#GOT TICKETS FOR MANDY AND I

[mieczyhale]

[heaven-sent-hell-bent]

Bro is 2024 just me healing my inner child?

[maxwellatoms]

Hello Mr. Atoms, I'm an animation student in college and fan of your work. I got this assignment in which I need to ask questions to a professional in the area. Could you pretty please answer them? It'd mean a lot to me.

1- Are you happy with your career? How it's going.

2- What are your opinions, expectations and hopes about the independent animation industry that's developing?

3- What do you think about the advent of artificial intelligence? Do you fear for the future of animators?

4- If money wasn't a problem, would you still do what you do?

5- Any animators you admire and would like to mention?

Okey dokey.

1- Are you happy with your career? How it's going.

Not really, in that there seems to be no career left.

The animation industry swelled its numbers greatly before 2020. Almost immediately after that, corporate greed synergized with a pandemic to reduce animated programs and the number of people working on them to almost zero. It takes almost a year from beginning to end to make a single episode of an animated show (by the modern standard). There was nothing being made in 2020 and four years later, we''re not in a much better spot. It's going to be a long drought for (especially) Kid's TV Animation.

Recently, many of my former co-workers have hit the financial wall and can't continue, moving away after (sometimes) 20 years in the industry. I begin to wonder if I'm very far behind.

A "bounce back" a year from now would need to start today. There are still some animated shows being made now, but those are almost universally "library" properties. That means it's an existing I.P. (Intellectual Properties like Garfield/Mario/Batman/Star Wars) so as an artist you're immediately in that box. Depending on the property and the studio, it can be an unpleasantly tight box. I grew used to holding and maintaining the vision for a show, but it's less fun when it's not my vision. It's even less fun when you can't inspire someone to follow your vision because they've been so ruthlessly abused.

I'm pretty sick of how big media corporations treat their employees. If I inherit one more burnt out crew due to mismanagement, I'm gonna lose it.

Over a decade ago I fought hard to get board artists story credit for the episodes they were actually writing, and felt like I'd won a big victory for everyone. The second my back was turned, it all reverted.

Mostly... what is the point now? My career is/was developing ideas, crafting those ideas into a workable show, then managing teams of thirty to seventy people to produce a couple of dozen episodes per year. Studios actively do not want new ideas right now, and are actively searching for ways to eliminate what artists from the process. I'm not sure what my job would be under this new system, but it feels like they decided to hang onto the anxiety-inducing deadlines while removing anything remotely pleasurable from the experience.

2- What are your opinions, expectations and hopes about the independent animation industry that's developing?

It's the only way to get anything done, currently.

The current state of the industry is not sustainable. I (along with a lot of other animators I know) are trying to decide what's next, and pretty much everyone agrees that "you just have to make something".

It is (in that very specific way) a great time to be a young animator. The system was never going to treat you well anyway. If you can get something like a Hazbin Hotel happening without studio help, you can currently write your own ticket. I'm super proud of Vivsie, because that's a LOT of stuff to handle. I never had to handle my own marketing or drum up money to make Billy & Mandy happen.

There are opportunities there, but it's definitely "Hard Mode". The best idea is probably to team up with a few other people you like and like to work with.

Hopes? I hope that the young animators take over and make something new on top of the bones of the old industry, rather than just allowing that industry to patch its rotting hide with their collected works.

3- What do you think about the advent of artificial intelligence? Do you fear for the future of animators?

I suspect true AI might just peace-out like ScarJo in "Her", but we're not there yet. What we have now isn't Artificial Intelligence at all (though I do believe it may be the underpinnings of the Artificial Suconscious of what may one day become an actual Artificial Intelligence.)

The LLMs and "Generative AI" are (so far) a big dumb waste. They consume tons of energy and aren't great for doing anything creative. If you've sat down with Chat GPT for a creative writing session, you've probably run into the "out of the box" limitations which prevent it from talking about sex or violence-- which happen to be a major component of most stories.

Still, the technology has come incredibly far in an incredibly short amount of time. I imagine we're going to hit the point where we're being hazed by artificially generated political ads way before Generative AI can produce a consistent and usable character turnaround, so that'll be the test. Whatever the legal fallout is from this stuff over the next few years will set the tone.

Still, studios have a vested interest in pleasing their shareholders. Generative AI potentially has the capability of not only replacing swaths of money-eating artists, but handing that control directly to the billionaire studio heads. Mark my words: We're headed straight for billionaire-generated content.

I don't think the public at large will want to watch Elon Musk's fever dreams, so there's that. So law and general distaste might stave it off for a while, but I think there's just too much impetus for studios to continue to try to please their investors. "AI Art" is here to stay.

Eventually that will lead to millions and millions of bots generating millions and millions of songs and paintings and movies all day every day. Most of it will be utter trash. Right now (so I'm told) viewers are already burnt out, and will generally only click on what they already know. On Netflix, where there are twenty things you've never heard of and one you have, you're more likely to pick the thing that gives you comfort and gives you a guarantee you're not wasting your time. With exponentially more A.I. trash, how would you even begin to filter it out?

You'd need absolute control of an already existing distribution system. We currently have a few of those, and all of the media companies are desperately trying to merge with them to insure their own survival.

To me, the post-Gen-AI landscape looks a lot like old-school Cable, but with endless I.P. and fewer masters.

4- If money wasn't a problem, would you still do what you do?

The real question is, maybe, "What am I even doing?" These days I try to do a lot of gardening. I'm trying to learn new art skills, because suddenly twenty five years of experience managing, drawing, and writing isn't worth much. I recently worked on Jellystone until Zaslav lost 2.5 billion in the wash and had to find justification for his new yacht. The show before that? Also culled midway through to save money. The days of multi-year gigs seem to be over, and if I'm going to scrape by doing freelance, maybe I can do that somewhere else.

I'll always make art. I can't seem to help it. Ideas aren't my problem-- it's executing those ideas without the help of a structured pre-existing system. I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to pull that off. My strengths are great, but were always supported by friends I worked with.

Can I start an indie cartoon with all of these cool friends? Sure, maybe. Most of those people have gone on to have other careers of their own and got used to being paid. Now nobody is getting paid and no one can pay anyone else. My immediate circle are all now middle-aged people with families and no jobs. Convincing them to give up a large chunk of their day for an idea that's not guaranteed to pay off is going to take some real effort.

I technically have fifteen years until I can claim my "retirement", assuming that still exists by then. That's a pretty big hole to fill with... I don't know what.

The difficult "What comes next" discussions at home are really just starting.

5- Any animators you admire and would like to mention?

There are a lot of cool animation people out there. I already mentioned I was proud of Vivsie. I was also reminded recently just how great C.H. Greenblatt and Mr. Warburton are. I know they're my friends. They're both just really upstanding, creative people who take good care of their crews.

The treatment of animation industry professionals by the studio system has been one of the most demoralizing and heartbreaking parts of this demoralizing and heartbreaking time.

---

So there ya go. If you want to look for someone whose attitude is a little more upbeat, I won't blame you a bit.

Wherever you are, I wish you the best of luck. For me, just climb up there and crush it. I would very much like to add you to #5 someday.

[thehelltingvilleclub]

Jerry Stokes - Champion Card Player and Professional Goober

Jerome “Jerry” Titus Stokes Jr. [10/02/80] [6'0. Yes, Bill is mad about this.] Secretary of Fantasy and Role-Playing Games AOL / Online Users: [XxLordxXxAtrocityxX] Theme Songs: Chronically Cautious - Braden Bales | Undone - The Sweater Song - Weezer | Polygon Dust - Porter Robinson Favorite Shit: Middle-Earth, Magic Cards, Percentile Dice, He-Man, Final Fantasy, Dragons, Tabletop Gaming, Conan, Studio Ghibli, Discworld, LARPs, Legend of Zelda, Earthsea, Yawgmoth’s Will, Gen-con, Xena, Aerith Gainsborough, Elfquest, White Magic

Therapy, check. Meds, check. Keys, check. Godsend Card Wars deck, check. EXTRA Card Wars deck in case some fucker tries to one up him, check... shit what is he forgetting *now*? It took him growing a backbone and his parents to finally get his ass to the doctor, but hey, at least he's here now, right??? right????? He's still trying to get Bill to come with him to the office to deal with his anger issues but it's like trying to climb Mordor bro; not gonna happen any time soon.

He's managed to make some new friends in the process, who knew?! Actually going to tournaments is so much more fun than just following Bill around all day--

I have the Power!

Jerry used to take Piano, as his parents tried to get him into as many extra curriculars when he was in elementary as they could to get him out of their hair (And.. hey, at least he learned something..?)

Because of this, he occasionally plays by himself on the practice piano he got as a kid, though usually it's just him learning soundtracks or transcribing the entirety the Ocarina of Time by ear.

y'know. normal everyday shit.

He has a habit of forgetting to trim his nails, however he keeps them relatively neat-- filed down and this dude actually showers and washes his hands like a maniac if he gets dirty, so it's not that bad. Plus, he's convinced it helps him pick up cards better without folding them.

Let's be honest, Jerry forgets a lot of things sometimes in his anxious scramble to get places. Including meals on occasion, which usually results in Josh jumping him as an excuse to get another snack for them both.

Would be willing to have his nails painted, absolutely, but will probably pick it off within the day as a fidget. Sorry guys.

Jerry met Matt at a Card tournament and they became rather quick friends-- and Matt whooped his ass when they played so he had to give the guy some props.

This dude gets the WORST bedhead and he barely does anything about it, just don't make fun of him if his hair is flat in the back please please please--

Jerry. Likes. Stripes. I feel like his mom dressed him up as the Girl who got sick with the Stripes once when he was a toddler cause he got covered in paint and it just *stuck*.

Jerry has also worn the same style of shoe and brand for the past 15 years he's not gonna start changing it now, fuckers

Can you tell he has a separation issue? no? then open your EYES.

This man absolutely gets ass his phone and aol are blowing UP like ALL THE FUCKIN TIME and he's so overwhelmed that he just ignores them all most of the time. most.

He ends up mostly subsisting off of tournament winnings and doing random odd jobs around the neighborhood, but at least it's enough to get him more cards and a bus ticket into Manhattan when he needs it.

Jerry still goes Bee-dee Bee-dee, he doesn't drop it entirely until post 2005-ish, when he meets Mandi. He DOES however, still use Buck as a nickname, cope. it's my world now.

cough uh he hates the feeling of underwear. those are basketball shorts. OOPS

god I love Jerry he's such a little dork

OKAY JOSHYBEAR IS NEXT Im gonna sob I also still have to draw May and Matt's cards...

fyuck

[zutaralesbian]

I think yet another reason Lip and Mandy was such a bad relationship is because Lip clearly always thought he was above her.

Mandy is the one actively encouraging Lip to go to college and better his life and get out of the south side. Other than that brief moment in S5 when Lip was trying to convince Mandy not to leave town with Kenyatta (which he only does after Ian pushes him to do so) Lip does not do the same for her. Possibly because he doesn’t believe she’s meant for better things.

Similarly to Fiona, Lip has always had a superiority complex over the Milkoviches. So of course he’d behave that way while attempting having a relationship with one of them.

The reason Ian and Mickey’s relationship works in contrast is because that element does not exist in their relationship. Neither of them think they are better than the other or put the other on a pedestal. I know Ian has said some unflattering shit about Mickey at times (a product of John Wells’ hate train after Noel left the show) but I don’t think he’s ever truly thought he was better than Mickey or that Mickey wasn’t capable of bettering his life. He got Mickey a job at the Kash and Grab when they were kids. After they’re married, he pushes Mickey to get a legal job and signs a lease for them to live together in a fancy apartment complex. Mickey also does not put Ian on a pedestal or cling to him as a ticket to a better life the way Mandy did with Lip. He does not want Ian to “save” him. He knows Ian is flawed-he just loves him anyway.

[little-miss-dilf-lover]

Ooo hiii can I please request a husband!Tangerine x wife!fem!reader where they’ve been married for years now, and have a daughter who’s around 5-6 years old? They travel with Tan and Lem when they’re on jobs (but stay in a ridiculously fancy, expensive hotel each time, while the Twins are off doing their thing), and when they travel to Japan for the Bullet Train job, Tan’s daughter (who definitely gets her mischievousness from her Dad) misses her Daddy so much that she sneaks onto the Bullet Train with her Dad and Uncle? Chaos ensues as a terrified Mom: Y/n also finds herself on the train to get her bby, and a freaked out Dad: Tangerine (when he sees not only the love of his life, his wife, but his precious little daughter as well, on the Bullet Train, in the middle of the chaos that is that job)… Also a protective Uncle/brother in law: Lemon, because YES! Tangerine doesn’t die because NO, FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF🤧🤧🤧

You can choose all that happens/how it plays out!!

hiii lovely!! I absolutely love this idea. I did change one thing, just the way they got onto the train. thank you for requesting, hope you like it💌

run off

tangerine x f reader (husband x wife, parents)

wc || 1.1k

warnings || little bit angst

masterlist + rules

taglist

Whenever Tangerine and Lemon went away on missions, you and your daughter would often travel with them and stay in lavish hotels while they were off doing their job. A short while ago your husband and brother-in-law told you of an upcoming job in Tokyo. You had always wanted to travel there, so you were very keen on the thought, practically jumping at the idea. They told you how quick and easy the job was, so you saw it as a win-win.

The twins left early this morning to collect the son and briefcase, so you used this opportunity to have a girls' morning with your five-year-old. Ordering room service while you painted your nails and applied face masks.

“What do you want to do today Mandy?” You asked while picking out her clothes from the suitcase.

“Want to see daddy.” She smiled, twirling around in place.

“Daddy’s at work honey, he’s not back until tomorrow.” You said softly, picking her up and spinning around. “We can have a whole girls' day, what do you fancy doing?” Blowing raspberries on her cheek before setting her down. “We can go on the Bullet Train? That seems like fun.”

Excitedly skipping around as she chanted. “Train, train, train, train.”

“Okay, sweetheart.” Laughing warmly. “I’ll book the tickets, okay? Do you want to watch Thomas on mummy’s phone?”

“Yes.” She giggled, climbing her way onto the bed to join you.

Tickets for the train were fully booked until this evening, so you and Mandy spent the day watching films and playing games until it was time to leave.

-

“You excited?” You cutely ask, holding her hand tightly as you made your way onto the platform.

“Yeah.” Giggled, sweetly smiling up at you with her dad's blue eyes.

“You got to hold my hand, okay? No letting go.” You instruct, hearing the train approach the station.

“Promise.”

You and Mandy found your seats in the carriage next to the quiet car, settling in, she immediately perches up to look out the window. Staring in awe at the lights as her legs excitedly bounced.

Over the next hour or so, you and Mandy cuddled in the chairs as you watched shows on your phone, snuggling into each other until your stop at Kyoto.

Noticing some strange commotion in the carriage behind, you poke your head into the aisle to get a better look through the glass door. “One second baby.” Kissing Mandy’s forehead to excuse yourself. You stand up and make your way over to the sliding door, gazing through the glass to get a better look.

Returning to your seat, immediately noticing your daughter's absence. “Mandy?” You call out, rushing down the aisle and searching between seats. “Mandy? Mandy. Honey? Where are you?” Tone growing more worried and desperate.

Darting down the aisle, heavily breathing with panic when you realise the car is empty. Running into the next carriage, persistently calling her name. “Mandarin! Mandy? … Excuse me.” Noticing a blonde lady, you ask for her help.

“Shush.” She retorts, gesturing to the ‘quiet car’ sign.

“I’m looking for my daughter, she’s about this tall— she— she has brown curly hair, with uh- with two pigtails. She’s wearing orange converse and um- um— oh my god.” Clutching your chest as your eyes dart around.

“No sorry.” She shrugs, turning around to resume what she was doing.

“No no no.” You breathlessly mutter, rushing through the carriage as you continued to call her name. Searching under seats and between gaps.

Darting into the next car, repeating the same information as you told the previous lady. “Mandarin? Mandy, please.” You quietly sob, rushing through the aisles as you tried to find your daughter. Eyes filling with panicked tears, you accidentally bump into the back of a guy who was blocking the door. “I’m so sorry.” You instinctively apologise.

“What you doing here?” A familiar voice questions, looking over you worriedly. “Hey?”

“Mandy, I can’t find Mandy.” You choke out, avoiding Lemon’s gaze. “I turned around for one minute, and- and, my god.”

“It’s okay, we’ll find her. She couldn’t have gone far.” Lemon comforts, beginning his search in the next car. “She’s definitely on the train— we haven’t stopped in five minutes and the next one is in ten… we have time.” Reassuring you.

“Jesus— what am I gonna tell him… he’s gonna kill me if he loses his little girl.” You hastily blurt out.

“She’s too much like her dad, far too cheeky.” Changing the subject in an attempt to calm you down. “She won’t be far.” Nodding as you make your way into the next car.

“What’s going on? The people on this train have gone nuts.” You question when you hear more yelling in the car behind. “Oh, my baby, she’s probably so frightened.” You mumble, feeling awfully guilty as you search under chairs.

“Don’t panic… but it’s all gone tits up.”

“Oh, my god.” You grumble, rushing around faster.

Dashing into the next carriage, choking on a sob when you see your husband pacing the aisles with your daughter resting on his hip. Running towards him, mumbling incoherently as you join them.

“I’m so sorry.” Suppressing your tears as you look between them. “You’re okay.” Your worried hands urgently feel over her face. “I’m so sorry.” Gushing apologies to Tangerine, looking up at him anxiously. “I turned around for ten seconds— I’m sorry.”

“Hey— it’s okay.” He smiles, pulling you in for a tight side hug. Kissing your temple. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” His eyes soften as he looks over you. “Lem.” He nods, gesturing to his side.

“Hey cutie, wanna sit with your cool old uncle Lem for a couple minutes.” Lemon smiles, taking Mandy from Tan’s arms. “Mummy and daddy are gonna have adult talk, boo. Boring.” Faking a yawn that earned him a giggle.

“You gotta calm down, okay?” Tangerine warmly instructs, holding the sides of your face. Brushing circles over the apples of your cheeks. “She’s safe… you’re safe.” He pulls your face towards him, wrapping you in a desperate embrace as his hand brushes comforting strokes over the back of your head.

“We gotta get off the train, alright? It’s all turned to shit.” He separates, his eyes anxiously darting around your face.

“Did you finish the job?” You question, following after him.

“Nah.” He says matter-of-factly, picking up Mandy and placing her on his hip.

“Do you need to?”

“Not now.” Smiling at you, pulling you to his side. All of you make your way to the doors, waiting impatiently for the next stop.

Once you were all finally safe on the platform, it felt as though you could all finally breathe. Immediately wrapping your family in a tight hug, placing individual kisses on all three of their foreheads.

“How did you find her?” You ask, peppering her face in kisses.

“Her shoes caught my eye. I saw the orange and knew it was my Mandarin.” Sweetly smiling at the pair of you.

“Let’s get the fudge out of here.” Lemon urges, nodding to the exit gates.

“Daddy I’m hungry.”

“I bet you are, munchkin… you all hungry, too?”

@tangerinesgf @kpopgirlbtssvt @ch3rries-n-cream @earth-elemental18 @ashlynhasmanyhyperfixations @idontknowwhattohaveasmyuser @thewinterv @navs-bhat @ilovetangerinewithallmyheart @theredvelvetbitch @randomawesomeperson102 @lov3lypeaches7 @princess-pebbles-things

[konaiiro]

wip: Summer '12 - Mandy Milkovich

A wip I cooked up a while ago which has been sitting in drafts. Planning to clean it up and finish it soon.

s2/s3 of Shameless from the perspective of Mandy.

Looking back, summer of 2012 had been something special. Something was in the air they breathed; in the beer they drank and in the joints they smoked. It was unescapable and ever since the leaves began to yellow later that season, she had craved that feeling like an addict. They didn’t have a 12-step guide for this kind of heartache; grow up or eat shit was the method around here. Both Ian and Mandy hadn’t been children for long, adults before they reached double digits, so maybe that summer was the years they missed out on - shoved into that crazy couple months before senior year. 

It wasn’t perfect but it was theirs and it was fucking everything. 

Ian Gallagher was the first boy to call her beautiful. Not her ass or her tits, but all of her, everything that made her Southside trash and maybe one day something more. When she thought back, she always liked to believe he also meant her soul. Maybe that’s why the next years hurt so bad - souls don’t heal the same. 

Admittedly, she had first been drawn to him by what some would call chivalry; it was in short supply around these parts. Watching his messily cut fringe and freckled cheeks in history class, the boy shockingly oblivious to it all, Mandy saw someone worth looking at. Ian didn’t look at her like she expected, he didn’t really look at her at all. Normally it took less to get a man watching, but just in case the boy was dense, she shimmied up her skirt before she tracked him down. 

The next week was a blur. Childishly, it had hurt being pushed away. It was embarrassing and humiliating, but worst of all, it hurt to think a good guy like Ian wouldn’t want anything to do with her. When she got home, tear-stained, to the questions from her brothers, the accusation just rolled out of her mouth. Milkovichs don’t cry. Milkovichs aren’t pussies. It somehow was worse to tell her siblings that someone didn’t want her, that she wasn’t worthy of someone who was good for the sake of it. The facade cracked when the ginger-haired boy found her outside her house, a piece of the puzzle clicking into place. 

She had been surprised when Ian said it, but in the end, it didn’t matter. Mandy would want him in any way he would let her. 

It was from then on that she saw the light of the Gallaghers, like a beacon buoyed out in the dark ocean. She was merely swimming towards something to keep her afloat. Mandy didn’t understand everything, like the unmeasured love to each other that the siblings had. She understood the devotion though - her kind was bloody and raw and destructive, because when there is a war on, you don’t get to question what you are fighting for. 

She had been stupid enough to draw her attention to Ian’s older brother. He had that smile that made sure you knew he was trouble, a cigarette falling from his lips, but at least he was looking back. 

He was known around the neighbourhood, always had been. First, sneered as Frank’s son, then as the delinquent street rat they all were, but it changed around middle school. He was the smart one, the one destined to go somewhere, the one lucky enough to have a ticket out of here. Mandy never believed the rumours, she had a fair share of her own to know that lot of them would be complete horse shit. She should’ve though, she really should have listened when they talked about Karen Jackson and the Gallagher boy’s take-no-prisoners attitude. It would’ve saved her time and heartbreak and the crushed hope that maybe Lip would take her with him when he inevitably made something of himself. 

No, she should’ve known from the start. The man was smart enough to know he was brillant but too stupid to realise he was also human like the rest of them. Nothing would've been enough for Lip and she had figured out at a young age that ass and tits only got you so far. Ian’s brother was an asshole and could be so fucking stupid but by August, Mandy had fallen in love with him. It was the kind of teenage, heatwave inducing love that she doesn’t think she’ll ever completely get over. Scars on her soul, and all that. 

Those sweet months between grades had been something like a dream. Fightclubs for both the local teens and the local robots. Weed so potent that Ian and her would discuss a life past the age of twenty five - West Point bound for him. It was another reason she loved Ian, he wanted to be something more. He gave her hope she desperately needed in the house of horrors she grew up in, in the neighbour they both did. He also talked about this boy he liked. The irony was not lost on her now that they both were chasing men who made themselves believe that they only wanted their bodies, but never their souls. Too bad they gave them anyways, laid their wishes and dreams out in hopes that something would become of it. Hoping that these men, boys really, would take a look and find something shiny and worth their time. The two of them - begging for something more, accepting what they got.

That summer had been something incredible, regardless of the heartbreak or maybe because of it, she wasn’t sure. They didn’t know it then but they would never be those two stupid highschoolers again because by the time they caught up with each other, they would be haunted by things out of their control.

It was the summer before Ian ran and Mandy stayed. It was before the bipolar caught up to him and Mickey was not fast enough to catch the man before they both crashed. It was before Kenyatta and Milwaukee and men with sharp smiles and kind money. It was before everything went to shit and the two of them would come out the other side of that storm very different people with only their beating hearts to prove that they still loved each other dearly. 

Every time the weather got warmer, she would let herself think back for a moment. Reminisce about the good, the bad and the ugly; Ian, Lip and the special type of scars that were left behind. Those months were packed to the brim on her battered camcorder SD card, now lost in her childhood bedroom like everything else that summer held - the last taste of teenage-hood they would never get again.

[lilliesthings]

I saw it as Gideon feeding is own ego, with a protege of his own after being one to Max. He definitely was someone who could read people well (i mean he was a PROFILER). He found a young gifted man who didn't have anybody and paid attention to him and convinced him to join him in his career. I believe he tried to do the same with Ethan since they mentioned he was at the academy at the same time, but Ethan dipped to become a jazz musician. Gideon had the power to push Reid through the processes of joining theBau and Reid was essentially his pet project. Reid got someone who wanted him around and Gideon got praised for scouting him and their department running smoother than ever. Ultimately Gideon didn't really help Reid through anything, and then abandoned him with a letter instead of actually saying goodbye to him. He KNEW how much that would hurt someone like Reid and did it anyway. He set up a chess game and never showed and made him seek him out. (tw for MCD) Though, to be fair, it is surmised by some that they changed the script at some point, possibly due to Mandy's demands at the time. It's been said the original intent was for Gideon to have committed suicide and that Reid was supposed to have found him there along with a note. Which would have been WORSE, obviously. That all playing out just as Reid was also finally sober and had no other parental figures in his life, it would have been even more devastating.

I'm not looking forward to them bringing back someone with a connection to Gideon on the show, and without Reid being there who was arguably the closest person he had in the seasons he was on seems kind of dull. Then have Rossi bring him up, someone we only ever saw him talk to in flashbacks of their youth. He left the show in 2007 and died in 2015 I'm tired of Gideon. Are they going to just rehash Gideon drama forever?

Tbh, to me, it was Gideon assuaging his own guilt towards Stephen.

Gideon is a flawed flawed man, and a running theme they seemed to have with him is that while he takes those actions, with no malicious intent, he can't foresee their terrible consequences : the 6 agents, Elle in the Fisher King, Reid in Revelations, and in the grand scheme of things, bringing Reid into the FBI thinking he's doing right by him, which didn't turn out so good depending on how you look at it. When the consequences really catch up to him, he seems to be in way over his head and can't follow through. He didn't show up for his son to the point where Stephen thought he wasn't wanted (and was quite detached at the news of his death, in a striking contrast to Spencer). But Gideon is also compassionate and he genuinely cares, he bought Reid these tickets for his birthday, he walked him through that (not) date, through his first kill, told him he was proud of him. For me at least, the reason they gravitated toward each other is that for awhile they filled a void in each other's lives of the absent father and the distant son, and it was his way of compensating for abandoning Stephen. But I also think he cared nowhere as intensely about Reid as Reid cared about him, and even that too was not out of malice (which makes it kinda more sad)

He was right to leave, and he was wrong in the incredibly convoluted way he did it. He could have answered Reid's calls, he could have sent a text saying that he's safe but he's leaving, hell he could have MAILED that letter, because people loved him and were clearly worried for his well being and whereabouts at this point. But to make someone doing the whole guesswork of going to a cabin in the middle of the woods to fetch a letter? That looked bad. I would have had a heart attack. 

I admit liked him a whole lot as a character, I particularly enjoyed seeing him walking in circles in Hankel's bathroom telling himself that he did the right thing. I genuinely like watching character's fuck ups play out, but I agree that Gideon at this point seems so detached from the show, and without Reid there either to act unhinged at the mention of him ... eh ..... we'll see I guess.

[theguildawards]

Hello guildmates!

The Nomination Period is now closed! Below the cut you will find a complete list of all the fanart nominations received for The Guild Awards this term! The mobile-friendly version can be found in a Google Doc here that has the complete list!

You can find the list of all the fanfiction nominations here!

If you do not see your nomination, or you find issues with the links, please reach out to us as soon as possible!

We are going to give you 2 weeks time to enjoy all of the pieces nominated for this term! We strongly encourage that when you view a work of art or read a fanfiction, please reblog or leave a review to let the creators know how much their work and talent is appreciated!

The voting period will begin November 15th and end November 29th midnight PST!

In order to be able to vote, you will need to login. We will be posting the link to the voting form on the first day of the voting session.

Got a question? Check out our FAQ or send us an ask!

Message one of the mods directly: @sassybratt9791 @phoenix-before-the-flame @kiliinstinct​ @ratretro  @phoneboxfairy

Thank you to everyone who nominated for making this term absolutely wonderful and happy voting!

[please reblog to help spread the love of these amazing creators!]

FANART

Best Action/Adventure

“we illuminate the dark” by @flamedork (tumblr)

“Mirajane” by @pencilequipped (tumblr)

“Freed Day” by @moxiepoxart (tumblr/TW)

Best AU/AR

“a quick art for an AU” by @4stralfairy (tumblr)

“erza redesign” by @mousecracker (tumblr)

“Accidental Freed AU/backstory” by @intelligentbiscuit (tumblr/DA)

“Fairytail Next Generation” by @hollie-artz (tumblr)

“Dragon Erza” by @ace-of-fairytail (tumblr)

Best Canon

“Juvia piece” by @pencilequipped (tumblr)

“Happy Nalu Day 2023” by @likubears (tumblr)

Best Angst

“foolish remains of a hyacinth” by @heartonxions (tumblr/IG)

“queen of fairies” by @nalunalu (tumblr)

Best Dark

“Untitled” by @heartserion (tumblr)

“Monster” by @acnologias-ass (tumblr)

“‘You’ve become a beast’ ‘I know’” by @phoenix-before-the-flame (tumblr)

“A Mouth Full of Ridicule” by @firapolemos05 (tumblr)

Best Humor/Parody

“NaLu Winter Wonderland 2022” by @imnothereokuwu (tumblr)

“They’re guilty😔” by @lav3nder-bees (tumblr)

“Why As a Man, Are you Blond” by @butcherza (tumblr)

“Barbie Movie Tickets For Phantom Buddies” by @imyourcoopid (tumblr)

Best Kiss

“Guilty Pleasures” by @bluessom1 (tumblr)

“don’t interrupt the master’s meetings” by @castkorb (tumblr)

“Luvia” by @watcher-ofthe-sky (tumblr)

Best Romance

“A Fairy Tale of our own making” by @nalunalu (tumblr)

'Love and Other Fairy Tales’  by @heartonxions (tumblr)

“Gruvia Week” by @goodnightlover (tumblr)

Best LGBTQ+ Romance

“lucy + cana <3” by @heartserion (tumblr)

“Untitled” by @annluvazzel (tumblr)

“fraxus week day 5 - guilty pleasures / indulgences” by @lav3nder-bees (tumblr)

“Shadowlight Week Day 2: Thrill/Undress” by @oryu404 (tumblr)

Best Character

“Juvia piece” by @pencilequipped (tumblr)

“Lucy Heartfilia - Fairy Tail” by @lumen-anima (tumblr)

“when the hard work pays off (Aries)” by @burilingo (tumblr)

“Natsu Dragneel” by @anushpaint (tumblr)

“Thunder Dragon King Laxus Dreyar!!” by @wispzoa (tumblr)

Best Duo/Pairing

“Untitled” by @doubleragnarok (tumblr)

“fairy tails only(?) 2 two card mages” by @ace-of-fairytail (tumblr)

“Summer Fraxus” by @wispzoa (tumblr/TW)

“a quick art for an AU” by @4stralfairy (tumblr)

“Fight!!” by @castkorb (tumblr)

“The Blue-Haired Found Siblings” by @jerzaworms (tumblr)

Best Group Depiction

“Anniversary” by @love---mandy

“some crime sorciere pastels” by @jerzaworms (tumblr)

“Team Thunderstorm Naptime” by @pencilofawesomeness (tumblr)

“hehehe team shadowgear make brain go brrr” by @moonylilies (tumblr)

Best Manga Coloring

“Juvia”  by @shuvia-lu (tumblr)

“Mashima's Twitter doodle" by @zelkams-art (tumblr)

“Sun vs. Moon” by @krn02-12 (tumblr)

Best Redraw 

“I believe in you” by @imnothereokuwu (tumblr)

“Redrawing one of my favorite frames” by @sherlismyfather (tumblr)

“Cryptid Mode” by @pencilofawesomeness (tumblr)

“Jackal” by @misquitz (tumblr)

“Nalu Gruvia Jerza Redraw from Mashima’s Art” by @gymjunkie412 (tumblr)

Best Overall

“Please, accept him” by @phoenix-before-the-flame (tumblr)

“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb” by @bluessom1 (tumblr)

“Happy Gajeel Day" by @butcherza (tumblr)

“Night sovereignty” by @crowind1 (tumblr)

[densi-mber]

We Swear It’s Not Real

A/N: Thanks to @mashmaiden for the scenario! Set at the end of season 7, but AU in that Kensi and Deeks are not already together.

***

“Ok, so I think that should be the last thing until the actual wedding,” Kensi announced, double checking the expansive color-coded list placed in front of her.

“Sweet.” Deeks peered over her shoulder on the way to Kensi’s fridge. “Wait, was there always a dove release on the itinerary?”

“Yep.” Kensi made a face. “Kat says it’s regal.”

“I could debate that, but it would be futile,” Deeks said. He came back from the fridge with a bucket of cut fruit, and offered it to Kensi. “Did I tell you Kip has some extra tickets for next weekend? You want to go?”

“Oh no, we can’t go then. We’ve got Kat’s wine tasting on Saturday,” Kensi reminded him. “Sorry.”

“Right,” Deeks sighed, like it was perfectly reasonable. “I didn’t realize that wine tastings were a part of wedding preparation. And requires the entire wedding party.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s just a Kat thing.” Kensi paused to roll her eyes. “You know how over-the-top she is.”

“Oh, I know. The the whole show ponies thing was kind of a clue.”

Deeks smiled, sending a quick text to Kip.

Pretending to be Kensi’s date to Kat’s wedding had seemed easy enough when she first presented the idea. Given her chronically terrible dating history, she hadn’t felt like explaining the complete absence of a plus-one at any of Kat’s events. Or worse, be set up with every available male by her well-meaning friends.

Deeks wasn’t exactly entangled himself, so after a very small amount of consideration, he’d agreed to be Kensi’s fake date for Kat’s wedding season. He’d even thought it might be fun, and certainly would give him ample reasons to tease Kensi.

What he hadn’t anticipated was just how much time they’d spend together, pretending to be a couple. It was their undercover roles as Melissa and Justin on overdrive. Because as ridiculous as it sounded, Kat, Mindy, Mandy, Tiffany, and Tiffani scrutinized them far more intensely than any Russian spies ever could. If they were holding hands, kissing, and just generally exuding an air of absolute bliss, one of the girls noticed.

The hardest part though, was pretending that he didn’t enjoy it. He enjoyed every kiss, snuggle, dance, or moment when he got hold her hand. It made him feel like he was cheating, even though Kensi encouraged it.

It was an awful kind of torture. One he kept coming back for more over and over again.

***

They ate dinner together, which seemed an increasingly regular occurrence neither of them bothered to question. Tonight, Deeks threw together a stir fry and rice; since he’d started coming over more frequently, Kensi’s kitchen stayed better stocked.

“Thanks for cooking and cleaning,” Kensi said from her position at the table. He’d gladly have cleaned a thousand dishes then deal with sorting through the pile of invitations in front of her. Though he’d probably end up helping out anyway.

“No problem. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, leaning in to kiss Kensi before he headed for the door. It wasn’t until he was halfway down sidewalk that he realized what he’d done.

He’d kissed Kensi. And it wasn’t under any pretense related to the wedding or a case.

He’d kissed Kensi, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

***

Deeks went into work the next morning with serious misgivings. Kensi hadn’t texted him at all since he left her apartment last night. He debated calling her immediately to apologize, but chickened out and ended up pacing for most of the night.

He walked into the bullpen, still uncertain what to do. Kensk was already sitting at her desk when he entered; she looked up briefly, her expression giving nothing away.

“Hey.”

“Hey. You’re in early,” Deeks noticed, testing the waters. She didn’t seem angry at least. Though maybe she was just waiting for the right moment.

“Yeah, well, I’ve been slacking on paperwork with all the wedding stuff. So, I figured I’d knock it out today before Hetty gives me one of her notes,” she explained, eyes tracking her computer screen as she typed.

“Makes sense.”

Setting his bag on his desk, he logged into his own laptop. Silence settles around them as they both quietly worked. A good 20 minutes passed, and Deeks realized he would need to broach the topic since Kensi clearly wasn’t.

“Hey, um, I’m sorry about what happened last night,” he started, and Kensi frowned. “You know, the uh, the kiss. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Oh.” Kensi shrugged, focusing on the brushing some crumbs off her desk. “I didn’t even notice.”

“Really?” Based on her refusal to look him in the eye, he sincerely doubted that.

“Yeah. I mean, it’s just a habit right? And we’ve kissed so many times by now, that it’s no big deal anymore,” Kensi continued, letting out a nervous chuckle that approached cackle.

“Yeah, no. You’re completely right,” he agreed, and Kensi looked up sharply. “It meant nothing.”

“So no reason to apologize.”

“Exactly.” They stared at each other, neither breaking away until Sam and Callen came in, bantering as usual.

He swore a hint of disappointment flash across Kensi’s face in the second before she turned away again.

***

A/N: In direct contrast to my recent story, Kensi and Deeks apparently have all the time in the world in this fic.

Part 2 to come.

[goldenpinof]

hi! was wondering if you can share info about dnp's new talent rep (and how the old one was if its okay to talk about) ^^ i've recently reconnected with the fandom through social media platforms, for the last few years i only followed them through their youtube uploads and the ocassional major news here and there. so im completely out of the loop with stuff like this. thank you so much!

hi! i'm not the best person to answer any of this, i'm so sorry.

about new management, it's InterTalent and i know only what's on their website and on google in general. as i'm typing this, only Phil has a page but Dan and dnpgames's business emails indicate that both dnp are represented by InterTalent now. which is super exciting!

about Above the Fray (they have a new website now). i'm not sure what you wanna know? if it's about why they left their previous management, then it's probably related to how Dan's tour was organised (allegedly, in my opinion!), among other things. you can see how stale Phil's career became, idk how much it depended on his manager but it's quite obvious ATF wasn't big enough for dnp and their potential. we unfortunately saw how Dan's team, including one of his managers, was unable to communicate with promoters. not to mention added shows that weren't properly planned and the cancellation of some of them. Iceland deserves a special mention: it got cancelled a month before the show. and we kinda found out about it before Dan (or his promo materials weren't updated in time and he didn't check it). he posted about available tickets with Iceland listed and in a couple of hours the show's page went down and people started getting emails about its cancellation. 2 days later Dan posted the news and apologised in Icelandic!! and also threw shade at people he worked with. it was a huge moment. i forgot how bad it was, so tragic (wad.iceland tag if anyone wants to cry over it with me again).

they left in the end of June/beginning of July 2023, i suppose. a couple of months without managers, Dan started following people who work at United Talent, and today it's October and we are with InterTalent :))

if you wanna know more about ATF i'll have to redirect you to Mandy (@alittledizzy). i'm also linking her posts about the company (the ones that show up in the search anyway. i'm sure there are more asks about it but i don't know how to find them, sorry). if you have specific questions you can ask her because my knowledge is limited :)

[didntyoubelieveinme]

the gimme danger analysis just for you @mangle-my-mind 🫶🫶

One of the most important things to me about this movie is how they paint curt and brian’s relationship. We see their entire relationship from an outside perspective. The most we get is clips of more private moments (such as their vacation). While we can get an idea from certain details, we will ultimately never truly know how their relationship was (and maybe that's why they make me indescribably sad).

With that context in mind, I can talk about the scene itself. In this performance you can see just how upset curt is. It's ultimately a message to brian, and my god they picked the song so well with lyrics like “there's nothing in my dreams/just some ugly memories/kiss me like the ocean breeze” it reflects their relationship so well ughh.

A detail I noticed is that near the end of the song, while curt is physically grieving, the crowd still cheers and dances. And it's not like I expect them not to dance to music but it almost adds to how private this moment is meant to be—the crowd is seemingly unaware. They take this as a performance and entertainment, the true message is only understood by those it was meant for, giving you this sense of intrusion.

There's something about seeing how distraught curt is that reveals just a bit more about the two of them. It could be easy to dismiss their relationship as shallow or something purely sexual but the details we’re given makes that a bit harder. When you see them hugging on the vacation clip (and brian giving him the pin), curts genuine shock and disgust as the cameras start flashing after they kissed, curt still going to tommy stone’s show, or at the very least buying a ticket (which is such a devastating detail), brian and his emo montage after curt leaves, brian coming to watch curt perform one last time, and other things i'm too tired to name

Some other details I loved was how on the roof with arthur, if you look closely at curt’s chest you can see the marks where curt scratched himself when singing. As well as after the show when mandy goes to hug curt (which is the cutest thing btw trauma buddies 😋) mandy lies when curt asks if she saw brian. I always wondered why, but simply assumed she was attempting to spare his feelings somehow (though i'm not 100% with that one)

I got a little carried away with this but i hope it makes sense 🫶🫶

[twenyonepilots]

hiii there. longtime follower. i bought tickets to my first top concert ever (!!!) at one of the hometown shows in october. starting to think about an outfit for the show. i went all out in costume for tswift, but think i just wanna wear merch for top. i’m not really interested in buying any from their official store.

would you happen to know of any independent creators who make their own merch that you would recommend?

first love that ur a swiftie too being a fan of both taylor swift and twenty one pilots is SO underrated these days!! tbt to 2015 when mandy lee from misterwives opened the hometown twenty one pilots show then went across town and performed with taylor on rep tour that same night!!!

sorry im just now seeing this but hopefully you still have time to order stuff

i couldnt find a ton of fan merch? but i did find a few and ill link them below!

thought these were simple, affordable and really nice i wish twenty one pilots had simple/cool merch still like they did back in r@b/vessel era

this shop had a couple of cool merch items from this era that could work!

i really wish someone would just recreate their old merch and people used to but i guess it got taken down i was looking for that cream shirt with the blue log cabin or they had this shirt with a floating brain that one was sick where did they all go??

anyone that knows where to get some cool unofficial merch please drop some links!!

[juvinadelgreko]

guys i was just thinking about the scene where lip tells ian to keep practicing his geometry theorems and how mickey's face falls in the background because he's so scared of ian leaving him for west point, of ian making something out of himself and leaving mickey (who sees himself as "fucked for life" behind).

and it made me think:

I think they would've made it even if ian had gone to west point. it's in new york, so pretty far from chicago, but dammit ian would've scraped and saved every penny he made from whatever stipends he got or earned from whatever jobs he worked (idk how those things work at a military academy) to a) send some back to his siblings and b) to see mickey whenever he could. no matter how many times mickey suggests that breaking things off would be better or easier for ian, ian flatly refuses, saying all the fancy schools and achievements in the world don't mean shit to him if he can't have the person he loves with him.

i don't know how military schools work but i imagine they'd do something like this:

i think they would've texted when ian was allowed phone/computer privileges, emailed too. but the real important shit would've gone into letters. real, snail mail letters. because god forbid terry or his brothers get ahold of mickey's phone and see he's been calling gallagher, that they're long distance lovers.

so the real important shit goes into letters. that mickey writes on totally nondescript paper and mails from a PO box under a fake name. ian writes back and addresses everything to the gallagher house, care of mandy or lip. he also includes a letter for the rest of his family, and mandy, because she's his bestie, but someone always makes sure mickey gets his letter.

and when ian's saved enough for a bus ticket, they meet in pittsburgh or cleveland, somewhere halfway between because that's cheaper than going all the way to chicago. even if it's just for a day. they just run around whatever city they're in for a day and enjoy being together until they have to get back on their respective busses and go home.

and for the holidays? ian comes home for christmas and thanksgiving and dammit november-january becomes mickey's favorite time of year. over christmas one year ian surprises him by renting out a hotel for them for one night, nothing fancy, but they're able to get away from their families and be alone together for one night.

they eat and sleep and fuck and holy shit ian's gotten even more ripped at west point so mickey can't keep his fucking hands to himself. they order room service because ian has just enough cash leftover for that and while they eat they swap stories about whatever they couldn't fit in their texts or letters. ian sleeps like the dead curled up in mickey's arms because it's so much more peaceful than sharing a dorm with a bunch of other teenage boys and the bed is so much bigger and more comfortable.

they go home the next afternoon and help with christmas dinner. everyone eats together, mickey, mandy, kev, v, and the gallaghers.

ian goes back to school and tucks the photos of him and mickey in santa hats into the locked box under his bunk that has all mickey's letters in it.

anyway, I just think they still would've made it even if ian had gone to west point. ian-stubborn-motherfucker-gallagher wouldn't have heard a single world about how "everyone breaks up when they go to different schools" and "long distance is too hard."

through four years of school and eight of required service, he and mickey make it work. ian retires after, and marries mickey in his dress blues.

in every life, they end up together.

ian sometimes daydreams about a scenario like this, about what could've been. but after awhile he stops entirely because he's made such a beautiful life with mickey, even after all the shit they went through. he doesn't need to daydream about another life. he loves the one he has.

[athing4actors]

Extra Ticket|Ben Plunkett

BlackFemReader!Ben Plunkett

Warnings: Cursing, reader has name: Larissa Jacobs,

Larissa and Ben weren’t part of the same crowd. They noticed each other but never spoke. Well, everyone noticed Larissa, she was popular and Ben was…Ben. He only had three friends.

Now he felt like that 3 became 2. His best friend Mandy had been so worried about Harvard and Graham Lansing that she completely ditched him for their Friday together leaving him to have to try and return one of the tickets.

His sigh was loud as his got in line seeing a very familiar girl. “Larissa Jacobs!” Ben said in an extremely loud tone “Ben!” Larissa gasped “you scared me” She placed her hand on her chest “you know who I am?” His brow raised

“Of course I know your name” She giggled “we go to the same school” “right!” Ben nodded “So, uh, what movie are you seeing?” He asked

“Infinite Doom” Larissa responded to which Ben’s ears instantly perked

“Really?! Me too and y’know I was gonna go with Mandy, she’s my best friend, but she couldn’t make it so do you maybe want to see it with me?! That’s fine if you don’t! I’ll just see if I can return it, but we could just be two friends…or classmates! Y’know hanging out” Ben rambled as usual when he was nervous

“Ben!” The girl shouted “Yes?” He asked, finally showing up “I’ll go with you…friends” She gave him a flirtatious smile “Really?” He sounded completely shocked

“yeah, who wouldn’t wanna go to the movies with their crush since middle school?” She confirmed “Who? Me?! Wait…I’m your crush!?” Ben gasped to which she nodded

“So uh…what now? I’ve never had a girl like me” He inquired “Well now…we go watch this movie” Larissa grabbed his hand

Needless to say Ben was the happiest he’d been in a while.

[countrymusiclover]

16 - The White Dress Ticket

Part 17

The Texas Tire Family

I feel like the next chapter will be the last one because I am stuck on ideas. If you all have anything you’d like to. See before I finish this book let me know 🤗

Tags just ask - @supernaturalgirl30 @bvbwestfall @bubble-blu @patriciaplictisita @liesanddreams @bethanymccauley

The bed dipped where I rolled over waking up slightly started where I smiled sleepily up at Georgie running his fingers through my messy hair. We had been home back in Texas for a few weeks and I had been checked out by the doctors in our hospital. The baby doctor also said that there was a light bruise around Montana’s neck but it was fading away just fine. “Sorry I couldn’t wait for you to wake up. But the girls have a surprise for you in the kitchen.”

“Surprise. What kind of surprise exactly?” I asked tossing the bed covers aside letting my feet hit the bedroom floor of our house. Following him into the living room of the house I gasped seeing that Connie, Mary and Mandy were standing in the kitchen.

Aurora and Evelyn ran forward in front of them cheering in unison with them. “We’re going dress shopping, mommy!”

“Wait what. We haven’t even talked about anything else for the wedding since Montana was born. Georgie, we really don’t have to put a lot of money into this.” I explained squeezing his hand intertwined with mine.

He leans forward kissing me on the forehead declaring simply at me. “Look babe, I know that we have been busy with our baby boy but you deserve a real wedding. I couldn’t give you one fit for a princess or whatever when we first got engaged but I can now. So take today with our family and have fun. I can handle our little man.”

“Thank you, Georgie.” Flinging my arms around his neck he wrapped his arms around my waist burying his face in the crook of my neck breathing me in until we broke the comfortable embrace.

Changing into some dark blue and a red flannel shirt I pulled my hair up into a loose ponytail. Pulling on a belt through the belt loops of my jeans I added it on some light brown boots. Mary insisted on driving so that Mandy and I could get some drinks if we wanted and Connie would only get a drink if we went to the Mexican restaurant to get Margaritas. “This is sweet of Georgie to watch the kids so we can do this. We just have to pick up Missy then we can go dress shopping.” My mother in law smiled yet I could see some tears form in her eyes clearly thinking back to her husband.

“Yeah I honestly haven’t even had a chance to talk with him about the wedding. With the kids having to make up for the days of school they missed during Sheldon and Amy’s wedding and then the birth of Montana. We haven’t had a moment to ourselves really.” Running my fingers through my hair I leaned back in the passenger seat.

Connie leaned forward in the backseat seeing as we were pulling to Missy’s place. The copper twin came outside climbing in the car waving to all of us. “I can’t believe we are actually taking you dress shopping. It only took over ten years, three babies and two proposals before you got to wear a white wedding dress Y/n.”

“Yeah all cause your husband couldn’t slow down his role to sleep with the woman he loves.” Connie responds sternly.

Mary scolded her mother. “Oh mom…we shouldn’t focus on that anymore. It’s in the past. Now we can just focus on the fact that you are getting married.”

“Exactly Mary. There are sometimes though I wonder what would have happened on my twenty first birthday and everything after we graduated high school if I wasn’t pregnant.” I trailed off in thought.

Georgie and I walked into a steak restaurant that was a few hours away from home since he wanted to make my twenty-first birthday as special as he could. My birthday was a few months after his and I had taken him out to buy a new truck that he had been wanting since I had the money saved up for a while that would help us with raising two growing daughters. He held open the door for me and we headed to go sit at the bar. “I didn’t expect you to take me out tonight. I feel like we owe Mandy a free dinner or something more for all the babysitting hours she had done for us.”

“I just know she doesn’t like me sometimes so I’ll let you sweet talk that deal. To be honest everyone loves you, not as much as me though.” He leaned forward kissing me quickly before a bartender came over to us.

Georgie and I got some beers and there was one specifically that I liked that was called Angry Orchard. Raising the bottle to my lips I glanced at his direction seeing him smirk at me. “What is that look for?”

“We should make this a thing from now on. Going out when we feel like we need to just be teenagers since we missed out on some other stuff. What do you think, darling?” He asked, sitting down his beer bottle hearing some music starting to play by a live band that was playing here.

Sitting my drink down I climbed down from my barstool dragging him towards the dance floor grinning brightly. “That’s perfect. Now let’s go dance.”

He placed one hand on my waist with my other on his shoulder. Leaving our freehands to intertwine together where we were longingly watching the other not focused on the crowd of people around us. “One of these days once the girls are older I am going to do my best to give you the life that you wanted before we became teen parents.”

“Georgie, you don’t have to do anything more than you have. I have two beautiful children and who knows we might have even more after our little girls. I am married to the first guy I truly cared about, if that isn’t a life worth living I don’t know what is.” Shaking my head he twirled me underneath his arm and away from his chest.

I giggled, throwing my hair around before he spun me back into his embrace, brushing his nose with mine smiling the whole time. “That may be all well and good yet I’d still love to see you in a white wedding dress.”

Mandy drew back the curtain letting me walk through where she didn’t dare take a peek at the dress since I wanted everyone to see it at the same time. Standing in front of the large mirror I had tried on a few dresses earlier but I could tell this was the one. “So what do ya’ll think of this one?”

“Oh it’s beautiful.” Mary clasped her hands together on the verge of tears.

Connie took Mandy’s hand in hers where they said the exact same thing in unison. “You look so wonderful in that.”

“You’re a freaking princess, Y/n.” Missy jumped up to her feet running over and hugging me as much as her pregnant belly would allow her too. “My brother is gonna find you so dang hot.”

Turning back to face the mirror the dress had a long train in the back that had lace going down my back and around my waist. It had short sleeves that reached just to the start of my elbows. And there was a slit in the right side of the dress where you could see my cowgirl boots sticking out. “If only I could go back and tell the teen me that everything is going to be fine. This is the dress I want now let’s go get some Mexican food and drinks.” Everyone in my group of close friends and family cheered knowing that Georgie and I couldn’t wait to get to our wedding and we knew that Sheldon and Amy with their friends would come out here for the ceremony.

Comments really appreciated ❤️