#Baz is fine don't worry

[handsoffthefuckinshield]

oh.. shit.

[butlervibesonly]

𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 || Austin Butler

• Summary : You and Austin have been together for a while now and he's attending a premiere with you by his side, making sure you're comfortable enough with public appearance.

• Warnings : fluff, Austin's playful teasing,...

• Pairing : Austin Butler x female! reader

• Notes : For this fic I'mma be using the Elvis (2022) premiere that took place in Australia (hope I found that right!) because Austin here looked MESMERIZING.

You and Austin have been together for some time now, and with upcoming premiere of Elvis, you two decided to make your relationship official to public. It was actually a first premiere you'll attend.

The day of the premiere arrives, and Austin was making sure you're ready and okay. "You ready?" he came out of the dressing rooms that was in your hotel room. He was headed to the mirror to adjust all sorts of details on his outfit but he noticed you.

Austin actually made sure you had a stylist if you wanted one, or offered to help you pick an outfit himself if that made you feel more comfortable. All he wanted is for you to feel confident, knowing he’ll be there to support you through the evening.

And as soon as he noticed you in the dress that his stylist helped you pick - he was taken away. "Oh my goodness," he breathed out. "Look at you!" Austin made his way to you. You were sitting on the bed, putting on heels. The dress you chose for the premiere was a gold glittering elegant dress that perfectly suited the aesthetic of the film.

"You look absolutely firkin' fantastic, baby." he helped you stand up. "Thank you, Mr. Butler, you don't look bad yourself." you giggled and Austin pulled you closer. "Are you ready for tonight? Do you need anything?"

"I'm totally fine, Austin, thank you," He was making sure all the time that you have what you need. "all I need is you by my side, that's what I wish." you pressed a kiss on his lips. Oh, and how you love those lips. Austin smiled and after being all ready, you two left in a car for the premiere.

When arriving to the place, just before stepping out of the car, he turned to you, noticing the hint of nerves on your face. Gently, he reached for your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Remember, it’s just me and you tonight,” he said, his eyes warm and focused on yours. “Don’t worry about anyone else. I’ve got you.”

As you stepped onto the red carpet, camera flashes started going off everywhere, and for a second, it was a little overwhelming. But Austin kept a firm, grounding grip on your hand, guiding you through it with a calm confidence that made you feel like nothing else in the world matters. When you paused for photos, he never let go of your hand, staying close and offering small reassurances. If he noticed you feel a little out of place, he leaned over and whispers something funny just for you, making you laugh and helping you relax.

As time passed by, the red carpet filled with many familiar faces you already knew from filming of Elvis, such as Tom Hanks or even Baz himself. "Y/n, sweetheart, you look absolutely breath taking!" Tom pulled you into quick welcoming hug. "Thank you, Tom!"

"I'm telling her that all the time! Glad I'm not the only one who sees it." Austin laughed, wrapping his arm around your waist. "You sure aren't, I agree.” Baz joined in to say hello too. You were so relieved and glad that everyone involved in this movie was so nice.

At one point, a few reporters asked for an interview. He turned to you, giving you the choice with just a glance. When you nod, he smiled, his gaze full of pride and admiration.

"Austin, we couldn't notice - you're not alone here tonight! Who is this beautiful lady by your side?" An interviewer asked Austin, who brought you closer to him. "I'm here with Y/n, my girlfriend. I'm so happy she's here with me tonight, looking this magnificent!"

Austin's word made you blush, almost as if he was over the moon you're here with him. "A girlfriend, wow!" an interviewer exclaimed in surprise. "She truly looks wonderful! Y/n, how are your feelings about today's premiere?"

"I'm so honored to be here today with so many inspiring and amazing people. And especially to be here with Austin, of course, and give him all the support he deserves!" Austin couldn't help but smile while listening to you.

Throughout the short interview, he made sure you’re included, deflecting the attention when it became too much and even cracking a joke about how he’s the lucky one to be here with you.

As the evening shifted, Austin's hand rested protectively on your lower back. “Thank you for being here with me tonight.” H whispered, and then, even with all the people around, he lifts your hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to it as if he’s completely unaware of the world beyond you two.

Later that night...

"So," he said, looking at you with a soft, relieved smile as you were again in the hotel room, "how was your first red carpet?" You smiled back, feeling like the night has been perfect—not because of the glitz or glamor, but because of him and how deeply he cared to make sure you felt comfortable, supported, and absolutely cherished.

"It was wonderful, babe," you replied. "And I'm not the only one thinking that, look," you passed him your phone with a Tweet that you just found.

"But they can't love you more than I do!" Austin joked as he pulled you into a hug, kissing you finally.

[krisrix]

COC 01 ⁘ Creature

[Baz] always looks like a gangster first thing in the morning—or a black-and-white movie vampire, with that widow’s peak of his. I’ve wondered whether Baz gets away with being a vampire by looking so much like one.

–Carry On, @rainbowrowell

Fun fact: I did this with my left hand, but I'm more-or-less a rightie!

When I showed a predilection for using my left as a little kid, my mom was worried I'd get in trouble at school for it. So she encouraged me to use my right, instead.

I still prefer to use my left for some things, like holding drinks and my phone, opening jars, etc.

Since I want to develop more fine motor control, I'm going to attempt some of this year's Carry On Countdown with only my left hand! Sorry if you were looking forward to polished pieces from me, 😆 (Also, this one went strangely well, so please don't expect the others to look this good...!)

[alexalexinii]

COC Day 8 - Sick

Don't worry guys.... Baz is fine!!! He's totally able to go to Watford!!!! Look at him!!! He's perfectly capable!!!

@carryon-countdown

[destinyc1020]

There is no offence to anon, but comparing Paul Mescal casting response to the casting of Rob Pat's Batman and Austin B Feyd isn't the same, sorry. Robert Pattinson is an established actor. He was working with great directors whilst he was doing Twilight and after. Denis had seen Austin first from his performance in Taratino's film before Elvis and his play, whereas Paul, who is very talented, is mainly typecasted as introverted leads with emotional intensity. Yes, he was nominated for an oscar but so was Barry Keoghan and most ppl lnow hom from Saltburn. It's not the same as a leading extroverted man. It's not to say he can't do it, but it's not an established strength onscreen. He did play Stanley on stage do maybe he can bring that quality in this movie.

Trailers are weird nowadays, so I'll wait until November to judge his portrayal.

However, Denzel was a standout for me, and considering Paul is the lead, that worries me. Who knows, I could be very wrong, but I think ppl are justified to feel apprehensive. Not everyone is on filmtwitter, which is an echochamber for kissing indie white boys. Most ppl haven't seen his films unless they are in that bubble. This is his first blockbuster, and I wish him well. I hope for his sake, Ridely doesn't fck this up.

Idk Anon, I personally feel like people should just go see the movie FIRST before making such negative opinions about Paul's ability to act or carry this huge movie on his shoulders. 👀

I don't even think there needs to be that much apprehension honestly, because it's not like any of US put out millions of dollars to make this film. So why are people going to take a film so personally? 🤔

Why are things taken so seriously these days? It's JUST A MOVIE! It's just supposed to be entertainment.

I personally think Paul will do just fine? 🤷🏾‍♀️ Ridley Scott is no lightweight. He obviously chose Paul for the role for a reason, especially since I know he beat out countless others for this role.

I used to question things, but over the years, I've learned to just TRUST directors and their choices for their actors....especially when it comes to big films. I learned to trust the higher-ups with casting Tom for the Spider-man role, I learned to trust Baz (and also Denis) with casting Austin as Elvis (and Feyd). I learned to trust Disney/Marvel for casting Chadwick as Black Panther. I learned to trust Christopher Nolan for casting Heath Ledger as The Joker, etc.

Look, sometimes you just have to trust the directors. They see smthg in an actor and feel that they are the right person for the role that they envision in their minds.

It's just as simple as that!

At the very least, I'm going to reserve any negative judgments for AFTER I actually see the movie, because to me that's only fair.

[writermuses]

@turkishdclights continued from here

Bastían was a stickler for punctuality and keeping track of his agenda. The professor was made for his job, perhaps not for socializing. Tapping on his phone a few times he spun it around to show the message. "Don't worry about it, really. You're here and I've been working, so it wasn't an evening wasted." He waited for her to have a seat before speaking again, "It's nice to meet you, officially, Zara. I'm Bastían, but Baz is fine, only my coworkers call me my full name and it makes me feel like I'm about four years old. Have you been here before? I could recommend something, if you'd like."

[izzy-b-hands]

On a happier note, I am enjoying having to research baby milestones for the Midwifery Charge AU (fic and nostalgia rambles below the cut)

(which at this point, thanks to the help of a good friend, I've realised is best done as a collection of lil one shots from moments in it. I just. don't have the mental anything nor the organisation to do a multichap full fic rn. Y'all know I lose steam too easily on those and just don't do them as well as I do simple oneshots. I wrote a full original trilogy at age 10 and again at like age 21; I used all my 'full multichap project' juice too early in life AND both trilogies kind of sucked ass. RIP to them may their memory never find me again let alone be a blessing but I digress)

Bc it means I get to remember all the cute shit the cousins did when I was helping raise them and like. certain bits can be used for baby in the fic even!

Like how the oldest one learned to roll over from one direction, but then couldn't replicate it going the other way, and she would just. lose her shit wailing until someone rolled her over that way. Then she was good until oh fuck oh no, she rolled over right to left again and to her lil brain it was too different from rolling left to right, she's stuck forever oh g-oh hey someone rolled her back to her tummy. neat.

We never let her sit for more than a second or two stuck (mostly to try and encourage her to. ya know. Realise that she could in fact roll herself both ways and it would be fine. Took her time but she got there lol) and I'm just

Dying at the image of the crew so carefully taking turns watching Baby (who I'm gonna reveal bc I don't think I have yet? if i have ignore me lol, is named Basilica after Izzy's deadname (he gave her the name, there's an entire Thing abt it and little moments abt his journey as a trans man tucked into this au), going by Baz for short (thank u to the aforementioned good friend for this as a nickname for the full name, bc I was struggling to figure out how to shorten it and Baz is !!! perfect!!!) )

And she's been with them longer than expected. 4-6 months is the average that I've found for when babies learn to roll over, so maybe she's abt 5 months old at this point.

Doing tummy time with Fang and she does it! Right to left rolling over, absolutely perfect, stunning, no notes, they're gonna make her a medal but-

Oh no. She's gotta roll left to right now, and instead of rolling the other way she just panics and weeps and everyone on this ship is a big fuckin softy (i get it lol, I was with the cousins) so they keep rolling her over the other way to calm her.

Until they have a crew meeting and Jim mentions Nana telling them that sometimes, babies have to just. cry for a minute or two and learn how to do the thing. You can help, but first you have to let them try and encourage them to do it on their own. (they gloss over the fact that Jim also makes clear with this anecdote that Nana absolutely would have taught a baby how to throw a knife. And honestly, is she wrong for this? who can say, not me, but I like knives and think a baby with a knife is hilarious, so I'm biased. I'm never gonna have kids, don't worry lmao.)

Cut to everyone having tummy time while the ship is docked/anchored somewhere safeish (let's be real, for the Kraken crew, nowhere is really fully safe with all the raiding they've been doing. But Ed and Izzy and Fang all know the quieter spots other ppl have forgotten that they can rotate going to for moments like this)

In a circle, around Basilica on the blanket Frenchie designed and knit for her, while she whines and cries bc goddamn it, why is rolling the other direction so hard? So scary?

And they're all lowkey trying not to cry (Ed and Izzy the most out of all of them, for varying personal reasons that all ultimately culminate in a want for Basilica to have a better childhood than they did, including the little moments/early achievements like this) while babytalking like mad, trying to encourage her to roll the other way

It's just not happening, but juuuust as Izzy is abt to break and gently roll her over, a cannon booms in the distance

And if that adorable little shit doesn't roll left to right, then again, trying to lift her head up to see where the big noise came from. She's not even crying anymore, she's just curious!

Unfortunately, said cannon is a sign they need to head out, so they have to pick her up and get her settled in Ed's room(really Ed and Izzy's room, by this point. Are they back together in a healthy way? Not really, but they're Aware of their mutual issues and are just barely talking some of them through. or starting that process, at least) for her own safety and now she's crying bc she's so mad! She wanted to keep rolling over! She was literally on a roll, how fucking dare they pluck her off the floor so easily!!

Despite the potential incoming danger of another ship, everyone is giggling as they get the ship moving. I'm envisioning it like. U know when a baby is So Mad So Incensed, they're making those angry babbles that are loud enough to hear a room away? That sound is all they can hear aside from the waves and the far off cannon fire, and it's a mood lightener. Yeah, they might be about to fight for their lives, but listen to her! She's swearing! (I do absolutely have an idea for her first word being 'fuck' thanks to Izzy lmaooo)

And they're all as excited to escape not just for their lives, but so they can lay the blanket out again and have her show off her new skill. A little soft moment in between having to fight to save themselves or raiding for more loot (and baby gear/supplies, my god not a one of them ever thought they'd be threatening ppl for additional cloth diapers but. here they are lol.)

Anyway. Eventually I'm gonna get all the snippets posted up in an ao3 collection, including the few I've already posted here. When I get that started I'll drop a link, in the meantime I'm gonna see if I can get my brain to actually finish another oneshot for this au today lmao

[listieshadows]

A couple of weeks ago at Walmart I bought this collection of seven Elvis movies that I'd seen a few nights earlier. It was one of those big collection Warner released for their 100th anniversary—so, yes, I physically own something with that laughably ironic "celebrate every story" tagline on it—and of all of the ones I'd seen get rotated out, I don't know why this one stood out to me enough to want to buy it? Maybe it's lingering affection I have for Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic that finally got me curious enough to check a few of Presley's flick out and see if they live up to the hype/anti-hype I'd heard about them.

So... I may as well take a hot second here to say a few words about the four narrative features that were in the collection (the other two were concert films and a documentary from, like, 1980). Get something else other than satisfying my curiosity out of these movies.

Jailhouse Rock

This was the only pre-army Elvis film in the set, and maybe it was the best one? Like, if you wanna pretend objectivity is a thing, then this was "objectively" the best one.

Honestly, though, I kinda spent the entire film stuck on the fact that Elvis's character ends up in jail because he beats a man to death with his bare fists. Like, what? What? In an Elvis movie? This is absolutely the kind of thing that the Colonel wouldn't've let fly in the post-G.I. Blues/Blue Hawaii world. And the fact that Elvis's character is kind of an ass up until the final scene, where after the mind kind of abruptly ends...! It was absolutely a running joke for me throughout the other three films I watched.

But, yeah, cool dance sequence. I kinda wish that "Rock! Rock!" chant was included in the song proper and wasn't exclusive to the film.

Viva Las Vegas

The only thoughts I have about this movie revolve around Ann-Margaret. She is, without a doubt, the star of this movie. I could barely keep my eyes off her every time she was on screen.

I read that the Colonel was worried about Ann overshadowing Elvis in the films, only one of three duets they recorded ended up on screen, and, gawd, he was right to worry, because even with just the one...!

And it's like, in the talent show scene, you're really gonna tell me that Ann's performance of "Appreciation", with the costume changes and her dancing and singing her ass off, would only tie with Elvis's one-take run-through of "Viva Las Vegas"? Even if that song is one of the best and most iconic of all his movie songs...!

But, yeah, all my babbling about this one woman aside, it's a fun lil' flick. It's not as good as Jailhouse Rock, really, but Viva Las Vegas is for sure the one I'd return to the most out of any of these.

Girl Happy

I'm sure if I were watching all of Elvis's movies, this one, his twenty-second I believe, would've been an absolute slog. Like, imagine—twenty-two movies in, and how many after Blue Hawaii where it's the same damn thing over and over and over again. I would've gone mad. But as only the third narrative film out of four in a seven flick box set, it's fine. Serviceable if you wanna see a generic Elvis flick, I guess.

I don't really have any deep thoughts about this, honestly, except that... I don't know. Seeing Elvis in drag is amusing? And this is the only movie I've ever seen to have a song about the Fort Lauderdale Chamber Of Commerce. I mean, Citizen Kane or The Shawshank Redemption don't have one of those.

Spinout

While I was watching the movie, I read a Letterboxd review where someone compared the female drummer in Elvis's band in this movie, Les, to Kim Pines from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and while I don't think the comparison is exactly 1:1, she was my favorite character in the film, so... I mean, it's a shame she marries a cop, but other than that...

I don't know. As with Girl Happy, I don't really have any big thoughts about this film. Like, when I was mentally dividing these movies up into categories, I slot this and Girl Happy as the two "generic later-period Elvis movies" after Jailhouse Rock and Viva Las Vegas stood in for the "good and iconic" films.

I guess I like this movie better than Girl Happy, 'cuz there was a silly energy to the movie that I liked, and it's interesting that Elvis's character remains single by the end, and, again, there is Les, but... I don't know. The soundtrack's got a cover of "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" as a bonus track and that's neat?

Also, this is the second movie where Elvis's character is a race car driver (after Viva Las Vegas, which I should've mentioned, but of course I was too busy talking about...), and I hear that's a common trend throughout this movies, and, gawd, every time, I could only think of Eddie Murphy's bit about Elvis movies: "We gotta win this race..."

[bazyboo13]

Smiling Critters: New Family Part 1 chapter 1 segment 6 : PIZZA TIME!

*a couple days later Baz nor his mom aren't present. Theodore is sleeping on the bed as Ella Thomas and Edgar are talking.*

"when are Baz and his mom coming back?! They're supposed to be home by 3:30 at most"

"just be patient! They will be back soon!"

"it's 6:00 p.m. two and a half hours late"

"maybe they're just, going through town, it was where Baz lived before here."

"wait, I think they're here. I swear I heard a door open"

*all of a sudden the door opened revealing Baz holding 3 bags*

"Hey guys, I got some cool stuff!"

*Theodore starts to wake up*

"hm?"

"I got this cool key! Some uranium glass-"

"-excuse me, you got WHAT."

"uranium glass, it isn't enough uranium to be extremely dangerous, Also follow me!"

*the four Critters follow Baz to the kitchen where they see 4 pizza boxes on the stove. The critters are silent because of the shock.*

"I know you don't have to eat much but I might as well treat you guys! There's two pepperoni deep dish pizzas and two cheese dish pizzas for us."

"I'm going to go to the bathroom for a second, I need to splash some water on my face, I'm tired"

"do what you need to do"

*when Theodore comes out he is a tiny bit shorter than Baz. He takes a slice of cheese pizza and goes into the bedroom.*

"wait, what's that next to the pizza?"

"a record player"

"why did you get a record player?"

"those vinyl records I got from that concert I went to"

"ah"

*as Edgar and Baz were talking, Thomas and Ella have grown in size*

"hey Edgar, want some?"

*he's holding a slice of pepperoni pizza*

"no thanks I don't need to eat"

"Edgar, you haven't eaten in a month."

"the pizza is delicious, also you've refused all the food that Baz and his mom have offered you so far."

"we don't need to eat so what's the point?"

"I'm pretty sure every living thing that doesn't photosynthesize needs to eat at some point. If you don't eat soon you might start to get hunger pains."

*there's a bit of pause between Baz and Edgar*

"fine, just passed me a slice I don't care which type."

*Ella passes Edgar a slice of cheese pizza. He seems to enjoy it a lot.*

"glad to see you're enjoying it"

"it's actually really good"

*Theodore walks out of the bedroom and grabs another slice of cheese pizza, then walks back into the bedroom*

"hey Ella"

"hm?"

*Baz shows I love the uranium glass, it's in the shape of a cup. Baz uses a black light and shows I love that the glass glows when under black light*

"that's so cool"

"be careful with that, uranium is very dangerous"

"don't worry about it, there isn't a lot of uranium in this, it shouldn't be too dangerous"

"little or lots, it's still dangerous"

"what's that key?"

"it's just an old key I got from the same place I got the uranium glass from"

"where did you get them from?"

"an oddity shop"

"what's an oddity shop?"

"it's basically just a shop with a bunch of strange things in it. hollowed out puffer fish wearing sombreros, patches, uranium jewelry, human skulls, taxidermy frog ballerinas-"

"-what was that second to last one?!"

"human skulls?"

*Ella is silent*

"don't worry, they were fresh"

*Ella is slowly backing away*

"just kidding!

*he's giggling to himself*

(something sweet after the horror fest that was segment 5, it's mostly going to be a bit slice of Life like after this, I hope)

Previous Part:

Next Part:

First Part:

[thehoneyedhufflepuff]

Me: Listens to this beautiful violin Les Mis medley on literal repeat the entire time I'm getting ready for work

Me, as I'm making coffee: Sorry the same song's been playing this whole time

The husband: Oh I actually didn't notice

Me: I listen to violin music to get into Baz's head

Him (with A Look™): ...

Me: ...

Also me: FUCK YOU

[robinismywife]

Where reader acting as Priscilla is her first ever role so she’s extremely nervous but Austin finds it cute she comforts her.

As a writer I understand you gotta go with your own flow so change and add whatever you please if you do up doing this 💓

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧

PAIRING: Austin butler x actress!fem!reader

WARNINGS: self-doubt. Inform me if I've missed any!

A/N: This was my first request ever and I'm so excited owhfowrugi- Anyways, I hope you like my take on your idea my beloved anon and I'm SO sorry for being so late! Plz fill my inbox with more of your requests it makes me so happy and they are so fun to write!! Enjoy my loves <3

(the gif is not mine but omg it's so adorable I couldn't resist)

Baz Luhrmann was making an Elvis biopic and after having found Austin as his Elvis, he desperately needed to find himself a Priscilla. You had sent in an audition tape but never thought it would get you here, on the set and ready to film. I mean, everything felt unreal and you were extremely out of your comfort zone.

You had been filming for a couple of months now, but you've never felt as nervous and terrified as you're feeling at this very moment. Baz had informed you a week prior that today you would be doing the argument between Priscilla and Elvis. Nevertheless, it was now when you're getting ready for the scene that it's finally settling in.

You were pasing back and forth mumbling your lines, when Baz informed everyone that the cameras were ready. You and Austin walked on the set and smiled at each other, knowing that this scene was difficult for both of you.

"And...Action!"

"Cilla, I give you everything you could want" Austin followed you down the stairs

"What I wan't is a husband!" You turned around facing him. Austin had such a raw expression on his face, his acting always seemed to amaze you. However, here you were finding it extremelly hard to channel Priscilla.

"I- I-" You froze. Well done, Y/n, you forgot your lines. Not only are you a horrible actress but you also have a shitty memory. That's when you felt a warm hand on your shoulder.

"Y/n, did you forget your line?" Worry covered Austin's face "Did I do something wrong?"

"I- No, I just- I need some air" You dropped your prop, walked quickly past the crew. You opened a door and found yourself in the parking lot. You had never used this exit before and god it was freezing.

You began to spiral, thinking of the beautiful set you just walked out off, the incredible costumes you wore everyday. How are you even here right now? How did Baz even pick you? An amateur actress, who's never even stepped in a drama school once. You felt embarassed being on that set with such an amazing actor such as Austin, who is so dedicated to his craft. You didn't deserve this.

"Y/n, what happened back there?" Austin had at last found you.

"Austin.." you sighed looking down at your bell-bottom jeans

"Hey," he grabbed your shaking hand, rubbing circles on your cold skin "You can talk to me"

"I don't think I want to, Aus-" Your cheeks heated up, suddenly feeling embarrassed of saying anything

"You know, you're cute when you're like this- All stubborn" Austin smirked at you. Not in a condescending way but in a comforting one.

"I'm not stubborn I just-" You giggled a little, your mood getting better just by looking at him

"Yeah? I don't believe ya hun"

"Austin!" You groaned, knowing that talking to someone about your feelings was the best thing you could do right now.

"Y/n!" He said back, teasing you like he always did

"Fine, fine! Jeez- I just think that, you know, perhaps Baz made a mistake casting me and-"

"Hey, hey, hey- Why would you think that Y/n? You deserve to be here, you got the part because there's no one like you out there"

"But-"

"No but's, Y/n" He looked down at you with so much appreciation that you felt like crying "You know I love working with you. You're one of the most talented people I've ever met-"

"You mean that?" Your face lit up, making Austin smile as well

"Of course I do- Now go back on that set and show them what you got, yeah?"

"Yeah"

[elvisabutler]

pregnancy angst with priscilla reader?

oh anon. you know not what you asked for. but sure why not let's balance out my fluffy vampire pregnancy thing with this. but also i can write multiple variations of this. pregnancy angst, secretly the source of all my power. BUT. tw: babies, pregnancy talk, breastfeeding talk, jealousy, the normal bs that comes from anyone saying priscilla and reader in an ask to me (so character bleed, age difference, daddy kink). brief mention of the consideration of abortion. you blink and you'll miss it.

suddenly we're writing out the same old lie

so consider our options. we have four by the way. one is that you know, you're never pregnant, think you are but you aren't and that's tragic in it's own way. we've already talked about that before. and then we have the one where you hide it until you really can't and your mom is just shaking her head and telling you that you've really got to tell him. and you do and it's- it ends alright.

then there's options three and four. three is you are and you never tell him until he finds out himself, four is that you end up getting pregnant by someone else while on the break.

consider! in option three, we shift the timeline a little because maybe you and austin stay in australia a little longer just in case baz needs to do reshoots and honestly you're not feeling like dealing with the bullshit that comes with trying to get back into the country and covid tests and just- it's better to stay a little longer. so you stay until you leave austin. and you're pregnant but you don't find this out until you're home and this is not happening. you- you don't want to get rid of it because you're selfish and priscilla has lisa marie to remember elvis by, maybe you want a baby to remember austin by. with his blond hair and your eyes and- you keep it but you can't go on the tour. you cannot under any circumstances go on the press tour in person. maybe for an oscar consideration run but a press tour? no. you'll- he'll see your bump and he'll try and get back together with you.

"i wanted kids but nessa and i- we were waiting. i had to get my career going and she wanted to wait until she was 30 to be married. it made sense." "what if we're not together." "my mom and dad divorced, but we made it work. i'll always be there for you and them. but you're never gonna have to worry about that, dove. never leaving remember?"

so you have to get out of your contract and baz helps- he hates it- but he helps because you're a great girl and you're still going to do some press, just via zoom. it's fine. and yes, yes he'll lie for you to austin. everyone will. but you don't go on the press tour, you end up doing interviews via zoom, everything is above the waist and people ask what's wrong and it's always, "had some personal business to take care of. sickness, you know how it is. warner bros were really understanding."

austin has an idea that something is up, your breasts look fuller on camera and so does your face. honestly he thinks of ashley pregnant with jupiter when he sees you glowing. he doesn't call though. he wants to, but he'll let you talk if you want. because he's so aware of how messed up your relationship was to certain degrees.

you text him when you see him at the met dressed in all black with your daughter using your bladder as a trampoline. you shoot him a text. "i know you still have the red ascot, you should wear it next time you wear that." he calls you twice and sends a text. you call him back.

"why aren't you here?" you almost tell him then as your daughter does a somersault and kicks your ribs, causing you to let out a curse and an hissed ow. and then a picture of him and kaia at the met flashes on the screen. "you know how you got sick, daddy? how elvis wore you down? it happened to me too. i got sick. i had to go." it's a lie and yet it's not. you should have called him by his name but- if she never gets to know him. never gets to shriek daddy while launching herself into his arms well at least he'll have been called it once.

consider it's oscar night. consider it's been two months since you've had her, not quite to the day. you don't want to leave her but you've been doing the press for austin and the film- your nomination was a lost cause, baz says and he sounds honestly quite sad about it. for at least a month in outfits that catherine sends and alters for you. and he wins. you all win actually through a stroke of luck and he's still shaking from his own win "couldn't have done this without my little dove." so you grab his hand and squeeze. he stops shaking and can actually speak again.

you find him in the corner of the oscar party- whichever one you go to and everyone's getting a little drunk and he notices you're not but doesn't ask because he's the corner nursing a whiskey and he sees you and looks nearly as rough as you feel because your boobs are rock hard and you know you've probably leaked through another pad and you talk. "you okay, daddy?" not austin. not satnin. not butler. just daddy.

"no, what did i do, little dove? hm? was it the ring? the onesie? you never talked to me. you promised you'd tell me if it got bad, i told you i wouldn't leave you." he meant it. he doesn't leave his people. even with bits of elvis still sticking in his soul the part of him that's austin and always will be values his people so much he'll keep them close forever.

"no. it wasn't that. either of them. it took me a bit to get the onesie but i got it, it was the scare and it was cute. the ring was- something else though, aus, i- were you really going to give me that?" you're massaging at your chest praying it doesn't give you a wet spot and that he doesn't notice. "no, it was probably when my daddy called me cilla twice before realizing it was me when i called him in the hospital. i never have stopped wanting to be your little dove. i just didn't want to be your little birdie too."

and then the argument that isn't really an argument and is just you two almost talking in circles, trying to untangle the web you've weaved.

"why didn't you tell me, i didn't remember saying it." he's huffing because you've been holding that against him and he's missed you so much for what. for a misunderstanding while he was drugged out of his mind? "what happened that made you miss the tour? they wouldn't- you were sick, you said you were sick i thought i did that to you. or that you lied and it was because of me, that you were scared to be around me."

"austin- no. that. i mean it was kind of because of you but it's not that-" and your phone is ringing because your sitter is texting you and austin can see your lock screen and it's a picture of the two of you on a couch on set, legs intertwined and your nose nuzzling his. but your home screen is a baby. a little blond baby girl no more than two months old.

"is that- y/n, are you goddamn kidding me?" he's livid and in that moment he swears every fiber of his being has him turning into elvis throwing a temper tantrum because because his focus narrows to you and the phone. "is she- is my name on the birth certificate?"

"she's not-" "don't even finish that sentence. when did you start lying to me, little dove?" the last bit is a sneer and it's the last time he calls you little dove for a long while.

"about the time i realized that you didn't love me, you loved an idea, butler." it's said in the same sneer because how dare he judge you. your in your early twenties and you never claimed to be perfect. you head out to leave and wave off baz and priscilla and everyone as austin follows you. the cameras are flashing and normally you care so much but right now you just want to get home to lori. he follows you, grabbing at your wrist once you're outside.

"a baby. you hid our baby from me. did you lose my number? i know you didn't- why didn't you call me? you knew-" "did i though? you had lily rose and olivia and kaia and i'm supposed to think, yeah, austin butler who i think is more in love with my priscilla presley wants our baby. yeah. i'm not- fuck- austin i'm almost a decade younger than you. whatever you think i know, i don't. and you know that." "so you were never going-" "i panicked, austin."

the car comes and he follows you in like it's normal and like you're not going to have to do damage control tomorrow. you should kick him out, but you don't. his jaw is tense and he's leaning against the window. "can i see her?"

"you're already in my car, butler. sure."

and he just takes that as the opprotunity to launch into twenty questions. "when did you have her? what did you say to yourself to justify not telling me about her? what's her name? did you-"

you're trying not to cry because your emotions have mostly settled but hearing him spit out questions so angrily reminds you of why you thought it was a good idea to hide this from him in the first place. you remember your labor and how you begged to not have a c-section and you managed to do it but they took her away for a minute because she wasn't crying quite right. "on elvis' birthday. i'm still very angry about that. it none of your business what i said to myself and- loretta. but i honestly call her lori."

the noise that comes from austin sounds like a sob but really just a pained groan. "my- y/n, you- how dare-"

"she's not- she's more priscilla's kid than mine, it didn't matter what i named her. and cilla once thought of naming lisa something with lynn in it but i hate lynn and only think of loretta lynn. but loretta sounded pretty" you whisper trying to head off him getting even angrier.

austin doesn't speak for the next 10 minutes until he grabs your hand. "i'm her father. if nothing else, i'm her father."

"that's the only thing i've ever been sure of." you say back with a squeeze as you both leave the car to go see her. the babysitter looks at you both with wide eyes before just shaking her head. this is none of her business, maybe you will tell her later.

she's crying and it's not because she's hungry or anything else, but when austin takes her from the bassinet attached to her pack and play she instantly calms. and that's what makes you ask him to just- see how you two can make this work before you get any lawyers involved. that you messed up but so did he and- just one shot, butler, please.

he calms down eventually, probably about a few months on when lori is in his arms after burping directly in his face after feeding from your chest. he laughs and holds her close while pointing at you. "learned that from your mommy didn't you, little lori. learned that from the prettiest little dove. rudest, but prettiest."

it makes you stop what you're doing and just stare before you sniffle. "don't call me that if you don't mean it, daddy." daddy because if he means it you'll go right back there right now.

"come here little dove. wouldn't say it again if i didn't."

he meant it. and maybe you cry while lori just plays with your hair happy to be in her father's arms and happy that maybe mommy will be happier too. you find a couple's therapist to go with your own that you finally got after you had an extra set of hands in the form of austin on a very long filming break. maybe you move to cannes. maybe you don't. but you fix things slowly but surely.

[nightimedreamersworld]

Six Sentence Sunday

Thank you for the tag dear @artsyunderstudy your work is lovely as always 🥰

So I've been in that weird limbo where you think a lot about writing, but without doing any actual writing. Oh well.

I've been thinking a lot about Every little helps in particular (and sweating about the fact that I haven't updated it in almost two months 😰) and I have good and bad news about it:

The good: I finally figured out what was troubling me about it

The bad: I scrapped almost everything I had written already. (It's fine, as it was mostly filler that didn't go anywhere. It still hurt tho)

Anyway, here's to hoping a fresh start will rekindle my inspiration...

As for A Charity Case: more bad news on this front. Namely, the massive plot hole I found in the planning of Simon and Baz's date - at this point I'll either have to ditch one of their stops, or I'll have to go back and change a few details on the first chapter, just to make everything fit into one damn night.

Here's an excerpt from when both Simon and I thought this date was going oh soooo smoothly:

So, yeah, I don't mind a bit of reckless spending if it means treating myself to a nice dinner out with the boy I'm trying to woo. And this is the Mage's money, anyway. I'd rather blow through this cursed inheritance as quickly as possible. (I've got enough of it saved to pay rent for several months, and a job lined up to start after the New Year. I'll be fine.)

So I drink the wine. I talk to Baz. And I watch him. 

Merlin, he looks gorgeous, all lit up by the warm streetlight coming in through the window. He's looking out, twirling his glass, and I want to devour him.

-

And last but not least: I've started on my Secret Snowflake fic! This is very draft-y and so might change later, but for now have a snippet that hopefully doesn't give the prompt away:

Somehow, I'd convinced myself we were past that. It's been months since either of us broke down during sex, and even when it happened, we learned quickly how to soothe each other. How to communicate our needs and get to the bottom of the problem. How to overcome whatever it was together. 

Now, though, as Simon retreats into a cup of tea, holding himself tightly across from me on the kitchen table, I feel a pinprick of dread. 

We've been getting bolder in the bedroom, trying out new things every week. As I wait for Simon to gather his words, I go through my mental list of kinks, wondering what could be setting him off this time.  

I feel Simon's foot resting over mine; I'm wearing socks, he isn't. It's the first time he's reached out to me since I got home. 

“Don't worry yourself to a strop," Simon says, lowering his mug. He hasn't actually drank the tea. “I'm fine. Just embarrassed, really." 

I hum. "I know. I can almost taste the blood on your cheeks."

I'll tag: @bookish-bogwitch (pls give me more RoN) @cutestkilla @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @palimpsessed @captain-aralias @confused-bi-queer @martsonmars @whogaveyoupermission @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @facewithoutheart @ivelovedhimthroughworse @ionlydrinkhotwater @larkral @aristocratic-otter ❤

[ionlydrinkhotwater]

Thanks @sailor-blossoms for the long meta discussion it was amazing. Now I will say Agatha is one of my favourite characters but like Sailor I too can talk and talk about her, especially when it comes to her and Simon. Here is the fruit of our discussion

I love Simon and Agathas friendship so much and I hope that now that they are in a better place they can be even better friends. The scene above happens after they have their cry together and apologize to each other. After this they have the goat hearing scene and we can feel that they are back on track to being friends again.

Agatha may be like an exasperated older sister to Simon but she cares about him and that is very clear.

I discussed with @sailorblossoms how I think Simon took Agathas sweaters in a way because I think that Simon didn't want to be WITH Agatha he WANTS TO BE HER.

She is everything he wishes he was she (seemingly) had Bazs love, she is beautiful, she has a great family and home and she belongs in the WOM in a way he thinks that he does not.

This isn't him going on about how hot his girlfriend is this is Simon imagining what it must feel like to BE her.

I'm not saying Simon wants to be a girl necessarily (tho that's a valid reading if someone wanted to take it there) but I do think Simon and Agatha both feel trapped in gender roles and also feel judged for occationally conforming to it. Like Agatha doesn't want to be a damsel in distress but nothing is wrong with hair care and pink. Simon may love swords and laddish things but he clearly prefers the company of girls and has no issue wearing his female friends clothes. I want to point out that Simon not wanting to wear flowers had to do with him worrying that he couldn't pull it off

“I don’t want to wear flowers,” I say. Baz is wearing flowers. His button-down shirt is grey with sprays of pink and blue lilacs. He makes it look manly somehow, with his indigo trousers and grey lace-up shoes. I’d look like a sofa."

Looking feminine isn't the concern.

We also had a great discussion about Bazs friend group compared to Simon's friend group and how within that dynamic it could hint at Simons aspec demisexual inclination (I do not think this invalidates Simons unlabeled identity, I think if anything it enriches it).

Baz and his boys who i will refer to as the Dark trio have a very laddish relationship and they make crude dirty jokes. When Simon corners Niall asking about Baz Niall repsonds with a dirty joke about Simons dick and goats in CO. Devs first line to Baz when he calls is to joke about felliatio and Baz responds in kind to Simons shock.

Compared to Simons interactions with the golden trio Agatha and Penny its suprisingly tame. Thats not to say girls can't be as crude as boys. I don't think it's a gendered thing. I think it's that Simon wouldn't pursue this sort of talk and neither would Agatha and Penny.

Baz talks about masterbating ALOT in like all three books and honestly that's fine, he's a hormonal teenaged boy shacking up with his crush who he thought hated him. But what's interesting is that Simon doesn't talk about masterbating AT All. He obviously had a huge crush on Baz from the start but even when he thought he was in love with Agatha we never hear about him masterbating at all, we don't even hear about the fact that he's not a virgin or about kissing Agatha or anything until he was forced to talk about it

We know that in AWTWB Simon clearly wants Baz in that way. But he basically says it's the first time he's ever really felt that way. It may be that before this Simon wasn't super into sex until he experienced real sexual attraction with Baz, then he became unhinged, it's like he was probably indifferent to scones until sour cherry scones and he saw the light lol. But again this is just speculation.

I really can't wait for Simon and the Dark trio to go out for drinks lol seriously we need more fics about that

[destinyc1020]

People also have this never ending agenda to discredit biopics. Don't get me wrong, they can be done badly. However, to successfully become one of the most famous and photographed people in pop culture history is a task that deserves applause. It's trendy to discredit Austin for the moment (a lot of public/social media opinion) but that was a performance where anything less than the insane work he put in would have been clocked and torn into immediately. He's just seemingly the one to hate on for the award season

Chiiiile preach!! 👏🏾 You're spitting nothing but facts. 💯

Look, I know it's the "in" thing these days on twitter and tiktok to hate on Austin and to hate on all biopics (for some silly reason 🙄), but the reality is, most people in the general public LOVE biopic films. There's a reason why they've been continously getting made for decades lol. 😂 People love films about real people in history.

And like you said, if Austin had NOT put in the amount of work and effort that he did for this role, we all know that he would have been DRAAGGGGGED by his edges from here to kingdom come lol 😆 🤣 He would have been dragged if not by die-hard Elvis fans, then by the Presley family themselves lol.

The fact that practically EVERYONE praised his performance in this film says a LOT imo, because everyone was thinking the movie would fail, but Elvis actually ended up being one of the top blockbuster films of 2022 right behind Top Gun: Maverick. 😊👍🏾

I also thought that how Austin answered questions about Elvis during the press tour was so beautifully done, because he had to walk the fine line of talking about a man who some may feel was controversial, showing respect for those in death, as well as also walking the fine line of talking about this man while still showing respect for his family who's still living.

I personally thought he handled it beautifully, and showed a certain sensitivity and humility to everything which I thought was very nice. 😊

I honestly think Baz chose the perfect actor for the role (I think Harry Styles and Miles Teller were also being considered), not just for Austin's musical talent, but for the very way that he took the role so seriously and didn't just view it as "another paycheck". Austin literally studiiied this man wholeheartedly, saw his humanity, and basically got a PhD in Elvisology rofl 🤣, and I think that his dedication to the role was very commendable. ❤

Anything less and he would have been dragged and complained about imo. 🤷🏾‍♀️

I already knew that Austin would be the underdog this awards season.... He was the youngest, his filmography isn't as impressive as some of the other nominees, he's nice-looking lol, he's only technically done two "serious" films by Hollywood's standards, etc. So yea, I didn't think he would win the Oscar. I kept saying that for months... not sure why nobody believed me lol. 🤷🏾‍♀️😂

But I'm fine with that, because I felt it would have been a bit too soon in his career to win one anyway (even though I think he deserved it). Plus, my gripes about the film aside, Brendan's performance in "The Whale" was nothing short of amazing and gut-wrenching, so Brendan definitely deserved his Oscar win, and he's been acting longer in the business too. The Academy likes to see some longevity in the business, especially for their male nominees for some reason.

But yea, overall Austin will be fine so that's why I'm not worried at all 😆 He already has the "Oscar-nominated Actor" title behind his name, not to mention the Golden Globe win, and 20+ OTHER awards just for "Elvis" alone lol.... 😂

So yea, he's gonna be just fine if he plays his cards right from here on out! 😊👍🏾

[jerzwriter]

Betwixt, Bothered, & Bewildered

Book: Open Heart (Book )

Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey MacTavish)

Rating: Teen

Summary: Casey’s friends push her to move forward after her break-up with Tobias, while his friends do their best to keep him from doing more damage. Each makes a discovery that makes them think twice, but will they regret it?

Warnings: Cursing, some alcohol consumption

Words: 5.3k (It's long, but a lot happens. I hope you'll think it's worth it. 😊)

A/N: This is kind of the build-up before the big storm because the series, and their stories, will be forever altered after this chapter. This was originally part of a series called “Their Start,” but I decided to break it down into individual fics that explain how they came to be, fell apart, and got back together again. Because of this, this is a little longer than average fanfic.

MOST CHARACTERS AND BOLDED TEXT BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS

Tobias x Casey Headcanon Masterlist Tobias x Casey Full Masterlist All Series/Pairings Masterlist

Perhaps Casey should have expected her morning to be… unusual… but it wasn't until she flipped on the local news to find Senator Farrugia speaking about her that she realized how uncommon it was going to be. After warding off the shrieks of her roommates, she returned to her room and emerged looking far more professional than she ever had before.

“That’s it!” Jackie exclaimed. “Work it for the cameras!”

“You know," Sienna injected. "If we're walking in with her, we should probably."

“Already on it!" Jackie announced en route to her room. "I have a pair of thrift shop Manolos that have been waiting for this occasion!”

Aurora sipped her coffee at the table, relieved she could remain in her scrubs; after all, there was no press at Kenmore.

“It's so weird; when Farrugia was my patient, he didn't talk about me. In fact, he was trying to keep his hospitalization a secret.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered,” Elijah shrugged. “Carrick would have let you have the spotlight anyway.”

Aurora’s slapped Elijah’s shoulder as she shifted her eyes to Casey.

“Elijah! Are you mentioning he of whom we shall not speak?” Sienna scolded.

“Guys, you can say his name. I'm not going to melt if you do,” Casey half-smiled.

Jackie emerged from her room looking like a million dollars. “I don’t know what I missed here, but Greene, if you expect us to be seen walking into the building with us, you better up your game.”

“Yeah! Apparently, I have a reputation to uphold,” Casey chuckled.

“You guys don't have to worry" Elijah teased. "I’ve got Manolos, too!"

_____

Ethan jumped up from his seat when Casey barreled in through the office door. He stared at her in bewilderment.

“What?” she asked.

“Your clothing is far more presentable than your usual fare. But it's a direct contrast to your unkempt hair and dazed expression. I’m trying to figure this out.”

"I... It's just... crazy out there," she frowned.

Seeing how stressed she was, Ethan quickly changed his tone.

"I'm sorry," he stated. "The media is like feral hounds today. Are you all right?”

“I’ll be fine,” she insisted, but he knew they were lies. He would have addressed it if he could, but Baz exuberantly entered the room, plopping a box of sprinkled donuts on the table.

“Some sweets to celebrate!" He beamed. "I still can’t believe you pulled it off!”

Baz was floored by Casey's lack of enthusiasm. He expected it from Ethan, but...

“What's up, Case?" He asked. "You sure don’t look like someone who is celebrating.”

“I guess I'm not."

“You're not? If I were you, I’d be having the staff roll me around the halls on a rose-covered gurney for at least a week.”

“Then I suppose we're all eternally grateful that it wasn’t you,” Ethan declared.

“Don’t misunderstand, Baz. I am glad we got the senator, but while I was at Kenmore, Mrs. Balentine coded, and little Maya Cortez had an anxiety attack... I wasn’t here for them," Casey frowned.

“So? I took care of Mrs. Balentine," Juna announced as she walked in the room. "Maya was stabilized and she's fine. You’re not the only one on staff, Casey.”

“But they're my patients, and I was on the clock! I'm one of the only people Maya trusts, but I wasn't here because I was off….”

“… doing your part to keep this department and your beloved clinic afloat. Snagging Ferrugia may have saved all of our jobs, it might keep the clinic open. Then how many Mayas will you have helped? You need to begin looking at the big picture, Casey."

“Like you care about the big picture,” Casey barked. “You probably wouldn't even care about our department if it didn't benefit you. Doctors like you and Carrick, it’s all about the next article, your next win, getting the spotlight. It’s never about the patients!”

Ethan shot Casey an approving look; he couldn’t have agreed more, but he needed to reel her in for the benefit of the team.

“Casey, I think you need to….”

“It’s fine,” June interrupted, waving Ethan off dismissively. “We have a difference of opinion. But let me be clear, I am not ashamed of looking out for myself. Noble acts only get you so far, sometimes they even backfire. Think of all the patients who will not get care if the clinic closes. You’re a big girl now, Casey… it's time you understand the big picture."

Casey pursed her lips together, she knew she should let it go, but before she knew it, she heard herself speaking.

“June, I'd love to know what game you and Carrick are playing. Did he tell you to tell me about Farrugia? Were you both using me for some scheme? I don’t appreciate being toyed with and used!”

The satisfied smirk that crept onto June’s lips confirmed what Casey already knew... should have bit her tongue.

“Tobias doesn't tell me to do anything," she sneered. "Even if he did, he wouldn't make such a... rookie mistake. He's a grown-up who knows we're all out for number one in the end. But at least this explains those unusual texts I received from him last night. It all makes sense now. So, thank you for providing some clarity, Dr. MacTavish."

“OK,” Ethan blurted. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but we’re bringing this back to work now."

“Fine with me!” June grinned smugly as she grabbed a folder and headed toward the door. “I have a consult anyway.”

“Yeah,” Baz stated nervously. “I do too.”

When they were both gone, Ethan turned to Casey.

“I know, I know…” she said. "Please don't lecture me! I feel stupid enough."

“I'm not lecturing, but can I offer you some advice?"

“Do I have a choice?”

“No,” he chortled. “There are all kinds of doctors, Casey. You and I aren’t cut from the same cloth as Hirata or Carrick, and that's a good thing as far as I’m concerned. But don’t be so hard on yourself. June isn’t all wrong. Getting Farrugia could give us the chance to help so many others. I’m sure neither of us plans on engineering heists regularly, but for now, just take the win.”

“Fine."

Casey bumped her shoulder against Ethan's, playfully sulking like a scolded child, and he couldn't help but laugh.

“Now, why don’t you tell me what’s going on between you and June?”

“The bulk of it is personal, and... I'd really rather not discuss it."

“That's fine. But if it is personal, it needs to stay out of the hospital. We have to work as a team while we’re here.”

“Trust me, I know all about the dangers of personal and professional worlds colliding.”

“But why do you think Carrick would tell her about Farrugia? Why would he want to dangle that fruit?”

“I don’t know... he couldn’t help bragging? Or….”

“Or?”

“Or maybe he thought if I stole Farruggia, we'd be even after he stole Stephanie. Then maybe…” she stared off momentarily until the sound of Ethan clearing his throat brought her back. "I don't know," she continued. "But June says it wasn’t him... what does it matter anyway? I have patients to care for, and that's what I should be doing now, don't you agree?"

"I do," he smiled. "Get to it, MacTavish."

_____

(Some information on original characters can be found here.)

Kerry was multi-tasking when her phone rang. “Pain in the Ass” appeared at the top of her screen, accompanied by a high school photo of Tobias.

“What did you do now?” She answered.

In Boston, Tobias was wearing the carpet out as he paced in his bedroom. He told her about what happened last night and how it led to the horrific hangover he was nursing today.

“Damn!” Kerry gushed. “She stole Farrugia? That's badass! I need to meet her!"

"Uhm, she isn't even talking to me, Kerry."

"Irrelevant! I like her, I know we'll be friends! Who needs you?"

“You know I don't want to interrupt the expansion of your social circle, but I'm calling because I'm a little bit of a mess... so can we focus?"

“Sorry, my bad.”

“What did I do wrong, Kerry?”

“You didn’t tell her.”

“But I did! I told her June and I were together, but it was in the past.”

“Yeah, but you didn't clarify that the past meant up until your first date with Casey. They work together, T. You should have offered full disclosure."

“I know, but I was afraid she would have cut me off.”

“And that would have been her prerogative, but at least you would have done the right thing.”

“So, you’re saying I did the wrong thing?”

“Not exactly,” Kerry sighed. “It’s complicated. But if June was being so persistent with you, why didn’t you just block her number?”

“Because hindsight is 20/20! This is why I avoided all this relationship crap. It's so much... work! And I already have a job!"

“Aww, poor baby. So, if it's so draining, get off the phone with me. Go pick up some insipid eye candy at a bar and do your usual. Back to business... right?"

"You know, that was my first instinct... it really was. But..."

"But?"

"I don't want anyone else. I just want to make things right with Casey. I want her. What the fuck is wrong with me, Ker? This is all so \… unnatural.”

“Welcome to understanding what it's like to be in love, Tobias. It only took you 36 years."

“Hey! I never said, love!" He insisted.

“Well, it sounds like more than like. But, T, I have to be honest... you may have already blown it with her."

“Thanks for the encouragement, sis.”

“You know better than to come to me if you don't want the truth. My best advice to you? Just leave her alone for now. If there's going to be any chance, you need to give her space. And you need to stop fixating. Find a healthy form of distraction, and that doesn't mean that nurse you were sleeping with.”

“I’m not calling you anymore," he grumbled.

“Yes, you are," Kerry smiled. "But T... try not to do anything stupid before we talk again, OK?"

“What's the likelihood of that happening?” He chuckled.

"Slim to none, but try!"

_____

Sienna was finishing off the dishes while Jackie wiped down the kitchen table.

“Want to watch a movie?” Jackie asked.

Sienna scrunched her nose. “I’m not in the mood. Why don’t we play Taboo?”

“Because we'd need a fourth player,” Aurora injected, "and Elijah will be too tired when he gets home.”

“So, ask Casey?” Jackie answered.

Sienna and Aurora both shot her a knowing look.

“Don’t tell me she’s holed up in her room again?” Jackie groused.

“She is,” Sienna frowned.

“This is absurd,” Jackie replied. “Is this all because of Aurora’s slimy boss?”

Sienna shrugged. “She really liked him, and she's her. It left her doubting a lot... most of all herself."

“For what it’s worth, I think she regrets swiping Farrugia, too,” Jackie added. “She feels like she stooped to his level, and she's questioning what kind of doctor she is."

"Not to mention that Farrugia is the patient from hell," Sienna agreed. "from hell. "He’s demanding, thinks he is her only patient, and has his nose in everything.”

Aurora shook her head.

“The senator was an asshole at Kenmore, too. Honestly, I wasn’t sad to see him go. But for what it's worth, Tobias has been miserable, too. He's gone from being the fun attending everyone loved to a grumpy ass we all avoid.”

“Lucky you!” Sienna chuckled. “You deal with Casey at home and him at work.”

“I am doing my best to avoid them both,” Aurora grinned. “But don’t worry, they'll be OK in time.”

“Yeah, and that time starts now,” Jackie snapped. “You may have no choice but to tolerate his bullshit at work. But this is home, and it ends today.”

“Wait!” Sienna hollered after Jackie as she stomped down the hall. “What are you doing? Come back here!”

But Jackie was already in Casey’s room.

“That’s it!” she yelled, yanking the covers off of Casey. “You’ve been moping around long enough! We’re all sick of it, and we’re doing something about it.”

“Jackie! We did not agree to this approach!” Sienna yelled.

“You don’t get to decide what I need, Jackie,” Casey balked. “I know what I need, and right now, it's this bed and….”

“A shower,” Aurora inserted. “You could really use a shower.”

“Yes!” Jackie hollered. “That’s what you need! Go take one! NOW! And use extra soap! When you’re done, we’re dressing you up.”

“Dressing me up? I’m not going anywhere.”

“You don’t have to,” Jackie smirked. “We’re hooking you up like the badass hottie you are, and then you’re making a Tinder profile. And don’t even try to say no.”

“Jackie, I am not creating a Tinder profile!”

“You know,” Sienna hummed, “that's not the worst idea.”

“Are you serious, Si?” Casey rebuffed.

“I am! Come on, Casey! It's just for fun! What you do with it is up to you, but it would be so much fun making one. What do you say?”

“I say you must have been dropped on your head as a child if you think that sounds like fun!”

“Come on, please,” Sienna pleaded. “It’ll give us some much-needed girl time.”

Casey was visibly aggravated, but they already saw signs of surrender. After all, she knew it would take more energy to argue with her friends than thank to give in. Mumbling curses under her breath, she headed to the shower.

_____

“OK, you HAVE to wear that hot little black dress!” Jackie exclaimed.

Casey’s lips formed a bittersweet smile as she recalled wearing it when she told Tobias she was done.

“No. It'll look like I’m trying too hard.”

“Why don’t we see if there are some pictures on your phone that you like," Sienna suggested. "Who says we have to use pictures taken tonight?”

“That’s a good idea,” Aurora agreed. “I always loved that one of you from the street fair in Cambridge last summer.”

“Oh, the one where I’m drinking out of a coconut shell! Let's use that!”

Her friends exchanged smiles as they watched the light begin to return in Casey's eyes.

“Ooooh! I like this one,” Sienna pointed.

“Let me see!” Casey grabbed the phone and her smile dropped. It was a great shot. She had the brightest smile... she was glowing.

“This picture…” she stammered. “Tobias took it when we were at that festival... it was such a nice day...."

Sienna shrugged defensively when Jackie shot her a look. Casey’s emotions were on another roller coaster ride she never asked to take. Wistfulness, longing, followed by anger, then, finally, regret rolled over her. She couldn’t use that photo. It wouldn’t be right... then she changed her mind on a dime.

“Screw it!” she shouted. “I look fucking amazing in that picture! Use it!”

“OK,” Sienna grinned. “But let’s take one new one tonight. What do you want to wear?”

“I want to wear this,” she said, looking down at her white camisole and denim shorts.

“That?” Jackie questioned.

"Yes. I want. I want people to know the real me. Besides, I can make this an adorable photo!”

She jumped onto her bed and rolled onto her stomach.

“Here, like this!”

“That’s perfect,” Sienna agreed.

“Well, we have our three photos," Aurora smiled. "Let's make a profile!"

And just like that, Casey was back on the market.

The following two weeks were exhausting. Casey’s workload was insane, and Farrugia became more difficult by the day. Navigating both him and his obnoxious assistant, Travis, was practically a full-time job in itself. Especially since the team was coming up empty. Every idea hit a dead end, and the senator was losing patience.

While she’d never admit to it, her Tinder profile provided a much-needed ego boost at times. The right swipes came in by the dozen. While she still had no interest in dating, it was still nice to know so many found her appealing during a time when she felt anything but. At the end of each day, she’d look through the responses just for laughs. Then, one night, two men caught her eye. She decided to swipe right herself, and she started to chat with both. By the end of the week, she had two dates lined up.

_____

Tobias was trying to distract himself, but his mind kept wandering back to Casey no matter how hard he tried. Kerry and Sasha began to encourage him to get out there again; it hurt to see him so unlike himself. But he just didn't want to... not yet... he was confident if he gave it just a little more time, he'd get a second chance.

One morning, he found himself in a decent mood, so he decided to mend some fences with the residents he had been frightening as of late. In the past, when Dr. Carrick entered the resident's break room, he was met with enthusiasm. He was funny, always had great stories to tell, and at least half the residents had crushes on him. But that Dr. Carrick seemed to be long gone, so they weren’t sure how to react as he approached their table. Luckily, his bright smile put them at ease.

Conversation flowed as easily. Coffee filled their cups, and laughter filled the room. Even Tobias felt the light beginning to creep in through the cracks, and it felt good.

“Dr. Carrick, aren't you on Kenmore’s bowling league?" Anna, a pretty red-headed resident, asked.

“As if he’d be on the bowling team,” Craig, a handsome, burly resident, scoffed. “He’s far too cool for that!”

“Actually, I do bowl,” Tobias corrected. “But I haven’t been on the hospital’s league in years.”

“Well, maybe you should consider joining. I am,” Anna winked.

Craig and his buddy Matt rolled their eyes as Anna shot them a dirty look. Matt caught it, but Craig didn't; his face had been glued to his phone the entire time.

“Do you ever put your phone down?" Tobias admonished. "What the hell are you so obsessed with, anyway? Is texting your girlfriend that interesting?”

“He wishes,” Matt mocked. “Trying to find a girlfriend is more like it. The man swipes right so much he’s going to have an arthritic thumb.”

“I’m just waiting for the right one,” Craig shot back. “Isn’t that how it works, Dr. C?”

“Hey! I’m almost 37 and single, much to my mother’s chagrin. I might not be the best person to ask for advice on this front.”

“Oh!” Craig exclaimed.

“Let me guess,” Matt sneered. “You found the latest love of your life.”

“Oh, this one is not like the rest!” Craig all but panted. “Seriously, call off the dogs! I have found the future mother of my children!”

“You've seen one photo," Anna chided. "So clearly, she’s the love of your life."

“Three photos,” Craig corrected snidely. “And are you telling me you don’t believe in love at first sight? Because I do.”

“Can love at first sight be scientifically proven, Dr. Carrick,” Anna asked with doe eyes.

Tobias remained silent as his mind wandered to the first time he saw Casey at the deli. Was it love? He wasn't sure... but he felt... something.

“Not everything is provable by science, Anna. So if the man says he’s in love," he pat Craig's back, "we have to take him at his word.”

“See!” Craig smiled. “Wait! Holy shit! She’s a doctor, too! Right here in Boston. Where has this angel been hiding the past two years?”

“From you….” Matt smirked.

“Well, she can hide no more. I am so swiping right.”

“Give me that phone,” Tobias chuckled, yanking Craig’s phone from his hand. “Let me see this woman that has you all….”

The mood of the room changed instantly when Tobias's words stopped cold. His eyes went wide, his jaw nearly hit the floor, and his nostrils began to flare in an unnatural way. The residents watched in fear as their one-time favorite attending morphed from Bruce Banner into the Hulk before their eyes. Then he set his gaze on Craig, and his friends were pretty sure that if looks could kill, they would be calling Craig's next of kin that night.

“Did you swipe right?” Tobias angrily asked. “Did you?”

“Uhh, no… not yet. I was about to….”

“Well, you’re not," he snapped. "Do you hear me? You’re not. Not today, not ever! You’re not even going to think about it. You’re not going to dream about it. In fact, why don’t you just delete the app from your phone? That’s probably the safest option for everyone.”

“Uhm. OK," Craig replied nervously. "Is she your girlfriend or something?”

Anna tossed her head back with a laugh. “Dr. Carrick doesn’t do girlfriends, Craig! We all know that."

But the smile ran from her face when his cold eyes moved to her.

“Is something funny?” He asked.

“No... not in the least,” she muttered.

“Good. Now, breakfast has lasted long enough. Everyone... get back to work!”

Anna smacked Craig's shoulder the second Tobias stepped out of the room.

“Nice going! Now we’ve got Carrick’s evil twin to deal with for the rest of the day.”

“Oh, by the look on his face,” Matt added, “It’s going to be a lot longer than a day.”

_____

Tobias was no stranger to Tinder. But the app hadn't graced his phone since he met... yeah. But he was putting it back on tonight, and he was doing it with a vengeance.

“You need to rethink this,” Kerry muttered. "Just sleep on it."

“I’m with Kerry,” Sasha concurred on the three-way call. “You’re being impulsive and, when you’re impulsive….”

“She’s on Tinder with a photo I took of her! The writing is on the wall! She’s done. So I guess I’m done too. Besides, weren’t you two telling me to get out there again? Well, I’m getting out there again!”

“Yeah,” Sasha said, “but not like this. Just... sleep on it.”

“Nope! I’ve got my photos picked and I’m ready to roll.”

“Oh, Jesus,” Kerry sighed.

“One of me in my labcoat….”

“Are you freaking kidding me? T! That’s pathetic. You know you can put “Doctor” in your bio, right?” Sasha scolded.

“I have one from when I was in Cancun. I look damn good if I must say so myself.”

“You must,” Kerry said, taking a sip of wine. "Cause I sure as hell am not."

“This is going to end badly,” Sasha lamented.

“And the last one… hah! Casey took this one. It's perfect! I think I’m good to go.”

“I think you’re an asshole here,” Kerry opposed.

“Noted. But I'm still doing it. Good night, ladies. Thanks for your help.”

“Wait, I had no part in this!” Kerry shouted.

“T,” Sasha pleaded. “You know what happens when you don’t listen….”

Click.

“…to us.”

And just like that, Tobias was back on the market.

Casey went on dates with both contenders. Ryder, the adorable and sweet pediatrician from Boston Children’s Hospital, would be almost perfect... at another time. But he was looking for a wife, and Casey was just trying to find her footing.

But then there was Raj. Drop-dead gorgeous with a smile that made her weak at the knees. He was funny and put her at ease. Their conversation just flowed as they walked along the Charles River. They both came from lower-middle-income backgrounds and had loving parents who encouraged them to follow their dreams. He put himself through college and dental school and now ran a successful private practice in Brookline.

He was open to things becoming more serious if they moved that way, but like Casey, he wanted to take it slow. But after a week of talking and a delightful first date, he liked where it was going. When he dropped her off, he asked if he could see her again after work tomorrow, and she agreed. He kissed her forehead before she turned and went into her apartment, where Sienna pounced on her as soon as she walked in the door.

“Well? Well?”

“Do I get even a minute here, Si?”

“Nope. You don’t. Spill!”

“It was great,” Casey smiled. “He’s charming, witty, easy to talk to… and gorgeous.”

“Are we seeing him again?”

“Tomorrow.”

Sienna squealed. “I’m so excited!”

Casey smiled, but her best friend could see something lurking under the surface.

“Aren’t you excited?” Sienna asked.

“I am. Raj is really great, and I want to get to know him more, but….”

“But?”

Casey let out a sigh. “He kissed my forehead before I came inside... and suddenly, I was back on my first date with Tobias. He kissed my forehead, too... and when he did, my whole body shuddered. That didn't happen now. And if I’m still feeling like this, then maybe I shouldn’t be dating yet, Si.”

“Do you want Tobias back, Casey? Because if you do, I’m sure he’d be….”

“No! We’re done. I don’t even like him after what he did to me."

"But you never gave him a chance to explain," Sienna pointed out.

"I don't think he deserves it. I don't want him, Si, but I just can't...."

“Forget him?”

“Yeah,” Casey sighed. “I just can’t forget him.”

"If I were you, I'd give Raj a chance. Go on one more date... baby steps. In time, you'll get past Tobias."

"Well, I am seeing him after work tomorrow."

"Good!" Sienna smiled. "And I'm helping you pick out an outfit!"

_____

Tobias checked his phone constantly... the right swipes were non-stop. It seemed like all of Boston wanted a shot at him, and while he thought this would excite him, it didn’t. Deep down, he knew he had created a new profile for one reason and one reason alone...it was insane, and he knew it. Even if she saw it, why would she contact him? She could call if she wanted to, and it was clear she didn't.

While Casey had been on her date with Raj, Tobias returned to his townhome after a particularly difficult day at work. He showered and sat on the couch with a beer in his hand. One beer became two, and before he knew it, a six-pack was gone. He opened Tinder and went directly to Casey's profile, staring at her for what felt like an eternity. His head told him to put the phone down, but his heart was fighting it tooth and nail. Tired of the internal struggle raging within him, he finally gave in.

“Fuck it!” he said aloud as he quickly swiped right.

It's amazing how fast a nice buzz can disappear. It had been pleasantly taking the edge off just a brief time before, but now, with just one swipe of his thumb, reality seized him, and he was stone-cold sober. He fell back in bed, shaking his head as he chuckled sardonically.

“I may as well go to bed,” he said out loud. “No use waiting up to see how long it takes Casey to block me.”

_____

Casey was eating breakfast in the cafeteria the next day when Raj’s text came in.

I had a wonderful time, and I can’t wait to see you again.

She smiled softly and began to reply, accidentally opening a notification that came in from Tinder as she typed. The app opened, and curiosity got the better of her. She looked at the first photo and swiped left. Second, same thing. Then she saw the third, and her breath hitched. A picture she had taken of Tobias stared back at her, and she was transfixed. She remembered that day; his eyes felt like they were piercing her very soul, and though it was only a photo, they were having the same effect now.

What is it about this man?

Why do I care?

But, I did sort of even things out…. she began to reason.

...and Sienna is right, I never gave him a chance to explain things about June… not really….

But what the hell is he doing on Tinder? Oh, wait, I’m on Tinder too….

It felt like the oxygen was escaping the room as she attempted to stop her head from spinning and her heart from racing.

What am I doing?

She knew she should put the phone away. She knew she should forget about him. This was all a mistake… but she swiped right anyway, and then she exhaled. She smiled as a feeling of satisfied relief enveloped her for exactly one moment before it was replaced by a sense of impending doom.

What were you thinking?

He finally left you alone!

I must be able to undo this… how do you undo this… fuck! I can’t undo it!

As if his ego wasn't big enough already!

He’s going to think I’m pathetic. He’ll probably laugh at me…

He should laugh at me….

With angry tears in her eyes, she threw the phone into her pocket, cursing her poor judgment. With her stomach churning, eating breakfast was now out of the question. She tossed her paper bag into the trash can and she was only certain of one thing. When she got home, she was deleting that damn app.

_____

A few curses rolled off Tobias’s lips as he hit snooze on his phone for the third time. This time, he had to get up. His eyes squinted shut when he lifted his head from the pillow. It wasn’t quite a hangover, but it was a definitive reminder that he was not twenty-five anymore. But the damage was done, and today, he'd have to pay the price. He slipped his feet into the slippers beside his bed, and he stretched his arms over his head as he shuffled to the bathroom. That’s when he felt the bricks began to fall.

“Oh, fuck!” he yelled as his mind began to recall... it wasn’t a dream. He did it.

This is how I give her space….

I am going to look like a freaking stalker….

He grabbed his phone and opened Tinder, just to confirm that Casey had blocked him. Instead, he found something very different.

“What the….”

His eyebrows knit together as he tapped furiously on his phone, assuming he must have done something wrong. After all, there was no way, right? She wouldn’t… was she giving him another chance?

You and Casey have liked each other.

Maybe she did. Without thought, he snapped a screenshot, almost afraid it would disappear. Then, with a stupid grin, he slumped back into bed. This was more than he hoped for, perhaps, more than he deserved, but he promised himself right then and there... if she gave him another shot, there was no way he was blowing it. If she was doing this... he would see to it that they worked.

With his spirits rising, he stepped into the shower with enthusiasm that hadn't existed just moments before. Suddenly, he knew... it was going to be a great day.

_____

Back at Edenbrook:

“Casey!” Danny yelled, “I was just looking for you! I have the results from that paint sample you tested. It was marked urgent.”

“Oh! Thank you, Danny,” she said, pulling the results from his hands. “Negative! There wasn’t any lead in Senator Farrugia’s house? How can that be?”

She retreated to the empty diagnostics office and took a seat at the computer, typing the senator’s name into a search engine. Page after page of items tracking his every move appeared, but nothing jumped out. As the articles got older, the headlines began to refer to him as ‘Mayor Ed.” One link caught her eye…

Three dead in lead poisoning scandal… aging lead pipes have been poisoning the water supply… three deaths, including thirteen-year-old Jonathan Perry….

“Oh my god, That’s Travis’s last name! He’s from the senator's hometown, and….”

Casey jumped to her feet and ran out of the office. Security Officer Gunderson stood outside of the senator’s room, chatting idly with Rafael.

“Bobby! Call the police, now!”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“The senator’s aid, Travis… I think he’s been poisoning him.”

_____

Tobias was fidgeting uncomfortably at his desk. Nearly three hours had passed since he sent Casey a message... and it had been radio silence ever since. The fact that he had checked his phone dozens of times didn’t stop him from checking once more.

Nothing.

The hope that had brightened his world just hours before was slowly diminishing. Of course, she wasn’t giving him another chance, and he felt like a fool for ever believing she would.

“So much for getting your hopes up, Carrick,” he sighed.

And like that, it was clear, this was not going to be a great day.

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