#Gracie and Victorie

[mountain-of-madness]

With Biden out of the race there is only one option

VOTE THE SURPRISE PARTY!

[afterglowsainz]

blowing smoke | max verstappen

summary: you broke up with max a few months ago but that doesn’t prevent you from feeling upset about his new relationship

fc: gracie abrams

a/n: max won the spanish gp and gracie released her album in the same week so ofc that meant i had to make a fic about max inspired by gracie’s album and use her as a faceclaim again ofc ofc

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maxverstappen1 nice winter ❄️

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username uhm … sir … that’s not yn ???

username well they did broke up like 2 months ago sooo

username still a bit early, no?

username we love a padel king 🙌🏽

username RARE SHIRTLESS MAX

username the second pic … no need to make me feel single like that

username who’s the new gf tho? 👀

username oh so my parents are over over okay i see 😔

liked by francisca.cgomes, alexandrasaintmleux and others

yourusername back at my second home 🎧

tagged aarondessner

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username MOTHER IS BACK

username new music from yn the earth is healing !!!

alexandrasaintmleux la plus jolie💗

yourusername that would be you🫵🏽

username this breakup album is gonna be heart wrenching isn’t it 😔

username if aaron is participating i just KNOW is gonna be painful

username no i’m already preparing myself mentally to drown in my own tears

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f1gossip max verstappen and his new girlfriend during the winter break

tagged maxverstappen1 and gfusername

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username why does he look bored with her

username cause he is

username ??? you don’t know them, leave them alone

username guys this is not funny i miss yn 😔

username her style is so good!

username i don’t like herrrr she gives me bad vibes

username fortunately you’re not the one who has to like her

liked by maxverstappen1, iamrebeccad and others

gfusername my valentine💘

tagged maxverstappen1

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username oh!

username first pic 🥰🥰

username last pic 😍😍

username that should be me!!!

username okay yeah she’s pretty

username they look so good together🥰

username someone check my girl yn’s pulse!!

username honestly i would k word myself if i lost THE max verstappen

username nahhh yn > max

liked by landonorris, oliviarodrigo and others

yourusername back to my ways like 2019

tagged sabrinacarpenter

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username ohhh she saw the post

username girl no!!! come back to 2024!!!

raye ohhh yes! 🍸

username omg 2019 yn you will always be famous ‼️

username okay but escapism is definitely her song

alexandrasaintmleux 🥰

username alex doesn’t approve i see

username guys i don’t know but partying and getting wasted every night like she was doing before meeting max doesn’t seem like the healthiest coping mechanism

username maybe she just wants to have fun now that she’s single 🤷🏽‍♀️ we can’t judge

username exactly! let her live

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maxverstappen1 great to be back! let’s go for more victories 🏆

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username to another year of hearing the dutch anthem every sunday

redbullracing for more career wins this year 🦁

username bro really posted a thirst trap for his first race win of the year

username no because the sun hitting his face like that ??? can’t complain

username lovely win 😮‍💨

username sooo babygirl

username he really is for the girlies!

gfusername 💗💗💗

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f1gossip max verstappen at the after party of the saudi arabian grand prix seen without his girlfriend despite her attending the race

tagged maxverstappen1

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username max with a backwards cap is gonna be the end of me

username only man with a basic wardrobe that can look that hot

username 🥵 🥵 🥵

username WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THE CAPTION

username without … the girlfriend … despite her being at the race …

username you’re reading too much into it

username let us be delusional in peace

username good for him!

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yourusername now you know what we’ve been doing …. “Blowing Smoke” is out now! ⭐️

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username my girlfriend is releasing music again !!!

username song of the summer frrrr

username im obsessed with it 😍

lilymhe certified pop banger🤘🏽

yourusername a hole in one if i may 👀

username “if she’s got a pulse she meets your standards now” damn…

username she didn’t go to the studio to play

username “you couldn’t point her out in any crowd”

username “tell me if she takes you far enough away from all the baggage you've been carrying”

username “you feel nothing and yet you still let her”

username she wrote so many unhinged lyrics it’s insane‼️

alexandrasaintmleux favorite song ever 💞

yourusername you say that about all of them 🙄

alexandrasaintmleux they’re all amazing!

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yourusername miss going on tour so much we’re doing it again! buy your tickets, bring your friends, we’re gonna have a rocking summer! 🎸✨

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username omg i’m hearing blowing smoke live 😭😭

username FINALLY

username she keeps feeding us and feeding us

username guys i just saw the dates and she performs on miami the same weekend of the grand prix …

username i noticed the same! is the only date that coincides with a grand prix

username could it be …. never mind

username no because even if none of the guys are thinking of going i just know the wags are dragging them

username you just made my entire year😩

francisca.cgomes and we’ll be going 😮‍💨

yourusername 💙💙💙

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maxverstappen1 lovely miami 🇺🇸

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username none of things i’m thinking of are in the bible

username TU-TU-TU-DU

username men should not be this hot

username pretending i didn’t see the last pic 😁

username he needs to post a warning next time

username let it gooo touch some grass

username SO DID HE WENT TO THE CONCERT OR NOT

username one of the girlies who went let us know!!!

username well the whole grid was there so i can only assume he was too 😭

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yourusername miami you are (as always) the loml

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username BEST NIGHT EVER

username you’re surreal and that was the best concert i’ve ever been to 💗

alexandrasaintmleux the most talented ever! 💘

yourusername 💞💞💞

username GRAMMY WHEN

username i may never recover from this night

username max lurching in the likes 👀

username oh he was definitely there

lilymhe screaming crying never getting over it !!!

yourusername obsessed with you screaming all the songs to my face 😭

alex_albon at least she wasn’t right by your side leaving you deaf ❌

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f1wags last pictures of max verstappen seen with his girlfriend arguing outside their hotel during the miami grand prix weekend two weeks ago. they haven’t been seen together ever since and they stopped following each other from social media

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username guys don’t get me excited 😩

username omg ??? are we out of the trenches ???

username not them breaking up after yn’s concert 😭

username ngl i don’t hate this

username does this mean yn and max have a chance of getting back together ???

username pls i need that to happen

username guys can you blame him??? he listened to blowing smoke!!!

username and mess it up, and i miss you i’m sorry, and feels like, and

username my divorced parents are getting back together i’m calling it

liked by yourusername, charles_leclerc and others

maxverstappen1 having a rocking summer🎸✨

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username EXCUSE ME

username not the caption‼️

username THE HARD LAUNCHING?

username how much do we wanna bet that yn gave him that drawing and he was waiting to post it

username THE LAST PIC???😭

username they’re the cutest

yourusername max! i thought we said we would soft launch

maxverstappen1 oops🤭

username we manifested too hard to the sun

username i just know he couldn’t wait to get back with yn

alexandrasaintmleux she’s everything 😍😍

yourusername you’re the loml you know that

maxverstappen1 uhmmm 🤨

charles_leclerc back off 🤺🤺🤺 yourusername

[wileys-russo]

Mary earps, “wow I’m surprised your ego isn’t as big as this room!” on England camp

m.earps II ego

"is this really a good idea?" you questioned again with uncertainty, watching the girls all pairing off as the jeering and stabs already begun.

"we gotta let them get all their energy out darlin, or else they run amock all night." millie reminded, messing up your hair as you pushed her away with a huff.

"you two engagin in these juvenile shenanigans?" beth tutted as she popped up on your other side, millies heavily tattooed arm draping across your shoulder as you leaned into her, admittedly having missed having her around quite a bit when she had so much time off from her injury.

"not a chance." you chuckled, the three of you sitting down on one of the workout benches in the gym, workouts done for the day but a large majority of the girls all up for the challenge of a coaster flip tournament.

"what? not even for the missus?" beth teased jabbing at your side as you let out a bark of sarcastic laughter. "oh no she made sure to let me down nice and easy that i'd be best off sitting this one out for uh...what was it mills?" you glanced to the blonde who snickered.

"i believe mary said you had some hand eye coordination challenges which would uh, hinder your ability to compete. and the morally right thing to do to avoid a humiliating loss would be to sit this one out." millie recounted as beth chuckled and leaned her head on your shoulder.

"ahh thats our mary." "she makes everything a competition, you know she's started timing how long it takes me to get ready for bed?"

"nasty nasty girl." millie tutted as you grinned, watching on in mild amusement as grace and ella stood up behind the bar throwing their arms about as they explained the rules.

"course these two donuts are the mc's." beth chuckled as you hummed. "yeah cause they know they'd be rubbish at the actual game." you agreed with a smile.

slowly pairs would be knocked out going head to head, you sending each one a sweet smile of reassurance as they filed out of the gym, some grumbling in annoyance and others seemingly relieved to get out of the small and somewhat crowded stuffy room.

eventually it was down to the final two, alessia and mary up against millie and maya.

"is it bad if i hope she loses? she's going to be insufferable if she wins." you murmered to millie, beth having tossed in the towel and wandered off with leah once her and alex were eliminated in round one.

"the record to beat here is seventeen...can they do it girls!?" grace yelled now stood on top of the bar. "get on with it gracie we're hungry!" millie yelled from beside you sending you into a round of laughter.

"come on!" alessia protested as maya requested a quick strategy planning break, the two pairs breaking off momentarily as ella and grace began to argue over what music was appropriate for the occasion.

"sod this, i'm off kid." millie tugged on your hair pulling it out of its ponytail and racing off before you could retaliate. "you're a big stupid toddler bright!" you yelled after her, huffing as you ducked your head and scraped it up into a bun not bothered to slick it back again.

"victory kiss for the winner?" mary sauntered over with a wiggle of her eyebrows once you had finished, raising an eyebrow as her arms fell either side of you and she leaned in with a charming grin.

"you've not won yet smart ass." you honked her nose with an amused smile as she appeared unfazed. "confidence my girl, thats the key. dream, believe, achieve and i will always be the best in any room." mary winked, puckering her lips expectantly as you fake gagged.

"wow i'm surprised your ego isn't as big as this room. maybe thats why its so stuffy? mary help your confidence is suffocating me!" you pretended to choke, clasping at her shirt with shallow breaths.

"mary!" you laughed mid kiss as she surged forward capturing your lips with her own, ignoring the mocking and wolf whistles from the younger girls behind her.

"what? darling i was just providing aid by giving you mouth to mouth, a very selfless act of me honestly." your girlfriend winked, pecking your lips a few more times as she was demanded to return, your middle finger flipped in the direction of grace and ella's teasings.

"right get on with it then!" you waved for them to hurry, cutting off ella who sent you an annoyed glare as you interrupted her pump up speech, grace quickly stepping in and waving for both pairs to take their turns.

you tuned out momentarily, growing bored of the game as you scrolled through your phone, hearing their squabbling but paying it no mind, only looking back up hearing a familiar groan.

"mary!" you called after your girlfriend, hurrying to your feet as she stormed out of the gym clearly not taking the loss well as millie and maya jumped around celebrating.

you frowned in confusion as you stepped out of the gym not to find a single clue to where the goalkeeper had wandered off to, sticking your head in the cafeteria and frown deepening not spotting her there either.

a few more spaces searched and you were close to giving up, the brunette not in any of the recovery rooms, the rec space, the gardens, games room or the lobby, nobody else any help as they hadn't seen her either.

with one last place in mind you stepped into the elevator, ignoring the grumbling in your stomach and the smell of lunch wafting toward you.

grabbing out the spare key card to her room you swiped it in the door, throwing your hands up as once again that was also empty, trying to call her and your confusion growing as you spotted her phone on the bed but no mary to go with it.

now giving up you returned back downstairs in hopes she would be there too, wolfing down food as you sat squished between alex and millie, only half listening to keira as your eyes remained locked on the doorway.

the moment you'd finished you abruptly stood catching alex off guard who nearly fell off the chair with how quickly you zoomed away, dumping your tray and dishes and heading back upstairs.

over an hour now since you worked out you could feel the sweat dried on your skin and were longing for a hot shower, sending mary a few messages, eyebrows furrowing when they all remained on delivered.

though as you swiped your own key card and stepped inside you softened, catching a familiar looking lump curled up in the middle of your bed under the covers, your girlfriends comfort movie playing on your netflix account on the tv on the wall.

"you better not be under there with your gym clothes still on." you warned, moving to sit on top of her and yanking down the covers revealing a very pouty looking mary staring up at you.

"no i showered." your girlfriend mumbled sure enough dressed in different clothes as you peeked around to your bathroom to see the floor was indeed wet. "hey! would i lie?" you squeaked as her finger sharply pinched your thigh.

"yes you would." you confirmed with a nod and a small smile as she huffed and tugged the cover out of your hands once again burying herself beneath them. "have you been hiding in here the entire time? i was running around like a mad woman trying to find you!" you poked at her feeling her squirm slightly beneath you.

"yeah i have. and where were you then? i needed cuddles woman!" the covers were chucked off her head again as she pushed back slightly to lean on her elbows as you lifted your hips to let her slide her body up more.

"i was busy looking for you! and then eating lunch-" there was an offended gasp that had you rolling your eyes. "-because i couldn't find you and i thought you'd show up." you finished sincerely, mary shaking her head with a scowl.

"choosing food over comforting the love of your life? who are you." mary sighed in disappointment as you rolled your eyes again at her dramatics. "sorry my hand eye coordination challenges prevented me coming to your rescue." you crossed your arms over your chest as marys lips curled up into a somewhat guilty smile.

"have i told you today just how beautiful you are?" you squealed as your back hit the mattress, mary hovering over you with the usual charming smile plastered back on her face.

"no actually you've been too busy insulting me." you reminded as her smile grew. "well how about i make it up to you then." your girlfriend ducked her head, recoiling in shock as her lips made contact with your hand.

"excuse me?" "sorry babe, i don't kiss losers." you pouted mockingly, patting her chest and shuffling backwards out of her grip before rolling off the bed.

"a loser!" mary cried out sitting up bolt right in bed, hand snagging the back of your top. "mary i need to shower!" you groaned as she pulled you back down on the bed.

"i was mocked and humiliated and upset and sad and my own girlfriend calls me a loser and won't kiss me? why do i keep you around again?" mary questioned, arms locked in an iron grip around your waist.

"i'm very nice to look at." you winked, resting your head on her shoulder with a smile. "ahh, yep thats it. just purely around as relief for the old eyes." your girlfriend nodded her agreement, lips ghosting your own.

"old is right." you teased, pushing your head up and finally kissing her, swallowing the retort back which died on her tongue, reaching one hand up to tangle in her hair and pull the two of you even closer together, pulling away with a familiar glint in your eyes that had mary's swollen lips curling into a smirk.

"fancy a second shower earps?"

[mellowsadistic]

The Flower Girl - Part 4

Grace sat on the floor with her legs spread out in front of her, playing with her Barbie dolls. Her once sleek, elegant blonde hair was tied up in a pair of scruffy pigtails. She wore a bib over her bare breasts; it was splattered with baby food, and a fair amount was still smeared around her mouth and chin. Her trim, tight tummy was gone – she didn’t get much exercise anymore, and the rich creamy bottles of formula she constantly drank ensured that her belly had a permanent layer of baby fat. Her thick disposable diaper bulged between her legs, clearly soaked to the brim, and there was a strong potty smell surrounding her that let anyone who came close know that she’d pooped her pants. It was how little Gracie spend most of her days.

After the worst day of her life, Grace had spent a couple of weeks back with her mother while Jessica and Rob went on their honeymoon. Two weeks of having her own mother treat her like she was an overgrown two-year-old, feeding her and bathing her and wiping her butt for her, and talking at length about how lucky they were that Jessica had put Grace ‘in her rightful place’.

But things were even worse once Jessica got back. Grace was her little girl now, a plaything to tease and taunt however she wanted, a witness to her victory. Jessica gave her all sorts of ridiculous tasks to do, and Gracie did every one of them with a dumb grin on her face – wiggling her butt and singing along to The Wheels on the Bus, playing tea-parties with her stuffed animals, seeing just how much of a mess she could make of herself during mealtimes in her highchair.

Grace looked up from her Barbies and took in the living room. There were lots of new pictures up on the shelves. Pictures of Jessica and Rob looking radiant together as they held hands and kissed on their wedding day. And of course, pictures of her. Pictures of her sucking her toes in the middle of a nappy change. Pictures of her making silly faces at the camera. And, in pride of place above the mantlepiece, a picture of her in her flower girl dress, squatting down in the middle of the aisle, making a messy diaper on what should have been her special day.

After she’d spent a few more weeks as a helpless passenger in her own body, squishing around in poopy pants, giggling along to baby shows, and getting her butt spanked for misbehaviour, Jessica had finally deigned to tell her how she’d stripped away her adulthood and autonomy and turned all her family and friends, including her beloved Rob, into her beaming accomplices – not that knowing did her much good. I’m a witch, you silly slut. All it took was a little spell to make your body act like a dumb toddler while keeping your mind trapped inside. I want you to know you’re being punished, after all. Then I cast another spell on all your wedding guests to make them think that I’m the one who ought to be marrying Rob, and that being my well-disciplined daughter is exactly what you deserve. Even your own mother thinks so! The only difficulty was this kind of magic requires eye contact, so it was easiest to wait until the ceremony when everyone closest to you was gathered in one place, and I could work my spell on them all at once. Besides, it was so much more fun to take Rob away from you right at the last moment!

Suddenly, Grace heard a noise at the front door, the turning of a key in the lock. “Dada!” she squealed, getting to her feet and toddling over to the man who should have been her husband, her bare breasts wobbling about ludicrously and her nappy crinkling loudly with every step.

“Hi princess!” said Rob, ruffling his ex-fiancée’s hair. Then he wrinkled his nose. “Peeyew! I think someone’s done a stinky!”

“I’m a stupid, stinky wittle giwl!” Gracie said proudly.

Rob chuckled and pulled her in for a cuddle. “Daddy loves you, sweetheart,” he cooed. “Even if you are just a stinky little girl who’s too stupid for potty training.”

He kissed her on the forehead and Grace felt a pleasant tingling run through her body. Rob still loved her. Grace supposed she should be grateful for that – even if it was as a Daddy instead of as a husband.

No! She couldn’t start thinking like that. She was going to break whatever hold Jessica had over her and Rob! She couldn’t spend the rest of her life like this!

“Hi Rob!” came Jessica’s voice. “Did you have a good day at work?” She swept down the stairs and rushed over to him, flashing a smirk at Grace before cupping a hand to her husband’s cheek and kissing him passionately.

Gracie giggled happily at the sight of her Mummy and Daddy’s affection for each other, but inside she was boiling with anger. That bitch needed to get her tongue out of Rob’s mouth right now, or else… or else…

Or else what? she asked herself bitterly. She’d blow a raspberry at her? Stomp her feet and throw a tantrum? Make an even bigger mess in her diaper for her to clean up?

Jessica pressed her body against Rob’s, and Grace saw Rob’s hand move down her back to squeeze her ass. Jessica moaned into his mouth.

“What about Gracie?” Rob asked, breaking off the kiss momentarily. “She needs changing.”

“She can wait,” Jessica said. “Some time in a messy nappy will help her learn her place.”

“You’re too harsh on her sometimes.”

“She has to learn she’s not a grown-up anymore,” Jessica said firmly. “She’s nothing but a silly, smelly baby now, no matter how big her tits are. She’s never going to be an adult again, so she might as well get used to poopy pants.”

Rob nodded and went back to kissing his wife.

Grace wanted to scream and cry, but instead she just pouted – as if her life being ruined forever was some mild annoyance to her, on par with having to take a nap or go and sit in time-out.

“Still,” said Jessica, breaking off the kiss again, “we don’t want her ruining the mood with her stinky Pampers.” She turned to grin maliciously at Grace, who was still standing there watching, sucking one of her fingers. “Bedtime for you, potty-pants.”

“But Mama!” Grace heard herself whining. “It’s only 6 o’ clock!”

Jessica flashed her a stern look, and Grace felt her diaper warming as she peed herself out of fear. Little Gracie didn’t want Mummy to turn her tushy red again.

Hating how pathetic Jessica had made her, she whimpered and turned around, waddling off dejectedly to her nursery. She climbed into her crib, clutching half a dozen stuffed animals to her, and lay her head down on her pillow, trying to ignore the disgusting mess in her nappy and fall asleep while the sounds of Jessica and Rob’s passionate sex echoed through the house.

Grace sobbed on the inside, the realisation finally dawning on her that Jessica had won. Her adult privileges had been revoked forever, all because of a jealous woman’s grudge, and she’d just have to get used to her new life as a stupid, big-titted baby. There was nothing else she could do. Grace felt her thumb slip between her lips as she drifted off to sleep in her loaded diaper, hoping that she’d get to dream about a life where she’d been the one to marry Rob, or at the very least, where she was allowed to go potty somewhere that wasn’t in her pants.

The End

***

If you want to read more evil stories about women being transformed into overgrown babies, I also post on SubscribeStar.

[youremyheaven]

Jupiter & Rahu : Ditziness & Weird Girl Humor

This post is inspired by an ask I received a while ago

Jupiter & Rahu girls in comedy cinema/television often play airheaded characters who are a bit ditzy and zany. Another feature is that all these characters are mostly harmless, good natured people. They can be mean/blunt but its because of their ditzy, airheaded nature and not out of malice.

All 3 Jupiter naks belong mostly to air signs (Punarvasu- Gemini, Vishaka-Libra, Purvabhadrapada- Aquarius) and same goes for all 3 Rahu naks (Ardra-Gemini, Swati-Libra, Shatabhisha-Aquarius) in fact all Rahu naks come right before a Jupiter nak. I have always personally believed that Rahu & Jupiter are similar in many ways but obviously different as well. Rahu is limitless expansion. Jupiter is boundless expansion within principles.

But all that aside, Jupiter & Rahu are literally air influenced and I do think its the presence of an excess of Air that makes someone come across as "airheaded".

The etymology of the word "airhead" is that one's head is filled with air and is thus empty. I have talked about Jupiter & even Rahu's limitless nature feeling "empty" for the natives themselves. Out of all the elements, air is the only one that can really said to be boundless, its not measurable or calculable, its just there, unlike water or earth or fire. but air has no physical form and while that is liberating, it also makes one feel empty and untethered and these are all emotional issues that a lot of Jupiter/Rahu people deal with.

But anyyywayys,

Cat Valentine on Victorious played by Ariana Grande is a really good example of an airheaded, zany comic character.

Ari has Ardra Sun & Mercury in Punarvasu (Rahu + Jupiter influence)

I will include Mercury placements because Mercury is literally how we communicate with others??

Phoebe Buffay from Friends is another good example of this type of comedy. She is played by Lisa Kudrow's who has Rahu conjunct Ascendant in Punarvasu

Kelly Kapoor from The Office is the ditzy zany delusional gal played by Mindy Kaling who is Ardra Sun & Moon, with Mercury in Punarvasu

Jackie Burkhart on The 70s Show played by Mila Kunis, Swati Moon is a meaner version of this archetype

Meryl Streep- Ardra Sun often speaks and talks this way. Just watch any of her interviews and you can sense that Rahu/Jupiter airy nature/demeanour/comic sense

Janhvi Kapoor, Purvabhadrapada Sun, Mercury in Shatabhisha is known for her "dumb girl persona" that most people think is fake but tbh I just think she's a little slow due to all that Air influence lol

Gracie Allen, Mercury in Punarvasu conjunct Jupiter is an early example of this type of humour and comedy

Cheryl Tunt on Archer voiced by Judy Greer, Mercury in Punarvasu (Saturn in Punarvasu atmakaraka)

Chrissy Snow from Three's Company played by Suzane Somers, Punarvasu Moon & Mercury in Vishaka is a classic example of a ditz

There are notable male ditzy characters as well

Andy from Parks & Rec played by Chris Pratt, Mercury in Punarvasu & Swati Rising

(there's a 10 video limit per post so I cant attach more vids)

Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc, Purvabhadrapada Moon, Mercury in Ardra & Punarvasu Rising is a great example of a male ditz

Harpo Marx- Punarvasu Moon, Mercury in Vishaka he was a silent comedian known for his highly exaggerated physical comedy that was very pantomime/clown-like. This is another aspect of the airhead/ditz, they don't just say dumb things, they do dumb things. Physical comedy is a big part of it.

London Tipton played by Brenda Song, Mercury conjunct Rahu in Purvabhadrapada

Christina Applegate, Shatabhisha Moon played a very ditzy character on Married With Children

These are all the examples off the top of my head. I feel like many Disney princesses will also fit this bill lol

lmk if you have other examples

hope this was interesting xx

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 20

PREVIOUS

FF had watched more than a few self-defense videos when he believed that Andrew Minyard was looking for a dark alley to stab him in. He had learned how to turn the attacker’s momentum against them. Had learned about disarming the person trying to stab him.

He’d even had Matt teach him a few punches claiming that it was for the dust-ups that tended to happen on the court.

He, naturally, does not use any of that knowledge because his mind immediately reverts into Lizard panic mode the moment Jackson Plank takes another step forward with a knife (HUGE. Is it wild that he is thinking about Crocodile Dundee right now?)

“If you come quietly you won’t get hurt.” Jackson says and he reverts to who he is as a person and he freezes. His bravery was used up maybe it was only ever tied to great pump up songs and now in the silence of the alley he is back to being Stone-Faced Smith.

“You’re going to dial up Wesninski and if you don’t say EXACTLY what I tell you to then I’m going to have you SING in agony.”

Y’know in that moment he stops thinking about Crocodile Dundee.

He thinks about a movie that is far more ingrained in his mind than any number of self-defense videos or one-off lessons with Matthew Boyd where he’d been trying not to flinch. A movie he had watched in better days with his family and had been a favorite of his Grandma’s (and his).

He thinks about Miss Congeniality.

Sandra Bullock as Gracie Hart has taught him everything he ever truly needs to know when he takes a step back and Jackson comes at him.

He strikes right at Jackson’s nose with the palm of his hand.

“SON OF A-“

The knife is dropped and FF kicks it under a dumpster.

FF grabs the single weapon he has on his person.

The McDonald’s Megamind Happy Meal Light Effects Brainbot.

He points the LED light straight at Jackson’s eyes and just like Aaron in the car on the way back, “Shit, that’s bright!” And now completely blinded by a combination of watery eyes and LED McDonald’s toy he proceeds to SING just as Gracie Hart had taught him.

S - Solar Plexus. He punches Jackson there as hard as he can.

I - Instep. He smashes his booted foot down on the inside of Jackson’s shoes (who the fuck wears LOAFERS to a kidnapping?)

N - Nose. He’d feel bad about hitting it again if Jackson wasn’t y’know…a hitman out to hurt Captain Neil.

G - Groin. He may have to give himself just half a second to apologize to all of mankind for what he is about to do. His step brothers had definitely kicked him in the groin plenty of times to try and get a reaction. It’s an art to not let anyone know that your ball has retreated up into lower intestine. He kicks Jackson as hard as he can (collegiate athlete) with the boots that Nicky had let him borrow. He is right on target with the toe of his shoes.

Jackson goes down.

The next thing he does is not something Gracie Hart had taught him but does still feel like the right thing to do in this situation. He kicks Jackson in the head and the man goes limp.

If FF throws both hands up in the air and lets out a “I am Miss Congeniality!” Victory cry into the alleyway well no one is around or awake to know that.

He feels like he deserves a sash and a crown and some flowers.

He looks down at Jackson and then over at the van the man had hopped out of. He was definitely PLANNING on kidnapping Captain Neil so he probably has like…some kind of restraint?

Well, better to completely subdue this guy before he tries to figure out the game plan for Romero. Wait, what’s that next to the Crocodile Dundee knife, are those...?

***

Roland is calling for a second time.

Andrew had let it go to voicemail the first time. It was usually Roland complaining about Nicky, Aaron, or Kevin doing something exceptionally stupid in their inebriated states. They have a system. Roland will call and leave a voicemail detailing the dumb shit his family has gotten up to and then he’ll let it go.

If Roland calls twice then there’s an issue.

Arm still around Neil’s shoulders he answers the phone, “What.” He asks.

“You need to help your new friend. There’s some guy following him, he’s armed and dangerous and looking for someone to grab to get Neil’s attention. He tried to lead the guy outside but he’s standing watching it for now so there might have already been someone waiting?” Roland gets out in a rush and Andrew is up and moving towards the stairs even as he’s closing the phone to disconnect the call.

Neil, of course, is right on his heels. “What is it? Did something happen?” Neil asks and they are up the stairs and pushing past Frank and his stupid pineapple shirt. Andrew spots Nicky and he spots Aaron.

“Get Nicky and Aaron somewhere safe. I need to go help Smith with something.” He says because whoever this is wants Neil and Andrew will not let Neil get within grabbing distance and won’t mention it. Neil, blessedly, does what Andrew asks without question.

Andrew scans the crowd and finds a man whose gaze goes between his phone and the back door.

A face that Andrew had memorized.

One of Nathan’s surviving men.

In the same Zip Code as Neil.

And that man has the audacity to still be breathing.

He looks and Nicky and Aaron (drunk, drugged, and useless because Andrew had wanted them to be) are with Neil and Roland is directing them to the backroom.

Andrew goes out the alley and can feel Romero’s eyes on him.

He’s prepared for a lot of things to see out in that alley. He’s angry that FF hadn’t just come down and grabbed him and Neil (he does not need TWO martyrs) and he wants to know what the fuck FF was thinking (or if he was thinking at all). Even with that anger he does not wish to see FF’s blood spilled all over an alleyway because Andrew’s family needed to be protected and FF was the only one sober enough and aware enough to do it.

He knows what Nathan’s men are capable of.

Knows that Romero was one of Nathan’s best so if there is someone out in the alleyway then it’s likely one of his other bests.

FF doesn’t even know how to use a knife. He had asked and FF had firmly declined every time Andrew had brought it up after the first fainting incident. “I’m not interested in learning that. No.” Had been the standard response.

He knew FF had at least taken a lesson or two from Boyd on throwing a punch considering the one he shot out a week ago when a Striker came at him after the third time FF intercepted a pass.

Still, Andrew had not anticipated coming out into the alleyway and finding an unharmed FF securing an unconscious Jackson Plank’s arms behind his back with fuzzy handcuffs.

“Am I interrupting something?” He asks and FF looks up at him with a flush on his cheeks.

“It’s not my fault this is a weird sex alleyway! They’re the first thing I found on my way over to the van to look for actual restraints.” FF says immediately and Andrew almost laughs at the insanity of it. “Wait, where’s Captain Neil?” FF looks around nervously.

“He’s with Aaron and Nicky in the backroom. Roland gave me your S.O.S.” Andrew says even as he quickly makes his way away from the door and towards FF. “Romero is watching the door. Let’s give him a reason to come out.” He says going over to Jackson and when he rolls the man over he raises an eyebrow at the piss stain on his pants and the blood dripping down his nose.

He looks to FF who resolutely does not look back at him.

It’s a story he’ll get out of his friend eventually. Looks like FF didn’t really need those knife lessons. Something settles a bit more in Andrew, it’s nice to have someone else in their group that could handle themselves in a fight.

Andrew finds a phone and FF rolls Jackson back onto his stomach, “He could choke on his own blood.” He shrugs and Andrew wouldn’t care if Jackson choked on his own blood in fuzzy handcuffs in a back alley but he can understand FF not wanting a murder charge.

Andrew looks at the phone and sees the the swipe pattern clear as day. It takes him two tries to get the order right but then Jackson’s phone is available for him to get over to the texting app.

The texts he reads there make him angry. There were a lot of plans on what the two of them were going to do to Neil before his body was offered up to a different crime family to show that Romero and Jackson had no loyalty left to the Wesninski line.

He types out a text to Romero that will have the jackass come out thinking everything had gone well and they had two hostages. He looks over to FF, “You ready for round two?” He asks.

“There isn’t a tap out option right?” FF asks and Andrew laughs at the joke.

Always cool under pressure it seems.

“No.”

“Then yeah, I guess just hit send.” FF says with a shrug.

Andrew does just that.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

NEXT

Didn’t wanna leave ya’ll hanging on that particular cliffhanger for too long ;)

@i-have-three-feelings @blep-23 @dreamerking27 @andreilsmyreligion @belodensetdust @rainbowpineapplebottle @yarn-ace @iwouldlikesometea @lily-s-world @obscureshipsandchips @booklover242 @whataboutmyfries @sahturnos @pluto-pepsi @dreamerthinker @passinhosdetartaruga @leftunknownheart @aro-manita-muscaria @hologramsaredead @Chaoticgremlinswishtheycouldbeme @tntwme @tayspots @nick-scar @crazy-fangirl2524 @blue-jos10 @stabbyfoxandrew @splishsplashyouropinionistrash @sammichly @the-broken-pen @bitchesdoweknowu @very-small-flower @ghostlyboiii @its-a-paxycab @bisexual-genderfluid-fan @cheesecookie @theoneandonlylostsock @foxsoulcourt @blueleys @adverbialstarlight @elia-nna @can-i-just-stay-in-the-corner @nikodiangel @foxandcrow-inatrenchcoat @hallucinatedjosten @satanic-foxhole-court @vexingcosmos @chalilodimun @insectsgetcooked @angry-kid-with-no-money @queer-crows @lillyndra @themugglemudperson​ @readertodeath @apileofpillows @mortalsbowbeforeme @hellomynameismoo​ @next-level-mess @youreonlylow​ @interstellarfig​ @notprocrastinatingatalltoday​ @percyjacksonfan3​ @queenofcrazy27​ @bsmr261 @ghostlyscares​ @spencellio​ @adinthedarkroom​ @harpymoth​ @sufferingjustalilbit​ @anxietymoss​ @oddgreyhound​ @ohno-myhyperfixation-itsbroken​ @ken22789​ @atiredvampire​ @isoldescorner​ @not--a--pipedream​ @azure-wing​ @bushbees​  @roonilwazlib-main​ @crumplelush​ @foldedaces-paperbirds​ @thesenseinnonsense​ @let-tyrants-fear​ @ketchupfriesandallthingsnice​ @legowerewolf​ @deadlydodos​ @but-we-respect-his-craft​ @cariniqe​ @zanypersonapricotbiscuit​

The requests to be added to the tag list keep being spread out across a few different areas. If I missed you please just ask again in the replies I promise I just missed you.

As stated before if you’re up here and I spelled it  right but you didn’t  get a notification there might be something  switched around in  your settings that won’t let me tag you properly?

[kennastromboli]

hello darlings! here's my get to know me! my inbox and dms are always open if you need someone to talk to about anything!! just a reminder, this is a safe space for everyone! hate will be blocked! absolutely no bullying, harassment, racism, abelism, homophobia, sexism, age regression shaming, or any discrimination of any kind.

i am open to writing headcannons/blurbs about chris or matt x female reader, nick will only be platonic!

i am also open to writing about madison beer x female reader! i am also comfortable writing smut about her!

what i WILL write

matt, chris, madison being amazing partners, caregivers, parents, comforters, etc!

reader with autism, adhd, anxiety, depression, age regression, BPD, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, GERD, PTSD, and any chronic illnesses or mental illness i haven't said will be glad fully written!

what i WON'T wriite

smut (i'm bad at writing this) rape, incest, cheating, death, weird kinks, politics, smoking, no happy ending type shit

interests

youtubers: sturniolo triplets, benoftheweek, flamingo, jake and johnnie, tara yummy, dramakween, danny gonzalez, jackpop, anthpo, just sharon, chloe hayden

music(i did this by type) : taylor swift, madison beer, melanie martinez, chappell roan, lana del rey, laufey, clario, gracie abrams, alex g, tv girl, mac miller, dominic fike, tyler the creator, frank ocean, kendrick lamar, eminem, sza, lil skies, and a lot more!

movies: ten things i hate about you, speak, edward scissorhands, hercules, the princess and the frog, lego batman, enchanted, scream, jennifers body, back to the future, my girl, juno, mamma mia

tv shows: stranger things, school spirits, gravity falls, big city greens, gilmore girls, heartstopper, outer banks, young sheldon, family guy, victorious

i regress! my little age is 4-6i'm audhd, meaning i have both autism and ADHD, along with crippling anxiety. i'd like to set a few ground rules with that, please don't use tags or shorten words, i understand some of them, just that i'd like to see what you fully mean, please do not make any rude jokes towards it. any hate of my disability will be blocked and reported. i do cross country, theater and dance

likes: sushi, the color purple, pasta, animals, music, art, books, english, us history, biology, physics, positivity, dance, singing, disney movies, iced coffee, thai food, ice cream, fruit, veggies, water, and energy drinksdislikes, math, history class, tomatoes, pickles, ranch dressing, prime drink, steak, actual cheddar cheese, my anxiety, my autism, my adhd, school, rude people, homophobia, racism, ableism, sexism, being catcalled, fires, and tornadoes

conclusion

heres my spotify!

makenna🪐

makenna🪐, a user on Spotify

SPOTIFY

[citizenscreen]

Gracie Allen watering the plants in the Victory Garden in Bloomingdale's, New York City, in 1943.

[shitswiftiessay]

the kansas city chiefs and their horrific lack of empathy on full display

I made a post earlier about Brittany Mahomes and her callous response to the shooting, where she called it embarrassing and appeared far more upset about the party being ruined.

well, since then we’ve also had Gracie Hunt, the daughter of the chiefs’ owner and another new bestie of Taylor’s, make this tone deaf post on twitter and instagram, talking about how “heartbroken” she is while posting pictures of herself celebrating at the parade.

and then we have mr. “killatrav” himself, who is increasingly known for his embarrassing drunken behaviour at a family-friendly event. well, he tweeted about how “heartbroken” he was and then immediately went to a celebration with his teammates.

Yeah, looking real heartbroken over there, buddy. The question that is on my mind and that of countless other people is… WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU STILL PARTYING? How the fuck are you even in the MOOD to party after something like this?? A bunch of kids were shot, 2 people have died, but god forbid that get in the way of your endless super bowl victory parties, right??

[vicaliciouz]

RIPTIDE - vance joy feels like..

B99, murder most unladylike, percy jackson, harry potter, the hunger games, the maze runner, 10 things i hate about you, clueless ,1D, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina carpenter, sally face, ariana grande, billie eilish, little misfortune, the owl house, korn, limp bizkit, noah kahan, gracie abrams, the walten files, fnaf, conan gray, life is strange, grown ups, heathers, hamilton, newsies, beabadoobee, legally blonde, friends, gilmore girls, gossip girl, the whisper of the heart, studio ghibli, nirvana, my neighbour totoro, spirited away, little mix, hooky, marionnetta, titanic, costa concordia, IT, stranger things, the black phone, marauders, home alone, home alone: lost in new york, laufey, mitski, true crime, rotten mango, adele, kanye west, simgproductions, mlpstopmotion, a good girls guide to murder, binding 13, yellowjackets, bojack horseman, metallica, tate mcrae, chappel roan, megan thee stallion, doja cat, nicki minaj, caraval, one of us is lying, five survive, reappearance of rachel price, larry stylinson, omori, tattletale, kindergarden, laurenzside, yammy, gloom, azzyland, kubscouts,pewdiepie, jacksepticye, weebynewz, blaze ,high school musical, pitch perfect, the perks of being a wallflower, SZA, rihanna, the big bang theory, young sheldon, 💜 , clairo, super danganronpa another 2, danganronpa another despair academy, danganronpa, danganronpa despair time, heartless deceit, project edens garden, danganronpa lapse, to all the boys ive loved before, the summer i turned pretty, outer banks, the mandela catalogue, coraline, dead poets society, white chicks, the outsiders, fear street, be more chill, waitress, phantom of the opera, cinderella, beauty and the beast, princess and the frog, shut up and dance, peraltiago, the office, kesha, wicked, the eras tour, chicago, royale high, roblox, bloxburg, fashion famous, adopt me, green day, lady gaga, payno, nialler, derry girls, heart break high, lps popular, gogglebox, bad education, victorious, meepcity, kim possible, the princess diaries, pretty little liars, modern family, little Einsteins, jake and the neverland pirates, die hard, why dont we, girl in red, dodie, greys anatomy, mean girls, tmz, marina, 2010-2019, maisie peters, molly grace, holly jackson, rick riordan, robin stevens, anthony horowitz, james dashner, dylan obrien, the promised neverland, teen titans, lana del rey, alessi rose, grishaverse, doki doki literature club, niall horan, frat boy harry, thomas brodie sangster, bridgerton, cookieswirlc, ldshadowlady, krew, among us, kreekcraft, piggy, lps, gacha life, mlp, yandere simulator, vine, ifunny, ___ characters as vines, baldis basics, glmv, glmm, bendy and the ink machine, fnaf trilogy, game theory, matpat, slenderman, shopkins, bohemian rhapsody, project sekai, vocaloid, flamingo, leah ashes, denis daily, pals squad, fran bow, talking angela, pink, halsey, katy perry, miraculous, SIX, the lightening thief musical, dear evan hansen, little shop of horrors, the loud house, annoying orange, larva, monster high, ever after high, life in the dreamhouse, a fairy secret, elsia and annia, equestria girls, pj masks, total drama island, horrid henry, henry the viii, bubble guppies, sofia the first, disney junior, pop, cbeebies, x factor, Britains got talent, jaquenline wilson, dork diaries, diary of a wimpy kid, alex rider, tom gates, jojo siwa, vacations,

It never leaves you

[mbbsgf]

ABOUT MARIE

my name's marie , i'm 19 years old, i'm bisexual and i was born on february 13th

my favorite artists are taylor swift, ariana grande, olivia rodrigo, lexi jayde, sabrina carpenter, gracie abrams, paramore, harry styles, selena gomez, justin bieber, madison beer, joshua bassett and more probably

my favorite youtubers are nick, matt and chris sturniolo, sam golbach and colby brock, johnnie guilbert, tara yummy, jake webber, larri, nailea devora and kennedy walsh.

my favorite actresses are millie bobby brown and megan fox

my favorite thing to do when i'm bored is probably singing hysterically taylor's most gut wrenching songs (i'm insane)

what i do write: angst<333, fluff, maybe headcannons and blurbs and smut (MAYBE)

some fun facts about me:

- i sometimes happen to eat plain ketchup with a spoon

- i sleep with stuffed animals

- i like to have deep conversations with my closest friends

- i've been a swiftie since the og speak now era

- liz gillies in victorious and megan fox in jennifer's body turned me gay🏳️‍🌈

i love cooking/baking or at least trying to. it's actually super fun

i'm always down to make friends tbh so just text me for that or even just to talk i don't mind at all i love listening to people

I👏AM👏A👏YAPPER. i will never stop talking once i started, it's kinda funny

my favorite people on here are my sweet babies @mattsneezing , @slut4mattsturn and @worldlxvlys

face reveal:

and i guess that's it BYE I LOVE YOU🫶🏻🫶🏻

[twoidiotwriters1]

Chapter 3. Faux Pas

Summary: "If it's not much trouble, Lady Danbury, I have an individual in mind I'm particularly interested in meeting..." Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Words: 1,759 Listen to: Risk -by Gracie Abrams A/N: I love paranoid Benedict -Danny

Once it's clear the man you met at Hyde Park has recognised you too, you hope he'll come and introduce himself, but there is no luck. You're left to enjoy the ball, that is to say, you sit on your arse and pretend to listen to the Prince's rambling about his many travels.

Now that everyone has seen your face and satiated their curiosity, you wish to return to your chamber and change into your nightgown. Marie makes no effort to keep you company, she is enjoying her prince far more than you are, perhaps because she's always loved meeting new people. You sigh and slouch, losing yourself to whatever story you can concoct on a whim. 

A dark-skinned lady makes a 'Tsk!' sound at you and you turn your head, surprised that anyone would dare address you in such a way. She looks like someone worth talking to, so you excuse yourself, stepping on your dress as you stand too quickly. The servant, placed there by your cautious mother, steadies you.

"Thank you," you flash an awkward smile at him before walking away.

"Having a nice evening, Your Royal Highness?" The woman holds back a grin.

You hesitate, not wanting to lie to her. "Surely my face says it all?"

She chuckles. "Lady Danbury, at your service."

"You may call me Y/N," you retort giving a curtsy. "The formalities are fraying my nerves."

"I see that," she accentuates the middle word. "I can't blame you for loathing the spotlight, my dear. The best ones always do. On nights like this one, you should cling to your privilege if you're to deal with every daunting task, too."

"I'm not so sure," you show a shy smile. "My Queen and King were far too pampering and as a to-be monarch, I cannot defer the spotlight any longer. I regret waiting this long."

Lady Danbury steps an inch closer, minding not to stab your foot with her cane. "I'm sorry you're stuck here having no one to talk to but the Queen's brats. Although your sister and brothers don't mind it much, do they?"

"Marie's far more patient and open-hearted than I could ever be. Forbearance runs thin within me, I need people with layers to them."

"Layers?" Lady Danbury asks.

"People that have lived many lives," you explain, unable to hold back your poetics, "I can work with a thoughtful talker, but I detest mindless rambling."

She hums. "If it's a character you seek, I might be useful to you. I could help you find some real layered individuals."

"Could you?" You beam, then pause. "Am I allowed to mingle like that?"

Lady Danbury glances over your shoulder. "Well, everyone in your group is paired up and entertained. I'm obliged to find you a worthy companion so you don't go home with a lowly opinion of our balls." 

"Splendid." You take the liberty to reach for her hand and lean closer to speak. "If it's not much trouble, Lady Danbury, I have an individual in mind I'm particularly interested in meeting..."

Benedict scolds himself for not paying attention to his siblings' depictions of Genovians. If he had, he would've recalled Colin's statement about the women in your country being no strangers to dressing in men's clothes. What a massive arse he'd been, teasing and calling... dear god, he'd called you an ill-bred critter.

He wants to drown himself in whiskey, maybe if he's lucky he'll escape before the night's over and claim victory at one of his lover's beds. That might alleviate the sting in his gut. He might come out of this unscathed, just an hour or so and he will be the first to walk out the door.

He stays away from where the royals are, searching for witless conversation while also paying mind not to humour any debutants too much. He dances with one, but as soon as it ends he forgets all about her and the worries come flooding back. 

Benedict doesn't wish to be executed for disrespecting a princess! Yes, she teased, too. She'd called him names, but she was a princess, not his equal, and perhaps she was enjoying the way Benedict was digging a deeper grave for himself.

"You!" Lady Danbury comes through like a bullet and the crowd opens despite everyone's interest in taking a closer look at the princess. To Benedict's horror, Lady Danbury and her companion are coming his way. "Don't look at me like that, boy, I'm doing you a favour! You always lament and protest the dullness of these events. Allow me to make introductions."

He takes a single step forward, hesitant and unlike him, incapable of looking at the princess in the eye. "Lady Danbury..." his voice comes out sounding ridiculous.

The woman clicks her tongue and grabs a glass of lemonade from a passing platter, almost shoving it into his hand. "Now, don't make me look bad in front of the princess, I was just telling her what a gifted talker you are!"

"I'm impertinent, really," he hurries to say. "Out of all I do for society, my inability to hold my tongue should be excluded from the list."

"Witty and humble," the princess says with amusement. "Lady Danbury, Mr. Bridgerton might be what I'm looking for."

"Looking for?" He questions anxiously.

Lady Danbury laughs. "You act as if we were choosing you as our next supper!"

That is more or less his worry. Benedict pushes through his remorse to greet the princess. "My apologies, Your Royal Highness, I'm extremely rude. Benedict Bridgerton, at your service."

"Y/N Devereaux," you curtsy with a smile. "Don't worry, I do not think you rude. Or a critter, for that matter." Benedict's entire face flushes.

"Mr. Bridgerton is the second son of the Bridgerton family, charming though he relies a bit too much on his looks and too little on his brain," Lady Danbury resumes. "Princess Y/N wishes to meet you, my boy. Can I trust you to take good care of her?"

The princess smiles, but Benedict feels it like a wolfish smirk. He tries his best to slip out of the situation. "I'm not half-witty to keep a lady such as the princess entertained, Lady Danbury, do not trust me."

"Well, seeing you're so eager to reject the offer I'm inclined to agree," Benedict has a fraction of a second to feel relieved before the grown woman continues. "However, Your Royal Highness wishes to speak to you tonight. So gather your wits and do your best."

Her eyes remain on him, playful and knowing. He narrows his. "May I ask what's so enjoyable about me?"

The woman pats his arm once before leaving. "I rarely see you so unsteady on your feet— quite an entertaining view." Lady Danbury looks at the princess and tilts her head down. "Your Royal Highness. I'll be right over there if you need me."

"Thank you," Princess Y/N smiles at her. Benedict is about to undo himself in apologies when the princess speaks, eyeing the decorations in the ballroom like she's not very interested in him. "Responding to my questions in a yes or no fashion will do just fine. Are you having fun?"

"No." He replies, glaring at a passing guest who smiles in a congratulatory manner at him.

"Would you like to?"

"Yes." His hands fidget with the untouched glass of lemonade Lady Danbury placed in them.

"Have you danced?"

"Yes."

"Breathed fresh air?"

"No. And I very much yearn for an ample spot where to faint," he keeps his eyes on her profile and watches as the smile on her face grows an inch.

"Garden it is, then," Y/N takes the lemonade and holds onto the crook of his elbow.

Outside, you take your time to address your companion, having too much fun watching someone else squirm in discomfort for a change. "If you wish to say something, now would be—"

"I am so dreadfully sorry," he untangles his arm from you and speaks, trying to keep eye contact while also bowing apologetically. "You must've thought me the most uncultured idiot when we spoke at the park. I didn't know who you were but I should've known—"

"Mr. Bridgerton," you interrupt him surprised. "Do I look angry?"

He examines your expression. "You're smiling, but that could mean anything."

"I believe that means I'm content."

"You could be smiling at my expense."

"Now, that does insult me. Do I give you the impression of being cruel?"

"Princess, I beg you not to ask me what I think of you," he closes his eyes in mortification for a moment. "My brain isn't working, I've drank too much."

You lift his chin to the light, pretending to examine him. "Yet your words do not drag and you don't smell. Do I make you nervous?"

Benedict feels his face heat up again at the statement and steps out from your reach. "See if you'd like to be given the responsibility to entertain the pope and not have your nerves frayed entirely by the end of it."

You laugh, amused by his struggle between remembering his manners and wanting to reply to your teasing in kind. "I hold no resentment towards the way you treated me prior to this night, Mr. Bridgerton. In fact, that is exactly why I asked Lady Danbury to introduce us."

Benedict frowns. "May I ask you to elaborate?"

"Well, I had fun," you admit, looking at the beautiful garden ahead. "And Lady Danbury told me a bit about you and your family. I wanted to meet interesting people, and your last name was mentioned almost right away. Would you consider that a compliment?"

"Most definitely," he replies, a hesitant little smile finally showing up.

"Then take it as such and forget about yesterday, but I won't. I rarely get treated the way you treated me. I was clumsy and rude, but you weren't heartless, that is quite rare in a man."

"Is it?" Benedict tilts his head. "If you think me a rare find, you will think my brothers are figments of your imagination."

"You talk kindly of your siblings, that says a lot of your family as a whole," you point out, and your words make him warm up to you with ease. "Mother says one cannot hide who they are when asked about family."

You place your hands on the stone bannister and lean forward to peek at the bushes beneath you, making Benedict's heart shrink as his hand hovers near your lower back, looking after you.

"Careful, Princess," he says tersely.

"I've slipped from taller places," you grin. "And as I recall, you are well aware of how good my bum is at softening my falls."

That pulls an involuntary laugh from him that you easily match. Away from the hundreds of gazes in the ballroom, he finds himself wanting to keep you close, if only for one evening.

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@babypink224221 @Booknerdlife @djsporks @lght-roastcoffee @marii-ren @mythical-goth @omgsuperstarg @creepytoes88 @sarahskywalker-amidala @23victoria @shadowolf993 @squirreljoe @syxtiramishuui

[folklore-barnes]

jason dean from heathers

~ a playlist ~

set fire to the rain - adele

vampire - olivia rodrigo

psycho killer - talking heads

zombie - miley cyrus (original version also applies of course)

spin me round - dead or alive

i was a teenage werewolf - the cramps

i just died - cutting crews

let it rock - bon jovi

somebody's watching me - rockwell

the sharpest lives - my chemical romance

speechless - lady gaga

i know the end - phoebe bridgers

breakin dishes - rihanna

you give love a bad name - bon jovi

detroit rock city - kiss

gimme what i want - miley cyrus

goo goo muck - the cramps

running up that hill - kate bush

madhouse - nessa barrett

mad hatter - melanie martinez

nightmare - halsey

rollin with my homies - coolio

the hills - the weeknd

smells like teen spirit - nirvana

jimmy - tones and i

chosen - maneskin

the last man on earth - wolf alice

the smallest man who ever lived - taylor swift

bad habits - ed sheeran

i love you i'm sorry - gracie abrams

ultraviolence - lana del rey

heaven's on fire - kiss

i can fix him - taylor swift

teenagers - my chemical romance

pumped up kicks - foster the people

victorious - panic! at the disco

smile - wolf alice

[aprilludgate357]

chapter one: the vanishing of will byers

steve harrington x gracie williams(eventually) word count: 7,079 summary: Will Byers goes missing and Gracie finds that babysitting just got a thousand times harder.

“SOMETHING IS COMING… SOMETHING HUNGRY FOR BLOOD.” Gracie murmured dramatically, rising slowly from her seat. Around the table, gasps erupted from all four boys, their heavy breathing echoing through Mike Wheeler’s basement. The group was deeply engrossed in their Dungeons and Dragons campaign, a cherished tradition.

“A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in darkness,” Gracie continued ominously, her voice dropping to a whisper.

She had to admit, when Dustin first dragged her into their “party,” she was skeptical about such a nerdy activity. Yet, less than a year later, she found herself not only playing but becoming the Dungeon Master, crafting elaborate campaigns for the boys.

“What is it?” Will asked nervously, glancing around. The rest of the boys murmured, but Gracie couldn’t help but smirk at their anxiety.

“What if it’s the Demogorgon?” Dustin suggested, his voice trembling slightly. “Oh, Jesus, we’re screwed if it’s the Demogorgon.”

“It’s not the Demogorgon,” Lucas assured, though his eyes betrayed his uncertainty.

“It can’t be,” Mike agreed, looking to Gracie for reassurance. She merely shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes.

Gracie decided to heighten their suspense. “An army of troglodytes charges into the chamber!” she exclaimed, dramatically slamming a troll-like figurine onto the table.

Relieved that it wasn’t the Demogorgon, the boys let out a collective sigh. Lucas scoffed, convinced victory was within reach. “Told ya.”

As the boys relaxed, Gracie grinned, enjoying their moment of calm before the storm. She wasn’t done yet. Gasping, Gracie leaped from her seat. “Wait a minute. Did you hear that?” she asked, causing the boys to tense up.

She stomped her feet, mimicking the sound of an approaching monster. “Boom… boom… Boom!”

Slamming her fist on the table, she barely contained her laughter as the boys jumped. “That didn’t come from the troglodytes. No, that came from something else…” She paused for dramatic effect, leaving the boys on edge.

“The Demogorgon!” Gracie announced, slamming the Demogorgon figurine onto the table.

Chaos erupted as the boys shouted in panic. “We’re in deep shit,” Dustin groaned, covering his face.

“Language,” Gracie warned, though her admonishment was drowned out by the commotion.

Turning to Will, Gracie said, “Will, your action!”

Eyes wide, Will looked to his friends. “I don’t know!”

“Fireball him!” Lucas yelled, heart pounding.

“No way! He’d have to roll a 13 or higher!” Mike argued.

“Too risky. Cast a protection spell,” Dustin interjected.

“Don’t be a wimp. Fireball him!” Lucas insisted, his anxiety mounting.

“Cast Protection,” Dustin repeated urgently.

Tired of the debate, Gracie continued, “The Demogorgon is tired of your bickering! It stomps towards you. Boom!”

“Fireball him!” Lucas demanded, the group growing more frantic as Gracie moved the figurine closer.

“Another stomp, boom!” Gracie shouted, stomping her foot for effect.

“Cast Protection!” Mike urged, the four boys looking frantically at Will to make his decision.

“He roars in anger!” Gracie repeated, her tone pressing for a decision. Dustin’s and Lucas' mom would kill her if she didn’t get them home on time. That’s why she’d been hired after all.

Will hesitated, glancing between his friends. After a moment, he made his choice. “Fireball!” he declared, rolling the dice with so much force that it tumbled off the table.

“Oh, shit!” Mike exclaimed, the group scrambling to find the missing die.

“Where’d it go?” Lucas asked, ducking under the table.

“I don’t know!” Dustin cried out, checking under the washing machine.

“Is it a 13?” Mike asked.

“I don’t know!” Lucas repeated.

In the midst of their frantic search, the basement door swung open, revealing a slightly annoyed Mrs. Wheeler. “Mike!” she called, unfazed by the chaos.

Ignoring his mother, Mike and the boys continued their search. Gracie, slightly embarrassed, dusted off her jeans and offered a sheepish smile. “Hi, Ms. Wheeler! Sorry, we kinda got caught up in the campaign.”

Before Mrs. Wheeler could respond, Dustin ran between them, still shouting, “Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!”

Gracie grabbed Mike by the back of his shirt, pulling him to face his mother. “Mike, your mom,” she said, giving him a pointed look that read don't make me look bad in front of the woman who pays me.

Mike, realizing his babysitter’s hint, begrudingly looked up at his mom and pleaded, “Mom, we’re in the middle of a campaign!”

Mrs. Wheeler remained unmoved. “You mean the end? It’s fifteen after.” she argued pointing to her watch.

Gracie stepped in. “Your mom’s right. It’s getting late and I need to take Dustin home anyway.”

“Thank you, Gracie,” Mrs. Wheeler said with a grateful smile before turning back upstairs.

As Mrs. Wheeler left, Gracie turned back to the boys, who were still searching for the dice.

“You heard her!” Gracie said, loud enough for mrs. wheeler's retreating figure to hear. “Let’s clean up.”

The boys groaned, eager to finish their battle against the Demogorgon. “But we’re so close!” Dustin protested.

“Gracie, please! Can we—” Mike started, but Gracie covered his mouth.

Silence fell as Mrs. Wheeler’s footsteps faded. Gracie turned to the boys, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Okay, let’s find that dice and then we’ll go.”

The boys cheered, their excitement palpable. “Less cheering, more searching!” Gracie whispered-yelled. “I need to get you all home on time if I want to keep my job.”

The boys lowered their cheers but kept their smiles. Dustin pumped his fist in triumph, and Mike and Will fist-bumped. Seeing their happiness, Gracie couldn’t help but smile too.

Seeing the half eaten box of pizza, Gracie grabbed it, walking over to Dustin. "Hey, why don't you bring this up to Nancy?" She asked, knowing the boy had a huge crush on the older girl. Nodding happily at the request, Dustin bounced up the steps with the box in his hand.

Eventually, Gracie managed to get all the boys out of the Wheeler house. The street outside was dark, but biking home was routine for the group. As Lucas, Gracie, and Will mounted their bikes, they waited for Dustin, who was sure to have been rejected by Mike’s older sister.

Dustin emerged with a disappointed look. “So, I’m guessing Nancy rejected your slice of pizza?”

Dustin nodded solemnly. “There’s something wrong with your sister.” He said turning to Mike with a frown.

“What are you talking about?” Mike asked, puzzled.

“She’s got a stick up her butt,” Dustin muttered, only for Gracie to give him a warning look.

“Watch it. That’s my best friend,” she said, but Dustin put his hands up in surrender.

Gracie had known Nancy since childhood, and though she was close with her, she hadn’t really gotten to know Mike until she started babysitting Dustin and his friends.

“I thought we were your best friends,” Mike said, crossing his arms. The boys chimed in with agreement and outrage.

Rolling her eyes, Gracie said, “I mean my best friend who’s age-appropriate. I can’t go around telling people that a bunch of middle schoolers are my best friends.”

"Oh right cause you're so cool." Lucas playfully teased, earning an eye roll from the girl.

Getting back on topic, Dustin shrugged. “Whatever, she’s changed.”

“Yeah, she’s been dating that douchebag, Steve Harrington,” Lucas argued. Gracie mentally sighed at the mention of Steve. She hadn’t meant to let it slip that Nancy was dating him, but she was more open with the boys than she liked to admit.

“Hey, don’t spread that around,” Gracie said, though she knew it wasn’t even really a secret. “But yeah, he really is a douchebag.”

Gracie didn’t hate Steve, but she found him obnoxious and annoying, especially in the way he treated people. Still, Nancy liked him, so Gracie kept her opinions to herself, hoping the relationship was a phase.

“Yeah, she’s turning into a real jerk,” Dustin continued as he mounted his bike.

“She’s always been a real jerk,” Mike said, though Gracie couldn’t fully defend Nancy, who had been a bit mean to her brother and his friends.

“Nuh-uh, she used to be cool,” Dustin argued.

“Like that time she dressed up as an elf for our Elder Tree campaign!” Gracie defended Nancy.

“Four years ago!” Mike retorted, turning to look at Gracie. “And she only did that because you forced her.”

“Just saying,” Gracie shrugged before turning back to the boys. “Let’s get going,” she said, pushing off on her bike. The boys followed, racing down the street.

“I hope we don’t have to bike for much longer,” Dustin said, looking at Gracie. “When are you gonna start driving us?”

“Yeah, aren’t you like sixteen already?” Lucas asked, speeding up a bit. “Mike’s sister is driving.”

“Well, Nancy has a car, which I don’t,” Gracie argued. “Why do you think I babysit you guys?”

“Because you love us?” Will said with a grin.

“Yeah, we’re delightful,” Lucas agreed with a bright grin.

“Angels sent from heaven,” Gracie said sarcastically. “But don’t worry, with all the money your moms have been paying me, I should have a sweet ride in no time.”

Cheers erupted among the boys at the thought of finally ditching their bikes. As they reached the fork in the road, Gracie stopped and turned to Will.

“You sure you don’t want me to bike with you?” she asked.

Will shook his head. “You ask me that every time. It’s only three blocks, and it’s not like I haven’t done this before.”

Gracie still felt uneasy, but she knew she was being overprotective. “Okay then,” she said with a smile. “Just be safe.”

“I will!” Will said, pedaling away. He waved over his shoulder. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow!”

Gracie watched him go, then was jolted from her thoughts by Dustin, who cleared his throat. “Uh, Gracie,” he said, pointing to his imaginary watch.

Looking at her own watch, Gracie gasped. “Oh shit!” she exclaimed, quickly starting to pedal. “Your parents are going to kill me!”

Lucas and Dustin laughed as they followed, shouting in unison, “Language!”

------

Waking up in the morning, Gracie quickly made her way down the stairs to see her mother cooking breakfast and her father reading the newspaper. She was an only child, and her family was just like every other suburban house in Hawkins—sickeningly normal and completely uneventful.

"Morning, honey!" Her mother greeted, Gracie sending her a sweet smile. "Breakfast is on the counter."

"Thanks, Mom!" Gracie said, quickly sitting down to start eating. Her dad was too engrossed in the morning news to look up, not that Gracie minded, used to the entire routine. Halfway through finishing her eggs, Gracie heard the phone ringing from the kitchen.

"I got it!" Her mother yelled, Gracie nodding before turning back to her food. Tuning into the conversation, Gracie could hear bits and pieces.

"Hello, Joyce!" Gracie's mom greeted, having become used to the boys' moms calling for her daughter. "Oh, sure, I'll go get her right now."

Having already heard that Joyce was on the other line, Gracie walked over to the phone, gently taking it from her mom, knowing that it was probably for her.

As her mother walked back over to the sink to finish washing dishes, Gracie put the phone to her ear. "Hi Ms. Byers!" She greeted. "What's up?"

Usually, Joyce would have taken the time to tell Gracie to call her Joyce instead of Mrs. Byers, but she was too distressed to do so. Quickly getting to the point, Joyce replied, "Hi, dear. I was just wondering if Will had decided to stay the night at your house last night."

It wasn’t out of the question to think that he did. Sometimes, when the boys stayed out too late, Gracie offered them a place to sleep over. But last night was a school night, so they had decided to bike back to their respective homes anyway.

Scrunching her eyebrows in concern, Gracie shook her head, replying, "Um, no, he's not here. Did Will not come home last night?" She asked, a pit dropping into her stomach.

"I'm not sure," Joyce nervously replied. "I went to sleep before he came home, and this morning he wasn’t here."

"He should've come home last night. I saw him bike back; he couldn’t have gone anywhere else. Maybe he just biked to school early," Gracie thought, trying to calm herself and Joyce down.

"Maybe," Joyce sighed, but Gracie could tell she wasn’t convinced, and neither was she, to be completely honest. Gracie knew she should've biked back with him, and she kicked herself now for not listening to her gut.

"Honey, you should get going to school!" Her mother yelled from across the kitchen. But Gracie was too distressed to even care about being late.

Hearing her mother from the other line, Joyce quickly let the girl go. "Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize the time. You should go."

Not wanting to hang up, but turning to see her mother's expecting gaze, Gracie only sighed. "Okay, just tell me if you need anything at all. Same with Jonathan."

"Thank you, Gracie," Joyce said sadly before the two hung up. Hanging the phone back on the wall, Gracie sucked in a deep breath at the thought that Will had actually gone missing. The thought was too much to bear. And besides, it was Hawkins, what was the possibility that anything other than the ordinary would occur.

------

"So, did he call?" Barb asked as she, Gracie, and Nancy leaned against the lockers. It was break between first and second period, and the girls were just enjoying some respite and hot gossip about Nancy's love life.

Not that Gracie was fully paying attention. Her mind hadn't left the phone call she had with Joyce earlier that morning, and she only prayed that Will was found before the school day ended.

"Keep your voice down," Nancy giggled as she opened her locker to grab her books.

"Did he?" Barb asked again, wriggling her eyebrows.

Rolling her eyes, Nancy shook her head. "I told you, it's not like that. Okay, I mean, yes, he likes me, but not like that. We just made out a couple of times."

"We just made out a couple of times," Barb mocked playfully. Just then, a girl near them shut her locker, the sound causing Gracie to snap out of her thoughts and refocus her attention back to her friends. She had to stop thinking about Will. He was probably fine. Like she'd told Joyce: He must have just gone to school early.

Barbara, seeing her friend's distress, furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "Gracie, you good? You seem out of it."

Shaking her head, Gracie smiled at the two girls who now stared at her with concern. "No, I'm fine, just... a little tired."

Satisfied with her answer, Barb got back on topic, continuing, "Nance, seriously, you're gonna be so cool now, it's ridiculous."

"No, I'm not," Nancy blushed.

"You better still hang out with us, that's all I'm saying. If you become friends with Tommy H. or Carol—"

At Barbara's comment, Gracie pretended to puke, and Nancy quickly shook her head. "Oh, that's gross! Okay, I'm telling you, it was a one-time—"

"Two-time," Gracie cut in, correcting the girl.

"Two-time thing," Nancy amended, giving Gracie a playfully annoyed look, to which Gracie only shrugged.

"Oh yeah?" Gracie asked raising her eyebrow, "Then what's that?"

All three girls trained their gaze on a folded note, unsure of how any of them hadn't seen it before. Nancy was quick to grab it, a blush grazing her cheeks, which was all the confirmation Gracie needed to know who left her that note.

Both Barb and Gracie leaned in to see what the note read, Gracie rolling her eyes when she saw it.

MEET ME IN BATHROOM. STEVE

"You were saying?" Barb asked as Nancy's cheeks reddened even more. Quickly closing her locker, Nancy gave her friends a shy smile. "I gotta go... want to get to class early."

Laughing, Gracie crossed her arms. "Mhm, whatever you say. Just use protection, okay?"

"Gracie!" Nancy gasped, but did not deny that she was going to see Steve and not class.

As Barb and Gracie watched Nancy quickly scuttle to the girls' bathroom where King Steve was no doubt waiting for her, the girls shared a look before busting out in giggles at their friend's behavior.

Wrapping an arm around Barbara, Gracie led her to their next class, sighing, "Come on, let's actually go to class."

------

Halfway through lunch, Gracie couldn't take the thoughts of Will missing any longer and decided to check for herself to see if he had actually gone to school early or not.

Skipping the rest of the school day, Gracie walked over to the middle school, which was only a five-minute walk from the high school. Looking over at the empty playground, she figured class was still in session but decided to go in anyway to see if maybe she could spot Will in one of the classrooms. She needed some kind of confirmation that the boy was safe.

Walking towards the entrance, she suddenly saw a police car pull up, which was odd. The Hawkins Police Department was practically on vacation throughout the year as nothing happened around here. So when she saw Jim Hopper walk out of the car, her heart beat even faster because not only was the police here, but the sheriff, nonetheless.

Running to catch up with him, Gracie was sure that she'd be met with a grumpy face, as Jim Hopper was known to be a less-than-enthusiastic human being.

Finally reaching him, Gracie knew she was right, a frown etching the man's face which only deepened when he saw who had stopped him.

"What do you want, kid?" he asked stoically, as if the conversation already bored him.

Gracie was unimpressed with his attitude but let it go for the sake of finding out if Will was actually missing. "I was just wondering... are you here for Will Byers?"

Freezing for a second, Jim stared at the girl, shocked that she knew. Quickly covering it up, he sighed, "It's none of your business—and shouldn't you be in school or something?"

Ignoring his irrelevant question, Gracie waved her hand in dismissal. "Is he missing?" she asked, his silence making her heart beat a million times faster.

"Look, kid. I've got work to do, so if you don't mind..." Without waiting for her to respond, Jim turned around and began walking into the school.

Gracie had gotten the insinuation clear as day that he wanted her to get lost, but she didn't care. Quickly catching up with him again, she forced him to stop. "Look, I don't know what you think happened, but he can't be missing."

"Kid, I'm not gonna repeat myself. Get lost—"

"I was with him last night!" Gracie continued, trying to convince herself that this all couldn't actually be happening. "I-I mean he was a couple of blocks from his house when we parted. I-I'm telling you if he's in a classroom right now dissecting a frog or some shit like that."

At hearing that she was there with Will when he had gone missing, Jim halted again. He thought back to what Joyce had told him earlier that morning about who was there and remembered her saying something about a babysitter. He had planned to go see her after meeting with the boys first.

"Wait, are you Gracie Williams?" he asked, finally interested in the conversation. " You were with Will last night... so what, you're their babysitter or something?"

Impatient and upset by how little information she had gotten about Will, Gracie rolled her eyes. "Well no shit sherlock, what you think I'm some creep who follows a bunch of middle schoolers at night for fun?"

Pinching his nose, Jim held back his retorts, muttering under his breath, "I hate teenagers."

"We'll get over it."

Looking at the girl in annoyance, Jim sighed before motioning for her to follow him. "Come with me."

------

That's how Gracie found herself in the middle school's principal's office alongside Lucas, Mike, and Dustin, the four boys talking over each other as Jim looked at them as if he wanted to stab his eyes out.

Gracie was still in a daze. It hadn't really occurred to her that Will was officially missing and that the police were after him. This was all her fault; she should've followed him home all the damn way. Mike's voice suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts, the boy in the middle of explaining last night's events to Hopper.

"It was me and him, actually—"

"My house is the first up—" Lucas cut off, all the boys antsy and in shock after finding out their best friend was missing.

Glaring at Lucas for cutting him off, Mike continued, "He takes Mirkwood home—"

Just then, Dustin added his two cents, continuing, "We were racing on a bet and—"

The boys all began talking at once again, their thoughts incoherent to the average ear.

Finally having enough, Jim cut them all off. "Okay, okay, okay. One at a time, all right?"

But none of them shut up, still talking over each other to try and get their point across. Gracie understood everyone's panic. After all, two police officers had just dragged them out of class to inform them that their friend was missing.

Despite being completely out of her mind as well, Gracie snapped her head towards the boys, demanding in a harsh tone, "Hey, shitheads, stop talking."

Just like that, all of them shut up, Jim hiding his surprise at how well the boys listened to their babysitter. Pointing at Mike, he asked, "You. You said he takes what?"

"Mirkwood," Mike quickly replied.

Cocking his head, Jim was confused. "Mirkwood?"

"Yeah."

Turning to his colleague, he asked, "Have you ever heard of Mirkwood?"

"I have not. That sounds made up to me," Callahan replied, shrugging.

Shaking his head, Lucas argued, "No, it's from The Lord of the Rings."

"Well, The Hobbit," Dustin corrected, as Lucas shot him a glare.

"Who cares?"

"He asked!" Dustin shot back, snapping his head towards his friend.

"He asked!" Lucas mocked in a high pitch voice, making Dustin stand out of his chair.

Pushing Dustin back down, Gracie glared at them, the two boys quickly quieting down. Turning back to Jim, she clarified, "Mirkwood, it's a real road. It's just the name that's made up. It's where Cornwallis and Kerley meet."

Nodding his head, Jim wrote it down on his notepad. "Yeah, all right, I think I know that."

"We can show you, if you want," Mike offered, only for Jim to look up harshly.

"I said that I know it!" he snapped, only for Gracie to step in once more.

"Geez, don't get so crabby. He's only trying to be helpful," Gracie said, standing up for Mike. That was another part of being the babysitter to a couple of proud nerds: not letting them take shit when it's not deserved. However, a lot of the time they did deserve it. They could be real shitheads sometimes.

Looking gratefully at the girl, Mike turned back to Jim, earnestly repeating, "We can help look."

"No," Jim said, shaking his head, only for the boys to start protesting.

"No," Jim repeated, this time even more harshly, "After school, you are all to go home. Immediately. That means no biking around looking for your friend, no investigating, no nonsense. This isn't some Lord of the Rings book."

"The Hobbit," Dustin corrected once more.

"Shut up!" Lucas said, Gracie just rolling her eyes, used to their antics.

Completely exasperated, Jim cut in. "Stop it! Do I make myself clear?" Turning to Gracie, he continued, "You make sure they don't do any stupid shit, clear?"

At this, Gracie found herself agreeing with the sheriff for once. She had let down Will Byers, and that killed her more than anybody knew. She'd be damned if it happened again.

"Crystal."

------

After school, Gracie dropped each of the boys off at home, following each one to make sure they all walked through their front door. The events of the day were so exhausting that she would've crashed on her bed if Nancy hadn’t called her to ask if she wanted to come over to study for their chem test together.

And while all Gracie wanted to do was sleep the terrible day away, she couldn’t find it in herself to be both a crappy babysitter and a crappy friend. That’s how Gracie found herself on Nancy’s bed, helping her go through flashcards.

"Sorry I called you late. I was going to go to Steve’s and study..."

"But then you thought about it longer and realized that if you studied with Steve, you wouldn't study at all?" Gracie sarcastically asked, earning a pillow to the face from her friend.

"No... well, yes, but no," Nancy corrected, earning a giggle from Gracie. "My parents are going completely ballistic about Will, and Steve obviously can’t come over here," Nancy said, rolling her eyes. "It’s all so annoying."

Snapping at her friend, Gracie had to bite back her annoyance at her friend mentioning Will’s situation so casually. "Well, I’m sorry his disappearance is so inconvenient."

Immediately seeing her mistake, Nancy winced, forgetting how close her friend was with the boy. "Gracie, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry, that—that was really selfish and insensitive."

Looking back at the girl, Gracie felt her anger fade away, replaced with overwhelming sadness. Sighing, she shook her head, hating that she snapped at her friend. "No, it’s fine—it's just—just that—"

Unable to hold it in any longer, Gracie silently began to shake. Nancy quickly hugged the girl from the side. "Gracie—"

Shaking her head, Gracie looked up at Nancy, heartbroken, with tears silently falling. "It’s all my fault. I’m the babysitter; I’m the one who’s supposed to keep them safe. It’s my damn job, and I completely failed!"

Now, Gracie couldn’t help but softly cry, finally letting all of the feelings she had been repressing out in the open. She had been holding in the entire idea that Will was gone since Joyce’s call, and when Hopper had given her the confirmation on the horrible truth, Gracie still held it in for the sake of the boys. But now, she just couldn’t do it anymore, seeking solace in her friend.

"Gracie, you can’t blame yourself," Nancy comforted as she rubbed the girl’s shoulder. "You couldn’t have known."

"But I had this feeling," Gracie said sniffling. "The second he biked off, I just knew something was off. But I was too caught up in getting everyone home on time, and I—I just let him go anyways."

Feeling her friend’s hot tears on her sweater, Nancy forced the girl to look up at her, repeating, "Gracie, I need you to understand. This is not your fault."

Shaking her head, Gracie tried to move her head to the side, only for Nancy to hold her shoulders tighter, repeating, "It’s not your fault. Say it."

Silent for a second, Gracie was still crying and refused to answer the girl.

"Say it."

Quietly, Gracie gave in to her friend’s adamant request, whispering, "It’s n-not my fault."

Nodding her head, Nancy engulfed the girl in a hug once more, holding her tightly. "It’s not your fault. And the best thing you can do is stay strong for not just the boys, but yourself too. But for now, you can just cry."

Clinging to Nancy, Gracie nodded as she cried into her friend. She knew Nancy was right; she had to be strong for the boys. She wouldn’t let them down, and she couldn’t help but hear Hopper’s words ring in her head:

"Don't let them do any stupid shit."

As crude as he put it, Gracie clung to those words as her mission from now on. Before, it was all fun and games, but not anymore. She wouldn’t let anything happen to them.

Gracie didn’t know how long she cried into Nancy’s arms, but soon she began to calm down. Slowly removing herself from Nancy’s tight embrace, she smiled. "Thanks, Nancy. I really needed that."

"Of course," Nancy replied softly. "What are friends for?"

Just as the girls readjusted to continue studying, a knock was heard on Nancy’s window. As both girls jolted up at the sound, they widened their eyes, wondering who the intruder could be.

Snapping her head to the window, Gracie rolled her eyes at who she saw. "Nancy, your puppy is here."

Ignoring her friend’s sassiness, Nancy stared at the window in shock, trying to wave the boy away. But Steve just knocked again, making Gracie scoff at the boy’s persistence. Who does he think he is to just show up unannounced?

If she were Nancy, she would have let the boy wait out in the cold but of course, she wasn’t Nancy, who gave in to the boy and quickly went over to open the window.

"What are you doing?" Nancy whispered loudly, clearly afraid that her parents would freak out seeing a boy in her room. "I told you I have to stay in tonight—"

"I know, so we'll study here—" Steve shrugged, obviously unfazed. "I don't want you failing tomorrow—"

Scoffing once more, Gracie whispered under her breath, "Because making out will help her get an A in chem."

Thankfully, she said it quietly enough that neither of them heard. Nancy was still trying to get rid of the boy even though she didn't want to. Turning back to her friend, Nancy knew that she would force Steve out of her house if Gracie needed a friend. Sighing, she shook her head. "Look, this really isn’t a good time."

But Steve hadn’t caught on, simply ignoring her and stepping into the room. Once in the room, Steve finally noticed Gracie’s presence. He didn’t know the girl too well, not even having talked with her yet. All he knew about her was from what Nancy had said, which was a lot, as Steve realized his girlfriend really only had two friends.

Sheepishly, Steve rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, sorry, I didn’t know you had company."

Deciding to finally tune in to the conversation, Gracie sighed. "It’s fine. I should probably get home anyway. My mom doesn’t really want me to stay out too late."

It wasn’t really a lie; her mom had asked her to come back early. It was just a minor request, but when the option came to go back to her comfy bed or watch her best friend and Steve make out, she chose to take her mother’s words very seriously.

Shaking her head, Nancy was adamant, not wanting to make her best friend leave after their conversation. "Gracie, you don’t have to—"

Standing up from the bed, Gracie shook her head at the girl, knowing that even though Nancy would kick Steve out in a heartbeat, she really didn’t want to.

"Nance, really, it’s fine." Gracie assured, a soft smile on her face. "I kind of want to get some rest anyway. It’s been a long day."

Seeing how tired the girl was, Nancy could see that Gracie really did just want to go home. Silent for a second, Nancy conceded, going to give the girl a final hug. "Okay. Just... just know I’m here for you, alright?"

Nodding her head, Gracie squeezed the girl before letting go quickly. "I know."

Looking down, Nancy realized her shirt was tear- and snot-stained from Gracie. The two girls began laughing at the big wet spot in the middle of her pink blouse.

"I’m going to go grab a clean shirt from the washer," Nancy announced to Steve before turning back to Gracie. "See you at school tomorrow."

"Yeah," Gracie nodded as Nancy walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Sighing, Gracie suddenly heard Steve awkwardly shuffling from the side of the room. It became all too clear to Gracie that she and Steve were alone for the first time ever, and it made her want to gag again.

As she moved back to the bed to pack her stuff, Steve watched the girl, noticing her tear-stained face but choosing not to say anything, as they were in no way close enough for him to ask her. It was odd for Steve to endure such awkward silence. Usually, girls flocked at the chance to talk with him, let alone when they were by themselves.

But it was clear to Steve that Gracie had no interest in beginning a conversation, something that irked Steve the wrong way.

Walking up to the girl, Steve awkwardly coughed, trying to get her attention.

Looking up from zipping her backpack, Gracie looked at the boy expectantly, internally rolling her eyes at the waiting look Steve was giving her as if he expected her to start talking when he was the one who approached her.

Waiting a beat, Gracie asked warily, "Need something, Harrington?"

A bit taken aback by her blunt tone, Steve quickly recovered, shrugging. "No, nothing. Just trying to be a good boyfriend and get to know my girlfriend’s best friend."

Gracie had had a long day and was in no mood to entertain Steve’s need to be the center of attention. "I think she’ll survive if we don’t become besties."

Taking in her response, Steve looked at the girl trying to read her blank expression. "Look, maybe I'm going crazy, but something tells me you don’t like me very much," Steve said, becoming a bit amused and annoyed by the girl’s unimpressed tone.

"What gave it away?" Gracie asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

Playing along, Steve faked ignorance to her sarcasm, shrugging. "Just a feeling. You know, most people might be glad to see that their friend has a boyfriend who climbs on roofs to see them."

Rolling her eyes, Gracie slow-clapped. "Oh, so you want a medal or something?"

Looking back at the door, Steve feigned innocence, smirking. "Isn’t that what Nancy went to grab for me?"

"You’re an asshat, you know that?" Gracie dryly said, earning a scoff from Steve. "And for the record, you climbing on a roof for Nancy was just inconsiderate. She already told you that you couldn’t come over. But no, Steve Harrington does what he wants whenever he wants."

"Is there a problem with that?" Steve asked, smirking.

Laughing dryly at his cockiness, Gracie was taken aback by just how much confidence he had. It was as if he knew he had the whole female race in the palm of his hand, and it pissed Gracie off even more. "You’re lucky Nancy went to open the window because I would’ve pushed you out of the damn thing."

"And kill me?" Steve mockingly asked, dramatically putting a hand on his heart as if Gracie had physically hurt him.

"Please," Gracie scoffed. "Your mountain of hair would’ve broken your fall. At most, you’d get slightly injured—hopefully just enough to damage your unbelievable ego."

At that, Steve’s mouth dropped open, shocked by what Gracie had said. Girls never talked to him with such disdain, and it pissed him off but also spurred something in him he couldn’t describe.

Looking at his dumbstruck face, Gracie sighed, completely exhausted. Grabbing her backpack, she slung it over her shoulder before passing the boy. Not even sparing him a glance, Gracie began walking toward the door, calling over her shoulder, "Goodbye Harrington."

Not even waiting to hear his response, Gracie walked out of Nancy’s room, making her way down the stairs. It was night, and Gracie figured that all the Wheelers were asleep, so she didn’t even bother trying to find Mrs. Wheeler or Mike to say goodbye to.

Walking out the door, Gracie was ready to get to her bed and sleep when she groaned at the exhausting sight before her.

"You’ve got to be shitting me."

Closing the front door, the sound made Mike, Dustin, and Lucas turn around from a bit farther down the walkway, all terrified to see their babysitter crossing her arms in front of them.

"Oh shit, we’re dead," Lucas mumbled, seeing Gracie quickly approach them angrily.

"I thought you said she’d be with Nancy all night!" Dustin whisper-yelled to Mike, who was also froze.

"That’s what I thought!" he whispered back, just when Gracie reached them, fury gleaming in her eyes.

"What the fuck are you guys doing this late at night?" she quietly said, not wanting to wake the neighbors but in a tone so harsh that the boys cowered a bit.

"We just want to help!" Mike exclaimed. "Will’s out there somewhere and—"

"Hold up." Gracie cut him off, still processing Mike’s words. "Are you telling me you’re all out here trying to find Will? Are you serious?" Gracie incredulously asked, her voice slowly increasing in volume.

"We have to try! We can’t just do nothing!" Dustin argued, with Lucas and Mike nodding their heads in honest agreement.

"Yes! Yes, you can!" Gracie shot back. "That’s exactly what you can do—nothing!"

"No, we can’t, Gracie," Lucas replied. "We need to do this... for Will."

Shaking her head, Gracie couldn’t believe the nerve of the boys in front of her. "Absolutely not. All of you, get on your bikes. I’m taking you all home. And if you don’t, I swear I’ll scream so loud it’ll wake this entire town, including your parents, who’ll kick the living shit out of you when they find out. That is if I don’t first."

"Gracie, please!" Dustin begged. "Don’t do this, we’ll be safe—"

"Dustin, I swear to God—"

"Look, if you make us get on our bikes to go home, we’re just gonna run off, even if you tell our parents," Dustin finalized. "So if you want to keep us safe, then your best shot is coming with us. So are you gonna help us or not?"

As Mike and Lucas looked in shock at Dustin’s bravery to stand up to Gracie, they all waited for her reaction, half thinking she’d follow up on her threat and scream her lungs out then beat their asses.

The party had never done anything like this behind Gracie's back. In fact, they had a fight earlier when Lucas insisted on including her in their plan to find Will. But they all eventually decided against it, knowing that Gracie would most likely send them back home. But of course, she had found them anyways and not that any of them would admit it, as they'd been adamant of not needing a babysitter all those years ago, but they would all feel a bit more relieved if she'd be there to protect them on their mission.

His confidence faltering under Gracie’s shocked and hard glare, Dustin rubbed the back of his neck, squeaking, "Please."

Stepping in front of Dustin Mike continued, "Look, we're sorry we didn't tell you but we knew you'd say no and we just had to do this." All three boys silently pleading for the older girl to give in and help them on their less than well thought out mission.

"Yeah please come with us Gracie. We need you." Lucas added on, all three boys silently pleading for the older girl to give in and help them on their less than well thought out mission.

Silent for another second, Gracie recognized the determined look on all the boys' faces. "You guys really are gonna do this with or without me, huh?" Gracie asked, sighing in disapproval but also acceptance.

Not even faltering for a second, the boys immediately nodded their heads unanimously, replying, "Yes."

Pinching her nose, Gracie closed her eyes, trying to come to terms with the entire situation.

"I don’t get paid enough for this shit."

------

Just as they made it into the woods, rain started pouring down on them. As if Gracie needed another sign to indicate that trying to find Will Byers in the rain in the middle of the night was a terrible idea. As they trudged through the woods, flashlights in hand, another crash of thunder roared, momentarily muffling the party’s cries for Will.

"Will? Will?" Mike called as he and the rest of the boys followed Gracie through the woods, their clothes completely soaked in rain by now.

"Byers?" Lucas yelled, directing his flashlight to the left.

"I’ve got your ‘X-Men!’ One-thirty-four!" Dustin tried to coax, earning nothing but silence.

Marching a bit longer, Dustin suddenly stopped, causing Gracie and the rest of the group to pause as well.

"Guys, I really think we should turn back," Dustin suggested, Gracie recognizing the fear in his voice.

Rolling his eyes, Lucas shook his head. "Seriously, Dustin, if you want to be a baby, just go home already."

"I’m just being realistic, Lucas—"

"No, you’re being a sissy—"

"Guys, cut it out," Gracie demanded, the last thing she wanted being yet another fight between the boys.

But Dustin just ignored her, continuing, "You ever think Will went missing because, you know, he ran into someone bad? And now we’re going to the place where he was last seen, and we don’t even have weapons or—"

Gracie wasn’t listening to Dustin’s rant anymore, hearing a slight rustling in front of them. Turning to Mike, he widened his eyes at the older girl, having heard the sound as well.

"Dustin, shut up—"

"I’m just sayin’, does that seem smart to you?"

"Shut up!"

This time, Gracie was the one who scorned Dustin, the boy quickly quieting at her serious tone. "You guys hear that?" Gracie whispered, the boys quickly tuning in their ears to their surroundings at her question.

Once again, there was a rustling from the front of them, this time catching everyone’s attention. Without thinking, Gracie pushed Mike, who had somehow gotten in front of her, behind her next to Lucas and Dustin.

Stepping protectively in front of the boys, Gracie swung her flashlight to the side as she saw a shadowed figure swoosh to the left of them.

With the dark night hiding anything that wasn’t illuminated by the flashlight, Gracie slowly turned her light, ten degrees first, then twenty, swinging her arm in a half circle before halting dead in her tracks. Her breath caught in her throat as she gasped at the bald wide-eyed girl her flashlight revealed.

Yup, there was no way in hell Gracie was getting a wink of sleep tonight.  

[rhondafromhr]

Another ‘Grace in the church of the starry children’ AU snippet!!

Part 1

Summary: In one timeline, Grace and her family are still highly devoted to their religion, but they worship entirely different Gods (or, rather, Lords) and have to be a little more hush-hush about it. Her old family friend, Uncle Wiley, brings her two special gifts for her eighteenth birthday: a cool, authentic vintage denim jacket from the eighties and her very own copy of the black book. She promises to use it sparingly until she’s older and she’s had more practice, but when Brenda, the pretty cheerleader at school with an obvious crush on her, confides in her that she’d do anything to get back her sister who disappeared, Grace decides to make an exception for her.

Brenda spends the rest of the lunch period totally not staring at Grace and wondering if she’s drawing strange, occult symbols or writing deep, sad poetry that shows a hidden sensitive side. At one point, Grace looks up and they lock eyes for a moment. Shit, busted! Brenda smiles and waves at her and Grace looks a little taken aback for a second before she reciprocates the smile in a way that’s so awkward it’s sort of charming and waves back, then once again buries her face in her notebook. She’s so high off her two victories today - talking to Grace and getting her to crack a smile - that she can barely hear the story Kyle’s telling.

“…and then my dad made me work, like, every day after school and all through summer to pay for the damage to that Ski-doo,” he says. Brenda blinks, realizing how hard she’s been spacing out.

“Oh, that’s, uh, great,” she says absently.

“Ha, yeah it was!” Max says “see, Brenda gets it.” Kyle glares at him, but can’t say anything back. He sulks quietly until the bell rings again and they all go their separate ways, occasionally shooting a longing glance Brenda’s way that goes unnoticed.

Grace spends her afternoon classes with her head in the clouds. She’s too preoccupied thinking about Uncle Wiley possibly coming by tonight and replaying those interactions with Brenda in her head to pay much attention. She’s never particularly cared about her grades and her parents never push the issue, so long as she isn’t flunking any classes (they’re always saying that they won’t matter in the long run and there are more important things at stake), but considering that almost nobody will talk to her unless forced, she often doesn’t have much to do other than her schoolwork. This has netted her a solid B average and generally, she doesn’t find it too difficult to maintain. She can perform pretty well on a test with minimal studying. Really, memorizing that information isn’t much different than memorizing spells and rituals. Occasionally, a teacher will chide her for spacing out or “forgetting” (not bothering with) her homework, but they leave her alone for the most part. Even the staff here are a little frightened of her.

At long last, she arrives at home and she’s ecstatic when she enters the living room and sees Uncle Wiley seated there with her parents, mugs of steaming hot tea in hand.

“Uncle Wiley!” she shouts, practically running over to him and throwing her arms around him.

“Well, hello there, Gracie,” he says with a grin that some judgmental people might characterize as sinister. Grace knows better, though. That’s just how he smiles. “Today’s the big day, huh? You’re all grown up.”

“That’s right,” she says proudly. She frowns when she pulls back and notices the cuts dotting his face, most notably a nasty gash right above his lips. She looks at his hands and sees that his finger’s been placed in a splint and on his forearm is the beginnings of what’s sure to become a really bad bruise.

“You’re hurt,” she says “you disinfected those cuts, right? You don’t want them to fester and turn into sepsis and slowly, painfully kill you! You should really cover them to keep them clean.”

He chuckles. “All good, Gracie. That meeting today was really more of a …sparring session, let’s say. You think I look bad, you should see the other guy!”

He and her parents all laugh at that, as if they’re sharing some sort of inside joke.

“But enough about me,” he continues “today’s all about the birthday girl, right? I have some gifts for you…souvenirs from today.”

Grace lights up. “Really?”

He hands her two bright green gift bags, each adorned with a curly, flowing ribbon of the same color that almost looks like tentacles. He instructs her to open the larger one first, because the smaller one is really special.

She does as he asks, reaching into the big bag and pulling out an oversized denim jacket. She runs her hands over it, marveling at the solid construction and how it doesn’t feel rough or scratchy at all. She’s very picky about her denim and this is practically custom made for her.

“Almost kept it for myself, but I thought you’d wear it better,” he says.

“Wow, thank you, Uncle Wiley,” she says, eagerly slipping on the jacket. She’s going to decorate it with so many pins and patches.

“Alright, now the second one,” he says “took some convincing for your folks to let me give you this one, but it’s like I always say, you have the potential to do great things. You need the right tools to harness it.”

She removes the tissue paper from the bag and reaches in, her eyes going wide when she feels the leather beneath her fingers. It seems to be some type of book. Can it be? There’s no way. When she slowly lifts the object out and sees the black cover and the familiar symbol, her wildest hopes and dreams are confirmed.

“Oh, wow,” she says in awe, drawing out the word “for real? My very own copy? Are you sure?”

“Well, you’re a young woman now. I’d say it’s about time. Besides, the original owner don’t have much of a use for it.” He and her parents laugh again.

“Thank you, Uncle Wiley,” she squeals, throwing her arms around him once more, a bit more gingerly than last time to avoid aggravating his injuries “thank you, thank you, thank you! This is the best birthday ever!”

“Just make sure to use it responsibly, dear,” Karen says “it’s a powerful thing.”

“Oh, mother, you worry too much,” says Mark “we weren’t much older when we did our first summonings and rituals. You remember those days?”

“Oh, we hardly did anything earth-shattering,” Karen says, swatting at him playfully.

“We sure tried,” Uncle Wiley adds.

Karen smiles. “Oh, the good old days,” she says “where does the time go? Anyways, all I’m saying is she should be careful and use it sparingly, just until she’s a little older and she’s had more practice.”

“Yes, yes, you’re right, my dear,” Mark concedes “promise to use it responsibly and not rely on it too much, at least until you’re more experienced with it, alright, Gracie?”

“I promise,” Grace says.

They sit down to dinner. Grace’s mother made her world famous lasagna, Grace’s all-time favorite. At Grace’s insistence, Uncle Wiley and her parents regale her with tales from the wild days of their youth. It’s so strange to hear about, almost like they’re talking about entirely different people, because her parents seem like such normal, boring adults now. It seems like they had so much fun in those days. They were an inseparable trio, them against the world. It sounds kind of nice, honestly. It’s not that Grace minds being alone. She likes quiet. She likes having alone time to think. Still, sometimes she thinks it would be nice to have somebody to share it with like they did. She wonders if she’ll find that someday. She thinks back to her conversation with Brenda today. She’s not sure why it popped into her head.

Eventually, Uncle Wiley has to head out. Grace hugs him goodbye, thanks him again for the gifts and emphatically reminds him to look after his cuts. She stays up way later than she should, curled up in bed with a flashlight, poring over each page, reading each spell over and over and over again and trying to absorb every bit of information she can. Eventually, exhaustion overtakes her, her eyelids grow too heavy to hold open and she falls asleep curled up with the book, the flashlight still shining. At some point, she stirs awake for a moment and feels somebody draping a blanket over her and carefully removing the flashlight from her hands. She blinks and murmurs before rolling over and going back to sleep, still clutching the book.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Daniel Marans at HuffPost:

Federal prosecutors indicted New York Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday, The New York Times and other media outlets reported, casting doubt on the moderate Democrat’s future as chief executive of the country’s largest city. The indictment is still sealed, so the nature of the charges is not yet known, according to the Times. Adams responded to the charges in a pre-recorded video that anticipated his possible indictment. “My fellow New Yorkers, it is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes,” Adams said. “If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies, but they would not be surprising.” “I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit,” he added. The FBI seized Adams’ phone at Gracie Mansion, his official residence, on Thursday morning ahead of the unsealing of his indictment later in the day.

The charges represent a remarkable turn of fortune for Adams, a former New York Police Department captain whose victorious public safety-focused campaign earned him national recognition as a sign of shifting current within his party. Adams, the city’s second Black mayor, went so far as to describe himself as the “future of the Democratic Party.” He can now claim a different sort of distinction: the first New York City mayor to be indicted. As both a candidate and an elected official, Adams is perhaps best known as a larger-than-life cheerleader for the Big Apple ― a nightlife aficionado who took to using Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” as his intro music at public appearances.

But Adams’ roots in Brooklyn’s party patronage system and facility with transactional, interest-group politicking ― the kind that often has a seedy underside — played as much a role in his election as his trademark “swagger.” He took with him to City Hall his old machine-style habits, testing the bounds of ethics laws, hiring friends with shady pasts and allegedly presiding over a culture of roguish behavior.

NYC mayor Eric Adams (D) faces indictments on federal charges, and he could be in really deep doo-doo.

See Also:

The Guardian: Eric Adams, New York City mayor, reportedly indicted after corruption inquiry