#I should make a post detailing how each of the boys feel about Finn.

[nympippi]

What is your opinion on brinney? ( Bruce x Finney) or binney (Billy/Paperboy x Finney) ?

Hmmm, I think these are really cute and interesting ships!

For Brinney I really like the domesticity of it, because of how kind both Finn and Bruce are. They would be the sporty it™ couple, despite being on different baseball teams they still very much support the other on and off the field. Even in my au, I think Finn would support Bruce and being someone Bruce can lean on. Just 10/10 ship I love it ^^

As for Binney, I'm not as acquainted with it but I can also see this ship working out. Billy's sarcastic and hardworking personality and Finn's quiet but clever mind works well, because I can see Finn helping Billy on his runs, helping ease his anxieties after the whole Grabber fiasco. Also 10/10 ship! ^^

Overall, great ships and I probably draw them if I get the chance later :P

[vcg73]

Free Kurt - Wedding Edition

OK, so I never made it all the way through the episode, so this is off the cuff. But in the spirit of ‘canon is bullshit and Kurt deserved better’, here is my shot at Carole saving Kurt from that absurd S6 wedding per this request:  https://www.tumblr.com/elledelajoie/697137179001028608/free-kurt-challenge-3?source=share

TITLE: Mother May I

~*~*~*~*~

“Excuse me. Can we talk for a minute?” Carole asked, knocking softly on a support post next to the hale bale on which sat Pam Anderson, Blaine’s mother.

The dark-haired woman smiled, looking relieved to have company, and it was then that Carole realized that this woman was a stranger to everyone here, excepting her son and Kurt, and had probably been feeling a little bit lost amongst the twittering throng of wedding guests, and friends and family of the two young brides.

“Of course!” she said, scooting over a few inches to make room on the blanket covered bale. “It’s Carolyn, right? Kurt’s mother?”

“Carole, actually,” she corrected with a smile, trying not to let her puzzlement show. Surely Kurt had, at some point in his relationship with Blaine, met the other young man’s parents. And hadn’t Blaine ever talked to his mom about his boyfriend’s family? She could remember Finn excitedly babbling away about every little detail of his girlfriends’ lives when he had dated, alternately, Quinn and Rachel. And Kurt had told Burt and her all about Blaine. Even before they started dating officially, every visit home from Dalton Academy had been full of information on Blaine, the information frequently seeming to burst out with his enthusiasm to talk about the other boy.

Pam shook her head. “Right, I’m so sorry. I’m terrible with names. I’ve met so many new people today that all of the introductions have flown right out of my head.”

“Are you friends with the brides’ mothers?” Carole asked, momentarily distracted from original intention in seeking this woman out.

Pam blushed. “Actually, no. My son recently broke up with the young man he’d been living with and I was coming as his, and I quote, ‘emergency plus-one’. But then he and Kurt unexpectedly got back together yesterday, so I was going to bow out, but the boys said I should come anyway. Since I’d already bought the dress and all.” She laughed a little awkwardly, seeming to only just notice that her dress and Carole’s were very alike. “I see we have similar good taste. We almost look like we should be mothers of the grooms, instead of guests of the brides!”

The other woman laughed again, but Carole felt like her thoughts had just screeched to a halt. “They just started seeing each other again? I thought my step-son was still dating that older gentleman that he met online.”

“Oh, no. I think they were just friends. That’s what my son told me,” Pam said. “Blaine broke up with Dave last week because he said he felt like he and Kurt had worked things out, but as far as I know it didn’t become official until yesterday.”

Carole’s brow creased. She suddenly felt rather suspicious of this odd chain of coincidental timing and events. “Something is very wrong here,” she said slowly. “And I think it may be partially my fault. Earlier, Kurt was saying something to his dad and me about how he had almost gotten married last year and what a young and foolish decision that was at the boys’ age. We should have just agreed, but instead we started waxing on about how you had to grab every moment of life and make the most of it. I’m afraid I may have inadvertently projected my regrets for the opportunities my son Finn never got to have onto him.”

Pam reached out, giving Carole’s hand a wordless squeeze of sympathy that told her the other woman had heard the tragic news of Finn’s passing.

“And Kurt takes everything to heart, doesn’t he?” Pam said with a small sigh. “He’s such a sweet young man. I never did get the full story on what broke them up the first time, but I regretted losing him almost as much as Blaine did.  I love my son, but I know he isn’t good at taking responsibility for his actions, and I suspect he was at least equally at fault in whatever happened. Blaine has a bad habit of assuming that circumstances will always fall in line to suit his preference, and he becomes oblivious to anything that doesn’t fit that narrative. Those two have broken up and gotten back together so many times that I’m starting to believe Blaine’s in claims about destiny and soulmates.”

Carole sighed. “I’m not sure that I agree. Sometimes couples break up because they just aren’t suited for each other, no matter how strong the love is.  And now Brittany is trying to convince our sons that they should get married in a double ceremony today. I overheard Sue Sylvester talking to Brittany just now, and I believe the idea originated with her. That woman has an unhealthy obsession with Kurt, and lately she’s been fixed on the idea of ‘Klaine as endgame’.”

“She what?” Pam nearly screeched the words, standing abruptly. “They can’t do that. The first time they got engaged, they’d been back together for a day, and look how that turned out!  Maybe they’ll work out in the end, and maybe not. I hope they do, but not like this!”

“Agreed,” Carole said, glad to have an ally in this. She would not hesitate to take on that track-suited maniac for Kurt’s sake, but she could not honestly claim that she wasn’t a little bit scared to do it alone. “Brittany apparently thinks that having two gay weddings at one time will counteract the bad luck of her and Santana having seen each other in their bridal wear before the ceremony.”

Pam’s face froze in a quietly baffled expression, looking so much like her son for a moment that Carole had to smile. Jumping up, she grabbed the other woman’s hand and gave her a tug. “Come on. We have a wedding to save, and another one to stop.”

A few minutes later, after a hurried conference with Mirabel Lopez and Whitney Pierce, the posse of Glee moms descended on the small room where the would-be brides and grooms, along with the still looming presence of Sue Sylvester, were waiting. Each mother drew her child aside for a serious heart to heart talk.

“Kurt, I know I’m not actually your mother, but I’m going to speak to you now as if I were,” Carole said, taking Kurt’s hands in both of her own. “This is a mistake. You and Blaine started dating under less than ideal circumstances and your entire high school relationship was a series of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, usually with you paying the price to end things peacefully. I stayed out of it then, feeling that it wasn’t my place to interfere, but Finn told me a lot, and I need to apologize if I ever made you feel that I was unapproachable. Maybe if I had tried harder to let you know that you could trust me, and that you had someone you could talk to when things got rough, you never would have felt like you had to do everything on your own. Or felt like you had to give and give until there was nothing left.”

Kurt gaped at her. “But, I…” He trailed off, unable to deny that he had done just that. “Things are better now.”

“Are they?” she said, looking into his eyes and nodding to herself when he flinched away from her intent gaze. “Or do you just want them to be better because you’re in love?”

“It hurt when he was gone,” Kurt said softly.

She impulsively gave him a hug. “I know it did. Letting go of someone we love, someone we put all our hopes and dreams into, does hurt. It hurts a lot. Believe me, I know. But your first true love doesn’t have to be your one and only. You and your father taught me that.” Letting go, she led him to a handy bench to sit down. “Honey, you can’t just ignore your problems, or magically make everything okay by wishing everything was good again. If the past year of grief counseling has reinforced any lesson for me, it’s that one. You broke up for valid reasons. Maybe you worked those problems out, and maybe you didn’t. Only you can answer that for sure, but when you and Blaine got engaged, it was essentially by ambush after you’d only just become a couple again, and I don’t think you were ready for that. And now, after another breakup, you’ve gotten back together yet again, and now someone else is trying to ambush you into a wedding. Someone else’s wedding, that you’re being forced to gate-crash no less!  Does that seem like an ideal situation, or something that will work out well for you?”

Kurt’s blue eyes were welling up with tears. “No,” he whispered. “I feel like Alice from ‘Alice in Wonderland’, like random things just keep happening to me with no rhyme or reason, and the more I try to go along and make everyone else happy, the more lost and confused I feel. But Carole, what if I call it off and I lose him all over again?”

“If you can’t be honest with him, and with yourself, you’re going to lose a lot more than that,” she said gently. “For now, Brittany and Santana just need to know that they’re stronger than a little bad luck, and that today should be their big moment; a special day just for them. Their moms will figure out what to say to make that right. As for you and Blaine, just tell him that you want to date for a while. You two have always been in such a hurry for a big grand gesture to somehow prove your love, and you don’t need that. Just spend time together. Maybe go back to New York and try leading individual lives, different apartments, different jobs, different schools, and make sure everything between you is open and honest this time. But be a couple in all the important ways. By the time you graduate college, if you’re still on the same page, then set a date and plan out the wedding you want. Not this.”

The tears were trickling down Kurt’s face now, but he looked so relieved that any doubts Carole had harbored about interference vanished. He had not been born to her, but Kurt Hummel was her son just as much as her darling Finn had been, and her love for him was true motherly affection. She hugged him again, tightly.  

“I love you, Carole.”

She smiled. “I love you too, honey. Now, let’s go see how the others are coming along, and get this wedding back on track before all the guests get bored and stage a giant musical revolt that makes ‘Les Mis’ look like a summer picnic.”

Kurt laughed and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, blotting away his tears and blowing his nose. “They would do it, too. You can’t put that many divas in one room and not expect fireworks.”

In the end, only one couple tied the knot that day.

Brittany’s fears of bad luck were lifted by all of the gathered glee club members and guests forming a giant circle around the couple and singing Elvis Presley’s “Good Luck Charm”. (Which somehow everyone knew, including Brad the pianist, who magically appeared at the Indiana barn just in time to accompany the group.)

Sue Sylvester’s bad temper was soothed by a personal invitation from Kurt to be the officiant on his next wedding day – regardless of when and where that happened to take place, or whomever he ended up marrying. At this promise, Sue abruptly decided that she did not particularly care about the identity of his groom, and that really, Blaine was too short for him anyway. He needed someone tall and statuesque. Someone who would look good on a cake topper. Someone not unlike a young male version of Sue Sylvester. Porcelain would be receiving texts and emails of prospective hotties every week for the rest of his single life.

Blaine Anderson picked a fight with Kurt over the drinks table for embarrassing him and ruining his big moment yet again. He whined so loud and snarked so annoyingly, that Burt Hummel abruptly had a change of heart and decided that Kurt had been right all along to dump him. In celebration of this moment, the two Hummel men shook hands and proceeded to dump a bowl of bright red, hair-gel melting, icy punch right over the top of his head.

Pam Anderson bonded with Carole, Mirabel, and Whitney, drinking and dancing the night away, and putting down the roots of a great friendship and a killer ladies bowling league. The next day Blaine - newly single and still showing blotches of a peculiar shade of pink here and there due to Brittany having made the punch out of double-strength Kool-Aid - drove his still happily inebriated mother, who had partied until dawn, home to Ohio.

Kurt returned to New York, much more happily single. Two months later, he went on a blind date set up by his best friend Elliott, and they hit it off immediately. According to Kurt’s very pleased father, the guy wooed his son like romance was a National sport and Kurt’s heart was the pennant. 

Brittana lived and loved happily ever after.

THE END

[jjackrabbitt]

That Damned AU

Hey guys (gn), I know you’ve heard me talk about this before, but I’ve actually been working on it now, so here’s part of it. It’s called That Damned AU because it’s been waking me up in the middle of the night to think about it for the last two years, so it’s just me damning it. I will probably change the name at some point. If you have any suggestions, I will gladly consider them. Basically, That Damned AU follows the events of the canonical story line of MPHFPC, but I’ve changed some things around, messed with some details, and added a few things. Mostly to fix or add to things that I have complaints about or wanted to hear more of. I will be tagging it as That Damned AU in case you want to block it

Before we begin I would like to thank @finn-nito for letting me talk his ear off about all this and in turn talking my ear off. It’s been a lot of fun doing this with you and getting to know you.

Now for the damned thing:

Ricky actually goes into the house with Jacob when Abe doesn’t immediately answer. Probably makes dumb comments about the decor or some thing. Goes back to his car for the gun when they see the screen door. Tells Jacob to stay there. Rushes back when he hears Jacob yell for Abe when the flashlight is found. Catches up to Jacob just on the edge of the woods and gives him shit for moving. Tries to lighten the mood and reassure Jacob, until they see the trail of blood. Is there with Jacob when he finds Abe. Ricky tries to keep Jacob from touching Abe because he thinks Abe is already dead. Both of them handle the situation Extremely Badly. We actually hear Abe call Jacob “little tiger” this time instead of just retconning it. Ricky alternates between trying to get enough signal to call the police and crouching with Jacob to try and help him. Abe’s riddle is delivered the same as before and Jacob does see the hallowghast. Ricky tries to shoot it but can’t because he doesn’t even know it’s there. When Jacob sees it he does grab onto Ricky and start shaking him with one hand, still holding onto Abe with the other.

Both boys have to be questioned, together and separately. Jacob sees Ricky’s interview because he gets a chance to snoop through the policeman's notes. He gets mad that Ricky wouldn’t admit to seeing the hallow and Ricky gets defensive about it. They don’t stop talking though because they mutually think the other is having a stress reaction and is seeing things/is erasing things from their own memories.

Jacobs parents didn’t really like Ricky before and they really don’t like him now because they think having him around will remind Jacob of finding Abe, but Jacob almost seems less stressed when Ricky’s around so they’ll allow it.

They don’t necessarily see each other more, but their interactions are way more emotionally charged now.

Ricky does start carrying his gun more because while he didn’t see the hallow, that was a scary night and he did hear something. He brings it into Jacobs house several times without Jacobs parents knowledge. This is a point of contention between Ricky and Jacob because if Jacobs parents find out Ricky will not be allowed back and will be cut off.

Because Ricky is still very much attached to Jacob when he starts seeing Dr. Golan this time, Ricky is in more danger of wights.

Dr. Golan hears a lot about Ricky. Probably significantly more than he wants to.

Ricky doesn’t get the medical attention that Jacob does because he’s poor and when Jacob knows Ricky’s having a problem he asks Dr. Golan for advice for Ricky.

Jacob is more resistant to Dr Golan’s work this time, because Ricky is there to call bullshit when he hears it and mentions that Jacob's meds are making him weird. Golan responds to this resistance by trying to convince Jacobs parents that Ricky is bad for Jacob. It does work but both of his parents are fairly shit at computers and they both have to sleep some time, so Jacob can still message Ricky and sneak out at night.

Ricky does appreciate when Jacob gets advice from Dr. Golan for him, but he does still give Jacob shit for therapizing him.

Both of them are being observed by wights at this point. Jacob gets a series of very weird food delivery guys and there’s like, three different cars that consistently follow Ricky. The food delivery guys aren’t outright weird, they just have the same ~*vibe*~ as Golan and some times they say strange shit. One of them knew his name without Jacob introducing himself.

The cars wouldn’t be weird if they weren’t definitely the same cars, didn’t only stop following Ricky when he A) was near his house or B) took random turns without signalling, and didn’t seem to follow any particular pattern to where he was seeing them. If they were in a similar area at similar times every day then okay, he just keeps seeing the same people on their way to work or whatever, but that’s not what’s happening.

Not much comes of it though. Jacob gets a few weird stomach aches, Ricky gets pulled over by a really strange cop once. Some one breaks into Ricky’s house while no one’s there and goes through stuff but doesn’t take anything or make a mess, the door’s open and a few things have moved when he gets home. You know, normal stuff.

Once, Jacobs parents go out of town. One of his mothers cousins is getting married, and they just aren’t sure that Jacob’s ready for travel and relatives and a party and everything. They don’t want to leave him for the weekend, but they both agree that he’s been doing really well lately (and it’s been months. They want to get out of the house and do Normal People Things). They tell Dr. Golan that Jacob’s going to be alone for the weekend and tell Jacob to go across the street to their neighbour for help if anything happens and they give the neighbour Dr. Golan’s number.

Roughly ten minutes after they leave, Ricky shows up. The Crown Vic goes in the garage, Alien is turned on, Chinese food is ordered and the weekend commences.

They barely even watch the movie, they’re busy talking. They fall asleep on the couch and honestly? It’s the best sleep Jacob has in months.

Until it’s about 4 a.m. and Jacob wakes up violently because this time the scene in his dream changed. This time he and Abe are in Abaton. He doesn’t know it’s Abaton, of course, and though the events of the dream have change, this one feels worse some how. Now he’s missing his grandfather and this place that he doesn’t even know what it is. He feels weirdly protective of it.

Dr. Golan Really doesn’t like Ricky. It’s significantly harder to manipulate Jacob if Ricky’s there to call bullshit. It’s still pretty easy to get Jacob to go to Cairnholm though. Even Ricky doesn’t call him a quack over it. Only tells Jacob to send him a post card of the only place on earth that’s more of a nowhere than Englewood, Florida.

Jacob does have some apprehension over being separated from Ricky, but he figures it’ll be okay since there will be a phone at their hotel.

They do spend a lot little more together than usual in the weeks leading up to Cairnholm. It worries both of them that they’ll be more than a 20 minute drive from the other. Jacob’s more obvious about it, Ricky (poorly) pretends it won’t bother him that much.

Jacob does bring one of his dads less favoured cameras with him, to take pictures.

His dad does try to insist that Jacob spends some time with him to look at birds. It’s funny, they keep seeing this one peregrine hanging around. Some times she, Frank says it’s a she, flies over them. She doesn’t seem too interested in hunting. Some times she disappears for a little while, but she comes back most of the time, unless it’s later in the day.

Kev and Martin are dating. I know it says in the book that Kev has a wife but no he doesn’t ❤️. Kev and Martin are dating and in love and very little will convince me otherwise. Everyone on Cairnholm is completely chill with it. They have dinner with Martins uncle on Wednesdays. Kev tried to take Martin fishing once and it went terrible but it was fun.

Jacob meets Martin on the first day, at the Priest Hole. He’s done at the museum for the day and is getting a drink with his sister and working on his poetry. He and his sister are harassing Kev while he’s on the job. They meet because Martins sister, Amelia, sees Frank and Jacob lugging more than they can carry up the stairs and makes Martin come with her to help.

Amelia is one of the very, very few ocs you’ll see in here, I’m not here to add a bunch of people. She’s here because I don’t want Martin to be lonely, as a plot device to make things move forward, and because I think we  should have more women. Yes MPHFPC already has a good amount of active women characters, yes I want more.

They start talking because both Martin and Amelia are huge nerds who would be excited about bird watching. When Martin mentions the museum, Jacob gets interested, as before he thinks it will help him unravel his grandfathers riddle. That’s it for now, but I will try to update again soon, though it probably won’t be as long. if any of you have any ideas or opinions to add, I’d love to hear them!

[korinthya]

Hiii 🤍

Is there a plausible reason for the PB fandom to hate Grace so much? I'm shocked sometimes because there is no real reason, and like, a lot of them would rather see Lizzie being treated like nothing by Tommy (because his lack of love affection for her is very clear) than accepting that he loved Grace.

I mean... WAKE UP HATERS SHE'S THE ONLY ONE 😌

(I LOVE your theories btw, they give me life)

❤ Glad to hear that ❤

First of all I confess that I don’t like to write this kind of post, I prefer to focus on what I like but I will answer you according to my criteria so...

I believe that this hatred, when exists, is mainly because of two reasons with a first and last name:

First Reason, Thomas Shelby

- Thomas is the protagonist of this story, and as often happens, with whom we live more situations and experience more emotions, therefore we empathize more with him than with the rest (which makes us forgive him easily as well).

And this brings me to the next point: quite a few of the supporting characters are vaguely developed, SK tries with Arthur and Polly but many times I see more inconsistencies in their narrative arcs than anything else. Many of them are puppets or tools at his service. In my opinion, this situation started in the second season and was accentuated in the third one. This leads to the public becoming more attached to him due to his strength as a character in comparison and because we better understand his motivations, hence we distance ourselves unconsciously from the others (including Grace), who seem shadows of what they were or could have been...Season 1 is the most generous in this regard, even Finn has personality there.

-  Thomas has become an idol for men and women as a consequence of his Gary Stu qualities and a writing that blesses him with luck, which crowns him with the title of untouchable in the eyes of his fans or viewers, obviously not all of them, who decide to continue with this story, his story. Eg. 4x1, if it wasn’t for the miraculous letters he found that compromised the king, his family would have been executed because of him.

Second Reason, Grace Burgess

- Grace is a character who truly challenges and misleads/confuses him and that is linked to making him look bad (harming his “reputation”) or literally hurting him.

["Character X" touches "Untouchable Character" = Disgusting Character that is worthless and should be dead].

I'm not making it up; you can often find one of these adjectives aimed at her or other characters in a similar situation.

- And if we add to that Grace is a person who comes and goes, the viewer doesn’t know her or empathize with her so much, which makes her unpredictable, "unpredictably harmful". However, I have to say in favor of SK that in her case, unlike other secondary characters, he made up for her lack of screen time through details to delve into her psyche, but he didn't try too hard either, huh. Eg. She wrote him letters for two years telling him about her life (S2), the lavender color that we saw in 3x1 and 3x2 means the mourning that she feels for her deceased husband, among others.

 Thomas' lovers

- And finally, the viewers prefer Lizzie (faithful to Thomas from minute one), or May (more business = more wealth), over Grace.

Reading the statements of her detractors, I’ve come to the conclusion that the problem, or the key, is usually the same: She is a worthy character / partner depending on how useful is to him.

Yes, as if they were scissors to prune a hedge. And hey! They are not entirely wrong, taking into account their depth or that the conflicts they present with themselves and for the plot are more superficial than a puddle, especially May. They are simply there, waiting to be used by Thomas... and that availability, that control over them and the assurance that they won’t "create problems / harm" the Untouchable it’s what they really like the most. It doesn't matter if Thomas treats them like shit or they have nothing in common, or even if they use each other for purely superficial purposes. As long as Thomas comes out well from whatever and the woman in question has been good to him they make a wonderful couple. So yeah, I hope Lizzie is the Black Swan because she at least has potential.

 -Oh! But I'm not saying a dysfunctional relationship isn't worth telling or developing, long live the diversity! That can offer a lot, BUT that’s not the case here, mainly because of the immense indifference shown by one of the parties and the inactivity of the other. (Guess which is which).

 In short: They are angry because Grace putted one over on Tommy, the blue eyed boy, and on top of that, he liked it and then got married to her. Instead, Lizzie is easier to handle than a lollipop.

  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the story and most of the characters, but as much as I like something, contrary to Thomas, and quoting Grace: I'm not blind.

 Thx for asking

[smcc212]

Not So Secret After All

Pairings- Tommy Shelby x son! Reader, Isiah Jesus x male reader

Word count- 1,504

Warnings- fluff, smut, anal, swearing, slight internalised homophobia(but not really)

A/N- I sent a request to @sleepypeaky awhile ago with the prompt I’m using, Tommy finding out his son’s gay and is dating Isiah, so check out her post “Isiah Jesus x male!reader”. I really hope you guys enjoy this!!

Also, I’ve not written smut I soooo long, and I’ve never written m/m smut so sorry if it’s shit.

The phone next to my bed rang, I answered it. I hoped it was my boyfriend, Isiah, but I answered with a neutral tone of voice.

“Hello.” My voice was void of any emotion, a skill I learned from my father, quickly, as I grew up.

“Hey, babe,” I heard Isiah’s voice fill my ears. Excitement bolted through my veins immediately.

“Isiah, how are you?” I squealed. I hadn’t talked to Isiah in two weeks and it was horrible.

“I’m alright, better now I’m talking to you, though. Is your dad home?” He asked.

“You’re adorable, but yeah, he’s home. Is your dad home?” I asked, silently praying he wasn’t, but maybe people are right and God does hate me, because, as I prayed, Isiah answered.

“Yeah, he is. Fuck. I miss you, I especially miss fucking you.” I giggled like a schoolgirl at his crude remark.

“I miss you and your cock as well, Isiah.” We both laughed. We started to talk about what we’d been up to while we were away from each other. Neither of us had done much that was different from normal, but we both made sure to include every detail just so we could talk to one another longer. Just as I was telling Isiah about riding one of the horses, my dad’s voice bellowed through the house.

“(Y/N)! I’m going to help Arthur with something, okay?”

“One minute, iz-“ I moved the mouth piece away. “-Okay! How long will you be?!” I shouted back.

“An hour and half, two hours!” I heard him shout back. Excitement coursed through my veins. I would finally be able to spend time with Isiah!

“Okay! Bye!” As the door shut. I quickly brought the mouth piece back to my lips and informed Isiah.

“I’ll be right there!” He beamed. “I love you.”

“I love you too, bye.”

“Bye, see ya soon, sweetheart.” And with that, he hung up and made his way over as I made sure I looked okay. I changed my clothes even though I knew Isiah would just take them off again.

Half an hour later, Isiah had me pinned against my bedroom door with his body, his mouth on my neck and his hands wandering over my body.

“‘Siah, there’s a perfectly good bed behind you,” I moaned, wrapping my legs around his waist. He wasted no time carrying me over to the bed and throwing me onto it. He rushed to get my clothes off.

“Fuck, why are you wearing so many fucking layers?” He complained, making me laugh as I worked on his clothes as well.

“Oh for fuck sake.” My hands were shaking with excitement. “Fuck this!” I ripped his shirt off, buttons flying all over the floor.

“(Y/N)!”

“Calm down, you can take one of mine. There are upsides to being sinners,” I joked. Though maybe that wasn’t the best thing to say to the son of Jeremiah Jesus.

“Yeah, guess so,” He mumbled. I started to feel guilty about my joke until I felt Isiah’s hand wrap around my cock.

“Fuck,” I moaned, Isiah pushed me onto the bed. After shedding his clothes, he climbed on top of me.

“Oil. Where is it?” He rushed out.

“In the drawer,” I replied with just as much urgency. He grabbed the oil, heating it up between his hands before massaging my hole and gently pushing one finger inside.

“That feel got, eh?” He cockily drawled. Pumping his finger in and out until he felt I could take another. And another finger I took.

“Of course it fucking does, and you know it,” I snapped back. “Now hurry the fuck up.”

After a while of working me open, Isiah, finally, entered me. We both moaned in unison. He thrust in and out as he stroked my cock. We were so caught up in the moment, neither of us realised my dad, uncles, aunt Ada and great-aunt Polly came home. They must’ve been calling on me for awhile, because my dad burst into my room and-

“What the fuck...?” My dad mumbled, quietly. Isiah grabbed the blanket from beside us and covered us with it.

“D-dad?!” I panicked, looking in the blue eyes we shared. Those blue eyes that are usually so calm and collected, now widened with shock and confusion. “Dad, I-“

“Get dressed and come to my office, both of you,” He said and walked out. Isiah got up and started to get dressed, grabbing a shirt from my wardrobe. I just lay there, I couldn’t move. He wasn’t supposed to find out like this! No one was supposed to know, not till I was ready. What was going happen? Would my dad disown me? Would my family disown me?! My father is fucking gang leader for fuck sake, he wouldn’t want a gay son! Would he?

“(Y/N)! Come on, get dressed.” Isiah handed me my clothes. I got dressed quickly, my thoughts still racing. Would my family think I’m weak now? Would they kick me out of the business? I worked so hard for my position, I can’t lose it because of this! I can’t lose my fucking family because of this! “Hey, baby, it’s gonna be okay.”

“You don’t know that, Isiah! I could lose everything because of this!” I shouted, raking my hands through my hair.

“No matter what happens, you’ll still have me, I promise,” Isiah said, placing his hands on either side of my face, making me look at him. “You hear me? I’ll always be here for you.” He kissed me passionately to make sure I got the message. “Okay?”

“Okay.”

Isiah and I walked hand in hand into my fathers office, the rest of my family were there. I took a deep breath before walking in, Isiah squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“(Y/N), my boy, why don’t you and Isiah have a seat, eh?” My dad said. He sounded... happy? I looked around the room. Polly and Ada were smiling, Arthur, John and Finn all looked perplexed and Michael mouthed ‘good luck’ to Isiah.

“Erm... I-I think I’d rather stand,” I answered awkwardly.

“Well alright.” I’d thought of my family finding out I like men many times, but never did I think my dad would be happy.

“Y-you’re not...mad?” I stammered out, looking between Isiah and my dad.

“Why would I be mad?” He asked, genuinely curious.

“W-well... because I like men,” I mumbled.

“(Y/N), everyone in this family with a brain in their head already knew.” This was followed by all three of my uncles shouting a ‘hey!’ In protest. “I mean, I wish I hadn’t walked in on you two, but I’m glad you don’t need to hide who you are from us anymore.” My dad smiled, he smiled. Weird day...

“Yeah, we’re happy for you both,” Polly smiled at us. A huge smile grew on both mine and Isiah’s face.

“I’m glad you two are happy,” Ada began. “I’m also happy that I’ve got gay nephew!” She squealed, excitedly. “I know it doesn’t change who you are, but now we can complain about our men to each other!”

“I’m here, you know. No need to be rude,” Isiah said from beside me. Now Michael spoke up.

“Isiah, does this mean you’ll annoy someone else by constantly talking about (Y/N)?” Michael smirked as Isiah bashfully looked at me. “I mean he’s all you talk about.”

“Alright, we get it, Mikey.” I laughed at how shy Isiah was acting.

“Wait a minute,” John spoke up, that usually means a joke is coming. “What about that whore we bought you?” No joke. Very weird day...

“I didn’t sleep with her. Told her it wasn’t really for me, paying for sex, but asked her to pretend we slept together so you lot didn’t know. So she did, lovely las, she was.” I thought back to when Arthur told me they ‘bought’ me a girl. Isiah was there. When he heard Arthur say it, he clenched his fists to keep from saying something and left the room. We had an argument after she left because he thought I went through with it. As much as I love the man, he’s a fucking dumbass.

“Hmm smart.” Was all John said before my dad joined the conversation again.

“Right, Isiah, come with me. We need to have a chat if you’re gonna be dating my boy.” He stood up and walked towards the door, turning around when Isiah didn’t follow him. “Come on, Isiah, otherwise I’ll have to drag you along.”

“Dad, for fuck sake, you won’t do this if I was with a girl,” I mumbled.

“That’s because men are arseholes, now come on, Isiah, i don’t have all day.” I smiled at Isiah before he followed my father. I don’t think I’ll ever get over this. Both my father walking in on me and Isiah, and also how okay my family was with it. I really lucked out. Now the only person left to tell is Jeremiah. That should be fun...

Tags:

@the-makingsofgreatness

@captivatedbycillianmurphy (wasn’t sure if you wanted to be tagged in this, but it IS Tommy x reader so... I did it anyway)

[byorder-fanfic]

Finn’s Lost Loves

Summary: Finn’s lost more than anyone else knew because of the war, and every stupid thing his family have done afterwards to keep themselves in charge.

Word count: 2019

Warnings: Mentions war and blood, talks about eating disorder, self harm and self-esteem, and homophobia (only a little bit, period accurate), a lot of toxic masculinity 

Author’s note: This is a lot of angst with little bits of fluff and a sad ending. Sorry. It’s basically an overview of Finn’s character, backstory and his relationships with the family that we’ve never gotten to see! It’s based off a piece of prose in my drafts, so if you guys like this, I might post that as well. Hope you enjoy, and please comment, I love hearing your opinions and any constructive criticism you might have xx

Finn loved books. Once upon a time, he really did. He loved the way Tommy did the voices, and Arthur made those wild motions with his hands, and John could always make him laugh as he told him about that thing that happened in the pub last week. He loved how Ada and Polly would tuck him up in bed, place a kiss on his temple and read the letters from the boys. Then they came back, and he didn’t need to read letters. Or books. Or anything really. Soon, he didn’t even go to school. He just wanted to be with his brothers. Now they tell him to piss off more than they beg him to stay. Tommy and Polly scold him for not being able to read off the betting boards, and John makes everyone else laugh when he holds a big volume under Finn’s nose, so that everyone knew that Finn was still illiterate. Finn hates books.

Finn loved Church. He didn’t need Polly to drag him by the heels as he sobbed under the Virgin Mary’s stare like his brothers when he hopped, skipped and a jumped all his way down the road. He always sat by Isaiah, the two boys out-screaming each other in the hymns and seeing who Polly would scold first. He wore the crucifix everyday, and treated his rosary with all the sacred carefulness a six year old could manage. He loved the psalms and Jeremiah’s voice ringing through the streets and the way everyone was always together (even Charlie) on Sunday. Then he had to light candles, praying for his brothers’ safety that was only answered with their damnation as they dragged back blood and French mud into Watery Lane. Now he cries through the paper thin pages of a Bible and his only prayers are that the boys never see his tears. What did he have to cry about after all? He was never a soldier, but he should learn to be a man. Finn hates Church.

Finn loved healing. Ada dragged him along to her nursing classes and soon his only reason to come to Church was to learn how to tie bandages and fix up cuts and bruises. No one noticed his long absences- they either assumed he went to school still, or they were far too busy with the race tracks to care for the whereabouts of their youngest brother. But then he'd slipped up, and he'd never seen his brothers laugh so hard when he proudly told Polly he was going to be a nurse one day. Even his aunt and sister, usually the ones on his side, had to purse their lips together as Arthur roared out: "Hear that, Tom? We got ourselves a Nurse Shelby here! Want a dress and hat to go with it?" He told them all to fuck off and stamped out, but he didn't understand what he said that was so funny. When he asked Isaiah, who had just turned fourteen and starting to see Finn less and less, he just said that being a nurse was a woman's job. He didn't like being laughed at for being a girl, but he didn't know why. He still hoarded textbooks about anatomy and the like under his bed, tracing over the detailed pictures with his skeleton finger as he wished. And wished. And wished. And almost prayed that he could read the little ink words. When he found Arthur with another red line on his neck, he offered him some medicine to cure his big brother's blues, thinking just a bit of Tokyo would keep his brother here with him. No one asked why Finn was sad. Oh well, at least he could protect his brothers now. Finn hates healing. Finn loved food. Always the big eater in the Shelby household, he managed to always have a full stomach despite the poverty that reigned. He was a stickler for sweets, though, and as soon as he mastered the art of sneaking rings and wallets from unsuspecting strangers, he soon graduated to thieving lollipops and boiled sweets and even some toffees that he proudly deposited into his aunt's hand with a toothy grin. But the boys would look into his empty plate and his skinny frame and tell him he'd better watch out, soon he might actually have a shape under those bulky clothes. They always laughed, and he felt himself completely embarrassed at the dinner table. He dumped more sugar than milk into his tea and stole chips when they went to the seaside. He'd always offer to share, wanting to provide for them for once, but they'd tell him he was the one who needed it. He sees his ribs and the little vertebrae of his spine and wonders why can't he just be strong like his brothers. Even though he despises it, he picks up boxing to fill out his form. Maybe training with Isaiah was an extra benefit, but the older boy had long since talked to Finn on the regular, and made a point to laugh at him when he fell onto the floor. So, Finn graduated from second helpings of lunch and too-sweet tea to the sour delights of whiskey and cigarettes. Just like his brothers. Finn hates food. Finn loves his family. He loves Polly, the mother he never had, and will never feel like he does enough to repay her for his entire childhood. Then Michael came back, and soon there wasn't any chore lists on the downstairs table for someone to read out for him, or little check ups throughout the day as she makes sure he's okay. That was when he realised exactly why Polly raised him in her empty arms. He loves Arthur: his eldest brother, who used to lift him up on his shoulders and teach him to draw. Finn still has faded old pictures of galloping stallions (signed in block letters: A.W.S) slipped between the filled out pages of the sketchbooks he hides in his wardrobe. Then Arthur came back, with what everyone calls Flanders Blues, but no one explains, and Finn feels like he's losing his brother everyday when he comes back smelling like a brewery with blood on his fists. Finn loves Tommy. A father figure to him, the kind of man he wants to be when he grows up. But then Greta died and Tommy went to war, and the man who took him horse riding every weekend was gone, and this Tommy was colder. Finn loves John as the best friend he's ever had, always laughing together, giving sometimes useful advice and finding days to just spend time with each other. Despite John's bazillion kids, widowerhood, and then his new wife, he's always had time to spare for his little brother. John was the one who told him what bisexual was when he found Finn sobbing in his room, he was the one that took him to the doctor when he passed out from malnutrition, and he's the one that made him swear to never use razor blades on himself again. Finn loves Ada. He sees why Freddie calls her an angel, and used to love it when she pretended to take Finn to the library when in fact they were both slipping away to a Communist meeting, which would usually end up in Ada and Freddie slipping away and leaving Finn in the trusted supervision of leftist radicals that he happily chatted away to. Ada always took care of him, making sure he was never involved in the business (on either side) and telling him that being a soldier is a life sentence, not an honour. He lives because Ada keeps him safe and sane. Then Ada leaves. Finn hates the Shelby name that everyone screams at him like a condemnation, that invites slurs and hatred that only he gets because he doesn't look like a proper Shelby man. Finn hates his family. Finn loved Isaiah. A childhood crush that brought butterflies to his stomach and blushes to his freckled face. He sketched the boy's face so many times, he knew it by memory. They held hands when they were chased down the streets, laughing and sprinting as their spoils stayed securely in their pockets. But Isaiah was older than him. Soon after adolescence hit the Jesus boy and Peaky Blinders offered him a role, without the constant of Church, the two greatest of friends became almost strangers to one another. But Finn still loved him. He never told anyone, of course. He knew he wasn't a real homosexual, because he most certainly did enjoy holding hands and kissing the cheeks of girls his age (poor boy was flustered to ever do more!) but his heart still belonged to the preacher's boy. With more faithful women in the family than ever before, Finn knew he would be crucified if he ever told anyone. John was the only one who knew, and that was based on the fact he paid more attention to his brother than anyone else combined. He said he should just go for it, but Finn knew Isaiah couldn't be like him. And even if Jeremiah was always the kindest man that Finn ever met, he still didn't trust that the cross on his neck wouldn't shame him or laugh at him for the fact he was completely enamoured with his son. Then Finn got drunk, and when he woke up, his entire family knew exactly how he felt and Isaiah wouldn't look at him in the eye. He ran away to the stables, crying on Uncle Charlie's shoulder who told it would be alright. He made sure to keep an eye on Finn ever since, keeping an eye on his wrists and fists. The incident was soon forgot by everyone but him. Finn couldn't find it in him to hate Isaiah, but he knew he didn't love him any more. Finn has never loved Michael. He thought he could, at first, when he saw the tweed suit and a face more innocent than his. But then Tommy promoted him almost on the spot, and Finn had never at once felt so much rage bubble inside him. Everything he has done for his brothers, every passion he sacrificed, every humiliation he shouldered, just so they could see him as an equal. But no, there are only three Shelby brothers as far as anyone else is concerned, and Finn carries on as errand boy. He ignores all Ada's good advice, and swear that he will make his brothers proud of him one day. So, he puts on the thorn crown of a Peaky cap and wears the waistcoat and wool coat of his brother's likeness, and parades about Small Heath like he actually was apart of the makeshift royal family. Then Finn found Michael and Isaiah kissing in the alleyway. Even though Finn had made a point to announce that his brothers had started giving him more work, Isaiah still fucked off to the pub with Michael every night, devoting his time and attention to only him, and Finn couldn't understand why. Now he did. If Finn had been violent like Arthur, he certainly wouldn't have thought twice about taking the cup on his curls and cutting the smirk off of his cousin. He had stolen his brothers' respect, his surrogate mother's attention, his place in the business, the affections of the one boy Finn had ever loved. He had stolen Finn's everything, and Finn hated him. They both froze and stuttered. Excuses about just being friends, just experimenting, but he saw the way they held each others shaking hands just as he and Isaiah used to hold onto each other as they raced through the streets. "I'm glad you're together." He shocked them both with a forced smile. "You both deserve to be happy." The two were kinder to him after that, almost back to the old friendship he had missed, and Finn knew he didn't hate Michael. Or Isaiah. Or any of his family, really. No, Finn hated himself.

[gunterfan1992]

Episode Review: ‘Obsidian’ (Distant Lands, Ep. 2)

Airdate: November 19, 2020

Story by: Jack Pendarvis, and Kate Tsang, Adam Muto, & Hanna K. Nyström

Storyboarded by: Hanna K Nyström, Anna Syvertsson, Iggy Craig, Mickey Quinn, Maya Petersen, James Campbell, & Ashlyn Anstee

Directed by: Miki Brewster (supervising), Sandra Lee (art)

Of all the many colorful characters in Adventure Time perhaps none has a more elaborate backstory than Marceline the Vampire Queen. In many ways, Marceline really was the writers’ gold goose, engendering complex story after complex story. By the time the series ended, the vampire’s life had in more ways than one been woven into the very fabric of the show’s mythology.

But because I am a Marceline fanboy—whose zeal for her majesty is rivaled perhaps only by Glassboy himself—I always felt like the show could have done even more with her backstory; I mean, when the series finale aired, there were still plenty of questions that had yet to be answered (What happened to her mom? What is Simon going to do now that he’s “cured”? How did Marcy and Bubblegum meet? Were they romantically involved before the events of the main series? How did it all go south?). Nevertheless, when "Island Song” played for the last time at the end of “Come Along with Me,” I forced myself to push aside this minor, fannish grievance and applaud the show for writing such an excellent character. I didn’t need for every last detail of her life to be explicitly shown on screen. I was happy.

But then, about a year ago, news dropped that one of the Distant Lands specials would really delve into the history of Marceline and Bubblegum’s relationship. In an instant, I tossed my stoic “I-am-satisified-with-what-I-received” mentality right out the window. We were going to get another Marceline episode, and it was going to dive back into her elaborate backstory!?! I could barely contain my excitement as I waited for the episode to drop.

Well, was my excitement worth it? Or was “Obsidian” a big ol’ let down—a tragic victim to grandiose expectations that were never meant to be fulfilled?

I’m quite happy to say that not only was “Obsidian” a remarkable special in its own right, but it is arguably one of the strongest episodes of Adventure Time, period.

The plot of this episode is fairly standard, as far as Adventure Time episodes go: Glassboy (a new character voiced by Michaela Dietz, the voice of Amethyst from Steven Universe) accidentally sets a giant fire monster named Molto Larvo loose on the Glass Kingdom, and Marceline and Bubblegum—who we learn have been living their best cottagecore life together in Marcy’s cavehouse—are forced to save the day. But the series’ writers take this otherwise quotidian adventure idea—a story which, at least on paper, could have easily fit in during any of the show’s many seasons—and employ it as something of a Trojan Horse, using it as a pretense to delve into both Marcy’s traumatic childhood and her and Bubblegum’s romantic history. And, boy, is it a ride!

With regard to the former story thread, the audience learns that sometime after the Mushroom Bomb detonated, Marceline and her mother, Elise (voiced this time not by Rebecca Sugar, but by actress Erica Luttrell, who played Sapphire in Steven Universe), roamed the wastelands in search of shelter; after Marceline’s mother came down with some sort of sickness, she sent Marceline to be on her own. Elise was hoping that this would spare Marcy the trauma of seeing her mother die before her very eyes, but due to some communication issues, Marceline never learned what became of her mother. As such, Marceline began blaming herself for “leaving” her mom to die in the wreckage of the world. This plot thread is perhaps one of the bleakest that Adventure Time has ever explored, and the show does it masterfully, balancing the darkness (e.g., Marceline’s mother coughing up blood) with bright spots of comedy (e.g., the "wazzup” dog) that never feel distasteful.

Likewise, when it comes to the story thread about Marcy and Bubblegum’s romantic history, the special does not hold back. We get to see “Bubbline” at its best and its worst. I have a feeling that the word “fan service” is going to be used by a lot of folks when talking about this episode. As the AV Club writer William Hughes notes, this word is usually hurled around like a pejorative, but it aptly describes the appeal of “Obsidian”. After all, this episode really is “fan service at its finest”—not only does it give the ravenous shippers the story tidbits that they have so long to see (e.g., the moment Marcy gave Bubblegum her rock shirt, Bubbline’s epic break-up), but—and this is very important—it does so in a way that is fundamentally meaningful. “Obsidian” does not feel self-indulgent, unnecessary, or pandering. On the contrary, it is overflowing with deep emotion that allows us to better understand how Bubblegum and Marceline really feel about one another. Sure, over the centuries that the two gals have bummed around Ooo, they have bickered and fought, but deep down, their love is passionate. In many ways, it is like the titular obsidian, which means that nothing short of an enchanted diamond pickax is strong enough to break Bubbline apart for good.

(It’s also quite nice that after seasons and seasons of tip-toeing around the question of Marceline and Bubblegum’s sexuality, “Obsidian” can explicitly focus on their life together, showing the two characters cuddling, kissing, and dancing. In terms of LGBTQ+ representation, it’s a huge leap forward, and I’m so happy that Adventure Time has had a part to play in normalizing queer relationships!)

Marceline episodes almost always featured a catchy diddy, but "Obsidian” really cranks things up to 11 by featuring a whole bevy of catchy songs, several of which are perhaps among the show’s strongest. The first right banger, “It’s Funny,” is the song that plays over the special’s credits. With a grunge-meets-riot grrrl feels, this track really sets the tone for the episode, signaling to the audience that we’re in for, as Lumpy Space Princess once put it, some “drama bombs.” The next standout is “Woke Up,” a brutally honest diss track that Marceline used both to contain Molto Larvo and break up with Princess Bubblegum centuries prior to the start of this episode. This song was written by pop rocker Zuzu, and it—as the kids say—slaps. Layers of fuzzed-out guitar and digitally processed vocals are used expertly to sell Marceline’s emotions and convey how, on the surface, she’s delighted to no longer be under Bubblegum’s romantic spell... even if her heart may not be so sure.

But arguably, the musical jewel of the entire special is “Monster,” a somber ballad that Marceline sings to Bubblegum when they find themselves trapped in the collapsing furnace and are facing what they believe is certain death. Written by indie pop artist Half Shy, this song is, in many ways, something of the inverse of “Woke Up”: soft, happy, and filled to the brim with a sort of love that few are lucky to receive and even fewer can honestly express. Not only does “Monster” finally cement Marceline’s real, visceral love for Bubblegum in song form (remember: almost every prior Bubbline song was either indirect or delivered by an angsty, heartbroken Marceline), but it also “tames” Molto Larvo, allowing him to metamorphose into a strange but harmless cat-butterfly critter. Just like “Come Along with Me,” “Obsidian” proves that the power of love and music will save us in the end—if not physically, then at least emotionally.

Regarding the production-side of things, there’s a lot of praise to doll out. First off, the look and style of “Obsidian” is gorgeous. While “BMO” opted to experiment somewhat with the classic Adventure Time art style, trading cel shading for an almost watercolor feel, “Obsidian” echoes the aesthetic of the original series. That said, there’s an undeniable animation bump—likely courtesy of that sweet, sweet HBO money—that lets Ooo and its denizens shine in all their glory. You can tell that Adam Muto, art director Sandra Lee, supervising director Miki Brewster, and all the members of the production staff really went above and beyond the call of duty. The episode's soundtrack, composed by Amanda Jones, as deserves a shout-out. Jones did an excellent job mixing the chiptune style of the original series with a bass-heavy rock sound that highlights Marceline’s starring role. Bravo!

As another production aside, I should point out that CN/HBO’s decision to make these specials each 44 minutes was the right call. The 11 minute format of the original series often left something to be desired when it came to plot development, as many an important episode was forced to end somewhat prematurely due to time constraints; conversely, the 8-episode miniseries format that the show experimented with during its latter days sometimes felt like too much time (Stakes, Islands, and Elements all had whole episodes that felt like nothing more than the show treading water). The length of “Obsidian”, however, was just right, giving us plenty of time to take in what was happening without ever feeling like it was dragging.

A final aspect of this episode that is worth mention is its many call-backs to previous episodes and characters. “BMO” was mostly a self-contained story that, due to its nature as a prequel in space, really couldn’t reference the Land of Ooo without feeling forced. “Obsidian,” however, throws in everything and the kitchen sink (Adventure Time superfan and all-around cool person Jagm has collected most of them here for those of you who want to see everything laid out nicely). Stand-outs for me include Choose Goose (someone who we really haven’t seen since season five) smuggling sketchy products into the Candy Kingdom, post-Ice King Simon trying his hand at open mic nights, Bronwyn as an adventurous hero, and Finn the (Adult!) Human complete with beard and scars! Of note, Jake does not appear in this episode, except as a tattoo on Finn’s chest. Many in the fandom are now speculating that the events of “Obsidian” take place after our beloved shapeshifting dog’s death. Oh say it ain’t so! Perhaps we’ll learn more in “Together Again.”

Mushroom War Evidence: Unlike “BMO,” which directly referenced the Mushroom War and its fallout (both literally and figuratively), this episode returned to the show’s roots by featuring gobs of explicit hints in throw-away lines or elaborate background pieces. Honestly, there is far too many to list here in a pithy paragraph, but some major references include: the reveal that the Glass Kingdom, like the Fire Kingdom, was created by ‘magic’ blaze from the heavens (almost certainly a nuke); the fact that Marceline and her mother wandered for a time in the debris-filled wastelands following the apocalypse; and the reveal that Marceline spent at least part of her childhood holed up in a bomb shelter surrounded by the bones of myriad dead humans. Honestly, while references to the Mushroom War have always been sad footnotes to an otherwise cheery show; in this episode, however, the references are very graphic, illustrating the sorrow and horror of mutagenic war.

Final Grade: As I said earlier, I’m a Marcy fanboy, so I’m horrible biased, but I don’t care. This episode rocked. Q.E.D.

[its--ok--to--shine]

Watching It: Chapter 2 a Second Time

It was honestly very enlightening for me and I recommend everyone see it again to see what you pick up. This is mostly about Reddie content ~this is a long ass post~

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Reddie Dynamic:

In the first movie, they really show the affection that the two characters have towards each other by keeping them in close proximity and or they are touching. In all but three scenes of the first movie, Richie and Eddie are near each other. Even when the are looking up at Bowers in that weird hole, Eddie is literally leaning on Richie. At the jump at the quarry they are separated but interacting. I was sad they weren’t so close to one another in the second movie but I think it’s because of their repression of feelings. They jump back to the teasing but getting back to physical part of their relationship takes time. They arm wrestle and then there is no physical touching until they go back into the Neibolt house.

The Lack of Pennywise in the Background:

I loved this part of the first one and scoured the background of every scene desperately trying to see if It was in the background in Chapter 2. Like I’m paintings or other scenes. One person pointed out the painting in Beverly’s house but I didn’t see It in it. I thought that since they were back in Derry, Pennywise would be spying on them. I was like “oh it’s gotta be in the background” when Mike brings Bill to the library, but no. If anyone saw Pennywise in the background please let me know!

The Restraunt Scene:

I listened to the Reddie conversation in the background of the Bill and Bev scene and like low key you can see Richie listening and being supportive but also realistic about how it’s all in Eddie’s head. Richie has never seen him and still never sees him the way Eddie sees himself: weak

The Hammock™️ Scene:

THIS SCENE IS NOT LONG ENOUGH!!! I pray there is more in the director’s cut! Hearing “I fucked your mom” in the background was so good and sweet it made me wonder... is there another time they say that verbatum? Is Eddie saying “I fucked your mom” a call back to this scene??? Thoughts on this anyone??? Richie holding Eddie’s leg still has me 🥰

The Street Fighter Scene:

Was extremely telling the second time around.

Finn knew he was playing a gay character because during the game he completely looks at the other guys lips! It’s a very sweet moment. As another post on tumblr said, Richie was vulnerable and even felt safe with this boy. He thought the feelings were reciprocated. I think they were but Bower’s cousin was too afraid of his own feelings to accept it. Although some say Richie running away and not having a quip was uncharacteristic of him, I think he was stunned, shamed, and torn apart by what unfolded. It was as if someone stabbed him with a knife where it hurt most. He could barely comprehend it and couldn’t even deny it because he is gay and Bowers yelling “faggot” cut so deep. Also chronologically this was after the fight between Bill and Richie in the first movie before Bill goes to the archade to get Richie. In that scene Richie is playing street fighter alone which makes it really sad when you think about how after the f*ggot comment he had to play it alone :(

The Montage during Stanley’s Speech:

Richie putting his hand on Eddie’s back is adorable and Eddie does in fact pull him into the photo booth and they have a cute second together 🥺 I thought so the first time around but I confirmed the second time.

When Eddie said “please don’t be mad, Bill”:

Richie goes to Eddie to check on him before he is attacked by the Stanley spider head not after!!!! They don’t talk about it until the “you’re braver than you think” scene. Also the “don’t be mad, Bill” was way more heartbreaking because I rewatched the first movie and Pennywise says it as Georgie to Bill. In the book Eddie looks up to Bill. They all do since he’s the leader but idk that got me the second time around.

The doors scene:

It was Betty ripsom again!! Because she says, “where’s my shoe?” In the first movie we see her top half and then that scene we see her bottom. The closet though and her being from the waist down is again a call back to the AIDS comment Eddie makes in the first movie and both of their internalized homophobia is brought to the fore front here. Also after they slam the door Eddie yells “you told me to trust you!!!!” It’s faint but hilarious.Also Richie touching Eddies arm had me smiling like an idiot 😌

The possible kiss scene:

Although many believe the possible kiss scene is when Eddie saves Richie from the deadlights I fully believe it’s way after that. Eddie gets stabbed, rolls down that cave part, they discuss how to defeat it, Bill helps Richie movie Eddie while Ben mike and bev are being chased by it. Then Eddie says “I fucked your mom” then they go back to the other losers. It stays with that scene for a long time. Which is uncharacteristic of the whole sequence before this part. They jump back and forth between bill, Ben and Bev, and Richie and Eddie. It reminded me of the long scene in Neibolt in the first. Where we never cut to outside and come to find out later they deleted a cute scene with Beverly/Ben and Mike/Stan. When they return to Richie after the losers are beating Pennywise up, he leaves Eddie so suddenly and then rips off Pennywise’s fucking arm. The scene is right before that. They kiss and then Eddie dies clutching on to richies jacket. Richie then leaves. Which then leads to my next point-

Eddie did not die alone:

When Richie is fuming and leaves Eddie he looks like he passed away. He is clutching Richies jacket. I am hoping this is touched on in the directors cut bc although it has a dramatic effect, I hate HATE the idea that he died alone. I just don’t see how that motivates the story at all.

THAT SCENE:

I didn’t notice anything different in that scene. I just felt heartbroken once again and astounded by Bill Hader’s acting.

Other weird things I noticed the second time around:

• When It is the Paul Bunyan statue before he attacks Richie he says “Want a kiss, Richie?” Which I found both funny and fucked up.

•they cut to Richie yelling you’re a clown and I died because eddies hand is over richies!!?????

Like ya they are keeping the jacket in place but 🥺🥺🥺🥺

•all the blood goes up. Why is that? Is it because everything floats? I don’t know why but like If anyone knows lemme know

•the fact that they left Eddie there still does a number on me. I hate it

•the place where R+E is carved on the kissing bridge is shown in the first movie but the spot is blank. I think that was purposeful to not only show the Bridge but give us a timeline and like show us where it was going to be if that makes sense???

•although not at all compliant to the book, I still think Eddie should have lived and during the voiceover when Stanley says “be proud” it should have been both of them at the bridge or getting off the plan in LA together.

•the director’s attention to detail is astounding. All the things he did were INTENTIONAL!! Don’t let anyone deny it. He told James to do the little hand gesture. So the minute details we see and catch are purposeful and justify the true love that Richie and Eddie have.

Anything I missed? Thoughts? Lemme know and thanks for reading 🎈❤️

[self-proclaimed-chaotic-good]

Survivors of Unfair Choices (13) | FirstOrder!Poe Dameron x Reader

Words: 1638

Warning: SW-verse typical violence, minor swearing

A/N: Not sure if these updates are showing up under the tags, especially when I add a link in the post. Also, I’ve finished up the writing for this series, so there are four chapters left in this series

Series Masterlist

-

The room was in disarray at the news. How are they going to escape this one? A weapon bigger and more powerful than the Death Star had already targeted the system. Does the Resistance stand a chance alone?

Poe squeezed your hand tighter. It was the only thing grounding you right now, preventing you from being swept away in all of this panic. You looked over at him with fear in your eyes, searching for some glimmer of hope in his. He frowned, sifting through his memories about the Star Killer. There were some things that were above his station that General Hux and Kylo Ren had refused to tell the commanders. He was mainly in charge of flight operations and training the stormtroopers on how to fly with the occasional pillaging. The details of the Star Killer base’s integrity and structure were something he didn’t have to be concerned with. If the Death Star could be taken down, surely this one could, too… 

“Han!” you called out, catching the former General’s attention.

“What is it, kid?” he asked, frowning.

“Surely, there’s a way to blow this thing up, right?” you said, waving a hand over to the hologram of the Star Killer.

Han’s eyes widened. He snapped his fingers and pointed at you. “You’re right. There’s always a way to do that.”

The room began to settle down, all eyes on him. Several of them shook their heads, looking at each other if they had any ideas on how. Leia sighed in frustration, crossing her arms.

“Han and (Y/n) are right,” she finally said. You smiled, feeling the fear being replaced by hope again.

Admiral Statura stepped forward hesitantly. “In order for that amount of power to be contained, that base would need some kind of thermal oscillator…,” he said, looking over at the General.

“There is one!” Finn piped in.

The attention was once again back on Finn as he moved the hologram around, zooming in on the StarKiller Base until he found what he was looking for. You leaned forward as Finn pointed at a giant black hexagonal structure.

“Precinct 47,” Poe said.

Admiral Statura hummed in contemplation. “If we can destroy that oscillator, it might de-stabilize the core and cripple the weapon.”

“Maybe the planet,” Major Ematt added.

“There’s a defensive shield that the ships cannot penetrate through, but we can disable them,” Poe said, adding to Finn’s plan and raising people’s spirits, “Once that’s done… We'll go in there and we'll hit that oscillator with everything we got.”

“I’m assuming that that Dameron kid and (Y/n/n) will help lead the charge on that end,” Han said, nodding over to Poe before turning to Finn, “Kid, you worked there, too. What you got?”

Finn inhaled sharply, then nodded with dead set determination. “I can do it.”

Han grinned. “I like these kids.”

“I can disable the shields. But I have to be there, on the planet-”

“We’ll get you there,” you assured him before Han could say anything that would upset Leia even more.

You extended a hand out to Finn so you were holding both his and Poe’s hands, showing him that he wasn’t alone anymore and that you won’t let Rey be alone either. You knew that he was just as antsy to be on that Base and rescue Rey than anyone was on stopping the First Order.

“So we disable the shields, take out the oscillator and we blow up their big gun. All right. Let's go!”

The room disperses, everyone heading to their respective stations to ready for the mission. You went ahead with Snap to ready your squadron, checking in with the mechanics on your X-Wing that they’ve managed to retrieve and the types of repairs and upgrades they had added. You had decided to go with Han, Chewie, and Finn on the Millenium Falcon, but you wanted everything to be in working order for Poe to use it as acting Black Squadron Leader, via your request.

“So, Poe Dameron…,” Snap began.

You rolled your eyes. “How many times do I have to hear this today?”

Snap smirked, then said, “He’s an okay guy. Talented, possibly a better pilot than you-” You let out a dramatic gasp “-but, I think he’ll do better in the Resistance than he’ll ever will with the First Order, that’s for sure.”

You placed your hands on your hips and gave him a teasing smile. “You like him, then?”

Snap shrugged.

“He is pretty great, isn’t he?”

It was Snap’s turn to roll his eyes. “I’ll check on my X-Wing now,” he excused himself before you start gushing about your new boyfriend.

“I am pretty great,” you heard Poe said behind you.

You spun around and really liked what you saw. Your eyes roamed up and down at Poe’s new Resistance pilot uniform with a helmet tucked under his arm. Maybe he can be the Resistance’s new poster boy.

“You look good,” you said, grabbing his vest to pull him closer.

“Yeah? Orange looks good on me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he inched towards you until there was barely any space left.

“Oh, yeah. Very good,” you muttered, your lips brushing against his.

“A-hem!” Finn coughed.

You reluctantly pulled away from Poe, who pouted, before walking over to your pack next to your X-Wing. You pulled something out and tossed it towards Finn. He caught it and held it out. It was a brown leather jacket with red and black accents, slightly worn, but well looked after.

“My lucky jacket that I wore since I first joined my squadron,” you explained.

“You’re giving this to me?” Finn asked in disbelief. You nodded before gesturing for him to try it on. He couldn’t help but smile as he slid the jacket on and adjusted the collar. He spread his arms and looked at the two of you. “Well?”

“Looks good,” you said.

“Not as good as Poe in that bright orange jumpsuit, though, right?” Finn teased.

“You’re just jealous,” Poe laughed.

Finn smiled. “But we do look good here, don’t we?” he said to Poe, gesturing around at the base.

Poe nodded. “Hell yeah we do.” He grabs your hand. “Can I talk with you before you go?”

You noticed how the smile faded as he said this. You nodded slowly. “You can go on ahead, Finn,” you said.

“Alright, see you later, Poe.”

Poe slapped his shoulder as he passed before turning back to you. He furrowed his brows as he tried to get his thoughts in order. His eyes landed on the ring that you still wore around your neck and his smile appeared again.

“Anything can happen while you’re there,” he said, “and I just want you to know… I always… It’s just… Ever since our first encounter, I’ve always… there was something about you. You were the enemy, yet I had some type of respect and admiration for you. You were a good fighter and a pilot, skills that rivalled my own. I’m just glad that we don’t have to fight anymore.”

“Well, if you’re staying and we want this,” you gestured to the two of you, “to work, there might be a few fighting here and there. Let’s hope it doesn’t escalade, though. We might end up like Han and Leia.”

Poe chuckled. “I don’t know. Looks like we’re halfway there.” You smacked his arm. “See? But I’m serious, anything can happen while you’re in the Star Killer base. You’ve got Finn to help navigate, but there are areas and protocols that are above his station. They change the codes often, but officers like Phasma will have them. Find a way to get them and enter them into a workstation. From there, you should be able to disable the shields. Be careful. I just got you back. I don’t want to lose you.”

You pulled him closer until your foreheads were touching. “You won’t. It’s okay. But if something does happen-”

“(Y/n)-” he began to protest.

“I’m just glad you chose this. Despite everything, you chose to leave the First Order and join the Resistance. I’m sure your parents would be happy about it.”

“I chose you. And I would do it again. My mom and dad would have loved you.” He lifts the ring with a finger. “Keep that. You might need to use it later.”

Your heart fluttered. Being in a serious relationship had never crossed your mind, not when the war was waging on. You have seen it before amongst your fellow Resistance members, but you never thought it would happen to you, let alone have it be your rivalling commanding officer of the First Order. But here the two of you were.

Will your relationship with Poe last? Would it affect your work? It was uncharted territory for the both of you. It felt right, but you worried that this war might take a toll on the both of you or make your relationship stronger. It was like planting a garden, not knowing what to do, but you wanted to try. The rain comes, and the plants grow, but the bugs eat it up. Then, maybe, you both will find a way to fend off the bugs and plant again. You just keep trying and trying. And then the rain comes. 

Destroying the Starkiller base brings you one step closer towards the war ending and taking down the First Order. If it doesn’t work, you’ll just have to find another way. The important thing was to keep going, keep fighting. Maybe there were others like Finn who didn't want to follow orders. Maybe there were others like Poe who only chose to stand with the First Order just to survive. As long as there’s hope, the Resistance will keep fighting.

-

Taglist: @megzdoodle @psychoticobsession @thescarletknight2014 @marrypuffsstuff @theoralpha @daniellajocelyn @badwolf-212 @gleigh42 @ella-solei @roserrys @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @juliaguliaa

[truthisgoldenau]

IT'S PRIDE MONTH

for a moment there I accidentally had Pierce's photo under Marian's name oop

Time to officially confirm some AU canon LGBT stuff! Each character is their own pride flag but I'll add in other stuff that's canon in universe plus some bonus stuff at the bottom.

First up is Freddy Fazbear Jr! Gay all the way.

He's definitely the "move I'm gay" type

Was honestly super freaked out to tell his dad but went with the bold approach of bringing home his first boyfriend and blatantly announcing their relationship as such as a challenge and was honestly surprised his dad wasn't bothered by it

He was around 13 at the time and so the twins and Fred were still in touch with Maddie's parents and brother. All three were incredibly supportive (and still would be)

He absolutely had a crush on Bonnie Burnette even though he had never talked to him. Since the twins and Bonnie went to the same high school he knew of Bonnie, thought he was a dreamboat, but because Bonnie was somehow in with the popular kids (it was the money 100%) Freddy didn't even bother

Frankie Fazbear! My ace son! (The ears are wrong blame the app lol)

Honestly doesn't even know he's ace until much later

He's had crushes before but he's never been in a relationship (part of it is the attempt to communicate since he's mute sort of stops him)

He wasn't even sure it was worth mentioning to his dad so Fred never knew

This boy can hold so much love in his heart but he's not a very physical person that's all

Fred Fazbear Sr! YES. HE'S BI.

Only Maddie even knew he was bi. That he knew of. Some people probably figured it out with his over the top always on personality.

Fred was constantly sure that Pierce picked up on it particularly after the Christmas mistletoe fiasco but if Pierce gave a shit he never said anything.

Frankly it was amazing that more people didn't pick up on it. He was over the top about everything until a point.

While he didn't overreact to his son very blatantly announcing he had a boyfriend, he was very proud of him. It was a very Fazbear family way to come out. Even though he got so distant, he was always proud of his boys.

Bonnie Burnette! Also bi!

Being constantly surrounded by the popular crowd and always being the sort of stand out with purple hair and stupid purple bunny ears didn't do much to make Bonnie feel like he could even tell anyone he was bi.

Really the only reason he was even in the popular crowd was he was rich.

It made him less of a target for bullies at least cause the jocks wouldn't stand for anyone messing with him.

Knew Frankie from math class and honestly wished he could have talked to the quiet kid with bear ears as an alternative to the entirety of the popular group

Sort of in the background of the AU story very quietly develops a crush on Freddy and then thinks "oh God I like the troublemaker NO"

Chandler Cicily! Lesbian!

Would absolutely describe her sexuality as "girls"

She's starting to discover it during the AU (even if it's not a topic that comes up but that's why there's this post about stuff lmao).

She's the baby of the group since she's 16 when the story starts and relationships aren't important to her yet

But the crew still support her when later she's like "maybe I just wanna bake things for a cute girl and let her put flowers in my hair is that too much to ask" (Marian always chimes in with "mood")

Marian Mengele! An absolute bi icon!

Listen, her one goal in life may be to find her lost childhood friend, but that doesn't mean she's solely interested in this one Irish redhead

That said she's definitely only dated redheads

She's not afraid to be open about her orientation. It doesn't bother her. She's seen as weird already what can it hurt.

That said she falls for Finn so goddamn fast when she finds him that she questions herself and then is like "no wait I'm definitely not straight"

She's very upfront with Finn about it. There's no reason to hide this from him (or anyone) and if they're a thing she wants him to know.

Finn being the wonderful human being still loves her and it doesn't bother him. Why should it? He's just happy to be with someone who loves him.

Chetana might be Chandler's fake big sister but Marian is like fake mama when it comes to Chandler finally coming out.

God bless Finn for being the kind of person to sit and let Marian braid his hair with flowers because that's one of Marian's favorite things to do when her partner has longer hair and Finn's never really bothered with keeping his hair short THESE TWO ARE ICONIC I love them

Pierce Graves! A shitty pansexual icon

First off he absolutely knew that Fred wasn't 100% straight he had no idea how it wasn't immediately obvious to everyone

That said Pierce literally did not give a shit who knew about his sexuality

As shitty as his whole personality was he could turn on the charm easily

His parents definitely knew but he was already a punk ass rebellious teen at the time so they have him the "be careful, don't get anyone pregnant" talk and worried from afar. If it bothered them, Pierce never knew because they made sure that he could still count on them (even though at the time Pierce didn't really talk to them much about anything)

Fred absolutely knew though I mean they were good friends

He's not a romantic. He's never really had a meaningful relationship because he's not that type of person. To be honest, there's a piece of him that saw relationships that worked and wondered how that would feel but he knew that wasn't for him. He figured that out way early on when he asked his granddad why he didn't have a grandma and Mortimer Graves didn't sugarcoat the answer. "She wasn't happy with me. I gave her the choice. She could stay and be miserable with my lack of a decent personality even though I was already struggling to not be such an ass or she could go and find someone who actually made her happy. She chose happiness, and while it sucks that she drifted out of my life and your dad's, she's better off."

Pierce could frankly always tell that he was more like his granddad and as much as he sometimes wanted to know if he could even out up with a meaningful relationship, he avoided it. Better to not hurt anyone and wonder than to become the catalyst for someone else to overcome, right?

Fritz Smith! Gay!

The shy bumbling mechanic of the early 90s Freddy's ? Gay? It's more likely than you think

He was still far in the closet in the 90s He was young, living at home still because he had just gotten out of school, and while his parents weren't super conservative, he also didn't know how they'd take it

Found a friend in the day guard Mike Schmidt early on. Mike was looking for a roommate since his last one had moved out and Fritz jumped at the chance

They are like totally boyfriends by the time they cameo in the story though

Mike Schmidt! Another gay icon!

Mostly invited Fritz to live at his apartment because he felt bad that this poor shy mechanic was getting constantly harangued about the animatronics having problems

Was glad to let Fritz complain about it and even cry it was very stressful but Fritz needed the money

Mike liked him. It would be hard not to really. Fritz was a sweetheart.

Mike didn't ask him out till much later though he wasn't quite sure that Fritz was gay and didn't want to ruin their friendship.

Luckily it didn't and as it turns out they worked well in a relationship.

Fritz's parents had to take some time to get used to it when finally Fritz got the nerve to tell them but as soon as they did there was no end of support from them

Mike's parents were the opposite which was mainly why he already lived by himself but oh well he got a cute boyfriend and cool parents-in-law later it was kind of a win

Daniel Hartford-Dunn! Gay!

Presenting Maddie's older brother!

outside universe fact, he's loosely based in my actual cousin who lives in California with his husband.

He's 7 years older than Maddie was. Despite that, they were still close. Maddie's parents wanted more kids but struggled to get the two they had.

He's an accountant for a corporation and his boyfriend (and later his husband) is a pilot.

Last time he saw his nephews in person was at Maddie's funeral. He misses them terribly but over the years less and less contact came from his brother in law

Sometime in 2006 though he ends up getting a call from his nephews and there's this great reunion.

He's just. This chill older guy. Who loves his family. And doesn't care what people think.

Since I can't put anymore photos, here's the bonus content!

-as mentioned last night Dr. Phillip Guy is on the ace spectrum. I don't have anymore details about that at the moment unfortunately.

-Charlie Emily is a lesbian. The Emily twins were born in 1980. They haven't appeared in the AU yet even as cameos but they exist. Considering in AU canon the Emily family is alive and well in Hurricane, Utah without an Afton to be found, Charlie's dating her childhood friend Jessica at around the time the AU events are happening.

-Sammy Emily is trans and bi. Both Henry and his wife (who I know I at one point named but don't remember what it is anymore) love their two daughters to pieces.

That said I'll make a post at a later point introducing the Emily family because so far I've only officially given the design for Henry and not the rest.

In line with canon, Spring Bonnie/Springtrap can be counted as gay.

While Fred kept the shows at the diner pretty simple and straightforward, there was definitely this subtle underlying idea that Spring Bonnie and Fredbear were a content gay couple although if asked it was easy to present them as friends. At least, that was during '81-'82

However!

Fred also had Henry help him program in a special one time only song called Springtime for his and Maddie's anniversary in 1983, which was of course a love song. Fred always thought of that as being mostly for his wife, and partially as a turning point thematically for the two characters.

Henry was on board with this. They still kept it subtle, but there were clear moments where it was pretty much certain that the only way to interpret Spring Bonnie and Fredbear was as a couple. It was either so subtle that no one was bothered or Spring Bonnie's chosen voice was so ambiguously non-binary that no one thought it was odd.

Fred had plans for it to become more "canon" but never got to implement them since Spring Bonnie got damaged before he could.

Springtrap, being sentient and able to later interpret his emotions, is very confused about how he as a machine was meant to feel about this character he knew but the more sentient he becomes the more aware he is that he misses Fredbear and that he loved him. It's the cause of a lot of internal conflict for him. But he can be counted in the category of LGBT characters in the AU.

Happy pride month ya'll! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[klaineanummel]

(b)romance

Everyone does dumb shit in high school. Some people skip classes too many times, or cheat on their tests. Kurt Hummel gets drunk and eats thirty-five diet pudding cups. 

guess who isn’t deaddddddddd. big thanks to mailroomorder who encouraged me to just write a dumb one-shot to get back into my creative writing gear. this is based off a tumblr post i saw the other day that inspired me in the way only dumb shit can (link to the post on ao3 -- link to ao3 in the sidebar). hope you enjoy!!

i.

It all starts at a dumb party Kurt’s junior year of high school.

Finn makes him come, claiming he wants his friends to get to know his new step-brother better. Kurt tries to argue that he’s actually known all these people since kindergarten, just as Finn has, and they just have different interests, but Finn is insistent. Kurt should have known that his dad marrying the most popular guy in school’s mom would come back to bite him in the ass.

Finn spends the entire ride to the party telling Kurt in great detail about everybody on the baseball team, going into the specifics of why he thinks Kurt will get along with each specific person.

“—and Ryder puts a lot of care into his hair, no idea why. And Mike is super into dancing and musicals and shit, so you’ll have a lot to talk about. And Puck may not look it, but he’s actually super invested in skin care for some reason. Oh, and Blaine is really into fashion, and musicals, too. He and Mike are actually always talking about—”

On, and on for the entire twenty minute ride to David Karofsky’s house.

By the time they arrive, Kurt is more than thankful that Finn agreed to be the designated driver for once, because Kurt really doesn’t think that he’ll be able to survive the evening sober if Finn is going to keep that up all night.

The first thing he does when he arrives is force Finn to show him where all the drinks are, and to show him how to make the mixed drink with the highest alcohol content but least amount of alcohol taste.

He knows he’ll probably regret it, but as soon as Finn finishes the drink, he downs the whole thing in as few gulps as possible, then holds out his cup so that Finn will make him another. Because Finn is a terrible influence, instead of suggesting he maybe stick to just one for now, he grins and says, “Fuck yeah, Kurt!” and pours even more crap into his cup.

The second drink doesn’t last long either, as Kurt feels the need to take a long pull from it every single time Finn drags him to someone new and says, “Hey, this is my new step-brother, Kurt,” to somebody that Kurt has literally known his entire life. He then has to take yet another drink when whoever it is inevitably says, “Yo, hey, great to meet you!” as though it actually is the first time they’re meeting.

To be fair, Finn and Kurt seem to have arrived a bit late, and so most of these people are already three sheets to the wind, but still.

The only person who doesn’t respond that way is Blaine Anderson, who stares at Finn for a few moments after he introduces Kurt, then sends a confused smile Kurt’s way and says, “Finn, you know that I know Kurt, right? We have calculus together and were in the same class every year in primary school.”

“Well, yeah,” Finn replies. “But now he’s Kurt my step-brother. So, you know. It’s different.”

Kurt’s eyes widen and he looks down at his nearly empty cup before lifting it to his lips and draining it. When he looks up, he sees Blaine giving him an amused smile and then saying, “Top you off?”

“Please,” Kurt says, allowing Blaine to finally drag him away from Finn.

He’s feeling pretty tipsy by the time Blaine hands him his new drink. It’s different than what Finn made him, but still good, and Kurt drinks half of it in one go.

“Whoa, there,” Blaine says, chuckling as he pours himself a drink. “Rough night?”

“Oh, you know,” Kurt says, glancing around the room. “Just enjoying being paraded around like a new toy and realizing just how inconsequential I’ve been to the people I’ve gone to school with for literally ever.”

Blaine snorts. “They’re just drunk, and probably indulging Finn a little bit. Guy’s really happy you two are brothers now.”

“Clearly,” Kurt replies, eyes falling on Finn who is excitedly pointing in his direction as he talks to a couple of cheerleaders. “Thanks for acknowledging we’ve met before.”

He turns back in time to see Blaine raise his cup and take a long drink from it. Kurt raises his own as well, then downs the rest of his own drink. He winces a little as he does it, but then holds his cup out to Blaine for one more. Blaine presses his lips together and raises his eyebrows, but still pours him another one.

“Pace yourself, yeah?”

“Will do, Mom.”

Blaine laughs, shaking his head a little. “You’re alright Hummel, you know that?”

Kurt shrugs and gives him a, ‘Duh’, face, which just makes Blaine laugh some more.

“Come on,” Blaine says, grabbing Kurt by the wrist. “I’ve just decided I want you as my beer pong partner for the night.”

Kurt’s never played beer pong before, or really any party game, but he goes along happily. Anything to get him away from Finn’s endless crusade to introduce him to every single popular kid at their school.

**

An hour later finds Kurt sitting on a ratty old couch, wasted, with an equally wasted Blaine Anderson laughing up against him.

“We’re so bad at beer pong,” Blaine says, head falling onto Kurt’s shoulder as he laughs. “So, so bad.”

Kurt laughs along with him. “So bad,” he closes his eyes as he laughs some more, then widens them as he lets out a loud burp. He and Blaine stare at each other for a second and then burst out laughing again.

“So much for pacing myself,” Kurt says, covering his mouth with his hand. It just makes Blaine laugh some more.

They laugh and laugh until Blaine sits up a little bit and says, “I’m so hungry.”

Kurt frowns, suddenly realizing that he’s hungry as well. “Well, let’s go eat something, come on.”

Blaine stares at him with wide eyes, then nods and says. “Yes. Yes, amazing idea.” He stands, wobbling a little once he’s on his feet, then drags Kurt up with him. Kurt wobbles a little as well, grabbing onto Blaine’s shoulders to steady himself. Once they’re both good, Blaine grabs his hand and says, “Come on, I know where Dave’s parents hide the good shit.”

The good shit, it turns out, is an insane hoard of diet pudding cups. Apparently Dave’s parents have been dieting together for a while, and diet pudding cups are the only sweet they’ve allowed themselves, because there are really a ridiculous amount of them in the back of the pantry.

“Oh, my god,” Kurt says as he stares at them. “I love diet pudding cups.”

“Me, too,” Blaine says, grabbing a butterscotch one and digging in. Kurt just keeps staring at all of them, taking in all the flavors, completely overwhelmed.

“Blaine, I can’t choose,” he whines after a while. Blaine is already scooping out the last of his own pudding cup and stares up at him with giant eyes.

“Well, here,” Blaine says, handing him one of the spoons they grabbed from the kitchen. “Just like, eat all of them.”

And Kurt, of course, being the idiot drunk teenager that he is, grabs the spoon and says, “You have the most amazing ideas,” before picking up a random pudding cup.

In Kurt’s defense, everybody does stupid shit in high school.

ii.

Kurt still barely feels human by Monday morning. Finn laughs at him the entire ride to school, and Kurt silently bares it until they reach the McKinley High parking lot. There, he storms out of the car and walks away, throwing Finn the middle finger as he goes because, dammit, this is his fault.

He doesn’t turn back to see Finn, but he can hear him laughing as he hurries to follow Kurt into the school.

He’s just settled all his things in his locker and grabbed what he needs for his first two periods when Dave Karofsky and Blaine Anderson walk up to him. Blaine looks just as hellish as Kurt feels, which he has to admit is a relief. Dave looks about as amused as Finn, which basically throws all the relief Kurt’s felt at seeing Blaine out the window.

“Hey there, Diet Pudding Cup Boy,” is how Dave greets him, and the sheer words cause nausea to swirl in Kurt’s stomach.

“Please don’t,” Kurt whispers, shutting his locker shut.

“No, dude, I’m super impressed,” Dave says, clapping him on the back and causing Kurt to wince. “I think I counted thirty-seven empty cups when I was cleaning up the next day. Never knew you had it in you.”

“In my defense,” Kurt says, closing his eyes for a moment, “Blaine ate two.”

Blaine groans, and yeah, Kurt realizes that that’s not really a great defense.

“So, thirty-five diet pudding cups.” Dave laughs, then claps him on the back again and says, “My fucking man,” before heading down the hall, leaving Kurt alone with Blaine.

Kurt turns to the other boy and glares. “This is your fault.”

Blaine has one eye closed. “Yep.”

“I threw up four times on Saturday.”

“Oh god, shut up,” Blaine says, leaning his head against Kurt’s shoulder.

“I ate thirty-five diet pudding cups, Blaine.”

Blaine raises his head and asks, “Does it make you feel better to know that the entire baseball team thinks you’re a legend now?”

Kurt sighs heavily, shaking his head. “At least they’ll all actually remember me now.”

Blaine smiles at him, chuckling a little. “Oh yeah. Nobody is forgetting Diet Pudding Cup Boy anytime soon.”

Kurt groans and Blaine laughs at him the entire rest of the way to Calculus.

iii.

“Yo, Pudding Cup Boy,” is how Blaine greets him as he settles into the spot next to Kurt in the library. “I have a bone to pick with you.”

Kurt turns away from his laptop to give Blaine an unimpressed stare. “You know, I think I liked it better when I was Diet Pudding Cup Boy. At least it gave the semblance of health.”

“Too long,” Blaine says, waving his comment away. “Seriously, though. All the schools you applied to are in New York?”

Kurt frowns. “Yeah? I thought I told you that.”

“Uh, no,” Blaine says, shaking his head. “What the hell! We could have coordinated. Made sure we applied to places in the same area so we could be roommates.”

Kurt’s frown instantly turns to a grin. “Wait. So, you—”

“Yes, you freaking dork.”

“Oh, my god!” Kurt throws his arms around his friend, pulling him in for a tight hug. Blaine laughs as he hugs Kurt back, briefly tucking his head into Kurt’s shoulder as he does. “Blaine, this is amazing!”

“I know,” Blaine grins as they separate. “Pudding Cup Boy and Shortstop Supreme take on the Big Apple.”

“You know, I’m too excited about the fact that we’ll be in New York together to even care that you just said that.” Kurt says, which makes Blaine laugh some more. Kurt keeps grinning at him for a moment, then says, “Actually, no—”

“Kurt, come on, this is going to be great! I was so nervous about moving to New York, you know, not knowing anybody. Now turns out one of my best friends is going to be there with me!”

Even though it’s been over a year since the fateful baseball party that brought them together, Kurt sometimes still can’t believe that Blaine Anderson considers him one of his best friends. It makes his insides feel all warm inside every time he hears Blaine say it.

“I can’t believe we didn’t talk about this. I could have sworn I told you I was applying to NYADA and NYU.”

“You didn’t, you rascal,” Blaine says, knocking his shoulder lightly. “It’s fine, though. I’ll forgive you if you promise you won’t abandon me for all your cool theater friends when we get there.”

Kurt scoffs at that. “Please, Blaine. As if Pudding Cup Boy could ever abandon his trusty sidekick… what did you call yourself?”

“Shortstop Supreme. And, no offense, but you’re the sidekick.”

Kurt stares at him, bewildered. “Um. No.”

Blaine laughs. “Kurt, you’re Pudding Cup Boy. Come on, man. You’re the sidekick.”

Kurt opens his mouth to argue, but then another thought occurs to him. “Oh, jeez. I just realized Pudding Cup Boy is going to follow me to New York, isn’t it?”

Blaine throws his arm around him and pulls him close, grinning and saying, “You know it,” before the librarian finally comes over to tell them to shut up.

iv.

Blaine greets him by shouting, “Hey, Pudding Motherfucker,” from about twenty feet away. Despite himself, Kurt can’t help but laugh as Blaine continues walking towards him, holding two cups of coffee in his hands.

Kurt stands up from the bench he’s on just moments before Blaine arrives to wrap him in a tight hug. Kurt hugs him back just as tight, then pulls away to grab his coffee from Blaine before anything unfortunate happens to it.

“I don’t think that’s an upgrade from Pudding Boy,” is how he replies after taking a careful sip of his drink.

“Well, it’s what you’ll continue to be until you make more time in your life for your best friend.” They sit down on the bench, Blaine instantly shuffling closer to Kurt. “I mean, come on, Kurt. It’s been almost a month since I last saw you.”

“We literally text every day,” Kurt says, chuckling. “Also, if I recall correctly, we were going to hang out two weeks ago, but somebody cancelled at the last minute because the cute guy in his Creative Writing class asked him to get coffee.”

Blaine scowls and turns away. “Whatever. At least I cancelled to get laid. You always cancel for lame reasons, like work or homework.”

Kurt snorts at that. “Blaine, you told me after that he was the most boring person alive, and that when he asked you for your number after coffee you told him you didn’t believe in cell phones.”

Blaine’s cheeks color, and Kurt bursts out laughing. Blaine mutters, “Shut up. See if I ever buy you coffee again.”

“Oh, whatever,” Kurt says, tapping him on the shoulder. “You know you will, because you love me.”

“Nope,” Blaine says, throwing his chin up in the air. “You’re a dick, and I hate you.”

“You loooooove me,” Kurt leans his head on Blaine’s shoulder and stares up at him, fluttering his eyelashes. “Admit it, Shortstop. You love me. Come on, say it.”

“Pudding Motherfucker is right,” Blaine grumbles, which just makes Kurt cackle.

“Come on,” he says, pulling them off the bench. “Let’s take a walk while I remind you of all the reasons you love me.”

“There are none,” Blaine says, and it just makes Kurt laugh some more.

v.

Despite attending different universities, by the time their junior year rolls around Kurt and Blaine have somehow managed to find a decently sized group of mutual friends. They’re a mix of Blaine’s Columbia classmates, Kurt’s classmates from NYU, and a few NYADA strays they picked up after a night at a karaoke bar.

It’s surprising to Kurt how many of his close friendships have been forged over drunken nights out.

It’s hard for all of them to get together on the regular, due to conflicting schedules and the fact that they’re all widely spread throughout the city, but when they do it’s always a blast.

“Hey, Puddin’,” Blaine says, greeting Kurt by hugging him from behind. Kurt leans his body into it for a moment, enjoying the closeness his friendship with Blaine always affords.

“We dropped the boy, huh Shortstop?”

“Too much of a mouthful,” Blaine says, shrugging and placing a large glass Tupperware on the counter of Kurt’s kitchen.  “Can I help you out with anything?”

Kurt points in the direction of a cabinet and says, “Can you grab the veggie plate thing for me and start throwing these on there,” he nods his head down to the large selections of vegetables on the cutting board in front of him. “And then the hummus and ranch from the fridge? I’m almost finished cutting these up.”

“You got it, boss,” Blaine says, moving around Kurt’s kitchen with the ease of somebody who spends way too much time in someone else’s house. “Did Rachel tell you that she’s bringing some guy with her today?”

“Oh, god. Another one?”

Blaine laughs, pulling down the serving plate. “Second this semester. How long do you think this one will last?”

“No idea, but I can tell you this – if by the next one of these she’s got another one in tow, I’m not making the effort to get to know him anymore. I can’t keep investing all this small talk in random straight guys I’m never going to see again.”

“What a struggle,” Blaine simpers, tapping Kurt on the back with the plate. “Our life is so hard.”

“It is,” Kurt replies, sticking his tongue out at his friend. “Now, come on. Get to vegetable serving. You said you wanted to help.”

Blaine chuckles. “Aye, aye Captain Pudding.”

“You know, Blaine,” Kurt says as Blaine starts to place the vegetables on the plate. “A lot of people would probably be offended that you still call them a dumb nickname born of a night of drunken idiocy when they were sixteen.”

“Yeah, but those people aren’t you,” Blaine says, grinning up at him. “I mean, name someone else as legendary as Thirty-Five Pudding Cups Hummel.”

Kurt rolls his eyes. “They were diet pudding cups, thank you very much.”

“See?” Blaine bumps their hips together. “Legend.”

Kurt chuckles and finishes cutting up his carrots, Blaine practically pressed to his side as they work.

vi.

“You have to sing it with me,” Blaine is holding his arm tightly, dragging Kurt down so that they’re eye to eye. His breath smells like vodka and raspberries, and his eyes are wide and wild. “Come on, Kurt. Come on, come on, come on.”

“Blaine, I told you, I have a firm no songs before the 80’s rule.”

“It’s a classic. Please, Puddin’, for me?”

Kurt stares at him, the three shots he’d done early making his thought process a little slower. “Oh, my god,” he says, jaw dropping. “That’s why you want to sing it with me.”

“What?” Blaine pulls away a little, face filling with completely put-upon confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Build Me Up Buttercup? With Pudding Cup Boy? Uh-uh. No way, mister.”

“Kurt,” Blaine drags out the ‘u’ in his name, clinging to Kurt once again. “Please, you have to!”

“Oh, my god,” Elliott says, suddenly appearing beside them. “Can you just give your man what he wants? Jesus Christ, Kurt.”

“I don’t want to,” Kurt replies. “He just wants to sing it because—”

“Who fucking cares. It’s like a three minute song, just do it and get it over with.”

Blaine is staring up at him with those dumb puppy dog eyes of his, eyelashes fluttering wildly, lips pouted. Kurt groans.

“Fine.”

“Yes!” Blaine jumps up, presses a quick kiss to Kurt’s cheek and then hurries off to sign them up to sing.

“Thanks for the support there, El.”

Elliott shrugs, clearly unapologetic. “Come on, man, you know the saying. Happy wife, happy life!”

Kurt scowls. “Blaine is far from my wife, Elliott.”

“Whatever, potato, po-tah-to. Keep your man happy and everything will be good. Trust me on that.”

He pats Kurt on the back, then heads over to the table filled with their mutual friends. Kurt watches him go, brain still working far too slowly to catch up to the implications of what Elliott is saying.

Elliott is already long gone by the time he finally manages to say, “Blaine isn’t my man.”

“What?” Blaine asks, appearing next to Kurt.

Kurt jumps a little. “Jeez, Blaine. You can’t sneak up on me like that.”

“Not my fault I’m so tiny you never notice me,” Blaine huffs, chest puffing out in fake annoyance.

Despite it all, Kurt laughs. “You are tiny. Short stuff.”

“Uh, wrong,” Blaine holds up a hand. “It’s Shortstop, and I prefer to go by my Christian name, Shortstop Supreme.”

“Whatever, short stuff.”

Blaine scowls up at him. “I think Pudding Motherfucker might have just made a comeback.”

Kurt laughs again and wraps his arm around a pouting Blaine, leading him back to the rest of their friends.

vii.

The graduation party is held at Blaine, Sam, and Mercedes’s apartment, since all their graduation ceremonies were almost a full week after everybody else’s, and they insisted that nobody else could party until they were all officially graduated.

It’s a small party, for just their close friends, but you’d think that there was an army invited by the amount of alcohol their hosts provide.

“I don’t know when the next time we get to let loose like this will be,” is how Blaine explains it to Kurt, clinging to his side. It’s clear that Blaine had already broken at least a couple of these bottles in before everybody else arrived. “Since we’re all graduated and adults now. Have to get jobs and shit. Ew.”

Kurt laughs and doesn’t bother to tell Blaine that the next time they’ll ‘let loose’ like this will probably be within the month. Instead he just makes himself a drink and lets Blaine wrap his arms around his middle and rest his head against his shoulder blade.

“We met at a party; do you remember?” Blaine asks.

Kurt snorts. “We met in kindergarten, Blaine.”

“Well, yeah, but we officially met at a party. I made you a drink, and then you ate thirty-five pudding cups.”

Kurt chuckles, picking up his drink in one hand and wrapping the other around Blaine’s shoulders. “How could I forget when you still call me Puddin’ to this day?”

“Such a fun nickname,” Blaine says, grinning. “Although, hey. Full disclosure. Mercedes and Sam think we’re dating because of it.”

Kurt raises his eyebrows. “Oh?”

“Yes. And also because of how you’re always here, and we get dinner with them all the time. They call them ‘double dates’.”

“And do you correct them on that?”

Blaine looks up at him, frowning a little. “Do I?”

Kurt laughs. “Oh, Blaine.” He pulls his friend in closer. “Whatever. They’re not the first people to think that.”

“Yeah, and guess what? People can think whatever they want.”

“They sure can.”

“Because you’re my Puddin’. Forever, and ever. Okay?”

“You know it.”

Blaine grips his forearm tightly with both hands, staring up at him with slight crazy eyes. “I said, okay?”

Kurt laughs, then pulls Blaine back to his side and says, “Yes, Blaine. Forever and ever. Okay.”

“Good,” Blaine says, leaning his head against Kurt’s shoulder. “Now can you please hurry up and get drunk? This all feels very uneven.”

“You got it, boss,” Kurt says, rolling his eyes fondly as he starts to drink.

viii.

“Hey,” Rachel and Mercedes are already sitting at a booth by the time Kurt arrives. Mercedes looks behind his shoulder and says, “Isn’t Blaine joining us, too?”

Kurt nods, settling himself into the booth. “He got held up at work, but he’ll be here in a few.”

“Good, good,” Rachel says, nodding. “So, things are going well for him then, I assume?”

Kurt nods again, picking up the menu. “From what he’s told me. I mean, he’s basically a glorified intern at this point, but everybody’s gotta start somewhere, right?”

The looks the girls give him tell him that they know exactly what he’s talking about.

When the waiter arrives, they give him their drink orders, with Mercedes encouraging Kurt to order for Blaine. Their drinks arrive before Blaine has, and so Kurt decides to just order Blaine’s food for him as well. They’ve all been to this restaurant enough times that he can make a fairly educated guess as to what his best friend will want after a long day.

“It’s sweet you guys know each other so well,” Mercedes says once the waiter walks away with their menus and orders. “I don’t think Sam could order for me, even if he tried.”

Kurt rolls his eyes. “Well, Blaine is pretty obnoxiously open about the things he enjoys. Makes it hard not to know what he likes.”

“You still pay attention, though,” Rachel says. She sighs. “And he’s the same with you. Just wait until you see what he got you for your birthday, I swear you’re going to die. Even I didn’t remember that you’d said you wanted that, and I pride myself on my attention to detail.”

“That’s kind of what happens when you’re best friends for…” it takes him a moment to calculate. “Wow, going on seven years now. Jeez, when did we get so old?”

Mercedes and Rachel share a look, then Rachel starts in on a story about the theater company she’s currently working with.

Blaine finally arrives just as Rachel is finishing up. He scoots into the booth next to Kurt and says, “Sorry I’m late,” to everybody. Then, he grins at Kurt and says, “Hey, Puddin’.”

“Hey,” Kurt responds, ignoring the fond smiles that Rachel and Mercedes shoot at them. “We already ordered, sorry if you wanted something different.”

“Kurt got you some Greek salad or something,” Mercedes says.

“You,” Blaine points at him, finger directly in Kurt’s face. “Are amazing. A true gem.” He then uses the finger to bop Kurt on the nose and then slides closer to him in the booth until their thighs are pressed together.

“Yeah, I know,” Kurt replies, with a smile. He shifts a little, his right arm stuck between him and Blaine, until he manages to pull it out and sling it over the back of the booth. “Did you get that… what was the problem again? Broken printer? Fax machine?” Blaine is smirking up at him, clearly amused. “Whatever, did you get it sorted out?”

“Mostly,” Blaine says. “It was a corrupted hard drive, and it was the big boss’s, so you know. High pressure. I think it’s fine now, but I’m going to have to head back in early tomorrow to triple check.”

“Freaking IT nerd,” Kurt says, chuckling.

“Whatever, drama queen. Oh!” Blaine’s eyes widen and he turns to fully face Kurt. “How’d your callback go?”

“Callback?” Mercedes and Rachel ask at the same time.

Kurt blushes. “Uh, yeah. I got a callback for that off-Broadway revival of Dear Evan Hanson.” Turning to Blaine, he says, “I think it went well. I mean, I feel confident about it. They said they’d get back to me by Friday, so. Fingers crossed.”

“You’re gonna get it,” Blaine says, patting him lightly on the knee. “I know you are. I mean, there’s no way anybody even close to your level of talent auditioned.”

Kurt snorts. “Sweet talker. You know flattery will get you everywhere, right?”

“Of course I do,” Blaine grins at him.

Kurt smiles back, then glances over Blaine’s face and notices something different. He frowns, then brings his hand down from the back of the booth to pull on one of Blaine’s curls. “You didn’t gel your hair.”

“Don’t even start with me,” Blaine says, turning so that he’s facing the girls again. “Today was literally the morning from hell.” He starts to explain all the horror’s of his day, everyone listening with rapt attention.

It’s only when their food arrives that Kurt realizes he’d been playing with Blaine’s hair for the entire duration of the story.

ix.

“Honey, I’m home!” Blaine calls out as he enters the apartment. Kurt rolls his eyes as he finishes shaking the butter into the giant bowl of popcorn.

“Honey, you don’t live here!” He calls back.

Blaine laughs, padding into the kitchen and giving Kurt a hug from behind. “Roommates out?”

“Santana has a hot date,” Kurt says, passing the giant bowl to Blaine. “And Elliott is… god, I don’t even know anymore. That guy has so much going on I can’t even keep up.”

“Don’t we all?” Blaine says, heading towards the living room. “I thought we were busy during college, but sheesh.”

“Well, you see some of us have to work hard for what we get. We can’t get fancy pants promotions less than a year after starting at a company.”

Blaine tuts at him. “Don’t be jealous, Puddin’. It’s not a good color on you.”

Kurt chuckles and grabs a couple of sodas from the fridge.

“Besides,” Blaine says as Kurt walks into the living room, “it’s not like you can talk. Ensemble in Dear Evan Hanson off-Broadway to ensemble in Wicked on Broadway a year after graduating. Tony by Thirty, here you come.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Kurt says, settling on the couch and grabbing the remote. “What are we watching, by the way?”

“Shitty rom-com that Netflix put out a couple of weeks ago,” Blaine replies as Kurt pulls up the Netflix app on the TV. “It looks like it’ll either be garbage, or a real tearjerker, so I figured we’d take the odds.”

“Wonderful,” Kurt says as Blaine sits down next to him on the couch, bringing the popcorn with him.

“Hey,” Blaine holds up a piece of popcorn. “Nothing but the best for my Puddin’ Pop.” He then taps the popcorn against Kurt’s lips and feeds it to him when Kurt opens his mouth.

They start the movie and, honestly, it’s more shitty than good, but they still laugh and make stupid comments to each other about it. Blaine feeds Kurt pieces of popcorn a little more often than necessary, until it becomes another stupid joke and Kurt stops grabbing his own popcorn full stop.

The movie is just finishing up and Blaine is forcing a giant handful of popcorn into Kurt’s mouth when Elliott arrives. He stares at them for a moment, Kurt with his cheeks distended from the snack, Blaine with his hand fully covering Kurt’s mouth, their movie completely ignored. Elliott then shakes his head and says, “I don’t even want to know,” before disappearing into his room.

They’re quiet until they hear his door shut, and then burst out laughing, causing half of the popcorn in Kurt’s mouth to spray all over Blaine’s face. This just makes them laugh harder.

x.

It feels like lately Blaine is the only one of his friends he gets to see. His roommates always seem to be out, Santana with her new girlfriend and Elliott with his ten million gigs. Rachel just got cast in the national tour of Moulin Rouge! and has barely had time to breathe, let alone see her friends, and Sam and Mercedes have been apartment hunting for their own place, having decided it was time to try living as just a couple, without the roommate.

Of course, that roommate happens to be Kurt’s best friend, who is sulking on his couch and slowly taking out an entire family sized bag of Cheetos by himself.

“It’s going to be okay, Blaine. You know that, right?”

“I’m going to be homeless, Kurt.”

“You are not,” Kurt rolls his eyes. “They’re leaving, not you. You still have the apartment.”

“Uh yeah, an apartment whose rent I am paying a third of. I can’t afford the full rent of that place!” He huffs, shoving more Cheetos in his mouth. “Maybe I could swing half, but that means I still have to find another roommate. Fuck everything.”

“Oh, come here,” Kurt laughs and wraps his arm around Blaine, bringing him in against his side. He pulls the bag from Blaine’s hands, then grabs a tissue from the coffee table in front of him and starts wiping the dust off his friends fingers. “It’s going to be fine, Blaine. Really.” Blaine huffs. “No, listen. I know it seems tough right now, but you already knew they were thinking about this. Yeah, it’ll be weird at first, but you’re going to get used to living alone, or with a new roommate that isn’t Sam and Mercedes. Besides, you literally just got promoted at work, and I happen to know that you’re making more than enough to afford that place on your own, at least for a bit.” He finishes wiping Blaine’s fingers, then smiles up at him. “You’re going to be okay, Blaine. Really.”

Blaine stares at him for a moment, face slowly cracking into a smile. “What would I do without you?”

Kurt shrugs. “No idea. You’ll never have to find out.”

Blaine chuckles, then leans into Kurt, head resting against his shoulder. His now-clean fingers trace a pattern on Kurt’s knee, and Kurt closes his eyes, enjoying the closeness.

“Hey, Kurt.”

“Yeah?” Kurt asks, keeping his eyes closed and head leaning back against the back of the couch.

“Are we in a relationship? Or a brolationship?”

Kurt lifts his head slowly, opening his eyes to look at Blaine. “What?”

“I mean, this. Us. Are we dating? Or do we just have one of those epic bromances that straight people are always talking about.”

He’s still tracing patterns over Kurt’s knee, and Kurt sucks on the inside of his cheek, thinking.

“Huh,” Kurt says. “I, uh. I guess I haven’t thought about it, really. I mean, I know people have made comments to me assuming we’re dating, but…”

“But…?”

Kurt looks into Blaine’s eyes, those stupid huge, wide eyes. He can’t really remember a time in his life when they weren’t right where they are now, staring up at him in question, in glee, in frustration.

Kurt smiles, then says, “We can be dating, if you want.”

His stomach flips as he says it, and it’s weird because in eight years of friendship he’s never even thought about Blaine that way. At least not consciously. The thing is, that doesn’t really register to him, because then Blaine is smiling up at him and he realizes that maybe that’s not totally true. That maybe he has thought about Blaine that way, he’s just never realized it because Blaine’s just always been there, teasing him, laughing with him, cuddling with him and calling him Diet Pudding Cup Boy since they were sixteen years old.

“Okay,” is how Blaine replies, and then he leans up and presses his lips to Kurt’s in a soft, light kiss.

Kurt smiles into the kiss, bringing one hand up to cup Blaine’s jaw, deepening the kiss ever so slightly.

It’s not weird, not in the way kissing your best friend might be. Actually, Kurt thinks it’s weirder that they haven’t always been doing this.

“You taste like Cheetos,” he says.

Blaine laughs, head falling back as he does. He then rests his forehead against Kurt’s shoulder and says, “You taste like pudding.”

Kurt snorts. “I do not.”

“No, but it would have been pretty hilarious if you did.”

He keeps laughing, and so Kurt does the only thing he can think of. He grabs Blaine’s face in his hands and kisses him again.

xi.

“You two seem touchier than usual,” Elliott comments over dinner a couple of weeks later. He and Santana are sitting across from them, with Sam and Mercedes each at an end of the table. Blaine has had his arm over Kurt’s shoulders the entire meal, and Kurt has kept a hand firmly on Blaine’s thigh since he sat down. “Did you get engaged, or something?”

Kurt snorts. “Uh, no.”

“We’re just, you know. Officially dating now.”

Santana’s eyes narrow. “Were you… not before?”

“Yeah, what are you even talking about? You guys have been dating for like, years,” comes from Sam.

“We were bromancing for years,” Blaine says, squeezing Kurt’s shoulder. “Now we’re just straight up romancing.”

Kurt wrinkles his nose and says, “Gross.”

“Whatever, Puddin’, you love it.”

“So…” Elliott glances between them. “That, right there. The Puddin’ thing. That’s just like… a random nickname you have for Kurt? It’s not a pet name?”

Blaine frowns. “Is that why everyone always thought we were dating? Because I call him Puddin’?”

“Well, and all the touching and cuddling and heart-eyes,” Mercedes says. “But initially, yeah, it was the Puddin’ thing.”

Kurt snorts at that, and Blaine laughs before saying. “Uh, I call Kurt Puddin’ because the night we became friends he got drunk and ate thirty-five diet pudding cups.”

For a moment nobody says anything, the only sound in the room Kurt and Blaine’s snickers.

It’s Elliott who breaks the silence by staring at Kurt says, “What the literal fuck, Kurt. Thirty-five pudding cups?!”

Kurt and Blaine’s snickers turn into full-on laughs, Blaine resting up against Kurt as they laugh. Mercedes and Sam start to chuckle as well, though Santana and Elliott still look slightly too horrified to join in.

After several more minutes of laughing, Kurt wipes at his eyes and says, “Yes, El. I ate thirty-five diet pudding cups when I was sixteen years old.”

“The greatest Pudding Motherfucker to ever live,” Blaine says, bringing his hand up to card his fingers through the hair at the back of Kurt’s head.

Kurt grins at him and says, “Diet Pudding Cup Boy and Shortstop Supreme for ever.”

“And don’t you forget it,” Blaine replies, leaning in and kissing Kurt lightly on the lips. They giggle into the kiss.

Santana finally breaks her silence by saying, “You two are fucking weird.”

They stare at each other for a moment, and then, unable to stop themselves, burst out into even more giggles.

[lactosecarrotsoup]

My thoughts on Sean & Finn’s kiss

This will be long and of course contain spoilers, as if you can’t tell by the title... thingy. So, be warned. This will also contain my opinion(s); which is a very sensitive subject in this fandom. 

We’re all entitled to our own thoughts, opinions, beliefs, etc.

With that said, let’s get started!

For those who are new to this game... I will give you a short summery. Life is Strange is a video game series ran by DontNod. A great company who loves to make players cry. This season has new characters from the other season and DLC. This season takes place in Washington where you play as a 16 year old boy, Sean Diaz, who’s a regular teenager. He loves drawing, skating, and of course stereotypical teen stuff such as drugs and parties. Taking away the partying and drug usage, he’s your typical shy-ish guy. He also has a little brother named Daniel, he’s 9 years old.

Both of them are Hispanic, including their father (Esteban), making this season’s cast more diverse than the first season, where the main characters were mainly white.

Speaking of their father, he dies. Yep. After Sean forces Daniel out of his room, Daniel runs to their hot-headed neighbor and accidentally spills homemade zombie blood on him. Sean over see’s the neighbor about to hurt Daniel and rushes out the house, protecting him. After a few racial slurs/crude remarks to Daniel, Sean decides to fight him. Sean shoves the neighbor onto a small rock (which I still dont understand how that injured him), and he lays on the ground in shock/going unconscious.

A cop shows up and hell breaks loose. The cop only see’s the “blood” on the neighbors shirt and Daniels, thinking nothing but the worst of the situation rather than questioning them. The dad comes out, trying to reason with the officer and he gets trigger happy, shooting Sean & Daniel’s dad, killing him. Daniel screams in shock/anger/horror and Sean blacks out. Whenever he wakes up, the entire street is destroyed and more people are dead/unconscious. He grabs Daniel and they runaway, not wanting to get involved with the crime. It’s later found out that Daniel has powers (similar theme to LIS season 1) and can move objects with his mind.

More shit happens, yada yada yada.

NOW.

Episode 3 just released. In episode two, the brothers meet quite a few people. But most notably for this post, Cassidy and Finn. These two are regular friends (or maybe even “fuck buddies” as Finn and another girl described their relationship), who are a lot like Sean and Daniel. Cassidy left her old home life to live on the road. Finn, I can’t remember if he said anything or not. But I would think it would be for the same reason or something crime related.

Anyways, point is, they all group together and live in the woods. But, they all also work for this dude who runs a farm with nothing but pot.

Yep.

A nine year old and sixteen year old kid are working at a pot farm.

This leads to Finn, Cassidy, and Sean to get high, drunk, etc.

Finn get’s a hair up his ass and decides; “Hey, why don’t we steal all the cash from our boss? Who cares if he may know about Sean & Daniel’s backstory, has security footage evidence of them, and shotguns?!”

Cassidy is against this. But you, the player, have the option to accept or refuse his plan to rob the big dude with the cash.

And in the words of Chloe Price from season one; he’s got some “hella cash”

SORRY I HAD TOO.

But still, you can either rob from the guy or go against it. But HO HO HO! This choice doesn’t matter that much. Finn does it anyways (with a fUCKING NINE YEAR OLD HELPING HIM AND RISKING THAT KID’S LIFE) and Cassidy gets upset and worried. So, if you disagree with Cassidy, you end up meeting with them anyways so you can stop them. You get in trouble either way, btw.

But, let’s back it up.

If you agree to join Finn’s plan, he’s happy and you have the chance to romance him. Which, at first thought (including mine), was great! In the first season, Max was bisexual. You can flirt/romance with Chloe and/or Warren. With Sean romancing Cassidy and Finn, the developers made him bisexual.

But... it’s not all roses. Let me give you my first reaction. I do actually have it recorded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGJ8lg5clHM

2:29:55 - 2:34:24

If you don’t watch it, basically I was excited and shocked. I didn’t like Finn at first but in that moment, I shipped them. I wanted Sean to be happy and happy enough to open up about his sexuality, if he hadn’t already.

But, I realized something.

Finn is most likely 20+. Sean is still 16. This means Finn is an older guy kissing a minor, which is of course, illegal. Not to mention that earlier in that episode, he was teaching Daniel to throw knifes and such. He smokes and drinks and admits his sexual relationships in front of a kid, too.

Speaking of his sexual relationships, it would be highly toxic if Sean and him dated/had casual sexual intercourse. Just based on Sean’s personality and how he had a crush on that Jen girl in the first episode, and how close him and Cassidy warmed up to each-other, he wears his heart on his sleeve. One thing this season has done WONDERFULLY is not distribute toxic masculinity. Sean and Daniel have both cried several times. Most men don’t like to talk/show their feelings because they feel weak and such, which is horrible. No guy should feel that way and should openly express them-self.

Sean does this, which is amazing. Yet, still can harm him.

Right after you agree to Finn’s plan, you can kiss him. Throughout the episode, he also flirts with Sean. Of course you have the CHOICE to kiss him... but it’s only after you accept his agreement. You can kiss Cassidy (and sleep with her) but she will storm off, angry, without kissing you, if you agree to Finn’s plan. Which is reasonable. Or, you can lie to her, saying you thought his plan was dumb, and she’ll kiss you. Both reasonable (in my opinion) responses to each situations.

But, how come you can’t kiss Finn regardless? Sean can say no and they could still talk about their feelings, leading to a kiss. Instead, they do nothing.

Finn is manipulative. He used Sean’s emotions to get to him. He probably noticed how close him and Cassidy were and how much love he has for Daniel, openly saying it every now and then, and wanting to protect him. Finn noticed how open Sean is and took advantage. 

Imagine if this wasn’t a choice base game and the story automatically follows Sean agreeing with Finn.

He flirts with him throughout the episode and is very charismatic. Since Daniel notices how close Sean and Cassidy are getting, he rants to Finn. Finn takes in this information and uses it against them. He becomes “cool” in Daniel’s eyes by being super chill, rebellious, and showing him how to violently protect himself/hurt others. In a sense, he becomes Daniel’s temporary older and “cooler” brother, making Daniel look up to him. With Finn’s flirting, he admits (once again, if your choices didn’t matter) that he has feelings for some guys.

Finn takes note of this.

The idea pops into his head to steal from the man who runs the pot farm... thing. I’m an innocent bean who hasn’t done anything harder than prescribed drugs for anxiety and stuff. So forgive me if I’m getting these terms wrong, LOL! But, the point still remains, he tells Daniel who is automatically on board. I doubt a 9 year old boy truly cares if they have enough money or not. I bet his main thought was “If I do this, then Finn will think I’m cool! He’ll treat me like an adult and so will others.”

In fact, I bet you that was his exact thoughts, just based on what he said to Sean and how he acted towards others.

If you really look at it, guys... it looks similar to a Mark Jefferson/Nathan Prescott relationship in season 1. I’m not going to go into many details for the people who haven’t played/watched season 1 yet, but I’ll give you guys a basic rundown by what I mean.

Nathan was mentally ill. He suffered from possibly multiple disorders and had an abusive father. His father wanted him to be the best of the best, not for his sake, but for the families sake. This got to Nathan and he hated his father. Mark Jefferson was a teacher who noticed this, befriending Nathan, and becoming a fatherly figure. The two teamed up to do sickening plans and crimes together which ended up getting them caught in the end.

Now, who does that sound like?

Daniel just lost his father and he’s angry. He probably has PTSD and anger management issues, based on how he’s acting and the situations he’s been through. Finn is an older figure and tricks Daniel to follow his plans and crime, as they’re stealing. They end up getting caught by the boss no matter what they, Sean, Cassidy, or the player does.

Sean is in the same boat, minus the anger issues. He probably suffers more from depression and PTSD (since he talks about the past a lot to others and how they know their story). Since he does talk about his feelings, Finn uses to his advantage.

When Sean agrees to the heist, Finn and him (can) kiss as an award. An award for falling into his trap and doing whatever he wanted.

Nathan got fatherly love and praise from Jefferson, resulting in him to continue their disgusting plans in order to feel loved.

Sean (and Daniel) and becoming the Nathan of this season.

We have to watch out who will be our jefferson.

I also have to address another elephant in the room.

We’re the reason this happened.

If you go through old DontNod/Life is Strange official posts (I suggest instagram or facebook, where i saw mine), I saw nothing but comments saying how much they want Chloe and Max back. I assume this is because of how you can romance Chloe. They want their love story/friendship to continue. Even though we did get a comic series based on them, it wasn’t good enough.

DontNod probably got sick of it and forced this to happen. While they were probably writing Cassidy as a love interest in the beginning, and Finn as probably just a random stranger or a brother of hers, the noticed all the hate and said “fuck it!”

As a result, we got the chance to kiss Finn... before you could write him off by injuring or killing him. Which, many people were pissed about.

But if you REALLY think about it, we were the cause of that. They probably didn’t want that, wanting to focus on Cassidy and the actual story. But many people wanted LGBTQ+ moments (which is understandable) but didn’t want Sean and Daniel’s story. Or they did get involved in their story but wanted a LGBTQ+ character.

The story of Life is Strange (both seasons + DLC) is nothing more but teens/young adults finding themselves through very difficult times. This with the responsibility of super powers, which are hurting those around them. It’s not meant to be a romance. It’s meant to be a drama, sci-fi, and angst story. (And thriller bc of Max’s nightmare bc that shit scared me)

While yes, I was happy and excited at first about Sean & Finn kissing. I was happy that there was potential for things to be “normal” and Sean to be happy, there was a lot of red flags. The age differences, the manipulation, the parallel's, and how forced it was.

Thanks for coming to my TEDTalk! Before you leave a hateful response, please know my opinion is valid like yours and others. Not only that, but I’m not the first to point some of this out. :)

[thebigreylotheory]

Belated TROS trailer reaction and thoughts

Painting.

Been doing lots of painting.  Rewatching TFA, TLJ, and Solo and painting.

Ok, wow, originally intended to have this up by May the 4th….but like I mentioned some posts ago, bantha poodoo happens. (Caps is the same :( )

It’s finally, finally time for my TROS trailer reaction, thoughts, and a few theories! (I don’t know about you, but I’m still not over how good it is. Say what you will, Star Wars has the best trailers.)

Breathing is very important to the sequel trilogy. (I would say that Rey that is totally going to be ahead of the game for Lamaze class if we get a sequel-sequel trilogy/book/comic baby some galaxy far far away day.)

I’ve wondered if the movie will take the time to explain how the Skywalker lightsaber has been repaired? My feeling is, sorta like ROTJ, it’ll just be there like Luke’s green lightsaber. So, you’ll either have to make up your own head canon OR we’ll eventually get books and comics for the time gap between TLJ and TROS that will explain exactly what Rey did. Since she’s a scavenger, and mechanically inclined around junk, my feeling right now is, it’s possible she might have gone on a journey for a new kyber crystal and she’s repurposed the hilt. Which I think could be symbolically interesting….almost saying she’s “her own person (crystal)” on the inside now, but externally carrying on the outward mantle of her teacher/master Luke.

Which leads me to: by now, you’ve probably heard the theory that the last name “Skywalker” might transform to a term for the henceforth new Jedi. Personally, I am a fan of this theory. I think it would be useful for keeping the Star Wars eras straight when referencing any potential future Star Wars films/books/comics. For example, instead of saying “post-Skywalker trilogies,” one could say this-or-that takes place during the Jedi era or the new Skywalker era, etc (as well as, hopefully, the Knights of the Old Republic era someday soon).

AND, if Rey dubs herself (and perhaps any future students she has) a Skywalker….then, well, oddly enough, it would fulfill the whole Rey is a Skywalker discussion in the most interesting way possible. (While also keeping the plot open for her to choose whomever *coughcough* Ben Solo *coughcough* she would like to romantically be with someday.) It could potentially mean anyone could be a Skywalker. I’m a Skywalker. You’re a Skywalker. We’re Skywalker. Sign me up.

Luke is everybody’s spiritual father. (And I guess Vader is everybody’s grandfather??)

And, on a kinda odd note, being a Caravan-of-Courage-baby and a long-time SW fan, thinking of the name Skywalker, does anyone else think it sounds like a talent? Or is my brain just connecting Moonwalking with Skywalking? I guess, technically, Rey isn’t Skywalking here, right? It’s more like Skyjumping? Skyflipping? Maybe she’s really a Skyflipper. Part dolphin.

But I slightly digress, back to the trailer.

When this scene hit, I initially thought, from a distance, the TIE was a TIE bomber. Haha, silly me. 

I have fond memories of the TIE bomber toys Revan/Devan had as a kid.

Yay, Lawrence of Arabia will be returning to theaters Sept. 1st and 4th, presented by TCM! I did a middle school history report over Lawrence. Mostly because I wanted to learn about desert warfare so I could write better Star Wars fan fiction. It’s all about Star Wars, people. It always has been.

Now, that’s what I call TIE racing!

Sweet butter tacos, by now I have paused these scenes over and over trying to decide if this is Kylo Ren and/or if the scenes match or they’ve been sliced much like the TLJ trailer. 

HAHA. You trailer editor people are so good. You did it just enough to make me crazy until December. THANKS.

But, I guess it’s safe to say, in this sequel trilogy, when the camera zooms to black gloves, it’s probably Kylo.

Gee, these two just can’t flirt normally. It’s like they thought, “Oh what can we do on our date that hasn’t been done before?” “Oh, I know, let’s play chicken with the TIE Fighter!”

No, in all seriousness, as it’s been said before many times now, this would be a really strange way to try to take Rey out…

Wouldn’t Kylo be a man and just face her? He hasn’t been afraid to face people before.

And, I don’t know…some people I know are hoping that they are working together somehow, which I hope they are, don’t get me wrong,…but at the moment, I just can’t think of why Rey would need to jump on a TIE Fighter/Kylo’s TIE. (Mind out of the gutter!) I mean, if they are working together, practicing even, for some Force trick/feat that needs doing to destroy or infiltrate something, it looks like she could have climbed on the TIE before it took off?

I mean the Interwebs might tell you that she needs to practice her jumping so she can have the high ground later, but I still don’t know.

It could be a dream/vision. Simple enough.

It could be that ForceTime is acting really weird?

Did we really understand or have all the rules of ForceTime in TLJ? Could it be if ForceTime connects and Rey and Kylo hold-on to another they can pull each other to a different location? So for instance, if Rey jumps on the TIE she could be transported to where Kylo is?

That would mean there was a reason Luke told them to stop. Did he know either Kylo would be pulled to Ahch-To in the flesh or Rey would end up at the First Order (before she totally left in the Falcon for the First Order)?

Dunno. That could be getting too “beam-me-up-Scotty” or too “magical” for SW. We’ll see. I’m open to most things so long as they’re done well.

Alternatively, because Caps and I have also been reading SW comics for a few years now, I think it’s also possible that Kylo could be possessed here. 

As in, someone:

Like monkey-hands here, or whomever monkey-hands works for (Palps, Hux, The Resistance, KOR), took Kylo’s helmet and added Sith-y stuff to it.

I want to lean towards the idea of an enemy/frenemy of Kylo’s changing his helmet. I thought it was a little unusual that Kylo would go back to wearing the helmet after smashing it. I mean, character-wise, I figured it would remind him of Snoke’s taunts. It seemed like a step backward. Like going back to a security blanket after you’ve gotten over needing it. Dunno, are they going to capture him and force him to wear it? Making him Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs to get him out of the way?

BUT, there again, I guess, I could stretch my imagination and believe that Kylo, might, might, go back to wearing his helmet on his own, if he thought there was some power or knowledge to be gained. And, either, earnestly, he did it to himself or it was a TRAP!

And possibly, in this scene, possessed Kylo is about to crash wherever Rey is, but she saves him by cutting open the hatch, etc? 

(She’s learned to lift rocks, but could she stop a TIE via the Force and climb in and save someone? Maybe, but it, arguably, wouldn’t look as cool or dramatic). And if that were the case, Kylo would be in some serious debt to Rey for saving his life. Girl already spared him once. Twice, if you count she didn’t run him through on Starkiller Base.

Anyways, back to reviewing the trailer chronologically.

Somehow this reminds me of the Lost City of Atlantis. Was there a city on Bespin below Cloud City? According to Wookiepedia Bespin is a cloudy place. Sooo, could be Lando’s entrance in the movie, possibly.

Did I read somewhere that Kylo is tackling a Knight of Ren here? (Double checked and yes.) That’s interesting. I could come up lots of out-of-the-hat-theories as to why. KOR turns against him. Kylo turns against KOR. KOR Civil War? KOR Battle Royale where the survivor of the Hunger Games gets to be Master?

But what’s really interesting, is the fact that Kylo doesn’t slice the guy in two pieces with the lightsaber.

And that, to me, also spawns some theories. Is the tackle just a cinematic scene to show Kylo’s strength? Maybe Disney doesn’t want to go “Darth Maul-ing” people in two pieces? Kylo, for some reason, isn’t killing people on this particular day or any more at all? Or Kylo’s in a super rush and is more focused on getting a certain location in a hurry and whatever, guy was in the way? It made me concerned, mmm, can’t Kylo use the Force in this scene? He isn’t Force Pushing or Freezing the guy?

This week on “This Old Helmet,” Norm and guys add detailing to a once dilapidated helmet. Yup, it was a real fixer-upper. If Mr. Monkey doesn’t work for some VIP, he’s a really strange janitor.

Ok, Finn and Poe are going to, canon, start a boy band in TROS, right? This is a scene from their KPOP-ish music video, right? “‘Cause I want it that way…” If they don’t dance, so help me Star Wars...I’ll make them in a fanvid.

To be honest, I’m not sure if I like D/O yet. The jury is still out for me. Mostly because I thought some of the other concept designs were much cuter. Although, I can’t wait to see the Droid Builders tackle this one. I’m still stuck on a mouse droid.

Aww, yeah, welcome back Lando! Mr. Smoothie! (I wish he’d been apart of TFA and TLJ, but better late than never.) I know, I know the ship should be Chewie’s now, but I secretly hope that Lando is able to donate money to restore the Falcon, like an old classic car. *coughcough* Reylo Wedding Gift *coughcough*

Hmm, moisture farm or temple? Guess we’ll see. I’m loving that the troops possibly have jetpacks and/or sand-speeders?

Dunno, after the whole Rambo C3P0 poster, I’m wondering if someone’s after C3P0 here? BB and R2 have had their “find-that-droid” day, maybe it’s C3P0’s turn?

Aww, the medal. Sweet medal. 

I can give you some out-of-the-hat ideas about this, too. Maybe this is Han’s. Maybe it’s in Leia’s collection of memories and she takes it out for nostalgia, to feel close to Han in spirit, or for the anniversary of his death. Maybe she’s decided to give it to someone else? Or, worst-case scenario, the Resistance needs gold and this is all they got left?

Or, this is Luke’s? And ditto on everything. Maybe Luke left it behind before he left for Ahch-To? Maybe he gave it back to Leia? Or maybe Leia and company find more of Luke’s belongings elsewhere? Maybe Luke was using it as a bookmark in one of the Jedi Texts?

Goodness. When the trailer hit Celebration, this scene filled my heart with the greatest bittersweet joy. 

I’m really glad that the extra/reworked footage of Carrie as Leia looks good. That it will uphold her legacy. It’s been on my mind ever since her passing.

In fact, I was so caught up in being happy that the footage looks great, at first, I didn’t stop to think why Leia and Rey are hugging?

And, at first, I was so vicariously being Rey while watching the trailer, hugging Leia with my own emotional fan tear, that I didn’t consider why is Rey crying?

Well, theory-wise it could be a number of things. Rey and Leia have really bonded, and maybe Rey’s about to go on a dangerous mission? Or the Resistance has had a major setback?

But, I think one of the biggest, most emotional, thing both Rey and Leia have in common is:

Yup. Benny Boy.

And, this thought/feeling opens up a whole new can.

Um, have they heard something about Kylo/Ben that’s upsetting? And, if so, would this scene take place early or late in the film? I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors that Kylo/Ben might not be making it out of this one entirely. Dunno, to me, it almost feels like Rey’s upset that she’s failed at something. I guess, especially, because it’s extra/reworked footage of the reaction to Han’s death.

Again, with the band! It’s like a 90s Alternation Rock cover!

My question is: What is in Rey’s hand? Is it a bag? What’s in the bag? Is she carrying the Jedi text or some other special item? Is it a device? What sort of device?

Have they all been camping? ‘Cause Finn and Poe have bags, too. Do they got thermal detonators in there?

I’m assuming, since they look more angry/focused than shocked, that their on some sort of mission to find this broken piece of Death Star II? That their purpose is to go inside? Or destroy the rest of it? Either way, if I learned anything from Wind Waker, it doesn’t look like a good day for sailing towards it.

Now, in the split second when Luke says “no one’s ever really gone” again…I wanted to believe we were going to get a Force Ghost reveal. Or that possibly, the-Force-killed-Luke was just social media red herring.

I never dreamed that laugh….

Chilled me to the bone.

The biggest “oh Sh*$” moment of my movie trailer watching life.

 Ooo the possibilities. More thoughts on Emperor Palps’ return later.

Until then my Reylos and Star Wars friends, May The Force Be With You!

[dazedandinked]

Bad man, sad man - (Chapter 2/2)

Chapter 1: https://dazedandinked.tumblr.com/post/183189058536/bad-man-sad-man-chapter-12

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17984987/chapters/42482834

Fandoms: Peaky Blinders (TV), Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

Additional tags: Crossover, Alternate Universe, Season 3 Spoilers, Mentioned Character Death, Strangers to Friends, Friendship, Humor, Light Angst, Eventual Fluff, Eventual Happy Ending.

Chapter summary:

Many other nights followed that first drink at the Garrison. Crowley had the chance to meet the Shelby family and to share small little secrets with Tommy.

But all the good things in life come to an end.

A/N:  So here it is! I know this work is quite short but maybe there'll be more of this odd crossover in the future.

You can find it on 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17984987/chapters/42762287

Chapter 2: But my dreams they aren't this empty

Many other nights followed that first drink at the Garrison. Sometimes they met in Birmingham, sometimes in London where Tommy had business with Mr. Solomons (another odd man Crowley had the not-pleasure to meet.) Sometimes he visited Tommy at his house or in Watery Lane, therefore  he had the chance to meet the Shelby family.

They were friends, somehow, and this was something new to both of them. Crowley have always had nothing but Aziraphale and their weird, century-old friendship (because it wasn't just an alliance anymore); Tommy had his noisy extended family, but he couldn't really say he had a friend since Freddie Thorne, and things got complicated after the war.

During their evenings they drank, smoked and talked, a lot. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Ada or Polly and, after a while, Crowley found himself quite enjoying their company as well. He liked discussing communist principles with Ada (something the world thought coming straight from hell) and talking about religion and occultism with Polly. They were sharp and clever, obviously the force holding the family and the business together. He couldn't understand why men were so convinced of their gender supremacy. Really.

And then, there were his brothers.

In Crowley’s eyes, the Shelby siblings were basically a heap of angst, rage and cheekbones. Nevertheless, he could understand why ordinary people were so respectful towards them. Arthur a crazy horse, wrecked to the core but still trying to pull his shit together; John didn’t seem to know what to do half of the time (but fortunately he had Esme, helping him the other half); Finn was just a kid trying to act like his elder brothers.

Last but not least Michael, their cousin: secure and restrained on the outside, scared and full of doubts on the inside. A bit like Tommy, Crowley thought after talking to him for a while.

With the right amount of alcool in their blood, they shared many bits of their private lives: Tommy talked about Grace and Charlie, about the war and his nightmares, and Crowley rambled too many things about himself and, sometimes, about Aziraphale. He vaguely remembers mentioning the fact that he had met Byron in person, and that he was a pompous haughty arse.

But they had some kind of agreement on not talking about work and business.

"It's not a matter of trust,” Tommy explained once, "it's just tha-- I prefer leaving all that stuff at the office, whenever I can.”

And they never discussed about Crowley always wearing sunglasses and the yellow eyes Tommy was sure they were covering. A trick of lights, the man said to himself, or some kind of disease. Or maybe he just preferred ignorance for once in his life.

***

Months passed, with more meetings and dinners, but Crowley and Aziraphale never talked about this Tommy-thing properly. After all the time they’ve known each other, it was nice to still have a secret just for himself. And besides, although Crowley would never admit it, he was a bit nervous about the angel’s opinion on the matter.

He mentioned Tommy once or twice during their conversations, elegantly avoiding every subtle question and curious glance, until Aziraphale decided to bring all this secrecy to an end.

The topic casually popped out during one of their long strolls in St. James, while they were planning one of their usual dinners.

“Oh, not Friday, sorry. Going to Birmingham.”

“Again? Really?” Aziraphale asked, his voice high pitched.

“What, are you jealous?” Crowley sniped back with a smirk on his face.

“Of course not!” Liar, the demon thought. The angel frowned, recollecting his thoughts while feeding the ducks.

“It’s just— I’m a bit surprised. I know you enjoy some human things but, you’ve never shown affection to humankind.”

“I’m a demon, I think it’s normal,” he shrugged, trying to hide himself behind his glasses.

Aziraphale chuckled, the sound of small bells coming from his mouth. “Please, dear, we both know you are not… conventional. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing. This Thomas, he must be something if you’re so fond of him.” He threw the last piece of bread into the pond and they started walking again, side by side.

“I don’t think fondness is the right word. He needed help, I did my black magic thing. End of the story.”

“Because you’re a very diligent demon, of course,” the angel said wryly and Crowley rolled his eyes.

“Fine. I helped him because — I don’t even know. But his voice was so clear, his pain so real that I couldn’t help following it,” he finally admitted.

Then Aziraphale did something Crowley didn’t expect, at all. He put his hand on the demon’s arm, squeezing slightly. Physical contact was a line they crossed only for special occasion. Crowley looked at him with wide eyes and the angel withdrew his hand immediately, blushing under all the tiny freckles on his cheeks.

Aziraphale sighed. “You did something nice, it must have felt good. I can’t even remember the last time I interacted with a human being like this. Just small things to help them, our duty is to keep balance, they said.

He looked really sad and Crowley hated it with all of his heart. Melancholy didn’t look good on  that pretty face. Maybe this could sound like a stereotype, but Aziraphale have always been the one good at comforting. Crowley didn’t know what to do in this kind of situation, but he would definitely make an attempt to swipe that gloomy expression away.

Stupid Archangels who give stupid orders.

“We’ve got plenty of time to fix that. What I’ve done, it was anything special. Just answer a call or two, there are so many humans that need a guardian angel”, and he gave him what was supposed to be a warm and reassuring smile (like Aziraphale would do), but that probably looked more like a crooked grin. But the angel deeply appreciated it anyway.

“Unless you are so scrupulous you want to stick to Heaven’s rules,” Crowley said amused, finally managing to get a small smile out of Aziraphale.

“Oh and, by the way, I’m not sure you’d define helping Tommy as the right choice,” he added. “He’s kind of a gangster, who knows what kind of dangerous shady business he—,”

“What?!” Aziraphale looked at him in disbelief, “You mean, the first time you take an interest in mankind ever, it is because of a dejected gangster?!” and his voice high pitched again.

Aw, Crowley thought, that’s my finicky boy.

“Are you surprised? Really? I’m not a saint and I don’t do charity. I like humans with a moral sense as twisted as mine,” he sneered.

Crowley walked away, leaving Aziraphale behind. He didn’t need to see his face to know it was red with disapproval and indignation.

“Oh, Crowley, I can’t believe it! Yo— you’re—”

“Fabulous? I know, Angel. And please don’t judge him from his job. Now, you have centuries of helping old ladies with their bags to catch up with. Chop chop!”

***

But all the good things in life come to an end, like a bottle of fine whiskey. This thought strikes Crowley’s mind every time, even though he should have learnt the lesson by now.

The day Tommy died, he got a call from Ada. He could hear the light tremble in her voice.

“I thought you might like to know,” she just said. He got all the details about the funeral and hung up the phone.

He knew that day would come since the beginning. Tommy was just a man, after all. No matter how long his life would last, it wouldn’t have been enough.

Crowley kept himself busy for the couple of days before the funeral. He had to make calls, meet people and ask for favors. He also asked Aziraphale for help, hushing him before he could start rambling about feelings and grief, forcing a cup of tea in his cold hands.

The price was high but, in the end, he had what he wanted.

It’s a nice place for a funeral, Crowley thought stepping out his car. He gazed at the thin line where the green fields met the sky. A small group of people, all dressed in black, was gathering slowly around a wooden cart.  He stayed away from them, watching Tommy’s family crying and giving their farewell. Only Ada spotted him; she waved at him sheepishly, grabbing Karl’s shoulder with the other hand.

Tommy was watching them too, sitting on a fallen trunk beside the cart. His face was calm as usual, not even blinking when he noticed Crowley staring right at him.

“You dont’ look surprised to see me,” the demon said mildly amused, and sat next to him.

“I suppose not,” Tommy answered like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Always the most unpredictable, and for the first time he didn’t avoid thinking about how much he’d have missed him.

Tommy asked for a last cigarette together and Crowley made them appear. They just stayed there, smoking in silence. At some point, Crowley took his sunglasses off, finally giving his friend a full sight of his yellow snaky eyes. Tommy huffed a smile.

“They look… appropriate on you,” and the demon couldn’t help laughing.

But then the man sighed heavily. “Do I need to leave immediately? And will— will you take me there?”

“I will, but there’s no hurry. We can go whenever you’re ready”

Tommy nodded in acknowledgment.

They sat there for a while longer, watching the cart burning slowly. He inhaled the last breath of his cigarette and stood up, giving a last glance at his family.

“Keep an eye on them, on Charlie, would you?”

Of course he wasn’t the right creature for something like that, but he decided to indulge his friend’s last wish.

“I’ll try,” and he put his pale hand on Tommy’s shoulder.

They looked at each other, a tiny smile on their faces, and then they vanished into thin air.

***

Many years later, Crowley was hurrying across the streets of London when he stumbled across a small handmade hat shop. Between sharp top hats and bowlers, he noticed a grey flat cap in the right corner of the shop window. The demon crossed the door wearing his most amiable smile, bought the hat and left in a few minutes.

He kept it in a small box at the top of his closet and, sometimes, he wore it just to remember.

(And Aziraphale never stopped joking tenderly about it.)

[hcphaesticn]

the 50 otp things for corey & parker and jude & finn pls

JUDE & FINN –

1. Who is the early bird/ Who is the night owl? I feel like Finn is the early bird thanks to the police academy, and Jude is the night owl because he’s always up to no good at night.

2. Who is the big spoon/ Who is the little spoon? They swap a lot on this, since Jude likes to be the big spoon at times but he indulges Finn every now and then.

3. Who hogs the cover/ Who loves to cuddle? Jude hogs the covers and Finn is the big ol’ cuddle bug.

4. Who wakes the other one up with kisses? This is a Finn thing because Finn is cute like that since they hardly get to spend the night in the same bed.

5. Who usually has nightmares? Probably Jude? He’s seen a lot of shit in the gang life.

6. Who would have really deep emotional thoughts at the middle of the night/ Who would have them in the middle of the day? Finn probably in the middle of the night since he can’t come out to his parents and has to focus during the day on his job. Jude probably daydreams since he’s always out at night.

7. Who sweats the small stuff? Probably Finn, since he worries about a lot.

8. Who sleeps in their underwear (or naked)/ Who sleeps in their pajamas? They both sleep in their underwear because they’re #boys.

9. Who makes the coffee (or tea)? Jude makes the coffee because he’s not a human being without some.

10. Who likes sweet/ Who likes sour? Finn likes sweet, Jude likes sour.

11. Who likes horror movies/ Who likes romance movies? I think they’re both probably into horror movies, but Jude is a wimp sometimes so he closes his eyes through half the movie.

12. Who is smol/ Who is tol? Finn is the smol at 5’9” and Jude is the tol at 6’1” :~)

13. Who is considered the scaredy cat? Probably Jude, even though he likes to talk big.

14. Who kills the spiders? Always Finn, Jude won’t touch them.

15. Who is scared of the dark? Neither.

16. Who is scared of thunderstorms? I think they both would like thunderstorms since they both like nature.

17. Who works/ Who stays at home? Finn would be at work, Jude would stay since he can always do journalism from home.

18. Who is a cat person/ Who is a dog person? I think they’re both dog people.

19. Who loves to call the other one cute names? I can see Finn being the cute one with cute names.

20. Who is dominant/ Who is submissive? Lisa this is so tough with some of these boys we have cause I DON’T KNOW. I would say Jude doesn’t mind being submissive but neither does Finn, so they have a happy medium.

21. Who has an obsession (over anything)? Jude is obsessed with getting his father out of jail and taking some kind of revenge on Finn’s father. Dating Finn isn’t enough for him and he won’t stop until he feels like #justice has been served.

22. Who goes all out for Valentine’s Day? If Finn COULD, I bet he would. But since he’s in the closet he has to do smaller gestures.

23. Who asks who out on the first date? Jude probably asked Finn out first, since Finn is still in the closet.

24. Who is the talker/ Who is the listener? Jude could talk until he’s blue in the face and Finn will listen cause he’s sweet.

25. Who wears the other ones clothes? Jude has no shame because he’s definitely stolen some of Finn’s shirts.

26. Who likes to eat healthy/ Who loves junk food? Finn is the healthy one, Jude puts anything and everything into his body.

27. Who takes a long shower/ Who sings in the shower? Jude takes a long shower and probably sings, also. If they take a shower together they’re in there until the water goes cold.

28. Who is the book worm? Finn moreso than Jude. Jude thinks reading is boring.

29. Who is the better cook? I think Jude burns everything so they order takeout all the time.

30. Who likes long walks on the beach? Probably Finn, but when they’re in public I don’t think Jude wants to be there.

31. Who is more affectionate? Probably Jude, because Finn is more afraid of outing himself.

32. Who likes to have really long (deep) conversations? Finn, because Jude has problems expressing how he feels.

33. Who would wear “not guilty” t-shirt/ Who would wear “sin” t-shirt? Jude would wear the “not guilty,” and Finn would wear the “sin.”

34. Who would wear “if lost return to…” t-shirt/ Who would wear “I am…” t-shirt? Jude would wear the “if lost,” and Finn would wear the “I am.”

35. Who goes overboard on the holidays? Possibly Finn? He has a family that probably drags him into it; Jude is bitter.

36. Who is the social media addict? Jude, even though he’s not allowed to post anything with Finn.

37. Height difference or age difference? HA. Both. Jude is taller than Finn which is funny, but Finn is four years older than Jude so Jude uses that to his advantage.

38. Who likes to star gaze? Both, since that means they’re alone somewhere together.

39. Who buys cereal for the prize inside? Jude because he’s a child.

40. Who is the fun parent/ Who is the responsible parent? I feel like they’d both be the fun parent, but since Finn is a cop, he’d be a little more responsible.

41. Who cries during sad movies? Finn, always.

42. Who is the neat freak? Jude is a slob and it drives Finn up the wall.

43. Who wins the stuffed animals at the carnival for the other one? Jude probably thinks he’s hot shit and since they both play baseball, they both always win.

44. Who is active/ Who is lazy? They’re both active, but Jude is probably lazier.

45. Who is more likely to get drunk? Jude because he doesn’t know when to stop.

46. Who has the longer food order? Finn, because he eats a lot.

47. Who has the more complex coffee order? Finn again.

48. Who loses stuff? Jude...ALL THE TIME.

49. Who is the driver/ Who is the passenger? Jude will be the driver when he convinces Finn to get on his motorcycle, but otherwise Finn always drives the car.

50. Who is the hopeless romantic? Probably Finn since he’s unable to be who he wants to be.

COREY & PARKER –

1. Who is the early bird/ Who is the night owl? Parker is probably the early bird because he is used to military time, but they both can stay up late as well.

2. Who is the big spoon/ Who is the little spoon? This all depends on who needs the loving. Corey likes to be the big spoon, and Parker probably likes being held.

3. Who hogs the cover/ Who loves to cuddle? I think they’d both feel restricted if they’d hog the covers, and Parker is definitely a cuddler.

4. Who wakes the other one up with kisses? Parker, cause he’s cute like that.

5. Who usually has nightmares? Parker. He has a ton with his PTSD, Corey’s demons are more in the form of his disorder.

6. Who would have really deep emotional thoughts at the middle of the night/ Who would have them in the middle of the day? Corey probably in the middle of the night since he’s always been a restless sleeper. Parker during the day since he has time with the fish at the aquarium lol.

7. Who sweats the small stuff? Parker, probably, because he always pays more attention to detail.

8. Who sleeps in their underwear (or naked)/ Who sleeps in their pajamas? They both are in their underwear or naked lbr.

9. Who makes the coffee (or tea)? Corey makes the coffee, Parker makes the tea.

10. Who likes sweet/ Who likes sour? I think Corey likes the sweet stuff, Parker probably likes sour.

11. Who likes horror movies/ Who likes romance movies? Neither are into horror movies, and Parker makes Corey watch the romantic ones.

12. Who is smol/ Who is tol? They’re both the tols.

13. Who is considered the scaredy cat? They’re both pretty tough despite their issues, so neither.

14. Who kills the spiders? Corey makes sure they alternate LOL

15. Who is scared of the dark? I think neither are a fan of the dark unless they’re with each other.

16. Who is scared of thunderstorms? Probably Parker, just because they’re loud.

17. Who works/ Who stays at home? Corey works a TON. More than he should, and Parker is probably at home more with the dog.

18. Who is a cat person/ Who is a dog person? They love their doggo.

19. Who loves to call the other one cute names? Parker does the cute names, Corey is a jerk so he messes with Parker.

20. Who is dominant/ Who is submissive? Corey has probably the more dominant personality.

21. Who has an obsession (over anything)? I don’t think they’re obsessed with anything except each other lol

22. Who goes all out for Valentine’s Day? Parker, because he’s a romantic.

23. Who asks who out on the first date? Parker again, since Corey was in denial about his sexuality.

24. Who is the talker/ Who is the listener? At one point I think Parker was the talker and Corey was more of the listener. Now they’re both the same as adults.

25. Who wears the other ones clothes? Corey wore Parker’s when he thought he was dead, and now that he’s home, Parker wears Corey’s while he’s at work.

26. Who likes to eat healthy/ Who loves junk food? Parker probably likes to eat healthy, Corey makes bad food decisions.

27. Who takes a long shower/ Who sings in the shower? Parker probably takes long showers, and neither of them can sing lol.

28. Who is the book worm? Parker, since he was the smart one.

29. Who is the better cook? Probably Parker again, but Corey tries and just burns it all.

30. Who likes long walks on the beach? Corey, because he likes being out of the house.

31. Who is more affectionate? Parker always has been, but now that Corey is an adult, he’s a lot more affectionate than he used to be.

32. Who likes to have really long (deep) conversation? Corey gets embarrassed about it but he really does like having them with Parker.

33. Who would wear “not guilty” t-shirt/ Who would wear “sin” t-shirt? Difficult to say because both of these boys like to be sinners lol

34. Who would wear “if lost return to…” t-shirt/ Who would wear “I am…” t-shirt? Corey would be the “if lost,” and Parker is the “I am.”

35. Who goes overboard on the holidays? Parker and his whole damn fam.

36. Who is the social media addict? Neither.

37. Height difference or age difference? Neither.

38. Who likes to star gaze? Both of them do, since they’re nerds and literally love to do anything with each other.

39. Who buys cereal for the prize inside? Corey of course.

40. Who is the fun parent/ Who is the responsible parent? Corey is probably more strict than Parker, only because he’s a detective, but they both are fun.

41. Who cries during sad movies? Parker LOL Corey makes fun of him.

42. Who is the neat freak? Probably Parker.

43. Who wins the stuffed animals at the carnival for the other one? Corey, since he likes to show off for his husband.

44. Who is active/ Who is lazy? They aren’t lazy, so both active.

45. Who is more likely to get drunk? Corey, only because he has an alcohol addiction.

46. Who has the longer food order? Corey because he eats like an 18 year old kid.

47. Who has the more complex coffee order? I think they’re both basic black coffee bitches.

48. Who loses stuff? Probably Parker, but not as much as he used to.

49. Who is the driver/ Who is the passenger? Corey used to drive his old beat up truck but now they don’t have a car.

50. Who is the hopeless romantic? Parker, my son

[fight-me-wyatt]

Finn Wolfhard ~ Mistletoe ~ part one

Request/Prompt: Nope. Just a special since its Finns birthday on the 23rd and Christmas on the 25th. 

Ship:  Finn Wolfhard x fem!reader 

Summary: (for part one) Finn and the reader are childhood friends but kinda drifted apart. Finn invites her over for his birthday/Christmas party with all his cast mates. 

Type: Fluff! 

Warning: Only warning would be swearing, I think. 

 Word count: 2356 (including A/Ns) 

Hope you enjoy it. Let me know! I'm going to be doing something a little different for this, and I'm going to post each day for them on the actual day (New Zealand time), so it'll be split into 5 parts. If that makes sense. Hope you guys don't mind me doing it this way! Tbh im not sure if ill be able to write it all in time, but might as well give it a shot!

Gif credit goes to @shitposting-tozier

2 1 s t   D e c e m b e r . 

Y/N POV 

"Y/N pleeeeeaaassseeee" the muffled voice of Finn Wolfhard begged through the phone, "everyone's dying to meet you!" 

 I sighed and plopped down on the couch, spinning so I was upside down with my legs over the top and my hair brushing the ground. 

I loved talking to Finn and hearing his voice, but right now I was ready to end the call. 

"I don't know Finn... They're probably just saying that for your sake." I mumbled, staring at the world from an upside down point-of-view. 

Finn groaned through the phone and I rolled my eyes at his over-dramatising. It was cute, but extremely annoying. 

"Pretty please, Y/N?! I really want you there, I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! It'll just be like when we were younger and had family Christmas parties." He offered, trying to get me to come. 

He wanted me to agree to go to a Birthday/Christmas party he was having with all his cast mates and stuff. And as someone from his past, not really his present; I wasn't very keen to go. 

 Our families used to live next door, so Finn and I grew up together. We were best friends and we did everything together. Every year we had a massive neighbourhood Christmas party. But since the Wolfhards moved away, and with Finns acting, it got harder and harder trying to catch up. We kind of drifted apart, despite both of our efforts. 

I sighed, closing my eyes. 

The more we talked, the harder it was to say goodbye. The more I saw him, the harder it was to deny my feelings. 

"I don't know Finn. You'll be fine without me, you've got all your new friends there. I really wouldn't fit in. I'd be the only non-Cast mate. It would just be me sitting in a corner while everyone else has fun. I appreciate the offer, dude, but it's a no." I said softly, chewing my lip anxiously just thinking about the situation.

The more time I spent with him, the more likely it was for him to find out. 

On the other side of the phone there was quiet. Maybe he had finally given up? 

"Y/N/N, I wouldn't want to be there without you. You're my oldest and bestest friend, and I want to introduce you to my other friends so that all of my friends can be friends! I know for a fact you'd fit in. Josh will be there as well, so you won't be the only non-cast member! And if you end up sitting in a corner, I'll come sit with you. But, I guess, if you really don't want to go and it'd just going to make you uncomfortable, you don't have to come...." Finn said reassuringly. 

I pondered for a long moment, thinking through my options. 

Surely I could manage an hour or so... Just for Finn.. And he was right, we hasn't seen each other in ages, and I missed him so much. It was only one night, right? It wouldn't be that hard to act like the me that he knows, the one that was completely and utterly his platonic best friend... Right? 

"Fine. But only for you, asshole." I sighed. 

I heard a loud cheer from the phone, and laughed. 

Shit. What have I gotten myself into. 

"You weren't gonna give me the option to not go were you?" I asked, knowing the answer. 

"Nope. I was gonna keep bugging you." Finn said in a very happy voice. 

I simply laughed and wrote down the details of the party, not really listening. 

23rd. Finns house. Sleepover. Ugly Christmas sweater. 

"Okay, see you later, Finn" I said, wanting to get off the phone before ten minutes turned into two hours. 

"See ya, Y/N/N!" He responded. 

We hung up and I sighed, slowly sliding off the couch like a snake. My heart was pounding even from just hearing his voice.

I was screwed royally. 

Finns POV 

I put my phone down, letting out a sigh. I lean my head back against the couch and smile. 

It wasn't a great execution, but I got the intended end result, so that's all that matters. I sat up and opened my eyes to see the boys grinning at me expectantly.

I rolled my eyes and nodded, sending them up into cheers. Nic and Wyatt both slapped my back in congratulation and Jaeden wiped away a fake tear. 

"Guys, it's not that big of a deal." I groaned, running my hands through my messy hair. 

I mean, it was a big deal, but I wasn't going to tell them that. I had to act normal. Might as well get some practice in at it before Y/N came over for the party. 

Chosen scoffed and looked at me with raised eyebrows. 

"Dude, you've been spending all morning freaking out and writing a script for what to say to her, just to invite her to your party, despite knowing each other since forever." He teased. 

"And when you finally actually called her you couldn't stop blushing, and stammering and biting your lip." Dustin piped up. 

"Oh, and when she agreed to come you cheered as if you won a gold medal at the Olympics." Caleb said nudging me. 

I could feel my face heat up but I just rolled my eyes. 

"Whatever" I muttered sheepishly, glad that they had finished attacking me. 

Sophia walked in then, having gone shopping with my mom for some 'much needed girl time'. 

She looked at all the boys surrounding me, the blush on my face and the phone beside me, and quickly realised what was happening. 

"Oh, and don't forget about how he never shut up about her on set." She teased, one hand on her hip, the other holding a Starbucks coffee. 

 I groaned and buried my face in my hands as they all went around the circle, saying something I had said or done that gave it away. 

Everyone except Millie and Sadie added something in, and that was only because they hadn't arrived yet. 

Soon, Josh was telling them stories about times I had made an idiot of myself in front of her, since the three of us used to spend a lot of time together. 

Eventually, when my face was as red as a fire truck, I spoke up. 

"Okay. Fine. You got me. I have massive fucking crush on my best friend, Y/N, but there's no point. She only likes me as a friend, barely even that I think. Besides, I don't want to ruin the friendship, so please don't mention it to her?" I sighed, giving up. 

Jaeden rolled his eyes, but nodded. "Took you long enough to admit it, dumbass." He said grinning. 

"And we won't tell her. Yet. We have to actually meet her first and see if she's right for you, then we'll think about telling her." Jeremy grinned, winking. 

Sophia plopped down onto a spare chair, sighing. 

"I just can't wait to be the only girl. I mean there's gonna be three other girls here. That's like three more than I'm used to" Sophia grinned, changing the subject, thank god. 

 "Speaking of, when does Millie and Sadies plane arrive? I wonder how their holiday was..." Noah asked, checking his watch. 

"9pm tonight," I replied nodding, looking at my own watch. 

It was only mom and I that went to pick up the girls, since we wouldn't all fit in a car, and needed space for their luggage. 

It gave me a good opportunity to think. 

How was I gonna greet Y/N? Should I play it cool? Or act like I used to when my feelings were purely platonic? Or should I go out on a limb and flirt with her? 

I decided on acting. I was good at acting, I could do that easy. Just act like I didn't get butterflies whenever I see or hear her, act as if the way she would grin at me expectantly after telling a shifty joke, didn't effect me at all. Act like I didn't care whether or not she noticed me. Act as if she didn't make me feel weak in the knees or make my heart flutter whenever she looked at me with her gorgeous eyes.... Act like I didn't want to kiss her on those cute lips of hers that seemed to draw my eyes in like a magnet. Easy. 

I sighed deeply, wiping my face with my hand as if this would wipe away my thoughts. 

My mom looked at me concerned, before turning her attention back to the road. 

"Are you okay, honey? That was a big sigh. Do you still want to have the party? It's not too late to cancel." She said, her voice thick with concern and love. 

I shook my head simply. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I still want to have the party, it's just..." I trailed off weakly. 

 "It's just, what? You can tell me, Finn, it's okay." She prompted. 

"It's just that I have this... This crush.. On this girl whose coming to the party, and I don't know how to act around her. I really, really like her, mom, but I don't want to ruin our friendship." I sighed, letting it all out. 

It felt good to vent. 

Mom smiled, quickly glancing at me. 

"And this girl, are we going to pick her up right now?" She asked, curiosity getting the better of her. 

"No, mom." I glared at her. 

She nodded, slowly. 

“That Sophia is a very nice girl, Finn, and I think-" 

"It's not Sophia either." I mumbled, cutting her off. 

She gasped, her eyes widening. 

"You like Y/N! Oh, Finny! Aw, wait until I tell Y/M/N! We've been waiting for this since you were just kids!" She squealed uncharacteristically like a schoolgirl. 

My eyes widened in alarm. 

"Mom! No! Both Y/N and her mom are not finding out about this! And that's really weird." 

 She simply shrugged, and reached over to ruffle my hair. 

"Okay, Finny. I just think you two would be adorable together." 

I rolled my eyes and slumped into the seat of the car, wanting to melt into it. 

"Honey, just know that if your friendship is important enough to the both of you, even if she doesn't share the same feelings about you, as you do for her, your friendship will stay the same. It might be awkward at first, but she's not worth it if she can't keep the lifelong friendship you guys have, just because of a crush." Mom said calmly and reassuringly, smiling at me gently, "but something tells me that you guys will figure it all out." 

I nodded, smiling softly, hoping what she said was true. 

 Millie and Sadie both fell asleep in the car on the way home. 

The reunion between me and them must've taken up what little energy they had left after a long flight from London, where they had flown to from Mexico. 

 Millie and Sadie had run to meet us, and engulfed me and then my mom in a big hug each. 

When Millie gave me a hug, she whispered in my ear, "I can't wait to meet her." 

I had groaned, responding, "they told you already?" 

She had laughed and nodded, "texted me just as the plane landed." 

When Sadie had given me a hug that seemed to have way too much strength from someone her size, she whispered, "Sounds like you're head over heels from what I've heard, Finn." 

Unable to stop the blush, I just laughed nervously. 

She grinned at me before going over to give my mom a hug. 

“Thank you so much for letting us stay with you, Mrs. Wolfhard." I only just heard the girls say. 

I was too busy caught up in my own thoughts. 

Slowly, I walked to the car behind the others. 

Everyone, apart from Y/N -hopefully-, knew that I was crushing on her, hard. Would someone let it slip that I liked her? Or, more likely, would they hint at it very heavily until she caught on? Would she, then, laugh at me with everyone about how stupid I was? Would she- 

"Finn!" Mom said loudly and I snapped out of my thoughts. 

"Hmm?" 

"We're at the the car, sweetie." 

She gestured to the car, the girls in the backseat, giggling. 

I smiled sheepishly. 

"Oh, yeah, right, sorry." I said and jumped in the passenger seat. 

"Daydreaming about someone were we, Finny?" Millie teased as Sadie made kissy faces beside her, teasing me. 

I rolled my eyes and pulled the finger at them before focusing ahead. 

When we reached home, everyone else was asleep. I guess all of the reunions were going to be tomorrow morning. 

I showed the girls their bedroom where Sophia was already sound asleep and said goodnight, before retreating to my own room. 

I almost stepped on a snoring Jeremy, and Chosen muttered in his sleep, worrying me that I had woken him up. 

I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. 

There's part one! How was it? Good enough to make you want to read part two, hopefully! Let me know how I can improve etc!