#amandas cackling through the screen

[heliotrope-journey]

A Break from a Broken Resolve

Good evening, vampire hunters.

It’s the magical time of the year where the magical and mortal worlds integrate. The crisp air and the smell of warm apple cider brings a sense of familiarly and comfort. It is this nostalgic feeling that Frederick recognizes from the days of his childhood when he enters Maeveham, the mystical home of the nature witch Amanda, to seek refuge from a catastrophic misfortune that placed him and his compatriots in danger. A confrontation with a dangerous creature of the night had separated them from each other and Frederick hasn’t gotten a clue on where to find them. Amanda welcomed the distressed man into her estate like an old friend for he always liked her cherry-flavored hard candy and knew that Halloween was his favorite holiday. Frederick informed her about the situation he is facing when Amanda asked where his teammates are. Normally, Eforie and one travel companion would be by his side, but not this time. She anticipated that the bind they are in is more than Frederick could put into words. It was distressing for him to discuss without causing Amanda to worry too much for him, but he felt like he was alright enough to describe the jist of the unfortunate events. She almost told him to stay as long as he wanted, but remembered that Maeveham is no place for an ordinary person to find shelter.

Staying in one place for a prolonged period of time can increase the danger for not just a wanted soul, but for anyone that conceals them and mortals sent to the underworld are free for the taking. As talented and crafty as Amanda is with creating weapons using her powerful ties to nature, she alone is no fighter and is incapable of standing against Dracula’s army. She permits Frederick to stay with her until quarter to midnight on November 1st in the hope that it would give him time to decompress and teach him how to use earth magic to speed up the growth of crops and create miniature shock waves to stun enemies. Jackie was in favor of having a guest over because he always wanted to scare someone awake as a prank. He hasn’t been successful with Amanda. They’ve lived under the same roof long enough for her to sleep through Jackie’s obnoxious early morning cackles. Frederick’s a light sleeper so pranking him would be a breeze. It can’t be any worse than being separated from his friends, right?  Photo by m c on Unsplash. 😅

Janessa is still hard at work with Florentin’s and Angela’s portraits for the Passion of Rancor prologue’s character select screen so we’re taking the time to give the prototype episodes and Son of a Hustler a fixer upper. With expanded areas, new artwork from Chubbo, and a couple new enemies, you’ll be in for a treat that spears your way back to the lost world of Flash games.

Thank you for playing the Heliotrope Journey series and have a great weekend.

Happy Halloween!

WN

[soph-w]

video game pillow fort??

[anxiouslyfred]

Arguing with Characters

For @aro-sides-week Free Day

Summary: Roman is writing a story and struggling with a character who’s identity he doesn’t believe he can write properly. Perhaps through going with it he’ll learn something about himself on the way

Warnings: a few sex mentions

/\/\

Roman was writing but the characters weren't behaving. Well, really they were behaving too well and becoming too fully formed for where he thought his skill was at.

One character in particular was trying to turn every scene to making her have an identity that he really doubted being able to accurately portray. Asexual, probably Aromantic as well, and truthfully he barely knew anything about the identities. How could people tell when they didn't feel something other than in situations where they're being pressured to feel it? Do scenes like that have to be included?

Actually Roman's biggest argument with the character now insisting she was ace was that it contradicted scenes he remembered writing and without going back to read a few thousand words of his own writing and probably putting himself off the entire story he couldn't know how easily they could be changed. That wasn't reasoning that was working against the characters in his head and he'd known it wouldn't from the start.

“You're glaring at your laptop again. Is someone writing a fanfiction that offends you? Can I write a worse one?” Remus commented, wandering past and shoving Roman lightly, but enough he clung to his laptop to avoid dropping it.

“I'm arguing with a character. Do we know anyone Ace or Aro? Can I change Amanda to make her so without destroying the story I've written so far?” He grumbled, looking over to his brother who at the first question clicked and pointed to himself.

Remus just grinned, “I'm ace so that's a start and sure you can. The scenes that would contradict her being either make little sense with how she'd really be feeling anyway. If you swap it from getting embarrassed over a crush to upset over her identity being ignored the argument stays but doesn't cause issues with her family right after moving out.”

“Since when are you ace? Weren't you thirsting over, goodness, who was it last week? That emo kid?” Roman side-eyed him for a moment before looking back at the screen. “And are there videos or do you mind getting interrogated so I can know enough not to write Amanda completely cluelessly?”

Remus waved a hand, pulling things out of the cabinets behind Roman and licking random packaging. “Since ages. I just think sex is juicy to talk about, not actually doing anything, that's dull. Talking to me ain't gonna help you write a traumatised kid who is as likely aroace through trauma as she is to naturally be that way. Ecosia it so the great googlepire can't control the results.”

That day Roman nodded and returned to just writing what was in his head, minus a few arguments over if how Amanda should act. He could trust his character for now at least.

/\/\

“So you've started treating your characters as people. Will I get yelled at for saying I think Greg and Harrison used to have tons of kinky sex but broke up when Harry tried to make the role play full time?” Remus was lounging on Roman's bed when he got in one afternoon, flicking through the notebook that held his novel project.

Roman just rolled his eyes, going to snatch the book back. “No, they're meant to be exes and I don't care what you headcanon for their past.” He sighed, flicking to the next blank page to carry on writing something since the book was out.

“Well it's obvious Greg is going for exhibitionism with Luke so he's gotta be kinky already.” Remus coaxed, only to get a pillow thrown at him. “Just saying what I'm seeing.”

“You're seeing wrong and those guys aren't even getting together. Now hush. Amanda needs to actually get an apology already.” Roman focused up on what he'd been writing recently, scanning the last page.

Remus cackled, pushing the pillow under himself. “From hating to write the girl to constantly having her involved in everything is quite the turn around, Rospeare. You projecting over there?”

“Course not! She's just the most interesting person to describe.” he protested, but paused, glancing to the page. “Cause I am just writing about people, aren't I? Not some label or minority but people whomever the world sees them as.”

For some reason the words sent Remus into triumphant cackles. “He finally realises it! People are people are people, fictional, acted or real, people are people.”

He'd heard the word people so many times it had lost all meaning so decided to ignore his brother and just write for a while. Besides Amanda was re-framing his own memories and how he'd thought about crushes before now and it was becoming fascinating to write about, even just when she was spending time with her siblings, thankfully less unpredictable than his own.

/\/\

Editing was a surprise to Roman. He'd never finished writing a story that he was sure had a reasonable plot of such length and he'd been excited to start typing it up.

Now he was just disturbed, reading over the next scenes he had to write up and edit, just wishing he could tear the pages up and completely rewrite them. Loosing any of his writing was loathsome so he settled for just ignoring the pages.

How could he have ever believed that Amanda would have a crush, let alone one on someone barely mentioned at all? It boggled his mind before he remembered the time he'd had a mental battle before accepting that his character was aroace. Roman almost wondered if part of his fight against letting himself write that was to avoid the self-reflection Amanda had brought with her.

After all, now he saw himself in Amanda more than any other character that had turned up in the story, including the actors that were friends with a few of his main characters.

“Me and Amanda match.” He murmured to himself, deciding to just note that there would be an argument between the main group during this scene in the plot he'd been compiling. He could sketch for a while instead, and perhaps see what his characters might actually look like.

“Yeah, I love your little blue dress number. Pretty sure I was meant to be the one to make it though.” Remus agreed, suddenly leaning through his door. “Or wasn't that what you meant about matching?”

Roman rolled his eyes, “No, I meant we're both aro. The ace part is yet to be decided but I doubt I'm aroace.”

“Fun. You're stealing my colour and refusing to look even a little remorseful of it. Pick something with a red flag instead.” Remus teased, throwing some fabric up so it fell draped over him.

For a moment all Roman could see was green and grey as he floundered in confusion at the sudden covering, before reaching to tug it off. “Favourite colours are not the way we chose our identities Remus!” He protested before realising the fabric in his hands was an aro flag, put together by various fabrics he'd been saving for unknown projects. “You? How did you figure this out before me?” He blinked after a moment, only to realise his brother had vanished again.

Looking to the sketch of a face that clearly screamed itself to be Amanda, Roman smiled. “Yeah, we match and I think I love you for making me realise that.”

[7soulstars]

Emerging of Kalon

Request: I need some new johnny depp fics in my life where I want a reader with insecurities and johnny reassuring her that he loves her the way she is.Maybe she is a bit more chubby than his past gfs and she has to wears glasses.Abd thanx so much for accepting it.

Yooo this imagine is soo important to me. As a person who had a lot of insecurities and has suffered through depression.It is really important for me to spread a certain message to others like me. I have this belief that you aren’t born with insecurities,you are made to have them.Don’t point out things to people that would make them uncomfortable in the long term guys it becomes quite scarring for them and it also makes you a damn bully. Also it is normal to have stretch marks, tummy rolls ,acne, scars ,body hair and all that stuff, Man or Woman or any other gender you identify as.That’s what makes you human.If people can’t accept you for who you are please cut them out of your life.Ya’ll beautiful and I love ya’ll. Hope you like this !!

................

Pairing : Johnny Depp x Reader

Warnings : TW,Nosy people who like putting others down for fun, Signs of depression,Suicide attempt,Angst,Swearing, Fluff, Johnny being the absolute sweetheart he is.

................

Kalon ;Latin for ideal beauty in all, physical ,spiritual and moral forms

1.Instigation.

“I still can’t believe THE Johnny Depp went for you after his past ones”,said someone snapping her out of her trance.”Pardon ?”,she asked as if to confirm whether she heard him right . “I mean look at you....His exes were all supermodels weren’t they? Not a single flaw..”,the man guffawed.”Well you have have a micropenis why did your wife choose you?”,her bestfriend snapped crudely making her cringe.”Let’s go Y/N “, Y/BF/N said dragging she out of the restaurant .Well this wasn’t how I wanted college reunion to end up like,thanks Nathan she thought. “Are you alright Y/N ?”, Y/BF/N asked. “Of course”. No I’m not. “It doesn’t bother me at all.” It bothers me too much. “Nathan’s a dick .Don’t let it get to your head EVER”. But he’s right, his words are already in my head. “Yeah...”

2.The disquieting

“Hey glasses ! Looking ugly as always.”

“Look at her hogging like a pig, hey fatty you want more?”

“Darling why don’t you try going on a diet.”

“Don’t watch telly, you’re blind enough already”

“Jason what do you think of Y/N ?” “Damn man she was not even my type”

“Please Stop !”, Y/N woke up with a jerk, breathing in short gasps .”Johnny-”,she stops cutting herself off as she looked at the empty looked at the empty side on her bed. He isn’t in the country she remembered . Silence. She stared at the framed picture of them together on the wall. Plip. A tear fell. Plip Plip. Two more,before she couldn’t control it any more. The past wouldn’t change.She knew it would haunt her forever. But they had stopped for a while. But since Nathan ,it came back harder than ever. She didn’t tell Johnny, she’d never tell him , the last thing she wanted to do is to become a larger burden. So she cried herself to sleep every single day.

3.Repressing

Y/BF/N frowned as she looked at Y/N’s lunch. “Since when do you eat salads ?Hell,that isn’t even salad it’s just *ugh* lettuce....”,she says looking at the leafy stuff with absolute disgust. Y/N looked at her as if she did not understand what she was saying “I love salads,you know what? I’m not that hungry.....better get back to work! See you later!”,she said leaving as she didn’t even let the other speak. Starving, Hurting, Looking into the mirror and hating herself. The cycle continued.This was going to be dangerous in the days to come and she knew that too. 

4.Avoiding

6 missed calls from Mom

19 missed calls and 87 messages from Y/BF/N

40 missed calls and 150 messages from Johnny 

3 notifications from Twitter. 

No one had seen her in 4 days .The telly changed channels at Johnny’s apartment .Things scattered around as a trembling hand set down the remote . Fat tears dampened the pillow as her eyes read the news headline. ‘Johnny Depp at a dinner date with ex wife Vanessa ? Is he finally done with his simple girlfriend ?’

5. Falling

This was it.She ended up the way she predicted she’d end up 10 years ago. Weak,Tired,Empty and Lonely. She stared at the bathtub as it filled itself until it was overfilled,water spilling out of its sides as it splashed onto her feet. She didn’t flinch at the coldness.She stayed robotically still, looking down at her palm. A blade. Without hesitating she got into the tub,the tap still running. She didn’t think anymore,tears wouldn’t fall even if they wanted to. She closed her eyes as she let her self go ,ignoring the frantic ringing of her phone and the banging on the apartment door.

6. Alerting

To say Johnny was concerned was an underestimation.Y/N wasn’t picking up his phone since several days .He was distracted, couldn’t concentrate and worry filled his entire existence.He didn’t know what to do,even going as far as asking his ex wife for advice.He decided to go back ,back to his girlfriend’s loving arms.

The moment he stepped back into the city he took his time.Picking out her favourie flowers ,the chocolate she always loved and a little something of importance. He ignored the notifications is phone was chiming with, his mind only full of thoughts of her....The thoughts were short lived , disturbed much to Johnny’s dismay by Y/BF/N’s call. He ignored once,ignored twice but after that he knew something was wrong.”Johnny !”, panicked voice spoke through the phone. A frown replacing the man’s smile “Did Y/N text you that absurd note too?” “No,wait Y/BF/N let me check”,he put the call on hold as his eyes skimmed over the words displayed on his screen. His phone now dropped on the car floor he wished all of it was a dream.They stopped as he stormed out, back to his apartment. He knocked wildly on the door but not a voice came nor a cackle. He threw his body on the door several times ,”Goddamitt Y/N OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR DON’T PLAY WITH ME RIGHT NOW !”.In his panicked feat he had forgotten he had the keys until they dropped out of his jacket pocket.He didn’t wait a moment as he fumbled it into the key hole ,kicking the door open as soon as it opened.

Silence. 

Splosh . The sound of water hitting the ground from the bathroom echoed in the whole house.

“Y/N ?”, Johnny softly whispered as he pushed open the bathroom door. A horrific scene unfolded before him.

7.Mourning

It had been two days and Johnny wouldn’t budge.He saw red that day and the site still wouldn’t leave his thoughts alone.He would neither eat,nor sleep as he sat beside his beloved girlfriend who lay on a hospital bed. Dark Enough by Amanda played on the radio. The text message, and the talk with Y/BF/N replayed in his head as if war replayed in a retired soldiers dreams. “I didn’t know you were hurting that bad”,he whispered, tears threatening to fall again. He place his head on her stomach as he let the silent tears fall,until her hand fell on top of his head.

8.Resuscitation  

Johnny jerked up ,his eyes as wide as saucers, as he froze with eyes full of pain and hurt.Y/N did not dare meet his gaze.She felt ashamed and disgusted. But those feelings were immediately replaced with shock as Johnny almost lunged at her,hugging her tight. “I was so scared I was so fucking scared when I saw that text and then you drowning in the red water filled in the bathtub ! I thought you’d left me ! I thought you died you weren’t breathing...How dare you think of yourself that way how dare you think you were not good enough !? You were the best fucking thing that happened to me since my kids goddammit !”. Y/N had never seen Johnny this mad.Hell, she had never even seen him cry. She didn’t know how to answer him, she was too ashamed.He wouldn’t break the hug, as if he would loose her if he did. He loved her too much. “Why ?”,he asked again,as if he was begging for an answer. Even a word. He just wanted to hear her voice. “I was scared...”,her voice cracked coming out much broken than she predicted. “ I didn’t think I deserved you, I thought I’d never reach the levels of those beautiful actresses and models.I was scared to tell you about my past..I was scared to bother you...”. Johnny’s heart broke. He never thought his Y/N would think that way. She was always smiling .Not even a little frown on her face. Always there for everyone. Yet no one comforted her. How could he never see it? Of course he couldn’t see it she was perfect to him.His Y/N was the most perfect person in the world. “I love you”, he blurted. He never said that.He was too shy. But he hugged her tighter ,” I love you so much. Even with scars,insecurities or that ugly face you make when you see things you do not like. You were, have and always will be the most perfect to me. Please....don’t do that again...”

9.Emergence

Y/N was discharged from the hospital in a few days. Johnny wouln’t leave her side. All his attention would be on her to see if ate well, and loved herself. Y/N felt safe. And she wasn’t wrong . Johnny was everything she deserved.

They sat on the rooftop of a cafe in Paris. A calm silence passing over them. “Y/N ?” ,Johnny asked. “Hmm?”,she hummed along, silence entailing after. ”Marry me ?”,he asked. That was the day Y/N was the most happiest, and did the beautifully emerged Kalon say yes? you’d ask. She said it without a second to spare. After all our Kalon had found her wings.

“No one is born ugly, we’re just born in a judgemental society”~ Kim Namjoon(BTS)

----The End----

Whew ! After all the procrastination and time I took brainstorming this baby is done! This was requested by the wonderful @anycsirp​ I really really hope you liked this ! Also I meant what I said before the start of this oneshot . YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. PERIODT. Please do like and comment your opinions! I really hope to read em ! I’m not that great of a writer but I did my best ! 

~Love, Hri

[rebelcap]

We are not just friends —22

Chris Evans x bi!latina!character (Sofia is a people of color, she’s brown.)

Chris and Sofia meet when their best friends started dating, it all started at friends with loads of bumps on the road.

Series masterlist

Chris was sleeping when his phone began ringing on the nightstand, it was Sofia.

"Hey, Sof. Everything okay?" He asked, checking the time It was about 2 am.

"Hi, yeah—you were sleeping, were you?" She asked, feeling a tad sad about waking him up.

"Yeah, it's okay though, Don't worry about it." He said rubbing his eyes and turned around to lay on his side."What's up?"

"Oh, I just wanted to," She sighs over the phone. "Just, I'm sorry about yesterday—

"Sofi, it's okay—

"Let me, okay?" She interrupted him and went on. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made out with that guy-" She breathed in. "It was Ryan's home, I disrespected you in front of your friends, Scott. I acted like a damn mess. I shouldn't have come up to you at the party or your house, I'm so sorry Chris." She lamented over the phone and Chris was the one taking a deep breath.

"I think we both acted like fools last night, I said things that I shouldn't have said to you. I wanted to hurt you because I was hurt. God, I'm an asshole—" He groaned. "At Ryan's, at my house, that was just me trying to get a reaction out of you. I should be calling you to apologize."

Sofia chuckle and he heard her sniffle. "It's okay, are you mad at me?"

"No, there's no way that I'll be mad at you. Even if I was, it usually never lasts long." Chris smiles and she does too. "Are you mad at me?"

"Maybe a little," She quickly answered. "But I think I'm mostly jealous,"

"Jealous of who?" Chris asked, not catching what she meant.

"You know who," She whispered and Chris swore she could picture her shrugging and pouting, which made him smile a bit.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't purposefully trying to," He explained. "As I said, I was trying to get out a reaction."

She hummed about his response. "Well, you did. I wanted to slap the hair of your head."

Chris laughed, so did her. "That was hilarious,"

"Yeah, I get really funny when I'm drunk." Sofia rolled her eyes at her and stood up from the sofa. "Anyways, it's kinda late—"

"Yeah…" Chris agreed and bit his finger, he didn't particularly want her to hang up.

"Oh, uhm… Your mom called,"

"Did she?" Chris frowned sitting up on the bed, intrigued.

"Yeap, I'm teaching her and Scott to make Argentinian empanadas. On Friday…"

"That's nice, am I invited?," He smiled and Sofia laughed.

"It's your house, dude."

"Come on," He laughed again. "You want me there?"

Sofia kept quiet for a little while. "Of course I want you there."

—

"So, what happened?" Amanda asked as Sofia groaned beside her, they were walking around the block of Mandy's suburban house.

"I got drunk, we made out—God," Sofia said, feeling embarrassed. "we made each other jealous and then laughed about it last night on the phone."

"You had sex?"

"No, but we slept together and I was a bitch when I woke up."

"As usual, you never were a morning person." Amanda smiled as Sofia grabbed her arm and wrapped it around hers. "You can't keep going like this with him, Sof. You know that, don't you?"

"I know," She scratched her head and sighed deeply. "We stretched it too long, but I love him and I told him that."

"Do you?"

"Yeah, and I took it back—kinda,"

"You're such a bitch," Amanda pinches her on her arm, and Sofia squeaks.

"I never told anyone that I love them,"

"Not even Tiffany?"

"I thought that I loved her, but I know now that I never did. It was all manipulation and downright toxic shit around her narcissistic ass. God, if I was fucked up before Tiffany. She ruined relationships for me,"

"I know,"

"That's why I can't trust Chris because every time we broke up he's off with one of his exes. Tiffany did the same but with random girls not to the same extent as her." Sofia explained. "He goes off to LA, forget all about me here and suddenly when he's in Boston I'm all we ever wanted. I don't know, I—"

"Chris it's nothing like Tiffany, Sofia. Come on," Amanda told her. "And you guys broke up two times, one you broke up with him through text and you kept talking for a bit. You two got back together and he left you—

"He went back to Jenny both times, I didn't even have sex with anyone besides him since we started this."

"You were on a break."

"It doesn't matter and you sound like Ross Geller and he's the worst," Sofia said. "And he said he loves me, you don't go back with your ex if you love someone else." She almost whispered and looked at her friend. "Aren't you supposed to be on my side?"

"I'm always on your side, that's why I'm telling you this. Chris isn't perfect, he made mistakes but he never mistreated you, he never lied either."

"I know that I know…" Sofia nodded a few times as she watched the sun on the clear sky, closing her eyes. "Why is it so complicated?"

—

"How come you don't know how to drive?" Scott asked Sofia and she laughed. They were at his mother's kitchen, chopping some vegetables and chatting, waiting for Lisa to come back from the supermarket.

"Never owned a car before, I didn't see the point of learning and Uber exists now," She laughed and shrugged. "Besides your brother was my personal chauffeur every time he's in town." Sofia sasses him and Scott let out the loudest laugh because it was true.

"And yet, he says that hates driving around,"

"Oh yes, but he loved speeding and scaring the shit out of me," She laughed now and sighed. "And he just laughs grabbing his left titty… Or mine." Scott was screaming when Lisa and Chris walked in carrying a lot of bags.

"What are you two laughing about?" Lisa asked, smiling as Scott and Sofia shared a look and laughed again.

"What did you tell him?," Chris smiled and pointed a finger at Sofia, making them laugh again "Or what did you tell her?" He asked pointing the same finger but now at Scott.

"Nothing Mom, Apparently your son doesn't hate driving around that much," Scott shrugged and Sofia laughed.

"I hate driving around, what are you talking about?" Chris smiled, already knowing where that was coming from.

"Yeah, not for her," Scott said and Chris laughed as he unpacked the grocery from the bags and put it on the counter.

"Of course no, I love her and she used to let me touch her boob—" Chris explained and Sofia choked and Scott let out a screen mixed with laughter.

"Christofer!," Lisa laughed as she threw a whole package of toilet paper at him and they all laughed.

"Ma!" He shouted and laughed.

Sofía couldn't help but think that she loves this, moments like this. She loves them, she loves them all.

—

"Isn't this your wildest fantasy?," Scott asked his brother, as they sneakily watched their mother and Sofia cooking, laughing and day drinking wine.

"Shut up," Chris nudged him off, he was trying to hear what they were talking about. "This is wrong, isn't it?"

"Ah, yes," Scott quickly said and shook his head. "Are you trying to win her back?"

"Yes, I love her. I just wanna be with her,"

"Then go, be with her—be her friend again, Sofia is half way there men. She loves you, she really does."

"You talked to her?" Chris asked.

"I'm telling you nothing, that's between us." Scott said and Chris gave him a stern look.

"Yeah, but she's my girl—what she said?, does she love me back?, does she want me back?," Chris quickly tried to pry information out of his younger brother. Scott as a true friend, kept his mouth shut.

"I won't tell you shit."

"If you don't tell me, when we have another joint interview imma tell you crap yourself in the car." Chris muttered and Scott gasped.

"You wouldn't!,"

"Oh, brother. You wait," Chris said, shaking his head. Fast forward, he did talk about it on national television.

"What are you two whispering about, we can hear your cackling from here!" Lisa shouted as she nudged Sofia, making her laugh.

The brothers walked through the kitchen door, Scott umbothered and Chris was pretending to be unbothered, he might be an actor but his mother saw right through him, he was anxious.

Sofía smiled at him and he returned the smile back, hands on his pockets, looking adorable.

"Can we help?," Chris asked, walking up to her side. Sofia was putting some empanadas on a tray and placing them on the oven.

"We are mostly done," She answered looking around, the kitchen was a mess. "You guys could help clean."

"Ah,yes. I have this thing—ma, I need to talk to you." Scott said pointing out away from the kitchen and Lisa quickly followed.

"I'll be right back, honey" Lisa said to Sofia wiping her hands on a towel. "You help her," She said to Chris.

"Of course." Chris said, quickly putting himself to gather all the dirty things and place them on the sink. "You okay?" He asked, she seemed quiet as she started to do the dishes.

"Yeah, yeah—it's just," She said and looked at him, Chris was concerned because of the last time that they were together in this very same house. They broke up. "I talk with Lisa about what happen last time I was here,"

"Yeah, I told her something about that." Chris said, thinking that he fucked up on telling his mother for a second.

"I know, it's alright." She said and looked down. "She got it, what I feel at that time." Sofia went quiet for a moment and looked at Chris. "I wish I had talked to her that time, you know? Maybe we wouldn't be in this position right now."

"You think That?," He asked, wiping his hands. Eyes focused on her, Sofia nodded a few times as she rinsed a few plates.

"I don't know, maybe—if we ever talked about all the shit we have to talk about." She laughed and Chris snorted.

"So let's talk about it,"

"Right here?," She asked sarcastically. "in your mother's kitchen. Sure,"

"It doesn't have to be here, but I wanna have that talk. I want to sort things out between us," Chris said looking at her, honestly in his voice and Sofia didn't know what to do.

"Chris… I, I don't know. It's been months, there is so much crap between us." Sofia said playing with the towel and looking down.

"I don't want you out of my life, Sofia." Chris said and she looked at him. "I would hate that, I'll regret it all my life."

"I don't want that, I would hate it too." She whispered and turned around to rest her back on the counter and let out a sigh. "I miss you. Not gonna lie about that."

"I miss you too, all the time." He whispered and got close enough to cup her face as she leaned in his touch, closing her eyes. Chris took a deep breath and Sofia wrapped her arms around her torso, holding him tight, burning her face in his chest.

Chris kissed the top of her head and hummed, only for her to hear. "I love you."

"I know," She whispered and looked up, pouting with her eyes glossy.

"sweetheart," Chris said, kissing her face as she smiled at the touch, a sweet moment interrupted by a timer ringing to take out the food of the oven.

[there-must-be-a-lock]

Five Seconds

Sam x Reader

Word Count: ~1190

Warnings: Striptease, phone sex, Sam jerkin’ it, dirty talk, mentions of spanking, mentions of choking… you know, smutty stuff.

A/N: I just got the Sam Smut urge. For two prompts from @cabin-fever-bang​: @mskathywriteswords​ mentioned a striptease, and @cracksinthewalls​ asked, “How do they handle a quarantine/self-isolation scenario? What do they do to keep that spark alive?? Which one follows the rules, and which one breaks first and tries to pull a Lloyd Dobler?!” Three hours and much gleeful cackling later, I have the intended smut-fest with an unexpectedly gooey marshmallow core. 

“Sam?” 

“I got your video,” he says, without preamble. 

He can’t take his eyes off his laptop screen. She’s undoing the last button of her flannel, now, fiddling with it teasingly as she looks straight at the camera with this coquettish smile, and he can see soft flesh spilling over black lace. He tucks his phone between his cheek and his shoulder as he tries to get his belt open. 

“Yeah?” 

“Opened it in the library. Almost dropped my laptop trying to get back to my room,” Sam says. He kicks his jeans off and pulls his shirt up, palming himself, gritting his teeth as his cock twitches at the touch. 

“You like it?” she asks. On the screen, she’s got her back to the camera, swiveling her hips as she slides her jeans down to reveal more black lace cupping the smooth curves of her ass. He loves that she didn’t wear heels or a skirt or try to dress up for this; he loves that she wouldn’t ever pretend to be something she’s not. 

“Can’t believe how fucking hot you are,” he growls. “I miss you so much right now.”

They’d been spending days at a time in bed, before the lockdown; they’d been right in that phase of a relationship where you’re obsessed with a person, comfortable enough that the sex starts to get really good, new enough that every time still feels like a revelation. If she wasn’t halfway across the country when quarantine started (in Seattle of all fucking places) she would be right here with him, but she’d insisted on waiting, holing up there until they could be sure she wouldn’t bring the virus back to the bunker. 

“Miss you, Sam,” she says. There’s this whine in her voice, a high-pitched edge, like maybe she really does need him as much as he needs her. 

He squeezes the base of his cock, grips tight and twists up, letting her hear the hitch in his breath, and she whimpers.

It’s been a month now since they saw each other, and Sam’s starting to feel like a teenager again. He’s never missed someone like this. She’s all he can think about: her smile, her eyes, her skin, the way she begs when she gets close, the way she looks with his handprints all over her… he’s pretty sure this is it, for him. She’s this constant hot twist in his guts, an itch under his skin, and jerking off isn’t anywhere near as satisfying as it should be. She’s the only thing that’s going to really satisfy him, now.

“So fucking hard for you,” he says. “Driving me crazy, watching you and not being able to touch you.” 

“I don’t think you understand,” she half-laughs, “Been thinking about you all the time, Sam. Can’t wait to see you again. So wet just thinking about you, your hands… want your fingers in my cunt while you choke me with the other hand.” 

He knows this is new for her, like so many things she’s started to explore with him. 

On the phone one night she’d said, “There’s something about you that makes me feel like it’s okay to be dirty,” and Sam gets hard every time he thinks about the shameless, ragged need in her voice as she said it. He wants to drive her crazy, make her go wild, wants to act out every fantasy she’s confided to him at night in the dark, each filthier than the last. The more she trusts him, the more she opens up, and he’s fucking astounded by her whispered confessions; he’s starting to think he’s met his match. 

There’s an abrupt noise on the other end of the line, like a slamming door, and then muffled, indistinct voices. 

“Where are you right now?” Sam asks. “Tell me you’re out at the grocery store, hiding in the bathroom. God, you’re dirty.” 

She giggles, sounding slightly flustered. “Don’t worry about it.” 

In the video, she’s bending at the waist, kneading her ass, looking over her shoulder with heavy-lidded eyes. She smacks herself lightly with one hand, just hard enough that Sam can see the jiggle of the impact, and he groans remembering the last time he saw her; he put her on her hands and knees, brought his palm down until her skin was hot and red, and when he finally rubbed the head of his cock between her legs she shoved herself back, impaling herself on the thick length of it with this blissed-out sigh like all she’d ever wanted was to be spanked raw and fucked open. 

Sam shudders and strokes himself a little faster. 

“How fast do you think you could get yourself off, if I just held you down on my cock? I have this game in mind… gonna tie you up, touch you, lick you, play with you, get you right up to the edge and then pull back, over and over again, until you think you can’t take any more. Then I’m going to give you ten seconds to come on my cock. Not gonna move, not gonna let you move, just gonna hold you down and stuff you full and see if you can come from squeezing me with that perfect little cunt.” 

“And if I can’t do it in ten seconds?” she asks, low and breathless. 

“Then I’m going to start all over again. Make you beg and cry and scream for it. You come in ten seconds, or not at all.” 

“Make it five,” she purrs. “Also… Sam?” 

“Yeah?”

“Surprise.” 

There’s a knock on the door. 

“You’re fucking kidding me,” Sam breathes. He’s frozen for a moment, so shocked he can barely muster the self-control to take his hand off his dick, and he hears her giggle through the phone a split-second after it echoes out in the hallway. His heart is racing. 

“Not kidding. Open the fucking door, Sam.” 

She hangs up on him. He’s clumsy with adrenaline and more than a little frustrated; he just drops the phone, wraps a blanket around himself with shaking hands, and slaps the laptop closed. When he manages to fumble the lock open and open the door, she’s beaming at him, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling, and Sam’s so hypnotized by her smile that he just stands there staring. He’s so happy he feels like he’s choking. 

“Forget your pants?” she asks, like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, and Sam laughs, giddy and stunned. He steps back and gestures, welcoming her inside, grinning so wide his cheeks hurt. 

“You’re…” he says. He can’t quite figure out how to end that sentence, but he settles on, “You’re here.” 

“Sam?” she says softly. She steps closer, biting her lip, looking up at him through her lashes. 

“Yeah?” 

She grins, tugging his blanket away and letting it fall. “You have five seconds.” 

Sam closes the distance between them, finally, and just before their lips meet, he mumbles, “You’re evil.” 

He almost adds, and I think I love you, but he’s too busy kissing her to get the words out. 

.

.

.

@winchesterprincessbride​ @ultimatecin73​ @mrswhozeewhatsis​ @mogaruke​ @babypieandwhiskey​ @amanda-teaches​ @hannahindie​ @fandom-princess-forevermore​ @just-a-touch-of-sass-and-fandoms​ @maddiepants​ @fangirlxwritesx67​ @leatherandfrackles @waywardbaby​ @covered-byroses​ @thoughtslikeaminefield​ @dean-winchesters-bacon​ @atc74​ @onethirstyunicorn​ @tumbler-tidbits​ @67-chevy-baby​ @wayward-and-worn​ @geekgirl1213​ @notyourtypicalrose​ @myfanficlibrarium​ @calaofnoldor​ @indecisive20something​ @carryonmyswansong​ @sycochick​ @michellethetvaddict​ @jotink78​ @boondoctorwho​ @itmighthavebeenintentional​ @rockhoochie​ @katehuntington​ @67midnightwriter​ @deanwanddamons​ @wendibird​ @sweetness47​ @theamuz​

[captbenscn]

Hey girl, I’m jealous of your heart. Cause it’s pumping inside you and I’m not.

[My erased legacy on Twitter after being suspended.] 😂🙃

"He will. It's Elliot." Olivia states with the utmost confidence, her faith in him unwavering. "He'll follow through." Because he always did and if for some reason it didn't happen this time, she knew it would not be through fault of his own. But rather someone, or something, else. But they were relying on this needed information for this case they were investigating. A suspect that had ties with one of the gangs Elliot and his team had been keeping tabs on.

And as though right on queue, her phone rings with 'El <3' lighting up on the front of her screen. With a smile, Olivia clicks the answer button before she places it on speaker, figuring they could hear what information he - hopefully - had for them.

“El, hey. What’d you have for me?” 

Hey girl, I’m jealous of your heart. Cause it’s pumping inside you and I’m not.

Olivia froze. Her heart felt like it stopped right then and there and she felt her entire body go cold, eyes widening and dropping to the phone in her hand. Did he just -- did he really just...

The Captain is speechless in this moment - something that isn’t an easy accomplishment for anyone - but Elliot manages to render her speechless and motionless for a good couple of minutes as she processes just what in the hell happened. 

She manages to tear her gaze away from the phone to instead look up at the people before her - daring to check their reactions which she really doesn’t even know why she bothered doing so. It only added to the embarrassment, to the awkwardness that filled the room, and more so, her.

Amanda sat there with an incredulous expression, mouth agape though slightly curled in amusement. Fin was sat next to her with a wide, knowing smile, chuckling in great amusement over this, while Carisi stood behind them, eyes wide, looking back and forth between everyone in silence, wondering if he heard that right and not quite sure what to say and then Garland - the Chief - standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, brow quirked. She wasn’t sure if it was in amusement or annoyance. 

Oh. My. God.

A heavy sigh falls from the Captain’s lips as her hands come up to cover her face, eyes practically rolling into the back of her head, heart racing. Olivia loved his pick up lines - absolutely adored them and he knew that - whether they were dirty or not, but usually the very... suggestive lines were said in private. Okay, sometimes in front of others to make his claim for her known, or to show off, but this was... different. Though, to be fair Elliot didn’t know, but... well, now he probably did thanks to Fin’s cackling in the background.

“Uh, El, honey,” Her voice sounds heavy, as though about to be the bearer of bad news and in a way, she was. “You’re on speaker and... we’re not alone.” Probably should have lead with that, but in her defense, as soon as she answered the phone, Elliot was already speaking into it - likely not wanting to miss the chance to get his words out before she could say anything first.

Suddenly, Amanda’s chuckling, too. “Oh, he’s definitely going to follow through, I’m sure.”  She can’t help but comment and it makes Fin laugh harder, so fucking entertained by this. Yet not surprised. Even pleased. 

Her words prompt a scornful look from the Captain, but it’s more so out of embarrassment than anything. “Give me a second, El.” Then she’s taking him off speaker and she’s staring at everyone before her, the look in her eyes saying it all. She doesn’t need to say it.

The Chief is now grinning and his arms unfold before he’s taking a step back. “We’ll give you a minute. Just make sure you ask him about the case.” He reminds her gently, a look akin to amusement in his eyes, Liv thinks. 

“Yeah, the pumping can come later, Liv.” Fin dares to speak up and if looks could kill, Fin would be lying dead on her office floor right now. 

“Out.” She orders, biting back the grin that threatens to come forth. And it’s only after they leave, the door closing behind them, that she can breathe again. But just barely. She shakes her head and brings the phone up to her ear again, voice low as though making sure only Elliot could hear her. Which only he could, given she was tucked away in her office now - alone - but still... 

“Hey. So, uh, that was less than ideal...” A quiet chuckle, free hand rubbing the side of her face. 

[jordan102791]

Pixie Love Note part 9

"Hey, Pix. How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing just fine. I finished talking to Tyler..."

"Yea I figured that's who he was calling. He's worried about you. We all worry about you."

"I know you do, but it can't be helped. I'm fine. I'll be fine. You guys go enjoy your last stops on the tour and I'll see you when you get home."

"All right, Amanda. Is everything all right there? I have a friend who could..."

"Jason Wulfson. I have cancer, I'm not an invalid. I can do plenty on my own still and if I can't I'll call Ralph. I'll be all right. Please stop worrying. Besides I don't need one of these punks you call friends driving out here to drop in on me."

"She's not a punk, Pix."

"She? Did you say she?"

He covered his face with his left hand knowing he'd said exactly the wrong thing to his little sister. "Yes," he sighed. "I said she. She lives nearby and asked if I wanted her to stop in, but I told her no bc I know you wouldn't want that."

"Well I don't know, a chance to get your girlfriend all to myself alone to interrogate? It might be worth it," Amanda says with the grin painted on her face clearly evident in her voice.

"She's not my girlfriend, Pix. She's just a uhh... girl... that's a friend."

"Well have you slept with her yet?" His sister was always like a terrier after any bone she could give him.

"Ugh... Amanda?" He groans out his response. "I shouldn't have to talk about my sex life with my baby sister."

"Oh please." He can practically hear her eyes rolling through the phone. "And you didn't answer the question."

"All right all right fine. Yes. I have slept with her. But just the once," he throws in.

"She must be pretty special for you to want to keep her around after the shag. She must be pretty damn good," his sister cackles at another of his embarrassed grunts. "No, but seriously Jase, I'm glad you finally found someone."

"Woah. Woah. Wait. Hold up. I didn't find anyone. We slept together, she didn't want any strings either, she left the next morning and left a phone number since we got along chatting about music and stuff. I happened to find it in my pocket and gave her a call. That's it. Nothing else. Period."

"Oh sweet Jase, it's a good thing you're pretty. I know you better than that and she's already under your skin if you're calling her."

"She certainly is not."

"Then why'd you go to her instead of the guys?"

"They were all... Busy with stuff."

"You know damn well they would have dropped everything if you needed them, don't insult them like that."

"Whatever, they were doing stuff that I didn't need to interrupt and I found her number in my jacket pocket so I used it."

"Why'd you save it?"

"Bc she wanted to talk about the music, not about the fame and she didn't try to hang around. I don't know. There was just something real to her. I never thought I'd actually use the phone number, but then it was just there and I'd dialed before I could stop myself."

"Mhmmm."

"What? Mhmmm what?"

"Oh nothing," Amanda sang.

"Whatever, I'll just offer to send one of my 'punk friends' next time."

"Oh Jase, don't be so riled up. I'm sure she's just a friend, like you said."

*****

"Shit, I'm running so late," Piper mumbles as she hops up from the couch. She snatches her keys from the counter and bolts for the door, throwing her one shoe on as she runs for the truck. The other will have to wait so that she doesn't face plant head first on the way. How could she have over slept when she knew she had to get the girls from school.

She hopped into the truck that was older than either of her children, and if she was being honest, probably more than half of her own age. But it still ran just fine, it was seldom in the shop, and much cheaper than having a monthly payment on a new one. She didn't need the flashiest, prettiest vehicle in town, she just needed something to keep her and her kids safe inside and get them from point A to point B daily. It's not like she really had two incomes coming in anyways. She knew if she needed it her mama or Shauna would help if she couldn't make ends meet, but she hated the idea of either of them spending their own money to help her. No she'd only rely on them in an emergency.

Her phone, still tucked into her pocket, gave a beep and vibrate. As tempting as it might seem, she wouldn't look at it while driving. Maybe if she got stuck at a red light, but not while driving. Frankly, she was giving herself enough anxiety driving as fast as she was without adding that distraction. She finally let up, just a bit, when she realized she'd be late, but still within a reasonable time to get the girls.

She slid into a space that had just been freed up by another parent leaving with their bundles of joy. Her youngest skipped as she held the teacher's hand, while her other daughter simply walked alongside to the truck. Piper jumped out and ran around the truck to grab Lana so they could get strapped into their seats and headed on their way back home. The text message forgotten in stories of each daughter's day.

*****

"She must be working," Wulf said to himself when it was obvious she wouldn't be replying right now. "I'll try her again later I guess." A pang of disappointment unexpectedly hit him in the chest. She hadn't sold all of his secret to the press. Not even a whisper about his sister had been in any papers or magazines. He'd been lucky that one girl hadn't heard enough of his conversation with Pix to say anything, but then he'd run straight to a practical stranger with everything. And she hadn't betrayed his trust. He hadn't even made her promise not to tell, she just hadn't all on her own. He hadn't met anyone who wasn't looking for more gossip in a long while. And someone trustworthy was a very rare quality in his world anymore.

He wasn't even sure why he wanted to talk to her now. To thank her, perhaps? He liked her and it did make him feel better that she was close if Amanda needed something until he could get home, but she was still a stranger. Someone who could destroy everything, but for some reason he couldn't explain, he wanted to tell her everything.

*****

"Shit, I forgot about that message I got earlier," Piper mumbled to herself. "I should probably make sure it wasn't anything important, but if it was they probably would have called me by now, right?" She continued warring with herself over the matter while she got the girls' stuff together for the next day and them tucked into bed. She'd look at it once she got herself into bed.

Pulling back the navy quilt over the bed, she crawled in giving a small shiver at the coldness of the sheets. She palmed her phone, swiping the lock screen. The missed message illuminating the screen. A surprised jolt ran through her body at the name atop the screen. Wulf.

Wulf: Hey

She stared at the screen until everything around her went fuzzy. What would he be texting her about? Was his sister all right? Maybe he needs her to go look in on her? She found herself more concerned for the stranger she'd never met than she would have expected herself to be. Nervous hands dashed over the keyboard.

Piper: Hey

Piper: Sorry I missed your message. Is everything ok with Amanda?

Wulf's phone buzzed and then again as he drew the phone from his pocket. A warm smile teased at his lips reading her concern about his sister. The guys, while still not their usual peppy selves, were in somewhat better spirits again. Perhaps the promise of being home to visit the band's honorary little sister soon. They were up towards the front playing each other in some video game and if he had to hazard a guess Mags was kicking all their asses. Honestly, he'd never seen a better gamer, but she'd never tell him how she'd gotten so good whenever he asked. He punched in his reply to the lovely brunette he could still envision when he closed his eyes.

Wulf: Hey, no problem. Pix is doing just fine. I was actually texting to talk to you, but figured you must be busy. No big.

Piper: Busy is definitely one way to put it ☺. I was driving when I got your message and then when I was stopped life happened and I got distracted and forgot to check it. Sorry.

Wulf: No worries. So what's up?

Piper: I just crawled into bed.

He liked the idea of her in bed. He knew at least some of the magic she could work there. The thought of her underneath him and on top of him again had him feeling suddenly too hot for the bus. Maybe he needed to take this conversation to the back for some privacy. Ding.

Piper: Work has me so wrung out this week, but we do what we must, right?

The message was like diving into a half frozen pond. He wasn't sure what shocked him more, that she hadn't been trying to come on to him or how disappointed he was that she wasn't. Wasn't he the same guy that had been ranting and raving for weeks about they all wanted more from him? Begging and pleading to get their hands on him, so their claws could sink into his money and fame? But she could have tried for fame and some quick money selling his story, but she hadn't done that. Ding.

Piper: So what's up?

Wulf: Nothing much. Just watching Mags kick all the guys' collective asses in video games. But you're tired. I can talk to you another time ☺

Piper: No, it's all right. I'm sitting down now so it's so much better already.

Piper: Mags? Is that Charlie's wife? He's the only one I remember being married? Hell yea girl, give 'em hell.

Wulf chuckled at her response. Hhe could definitely tell she could be a firecracker and would give him a run from his money given half a chance. The ease of the idea of her being around normally startled him. Why had he thought that?

Wulf: Yea, that's Charlie's wife. She's damn good. She refuses to tell me how she got so good though. 😞

Piper: Aww... Poor baby. Is she being a big meanie? Won't share her trade secrets?

Wulf found himself grinning despite himself.

Wulf: I think I sense a bit of sarcasm in that message.

Piper: You think? 😂

Wulf: Ouch. You wound me. Truly. 😂

Piper: My apologies sir

Piper: Anyways, you said you wanted to talk to me? Anything specific or just talking in general?

Wulf: Why didn't you tell anyone?

Piper: Tell anyone what?

Wulf: Any of the stuff I rambled about or Amanda. Hell, even the night we spent together.

Piper: Idk I was supposed to?

Piper: I thought that was all private stuff.

Wulf let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

Wulf: It was, is.

Wulf: Most would've sold it anyways

Piper: It's not my story to sell.

Wulf: Most wouldn't see it that way bc I told you all of that stuff.

Piper: Yes, but you told me all of that stuff in confidence. I wouldn't have shared it without you saying it was all right first.

Piper: I know what the lack of privacy can be like, on a much smaller scale of course, but still. I wouldn't wish that on you for the world ☺

Wulf: Ya know, having a friend like you may honestly be too good to be true.

Piper: I'm sorry you have such crappy options 😂

Wulf: Sugar, you're in no way, that I can see, a crappy option. Others would be lucky to play in the same league as you. I certainly am.

Wulf: Hey, when I get home, let me take you to dinner. To say thank you.

Piper bites the side of her lower lip. "What is he doing," she wonders aloud. "I thought he understood that night was just a one time deal."

Piper: I don't think that would be a good idea. Besides, no need to thank me for not being an asshole.

Wulf's brow crinkled as he read the message a few times to himself.

Wulf: Why not?

Piper: You're gonna make me say it?

Piper: I thought we decided on just one night?

Wulf sighed, sadness filling the cavity in his ice box chest.

Wulf: Yea, we did. But we're friends, right?

Piper: Yea?

Wulf: Well you go out and have dinner with your other friends sometimes don't you?

Piper: I mean I guess so

Wulf: Good. And if it makes you feel better you could just come to my house to hang out

Wulf: We can order take out and watch some TV

Wulf: Totally informal, wear your PJs or sweats if you want and just veg out. Just friends.

Wulf: And besides, Amanda really wants to meet you. And I'd like you to meet her too. Ya know, in case she needs help sometime or something.

Wulf knew he shouldn't be using his sister as a crutch, but he was desperate to see her again. To make her say yes. He wanted to know if she was all he'd remembered. If her eyes were really as clear and blue as they had seemed in each of his dreams and his fantasies. If her hair really coiled loosely and swayed in the unseen breeze. If he were just as likely to want to crash on each of the dangerous curves of her body a second, and perhaps third time. And he technically wasn't lying. Pix did say she wanted to meet her.

Piper: Idk, but I guess if you promise to behave it could be ok

Piper: I'll make sure to wear my ugliest PJs to dissuade you from pouncing on me 😂

Wulf gave a hearty laugh. He still had no idea how she could make him laugh when everyone else failed to.

Wulf: Perfect. I look forward to seeing them.

Wulf: Well I'll let you get to sleep now, but we'll figure out a time to hang out, All right? No backing out now, right?

Piper: All right, no backing out. Good night Wulf.

[ao3feed-barisi]

say it with flowers

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2qDX4fZ

by ships_to_sail

“Go ahead and wave if you can hear us, Rafael.” He did as instructed as a hush fell over the room and a disembodied voice counted down from ten in his ear. “...two…one.”

The lights flared, blinding him momentarily as a wall of sound roared to life around him, leaving him robbed of two vital senses. As the crowd quieted and his eyes adjusted, he grinned and winked out at the crowd, the collective pitch rising another few octaves as he spread his arms and gestured at the space around him.

“Welcome, everyone, to the live finale of Jailbreak My Heart!” Another pause for applause. “I’m so thrilled to have all of you here tonight, and all of you at home watching, as we discover just which one of these two beautiful ladies will walk away with the biggest prize of all - the heart of America’s newest top gun, Detective Dominick Carisi, Jr-”

“-JUST CALL ME SONNY” the crowd screamed in unison, cackling through what had become a rather inadvertent catchphrase after the first episode. The laughter devolved into more ‘woos’, and Rafael didn’t have to look to know that a giant picture of the detective was being displayed on the screen behind him.

Words: , Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Law & Order

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Rafael Barba, Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr., Amanda Rollins, Olivia Benson

Relationships: Rafael Barba/Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr., Olivia Benson/Amanda Rollins

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Alternate Universe - Reality Show, Pre-Slash, Developing Relationship, Sonny is always bisexual

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2qDX4fZ

[archuve]

Closing the distance

Dianakko week day 7 Free Day

@dianakko-week

A/N This one shot is a nice shout out to all the long distance relationships that happened thanks to the fandom and lwa cause I know several people got together thanks to this lovely show. Speaking of which, this one shot is dedicated to my lovely gal pal @oceankasko who I met thanks to lwa <3

Summary: After 2 years of a long distance relationship, Akko and Diana finally meet.

“I can’t believe this!” Amanda howled with laughter, her hands clutching her sides as she bends over laughing with tears skimming the corners of her eyes. Diana look could already feel the heat of embarrassment brush over her cheeks as she stares at the times on the board. “We came here 2 hours earlier than we needed to because Diana is too gay!”

“Amanda!” Lotte chided as people started to stare at the girls as they walk past them with disapproval, whether it was because Amanda was laughing too much and caused a slight scene or because Diana is an open gay, Lotte didn’t care and didn’t really want to know.

“It’s true though!” Amanda reasoned, her laughter dying down as she wiped away the few tears that were near her eyes. She stands up, one arm on her hip as she points to Diana who is facepalming near them, red cheeks just peeking from her hand. “Look she’s not even denying it!”

“That doesn’t mean you need to tell the whole airport about it though!” Diana scolded as she looked up and to the side to meet Amanda’s eyes but all that did was trigger another wave of cackles and laughs for Diana didn’t look all too intimidating with a tomato flustered face. “This is brilliant,” Amanda laughed as she picked up her rucksack and moved to a seating area, the other two following behind her. “Like this is gold, 24-carat cavendish gold,” she snickered as she sat down on an empty seat.

“For the 88th time Amanda, my house does not have gold hidden in some hidden basement or room,” Diana hissed as she sat next to her.

“Ah but that’s what you want me to think,” Amanda said with a smirk.

“I personally showed you the blueprints of the house,” Diana said quickly in hopes she would stop. Amanda did not.

Amanda shrugged, “Blueprints can lie-

“They were the original copies!” Diana exclaimed as she faced Amanda fully, as far as she was aware no one made any changes par the general repairs and refurbishment.

“Then they aren’t worth anything because they are wayyyy outdated,” Amanda said as she put her hands behind her head. Diana was about to lose it there and then, the red on her face that was once embarrassment shifted to anger and it clashed with the pale blue shirt that had a nice ocean crest in the middle that she was wearing. She was really really tempted to hit Amanda with her handbag that was in her skinny jeans.

“Amanda, would you please stop antagonising Diana? You're supposed to here to support her meeting her girlfriend Akko.” Lotte said as she sat on the other side of Diana. She was wearing a pretty yellow summer dress with various flowers at the end. In her hands was a book of her favourite series Nightfall, and it was already opened with the pages flicking every now and then.

At the mention of her girlfriend, the bright red face of anger turned to a darker scarlet, the angry snarl of her lips transformed into a shy smile and the cold blue flames in her eyes flickered to the warmth of a fire that came from a fireplace and slowly the warmth spread all over her body as her mind is swarmed with her presence: of small recollections of late night messages, of her beautiful face and smile, of the human angel that is Akko Kagari.

In all honesty, she has no clue why or how she managed to meet and fall for the girl, and online on a hellish social media website in a fandom of all places. If someone told her that this was how she would meet the greatest person in the world when she was younger, she would’ve taken them to the nurse’s room to see if the person was ill and probably stay away from them. She just couldn’t see how this was even possible! Even now there are some days where Diana would wake up and ask herself how is Akko real? How are they real? Then she looks at her phone and her heart would flutter when she sees Akko’s adorable smiling face on her home screen and she becomes glad that they are real and now today it would be even more real when she hugs her for the first time.

Her daydream mind talks end there as Amanda talks once more, “Actually Lotte, you’re here to support her, I’m here because I made these two idiots get together so I need to see it happen again in real life.”

“You’re here because you have the only decent video camera to record our first meeting.” Diana corrected. “Also with the promise that you make our meeting look one of a kind.” Diana also included when Amanda opened her mouth to argue before shutting up at the promise she made late at night playing a game with all of them. Diana gave her a small smirk as she looked away to the distance, one thought replayed throughout her mind; she didn’t deny the fact that they did meet through and got together through Amanda.

When they first meet… it wasn’t the greatest first impression.

In a short summary, Amanda was close friends with Akko, a new cosplayer who dabbles in fanart and dabbles even less in fanfics. Diana was this highly acclaimed fanfic writer and theorist of the fandom and was just only a frenemy of Amanda. One day Amanda vented at Akko about Diana which caused Akko who is protective of her friends to slide into her DM to yell at Diana. Of course, no matter how Amanda tried to quell the flames of anger, the private fight between Akko and Diana of squabbles and disagreements continued on until one day Amanda told Akko to leave Diana alone a bit from the arguments.

Curious on why, Akko did not leave Diana alone and asked what was wrong and in the heat of the moment Diana confessed that she is being pestered by a person who claimed that she is stealing her work and ideas and no matter how much she tries to explain and argue her points the person refused to listen. It made things, even more, worse when Diana refuses to bring this to light to the fandom community for she does not wish her followers to send death threats to such a simple but long-winded misunderstanding.

What Akko did next not only surprised Diana but everyone else that knew about Akko. Akko in public confronted the person and with every newly added statement made, Akko seemed to turn the information to her favour, coming up with ideas and ways to tackle the problem that Diana never saw before. After a long fight of a week of drama, the person admitted that they caused this to only make Diana look bad due to extreme jealousy that their fic is getting pushed away by Diana’s and was quickly thrown out of the fandom.

When Diana confronted Akko days afterwards when everything on both their ends died down, Akko confessed that the same thing happened to her but through cosplays in a different fandom and no one wanted to believe her so she left and vowed never to let anyone go through the same things because she wanted everyone to be happy. After that Diana and Akko quickly became friends and instead of arguing for hours they talked for hours and hours and before they knew it they were crushing on each other.

Diana fell first, she touched by Akko’s passion and kindness and protectiveness and determined nature. Then she admired her laughs and funny jokes and memes. Without realising Diana fell for her and she fell hard. She only realised it when she hasn't seen Akko’s cosplays and for the first time in her life, in her writing hobby, Diana was found lost for words. Her eyes could never leave the screen. They just kept staring and looking at Akko, they were lost in Akko’s beautiful red eyes, she was entranced. Then when she looked down and saw her smile… Diana’s heart jumped. It jumped more and more as Diana stalked her cosplay photos and general selfies she posted and by the time she reached the end Diana’s heart sunk that there wasn’t anymore.

That was the moment where Diana realised she had it bad.

Naturally, of course, she went to Amanda about it who didn’t believe her until Diana posted a gay poem about her ship but with lines that also doubled as confessions and her feelings for Akko. The hints were too obvious that she was talking about someone else and that was when  Amanda decided to play the wing woman.

Akko fell as soon as Diana did, or at least she recognised it as a crush. Akko had a lingering feeling that Diana was special hence why she stayed around so much and it’s only when they became closer, Akko saw why. Diana just amazing, she could write so much and update so frequently that it was insane, every compliment given was received with grace and modesty and every public fight made Diana seem so much nicer and smarter to Akko. She helps people with writing tips, helps them get more exposure for their fics and even if someone told her that she was ill, Diana would give them good solid instructions to make them feel better and they worked.

Then Akko was invited into Diana’s group by Amanda who was also there and Akko swears that when Diana talked it was the sound of angels. She was so dumbfounded that she shouted in surprise because she was so lost in thought of Diana and decided to spill the information on Amanda. Long story short, Amanda was fed up with them dancing around each other and shoved them in a private 3 way call where they confessed after a lot of talking and they became girlfriends which lead them to now, where Diana is waiting for Akko to arrive in the Heathrow airport.

/-/

“So…,” Amanda said as she fiddled with her video camera, her eyes lost of its usual thunder and spark for teasing and annoying Diana. She sighed, turning off the camera when she had no reply from her friends. She turned to the left of her, to see what Lotte and Diana were doing. Lotte was once again her her nose deep in another Nightfall book, though it surprised Amanda when she leant forward a bit more to see and saw that between Diana and her there was a small pile of books she already read or will read through when they wait.

Amanda blinked, accepting the fact that Lotte came with maybe 5 or more books to the airport and right under their nose. She turned her attention to Diana, rolling her eyes as Diana’s eyes are staring into the distance. Amanda knew what she was thinking of, anyone would with that sincere dopey smile, of that obvious lovestruck grin that stretched across her face. She was thinking of her darling Akko, the girl who they were waiting to meet.

Amanda’s mind fell back into the topic of Akko. She leant back into her chair, leaning more on her palm as her elbow was resting on the back of her chair as her eyes drifted upwards. She won’t lie to herself that the fact that Diana fell for Akko was a huge shock. Sure before when Diana was venting to them in the discord about how annoying Akko was and they teased her about liking the girl since boy she talked a lot about Akko yet she never expected them to actually get together.

Also, she didn’t expect them to stay together for this long, not that she would ever tell them of course. She just thought considering how much they fought before they might fight again and break up but Amanda didn’t mind being proven wrong, one easily tell that they were good for each other. Not to mention Diana being flustered over Akko and vice versa was the best thing to mess around with.

They, especially Diana had the best reactions. Amanda remembered the time she hosted a video call and it was the gay losers’ first time seeing each other through a screen. Diana couldn’t stop staring at Akko and her mouth was open like a big fish and a tomato face. Whilst Akko talked in Japanese for 15 minutes because she couldn’t think straight. Then again, Akko never thought straight to begin with.  

Amanda looked at Diana once more with a small smile on her face, hidden laughter conveyed in her smile before exhaling a long breath as she looked around, waiting for anything to get her bored attention. She shifted in her seat, keeping her ears open for any noise that may be used to her. There was the constant shuffle of movement and wheels squeaking as they roll on the tiled floor. The muffles of small talk, the soft thuds of when luggage hit the ground or when bodies briefly collided when passing.

As Amanda thought, there was nothing for her to pass the time, how long will it take for Akko to arrive anyways? They’ve been sitting down for a while now.

As if it was an answer to her thoughts, the generic beat of airport music was cut short, replaced by the shriek of a 3 beat alert, the signal of an important message delivered through a muffled robotic voice. “This is an announcement to say that the 13:30 flight from Japan has landed-” Amanda didn’t have a chance to hear the end of the message because she was instantly shouting in Diana’s ears.

“Diana, Diana, Diana” She repeated, shaking Diana out of her reverie with every name pronounced.

“What!?” Diana snapped back to Amanda with a glare. Amanda just smirked at her as she turned on her camera and faced it at Diana, looking through the lenses. She was not going to miss Diana’s reaction to this great news.

“I repeat: The 13:30 flight from Japan has landed…. ”

The sudden switch from anger to pure happiness and excitement was everything Amanda was hoping for.

Amanda was so glad that she recorded that moment. The way Diana’s narrowed glare of her blue eyes started to widen, the fire of annoyance that burnt in her irises expelled into this spark, this flare of happiness. Her smile that was so full and reached the corners of her cheeks erupted from the lined lips of annoyance. Amanda could see the star’s glint in her eyes, the rainbow’s happiness in her smile. It reminded her of her childhood photos she saw of Diana when she was younger, of that young, pure, innocent sense of happiness before her mother died.

“However due to an accident in the landing strip, the arrivals from the 13:30 plane from Japan will come through Arrival Area D oppose to Arrival Area A.”

If Amanda wasn’t so happy to see Diana’s face when she found out that her girlfriend will arrive sooner than expected, Amanda might laugh at the shattered shocked smile. The sudden startle in her eyes, the way her mouth hung open like a dead fish. Of course not out of malice, but because of the suddenness of it all and the fact that Amanda has a tendency to laugh at many things.

They all stayed there, suspended in an air of shock and surprise, even when the third and final notification replayed ended and the generic beat of the airport music played once more. Amanda was the first to snap out of the trance or realise that they were standing there for 7 going 8 minutes thanks to the runtime showing on her video camera. “Hey, Diana…” She said with a nervous laugh, she had no clue on what would happen next.

At the mention of her name, Diana snapped awake in a heartbeat. For a split second, Amanda’s eyes reached Diana’s and Amanda knew what she was going to do. She could just see it in her desperate eyes. She saw it in the reflections when she’s been caught sneaking around. The girl was going to bounce. Something Diana would never do was it not for Akko’s intervention of some sort and for some reason, Amanda was not okay with that.

Before she knew it, Diana fled from her eyes.

“Diana!” She shouted, waking Lotte from her small trance as well. Diana ignored her shout as she came around the end of seats. Amanda didn’t hesitate to heave her backpack on her arm, one hand still holding the camera, mouth a quick apology to Lotte before she races after Diana.

She should be excited about this, this was an interesting meeting that only Diana and Akko can pull and if she wasn’t worried about them being kicked out for causing trouble for running she might be. “Amanda slow down, they still need to get through security, we still have time to meet them!” Lotte called behind her. Amanda paused, her breath slows to deep intakes and long exhales as she looked at Lotte who smiled at her as she caught up. “Now why don’t you tell Diana that so that she won’t get into trouble.”

If Amanda was a better friend then maybe she would. Instead, she laughs as she shakes her head, “I would but where was the fun in that?” She adjusted her bag over her shoulders, “Come on maybe we could get Diana treat us to lunch for running, especially if it looked like we chased after her.” Amanda grinned before chasing after the runaway gay. “Diana!” She called, “Slow down a bit!”

/-/

Diana internally laughed at herself, she came early out of excitement and so that she can have her arms open and Akko would jump in her arms and she would spin her around, hugging her as they laugh together before she sets her down and kisses her. That was her ideal plan, this: running across one gigantic airport and let Akko meet her all breathless with messy hair was not.

But this current scenario is reality and so Diana needs to adapt. It’s a good thing she didn’t bring the violet and yellow lilies as a bouquet for her or else there would be a trail following her as she runs. Maybe if she gets there quickly she could have time to calm down and fix her hair but she knows that idea is against the clock. She wasted precious time already watching her ideas and dreams of her perfect way for them to meet shatter and crumble in her head.

Quite frankly, if Amanda didn’t call out her name she might’ve stayed there forever. She can hear Amanda from the distance actually, calling her name and telling her to slow down. Diana did not; nor did she look behind her in case she would collide with someone.

Before she knew it, she was in the right arrival area and with a few minutes to spare. Diana quickly became familiar with the seats as she collapsed on them to heave oxygen back into her lungs. Even then that still didn’t help the rapid pace in her chest, the ball of excitement that surges in her, bubbling and brewing like a volcano ready to explode. She is so excited, the thrilling sparks of anticipation are just electricity dancing between the nerves and the bones of her being.

Finally, she can be with Akko.

After so long, after so much waiting and dreaming for this day to come.

“You are either the dumbest, the most useless lesbian I have ever met or the most desperate lesbian I have ever met,” Amanda said through fast pace breaths of air. One hand leaning on a nearby chair, the other clutching the video camera tightly, the lens pointing at Diana.

Diana jumped from her seat, totally caught off guard from what Amanda said. “You would be like this if you are just seconds away from meeting your girlfriend for 2 years for the first time,” Diana argued, her eyes narrowing, her chest still rising and falling in the final attempts to normalise her heart rate.

“Yeah,” Amanda conceded her voice getting a bit louder, “But I wouldn’t run here like a madman!”

“We are just minutes away from meeting each other!” Diana reasoned, crossing her arms. Her eyes looked up at lingered on the clock. She wished she can speed up time, this wait seemed unbearingly long.

“Actually Diana, we still got 30 minutes left at least, They need to get their baggage and passports checked out and make it past security,” Lotte said to her with an apologetic smile as she walked to them with, she wasn’t tired at all. Unlike the other two she walked instead of running and chasing but how can anyone run with those heavy sets of books.

There was a long pregnant pause between the three of them. Lotte glanced between the two, Diana’s eyes were wide with surprise whilst Amanda gave her a small frown that didn’t quite match the smug amusement in her green eye. It didn’t take long for Lotte to see why Amanda was still filming this entire thing. “So are you telling me I didn’t need to run?” Diana asked, her eyes wide, cheeks flushing a warm pink from embarrassment.

“Well, if you wanted to you could and you did but…” Lotte reasoned as she put her bag next to Diana’s chair. “You really didn’t need to.”

“My apologies,” Diana muttered as she covered her face in an attempt to hide her face. “Clearly I wasn’t thinking straight.”

Amanda snorted as she moves closer, the lens focusing on Diana’s bashful and embarrassed expression, “You never been thinking straight to begin with Diana.” Amanda laughed, moving back as Diana leaned forward to grab the camera. “Hey come on Diana, you wanted me to catch a 'one of the kind' meeting between you and Akko,” She reasoned as Diana left her chair to cover the lens of the camera. “Besides it’s not every day your perfect hair is a mess.”

“Amanda!”

/-/

“Would you stop bouncing, it makes you look like an idiot.” Sucy chided as she nudged Akko at her side. They were waiting for their bags to come and Akko couldn’t stop bouncing. The Japanese girl grinned widely at her, her eyes being fireworks, an extravagant display of the sparks and flames of anticipation.

“But Sucyyyy, she’s here!” Akko squealed as she clasped her hands and brought it close to her chest, her squeal hidden within her intertwined hands.

“Oh boy…” Sucy muttered with a roll of her eyes, she could just tell what the girl was going to talk about next. Anyone with within a 10 feet radius could see what Akko would ramble on about.

“Diana is here!” Akko giggled as she twirled around, her steps were giddy and elaborate as she danced around Sucy who grumbled under her breath. “Diana is here and I’m meeting her~” Akko sang as her eyes closed and the world disappeared around her. She waited for this day to arrive, this day where they meet. The dream that powered her to work hard in her classes, get the grades needed to go to England with her parent’s permission.

No longer did she need to dream of holding Diana in her arms, the dream of kissing her till they are both out of breath, those dreams can become realities. They have been together for two years but to Akko, it was more than two years. Time sped up for them when they talked but it also slowed down and paused like it was the only two of them in the world but that was always something that happened.

Diana always found a way to make her feel special, to make her be something she isn’t. She won’t deny it, Akko knows she is a clown, a clutz who always mess up despite trying so hard. She understands why people laugh at her when she proclaimed that she was going to England to study. She could see why teachers would try to talk her out of it, why her own parents were hesitant about letting her stay hours after school to study for an exam they thought she could never pass. She even saw it in herself, she would look at herself and laugh and joke that even if she didn’t pass she would be content on going down as the biggest laughing stock of the year.

Yet Diana… Diana never believed that. Diana wholeheartedly believed her, she knew that she could pass the exams and come to England to study in the Luna Nova University. Diana would look at her say that she sees a queen, a queen who despite her flaws, bad habits and quirks were the best thing that ever came in her life.

Diana could make her smile with a simple message, with a picture her heart would race and her voice… Diana would always deny it with a cute fluster but Akko swears on her chariot cards that it was the sound of an angel. Now just meeting her, being in her embrace would make her be the happiest person to ever exist and she just hopes for the rest of the time they were together she would return the favour.

“Hey lovesick, what does Diana look like again?,” Sucy said as she nudged Akko once again, snapping her out of her daydream over Diana. They were walking for a while, their bags already collected and they were just heading to the arrival area, Akko’s suitcase was decorated with rainbows and the iconic image of a 4 pointed star that belonged to Shiny Chariot.

Akko’s serene smile broke to an excited grin, “Diana looks beautiful, she has this long and wavy blond hair that always look so fluffy and soft,”

“Okay,” Sucy said pausing for a bit, her eyes looking in the distance not that Akko noticed. “What is the colour of her eyes again?”

“Blue!!!!!” Akko squealed as she shut her eyes once more, the enchanting image of her eyes. “They are the greatest shade of blue, like its sooooo pretty and beautiful and I could just get so lost in them.”

“I see…” Sucy mused as her smile widens a bit more as she tugs on her shirt. “Hey, Akko I think I found her.”

Akko forgot to breathe.

Her head turned so quickly to Sucy’s direction, her heart jumped into her throat as her voice hitched. She can see her.

She can see her clearly despite the many people walking between them. Her eyes linger on her hair as it moves, her heart flips as she flipped it. Her images, the pixel faces she saw her through phone lied. Her eyes, those beautiful ocean blue eyes she can never stop staring at on her phone were stunning and were more beautiful than anything she ever saw.

She can feel her heart skip beats, she can hear the buzz of anticipation flow through her vein, the rush of fire that spread to her cheeks. This was a sensation she can never truly describe. She couldn’t think at all, lost for words and mind. Seeing Diana made Akko, the girl who couldn’t stop moving become still, the sight of her rendering her useless. So it’s a good thing she fell back on instincts, on her impulsive nature.

Her hands fall from the grip of her suitcase as she ran forward. It fell to the floor, the same time she shouted with all the love she had.

“Diana!”

/-/

Diana heard her name and her eyes grew wide. She recognised that voice anywhere. Every time she says her name, the cute unique way she says it, her heart thunders like a stormy ocean night, where wave after wave of overwhelming emotions drowns the oxygen in her lungs and swept it away.

She turns around, the world going deaf around her apart from one thing. The sound of running, of her name being said again and again like a song on repeat, the song her heart dances. Her eyes break into small tears, small happy tears as she sees who is running to her. A thief, a beautiful dorky thief in a shiny chariot shirt and ripped jeans and converse shoes that stole her heart and breath away.

“Akko,” she breathed before she runs to her. “Akko!” She shouts again, the thrill and happiness blooming from her voice.

“Diana!” Akko answers with a wide smile that mirrors Diana’s.

They meet halfway in a clash of arms that wrap around tight around the others. Akko’s arms were hugging tight around her waist and Diana’s arms clung to her shoulders as she pulled Akko closer and bury her head on her shoulder. “Akko,” Diana cried as her hands roam around her back and one moves across to the top of her hair and runs through it.

This is real. This moment is real. This was actually happening. All of that longing and waiting, of sleeping giddy in an attempt to push away the emotion of loneliness that Akko was not cuddling her right now was worth this moment. Where time froze and it was just her and Akko.

Diana can feel her weight on her body, she can smell the shampoo in Akko’s hair as she buried her face in it. Her cheeks hurt from smiling too much, so much as she held her closer, tighter in a way that screams that she won’t ever let her go.

When they pull away after the longest time hugged, Diana, can’t help but laugh at the height difference between them, even if it was just a couple of inches, “You are so small,” She laughed as she placed both of her hands on Akko’s cheek, her thumbs rubbing away the happy tears that stain them. Akko chuckles, a sound that makes Diana’s heart melt, her knees go weak as Akko turns her head slightly, placing one hand over hers and kisses the inside of her palm. If Diana wasn’t aware of the burning sensation on her cheeks, she could sense it now as it burns through her entire body.

“And you are so beautiful in person,” Akko murmurs to her palm before she turns her head again to face her.

Diana doesn’t know how to react, her mouth opens and closes like a fish. She doesn’t know how to react to this, usually, she is the one talking smoothly to make Akko blush that adorable shade of red but now she is caught off guard and is just a blushing fool in love. Akko giggled again as she put her other hand out and wiped away Diana’s own set of happy tears, smiling softly as she does so. “Lost for words again Diana?” She teased.

Diana smiled at the tease, removing her other hand to hold Akko’s and without losing eye contact with her, intertwined their hands together, their fingers fitting together like two pieces of a jigsaw. Her smile turned into a smug as the soft pink around Akko’s cheeks deepened in colour, her mouth slowly squirming in a bashful smile as Diana brought Akko’s hand and hovered her lips above it. She isn’t going to kiss it, not yet.

“Of course,” Diana admits with a chuckle, laughing even more when she can hear Akko’s gulp, her eyes not leaving Diana’s except only to glance at her lips or her her hand that is so close to it. Diana knows exactly what she wants and as a great girlfriend, she will give it to her. “Your angelic presence always made me speechless my darling Akko.” She whispered in soft sincerity before she kisses her hand.

Her lips lingered there, her eyes closed before she opened them, pride swelling inside her as she saw her darling Akko all red in the face and looking adorable as ever. “You did that just to one-up me didn’t you?” Akko accused as Diana removed her lips from Akko’s hand. Diana laughed at the words Akko said, she recognised those words. She saw it before in a text form when she sent Akko a photo of herself all too quickly to make the gal be flustered. She can see where this conversation was going and her heart raced even more at the thought.

“Maybe I did? Maybe I didn’t?” Diana mused as she made the distance between them became smaller. She let go of Akko’s hand and cupped her other cheek with it. “The question is Akko,” she smirked, her eyes glancing at Akko’s lips, a quick signal that she wanted this too and the way Akko’s hand tighten as Diana cups her cheek shows that she wanted this as well. She leaned closer, inches of a distance between, the stage was set and it was now the great finale of the show. Diana ignored the pounding of excitement in her chest, the sparks of electricity across her nervous system, of how her legs and knees are trembling as she stared at Akko.

“What are you going to do about it?”

Akko did the same thing she replied with to her text that night, many many months ago.

Akko kissed her.

Diana expected this, she knew there was a likely chance for them to kiss when they first meet, but she wasn’t prepared for this. She was on fire, heat burnt through her skin, red spread from her face to the tips of her ears and knuckles as her thumb rubbed circles on Akko’s cheek as she pressed deeper into the kiss. The other hand moved to her waist to pull their bodies closer as Diana relaxed to the Akko’s fingers threading her tresses of blonde, of how her other arm wrapped around Diana’s neck anchored her to reality. Her eyes stay quiet, closed as her mind tried to capture the moment she longed for and desired for so many months. Whatever she dreamt of, when Akko consumed her ever waking thoughts, it was nothing compared to what she feels now.

There was nothing that she could describe, Diana for all her writing glory was lost for words. Nothing would ever justify how right it felt having Akko’s lips move against hers, how intoxicated she was from it all, how despite her breath slowly being seeped away, she wanted more. This was the thrill that came from a Chariot show, the familiar comfort of writing, it was the fireworks that left her in awe, it was the autumn breeze on a sunny day. It was everything she ever loved all placed in a melting pot and served straight to her lips.

After was seemed like an eternity, they broke apart. Their eyes fixated on each other, giving Diana more chances to admire the beautiful unique colour of her iris before Akko placed her forward against hers. “Why must you be so good at everything Diana?”

Diana laughed at the question but that only prompted Akko to continue. “You are such a great girlfriend, writer, friend and now a great kisser.”

“I could teach you if you like?”

“If you’re going to teach her to do you mind giving a private lesson,” Amanda said, breaking the mood entirely. Akko smiled sheepishly as she buried her head into Diana again and Diana flushed red as the others smiled at them. Amanda however, laughed at the response, her eyes flip to the camera, still recording them and closed it. This part of the story is documented, it was up to them to document the rest.

[letscuttothefeeling]

season three episode six

This week’s Siesta Key recappé is brought to you by crayons, water-proof phone cases, and your toxic ex. Let’s cut to the feeling!

Nothing says “bold” like strutting through the home of your not-yet-boyfriend’s parents without a bra or pants on. I salute Alyssa for trying this out! I have a feeling Gary may very well be end game for her, and she’s trying to seduce him by way of Alex. Which is so baller! Anyways, you can tell Alyssa is trying desperately to remain calm when she and Alex start discussing the previous evening. Alex won’t shut up about Juliette, and even though what he’s saying is negative, it’s really sus that all of their conversations center around his ex. I mean, Alex does say he “doesn’t ever want to go back there” (meaning Juliette), but I have a feeling the producers intentionally included that clip as a little clue called foreshadowing!

Alex and Alyssa aren’t the only two dishing about their night out – let’s cut to a pool day with Kelsey, Hannah, Kelly, and Juliette. Kelly is so randommé. I miss Victoria. And since Victoria isn’t there, it’s not a very eventful hang, but we do learn one key piece of information: there is an impending break up on the Key between my least favorite couple of all time: Juliette and BORING ROBBY! Before I have too much time to get excited, we’re at a lit pregame with Brandon, G Baby, and Jared. All three of the boys are SOL in the love department. We’ve got BG, who is hopelessly trying to win Amanda’s affection, G Baby, whose girlfriend just had a mental breakdown and vowed never to return, and Jared, who is under the twisted impression that he and Kelsey are getting serious. Jared…are we watching the same show? Besides some make outs, what gives you the impression Kelsey wants to be locked down? Get off of my screen, you’re embarrassing yourself. Your narcissism physically sickens me. Someone please explain to me how subpar straight men have the unabashed confidence of Gisele.

OH no Jared, it seems that you and Kelsey are, in fact, on very different pages regarding your relaysh. See: Kelsey and Jake on some sort of paddleboarding date, which, by the way, sounds like a waking nightmare. What’s my ideal first date? Definitely not doing a physical activity that requires a strong core and wearing a bathing suit in broad daylight. But I guess when you’re a profesh model like Kelsey, it’s no problem! Speaking of Kels, it’s time to talk about her flirting style. It never fails to make me feel deeply uncomfortable. Kelsey’s cringey moments aside, Jake had a monopoly on the disturbingly awkward comments of the day. When he called Kelsey a guy’s girl…I audibly screamed. PSA: If you are a male who potentially wants to foster some sort of relationship with me, be it platonic or romantic, kindly refrain from referring to me as a guy’s girl! Like oh my god, thank you for deciding I’m “chill/cool” enough to be male! Wow! What a compliment! Jake has officially rubbed me the wrong way. Jake is nothing like werewolf Jacob Black. It’s like, even though Bella was totally comfortable posting up with the boys in Jacob’s garage, blowing off homework and eating pizza while watching him reconstruct junkyard motorcycles behind Billy and Charlie’s backs so that Bella could self-induce hallucinations of Edward brought on by her own delusions, he never called her a guy’s girl! Because feminism. Also, New Moon was an instant classiqué.

Okay, can Juliette’s bitchy boss relax? Someone get this woman Xanax, immediately. Your boutique just literally doesn’t matter. I’m cackling as this woman tells Juliette that she’s on a “probation area period.” Sure, Courtney, because you have people chomping at the bit to get this job. But Juliette’s not the only one #grinding in corporate America – Alex and Chloe sure are working hard at the Crescent Club! I mean those two are putting their BACKS into it. The Crescent Club as we know it now was built on their blood, sweat, and tears. Thank you, Gary, for instilling a tireless work ethic in these two! If you look closely, you’ll see Chloe’s master plans for the club. The “plans” are intricate doodles sketched with crayon, reminiscent of Carlos’s birth certificate in Benchwarmers. You know the one. Anyways, after they watch people put down fugly astroturf and a few umbrellas, they call it a day and immediately start doing what they do best – talking shit about Juliette. Alex reiterates that he isn’t “going backward” with Juliette, and I’d like to reiterate that he most certainly will be.

I’m going to need all of you to start blasting break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored. Did you know the song was actually written for Juliette’s inevitable breakup with Boring Robby? Ha! Anyways, thank god Boring Robby brought wine - he’s going to needette. Honestly, the actual breakup probably wasn’t as brutal for Robby as watching this episode was. It’s obvious to Robby (and everyone) that once Juliette saw Alex, she realized she wasn’t actually in love with Robby. But seeing Juliette tell her friends that she was never in love with him and felt suffocated throughout their relationship? Probably wasn’t fun to watch! And then you factor in the scene where Robby’s friends berate him (rightfully so) for throwing Amanda’s phone in the ocean, and then you factor in the scene where Robby apologizes to Amanda with a waterproof case, and then you factor in the scene where he’s portrayed as a creepy, not attractive boring person, (oh wait that’s every episode…) But anyway, just not the best look for Boring Robby! Hopefully, he had some Pinterest-worthy quotes about self-care queued up following this episode’s air.

Okay, White Buffalo Saloon – you haven’t failed me yet. Give me some good content. After cheers-ing to boots and daisy dukes, the night starts off on a promising note. But it’s quickly soured by Jared. For some reason, he pulls Jake aside and starts yelling at him about Kelsey. Like, if you have an issue with Kelsey…shouldn’t you talk to Kelsey? He makes a complete ass of himself, and once again, I find myself applauding Kelsey for her behavior. She calmly explains what has been obvious since she joined the cast in season one – she isn���t ready for a relationship. Jared, looking like an idiot thanks to the straw in his drink and his “Daddy” t-shirt, storms off. Men do not mix with straws or gold chains. You cannot change my mind on this.

After Amanda ditches Brandon on the line-dancing floor for her ex, Juliette seems to be longing for an ex as well. Alex senses that Juliette is on the verge of a breakdown, so naturally he seeks her out just to ensure she has no chance of moving on. This scene is an emotional one. Everyone has an Alex, the boyfriend your friends hate but you can’t get over, and it’s sad watching Juliette fall right into his trap again. He’s only sweet to you when he thinks you’re moving on!! He wants you as a safety net! Run the other way! It was particularly sad to see her drunkenly admit she still loved him. Hated it for her. If only there were some life-altering event involving Alex that would finally help Juliette put this chapter to rest forever. We’ll just have to wait and see…

[loyalty2waystreet]

The Art of Eternal Youth.

Drabble Challenge - Prompt 20 - “I don’t want to hear your excuse. You can’t just give me wet willies.”  Filled for @novemberhush

Thank You for the prompt, it’s a little crazy, but I hope you like it nonetheless.

“Mike,” Harvey murmured, giving him a gentle squeeze of the shoulder. Mike was lying face down on their couch, snoring loudly and reeking of alcohol.  He’d gone out last night for Harold’s bucks party (Yes, Harvey had joked aloud, who on earth would marry Harold?). Just after 9 am, Harvey had received a very exciting text message.  He’d spent half an hour making as much noise as possible, banging the kitchen cupboards, and blasting the ‘Rocky’ soundtrack through the television but Mike still hadn’t moved, and if anything he just snored louder. “Mike,” he insisted, picking up his arm and dropping it, so it thudded against the leather. “Go away,” Mike grumbled into the leather, “s'too early.” Right, Harvey thought to himself, he couldn’t wait to share this news, so Mike needed to join him in the land of the living immediately, he could sleep later.  Sticking his index finger into his mouth and working as much saliva on it as possible, he grinned down at his sleeping husband mischievously.  It was Mike’s pet peeve, and he knew this would get him up.

He stuck the wet finger in Mike’s ear and wiggled it around.  It took about two seconds for Mike to respond by grabbing the pillow from under his head, rising and giving Harvey a good whack with it, “That’s disgusting Harvey, what are you five?” Harvey was cackling, one arm shielding his face and the other covering his man parts in case of a subsequent strike but instead was taken off guard when Mike rugby tackled him onto the mirroring couch.

“I woke you up bec-”

“I don’t want to hear your excuse. You can’t just give me wet willies.” Mike scolded, now astride Harvey with his hands on his hips, “Payback’s a bitch,” he explained running his hands over Harvey’s sleep soft tee-shirt lovingly. He grinned as he stopped at his oblique's and starting a feather light tickle with his fingers.  Harvey bucked and wiggled and tried to slap Mike’s hands away but from his position, Mike was too strong.

“STOP!” He tried to sound authoritative, but it spluttered out amidst a jolt of laughter as Mike started to scrape his stubble under his chin, yet another ticklish spot.

Everyone saw it, not just the PSL crew.  Opposing counsels, judges, and politicians.  Since he and Mike had started dating, Harvey had felt and acted ten years younger, his eyes sparkled, and he was up for any adventure.  

Unfortunately for Harvey, he had given away all his ticklish spots very early in the relationship, and thanks to an eidetic memory, Mike knew where every last one resided if he ever decided to torture him like he was now.

Harvey sucked his finger into his mouth once again and wiggled his eyebrows at Mike.

“Don’t you dare,” Mike threatened.

“Oh, I dare,” Harvey replied, making quite a show of twirling his tongue around his finger.  Mike usually would have enjoyed how sexual it looked, but not now that he knew what Harvey was going to do.  

As swiftly as he could, Mike tried to spring up off Harvey, but Harvey caught him by the thigh, and they both went crashing to the floor, Harvey’s phone slipping from his pocket and skidding toward the kitchen.

Mike saw his opportunity when Harvey’s eyes followed the phone, commando rolling out of arms reach, and sprinting for the master bedroom.

“Chicken Shit,” Harvey yelled out after him, picking up the phone and watching as the sliding doors closed, only to see Mike pop his head in-between the doors, wink at him and call him a pussy back.

As the doors closed he heard Mike yell ‘And my aim is better than your cooking’, then after a beat he added the ‘Sweetheart’ sardonically, knowing Harvey hated the pet name.  There was a thundering of feet outside the door.

“Well, now I’m going to give you the wettest willie you’ve ever had!” Harvey professed absurdly to the closed door.

Mike snorted from his position of 'using the bed as a barrier for when Harvey charged’, “Promises, promises.”

No, I think I’ll definitely want to do that with you after you hear the news, Harvey thought to himself as he carefully slid open the door revealing Mike with a playful grin on his face, ready to run on the far side of the bed.  Harvey didn’t tread on his expensive furniture, EVER, today being the exception.

He ran around the custom-made bed, and as predicted, Mike tried to scuttle across the bed, in an effort to evade him.  Harvey pounced, jumping onto the bed and tackled Mike from behind.  He dragged him back toward him, Mike clawing at the bed edge as Harvey playfully exposed and sank his teeth into the curve of his ass, eliciting a soft whine.  The sound wound out of Mike’s lungs; it was half pleasure and half pain.  He stilled, relaxing for a moment as Harvey ran his hand gently over the bitten flesh.  Then quicker than the Flash himself, he managed to wiggle away and bolt for the kitchen, Harvey three steps behind him.

“Stop chasing me!” Mike laughed, putting the kitchen counter between them.

Without skipping a beat, Harvey replied, “I can’t stop, it’s my job.”  

They did one lap of the kitchen before Harvey latched onto his arm and flattened him against the fridge, their bodies aligned from thigh to chest, as he kissed him deeply.

“I love you,” Harvey mumbled into the kiss.  Mike groaned, the dizzying combination of Harvey’s words, and the taste of the coffee he so desperately needed making him glad that Harvey was holding him in place.

Harvey pulled away, Mike’s bottom lip still glistening from his last taste.  He took his time just staring at him in wonderment before he spoke again.

“Truce?” He asked, smiling at the perfection that was Mike.

Mike had a goofy grin on his face, “Yeah, you’re forgiven.” Harvey beamed, “Come sit down; I did wake you up for a reason!”

Mike followed him silently back to the couch they had wrestled on minutes earlier.  He watched Harvey remove his phone and set it on the messages screen.  When he handed it to Mike, their hands touched, and Harvey looked at him with such adoration and devotion that Mike simply couldn’t believe how lucky he was, he had the perfect husband, the job he’d always wanted.  Everything was perfect.  Harvey motioned toward the phone.

Picture message from Amanda:  So happy to finally tell you both that you are going to be dads!  The Doctor said everything looks good and is going perfectly.  So you have 30 weeks to wait! Xx

Mike stared, open mouthed at the tiny little blob on the screen.  He re-read the message, all the while his brain screaming 'I’m going to be a dad!’  'Harvey is going to be a dad!’  'I’m going to be part of a family of three!’ and with that thought, the tears threatened.  

This time, Harvey pushed Mike onto his back and straddled him.  Mike brought his hands up to Harvey’s face and cradled it, “I’m getting a family,” he whispered emotionally, “I can’t believe we get to have this,” he said, pulling Harvey’s face down to his, “I love you, Harvey.”

The End.

Authors Note:  Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the second last instalment (one more to go).  You can find the rest here - Millie’s Mini Marvey Musing’s

[abhordelano]

Some thoughts on Snatch Game (spoilers below!):

Before the episode, I saw who everyone was doing (and just assumed Santy Alley would be doing Sofia just because i heard she's done it before), and made my own predicitons: I initially thought that Trin, Shea, Cynthia, Val would be safe, that Pep, Sasha, and Alexis would be the tops (didn't know who was gonna win tbh), and that Nina, Farrah, and Aja would be the bottom 3 (Farrah would be safe because I assumed her look would save her). I’m glad to say I was very wrong about all of this, I love when this show proves me wrong!

The Snatch Game judges this year were a very good choice! They definitely needed to redeem themselves from the snoozefest that was Gigi Who?-Did and Chanel I-Yawn (I'm laughing at my own joke there right now lmao). Dennis and Candis definitely knew what show they were on & how to be good guest judges (I cackled when Candis said “HIT IT!”)

I’m gonna go down the line & talk about how I felt each queen did on Snatch Game:

Trinity: her look for Amanda Lepore wasn’t 100% spot-on, and I really wasn't expecting it to be because Amanda is very hard to replicate. But she did an ok job, at least. The jokes were kinda predictable for me, but all in all it was good enough to keep her out of the bottom.

Sasha: Her Marlene Dietrich was pretty fun, especially with a character that not many people would recognize. It wasn’t as iconic as Jinkx or Alaska (AS2) but definitely notable, I’m glad she's finally getting notice from the judges! This could mean good things for Sasha later on

Aja: That was such a cop-out to do Alyssa. Honestly, doing another queen is such a safe-ass choice. It totally gave me Violet Chachki vibes in that they both only got to make one joke then got relegated to being one of the safe queens. This doesnt seem like good news for Aja because she's been safe every episode except that one time she murdered Kimora Blac. She better step her pussy way up or she’ll be going home very soon

Nina: YES! BITCH! WORK! I’m pretty sure we all knew she was gonna do Jasmine Masters, and we all knew she could pull it off! I’m actually impressed that she was able to pull it off so well without relying on any of Jasmine’s catchphrases, I’m sure some of y'all will say otherwise. Repeating catchphrases doesnt a perfect Snatch make.

Farrah: Wasn’t expecting much at all from her, so I guess she delivered by that regard. I liked that she said “you can never wear too much highlighter” as a cute little clapback to Michelle’s comment last week, but that was about it for me. I think Farrah is totally resting on pretty at this point; if she lip syncs again she's a goner.

Alexis: If you’re a theatre queen and you’re gonna do Liza, you better make it work, and Alexis definitely did that! I think that this means Alexis will be staying around longer than expected, and that she’ll finally start being someone to look out for (especially with the acting challenges all coming up)

Peppermint: Girl, what happened?! She should’ve watched Jasmine Masters impersonate Nene & take notes. I think that the queens who did the worst this time around were the ones that kept talking and trying really hard to make a joke, but they never end up landing if you try to keep going on like that.

Valentina: I think she chose a character that only has like one claim to fame and one gimmick. I guess that works with the small amount of screen time you actually get on Snatch Game, and I guess Val did an ok job of stretching that gimmick further, though her Miss Columbia was a mix of good and bad (mistaking Ru for Steve Harvey was a smart comedic idea, but answering a question with ‘cocaine’ was....a choice)

Shea: Her Naomi was better than people give credit for. The phone gag and calling Jasmine Chris Rock was hilarious. And the jab at Tyra Banks was expected but also delivered well! I thought if they gave her more screen time, she could’ve been top 3

Cynthia: Not much to say about this, it was a total mess and she should've just been herself as Sofia and not actually acted like Sofia because at least then she might have stood a chance at being funny, you know what I mean?

And now the Madonna runway: holy shit.........guys, I thought we were gonna get 10 original looks this time! I mean, we got 8 at least, as opposed to, like 5 from last season. At least all the kimonos from last season all looked different; those who did similar looks ended up looking pretty much the same to me. But overall, I think the best look this week was Sasha’s because it was spot-on and also made a great homage to her Snatch Game character. Honestly, no one’s looks were objectively bad imo, they just weren't super memorable. 

So Alexis ended up winning the challenge, which puts pressure on her to deliver on these next few challenges. I think she’ll do well on the next acting challenge, but I think the makeover and/or the Ball will give her trouble because looks dont seem to be her strong suit, at least not compared to everyone else

Like I said, Farrah is pretty much resting on pretty. She hasn't been a top contender for a single challenge yet, and only survived a lip sync because of a technicality. I really think that if she doesnt go home next week, she’ll go the week after that (the next two challenges require strong comedic chops which she's proven she doesn't really have)

Peppermint really came through with that lip sync! I lived for her dishing out those funky dance moves & just having a good time & being herself. But also, Cynthia didn't know her words (AGAIN) and was just not living up to the mood of the song. I’m really surprised they pulled that Madonna song out of nowhere. I thought it would be funny if they did Nothing Really Matters in homage to #KimonoGate, but this song choice was......not that much better? But whatever, I’m sure lots of people who are sick of hearing ‘cucu’ every 20 seconds are relieved. Though I think thats kind of a letdown that a returning queen didn't even place that much higher the 2nd time around. 

All in all, it was a much, MUCH better Snatch Game & Madonna runway than last season! I can’t wait to see how the queens serve it on the 90s acting challenge next week!

[recentnews18-blog]

New Post has been published on https://shovelnews.com/amanda-seales-was-always-smart-funny-and-black-finally-everyone-else-sees-it/

Amanda Seales was always 'Smart Funny and Black.' Finally, everyone else sees it.

By Helena Andrews-Dyer,

What happens to a moment deferred?

Does it slip through the cracks of YouTube, never to be replayed?

Retire to the island of old tweets to shrivel in the sun?

Or does it quietly gather a viral army of followers too big to ignore?

The secret may lie with Amanda Seales, a comedian (and actress, and singer, and poet and painter) who after nearly a decade is finally undeniably having a moment.

Perhaps you caught her schooling Caitlyn Jenner during Katy Perry’s “Dinner and Discourse” last year? How about her scene-stealing one-liners on HBO’s “Insecure”? Or her appearance on “Def Poetry Jam”? The stint as an MTV VJ? The guest appearance on Q-Tip’s last album? Opening for the Roots? Delivering that unapologetically black stand-up set on “Late Night With Seth Meyers”?

“I’ve had a couple of breakouts,” said Seales, 37, during a recent interview at the Watergate Hotel.

“Smart Funny and Black,” the live black-pop-culture game show Seales dreamed up in her living room, has landed in the plush and rarefied halls of the Kennedy Center. The show is a live Quidditch match of wits mashed up with SNL’s “Black Jeopardy” sketches and a three-piece band.

Confused? Basically it’s quintessential Amanda, whom for years the entertainment industry’s gatekeepers just didn’t “get.” She bursts onto the stage wielding a microphone and gold lamé leggings, the evening’s “headmistress.” During the show, two famous funny folks (Tiffany Haddish, Estelle, Bomani Jones and Angela Rye have been guests) compete in games written by Seales for the title of “Master Blackspert” by debating categories handpicked by Seales such as “baby hair” and “in da streets Barack Obama.” The show’s tag­line: “By any joke necessary.”

It’s a celebration of blackness, and it’s been sold out for weeks. That’s because of Seales, who has more than a half million followers on social media, where she loves being her “authentic self” and her frequent posts — calling out racists, bad boyfriends and her domestic shorthair ­Lando Catrissian — have bolstered her career as a truth-teller who tells jokes.

The popular comedy tour is a big friggin’ deal, okay? This is also a familiar runway for Seales — being wheels up, poised for takeoff.

Calla Kessler

The Washington Post

People attend the question-and-answer session with Seales.

Calla Kessler

The Washington Post

“I’ve had a couple of breakouts,” Seales concedes.

“When you’re so multitalented,” explained Seales’s friend Bevy Smith, the SiriusXM host and fairy godmother to many, “it’s very hard for the entertainment industry to get it because they like you to have one note until they tell you you should try something different.”

Seales was first poised to break out in 2004. Then a 23-year-old hip-hop head from Orlando, she’d been hired to host “Sucka Free Sunday” on MTV2. It was her first brush with fame and paying rent when the rent’s due. The buzz was palpable.

Broadway star Brandon Victor Dixon, Seales’s “brother from another,” tried to prepare her for what was coming. “Are you ready?” she remembered him asking in an intense stage whisper.

“It was so dramatic,” recalled Seales between laughs. “And I was like, ‘For what?’ And he was like: ‘For. Your. Time.’ ” She cackled. “And within a year I was laid off — but it was a moment!”

It took Seales 10 years to get back to that level of fame. “Ten long subway train years,” she said. In between she made her own music, painted political art, produced funny Web series about pop culture and gave college lectures about street ­harassment. (Seriously, that MTV money paid for the last semester of her master’s in African American studies at Columbia University).

“I’m an artist through and through,” she said. “My thing about creating things is that it has to do two purposes: It has to serve me creatively but also has to serve the people.”

In 2011, another moment came. Hip-hop didn’t feel like home anymore. So she decided to dive into comedy for real. She changed her stage name from Amanda Diva (“it just felt stupid”) to her government name, Amanda Seales.

“I have a theory that when you’re lost on the path, go back to the beginning and try the maze again,” she said.

Michael Loccisano

Getty Images for HBO

Seales sings after the Cinemax screening, panel and reception for “The Knick” in 2014.

If there’s one thing Seales does not do, her friends say, it is wait for permission. At least not anymore. One network executive told her that she was “just another dumb talent” and that she seemed more like a “sidekick” than a lead. After being told by countless others that they simply didn’t know what to do with her, Seales had yet another aha moment.

“I don’t need to change. I just need to diversify my realness,” she explained at a question-and-answer session two nights before her big show in Washington. The crowd, gathered at the Wing, reacted with snaps and umm-hmms.

The Georgetown pit stop was a testament to just how diverse Seales’s particular (and quantifiable) brand of realness is.

On social media, she’s about authenticity. Really. That’s not a studio line or a gimmick. “I really just be in my house,” she explained to the crowd at the Wing, referencing her prolific “PSAs” in the form of no-makeup Instagram videos about “empowering your ego” and self-care. “And I’m single, so there’s time.”

Spend even a short amount of time with Seales and you can see why folks either love her or — well, she doesn’t really care about the other side of that proposition. The unfollow button is there for a reason. Her Instagram bio: “I’m not 4 everyone.”

“I really mean that,” Seales told me later.

She might not be “everybody’s favorite box of cereal,” said comedian Roy Wood Jr., another friend, but that’s the point. Seales has “built a career on swimming the other way,” he added.

“Amanda’s that relative who could come to Thanksgiving dinner and say, ‘Hey, y’all, I got something to say,’ and everybody’s like, ‘Uh-oh.’”

Bennett Raglin

Getty Images for BET

Seales performs during BET’s Social Awards 2018 in Atlanta.

So how exactly do you define someone who is a “a multi-hyphenate self-generator,” as Seales’s agent, Mark Gordon, calls her.

Seales is a one-woman show in the most literal sense; sitting across a couch from her, the space somehow feels crowded. Her face can cycle through a dozen expressions in as many seconds. She does voices (her Caribbean mom, the white girl, the publisher — yes, she’s coming out with a book). But she doesn’t code-switch. That’s not part of who she is.

“Amanda doesn’t like to be filtered,” said Valeisha Butterfield Jones, the global head of women and black community engagement at Google, who has known Seales since the two were coming up in New York’s hip-hop scene.

Less than 10 minutes into Seales’s “Smart Funny and Black” show at the Kennedy ­Center, the comedian had already put the white people in the theater on notice. “Know your place,” she tells them. The show, a celebration of black culture and black people, doesn’t exist to “soothe your guilt,” Seales added.

Then she took the crowd on a nearly two-hour road trip through African American popular culture and history. There were singalongs, shout-outs and sidesplitting laughter. Seales is headmaster, preacher, choir director, storyteller, ringleader. In her house, everyone knows the words to the “A Different World” theme song and everyone can hit that high note at the end.

By the time the third season of “Insecure” airs (the premiere is Sunday night on HBO), Seales will be nearly 20 shows into her “Smart Funny and Black: Lituation 101” tour. Of the 23 shows, 21 were sold out.

Is that success to her?

“Exactly what I’m doing is what success looks like,” she said. “I get to create on my own terms, on my own timeline, and I’m able to support myself and my mom and my cat comfortably.”

© The Washington Post Company

Actress Amanda Seales, who plays the tell it like it is character Tiffany DuBois on HBO’s “Insecure”, talks about her role on the show and her excitement to expand the character beyond what she describes as a “limiting representation” of black women.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/amanda-seales-was-always-smart-funny-and-black-finally-everyone-else-sees-it/2018/08/08/57e7b9b8-9a79-11e8-843b-36e177f3081c_story.html