shared in a moan, Y/N adjusting to the size of his length inside her for a moment, her walls clenched tight around him. They stayed like that for a moment, both adjusting to the feelings, before Charlie’s thumb started up its lazy circles around Y/N’s clit once more. She gave a nod, and Charlie pulled back, this time sinking himself all the way inside her.

They started slow; Charlie enjoying the view of Y/N whimpering in pleasure as she held onto him, begging for him to go faster. He didn’t comply right away, teasing her further with his length, but when she managed to utter out a ‘please’, the bucking of his hips quickened, Y/N’s whole body soon dissolving in the pleasure.

Neither of them had any experience with heaven, but if it was even half as good as the sex they shared, the afterlife would be amazing. Their bodies just worked together, like they were made for one another, each thrust and moan sending pleasure shooting through their bodies. Charlie set the pace, making sure to watch Y/N’s reactions when he changed angle, quickly finding the thrusts that gave her the most pleasure through lidded eyes, and Y/N would tease him further, her walls hugging his cock just enough to have him slipping out curses mixed with her name. It didn’t take very long for Y/N’s legs to begin trembling, Charlie’s hands spreading her thighs further apart as the knots began forming in her stomach, one of his hands moving to hold the small of her back while the other returned to his spot over her sensitive bud.

“Charlie… Charlie I’m close.” Y/N managed to say through breathy moans as the knots in her abdomen got progressively tighter, Charlie moving slightly to find a better angle, beginning to pound mercilessly into her cunt, a smirk on his lips. Her mouth formed into an ‘o’, her eyes rolling back behind hooded lids dusted with eyeshadow for the party that night, the one they were meant to be arriving at 5 minutes earlier.

“Come for me, sweetheart.” He muttered, pressing his lips down on her collarbone as Y/N came undone at his words, the spasms of pleasure bringing forward Charlie’s own release, the smirk quickly fading as he felt his own climax approaching. “Fuck… Y/n, fuck…” Charlie muttered, his thrusts quickly becoming sloppy as he edged on Y/N’s climax, letting out a moan as he shot his load, his head rolling back and his muscles flexing as he filled Y/N, prompting an aftershock to run through the girl, eliciting whimpers from her shuddering frame.

Charlie soon stilled, both of them panting as they came down from their highs, Charlie’s hands on Y/N’s back the only thing keeping her vertical. He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead gently before pulling out, letting out a hiss from the over-sensitivity as Y/N giggled through a whine.

“Jesus…” She muttered, taking a moment before slipping off the counter, lifting her panties from the floor as Charlie tucked himself back into his jeans and grabbed his t-shirt, the clothing item having landed on the back of the nearby couch. “I’m… I’m gonna clean up.” She informed him, unable to stop smiling as she disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Charlie to smile to himself and fall back on the couch with a beaming grin.

How had any of that actually happened?

He sat back up when Y/N came out of the bathroom, her hair fixed and her dress straightened again, though the blush on her cheeks and nose still remained. Charlie smiled and pulled himself off the couch, walking over to her and quickly pressing his lips to hers. She kissed back, the action shared between them soft and sweet this time around, though it still caused butterflies to erupt in both of their stomachs.

“I was thinking… I know you’ll need to go back home and visit family, obviously… But maybe you could spend a few weeks at my place in LA?” Charlie suggested his thumb rubbing against Y/N’s cheek as they held eye contact. “Meet my parents, maybe?” He added with a nervous chuckle. They had planned for her to meet his mom and dad at some point, and him hers, more for the fact they wanted their parents to know their best friend, but that had obviously changed… Best friends don’t fuck half naked in a trailer on their filming lot.

“I would love that… But you have to come home with me afterwards.” Y/N said with a smile, letting out a sweet laugh as Charlie nodded vigorously, the pair locking lips once more.

That night, when Charlie and Y/N walked into the wrap party with their hands interlocked, there was a relief that sat in the air for the cast and crew. Finally, after a year of betting pools and theories and who only knew what else, it seemed the two had finally stopped being idiots and acted on their feelings. It was confirmed when during a slow song, Charlie pulled Y/N onto the dance floor, the pair sharing a kiss as the music played.

On the side lines, it was Meg, Charlie’s sister, of all people who stood collecting cash from crew members. She had got herself in on the betting pool last time she visited, and had guessed the exact date the pair would finally take their next step.

The question of Charlie and Y/N’s budding relationship should have been a ‘who would’ve thought?’, but, in reality, everyone knew. From Madi to Kenny to literally everyone on the entire planet…

Except for Charlie and Y/N.

--

Tags: @lord-of-the-fried @lolychu @deadashcapper5 @aliceinemeraldcity @eries45 @kristencoontz @walkingonshunshine @wxshing-aep @oswin05 @voguesir @delicatelukepatterson @reggieandthereggies @siennanoelle01 @dxsxstxrhxxd @reggiesleatherjacket @a-whole-a-lot-of-fandoms @thetattooink @futuremrsb-r-main @charliessunset @mlt2000 @overlyhypedup @fangirlanonimax @writerinlearning @dxlanhxlland @manaoioahilinai @cocobuttababy @rosiemay02​ @crookedoperatoroperagarden @theatricalfangirl​ @middaydramatic @mloudfish @mps427​ @sweetdayme4427 @anagc-09​ @feliamtion​ @ohyoureaqueenbutuncrowned​ @caitsymichelle13​ @amortiff​ @lovesanimals​ @crappy-unicorn​ @avs-hart​ @ghostlyb1tch​ @lukeys-giggle @aunicornmademedoit @carleywhittaker @crybabyddl​ @writella​ @isabellaskyliner​ @moonyxnights​ @dmcfarland1​ @kiss-themoongoodbye​ @kcd15​ @ellepscal​ @bookdealer5​ @leahstypewriter​

(i’m doing really badly at tagging everyone who asks, so i’ll be sorting out my taglist around halloween to make sure i can keep all of you up to date on my writing!)

#luke patterson #charlie gillespie #charlie gillespie smut #charlie gillespie x reader #luke patterson x reader #charlie gillespie x y/n #luke patterson x y/n #jatp luke #jatp #julie and the phantoms #smut #fluff #fluffy smut #charlie gillespie imagine