#The Little Drummer Boy Book II

[writebackatya]

The Little Drummer Boy honestly didn’t need a sequel

And its sequel honestly didn’t need to drop an absolute banger of song about money

[ashleywritesstuff]

I've got a new episode up on the Video Store Podcast today, just in time for Christmas! Please enjoy some Rankin/Bass B-Sides with me.

[teyamskxawng]

In Heat [I]

Lo'ak Sully x Fem!Omatikaya!Reader

Keep reading: Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV

The rundown: You seek out Lo'ak, your best friend, in the midst of your first heat cycle. Like the good friend he is, Lo'ak eases you through it.

Warnings: 18+ content, smut, language, characters are aged up, minors do not interact!! please

WC: 5.5k

A/N: user @teyamsxawng's first fic is about lo'ak??? yeah...i have neteyam fics in the works but this was the first avatar fic i wrote so i'm pushing it out now :) i'm also really scared to post my work so please be kind lol. i have like six chapters of this fic written so far with no clear ending in sight, so expect to see more of this soon.

Your first heat was about to begin, and you tried to mentally prepare yourself for what you heard would be an excruciating experience. You had a rough idea of what your first cycle would entail–discomfort, fatigue, and a touch of humiliation–but little did you know just how much it would affect you. Bracing yourself for the onslaught, you grappled with an intensity you had never anticipated.

As you lay on your sleeping mat in the solitude of your home, you curled into a tight ball, desperately trying to cope with the nearly-unbearable pain. The sensation was comparable to harboring a living, breathing creature within you, its heartbeat sending shockwaves of agony throughout your body.

You imagined it being a tiny drummer, vigorously banging its drums in tune with your torment. Hopelessly, you squeezed your legs together, desperate for even the slightest relief amidst the immense pressure emanating from your core. Never in your wildest dreams had you expected your heat to be this intense and all-consuming, turning your routine upside down and leaving you at the mercy of your body.

Amid your futile attempts at alleviating the mounting pressure with your own untrained fingers, you realized that you had no clue what the fuck you were doing. Your anxiety levels skyrocketed as you envisioned the possibility of exacerbating your situation, fearing that you'd end up hurting yourself even more if you tried anything on your own.

With every passing moment, your mind betrayed you–compulsively circling back to the one individual you were trying to distract yourself from: Lo'ak, your best friend.

Tackling that emotional behemoth would be a mental expedition akin to scaling the Hallelujah Mountains with your eyes closed, and you lacked the cognitive stamina for such an endeavor. Regardless, the stubborn recollection of the boy proved to be relentless, a mental scratch that demanded to be itched. Memories of his ability to make your world right again resurfaced, and you couldn't help but contemplate that maybe he was the secret recipe to your current dilemma.

You couldn't deny that you were on the verge of making a catastrophically bad decision, one that would go down in your personal history book as an all-time low. However, it was as if your body had mustered all of its strength to overpower your subconscious completely, that annoying little voice of reason, and take matters into its own hands.

Before you knew it, you were on your two feet, feeling slightly wobbly but determined, run-walking out of your tent like a woman on a mission, seeking out your best friend.

You didn't even have to engage in any sort of exuberating journey to figure out where he'd be. It was as if your very soul could smell him.

His clean, robust musk seamlessly mingled with the sweet spice of his cleansing balm, creating an alluring fusion that your senses simply couldn't resist. The aroma captivated you entirely, and you found yourself drawn to him like a moth to a flame, your feet carrying your body toward the source of sensory delight.

Venturing into the forest, you kept a discreet distance from Hometree and the rest of the clanspeople, desiring solitude, with the only exception being Lo'ak.

You stumbled upon him near a shallow creek, his posture keen and attentive as he scanned the water for signs of fish darting through its depths. His back was a mesmerizing sight, his dark blue stripes tracing the outline of his sinewy, lean muscles.

So alluring was the view that you clenched your fists tightly, restraining yourself from fulfilling the irresistible urge to reach out and touch him. It was as if every fiber of your being demanded that you do so, and it took every ounce of your willpower to resist.

Against your will, an entirely embarrassing sound that was half sigh and half whimper escaped your lips. The unexpected noise caused Lo'ak to jolt in surprise, his hand swiftly reaching for the dagger at his hip as he whirled around to confront the sudden intruder.

In a fleeting moment, the anxiety etched on Lo'ak's face dissolved, replaced by mild amusement as he realized it was none other than his best friend. However, it didn't take long for his concern to resurface as he took in your bewildering appearance.

It was clear you were utterly discombobulated, a far cry from your usual poised demeanor. Your cheeks were flushed a deep purple. Your usually sleek, well-groomed hair had gone rogue, appearing as though you had either been tossing and turning in a fitful slumber or wrestling with a goddamn palulukan.

Adding to your unkempt appearance, your chest was drenched in sweat, heaving rapidly up and down as though you had just sprinted to your location yet still found yourself gasping for air. But what really captured Lo'ak's undivided attention, and sent a shiver down his spine, were your eyes.

Gone were the golden irises he knew so well, replaced by a dark hazel hue that was almost brown. Even more disconcerting, your pupils were dilated to an unnerving degree, appearing as wide as your irises themselves.

Without hesitation, Lo'ak rushed to your side and extended his arm to grasp your forearm gently. "y/n, are you good? You look kinda…"

He couldn't even bring himself to finish the sentence. The only way he could describe you was looking completely disheveled. And the sound you made earlier was definitely not something he was going to dwell on.

You blinked at Lo'ak's hand on your arm. You heaved several deep breaths, attempting to compose yourself. Opening and closing your mouth, it was evident you were wrestling with the right words to convey your thoughts. Eventually, you shook your head in defeat and covered your face with your hands, groaning loudly.

Witnessing this only served to heighten Lo'ak's concern. He furrowed his brow as he studied your condition. "y/n?" he inquired nervously, imagining the worst-case scenario.

Still shielding your face with your hands, you managed to mumble something that might've resembled a sentence. Lo'ak couldn't help but let out a snicker that briefly reverberated through his body. Regaining his composure, he tilted his head in confusion, entirely unable to decipher your garbled words. He admitted honestly, "I have no idea what you're trying to say."

You sighed in defeat. The close proximity of Lo'ak, combined with the overwhelming frustration you felt between your legs, completely overshadowed any embarrassment you may have otherwise experienced.

"I said," you started, your dark eyes fixated on Lo'ak's with an intensity he couldn't ignore, "I just started my first heat cycle." Lo'ak's eyes went wide with shock at your confession.

Of all the things he'd imagined you saying, this possibility ranked the lowest on his mental list. He found himself at a loss for words and unsure what to think or do, especially as he involuntarily pictured you in a state of undeniable sexual frustration.

In response, all he could muster was a weak "oh," his voice faltering mid-syllable, making the situation all the more awkward.

You emitted what sounded like a pained groan, your emotions threatening to overflow into tears. In a vulnerable gesture, you allowed your forehead to rest against Lo'ak's shoulder. He couldn't help but tense up in response to your warm body pressed against him.

"Lo'ak," you whispered through clenched teeth, "it hurts so bad."

Lo'ak found himself struggling for air in the tense situation. With a shaky nod, he attempted to comprehend your words and determine the next course of action. As your best friend, it shouldn't have been a shock that you sought him out during your time of need, especially when that need was your first heat cycle.

Lo'ak hesitantly cleared his throat, trying to dislodge the uneasy feeling that had taken up residence there. "Uh. Are you gonna be okay?" he asked hesitantly.

Blinking repeatedly, your eyelashes tickled Lo'ak's shoulder, causing him to shudder. Your voice was filled with uncertainty as you admitted, "I don't know. I can't… I'm scared I'll make it worse or hurt myself or…I don't know. I just need—"

Your grip on Lo'ak's arms tightened, your words trailing off. The message was clear—you had no idea what to do, and you were scared, turning to Lo'ak for solace and support.

In that instant, Lo'ak found himself filled with a sudden surge of empathy and understanding. With newfound determination, he placed his hands on your back, extending his fingers across your skin as he gently rubbed up and down.

Upon feeling his reassuring touch, you exhaled sharply, adjusting your position to bury your face in the crook of his neck. For a while, you two simply remained like that, sharing gentle caresses and the soothing sound of your uneven breaths.

At last, you found your voice amidst the silence. "Lo'ak," you whispered, your tone holding a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability.

It was barely audible, a faint whisper in the wind, yet Lo'ak caught it without any trouble, and he could undeniably sense the subtle movement of your body, inching even closer to his.

At first, Lo'ak couldn't tell whether you had done that deliberately, but then you shifted your weight further down onto his leg, nestling his left thigh snugly between your own two legs, ever so gently grazing yourself on his taut muscle.

Lo'ak had to consciously remind himself to breathe, to inhale and exhale, because there was no way that you could possibly be getting yourself off on his leg. Shamelessly. Completely unapologetic.

The physical contact must not have been enough to provide you any relief, as evidenced by the fragmented cry of aggravation that reverberated against his neck. "It's not…."

Lo'ak fully understood your sentiment, nodding his head empathetically at your frustration. "No, yeah. Here, let's just—"

He pulled away from you, or rather, he gently moved you away from himself, extracting a barely audible whimper from you. He held you delicately by the shoulders, keeping you at arm's length, and his heart plummeted at the sight of the tears that meandered down from your glassy eyes.

You were hurting and in distress, and witnessing it tore Lo'ak apart. In a flurry of motion, he reached out to cradle your face, tenderly wiping away each persistent tear with the pads of his thumbs.

You squeezed your eyes shut, cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration as you tried to keep your composure. His gentle touch drove you to the brink of madness. You loathed feeling so exposed and powerless, particularly in Lo'ak's presence. You took solace in the fact that, at the very least, he wasn't poking fun at you or rubbing salt in your emotional wounds. No, he was actually being kind.

In a soft voice, Lo'ak said, "C'mere," as he retreated towards an enormous tree trunk. Gently placing a hand on your wrist, he coaxed you to follow him. And in your current state of emotional upheaval, you found yourself unable to resist his pull.

Lo'ak found a comfortable spot on the forest floor, casually sitting against a tree trunk with his legs stretched out before him.

"You can sit if you want…it might be easier," he offered, attempting to hide the fact that his own face was now flushed with what could only be described as a matching shade of purple to yours. The tension of the situation was not lost on either of you.

He didn't need to tell you twice. In a move that bordered on comedic desperation, you practically threw yourself onto Lo'ak's lap, settling on his left thigh with a soft sigh. The newly adjusted position felt infinitely better than before. The direct contact sent shivers down your spine, and the pressure on your core momentarily eased as you clamped your thighs around his leg.

You were desperately chasing that tantalizing feeling, and you could hardly bring yourself to feel a hint of shame as your body instinctively pursued it.

With an almost artful finesse, you adjusted your hips to attain the perfect level of pressure on your front. You were acutely aware of the dampness that began to form on Lo'ak's thigh due to your wetness, and even though a flicker of internal mortification plagued you, you simply couldn't find it in yourself to halt your actions.

With each move, you felt Lo'ak's leg flex beneath you, inadvertently applying exquisite pressure against the sensitive nub at your front.

The sensation was nothing short of divine. It was so overwhelming that you couldn't help but let out a moan of pleasure—a sound foreign to your ears but not significant enough to make you care.

Lo'ak, on the flip side, was experiencing an entirely different world.

His senses were fully alert, allowing him to take in every sight, sound, and feeling that unfolded before him in real-time. The whole situation played out like the most incredible, wet, thrillingly vivid dream he had ever encountered.

Desperate to maintain his composure, Lo'ak clenched his hands tightly against his sides, so much so that his knuckles turned a few shades paler than their initial blue.

As he attempted to stay as collected as possible, he couldn't help but wish for some magic remedy to sort out his persistent erection. It pressed uncomfortably against his loincloth at an awkward angle as if it were mocking him.

You unexpectedly interrupted his chain of thought, your voice sounding broken and desperate.

"I'm sorry," you breathed out, your eyes clenched shut as your mouth fell open, unable to suppress another moan. "just feels so good."

Lo'ak observed you with the utmost attention, his heart clenching tightly within his chest. In a barely audible volume, he softly reassured you, "Don't apologize; it's okay. Do what you have to do."

He was confident that, despite his subdued tone, you could hear and understand him fully.

You inhaled deeply, your breath quavering as you attempted to calm yourself down. Your tongue swept across your parched lips, and you swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in your throat. You found yourself unable to respond, yet continued experimenting with different rhythms and levels of pressure, determined to find the optimal approach to take yourself to the verge of ecstasy.

As your quest yielded fruitful results, you began better understanding your body.

With every sway of your hips, you experienced a surge of delight that coursed through your entire being. Each motion brushed your most sensitive areas against Lo'ak's narrow, muscular frame, sending chills up your spine.

You could feel your breaths growing shallower and more rapid, the warmth of your breath caressing Lo'ak's skin as your eyes remained tightly shut in indulgence. You allowed yourself to fully enjoy the moment, unabashedly taking advantage of his presence for the sake of your own pleasure.

As you continued, the tension within your abdomen stretched further and further, like a taut rubber band about to snap. Beads of sweat formed on your glistening skin, and your panting filled the air.

The overwhelming sense of pleasure threatened to pour forth, and your toes instinctively curled in response to the inevitable release building inside you. Unable to contain yourself any longer, you let out a delicate mewl while elevating the speed of your motions.

You uttered desperately, "I'm so close, Lo'…fuck. It's so much." Your voice, filled with raw emotion, dripped with anticipation.

As that blissful sensation intensified within your lower abdomen, teetering on the edge of release, Lo'ak took a deep swallow. His voice was low and throaty as he softly whispered to you, providing reassurance and encouragement, "You're okay, y/n. Just let yourself go."

His words were just what you needed, a string of curses falling from your lips as you felt your orgasm wash over and your walls clench around nothing. Your face softened with pleasure as you let out a shaky exhale, still sliding your now completely oversensitive clit across his thigh.

With a whispered sigh, Lo'ak reassured you, "Just like that, I've got you. It's okay." His hands tenderly left their perch at his sides, returning to the relative safety of your back. Gently, he stroked your soft skin, providing comfort as you descended from the peak of your intense high.

His soothing words and embrace gave you warmth from within, a sensation of security wrapping you up like a comforting blanket. You couldn't deny the feelings that Lo'ak's presence evoked in you.

At this point, one would presume you had suffered enough self-inflicted humiliation for a single day, but no.

As quickly as you bid farewell to your recent high, an insistent, throbbing ache woke anew within your deepest core. The previous experience proved a mere prequel, a teasing overture for the reverberating need you knew you just could not ignore. Your desires for touch and release cried out incessantly; Lo'ak was nestled beneath you all the while, painfully tempting—so close yet so frustratingly far.

With a gulp of determination and an unceremonious discard of any remaining semblance of pride, you peeled your eyes open, greeted by the half-lidded, entranced gaze of Lo'ak. His voice laced with curiosity; he inquired, "Is it better?"

You knitted your forehead together, desperately attempting to articulate the whirlwind of feelings that surged through you. It was a monumental challenge, one that left your mind racing with a relentless barrage of risqué thoughts involving what you desired Lo'ak to do to you.

Sighing, you muttered to yourself, "How is it still there?"

Lo'ak, on the other hand, was doing everything in his power to grasp the situation and figure out how he could alleviate your distress.

Puzzled, he inquired, "How is what still where…?"

In response, you actually hissed at Lo'ak, baring your fangs and all, unable to contain your frustration. He was so stupid. So warm and strong and pretty and stupid. You thought this as your eyes roamed over his strong, warm, and undeniably attractive figure.

"The urge, skxawng!" Your body involuntarily responded by undulating your hips against Lo'ak's leg. His eyes drifted downward for a moment to follow your movements before refocusing back on your face with concern.

You continued to explain, "The urge to be touched, I don't know why it's still there."

Suddenly, you glanced down at your own body, only then becoming aware of the rhythmic motion you had been unconsciously performing. In an effort to regain some semblance of control, you dug your fingernails into your thighs, willing your body to cease its movements.

Lo'ak grunted at the sight of you holding yourself back, the grip on your legs tight enough to cut off your circulation. Unable to stand it anymore, he pried your slender fingers from your thigh and gently took your hands in his own, much larger ones.

He tried to make eye contact with you but soon realized you were lost in your thoughts, staring intently at your lap. With a bit of patience, he finally managed to catch your dark irises when you fleetingly looked up at him.

"Okay," he began earnestly, "just tell me what I can do to make it better."

Though a bit hesitant, his voice was full of sincerity and determination.

Much to his surprise, your eyes widened even further. Shock, hope, and a dash of something else filled them all at once. He was really giving you complete freedom, entrusting himself to you to alleviate the pain of your heat.

With that, you decided to take the leap. "I want you to use your hands on me," you murmured, bringing yours and Lo'ak's intertwined hands toward your abdomen.

You watched Lo'ak's facial expressions with keen interest as you hesitantly guided his fingers to your most intimate spot. Despite the thin fabric separating his digits from your flesh, you couldn't suppress the breathy moan that escaped your lips.

"Right there," you continued, your voice trembling as you released your grasp on Lo'ak's hand. To your immense relief, his fingers didn't retreat. Instead, they maintained gentle pressure, sending pleasant tingles throughout your lower body.

Suddenly, it was as if Lo'ak had awakened from a daze. He looked up at you with curious desire evident in his eyes but still managed to convey his genuine concern.

"You're sure?" he inquired with the utmost caution, seeking all the verbal affirmation he could possibly get. No matter the circumstance, he would never let himself exploit you in such a vulnerable state.

You rolled your eyes in annoyance at Lo'ak's search for reassurance.

You couldn't help but think that Lo'ak asking for consent would be an irresistible turn-on under any other circumstance. However, given your state of urgent need, you craved immediate physical touch and control, no questions asked.

In a display of impatience, you threw your head back in exasperation, your own hand carelessly venturing beneath your loincloth to explore the fiery depths of your core.

"Please," you managed to utter, despite never being one to steep as low as begging. It was embarrassing, but that was genuinely the only word that managed to take shape in your mind amidst your overwhelming desires.

Lo'ak, finally sensing the critical nature of the situation, offered a hastened nod to the increasingly desperate girl before him. His heart pounded with exhilaration as his trembling fingers made short work of loosening your loincloth.

Captivated, his eyes were drawn to the now fully exposed treasure that lay between your legs.

Despite the circumstances, an undeniable blush spread across your cheeks, leaving you feeling more exposed than ever before.

With utmost care, Lo'ak gently guided your legs further apart. His fingers, like tendrils of affection, traced a delicate path around the contour of your knee and then traveled along the length of your inner thigh. Their journey didn't end until they arrived at your already glistening core. A single, adventurous fingertip glided gingerly along your lips before hesitantly prodding at your entrance. Your spine stiffened involuntarily, a sharp gasp emitting from your lips.

"Shit. Does it hurt?" Taken aback, Lo'ak's eyes widened as he witnessed your intense reaction—his reassuring self-assurance evaporated.

He immediately interpreted your pinched expression as a sign of hurt or discomfort. Alarmed, he became a living statue, daring not to move a muscle, his finger maintaining its intrusion of the slightest degree.

With an air of bewilderment, you stammered, "No, it's just so different," struggling to put your experience into words.

"Is that a bad thing?" His panicked gaze searched for your eyes.

Trying your best to control your emotions, you responded with a bit of a quiver in your voice, "No. No, it's really good. Keep going."

Lo'ak let out a shaky, relieved exhale, thankful that he wasn't causing you any discomfort. He proceeded with a short nod, allowing his finger to submerge into your eager embrace.

Your jaw went slack, eyes flickering in surprise, head tilting back as you reacted to the new, fuller sensation. The taut muscles in your abdomen quivered as you fought the urge to press yourself against him even further.

Lo'ak maintained a leisurely rhythm with his finger. A tender whimper escaped your lips as you adjusted to the near-overwhelming sensation, waves of undiscovered pleasure enveloping you, easing the fiery longing at your very core.

"Shh, you're okay, y/n," Lo'ak murmured softly, the hushed vibration of his words coursing through your entire body. A warmth flooded your face, and you quickly looked down, suddenly feeling feverish.

Seemingly unfazed, a second of Lo'ak's fingers joined the first, proceeding at their unhurried speed while your own hands struggled to find something to occupy, something to keep you grounded in reality.

You reached a hand out to grasp his shoulder–your grip probably bordering on painful–while your other hand covered your mouth in a hopeless bid to stifle the embarrassing sounds you kept unconsciously making.

"Oh, fuck." You mumbled, your hips twitching as his thumb grazed over your swollen clit.

An overwhelming wave of delight crashed over you, unlike anything you'd ever experienced. It built in the pit of your stomach, erupting into a continuous stream of moans that escaped from your lips while Lo'ak performed the entrancing move once again.

With one last deft stroke of Lo'ak's thumb, you reached the peak of your sensations. All you could do was mumble out an embarrassed string of apologies as you shattered around him, legs shaking, your entire body trembling from the sheer intensity of your second climax.

"No, you don't have to apologize. That's it, there you go." Lo'ak whispered above you, his hands securely gripping your hips. He watched you in a mixture of amazement and disbelief as you came undone on top of him.

In the aftermath of your unforeseen encounter, you and Lo'ak found yourselves sitting together in a tense, stunned silence.

Lo'ak's fingers remain deeply lodged inside your warmth, a vivid reminder of the unexpected turn your meeting had taken. While slowly regaining composure, Lo'ak's thoughts naturally drifted to his own throbbing predicament. He fervently attempted to push those intrusive musings aside, focusing all his mental strength (what little of it he had left) on anything else that might've provided a reprieve.

To distance his mind further from his own problem, Lo'ak mustered up the courage to break the otherwise heavy silence.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, he managed to ask, "How about now? Does, uh. Does it feel better?" His question, though well-intentioned, seemed to hang in the air, almost as if it were searching for a suitable landing spot.

Still catching your breath, you eventually acknowledged Lo'ak's efforts. With a meek nod and a quiet, "Yeah. Thank you," you did your part in attempting to lift the air of awkwardness that had befallen the two of you.

In response, Lo'ak merely mimicked your nod, his gaze drifting back to the delicate situation of his hand's continued connection with your lower half. A determined expression graced his face as he gently gripped your waist, carefully guiding his fingers free from your tight warmth.

The ridiculously obscene squelch of the movement caused you both to flush, despite everything you'd just done with each other.

As his fingers slid away, moistened with your slick, you were overtaken by a deep, almost primal desire to capture every last trace of yourself from his fingers. You felt absolutely unhinged.

Lo'ak, completely unaware of your internal struggle, stared at his own hand, held up between the two of you. His eyes widened in disbelief and amazement as he realized the impact his touch had on you.

Unsure of how to handle his newfound emotion, Lo'ak stealthily tried to wipe his hand on the lush grass beneath him, but your sudden vice-like grip stopped him.

Your eyes blazed with a mixture of desperation and wild abandon, yet you couldn't bring yourself to explain your overwhelming urge.

Instead, you gently guided Lo'ak's hand close to your face and took two of his soaked digits into your mouth. A soft moan escaped your lips as you savored the taste, feeling the fullness of his fingers as they filled your mouth.

You hastened your efforts in cleaning them, the graceful movement of your lips against his skin bringing you a sense of intense warmth and satisfaction as the previously overwhelming sensations within you began to subside. Finally, you released his hand, but not before planting a series of tender licks across his fingertips, ensuring that nothing remained.

As you finally met Lo'ak's eyes, you became painfully aware of the fact that you had just come on your best friend (twice).

Not only that, but you had to go and make matters even worse by practically worshiping his fingers with your mouth. The heat in your cheeks intensified as you gingerly placed Lo'ak's hand back in his lap.

With a desperate need to refocus your attention, you quickly averted your eyes from the boy to avoid being tempted by any further impulsive behavior. You busied your fingers with the painstaking task of reattaching your undone loincloth, double knotting the ties as if that would erase the memory of your exposed lower half from Lo'ak's mind.

Managing only to utter a brief "Sorry," you could sense the tension in the air. It was almost palpable.

Lo'ak, however, responded with a calming and reassuring deep voice, "You don't have to apologize."

You snorted inwardly at the thought that that was at least the third time he had said some variation of those very words to you in the last ten minutes alone.

You offered a subtle nod, unable to bring yourself to look at, speak to, or even touch your friend at that moment.

In a sudden, jerky movement, you disentangled yourself from his leg. You planted yourself on the forest floor, sitting against the same tree trunk that supported Lo'ak.

You couldn't help but glance back at his thigh, noticing the glistening evidence of your prior proximity. Your heart must have stopped beating for a good few seconds. You squeezed your eyes shut, mentally chanting a string of curses in a bid to cope with the irrepressible embarrassment that swept through your body.

The tense silence that ensued felt like an eternity, each moment stretching out painfully while the muted sounds of the Pandoran forest hummed in the background. Your mind raced, desperately trying to come up with an escape plan.

You really, really needed to leave. Like, yesterday. But you were still firmly rooted in your spot, too terrified to move even a muscle.

Then, without warning, the quiet was shattered by the violent rustling of leaves nearby. As if summoned by your wishful thinking, Neteyam appeared through the greenery. He wore an exasperated expression upon seeing you and his brother sitting together against the tree.

"Lo'ak! Dad sent you to fetch a single fish thirty minutes ago! What are you doing?!"

Neteyam's patience was wearing thin as he grabbed his brother by the arm, dragging him to his feet, his eyes probing for a reasonable explanation.

"Shit, bro. I'm sorry! I was fishing, I swear. But then I ran into y/n, and…" Lo'ak's voice trailed off, his eyes darting toward you as he recalled the events that transpired during your brief encounter. "…she just needed my help for a minute. It was really important."

Neteyam exhaled loudly in frustration, clearly annoyed at his brother's excuse. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, gathering his composure, and then fixed his glare upon Lo'ak, followed by you.

His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized you both, sporting matching blushes and attempting to maintain nonchalant expressions. Neteyam knew you two all too well; you were always getting into some kind of mischief together.

But today, he decided, he could spare you the grilling session. With an exaggerated shake of his head, he urged Lo'ak toward the direction of the creek, giving the back of his brother's head a not-so-gentle nudge as he passed by.

"A single fish," Neteyam mumbled, running a hand over his braids in disbelief as he glared at his brother.

You sensed that your chance for a getaway had finally arrived–it was now or never.

Your muscles tensed, eager to lengthen the gap between yourself and Lo'ak (or any other living being within your vicinity, for that matter). You sprung to your feet and hastily ran your fingers through your tousled hair, attempting to tame its disarray. You smoothed your top and made sure that your loincloth was properly adjusted.

"I should get going," you stammered, trying to swallow your nervousness. "I have some…um…chores I need to finish."

Both boys turned their attention toward you, with Neteyam giving you an amicable nod while donning a warm smile. Lo'ak, for his part, offered you a tender smile of his own, causing you to stifle the shy grin that threatened to conquer your entire countenance.

As you stood there, poised for your great escape, you were reminded of the delicacy and reassurance that radiated from Lo'ak just a few minutes prior.

Lo'ak, typically the embodiment of immaturity—a foolhardy best friend in the purest sense—managed to make your heart flutter with his tender warmth, nurturing you through your dire ordeal. He took care of you, offered praises and soothing words, and fuck. You wanted it again and again.

Abruptly, you snapped out of your daydream, realizing you were meandering down a dangerous tangent. You shook your head, as though physically trying to jolt your mind back into reality.

"Thanks, Lo'ak," you managed gratefully, making eye contact with him for just a bit longer than was probably necessary. "I mean it. For helping me."

Lo'ak, seemingly caught off-guard by your intense gaze, replied with a faint but earnest, "Course."

All the while, Neteyam couldn't help but furrow his brows at your peculiar exchange, very much aware of the odd dynamic between you two.

Sensing the need to move forward, Lo'ak immediately added, "Let me know if I can help you again."

Blushing at the implication, you nodded your head vigorously, fully aware that a similar scenario might very well arise in the future.

You offered a hasty wave to the two brothers before you spun around and embarked on your journey back to your home, navigating the wild landscape, distractedly ducking under low-hanging branches and batting away intrusive leaves.

There was no way you were making it through your first heat cycle alive.

Keep reading: Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV

[ellie88-blog-blog]

The Return of Aaron and His Da Rum Pum Pum Pum

The author shares their experience rewatching "The Little Drummer Boy Book II" from the Warner Bros Archive Collection, discussing its religious undertones and comparing it to the original movie.

When I tell you this movie is NOT easy to find. Warner Bros came in clutch with their Archive Collection. They released a DVD with 4 of the obscurest Rankin/Bass movies, all of which I’ve seen in childhood, despite beings a 90s kid. I will eventually get to the other 3 on this list, but now has come the time to rewatch “The Little Drummer Boy Book II” (1976). I am assuming that because the sequel…

[princesssarisa]

So the final results of my poll for ranking the classic Rankin/Bass Christmas specials are in.

The hands-down favorite:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – 35.3%

That was predictable. Rudolph was the first and is still the most iconic.

As for the other results, this is the final ranking:

The Year Without a Santa Claus – 18%

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town – 17.3%

Jack Frost – 8.1%

Frosty the Snowman – 7.4%

The Little Drummer Boy and "Other" – tied at 3.7%

("Other" includes Rudolph's Shiny New Year, Frosty's Winter Wonderland, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, Cricket on the Hearth, The Stingiest Man in Town, The First Christmas, and The Little Drummer Boy: Book II)

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey – 2.2%

The Life and Adventure of Santa Claus – 1.8%

The Leprechaun’s Christmas Gold ­– 1.5%

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – 0.7%

Pinocchio’s Christmas – 0.4%

I'm not surprised that The Year Without a Santa Claus came in second (who doesn't like Snow Miser and Heat Miser?), or that Santa Claus is Comin' to Town came in third. I am surprised that Jack Frost beat out Frosty the Snowman for fourth place, but that special certainly does have a unique bittersweet charm, even though it's less famous than Frosty in pop culture.

Maybe after Thanksgiving, I'll rewatch them all in chronological order and rank them based on my own personal preferences.

[greensparty]

2024: The Year in Green's Party

This has been another spectacular year for my pop culture blog. In Jan. 2013 I began this blog as a way to share my thoughts on pop culture and since then I’ve gotten to do things I never even imagined would be possible: interviewing filmmakers, actors, musicians, authors and more; reviewing movies, music, concerts, books, and theater; covering conventions and film festivals; and connecting with fans who also have their hands on the pulse of pop culture at the moment and its history.

the many faces of Green’s Party

Here are just a few of this website's highlights of 2024:

Retweets and Social Media: David Space liked my tweet about Fly on the Wall being my #1 Podcast of 2023; I was a guest on the It's Another Sunday podcast and discussed this blog, In May during the same week as my birthday I tweeted birthday wishes to Radiohead drummer Philip Selway and he liked it, Trouser Press Books shared my interview with Backstage and Beyond author Jim Sullivan on their social media, the band Scream shared my Best Albums of 2023 list (which included their album DC Special) in their Linktree, and I was a guest on the Seeing Them Live podcast and I returned for a special episode about the infamous Jane's Addiction concert I covered.

Peter Holmström and me

Interviews: I got to interview The Dandy Warhols guitarist Peter Holmström backstage before their Boston show, documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe via zoom, musician Matthew Sweet via phone, comedian Fred Armisen via zoom, music journalist Jim Sullivan via phone, and Pamela Des Barres via phone. I also got to speak with a number of celebs briefly at conventions including Kelli Maroney, Bruce Kulick, Nicholas Hammond, Sid Krofft, Sean Gunn, Ethan Supplee, Gina Schock and more!

photo booth movie poster of me with Challengers

Movie Reviews: I got to review I.S.S., Suitable Flesh, Ennio, The Greatest Hits, Civil War, Sasquatch Sunset, Challengers, Wildcat, Ezra, Hit Man, Tuesday, Revival60: The Concert That Rocked the World, MaXXXine, Twisters, The Instigators, Borderlands, Blink Twice, Greedy People, Between the Temples, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos, The 4:30 Movie, BOOM: A Film about The Sonics, Lee, The Apprentice, Heartbreakers Beach Party, Woman of the Hour, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Here, Gladiator II, Wicked, Beatles '64, Nightbitch, and A Complete Unknown.

Album Reviews: I got to review Sleater Kinney's Little Rope and the Deluxe Edition of that album, U2's Zooropa reissue and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb 20th Anniversary Edition, The Smile's Wall of Eyes and Cutouts, Dhani Harrison's INNERSTANDING, Paul McCartney and Wings' Band on the Run 50th Anniversary Edition and One Hand Clapping, Mick Mars' The Other Side of Mars, Sheer Mag's Playing Favorites, The Rolling Stones' 7" Singles 1966-1971 Vinyl Box Set, Bruce Springsteen's Best of Bruce Springsteen and Born in the USA 40th Anniversary Edition, Pearl Jam's Dark Matter, Neil Young and Crazy Horse's Fu##in Up and Early Daze, Thom Yorke's Confidenza soundtrack, John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies' Lost Themes 4: Noir, Ringo Starr's Crooked Boy, Buffalo Tom's Jump Rope, Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs' Vagabonds, Virgins and Misfits, Johnny Cash's Songwriter, Andy Summers' Vertiginous Canyons, John Lennon's Mind Games Ultimate Collection, The Police's Synchronicity Deluxe Edition, X's Smoke & Fiction, Oasis's Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, The Linda Lindas' No Obligation, MC5's Heavy Lifting, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Long After Dark Deluxe Edition, The Pixies' The Night the Zombies Came, Weezer's The Blue Album 30th Anniversary Edition, Talking Heads' Talking Heads: 77 Super Deluxe Edition, Kim Deal's Nobody Loves You More, AC/DC's 50th anniversary reissues, The Beatles' 1964 U.S. Albums in Mono, and George Harrison's Living the Material World 50th Anniversary Edition.

TV Reviews: I got to review Nothin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of 80s Hair Metal.

my friend Ron and I at the Foo Fighters concert at Fenway Park

me at the Metallica pop-up shop

Concert Reviews: It was quite a year for concert coverage including Sleater-Kinney, Matthew Sweet, The Church and The Afghan Whigs, Jane's Addiction, Pearl Jam, and Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band. I also did my Concert Pics column for Foo Fighters and Metallica.

Blu-ray Reviews: I got to review the blu-ray release of Witness, Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, Robert Rodriguez's The Mexico Trilogy, A Simple Plan, and Behind the Bucket: A Garrison story.

Book Reviews: I got to cover Guzman's Family Values: Kurt, Courtney and Frances Bean.

Comedy Reviews: I got to cover Fred Armisen's show a few weeks after I interviewed him.

me on the red carpet outside The Brattle for 2024 BUFF

me on the red carpet at 2024 IFFBoston

me at the 2024 Fan Expo Boston

me at 2024 Super MegaFest

Film Festivals, Conventions and Events: I did my annual coverage of the Oscar Nominated Short Films, I covered the March edition and the November edition of the Northeast Comic Con, I covered the 2024 Boston Underground Film Festival, the Coolidge Corner Theatre's Expansion, I covered the 2024 Independent Film Festival Boston, I covered the 2024 Fan Expo Boston, the 2024 Super MegaFest, Summer 2024 Collectibles Extravaganza, and the 2024 IFFBoston Fall Focus mini-fest.

Stray Observations:

It was a very Beatle-centric year for me! I got to cover The Beatles box set 1964 U.S. Albums in Mono and their documentary Beatles '64 as well as getting to do album reviews of Paul McCartney and Wings' Band on the Run reissue and One Hand Clapping live album, Ringo Starr's Crooked Boy EP, John Lennon's reissue of Mind Games, George Harrison's reissue of Living in the Material World, the documentary film Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World about Lennon's legendary 1969 concert in Toronto and a concert review of Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band in September. Even for a Beatle Fanatic like me that's quite a year!

In October, one of my favorite musicians Matthew Sweet suffered a stroke and I, like many, donated to the GoFundMe to assist with his road to recovery. Only a few months earlier in April I got to interview Mr. Sweet (my second time talking to him) and I also got to cover his concert in Boston. I am grateful I got to talk to him about his music (he could not have been any cooler) and see him for my 6th time and it was one of his best shows. I wish him well in his recovery and hope one day he's able to make music again (whether it's touring, recording or privately).

I got to interview The Dandy Warholds guitarist Peter Holmström. He is the third band member I got to interview since 2019.

I've noticed a trend that's been happening with reissue albums where they are celebrating the landmark anniversary of an album with a box set...released a year after the landmark release. For example, John Lennon's 50th anniversary of Mind Games was released 51 years later, The Police's 40th anniversary of Synchronicity was released 41 years later, George Harrison's 50th anniversary of Living in the Material World was 51 years later. But hey, who's counting right?

In recent years there's been a number of sequels to movies that were released 20 or more years ago. In 2024 that trend continued with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Twisters, Gladiator II, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (the best of them all by far).

...And the Biggest Postings and News of the Year on Green's Party:

1/2/24: Green's Party turned 11

1/7/24: my remembrance of actress Cindy Morgan. 12 notes.

2/2/24: my remembrance of actor Carl Weathers. 11 notes.

2/20/24: news about Sam Mendes doing four theatrical Beatle movies. 25 notes, my biggest post of the year!

3/27/24: I was one of a select few invited to the Coolidge Corner Theatre's phenomenal expansion in Brookline, MA.

4/10/24: After the final episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm I shared my thoughts on the ending.

5/20/24: I celebrated a birthday on Green's Party!

6/24/24: I began a multi-part series with Part 1 of Nirvana Boston about Nirvana's history with the city of Boston.

6/30/24: I posted my Best of 2024 So Far list.

7/7/24: I did a birthday post for Sir Ringo Starr. 13 notes.

7/16/24: Part 2 of Nirvana Boston posted.

8/3/24: I wrote about Aerosmith retiring from touring.

8/10/24: I interviewed Fred Armisen via zoom ahead of his comedy tour. One of the highlights of this year and this entire blog: "During our interview, Mr. Armisen took notice of my CD collection in the background behind me and asked about my collection and he briefly talked about his love of physical media. As our interview was ending, I thanked him and joked that next time he should check out my CD collection. He said “I’m glad you have it on your screen. Because there’s a lot happening in politics and none of the candidates are talking about how we should be proud of our CD collections. We need to come to a time in our lives where we’re displaying them. We all have CDs somewhere.” I laughed and said “I think they need to court the CD vote”. He laughed and I said “Wow - I just made you laugh, I’m so proud of myself” and he replied “That was a real laugh too by the way”. I’ve had some cool celebrity encounters, but knowing I got to make Fred Armisen laugh is definitely pretty high on my list of coolest celebrity encounters ever!"

8/25/24: I was a guest on the Seeing Them Live podcast.

9/15/24: Part 3 of Nirvana Boston posted.

9/30/24: I returned to the Seeing Them Live podcast to discuss the Jane's Addiction concert I covered.

10/26/24: I received my 5000th like on this blog!

10/31/24: I continued my Halloween tradition of ranking my Top 5 Movies and this year I did Top 5 Ghostbuster movies.

11/6/24: my Day After Election Day thoughts.

11/17/24: Part 4 of Nirvana Boston posted.

11/30/24: My review of the documentary Beatles '64. 18 notes.

12/10/24: Part 5, the final edition, of Nirvana Boston posted.

12/13/24: I posted my album review of George Harrison's Living in the Material World 50th Anniversary Edition. 12 notes.

12/20/24: I posted about Ringo Starr joining Paul McCartney in concert. 17 notes.

Thank you for attending Green's Party in 2024! Extra thanks to all of the publicists I worked with on my coverage this year. Now it's time for some thoughts on pop culture in 2025...

[makaientjluvdaprince]

I'm watching The Little Drummer Boy Book II (1976)

[pvtjoker22]

“Hello, little man. Boy, I sure heard a bunch about you. See, I was a good friend of your dad’s. We were in that casual dining establishment pit of hell together over five years. Hopefully, you’ll never have to experience this yourself, but when two men are in a situation like me and your Dad were, for as long as we were, you take on certain responsibilities of the other. If it had been me who had not made it, Major Coolidge would be talking right now to my son Jim. But the way it turned out is I’m talking to you, Butch. I got something for you.

This size XS band tee I got here was first purchased by your great-grandfather during the Denny’s Grand Slam. It was bought on a little merch table in Houston, Texas. Made by the first musical act to ever play at a closing Denny’s. Up till then people just played music in stadiums and dive bars. It was bought by private Doughboy Ernie Coolidge on the day he set sail for Paris. It was your great-grandfather’s favourite tee and he wore it every day he was in that kitchen. When he had done his duty, he went home to your great-grandmother, took the shirt off, put it an old coffee can, and in that can it stayed until your granddad Dane Coolidge was called upon by his country to go overseas and flip some burgers once again. This time they called it Denny’s Grand Slam II with Wacko of the OC punk scene headlining. Your great-grandfather gave this tee to your granddad for good luck. Unfortunately, Dane’s luck wasn’t as good as his old man’s. Dane was a roadie and he was killed, along with the other roadies at the battle of Denny’s Grand Slam II. Your granddad was facing death, he knew it. None of those boys had any illusions about ever leaving that restaurant alive. So three days before the managers took the booked room, your granddad asked a drummer on a shopping cart transport name of Winocki, a man he had never met before in his life, to deliver to his infant son, who he’d never seen in the flesh, his prized XS tee. Three days later, your granddad was dead. But Winocki kept his word. After the restaurant was closed for the evening, he paid a visit to your grandmother, delivering to your infant father, his dad’s sweaty tee.

This shirt. This shirt was on your daddy’s hips when he was shot down over Denny’s. He was captured, put in a Denny’s prison camp. He knew if the cooks ever saw the shirt it’d be confiscated, taken away. The way your dad looked at it, that shirt was your birthright. He’d be damned if any maître d' were gonna put their greasy oil-soaked hands on his boy’s birthright. So he hid it in the one place he knew he could hide something. His ass. Five long years, he wore this shirt up his ass. Then he died of dysentery, he gave me the shirt. I hid this uncomfortable hunk of fabric up my ass two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the shirt to you.”

[rudolphaholic]

Looks like somebody uploaded the FULL version of “The Little Drummer Boy, Book II”!

It includes that awesome deleted Brutus/Plato scene towards the end of the movie!

(Taking place right after Aaron, Melchior, Simeon, and the animals have successfully snuck off with the silver bells, we’re taken back to the tax collector’s camp, and naturally, Brutus is PISSED!)

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6434vy

Have a look! It’s a real treat being able to sit down and see the full version of this without having to go and fire up the DVD player. I don’t think the full version’s ever been on Youtube, and I don’t think it’s ever been shown on 25 Days Of Christmas.

[male1971]

The Rudolph Cinematic Universe

(The Rankin-Bass holiday specials that exist in the same universe, with the same characters, and reference each other in some way.)

1. Santa Claus is Comin' To Town

2. The Year Without a Santa Claus

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

4. Frosty the Snowman

5. Frosty's Winter Wonderland

6. Rudolph's Shiny New Year

7. Jack Frost

8. Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July

The Complete List of Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Cricket on the Hearth

The Little Drummer Boy

Frosty the Snowman

Santa Claus is Comin' To Town

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Year Without a Santa Claus

The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow

Frosty's Winter Wonderland

Rudolph's Shiny New Year

The Little Drummer Boy Book II

Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey

The Stingiest Man in Town

Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July

Jack Frost

The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Santa Baby

[bumblebeeloved]

My List of Christmas Movies (Because I Keep Watching the Same Three Over and Over Again)

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

A Christmas Story (1983)

Gremlins (1984)

Babes in Toyland (1986)

Die Hard (1988)

Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone 2 (1992)

Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nutcracker (1993)

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

The Ref (1994)

The Santa Clause (1994)

Jingle All the Way (1996)

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)

I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998)

Jack Frost (1998)

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (1999)

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

Polar Express (2004)

Harry Potter and the Triwizard Tournament (2005)

Just Friends (2005)

Krampus (2005)

Deck the Halls (2006)

Fred Claus (2007)

Arthur Christmas (2011)

The Night Before (2015)

Rise of the Guardians (2016)

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Elliot the Littlest Reindeer (2018)

Holiday Calendar (2018)

Klaus (2019)

Last Christmas (2019)

Black Christmas (2019)

Noelle (2019)

The Claus Family (2020)

Happiest Season (2020)

Jingle Jangle (2020)

A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

Spirited (2022)

Rankin-Bass

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976)

The Little Drummer Boy Book II (1976)

Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)

Nester, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)

Jack Frost (1979)

Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979)

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (2000)

[lonelyasawhisper]

Queen: Four Queens Beat Opera Flush

Steve Turner, Rolling Stone, 11 March 1976

Cashing In on a Rock Rhapsody

LONDON – Queen is providing British rock with one of its biggest rushes in recent days. Its single, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, a six-minute mock opera, which features 180 vocal overdubs at one climactic point, held down the Number One spot in the British charts for nine weeks this winter – a feat matched in the last 20 years only by the Everly Brothers' ‘Cathy's Clown’ (1960) and Paul Anka's ‘Diana’ (1957).

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is a rare single that demands attention while defying the traditional formulas for a hit. The music has mini-movements that run from Gilbert and Sullivan to rock, the words are simultaneously violent and mystifying and the running time is overlong – particularly for radio. Still, with its operatic overtones and inherent drama, the single has been receiving constant airplay. London's only commercial station (Capital Radio) even ran a competition which invited listeners to submit their interpretations of the story line, which has something to do with murder, a boy's appeals to his mother and invocations to everyone from Beelzebub to Galileo.

Queen's lead singer, 29-year-old modified glitter rocker Freddie Mercury, wrote the song for A Night at the Opera, which was four months in the making. "I always wanted to do something operatic," Mercury said. "I wanted something with a mood setter at the start, going into a rock type of thing which completely breaks off into an opera section, a vicious twist and then returns to the theme.

"I don't really know anything about opera myself," Mercury confessed. "Just certain pieces. I wanted to create what I thought Queen could do. It's not authentic...certainly not. It's no sort of pinch out of Magic Flute. It was as far as my limited capacity could take me."

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ marks the climax of almost six years of Queen's existence. The band was formed in July 1970, when all four members were students in London, but it was three years before they felt ready to perform live. During that time they rehearsed and wrote the songs that were eventually heard on Queen. They also earned a set of degrees – Mercury in graphics and illustration, lead guitarist Brian May in astronomy, bassist John Deacon in electronics and drummer Roger Taylor in biology.

"When we formed Queen we decided we weren't going to slog around," explained May. "We decided that we were going to be real choosy and concentrate on writing and rehearsing until we were completely satisfied that we were right to be onstage."

Then a friend who needed a new recording studio tested for its acoustics employed Queen, repaying them in demo discs. These were promptly rushed to every record company in London.

Although unhappy with the deals they were offered, Queen eventually signed with Trident Audio Productions, run by London's noted Trident Studios. They recorded their first album in between booked sessions at the studio. The resulting album finally interested E.M.I., which had shown little interest the first time around. In 1973 they signed Queen, and the group severed relations with Trident and their personal manager, Jack Nelson, in favor of Elton John's management company headed by John Reid.

Obviously glad to be rid of their old management, Mercury took a potshot at them in a vicious song on the Opera album entitled ‘Death on Two Legs’:

You suck my blood like a leech You break the law and you breach Screw my brain till it hurts You've taken all my money – you still want more.

Of it he says, "I have been told by my lawyer to refrain from talking about that but it's a very emotional piece of work, yes, and it's a state of mind I was in and what better way of getting it out than through the music?"

Queen's distinctive mark lies in its thick guitar sound over-layed with vocal harmonies – a technique fully exploited on the "Black" side of Queen II.

But onstage, Queen makes no attempt to duplicate their complex recordings. Mercury gets most of the spotlight with his studied camp strutting and posing – during their recently completed British tour, he returned for the encore barefoot, clad in eye-catching satin shorts and matching shirt.

May thinks the group was too innovative for public taste, but ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and their consistently repetitive style are sending people back to their early works. "I think that if you do something new you have to do it again before it really sinks into people. I suppose people can't figure but what you're doing if you flit about too much. The lines we've pursued throughout the albums have been better understood than the on-off ideas."

The band was held back by illness during its second (and first headline) American tour. Brian May contracted hepatitis and an ulcer, and Freddie Mercury damaged his vocal chords. "Things have changed since then," said Mercury shortly before leaving London for a headlining, coast-to-coast U.S. tour. "The whole management structure, the records and everything are different. I think it's looked upon in a much more professional way than before. We're very pleased."

Retrieved from rocksbackpages.com and queenarchives.com

[mrepstein]

The Beatles Book Monthly (No. 5, December 1963)

‘A TALE OF FOUR BEATLES’ by Billy Shepherd

PART IV (PART I // PART II // PART III)

Part IV opens in June, 1961 and charts Brian Epstein's early involvement with the Beatles.

And so the Beatles, with two experience-garnering trips to Germany behind them, got back to Liverpool. A swingin’ scene... and they were very much a part of it. It was the end of June, 1961.

But though they liked having more money to spend, they hadn’t the foggiest idea of just how much they were worth. The offers came in. Anything between £6 and £14 was the pay-packet, to be shared between Messrs. Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and drummer Pete Best.

“We just didn’t know,” admits George. “We loved the work, the excitement. We didn’t realise we were often being exploited. But it was hard work and somehow we didn’t seem to have much money in the kitty after we’d kept our equipment up to scratch...”

July, 1961, could go down as a summit meeting in Merseybeat history. A steamy, summery, shimmery night at Litherland Town Hall. A young promoter named Brian Kelly announced his attraction: The Beatmakers.

George Harrison was on lead guitar. Paul McCartney on rhythm. John Lennon on piano. Drummers were Pete Best and Freddie Marsden. Les Maguire operated on saxophone, Les Chadwick on bass guitar - and Gerry Marsden nipped on and off behind a big grin to take the vocals.

Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Beatles had linked up. For one night only and for a fee which is the smallest fraction of what they’d command for such a show now.

It led to friendships between the group members... but it didn’t seem to be leading to that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for the Beatles.

Says John: “We went on knocking ourselves out night after night but somehow there was a bit of frustration creeping in to it all. It didn’t seem to be leading anywhere.”

But the audiences were greatly appreciative.

Says Paul: “We started accepting dates further south. We got pretty near London on some of them. No change of material for us - still the stuff that went down so well in Germany. But we were veering away from the leather gear. Don’t make this sound big-headed, but the fact is that a lot of other groups were copying the way we looked on stage. So we changed to more ordinary clothes for a while.”

But in September, depression set in. Paul and John took themselves off to Paris for a holiday. They remember being flat broke. Remember having to search through every pocket to rake up enough francs for a Coke. Now, of course, they can go where they please and not count the cost.

And George and Pete stayed on in Liverpool, virtually lost to the Beat scene. Ray McFall, owner of the Cavern Club remembers seeing Messrs. Harrison and Best around the lunch-time sessions but they seemed dispirited. They took a lot of persuading even to join in on the impromptu roar-ups.

Let well-known Liverpool show compere Bob Wooler fill in the background to this black spot in the Beatles’ history.

“I’ve known the boys since the early days. I’ve been a long-time admirer. What they really needed was a manager in those far-off days. They seemed content not to argue about the fees they were offered. And they didn’t seem to realise that they were pulling in crowds on the strength of their own name and performance.

“After all, they had to live. They had to look after their equipment - and they often had travelling expenses to pay. It’s all very well being popular and enjoying your work, but you should be paid what you’re worth as well.

“Ray McFall at the Cavern was different. If the crowd was good, he upped the fee. That’s why the boys have always been so loyal to the Cavern. But you can understand them being puzzled at the lack of hard cash from their other venues where they were so often doubling the attendances.”

Paul and John were meanwhile spending a lot of time on their song-writing. You’ll see how much they’d already achieved in this direction as the story pushes on to the first recording days.

John and Paul could never sit down and simply write a song to order. They admit: “We have to wait for the ideas to arrive. It can happen anywhere. On a bus, or a train, or backstage at a dance-hall or theatre. Sometimes the title suggests itself first. Then we get going on the words and music. Sometimes we’ve finished a very successful seller in less than an hour.”

But their most pressing need was for a manager. Paul has told me “When we first started on paid jobs, we honestly thought we weren’t manageable. We thought nobody would want to bother with us. We were a pretty off-beat bunch of characters, to say the least. And we had a sense of humour which somehow involved us all and which was hardly in the interests of discipline. So, for a long time, we just didn’t take any notice of the advice that we should be properly handled. ‘Who’d WANT US,’ was the way we thought...

“And that’s where we were wrong...”

A MANAGER. Liverpool man Allan Williams took on the chore for a while... he now runs the Blue Angel Club on Merseyside.

But the man who was to make show business history with the Beatles knew nothing about the group in that September of 1961. That man, of course, was Brian Epstein, one-time drama student, member of a family which owned a chain of furniture and radio-TV stores in Liverpool.

He was not exactly WITH the beat scene. But he WAS in touch with the public taste through his work in the record department of the stores. He’d been there for five years, building up the business, enlarging the staff roster and increasing the turnover.

And in September, 1961, he was a puzzled man. Fans kept approaching him with: “Have you any records by the Beatles?” Brian mused. Pondered. Wondered. One young lad was particularly persistent in his demands. Brian dug deep into the record-lists. And found reference to that “My Bonnie” single, recorded in Germany, on which the Beatles played a strictly supporting role to guitar-star Tony Sheridan.

“I became Beatle-conscious for a while,” he says. “I always tried to work on the theory that the customer was right - and if they wanted the Beatles, well... I’d do my best to supply the Beatles. Eventually I traced the source and ordered some 200 copies for the record-stores. They sold quickly...

“Then out of the blue I heard they were Liverpool boys, had a rapidly-growing following - and were actually playing in a club near the store. It was a place that I’m sure I’d visited before, a sort of teenage gathering-place, but I really didn’t know much about it.

“After a while, I thought I’d better pop down there and see what all the fuss was about.”

Brian Epstein went to the Cavern. Met the Beatles. And things really started happening for the ambitious but not-too-sure group.

There are two ways of looking at this near-historic meeting. Brian Epstein’s. And the Beatles’ viewpoint.

Beatles first. Said George: “He started talking to us about the record that had created the demand. We didn’t know much about him but he seemed very interested in us and also a little bit baffled.

“He came back several times and talked to us. It seemed there was something he wanted to say, but he wouldn’t come out with it. He just kind of watched us and studied what we were doing. One day, he took us to the store and introduced us. We thought he looked rather red and embarrassed about it all.

“Eventually, he started talking about becoming our manager. Well, we hadn’t really had anybody actually VOLUNTEER in that sense. At the same time, he was very honest about it all - you know, like saying he didn’t really know anything about managing a group like us. He sort of hinted that he was keen if we’d go along with him...”

Brian, quite honestly, thought that the Beatles looked a mess. He wondered what exactly they thought they were trying to be. Their strange jackets, the rather scruffy jeans, the hair-styles, which could only have been styled on something called “chaos.”

“But there was something enormously attractive about them,” he recalls. “I liked the way they worked and the obvious enthusiasm they put into their numbers. People talk about the Liverpool sound but I sometimes wonder what exactly they mean. These boys put everything into their routines but they didn’t use echo. That struck me as being a very good thing.

“It was the boys themselves, though, who really swung it. Each had something which I could see would be highly commercial if only someone could push it to the top. They were DIFFERENT characters but they were so obviously part of the whole. Quite frankly, I was excited about their prospects, provided some things could be changed.”

And Brian told his friends: “This could easily turn out to be the biggest show business attraction since Elvis Presley.” It’s a tribute to his foresight and intuition that that is precisely what has happened.

Brian decided to get the boys together at a round-table conference at his store. A time was fixed and the boys agreed. But Beatles are not always the easiest of people to organise. Brian sat waiting... and waiting... and waiting. He was trying to cope with the vastly complex figures of Christmas orders for the store and minutes were precious to him.

Eventually THREE Beatles arrived. George, John and Pete. No Paul. Story goes that Brian got George to ring through and see what had happened to the left-handed guitar-star. And that Paul admitted he was still in the bath... but wouldn’t be long!

Brian was rather on his high-horse. He felt it was not the right thing for someone who wanted to talk business to be kept waiting. He pointed out that Paul, the cherubic one of the four, would be extremely late. “Yes,” said George, forcing back a grin. “But he’ll also be extremely clean.”

Says Brian: “That sense of humour is invaluable. You could hardly feel annoyed at their lack of business ability. They were just four individual and off-beat characters.”

Prior to Brian taking such an interest, there was great concern among Cavern people that there was a chance of the Beatles packing in all thoughts of show business careers. Bob Wooler had tried hard to get BBC television producer Jack Good interested in the group. Jack had produced beat shows, like “Six-Five Special” which had been the stepping-stone to success for artistes like Cliff Richard. But Jack was also in demand in the States... and he’d gone there to further his own career long before Bob could get any decision from the telly-folk.

Brian, having eventually assembled all four Beatles in the same room, put his propositions to them. He went through a process of brain-washing, though he did it all very tactfully. He didn’t like their manner of dress. Wasn’t knocked out by the unruly hair-cuts. Was singularly unimpressed by the way they casually drank tea on stage while in the middle of shows.

He pleaded with them rather than ordered them. He knew they were a valuable property and he was knocked out at the way their personal following was growing through the Merseyside area.

Said John: “He’d tell us that jeans were not particularity smart and could we possibly manage to wear PROPER trousers. But he didn’t want us suddenly looking square. He let us have our own sense of individuality.”

He added: “We respected his views. We stopped champing at cheese rolls and jam butties on stage. We paid a lot more attention to what we were doing. Did our best to be on time. And we smartened up, in the sense that we wore suits instead of any sloppy old clothes.”

It was a master-plan. A long-term plan if necessary but it was aimed at making the most of four young men who clearly had that star quality in them... even though a recording contract was still more than nine months away.

Obviously, Brian Epstein’s main job was to get the group on record. He knew the strength of their popularity in Liverpool and he felt it wouldn’t be a hard job to interest some of the London companies. But that was where Brian was wrong.

He even delayed any sort of action until the results of the 1961 “Mersey Beat Poll” were announced. That came up at the end of the year. And the Beatles were high and dry in top place in this important survey of how the public felt about the myriad groups operating in the scene. Said Brian: “I thought this was the ‘Open Sesame’ to the recording scene. I felt that Liverpool was important enough to have London executives falling about to sign the boys. I was wrong...”

Brian, though technically still in charge of important parts of the family business, threw himself into the job of getting the Beatles known nationally. He had the backing of the Beatles’ parents and it was to be no holds barred for the major break through.

He started visiting London. Hopefully. Optimistically. But record executives showed an alarming tendency to register non-committal gloom. Brian had to keep reporting apparent failure to the boys - by now riding higher than ever in popular acclaim in Liverpool.

Cont’d next month in No. 6

[thegaylibrarian]

My Top 100 Films & TV Shows

Here’s a list of my top 100 Films and TV Shows that I couldn’t live without and have had the biggest influence and best memories attached to them!

The Addams Family

Addams Family Values

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Anastasia (1997)

Batman

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree

The Berenstain Bears Meet Big Paw

Big Business

The Boondock Saints

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

A Cat in Paris

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Coraline

The Dark Crystal

Destry Rides Again

Dog Day Afternoon

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

Ernest & Celestine

Fantasia

Fantastic Mr. Fox

FernGully the Last Rainforest

Follow that Bird

Fried Green Tomatoes

Frosty the Snowman

Frozen

The Goofy Movie

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Grease

The Great Mouse Detective

Gremlins

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2

The Halloween Tree

Hocus Pocus

Hook

How the Grince Stole Christmas

Howl's Moving Castle

Isle of Dogs

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Knives Out

Kubo and the Two Strings

Labyrinth

Lady and the Tramp

The Land Before Time

The Last Unicorn

The Little Drummer Boy

The Little Drummer Boy, Book 2

The Little Mermaid

Little Shop of Horrors

Loving Vincent

Mary and the Witch's Flower

Masters of the Universe

Matilda

Miracle on 34th Street

The Muppet Christmas Carol

A Muppet Family Christmas

Muppet Treasure Island

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Practical Magic

The Princess Bride

Princess Mononoke

Read or Die

Rise of the Guardians

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

The Secret of NIMH

Serenity

Sister Act

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Sleeping Beauty

Song of the Sea

The Sound of Music

Super Troopers

The Swan Princess

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze

Troop Beverly Hills

Watership Down

What We Do in the Shadows

White Christmas

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

The Wizard of Oz

X2

American Dad!

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Firefly

Gravity Falls

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Joe Pera Talks with You

The Legend of Korra

Over the Garden Wall

Pushing Daisies

Rick and Morty

What We Do in the Shadows: The Series

[celmation-gibson]

Don't worry, still in the Habit of making these, and here we have is a Voice Acting Tribute to Mr. Allen Swift (1924 - 2010), the voice of the animated Burger King in the 1970's BK ads, the Fox in 'Pinocchio's Christmas', Simon Barsinister & Riff Raff in 'Underdog', Tooter Turtle in his own program, Most of the Male Voices minus Boris Karloff's character in 'Mad Monster Party', and Twinkie the Kid in the old Hostess animated ads along with Captain cupcake, King Ding dong, & Fruit pie the Magician.

Honorable Mentions: Gadzooks, Newsreel announcer, blue engine, red engine, & Town guard in 'the Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town'

Maxi-Fixit in 'Raggedy Ann & Andy: a Musical Adventure'

Melchior & Soldiers in 'the Little Drummer Boy book II'

[queenmaracasandlove]

You’re My Best (Sex) Friend - Roger Taylor x F!Reader - PART V

Word Count: +/- 2800

In the last part: Roger is on tour and Y/N is trying to move on back in London. She tells him she has been asked on a date but he doesn’t get it and say it’s a good thing. Roger comes back to London but Y/N is now dating Linda and is staying at her place before he goes back on tour. 

Warnings: None this time (I think)

A/N: To be honest I don’t really like this part but I needed it... Tell me what you think loves. 

PART I PART II PART III PART IV

MASTERLIST

(Credits to whoever edited this beautiful picture)

The performance had gone perfectly, it was a good one, the audience had been particularly receptive. Y/N could not believe she had achieved to become part of such a big production in so little time. She didn’t have a role but it did not matter, she was on stage every night and she was playing her part in the performance. She was a little sad that the spotlight were preventing her from seeing the audience, she could only rely on their laughs and cheers to know if they were enjoying the show. Expect during the bow when she had time to squint her eyes and that was one of her favourite moment. When she could see the smiles on people’s face.

She was still heavy breathing because of the last dance but she had to go back on stage, let the audience applause, and enjoy it. She was smiling like crazy, she would never get bored of it and tried to enjoy the last minutes as much as possible as she was bowing. And for the first time she heard someone scream her name from the audience and she recognized it immediately, Freddie. She thought she had been imagining things but as she was going for the second bow she heard it again. She moved to the side of the stage as the leads where taking her place and tried to focus on the audience. First thing she could see was some hair that could only belong to one person, Brian. Next to him was Freddie, looking at her and waving like crazy which made her laugh but she barely had time to look around him that the curtain dropped.

She stayed on the stage for a minute, listening to the people leaving the venue. She was confused and her heart was pounding in her chest. Had they come to see her? Why didn’t they tell her beforehand ? Was Roger there too? He hadn’t called Linda’s phone but he had only been back for two days after all and they were leaving again so soon. Millions of thoughts were invading her mind when she saw a familiar face coming to her.

“Doll? Are you okay?” Linda asked

“Yes, sorry. I’m just recovering. Tonight was intense right?”

“You bet it was. Let’s get ready to go home shall we?”

Y/N nodded and followed her backstage where she would change and get rid of the make up. She liked that moment too, enjoying what was left of the adrenaline and chatting with the other performers. But tonight she felt out of place, unable to unzip her costume on her own, dropping things on the floor. She would have never dreamt of seeing them here,but they all had been so supportive even after all this time. Y/N was finished to remove her make-up when she heard some agitation in the next room. Only seconds later one of the producer of the show appeared in the communal dressing room.

“Guys we have some people who would like to congratulate you for your performance, very special guests”

It happened sometimes, when personalities or so-called important would come to see the show they usually liked to come backstage and congratulate the cast. But most of the time it was only for the leads, not the whole ensemble. Immediately Y/N’s colleagues were getting excited, wondering who was going to show up in the room tonight, but she stayed calm, at least on the outside and got up with everyone else. Of course Freddie was the first one in, congratulating everyone, followed by Brian. For a second Y/N thought that it was just the two of them but she saw John coming in right after, with Veronica.

She had never told anybody about her acquaintance with the band apart from Linda. In fact, Linda was not looking at the guests but at Y/N, asking her if she knew about it, but she shook her head. Everybody was extremely excited to have the band in their dressing room and the musicians took the time to smile to everybody but clearly they were looking for someone in particular.

“HERE IS MY STAR!” shouted Freddie, running to Y/N as soon as he saw her

“Fred’, I’m so happy to see you here” she replied, hugging him 

And she really was, and in the end she didn’t care about anybody else in the room because it was so good to see them all again. She hugged him for a while before turning to Brian.

“You were really good Y/N. Congratulations”

“Thank you Brian” she smiled

Y/N was overwhelmed by their sincere compliments and she almost teared up. Veronica was saying how happy she was because it was her first musical and she loved it when she heard little screams of excitation behind the group. She wondered what was going on and understood when she saw the blond man coming in her direction. Her heart stopped for a minute and their was a strange look between the two of them…

“Sorry I was talking to…” Roger started

But before he could end his sentence Y/N was hugging him as hard as she could. He looked surprised for a second before returning the gesture. She had missed him so much. She wasn’t too sure about how she should behave with him, where she was standing, what her feelings really were but right now she was just too happy to see him again.

“I can’t believe you came to see the show” she said, parting

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world” Roger smiled

“Booked the tickets all the way back from the States !” said Freddie

Y/N looked back at Roger, not sure she was believing it. All of this was so surreal.

“We should probably let you finish” said John

“Yes, we’ll be waiting for you outside” added Freddie

“Waiting for me?” Y/N asked

“Darling, we have to celebrate your amazing performance, we’re taking you out. Don’t take too long I’m dying of thirst” he replied

And just like that they all went out. Everybody was looking at Y/N and she felt much worse than when she was on stage. She had to explain how she had met them a few years back and that they were friends now and that she had no idea they were going to come and see the show tonight. Linda was next to her and hadn’t say anything. She had noticed something that she didn’t like. All this time she had thought that Y/N’s feelings for the drummer were not mutual but after seeing the way he had been looking at her she was now doubting and she was worried. 

They both got ready to go and went towards the exit. The boys and Veronica were waiting for Y/N next to the stage door, inside, talking with a few members of the crew, signing autographs. Roger saw them coming and immediately understood when he saw the woman next to Y/N, he knew she was Linda. They glanced at each other for a few seconds but not enough for anybody to notice.

“All set?” Brian asked

“Is your friend joining us?” asked John

“Oh I’m sorry I forgot to introduce Linda.” Y/N said, a bright smile on her face. “This is Linda, she’s a dancer but you’ve seen her ahah. And she’s… She’s my… friend now”

She wasn’t ashamed of it but she didn’t want people around to hear that the both of them were a couple. But everybody understood what she was implying and she could see them smiling although she did not dare looking at Roger’s reaction. It was stupid, she had made peace with her decision, or so she thought. So she looked at Linda and smiled, she really wanted her to come and meet her friends. That was important to her.

“Of course” Brian said, smiling too

Linda nodded and the smile on Y/N’s face became wider. They all decided to go to a nice pub the cast was used to go to after some shows. Linda was always making sure she was next to Y/N but was very happy to learn more about her girlfriend’s friends. Y/N could be quite an outgoing person but she had never seen her so alive. One of the only other place she seemed to shine that bright was when she was on stage. Linda was glad though to know that she had had the exact same attitude with her although on very rare occasions.

Everything was going great between the two women. They had been seeing each other for a month and all was well. Y/N’s kindness and silliness matched perfectly with Linda’s maturity and assertiveness. They spent a lot of time together, making sure to always be honest with one another. They rarely talked about Roger, they had discussed it once and it was enough. But Y/N sometimes mentioned him as a friend with the other members of the group and it was never a problem. 

                                                  --------------------

There had been a few beers already. They had talked about the tour, about the show, about the next album and about life. So many things had changed in a few weeks. Brian was getting married but Freddie was no longer engaged to Mary. Y/N was sad to see Freddie’s worry but not surprised about the news. She also understood better the sadness in Mary’s voice during their last few phone calls. Life was moving on she thought, and so was she.

Because of the alcohol, Y/N was less preoccupied by the way she behaved and let herself go more than she did since she had realised her feelings for Roger. Maybe it was because of her new relationship. She was barely paying attention to the way Roger was hanging on her every word and how she was in fact doing exactly the same thing. She had to excuse herself and go to the bathroom, beer definitely working on her bladder and mind. She looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath before opening the door. Roger was leaning against the wall facing her, waiting for her.

“Hey love” he said

“Rog” she smiled

“Just wanted to spend a little minute alone with you. It’s been a while”

“I know. I’ve missed you a lot. I was sad you stopped calling…” she admitted

“I’m sorry Y/N” he came closer to her, looking into her beautiful eyes “Things got a bit crazy you know. I’ve missed you too”

She gave him a hug, she wasn’t as careful as she would have been sober but she didn’t mind. Feeling him against her felt so good. She wasn’t sure where she was sentimentally speaking but he was still her friend and she wanted to enjoy the little time she had with him.

He found her so beautiful. He has been so impressed about her performance. He never doubted her talent but he was so proud of seeing her on stage. He wanted to kiss her so badly but he couldn’t. She seemed so happy to see him but she also seemed so happy to be with Linda. All his hopes of confession had been crushed and that was hard to take it in but he still wanted to spend time with her. He had never felt so needy.

“Thanks for coming Roger. It means a lot to me”

“Y/N… You were amazing. I swear I’m not saying that just because I…You’re one of my best friend. You’re going to do amazing things” he said

His hands still on her shoulders and she was going to answer when John arrived. For a split though the world had stopped for both of them, everybody else disappearing. The bassist looked at them but didn’t say a thing. There was an awkward look between Roger and Y/N but it wasn’t like they were doing anything wrong.

“Thank you Roger” Y/N simply said

“I can’t wait to be back” he confessed as they were going back to their table

“You shouldn’t think that way” Y/N replied, stopping a few tables away from their friends “You should be enjoying the tour”

She looked at him and saw his surprise. She had noticed how sad he looked since the beginning of the night. Roger was usually so happy all the time or sometimes in a very bad mood but sadness wasn’t something you would usually see on his face. Y/N wished she had more time to talk to him, ask him about what was going on but it was clearly not the right time. Everybody was kind of looking at them although trying to pretend not to.

“Roger, you should make the most of this tour. I know the U.S leg was quite long but you’ve always said so. And now you’re going to Japan. That’s going to be amazing right? You told me so much about you’re last time there ! Come on! You’ve got an incredible album to promote, amazing fans and a fabulous culture to discover.”

“You’re right” he smiled, soothe by her words and sincerity

“And I’m sure Freddie needs his friends right now. Can’t let him down hey” she said before punching his elbow

“You might be a smart girl but you really have no strength love” he joked, unconsciously putting his arm around her shoulders before joining the rest of the group.

They were both smiling again and didn’t realize they were holding each other until it was time for them to go back to their seats. Y/N pinched her lips and went back on the bench next to Linda. She smiled at her and put a little kiss on her cheek. She felt safe here, with her friends around her, and there was nothing wrong with it. She was also not completely blind. It was a lot to take in. Linda knew about her feelings for Roger and she had met her friends, including him without any notice.

“So how long have you been together?” Veronica asked

“Well…” Y/N started

“It’s actually our first month anniversary tomorrow” Linda answered, taking Y/N’s hand inside hers under the table

“Isn’t it sweet” Freddie said “I think that’s the first time she’s been with someone for so long love. That’s good. She always looked like she was waiting for something…”

There was an uneasy look among the boy and everybody noticed it. The innuendo wasn’t well disguised. Y/N was probably the only one clueless amongst them, she thought he was talking about love, he was clearly talking about Roger. If she was now aware of her feelings she didn’t think it was obvious to everybody else. The sadness was back in the drummer’s eyes.

“I guess it was worth the wait” Linda answered jokingly, tightening her grip on Y/N’s hand. “She just needed someone to see how amazing she was”

“We all know how amazing Y/N is. We wouldn’t  be here otherwise” Roger answered, tensed

“Technically you’re on tour most of the time right?” Linda replied, looking right into his eyes

“We’ve been friends for years now. She knows we’ll always be here for her no matter what.” he snapped at her 

Y/N was not a fan of how things were going. First of all Linda was crushing her hand under the table and she didn’t like it. She quickly removed it and grabbed her glass. Furthermore, she hated how everybody was talking about her when was right in front of them.

“Why I wasn’t dating beforehand is none of your business and I don’t need to see my friends everyday to they’re here for me. Thank you very much for your concern but I’m doing just fine” Y/N said

John was now coming back too and looked at the silent group. The atmosphere had clearly changed. Thanks to Freddie though they found something new to talk about and the conversation went on as before. Y/N saw Roger whispering a sorry in her direction and Linda smiling at her, trying to see if everything was fine. Y/N was tired, she had had a long day and all the emotions were a lot to take in and thanks for her the bell from the bar was telling them it was time to go. They all gathered their things and said their goodbyes. Once again Y/N thanked her friends for coming to see her and for this amazing night. She wished them the best for the rest of the tour.

“You’re going back to Linda’s place right?” Roger asked as he was lighting a cigarette outside

“Yes… I just… I thought it would be easier for you to have place to rest while you were back” Y/N replied

“Thank you Y/N. That’s really thoughtful. And thank you for what you did with the flat, I really like it.”

“Y/N ! Taxi is here!” Linda shouted behind them

“I have to go” Y/N sadly said ‘But Roger promise me something.”

“Yes?”

“Enjoy the rest of the tour ok? This is all you’ve ever wanted. That and money and it’s finally coming in right?” she joked

“I promise” he smiled “If you promise me you’ll be here to hear all about it.”

“Of course. I’ll always be here for you when you come back Roger. I promise” Y/N said before waving at him and joining Linda in the taxi.

She closed her eyes as soon as the vehicle was moving, completely exhausted. She needed time to reflect on that night. Her eyes still closed she thanked Linda for being here.

“I’m sorry it was so unexpected” she said “But I’m so happy you got to meet them all. It means a lot to me.”

“They’re all so crazy, but that doesn’t surprise me. I like them, especially Freddie.”

“I could have bet on it” Y/N joked

“When are they finishing the tour?” Linda asked

“End of April I think”

“You can come and live with me then if you want to. Roger will probably want his place back.”

This time Y/N opened her eyes to look at her girlfriend. She was more confused than she had ever been in her life. She wasn’t expecting it, at all. Of course everything was going well between them but it was still so soon. And she wanted to say yes, because she really liked Linda and she was bringing her so much. But at the same time it made her realise that she would have to live Roger’s apartment, and forget about her feeling for him once and for all. And that was terrifying.

Permanent taglist: @reedusteinrambles

YMB(S)F Taglist: @rogxrtaylxr