#and I love Catherine's jacket

[cilogram]

Sparks and Les Rita Mitsouko at Montmartre Recorded for Cent bougies pour la tour Eiffel which aired on March 30th 1989 (x)

[greenerteacups]

I was just talking with a friend about possible great HP-world tv-shows and we ended up at "Pride and Prejudice in the HP wizarding world" (not the plot of P&P but the vibes; with Slytherin!Mr.Darcy and Gryffindor!Elizabeth (or OR! better yet vice versa)) and I thought you would be such a perfect fit to write it 😍

aw, thanks, that's a fun idea! I feel like Hogwarts AUs for other fandoms used to be more of a thing back in the age of peak Pottermania, and I wonder if they won't end up coming back when the TV show drops.

Darcy is totally a Hufflepuff, though.

[tossawary]

I saw this play a while back called "Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)", which was a comedic retelling of the events of P&P by five female servants. (Who all worked in the Bennet household, I believe? Cannot remember the exact setting at this point.)

It was very much in an "low-budget improv troupe" style (though it was not actually improv), so Mr. Bingley's exaggerated "love at first sight" meeting with Jane happened while he had his hand stuck in a Pringles can. A karaoke machine made multiple appearances. If you were looking for historical accuracy or a perfect examination of the social nuances, this was not at all the play to watch, but it was pretty amusing, and it was interesting to think about P&P from the perspective of servants who may have only heard about certain events through gossip. Or who might just be mocking certain figures because they don't like them very much. At one point at a party, a tipsy Lydia got her hands on one of the soldiers' guns and fired it at the ceiling while people screamed. It was VERY silly.

Because there were only five actresses, they were switching between roles as needed, putting jackets or colorful dresses over their plain white dresses. The female servant who played the dramatic Mrs. Bennet also played the stiff Mr. Darcy. Another of the female servants played both Bingley siblings (Charles and Caroline) and also Charlotte Lucas, I think? Another played Mary, Lydia, and Mr. Collins, and also Mrs. Gardiner, I believe. Another played Jane, Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Wickham, and Lady Catherine, and so on. The female servant who played Elizabeth played her most of the time. The quick changes and mannerism shifts were quite funny.

But my favorite part may have been that Mr. Bennet was played by a chair. It was a comfy chair with its back to the audience and a newspaper propped up so that someone might be sitting there reading it, and at one point one of the servants went over to the chair to light a pipe, so that smoke rose from behind the chair. Characters talked to the chair sometimes, but the chair never talked back.

So, at one point, Mrs. Bennet was yelling and moaning about how the family was ruined. I think that Lydia, whom the embarrassing and overbearing Mrs. Bennet had been actively encouraging to be silly earlier, had run off with Mr. Wickham here. And Mrs. Bennet cried out, "OH, MR. BENNET, DO SOMETHING!!!"

And everyone on stage looked towards the chair with its back turned, which was fairly obviously empty, and which of course couldn't do anything by itself, because it was a chair. Dead silence again.

And then Mrs. Bennet went back to wailing and crying, while her daughters (Jane, Lizzy) patted her awkwardly on the back. And then I think the another actress came in as a servant to announce someone's arrival or something, moving the comedic retelling along. And that's probably what I remember best out of the entire play: Mr. Bennet could be effectively played by an empty chair with its back turned. It was hilarious.

[shanastoryteller]

Happy Birthday!! 🎂🎂 I'd love some more What You Expect please. I think this is my fourth time requesting it! I just can't get enough

continuation of 1 2 3 4 5 6

When Eden tells Al what happened, she expects him to be pissed.

"It's good that you have a friend, Sister," he says.

She stares.

When Al just stares back, she kicks him. He can’t feel it beyond the vague recognition of pressure, but he still shouts, “Hey!”

“All your complaining and handwringing and that’s all you have to say?” she demands. “Catherine knows! She’s Armstrong’s sister!”

He shuffles away from her and crosses his arms. “I said that you should tell them, what I’m worried about is them figuring it out themselves and getting mad at you! Why don’t you try telling Armstrong? Catherine did say keeping secrets was a family tradition.”

She can’t wait until he gets his body back so he can feel it when she beats him. “We’ve been fine this long, I don’t know why you want to suddenly come clean now.”

“Because, as I keep telling you, they’re going to figure it out! You’re not a kid anymore, Sister.”

She’s already been to the office and no one acted any differently around her or tore off her jacket and accused her of heaving breasts now, bound or not. They’ve got their own shit going on and they’re too self absorbed to care about hers. She’s told Al this a thousand times, but he doesn’t believe her, so she doesn’t bother saying it again. “Just relax, okay? We’re only hanging around Central for a couple months to give the appearance to the brass that Mustang has some control over me and then we’ll go off on our own again and we’ll be too far away for them to notice anything at all.”

Al just sighs, still giving him that moody stare that she can feel even though his face doesn’t move.

She knocks his helmet off.

That’s what he gets for not listening to her.

~

Havoc really wishes Armstrong’s sister wasn’t rejecting him in front of the whole office. Why is Alex doing this to him?

“I’m sorry,” she says, blue eyes wide. “It’s just that I’m only interested in strong, manly men. Like my brother.”

Alex flexes behind her. When did he take his shirt off?

He’s doing his best to ignore his coworkers’ muffled laughter and think up some sort of reasonable response to that when he hears, “Strong, manly men, huh?”

Havoc turns to see Ed standing there, a stack of books under his arms, which is just great, that really rounds out the humiliation.

He drops the books and comes forward, reaching for Catherine’s waist with both hands and lifting her in the air above his head. She straightens her legs even as she grips Ed’s forearms in surprise, her mouth open as her cheeks slowly turn the color of Ed’s coat.

“Hungry?” Ed asks, grinning.

She nods, once, then Ed is lowering her back to the ground and offering her his arm, which she takes with light giggle. He snags his books off the desk as he leaves, kicking open the door since he’s out of arms.

Alex blinks once, then twice, apparently just as surprised about this development as the rest of them. “Hm.”

“Wow,” Breda says. “Losing women to Mustang was bad enough, but now Ed? That’s got to sting.”

“I hate you,” he says, because, yes, it does.

[henry-fox-biggest-stan]

If you are a movie fan and haven't read the book yet, here are some irrelevant details from the book

Henry owns a cardigan

Arthur and Catherine meet on a Henry V play (which they named Henry after), which Catherine went to see and saw Arthur playing. She "shook off her security to disappear into London and dance all night".

Pez listens to kpop, and he got Alex into it

Nora watches drag race and got Henry into it

Henry is an Elton John fan (actually relevant in the book)

Alex is a Hall & Oates fan

Alex wears glasses (actually relevant in the book)

Henry is described by Alex as having lots of moles

Bea is the rockstar girlfriend, at the end of the book she plays on a concert and everything. She plays the guitar and is always wearing a leather jacket. She also has a fat cat called Mr Wobbles. And the queen wanted her to learn violin “since it was more proper” instead of guitar. “Bea was allowed to learn both, but she went to uni for classical violin.”

During the turkey phonecall, Henry is wearing a peely face mask

Amy is trans and has a pansexual wife

(Actually relevant) Catherine was not off in another country the whole story, just battling intense grief for her husband's death, so she wasn't present in her children's life, so they felt as if they lost both parents.

There's no king, she's actually a queen, her name is Mary and she should die (she's so so much worse on the book than the king is on the movie)

David is a service dog

(Actually relevant in the book) June bought a teen magazine at 15 and 13 year old Alex would sneak into her room to stare at the magazine (and the picture of a blonde 14 year old British prince on it).

Bea is the middle kid, Henry is the youngest

Henry is canonically on therapy and on antidepressants (since the start of the book)

I don't remember if they mentioned it on the movie but Arthur was James Bond and died of pancreatic cancer.

Alex’s favorite Olympic sport is rhythmic gymnastics

Bea had an addiction problem when Henry was about 17 (as a way to cope after their father's death) and only got herself into rehab after Henry went to her and started crying about dad was dead and he was gay and scared so she couldn't kill herself. That's how he came out to her

Alex doesn't wanna be president at the end of the book, he starts law school

Henry favourite star wars is Jedi, Alex's is Empire

June is allergic to peanuts

Alex runs and runs to cope and clear his head

He did not know he was bi until after Henry kissed him. Yes, he had a friend with benefits relationship with his high school friend Liam, but he genuinely thought it was perfectly platonic and straight

Also he doesn't keep on touch with Liam after high school (their friendship just slowly fades away, with living so far and Alex being suddenly famous) but they reconnect at the end

Alex and Henry move in together on a brownstone on Brooklyn, eventually they marry (after Henry abdicates) on the lake house, they move to a farmhouse on Austin, they spend their honeymoon unpacking

Pez is lactose intolerant

Bluebonnet is June’s code name, Barracuda is Alex’s

Henry is a big Austen fan, and makes references to her books through the story

Amy knits

Zahra has a sister who recently had a baby

June forced Alex into dresses as a kid

Henry’s favorite food is a cheap falafel stand ten minutes from the palace

Henry really likes sailing

Shaan has a motorbike

Alex is allergic to dust

Henry keeps a copy of Le Monde, the newspaper from the day they were in Paris, on his room

Alex and Nora dated when Alex was 17 and Nora 18 but realized they were definitely better off as friends. When they are bored, they like to create rumors about their relationship

Alex makes tons of lists to organize

Alex wears chinos, and claims kakhis are for white people

Nora is very good at math

Alex grew up catholic

At the end of their e-mails, Alex and Henry quoted historical lgbt love letters

Nora’s one-bedroom is “full of books and plants she tends to with complex spreadsheets of watering schedules.”

Nora is bisexual and on the aro spectrum (not canon on the book than she’s aro, but Casey did mention it somewhere)

Arthur gifted Henry a telescope for his seventh birthday

The karaoke scene happens not while on Texas but in some club full of queer people. The whole group is there, Pez got them matching kimonos. Alex’s says Hoe Dameron, Henry’s says Prince Buttercup. Aside from Henry singing Don’t Stop Me Now, Bea sings Call Me by Blondie, and Pez sings So Emotional by Whitney Houston in a “shockingly flawless falsetto”.

The lakehouse confessions happens while at night

The Kensington fight (after the lakehouse confession) is much more dramatic, they don’t go to the v&a that night, but the next night. That morning Henry got up early, and brought Alex coffee when he woke up. They made up.

Also Alex takes his coffee with cinnamon

Alex, Nora and Henry are gen z, while June is a millennial

[ladykailitha]

Around the World Part 7

I know I said that Nanny would be out this week, but I just finished this and am really wanting to get it out as soon as possible and that includes the epilogue.

But if I time it right, this series and Hellfire will end the same week and I'll be able to return to some kind of normal schedule instead of pumping these out on a fucking grinder.

That said, I probably won't do a Christmas story with the way things are right now. But we'll see the closer we get to the holiday.

In this we get the proper Jack the Ripper tour and the author has opinions, okay! Steve draws attention to himself at the Paris Opera house. Murray is a bit too knowing. And of course as @val-from-lawrence guessed, visited the Catacombs!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

~

They had done the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral during the day and got ready for the Bauman Experience as Murray called it. They all had a flashlight and went to go meet him where they had the night before.

They caught him dealing with some obnoxious tourists.

“Oh thank god!” the Karen cried. “An American. Could you please explain to this woman that we only have dollars to pay with. She has to take it!”

Murray blinked at her for a moment. “Well that is quite the cock up, you absolute muppet. Are you dead from the neck up? British pound sterling is the brass here, you silly cow!”

The woman’s head reared back in shock, clutching her chest. “I beg your pardon!”

“To make it perfectly clear,” Murray said leaning forward into her space. “You fucked up, you moron. Are you really that stupid? Dollars aren’t the currency here, the British pound is. Just like you can’t use the pound anywhere but here, you can’t use the dollar anywhere but America so why don’t you go to an ATM or bank and get it exchanged. Or and here’s the really neat part about living in the age of technology, use or credit or debit card and your bank does the conversion for you.”

When she started sputtering angrily, Murray waved her off. “Now, shoo! I’ve got actual paying customers waiting for me.”

Murray turned to the four of them with a smiled. “Well, hello! Welcome. Now that things are dark and therefore sufficiently spooky, let’s take you on a proper tour of Jack’s slaying grounds.”

He went through the different murders until he got to the double murders of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes.

“Now,” he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, “Miss Stride is usually considered his third victim and that he was interrupted, moving on to Miss Eddowes. But I think Stride was a copycat. The person only knew the bodies were mutilated, but not how. So for me, I don’t count her in the confirmed kills.”

Robin nodded sagely. “I don’t either. There was far too little evidence to prove he had been frightened off, because otherwise Eddowes would have been more brutal than it was. He would have been angry he couldn’t finish with Stride. You would have expected her to look like what Mary Kelly’s body looked like, not cool and calm.”

Murray smiled up at her. He turned to Eddie. “I really like her. She’s clever.”

Robin blushed and ducked her head.

A short time later, just as they were wrapping up the Kelly murder, Murray stopped. He looked at a pair of older teenagers and then back at the group.

Chrissy picked up on it first. “You thinking what, I’m thinking, Mur?”

Murray turned to her and cocked his head to the side, considering. He nodded and Chrissy pursed her lips.

Steve caught on just as quick. “Eds, baby. I think those boys may have guessed who you are, love.”

Robin and Eddie shared a concerned glance.

“Fuck,” Eddie huffed. “I liked this jacket.”

Robin grabbed it from him and gave him her jacket. “Mine doesn’t look as fancy,” she explained pulling his jacket on. “Just like Boston, peeps!”

Murray tilted his head to the side and did a quick Google search. “Or... if you’d like, my car is literally around the corner.”

The four of them stopped swapping clothes and looked up at him.

“That’s easier,” Steve said. “Who’s all for easier?”

The other three raised their hands and they followed Murray to his car. Robin sat up front while Steve and Chrissy covered Eddie between them.

“Drop me off at the hotel,” Steve said, tapping on Murray’s shoulder. “I’ll check us out and then meet you at Shakespeare’s Head.”

Murray looked behind him and grinned. “Smart thinking.”

~

Eddie had changed into a trucker hat and a puffy hunting vest over sturdy blue jeans and thick work boots.

“Kids and their cameras these day,” Murray huffed, sliding a pint of beer over at Steve as he sat down between Robin and Chrissy. “So what’s the story with loverboy here?” he asked Eddie, cocking his head to indicate Steve.

“He’s not out,” Eddie said dryly. “His parents are complete assholes who could and would make things very difficult for him if he was.”

“Nothing says asshole parents,” Murray said with a nod, “quite like those that have the money to make you miserable.”

Steve snorted. “You’ve got that right. But I’m more than equipped to make it work.” He half shrugged. “I’ve been doing it for almost a year.”

Murray’s went wide and he gave an opened mouthed smile. “Have you really? I would have never guessed. Good job! ”

“How did you spot the kids, by the way?” Robin asked around her fruity cocktail.

“Oh,” Murray said, ducking his head a bit. “You’re walking around a small group of people at night in a bad area of London. Whitechapel isn’t as bad as it was in Jackie’s time, but it’s still not a good neighborhood. You have to keep an eye out for people, but especially older teens wishing to knock you over for a bit of loose change.”

Steve cleared his throat and ducked his head. “I am about to ask the most bougie question imaginable. And you can tell me to go to hell if I’m out of line here.”

Murray’s eyebrows went up and he leaned back in his chair. “Wha’cha got, kid?”

Steve licked his lower lip as he tried to word this in a way that wasn’t instantly offensive. “How entrenched are you in this job?”

“Not very,” he replied with a shrug. “I’m just moving through the world enjoying myself and taking jobs that would be fun. I’ve got more than enough money. Why?”

“We were talking in our group chat,” Chrissy explained taking over from a very embarrassed Steve, “and we thought we’d offer you a job as main look out and part time driver for when we’re in Europe. You really saved Eddie today and we could really use someone like you with us.”

Murray glared at her. “You sure I wouldn’t cramp your little foursome you’ve got going on here’s style?” He made a little circling motion with his hand to indicate all of them.

Robin shook her head. “It’ll make it harder for people to recognize a quartet if it suddenly became a quintet. Plus, we’d pay for your room and board. None of us are skint, believe you me.”

“We’ll be staying in haunted hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts,” Eddie added. “But we won’t force you to join us. We can put you up in a nice place nearby and we join back up whenever we go out.”

Murray eyed them suspiciously until Steve slid over an envelope. He picked it up and pulled out a check. His eyes went wide. “That’s quite the pretty penny.”

“That’s half,” Robin huffed, crossing her arms and throwing herself against the back of the chair. “You’ll get the other half once we leave Europe for Asia.”

“All that for a month’s worth of driving you four around and making sure fans and paparazzi don’t find Eddie here?” Murray asked. “Have you gone crazy?”

Eddie shook his head. “We just want a romantic tour of the spooky places of Europe. I hate the thought Steve getting caught up in something just because I’m recognized everywhere I go and he isn’t.”

Murray licked his lips slowly as his eyes narrowed. “That’s not how that’s usually said.”

Steve frowned and tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean? How is what said?”

Robin put her hand on his elbow as he bristled slightly at his tone.

“Usually people will say ‘famous and they’re not’,” Murray said thoughtfully, “he said ‘recognized’. Meaning Stevie here is famous too, but not in a way people would recognize him on the street. What is a famous painter or some shit?”

She cocked her to the side and said dryly, “If I told you that, I’d have to kill you.”

Murray laughed. Just full on cackled. “Have I mentioned how much I like her? Because I really like her.”

Eddie leaned forward to put his elbows on the table. “So what do you say, Murray?” he asked tilting his head to the side. “You want to work for me again?”

Murray slipped the check into his coat pocket and stuck out his hand. “I think you’ve got yourself a deal.”

~

Their first stop on the Continent was Paris and the catacombs. Eddie was still trying to figure out how Robin did that one. It had been closed to the public for years.

Robin just smirked and said, “Well we aren’t the public.”

Steve was also sure they didn’t open it up to anyone who opened their wallet, either, but wisely stayed silent. Plus he was having fun watching Chrissy and Robin run circles around Murray in terms of sheer knowledge.

“Um...Stevie?” Eddie murmured so the trio couldn’t hear him. “Can I hold your hand? It’s getting a little creepy in here.”

Steve held out his hand, the one that had the little guitar on the inner wrist. Eddie looked down at the offered hand with a fond smile. He took the offered hand and their tattoos matched up. Eddie felt braver with every step knowing that Steve would always be there to hold his hand through the darkness.

Chrissy looked back at them and grinned at their clasped hands. She sped up her walk just a little, forcing Murray and Robin to speed up to match her pace, leaving the two love birds the privacy they so richly deserved.

Once they were out in the sunlight and among the city once again, Eddie refused to let go of Steve’s hand.

Steve looked at their joined hands and then back at Eddie. Eddie gave him his brightest smile and Steve was smitten. Even more so than before. He just loved him so much.

They toured the Paris Opera house and Eddie pulled out a cape and mask.

“Sing for me my angel of music!” he said to Chrissy.

She burst out laughing. “My name may be Christine, but I really don’t think they’d want me shattering the glass.”

Eddie turned to Robin who waved her arms in front of her. “No way! I sing like a frog in heat!”

“No.” Was all Murray said.

Steve raised an eyebrow and Eddie grinned.

“Sing!” Eddie crowed.

Steve took a deep breath and belted out that high note, held it perfectly and then took a bow.

Murray blinked and slow smile spread over his features. “You’re in one of those bands with the masks aren’t you? Like Sleep Token or The Fallen, huh? That’s Eddie here said recognized and not famous. Good on you.”

They all shared looks of concern.

“I’m not going to tell anyone,” Murray huffed, holding up his hands in surrender. “And I’m certainly not even going to try and guess which band it is.” He pulled out his phone and messed around on it for a while.

During which they all watched with ever increasing dread. The silence seemed to stretch out on and on.

Then Chrissy’s phone pinged. Everyone jumped as she scrambled for her phone. She opened it up and blinked a moment.

“You signed a blanket statement NDA?” she asked handing her phone to Robin. “Why?”

Murray licked his lips and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did it suck when Corroded Coffin pulled out of my management causing a shit ton of other people pulling out, too? Sure. But that’s the nature of the business. One that I had been in for over twenty years. I took it as a sign from the universe to retire and enjoy my life. Unlike the CC boys pulling out on Nancy Wheeler because she about to do some pretty shady shit. And I say that having been part of a business that used to be built on shady ass shit.”

Chrissy coughed and looked away to hide her smile.

“I’m guessing Steve’s band is why Corroded Coffin went nuclear on her in the first place?”

Steve looked over at Eddie and then nodded. “She was an ex-girlfriend and she tried to hold that over my head to get me to work with her.”

Murray let out a long and low whistle. “Shady doesn’t even begin to cover that shit. The void would be fucking closer. Shit.”

Robin handed back Chrissy her phone. “How did you get an NDA that fast anyway?”

“Oh that?” Murray asked with a huff of laughter. “I have a bunch of basic contracts and shit in my Google docs. Things can move fast in this business and it’s a good idea to keep a few on hand. Back in the old days we kept them in our briefcases that we carted around. This is sooo much easier.”

“Smart.”

Murray grinned back at her. He turned to Steve. “Come on, show us what that classical vocal training can really do.”

Steve blushed and began warming up his vocals as Robin grinned.

“You may think you’ve heard Steve sing,” she crowed, “but you’ve ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Then Steve really opened up and began to sing. There was a deepness to his voice that didn’t have anything to do with his range. He was clearly a tenor, but the rich quality to his voice just elevated it somehow.

“Rigoletto,” Murray said nodding appreciatively. “Well done.” He clapped slowly, but it wasn’t mocking. “Your parents must have been livid when you didn’t go into opera.”

Steve snorted. “About as angry as when they found out I was bisexual. They know what I am but if I go public with it...”

“They’ll make your life a nightmare?” he asked. Steve nodded. “I feel for you, kid.”

He looked around and grimaced. “I thick it’s time we make like Opera Ghost and scram. That performance of Steve’s here, is getting more attention than I thought it would.”

They looked around and sure enough there were people pointing at Steve.

“I’m not sure what the Venn diagram of opera and metal fans,” Chrissy said, “but I’m betting it’s not two separate circles.”

“Yeaahhh,” Eddie said with a wince.

He grabbed Steve’s hand and they ran for the doors. Murray and the girls hot on their heels.

~

Part 8 Part 9

Tag List: CLOSED

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence

3- @goodolefashionedloverboi @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @irregular-child @blondie1006

4- @yikes-a-bee @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten

5- @genderless-spoon @y4r3luv @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt

6- @disrespectedgoatman @dawners @thespaceantwhowrites @tinyplanet95 @garden-of-gay

7- @iamthehybrid @croatoan-like-its-hot @papergrenade @cryptid-system @counting-dollars-counting-stars

8- @ravenfrog @w1ll0wtr33 @child-of-cthulhu @kultiras @dreamercec

9- @machete-inventory-manager @useless-nb-bisexual @stripey82 @dotdot-wierdlife @kal-ology

10- @sadisticaltarts @urkadop @chameleonhair @clockworkballerina

[paigegonerogue]

Analyzing the new trailer instead of doing schoolwork because it’s more important than my future.

HBO logo on blurry backgrounds… oooooh, it gets me so hyped.

”David? I knew a David once. He was a weird little queer boy.”

“Seems like we’re talking about different David’s, then…”

Catherine O’Hara is a therapist/Jackson resident confirmed! No sneaky editing here!

They love each other so much😭 Can’t wait to see this guitar lesson❤️❤️

Gah, this scene is gonna break me😭❤️ also holy heck this set design!

I think this person is Ellie, since you can see the fur on the hood of the jacket. The person next to her on the lighter horse is most likely Dina, then.

The porch scene😭 also I’m not sure how anyone can think Bella doesn’t look 19 in this, because the weariness of our little Ellie is absolutely heartbreaking💔

���Don’t mind me, just washing the blood off my knife knife”

I believe this scene is during the infected attack, since they’re wearing the same clothes.

Also, this isn’t Tommy’s eye injury, I don’t think. However, because of Maria’s eggplant jacket we can see that it’s her in this scene:

Maria’s favorite is eggplant purple confirmed??

This is the scene from the promo shots that were released. You can tell because of the setting and Ellie’s outfit.

Abby mourning her dad. So psyched to see Kaitlyn Dever, watch Dopesick if you haven’t!

Craig Mazin: Oh, you wanted more infected did you? Huh? *spits* Fuck you! I’m the boss! Here’s your fucking infected!

Pretty sure the gun is Joel’s… hahahaha I’m gonna die hahahaha

Going back to the first horsey picture, this is probably Dina and Ellie, with Dina on the lighter horse.

First close-up look of the Scars!! Wooooooo!!

Well this is terrifyingly AWESOME

I just love Ellie’s little hair curl here

Tortured Seraphite and Jeffrey Wright looking incredibly scary. Love it.

This is the infected attack on Jackson, probably. Same type of walls and the snowy environment.

🎵Scars burning alive, you know how I fee-ee-eel🎵

It’s September, take your damn Santa hat off, dead-boy. Also, this is the train sequence for sure. At least that’s what I got judging from the red lighting and… the fact they’re in a train…

I think this is Joel, judging from the general physique and facial hair. Also BELLA STOP YOU’RE GONNA KILL ME!!

Joel loves his coffee❤️

[sheepinthebigcity]

you know what. let's make a poll with some of the nominated women that weren't valid nominations bc i like a lot of them and all them were beaten to the punch by sexymen...

All of these women were not eligible to be nominated because someone from their show was already on sexypedia, meaning the role of sexyperson was taken.

If you'd like to nominate someone GO HERE! Make sure to read the rules! I'm looking for some really obscure characters for this one!!!

Propaganda under the cut, of course!!!

Aviva Corvicado (Beaten out by Zach Varmitech): "Her inventions were so cool... literally everyone on the tortuga would be absolutely fucked without her. She's so badass. She could beat any of the other characters in a fight."

Ms. Bellum (Beaten out by HIM, Ace, Professor Utonium, and Dick Hardly): "She is sexy herself. She's the brains behind the man. She's got legs for days. Somehow, never seeing her face makes her even SEXIER."

Spider (Beaten out by Centipede): "If this thing is getting scorned by the furry/vampire enthusiast/milf enthusiast website I'll eat my hat. Her boyfriend is even on sexypedia while she somehow isn't. She's even Fr*nch."

Splatter Phoenix (Beaten out by Quackerjack, Darkwing Duck, Negaduck, and Steelbeak): "She's a punk artist with dyed hair, a leather jacket and big boots. Tumblr loves that! She's also made of paint which is cool. She can turn anything she paints alive or change the real world by painting it. She was one of few returning villains in the show (she got two episodes instead of one like most characters). She is a villain as well and one of the more successful ones. I just think she's really cool okay"

Maddie Fenton (Beaten out by Vlad Masters): "first milf i ever loved 😭😢"

Carmen Sandiego (Beaten out by Mime Bomb): "she is cool, hot, succeeds in taking down a criminal organization and can be a little cringe at times i love her"

Catherine (Beaten out by Judgment Boy, Hell's Chef, and Dr. Fritz) and Dora Smarmy (Beaten out by Sketch and Jumpin' Johnny Jumble) have no propaganda.

[bethanydelleman]

New Year's Resolutions for Jane Austen Characters (mid-novel)

Emma Woodhouse: Find a new man for Harriet Smith No more matchmaking! Admit Knightley (and his brother) were right. Meet Frank Churchill, finally.

George Knightley: Just feeling thankful for everything I have. I don't think my life needs to change.

Mr. Woodhouse: Finally convince Isabella to live at Hartfield instead of with her husband. Poor Isabella!

Harriet Smith: Marry Mr. Elton 💗💗💗 *unable to read tear-stained writing*

John Knightley: Spend more time at home with my beloved wife. Why do people invite us places???

Elinor Dashwood: Find a way to get over the most perfect man I've ever met.

Edward Ferrars: Find an honourable way to get out of the engagement with Lucy (same resolution he's had for three years now)

Robert Ferrars: Build a magnificent cottage

Marianne Dashwood: Marry the most perfect man to grace this earth with his beautiful presence, John Willoughby. Also, read more poetry.

Colonel Brandon: *stares at the paper in despair because he cannot bear to give form to his ambitions which seem already impossible*

Elizabeth Bennet: I don't really think there's anything I need to improve about myself. I'm really a great judge of character.

Fitzwilliam Darcy: Remember that duty comes before ephemeral feelings of affection.

Jane Bennet: Find a way to get over the most perfect man I've ever met.

Charles Bingley: Buy an estate (resolution submitted by Caroline & Louisa)

Caroline Bingley: Encourage Charles to finally buy an estate (not in Hertfordshire), get Charles and Georgiana Darcy engaged, get engaged to Mr. Darcy, attend a party with at least three members of the nobility... (too many goals to record here)

Mrs. Bennet: MARRY OFF AT LEAST ONE OF THESE DARN DAUGHTERS

Anne Elliot: find a way to be less awkward around Captain Wentworth... Prepare myself for Captain Wentworth to marry Louisa... Try to endure Bath with a smile

Captain Wentworth: Get out of the obligation to marry Louisa Musgrove by any fair means. PLEASE GOD I AM BEGGING YOU

Captain Benwick: Mourn Fanny for eternity Marry Louisa Musgrove

Catherine Morland: Henry Tilney 💗💗💗💗 Henry Tilney, Northanger Abbey 💗💗💗💗 Henry Tilney & Mrs. Catherine Tilney 💗💗💗 *doodles ideas for wedding gowns*

Eleanor Tilney: Marry the love of my life (same goal for the past three years)

Henry Tilney: Keep being awesome

Frederick Tilney: Keep being awesome

General Tilney: Have all my children disposed in marriage to wealthy individuals (goal since Frederick turned 21)

Mrs. Allen: Purchase some very fine lace

Fanny Price: marry edmund Be as unnoticed as possible

Edmund Bertram: Marry Miss Crawford

Mary Crawford: Marry Edmund Bertram

Henry Crawford: Promote William Price, marry Fanny Price. Rub my excellent treatment of Fanny in the Bertram's faces.

Tom Bertram: *never wrote anything down, never does his years are always awesome*

Mr. Yates: Finally put on a production of Lovers' Vows third times the charm!

Mrs. Norris: Save more money than last year by furthering economy. Keep Fanny in her place. Become more necessary to the Bertrams.

Lady Bertram: sew a cute little jacket for Pug

Lady Susan: Keep being the best Gaslight Girlboss *kisses paper*

(if Christmas happened within novel, I tried to place the resolutions around it. If not, I made up a time)

[vivasciouslay]

YOURS | U. Obito

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆: MDNI, 21+, Virginity losing, mild angst, modern!Obito, college romance AU, piv, cunnilingus, slight breast play.

You felt your heart crack. A lump formed into your throat, tears burning your eyes as you kept your stand. You knew it was going to be like this- he will never see you the way you saw him. 

He will never love you the way you loved him. 

He looked dashing as always. Dressed in a fitting black t-shirt that hugged his prominent muscles covered with a dark leather jacket, and those tight black slacks that showed off his toned thighs. God surely had his favourites, and he looked like he was one of them.

But what made the sharp knife tear your heart open and bleed profusely was the dainty fingers that were coiled around his neck, the blonde hairs shining as he kissed her. 

"That Bitch!" Anko swore from your side as Rin looked worriedly between her best friend Obito and you, not even caring to reprimand her Girlfriend. Catherine was someone you didn't care about, but she did care. Catherine was your batchmate, although she cared more about herself than her friends, you considered her as an ally more than a friend.

But to see his tongue down her throat, her eyes closed, you didn't know what to say. Did he like her too? You couldn't see his face, but with the way Catherine was kissing him— maybe he did. Maybe he liked her. 

Your lower lip trembled as a tear fell out, and you turned on your heel and fled the scene, ignoring the desperate calls of Rin, Anko and Kurenai. Tears blurred your vision as you didn't cared about the snow which was falling outside, didn't care that you were dressed in a skirt and a tank top, didn't cared that you might be sick,

You just ran. 

It was a good day. Being the last day of the year, Asuma Sarutobi— son of College's Dean had invited you to the New Year Party he was throwing. You, Kurenai, Anko, Iruka, Genma and Hayate were good friends, later joined by Rin when she and Anko started dating. Rin was best friends with Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake, two of the most popular boys in College. Obito and Kakashi were friends with Asuma Sarutobi, Dean's son whom Kurenai was dating. It was because of them you came in contact with Obito– as if he didn't want your help with studies. Time flew as you two spent time with each other, and you just… fell in love with him.

Slamming the door of your apartment close you let out a heart wrenching sob, the back of your hand over your mouth as tears rolled down your cheeks, sobs wrecking your chests as you cried and cried. You looked at the ring you were about to give to Obito. You had finally got the guts to propose to him. It was your final year– he had told you that he was going to go abroad, and you were hoping you would get a scholarship so you could get into the same college as him.

Not anymore. 

Tears spilled more as you threw the ring away, and it clattered on the coffee table, before getting tossed in front of it. Still sobbing you got up and dragged yourself to the bedroom door. Entering, you flopped face first onto your bed, crying softly in the sheets which hugged you, letting you cry over your heart break.

Meanwhile, Rin couldn't even hold Anko before the woman was marching ahead. Kakashi and Asuma were well aware of your love for Obito, and also of the fact that Obito loved You back too. It was shocking for them too when Catherine suddenly kissed Obito, and the said man was so shocked he couldn't process it. 

Kakashi had seen you tearing up and running away, but it happened before Obito showed Catherine off and harshly wiped his lips. "Are you fucking crazy Catherine!?" Obito roared, he fucking roared as he looked at Catherine wildly. The party turned deadly silent. Catherine looked shocked, and a little off balance as she was unceremoniously shown off by Obito. 

Anko stopped in her tracks when she saw the scene unfolding, Rin immediately holding her hand to stop her. "Obito, I love you! Can't you see? I know you love me too, of course! How can you not love me!" Catherine said, her tone showing how sure she was. Obito scoffed.

"Stop living into delusions, Catherine." He snapped and looked around, his eyes trying to search You. "Obito, she ran out before you could push Catherine away." Kakashi told him and he clenched his jaw, his heart falling. Did you misunderstand him? 

"Oh! You are talking about her?" Catherine sneered. She knew something was there in Obito's heart for you. Ever since that damned Debate Competition, Catherine knew that Obito liked you alot. Catherine loved Obito as well, and she was scared to lose him to you. 

Obito rolled his eyes at Catherine and turned on his heels, marching out. "Obito!" Catherine called out indignantly and moved to go behind him, when Anko grabbed her hand and pulled her back. "I dare you to move a fucking step ahead and I will tear your fake hairs out of your head." Anko threatened as she growled, and Catherine sneered. 

"Where is she?" Obito stopped for a moment once he was out, realising he didn't know where she went. He knew he'd hurt her. He knew he had shattered her heart, she definitely misunderstood him. He'd loved her. He'd loved her ever since he'd laid his eyes on her. He still remembered that day when he first met her. 

It was a Football Match. Everyone was tense as the match was turning more and more serious, and Kurenai was yelling out profanities at the opposing party and cheering for Asuma and their Team from Stands. It was then that he'd first seen her, laughing at Anko and Kurenai losing their shits along with Rin. He was so distracted by you, that he didn't even see the football and got smacked right on his side. Though it resulted in him getting a swollen side of face, it was worth it. She'd came after the match with Rin, Kurenai and Anko, and that's how they got to know each other.

Time passed, and Obito couldn't help but fall for her. The way her cheeks would bloom when she sees her favourite candy floss, the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at night sky littered with stars, the way her tongue peeked out a little when she would concentrate on some work, the way her hands would start moving automatically when she would explain him something, everything she did entranced him like a moth to fire.

He wanted to propose to her. He wanted to be the one she would blush when she sees, he wanted to be the one who's jersey she wore while sauntering in his apartment like she owned it, he wanted to stand beside her as they exchange their vows, he wanted to be the one who's name she breaths when her plush lips fall open just for him. 

He just wanted to be hers.  

"Her Home." That's all Rin said before he immediately dashed out and sat inside his car, revving up the engine and drove towards her Home. He didn't even park the car nicely before he went out and took the stairs. He couldn't stand in Elevator and wait to go to her home. 

As soon as he reached her floor he all but ran to her door and rapped at it harshly. You whimpered and groaned when the door was being banged continuously. Thinking it's Anko, you dragged yourself out of your bed and went to your door. With a soft click you opened the door, your puffy red rimmed eyes widening when you saw Obito standing there, breathing heavily as if he ran to her house. 

Obito saw her red puffy eyes widening, before she moved to slam the door shut. He immediately stopped it, and pushed his hand in which resulted in the wood colliding with his knuckles harshly. A sharp hiss left his mouth before she left the door and immediately took his hand. 

"What the fuck Obito!?" You swore and pulled him in her house, forgetting her own pain. As if suddenly realising something she left his hand abruptly, and pushed him away. "Just- just get out of my house." She said, pointing outside the door. 

"No, you have to tell me first." Obito breathed heavily, ignoring the itching pain in his knuckles. They hadn't bled thankfully, just turned red. "Why did you leave?" He asked her. 

"I don't have anything to tell you." You said coldly, before another burn of tears passed in her eyes. Turning around you started walking to your bedroom. "Just get the fuck out of my apartment." You said. You'd barely touched the round handle of your bedroom when suddenly your arm was caught in a strong grip, and you were turned around harshly. 

A yelp escaped your mouth when your back hit the cold wooden door, eyes wide staring at the towering man in front of you. Obito towered over you, his eyes dark and expressions stern. "I asked, why did you leave?" He said, his voice deadly calm. 

Tears pricked your eyes. All the heartbreak and emotions coming all over again, as if it had gone. "What could've I done?" A small sob escaped your mouth, your eyes staring at him as tears pooled in them. "Obito, I love you.. I have loved you for a long time. It's been one and a half year since I have loved you. Your smile, your eyes, your laugh, your.. your Everything! I have loved you." You whimpered softly, your eyes wet with tears. 

"What could have I done when I saw your tongue down Catherine's throat as you kissed—" You gasped when suddenly his arms shot out to hold your jaw, and he dipped his head in to kiss you harshly but deeply. Your feet staggered as he suddenly pushed you on your back to the door, another gasp escaping your mouth when he bit your lower lip. He pushed his tongue into your mouth, licking your hot cavern's inside as a low and throaty moan rumbled out of your chest.

"Did she moan like this?" He asked, his voice deeper in octaves and raspy and you felt heat pool down in your abdomen. Wrapping one arm around your waist he pushed up a knee between your legs, making you throw your head back. "Did she moan like that?" He asked again, his lips dangerously close to her neck.

"I- I don't —" you gasped once more when he curled his fingers around your throat, the sensation passing a shiver down your spine as your cunt throbbed, heat pooling. If he kept going on like this, manhandling you, you'd come on the spot.

Without him entering you.

But you didn't want that. You wanted his lips caressing every inch of your body. You wanted his teeth to sink in your skin, his hot tongue licking the bite and soothing it. You wanted his large hands roving over your frame, learning every dip, every curve. You wanted his fingers to toy with your clit, slowly pushing in your hot heat as he edged you. You wanted his thick girth (you just knew he had a thick one, don't ask how) mold your insides in such a way that he slips in without any restraint any time he wanted. 

Your thighs flexed, as you shuddered violently. Inhaling a sharp breath, your dark eyes looked at him. Obito felt his breath stopping as you gazed at him, his knees moving just lightly, as if testing water. The wanting moan that escaped your lips was all needed for his not-so-little friend to swell. You looked so… hot. Your eyelids drooped slightly as your eyeballs rolled back in your head, flush spreading on your chest to ear tips as your plush lips parted and a moan escaped.

"Show me," He snapped his eyes up from your lips. "Show me how much you love me." You breathed out, every syllable laced with desire and lust, a desperation to have him and he nearly dropped down on his knees, wanting nothing but to bury his face in your heat. He could fucking smell your arousal.  

"Then I will fucking show you that you are the one I want. You are the one I crave. You," He leaned in slightly, his hot breath falling on your lips. "Are the one I want to spend my fucking life with." With that he dipped his head and kissed you, the hand holding your neck curling around your nape and tilting your head just a little so that he can kiss you deeper. A tremor passed from your head to your clit, which throbbed profusely as your knees buckled.

Sensing that you are losing your footing, your knees shaking and legs jelly, he curled his hands around your thighs and picked you up, your arms automatically curling around his head and he wrapped your legs around his waist. You kissed him deeper, dainty fingers coiling in the dark mass of hairs as his tongue entered in your warm mouth, licking everywhere it could go. 

"Tongue down her throat, you said right? Feel it now. Feel something no one other than you will feel." He breathed out when he took a small break, making your heart flutter. "Mine?" You asked tentatively, your fingers cupping his jaws. He smiled tenderly, a rare affectionate smile he reserved only for some people. 

"In this birth, in next birth, in every birth," He bumped your nose with his, smiling softly. "Only yours." His words brought a fresh wave of tears in your eyes as you burst into cries, hiding your face in his shoulder. You thought he'd never loved you, he'd never see you how you saw him. But you were wrong. He loved you. He saw you just like you saw him. He craved for you just like you did. You were his and he was yours. 

Looking back up, you stared in his eyes for a moment before leaning in and kissing him deeply. Obito had his one hand on your ass, holding you up as he pushed you on the door sandwiching you, his tongue really down your throat. You made soft gagging sounds as saliva dripped out of your mouth, your mouth falling open and eyes rolling back in your head when you felt his hot lips kissing onto your neck, licking and sucking. Obito thumped a fist on the door when you started grinding unconsciously on his girth. 

That's it. He can't hold back. 

Grabbing her by her waist, Obito kept his head buried in her neck as he sucked on her sweet spot he had found, the sweet moans your lips were letting out turning him on more and more as he opened the bedroom door and balanced you both walking inside. Once in he kicked the door shut and nearly threw you on the bed, with him on top of you.

The moonlight filtered through the small space of closed blinds, illuminating the room. His dark eyes drank up your features, trailing from your hairs sprawled on the bed to the drooping eyes, red flush covering your skin from your face to your chest, your covered boobs moving up and down as you heaved deep breaths. You looked Ethereal.

He dipped his head in and started peppering kisses down your throat, sucking lightly when he heard you gasp at one specific spot. His teeth grazed the area lightly, before sinking softly in it. A loud keen escaped your mouth, which fell open when his hot tongue poked out to lick the bite. His large hands started tracing your curves, and you shivered when his fingers touched your sensitive flesh which peeked out of your top. His fingers worked swiftly on the zip and soon your top was on the floor, the black strapless bra covering your mounds. 

"Obito!" You mewled and his member throbbed. "Wanna touch you.." you said breathily, tugging at the black t-shirt he was wearing. Backing away, your eyes fell on him as he sat up, each knee on the other side of your waist. Looking in your eyes he took off his shirt, your breath faltering when your eyes trailed over the chiseled abs and hefty muscles. 

Your dainty fingers trailed up on his chest, brushing past his nipples and you propped yourself on your elbows, moving your hands to take off your bra but he stopped you. "Relax, love." He cooed, his fingers carding through your hairs. "Let me do it." He said softly. 

"I want you Obito, want you fuck me so bad." You moaned and he cooed internally, deciding it was too much. He was done playing. Dipping quickly, he kissed you harshly as a moan tore out of your throat, your fingers carding in his hairs as his large hands immediately snapped open your bra and pushed off your skirt and panties, them joining the pile.

You shivered when cold air hit your hot vagina, and young hands immediately moved down to latch on his belt as you fumbled around with it, finally able to buckle it off and he took his pants off, his lips now trailing down your cleavage and hickies on its wake. 

You gasped aloud, a mewl of his name tearing out of your throat when he suddenly moved down and pressed a kiss on your clit, one of his fingers pushing in your hot and wet cunt. Obito groaned when your plush walls tightened around his fingers, and slowly started moving them as he lapped on your open heat hungrily, sucking on the small clitoris that made you arch your back. 

His fingers worked on loosening your hole with a finesse, and your hand coiled in his hairs when he pushed another finger in, moving in and out. You pushed his head on your womanhood more, pleasure building fastly. You were a virgin, and you were going to come undone quickly. "Obito, I'm close!" You keened aloud, grinding your hips on his face.

"Go on love, bathe me in your juices." He pushed his tongue inside along with his now three fingers, them moving in and out swiftly as he rolled your clit with his thumb. Stars exploded in your vision as you let out a high pitched cry, coming right at his face. Obito pushed your thighs apart with his palms, and pushed his tongue more in, licking around your vagina as you writhed and shook. 

Finally he moved back after sucking your soul out, and wiped his drenched chin, licking up the drops of your arousal and moaned. The filthy sight made you come nearly again and you pulled him by his nape and kissed him, fasting yourself on him. "Obito, Obito please! I can't take it anymore!" You cried out a moan. 

Obito quickly pumped his cock, and pressed it on your hole. You threw your head back when he started pressing in, your breath faltering. With a growl he kissed you, and simultaneously pushed his thick girth all inside you making you keen so loud, that the sound went straight to his dick.

Obito needed a moment to gather himself. The way your plush walls were hugging him tightly was making him lose his head. If you kept clenching him tightly like this, he was sure he'd nut right then and there. But no, he had to stay in right mind if he were to make love to you.

"So good, 'bito… feelin' s' good.." You moaned softly, soft pants escaping your mouths as you took a moment to adjust. "Move Obi …" You breathed and Obito nodded. Taking your both arms he pinned it above your head, his one hand grabbing your wrists together while the other one traced down to rest on your hip, and he started moving.

You forgot breathing the moment his length inside you started moving, the veins on his cock dragging across your sensitive walls. Obito moved his hips back and forth, slowly stretching you more to take him better as he sucked on your neck and collarbone, which was littered with red and purple bites.  

You keened, huffing softly as he gently thrusted in you. Obito had to take a breath every time he pulled out and thrusted, his thrusts gentle but strong. "Wanna touch you Obito…" you breathed out before he again filled you and he left your hands, instead laying down on your body gently, his lips finding your nipple.

"Ngh!" You gasped and let out a choked moan when his tongue rolled around your nipple, his free hand playing with your other breast. Tugging at your other nipple, Obito sucked on the pebbled flesh with his lips, tugging at it with his teeth and nibbling it gently. Your moans were like music, spurring him on and on as he sped up, suddenly hitting your spot. 

A loud gasp tore out of your throat and Obito moved his hips faster, his lips and tongue working on the reddened nipple as he squished the other breast in his hands. He immediately loved your boobs, and wanted to just lay and suck on them but with how loud you were moaning, your legs around his hips and your hole sucking him in, his orgasm was approaching at a faster rate. 

His hips rutted forward, pounding into your stretched cunt as you felt the knot tightening in your abdomen. "I- I-" you gasped, unable to talk. "That's it baby, come. Come with me. Bathe me in your juices." He growled out, dipping his head to kiss her as his pace turned faster, the sound of skin slapping echoing in the room along with the filthy moans and squelching, as you threw your head back. 

Knowing you were about to come anytime, he curled his fingers in your hairs and tugged at your hairs to kiss him. With a snap of his hips and a harsh jab of his cockhead at your spongey cervix, ropes of his hot cum shot up in your womb as you moaned loudly, coming immediately. You breathed heavily as he gently rolled his hips, his tongue tangling with yours as he gently pushed his cum into you, and you mimicked the action, although spent.

Breaking the kiss finally, Obito adjoined your foreheads. "I love you, my Love. I'm yours." He breathed softly as you kissed his nose, nodding gently with a smile. Looking up in his eyes, you saw him smiling tenderly. "I love you too Obito… so much.." You said softly and gave him a sweet kiss. He smiled and kissed back as sweetly, moving his hips again as you felt him harden.

Oh, you were in for a long night.

[saintbleeding]

Hii~

So i saw this on a tumblr post but is very jonmartin

"Jon and Martin are planning their wedding, they want to have their cat as ring bearer (is this how it's called?) But Martin doesn't know the name of the cat because they always call it different nicknames and jon just doesn't tell him and he don't want to admit that after all that years don't know.

Because jon didn't know either! he thinks that the cat is Martin's and he also is trying to figure out the name."

Martin’s not a cat person.

Honestly, he’s just not really an animal person. Like, in general.

The same isn’t true for Jon, of course. On, like, their second date, Jon—who, up until that point, had been all leather elbow patches on his stupid tweed jackets and “hmm, perhaps” and thoughtful squinting—got approached by a cat in the street, and pretty much melted on the spot.

Martin melted, too, but for slightly different reasons.

So it wasn't really a surprise when Jon moved in and Cat started turning up. Sure, it felt a little bit out of character for Jon not to excitedly announce that, one, he'd gotten a pet cat really recently, and, two, he was bringing it into Martin's place, which is a relatively humble little cottage, but Cat seems to free-roam most of the time, so it's not like she's encroaching on much of the space. And, anyway, it's not like Martin hates cats, so he doesn't mind. He just sort of thought Jon would have said something. But he didn't.

So.

You know.

There's a cat.

She's grown on Martin over time. In fact, it's usually him that wakes up with her purring and headbutting him at fuck-off o'clock in the morning, and Jon's not a heavy sleeper, so if she'd attacked him first, Martin would know.

But she's nice. Lovely little tufts of fur between her toes, and quite a deep meow for such a pretty lady. He'll call her Lady Catherine sometimes, and Jon's got the gall to pretend he doesn't think it's hilarious. Mind you, Jon's terms of endearment for her skew a bit more—pejorative, for lack of a better term? Like, Cat will take the opportunity when Jon is hunched over a stack of student essays at the dining table, and she'll leap onto his shoulders, and do that loaf thing, and Jon always says "unhand me, you infernal creature", or the few times she has bothered Jon in the middle of the night for pre-dawn breakfast service, he's grumbled "vile beast" even as he gets up to feed her.

Martin's tried telling him he shouldn't be encouraging her. But Jon just turns around and says "yes, I know, that's why I chastise her".

Martin stays impressed that someone so smart can be so stupid. Which he means affectionately, obviously. If he didn't, they wouldn't be getting married.

Which is great, by the way. It's great.

Does present some—unique problems, though.

Martin's got absolutely no bloody clue what her actual name is.

Which, you know, it's not like he's filling out adoption papers or anything, but at some point after some late-night banter it became part of the plan that Cat should be the ring-bearer at the wedding.

And he can't not know the name of a member of the party at his own wedding.

So he starts sleuthing.

"Hey," he says one evening, when GBBO is over and they're just sitting there with the telly on mute.

Jon looks up from his thorough inspection of Cat's beans, her paw gently clasped between his thumb and forefinger, and goes "Mm?"

"Been thinking."

Jon lifts one eyebrow. "Mm?"

"We could get her a proper little collar and everything."

Jon blinks a couple of times, then smiles. "Oh, for the wedding, you mean?" Martin nods. "Oh, yes, it could match your tie."

Okay, that's adorable, but also, unfortunately, not the point.

"Ooh, yeah," he says, then: "Oh! And, like, a little engraved name-tag. Really fancy."

Jon's eyes narrow almost imperceptibly.

"Yes," he says, tone completely unreadable. "Silver or gold, do you think?"

Martin's suddenly wondering if it's a trap.

"Dunno," he says, turning his eyes back to the brightly-coloured advert on the screen. "What's her vibe, you think?"

In the corner of his eye he sees Jon's jaw working silently as he searches for something to say.

"I think your input should be taken into consideration," he says, lifting his chin as Cat stands, stretches, and headbutts him. "Since... you know."

Martin considers whether or not Jon's messing with him, because frankly, he very much does not know.

"Mmm. Well! Uh- I- I like gold. Would match our bands."

"True enough," Jon says. Cat leaps onto the back of the sofa, and they're both silent till she curls up there and falls back asleep.

Jon doesn't seem very eager to say anything else.

Bugger.

"So..." Martin says, lifting his glasses to rub his eyes. "Um... what's the spelling, again?"

Jon's blurry form sits up straighter, and when Martin puts his glasses back on he sees his mouth open in shock.

"Might I ask why you're asking me?" Jon says, which doesn't make any sense.

"W- um. Y- you know, you're the English teacher."

Jon inclines his head to the side, frowning. "Hmm," he goes. "W- I- I- yes, I—mm." He lowers himself back against the sofa again. "The usual way."

Martin sighs.

"Right," he says. "Okay."

The silence gets a bit fraught, then. When Martin stands up to take their mugs to the kitchen, he might be a tiny bit huffy. It's possible.

Jon follows him, and he stays huffy, because it's easier to keep up than neutrality when he's trying to hide that he's a bit annoyed and a bit embarrassed.

"Everything alright?" Jon says, leaning casually against the fridge as Martin puts way too much effort into scrubbing both mugs clean.

"Mm."

Several seconds pass.

"Could I say something?" Jon asks, a bit hesitantly.

If Martin had to guess, he'd put money on "you're a negligent idiot for not paying enough attention to know my cat's name and I hate you".

"Yeah."

Jon exhales audibly behind him, as though amused.

"With all due respect and affection, darling—" He pauses till Martin is finished aggressively rinsing the mugs. Martin still doesn't turn to face him, though, because he's a tiny bit scared of where this is going, honestly. "If you've forgotten how to spell your own cat's name, that's not, strictly speaking, my fault, is it?"

Martin turns around.

Several things occur to him at once.

First, Cat's a dirty freeloader who owes Martin like fourteen months of rent.

Second, it might, legitimately, have been a coincidence that she and Jon moved in around the same time.

Third, he can't remember a time he's heard Jon use any method of address on her except for creature, or beast, or the ones Martin uses himself.

Which means, fourth, Jon doesn't know her bloody name either.

Because she's not his cat.

Well.

"Okay," Martin says. "Let's assume I have forgotten. Couldn't you just—help me out—and spell it?"

"Martin," Jon says disparagingly with a frown.

"Jon," Martin says, trying really hard not to smirk.

Jon does that thing where his mouth starts in a flat line, but as his irritation grows, his nose scrunches up, and the line of his mouth slowly rises up his face until he exclaims inarticulately and throws his hands in the air in defeat.

"Fine!" he says. "Fine, okay, alright, fine. I—I don't—I don't know. I don't know! I meant to ask, but I felt negligent not having known when I moved in, and then, after a month or seven I couldn't very well come out and ask, could I? And then—good heavens, it's been more than a year, there was no subtle way to recover!"

Martin's not laughing at him.

But he is laughing.

Breathlessly, uncontrollably, doubling over—to the point where Jon actually crosses the few steps separating them in the tiny kitchen to place a hand on his shoulder, gently guiding him upright with a concerned look on his face.

"Sorry," Martin manages eventually, wiping tears from his eyes. "Christ, sorry, I'm just—"

He takes a deep, measured breath.

"I've got to tell you something," he says sheepishly. Jon puts his hands on Martin's shoulders and looks into his face with the earnest sobriety that, even now, gives Martin butterflies.

"Anything," he says, still frowning intensely.

Martin averts his eyes. "She's not my cat either."

When Jon stops laughing, he spends the rest of the evening lecturing Cat in his Not Mad Just Disappointed voice ("identity fraud is an extremely serious matter, young lady, and you are terribly lucky you have such sweet little eyes, or I might be compelled to take legal action against you, please let go of my nose").

Oh, but they do end up getting her an engraved gold name-tag for the ceremony.

It says 'Lady Catherine (Beast)'.

[sarcasticscribbles]

Besides your most recent drawing of Melanie King being based on Joan of Arc (Absolutely lovely [in the old British man TikTok voice] did you have any other inspiration for the drawing? [It reminded me of your The fool Archivist Commission]).

General female knight imagery, I knew I wanted the weapon to cover her eye, which is a common sword pose

I also tried to mimic the armour look with British punk fashion, broader shoulder and a bulky fit

A leather jacked was a great juxtaposition between the styles

This hand:

is a blessing hand, something saints and prophets are depicted with. Also we got the halo but with swords (St. Catherin, Joan of Arc's sword, which is also around her neck/ a patch on her jacket/ slaughter reference)

And I'm not the one to add buttons to characters to show her identity; however, Melanie is punk, and custom in that scene, so I added lesbian flag, what the ghost pin and Joan of Arc from Clone High (I ran out of Joan of Arc references)

I agree it looks a little like a card with the white frame and name, but I was going for this mediaeval Saint style with the layout!

thanks for asking a lot goes into it, and it's really fun finding Easter eggs to add

[bolilloquemad0]

While talking with my dear friend @i-like-cats-and-stars36, he came with a crack idea. Damian's love language is free cats. If he likes you enough, or considers you as part of the family, he would gift you a cat that is personally selected.

I, cat lover, obviously said that yes, that's him. 100% Damian behavior. So when the question of what type of cats would Damian give to his family, I went a bit frantic to be honest 😔👊. And that ended in a list of cats that suddenly got to powerful and now we have, kind of, an Au for your entertainment.

We called it: Picking up Strays.

(This family has a problem, dear god)

So, buckle up Batfam lovers. I'm not kidding. (Btw, credits to all the lovely people who took pics of their cats and ended in pinterest, you're life saviors)

LET'S BEGIN (this is only pt 1, the rest of the family will come soon) (pt2 is up now!)

Dick

The first person I feel he would give a cat to is Dick, we all know why. Since Dick already has Haley and she is the precious energetic baby she is, I feel like Damian would give him a more relaxed cat. So maybe a 5 years old cat could fit, they're not as crazy as the young ones (my cat is nearly five years old and he only knows the activity of sleeping) and probably they could handle Haley without problems.

So I landed with this; a gray mixed between tabby and russian blue with blue eyes, obviously. Is a male and 5 years old. He fits the aesthetic.

Dick arrives at his loft in Bludhäven one night, probably after his shift, to find a cat calmly sleeping on his couch next to a, now awake, Haley. There's food, a bed, some toys, sand, and a note. Something something I know you would take good care of him something something.

Dick is clearly confused, "Damian, wtf are you doing in Blud?!", but upon seeing the cat on his couch (that now was looking at him) Dick just, well, he has a cat now.

He calls the cat Zbor (romani for fly or flying) and Dick's phone is full with how many photos and videos he takes of Zbor and Haley sleeping or hanging out. Zbor would occasionally smack Haley on the head while playing and Dick finds it utterly adorable. All his socials are full of Haley and Zbor.

Jason

Next is Jason. I'm a firm believer of the hc that Damian and Jason meet at the League, maybe they didn't bonded that much, but still knew eachother. So maybe Dami has a different kind of respect for Jason.

Jay ended with a cat by accident. Damian found this 1 month old baby, lost and hungry and probably hurt and Jason's place was the closest so he bringed the baby to him. At firts it was just for a few nights meanwhile Damian found her another place.

So this 1 month old moggies ends at the care of Jay. How many nights has to pass before Jason falls in love with her. Four? Six? A whole week? Wrong. Two nights. She yawns and falls asleep on top of Jason's jacket by accident and that's it.

Jay is a father now. Congratulations!

Later that week, when Damian goes for her Jason invents the most stupid reason for Damian to let her stay, surprisingly Dami doesn't insist, he's just like "Okay." The reality is that Damian's plan worked just fine.

He names her Cat. That's it. Cat. Everyone thinks he's pulling a Jonh Wick situation, and Jay rolls with it. Truth is (thanks Astro) that Cat is the short version for Catherine, as his mother. Jason never calls her Catherine when other people are around, but wait until he's alone in his room with Cat in his chest and Jason would scratch behind her ears while saying, "You're so beautiful, Catherine."

Cat, as she grows, becomes a chaotic good. I also feel like she would LOVE sleeping inside of Jason's shoes until she doesn't fit anymore. Lian and Cat would become best friends, and she would occasionally sleep on Lian's bed too.

Cass

Next is Cassandra. (This one is Astro's favorite). Cass comes back from a trip, probably, and the first thing Damian does is give her a black cat. Not any cat, a brainless stupid cat. Cass, eyes landing on yellow ones, and they have a connection.

Brainless eyes upon seeing Cass (with the tongue out): Mother.

Cass, looking at her cat: Stupid. No brain. Lover her.

Cass names her Blob. Is a british shorthair of 2 years old and likes to headbutt Cass. Have you seen those special bags for chihuahuas?, Cass gets one for Blob, to take her in all of her trips like the spoiled princess she is.

(Credits of the photos and fanart to Astro ♡)

Blob follows Cass blindly everywhere. This often ends with her getting lost on some street meowing loudly until Cass finds her and carries her home calling her stupid affectionally all the way.

Blob is probably the must unproblematic cat of all of them, but I don't recommend leaving her without supervision.

Bruce

When Bruce gets his cat, the rest of the family already has the idea of why Damian suddenly is giving cats to everyone. Dick cried for two hours knowing he was the first.

Anyway, with Bruce's cat is a bit more difficult. The grey turkish angora Damian gets to rescue has been a stray for a long long time. He's 6-7 years old and fights. He doesn't trust humans and Damian has a big scratch in the cheek to prove it with more adding up. No one understands why he brings him to the manor, but Damian is determined.

A few days passes and the old cat finally seems to settle, but he's still wary of them. Nevertheless, Damian claims that the cat is Bruce's. He argues, he doesn't want a cat, he doesn't need one. In the end, Bruce treats the cat carefully. He doesn't know how to handle him nor exactly what to do.

Slowly, the cat seems more at peace at Bruce's side. The kids starts pestering him with a name but Bruce doesn't know. He doesn't know how to name things, by god's sake he named the Batcomputer. Dick jokes about Batcat as a name, you know, for the aesthetic and the Theme. Bruce turns them down while everyone laughs at him.

The problem is that the cat needs a name, he can't keep calling him The Cat and is not like Damian's constant glares makes everything better. So, for now he would call the cat Batcat. Just for now. Until he finds a better name.

He doesn't.

He never finds a better name. And all his children laughs at him. It's Batcat now.

+ Bonus story of Bruce and Batcat

One night, after a rough patrol, Bruce's arrives at his room and nothing feels quite real. Sitting in his bed, maybe a panic attack starts. Everything is too much. Bruce tries to calm himself but he just can't. Hw breathing becomes labored. A warm, heavy and soft something places himself on his lap, and slowly starts purring, Bruce puts his hand on the cat, slowly petting him. And as the purring grows he can finally calm himself enough to come back.

[eveningdawn222]

same anon who just sent the anti tim drake ask lol but i’ve been reading your dc posts and i actually think you’ve changed my life with he/she jason. i love her (& i love actually interesting trans headcanons in general. it works so well with jason)

if you had any more thoughts on her i’d love to hear them…

yessss !!!! another convert !!!! i have a lot of feelings around her gender before her death as well; it's a lot safer to a masculine when he is homeless in gotham because girls are at a much higher risk of sexual assault. but i think about, before that, catherine putting cute jelly hair clips to hold back jason's hair, painting their nails together just for the night then having to clean it off before jason left for school. i think willis and catherine probably knew, at least an inkling, but they wanted jason to be safe.

willis stopping by a shelter before a gig because they always have those pamphlets about gay youth, bringing it home to catherine, discussing behind closed doors what would be safest for jason. they're not perfect; this is the early 2000s at most, but they try. just as they do for everything, they try their best. and it's not enough, but i think for jason it's just enough that he's sheltered from that deep, instinctual, internal shame. she knows that it's not safe, but she also knows that it's not wrong.

i don't think it's anything articulated as transgender; i do think cathy and willis think jason is different. jason certainly doesn't know, he just knows that there are some things that are only okay to do with people who get it.

and this is why i don't really think he ever tells bruce pre-aditf. i don't think it ever occurs to bruce to make any explicit indications of getting it. (in fact, i think the opposite; i think bruce assumes jason's over correction is a sign that he would be uninterested or hostile to "feminine" things)

i think about catherine, after she gets sick, after she gets really bad, stroking jason's head and calling her "her beautiful girl." because i think where willis leaned towards "gay and feminine," cathy knew. she knew her jason was a girl, ached every time she had to remind him to take his hair clips out, longed for the life willis promised before he never came home.

willis kissing cathy's knuckles, promising this one last gig was gonna be enough that they could move to a better neighborhood, that they could get cathy real medicine, that they could finally let jason grow her hair out.

i think about jason in willis' old leather jacket, hair clips holding back a dark curtain of curls, nails painted catherine's favorite blue, smoking on her front steps in a dress she knows her mother would have loved.

[unamused-boss]

I have a idea! So billy x reader and they have been dateing for 3 years each year you try to get the lead role in the school play so it's your now it's your fourth year doing this and you finally get the lead role and you and billy celebrate :)

Where for art thou... Juliet?

Billy Hargrove x Reader

disclaimer: doesn't follow stranger things plot, billy maybe oc, and apologize if this is short! Reader is GN just because they are trying out for Juliet doesn't mean reader is completely fem, its only for the story! I was also a kid in theatre, so I can insult my people lol

Summary: You and Billy have been dating for a while now. You have been apart of the drama club for all of high school, trying for every lead only to get the supporting roles or side roles. Now being a Senior in high school you have finally gotten your lead role. And Billy is 100% supporting you... well most of it.

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

You and Billy have been the IT couple of Hawkins High School for years. It surprised everyone when in the last two months of freshmen year you got Billy Hargrove to go on a date with you. As well to find out you asked him, some kid that was apart of the theatre club, which Billy liked very much. Billy liked his little nerd.

In those four years of being together you and Billy have supported each other through everything. You went to every basketball game Billy played in; cheered for him as loud as you could. Even when his team fumbled the ball at the lat second of the state championship game, which you had to comfort Billy through. But today isn't about Billy, no, today is about his sweetheart auditioning for the spring production of their final year of high school today.

"So do you think I'll do good?" You ask nervously, you been tugging at the sleeve of your jacket all morning as the other students around you make their way into the school as you sat at the hood of Billy's car with him. For the past week you have been going over and studying your lines for the auditions for Romeo and Juliet today. You are auditioning for Juliet today, the role of your dreams (deal with it).

"You're gonna do great, baby." Billy reassured, "Don't doubt yourself, you are talented."

"But what if I fuck up..." You sighed.

"You're not going to fuck up, babe." Billy said softly. "Listen your the best fuckin person they got in there."

"You're just saying that cause you're dating me, silly."

"No I'm not, you are going to do great in there." Billy said turning to face you. "Who gives a shit about Tammy Thompson, or Catherine, or who ever else you think is going to out shine you... you are going to do great and rock that shit."

"You really think so." You smile up to him. You got all giddy in your stomach when he was soft with you. Billy started to put his arms around your waist bring you in close for a hug. Billy kisses the top of your head making you giggle.

"I'll see you after four o'clock okay, and maybe we can have a movie night to calm your nerves a bit." Billy suggested.

"I would love that." You smiled and pecked his lips. Letting go of his hold to make your way into the school.

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

Your day went by pretty slow. For one not having Billy in any classes and two Billy skipping half way through the day so you didn't see him for lunch. But that did not matter, the dreaded time has arrived. Auditions. The director was not doing a cold read like she did every year, this time you had a month in advance to learn the lines of your desired part. You made your way to the drama room to wait for your name to be called.

"Catherine Shuort!" The director called. Catherine got up an mad her way out. There is not way you are getting this role, you can't be half as good as some of these girl. Catherine had a lead role in sophomore year! You were starting to freak out a bit.

"Hey!" A voice shouted you out of your own head. You look up to see your long time friend, Eddie Munson. Who is also a member of the drama club for the past few years.

"What's got you so worked up?" He asked.

"I just want to do good." You responded.

"You gonna do great, hell I sometimes question casting cause of how good you are." He said, casually looking down to his script.

"What do you mean?" You questioned.

"Tabitha Thompson!" The voice shouted, directing Tammy to get up to go audition.

"You so should have gotten a better role last year then, you should've at least gotten Jo or Laurie!" Eddie seemed baffled at the casting last year when you performed Little Women. You received the role as the girls mother as well as played someones uncle.

"You really think." You said.

"Um. Absolutely." Eddie nodded his head to the statement. "You like really good, better than Tammy "muppet" Thompson out there." You giggle at his remark of Tammy's voice.

"Thanks Eddie, you're a great friend." You smiled.

"Eh, it's no trouble, you did help me ask Chrissy out." He said...

"Y/N L/N!" You hear your name be shouted from the outside. You take a deep breath before making your way out. Remembering what Billy was saying to you this morning. You stepped out on stage, the old wooden panels creaking underneath your shoes.

"Hello, my name is Y/N L/N and I will be auditioning for Juliet today."

"Alright, when ever your ready..."

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

It has been three days since the audition. All you have done is wait in suspense for the cast list to be posted. You caught wind from Tammy it should be posted today. Once the bell rang, signaling that the day was over. You hopped out of your seat straight to your locker to put your books away. You were about to leave when.

"Whoa, whoa, Hey sweet thing." Billy said bringing you into a tight hug. "Where you off to?"

"The cast list is being posted today." You say, wrapping your arms around Billy. He smiled down to you.

"Alright, but you have to kiss me before." He teased. You complied happily, placing a sweet kiss on his lips. When you parted you said your goodbyes saying you will meet him at his car in a few minutes. You ran to the drama room to see the cast list be put up.

Romeo ............................................ Edward Munson

Juliet .............................................................. Y/N L/N

Mercutio .............................................. Dylan Fowler

Tybalt .............................................. Catherine Stern

Lady Capulet ............................. Tabitha Thompson

Capulet ..................................… Fredric McShallows

You couldn't believe it. You got Juliet! You got the lead! You ran straight passed everyone. Passed Catherine who looked pissed off at her role. Pass Dylan, the freshmen, that looked shocked he got an on stage character role. Passed everyone, none of them matter to you at the moment. You only cared about seeing one persons and one person only. Your boyfriend, Billy. You slam passed the doors to his car with the biggest smile on your face. Billy sees you and has no time to react as you throw yourself into his arms.

"I got it! I got the lead! I'm Juliet!" You cheered.

"I knew you would get it baby! I knew you would!" He held you closer. "Let's go out on a date tonight."

Really?!" You said.

"Hell yeah, my baby got the lead role." He cheered with s smile on your face, "Get in the car!" Taking you over to the passenger seat of the car, opening the door for you then making his way to the drivers side. Turing the engine on to roar the camaro right out of the school parking lot. Billy took you to a nice place to eat. Well as nice as a high schooler that works at the public pool can get, but it was still nice. You and Billy currently sat in a booth with your food in front of you.

"So, tell me about this Romeo and Juliet shit." Billy said, he may have seemed harsh about it but he has sat through every rant for every play you've been in. Billy loves listening to you talk about anything, literally you could talk about paint drying; he will continue to look at you with hearts in his eyes.

"Well it's about two lovers in Verona that can't be together but choose to anyway." You answered. You were about to eat more of your fry when Billy said, "So you're playing one of the lovers?"

"Yes."

"So do the lovers... at any point... uh kiss?" This confused you. Billy has seen you with an onstage "lover" before. What's so different?

"I mean... maybe once, but it's at the end?" You answer looking at him. Then you see it in his eyes and lips, he was being so jelly. You started laughing at him.

"What's funny?" He smiled to you.

"You know the Romeo has a girlfriend, right?" You answered.

"Who?"

"Eddie? You know who he is." You said.

"You have to kiss Munson?!" Billy said.

"Billy you have nothing to worry about, are you scared he's gonna kiss better than you?" You teased.

"No." He snorted, " I just love you a lot, and I don't want another guy to kiss you the way I do."

"Aww Billy Hargrove has a heart." You joked. Billy just rolled his eyes to you. "Seriously, I don't think Edward Munson will replace you." You get up from your side of the booth to make your way over to his side. Sitting next to him and giving him a smooch on the cheek. Billy just smiled to you as you did to him. You both finished up your night with food and fun. You and Billy really did love each other. It came with the time you both have been together. Nothing could change your mind about Billy Hargrove. As well as nothing could change his name about you.

So when the time came of your final bow came on stage, Billy was waiting for you outside with the biggest bouquet of roses just for you. Even if the three second kiss peeved him a little but he can easily get over that. Since he will be with you for the rest of his life.

"You were absolutely amazing, baby." Billy smiled with you in his arms.

"Well, Eddie might have gotten the role of Romeo but I think you fit far better." You smiled up to him. You both brought your lips together for a sweet yet passionate kiss.

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

hope you enjoyed the Fic!

[forever-fixating]

RWRB Appreciation Month Bingo: Platonic Dynamic

For @rwrbsource and @rwrbmovie's RWRB Appreciation Month Bingo: Platonic Dynamic

Platonic Dynamic: Henry and Pez

Author's Note: Henry and Pez have such an interesting friendship in the book, and I'm so sad we didn't get to see more of it in the movie. (Mayhaps something to elaborate on in the sequel?) I wanted to write this little moment because I believe that Pez was a major support for Henry when grappling with the aftermath of Arthur's death. Shoutout to Pez, you are a real one, darling! This bit is quite angsty, so maybe have a hanky handy?

Pez Okonjo considered himself to be a fairly emotionally intelligent person for his age. His parents raised him to always extend grace and understanding to people because he could never know what they might be going through. But, as he stood outside his dorm room, listening to his best friend struggle not to break down over the phone, he couldn't muster a single mite of grace or understanding for one Catherine Fox Mountchristen-Windsor.

"A-are you sure she isn't available?" Henry was saying. "I-It's just...things are really hard for me right now, and I wanted to-"

Henry's voice fell silent, no doubt listening to the laundry list of excuses and platitudes Catherine's equerries had on hand ever since Arthur's death. Pez tried to be understanding. Really, he did. He had no idea what it must be like to lose the love of one's life. But, in the past few months, especially after the nightclub incident with Bea, Pez had a front-row seat to what it was like to lose a parent.

Or two, Pez thought bitterly.

He listened to Henry mumble something. I swear to God Almighty, if he is fucking apologizing, Pez fumed silently. But anger wasn't what Henry needed at that moment. So, after a minute or two, he knocked on the door cheerfully and breezed in, saying, "So, I know you wanted falafel tonight, but our favorite stand closed early. I got us Indian instead. There's a few different options for you to choose from, plus leftovers for tomorrow!"

Pez pretended not to notice his friend's redden, glassy eyes or the quick swipes he made over his cheeks. Ever since Arthur, it was a delicate tightrope act of knowing when to push and when to let things be. Tonight was the latter.

Henry looked at the bulging bag of food Pez set down on the end of his bed and asked, "Wh-what happened with Cassandra? I thought you two had a date tonight."

Pez sighed, shucking off his jacket. "Can you believe she had the nerve, the gall, nay! The temerity to cancel on me? She said she had food poisoning or some such tosh, but then tell me why I saw her out with her girlfriends at the pub? Women, beautiful, beguiling creatures, though they may be, can be so fickle."

Henry managed a laugh, a small victory in Pez's eyes. "Oh crumbs, Pez. You haven't had much luck lately. That's what? The sixth cancellation in so many weeks?"

"Yes, you needn't rub in it, Haz!"

Of course, it was a lie. In truth, Pez did the canceling, as he had with most of the others who asked him out recently. The ladies were disappointed (because how could they not be?) but understood when Pez explained why. Part of him figured Henry knew the stories were a scam. But Pez couldn't fathom the idea of partying when his best mate was alone with his dark thoughts.

Pez sat down next to Henry, who asked, "Would you like to watch more Doctor Who?"

"Yes, please!" Pez said, digging into the bag and arranging the takeaway containers like a mini-buffet. "I believe we left off right before Ms. Donna Noble was set to make her debut?"

Henry nodded, his spirits lifting. "She's absolutely brilliant, I'm certain you'll love her. I love the dynamic she has with Ten. Oy, Space Man!"

Pez laughed and took a bite of a samosa while Henry queued up the episode on his laptop. As the opening credits played, Henry laid his head on Pez's shoulder.

"Thank you."

Pez rested his cheeks on limp, blonde hair. "You're welcome, Haz."

A/N— Sorry, not sorry, but if the fandom is going to rake Ellen over the coals for her shortcomings with Alex, there needs to be a lot more discussion about Catherine. True, she lost her husband, but Phillip, Bea, and Henry lost their father. She should have been there for them. Comment below with your thoughts! I promise the next ficlet will be decidedly less angsty.

Check out this post and join the fun in celebrating the one-year anniversary of our little romcom that could being released!