#//the stars aligned for this screenshot. I had to.

[birdb0yw0nder]

If anyone wanted the answer to the question “What would happen if you made out with your husband in the middle of the street after taking down a mob ring?” 

Trending on Twitter is what happens @crimsxnbolt​

[elvenbeard]

I don't know where I am sometimes, sometimes I don't care, I'm just high

My hands in the air and my head in the clouds I wanted to float and I want it right now

And this is my tune and I want it real loud

I randomly walked into Riot the other day with the intention to take pics but then was surprised by a very special event taking place there, so I ditched all plans and instead made "super secretive special party guests dancing through the night" my new theme XD

featuring @arcandoria's [revamped joggers] for mascV, refitted to now fit skinny Rockerboys better too :3 thank you so much!

[gurugirl]

A Balancing Act | Ch. 4*

Series Summary: Harry is a famous, rich, handsome, pop star and he’s been in therapy since his boy band days. When he meets Y/n, a beautiful and successful artist, he cannot take no for an answer when it comes to her. He’s determined to make her his even if he has to bend the rules a little at first.

Chapter Summary: Harry brings Y/n with him on his European tour but when Y/n decides she needs a break to figure things out Harry is beside himself. He's sure she's going to break up with him but she's sure he doesn't want the same things she does. When they finally talk will they both be on the same page?

Warning: 18+ only, NSFW, smut, dom/sub dynamic, angst, DDlg kink,

Word Count: 12.5k

Commissioned by @cinnamonone (thank you!! xoxo)

A Balancing Act Masterlist

A balancing act requires soft poise and harmonious alignment. The joining of differing needs and wants to acquiesce for a perfect, or nearly perfect outcome. One can’t have more than the other. All sides must be used to make a point. The leveling of opinion and decision coupled with the desire to satisfy the ideal effect.

“Put that down. It doesn’t do any good.”

Y/n looked up at Harry who’d placed his palm over her phone to cover her screen. She was trying not to obsess about the pictures of herself. There were so many. And now that she’d been seeing Harry for a few months and was on tour with him in Europe, the gossip abounded. It was wild how quickly everyone learned her name, her age, the fact that she had been married, where her art pieces were showing, and even what kind of car she drove. It was… a lot.

“I know but they’ve caught me in the worst outfit and angle and these comments-“

“Please don’t do that,” Harry spoke as he sat down next to her and slid the phone from her hands, “You’re a knockout. I’ve never once looked at you and thought otherwise. None of that matters. Okay? It’s us. You and me.”

She nodded as he pulled her into his side and kissed the top of her head, “I know. But still. I’m just not used to any attention. Not like this.”

“The best thing you can do is to ignore it and don’t look at the articles.”

But of course, that was easier said than done. Going to Europe with him had been a whirlwind. So many fans and friends and his family, day trips, flights, drivers, shopping, studio sessions, meetings, rushing, concerts, flowers, kissing, late-night talking, falling deeper for the man, and sex. There was a lot of sex.

It was stressful. It was fun, though, too. And she enjoyed spending time with Harry in his world but there was very little time for herself in her own world. She didn’t put paint, or ink on canvas the entire time she was with Harry in Europe. She never found the time, even though she had downtime, her inspiration waned. When Harry was in the studio writing, jamming, and making music she didn’t normally go. In fact, after going with him only twice she realized how awkward it was for her to be there. He was working with his band and his team. She was of no use there with him. She felt like she was just in the way. And she didn’t want to be the kind of girlfriend that followed him around like a puppy everywhere.

So she stayed in the hotel or in the villa or wherever they were staying depending on the leg of the trip. She’d venture out to go to cafes by herself, do some shopping, or just to walk around but it became a game of dodging people on the street who started to recognize her. Pictures and videos were taken without her consent. Later she’d see some of the photos in gossip articles and comments saying how she called the paps on herself because why on earth would anyone want a photo of her?

The hate came quickly. The vitriol for a woman that no one knew. Her social media accounts were stalked, screenshots taken and posted on other social media accounts about her and her art and what kind of person she might be based on old posts she’d long forgotten.

One old post on Instagram was of her out on her bachelorette party before she was married. It was a series of six photos. She was wearing something a little bit skimpy, but nothing too crazy. Most of the pictures showed her with a drink in hand, one of her dancing with some man she didn’t know, and the last one was of her the next morning with mangled hair and smeared makeup, a mimosa raised upward, and the words printed over the photo ‘hair of the dog’.

That one got a lot of attention. She was an alcoholic party girl, too fat to be wearing something so revealing, ugly, a slut (for dancing with a man), and the worst insult was “no wonder her ex divorced her”.

Yes, Harry’s fans learned that she had been married. Some knew that her husband had died (she wasn’t sure how they knew). But most assumed she was divorced because she didn’t post publicly about the tragic loss she endured. It was no one’s business, but for people who didn’t know her to make wild assumptions about what had occurred in her marriage was the most hurtful.

But on the other side of that were the fans that simply refused to believe he could be dating Y/n. Many were convinced Harry was either already in a relationship with an ex-band member from his boyband days or it was all for public relations. That her “team” and his “team” were in on something together for publicity. Because that would be the only explanation. Harry would never stoop so low as to date someone like Y/n. Someone who looked like Y/n. Couldn’t be. The Harry “they knew” would never.

Then of course there were those that thought she was simply using Harry’s fame to boost her own popularity in the art world. She was a leech, a sneak, conniving… It all hurt. She wasn’t sure she could stomach much more. And yes, it was true that interest in her art was boosted. Which she really didn’t like because it was more to the fact that “this is a piece of art painted by Harry Style’s girlfriend” rather than a painting that was pleasing to the eye and worth the price tag.

And Harry’s late nights at the studio and after a concert were tiresome. She had been catapulted into this strange reality with a famous man that she felt herself falling for. But how did she fit in with it all? She couldn’t see herself finding her place with him. It all felt very temporary. And the fact that she’d lost the inspiration to create herself was troublesome. The plan was that she could still paint and travel with him and they’d get to be together. She didn’t have to stay home to paint. It was supposed to be easy. But it wasn’t.

But as awful as all that was, she and Harry got closer. He’d arrive late to their bed, crawling over her and wrapping her up in his arms. Normally she’d wake up and nuzzle into him and sigh as they both fell asleep. Sometimes Harry wasn’t ready to go to sleep and he was very persuasive. If he wanted her, well, he had her. She looked forward to, with impatience, having sex with Harry.

Harry had changed her entire view on sex. It was nothing like she’d ever experienced before. Prior to Harry, sex was just sex. It was usually good. Sometimes she’d orgasm. But with Harry, it wasn’t just sex. It was the joining of two separate beings in an act that was vulnerable, exciting, novel, and made Y/n’s heart thrash about in her chest from nerves and thrill. She hadn’t realized how addicted she’d become to what he did. How he handled her body and her mind.

Usually, though, she and Harry had sex during the day. With the sun in the sky, curtains open, and people milling about. She had always been used to nighttime, lights out, on her marital bed sex. Harry liked to have sex anywhere. And he liked to see it all. All of her bits. He’d kiss and praise and then spank her if she tried to hide herself. They had fun together. Sex hadn’t ever been so fun. And she slowly started to see her body in a different light.

After his last show in Paris, she went to his dressing room, like she always did after a show, and he scooped her into his arms and kissed her broadly on the lips in front of everyone. He was hard.

A small gasp fell from her lips as she craned her neck back to look up at him in surprise. He only winked down at her, swiftly turned her around, and placed his hands on her shoulders. He was literally using her body to block his erection from view of his bandmates and the event staff.

When Mitch and Sarah finally made their way to their shared dressing room Harry told his assistant he didn’t need help and dragged her to his big couch after locking the door.

“Need you to take your panties off right now,” Harry spoke as he unbuttoned his pants and kept his eyes on her.

Y/n was wearing a cute maxi dress that was comfy and easy to dance in. She learned that she needed to wear clothes that were comfortable at Harry’s concerts because there was lots of dancing. But she also wanted to look cute because there was never a shortage of photos of her, no matter how much she hated that part. And if she wasn’t dancing she was a fake, a bad girlfriend, a fat blob. Oh, but of course, even if she did dance then that meant she was trying too hard, making herself look ridiculous, and then there was the odd comment about how she was too large to be attempting to dance at all.

She pushed those thoughts down as she lifted the bottom of her dress upward and slid her panties down her legs as Harry pulled a small belt with a ball at the center out of his bag. His pants were undone but his underwear was bulging at the crotch, his cock pressing outward with strain. He stood over her where she was sat on the couch and took her panties from her hands and then motioned for her to turn around, “Face the wall, get on your knees.”

“Harry what are you-“ her words turned into a yelp as he smacked her bottom.

“Do you fucking never learn?” He leaned in and spoke quietly, his voice deep and dark, “You’ll be getting paddled tonight for that mistake. Address me properly.”

Cursing under her breath she squeezed her eyes closed. She didn’t know what it was that didn’t allow her to so easily fall into just calling him Daddy like he wanted. She needed lots of reminders and her bruised bottom was proof of all of her forgetful little moments.

Part of her secretly loved it. Enjoyed the thrill of needing to be corrected and not simply giving in to him all the time.

“Sorry. Daddy. What are you doing?” Her tone clearly sardonic. 

Harry raised his brows and shook his head, ignoring her mouthiness, “I’m going to fuck you against the couch and gag you so no one hears you. Now, turn around pretty girl.”

She pulled herself to her knees and turned so her palms were clutching the leather at the top of the couch and immediately felt Harry’s hands pulling her dress up so her bum was fully exposed and issued another sharp swat to her left side. She jolted in shock before turning to watch Harry behind her.

Harry brought his hands up, her panties in hand, and swiftly pulled the material over her eyes, tying the sides to the back of her head to keep it in place.

“Uh, those are expensive! You’ll stretch them!” She countered as the material hung over her sight.

Harry chuckled darkly and she felt his lips at her ear, “Who bought them for you, baby? I’ll buy you more. Don’t worry about it. Now, keep that mouth open.”

She opened her mouth quickly and felt the silicon ball take its place in her mouth, as he adjusted the buckle to the back of her head. She was unable to see or speak as she was pushed forward, her chest being pressed into the couch. Her bottom was still uncovered and she felt the cool air of the dressing room on her skin as Harry gently caressed her flesh down to where her legs were bent at her knees and over the backs of her calves and ankles before spreading her legs further apart.

“Keep your hands on the wall behind the couch, like this,” Harry moved his palms over her arms until he reached her wrists and pulled her arms out so she kept her hands flat on the wall, causing her back to arch the slightest.

“Good girl. So hot. Unbelievable baby. Daddy’s gonna have a taste now.”

She couldn’t see much or speak at all but she could certainly hear and feel. And the moment Harry’s tongue licked up through her crease her mind shifted into another gear. Harry had eaten her out in this position before. Behind her, his nose at her bum. At first, it gave her a lot of hesitancy, worried she smelled or tasted odd. But he always insisted she was delicious and he could eat her for dinner every night for the rest of his life. His reassurances had her at ease, but it still always gave her pause.

Harry moaned into her pussy as he licked and kissed. His hands were on her ass, spreading her apart as he softly licked, licked, licked… wet and hot from clit to ass, from clit to ass, clit to ass… He spat over her and stuffed two fingers into her cunt and she squealed into the gag, the sound hardly heard in the room. Harry chuffed a laugh at her muffled noises.

Soon she was soppy and achy. Harry noticed how she was pushing herself back into him. That’s where he liked to get her. To the point she was seeking her own pleasure. Where she was so worked up she wanted more.

Harry sat back and stood from the couch and pulled his cock out from his underwear. He pressed his hips into her bottom and brushed his hands over her waist, pushing her dress higher, “Daddy needs his cock milked now. So fucking horny for you, sweet girl.”

She grunted in relief when he pushed into her. It was always a welcome moment. To have his dick inside of her, parting her insides and nudging into her cervix. He was curved in such a way that his wide cock pushed into her front wall on each stroke anytime she was in this position while he was fucking into her.

She kept her hands on the wall as he pounded into her and she steadied herself the best she could but Harry was strong and he always went in with such force that it caused her a good jolt forward on each snap of his hips. Delicious.

When his long fingers wrapped around the front of her neck he squeezed the sides and slowed his plunges, “Wish everyone could hear us. Could hear how filthy your pussy gets when I fuck it. How creamy you are. Wish they could hear how it sounds to have my cock slipping deep into your wet hole.”

Y/n felt her cheeks burn and her head get foggy under the pressure of his fingers on her throat. His thrusts increased again and the couch rocked under them into the paper-thin wall Y/n used to keep herself held up.

A knock at the door and a muffled voice from behind had Harry slowing down but never stopping, “M’busy! Be out in a bit!”

She couldn’t hear whatever was said from behind the door because her ears were ringing. Harry’s cock inside of her gave her tunnel vision. She almost didn’t care if anyone heard at that point. Her body felt so good, her pussy being worked open and split down the middle, her guts rearranged, her ass smacked, throat choked.

“Fans want me out there, but I needed you first didn’t I baby?” Harry’s thrusts were sloppy and harsh as he panted his words, “Daddy wants to fuck his come into you so you’ll be out there with everyone while my sperm drips out of your pussy and down your legs. My dirty little come hole. But that’s what Daddy’s little girl likes, isn’t it? Fuck…” Harry looked down at where he was being gripped by Y/n. Her tight little pussy working its magic on him.

Y/n’s telltale signs were beginning to show. Her thighs were shaking and her back was arching and she was grinding herself onto him each time he’d pull back. She was going to come.

Harry choked out a loud groan into the room, “Fuck! I’m gonna come!”

He reached down to rub her clit just as he began to pour into her pussy. He clenched his teeth and moaned into her ear. With the angle he needed to reach her clit his chest was pressed into her back, his stiff and sharp movements were forceful into her and she felt her own orgasm follow moments later. Thanks to his long fingers that knew just what to do and where to press to get her off.

Drool slid down her chin and to her clavicle as she came. The noise of the couch still creaking under her knees as Harry continued pushing into her increased in sound.

Harry hissed and moaned and kissed the back of her neck as he kept himself stuffed inside of her as she spasmed around him, squeezing his cock of all he had and letting it drain into her. A beautiful symphony of sex in the dressing room.

Harry laughed as he removed the gag and the panties from her face. She had small marks that dug into her skin from the fabric of the panties and the leather of the belt.

“God you’re gorgeous. Gonna go out there with me to meet the fans with my come slipping out of your cunt all night? Hmm?” Harry teased as she straightened her dress out and caught her breath.

And of course, that’s exactly what happened. She walked around and met some fans. Most didn’t know who she was. Some knew her as the girl that had been spending time with Harry. Others joked that she was following him around and that he didn’t want her there.

One pretty young thing, probably still in college, went from having her picture taken with Harry to making a snide remark to Y/n, “I love how you don’t care how you look when you dance.”

To which Y/n replied, “I’m just having fun out there like everyone else,” as she shook her hand (which she hadn’t yet washed after being fucked into oblivion) and felt Harry’s orgasm dripping down her thigh.

There was something so poetic about that moment. The secret that she and Harry shared. The reason why he was 20 minutes late to greeting his fans backstage. And Y/n was the bearer of said secret. Literally, since his come was still inside of her.

And that was just one of many times Harry fucked her in his dressing room. It became a regular thing. He’d gag her to keep her quiet but anyone who stood close enough to the door could hear him moaning and the sounds of skin smacking together and couches rocking. But no one ever said anything. It was Harry’s show after all.

There was one time when they went to an event. The lovely space was packed with people and the table they sat at was mostly Harry’s crew. Jeff and Tom were there and some others. All were people Y/n had gotten to know on some level.

And as per usual, Harry was horny. Y/n had gotten used to his extremely high libido and surprised herself even when she matched him in it. She hadn’t realized she was this way until Harry came along.

She was wearing a custom dress. Nothing like she’d ever had the chance to wear before. She’d worn lovely dresses and her wedding dress, she thought, would have been the nicest article of clothing she’d ever wear. But this dress… this dress was absolutely superior to anything she’d ever laid on her body. She loved it. It fit her so well and flattered her curves and made her feel pretty.

“Want to bend you over this table and spank you so hard right now. Tear this dress off you and make you ride my cock right here at the table,” Harry spoke into her ear as their plates of food were being placed in front of them.

Y/n just smiled and nodded as she listened to him tell her what he wanted to do. That was something she also had started to get used to. He’d do things like this in public and it startled her at first, but after some time she started to enjoy it.

When everyone began eating Harry lowered his hand to her thigh and pulled her dress up. No one could see what he was doing from under the table but Y/n felt it. The material of the dress was slowly lifted until he’d pushed the fabric up enough that he could smooth his palm up between her plush thighs and tickle her pussy with the tips of his fingers.

Y/n let out a gasped laugh and leaned forward before turning to look at Harry in surprise. He only smirked back at her and lifted his brows, “You okay, my dear?”

And Harry usually got his way. If he wanted something he could pretty much always get it. Just like how he wanted her to spread her legs wider so he could have access, she gave it to him. Just like how he wanted to slide two fingers into her cunt, she let him.

To everyone at the table, Harry was holding her thigh. Nothing more. He continued to chat and make jokes as he softly fucked his fingers into Y/n’s pussy.

And the thing about this was that he couldn’t apply much pressure, if any, to her clit, so he fingered her for nearly the entire duration of their dinner. His hand was wet between her legs as he continued slow, meaningful thrusts of his fingers into her.

She was on edge. So absolutely wrecked and worked up that Sarah interrupted the conversation at the table, “Y/n. Are you okay?”

Her chest was rising and falling fast. Harry paused his movements and looked over at his lover and realized, she was indeed a mess. Had barely touched her food when everyone else had just about finished and was panting and sweating. He smiled.

“Oh! Yeah. I… probably should,” she paused to hold back her gasp as Harry pushed his thumb over her clit, “go to the bathroom. Real quick! I’ll be right back!”

Harry was forced to remove his hand from between her thighs and she pushed her skirt down and quickly walked to the hallway where she knew the restrooms were.

Harry excused himself from the table with the excuse to check on her.

Y/n was already rubbing at her clit to make herself come in the stall when Harry barged into the bathroom, “Y/n. Come out, baby. Let me take care of you.”

Her eyes widened and she was quick to walk out of the stall. She needed him badly, “Please, your cock, Daddy,” she said as she lifted her dress and Harry pushed her to lean over the sink and pulled his cock out on her request. He was already hard. Fingering her and feeling her clench around him as she grew wetter and wetter each minute had done him in.

Her panties were ruined. He pushed the drenched material to the side and plunged into her softly as they both moaned, “Rub that pretty little clit for Daddy, baby. Get yourself off.”

It was probably the quickest fuck they’d ever had. Four minutes tops. Y/n was already on fire as her orgasm burst from her core and Harry held her cheeks apart so he could watch his cock, covered in her arousal, slip in and out, in and out until she was coming and shaking and gasping.

White gobs of her come stuck at his base as he continued fucking into her deep and he finally came, filling her to the brim with his come. He pulled out to watch himself drip from her pussy and then pushed himself back in to keep his sperm inside of her where it belonged, “Holy fuck, baby. Your pussy is incredible. Just taking my come like it’s nourishment. Fucking Jesus Christ.”

It felt so good to have Harry inside of her after nearly a half hour of slow, sensual torture with his fingers.

And as they both enjoyed, Y/n dripped of him when they went back to the table to join their friends. No one knew but Harry and Y/n and that was half the fun.

So, yeah, sex with Harry was incredible. Exciting. He never let her feel like she was lacking. He loved using tools on her. Tying her up, clamping her tits and her skin, toys, spanking, spreader bars, cuffs… She’d gotten a taste of what he liked and she loved it all.

And she was pretty sure she loved Harry too. He was the sweetest man. Very attentive and gentle, thoughtful, funny, and honest. But of course, when they were in bed he was dominant and loved to put her in her place but that only added to how much she really liked him. The duality of his nature was exciting to her. And she began to feel more comfortable with her body around him. He never once made her feel bad about her size. He clearly loved every bit of her chub.

So after their whirlwind European trip she was back in Illinois at home and trying to paint while Harry was in LA in the studio working on music and other business endeavors he’d started. They talked every night. She thought the distance would be good for her to focus on her work again but it was like she was blank. Her thoughts were only filled with Harry and what he was doing and the articles with her pictures and comments…

One evening, though, she did have a spark of inspiration. She began sketching out her canvas and mixing colors and finally, after nearly a two-month dry spell, put her brush against the canvas and began to paint. It felt good. She was suddenly struck with the need to create. Hours of building a piece with color and space and lines felt like things had felt before she met Harry.

Her fingers were green and her overalls were splattered and soiled from linseed oil and various hues she’d used on her work when her phone rang. Looking up at the clock she realized it was already 9 pm. Which was the time Harry normally called her every night before he went to the studio (it was 7 pm in LA).

She wiped her hands down her clothes and cursed as she rushed to grab the phone before the call went to voicemail.

It was a Facetime call because of course it was.

“Hello?” She rang out and adjusted the screen so she could see Harry and he could see her. She tried smoothing out her hair and wiping the smudges from her face but there was little she could do to repair her current appearance.

“Hi, baby. I miss you! How are you today?” Harry spoke, his face very close to the phone, and then as he stilled himself and the screen became clear she realized he wasn’t at home. A club perhaps. Maybe someone’s house. Definitely not the studio.

“I’m good. Was just painting a bit. Finally got a spark of creativity tonight. How are you? What are you up to right now?”

Harry sighed and grinned widely, she could tell he seemed a tiny bit tipsy, “I’m at a party and I’ve been telling everyone about you. Wish you were here so you could meet everyone. We’re just chilling, had a couple drinks, then I’m going into the studio in about an hour. Gonna be an all-nighter.”

Y/n nodded and smiled. She wasn’t surprised by any of this. He normally got into the studio late and stayed until 3 or 4 am. He was most creative at that time he told her once.

“Sounds fun. Wish I was there too.”

Just then a young woman nudged into Harry’s shoulder and came in to view on the screen, “Y/n!! It’s you! I’ve heard so much about you!”

She was clearly also tipsy. And just as she was about to respond to the mystery woman she watched as the girl threw her arm over Harry’s shoulder and licked her pink tongue up his neck before kissing it. And it wasn’t just a peck of a kiss. It was quite sensual in fact. As if she were trying to give him a hickey.

Harry laughed and pushed at the girl, prying her arm from him and the girl waved her hand at the video just before moving elsewhere.

“Sorry, Jess is clingy tonight,” Harry smiled and licked his lips.

“Oh is she? Has she been trying to give you a hickey all night then?” Y/n couldn’t help the bit of jealousy that coursed through her. She figured at that point she could trust him. He was a big flirt and she knew this about him. He gave off the wrong impression to people all the time. She’d seen women trying to shoot their shot and he would eventually have them back off but many of them never assumed he was in a relationship. She’d even overhead some women (when she was backstage after concerts) bragging about how they kissed Harry or how they thought they had a shot because he'd been staring at them, which turned out to not be true of course. But it didn’t make the sting feel better.

“No. No, of course not, baby. I wouldn’t let her do that. Only you’re allowed to mark me up.”

“But she’s allowed to lick you and kiss you?”

Harry paused and suddenly the screen was blurry as he appeared to moving through the space to somewhere different.

“Wait, hold on, Y/n.” The screen went dark but she could hear shuffling and some voices until the video showed his handsome face again but now he was outside.

“Please, baby. That was not… she’s been flirting with me a little but it’s all in fun. She’s just a friend. I would never do anything to ruin what you and I have. You know that. God, I wish you were closer so I could tell you in person and see you after the studio. Wake up to you, make love to you…” he trailed off as he spoke but kept his eyes on the screen, his face set in defeat.

“I know how you are, Harry. So I get it. But doing that right in front of me? Kind of tacky. Was she trying to make me jealous? If so, I’d say she’s not a friend.”

Harry groaned and leaned his back to a bench and nodded, “I’ll stay away from Jess. She’s just been finding me all night. I mean, I’ve known her for years so… but you’re right. Sorry.”

Y/n nodded and flattened her lips together. She really hated this. Hated feeling jealous when she figured it wasn’t necessary, hated not being with him, hated how famous he was and how everyone wanted him…

After his call with Y/n, he was careful to dodge Jess. And he hadn’t really been paying much mind to her to be quite honest. Yes, she’d been kind of all over him but he was used to that. Except now he needed to think about his girlfriend and what she might think and how it could be perceived in public. Not that any of the photos from this particular party would come out to the public – it was exclusive and contracts were signed promising privacy and respect of others.

Jess was a friend of Tommy’s and she was often invited to the parties like this and so Harry had gotten to know her over the years. She was always flirty but the question that Y/n brought up was valid. Was Jess trying to make Y/n jealous? It was inappropriate for her to kiss his neck like that when he thought about it with a clear head. Even if he wasn’t on the phone with his girlfriend, that was too intimate of a gesture to be innocent. He couldn’t allow things like that anymore. Not if he wanted to keep Y/n happy. And he didn’t want those kinds of intimate touches from anyone else these days. He missed his girlfriend.

His studio session was productive. He got a lot of writing done and set some vocals down for recording too. But he was still thinking about Y/n. Thinking about how they got off the phone and he’d apologized and she said she was fine but he knew she might not really be. They were too far apart and the distance was a problem. Harry was used to some distance in relationships. It was part of the package that he came with. But he hated it with Y/n more than ever.

He was in love with her. Deeply and madly. In fact many of the songs he started to write after meeting her had something to do with her in one way or another. He couldn’t get her off his mind. He’d dated around and had a couple of serious relationships in the past, but no one left a mark on his heart like Y/n had.

.           .           .

“I’m feeling like I need her with me all the time. But when I offered to fly her out and have her stay here with me in LA she said she thought the distance would be good. I’m going crazy, Pat. I don’t know if she is starting to think about breaking up with me or what. I don’t want her to leave me. But she’s been so aloof lately.”

Pat shifted her leg to cross over her opposite and listened. The man wouldn’t stop talking about Y/n. Every one of their sessions had been dominated by discussions about his new relationship. Harry was sensitive deep down. He had his shit together and he was many times nonchalant about dating and matters of the heart in public, but Pat knew the truth. He was sweet and his heart was delicate.

“Just let her sus everything, Harry. You can’t push her and you know that. She’s probably going through some growing pains with you. You’re uber-famous and everyone loves you and to her, it probably feels like she’s just your girlfriend who gets a lot of mean things printed about her. It’s very likely overwhelming. Maybe she’s trying to get her head on straight and figure out what’s best for her.”

“But what if she learns that she’s better off without me?”

Pat chuckled, “What if she does? Would you still want to force her to be with you?”

Harry sighed deeply and frowned, “I guess I wouldn’t want to make her do anything she didn’t like. But that’s the thing. I know she and I have something special. When we’re together it’s like everything just makes sense. I don’t want her to let all the awful things people make up about her be how she makes her decision. Because what she and I have is incredible.”

“But you’re seeing this from your point of view. Not hers. Give her space if she needs it. Keep open communication but let her decide what she can handle.”

He didn’t like the idea that Y/n would decide he wasn’t worth it. He’d finally found the one he thought was his soulmate. The one he loved and wanted to be with for the rest of time, but now she was stepping back. Putting more space between them than he liked.

And when he offered to come to her she declined that suggestion as well. Stating it would be better to be apart for a bit. Which indicated to Harry she was done or at least considering that idea. But he couldn’t understand it! How could she be done with him? He was so far from done with her. He’d never want to be “done” with her. He wanted to marry her, have babies with her, take her with him everywhere, curl into her body, and let his skin sink into hers for all eternity.

He partly blamed the night he talked to her when Jess made her unfortunate appearance and partly the fans. Harry loved his fans. He enjoyed interacting with them most of the time. He loved the attention and the enthusiasm they gave him. He loved creating for them. But they were the ultimate cock block if there ever was one. Every relationship he’d tried to maintain while being famous had, in the end, been affected deeply by his fans. Social media was brutal as it was, but when fans got ahold of the articles and posted pictures and got “involved” it only led to awful things. Many times social media stirred the pot but the fans kept the lies and the assumptions (conspiracy theories even) flying and going on for longer than it was necessary. But it’s not like he could just drop his fans. They were what his empire was built on. He wouldn’t be doing what he was doing without them. It was all a balancing act.

“I think I’m gonna go see her. Just to talk face-to-face. I can’t go on not knowing what’s really happening and doing it over the phone is not giving me the whole picture.”

“Harry… I think it would be wise to keep her wishes in mind. You are a convincing and charismatic man and so for you to go to her in person could interrupt her rational critique. You could just be doing more harm to the relationship this way. It would be a hindrance more than anything. You might just be prolonging the inevitable and don’t you think it’s better to let things take their course naturally? You don’t always have to make all the moves and sway the outcome. This isn’t a business. This is love and relationship stuff. It doesn’t follow the same rules.”

.           .           .

Y/n had been feeling pretty good. Her mind was clear and her inspiration was at an all-time high. It had been a month since she’d seen Harry in person but they still spoke almost every night. She still loved him. She missed him, but the time apart felt necessary. Felt like she could grasp reality again.

But one thing was certain with the distance. It was that she couldn’t take not seeing him and touching him. She was thriving, but she was beginning to miss him more than she thought she would. Instead of getting easier, it got harder. Her nights would be spent thinking of him, what it would be like living with him, kissing him, marriage, babies… But she wasn’t sure if he was feeling like they were headed in that direction. Because if he didn’t feel like any of that was in their future then the relationship should be stopped. It couldn’t continue to jog along on the same path that it had been. They needed to progress and she needed to know he was committed to her and that he felt the same way. But as it was, their relationship was very good, it just wasn’t the kind of relationship that felt like it could move beyond what it was. She needed to tell him and be honest about what she wanted. Marriage, babies, 100% commitment… But what would happen once she told him all of this? Would he run for the hills? It could very well be the end of them.

.           .           .

She had insisted that he not come to the gallery where her work was displayed. It was in New York City and he begged to come. He told her he would take some time off before the next leg of his tour began. Told her that he had a beautiful spot he always stayed at and she could be with him and he’d take her out to his favorite restaurant in the city… but she said no. And Pat told him to listen to her.

Which was hard for him. Harry didn’t like being told no, and normally, no didn’t matter much (of course depending on the situation). Normally, he’d just go anyway and surprise her and dote on her, and in his mind, she’d be so happy and they’d have amazing sex and things would go back to how they were before she pushed for distance. But that’s not how it went.

Instead, she had a weekend in New York City without him. They spoke every night and she told him everything and he pleaded with her some more to let him come to her but she still said no.

On Sunday when they got off the phone Harry was beside himself. She had been too busy to really talk. She was getting on a flight to go back home so he understood why but that didn’t mean he was okay. He cried. He felt his heart drop and felt her slip away. She didn’t want to see him, she didn’t want his support, and she wouldn’t go to see him either… so what was left?

He’d been good and paying attention to, heeding Pat’s advice. He knew she was right. He knew he couldn’t force her hand in this. But God did it hurt. If only she’d let him visit her she’d see how good they were together. Nothing else mattered.

But he needed to know what she wanted. Because it didn’t feel like she wanted the same thing. They needed to talk, face-to-face, and he needed her to be direct. To rip off the band-aid once and for all. Then he could begin to heal and try to get over her.

When she called him the following day it was unexpected because it was much earlier than they usually had their calls and it was just a call, not a Facetime chat.

“Hi. How are you?”

Harry had had a lump in his throat for the last few days with his thoughts about her. About how she was going to end it. About how she didn’t really want to put in the effort to be with him. That he wasn’t worth it. That his fame and his fans were too much.

“I’m good. You’re calling a bit early. What’s going on?”

“I just had some really good news! A curator bought ten of my paintings and will be hosting an exhibit at David Kordansky and I’ve been invited to go as a guest of honor of sorts, amongst the other artists! It’s going to be all these big names. Oh my god, I’m so excited!”

Harry smiled widely, “Baby, I’m so proud of you. When is the exhibit?”

“It’s next weekend! And you know David Kordansky, right?”

“Uh… no. Sorry. Should I?”

Y/n giggled into the phone, “Oh… it’s just one of the biggest and most popular galleries in Los Angeles.”

Harry’s eyes went wide, “Here? You’re coming here?”

“Yes! God, I’m so excited! You’re the first person I’ve told and I just got the news right before calling you. So, I’m still processing it all. But yeah! And a bonus is that maybe you can come! If you want. If you can!”

“Absolutely. I’ll tell everyone I’m booked next weekend. Spending it with my girl.”

She sighed into the receiver with a big grin on her face, “I can’t wait to see you, Harry.”

.           .           .

Y/n was properly nervous. She had been trying to keep her distance from Harry but it had sort of backfired. She wanted to feel out the situation without his influencing nature and his hot body, and those pink lips pecking at her, his deep voice luring her to see it his way. The longer she was away the more she realized that she could barely breathe without him. She was so far gone for the guy that the distance only made her ache. Yes, she got a bit of her creative spark back, but she felt like that was more of an internal issue than it was to do with Harry.

But her nerves weren’t because she was going to see him after over a month. The nerves were because she needed to confront him with her real feelings and find out if he was on the same page. She had to know once and for all what he wanted. And if any of her ideas of where the relationship should head weren’t on Harry’s radar, well, it had to be over. They couldn’t continue like they were. It was perpetual limbo. Purgatory. She loved him and if she were younger with more time to spare she’d enjoy traveling with Harry and just having fun without expectation of where their final destination would land them. But as it was, she wanted to start having babies in the next few years. And if Harry didn’t then she’d need to start over and begin dating around. And that takes time. So she needed to get a move on. Find someone that wanted the same things she did. If that wasn’t Harry.

She had planned for the worst. All the scenarios in her mind led to them breaking up. She couldn’t imagine that Harry would be willing to settle down with her. He had the whole world at his fingertips. And she was just a girl from the Midwest. She really didn’t imagine that they had much more left to pick at. The pages stopped turning. The well had run dry. It was fun while it lasted.

Harry had his driver take him to the airport to pick her up. She told Harry she could just take a taxi but he didn’t want to miss a single moment with her. Wanted to see her the second she arrived in LA. And he was there. Waiting for her just as he said he would.

He scooped her into his arms and felt tears prick at his eyes, “Oh my god. Y/n… I missed you so much.”

She felt her heart swell and lurch with his arms around her and his lips on her forehead. Right in front of everyone in the airport. Photos were snapped and Harry didn’t care. He looked down at her and she noticed his eyes were glossy, “Harry…” she thumbed at his cheek, “Are you okay?”

Harry sniffed and the tip of his nose was red as he nodded, “I am now.”

She’d been to his house before they went away to Europe. They spent two days having sex and just staying in enjoying one another. Those two days were her favorite memories with Harry. Not that she hadn’t absolutely enjoyed everything else they’d done together and where they spent their time but there was something really special about being in his lovely home doing nothing with him and eating some of the best food she’d ever had (a combination of Harry’s cooking, delivery from some of the best restaurants in LA, and leftovers from a fancy catered party that Harry skipped but had requested two large bags full of yummies dropped off for them).

And the moment Harry had her in his house this time around, they were tearing clothes off and making love on his big bed. Harry didn’t bother with the clamps or ties or the belt this time. He just wanted her. Wanted to show her himself and how much he loved her. In fact, he planned on telling her he loved her soon. He needed her to know how he felt.

And the irony of it all was that Y/n was thinking the same thing. She wanted to tell him how she felt. He needed to know the truth and she needed to know where he stood. But they were both hesitating and it didn’t come out quite the way they intended.

“I think we should talk a little, Harry. I’ve had something on my mind for a bit. It’s… kind of important.”

They were both still naked lying on his bed when she blurted it out. Harry felt his stomach drop. He’d been constantly on edge that she was going to break up with him and he didn’t know if his heart could handle it.

So instead of talking he sat up quickly and got off the bed, “Yeah. Yeah. Let’s talk. Um, I need to take a shower first… and then uh… we can talk. Yeah.”

Harry cried in the shower. Preparing himself for the worst. Trying to get his emotions out and let his body soak in the warm water and calming scent of his shampoo. He was a mess. And he assumed it was over.

And to Y/n, him hopping out of bed like that and running off when she said they should talk, that move was his answer. He didn’t want to talk. He didn’t want to hear her truth. He had no intention of being committed or serious with her. He only wanted sex and fun. And that was great, but she was closing in on 30 and it was time to settle down and find love. And it was clear to her now, that Harry didn’t want that. Or at least not in the way she did.

She paced in his bedroom for a bit after dressing herself but when he was still showering, twenty minutes later she went downstairs and paced in his living room. She saw a bouquet of flowers near the front door at the table with a card in it and she automatically plucked the card out to read. It hadn’t occurred to her that she would be reading anything that could upset her. But she was caught off guard by the message.

“Let’s get dinner tonight, H. I miss you endlessly. Love – O”

She flipped the card over and there was nothing on the back except the name of the florist. No date anywhere. She didn’t know when these were delivered or if he’d had dinner with his ex. Her heart sank and her stomach felt heavy.

She slowly made her way back up the stairs and realized the shower was off. Harry was done. She found him standing on his balcony looking out over his garden. He hadn’t even bothered to find her. To see what she wanted to talk about that she said was important. He clearly didn’t care.

He took a 35-minute shower and then went out to chill on his balcony.

She considered just leaving without a word. Just calling an Uber and leaving for good. Getting a hotel room and forgetting about it all.

But now she was pissed.

She opened the balcony door and Harry was startled when he heard her approaching.

She laughed as she shook her head, “Forget I was even here huh?”

Harry scrunched his brows and shook his head but before he could respond she continued, “That’s okay. I get it. You and I aren’t on the same page. You’re having fun and you’re free and getting invited out to dinner with your ex, and-“

“Wait! What? I don’t-“

Y/n put her hand up, “You heard me. It’s okay. We never made any sort of promises or real commitments. Never said we’d wind up married or together in the end. You’re at your best and you deserve fame and fun and freedom. I’m only holding you back.”

Harry put his hands on her shoulders and shook his head, “No. Y/n… this was what I was worried about that you were-”

“That I want a real relationship? I’m almost 30. I can’t be playing around and traveling the world when I don’t know what you even want. And you just made it clear how disinterested in my concerns you really are-“

“Y/n. Please. What are you-“

“Stop. All you do is tell me what I should think and what I should do. You’re too… you pressure me to see things your way and you never listen. So now you listen to me.” She swallowed to gain her composure and looked up at him squarely so he understood how serious she was, “I can see now clearly, you have no interest in making a family with me. In being with me. You’re just having some fun. And that’s okay. But our fun has come to an end. I can’t go on like this anymore. I need to find someone who wants what I want. Someone who isn’t stuck on their ex and someone who will tell the whole world about me and not pretend that I’m just someone you hang out with.”

Harry shifted on his feet. He hadn’t expected this. In all the scenarios he ran in his mind she was breaking up with him and she didn’t want to be with him and he wasn’t worth it. But she was saying she wanted commitment. He smiled and opened his mouth but Y/n scoffed.

“See? You’re not even taking this seriously! Here I am telling you I’m breaking up with you and you���re smiling! You couldn’t give a shit!”

Harry’s smile fell from his face, “No I was… You’re breaking up with me? Y/n please-“

She pushed him off of her and backed away, “Go and enjoy dinner with Olivia or whoever. I’m out of here.”

Harry ran after her, “No! You can’t leave me! Please that’s not what happened. I didn’t even see her. And if you’d just listen-“

Y/n stomped her foot and turned to face the tall man. She pointed her finger at this chest, “I’m done listening. We’re done. You broke my heart.”

Harry shook his head and followed behind Y/n the whole way to the front door, pleading with her to stop so they could talk but she continued to cut him off.

“Stop! You don’t get to push me into making a decision anymore. It’s over.”

She gathered up her bags and shakily pulled her phone out to bring up her Uber app to call for a car. She was thankful all of her bags were still near the front door.

She rushed out of the house and Harry felt like he was going mad. She wouldn’t let him talk and explain and tell her that he wanted what she wanted. Every time his mouth opened she yelled for him to stop. Screamed even. Had he been so insufferable that this was how she reacted to him?

So he watched with tears in his eyes and his heart in his hands as she loaded her things into the Uber and left him standing at his gate.

He didn’t know what he would do. What could he do? He needed to let her cool off and then he’d go to her and have a conversation. He’d make her see that they’d been on the same page all along.

He called Mitch to get advice.

Mitch asked him why he hadn’t called Pat instead but Harry insisted his best friend would give him the best and most brutal advice, while also supporting him and wishing him luck. Which is actually what happened.

“Go and surprise her at the gallery. Do something ridiculously dramatic and then declare your love for her to everyone in the room. Something like that. I don’t know man. I think you two will work it out. You’re so good together. I think she just needed some time, ya know.”

Harry sighed, “Pat’s going to hate that. But I’ve got to do it, though, right? Do something absolutely nuts to get her to listen to me.”

.           .           .

Y/n had the worst, absolutely the most horrible, awful evening. She bawled her eyes out and barely slept. Harry hadn’t even tried reaching out to her. Not that she really wanted that. She half expected it. But it only solidified everything to her. She imagined he probably slept like a baby.

The following day was the exhibit. She was not prepared. Not mentally anyway. Her tears had barely dried by the time she was entering the gallery. She put on a happy face and forced herself to talk and smile. But she only felt the dread of what had happened the day before.

The curator greeted her, bringing a glass of champagne for her to sip, “I’m amazed by your work. I think your collection fits in so nicely here. But you know I’m holding on to all your pieces until one day someone offers me a million each for them,” he laughed and Y/n smiled. She doubted that would ever happen.

The evening should have been amazing. She was meant to have Harry with her and it was supposed to be a big night for her. Something that could potentially change the trajectory of her career. But Y/n wasn’t happy. Her exciting moment was clouded by thoughts of Harry and how she loved him but now it was over.

Through the doorway opposite the entrance was a small bar area. Guests could go get their drinks and then head back into the gallery. But there were a few bar tables and some stools. Y/n had been eyeing it all night. A moment to get away and sit by herself for a while.

The room was darker and quieter, even though it was open to the main gallery. The small high-top tables had four tall, cushioned stools around each. The only person in the bar was the bartender.

“Hi. Can I have a glass of chardonnay?” Y/n leaned into the bar and her eyes settled over the array of colorful bottles lined up behind the young lady who stood at the bar.

The young woman smiled, “Sure. Anything in particular? Would you like to see what I’ve got?”

“Not really. This is going to sound so bad, but just the cheapest one.”

Y/n dug into her small clutch to pull out her phone card and then waited as the young lady poured a glass of Y/n’s cheap glass of wine.

“Your art is excellent. I’m a big fan.” The woman looked over her shoulder as she plumbed the top of the bottle with the cork and placed it back into the small fridge below the counter.

“You know my work?” It was not expected. She didn’t think the bartender would know the artists by their faces alone.

“Yes! Of course. I usually get to know who the artists are that have their pieces here. Yours is outstanding.”

She felt her face get warm from the odd feeling she always got when someone loved her work and recognized her. She still hadn’t gotten used to that feeling yet but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

When she took the glass she thanked the lady for the wine, “And, thank you for the kind words too. That means a lot to me.”

She took a deep breath and sipped her wine in the empty space as she attempted to let her bad mood dissolve. She knew it was impossible to let it go completely. Her wound was so fresh. She’d just gotten her heart broken and that would take some time to grapple with. But she knew she could be okay because she’d dealt with and come through the worst kind of tragic loss anyone can imagine. Losing Robert devastated her. For a very long time. She’d only gotten to a place where she felt she was ready to find love again. And her short time with Harry was nothing in comparison to what she’d suffered. So yeah, she’d been through far worse. She’d be okay.

The music that played in the small space was slow and the tune sounded a lot like an old Foo Fighters song. But it was all instrumental and she couldn’t be sure. She pulled out her cell phone and decided to text her sister. Catch up a bit. Feel something sweet and nostalgic to get her mind off of her sorrows.

She smiled when her sister texted back with a picture of the kids.

She looked up and paused to listen closely to the music playing again. Yeah. It was an instrumental version - definitely Foo Fighters. Everlong. That was the song! She snapped her fingers and smiled again as he looked back at the picture of her nieces.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Y/n. This is for you.” The bartender laid an envelope down on the table. It had her name written on it.

This felt very reminiscent of-

She looked around the room and out into the gallery, where people fitted in lovely outfits and amazing hairstyles milled about, in search of the one person that might have had something to do with this.

She looked back down at the envelope and toward the young lady who had already gone back behind the bar, “Who gave this to you?” She was hesitant to open it.

“Ms. Adams. The gallery’s director. She said it was from a very special guest.”

A very special guest.

She wasted no more time in ripping the top of the envelope open knowing already who it was from.

She braced herself for what she might read on the folded paper inside. Her heart walloped in her chest and she felt her throat go dry as she carefully pulled the paper out and unfolded it.

I’m sorry for the way things happened yesterday. I wanted to tell you so much more. I need you in my life, Y/n. Take a drink in the director’s office with me? Please? - H

She swallowed thickly and placed the paper down on the lacquered wood. The words stared up at her. Very reminiscent of that night. Their first night together.

She decided to take a moment. Finish her glass of wine and find her resolve. She’d see him. Because of course, she would. She’d fallen for the guy and perhaps closure would be good. For both of them. She tried not to get her hopes up.

But even with the idea that she wouldn’t get her hopes up, from the very base of her spine, small bursts of hope began spreading over her back, warming her up and causing the edge of her lip to flick upward the tiniest bit.

She had to stop. She couldn’t allow the butterflies and the warmth to cover her chest. This wasn’t an olive branch. This wasn’t hope. But that was what her body was feeling, the way it reacted after reading his words.

Stop.

She read the note again and the right side of her mouth quirked but she stifled the smile that tried breaking out over her features.

“Uh, hi!” She scooted off her stool and waved at the bartender, “Do you know where the director’s office is by chance?” The young woman smiled, “Follow me, Ms. Y/n.”

Y/n followed behind the young woman to a doorway at the far end of the room and into a hallway. Framed prints were hung along the wall and the floor was dark wood while the walls were a light cream. A few doors were passed, the bathrooms, a numbered room, until finally, they reached the director’s office.

The woman knocked before turning the knob to open the door and stood back, “Here you are.” She gestured at the open door.

“Thank you.” Y/n wavered in her movements wondering if this was the right thing. Should she entertain this idea? Of course, she was going to entertain this idea, but part of her wanted to keep her tough exterior and remain firm in her decision.

Slowly pushing the door further open, she stepped into the threshold and was met with a quaint office-sized room. The same dark wood floors sprawled below her feet, but the very first thing her eyes landed on was that of Harry holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a soft smile.  

She closed the door behind her and stepped in a couple of feet. He was in a well-fitted navy suit and he looked tired. But he was handsome.

The thought quickly hit her. How did he get in here? Who let him use the director’s office? But then, as he ran his ringed fingers through his hair and she saw remnants of chipped nail polish she was reminded of who he was. Not just her lover or her ex. But he was Harry. Everyone knew him or knew of him. Of course, he was allowed in the director’s office.

“Hi, Y/n,” Harry spoke reticently as he held out the bouquet to her.

He wasn’t sure she’d come to him or that she’d want to even talk to him. And he thought about making a grand gesture. Take over the audio system and declare his love publicly before everyone as he walked out into the crowd toward her. Make a scene. Make her listen. Have everyone rooting for them. Rooting for him.

But that wasn’t right. That would have been too pushy. Not fair. This night was about her. If he’d gone about it the way he wanted it would have had all eyes on him.

He knew, though, that he needed to be here with her. To tell her how he really felt and what he wanted and then if she still wanted that with him, still wanted to be with him, they could end the night the way it was meant to be ended. Together.

“Hi, Harry,” Y/n spoke softly, keeping her eyes on his eyes as she took the lovely bouquet full of pink peonies and soft cream roses.

Harry gestured toward the brown Midcentury style couch, “Will you sit with me? I won’t take up much of your time if you don’t want. I just wanted to say some things.”

The couch was large enough for just two people. Harry was glad she had to sit so close to him. He wanted to eat her up she looked so pretty and so sweet. And just the fact that she’d come to him to entertain a conversation had him soaring.

Placing the bouquet down on the glass coffee table, Y/n noticed the bottle of wine and two glasses as he pointed, “Would you like a glass?”

Nodding her head, Harry pulled the cork out and poured her a bit of the red wine. She felt like she should say no just for the fact that she’d only just finished a glass of white wine and surely it would make the red wine taste odd. But ultimately she figured she could use another glass of wine.

“Yesterday I was working up the courage to tell you how I want to be with you for good,” Harry said as he leaned his back into the cushion behind him with his own glass of wine, “Wanted to tell you how serious I am about you. But I thought you were planning on breaking up with me so I needed a minute to figure out how I was going to convince you to stay.”

Y/n’s eyes bounced over his features as she cinched her brows inward. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Had he wanted the same thing she did the whole time?

“And I’m so sorry that it seemed to you like I was putting off a serious conversation with you. That’s my fault. I should have stayed there with you in bed and listened to you right off. Even if it meant potentially having you break up with me,” he licked his lips and sighed, “Instead, I did what I normally do and tried and figure out a way to make something work in my favor. So I paused that moment hoping you’d change your mind, or that I could come up with something. Prolonging it for the sake of just holding on to you a little longer.

“It’s because I’m selfish and I like to control the narrative. But that’s never been fair to you. So, I understand if my apology is no good anymore. I just felt like maybe I can tell you what was really happening in my head yesterday. Because that part, you did have wrong.”

Y/n blinked her eyes and nodded, “Well, then… I guess I’m sorry too. Because it sounds like I might have jumped to conclusions. I just didn’t think you’d want something serious. Long term. But there’s more to it than just that you know?”

Harry frowned and shook his head, “What do you mean?”

Y/n could see how timid Harry had been since the moment she walked into the room with him. She felt the need to help assuage him so she turned her body toward his and pulled his hands into hers before speaking, “I mean that I’m getting older and I think it’s time for me to really settle down. For good. I mean…” she breathed out a nervous laugh, “like, babies, marriage… death. All that. That’s what I mean.”

Harry nodded and raised his brows, “Yeah?”

Y/n grinned as Harry’s thumbs ran along the sides of her hands. The corner of his mouth pulled upward. She could see his swagger return in almost an instant. His eye contact was solid and his dimples carved into his cheeks.

“Well, yeah,” she started to feel flustered by his proximity, the way she could see his pupils roaming over her face and watching her mouth, “I’m not saying we need to get married but like,” she swallowed, “I’d like for us to be serious enough to know that we’d be headed that direction if things are good. And I know you’re super famous and that’s why yesterday I just…”

“I want to be with you. I want it all with you.” Harry bowed his head, finally breaking eye contact and his hands tightened around hers, “I thought you were done with me. I thought you were going to break up with me and that I wasn’t going to be worth all the trouble for you. Because I know this is a lot.”

“No. I just thought you wouldn’t want what I wanted and the way you reacted to me telling you I wanted to talk and how you didn’t come to find me after you were done showering… I felt like you were trying to figure out the best way to break it to me- either that or you were trying to avoid me. I just… Thought the worst.”

She couldn’t have described the way her insides were pulsing and expanding and churning. She’d spent the better half of the day reeling over losing him. Over knowing she might not get to look into his eyes in this way again. Might not see the small freckles on his face again and the way he blushed despite being so sure of himself. But here she was sitting with Harry and in under three minutes everything had changed. If she had just listened yesterday. If he had just listened.

“But so did I. That’s why we’re in this mess. I thought you were breaking up with me and so my behavior made you think the worst.”

Y/n smiled and allowed herself to indulge in his eyes and in the grin he was holding back and the way his fingers felt on hers… Was she just dreaming? Was she just about to wake up and realize it had all been a dream?

“Is it okay if I… ?” He pulled at her gently and slowly wrapped his arms around her and she smelled his familiar cologne. She loved how this felt. Hugging him. Feeling his solid body against hers. She eased into his hold and wrapped her own arms around him.

Harry whispered into her ear, “I should have told you everything yesterday. Let you talk and then we wouldn’t have gotten in this mess. It’s me and you, Y/n. Okay? Me and you. That’s what I want.”

Tears of relief and elated joy broke from her waterline and Harry pulled her in tighter, kissing her temple, “I thought you were done with me. I thought you wanted to break up with me,” the anguish in his voice was not missed. He’d been hurting too.

Harry brushed his palm up and down on her back slowly and pressed his lips to the top of her head, “God I was so worried this was it for us. Fuck. I’m not letting you leave me again like you did. I can’t be away from you like that, Y/n.”

Pulling her head back to look up at him she did see the glisten in his eyes from the start of tears. She knew hers matched. It all felt like a dream. But just in case it was real she needed to speak the words. Sliding her hands upward and cupping his face she was nearly trembling from relief and excitement, “I love you, Harry.”

Harry closed his eyes and pressed his forehead into hers, clutching her lovely dress tightly, “God, I love you, Y/n.”

.           .           .

Stepping into the gallery with all the other people in the room and having Harry by her side felt surreal. Everyone was watching them. She was okay to share this night with him. There was no way around it that people wouldn’t be interested in her because of her boyfriend. She figured that would be something she’d just have to get used to.

Harry squeezed her hand tight and she looked up at him. He looked proud. So important with a big, pleased smile on his lips as he looked down at her.

“You realize you’re coming back home with me after this. Right? And I’m never letting you leave me again.”

Harry had grown a lot as an individual. He still had moments where he could be pushy and use his charm to get the things he wanted, but he figured some things just couldn’t be totally trained out of him. He allowed Y/n to make her own choices. He gave her space when she needed but she came back to him in the end. He wanted her to be his and everything they’d done that had gotten them to where they were currently had worked out. So Harry had no regrets about coming to her on this night.

“Of course, I’m coming home with you. I’d be offended if you assumed otherwise,” she smirked happily. “And I wouldn’t dream of leaving you again.”

Harry couldn’t wait to get her home and make love to her. Seal it all together in finality. He knew that tonight was just the beginning for them.

And as if they could both read one another’s minds they smiled and paused together in time. Everything had finally come together for them. At last.

A/N: This is the last part of this series! Would love your feedback!

Feedback/Thoughts | Support Me! | Main Masterlist

Tags: @daphnesutton @indierockgirrl @stylesfever @harrys-jumper @ameerakane20 @harryssky1 @tobesolovelysstuff @jerseygirlinca @harrys-flower @onlyangellucifer @cherryluvhobi @michellekstyles @golden-hoax @a-strange-familiar @yousunshineyoutempter @tenaciousperfectionunknown @swiftmendeshoran @luvonstyles @tiaamberxx @lukesaprince @dirtytissuebox @closureesny @lhharrylilpumpkin @justlemmeadoreyou @harrysmimi @harrys-foxy @itsgigikay @angelbabyyy99 @lllukulele @lanadelharry @novasblogofstuff @gills-lounge @damnasstyles @malwtilda @walkingintheheartbreaksatellite @0oolookitsme @babybunharry @anothermannharry @love-letters-to-uranus @itjustkindahappenedreally @kelly-fushiguro345

[luniviravosshipper]

This is so interesting to learn about, because I’ve always speculated that the nova blade was made from the tooth of a Star Devourer dragon.

I honestly only really came up with this assumption because I couldn’t think of what else it would be made of to be able to kill a Startouch elf. At least, kill the mortal being of a Startouch elf.

But this would explain better why the nova blade seems to be the only thing that they would be able to use as a mostly viable weapon against him, even though it wouldn’t lead to his definite death.

And maybe… this all somehow connects back to Laurelion?

Either going with the popular theory that Laurelion was Aaravos before he might have been killed by the nova blade… or maybe some sort of dragon’s bite…

Or, the theory I’ve come up with just now that the reason this blade managed to be forged in the first place was because of something Aaravos did to the Star Archdragon that we don’t currently know much about or even know whether or not existed.

I mean, given his rage against the cosmic council for what they did to Leola… He might have done something to retaliate against them very early on.

I hear a lot of people ask why the council never did anything to acknowledge Aaravos’s actions, but what if they did? And Aaravos found a way to defend himself against the ammunition they sent his way in reaction to what he was doing. And that’s why they’re no longer as involved in the world events of Xadia.

And perhaps, being what I’d assume to be the first Startouch elf that was killed… Laurelion somehow got involved in all of this? Whoever or whatever he may be?

But anyways, I’m not so sure how well that theory holds up because im providing, like, zero evidence to back it up. I’m just kind of throwing it out there.

Also, this makes me think back to something Rayla said in episode 4 of season 6. (I can’t screenshot it right now, so I’ll just quote what she said.)

“That’s why the archdragons didn’t destroy Aaravos. The only way to stop him for good was to imprison him.”

The archdragons could have caused harm to Aaravos if they wished to, but any harm that they would have caused wouldn’t have been permeant and might have even provoked Aaravos to grow more infuriated with the dragons.

So, I think that would ultimately explain how the nova blade could possibly be a tooth of a dragon. Because it would have been the one thing that could have stopped him, and, as I’ve already pointed out, would have to align with the information that Aaravos has now shared with us that the only thing that could stop him is a archdragon’s bite. But, with the use of the blade, they also had to find out along the way that it was still not enough to harm him. Because at the end of the day, Aaravos is still immortal.

[biomic]

Hi! I see a lot of screenshots and such from your blog for things like (I believe) Kamen Rider(?) I might be wrong please forgive me if so. I have always had a sort of vague interest in sentai media but never knew good hopping on points, do you have any personal recommendations for where an absolute beginner might jump in to watch shows like that?

if you're interested in tokusatsu, you can really start anywhere that looks cool or interesting to you! most seasons, aside from some anniversaries and the very rare sequel show, are pretty self-contained for the most part. diehard fans will make a big deal out of "good and bad starting points" but the truth is every show has been someone's first and hooked them on the genre, even the "bad" seasons (the poor quality of which is often exaggerated by fandom anyway) or the experimental entries not indicative of the wider franchise they're part of

but! if you want some real beginner friendly, you'll-probably-have-fun-with-this toku, my go-to recs for The Big Three™:

if you want to follow a team of heroes grow together as they fight evil in increasingly silly scenarios, super sentai's probably the series for you (and my favorite ^_^)

watch kiramager if you want a straightforward throwback to classic sentai. it's a back-to-basics season that gives you a good baseline of what sentai as a whole can be, while elevated enough by its stellar cast and infectious energy so as to never feel generic

shinkenger takes a more dramatic approach to the usual sentai formula, following a team of samurai recruited to serve under a lord who isn't telling them everything he knows. an incredibly stylish show that's almost sure to leave an impression

kamen rider began as a tragic hero, kidnapped by the villainous organization shocker and turned into a cyborg against his will, ultimately escaping and using his newfound abilities to put an end to their evil. since the original story, kamen rider has gone through a whole host of various different tones and storylines, arguably becoming the most versatile of the big franchises, though certain elements remain consistent like the near ever-present bug motif or our heroes using powers derived from evil for the sake of good

created in the wake of the 2011 tohoku earthquake disaster, kamen rider fourze was made with the goal to make children smile again, and that desire led to something really special. arguably The Power of Friendship™ show to end all others, and while its upbeat tone might not exactly be in line with Classic Kamen Rider™, it stands as a great entry point thanks to the passion behind it and its clear love for the genre

probably best experienced as blind as possible, kamen rider build is a rollercoaster of a series full of high stakes, mystery, intrigue, and Heated Drama Between Men™. if you want something more serialized that'll keep you on the edge of your seat throughout, build's one of the very best

i also wanna mention kamen rider gotchard, the currently airing series! we're only 8 episodes in at the time of this post, so you could catch up quick while still going through the backlog. very much a back-to-basics season, introducing pokemon-style creatures for our protagonists to catch in addition to the usual superheroics. it's been pretty cute so far :)

ultraman is a sci-fi series that typically follows a defense team created to defend the earth from aliens and kaiju, aided by the giant of light, ultraman. as opposed to the other two franchises where there's often a serial plot to follow and a centralized villain faction, ultra typically thrives with telling standalone sci-fi stories, usually aligning with a show's overarching theme and often compared to shows like star trek or the twilight zone, though recent seasons have been more willing to switch up the format

ultraman x is for anyone who's ever asked, "but... what if we could be friends with godzilla?" young XiO scientist daichi becomes bonded with the alien ultraman x and work together to protect the earth and fight for a future where humans, aliens, and kaiju can coexist. to me this is like, the platonic ideal of what ultraman is, and a perfect starting point because of it. also features several crossover episodes with past ultra seasons throughout the show, but it's all still very new-viewer friendly and could even entice you to check out some of those shows yourself!

ultraman orb, the 50th anniversary of the series, changes course by making the defense team a background component in favor of following amateur investigators and the mysterious, lone wanderer who's suddenly entered their lives (hint: he's ultraman). another iconic entry in the Heated Drama Between Men Cinematic Universe and a nice balance between ultra's classic status quo and a more modern ongoing narrative

i'd also be remiss not to mention the currently airing ultraman blazar, which i unfortunately have not been able to keep up with due to outside circumstances but have heard NOTHING but glowing praise for. it's simulcast on youtube every week with english subtitles AND an optional english dub!

pretty much all of these can be snagged over at nyaa(.)si, and x and orb can be watched legally over on tubitv(.)com!

[respectthepetty]

Hi Petty! I just started City of Stars today and I have questions. I'm guessing that Krom is a purple boy...well Lilac or lavender but I'm not sure what that means? Also what is Fueang's color? Brown? Gray? Black? Help me out here please?

Paging "Daddy" to the dance floor. "Daddy" we need you on the dance floor.

@negrowhat, the answer you seek comes from @dribs-and-drabbles

She noticed there was a lot of "purple (lilac-aubergine hues) and green (mint-jade-olive hues)".

But she thought Fueang was purple.

And Krom was green.

But I thought the boys were a black and white (dark x light) dynamic.

Since I thought the other couple was also a black and white dynamic.

But things took a turn quickly because in the very first episode, the boys wore these striped shirts, which although play into the dark x light dynamic, would mean it was like a color exchange, but that was too soon for such a thing. Then, Daddy hit me with her theory.

But I still thought Kor was a Blue Boy, and I felt even stronger after he ran into his ex in episode four, and she was in blue too since they obviously still loved each other.

Then both messed up that theory when they both wore black in episode seven, and a theory HIT me.

What if Krom and Fueang are aligning their colors?

Krom doesn't get to be himself all the time because of work so normally, he wears black for work or whatever clothes they make him wear, but he had stripes when Krom had stripes on his day off, and he kinda matches Krom when he wears regular clothes.

Like how Fueang has on the red shirt with the white stripe and Krom has on the white sweater with the red shirt underneath.

Or how Fueang has on the black shirt.

And Krom has the orange top over the black shirt.

But even the lighting makes Fueang's shirt seem a bit orange/gold too, no? No. Nevermind. I'll try another example.

This might work.

But only if we noticed the little designs on Fueang's shirt are purple and blue.

But they are definitely wearing different shades of grey here!

And different shades of blue here!

But they spend all of episode four out-of-sync because Krom doesn't think Fueang actually likes him and is just a player. Then, they reset with the black and white dynamic in episode five.

So by the end of that episode, they are in sync again.

And we see it multiple ways in episode six.

So even when they kinda of miss, they still work well together.

And they still balance each other out.

Because they communicate.

Even when it involves singing.

And they match the most after their best communication through body language and actual verbal language.

Even when they had a rough day in episode seven with Fueang's mom, trying to figure out how to navigate the severity of their feelings, and balancing their relationship with Fueang's job, they still had the light and dark dynamic from top to bottom.

And they ended on the same page.

So is my Wild Ass Color Theory something to consider?

I don't know

But do you wanna throw your color theory out on the dance floor and boogie with me and Daddy?

[deadweight-at7am]

I really love some of these videos and responses I keep seeing from people online (mainly Tiktok) who are trying to explain away "what happened" in this election result. They keep saying "Trump spoke to the working class better than Democrats". And I keep saying "literally, HOW?" You keep saying that, and what I think you're trying to say is that the working class is full of stupid fucking morons. I am working class. I don't agree.

He didn't speak to me at all. He said nothing of substance. He espoused violent and hateful rhetoric. He gave us no concrete economic plans except for ones that clearly aren't going to be good. He incited a insurrection and refused to accept defeat in 2020. He stole secret documents from the White House. He wants to do things that will add to the debt. He "explained their concerns better" is so useless. If he LIES, what point is there in saying he spoke to them "better". We all know he won't do any of the shit he promised. And define "better", for the love of GOD.

What they're all failing to admit here is that the voter is to blame. The people who voted for him are squarely to blame. No amount of trying, explaining, writing articles, making pie charts, yelling, screeching, etc would have worked. How do I know that? Because, DUMMY, if you need someone to hold your hand and say in a baby voice "PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR THE RAPIST AND FELON" you are a lost fucking cause. I didn't need anyone to hold MY hand and say that. So, why are you excusing the millions of people who apparently do? It's OUR collective fault they have IQs of 70? You need someone to explain to you in the simplest terms possible that the big orange man who paid off a porn star and lied about it is NOT going to follow through on his promises?

No. You're. At. Fault. And. I'm. Not. Taking. Responsibility.

"They voted for him because of the economy". So what you're saying is that the economy, which sucks because of corporate greed (amongst other things) is going to be changed for the better by the guy who has concepts of a plan. RIGHT. We all watched the same fucking debate. We watched him have zero answers.

Yeah, yeah, totally. That makes sense.

Edited to add: I'm currently in a FB argument with some random chud who is trying to tell me that Trump is not a fascist and that progressives more closely aligns with fascism... he's citing Mussolini (the literal fascist superhero) as examples. Like, no you literal fucking moron, Mussolini wasn't a socialist when he rose to power. OBVIOUSLY. He was a fascists and he formed the fascist party. Fascism and socialism is not the same thing. He keeps arguing with me that I don't know what fascism is and he's just actually wrong. So, I had to screenshot Wikipedia for him. This is his voter base. No ability to go and read for themselves. NONE.

[twstgameplay]

Twst Brag here

I FINALLY got not only my SECOND ever SSS Score ever but my THIRD too alongside my first EVER Double SSS Score!!!!!!! I’m actually SO ecstatic!!!!!

Water Basic Test Team Stats:

B-Day Epel: 10/10 Magic; 10/10/10 Buddies,

Dorm Vil: 10/10 Magic; 10/10/10 Buddies

Dorm Leona: 10/10 Magic; 1/10/10 Buddies

Dorm Jack: 10/10 Magic; 10/10/7 Buddies

Dorm Ruggie: 10/10 Magic; 10/10/3 Buddies

I think every resource spent into Buddy and Magic Levels was all PERFECTLY allocated here and after a lucky run of RNG, I FINALLY secured myself the second SSS Score I had ever gotten! I only got Dorm Leona VERY recently, on my Anni Rolls and I count myself SO blessed to have finally gotten him to complete the Water Test Trifecta of him, Dorm Vil and B-Day Epel. I remember how, almost deliberately, RNG NEVER aligned Epel and Leona’s M1 for the earlier turns and by time Turn 4 came, it was already too late to utilise those two together, if I HADN’T already used their Magic 1’s already, on different turns altogether. But compared to Fire Defense below, I got my SSS Score much sooner and easier.

Fire Defense Test Team Stats:

Dorm Azul: 9/5 Magic; 10/10/8 Buddies

B-Day Vil: 10/10 Magic; 10/10/6 Buddies

Dorm Epel: 10/10 Magic; 10/10/10 Buddies

Union Jack: 10/10 Magic; 8/10/1 Buddies

First: yes, yes, I know, max out Dorm Azul, I get the gist don’t worry 🫠

Now this one was FAR more tricky and a lot of moments stuck with me, in all of the runs I had experienced; not landing the debuffs evenly, tanking a strong attack with the wrong character at the wrong time and sometimes not even being able to finish the opponents on Turn 5, Move 1. Ironically enough though, I rarely, if EVER in fact got cursed, thus ruining the run entirely. My miraculous scoring of an SSS Score, funnily enough, happened when I actually was giving up and decided to stop using Single Points to remake the Test, instead spending all I had left in one go, which gave me the PERFECT RNG allowing for the PERFECT run.

Some thoughts I had only recently begun having; it only occurred to me after the fact that Ruggie’s HP Bonus for Azul might make runs for such a Test vastly easier and more manageable, but I digress—the real stars here I think were unironically B-Day Vil and Union Jack; Jack, whom I had SKIPPED at first, in spite of being my fav, due to the fact that, at the time, I was experiencing an overflow (heh) of Water centric SSRs, only later realising how, with his elements, debuffs and buddies, he would PERFECTLY slot into this team. My lack of having him, was thankfully corrected as of his last B-Day Run :)) As for B-Day Vil—although an Attack SSR, he slots VERY well into this comp, by virtue of picking up the slack in terms of damage, AS WELL as how his unique damage reduction buff, combined with damage debuffs against enemies allows him to make even the STRONGEST of double strikes only deal about 4k, at most, even neutrally! He puts in QUITE the work and I’m VERY happy with having raised him.

Overall, I’m honestly just so happy I can finally have a claim, for not only getting my second and third SSS Score but ALSO getting a Double SSS Score 😭😭😭 That screenshot will stay in my Gallery FOREVER. Anyway, thank you for reading!!! ——— Congratulations on your SSS scores! Exams are full of RNG and sometimes you just need the perfect exam set up to allow you to break the SSS wall.

~ 👑

[trippinsorrows]

Did reader consider he wouldn't stay faithful back when she was thinking of getting back together? Or even now? 👀

I feel like I'm stirring shit up between them 😫 but I'm 100% NOT suggesting anything, just curious 🤣 we trust this fine man.

interestingly enough, i'd say no! i know there's that age old 'you lose em' the way you got em' but for reader, that was never really something she thought too much about. reader is also very much aware that if a man wants to cheat, he will do so, and she's not pressed on forcing anything. she also hugely trusted joe even back then, definitely now, but then too. he was like her best friend and lover.

her primary issue with struggling to figure out if she wanted to get back with him or not was largely due to believing he was still married. with callie now her number one priority, she was super hesitant to open that door cause now it's not just her, but their child too.

there's also a character we haven't met yet that will be making an appearance soon whose info, i think, will clear up a lot for ya'll.

she was also super protective of her heart. i'm gonna include a screenshot of a draft scene i was working on but eventually cut because it didn't 100% align with the plot/direction i ended up taking this story. mostly because it would require things to be fleshed out much more than i have the time for these days. lol but even in being cut, it still touches on some things that are true.

lol! as far as stirring things up, not at all! these are valid questions, and to be fair, i go back and forth between adding some additional layers (maybe conflict?) in their actual relationship with one another. because no relationship is perfect, but i also recognize i'm a glutton for angst and don't want ya'll coming after me because they've already had their fair share of drama in regards to their family unit. 😫

but yes, i can say without a doubt, he only has eyes for reader and reader only.

callie may be the galaxy, but reader is the sun, moon, and stars.

[redheadbigshoes]

https://www.tumblr.com/queeranarchism/720463818315218944/and-lets-be-direct-about-this-this-isnt-just?source=share

Why are so many people agreeing with this??? Like, it's one thing if the person who posted the thing they screenshotted said something else that signaled they didn't just mean men and masculine-aligned identities, but everyone who reblogged it is just defending people like bi/pan lesbians and also not really showing if the original poster actually said something bad? Am I just missing something??

People really mistake gold star shit with what they’re saying about women not being pure if they’ve slept with men.

Because people don’t understand that gold star lesbian is about thinking a lesbian who’s never slept with men is better or more lesbian than the ones who did. But this is about invalidating lesbians who had relationships with men before they figured out their identity. Someone who identifies as a lesbian and sleeps with men while actually enjoying it, that person isn’t a lesbian.

Idk why people have such a hard time identifying as bisexual or the other terms that are actually in the multisexual spectrum. “Are you going to tell me a lesbian is less valid if they’re attracted to x?” Babe if a “lesbian” is attracted to men (cis/trans men) that’s called bisexual lol, words have meanings.

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #90: March 10th - 16th

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from March 10 - March 16, 2024. Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing! 

Challenges/Prompts:

Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote or know of one we’re missing? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

@thefinestmuffin and @JessBakesCakes are hosting the 3rd Annual Josh/Donna Rom-Com Fest. The fest revealed on February 14, but prompts and claims are still open and fics can still be added to the collection. Details here.

This Week in Canon:

Welcome back to This Week in Canon, where we revisit moments in The West Wing that occurred on these dates during the show’s run.

Season 2, Episode 17: The Stackhouse Filibuster aired on March 14, 2001.

Season 6, Episode 19: Ninety Miles Away aired on March 16, 2005.

Season 7, Episode 13: The Cold aired on March 12, 2006.

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from March 10 – March 16:

Dule Hill posted a video in support of fundraising for Private School Axis in LA. 

Dule Hill posted photos of himself and his family getting ready for and attending the NAACP Image Awards. 

Marlee Matlin posted photos from her daughter’s baby shower. 

Mary McCormack posted family photos in memory of her mother, who has passed away.

Peter James Smith posted a screenshot of his recent audition self-tapes. 

Rob Lowe posted photos from Oscars night. 

Rob Lowe posted a photo of himself and his sons next to a Lowe motorboat. 

Donna Moss Daily: March 10 | March 11 | March 12 | March 13 | March 14 | March 15 | March 16

Daily Josh Lyman: March 10 | March 11 | March 12 | March 13 | March 14 | March 15 | March 16

No Context BWhit: March 10 | March 12 | March 14 | March 15 | March 16

@twwarchive: March 10 | March 11 | March 12 | March 13 | March 14 | March 15 | March 16

@janneyupdates: March 13 | March 14 | March 14 (2)

Editors’ Choice: 

In honor of the anniversary of the premiere of 7.13 “The Cold”, have some of our favorite fics centered around or involving that episode! Be sure to share some of your favorites, too.

i’m all for you (body and soul) by hanyolo | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Josh sits back with a dejected sigh, can’t help but think that maybe this is just one of those things, yet another reminder from the universe that he and Donna aren’t meant to happen. But it doesn’t feel like that anymore. Not after this morning, not after the terrible year he spent without her. No, it feels like maybe the stars are finally aligning, like this might be their last chance, so he jumps to his feet, all but pushing Bram aside as he sidesteps the table and jogs the length of the terrace. “Josh, what —“ Ronna starts to ask him, but he ignores her, can feel both her and Bram watching him with a burning curiosity as he tries to stop her before it’s too late. // me watching the cold: i can fix that your heart on my mind by hufflepuffhermione | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | It's as if looking at her can trigger a memory, and any facts he’s supposed to be using to corral donors slip his mind when he looks at her and feels her lips on his again. I feel terrible, he had told her, but he might have been lying, because even some of the best polls he’s seen over the course of this brutal campaign don’t make him feel as good, as warm, as the memory of that morning last week. Josh can't stop thinking about the first time he and Donna kissed. the other side of the door by sam_writes_fics | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Donna wanders out of the bathroom, baffled by how late it is for the hundredth night in a row, and she drapes her coat over a chair before moving to plug in her cell phone. The blinking light catches her attention, and she flips it open. One missed call. From Josh. Perfect. // post-ep for 7x13: The Cold With One Hello, I’ll Never Be the Same by JessBakesCakes | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | “Hi.” “Hi.” It's all he can say at the moment - they've always been able to say so much with just one word, and this moment is no different. Or: Josh and Donna and how 'hi' means so much more than 'hello'. cause you know that it’s delicate by pumpkinpatch95 | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | "It was new, the two of them eating lunch together." 5 times Josh and Donna snuck in dates, starting when she joined the Santos campaign. 5 times they got caught.

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own. 

Josh/Donna

Somebody Loved by JessBakesCakes | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

Self-Evaluation by Telperien | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Abbey/Jed

The First Lady by unseenacademic | Rated T | | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In Progress

We had a deal by Labda | Not Rated | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In Progress

Other Pairings/Gen Fic

it started off with a kiss... now it ended up like this by imawkwardlysoc | Rated G | Sam Seaborn/Original Female Character | Complete

An Intriguing Variable by silasfinch for justdreaming88 | Rated T | Ellie Bartlet/Original Female Character(s) | In Progress

Multiple Pairings

Children of the Apocalypse by murph283031 | Rated T | Leo McGarry/Annabeth Schott, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Mallory O'Brien/Sam Seaborn, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In Progress

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

[internetjulian]

Andor’s prop design, and what it means to “feel like Star Wars” (scroll for pictures!)

I got this comment and wanted to paste my response here because I think it’s a fun thing to think about!

Also!! Keep scrolling for a bunch of screenshots of my favorite props and designs from Andor, along with some surface-level analysis of each picture :)

Here’s the comment:

And here’s my response:

Thanks for bringing these things up because I think there's a lot to think about here!

It's interesting to me to consider where we draw the line when it comes to these things. Star Wars has always had technically impossible anachronisms -- time measured in Earth years, idioms that shouldn't yet exist, etc. I'm not necessarily arguing with you, because in the end this varies person-to-person. I just find it fascinating to think about what is immersion-breaking for some people and what isn't. Why might it be reasonable that they would invent the wheel before us, but not the light bulb, or a container for noodles? To me, the show strikes a good balance between the familiar and the fantastical.

The noodles, for example, take something familiar and modify it slightly to align with the Star Wars sci-fi look. Similarly to blue milk, which is just milk but blue, these are blue noodles, which are just noodles but blue! Even the cup that holds them is different: a unique pentagonal shape with metal screws keeping it together, as opposed to the four-sided box with a handle that we're used to. The show does the same with many of its props, from headphones to neckties. All similar, but different. Occasionally flirting with aspects of our own world without (in my opinion) crossing the line makes the show feel more authentic to me.

I think another thing to consider is that this show, moreso than any other live action Star Wars media before it, places a sizeable emphasis on mundane props and everyday objects: how they feel, how they sound, how they look up close. There's a great video essay by Thomas Flight that I recommend called "Why Andor Feels So Real" that gets into this a bit. I think that a byproduct of this show's fixation on the mundane is that we, the audience, scrutinize these props more heavily, leading to a break in immersion for some people that might not have occurred were these props in the background instead of the foreground. For me, it's a worthy tradeoff; I prefer the grounded worldbuilding and appreciate the detail in the props.

Finally, I encourage finishing the season if you haven't! There's a minor alien character in the first episode that I found charming, and there are some great alien designs later in the season. I agree that aliens aren't a priority in this series and that there's less of them than usual, but they're definitely in the show, and not just in the background! I suspect that the people behind the show are more interested in the intricacies of human performance than they are in the spectacle of animatronics and puppets, but there are still some very creative and convincing creature effects in Andor. Still, it's a very human-centric story, which I don't mind since I love this cast, and we've had human-centric Star Wars stories in the past. This also takes place during a time that the Galaxy is under a human-supremacist dictatorship. I predict that there will be more non-human characters in the second season as we see the rebellion form into something more structured and unified, but this is just speculation.

To me, the show absolutely feels like Star Wars, for reasons I mention in the video, but I don't disagree that the show has left some people feeling differently. Personally, I'd rather have an uncompromising vision than something that attempts to satisfy everyone, and the great thing about Star Wars is that there's room for many different types of stories, and I think this show especially opens the door for that aspect of this universe to really flourish.

And just for fun, here are some pictures of some of my favorite props and creature effects from the show (spoilers ahead):

To me, these little guys are instantly iconic, and I love the way they're introduced. Potty humor? In my serious prestige TV show? It's more likely than you think!

I could post a million fascinating details about Ferrix but the glove wall immediately comes to mind as really impressive worldbuilding. Work gloves are something we've seen in real life, but the way they're all out in the open here demonstrates how tightly-knit this community is. Everybody trusts each other, and everybody knows the routine.

Vetch is a wonderful gentle giant and I hope we see more of him in Season 2. I like the way the show depicts subtle bigotry towards non-humans in the Star Wars universe: Vetch is here because he's a big alien dude, and you can read Nurchi as seeing him as not much more than that. Cassian, on the other hand, seems to understand Vetch's nature better. It makes for a fun dynamic, and a subversion of what we're used to from this type of scene.

Blue noodles! They're blue!! Also, I love the headphones, which fit the retro-futurism of Star Wars very well.

Space coffee mug! It's an interesting shape in that it curves outward near the bottom. The handle is also very high. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but just enough about it is different to make it feel slightly alien.

The way Maarva looks at Cassian's old Kenari weapon to me evokes Obi-Wan looking at Anakin's old lightsaber in A New Hope. The hilt even looks vaguely lightsaber-ish. There are a lot of complicated emotions here.

I really like the look of the communicators the corpos use. Feels very much in line with the production design of A New Hope.

Space razor and space mirror. Love it

These clothes-hangers look very interesting. The way this whole setup fits into Luthen's ship adds to its custom feel -- this thing is decked out. It's a 007 spy car, but in space.

Stims like this have been a thing in Star Wars for a while -- Jedi Fallen Order comes to mind -- but in Andor they're tangible and intimidating. These aren't video game items, they're medical tools. This moment in ep4 where Cinta uses it on Cassian foreshadows the ending of episode 6, when it's used on Nemik to give him his final boost of adrenaline so that he's able save everyone: "Climb!"

The usual Star Wars prop fanservice is recontextualized in Andor as rich people shit. Rich people love to collect shit from cultures they think they care about, and this serves as both a perfect cover for Luthen and a playful jab at easter egg fans.

Space iPad. Love all the little details here, and how it's futuristic yet still feels slightly clunky and analog. The gold and white color scheme has a certain elegance to it, emphasizing that this is a luxury item meant to appeal to the upper class. The ISB use a similar prop with different coloring.

Weird food! You can also see the cereal container in the background.

Space cereal :)

It comes out of this interesting, plastic-looking container. I wonder if the cereal comes packaged in it, or if Eedy stores the cereal in it. I'm assuming the latter; she seems like she would be very organized.

An interesting watch. The glowing hexagon above what is presumably the time is reminiscent of the shape of the prison Cassian will be put in. This six-sided design is a recurring visual motif throughout the show (and the franchise as a whole) wherever the Empire is present.

This guy reminds me of Maz Kanata. It's a really impressive visual effect. Not sure how much of this character is practical and how much is enhanced with CG.

Space necktie and space ID badge. They both use similar clips.

This is a great practical puppet. And what an interesting cup!

Space steno machine. Very analog-feeling. Probably the closest we get in the show to seeing a real-life object in the Star Wars universe, although there still seem to be some subtle differences. The grill above the keys is interesting, I wonder what it's for.

Everything about the prison workstations is meant to feel alienating and overwhelming. Diego Luna's acting sells this really well in their introduction episode, but the props themselves help by looking very harsh and unfriendly. There's also a sterility to this space that reminds me of a hospital operating room. The instruments hanging from the ceiling further invite this comparison.

"Squigs" seem to be little worms that partially dissolve in drinks as part of a Chandrilan custom. Lieda later remarks that they're disgusting, to which Tay retorts that they're supposed to be. Very neat characterization and worldbuilding in just a couple lines. Great stuff!

Happy to see this dude return from Rogue One. Love his design.

The headphones used to torture Bix are terrifying. These could have looked like a torture device, but instead there’s a utilitarian matter-of-factness to them that’s oddly more intimidating. The red light is a simple but nice touch. In Star Wars, red = evil!

A fun blink-and-you'll-miss-it alien design in the lower levels of Coruscant. There are some more aliens in this short sequence, but this is my personal favorite. That the aliens on Coruscant mostly reside here instead of the prettier upper levels show that non-humans are an underclass in this universe. The Empire wants nothing to do with them.

This elevator sequence is entrancing for many reasons but since this post is about prop design, I'll just highlight the little bluetooth earpiece that Lonni finds in it. It's simple but it's neat. It also has a blue light on the inside that you can see as he's putting it in. Sci-fi!

Finally, I love these guys and the way they look. It's nice to see robotic prosthetics be featured in a way that doesn't symbolize loss of humanity (the franchise has an... interesting relationship with that). I also love the gross-looking net that they use to capture Cassian and Melshi. It looks oddly organic, a bit like a big spiderweb.

That's it! There might be more, but this was already getting pretty long. Hope the formatting of this post was ok, I'm new to this website and still getting used to having the ability to post something longer than 280 characters. TL;DR: Andor good

Here's a link to my video about Andor if you're interested:

And here's a link to Thomas Flight's video that I mentioned in my comment:

[alexbeyy]

THE LANCE HEADDER TLSJFKSJFKDJ GOOD TASTE GOOD TASTE (omg wait isn’t it his bday tomorrow too 0.0 stars aligning rn)

HOLY SHIT WAIT I FORGOT ITS HIS BDAY TOMMORROW!! and yeah still proud of that screenshot I had a laughing fit the first time I saw it

[stardust-3saders]

Oh, and the stars, align every night...

To spell out their love, in tiny bright lights...

I was supposed to fix an old screenshot and ended turning it into a full scene from their lore, so I had to share!

[shenji-yei-v2]

to the latest @mrwoeful post

I also had this. poorly screenshoted and poorly translated thread conversation on russian website about amnesia office AU. starring: @shenji-yei , @veilsol and @tryndei .

“Daniel, to get rid of the virus, you need to install more torrents.”

“Alexander… you have such ancient knowledge…”

“Yes, Daniel. See? As long as you have Hogwarts Legacy opened on your computer, the virus does not touch anything.”

***

“Clarice?”

“Should I bring you coffee with cognac again, mademoiselle Justine?”

“Nope. Look, I have a match with three guys at once. I don't even know who's prettier here.”

“Hm. Did you try to plan a date with them in the same place at the same time so that all three of them meet and the strongest wins?”

“Ooooh, that's a great idea. I will do so. Clarice, you're my treasure, bring cognac, let's drink to that.”

***

engineer228: good afternoon! I have so much to offer you sir!

mnds1899: god you're already here

mnds1899: you piss me off so much

mnds1899: i've already blocked you wherever possible, what do you want from me, monster

engineer228: we thought you might be interested in our services! a lot of users have already ordered alignment and forecasts from us, we even make merch :)

mnds1899: WHO ARE "WE"

mnds1899: WHO ARE "WE" YOU TELL ME

engineer228: we have special offerings for kids!

mnds1899: DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY CHILDREN?!?!

engineer228: more than you can imagine ;)

mnds1899: ??????

engineer228: everything is in our prediction)) until the end of the day with a discount))

[underdarken]

i did a whole new playthrough to go through the new epi./logue with everything fresh in mind, and i finished it yesterday. i'm emotionally compromised. quick thoughts plus screenshots below.

i've been way overdue to hammer out a post-game verse, and this is going to give me the kick in the ass to start it. the plan was always that arkezet would go back to doing the thing that got them by when they came to the surface, and that was adventuring. from peddling their inherent knowledge of sorcery to taking bounties, jack of all trades where coin was involved. they're going back to leaning into it until the day they can't, sans tadpole passenger again. they keep the same house they've had for 50+ years for when they do return to the gate. not having kids, ever. writes regularly to friends and tries to visit when the stars align. that sort of thing.

side note: they look great in this coat. yes, that's necessary information. can't stop thinking about it.