#they probably saw me gearing up to do this during the hottest day of the year

[perkynurples]

before and after of me splitting my hive for the first time, and installing a new fancy floor to boot. the bees were so polite, so patient while I messed with them 😭

#beekeeping diary #dammit annie #BEES #not a single sting either!!!! #they probably saw me gearing up to do this during the hottest day of the year #and were like .......bro what #why would you do this to yourself #I'm melting alive is all I'm saying

[unoficialy-married-to-ace-austin]

The Cleaners Princess Kenny Omega smut

Summary: Olivia Jackson was the bullet clubs Princess, Kenny’s Princes. When she got hurt and had to put up here boots he and Kenny broke up. Now she’s back, and he and Kenny have some feelings.

Warning: Daddy kink, smut, some power kink I think, hair pulling, just generally nastiness. 

Olivia POV

3 years. It had been three years since I made a mistake in a match. Three years since I was carted out of the Tokyo dome on a stretcher. Three years since I had to retire from the sport I loved more than anything.

I couldn't get these thoughts out of my head as I drove down the road to Daileys place. I had finally gotten cleared to get back in the ring, and just in time for a huge moment on my brothers new company AEW. I turned into the parking lot of the event, and no one was out there. For a better surprise factor I was going to show up after the show already started. I found a parking spot and pulled my phone out, sending a quick text to Matt so he knew I was here.

I leaned my head forward a bit, letting it rest on the steering wheel. Was I really ready to get back in the ring? I practically jumped out of my skin when there was a knock on the window. I looked over to see Matt laughing causing me to role my eyes. I got out of the car, crossing my arms over my chest. "Really Matthew?"

"Oh calm down, it was funny." He said winking at me. "You got your bag?"

"Ya, I'm the back." I did heading around to the trunk to open it. As I pulled out my bag I looked over at Matt. "Where's my other half?"

"Fucked up his knee during our match earlier tonight. He should be fine, but we had to change the finish tonight a bit." He explained as he took my bag from me.

"You know I can carry my own shit right?" I asked as we walked to the back door.

"You sure? You couldn't back in Japan."

"That was a gimmick. You know me, living the gimmick." I joked poking his side.

"Ya, your the best at Playing entitled little sister. You kept it up even after you stopped wrestling." He said making me huff.

"That's not fair, I'm not even the youngest."

"Ya, but your the youngest of yourself, me, and Nick." He pointed out.

"Me and Nick were born the same day!"

"There was like a 5 minute difference." My head swung around to see one of my closest friends Adam page.

"What's up cowboy?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest as we stopped to talk to him.

"The sky."

"No shot Sherlock."

"Liv, watch your language." Matt mumbled shaking his head. If you went off of looks allow you would know me, Matt, and Nick were all related, but I acted so different then them. I drank about as much as Adam, and often would swear like a sailor. The only thing I had in common with them was wrestling really.

"Well I should probably get going. Got to get ready for the big night" I said winking at Adam as I turned to follow Matt down the hall.

"The Doc brought Nick back to the room before you got here, and you can get ready in here." He explained before pushing open the door. Nick is sat on the couch with his leg up, Karl was standing talking to Gallows, but Gallows wasn't looking at me. I smiled and put my finger up to my lips, telling Nick and Karl to stay quiet. Nick chuckled, and shook his head.

"Hey Matt." Karl said, clearly trying not to laugh as I snuck up behind him. I ran a few steps and jumped onto his back.

"GALLOWS!" I yelled as my arms wrapped around his shoulders and my legs around his waist. He surged forward in surprised, his arms flying out to steady him.

"Olivia!" He said surprised as he looked at me over his shoulder. I smiled at him giggling.

"Hi." He just chuckled at me and grabbed under my knees and hoisted me up so it was more of a piggyback.

"Sometimes I wonder how your related to those to." Karl said laughing.

"I still don't think she is." Matt said rolling his eyes. I simply smiled as I jumped down from Gallows back (witch is pretty far), landing with a slight thud.

"Well, I've seen almost everyone. Where's Kenny?" I asked looking around the room, and I could feel the mood shift to uncomfortableness. I rolled my eyes at their nervousness. Me and Kenny has been dating back in Japan, I had even been known as 'The Cleaners Princess'. When I got hurt we tried the long distance, but it simply didn't work out. We split up, but we never hated each other. I still saw him when he came to see Matt and Nick in California.

"Really guys? It's been more then 2 years. Besides, I'll have to see him regularly if I'm going to be working with you again." I reminded them.

"We know. He will show up with Don at some point, it's normal to have him show up late." Nick explained as I nodded.

"Ok. I'm gonna go get changed, do my makeup, all that good shit." I said walking over to the bathroom they had. Once inside I locked the door and pulled my sweatshirt off. I did the same with my shirt and bra, but paused as I looked in the mirror. I had a couple nasty scars on my body from surgeries over the years.

My fingers traced over the small tattoo on my side. 'Livin the dream' was written in small black letters. Most of it was covered by even ring gear, so no one else knew it was there. Except of course Kenny. A dare one night after I drank a considerable amount, also the night me and Kenny got together.

I pulled myself away from the thought as I reached into my bag grabbing another bra, and my crop top version of a young Bucks tee shirt. I pulled my sweat pants I had worn here off, and pulled the ripped jeans on. The fans had always called my crazy Jackson, witch matched that I was always the 'wild child'. I then pulled out my old leather jacket. It was cold and smooth, just like the last time I put it on. I had never dared to where it out of wrestling. On the back the word 'Princess' was spelt out in light pink letters that had a look of being attached badly. I loved it. It's Time to put on a show.

—————————————————

"What's the drunkest thing you've ever done?" Kenny asked both of us sitting on the couch in his room after drinks with the guys.

"Honestly? Probably my tattoo." I answered.

"Tattoo?"

"Ya, don't you remember? On my side. I got it the night we got together." I said pointing to my left side.

"I'm gonna be honest I only remember certain parts of it." He confused taking a sip of water.

"So, how as Kenny Omega been? Nice to see the cleaner back." I said shifting a bit and pishimg at the lose hair that had come out of the ponytail.

"Why does everyone keep saying the cleaners 'back'?! I've always been him!"

"Probably just waiting for the mean ruthless Kenny. I mean, you were the guy who would do what it took to win, and you did that against Mox." I shrugged.

"I guess really that the cleaner kinda died off when you left." He admitted. "I mean, I had put a lot of time in making us the 'power couple' of the wrestling world."

"Lest be honest, we were the hottest couple. Plus I bet people are already wondering on twitter." I said pulling my phone out to open twitter. I had about a million notifications and as I clicked through them until I found one that stopped me. It read: Kenny's princess is back!! I bet she's calling his daddy tonight 😉

I felt a blush creep up my neck, and practically jumped when I felt Kenny's breath on my neck. "Well look at that. You were right." I'm sure it could look like he was just reading the tweet for the hell of it, but I could hear the change in his voice. I get his hands on my waist as he turned me towards him, our faces inches apart.

"I don't think I told you how much I've missed seeing you in the ring." He whispered, thumbs rubbing at my sides. "Did you miss me?"

"Depends on the part." I whispered, my hand moving up to his hair, and I gripped it lightly. "I missed playing with your long hair," I let my hands move along his arms to his fingers, "I've missed your muscle, and these fingers." I mumbled running my hand on them. "And I've course this." I whispered as o reached down and palmed his dick, and I could feel it was rock hard.

He groaned out and pulled me into a rough kiss that had our teeth clashing together. We continued to make out as my hands went back to his hair, pulling lightly now and again. When he finally pulled away we were both breathing heavily. "You know your a teas right?"

"What do you mean?" I asked turning my head in confusion.

"This damn jacket. Last I checked you were The Cleaners Princess anymore." He whispered in his rough voice. He leaned forward a bit to nip at my neck.

"Maybe I miss being your princess."

"Well, I may just have some great news, there is an audition for that exact spot." He whispered pulling jacket from my shoulders slowly.

"What do I have to do?"

'Make the king feel good." I knew immediately what that meant, and slid from the couch to the ground letting out a small sound of pain when I hit the ground. "Careful babe. You will be making those sounds a bit later."

I reached forward and undid his pants and with his help pulled his jeans and boxers. His length stood tall and hard in front of me, the head an angry red. I looked up at him as he gave me a nod and I reached forward. As my hand wrapped around he moaned out. I ran my hand up and down it a bit before Kenny grabbed me by the hair. You better get sucking baby."

He lead me with my hair as my mouth wrapped around his tip. I recognized the taste, witch caused me to moan out, making him moan from the feeling. He lead me up and down for a bit, and I could feel him trying not to thrust up. "Fuck it." He mumbled pulling me off him and yanking me to his lap. He reached up and didn't even Try taking my shirt and bra off before he just ripped it. "Get your god damn pants off." He growled into my ear. I stood up quickly pulling them off, and when I looked back Kenny was waiting.

I crawled back into his lap, making him hold my hips. "Rode me slut." He whispered, making me shudder. He hadn't prepared me at all, so as I snuck down I could tell I was tight, but clearly didn't care. Once I bottomed out is at for a moment, trying to catch my breath. He leans forward his breath on my ear. "Bounce bitch."

Immediate I started riding him like I would die if I stoped. "Fuck, Kenny!" I moaned as I bounced. I get his mouth take one of my buds into his mouth as he sucked harshly.

"Let's use the right name. You've done this before." He said sternly. I could feel my climax coming, and knew he wouldn't let me off that easy.

"Fuck Daddy! I'm so close please!" I moaned as I tried to keep up my pace, slamming down on his Enyo match his thrust.

"Fuck do it princess." He encouraged making me shudder as I came. My body practically going limp. He pushed me forward off of his lap to the ground and positioned his dock in my face as he started to jerk off. I watched as he got closer, and stuck out my tongue as he came all over my face. Neither of us moved for a moment before Kenny pulled my back up, my legs shaking as I got up. He reached over and grabbed some blanket and used it to wipe us both off.

"House keeping is going to hate you." I mumbled my eyes already feeling heavy.

"I think I'll survive." He said pulling me closer. Did this mean we still liked each other? I pushed the thought away, just wanting Kenny to hold me as I slept.

AN: I really liked writing this and though about make a full series about it. Would any read it if I did?

#fanfiction #kenny omega #kenny omega smut #The young Bucks #kenny omega x reader #smut #Kenny omega is daddy

[queen-of-the-trash-planet-tm]

Daminette December Day 5: Fire (Continues from day 4’s prompt of gaming)

——————————————————————————

Damian Wayne Al Gul was never known for backing out from challenges. So when the opportunity came to “unmask” Ladybug, you best believe he was determined to seeing that to completion. A game plan began brewing in his head, “How am I going to get a Parisian streamer/designer to come to the states?” He muttered to himself, “There need to be a reason.”

‘What could make her want to come?’ Damian thought. There in his room, you could smell the oil and hear the gears turning inside his head. He brought his fingers to his temples, completely lost to the world at the momment. And then, it hit him. “I’ve got it!” He almost screamed, “I could make it into a sponsorship!”

“Hey, Demon-Spawn!” Jason barged into the room. A kunai flew passed his head, “Do- Watch it! Anyway Brucie wants us in the living room.”

Damian scowled. His plans would have to wait for now. This had better be good. As he made his way to the living room, Damian didn’t have the slightest clue that old Brucie Boy was about to make his job a hell of lot easier.

*Line Break*

On the other side of the world, our favorite girl had just finished “Tim Drake’s” commission. The client didn’t give much detail into what they wanted, all they said was to make them a suit and mask for the masquerade. Marinette had full creative liberty over the suit and mask. She wanted to go over the top, but on the off chance it was actually Timothy Drake himself it needed the right amount of subtlety to be functional.

(A/N: I’m not really good at describing clothes, but I couldn’t find anything that looks like I have in my head. Sorry!)

Marinette doesn’t do themes often, but she decided this design would become the newest part of her “Elements” collection. The suit jacket itself was a dark green, almost gray, color with multicolored leaves hand stitched into the material. Marinette had barely made it visible, but if one looked close enough it was definitely there. The pocket square was olive green with brown undertones as was the bow tie. The suit’s pants were the the same color as the jacket. The mask, however, the mask made the piece come together. The mask itself was brown, but the small details on the mask were lined with gold thread. Everything about this look screamed nature.

It had taken her a week to complete, and boy was it worth it. Marintte was relieved it was over, but loved the finished result. She packaged the suit and mask duo and placed her handwritten thank you note inside. The note read, “Dear Mr. Drake, Thank you for commissioning me for your gala. I do not know if it is the real Tim Drake and if it’s not please remember you do not have have to lie to get my attention. But if it is in fact Timothy Drake, himself, I want to thank you for this opportunity. I hope everything is up to your standards. Please continue to commission me for anything! Thank you for shopping at “Miss Fortune” Bug our! Signed, Ladybug” Marinette went straight to the post office to ship it to the American adress and returned home shortly after.

The next day at school would have Marinette begging for someone to put her out of her misery. It was announced that the class had won the Wayne scholarship to visit Gotham. And while Marinette was happy her hard work had seen results, it meant more work would be piled onto her. Ms. Bustier had cut her train of thought off, “Oh, and before I forget, we are invited to the Wayne’s annual Christmas charity gala. And Alya, there is absolutely no recording or interviews. If you fail to adhere to these rules, you will be bard from any and all other activities involving the Wayne family.”

Alya looked deflated by that fact. Lila was going to cook up some lie about knowing the Wayne’s, but once again Ms. Bustier had opened her mouth again, “Lila, we all know about your condition to lie uncontrollably. That being said, if you feel compelled to lie about knowing the Wayne family I would keep your mouth shut. Gotham is known as the city with the highest crime rate in the world. The Waynes have been known targets of Gotham’s villains, we wouldn’t want to be put in danger.”

Marinette had smirked at that comment and Lila eye had twitched, “Of course Ms. Bustier!”

The only thought that was going through Marinette’s head after that was, ‘What am I going to wear?’

*Line Break*

A month had passed and the trip to Gotham was tomorrow. Marinette decided to tell her followers on her twitch why there would be no more streams for another two weeks or so, “Today I just want to let you guys know that I will not be going live for like two weeks. I’ll be in America with my school for a trip. We’ll be attending a very important event there! I hope you guys won’t forget about when I’m gone!”

The comments and donations came in hordes. Most claiming that they could never forget about a gaming goddess. There where some asking about where in America she was headed to, “Well, usually I wouldn’t say anything. Buuuut, this is a very large city! We are headed to Gotham city!”

At 3:28 pm Damian Wayne, felt his heart stop. Ladybug would be in Gotham because of her Parisian class for an important event. There was only one Parisian class that had won if he remembered correctly, he’d have to ask Tim. Damian grabbed his phone in a attempt to see if Marinette would answer this frantic texting.

Her phone dings on stream, “Wow, I’m sorry guys I thought I had that on silent,” Marinette silences her phone but pays no attention to the contents on it. Her phone continues to buzz, “I’m so popular today,” she giggled, “To Damian, who I know is watching, can you please stop texting me when I’m live? Please and thank you. And before you heathens ask, no Damian does not know who I am so do go snooping to try and find out who he is,” She said in her heavily accented English.

Damian decided he would talk to her later, lest she be angry at him. The stream was relatively short today, only an hour and a half. Marinette had to go so that she would “actually be alive in the morning” as she put it. And when the cat is away, the birds go and play. Damian donned his Robin persona as he took it upon himself to continue his mission in uncovering Ladybug.

As he suspected, only one class from Paris had won the scholarship. The class president’s name had also just so happened to be none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Damian then deduced that Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Ladybug are the same person. Oh, what fun this was going to be.

During the Parisian class’s time in Gotham, they had left Marinette behind 5 times. Let me repeat that. Caline Bustier, an educator and chaperone, had left one of her students in one of the world’s most dangerous cities not once, not twice, not even thrice, but five times. Thankfully on her first time she had ran into a young Arabic man named Damian. Marinette laughed at how much this Damian had reminded her of her client. He wasn’t wearing her designs though so she couldn’t tell if they were one and the same, spoiler alert: they were!

The night of the gala had arrived and Damian asked to accompany her as her date. Marinette would have normally said “no, thank you” but Damian and Marinette had gotten to know each other over the course of her adventures in Gotham. So instead she said, “Yes!”

Marinette had spent a month on her newest creation. The purpose for this gala and this one alone. It would make its debut in her “Elements” collection, after the trip. Marinette was particularly proud of this one, this time the theme was fire and boy was there going to be one. The mask she wore was lined with blue to symbolize one of the hottest flames there are.

(A/N: As stated earlier I’m not good at describing clothing, so here’s a picture of what I’m talking about. Also this is not mine and kudos to whoever did make it because I want this for myself.)

Damian waited patiently for his date to arrive. He was dressed in the exact opposite way. Cool blues and slivers donned his suit. His mask was white with red linning to contrast Marinette’s blue. None of what he was wearing was of “Miss Fortune” though. There wasn’t enough time for him to ask.

When Marinette exited the elevator, Damian had the wind knocked out of him. She looked like ethereal and in that momment Damian wasn’t sure if she really existed. He had seen the dress on her streams while she was making it, but this was the first time he had seen Marinette wearing it. Marinette was the epitome of regality.

But when Marinette saw Damian dressed like the prince she’d known him to be, Marinette almost fainted. Together they looked like gods gracing mortals with their presence. Anyone who saw them, assumed such as well. They’d stop and stare at Adonis and his Aphrodite.

They walked the red carpet and at that moment Marinette realized three things, one: She would have to reveal herself as Ladybug, two: she would have to explain herself to her followers, and three: Damian is that Damian Wayne???

“Surprise?” He said with a raising of his shoulders.

“We’ll talk later,” she said lowly.

Together they passed the reporters to enter and Marinette made her big reveal, “Miss! Miss! Who are you wearing? It’s gorgeous!”

“I’m wearing my own design! I run a website called Miss Fortune. You would probably recognize me as Ladybug on Twitch though,” she giggled.

Before she could answer anymore questions, Damian pulled her inside to the actual Gala. He couldn’t wait to see the looks on his brother’s faces when they relized who he had on his side. And by the sound of the shriek that ran throughout the halls, Tim and Dick had just found out. They raced over in an attempt to introduce themselves to her.

Marinette noticed that Tim was wearing the suit she had made back in November. She paled when she remembered accusing him of lying in her note, “You are wearing my design. You weren’t lying to me!”

Marinette was apologizing and Tim didn’t need it. She had every right to be suspicious whenever someone claimed to know or be part of the Wayne crew. Jason had a Batcow when he noticed the angel of a girl on the arm of a demon. And then freaked out even more once, he heard who she was.

The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Well... that was before Alya and Lila were escorted out for recording and lying on the Wayne Family name. Oh, boy legal was going to have so much fun with them.

Bruce Wayne seen four of his children huddled around a small French-Asian woman. He thought he should introduce himself. Unknown to Marinette Bruce was also wearing her work. Apparently Damian had commissioned that suit for Bruce’s birthday. Marinette almost fainted for the second time that evening.

As the party came to a close, Damian and Marinette stepped out to chat alone, “I know this is kind of forward, but would you like to accompany me on a date soon?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Marinette smiled as she rested her head on Damian’s shoulder while staring at the sky.

Fire is volatile. It can burn, destroy, and even kill. But fire is also rebirth, warmth, and passion. Marinette is the fire to Damian’s ice. Complete opposites that complete each other, just as it should be.

——————————————————————————

A/N: So the two shot is over!!!! Did you all like it? I think this one is my favorite so far. In any case thank you for all the notes, comments, and reblogs on the last part. I really appreciate it! If you want to be tagged let me know in the comments!

@daminette-december2019 @persephonebutkore @gingerdaile @seraphichana @mystery-5-5 @krispydefendorpolice @jardimazul @royalchaoticfangirl @theoryfan205 @goblinwhoships @emeraldpuffguide @spicybelladonna

#daminette december #damian x marinette #daminette #maribat #marinette dupain cheng #damian wayne #class salt #alya salt #lila salt #jason todd #tim drake #dick grayson #bruce wayne #robin #red hood #red robin #nightwing #batman #gaming #fire #miss fortune

[fletcherr]

hi ! i’m maren and i’m bad at intros ! and bios ! and things in general ! ... why am i here again ? uhm. anyway ! this is fletcher and uh ... he hates it here askdjfs like i can’t lie i’m so sorry but for the time being it’s ... lowkey the truth ? i’m writing this part of the post first so fingers crossed i manage to keep this short and to the point. if there’s no tldr it’s because this was supposed to be it. ( spoiler ; i failed. it’s so fucking long you literally do not have to read it i am so sorry. ) i’m super excited to be here and cannot wait to get to know you and your muses and be a part of this amazing group !!

THE APP !

˖ °╰ ⌜ [ MUSE TEN, ROBERT PATTINSON, 31, CIS MALE, HE/HIM ] hey, have you seen FLETCHER DUNCAN ? last time i saw them i think they were hanging around THE ROOFTOP. they can kind of be VEHEMENT but can also be pretty HAUGHTY. they’re often caught listening to SUPERSTAR SH*T - DOMINIC FIKE ! they also tend to remind me of cheap cigarettes put out in still half full glasses of rare bourbon, flipping off paparazzi, showing up to important meetings bleary-eyed and twenty minutes late, wearing sunglasses inside and black hoodies on the hottest day of summer, feeling uninspired for months then writing three albums worth of songs in two weeks ! let me know if you’ve seen them around, they’ve been working at the championship around FOUR MONTHS and they’re late for their shift !

THE BASICS !

full name: fletcher ralph duncan ( born fletcher ralph irvine )

nicknames: prefers fletcher, but is okay with fletch or duncan

date of birth: november 18th, 1989

gender: cis male

pronouns: he / him

height: 6′1

tattoos: some stupid ones without any deeper meaning to them on his arms and thighs, for sure

THE ( VERY ) IN - DEPTH ! tw for mentions of abuse of drugs and alcohol, terminal illness, hospitals, and death

after years of marriage, fletcher’s parents had him when they were both about to enter their forties, as one last, final attempt to find back to the love they’d had for each other when they started dating way back in high school. it didn’t work. his father left  when fletcher was four; leaving divorce papers on the kitchen table two weeks before christmas. him and his mother, winnie, moved from one of the suburbs to a smaller, more affordable apartment in brooklyn. they were never quite comfortable, money-wise, but they didn’t struggle either. two years after the move, his mother started seeing a guy she’d been introduced to through friends from work. fletcher adored richard from the first time they met, and as the years went by he came to consider him more of a dad than he ever did the one who left. that’s probably why he didn’t mourn when his father passed suddenly and unexpectedly the summer he turned ten. the following summer, winnie and richard married, and both her and fletcher completely rid themselves of the man who walked out on them when they both changed their last name from his to richard’s - duncan.

when richard moved in, he’d brought an electric guitar and a sparse record collection with him. these were fletcher’s first real introduction to music. he dove in head first. there’s no telling how many evenings they sat in the living room, records playing, or fletcher practicing on the guitar until he was caught up with his dad’s guitar skills. turns out, he was actually a bit of a natural. after he’d mastered his first instrument, he moved onto another. his mother - who’d been a classically trained, lifetimes ago - taught him to the best of her ability on a keyboard they got from a yard sale. he spent hours at a time in record stores. championship vinyl had always been richard’s favorite, and it wasn’t long until it was his favorite too. consuming music wasn’t enough, though. by the time he was in high school, fletcher was writing his own songs; creating his own music. of course - none of it was ever remotely up to par with the songs he kept discovering, but it didn’t matter. him and two kindred spirits he met at school formed a band, performing covers and the stuff he wrote. to afford actual gig gear - not that they ever booked many of those - fletcher applied for a part time job the only place he could think to; championship vinyl. though he'd been a regular for the better part of a decade by that time, he was still in disbelief and awe when he got the job.

fletcher thrived at championship. he took on all the shifts his schedule would allow him, and even skipped class to cover for anyone that asked. even when he was off the clock, he’d hang around. if he wasn’t flicking through new inventory or catching up with the whoever was at work, he’d be sitting on the rooftop with his guitar, a pen and a roll of receipt paper - scratching down song ideas and testing out new material. things were looking up; he was a creatively fulfilled high school senior with a job he loved, parents that supported- and loved him unconditionally, and he’d just been accepted into nyu. therefore, it rocked his world when his dad stopped by during one of his shifts, only to collapse while fletcher had his back turned to find a rare vinyl he’d set aside for him as a surprise. 

the diagnosis was a death sentence. months flew by in the blink of an eye, and he watched the only dad he’d ever truly known wither away before his eyes. weeks shy of a year to the date of the diagnosis, on the day richard duncan passed away, his son brought the old record player and the by now weathered records from the brooklyn apartment to the hospital room. he drew his last breath surrounded by the music and the family he loved.

not recently having gone through the same kind of world crumbling sorrow and the revelation about not wasting away and following your dreams that walks that’s bound to follow, his bandmates weren’t all that keen on the plan fletcher presented them with; movin to la and making it in music. really making it. with one of three members hellbent on leaving, the band broke up. they never could agree on a name, anyway. he turned in his resignation at championship, and jokingly promised james namsen to not come back until he’d won a grammy. winnie, though heartbroken to first lose the love of her life, and now having her son move away, had nothing but support and encouragement to offer when he announced he’d be dropping out of college to pursue music.

the first two years, nothing happened. he was living and working in downtown la; the apartment he shared with four roommates was just shy of being a shoebox, and the franchise record  store he eventually scored a job at lacked the soul and the hum of energy he was used to from championship back in new york. just as ambition and hope was wearing thin, things were starting to look up for him. he was meeting the right people in the right places, at the right times. after opening for a few up and coming acts, he was approached by a manager, who in turn introduced him to a few labels. though he was very aware he wasn’t a strong vocalist, he was confident in himself as a musician and a songwriter, and it seemed so was the internationally renowned label that ended up offering him a contract. his first single dropped not even a year later, soon followed by his debut album.

though his star was slowly rising, the album made only a miniscule splash. he toured it as an opening act and played a handful of shows on each coast. going back into the studio to work on the next album felt different. making the first one hadn’t felt authentic. not the process, nor the result. he’d been too agreeable; too eager to please and too eager to show he was worth everyone’s time and money. this time around, he was more assertive and demanded more control over the creative process. less co-writers were brought in, and he now had a say in which producers he worked with. his sophomore album released to generally positive reviews and ratings, but it seemed that would be it. then, almost over night, his shit was doing numbers. big numbers. 

sure - his label was running some promo for his sophomore album, but it seemed most people were catching wind of his stuff by word of mouth. people were actually buying his albums. both of them. when tickets to his second headline tour went on sale, they sold out in days. dates were added and venues were upgraded to answer the growing demand for tickets as more and more people found his music. he was playing famous venues now; legendary venues. festivals with hundreds of thousands of attendees. all over the country. all over the world. if he didn’t have a microphone or a guitar in his hand, he had a beer. or vodka. maybe whiskey. sometimes a joint, sometimes pills. he was at parties, then he was hosting parties. then he was at parties hosted in his honor. for the first time in his life, he had money. hard, real, fuck you money. he paid off the student loan he’d racked up during his one year stint at nyu, and the mortgage on the apartment he’d grown up in. he bought a house in beverly hills, and a two story apartment in brooklyn - both of which had shelves custom made for the gilded statuettes and trophies declaring him to be the best in a slew of categories. he’d done it. he was twenty-six and on top of the world. invincible. and then his mom's heart gave out.

for the three years that followed, his career suffered as he partied harder. friends he’d known for years disappeared, and were replaced with new faces that all blurred together. there were scandals, but they too were all a blur - leaked pictures and videos; shows he decided last minute he didn’t wanna do; shows he couldn’t do because he showed up too far gone to stand upright. people who got too close to him on one of the bad days, who’s faces he scarred forever. arrests, and settlements made outside of court. the label was getting antsy too, and when it passed the two year mark of the last time he’d set foot in the studio, his team - headed by the same manager that been with him through it all; that’d seen potential and believed in him all those years ago - pleaded with him to get help. begrudgingly, fletcher agreed. after a few months at rehab, he returned - clean, and determined to get back to work. the process was longwinded and intense, but the finished product was, in his eyes, solid gold. and - luckily? surprisingly? - the world at large agreed.

he toured the album with dates booked at relatively smaller venues this time around, but everywhere was packed full to the brim with people. throughout the time working on the album he’d been doing okay; staying sober and surrounding himself with good intentioned people. but being back on the road took a toll on him he hadn’t expected, and it didn’t take long for him to turn to alcohol when it was so easily accessible all around him, at all times. still, things were fine, and he was even relearning to appreciate the electric energy of performing live in front of an audience. to celebrate the last show of the us leg of the tour, the label threw an afterparty for the band, the team, the crew, and their friends. as people were starting to leaving the venue, fletcher sent some members of his band and a couple of their friends ahead with a key to his suite at a hotel nearby, while he thanked the label executives that’d been at the show. when he showed up, a glass was shoved into his hand, and as the party picked back up, someone got out the pills they’d kept at the bottom of their pocket all night. when offered, fletcher - on top of the world once more - accepted. 

someone snitched. and to the media, no less. when confronted by his team, he denied it. after being open about his struggle to overcome addiction, something like this would be damning for the reputation he’d rebuilt over the last two years. which is why he lied through his teeth. but then the videos from the suite appeared online, and his ruse was up. the rest of the tour was cancelled, and after completing a thirty day program, he was back in brooklyn.

it took some convincing, but he eventually went along with the ‘find back to your roots by returning to where it all started’ plan his team had cooked up. he also agreed to let someone else run his social media accounts for the time being. how his manager had gotten him a job at championship, fletcher didn’t know. he suspected a monthly bribe the size of his paycheck and then some was involved. but then again, he’d never known james namsen to be that kind of guy. for the first few weeks, he showed up for his shifts - sometimes on time, sometimes not - kept his head down, tried to engage with as few customers and co-workers as possible, then ditched as soon as he was off the clock. but there’d always been something special about the record store on the corner of bedford and sterling. soon enough, he began occasionally going up to the rooftop once his shift was over. approaching customers to offer his service before they approached him. show up early to catch up with whoever was working the shift before him. if he was having a particularly good day, he’d stop by to hang around even if he wasn’t on the schedule. he was well aware he wasn’t always easy to be around - years of living the high life and putting up walls having made him cynical, and standoffish, and discourteous. even if the boy he’d been when he walked out of there years ago was long gone, championship vinyl had stayed the same. and though fletcher’s yet to admit it, being back felt like being home. 

#smoking tw #got restless n fed up towards the end so that bit's Particularly bad sorry abt that #and i didn't proofread #you think i'm reading all that? no way #also sorry abt there not being like.. anything concrete abt his personality #feel free to deduce bc you'll probably be right #if you catch me mixing past and present tense no u didn't #mind ur business !!

[queenofcrystaltokyo]

My Spotify got DELETED this year so no Spotify Wrapped. Instead I’m just going to list all of the albums I bought on iTunes and go over my thoughts on them. No ratings; ratings are lame.

Cape God - Allie X

It’s no surprise I’ve been following Allie since Collxtion I. This year’s album from her is a natural evolution and a wonderful maturation of her music up to this point. Her previous work was already developed but I find this album just strikes to the center of your person. I feel like telling you there’s a collab with Mitski on here puts that into good perspective.

Personal Standout: Sarah Come Home

Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa

I haven’t listened to this one much since the week I bought it. It’s a good pop album though with a lot of disco influence which was fun and was definitely a trend in pop music this year. That and metal.

Personal Standout: Don’t Start Now or Physical

SAWAYAMA - Rina Sawayama

I’ve been a fan of hers since we were orange hair sisters in 2017. But oh boy. This album. In many ways album of the year (although I can name three other albums on this list that also vie for that spot). Her use of rock music and the variety of topics (compare Comme Des Garçons and XS) shows the depth of her talent. Still upset I didn’t get to see her and Allie in April.

Personal Standout: Who’s Gonna Save U Now?

Fetch The Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple

When I first head The Idler Wheel when I was 15, I think my world changed a little. It’s like when you hear The Hounds of Love for the first time. So it was no surprise her next album would be phenomenal. But it should be illegal for an album to be this perfect. Cutting to the core of every possible emotion in a way that only Fiona could do. Flawless is selling it short.

Personal Standout: Drumset

I Disagree - Poppy

I followed Poppy for a bit when she was that one girl who made weird experimental Youtube videos and had one EP. I remember getting 3:36 on her Bandcamp. But I sort of fell off. But THEN I was made aware of this album, gave it a listen, and bought it immediately. I love good, rich rock music and deeply miss it in the pop scene I’ve stationed myself in. This scratches that itch in abundance.

Personal Standout: I Disagree

Petals For Armor - Hayley Williams

Paramore is maybe the most important rock band of the last 20 years. After Laughter is probably my actual favorite album of all time even though I still say Miley Cyrus And Her Dead Petz. But Hayley’s solo work has proven itself to be a separate entity. It’s very deep and personal and is refined in a way that could only come from years of being deeply ingrained in music and understanding it thoroughly.

Personal Standout: Cinnamon

Flamboyant (Deluxe) - Dorian Electra

I was initially hesitant to get into Dorian Electra. I think I thought it was trying too hard. But I warmed up a little and found it speaking to my queer masculine side, which I often ignored in favor of the liberation of femininity.

Personal Standout: Adam & Steve

how i’m feeling now - Charli XCX

How Charli managed to make a no-skip in two months during quarantine is completely beyond me.

Personal Standout: anthems

spice²world - Spice Girls

Now I’m sure you saw this and thought “Wait, what’s that? I’ve never heard of that album.” Well this is actually related to the Spotify deletion. It’s literally just Spice and Spiceworld stuck together. I had it as a playlist on my Spotify and decided to recreate it in my iTunes.

Personal Standout: It’s the Spice Girls. Love Thing is my favorite.

Smile - Katy Perry

I’ve loved Katy Perry since fucking meanplastic posted a soundcloud post of International Smile. From there I delved into her back catalog and learned that One of the Boys is and will always be her best album, which is somewhat unfortunate because, presumably after Lady Gaga blew up, she shifted to pop music and we’ll never get 2008 pop rock goddess Katy back again. But don’t let that deter you. Her music has been evolving since Teenage Dream, which was written by God according to people on here who jump through hoops to hate her. And though Witness was like Artpop in that it sort of broke the facade of infallibility, Smile took what worked from Witness and refined it into a more introspective album that’s trying less hard to be commercial. I hate to admit that that post comparing Katy to Cyndi Lauper as a relic of her decade was right, but I’m okay with that because I feel like Katy is gearing up to be, in the words of Britney Spears, an underground star.

Personal Standout: Tucked

Chromatica - Lady Gaga

I’ve been a little monster since the very beginning. I remember preordering Born This Way at Hot Topic when I was 14. Since then I’ve always held that it’s her best album (though Joanne didn’t make that hard to argue). But Lady Gaga did the impossible. Yes, Chromatica is now Lady Gaga’s best album. The club pop with elements of disco is sheer perfection.

Personal Standout: Replay

Pang - Caroline Polachek

I know I really hyped this album up when it came out last year, but I only got around to actually buying it this year after my Spotify got deleted. But yeah, of course this album is great.

Personal Standout: Pang

Spirit Phone - Lemon Demon

A striking departure from the previous listings. Calling it meme music would not be incorrect. But it’s fun and it’s good. I listened to it all day Halloween but I’m still listening to it right now.

Personal Standout: I Earn My Life

Dreamland - Black Box

Do y’all like house music? If you do, then this album needs no introduction. It is THE house album. Stan Martha Wash.

Personal Standout: I Don’t Know Anybody Else. But you should definitely listen to Ride on Time first.

BONUS:

apathy + Vacuum Noises - Astrophysics

I didn’t buy these albums on iTunes. I got them off of Astrophysics’ Bandcamp. So that’s why they’re bonuses. But I love these albums so much. I only started following Astrophysics this year. You might know them for doing synthwave remixes of anime songs like Connect from PMMM or Komm Süsser Todd from NGE. But their music has evolved into more glitchcore/shoegaze (with a Soviet aesthetic that I love). It’s some of the best music I’ve heard in that field.

Personal Standout: The remix of Sometimes by My Bloody Valentine from Vacuum Noises. Listen to it here!

ベノマ - かいりきベア (Venomer - Kairiki Bear)

This one I also did not buy on iTunes. But I didn’t get it on Bandcamp either. I got it on mikudb, which is my go-to website for Vocaloid music. Venomer is a remix collab album by Kairiki Bear where he invited several other Vocaloid producers to remix his most popular songs. It’s a real who’s-who of the hottest Vocaloid producers right now.

Personal Standout: The Niru Kajitsu remix of Ángel (I have an audio post of it here!)

[steve0discusses]

Yugioh S4 Ep10 pt2: Yugi’s Never Ceasing Commute Continues

Last we left off, it was time to eat. Thank you. Thank you, Yugioh. You get me.

Not one of their better spreads, TBH.

No cheese wheels, too. They are truly living in hard times.

(read more under the cut)

Rex and Weevil decided to look for rare cards in the rubble of Arthur Hawkin’s house.

I don’t know why they bothered with this, everything was very clearly exploded and on fire, but youknow, these two just seem to be very hellbent on being bad at life. Just two jokes that are here just to be jokes, wearing these duel disks that they’re not going to use until it’s finally time for them to betray us. Checkov’s jokes.

And I hate to say this but they really are this season’s Bakura.

I know I just said that.

But this show really likes having at least one character that might turn at any moment and stab our protagonist in the back. They like to have at least one at all times there, hovering over Yugi’s oblivious shoulders, with that figurative knife (or literal, in the case of that time when Bakura stabbed himself without nearly any provocation).

In the past, when Bakura was out to lunch, we would have betraying friends like Kaiba, who would go solo in the middle of his own card game and end up throwing everyone in danger, and also Tristan who got full on possessed by the Big 5 and tried to murder everyone, but I guess after 4 seasons they were like “Youknow...I think Kaiba got over it.” and like...you can’t have Rebecca stab us in the back so lets bring Rex and Weevil.

At least their showtime is minimal, because unlike Bakura, who is pretty likeable even when he’s being an asshole, Rex and Weevil never turn off the asshole and are mostly just visual gags stumbling over eachother. Bakura was quite clever and had a bit of depth and mystery, while I don’t think Rex and Weevil are smart enough to even know how to spell mystery.

And if Rex and Weevil end up being good guys and the saviors of the whole show then my sincere apologies, but they are still kind of grating.

Now Rebecca gets a duel monster’s card that has a death threat on it, which is probably the normal way to sign your duel monsters cards in this universe. I imagine every card in Yugi’s deck has a couple death threats on each of them by now. Probably makes them more lucky.

Ya so...

I can forgive this. The people who made this looked at a map of California, forgot that California is roughly the same size as Japan, and were like “I mean, there’s like 50 states, it can’t be that big.”

But here’s the thing about Death Valley. I am a Californian, but I have never been there. This is why.

Death Valley is ASS to get to. Barely anyone lives there. Nothing goes there. You can’t just take a train, you have to drive there by going south past it and then turning around. It’s real round about and just in the middle of nowhere. May as well get there by flying into Las Vegas, and if you are flying into Las Vegas, chances are slim that you will leave that Vacation Town USA to vacation in a literal desert.

Clearly they saw the name “Death Valley” and got super excited but y’all...there’s a reason why we call it that, and everyone who knows about geography or is a Californian is kind of like “um...is Yugi...going to Death Valley???? That city slicker?”

Cuz this is not a normal desert. Normally, a human can survive 3 days without water, in Death Valley you apparently can only survive for 14 hours. It is the lowest point in the US and also the hottest point in the US and the place where the highest temperature was ever recorded on the Earth. And while that heat is only for 5 months of the year...it’s not winter in the show, is it? It’s fairly warm. San Fransisco wasn’t even foggy?

Like even the Death Valley website is like “please don’t leave the main roads and hike during the hot months” because y’all, this park is damn serious. Like this is one of the only National Parks that has not just one, but multiple ghost towns in it.

Don’t get me wrong, Death Valley’s very pretty and very fun I’ve heard, and it has like a very fancy dayspa in it, and if you like geography and like to rough it, then you will absolutely love how freakin weird Death Valley is. So, if you’re safe and know how to pack your gear, you’ll have no problem, but...Y’all, Yugi Muto, who barely survived Pegasus’ island (and only because Mai fed him) is going to just casually go into Death Valley.

In that outfit.

Then, in some barn somewhere (I have NO IDEA where this exchange takes place) Rafael is grilling Arthur only to realize that this is a very pointless conversation.

And in case you forgot Darts exist, he’s still out there, murdering people off for kicks. we’ll just add 20 more to the death count, the internet told me that’s the average amount of people on a fish boat of average size (although sometimes this boat seemed like the size of a shipping container barge but youknow...)

And in case you missed it, I have been doing the death counter wrong so I was 2 people behind--it’s correct now. With the rate this show goes I feel like we might see death 666 eventually. But, yes we did pass 269 so we’ll have to wait another 100, I guess, because it went to some rando on this boat. Nice.

(The highest surface temperature of Death Valley ((not the air, but the ground)) ever recorded, was 201° F.)

(That’s 94° C for those in the back.)

I mean Yugi is part Pharaoh so I guess he just has a strong attraction to really terrible deserts. He’s also half a dead guy so maybe he also just has a strong attraction to being dead.

But I dunno, maybe this is the months of the year where Death Valley is manageable? Maybe? Possibly? We’ll just assume that it is.

Now you can go horseback riding in Death Valley, as you can in any National Park, but it isn’t real normal to ride your horse all the way from San Fransisco. And like you can’t even let your dog off a leash in Death Valley. This is such a bad park for pets!

Also, I found out some fun facts about horse travel, for anyone interested in writing fantasy and wants to know the average speed of a horse.

So a horse can go about 100 miles in a day, but only for one day. If you do 250 miles, the time has to be more spread out since you must recharge your horse. According to some horse-specialist on the internet who does horse marathons from coast to coast, if you have to do 500 miles, then you average about 24 miles a day, accounting for horse-recovery time and assuming it’s a horse that wasn’t bred for super long distances. (this is about a 500 mi horse ride, ps)

The pony express of old, the iconic Wells Fargo, would actually have horse stations along the prairie, where you would trade in your tired horse for a new horse, so that way you would never have to stop going 100 miles in a day. Since Yugi never changed his horse, this ride would have been absolutely ridiculous, and Copernicus the horse, would have stopped somewhere in Gilroy.

But this is a kid’s show so wtv, we’re gonna ignore that.

(reminder that Yugi decided not to unhitch the perfectly serviceable truck and drive away with air conditioning.)

And Yugi really did make Rebecca promise not to tell these much older teens that he took off (something about how he doesn’t want to put more people in danger yada yada, normal Yugi stuff), but the show kind of blames this on Rebecca...but like...she’s 12. This one is on Yugi.

But, if Rebecca were older, maybe she would have done the same thing. Rebecca seems like maybe the type that realizes that when you like an idiot boy, you gotta let them do idiot things, and make idiot mistakes. You can’t just control what your friends do all the time, unlike this crew, which is controlling because that is the only way they keep eachother alive.

So Joey decides to ignore both of the cars right next to him, and just book it to save his stupid ass friend. On foot. To Death Valley. From what the show insisted was just outside San Fransisco.

And I guess that Rafael decided to just let Hawkins go?

Probably because Yugi got on a horse and Rafael was like “of course I know Yugi is chasing me on horseback off the main roads. Of course I know that.” and then he just...let Hawkins walk all the way back...

Hawkins should be dead, but not yet.

So lets check out Death Valley.

So like...again I just think they probably boarded everything and had a rough idea of “America has a bunch of natural canyons, right?” and didn’t realize that the Grand Canyon was soooo far from California.

There are actually canyons in Death Valley but like...I dunno if the art matches that so much? They aren’t nearly as massive as the canyon situation farther East.

Again this was their art choice that they made and it’s...a choice. And they committed to it.

And this bike thing happened?

This tandem bicycle for children lost among the wreckage of Rebecca Hawkin’s home is like a whole “baby shoes, never worn” short story in itself. Rebecca has nooo siblings or parents, right? She has a really old grandpa who is like 80 and doesn’t bike? Just uh...bringing that up...was this tandem bike for her to hang out with Yugi? Does Rebecca even have friends her own age? She already graduated college.

So much inferred by the bike that I know is just here because it’s a funny joke to see Rex and Weevil on a stupid tandem bike.

So I’ve heard about the bike/car/horse paradox before in regards to this season, (it’s one of the few things I knew about this season before going in) so I’m happy to see I’ve recapped enough Yugioh to see it play out.

The paradox being, if Yugi is on horseback, and Rex and Weevil are on a bike, and the rest are in a car, who arrives first?

Apparently the show itself isn’t even sure because Rex and Weevil can keep up with a horse???

Anyway, the correct answer to the paradox is that everyone not in a car is dead for not bringing any water.

Everyone except for Raphael, who probably put a camel pack into each of his shoulder pads.

OH NOW IT’S AN ANIME.

I don’t get why this is happening. But it’s a thing now. Rafael has either literal or metaphoric wings. Bear in mind I thought Pharaoh was Metaphoric for like 14 episodes. These Icarus wings might just be real. Rafael might have been a card this entire time, and I wouldn’t even blink.

Anyway, if this is your first post of mine you’ve seen of this, my apologies, we’re in S4 and this is very confusing. You can read from S1 ep 1 in chrono order by clicking this very handy link here!

#yugioh #ygo #Episode Recap #photo recap #yugi muto #joey wheeler #rebecca hawkins #raphael #rex raptor #weevil underwood #duke devlin #tea gardner #anime food #s4 #ep 10 #fully prepared for Rafael to be a card

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Pool side shenanigans; Brian May x teen reader

*Author’s note*

Okay everyone along with this being a request, I wanted this to be done by today because in honor of our beloved Brian May’s birthday, I have a fic to present to all of you. So to the anon who requested this lovely platonic fic with Brian May, I hope you enjoy it and also BIG shout out to the man himself, Happy Birthday Brian May I hope you had a great one and just know that you are always loved and an inspiration not just as a musician, scientist or animal activist, but also what being a human being is. You are a true star and we don’t deserve you. Happy 72nd Birthday Brian Harold May :)

Queen Taglist:

@geek-and-proud

@psychosupernatural

@queendeakyy

@waddles03

@plethora-of-things

@coolcxt

@ixchel-9275

____________________________________________________________

It was 1975 at Ridge farm studios.  It was probably the hottest day of the summer and I could barely take the heat any longer. If you’re wondering who I am, I’ll tell you. The name’s (y/n) (l/n), I’m 16 years old and you could call me Queen’s official ‘roadie/makeup artist/mini-groupie’.  I’ve known the band since I was nine years old since my older brother Derek has been with the band since the beginning.

He’s real close with the band since he’s responsible for helping Deacy with his amp, even having a little cocktail bar installed behind it for his performances. And since my brother is close friends with all four guys, that made me close with them.  But even by being close with them, I always found myself drawn more towards Brian.

I’ve always had a fascination with the guitar and always wanted to play it, and the first time I saw Brian play, I was just in awe of what he could do.  It was like his fingers moved independently from each other and just molded with the guitar.  During one rehearsal I was spying observing him and just fell under the spell of the sounds that his famed Red Special made, I was so entranced that he had caught me watching him.

Now I wasn’t quite as close to the guys just yet at that point in time, so I shyly hid under behind all the crates and amps hoping that he didn’t see me, but he did. He talked to me and of course being that age standing before an upcoming rockstar being born I was a bit intimidated but he talked to me, just like how my brother does.  He even let me touch and hold his Red Special and even gave me a mini-guitar lesson and showed me how he plays, and from that point on the rest is history.

As years went by, my brother taught me the ins and outs of what being a roadie technician is and how the amps work out and every summer I helped him out with Queen’s tours.  Now when it came to this trip for the boys to record their recent album “A Night at the Opera”, my brother had unfortunately came down with a really bad stomach flu so he said that I would have to go on my own.

Which was no problem with him because he knew I would take care of the boys and help them out with whatever they needed me to do.  And of course all 4 band members equally agreed that they wanted me on the trip.  So after awhile of recording, we all now relocated here at Ridge farm studios to just relax and take the time off before heading back to Rockfield.

Now with it being summertime, the summers here in England get pretty hot.  I was in the pool along with Deacy just simply talking as we lounged on those pool beds that float, while Fred and Rog were goofing around trying to dunk each other in the water.

“When’s Bri gonna come out?” I asked.

“He said he’d come out whenever he got done checking his thesis.” Answered Deacy.

“But even a brain like his needs rest.”

“Ohh love face it, when Brian gets too involved with his studies, nothing’s gonna change his mind.” Freddie proclaimed as he had dunked Rog under the water before taking away the inner tube they were both fighting over, that was until he was pulled under the water and Roger now came through the tube as Fred now came back up for air only to see his prize taken away.

“Well good thing he always falls for me. Watch and learn boys.” I got out of the pool and dried myself off as best as I could and headed back towards the house.

Inside I saw Brian in the dining room with the portable fan on its highest setting and all around the table were papers and astrophysics books scattered around. Brian was sweating from the heat and I swore I could see smoke coming out of his ears and see the gears in his head working as he was editing his thesis.  I quietly walked up to him and just wrapped my arms around him and leaned my head up against his.

“Hey (y/n).” he said.

“How’s the thesis going?” I asked.

“Slowly but surely. Just found out there’s some points that I didn’t quite backup enough so I’m having to rewrite certain structures of it.”

“Uh-huh, and what’s your paper about again?”

“Interplanetary stardust. My thesis revolves around the radical velocities in zodiacal dust.” I just nodded along pretending to understand what it was he was talking about.

“Well I can clearly see the gears turning in your head, and I think I even see smoke coming out of your ears.”

“Ha-ha. Now what exactly do you want (y/n)?”

“Come take a break Brian. You’ve been working so hard lately not just with this but I’ve also seen you writing more songs for the album. Take a break Bri and come out and have a nice swim with us, please?”

“I’ll join in later (y/n), I promise okay.”

“But—”

“Bo buts. Now please leave.” I pouted as he went back to his work but I refused to leave.  If there’s anything you need to know about me, it’s that I’m too stubborn for my own good. And I don’t leave until I get what I want.  

I walked back toward him and just leaned up against his back, lying my head against his curls.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Has anyone told you your hair is like a fluffy pillow?” I teased.  I buried my face into it, allowing his curls to tickle my cheek and nose.

“It would seem you’re the first one to tell me that.” He said.

“And I actually get to brag to Derek about one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“That I’m the first person ever to actually see what the top of Brian May’s hair is like. And it’s even floofier on top.” I wrapped my arms further around him and said, “C’mon Bri please. I’ll be your best friend.”

“You already are my best friend.”

“Just please take a break, you’re the one always telling me to take a break when I get stressed out from school. Want my advice, take a lesson from your book and know that if you keep going like this at this rate, you’ll only make yourself sick.” I quoted him using my best Brian impersonation while bopping his nose much like how he always does it with me.

He turned to look at me and I tilted my head at him giving him my best puppy dog pout.

“C’mon Bri.” He just stared at me and then I upped up the antic by saying sadly, “Okay then. I guess I’ll just go back out and be lonely. Maybe die of heatstroke because now I don’t want to swim with anyone but my favorite queen member.” I began to walk away from him when I heard him say.

“Alright love, you win. I’ll be out in a second.” I smirked and walked right out of the house but it wasn’t until I got out of the house that I had a spring in my step.

Works every time.

As I returned to the pool with a confident stride I proclaimed.

“Hello children.”

“So I assume by the walk, you managed to convince him?” Deacy said.

“Hook, line and sinker every time.” I said smugly as I got back on my innertube bed. “Guilt trip works like a charm. I’m so clever I even amaze myself.”

It was a few minutes later and I was the only one still lying on a innertube bed while the boys were going off on the diving board, mainly Rog and Fred were trying to outdo the other one in dives or flips.  As Roger managed to do a backflip I shook my head and muttered.

“Show off.” I rested my head back against the ‘pillow’ portion of my bed when suddenly I felt myself being flipped over.  I let out a shriek as I was now underwater.  I came up for air and I said as I turned towards them.  “Alright Rog! What was that about?”

“What are you talking about (n/n)?”

“Don’t pretend I know that was you who flipped me over!”

“Love I may play some pranks on you but that wasn’t me.” He reasoned with me.

“It’s true darling, the minute you flipped over, he had come up from his back flip, how could he get from there to here so fast?” Freddie questioned.  Okay so if Roger was just coming up from where he dove, Freddie was at the diving board as well as Deacy, wait that means……

Suddenly I felt something grab my waist and pull me underwater once more.  I opened my eyes and I saw the familiar face of Brian.  He took me over towards the innertube bed and I came up for air coughing out while his eyes and nose peeked out of the water staring right at me.

“Not cool Brian! Hasn’t anyone told you it’s rude to disturb a girl on an innertube bed?” It was then he did something I never thought he do.  My mentor, rock god of the guitar, astrophysicist Brian May actually spat water in my face like a whale breaching the surface.  “Oh you are so dead!”

It then turned into a water fight, splashing each other in the face laughing and roughhousing like children.  This continued on for a few more minutes until finally Brian had me trapped in his arms and he said.

“You surrender?”

“Fine, but not because of you. It’s only cause I’ve tired and I really want this tube off of my head.” Brian then flipped it off of us and he released me and I swam back towards the tube and got back on it.  “What was that all about Bri?”

“Well how else was I supposed to get back at you for interrupting my work?” I sighed and said.

“I’m sorry, I just wanted you to finally have a chance to relax. I know how hard you work and with this heat I figured you’d want to relax. Heat and hardworking brains don’t mix too well together.”

“I know you meant well love. And I thank you for it. Guess I got a taste of my own medicine after all the years I’ve got on you about stressing out over your own classwork.” He ruffled my wet hair and I slide off the tube and swam out towards the diving board to show these old guys what real diving is all about.

For the rest of the day it was hanging by the poolside, cold glasses of tea or water and just talking by the poolside.  By nightfall, while everyone was inside for the night, Brian and I had a scheduled a stargazing party for two.

We were ‘camped’ out just a few yards away from the house past the pool out to a wide greenery passage with a clearing of the sky, just barely underneath where the moon was.

“So you see (y/n) if you’re wanting to know where the brightest star in the sky is, just turn toward the Canis major constellation and there you will find Sirius.”

“Ohh, see I was told Betelgeuse was the brightest star by a friend of mine.”

“No that’s the 9th brightest star.”

“Well some astronomer he’s going to be, luckily for me I’ve got the best one I know.” I praised as I snuggled up closer to him.  He chuckled softly and stroked down my hair and kissed the top of my forehead.

“What is it?” he asked.

“What’s what?”

“I know that face anywhere, you’re thinking about something that’s making you depressed. So c’mon love out with it.” I sighed and said.

“It’s just—” I tried to find the right words.  Lucky for me Brian’s always so patient with me, while Derek would be telling me about now to just let it out and fess up.  “Well all my friends have officially decided on what they’re gonna do after graduation. Astronomy, biologist, teacher, librarian. All those important jobs, as for me I—I’ve got no clue on what I want to do with my life. I don’t even know what to study.”

“What does your heart tell you?” I looked up at him and asked,

“What’s my heart gotta do with choosing a major?”

“It’s what you’re interested in. Whatever passion you have, your heart will help determine what you want to do.”

“I—I don’t know. And it gets worse cause my parents are always hounding me about getting a better education and me away from this job since my brother chose not to go to college and just worked for a living at an autoshop before meeting you guys.”

“Believe me love I’ve been there before. My mum wanted me to be a surgeon and my father wished for me to have a career that would support me. He’s still peeved about me being in a band, thinking it isn’t doing anything for me.”

“Yeah, my dad’s the same way with Derek.”

“But listen love, I know you’ll find something to study. I know you’re a good story writer. Remember those short stories you would read out loud to me when you were first starting off secondary school?” I nodded and said.

“But I don’t know if mum and dad would approve of me being a writer. Most English majors think you’ll end up being a teacher and I suck at explaining shit to people.”

“Hey, first of all language. And second you are smart. You’re probably the most clever girl I will ever meet in my whole life. Now repeat after me. You are smart.”

“You are smart.” I mocked.  He glared down at me and said.

“Alright cheeky have it your way.” Suddenly he began to tickle my sides.

“Wah no!! Noo Brian not…..not that stohahahp!”

“Then say it.”

“Okay! Okay I’m smart! I’m smart!” he finally stopped leaving me breathless. “I am so gonna make Derek regret ever telling you guys that I was ticklish. You guys are sadists when it comes to tickling. Especially you and Deacy.”

“Ohh come off it darling, we only do it because we love you so much.”

“Yeah, too much.”

“Never enough.” He said as he nuzzled his nose against mine. I smiled softly and rubbed my nose against his as well, giving each other Eskimo kisses. “In all seriousness though love, you can be whatever you want to be. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to figure it out, so long as it makes you happy. And that’s all we ever want from you.”

“Thanks Bri. And I don’t mean just for this but for everything. You’ve taught me so much and—I don’t think I can ever pay you back.”

“There’s no need love. I’m just glad I got the chance to meet you that day, what was it seven years ago?” I nodded and he said, “And it has been my honor to see you grow into a smart, strong young woman. And I know you’re going to do great things love.”

“So will you Bri, I just know Queen’s going to be known by everyone after this album takes off, and I’m just lucky to see the four men behind the masks and see who they really are. And I’m proud to also call them my family.”

“And we’re proud to call you ours.” He brought me close to his chest and kissed the top of my head and the two of us remained outside stargazing throughout the night until the dawn came to greet us.

#bohemian rhapsody #bohemian rhapsody movie #bohemian rhapsody imagines #bohemian rhapsody imagine #bohemian rhapsody x reader #brian may #brian may x reader #brian may imagine #brian may imagines #queen #queen imagine #queen imagines #queen fanfiction #brian may fanfiction #brian may fluff #roger taylor #freddie mercury #John Deacon

[ajholdsamb]

Petra- A world wonder that is truly deserving of the name

We have spent the past two days in Petra, a 2,000 year old Nabatean city that is carved out of ancient sandstone cliffs and looks like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It is the most famous site in Jordan, receiving over half a million visitors a year. Many people travel to Jordan just to see this site and I can see why. Made famous in modern times by movies like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Petra was famous long before that as the Nabatean capital city. The Nabateans came from nomadic tribes of desert people, who became extremely wealthy by controlling the trade routes between the Graeco-Roman kingdoms to the west and Indian and Chinese empires to the east. AJ want to insert more backstory here?

[Guy AJ: OK! Petra is to me a reminder of how fortune comes and goes and how it can build but also reduce empires. About 2,300 years ago a group of nomadic Arabs, later to be called the Nabateans, occupied parts of Southern Jordan and happened to be at the right place at the right time. The world was getting smaller and cultures were coming into contact with each other unlike ever before. Alexander the Great had just introduced half a continent to Greek society, sometimes after razing a town to the ground then building it back up with more floral patterns in their columns. Anyway, all this cultural exchange meant people wanted more things from further away places.

And what better place to be at that time than Jordan? It is located at the converging point of Africa, Europe, and Asia, a crossroads of significance since the first of our species left Africa. The Nabateans controlled trade routes through this important hub, and were able to acquire great wealth from Indian spices on their way to Alexandria and Greek statues passing through to a Red Sea port. They used their wealth to construct massive and awe inspiring tombs in Petra, which AJ and I stared at in amazement over 2,000 years later, but Petra is so much more than a valley for the dead.

Petra is thought to have been a city of several tens of thousands of people, who bartered over goods in markets, practiced religious rites in temples, and debated public policy in the city’s civic center. The remains of these institutions are mostly in rubble in Petra’s basin area, but the thousands and thousands of potsherds we observed walking around are testimony to the many people who lived here in the literal shadows of the dead from the tombs that ring the city.

Petra was incredibly cosmopolitan - the tombs incorporated stepped motifs from Mesopotamia, obelisks from Egypt, and ornate entablatures from Greece. The columns at Petra are distinctly Nabatean, however, with tops that point out like bull horns unlike any other classical style I’ve seen.

If fortune created Petra than a loss of fortune eroded it. By the time Petra was absorbed by the Roman Empire in the first century AD, new trade routes and greater confidence in seafaring made Petra increasingly obsolete. Although several earthquakes destroyed parts of the city in the following centuries, it is a ruin not from natural disasters but from money drying up and people gradually leaving to find better prospects elsewhere or to return to the way of life of those who founded Petra, herding in the Arabian desert like descendent Bedouin communities do to this day. Petra is a reminder that the good times don’t always last forever, cough, cough USA.]

Now that you have a little backstory, I’ll go into our experiences. Because we saw SO MUCH during our time in Petra, I’m going to write this blog post a little differently. Rather than chronicling everything, I’m going to narrow it down to the top five sites we saw and our top four practical tips. This should give a good overview of our experiences but also not take twenty years to write. Let’s start off with the practical and then get into the fun!

Top Four Practical Tips for visiting Petra

1)Go for more than one day, and stagger your entrance times

This probably increased our enjoyment of Petra tenfold. Through our Jordan Pass (which is a great deal by the way- it includes your visa fee and the entrance fees for every site we are going to visit in Jordan?!) we had bought two days in Petra. If you’re into archaeology, geology, nature, or just like to take it slower I recommend going for at least two days, because Petra is unique and wonderful and huge and there is just so much to see. You can check off the biggest of the sites in one intense sweaty day, but it is so much more enjoyable to take your time.

We decided to start off our first day super early, so we got into the park at the opening time of 6:00. Petra can get really crowded, but at 6:00 the only person there was the one sole ticket taker (we even got confused for a second, thinking that maybe the site was closed). This was such a good way to start off our first day because during the 40-50 min trek in we were often BY OURSELVES. This was especially cool during the walk through the siq, a box canyon with 500 ft. tall walls that meanders magically through to take you to the reveal of Petra’s most famous site- the Treasury. As we were leaving at 1:30 pm this walkway was packed with people and speeding carriages and decidedly less magical.

Getting in early we were also able to appreciate the main sites without being inundated by other tourists or salespeople. We actually got photos of the Treasury without other people in them! At one point on our first day I was like “wow AJ we’ve done so much already, it must be time for lunch” but it was 8am.

Starting early, we were able to do the intense hike up to the ceremonial high place while the weather was still cool. During the downhill hour and a half meander through the Wadi Farasa trail it started to get hot, so I was very happy to not have to climb a bajillion stairs again. After that we we saw a couple more of the big tombs, but then during the hottest and most crowded part of the day we were able to peace out without guilt because we knew we had another day. It was only 1 pm when we began the hour trek home, but by that point we had already had a full 7 hour day.

On our second day, we slept in and got started at 10. We actually began at the museum (which is really well done!) so we didn’t make it into the park until 11:00. Because we had already seen a lot of the main sites we were able to walk straight through to the parts we hadn’t seen and take our time. Then in the mid afternoon we began our all uphill hike to Petra’s Monastery.

I was worried about hiking uphill during the hottest part of the day but because we had gotten a late started we had energy, and a good chunk of the path was shady (side note-this is supposed to be one of Petra’s low seasons because it supposedly gets so hot, but it was in the 80s for us- not too bad!). We were able to have a picnic and enjoy the views, and then walk back through Petra during golden hour right before sunset. Again, there were almost no people! I think many visitors do a quick one day tour where they come in between 10-11 and only stay for a couple of hours. It was so nice to have the full two days in Petra, to get it when it was not crowded, and to see it in the different types of sunlight.

2) Think of the practicalities (you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking)

So real talk, AJ and I looked like dorks in Petra. We were wearing long sleeve tactical hiking gear with pants and had backpacks on with 10 liters of water and snacks (& when I say WE carried 10 liters of water I really mean guy AJ did, he’s such a beast). And yet we saw people in fancy dresses and high heels with no water?? Granted not everyone has to hike for 8 hours a day like we did, but it’s still at least a 50 min hike in through the dirt. You can buy water in the site, but it is way overpriced and it was nice to never have to worry about getting stranded somewhere without it. Plus we drank all of it and never got dehydration headaches👌🏻. It’s also fun to pack in a picnic to enjoy in the park. There are a couple restaurants in the site, but if you bring your own you can pick your spot (with lots of awesome views to choose from). There are also toilets on site, but it’s good to bring tp and handsanitizer because they are often not well stocked. Since it gets super sunny, wearing pants and a long sleeve t-shirt was clutch for the rocky trails, sun protection, and out of respect because despite tourist short shorts, we are still in a Muslim county.

If nothing else, at least wear tennis shoes and bring water.

3) Climb to some high places and get some views!

We did two uphill hikes while in Petra, one to the Ceremonial High Place (for ceremonies) and one to the Monastery. We took both slowly, and while they were steep & straight up hill, there were steps that made them doable. Each climb took about 45-60 minutes one way, with lots of breaks. The views at the end made them all worthwhile. It allowed us to pull back and really see the landscape of the wadi (valley). Both hikes ended up being two of our favorite aspects of Petra- so I’ll talk more about them later.

4) Don’t just try to check off all the main sites- go off the beaten path

Maybe because I had only really seen pictures of the Treasury, I didn’t realize before visiting how large Petra is. Since it was a complex city, the site is spread out and there are SO many places to see. On our first big day I realized just how exhausting trying to check off all the big ones in one day truly is. Some of our favorite aspects were going off the beaten path and exploring random less famous aspects of Petra. It’s fun to find your favorite tomb or take a rest on a side trail, all of which you don’t have time for if you’re trying to power through all the greatest hits.

Now on to the fun stuff!

Top Five Sites of Petra

5)Exploring the unnamed tombs

This fits in very well with our last tip from above. At around 7:15 am after hiking through the siq and spending some time at the treasury, we wandered off the main path to explore some of the unnamed tombs. Each tomb is different, it is fun to pick out your favorites and think about the people who would’ve been buried here or celebrated in these smaller places. They are more intimate than the larger tombs, and it feels really adventurous to get to walk around in these ancient buildings. The sandstone is often gorgeous, and it was really peaceful to take a break in these cool chambers. Also AJ named one the tomb of the drunken sailor cuz it was slanted.

4)Wandering through the Siq

Walking through the siq was a magical experience every time it happened, but especially without crowds and in the light at dawn and dusk. The first time it came as a surprise. We were hiking down from the visitors center when all of the sudden the landscape changed and we were at the entrance to the Siq, a 500 ft. tall canyon with imposing walls that almost block out the sun. Running along the path you can still see the distinct curves used for the Nabatean irrigation system. There are sculptures hidden along the pathway including the remains of what would’ve been a 10 ft. tall camel carving. You can see why the Nabateans would have chosen this geologic feature as their grand entrance, and it served to create a sense of magic for entering this special place.

3)Hiking the Wadi Farasa Trail

On the first day after I thought we’d be in Petra for months but it was only 8 o’clock, we started our hike up to the Sacrificial High Place. I’m glad we started early because it was a steep 45 minute hike and at 8am it wasn’t too hot. After a brief kerfuffle with a donkey (a Bedouin woman was trying to call it to her but we kept accidentally scaring it uphill), we made it to the top! There are panoramic views of Petra, including Aaron’s tomb. This was a sacred place where the Nabateans worshipped the sun and moon with a built in blood drain for sacrifices. It’s easy to tell why it is sacred- up there it’s so easy to feel close to the sky. AJ and I took a moment to lie down on the top to worship the celestial deities as the sun and morning moon faced off above us. Also, it was a tiring hike and we needed to lie down. Next, rather than going back down the steep way we came, we took the Wadi Farasa trail. There was all sorts of cool archaeology (a giant lion fountain!) and geology (sandstone with manganese and iron stripes!) to see on the way down. My favorite part was the the combination of the tomb of the Roman soldier and the garden triclinium because they are directly across from each other, and with the rubble from the column lined promenade it was easy to picture how the ancient people would’ve used this beautiful space.

2)The hike to the Monastery/the end of the world

Our second favorite site was on our other high place trek. This one we did in the late afternoon, and since it is through a canyon it was often shaded. We had a picnic lunch at the top in front of the monastery (one of the largest tombs in Petra that was later turned into a church). However, my favorite part was a spot beyond the monastery. We hiked 15 minutes further to the edge of the mountain to this little Bedouin tent & the views were INSANE! We could see so many mountain ranges come together to into this steep valley, with a convergence of different types of rocks. Guy AJ liked it because, in his words, “we’ve finally reached the edge of Petra.” In other words it was the first time we looked out and didn’t see any archaeology; we had found an end to this seemingly endless site. It was one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen.

1)The Treasury reveal

The treasury (or the Khazneh) is the most famous site in all of Petra. Its location is featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, as well as countless other movies. In person the detail and scope is awe inspiring, and made all the more impressive by the long walk we had just had through the Siq. The first time the canyon opens up we saw this amazing 2,000 year old building. It was wonderful to get it almost to ourselves in the morning, and we also got to say goodbye without the crowds on the last day. It’s the most famous part of Petra, but for a good reason.

All in all Petra is one of the coolest places I’ve ever seen, a highlight of this trip and of my life.

Love,

The very impressed Ajs

[wrestlingisfake]

G1 Supercard preview

This is the big New Japan/Ring of Honor show at Madison Square Garden.  MSG has a special place in wrestling lore, and it’s primarily been WWE/WWF/WWWF/Capitol Wrestling turf since 1957.  The venue’s official promoter briefly dropped Capitol in 1959 (in favor of the team of Kola Kwariani, Pedro Martinez, and Jack Pfefer), but management ultimately reconciled with Vince McMahon, Sr. by December 1960.  There hasn’t been a non-WWE wrestling show in the Garden ever since...until now. 

You can watch it on traditional PPV or stream it with Fite or Honor Club, although I personally recommend streaming with NJPW World.

Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada - This is White’s first defense of the IWGP heavyweight championship, which is essentially the New Japan world title.  Okada won the 2019 New Japan Cup tournament to earn this title shot.

Years ago Okada’s manager Gedo plucked him from obscurity and managed him on a rapid rise to the top, in which Okada quickly captured his first IWGP heavyweight championship.  Okada’s last run with the title lasted 720 days, but that ended nearly a year ago with a loss to Kenny Omega.  Gedo lost confidence in Okada and helped White betray him, starting a bitter rivalry that saw White score a massive upset over Okada in the Tokyo Dome on January 4.  That win affirmed Gedo’s decision to switch horses.  Okada had to claw his way back into title contention by winning the New Japan Cup to prove Gedo wrong.

The wrinkle in this story is that Okada was originally supposed to challenge Kenny Omega, who was supposed to still be champion at this point.  But Omega’s departure in January necessitated a couple of impromptu title changes to move White into his position.  So in a sense, White was never meant to be champion this soon, which has made his meteoric rise to the top even more sensational.  As a result, Okada has a chance to regain his title and get revenge on White and Gedo in one fell swoop.

Okada is easily one of the best wrestlers in the world today, and he knows he has to prove it to a lot of Westerners seeing him for the first time here.  White was really not anyone’s first choice to headline this show, and I think he knows he has to prove he belongs at this level.  I think they can deliver.  I’ve got a good feeling about this one.

The finish could be interesting, because if the original plan was to end a lengthy Kenny Omega title reign, that may not fit well with the goal of pushing White as a sudden success.  If Okada wins, I think that suggests they’re more committed to their original long-term plan than White’s push.  If White retains, that suggests they’ve recently altered the plan, which could lead to other surprises this year.  There’s no way to be sure which will happen, which is great since it eliminates the usual aura of inevitability that Okada brings with him.  I cannot pick a winner here.

Jay Lethal vs. Matt Taven vs. Marty Scurll - Lethal is defending the ROH world championship.  This is a ladder match, so the title belt will be hung above the ring and ladders will be set up at ringside to climb up and get it; the only way to win is to be the first competitor to retrieve the belt.

Lethal has been champion for 280 days.  Taven has been feuding with him for months, claiming to be the “real” world champion based on his belief that he should have won the June 30 four-way match where Lethal captured the title.  Meanwhile, Scurll won the Survival of the Fittest tournament on November 4 to earn the right to challenge for the title; on March 13 he declared his intention to exercise that right at this show, against the winner of Lethal vs. Taven on March 15.  However that match ended in a 60-minute draw, so Lethal is still the champion but now Taven gets to be in the match as well.

Like most big three-way matches, there’s a sense that one participant is crammed in.  Lethal is there because he’s the established champion, Scurll is there because he’s arguably ROH’s hottest star (the only member of the Elite not to leave for AEW), and Taven is there because ROH wants to push him.  They may want Taven to win this match, but they don’t want it enough to take the risk of doing the match without Lethal and Scurll, which tells you they aren’t that serious about him, which undermines his credibility.  (See also: Flair, Charlotte.)  This is not to say Taven doesn’t deserve to be there (he finally impressed me in the time-limit draw), but if ROH really believed in him they wouldn’t be hedging their bets on him.

I expect a title change, but I’m not sure which challenger will end up with the belt.  This is probably going to be very pro-Scurll crowd, and the intrigue of putting the title on a guy everyone expects to go to AEW someday would enhance would should already be a big reaction.  On the other hand, a Taven victory sets up a Taven-Scurll program for a few months, and builds toward the long-term future after Scurll inevitably leaves.  (It’s also possible the crowd will turn out to be more into Taven than anyone might have expected a month ago.)  My gut says ROH should go with Scurll while they still have him, to get him as hot as possible before he puts someone over on his way out.  But I’m not super confident about that.

Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi - Ibushi pinned Naito on March 10 during the New Japan Cup tournament, so he’s getting a shot at Naito’s IWGP intercontinental championship.  These guys can really take it up to another gear, and this could easily be the match of the night, if not the whole Wrestlemania weekend.

Naito’s angle these days is that he has a love-hate relationship with the intercontinental title--it keeps coming back to him, even though he thinks it’s worthlesss--but he would like to become the first man to hold it simultaneously with the main heavyweght title, so he has to fight to keep it.  Ibushi, meanwhile, has finally signed a contract (dramatically choosing to stick with New Japan instead of departing for AEW), so his fans are hoping this will eliminate the “free agent” stigma that has kept him out of the booking at the top.  So while neither man necessarily needs this win, a loss would be a significant detour heading into the summer.

I would personally put Ibushi over, because a title run would mean a lot for him, and give Naito something to do (chasing Kota) besides feud with Suzuki-gun.  But I’m not so sure New Japan will go that way.  So it’s another pick-’em at the top of this card, which is pretty nice.

Zack Sabre, Jr. vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi - Sabre is defending the Revolution Pro Wrestling British heavyweight championship.  Rev Pro is a UK promotion that has a working relationship with New Japan, but this appears to be their only involvement with this show.  Tanahashi pinned Sabre to eliminate him in the New Japan Cup, and that would be enough to guarantee a New Japan title match all by itself, but in this case I think the main issue is Sabre’s wounded pride.

If I was Rev Pro, I’d want the prestige of a title change in the US, in the Garden, onto a living legend like Tanahashi.  Even better, It immediately sets up a rematch that would be a perfect main event for New Japan’s London show on August 31.  I’m just not seeing much upside to keeping the belt on Sabre right now, even though it’s at least doable.

Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. PCO & Brody King vs. Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe vs. EVIL & SANADA - The Guerillas of Destiny, Tama and Loa, are defending the IWGP heavyweight tag team championship, and PCO and King are defending the ROH tag team championship.  This is a four-way match, so the first team to score a fall on any opposing team will win the match and both championships.

This match came about after GOD teamed with the Briscoes on February 22, and came to blows after losing the match.  The following night, GOD won the IWGP tag title from Evil/Sanada, and challenged the Briscoes (who then held the ROH tag title) to a title-for-title match.  The Briscoes accepted, but had already committed to defend their title in a match on March 15, against PCO and King, which they lost.  So then the match was billed as GOD vs. PCO/King, and then on March 25 it was officially changed to a four-way for no apparent reason.

This could get crazy.  The Briscoes and PCO/King had a wild and crazy fight last month, and they’ll be looking to top it here.  I think GOD will do their best to keep up with that level of violence.  I don’t know what to expect from Evil and  Sanada if this match breaks down, but they’re certainly not delicate flowers.  In theory you’d expect the New Japan side of things to rein in the chaos, but in practice I think it has to be a Pier 6 brawl to contrast with the more technical contests in the second half of the show.

I have absolutely no idea which of these teams can or should win, or how they’ll deal with either ROH or NJPW losing its tag belts for a few months, or when the double champions will drop one of the titles.  However, since I’m expecting Ospreay to win his double title match for New Japan, it stands to reason an ROH team would win this win this one to even it out a bit.  In that case, the Briscoes feel like the right team to bring home all the gold.

Taiji Ishimori vs. Dragon Lee vs. Bandido - Ishimori is defending the IWGP junior heavyweight championship; the first participant to score a fall on either opponent will be the champion.  There is a decent chance that the champion coming out of this match will hold the title through this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament, and defend the championship against the tournament winner at Dominion.

This match came about because Ishimori issued an open challenge to the ROH roster, but CMLL’s Dragon Lee was the first to respond.  Since that technically meant there was still a spot for an ROH guy, Bandido was added to the match.  So it’s basically Ishimori against two luchadors, and we’ll just have to see if it they do a good lucha thing or if Ishimori can force them into his type of match.  I’m expecting Ishimori to retain, although I suppose there’s no pressing reason they can’t do a title change.

Juice Robinson vs. Bully Ray - Bully (better known as Bubba Ray Dudley in ECW and WWE)  issued an open challenge  on March 15 for someone to face him here in a “New York City street fight,” and Juice accepted on March 31.  Juice is the IWGP United States champion, but it’s not yet clear if the title will be on the line--New Japan typically doesn’t book title matches on the fly, but it’s in character for Bully to potentially goad Juice into making it a title match at the last minute.

There was speculation when this open challenge was announced that Bully’s opponent would be Flip Gordon (the man he’s been feuding with for the past year), as a way to bring Flip back after suffering a knee injury on January 13.  Flip was expected to be cleared in time for this show, and he was, but he reinjured the knee on March 24.  Juice appears to be a last-minute replacement, which would be weird since he should have been booked all along.  (What’s the point of having a US champion who doesn’t wrestle at your biggest US show?)

In his preview of this show for the Observer, Dave Meltzer suggested this match could turn into a multi-man tag team match.  If so, I’d expect Bully to seek backup from Shane Taylor and Silas Young, while Robinson would counter with his Lifeblood stablemates Mark Haskins and Tracy Williams.  Those four men will probably get involved no matter what, seeing as there’s no rule to prevent interference.

It would be a pretty big surprise if Bully were to pin Juice and therefore be in line for the US title.  For that reason I think Juice is the clear favorite to win.  That being said, Bully needs something to do until Flip Gordon is back, and Juice is working in both promotions, so I could see this becoming a prolonged feud.

Mayu Iwatani vs. Kelly Klein - Iwatani won ROH’s Women of Honor championship from Klein on February 10, and successfully defended it in a rematch on March 15, but Klein is challenging her a second time for some reason.  I think they’re trying to make it like Klein is a big deal and Iwatani’s wins have been huge upsets, but I barely know these women so none of that is very clear.  I’m assuming Iwatani retains again, hopefully to put an end to the feud.

Rush vs. Dalton Castle - Castle has been doing a “needs to get back on track” storyline, so he was at ringside to watch the Rush-Bandido match on March 15 with the intent of challenging the winner to wrestle him here.  I’m pretty sure the purpose of this is to feed a guy to Rush while also working Castle’s flamboyant entrance onto the show, so look for Rush to go over in little more than a squash.

Will Ospreay vs. Jeff Cobb - Ospreay is the NEVER openweight champion, and Cobb is the ROH television champion; the winner will hold both titles.  This match came about after Ospreay pinned Cobb in a tag team match on February 22.  Both guys are great and I haven’t seen much of them against one another, so I’m looking forward to it.  The one big twist in this thing is that New Japan recently booked Taichi to pin Ospreay in a tag match, obviously to set up a future title match between them, which won’t make as much sense if Ospreay loses his belt before that happens.  So I think that telegraphs an Ospreay win here.  Which is fine with me, since I figured he should win to begin with.

30-man Honor Rumble - This is a pre-show match for everyone who didn’t make it onto the main card.  It’s a gauntlet battle royal, so instead of everybody starting the match at the same time, two men start and everyone else enters one-by-one in timed intervals.  The match cannot end until the last participant enters, but eliminations can occur at any time.  A participant is eliminated upon putting both feet on the floor outside the ring, if and only if they last exited the ring over the top rope.

I’ve never seen one of these in ROH, but I’ve seen New Japan’s version and it’s mainly a comedy match with spots built around guys who rarely interact being unfamiliar with one another’s shticks.  If you’re watching this to see, for example, Minoru Suzuki kicking ass in MSG (and I don’t even know if he’ll be there), you’re probably just going to get his entrance and then he scares Cheeseburger or Colt Cabana and then he’ll get eliminated inside of five minutes.  I don’t think anything is at stake for the winner to receive, and even if there was I’m not sure it would matter who wins.  I’ll just pick Jushin Thunder Liger to win, since I know he’s in it and he’s a cool old dude.

Kagetsu & Hazuki & Jenny Rose vs. Sumie Sakai & Hana Kimura & Stella Grey - This is a late addition to the card, which won’t air live but will be taped to air later.  Kagetsu and Hazuki are from a stable called Oedo Tai in STARDOM, and apparently they recently attacked Sakai and Kimura to set up this match.  The Oedo Tai team picked Rose to team with them here even though she regularly teams (teamed?) with Sakai in ROH.  Grey is apparently Sakai’s new protege so she rounds out the babyface side.  I barely follow any of this, so I think ROH could do a much better job at promoting their own women and their relationship with Stardom.  But I guess this match shows they’re at least trying.  I guess Sakai’s team wins, maybe?

#njpw #roh #g1 supercard #jay white #kazuchika okada

[silverfootstepswrites]

Butterfly [52]

summary It’s too unfair.

A couple minutes before intermission began, she felt her phone buzz. The screen lit up with the picture of Itachi mid-pizza slice that he hated.

“Uchiha-sensei,” she greeted him. Ignoring the way that Karin’s eyebrows rose. 

“I’m sorry if I creeped you out,” he immediately said. 

“Huh?”

Sakura ducked behind a pillar, trying to avoid Karin’s prying eyes. And prying ears.

“I should have told you I was coming,” Itachi clarified. Sakura blinked a few times.

“Oh, no, that’s.... well...why are you sorry?” she asked. She could hear a muffled conversation going on near him. Someone was arguing whether or not to buy one of the t-shirts being sold outside. 

“I’m not sure. But I always got the sense that you didn’t like us getting mixed up with this part of your life,” he replied.

Sakura considered this for a long moment. And then Mangetsu squeezed her shoulder as he walked past, mouthing ‘Gotta ask you something’. She nodded. 

“Um... so... I gotta go-”

“I understand. Sorry fo-”

“Do you mind sticking around at the end?” she went on. There was a pause. 

“Oh.” She could almost imagine the way his eyes widened. As if he had expected her to ignore him when he’d come all this way to see her. 

“I’ve got a meet and greet, but I’m free after. As long as your mother doesn’t mind waiting for a bit,” Sakura added. Finally, she heard Itachi chuckle.

“I’ll try to convince her somehow,” he replied.

Mangetsu eyed her as she jogged up to join him. 

“Why’re you smiling like that?” he demanded as he held his hands out in front of him. 

“Because I’m happy to see you,” she replied in the flattest voice possible. Mangetsu snorted, shaking his head. 

“Suuuure,” he retorted, drawing out the syllable. And then he nudged his hands toward her again. 

“You know that part when we do that spin together? During the second half of the song?” Mangetsu asked. They laced their fingers together. And Sakura leaned back a little, half-miming the movement that he was talking about, her left hand resting on the back of his neck to help her balance.

“I just want to make sure that you’re okay with that. I know that your knee’s been a little wonky,” he went on. 

“I’ll be okay. This bad boy’s all taped up,” Sakura assured him. 

They both flinched when Haku sprang up beside them, his phone in his hand. 

“I’m live on Instagram. Say hi,” he demanded. 

“Hi, Instagram,” Mangetsu obediently replied. 

“Bye, Instagram,” Sakura said instead, turning her head away. Mangetsu pulled her upright when she tapped on his shoulder. Their hands disengaged. 

“So here’s Japan’s hottest new pairs team. Haruno-senshu, what do you have to say for yourself?” Haku went on, shoving the camera in her face. Sakura let out a long breath. She pulled the phone from his hand and handed it off to Mangetsu. Mangetsu looked puzzled until Karin wandered over to cover the camera with her palm. Sakura seized Haku in a headlock, pinching fingers clamping onto his side. Haku howled in pain before he tried to bite her arm. 

“Uh,” was all Mangetsu could think to say. 

“He’ll be fine,” Karin assured him, leaning an elbow on his shoulder.

Once the intermission ended, there was little time to goof around. The program was packed with solo and group performances. Several members of the audience burst into tears when Sakura went out alone, in the same maroon costume she had worn to the Olympics. She did her short program, feeling a little less limber and a little less steady than she had two years ago. But the rush of wind was exhilarating as she spun and carved her way across the ice. 

She arched her back as she transitioned into an Ina Bauer. Itachi’s mouth hung open a little as she glided past him. 

There were a few other performances after that. The crowd screamed wildly as Karin, Suigetsu, and his partner did an intricate routine that involved ribbons. And there was open weeping when Haku did a routine to an orchestral piece. He even wore a gold crown on his head, as dramatic as always. 

Her “pairs” routine with Mangetsu was met with applause. Of course they couldn’t do any of the throws or crazy lifts that actual pairs skaters did. That took years of practice and a level of athleticism that they didn’t have. And she wasn’t really willing to crack her skull open for a performance like this. But skating with Mangetsu took her back to those old days. When she wore frosted eyeshadow and his suits were always a size too big for him at the banquets. 

At the end of the night, all the skaters came out to greet the audience. They waved both their hands, bowing and blowing kisses to the crowd.

When Sakura glanced over her shoulder, she saw that Itachi was gone. His mother sat alone, hands clasped together and eyes sparkling as she clapped as hard as she could. Sakura couldn’t help but wonder where he’d gone. 

Holding hands with Karin and Haku, Sakura bowed with everyone else. She tried to scan the crowd to see if Itachi had moved, but he really had disappeared. 

The meet and greet took place after the rest of the audience had left. Just the people who had paid extra sat in the very front, clutching their handmade signs. Sakura recognized a couple of the faces. They were the hardcore fans who had probably come to each of her performances. Spending all their money and free time to follow her. And when they saw the recognition in her eyes, these people usually broke into tears. Sakura hugged them, laughing as she rubbed their backs and took selfies with them.

When Sakura got to Itachi’s mother, she couldn’t help but smile. It was amazing how much he resembled her. The same almond-shaped eyes and narrow face. Sakura bowed deeply. Mikoto’s eyes popped open. 

“Uchiha Mikoto-san?” she asked. 

“Oh my goodness!” Mikoto gasped. Sakura straightened. 

“Oh my! I should be the one bowing! Thank you so much for the autograph. I don’t know how Sasuke-kun got it. I’m so sorry that you had to go to all that trouble,” Mikoto babbled, squeezing Sakura’s hands between hers. They were warm. The grip strong but not painful. 

“Where’s that son of mine? I can’t believe he’s missing out on this! He’s the one that called asking me if I had an extra ticket,” Mikoto went on, glancing around. Sakura suppressed a giggle, mashing her lips together as she nodded. 

“I’ve always been such a fan. I know it seems silly, but I’ve always sort of thought of you as one of my children. And it might sound strange, but I’m so proud of you, Sakura-san,” added Mikoto. Sakura’s smile faded. Just for a moment. And Mikoto stopped talking as she saw the shift in Sakura’s eyes. 

Swallowing down a lump in her throat, Sakura smiled. She bowed her head again. Deeply.

“Thank you very much,” she replied.

The meet and greet ended with reluctance. Sakura and Haku blew kisses, arms around each other’s waists. And Haku didn’t make fun of her when she sniffed a little against his shoulder. 

Once the meeting had ended, everyone picked up their bags and gear. 

“Let’s get dinner! Shimizu’s buying!” announced Suigetsu, one hand cupped around his mouth. Haku grimaced, but didn’t protest. It looked like he had lost some sort of bet.

“Sorry. I’ve gotta run. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Sakura replied, already inching toward the exit. 

Karin tilted her head to one side. Grinning, Haku pulled her close to whisper in her ear. As Sakura ran out the doors, Karin and Haku were both laughing. 

“You go, girl!” Karin called after her.

Sakura ignored them as the heavy metal doors banged shut behind her. She glanced down at her phone. She had messaged Itachi about where to wait, but he hadn’t replied to her at all. To her dismay, the lobby was empty except for the few staff members cleaning up the table where they had sold t-shirts and posters. Sakura bowed to them as she walked past. 

The meet and greet had taken a little longer than she had expected. And then the end-of-night meeting with the staff had gone on for several minutes. It was pretty late. She couldn’t blame him if he had gone home with his mother already.

Sticking her hands in her back pockets, Sakura exited the stadium. And she nearly collided with Itachi. 

“Woah!” they both said. 

“It’s cold outside! Why are you...”

She trailed off as he thrust a bouquet into her hands. Bright red and pink roses with sprays of little white flowers. The petals and wrapping were cold as her fingers closed around them. When she gaze up into Itachi’s face, she saw that the tip of his nose was red. She reached for his hand. His fingers were just as cold as the flowers. 

“Were you..... Did you just get these?” she asked. 

“I ran to three different flower shops until I found one that wasn’t closed,” he confessed. And then he rubbed the back of his neck. “I probably shouldn’t have come empty-handed in the first place. I can’t believe I missed the end. My mom said it was amazing,” he added with a sigh. 

Sakura felt the corners of her mouth go up. Her chest squeezing, almost painfully so as she was hit the realization again. Just how thoughtful, kind, and awkward he was. And how much she liked those things about him.

“Thank you,” she whispered, gazing down at the flowers.  Missing the way he stared at her when she did.

And then her chin jerked up. 

“Your mother?” Sakura demanded. 

“Oh. She said she was in the bathroom. I think she said she was fixing her makeup because she cried after meeting you,” explained Itachi. Sakura bit her lower lip, trying not to smile at that. Itachi watched her expression.

“No, you can laugh. It’s pretty funny,” he assured her, chuckling a little.

She felt his thumb stroke across her knuckles as he spoke. They both froze. Clearing their throats and looking away, they pulled their hands apart. Itachi flexed his fingers nervously before sticking them in his pocket to grab his phone. He swiped his thumb across the screen.

“Oh. She’s on her way out now,” he read. 

“Hang on. You’ve got an eyelash on your face,” Sakura pointed out. 

“Where?” Itachi swiped at the wrong cheek. Sakura gestured with her free hand. He bent down a little, eyes closing. She scratched her nail lightly under his right eye. After a couple tries, she pulled her finger away. His eyelash clinging to the tip of her nail. 

“There we go,” Sakura announced. Itachi’s eyes opened just as she blew it away. And for a moment, all they could do was smile at each other. Not that anything was funny. 

It just felt nice to stand there together. 

“By the way, there’s a really good izakaya not too far from here. You said your mother likes seafood, right?” she told him. Itachi leaned in a little closer as she pulled up the menu on the phone. They muttered the items together as she scrolled down the list. Sakura lifted her head when she heard the door open. 

Mikoto stood there, her hands over her mouth. She burst into tears all over again.

“Oh! So Sasuke-kun met you because Itachi-kun already knew you from work!” Mikoto realized almost an hour later. They sat together at a low table. The glossy surface reflected Mikoto’s face back as she leaned in toward Sakura. Itachi sat across his mother, skimming through the menu. 

It had taken Mikoto several more minutes to calm down outside the stadium. And Sakura had escorted her back into the bathroom. Mikoto had apologized to her probably ten different times. But Sakura didn’t mind. She held Mikoto’s purse as the older woman washed her face and patted it dry with paper towels from the dispenser. 

“Oh, I must look a mess,” sighed Mikoto, dabbing at her nose. 

“You look wonderful. Don’t worry about a thing,” Sakura assured her. And Sakura had linked her arm through hers as she led her out of the restroom. 

“The sushi here is supposed to be very good,” Itachi remarked to no one in particular. His phone sat on the table and he scrolled through it with one finger. He glanced back and forth between the screen.

“Mm... sayori should be in season right now. Hotate? Oh and maguro too,” Sakura wracked her brain, trying to remember which fish would be freshest in March. 

“Amaebi?” Itachi suggested, reading off the menu. 

“Ooh, yes,” Sakura agreed. Regular shrimp tasted good. But amaebi had a special sweetness to it that she loved. 

When she glanced up, Mikoto was staring at her in sort of a daze. She blinked several times when she realized that Sakura was looking back at her. Her cheeks colored.

“What type of fish do you like, Oba-san?” asked Sakura. 

After the waitress dropped off tea and took their orders, Sakura rubbed her knee a little under the table. Itachi followed the movement of her hand, forehead wrinkling.

“Are you alright?” he asked. 

“Yeah. Just... sometimes it gets a little achy if I don’t get enough rest,” Sakura admitted.

“That’s...” Mikoto hesitated. Itachi and Sakura looked up at her. Sakura smiled encouragingly, eyebrows rising.

“Well, Haruno-san, you hurt your knee before the last Olympics. Is it from that?” Mikoto inquired. Sakura sighed. 

“Yes. I had some great doctors, but... that’s how injuries are. It doesn’t just go back to how it was,” admitted Sakura, giving her knee a couple of slaps.  

“Mom was devastated when she found out you were hurt. She even went to a temple to pray for your recovery,” Itachi recalled to Sakura, ignoring the way that Mikoto’s eyes widened. She looked horrified, shooting furtive glances at Sakura. Sakura giggled.

“That’s very sweet, Oba-san. Maybe I recovered so quickly because of you,” Sakura said to Mikoto. Who gave her a sheepish smile in return.

The conversation grew less stilted as the evening went on. Sakura found her eyes drifting to the bouquet Itachi had bought her. It sat on top of her duffel bag, plastic crinkling and shining whenever the waitress breezed past it with more food or tea. One time, Itachi caught her staring at it. And the corner of his mouth pulled up before he turned his attention back to his mother’s story.

“I’m so sorry for keeping you late. You must have missed your train because of me,” Sakura suddenly realized as the waitress came to clear away their plates. Mikoto flapped a hand at her. 

“We’re staying with one of my nephews here in Osaka. Our train isn’t until tomorrow,” Mikoto told her, which put her at ease. 

“Osaka? You have family here? I thought you said everyone lived in Koto,” asked Sakura, turning to Itachi.

“My cousin, Shisui. He moved here last year for work,” answered Itachi. And Mikoto’s eyes sharpened a little.

“Is that the cousin who crashed a bike into a telephone pole or the one who dropped his phone into the ocean?” Sakura inquired.

“Both,” Itachi sighed. 

Mikoto’s lips puckered, like she was about to say something, but sucked the words back into her mouth last-minute. All Itachi saw was a peculiar smile on her lips when he glanced at her.

When dinner ended, Sakura and Mikoto argued over the bill for a minute. When Sakura firmly insisted on paying, the strange smile returned to Mikoto’s face. Itachi didn’t understand when his mother gave him a proud look behind Sakura’s back. 

As they headed out into the night, Itachi flagged down a taxi. He opened the door for Mikoto. Sakura helped her inside, handing her her purse when she had settled into the seat. But before Itachi could get in too, Mikoto shut the door. 

“Make sure Haruno-san gets back to her hotel safely, Itachi-kun. A young lady shouldn’t be walking around alone at night,” Mikoto ordered, lowering the window.

“Oba-san, it’s fine,” Sakura tried to assure her. But Mikoto pretended not to hear her. 

“Don’t stay out too late, my son,” Mikoto said before she ducked back in to say something to the driver. The taxi pulled away. Mikoto stuck her hand out the window to wave as the car grew smaller and smaller.

When Itachi looked back at Sakura, she had both her hands in her pockets as she rocked back and forth on her heels. She smiled at him.

“Shall we go?” she suggested. 

Itachi laughed. “Yes.”

The streets of Nishi-ku were just as well-lit and organized as Tokyo’s. Even though it was so late, there were plenty of people out at night. Women carrying shopping bags. Friends carrying drinks and laughing at some inside joke. There were also couples too, holding hands or linking arms as they ambled down the walkway. 

Sakura motioned for Itachi to follow as she began heading down the street. 

As they drifted farther and farther from the busy part of the city, it grew quiet. Until, suddenly, she realized that it was just the two of them. Feet hitting the concrete in tandem. Her gear occasionally clinking inside of her duffel bag. 

“Thanks for coming all the way to Osaka,” she suddenly said. 

“I almost couldn’t. The tickets were all sold out by the time you told us,” he replied. And then she saw his head tilt to one side.

“Did you do that on purpose?” he wondered. Not at all accusatory. 

Sakura shook her head. They stopped at a red light, waiting for the sign to change.

“....No.... just.... I guess I’ve always been used to... doing things on my own? I mean.... even when my parents were alive, they didn’t know much about skating. So... like... I just.... made choices and they went along. And... I dunno....” Sakura trailed off. She felt Itachi nudged her arm when the light changed. They crossed the street together. 

It was a long time before Itachi spoke again. 

“Can I tell you something?” he asked.

“Sure.”

“That’s pretty inconsiderate to the people around you.”

She finally looked at him. At the half-smile softening his face and his words.

“I understand that you’re used to being independent. But at least let us know what you’re doing so that we can support you. I’m sure Inuzuka-san and Nara-sensei would have wanted to come too,” he pointed out. She faced forward again. But she was still listening when he added, “They’ve been cheering for you since the beginning. Even if you couldn’t see that.”

“I know. I know they were,” answered Sakura. 

She would have been stupid not to know that. From all the phone calls and care packages, even a fool could have seen how much they loved her. How much they were thinking about her. Even when she had felt so far away from everyone, she had known.

They passed in front of a cafe that had closed for the night. The sign outside still glowed blue, buzzing faintly. 

“I know they love me a lot. And I’m always grateful. But...” she broke off in the middle of her thought. Mouth tightening.

“But?” Itachi urged her.

She was quiet again. For another block. When they reached another red light, Sakura tucked her chin against her chest. “But the person they’re cheering for is gone now. I’m just... me,” she told him. 

The light turned white. Before she could take another step, she felt Itachi’s hand close around her wrist. She tilted her head to look at him. 

“You didn’t have any gold medals when they started cheering you on,” he stated.

Sakura felt her chest tighten a little at the look on his face. And then, Itachi suddenly looked away, avoiding her eyes. She would have been a little hurt if she hadn’t heard him mumble, “And you’re still amazing. So stop talking about yourself like that.”

Gnawing on her lower lip, Sakura turned her face away too. Her cheeks, her ears, even her chest felt a little hot. When Itachi finally released her wrist, her fingers grasped the edge of his sleeve instead. She could feel him staring at her, but she kept her gaze trained on the sidewalk.

She huffed out a big breath through her nostrils. 

“... Can we hold hands?” she asked. She wanted to melt into the ground and die when he didn’t answer. After several seconds, she felt his hand move. She released his sleeve. Before she could stuff her hand back into her pocket, she felt his fingers weave between hers. 

“It’s kind of cold. We should keep going,” Itachi mumbled, avoiding her eyes as much as she avoided his.

“Yeah.”

#butterfly #writing #itasaku #you're welcome #oh you two awkward potatoes

[raptor-dash]

How I got the most out of Tokyo DisneySea in one day (and you can too)

My boyfriend and I, on our amazing trip to Tokyo, got to visit Disneysea for a day. If you're planning on going to Tokyo as well, you should definitely take a trip to the park, and it would really be in your favor to plan out your visit to make sure you get the most out of the best Disney park ever made. Not to brag too much, but I planned our visit out so well that we got to ride every available thing that we wanted to, as many times as we wanted, and we never waited in line longer than 10 minutes. I want as many other people as possible to have that experience, so here's what I did to make the most out of our trip. My priorities may be different than yours (I wanted to spend most of the time within attractions and soaking up the atmosphere of the park, and I placed comfortable things like using transportation across the park and eating at sit-down restaurants below that) so this is a general plan that's more geared towards theme park junkies like me. Your mileage may vary.

First, some preliminary tips.

- Don't go on the weekend if you can avoid it. We went on a Tuesday and that really helped us to beat the crowds.

-Buy your tickets ahead of time at a Lawson convenience store. They'll cost you 7400 yen per person. The buying process is very quick and easy.

-Do your research. Don't just read this post. Find a good map of the park online and memorize ride locations as best you can, or at least the general gist of the place-- that will save you time later.

-Wear sunscreen. There is very little shade in the park, especially shade that isn't in a place you have to pay for food or wait in line to sit down in. And Tokyo gets VERY hot in the summer. My BF and I both ended up with sunburns that could've been easily avoided, so don't meet the same fate. Also, bring a refillable water bottle for each person in your group. There are water fountains throughout the park.

-Don't pay for a tour to get you to and from the park. That's a dumb thing to do and you aren't dumb. All a tour will do is show you how to use the Tokyo subway system, which you'll have to learn anyway if you're visiting Tokyo. If you really have trouble figuring out how to get to the park from your station, ask a station attendant and they'll help you. Your goal is to get to Maihama Station, which is accessible from Tokyo Station, which is a major stop on the Yamanote line.

-Bring a lot of snacks, preferably in a backpack. You will get hungry fast and snack costs add up quickly. Sitting down to eat long meals will be expensive and waste the time you could be using to explore. Granted, the place does have some pretty amazing restaurants, so it wouldn't be a total waste. It's just not my style.

-A lot of people like to dress in matching outfits to go to the park, and that's fine and can be very cute and useful (helps all your party members find each other more easily if you're separated) but don't sacrifice comfort to look good. If your outfit can't get wet or restricts your movement, like a skirt that you can't run fast in, you'll really regret wearing it by the end of the day. Also, if you're wearing Mickey ears or a Duffy Bear headband or anything, you'll be asked to remove it before intense rides like Raging Spirits.

-Barely anyone uses single rider lines there, so use that to your advantage. As my boyfriend put it, "Let's hear it for American individualism!" Yeah, it sucks to be split up for a ride, but it's better than waiting 45+ minutes in line. Indiana Jones and Raging Spirits have single rider lines, but sadly, Toy Story does not. Just go to the Fastpass lane of a ride, hold up one finger and say "single rider" because usually the Fastpass and single rider lines begin at the same place.

-As in most other parks, you'll benefit from doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing at a given time. In the morning and afternoon, all the families with kids will go to the more "kiddie" areas like Triton's Palace, so do those later in the day. In the hot afternoon, everyone will try to go indoors, so be outdoors. Eat dinner before or after the typical dinner hours. You get the picture.

Okay, now on to my plan for the park. If you want to do what we did, there's 2 caveats. First, you won't get to ride Toy Story Midway Mania. Yeah, it sucks to skip a ride, but we never saw wait times for it go below an hour all day. There's no point in waiting an hour for a ride that's an exact copy of the ones in Florida and California. If you absolutely must ride it, the minimum wait time will be about an hour, so get in line when the estimated wait is 60 minutes. Second, you will be walking A LOT. Because of our determination to get everything possible out of the park, we walked and walked and walked in zigzags around the park all day, until we felt like we'd collapse. You don't have to do that, obviously, but the more you walk the more you'll experience. In any case, bring a good pair of running shoes with lots of padding.

So! When we went to Disneysea, we arrived at Maihama Station around 7:30 AM, and stood in line until the park opened. This was a good head start and we were among the first people into the park. And it gave us a front row seat to watch every. Single. Person. In. The. Park. Head to Toy Story. People were crammed shoulder to shoulder trying to get to American Waterfront. We started towards that same direction, but headed across a bridge towards the volcano, and went to Mysterious Island (the center of the park) first. We were amazed at how there was basically nobody heading that way with us. We strolled into 20,000 Leagues like we owned the place, and we would've done Journey to the Center of the Earth with no line then too, but it was closed all day. Then we went to the back of the park and did Indiana Jones and Raging Spirits, both of which also had comically tiny lines. Note that this is probably the only point in the day that your group will be guaranteed to be able to ride together without using the single rider line, so go on together while you can.

A note about Disneysea is that it has its rides typically placed in pairs according to its different themed lands, and so if one ride has a short line, there's one right next to it that probably has a short one as well. The most notable pairs are: Tower of Terror and Toy Story; Nemo and Friends and Aquatopia; 20,000 Leagues and Journey to the Center of the Earth; Indiana Jones and Raging Spirits; Sinbad and Jasmine's Flying Carpets; and the indoor pair and outdoor pair of rides in the Little Mermaid area. That's really useful if you have a group that wants to split up and do different rides at the same time, and/or if you want to grab Fastpasses for two rides in a row.

Next we went on Sinbad's Storybook Voyage and the Dumbo-like Jasmine's Flying Carpets next to it. Sinbad, despite being an absolute marvel of a ride and a peaceful 11-minute air-conditioned place to sit, has short wait times all day long, so it's a good place to go if you just want a break anytime during the day. Then we went back and single rider lined Indiana Jones again, because it's an amazing ride.

From there we walked back to American Waterfront and picked up Fastpasses for Tower of Terror, which allowed us to come back from 12:50 to 1:50. After sitting down with some ice cream, we decided to go around and enjoy the general ambience of this gorgeous park. We chose not to have any long meals at sit-down restaurants during our visit, but if you'd like to, this would be a good time to do so (10:30-ish), before the lunch rush. I recommend Magellan's or either of the two eateries on board the big steamship parked next to Tower of Terror.

We headed over and walked through Fortress Explorations, which you must see even if you don't have kids with you. Keep in mind that it's about 11AM now, the hottest part of the day, so everyone else will be flocking indoors or to the waterfront to see whatever show is going on, if there is one, so use that opportunity. Around this time, there was some kind of pirate show in the central lagoon, and we got a pretty good view of it from the high tower of Fortress Explorations. Afterwards we did Indiana Jones again (seriously, it's that good!) and then made our way back to American Waterfront to use our Fastpasses. On the way, we grabbed Fastpasses for Nemo and Friends Searider, and in retrospect, we should have done that sooner because our return time for the ride ended up being 9:30 PM. Nemo and Friends is a really short motion-simulation ride that's only worth doing if you have a Fastpass. You won't miss much if you don't do it, but I made a priority out of it because I've loved Finding Nemo since I was a kid.

Then we rode Tower of Terror, which let us out just in time for a showing of Big Band Beat, which is right across from Toy Story. BBB is pretty hyped up, and other guides will tell you that you have to be in line early for it, but I found that to be untrue. It was a very enjoyable show, and it let us sit in the A.C. for 45 minutes, which was much-needed.

The show let out around 2 PM, and the heat of the day was still raging, so everyone else in the park was still clamoring to be indoors. I took that opportunity to walk around, take in the beauty of the park, explore the many different atmospheres, and take pictures. This might seem contradictory to my strategy of experiencing absolutely everything, but you must take time to explore the park itself. Take time to appreciate the theming and atmosphere, from the Mexican village in Lost River Delta to the inside of the ship in Fortess Explorations to the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge in American Waterfront. Conversely, don't kick yourself for not exploring everything, because you won't see the entire park in one day unless you spend ALL day exploring, and even that's not guaranteed. At the end of the day, we took a detour through a small and beautiful Italian village near Toy Story, which I hadn't even known existed until then. So, basically, walk around as much as you can. Your feet will hurt, but your eyes will thank you.

My boyfriend, God bless his soul for following me on what had already amounted to about 2 miles of walking around and climbing things, decided to rest in Mysterious Island for a couple of hours until the sun began to set. Nothing wrong with that, if you need rest; you'll be very worn out and hot at this point.

I went on Sinbad and Indiana Jones a few more times, and then walked through Lost River Delta and the area surrounding Sinbad. Then I explored King Triton's Palace (mercifully indoors and air-conditioned), including the very cool play area. There are some mild kiddie rides in the Sinbad and Little Mermaid areas, but it was still midday and the families with children were still there. If you want to do these rides (one where you sit in slowly rising and falling jellyfish, one where you're swung around in colorful fish, a mild roller coaster, and a spinning carnival-esque gondola thing) do them after 7 PM, when the kids are starting to go home. If the lines for any of them get past 15 minutes, just go back to them later-- the wait times will go down, guaranteed.

I saw King Triton's Concert while in the palace, a 15-minute show that I 100% recommend and which was so good that I brought my boyfriend back later to see it a second time. I did the two-story carousel (the lower story had a much shorter wait time) and then the flying carpets, and then single-rider lined Raging Spirits before meeting up with BF. It was about 5:30 PM by now, and the sun was setting, so the heat was a lot more bearable. This would've been a good time to go for a gondola ride, but we didn't do that because it just wasn't a priority for us. We did 20,000 Leagues, then went and saw King Triton's Concert and then rode Sinbad again. The ride vehicles in 20,000 Leagues have 3 different seat placements in them, so you should try to do it 3 times if you really want the complete experience. We sat and had some ice cream as the sun set, then did Indiana Jones again, then walked around and did our shopping. The crowds around some of the Little Mermaid rides had thinned out enough by then, so we did a couple of those and then 20,000 Leagues. At the end of that ride, it was about 8-8:30 and Fantasmic had already begun. The waterfront was pretty crowded for the show, but we got a decent view, especially of the big finale.

We headed to the vicinity of Nemo and Friends so we could be there to use our Fastpasses, and Aquatopia had a short wait, so we did that in the meantime. I can't say I particularly recommend doing that extremely wet ride right before heading back on the subway, but since it had such long lines all day, that was the only chance we had to do it at all. Then we did Nemo and Friends, and with the last 20 minutes of park time, I did Sinbad once more before we headed on another long journey back to our hotel.

So, at the end of our visit we were very tired, but very satisfied with our experience. I hope at least some of my advice can be helpful to anyone who's lucky enough to be planning a trip to this amazing park!

#tokyo disneysea #theme park #travel #advice #disney #i wanted to write theme park guidebooks for a living once

[rylredrants]

20 Years Ago

It’s been 20 years since that day. And just like I wrote in the only ‘memory’ referencing 9/11 on my Facebook, I don’t want to jump on a bandwagon or soapbox. I don’t want to join the throngs of people answering the question that, for those of my generation, needs no explanation… “Where were you when?”

But I can’t not write today.

For me, the where was easy. I was in Colorado Springs.

To say it’s an area with a large military community doesn’t do justice to the sentiment. The Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Stations, Fort Carson Army Post, Peterson Air Force Base, and Schriever Air Force Base are all within an hour’s drive, give or take traffic. My new husband was stationed at Fort Carson, a Cavalry Scout.

My mother called me in hysterics- which was not unusual, waking me up earlier than normal. I was working at the Olive Garden as a server. My daughter was 4 years old.

I got up, took her to daycare, and went to work. There was a TV on the same kind of AV cart we got excited about in school sitting inside the server’s station on one side. We didn’t have customer-facing televisions and this was long before smartphones were in everyone’s pockets.

Another military spouse showed up for her shift, unaware of the events. She turned around to go home. She lived on Fort Carson and didn’t get through the gate for several hours.

That evening, I was part of a small sleepover of sorts where a handful of us “Scout Wives” held vigil together- crying and waiting for some kind of news from our husbands. The post was locked down tight. We didn’t get to hold them in our arms until the evening of September 12th.

The “where” is an easy question.

I think the bigger question is “WHO were you when? And who did you become in the aftermath?

Twenty years ago, I was a 22-year-old newlywed. He was my 2ndhusband- a cute boy in a green uniform with bright blue eyes, a grin for miles, and a quirky little gap between his front teeth. He had deployed to Bosnia straight out of basic training. We met in a bar within weeks of his return to the states, around Valentine’s Day of 2001.

The day the towers fell, he still was not old enough to legally buy a beer.

I had already rebuilt my life once when I left California and split up with my daughter’s father. Our new life was just beginning, but when my mother wailed, “You just married a soldier and we’re going to WAR!” I felt it. I felt my entire life unraveling again.

We moved to Germany the following spring where he was almost immediately sent to Kosovo. It was slated to be a 6-month tour. His replacement unit was sent to Iraq as part of OIF 1, so they extended their mission to 9 months. From there, there were moves back to Colorado, a separation, reconciliation, a move to Texas, and 2 more deployments to Iraq.

By the time we separated, I was 30 years old. We owned a home and he was slated for a third deployment to Iraq. The TBI (traumatic brain injury), PTSD, migraines, and back problems were so bad that he did not deploy, and was medically discharged before his 30th birthday.

We stayed on friendly terms for another decade, but every time I saw pictures of his new life and new wife I felt all of it all over again. He still had the big grin, but the sparkle in his eyes was gone.

That man has his name, his fingerprints, and his DNA but little else remained of the boy I married all those years ago. My husband went to war, but despite coming back upright and without a flag draped over his body, he never came back.

This is one of those things that people outside the military community don’t often realize. Whether or not you wear the uniform, war changes you. Military families deal with their own stress, trauma, loneliness, and fear from having loved ones in a warzone for weeks, months, and sometimes years at a time.

Waiting for that telegraph, knock on the door, or news story that mentions their unit… that part has changed over the years but living in that constant state of dread is the same.

It’s a state of anticipatory grief… waiting for the moment when the grief process will begin and be recognized by those around you.

When the same uniform walks through the door, the rest of the world sees the happiness of a homecoming.

But for so many, that happiness is often quickly replaced with learning who the person wearing the uniform has become in their absence.

New kinds of stress, trauma, loneliness, and fear often follow.

The stress of readjusting to sharing your home. The trauma, packed neatly away in their rucksack spills out all over the floor with their gear. Then comes the loneliness when they isolate and disconnect, and fear that you will become the target of their anger.

When my soldier returned, his drug of choice was video games. I called myself a ‘PlayStation Widow’ because he would spend every waking moment outside of work with a controller in hand, often not getting up to eat, drink or even smoke. His anger was most pronounced in his road rage- yelling, swearing, speeding, and tailgating.

I learned to manage his anger with my tears.

The rage would take hold and I would take responsibility for it, trying to figure out how I could have caused it. ‘What did I do? How can I fix this? What does he need?’ Eventually, I realized that he only calmed down once I’d become so spun up into it that I’d broken down in my own panic.

Over a decade later, when my current partner, Pirate, is struggling with his mental health, my first instinct is still to take responsibility.

It’s only because of the therapy, medication, and communication, on both sides, that I’m able to acknowledge and support him without taking it on as my own.

I swore I’d never get involved with military personnel again when that marriage ended.

What I hadn’t considered is that relationships are often brought about by proximity. I’ve lived near military installations for most of my adult life- Forts Carson, Hood, Meade, and Huachuca stateside, plus 2 years in Germany.

Friends, lovers, 2 ex-husbands, and my current partner have all brought their own trauma-filled rucksacks along with them, and into my life.

They each had their own experiences and their own way of handling things.

Dirty D had a picture on his MySpace of himself crouched down, naked, pistol in hand that was taken shortly before he was hospitalized for holding the gun to his head. I was friendly with his wives and girlfriends, including the one he moved to Idaho with to live off the grid on a hand-built homestead.

Taz was working nights as a bouncer when we met. He was sent to Germany only to be medically discharged and returned to Texas because his body was too damaged from previous trips to “the sandbox” to deploy again.

The Postman shared stories he wrote about his time in Mogadishu, Somalia. You probably know that as the place where "Black Hawk Down" happened. We met while he was on leave from Iraq and he later emailed more stories to me from Afghanistan.

The Mad Scientist once talked about being with his unit early on during Operation Iraqi freedom. Food was scarce so they were only getting one MRE a day. He had a stash of candy bars that he broke small pieces off from to share with the guys in his unit that were struggling the most with hunger.

MM also experienced those lean rations and hunger along with going days on end unable to get clean. The bulk of his PTSD revolved around food and cleanliness.

We once drove over 3 hours to go to a ‘Princess Bride’ themed burlesque show. The venue said they had food, and we didn’t have time to get dinner before going to the theater. When he discovered that the concession stand was closed he had a meltdown, leaving me alone to go get a hamburger at a bar down the block.

Pirate has nightmares, crying out in his sleep and trembling so violently that our bed shakes. He was medically discharged from the Army before his unit deployed. He lives with survivor’s guilt on top of the PTSD he developed as a 5-year-old missionary kid in Kenya during a civil uprising.

And none of this takes into account the first responders, civilians, and all of their families who have been impacted by this.

Here we are 20 years later...

I just saw a video where a teacher discussed telling her students about 9/11. She explained that there were 3 targets that symbolized the very idea of America in their own way. The World Trade Center was a representation of the American economic power, the Pentagon is a symbol of military power, and the 3rd target, the Capitol is the seat of our democracy.

20 years later, the 3rd target was attacked again.

This time, the attack did not come from foreign powers but instead from home-grown terrorists, radicalized to believe the blatant lies of a spray-tanned reality TV star who is spending this anniversary as a ringside commentator at a casino boxing match in Florida. I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

We are in a politicized pandemic that quite literally almost killed my own mother last week. I’m living in the hottest city in America where we moved for a job that Pirate was fired from 3 weeks after we signed our year-long lease.

Oh, and the Capitol police have requested the fences be put back up for the “Justice for J6” rally next weekend. These 'very fine people' are gathering to show solidarity for those who literally smeared shit on the halls of our democracy.

Showing support for those arrested for assaults that left several people injured. Five people died shortly before, during, or after the event, and 4 officers who responded to the riot died by suicide in the months since.

Today there are people all over social media posting stories of where they were that day.

But others are the younger people who have been taught to “remember” an event that was little more to their personal history than a scary movie on TV. They were too young or too far removed from it to carry the same scars as those who lived through the events of that day and all that came after.

I’m glad they only have to perform the remembrance rather than experience it. But for the rest of us, I think that it is part of the healing to look back on this anniversary and say,

“I was there. I was present. That day changed my life in ways that still matter to me.”

[kxmberlyhart]

Title: The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell

Summary: "Trini sighed and was about to swipe left because she wasn’t interested in looking for love right now. Tinder is just… Tinder. It’s all just a game to her. 

That is until she accidentally swipes up.

'You Super Liked Kimberly!'"

-

Trimberly Week: Day 1: Coffee shop, college, fake dating au

ps. there’s more social media au edits if you read this mess of a story :)

Read @ ao3 (formatting might be a little better?)

D a y 1: Coffee shop, college, fake dating au.

Swipe left. Swipe left. Swipe left. Swipe left. Swipe left. Swipe left. Wait, is that the hot girl who sits in front of me from Environmental Bio class?

Trini lays in bed staring at her phone for a little while, examining the picture on her screen. Tinder app currently displaying the hot girl that sits in front of her in Env Biology class. The girl who asks and answer a lot of questions during class, a beauty and brains girl, no doubt.

Trini knew her name because she was a gay mess when she saw her sit in front of her the first day of class, waiting for the girl’s name to be called. Kimberly Hart. They’ve talked before. “Can I borrow your pencil?” but Kimberly never returned it.

Tinder is just a game to her though. Trini wasn’t desperate or interested to find love at the moment that she has to resort online dating apps to find someone for her, it’s just for fun. It’s a trend that people are doing and there isn’t really any harm in what she’s doing.

Until the girl from Biology appears on her screen.

Kimberly, 20

University of California 2 miles away

UC. Pre-Med student, part-time model. Swimming and Diving Team Captain. California girl, born and raised. Adventure is out there.

Trini looked at Kimberly’s four pictures:

A simple close up picture of her in a daydream state. It features her face which pretty much says it all, profile picture worthy most definitely.

A group photo with two boys right next to her, all of them wearing Anaheim Angels gear, “Ew she likes Angels. Go Dodgers!” Trini thinks to herself, flicking to the next picture.

A professional model picture that captured Trini’s attention, raising her eyebrow in delight, a smile smile twisting her lips upwards.

Finally, a fucking black and white photo that that just killed Trini’s ovaries because holy hell this girl is hot.

Trini presses the lock button and home button of her phone four times, taking a screenshot of each picture.

Seeing that this Kimberly Hart person from the bio appeared on her tinder, it means that her preference is women (or both men and women, but Trini doesn’t care). Trini went back to the home screen of Tinder.

Trini sighed and was about to swipe left because she wasn’t interested in looking for love right now. Tinder is just… Tinder. It’s all just a game to her.

That is until she accidentally swipes up.

You Super Liked Kimberly!

Trini threw her phone as far as she can in her dorm room and hits the wall as she gasped with her eyes wide open, hands frozen in front of her then bringing them to clutch her hair. Panic spread everywhere, ready to pretty much rip her hair and insides until she is dead.

“FUCK!” Trini yells, getting up from her bed and pacing back and forth. “Fuck…” Trini repeats but nothing is helping. “FUCK!” Trini’s palms closes and opens as she breathes in an out to calm herself.

Trini makes her way towards her phone to check if any of it broke. Luckily, nothing is broken but the screen still showed that Trini super liked Kimberly. She exits the app and free falls back into her bed.

“Shit. What the fuck do I do?” Trini lays down on her bed for a solid ten minutes just staring at the ceiling. “Shit!” Trini sits up, “I have class with her tomorrow” Trini cussed then whispered the herself.

Trini reopened the app and looked at her own Tinder profile.

Trini, 20 University of California

Environmental Biology major. The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell I’m 5 feet. Fucking fight me.

“I think I’m gonna nap and just never wake up” Trini crawls on her bed, grabbing the covers and pulling it over her head. Her head drops face first into the pillow, she didn’t breath until she ran out of oxygen.

Trini clenched the pillow and pulled it further into her face and just yelled, “FUUUUUUUUCK!”

Later than night Trini gets ready for bed when she opened her phone and a notification from Tinder appeared.

Congratulations! You have a new match!

“What the fuck” Trini asks as she opens the notification and waits for the app to open.

It’s a Match!

Kimberly Super Liked you!

Then two bubbles with their profile picture side by side.

“Holy shit”

—

Trini lays still in bed, current time: 6:50 AM. Awake an hour earlier than her usual time and she has three hours to get ready before biology with Kimberly. It’s basically killing her inside as time passes by as she doesn’t know how they will interact.

Trini grabs her phone from her nightstand and her heart stops as she sees a notification from Tinder. There could only be one person.

Kimberly sent you a new message

It was date marks at 1:23 AM, meaning Trini was already asleep at that time when Kimberly sent a message.

Kimberly: Hi! So we matched. You’re in Environmental Bio with me right?

Trini debated with herself whether she should respond or not. Of course she should respond, she’s going to have to face this girl in a couple hours. Socializing. Not Trini’s speciality.

Trini: Hi. Yeah.

“Good enough” Trini gets up from her bed and heads to her closet to grab some clothes and off to the shower she goes. Since she woke up really early, it’s probably best to grab some coffee before class to calm her nerves a little bit.

Once Trini got out of the shower, she heard her phone ring and she opens it up to see another notification from Tinder.

Kimberly: We super liked each other and all I get is “Hi. Yeah.” ? Kimberly: It’s probably better to talk in person, yeah? Kimberly: See you in enviro bio later ;)

The wink face killed Trini. She sits down on her bed for a moment then she smiles to herself, unbelieving that she actually managed to find a girl. On top of that, one of the hottest girls she had ever seen in her life.

Trini gets dressed, time check, 8:02 AM, two hours before class. She heads for the campus coffee shop to grab some coffee and catch up on some reading that she had ignored this previous week.

Trini grabs a plain black coffee and heads to the counter where all the milk and sugar are. Filling the cup to the top with milk and adding three packets of sugar. After stirring gently, she takes a sip to see if it’s to her liking, finding it a little bitter, she adds a little bit more milk and one more packet of sugar.

“You sure do like your coffee sweet and creamy, huh?” Trini looks to her left after the person had spoken, finding herself standing next to Kimberly. She stood there with messy, wet hair, assuming she just finished swim and dive practice.

“Uh… Kimberly…” Trini backs up a bit and she hits a person using the counter as well. She spills her full cup of coffee in front of her and Kimberly.

“Ow, ow, ouch” Kim takes her top and pulls it away from the hot liquid that just spilled and Trini does the same, placing her now half cup of coffee on the counter.

“Oh, no,” Trini grabs the napkins and dabs it on Kim’s shirt. “Shit, I’m so sorry, I’m a…” Trini stops then mumbles “gay mess”

“Hey, Trini, right? Easy,” Kimberly says grabbing Trini’s hands to stop her from panicking even further. “It’s okay, I was gonna head home anyway, I always head home after practice.”

“I’m so sorry, Kimberly” Trini mumbles under her breath but Kimberly caught on and smiled at the smaller girl. A finger landed on Trini’s chin and lifted up and she was faced with Kimberly once again.

“It’s okay. Look, my dorm is close by, we can clean up there. I live at the Riverside dorms”

“I live at the Orange dorms. Opposite side of the campus from you” Trini grabs napkins and leans down and cleans up the spill of coffee that was on the ground.

Kimberly does the same, “Ok, my dorm is closer to our class so let’s just go there” Kimberly gets up and throws the dirty napkins away. It’s not that Trini’s scared to go with a stranger to their dorm, it’s more on she’s scared she’s going to Kimberly Hart’s dorm. “I’m not a murderer or anything like that, I promise. Just trust me.”

“Is this how you get all the girls?” Trini teased a little, even as a gay mess she managed to get that one out.

“Just the really cute who’s a gay mess” Kim smirks.

—

“So I didn’t clean prior so excuse the mess” Kimberly twists her door open and Trini entered Kimberly’s dorm. She lives alone just like Trini but Kimberly’s dorm was more high end than Trini’s. A studio type dorm with bigger moving space, a clear living room area, and a kitchen of her own.

Trini saw a bunch of plates stacks on the sink, a couple of clothing thrown around the room. Kim made haste to grab the clothing on the floor and shove them into the closet.

“You have a nice place, Kimberly” Trini says, actually attempting to make conversation, still looking around the room. Everything is nice. All of Kimberly’s items looks like it’s pretty expensive. Trini sits down on the comfy couch watching Kimberly attempt to hide her mess.

“It’s nothing. Also, you can call me Kim. I have a bunch of shirt you can borrow but since you spilled coffee on me, I get to chose what shirt you wear”  Kim starts rummaging through her closet, not that Trini minded until she pulls out a familiar red shirt.

“No.” Trini groans when she saw the logo. A red shirt with a big letter A with a halo. “You cannot make me wear Anaheim Angels gear. I’m too proud of a Los Angeles Dodgers fan. I’ll just head home and change, it’s not far.”

“Come on. You spilled coffee on me, wearing this is your apology,” Kim holds the shirt by its shoulders and pushed it towards Trini. “Plus, if you wear this today I’ll like you a lot more”

Trini is at crossroads with herself. The girl or her loyalty to her favorite baseball team.

When is she ever gonna get another chance with a girl like this?

“Fine” Trini takes the shirt into her hand and heads for the bathroom. A small grimace at the shirt she’s holding up but she has to stay strong for the girl. Trini looks at the mirror and takes off her coffee stained shirt and puts on the Angels shirt. “Ew. I’m sorry, Dodgers” Trini steps out and shows Kim her shirt.

Kim smiles as she picks up clothing that she herself needs to wear. “Looks good, I’m going to shower really quick because I smell like chlorine. Hang back and don’t ditch me okay?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, princess”

“Princess?”

“I mean if that’s okay”

Kim smiles at the nickname that she already received, “Completely fine”

—

It’s been a whole week since the two met online. Trini started waking up a little earlier to meet up with Kim at the campus coffee shop every Monday and Wednesday mornings. After grabbing their cup of coffee, they would head to Kim’s apartment where Kim would shower and Trini would just sit on Kim’s couch and browse her phone. Then they would head to class before 10 AM then after class that’s it. They would usually text about themselves to get to know each other better but their relationship right now is basically friendship even though they know there’s something there between them.

They haven’t planned any kind of date yet. The only dates they were having are their campus coffee shop dates and that’s barely a date.

Trini feels a hand grab hers as they walked towards Kim’s dorm, unconsciously wrapping her own hand on Kim’s. Trini looks down at their now intertwined hands then up at a smiling Kim.

“Is this okay?” Kim asks, squeezing Trini’s hand slightly. “I mean… we’re kind of dating, right? Like we haven’t gone on our first date but we’re dating, right?”

“Yeah, I like to think we are” Trini looks down and smiles to herself because this entire thing just feels so right.

“Good because I really like hanging out with you” The two reaches the Riverside building and Kim presses the elevator for them to the fifth floor. “And if you’re free next Thursday,” Kim lets go of Trini’s hand and pulls out two tickets from the pocket of her bag. “I got us tickets to the Angels vs. Dodgers game”

Trini looks at the tickets, official tickets to the game at the Dodgers stadium. “Wow, uhm… are you sure our first date should be a baseball game where we support rival teams?”

“Come on. I know you’re a big baseball fan, I’m not that big of a fan. My friends are huge fans and I go with them every once in a while. This baseball rivalry is not going to ruin our relationship” Kim waves the two tickets in front of Trini with a hopeful smile on her face, “What do you say? First date? Don’t dodge this, dodger” Kim laughed slightly at her own joke.

“Alright, it’s a date” Trini laughs at the witty joke Kim just said. The two reached their floor and Kim opened her dorm room and let themselves inside.

“Can I tell you something? It’s a funny story and it led me to this really great girl, actually” Trini bites her lip as she closed the door behind her. “I use tinder to just look at girls… I always swipe left on everyone even if they’re cute. When I saw you on Tinder, I looked at your pictures and all, as I was about to swipe left, I accidentally super liked you…”

Kim let out a laugh at the silly story, the story that basically started it all. “You said this girl is really great? You like her a lot?” Kim steps forward and takes Trini’s hand in hers, never breaking eye contact.

“I like her a lot”

“I like you a lot too” Kim runs her hand up and cups Trini’s jaw, Kim leans in and kisses Trini’s cheek. “I don’t kiss before the first date”

“You just did”

“I mean on the lips”

“Does that mean i get to kiss you after the game?” Trini smiles up, getting up on her tippy toes and leaning slightly forward to tease Kim.

“Hmm,” Kim smirks and pulls back, “If the Angels win, you can kiss me. If not, you can kiss my ass”

Trini gasps as she pushes Kim slightly away, both of them laughing. “Wow, I can’t believe you. You are the death of me, Kimberly Hart. Making me double cross my team again.”

—

Kim wore her white and red Angels jersey along with an Angels cap while Trini wore her white and blue Dodgers jersey accompanied by a Dodgers cap. The two sat on their seats, sharing a large Dr. Pepper, popcorn, and a hotdog.

Baseball—it’s a fairly uneventful game. There’s a lot of talking going on in the background until the batter hits the ball, then all eyes are on the field seeing the event that unfolds to score a point.

Trini had to admit that a baseball game for a date is actually pretty nice. They both get to talk about themselves, their hands intertwined majority of the time, laugh together, and catch a game that they both enjoy, despite the team rivalry.

Kim laughs every time the Dodgers scored, Trini would jump up her seat and yell along with the rest of the Dodgers fans. Then, Kim would snicker at Trini’s grumbling face every time the Angels scored, planting a kiss on Trini’s cheek to lift her spirits up.

At the end of the game, 3-2 match, meaning the Dodgers wins and Trini was sufficiently happy. They stayed in their seats for a while, waiting for the crowd to thin. They walked out of the stadium hand in hand, they switched hats sometimes during the game, like star crossed lovers amongst their fellow fans.

“So, Dodgers won. That means I don’t get to kiss you” The two arrived at Kim’s car, parking near the streetlight of the almost empty parking lot.

Before Kim unlocked her car, she looks at Trini and saw the smile fade into a small disappointed pout. Kim walks to Trini and grabs her jaw and leans forward to capture her lips. Trini kisses back, her feet tippy toed, hands slowly wrapping around Kim’s waist. Kim pushed her arms to wrap around Trini’s neck.

Their bodies moving closer and Trini’s body slowly sandwiched between Kim and the side of Kim’s car.

A long beeping sound and a bunch of wolf whistles broke them apart. They looked to where the ruckus was coming from. A bunch of guys with their heads hanging out the window and catcalling the two girls kissing.

“Fuck off, assholes” Kim yelled and Trini gave the guys the middle finger. They heard a roar of laughter and eventually they drove off.

“Well that happened” Trini giggled and dropped her head on the top of Kim’s chest, snuggling for warmth and comfort that Kim provided. “I really like kissing you” Trini mumbles into Kim’s shirt. “I really like you…” Trini continued, “Even if you’re an Angels fan” Trini looks up and giggles at Kim.

“And I really like you too… Look at you, hitting first base” Kim leans forward, their noses touching.

“Wow, baseball jokes, witty”

Kim drove Trini to her dorm, kissing her goodnight at the car, almost not wanting to pull back. "Message me when you get to your place?" Trini smiles, pulling back from the kiss, only to receive another kiss.

"Of course"

Trini sits on her bed once she gets to her dorm, taking off the Angels hat that rests on her head and smiling at the eventful first date she just had with an amazing woman. Smiling to herself, still unbelieving that any of today had just happened.

Trini opens her snapchat and checks the snaps that she and Kim had sent to their story.

Kim: Keep the hat. It's a prize for Dodgers winning ;) Trini: Not sure if I wanna keep an Angels hat. Trini: Kinda have a reputation to keep Trini: But bc you're pretty i'll hold on to it Kim: Pretty girl is flattered. Thanks for today, I had a lot of fun. Coffee tomorrow morning? Trini: ofc. Goodnight princess. Kim: goodnight Angel :x

—

“I didn’t understand the entire lesson at all” Kim groans at she exits the class with Trini by her side.

“I kinda get it, I have to read the chapter again to understand even further” Trini says, grabbing on to Kim’s arm and snuggling with it. “Can we study at your place?”

“Of course”

The two walked back to Kim’s dorm. They’ve been dating for the past two months and everything is well. A normal routine of seeing each other every day of the week. Trini wakes up even earlier to grab coffee for the both of them, heads to the pool where Kim trains every morning. Trini would then hand Kim her coffee and both make their way to Kim’s dorm.

With Trini grabbing coffee in the morning for them, it adds time for them to spend together. They grab breakfast sometimes, they hang lazily, they cram their environmental biology lessons before the quiz or test, or they make out. On weekends they often run errands, go on dates, Kim sometimes have competition, Trini makes sure to support her girlfriend. Often Kim is helping her friend, Jason with his photography project and is often the muse. Trini would be sitting in the sideline watching at Kim gets pampered for her mini shoot with Jason, just watching at how beautiful her girlfriend is.

Making out is both their favorite activities. Trini would often just be lying down on Kim’s bed while Kim takes a shower. The next thing she knows, Kim is crawling on the bed and kissing Trini.

“And deleted” Trini drops her phone on the bed and looks over at Kim doing the same thing. They both had just deactivated their Tinder accounts and deleted the app. Both haven’t logged back in the app since they both met and have no intention of ruining just the most perfect relationship they both have been.

“Okay, so tell me what you learned during class and teach it to me” Kim flops on her bed in front of Trini with her textbook and notes open, a bunch of pens, pencils, and highlighters scattered around but only the pink and yellow highlighter used.

“The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell”

“Oh God, I cannot believe you, you nerd” Kim sits up and faces Trini. “I remember looking at your Tinder profile and saying how big of a bad ass nerd this chick is”

“I told you, I never took Tinder seriously. It was honestly to turn girls off but I managed to lure your nerdy ‘I’m a smart ass pre-med student and I’m going to be a doctor’ ass” Trini scoffs and laughs, looking down at her textbook and attempting to read the chapter.

Kim just stares at her girlfriend. Scooting a bit more to Trini and wrapping an arm around Trini’s shoulders. Her nerdy, Dodger loving, succulent caretaker, adorable, small girlfriend. “I love you”

Trini looks up from her book and directly into Kim’s sincere eyes. “What?”

“I love you, Trini Gomez” Kim closed her eyes and laughs to herself, bringing her hands together while still holding Trini. “I’m so glad you accidentally ‘Super Liked’ me. I am hopelessly in love with you”

Kim pushes herself up on the bed until she’s forehead to forehead with Trini. Trini smiles, hearing some pens fall off the bed. “I love you too, Kimberly Hart. I’m so happy you actually ‘Super Liked’ me.” Trini releases a giant grin, still unbelieving that this woman actually ‘Super Liked’ her and is now her girlfriend.

Trini feels Kim’s lips on hers and she believes.

--

Notes:

AN: Los Angeles Dodgers and Anaheim Angels both play for the MLB. They’re only about 30 mins to an hour away from each other in the Los Angeles vicinity so a lot of people root for their team when they go up against each other. Also, they go to University of California (probably UCLA but it's a fake UC), I didn’t specify which because I don’t want to research that much into it. So fake UC school! Yay!

So I had a Tinder way back when it was popular just for fun because my friends had it for fun. I haven’t used it in forever so I re downloaded it for science (just for u guys, I deleted it again). I hope you guys enjoyed! And enjoyed the pictures I made as well!

Enjoy the rest of Trimberly week! This is the only work I have done so far and hopefully I find the motivation to write more.

#Trimberly #Trimberly Week #Kimberly Hart #Trini #Power Rangers #Trimberly Week Day 1 #social media au #college au #coffee shop au #tinder au #my fic #my post

[theatlantafans-blog]

BITE THE SANDWICH. A conversation with Emmett Hunter of FX’s Atlanta.

Even if you live under a rock you’ve probably heard of FX’s hit show ATLANTA. Donald Glover is perhaps the hottest thing in Hollywood at the moment, and anticipation for season two of the series has been building for some time now. Though there were several moments in the debut season that stood out, one in particular stuck with me. Glover’s character, Earn, sits on the bus with his young daughter. This scene, following a stressful day for the series’ protagonist, culminates with a man who appears to be in the Nation of Islam, sitting down near Earn and offering him a bite of a [freshly made] Nutella sandwich. Following Earn’s rejection of the snack, the man exits the bus and disappears into the woods with a dog. Strange to say the least, huh? My friends and I have gone back and forth on what this scene means for nearly a year. We haven’t really gotten anywhere. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with the actor who portrays the now infamous character that is Ahmad White, AKA “The Notorious Nutella-Offerer.” His name is Emmett Hunter.

So first and foremost, for the people who don't know, who are you? What's a bit of your background?

First off I appreciate you reaching out to interview me, brother. My name is Emmett Hunter. I am originally from the Tampa Bay area, specifically the Clearwater/Largo, Fl area. I went to Jacksonville University where I met my wife of fifteen years and we have three beautiful kids together. I also played college football as well. But deep down inside I've always had a passion for the arts. Believe it or not, I was even part of a rap group called the “Juda Knights” from around 9th grade to my junior year of college. I'm also a huge fan of African-American literature as well as a low-key poet. (Laughs.)

Of course the reason we're speaking right now is because you obviously were on Season one of ATLANTA. On FX.  Your character was a character who many people seemed to be intrigued with. The scene on the bus where you offered Donald Glover's character a sandwich, which he rejected, (laughs) was a scene that got a lot of people talking. Talk a little bit about your character on the show and the role he played in season one.

I played a character named Ahmad White in season one of ATLANTA. My character appeared in the first episode as well as the Emmy Award winning “B.A.N.” episode which was written and directed by Donald. I knew the bus scene with Donald and I would go down as one of the most memorable scenes of season one. I remember right before we shot the scene the director, Hiro Murai, told me this was his favorite scene and that he was excited to finally shoot it, which made me really nervous! (Laughs.)As crazy as the bus scene was, the conversation Donald and my character had was really powerful to me. I think Ahmad was trying to tell Earn to trust this process we call life and it will take you where you're destined to go.... I believe Ahmad's role on the show was a bit of “semi-crazy philosopher” that actually presented the world with truth mixed with a little “off-the-wallness! I'm sure that's not a word. (Laughs.) In my mind, Ahmad White was that weird guy that you find in every hood, on every block, and on every subway or bus. The weird “wino” like guy that roamed the streets [and] always had something valuable to say, but that could also snap on you at any moment. I knew plenty of guys like Ahmad growing up. They would talk a bunch of craziness to you, but in the mist of the ramblings would say some thoughtful truths.

My friend Tyler and I are always discussing the significance of you offering the sandwich to Donald. We still don't really understand what that fully meant. Can you help us out?

I've been asked to explain the significance of the sandwich probably a thousand times. Honestly my take on it is that when you're creating these scenes, [it’s] essentially art…and when it comes to art, some things are left up to the viewer or listener’s interpretation. The reasoning for Ahmad wanting Earn to bite the sandwich could mean different things to different people.

What was it like working on the show? Set life, table reads, the filming process, etc. And of course, everyone wants to know what Donald is like. It's not like you filmed in another state or whatever and it was edited in, you filmed a very intimate scene with him. Can you talk about that?

Working on the set of Atlanta was surreal. It is truly one of the highlights of my life. I had the opportunity to meet Donald... Lakeith [Stanfield] and Brian Tyree Henry. All of those guys were so laid back and down to earth. The Atlanta set was such a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. I didn't feel like I was working at all. As far as working with Donald, I don't know if I've ever met a superstar that was so humble. In between takes we shared some small conversation, but honestly I didn't say much because I knew we were there to get the scene done. When I came back to shoot the B.A.N. episode he was behind the camera directing. He smiled and embraced me and said "Thank you for coming back." I thought to myself "[How] am I supposed to turn an opportunity like this down?" (Laughs) I knew after reading the script for the B.A.N. episode that it would be a classic. To this day I still pop that script [out] and read it just for the fun of it. It's one of the most brilliantly written pieces in all of television. A lot of people don't know that a lot of what Ahmad White said during the B.A.N. episode wasn't originally in the script. As I was doing my takes he would just throw extra stuff in there. I would say my lines and out of nowhere he would say, "Now say, “If you'd like to be smart as a baby dolphin call now.”” Everyone in the room would just bust out laughing.

That’s hilarious. How did you land the role?

My agent sent me the script for ATLANTA when it was initially a pilot and told me I had an audition. After I read the script for the role I immediately connected with the character. As I was doing the audition I genuinely felt every one of those words. The moment was like magic. I had done over 100 auditions before that, but I knew that role was mine. It really felt like it was meant to be. I sent the audition to my agent and waited for what seemed like an eternity for a reply. My agent contacted me about a month later and told me production wanted me to audition again, but with a few more directions. I did the audition and sent it to them and they finally offered me the role. Man, I was so excited I just can't really put it into words.

With Season two now here, can we expect another appearance from you?

As far as season two is concerned, unfortunately my character will not be returning. I honestly thought my character would return for sure, so needless to say I was a little shook. But at the same time it's not over until it’s over. Donald if you're reading this, pencil ya boy in somewhere in season three! (Laughs) On the real though I'm grateful to Donald, Hiro [Murai], and the whole FX crew. They gave me the platform to showcase my talent and I will forever be thankful for the opportunity.

Shifting gears now, I feel like recently people who look like "us" in the industry are finally starting to get some notoriety. (Laughs) You know, brown skin. From ATLANTA, to “Get Out” and “Black Panther” is obviously red hot right now. What have been some of your favorite films and shows recently?

I feel like it's our time now, brother. There is so much greatness out there that’s being created by black people. Shows Like Atlanta, Blackish, Luke Cage, Power, The Chi, Insecure, and so many others. My favorite show right now is “The Chi.” I love that show, man. It's absolute magic from top to bottom. Of course my favorite movie right now is Black Panther. I've actually seen it twice and I have to admit, it brought a brother to tears. In all honesty Black Panther had the greatest exhibition of acting I've ever seen in an action movie. Chadwick [Boseman]... Lupita [Nyong’o]... Winston [Duke]... they all killed it. Black people are finally getting the opportunity to tell our stories from our perspective and it is beautiful to watch.

Black Panther is amazing. I should check out The Chi, I’ve heard great things. Who's someone you'd like to work with that you have not already?

My dying wish is to work with Ryan Coogler. That brother is a freaking genius! I've been following his work since Fruitvale Station.

I saw you were on an episode of South Beach Tow. That was dope. What's next for you? More roles coming soon?

As far new roles go, you can catch me in season seven of Homeland which airs on Showtime.

I’ll check that out. What something about the entertainment industry that you think people should know? Primarily pertaining to people of color.

I think our people should know that we have now. It's our time. There are so many ways for us to get our stories out to the world. From YouTube, to Netflix, short films, indie films, or however you decide. People like Donald and Issa [Rae] have paved the way. They've shown us that you don't have to be one-dimensional. You can write, create, direct and star in your own projects and there is an audience out there that looks like you that can't wait to see it.

Any advice for a kid who wants to act and/or direct?

The advice I would give to kids out there is [to] use all the tools available to you to tell your story. From your cell phone, to social media, your friends, etc. Don't sit around and wait for someone to give you an opportunity. Create your own! As an actor I can tell you, you will audition a lot, and face a lot of rejection. You have stay positive and keep pushing until your time comes. Just trust the process.

This interview has been condensed from its original version. Catch Emmett Hunter on HOMELAND Season seven on SHOWTIME now. Season two of ATLANTA premieres March 1st, 2018.

Courtesy: Christopher Charleston. @ChristophEaston

#atlanta #fx #donald glover #gambino #atlantafx #robbinseason #atlantaonfx #emmett hunter #childish gambino

[deryldodd]

BEHIND THE RIDE - Long Hard Ride, The Novel

Hey everyone, Happy New Year !! I hope you’re all doing great and are happy and healthy !! It’s been awhile since I’ve written :) I’ve been in the studio finishing my latest album, “Long Hard Ride,” and I can’t wait to share it with you !! I’m most proud of this recording for so many reasons. And you’re dang sure gonna hear about it :) All of these stories I’ve been writing to you, about the music and my life, have all led to Right Now…to this album. And my greatest hope is that in some way this may be inspiring to someone. As I have been inspired by SO many along the way.

Ok, picking up now where I left off on the last blog. It was 1991 and I had driven up to Nashville on a Sunday, having been invited by the great Dean Dillon to visit during Fan Fair week (the biggest music event of the year in Nashville at the time.) I had gotten a room at Shoneys Inn where Dean said his bus would be in the parking lot on that Monday morning. I couldn’t believe this was happening. But the morning came and I looked out the window and there was Dean and his band, loading their gear onto the bus. So I made my way out to let him know I was there. And I’ll never forget, he just looked at me and nodded and said “get on.” Amazing. So I rode around all week, going to all of his shows and his TV appearances. My eyes were wide open, taking it all in. It was like a dream. I saw so much of the town and the talent and the music :) One night, (at band camp…HA…I had to) I was backstage at one of Deans big outdoor concerts at the fairgrounds and I ran into several musicians that I knew from playing back home. After that, it didn’t feel so big and scary to be there, to see friends I knew, that were doing exactly what I hoped to do. They were playing on the road with different major recording artists and the conversations I was having with everyone were so exciting, fast and furious.

While I was already reeling from all the excitement I was experiencing there, another miracle happened. On one of the days I was there, I went and hung out with Deans keyboard player, Mr. Gordon Dee. He was also a publisher and had an office and wanted to hear some of my songs. So while I was there playing songs, Gordon had to take a phone call.  I was just sitting there noodling around on the guitar when a guy walked in to talk to Gordon and saw that he was on the phone and said he would come back later. So then he looked at me and asked who I was and I told him I was up visiting from Texas. The next thing that he said was unbelievable. He asked me if I would be interested in a gig !! He told me he performed at the Opryland hotel and wanted to know if I would meet with the booking agent who handled all of the acts there, and that the agent was just now looking to put a new group together. I was like “uh, YES !!” So he gave me a card and said to give the agent a call. So I did and I drove over to meet Him. He was super cool and asked me a lot of questions and just talkin shop. And then he asked if I knew any bass players who might also be interested and I said, “yes I do !!” So when I got back to Texas after this mind blowing week, I talked to my long time friend Brett Beavers who was looking to move to Nashville as well. I told him about the agent and that we needed to take a trip up there to meet with him and see what happens. And so we did !! We drove up to Nashville about 2 weeks after I had been up there with Dean. I mean, I’d never really been outside of Texas and now I’m crossing the country like a champ haha !! Anyway, we met with the agent and shot the breeze awhile and then we played him some songs and he DUG it. He Introduced us to a girl he wanted us to join up with to become a trio. Her name was Amber Ridgeway, and she was an amazing talent and had a great voice and could play guitar and sing harmony like a bird !! So we all got together and played songs we all knew to see how our harmonies sounded and how we gelled. It was like a hand in a glove. So natural. It’s amazing when you get around musicians you don’t even know and can just sit down and make magic :) So we rehearsed for about a week and learned about 4 hours of music and went right to work playing all the different stages they had at the hotel :):)

Brett and I had been living in Nashville and playing steady at the Opryland hotel now for about 6 months, around 5 to 6 nights a week and Loving it. It allowed us to get around during the day and meet people and learn the ropes. Knowing how tough it was to break into this town, we knew how Very fortunate we were, not only to get a gig in Nashville, but it was the Opryland Hotel !! Very nice and upbeat and an exciting place to be and we were extremely grateful. (we had just spent 4 years in every bar in Texas and we knew exactly how to be Grateful !) So one day the booking agent that hired us for the Opryland hotel gig had asked me to come by his office and that he had some good news. When I got to his office he began to tell me about a new RCA recording artist by the name of Martina McBride. And how Great she was (she Was and Is) and that her debut album was turning All the heads ( it Did, What a Great Album, what a Voice) and that she was going to have auditions, putting together her road band, to go out and tour. She would be opening up for Garth Brooks for the next year and a half. (biggest tour on the planet at that time, IS ALL…are you kidding me !!) He thought that Brett and I would both have a good shot at getting the gig. So he gave us 2 cassette tapes of 4 songs each from her new album to take home and learn the instrumental and harmony parts. Brett played bass and I played electric and we sang the harmonies and practiced for about a week before going to the audition. All of this was happening so fast and was so exciting !!

It was a cold night and Brett and I had just pulled up to the warehouse where the auditions were being held. We both said a prayer and then we clinked 2 long necks together and said, “Well, here we go brother !!” So we grabbed our guitars and walked up to to the warehouse where there was a line of musicians around the corner. As prepared as we were, the nerves were really beginning to set in. We finally got inside and we’re up next. We plugged in our instruments and met Martina. She was very sweet and beautiful and had a very determined presence about her. She calmed us by making jokes and what not. Then it was time. So the drummer, the great Eric Nelson, (who would later play drums with me from 1997 to around 2005) kicked off the first song and away we flew !! It seems like a blur but we did great. I mean, Brett and I had been playing and singing together for so long, that we just went in there and did what we do. She was Amazing and had such a powerful voice. Even in that live setting, after singing all day, she hit every note so perfect and with such power and passion, it was just like breathing to her. I felt all of our voices blended really well together. When it was over, we met with Martina and her husband John, just to share some background and become a little more acquainted. She did say she loved how we sounded with her and that they would get back to us in about a week. So we left feeling relieved and pretty confident in the way we performed.

That was the longest week Ever !! But I remember talking with Brett and feeling like we did as good a job as we could have. And luckily we went and played our gig at the hotel every night which helped to keep our minds off of it. So later that week, the phone rang. And thanks to caller ID, it said John McBride, and I shouted, (with my inside voice) and answered the phone. John began talking about Everything, except for what I was so anxious to hear !! Yes it made me feel like I didn’t get the gig, but It was also kinda funny, like I was beginning to think he had forgotten what he called me for :) But I was enjoying the conversation to where I even forgot about why he called !! And then he wrapped it all up by sayin, “oh yeah, by the way, you and Brett got the job!” Then he quickly said he would talk soon and rehearsals would start in a week and hung up. And that was it !! I shouted now with a full voice and jumped up and probably did some kind of silly dance, but I was like “wow man…wow. We did it”. I called Brett, we both knew our lives were fixin to change forever. But we were prepared and super excited and had a whole new feeling of confidence and more importantly, we both knew that God had just given us a great gift.

It was nothing short of Rocket to the Moon everyday in every way from that point on. Everything that came about after this was unbelievable. Not only were we playing in front of 20,000 people in arenas all over the country, 5 nights a week, staying out on the road in a bus for 6 weeks at a time, we were writing songs, getting publishing deals, playing on demo sessions and going down to Printers Alley and sitting in with all star bands made up of the hottest road pickers who were playing with the hottest artists in town, who just happened to be home for a few days. Because we all LOVED to play !! The energy was phenomenal. This is how we grew and were inspired and formed invaluable relationships and wrote songs…It was non stop !! We were now in the middle of it all, living the dream, getting our chances and stepping up to the plate and hittin home runs. We were makin it. That whole “one in a million chance” that we might get to the place that EVERYONE who came to that town also hoped to get to…all of a sudden, we were there. And we were Thankful. I mean, just the whole getting there, the way we got there. Years growing up in Texas and then cutting our teeth in the bars with different bands and playing anywhere and everywhere and the vans and trailers and the miles and Waffle Houses and hotels and the cra cra and Whew !!! And meeting Dean Dillon and visiting him in Nashville and while I was there, landing a job at the great Opryland hotel which got us moved up there and we were Really in Nashville Tennessee playing music !! We got around town and went to events (like the Bluebird Cafe to hear the great Radney Foster, only to eventually become great friends and I got to sing on one of his albums) and played so many historic venues and met so many people and got to meet some of our heroes and touring with Martina (who was so gracious and helpful, moving me forward with my career…You’re The Best…SO thankful for those early years) and doing dates with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Vince and Alan Jackson and Tanya Tucker and Marty Stuart and on and on and playing on the Grand Ole Opry with Roy Acuff and Bill Monroe and Tom T. Hall and then playing guitar and recording with my friend Tracy Lawrence for a few years which was a BLAST and TL was so kind to me and did a lot for me, (thank you and love you man) and getting 2 songs cut by my friend Tim McGraw, (you were such a great friend to me in those early days and letting me come open a few weeks on your first Soul to Soul tour…I love ya man) then ‘Getting a Major Record Deal’ with Sony/Columbia and recording 3 albums (Jim Beavers, David Corlew and Byron Boyd…I love you all, always) which produced songs like “That’s How I Got To Memphis” and “One Ride in Vegas” and “Sundown” and “A Bitter End” and “Pearl Snaps” and “Honky Tonk Champagne” (Shane Decker…Mucho Love my friend) and “She’ll Have You Back” and…………

In 1998, I got really sick………..and Everything that was going on just Stopped for almost 2 years. So many things were going on in my life and I was fighting my record label for the freedom to make the music I wanted to make and to let me be Me. Touring and personal life and so much stress had built up that I literally broke down. It was the hardest thing ever, to handle in my life. Not the physical part of the illness but the mental part. The mental part of trying to make sense of it all and feeling cheated and bitter and all those things anyone would naturally feel. And worse than that, I felt I had let a whole lot of people down. The song I had written, “A Bitter End,” was a single on the radio at the time and doing great. I was set to tour with Tim McGraw and the Dixie Chicks. The tour was going to run for 2 months and I just knew this was going to really put us on the map. But the morning I woke up and couldn’t stand up without falling or move my arms, all things concerning music took a back seat to not dying. I thought I could fight it and even tried to go tour. But I was so wrong. I had no control over my voice and couldn’t play or even hold my guitar. And could barely even stand. I stubbornly got on stage in Dallas at a sold out show at the big Starplex opening for Brooks and Dunn and realized I had no business being up there. The last song I sang was “A Bitter End” and I just broke down and cried. Wow, what an emotional night, for Everyone. So, it was over. The party was over. And loneliness and fear set in big time. I was in bed for about 8 months just watching the world go by, like a Ferris wheel…and I wasn’t on it.

I had to come to terms with the fact that this was how it was going to be for me. And to stop being angry and to stop feeling that this was God’s fault or my record labels fault or ANYBODY’S fault…and to just be grateful that I still had my life. And that I needed to get on with how I could be useful exactly how I was Now. And when I sincerely accepted this in my heart, that’s the moment when I miraculously started getting better and getting my coordination and strength back. I was truly learning the lesson of LETTING GO. That I was Not in control of anything. And to be grateful for each moment bc we are not guaranteed the next day. I slowly got better and learned to play and sing and write all over again. Thanks to more LOVE from family and friends and fans than I could ever express my thankfulness, I got up and I struggled and I know I sounded AWFUL but I kept trying and I didn’t give up…I never gave up.

Eventually I moved back to Texas and I wrote a song about WHAT this WHOLE experience meant to me. The song was “Things Are Fixin’ To Get Real Good.” It was my statement to myself. A new perspective on everything. Thankfully I was able to continue to play music and make records and to do what I believe I was made to do. The illness wasn’t a setback, it saved my life. It saved me from myself. I learned to be positive no matter what and that there was a much bigger purpose beyond the “business” of music. I began to meet these amazing people that were responsible for an incredible new music movement in Texas that were blowing up the establishment and getting back to the roots of country, folk and rock and roll music. People like Rick Smith, Roger Creager, Kevin Fowler, Randy Rogers,Pat Green,Larry Joe Taylor and SO many others who became my friends and were unbelievably supportive. They let me share their stages, encouraged me and brought me back to life.  “Things Are Fixin’ To Get Real Good” became more than just a song to me. It became an anthem…a prayer…victory :)

And now, maybe you know a little bit more about what’s behind the lyrics to the song and how this song leads to RIGHT NOW…January 2017…having just finished the album “Long Hard Ride.” This album is a recreation of songs that I wrote and/or recorded from 1996 to now. The best part of the album is that 13 of my friends and amazing artists, some that I mentioned above, are singing with me on each song. It’s unbelievable to me that this really happened. Its about unity and independence…it’s Texas. And this has been one big beautiful collaboration of talented and loving people :) Starting of course with my band, my brothers, Andrew Raley, Kerry Wilson and Steve Rhian…I love you way beyond the notes. All the great musicians who contributed so much to the music, Thank You !! And the talented engineers, especially Bart Rose, Ben Hussey and Josh Serrato, we did it !!  All of the awesome studios that were involved to help make this album possible :)  I have to say a special thanks to my old friends Brett Beavers and Greg Mangum for working it out to record Wade Bowen at your studio in Nashville…that meant a whole lot to me…I love ya. Bobby Arnold, Abbey Road, Howie Edelman and Dave Smith and everyone helping to get this album and the story out there to the universe…come on man…WOOHOO :):) “Long Hard Ride.” It’s finally HERE !!!!!

The album release date is April 24th with a new single off the album, “She’ll Have You Back” featuring Roger Creager set to be released to radio on February 24th !!! Unbelievable…thank You God…thank You for Your Amazing Grace.

Long Hard Ride…what a Ride…and I thank YOU !!! After all these years I can say, that it Was and Is, All about THE RIDE…this crazy wonderful Ride :) God Bless you Everyone…dd</p>

#kevinfowler #brettbeavers #timmcgraw #brooksanddunn #wadebowen #rogercreager #stoneylarue #randyrogers #bonniebishop #texasmusic #countrymusic #Nashville #grandoldopry #martinamcbride #tracylawrence #matthillyer #codyjinks #codyjohnson #larryjoetaylor #daveperez #williamclarkgreen #radneyfoster

[ohmytheon]

if there's nothing left to burn (jyn/cassian, rogue one)

Summary: Stationed at the Rebel base on the cold hell of Hoth, Jyn and Cassian finally come together and find a new way to keep warm. (Set in between “A New Hope” and “Empire Strikes Back”, this is exactly the smut the summary suggests.)

if there’s nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire

Everything was a lie: hell had truly frozen over and they were using it as a base for the Rebellion.

Jyn could see why they were using Hoth as a hideout, considering that it was almost impossible to see twenty feet ahead of yourself on a good day. The inside of the base could get warm enough, but it was never quite hot. That meant that she slept in pants and long sleeves, wrapped up in a blanket, before she could get comfortable. One time she’d even used the towel for her refresher as an extra layer. Desperate times called for desperate measures and Jyn was used to improvising.

Still, she handled it better than others on their team. Besides her, only Bodhi seemed to do okay, having spent countless days on planets with varying weather. He was either used to the cold or able to adapt easily. She thought the cold and deep snow messed with Chirrut’s senses and Baze packed on even more layers than before, looking like a burly bundle with a mop of hair some days. K-2SO obviously didn’t think anything was a problem until ice started to form around his limbs during one long survey outside and then became adamantly against snow.

Out of everyone though, Cassian took the change in climate the worse. Yavin IV hadn’t been the best place, but it had been at least comfortable and stable, rarely changing throughout its year. Jyn had thought he would handle it well since he was used to being sent to other places throughout the galaxy, but then she remembered his large coat with the fuzzy hood when they’d gone to Jedha. Having grown up there, she knew the dessert could get cold and she had layered up, but not as much as him.

On Hoth, Cassian seemed personally offended by how cold it was and it gave her endless amusement. Every time she spotted him walking through the base, jerking on his jacket, scarf, or gloves, she felt her lips tugging into a grin. He was almost always scowling by this point and downright glaring once they had to step outside. His home planet of Fest had been hot, sunny, and dry with one rainy season. He hadn’t seen snow until he was older when he was ten, four years after he’d been scooped up by the Rebellion. After a minute of wonder, he had decided that he didn’t like it and he hated it now.

“Oh, look, another blizzard is approaching,” Cassian grumbled as he stared out the window. “Marvelous.”

“I’m sensing sarcasm, Captain,” K-2SO informed, which only caused Cassian to fold his arms across his chest and glower at the offensive white stuff falling from the sky at rapid rates.

“We need to get a move on if we’re going to make it to the area marked,” Jyn said as she began to adjust her hat and goggles.

Bodhi was the only one already ready, goggles in place over his eyes and scarf wrapped around the bottom of his face, making him look like some otherworldly creature attempting to appear human. He muffled something in response that no one could understand because of the scarf, but she nodded anyways. He was probably just agreeing with her. They had a limited amount of time to scout the area where an Imperial probe was thought to be seen before returning to base. They didn’t want to be out there once the blizzard actually hit.

“I’m not going to be able to see a damn thing with these goggles and snow anyways,” Cassian complained as he tugged them on awkwardly. She had never seen him struggle with anything so much as all these layers they were forced to put on. Typically cool and impassive, Hoth had finally managed to unsettle him in a way that only Jyn had once seemed capable of doing. “We’re as good as blind out there half the time.”

“Oh no, what a nightmare,” Chirrut gasped as he stepped forward. Cassian shot the man a glare, which he picked up on without actually seeing it, and then put on the rest of his gear in quick, jerky movements. It only managed to amuse Chirrut, who smiled in that oblivious way that told everyone he knew exactly what was happening.  She had no idea how he managed it. “Remember, Captain, you can still see without actually seeing as long–”

“I got it,” Cassian snapped before pulling the goggles over his hat. Jyn glanced at Bodhi, who shrugged his shoulders. Chirrut didn’t seem to mind being interrupted, merely tapping the ground with his staff. He and Baze wouldn’t be joining them for this mission. It was to only be the three of them: Cassian, Jyn, and Bodhi. Besides, it was only supposed to be a recon mission anyways, quick and small. Either it was an Imperial drone or a meteor, which hit the planet every now and then.

As K-2SO helped Bodhi onto his tauntaun, the two of them struggling and arguing with one another as the animal kept backing away from the robot, Jyn returned her gaze to Cassian. He was currently having trouble with his scarf, despite the fact that he wore it most of the time. Biting her lip to keep herself from grinning, she took a step towards him and reached out. “Here, let me.”

“I can do it myself,” Cassian told her, even as his hands stopped and he allowed her to fix the scarf around his neck and tuck it securely in his jacket. It was a simple gesture, not intimate at all, and yet she felt herself warming up every second she stood close to him. Her fingers occasionally brushed against the near constant scruff on his cheeks and neck as she moved. She kept her focus on the scarf, determinedly forcing a blank expression, while he focused intensely on her face. Why did he have to look at her like that? Now her suit felt far too hot.

“There, is that better?” Jyn asked as she pulled the scarf over his face.

Cassian didn’t say anything, merely stared down at her, but he didn’t have to. Eventually he nodded his head and she pulled her hands away from him. He fixed his goggles into place and pulled himself onto his tauntaun with a lot more ease than Bodhi, who liked to say that he was capable of piloting mechanical things, not living ones. At least that wasn’t a problem for him.

After helping Jyn up onto her tauntaun, K-2SO let out a mechanical huff and took a step back. “Do you need the statistics for–?”

Jerking his scarf down a bit, Cassian interrupted, “We know the timeline; we have the coordinates; you explained the route at least five times,” before jerking it back up.

K-2 threw his hands up in such a human-like act of annoyance that it made Jyn smile behind her scarf. “Well, I was only trying to give you assistance. You act so helpless in these weather conditions.”

Either disregarding his statement or choosing to ignore it altogether, Cassian tugged on the reins of his tauntaun and guided it out into the cold as the doors slowly opened for them. Jyn and Bodhi quickly followed, the three of them silent unless it was necessary to speak. It would take them a little under an hour to reach the coordinates and none of them wanted to waste anymore time outside to chitchat. Cassian stayed in the front and Jyn in the rear with Bodhi in between them. Lucky for them, the tauntauns they rode were a lot more adapted to this terrain.

By the time they reached their destination, it was starting to flurry. The three of them huddled further into their suits as if it would keep them warmer. They slowed down once near the coordinates, Cassian and Jyn jumping off their rides so that they could carefully inspect the area. A bit of black smeared the snow until they finally found the source. Only a meteor. Despite the fact that it meant their trek out here had been for nothing, the two of them visibly relaxed and looked at each other. Better a worthless mission into the biting cold than an Imperial drone, even a crashed one. Jyn gave a thumbs up to Bodhi, who was able to report their findings back to base.

After stomping through the snow back to their tauntauns, Cassian moved in to help her up. She was too short to do it on her own. He stepped behind her at first, as if moving to grab her around the waist and haul her up like K-2 would do, but then she heard him clear his throat and step to the side. He kneeled down and fitted his hands together so that she could step on them and allow him to give her a boost up. Bodhi harrumphed as she did it with more ease than him when K-2 had helped him earlier.

“Forty-five minutes until the blizzard hits,” Bodhi told them as Cassian pulled himself up onto his tauntaun again. Jyn saw him wince at the revelation. It would take them around fifty-five minutes to reach base, so they would have to push to go faster. Either way, they would at least get hit by part of the snow. He forced the tauntaun to rear around and started to hurry back with Jyn and Bodhi following swiftly. None of them wanted to be out when the blizzard hit, so it was best to move as fast as possible. The tauntauns seemed just as eager to return back to where it was warm.

As they moved swiftly through the snowy and icy terrain, the snow began to pick up. Bodhi’s head swiveled about to look around them while Cassian kept a laser-like focus ahead of them, never once turning away to even check on them. His mind was on the base already, probably picturing a blast of hot water from his refresher. Strange as it was, the hottest a person could get in the Hoth base was when hitting the showers. Jyn imagined it as well, the steam easing away her tensions, the hot water melting the permanent cold away until her skin was pink. For a moment, she pictured Cassian in that position as well and her face flushed underneath her scarf and goggles. Well,  that was one way to get hot.

Near the end of their return journey, they would’ve normally been able to see the base, but the snow was so bad that they could barely seen one another. Jyn nudged her tauntaun forward so that it was next to Bodhi’s, goading him to walk closer to Cassian, so that they wouldn’t lose one another. They moved slower now, but despite the piercing cold, she felt comforted by her close presence with the others. Her leg bumped into Cassian’s, finally causing him to tear his gaze away from ahead of them, and she tilted her head apologetically.

The second they burst back inside the hangar, all three of them sighed in relief. The door were slammed shut and sealed behind them. Jyn ripped off her goggles and hat, tossing them to the ground, before pulling down her scarf and taking in a deep breath. The room smelled like metal and oil, but she relished the familiarity of it. She could slowly feel the warmth of the sparks and engines seeping through her suit, but it wasn’t enough. She craved heat; Cassian was probably jonesing for it at this point.

It was easier to get down from the tauntaun than to get up, so she was able to jump down on her own. Bodhi did so clumsily while Cassian jumped down in a stiff movement, like he was partially frozen and couldn’t move all of his limbs properly. She rubbed her tauntauns snout fondly, silently thanking it, and then watched as the animals were led away. People could be difficult, but she had found throughout her life than animals were more loyal than most. They would’ve struggled on Hoth a lot more without them.

As Jyn began to strip the outer layers of her suit off, she turned around to see what everyone else was doing. K-2 had arrived once more and was talking with Cassian, who seemed reluctant to take any of his protective clothes off. She thought that the only reason he didn’t walk around completely bundled up was because of his pride.

Bodhi shivered up next to her. “I’m going to wrap myself in about a dozen blankets and take a nap before I’m due back here. I’ll see you at dinner.” He pat her on the back once before walking away, blowing into his hands and rubbing them. They waved at each other and then he disappeared behind a ship being rolled across the room.

Jyn glanced at Cassian again, but he seemed preoccupied with K-2, a frown etched onto his face as the robot spoke over him repeatedly. Who knew how long he would be busy with that and besides she wanted to be somewhere warm and standing right next to the door wasn’t helping any. She’d see him later besides. The two of them never seemed to go too long without seeing one another, even if there wasn’t a real reason. They just found each other.

Not bothering to tell him that she was leaving, she darted through the room towards the door and began to make her way to her room. It was smaller than most, but it had a decent-sized cot, the minimal space to exercise on the floor, and a refresher. That was all she needed and was a hell of an upgrade on some of the prisons she’d been in. The second she slipped into her room, she began to peel herself out of the suit until she was only in her thin tights and a tank top. She turned on the refresher to get the water hot and then rifled through the box under her cot to find a change of clothes that wasn’t soaked in cold sweat.

When the door to her room opened behind her suddenly, Jyn moved quickly to grab her blaster, but then realized she was being absurd. She would’ve heard something beforehand. She turned around, ready to chew out the poor idiot who had opened her door without knocking, only to see that it was Cassian standing in her doorway. Putting her hands on her hips, she looked at him expectantly, but he only stared back at her with slightly widened eyes. They looked darker than normal, but it may have been the poor lighting in her room.

“I turned around and you were no longer in the hangar,” Cassian told her in an attempt to explain why he’d barged into her room unannounced, which really wasn’t much of one, but she let it slide.

“Don’t worry, Cassian, I didn’t vanish on you,” Jyn teased him lightly as she picked up a towel. It had been over two years since their mission on Scarif. That first year, Cassian had acted like she might bolt the second he turned around. Truth be told, he hadn’t been entirely wrong. Fleeing was such a formative part of her core that it had felt strange to stay for the first time, but she had. A year later, she couldn’t imagine going somewhere that didn’t have Cassian as well. “I was cold - figured I’d indulge in some hot water.”

Cassian nodded. “Ah, yes, a shower.”

Despite the fact that he seemed to understand what she was saying, he didn’t make a move to leave. He just kept standing there in the doorway, like there was something else he wanted to say. She couldn’t imagine what though. Nothing had really happened in the past few weeks. It had been quiet on Hoth. Both of them had been itching for a mission off base, maybe a recruiting job for old times’ sake, but it hadn’t happened, so they had been stuck on Hoth, circling one another, things either unspoken or tamped down.

Just because she had stayed and he had been in the Rebellion for over twenty years didn’t mean either of them liked being in one place for too long. It made both of them restless. K-2 liked to point out the statistical rise in tension between them the longer the remained in stasis. She didn’t know what he was implying, but he sounded fairly smug about it for a robot. Even worse was that she couldn’t exactly deny it. She wanted to do something; she just didn’t know what.

She stared back at Cassian. Okay, maybe she did know what.

“Well?” Jyn prompted.

Cassian furrowed his brow. “Well, what?”

One of the sharpest people she knew, a top intelligence officer, and quicker on his feet than most – the man could be awfully thick sometimes. It happened with always putting the mission and others first. He always considered the cause, the Rebellion, before he thought of himself. Any sort of selfish thoughts or wants that he might have he squashed and hid away until they no longer existed in his mind. It sounded kind of tragic to her, but he would deny being selfless. One man’s desires wasn’t important. And yet there were times when he sure went out of his way for her, like she was important.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to join me?” Jyn asked with a completely straight face. “It’s a bit small, but can fit two people if you’re okay with being close. The water should be nice and hot soon.”

“Jyn,” Cassian managed in a ragged gasp, like her name had to be dragged out of him. His adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. He sounded torn, at once horrified that she’d read his mind and eager to acquiesce. She thought of him again in the shower, except this time he wasn’t allowed, and something very pleasant and warm tingled down her spine. “That is…”

“What?” Jyn sighed. She could already feel him turning away. Later on, she would pretend that it was a joke, seeing as how she liked to get under his skin, and they would laugh it off and forget it, just as they always tried to forget those little moments between them that felt too big for the room. “Not appropriate?”

He took a step forward and his eyes were definitely darker than before. Unlike normal, nothing was refrained in his eyes now, his gaze intense enough to cause her cheeks to burn. The door shut behind him once he was out of the way. The light in her room was dim, hanging over their heads and causing a strange glow over him. Half in shadow, half in light, just as he had been when she had first met him. There was something more open about him now though, perhaps even more dangerous. Instead of a cold, distrustful stare, it was hot and wanting, almost causing her to take a step back. The room felt far too small. Whatever was between them was too big, especially for a little refresher.

“That is not what I had in mind when I thought about how to warm up,” Cassian practically growled.

She had only heard him speak like that once, when they had gotten into a vicious row a few months back after a mission where she had needlessly and recklessly endangered herself. He’d had her nearly pinned against a wall by his mere presence alone, somehow larger than she’d ever seen him, but it hadn’t been anger in his eyes so much as fear. She could precisely recall the ferocity of his voice, his piercing stare, the set of his jaw, and how he had been so close that it had overwhelmed her senses. And then he’d touched her, but so gently, in strange contrast with everything else and she’d finally been rendered speechless.

It had had a visceral effect on her, shifting something fundamental between them, at least in her mind. The fact that that moment flashed in her mind whenever she touched herself on cold, lonely nights in her bunk was the least of her problems, not when she was thinking of it now and he was so damn close. The main problem was that there were far too many layers of clothes between them and a lot of unspoken rules they’d tried to construct. If they broke them now, she didn’t plan on going back, but she knew that he had so many walls in place for a reason.

One of those reasons was to protect her. As if his own wants could hurt her. He was so foolish sometimes.

She closed the gap for him, stepping forward and pressing her chest against his as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She had to stand on her tiptoes, not being in her boots anymore, but she ignored the precarious stance the second she pressed her lips against his. They had done this a handful of times before throughout the past two years, colliding into one another, always sloppy and heated. Sometimes it was in quiet moments; most of the time it was when they were both worked up. He always pulled away though, never quite apologized, but close enough.

This time though, she pulled him closer to her, her fingers threading through his hair. She wasn’t about to let him run off. His arms slid around her as he returned the kiss. It was needy and unrelenting. He pushed her backwards until her back hit the door of the refresher, pinning her there. He moved his hands so that one could slide down to grasp her hip and the other to roam freely over every inch of her body that he could touch. She squirmed against him until she could get her hands in between them so that she could unzip his jacket. She wanted to be closer to him and this fluffy thing was in the way.

The moment he shed his jacket and shook it off to the ground, his hands returned to her. She gasped as one of his hands found her breasts, swiping a thumb over the thin, tight material of her tank top until her nipple was erect. Leaning her head back to give him access to one of her most vulnerable spots, he kissed her cheek, jaw, and then down her neck, nipping at her pulse point. If he kissed or sucked the sensitive skin for too long, well, they were stationed on Hoth. Scarfs and high necks were part of the standard uniform. No one else would see the marks that he left, but she would be able to feel them and know that they were there. That she was his.

(There were marks telling of that already, but they were invisible, on her heart and soul. She couldn’t even say how long they had been there.)

The moment he pushed her tank top down and replaced his thumb with his mouth, Jyn bucked her hips into his involuntarily and let out a low moan. She couldn’t remember ever being so sensitive, like every touch from him set her nerves alight. She pressed a hand flat against the wall and grasped his sweater with the other. Every time she moved her hips against his, she could feel him growing harder against her, but it wasn’t enough. Her body craved more pressure. It felt like he had an advantage over her and he was in control, but she wanted more of everything, of him.

She pushed him away from her, catching him off guard and causing him to stumble, but then she reached out to grab him again and press a searing kiss against his lips. This time, he had to step backwards as he peeled his sweater off, still leaving him in a t shirt, until he bumped against her cot. She took advantage, knocking him back, and he began to laugh before he was cut off as she scrambled on top of him. Straddling his lap, she pressed her center down against him and whimpered into his neck as a thrill of pleasure rushed through her. He moaned, head thrown back against her pillow, grasping her hips and thrusting up against her.

Now she was the one with the advantage and she used every last bit of it. Despite the layers between them, it was just the right amount of pressure to send her close to the edge. He teased her with touches, his hands sliding under her tank top and fingertips gliding down her back and around her ribcage, up up until he grazed her breasts again. She rubbed against him, feeling herself get tighter and tighter each time. Tossing her messy hair to the side, she leaned down to kiss him again, but arched her back and gasped when he slid his fingers through her hair and pulled back to expose her neck. She hovered above him as she grinded down against him so that he could take one of her nipples in his mouth again.

The pressure building inside of her became too much to bear. She hadn’t felt something like this with another person in a long time. She’d never allowed herself to be so open in these moments. They had always felt more like quick, desperate scraps than anything else. With Cassian, he seemed to drag every moan and sigh and whimper out of her with his fingers and mouth alone and she was incapable of stopping herself. She gasped a word or two, nothing intelligible, maybe even his name, as she came undone. She couldn’t stop moving against him, burying her face in his neck, as she rode out her orgasm. It was like every last bit of tension in her body slowly ebbed from her body with each pulse in her center. She couldn’t help but think, in a desperate move to think clearly, that he was the center of a lot of that tension.

Cassian wasted no time as she came down from her high. He slipped an arm around her middle and flipped them over so that she was on her back and he hung over her, gazing down at her hungrily. The look on his face alone almost caused her to stop breathing. She had never seen him want something so much, like it would consume him until he had it, until he had her.

Not one to be outdone, Jyn ran a hand down his chest before slipping it into his pants. She grasped his hardened length through his boxers, causing him to jerk into her hand. His head dropped and he groaned out her name as she began to pump him. She didn’t look away from his face, too mesmerized by the flickers of emotion that crossed it as she touched him in ways she’d only guiltily fantasized about before. His arms shook as she brought him figuratively to his knees, but then he pulled away from her, moving down so that her hand couldn’t reach him. She went to protest, but he tugged on her tights and underwear instead, pulling them down to her ankles and exposing her to him.

Her first reaction was to close her legs and shy away from him. Jyn hadn’t been shy for a very long time. Sex was sex in the end. She’d never had a reason to care that she might not be up to par or that someone might look down on her for not being modest enough. But then Cassian was kissing up her inner thighs, the scruff on his cheeks burning her skin in a not unpleasant way.

“Cassian,” she breathed out as her hand found the top of his head. Her entire body felt tight again, getting tenser as he got closer to the apex of her thighs. She slid her fingers through his hair, letting him know without words that he didn’t have to, that she’d already gotten something from him, but then he ran his tongue up her slit to her clit and she was heaving her hips to his face, the air torn right out of her lungs.

“I want you,” he murmured into her, his breath hot against her center. She would never be cold again as long as she remembered this moment. “All of you.”

He ran his tongue against her adoringly, grasping one of her thighs and sliding a hand under her so that he could gain better access. Her breath turned ragged as she panted and felt her muscles tightening. When his tongue slid inside of her, she had to bit her lip to keep herself from crying out. She tried to stop her hips from moving, afraid that it would be uncomfortable for him, but she couldn’t stop. He began to focus on her clit again, causing her breath to stutter, and moved his hand from her thigh so that he could slide a finger inside of her. Finding her wet and very wanting, he added another, carefully curling his fingers as he moved them in and out to not hurt her.

Everything was building, higher and higher, until it felt like too much. She almost wanted to cry out for him to stop - the pressure inside of her was too much - until she suddenly came again. He groaned into her as moans tumbled out of her mouth and she arched her back, pressing down on his head. Her clit felt so sensitive and hard against his tongue that she thought she might never stop as her walls tightened around his fingers. The dim light above them shifted into a bright white and she closed her eyes as she slowly came down. Every inch of her felt like it was on fire and her body jerked when little spasms rocked her again.

Jyn swallowed and tried to steady her breathing as Cassian pulled his fingers out of her and came back up, nuzzling his cheeks against the flat of her stomach. He was a little wet, which caused her perhaps her first moment of embarrassment over sex, but he didn’t seem to find as he kissed up her stomach, over her tank top, the plane in between her breasts until finally he was at her neck again. She gently placed her hands on his face so that she could move to kiss him, not caring whether or not she tasted herself. This kiss was slower than the others, quieter, but no less wanting. Their noses bumped as they kissed languidly, both of them allowing the other time to breathe and recuperate.

Sliding her hands from his face and down his chest, she reached the hem of his shirt and tugged on it until he was forced to sit up to take it off. She wiggled down so that she could work to undo his belt and pants, helping him kick them and his boxers off. She palmed him again, touching him directly for the first time, and found him no less hard despite focusing on her. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted someone before. Maybe she’d never truly wanted someone until now and just hadn’t known it.

Propping himself up so that he wouldn’t put all his weight on her, Cassian leaned over the cot to fiddle with his pants. When he finally sat back up, he held a condom in between his fingers. Of course he was prepared. Since when was Captain Cassian Andor ever not prepared?

Jyn almost laughed, but stopped herself short, merely allowing herself a smirk. “Confident, were you?”

Cassian flushed slightly. “K-2 gave them too me. That’s why we were arguing in the hangar. He said that he ran a statistical analysis on my rise in tension and it was up to him to make sure that I was protected from every angle.” He leaned down to kiss her. “Especially yours. He thought I was showing signs of having a heart attack and then basically determined that I needed to get laid.”

This time, Jyn didn’t stop herself; she did laugh. “How sweet of him.”

“According to his analysis, our sexual desire would only increase once we started.” Cassian shook his head, an embarrassed look crossing his face as his eyes darted from hers. “We stress him out enough as it is because of our tendency to ignore the odds. He could not handle any, ah, procreation between us.”

“Well, he was right about one thing,” Jyn said, snaking her hand down his chest again. He raised an eyebrow at her, but then took a sharp intake of breath when she grazed her nails against his length. “I have no desire to stop.”

She raised her head up to kiss him, biting his bottom lip and urging him down to meet her. She opened her mouth to his, letting his tongue slip inside, and hummed into him as he ran a hand down her side. He abruptly sat up, as if unable to hold himself back for a second longer, and opened the condom. She hid a smile as he fumbled with it at first, lazily drawing circles against his thighs with her nails, and patiently watched as he put it on.

Perhaps it had been a while for him as well. For a moment, she wondered what his reputation had been like before she’d been tossed into his life. Had there been anyone or had he been too devoted to the cause for anything to last longer than night? She imagined him doing the same as her, only using sex when the stress became too much, and then moving on as if it had never happened. She wondered if he had held himself before and thought of her as she had done him. She was embarrassed to admit that she’d touched herself more nowadays, but then she’d never had anything or anything to fantasize about before.

She certainly wasn’t fantasizing anything right now.

As he pressed his tip against her opening, Jyn breathed through her nose to steady herself. Cassian looked down at her and then his hand up the cot so that he could grasp her hand, their fingers intertwining. She loved how rough his hands felt against hers. They felt so familiar and safe. She reached in between them to take hold of him so that he could hold himself up better and he leaned down to kiss her. At that same moment, she guided him inside of her and he pushed until he was completely enveloped by her.

A loud groan was torn out of his throat, rumbling through his chest, the moment he was fully inside of her. She let out a gasp as he slowly pulled himself almost all the way out and then pushed into her again. He was careful at first, almost methodical, allowing her to adjust to the feel of him inside of her. It had been a very, very long time. Her nails dug into his back, next to old scars from missions before her time with him, and he buried his face into the crook of her neck, biting her shoulder and moaning as he slid in and out of her.

“Jyn,” he whispered like a prayer as he began to speed up.

She could only whimper in response. Faster and faster until he was gripping her thigh to the point where it might bruise and he was thrusting deeply into her without any abandon. Her mouth fell open and she closed her eyes as their hips crashed together, pushing down on his back as if it could make him go deeper in her. Even she could tell how wet she was by the way he moved in and out of her with ease, but she still felt tight and hot, wrapped around him in every way.

He sat up straight, sitting on his knees and looming dangerously over her again, and canted her hips up as he continued to thrust into her, hitting a spot that caused her to cry out before she could stop herself. There was so much fire in his gaze now as he looked down on her. She could see everything in his eyes that he’d always kept hidden, every little desire and want that she could only ever see shadows of. She could feel it now, all the times they’d touched and it had burned and she’d wanted more but it was never the right time, never enough. This day should’ve been like any other, but it felt like a turning point in her life.

“Touch yourself,” he told her, practically ordered. Instead of fighting like she normally did, she obliged, sliding her hand in between them until her fingers connected with her clit. Her own touch staggered her, causing her momentum to go off balance, but he never stopped. His eyes dropped from her face to where they were connected, watching as she touched herself in time with him sliding in and out of her.

Despite everything or perhaps because of it, she could feel the pressure building inside of her again. Her walls stuttered and clenched around him as she got closer, his grip on her tightening. She closed her eyes, picturing the way she caught him looking at her sometimes, like she was the only person in the room, like he wanted to take her away from everything, and felt herself coming again. It wasn’t as strong as the others, but it felt different with him inside of her this time. It felt more complete. He swore and muttered something she couldn’t understand as he tried to push deeper into her.

Without even waiting for her to come down this time, Cassian pulled out of her completely. He turned her around so that she was lying on her stomach, his touch rough with desire but not painful. Instead of pulling her up to meet him though, he leaned down against her back, slipping a hand underneath her chest so that she propped herself up on her forearms.

Using his other hand, he guided himself back into her, the angle deep and up, sending a new sensation through her. She had never done a position like this before. Despite the fact that her back was to him, it felt more intimate than anything else. He pressed his chest against her back, but kept himself from lying completely against her. He kissed between her shoulder blades, the nape of her neck, her shoulders, until he nibbled on her earlobe and was panting in her ear he thrusted inside of her. In his position, he could hold her against him, making her whimper and gasp with each thrust.

“Jyn,” he said again, but she heard the words that he didn’t say.

Are you with me?

All the way.

They had been with each other in every way since then except this one. For the life of her, she didn’t know why it had taken them this long. Perhaps all they’d needed was an excuse to get warm and be close to one another.

His pace sped up, forcing her to bite pillow to keep from making any loud noises. He kissed her shoulder again and pressed his lips into the crook of her neck, moaning as he finally came. His thrusts became more erratic and he jerked against her, but she thought that he was murmuring her name and something in another language. She tried not to speak when she had an orgasm, but it appeared as if the normally reticent and collected Cassian could not stop himself when he came. It was terribly endearing.

And then he began to slow down as his mumbling became heavy breaths until finally he sagged down against her. He still kept himself propped up so that he wouldn’t hurt her, but she could tell by the shakiness of his body that he wouldn’t be able to hold himself up for long. Slowly, he eased himself out of her and rolled over off of her so that he could collapse on his side on the cot. She wiggled around until she was on her side as well, facing him, their hot and slick bodies pressed up against one another.

His eyes were closed, but he was smiling that half hidden smile of his and moved to kiss her without even looking. It was an exhausted and lazy kiss. She nuzzled into his neck, placing kisses there too, and listened to the way his breathing began to steady. Placing a hand against his chest, she felt his heart still thundering against her palm, like it was unable to come down from the high just yet.

“I guess we really need that refresher now,” Jyn hummed into his skin.

“Not yet,” Cassian mumbled. “We need our rest.”

“Tired, old man?” Jyn teased.

Cassian opened one eye and peered at her. “Give me an hour and ask me that again.”Jyn snorted and slipped off the cot so she could turn off the water in the refresher while he did away with the condom. After she crawled back next to him, he reached over her and grabbed the thick blanket and sheet, pulling it over them. She was hotter than hell right now, but it would get cold soon enough, especially since she was covered in sweat. He closed his eye again and sighed. “This is what I was missing.”

“Missing what?”

“I didn’t need extra blankets to keep warm,” Cassian said. “I needed you. Very convenient, little heater.”

Jyn huffed playfully. “Using me for my body heat?”

He kept his arm around her, languidly tracing what she thought were constellations on her back. “I could get used to this,” he said quietly before kissing her on the forehead. Jyn bit her lip again, but the smile wouldn’t go away. The truth was, she could get used to this too and she had never felt warmer or more at home in Hoth or perhaps anywhere in the galaxy than she did right now. She could very much get used to this.

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