#alex shelley one shot

[letsgivethisonemoreshot]

ShellShocked

After playing around with the idea of a best friends to lovers story in my head for a while, I woke up with this thought yesterday morning. It is 100% @unlikelywrestlingfan fault. So I wrote it down for her.

Summary: Trying to get ready for his next show, Alex asks his long time friend if she wouldn't mind helping him out with a move he's been thinking about.

Warnings: Language, Usage of real name due to one line I really fell in love with and had to write.

“Hey Ellie,” Patrick began as he entered his living room. “If you’re not busy today would you mind helping me out with something?”

“What did you need help with?” She asked as she turned her attention from the t.v. to her friend.

“I need to do a spot at the next show with a girl, but I don’t want it to be the same things I’ve done before. I want it to be different. I was hoping you’d try some things out with me.”

“Or you could just stop beating up women,” She joked.

“Nah. Easy way to get cheap heat.”

“Since when does Patrick Martin take the easy way out?” She asked as she leaned more forward on the couch.

“Never. Alex Shelley on the other hand…here and there,” He laughed. “So are you gonna help me or not?”

“Sure. Just take it easy on me. Remember I’m not trained for this shit.”

Ellie put the remote down on the couch and stood up. This wasn’t the first time she helped him work through some idea he had in mind for his wrestling career, probably wouldn’t be the last either. He took off his hat and tossed it onto the sofa as he met her in the middle of the room. She stood in front of him with her hands resting on her hips waiting. She could see the wheels turning in his head as his eyes were glancing up at the ceiling, temporarily lost in thought.

“So what are we doing?” Ellie finally asked.

“Okay. I was thinking instead of attacking her directly like I usually do, we could do a thing where she runs in trying to help him, but then I grab her and make her watch him getting destroyed by the crew. I just need to figure out the logistics to make it run smoothly. Alright, I think I got it. Slap me.”

“What?” Ellie asked caught off guard by his request.

“Just act like you’re going to slap me. It’ll be fine,” He assured.

“Okay,” She said, still unsure about it.

Ellis brought her arm back then swung forward, hoping the little force she planned on using would be good enough. She was surprised when he caught her wrist midair. Before she could ask him what his next move was, he spun her around calculating the movements so that the arm of the wrist he was holding was across her chest and pinning her other arm down by her side when he pulled her against him before tightening his grip slightly. She gasped when her back met her chest. His other hand went to her hair, being gentle on his friend as he moved it to the side.

“So from here I can grab onto the hair to move her head in any direction. I can fuck around with his head while he’s getting the shit beat out of him by holding his girl and making comments. I could even lick her face, or along here,” He explained as he gentle traced his fingers along the side of her neck. “They love that sick shit there.”

“Do not lick me,” Ellie warned sternly.

“I won’t. Not unless you ask nicely.” He laughed with a wink.

He let go of her wrist and the two quickly made some space between them. Ellie gently rubbed her wrist as she turned back towards him. Not that it was hurting in any way, she just felt like she had to.

“So, what do you think?” Patrick asked as he stuck his hands into his cargo short pockets.

“I think maybe you should leave that company before they corrupt you completely.” She joked as she sat back sown on the couch, pulling her legs up. “Are you sure she’ll be okay with that?”

“Pretty sure based off our history. But I’ll go over all of it with them first and adjust it however I have to.”

She nodded at him. “Sounds good to me then. Different than before, but still along the same lines. I think it’s definitely going to get the reaction you want.

“Thanks,” He smiled shyly, somewhat proud she approved of his idea. “Hey, lunch should be ready by now. Do you want to come with me to pick it up or hang out here?”

“No thanks. I’ll stay here and pic the movie. I don’t trust you to do it after the last one you made me sit through,” She answered as she grabbed the remote.

“Hey! I have great taste!”

“In food yes. In movies, no. Go pick up lunch,” Ellie said dismissing him as she began to scroll through movies on the television screen.

Patrick smiled slyly on his way out the door. Once she heard him get into his car and the engine turn on, Ellie wasn’t able to concentrate on the screen. She could only focus on the butterflies that were still fluttering around her stomach from when he had pulled her against him. And the way her skin tingled from where his fingers touched. She had kept this growing crush for her friend buried down deep inside. Not wanting to ruin what they had based on the lust filled ideas that filled her mind whenever he had his shirt off. But she didn’t know how much longer she could kid herself. This was no longer the “he’s kind of cute” thoughts she began developing long ago. They were growing stronger with each day they hung out together. The way her heart jumped when she’d see his name pop up on her phone went way past the feeling of friendship. And right now all she could focus on was how jealous she was of the girl he would be working with next weekend.

[the-chosen-none]

I have no real interest in mods aside from somewhat following the Frontier mess, but when I found out that the fairly popular old New Vegas Bounties mods included incredibly blatant references to Judge Holden and Glanton from Blood Meridian, plus a character named "Javier Sugar" who speaks several lines lifted straight from No Country for Old Men, I wanted to find out how many references to other things pop up throughout the three mods. Turns out, a LOT.

I identified some of them myself, but eventually when I realized how much time it would take for me to watch a whole playthrough or try it out myself, I decided to look up the rest on TV Tropes and put them all together in a list.

The aforementioned Judge Holden knock-off is also said to be seven-feet tall and is a child predator (though only technically implied to be in Holden's case)

The character literally named Glanton runs a group who goes around killing "tribals"

There's a character named Cormac, as in Cormac McCarthy

During the scene with "Javier Sugar", in addition to all the NCFOM quotes there's also a random quote from the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales thrown in there... to spice things up? IDK, the quote is something like "Dyin' ain't no way of livin', boy"

A character called "Harmonica" references one of the main characters of Once Upon a Time in the West

The ghoul Doc Friday references the historical figure Doc Holiday, and his revolver the Huckleberry references the famous quote from his depiction in the movie Tombstone, "I could be your huckleberry"

Marko's outfit seems to reference the character Loco from the movie The Great Silence.

The Frosthill segment of III is also lifted from The Great Silence, what with its Utah setting during the winter, the main character getting shot through the hand, and bounty hunters pretty much kill the whole town.

Aaron Flagg the cult leader seems to be inspired by Randall Flagg the Stephen King villain

The sniper Charlie Halfcocked references the U.S. Marine sniper during Vietnam, Carlos Hathcock, the previous record holder for the most kills

Tom Quigley references the movie Quigley Down Under, the titular character being played by Tom Sellick.

Enclave members Quantrill and Onoda, who keep fighting despite the Enclave's repeated defeats, are named after Confederate guerilla William Quantrill and WWII Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda, who did the same for their sides (okay, I thought that reference was pretty good)

Eileen the Fiend = serial killer Aileen Wuornos

Tony Idaho = Tony Montana from Scarface

Tommy the former Omerta enforcer who killed a made man references Tommy DeVito from Goodfellas

Alex and his gang in Freeside reference Alex DeLarge and his droogs from A Clockwork Orange

Freddie the ghoul = Freddy Krueger

Jack, former muscle for Heck Gunderson, references the villain Jack Wilson from Shane, his revolver is called "Shane's Bane"

Albert Quisling = Vidkun Quisling

Mario Barksdale = character from The Wire

Prometheus is named after the subtitle for Frankenstein: "The modern Prometheus", his Deathclaws are Mary and Shelley

Pancho Cortina = Pancho Villa

"Squirrelly" Bill Blasius references outlaw "Curly" Bill Brocius

Angel Lee is a combination of Angel Eyes from The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, and the actor Lee Van Cleef

Godwin, who mails out bombs, probably references Unabomber

Joe Frost = Edward Snowden

Guys fighting over treasure named Clint and Tuco

Fiend chem lab has characters Walter and Pinkman, references Breaking Bad

John Ramsey's body is put on display with a quote referencing the movie Unforgiven, "This is what happens to assassins/rangers around here".

Those are the ones that I either caught myself or saw other people list, if there's more, go ahead and add on.

Some of the historical references are kinda funny, though others are either tasteless (Aileen Wuornos) or eye-roll worthy (Carlos Hathcock = Charlie Halfcocked, GEDDIT IT'S A GUN JOKE), and the majority of the pop culture references are so blatant and so numerous that it gets annoying.

If I made my own mod or anything else, of course I too would love to stick in a bunch of references to the things I love, though I would try to be less obvious about them, put different spins on them, you know? You can't really judge mods to the same standard as the source, and I would be more forgiving if the rest of the mods didn't look like such an edgy slog.

[agent-cupcake]

*read horrorshow the nth time*

do you have any fav horror movies to recommend?

I've probably recommended all of these before but here we go again with the bad takes! Wahoo! OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD

The Exorcist - my most favorite horror movie ever. I don't think a lot of people find the actual spooky ghosty stuff scary (unsettling for sure) but the characters are next level and the production and acting are unmatched. Ellen Burstyn's performance as a mother losing her mind trying, and failing, to save her daughter is haunting. It also lead to me doing my best Greek grandmother impression whenever I say Dimi, so there is that.

Jacob's Ladder - an inspiration for the first Silent Hill, this movie portrays unreality as well as Perfect Blue. It's super disorienting and impactful, I watched it coming out of a project focusing on the Vietnam War and... yeah, it's pretty miserable. Although there is a lot of horrific imagery, t's a genuinely heart-breaking film in some places. The core of horror is trauma, right?

Hereditary - the ending is pretty scary, but the thing that stands out in this movie is how miserable it is. Like with the previous two I wouldn't recommend it on the fear factor, it's more of a character deconstruction through the lens of a horrifying situation. Alex Wolff's character is masterfully written and executed. Obviously I've never dealt with such severe trauma, but his response and mental decline is very relatable.

Midsommar - It's the cult movie. People say it's boring, I disagree, but it's not really scary either. More... uncomfortable. I love that the protagonist is already in such a vulnerable and destructive state. Like she's just not doing well. It's been a huge inspiration in my own writing, and Florence Pugh is lovely. Like with Anya Taylor-Joy, it was interesting to see her get so popular after being a contentiously reviewed horror movie.

Blair Witch Project - who hasn't seen this? It remains at the very top of the found footage genre for a reason, the entire thing is amazing. People say it's lost its luster with the oversaturation, but I disagree, the acting and style of the OG sets it apart.

The Witch - the first thing I ever saw Anya Taylor-Joy in before she was everywhere. Solid movie, it uses all period accurate dialogue. It's not my favorite from a horror standpoint, but the scenario alone is sickening enough to be a selling point. The dad character's actor has a nice voice, don't @ me.

Perfect Blue - there is nothing I could say about Perfect Blue that hasn't been said before, but it is a masterpiece. Watch it. If you like animation, if you like psychological studies, if you like feeling real icky, watch it. Just do it.

Se7en - more of a thriller I suppose, but it definitely works as a horror. It's up there with my faves and is another movie that's been an inspiration in my writing.

It Follows - I mention this because I was listening to the soundtrack, but its a beautifully shot film with a very strong aesthetic vision. It's the "demon STD" movie, which is dumb and imo pushes some really harmful narratives about STD's and I'd say that the far more impactful reading is sexual trauma.

Suspiria (2018) - I'm not one for body horror but there's a scene in this that just... woah. I've never seen the original but I know the new one is very different, and it's amazing. I might be alone in this but it's a shame Dakota Johnson is in such trash movies because I think she's so cute.

The Shining - another classic that must go on this list because it is, unironically, just that good. Shelley Duvall deserved better, that's a fact. That her performance was so fantastic is astounding to me. It's funny that people say that her reaction is unrealistic when that was her genuine reaction to being put in a traumatic situation. Amazing film, she is a star.

I'm definitely missing some movies but such is the way my brain doesn't work. Thank you for your time <3

[roadtogracelandx45]

Country Song Fic Requests

I am going to start with 25 for now and then go from there

Some of the songs have names by them but it doesn't mean I won't write another one shot to the same song. I do another list in the morning with other music on it. this is just the music I usually listen to when I am writing

Fandoms I write for:

Top Gun: Maverick: All

Elvis (bio pic)- Elvis

Supernatural: Dean, Sam and Cas

Sons of Anarchy: Jax, Opie, Juice, Chibs, Kozik

Triple Frontier- All

Four Brothers: All

The Mighty Ducks- All

Twilight- The Cullens, Jacob, Bella

Harry Potter- The Weasley Twins, The Golden Trio, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Cedric Diggory

One Chicago: Jay Halstead, Kelly Severide, Matt Casey, Adam Ruzek, Antonio Dawson, Gabby Dawson, Leslie Shay.

The Outsiders- All

The Fast and Furious- All

Band of Brothers- All

WWE- Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Triple H, Randy Orton, The Usos, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Drew McIntyre, Petey Williams, Roderick Strong, Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, Bobby Fish, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson

Game of Thrones: Robb Stark, Jon Snow

Lord of the Rings: The fellowship and the Oakensheild company

Law and Order SVU: All

Master of the Air- Rosie, Buck, Bucky

Newsies- Jack Kelly, Spot Colin, Davey, Mush, Blink

01. Strip It Down- Luke Bryan-

02. Little White Church- Little Big Town- Elvis/ Sylvie ,

03. Goodbye Girl- Luke Bryan- Jax/Ryder ,

04. Hey, I am Country Man- Luke Bryan

05. Do I?- Luke Bryan

06. Play It Again- Luke Bryan

07. Someone Else Calling You Baby- Luke Bryan

08. Home Alone Tonight- Luke Bryan

09. Small Town Throwdown- Brantley Gilbert

10, Move- Luke Bryan-

11. Drunk on You- Luke Bryan

12. Knockin' Boots- Luke Bryan

13. Crash My Party- Luke Bryan

14. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye- Luke Bryan

15. I Don't Want This Night To End- Luke Bryan

16. My Baby's Guns and Roses- Brantley Gilbert

17. Looking For Blue Eyes- Jesse Colter

18. Bottom's Up- Brantley Gilbert- Lewis Nixon

19. Girl Crush- Little Big Town

20. That's My Kind of Night -Luke Bryan

21. Don't You Want to Stay- Jason Aldean ft Kelly Clarkson

22. Cowboy Take Me Away- Dixie Chicks

23. Achy Breaky Heart- Billy Ray Cyrus

24. Friends In Low Places- Garth Brooks

25. Any Man of Mine- Shania Twain

26. Who’s Bed Have Your Boots Been Under- Shania Twain

[wrestlingisfake]

Hard to Kill preview

Alex Shelley vs. Moose - Shelley won the Impact men's world title in June; as of this week it's been rebranded as the TNA men's world title. Moose earned this title shot in September in a "feast or fired" match.

I'm honestly not sure there's any backstory to this match. The promotion basically went dark after December 9, and the weekly TV has been little more than clip shows and hype for the big rebranding from Impact back to TNA.

The match works without much context, though. Shelley was a mainstay with TNA from 2004 to 2012, as one of the young indy-riffic guys stuck in the midcard; since returning in 2020, he's been exalted as a veteran and a symbol of everything great about the promotion's history. Moose started with the company in 2016, a few months before Dixie Carter sold it to Anthem; he's been a mainstay ever since as they've gradually climbed out of a deep hole. In many respects, either of these men would make sense as the standard-bearer in this new era.

I don't see a title change happening here. When Shelley first won the title I figured it was a short-term thing until they could get it back on Josh Alexander, but they've seemed pretty committed to this run. My guess is that Moose is just here to give Shelley a statement win, so he can be standing tall at the end of the show when some hotter name debuts as a more serious contender. I don't know that TNA has anybody major coming in, but they made serious offers for CM Punk and Will Ospreay and didn't get either of them, so they probably spent that money on somebody...

Trinity vs. Jordynne Grace - Trinity is the defending TNA women's world champion. Grace won a "call your shot" battle royale in October to earn this match.

It's been exactly one year since Grace lost the title to Mickie James. When Mickie had to forfeit the belt due to injury, Deonna Purrazzo beat Grace to win the vacant title. Purrazzo then dropped the chammpionship to Trinity in July.

Trinity debuted with Impact/TNA back in April, almost a year after an acrimonious departure from WWE. Nevertheless, there's been a lot of rumblings about her returning to WWE very soon. Whether or not you put any stock in that, it's going to be the elephant in the room for this match.

Of course, even if Trinity is headed for the Royal Rumble in two weeks, that doesn't mean she has to lose this match. She could easily retain here and finish up at tomorrow's TV tapings. Or she could just stay in TNA. Or she could leave, but go to AEW or who-knows-where. But if I had to put money on it, I think the safest bet is on Grace winning the title.

Chris Sabin vs. El Hijo del Vikingo vs. KUSHIDA - This is a three-way bout for Sabin's TNA X division championship. Vikingo's AAA mega title is not at stake.

Originally, the X division was TNA's concept for showcasing smaller, flippier wrestlers without calling them "cruiserweights" or "junior heavyweights." De-emphasizing the weight classes worked out well for bringing in Samoa Joe, but eventually led to dopey storylines where Kevin Nash and Bully Ray wanted the belt because there was no rule that said they couldn't win it. At one point a weight limit was imposed to cut that shit out. Of late there's no sense that you have to be a particular size or work a particular style to be in contention for the X title. This match, though, is clearly about getting back to the tradition of flippy shit.

Sabin, who's been with the promotion for most of its 22 years, has held the X title ten times. Kushida was a six-time junior heavyweight champion in New Japan, but he's through being pigeonholed in that weight class so he's made TNA his new home. Vikingo is one of the flippiest flippy guys I've ever seen, which is saying a lot in an X division match. I'd say Vikingo would make a good titleholder for the new era, but he's signed to AEW and I'm not confident he'll be sticking around. I'm thinking Sabin retains.

Josh Alexander vs. Alex Hammerstone - Hammersone, who looks like Brock Lesnar and Pat McAfee had a baby, just entered free agency after a five-year run in MLW. Josh Alexander hasn't held a title for nearly a year, but at 36 he's clearly the guy you want to build the company around, since most of the other top acts are hitting 40. I assume Josh wins unless TNA thinks they can sign Hammerstone, or at least get him to commit to another match.

Ace Austin & Chris Bey vs. Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel vs. Mike Bailey & Trent Seven vs. Zack Gibson & James Drake - ABC (Austin & Bey) are defending the TNA men's tag team belts in a four-way. They won the belts from Wentz and Miguel (of the Rascalz). Seven debuted last month to team with Bailey in a winning effort against the Rascalz. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Gibson and Drake) are making their debut with the promotion after a lengthy run in NXT.

This is probably going to be a lot of action, but it probably won't matter how it turns out. No matter who wins, I expect these teams to see a lot of each other in the next couple of months. If I have to pick a winner, I guess I'll go with Gibson and Drake.

Alisha Edwards vs. Dani Luna vs. Gisele Shaw vs. Jody Threat vs. Tasha Steelz vs. Xia Brookside - This is a six-woman "ultimate X" match. The ring will have poles or scaffolding attached to the ring posts, so that two cables can be hung up, criss-crossing about ten feet above the mat. A prize is hung where the cables meet--it could be a briefcase, but it's typically a giant red "X". The first woman to recover the prize wins the match--other than that, there are no rules. The winner will earn a future women's world title match.

The women's division feels a little weak with Mickie James, Deonna Purrazzo, and (perhaps?) Trinity leaving. Masha Slamovich, Killer Kelly, Jessicka Havok, and Courtney Rush aren't booked for this show (so far) and I haven't seen TNA make a big deal out of re-signing any of them (yet). So it's probably time for one or two of the women in this match to step up as a top contender. Luna and Brookside, who came over after the shutdown of NXT UK, probably have the most long-term potential. I wouldn't sleep on Steelz, though.

Anyone could win this, really. It could be someone they're building up for a big push heading into the April PPV, or it could be someone they're just feeding to the champion next week on TV.

Dirty Dango vs. PCO - Dango is the wrestler formerly known as Fandango in WWE, but of late he's reinvented himself as a bitter veteran heel, because heaven knows we don't have enough of those in wrestling. PCO is the wrestler formerly known as Quebecer Pierre in WWE, but a few years back he reinvented himself as a Frankenstein monster, which is a much cooler idea. I'm pretty sure PCO wins, unless he's leaving the promotion soon.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Crazzy Steve - This is scheduled for the pre-show. Dreamer's TNA digital media title is on the line. I think I heard Steve turned on Black Taurus and got more edgelord-y than usual, but I haven't actually seen him in a long time. Dreamer probably still has value as an old-timer wrestler, but not as a champion. I'd give the belt to Steve, but I'm not counting on a title change.

Eric Young & Frankie Kazarian vs. Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers - Another pre-show match. Edwards used to lead the "entitled journeymen" stable Honor No More, and Myers used to be in an "entitled journeymen" tag team with Matt Cardona, and somewhere along the line they just got thrown together to complain about how the promotion doesn't appreciate them enough. EY and Kaz have been in and out of this company for twenty years; I feel like they used to be in a faction together but I don't care enough to look it up. This one could go either way.

Rich Swann vs. Steve Maclin - Still another pre-show match. Both of these guys have been Impact world champions, so I'm not sure what they're doing so far down the card. I'm guessing that only the winner of this match will get a chance to do something about that. I'm thinking Maclin wins.

[droptoeholdyourhorses]

Off to The Races

Oh, hey there. I just moved in. How's it going? Nice to meet you. My name is Mike but for the purposes of this site, it's Drop Toe Hold Your Horses. Catchy, right? I'm pretty much only here at the insistence of @obsoleteobsessor but as time goes on, I will be searching out wrestling and The Simpsons content. Not The Simpsons Wrestling content. Dreadful PS1 game.

If Drop Toe Hold Your Horses is too long, feel free to use DTHYH, DTYH, or even DYH. If you think that last one doesn't make sense, I direct you to the Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin t-shirt from 2007, that referred to the Motor City Machine Guns as the MMG.

I should also point out I don't condone violence of any kind towards actual, real-life horses. Violence towards make-believe, fictional horses? Absolutely! I shot an imaginary horse once.

When I was 16, I was studying Drama & Theatre and one lesson was dedicated to Mime. None of us gave it much thought once the hour was up, apart from one girl, who arrived at the next session riding an imaginary horse. She then tied the horse to an imaginary post, removed its imaginary saddle, and fed it an imaginary carrot. Amusing at first, not so much when it's seven weeks later and she's still committed to the bit.

Unfortunately, around that seven week mark, the girl tripped up as she was making her entrance. People were quick to check on her but not the horse, who I imagined was having a hard time getting back up. As the girl returned to her feet and dusted herself off, her horse stayed down. I mentioned to the girl that I thought the horse had broken its leg and if she knew what that meant. She did not. I cocked my imaginary shotgun and attempted to put the imaginary horse out of its imaginary misery.

The girl was quite distressed over my actions until the following week, I told her I had taken the horse to an imaginary hospital and that it had made a full imaginary recovery. However, to avoid any future incidents, we agreed the horse should probably stay in its imaginary stable going forward.

Now that I'm older, I have a better understanding of the bond between a person and their horse-that-isn't-a-horse. I have two hobby horses called Douglas & Elsie McGuire, and they've been happily married since 2017.

Anyway, I've gone on long enough. I better finish unpacking. See you around.

[mayhemproduces]

Joshua Bishop (c) vs Jade Suzuki - MPW World Championship

The day Jade Suzuki came into MPW was a shocking one, to say the least, but nothing could have prepared us for what came next. Going undefeated for close to six months; beating Alex Shelley, Sardonyx, and VENY, among other notable names. Luring Lacey into Death Row and aiding them in finally conquering the Chaos Cup. And now, standing toe to toe with the Intense Icon himself, the MPW World Championship on the line. While we can’t imagine what Thunder in Paradise will look like if Jade were to win this, you shouldn’t look past this one - and we’re off! They come slugging it out straight out of the gate, going ham with forearm shots to one another’s faces! Suzuki is eventually able to get Bishop in the corner, lifting him up with some sick sounding chops. Bishop fights back, getting himself out of the corner, but Suzuki is still swinging at him. Bishop backs her up into the corner, but Suzuki reverses, lighting him up with more chops, Bishop’s skin already turning a light shade of red, before Suzuki backs up, finally giving Bishop some room to breathe, and tells him to bring it! And Bishop does, walloping Suzuki with a huge forearm before wrapping her up in a headlock. Suzuki quickly brings them to the ropes, pushing Bishop off, but the champion floors her with a shoulder tackle! Bishop wipes down Suzuki and runs the ropes, picking up steam for another, but Suzuki strikes with a huge big boot! She shoves Bishop into the corner with a high placed chop, landing another in the corner before she clinches Bishop. Holding his head to her chest as she batters him with rising knees to the chest, pummeling his lungs and his torso. Once Bishop can break free and shove her back, he comes at her with forearms, slamming his arm into her jaw with rapid speed, but Suzuki fires back with a WICKED chop, dropping Bishop to a knee! Suzuki lets off more knife edge chops, keeping Bishop at bay as he tries to fight back. Usually, we see Bishop chopping the hell out of people, as he’s very heavy handed himself, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen him in this much peril, especially straight out of the gate like this, but win, lose, or draw, Jade Suzuki is making sure Bishop walks out of the arena with his chest turned into hamburger!

As the chops keep coming, Suzuki switches it up, and slaps Bishop across the face! She boots him down before putting him on the ropes, more chops, before Suzuki starts to alternate between arms, battering his jaw with forearm smashes. As Bishop’s arms begin to droop at his side, we can see his chest is already bright red and beginning to bleed, as Jade has popped some blood vessels in record time. But now, Suzuki backs up, watching Bishop struggle to get up, using the ropes, before booting him back down. She grabs the leg, drawing him away from the ropes, and she sinks into a Cobra Clutch. Going from a hard hitting slugfest to a tightly placed submission, Bishop is already struggling to breathe. We know he isn’t going tp tap out here, but there’s only so much the human body can withstand before it gives out. Bishop tries to crawl to the ropes and tries to reverse the pressure. But Suzuki rolls him onto his stomach. She releases her hold around the neck to tie up the legs, grabs Bishop’s throat, and rocks back into a Bow and Arrow stretch! One of Suzuki’s favorites, as it targets the ribs, the spine, and makes it so difficult to breathe. On a big man like Bishop, it’s a little more awkward to hold it in, but Suzuki holds it for as long as she can, and Bishop starts to fight out. He powers out of the hold and gets back to his feet, but Suzuki catches him with another ferocious chop! Bishop turns around from the force of that one, holding his bruised chest, and Suzuki nails him with a forearm to the back of the neck! She turns Bishop back around, and the champion lights her up with shots to the gut! He’s fighting back, but Suzuki lands an elbow strike! Bishop grabs her by the back of the head and rams his elbow into her face repeatedly - but Suzuki does the same! Another slugfest in the middle of Club La Vela! They’re as evenly matched here as one can get, and Suzuki breaks it up by twisting Bishop’s arm over her head, nailing him with a huge chop! Bishop goes down, but Suzuki still has a grip on his wrist. She stands above him for a moment before pushing Bishop onto his stomach and wrapping him up in an STF Camel Clutch. Tied up like this, Bishop’s got pressure on his neck down to his tailbone, with Suzuki wrenching back as deeply as she can get it- but Bishop doesn’t look hurt. He’s pissed.

Bishop’s staring daggers ahead as Suzuki wrenches back on her hold, but it’s only a matter of moments before Bishop is able to pick the two of them up, getting Suzuki off him, and nailing her with huge elbows to the face! Suzuki quickly ducks and buries him in the corner, more clinched knee strikes quickly popping off before Suzuki grabs him, spins, and tosses him into the turnbuckles with an exploder suplex! Suzuki rolls back, getting to her feet - but Bishop is right there! He turns her inside out with a HUGE Clothesline! Despite all the punishment he’s taken, Bishop is still alive and fighting! He picks Jade up and starts to pound her chest in with hard chops, lighting her up with them. Suzuki falls back to the ropes, holding her chest, before charging Bishop - but he scoops her up, planting her with a Black Hole Slam! Bishop grabs her by the throat, hoisting Suzuki off the mat, wanting to follow up with a Chokeslam, but Suzuki kicks him right on the ribs! Bishop flinches, setting Suzuki down on her feet, and Suzuki fires off one massive forearm! Knocking Bishop back, and she brings the fight back to his door step, firing off several big forearms, but Bishop throws his own back. It’s a test of soul, a test of who can hit harder, who wants it more. Suzuki is able to duck one of Bishop’s shots and slip behind him, tossing the champion with a German suplex - but Bishop gets right back up! He won’t stay down! Bishop gets back up and charges Suzuki, but she catches him with a STIFF forearm! Bishop’s momentum suddenly halts, and he falls back, body suddenly limp. But he bounces back, and CLOBBERS Suzuki with a massive Pump kick! Suzuki just about gets decapitated, and does a little flip! Bishop turns her over, hooking both legs, trying to retain!

1… 2… Kickout!

That’s arguably been Bishop’s best shot of the match so far, and it’s done one hell of a job of flooring the challenger. Now, Bishop tries to send her down to hell with a Chokeslam, but Suzuki fires off elbows to the side of the head before he can lift her this time. Once Bishop’s grip begins to falter, Suzuki breaks free and gets on Bishop’s back, locking him into a rear naked choke! She’s got it locked in deep, dead center in the ring. Bishop tries to fight it off, tries to break the grip, but he drops to a knee. The champion is fading, and fading quickly, and Suzuki releases the hold to set him up for a Gotch Style Piledriver - but Bishop scoops her up, and rams her into the turnbuckles with a Death Valley Driver! Bishop squashes Suzuki and now sends her to the ropes, scooping her up, on the rebound, and planting her with a MASSIVE Black Hole Slam! The mat shakes off that one, and Bishop drops into the cover!

1… 2… Kickout!

Lifting Suzuki up, she’s all but deadweight until Bishop shoves her back, looking for another Pump kick, but she moves! She grabs Bishop by the waist for a suplex, but Bishop elbows that off, shoving her back. Bishop charges - but Suzuki scoops him up! She’s got Bishop on her shoulders! Suzuki charges towards the corner, dumping Bishop with a HUGE Buckle Bomb! Bishop hits hard and stumbles towards the middle of the ring, all the while Suzuki hits the ropes, knocking him down with a huge big boot! Bishop’s down, and Suzuki flattens him with a senton! Suzuki covers!

1… 2… Kickout!

Sitting back on her knees, Suzuki kneels above him, picking Bishop up with a firm hand around the jaw, before slapping the ever loving shit out of him! It sounded like Bishop just got smacked by a frying pan! Holy shit! Despite how hard that hit him, a grin spreads over Bishop’s face, his eyes sparkling with the love of this brand of violence, before throwing back one hell of a forearm back at her. Suzuki responds with a stiff, heavy handed shot, and they end up battling all the way to their feet. Still going hard, putting in everything they’ve got behind these shots. Suzuki ducks a shot from Bishop and grabs the arm, reaching around for the other, and she lifts Bishop up in one fluid motion, slamming him down onto his tailbone in the next. She flattens him on his stomach, going from the Full Nelson bomb into the Rings of Saturn, and sinching it in DEEP. There’s nowhere for Bishop to go, and he’s locked inside one of the most dangerous holds in Suzuki’s arsenal, and maybe all of wrestling! Let’s not forget how many arms and shoulders have been lost to the Rings of Saturn, and with Bishop suffering an arm injury not too long ago, that makes this an even more volatile situation for the champion. But he wouldn’t be the MPW World Champion if he intended to give up. Not now, maybe not ever. Seeing there’s no easy way to get to the ropes, Bishop decides instead to maneuver his hips until his legs are under him. And With Suzuki still hanging onto his shoulders, Bishop stands up. He charges towards the corner, wanting to drive Suzuki into it, but she’s able to put her feet on the ropes and kick Bishop back, forgoing the submission to save herself. But in the end, it doesn’t matter, and Bishop jumps up and SLAMS the top of his noggin into Suzuki’s chin, rocking her with a giant headbutt! Suzuki starts to fall off the ropes when Bishop grabs her, prying her off the ropes, and tosses her with the Bishop Bomb! But Bishop drops to his knees, holding his arm. He crawls into the cover, throwing his arm across Suzuki’s chest, trying to retain!

1… 2… KICKOUT!

Picking Suzuki up, Suzuki nails him with a big forearm! Bishop stumbles back, and Suzuki waves him on, barking at him to come on before she clobbers him with another HUGE forearm! Bishop drops to the mat, and Suzuki is on him in a matter of moments. Sitting on him and holding him down so she can rain down vicious elbows, trying to beat him into submission, into giving up his title, before turning him over and locking him back into the Rear Naked Choke. If Bishop won’t stay down for three, Suzuki is going to choke him out. And choke him out she just might. Suzuki picks him up, wanting to swing Bishop into a deep body scissor, but Bishop throws her off! She scrambles back to her feet, throwing what would be a big boot at Bishop, but he moves out of the way, and rocks her with a colossal forearm! Bishop is back on his feet and raining down elbows at Suzuki. She tries to cover up, but it’s no use. Bishop chops her on the back of the neck, then nails her with a huge forearm to the base of the skull! Suzuki’s out on her feet as Bishop lifts her up, tosses her to the ropes, and plants her with a HUGE Black Hole Slam! Hand around the throat, Bishop hoists her up, and plants her with a ring shaking Chokeslam! Bishop beats his chest before lifting her up one more time, and tossing Suzuki with a huge Bishop Bomb! This is it, Bishop retains! Deep cover!

1… 2… KICKOUT!

NO! SUZUKI KICKS OUT!

Bishop springs to his feet and runs the ropes, diving into Suzuki and CLOBBERING her with a huge forearm to the back of the head! Suzuki goes down, and Bishop rolls her over, cradling her for another deep cover! Is this it?!

1… 2… 3!

“Here is your winner, and STILL MPW World Champion, JOSHUA BISHOP!”

Bishop does it! He retains!

But there’s no time to celebrate! Before Bishop can even grab the title from the referee, he’s attacked from behind by Lacey Karmens! They’re taking the fight to Bishop!

Eventually their brawl ends up on the outside platform of the ring, with Lacey beating down Bishop. They back up, charging towards him for the San Fran Bicycle knee - but Bishop scoops them up! He charges towards the railing, and tosses Lacey into the pool! Lacey’s going for a swim! They’re flopping, trying to get their footing in the water, as Bishop stands tall! And that’s all for tonight, folks! We’ll see you back in the Boardwalk Beach Resort one more time for Thunder in Paradise, next Sunday! See you then!

[project1939]

200 Films of 1952

Only 20 films to go now!

Film number 180: Meet Danny Wilson

Release date: April 1st, 1952 

Studio: Universal 

Genre: musical 

Director: Joseph Pevney 

Producer: Leonard Goldstein 

Actors: Frank Sinatra, Shelley Winters, Alex Nicol 

Plot Summary: Small time crooner Danny Wilson makes a deal with a gangster to fast-track his career. He becomes a huge success overnight, but things get complicated when Danny and his obsessively loyal friend Mike both fall for the same girl... and she has her own ties to the gangster.  

My Rating (out of five stars): *** 

I was really curious to see this one, because it's notoriously hard to find, and there are legendary stories about how much Sinatra and Winters hated each other. Like screaming matches and throwing things kind of hate! The film turned out to be interesting in a few ways, even if it is far from great. It’s a musical with an unusually dark side and a love triangle that ends in a unexpected way. Amazingly, the spite the two leads felt for each other didn’t translate to the screen. (Spoilers!)

The Good: 

Frank Sinatra. Of course his singing was lovely, but his acting really stood out as well. It’s not surprising that his Oscar winning turn in From Here to Eternity was only a year away. I especially liked his lighter moments in the film, he had a very natural almost boyish playfulness that I found charming. 

The music! There was a lot of music in this, but it wasn’t only quantity- the quality of the material and the performances were top notch. It was basically a greatest hits selection. 

Shelley Winters. I enjoyed seeing a lighter side of her as well. Although her role required more serious drama as the film went on, I liked seeing her play something that wasn’t a tragedy. Her smiling jovial side was pretty irresistible. 

This musical had a darker edge that was nothing like the MGM musicals Sinatra starred in previously. It didn’t always work, but I appreciated that the attempt was made. 

The love triangle played out differently than I expected, which impressed me. 

The cameo of Tony Curtis and Jeff Chandler in a nightclub scene was fun. Even if he is on screen for three seconds, Chandler still makes me swoon a little! 

I loved that the penultimate scene was actually filmed on location at Wrigley Field. 

The Bad: 

Seeing a 37-year-old unhealthily thin-looking Sinatra being portrayed as a hot new teen idol felt kind of ridiculous to me. Yes, he certainly was back in the 30s and 40s, but it felt like a stretch for 1952. 

I adore Raymond Burr, but he didn’t work as a threatening gangster for me. There was nothing wrong with his performance per se, he’s a great actor. He just didn’t seem intimidating enough. 

The character Mike was kind of blah and milquetoast. The actor who played him, Alex Nicol, was appealing, and I understand why Joy fell for him, but the script gave him little to work with. 

The visual look of the film overall was kind of non-descript and pedestrian. The “growing success” montages were laughable trope-fests! The musical performances were also not very creatively staged or shot. The only one that stands out in my memory is the duet between Sinatra and Winters. 

Sometimes things felt a bit disjointed in tone- there was just an element of something not clicking overall. 

The plot was also pretty implausible on multiple fronts. One example? When you kill the head gangster of a local mob, your problem’s solved for life, right? Nobody else will ever come after you... right? 

The fact that Mike got shot in the back from only a few feet away and managed to survive was a most miraculous preposterous recovery. 

[anthonysstupiddailyblog]

Anthony’s Stupid Daily Blog (450): Sat 10th Jun 2023

Today while I was (pretending to be) working my manager came over to tell me that today was the one year anniversary of me starting work at the factory! I know it's a cliche but fucking hell how time sure does fly. Whenever I reach milestones like this or birthdays or New Year I always think of a quite from the novel Go Ask Alice in which one of the characters says "Time seems so endless but moves so fast" and I don't think a truer statement has ever been made about life. retty much every day that I've worked at this place I've gone to my work station knowing that I've got a 10 hour shift ahead of me wondering what the hell I'm going to think about in order to pass the time. As the seconds, minutes and hours tick away it feels like the day is never going to end and then all of a sudden I've been there for a whole fucking year! I really can't get aross just how grateful I stumbled into this job quite randomly. After realizing that I'd made a huge mistake in working for the bank I came home one day feeling incredibly depressed but for some reason some long lost region of my brain prompted me to check to see if there were any factory jobs going in the area and to my amazement there was one so I applied for it and received an interview the next day which lasted less than a minute, consisted of hardly any questions and they told me that they wanted me to start in a weeks time. I doubt that I will ever get a job so easily again but I don't know that I want another job because although factory work is boring as shit that's exactly what I want. I never want another job where I have to talk to customers either face to face or on the phone or on WhatsApp or whatever holographic technology Meta is going to punish customer service workers with next. I've always wanted a job that was so god damn brainless that you can do it without even thinking and spend your entire shift daydreaming. Some people may say this smacks of a lack of ambition but as I've previously said I hate people so I don't care what those cunts say. I still haven't been made permanent yet but I'm hoping that I will be because this is quite simply the greatest job I have ever had I checked out last night's Impact Slammiversary show and was delighted to see that Alex Shelley won the world title. I've followed Impact since year two and I've watched as talented performer after talented performer has been denied their chance at the top (or even the lower mid card) so it's great to see that they've given Shelley a shot with the main prize. There are so many wrestlers (not just in Impact but in WWE as well) who I feel were around for so long and worked so hard but never got a run with the belt that I think the companies could have just given them a title run as a thank you more than anything. Mr Perfect, William Regal, Earthquake, Umaga, A-Train, Brian Kendrick (Before he was outed as a mental holocaust denier), Damien Sandow the list goes on. Just give them a go with the belt and if it doesn't work just take it off them again and at the very least they'll be able to tell their kids they were the world champion once.

[doublearmbars]

fic: contact sport

Summary: a patchwork of media documenting the first couple months of MJF's tenure after being traded to the Red Wings in the middle of the night for nothing.

Notes: I’m a certified hockey enjoyer and this is drawn from a lot of stuff I enjoy but in particular: the You Can’t Do That podcast, the work of Jon Bois and Alex Rubenstein on the Youtube channel Secret Base, and the stupid postgame rituals that NHL teams have established to give a fun item to a new special man every game. I might write more in this AU if i ever get a handle on writing the POV of either of these snippy bitches but I do have a Blackpool Combat Club hockey thing i'm plugging away at.

On ao3 here

From a Youtube video by Secret Base- "Best in the world and you know it" A Dorktown Short Film

[narration]

So he got traded to the Red Wings in the middle of the night, knowing he’ll never be back to the hometown golden boy, that he’ll die up there on that godforsaken lake, his words not mine.

You might expect his story to end there, in despair. After all these Red Wings are not a Stanley Cup team, hell they’re not even a playoff team.

Except, it doesn’t end there. Not by a long shot. But to tell you that story, I have to take a sidebar to talk about a different hometown golden boy.

The screen zooms out from the announcement of the trade to show a large chart with multiple boxes, and next to the labeled vertical headshot of Maxwell Jacob Friedman another is revealed, this one of a tired eyed young man with mid-length bleached hair, his dark roots showing. He’s sneering at the camera, and wearing a jersey for the Chicago hockey team.

[narration]

You might know him.

____________________

From the Be Gay Take Penalites Podcast Ep 145 Little Caesar’s Gay Fight Club

Can you have shit in Detroit? Can love bloom on the battlefield? Your intrepid hosts Kelsey and PJ journey to find these answers and more as we recap the week in hockey. Also: we take a hard stance on goalie crime (it’s good) and return for another round of 80’s news chyrons.

PJ: Okay on to elsewhere in the NHL, I wanna talk about Detroit and MJF and my favorite old bitch. They’re so- they’re like unlikely animal friends

[Kelsey laughs]

PJ: it’s like an old dog and a shithead cat became friends. Am I wrong? Am I wrong.

Kelsey: No- no you’re- [wheezing laughter] they’re besties but they also hate each other is the vibe.

PJ: Truly like when Max got traded I was like-

Kelsey (crosstalk): You went on Twitter immediately like-

PJ: Yeah I tweeted-let me find it- I tweeted “Brooks looking at MJF like he’s himself from 12 years ago and hating it” and then that one picture from a postgame interview where he looks just completely hollowed out inside like he can’t even summon his Scorpio urge to complain.

[both laugh]

Kelsey: Like not even the intense energies of notorious old married couple Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin can fix this situation.

PJ: And! And they were a defense pair in the win last night.

Kelsey: Max plays defense?

PJ: Did you not- I forget you hate the Isles. Yeah coaching moved him to defense to- I think to punish him it’s unclear and stupid but he appears to be thriving? Which I love for him. He did play defense in juniors to be fair.

Kelsey: No, being fueled by spite we love that. Keep me posted on those two. I wanna bring up the goalie crimes from this week...

PJ: Oh god we have to talk about Bryan.

___________________________________

Video posted by the Red Wings official twitter.

The locker room of the Red Wings after a home win, with most players having taken off their jerseys and sitting around either shirtless or in compression shirts. There is background chatter that quiets when Maxwell Jacob Friedman stands up, hair a mess with sweat from the game. He's holding a fireman's helmet, this season's relic to pass between the player whose performance was best. He gestures across the room,

"Punk"

and the camera swings to show the man he's called out, still in his skates, who rises, crosses the room and takes the helmet from him a little snappily, then raises his other hand to acknowledge the rest of the locker room

The rest of the locker room claps heartily and lets out a rising communal "ooh" like children when someone in their class is called to the principal's office.

They shake hands. We see him say something in MJF's ear, but the audio doesn't pick it up. Lip readers on Twitter claim he says "nobody calls me that anymore"

The response comes through clearly though: "Well I am."

[solutionpiner]

Roh supercard of honor 2016

ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2016 FULL

ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2016 PROFESSIONAL

ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2016 SERIES

He tapes it up and without missing a beat darts back towards his opponent and pummels him into the canvas. Young boy Adam Page actually has to leave ringside to retrieve some medical supplies for Roderick’s hand. Blood is flowing with Strong having seemingly suffered a cut hand…which doesn’t stop him sweeping Ced out of the corner and catching his head on the top turnbuckles. Alexander doesn’t back down from a fight though, holding his own with Strong in the early exchanges then happily getting in his face even whilst all his team-mates hop up onto the apron looking to intimidate him. Will the 10+ year veteran of this promotion win out, or will the up-and-comer score a popular victory over his tormentor?Īll of The Decade (including Adam Page) are at ringside with Roddy. Alexander has continued to be bullied by The Decade ever since, but has refused to back down – and taken great pleasure in repeatedly delivering the Lumbar Check to opponents right in front of Roddy. Roddy accused him of move-stealing, and ejected him from the locker room at the next live event in Texas. It was back in January that Cedric raised the ire of The Decade when he defeated Andrew Everett with the Lumbar Check – a backbreaker finish – right in front of Roderick Strong. This is a grudge match we’ve been waiting months to see. Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino are in position in New Orleans, LA. Kevin Steen and Michael Elgin collide with IWGP Heavyweight Title #1 contendership at stake, Jay Lethal gets his rematch for Tommaso Ciampa’s Television Title, Mark Briscoe and Michael Bennett meet in a No DQ Match, and we also have the long-awaited showdown between Roderick Strong and Cedric Alexander. The card is a strong one from top to bottom, and is headed up by Ladder War 5 – pitting Adam Cole against Jay Briscoe with the World Championship at stake.

ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2016 FULL

Much like last year they only have one full live show, with their second offering being a TV taping, so this is their big shot to impress new fans, wow the wrestling press, and amaze their hardcore fans who have opted for their event rather than the multiple competing options they could have gone for. Here we go with Ring Of Honor’s contribution to the annual carnival of wrestling that is WrestleMania weekend. Jay White (c) vs.ROH 350 – Supercard Of Honor 8 – 4th April 2014 Marty Scurll for the ROH World Championship The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) in a Ladder match for the ROH World Tag Team Championshipĭalton Castle (c) vs. The Hardys ( Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) (c) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns ( Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH World Championship Jay Briscoe for the ROH World ChampionshipĪdam Cole (c) vs. Roderick Strong for the ROH World Championship Roderick Strong for the ROH World ChampionshipĮddie Edwards (c) vs. Jerry Lynn for the ROH World Championship Muscle Outlaw'z ( Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino and Genki Horiguchi) in a Dragon Gate rules match Typhoon (CIMA, Dragon Kid and Ryo Saito) vs. Typhoon ( Dragon Kid and Ryo Saito) and Masaaki Mochizuki in a Dragon Gate rules match Typhoon ( CIMA and Susumu Yokosuka) and Shingo vs. The event returned in 2022 with Supercard of Honor XV. The 2019 event used the modified "G1 Supercard" name as it was co-produced with New Japan Pro-Wrestling.Īfter annually running from 2006-2019 (with the exception of 2012), the event took a two year hiatus, as Supercard of Honor XIV had been scheduled to take place on Apwith some matches having already been announced, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and no Supercard of Honor event took place in 2021 because of the lingering pandemic. The only deviations so far have been the 20 Supercards, which were held about a month after WrestleMania weekend. The shows are sometimes two-day events, traditionally taking place on Friday nights and/or Saturday afternoons, and are held either in or nearby the same city as that year's WrestleMania. Supercard of Honor has been a yearly tradition since 2006. based promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), and primarily takes place during the weekend of WWE's annual flagship WrestleMania' pay-per-view.

ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2016 PROFESSIONAL

ROH Supercard of Honor is a pay-per-view professional wrestling event annually presented by the U.S.

ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2016 SERIES

Professional wrestling pay-per-view event series ROH Supercard of Honor

[ambootyos]

Realize Pt. 2

Part One

A/N: Maybe a part 3? Idk.

Word Count: 1,628

Tags: @originalbish98 @thegenericluchadora @theprestigious0ne @reigns420 @laziestgirlintheworld @baybayforlife @bolieve-that @wrestlingismyguiltypleasure @sheaxdevitt @earl-01 @i-ship-it-okay @breakfastwiththesun @littleblueghostspoon @dorkyvillain @thedeboniardevistation

“Is something wrong?”

Chris asked, sounding worried. I let out a sigh, and nodded slightly, before pulling away from him to sit on the bed. He sat next to me, and frowned, as he took my hand in his, waiting for me to explain.

“Look Chris, I want you to know, I’m really sorry. But..I-I think I may have started to feel something for someone else.” I admitted.

I wanted to keep Alex’s name out of it. He was drunk. He didn’t know what he was doing, but it didn’t change the fact, that I felt something for him, I kissed him back.

His face fell. “Wha-how-umm..when?” He choked out, his voice cracking.

I rubbed my eyes. “I don’t know..it just kinda happened, I didn’t plan on it. I didn’t expect it, and I most definitely didn’t want this to happen. But it did, and I didn’t wanna keep it from you.”

He nodded, and took a deep breath, I felt horrible. I never intended to hurt him. “Well..who is this guy? A-Are you gonna act on these feelings?” He asked, a pained tone in his voice.

I hadn’t even given any thought to what I was gonna do about it. I couldn’t hurt Chris anymore. He’d be crushed if he knew it was Alex. I shook my head, and sighed. “No, I’m not gonna act on them. And, I’m not gonna tell you who the guy is. It’s not his fault. I just..I didn’t wanna continue this, if I’m falling for someone else. It’s not fair to you.”

He breathed a laugh. “Well..thanks? I guess? I mean..in a weird way, you did what was right.” He said softly. “So..I guess, we’re over then?” He added, I nodded in response, not knowing what else to say. He sighed, and put his arm around me, pulling me to his chest. “I can’t help but feel like this is my fault.”

“This isn’t your fault Chris. It’s not anyone’s fault. It’s just something that happened.” I explained.

He nodded. “Yeah..maybe. But, I should’ve tried harder. I should’ve cared more. I’m sorry..”

“You don’t have to be sorry Chris. I don’t blame you for any of this, and you shouldn’t blame yourself either.” I said calmly, before letting a few moments of silence go by.

“Chris?” I asked, my voice quiet. He hummed in response. “I think we both need to get some sleep.” He nodded in agreement, and laid down. I laid next to him, not having anywhere else to go.

We both just looked up at the ceiling.

“You sure about this?” He asked, out of nowhere.

I took a deep breath. “I don’t wanna be..but we aren’t gonna work Chris. So, I have to be.”

He exhaled sharply, before grabbing my hand. “Okay. I hope one day, you’ll be able to think differently Y/N.” He mumbled, before dozing off.

I wish I could say I did the same. But, my mind was racing. Did I just make a huge mistake? Nothing was ever gonna happen between me and Alex. But, I guess that isn’t the point.

I can’t be with Chris, if I’m into his best friend.

I still have no idea how I’m gonna talk to Alex though.

The next day, after I’d left Chris’s room, we hadn’t spoke.

I was getting ready before a show, and had just finished wrapping my wrist tape, when I walked out into the hall. I wasn’t paying attention, and ran into Alex. He blushed, and looked at the ground, for a second, before letting his eyes meet mine. He faked a smile.

“Oh hey Y/N! I um..wanted to apologize..” He said awkwardly. “I shouldn’t have gotten that drunk. It was stupid.” He said, as he started to sweat. I sighed.

“Alex, about last night-”

“I know, I know, I kissed you. But, it didn’t mean anything. I mean, I barely remember it. I have no idea why I even did it. I don’t see you like that at all.” He interrupted, chuckling slightly.

My heart sank, and I nodded. “Um..right. No, I know..” I faked a laugh, and held back tears. “I uh..I should go.” I added, before storming off.

I shouldn’t be this hurt over what he said, but I can’t help it. It stung.

After my match, I went back to my hotel room, I’d gotten one to myself, after what happened with me and Chris, it’d be weird to stay in his room again.

Chris and Alex had just finished their match, and were about to leave. Chris let out a sigh. “You feel like going out to eat or anything? I’m kinda hungry.”  

Alex shook his head. “I’m good. But, maybe you should ask Y/N.” He suggested, causing Chris to frown.

“Oh..that’s right. You don’t know.” He mumbled. Alex furrowed his brows, and cocked his head, awaiting an explanation. Chris sighed, and rubbed the temples of his forehead. “Me and Y/N broke up..last night actually.”

Alex’s stomach tightened, and he swallowed the lump in his throat. “What?! W-Why?” He asked, trying not to sound like he knew anything, considering he felt like it was his fault. “Did something happen? Did she say anything?”

Chris took a deep breath. “She said she was falling for someone else..she said it just kinda happened. Whatever that means..” He replied, his voice weak.

Alex bit his lip. “Did she say who?” He asked, kinda hoping the answer would be him, even though he knew it wouldn’t matter.

Chris shook his head. “She wouldn’t tell me. But..she said she wasn’t gonna act on it..I don’t know if that’s what’s best though..” He sighed. “But, you should go see her. I know you guys are really close. That shouldn’t change because of what happened between me and her.” He added, shrugging slightly.

“I-I don’t know..maybe I should just hang out with you.” Alex argued, and Chris shook his head.

“No, I’ll be fine. Kinda gotta get used to being alone.” He chuckled slightly, before giving him my new room number. “At least stop by and see how she’s doing.” He sighed, before walking off.

I heard a knock on my door, which kinda took me by surprise. I was shocked to see Alex when I answered it.

I cleared my throat, and looked at the ground. “Um..Alex..what are you doing here?” I asked nervously.

“Why didn’t you tell me about you and Chris breaking up?” He asked, before coming in. “Please, tell me it didn’t have anything to do with me.”

I shrugged, at a loss for words. “It..doesn’t matter. It didn’t mean anything to you.” I breathed a laugh.

“Of course it meant something!” He exclaimed. “I-I just..didn’t think it’d mean anything to you. I definitely didn’t want to break you and Chris up.”

“You said you didn’t think of me like that.” I sighed, shaking my head.

“Of course I said that. I shouldn’t have kissed you. Not because I didn’t want to. Of course I wanted to, I’ve wanted to for the longest time. But..Chris.” He explained.

I ran my hand through my hair. “I kissed you back.” I admitted.

He nodded. “I know that. I mean..I thought I imagined it. But, I guess I didn’t. So you’re into me?” I nodded in response. “But, you don’t wanna act on it..do you?” He asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“I can’t Alex. You know what it’d do to him.” I explained, sounding just as disappointed as he did. If not more. He nodded slightly.

“Probably for the best..” He mumbled, I nodded in agreement, before looking him in the eyes. He stayed silent as he looked back at me. “Kinda upsetting that we um..never kissed sober..” He trailed off, as he looked at my lips. I nodded.

“Yeah..” I replied in a hushed tone.

He cupped my face. “I know we can’t be..together. But, maybe we could have this one night?” He suggested. I was surprised he offered. I wanted to, I just didn’t know if it was the best idea. “If y-you don’t think it’s a good idea I-I get-” He started, but I interrupted him by pressing my lips to his, ignoring my thoughts against this being a bad idea.

This kiss was better, less confusing than last time. I lifted his shirt over his head, pulling away for a second to do so, then I did the same to mine, before crashing my lips back into his, this time the kiss was more rough, and passionate.

It was weird that this didn’t feel weird. It should have been a bit strange right? It was Alex after all..

But, it felt right.

---- I woke up next to him, and laid my head on his chest, and smiled softly. “That was different..” I said, causing him to chuckle.

“Good different?”

I nodded. “Yeah. But..it has to be over now.” I frowned. He sighed, and nodded slightly.

“I know..I guess I should go.” He mumbled, before getting dressed, I did the same. He smiled softly as he was about to kiss me goodbye, but he stopped himself, remembering he wasn’t supposed to, he gave me an awkward side hug, and cleared his throat. “Umm..bye.” He mumbled, before leaving my hotel room.

---

“Alex? Did you stay with Y/N, all night..?” Chris asked, when he saw Alex leaving.

“Um..yes. She..really needed to talk.” He replied, trying not to sound guilty. Even if he felt like he was.

Chris’s face dropped, and he cleared his throat.

“You’re the other guy..aren’t you?

[orange-catsidy]

alex shelley vs chris sabin // impact wrestling 2022

[wrestlingisfake]

Hard to Kill preview

Jordynne Grace vs. Mickie James - On September 1, James announced her "last rodeo," where she vowed to retire if she lost even one match before winning the Impact Wrestling women's world title. In effect, Mickie has been putting her career on the line for over four months, and she's gone undefeated that entire time. Now she finally gets her championship match, so this is title versus career. If she wins, it'll be James's fifth Impact title reign, and her eleventh world title overall.

The stakes in this one make it worth the price of the whole show, so I'm glad they positioned it in the main event spot. Grace is 26 and ought to be at the top of the division, but it might benefit her to lose to a top veteran and chase her for a while. James is 43 and has a lot left in the tank, but nothing left to prove. Something has to give, but I don't know what it will be.

Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray - Ray returned to Impact Wrestling on October 2 to win the annual Call Your Shot match, earning him the right to challenge any champion at any time. On November 18, Bully issued the challenge to Alexander for the Impact men's world title at this show. Ray then immediately turned heel, viciously attacking the champion and his wife.

This is billed as a "full metal mayhem" match, per the demands of Alexander after Ray attacked him again on December 22. Sometimes "full metal mayhem" is a souped-up ladder match (anything goes until a participant retrieves a prize suspended above the ring), and sometimes not (anything goes until a participant scores a pinfall). But the main idea is that tables, ladders, chairs, chains, and possibly other stuff will be placed at ringside to use as weapons. The stipulation plays to Ray's strengths as a pioneer of hardcore wrestling, and works against Alexander's emphasis on mat-based offense.

To put it mildly, I'm disappointed that Impact brought in Bully, let alone for a world title program. I got bored with his how-low-can-he-stoop heel work back in Ring of Honor. Pro wrestling has younger, better stars innovating on that formula while Ray, 51, is just recycling the same old shit. I'd be more interested in seeing Alexander wrestle Jeff Jarrett, and brother that's saying a lot. I sure hope Josh retains and Bully quickly disappears, but I don't have a lot of faith in Impact right now.

Jonathan Gresham vs. Eddie Edwards - This match was originally scheduled for April 23 last year, back when Gresham was the ROH men's world champion and Edwards was the leader of the anti-ROH faction Honor No More. The match was scrapped when Gresham was sidelined (possibly due to a concussion). Since then Gresham has fallen out with Tony Khan's version of ROH and finally ended up signing with Impact. In the meantime, Honor No More has disbanded, but Edwards is still a dick, so these two are back on a collision course. I think Gresham needs to win, but I can't rule out Edwards pulling shenanigans.

Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs. Matt Cardona & Brian Myers vs. Heath Miller & Rhino vs. Ace Austin & Chris Bey - The Motor City Machine Guns (Sabin and Shelley) are defending the Impact men's tag team title in a four-way, so the first man to score a fall on any opponent will win the match and the title for his team. Sabin and Shelley are also the STRONG tag team champions in New Japan, but that title isn't at stake.

As usual with four-way matches, I don't expect this to settle any feuds, and whoever wins will probably still be feuding with at least two of these teams right up until the next PPV in April. I guess Sabin and Shelley retain, since double champions seem to be a hot trend these days.

Trey Miguel vs. Black Taurus - This is for Miguel's Impact X division title. I am so relieved this is not a three-way or a four-way match. Keep up the good work, Impact.

I'm out of the loop but I heard Miguel turned heel and tagged the title belt with his graffiti. I'm not sure how Miguel really works as a hell, but I'll give it a try. Taurus has been with Impact for years and he's always just sort of...there. I expect some good big man/little man spots, but nothing to write home about. Miguel should retain.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Killer Kelly vs. Masha Slamovich vs. Taylor Wilde - This a four-way to determine the next #1 contender for the women's title, so whoever scores the first fall will win the match and be slated to challenge the winner of Grace vs. James.

Assuming James wins the title, any of these four make sense as her first challenger. If Grace retains though, I think it's too soon to run back Grace-Purrazzo or Grace-Slamovich. Kelly would be my pick as a fresh face in the title picture.

The x-factor in this match is Wilde, a veteran from the 2000s who was retired for ten years, returned in 2021, and then took a year of personal leave. Now she's back with some kind of witchy/tarot reader gimmick, which I haven't seen much of yet. If they're serious about this new direction, she should get to shine a lot in this match; otherwise I don't have a lot of faith it'll work out.

Joe Hendry vs. Moose - Hendry is putting the Impact digital media title up for grabs. Last time I looked this title barely existed outside of PPV pre-shows and such, so I'm surprised Hendry made it on the main card and Moose has sunk this low. I guess if Moose won this belt he could elevate it. On the other hand, if Hendry retains I have to wonder if Moose is on his way to greener pastures...

Rich Swann vs. Steve Maclin - This is a falls count anywhere match, so the participants cannot be disqualified or counted out of the ring, and the deciding fall does not have to be scored inside the ring.

Ever since Maclin debuted with Impact his gimmick has been that he's a big mean guy who beat everybody up because he's pissed. For some reason this never translates into enough wins to put him in the title picture, so he just gets into feuds like this one where a babyface tries to shut him down. Maybe this time Maclin can just win the feud and start chasing Josh Alexander. On the other hand, if Bully Ray actually wins the title, Swann's the guy you'd want to push as the next challenger. So I could see this going either way, depending on the men's world title bout.

KUSHIDA vs. Mike Bailey vs. Yuya Uemura vs. Alan Angels vs. Bhupinder Gujjar vs. Mike Jackson - This is a six-way match scheduled for the pre-show. As usual, the first wrestler to score a fall wins.

Kushida is a top junior heavyweight in New Japan. Bailey is a key guy in Impact's X division. Uemura was a Young Lion in NJPW but he's on excursion here, so hopefully that goes better than it did for Okada. Angels was in AEW's goofy fun cult but now he's Cody Deaner's mean serious cult. Gujjar is stuck in the spot where a wrestling promotion puts a token Indian guy on TV and just expects everyone in India to turn into wrestling fans. "Action" Mike Jackson is 73 years old and regularly works in matches like this for GCW.

This isn't officially to determine a #1 contender for the X title, but you'd have to think the winner of this match would move to the front of the line. Since I don't expect Trey Miguel to drop the belt for a while, I'd have Uemura or Gujjar win to give them a little mini-push before putting over the champion.

Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary & Jessicka vs. Tasha Steelz & Savannah Evans & Gisele Shaw - Another pre-show match. The Death Dollz (Valkyrie, Rosemary, and Jessicka) collectively hold the Impact women's tag team title, but since this isn't a two-on-two match the title is not at stake. I assume the heel team is gunning for a title shot, but I'm not sure which of them will end up being the challengers. I guess Steelz's team should win to keep the story going.

[feverinfeveroutfic]

a man of many colors: a one shot

an accompanying piece to the fever in, fever out-verse. circa 2013 (or whenever he started getting heavy). a little something soft, sweet, and sensual for your sunday. enjoy 😘

“Never marry at all, Dorian. Men marry because they are tired, women, because they are curious: both are disappointed.” -Oscar Wilde, the Picture of Dorian Gray (aka my favorite book and the driving force behind my long fics save for now it's dark)

It was nearly midnight by the time Alex returned to his apartment in Brooklyn. Another rendezvous with Testament was in the books. Add to this, he finally had gotten Planetary Coalition out to the world after he had wanted to do it for what felt like forever, and he could not have timed it any better with the arrival of the summer solstice, and yet it felt so long ago despite the year behind him. Nothing else to do but to chill out and call it night. When the morning came beckoned the question as to what to do next.

He ran his fingers through his shoulder length mane of jet black hair as well as that notorious silver stripe on the right side of his head, the only piece of hair as gray as the full moon outside of his window. Like the pearl upon a prince's crown.

He then reached over and flicked on the switch next to the doorway. The floor lamp next to his couch lit up the big red painting on the wall: to the right stood his cluttered guitar wall; to the left was his bookshelf.

Alone in Brooklyn.

He set his things down next to his small, shabby couch and he was about to take a seat when he peered down at his wrist watch. And then he remembered.

“Oh, Sam's probably still up,” he muttered to himself.

His longtime best friend Samantha Shelley who lived two doors down from him. She lived there for as long as he did in New York City, since the start of the New Millennium. The last thing she told him before he embarked on tour was she stayed up late enough in the case of his feeling lonely on the dates and he could call her at any time he so wished. She had seen it before, and she had witnessed it firsthand with both Stormtroopers of Death and Anthrax.

He had been sitting for a prolonged time anyway with the flight back to the Big Apple and thus, he doubled back outside to the warm summer night and the deserted sidewalk. Indeed, her front porch light shone bright from next to the door frame.

He adjusted the lapels of his little top shirt and then he knocked on the right panel three times. Alex gave his hair another little toss back and kept his thumbs tucked into his pockets. He peered behind him to the empty street for what felt like forever when the front door swung open.

“There he is!”

He turned to find Sam standing there in the doorway, wrapped in a loose white paint splattered smock and with a paint brush in one hand. Even though she was four years older than him, her jet black hair never turned gray at any given time. She still looked like little Sam I am, the bored and restless art student that could from the coast of California, relocated to New York City, much like how he did over a decade later. She threw her arms around him and he returned the favor with her.

“I was wondering when you'd get home,” she said as she rested her head against his chest.

“And I was just wondering if you were up,” he confessed as he held back to look right into her dark eyes.

“You feel a lot softer than usual, too.” She brought her attention to his body, which had grown a bit rounder in recent months.

“That's road life for ya,” he replied with a shrug of his shoulders. “And just getting old, too.”

“Well, come on in, big boy—I couldn't sleep so I was just going to make myself some tea and paint something.”

Alex closed the door behind him and the soft aroma of dough caught his attention. Sam ducked into the kitchen to his right, and he followed her in there, where the aroma was even stronger.

“Damn, what smells good in here?” he asked her as he took a seat at the edge of the bar so he could watch her. She had set the brush down on the counter, right in front of him, and his eyes ran over the little brush head and the smooth dark bristles that came together to a fine point.

“Cannoli,” she replied as she switched off the oven. “Gotta have something with the tea.”

“Keep those away from me,” he begged her.

“Why? I thought you love cannoli.”

“I do.”

Sam frowned at him, and he nibbled on his bottom lip. He lowered his gaze to his round waist and his thickened thighs.

“Do you see me right now?” he asked her with a gesture down to the middle of his body.

“I do see you.” She couldn't resist showing him a grin. “You look fine, Alex.”

“Fine being relative, I presume.” He raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders.

“No, fine meaning 'elegant'.”

“'Elegant' being relative, too.”

“Not at all! I love the way your body looks now.”

“All fat and old just for your enjoyment,” he chided.

“Alex, you're not that fat,” she declared. “In fact, you're not fat at all. And for crying out loud, you're younger than me. If you're old, I'm ancient.”

“Yes, I am fat—look at me! Look at this big belly!” He leaned back and placed those slender hands on his round belly. “It's all from eating too much. It's all from living here and being around a whole cornucopia of food all the time, whether it's here or out and about.”

“I think you look amazing with some extra weight,” she confessed. “I think it's just a sign that you love to eat and you love feeling full. I mean, you did eat up all that pizza for me that one time.”

Alex let his lanky arms relax a bit and he laughed at that memory.

“Do you remember that?” Sam rested her hands upon the edge of the counter and she gazed on at his old stone face.

“How could I forget? Chuck smoked a shitload of weed and Eric, John, and I all got the munchies big time. It was right then I knew I was gonna get fat some day.”

“You're not fat!” she insisted. “Your face is so sweet and you've got the cutest little tummy now. When you and I started getting closer, I seriously thought you'd look good with a little weight. And it's not big at all—it's real cute and sweet looking.”

“Prove it,” he said.

“Prove it?” she laughed at that.

“Yes!”

She nibbled on her bottom lip. There had been a few times in the past where they got close, but nothing happened to help either of them. There had been times where she wanted to come closer to him.

She then raised a finger to him.

“Don't move,” she told him, and he shook his head. Sam ducked out of there and into the next room for something. Alex kept his hands rested upon his knees and he never flinched once the whole entire time she was out of there. Soon she surfaced from her bedroom with a pad of watercolor paper in one hand as well as her dusty old paint palette.

“Man, you've had that thing forever, haven't you?” he teased her with a sly smirk upon his face.

“Since the beginning of art school,” she recalled, “and when both Bel and Marla told me I was gonna need it. Anyways—” She set the palette down on the counter before her.

“Take off your clothes,” she commanded him, and his eyes widened with horror.

“...why?”

“Don't question it, Alex. Just do it.”

He shifted his weight in his seat and he looked down at his freshly filled out body. She bowed her head a bit so a piece of her black hair lowered over her right eye. He swallowed and shifted his weight again.

“I know that look,” he muttered. “That look has haunted me for so long.”

“I'm gonna tell you the same thing I said to Joey and Frankie,” she started, “in fact, I think said this to you when I drew your full body the first time. We're both adults here. I won't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.” She then peered over her shoulder to the fridge. “I have an idea.”

She opened the fridge door and took out a bottle of red wine.

“Oh, boy,” he quipped, nervous.

“I know how you are with booze,” she recalled as she shut the fridge door with her hip, “and I know how you like your wine, too. You told me to prove it so I wanna prove it and you know, I want you to be comfortable.” Without another word, she opened the bottle and poured a bit into a clear clean glass from the overhead cupboard.

“It's easy on me,” he said.

“It's easy on Alex's delicate little tummy,” she teased him as she handed it to him and then proceeded to pour herself one. She then raised a glass to him and they clinked their glasses together. He downed the whole glass in one gulp: he didn't realize how thirsty he was until it hit his tongue.

“My goodness,” she remarked as he set the glass down on the bar.

“Man alive, I was dyin' of thirst,” he declared: she could see it in his eyes.

“Take off your clothes, Alex,” she commanded in a low voice. He sighed through his nose and then he held onto the lapels of his silk shirt. He was careful to take it off and drape it over the back of the stool. Sam sipped on her wine as she watched him take off his shoes, followed by his jeans and his shirt, the latter of which he was reluctant to take off in front of her. He held still there with his fingers on the hem and his eyes fixated on her.

Sam nodded her head at him.

“Go ahead,” she gently coaxed him. “Go ahead. It's okay.”

Alex fetched up a sigh and then he peeled off his shirt for her. He stood there in his underwear right in front of her.

“All the way,” she encouraged him, and he recoiled a bit.

“Come on, baby—let me see you.”

He lowered his gaze to the palette and the brush. Of course.

Alex let them drop around his lanky ankles and he stood before her, completely nude. Sam showed him a little smile.

“Now we're cooking with macaroni.” She downed the rest of her wine and picked up the palette and the brush, and then she snapped her fingers for him to follow her into the front room. He kept his shoulders hunched and his hands down below his thick waist, but once she turned around to face him, she scoffed at him.

“Come on, Alex, just relax,” she begged him. “It's not like I'm gonna suck your dick and tell you it's all a game of cowgirl and Indian.”

“I'm just not used to this, though,” he confessed with a nervous chuckle.

“Oh, come on, you're a Renaissance man! And I want you to feel like that, too. Every Renaissance man deserves to be painted. So—” She patted the comfy couch cushion. “—have a seat, my love.”

His toes curled a little bit at the sound of that, but he slid onto the cushion closest to the arm. And he rested his arm there to help himself relax. It was just the two of them after all. Sam doubled back into the kitchen for a glass of water for her brush: she also dragged the bar stool in and placed it right in front of him. She took a seat with the watercolor paper on her lap and the palette and the water on the coffee table right before her. She eyed the full shape of his body, especially around his middle.

“Pleasingly plump,” she noted.

“I'm pleasingly plump if the North Pole is refreshingly chilly,” he grumbled.

“The North Pole is refreshingly chilly!” she laughed. “But look at you, though—all full and round and well fed.” He knitted his knees together as if to be modest, but it only accentuated the softening shape of his body. “Just so undeniably gorgeous.”

“So do you want me to lay on my side or—?” He leaned onto his right side and he rested his elbow further on the arm of the couch.

“Yeah. Just put your legs up on the cushions next to you—just like that—”

It was awkward to feel a rush of cool air in between his legs, such that it made his face turn warm. Either that or it was the wine talking.

“Your face is so rosy,” she remarked. “I don't think I've ever seen it this pink before.”

“I'm laying on my side, buck naked, and I've got a little wine in me after a three hour flight following a big ass tour. I feel pink.”

Without another moment's hesitation, Sam got right to work. She kept her gaze fixated on him and every so often, she took a glimpse down at the paper to make sure she was getting it right. She had done for so long and yet it helped to go back to basics every once in a while.

“I love your body,” she said at one point. “I'm just so in love with your body and the way it looks.”

Alex held perfectly still with his left hand rested upon the side of his belly as it hung down a bit. He held there even when he felt the pressure coming on in his right arm and his hip. But he stayed there for her. He watched her closely, at the movement of the brush and the soft look of love in her eyes.

They had known each other for years and yet that look and her desire to create always left a soft feeling in his stomach. She was fascinated by him, because she saw him as an artist rather than a genius. She saw him as a man rather than a god.

And it all came down to her painting him right at that moment and how she felt about him.

“I just think back to what you said to Joey that one time,” he piped up.

“What one time?” She chuckled at that as she lightly ran the paint brush down the paper. “Joey and I went out for about a year and a half before he met Krista, and then again literally ten years later. It's been on and off between us.”

“When you guys started going out and I overheard you saying that exact same thing to him,” Alex replied as he shifted his weight a bit. “Like, verbatim. You said the exact same thing to him. How you love his body and how you wanted to render it somehow.”

“Well—understand, I was madly in love with him then,” she pointed out as she rinsed off her brush. “I wanted to draw him the way I've been drawing you but—his heart has always been with Krista.”

She dipped the brush into the patch of black, which he soon figured out was Prussian blue mixed with a bit of dark brown.

“And yours is with me,” he said in a near whisper. Sam lifted her gaze from the palette for a look over at his nude body. She had the look of love with him, but then there were the times his face softened at the sight of her.

“Right?” Alex asked her with a raise of his eyebrows. Sam raised her head and showed him a warm little smile, but she never replied. He knew she was thinking it, but she never replied.

Instead she bowed her head again and resumed painting. He knew she was rendering his head. She then cleared her throat and spoke again.

“Referring back to Joey and Krista, just yesterday, she asked me why you and I aren't married yet.”

“Yet?” Alex chuckled at that.

“Yeah, I know. I told her that I feel like you and I have known each other for so long, and we keep coming back to each other, and it's so soft and silky and cozy between us that I have no choice but to come back home to Mr. Skolnick. And so it's because of that, according to her, we might as well be.”

“Nah,” he shook his head.

“I know, right? We're best friends. I think that in and of itself should be enough.”

“I think it should be, too,” he confessed.

“We like each other. We love each other. I can take it.” Sam dipped the head of the brush in the bright sunny yellow paint.

“Who needs a piece of paper to say it, am I right?” He showed her a little smirk.

“Right!”

She raised her gaze again and he wondered what she was putting that yellow on.

“You know, I've always loved the way you look whenever you get all full of food,” she confessed. “You get all silky and sweet looking.”

“Like the night you finally warmed up to me?” he recalled.

“I think it was you who warmed up to me,” she corrected him, to which he shrugged.

“I dunno if it matters—it was the night we both finally calmed our asses down and said 'yes' to each other.” That brought a laugh out of her, and she rinsed off the brush again.

The thin head of the brush with a bit of China white on top for the signature streak atop his own head. Within time, she rinsed off the brush and showed him the painting, to which he brought a hand to his chest as if he had seen Avalon.

“Oh, my god—Sam. You never cease to amaze me.”

“I kept messing up your fingers,” she said, “on your right hand.”

“They look good, though!” he declared. “Eh, it's guitar player's fingers after all.” He dragged himself along the cushions a bit and his right ached from holding it there for so long.

“Would you like some tea?” she offered him as she set the paper on the stool.

“Yes, please—and can I sit up now?” he asked her with a slight pout to his lips.

“Yes, you may, big and beautiful,” she announced as she wiped the head of the brush on the towel. Alex rolled over onto his back and hoisted himself up onto his elbows: his body had grown soft enough that it was slightly difficult to sit up without the use of his arms. Sam strode over to him to help him but he managed to do it. He leaned back against the back of the couch and then he took glimpse down at himself.

“I feel so distended,” he confessed, and she reached down and lovingly patted his little belly.

“Nah, you're cute,” she giggled. “Just so cute.”

“Which is it?” he teased her.

“What do you mean?”

“I'm beautiful, cute, hot—which is it, Sam I am?”

“All of those things.”

She stooped over and brought her face close to his. Those smooth sensual lips. That large beaklike aquiline nose. Those deep eyes that haunted her for decades.

“You are a man of many colors, baby,” she whispered to him as she ran her fingers through his gray streak.

“You're not just saying that 'cause of that, are you?” His eyes darted up towards his streak.

“The stripe is the epitome of it. I've known you since you were a young boy and I've watched you blossom into such a big and beautiful man.”

“It's funny—I've always wondered why you always come back to me, too,” he admitted with his voice low and husky. He sat there before her, nude and growing as round as a Buddha.

“I've always wondered, too,” she added. “Because you're just so full and lush now—I love every inch of you. I take that back, I'm in love with every inch of you. I'm in love with every inch of you, every inch of this man before me. I don't need to marry you—I love you that much. I never want to stop drawing you, even when the streak overtakes and it all turns gray, and it falls out of your head, and even when your body softens to the point of no return.”

Those sensual lips turned up into a sweet little smile, one that made her think of Cliff. He lowered his gaze to the paint brush in her free hand, and she brought her lips to his forehead again. She looked right into those deep set eyes and showed him a smile in return. He was usually so stone faced and serious but whenever he looked at her, he grew as soft and silken as the skin on his belly. He was a sixteen year old boy once again.

“Are those cannolis still warm?” he asked her in a small voice.

“I believe they are, given I never took them out of the oven,” she told him with a wink. “Put your clothes back on and I'll bring the tray in plus some tea. I want you to eat to your heart's desire. I want you to feel the love I feel for you within you.”