#Heather Ridge

[crackers4jenn]

PNW faves

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

* * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

December 28, 2023

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

DEC 28, 2023

On the clear, cold morning of December 29, 1890, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, three U.S. soldiers tried to wrench a valuable Winchester away from a young Lakota man. He refused to give up his hunting weapon. It was the only thing standing between his family and starvation, and he had no faith it would be returned to him as the officer promised: he had watched as soldiers had marked other confiscated valuable weapons for themselves. 

As the men struggled, the gun fired into the sky.

Before the echoes died, troops fired a volley that brought down half of the Lakota men and boys the soldiers had captured the night before, as well as a number of soldiers surrounding the Lakotas. The uninjured Lakota men attacked the soldiers with knives, guns they snatched from wounded soldiers, and their fists.

As the men fought hand to hand, the Lakota women who had been hitching their horses to wagons for the day’s travel tried to flee along the nearby road or up a dry ravine behind the camp. Stationed on a slight rise above the camp, soldiers turned rapid-fire mountain guns on them. Then, over the next two hours, troops on horseback hunted down and slaughtered all the Lakotas they could find: about 250 men, women, and children.

A dozen years ago, I wrote a book about the Wounded Knee Massacre, and what I learned still keeps me up at night. But it is not December 29 that haunts me. 

What haunts me is the night of December 28.

On December 28 there was still time to avert the massacre.

In the early afternoon, the Lakota leader Sitanka had urged his people to surrender to the soldiers looking for them. Sitanka was desperately ill with pneumonia, and the people in his band were hungry, underdressed, and exhausted. They were making their way south across South Dakota from their own reservation in the northern part of the state to the Pine Ridge Reservation. There they planned to take shelter with another famous Lakota chief, Red Cloud. His people had done as Sitanka asked, and the soldiers escorted the Lakotas to a camp on South Dakota's Wounded Knee Creek, inside the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

For the soldiers, the surrender of Sitanka's band marked the end of what they called the Ghost Dance Uprising. It had been a tense month. Troops had pushed into the South Dakota reservations in November, prompting a band of terrified men who had embraced the Ghost Dance religion to gather their wives and children and ride out to the Badlands. But at long last, army officers and negotiators had convinced those Ghost Dancers to go back to Pine Ridge and turn themselves in to authorities before winter hit in earnest.

Sitanka’s people were not part of the Badlands group and, for the most part, were not Ghost Dancers. They had fled from their own northern reservation two weeks before when they learned that officers had murdered the great leader Sitting Bull in his own home. Army officers were anxious to find and corral Sitanka’s missing Lakotas before they carried the news that Sitting Bull had been killed to those who had taken refuge in the Badlands. Army leaders were certain the information would spook the Ghost Dancers and send them flying back to the Badlands. They were determined to make sure the two bands did not meet.

But South Dakota is a big state, and it was not until late in the afternoon of December 28 that the soldiers finally made contact with Sitanka's band. The encounter didn’t go quite as the officers planned: a group of soldiers were watering their horses in a stream when some of the traveling Lakotas surprised them. The Lakotas let the soldiers go, and the men promptly reported to their officers, who marched on the Lakotas as if they were going to war. Sitanka, who had always gotten along well with army officers, assured the commander that the band was on its way to Pine Ridge and asked his men to surrender unconditionally. They did.

By this time, Sitanka was so ill he couldn't sit up and his nose was dripping blood. Soldiers lifted him into an army ambulance—an old wagon—for the trip to the Wounded Knee camp. His ragtag band followed behind. Once there, the soldiers gave the Lakotas an evening ration and lent army tents to those who wanted them. Then the soldiers settled into guarding the camp.

And the soldiers celebrated, for they saw themselves as heroes of a great war, and it had been bloodless, and now, with the Lakotas’ surrender, they would be demobilized back to their home bases before the South Dakota winter closed in. As they celebrated, more and more troops poured in. It had been a long hunt across South Dakota for Sitanka and his band, and officers were determined the group would not escape them again. 

In came the Seventh Cavalry, whose men had not forgotten that their former leader George Armstrong Custer had been killed by a band of Lakota in 1876. In came three mountain guns, which the soldiers trained on the Indian encampment from a slight rise above the camp.

For their part, the Lakotas were frightened. If their surrender was welcome and they were going to go with the soldiers to Red Cloud at Pine Ridge, as they had planned all along, why were there so many soldiers, with so many guns?

On this day and hour in 1890, in the cold and dark of a South Dakota December night, there were soldiers drinking, singing, and visiting with each other, and anxious Lakotas either talking to each other in low voices or trying to sleep. No one knew what the next day would bring, but no one expected what was going to happen.

One of the curses of history is that we cannot go back and change the course leading to disasters, no matter how much we might wish to. The past has its own terrible inevitability.

But it is never too late to change the future.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[hepdenerose]

Ghosts of Eaves (Eaves Wood)

Thinking it would be quicker, we reverted to the tried and tested route for the usual Eaves Wood forage. But the going was slow, mainly due to strong winds. Climbing the ridge, clouds scudded and catkins prematurely came unstuck from swaying branches. I swayed almost as much while Phil tried out the video function on his new camera. We slogged up past Hell Hole Rocks and stood briefly at ‘photo…

[pixelnrd]

After a long time abroad, Heather eventually made her way back to the Americas. But she still wasn't ready to return home, so instead she landed in Chestnut Ridge, deep down south, ready for a new experience.

In Chestnut Ridge Heather took up work on a horse ranch, where her room and board were covered by her labour helping to take care of the horses.

Heather had no experience with horses, having grown up in the suburbs. At first she was apprehensive, but in time she warmed up to them and enjoyed their peaceful company. Eventually she even learnt to ride - though she was never too keen on going fast.

When not working on the ranch Heather would get down into town to the local bars where fellow ranch hands and locals would while their evenings away drinking and dancing. Heather soon became known to everyone in town, and she loved getting to know all the local residents and their stories - even going so far as to learn how to cowpoke dance.

Heather hadn't thought much of cuisine in Chestnut Ridge, until she met Aponi, a serene girl who introduced Heather to Indigenous meals such as Three Sisters Chilli. She was constantly amazed by the new things she ate and made mental notes of how it was all created. Heather found herself very attracted to Aponi and the two became quite close during her time in Chestnut Ridge, bonded by a shared love of food.

[piosplayhouse]

Heathers Meant to be Yours jinlan city arc + Dead Girl Walking (Reprise) maigu ridge arc double whammy

[cryptidclaw]

Cryptidclaw's WC Prefixes List!

Yall said you were interested in seeing it so here it is! 

This is a collection of mostly Flora, Fauna, Rocks, and other such things that can be found in Britain since that’s where the books take place! 

I also have other Prefixes that have to do with pelt colors and patterns as well!

Here’s a link to the doc if you dont want to expand a 650 word list on your Tumblr feed lol! the doc is also in my drive linked in my pined post!

below is the actual list! If there are any names you think I should add plz tell me!

EDIT: I will update the doc with new names as I come up with them or have them suggested to me, but I wont update the list on this post! Plz visit my doc for a more updated version!

Animals

Mammal

Badger

Bat

Bear

Beaver

Bison

Boar

Buck

Calf

Cow

Deer

Elk

Fawn

Ferret

Fox

Goat

Hare

Horse

Lamb

Lynx

Marten

Mole

Mouse

Otter

Rabbit

Rat

Seal

Sheep

Shrew

Squirrel

Stoat

Vole

Weasel

Wolf

Wolverine

Amphibians

Frog

Newt

Toad

Reptiles

Scale

Adder

Lizard

Snake

Turtle

Shell

Birds

Bird

Down

Feather

Albatross

Bittern

Buzzard

Chaffinch

Chick

Chicken

Coot

Cormorant

Corvid

Crane

Crow

Curlew

Dove

Duck

Dunlin

Eagle

Egret

Falcon

Finch

Gannet

Goose

Grouse

Gull

Hawk

Hen

Heron

Ibis

Jackdaw

Jay

Kestrel

Kite

Lark

Magpie

Mallard

Merlin

Mockingbird

Murrelet

Nightingale

Osprey

Owl

Partridge

Pelican

Peregrine

Petrel

Pheasant

Pigeon

Plover

Puffin

Quail

Raven

Robin

Rook

Rooster

Ruff

Shrike

Snipe

Sparrow

Starling

Stork

Swallow

Swan

Swift

Tern

Thrasher

Thrush

Vulture

Warbler

Whimbrel

Wren

Freshwater Fish 

Fish

Bass

Bream 

Carp

Dace

Eel

Lamprey

Loach

Minnow

Perch

Pike

Rudd

Salmon

Sterlet

Tench

Trout

Roach

Saltwater fish and other Sea creatures (would cats be able to find some of these? Probably not, I don't care tho)

Alge

Barnacle

Bass (Saltwater version)

Bream (Saltwater version)

Brill

Clam

Cod

Crab

Dolphin

Eel (Saltwater version)

Flounder

Garfish

Halibut

Kelp

Lobster

Mackerel

Mollusk

Orca

Prawn

Ray

Seal

Shark

Shrimp

Starfish

Sting

Urchin

Whale

Insects and Arachnids

Honey

Insect

Web

Ant

Bee

Beetle

Bug

Butterfly

Caterpillar

Cricket

Damselfly

Dragonfly

Fly

Grasshopper

Grub

Hornet

Maggot

Moth

Spider

Wasp

Worm

Trees

Acorn

Bark

Branch

Forest

Hollow

Log

Root

Stump

Timber

Tree

Twig

Wood

Alder

Apple

Ash

Aspen

Beech

Birch

Cedar

Cherry

Chestnut

Cypress

Elm

Fir

Hawthorn

Hazel

Hemlock

Linden

Maple

Oak

Pear

Poplar

Rowan

Redwood

Spruce

Willow

Yew

Flowers, Shrubs and Other plants

Berry

Blossom

Briar

Field

Flower

Leaf

Meadow

Needle

Petal

Shrub

Stem

Thicket

Thorn

Vine

Anemone 

Apricot

Barley 

Bellflower

Bluebell

Borage

Bracken

Bramble

Briar

Burnet

Buttercup

Campion

Chamomile

Chanterelle

Chicory

Clover

Cornflower

Daffodil

Daisy

Dandelion

Dogwood

Fallow

Fennel

Fern

Flax

Foxglove

Furze

Garlic

Ginger

Gorse

Grass

Hay

Heather

Holly

Honeysuckle

Hop

Hyacinth

Iris

Ivy

Juniper

Lavender

Lichen

Lilac

Lilly

Mallow

Marigold

Mint

Mistletoe

Moss

Moss

Mushroom

Nettle

Nightshade

Oat

Olive

Orchid

Parsley

Periwinkle

Pine

Poppy

Primrose

Privet

Raspberry

Reed

Reedmace

Rose

Rush

Rye

Saffron

Sage

Sedge

Seed

Snowdrop

Spindle

Strawberry

Tangerine

Tansy

Teasel

Thistle

Thrift

Thyme

Violet

Weed

Wheat

Woodruff

Yarrow

Rocks and earth

Agate

Amber

Amethyst

Arch

Basalt

Bounder

Cave

Chalk

Coal

Copper

Dirt

Dust

Flint

Garnet

Gold

Granite

Hill

Iron

Jagged

Jet

Mountain

Mud

Peak

Pebble

Pinnacle

Pit

Quartz

Ridge

Rock

Rubble

Ruby

Rust(y)

Sand

Sapphire

Sediment

Silt

Silver

Slate

Soil

Spire

Stone

Trench

Zircon

Water Formations

Bay

Cove

Creek

Delta

Lake

Marsh

Ocean

Pool

Puddle

River

Sea

Water

Weather and such

Autumn

Avalanche

Balmy

Blaze

Blizzard

Breeze

Burnt

Chill

Cinder

Cloud

Cold

Dew

Drift

Drizzle

Drought

Dry

Ember

Fall

Fire

Flame

Flood

Fog

Freeze

Frost

Frozen

Gale

Gust

Hail

Ice

Icicle

Lightening

Mist

Muggy

Rain 

Scorch

Singe

Sky

Sleet

Sloe

Smoke

Snow

Snowflake

Soot

Sorrel

Spark

Spring

Steam

Storm

Summer

Sun

Thunder

Water

Wave

Wet

Wind

Winter

Celestial??

Comet

Dawn

Dusk

Evening 

Midnight

Moon

Morning

Night

Noon

Twilight

Cat Features, Traits, and Misc. 

Azure

Beige

Big

Black

Blonde

Blotch(ed)

Blue

Bounce

Bright 

Brindle

Broken

Bronze

Brown

Bumble

Burgundy

Call

Carmine

Claw

Cobalt

Cream

Crimson

Cry

Curl(y)

Dapple

Dark

Dot(ted)

Dusky

Ebony

Echo

Fallen

Fleck(ed)

Fluffy

Freckle

Ginger

Golden

Gray

Green

Heavy

Kink

Knot(ted)

Light

Little

Lost

Loud

Marbled

Mew

Milk

Mottle

Mumble

Ochre

Odd

One

Orange

Pale

Patch(ed)

Pounce 

Prickle

Ragged

Red

Ripple

Rough

Rugged

Russet

Scarlet

Shade

Shaggy

Sharp

Shimmer

Shining

Small

Smudge

Soft

Song

Speckle

Spike

Splash

Spot(ted)

Streak

Stripe(d)

Strong

Stump(y)

Sweet

Tall

Talon

Tangle

Tatter(ed)

Tawny

Tiny

Tough

Tumble

Twist

Violet

Whisker

Whisper

White

Wild

Wooly

Yellow

[queersrus]

request for cottagecore + sad-ish? id pack? please + thanks!

here's my attempt!

assuming id pack includes more than just the usual npts i'll throw in a few cottagecore and sad related labels i found

(nick)names:

ambrose, amos, ansel, acacia, ada, adelaide, arwin/arwen, ava, avery/averie, aviva, amaranth, able, arbor, art, arty/artie, asher, ainsley, acheron, adalia brandy/brandi, branwen, billie/billy, bryony, bill, banner, booker, bram

barley, brion, brian, bryce chloris, chandra, cyrene, cayenne, cade, clyde, chester, cliff denna, diana/dianna, diona, donna/dona, derby, dallas, danica, daphne, dixie, dawn, dylan

edmund, elenore, elodie, eudora, elenore/eleanor, ebony, erica, eila, eira, eve, eithne, everlee, elize, eliza, elizabeth, everlyn, elwood, emerson, elowen finnegan, freddy/freddie, frederick, fallin/fallon, florance/florence

fable, frank, frankie/franky, franklin/franklyn, faine, filbert, finneas ginny/ginnie, gale, georgia, george, georgina, granger halcyone, hana/hanna/hannah, harriet, harry, hayley/hailie/hailey, halie/hallie, heather, harlowe/harlow, harrow, hadar, hawl, hayes,

huck, holden, huso ilana, illiana/iliana, ingrid, ivory jane, janet/janette, jesse/jessie, josie, jose, jack, jackie, jackson kingston, kodi/kodie, kodiak, kylan

lupin, lian, liana/lianna, liane/lianne, linc, linden, lyle, lucius maisie, matilda, maude, mabel, merle, marin, mica/mika, mason/macon, martin, miller, miles nellie, nyssa, ned, nick, ness

opholia, oliver, olive, olivia, oleander, odell, oriel, oscar paisley, poppy, posie, phineas, parker rose, rosemary/rosemarie, rosy/rosie, rory, rosette, rosetta, rue, rosabel/rosabell/rosabelle, rosa, rosabela/rosabella, rosella, rosaria,

rosario, rob, robert, ray, reed, ridge, ryland, rowan, roan shiloh, sharon, scarlet/scarlett/skarlett, sam, samantha, samuel, sunny/sunnie, sawyer, shaw, shay, steve, stevie, stevia, sorell/sorrell, seb, sebby/sebbie, sebastian, saddie/sadie, sade

theodore, theo, tori, toria, tamie/tammie, tawny, terra, timber, tim, timothy, tanner, teddy/teddie, trevis/travis, trevor, tyler, tristan/tristin, tristah/trista, trystia verginia, vicky/vickie, victor, victoria, viola, violet/violette,

violeta/violetta, valerian, vernon winnie, willa, winston, winifred, winslow, will, william, willow, wade, wagner, warren, watts, watson, wilhelmina yvonne, yves zephyr/zephyre, zara, zinnia, zion

surnames:

appleyard, ashton, ashwood baker, brookstone, butterfield catkin, cobbler, cooper, copper, copperwood, copperfield, crestfallen dogwood, direwood, direbrook, direfield, desperfield, downyard

doleman fenlon, falkner, forlorn greenwood, greenfield, golding, goldwood, goldfield, griefman, griefwood, gardner

hilbrook, holbrook, heath, horsewood, horsefield, hawksley, harrowing, hawkswood, hawthorne, hawkner, hawkfield, holloway, hallowood

larken, limewood, lockhart, lovejoy mourner, mournwright, mournman nettleship

plowman, penrose, penwright redbrook, rosedale, redwood, rosewood, redfield summerfield, sweetnam, seawright, sorrowfield, sorrowbrook, shamewood, shamewright

thacker, thatcher westfield, wainwright, write/wright, wagonwright, woodsman, wyrmwood/wormwood, winterwood, winterrose, wretchwood, wretchman

system names:

the cottagecore *system, the sorrowful system, the melancholic cottage system, the mourning flowerbed system, the gloomy garden system, the tearful system, the harvest system

1st p prns: i/me/my/mine/myself

ci/cotte/cottagy/cottagine/cottageself hi/he/hy/harvestine/harvestself gi/garde/gardy/gardine/gardenself si/sade/sady/sadine/sadself si/sorre/sorry/sorrowine/sorrowself mi/me/mely/melancholine/melancholyself

2nd p prns: you/your/yours/yourself

co/cottager/cottagers/cottagerself ho/harvester/harvesters/harvesterself go/gardener/gardeners/gardenerself so/sader/sadders/sadderself so/sorrower/sorrowers/sorrowerself mo/melancholer/melancholers/melancholerself

3rd p prns: they/them/theirs/themself

co/cottage, cott/age, cot/cottage, cot/tage, cottage/cottages, cottage/core har/vest, ha/harvest, harv/est, harvest/harvests gar/den, gar/garden, garden/gardens, garden/core farm/core sa/sad, sad/sads, sa/ad, sad/sadden, so/sorrow, sor/row, sorr/ow, sorrow/sorrows, sorrow/sorrowful mel/melancholy, mel/ancholy, melan/choly, melancholy/melancholies, melancholy/melchancholic

titles:

the weeping gardener, the mourning farmer, the sad cottage dweller, the melancholic planter, the sorrowful woodsman

**one who lives a sad cottage life, one who mourns within ones cottage, one who weeps amongst ones gardens, one who copes with sadness through cottage life

book titles:

the sad little cottage, a melancholic villager, the weeping willows, the mourning garden, the sorrows of an old cottage, a pitiful harvest

genders:

buncottagecoric(link),

cottagegoric(link), cafdreamian(link), cottagecrittean(link), cottagecoric(link), Cálidatierramielgender(link)

epuisetristic(link)

gendersob(link)

Sadnostacatgender(link)

orientations: (n/a)

other:

cottagecore bpd(link)

many can be found by searching cottagecore genders/mogai/liom as well, there are many versions of cottagecore flags especially for lgbt related labels so they should not be hard to find if you feel like looking!

*system can be replaced with any alternative (ex. cluster, collective, hoard/horde, etc)

**one can be replaced with any prn

[nthtotaldramasideblog]

Naming Total Drama Characters like Ace Attorney Characters

Gen 1

Noah Tall

Like “know it all”. And also ironic cuz he’s short.

Courtney Law

“Court ‘n�� Law” also she it’s very on theme for her.

Owen Monie

“Owing Money” His family gets into debt.

Duncan Fighter

“Drunken Fighter”. It’s criminal behaviour, he is very aggressive. Also maybe he can have a relative called ‘Crim E. Fighter’ lol.

Gwen Blackbrush

Less overtly punny and more just referencing her artsy, goth, nature.

Heather C. Vulgaris

(Hear me out I’m proud of this one) The Heather flower’s scientific name is Calluna vulgaris. Vulgaris sounds also sounds similar to “vulgar” and while she doesn’t say anything explicit she is generally rude and you could argue her fashion choices are “vulgar”.

Sierra Pendant

She wears a necklace, but mostly because she wants to marry Cody so he can become “Cody Pendant” (Co-dependent).

Justin Credible

His looks are “just incredible”. I’ll admit I got this from a website which is a shame cuz it seems obvious

Ezekiel/Zeke N. Yeshallfind

“Seek & you shall find”. I also got this off a website.

Gen 2

Beverly “B” Ridge

B can be “Bridge” or Bev can be “Beverage”.

The only one for Gen 2 I’m really happy about now. Though I think Mike should have a normal sounding name but his initial spell “MPD”.

Gen 3

Ella Cinder

Like Cinderella

Scarlett Banner

Synonyms for “Red Flag”. Felt fitting.

Max’s cover name is Max Power. His Birth Name is Max Scout Monie

Max Power is obvious. The 2nd name is “Maxed out money”. Also works if we still consider Max to be Owen’s cousin.

Gen 4

Bowie Knife

Like the real life Bowie knife of course I had to do it.

Raj Anand

Anand is Sanskrit meaning happiness/bliss referencing his cheerful attitude, and it also sounds like ‘and’, like Raj and Wayne -> Raj Anand, Wayne)

Wayne Winters

Just for the ice hockey theme.

Happy to hear thoughts and suggestions.

[mrprettywhenhecries]

separate ways [b.h]

two. | heartbreaker

Billy Hargrove ✘ Win Lewis (OC)

⇾ w.c. 5.5k words ⇾ warning(s). canon x oc pairing, f!oc, angst, jealousy, masturbation, oral (m!receiving), billy flirts with mrs. wheeler, use of fatphobic language, horror elements ⇾ a/n: And here we are, on the cusp of the events of season three!

[ masterlist ] [ win lewis bio]

February 1985

“Oh fuuuck– fuck, Win–”

The words slipped through his clenched teeth with a groan as his palm slid over the ridge of his swollen head, each frantic pump of his fist bringing him closer to release.

The nudie magazine he’d tried to get off to was tossed aside atop his rumbled bedding, switched out for one of the polaroids of Win stretched out atop the very same bed, stormy eyes lidded with desire as she gazed up at him, her perfect perky tits on display just for him.

Just the thought of that memory was nearly enough to send Billy over the edge.

Billy, I need you!  Please!  

“Shit–” he hissed, his breath catching as his hips gave an involuntary jerk, his cock swelling in his hand seconds before he came, white ropes spurting against his stomach and over his hand.

It was the thought of Win’s breathy voice in his ear that had tipped the scales, and Billy grimaced as he gave his twitching length a few more languid strokes before going limp.  Letting out a long breath, he snatched some tissues from his nightstand to clean himself with before letting his eyes flutter shut.

A wave of regret washed over him like a sudden riptide and Billy hated the choked sob that slipped out, more following it like a dam bursting inside his chest.

Curling around himself, he felt hot tears dampen the pillow beneath his face, but once he began to cry, he couldn’t stop, no matter how many times he called himself a pussy for sobbing over a girl.

But she wasn’t just any girl and he knew that.

And that’s why it hurt.  Like a knife twisting in his chest.

But after Heather’s New Year’s party, Billy had vowed no one would see him like this again–no one would see how much he hurt.

—

Early March 1985

School had pretty much gone back to normal, and despite his falling out with Tommy, Billy found he was never short of fans–girls wanting to get with him, and guys wanting to be seen with him–and though it make him feel emptier than ever, at least he didn’t look like a friendless loser.

Besides, if Billy had it his way, as soon as he was done with school and had enough cash, he was putting Hawkins in his rearview mirror.

At least, that’s what he told himself.  Even if it didn’t quite feel right either.  Even if it felt like there was something missing.

Cranking the heat up, Billy glared out the Camaro’s windshield as he waited for Max.  She stomped through the snow toward him with her hands shoved into the pockets of her teal and red puffer coat, and when she finally yanked open the back passenger door, a sharp gust of wind blew into the car.

“A new girl again today?” she grumbled glancing at the blonde in the front seat next to Billy.

Sure enough, she was different from the one he’d driven home just the day before.

“Took you long enough,” Billy growled instead, ignoring Max’s thinly veiled jab.

The girl in the front seat–Hannah, or Anna, Billy couldn’t remember honestly–leaned around the seat to try to introduce herself to Max, but the redhead merely rolled her eyes.

“No offense, but you’re not gunna be around long enough for me to bother,” she said flatly, and Billy knew she was right.

He’d originally planned on dropping Max off first and heading out to Lover’s Lake to fool around for a bit, but the realization that this girl, like all the others, was merely a skeleton key filling the void meant for someone else put him off and he changed his mind, turning down the street toward her house instead.  When he parked without a word in her driveway, Hannah, or Anna gaped at him for a moment before angrily grabbing her bag and getting out.

As soon as he was alone with Max, she climbed into the vacated front seat to stare sullenly out the window.  “I miss Win,” she muttered under her breath and Billy’s expression darkened, his gaze flicking to her as his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“Yeah?  Well, whose fault is it she’s gone?” he asked, a dangerous edge to his low voice.

Max’s head swiveled toward him, her mouth falling open incredulously.  “You’re joking, right?” she scoffed, her blue eyes narrowing.

“If you hadn’t snuck out that night, we wouldn’t have had to go looking for you, and none of it would have happened!” Billy growled, seething as the emotions hit him afresh–like an old wound that had never fully healed.

Max snorted, sharp and derisive.  “No, if you hadn’t attacked Lucas and Steve, then she’d still be here.  She left because of you!”

Billy’s eyes flashed wildly, his rage surging to the surface.

“Listen here, you little shit–!” he snapped, ready to lash out, to grab her coat and shake, when it hit him, and he froze, his hand tightening on the steering wheel instead.

What would she think if she were here?  If she saw this?

The rest of his words died on his tongue and he shot Max one more tense glare before returning his eyes to the road, feeling her surprised gaze on him as he turned away.

“It wasn’t my fault,” he muttered stubbornly, despite starting to wonder, if maybe it was.

—

April 1985

Billy tapped his fingers against the steering wheel in time to the music blaring through his speakers as he tore down the road, barely noticing his date in the seat next to him.

“Where’re we going?  I thought the turn off to the lake was back there,” she said suddenly, tugging at Billy’s sleeve and he glanced over.

“I gotta top off the tank first,” he replied, turning instead into the drive of the nearest gas station and pulling up in front of the pump.

“Ohh,” the girl exclaimed and Billy wasted no time in getting out and opening his gas cap and grabbing the nozzle.

As it began to pump, he leaned back against the side of the Camaro, letting his gaze travel aimlessly.  Movement inside the convenience store window caught his attention and he froze when he realized the girl working behind the counter was none other than Win.

When had she started working there? He wondered, giving a jolt as the pump kicked off.

Shaking himself, Billy slipped his confident mask back in place and closed up the gas cap.

“I’m gunna go pay, you want anything?” he asked, leaning into the window.

“Uhm, maybe a soda,” his date replied, though she sounded unsure and Billy fought the urge to roll his eyes.

Pushing away from the car, he sauntered into the building, squinting slightly against the harsh fluorescence as the door chimed and swung shut behind him.  He didn’t glance at the counter as he strode to the back toward the row of coolers, playing it cool, as if he hadn’t noticed her on the way in.

Grabbing a couple cans of Coke, he ambled back to the cash register, setting the pop down and leaning against the edge of the counter.

“When’d you start working here?” he asked, tossing a pack of gum next to the cans.

Win’s eyes flicked from Billy to the counter before they went toward the window to peer at the Camaro, no doubt noticing the passenger.  However, if she felt any way about it, she didn’t show it, her mouth staying in a straight line.

“Week ago,” she said curtly, punching in the amount he owed for gas.  “That all?” she asked, eyes flicking back to him.

Billy’s tongue ran across the seam of his lips before he let out a sigh.  “Pack of Marlboro Reds,” he answered and Win nodded, reaching above her to snatch a packet from behind the counter.

“Taking her out to the lake?” she asked, almost hesitantly, and Billy froze as he was counting out his money, her sudden inquiry taking him by surprise.  

Before he could answer, the door chimed and Win’s gaze swung past him, but she didn’t greet whoever had entered.  Glancing behind him, Billy groaned softly when he noticed it was his date.

“What’s taking so long, Billy?” she whined, sidling up next to him at the counter, her pout disappearing as she noticed the drinks and she reached across him to grab the closet can and crack it open, bringing it to her lips with a flirty moan.

“You haven’t paid for that!” Win snapped and the girl frowned.

“He was just about to, what’s your damage?”

Win didn’t reply, merely snatching the money from Billy’s hand and punching the buttons on the cash register with a scowl on her face.  “So I take it that’s a yes?” she muttered, her focus on counting out his change.

“What’s it matter to you?” Billy huffed, an edge creeping into his voice.

She was the one who’d broken up with him, was already fucking some other guy and now had the gall to be jealous he was on a date?

“Thought you were foolin’ around with Munson now,” he muttered sullenly.

Win’s eyes hardened and she clutched his change as if holding it hostage.  “I told you it wasn’t like that,” she argued and Billy scoffed, rolling his eyes.  

“Like I believe that.”

“I’m not sleeping with Eddie, you ass!” Win cried, practically throwing his money at him, hurt flickering in her eyes, and Billy felt like he’d been kicked in the stomach, knowing she was telling the truth.

“Billy, c’mon–!” his date whined, tugging impatiently at his arm, tired of waiting, but he was rooted in place, his mouth opening silently, unable to formulate the words he wanted to say.

I’m sorry, I didn’t know.

I only want you.

But the moment was over and Win raised her eyebrows at him expectantly.  “What’re you waiting for?” she spat and Billy’s mouth snapped shut, his jaw clenching.

“Let’s get out of here,” he muttered, giving Win one last unreadable look before letting his date pull him toward the door.

“What was that about?” she asked as they climbed back in the Camaro.  “It seemed like you knew her.”

“Forget about it,” he huffed, not in the mood to explain it to her, peeling out of the gas station with his gaze in the rearview mirror, as if he’d catch one last sight of her.

There was only one other car parked near the edge of the lake when they arrived and Billy kept his distance, parking as far away as he could for privacy.  A Blondie song started playing on the radio and he quickly changed the station, not needing another reminder of Win in that moment.  He very nearly changed his mind, suggesting they go do something else until his date reached across the console, her palm cupping his bulge and he groaned – it had been too long since he’d felt a touch other than his own, and his cock stirred eagerly.

His date wet her lips as she worked to free his throbbing length.  “I wondered just how big you are,” she purred and Billy groaned louder when her hand wrapped around his base.  “Oh fuck, you’re so sexy, Billy,” she exclaimed, but he was tired of her voice and he could think of better things her mouth could be doing.

Placing his hand on the back of her head, he forced her face down, hissing as her lips wrapped around him and her warm tongue curled around his length.  When she began to move, swallowing more of him into her warm mouth, Billy’s mind when blank, and soon he was bucking up into her as he held her in place, gagging on his dick.

“Fuck,” he growled, growing close, his cock swelling as he hit the back of her throat.  “Oh fuck, Win–” he moaned as he came, filling the girl’s mouth suddenly.  For a moment he didn’t realize his slip up, his head still hazy.

“What did you call me?” his date asked, leaning out the open window to spit.  “Did you just call me some other girl’s name?” she demanded and Billy cringed, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.

“Shit…” he hissed under his breath, not even bothering to deny it.  He couldn’t even remember her actual name. Heaving a weary sigh, he reached for his fresh pack of cigarettes, already past caring.

“It was her, wasn’t it?” the girl exclaimed, gaping at him.  “The girl from the gas station.”

Billy ignored her, lighting the cigarette perched between his lips and flicking his lighter shut with a snap.

“You’re a pig!” she spat, bristling with anger.

Billy snorted softly, blowing out a stream of smoke.  “Yeah, what else is new?” he huffed, sounding bored.  “I’ll take you home.”

The fact that he barely reacted only fanned the girl’s anger and she seethed as he put the car in gear and pulled away from the lake.

She didn’t even give that great of head, not like–

Billy’s jaw tensed, stopping the thought right there.  He began to wonder if he’d ever be free of her.

—

Late May, 1985

“Billy, you out here?”

Neil Hargrove’s voice was sharp, even over the radio playing atop the workbench in the corner and Billy scowled, pushing himself out from under his car to answer his father, sitting up and reaching for the already grimy shop rag laying nearby to wipe his hands on.

“Yeah, what is it?” he asked, frowning as Neil turned his music down.

His father’s disdainful gaze swept the messy garage before fixing on Billy.  “You know graduation’s coming up,” he said, planting his hands on his hips.

“Yeah, and–?” Billy prompted impatiently.

His father’s expression hardened.  “And you’d better have a plan.”

“A plan for what?” Billy scoffed, earning a second warning look.

“For what you’re going to do after you graduate.  You can’t just laze around here aimlessly like you have been.”

“I’ve already got a plan,” Billy muttered and Neils’ eyebrows rose.

“Oh, you do, do you?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Yeah, I said I did, didn’t I?” Billy snapped, pushing himself up to shut the Camaro’s hood.

“Watch your tone,” Neil warned, pointing a stern finger at him and Billy forced himself to take a deep breath to keep from snapping back.  “I hope for your sake you’re taking this seriously,” Neil added, heading back toward the door to the house, his hand resting on the doorknob.

“Because once you graduate, I’m giving you a week before I stop paying for your gas, so you better have a job by then.”

“What?” Billy exclaimed, his brows furrowing at the unfairness of it.

Neil snorted, pushing the door open.  “Unless you want to keep driving your sister around, like a good brother.”

Knowing that was the last thing Billy would want to do, Neil gave him one last pointed look before climbing the steps into the house, leaving Billy to fume.

Of course he was planning on finding a job, he’d even applied at a few places, only to not hear back from any of them and he was running out of time, graduation only a week away. That gave him two weeks before he was cut off.

Grabbing his keys, he jumped into the Camaro, peeling out of the driveway, a scowl marring his features.  Cranking his music up, he began to scan the business fronts along the main drag for ‘Help Wanted’ signs.  There were a few places he hadn’t applied yet, but working at a fast food joint was about the last place Billy wanted be stuck working.

Deciding to keep looking, he pulled off the main strip and circled down the side street toward the park, passing the gas station Win worked at.  He half wondered if he should apply there, just to spite her, before shaking the thought away.

They’d been broken up for nearly six months now and he still couldn’t keep his thoughts from her; did he really want to make things harder for himself?

What more did he have to do to get over her?

Suddenly, a sign out front of the Hawkins Community Pool caught his eye and he pulled into the half empty parking lot.  It looked like they were getting ready for their summer season which started June 1st, just a week away.

Billy gave one look at the ‘Seasonal Help Wanted: lifeguard and swimming instructor positions available, apply within’ sign and grinned to himself, feeling his luck begin to turn around.

After all, he’d always been a strong swimmer.

—

July 1st, 1985

Pushing open the changing room door, Billy brought his cigarette to his lips for one last drag as he let his gaze travel across the packed pool before snubbing it out against the rough brick of the building.  Sauntering out from under the shaded awning he passed Heather as she headed inside for her break, flashing him a smile he didn’t return.  

As he headed for the vacated lifeguard tower, he felt eyes on him and he turned his attention to the row of sunbathing women as he passed.

“Afternoon, ladies,” he greeted, flashing a grin that took in all of them, though one in particular caught his eye.

“Afternoon Billy,” they responded collectively, sitting up straighter in their lounge chairs.

“Diggin’ the suit, Mrs. Wheeler,” he exclaimed, letting his eyes flick up and down her magenta and teal one piece.

The woman preened at his praise, her face flushing slightly.  “Thank you, Billy,” she purred and he grinned to himself, pushing his aviators up on his nose.

A sudden flash of movement across the pool caught his attention and Billy brought his whistle to his lips, letting out a quick shrill blast, stopping the running kid in his tracks.

“HEY, LARD ASS!” he bellowed.  “NO RUNNING ON MY WATCH!”  The kid shrunk in on himself as everyone in the pool seemed to stop what they were doing to stare at him. 

“I gotta tell you again, you're banned for life!” Billy continued, wanting to drive the point home.  “Do you wanna get banned for life, lard ass?” he asked and the kid quickly shook his head. “Good.  Didn’t think so,” Billy muttered, giving another sharp whistle, signaling everyone to resume their activities, and the sounds of screaming and splashing returned, filling the air as he climbed the tower, taking his place overlooking the pool.

Though he kept his gaze on the swimmers, he could still feel eyes on his back and he grinned to himself.  Ever since he’d started working at the community pool, he’d been especially popular with the older women, and he had to say, he didn’t really mind.  It was a nice change of pace from the insecure, inexperienced high school girls he’d tried going out with since his and Win’s split.

If he could bag a cougar, maybe he’d finally get her out of his head once and for all.

A shrill whistle cut through his thoughts and he glanced at the large clock on the wall by the changing rooms and he brought his own whistle to his lips to signal it was time for adult swim.  The pool cleared, the younger children disappointedly climbing out of the water to grab their towels and find a place to sit off to the side while a few of the older women lounging nearby slipped into the pool for a swim.

Billy let his gaze follow one swimmer in particular.  Mrs. Wheeler’s languid backstroke across the pool seemed almost designed to catch his eye and he let out an amused breath.  It seemed that no matter how mature they got, there was one thing all women seemed to have in common when it came to him – they were all desperate, practically throwing themselves at him, and he could work with that.

Win hadn’t.  That’s what you liked about her.

Billy scowled at the invasive thought and forced it out of his head, turning his focus instead on formulating a plan.

By the time adult swim was over, Heather was back to swap him places and he made his way toward Mrs. Wheeler as she emerged from the pool, her hair slicked back and her colourful makeup somehow still in place after her swim.

���Looking good out there, Mrs. Wheeler,” he drawled, handing her a fresh towel to dry off with.  “Perfect form,” he added and she averted her eyes shyly.

“Thank you.  But your form is amazing,” she added and Billy couldn’t help but bark a chuckle which seemed to fluster her further.

“I mean, I’ve just seen you teaching… uh, lessons, swimming lessons,” she quickly amended, practically stumbling over her words.

She was exactly where Billy wanted her.

“You know, I could, uh, I could teach you, if you like.  I know all the styles,” he drawled, bringing a strip of gum to his lips as he listed them off, “backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke.”

“Oh–” At his words Mrs. Wheeler actually dropped her towel and Billy smirked as he bent to grab it, handing it back.  

“You okay?” he asked, knowing full well the effect he had on her.

“Y-yeah,” she assured him, clearly trying to regain her composure.  “I just–I didn’t think you taught adults,” she stammered.

“Well you know, not usually, but sometimes I offer advanced lessons to… select clientele,” he drawled, leaning in closer.  “Come to think of it, there is a good pool out at, uh, Motel 6 on Cornwallis,” he mused, slowly chewing his gum, letting his tongue swipe pointedly across his bottom lip.  “It’s very quiet.  Y’know, very… private,” he added, watching Mrs. Wheeler’s eyes widen and her lips part as his insinuation sank in.

“Oh–” she breathed again, her gaze quickly dropping.

“Shall we say, tonight?  Eight o’clock?” he pressed and she gaped at him a moment longer before hastily shaking her head.

“I can’t–”

“Can’t what?  Have any fun?” he asked, his smirk widening at her flustered reaction.  

“I-I just, uh, I don’t think I need any lessons.  Besides, I thought you had a–” she stammered, trailing off, unable to finish the sentence, to voice the words.

“A girlfriend?” he finished for her, his chest tightening at the thought.  “Unfortunately, we’re no longer together,” he muttered, his eyes darkening for a moment before his grin was back.  “But you see, I think you do need lessons,” he insisted, pushing past any lingering doubts.  “I just don’t think you’ve had the right teacher,” he drawled, smacking his gum, knowing by the look on her face that he finally had her.

“It’ll be the workout of your life.” 

—

His shift over, Billy made his way to the convenience store across the street.  The door chimed behind him as he strode inside, making a b-line for the coolers at the back before heading to the counter where Beck leaned, talking to Win behind the counter.

As he approached, the two girls went silent.

“What are you doing here?” Win asked, while Beck directed an unimpressed glare at him.

“That how you treat all your customers?” he chuckled, setting down the bottle of water he’d grabbed and leaning against the counter.

“No, only the assholes,” Win huffed, ringing up his purchase.

Billy clicked his tongue.  “Need to work on your customer service, Winnie.”

“And maybe you should get lost,” Beck replied defensively, glaring at him sharply.

Billy raised his hands in surrender.  “No need to get so hostile,” he drawled, smacking his gum, and Win rolled her eyes.

“You know, the reason I specifically applied for this job was because it was on the opposite side of town from you, and you just had to go and ruin it by getting a job right across the street,” she muttered, shoving his drink into his hands.

“Seeing my face bothers you that much, does it?” he asked, his lips twitching in amusement.  “You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re still hung up on me,” he taunted, his eyes crinkling as his grin grew.

“Kinda seems the other way round to me,” Beck pointed out and Billy snorted heavily through his nose.

“Hate to break it to you, ladies, but I actually need to go.  I’ve got a hot date tonight, with an older woman,” he emphasized.  Running his tongue along the inside of his teeth, Billy’s gaze flicked expectantly to Win’s face, watching for the flash of jealousy he hoped would appear.

She was getting better at hiding it, but he knew what to look for, catching a glimpse of it in her stormy eyes, despite her otherwise level expression.  His victory was short lived, however, as moments later a tense grin curled Win’s lips.

“Hope you can actually remember her name this time,” she mocked, cocking an eyebrow at him, and Billy’s grin faltered.  

How could she have known about that?

Win’s smug smirk chaffed, but he couldn’t let her know that.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, we won’t be doing a lot of talking,” he said instead, fixing his grin back in place, not giving her the satisfaction of seeing him rattled.  Winking at her, he nodded cheekily to Beck before pushing off the counter and striding out the door.  

However, as he headed home to get ready, he couldn’t help but dwell on how good the familiar banter had felt.  It reminded him too much of when they’d first met.

—

Billy’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel in time to the music as the dark Indiana landscape whipped by and he caught his reflection in the rearview mirror, a grin tugging at his lips.  

“Hey Karen,” he spoke aloud, practicing his greeting, his tongue wetting his lips as his gaze flicked to the road and back.  “You don’t mind if I call you Karen, do you?” he asked, wondering what she’d be wearing, if she had any sexy lingerie.

But the more he said her name, the stranger it sounded in his ears, the unfamiliar name feeling wrong on his tongue, and for a brief moment his grin slipped and doubt began to seep in.

Maybe he shouldn’t be doing this.

Before he could think too hard about it, however, a dark shape streaked in front of the car, smashing into the windshield inches from his face with a sickening crack.  A surprised cry burst from his lips and he frantically cranked the wheel, reacting a fraction of a second too late and swerving out of control, the Camaro doing a one eighty before skidding sideways off the road in a spray of gravel, stopped only by a telephone pole, the passenger door taking the brunt of the force.

Unable to brace for the sudden impact, Billy was thrown to the side, his head smacking against the driver’s side window and pain bloomed behind his eyes.  For a moment his vision swam and it took several seconds for the world to stop spinning.  Grimacing against the throbbing pain, Billy reached up to feel his temple, his fingers coming away bloody.

“Shit,” he hissed as he looked up at the windshield, the glass a spiderweb of cracks radiating from the spot whatever it had been had hit.  Probably some sort of deer with how big it had looked.  Unbuckling his seat belt, Billy pushed the door open and groaned as he practically fell out, pushing himself unsteadily to his feet.

“Fuck.  Fuck fuck fuck!” he growled as he circled the car to take in the damage.

Steam leaked from the hood and the passenger door was completely dented in from where it had connected with the pole.

“Piece of fucking shit,” he muttered, kicking the tire in frustration.  Frowning, he noticed a strange clear substance smeared across the windshield and leaned in to touch it, finding it slimy.  A rustling in the bushes nearby caught his attention and Billy hastily straightened, his gaze sweeping the circle of light cast by the lamp affixed to the pole overhead.

“Who’s there?” he called, hating the way his voice wavered.  A faint chittering sound filled his ears, seemed to come from everywhere at once, but as he narrowed his eyes, peering into the darkness to seek out its source, something wrapped round his ankle and yanked, pulling him off his feet.

Billy’s alarmed cry cut short as he hit the ground hard, knocking the wind from his lungs, and terror flooded him as he was suddenly hauled backward, dragged across the gravel toward the abandoned iron mill.

Clawing at anything he could reach, he caught the edge of the door frame he’d been pulled through, his fingers biting into the worn wood as he tried to hold on, his fingers slipping.  A frantic shout burned his throat, and then he was engulfed by darkness, his grip giving way.

Billy’s screams echoed in his ears, and when he finally hit solid ground, he let out a choked sob, trying to catch his breath, only to cough as the thick blanket of dust he’d stirred up filled his lungs.  A sound in the dark overhead made him scramble back, his eyes darting around the large empty room as his pulse pounded in his ears.

He knew he wasn’t alone, but it wasn’t until a massive fleshy shape loomed above him and moved into the moonlight that Billy truly saw what he was up against.  His terror filled scream was cut short as a clawed tentacle whipped out of the darkness, attaching to his face and forcing his mouth open. 

What came after felt like a nightmare and Billy passed in and out of consciousness, certain this was how he was to die as the thing filled him.

When he opened his eyes, he jolted upright, gasping a panicked breath.  The tentacle was gone, but he could still sense the hulking presence in the dark and he didn’t waste any time.  

He ran.

Billy's lungs burned as he fled the building, tripping up the metal staircase he’d been dragged down moments ago.  Bursting out into the night, he clawed open the Camaro’s door and turned the key, frantically looking over his shoulder as he urged the engine to turn over.  As soon as it roared to life, he floored it, spraying stones as his wheel’s sought traction.

Noticing a lone payphone not far down the road, Billy swerved, throwing his door open as soon as he parked, not bothering to turn the Camaro off before rushing to the phone booth.  Grabbing the receiver, he punched in 911, glancing back over his shoulder, half afraid of seeing the silhouette of the thing from the iron mill.

After several rings, the line clicked and the operator’s voice in his ear sent a premature rush of relief through him.

“Yes?  Hello?” he exclaimed, his head snapping up as the small light above his head flickered and went out, the line going dead.

His breath heavy, Billy looked helplessly at the silent phone receiver in his hand, a sense of dread creeping back in, and when he turned around to step out of the booth, he knew something was very wrong.

An eerie flash of red lightning branched through the sky overhead, though no thunder followed it and he nearly tripped over the dark vines that covered the pavement.  In the distance, a shadowy group of figures approached, silhouetted by the silent lightning while what looked like ash fell from the sky, landing on his jacket and in his hair.

“What do you want?” he called, frozen in place as the figures neared, walking down the desolate road toward him.  “I said, what do you want?” Billy repeated, his hands trembling at his sides.

Suddenly the hoard stopped and one lone figure stepped forward. 

Billy’s eyes widened in horror as he stared back at a mirror image of himself.

“I want you to build.”

His doppleganger’s voice sounded like his, but strange, almost monotone, another voice overlapping his, giving it weight.

“What do you mean?  Build what?” Billy exclaimed, trying to make sense of the strange vision.

“I want you to build what you see,” the shadowy Billy repeated slowly and Billy frowned, shaking his head.

“I don’t understand.  I don’t understand what you mean!” he cried.

When he blinked it was all gone.  Everything was back as it was and he heaved a shaky breath, wetting his lips.  He could try redialing 911, but what would he tell them?  That he’d been attacked by a monster and was seeing things?  They’d have him committed.

Getting back in the Camaro, he gripped the wheel with shaking hands and started to drive, heading for the only place he could think of that felt safe.

Pulling up to the dark curb, he stumbled up the walk, shivering beneath his leather jacket.  The front door loomed in front of him and he began to knock, his fist pounding frantically against the solid wood.

Inside, a light switched on moments before the door flew open and Billy let out a sob of relief at the sight of Win standing there, the light behind her framing her form.

“Billy, what–?” 

Her demand cut short with a gasp as Billy staggered into the light and she got a better look at him.

“Billy, what happened to you?” she exclaimed, her voice laced with concern as he nearly collapsed into her arms, relief finally spreading through him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know where else to go.”

⇾ taglist. @b1tchy3lf @super-unpredictable98 @afestivelegend @alwaysstuckinsecondgear @cherrycolasteve @heartbreak-sandwich @elliethesuperfruitlover

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From @gaviiadastra

From @gaviiadastra to @womble1

Hello to my wonderful gift recipient! I’m certain this was a gift to me; I got to write my all time favorites. Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you enjoy this story, and special thanks to TAGSS for organizing the exchange this year.

My prompts were: 

1. FishTank (Virgil & Gordon) and woodland dappled light.

2. Alan having to deal with life outside the island.

3. Anything christmassy. Who am I kidding, I'll be happy with anything. 😁

___

Along Country Roads

Summary: a place can hold unique memories for different people - sometimes it’s the same one, just different.A/N: I promise, it’s a balanced level of sappiness and brother time with some light h/c. For exact warnings: references to depression and avalanche aftermath, in which I headcanon Virgil was present with Lucille. Gordon’s hydrofoil accident is always in the background. But there’s laughs too, aaaand  I’ve continued to use crafty!FishTank as a plot device.  

~*~

For as much as Scott fought the GDF for them to have a family holiday, the IR commander sure managed to make himself scarce, Virgil thought bitterly. It was the first time they’d managed to take International Rescue offline for a full week without there being an excuse of a serious injury prompting the decision – a fact that hurt his heart to think about. Still, Virgil awoke to a mostly empty household despite the homely comfort of coffee still warmed and the gentle brush of heat throughout the cabin from the controlled flames stoked in the fireplace.

But, no, that wasn’t necessarily fair to Scott either, and Virgil recognized his sleepiness taking control of his thoughts. He’d known his older brother would need to take some time in DC, and it wasn’t actually all that far to the Capitol. All would be well, as long as Scott’s business was concluded by Christmas, like he’d promised them. It still felt strange to be offline; not knowing what was happening in the rest of the world left an uncomfortable itch that ran through his blood, which was only eased with the knowledge that Eos was still watching, listening, and would alert them if they were needed. 

The distance away was exactly why they'd chosen here in the first place - a remote location for the full step back and reset they needed after months of running on exhaustion. 

These days, the mountain cabin and its surrounding property belonged to Virgil, even if he still thought of it as one of their family’s winter homes. It was only after their mother’s death that they started vacationing here in Appalachia. The hills of Shenandoah were different enough from the ski lodge, so he’d been able to form new cozy Christmas memories within its walls, comforted by the East Coast’s gentler, wiser mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Alleghenies to the west and were among the oldest on the planet. They knew loss.

The ache in his soul then had been raw and bare, and certainly it had taken a few winters for him to heal enough to step foot into the snow. But he'd wept with the song of the ancients and walked stronger for it.

Home, through country roads, indeed.

That morning, though his heart rang with the distant echo of the constant activity of their childhood, he’d walked in instead on just Gordon cozied by the fireplace, wearing more layers than his usual attire and with a blanket thrown across his feet. Virgil recognized the hank of heathered blue and dusky grey, now spun into a usable yarn cake, that Gordon had selected for a pair of fingerless mittens for Scott. And it was that which had reminded Virgil of their brother’s planned departure that morning; Scott’s absence had given Gordon some privacy to finish his Christmas gift.

In lieu of a greeting, Gordon finessed his foot from beneath the blanket to waggle his toes at him, while continuing to crochet the stitches in the round.  “Do NOT tell him how close I cut it.”

“Ugh, gross. Good morning to you too.” Virgil parked himself in the adjacent recliner, far enough from potentially stinky feet and near enough to a side table for him to comfortably drink his coffee while watching the flames flicker within earthen stone. “And I would never.” It was the curse of the homemade gift - always the best of intentions and never enough time.

The fireplace mantle he usually kept bare save for a large, framed painting of a creek running through a grove of autumn red oak trees. The brush strokes were ones he knew as well as his own. He’d studied from them, committed them to memory. And though their mother never knew the cabin home, the scene could’ve easily been something right outside their door, albeit in a different season. The deciduous trees were spectacular in the height of color-changing foliage, and he’d had the pleasure of seeing them many times in their travels as children for their father’s business, then again with International Rescue through which he’d seen many of the world’s marvels as well as its strifes.

When they arrived, the first thing they did together was pull out the old holiday decorations, and so for the first time in a long while the artwork shone from a podium of garland, the green of blue spruce with wine-red bows interspersed in the artificial branches.

 “What are you thinking about?”

Virgil flicked his eyes away from the painting where Gordon had pulled his earbud away, his yarn work resting in his lap while he rotated his wrists to stretch.

“Mom,” Virgil  answered, glancing back to the landscape captured in time.

“Oh, I always thought that was one of yours.”

Virgil shook his head. Coughed. “Where is everyone else off to?”  

Gordon rambled in answer, but Virgil was versed enough to catch the key points: that Scott was, of course, in Washington; John was in the office on a conference call with his editor in New York; Grandma had gone into town for supplies – “I would’ve gone with her had I known” – and Alan was still asleep.

Virgil glanced down at his watch.

“He was up until four modding for one of Brandon’s livestreams,” Gordon defended on their youngest brother’s behalf.

“I’m going to pretend I know what that means.”

“It means let the kid sleep.”

Virgil knew he’d have to trust Gordon on that one. Besides, he wasn’t one to argue over late mornings; he’d done his fair share of staying up late to catch the sunless sky for this art project or that over the years. He nodded in acknowledgement and took another sip from his coffee as Gordon settled back into his project, replacing the ear bud.

It had been rare, in their childhood, for Virgil to enjoy spending time with Gordon like this, not because of the age difference between them though that certainly played a small part, but because they existed on different schedules. Even more so than his space-faring siblings, Virgil was like the moon to Gordon’s sun. His late nights, however, were not a product of scientific interest, but rather an overactive imagination and trauma-based insomnia, and later - as he got older - the artistic outlets to alleviate the worst parts of them both.

When they were younger, Gordon would be the first awake and the first to wake everyone else with his volume and exuberance. He didn’t really like Gordon for that back then, but it was also something that he didn’t realize he missed until it was gone. That was something that had changed drastically over the years between Gordon developing a discipline for a morning routine with his swimming and then his subsequent military experience. And though the vivacity came back after the accident, there was a time Gordon understood Virgil’s own mind more than Virgil ever wanted his younger brother to.

The Gordon he knew now was plenty more considerate than his younger self, among the most carefree spirits he knew despite the scars on his heart, and still the most resilient, most tenacious person he’d ever met.

They made a good team. His light was good for him.

“You’re thinking so hard, V.” Startled, Virgil tried to regain control of the remaining coffee in his mug so it wouldn’t spill. “Honestly,” Gordon added, laughing, “I can’t even focus on my stitches.”

Virgil watched as Gordon stabbed his hook in the top of the stitches from the row before, grabbed his working yarn with the hook, then struggled to wiggle it back through the loops. It budged eventually, but mid row, Gordon stopped and had to stretch again.

Virgil gently placed his drink down on a coaster to protect the wood of the side table. “You should take a break,” he suggested.

Gordon shook his head. “I have to finish these by tonight.”

“Scott’s out the whole day, isn’t he?”

“Yes, but - ”

“So come for a walk with me?” He glanced out the window. Outside it was a clear day, deceptive in how bright the sun was, dappled through the branches of the trees. “I’ve been meaning to check the markings along the trails. Make sure they are clear or if they need a new coat of paint. Come with me?”

Gordon hesitated, squinting at his progress. “You know the cold isn’t my thing.” Suddenly, frustration cut through his concentration as his brow furrowed. “My stitch count is off! For fu-”

“Ooookay, you definitely need a break.” Virgil hopped out of the recliner and pried the work out of a grumbling Gordon’s hands before he could unravel the whole thing unnecessarily, gently placing the hook, yarn, and partly-finished mitt on the adjacent table. “Come on. The air will be good for you. It doesn’t have to be for long, and we’ll be walking the whole way, which’ll help with the cold.”

“And walking for the whole time?” he pressed, eyeing Virgil warily, like he knew better in trusting Virgil’s word when it came to the wonders of natural beauty. He had to hand that one to Gordon; there was some truth to that lack of faith.

“For the whole time,” Virgil promised. “I won’t even bring a sketchpad, scout’s honor.”

“You weren’t ever a scout,” Gordon countered.  

“Still.” Virgil beamed.

~*~

They met back in the lounge after Gordon changed and located a hoodie to slide over his long sleeve, and after Virgil had poked his head in the office to check on John, realized he was still on his call, then slid a note for him under the door. He handed Gordon his sherpa-lined puffer jacket, then donned his own hooded flannel with fleece interior. They each had their own preferences for winter accessories – so Gordon grabbed his pair of grey fingerless mitts and a matching knit hat from the closet, while Virgil wrapped a wide scarf in ivory white loosely around his neck.

Virgil’s core body temperature always ran a bit warmer than his siblings’. There had been many a winter growing up with one (or both) of the terrible two tucked into his side.

With the additional layers on, Virgil’s skin crawled with the heat from inside the cabin stifling him, so he didn’t linger in the entryway while Gordon tied up his hiking boots. Outside in the crisp chill he breathed deeply, his nose finding the gentle tickle of pine and woodchips, before he exhaled a cloud of breath that warmed his cheeks.  He stepped down from the porch, and the frozen patches of amber grass and earth crunched under the heel of his boot.

“Ugh, it’s so cold out here!” Gordon exclaimed in the clamor of him joining Virgil in the great outdoors. “My hands are going to get so dry.”

Virgil fondly rolled his eyes and started to reach for the top of Gordon’s head before he remembered he would be blocked by the hat. “That’s what hand lotion is for,” he said instead, further loosening the knot of his scarf.

From the front porch, the road curved past a line of bare trees before it disappeared down the mountain. The drive there was treacherous enough it sat comfortably on Scott’s favorites list between testing hot sauces and bungee jumping. Despite the drop close to the road, deceptive with the blanket of trees, Virgil trusted his older brother behind the wheel.  The cabin was only midway up the mountain, and it really was only one large stretch of hill that was particularly touch and go. Scott was plenty capable, and the lack of land rover was an indicator that Scott had driven himself into the nation’s Capitol. He might be back a little later than expected, but Scott thrived in his time behind the wheel. Relaxed even. Those hours to decompress would be beneficial for him – plenty of time to mentally leave work behind so he could fully and completely join the family for the holiday.

“So, up or down?”

Gordon, his covered hands tucked into his jacket pockets, twisted toward him then glanced at the two paths as he shifted onto toes to stretch his back. With a sigh, “Let’s get uphill over with. As long as you promise not to linger at the look out.” Virgil held his hands up, palms out, to prove he was without his art supplies as promised.

As they walked, Gordon excitedly shared the latest on his co-written article for Marine Science Daily, which Virgil knew was the exact reason Gordon’s Christmas project plans had been derailed. He nodded along at the appropriate talking points, having read the article but always more engaged when hearing it from the aquanaut directly. Meanwhile, Gordon subconsciously kept moving closer to Virgil’s side. Eventually Virgil untied the scarf completely, letting its length fall unsecured down the front of his jacket. Like a tie at the end of a long, wild night. Not that he would ever admit to having those. What happened at college stayed at college. 

“Do you know my favorite Christmas?” Gordon asked, pulling Virgil from his fond memories of theater afterparties and post-concert celebrations. But Gordon hadn’t waited for Virgil to answer, his eyes unusually bright against the reddening of his cheeks with the bite of the wind. “I used to hate the cabin when we first started coming here. I was too young to remember – uhh – before, but I remember how it felt against all that change and you were so different and always so sad all the time. The first time it snowed, I remember you running back inside like it burned you, and Scott ran in after, leaving John to help Al and I with our snowman.”

The lump in Virgil’s throat grew.

“But then one year, it actually snowed on the holiday. A for real white Christmas! And I remember thinking – this is it, this is what we’ve been coming here for. It wasn’t a massive snow; just enough to cover the grass – definitely not enough for a snowman, but we made our fun anyway. I had just made the perfect snowball out of what little was there. And any moment, you would come join us. I just knew it. And then I saw you watching us from the window, and it didn’t look like you were going to come.

“It was just enough time distracted for John to launch his freezing projectile at me. He hit me square in the face and I dropped my perfect snowball. And as I cleared the snow off my face, I caught you actually laughing about the snow. You did eventually come out that Christmas. Scott encouraged you to sit with him on the porch stoop first, and then you walked out on your own. I know you leaned a lot on Scott in those days, but there was just something about that laugh – it made me feel like I helped you take those steps, even if I wasn’t the one at your elbow to keep you steady.”

Virgil swallowed hard. He remembered that year, and Gordon had only been a child. “You did plenty.”

Their breaths expelled in little huffs as they continued the climb, where Virgil noticed, as he figured might be the case, certain spots where the red paint had faded on the trees. It could use a refresh to make sure the trails were clearly marked. If he didn’t get to it this season, he’d be sure to prepare for next time he visited his cabin. Beside him, Gordon trampled over fallen branches, grumbling about the temperature between curse words, especially as they reached what had seemed like the top of the last hill only to see another awaiting them.

Virgil chuckled as he waited for them both to catch their breath at the top of the hill before they continued to the lookout just a few more steps up the final hill.  His mountain was not among the tallest nor the smallest of the range, and so the top was a vision of both the valley below and the neighboring peaks. He loved the view; when it was cold enough, the mountains were sometimes snowcapped, the trees blanketed in white as soft as the cumulus through which he’d often soared.

So far, the sky had yet to open. But, oh, how she teased. Nimbostratus in neutral grey with a cobalt undertone approaching from the east, mottling the sunlight.

Beside him, Gordon took advantage of the flatter land and Virgil’s brief examination of the sky to stretch. Virgil recognized the movements in his periphery, and when he glanced back over, Gordon’s hands were placed purposefully on the small of his back as he twisted both directions.

The sway of the wind had been absent of Gordon’s familiar idle chatter for a while, he realized, and there was an unusual balance to his stance that hinted at stiffness in his joints.

“Are you okay?”

Gordon didn’t answer, but rather smirked at him and gestured with a flourish for Virgil to lead the way.

Virgil was barely two steps forward when he felt a weight launch onto his back. Squid arms quickly slung around his neck, squeezing, and Virgil leaned forward, his hands instinctively moving to catch his younger sibling before he fell off his back.

“Help me, Virgil-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope!”

 “Oh my GOD,” Virgil grunted, already shifting him into a better position. “You’re fine.”

“I am, mostly,” Gordon laughed at the back of his head. “Carry me anyway.”

An arm around his neck loosened as Gordon lifted it to point one finger onward up the mountain.

“Don’t you dare say it.”

“I’m going to say it.”

“Gord-!”

“Thunderbros are go!” His laughter echoed, past tree and stream and along the paths they’d traveled.

Virgil couldn’t let him go if he tried.

He carried Gordon piggyback the rest of the way, a short sprint upward that had his calves straining, but the ache was minor compared to some of the training they did at Grand Roca. Only once they reached the lookout did Gordon hop down, giggling, while Virgil worked on calming his heart rate.  

“Thanks!” Gordon skipped past him.

Virgil was tempted to throw something. In fact…

He tugged his scarf the rest of the way off his neck, scrunched it into a ball, and sent it sailing at the back of Gordon’s head. It unfurled some, but Gordon hadn’t gotten too far ahead, so he definitely felt it hit before the rest of it dropped to the ground.

“That’s no way to treat your accessories. I’m offended.” Gordon snorted. He retrieved the scarf, gave it a shake that sent a few leaves in Virgil’s direction, and then wrapped it around his own neck. “You don’t get to have this back now.”

Feeling light despite the burn in his legs, excited to witness the lookout once again, and without any real anger towards his brother’s antics, Virgil joined him at the bench nearer the view and positioned safely away from the edge. He hadn’t known how to respond to his brother’s sudden introspection about their childhood, though his own version of the memory lingered with him.

He hadn’t known that year mattered so much to Gordon. Nor was he able to recall the events leading up to him walking in the snow. Those details were fuzzy for him, but he remembered the warmth. He remembered the laughter. He should’ve realized the mark his sadness had left on his family, and before he could think any further about it, Virgil was apologizing. For dragging Gordon out in the cold, for all the years he couldn’t help the littles with their snowmen, for not doing more to make sure they had the Christmases they deserved without the weight of loss.

“Sorry? Whatever do you need to apologize for?” Gordon interrupted. He shook his head. “No, Virgil. Don’t do that.” He stared out to the mountainscape, his lips thin, as slowly he raised his palm to catch the first snowflakes in the center of his hand. One, two, then they melted into the knit fabric. “I don’t think I ever thanked you.”

Virgil gaped at him. “For what?”

Gordon lifted his gaze from his clenched fist to meet Virgil’s baffled expression, fiery resolve softened into humility. “I told myself, if Virgil could learn to re-love the snow – I don’t think you understand how important that was for me to keep carrying forward. I know I can get so stuck in my own head sometimes, but your support has always been incredibly grounding. You’re like… having a sturdy shore to return to for when the tide ebbs too far.  I can’t imagine having another co-pilot as good for me as you are.”

It was too much.

His own words, his own thoughts about Gordon, mirrored back to him, about him.

“Well,” he rasped, clearing his throat of the overwhelm of emotion, “we are Tracy’s after all.” It didn’t say nearly enough, but it also said exactly what it needed to. Perseverance ran through their blood, after all, and they’d both been through the unimaginable. 

Virgil turned his head towards the sky, the feather fall of snow catching in his lashes, and in his hair, and on his flannel. 

“It’s also entirely your fault my project’s not finished.” 

“My fault?”

“You promised no lingering for art purposes, and I definitely heard a whispered phthalo earlier.” 

“Cobalt,” he corrected. 

“Same thing.” 

“It’s not at all -” 

“Soooo, do you think John’s done his meeting yet? Maybe he’ll make us hot chocolate?” Gordon hopped off the bench, clapped his hands together resolutely, and started walking back towards the trail and away from Virgil’s disputes. 

“Gordon! They aren’t the same color. They don’t even sound the same!” 

Smiling, Virgil had no choice but to follow. 

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation One Summary (Daisy)

Based on the Sims In Bloom Challenge by Tasha @a-sims-garden posted here

Gen 1 - Daisy (white, yellow)

Gardening has always been your passion. Owning a large, healthy garden is all you’ve ever wanted in life, even if your nails constantly have soil under them and you have so many broken pots you’ve lost count. Your happy place is meditating in the shade of the fruit trees that you grew yourself from tiny saplings. You sit and wonder what your family will grow to do, and hope that they will flourish just as beautifully as your garden has. This is the start of your family legacy!

Live on a lot with the lot challenge ‘Simple living’

Grow a cowplant and keep it alive for as long as you live (if it dies, immediately plant a new one)

Grow 5 perfect plants

Marry a sim who also has the ‘loves outdoors’ trait

*Gain the Outdoorsy lifestyle

*Grow a death flower

Bonus (My own additions. I might use cheats to help complete these if I feel like it because I'm just piling on stuff to do, but I'll try to make it plot or give it some kind of difficulty.)

Befriend all seven Henford NPC townies (Lavina and Rahul Chopra, Michael Bell, Agnes Crumplebottom, Agatha Crumplebottom, Kim Goldbloom, Sara Scott) *taken from a later Sims In Bloom generation that is supposed to take place in Henford but I'll be in Chestnut Ridge instead.*

Plant all base game plants to earn gardening plaque**

Grow all 5 oversized plants to enter in Finchwick Fairs

Catch all base game fish to earn fishing plaque *not completed until after Generation 2 had technically begun*

Complete Finchwick errands and give Finchwick Favors *given to Neal who made and gave away eco-matic smog vacs. Heather completed one of the errands for Dylan Kraus, the grocery deliverer*

All challenge tasks completed. All bonus tasks also completed BUT the UFO plant was found in the gallery after I got bored of waiting for the rocket ship adventure with the UFO fruit to come around after bungling it the first time.

** Uncle Karl came about after a random sim glitched and walked into the Nesbitt home in Henford (and up the stairs to the second floor!) before promptly leaving again. The sim was randomly assigned the surname Nesbitt, so of course I had to play this up and give Neal a brother (I used MCCC to make it so).

I put a UFO fruit from the gallery on his lot, then sent Daisy over before 5am every day for three days so the plant would bloom and she could tend it until harvest. Basically cheating but not part of the official rules so I don't care. Then she grew her own and my obsessive pursuit of the gardening plaque was done! Immediately had her quit her job as an "astrobotanist" (astronaut) and go back to gardening from home, but never tried too hard with it since she'd accomplished so much and the Florist career comes back later in the In Bloom Challenge.

<- Generation 1 from the beginning Pt2 Pt3 Pt4 Pt5 Pt6 Pt7 Pt8 Pt9 Pt10 Pt11 Pt12 Pt13 Pt14 Pt15 Pt16 Pt17 Pt18 Pt19 Pt20 Pt21 Pt22 Pt23 Pt24 Pt25

Generation 2 time! ->

[legally-brief]

MOVIES WITH MEN IN UNDERWEAR (This is outdated- website shutdown early 2000’s)

“H-I”

Hadley’s Rebellion (1984) Griffin O’Neal at 15 wearing just underwear.

Hail, Hero! (1969) Michael Douglas makes a big splash in his first film by stripping down to his plaid trim-cut boxer shorts, then jumping bare-ass into a pond.

Hair (1979) Another army physical scene.

Halfback of Notre Dame, The (1996) (TV) There is a lockeroom scene after a football game where the quarterback of the team (young guy) stands in the middle of the lockeroom talking about a party in his underwear (white boxer briefs).

Hamburger Hill (1987) Vietnam war drama. The entire cast is HOT. Tons of bare-chested boxer scenes (was waiting for some jockey ones though).

Hamburger... The Motion Picture (1986) Guy strips to his jockeys in a helicopter.

Hands Across the Table (1935) Fred MacMurray. Gets drunk, sleeps in woman’s apartment in suit. She walks in on him while he’s standing in his boxers, pressing his pants. Then date comes to her door, he answers it in his underwear ... then lounges about in boxers, shirttails, shoes, socks and garters.

Hanky Panky (1982) [? c/f Haunted Honeymoon (1986)] Gene Wilder in long white drawers riding a stuffed moose.

Happy Together (1997) (Cheun gwong tsa sit) Drama. Visually impressive movie about a gay Hong Kong couple's doomed relationship in Argentina. Several scenes with the principals in their underwear.

Haunted Honeymoon (1986) Comedy. Gene Wilder, escaping from a snake, climbs up onto a stuffed moose head on the wall - he's in his shoes, dark socks, garters, white undershirt and pale boxer shorts.

Hazing, The (1977) (Campus Corpse, The) Comedy. Long frat initiation scene with two guys running cross country in jockstraps.

He Got Game (1998) Drama. Ray Allen, woken by the phone, lying on the sofa in his white boxer briefs.

Heartbreak Ridge (1986) Mario Van Peebles and several other marines standing talking in their underwear, about 90 minutes into the movie.

Hearts of the West (1975) (Hollywood Cowboy) Comedy. Jeff Bridges joyfully greets the morning, stepping out on the porch roof in his white boxers and undershirt. Sitting below on the porch, the landlady hears him and looks up to see what’s going on. Embarrassed, Jeff slinks back inside through the window.

Heathers (1989) Couple of young guys run around in their Jockeys and white sweat socks while Christian Slater chases them with a gun.

Held Up (2000) Comedy. "We see some overweight and skinny local men in just their underwear as Rodrigo makes them strip down to that point so that there are no surprises when he has them move a crate inside the store".

Help! (1965) Beatle Ringo Starr is strapped into a metal-expanding machine in a bid to get a ring off his finger. It has no effect on the ring, but causes his pants to unzip and fall, revealing his striped boxers.

Hero and the Terror (1988) Chuck Norris gets out of bed in blue bikinis.

Hidden in America (1996) (TV) Very brief shot of Beau Bridges getting out of bed dressed in T-shirt, boxer shorts, and black dress socks.

High Risk (1981) Heist caper. Two men see a chance to escape from their police cell, and get a boy passing by outside to help by offering him a watch. The kid accepts, then reconsiders and says he also wants their shirts and boots. They try to bargain and he agrees to take just the shirts, but by the time the guards return, the boy has gone, taking their shirts, their boots, and their trousers. The guards find them, the white guy sitting in his socks and white briefs, the black guy standing sheepishly in his socks and red, pin-striped briefs. Great sequence ensues as the guards chase them through the crowded streets.

High Time (1960) Bing Crosby, Richard Beymmer, and a couple of other guys in the dorm, wake up during freshman year and get dressed. Bing wears his white boxers, Richard wears large printed boxers. Boxers were the rage in this sped-up scene.

Higher Learning (1995) Drama. Chasing after his date who runs out on him, guy finds himself standing in the hall with everyone laughing at him, and realises his pants have fallen down, revealing his tartan boxers.

Highway Patrol (Inhand Video) XXX Contains lots of sex scenes with policemen working hard on their boners in briefs and jock-straps, letting others suck at underwear etc.

Highway to Hell (1992) Young Chad Lowe ... near beginning a quick scene where he is roughed up - his jeans slide down for a glimpse of briefs ... the entire second half of the movie is Chad in the hottest white ribbed cotton undershirt, if that counts!

Hill, The (1965) Drama. Outraged by brutal treatment and racist insults, prisoner Ossie Davis defiantly ‘quits the army’ by stripping off his uniform and ripping it up. In his white undershorts, he then marches out across the prison compound to confront the commandant.

Hollow Man (2000) Sci-fi horror. "We briefly see Josh Brolin in his boxers".

Homegrown (1998) Comedy thriller. Billy Bob Thornton in robe and boxer shorts.

Home Alone 3 (1997) Juvenile comedy. "If Hughes isn't pummeling his characters senseless, his wit is benign to the point of nonexistent: His idea of a huge laugh is sending Dad off to work in a suit coat, shirt and tie--and boxer shorts."

Honkytonk Man (1982) A drunken Clint Eastwood is bleary-eyed, lying on a bed in just his white boxers and A-shirt.

Hooper (1978) Comedy. Burt Reynolds crawls out of bed while Sally Field is sleeping. Stands in front of the bedroom mirror and rubs his belly. He's just wearing navy blue low-rise jockey shorts. Nice bulge. Hot scene!

Hornet’s Nest Young boys run around in skimpy shorts and underwear.

Horse Feathers (1932) Marx Brothers comedy. Baravelli is forced to strip to his underwear as Pinky watches. Modestly, he turns the ballerina's poster toward the wall for Baravelli's sake. But then Pinky is forced to strip as well, and he is coyly embarrassed. The two athletes leave them locked in the room and then depart to play in the big football game. The climax of the film is the funny sequence of the wild Huxley-Darwin afternoon football game. Pinky and Baravelli are still in their underwear when the game begins. They escape by sawing into the next room below and falling into a ladies' card party.

Hot Tubs ?

Hotel de Love (1996) Stephen (Simon Bossell) is undressed by a woman (down to his underwear).

House Party (1990) Teen comedy. At the end of the film, after narrow escapes from hoods, the police and his dad, Kid (Christopher Reid) finally sneaks home late, strips down to his white briefs, and is just getting into bed when his father catches him.

House Party 2 (1991) College comedy. Inferior sequel, superior boxers. Catch a glimpse of some lovely big colorful boxer shorts at the pajama party, and in the opening scene.

Houseguest (1995) Comedy. A group of boys challenge Sinbad and his young friend in a basketball game. Sinbad suggests they play for his car against their clothes, and the overconfident boys rashly agree. Game over, they're seen standing in the park in their underwear, acutely embarrassed and begging for their clothes back (unsuccessfully).

How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) Romance. Whoopi Goldberg adds some padding to shop-window mannequins displaying assorted CK underwear. Angela Bassett's fine young Jamaican lover (Taye Diggs) apears several times in his underwear, the first time at a pajama party where he wears a brilliant red ganzie and colourful boxer shorts. Several other partygoers are well worth a look, too.

How to Be a Player (1997) Comedy. An underwear scene, but can't recall details.

Hucksters, The (1947) Clark Gable changes his pants revealing full-cut white boxers, in front of his valet. The scene is early on in the film.

Hudsucker Proxy, The (1994) Both Tim Robbins and Paul Newman exhibit their proud hairy legs in corporate boxers and garters in this film about big business.

Huevos de oro (Golden Balls) (1993) Spanish movie. Two guys running around on beach in briefs. Another guy spends most of movie in a Speedo.

Hunk Do not know the actor’s name (C-movie player) in this HORRID fantasy/comedy. Many scenes of near naked/bikini or towel-wearing California-boy type. Much partial nudity throughout.

Hurricane, The (1999) Drama based on true story. Denzel Washington a couple of times in his prison cell in white boxers.

========================

I Love You to Death (1990) Kevin Kline in blue briefs.

I Still Dream of Jeannie (1991) (TV) Weak comedy based on 60's TV sitcom. Tune in about half an hour before the end, and catch the scene where the black MP (D.J. Jackson) is sent to arrest Jeannie. She lets him into the house, then uses her magic to make his combat uniform instantly vanish, leaving him standing shocked and embarrassed in his boots, red socks and underwear - white T-shirt and heart-spotted boxers. She then ties him up with rope, and leaves. We see him later, still tied up, trying to phone for help.

I’m Gonna Get You, Sucka (1988) Blaxploitation spoof. Incidental extra flees brothel raid in open shirt and white briefs, putting his trousers on while he runs (try it - it’s quite difficult!). Also features bizarre ‘Pimp of the Year’ beauty contest with swimsuit line-up.

Ice Castles (1978) Robbie Benson in briefs.

Ice Storm, The (1997) Nice shots of Kevin Kline lounging around the house, no pants and black socks.

If.... (1968) Kid gets his pants taken off and is turned upside down into a toilet - a slow pan of him upside down in his underpants.

If Looks Could Kill (Teen Agent) (1991) Comedy. Richard Grieco hopping around in white briefs.

Impostors, The (1998) Comedy with at least Oliver Platt, Stanley Tucci and Billy Connolly in their underwear.

In Crowd, The (1988) Donovan Leitch about 15 min. into the movie in white briefs and sharing his bed with younger brother also in briefs.

In The Army Now (1994) Pauly Shore in grey briefs

In the Company of Men (1997) Chad, dressing down a young black intern, insists that the intern drop his pants and show him his balls. After the intern sheepishly drops his trousers, Chad completes the ritual humiliation by asking him to fetch a cup of coffee.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY (?) Maybe the wrong title but definitely the right actor. Adam Baldwin as part of a family of cops He is sleeping in V-neck white T-shirt and briefs. A recent TV movie in the states

In the Name of the Father (1994) Rebellious Irish kids ordered by IRA men to drop their pants on a busy street. Daniel Day-Lewis in patterned briefs.

Indecent Proposal (1993) Woody Harrelson in white boxer briefs with Demi Moore

Independence Day (1996) Sci-fi action. In an early scene, Will Smith gets out of bed in his light blue boxer shorts.

Infinity (1996) Matthew Broderick

Innocent Man, An (1989) Thriller. Tom Selleck prepares for a shower at the start of the movie. He strips off his black T-shirt and is in his white briefs for a moment.

Internal Affairs (1990) Bad cops (Richard Gere is one I think) break into a house with a guy sleeping in white T-shirt and briefs, then kill him.

Into the Night (1985/I) Russian communist changing in Tiffany’s wearing white collar shirt and white briefs then runs outside in them when he sees Jeff Goldblum (the man he’s after). Also has bodybuilder Jake (Bodies by Jake) in black bikinis.

Irony of Fate (Ironiya sudby, ili S lyogkim parom!) (1975) (TV) Nadya enters her apartment and finds a man without trousers in her bed. What's more - Nadya's fiance also finds him there...

Ishtar (1987) Warren Beatty has a moment in his full-cut boxer shorts. The film is considered a bomb by most critics, however - with occasional funny moments.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) James Stewart dries out in his long underwear after being rescued from an icy river.

[treshmind]

oi tmi section

tagged by @1000punks xoxo gossip girl

Do you make your bed? I'm so rigorous about it! Won't let anyone do it for me ever, I have my own rules, sorry

Favourite number? Hmmm... I'm not into numbers personally, but for a while I really liked the ones in my birth date and combinations of it, especially 27, 5 and 9. Right now it's probably 9.

What’s your job? Med student hoping to be a nurse by the next semester! I need some practice and money, duh

If you could go back to school would you? "I'm still at the restaurant". But I'd love to go back to my middle school days... Best memories and best people come from there 💞

Can you parallel park? "And I'm not cool and I'm not smart and I can't even parallel park". I had a brief aspiration to get my drivers license but alas!

Do you think aliens are real? I just believe there are many things people are not meant to know/discover. Including the existence of the extraterrestrial life :)

Can you drive a manual car? *sighs* ^^^

What’s your guilty pleasure? A couple of years ago I would have said "listening to pop music" but now I don't care (almost). *shrugs*

Tattoos? Nope and not planning to! Like piercings, it's just not my thing

Favourite colour? Light blue, mustard yellow, amber-ish yellow (*winks* iykyk), lavender, burgundy.

Favourite types of music? Let's ask my spotify stats! *checks* Yeah still pop. 70s soft rock, a bit of soul, Prince is his own genre and I love everything he'd ever made. That's basically it.

Do you like puzzles? It depends. If puzzles in general - no. If we mean jigsaw - hell yeah.

Any phobias? They're not strictly phobias, I just really don't like enormous objects, spiders and bugs.

Favourite childhood sport? Do I look like I... whatever. Chess, ha!

Do you talk to yourself? Yes and it's mostly pretending talking to my fav characters and long-distance friends. I know. Anxious attachment style.

What movies do you adore? Unironically? *whispers* Scary Movie 2. OH WAIT add that to the guilty pleasures. Mamma Mia too. Also Hangover. Heathers. Arrival. Hacksaw Ridge. Django Unchained and Kill Bill are my ultimate Tarantino duo (well technically trio). And a bunch of soviet dramas, of course.

Coffee or tea? Water. Tea occasionally.

First thing you wanted to be growing up? Equestrian or archeologist. Or astrophysicist!

no pressure tags to some new (and not so new) mutuals I want to know about hehe @marlowethebard @onlyancunin @faerievampling @she-dwells-within-the-forest @lilsnatch

[spacemanxephos]

tho on a more positive note, speaking of Heathers soundtracks and whatnot- Main Timeline xephna with memories wiped and put into a gameboard by Ridge moments where Lalna is seeing Xephos in his prime Federation-era fighting style with ‘Fight For Me’ playing over it

[sims-half-crazy]

"You're almost 25. When was the last time you took a vacation? Hell, when was the last time you hung out with me?" Adrian was never one to pull any punches, but Heather was glad to have been able to reconnect with her childhood friend.

"I know you're right, but it just never seems like the right time. I've got the shop and who would run it if I'm not here?"

"You're not chained to it. I already booked some stuff. It's just one night and Chestnut Ridge isn't very far from you. You could drive out and hang out with me." Adrian was pleading now, and the idea of a night away did sound wonderful.

"Ok. I'm in!"