#THINK ABOUT MISS HOLLOWAY MEETING EVERYONE | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

magicalrocketships · 4 months ago

Note

not me discovering this fine evening that you wrote other parts of Won’t Get To Space here on tumblr 0.o that fic is like *my fic*: i read it probably once a month, i like it that much (plus - me and liam may have something in common and this fic doesn't make me feel pathetic like i sometimes feel - even if i'm in my 30s) .. so, thanks to that anon for talking about this fic and for you to link the other snippets: you just made the (what was supposed to be an early) evening for an European <3 if you ever want to share anything else in that universe, please do <3 i wish you an amazing day / night and thank you *very much* for creating this AU

oh, thank you! I'm so glad <3 It's so lovely to hear that it resonated with you.

I went looking for the sequel file in the depths of my dropbox, it has a last modified date of 2015, it was created in 2013, I don't have the original program I wrote it in anymore so I don't know if any of the formatting is messed up as I really haven't looked it in years, but here's the contents of the file. There's no ending and it's just bits and pieces, but please know that of course they end up happily, and I don't think I ever posted it in its entirety here.

I hope you see this, anon!

won't get to space because I haven't got a rocket part 2 (harry/liam/louis)

(first part here)

Like the sky is blue (all the things that stop you dreaming)

Come to London this weekend, we miss you xx

Liam grins down at his phone. He's on his break, eating two ham salad sandwiches and a bag of cheese and onion crisps in the back of the garage, flicking through The Mirror.

Your both in the paperrrrrrrrr, he texts, once he hits the 3am pages. Did u rlly fall out of a clubbb??????

Shameless lies !!! Louis texts back. we stumbled gracefully !!!!

His phone beeps with a message from Harry. I fell out of the cab not the club. lou just fell over me.

Liam laughs at that. What u uptooo?

Hanging around the record company !! Meetings . Boring !! Louis this time. They must be together, and reading each other's texts. Liam sort of likes the idea of them both peering down at the same phone, together.

Maybe touching all the way down one side.

He really likes thinking about them touching.

Gud luck xxxxx Liam hasn't got long left of his lunch. Mums berthdaaay this fri so cant come down :( sozzzzzzz :(

He has to get back to work anyway, so he stuffs his phone into his pocket before the reply arrives, and heads back across the garage to get on with Mrs Holloway's oil change.

~*~

Liam spends Friday night in Garfunkel's with his mum and his dad and his sisters, eating dinner in honour of his mum's birthday. He orders the chicken even though he normally gets the scampi, just like his dad, but it's nice to spend time with his parents and his sisters and just eat together.

Nicola tries not to talk about her wedding, but it's hard, since there's such a lot to organise, and everyone wants it to be great. His mum has been fretting about what to wear since Nicola first came home with her engagement ring, and she's pushing Nicola to try and find out what Graham's mum's wearing so that they don't clash.

Liam's dad makes the same grimace of 'these Payne women, what are we supposed to do with them' that he's been making at Liam since he realised they could have a secret club of two, and Liam makes the same face of agreement he's been making since he realised he could join in.

"Stop it, you two," his mum says, flicking Liam in the arm with her serviette. "It might not matter to you if we both show up in salmon pink from Debenhams, but it'll be embarrassing for our Nicola. And me."

"I know," Liam says. "What if I showed up in salmon pink from Debenhams too, it'd be terrible. I might cry."

"Liam," his mum says reprovingly, but Nicola smacks him in the arm.

"You'll be dressed like all the other ushers," she says, and Liam is very quickly reminded that Nicola is fast losing her sense of humour when it comes to her big day.

"I was only joking."

Nicola rolls her eyes at him. "I'm turning into a proper little madam," she says. "I know, you'll be all calling me Bridezilla the moment my back's turned."

"Of course we won't," his mum says. She leans over and pats her on the hand as the waiter comes over with their food. "It'll be perfect."

It takes a couple of minutes for everything to get sorted, and his dad's already tucking into his scampi and chips before Nicola turns her attention to Liam, and his Peri Peri chicken. "Have you got your eye on anyone, our kid? Anyone you might want to bring to the wedding?"

Liam immediately thinks about Louis and Harry, Louis sprawled out naked on his bed, laughing, and Harry bringing them both cups of tea. He wants to bring them, but firstly, there's no point banking on a future where they're concerned, and secondly, how could he ever explain that he's bringing two boys to his big sister's wedding? He's not even sure he could tell them he was bringing one boy to the wedding, let alone two.

"Ooh," Nicola says. "There is someone, isn't there? I can see it on your face."

"Is there?" Ruth asks.

Liam tries to school his face into something that won't give anything away. He rather suspects he fails. "Nah," he says. "Nothing that'll come to anything. Single pringle, that's me."

Ruth makes a sad face at him. "You'll find someone. You're brilliant, Liam."

Those people on OK Cupid who ever bothered messaging him back didn't think he was brilliant, and neither did all of Andy's friends. Nobody had, really, until Louis and Harry, and Liam was half convinced that they'd be off again given the slightest chance. Why would boys like that settle for a trainee mechanic from the midlands when they could have anyone in London town? It just didn't make sense. He fakes a smile for Ruth, and one for Nicola and his parents, and tries to turn their attention back to his mum and her birthday.

He's not sure it works.

~*~

His mum does a roast chicken on Sunday, and Liam rocks up at half eleven with a bunch of flowers for her, because it's her birthday weekend and she deserves flowers. He's in a good mood; Louis had rung him up at half past one in the morning to tell him that they missed him and trying to have sex without him there was rubbish and boring.

Liam hadn't believed that for a second, but he likes to be remembered, and Harry and Louis just keep on remembering him, like he isn't invisible, or see-through at the edges, but like he's real.

(talking about Nicola's wedding and asking Liam if he's bringing anyone, and Liam wanting to say yes but not being able to. Texting Louis and Harry from in front of the telly and his family thinking there's a girlfriend) Birthday weekend.

~*~

"What time do you finish work?" Louis asks, as soon as Liam picks up, and Liam’s so used to Louis and Harry constantly using each other’s phones that it doesn’t bother him that it’s Harry’s name that flashed up on his screen. It’s a picture of all three of them that comes with it, anyway, Harry in the middle with Louis on his back with his arm in the air, Liam holding the camera out and pressing in so that he’s in shot. It’s one of Liam’s favourite pictures.

"Half five, why?" Liam asks. He’s supposed to be seeing them at the weekend, but it’s only Thursday. They have half-arsed plans to go and see the new Captain America film, and Liam’s desperately trying to cover up his desire to see it sooner rather than later.

"We’re coming to pick you up," Louis says. "We’ve got plans for you."

"It’s Thursday, though," Liam says, puzzled. He has plans for tonight that involve putting a load of washing on and eating beans on toast in front of the telly. It’s the part of his life he tries to hide from Louis and Harry, who are surely only here for the exciting bits.

"We know," Louis says. "You’re not busy, are you?"

"Nope," Liam says, although he’ll have to figure out when to do the washing now, so he’ll have clean pants for work on Monday. He’s very much in love with Louis and Harry, but he does have a Monday to Friday job he has to work the two of them around, which they don’t.

"Brilliant," Louis says. "We’ll see you at half five. Love you."

"Right," Liam says, still puzzled, but Louis has already hung up.

Half five shows up, but Louis and Harry don’t. Liam sits outside the garage with his jacket zipped up, and passes his phone from hand to hand, waiting for them. He doesn’t want to ring in case they’re driving, so he sits outside and hopes that he hasn’t got the day wrong.

They don’t show up until ten to six, by which point Liam is already about ready to leave to go home. Harry pulls his Range Rover up in front of the garage though, parking it totally skewiff, and Louis is already tumbling out of the passenger door even as Liam is standing up to meet them.

"Hello," Louis says, bounding over and pushing Liam up against the wall. "Happy Captain America Day, Steve."

"What?" Liam says, but Louis is kissing him hello. Liam can’t quite bring himself to be bothered about who might see.

"Captain America Day," Harry says, carefully pushing Louis out of the way and kissing Liam gently. "Here, we got you a t-shirt in honour of the occasion."

Louis pulls open his denim jacket to display a t-shirt with Captain America’s shield right there in the centre. Harry is wearing one with a giant Avengers A in the middle. The one they’re holding out for Liam is royal blue, with a white star in the middle and red and white stripes at the bottom.

"What—"

"Suit up," Louis says. "Here, preferably. Where we can stare at how hot you are."

Liam swallows, and looks down at his t-shirt. “Why are you here?” he asks, because ninety-five per cent of the time, he has no idea why Louis and Harry even bother with him.

"Because Steve’s your favourite, and because you’re our favourite, and because we wanted to take our boyfriend out," Harry says. "We’ve got tickets for the eight o’clock showing, we’ve got a table at that burger place near that bowling alley that we went to first, and then we’re all going to go back to yours afterwards and let you talk about how hot Captain America is whilst we fuck you."

"That last part’s my favourite," Louis says, leaning in. "That was my idea, that bit. You can talk about how you’d like Steve to fuck you, if you like. Whilst we jerk you off. Make you come all over yourself."

"Oh," Liam says. Luckily he works on a nice, quiet road. It’s good, that, because he’s sporting a semi. "Right. That’s good, then."

"Brilliant," Harry says. "Now, are you going to change your top, or what? It’s been a whole week since we’ve seen you topless, and we’re getting withdrawal symptoms."

"All right," Liam says softly, and pulls open his jacket.

(weekend at Liam's)

~*~

MINI BREAK

Plan to go away for a mini break, rent a house for the bank holiday weekend – Frisbee and piggy in the middle on the beach, bacon sandwiches, watching dvds and fucking, joking about singing together, Liam thinks it's a silly joke, they're not joking.

"We should go away," Liam says, without really thinking about it. It's either late one night or early one morning, but his watch is too far away for him to check, and anyway, he doesn't care enough to move. It's dark outside and he's naked. Anything else is just details.

"We're away now," Harry points out, from where he's lying, cheek pressed to Liam's chest. He's playing with Liam's nipple, grazing his fingertips over Liam's skin, thumbnail catching. Liam slides his hand down Harry's side, down towards his hip. He's too sleepy to initiate sex again, but he's not tired enough to fall asleep right this instant. "Well, me and Louis are."

"Don't suppose many people actually holiday in Wolvo, Haz." Louis, for reasons known only to him and at best impenetrable to Liam, is standing by the side of Liam's bed, wearing one sock and steadily eating his way through a packet of chocolate HobNobs. "You are talking about a holiday, right?"

Liam shrugs. He hadn't exactly thought about options. He'd barely got as far as thinking through what he'd actually said. "It might be nice," he says, as carefully as he can. Holidays and mini-breaks are what couples do. People in relationships. He's still not entirely sure that this counts. He's half-convinced that every time he sees Harry and Louis, it's going to be the last.

~*~

LIAM WANTS TO TELL HIS PARENTS, he just wants people to be happy for him like he's happy with them. Is convinced they're going to take it well because they've always loved him and supported him and wanted him to be happy.

I told my mum and dad about the 3 of us, Liam texts, on Thursday night. He's careful with his spelling, for once. It takes him about three goes to get it right, and at least two and a half of those he can put down to his hands shaking.

It's about thirteen seconds until his phone rings.

"You all right?" Louis demands, as soon as Liam answers.

Liam lets out a ragged breath. "No?"

"God," Louis says. "You idiot. Why didn't you tell us? We could have, I don’t know, been there. We're like, two and a half hours away. Harry's gone to the shop for a Cornetto and a banana."

Liam tries, desperately, to get a handle on his breathing. "You don't have to—" he says, but then everything he's been trying to keep inside just comes rushing out, and he doesn't mean it to, he really doesn't, but he's crying. He's crying down the phone because his mum and dad don't want him. They don't want him, and they're everything to him, and he really, really thought they'd understand. "They don't want me," he manages, after a while. "Lou, they don't want me."

Louis' breath catches. "Oh, baby," he says. "Sweetheart."

"What am I going to do?" Liam can't think. He can't do anything. He's already been sitting here for the best part of an hour.

"Wait for us to get there," Louis tells him. Liam can hear him moving around. "We'll drive up as soon as Harry gets back from the shop. I'm so sorry. Liam, I'm so sorry."

Liam hates crying. He knows it's weak, and he should be past this, but he can't. It's so hard. "Haven't you got stuff tonight? You're going out. You said."

"Fuck that," Louis tells him. "I'm putting stuff in a bag. You're more important than any stupid party."

"I'm not."

"Oh god," Louis sounds like he's going to cry himself. "Liam, sweetheart. Please. Don't say that. We're two and a half hours away."

"Sorry," Liam says, automatically.

"No—" Louis lets out a breath. "Look, are you going to be okay for two minutes? I'm going to phone Harry, get him to get his arse back here. I'll call you straight back, I promise. Please don't cry, baby. It's going to be okay. I promise. It's going to be fine. Your parents are going to come round, I swear."

His parents had asked him to leave the house so that they could 'think about what he'd told them'. They'd used words like weird and disgusting and ashamed.

Liam's always had a lot of feelings, but right this second, he wishes he could tear his heart right out of his chest, just so that it would stop hurting, if only for a minute. "All right," he says, softly, and when Louis hangs up, he buries his face in his sleeve and lets himself cry.

Andy's there when Louis and Harry pull up outside in the car, looking awkward and a bit useless in Liam's kitchen. Liam has to send him to answer the door because he's on the phone when they bell goes; his mum is crying down the phone at him, and Liam's having enough trouble trying to figure out what she's saying in amongst the tears without having to worry about whether Louis' going to lamp Andy when he's not looking.

Liam can't think about that. He squeezes his eyes shut. "Mum—" he says. "Mum."

"I don't understand," his mum's saying. "We don't understand, me and your dad. How can there be three of you?"

"There just is," Liam says, over the sob in his throat. He hates crying in front of Andy. He knows what Andy thinks about lads crying, but Andy's been good enough not to say any of that in the hour he's been here. He'd given in and texted him whilst he was waiting for Louis to phone him back, a garbled evryyhgings gon 2 shit can u cumm overrrr plese.

This is why Andy's his best mate; he'd turned up forty minutes later with two portions of chips from the chippy and a four pack of Heineken.

Once he'd seen Liam's face, he'd dumped them all on the counter by the Baby Belling and punched Liam in the arm, before pulling him into a one-armed hug.

Andy still looks shell-shocked, and it's an hour later. He might not understand Liam and Louis and Harry either—and he doesn't, because Liam's had the questions to prove it—but at least he's still here. He's grown up with Liam, and he's grown up with Liam's family, and he doesn't know what to make of it either.

He's still here, though. His best mate.

He feels Louis and Harry

~*~

wakes up to find Ruth in the kitchen talking to Louis

When Liam wakes up, he can hear the soft burr of voices coming from the kitchen. He doesn't open his eyes, staying curled up on the couch instead, Harry's hand in his hair. It's Ruth's voice, and Louis', and Liam can feel himself freezing up all over.

"—I just don't get why," Ruth's saying, over the rumble of the kettle boiling. "You're both—you're in the newspapers. What are you doing here?"

"Because we both love Liam," Louis tells her. "Because it might be weird, and no one might get it but us, but he makes us happy and I think we make him happy too."

"But what are you doing here? You must have a proper posh place in London. What are you doing in my brother's shit flat?"

It's a question Liam asks himself a million times a day.

"Because this is Liam's life, and we love him, and we want to be a part of it. And his life is here, and in this flat, so yeah, we're going to be here. With him."

Ruth's quiet at that, and Liam stays where he is on the couch, his heart thumping. Harry's hand in his hair has stilled.

~*~

Liam is sad and alone; his parents want to try, and they all go for a barbecue at Liam's parents.

Louis comes to find Liam in his mum and dad's kitchen after a while, coming right on in and wrapping his arms around Liam's shoulders, pressing a kiss to Liam's neck. "You've been gone a while," he says, not loosening his hold.

"I'm making more salad," Liam tells him, chopping a tomato into eighths. "You lot have eaten all the rest."

"More salad's always good," Louis agrees, but he doesn't let go of Liam, and Liam's grateful because he feels like he's about to explode.

"Where's Harry?"

"Turning on the charm," Louis says.

"It won't work," Liam says, and he doesn't want his voice to catch, but it does nevertheless. His knife skitters over the tomato and down onto the chopping board. "They won't ever understand."

"It'll take time. To everyone who isn't us, this is probably really weird."

Liam shakes his head. "It's not weird," he says stubbornly. "I love you and I love Harry. I don't understand why that's not easy."

Louis lets out a breath, and drops another kiss to Liam's shoulder. "I think you're probably the most honest person I've ever met," he says, which is a lie. Liam lies to people all the time. Louis and Harry don't even know that Liam failed at the X Factor. One day they'll find out that he's lied to them all this time and that will be the end. He lies about how much he needs them and how much this means to him and how much he's desperate for them to love him like he loves them. He lies all of the time, every day, and one day it'll catch up with him and it'll all be over.

"I'm not."

Louis ignores him. "I see you, and you're always just—whatever you feel, you just—you're the most brilliant person I've ever met. You and Harry, but you differently. God, I'm crap at this. I'm trying to tell you that you're so open, and so honest, and that means you get hurt sometimes. If I could, I'd make sure you never got hurt again."

Liam's chest aches. "Louis—"

"People disappoint us," Louis goes on. "Sometimes people we love, they disappoint us. But that doesn't mean they don't love us."

Liam drops the knife. "I want them to love you like I love you," he says, and he sounds all choked up. He tries not to, but he can't help it. "It's not weird, and it's not wrong. We fit."

"I know," Louis says. He shifts, hooking his chin over Liam's shoulder, and wrapping his arms around Liam's waist. "You're fucking marvellous, Liam Payne. Like, fucking brilliant. Me and Harry are going to keep on telling you and telling you until you just know, okay?"

Liam nods, but he doesn't believe it.

When they get back to Liam's flat after the disastrous barbecue at his mum and dad's, Harry and Louis lead him wordlessly into the bedroom, and pull him into a hug. Harry presses his mouth to the corner of Liam's.

"You're brilliant," he says softly, sliding his hand into Liam's hair. "And when we met your mum and dad, we could see just where you get that from."

"They were rude," Liam stumbles over his words. "They barely spoke to you."

Louis slides his hands around Liam's waist, and under his t-shirt to rest his palms against Liam's stomach. "What do you say to the two guys who are having sex with your son, exactly? It's weird for them."

"I wanted them to love you," Liam admits. Louis keeps stroking his fingertips over Liam's tummy, and Liam wants to stay like this forever, in their arms.

"We'll make them love us," Harry says. "Just you wait. You've not seen our long term attack yet. We're excellent winners-over. We've got, like, plans and strategies."

"Just you wait," Louis agrees, mouthing at the sensitive skin beneath Liam's left ear.

Liam tells his parents that his relationship isn't going awawy and then Louis and Harry take him back home and look after him, but they have to leave to go back to London

Liam has to be by himself and Louis and harry are meeting together with Simon Cowell about singing in a group. Liam doesn't think they're serious.

~*~

Liam has never, ever been prouder of his sister than he is when he watches her say her vows at the front of the room. He stands there in his charcoal suit with his fuchsia buttonhole, being her usher, and he cries as she says I do. He can see Ruth doing the exact same thing from her pride of place as maid of honour, but he can't help but glance back over his shoulder, gaze going straight to Louis and Harry, half way back on the bride's side. They're probably holding hands, and Liam wants that so much it hurts, but he's promised Nicola and his mum and dad that he'll keep it quiet, this threesome he's in and trying to call a relationship.

It isn't like he doesn't know how weird it is, but he wishes the people he loved accepted him like Louis and Harry do.

Harry gives him a little half-wave, and that catches Louis' attention. He winks at Liam, bumping his shoulder into Harry's.

Liam turns back to the front. His heart is full.

Nicola comes over later. She's drunk and plump and beaming and beautiful. "I'm so proud of you, little brother," she says, leaning over to wrap her arm around his shoulders. Her wedding dress is the size of about three people. She looks gorgeous, and like she's had the best day ever. Liam only wanted that from today, so he can't help but consider it a job well done. "And I'm really pleased you're so happy."

Liam goes a bit red, but he risks a glance at Harry and Louis anyway. They're all sitting out of the way of the dancing, because if they can't be openly together then sitting in the corner together and tangling their feet under the table is enough of an alternative to capture their affection.

Louis winks at him, and Harry just grins. They've got matching button holes, the three of them, Louis biting his lip and swapping Liam's fuchsia one for a cream rose once the dinner and the speeches and the photographs were all done. Liam had wanted something that marked them out as a threesome, a trio, even if he couldn't offer them both more.

"Seriously," Nicola says, her arm still round Liam's shoulders. "I've never seen you so happy."

Liam knows he's blushing more. He wants to reach over and curl his fingers into Louis', and have Harry come over and wrap his arms around him. "Well," he says, only a little awkwardly. "I am."

"It's been a good day, hasn't it?" Nicola goes on. She waves her arm in the air. "Everything's gone right."

"It's been perfect," Harry says. "And you look beautiful. Thank you for inviting us."

Nicola leans over and takes Louis' hand. "You are being good to him, aren't you?"

"Nicola," Liam hisses, but he can't do anything; it's her wedding day, she can hold whoever's hand she wants to. "Stop that. Put him down."

"Shush," Nicola says. "I'm talking to your boyfriend. One of your boyfriends." She giggles. "I never thought you'd have more than one boyfriend, Lee. Never thought you'd have a boyfriend, come to that."

"Well, I do, and they're perfect," Liam tells her. "But will you put him down and stop embarrassing me for two seconds?"

"No, but seriously." Nicola lets go of Louis' hand and reaches for Harry's. Harry lets her take it, and flushes in what Liam can only think of as a ridiculously cute kind of a way. "This is my little brother," she says, not letting go of Harry's hand. "Like—me and Ruth are really protective of him. Cos he's our little brother. And it's like you are too. Not like Andy."

"Nicola," Liam warns.

"Seriously. I'm trying to tell you something, so shush, Liam." She shakes her head, and turns her attention back to Louis and Harry. "If you hurt him, either of you, then I will personally hunt you down and kill you, and Ruth will help me."

Liam isn't so sure of that, since Ruth is still not quite on board with the Liam-has-two-boyfriends part of proceedings. This is still the most embarrassing experience he can quite remember, so he leaves the Ruth part of things to one side for now.

"You don’t need to worry," Louis says, shooting a glance at Liam. "We're the last people you need to worry about when it comes to Liam. I'm pretty sure we're committed to making sure everybody in the world realises how great Liam is."

"Yeah," Harry echoes. "We think he's brilliant, and we love him."

Liam knows he's doing his best impression of a bright red, on fire tomato but he can't look up. If he looks up he'll do something stupid like kiss both of them, and he'd promised. He'd promised.

"Do you three want to dance?" Nicola says suddenly.

Liam looks up. "With you?"

"Well, I suppose. I just meant—I meant do you three want to dance, together."

Liam looks over at the dance floor. "But everybody will know," he says. "I promised you and Mum and Dad."

Nicola raises her shoulders in an inelegant shrug. "I haven't seen you this happy, like, ever. It's like—I don't think it's very nice of us to be like, come to my wedding, but pretend you're not totally in love for the sake of Auntie Dora and all the cousins and the neighbours or whatever. So I think maybe that you should dance. All three of you."

"But Mum and Dad—"

"Leave them to me," Nicola says. "Anyway, whose wedding is this? It's bloody mine, so you three, get up there and do something romantic for me, all right?" She kisses the top of Liam's head. "Go on, scram. I'm going to find Ed and get him to dance with me too. We'll make a right show of it, us Paynes on that dance floor. Where's Ruth?"

"You're not a Payne anymore, Nic."

"Once a Payne, always a Payne," Nicola tells him, winking at Louis and Harry. "Go on. Up you go." Liam watches as she threads her way through the tables and her wedding guests in pursuit of her new—and quite remarkably drunk—husband.

"Well," Louis says. He smiles at Liam. "What do you want to do?"

Liam smiles at that. "I want to do what I always want to do. Be with you guys."

Harry blinks at that, looking away. "God, " he says. "Fuck, stop making me cry."

"So," Simon Cowell says, when all five of them are in his office, sitting in deceptively low cushioned chairs in front of his desk, "What have you got to say for yourselves."

"This is Liam Payne," Louis says, pointing at Liam, "and he's fantastic. And we think we want to record as a band—"

"I know who Liam Payne is." Simon cuts him off, sitting back in his chair, tapping his pen against the arm. "Long time, no see, Liam."

Liam can't bear to look to either side of him. "I didn't think you'd remember me."

"I'm good with names and faces," Simon says. "It's part of what got me to where I am now. That, and I looked you up."

"What's he mean?" Louis hisses, kicking Liam in the ankle.

Liam shakes his head, and doesn't say anything. This is what the end feels like: this. So close to his dreams, and yet so endlessly far away.

"Didn't I tell you to come back when you'd grown up a bit? Done your GCSEs?"

Liam juts his chin out. "I couldn't afford to," he says. "I needed to work."

"I literally have no idea what's going on right now," Niall says, from Liam's other side.

"I auditioned for the X Factor," Liam sits on his hands. "Two years before you did, when I was fourteen. I went to Barbados with Simon. I didn't get through."

There is no silence like a horrified, wounded silence, and Liam can read this one like a book.

"God," Niall says.

"Shit," Louis breathes, next to him. When Liam looks, Harry just looks horrified. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Liam draws his shoulders up. "Dunno," he says. "Didn't want to tell you I'd failed where you'd all passed. Didn't make any difference anyway, not back then. Then it got too late to tell you. I didn't think Simon would remember me."

"I remembered you," Simon says. He's still tapping his pen against the arm of his chair.

AND THEN: happy ending of course.

#won't get to space #just bits and pieces from the depths of time

11 notes · View notes

rigginsstreet · 9 months ago

Note

As a Buckleway shipper, tell me your thoughts om Robin's parents (if you have any distinct ones on how you imagine them) and them potentially meeting/interacting with Heather's parents whether they're aware their daughters are hooking up/dating or not.

i feel like because i didnt watch season 4 ive missed a lot of insight into robins character so any thoughts i have about her stem from season 3 which... gives us absolutely nothing in regards to anything person about her really (but also given who is writing this show i imagine season 4 doesnt do a whole lot either...)

but anyway, with that being said i have seen floated around before the idea of robins parents being hippies, or at least being a lot more laid back than the general hawkins parent, and i can get behind that.

in my head, they dont know robins gay, at least not officially since robin hasnt come out to them, but i do think itd be cute if robins stressing for so long about coming out to her parents only for them to be like "yes dear, your suspenders kind of gave you away...." or something stupid lmao

i dont imagine robins mom being a wallflower by any means and maybe she was a big feminist activist in her younger days (still is) so she does NOT like tom holloway or anything he stands for, neither does robins dad. janet theyre more cordial to because i have a longstanding belief that heathers mom is just constantly doped up on valium or whatever to keep her happy and makes her more pleasant to deal with

they would love heather so so much though! maybe at first theyre reluctant about robin dating her because theyre judging her family but once they meet her and spend time with her and see how happy she makes their daughter its basically "okay youre our daughter too now"

but joint family gatherings are soooo awkward whether or not heathers come out to her own parents yet. just the tension alone between robins mom and tom is enough to make everyone uncomfy

#buckleway #briana answers things

5 notes · View notes

orangebugsoup · 2 months ago

Text

need need need need OMG they would fit so well together!!

just think about Bill meeting the Lords in Black! or maybe Mabel trying to "fix" Paul's dislike of musicals by loudly singing at him!

Ford would have a field day in Hatchetfeild I think. He'd just be off (maybe with Dipper) looking for the Ape-man, or they some how learn about Lumber-Axe and scour the woods. or they get their hands on the black book (would either end horribly or fantastically, which entirely depends on how careful they are)

I know Lazy Susan wasn't mentioned, but I think she'd fit in at Miss Retro's (maybe I'm saying that because she works at a diner and Miss Retro's is a diner, but Miss Holloway seems like she could mesh well with everyone.)

Speaking of Miss Holloway, I think Mabel would love her. Her cool hair, her love of music, the fact that she has a love interest, everything!

Soos & the younger twins would probably like Toy Zone a lot, that's all I'm saying. Stan would probably make friends with Frank pretty quickly, as their love of money is equal in strength. But they probably wouldn't be too close, as Frank is a little too selfish and doesn't have a lot of respect for other people (Stan sees him be a little mean to Lex and decides to keep him at arms length, maybe idk)

wow lot of text, but the beast was released for this one. two hyperfixations at once, hell yeah

I need more hatchetfield and gravity fall fans to make crossovers. Those two worlds fit so well, and I see hardly anything about it.

I want the pine twins (smol) visiting their cousins and inviting their gruncles.

I want the pine twins (large) to enrage Lynda at the boating society because their boat isnt 'up to code' (looks rich and fancy) and Stan waving a stack of cash at her while Ford misses the implications and goes into full detail about how their ship is actually legal and up to code despite the governments best attempts (he made it himself and used every loophole Stan could find when doing so)

I want dipper and mable meeting the gang at hatchetfield high. I want Stan to punch max for trying to bully the twins! I want them meeting grace chastity and getting bad vibes! And meeting Deb and Alice!

I WANT DIPPER TO FIND THE BLACK BOOK!!!!

just!!!

PUT THE PINES IN THAT FUCKED UP LITTLE TOWN!

#gravity falls #starkid hatchetfield #certified yapper #hatchetfield #stanley pines #stanford pines #mable pines #dipper pines

34 notes · View notes

riddlegecko · 3 years ago

Text

K IT'S TIME FOR DADDY/KILLER TRACK THOUGHTS BABES

I can see why Jaime was so proud of the Young at Heart video, it was damn good! Also the story from the talkback about how she had to MANUALLY EDIT OUT HER NIPPLES IN THE BATHTUB SCENE had me LOSING IT

Right so Frank? In my top 10 favorite Hatchetfield characters now. God, he's like a genuinely alright dude in this?? Maybe the Wiggly Fever had corrupted him more than we thought in Black Friday, because he almost feels like a different character here!

EARLY BIRD MISS HOLLOWAY APPEARANCE, Y'ALL I ALMOST SCREAMED

All the uses of the word "daddy" was honestly more funny than unsettling bc of everyone's midwestern-ass accents. they rly said "dayyyy-ddy :)"

Corey was just,,, fuck, he was so good in this episode. In other news, the sky is blue, but for real man. He took this character that I only really cared about for his banger of a solo in Black Friday, and he said "you will LOVE and FEEL SYMPATHY for this man".

MAN IN A HURRY NAME REVEAL, FUCK YEAH. Barry Swift, good name, it fits him. Also rip :(

30 second Becky cameo!

Right, so Sheila preparing to summon the Lords in Black? My jaw was DROPPED, and I was leaning in so close to my screen that my neck kinda hurts now. The vibes of that scene were indescribable, and I don't think a feeling like that can ever be replicated tbh.

God, what a neat ending tho? Doesn't top Honey Queen for me, that one's still number one, but damn it was good.

Killer Track rly said "look at all these fucking CHARACTERS" within like the first 3 minutes, and indeed I am LOOKING. Thrash, Courtney, Scud, Rose, Kale? Love them all.

But yeah Rose is such a neat protag, love her look, love Bryce's performance. And Kale is one heck of an antagonist, like dang, way to make me feel bad for the villain tho?

DUKE MY BELOVED

MISS HOLLOWAY MY BELOVED

ALL OF THE BELOVEDS

God, the Black Book prop tho??? What a badass addition to the episode, the DETAIL in those pages!!

The Killer Track is,,, certainly a song, that's for sure. I dunno how else to describe it, but dang dude, it was definitely a song! Metal's not my thing, but fuck, Jeff went off there. And seeing cool collected badass Miss Holloway just fucking crumble over it? Terrifying! Holy shit!!

God they really had me with that fakeout death! I admittedly haven't actually cried to a Hatchetfield story yet, but watching Duke silently mourn Holloway got me dang close.

Also don't give ur cat milk, Duke, it's bad for their digestive system :/

BROTHERS LANG YOU ABSOLUTE TEASES, WITH THAT BACKSTORY STUFF. God, everything about that made me so much more intrigued about Miss Holloway.

The whole scene in the Honey Festival before the climax? Golden. The reveal that Hailey had intentionally sabotaged Zoey in Honey Queen? Alice and Deb's cameo?? Seeing how Sheila and Ted met (btw, rest in fucking die Ted, oof)??? Wonderful.

The reveal that the track itself was alive and controlling Kale, FUCK, that was good.

RUN AWAY WITH ME BEST SONG OF THE EPISODE, FUCK IT UP KIM

Rip Kale, ur death was fucking metal 😔✌

JESUS, Duke and Holloway out on the paddleboat, my HEART was not prepared. Duke's despair, the kiss, "That's right, he was watching the fireworks"? AUGH 😭

and OOF those bittersweet fuzzies at them meeting again in the ending, don't look at me i'm incoherent-

Pop punk Nightmare Time theme remix tho? Kind of a banger! Also I'm 100% convinced that "Paul is Dead Records" is just sk fucking with us.

What a good fucking episode, jesus christ. It's up there with Honey Queen, but I can't pick a favorite story, they were both phenomenal. I'm getting more and more stoked for the finale, y'all!

#hatchetfield #nightmare time #nightmare time spoilers

42 notes · View notes

saharzahids · 4 years ago

Text

Starkid Rewatch: The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals 🎼

Finally we have reached the hatchetfield series

My paulkins brain is ready let's gooo

I'm that one lady in the audience who's genuinely jamming out to the intro

Thinking back to how the intro was just foreshadowing the ending and that Emma gets infected too

🎶what an ass, what a bitch, what a cuuuuuuuuck🎶

I love how every musical with them has lauren and robert having a cute dance number

Paul was clearly set up to be the asshole character but we all chose to love him so they just went along with it

LATTAY HOTTAY ☕

Does she know i would die for her

I have very low blood sugar

Paulkins interaction here we go

Knowing that ted is the homeless man...

I don't know how it changes things here but somehow it just does

Reluctant friendship hcs for paul and green peace girl come through

Once again: props to June saito for understanding the duality of lesbian fashion

Hey it's everyone's favorite murder grandpa

Oh, look a new blouse

Pitch perfect whomst?

I love that for Bill it's never a question of alice being gay..it's never really that big of a deal. He just does not like deb

He even suggests other girls for alice

Its just really comforting for me to watch it be normalised so sweetly

Lah...dee...DAH. DAH. DAY?!

I will 100% believe this is the man behind the paul clones. He is so fucking unhinged look at him

🎶black coffee, I'm your coffee gal- NOOOOO!!!!!

He has to bend to half his height to meet her eye level i love them

Promise me you'll think about the implications!!

Jaime had no business being this hot during cup of poisoned coffee

They're constantly just holding hands or reaching out for each other it's too cute

YOU GRABBED THE WRONG ONE, YOU NOODLE!

The purest friendship

Ted casually jamming out to Robert's dance

[alien/turkey noises]

His brain fell out

Who is it? Professor hidgens! Don't lie to me whoever you are, I'm professor hidgens!

This is paul and...them

I'm going to...kick your...head

Iconic

Get you someone who looks at you the way paul looks at emma

Or even the way emma looks at paul really they're both equally soft

The biggest plot twist would have been if Paul had been the one to crash Jane's car

FUCK CLIVESDALE

So I guess I'm the supervillain? I don't think of you like that at all emma

I'm soft for them

Jaime i love u

Seriously her voice 😯

Jeff just jumping around while jaime sings like a goddess honestly same

Anyways paulkins are being all adorable in the background

I love how they're just screaming out for bill like fuck ted

I shot a charle-ton

Appreciate his jokes please

SING THE BEGINNING OF MOANA

The best starkid song honestly

Can we talk about how paul remembered most of the lines? Like emma and ted were just repeating whatever he said and bill was fucking singing the circle of life

Ted's voice cracking

I just realised he's sitting directly in front of charlotte's body and I know he's 90% an asshole but this fucking scene man

Like he cares just a little and we can all see it how he's trying to keep whats left of his friends from dying too

Honestly joey's acting here gets me

Height difference™

When he said "I respect her choices but..." I honestly initially thought some homophobic crap might follow but bill you absolute angel

He did not dissapoint

Bill Woodward 🤝 Steve harrington

If you get what I mean

(team i have no issue with you being a lesbian but please have better taste in girls)

Fancasting for denise or angela to play grace chastity in NPMD

Corey's expressions in this scene honestly breaks my heart

He just wanted to save his daughter 😔

prove it asshole, we're the army

he boop

WEAR A WATCH ⌚

I'm authorising you to use my firearm

Hidgens and mcnamara are both dramatic gays but with completely opposite energies

[foot sweep]

The way he skip-runs across the stage

Draco would be proud

For a 63 year old he can really work those hips

The audience losing their shit

Should I take this chair? I'll get the piano

The light slowly turning red as infected!mcnamara smiles

The audience slowly realising what the lyrics mean

Honestly iconic

One of my favorite moments in the show

So the last thing paul ever told emma was "byeeeee"?

Nah fuck that they both survived and are living happily in colorado running their pot farm

What ending?

The theatre being Paul's worst nightmare and starlight theatre being the place where he's killed, and starlight also being miss holloway's nightmare time? Methinks he might be her descendent of some sort

Watch out paul, he might kick your head

Mr. Davidson didn't want to be a mindless alien slave! He wanted to be choked by his wife!

Starkid stroking their villain takes a whole another level here huh

Jon slipping between normal talking to singing after every other word is pure talent

All jokes and paulkins related angst aside the ending is actually really amazing for a multitude of reasons

1. Inevitable is an absolute masterpiece of a song and it ties in all the previous songs that were there in the show

2. It provides context to the intro song (its all a fucking loop babey)

3. We get this one final moment of softness

4. Emma's scream perfectly harmonises with the ending of inevitable

5. It spectacularly breaks the 4th wall for the second time and integrates the audience as characters in the show

6. They never once break character through the whole thing

7. It proves once and for all that the hero of the story was never paul, it was emma. paul was just the final villain

That being said I am happily going back deep down in denial-town. You can find me drowning in a bucketload of paulkins fluff fics goodbye

90 notes · View notes

magniloquent-raven · 3 years ago

Text

can't stop thinking about aspec/bisexual nancy wheeler.

in fourth grade becoming friends with barbara holland because she saw carol asking barb if she had a crush on anyone and barb looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.

a couple years later barb kisses her during a sleepover. and it's nice. it's really nice. makes her squirm like carol does when tommy puts his hands on her in the cafeteria just to show off to everyone that he can. but it takes a couple weeks of stolen kisses for nancy to realize it means something different to barb.

she doesn't want to stop, but she wants a friend more than she wants the kissing, and she knows if she lets it continue someone's gonna get hurt.

barb doesn't talk to her for four whole days after she mumbles excuses about not wanting to get caught.

and they move on, they're friends and it's good. nancy pretends not to notice barb looking at her with sad eyes sometimes, and they don't share a bed during sleepovers anymore. it's fine. it's worth it.

and they get older. nancy gets older. starts to learn more about what people think of girls who don't want to date. she feels sick about it sometimes, curls up in her room hugging a pillow and hating herself for not getting fluttery feelings about the idea of holding someone's hand or sharing a stupid milkshake or whatever the hell people do on dates. she doesn't even know. it all just seems like so much work. so many expectations. and if her mother's horrific marriage is any indication, getting locked into a relationship is not worth all the trouble.

makes it worse when she can't stop staring at heather holloway's legs in her gym shorts. or the way the blouse that carol wears on hot days sticks to the curve of her back. or the way jonathan byers' shoulders look in a tshirt. and she keeps having these thoughts, wanting things she's not supposed to want unless there's a promise ring on her finger and at least four months of shy glances and dinner dates under her belt.

and she gets all tangled up about it. wanting to want things she doesn't and not wanting to want the things she does. and she gets so wrapped up in the confusion she falls right into a relationship with steve harrington.

steve, who was fun and sweet and should've been perfect but just made her feel like she was suffocating. she wanted him, sure, and she liked him, but...she knew deep down she'd never love him.

but after that first time facing down the demogorgon she couldn't sleep alone.

and it wasn't terrible, playing along. he was good to her. but of course it blew up in her face.

then along came jonathan byers. who felt...safe. shared trauma and all that, apparently. she felt like he understood her. he didn't want the white-picket fence and 2.5 kids and house on a cul de sac.

dating him was. nice. in a way it was like kissing barb at their sleepovers, all those years ago. familiar. only this time she understood better the things that would be expected of her in return.

after the byers moved away nancy didn't sleep for three days. after those three days she broke, cried, and crawled into bed with her mother, like she was eight years old again, plagued by nightmares.

her mother brushed it off as her missing her boyfriend, and nancy let her.

she befriended robin. robin, who would understand why she couldn't sleep, but looked panicked when she suggested a sleepover. when pressed she couldn't give a reason not to, so nancy pushed ahead with her plan.

there was an awkward moment of anxiety when nancy slipped under the covers, but after a few weeks robin stopped freaking out when nancy reached out for her in the dark.

it took two months for nancy to figure out what robin was scared of.

when she walked into family video one afternoon and steve was perched on the counter, back to the door, asking robin if she'd ever actually kissed a girl before, and robin turned white when she spotted nancy, and steve scrambled to apologize and cover for her, but nancy shook her head and smiled as gently as she could and told them about barb.

she didn't tell them about the rest of it. it was on the tip of her tongue when steve asked if that was why they didn't work out, but robin smacked his arm and rolled her eyes and said some people like both, dingus, and the moment passed. (he looked a little like someone had dropped a brick on his head, and it made nancy wonder)

the next time nancy slept over at robin's she asked if she had ever kissed a girl. and when robin shook her head she asked if she'd like to.

she wasn't sure if what they were doing was dating. robin never looked at her like barb or steve or jonathan had. never pushed for more than nancy gave her. when they laughed together, even when they were naked and intertwined, it felt the same as it did before they'd ever touched.

when they both got acceptance letters from different universities it wasnt devastating. not even when robin nervously mentioned meeting a girl when steve took her to check out the campus.

nancy hugged her, and wished her the best, and that was that.

except four weeks before she was set to move out and start her new life as a university student, a complication blew into town.

a mysterious woman claiming to be el's sister. a beautiful, fierce, kind woman, and nancy is fascinated. she sticks around for a little, even after they tell her el moved away. she keeps to the outskirts of town and doesn't tell anyone why she's staying.

it's the closest nancy's ever gotten to a crush. shivering when she's pinned by the intensity of kali's gaze, always wanting to know more when kali tells her even the smallest thing about herself.

four weeks. four weeks it all it takes for nancy to realize what she really wants. the night before she's supposed to leave for school, she packs a bag and walks to the edge of town.

she doesn't leave a note. she'll call her mother the next time she has access to a phone, but there's no one else left that'll care. robin's leaving. jonathan hasn't called her in months. steve moved on. barb is gone.

but she's happy, as the van kicks up dust and they fly past the leaving hawkins sign. there's a fire in her belly that she hasn't felt in a long time. there's something here for her. something she felt the first time she fired that gun jonathan handed her. and when the hawkins lab scandal made the news. and when she kept digging for truth last summer, damn the consequences.

she feels free. the van is tiny, surrounded by five other people, it should feel even smaller, but for the first time she doesn't feel trapped by anything. no expectations.

she kissed kali that night and told her she'd never loved anyone before, never the way they wanted her to. it was the first time she'd ever said it out loud. and kali understood. said she'd met other people like that.

there's more to the world than romance, she said. it's okay to live for other things.

#nancy wheeler #stranger things #aro headcanons #bisexual nancy wheeler #aspec nancy wheeler #a raven's writing desk #this is messy as HECK #but i have many thoughts #FYI kali and mick are totally girlfriends #they're in love #they just kiss other girls sometimes #and nancy eventually becomes their casual third because she feels so much less pressure to be ~romantic~ when kali and mick have each other #for that #but she rly likes them both #and it works out #poly crime gfs

33 notes · View notes

lindacelestemonroe · 4 years ago

Text

connor creekians and their hatchetfield saga best friends

- agnes & charlotte knit and talk cats together in rocking chairs :) they also kiss

- aubrey & bill go out occasionally, sometimes to the library just to sit quietly and read together. they hang out with ags and char pretty frequently as well

- jewel & ethan started out at odds with each other, but eventually grew on each other and became attached at the hip

- donny & deb are both in art club and sometimes alice tags along when they go places

- silas & sam watch sports and do straight guy things

- rita & emma discuss botany... and so on

- mary jo & ellis & linda just coexist perfectly and talk shit about everyone they possibly can

- sybilus & paul & paul are all friends because paul matthews and sybilus really hit it off and then paul schue-horyn just had to get in on the paul action too!

- madison & becky feels self explanatory but i think they would absolutely go for walks in the park together

- desmond & tom are completely oblivious to the fact that they look alike

- truman & frank are besties but out of spite

- prism & hannah met by chance and hannah just became immediately attached and prism loves her like a mother

- artemis & miss holloway. enough said

- cliff & rocky & tony love their kids a whole bunch so they wanted to meet their kid’s best friend’s parents but then also very much enjoyed their company anyway!

- ryan & jane because they’re both very passionate about doing the right thing

- vern & mr. davidson are both into some very weird shit

- olivia & riley & melissa run a lesbians rise club

- quinn & jonathan because they’re both very proper and particular about what they like and don’t like

- jeremiah & lucy because she’s actually willing to listen to him and he, in turn, is more than willing to listen to her

- odie doty & crispin & gary have identical yet opposite energies which works perfectly in friendship

- dr. henry & duke make sure that the other works enough but not too much

- helen & doug are both law enforcement officers that have a better sense of justice than their peers

- barney & hidgens because they would both just talk at each other nonstop except to listen to the other

- wallis & gps & gerald are always forgotten so they just hang out together

bonus: the mayor & peanuts because diane and jonathan are just that iconic

63 notes · View notes

inthelonelycoolbeforedawn · 4 years ago

Text

Harringrove April Days 23 & 26: Picnic & Easy

Harrington & Holloway had a reputation as one of the best law firms in all of Indiana.

It was just as well-known for its annual company picnic.

The picnic was a tradition begun years ago, when Edward Harrington and Tom Holloway first started the firm. It had grown over time from a BBQ at the park to a full catered event at the Hawkins fairgrounds, complete with live entertainment and various activities for everyone from kids to adults.

As the boss' son, Steve was expected to attend every year. It was okay when he was a kid and spent his time playing with Heather, Tommy, and everyone else. But as he got older and friendships changed or disappeared, and the 'happy family' facade his parents insisted on in public became harder to maintain, the picnic became more of a chore, even something to dread.

Leaning against an oak tree at the edge of the fairgrounds, away from the crowds and music, Steve's thoughts drifted to last year's picnic. Last year he'd brought Nancy. She was his first serious girlfriend, beautiful and intelligent and fearless. She got into an argument with one of the junior partners about inequality in the criminal justice system and it ended with the man stomping off like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Steve couldn't quite follow the discussion but at that moment he knew he loved her.

Over the next few months, though, they'd drifted apart. Nancy was ambitious and sure of herself. Steve wanted to do good, to be something more than his father's son, handed everything as he drifted through life. He just didn't know what that 'more' was.

So he hadn't been entirely surprised when they broke up. They stayed friends, and when Nancy announced she was dating Jonathan Byers he was genuinely happy for them. They shared similar interests and were a good match, better than he and Nancy had ever been.

He just kept hoping he'd meet his perfect match, that his true love was somewhere out there, waiting for him.

"Steve!"

Heather's excited voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and he straightened up as she and Robin hurried towards him, hand in hand, both of them grinning.

"Oh my god, dingus, we were looking everywhere for you," Robin said.

"I just needed a break," Steve said. He rolled his eyes. "I can only hear 'why aren't you going to college this year', 'do you have a girlfriend', 'what about your career plans' so many times before I snap."

Heather and Robin exchanged a look, then their smiles became even wider.

"Hey, what's that?" Steve asked, noticing something on their faces.

Heather tilted her head to give him a better view of the rainbow painted on her right cheek. It matched the one on Robin's.

"That's why we were looking for you," Heather said, her dark eyes sparkling. "You've got to get your face painted, too."

"Nah, I don't think so," Steve said.

"No, you really do," Robin said, taking his hand and tugging. "C'mon!"

"Okay, Jesus," Steve said, letting himself be led.

He perked up a bit as they walked, buoyed by Robin and Heather's enthusiasm. Heather was like a sister to him, and he and Robin had become good friends in the two months Heather and Robin had been dating. Being around them never failed to cheer him up.

They dragged him to a tent where several people, mostly little kids and a few teenagers, waited to get their faces painted.

Steve felt awkward being the oldest person in line, but Robin and Heather stood with him. And when they reached the front and he got a good look at the face paint artist, he forgot all about the other people around him.

The face painter was a guy who looked about his age, blonde curls pulled up in a messy bun. He was wearing a red shirt with two buttons undone that showed off his muscular build. But he appeared surprisingly gentle as he drew a glittery flower on a little girl's cheek. Steve could see his tongue poking out between his teeth ever so slightly as he concentrated.

The guy finished and held up a mirror so the girl could see her flower. She grinned, then ran off to show her mother, waiting nearby. The guy looked up, a big smile on his face to greet his next customer.

So distracted by staring at the face painter, Steve didn't realize he was the next customer until Robin nudged him.

"Get going, dingus," she said, Heather giggling beside her.

Steve tried to glare at them and ended up almost tripping over his feet as he crossed the short distance and dropped unceremoniously into the chair near the face painter.

"Well, well, well," the guy said, aiming his blinding smile straight at Steve. His eyes were bright blue, almost the color of the summer sky, and Steve noticed he had a small gold hoop in one ear. "What can I do for you?"

Steve realized he probably should have thought of something. "Um...I'm not sure?"

"I've got some designs here you can pick from," the guy said, reaching for a photo album. "Or I can come up with something just for you."

Steve gulped.

"Uh, surprise me, I guess," he said. "Just, nothing too wild?"

The guy's grin turned softer. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of you."

He studied Steve for a moment, as if thinking, then picked up a brush.

"Turn your head," he said.

Steve obeyed, shifting in the chair so the left side of his face was exposed. He almost jumped at the first touch of the cool paint against his skin but as the guy worked, he relaxed. The guy's hand was steady but gentle, and occasionally Steve felt his breath against his cheek when he leaned in to touch up a spot.

He felt a twinge of disappointment when the guy set his brush down, sat back, and said, "All done. Ready to see?"

Steve managed a grin. "Yep."

The guy lifted his mirror. Steve was almost afraid to look, but as soon as he saw his face he couldn't tear his eyes away.

A dolphin in shades of blue and gray curled along his forehead, past his eye, and down his cheek. Dots and swirls of white and lighter blue created waves around it.

"Wow," Steve breathed. He looked at himself again, then back at the guy. "You're really good, man."

The guy's eyes widened slightly, as if he was surprised. "Thanks." The blinding, charming grin appeared again. "It's easy to work on a pretty face like yours though."

Steve blurted it out before he thought.

"Like mine? Have you ever looked in a mirror?"

The guy laughed, still watching him.

"Once or twice," he said, teasing.

Steve knew he should get going, find Robin and Heather and let the next kid in line have their turn.

"Well." He opened his mouth to thank the guy again, but instead he heard himself say, "You get a break or something, right? Do you wanna grab something to eat?"

"That'd be great," the guy said. "I'm Billy, by the way."

"Steve." Steve automatically held out his hand, years of polite introductions and handshakes drilled into him, and just as quickly wished he could take it back.

But Billy clasped it in his own hand, giving his fingers a gentle squeeze. "Nice to meet you, Steve. Let me just clean up here."

Steve waited while he set out a sign saying 'Back in 30 minutes' and put away his paints, brushes, and other supplies.

They set off towards the food tent, falling into conversation as if they'd known each other for years. By the time they sat down at a picnic table with ice-cold cans of soda and plates piled with burgers, salads, and potato chips, Steve had learned Billy had recently moved from California with his stepmom and stepsister.

"Susan's got family here," he explained. "So she came here to be close to them and away from my asshole father. I was lucky she got custody and brought me too."

"Do you miss it?" Steve asked. "I mean, coming from California to good old Hawkins - that's gotta be tough."

"Yeah, it is," Billy said. "I miss the ocean. Surfing in the early morning when there's not many people around - there's nothing else like it. Sometimes I'd even see dolphins. Once one swam right up next to me." His eyes shone with excitement. "That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen."

"Wow." Steve used his fork to poke at his potato salad. "So is that why you drew a dolphin on me?"

"That, and I just like them." Billy looked directly at Steve, a small smile on his lips. "They're smart, playful. Beautiful."

Steve stuffed a forkful of salad in his mouth and chewed while he considered what to say. When he'd swallowed he took a deep breath.

"I think there are some dolphins at the Indianapolis Zoo," he said, trying to sound casual. "Maybe we could go and see them sometime. If you wanted."

Billy's smile widened. "I'd like that, pretty boy."

Steve smiled back.

When the Harrington & Holloway company picnic rolled around the following year, Steve wasn't there.

He was lying on a beach with Billy, the two of them celebrating the end of their first year at UCLA with an entire weekend doing nothing but surfing, hanging out at the beach, and having sex on every available surface in their dorm room.

Steve still couldn't quite believe how easy it was being with Billy, how easily everything had fallen into place in the past year. After hitting it off at the picnic he and Billy began dating and were soon deeply in love. He'd picked up some pamphlets at the zoo the first time they went there, and that led to an interest in environmental issues and conservation. He'd applied to environmental science programs when Billy applied to art school, and they both got into UCLA.

Robin and Heather, who were both studying social work in Chicago, had been thrilled when Steve told them about his plans to move to California and go to school with Billy. The four of them had double-dated several times during the year, and they were excited that Steve had not only found a loving boyfriend but an academic and career path he was passionate about. They'd promised to come for a visit over the summer, and Steve couldn't wait to see them.

Even Nancy was happy for him when she heard the news. She'd hugged him and said good for you, Steve Harrington with a big smile that made Steve glow with pride. He talked to her and Jonathan once in a while, and he was glad they were happy at NYU, supporting various causes and fighting for what they believed in.

The only people who weren't happy with his decisions were his parents. But they couldn't stop him, and although Steve still loved them, he didn't want to live their life or the life they'd planned for him.

"What are you thinking about, baby?" Billy murmured, rolling onto his side to run his fingertip up Steve's arm.

"Us." Steve flapped his hand to indicate everything around them. "This."

He turned his head towards his boyfriend and pressed a kiss to Billy's lips, the action familiar from repetition and even sweeter for its familiarity.

They smiled at each other when they parted, then settled back onto their towels and laid there holding hands, comfortable and content.

#harringrove #ficlet #my writing #harringroveapril #robin buckley/heather holloway #face painter billy #that's not an innuendo #he is a face paint artist in this au haha

19 notes · View notes

singingaboutwishingx · 4 years ago

Text

my Thoughts and Opinions on mad men

this is quite disorganized and very long. contains spoilers for all seven seasons after the cut.

-though i think don was a good character, he was such a shitty person!!! cheating on every partner he ever had? bad! being an asshole to everyone and getting away with it because he’s handsome? also bad!

-but also like... just to put it out there, jon hamm can do literally anything he wants to me. good lord, that man is attractive.

-there was literally a point where i hated every character except peggy, betty, and sal

-speaking of sal, HE DESERVED BETTER. i genuinely almost cried when the fire alarm went off. he was so happy for like three seconds and then SOME MOTHERFUCKER lit something on fire (i don’t remember exactly what happened).

-FUCK lee garner, jr.

-i ended up having such complicated feelings about betty. on one hand, she was cheated on and emotionally abused and gaslit, so i can absolutely understand why she became harder as the seasons went on. on the other hand, she didn’t treat her children so well and idk how i feel about that. i do feel so, so bad for her regardless.

-bert cooper was honestly such a baddie, though. he got heated sometimes during important plot points, but his general “i’m old, i don’t give a shit” vibes were excellent (i also watched this whole show in less than two months, though, so please forgive me if i miss details)

-like when harry crane was too afraid to say the wrong thing about bert’s red rothko and bert was just like “bitch shut up about my painting, no one cares”

-and his “the best things in life are free” after he died was so good. i was personally offended that they took his name out of the opening credits afterward

-peggy. my sweet girl. arguably the best character. this girl’s transformation made me so damn proud. the iconic scene where she walked through mccann with the octopus painting and a cigarette hanging out of her mouth was just everything.

-i really didn’t like stan at first, but he grew on me. mostly i’m just a hopeless romantic, so i was very, very happy when he and peggy ended up together.

-i didn’t hate abe, but i was VERY relieved when they broke up

-poor, poor michael ginsberg. i hope that man gets some help. that’s really all i have to say.

-pete campbell falling down the stairs made me laugh for like an hour because he just sucks so much. he did NOT deserve trudy. also vincent kartheiser is DAMN lucky he has good hair, because shaving his hairline is a serious gamble.

-pete is such a shitbag. i’m so sorry. i just dislike him so much. i remember watching the second season and thinking if he and peggy ended up together, matthew weiner was going to be the recipient of a very angry letter lmao

-did he have *some* growth? kind of. does that mean trudy made the right decision to go with him to kansas? mmmmm probably not.

-joan definitely grew on me. i did not like her at first, but her character arc was so damn satisfying. holloway harris productions? freaking incredible. her son is cute, she’s her own boss, and she doesn’t end up with someone controlling. we stan.

-i really hope her lesbian roommate from the first season found a girlfriend. that poor girl pined for years, and hopefully she ended up with a girl that loved her

-i feel so bad for lane pryce. that man did not deserve what he thought he did. was it bad to steal from the company? of course. he did not need to kill himself, though. i was fr so upset. the man knocked out pete campbell, which clearly makes him the best.

-the sheer giddiness that flooded my body when lane fired them all from the og sterling cooper was incredible. it was a great, great decision.

-pete campbell can go to hell

-every time glen bishop appeared onscreen i was afraid. i just thought “oh my god, this bitch gonna grow up and become a serial killer.”

-watching sally grow up was so great. she was still so bratty up until henry told her that betty had cancer, but the second she knew, she was ready to be there for her family. she did also say some rather iconic things. i love kiernan shipka haha

-they got the cutest freaking babies to be on this show. especially tammy because her little cheeks were just so chubby and i loved herrrrrrr

-it really didn’t end the way i thought it would, but it makes sense. the hug between don and leonard was EXCELLENT

-i know this is so specific, but every once in a while there would be a shot that was just perfect. like the one at the end of season five where joan and sterling/cooper/campbell/draper were all standing facing the window on their second floor of the time life building— that was beautiful. sterling and cooper, the older generation, on one side, campbell and draper, the future, on the other, and joan in between them. truly, she was what held every single thing in that office together and i cannot get over how freaking incredible that shot is

-i didn’t really love betty and henry. every marriage has problems, but betty and both of her husbands had serious problems.

-speaking of marital problems, megan and don were a disaster. i was so confused when he proposed after having sex three (3) times and going on zero (0) dates????? donald what the fuck

-i loved ken cosgrove’s tap dancing, i didn’t love ken cosgrove. i do feel bad for what he went through w the jaguar account (and also in general), but he was kind of a bitch in the earlier seasons

-i did not care for harry crane or paul kinsey. sorry bout it

-i hope kitty romano finds someone who can love her the way they’re supposed to. i do think sal loved kitty platonically, though. honestly though it would have been excellent if kitty was a lesbian and they were just married to avoid questions. i mean, obviously they weren’t, but i would have LOVED to see that storyline

-megan was a very interesting character. she was just so childish. she was very sweet (mostly) and i think don kind of fucked her over emotionally (like definitely in every way except financially, but like... i have a feeling that she’ll never be the same because of him)

-also marie calvet straight-up taking all of don’s living room furniture was so funny

-i do not like roger sterling either. he cheated on both mona and jane!! sure, maybe he didn’t love them, but what gives, dude? we don’t stan.

-also he did blackface, which is a big yikes from me. yeah, it was the sixties, but also fuck that shit.

-another thing about don is that this man’s libido is just fucking WILD. i mean, he has no goddamn shame.

-fucking his secretary? did it at least twice, married one of them. his child’s teacher? great! he’ll be over soon! his neighbor’s wife? all good until sally catches them. his quasi-niece is maybe 22? he’d hit that!

-seriously, he just doesn’t care at all and it’s fascinating.

-when ida blankenship died it was like... but you did this... for what? watching them roll her fuckin body out of the office covered in the afghan during a meeting was actually quite funny though

-every so often my brain will just go “sterling cooper draper pryce cutler gleason and chaough.” that’s not a thought. sorry lol

-also they fucking took it off of netflix so now i can’t rewatch it! mean as hell, netflix, mean as hell.

-in conclusion: fuck peter dyckman campbell.

28 notes · View notes

marvul-imagines · 4 years ago

Photo

Work In Progress - a Parks & Rec Fic ‘

(Items written in italics are being spoken to the camera)

Ember Holloway stood in front of the window behind her desk, which sat within the Government Building of Pawnee, Indiana. She stared outside, past the reflection of her brown eyes, past the grey of her blazer, the world and noise behind her fading away as she stared through that glass barricade that kept her from falling down to the ground below. Some days, she had to press her hands to the cool glass just to remind herself it was really there. That she was really there. Today was one of those days. She pressed her palms flat against the glass and closed her eyes for a moment. But only a moment. Because she couldn't ignore the flash of light that had caught before she closed her eyes. She opened them again and looked down at the ring on her finger. The ring that held so much weight for such a small thing.

She closed her eyes again and she was pulled back, back, back. Her body seemed to leave the space completely, as if she weren't in her office at all, as if she weren't in this time at all. As if it were no longer April Ludgate's birthday party, but in fact was several years ago. She could feel the spring breeze on her bare shoulders and could remember where she was when she heard the crash. She opened her eyes again and shook her head. Today was budget meeting day. She didn't have time to be sucked into one of her dark places today. She turned around and caught sight of the camera outside of her office door, watching her. She hated that Ron had approved this idea all those years back, hated that her life was constantly being filmed. But this was where she was now. She had been used to it for far too long.

Ember Holloway was unequivocally the scariest woman to work in the Parks and Recreation department. Probably the scariest woman who worked in government in this small town, if not in all of Indiana. She hadn't always been that way, but she sure was now. With her power suits and long, always perfectly waved brown hair, eyes that could narrow to slits, and heels that could probably stab a man, she could go toe to toe with anyone in this building and never back down. That's what happens to a person when they lose all the things they love so quickly. Now, the things that Ember had left were minimized to one : her job. And so she did what everyone who lost the most important things did. She sunk her heels in and fought, kicking and screaming. Now, she was so deeply invested that she couldn't think about not investing everything into her work. It was what she did.

It helped that Ember was partners with someone like Leslie Knope. Leslie was also deeply passionate about her job, but in a much more...enthusiastic way. She was one of the few happy people that Ember tolerated being around. Perhaps that was because Leslie had been there with her from the start. With Ron's help, they had molded this department to be what it was today. So Leslie got to stay, even when Ember pushed everyone else out. And she knew Leslie would be waiting for her, with Ron, outside of those doors, ready as ever to go present at the meeting. Ember would let her present for the both of them, as she always did. The less talking she had to do, the better.

The thirty three year old brushed her long, brown hair over her shoulder and grabbed a notepad from her desk. If she wasn't going to participate verbally with whatever her partner was about to announce at this yearly meeting, she might as well take notes on what the reactions were. She liked taking notes, always had. It was something she was rather quite good at. She would take her notes, she would type them and email them to Leslie, and save them in the file she always did. Then she would leave the office today and walk out to the Lot she and Leslie had been working on for so long and dream of her plans she had for that space once again. That was how she made herself feel like she was the calm in the storm.

I am only doing this because Leslie asked me to, Ember stares into the camera with her narrow eyes. You know I don't like doing these things. Whatever you want to call this. Our little back and forths. She motioned back and forth between herself and the man behind the camera. It was true, she didn't. They rarely got her in front of the camera.

Why don't you try talking about it? It might help The cameraman said quietly. He almost never spoke to her either, that wasn't his job. But after seeing all the trouble she had gone through these past few years, it felt wrong not saying something to her.

She stared at him for a moment, eyes widening slightly, unblinking. No she said finally, standing up and turning away, walking off down the hall as quickly as her heels would allow. This interview is over.

Leslie and Ron were waiting for her inside the meeting room, and Leslie had saved her a seat, of course. The blonde patted the open chair enthusiastically, a large binder sitting in her lap. "You almost missed the start of it!" She hissed when Ember sat down beside her.

Ember nodded as if she knew this, as if that were her plan all along really. "Your camera crew friends stopped me. You can blame them." She nodded towards the other set of crew that stood off to the side, filming them even now. Talk about electronic leash. That was why she refused to participate in their games. She didn't have time. This was work, after all.

"Alright, alright, now that everyone is here," the chairman looked at Ember pointedly. "I know that the typical process we have is for everyone to announce how they plan to allocate their money this fiscal year." He sighed, shaking his head as he looked around the room, avoiding eye contact with Leslie in particular. Yea, Ember could tell this meeting wasn't going to go the way Leslie wanted it to. "Due to the crippling gridlock currently going on in City Council, we are postponing all spending and decisions indefinitely."

Ember sat quietly, calmly, even though she felt her heart lurch into her throat internally. All spending and planning? How was she supposed to run recreation events without spending? She and Leslie had so many plans for this year, so many things they wanted to get done. Her hands clenched to fists in her lap but she didn't speak. She didn't have to.

"Um, until when?" Leslie asked, finally gaining the man's eye. He had known this was coming - he must have known. Anyone who interacted with the Parks department knew that Leslie and Ember were an unstoppable duo when it came to accomplishing what they wanted. One of them would have spoke up, today just wasn't Ember's day. It was Leslie's time to ask the questions they all wanted to know the answers to.

"As I said, indefinitely," the Chairman replied, with a deep sigh, a frown creasing the weathered skin on his cheeks. He was getting old, too old for the likes of this. He didn't want to debate against these two women. He didn't really want to debate against anyone, but they genuinely scared him.

“And when will that end exactly?” Ember asked, hand raised demurely as if she had no intent to cause such a disruption but had a question she simply had to get off of her chest. He looked to her and visibly shuddered. This was when Ember was at her most terrifying. When she could practically guilt anyone into doing what she asked of them, whether she actually cared about their guilt or not.

“Well, it’ll be later than now,” he said after a moment. “Here’s the deal. Being completely open with all of you, our town is bordering on a full blown crisis. The state government is sending a team from Indianapolis all the way out here to try and fix this problem that we can’t quite seem to dig ourselves out of.”

Ember narrowed her eyes for a moment, a million thoughts running through her head all at one time. A team? A team getting to decide her portion of the year’s budget? That could be good or bad. Perhaps it would be people she could wrap around her finger so her and Leslie’s plans didn’t get ruined. But more likely, they would hack and slash at their ideas until there was nothing left except for a bake sale. Ember hated bake sales.

Finally, without another word, she stood up and left the room. She could hear the rest of them all burst into a chorus of questions as she left, and she was rather glad she wasn’t there to stand inside the chaos.

——————————————————————————————————————-————

Ember sat in her office, through which she could see Leslie arguing with Ron. Well, she probably wasn’t actually arguing, Ember mused. She was probably just passionately debating how terrible the announcement had been for their department. That seemed more like Leslie anyways. But Ember couldn’t imagine Ron gave two shits about the auditors coming.

Next thing she knew, Leslie was exiting the room, sad look ok her face, eying Ember through the window. She shook her head with a sad no. Whatever her talk was with Ron, it didn’t go well. Ember wasn’t exactly surprised, but she wasn’t going to say that.

“We’re waiting,” Leslie popped her head into Ember’s office, which was right next to her own. “Ron says we’re waiting until they show up. And that we’re not to fight anyone when they do.”

“Ron never lets us fight anyone,” Ember replied back flatly. “It’s probably because he knows we would win.” She glanced up at Leslie as she said this, and saw a smile crack against the blonde woman’s face, which had been entirely her goal. Ember hated seeing Leslie sad. She hated seeing most people sad, because it felt like things would start leaking from her own cracks she kept so carefully covered, but especially so with her teammate.

So Leslie went to her office, and Ember remained in hers, and they waited. Ember worked, still laying out plans, still contacting other branch members, as if today were a normal day. She needed to feel like today was a normal day. And in a little while, Ron called them out to the center office.

“Paul just called,” Ron announced, clapping his hands together. “The auditors are on their way!” He sounded excited, which caused Ember to roll her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. She didn’t want him to be happy. Ember never did well with people who were too happy.

She turned to Ron to tell him to tone it down a bit, when suddenly a cheery “Hello hello!” came from the doorway, so she turned that way instead. Two men, both brunette, strode briskly into the room, the first with a large grin on his face. Too large. What had Ember just been saying about happy people? Oh yea, that she didn't enjoy them altogether that much.

Both men were wearing suits, the enthusiastic one's front button undone, and the one behind him approaching with more caution, suit jacket buttoned, carrying a small, brown briefcase. All of their hopes and dreams for this department were held in that briefcase. "Hello! My name is Chris, Chris Traegar. And this is my associate, Ben," he thumbed back towards the more quiet man behind him. Ember's gaze flicked over them, as if she were auditing them, instead of the other way around. She had the kind of gaze that could make a man so uncomfortable he might turn and walk out of the room. It was a gaze that April, in many a one-on-one with the camera people, had noted she aspired to produce some day.

"Hello Gents, welcome to our office. I'm Ron Swanson," Ron said, extending his hand out to shake Chris's. However, Chris did not shake his hand. Instead, he held up one finger and pointed directly at the bristling mustache on Ron's face and repeated his name back to him. "Alright then," Ron said, lowering his hand and shrugging.

"And who are these two wonderful women?" Chris asked, turning his gaze to Leslie and Ember.

Ember raised one eyebrow at him while Leslie introduced herself. "I'm Ember Holloway," she said after Leslie had said her own name. "I'm Recreation. She's Parks," she nodded towards Leslie, not taking her narrowed eyes off of him.

"Recreation," he pointed at her, then turned and pointed to Leslie. "And Parks! Parks and Recreation! Look at that. That's lovely. Wow. It is just fantastic to be here! Don't you think Ben?" Ben nodded slowly, eyes shifting around the room as he studied the place. He had kind eyes, Ember noted. It was a shame he was about to attempt such a hellish job.

"Would you like a tour?" Leslie asked enthusiastically. Leslie and Ember had quite different ways of approaching things, and Leslie's was always that one could catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Ember's was usually that if you were going to kill the flies anyways, the method didn't much matter.

"Wow, a tour? Would I ever," Chris replied with an equally matched level of enthusiasm. Ember thought she might vomit in her mouth. She glanced at Ben, noting he looked just as equally uncomfortable. Good. Let him be. She didn't want these men to settle in. She wanted to chase them out. "There is quite literally nothing I would rather have," Chris continued. "Than a tour of the Parks and Recreation department in the great, lovely city of Pawnee, Indiana, led by Ron Swanson, Leslie Knope, and Ember Holloway. Ben?"

"I don't think that's a great idea," Ben muttered quietly, trying to get Chris to calm down at least a little bit. Yet, it was to no avail. When Chris got going, it was difficult to stop him.

"Let's do it!" Chris clapped his hands together. Ember sighed. She did not get up from her desk for this. She certainly would not be leading nor participating in any tour of the place she worked. She backed up, moving away from the group, letting Leslie take the lead and proceed to show him around. She could wait until it was time to actually talk. Until the important things were actually happening. After all, she needed to sharpen her words and ensure they cut deep so these men would leave her and her department alone.

So when they were done, Chris and Leslie gathered everyone to the center of their department space. Ember stood, one eyebrow raised, hip cocked, arms crossed over her chest, in full attempt to make herself appear as intimidating as possible. That was her role here - the scary one. She didn't care that sometimes it meant people moved to the other side of the hall when she was walking towards them. She liked being avoided. She liked avoiding others. It worked out, really, shutting down and being cold. Calculated.

"Alright everyone," Chris clapped his hands together again, looking to everyone individually as he spoke. "We are here from the State Budget Office, all the way from Indianapolis." Ember studied him, then Ben, who stood half-leaning against a desk behind him, eyes on his hands. He was the one to watch. The quiet ones always were. If he were smart, he would have noticed that about her, too.

"I know that sounds spooky and scary, and you're probably all wondering what that means," Chris continued to explain, gesticulating as he talked. He talked with his hands, a lot. "We're just here to tinker with your budget, that's all. Think of this government as a broken down carousel ride. That's no fun! We're going to slap on some new paint, fix those dead lightbulbs, patch up that broken speaker system, and we're going to get those happy, deserving kids back up on those horses where they belong! Okay?" Ember traced her eyes to Ben again. He was staring up at the ceiling now, still in silence, thinking to himself. She didn't like it. Not one bit.

"Okay!" Everyone said together with various nervous chuckles and laughs. They felt slightly more relieved, knowing they weren't about to lose their jobs today. Ember didn't speak, she just watched, as she so often did. Because, no, she wasn't okay with any of this.

"Well, that's just great," Chris smiled, nodding enthusiastically. "Well then, my partner Ben is going to stick around for a little bit and chat, but I will see you all later!" And with that, he practically power-walked out of the office's double doors. Yea. Bad sign. Ember sighed, rolling her eyes, not caring who saw her disdain. This all spelled bad news. She didn't want to talk to this guy, not at all. He was going to be a problem causer, the bulldozer, she was certain of it.

And that was when Ben finally looked down, his eyes meeting hers. He blinked, twice, surprised that she was staring back at him with such an intensity. "Do you have a second?" he asked finally, grabbing his briefcase and nodding towards one of the conference rooms.

"For you? No, no I don't," Ember said, turning on her heel to head back towards the solitude of her office. She was stopped by a hard yank on her arm, looking down to see Ron Swanson's hand firmly resting in the crook of it, holding her into place. She sighed, shaking her head at him. This meeting looked like something she was going to have to suffer through after all.

I don't usually make a habit of getting involved in anyone's personal business. In fact, I strongly make every effort to avoid it, Ron explained to the camera, before he nodded towards a set of glass windows, through which they could all see Ember standing at the water dispenser, filling up her black bottle. But I have chosen to make an exception for Ember. And that's only because she is a bigger pain in the ass than I am. And anyone who is that much of a pain in the ass has to be dealing with some serious shit.

#parks and rec #parks and rec fic #parks and rec fanfic #ben wyatt #ben wyatt fanfic

1 note · View note

memes-saved-me · 5 years ago

Text

Public Appearances

Mafia associate Steve x son of the Boss Billy

Part 1: Five Days

Part 2 of I thought I sold me soul, but he kept the receipt

He couldn't help but stop dead in his tracks when he saw them. Saw Billy's fake smile and her genuine one. It hurt. It physically hurt to see them like this, sitting close, his arm around her shoulder at the table. Steve looked away as if it would all disappear when he turned back again but of course it didn't. Instead he had Tommy shoving him to move out of the way so he did.

He walked over to the table in the back, of course he hadn't been seated on the central tables, he was a nobody but he was still invited by Mr. Hargrove himself for doing such a good job at keeping Billy in line and out of trouble. Which he of course, gratefully accepted.

Still he could see them from his seat. It must have been obvious he was burning a hole into the back of their heads because Tommy nudged him.

"What the hell is up with you today?". He asked taking a mouthful of his drink.

"Nothing". Steve shrugged. His arms folded on his chest as he sat back in the uncomfortable wooden chair.

"Yeah, whatever". With a roll of his eyes and a rather irritated expression he got up and walked over to a group of men Steve couldn't name.

When he had left Indiana to come to the sunny shores of California he never expected Tommy to follow him. Never expected him to already be involved in all this, to drag him into it. Never the less, there they were at the wedding of some Caporegime's daughter, sipping champagne with the entire family.

Being an unmade man meant he wasn't invited to the actual ceremony but the after party, probably for the best because Steve couldn't face watching Billy hold someone else like he is right now. Whisper in her ear the way he wishes he could whisper in his. Their relationship is secret. Locked away in hidden locations under the cover of night, not out in the open and comfortable like the one he was staring at.

Just as the place started to fill up he couldn't take it. The garden was too busy, too loud and all he could look at was them. He shot up out of his seat, very politely excused himself and made his way through the tables. Except, he had to pass them to get to the bathroom.

"Hey, Steve!". Billy shouted and he stopped, turned and put on a smile. He'd seen him earlier that day but only to escort him to his father's office for a meeting, nothing else. Still, it felt like too long.

"Hi". Steve replied walking back towards them. "How are you two?".

"Oh, we're having a great time!". Heather replied, sitting forward out of Billy's hold to get a drink. Her hair was up, pinned into a bun that suited her and dress was simple but still looked stunning on her, which only made Steve more agitated.

"You look lovely, if I may say so". Steve said gesturing to her, but he made eye contact with Billy and he saw his mask slip ever so slightly. The facade of happiness dropping for a moment before going into overdrive right in front of his eyes.

"Oh, thank you. You look handsome as well". She smiled before sitting back into Billy. He tightened his grip on her as he watched Steve.

"I really have to go, I'll talk later". Steve said and left before he could get a reply.

Once the cubicle door was shut he broke down. No tears fell because he couldn't leave this toilet looking like he'd been crying, but he felt his heart ache. His hands pressed flat against the wall as he let out a silent scream. God, it hurt. He knew this day was coming, he knew he'd have to watch from afar as Billy played pretend with a pretty girl to keep his father happy but actually seeing it was so much worse than he had imagined on the way there. Even worse than picking Billy up from her apartment some mornings, worse than lying alone knowing he was with her. He knew Heather, everyone knew everyone but he never expected them to look so real, so happy and it hurt.

"Steve?". It was Billy, his voice soft.

"Yeah, what?". He said trying to sound composed but it didn't cover the fact he was a mess.

"Come out here". He was standing by the sink when Steve opened the cubicle door and stepped out. "You okay?".

"What does it look like?". Steve gestured to himself before walking past him to splash cold water in his face.

"I know, it's shit but I have to". Billy ran his hand down Steve's arm and leant in to look him in the eyes. "It's just until we figure something out".

"When is that, Billy?". Steve turned and shook his head. "Two months ago you said you would sort it. Come up with a master plan to get away but nothing happened and now I have to sit watching you with her".

Billy cupped his face. "I know".

"It hurts". Steve relaxed into his hands, he missed this.

"I know. Do you think I like pretending like that?". Billy pulled Steve into his arms.

"No". Steve was on the verge of tears and he was so close to letting it happen.

"It's only for a little while, I told you". Billy ran his finger up Steve's spine as they rocked ever so slightly in the cold dim bathroom. "You know, without you I'd not be here".

"I don't believe that". Steve replied standing up straight and taking his hand. "You were fine before me".

"Was I? I wouldn't say waking up in drug dens was a healthy life style, Steve". He ran his finger along Steve's jaw and stopped at his chin before pulling him in for a kiss so gentle it hurt them both, saying so many things they couldn't say to each other in that moment.

"I love you". Steve whispered as their lips separated.

"I love you too". Billy smiled and it felt so good to be just them again. No looming threat of exposure, no lies, just them.

Steve missed sneaking out of Billy's apartment in the middle of the night, he missed the feeling of his warmth beside him when he did stay. After 6 months they realised they couldn't sleep without the other, Billy couldn't face whatever hellish images his brain would come up with if Steve wasn't curled around him. Steve would shoot awake at the slightest sound if he slept alone. After 6 months of Steve slipping out of his fire escape and getting the bus home they decided the risk of getting caught was worth it.

Except, now Steve couldn't stay and he hadn't for 2 weeks. 2 weeks of almost no sleep and no Billy was getting hard.

"Are you coming to Max's birthday next week?". Billy asked.

"Is Heather coming?". Steve asked him back.

"No, she's going away for the weekend with her family". Billy smiled.

"Is that so? I might have to come check on you. Make sure you're not lonely and making dumb decisions". Steve smiled as he watched Billy laugh.

"That sounds reasonable to me". Billy kissed him again but this time it was deeper. No tongue, surprisingly but it had weight to it. It was a promise. "You better fix that hair, pretty boy. Hagan might think you pulled some chick if you don't".

With that he was gone. Steve was left staring at himself in the mirror. He washed his hands, fixed his hair and went back to his table where Tommy was now sitting with Carol.

"Hey, didn't think you would turn up". Steve smirked as he sat down.

"Shut up, Steve". Tommy punched his shoulder.

The rest of the night flew by with ease after that. Of course, Steve had to watch Billy dance with Heather, she wasn't out to hurt anyone, he knew that but he couldn't help but be envious of the girl in Billy's arms.

Once the night began to slow down and everyone started to give their thanks and leave, Steve found himself in the trees at the far end of the garden. The cool air rustling their leaves. He was so deep in his own thoughts he didn't hear Billy come up behind him. "You're so beautiful when you think your by yourself".

"You got a secret poetry book or something?", Steve smiled. "What brings you out into the great outdoors?". Billy didn't reply, he simply lifted the cigarette between his fingers and Steve nodded. They stood like that for a while, taking in their surroundings, no touching as they were still in view of the remaining guests but just being near each other was enough.

"I never thanked you for sorting me out", Billy flicked the tab bud into the bushes and turned to look at Steve. "For finding me last month".

Steve smiled. All he wanted to do in that moment was touch him, in some way. Even just for a second but it wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth the risk or the consequences.

"What are you boys talking about?". Someone said behind them and he saw Billy tense up as he always did when his father was around him. For a while he thought he was always uptight and an asshole but he was only that way around the Boss, he was soft and although, still angry a lot of the time, caring when he was with Steve. He hated it when Neil was near Billy.

"Nothing, sir. Just taking in the scenery". Steve smiled in reply.

"You can't just leave your date alone at a wedding, Billy. It's irresponsible". Steve watched as Billy took in the words his father was telling him.

"Of course, sir. How stupid of me", Billy replied. "I'll see you later, Harrington".

"And you Mr. Hargrove". Steve smiled at him. Billy took his leave and went to join Heather, leaving Steve alone with his father.

"So, Harrington. What do you think of Miss Holloway?". Neil asked Steve taking a sip of his drink.

"She's a good match, sir. It's good to see him finally thinking about settling down". It was times like these he was pretty sure he knew, that he was just playing some long game to catch them in the act and do something about it, that he had figured it out but had no proof. It was also times like these that tempted the thought of just ending him right in that moment. The thought of pulling out his gun and taking him out in seconds crossed Steve's mind far too often but he of course never would, he'd be done for the second he hit the ground. He had decided he'd rather put up with the nightmare they were living then, leave Billy to clean up the mess.

"Me too". He didn't say anything after that. He just walked away, drink in hand back to the party.

Steve didn't follow, he stared into the trees for a little longer, thinking of a plan because if Billy wasn't going to come up with one, Steve was damn sure he was going to.

#i finished this instead of my crowd sociology essay #so hope yous like it #harringrove #harringrove au #harringrove fic #Steve Harrington #billy hargrove #mafia au #moodboard #steve x billy #billy x steve

90 notes · View notes

mercheswan · 5 years ago

Text

ROYAL ANNOUNCEMENT: HRH PRINCE MIECZYSLAW STILINSKI TO MARRY THE HON. THEODORE RAEKEN.

All the papers in the Kingdom of Beacon woke up with the news. The citizens were surprised as they didn’t know that their prince was dating anyone.

Prince Mieczyslaw is the first and only child of King Noah Stilinski and the late Queen Claudia Stilinski.

The young Prince, 27 years old, is the Kingdom’s golden boy. Mieczyslaw, who preferred to be referred as ‘Stiles’ grew up under the spotlight, which was something to be expected as he was born into royalty.

Everyone loved him as he was a fun and intelligent boy. He was close to his people, he actively participated with different organisations and causes.

He was also a fervent defender of the LGTB community having come out as bisexual in his late teen days.

His love life has always been of national interest. Paparazzi have followed the Prince since he was in his crib. His different love affairs have always gained extra attention as Stiles was the only heir to the throne and he didn’t have any direct family to continue the bloodline.

Everyone thought that the union of the Prince and Lady Malia Hale daughter of his Grace Duke Peter Hale, was the better option for the Kingdom as the House of Hale was the next in line to get to the throne in case the Stilinski family perished. But their relationship did not last long.

After that came Miss Lydia Martin who Stiles met on College. She had no royal blood but she was elegant and charismatic. People saw her as their future Queen. But the engagement announcement never came.

Years have passed and even though some rumoured affairs were shown on the news, none one of them indicated a relationship with Lord Raeken.

People knew very little about the second son of the Earl of Dreadhills. Lady Tara Raeken died in her childhood due to a heart illness, and the Raeken family moved to the States. Before the departure Prince Mieczyslaw and Lord Raeken attended the same school, they competed in the same team sports and usually hang out in the same circle, but people didn’t know they have maintained contact.

Obviously when the news of the engagement broke, the pair where stalked by reporters 24/7. Theo had to resign of his job at Beacon Memorial Central Hospital where he worked as a surgeon, and Stiles tried to evade the press all he could.

The story of their relationship was a guarded secret that may never come out to the light.

Royal Engagement means Royal Wedding and the people of Beacon were excited to witness the event. Being Stiles the future king the ceremony was to be televised.

The day of the wedding all the Kingdon was ready. The main road was all decorated and full of people cheering for the Prince. The ceremony was to take place in Beacon’s Grand Cathedral.

Theo came first and when he descended his car he heard the cheers and screams from all the people gathered at the Cathedral’s entrance.

Theo wore a black military classic uniform. He was a mess of nerves, he loved Stiles with all his heart but he was going to be the Counsort King someday. It was a lot to take.

Stiles and he reconnected when Theo came back home after getting his medical degree. His parents didn’t want to come back because they didn’t want to relive their daughter’s death, but Theo felt he had to return home. He left so much behind.

His tittle was still active so he didn’t have any trouble to integrate once again in the inner circle.

One night two years ago he attended a gala to help raise money for cancer investigation. Stiles attended too as a member of the Royal Family. They met and they connected once again and Theo was on cloud nine, because Stiles didn’t change. He was still the same unapologetic boy he met in his childhood. And he was more beautiful than ever. Theo decided that Stiles was going to be his and he didn’t stop until he got a date with the Prince.

And after that date came another, and another and Theo spent the night in the Castle where the royal family lived but people didn’t seem to notice, and a relationship started between the pair. Secret meetings, secret gateways... they did not need to hide their love, but they chose to because it was exciting and sexy. And they were very elusive because no one found out until they decided to come clean.

Stiles was also nervous on his wedding day. He knew Theo was the one, he was not the best option when it came to procure an heir, but his father had been supportive and science could help them with that little problem when he and Theo decided to extend the family.

Stiles arrived to the Cathedral and he knew that at the altar was his other half, his counsort, his soulmate.

His people cheered when their Prince appeared. Stiles was wearing a marching military styled uniform but in color red, Beacon’s Royal Color.

When he walked to the altar with his father beside him he could see his friends smiling to him. The Hale family, Malia, Cora, Derek, Peter... he was close to all of them. He could also see his group of friends, Scott, Liam, Lydia, Lady Yukimura, hell he was even happy to see Lord Whitemore.

The ceremony was traditional and emotional. Stiles kissed Theo and they were pronounced Husband and Husband.

Leaving the Cathedral Stiles and Theo remembered lots of flashes of the cameras, and thunderous screams.

They hop on the car and there was a parade rounding the castle where the newly wedded couple saluted the people.

The reception was at the Castle. Closed to the press. Some guests though leaked photos and videos of the after party that shown Theo and Stiles dancing close, singing and having a great time with their friends.

The wedding day was a total success.

—————————

“Who do you think leaked the photos to the press?” Theo asked looking at his phone.

Stiles grunted next to him. They where in bed, 4pm, but it was the day after his wedding so he was not expecting the castle’s staff to bother him today.

The party was wild, novelty kids know how to party. And after that Stiles really wanted to consummate the marriage if you know what I mean. So he was exhausted.

“Probably Lord Holloway, he has always been the envidious type, but we had to invite him.” Stiles responded cuddling his newly (and very naked) husband.

Theo huffed a laugh. He left the phone on the side and kissed his husband.

“You know what my most important job is now that we are married right?” Theo asked with a smirk on his face.

“Taking care of me and the kingdom? Helping me reign a country?” Stiles answered.

“Yes yes, of course, but after the wedding people are going to wait for a baby. You know how much people love babies Stiles” Theo said with an innocent face.

Stiles grunted.

“Don’t you wanna try and go for that baby... you know for the sake of the country” Theo said looking seductively at his spouse.

Stiles smirked at his husband too, having realised his other half’s intentions. They are really gonna have to learn to keep their hands to themselves in public now.

“As the future king, everything for the sake of my land” Stiles responded as Theo proceded to devour his mouth.

—————————

Stiles and Theo had a happy marriage and when King Noah resigned from the throne, both Stiles and Theo were prepared for the responsibilities it carried.

Six years after the wedding the newspapers announced the birth of HRH Prince Thomas Stilinski, heir of the Stilinski bloodline and the throne. And two years after that they announced the births of HRHs twin Princess Claudia and Tara Stilinski (Raeken’s Bloodline).

God bless the Kings.

#steo #stiles stilinski #theo raeken #teen wolf #steo fic #steo au #teen wolf au #royal au #stiles x theo

45 notes · View notes