#though i have watched a few episodes past the cher one

[williamrikers]

how (not) to write an office romance

okay so i am livid with rage after watching step by step episode 11 and i will say some very unkind things about it so if you loved the episode, please scroll past this.

in this post i will be comparing pat and jeng's romance on step by step to gun and cher's romance on a boss and a babe, and show all the ways in which the relationship in step by step, for me, fell flat.

yes, i am aware that we are dealing with two completely different genres here. abaab is a cute little comedy show (for the most part) while sbs takes its setting super seriously and tries to say something profound about homophobia. however, they're both at their core office romances with similar set-ups and obstacles, which they tackle completely differently.

the reason i am writing this is that, to me, pat and jeng do not feel emotionally resonant as a couple, and therefore the whole show is falling flat for me. i want to compare and contrast them with gun and cher, who are one of my favourite bl couples to date because of how they were presented to us.

now, pat and jeng had a nine-episode slow burn while cher was kissing gun in the second episode, so take what i'm about to say with a grain of salt. BUT. cher and gun were built up over time as a couple and we could see them grow as individuals as well as together, while all the most important couple moments of jeng and pat got lost in one of the many time skips (if they happened at all).

the thing that bugs me is that by episode 11 of sbs, we are told that jeng and pat have been together for a few months. but nothing -- NOTHING -- that we are shown on screen supports that. they don't treat each other like two people who have been together for a while. they don't even treat each other like they know each other well. they do not have a single normal conversation with each other. gun and cher, on the other hand, are shown being domestic with each other, over and over again. they talk about difficult emotions with each other. the moment cher lets his mask of happiness drop and starts crying in gun's arms is one of my favourites in film history because 1) it's just really STELLAR acting from book and 2) it shows how far they've come as a couple, how much trust they've developed between each other, how close they've grown. on step by step, pat is still looking at jeng exactly the same way he was in the first episode. WHICH HE SHOULD NOT BE DOING. if they've been sleeping together for half a year, he should not be looking at this man like a deer in headlights. maybe this is an issue that stems from ben being a very inexperienced young actor, but imo it's also a writing/direction issue. if jeng and pat were in a balanced relationship, i would expect pat to call jeng out on his bullshit. like for example, telling him in unmistakable terms that pat was trying to tell him about his resignation, and that jeng was unwilling to hear it. (cher would have had a field day with that one, if gun had ever stooped so low.) instead, pat just apologizes, like he has no say in the matter. GIANT RED FLAG!!!

now, cher as a character is set up to be rude and brash and he doesn't care about his job at all, basically, which is one of the only ways this kind of office romance works well: because cher negates the inherent power imbalance of the setting just by virtue of being himself. gun and cher as a couple never feel imbalanced or like gun has more power, even though he is older, even though he is technically cher's boss, even though cher calls him "boss" for like, the whole first year of their relationship. they do, in fact, have several conversations about that in canon, and gun spends months trying to get cher to call him phi in what i like to call the Great Pronoun War Of 2023. it was a form of flirting between them, and a cute quirk of their relationship, and not at all a form of power imbalance.

now, on step by step, pat calls jeng "khun jeng" repeatedly. even when it's just the two of them. even after we had scenes of him calling him "p'jeng" and -- in one memorable moment -- just "jeng" without any honorific (!!), in episode 11 it's khun all the way down. and it's grating. at work, sure, pat is trying to be professional, but in private? no, it rubs me the wrong way. especially since jeng never returns this level of formality, he never calls him khun pat. (this would still be a bit weird but i could accept it if it was done well like on manner of death for example.)

and there's no reason for this given on the show. we don't really have a sense of what they even call each other in private (and i absolutely refuse to believe that pat calls him khun jeng when they're in bed together). now, with gun and cher, we know exactly what they call each other at which point in their relationship. they discuss it! it changes several times! gun goes from pom to phi, then for a while back to pom and then back to phi for himself, all according to what is happening between them in the story and what it means for their characters. they start out using phi/nong during sex, then much later also use these pronouns when they're just hanging out.

sorry for ranting about pronouns for so long but i do think it's a good illustration of this issue: i have a very clear sense of how gun and cher treat each other in their relationship. i have a clear sense of what they might do when they're spending time together, how they might banter or joke around, how they might comfort each other when they're sad.

i have absolutely no idea what a normal day in the life of jeng and pat even looks like. i don't even know how they normally address each other in private, and i have even less of an idea what they're like as a couple. is there flirting? banter? what do they like to do together outside of having sex? what do they like about each other?

i can answer all of these questions for cher and gun. their relationship is given adequate space on the show for us to see what draws them together, and what keeps them together once they've found each other. we know why they like each other. we know how they make each other's lives better, we know how they spend their time, we know why their relationship is important to them.

cher is not romantic at all, in fact, he is the opposite, he ruins every single romantic moment by making a stupid comment like he's getting paid for it. but he is incredibly loving. the combination is absolutely fascinating as a character trait and gun comments on it on several occasions, and it's clear that gun loves cher the way he is, stupid comments and all.

when jeng and pat are together, are they romantic with each other? do they have shared jokes? do they, like, have fun together at all?

these questions keep haunting me because literally nothing about their relationship has been established in any way, and as a result, i find myself not invested in their love at all. at this point, i'm sort of hoping for pat to stay single because the show hasn't shown me a single scene of pat and jeng just. being happy together. you know. the core thing a relationship should be about? (i'm with yok kinnporsche on this.)

what exactly will pat be missing about jeng during the upcoming two year time skip? i don't know. does pat know? do the writers know? what exactly does jeng bring into pat's life that he can't get anywhere else, besides his dick? how does jeng make pat's life sweeter, how does he make pat's life easier, how does he make pat's life brighter? i have no idea. and at this point, i am starting to think that the writers have no idea, either.

anyway. the main plot of abaab was a mess and i won't try to defend it but the relationship between cher and gun was beautiful and deep and we got to see exactly how these two fell in love and why, how they changed each other's lives, how they made each other better, how they learned to be each other's comfort and happiness.

and without that? well, i don't need to watch people working a terrible job that doesn't make any sense. i can just go to work for that.

#step by step the series #step by step #a boss and a babe #*mine

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

My weekly roundup CW 15

Well, I watch a lot during the week, as you all might know. I really want to write a little bit more about the stuff I watch, but time and work kind of get in my creative way. So I try to write down my thoughts after watching stuff to create a little weekly ranking in relation to the previous week on my, most of the times, quiet sundays (and because I love lists and this is a good excuse for me to create a new OneNote journal!).

The Promise is on hiatus, so it didn't make it on this week's list.

↑ 1. The Eighth Sense (Ep 5+6)

I love it. This series is so brilliantly good. What I especially like are those little gestures, like how excited JaeWon was when he called JiHyun and how he smiled when he told his therapist about him. The entire beach scene made me melt. What a wonderful love scene! Very aesthetically pleasing and realistic, because you can have fun with something like this and explore the other in a playful way, not everything has to be oversexualized. The series really does so much right here! The end of the episode on the other hand…I have read quite a few analyses about the next episodes and I guess we will suffer together with Jaewon, who will fall back into his old pattern and his old life to not cause more harm to the one he cares for the most and in the end harming himself, because he can't live the life he desperately wants; and we will suffer with Jihyun, who is in love and understands that Jaewon has some baggage, but is left alone in the end and is hurting and that will make my heart hurt very much and thinking about all this makes me tear up...

→ 2. Unintentional Love Story (Ep 9 +10/Final)

One of the best encounters with an ex took place this week. And Wonyoung kicked that guy's ass! In general, he has grown a lot over the episodes and has undergone a good character development. He has gained more confidence and seems more mature than he did at the beginning. I also found the phone call between Wonyoung and Taejoon a good solution to make Taejoon realize that it's not just Wonyoung who did something wrong and that the past can definitely get in the way. All the nicer that they end up watching the sunset together. I liked the series a lot.

☼ 3. Our Dining Table (Ep 2)

Yes, this won't be the most dramatic thing we're currently seeing, but that's just fine. It is a pleasant and calm balance in this rather hectic series environment. Everywhere they try to lure you in with more action, more suspense and drama, more trauma or more sex and here we have a young man overcoming his eating disorder and finding a family with the help of two brothers. It's nice and quiet and doesn't hurt anyone. I'm really looking forward to the next episode and can't wait to see what they will cook next and where their conversations will take them.

↑ 4. Chains Of Heart (Ep 9)

Okay, we now have a psychic on board who can see people's past by touching them…Nothing really surprises me anymore! But seriously, what an episode! Finally we have Mr. Lue/Din and Ken together! Even though Ken seems to be in denial that Mr. Lue is Din? I think he knows, but can't stand the thought of Din lying to him all this time. So Mr. Lue is supposed to make him forget what he knows and wow, he does! These two were really starving for both affection and passion. What else happened? The scene also made me forget what happened next. Hin is the older brother of Din…Wouldn't have thought that, I thought he is the younger one. And then he is also the brain-cell of the whole episode! I am very impressed, he seemed more like the simple-minded shadow of Yu. All in all, once again a very good episode.

↑ 5. A Boss And A Babe (Ep 7)

So Gun is just the best in this series.

How he came into Cher's room after the shower and just doesn't give a shit what others think and says goodbye with "I'll wait in bed." And Cher's friends…they already know something since the BBQ, but they happily ignore it away. That's another way of dealing with it. Some say that not much happens and the show has no real plot. Does something outstanding always have to happen? Aren't everyday problems and how to deal with them sometimes enough? Like the problems with the foster brother or overcoming a first love and discovering a new, different love. I really liked walking with Cher through his life this week.

☼ 6. Naked Dining (Ep 1)

What do you do when you want to relieve stress? I craft or watch series or listen to loud music. Our protagonist eats…naked. And feels free. Honestly, if it helps? Who am I to judge? He finds a letter in the mail from his grandmother, who has already passed away. She wrote the letter six months ago and put it into a program that sends mail at a chosen time. He visits the house to clean it up and relax a bit from the stressful world of work. There he meets Miki Mahiro, who has taken the grandmother on a culinary journey to discover the world in this way. And as fate would have it, he discovers that our protagonist likes to be naked while eating. The scene was hilarious!

↓ 7. Bed Friend (Ep 9)

I'm only watching now because it'll be over soon. The series started really strong, but somehow it lost me. The positive thing about this episode was that for once there was no drama and Uea could take a breath (okay, except maybe at the very beginning, but that's positive drama when the former abuser is arrested and the abusive mother is done with the world). And finally Uea came around and accepted King as his boyfriend. It was getting a bit exhausting to see King begging and at the end I was just confused what their status is now. The introduction to King's parents I found really charming, between door and hinge. So not the hit for me this week.

��� 8. My Story (Ep 1)

There's so much going on that I've lost track of everything. But one guy is a cook and goes to Thailand to earn money and meets the future love of his life there. And another one takes in a young man in his dormitory, which the dean finds totally fine, also that they have to share the bed together and that's why he just gets put up there from school and you can already tell in episode one that the two of them are going to be exciting. They have definitely stolen the show for me.

→ 9. Tin Tem Jai (Ep 7)

Now why the hell did Park have this change of heart? It feels like yesterday he wanted to do everything to convince Tin that he doesn't like him and will never marry him, and suddenly they're sitting in the living room and he confesses to him, in the creepiest way possible, that he tried to think of him as just a brother, but the older Tin got, the prettier he got…What masterful mind-brain came up with this dialogue? And those random jumps in time and space, and why didn't Tin and Park talk to each other? And Park really only has three emotions…annoyed, tired or neutral…Nothing else comes across…I can't really feel his affection for Tin either. Anyway…Three more episodes and if this doesn't end with the wedding of the two, I'll throw hands.

→ 10. PastSenger (Ep 6)

Okay, they like each other. Everybody likes each other. I just can't see the chemistry between Plawan and Moodaeng. For me, there's nothing there and it feels a little too rushed how Plawan got over his crush on Bamee. Then Kiev and Bamee…just talk to each other! But no, argue. And by the way it's totally normal when your friends want to interfere in your life or at least worry! What kind of friends are they who just let him work in this place? I would have taken him in and looked for something more suitable…And Franc is suddenly not so bad after all and makes her laugh? Very fast and confusing changes that happened this week. And I'm not talking about the kisses…Except maybe you shouldn't have held the camera on them quite so long…Had to look away briefly at the drunken mouth on mouth placement…

#josi watching bl #weekly update #weekly wrap up #sunday charts #the eighth sense #unintentional love story #our dining table #chains of heart #a boss and a babe #naked dining #bed friend #my story #tin tem jai #past senger #bl series #bl drama #just my thoughts

[mlobsters]

supernatural s9e18 meta fiction (w. robbie thompson)

i'm trying to not be negative and expecting something bad but my mood took a massive nosedive a few hours ago so we'll see

whatever thin excuse this was to get jackles in a not-impressive-water-pressure shower

looks like one of my kids drawings in crayon. i did like the sound effects on it when it was pulsating though (watch with headphones so i think i can appreciate the foley etc a lot more than i would otherwise). still could not give two shits about angel politics

i know the set decorators must be having fun (and i sincerely appreciate that they've moved away from the weird campy dividers that were always ridiculously over the top) but tiny vintage fridge and vintage stove :p

all right the hackery command line interface to open an image attachment made me laugh, thanks show

he looks good! i like the hair (which is mostly lighting). guess we're just handwaving that he was dead. ahh it was fake and he's a trickster, tada. not complaining per se, just again...

i don't have the brain cells to try to factor in what the whole metatron meta fiction bullshit implications are

GABRIEL Yeah, but I got hurt in the fall, too, used most of my juice to get back into porn. (pause) That came out wrong. So did that.

that was awkwardly delivered. to go with the awkward line

GABRIEL Hey, what's up, shorties? Remember me, the guy who died for your sins? No, not the cat with the beard and sandals… the hot one.

jesus-free christianity but we'll occasionally vaguely acknowledge he exists

GABRIEL Bitch, please. You've been God more often than Dad has. CASTIEL Yeah. Look how that worked out.

made me laugh

CASTIEL Well, we need a leader. And I'm happy it's gonna be you.

cas, remember what we talked about. make good decisions!

metatron meta fiction bullshit revealed and

not feeling it.

GADREEL He told you that he has always felt that way, that he thinks you are just a scared little boy who's afraid to be on his own because daddy never loved him enough? And he is right, isn't he? Right to think you are a coward, a sad, clingy, needy... DEAN Keep it up! GADREEL Pathetic bottom-feeder who cannot even take care of himself, who would rather drag everyone through the mud than be alone, who would let everyone around him die!

been a minute since someone pushed these buttons but with the extra bite of sam's rejection and whatever we're deciding the mark does

while i'm super tired of angel politics, i'm glad they have a good actor for metatron. he's making his part of it engaging, at least

dean is not a happy camper. sam and cas though are getting along swimmingly

i don't think i've ever heard this version of the sun ain't gonna shine anymore?? frankie valli apparently. i like it. more popular version is by the walker brothers. AND the cher version was very memorably used in the x-files episode post-modern prometheus

and unrelated to anything but every time that song gets to the line "when you're without love" i keep expecting "i did it my way"

anyway, good use of the song! i've really enjoyed a handful of licensed music choices the past couple? seasons

looking rather.... ~demonic~

every time i see it written as cass, i smile. because that's how people say it! cas would be caz. that's my fandom bugbear :P

i don't, again, have the processing power to think about the implications of this. god/metatron is writing the outline but how it's played out in the details can vary? i thought.... something... made free will an actual thing. no fate but what we make. ugh, that was too long ago for me to remember right now

#supernatural #spnwatch #spn 9x18 #the xfiles #post modern prometheus #the sun ain't gonna shine anymore #cher #the walker brothers #frankie valli #robbie thompson #Youtube

[watchingblsnowandforever]

In less than a year, I have completed more than fifteen BLs (most of them Thai). I've binged most, but I watched a few while they were airing as well. It's easier for me to compare the different types of bls out there.

I have experienced a lot of conflict, some not so bad and some heart-wrenching. My heart being fully invested, I've fallen in love nearly as many times as I've been heartbroken. The only one that made me cry so far though, is Theory of Love. It's not my favorite, but I do love it.

Anyways.

I didn't know how to start this, so I just went off from one point.

All things considered, i like B&B. I love Cher's energetic and cheerful nature, I like how Boss (yes we're calling him boss) at least tries to open up himself to Cher despite his painful past.

It makes me smile at how Cher just wiggled his way in and refuses to leave.

I also love depression making a cameo. Like yes, that's a normal thing that people have, but he's getting therapy, and he's doing better now.

As i said, I've experienced a lot of conflict. Sometimes, I just need fluff. Like this show. Sometimes, it's okay if the characters are just happy and go through small everyday hurdles instead of one big obstacle that lasts more than half the show.

Case in point: Enchanté. We just get like 1 (one) episode of fluff and communication, and the rest is all conflict.

This is absolutely my personal opinion, and I do not want to hurt anybody or force anyone else to believe in this.

In real life, I really don't like conflicts or confrontations. And sometimes, i just want the characters to avoid that too. Just solve your problems together, be happy, you know.

#thai bl #asian drama #thai ql #a boss and a babe

[cosmicallyavg]

how it started:

how it's going:

#im in deep lads #they started being a little flirty-er than usual and i just couldn't help it #but that there was the moment it hit me #small potatoes made me feel a lot of emotions too #but it didnt fully settle in until the fucking cher episode #which was ridiculous enough as it is #but like the last 5 seconds of it just shot me point blank unexpectedly #😭😭😭 #the x files #lauren watches the x files #scully x mulder #i still dont know if they have a ship name???! #sculder #i think is it #also im only on season 5 (obviously) so no spoilers pls #though i have watched a few episodes past the cher one #so i know all of the big stuff that happens right after #:^) #twas painful but #anyway #click post already lauren geez

[perlukafarinn]

sequel to this fic (read it for context. or don’t, i’m not the boss of you). i blame @hermywolf for this.

Things were tense for a while. 

Now, Dean knew why he was awkward. He’d offered himself up as Benny’s personal human juicebox and something in his fucked up, wires-crossed brain had gotten so turned on by the act, he’d been about point three seconds away from grinding on his friend like a sophomore at prom. 

He wasn’t sure what to make of Benny or Cas acting so weird.

Benny, and there was no other way to put it, had gotten really touchy-feely. Dean hadn’t realized how rare a non-violent touch was in Purgatory until it wasn’t anymore, until Benny kept putting his hands on Dean’s body, on his back, his shoulder, even his knee as they sat by the fire pit at night. Every touch casual and yet rife with some meaning Dean couldn’t comprehend, and every single one leaving Dean yearning for more. 

And then there was Cas. When he wasn’t hovering over Dean, constantly appearing between him and Benny, he was lingering somewhere behind them, sour-faced and glowering off into the distance. 

So yeah, tense. 

It was the first time Dean was actually thankful for the unending stream of monsters in Purgatory. The near constant combat didn’t leave much time to worry about anything else. Dean was almost convinced that they could get past this whole episode without mention, given enough time and distance and distraction by monsters.

Then Benny had to go and get hurt again.

It wasn’t life or death this time but it was close enough, a lucky swipe from a werewolf nearly tearing a hole open in Benny’s chest.

Cas got to him first again, heaving Benny to his feet and easily holding his weight when it turned out Benny’s legs couldn’t quite support him. Dean got there second, a few moments later, heart pounding as he surveyed the damage.

He met Cas’ eyes.

“Dean, no,” Cas said, catching on almost quicker than the idea had passed through Dean’s mind. “You don’t need to do this.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” Dean said, face growing warm for reasons he really didn’t wanna examine. “You’ll heal me after, right?”

Cas sighed. “You know I will.”

“He’s right, cher,” Benny spoke up. “Gimme an hour or two to heal, an’ I’ll be fine. You don’t gotta do this.”

Dean ignored him, stepping in close and pulling down his collar. “Shut up and let me help you.”

Benny laughed, low and strained. “If you insist...”

He leaned in and Dean closed his eyes in anticipation, one hand grasping Benny’s shoulder to steady himself. It wasn’t enough, the sudden pain of fangs sliding into flesh sending him stumbling against Benny until an arm wrapped around his waist, holding him still. 

Heat stirred in Dean’s gut and he quickly tried to focus on the pain, on the unnatural pull of Benny’s mouth, on his knees still aching from the earlier fight.

It didn’t work. Somehow, the pain just threw the pleasure into sharper relief. It was all too much; Benny’s warmth against his side, his mouth hungry and insistent, his fingertips digging into Dean’s skin as he tried to pull him even impossibly closer. 

Dean opened his eyes and oh, big mistake. Cas was right there, inches away, still holding Benny upright as he drank his fill of Dean’s blood, staring into Dean’s eyes with a look that might almost be mistaken for hunger.

Dean should have looked away but he couldn’t. He felt trapped, pinned down by the monster at his throat and the divine creature staring him down.

A pained gasp escaped Dean’s lips as Benny pulled away his fangs. He didn’t back off completely though, mouth remaining at Dean’s throat as he carefully licked up every drop of blood. Dean shivered, knowing he should be recoiling in disgust and not fighting off every instinct to lean in closer. 

Finally, it was Cas who put an end to it, grabbing Benny by his hair and pulling him off. “Enough.”

Benny shot him an annoyed look over his shoulder. “Easy there, chief. Can’t a man enjoy a meal in peace?”

He wasn’t being serious, Dean knew. He was just trying to rile Cas up. 

Did that make it more or less fucked up that hearing Benny refer to him as ‘a meal’ kind of turned him on?

“You are not a man,” Cas said, voice low and dangerous. “And Dean is not yours to consume with reckless abandon.”

Holy fuck.

Dean glanced between them as they now stared at each other, Cas all righteous anger, Benny stubborn as a mule. The moment stretched on, tension building, and as Dean was sure something was about to snap, Benny looked away.

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered, laughing breathlessly. 

Dean shot him a curious look but he didn’t say anything else, letting go off Dean and backing away. Dean stumbled on unsteady legs but Cas was there in an instant, arm around his lower back and hand raised to cover the wound on his neck.

It was too much, too fast. Dean’s head was spinning, still trying to comprehend everything that had happened in the last few minutes and drawing a blank on any plausible explanation. He felt lightheaded too, the blood loss finally catching up with him, and as warmth poured from Cas’ hand, healing him, all he could think was

Have Cas’ hands always been that big?

*

The third time it happened, it wasn’t by any stretch of the imagination necessary. 

Still, Benny had broken his leg. Even if it would only take a few hours to heal it would still slow them in the meantime. And even if he could still fight in this condition, why make an already difficult situation even worse when they had such an easy solution?

Cas didn’t protest this time. He took one look at Dean and sighed, sounding defeated. “If you must.” 

Guilt stirred in Dean’s chest, strangely enough. “It’s easier for all of us this way, right?”

Cas didn’t look like he agreed. “Let me know when you need me to heal you.”

And he stormed off. Dean watched him go, the guilt growing stronger. Which was ridiculous, what the hell did he have to feel guilty about? Cas healed him without complaint after any other kind of injury. What made this so different?

Dean looked at Benny, who was sitting on the ground with his broken leg, watching the proceedings with an odd look on his face. His expression softened when he met Dean’s eyes.

“I hope you don’t feel obligated to do this,” he said. “You don’t owe me anything, you gotta know that.”

“I know.” Dean swallowed, feeling oddly vulnerable. “I just wanna - it’s not a big deal.”

He walked up to Benny, kneeling down on the ground next to him, straddling one thigh as he tried to find a comfortable position.

“You keep saying that,” Benny said. 

He put his hand on Dean’s waist, steering him closer as if it were second nature. 

“Cause it’s not.”

Benny hummed, eyes hooded, gaze unfocused and hungry as Dean leaned in. “It is to me.”

He bit down, lighting fast, saving Dean from coming up with a response. Dean didn’t bother to silence his whimper or to resist the urge to sit down on Benny’s lap fully, drinking in the touch of him as Benny drank his life’s blood in slow, deep pulls.

He didn’t take much this time, barely giving Dean time to get used to the pain before he was pulling his fangs out again, laving his tongue over the wound to soothe the sting of their exit.

“This isn’t a one-way street, you know,” Benny muttered, lips still pressed against Dean’s neck. His tongue darted out again, licking up a stray drop of blood. “I’m sure there’s something you want I could give in return.”

And Dean didn’t doubt for one second just what he was implying. It was hard to, really, with Benny’s dick growing hard against his ass, feeling impossibly hot even through the layers separating them. 

It was tempting. No one had touched him that way in far too long and Benny was willing, more than. He wanted it as badly as Dean did and they were already half-way there, practically dry-humping on the cold, damp ground of Purgatory.

But… “Cas.”

Benny sighed. Pulled away and Dean missed the warmth as soon as it was gone. “Yeah, of course.”

“Sorry,” Dean said, not really knowing what he was apologizing for.

“Don’t be.” Benny looked up at him, a teasing glint entering his eye. “You know, he wouldn’t have to be a problem. I wouldn’t mind him joining in on the fun.”

A fuse blew in Dean’s brain. He shot to his feet, nearly stumbling over Benny in the process.

“That’s - I don’t -” Dean stuttered. “He wouldn’t!”

Benny gave him a meaningful look, though what meaning was completely lost on Dean, and got to his feet. 

Instinctively, Dean held out his hand. Benny grabbed it, grasping it tight even as he got to his feet, steady as if he’d never gotten hurt at all. He leaned in and Dean didn’t even think, staying perfectly still as Benny kissed him. 

He tasted like copper, blooming bitter on Dean’s tongue. 

“Offer still stands,” Benny said, pulling away with a grin. “If you change your mind.”

Dean stared.

“Now go find your angel and get patched up.”

An order. Okay, Dean could follow that, even if his mind was becoming more of a jumbled mess by the minute. He walked away, going in the direction Cas had disappeared to and finding him a short distance away, standing in the middle of a clearing.

He looked up as Dean approached, opening his mouth to speak but whatever he had to say dying on his tongue. Dean stopped a few feet away, suddenly feeling wrong-footed and uncertain. 

Cas closed the distance between them, slowly walking up to Dean, into his personal space and then closer still. He raised his hand but he didn’t reach for Dean’s neck, for the still-bleeding wound just below his jaw.

Instead, he softly cupped Dean’s face, placing his thumb on his lower lip. Dean froze, breath caught in his throat, heart beating wildly against the cage of his ribs like a frightened animal.

“Did he-” Cas started then stopped. 

He dropped his hand. Dean followed it with his eyes, spotting the dark smear of blood on Cas’ thumb. Dean’s blood, left on his lips by Benny.

Oh.

“Be careful,” Cas said, finally placing a hand - his other hand - on Dean’s neck and healing Benny’s bite. “Behaving recklessly in Purgatory has too steep a price.”

The warning rankled something deep in Dean’s chest. He felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to disobey, to lean in and smear his blood on Cas’ lips like Benny had done to him. 

He ignored it. Reckless or no, Dean wasn’t a complete idiot. He knew a rejection when he saw one.

#deancas #deanbenny #destiel #spn fanfic #blood drinking cw #team purgatory #purgatory #violence cw #perlukafarinn writes

[canarygirl1017]

Ghosted - Chapter 3 (Teaser)

Pairing: Reader / Jungkook, Reader / Taehyung (past relationship, friends to lovers to friends)

Genre:  College!au, fluff, angst, supernatural drama, smut, friends to lovers, emotional trauma, hurt/comfort

Length:  2, 933k words (partial chapter)

Warnings:  language, episodes of anxiety, panic attacks, sexual themes in later chapters.

Summary:  Living in a world full of things only you have the ability to see, growing up with Jungkook has been your island amidst the chaos. But when your best friend makes an impossible request, your friendship is fractured, and your sudden decision to cut ties and move abroad changes everything. Three years later, Jungkook is thriving at university as he begins his junior year. He’s a star athlete, member of a popular fraternity, and every girl’s ideal boyfriend. He tells himself that he’s long forgotten you and the friendship he never had a chance to mend – that is, until you show up on campus as a transfer student with new friends in tow. It’s been three years, and everything has changed, but the biggest change is you. Your new found determination to use your abilities to help the ghosts you used to live in fear of, no matter how dangerous it might be, makes Jungkook fear he’ll lose you before he has a chance to fix what he broke. College AU.

Disclaimer: Just for funsies, I don’t believe in real-life shipping. But I like to write, and I like fandom, so here we are. Please do not duplicate this work or repost anywhere else without permission.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Ghosted Playlist

Chapter 3

“You ready to go?”

You turned to see Taehyung leaning in your doorway. He was wearing flared jeans and a green paisley silk button-down shirt. The open butterfly collar revealed a vintage Chanel gold medallion, and he’d added light green sunglasses to complete his retro look.

Taehyung had picked out your outfit – a short, cream colored wrap dress with an abstract floral design and long flared sleeves. Knee high rust red boots and pin straight hair completed the look, and for once you felt like a match to his fashionable appearance.

You held up a finger as you opened your jewelry box, looking for the vintage garnet drop earrings you’d found to complement the outfit. You slid them in, moving your hair back to admire how they dangled and caught the light.

“Okay, I’m ready,” you said, turning to find him behind you.

“Almost,” he said, pulling a small box out of his pocket.

“Tae,” you said reprovingly as he opened the box and took out a ring. The antique gold setting was beautiful – an oval opal surrounded by a halo of garnets – and it looked perfect when he slid it onto your right ring finger.

“Now you’re ready,” he said, looking pleased as he stood back to check your appearance.

You raised a brow. “When did you even have time to shop for this?” Taehyung’s little surprise gifts were something to which you’d become accustomed over the last few years, and your attempts to discourage him were usually ignored.

He shrugged and as always, his sheepish grin disarmed you. You reached up and adjusted his collar.

“You look like you’re ready for a Vogue shoot,” you said, smiling back. “The poor girls at this party won’t know what hit them.”

“That’s why I have you to protect me,” he replied.

It was Friday, the final weekend before classes started, and the welcoming activities had ramped up in the last week. You and Taehyung had attended some of them and declined others, but you’d committed to the biggest events of the weekend – tonight’s Musical Eras mixer and tomorrow’s Movie Night on the Quad.

The mixer was being held at the Kappa fraternity house, something that had almost made you reconsider attending because you were certain to run into Jungkook again as you had for the last week. While your anger had cooled, you still felt that knot of anxiety in your stomach whenever you saw him, wondering if he’d still be angry or if he’d just pretend you didn’t exist.

So far, his attitude fell somewhere in the middle – when he saw you and Taehyung together at the supermarket, he tried to hide his reaction, but the little muscle ticking away in his jaw was a dead giveaway. A couple of days later, you saw him in the park while you were walking Yeontan and for once, he didn’t look big mad at the sight of you. You were alone and had considered trying to talk to him, but he was with friends. Not wanting to invite public rejection, you waved at the group and hurried away, noticing the little wrinkle between his brows as he watched you go.

Jin, Jimin and Jimin’s girlfriend, Ayeong, had all been by the house a couple of times. Sera had also visited with her mother, accepting Taehyung’s offer of a house tour since Sera’s mother was interested in how the historical home had been renovated. Jungkook was noticeably absent, though Jin seemed certain that he’d eventually come around.

You weren’t so certain of that. In all the years you’d been friends with Jungkook, you’d never seen him so deeply upset with another person. If someone upset him, he might avoid that person for a while, but he always got over it, and you’d never seen him blow up at anyone the way he had with you.

You always thought you knew him better than anyone, and he you, but now you had to acknowledge the reality of this situation – three years had passed, and the truth was, you didn’t know this Jungkook. Worse, he didn’t know you either and you had no one to blame for that but yourself.

________________

Stepping into the Kappa house was like stepping back in time. The large house had several rooms downstairs, each of which reflected a different decade of music, and everyone had taken their costumes just as seriously. You laughed when Jimin and Ayeong met you out front dressed as Sonny and Cher.

“Very nice,” you said, gesturing to Ayeong’s dress.

“Thanks, I love yours too.”

Thought it was still early, the party was already a crush of people circulating between the rooms. Younger guys, probably freshmen, circulated with drinks on trays which they offered to guests.

“Pledges?” Taehyung asked Jimin as he took a beer.

Jimin nodded. “They have to put in an hour according to a schedule and then they’re free to party. That’s as close to hazing as we get here.”

When Jimin offered you a glass of wine, you shook your head. “I don’t really drink much when I’m…” you paused, unsure how to finish the sentence without being weird. “When I’m out.”

You could see that Jimin understood what you meant. “Got it. We have a dry bar too if you want to call it that.”

Ayeong linked arms with you. “I’ll show her. I’m not really in the mood to drink either.”

The dry bar turned out to be pretty impressive, with lots of juice, sparkling water, club soda, and even fruits you could add. You settled for club soda with a splash of raspberry juice and slices of lemon, while Ayeong created a tropical drink.

“I know Jungkook is being… well, difficult. But I just want you to know that Jimin is so happy you’re back,” Ayeong said. “He said you were all friends since kindergarten.”

“Jimin was always one of the sweetest people at our school,” you replied. “It was really easy to be his friend.”

“Not much has changed then,” Ayeong laughed. “What about Jungkook? Jimin says he wasn’t always such a fuckboy.”

You choked on a sip of your drink. “Jungkook is a fuckboy?”

“Well, a nice one? I think he only hooks up with girls who want the same kind of no-strings fun, so there’s never any drama related to it. He’s not the type to get serious though, which is why I’ve told Erin she needs to move on from her crush.”

Fuckboy Jungkook wasn’t something you could really imagine, nor did you want to. You chose not to think too closely about why it bothered you so much.

But once you spotted him across the room talking to a group of girls, you couldn’t shake that image from your mind. He looked good. Really, really good. He was dressed in tight red pants, a black silk button down, and he’d completed his Michael Jackson Thriller homage with a red leather jacket trimmed in black. When he laughed at something one of the girls said, his dimples appeared.

“I’m surprised Jungkook is wearing a costume – he almost never does,” Ayeong commented.

“He kind of stopped wearing them by the time we were in high school,” you said. “But this kind of party, plus a Thriller homage, is pretty on brand for him.”

“Oh, that’s who he’s supposed to be! I’m really bad at guessing all of these costumes.”

You and Taehyung stuck with Jimin and Ayeong, who introduced you to people you hadn’t met yet. Everyone was welcoming, but two hours in you were starting to feel a little overwhelmed by the crowds and the noise. There was also the fact that ever since Jungkook became aware of your presence, you’d felt his eyes on you. You’d hoped his neutral response to you at the park was progress, but you could feel his judgmental stare like a brand.

Every time you glanced over at him, his impassive expression was contradicted by some blazing emotion in his eyes. You reminded yourself that you’d known this would probably be a struggle – that Jungkook would likely be angry with you for leaving. Emmie had even said that no one mentioned your name to him anymore.

You’d just underestimated how much it would hurt.

___________________

Jungkook almost skipped Movie Night on the Quad because he was in a foul mood after the Musical Eras mixer. Seeing you there with Taehyung in your matching costumes had made him inexplicably angry, something Jin called him out on.

“Shouldn’t we be glad that she has good people in her life?” Jin asked him when he stomped around the kitchen the next day, slamming cabinets as he fixed a late breakfast.

“He’s right,” Jimin said. “Plus you know that she and Taehyung aren’t together, right?”

That made him pause. “They look like they’re together.” Fucking matching costumes and all, he thought viciously.

“They dated, but Ayeong said y/n told her it’s been a while since they were together like that. At least six months or so.”

“Who the hell follows their ex-girlfriend to another country? And buys a house?”

“If you took the time to get to know Taehyung, you’d understand that he feels like y/n saved his life. He’s committed to helping her with the ghost hunting because of that, but he also genuinely cares about her. So do Namjoon and Chloe,” Jin said. “They’re all good people.”

“Whatever,” Jungkook muttered, shoving cereal into his mouth.

“Forget it, Jin. He won’t admit the real problem, and we all know his anger default setting when it comes to y/n is because of that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jungkook demanded.

“You’re jealous. You’ve always been jealous of anyone that got close to y/n,” Jimin replied calmly. He crossed his arms and sat back in his chair.

Jungkook grit his teeth. “I’m not jealous.”

“Really? So every time a guy expressed interest in dating her back in high school, and you very pointedly warned them all off, that was you just being what? A good friend?” Jimin rolled his eyes.

“Who? Like Lucas? You’re damn right I warned him off. He didn’t deserve her.”

“What about me?” Jimin asked, a challenge in his tone. “I told you that I liked her our sophomore year, and you shot down that idea so fast I was afraid if I pursued it, it would actually ruin our friendship.”

Jungkook stared at him, shifting uncomfortably. “Because you weren’t serious about it.”

“Says who? I was dead serious, Jungkook, and you know it. For that matter, I think even Lucas was serious about liking her. He never said a word about her that wasn’t totally respectful.”

“Yeah, because he knew I would beat his ass,” Jungkook said.

“You’re right – everybody knew that. Why do you think people steered clear of her? Why do you think Grace hated her so much? I told you that Grace wasn’t as nice as you thought she was. Yet you still held tight to y/n with one hand while you chased after Grace. And I figured it was just a matter of time until you realized how you really felt about y/n, so I let it go. But damn, Jungkook, you need to stop taking out your anger on y/n. Let her explain why she left.”

No one spoke for a moment. Then Jungkook asked, “Has she told you why?”

“I asked her,” Jin said. “But I think she’s waiting to talk to you first.”

Jungkook tried not to think about what Jimin said, but now that he was here on the quad, and you were just a few feet away, it was all he could think about. Jealousy.

He couldn’t deny he hated seeing how close you were to Taehyung. The way the other man touched you, or kept a protective arm around you, pissed him off. The way you smiled at him made him even angrier. Still, beneath the anger was something else – a yearning for the way things had been. No one had ever understood him the way you did, and he missed that connection with you.

It was his fault you left. That little voice in the back of his head kept reminding him that you weren’t the only one to blame for this vast distance between you now. He kind of understood why you’d left, but he didn’t know why it had taken you so long to return.

He kept stealing glances at you rather than watching the movie playing on the large screen set up on the quad. You’d been to the concession stand, and he wasn’t surprised to see you eating gummy bears since that had always been your favorite movie snack.

You looked pretty. Your hair was a little longer now than it had been in high school and fell in gentle waves around your shoulders. You wore another floaty little summer dress, the kind you had always liked, small feet encased in comfortable flat sandals. You and Taehyung had joined Jimin, Ayeong, Erin and Jin on a large blanket towards the front of the crowd.

Stubbornly, Jungkook had opted to sit with some of his friends from the baseball team. He was still close enough to watch you – to hear your voice – to just observe you while his mind sorted through his confusing thoughts and emotions. You had glanced over at him a few times, as if feeling his eyes on you, a silent question in your own. And somehow, he knew that you understood that he needed some time.

At the intermission between films, you went with Ayeong and Erin to the bathroom. Jungkook got tacos from a nearby food truck and when he returned, he noticed that you were the only one missing from the group. A few minutes later, Taehyung was frowning at his phone after making a call that had gone unanswered.

“I’m going to go check on her,” he heard the other man say as he stood up.

Jungkook hesitated for a few seconds before following him. Taehyung had his phone to his ear again, though again there seemed to be no answer.

“What’s wrong?” Jungkook asked as he caught up to him.

Taehyung turned and scowled at him. Then he sighed. “Ayeong said she stayed back because she got a call from her mom that she needed to answer. Maybe it’s nothing, but she’s been gone for almost twenty minutes, so I just want to make sure nothing happened.”

Jungkook nodded and then they were silent as they walked around the buildings that were still open. The campus was well lit, so it was easy to see the faces of people walking to the dorms or back to the quad. When they didn’t see you anywhere, Taehyung made another call.

“Chloe, I need you to ping y/n’s location and send it to my phone.” He listened for a minute. “Maybe nothing but I can’t find her and I don’t know – I’m getting a weird feeling. Okay, thanks.”

Taehyung’s unease was contagious, and Jungkook shifted from one foot to the other as they waited. Then Taehyung’s phone vibrated, and he studied his screen for a moment before gesturing for Jungkook to follow him. After walking for a few minutes, Jungkook realized they were heading towards a park where students often had lunch or relaxed between classes.

And there you were, a silent, ghostly figure swaying in the moonlight as you hummed a strange tune.

“Fuck.” Taehyung started running.

Jungkook was right behind him. When he reached you, he tried to take your arm to turn you towards them, but Taehyung stopped him.

“Don’t touch her,” he said, a note of warning in his tone. “She’s in a sort of fugue state, and it’s safer if she comes out of it herself.”

Rather than argue, Jungkook walked around to face you, but froze when he saw that your eyes were unfocused, and almost… glowing? It was clear that you didn’t see him, though he was standing right in front of you.

Jungkook’s heart was pounding now. “How do we make her do that?”

“There’s something else here,” Taehyung explained. “It probably tried to communicate with her. Sometimes, if she lets her guard down, or if the spirit is especially powerful, she gets sort of… pulled to the other side. It’s usually because they’re trying to show her something.”

Swallowing hard, Jungkook nodded. “Okay. How do we make her come out of it?”

“We can’t make her, and if we try, it can cause severe shock. She’ll already be in a state of shock when she comes to on her own, so we have to be careful. I’m going to go get the car. You wait here with her and just keep talking to her, okay?”

“Can I touch her hands?”

“Carefully,” Taehyung said. “Don’t pull her or shake her, and don’t try to make her move.”

“Okay.” Jungkook pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Jin, I need you to come to the park right now. The one behind the science building.”

You were still humming and swaying when Jungkook reached out to touch your hand. There was no response, so he carefully took both your hands in his.

“Jesus, your hands are freezing,” he said quietly. “You never dress right for being out at night. You know that you get cold even when it’s not that cold, right?”

He squeezed your hands carefully in an attempt to warm them up. There was no response from you, your eyes still fixed on something he couldn’t see.

A/N: I know it's been a long time since I posted, and I'm sorry about that. If you're still reading, I'll get the rest of the chapter up this week, and there is some fluff in the future as Jungkook and y/n start repairing their relationship. I hope I remembered all the people who asked to be tagged (and got the tags right.) If you’d like to be tagged for updates, let me know.

Tag list: @ggukkieland @jikooksgirl19 @waves-and-woods @kookiesbreaky @koochiekoo @monvieesdaebak

#college au #jungkook x reader #jungkook fanfic #Jungkook smut #bts imagines #jungkook x you #jungkook fluff #jungkook angst #ghosted

[staytiny-angel]

Grace and Country 2/5

Rating: M

Pairing: 'Hangman' Adam Page/F!OC, One-Sided Kenny Omega/F!OC

Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Harrassment.

Co-Written with @lilmissriottbliss

Taglist - @moxleyunstable, @axelwolf8109

Summary: Ava and Adam go on that date, it goes about you'd expect with the Dark Order involved, Things with Kenny come to a head.

"Violet!"

"Ava? Mon Cher Smackdown is about to start why are you screaming?"

Violet gave Finn a look before putting her friend on speaker "Mon Roi is here too, what has you so excited?"

"ADAM ASKED ME OUT ON A DATE!" The younger woman yelled

Ava could hear Violet cursing in French from a small distance. “Really? That’s amazing! Give me details now!”

“I lost my phone and he found it near your adopted brother and then Kenny was annoying me again so he covered for me by saying we were going on a date so we’re actually going on one!”

“I’m so happy for you!”

“Could you do me a solid?” Ava asked

Of course darling," Violet agreed

"Could you guys not tell the big boss?" Ava begged "You know I love Seth to death, he's my dad shaped person but he wasn't happy about this whole AEW deal and he'll be even less happy to know I'm going out with one of their biggest stars"

Violet and Finn silently looked at each other before agreeing to the younger woman's request 

"We have you covered darlin" Finn said

"What are you going to do about Omega?I'm starting to worry. He's really not taking no for an answer"

“I honestly don’t know” Violet handed Finn her phone, taking out the one meant to contact family. “I think she’s going to threaten Malachi into watching over you” Finn laughed.

Ava sighed in relief. While Malachi Black, formerly Aleister to Violet, was dark and broody, he did scare Kenny with a simple stare.

“So how’s Mox doing?” Violet asked

"Good, he got Omega off my back last night at Dynamite, threatened him with Ruby." Ava said "He said something about promising Seth to look out for me?"

"Seth called him and Miro when you decided to go to AEW." Finn explained 

"Called in a couple of favors. You are the baby."

Ava rolled her eyes even though the couple couldn't see her "You've got to be kidding. I can take care of myself"

“We know you can take care of yourself, Seth has a overprotective complex” 

Ava sighed but didn’t disagree. “We got to go now, see you tomorrow!” Violet hung up.

Ava turned off her phone, seeing a text from Kenny. Rolling her eyes she deleted it. “Is he ever gonna get the point?” she asked herself before flopping on her hotel bed with a sigh. He thoughts turning to the next day and the date she'd been dreaming of for years. 

-Next Day-

She met Adam outside a café, the cowboy looking handsome in normal street clothes and without a certain purple and black group shadowing him.

“Wow, you look great” He said. As she grinned and twirled once, showing off the chic black suit she'd chosen for their date. 

“Hope you don’t mind but I invited Violet and Finn just in case your friends crash this”

Adam laughed. “They probably will ”

Inside the cafe, Finn and Violet were waiting at a four person table, surprisingly without their daughter in tow.

"Where's my honey bunches?" Ava said with a pout, that Adam found adorable

"Becky and Seth have her" Finn explained "Shes having a playdate"

“Next time you bring her” Ava pointed. Finn raised his hands and laughed. Violet slid over a black coffee to Adam. 

He accepted it with a smile. “So you’re both going after the top titles in Smackdown” he grinned.

“Yup!” Finn grinned. “It was fun in NXT but I wasn’t spending another week without my husband there” Ava sighed.

“It’s harder to get a title shot in AEW, I have no idea how to get to Britt”

“I lost the chance to be the inaugural champ because someone thought an ass deserved it” Adam muttered.

“Adam I think your shadows are here” Violet pointed to a booth in the corner

Sure enough, the purple and black clad Dark Order filled 2 corner booths, trying and failing to be inconspicuous.

"Oh god" Adam murmured "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have told them where we were going"

"They really care about you" Ava smiled at Adam causing that feeling to flutter in his chest again.

"You may not, have been the first AEW champion but you've got a shot at Kenny at All Out" Finn says

"Sure do" Adam says "I can't wait, I've owed Kenny an ass whipping for a while now"

“Fucking creep” Ava rolled her eyes. “How’s Paige?”

“You don’t know that from Mox?” Violet raised an eyebrow. Ava shook her head

“She’s ok, doing wonders with her makeup. Her and Sonya are planning a wedding”

Ava nodded. “Sorry about the Kingdom disbanding” 

Finn rolled his eyes. “Of course Vince brings up Shotzi and us but doesn’t want Kyle, Millie, Priscilla or Jordan”

Adam and Ava share a smile knowing while AEW wasn't a paradise by any means…it wasn't run by Vince. 

A loud bang sounded from the back of the restaurant and every turned to see one of the corner tables flipped on its side as John Silver looked around sheepishly. 

Adam dropped his head in his hands as Ava giggled "I'm sorry, I'm gonna go uh…handle this" he said rising from his seat and heading toward the back.

"They are quite the band of misfits aren't they?" Violet said as she tried not to laugh as they watched Adam easily lift the table back in place and start seemingly scolding them for crashing their double date.

"They love him, and with the entire….mess with the Elite…their very overprotective." Ava explained

“Reminds me of Seth” Violet said. Ava’s eyes widened.

“It totally is!” Finn laughed as Adam came back and sat down.

“They swear it’s just a coincidence they all wanted to come here on the same day and time as my date”

Violet flipped her hair and put on her flirty voice. “So this a date?

Adam blushed hard. “Um…well, it’s definitely not a…friend thing…we’re not friends. I mean we are friends!, but I want to be more then friends!" 

Ava blushed as she watched Adam flounder under Violet's question 

"Leave him alone, mo chroi" Finn finally rescued the younger man from his wife. 

“I was just being a good friend” Violet smirked.

Adam took a breath. “I don’t know why but I have a thing for goth people”

Ava looked at Violet.

“Really? Is that why you went to the Dark Order?”

“Honestly? Kenny ruined tag teams for me. The Bullet Club went to shit after you were kicked out”  

Finn’s eye twitched, remembering how the Young Bucks fucked him over.

“The Bullet Club is nothing to me now. They ruined it!”

“The Elite’s worse, nothing but kissing Kenny’s ass, apparently he was looking to go to Impact and take their top title”

“Thank god the old man bought them, Impact might have been the worse part of my career but AEW would have ruined them” Violet sipped her ice coffee.

Adam sighed.

“I don’t know what happened. One minute he was my brother, now he’s a stranger” Adam said quietly as Ava rubbed his back

"Its okay, your going to take the AEW title from him at All Out." Ava consoled him.

The 2 couples finished their meal and left the restuarant, Finn and Violet heading to the arena to get ready for Smackdown, and Ava and Adam walking though the city streets enjoying each other's company. 

"This has been great" Ava says as they finally end up back at the hotel

"We'll have to do it again sometime" Adam replied causing Ava to blush again.

"Maybe next time….just the two of us?" He asked softly

“No demon and vampires. No Dark Order” Ava agreed. Adam hugged her.

“Adam!” Evil Uno yelled. The pair looked at the stable. Anna walked over. “Well, the date was a success so Alex made you this” She handed a black jacket to Ava. It had a purple rose stitched in the back.

“Wow, Alex’s a suckup” Adam joked. “I’m totally wearing this next week” Anna smiled.

“C’mon Adam, before the idiots start screaming” 

He rolled his eyes but hugged Ava goodbye, kissing her hair before walking away.

The Next Week 

After spending the weekend and into the next week bouncing between elation over her successful date with Adam (including spending a hefty amount of time texting back and forth with the cowboy) and annoyance that Kenny just would not stop texting and calling, it was finally Wednesday and time for that weeks episode of Dynamite, at which Ava had a match against Nyla Rose.

 

Over the past few days she had gone hunting for more appropriate gear to compliment her new jacket and was now wearing black leather shorts with purple accents and a purple and black corset top. 

"Don't you look like a full fledged member of the misfit society, I really thought you'd have better taste Sweetheart" Kenny said walking up to her, the Young Bucks flanking him

“I’ve liked purple and black before the Dark Order existed” Ava snapped.

Kenny grabbed her arm. “Let go!”

“I just want what’s best for you” Kenny said fiercely 

“HEY!” Darby Allin hit Kenny with a skateboard.

“She’s said no to you for weeks now, get lost!” He roared, Ava seeing why Mox had pretty much adopted him.

Kenny looked panicked and all but ran. The Bucks, glaring at her as the followed

“Thanks” Ava said to Darby. “I hate that fucker”

"Join the club" Darby replied 

Later that night after beating Nyla Rose, Ava was celebrating in the ring when Kenny's music hit and The Elite surrounded the ring. 

"I really tried to do this in private Ava, baby but you just won't listen to me, you'd rather hang out with those losers instead of being part of The Elite"

“I. Am. Not. Your. Baby!” Ava screamed,.

Kenny stepped in, smirking. “Just accept the date”

The crowd began chanting variations of yes and no. 

Then the music of the Dark Order hit, Adam leading the stable to a beat down. Colt tackled Kenny, Adam waving sarcastically at him before going over to Ava, "You okay Darlin?"

"Yeah, fucking asshole. Why won't he leave me alone" 

"Ava, Ava!" Kenny panted, "I have a deal for you, since you and the drunk, seem so close lately, Next week….you and Adam against me and Britt Baker. You win, you get a title shot at All Out. You two lose, Cowboy loses his shot, and you go out with me"

Ava looked at Adam, who was clenching his jaw. Anna and Evil Uno nodded their heads.

Ava grabbed a mic. “We accept! And let’s raise the stakes!!! If we win and move on to kick you asses at All Out, you leave me the fuck alone!” 

Kenny gulped "Done!"

“I’ll add to that!” Adam yelled. “When I kick your ass, you don’t get to have a rematch as long as I’m champion. Let someone else get an opportunity”

"Deal!" Kenny said cockily "It doesn't matter anyway "You two are gonna lose and when you do...not only will Adam never get a shot at the AEW Championship,  Ava...baby...your all mine" 

#shai writes #hangman adam page x female oc #Hangman Adam Page #Hangman Page #Adam Page #Kenny Omega

[gstqaobc]

CBC THE ROYAL FASCINATOR

Friday, November 20, 2020

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Janet DavisonRoyal Expert Fact, fiction and The Crown

The last time Arthur Edwards took a photo of Prince Charles with Lord Louis Mountbatten, the heir to the throne had his arm around his great uncle. Similarly, Mountbatten had his arm around his great-nephew. They both seemed to be in fine form that day, not too long before Mountbatten lost his life to an IRA bomb in the summer of 1979 off the coast of Ireland. "They were laughing together," Edwards, the longtime royal photographer for the Sun newspaper, recalled over the phone from the U.K. this week. The recollection came to mind as controversy swirls over the newly released Season 4 of the Netflix drama The Crown. The show takes viewers into the reign of Queen Elizabeth, with the latest season moving the action into the 1980s. In the first episode, Mountbatten is seen just before his assassination writing a letter to Charles saying he could bring "ruin and disappointment" on the Royal Family with his pursuit of Camilla Parker Bowles, who in real life is now Charles's wife but at that time was married to someone else. There's no evidence — again, in real life — that such a letter was ever written or that Charles and Mountbatten quarrelled before he was killed. It's just one of many moments in the latest season that have set off debate over how fact meets fiction in the award-winning drama created by Peter Morgan. "Many people will think it's the truth ... but it's not," said Edwards, who snapped his first photo of Charles feeding sugar to his polo ponies in the mid-1970s, just after he'd left the Royal Navy. "Much of it … comes out of a scriptwriter's brain, which I can understand because … it's drama.” What bothers Edwards, he said, is the portrayal of Charles. "I've worked with him now for over 40 years, and I don't recognize that man in it." And therein lies a challenge of turning history into drama. "Certainly, in every season [of The Crown], there's a blend of fact and fiction, but it stands out in Season 4 because we are getting closer to the present day," said Toronto-based royal historian and author Carolyn Harris. Because so many in the audience will have their own memories of how what is portrayed in Season 4 turned out in real life — how Charles's marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales, collapsed in spectacular fashion, for example — there is perhaps further potential for the controversy now swirling. "It's always a challenge with historical fiction that the people who are being portrayed do not know what's going to happen next, but the audience ... does," said Harris. In some instances, the episodes present events that played out in the public eye and reflect the historical record. "An example is that engagement interview where Prince Charles famously said, 'whatever in love means,'" said Harris. But there are many other examples of events being fictionalized or put together to create a narrative. Take Michael Fagan's break-in at Buckingham Palace, a focus of Episode 5. That actually happened, in 1982. He breached security and made it to the Queen's bedroom, where he spoke to her. "But Michael Fagan describes it as a very brief conversation before he was arrested, whereas for the purposes of the series, he has a more extended dialogue about [Prime Minister] Margaret Thatcher's politics in order to tie this event to the series's critique of political developments while [she] was prime minister," said Harris.

CBC Archives: The leadership fracas that forced Margaret Thatcher from power

Edwards worries, however, that people will believe The Crown's version of what happened when Fagan broke into the palace that night, which isn’t true, with its portrayal of a longer chat with the Queen. "That's what really irritates me," he said. And he remains troubled by the thought that the portrayal of Charles, pilloried for a bad marriage, doesn't reflect the driven and hard-working man he has seen up close, whether he is visiting and offering support to schoolgirls in northern Nigeria or the Jewish community in Krakow, Poland. "You won't see that on Netflix." Edwards went with Charles when he returned in 2015 to the site of Mountbatten's assassination. "I watched him … and he was remembering it." As aware as Edwards is of The Crown, he has stopped watching it.   "You've got to remember it's drama; it's not necessarily the whole truth."

Just let loose and dance Peter Morgan may be the creative mind behind The Crown, but in the current season, at least one moment playing out on the small screen came straight from the actor. At one point, Diana — played by Emma Corrin — dances by herself with wild abandon inside a very well-appointed room at Buckingham Palace — or in this case, a stately home filling the role of the palace where Diana went to live after her engagement to Prince Charles was announced in 1981. "It was one of my favourite scenes to film," Corrin said in a recent interview with the Royal Fascinator. "I loved it because they wanted to choreograph it, and I said, 'Do you mind if we don't ... I don't think we can choreograph a moment like that. I'd love to just let loose and dance.'" So she did, and she chose the song that was blasting over the speakers during filming, a bit of musical time travel to 1998, and Cher's Believe. Corrin's love for the song dates back a few years. "There's a theatre company in Britain called DV8, and they do this show called The Cost of Living, and there's an amazing dance scene," she said. "A guy does this dance to Cher's  … Believe…. It's like the truest form of expression I've seen." In Corrin's research for the role, she was surprised to learn how important dance was for Diana. "It was quite a private thing," said Corrin. "You see her dancing and what that does, how that is such a mode of expression and release, and I thought that was really interesting."

Looking ahead — and looking back

Every so often over the past few years, there have been rumblings about whether Queen Elizabeth, now 94, might step aside from her role as she gets older. And as soon as those rumblings emerge, other royal observers are quick to note how that is unlikely for a variety of reasons, including the dark shadow cast by her uncle's abdication as King Edward VIII in 1936, her deep devotion to duty and how she has always considered her role as one for life. So it wasn't too surprising to see that scenario play out again in recent days when one royal biographer suggested Elizabeth might "step down" when she turns 95 next April. But soon after, there was also a very strong signal from Buckingham Palace about looking ahead in her reign. The first plans were announced for celebrations in 2022 to mark her Platinum Jubilee, or 70 years on the throne. It would be an unprecedented milestone — no British monarch has reigned as long as she has. In the United Kingdom, it will culminate in a four-day bank holiday weekend in early June. Oliver Dowden, the British culture secretary, said it would be a "truly historic moment" worthy of a "celebration to remember," the BBC reported.

Royally quotable

"Let us reflect on all that we have been through together and all that we have learned. Let us remember all victims of war, tyranny and persecution; those who laid down their lives for the freedoms we cherish; and those who struggle for these freedoms to this day."

— Prince Charles,

during a visit to Germany

to attend events commemorating its national day of mourning, which focused on British-German relations this year.

Royals in Canada

While members of the Royal Family have made numerous trips to Canada over the years, The Crown hasn't turned its dramatic attention to them yet, even though the show has featured several foreign visits.

"It's a shame," said royal historian Harris, because during Queen Elizabeth's reign, "there have been some very interesting Canadian tours."

Sure, there's been a brief glimpse of a Canadian flag at a table during a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting portrayed in The Crown.

"But we don't see Canada assuming a prominent role, whereas the series has had at least three tours of Australia," Harris said.

One episode in the current Season 4 focuses on Charles and Diana's 1983 trip Down Under. Shortly after that visit, Charles and Diana came to Canada. Had that been portrayed in The Crown, it would have backed up a developing theme, Harris said.

During the visit, Diana celebrated her 22nd birthday on Canada Day.

"There's press footage of Canadians giving Charles birthday cards to give to Diana, and a scene like that would have supported the theme of that episode of Charles feeling overshadowed by Diana," said Harris.

Edwards, the Sun photographer, was along for that trip, and has been to Canada about 15 times with members of the Royal Family.

The 1983 trip lasted 17 days and was "fantastic," he said. "It was just brilliant. I can recall it like it was yesterday. We criss-crossed the country."

During the opening of the World University Games in Edmonton on July 1, the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Diana.

"The whole crowd. It was phenomenal," said Edwards.

Harris sees potential plotting for future seasons of The Crown possibly playing into how the series has portrayed foreign visits so far.

"We see a stronger Australia focus, and it's certainly possible that the 1999 Australian referendum [on the monarchy] may come up in a subsequent season so some of this may be building towards that.

"But definitely in terms of the Commonwealth, certain nations are emphasized more than others in the series."

Royal reads

1. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary today

, and a photo was released of them reading a card from their great-grandchildren. [CBC]

2. In a rare statement, Prince William has said he

welcomes an investigation by the BBC

into circumstances around the controversial Panorama interview his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, gave to Martin Bashir in 1995. [CBC]

3. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,

did authorize a friend to talk to the authors of Finding Freedom

, a biography of her and Prince Harry that was published his summer, court papers say. [ITV]

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[blankdblank]

Hobbit Soulmate Pt 29

“I told you,” Lee said making you roll your eyes inside the taxi that was called for the both of you and a string of colorful apartment buildings you were approaching not very far from the studio at all. “That one’s my building.”

“Not bad.” You said and climbed out once parked as he paid. To the door he led you unlocking it to let you in flashing a quick wave to the woman in the office who returned a flinch of a wave and looked you over. Anxiously you smoothed your fingers through your hair laying over your chest in entering the lift another couple exited grinning to the assumed new neighbors they didn’t recognize. “Maybe I should cut my hair when I get back.”

Lee, “Up to you, I love your hair, if it helps.”

Smirking at him you said, “I don’t mind changing my hair. Nearly every role I’ve had till the Selkie one had me in a wig to hide my curls. Even Darkness Falls had me straightening my hair. Let me keep the color though. And the Ring just played up my hair to make me look crazy.”

Down a grey wood lined hall he led the way to one of the last apartments he unlocked and let you inside. From the front hall the laundry was closest to the door with the kitchen behind that open and facing the carpeted living room empty. Past that were the twin carpeted bedrooms with large windows and decent sized closets separated by a shared bathroom. “Nice, really nice,” you said eyeing the un-inflated air mattress still inside the box left in his chosen room, the larger one.

“Told you,” With a nod he said, “They have some flyers downstairs for some of the vacant apartments if you’d like to send them to Richard.”

“Sounds good,”

With a grin he looked you over and said as it drooped, “You really didn’t want this job, did you?”

“It’s a great show, from the little I know about it. Just so used to being ambushed with mystery roles lately I suppose. I’m glad, Rich will be happy I can get paid to be out in Canada too. Suppose the reads will eat my vacation time up.”

“It won’t be that bad.” You nodded and he said, “Let’s go drop by the office, they’ll be glad to hear someone else might want to rent here, might even show you a few more layouts.”

“Oh yes, just what I need. More raised hopes like the guard who I now have lied to on staying home for months.”

Lee smirked at you, “The past two reads have been in New York, come on, you get your days off still.” Stealing a quick hug drawing you along to the door to show you out again. The woman was busy to not be able to show you open rentals in waiting for another couple who made an appointment already, but shared all the possible info on what would be required to rent here and saw you leave her sight. While waiting for the food you ordered at a restaurant Lee watched you use the payphone on the wall to call the airport to confirm the next flight time to New York. From which you sighed once hung up and walking back you flashed him a grin, “Five hours, they will have our tickets ready for us at the desk when we get there.”

“I’m sorry. You can drag me around all month if you like in payback.”

Shaking your head you said, “Maybe we could find a second hand shop nearby. Find you some chairs at least. Possibly some pop up tables.”

That was the plan and post meal conveniently fifteen minutes from the apartment you found a shop and in a chuckle at your own insistence a pair of round lounge loveseats in charcoal grey Lee relented accepting your help in decorating his place. To go with those a set of three triangle tables in a trio of heights enabling tucking them under the largest was added to the mix and the giggling shop keep took your answer of being able to carry the purchases home yourself as a chance for her son to earn his daily pay by using the shop truck to help you take the purchases on the short drive just a few blocks over.

..

Down to the bustling corners of town you hadn’t been in far too long once again that favored shoe shop welcomed you with milling familiar Queens from the club you dropped in on when in town all flashing waves from their seats a bit busy mid adjustment of their choice of shoes to come greet you just yet granting you a free path to the Queen you wanted. “Jaqi Pear!” Dolly again smiled and hurried around the counter having just come out from the back office there to the bell and gave you a tight hug, “There you are! I saw you in the papers with Lee at that premier. I cannot stand horror flicks but Madi has promised to watch it for all of us and show how amazing we all know you were in it.”

That had you giggle and say, “Not sure how amazing I’ll be for her, I was told not to blink at all in my later scenes.”

Still she looked you over asking, “So, I know you haven’t worn through those shoes yet.”

“No, I was wondering if Lucy and Cher was free.”

That had her gasping, “Your hair?”

You nodded, “They want it to about boob level, when it’s straight, so I figured try to cut it now so in January I could possibly have them help me lighten it to brown.”

Dolly, “For a role I hope, your hair is perfect already.”

“Thank you. Ya, Lee got me wrangled into a tv show up in Canada, last minute of course their main girl dropped out so they needed another crazy lady for his baby sister.”

Dolly nodded her head calling out, “Madi, watch the shop!” Taking your hand to guide you two shops over past a dress shop to a hair salon, half with Queens fixing their wigs on stands secured to vanities and the other half with those working their outgrown natural hair in actual salon stations. “Lucy, Cher!” The two ladies giving tips to a young Queen in training for her first pageant fell silent and smiled seeing who she was bringing to see them with Lucy flashing the purse you had given them on her day to use it still in pristine condition.

“Hello our lovely Lady Pear!” Cher said leading the way to you in the open walkway between the split of the stations. Bending to claim a hug of her own followed by Lucy’s.

Lucy, “What brings you to our little corner?”

Dolly, “Someone needs a haircut.”

Their jaws dropped and you said, “Show starts filming in January, but I figure we could cut it now, see how they like the length when it’s straight before worrying about dying it.”

Cher smoother her fingers through your hair gently easing it straight, “How long?”

“Boob level, roughly when straight.” You said holding your hand to where Tracy had pointed out the original girl had hers. “Which straightening it will be-,”

Lucy cut you off, “So much fun, we have been dying to get our hands on those curls. What color did they want it?”

“I was thinking deep brown, I didn’t tell them but I have a stunt double role afterwards where I’ll need to go blonde,”

Cher, “How blonde?” You pointed at Dolly and they both went, “Ooh,”

Dolly, “Your eyes will be stunning with platinum hair.”

“I figure lightening from brown to blonde will be easier than all in one go.”

Lucy, “You are right there.”

Cher smiled guiding you to her empty station, “You just relax, and let us work our magic.” A few snaps and rings were removed with a group of straighteners brought over to help straighten the sections of your hair that was divided up to ease the job. All over still a bit irritated and puffy the sheets of hair settled around you and in the reflection a bit closer to your elbow the hair was cut for a first look over sure to spring to your shoulders once curled again that the group carefully inched up a bit more to a more playful length in the front sloping down in the back to ensure when curled at least you could still tie it back.

“Thank you, so much.”

Lucy smiled saying, “They will love it this length, plus you still have so much hair to play with still, and when you are ready for that color let us know. We will find the right shade for you.”

Cher, “And don’t you dare bring out any money, you don’t pay here for some trimming.”

“It took over an hour-,”

Cher, “Nope, not a peep, now you go and show off your new length to the streets, and you better strut your stuff.”

…

Lee was stunned to say the least, but liked that it still had some give to it and couldn’t help but laugh seeing it curly again in a poof angered and looming barely to your shoulders relaxing a bit over the evening while he was off to a late shift on a temp job for some spare cash. Papers were signed and in two weeks the first read was held with a check of the length the Producers and Director approved of before introducing you to the rest of the cast. 65k an episode was contracted thanks to your lawyer who ensured to add the clause on completing filming of each episode, not just those that are broadcast as Fox was finicky on dropping shows in the past. Thankfully Lee had also landed that clause in his due to his agent’s diligence on the fine print, not on contract speaking levels with Tracy you just hoped she’d taken care of that detail as well as her parents were in producing so she had that foot ahead in the business.

Right away melting into the scripts offered your focused furrow was smirked at and focus approved by all as sign for those you didn’t know that you would do your best to help this show do well. October bled into November, which had you on the bus out to meet up with the wardrobe crew to give the various outfits a try granting them time to tailor then to fit you better.

.

December had crept up on you and before you knew it from your bed you sighed to the sound of the intercom buzzing trying to tear you from your relaxation with lifted foot bouncing in the air plopping down for you to get up at the next buzz. “I hear you,” you muttered and crossed the apartment to your intercom you hit the button to say, “Hello?”

“Hey Jaqi, thought you might want to get our nails done before the premier.”

Wide eyed you asked, “Jen?”

“Yes,” she giggled into the intercom.

“Um, let me just change,”

Though when you turned your head you heard her say, “Ok, oh.” The door opened beside her and you heard Lee say, “Sorry, um,” the sound cut off and Lee hit the button saying, “She’s on her way up Jaq.” With a point of his hand she nodded and smiled thanking the stunned Lee on his way to lunch with his brother glancing back on her path to the stairs wondering why the star was here as you hadn’t mentioned anything to him the night before.

Shaking your head you hurried to the closet to find and bounce into a pair of jeans covering your panties with just a baggy tank top on you grabbed a bra to slide through the wide open sleeves. The hooks were secured at the knock on your door and you trotted on your toes across the chilly floor wiggling your arms into the straps in time to unlock and open the door grinning for the smiling actress. “Hey, sorry,”

She shook her head walking past you in your step back to let her in, “No problem, thought I might catch you off guard. Nice building.”

“Thank you,” you replied without a giggle guiding her towards the bedroom where the sound of the Green Gables film series was still playing. “You’re not thirsty are you? I think I have some sprite left if Lee didn’t drink it all yesterday.”

“Lee?”

She asked and you glanced back at her from the closet putting on your socks, “The guy who let you in, we went to school together, best friend, lives downstairs.”

“Ah, so that’s how he knew to send me up.”

You giggled and asked, “You know many other people in this building?”

Giggling back she said, “No,” her eyes focusing on your curls asking, “You cut your hair?!”

“Oh, ya, I got a part on a show with Lee, up in Canada, but they want my hair straight, so it’s about past boob level where they want it. Waiting on dying it till January for the filming after the premiers are through.”

“Well I think it’s cute,”

You giggled saying as you grabbed a warm grey sweater sent to you from Richard in his hatred of not being able to see you just yet, “It’s still angry with me. Cute or not.”

A belt was added and she said, “Hair can be so petty sometimes.” In a glance around the room she asked, “Is your heater broken?”

“In a matter of speaking,” you said exiting the closet to turn off the film once your heeled boots were added knowing it was too cold outside for converse, “Someone stole our new furnace off the delivery truck, so the company is sending a new one. Heat is down till tomorrow night, possibly.”

That had her chuckle, “I don’t mean to laugh,”

“Oh no, you can laugh. Every time the landlord buys something from the designated company it ends up stolen. I think they just don’t want to admit they can’t meet the original shipping date. Don’t have many overthrowing delivery trucks no matter how shabby the place may look.”

“This is not shabby. My first apartment had bullet holes to let in the cold.”

“Firehouse on the corner and police on the other with an army recruitment place three doors over, nope, dad was sure this place was bullet free zone. Not to mention he’s friends with the landlord. So he technically has an ear to the ground out here.”

“How is your dad?”

“Good, helping with my new cousins. One of them had to have a surgery,”

“Nothing serious I hope.”

“Oh no, they had this weird little cluster of cysts on their lower back. Thought it might be a tail at first but turns out the twins who used to be triplets had little bits of their brother they ate on their backs,”

She giggled and covered her mouth, “Sorry,”

“Don’t be, the little cannibals were caught red handed. Nothing harmful, gave full scans that was the only hidden pockets the triplet was in. Given the all clear, just their mom is still a bit weirded out about it.”

“Understandably.” With a grin she waited for you to finish grabbing what you needed and walked out with you excited to take you to the high end salon she had booked the private back room to for the pair of you. A gesture in a good day to hang out before her final leg of press the week before the premier when it would be all in front of cameras and divided between required splits from the group for questions, photographs or otherwise.

“So I watched The Ring,” That had you giggling at her finger poking your arm, “Girl you did not blink once!”

“They told me not to, said it would be creepier. And it creeped the nice lady I worked with in my asylum scenes and Naomi especially when she came to talk to me.”

“It is so good though, creepy but good. I did not know you could go that far on that end of the broken scale.”

“Oh yes, got the creepy side out and this next film should show off my lovely depressed side too.”

“I can’t wait, got my invite to the premier, thank you.”

“You are very welcome, you and the guys from the Lord of the Rings all split up the rest of my tickets for the France, London and New York premiers.”

“So what’s this new show about, can you say?”

“Well,” you giggled to yourself drawing her eyes to you in a quick glance. “I work in a gift shop at Niagara  Falls, deliberate underachiever since getting my degree, and I start hearing animal figurines talking to me, try to get me to help people around me.”

“That-,”

“It’s so weird but it’s got one of the wittiest most sarcastic bits in a tv script I’ve been given.”

“Oh well if it’s a comedy then that’s good. Who’s putting it out?”

“Fox is behind it.”

“Ooh, nice hear they pay well.”

“Just about passed out hearing how much my lawyer got me.” She looked at you as you said, “65k an episode. I mean it’s not the most, my supposed love interest is getting near double that since he’s been in a few successful films and is better known in Canada. But still, that’s so much money.”

“They must have good hopes for it.”

“Hopefully, if not they worked in a clause I get paid per episode whether or not they get aired or not.”

“Very nice.”

“Yes,” you giggled, “Lawyer is also my grandparents’ and he no doubt is firmly reminded not to let me get dropped into the bin contract wise.”

“Good thing too, we should all have our grandparents choose our lawyers and watch over them. Do us all some good.”

“Didn’t help when they looked into Fox and saw they tend to drop projects all the time by the second season.”

“Ya, tv shows can be like crap shoots sometimes. Why I switched to films and my own music as quick as I could.”

“I do like films better. Even if they flop they feel safer. And you don’t have to worry about too many rewrites.”

“Any new projects?”

“So far there’s a small bit I have in a reshoot out in England, just a few lines for comedy and so far that’s it. Richard’s agent said there’s a few jobs possibly circulating to ask about me when they get their boat together to send out official asks. One would be with Richard, so that would be fun.”

She chuckled and asked, “So where is this mystery man hiding at?”

That had you giggling again. “He’s got a job, they’ve been catching up out in Europe for a few shots before they switch to Canada. Last I heard he had two flights and a train to catch. So just me and my adventures out and about through town to keep me busy. According to everyone I’ve worked with who meets him I mope.” You opened the front door for her and she led the way down the stoop to the waiting suv she opened and hopped into.

Up behind her you climbed in and closed the door ignoring the few flashes from the shivering cameramen who clambered back to their cars to follow you both. “Managed to slip most of the others a couple miles back, not bad just the five of them.”

“Oh no problem. Had some cameras at the airport on the way back from the premier. Apparently a woman thought I was Milla Jovovich.”

She giggles, “Did you have to sign anything?”

“She shoved a magazine at me.”

“Did you do the squiggle?”

“Yes, I couldn’t tell how the name was spelled so first letter squiggle was my go to. That ever happen to you?”

“Oh yes, when I was starting out. Some people didn’t even know my name they just recognized my face not knowing from where and then tried to read my signature to thank me. You get some crazy names when they do that.”

“I bet.” After a moment you asked, “So I guess you’ll be at the Daredevil premier then?”

Her smile split wider, “I don’t know, depends where I am. It’s out when?”

“’04, I think. Ways off.”

“We will see, either way I will be watching it and keeping my eyes peeled for you.”

“Ooh, hope you buy the tape you might need that freeze button.”

“Can’t be that bad,”

“They cut it into two films, then scattered me in random extra bits in Daredevil cuz I got pushed to the Elektra film and even that isn’t guaranteed by the time they finish filming the rest of it around, Jennifer Garner and the other main six. I know I’ll be a Stewardess at least, and I’m drinking in a cafe, twice.”

“Well there you go, can’t just leave it to Ben and the other boys for the whole film, need some gorgeous ladies in the mix.”

“Sorry,” You huffed brushing your hair from your face, “They decided to split it right when I got hurt on that wiring stunt and ended up in a boot. Just bit petty.”

“I nearly broke my foot in Gigli, really don’t look forward to seeing that scene. I get it, others just get to watch the film but we can pinpoint ‘oh that was the day my foot got fucked up’ or ‘I had such bad cramps that day’ or ‘what the hell did they put in my food I’m supposed to be eating in that scene’. I swear sometimes they hide stuff in my food to throw me off. Had a salad once that tasted like cinnamon. Just drove me crazy when they said they didn’t.”

“They put hot sauce in my soup on one of the Lord of the Rings scenes. Was inching close to a cold coming up on a week I’d have to run nonstop and some of the Maori guys said to eat a bunch of peppers and hot sauce and just, oh I was about in tears. And the stomach pains after, I can eat it but their sauce just comes back with a vengeance.” Making her giggle, “I’ve had Indian food more forgiving than that.”

“Yes, certain peppers even have me on my knees. You have to learn your limit early. Did it help at least?”

“With the cold ya, and boy did they brag on it.”

She chuckled and at the fancy salon you eyed the glass walls no doubt sport for those passing by along with the cameramen and after a quick smile your way she led the way out and waited for you to hop down and close the door to follow her inside. A shift of your coat over your side unbunching it from under your arm and up your hand went to brush your curls back that only fell back into your face again thanks to the chilly breeze the cameras would absolutely hate waiting through. Inside the door already the waiting hostess stood blocking the path farther saying in an eerily calm yet nasally voice, “Your private room is ready.” On her heel she turned and Jen smirked to you at her double finger wag over her six and a half foot high apparent shoulder towering over you and similarly curvy and petite Jen to her waif like self. “This way please.”

Holding back the urge to mouth her words and mock her off kilter sway you simply lowered your hands tapping your fingertips under the base of your sweater to your shifting thighs on each step taking in the shop along the way with plenty of eyes fixed on you both. “There you are little Madame!” An exuberant voice sounded and all six foot five of the lanky beautician in staggering five inch heeled boots similar to yours but in bright yellow stood and strut his way over to your side making you giggle at his hand extending that yours laid inside to be patted by his free hand, “I am, awestruck. I watched your show on Broadway, and you earned every ounce of that Tony you tiny ferocious thing you.”

That had you giggle again. “Thank you.”

“Then what do I see you go and do? Repping Miss Queen Dolly’s shoes on that carpet and stage, you are striking, you put her on, the, map.” The final three words accentuated with brief pauses for sassy head swaggers before he turned popping his hip in a centering pose almost before guiding you to the pedicure station on the end that was clearly his for his long legs.

“Queen Dolly’s shoes?” Jen asked pausing at her station beside yours unzipping her raised boot to be put in her rolling cart to house them and her socks.

Turning your head you said, “My grandparents sent me a car to take me shopping for the Tonys and I got turned out of Loubiton and so I went to a friend’s shoe shop, Queen Dolly.”

Your beautician raised his foot pointing to his shoe, “Nearly had to cut a bitch for these.” Spreading Jen’s smile as you giggled removing your first boot and sock you tucked inside it to remove the second still up on your toes. “Queen Dolly and her friends look after me. Helped me my first year when I fell down some subway steps in winter and since, so I couldn’t think of anyone else’s shoes I wanted to wear knowing I’d have to go alone.”

He lifted a finger, “You little Madame made our lives with just flashing those heels on those steps to the stage, and you should have heard the screams through the clubs and our block when the article came out and you named her shop! Now it is the top of the top over those two bit amateur Borodin Brothers shop on 32nd, you know I bought some boots there once and the zipper tore clean off?! Then those assholes made me buy the damn boots like it was my fault they fashioned them together with paperclips.” Up he helped you into the chair and began to roll up your pant legs saying, “You have lovely feet for a dancer. I have trained in ballet, and it is not easy to get your feet like this, you must live in salons.”

“No, I just learned how to do it myself. Salt soaks and pumice scrubs and lotion soaks under socks. Heater is spotty at best and I hate calluses. Bruises are hard enough. Sort of my spoil me time. And my Mate gives the best foot rubs I’d hate to scare him off.”

That had him laugh, “No you do not.”

Jen smirked saying as she settled into the chair beside yours, “I think we should go shoe shopping after this.”

Her beautician smirked saying with a point of his own, “Straight to Loubiton, go wave your cash in their smug faces.” Then he asked, “What color are you wearing to the premier Miss Jen?”

She answered, “It’s this lovely sort of plum color with a metallic sort of finish to it.”

“Ooh, nice,” he replied and looked through his selection of nail polish for a few options for her.

Yours asked, “And what ensemble will you be killing it in?”

“Well it’s black, but with a gold lace accent on the top over a ribbon belt.”

“Ooh,” the men said together.

“So I was thinking maybe a light gold or a pale yellow?”

He nodded and smiled at you, “I think I know just the color.” On his own while you soaked your feet once back with the color of his choosing he asked, “Please tell me you don’t perm that fabulous hair.”

“Oh no, all my curls here.”

“I am so glad of that,” he said brushing his own long curly ponytail back over his back reaching to his belt. “We need some more curls flaunted on the red carpets. And I did love me the good screams watching the Ring, but I was beside myself hoping those were real curls and not forced then run ragged on you in that film.”

“They thought teasing them a bit would make me look more disturbed.”

Jen’s guy scoffed, “The staring did that plenty for me.” Making you grin to yourself in your gut settling down again at your feet.

Their conversation drifted off while Jen shared the rest of her travel plans for the week including press she was scheduled to bounce all across the country to drop in on top tv shows making her ask, “Are you booked for shows for your film?”

“Through Europe mainly. Three in England, a morning and two evening shows, sort of a Letterman vibe.”

“None over here?”

“I did get an email from Good Morning America, they said they would let me know if one of their zoo shows had to cancel. Something about a film they were asked to lend a monkey to.” At her frozen expression you giggled, “I’m bigger in England it seems. Sir Ian McKellen drops your name you get noticed. Not to mention the rumor mill I apparently stirred up over this film. Apparently I heard from Richard’s brother there is now an elephant and a team of hippos in it that are trained for some musical number. If there is it’s news to me.”

She chuckled and said, “Well maybe this premier will change things for you. Make them take notice. We are friends after all I will not hesitate to name drop if I have to.” You giggled again, “Gotta stick together.” Looking you over she asked, “So I’m still not going to be able to meet Richard?” That had you giggle again and cover your face a moment as she said, “Because me and Natasha are just dying to. He looks so nice in those pictures from your other premiers you took him to. Surely he can’t be worth hiding-,”

Lowering your hands still giggling you said, “I will see what I can do. He’s been up to something the only times he’s radio silent is when he’s planning something. Last time was this sweater he mailed me and the time before that he dropped in on me in Texas sharing he was hired as my costar for the new film. So it varies in size.”

“Least it never grows old that way.”

“No it does not,” You giggled out. “Even when we’re at the same place he’s always coming up with dinners or little adventures. Even his dad took us on a tour of the nuclear plants out there one summer.” You caught her eye saying, “His dad used to work at one and it was their summer vacation destination, tours of all of them. Helped to keep him humble.”

“Wow, so his dad worked on nuclear plants and yours worked on oil rigs.”

“Yes, just call us the energy wonder kids couple. His brother does on occasion.”

“How do you surprise him then?” She asked with a smirk making you roll your eyes.

“After the winter break we first met in when I was back to New York I left him one of those day to day calendars with notes and pictures through it. And some sheets since he hadn’t made his bed past tossing old clothes on it.”

“Aww, so sweet.”

“He’s a moper too.”

“Which flower is it you’re allergic to again?” Your guy asked with a pair of bottles in his hands.

“Lavender.” You replied with Jen looking at you while he smiled and bent to grab a yellow bottle on the bottom of his cart.

“Then you miss Madame are going to smell like honey. No one asks for this one and I can not tell you how many people want to smell like different types of flowers. Just about makes your eyes cross by closing time.”

Jen’s smiles saying, “Just got some peach you asked for, love the smell.” He said smirking after stealing another sniff of the scrub for feet and legs.

She smiled saying, “Thank you.” And looked at you asking, “Is that like a severe allergy?”

“Um, I can be around it, for a short time but I know in the other horror film I’m in they washed the nurse costume with lavender and I had to soak with salts to keep from breaking out and to soothe the few rashes I got. Usually I only go to spas when my grandparents plan it and they always call ahead on the restriction.”

“That’s good, I got a cousin whose kid swells up from lima beans, odd allergy. Just actually got a call from her they’re planning to head to the Alamo in the spring, he is obsessed with it.” After a moment she asked, “Have you been?”

“Oh ya, raised in Texas. Sort of required by some. School had a field trip there and to the River Walk. Pretty fun, expensive but fun. Our bus almost got towed actually. The bill for the parking lot got stuck in the slot on the unmanned pay station and it tore in half and by the time the driver came back with a new bill from the bank nearby the tow truck came for its second towing round of the day.” After a moment you asked, “Is it the cowboys he likes? Cuz there are tons of cowboy museums in Texas.”

“He loves cowboys, his dad actually took a work trip to Texas and found a few he’d like.”

“Fun phase, cowboys, then again I grew up in a ranch so I never really grew out of it. Part of why filming in New Zealand was fun, all those horses.”

Jen’s guy asked, “Like a real ranch? Like you rope cattle and all that?”

“Rodeo is a staple back home. We mainly have sheep and horses, one of my uncles runs the bull breeding on the other end of our property. They tend to like it quieter and our donkeys like to agitate them.”

Your guy asked, “You have donkeys too?”

“They’re one of the best guards for sheep. Make tons of noise if they hear anything and they have hooves hard enough to bash the hell out of any coyotes or mountain lions that try to sneak up on the little fluffy guys.”

Jen, “You have mountain lions?”

After a giggle you replied, “Not like pets but they come down sometimes from the peaks to try and scope out our herds. Normally steer clear though after their first scare.”

“So you could just get mauled? Out of nowhere?” She asked.

“We have guns and bows if they do get close, but they don’t generally attack people out of nowhere, more likely to take on the cattle.” Again you giggled at their wide eyed stares, “It’s not as dangerous as it sounds. It just comes with the territory, gonna raise animals you got to be ready to protect them.”

Jen, “You miss the ranch?”

“Sometimes. I can always go home, it is nice not having 4 am chores and jeans without mud caked on them. Do miss the free supply of firewood and fish though. Have our own woods we clear of fallen branches and ponds to fish in. Saves a bundle of you stretch it right.”

Jen, “That sounds nice, little place it in the middle of nowhere. Grow old on some land of your own.”

Her guy said, “Long as I can have some buff guys to keep on hand for some tilling I am all in girl.” Making you giggle with her as the conversation shifted to this ranch film the guys tried to explain rather vaguely to try and figure out the name of the guys lead in it lasting through the leg and foot massage and finish of your pedicure. Foam sandals were given for the walk you were helped down to tenderly step over to the nail station for the second half of your pampering as your feet rested under the lamps above the foot rest.

A bit more the guys asked about favorite films and actors they couldn’t name blending through to the final addition of three fake clear gems on your pinky fingers in a flower design with a tiny black leaf painted on before the final wait to dry under the lamps. Carefully socks and boots were added again with hugs traded as Jen insisted to cover the nail outing then eased her arm through yours saying, “Let’s go find you some shoes.”

Red bottomed with straps ankle to the ball of your foot in a strikingly tall heel the black pair sat on the shelf just above your reach and while Jen had two aids helping her to inspect her own choices the same man from before the Tony’s came over with a creeping grin. “Might I be of assistance?”

“Do you have those in a six?”

His eyes followed your finger seeing the shoes from the year prior soon to be taken down to be replaced by a newer style after not selling too well and he said, “Let me check.” Hurrying off exhaling softly in a calming way in his guess you didn’t remember his turning you away before. For a deal you accepted the pair and brought out the cash for them ticking up his brow a moment seeing you were buying your own shoes while Jen was getting most of hers for free in hopes she would wear them out somewhere in front of cameras. She could have just added your pair to hers but he had to appreciate that even in the big haul of shoes sent out to the way of cameras instead of possible future sales there was still cash in hand. With hold of the bag he eased your pair into you sat back by Jen helping her to wade through her twelve choices for the five she settled on for the upcoming press stops and premiers she had outfits already for each.

Pt 30

Hobbit – Soulmate - @evyiione​​, @deepestfirefun​, @rhaenaatargaryen, @anastasialovers

X all Rich. A - @abiwim​, @deepestfirefun, @thestorybookmistress

X Lee P - @tigereyesf​

All –

@himoverflowers​​, @theincaprincess​​, @aspiringtranslator​​, @thegreyberet​​, @patanghill17​​, @jesgisborne​​, @curvestrology​​, @alishlieb​​, @jogregor​​, @armitageadoration​​, @fizzyxcustard​​, @lilith15000​​, @marvels-ghost​​, @catthefearless​​, @imjusthereforthereads​​, @c-s-stars​​, @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore​​, @mariannetora​​, @shes-a-killer-kween​, @ggbbhehe4455

#Richard Armitage x Reader OC #Lee Pace x Reader OC #Jennifer Lopez #Nail Day #Trip to and from Canada #New Apartment tour #Furniture Shopping #Hair Cut #Salon #Shoe Shopping

[adultswim2021]

The Brak Show #1: “Leave It To Brak” (AKA “Mr. Bawk Ba Gawk”) December 21, 2000 - 5:15AM | S01E01 regular series version aired October 7, 2001 @ 11:00PM

I’m trying to break the habit of assuming only my friends are reading my various blogs, but I failed in one fundamental way: I didn’t really describe the premise of Sealab 2021, like, at all. Despite digging into it’s roots somewhat by watching it’s various pilots, I failed to include even a paragraph with the basic premise of the show. I’ll try not to make the same mistake with Brak. Instead I'll make a DIFFERENT mistake by writing way too long of a blog entry.

On December 21, 2000, after Sealab 2021, The Brak Show, then titled “Leave It To Brak” debuted. Who the fuck is Brak? Brak began life as a villain on the 1960s iteration of Space Ghost, a fairly garden-variety Saturday morning action kid’s show. He appeared in, I wanna say, a very small handful of episodes. I’ve seen the whole series, and I don’t think he was like, a regular or anything. Without looking it up I'll say he was on it twice. In the show he was a space pirate and had whiskers. He has a very memorable design. I’ve never been sure if we’re actually looking at Brak’s face or if he’s wearing a helmet. His fangs imply that we’re looking at his actual face (or at least his actual jaw), but that little curtain thing that hangs down from his, uh, ears? Is that a naturally occurring part of his head? It suggests that his wardrobe is actually his body, and vice-versa. He just looks absurd, making him perfect fodder for an absurdist revision.

Brak as we know him today was first used (barring some kind of Cartoon Network commercial that I’m unaware of) in Space Ghost Coast to Coast, appearing with Sisto. Sisto is his twin brother who appeared in the 60s show. Why Brak was targeted for comedic revision and not Sisto eludes me. I’m guessing “HI MY NAME IS BRAK” just sounds funnier than “HI MY NAME IS SISTO”. Anyway, in the first Coast to Coast episode they are voiced by C. Martin Croker (RIP) doing a Beavis and Butt-head parody. Eventually Andy Merrill took over the role, basically turning Brak into a, uh, childish adult. Okay, he’s basically doing a retarded guy voice. Sorry, but it’s time to grow up.

Space Ghost Coast to Coast debuted in 1994 and remained a cult hit on the network until it was moved to Adult Swim and eventually canceled in 2004. The concept of Space Ghost Coast to Coast was Space Ghost, a super hero from the 60s, now hosts a modern 90s late night talk show, interviewing live-action celebrities on a monitor that hangs over the set. Random obscure Space Ghost villains would show up with skewed personalities from their original 60s counterpart. Brak was easily the runaway star of the touted rogues gallery. He would come in and cheerfully sing a song about beans or something else equally wacky. He rarely had a definable role on the show, he was just a figure that was around and would wander into the set.

A second 90s Space Ghost spin-off was commissioned called Cartoon Planet. This was an actual kiddy show that aired during the day as opposed to Space Ghost Coast to Coast which was kid-friendly but meant for adults. This time Space Ghost, Zorak (Space Ghost’s bandleader on Coast to Coast), and Brak would host an hour of classic cartoons, with little absurd skits between segments set in a studio SORTA like the Space Ghost Coast to Coast set but different. LOTS of Brak’s fandom is based on these skits, which were a little more silly and lighthearted than the material on Space Ghost Coast to Coast. The skits were popular enough that they repackaged them into their own half-hour show, sans classic cartoons. This was an early point of confusion for me. Beloved Brak songs turned out to be from Cartoon Planet and NOT Space Ghost Coast to Coast, so I'd tune into Space Ghost wondering if they cut out all the Brak segments or what?

Cartoon Planet would answer viewer letters (conceivably real ones; they DID include various ways to contact “Ghost Planet” at the end of both Space Ghost Coast to Coast and, I’m guessing, Cartoon Planet, which I never did see in it’s original form). They actually answered the reason for Brak’s lack of intelligence (brain-damage caused by Space Ghost, using an actual clip from the 60s show). I bring this up not out of genuine concern for continuity or canon; these aren’t huge concerns for the writers of these shows. The real reason Brak is dumb is because Andy Merrill thought the voice was funny, probably. I bring it up because generally the premise of Space Ghost in the 90s is that even though he IS a super hero with super hero abilities, he’s also an actor who makes cartoons about being a super hero. So, it can be concluded Brak’s brain damage is from a stunt gone wrong and not carried over from the fiction of the show.

The premise of Space Ghost Coast to Coast is that Space Ghost has captured evil villains Zorak and Moltar and is forcing them to work on the show. But they also freely reference their personal lives outside of the show, breaking character. They are actors who are sticking to a premise only when it’s convenient. Yes, it’s fun for the kids to pretend that Space Ghost has enslaved his enemies to work on his talk show, but the reality is that when the camera turns off they all go home to their apartments or wives or whatever. This concept feeds directly into The Brak Show: we aren’t watching Brak’s real home life; Brak, cartoon character and actor, is playing himself in a sitcom. His mom isn’t his real mom. His Dad isn’t his real dad. Zorak isn’t his real best-friend. They are all actors. This isn’t played up in any significant way on the show itself except for a few moments and certain episodes, but THAT IS WHAT’S HAPPENING and you wouldn’t really understand that just by watching this episode and nothing else. You would have to have been paying attention all this time to Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Cartoon Planet, and also, yes, Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak.

Okay, Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak isn't REALLY required viewing for this series. But guess what? I watched it for the first time ever in preparation for this and now we all have to deal with Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak. Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak (sorry I keep repeating the full title which is Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak) was a two-episode special presentation that aired on Cartoon Network while Space Ghost was on hiatus and before The Brak Show's stealth premiere. It (Brak Presents The Brak Show Starring Brak, that is) was a Sonny and Cher style variety show, featuring Brak and Zorak on stage together performing songs, intentionally corny sketches, and a LITTLE BIT, but NOT A LOT of backstage drama; which could be argued to have been part of the show itself. Variety shows doing sketches fictionalizing the backstage antics of the production is nothing new. There are also live-action integrated celebrities, and the show comes to a screeching halt whenever they show up. Maybe their performances are hampered by having to perform on a green screen, but these segments come off lame and pandering. Space Ghost Coast to Coast would make it's name featuring washed-up, kitschy, or counter-culture celebrities. Here we are treated to Monica, Freddie Prinze Jr. (whose segment in particular really drives me up a wall), some wrestler guy, and a lady who's name I don't remember. Okay, I admit I fast forwarded through the second of the two episodes a LOT. Sitting through one episode in real time was just too much to bear.

Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak is written off by a lot of Brak fans as a substandard product, and they're not wrong. I myself never sought out the whole special until I started writing this blog. But there's one thing I'll give it, the visuals (minus the live-action celebrity parts) are actually pretty fun. There's a lot of weird character designs, and the same playful use of stock footage and kinetic editing from Cartoon Planet carries over into this. Skipping past the celebrity guests and watching the special on mute would be the preferred viewing method here. Honestly, I've never been that charmed by Brak's songs. I never cared much for Cartoon Planet.

Brak Presents the Brak Show Staring Brak eventually became The Brak Show, but with one more step: a scrapped audio-only pilot. This pilot appears as an audio commentary track on The Brak Show Volume 1 DVD set. I discovered it by accident. In preparation for this blog I popped the DVD in, saw there was commentary for Mr. Bawk Ba Gawk, and pressed play. Instead of Andy Merrill and Pete Smith dryly talking about their creative process, I was treated to what would have been the audio for a Brak Show pilot (there are stage directions being read in lieu of visuals), roughly the length of an 11 minute episode. This version plays up the backstage antics of Brak's variety show much more, kinda like Larry Sanders meets Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak. Returning from the show is Brak and Zorak, along with Allen Wrench, a talking Allen wrench that appeared in Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak. On Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak, Allen had a crazy high-pitched voice. In this audio pilot he sounds closer to Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Also present in the audio pilot is Thundercleese, who curiously sounds like the regular series version of Thundercleese. In “Leave it to Brak”, Thundercleese sounds slightly different. Maybe they went back and rerecorded Thundercleese for the DVD?

That FINALY brings us to the actual episode. “Leave it to Brak” was the first episode of “The Brak Show” proper to air (though if I remember correctly from what was reported way back when, they wanted to call the actual show “Leave It To Brak” but couldn't for legal reasons). It feels more like a first episode than Goldfish does, which was the first episode I saw when Adult Swim officially began in 2001. “Leave it to Brak” introduces each character with fake studio audience applause. They even introduce Sisto, who simply walks in front of the camera, farts, and is not seen again. The premise of the show is this: Brak stars in a family sitcom. His mom belongs to the same species as Brak, but his dad is a tiny human voiced by George Lowe doing a Ricky Ricardo voice. According to this episode; Brak is roughly high-school aged, but it's all a pretense to get this cast of weirdos together under one roof. Again, Brak is a cartoon character playing himself here, so we're not meant to actually think these are his real parents; Brak is not half-human, necessarily. It's all just for the sake of this dumb show.

The plot of the episode is this: Zorak, Brak's best friend and worst influence, convinces Brak to help him kidnap the mascot of their rival high school, a chicken named Mr. Bawk Ba Gawk. Having done this, Brak grapples with the morality of his actions, tries to deceive his parents by dressing the chicken up like a little man, is caught, and is taught a lesson. There's a comedic final scene that reverses the lesson Brak supposedly learned, and then it ends. Somewhere in there we are introduced to Brak's giant robot neighbor who blows up Zorak for ripping up his lawn.

The Brak Show was possibly the most anticipated show when Adult Swim was announced. We all quietly ignored how much Brak Presents The Brak Show Starring Brak sucked; mostly because this was touted to be a show for adults. Afterall, Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak's biggest shortcoming was the fact that it was the first Brak-centric product to pander directly to children. Brak was always seen as a uniquely weird creation that just so happened to appeal to kids, kinda like Pee Wee Herman or Joe Camel. Also the idea of parodying the sitcom genre seemed novel, despite the fact that it wasn't really a new idea. Now it just comes off like a shallow observation: boy, old sitcoms sure were corny, right?

I don't know exactly how to pinpoint what was so disappointing about this show. I can see there was a genuine effort to make it funny. Dad was a decently funny character. They weren't just trying to mock sitcoms, they were trying to build a genuinely strange world that resembled our own. Brak lived in the suburbs but there were aliens and robots everywhere. Sci-fi situations casually reared their ugly heads into the lives of these characters. I mean, look at the plot description of Brak stealing a high school mascot; it's an ACTUAL SITCOM PLOT. There's no real subversion to it other than the fact that Brak and Zorak from Space Ghost Coast to Coast are doing it. This could have been decent as a one-off special like Tim & Eric's Bag Boy staring Steve Brule. But they made more.

Oh wait, I figured out why The Brak Show sorta sucked. It's the fact that the show was a musical. Fuck, I hated that so much that I blocked it out of my head until this moment. Every episode had musical numbers in it sung by Brak and the family. Ugh. They were supposed to be funny nonsense but I never liked it. In fact if there were ever an edit of the show without the songs I would probably remember it much more fondly.

This version of the pilot had very simplistically drawn backgrounds. When the show went to series they redid the backgrounds with photo-realistic settings and props. It's a much more appealing look. This version of the pilot was briefly featured in an episode of Sealab, where Murphy was flipping through the channels on his monitor. He flips past this and Aqua Teen Hunger Force and maybe Space Ghost? This was back in the early days when every show seemed like it was connected to each other. I miss that. The “regular series” of The Brak Show used to give the show a different parodic on-screen title; “Mr. Bawk Ba Gawk”, which aired fifth on Adult Swim, had the opening title “B.J. And the Brak”. “Goldfish” used “Leave It To Brak”, which causes some episode guides to get confused over which episode is which. In fact, Adult Swim's website features the pilot version of this show and incorrectly uses the plot summary for “Goldfish”. I'm not linking to it because the listing says it expires today. But go look for it if you want.

The other big difference between this version and the “regular series” version is there are a few missing bits here and there. For example, the pilot version starts with Dad asking Mom for another biscuit. She sighs and says “maybe later”, to which dad just shrugs off. There's also a cut song I call “Kiss you hot” that dad sings to mom. There's probably other differences here and there. Oh, Brak's clock is the beeflog illustration from Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak. Isn't my life fuller for being able to make that connection? God, I'm so glad I watched Brak Presents the Brak Show Staring Brak last night instead of getting an extra hour of sleep.

So what's good in this? I REALLY like the scene where Bawk Ba Gawk is at the dinner table and everyone keeps stealing his little hat to wear. Mom scolds Dad for wearing the hat, to which he mutters “I'll do what I damn well please”. Mom then plucks the hat from his head. When we cut to the wide shot, she's wearing it. Funny! SOLIDLY VERY FUNNY. But the series generally suffers from them trying to cram in weird pointless bits of absurd comedy. Only sometimes does it work. Not sure why. But that's how it goes, I guess.

#the brak show #brak #space ghost coast to coast #space ghost #brak presents the brak show starring brak #adult swim #adultswim2021

[marziyoudumbass]

Could I get more 2p France x reader pls 👁

pairings: 2p France x reader

synopsis: your boyfriend seemingly forgetting you anniversary is already bad enough, but with him making constant outings through the day, it just fuels your suspicions that somethings up.

Ofc! Sorry for not getting around to this sooner. I love him~ I wasn't sure if you wanted a continuation of my last 2p France scenario so I wrote a different prompt. If you want something different feel free to ask! I had a bit of a hard time with this one, I’m not sure if I’m quite happy with it. It 

       Waking up to an empty house was not pleasant. Especially since your boyfriend, François, was supposed to be lying beside you. You groggily stood, calling out for him before searching the house. He was nowhere to be seen. It’s not like he had a traditional 9-to-5 job, even if he did it was still only Saturday.

       It was upsetting to be alone, where could he have gone? You began making coffee, pondering his sudden disappearance. He could be helping Oliver at the bakery, though you doubt it--he wasn’t fond of being in that overly-pastel cupcake shop for too long. Maybe he’s with Matt? Unlikely, they don’t talk much. Allen? There was no way. Franky was always complaining about Allen calling him a ‘boomer’.

       As you stirred your fresh cup of coffee, you heard the door open and close. You smiled in relief. He’s home. The two familiar arms wrapping you up confirmed it, François had returned.

  “Sorry for leaving you alone, mon cher. I planned to be ‘ome sooner.” He said, releasing you and grabbing his own mug.

  “It’s alright.” you said. As he opened the cabinet you caught sight of a certain mug. It was the one you gave him on your one month anniversary. You then realized it was your official one year anniversary. A year ago today, he gave you a single rose and took you to a cliff to have a picnic, looking over the city lights. You expected him to reach for the mug, but he grabbed the one next to it. “Oh! Happy anniversary!”

  “Hm. Let’s watch a movie.” He said, completely ignoring your statement. You were a bit dumbfounded as he walked off with his coffee. Did he just… ignore your anniversary reminder?I

       You ended up watching a crappy romance movie, your legs on his lap as he sat angled towards you. You couldn’t help but notice how he checked his phone often, as if waiting for something. He seemed restless, often looking towards the clock by the front door.

       You inhaled softly, excusing yourself to the bathroom. Once in, you only stared at yourself in the mirror. Why is acting like this? Today was supposed to be special. You wanted to make him a wonderful breakfast, his absence in the morning and wish to watch a movie ruined that. You’d also be lying if you said you weren't selfishly wishing for him to take you out on a nice dinner. Would those wishes be unfulfilled?

       You then walked back out, only to see an empty living room and the door swinging closed. You stood in shock. Exhaling softly you decided to get some things done around the house you had been putting off; laundry, dishes, and other ends-n-odds.

       Dragging a laundry basket up from the garage, you continued to wonder where Francois went. You were out of excuses for yourself. What if he went back? It was no secret that he was once quite the playboy. Did he go back to his old ways? You dismissed the thought, you had faith in Francois. After past relationships failing due to lack of trust, you felt the need to trust him--it made you feel guilty to even mildly question his faithfulness.

       As soon as you entered your bedroom and began folding, the door opened and closed swiftly. You snapped your head towards the door of the bedroom. Walking out you scanned the living room for him--he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly Francois emerged from behind you, placing his hand on the small of your back. You jumped slightly before turning around to come face to face with him. You sighed in relief.

       As the day went on, Francois seemed to be staying home. He also seemed to have forgotten about your anniversary. You were distraught, though you didn't show it. It was upsetting. Maybe you were being selfish for expecting something big from him, maybe just spending time with you was your anniversary gift.

       And then he set off again. At least he said goodbye this time before leaving. You were sat on the couch, a random T.V. show playing in the background. You were still thinking about why he would be leaving so much, why he’s always checking his phone, why has he seemed so reserved?

       Finally, after episodes and episodes of waiting, he finally pulled back into the driveway. As he entered he finally looked you straight in the eyes. You were visibly upset. He walked over slowly.

   “Francois?” You asked, hesitantly.

   “Hm?” He said, sitting next to you on the couch.

   “Where have you been?”

       He swept you up into his own truck. It smelled good in his car, almost like food. He drove up a very familiar path, you recognized where you were going and suddenly felt dumb. The outings? The smell in his truck? The destination? He wasn’t ignoring your anniversary, he was preparing for it.

       As soon as the car stopped you looked at him. He looked back with admiration, pulling the keys out of the ignition and opening his door. You got out too, immediately looking at the view. This was the place he took you on your first date, it was a picnic over the city, right on a cliff.

       Francois pulled out a few baskets, most likely of food. There was a classic white and red picnic blanket sitting on one, you pulled it off the basket and laid it out, he set the baskets down. You both sat as he set up wine glasses and pulled out food. He had prepared a nice spread of food and a chocolate cake. As he finished setting up, he suddenly remembered something.

  “One more zhing…” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box.

i feel like this ends so abrubtly

#hetalia #aph #hetalia axis powers #hetalia x reader #2Italia #2ptalia #2p France x reader #2p france

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

#ACLA24 #ACLA24Leaders #youtube #youtube video #climate leaders #climate solutions #climate action #climate and environment #climate #climate change #climate and health #climate blog #climate justice #climate news #weather and climate #environmental news #environment #environmental awareness #environment and health #environmental #environmental issues #environmental justice #environment protection #environmental health #Youtube

[elle-boll]

Work my Magic (Roger Taylor) (Pt. 1)

I’ve been gone for aeons, that’s what exams and school does I suppose loll. Well, I know I haven’t posted recently and this is a little half-assed but I’ve had this idea for ages, so just take as it is please n thank u !! There’s also a change in perspectives :)

Summary - Life as a dancer should be simpler. A depressive episode has forced your friend into taking action, the problem is, it’s not easy to be gay, even worse when it’s towards an upcoming rockstar

Warnings - In later updates, there will be homophobic language and internalised homophobia, so if you are sensitive to that, I wouldn’t recommend getting invested. Depressive tendencies. 

Word Count - 1.8K

---

The morning had fog. Misty, dewy drops moistened strands of my hair. I could barely see past a single lamp post. Traffic lights were merely a painted blur. I should wear my glasses more often. I walked with nothing but a lazy stare on my face, God I’ve always been so tired on Wednesday mornings. I could barely feel any breeze on my face, a large coat covered my figure, probably numbing me with its warmth.

The train station was probably close. All I could think about was my lost love. I couldn’t count how many months he’d been gone. Since I’d let him go. I didn’t regret it, I just had the weight of guilt upon my shoulders. Everything was so private and I still let him go, there was no hope I’d find myself another lover like him. One that would love me back.

Next thing I knew, I was standing on the platform with a ticket in my hand. I forgot I was on my way to work. I shook my head, trying to bring myself back to the present. All I could hear was the chatter of a few men. It was still early, still dark, but that didn’t mean the train stations would be empty. I looked down at the yellow lines, the chattering seemed to die down as footsteps wandered about.

“That has…it’s....come on...it has to…” I barely caught most of the conversation. My mind was so focused on those yellow lines. I stood still till I took a breath, going to make my way to a nearby bench before I heard those footsteps come closer.

I felt my scalp sting as my hair was yanked on. Little hairs ripped from their follicles. Despite it being in a ponytail, it still hurt. I yelped as I went to grab the back of my head. I spun around and came face to face with a blonde-haired man. His face fell from amusement to utter terror and embarrassment.

“Oh..Oh God, I’m so sor- Jesus fuck uhh, I’m sorry, fuck...uh shit” His words came out in jumbled messes. All I did was stare in disbelief. “Fucking ‘ell, man, I’m so sorry, I-I thought you was a mate of mine, I’m sorry, fuck uhh, I’m just...I’m gonna book it...again, sorry!” He stepped back with his face red and practically flaming. His voice was raspy, it stank of cigarettes. His eyes were wide and striking blue. I looked over his shoulder as he did exactly what he said he would, book it. Two men were standing and obviously trying their best not to burst into tears with laughter. I took my hair from the ponytail, rubbing the back of my scalp as the train slowly rolled into the station.

They didn’t sit in the same carriage as me, despite the vast amount of empty seats. They did walk in, the blonde saw me sitting there, and immediately he turned around. The laughing faded out as they entered the other carriage. The morning sun slowly rose over the mountains of the British scenery. The train quickly passed by every scene that I could try to immerse myself in. I was so caught up in staring out the window, I almost missed my stop.

---

I sat in the changing room, staring at the wall in silence. I could hear the pipes rumbling as I leaned against a row of lockers. My coat barely hung on my shoulders. The door was knocked on. My dance partner, Cheryl...or Cherry as she made us call her, stepped in. Her fringe was clipped back with an abundance of bobby pins and her short hair made it into the most pathetic and smallest bun on the bottom of her head. 

“You know girls can’t be here,” I said, my voice was even empty to myself. She shrugged and stepped over the bags to sit next to me.

“Nervous for tonight?” She asked, one leg being placed over the other. I chuckled, “Absolutely wrecked”. She placed a hand on my shoulder, rubbing it gently. “He won’t be here tonight…” She whispered. I didn’t have anything to say back.

I simply shrugged her hand off and went to take off my shoes. Her dress hung off the bench. A simple blue, handkerchief dress, one she’d worn a multitude of times for practice. I had a tight fitted top and bottom on me, one that, while I was so uncomfortable, felt like another layer of skin. She stood up and took my hand, placing a small kiss on it, offering a smile before she stepped out of the room.

---

I felt the makeup team apply a variety of liquids and powders to my face, I tried not to cough when a large puff hit me directly on the forehead and cheeks, white powder dusting the entirety of the area. I stared at myself in the mirror, stage makeup painted across my face, my face chiselled and trying to be sculpted. I felt like an art project. I was going to be displayed like an art project. 

I turned slightly to see Cherry. She always looked so beautiful before a show. The towel that was wrapped around my shoulders was stripped away as they added a few final details.

The bright lights were blinding, even behind the curtain, peeking past, revealing the specks of dust floating around. I always had butterflies. What man wouldn’t? I could hear the chatter, but I couldn’t see anyone, couldn’t see if he was there. I was so lost in my mind, that the music had started, I panicked as I almost missed my cue, but managed to make it in time.

Cherry’s face barely touched the ground, gliding across the stage with bare feet, her eyes never squinted against the harsh light as she stared directly out to the crowd. My feet guided me towards her, my arm stretching out slowly to barely touch fingertips with her, but just about catching her fingers. I walked her around me. She stared me in the eye and I felt the familiarity of the routine, that I couldn’t mess this up. 

I had her raised in the air before my hand rested on her lower back, turning behind her to run my hands up her body before I had to drift myself away, letting her finish the routine as planned.

I stepped past the curtain and tried to see her. She was like an angel.

---

I’d retreated back to the locker room after the entire show had been completed. I changed into the clothes I arrived in before Cherry burst in.

“We’re goin’ out and we’re getting smashed, okay!?” She was out of breath. “I’m sick of seeing you mop around, there’s a band on down the road, drinks on me” She grinned, I stared at her before looking down.

“Cherry, I-”

“Please, Y/N?” Her voice went quiet, eyebrows furrowing together as she gave me a sad smile. I sighed, before nodding. She had a key to the studio, no need to carry all my stuff with me. Her hand grabbed mine as she led me out, I watched the cleaners sweep the floors as she dragged me out. She was still in her stage makeup and dress, she was always so careless. 

She was right when she said it was only down the road. She dragged me, quickly being ID’d. I sat at a table by the wall, which was adorned by paintings and photos, my attention was grabbed as the band started a new song. My head turned and I paused.

I watched as the man who yanked my hair was viciously smacking a variety of drums and cymbals. His face was sweaty and his tongue was caught between his teeth as his lips remained parted. His hair was in sweaty, greasy locks as he had his shirt unbuttoned. 

I swallowed the ball in my throat, but I didn’t pry my eyes away. I don’t know if he noticed me, I did notice when he turned his head slightly in my direction he lost his rhythm though. I couldn’t make out the name of the band of the front drum head, I should wear my glasses more often. I kept an eye on him as Cherry made her way back with two drinks in her either hand. My knees were still weak from prancing around a stage but I felt more built-up watching him play. 

I never noticed how Cherry was trying to see and line up what I was staring at, but I looked at her and saw the glimmer in her eye flicker manically when the two dots connected in her mind. “You and that drummer are hooking up” She smirked.

“Cher, I’m a man...he’s not gonna take that, not in a million years” I scoffed, words coming out through gritted teeth in a spiteful tone.  

“I can work my magic” She smiled, before sipping her drink, her hair now down, fringe a fluffy mess.

---

It was late, but the pub was still booming with people. The band had recently gotten off stage to make room for another group. Cherry had stood from her seat, smiling at me and I felt my stomach drop as she walked off.

---

I watched Y/N’s face fall as I strolled off. He had always been a melancholy individual but God was he depressed. 

I squeezed past hoards of people and in between tables and chairs. I reached a door, letting myself in and as I passed a door with a blurry window, I tried looking in. I could make out three figures before I heard a voice by my ear.

“Pardon me, are you lost or?” A man asked, his voice was slightly raspy but still quite cheery. I turned to look at him. A tan complexion and long, dark hair. His teeth protruded past his lip and shining brown eyes. 

“You played tonight, didn’t you?” I raised a brow, leaning against the door and seeing his physique relax as he offered a humble chuckle. “Well, I am only the singer, my friends did most of the playing” A laugh slipped past his lips and I chuckled with him.

I chatted with him for a bit, his name was Freddie, he was very kind and very open to just talk.

“So, I have a friend, he’s outside there, and he had his eye on your drummer...weird question, the blondie wouldn’t happen to be uh…” I started to realise the environment we were in. I looked at Freddie, waiting to see if his face would fall into displeasure or into an annoyed expression, instead, his smile widened a bit, I continued. 

“To be into men?” I finished, I watched as Freddie contemplated, his tongue slowly passed in between his lips as his brows furrowed in contemplation.

“Let me work my magic…”

#queen #queen imagine #queen fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #x reader #male!reader #roger taylor x reader #roger taylor #rogerina #brian may #freddie mercury #john deacon #deaky #angst

[pinkbubbles-and-bigtroubles]

Eastside (Girls Talk Boys Part 20)

My love is yours if you're willing to take it Give me your heart 'cause I ain't gonna break it So come away, starting today Start a new life, together in a different place We know that love is how these ideas came to be So baby, run away with me

Warning: Drinking, smoking, sex but this one is pretty PG13

Previous Chapter

First Chapter

(A/N I can’t believe I’m actually at chapter 20 on this. I know this is a long fic and it’s going to keep going for a while. I promise it’ll be worth it y’all)

Calum couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this nervous. He knew he was being ridiculous. This date night was his idea. He knew Camille couldn't care less how much money he spent, but Calum was still stressing out. 

“Mate, why are you freaking out?” Ashton was kicked back on the couch trying to find something to watch.

“Because I want to take Camille somewhere really nice and everywhere I've called is booked. I don't want to take her anywhere conventional. I want to impress her, but I have no idea what I'm doing.”

“I don't know what to tell you. I don't go on dates.” Ashton scoffed.

“No just girls day at the spa with a happy ending” Calum snorted not looking up from his phone.

“What was I supposed to do? Camille backed out.” Ashton protested.

“I wouldn't be too sure about that. So what's the deal with you and Cher? Taking over Luke's starting spot?” Calum responded still searching.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Ashton was unexpectedly angry.

“Dude, chill, we all know she and Luke had a friends with benefits deal. Cher is pretty adamant about not wanting a boyfriend. You don't do relationships either so why wouldn't you two have the same arrangement.” Calum finally looked up alarmed.

“It's not the same. Luke let her call the shots. That's not going to happen with me” Ashton was still frowning but his smirk peeked through.

“This should be fun, now can you help me think of something please?” Cal whined.

“Why don't you go ask your next door neighbor?” Ashton asked him. “You know Harry would help you out.”

“I was thinking that, but I really didn't want to have to do it.” Cal rolled his eyes.

“Why not?” Ashton shot back.

“Because he's always right there to save the day” Calum sighed.

“Don't worry about any of that. If Harry wanted to move on Camille he had his chance when we were in Europe. He's your best bet and I know he'd help you if it's for her.” Ashton didn't understand why Cal was being so stubborn.

Calum knocked on the door hating that he had to ask anyone for help. Worse that it was Harry Panty Dropper Styles. Every girl in the complex had a thing for him, and Camille wasn’t immune to his charms. Even worse that he was a genuinely nice guy who seemed to be there for Camille when Calum couldn’t be. Harry looked a bit surprised to see him when he answered.

“Do you have a minute?” Calum was shifting his weight back and forth with nervous tension.

“Sure ” Harry opened the door inviting him in “Haven't seen you around the past few days. Thought maybe you moved out.” Harry grinned at Calum who tried not to blush. “How's Camille?”

“She's good, everything is really good. That's actually why I'm here.” Calum looked up with a frown at hearing Harry say her name.

Harry's smile faded a bit and he crossed his arms. “You're here about Camille? How so?”

“I want to take her on a proper first date. Somewhere nice, something she's not expecting. I was hoping maybe you'd have a suggestion.” Calum stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Harry relaxed and grinned “Actually I think I know just the place. Have you ever heard of Levels?”

“Is that the rooftop bar downtown?” Calum asked.

“Yeah that's that one. It's really posh and has loads of fancy cocktails. You'll have to wear a tie though. They've got a dress code.” Harry raised his eyebrows.

“That's fine. Are you sure we can get in?” Calum was fiddling with his rings.

“Absolutely, the owner is a partner in The Chelsea. He knows Camille helped us out. Since Camille skipped spa day for Cher maybe she'll like this.” Harry trailed off a bit.

“She felt awful about that when she realized. That had nothing to do with me.” Calum didn't know what to say about that.

“She called me the next morning and explained everything. It's fine really. That's just the thing about Camille though.” Harry shook his head.

“What do you mean” Calum was confused.

“Just when you think you have her figured out she surprises you again.” Harry laughed.

Calum couldn't help but join in “She really does.”

“I thought you never wore all black” Cher teased Camille.

Camille shot her a look in the mirror as she stood in her bedroom trying to choose between three dresses. “I am not walking into Levels looking my usual pink tacky mess. The hair is enough thanks.” Camille snapped.

“Attitude” Cher shot back and Camille snorted but backed down. “Sorry I'm just nervous. Seriously though which do you like?” Camille turned to look at her reflection again.

“I like the same one Lucy does. The one with the lace. It fits your curves.” Cher pointed to the one on the bed.

“If you both agree” Camille smiled slipping out of the dress she was wearing. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing shape wear shorts and a black lace long-line bra. Camille had lost some weight in the past couple months down to a size 14. She tried not to let her eyes travel to the flaws. She tried not to hate the girl she saw in the mirror. Camille wanted to see what Calum saw. The way he looked at her made her feel different than she ever had before.

Her lips twitched up when she slid the dress over her head. Smoothing it down she looked at herself again. The dress was black lace on black chiffon. It was elbow length and high necked covering the now fading marks Calum had left behind. Daring lace cutouts revealed her back and cleavage giving her a classy meets sassy appeal.  The mullet hem allowed her legs and cute black strappy heels to peek out. Lucy styled her pink hair back and up in a Gibson girl bun that allowed curls to frame her face. Soft neutral makeup with pink highlights and a soft pink lip gloss. Camille hit her pen one last time to calm her nerves knowing Calum would be there any minute.

Camille opened the door to reveal Calum in a single breasted suit in black on black down to the tie and pocket square. He wasn't wearing his necklaces that she could see but did have on his bracelet and rings. She smiled when she glanced down at his boots. His hair was super cute. He'd straightened it, blow drying it up and back giving him a bit of an Elvis vibe that Camille found sexy as hell.

Calum brought her a bouquet of purple tulips, her favorite flower, and a gift of a rose gold/pink tourmaline bracelet. Camille fought back getting too emotional as tears tried their best to overtake her. Calum watched her fight for control and he couldn't deny that lump in his own throat. She looked amazing. Calum felt his nerves bubble back to the surface and the entire ride to the bar was oddly quiet. Neither of them knew quite what to say so it was almost a relief when they pulled up to the valet.

Levels occupied the top two floors of the historic Fairmont hotel. The rooftop bar being reserved for the right people. The whole place had a vintage 1950's and 60’s aesthetic like you'd just stepped in to an episode of Mad Men. They were greeted immediately as Mr Hood and Miss Holloway which caught her by surprise until Herbert, the owner, stopped by their table. Camille recognized him from The Chelsea deal. Calum had a Manhattan and she ordered a Harvey Wallbanger. They were served pigs in a blanket and a selection of cheeses and olives.

They had just started in on the food when Calum saw a familiar face headed their way. Dominic “The Dom”  Rivera the A&R for their band.

“Calum how are you? Haven't seen you in a minute” Dom pulled him into a handshake and a hug. Turning to Camille he eyed her up and down before speaking

“I'd heard Calum had a beautiful girlfriend. You must be Ameena. I'm Dom, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

Calum just closed his eyes. This could NOT be happening.

“Actually it's Camille but pleased to meet you Dom” she took his hand without batting an eye.

“I'm usually so good with names” Dom replied shaking his head.

“Right name different girl, it's a recent switch though” Camille leaned in as if she were sharing a secret.

“I'm so sorry” Dom looked panicked.

“Don't be, I'm not” Camille retorted with a smile “so tell me Dom what does A&R do really?”

Calum watched her listen intently while steering Dom back to his own table but in a way that left the older man thoroughly charmed.

“Is it always that easy” Calum asked her.

“What do you mean?” Camille was puzzled.“Handling men, you have a way about it. First Herbert and then Dom. Am I that easy?” He sat back his dark eyes taking her in

.Camille smiled  “It's only easy when I don't care what they think” “So you care what I think” he was teasing now.

“Maybe” Camille answered teasing back.Calum moved to kiss her and promptly spilled his drink all over the two of them.

“Shit I am so sorry” he couldn't believe this night just kept getting worse.“It's not a big deal” she reassured him as she cleaned herself up. Calum went outside to smoke and Camille could see he was visibly upset. She finished straightening herself out before getting them both another drink and joining him on the deck.

“Calum, honey what's wrong? You've been jumpy all night. Tell me what's going on.” Camille stood next to him leaning her head on his shoulder.

“I just wanted tonight to be perfect. I wanted us to have an amazing first date. I wanted you to be impressed.” Calum ducked his head away from her.

“Look at me” Camille's voice was soft yet demanding. “Everything is perfect because you're here with me. There's no playbook we have to follow as long as we make each other happy.”

This time Calum set their drinks on the table before he kissed her. Once Calum relaxed the night turned around. Dom invited them over and bought several rounds while keeping them entertained with stories from his time in the music business.

Herbert checked up on them and brought them the Fairmont restaurant's famed beef bourguignon.

Camille wasn't even bothered when Quentin popped up with his agent Brandon Pearcy. Quentin sent over drinks which were graciously accepted. Camille eventually made her way over to say hello. Calum was taken aback until he realized she was looking for an excuse to talk to the agent about a client of his who was looking for a new team.

While they  talked Quentin leaned in to speak to Calum “I'm not surprised y'all ended up together. I knew something was up.” Calum pulled back annoyed but then he saw Quentin was smiling at him.“Seriously man not trying to start shit. She's cool I'm glad to see everything is good. The two men shook hands.

“What was all that?” Camille asked him when they got back to their seats.

“I think he gave us his blessing. That was weird.” Calum was irritated. “Do you usually talk to your exes when you're on a date?”

Camille's face dropped “Please don't be like this. I saw my opportunity to talk to Pearcy and I took it. I was thinking about work. Please don't be mad” Camille kissed him on the cheek and he smiled at her. “Jealous boy” Camille winked wiping her lipstick off his face.

“Let's get out of here darling” Calum took her hand. The ride home was relaxed, both of them chatting and joking.

“I am surprised you gave up your spa day for Ashton” Calum told her “I know you live to be pampered.”

“Cher has been pretty bummed since Luke. She needed cheering up, but she owes me.” Camille grumbled but she was smiling.They pulled up to Camille's side of the complex. Calum got out and walked her to her door.

She stopped as she put her keys in the door “I'd invite you in but I've got to be up early. Besides. I'm not the kind of girl who puts out on the first date.” Camille winked at him.

“Oh so you're just assuming there will be a second date, that's confident of you” Calum teased her booping her on the nose.

“Well I was hoping” Camille looked down while peeking up at him playfully “that my crush and I had such a good first date that he'd ask me out again.”Calum took her chin in his hand and tilted her face up towards him.

“You're admitting you have a crush on me that's so sweet, and yes I'd love to take you out on a second date. How about a picnic Monday in the park? Just the three of us.”

“How could I say no to a date with Duke” Camille giggled.

“Anything else your grace?” Calum asked his dark eyes gazing into her soul.

“I was hoping my crush would kiss me goodnight” she whispered.“I was hoping you'd ask” he responded quickly before his mouth was on hers.It was a soft kiss but there was a hunger behind it that tonight at least would go unsatisfied.

Camille worked all weekend and due to female problems didn't have Calum over at all. By the time Monday rolled around Camille was set, ready and dying to see the handsome Aussie. Calum pulled up in his Land Rover and Camille could see Duke happily wagging his tail in the back seat. He'd brought a huge picnic basket and a cooler. There was also a quilt and some pillows thrown in the back.

“You really went all out” Camille was astonished.

“Of course I did Camille darling, it's for you” Calum winked at her but Camille couldn't respond because she was trying not to cry. She regained control by the time they pulled up to the park. Calum grabbed the picnic basket and Duke and headed off to find a spot. Camille stayed behind for a couple minutes because he boss Stephen needed her to respond to his emails about an idea for a promotion. It took her longer than expected, and Calum came back to check on her and get the cooler. She'd just finished up and was reaching for the door handle when thunder and lightning split the sky with a deafening crack and it started pouring rain.

Camille watched as Calum panicked to gather everything up. First getting Duke back to the car.

“Stay right here” he told Camille. “I'll get everything.”

Camille watched him scramble and grab the basket first before going back for the cooler. Throwing both of them in the hatchback before slamming it shut. He yanked open the back door to grab some beach towels to put on his seat while he drove.

Duke sprung up and took off like a shot. Barking and jumping in between raindrops. Calum swore and ran after his dog but the grass was wet and slick and he face planted. Camille gasped but then she heard Calum laugh. Duke trotted over and began to lick Calum's face which only made him laugh harder. He scooped his dog up and they both got in the car.

Camille was equal parts concerned and amused. Calum was soaking wet. His curls were sticking to his forehead and he had grass cuttings stuck all over him.He couldn't stop laughing and pretty soon Camille was cracking up.

He finally caught his breath. “I just wanted to do something nice for you, but I can't catch a break.” Calum shook his head and sighed.

Camille put her hand on his thigh which caught his attention. “Let's go back to your place. Get you guys cleaned up and we'll have a picnic indoors.” Camille leaned in and kissed him feeling the tension leave his body. He started laughing again when she sat back with grass now on her face and in her hair. When they got back to Calum's he rinsed Duke off first. Camille offered to dry him off while Calum took a quick shower.

When he came out he found Camille and Duke playing peekaboo with the towel and Camille's shirt was now soaked. Calum stood there just watching them as his heart fluttered with joy. Then he noticed the picnic.  She'd brought everything into that living room and spread out the blanket on the floor with the pillows.  Camille walked up to him with Duke on her heels. “I need to dry off a bit where are your towels”

“I'll get you a towel and a shirt” he answered.

“Honey I can't wear your clothes I'm too big” She insisted.

He brought her back a big fluffy towel and his bright red long sleeved button up.

“This won't button” Camille told him.

“I know” he grinned” now get changed while I finish getting set up” The picnic was fabulous. Calum had packed mini veggie wraps and chicken salad croissant sandwiches. Fruit and different cheeses. Dainty little cookies.  He'd also brought along wine and champagne. They were both starving so they dove into the food. Calum kept sneaking glances at Camille. She was wearing black leggings, and his shirt hanging open revealing her black bra underneath.

They fed each other, they fed Duke, they talked and stole kisses while they listened to the rain.Calum couldn't remember any other girl making him laugh this much. Camille had never known another guy who listened so intently.

After a couple hours it had just gotten dark. They had finished most of the food. Calum was sitting on the couch with Camille by his side with her legs across his lap when another bolt of lightning hit nearby. The lights flickered before going out. Camille started giggling.

“What's so funny?” Calum asked her.

“If I remember correctly a blackout is how this whole thing got started.” Camille moved so that she was sitting on his lap.

“Oh GOD that night” Calum chuckled. “I literally had to sit down on your bed for ten minutes to not cum in my pants. I hadn't been that sexually  frustrated since before I joined the band.”

“Don't think it didn't affect me” Camille felt his arms wrap around her waist.

“You said you'd show me” Calum reminded her. His lips found hers as her fingers tangled in his hair.They spent that night together in the dark. Exploring each other carefully by touch and by sound, illuminated only by the occasional lightning flash. This time the sex was different. It was slow and sweet. Taking breaks to chat and cuddle Calum realized it had become about more than just sex. He hoped he wasn't in over his head.

@biba3434 @toofadedtofight @babygirlcashton @vfdsstuff

#calum 5sos #5sos #calum hood #calum hood imagine #calum hood smut #5sosfanfic #5sos fanfic #5sos smut #luke hemmings #luke 5sos #luke hemmings fanfic #luke 5sos smut #ashton irwin #ashton 5sos #ashton irwin daddy #michael clifford #michael 5sos #5 seconds of summer fanfic #calum hood blurbs #calum imagine #5sos blurb #5sos imagine

[ibelieveinahappilyeverafter]

Your Words On My Skin - Chapter 6

Bonjour, mes chers! I just wanted to clear up a few questions I've received about the time placement of this story. One person (on anon so I couldn't PM back) asked why I didn't just have Danny use the Infi-map. Well, that is for two reasons. One, most of season three is dead to me and the infi-map is the stupidest plot device I have ever seen. And two, when this story starts it's taking place after the events of The Ultimate Enemy, hence why he's never met Ghostwriter before. The Fright Before Christmas was canonically the first episode after TUE. With that out of the way, enjoy!

AO3 FFN

Don’t forget I’m doing more cool things on my Patreon all the time! I also have a Ko-Fi so consider buying me a coffee if you can’t pledge!

Summary: Danny Fenton was born with writing on his arms that proved he had a soulmate out there for him that was much, much older than his parents were comfortable with. The result was his skin being covered as much as possible and Danny warned that he shouldn’t look at the words or write any back. Danny has always been a little bit curious as to who his soulmate was, but he never thought on how curious his soulmate was about him.

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Chapter Six

::

“You know, maybe he’s just searching for the right words.” Seeing Tucker ready to open his mouth, Danny quickly shook his head. “No, you’re right, he should have found the right words by now. Okay, then maybe he’s just trying to figure out how to let me down gently?” This time Sam gave a quiet sigh, Danny nodding. “Yeah, no, you’re right, Sammy, I need to have more faith in myself. Maybe-”

Blinking at the hands now covering his mouth, Danny looked to Sam and tried to look as annoyed as possible. Sam didn’t even flinch, the traitor. “You were rambling to yourself, again. It had to stop.” He hadn’t been- Danny really wouldn’t have called it- Ugh, god, he had been rambling to himself. “How long has it been since he last wrote to you?”

“Four days.” And again with his traitor best friends sharing looks that he wasn’t a part of. Seriously, why hadn’t they confessed they were each other’s soulmates, yet? He was absolutely certain Tucker knew, at this point. “He should have given me an answer by now, right? But, I mean- I haven’t even seen a ‘I don’t want to talk about it.’”

“How would you know if you saw one?” That… Good point. Danny may have gone a little overboard in trying to get Andrew to answer. He was pretty sure he was more ink than skin at this point. “Maybe he just needs more time, Danny. Time without his soulmate hounding after him for the answer.”

“I…” Yeah, okay, time- Danny could understand needing time, especially after meeting Clockwork and everything, but they had been writing back and forth for months, now. It- Danny didn’t like looking down at his arm and seeing nothing but his own writing. Jeez, was that how Andrew always felt? “I’m worried.”

“Hey, it’d be weird if you weren’t worried about this.” Tucker lightly nudged him under the lunch table, giving a bit of a smile. “It’ll work out. I mean, soulmates are soulmates for a reason, right?”

“Yeah- Yeah. I mean, something good has to come out of all of this, right?” Otherwise what would have been the point? “I’m sure he just needs a bit more time to think it all out.”

“That’s the spirit!” Wait. Staring at Sam and her grin, Danny slowly narrowed his eyes and she didn’t. She did. “Someone has to pick up the slack, here.”

“Alright, alright, you two are adorable. You know what we should be focusing on, though.” Watching as Tucker picked up his lunch meat with bare hands, Danny made a face as he heard Sam gag beside him. “This is our last lunch before Christmas break tomorrow.”

“And that means you’re trying to gross us out?” Danny shook his head as Tucker rolled the meat into a little ball and oh- Oh, no. “Tucker- Tucker, remember our last detention-”

Tucker, brave and stupid soul that he was, stood up, pulled back his arm, and launched the ball of meat right at the back of Dash’s head. Danny wasn’t sure whether to cheer or be horrified as silence fell over the room in that awkward way it did when spreading out from the epicenter of a disaster.

“You know,” Sam whispered quietly, “I’m kind of impressed by how much better his aim is.” Dash slowly stood up and Danny and Sam ducked under the table at once just as the cafeteria exploded into chaos. “Think I can get some of that lunch meat down Paulina’s shirt?”

“I think we won’t know until you try.” Danny watched as Sam beamed at him before scrambling into the fight, Danny content to stay under the table and sit this one out. He couldn’t believe it was already almost Christmas, though. It seemed like just the other day he had been starting high school and now he had been half-ghost for over a year and was turning sixteen in a few months.

The thoughts of just how much had changed were on his mind for the rest of the day and all his way home, Danny finally washing all the ink off his skin and writing the question a single time where it would be seen easily. He then may have gotten a bit impatient after a few hours because he asked the question again on the other arm - just to be sure.

That’s how he spent the next few days, filling up his skin with question after question and all of it was the same and why wouldn’t Andrew just tell him? It wasn’t- It wasn’t like he would turn Andrew away if he found out the truth. Did Andrew think that? Did Andrew think Danny would turn him away?

Like- Like yeah, okay, things might be a little awkward and complicated for a while, but they could figure it out, couldn’t they? Every one of their conversations and stories and exchanges had shown them both that they- That there was something there. They could work this out and still get along and figure it out, they just… They just needed somewhere to work from before it could be figured out.

Silence had damned them both and Danny was sick of it, now, and, come on. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to distance them like this and make them ill-suited together, right? Andrew was decades older than him and in France, but they… They had to be able to make it work to overcome stuff like that… Right?

Groaning and collapsing onto his bed, Danny had the overwhelming urge to scream into his pillow before he pushed himself back up. “Alright, Fenton. Just- Start small.” Right. Small steps. He could… He could wipe all these questions off and write an apology. That would get Andrew to at least say something to him, right?

Because it was Christmas and this… He didn’t want them to spend their Christmas angry and ignoring each other. Danny’s Christmases were shitty enough and he didn’t want to add a fight with his soulmate onto the list. So, he could go take a shower, wipe all these questions off, and explain to Andrew why he was so upset before apologizing. Even if Andrew was still upset, at least Danny would know that the other was okay.

Depending on the answer, this Christmas could actually be a good one! So, he would just- Thoughts halting as a shudder wracked his body and a wisp of cold slipped past his lips, Danny paused, blinked, and then groaned.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Of all the times for this to happen it was right as he was about to apologize to his soulmate? That was just… That was mean. Okay. Okay. He could be blowing this out of proportion. Maybe it was just Box Ghost or something and he could get rid of him quickly. “Alright, come on out! I don’t have time for this, today!”

“Funny. I was about to say the same thing.” Startling at seeing Skulker in his room, Danny snorted and let the change take over him, already feeling better. At least he could get out some aggression. “Let’s end this now, whelp.”

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Ghost Zone’s lamest hunter. Haven’t you learned your lesson, yet-” An overheated blast of energy was shot at him and Danny just barely dodged, hissing as the blast clipped his shoulder and both burned his shoulder and his suit and that… What had that been? “Okay, guess you got an upgrade.”

“I’m not here for your pelt, whelp.” Oh? Something else, then. Okay. Danny was game. He could do with some plea for help or threat on his life. “Plasmius didn’t appreciate that stunt of yours a few months ago.”

“Stunt- Oh.” The password. The password that had ended up leading him to Andrew and that he had stolen to get into Vlad’s server and then he and Tucker had deleted just about everything they could. “Let me guess, he lost a few plans to kill my dad and marry my mom?”

“According to him he lost millions in business deals.” Oh- Oh, jeez. Danny wasn’t dealing with a pissed off Plasmius. He was dealing with a pissed off Masters. “It seems he wants to talk to you.”

“Ha- Aha! Right! Great! Why don’t we schedule an appointment for never going to happen and I’ll show up in his dreams. Sound good?” Danny was moving the second he heard the whining noise of guns charging up and ooh, his bed was pretty thoroughly destroyed, wasn’t it? Okay, okay, not important, he had an angry Skulker working for Masters after him and Jesus, Vlad’s revenge was always worse than any of Skulker’s hunts could ever be.

Wincing as he pulled on his shoulder, Danny phased down to the basement and started up the portal. He could at least hide in the Ghost Zone for a while, and, right. So much for having a decent Christmas.

::

“There has to be a right answer to this. Everything has a right answer.”  For once, Vidya was silent in his head and that was very much not helping matters. That was doing the opposite of helping matters! “If you’d like to chime in with some advice, now would be a brilliant moment to do so.”

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. “See if I get you anything for Christmas.” A book narrowly missed his head from where it had been thrown and Andrew glared in the direction it had come from. “You had best put that back where you got it!” This time, the book did hit his head.

“Well excuse me for panicking!” Was he panicking? He felt like he might have been slightly panicking- Okay. It was okay. He could work through this. He just needed to think about this problem logically. He could tell Danny he was twenty-two, which he was, but that had the problem of not explaining why his writing had been so advanced when Danny was first born.

He could… What else could he do? He could always tell Danny his chronological age. Of course, that had the very severe backlash of making Danny run away from him all while calling the police- God, he didn’t even know how old he was some days. Perhaps in his late forties- Nope, no, thinking about it tended to make it worse. Okay.

Calmly and rationally. He needed to think this through calmly and rationally. Danny hadn’t pushed him away yet and he was already aware that Andrew’s age was… advanced. He wasn’t going to run if Andrew told him his actual age. That was good.

There was also the option, however, that he could tell Danny he was a ghost. Danny seemed rather open minded, so if Andrew gave proof then perhaps Danny wouldn’t think he was lying or just plain crazy. Great. Two choices, then.

Would he rather have Danny think he was certifiably insane or would he rather have Danny think that he was his parent’s age?

Groaning, Andrew collapsed on the nearest soft surface and contemplated using a book to render himself unconscious. “None of my books prepared me for this.” Because there hadn’t- There- Yes, alright, there had been a few cases of romantic soulmates with an age gap, but nothing with one of them being dead and having an age gap.

There was just… There had to be some way to fix this without hurting either of them. There had to be something out there to fix this mess, right? Nn… Maybe Randy would have some good advice.

It was a sad day when Andrew went to Randy for life advice, but, well. Randy screwed his life up daily, but he was careful to never screw up Andrew’s. At least, not too badly, which was about the best Andrew could ask for.

“Is he in the kitchen?” Vidya gave a little affirmative and the very strong feeling that he should just tell the truth, but Andrew easily brushed that last part off. “Randy! I need you to resist whatever foolish urges my next few words are about to instill in you!”

“Is this an urge in where I get my guns or one in where I resist the urge to tuck you away in your room and keep you from getting your heart broken?” Randy was stress baking again. Great. Andrew’s stress was so great it was getting to Randy.

“Neither. I need your advice.” Insultingly enough, Randy only raised an eyebrow at him. “Advice I plan on taking.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Randy ‘scolded,’ sticking something chocolate in Andrew’s mouth and honestly, how dare- Oh, this was good. “Yes, you should tell your mate the truth.”

“I didn’t even ask my question yet.” Andrew avoided Randy’s judgmental looks and instead moved to collapse into one of the kitchen chairs. “I just… There has to be a right answer to all of this.”

“Oh, Andy.” Randy gave him such a sad smile as he shook his head. “Love never has a right answer, frérot.” It certainly seemed- Wait.

“Did you just quote Heart’s Desire at me?” At the suspicious silence, Andrew scoffed and looked around for the nearest heavy object to throw at him. “You did. I can’t believe you just quoted my own book to me!”

“Okay, okay, there’s no need to throw things! I’m trying to make a soufflé, right now, and I need a calm environment.”

“I thought you couldn’t make-”

“Well I can, so shut the fuck up.” Ah, still a touchy subject. “Want some crème brûlée?”

“Are you just making every French desert you know of?” Andrew was already grabbing a spoon and squirming his way between Randy and the counter, happily digging into the desert. The sugar was perfectly crystalized to where it didn’t taste burnt, either.

“Right. You want some life advice?” Yes- No. Maybe. Quite possibly a maybe, on that one. “Start small.”

“Start small?” That… Hadn’t he already been doing that the whole time he had been writing to Danny?

“Start small,” Randy laughed, stealing Andrew’s spoon and next bite. “Explain that you’re too scared to explain. He’ll understand if you’re scared to tell the truth, Andy. He’s been understanding of everything else, hasn’t he?”

“I… I suppose.” Taking the spoon back, Andrew chewed on the next bites slowly before swallowing and sighing. “Do you really think he’ll understand?”

“Andy, the kid didn’t even try to push you when you said that you didn’t believe in technology. If that’s not true love, then I don’t know what it is.” Hiding a laugh, Andrew bumped his shoulder against Randy’s, Randy bumping right back. “You just… You need to admit you’re scared. Do you think you can do that?”

“For him I can.” Andrew had always been the type to hide his fear, but for Danny? He… He could admit that he was scared. If just to him, then Andrew could admit that he was afraid. “Right, then. What’s with today’s baking spree?”

“It’s a nice way to distract you from your fears and stress.” Well… That was true. “I also wanted to try and make a Christmas soufflé right for once.”

“You really need to-” Wait. “Christmas?” It wasn’t already Christmas, was it? He still had another week at least.

“Mhm. Happy Christmas Eve.” Shit. “Soo, what’d you get me for Christmas, then?” Aha, right, Christmas presents. Andrew could so do something. Maybe.

“It’s a surprise for a reason, Randall.” Andrew stole a few more snacks, easily dodging Randy’s swipes.

“You really are going to get fat if you keep this up!” Andrew only ducked back in to give Randy a quick, one-armed hug before fleeing with his treats. “I’m still upset with you!”

“I love you, too!” Right, right. Christmas presents. He could find Randy something in the library to give him, most likely, but Danny… Maybe for Danny he could finally explain why he had been avoiding him.

A Christmas spent talking with his mate sounded like the best Christmas he could think of, honestly. He just hoped he had the courage to start the conversation.

::

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. Danny had thought going into the Ghost Zone would buy him some time to at least give Skulker the run around, but the ghost hadn’t even paused before following him in and now Danny was pushing himself to go as fast as he could because Jesus. He knew Skulker was powerful and all with that suit of his, but he had never- He had never really been afraid of Skulker.

He was- He was Skulker! He was like a step up from the Box Ghost, but Danny had never seen him this serious. The only time he had ever been scared of Skulker before this was the last time he had captured him for Vlad. It- Skulker was all about the hunt, yeah, but was he really this powerful when he was being serious about it?

Danny was already scratched up to hell and back from the blasts he had just barely been dodging - no doubt he’d need to find a new suit because no amount of sewing was going to fix this - and no matter how fast he went he could only just keep himself out of range of the more dangerous attacks.

Fuck- Fuck. He was going to be fucking skinned alive at this rate if he didn’t manage to find somewhere to hide- “The hunt is over, whelp.” For a moment it felt like he had been toppled over by something ramming into his back, and then Danny screamed as the pain in his back set in. It was like- Jesus, fuck, Jesus it was like his entire back was on fire.

He felt himself roughly land on something - rock? - before he was scrambling to his feet and bad- Bad idea, bad idea, that had been a very bad idea to move. Seeing Skulker come back into view, Danny tried to keep calm as he took a few steps back and okay. Breathe. It was Skulker. He could deal with Skulker.

“Get away from me, Skulker. We both know I would win no matter what you do.” Even Danny could tell that was his weakest lie yet. Skulker seemed to know it, too.

“I always wondered what you’d be like backed into a corner. Shame I have to drag you to Plasmius, first.” Aha, right, shame- Except no. Good. That meant Skulker would keep him alive- Jesus, what would an angry Vlad Masters do to him, though? This was so frustrating. He felt ready to just scream and charge and- Scream. He could-

“One last time, Skulker. Get back.” Could he still do that attack? That Ghostly Wail? He had managed twice when running around time to stop everything, but he hadn’t managed to pull it off since he got back. If there was ever a time to find out, then it was looking like now was it- Except that power took up all of his energy and Danny would be left defenseless if Skulker managed to survive it.

His best bet would be to push himself as fast as he could and find a place to hide until Vlad calmed down and called Skulker off, but that didn’t give him any ideas as to what he could do right now. Fuck. At least he knew that his Christmases were still cursed, he guessed. Fuck, okay, focus- Just focus. Focus, focus, focus-

Dodging the attack that came for him, Danny scrambled to hide behind- A library? Since when was there a library in the Ghost Zone- Ah, no time to think, didn’t care, hiding behind one of the pillars. “Get out here before I drag you out here, whelp! I’m sure Plasmius won’t mind a bit of you missing here and there!”

“Yeah, no thanks!” Ducking down to avoid the next hit, Danny swore under his breath and okay, think. “C’mon, Fenton, focus.” Library. He was hiding near a library- Could he get into the library and hide? He assumed a ghost lived here, but he didn’t know any ghosts that would live in a library- Well, Poindexter, maybe, if he had the choice. “Welp. Guess it’s the best I got.”

Making a break for the door, Danny dodged a rocket rather impressively, if he did say so himself, but he didn’t manage to dodge the fucking net. Hitting the ground and at least thankful it wasn’t one of those damn ones that shocked him, Danny squirmed and- Bad. That was bad movement. Everything hurt.

“It looks like I’ve finally caught you, whelp.” This… This couldn’t be it. He couldn’t have really lost to Skulker, right? That- That was insane. That- “I suggest you close those doors. This is none of your business.” ...What?

Twisting himself as gently as he could, Danny caught a glimpse of two new ghosts standing in the doorway of the weird library and oh, great. More ghosts that probably didn’t like him. One of them laughed- Ghosts had guns? Since when did ghosts besides Skulker have guns?

“Considering this is our territory, I think it is our business. I thought you didn’t like to break the Warden’s rules, Skulker.” Dangerous. That one was definitely dangerous. Kind of reminded Danny of Wulf when he was overly upset over something. “Hunting down children now, Skulker?”

“Hey! I’ll be sixteen soon!” As usual, he seemed to be completely ignored, the other ghost sighing and bending down with a knife and oh, great, he really was about to be skinned.

“Try not to move. I’m going to cut you free, now.” The voice was stupidly deep, but something about the tone told Danny that he wasn’t about to be hurt with the knife. Forcing himself to stay still, Danny looked back to where Skulker was arguing with the other ghost.

“I’m on a job for Plasmius. You know how that is, Mercenary.” Whoa, wait, what? Ghosts could be mercenaries? That was so cool! “Get out of my way.”

“Our laws are stronger than the word of some parasite.” Oh, hell yeah. Danny didn’t know what the hell any of that meant, but he was already starting to like these two.

“Just about have it,” the ghost cutting him free said quietly, sounding frustrated. “Did he start using steel nets?”

“Yeah, some of them he uses to shock me.” Danny was gratified to see this ghost looked horrified and, huh. Maybe these ghosts were sane. That was cool. He was pretty sure the only sane ghost he had meant before now was Clockwork. “How’s that other one when it comes to fighting?”

“Mm, let’s just say you don’t have to worry about us holding our own.” A few more ropes cut, and Danny was shooting out of the net at once, deciding to worry about the startled gasp from the ghost later.

“Hey, tin can! Can’t you even leave me alone on Christmas!” Seeing Skulker bring out a new weapon, Danny growled. He was so sick of these goddamn weapons. “That’s it.” Dropping down to the stairs, Danny glanced to the ghosts that had come out to help him. “Stay behind me.”

“And just what are you going to do on your own, whelp!” Sucking in a breath, Danny pulled on every scrap of power he had and screamed. It was like- Jesus, he never knew how to explain this power. Like being in the middle of a thunderstorm? It was like standing in the middle of a field with a crazy thunderstorm and knowing that none of the lightning would ever hit.

He made it about ten seconds before he felt his change snap around him and force him to the ground, Danny gasping for breath and so, so thankful that the Ghost Zone had oxygen. Slowly looking up, Danny felt himself pale as he saw Skulker heading back towards him and looking pissed. His suit looked like it was barely being held together, but it seemed like there were enough weapons left to still make his life about to be over.

Scrambling back and instead just falling over, Danny tried to push himself up before he paused at seeing a white ghost shield form in front of him and easily deflect Skulker’s attack. “Mercenary!”

Looking around, Danny almost jumped at seeing the ghost that had cut him free was kneeling beside him and looking at him with wide green eyes that looked as shocked as he felt.

::

Staring down at the teen in front of him, Andrew silently admitted to himself that he had no words to describe the situation he was now in. It was odd enough to hear Vidya warning him of ghosts fighting on her steps, but to come out and see Skulker and the infamous Danny Phantom curled up in a net and looking like he had taken one hit too many? That he hadn’t quite expected.

It was true that today was officially the start of the truce and Andrew was content to send Randy after Skulker as a warning, but cutting the teen out of that god-awful steel net to see words written across his skin that matched his own? That…

And now here the teen was, looking utterly and completely human, and staring at him with frightened blue eyes and a frown that looked two seconds away from becoming a snarl. “I can take care of my own fights.”

Oh, Danny. A precocious little thing with too much fight in him and bristling even when he had no power, was bleeding, and looked a few steps away from fainting. A quick glance down showed that he was wearing his coat, which, good. His skin was covered. No need to throw the teen into even more of a panic attack - which was what Andrew was quickly heading towards- Ah.

Skulker had been hurting his mate. His mate was Danny Phantom and was bleeding in front of him and looking more and more afraid as the seconds ticked by. Right.

“Look, just let me go, I’ll get out of your hair, we can let bygones be bygones, and call this a day and-”

“It’s alright,” Andrew said quietly, slowly making telegraphed moves before helping the teen up and supporting him as he almost fell. “We’re some of the saner ghosts, I’m afraid. No over the top fighting from us.”

“Thank god.” Danny slumped and lost near all tension in his body, Andrew easily keeping him propped up and staring at the words that coated his arms and peeked past his shirt. Words that asked the same question over and over and now… Now he could give Danny an answer, right? This was-

“Riters!” Ah, but first, they had some trash to take care of, it seemed. Feeling Danny flinch against his side as Randy’s shield vanished, Andrew quickly tucked him closer.

“Oh, Randy.” Andrew drawled, looking to Skulker and grinning as that suit of his floated back. “Refresh my memory. What day is today?”

“Well, last I checked it was Christmas Eve.” Randy was by his side in a second, guns already in hand and wicked smile on his face. How nice to see White Fang still loved a good fight. “Interesting, isn’t it?”

“Very. You see, I thought there was- Now, keep in mind, I could be wrong, but I thought there was a certain truce that all ghosts followed.” Andrew noticed that Danny was watching them curiously, relaxed a bit more now that Randy was in front of him. He probably wasn’t used to having people on his side. “Remind me of the truce, grand frère?”

“Of course, frérot. The Christmas Truce dictates that ghosts aren’t allowed to fight with other ghosts from the first seconds of Christmas Eve to the last seconds of Christmas. I do believe that includes half-ghosts, as well.”

“There’s a truce?” Aw. Danny muttered under his breath when he was confused, it seemed. “Sure would have been great to know that last year.”

“Randy, why don’t you teach Skulker a lesson on why ghosts shouldn’t fight during this time of year?” Andrew kept his tone light and pleasant as he turned to Danny to quickly check him over again. It didn’t seem anything was broken, and it looked like he could walk. That was good. “Make it hurt.”

“With pleasure.” A flash of pure white and a scream from Skulker and the two were already half a mile away, Andrew rolling his eyes. Honestly, Randy was far too much of a showoff.

“Would you like to come in? I don’t know much about half-ghosts, granted, but after that last attack it seems like you could use a bit of time to recover without worrying about what crazy ghost will show up next.”

“So instead I walk into the home of a crazy ghost I don’t know?” He knew Danny had fast responses, but Andrew had never seen his words when he was defensive and distrustful. It was fascinating.

“So better the enemy you know than the stranger you don’t know, yes?” Andrew had to hold back a laugh when Danny scrunched up his nose. Hardly a few minutes with his mate and already Andrew was falling more in love with him. “You’re tired, bleeding, and can’t shift back. At least stay until you can fly home without dropping out of the air.”

“I can change just fine!” Danny flashed a smug smile before it slowly dropped, and he cleared his throat. “Not, uh- Not that it’s any of your business. Why do you even care, anyways? This isn’t your problem.”

“Mm, would it make you feel better that the offer is only there so you stop bleeding on my front steps?” Andrew watched the teen almost jump before looking down and around at the pristine marble before he was huffing and glaring at Andrew.

“I am not bleeding all over your steps, man.” Right- Right. Okay. Just- Act calm and collected- This was his mate. And they were already getting along so well- Well… They were bantering? That counted in a way. “Look, it’ll only take me ten or fifteen minutes to get home. I’ll just wait out here for another five until I can change back. There you go. Problem solved.”

“Danny, you’re bleeding.” The stubborn little teen didn’t have anything to say about that-

“How do you know my name?” Ah. Okay. Right. Andrew was a storyteller. He could come up with a lie easily enough. Hopefully.

“You expect me to not know your name?” Andrew watched as Danny shifted, wincing as he jarred something. It took more effort than it should have to not reach out and help. “I believe everyone in our world knows of the half-ghost Danny Phantom.”

“Yeah- Yep. That’s me. Public Enemy Number One and all that. Walker start spreading my wanted  poster around, then?”

“You’re- No,” Andrew laughed, shaking his head and this precious, precious teen. “You’re the one who went through something horrible and still chose to be good. That’s more rare than you might think.”

“Oh.” Danny didn’t seem to be glaring anymore, but he was nervously looking over his shoulder now that it seemed Andrew wasn’t considered a threat. “So, uh, right. Okay. That offer to stay here still open?”

“It really is no trouble.” Besides, now he had an excuse to skip that awful party Randy had been trying to drag him to. “I can even help bandage some of the wounds you might have trouble reaching, if you want.”

“I… Right.” Danny gave him a look that could only be called calculating. “You know my name, but I don’t know yours, you know. Seems kind of unfair.” Oh- Oh! Right. Andrew had his skin mostly covered, so Danny didn’t…

“I’m…” Andrew stared at this shaking and scared teenager that was his soulmate and finally gave a warm smile. “Ghostwriter. My name is Ghostwriter.”

#danny phantom #iambic prose #soulmate au #words on my skin au

[bucky-smiles]

92 Truths

I think I was tagged by 2 (?) people? Like I definitely know that @bitchinprentiss did and @criminal-navy-writings did.. Idk if you did, too, sorry I don’t remember, I haven’t looked much at the things I’ve been tagged in lately. 

LAST…

Drink: water and milk (I drink both with breakfast)

Phone call: my mom

Song you listened to: Hey Mama - David Guetta

Time you cried: idk it’s been a good year so far I haven’t cried at all *knock on wood*

HAVE YOU EVER _____?

Dated someone twice: no

Been cheated on: no

Kissed someone and regretted it: no, never kissed anyone

Lost someone special: yes

Been depressed: yes

Been drunk and thrown up: nope

IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE YOU…

Made a new friend: yes

Fallen out of love: never been in love with a person I’ve properly met 

Laughed until you cried: nope

Met someone who changed you: everyone changes me in one way or another

Found out who your true friends are: idk

Found out someone was talking about you: well i’ve only been 5 days into this year so idk 

GENERAL

How many people on Tumblr do you know in real life: nope

Do you have any pets?: a pupper I mean broter ( @bitchinprentiss​ @spencerthepipecleaner​ @ all of the other cm junkies)

Do you want to change your name?: nope 

What time did you wake up this morning?: like 10:30

What were you doing last night?: reading oneshots 

Name something you cannot wait for: my sweet 16 in 8 days :) 

Have you ever talked to a person named Tom? no?

What’s getting on your nerves right now?: a lot of things

Blood type: idfk but ik I’m anemic

Nickname: on tumblr, G

Relationship status: single and wanting to keep it that way

Zodiac: capricorn

Pronouns: she/her

Favorite show: criminal minds as of now

College: in 2 years :) 

Hair colour: naturally it’s dark brown but I henna it 

Do you have a crush on someone?: spencer reid 

What do you like about yourself?: my eyes are really pretty

FIRSTS

Surgery: no but I’m going to be getting a tooth implant 

Piercing: I got my first ear piercings as a baby and I’m getting my second ear piercing in a couple of weeks :) I also plan on getting my cartilage, bellybutton, and hopefully my nose pierced sometime in my life

Sport you joined: I’ve been a dancer for as long as I can remember

Vacation: India when I was 3 (i stayed there for 3 months and turned 4 there.. Fun fact, I forgot how to speak English in the process)

Pair of sneakers: probably some baby sneakers or something idk 

RIGHT NOW

Eating: I’m chewing spearmint gum and had an Indian lunch before

Drinking: Nothing

I’m about to: write some more

Listening to: nothing

Want kids?: yes

Get married?: perhaps

Career: software engineer

WHICH IS BETTER?

Lips or eyes: Eyes

Hugs or kisses: why not both

Shorter or taller: taller 

Romantic or spontaneous: why not both

Sensitive or loud: I’m loud so idk

Hook up or relationship: Relationship

Troublemaker or hesitant: hesitant

HAVE YOU EVER…

Kissed a stranger: nope

Drank hard liquor: nope

Lost contacts/glasses: yep

Sex on first date: nope and don’t plan on it

Broken someone’s heart: yep

Been arrested: nope

Turned someone down: nope

Fallen for a friend: yep

DO YOU BELIEVE IN ____?

Yourself: idk what this means

Miracles: depends on the  miracle

Love at first sight: no but attraction is real

Heaven: I’m Hindu, I believe in reincarnation and eventual nirvana

Santa Claus: yes 

Tagging anyone who wants to do this! Just say I tagged you!

#g does stuff #tag game