#COcktails of GEnes anyone

[papaver-decervicatus]

Headcanons- John Price

Birthday, January 11, 1985

Early Life

Born in Hertfordshire

Only Child, his mother (Mary) had him at 16. He never knew his father

His mother was a barmaid who struggled on and off with substance abuse issues throughout his childhood. His grandmother died before he was born, so he was mostly raised by his Grandfather.

Full name is Jonathan Michael Price Junior, after his maternal Grandfather, not his father.

As a child he only ever went by John to differentiate himself from Johnathan, who was well known as an accomplished hunter in the area. The name stuck into his enlistment, though.

Jonathan was a Captain during WWII, only married once, had three children including his youngest, Mary

Devout Anglican, Price is thus probably the most religious of the 141

Grew up hunting and tracking game on his Grandfather’s property, which he inherited and still owns.

While he specializes in tracking, does and has always preferred fishing to hunting. Mostly because he finds cleaning and gutting fish less annoying and gross than cleaning and gutting game.

Still hunts occasionally.

Has a small collection of antique lures in his office. 

Was an alright student throughout school, but he dropped out at 16 to pursue the stability of a military career.

Got married at 19 to a girl from his village, trying to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, divorced at 22 when he discovered she was cheating while he was deployed

Has an irrational fear that the ex-wife hid a possible child from him

She stopped collecting alimony payments three or so years after the divorce. The ruling was reversed in court. Hasn’t seen her since he was 25. 

His greatest regret in life is that he wasn’t around for his grandfather in his final days. He was deployed when Johnathan was diagnosed, and died, from Leukemia.

General

Originally started smoking cigars to try and cut back on his cigarette-smoking habit, did not really work.

Was first gifted his preferred cigars, Maduro, by his first Captain, Captain Macmillan after he gained the rank of Lieutenant.

He has a box of limited edition, 2016 anniversary Maduros he intends on giving Soap once he becomes a Lieutenant to keep the tradition alive.

A pretty good cook; hates baking though. Has a natural talent for throwing flavor profiles together, and he can turn rations into something really special with foraged ingredients in the field.

HATES takeout, HATES eating out, and would much rather make himself a shitty home cooked meal than have anyone else cook for him.

The only exception to this is cafes, he enjoys the occasional pastry + newspaper ambiance when he has downtime.

Actually prefers coffee to tea, but is very particular about his coffee. He also has coffee more frequently in the field so he will opt to make tea when at home/ordering at a cafe

Can pair any meal with a cocktail, even if he has to invent the cocktail himself.

Generally very good when it comes to flavor, except he has the cilantro soap gene. His spice tolerance is mild at best.

Originally grew out his beard to hide/cover rosacea and acne scars

Has since gotten over this insecurity, now just has the beard because he vastly prefers his face with it

Actually has a master's degree in teaching, whenever he gets leave off he takes a couple of classes at a local college

If he is ever forced to retire from the military, he intends on becoming a history teacher 

When he’s home, which is very infrequent, he regularly volunteers with his church at various pantries and soup kitchens.

Frequently passed up for promotion because he can, will, and frequently does, bend the rules. 

When it comes to reprimanding, he’s the worst out of the bunch. He’s not above screaming and spitting in a private’s face to get them scared shitless. 

It’s not because he’s a shitty guy, it’s because he’s seen too many good soldiers die over stupid mistakes to tolerate them. 

Likes romcoms and nature documentaries. 

The muppet insult originated because he got told he couldn't say "fuckwit" to subordinates and "muppet" has a similar mouth feel to "fuckwit."

Price does not want children or to get married. He is married to his work in a lot of ways, he would have to feel a very very very special way about someone to put them into the danger of his job.

Conversely, Price is absolutely the most likely of the 141 to have a secret family somewhere.

Price’s most toxic trait is that he can justify anything. If he thinks it’s worth the mission, God himself could not sway Price away from it. Genuinely believes he’s doing it for the greater good. If it’s not for the greater good, he's not bothering with it. Price would commit an awful war crime and not blink twice about it if he thought it would further humanity (Oh original timeline Captain Price, you evil-for-the-sake-of-good bastard.)

Talents, special bonds, ETC

Originally took a partial interest in Soap because he reminded Price of a friend he had way back in his private days when he worked alongside Declan O’Conor

She was a sniper from the US

He was given Simon and Gary from her company when they were both sergeants and later sent Gaz to get trained by her to be a sniper.

She now only trains soldiers and is technically retired from active duty because of severe combat injuries.

Considers her something of a guardian angel because her overwatch kept him alive through so much tough shit.

His waterproof and windproof lighter was originally hers, but he used it so frequently that she sort of stopped asking for it back.

To this day, this old friend of his is the only person he lets touch his lighter or light his cigars beside Nikolai. Considers it his good luck charm and is superstitious about it.

Visits her in the US whenever he’s around, and gives her updates on Ghost and Roach when he can.

The relationship is purely platonic, but Simon still gives him shit about “His Girlfriend”

Has the innate ability to “smell when water is about to boil.” Gaz and Soap do not believe him, they think he has a water to heat time table memorized or something. Ghost does not understand it, but he’s seen Price leave water unattended until the very second it's about to boil over too many times to refute his claim

Genuinely believes that Declan O’Conor was KIA, and harbors a lot of guilt over that. In his mind, he was not there to help his friend when he was on a solo mission that killed him. If he ever found out O’Conor was still alive he would be very upset/feel betrayed

Has few close relationships outside of the military, but they include:

Kate Laswell and her wife, he gets along really well with Kate’s wife, to the point that Kate often feels left out when he’s around (again, purely platonic, queer women just love this man)

Nikolai. The two have boned. Are they FWB? Are they soulmates? Are they gay married? No clue, but its the truth.

US friend. Has a standing agreement to marry her should either of them require marital status for something like healthcare

Is the woman he lost the pissing contest to

She calls him “Johnny Cash”

Gaz hates being around them because they act worse like a married couple than Price and Nikolai, which is bad enough.

Their relationship is very reminiscent of Soap and Ghost, where Ghost is Price and the friend is Soap. 

Price refuses to introduce her to Soap because Ghost made him promise never to (he knows she’s got hella embarrassing stories about him and fears what energy having  the two in the same room would create.)  

His cousins. Is not super close with his uncles, but grew up around the same time as their kids so he is pretty close with them. Considers their kids his nieces and nephews.

Specialty!! How he views the mainline 141 boys!

He sees Soap as a protege specifically because he believes he can train him out of his more impulsive habits, in a sort of sick and twisted way, Price knows that Soap will eventually lose his FNG outlook and he wants to be there to direct him out of it when he does-- Just like Macmillan did to him.

He sees Gaz as a soldier because Gaz is already so established in his skillsets that Price sort of thinks "Can't teach an old dog new tricks." He knows that Gaz is damn good at what he does and is not impulsive/explosive enough to make it to where Price has, but there is no one he would rather have under his command. He trusts Gaz's moral judgement the most out of the group and absolutely favors him for it, whether or not he would admit to it.

He sees Ghost as sort of a lateral officer. For better or for worse, Simon Riley is dead, and Price is haunted by his Ghost for that reason. He harbors an immense amount of guilt for not being able to save Simon so he keeps Ghost on a loose leash. Price sees Ghost as sort of a tragic guard dog, too feral and traumatized to be anything more but still fearsome and worthy of love and respect.

[mew-ya]

katakuri headcanons 🍩 - update (1/9)

- assessing his mother and brothers, where do his teeth come from? my thought is that his father is half fishman, as it's previously been stated that quarter fishmen do not have the ability to breathe underwater or really get much special strength--but I think an unusual mouth could be feasible. perhaps he's quarter pelican eel fishman?! that could explain why his brothers look (relatively) normal, it's just a recessive gene that falls out with the stronger human/whatever Big Mom genes are.

- his massive "house" granted to him by his mother is immaculate, spotless, spartan. this is because he doesn't live in it. he has a true living quarters hidden somewhere on komugi island that holds his some of his less grave secrets (such as his silly little hobbies and his preference of milk alternative). he's a private person so no one really goes there. only brulee knows about it, and maybe a few of his other closest siblings.

- he is 48, so he'd be pretty out of touch with the things his young siblings like. he's a humble guy so I think he'd take their "omg youre OLD" bullying in stride, and they'd love him for it. very popular with the kids AND their parents, future sight is the ultimate babysitter ability. he can stop a toddler with a safe alternative before they even think about climbing up a curtain.

- torn on wanting kids himself. he loves them, maybe he wanted them when he was younger. but his family has a lot already and he's a busy man. will he be able to care for them like he wants? how can he shield them from his mother and what she put him through? what if they are born with his face? will his child be able to live their own life without living in his shadow? it's complicated for him, and he thinks very deeply about it.

- it's pretty hard for him to keep secrets from brulee in general. they have a bit of an unhealthy relationship in that regard...they're both very protective of each other, which can make it difficult to get close to them. kata scares off anyone who looks at brulee the wrong way, shooting them a glare or worse if they dont catch the hint. brulee secretly watches anyone from her mirrors who appears to be paying too much attention to katakuri and confronts them if she suspects they're up to no good. she's a sweet woman deep down, but has learned to be a convincing witch.

- katakuri is a sucker for foods that have sweetness, and it's warped his taste buds a bit. whenever people try his occasional cooking, they're a bit taken back by the presence of sugar on everything. he watches for reactions patiently and most are too afraid to offend him, so they pretend it's good. he's a humble guy, so the typically universal praise doesn't go to his head. his brothers might have a stupid nickname for him like "sweetsteak" but he thinks they're joking.

- as for the types of foods he likes to eat besides donuts: I think he'd like bagels of the sweet variety, such as blueberry or cinnamon raisin. though not everything needs to be donut shaped. I think he'd enjoy pineapple on pizza a lot, monte cristo sandwiches, and fruity, tropical cocktails on the rare occasion he drinks. he'd also like curries that balance sweet and spicy well. doesnt really eat all that much meat but he does enjoy it baked into pastries. also see him as someone who puts an embarrassing amount of sugar cubes in his tea. like my dude. you want tea with those sugar cubes? he just keeps going. he literally does not care what you think of his food preference so no one really comments on it anymore.

- Mr power nap himself. he probably sleeps like shit cus he has to keep up appearances as Mr. Perfection, never lying on his back. but I like to think he gets a rare occasion to sleep a full night on his back and he makes a little ritual out of it. covering the windows, making sure no one can disturb or find him, pulls out his favorite book and reads it in its entirety before hes able to fall asleep the normal way...maybe putting brulee on guard duty. but don't ask me if he wears the matching jammies and hat set. I can't clown on him that hard today

- wears gloves cus he's a serial nail picker. originally thought he would be a nail biter but like...his teeth seem a bit extreme for that? i can't imagine him really putting his fingertips at risk like that, so I think he'd be the type to pick at his nails when nervous. the gloves help with that quite a bit, and have an added bonus of protecting his palms from his heavy work schedule. his hands are pretty soft.

- smells kinda like mochi residue, which is to say he smells like rice flour. he also smells like leather and steel, and perhaps a waft of vanilla or strawberry depending on the pastry crumbs he accidentally dropped in his scarf that day. it's a very floofy scarf and he doesn't really take it off so sometimes he gets a bit of food in it. has to wash it daily, probably has a bunch of backup scarves.

thanks for reading 🫡💓 and double thanks to all of the people who've rambled on and on with me and helped contribute to my headcanons about him, or have posted some of their own that I came across and agreed with! I love this character very very much so i always have a lot of fun thinking about little things like this.

- he has acquired a lot of stupid donut decor over the years, thanks to his closer siblings that know his love of donuts. his secret little house is absolutely littered in it. he doesnt really buy this stuff himself, his taste is a bit more punk rock. one year he did get a pretty cool donut-patterened Tiffany lamp that he has by his couch. but most of the time, an easy Christmas gift for kata: donut socks. Peros gets him a different color every year. he's not really that into it, but he appreciates the thought...

new below added 1-9 (about his height, about traveling)

- he is a very tall person, though not giant sized. thankfully, the one piece world is rather kind to folk big and small. it's not any trouble to find the correct size of most items, especially in tottoland. you'll find a variety of specialty stores catering to folks of small and large sizes, and some areas even have districts concentrated around small and big folk with appropriately portioned cuisines. clothes come in a wide variety of sizes even at the smallest of boutiques. although the clothes of many of the charlotte siblings have a certain flair that scream custom made, kata being no exception...

- his size becomes more difficult when he's traveling abroad, and tends to stick to the ships quarters as a place to rest when outside of his home. he's not one to rent out a place, as it is troubling to find accommodations that suit his many needs (including absolute privacy). he would probably rely on his own mochi abilities to generate shelter before ever agreeing to stay in a stranger's abode. he feels moderately comfortable in his personal ships quarters but his typical form of comfort is most often found on the deck, leaning against the mast with a watchful eye on the horizon.

- his duties as minister and commander, as well as his travels as a child with the Rocks Pirates, have brought him to many places. given that his mochi merienda shrine has wano-style architecture, it is not utterly out of left field to think that he has even visited a secluded place such as Wano in the past. while his job and family is rather isolating, he has still experienced a good number of unfamiliar cultures and cuisines. I think that he has traveled less in the latter half of his life but still holds onto some of those memories and would like to go back to the places he went when he was younger.

I'll probably continually update this with new HCs when I get bored 💕

naturally, please take these all with a grain of salt! it's fine to disagree, these are just how I personally see him.

[bulletproofscales]

monster fucking march 5 - bulbs, spikes and bumps (namkook)

oh i took my sweet time with this one because it was SO out of my comfort zone!! but i ende dup really liking the dynamic i was able to wrtie. which is kinda what the challenge is about!! tho fr now ill preassur emyself to psot everyday for the rest of march to get to all 10 prompts!! wish me luck :,)

tags: intersex jungkook , jungkook has both genitals , mentions of female genitalia , monster genitals , monster pussy , trans man namjoon , ftm namjoon , post-phalloplasty namjoon , trans dick namjoon , first times , chubby namjoon

3.4k (no wonder it took me forever )

AO3 LINK

“Looking for someone into cock biting-” 

No.

“Is there any sadist dtf my ass that has this weird medical condition-” 

No! 

Jungkook’s hands abandon the keyboard as if it were on fire. 

He can’t do this. But he has to. 

Already in his mid twenties, Jungkook hasn’t gone past the occasional hand job back when he was just starting college. Back when he knew something was off but never had the urge to experiment and find out exactly what. 

Needless to say, it was a very painful first fingering experience, for all the wrong reasons. 

Yes, he’s heard people with vaginas say it can hurt the first time. But he didn’t expect his fingers to barely fit. Scrunching up his face as curling them forward and back only seems to make the squeezing worse. 

Jungkook knew he was intersex, his mother made a very conscious effort to explain it to him. He has both genitals and he’s gone his life mostly in normality. All of his biology was male except for the vulva behind his sack; so he lived his life normally. Intersex people exist and he doesn’t have to go around telling people, he doesn’t owe that to anyone! 

Though… He does panic when in a wild tipsy night by himself he wants to experiment fingering himself, copious amounts of lube as he reaches between his lips; thighs spread open and anticipation pumping his heart. 

And when he pulls out to see his fingers swollen and red. It was a bit of a moodkill. If not, the thing that sent Jungkook into cardiac arrest. 

Yes, he knows the rest of his biology is all relatively normal. That he could easily just have standard sex in any position without having to involve the anomaly on his body. But now, as if being intersex hadn’t been enough of a stigma for him to overcome, now he has to worry about people finding said pussy he shouldn't have in the first place, has weird hard bumps in it!

His mom was a fumbling mess when he interrogated her over the phone. Something about her making a mistake, falling for some succubus-like man thing, and some of his genes passing onto Jungkook! 

So Jungkook’s vagina has bumps, apparently. 

He hasn’t had much sex at all after that. 

Though redacting this message was becoming a harder task than he had anticipated. Not even anonymity and a strong vpn were enough to make the shame he felt wash away. Writing and deleting and re-writing just to delete again in exhaustion.

And he’s becoming desperate. And lonely. 

That's where he finds himself now. In a very deep corner of the internet. An old abandoned website with only a few people in it, describing different genitalia anomalies. As if he was gonna find anyone like him. Jungkook didn’t need to find anyone like him though. He just needed to find someone… willing. 

 He needs a drink. 

It ends up being 5 drinks until Jungkook’s drunken inspiration takes hold of him. Writing an obscene message and posting it shamelessly before he plops on the bed; knocked out by the weird cocktail of anxiety, and alcohol that tired him out.

At least he is relieved he didn’t actually post his number online for a group of strangers. But still inside this obscure forum thing, a little bell shows on his chats. Flinging already, he reaches to click it.

 With horror, Jungkook is reminded of his last night’s endeavor when a notification of a message from the same dark website shows up on his phone. 

“Hello Im JUngkoook, my vagina has liek bumps in it or sumthing! you dont have to be into it!!!!! as long asd youre down with having sex w me in anywway shape or form (i ahve a penis too ;))) !! im just despedrate ok? text me if your interesdted!! !!  :DDD”

icantfeelmydickwhenimwithyou: hi! i dont know if you were serious or not, but if youre from seoul, im a bit desperate and more than ok with… your situation. 

icantfeelmydickwhenimwithyou: we wouldnt have to like fuck on first encounter but if you wanna chat im interested :] 

Well she fell for a succubus. She can’t tell Jungkook shit.

He stares in awe. Jungkook’s parents have given him so many talks throughout all of his teenage internet friendships about the dangers of the internet and all the creeps that lay within. But Jungkook is actively seeking them out now. Not only that, but he wants to meet with one too. Have sex with them! 

Jungkook’s mom would not be proud. 

jkabtthecockbiting: i /am/ from seoul 

jkabtthecockbiting: honestly…if youre ok to fucking right away id skip the chitchat. 

His confidence dissipates when the stranger replies immediately. 

Jungkook wasn’t dumb enough to give him his address. Or too agree to go to “Namjoon’s” as he learnt is his supposed name. So they agreed to a love hotel on the outskirts of Seoul. Not the safest place around, but Jungkook can defend himself! He hits the gym! He boxes! That's what he tries to remind himself at least, as he finds himself outside the sketchy area on a random Thursday night.  

icantfeelmydickwhenimwithyou: cutting straight to the point huh

And maybe this stranger online posing no hesitation to meet him, should've been a red flag. His mother would be very disappointed. But Jungkook needs to feel wanted. And if a creep sadist perv on Reddit is the one to make him feel that way. Then they meet. 

He does regret not having asked for some sort of photo or social media. Jungkook may not be desperate enough to fuck a 70 year old man. But he doubts an old man would’ve figured out a way through underground fetish chat rooms, right? Right.

“Jungkook, right?” Oh.

It's cold, he has his arms crossed over himself trying to protect himself from the falling snow while keeping contact with everyone who passes by. 10:30pm outside, that's what they had agreed on. Of course Jungkook not only got there at 9:50, but had booked a room in the hotel for the night. And now has to think about how he will tell Namjoon that he expects him to pay half of it too… Is Jungkook even allowed to request that? This stranger is the one doing a favor for him. 

Even if he hears the steps approaching him, making his head snap up, Jungkook is startled anyways. The stranger must recognize that same jitteriness on himself. 

 Out of everything he’s imagined, this isn’t what he considered Namjoon would look like. Gentle but broad rounded shoulders, only a slimmer bit taller than Jungkook. Padded chin with some patchy stubble and pillowy body showing through the thick layer of clothing. Pear shaped body clinging to his shirt and jeans; despite the flannel and jacket, it still shows. He smiles a bit, plump lips catching Jungkook’s attention more than his body; dimples showing through. 

“I uh… I already booked a room.” He speaks from behind the broad expanse of soft shoulders. Namjoon turned to look over his shoulder, smiling surprised. 

“Y-yeah.” He can’t help but grin, feeling the release of tension of seeing this real life 20-30 something person with him; a real, friendly-looking, human. “Namjoon?” 

“That's me.” Namjoon offers his hand and Jungkook eagerly takes it, satisfied with the warmth emanating from this man. “Oh you’re freezing. Come on, let's go in.” He says it so casually as if they were getting into his home; it's a bit relaxing as he follows Namjoon without letting go of his big warm hand. Like the rest of him.

“Oh! You prepared for everything! Nice.” Even if his reaction is positive, Jungkook can’t help but feel that familiar anxiety slip through. Is he being too eager? Overprepared? He can only smile timidly and nod as Namjoon makes his way to the desk, asking for a reservation to his name for him; and Jungkook lets himself find refuge behind the mass of the other man. Feels nice. 

Namjoon’s smile at him is also very reassuring. “No, no you’re alright.” There's a chuckle attached to the end of his sentence and everything. “I’m not particularly into it. Or I mean, I never tried!” He adds quickly.

Namjoon maneuvers his way through the awkwardness easily. While Jungkook only speaks when they’re in the privacy of the hallway together. 

“So… You're into bumpy holes?” He doesn’t bother being subtle. Though he does feel a bit guilty in the way Namjoon chokes on his own spit; but not guilty enough to hide his giggling. “Sorry, too much?”

“I’m your first I get it.” Jungkook reassures smiling.  

“But uh… I had bottom surgery about a year ago. And it's safe to have sex, but I still need a bit… uh, more, to really feel anything. Until the nerves heal at least.”  Jungkook can only stare a bit wide eyed nodding. 

There's something so… relieving about hearing Namjoon isn’t ‘normal’ either. A smile slowly grows on his face. He’s never been with a trans person. But walking with Namjoon now, it just makes perfect sense that they found each other. 

“Hopefully I’ll be of help then.” His smile must be contagious because Namjoon is grinning back at him, gentler than last time. “Won’t it hurt the stitching?” Jungkook asks curiously.

“Oh no no. Most of the stitching is gone, and the scarring made the skin really tough.” He explains before his smile widens more, a little bit of confidence oozing off him. “You did your homework.” 

“You’re not the only one that looked for bottom surgeries!” Jungkook accuses with a finger that pokes at Namjoon’s pillowy bicep. Their giggling rudely echoing through the hallway. 

“This is our room.” Laughter still clings to his voice as he gestures to the room. “I’m kinda scared, never been in one of these.” He confesses. 

“I can still appreciate it!” He whines but the laughter makes it less serious. Jungkook is starting to worry less about their night together, and more about if the other customers will file a complaint about them. Which feels a lot better. The door opens and Jungkook prepares himself to be grossed out. 

“Does it look like I have?”

“That was the anxiety, Namjoon.” Jungkook deadpans earning another wave of giggles. 

They turn to each other in pleasant awe, smiling softly in the brief moment of silence. Jungkook catches Namjoon’s eyes glancing down towards his lips before their eyes meet again.

“Oh!” “This is so much better than I expected.”

“Me too.”

He wouldn’t be able to tell you who leaned first, all Jungkook knows is it is his own back pressing the door shut close; once the eager weight of Namjoon’s body presses flush against his. Softened belly and chest engulfing him in warmth as Jungkook cups his face, feeling big hands cup at his waist and squeeze. Coaxing a moan to vibrate for his lips to be swallowed by Namjoon. 

This is where he would start to feel nervous, jittery over not letting himself get to enjoy too much. Jungkook would have to stop them before it gets too far, before he has to explain himself; make excuses for his body. But he doesn’t have to, not when Namjoon’s hands softly caress the hem of Jungkook’s shirt. Stripping his jacket and shirt alike, leaving him bare. 

Goosebumps break down his back from the feeling of the cold wall against his skin; but Namjoon’s warm hands tug him closer and away from it. Jungkook’s muscular thigh slots between Namjoon’s thicker ones in an attempt to stabilize himself. A bit harshly but it seemed to do the trick for the other; moaning deeply into Jungkook’s lips. 

Jungkook doesn’t feel like covering up, he feels like revealing Namjoon too. 

His own hands strip his jacket off before letting his hands get a feel of his tubby torso, pudgy and soft to the touch. Jungkook’s hands are desperate trying to memorize the curve and thickness of his waist, and Namjoon’s chuckle into the kiss does nothing to help. Confidence making his dick twitch in desperation; which he is sure Namjoon can feel, from the way they’re pressed together. 

“F-fuck… Fuck can I?” He whispers as his hands trace to Jungkook’s belly, settled on the waistband of his pants; where Jungkook’s bulge is beginning to show. He nods urgently, his own hands aggressively tugging down at Namjoon’s sweatpants; everything on his body jiggling softly with the strength of Jungkook’s pulling. Too preoccupied licking his lips at the sight of Namjoon’s semi to worry about himself. 

“Pleasantly surprised.” The flirty giggle clings to his voice as his hand curiously caresses the chubby bottom of Namjoon’s belly, trailing down to wrap around his dick. Both of them looked down at Jungkook’s tattooed hand. 

“You’re hard.” Jungkook whispers with an awed smile and very shameless staring. 

“Surprised?” He retorts with humor and endearment. 

Harsh, he’d told Jungkook. So biting his lips, he squeezes Namjoon’s shaft, letting his nails sink a little into the skin in a way he’d never dare to try on himself. But Namjoon seems to melt into it, his thick thighs shivering in what Jungkook can only assume is a mix of pleasure and pain? He moans like its only pleasure. 

“We don’t have to do anything.” His thumbs rub soothing circles along his squeezed knees. And oh, how could Jungkook pass up an opportunity like this? When is he ever going to find someone like Namjoon again?

“I wanna see too…” His voice sounds significantly deeper than Jungkook remembers it. Making his heart skip a beat as he looks up to Namjoon; whose half lidded eyes do nothing to calm his stammering pulse. Warm hands squeezing gently at his waist; so much softer than Jungkook’s treatment. 

Guiding him towards the bed, their legs still tangling together as Jungkook lets himself fall on the surprisingly soft mattress; Namjoon standing in front of him. He instinctively presses his thighs together in an attempt to hide his vulva. But those same big hands are rubbing at his knees as Namjoon carefully kneels on the bed. The hunger in his eyes dissipated for something softer. 

Jungkook has to really bite into his lip to stop a shaky whine from slipping, so many years of self neglect leaving him needy and so sensitive. But even so, a choked whimper slips past. “Can I?” Namjoon asks, regardless of the desperation in Jungkook’s eyes when he snaps up to look at him again. 

“I want to.” Jungkook confesses vulnerably. “Just, uh… force of habit.” He chuckles a bit at himself, taking the first step as his thighs begin to spread for the dreamy man. The rush of adrenaline makes his breathing already a little heavy. Biting his lip preparing himself for the worst. 

But Namjoon’s expression only melts with lust, exhaling as he doesn’t take his eyes off Jungkook’s crotch. “Oh look at you…” He whispers and it feels like his voice could rattle at his insides. Warm hands still very much secured on his muscular thighs. Jungkook can feel his face burn as he forces himself to look up once Namjoon’s fingers abandon his leg to caress his lips, tentatively. Only the tips of fingers feeling him up. 

“You're so wet…” He mumbles against Jungkook’s lips. Only getting a desperate moan in response. His jaw dropping, looking up at Namjoon with eyes that struggle to stay open. “I can’t finger you but–but we’ll take it slow, yeah?” His thumb presses against his clit, and Jungkook’s eyes roll with a trembling whine. 

“Yes!” All self control leaves him, body trembling, begging for Namjoon to do something more than to caress the shaven lips of his pussy. “Yes Namjoon, please-” The sentence dies in his throat as Namjoon’s fingers press between his lips, rubbing up and down without pressing in just yet. Wet and sloppy noises coming from within him; only more accessible as his dick hardens against his flat tummy. 

Namjoon smiles at the shivering man beneath him, taking the liberty of leaning closer and really making Jungkook’s legs spread. Opening to fit the girth of Namjoon’s hips; calves squishing into the chub a bit. Plump lips take a hold of his, greedily kissing as Jungkook is engulfed by the softness of Namjoon’s torso. 

He has to make an effort to stay lucid enough to respond. Nodding quickly before he can even coordinate to speak, stuttering as his own hips grind against Namjoon’s fingers. Stabbing jabs of pleasure spreading through his navel. “Yes–Yes please!” Shaky hand presses to Namjoon’s cheek just to pull him in for another kiss, to let his weight press him down to the mattress. For the first time in a while, Jungkook allows himself to feel empty, to yearn for the warmth he so desperately craves. Worsening when Namjoon pulls his fingers away.

Something in his stomach tightens in anticipation, for it all to go invariably wrong. But Namjoon aligns himself, taking a curious look at where their crotches meet, sliding on a condom before he starts pressing in. Frowning in concentration, while Jungkook’s heart goes rigid. Gasping quietly at the stretch, he feels his bulbs press onto Namjoon’s dick in a tight fit. Jungkook can only imagine the pressuring squeeze they’re pushing onto Namjoon’s dick; even if he feels more stretched than he ever dared to try. 

Even as his heart raises to Jungkook’s throat he stares at Namjoon wide eyed. Taking in his groans, trying to read if it's the pain or the pleasure overpowering his senses. Though Namjoon’s continuous, even if slow, sliding into him is somewhat of a good sign. Regardless, he asks. 

“G–Good?” The insecurity shows in his voice even throughthe heavy breathing and fucked-out stutter. Namjoon opens his eyes for him with a haze of their own; his voice sounding a little breathless itself when he responds. 

“I won’t.” He whispers leaning to take Jungkook’s lips into another kiss, both of them smiling into eachothers mouths before his hips begin to grind. Their kiss is sloppy enough that it's not able to silence the moan of pleasure out of Namjoon’s throat. Unable to help himself as a rhythm begins to build. As Jungkook begins to lose himself, his insides churning in a pleasure that takes him from within. Feeling through the nubs inside him every inch of Namjoon’s skin, his own bumps, his own imperfections. Filling him to the brim with quickening thrusts. 

“Oh Jungkook… It feels amazing.” He whispers leaning so their noses brush, fully bottomed out he can feel the way Namjoon’s entire body shivers in pleasure. “Y-you?” His smile is giddy even if it's shaky; like he is holding back.

It feels ridiculous for him to even ask! Jungkook is nodding before the words come out again. “So, so good, keep going!” He can’t help but grin excited, nodding in encouragement; seemingly contagious as a wider smile spreads on Namjoon’s own face. 

He is beyond controlling the string of moans that Namjoon coaxed out of his chest with each thrust. Warmth, all he feels is warmth. From the inside out, form the jiggling soft body pressed on top of his, weighting on him like a blanket. Namjoon’s own moans, deep and lustful, making his eyes roll back as his legs hang heavy and useless at either side. Dick rubbed against the bottom of Namjoon’s belly, sinking into it deliciously. 

Jungkook never could’ve imagined, he could ever feel this good. That he could ever cause this much pleasure to someone else. 

It's pointless to try to warn Namjoon about his orgasm. Legs squeezing into the sides of his chubby belly as he spurts against the very bottom roll. “D–Don’t– Don’t stop!” Is all he manages to say. Hands cupping Namjoon’s thick neck howling in pleasure as he continues. Shamelessly enjoying after so many years of deprivation. 

He never wants it to end. 

“F-fuck –fuck don’t say that, Jungkook. I’m – I’m going to-” Namjoon’s own speech is cut off with a shivered moan, his entire body trembling and spasming as he grinds his hips into Jungkook’s bumped heat. 

And for a moment everything stills, looking at one another with widened eyes. Like it's the first time in a while either of them have been able to feel this amount of pleasure. 

The first, but definitely not the last. 

[affectiondeficitdisorder]

If Dating is a Numbers Game, the House Always Wins

by Ethlie Ann Vare

Used to be, “courting distance” was how far a man could comfortably ride a horse, spend a little time visiting, and return home all in one day. It was about 12 miles, and boy howdy did that limit the dating pool — not to mention the gene pool. It made life pretty easy for matchmakers, though. Today, courting distance is throw-a-dart-at-the-globe… but are we better off with this paradox of choice? Who bothers to invest in a budding relationship when there’s always another one where that came from, and our electronic matchmakers remind us of that every day. “There’s plenty of fish in the sea,” say Tinder and Bumble and Hinge and, duh, Plenty of Fish.

But there’s a catch. It is not in the best interest of these electronic marvels of matchmaking to actually match you with anyone. As much as they claim to love love and want nothing more than to find you the love you seek, there is ample evidence that they are actually using their advanced algorithms to keep you single. After all, as soon as you find your true love, you will stop using their services. The apps cannot actually give you the very thing they are selling.

I believe economists call it a “perverse incentive.” I call it bullshit.

“People forget it’s an industry,” says tech reporter Lakshmi Rengarajan. “They know who’s behind Netflix or Amazon or Facebook, but they have no idea who’s behind Match.” Which, by the way, also owns Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, The League, Plenty of Fish, and whatever it is you’re surreptitiously swiping as you skim this essay. (Spoiler alert: It’s Barry Diller. The Match Group is the brainchild of the octogenarian media mogul who also invented the made-for-TV movie and launched the Fox network.)

Rengarajan and Sangeeta Singh Kurtz are co-hosts of Dating Games, the latest season from the techie podcast Land of the Giants. It’s a deep dive into the genesis, the business and the general dystopia of dating apps. 

And “Games” in an appropriate handle, as dating apps were designed from the gate to resemble casino games, and with the same goal: They want to keep you there as long as possible to extract as much money from you as possible. Only instead of bribing you with free cocktail service and seafood buffets, they tempt you with the promise of everlasting love.

Of course, these slot machines can’t actually give you everlasting love, because that would cause you to immediately exit the casino. So they do everything in their algorithmic power to serve you Mr. or Ms. Not-Quite-Right, to persuade you that Mr. or Ms. Right is behind the next curtain. Just keep swiping!

Here’s the thing: Mr. or Ms. Right could well be behind the curtain somewhere. Probably is. In 2023, just about every unpartnered (and plenty of partnered) people are on the apps. But the app has zero incentive to open the curtain. Its goal is to keep zapping you with the dopamine hit of expectation, over and over and over again. Because mammals will chase dopamine hits until they die. Ask any lab rat.

The apps are programmed to give us almost what we want, but not quite. They are designed to tantalize you. It is frustration on a mythic scale. Literally. Where do you think the word “tantalize” comes from? The current psych jargon for this phenomenon is the “ludic loop,” although the idea of “intermittent reward” has been around since before BF Skinner did his experiments with the actual lever-pressing lab rats.

As media analyst Jon Favreau put it, “You may go into the dating app thinking ‘I want to find someone,’ but the act of being on the app and swiping itself becomes an entertainment experience.” The average Bumble user spends 90 minutes a day on the app. Astonishing. I would shoot myself after spending 90 minutes on Bumble, period - although I do find it entertaining. Look at all the pictures of men holding up a fish!

I don’t get it. Do they think I will pick the man with the biggest fish? Is this a dick metaphor, or do I look hungry?

[katarh-mest]

Alcohol tips for a Southern College Football Town with a Drinking problem (its us, the Dawgs, we're all alcoholics here)

Liquor stores are not open on Sundays until 12PM (may vary by state, but 12PM is Georgia)

Bars close at 2AM; there are no overnight bars in most college towns, for good reason. Everyone is expected to go to Waffle House to sober up.

Only beer and wine and ciders are sold in grocery stores and gas stations. You cannot buy liquors there.

"Moonshine" refers to any neutral spirit lacquer made through distillation. Illegally made moonshine has not been distilled properly and may contain methanol still, which is why it has a bad reputation. Modern moonshines won't do that.

The fancier the restaurant, the more expensive the cocktails.

Simple syrup just means sugar water, usually at a 2 sugar to 1 water ratio. Demerara is a type of brown sugar. If you see a floral note in front of simple, it means the sugar water has that stuff added to it, i.e. lavender simple or rose simple have lavender water or rose water added to them.

Beer snobs have a minimum tier beer and will refuse anything lesser. (For me it's Sam Adams. I won't drink domestic rice lagers.)

Beer is incredibly variable in strength and ranges from a weak 3-4% session beer to 15% barley wines. That is, one strong beer can be five times more alcohol than one weak beer.

Binge drinking is generally considered more than 1 drink in an hour. For women, 2 more more drinks in the same day approaches binge levels, for men its 4 or more drinks. A high gravity beer can be more than one drink.

Alcohol tolerance is mostly genetic, but you can also build it up slowly over time. Some people cannot get drunk and instead get sick - this is known informally as "Asian Flush Syndrome" but it can impact anyone from any ethnic background who has mismatched genes. Conversely, some people can drink for hours and get drunk, but don't get hungover. Most people will eventually though.

The best way to prevent a hangover is to drink lots of water before you crash and sleep it off.

Vineyards and breweries often offer "flights" for tasting beer. This is wonderful if you can't make up your mind about what you want to try, and you can get smaller tastes of all of it.

Alcohol tips for newbie writers (or non drinkers!):

At bars, people who order “chasers” after their shots are ordering something to wash down the taste of their shot with. This can be juice, soda, more alcohol, or even pickle juice

Hard liquor is generally sold in stores as shots (tiny bottles), fifths, liters, and handles or in ml (50, 100, 200 etc)

Most people can’t finish an entire fifth of hard liquor (vodka, etc) on their own without being very ill

Conversely, many people can finish an entire bottle of wine on their own without being ill

Liquor can be “bottom shelf” or “rail” or “well” – all synonyms for the cheapest version of alcohol a bartender has. Bars generally keep several “levels” of alcohol stocked

You order a drink with the alcohol first, then the mix – e.g., a “vodka soda” or a “Tito’s and tonic”

When you “close out a tab”, you pay for all of the drinks you’ve had that night. Either the bartender already has your card (you “opened a tab” earlier) or it was quiet enough that they just kept an eye on you and tallied your bill up at the end

“Doubles” are drinks or shots with double the standard pour of alcohol

In the US, most shots (pours) are 1.5 oz by default. 

Mixed drinks (gin and tonic, vodka lemonade, cosmos, etc) are generally made up of 1-2 shots and a mixer 

If you don’t specify which type of alcohol you’d like in a mixed drink (vodka cranberry, for example) the bartender will put whatever the “house” liquor is – and this depends entirely on the establishment. A dive bar will pour rail by default, whereas a nicer tavern might make all vodka cranberries with Tito’s

PLEASE TIP YOUR BARTENDERS THEY WILL REMEMBER YOU I PROMISE

[elprupneerg]

It’s been a week and I’m still not over how when I told my family I have lupus nobody responded. And when I reached out to my mom specifically to ask for advice/comfort dealing with pain and being scared she didn’t really say anything. But then I found out from my younger sibling a few days later that they’d had a phone call with her the next day and she’d said that she thought I was lying/making it up since she’d never heard of lupus before and nobody else in the family has it. And since I’d never brought up being in pain before to her.

Like??????? Who does that? Who fucking does that?????? At least if you think I’m lying about being in pain all the time say it directly to me, or ask why I didn’t feel comfortable mentioning it to you. If you’ve never heard of something or don’t understand how it works fucking Ask Me What That Means. And yeah idk what’s up with me having it and not anyone else, I’m not a fucking geneticist. Your child just learned they’re gonna be sick for the rest of their life and is warning the rest of you that the genes for it are somewhere in the genetic cocktail you and your husband made together to make 4 of your kids. Fucking be nice about it???????

[ageology5]

Best hair specialist doctor in Chandigarh     

Best Hair Loss Treatment

As a normal part of your hair's development cycle, you should expect to shed a little hair each day. Most people's hair regrows and they continue to have a full head of hair. However, diseases, hormonal fluctuations, stress, aging, and hereditary disorders might impede the development cycle of your hair. More hair falls off, but it doesn't necessarily regrow in new sections. To give treatment that fulfills your goals for hair growth, a healthcare professional can assist you in identifying the source of your hair loss. The best hair specialist doctor in Chandigarh can diagnose your condition and help you receive the best treatment at Ageology. 

Hair Loss 

Most healthy people shed up to 100 strands of hair daily. New strands replace the ones you shed as part of the growth cycle for your hair. The condition is known as alopecia (hair loss) when you shed more strands and little or none grow back. Various forms of hair loss can afflict adults of any gender as well as even young children. You might lose hair from your body as well as from merely your head.

The most often occurring forms of hair loss consist of:

Androgenic alopecia: Anyone can get this kind of hereditary baldness—male pattern baldness in males or hair loss in women.

Alopecia areata: The autoimmune condition known as Alopecia areata causes head and body hair loss.

Telogen effluvium: In this kind of hair loss in which hair sheds quickly over a brief period. Usually, it occurs several months following a physically or emotionally demanding event in your body. It can also follow from abrupt hormonal fluctuations.

Anagen effluvium: Some medical therapies, including chemotherapy, cause this unusually fast hair loss.

Causes for hair loss. The most often occurring are:

Genetic hereditary hair loss from genes you acquire from your parents.

Scalp fungus.

Hairstyles include braids, hair extensions, or tight ponytails that draw the hair tightly.

Haircare (including bleach and perms) that could damage it depending on processing

Menopause, pregnancy, delivery, and hormonal changes all around.

Medical therapy includes certain drugs and chemotherapy.

Nutritional deficits, particularly about not enough iron or protein.

Stressful circumstances including surgery or the death of a loved one.

Thyroid condition.

Typical signs and symptoms include:

Receding hairline—a sign of pattern baldness in men.

All over the head thinning hair (typical of female pattern hair loss).

Loss of hair in tiny areas on the scalp.

Hair loss on the body and scalp.

To make the right diagnosis, your doctor might:

Find out about your family history, particularly whether any ancestors suffered hair loss and at what age.

Examine your medical past.

Get thyroid function and iron level blood tests ordered.

Look over your scalp for evidence of an infection.

For skin disease, do a scalp biopsy.

Treatments 

Hair loss treatments are meant to help with androgenic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss). These treatments include

HydraFacial Keravive

Nourish and hydrate the scalp for healthier and fuller-looking hair.

QR 678

Cocktail of growth factors & nutrients to stimulate hair regrowth.

Hair PRP

Platelet-rich plasma & nutrients promote healthy hair growth.

Dandruff Treatment

Treatment with nutrient-rich serums to reduce dandruff.

GFC

Growth factor concentrate to reduce thinning and hair loss.

Hair Meso

Powerful cocktail of vitamins & amino acids for healthy hair growth.

Scalp Micropigmentation

Micropigmentation is used to give a fuller appearance to your scalp.

In Bottom Line: 

Emotionally draining is hair loss from any cause. See your doctor about possible causes of your hair loss. Many times, there are successful therapies available that can stop hair loss and promote fresh hair growth. See the best hair specialist doctor in Chandigarh at ageology to get back your personality with maximum volume hair.

[monsterboysrp]

headcanon//Vault 39

(or: how I rationalize A/O dynamics in the world of Fallout)

Vault 39 focused on the viability of a small breeding population if certain edits were made to the human genome: 25 scientists, 500 unmarried young civilians, 200 robots and a veritable Ark of animal genetic material were sealed into the Vault in the year 2075 upon the Vault's completion. In public releases, the Vault was advertised as using cutting-edge tech and genetic engineering to find new methods of battling infertility, since the falling birth rate was a concern for the government (as it certainly wasn't related to the collapsing economy and pollution…).

The door sealed on October 23, 2077, and after two years living fairly normal lives within the Vault, the residents suddenly found themselves confined to their individual rooms. The real experiment was then implemented.

Vault 39's records were never transmitted to the Vault-Tec central computer memory, so much of what occurred in the next 200 years was lost, but what remains details the robots taking over for the scientists as they died off one by one from old age. From there, the experiment really took off, and while the end goal wasn't exactly what Vault-Tec had intended, the robots had a singular goal which they did attain.

They wanted a genome which could successfully reproduce itself in the harshest environments, survive the worst radiation without damage, and produce strong offspring that could rebuild the world from the ashes. They singled out and spliced in genes from the world's most successful lineages, and what resulted was a new breed of human.

When the first generation of these new humans reached sexual maturity, the resulting bloodbath left none other alive. The robots had classified them by the batch numbers of the genetic 'cocktails', and it was only two -- Batch Alpha, and Batch Omega, the first and last creations of the series -- which survived. Anyone who stood between an Alpha and their intended Omega -- or an Omega and their intended Alpha -- was either killed or turned, because the original retrovirus which introduced their genetic alterations was carried in their saliva, and their predilection for biting during mating passed it to those who hadn't been altered.

For 150 years these new humans remained safely trapped in their Vault, breeding, raising offspring, breeding some more. From a batch of thirty Alphas and one hundred Omegas, the population of the vault exploded to over a thousand, and eventually, the supplies began running out. First the water system, because Vault-Tec never built a Vault whose water system could survive any amount of strain, then the hydroponic gardens and stored prewar food simply couldn't meet the demands of so many mouths to feed. Finally, someone found the Overseer's access codes, and one fateful day, the door rolled open, disgorging a new genome on an unsuspecting wasteland.

[positivelybeastly]

“Can’t sleep?” destiny! for hank sans war crimes. it's a text. she's sent it first.

Hank's been at the Green Lagoon for going on eighteen hours now.

Blob - no, Fred, it's Fred, they're all, first name basis now - is starting to get a little concerned. In his own way, he's known Hank a very long time, fighting since they were teenagers, and while it's not exactly what you'd call a close relationship, there is a certain intimacy to trying to beat the living daylights out of each other. There's a certain intimacy to grabbing a man by the throat and slamming him to the ground and seeing him bounce.

Hank would never get violent, of course. Not that it would help, given Fred's X-gene and all, but he would never get violent. It's not within him. But he is - disturbing, people.

At first, it was fun. Hank always is, he's always casual and urbane and bubbling and lovely, and even though most people keep their distance from him after everything he'd done before the founding of Krakoa, he's got a charisma to him that makes it hard to ignore him, certainly.

But then he just kept drinking. Zombie, Jungle Juice, Death in the Afternoon, Aunt Roberta, cocktail after cocktail that were all conspicuously high alcohol content, and it's - not really in Fred's nature to cut him off. Hank has tenure, even if it's tarnished.

Nicolashka. Sazerac. Caribou Lou.

By the time Destiny texts him, he's slowed to the point where he's just staring into the distance, his healing factor submerged in a tar lake of alcohol and fruit mixers that have dulled his golden eyes to a pale, watery sand dollar yellow. It takes him half a minute to check his phone. It takes another minute to answer. That's all right. Irene knew it would.

[✉️]: leave lone

No. He can't sleep. Why in god's name would he be able to sleep?

Why won't anyone talk to him?

[✉️]: tell me which cocktail i have next

[finchmotionvideo]

I do genuinely dream of being mega wealthy(think Bezos. I dream big) Cuz I wouldn't do it like all you bleeding heart bitches who would give it away I would buy a mansion in 12 different countries to live in for each month of the year. Every one would have a different theme and amenities and I would have huge glass elevators instead of stairs and in each home I would install a pantry(with junk food for me but also everyones favorites) on each floor so I could always be snacking. and I'd have a cocktail bar with one of those robot mixologists. Can't forget that

And my God I'd have the finest electronic systems money can buy(inferior to passion, but I'm just trying to play Games here, man). Instead of having to emulate games I'd just have one of every system ever made. Would set up a program to auto-buy every game ever sold digitally and create the world's largest game preservation library. id pay volunteers to hunt for lost media(you might think this could be viewed as charitable. Well, Its not for you. It's so the video essay guys have better material.)

A little narc of me but (assuming i didn't have my own body but we were all still a system) I'd get hella fucking plastic surgery man I think that's metal. Hmm... This part displeases me... Yeah I'm not accepting that. remake my body to my specfications bitch(reduction here lift there oh and don't forget the semi-annual Botox for our jaw pain which we can't get consistently so we sometimes get bad pain). Oh God and I'd fix our eyes and I'd pay up the fucking nose to see anyone who will take the back pain seriously. I'd have every medical test run on us just for fun, have our brain and organs and bones imaged so they could be cool decor. One million percent getting our genome sequenced and paying a panel of world class experts as much as they wanted to write a study on our genes going over anything cool or interesting. Beau would pore over the results for fucking weeks.

Id have a pool and treadmill and (purposefully designed to be easily destructible) boxing bag so I can vent my rage better..

Don't get me wrong I would still see people of course but. Like. I'm throwing a house party at my megamansion and if you come you have to obey MY social rules(don't act like a fucking inconsiderate egotist. I bet everything I own that I can be an attentive conversationalist if you haven't pissed me off yet. Can you?). I'd be the soup nazi of my billionaire quualude raves. If I percieve of an Infraction(ableist behavior rude behavior or just if I find your incessant talking without consideration of what others think tiring) I can just actually admonish people for it from a position of power: "stop that or I'm kicking you out". The power to create a very optimal party environment in the palm of my hands... Perfectly curated vibes.

You know my wardrobe would be on point too like rooms upon rooms of tailored outfits or thrifted ones or bespoke pieces I bought off a museum struggling to stay afloat. Haha I'm just kidding I would get them to make exact replicas. Honestly I would go for 90s Nouveau riche Harvard undergrad who was raised on the teat of cutting edge parisian fashion but everyone else would have a much different answer to that question.

Beau could have some workshop with like 5 different morgan yu desks(adjustable height) absolutely unparalleled amounts of counter space and he would arrange all the supplies on ordered shelves for the easiest access so he can paint when he wants without going thru 45mins of setup and getting everything out. Probably he would also hire someone to set up a vault of digital comics so he could keep track of them all. Would give him an electric rotary press so he doesn't hurt his arms and I'd get him things he's always wanted for his birthday like [wouldn't you like to know].

Riley could have any instrument or cooking tool or ingredient he wants the spices and ingredients will be as stacked as the one in The Menu(2022). I'd pay for his private lessons from Gordon god damn Ramsey I would PAY to have Julia Child's soul reanimated so he could round out his baking skills. I would hire a pastry chef(a Cuban one, and also a French one) to make the traditional specialities for him each morning and a live-in or on call sushi chef. Honestly he would probably just volunteer or do some kind of hobby that puts him in contact w all different types of people that seems to be how he'd like to spend his time.

Thalia could uh. Have enough money to buy a personality idfk.

June and James would share the library and they'd always be bringing new stuff in from old bookstores or antique shops whatever so the Mustiness in that room would be Wack. They would have stupid fucking amounts of old trinkets or furniture. They would collect and collect and collect. But they wouldnt even be around very often they'd be going out to historical sites in mesoamerica or studying the Taíno. Or reading the graffiti in Pompeii or spending weeks taking notes on every exhibit in every historical museum in Beijing or interviewing Yoruba people across the diaspora about their spiritual/cultural history. They're very... Academic. I could see them funding studies or research into areas they're passionate about(James likes history/anthropology/science/military history and June likes biology/linguistics/neuropsychology(or neurochemistry)/genetics but they both have a lot of overlap in a lot of other subjects like they both go bananas for cultural analysis over time and paleobiology. James tries to learn about rail transport but it doesn't stick. BECAUSE THEY BOTH HATE PHYSICS AND MAAAATH)

In conclusion, you should not let me be a billionaire because I would be too good at it. Thank you for your time

[niccymo]

The ‘Spice of Life’✨ Legacy Challenge

Sometimes playing the sims can get a little stale, and somewhat repetitive, especially The Sims 4. I know I can get stuck playing the same stories over and over again, so I decided to create this challenge to add a little excitement and variety to my, and hopefully your, game-play!

After all, variety is the spice of life!

Gen 1: The Wild Child

You’re a sim who loves to get down, go on adventures and spend time with other sims! You can be a bit of a handful for some sims, but that’s okay! You’ve been wild since the day you were born and you wouldn’t want to be any other way. You have about a million things you want to do in your life time and you’re gonna do them all!

Aspiration: Friend of the Animals

Traits: Dance Machine, Adventurous, Outgoing

Generation rules / goals:

Join the secret agent career and get to the top of it before your sim becomes an elder

Once your sim is an elder have them start a new job, keep them on their toes!

Complete the Friend of the Animals aspiration

Master the Dance & Pet training skills throughout your sims lifetime

Have five animals in your sims house-hold at one time (these should be cats, dogs, raccoon, foxes, etc.) - you don’t always have to have five but you should at some point

Have you sim have at least 10 friends and having a falling out with one of them and become enemies

Have a best-friend that is NOT your partner / spouse

Have your sim go out at least once every weekend to either the club, the bar or somewhere else they can dance! They’re a dance machine remember!

Your sim can have as many children as you like, but keep in mind that they have a lot of animals in the house

You must have at least one child in order for them to become heir, they can be adopted or biological, it doesn’t matter!

Go on at least two family vacations, one of these must be to Mt. Komorebi

Have your sim be a very relaxed parent, no rules, no pressure to get good grades, etc. (Parenthood is needed for this but if you don’t have it that’s okay just do your best without it!) 

Gen 2: The Money Maker

Your parent was the coolest! but you always wished there was more structure in your life. You’re a perfectionist, and truth be told a little materialistic, but that doesn’t make you a bad person! You love to hangout with friends, playing video games and chatting about the latest Sci-Fi movies. From the time you were a child you knew you wanted the best things in life and were determined to work your butt off to get them! 

Aspiration: Mansion Baron

Traits: Perfectionist, Geek, Materialistic

Generation rules / goals:

Have your sim start working as a teenager to save up for their future house

Complete the Mansion Baron inspiration

Reach the max level of the Business Career in either the Investor or Management branch (although the Investor branch makes a bit more money!)

Master the video gaming skill throughout your sims lifetime

Have your sim start their own club once in their teens with ‘Play video games’ as the main activity. Keep this club going throughout your sims life and try to have a club meeting once a week 

Make your sim go to GeekCon whenever they can, once they have kids bring them along as well!

Have a hobby that can make you money - kind of like a side job. Whatever skill you choose (painting, flower arranging, etc.) master it

Once your sim completes their Mansion Baron aspiration have dinner parties once a week - Your sim is materialistic and they want to show off the nice house they’ve worked so hard for!

Once your sim becomes an elder have them retire and focus only on hobbies and relaxation (only once they’re reached the max level in their career though)

Gen 3: The Tree Hugger

You grew up in a wealthy household with pretty much everything you could have wanted. You had a great childhood and your admired your parents work ethic, although you knew that when you grew up you wanted to do something more meaningful for the world than investing. So you packed up your bags as soon as you hit young adulthood and moved to Evergreen Harbour

Aspiration: Eco Innovator

Traits: Green Fiend, Vegetarian, Good

Generation rules / goals:

Your sim should be a vegetarian as soon as they hit their teenage years

As a teen your sims should also start their own garden and begin working on their gardening skill

Your sim should complete the Eco Innovator aspiration within their lifetime

Master the Gardening skill throughout your sims lifetime

Master the Juice Fizzing skill throughout your sims lifetime

Join and reach the max level of the Civil Designer career

Your sim should live as sustainably as possible for this generation, this includes owning a bee box, having a dew collector and recycling with the home recycling machine

Have your sim marry someone as Eco-friendly as you bonus points if it’s Knox lol

Have an at home, eco friendly wedding in your sims backyard / yard. Having the wedding cake be a honey cake, get creative with it!

Adopt an animal that’s not a typical pet (raccoon, fox, etc.) your sim found this little buddy while dumpster diving and bonded instantly

Gen 4: The Undecided

You grew up with a parent and grandparent who accomplished great things; they were sims who worked hard and stuck to their guns. You have always been..well a bit different. You can’t even decide what you want for breakfast, let alone pick a career or spouse. This makes you jealous of others like your parent and grandparent who you believe have their life together.

Aspiration: You must change your sims aspiration 3 times during their life but never complete one, not even their childhood one.

Traits: Non-committal, Jealous, Erratic

Generation rules / goals: 

Join and quit scouts as a kid; get about halfway through before you quit

Have your sim join at least two jobs as a teenager. They can join and quit more if you like

Get your sim to level 5 of at least three skill during their lifetime before they quit those as well

Change your sims career multiple times, making sure they never reach the top of any career

Get your sim married, and divorced...twice. It’s up to you whether you sim ends up finding someone to stay with. However, your sim must have only have one child from all of their relationships.

Have your sim have an affair during one of their relationships. It’s up to you whether the partner finds out about this or not

Your sim must lose their relationship with the Gen 3 sim (their parent) after a big fight over Gen 4′s jealousy issue. Your sim should never speak to that parent again

Your sim must never be best friends or true lovers with anyone; they are non-committal and that means no matter how much they care for another sim they feel somewhat unsure about every relationship

Gen 5: The Vampire Groupie

Your childhood was less than ideal, although your parent loved you they had a lot of their own problems and that left you pretty lonely at times. Your solace was a particular vampire movie about a sim who falls in love with a vampire. “That could be me,” you though, “That WILL be me.” So when you become a young adult you take everything you have and leave in search of your dream life in Forgotten Hollow, the only problem with your plan is that you’re just a bit squeamish... okay a lot

Aspiration: Master Vampire

Traits: Romantic, Family Oriented, Squeamish 

Generation rules / goals: 

Your sim should watch a lot of movies as a child and teen. Of course your sim loves that particular vampire movie that definitely doesn’t rhyme with Highlight, but really they love all movies

As soon as your sim becomes a young adult move them into Forgotten Hollow

Meet and start a relationship with a vampire of your choice; you can put a sim from the gallery in your game or date Caleb Vatore, Lilith Vatore, or even Vlad Straud if you want!

I think this goes without saying but your sim should be turned into a vampire for this generation lol

Complete the Master Vampire Aspiration

You can have any career for this generation, it doesn’t matter!

Master the Vampire Lore skill throughout your sims lifetime

Master the Pipe Organ skill throughout your sims lifetime

Start a ‘Vampire Club’ with only other vampires present, you can use this club to do any kind of vampire activity - however, since you left your old life behind, these sims are your only friends

Your sim is squeamish so they personally choose not to drink other sims blood unless absolutely necessary, this means your sim must grow and sustain a garden full of plasma plants

Once your sim obtains a plasma fruit (and two garlic) they can prepare a Sunlight Reversal Cocktail if they like, that way they can go into the sun during the day; this isn’t required though

Your sim must have at least three kids. One of these children should NOT be a vampire. This will be the heir. If all of your children are born vampires you can use a mods to make them human. I recommend MC Command Center, which you can find here: https://deaderpool-mccc.com/#/releases

I also recommend this mod: https://modthesims.info/d/589300/child-vampire-manifestation-v1-9.html which basically makes it so that child vampires can perform any vampire actions, just like teens, young adults, etc.

Gen 6: The Beach Bum

Your parents are absolutely wonderful, but are weird. In fact, you’re convinced that you’re the only sane one out of your whole family. You love them but who in the right mind would want to live the life of a vampire? You knew early on that the vampire life was not for you, and thank goodness you just so happened to be the only sibling born human! I guess you can thank those recessive genes. You want to live the Beach Life, spending your days out in the sun and working to conserve the beautiful island of Sulani!

Aspiration: Beach Life

Traits: Child of the Ocean, Loves the Outdoors, Free Trait / You can pick your sims third trait!

Generation rules / goals:

Your sim must move to Sulani as a young adult and spend their whole life there

Reach the max level of the Conservationist Career

Complete the Beach Life aspiration

Befriend as least one mermaid - your sim can become a mermaid to if they want but it’s not necessary

Marry someone who already lives on Sulani as well

Have your sim live in a house on the beach at least once during your their life

Complete the sea shell collection

Spend ALOT of time outside; fish, ski-do, tan on the beach - your sim loves the outdoors and the Sulani sun, anything they can do outside they will

Keep a close relationship between your sim and their parents & siblings - even though they don’t love the vampire life they love their family

Gen 7: The Tinkerer

You’ve always been a homebody, hanging out in your house on the computer and tinkering with things in the home. Your parent was always nagging you to go outside and play as a kid. As soon as you were old enough to hold a wrench you were fixing things. You knew when you became a young adult you wanted to go to Foxbury Institute and learn to program and create robots!

Aspiration: Computer Whiz

Traits: Genius, The other two traits can be anything you choose!

Generation rules / goals:

* For this generation I ABSOLUTELY recommend this mod which shortens university. It just makes it sooo much easier to complete a degree: https://modthesims.info/d/646803/shorter-university-degrees.html *

Your sim should spend a lot of time inside as a kid, using the computer, reading books, playing video games

Have your sim complete the Whiz Kid aspiration as a child

Master the Logic skill throughout your sims lifetime

Master the Robotics skill throughout your sims lifetime

Master the Handiness skill throughout your sims lifetime

Once your sim becomes a teenager they should be the one who fixes ANYTHING broken within the household

In order for your sim to attend Foxbury Institute for a Computer Science degree your sim must have certain skills (such as computer programming, robotics, etc.) since it is a distinguished degree. You’ll need to work on these skills as a teen to have a chance to be excepted there. If you don’t feel like having your sim work on those skills as a teen your sim can attend Britechester University but they should still work on the robotics skill!

Complete the Computer Whiz aspiration

Graduate university with a degree in Computer Science

Live in a modern style house in any world

Gen 8: The Believer

Your parent has always been a technological genius, creating artificial intelligence. But you’ve always known that science wasn’t needed for there to be fantastical things in this world. No one else in your family believes your crazy ideas about alien but hey, you once heard that your great grandparents were vampires, so it could be possible! Sure you’re a little erratic but you’re determined to prove the existence of aliens, and befriend them. How will you do this? Well by becoming an iron pumping, rocket building astronaut of course!

Aspiration: Bodybuilder

Traits: Athletic, Self-Assured, You can pick your sims third trait!

Generation rules / goals:

You sim must join and reach the top of the Astronaut career

Your sim must live in Oasis Springs

Have your sim complete the Body Builder aspiration - astronauts have to be strong after all!

Master the Rocket Science skill

Your sim will unlock a rocket when they reach level 10 of their career (the rocket can either be the Apollo Rocket - unlocked though the Space Ranger branch of the astronaut career, or the Retro Rocket - unlocked through the Interstellar Smuggler branch. You can choose which rocket you want)  but honestly who wants to wait for that, so as soon as your sim gets to level 5 of their career use cheats to unlock the rocket and start building!

Once your sim has completed their rocket you must level up their Rocket Science skill to level 10 and then install the Wormhole Generator upgrade. This will allow you to travel to Sixam and meet aliens!

Your sim must befriend and marry an alien they meet on Sixam. If you don’t like that particular alien you can either come back to Sixam or open CAS and edit them, either is fine.

Have your sim have a baby with their new alien spouse. Only have ONE baby.

If your sims baby is born NOT an alien you can use cheats to make them one. MC Command Center can be used for this and is linked above for Generation 5

Gen 9: The Star of Sixam

You’re an alien and you’ve proud of it! You loved listening to your alien parent tell stories of your home world and knew that when you grew up you wanted to make your relatives on Sixam proud. The best way to do this is of course to become the most famous alien musician the Sim world has ever seen!

Aspiration: Musical Genius

Traits: Self-Assured, Perfectionist, Music Lover

Generation rules / goals: 

Your sim must NEVER wear their disguise unless absolutely necessary - they are very proud to be an alien and they don’t see any reason to hide that

As a child your sim should complete the Artistic Prodigy aspiration

Master the Violin skill throughout your sims lifetime

Master the Piano skill throughout your sims lifetime

Your can have your sim master the Singing skill throughout their lifetime if you want, but it isn’t necessary

When your sim becomes a young adult move them to San Myshuno, where their musical dreams can really take off!

Have your sim busk for money in San Myshuno at least 5 times

Have your sim reach the max level in the Musician branch of the Entertainer career

Your sim should marry or be with someone who is also musically interested - you can enter CAS and cheat this or create your sims partner

It doesn't matter how many children your sim has for this generation, but the heir should NOT be an alien - you can use MC Command Center to make them human if you need to

Gen 10: The Apprehensive Actress / Actor  AKA the Final Generation!

You grew up in a VERY artistic household, with parents who were both interested in music and one parent who made a huge career of it. You love acting and knew your parent was ecstatic when you started showing interest in acting as a teen. Unfortunately you don’t really like the idea of being famous...

Aspiration: Master Actress / Actor

Traits: Loner, Good, Creative

Generation rules / goals:

Your sim is an artistic child, however we aren’t gonna worry about completing the Artistic Prodigy aspiration as a child because we did that last generation - you can do it if you want though!

When your sim becomes a teen they should begin working on their acting skills

Your sim should reach the max level of the Acting career

Have your sim master the Acting skill

Your sim should marry someone non-famous in a private ceremony with only those sims (or family and close friends if you like) present

Your sim should maintain as good a reputation as possible - they are still a good sim, they are just a bit anti-social

Once your sim finished the acting career and has achieved the Global Superstar rank they should retire

Your sim, now retired from acting moves to one of two lots in Brindleton Bay that have NO neighbours

They should spend the rest of their life making money off of artistic projects such as knitting, painting, etc.

Have your sim leave the house only when necessary to avoid the paparazzi, and if they do go out they must wear a disguise

Your sims spouse can have any career, but they should NOT be famous in anyway

It is up to you whether you decide to have your sim have children and continue the family :)

Well we’ve come to the end of the challenge!! I just wanted to say if you decide to play this challenge or even have taken the time to read it, THANK YOU SO MUCH! It means the world to me to be apart of this sims community ❤️

If you decide to play this challenge on your tumblr pleaseee use the tags #spicechallenge or #spice of life challenge. That way I can see what you do with this challenge, that would be amazing 😊❤️

[formeandmyfics]

JUGENEA FAN FICTION The Past is not the Past

Fall 1953

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White

Judy wrapped her arms around her husband's neck sensually, and in a relaxing manner, as they did a leisurely cha-cha to the popular dance tune. She barely had to move; married to one of the most famous Hollywood dancers, he did all the steps for both of them.

It had been a few months since the two of them were able to really enjoy a date out at a nightclub. She was busy working on 'Star' at Warner Bros. and he was still at Metro working with Vincente on 'Brigadoon'. Any time they did have together was just a quick dinner out or spent with the children. Even the usual weekly friend's house party was rare lately.

Gene felt his wife's body melting into his as their hips slowly cha-cha'd on the dance floor at the Rumba Room. They were hidden by dozens of other couples and not a cameraman was in sight. It had been a long time since they could be like this. He missed it. Work had been so exhausting...the kids had been even more exhausting. He cherished this time when they weren't Mom and Dad or Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. They were husband and wife...though tonight it almost felt like the past when they were just lovers.

Judy closed her eyes as her fingers softly played with the hair on the back of his neck. Gene's hand travelled down to her bottom, grabbing; her large, flared black skirt of her party dress ruffling in his hand as he did so.

"Mm mm," she warned, as he was well aware she didn't like that much affection in public.

Gene moved his hand back to her waist, "You know what I was thinking?"

"I know what you're thinking, and you're going to have to wait until later when we get home. I'm having too much fun here."

Gene's serious expression turned mischievous as he smiled wide, "Oh, what's gonna happen when we get home?"

He felt her giggle before she leaned back to look at him, "If you have to ask, you're not gettin' any."

"Well, I assumed that'd be happening anyways, but that's not what I meant," off her curious expression he continued, "Let's plan a little get together at the house for the group soon. We haven't had anyone over in six months."

"I know, we've just been so busy, we haven't gone anywhere but Bogarts."

"If you're game for it, maybe we can do next Friday."

"Just something casual," she more or less demanded, as her schedule had her exhausted.

"Oh, yeah, just a few of the gang for poker and cocktails."

"Sounds like a plan."

He leaned in and gave her a kiss. The band ended their song and everyone clapped. But they started another tune, this time a little bouncier than the last.

"Another?"

"No, let's sit and finish our drinks."

Hand-in-hand they walked back to their table. Enjoying his tequila, Gene leaned back and looked around. When Judy saw Gene look back at her smiling, she gave him a sly eye with a hint of a smile.

"Yes, may I help you?"

"Remember when I first took you here?"

"Sure do."

"We sat right over there."

She nodded, "I like to think this is where I learned how to become 'Manuela'."

They both chuckled, amused.

"It is," he agreed, "You let go and became sexy on the dance floor."

Judy was quiet a moment remembering, "Those were some crazy, rollercoaster times, hm?"

"But good," he emphasized.

"They were wonderful," she agreed with a glint in her eye.

"Never imagined we'd be sitting here married with our own little family unit," his eyes wandered up to one of the tall palms lost in his memories.

"I had thought about it, but you're right, I never imagined it would actually happen."

"We had way too many roadblocks back then to even consider it."

"Roadblocks...as in your wife and my husband," she giggled and took a sip of her drink.

"Husband's," he corrected.

"David doesn't count."

"Why not," Gene said, challenging her. 

"Oh," she made a sound seeing his challenge, "Please. We never thought about marriage or kids together back then, not when we were first together."

Gene's eyes froze over her shoulder and the skin between his eyes wrinkled, "David."

"Yeah," she nodded putting her empty glass down, "When I was married to Dave."

"No," he said shifting in his seat a tad uncomfortable, "David is here."

Gene watched as her first husband, David Rose, was by the stairs happily shaking hands with another man. 

Judy, surprised, went to turn, "Where?"

"Don't..." he reached for her arm which prompted her to look back at him even more surprised by his action, "...turn around."

"Why?"

"Because we came here to spend the evening alone. That's why we didn't go to the usual joints...so we wouldn't run into anyone."

"Are you sure it's him? I mean, I haven't seen Dave in years. He's never seen around town, not since he got re-married."

Gene squinted a bit, as if to see if it was really her ex. He could tell by the side-profile it was indeed the conductor.

"That's him alright."

Judy ignored Gene's plea and turned to look but people at the next table were now standing up blocking her view and she turned back to her husband, "Well, maybe he won't notice us. There's a sea of people in here."

Through the crowd, Gene watched as Dave, in mid-laugh, turned his way and suddenly did a double take on him.

"And he 'sees' us." 

Gene looked at the scene across the way which looked like Dave was excusing himself to walk over to him, "He's coming over.  I have to use men's room, sweetheart."

Without another word, Gene slithered through the crowd to the back of the nightclub just as Dave was approaching behind Judy's table.

"Would you like some tea in your honey?"

Judy smiled hearing the familiar voice, and the familiar idiom they always used to say, "Or Whiskey in your water?"

Turning her head up to look at him, they both chuckled, and she stood up embracing him warmly.

"You look good, kid," he said releasing her.

"A little rough around the edges now," she teased.

"Still beautiful."

"Well, thank you. You're still dashing," she said and wiggled his tie before she sat back down.

David adjusted his tie as she did that and remained standing, "Nearing 50 and still dashing, huh?"

"Egh," she said waving her hand, "You still have some years to go. Would you like to have a seat?"

He looked up a tad nervous, "Uh...sure...for a minute."

As he sat down, Judy motioned to her waitress as she walked by, "May I get another Gin and Tonic, please? And another top shelf Tequila with a lime for my husband," she turned to look at Dave, "Would you like anything?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you."

Judy added, "Just add that to our tab."

"Right away, ma’am,” the waitress said before walking away.

"You sure you don't want a drink? You are in a nightclub."

Dave smiled, "I didn't want to add my drink to your husband's bill."

"Oh, please, * I * asked. He isn't even here right now."

"He was. Where did he rush off to," he asked looked partly behind him as if he expected to see him any second.

"Oh, he saw someone he knew. Wanted to go say hi."

"Just as I was coming over," off her knowing look and sly smile he chuckled, "I've forgotten how good of a liar you are."

"So," she said changing the subject, "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you around town since before I left Metro."

"Haven't really been interested in the scene anymore unless I'm working. Plus, after I got married again, we had our girls pretty close together. They've been keeping me busy outside of work."

"I know what you mean," she giggled, "I've got two now and a step-daughter who stays with us every weekend. It's a full house."

Dave's face became serious and he leaned forward speaking genuinely, "I'm so happy for you, Judy. I really do mean that."

Judy's smile faded a bit, but she looked at him with such appreciation, "Thank you."

"You know, maybe one day all of us can get the kids together for a playdate at the beach or the park or somethin'."

"I'd love that, if your wife would be alright with that."

"Oh, sure. She'd come with."

"Even with our history?"

Dave laughed, but a tad anxiously Judy noticed, "The past is the past, right?" 

For some reason, the way he said that, hit Judy differently. It wasn't said in a snarky way, but she couldn't quite shake the nervous feeling he had towards her. 

Interrupting her bewildered expression, Dave added, "Invite Gene along."

"I'll mention it to him."

"Good. I'm going to get back to my friends over there. You know how to get in touch," he said getting up and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek, "Good seeing you."

"You, too."

Judy giggled against her husband's lips as her back was suddenly pressed against the front door in the dark foyer of their home.

"What are you doing," she chuckled as his hungry kisses traveled down her throat.

"We have the house to ourselves," he moaned as his hands tried to find her tush past her coat, "I'm gonna take advantage and make love to my wife right here."

"What if I don't want to do it right here," she teased and tried to move away from him.

Gene lifted his head, smiling and held her tighter against him, "That's boring. Remember how we used to do it before we had a house full of kids?"

"We also used to do it without my coat on," she tried pushing him away to wiggle out of her coat but he gave her a look that said he was up for the challenge. She didn't even have time to respond before he lowered to his knees

"What are you---oo," she grabbed onto the door handle trying to balance as her leg was suddenly lifted on his shoulder sending her into a laughing fit. She couldn't even see him under her coat and party dress, "You're nuts."

Gene trailed licks and kisses on her inner thigh above her nude thigh thigh's and let the back of his fingers softly trace the silk of her panties. It made her body erupt with pleasurable goosebumps and he immediately felt her relax as she softly whimpered. That gave him the green light.

Thud. Thud.

Judy's eyes popped open when she felt vibration on her back and the sound of knocking.

"Gene," she whispered and tried to stop him.

"Who the fu--," his muffled voice was interrupted as they knocked again.

"Someone's at the door," she said louder and swung her leg off his shoulder nearly knocking him over.

"Judy...Jesus," he said avoiding getting bashed in the head by her knee and stood up checking his watch, "It's 1 in the God-damn morning."

Judy flipped the foyer light on before she opened the door. Lauren stood there with their sickly-looking daughter in her arms.

"Hiii," Lauren said with a 'sorry' tone.

"Hi, Betty," Judy immediately placed her hand on her daughter's back, "Is everything alright?"

"I saw you guys pull in a few minutes ago. She's running a small fever and she won't go to sleep. She keeps crying," the little girl lifted her head from Lauren's shoulder and reached for her mother. Judy immediately took her and Lauren apologized, "I feel awful. I know it's your date night."

"Oh, don't be silly," Judy stated placing the back of her hand on her child's forehead, "You don't feel good, huh, baby?"

"The baby okay," Gene asked widening the door to look at their friend and neighbor.

"She'll be okay. I think she just wanted her parents," Lauren said handing the little one over to Judy.

"Thanks Betty," Gene gave her a kiss on the cheek and waited until he saw her disappear through her front door before he shut his door with a sigh. 

He knew there was no point in waiting for his wife to put their daughter to bed and return to him. When it came to the kids, especially if they wanted 'Mama', that trumped over sex. Though disappointed, it wasn't a surprise. 

Gene scrunched his face when he felt a jab on his lower back with a lot of movement under the sheets. It was only a few seconds when everything became still again, and he started to drift back off into sleep. Then another jab, this time what felt like a kick on his ass.

"First you nearly bash me in the head with your knee, now you're kicking my ass," he sleepily retorted annoyed. Gene was jabbed again this time in his lower thigh and he laughed getting angry, "You're pissing me off, Judy.  I'm gonna pin you down like Buddy Rogers in a minute."

Judy laughed quietly, "It's not me, it's your daughter."

Gene rolled on his back and saw the little girl in between them moving around, swinging her legs in different positions as if trying to get comfortable. 

"What's she doing in here?"

"She's not feeling good," Judy whined with sympathy and pulled the girl to cuddle her, "C'mere baby. Stop kicking daddy."

Gene rolled to lay on his side facing her. They were quiet a few minutes as Judy ran her hand over their daughter's soft brown hair as her head laid on her Mama's chest. It wasn't another minute until her eyes instantly closed.

"You have the magic touch," Gene whispered and reached over for her hand that was free. She gladly connected her fingers in his and closed her eyes as his thumb caressed her skin, "It's 3.  You should get some sleep."

Judy yawned and looked down at the sleepy face against her, "I will. I want to make sure she's fully asleep first."

"Give her a few minutes. She'll start snoring."

Judy smiled and kissed the top of her head before staring up at the ceiling and sighed. In those quiet moments and relaxing to the movements of her baby's breathing against her, her mind started wandering again.

Gene noticed the expression on her face as she stared up at the high ceiling of their Master Bedroom. It was the same look she had when she was quiet in the car. When he returned to the table, other than Judy telling him that Dave just said 'hi', the two pretended like the exchange didn't happen. They enjoyed some more dances and shared some secret kisses before heading home. He noticed her sudden demeanor change, though he didn't want to ask in fear of breaking the spell of their date.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Dave."

Gene grimaced, not surprised, and rolled onto his back, "That's comforting."

"He seemed a bit off," Judy rolled her head to look at him.

Gene looked at her a little interested, "How so?"

"I'm not sure."

"So, he didn't just say 'hi' and 'bye'?"

"Well, it wasn't a long conversation. 'Hi' and 'Bye' was about it, but he seemed awfully nervous."

Gene shrugged, "Maybe it's just because you two hadn't seen each other since you left Metro. You're divorced, I'd think it's only natural, especially how estranged you two were towards the end."

"I thought of that, but why would he come over then? He seemed happy to say hi but, I don't know, he looked anxious.

"Maybe because I was there."

"You weren't there," she said with a sly smile.

"You know what I mean."

"And you walking away from the table as he was walking up didn't get past him, I hope you know that."

"I could care less," Gene said and rest his arm under his head, "I'd rather him notice that than have to actually pretend to be cordial with the man who basically ignored you and your feelings for 90% of your marriage."

"That pretty much sums it up. But, I think you didn't want to shake hands with the man whose wife..."

"I fu- ..." Gene interrupted for her and she immediately shushed him pointing to the kid, "Spent time with..." he corrected, "...while they were married. Yeah, yeah."

Judy smiled and looked down noticing baby was fully asleep now, her little mouth hanging open, "He suggested we have a play date with all the kids and his wife and you."

"I love you, but not really my scene," he said smiling.

"I know," she giggled, "But I didn't want to tell him that. He was being nice."

"Don't worry about him. His balls were probably just touching the back of his shorts talking to you again. Now, go to sleep," he ordered and turned the bedside lamp off.

"Good night," she said leaning over the best she could to kiss him which he returned.

"Good night my love."

Judy squinted from the bright, hot sun as she walked out of the kitchen onto the backyard patio. After placing the two trays on the table under the umbrella, she took her sunglasses off her head to put them on. 

"Wooo," June said behind her as she walked in from the side gate, "Can you believe how hot it is for this time of the year?"

Judy smiled happily at her friend who wore a pretty white summer flock and matching sunglasses.

"I know," she added as she walked towards June with her arms open, "You look pretty. Hi, darling."

"Hi, baby," June squealed as she squeezed Judy in her arms, "We only live down the street and haven't seen each other in months."

"I know. Come on, it's nice and cool over here on the deck," Judy said taking her hand to follow her, "Rosa put together some lunch for us before she left."

"It's only eleven. Was she not feeling well," June asked of the Kelly's housekeeper, and cook 'extraordinaire' as Gene nicknamed her. 

"No, I booted her out. I mean, the house is clean and Gene got called into work and the Nanny took Kerry and the baby over to Liza's to swim. I decided to take advantage of the quiet and gave her the rest of the day off."

"Well, that's nice of you. It looks yummy."

The ladies sat down and started their brunch. 

"Gene and I are planning a little casual get-together here next Friday for the group."

"Oh, good. You guys haven't had all of us over in a while."

"I know. We’ve just been so busy with work and the kids."

The ladies enjoyed their finger food and the weather for a minute in silence until Junie struck up a conversation.

"What did you think about the news of David's book?"

"David who?"

"Your ex."

Judy looked up surprised, "My ex-husband David?"

"Yeah. Betty told me about it. She said she'd tell you."

"I haven't spoken to her lately. He has a book?"

"Well, he wrote one, or is writing one."

"Oh? You know, I ran into him two days ago. I hadn't seen him in ages." 

"How'd that go?"

"It was friendly. Gene stayed away." 

"I don't blame him. That's gotta be awkward."

"The meeting was a little off, but we haven't seen each other in such a long time. So, is this a book going to be about his work?"

"I was told it's an autobiography."

"Autobiography," Judy repeated with a mouth bite a bit surprised.

"Yeah."

"Which means I'll be in it." 

"You are," Junie giggled, "I didn't know about the pregnancy."

Judy lifted her eyes from her plate and froze as June took a bite of a sausage slice and cracker. She instantly felt her stomach sink, but quickly brushed it off as perhaps there was something she hadn't known about Martha, Dave's first wife, or possibly a girlfriend he perhaps got pregnant touring. 

"What are you talking about," Judy asked casually as she went back to her food.

June looked up, a bit stunned at her friend's bewilderment, "When you two got pregnant and the studio made you get rid of it."

Judy felt a shock wave of bad shivers cascaded her skin and all she could do was stare at June like a deer in a headlight. 

"Is it not true," June asked carefully setting her crumpled napkin down.

Judy's heart started palpitating and she felt an adrenaline rush. No, it can't be, Judy thought instantly feeling tears spring to her eyes. With a sudden fight or flight response, Judy got up and started walking across the yard.

"Judy," June asked standing up. When she saw Judy heading towards the Bogarts place, she understood. 

"Hi, blondie," Gene said in a surprise chipper voice as he came out the back door.

"Hi," she said softly as she kept her eyes fixated on Judy, "I thought you were called into work?"

"I was but I finished what I had to do. What's wrong," he asked confused that she hadn't turned to him to give him her usual warm hug. 

"Um," she said turning around to face him. 

When she did, he saw Judy over her shoulder disappear into the Bogart's backyard, "What she doin'," he asked innocently.

"She's going to get more information from Lauren, I presume."

"Information about what?"

Gene had just rushed through the patio doors, with Junie following a ways back, when he saw his wife collapse into one of the breakfast nook chairs.

"Oh my God," she whimpered, "Oh, no."

"Is it true," he turned to Lauren.

Lauren just shrugged shaking her head, "That's what I was told."

"How did you find out?"

"Dave and I share the same agent. I didn't think anything of it to be honest. I was surprised when Swifty told me some of the things in Dave's book, but you know how many abortions go on in our industry. I didn't know it was a secret."

"It wasn't just a secret," Judy said mad, and crying, "He promised not to ever say anything."

Gene went to his wife and placed his hand on her back as he bent down to kiss the top of her head.

"The whole god damn world is going to know now, Gene. Everyone," she placed her hands over her face and started sobbing.

"Fuck him," he said disgusted, "That's probably why he was acting weird with you the other night. He knew it would upset you and his balls were too far up his ass to say anything. Fucking coward."

"Look," Lauren said trying to calm them, "The book isn't out yet. Why don't you talk to him? Maybe he'll fix it."

Judy lifted her head, her wet eyes staring up at her husband with a non-verbal plea.

"It wouldn't hurt, I guess," he shrugged, "You need to call him anyway and give him a piece of your fucking mind."

Judy nodded and reached for his hand, holding her cheek to it in comfort.

The master bedroom was only faintly lit, shadowed by the dawn sky. The sun wasn't out yet and an owl's hoo's outside the cracked window told Gene it was probably just before 6am. He looked beside him and Judy was sound asleep. She was on her side facing away from him but the back of her body was nestled up against him. Her warmth made him feel so comfortable. He felt so bad for the circumstances that happened yesterday. She was so upset and understandably. To have something very personable like the exposed without her consent was disgusting, especially from someone she had once been married to.  She didn't really want to speak to anyone after Junie left. She took a long hot bath and read for the rest of the day. He knew when she disassociated, it was best to let her be. All he could do was let her know he was there if she needed him. 

But that was yesterday. It was a new day, and most importantly, a Sunday. He loved Sundays. They made it a habit, while they were working on a project during the week, to leave Sundays just for family time. There were no Nanny's, no cooks, no housekeepers, no lawn people, no assistants, or agents, or friends, just them. Last week, they spent the entire day in Pajamas; him, Judy and their daughter. This weekend, they had all three kids. But, he wanted to work on re-staining a few of the kids' nightstands and Judy had mentioned planting some of her fall mums in the backyard. He was looking forward to a nice, relaxing day.

Gene turned on his side and placed his arms around his wife ready to fall back asleep, when she moved in hers. Re-positioning herself in her sleep, her bum wiggled against him and he found his hand gently resting on the underside of her right breast. Suddenly, his senses became more alive. It had been a week since they made love. The last time got interrupted. He was craving her, of course, but to make her feel good would definitely help her relax after working so hard and temporarily make her forget about the emotional turmoil from yesterday. 

Gently releasing her, he got out of bed and went to check on the rugrats. Kerry and Liza were sound asleep. When he checked the nursery, the baby was whimpering. He changed her diaper and put the pacifier back in her mouth and she fell back asleep instantly. When he returned to his bedroom, he quietly shut the door. There was no lock, because of safety issues with Judy in the past, but the older girls knew the rules: always knock and not to come in until someone answered.

Crawling back into bed, Gene got in the same position and wrapped his arms around her. He cupped her breast gently through her nightie, like before, and started applying some alluring kisses to her neck. Judy stirred a bit but the sounds of his lips against her skin one-by-one stirred her completely out of sleep.  

"Mmm," she whimpered sleepily and murmured, "What time is it?"

"Early," he breathed and repositioned himself even closer now that she was awake. His thumb started caressing her nipple in a sensual manner through the chiffon and his neck kisses became sexier, "I checked on the kids, they're all sound asleep."

"Is this my alarm clock?"

"Just relax."

"I was relaxed before you woke me up," she teased knowing she was not going to settle back into sleep, or fight him off, nor did she want to.

Gene placed his hand on her jaw to angle her face up to him and he whispered erotically, "I want to make you feel good."

Her lips curved into a smile before he bent down to give her a kiss, his mouth pulling at her lower plush one. Their kisses melted into each other as she turned to lay flat on her back. As she did so, he crawled on top of her. Both laid comfortably, as for him not to crush her, and made out, caressing in an unhurried manner just enjoying their intimacy. 

Breaking a very delicious, and sexually charged French kiss, Judy ran her fingertips up his bare back loving the feel of him on top of her, "Darling, I'm so lucky to have you."

"The feelings mutual, doll," he gave her peck on the kiss.

"I love you."

"I love you, too. But," he said lifting himself from her as she let out a giggle, “less thinking. All I want you to do is relax and focus on how good I’m going to make you feel."

Oh, he made her feel good, alright. So much so, she couldn’t put a comprehensive thought together especially when his mouth made love to her between her thighs.

A little later, Judy was in the shower when Gene walked into the master bathroom, a robe secured around him.

“All the kids are still asleep. Can you believe that?”

“Good. I don’t want them to hear how loud you were,” she said with a sly, but playful tone.

“*Me*,” he said shocked turning around to face the shower curtain as if she could see his playfully shocked expression.

“Yes, *you*. I told you to put padding behind the bed when you get like that,” she giggled.

“I wouldn’t get like that if you didn’t get me all worked up,” he said rubbing his hand over his scruffy face in the mirror.

“You knew long before you married me that I wasn’t a ‘pillow princess’,” she said turning off the shower.

Gene laughed and went on, “True, but you’re the loud one,” her arm reached out wigging her fingers and he handed her a towel, “The way you sounded, people woulda thought I was murdering you.”

“That was your fault.”

“Well, it does make me feel proud,” he said as he got out his shaving kit.

“I was only doing as I was told,” she said with plenty of blush in her voice.

“I said to relax,” he laughed.

“There’s no relaxing when you do the stuff you just did.”  

When she stepped out of the shower, securing the towel around her chest, she saw her husband looking at her with his hand on his hip and a very cheeky smile.  

“Wha-a-t,” she whined and refused to lock eyes with him.

“11 years and you still get embarrassed.”

Judy smiled and placed her hand on his cheek as she tippy-toed to kiss the other, “If you weren’t so amazing, I wouldn’t have anything to blush about.”

He gave her a smack on her towel-covered behind before they both turned back to the mirror. In silence, Gene shaved and Judy started her face cream. It wasn’t like her to be quiet, however. Usually, she was a chatty Kathy when they did their bathroom routine.  He knew exactly what she was thinking about.

“Are you thinking about calling Dave today?”

Judy glanced over at him nervously as he rinsed off his razor, “Do you think I should?”

“I do, but that’s up to you.”

Judy was about to speak when they were interrupted by the sound of crying before tween-Kerry appeared with the baby. Gene immediately held her but she put her arms out for her Mama who took her.

“Where’s your sister,” Gene asked Kerry.

“Waking up.”

“Go get dressed. I’ll be down in the kitchen in a few minutes to make breakfast.”

Gene finished washing off his face and combing his hair as Judy fiddled around, still in her towel, with the now calm and curious baby on her hip. After getting dressed in his ‘around the house’ attire, he stepped into Judy’s walk-in closet where she was poking around.

“Do you want me to take the baby so you can finish getting ready?”

“No, I’ll keep her with me. I like some alone time with her. We’ll be down shortly.”

“Ok.”

Gene placed his hand on the infant’s back as he leaned over for a peck then proceeded to kiss the baby’s cheek before leaving.  

“Just you and me, my darling,” Judy said to her baby girl as she opened her drawers picking out a casual outfit, “You need to visit Mama at work again. Would you like that? Yes, you would, I know,” she cooed and went to walk out of the closet but caught a glimpse of them in the full-size mirror.

It was just her in her towel and her curly haired daughter in a diaper. Her baby looked in the reflection as well and gurgled before reaching for her mother’s face. Judy gave her a kiss and cuddled her closer. She started thinking about a time when she thought she would never have children, and scared that she possibly couldn’t after the ‘procedure’ and now staring at her soon-to-be one-year-old, and Liza downstairs, she got sentimental and made her decision that she needed to say he peace with her ex-husband and hopefully change his mind.

Morning into the afternoon, the family spent most of the time outdoors with Gene working on his furniture projects and Judy gardening as the kids played on the swing set and trampoline.  During lunchtime, they all ate a freshly prepared lunch in the breakfast nook as they listened to a radio program.  

When they finished lunch, it was quiet time which the older girls knew meant to use hush tones during their sister’s nap. They went upstairs to draw in Liza’s room and Gene followed to put the baby down. When he jogged back downstairs to help Judy clean up the kitchen, he noticed a car pull up at the end of their driveway. He stood aside the window to peek out without being obvious. His eyes widened in surprise when the man got out.

“Is she down,” Judy asked walking into the room. When he didn’t answer, she furrowed her brows and walked closer to him as he stood at the window holding the side curtain open, “Gene?”

“Yeah, she’s napping. You didn’t call Rose yet, did you?”

“No, why?”

“He’s here.”

“What do you mean?”

Gene nodded for her to look which she did and low and behold it was her ex-husband walking up the driveway.

“What-on-earth,” she breathed shocked.

“You realize I want nothing more than to give him a right hook, don’t you,” Gene said with the most casual tone it would have been funny under different circumstances.

“You will do nothing of the sort,” she said and went around him to head to the front door but he stopped her.

Gene grabbed her elbow and spoke calmly, “I’ll get it.”

Right as Dave went to push the doorbell, Gene opened the door surprising the other man. It was as if he were expecting a housekeeper.

“Oh, hi, Gene. How are you?”

“Fine. May I help you with something,” he said very politely but had a not so friendly look on his face.

“I was wondering if Judy was home by any chance?”

Without breaking eye contact with the other man, Gene simply pushed the door open and Judy stood there, arms crossed, mirroring the same expression as her husband.  David was surprised again, but this time the way they were both looking at him.  

“Am I interrupting something,” he said as if he had interrupted a marriage spat as they both didn’t look too welcoming.

“What are you doing here?”

“May I come in so we can talk…” he glanced at Gene and back at Judy, “…Perhaps in private?”

Judy softly touched Gene’s arm as an ‘ok’ and he took a step back to let the man inside. As David passed him, the men made eye contact which David tried to avoid but the energy of the situation radiating off of Gene was hard to ignore.  

“My children are upstairs. We can talk in the backyard,” Judy urged Dave to follow her.  

Stepping into the backyard from the kitchen patio doors, Dave spoke up, “You have a lovely home.”

“Thank you.”

“So, ah, I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here.”

“I know why you’re here, but I’m baffled on how you found out where I live.”  

“Swifty. I practically had to beg,” he chuckled.

“You could’ve called me.”

“I wanted to talk to you in person. You said, you know why I’m here?”

“About your book,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Lazar told you?”

“No, actually he didn’t. Why, is it a secret?”

“Not at all.”

“So, you’re here to tell me about your book and that’s it?”

“Yes, because you’re in it, naturally, and I wanted you to hear about it from me first, but I guess that didn’t happen.”

“Why didn’t you tell me at the club?”

“I didn’t expect to run into you. I got a little nervous, to be honest. I didn’t want to ruin a night out.”

“Why would you ruin it, if it’s just a book,” she asked trying to hint the point.

“Because I wasn’t sure of your reaction.”

Gene walked into the kitchen, after checking on the kids, and leaned against the counter by the window to listen. He didn’t do it in an eavesdropping way, he did it to be there to step in if anything got out of line.

“I don’t mind being in someone else’s biography. I was in Georgie Jessel’s and it was lovely. I’m grateful to be a part of someone else’s life. The only thing that would get a reaction out of me is if there was something untruthful written about me…”

He cut her off, “Everything is 100% factual.”

“Or something very private that shouldn’t be shared,” she concluded which brought on a heavy silence.

“Judy, autobiographies are meant to be personal. It’s inviting others into your life to read about your experiences, good and bad.”

Judy put her hand up not wanting to hear any tip-toe around the subject, “Did you write about our baby?”

“Well, I don’t prefer to think of it as a baby, but I briefly mentioned the pregnancy, yes,” he said cautiously.

“It *was* a baby and *I* wanted it,” she said her voice raised, full of anger and regret.

“Judy, don’t do this again,” Dave said putting his hands in his pockets and looked down.

“I wouldn’t have to if you weren’t going to share it to millions of people!”

“It’s part of my life story, it’s something I experienced.”

Judy nodded and placed her hands on her hips, “So, you mentioned that you went along with the studio and my mother to murder our child?”

“I didn’t quite put it like that, but I did write about the situation.”

“And that our marriage failed because that happened?”

“Or because you fell in-love with your co-star,” he said nodding towards the house getting angry.

Judy took a step towards him hurt, “You publish that and I’ll sue you for defamation.”

David sighed, not wanting to fight about something they had fought about a long time ago, “No. I didn’t say that. People know we were both unfaithful in our marriage, that’s no secret. I did say that losing the pregnancy was the nail in the coffin where our relationship was involved. And yes, I did write the truth that I went along and agreed with the others because I didn’t think either of us, in our relationship or careers, were ready for it. I feel bad about that now, I’ve told you that years ago.”

“You also promised me years ago you wouldn’t tell anyone.”  

“That was a promise I made to you when we were married. I didn’t think it mattered now. We both have different lives now and we’re happy.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want it published.”

“Judy.”

“NO!” Judy’s anger melted into grief and she covered her face in her hands sobbing re-living that experience. David softened and placed his hand on her arm but she flinched him away and went on, “Please don’t let the entire world know I was forced to have an abortion. Please. It’s no one’s business, at least not while I’m alive. Columnists will pick up on it and bug me about it and I don’t want to have to re-live it.”

“I didn’t think about that.”

She looked at him with begging, teary eyes, “Please.”

David chewed on his inside cheek a moment, “The book isn’t published yet. I’m not going to take it completely out…” she went to speak but he quickly interrupted her, “I won’t mention the pregnancy or an abortion. But what if I re-worded it as something else like a ‘unfortunate decision was made’ so on and so forth?”

“Oh, would you?”  

“If it upsets you that much, yes. Unbeknownst to you, I do still care about you. I honestly didn’t know it’d affect you this much. Plus, I don’t want to get sued,” he said with a wink.

Judy giggled and sniffed as she placed her hand on his arm, “Thank you.”

The following Friday

On the ‘A Star is Born’ set at Warner Bros., the cast and crew all erupted in applause. Director George Cukor just called ‘Print it!’ to Judy’s finale performance of ‘The Man That Got Away’. It had been a very exasperating, and very long, week filming three versions of the song, but they finally got it in the can.

After she finished hugging Tommy, George came over and gave her a hug and a big kiss on the cheek. He had been just as exhausted.

“That’s it, baby, that’s it.”

“That *is* it, right George? I don’t think I can do another one,” she joked sternly.

“It’s perfect. You sound brilliant and you look gorgeous.”

“Well, we’ll have to see about that,” she said walking over to her makeup chair, “Look at me, I’m sweating.”

“After all the takes we did, we’re all sweating, darling.”

Judy giggled and got out her compact mirror.

“Judy,” Helen, her hairstylist said as behind her.

“Yes,” she asked as she checked her red lips which were still perfectly presentable.

 “You have an audience.”

Judy’s eyes moved from her lips to the movement in the reflection of her mirror behind her. She immediately focused on Tyrone Power, who stood there smiling with his hands in his pockets. She was so surprised she barely even noticed Doris Day standing beside him.  

“Wha...” Judy laughed snapping her compact closed before turning to greet them, “If I knew I was performing for you two, I would have done even better!”

Doris waved her hand with an ‘oh please’ expression as she accepted Judy’s hug.

“I don’t think you could have done better,” the blonde said.

“And I think if you come around the set more than you already have been, D.D., we’re going to have to put you in the film,” Judy quipped giggling and she moved her attention to her ex-lover, “Well, hello, there,” she said in a playful voice.

“Well, hello, there,” he said back with the same tone, “I had a meeting with Warner and I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about over here.”

Judy replied as they embraced in a hug, “Apparently it’s my big comeback.”

“Comeback...” he said confused and she leaned back to look at him, “Did you go away?”

For a moment they just smiled at one another still in an embrace until Doris spoke up, “That’s what she always says.”

“Yes. They’re saying this is my comeback since Metro, but I don’t remember disappearing. In fact, there’s a lot more of me.”

She playfully slapped her hips and they all laughed.

“What you just did there, Judy, was phenomenal. I don’t think I’ve ever heard your voice like that,” he said seriously.

“I told you,” Doris quipped to him, “I told you that you would be stunned.”

“She’s already seen the first few different takes we’ve done. So, Dee, what did you think of this one, darling?”

Doris nudged her male friend with her shoulder speaking in a proud manner, “She likes my input.”

“Yes, I do,” Judy giggled and placed a hand around her friend’s waist.

“I think this set, and this dress, sets a better tone for the song to be honest.”

“So, do I. I like the pink, too, but Gene likes this one better. Said it goes better with the red background.” Judy’s eyes met Tyrone’s and he smiled looking at the floor. Obviously, he wasn’t unaware of their marriage. “The brown one wasn’t very flattering,” she continued to Doris, but they were interrupted.

“Brown,” Tyrone spoke up almost insulted as he remembered Judy always in pastels.

“I know,” Judy stated well aware of the poor choice in wardrobe, “With my brown hair and brown eyes and the brown dress, it all sort of melted together.”

“Is Gene here,” Doris asked curious.  

“No, not today. He’s working. But our Nanny brought the little one over earlier which was a respite, I gotta tell ya.”

“Kelly isn’t a part of making this film,” Tyrone asked knowing that Gene had been a part of business aspects in other projects.  

“No, but he comes to set a lot, of course. I like his ideas and George usually asks for his input as they’re both great directors.”

“He didn’t want to direct this epic, huh,” Tyrone teased.

“Oh,” Judy giggled, “No. I’ve tried that bit before...didn’t work out in the end. I’m not about to jeopardize this one.”

He immediately understood her pun towards her marriage to Minnelli, “But third times a charm.”

“Oh, yes. Third and finale. He’s my honey.”

“Judy,” Doris said looking over her shoulder, “I’m going to say hi to Ray.”

“Alright, darling.”

“How’s it going here? Is it different than Metro?”

“Oh golly, yes. I’m a producer so I get say and they work with my schedule. I’m working hell on it, though. I want it to be really great, you know?”

“Well, from what I have seen so far, it looks swell.”

“Thank you so much for coming. That was a nice surprise.”

“I figured you’d like to see an old friend,” she nodded happily and he went on, “I haven’t seen you since your opening show at the Palace.”

“Has it been that long?”

“Afraid so.”

“How’s Linda,” she asked regarding his wife.

“Oh, she’s fine. We just had our second daughter last month.”

“Oh, how wonderful for you.”

“And you and Gene had a baby last year?”

“She’s almost a year old now.”

“Any more kids in the future?”

“We’ll let God decide, but I’d really like a son.”

“Look at us...” he said giving her a big smile, “...all grown up.” They shared an understanding, sentimental smile together. “It’s really good to see ya, sweetheart,” he said touching her shoulder in a caring manner.

“You, too. Uh,” Judy checked her watch which said 4pm, “We’re having the neighbors over tonight for drinks and poker, around 7, if you’d like to join.”

“Depends on who the neighbors are,” he joked knowing of the ‘Rat Pack’ neighborhood where the Kelly’s lived as they had been written in Hedda Hopper’s column.

Judy giggled and shook her head and he continued, “No, it sounds great. Is Lawford coming?”

“Yes, I think he said he was.”

“I’ll see if I can hitch a ride with him.”  

“You might have to come back to pick him up in the morning. He usually passes out on our lawn furniture,” she giggled.

“I’ll make sure to get Cinderella home safely.”  

“Alright. See you tonight.”

Gene walked into his trailer and slammed the door. Looking ragged as hell, and feeling that way, he plopped down onto the couch and put his baseball cap over his face. Just as he was going to try to take a power nap, thoughts of his wife kept circling around his mind.  

Although happy and excited with her new film, he knew Judy was under a lot of strain with the current sequence they were shooting. The same went for him. He smiled big thinking what if she were in her dressing room trying to catch a breath at this moment, too.  

Groaning as he sat up, he reached for the phone and dialed Warner Bros. As he went through the operator and then the receptionist to be dialed to Judy’s private line in her dressing room, he took out a cigarette and lit it.

“Hello.”

“Kay,” Gene asked with a mumbled voice as he snapped his lighter shut, “Is that you?”

“Well, I don’t know, dear, who else were you expecting?”

“Someone that is definitely not a tall blonde that’s for sure.”

“Well, if she’s four-foot-eleven, and sounds like heaven, she’s changing.”

 “What are you doing over on the other side of the mountain?”

“I had tea with Elizabeth Taylor.”

“Oo, la, la.”

“Yeah. And I stopped by to see your enchanting wife. She’s had a few visitors today. Doris came with...” Kay was interrupted by Judy’s muffled voice asking who it was, “It’s your old man,” she said away from the phone and then spoke to Gene again, “When I showed up, Judy called her driver away. I’m going to drive her home so we can catch up a little.”

“We’re having the gang over tonight if you want to stay a little when you drop her off.”

“Oh, I would, darling, but Roger and I have tickets to the opera downtown.”

“Oo, la, la, again.”

“I know,” she sighed exaggerating like a Prima Donna, “The things I have to go through.”

“Say, how long does it take her to change,” he teased.

“Well, there’s a lot of...complicated...things...underneath. You should know.”  

“Oh, I know,” he laughed.

Kay laughed back, “Here she is, Gene.”

“Hi, darling.”

Hearing her voice, Gene immediately leaned back against the couch again. It was a like a warm hug.

“Hi, baby.”

Judy’s voice spoke away from the phone, “I’ll be there in a few minutes, Kay, shut the door.”

“If you’re making me shut the door, I know what you’re gonna do, and I’m not waiting,” he heard Kay’s voice getting further way.

“Oh my golly,” her voice became clearer again.

“You sound all chipper. I take it work actually went well today?”

Gene sighed waiting for her to answer but she ignored him, worried, “You sound stressed.”

“I am stressed. I’m stressed, Vince is stressed, Freed is stressed, Cyd is stressed...the only one not stressed is Johnson.”

Judy giggled, “That’s Van for you.”

“Yeah.”  

“Why are you so stressed? A few days ago you were saying how great everything was.”

“Just normal studio bullshit. Nothing is going right today but I don’t want to talk about my work. How did everything go over on your end?”

“We got in the can, Gene. We finally finished the scene.”

“Oh, that’s great, sweetheart. I bet it looks fucking amazing.”

“It was pretty great. I watched it back and I was surprised myself how good it looks.”

He sighed again, “Listen, honey, I won’t be able to come home early like I thought I would. I might not get home until everyone else starts showing up.”

“That’s alright, love. It’s casual anyways.”

“If Frank gets there before me, just tell him to start setting things up.”

“Ok. Oh, hey, can you tell Vincente that my sister dropped Liza off at his house and Holly is with her.”

“Will do.”

Gene turned his head and got silent when he stared out the window. He smiled and exhaled from his cigarette.  

It was a long pause until Judy spoke up, “What are you thinking?”

“You know what I'm looking at right now?”

“No, what,” she said in a cutesy tone.

“My trailer is in the same exact spot it was during our first film. I’m looking at the spot your trailer was.”

Judy couldn’t see his smile, but she knew it was a naughty one, “Oh, yeah? Is there a trailer there now?”

“Mm hm.”

“And who’s in that one?”

He snorted, “Howard Keel.”

Judy’s laughter made his stress feel like it was melting off, “Oh, then I have nothing to worry about.”

“You wouldn’t either way.”

“Good to know.”

He was silent a moment again before speaking with a soft tone, “I wish you were here with me like old times.”

Judy knew that when Gene was stressed, his emotions got the better of him. He’d either get all sentimental as he thought of happy memories that would get his serotonin going, or he would get angry and work it off by going on a run, playing sports or indulge in some stress-relief sex. She preferred the latter.  

“You’re turning into Mr. Softy there, buddy. Go back to work and I’ll see you when you get home.”  

“Ok. I love you.”

“I love you more. Muah.”  

After hearing her kissy noise, the line went dead. Gene checked his watch before pushing himself up off the couch.  

Outside, as he turned the corner from his trailer, Van was sitting on his own trailer steps, reading a magazine.  

“Come on, back to work,” Gene said as he walked up to his friend and co-star.

“Have you seen this,” Van asked motioning to the magazine.  

Gene’s eyebrows wrinkled as he lifted to see the front page, “No, but then again, I don’t read ladies magazines.”

“It’s Cyd’s. She said there was a full-page article about Judes. I wanted to read it.”

“What article?”

“The Best Love Affairs of Screen Queens,” Johnson said in a girly voice, “You got top billing on Judy’s page.”

He showed Gene. There, indeed, was a half-page picture of he and Judy at the top. Below was a picture of her and Vince and then her and Dave. But below that, the small print read, ‘The man that could have been’ and there was a picture of Judy and Tyrone Power in 1942 dancing at what looked like Ciro’s.  

Gene looked at his trailer and then the trailer that was in the spot where Judy’s had been during that time. He still saw it clearly. They had just finished ‘My Gal’ and had been deep into their new on-and-off love affair. During pre-productions of their next films, their time together had been more and more sparse. Not to mention, he had a new baby at home as well.  

He hadn’t heard from Judy in weeks at one point and went on his way to talk to her. When he got closer, he saw a man walk out of her trailer and realized it was Tyrone Power. Gene watched, first in surprise, then in anger, as Tyrone walked down the steps tucking his shirt back into his pants. He made no attempt to even hide the indecency. When he was no longer in sight, Gene felt like bursting in there, but he didn’t know for sure. When he got no answer with a knock, he quietly opened the door. Judy was sound asleep on the couch, naked, a blanket wrapped around her. Without waking her, Gene let her be, feeling at the time that he was being replaced.  

Though everyone knew of the Garland-Power affair, as the two had not been secret about it, he never told her what he saw that day. Months later, they’d become lovers again themselves, but that moment still left an imprint on him especially since he had fallen in-love with her. It took him years to admit that, however. Also, to mention the fact that it was public knowledge of her short-lived affair with Power but no one knew about their relationship for seven or eight years.

“Hey, you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Here. Get rid of this junk,” Gene said irritated and shoved the magazine back at his friend before walking off.  

 

The sun was setting as Gene drove towards his neighborhood just past Beverly Hills. He tried to calm down by listening to a football game playing on the radio. Work hadn’t gotten any better, he and Minnelli both had the same frustrations, and decided to call it a day. Then, he had old memories pop up mixed with his already agitated state.

Gene, normally, would just want to have a stiff drink and spend some time alone with his girl, but he had been looking forward all week to their buds coming over. They always lifted his spirits especially when they started acting a fool.

As he turned onto his street, he reminded himself that it was the start of the weekend. He was going to have a good night. There would be no work involved and definitely no men that ‘could have been’.  

Judy walked onto her driveway and called out to her friend as she saw Lauren standing outside her front door with a large Charcuterie tray in her hands shouting something at her husband.

“Darling, do you need help?!”

“No, just yelling at my damn husband to grab the wine!”

Judy giggled and was about to walk back inside when a black Cadillac drove up the driveway followed by a familiar red Jag convertible that parked on the street.  

As Peter Lawford got out of the Jag, Tyrone got out of his Cadillac.

Judy placed her hands on her hips, “I thought you two boys were going to ride together?”

“I was going to but then I thought about all the responsibilities that come with getting Cinderella home on time and I didn’t want to have to deal with that.”

Judy laughed, “It’s good you parked on the street, darling, and not behind one of our cars,” she called out to Peter as he walked up, “I told him that 9 times out of 10, you end up asleep after one of our parties.”

“This time don’t let Sinatra put a Mickey in my drink,” Peter said as he reached over to kiss her on the cheek and continued his way up the driveway.

“Thanks for inviting me.”

“No Linda?”

“She’s home with the baby. I told her I would just stop by for a few.”

“I’m glad you came. Please give her congratulations from us when you go home.”

“Will do, thank you, sweetheart.”

“It really is good to see you again.”

“Come here.”  

 She welcomed the embrace and hugged him back tightly as they swayed happily.

When they parted, Judy saw movement in the corner of her eye and turned to see Gene standing there staring at them stunned.  

“Oh, darling,” she said reaching her hand out, “Look who showed up.”

Gene kept walking up towards them and instead of shaking hands with Tyrone who reached his hand out for a friendly handshake, he ignored it and walked right past him leaning towards Judy.

“What the hell is he doing here?”

Judy’s eyes widened in almost horror at his reaction, “I-I invited him.”

Gene took a step back from her flabbergasted a moment and then laughed, as if not surprised at all, “Of course you did.”

Judy looked at husband insulted, and when she saw Tyrone extremely uncomfortable, she pushed Gene away a few steps and lowered her voice.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You invited him. Uninvite him.”

“Have you been drinking?”

“Oh, I will be now.”

“What is the matter with you?”

He ignored her and looked at Tyrone over her head and spoke politely, “Hey, Power, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“No, he’s not,” Judy said turning around to Tyrone.

“Yes, I am. It’s my house.”

Judy chewed the inside of her lip angry, staring at her husband, completely in shock at his behavior.  

“I see. And here I thought it was *our* house.”

Gene’s face softened a moment before he spoke to Tyrone again, “Please leave *our* property.”

“Is he drunk,” Tyrone asked Judy but before she could answer Gene spoke up sternly.

“Sober as a judge.”

Judy crossed her arms and furrowed her eyebrows. She knew when Gene was drunk, and this was not it.

“Judy invited me over to this get together as a friendly gesture. Can I ask why you’re acting so hostile towards me?”

“All I’m doing,” Gene said calmly with his hands out but with a short fuse, “Is asking you to get off my property.”

Tyrone took a step forward, “And, Kelly, I’m asking you *why*.”

“Yes,” Judy spoke up, “I’d like to know that myself.”

“Oh, shit,” Lauren said as she nearly tripped walking up, “Can someone open the door before I drop this god damn thing?”

Right on cue, Peter came walking back out of the house, “Is the party inside or out here? What’s everybody doing?”

“Petey, keep the door open, would ya,” Lauren said as she headed his way.

“Gene...I’m waiting,” Judy said as the three ignored the other two.

Tyrone snickered to himself, “I guess we know who wears the pants.”

Judy gasped and in reflex stood in front of her husband knowing that kind of comment would cause a fight.

She placed her hands on Gene’s chest, “Oh, no, no, no, no.”

Peter and Lauren walked back towards them realizing things weren’t civil.

Gene pointed at Tyrone over Judy’s head and continued staying calm, but his face was turning red, “Leave.”

“This is who you married?”

Judy looked at Tyrone over her shoulder now getting mad at him. She was well aware that he always liked to antagonize.

“Stop it.”

“Judy, let go of me,” Gene said trying to get her arms away from his waist.

“No. I don’t want you to start a fight.”

“I’m not going to fucking hit him.”

“You do, and I fucking sue you,” Tyrone said back with a hiss.

“Will you shut up,” Judy screeched at Tyrone and placed her hand on his chest now.

Gene watched as his wife stood next to Tyrone and he lost it, “Fine. You won’t ask him to leave. Then watch me.”

Turning, he walked back down the lawn towards where his car was parked.

“Gene,” Judy shouted but he ignored her.

“Hey, what’s the hurry,” Frank said as Gene walked towards him in a huff, but he also ignored Frank and hit his shoulder with his own as he head around the trunk of his car.

“What’s wrong,” Frank called out to Gene, and looked back up at the rest of the folk near the house.

“Gene, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING,” Judy’s angry, and worried, voice called out.

She went to go after him, but Peter immediately ran past her, “I’ll follow him.”

June Allyson and Dick Powell had just gotten out of their car when they saw Gene speed away with his tires screeching and then Lawford chase after him.

“What the hell was that,” Lauren asked stunned.

“I don’t know,” Judy said softly still shell-shocked.

“I’m sorry, Judy. I didn’t mean to cause a scene,” Tyrone said.

“I invited you. But, you didn’t have to go and press him on like that.”  

“He didn’t have to show up a complete asshole for no reason.”

“Oh, there’s gotta be a reason,” Lauren commented.

“He’s not drunk. I know he was stressed at work today, but it can’t just be just that.”

“He doesn’t normally talk to you like that, does he,” Tyrone spoke up.

“Oh, no, no,” Judy immediately defended her husband and Lauren shook her head ‘no’ as well, “It’s not like him at all, believe me.”

“Well, whatever happened, let him cool off. Peter is going to be with him, he’ll be fine. Let’s just all go inside and try to have a good time,” Lauren said and started back towards the front door with Frank following.

“Yes,” Judy said still shaken up and turned to Tyrone, “Darling, I’m sorry, but do you mind terribly if I asked you to go home? I don’t want to be rude, but when he comes back here I don’t want there to be fireworks.”

“I completely understand. But I’d like to know what I did to him to act that way, hm,” he said with raised eyebrows and a smile.

“So would I. Go home and spend time with your new baby. Thank you for coming anyway. And again, I’m terribly sorry.”

“Not a problem,” he said and gave her a kiss on the cheek, “See you later.”

Gene slammed on his brakes when Lawford's car stopped in front of him at a 4-way stop sign intersection.  

"What the hell you doin'," Gene yelled out the window at his friend.

"What the hell YOU doin'," Peter yelled back.

"I don't know. I just need to let out some steam."

 

"My house is a few blocks away. Come have a drink with me. You won't have to pay for it," Peter motioned.  

Gene ushered him to go then followed the Jaguar towards Beverly Glen Blvd.

Lauren poured herself another glass of wine in the kitchen as Judy paced around.

"You know, you're going to end up putting a hole in your floor."

 

"I can't help it. I'm nervous."

 

"I told you, Peter is with him. He's fine."

"It's been almost two hours.”

"You know them, they're probably having a drink somewhere."

"Oh, lovely. If he was like that sober, I can only imagine what he'll be like coming back here drunk."

"All his anger was directed at Tyrone, not you, and Power left, so I think he'll be ok."

Judy stopped pacing and sighed as she motioned for Betty to pour her a little bit of wine, one of which she had been refusing until now.

 

"Good girl," Lauren said and took the clean wine glass from her hands.

"It is strange, you know, that it was just Tyrone he was angry at."

 

"And you have no idea what would have happened for Gene to get so angry at him?"

"Not at all. And from the way Tyrone was acting, it was like he hadn't seen Gene in years so it's not like they go out together or even talk for that matter."  

"Well...he is an ex. Maybe it's a jealousy thing," Betty said handing her the glass of white wine.

"Oh, please," Judy said taking the glass from her, "Gene's friends with Vincente and I was married to him."

 

Lauren nudged her shoulders, "True, but Gene never saw Minnelli as a threat. Maybe he saw Tyrone as one. You two were pretty hot and heavy."

 

"Oh, yeah, for a whole two seconds," Judy retorted back.

"Oh, is that all it took," Lauren smiled and winked making Judy giggle as they walked out of the kitchen, "Look, come sit down, enjoy your friends and stop worrying."

"Stop worrying," Judy repeated with an exhausted tone, "Oh, that's easier said than done."

"Worrying is pointless because it won't change anything. It's not going to make Gene come back here any faster. Just sit your behind down and try to relax. When he comes home, then you deal with it. And if he comes here shooting bricks, I'll get some of the boys to give him a swift kick in the ass."  

Gene checked his watch as he sat at a red light behind Peter as they head back towards his neighborhood. He had been gone two hours and guilt started to form in the pit of his stomach. He knew he was about to go home to one angry wife, and she had every right to be. But, as Peter had pointed out, their friendship, which eventually turned into a relationship, and now a family, had been built on honesty and communication so that’s what needed to be done.  

He knew that he had to handle Judy in his own way after his explosion hours ago. She’d be pissed, but she had no idea what got over him. She’d be confused, probably worried, and that was the last thing he wanted to do to her.  

 

“Dammit,” Frank laughed as he slammed his cards down on the poker table, “Judy, you won again.”

Judy smiled with a raised eyebrow, “Hand em ‘over.”

“You’re getting better at this baby,” Bogie said rubbing her back as she scooped up all of Sinatra’s chips.

“You know what we all need to do,” Van commented.

“Vegas,” Powell chimed in.

“Exactly. We should all take a weekend to Vegas and play for some real money.

“Only if Judy goes,” Junie chimed in, “She’s the only one winning around here.”

“I rarely play poker. It must just be my lucky night,” Judy giggled.

“And maybe you’ll actually get lucky tonight,” Dick said with his best Groucho Marx expression.

June slapped her husband’s back after he realized that he forgot the ordeal.

“Well, speaking as a wife myself, even *when* he does come home, that’s a fat chance, right Judy,” Lauren said before taking another sip of her martini.

Judy just gave them all a sly look but didn’t respond.

“It’ll take $500 and an apology,” Bogie joked.

“Alright, what are we playing?”

They all turned to see Lawford walk up clapping his hands together as he walked up to them. Judy was about to ask him where Gene was when she saw him appear in the background. He locked eyes with her and motioned for them to go into his office just there. The group were all silent and watched as the couple walked into the office and shut the door behind them.

In the office, as Gene passed her, Judy placed her hand on her hip and looked at him suspiciously as she recognized he was still as sober as he was when he left.

“I thought you went out drinking with Peter?”

“We went to his house and I had a beer and a shot.”

She sat down on the leather love seat, “You planned this get together, remember? We were looking forward to it all week and then you just leave.”

“I know,” he said with a bit of defeat as he sat in his office chair and leaned back in it, “I’m sorry.”

“So, do you want to explain to me about your outburst was earlier?”

Gene held his hands out, “That’s why we’re in here.”

“Alright, well don’t get an attitude. You’re the one that started talking nonsense out there and started attacking Tyrone for no reason.”

“Oh, there’s a reason,” he said as he put his feet up on the desk.

Judy remained calm, “I know it’s not like you to act that way to someone unless they’ve insulted you in some way.”

Gene nodded, just barely, as he looked down and fiddled with his shirt.

“Gene, talk to me. What are you doin’?”

“I’m just frustrated.”

“At what?”

“You’re gonna think I’m nuts,” he warned her.

“I already think you’re nuts, but go ahead,” she said leaning back crossing her legs.

“I saw some article today in some magazine and it mentioned you and Tyrone…”

“Article? Gene, you know there’s nothing but rubbish in those things.”

“Will you just listen? It said he was the ‘could have been’ in your line of marriages and I don’t normally pay attention to that shit but you and Tyrone weren’t just some rumor. You guys were an item once…or whatever the hell you were.”

“About a million years ago,” she interrupted with exasperation.

“But,” he interjected, “It reminded me of something I saw.”

“What do you mean, ‘you saw’?”

“Back when we were together…”

“Which time,” she said sarcastically, crossing her arms really not interested in this conversation that hinted at some jealousy of his way before they were even married.

“Oh, now who’s the one with an attitude,” he said getting angry, “The first time!”

“Shhh,” Judy said shocked at how serious he became, “Alright, you saw something. I’m listening.”

“After we had first gotten together, one day I saw Tyrone coming out of your trailer,” Judy shifted uncomfortable as she well remembered the only time Tyrone had been in her trailer was when they were intimate, “And he made no reservations to hide what had been going on when he came out zipping up his fucking pants.”

“Darling, you know we…”

“Yes, Judy, I know,” he said angry at himself as he stood up out of his chair, “I know you were with other people when we had some time apart. But you have no idea how that made me feel seeing it actually happen. I walked into your trailer thinking, maybe he had just gone to the bathroom or something, but you were naked sound asleep. What got to me was that we went all those years being so secretive about us, but everyone knew when you were having affairs with Tyrone or Joe.”

“We were more careful about our relationship because we actually protected one another. We were falling in love so it was more meaningful which meant we could have gotten hurt more easily…or so I thought.”

Gene rubbed the back of his neck pacing in front of her, “No, you’re right.”

“Why is this even an issue right now? I didn’t go nuts on you when I found out you slept with that chorus girl when we did Pirate. Because I knew it was meaningless and that you’d always be by my side. I had no right to get jealous over that and you have no right to get jealous now. And you had no right to treat him the way you did because of something that happened over ten-fucking-years ago and lasted a minute. You were the one that wanted to take a break because of *your* family.”

They were both aware that his decision to do that hurt her which prompted her to find comfort elsewhere during her separation from David.

“I realize that, baby.”

“Then what’s gotten into you,” she said standing up from the couch to be more eye level with him, “Jesus Christ, Gene, we’re married now. We have a family together, a home.”  

“Imagine how I felt seeing that article when I still have issues buried deep down from our relationship at Metro then coming home and seeing you two hugging. I know I should have moved on by now but it’s all still here,” he said putting his fist against his heart. “I know I overreacted. That’s why I’m frustrated with myself. Maybe it’s all the stress from work lately or maybe it’s the bullshit that happened with David last weekend, I don’t know.”

Seeing Gene soften, made Judy soften, “I didn’t realize all of that still affected you.”

“I didn’t think it did. I guess I just swept it under the rug.”

“Well, you can’t heal without confronting it. I’m not happy with how you acted, but it is good to get it out.”

“I can tell ya one thing, the past is not the past, baby.”  

“It sure as hell isn’t. At least not in our house,” she giggled and he smiled, his crow’s feet deepening as she slithered her arms around his waist looking up at him, “Do you feel better now?”

“I always feel better when you do that,” he said running his hands along her arms to her back to push her closer.

“How about this,” she smiled and perched her lips up at him and he leaned down to give her a kiss.

“Oh, yes, definitely that.”

“Good. And later tonight, I’ll the one making you relax.”

Gene raised his eyebrows naughtily and rearranged her so his arms could go around her waist seductively, “Let’s go to bed now. Go boot em’ all out.”

Judy laughed, “No.”  

“Oh, wifey…” Bogey said with a cigarette between his lips as he contemplated the poker cards in his hand. Lauren stood far behind him, outside the office door, smoking, her ear not exactly touching the door but she was definitely being sneaky, “Whatchudoin’?”

“Nothin’,” she said innocently.

“Well, why don’t you come over here and do ‘nothin’.”

Frank walked up to Lauren and placed his ear against the door, “Are they fuckin’?”

Just then, the door opened making Frank lose his balance, but Lauren grabbed his arm to stead him.   

“Not with you perv’s listening,” Gene answered.

Frank straightened up and tried to act nonchalant, “I was just making sure neither of you were, ya know, throwin’ punches.”

“Mm hm,” Judy said as Gene placed his hand on her lower back and led her away to join their friends.

Lauren exhaled her cigarette and made a sly eye to Sinatra, “Smooth.”

The end  

[11thsshadow]

incangencence​:

The snarl that crawled out of the Timelord’s throat was enough to make her flinch. Momentarily stop her heart. Gene had never been so unfortunate as to find herself standing inside a cage with a lion, but standing there in the TARDIS with Dark in that moment, she could imagine how it must have felt. All that raw, pent up power, itching for the nearest outlet. Talons and teeth and rage. She became acutely aware just how soft her skin was – how pierce-able. Like a paper lantern; easily shredded and discarded.

One wrong word…

But… no. He’d never hurt her. Not without a damn good reason. The force of the Timelord’s anger was not directed at her – only stoked by her. Flames fanned by her tears.

She pushed down the spasm of fear, not bothering to deny that she WAS in fact, lying to him – a piss poor lie, a small one, and a mistake she would be careful to never EVER repeat if she could help it – and moved up behind the Timelord, watching him simmer.

“Because she’s right.”

Weren’t you supposed to be somebody?

Wasn’t she? Oh, she’d talked a good game back in school. Had started off with life so promising and lies so intricate. She could have been anybody. And instead, what was she? A cocktail waitress cutting a bloody swath between the stars, barely able to balance a normal life, or hold onto anything that felt real for too long… Her life was… Unbelievable. Achingly strange and beautiful in one moment, and wrenchingly empty every time she touched back to Earth. At her very best, she was an accomplice. And the rest of the time-…

Weren’t you supposed to be somebody?

God, she felt like such a nothing.

Gene slid around behind Dark, wrapping her arms around him and letting her fingers rest against his chest. She could feel his hearts pounding. She held him, like her arms could hold back the tidal waves of his distress, and rested her cheek against his back. He was so much taller than her, even hunched over the controls, but she let herself come to nest there, in the solid expanse between his shoulder-blades.

“And mostly because she doesn’t matter. And I don’t need you to protect me from every little hurt. The big stuff, yeah – be my knight in blood drenched armor. But you start shielding me from every little thing, and pretty soon… my life will be all rose petals and rainbows. And where’s the fun in that. I need a few rainy days, to make the sunshine worth something.”

She stood up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his shoulder. It was strange. This… fragile intimacy that existed between them – sometimes blazing heat, sometimes endless silence, always ALWAYS almost unbearably intense. Maybe all Timelords were just incredibly intense. Creatures of passion. Certainly Dark and The Master were. She was still trying to learn how to navigate it.

“If I want you to kill for me… trust me… you’ll know,” she murmured. “No need to get your hands dirty over the trivial things. Why waste your talents?”

Contrary to how it might appear, the Timelord wasn't without understanding. The primal anger that existed inside him influenced him, but never took precedence over the mind. The mind was strong enough to recognized that her reasoning was understandable, and thus he wasn't so blinded that he wouldn't ignore it.

“I don’t know what the ape said, but I can tell you that anything they said was was lie. Anyone who speaks so distastefully are scum and know nothing.” Dark clenched his fists. “They don’t deserve to breath the same airs as you.” 

This one wasn't like the rest of her kind. A human who was capable of taking of themselves and didn't need him. Dark, however, was possessive and what rare few things he cared about was affected by that factor. No, Gene didn't belong to him, but she was far too precious to let things slide or to be unaffected.

Dark finally felt the anger slowly start to dissipate. Maybe it was the way her singular heart beat remained so calm, even in the presence of a barely contained beast. Comparatively different to the his own rapidly beat hearting beats. Even the way her arms were wrapped around him, weathering the the ever so slowly calming storm. Or maybe it was the words that lulled him into a sense near tranquility, well as close as he could be. 

“It would appear you have me at you beck and call, my life in your hands.” He finally responded, his eyes closed. The beast it seemed had completely went back into slumber, leaving just Dark. Just Dark and Gene in this moment.

“What did this ape say to you?” His heart beats remained steady, although depending on what her answer would be, he anticipated it not staying that way for long. “You don’t have to answer and yes, I will do what you request of me and I’ll leave them be, for now.”

He finally opened his eyes, shifting them to face her direction as he felt her place a kiss on his shoulder.

“How did you that I wonder? You seem to know how to calm my temper, even when I can’t control my own.” When he felt the TARDIS land at their destination he turned his head to look properly at her. “You seem to easily have the affect on me that no one else in my lifetimes has had.”

He let his eyes find hers, to pierce right through them.

 Perhaps you have a strong penchant for manipulation. Dark projected the words into her mind, a fond a smile on his features. “I think would kill anyone you ask me to, do anything to them. All you’d have to do is give me the word.”

@incangencence [x]

His body screamed at him to leave the TARDIS at the exact second. To find the fucker who had hurt Gene and quite literally rip his head off with his bare hands. It didn't matter if she wasn't showing any physical injuries, but she came in the TARDIS crying.

Hurt him? Kill him? Yes. But to hurt the ones he cared about in anyway? That was an instant death sentence. And right Dark was seeing pure, unfiltered red.

It didn't matter if he had to go through every single ape there. Innocents? Who cared about them. It wouldn't have been the first time, and certainly not the last.

"Don't you dare fucking lie to me." The growl that followed was more violent that he had intended, but he suspected she knew that it was directed at her. "It's not fine, and I will personally make sure they feel every second of pain and suffering that they brought you."

Dark knew his mental barriers were down right now, so when she touched him he knew she could feel his adrenaline pumping rage. Yet she was calm, and in that instance he knew wasn't going to tell him who did. But that didn't mean he couldn't force the information out, dig deep into her head and pluck the memory out.

He would have if not until she asked him to take her away. It was something about the way she was holding arm, a wave to calm the oncoming storm. Hesitantly, he did as she said and set coordinates for the TARDIS.

"...You would spare the ape that hurt you," Dark's breath hitched. "Why?"

[missymurphy1985]

The Extra (part 9)

Warning - illness, mentions of death

Authors Note - I have personal experience of this horrific disease - I hope I don't upset anyone with it, but it's a topic very close to my heart.

Taglist @queenshelby @margoo0 @being-worthy @peakyscillian @peakyciills @janelongxox @elenavampire21 @ysmmsy @cloudofdisney @lauren-raines-x @namelesslosers @misscarolineshelby @screemqueen @cilleveryone @peaky-cillian @misselsbells06 @datewithgianni @heidimoreton

A month had passed since you'd deleted his number and blocked him. You were staring at the letter in your hand, shaking. You knew this day was coming, but you'd pushed it so far down that you had only truly thought about it when Cillian had told you he loved you.

You'd told Liane the truth. Why you couldn't commit to him, even though you desperately wanted to. Truth be told you'd fallen for him just as hard - and that's exactly why you'd pushed him away. It was bad enough you had to live with this, you couldn't force someone else to. She'd encouraged you to get tested - and you knew she was right. It was time you took your life in your hands once and for all. You'd spent too many years since your mother's and sister's untimely deaths burying it.

Picking up the phone, you dialled the number, heart pounding. The receptionist answered.

"Morning. My name is y/n y/l/n. I had some tests. I've had a letter to say the results are in?"

"Can I ask what the test was for?" The receptionist asked.

"My GP referred me. It's for the breast cancer gene. I'd like to know if I carry it."

"Let me check our records Miss Y/L/N. Yes, I have your results here. Would you be available to come in this afternoon? We've had a cancellation?"

"Can you not tell me over the phone?"

"I'm not allowed to, the doctor has requested to see you in person." Your heart lurched, that was never a good sign.

You immediately wanted to call Cillian, but remembered you didn't have his contact details any more. You called Liane instead. She would pick you up at 2pm and go with you to the appointment.

Sat in the waiting room, Liane held you hand to calm you. Your nerves were in tatters. This disease had already taken so much from you - your mum, your older sister, two cousins... You knew there was a strong chance it was going to take you, too. The doctor called you through.

"Your results are here y/n. And I'm pleased to inform you -"

"What?" You gasped. The doctor smiled and took your hands in hers.

"Y/n, you don't carry the gene. It isn't there - your chances of developing breast cancer are no higher than mine, or Joan Bloggs on the street. You're going to be okay." Even the doctor had tears in her eyes. Liane was gobsmacked. You just burst into tears.

"I'm not going to die?"

"Oh honey if I had the cure for that I'd be a millionaire!" She laughed, you did too. You felt like the world had just been lifted off your shoulders, taking a dark cloud with it. A dark cloud you'd been living with for nearly 10 years. The real reason you'd split with your ex. The reason you refused to get your breasts out for auditions. The real reason you backed away from a life in acting. You didn't see the point if you weren't going to be here for the long haul... But now?

Now you'd been given a new life. A new start. And your thrown away the best chance of happiness you'd ever had in one stupid click of a button.

Liane noticed your sadness in the car on the way home. You suddenly realised you weren't actually heading home though, you were on the M6 heading to Wolverhampton.

"Erm.. where are we going?" You asked, seeing the sign for Wolverhampton fly past.

"Road trip."

"Destination?"

"It's a surprise!! Do you trust me?"

"Always..."

"Then don't ask questions."

You rolled your eyes and figured you were probably en route to Bicester Village in Oxford. That was your happy place - a day of shopping, good food, few drinks in the evening... Before long though, your eyelids grew heavy. You always fell asleep on car journeys, this one was no different. Within ten minutes you were out cold.

You felt Liane nudge you gently, waking you. Opening your eyes, you looked around, expecting to see the car park. Instead you saw terraced houses, a green park, and a street sign with 'London Borough - Kilburn' on it.

"Why am I in London??" You asked. Liane shrugged her shoulders.

"Fancied a change - never been before! Just got on the motorway and drove. Been years since we've done that hasn't it! Just drove with no destination?" You grinned, remembering the random road trips you used to take years ago. You'd ended up all over the UK, even catching a ferry to Amsterdam one Friday night just because you were bored!

"So what's the plan?"

"Let's go explore!" She paid for the parking via an app on her phone and you both climbed out the car. The houses were all Victorian style and beautiful. The park was glorious - the sun shining on it beautifully. Liane suggested a picnic in the park first to line your stomachs, then cocktails.

"Aren't you driving us home later?"

"Yes - I'll be on the mocktails! Come on, let's go find food... There's loads of little deli places over there!"

Picnic done, it was cocktail time. Sadly, there didn't appear to be a cocktail bar anywhere near... But there was a nice looking pub over the road. Settling on a normal G&T, you both made your way over. Liane sent you inside to get the drinks while she sat in the beer garden out the back.

Heading outside with two G&Ts, you looked around for her but she was nowhere to be found. You quickly scanned inside again just to make sure you'd not missed her. Setting the drinks down on a bench outside, you waited. Must've gone to the toilet. Taking your phone out you sent her a text letting her know where you were.

Ten minutes passed - still no sign. You were worried now. A ping on your phone.

"For god's sake woman open your eyes and look in the corner!!" Liane... What the hell? You looked up and nearly dropped your phone. Sitting ten feet away from you, on his own... Holding his phone in his hand and staring at you the same way you were staring at him. In complete disbelief.

He looked back at his phone and shook his head. Both of you realising you'd been set up. Completely played.

He stood up, you were convinced he was going to leave but he didn't. He sat opposite you instead.

"Hey," he smiled.

"Hey..."

"Can I talk before you do?" He asked. You nodded.

"I know... I didn't... Fuck this makes so much more sense in my head..." He laughed.

"Can I talk instead?" He nodded. You took a deep breath and told him the truth. About your family. The deaths. The illness. The tests.. and the results.

"That's why I pushed you away. That's why I push everyone away. But you were the first one I pushed that I regretted... I regretted it so much because no one had ever made me feel as alive as you did. No one made me float on air like you did. No one made me forget about this cloud hanging over me like you did..."

"You thought I'd leave you if you had the gene?"

"My Dad left when my mom was diagnosed. He couldn't handle it so he bailed. Wasn't a great role model."

"Your dad's a dick. I'm not." His brutal, dead pan response made you laugh. In fact you didn't just laugh, you were in hysterics. He laughed with you, and took your hands in his.

"If I promise not to tell you I love you, will you let me see you?"

"No."

"Erm... Okay?"

"I want you to tell me you love me, if you mean it. Then I'll decide."

"Y/N... I. Love. You. I fucking love you. I adore you. I've had the most miserable four weeks of my life thanks to you!" He laughed.

"Yeah I'm sorry about that.."

"It's okay. You can make it up to me."

"You're giving me a second chance?"

"I never gave up on the first one. But this time, we take it slow. Get to know each other. I'll start by asking if I can take you out to dinner tonight?"

"I have nothing with me... All my stuff's at home..."

"Fair enough. Then we have two choices. You go shopping with Liane and get yourself something.. or go home and we can arrange to meet another time?"

"I'm already here, and shopping was on our to do list. Dinner tonight sounds lovely."

"Unblock my number. I'll text you the details later, okay?" He finished his drink and pulled his jacket on, quickly typing a text as you unblocked his number. If only you'd known it was that easy to get his contact details again... The message pinged through.

"Thank you..." You smiled reading it. He leaned over and kissed your cheek softly, before walking away. Glancing back, smiling, as he left the pub.

Liane was with you in seconds.

"You sneaky little shit, how did you do this??" You laughed.

"Anto contacted me last week, said he was sick of Cillian moping. We kinda worked together... Are you mad at me?"

"Not at all. Where's Anto?"

"Right here." Anto appeared out of nowhere and you threw your arms around him.

"Thank you. For everything?"

"No need to thank me. This was Liane's idea. Bit of a rush to sort once you'd got those results but luckily you live 3 hours away and you sleep like the dead!" He laughed. "Now get yourself gone - you have a date to prepare for!"

[rowanaelinn]

Fire on Fire - Chapter Three

Chapter two // Chapter four

“My head’s gonna explode,” Elide Lochan sighed before she drank two big gulps of water as if she had been thirsty for days. Aelin knew the feeling. She’d been working for two hours now but it felt like ten. The bar was so hot and the music so loud, she couldn’t wait to go home and come back to the silence of her room.

Today was her first day and of course, it was a Saturday night, the busiest night of the week. The uniform, which was basically only a tight white shirt and a pair of black booty shorts, was one of the other reasons Aelin decided she hated this job but only stayed for the money. Aelin had been lucky today if you can call it that, but unfortunately, that luck didn’t extend to Elide.

Some douche-bags slapped her ass when she served him his drink, and of course, all his friends howled with laughter. As if sexual harassment was some kind of joke. The moment Elide mentioned this incident, Aelin had wanted to slam the guy's head on the table but Elide stopped her. The customer was always right and both Aelin and Elide needed this job too much.

They had decided not to tell their co-worker Manon about that, Aelin and Elide had already worked with her before and Aelin knew where Manon was, violence usually followed. It was something Aelin loved about that woman, and she also found it hot as hell. Okay, maybe she had a bit of a crush on the white-haired woman. But in Aelin’s defense, Elide did have a crush on her too. It was like a general experience.

“Do you think we’ll be fired if we don’t go back?” Aelin put her cold bottle of water against the back of her neck, in an attempt to cool her down.

“Definitely, Rofle is a dick. I mean have you seen this outfit?” The brunette turned on herself and gestured to the more than revealing clothes. Aelin agreed, if her cousin saw her in this outfit he would have a heart attack. She was suddenly glad this bar opened last week, at least Aedion didn’t know this place. Yet.

“Girls,” Nesryn interrupted them. “Break’s over. Go back to work.”

Aelin undid her ponytail, a forbidden hairstyle in this bar apparently, and went back behind the counter. She wore her best fake smile and ignored the lingering looks on her breast or her backside, winked and flirted back when clients thought they had a chance of taking her home with them. Aelin hid her disgust of these men pretty good, she was proud of herself for it.

She would quit if she wasn’t low on money lately. For hell’s sake, Aedion was paying half of her rent. It had been a very long discussion between them, Aelin would rather live on the street than depend on someone. Aelin got convinced when Aedion made it clear if she didn’t accept he would call her parents. So Aelin put her pride aside and accepted, at the only condition Aedion let her pay him back whenever she could. He had argued but accepted. The Ashryver family wasn’t very good at compromise, but at least they tried.

“Aelin, go take the order of table nine,” Manon yelled at her over the background noise. Aelin gave her a thumb up as she kept pouring alcohol in the shaker.

When Aelin was done making this cocktail she wiped her hands and walked toward table nine. She looked down to grab her little booklet and pen she left in one of the pockets of her apron as she said, “Hi, welcome to the sea dragon, what can I-” She stopped as she took in who was sitting in front of her. Lorcan Salvaterre, Fenrys, Connall Moonbeam, and of fucking course, gods-damned Rowan Whitethorn. She took a deep breath and smiled, but she knew her fake smile wasn’t as convincing as it was minutes before.

She focused on Fenrys and Connall, the only ones she could stand at that table. “What can I get you?”

Fenrys had an amused look on his face, accentuated by his smirk full of wickedness. “So this is your new job?” He asked, and if she didn’t know him the look could be considered genuine.

“You knew it, Fen. I told you hours ago.” Rowan’s head whipped to Fenrys, and Aelin’s face suddenly mirrored Fenrys’s. She didn’t know what the blonde had in mind, but if it annoyed Whitethorn, Aelin was on board. Rowan’s head turned back toward her and he narrowed his eyes. “Got something on my face, Whitethorn?” She couldn’t help it, she had to always argue with him.

“Yeah, all that make-up,” his eyes roamed over her body, it took everything in her not to move under the weight of his gaze. “What’s that outfit anyway?” His disdain was quite obvious.

“My uniform, dumbass.” She tightened her grip around her pen and notebook so much that her knuckles turned white. “Be careful, it almost sounds like you care.” It was one of the most sarcastic things she had ever said in her life, the look in his eyes was enough proof.

“Why would I care about you when you’re dressed like a stripper?” He crossed his arms and Aelin had to force herself not to stare at his muscles and at the tattoo on his arms. He was a handsome bastard and it made him quite hard to hate.

“So, no respect for sex workers, Whitethorn? Why am I not surprised?”

“No, actually I respect them a lot. You’re the only person I don’t respect.” It took everything in her not to punch him in the face right now, but that’s what he was waiting for. It was like he loved to see her lose control.

“I’m going to enjoy spitting in your drink.”

“Do that and I’ll have a nice chat with your boss, good luck to find another job, princess.” He was getting angry, Aelin loved that, it meant she was winning their little game.

“Feel free to do it, it just means you’ll have to share that splendid bathroom with me longer.” She winked at him and wiggled her brows. Rowan clenched his jaw, another sign of his anger.

“Can you two stop for a minute? I’m thirsty.” Lorcan Salvaterre interrupted them and Aelin rolled her eyes. She wasn’t exactly on friendly terms with Lorcan either, but instead of always arguing as she did with Rowan, they just ignored each other.

“Who are they?” Elide asked as Aelin prepared her roommates’ order. The four of them wanted a beer, classic.

“Two of them are the bane of my existence and the two others annoying but very pretty.”

“I want him in my bed,” Elide said as she bit her lip. Aelin whipped her head toward the guys, trying to know which one she was talking about.

“I have no idea which one you’re already planning to get naked but one of them is gay and the other three aren’t good options.”

“Great, I don’t want good and I don’t want to be good. And It’s the tall one.” Elide winked and left before Aelin could say anything. Of course, Elide would be attracted to Lorcan. Alein went back to their table, accidentally spilling a little bit of Rowan’s beer on him when she accidentally tripped. He swore at her but she decided to ignore it, instead, she pushed him so she could sit next to him to be right in front of Lorcan.

“You,” She pointed at Lorcan, with her smile full of mischief.

“Don’t look at me like that.” She shook his head and she heard the twins laugh.

“What’s your type of woman?”

“Everything you aren’t.”

“I’m gonna look past that insult because I am an amazing woman,” she was cut off by Rowan’s snort. “You shut up, you’re thirty and still single.” She looked back at Lorcan but heard Rowan correct her on his age. His highness was still twenty-nine for three months. “What about 5”2, brunette, very very scary. She’s also one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen, but unfortunately, she doesn’t have good taste. I’m not her type but you are.” She winked at him. Rowan muttered something that sounded a lot like “We aren’t teenagers anymore” but she ignored him.

Lorcan furrowed his brow, Aelin could see him hesitate. “Where?”

“Want to see her dance?” Aelin didn’t wait for the answer and walked back to the bar.

-

Rowan was mesmerized.

The moment Aelin Ashryver Galathynius started dancing was the moment he lost his mind.

He hated her for it, hated her for being the first thing anyone looked at when they entered a room. Hated her for being the most attractive woman he had seen in a while.

She had been raised to become this. Well, not to become a barmaid in a piss-poor bar in Doranelle. But to become the type of woman everyone looked at, everyone wanted.

With Evalin Ashryver as her mother, how could Aelin become something else? Her mother was an incredible actress, and one of the most famous ones. She was also known for being cunning, ambitious, and beautiful as a sin.

And with Rhoe Galathynius as her father, Aelin knew how to captivate an audience. Rhoe was a legend of football. Whenever he played, all eyes were on him. He was smart and as cunning as his wife, a perfect match if you listened to the papers. That’s probably why he was a coach now, and that’s also why his team almost always won.

So Aelin was born with amazing genes, a talent to bewitch everyone who looked at her, and a bank account bigger than anyone should have. That’s why he didn’t understand why she would be working here and living with five guys instead of just having a big apartment in the richest part of town. But Aedion had told everyone to never mention her parents, so they all listened. Everyone was careful to do just that, maybe because Lysandra had threatened to cut their favorite body part and to make them eat it if they ever mentioned Rhoe’s or Evalin’s name. All that the day they met her when she was one month away from turning eighteen.

Now this she-devil had him under her spell. He couldn’t stop looking at the way her hips moved perfectly on beat with the music, at the way her hands wandered over her stomach, the side of her breast, and then lifted her hair in the air. Or even at how close she was to her friend, the one who is apparently interested in Lorcan. Both of them were giving a show, and when Rowan finally looked away from the blonde it was to find almost every man with their eyes on her. She knew what she was doing, he knew she did. It made him want to yell at her, even at work she couldn’t help but want attention.

Aelin turned her head, and their eyes met. Rowan sat straighter, swallowing. Her sinful mouth turned into a smirk and she accentuated her hips’ movements, aware of Rowan’s eyes on her. It was also something they did, along with arguing. They caught the other checking the other out, but wouldn’t call them on it. They would never bring it up, it was like a secret between them. He shouldn’t find the idea of sharing something with her so exciting.

She never stopped looking at him as she danced, sometimes she would bit her lip, sometimes her hands would wander on her breasts. He had to stop himself from growling as his cock hardened. Aelin was a sin.

Who did she think she was? He hated her, he made that clear. She hated him, and she had also made that clear. Why did she feel the need to tease him? She was trying to mess with him, and it was working.

The bubble broke when one of Aelin’s coworkers interrupted her, telling her and her friend she was dancing with to go back to work. Rowan couldn’t help but stare at her ass as she walked back behind the counter. He would have felt bad for it, wasn’t it for the slight sway of her hips and the look she threw at him when she started serving people again.

“I want her.” Lorcan almost grunted, and against his best wishes and even if they weren’t talking about the same girl, Rowan agreed.

-

Aelin wasn’t tired, no, tired wasn’t a strong enough word to describe what she was feeling. It was almost three in the morning and her shift ended in one hour, thank god she wasn’t supposed to close the bar today.

A customer asked for another sex on the beach, his fourth of the night. Aelin smiled as she prepared it but decided it would be his last of the night. Rofle didn’t want his barmaids to stop clients from drinking because more drinking means more money. But all the money in the world wasn’t worth the customers’ life. She would never forgive herself if someone had a car accident or became an alcoholic because of the drink she served. She gave the drink and took the man’s car keys, saying she would call a cab when he wanted to leave.

Aelin’s phone started ringing and when she saw who was calling her she sighed. If she was tired now it would be worse by the end of the night.

“Hello,” She answered as she got into a cupboard to find some quiet.

“Hi, you’re Aelin Galathynius?” A deep male voice asked. From the tone of his voice, the man must be as exhausted as Aelin was.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Aelin already regretted picking up this gods damned phone.

“I’m sorry to bother you but a guy’s at my bar. He’s tall-”

“Yeah, I know exactly who it is. Let me guess, he is drunk and absolutely refuses to call a taxi because taxis are disgusting. He also told you to call me, didn’t he?”

“You got it all right.”

“Okay.” She sighed. “Where’s your bar?” She nodded when he told her the address and told him she would be here in half an hour.

Aelin went to Elide, apologized, and asked her to cover the rest of her shift. Elide understood, it wasn’t the first time Aelin had to leave for the same reason. Elide was pissed but not because she had more work, but because she didn’t want Aelin to go.

Aelin took her car and drove, maybe a little slower than she should but it was night. Roads were dangerous, especially on a Saturday night. Aelin parked right in front of the sidewalk. She took her phone and wanted to text Aedion to tell him she would be late but her phone was dead. Amazing.

Aelin walked into the bar and realized she didn’t take time to change clothes, she was still in her uniform. She crossed her arms, trying to cover her chest as best as she could. Even if she had liked to have Rowan Whitethorn watching her tonight, she didn’t want anyone else to look at her this way.

It didn’t take long to see who had called Aelin, she walked toward him, the bartender looked relieved someone would come to pick him up. “I’m gonna take that.” She told him, and he gave her the car keys. Aelin turned her head to grey eyes watching her body, of course, he would notice her lack of clothing. “Let’s get you home,” Aelin said, trying her best not to let her anger out, it’s not going to help tonight.

“Hello, darling,” Arobynn purred.

tag list:

@sheharahu // @morganofthewildfire // @thestoriesyoutell // @fromthelibraryofemilyj // @swankii-art-teacher // @itsforeverinnocent-blog // @becarefuloflove // @imnotsogoodatthis // @rowaelinismyotp // @a-court-of-milkandhoney // @feysand-loml // @surielandiareendgame // @live-the-fangirl-life // @story-scribbler // @mx—spelled //

[piratewithvigor]

KNIGHTS

In which the crowd sees Stars...

Taglist: @old-no7 @the--blackdahlia @prettyboymichaels @yellingdownawell

CHAPTER 16: Pinprick

The cheers that had followed every other heroic knight into the ring were far quieter as the next hero entered. Instead of cheering, jeering was a far more apt word. Not out of hatred, but out of a far uglier sin in the moment: lust.

Wendi Richter was wearing the same armour as any man. She carried a sword that was designed for a hand her size and she had the same steely-eyed look that all the other knights had entered with. She had certainly expected to hear catcalls and comments on what she looked like and how the audience perceived her abilities, but some of the things that were yelled were simply cruel. Instead of paying them any mind, she focused far more intently on Cyndi, who was walking in front of her with some of the greatest confidence that had been displayed on the stage that day.

“All right, moments away, Cyndi Lauper, Wendi Richter, a big one for you,” Gene began before offering the cone to Cyndi.

“That’s right, Mean Gene. Moolah, Leilani Kai, you better watch out because these are powerful words because this is a powerful woman and I’m a powerful manager now because I was taught by Captain Lou Albano just how to manage.”

That had been Shane’s idea. He and Cyndi both knew that anyone who knew her, and he anticipated that number to be higher than his father expected, would question just how valid she was as a manager. He didn’t like that she’d have to name-drop a respected trainer in order to gain the respect of the audience, but it had to be done. At least it would give her a slightly better chance. She just needed to garner enough respect to not be laughed off the stage until the match started. Five minutes, that’s all the respect she needed.

“Wendi Richter, your thoughts?”

“I need everyone here to know that I didn’t lose my last match to one person; I lost it because Moolah interfered in my match and I’m dead set on exacting my revenge like I deserve.”

The cheering was nowhere near what Shane had hoped for. He knew it wouldn’t be loud in the first place, but he never anticipated that it would sound much more like the same amount of people who’d crowded into the Thunder, now spread out across a field of thousands. He could practically feel his father’s disapproval deep in his chest. But that wasn’t part of his concerns for right now. Right now, he just wanted his match to go well. He wanted his Stars to fight well and put on a hell of a show.

“The opposing view right now for Leilani Kai and of course-” Gene stopped short as he saw the woman he’d be speaking to. “Moolah, where did you get those glasses?”

Over the course of the few weeks that Gene had stayed at the palace, he’d found a welcome home in the Thunder. Moolah mixed a fine cocktail and given their similarities in age and interests, they’d gotten along well enough to feel like old friends. It made the banter they’d experimented with for her interview section feel all the more natural. And certainly didn’t stop her from turning up with some of the most gaudy, bedazzled glasses Gene had ever seen.

“My jeweler made them for me for today’s special occasion because he’s so proud of me and my champion Leilani Kai.”

“And you, Leilani Kai?”

“I’m good, I don’t care what I got to do or how I got to do it to beat Wendi. I’m gonna walk off this stage with my hand raised in victory.”

Shane wanted to be in the first row to watch the match, alongside the managers. Wanted to more than anything. To be able to see the fruits of his work to get the women into the tournament and onto the stage. It was only when he was about to step out of the tent to sneak into the audience when his arm was grabbed by his father.

“Shane, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Watching- I wanted to watch the match from up close.”

“And why do you think you can do that?”

“I organized it. This is my match; you said so yourself.”

“That means nothing towards you being allowed to watch it from the front row. What if there’s an assassin in the crowd? There’s so many people and there’s no chance all 19,000 of them are trustworthy enough not to hurt you if given the chance.”

“What, so if I go to watch the match up close, I’m going to get stabbed?”

“Maybe. Might also be held for ransom. It’s too dangerous to go out there alone.”

“Then come with me, or let one of the knights come.”

“And be an even bigger target? We need to get you a new tutor because it’s obvious the one you have now hasn’t taught you a thing.”

“Lord Hayes teaches me fine.”

“Don’t argue with me, Shane. Just sit down and watch from the tent like the rest of us.”

He wanted to argue more so badly. The only thing that kept him from it was the reminder that keeping his mouth shut and taking the high road made him a bigger man. He’d have his chance to watch from close up. Someday.

With the managers off the stage and the crowd a little more interested in the women onstage, the bell rang to begin the match.

Neither of the women had all too large a sword to work with. Theirs were specifically designed to be more lightweight, almost like a rapier. It allowed for quicker movements to match the style of most female fighters.

Wendi and Leilani were no exception to the ordinary. Each one came out of their corner with their swords aloft, never taking an eye off each other as they circled for a moment before connecting in a hard push in the middle of the stage. Wendi got just enough of an advantage to push Leilani up against the ropes, but was spun away, taking her turn being pinned. Using the momentum of the bouncing ropes, Wendi pushed once more, but was pushed back just as quickly. A double vertical spin resulting in Wendi being pinned into the corner, up against the post. Leilani attempted a hard swipe against Wendi’s chest, not breaking any skin, but giving Wendi just enough room to push Leilani onto her back in the middle of the stage.

They were so perfectly matched. Out of everything Shane had thought of and fretted about, he’d never considered that the pool of opponents for female fighters had to be significantly smaller. If these two fought as often as any man did to train or to spar for years on end, they had to know every single move the other possessed. The fight would almost look like a well-rehearsed dance; no surprises to be found.

Wendi ran after her fallen foe, hooking Leilani’s leg with her ankle and taking her down a second time with much more force. Leilani struggled to get her arm up and eventually practically tossed Wendi away with a double kick to the air.

The audience almost sounded impressed by the move. Shane wouldn’t have blamed them. He was damn impressed himself. After so many matches of knights who were mountains of men, no one had seen anyone as small or as quick as the Stars. Power was entertaining to watch, but the quick, sharp movements of fighters who could out-maneuver an opponent was truly exciting. You could hardly look away for a moment.

The Stars re-connected in the middle of the ring with a long, low push. The kind designed to tire out one’s opponent and back them into a corner. The instant Leilani saw Wendi weakening, she loosened her push, hooking her arm around Wendi’s unbalanced one and pulling her over her own back to land hard on the stage. The dangerous position only lasted for a moment before Wendi pulled her opponent into a matching position. One designed to keep her down for long enough to get a clear blood flow from any exposed part.

Though it rarely made a difference due to how well they knew each other, Leilani was just a little stronger. Enough so that she could push back to her feet, even with Wendi holding her free arm back. She needed that arm. With it being pinned behind her back like that, Leilani wasn’t able to turn around, nor was she able to get a clear shot in with her sword. She attempted a running escape, but was taken down by a powerful drag, pulling her down to her front with only her sword hand free. Wendi was pushing down on Leilani’s other arm with her full weight, still hunting for an opening in her armour.

It was so much easier when they were just fighting in the Thunder. There, they had armour to cover their head and neck, just to make sure no beheadings happened, but the rest of the armour was chainmail and thick leather. Working for the king, that couldn’t be the case. They were each supplied with real armour that offered almost no openings to draw blood besides the face, but it had been a ladies’ agreement to avoid cutting the face. Neither of them wanted to be scarred there, and they made the solemn promise not to touch the other if they themselves weren’t to be touched.

It was starting to look mighty tempting to just give her a little cut, though. Just something small on her cheek. It’d be hardly noticeable and it would win her the match easily.

In her frustration, Wendi instead lifted Leilani back to her feet and threw her down once more. If she made Leilani give up before she could draw blood, it would be just as sweet a victory. Leilani seemed to sense Wendi’s temptation to go back on their deal. She had to get things moving before the temptation got to be too much.

She pushed up to her feet and dropped her sword momentarily, just enough to distract Wendi and take a handful of her hair to pull her forwards and down to the ground, breaking the vice grip she had on Leilani’s arm. It was more than plenty to give her an opening to cut, but she couldn’t find one before Wendi moved out of the way.

Leilani didn’t take more than a breather to pick up her sword before she pulled Wendi’s free arm to an uncomfortable angle, trapping her on the ground. In her desperate kicking to escape the hold, Leilani finally spotted the little sliver of exposed ankle that could be reached by a quick and precise cut. Upsettingly enough, Leilani couldn’t reach Wendi’s ankle to hold it down or even to cut it while she was keeping her arm in a hold. She’d have to take the arm out. Preferably her sword arm, but any disability would suit her fine in the moment.

Leilani stood up and stomped hard on Wendi’s elbow, making her opponent shriek. She could hardly contain her glee at seeing Wendi struggle to her feet.

Until Wendi used her good elbow to hit Leilani in the lower stomach, making her double over, then once against the collarbone with her sword for luck.

The wind was knocked out of her hard, but it didn’t stop Leilani from giving Wendi a return slash across the back, slicing off an inch or two from the bottom of her hair.

She just needed access to the goddamn ankle.

Pulling Wendi down to the ground seemed to be the strategy. As long as she was on her side, she was either unable to use her sword, or lying on her injured elbow. Then Leilani would just have to maneuver herself to reach the ankle and make the cut.

Unfortunately, both her legs still worked fine. She was strong enough with them to be able to try and crawl back to her feet, lashing out at Leilani every time she got too close.

Legs had to be taken out.

Leilani grasped Wendi’s leg and pulled hard, taking it out from underneath her. She tried to maneuver herself into a position where she’d be straddling Wendi’s leg, but was foiled by her incessant squirming. As if she realized her ankle was exposed and needed to do anything within her power to cover it back up. Underneath Leilani, all she could do was squirm and kick. Or even better; she could wrap both legs around Leilani’s waist and hold her tightly in place, leaving her arms free to do damage and Leilani unable to reach her ankle. If she squeezed hard enough, Leilani may even request mercy and give up.

Of course, Wendi had forgotten one crucial detail: the strength of her opponent was nothing to be trifled with.

Leilani planted her feet on the stage and lifted Wendi off the ground, forcing her opponent to either clutch with her arms to keep from falling, or unhook her legs. Unwilling to be totally at Leilani’s mercy, Wendi unhooked her legs. It gave her a spare moment to knock Leilani back with a slash across the chest.

Her first attempt at taking Wendi out by the legs had failed, but Leilani couldn’t come up with a better idea yet, leading her to try and hook Wendi’s leg again. Instead of falling backwards, Wendi fell forwards this time, landing on top of Leilani and giving her a clear shot in between the armour’s weakness. Unfortunately, Leilani threw her off before she could take advantage.

She needed a second to think. Leilani was crafty and obviously trying to use her strength to pin her by the legs and get to her ankle. The upsetting detail about her plan was that if she kept trying it, it would eventually work. Wendi kept sapping energy every time she attempted to escape. She needed to drain Leilani faster than she was being drained.

In a spare second, she backed into the corner and gripped the top ropes, waiting for the inevitable charge. As Leilani did come running with her sword up to strike, Wendi used the top ropes to hoist herself up and kick Wendi backwards to the ground with both feet to the chest. If she’d been quicker detangling herself from the corner, she would have been able to reach Leilani’s ankle before she stood up. And if she were just a little slower, she wouldn’t have accidentally gotten caught in Leilani’s grasp that swung her across the stage and into Moolah’s grasp.

It wasn’t legal in the slightest. Any self-respecting knight would know better than to involve outside forces. But keeping in line with that mindset, most self-respecting knights wouldn’t have agreed to participate in tournament-style fighting on a dirt stage with thick ropes keeping them contained within. The match was slowly descending into greater anarchy, and the crowd was warming up even more. What used to be quiet disinterest had slowly become the level of cheering they’d given the more boring men’s matches. They were loving watching the local bartender pound her fist against Wendi’s back and they loved watching one of the most beloved singers in town get just as violent. Unfortunately, as Cyndi finally pulled Wendi out of Moolah’s clutches and pushed the bartender back, Wendi ended up back in Leilani’s hands and promptly flung across the stage against the ropes, meeting a kick to the sternum when she bounced back.

Luckily, Wendi fell back far enough to have time to lash against Leilani as she rose back up to her feet. Twice. Three times. She got to her feet and grasped Leilani’s wrist, throwing her into the ropes and picking her up on the bounce back, throwing her to the ground. Spying Wendi’s strategy, Leilani kicked the sword from her opponent’s hand, letting it clatter down to the stage as she climbed to her feet. Defenseless and without much time to think, Wendi used her advantage of more than one hand to throw Leilani into the corner, knocking the air out of her a little, but not enough to still be dazed when Wendi ran at her with her sword in hand.

It had been a brilliant strategy on Wendi’s part to use the ropes for a higher kick earlier. A strategy Leilani took great pleasure in stealing. She wasn’t able to lift her feet high enough to perform a double-foot kick, but the two knees Wendi ran into probably did every bit as much damage.

She was still moving too much. Leilani needed her to be still when she made the cut, or she’d risk a major bleed. The kind of bleed that could lead to a foot being removed and a career ended. As much as Leilani hated Wendi’s guts on the stage, she was one of a very small group of opponents available. She needed her alive and able to work.

The best way to keep her still would be to cause temporary pains. Two more hard stomps on the bad elbow and a knee to the spine that made Wendi slump down onto the stage. She still kept moving. Tossing her down to the ground and jumping onto her from the top rope and she still squirmed. Enough so that Leilani couldn’t see exactly what she was doing. Nor could she see Wendi just barely nick her own exposed ankle.

The bell rang before Leilani even felt what was happening.

Somehow, someway, blood had been drawn enough for officials to see it.

She didn’t even feel it.

A papercut.

Barely even that.

A pinprick.