#Riley and Charlie BFF's

[yuniesan]

Matters of the Heart - Chapter Nine

Matters of the Heart (Rucas Adult AU)

Summary: Lucas worked hard all of his life protecting his family. During the day he works at his security firm, at night he runs a bar in New York with his best friend and his sister, making sure that no one interferes in his business, or assaults his customers.

Riley thought she had everything she could have wished for cool friends a boyfriend who cared too much and loving parents, except she didn’t know what she wanted from her life. Her life never felt like it was hers. She saw graduate school as a way to learn more about the world and about herself.

Until they met and realized there was much more to the world than what they had thought they knew.

Chapters [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

A/N: 1. I found a way around the FF.Net problem [YAY ME] 2. There's a soundtrack to this story that I'm putting together, but I also don't mind recommendations for songs that you think match the story

Chapter 9 –Love is all you need

A week had passed since their weekend getaway, a week since Riley had dinner with his mother and step-father, a week since he had seen Riley collapse from the memories that had flooded her mind. In that time, they had gone back to work, and finished the final preparations for the company’s latest client. Lucas hadn’t given any thought to having dinner with Riley’s father until he had gotten home early that night and stood in front of his closet wondering what he should wear.

“You’re not a teenage girl Friar,” he murmured while he pulled out three different outfits and stared at them, before settling on a clean white button up shirt, a pair of jeans that hadn’t been torn to shreds, and a suit jacket. It was dress casual, which should be alright since they were eating at Riley’s childhood home.

It had taken him an hour just so that he could decide on what to wear, he didn’t want to offend Riley’s father in anyway especially since he was also Zay’s father. But he was also worried about how the man would react to him dating Riley, because while everyone had given him a version of the hurt her and die speech the opinion that mattered the most was from the man who had raised her.

Thinking back to their earlier conversation Lucas wasn’t sure what he should do, while Riley had sat there in his office smiling back at him. He had never been so nervous about anything, not

“You’re going to be fine Lucas,” she said smiling from the couch where she was putting out the latest contracts for his clients. “He’s not going to bite you.”

“I know that Riley,” he said walking over from the window as he ran a hand through his hair. “It’s just that first impressions are important, just like a client here, or someone at the bar, the first impression you make can have someone’s approval or disapproval.”

“Yeah well he’s not going to eat you alive so keep calm,” she put her hands on his shoulders and squeezed them, but he could tell that she was feeling the tension in them. “Geez Lucas,” she said sitting up and kneeling next to him as she tried to rub his shoulders.

“I know I shouldn’t worry too much,” he sighed as she worked through one particularly tough knot. “I think it’s more about the fact that I��ve never gone through this for anyone.”

“Well there’s a first time for everything,” she said putting her arms around his shoulders and giving him a kiss on his cheek. Lucas had turned to meet her lips and held her arms close to his heart.

That had been hours ago, and while they had decided to leave early to get ready, he nerves had gone to hell and back again several times. It had taken him more time to get ready than he had hoped for and as he was walking out of his room he noticed Maya getting ready for her shift while Josh smiled at her as he put some food in front of her face urging her to eat.

It had been such a long time since he had seen his sister so happy, and while he knew what he had with Riley was special, he had also noticed that his sister had found something special as well. They hadn’t gone to lunch with their mother that week because he had had dinner with her, and afterward had been swamped with work but he knew that Maya had taken Josh instead so that the older man could finally meet their mother. But as he watched them now, he noticed that she was more relaxed than she had been over the years with the random guys she had gone on dates with. Those guys who had barely lasted through three dates with her before she realized that they weren’t worth the effort. Guys that Lucas had seen at the bar and mostly gave them his assessment within three seconds of meeting them.

Maya had always joked that he had been too harsh with them, but in the end she had found Josh and he had given her his approval. Josh was sweet on her, he always gave her flowers or sat with her while she painted. And most of all, Lucas had seen how the older man had helped Maya through her own insecurities about being in a relationship. The both of them had found something special, but they had also learned to trust their other halves, their better halves.

“You’re looking rather dapper,” Maya said with a smile when she noticed him standing there.

“It’s not too much right?” he asked looking between the couple in front of him.

“You’re meeting Shawn tonight right?” Josh said and Lucas nodded back. “You look fine, just bring him a bottle of wine and talk about how Riley’s the best thing in the world and you’ll live through it.”

“How did you get through meeting my mother?”

Josh’s eyes shot up meeting Lucas’s and he knew that the nervousness that Josh had felt was the same as what Lucas was feeling at that moment.

“You win Friar,” Josh said making Maya laugh.

“Oh please, if you two didn’t worry so much it wouldn’t feel as scary as it is,” she said as she finished pining her hair into a messy bun after fighting with the long blonde locks for five minutes.

“Tell me how you feel after meeting his parents,” Lucas said as he walked towards the liquor cabinet and grabbing one of the more expensive bottles of wine he had gotten recently. “I’ll see you guys later.”

Lucas walked out of the apartment wondering if wine was the right thing to bring when meeting his girlfriend’s father, but his mother had taught him that when he was going to someone’s house that he should bring something along so it was still better than showing up empty handed. Getting into his car his phone buzzed with a message from Riley sending him directions to her father’s house. It was a brownstone in the city not far from where Riley lived, he could walk but he took the car anyway because if he drove her home she would be safe. He knew it was more about making a good first impression, he should drive Riley home but he wasn’t sure if his nerves would allow him to walk without questioning every single thing so he drove.

Once outside the building he took in the sight trying to memorize the place where Riley had grown up. The small garden in the front yard, flowers outside the windows, and a nervous Riley standing in front of the doors. He knew she was as nervous as he was about the dinner but he tried his best not to show it.

“Everything okay?” he asked as he got out of his car.

“Yeah,” she said before looking down at her feet. “I think… I don’t know.”

“I guess we’re both nervous about this aren’t we?”

“Yeah, I guess we are,” she said before putting her arms around him. Since she was a step above him they were eye to eye. He pulled her in for a quick kiss before she gave him a wide smile. “Hi,” she murmured.

“Hey,” he said smiling back at her, his nerves were diminishing all because she was there with him. “Let’s go inside.”

“Yeah, let’s get this over with,” she pulled on his hand as he entwined their fingers in her hands.

They walked inside greeted with the smell of pasta and garlic, he didn’t know much about Riley’s life outside of what he had learned when she had first started working for him, and the little things he had learned along the way. But he learned everything he could ever hope to learn the moment he walked into the apartment and saw the bright colors of the couch, and the curtains, the millions of pictures that were framed on the wall around the fireplace and the books piled high on the coffee table. One thing was clear about the room, and that was that she loved her father, whether or not he was biologically hers.

“Hey kids,” the man said from the kitchen as he placed a plate of garlic bread on the table. “I made Riley’s favorite.”

“Dad everything you make is my favorite,” she said pulling away from Lucas to hug her father.

“I love it when you call me dad,” the man said smiling at her. “It’s not something you do all of the time you know.”

“Yeah well it’s something I should have done for a long time now and I’m sorry,” she said before pulling away and walking towards Lucas. “Dad,” she smiled at her father. “This is Lucas Friar, Lucas this is my father Shawn Hunter.”

“It’s good to meet you sir,” Lucas said trying to smile without it being one of those awkward smiles where his lips get stuck on his teeth. “I brought you some wine, if you want to have it tonight with dinner.”

“It’s nice to meet you too Lucas, and wine is perfect as long as you’re not driving,” Shawn said to him but Lucas shook his head.

“I won’t be drinking tonight, but you can have some,” Lucas hadn’t thought about driving and drinking until that moment. His blood was on fire from just thinking about messing up this dinner.

“Alright,” Shawn said smiling at him as if he had answered a question correctly.

They sat in a comfortable silence as the food was being served, every once and a while Riley would squeeze his hand just so he would be a little more comfortable with siting there.

“Dad,” she said breaking the silence. “Did I tell you that Lucas’s step-father is Jonathan Turner.”

Her father’s head shot up for a moment looking between the two of them as if he were seeking confirmation. “No you didn’t tell me that Riles.”

“I didn’t know until we had dinner with Lucas’s family last weekend,” she said with a shrug.

Shawn smiled at Lucas as if there was something there. “Did you know when you and Riley started dating that your stepfather helped raise me?”

“No sir,” he said automatically. He really hadn’t because the background check only covered Riley but neither one of them knew the connections that they had between the two of them. “I also hadn’t known that my childhood friend was your son.”

“Well it’s a small world isn’t it,” Shawn said smiling at Riley without looking at Lucas. “So that means that if I had known about Zay long ago, Riley would have met you long before now.”

“Dad,” she said and Lucas could see her glaring at her father.

“What he has to know that this was coming, you know the shovel speech, it’s normal and he’s probably gotten a version or two of it since you started dating.”

“Yes I have sir,” Lucas said confirming this to Riley who just looked at him with her mouth wide open in surprise even though he knew that she had known about it.

“Well I know I don’t have to threaten you, but I do want you to understand this Lucas, if you do anything remotely wrong, I will hunt you down. I have been honor bound to do it too,” Shawn said as Riley squeaked out her father’s name. “Oh don’t be like that Riley, you know I would do anything for you, but I only get to play the concerned father a few times and you have to let me have this moment.”

“Fine but that means I’m going to torture you later on when you and Angela are alone,” she said pouting which made Lucas want to kiss her but he was holding himself back because he didn’t want to get on her father’s bad side.

“I will try my best to do good by her sir,” he said to the Riley’s father.

“Good, and if you don’t I’m pretty sure Jon would find a way to torture you, maybe even send your mother to have some words with you.”

“She’s very good at that,” Lucas said trying to maintain eye contact with the man. “She likes Riley a lot so I wouldn’t want to disappoint my mother either.”

They ate and talked throughout the dinner, the uncomfortable feeling slowly dissipating as they got to know each other. When it was time to say goodnight Lucas smiled at Riley as he walked her to his car and opened the door. Her father watching them from the door smiling as if he knew something that they didn’t. Once he waved to the man and got into the car Riley smiled at him, but didn’t say a word until he pulled away from the curb.

“How was I?” he asked as he drove towards her apartment.

“You were fine, although I would have been happier without the shovel speech,” she said smiling at him. “You don’t have to drop me off at home yet you know.”

“I know but I’m trying to be a good boyfriend.”

“Well you can show me your apartment if you want,” she said smiling at him. “Charlie told me you have a great view of the city from the top of the building.”

“So he’s giving away my secrets is he,” Lucas said smiling at her but nodding at the same time. “Sure let’s go have some wine on the roof, and we can talk a little. There’s also a nice little garden up there, Maya made it, and it’s mostly made of random material but you’ll like it.”

She smiled and him and nodded making him take the next turn towards his place. In the short drive he couldn’t help the smile on his face, he really hadn’t known that something so pure and good could have happened to him. He also couldn’t believe just how connected their lives had been for so long without them meeting it was as if they were supposed to meet when they met.

They quickly stopped in his apartment and he gave Riley the ten cent tour before grabbing another bottle of wine along with some strawberries that were in the fridge so they could have them as a snack before taking Riley to the roof.

Maya had gotten bored one year after he had brought the building, she had originally wanted them to rent out the roof for parties, but Lucas didn’t want people going through their apartment just to get to the roof so instead she decorated it with fairy lights and as many sculptures as she could make. They varied in type and size but his favorite one was the one that she had made right after graduating high school. It looked like a fence with an intricate wiring that made flowers and butterflies, and she had grown some flowers around it. He had loved it because he always believed that it was the part of their childhood that he had been able to salvage before everything went to hell.

“It’s beautiful,” Riley said as she ran her hand through the flowers that were still growing and would continue to do so until winter.

“Maya is very talented, she’s been working on her stuff for so long even while working at the bar,” he said proud of his little sister. “The flowers are my mother’s favorites because they grow in the cold weather.”

“Why hasn’t she had an art show?” Riley asked and Lucas honestly didn’t know the answer.

“I’ve asked her but she said that it will happen when it happens,” he said with a shrug. “Maybe Josh will convince her since he’s become the subject of her latest works.”

Riley laughed at Lucas, she couldn’t imagine Josh sitting around long enough for someone to draw him, but then again the way she’s seen her Uncle look at his girlfriend lately it was possible that he would do it for her as long as they talked. Josh was always observant of others, sometimes missing the good things happening to himself so Maya was one of the best things to have happen to him. She couldn’t be happier for the man.

“So…” she started only to stop as she saw him light up the little fairy lights on the sculpture, and setting a blanket on the large lounge chair for them to sit on.

“Riley?” he questioned looking at her only to make her heart speed up.

“It’s nothing,” she said realizing that she couldn’t have imagined a man looking so beautiful, the mix of the New York lights and the lights of the sculpture making him glow in her mind.

“It has to be something,” he said pulling her close.

She couldn’t think straight the nearness of his body next to hers, there was nothing but heat coming off of him even as the temperatures began to drop the closer the got to November. Instead of saying another word she pulled him towards the lounger and sat down with him. The only thing they had done since they started going out was kiss, nothing too much, maybe some soft touches but nothing too explicit. Even though she wanted to see what he looked like under all of the layers he had.

“Thank you,” she said to him. “For not just today but for everything from the last few weeks.”

“No problem,” he said smiling before turning and opening the wine.

They laid there, drinking the wine and eating the strawberries watching the lights change around them, Lucas kissing her every once and a while. She didn’t want the moment to end, the night to be over because it felt magical more than anything else.

“Lucas,” she said looking up to meet his green eyes. “Would it be alright if I stayed the night?”

He looked at her with nothing but love and it made her heart beat just a little faster, no one was in the apartment, everyone was still in the bar. Lucas smiled at her and nodded, so she took the chance and stood up dragging him to his feet and pulling him close to her. As he got closer he put his hands on her face and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips, slowly kissing each corner before kissing her straight on the lips. She opened her mouth slowly slipping her tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss. She couldn’t help but smile when he groaned into her mouth almost as if her were holding back. At this point they had already had seven weeks together and she couldn’t stop herself from dragging his shirt up just so that she could finally feel the hardness of his muscles against her hands.

“Riley, you’re pushing my resolve to not have my way with you right here right now,” he said as he pulled away. His head touching hers, but his eyes were closed.

“What if I said I didn’t want to wait anymore,” she whispered as her heart hammered in her chest from the anticipation of being with him. “Unless you want to wait which is fine with me.”

At the words he pulled away and looked at her as if she were joking, his eyes shining with amusement at the thought that she was messing with him. Without another word he lifted her off the ground bridal style while he smiled at her, and carried her off towards the door that lead to the apartment below. Never letting her go as she held onto him in a tight grip, their wine and strawberries forgotten on the lounger.

Lucas woke up the next morning to Riley sleeping on his chest her hair covering her back in long soft curls, while she snuggled closer to him and he wasn’t sure what he liked better, her sleeping with him or what they had done the night before. He knew that he needed to get up, he still worked that morning, and so did she. They had a meeting to set up but he couldn’t be bothered with waking her.

“Riley,” he whispered but she only grumbled and pulled a pillow over her head making him smile. He probably needed to give her coffee to wake her up, especially since it was so early in the day.

Slowly pulling her off of his chest and making sure she had all the pillows around her so that she was comfortable, he went to the bathroom and took a quick shower, shaving and brushing his teeth before making his way towards the kitchen to make coffee for the both of them as well as some breakfast.

He was normally the only one who woke up so early in the day, but was surprised to see Josh standing in front of the fridge trying to figure out what to take out.

“Morning,” Lucas said starling the other man who hit his head against the top of the shelf in the fridge. “Sorry man.”

“No it’s okay,” Josh said rubbing his head. “I’m not a hundred percent right now.”

“No one really is… well not in this house anyway,” Lucas said as he started the coffee machine. “We all run on several cups of coffee before any of us are decent.”

“I understand that… by the way have you seen Maya’s strawberries? I was going to make her something and they’re gone.”

Lucas snorted as he turned away. “Um… Riley and I may have left the ones we didn’t eat on the roof.”

“I don’t want to know,” Josh said putting his hands up. “She’s my niece and I really don’t want to know what you two do. I’m just going to think you guys are just holding hands and skipping off into the sunset.”

“Okay, well the same goes for you and Maya,” Lucas said knowing that whatever was happening between Josh and his sister wasn’t any different from what was happening between him and Riley. “I’m making breakfast if you want some.”

“Sure since I can’t think what to make outside of a smoothie right now,” Josh sighed. “I’m not good with mornings after staying up so late the night before.”

“Yeah well I have to be because I have a meeting,” he said as he pulled out the eggs and toast. “So we never talked about you meeting my mom.”

Josh laughed. “It was alright, I mean I was nervous and I dropped my drink on my food but other than that everything went alright.”

“My mother isn’t scary you know, and I’m sure she loved you, she’ll love anyone who can hold onto Maya for longer than three dates and you two have been together for two months,” he said smiling. “She’s really happy you know, that the both of us have found someone especially after well everything.”

“Yeah, Maya and I have talked about that, and she feels guilty but I can’t help but want to thank you for keeping her safe, because… well if you hadn’t I don’t know if I would have been so lucky to find her when I did.”

“My sister is tough as nails, and you don’t have to thank me, it’s what any big brother would have done to keep their sibling safe.”

“Still,” Josh started but Lucas held his hand up.

“Honestly, no thank yous, because in the end we all had something in our lives that we had to overcome to get to this point, let’s just enjoy this moment and not dwell on how we had to get here.”

“Boy Riley sure has made an impression on you with all this move forward stuff,” Josh said with a smile. “I’m glad, and I should probably do the same.”

The two of them shook on it, just as Lucas was about to say something else Riley walked into the room wearing nothing but one of his shirts and a pair of boxer shorts. Her hair disheveled, as she ran her hand down her face. She wasn’t paying attention to anything happening around her almost as if she were being driven forward by the smell of coffee. Josh was laughing to himself watching his niece move forward, every once and a while hitting a table or a chair as she navigated her way towards the coffee.

“She’s not a morning person,” Josh whispered as Lucas put some coffee in a mug and added sugar and cream before Riley finally reached him.

He handed her the mug and directed her towards one of the bar stools watching as she slowly sipped the coffee in her hand. Lucas couldn’t help but laugh as he watched her sleepy face turn into awareness before she began to blush as if the memory of the night before came forward in full force.

“I think she’s awake now,” Josh said laughing before taking the plates of food Lucas set in front of him on a tray and walking off. “I’m just going to leave you two alone ignoring what may or may not have happened.”

Riley stayed quiet in front of him making Lucas worry, until the sound of Maya’s bedroom door closing alerted her to the fact that her Uncle wasn’t in the room.

“Don’t worry too much,” Lucas said as he pulled her coffee away from her hands and gave her a kiss on her lips, the taste of coffee was there while she smelled like vanilla and Lucas’s detergent.

The smell of the fabric softener and Riley mixed together made him happier than he could have imagined because it was as if his two worlds were colliding and it made him giddy thinking about it. He shook his head, he was a man, men didn’t get giddy over anything, but for some reason this was perfect to him.

He put a plate of food in front of her, and she gave him a shy smile as he walked around the breakfast bar and sat down next to her. They ate breakfast in relative silence as Riley drank another cup of coffee.

“It’s too early to be awake,” she said leaning onto his arm.

“It is but sadly we still have to work like normal people,” he said as he ran his hand up and down her back. “We also need to stop by your place and get you a change of clothes.” Riley grimaced at him, “Or we can see if Maya has anything you can borrow.”

“Yes please, I don’t know if I could survive going home and not face planting on my bed,” she said as she ate her food. “Your bed was comfortable too,” she blushed and he couldn’t help but pull her into a hug.

“Finish your breakfast while I go ask Maya for some clothes.”

“All I really need is a new shirt everything else should be alright.”

“Ok,” he said as he stood up and walked off.

When he got to his sister’s door he was afraid that he would find her in some kind of compromising position instead he was greeted by his sister handing him a few shirts and a great big smile.

“Yeah whatever,” he said taking the shirts before she could comment on the fact that Riley had stayed the night.

“You’re welcome,” Maya yelled out after him, he waved his hand at her and walked off towards where Riley sat in the kitchen.

She was cleaning up the mess of dishes that he had made, which only made him smile, they were a team and he hoped that he could do the same if she made a meal for him. He put the clothes down and put his arms around her waist kissing her on her head.

“What would you think of us going to dinner tonight,” he said to her. “Just us, no parents, no friends, no nosy uncles and sisters.”

“I’d say that you have a date,” she said as she turned off the tap. “Anywhere in particular?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said to her. “Now let’s get ready for the day.”

She nodded at him and he walked her back to his room which had its own bathroom, because if he had to own the building he was getting his own bathroom.

She had stood there for hours waiting, the sun had come and gone and they hadn’t come out which only made her angrier. She couldn’t believe that Lucas would have a relationship with anyone other than her. The paper cup in her hand crumbled as the pair walked out of the apartment, she had never been allowed the luxury of staying over at his house while they had been together. Not once in the year long relationship they had had and just watching this woman who he had known for such a short amount of time getting to do the things that were so rightfully hers made her angrier.

There was nothing stopping her from ending their relationship but she couldn’t do anything when there were so many people around them all of the time. Interlopers constantly ruining her plans. She had to wait for the right moment.

When Riley got home she was tired, but excited at the same time, Lucas had told her to pack an extra set of clothes but hadn’t told her where they were going. The only thing he told her was that she could wear jeans and sneakers. So she pulled out her overnight bag and packed it with an extra pair of jeans, underwear, and shirts, as well as an extra sweater.

“Knock knock,” Riley heard Charlie say from her door.

“Hey,” she answered as she threw her toothbrush into her bag.

“You know ever since we all started dating someone I swear I never see you,” he said walking into the room and plopping himself down on her bed.

“That’s because we haven’t,” she said smiling at her best friend. “You’re with Zay most of the time lately, hell Farkle and Isadora are running around planning a wedding that neither one of them want to have, and Josh is with Maya all lovey dovey and I don’t want to know what else they do because eww gross that’s my uncle.”

“We’re all paired off,” he said to her as he dug through her bag. “You should take the red ones and that red sweater.”

“Charlie,” she screamed out pulling the bag away from him.

“I’m just saying.”

“No, no fashion advice… the red one really?”

“Yes, they’re sexy and that sweater looks really good on you,” he said before getting up and pulling the clothes out of the closet.

“What if I wore them now and wore these later,” she said pointing out the outfit in her bag.

“That works too,” he said with a smile before pulling her down onto the bed and turning to face her. “How are you doing?” he asked and she knew he was just worried about everything that had happened since that night he had all but forced her out of her shell.

“Honestly,” she asked him and he nodded. “I don’t know if I could be happier than I am right now, and I have you to thank for that.”

“Yeah well if you two get married I want to be your maid of honor,” he said lift his head up in defiance.

“Deal,” she said pulling him into a hug. “You know somethings been bothering me.”

“What,” he said smiling at her as he pulled away.

“How did you figure it out… that me and Lucas are together,” she started pulling at the frayed ends of her ripped jeans.

“Well… it wasn’t that hard,” he smiled at her. “The day that Maya was plotting I realized that there were too many things that lead towards you and Lucas having some kind of relationship. The new job, all of a sudden this new guy in your life, plus you two should probably not make out in his car when he drops you off here.”

Riley could feel her cheeks flush thinking of all of the times that they had kissed in his car, how she hadn’t realized that someone could be watching made her feel stupid.

“Don’t think too much about it,” Charlie continued. “I’m actually happy that you’re happy.”

“Yeah well the same goes for you,” she smiled. “And everyone else, I’m glad we can all be happy right now.”

“When you and Lucas get back from your little overnight trip, lets hang out, just you and me,” he said to her and she smiled back.

“Silly sleepover,” she said as an answer remember all of the times after Charlie had come out to her and how they had become closer, well after one fight but she had realized that a lot of things had made sense to her a week later and she hadn’t wanted to lose him as a friend.

Silly sleepovers were their go to thing to do when they just wanted to hang out without anyone else around. They hadn’t done one since they moved in with the geniuses because they had been so busy, but with both of them in a new relationship they needed the moment to relax and talk.

“I’ll bring the licorice and the gummy bears,” he said smiling at her as if he were remembering the same thing.

“I’ll bring the popcorn and the chocolate,” she said laying her head on his shoulder.

“Where’s the boy toy taking you,” Charlie asked causing her to jump up and stare at him. “What he’s hot, and I’m not dead, he’s not as cute as Zay but I’m allowed to look you know.”

“But a boy toy geez Charlie,” she said playfully pushing him out of the way.

“Well I don’t know what else to call him, other than Grumpy Mcgrumperson but since he’s mellowed out I figured I needed to find a new nickname,” Charlie shrugged his shoulders as he said it making her laugh.

“He’s not that grumpy.”

“You weren’t there all of the times that I woke up at their place,” he said turning towards her on the bed. “He hates when we sleepover because he feels like he loses control of his life.”

“He wasn’t like that with me,” she said almost instantly regretting the words that had come out of her mouth.

“So it finally happened,” he said his smile wide and his eyes lighting up like a giant Christmas tree. “I knew nothing had happened before because well you always came home afterwards, and when you two weren’t dating,” he said while making air quotes at the word dating. “and going on overnight trips, I knew nothing happened because you’re the type to wait for that perfect moment… which means last night was that moment… What happened tell me I want to know.”

“Nothing, it’s a lie you’ve created in your head,” she said trying to change the subject.

“Not gonna happen girly now tell me because I will get it out of you eventually,” he said poking her arm. “Come on I tell you everything.”

“You do and you should think twice before you say things too because honestly there are things about your life that I’m too traumatized to remember.”

“Riley.”

“Charlie.”

“Please,” he stretched out the word giving her his best puppy dog eyes and she knew it was the end of her resolve.

“Fine, but don’t mention anything around Josh it was embarrassing enough when he saw me this morning in Lucas’s clothes because all I could think about was getting to the coffee machine.”

“Oh god,” he said laughing at her. “This is going to be good.”

Riley rolled her eyes at her best friend. “We had dinner last night with Shawn, but afterwards I just wanted for us to hang out for a while so he took me to the roof of his building and we talked and cuddled and well… I guess it just went off after that.”

“It was romantic as hell wasn’t it,” he said grinning at her. “Is that why he didn’t go to the bar last night, Zay kept complaining that he was the one left putting all the orders in and that it wasn’t his job.”

“It probably should be his job, because sometimes Lucas stretches himself out too thin and there’s only so much I can do,” she said regretting the words as she looked over at Charlie. “Sorry, I know he’s your boyfriend and I’m still getting to know him especially since he’s now my brother but I guess I worry about Lucas working too much.”

“Maybe you’re right, but I think that maybe it’s time that they hire a manager to actually manage the place.”

“It’s not just that,” she said to him worried that she would be revealing too much. “It’s just that he’s always doing so much for everyone, he wants everything for everyone he cares about that he would interrogate the hell out of their significant others, but sometimes I think that he thinks that this is the only way to protect them.”

“He’s got a protection streak in him doesn’t he.”

“Yeah I’ve helped out working as his assistant, but there’s only so much I can do, he needs more help than I can give.”

“Well maybe I can do the work, you know I worked at that bar during college even if you almost never went, so I know all of the stuff and the lingo, plus if we all helped out maybe he would be a little less grumpy that we’re always at his place and eating his food and accidentally walking around naked because it was an accident and I really had to go to the bathroom.”

Riley knew her eyes were wide while she looked at him but she couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up from inside her chest.

“Stop laughing it wasn’t funny,” Charlie said but she couldn’t help it. “Riley seriously.”

“Okay,” she said taking deep breaths to steady herself. “You know Lucas’s room has its own bathroom.”

“Yeah well Zay’s doesn’t, and I sure Maya’s doesn’t either because I’ve had to share it with them when I sleep over there.”

“Well I guess… but it does have a really nice bathtub too, it’s got all of these jets.”

“Whatever Matthews,” he said standing up. “Tease me with a bathtub I can never have. What do I care about it anyway?”

“Go I need to finish packing,” she said pushing him out the door. “And remember if Lucas and I are going out that means his bathtub is free,” she said with a wink before closing the door.

“Thanks Riles,” Charlie said from the other side of the door as she went back to putting everything in her bag. She went to the bathroom to take a quick shower and to fix her hair smiling as she tied the loose curls into a ponytail.

A message from Lucas told her that he was ten minutes away so she quickly changed into the outfit that Charlie had picked out for her and slipped out her door. The apartment was empty as she went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Charlie had been right, they all barely saw one another, they were all busy and they were all happily dating someone. She couldn’t help the smile that had come across her face, everyone she knew and loved were in love with someone.

The was a short knock on the door and she knew Lucas had arrived and she couldn’t help herself as she skipped to the door and swung it open to greet him. His smile was wide as she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss.

“If that’s how you’re going to greet me from now on,” he said as she pulled away.

“I’m happy,” she said to him and she knew it was true. “And everyone I care about is also happy, so it’s a cause for celebration. Now tell me where we’re going.”

“It’s a surprise,” he said as she pulled away so that she could grab her bag, but he took it from her before she could pick it up.

Riley wanted to keep asking where they were going but instead got into his car and turned on the radio. She put the music on low so they could talk, while he drove but also so she’d have something to do while he put her bag in the trunk.

“How far is it?” she asked him trying to get some information out of him.

“Not far, if you want to know we’re going to the beach we went to that night a little over a month ago,” he said smiling at her. “I realized we had our one-month anniversary and neither one of us did anything to celebrate between the dinners with our families and work this week, so I figured a trip without so many people interfering would be a good idea.”

“Really,” she said with a smile, all of a sudden appreciating the clothes that Charlie had picked out for her. “I’m alright with that.”

The drive was a little longer in the rush hour traffic, and when they reached the area the sun had already set over the beach leaving behind the stars. Lucas pulled into a small house not far from the place they had gone to over a month before and Riley couldn’t help but look at him confused.

“I kind of brought this place,” he said smiling at her. “It’s small, only two bedrooms, but I want it to be ours especially since both of our places are overrun with random couples.”

“Yeah Charlie told me something happened,” she said smiling at Lucas.

“Don’t remind me,” he said rolling his eyes. “I mean I don’t care what him and Zay do or are doing but I also don’t want to run into a naked man before work.”

Riley laughed at him before pulling his face towards her, “Poor baby,” she cooed smiling at him before she kissed him on the lips. “I have some money saved up so please let me pay for a part of this place.”

“No,” Lucas said automatically. “Not the house, but I figured we can spend the weekend decorating it, and if you want to pay for something well you can pay for the furniture. And whenever we need to get away we can always come here.”

“You have a deal Friar,” she said pulling him into her arms. “But if we have no furniture where are we going to sleep.”

“I didn’t say that we didn’t have a bed, I’m crazy not stupid,” he said pulling her away from the embrace to give her a quick kiss. “Now let’s get inside and check it out to see what we need.”

They spent the night in bed and the rest of the weekend shopping, buying little things here and there, finding yard sales and buying furniture that they could use. By Monday morning the house had a couch, a dining table with mix matched chairs and plates, the bedroom was fully furnished, since it was the first place they had decided to get furniture for. The entire set was brand new and made of wood and she loved it. Riley decided that they could bring everything else over from the city but the first real thing that she put in there was a framed photo of their first real date, she had the picture printed while they were buying food at a local drug store.

“I know it’s too much,” Lucas had said as they drove back to the city.

“No actually it’s perfect,” she said blushing as she looked at him. “Lucas, I want this to last and I know it may seem like it’s going too fast.”

“It’s not Riley, I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and honestly for once it feels like I’m moving forward instead of waiting in the past. I want this as much as you do… just don’t tell my sister that I brought a house just to get away from her.”

“I won’t as long as you don’t tell my uncle that I agreed to going there and stay with you as much as possible.”

“You have a deal.”

[akegatacchi]

Sense8 AU!aftg

In the honor of absolutlynothing I’ve decided to put out there one of the many au I have on my phone and archive it there

Big shout out to @a-m-peengoo and @bluesuederose for participating in this mess with genius lines and always be there to bear my 36 ideas per hour. We did a masterpiece girls.

Here we go it’s gonna be long

The cluster:

Kevin: Nomi. He’s just a fuckin hacker who’s running away from his family (riko). When he’s bored, he spends nights crashing the Pentagon system for fun, and makes every screen in the White House play Best Exy Actions Compilation (the longest and hardest part is choosing one compilation to play).

Dan: Will. One of them have to keep them under control. Plus, Dan with a gun i can’t even-

Matt: Riley. Soft, blue strand of hair, a heart of gold, maternal. As a DJ. Yes. SO SOFT (he still knows how to box)

Allison: Capheus. Listen. Imagine Allison in high heels, skin tight leather pants, driving a bus. Also, a F1 pilot champion who can drive anything (even if it’s the first time)

Andrew: Wolfgang. Duh. Do I need to explain myself. Just think abt him saying “This is Berlin. Those are my people. And we go to our knees for no one”.Boy he does NOT like this situation, at all. Will keep the others out with sheer willpower and no blockers. The cluster’s deadliest weapon. PLUS HELLO???? ANDREW IN A PASTEL PINK BOMBER SHOOTING ON A HELICOPTER WITH A BAZOOKA????

Aaron: Felix? Sorta? not a senseate but a great doctor. Senses bullshit and when someone is in Andrew’s body real quick  (Andrew: says more than 2 sentences and is pleasant. Aaron:.....who’s that bitch where is my brother) . Later helps to manufacture blockers.

Neil: Kala. A pharmacist that uses his skill for arson and may or may not be running away from mafia/family matter and currently hiding in India. Him saying “Bring it, bitch” to Riko is my sexuality and Andrew’s. Can create explosives from a Fanta can and spices I mean it’s already canon in aftg. (plus andreil would work even better bc technically Neil can’t even touch Andrew for real)

Nicky: Lito. The drama, the sass. Also the scene where he discovers the Twinyard in Germany are his cousins would be hilarious. The scene where Lito seduces the nurse but with Nicky (“engaging into heterosexual activity? me????”) or the scene where Lito screams in the museum but with Nicky

Erik as Hernando. That’s it that’s the post.

Renee: Sun. I mean, a korean fighter lady in prison trying to be a better person and had a silent bffs relationship with a german gangster? Come on. Also. Allison in a bus and Renee doing art martials stuff. 

Riko: whispers i guess he can eat Allison’s high heels

Now the ~scenes~ (it’s just shitposting):

Aaron, on the verge on several break downs: wait so you have like … DJ Blue Matt and F1 pilot Allison Reynolds in your head? since when? ANDREW SINCE WHE-

*

Neil: what’s a better use of a multiple thousands dollars education than precise arson?????

*

Aaron: why does your boyfriend always end up burning things up?

Andrew: he lits up my heart as well

Aaron: FOR FUCK SAKE

*

Kevin, shocked and betrayed: is there a better sport than exy?

Aaron and Allison: YEAH A REALLY GOOD CAR RACE

*

Allison: you’re - you’re like the spirit of Lucy Liu. In Charlie’s Angels. I watch it once a day. Renee:.....that’s sweet actually :) 

*

Neil: does a molotov cocktail

Matt: I tHoUgHt yOu wErE a PhArMaCiSt

Neil: Yes? That’s PHYSICS

Matt: no that’s ARSON NEIL

Alternative:

Kevin: breaks into the Pentagon virtually

Neil: breaks into the Pentagon physically

Matt, again: i thought you were a PHARMACIST!!!! Neil: Yes I am??? That’s irrelevant

*

A senseate sibling, escaping, grabbing a vehicle at random: someone knows how to drive that?

Allison, in stilettos : no, but I sure will soon

*

Just Allison driving Renee around to fight people

*

Everytime someone mocks a senseate sibling Neil or Nicky shows up to roast them. Sometimes they do it both at the same time. It’s apocalyptic. The sass. The drama. 

They can also bullshit their way out of any situation. Neil is such a smooth liar and Nicky is just ridiculous. The FBI agent charged to arrest them somehow ends up crying abt childhood trauma while hugging a teddy bear.

Neil, caught in the act of making a string of explosives by the FBI guy: uuuuuuh….Nicky?

Nicky, currently dealing with a white mom in retail: somehow convince the FBI to buy christmas lights

(Yes Nicky works in retail bc his family cut ties with him but he hopes to be an actor.ON BROADWAY)

(From retail to actor to cluster negotiator real quick)

A  fuckin moron to Allison: a hottie like you driving a bus? what is this, hooker on wheels?

Neil: please let me have this one

Allison: seats back and enjoys Neil roasting him

Nicky: brings the popcorn

Nicky, to the FBI guy: You can’t arrest me Daryl I’m your long lost little brother

The FBI guy, a white man: My name is not Daryl Neil: THAT’S WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO BELIEVE

The FBI guy, texting Neil (don’t ask): I guess I’m still in love with my ex

Nicky: aaaaaw we have to help this sweetheart

Neil: do you want me to burn his current boyfriend’s car, buddy?

(Nicky: DON’T REMIND HIM THAT HE’S SUPPOSED TO ARREST US)

*

A fuckin homophobe: ready to get your ass kicked, faggot?

Andrew: appears through Nicky

Nicky, smiling: fuck yeah, baby 

*

Andrew, between two bazooka shot, to Neil:  we’re nothing

*

Nicky, through Andrew, all cheery: Hi!!!! :D

(Aaron jumps like a scared cat)

*

Andrew: ready to kill ppl for mafia business

All the senseate siblings in the back minus Renee, eating popcorn and enjoying the show: Kick ass, Drew!

*

Andrew, on the hospital bed: has an emotional moment with Aaron

Aaron: sir or ma'am, idk who you are but it’s family only, I will ask you, as his doctor, to leave my brother’s body

*

Aaron: Andrew is2g if you’re making psychic love to that fuckin red hair rn i will-

*

Andrew each time a senseate is hurt: Aaron it’s for you

(Just Aaron doing med tutorials for a whole cluster while Andrew repeats it with a bored tone to everyone)

(Aaron, sighs: it is Neil again? Just let him bleed for a few minutes)

*

Neil, making bomb with kitchen stuff: If it means losing you then no

Andrew, falling in love: oh

*

Bad guy: You have no weapon, blondie!

Allison, with Renee and Dan behind her: Think again, sweetheart

*

They made a little “honorary cluster member” badge to Aaron (he does not cry STFU NEIL)

*

Dan and Neil both knows by heart the laws of different countries…..for very different reasons.

*

Luther: humiliates Nicky once again

Renee: calmly breaks his hand at dinner while smiling like an angel, all the while stopping Andrew from killing him with the other hand

*

Neil, a pharmacist: blowing shit up and arson

Aaron, a doctor, watching him: yk what hold my beer I know several ways to stop a man’s heart

*

The whole “You don’t know how to use a gun” “No, but you do” with andreil or matt and dan

*

Just Drew and Renee kicking some mafia asses together as buddies

(While Neil blows some shit up in the background and Allison/Nicky cheer)

*

Matt has the perfect ear too

Him and Kevin are the remote operation/communication team but one day all the fighters/criminals of the cluster are busy so they both start to fight as well and fuck they are good at it

Nicky: I expected this from Biceps Matt but Kevin??? You can land a kick like that???

Kevin, outraged: I WENT TO THE EXY OLYMPICS WHEN I WAS 16

*

Speaking of Kevin, they all call him “nerd” or “einstein”

Allison: so the nerd can fight uh

*

Aaron, counting down on his fingers: so you have F1 Pilot Superstar Allison Reynolds, former gold medalist and tech genius Kevin Day, a human diapason, a multilingual arsonist, World no.1 Taekwondo Champion Renee Walker, a cop, an actor…..what are you there for??

Andrew, literally a mafia king:....ice cream and crime?

*

Neil to Andrew, after the whole debacle with his father is out: You did know there were mafia out of Germany too, right?

Andrew: I can’t even have that for myself fuck this family

*

Dan, every time before each “mission”: okay guys I know we need to do it but I’d like to remind ALL of you *looks pointly at Neil and Andrew* it’s STILL illegal and morally dubious

Neil: …….like I said to Nicky, irrelevant *without missing a beat blows up the entire building and puts on stolen Gucci shades*

Alternative:

Neil: ok saint theresa why were you the one to suggest we explode Riko’s brain off then

Dan: ...don’t turn the conversation around me it’s about you

*

Allison “guess we’re detourning a place next” Reynolds and Kevin “It’s not that hard to pilot” Day

(Kevin: But why are you on a plane to Russia? I thought you were in India last time?

Neil:....don’t ask)

*

Aaron to Andrew, where they are trapped and betrayed: your boyfriend wouldn’t happen to know how to poison a whole room with gaz?

Neil: I was born for this moment

(Andrew: just bc you’re my brother doesn’t mean you have the right to dirty talk my boyfriend)

*

Andrew: be gay, do crime and eat ice cream

Nicky: AND BLOW NEIL’S D-

*

(before they know abt Neil’s past, when Andrew is angsty bc he caught feelings)

Andrew: You  shouldn’t get close to me, it’s dangerous, i’m mafia

Neil: oh haven’t you heard-

*

Jeremy, bouncing out of nowhere: Hey Kev ! Love how you BI-nary code ahah have you heard of the ARCHIPELAGO 

*

Neil, sipping tea: so my father is the Butcher

Matt:  okokokok coolcoolcoolcool yk what arson doesn’t sound like a bad idea after all

*

(this one is not funny sorry) but Neil taking over each time someone is hurt bc he is used to deal with it

“Give the pain to me”

*

Andrew and Aaron like to fuck around a lot with the whole sensate stuff (since only one of them is a sensate)

Bad guy: only one of you is a sensate, which one is it?

Twinyard, in a perfect and flat tone: try to guess

A bad guy is spying on Andrew and waiting to kill him in Germany, via a cam, thinking he’s safe BUT SUPRISE MOTHERFUCKER it was aaron dressed as Andrew in a mafia meeting and now you have to deal with a 5 feet tall mafia boy

*

For real tho they are a little protective of the normal doctor who heal them every time (yes even Neil but don’t tell him) so you bet something like that happens one day:

Aaron: comes home from work angry

Andrew, cleaning up blood or counting money: whassup shithead?

Aaron: There’s this older doctor he’s great and all but he’s a fuckin asshole to me he belittles me everyday bc i’m young and we lost a patient today bc he rathers humiliate me than let me save him 

Andrew, a dangerous glint in his eyes and a whole cluster behind him: oh?

Kevin, opens his computer and digs up dirt on him: give me a sec

Allison: I can roll over him with my truck

Neil: there is so many ways to mix two meds and kills him ON ACCIDENT

Dan: let’s see how he deals in prison

Nicky: oh this is going to be fun

Kevin, reciting facts like he’s reading a grocery list: so yeah he smuggles meds from the hospital so local drug dealers, illegally sells meds for himself on the black market, does tax evasion, is friend with a local senator and both of them are involved with minors….i have already several reservation at X hotel btw and cases of work harassment on nurses and interns, threats to others older doctors in serve, and OH. OH. We have a spanking kink on our hands too.

Every members of the cluster, turning to Nicky and Neil:....go wild

Nicky, giggling: not that’s it’s a shame when it’s consensual but not here so - let’s start with the spanking :D

Neil: Can I make him cry

No violence is used but the doctor is found on the floor drowning in his own tears after a few minutes and after an hour he’s resigned and leaving the country

Andrew was dressed as Aaron for that (that being: smuggling Neil and Nicky into the hospital to meet the doctor through him)  and sends him a selfie of a 5 feet surgeon and the man crying on the floor 

It’s their best memory as a family (Aaron hates Neil a little less after that)

Neil to Nicky: why did you stop me from pushing towards suicide??? He’s gonna do that in another country

(Kevin: no if I can help it)

Nicky: bc we don’t do that to people!

Neil, Andrew, Aaron, Allison:...........right

Neil: killing even indirectly is no good but destroying their life and humiliating them publically is good?

Nicky: YES!

Matt and Dan: WAIT NO

(Allison: don’t brother Neil you’ll just hurt your head)

(Neil, close to tears: but...but...but arson?? Andrew, with knives out: alright fuckers who broke his heart?)

*

Matt and Dan bc they’re fuckin weak to Neil: ITS OK BUDDY ARSON IS GOOD

*

I have to end on this note:

Storyline wise, Neil would have make the perfect Wolfgang too….if Wolfgang was a twink.

[ambitionsource]

if you were a part of aaa would you be a techie or a performer ? and who do you think would be your bff?

Katie: I would definitely be a performer! I did theater for over a decade, and it was really fun and it really led to some of the best parts of my life. As for a BFF, I think I would either hang out with Haley, Charlie, and Clarissa or Zay, Yindra, and Nigel. Haley and Clarissa are definitely my speed, and remind me of the girls I hung out with in theater, and Charlie, well, is Charlie. We would have some gay-to-gay communication. Yindra, Zay, and Nigel are obviously just hella cool and I would want to hand out with them regardless. I would definitely gravitate towards their friend group -- think Riley and Zay on her first day! As for absolute best friend, I think Haley and I would get on like a house on fire! (But obviously make room for Clarissa; I know my place.)

Natalia: I'm definitely not a performer but I'd love to be a techie and work in set design, I'm a very detail-oriented person so I won't go crazy working with Asher. For BFF, based on my experience I think I'd get on well with Charlie, Haley and Clarissa. But I think my BFF would be Nigel since he's basically my twin and while I don't perform I am a theater and lit nerd and would appreciate his Shakespeare rants.

Maggie: I would definitely be a performer, but predominantly hang out with the techies. That is to say, my theater experience in my youth was being a performer but mainly ending up doing playwriting a lot and directing a bit (no one is surprised). So I’d vibe mainly with people like Jade, Asher, and Jeff I think. Though I would probably also get along with Lucas -- I had some edgy friends growing up lmao. Me and Jade are bouta reform this bitch. Wish I could hang with the true star squad, but they’re far too cool for me. 😔

Divine: I feel like I’d be a bit of both, or like a techie straggler like Riley because I don’t think I could ever be as intense as the other performers even though I enjoy singing. For best friend, I think I’d be close to Dasher and/or Zay and Riley, because they got good vibes and I honestly think they’re the nicest ones lmao.

Esther: I would definitely be a techie. I did do dance, piano and choir as a kid, though, and always wanted to join a drama/musical group, but I’ve never been particularly talented in those areas (I only did dance bc my sister did and my hands are too small to play piano comfortably lmao, plus I’m rarely on pitch when I sing). I’m very interested in writing (obviously) and production, so I think I would take on the sort of role that Isadora does with the techies, and could be a chorus member if need be I suppose ha ha. In terms of friends... I would definitely fit in with the techie crew, and would especially get along with Jade and Asher, I think. I always gravitate to the quieter kids, as I was one myself, but I’m also outgoing enough to keep conversations going with them and get along with pretty much everyone. All my life I’ve also for some reason befriended the boys that are disruptive and either jokesters of the class or just generally Rebellious, so I would definitely be friends with Nate, Lucas and Dylan. In terms of performers, I think I would get along with Haley and Clarissa, as again they’re the sort of girls I always end up in the friendship group of. Darby I would probably be somewhat friends with as well, but I would hate Sarah and Maya so... yeah. Riley and Charlie I especially think I could be close with, as some of my best friends are a lot like them, plus I would love discussing faith and religion with Charlie. I’m honestly not sure if I would get along with Isadora or not. I probably would, but we’d have the kind of friendship where we bicker and fight a lot and nobody truly knows if we like each other or not lol. Yindra and Zay are interesting because when I was in high school I think I’d be too intimidated by their coolness to even attempt to be true friends with them, but who I am now I would find it a lot easier to interact with them, and I think I would get along with them well enough to hang out with them in a group setting, but neither are the sort of person I naturally form close bonds with. Who would be my BFF, though, is very difficult. Based on who I’m actually best friends with and have been bffs with in the past, I honestly think it would be Riley. Like not to assume I’m anywhere near her level of awesomeness, but she just is absolutely the exact type of person I end up being best friends with and gel with instantly. Oh and Nigel!!! My fellow English lit nerd!!! I don’t think we’d be close per se, but I would enjoy talking with him a lot. I literally had so many friends in high school though (that sounds so conceited lol I just mean I was on friendly terms with almost everyone and got along with everyone in my class pretty much) so I genuinely could find a reason why I’d be friends with any of them tbh.

Maggie: I can see that.

Esther: Tell me why I wrote a whole damn essay for this question lmao.

AMBITION Creative Team Takeover !!

[aion-rsa]

Happiest Season Review: Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis Make Christmas Classic

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As we approach Thanksgiving, television is already firmly entrenched in the holiday movie season: Hallmark and Lifetime have begun rolling out their dozens of cookie-cutter Christmas love stories starring city gals, country men, and interchangeable plot elements involving saving small towns or romancing royalty. What a relief, then, that Clea DuVall’s Christmas rom-com Happiest Season instantly and effortlessly breaks that mold while simultaneously being the kind of sweet, poignant, funny film you’ll want to rewatch every December.

Having wrapped production mere weeks before the coronavirus lockdown at the start of 2020, Happiest Season is the first studio-backed (Sony’s TriStar Pictures) queer holiday rom-com. Truly that is a Christmas miracle; the same goes for the shift from theatrical release to streaming (via Hulu) just in time for what promises to be an emotionally fraught Thanksgiving.

Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis) are a young couple in the flush of love, living together in Pittsburgh and approaching their one-year anniversary of meeting on Christmas. That holiday cheer is all the more remarkable given Abby’s aversion to Christmas since the loss of her parents at 19. So in an impromptu bit of sentimentality, Harper invites Abby to spend the holidays with her family in the suburbs—and Abby is ready to meet that commitment with a Yuletide proposal.

There’s just one problem: Harper is not out to her family, the WASPy Caldwells, for fear of tainting father Ted’s (Victor Garber) mayoral campaign. And while the last thing that Abby wants is to go back into the closet, she reluctantly agrees to it for the chance to see what kind of family created her favorite person.

Unfortunately, that answer is an uptight, neurotic clan overseen by Instagram-obsessed Tipper (Mary Steenburgen). The grim status quo is further maintained by Harper’s two sisters: Sloane (Alison Brie), who wields passive-aggressive commentary like a sharpened candy cane, and Jane (Mary Holland, who co-wrote the film with DuVall), the perpetually ignored yet relentlessly cheery middle child. Introduced as Harper’s “roommate” (the queer meta jokes begin) but treated more like an afterthought, Abby is caught in the nightmarish scenario of observing family traditions without ever being allowed to participate in her rightful place.

In contrast to other rom-coms that rely on ridiculous slapstick to fulfill the latter half of the formula, Happiest Season is wickedly funny in ways that embrace this awful situation. An absurd running gag has everyone characterizing Abby as a tragic Dickensian orphan; Stewart’s deadpan delivery only enhances the increasingly farcical indignities that Abby must endure, from being asked to take the family Christmas photo to babysitting Sloane’s bratty twins. And there is physical comedy in Harper and Abby leaning on stereotypes about “girl time,” and joint bathroom trips in order to steal any scrap of alone time together.

But for a rom-com, Happiest Season is also an unexpected tearjerker. Its humor is frequently edged with bitter truths about being (literally) shoved into the closet, hiding a relationship in plain sight, or loving someone who cannot be true about who they really are.

Davis, who similarly played a young woman paralyzed with fears of coming out in the Black Mirror episode “San Junipero,” makes Harper almost too unsympathetic in her desperate need to regress to her straight-passing teenage self. The audience is clearly on Abby’s side, but Harper also isn’t wrong.

This thoughtful consideration of the wide variety of coming-out stories is a testament to the overwhelmingly queer cast and crew. DuVall, who publicly came out around the time of her directorial debut, 2016’s The Intervention, drew from her experiences of being closeted during the making of queer 1999 classic, But I’m a Cheerleader. Stewart has been open about her bisexuality for some time; while her character in 2019’s Charlie’s Angels was ostensibly queer, the role of Abby is so much more multifaceted. And while he plays the stodgy patriarch, Garber is gay, having come out publicly in 2012 after decades of his love life being an open secret in Hollywood.

In terms of queer supporting cast, it’s a toss-up between Dan Levy (in his first project since Schitt’s Creek ended earlier this year) and Aubrey Plaza as to who was the better scene-stealer: It’s hard to resist Plaza’s Riley, Harper’s former BFF and first love, while Levy brightens and sharpens every moment he’s on-screen as Abby’s best friend John. Beloved queer musical duo Tegan and Sara also contributed the boppy holiday single “Make You Mine,” because of course they did. But rather than make the movie “political” or otherwise unapproachable, this talented team ensures an authentic representation of queer people’s lived experiences. 

Yet in truth, Happiest Season is, like so many entries in the holiday subgenre, about grappling with impossible familial expectations. The Caldwells have created a cheerily toxic environment in which all three of their daughters fear losing their parents’ love and support if they don’t fulfill very strict, narrowly defined roles that leave no room for the spontaneous joys and heartbreaks of adult life. That tension will be familiar to all who have weathered past holiday seasons, while the comfort of a happy ending is a much-needed panacea. You’ll want to spend every future Christmas with Abby, Harper, and DuVall.

Happiest Season premieres Nov. 25 on Hulu.

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[funnynewsheadlines]

Even Dogs Are Annoyed By Younger Siblings (87 Pics)

No one will ever feel your pain of being an older bro or sis, unless they are one. And contrary to what they say, it’s not always fun. The truth is, younger siblings are annoying little creatures who get away with anything.

Luckily, these woofers are on our side. Bored Panda has compiled a list with painfully hilarious, yet all too relatable dogs who got their nerves played by their infant siblings.

And for those who ask how come hoomans and doggos are BFFs, well, this is the answer right here. They get it.

#1 "He's A Little A***e" - Walter On Max

Image credits: maxwalterandjo

#2 He Loves His New Sister

Image credits: PamelaNeary

#3 My Boyfriend's Dog's Reaction To The New Puppy

Image credits: HarroMongorian

#4 It Was At This Moment Hank Regretted Asking For A Little Brother

Image credits: chovieplaysguitar

#5 Dude Just Got A Sister. It’s A Bit Of An Adjustment. Meet Boo (On The Left)

Image credits: emilylydian

#6 If I Stay Still Maybe The Pup Will Go Away

Image credits: Jennifer Lubinski

#7 Eva Isn't The Biggest Fan Of Her Sister Touching Her. Sheba Just Wants To Make Sure She's Okay

Image credits: evadiva_n_sheba

#8 This Was The Day We Got Our Dachshund. Jack, The Boston, Is Not Sure What To Think

Image credits: exmormonwheelman

#9 My Dog Not As Amused With The New Puppy As We Are

Image credits: diamondbro43

#10 "It's Happening Again, Isn't It?" - Walter

Image credits: maxwalterandjo

#11 Her Face Says It All

Image credits: Patti Bueno Jolly

#12 "Who Else Ruined Their Older Dog’s Life By Getting Them A Younger Sibling?" - I Did

Image credits: Em Cone

#13 The Look Says It All

Image credits: Kari Amble

#14 Charlie Loves His Big Brother Cliff

Image credits: theshelljar

#15 When You Lose The Receipt To Return Your Little Sister

Image credits: bouncyivy

#16 Annoying Little Brother

Image credits: MyrtyGert

#17 My Sister Sent Me A Photo Of Her Dog And New Puppy. Man, That Face

Image credits: MrsShyster

#18 Like Please Take That Thing Back

Image credits: Dustin Berryman

#19 Little Help, Hooman?

Image credits: Josh Swanlund

#20 Little Brother Is So Annoying

Image credits: StephAg09

#21 Does Anyone Else Have An Ear Chewing Problem In Their Home?

Image credits: BOHOGYPSY

#22 When You Just Woke Up And She Wants To Play

Image credits: myfurmonkeys

#23 Apollo: “Dis Is Not Da Toy I Wanted.” Aurora: “I Is Not A Toy!”

Image credits: lolo_and_rori

#24 My Six Year Old Pyr Milo And His New Baby Brother Rumi

Image credits: aliaschicnine

#25 My Older And Smaller Dog With His Younger And Bigger Sibling

Image credits: TheChemineau

#26 "Goblin Is Annoyed" - Walter

Image credits: maxwalterandjo

#27 Who Else Ruined Their Older Dog’s Life By Getting Them A Younger Sibling?

Image credits: Chaya Breslow

#28 Younger Sibling Car Trip Mischief. She's A Cute Jerk

Image credits: ladybadcrumble

#29 My Older One Just Looked Like That Most Of The Time. She Was Not Happy About Her Brother

Image credits: Rina Tong

#30 He Loves His Little Brother, I Swear

Image credits: Amy Demarest

#31 Sibling Rivalry

Image credits: mmahan62

#32 The Moment Daisy Regretted Wanting A Sibling

Image credits: wheelog

#33 Jax Loves His Big Brother/Chew Toy

Image credits: sarcasmicw0nderbread

#34 This Is A Comfy Seat On Big Brother’s Head

Image credits: Vanitas1603

#35 Yes, Rosco Has Ruined Riley’s Remaining Years

Image credits: Ellie Clarke

#36 When Your Little Brother Is Being Annoying, But Your Mom Is Standing Right There

Image credits: 19Margarita98

#37 Little Luna, Annoying The Crap Out Of Her Big Sister

Image credits: Syrial960

#38 "This Thing Is Eight Weeks Old... How Did She Beat Me?!"

Image credits: Yamamaya

#39 Kinsley Loves Her New Seat In The Truck. Her Big Sister Isn't At All Happy About It

Image credits: SelfInflictedPancake

#40 I Heard My Older Lab Crying And Came Out To Find His Little Brother Blocking The Stairs

Image credits: vmabney

#41 Abby Is Being So Patient With The New Puppy

Image credits: RRT2017

#42 Little Brothers Can Be So Annoying. I Promise They Love Each Other

Image credits: dreamomara78

#43 Annoying Little Sister

Image credits: Jennanana

#44 How Your Dog Feels When You Bring Home A "Cute" New Puppy

Image credits: Pelchkresk

#45 There Are Two Dogs In This Picture

Image credits: thunderpope13

#46 Friendship Is Annoying Each Other And Thoroughly Enjoying It

Image credits: the.husky.hut

#47 Are You Going To Just Sit There And Let This Happen?

Image credits: jed_loves_june

#48 It’s A Sibling Thing

Image credits: oakley_fish

#49 If He Could Talk I Would Swear He Would Say "Make Her Stop Touching Me"

Image credits: erinsdoggrooming

#50 Watson Thought If He Just Didn't Look At The Problem It Would Go Away

Image credits: Melinda Wiese

#51 She Looooooves It

Image credits: Megan Price

#52 He’s So Tolerant With Our Younger Dog

Image credits: Maldag

#53 Our New Dog Pepper! Sarge Is A Little Confused Though

Image credits: CJ_Booby

#54 Not Sure How My Dog Feels About Her New Foster Sister

Image credits: pokeemintheeye

#55 When Your Little Brother Is Getting Bigger Than You

Image credits: SamiFox

#56 Reggie Is The Perfect Big Brother, But A Bit Tired. Helping Me Take Care Of A Puppy Is Exhausting Work

Image credits: AlphaKester

#57 Little Brother vs. Big Sister

Image credits: N546RV

#58 Sometimes Big Sisters Are Too Patient

Image credits: NickCageMatch

#59 Big Brother Is Resigned To Have A Jerk Little Brother

Image credits: Suicidalsidekick

#60 Someone’s Not Happy He’s Been Promoted To Big Brother

Image credits: cgh23

#61 2 Of My 4 Danes, Honey The Giant And Cookie The Crushed

Image credits: Foghorn755

#62 Little Brothers Can Be So Annoying

Image credits: gingpo

#63 When You Annoy Your Big Bro

Image credits: jessisthebestjess

#64 Naya Has Found A New Seat To Sit On. Getting The Best View In The Truck

Image credits: island.view.girl

#65 I Got The Post Bath Zoomies But She Has The Post Bath Snoozies

Image credits: zephyr_the_golden

#66 Old Boy Is Heckin Annoyed At New Girl

Image credits: Christycreams

#67 Clearly I’m The Fun Sibling

Image credits: rocky_4paws

#68 Pupperino Does A Happy (Good Luck Big Brother)

Image credits: camrudwaffle

#69 Even After Almost 5 Weeks With My New Family, I’m Still Trying To Win Over My Big Brother. It’s Going Slooow. On The Plus Side, His Ears Are Yummy

Image credits: gentleman.blue

#70 Help

Image credits: Katelin Nagy

#71 And In The Continuing Saga Of “Younger Siblings Are The Absolute Worst”

Image credits: jtthomas1371

#72 Piper Is Very Happy To Have Her New Big Sister. Penny Is Unsure

Image credits: akatie97

#73 Just Relaxin On His Brother

Image credits: webreakingup

#74 Never Seen A Puppy Happier To Bother Her Big Sister

Image credits: RedditTrollin

#75 When You Get Caught Bullying Your Younger Sibling

Image credits: TheePoloman

#76 Older Brother/Younger Brother Relationship In A Nutshell

Image credits: AmericanToffee

#77 He Likes To Play With His Big Brother. Big Brother - Not So Much

Image credits: lucamurgia

#78 Here's Little Gordie With His Big Sister, Darla, Who Is Very Clearly Over It. She's Been So Great About Not Being Rough With Him, Even When She's Annoyed

Image credits: MadBeard

#79 The Face You Make When Your Mom Makes You Bring Your Little Brother With You

Image credits: Kaitlyn Amendola

#80 I Went To Join My Grumpy Big Bro In His Bed For A Snuggle. Don’t Think He Liked It

Image credits: ray_therescuedach

#81 The Face When You Just Woke Up And She’s Already Yelling

Image credits: aivynnguyen

#82 Every Sibling Ever

Image credits: AimingForFreedom

#83 The White One Is The Older One If You Couldn’t Tell

Image credits: Sara Hallgren

#84 That Moment When You Regret What You Started With Big Brother

Image credits: lifeunderthestars

#85 She Still Has No Respect For Her Big Brother

Image credits: Smump

#86 Archie’s Little Sister Is A Bully

Image credits: ketowarp

#87 Definition Of Little Sister

Image credits: thatll_dew_pig

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[mrmichaelchadler]

Nobody's Fool

A better title for “Nobody’s Fool” would be “Tyler Perry’s Filth-Flarn-Filth.” The writer-director really leans into the R-rating on this one: it’s a raunchy affair whose best lines are unprintable and whose middle act features a sex scene that got the packed audience at my theater hooting with lusty approval. You might not want to take your church-loving grandmother, though considering how much church Grandma needs to attends every week, she’s probably not unfamiliar with debauchery. I suppose she’ll be fine with all the nookie and the creative words Perry’s cast uses to describe said nookie.

In her third film of 2018, Tiffany Haddish finally gets top billing and the chance to cut loose like she did in her magnificent turn in “Girls Trip.” But the movie’s marketing is misleading, because “Nobody’s Fool” is not about her character. In fact, the film could exist, in far less amusing a fashion, without her entirely and still make sense. In my review of “The Oath” on this site, I wrote that there oughta be a law against wasting Tiffany Haddish in a movie. There should be an even bigger law against making her extraneous. Granted, she’s the film’s biggest comedic element and Haddish serves that role very well here, plus Perry gives her a surface level back history that has the potential for dramatic exploration. But her character’s usefulness to the plot wears out barely an hour into the 110-minute runtime, and the film struggles with what to do with her.

Two things stood out at the beginning of this film. First, the Lionsgate logo that normally introduces Perry’s work had been replaced by the “Paramount Players” logo. Second, I could have sworn the credit didn’t include the now-standard words of ownership “Tyler Perry’s” before the title. I can be forgiven if I missed them, because at the same time the title appears, Perry is haphazardly filling the screen with back and forth text bubbles. The electronic conversation is between advertising executive Danica (Perry staple Tika Sumpter) and Charlie (actor name purposely withheld for spoiler protection). Charlie is Danica’s online paramour, a man she has never met yet has fallen for head over heels. Charlie has a sexy voice—I believe one actor refers to it as “the Idris Elba”—and he lives on an offshore oil rig whose wi-fi reception is too poor for him to ever give Danica a live look at him via Skype or FaceTime.

Charlie sounds too good to be true, but he fills all the checkboxes on the list of qualities Danica wants in a man. And I don’t mean a figurative list, either. Danica has written all these items down in a warped homage to a list her mother, Lola (Whoopi Goldberg) once made when she was single. Lola’s list led her to her husband, a union Danica idolizes like a lovesick fan of improbable romances. Coincidentally, Danica’s company is creating an ad campaign for a perfume called “The List,” which comes with an ink pen so the consumer can scribble down her own catalog of romantic demands. Since Danica and her BFF Callie (Amber Riley) are the office’s only single ladies, they’re given the assignment.

Danica’s work is interrupted by Lola’s request that she pick up her daughter Tanya (Tiffany Haddish). Tanya is being released from prison after doing a 5-year bid. She’s a former addict whose own mother won’t put her up, presumably because she’ll smoke all the marijuana plants Lola is growing. Tanya’s first scene is her having wild sex in the back of a truck with a man she met in the prison parking lot. For reasons unexplained, she chokes the man unconscious before getting into her sister’s car. Tanya’s street-smarts allow her to immediately see through her sister’s mysterious new man. She thinks Danica is being catfished, a notion seconded by Callie. For viewers who don’t know what catfishing is, Perry does them a solid by including an extended appearance by Nev Schulman and Max Joseph, who host the MTV show, “Catfish.” This made me as suspicious as Tanya, because MTV is owned by Viacom, the same company that owns Paramount. So in effect, Perry is now shilling studio content in his movies. I don’t recall Lionsgate requiring him to include their “Saw” franchise character, Jigsaw, though his appearance would have spiced up “Boo: A Madea Halloween” for sure.

But I digress.

In addition to Charlie, another man is vying for Danica’s heart. He’s Frank (Omari Hardwick), owner of the coffee shop in Danica’s office building. Every morning, he gives her free coffee and a rose, neither of which she is happy taking. When Frank offers Tanya a job despite her felon status, Danica warms up a bit toward him. Most of “Nobody’s Fool” is Frank trying to win Danica, first from Charlie and then from her own snobby preconceived notions of Frank. Tanya shows up every so often as Frank’s ally, and the film delves so deeply in the mustiest of romantic comedy tropes and twists that I yelled out “Oh, come on Tyler!” in disbelief at one point.

Perry is also up to his usual questionable antics regarding the skin shade and class distinctions of his villains. The film’s focus on women worrying about getting a man may also irk some viewers. And his stories still veer violently between tones, though this is admittedly the funniest thing he’s written. For all his faults, he can still catch you off-guard with a one-liner or quip.

Truth be told, I would have loved a movie where Haddish, Riley, Sumpter and Goldberg just riffed on a variety of topics, as they all get some hilarious lines that feel completely off-the-cuff. Goldberg’s comment about a particular strain of her weed made me laugh so loudly I scared myself. In fact, there were several times in “Nobody’s Fool” where I laughed when I probably shouldn’t have. Perhaps in the next life I'll have some shame about that. The bigger sin here is that “Nobody’s Fool” wastes its comic goodwill and performances by wallowing in the same tired story elements Tyler Perry has been milking on TV and in his movies for decades. He’s done this before, and you’ve seen it before.

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[rxpunzelwrites-blog]

catch me being obsessed with my characters having best friends.

and catch me writing them down here

aaron - gabe and marley

adam - mack but also monty

alfie - scotty probably?? but tbh he needs a cute girl bff who either cheerleads or does ballet

alice - bret

angelica - bea, lizzie and jess

april - billy

atticus - finn and amy

audrey - shane?? can i say shane?

bailey - blair and her sisters

beau - declan and lowkey spencer

benji - i don’t think he really has one?? D:

bennett - he doesn’t deserve friends

brody - kai and katie

callum - christian and scotty and steven and louis and lydia and the football squad tbh

caroline - amelia and jason! but also cassie, astrid and pls give me gabe for this

carter - jess and cassie, oh and seth

cecily - ivy probably?

charlie - charlie has no connections on messina omg pls give her pals

chase - kai

chloe - hunter and natalie, she knows no other ppl :’)

conrad - flora even tho she’s still technically an npc

dean - probably indy??

dennis - ashleigh

diego - isaac and cedric

dixie - seamus :))) but tbh she could do with more pals so!

dustin - #BRINGONSARAMILLER2K17

ella - hazel and harley!

elliot - rhodey 

ellis - rory and henry

elsie - jason

emma - drew

evie - JAXY and obvs daisy! and we haven’t played them yet but i wanna say marley

felix - SAPPHIRE

foster - summerrrrr

greyson - hero

harper - rhodey and soon to be violet as well

harvey - rose and he considers kenny to be his best friend SO

holly - alex

jack - *crickets*

james - darren ouch but also lucy

jem - steven

jimmy - ??????

joe - ???????

jutta - ??????

kevin - caleb

kit - DAISY!!!!!!!!!!!

laura - lydia is her number one girlie but also scotty and louis and obvs christian

leon - jonah oh dear

levi - ronnie

max - kenny??

mellie - indy ofc

micah - he has zero friends pls give him more

mickey - shane

nathaniel - will and laurel

noah - katie

oz - jax

pace - christian

piper - david

reuben - tori and i always wanna say kenny and hazel

riley - monty

robbie - blair

ronan - daisy

rosy - bret :3 and scotty too

sally - i know we haven’t really discussed them but i still love the idea of her and ryke being best pals

sawyer - cassie

seth - katie, jess and carter

simon - lo and billy

sutton - why does sutton not have a best friend where is his wendybird

sybil - rose and tori

taylor - probably darren if i’m honest lmao woops

wardo - ivy and then obvs louis and bea and amelia :’)

wilhelm - bret

will - nathaniel and laurel

wren - quinn

[nickaylakolvina]

Courtney Eaton, Zoe Kravitz, & Kristen Stewart, & Riley Keough (Kristen’s BFF from The Runaways & Charlies Angels) #KristenStewart

[ambitionsource]

whom in aaa is most likely to be found: bird-watching, cloud-watching, star-gazing, forest-bathing, sun-bathing, day-dreaming, live-blogging ?

took a new approach to this one...

(i would’ve included dylan as a joke bc bird bones but even as a joke its not realistic... he’s too Loud and those birds would be like SEE YA)

(lucas is literally a wild creature and i’ve said it before if he were allowed to just go out and lay in the grass and stare at the sky for a couple hours each day... he would be so much happier. just let him roam nature, society!!! also yogi and dave have a bff tradition of getting high together and then going on in dave’s suburban back lawn and just layin in the grass and chillin like that for hours, yogi resting against dave’s giant torso. it’s true friendship...)

(jack definitely has a reminiscent love for stars, growing up in rural VA)

(he can’t cope... he can’t live in this concrete prison.. set him free SET HIM FREEEEEE)

(sarah would like to be on this list, but she burns so easily that it’s just... not worth the pain...)

(we’ve canonically seen like 4 of farkle’s daydream performances, and charlie, riley, and haley are hopeless romantic daydreamers. i don’t know what’s in dave’s beautiful large head, but it’s elevator music 75% of the time)

(isa’s is probably the most concrete or professional, yogi i think just has a lot to say. sarah’s preferred platform is twitter. dylan has his vlog thing going, but in terms of actually live reacting to things, it’s just him texting asher lmao)

-- Maggie & Es