#and then Tina showed up and everything started going to hell

[victorluvsalice]

-->And then the REAL chaos started – because as Alice finally got the weather to start calming down, the party officially started! I had Alice head into the kitchen and make a lovely gourmet Spinach Frittata for everyone to chow down on later, while Victor finished his cupcake and Scruberooed himself and I tried to properly wrangle all the guests and get them to head into the barn with Smiler and Marm. Things started out okay with Marm greeting Nalani and having a nice chat with her, while Victor wandered in to officially meet Rory (apparently he didn’t actually know her? Fortunately they got along quite well) and Smiler ran off to feed Toothy (I mean, nobody should have been able to get at the cowplant’s cake, the gate’s locked to household members only, but – better safe than sorry!). I then put everyone but Alice into a group and made them all “go here together” in the barn so I could better keep track of them (as Clement had already wandered upstairs to dance to Smiler's radio and Felipe was being distracted by one of the cats). I kept them all busy chatting as Alice kept cooking, with Smiler and Marm discussing family with Felipe and Nalani respectively to help complete the various party goals –

-->And then, after a bit of a fiery finish to the frittata (Alice isn’t as practiced with gourmet cooking as she is with regular cooking ^^;), it was dinner time! I had the group go and gather in the first floor hallway to keep everyone where I could see them, then had Alice officially call everyone to dinner (stopping her from running off randomly in the process – I have GOT to turn her super-speed off). Which prompted almost all the guests to start coming in for a plate –

And prompted me to notice that, wow, Marm was TENSE. Like, really tense. Both from “Stranger Danger” (from being a Loner around unknown Sims) and from being around Rory, who was in her Beast Form. I keep forgetting werewolves make most Sims nervous because all of mine like them. *facepalm* As Marm didn’t actually need to eat (is physically incapable of it, in fact – do you see a slot for food on the faceplate?), I decided they should hang out in the hall with Smiler (who also doesn't need to eat, and in fact shouldn't because they'll react with disgust thanks to their Withered Stomach) instead, bonding with their creator while the group that could eat enjoyed the meal and chatted about family and stuff to fulfill more party goals. I thus canceled the “call to meal” interaction for both of them and prepared to have them start chatting –

-->But then Tina Tinker showed up at the door, saying she’d brought a crafted gift (a common upgrade part – dunno how that’s crafted, but okay) for us because we were such awesome people. And when I tried to have Smiler go say hi and accept the gift, it took THREE TRIES because, first of all, the specters that always spawn at the front door whenever someone knocks kept sprinkling them, and second of all, Smiler kept wandering off to do things like sit at the dinner table before properly completing the "sprinkled by specters" animation. *sigh* This game sometimes... Not to mention, things were almost equally chaotic at said dinner table, as everyone kept playing musical chairs for no good reason (well, okay, ONE good reason, Alice and Rory had a hug at one point, but other than that, not sure why everyone kept switching seats). Despite this, I managed to fulfill some more goals by having Alice tell Rory an engaging story and Victor talk more about family with Clement –

-->And then I realized “where’s Marm?” and found him upstairs planning to do some yoga. *facepalm* You're the guest of honor at this shindig, robot! I sent him back downstairs, where he ended up being tuned up a bit by Clement while the chaos at the table continued and Smiler kept wandering off to do their own thing. I was having a REAL hard time keeping track of everyone by this point –

[scarluna]

Y/N, a gifted but self-conscious graphic designer, lands a job at Jeon Enterprises, a powerhouse ruled by the sharp and controlling Jeon Jungkook, whose ruthless perfectionism hides behind an enigmatic façade. Though admired and feared, Jungkook targets Y/N’s insecurities, using them as weapons against her.

Beside him stands his best friend, Min Yoongi, a sly and unpredictable force whose hot-and-cold behavior leaves Y/N questioning his motives.

Tangled in a web of cold authority, teasing games, and unspoken desire, Y/N must navigate a dangerous love triangle where ambition and emotion collide, threatening to unravel everything.

Pairing: Jungkook x Fem!Reader x Min Yoongi

Genre/Tags: plus sized reader, enemies to lovers, ceo!jungkook, graphic designer!reader, mafia!yoongi

Link to the other chapters: ACT I / ACT II / ACT IV / ACT V / ACT VI

Word Count so far: 21.5k

Chapters: 3 / ?

Chapter Warnings: mature language, bullying, slow burn, enemies to lovers

A/N: Let me know what you think of this chapter ;) Wink wonk.

ACT III.

The office buzzed with energy as the team gathered for an impromptu meeting. At this point, I had gotten used to the sudden meetings with absolutely no head start. Jungkook was not only controlling but impulsive as hell. No one knew what he was thinking, and for some, it was damn scary.

He stood at the head of the long conference table as me, Hoseok and Rya walked in. His expression sharp and focused over the scattered papers on the table. He wore a plain white button up shirt, dark grey jeans and his sleeves as usual were rolled up his sleeves showing off his tattoos. On one of his wrist there was an expensive Graff watch. Damn. Him and his expensiveness.

Next to him was Tina, practically glowing as she leaned just a little too close to him. Ever since I told her my piece of mind, she had been way too careful not to make it obvious because obviously people were whispering and spreading rumors. I guess she hasn't given up and had some hopes that she'd be noticed. As much as I despised her for how she treated me, I was feeling sorry for her at the same time. Her choice of clothing screamed attention too. Well, who was I to judge? I had no right to do that. Maybe someday the luck would be on her side, who knew? 

“Listen up,” Jungkook began once everyone had taken their seats, his voice commanding the room. “MNT Media, one of our main competitors, is hosting a masquerade ball next Saturday. It’s more than just a social event—they’re using it as a chance to attract high-profile clients. Our goal is to ensure they don’t take our edge in the market.”

Tina raised her hand with a smug smile. “And how exactly are we supposed to ‘outshine’ them? Is there, like, a plan for that?”

Jungkook barely glanced her way. “Do your job, Tina. That’s the plan.”

The smirk I tried to suppress threatened to break through. Tina’s face faltered, but she quickly covered it with another fake smile, twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her slim pointer finger. Gosh, she was such a cheerleader.

The room hummed with murmurs of curiosity.

“What does this mean for us?” Rya asked from her seat, her brows knit together. I took a glance at her. Unlike Tina, Rya was not showing her "admiration" too obviously and besides, she was way too mature and work-oriented to choose a good session of sex with her boss. I admired her for that.

Jungkook gestured to a slide on the projector, outlining a strategic approach. “It means we’ll attend the ball. Every single one of you is expected to be there.We’re not going to outright sabotage, but we will make sure our clients and prospects see us as the better option. Keep it subtle—this isn’t a smear campaign. It’s about relationships and presence.”And yes,” Jungkook added, his gaze cutting through the room like a knife, “graphic designers too.” His voice held a sharp edge of authority, daring anyone to challenge him.

I blinked, caught off guard by the specificity of his statement. “Graphic designers too? I thought only management should be present there,” I murmured, trying to keep my tone casual. I had never been to a ball. A masquerade ball for that matter.

He turned his head sharply to me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You think your job is just fonts and colors, don’t you?”

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as his eyes pinned me down, but I refused to back down. “Not exactly, but—”

“But nothing,” he interrupted smoothly, leaning against the table, his tattoos flexing as his forearms rested on the edge. “Visuals sell. A well-designed presentation, a strategically placed logo, or even the subtleties in our event materials can make or break a client’s first impression. We need all hands on deck for this. Even,” he paused, locking eyes with me, “the ones who think they’re just here to doodle.”

The room shifted uncomfortably, a few stifled chuckles breaking the tension. I narrowed my eyes, but there was no mistaking the magnetic pull in the air between us. I hated how his cockiness somehow made my pulse race.

Hoseok, sensing the awkwardness, cleared his throat. “So... we’re all just attending or actively involved?”

“Actively,” Jungkook replied without missing a beat, his attention still on me. “You’ll each have tasks to ensure our brand presence is felt. It’s an opportunity to network, observe, and make sure MNT Media knows we’re not going anywhere.”

Just as I thought he might say something else to push me over the edge, he sighed dramatically, breaking the spell.

“Where the hell is Yoongi?” He raked a hand through his dark hair, his tone shifting to one of pure annoyance. “That idiot is late again.”

The room immediately relaxed but remained silent as everyone looked at each other. It was odd, since we were all caught up in that ball that we didn't notice Yoongi missing. Jungkook might have been a force to be reckoned with, but his annoyance with Yoongi being careless and late was an ongoing office joke.

“Probably got distracted by his latest overpriced gadget,” Hoseok quipped, earning a round of muffled laughs.

Jungkook let out a low groan, shaking his head like he was carrying the weight of the world—and Yoongi’s constant stumbles at work—on his shoulders. “If he weren’t my best friend, I’d have fired him five times by now.”

The mention of Yoongi and the Boss brought a flicker of thought to my mind, one that I quickly buried. But it lingered, uninvited. The rumors about Yoongi being more than just another employee—they never truly left me. Supposedly, he was the son of a conglomerate empire, someone who didn’t have to work here but chose to for reasons no one could quite figure out.

Me? I wasn’t deluded enough to think it was because of me, even though the timing was uncanny. Yoongi had started here just a few days after I did, but the whispers always suggested something else. His arrival was tied to some long-forgotten scandal, one no one had the full details on, and I had long given up trying to separate fact from fiction.

Still, the idea that Yoongi might be playing a role that went far deeper than just my “supervisor” always made me a little uneasy. Not that he ever actually supervised me. His attitude made sure of that.

“Yoongi always shows up just in time to avoid the worst of your wrath.” Tina spoke out in a sweet voice. I almost gagged.

“Lucky for him,” Jungkook muttered, leaning against the table with a long, deep sigh.

His broad shoulders slumped slightly, a rare crack in his polished, sharp-edged demeanor. For a moment, he looked... defeated. Vulnerable. It was enough to stir something deep in my chest, something I wasn’t ready to admit aloud.

But the moment passed quickly. Jungkook straightened, his sharp gaze slicing through the room once again, as if daring Yoongi to make him wait a second longer.

-

As the meeting finally wrapped up, my mind drifted to a new problem. A masquerade ball meant dressing up. And dressing up meant facing my wardrobe—or lack of one. How was I supposed to show up when all I owned were dark jeans, oversized t-shirts, some cardigans and that was it. Most of my clothes were black too. 

After everyone returned to their desks, I cornered Rya and Hoseok by the water cooler.

“So,” I began hesitantly, “about this masquerade ball…”

Rya instantly perked up, her excitement palpable. “Isn’t it exciting? An actual masquerade ball! It’s like something out of a movie!”

“Yeah, except I have nothing to wear,” I admitted, biting my lip. “I don’t even know where to start. The last time I dressed up for anything was... well, never.”

Hoseok grinned, his easy charm shining through. “Relax, Y/N. It’s not about having the most expensive dress. It’s about confidence.”

Rya nodded enthusiastically. “I can help you find something to wear. There are plenty of places to rent gowns, and I bet you’ll look amazing once we get you sorted.”

Their support made my chest feel lighter, though a small part of me still hesitated. “Are you sure? I don’t want to embarrass myself. Or you.”

“Y/N,” Hoseok said firmly, placing a hand on my shoulder. He was taller than Rya and me, and if we didn't know him, we'd be intimidated as hell. He definitely had this cool aura and a resting bitch face people felt threatened by. He was smiling tho, like a sun that shined brightly. “You’re not embarrassing anyone. Especially not us. You’re going to show up, have fun, and remind people why you’re a badass.”

I managed a small smile. “Thanks, guys. I mean it.”

As we headed back to our desks, Tina’s shrill laughter cut through the air. She was perched on the edge of Jungkook’s desk, her hand resting just a little too close to his arm.

“Are you sure you don’t need a date for the ball?” she asked, batting her lashes at him.

I couldn’t resist the temptation to make a snarky comment. “Careful, Tina. You’re about one giggle away from falling off his desk.”

Her head snapped toward me, her eyes narrowing. “Stay out of it, Y/N. Didn't know fat people had opinions?”

“On the contrary,” I said, folding my arms as I leaned against my chair. “Watching you attempt to flirt is everyone’s business. But it's kinda amusing how pathetic you look. Keep it up, I will be rooting for you.” I gave her a bitter smile as she stared at me with a deep scowl on her face.

I noticed Jungkook’s lips twitch, but he quickly schooled his expression. “Enough, both of you. You are at a corporate setting.” he said, though his tone lacked any real bite.

“Oh, come on, Boss” I teased, unable to resist. “Don’t tell me you’re not enjoying this little performance.”

His eyes met mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. “You should focus on your own preparations, Y/N,” he said smoothly. “Wouldn’t want you to show up unprepared.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me,” I shot back, ignoring the slight tremor in my voice. “I’ll be ready. The real question is whether you’ll survive Tina’s advances without filing a harassment complaint.”

I heard Rya and Hoseok chuckle by my side.

Jungkook shot a glare at both of my co-workers and they immediately got silent. I narrowed my eyes, arms crossed against my chest. "Y/N, if I hear one more word coming out of your mouth, I will expect your resignation letter on my desk." he spoke coldly at me. By his expression I could see that he was done with my feistiness. Oh, but I wasn't done. "If you think silencing me will solve the problem, you're underestimating me." I mumbled lowly as I stared at his eyes. He did the same and somehow I felt a tension raise in the air. Before I could continue, Rya tugged my arm toward the office, making our conversation to come to an end. Tina was staring at me in full blown surprise that I was talking to Jungkook like that. "Why don't you fire her?" I heard her ask. And then no answer from my Boss.

As I turned back to my desk, I couldn’t shake the way Jungkook’s eyes lingered on me, or the strange twist in my stomach that followed. This masquerade ball was shaping up to be more complicated than I’d anticipated.

"Girl," Rya whispered, "you are getting bolder and bolder. I fucking love that." she managed to whisper in my ear and that comment alone made me and Hoseok giggle.

-

The cafeteria was bustling with its usual noise—people chatting over their lunches, trays clattering as they moved through the line. The smell of fresh coffee mixed with the faint scent of freshly baked goods hit my nostrils, yet the familiar knot in my stomach twisting made all the apetite I had disappear. This time, it wasn’t because of my body or my insecurities. It was the looming threat of the masquerade ball.

I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, but the thought of being surrounded by coworkers in an extravagant setting, feeling out of place in a sea of confident, stylish people... well, it didn’t sit well with me.

I sat with Hoseok, Rya, and a few others, trying to keep the conversation light. It was hard to focus on anything when I could already feel the weight of the ball hanging over me. I was always an anxious person and it took me months to get used to the pace of my work, despite the bullying.

“So, Hoseok,” Regina, one of the other graphic designers, piped up from across the table. She flipped her perfectly styled red hair over her shoulder, a flirty grin spreading across her face. “I was thinking… maybe you could be my date for the masquerade? You know, just the two of us. We’d make a great pair, don’t you think?”

My eyes flicked to Hoseok, and I saw him shift uncomfortably in his seat. He hesitated for a split second before speaking.

“I... I actually promised Rya I’d go with her,” he said quickly, a little too quickly, I noticed.

Regina’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, pretending to be completely unfazed. “Oh, really? Well, I guess that’s fine. Rya’s a great choice too.” She gave Rya a bright, fake smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Rya smiled back, but her expression was a bit surprised. “Oh, um, sure, yeah. Thanks for thinking of me, Hoseok.” She looked at him, and for a moment, there was a flicker of confusion in her eyes, but she said nothing more.

Regina’s attention had already moved on, her focus turning elsewhere, but I couldn’t help but notice how Hoseok’s gaze lingered on Rya for a second longer than usual. I wondered if there was something more there—something unspoken.

But before I could process the thought, my mind wandered again. It had only been a few days since I’d overheard that conversation between Jungkook and Yoongi, and I couldn’t shake the way Jungkook’s words had echoed in my mind. The teasing. The lingering tension.

I pulled my thoughts back to the conversation at hand, though I could barely focus.

Regina, in her usual confident manner, turned to the group with a loud dramatic sigh as she took a sip from her pepsi cola. 

“You know,” she began, her voice dripping with fake innocence, “it’s just so tragic when some people can’t even hope for a date. Like, what do you even do in that situation? Just... stay home and stuff yourself with food?”

Her gaze landed on me, lingering just long enough to make her target obvious. My chest tightened, but I kept my expression neutral. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

“Not everyone’s obsessed with finding a date,” I shot back, forcing a calm tone I didn’t entirely feel. I mean, I lied, I was obsessed to find a date and also obsessed in looking good enough so people would take me seriously and not embarrass the company I worked for. Wasn't I pathetic too? Regina didn't have to know that.

Regina’s eyes widened in mock surprise, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Oh, of course! Why would you worry about that, right? It’s not like anyone’s lining up to take you out. I mean,” she added, tossing her hair over her shoulder, “you’d probably have better luck on one of those makeover shows first. You know, before they film the big reveal.”

Her words hit like a slap, sharp and humiliating, but I refused to let her see it.

“You done?” I asked, standing abruptly. My chair scraped against the floor with an echoing screech, silencing the room for a moment.

Regina blinked at me, her smile faltering for a split second before returning even sharper. “Oh, sure, sure. Don’t let me keep you from... whatever it is you do.”

I walked away before she could twist the knife any further, my head held high despite the storm raging inside me.

My stomach churned at the underlying judgment. Of course, Regina thought I wasn’t worthy of a "real" date. She probably thought someone like me didn’t belong in that kind of environment to begin with.

Everyone seemed to have someone to go with. Hoseok had Rya. Regina had probably already found someone else from the other teams. And me? I’d be the one standing alone, a face in the crowd with no one to share the night with.

I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to go to the ball at all. What would I even wear? How could I stand in a sea of perfectly put-together people when I didn’t even feel like I belonged in the same room as them?

My phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. It was a text from Rya:

“Hey, don’t worry about anything. We’re going together. I’ll help you with the outfit too!”

Her message brought a small smile to my face, but the unease still lingered. I typed a quick response as I was walking down the empty long hallway of the offices.

“Thanks, Rya. I just… don’t know if I should go. I feel like I’ll be the odd one out.”

Her reply came almost immediately:

“Don’t even think that way! You’re going to have a blast, I promise. And we’re all going to be together, so who cares what anyone else thinks?”

I stared at the message, the reassurance in her words offering some comfort, but I still wasn’t convinced. 

Still, I couldn’t let my fears stop me. I had to at least try. I wouldn’t let them see how insecure I was.

Lost in thought as I walked down the hallway, I didn’t notice someone coming around the corner until we collided. A sharp thud was followed by a cascade of papers and folders scattering to the ground. I stumbled back, startled, as the other person muttered a low curse.

“Watch where you’re going,” came a smooth, slightly annoyed voice.

Looking up, I realized it was Min Yoongi, arms now empty as he surveyed the mess with a raised eyebrow. He crouched down to gather the papers, his expression unreadable but somehow laced with that signature playful smugness he was known for. I noticed his brown locks of hair were a mess, it was almost as if he had just gotten up and rushed here. Well, probably after a call by Jungkook he had to rush here. He was late after all.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, immediately dropping to my knees to help collect the documents.

“You seem like you’ve got a lot on your mind,” he remarked casually, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye as he snatched up a folder near my hand. “Big plans? Or is brooding your thing now?”

I pressed my lips together, biting back a retort. His tone was teasing, but I couldn’t shake the lingering sting from Regina’s earlier comments.

“Just distracted,” I replied shortly, stacking the papers I’d gathered into a neat pile.

Yoongi’s lips quirked into a faint smirk. “Right. Distracted. Let me guess—you’re working on your master plan to snag a date for the ball? I am guessing you don't have one.” He leaned back on his heels, still crouched, and fixed me with a playful, knowing look.

I froze, his words cutting deeper than I expected, though his tone remained light.

When I didn’t respond, he tilted his head. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re not going. Everyone’s talking about it. Even Tina’s got her claws in Jungkook.” His gaze flicked over me, his smirk sharpening. “Or is it that no one’s brave enough to take you?”

The heat rushed to my face, but I forced myself to look him in the eye. “Not everyone’s obsessed with finding a date, Yoongi,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“True,” he replied with a shrug, standing up and brushing off his hands. “But it’s a shame, you know? All dressed up, standing by yourself in the corner. It’s a picture-perfect Cinderella moment, minus the Prince Charming.”

I glared up at him, my hands gripping the stack of papers a little too tightly. “Thanks for the advice,” I said flatly, shoving the papers into his chest as I stood up and headed down the hall without waiting for him to say anything else. 

-

The hum of the office felt louder than usual as I sat at my desk, trying to get through the endless list of tasks I had to finish before the end of the day. The masquerade ball loomed over me, but today, something about the atmosphere felt different. Maybe it was because I couldn’t stop replaying the conversation with Rya and Hoseok in my head. Maybe it was because deep down, I still wasn’t sure I belonged in that world? But in that moment, the phone in my hand buzzed, pulling me out of my spiral.

I glanced at the screen: Tae <3

I smiled to myself, swiping on the screen and gluing the phone to my ear. "Hey, Tae," I greeted, my voice a little lighter than it had been all day. Hearing his voice always made all the tiredness, worry and anxiety disappear.

"Hey, Y/N! I was just thinking about you," Taehyung’s warm, melodic voice greeted me through the phone. It was a comfort, like a hug I couldn’t see. "How are you doing?"

"Surviving, as always. Work’s a nightmare right now, and now there’s this whole masquerade ball thing. Honestly, I’m kind of dreading it."

He chuckled softly on the other end. "Yeah, I heard. It’s all anyone’s talking about. Are you going?"

I hesitated, fiddling with a pen on my desk. "Yeah. But I’m not exactly excited about it. Everyone’s got their dates… I don’t know, it feels like I’ll just end up standing awkwardly in the corner all night."

"Y/N," Taehyung said, his voice warm and reassuring, "you could show up wearing a potato sack, and you’d still outshine everyone. Don’t let those kinds of thoughts ruin it for you."

I smiled, the genuine kindness in his words making me feel lighter. "Thanks, Tae. You’re always so good at making me feel better."

There was a pause, and then his tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Actually, that’s kind of why I called. I was wondering if… well, if you’d want to go with me to the ball. As my date."

His words made my heart skip a beat, and I blinked, trying to process what he’d just said. "You’re serious?"

"Of course I am," he said, laughing softly. "I think it could be fun. We’d stick together, and I’ll make sure you have a great time. No pressure, though."

Before I could respond, a shadow fell over my desk, and I looked up to see Jungkook standing there. His arms were crossed, and his expression was calm—too calm.

"Work call?" he asked pointedly, raising an eyebrow.

"No," I replied, keeping my tone even, though I could feel the tension radiating off him. "It’s personal."

"You’re busy, then," he said, his voice almost teasing but carrying a hint of something sharper. "Too bad—I was going to tell you there’s something urgent you need to handle. Guess it can wait."

I narrowed my eyes at him, my grip on the phone tightening. "If it’s so urgent, why don’t you handle it?"

Jungkook’s jaw tensed, but before he could respond, Taehyung’s voice came through the phone, loud enough for Jungkook to hear. "Y/N? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, it’s fine," I said quickly, brushing off Jungkook’s attempt to derail the conversation. "Sorry about that. So, you were saying…?"

"I was asking if you’d go to the ball with me," Taehyung said again, his voice warm but clearer now.

Jungkook’s expression shifted, his jaw tightening as he took in Taehyung’s words. His gaze darted to my phone, then back to me, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"That sounds great, Tae," I said, my voice bright despite the tension. "I’d love to go with you."

Jungkook’s reaction was immediate—his shoulders stiffened, and his eyes darkened, though he forced a sharp, insincere smile. "Perfect," he said, his tone icy. "I’m sure you and your friend will have a great time."

Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and stormed off, his steps echoing down the hallway.

"Y/N?" Taehyung’s voice broke through the silence, pulling my attention back to the phone. "Are you sure everything’s okay?"

"Yeah," I said, though my heart was racing. "It’s nothing. I'll talk to you later."

As I ended the call, I couldn’t shake the feeling of Jungkook’s reaction lingering in the air, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. I was weirded out from the way he acted. Why was he so stingy for?

-

It was Friday afternoon, a two days after our meeting about that ball was held and the tension in the office seemed to be building, as if everyone was bracing themselves for the masquerade ball that was looming just days away. It was all anyone could talk about. Some of my coworkers were still obsessing over their outfits, while others were already talking about their plans.

I was organizing some documents at my desk, trying to stay focused despite the whirlwind of thoughts running through my mind about the masquerade ball. The idea of going felt daunting, especially when it seemed like everyone already had their perfect plans sorted out.

"Y/N," a low, familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Yoongi leaning casually against the edge of my desk, his signature smirk playing on his lips. I frowned. He did not approach me unless it was work related. I wondered what was it this time.

"Hey," I said, surprised yet skeptical of his approach. "What’s up?"

He shrugged, glancing down at the papers I was shuffling. "Not much. Just… figured I’d check in."

I arched an eyebrow. "Check in? What for?"

Yoongi’s smirk grew, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—hesitation? Nerves? It was so subtle I almost missed it. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, his tone suddenly more casual. "You know, about the ball—" 

"Y/N!" Rya’s voice rang out, cutting through Yoongi’s words like a sharp knife. I turned to see her bounding toward us, her excitement practically radiating off her.

Yoongi straightened, his smirk fading slightly as he stepped back, giving Rya room to invade the space.

"Hey, Rya," I said, trying not to sound annoyed at the interruption.

"I’ve been looking everywhere for you," Rya said, ignoring Yoongi entirely. "So, I had this amazing idea! We should totally go dress shopping together for the ball tomorrow. I know this great place, and we can make a whole day of it and then me, Hoseok and you can go out clubbing after? I am in a mood for some drinks!" Clubbing? Oh god. It has been what- years since I went there? Too much people, loud music and bodies bodies pressing against each other.

I glanced at Yoongi, who was watching the interaction with a blank expression, though his eyes betrayed his irritation.

"That sounds fun," I said, offering Rya a small smile. "I will think about the clubbing part tho."

Rya grinned, nodding her head, yet she finally noticed Yoongi standing there. "Oh, hey. Didn’t see you. What are you doing here?"

"Just talking to Y/N," he said, his tone clipped. "But I’ll let you two get back to your plans."

With that, he turned and walked away, his usual calm demeanor masking whatever frustration he might have felt.

I watched him leave, a strange pang of guilt tugging at me. Had he been about to ask something important?

"Isn’t it great?" Rya said, pulling me back into the moment. "We’ll find the perfect dress for you. You’re going to look amazing."

"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile, though my mind was still on Yoongi and the words he hadn’t gotten a chance to say.

-

The soft hum of the mall's ambient music barely registered as Rya and I made our way through the racks of dresses. The neon lights overhead cast a warm glow over everything, but my mind was far from the sparkly fabrics hanging in front of me. We’d been at it for what felt like hours, and I was still having trouble settling on anything that felt like me. The ball was a week away and I was a ball of anxiety.

"How about this one?" Rya asked, holding up a shimmering emerald green dress, the fabric catching the light. She seemed determined to find something that would make me stand out—something that would make me feel like I belonged.

I shook my head, glancing over the dress with a hesitant frown. "It’s pretty, but I don't know... I think it’s a bit too much." I sighed, tugging at my sleeve. "I'm just not sure I want to be noticed that much, you know?"

Rya raised an eyebrow, her fingers still gripping the hanger. "You're seriously telling me you're going to let some people in the office make you feel like you don't deserve to be seen?" She shook her head, pushing the dress aside. "No way. You deserve to wear something that makes you feel confident, strong and sexy."

I smiled weakly, appreciating her effort to boost me, but inside, I felt like I was just pretending. None of it mattered when the people at work—especially Jungkook and Yoongi—were still constantly tearing me down.

As I stared at the dresses in the store, Rya’s voice cut through the silence, a casual comment that made my head snap up.

“You know, I have noticed that the Boss and Yoongi act weird lately,” she said, her voice light but with a hint of something else—curiosity?

I turned to face her, my brow furrowing in confusion. "Weird? What do you mean?"

Rya set down a dress she had been holding, turning toward me with a knowing look. “I’m just saying, I’ve seen the way they’ve been acting around you. They’ve both tried to approach you, Y/N, and it seemed like they were going to invite you to the ball.”

I blinked, completely taken aback. "What? Yoongi and Jungkook? Invite me?" I laughed, the sound more disbelieving than amused. "That’s ridiculous. Why would they even do that?"

Rya’s expression didn’t falter, but there was a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. “I don’t know, but it’s not like them. They’ve never been this... friendly with you before. And it’s not just me—other people have noticed it too. It’s like they’re genuinely interested in you.”

My stomach twisted uncomfortably. The thought of Yoongi and Jungkook—two people who had made a habit of mocking me—suddenly being “interested” in me was too much to process.

“No, Rya. I don’t buy it,” I said, shaking my head. "They’ve always treated me like crap. They’ve made fun of me for months, and now suddenly they want to take me to the ball? No way."

Rya didn’t seem convinced. “But why would they bother trying to invite you if they didn’t care at all? It doesn’t make sense. Maybe they’re actually—"

I cut her off, frustration creeping into my voice. "Rya, this isn’t about attraction. It’s probably some stupid game to them, a way to mess with me. They’re probably seeing who can get the ‘fat girl’ first and have a good laugh at my expense."

Rya looked at me seriously, like she wanted to argue, but she seemed to understand that I wasn’t in the mood to hear it. "I get it. I just wanted to point out that something feels different this time."

I let out a small, bitter laugh. "Yeah, well, if it is different, I don’t want to be part of it. They’ve always been cruel. That’s not going to change just because they want a date for the ball."

Rya sighed, clearly frustrated but still patient. “I understand, Y/N. I just want you to know that you’re worth more than their games, okay?” She gave me a reassuring smile. “I’m here for you. And this dress? It’s perfect for you.”

I took the dress she offered me, holding it against my body as I studied myself in the mirror.The royal blue dress shimmered softly under the light, its rich color catching my eye right away. The off-shoulder neckline framed my shoulders perfectly, while the fabric crossed gently over the bodice, and I knew that it was going to hug the shape of my body in just the right way. The sleeves were long and smooth, giving it an elegant feel, and the skirt flowed down from the waist, simple but beautiful as it brushed the floor. The material was soft and comfortable in my hands, with just enough weight to feel secure but not heavy. As I turned, the dress moved with me, flowing naturally and making me feel like I could wear it anywhere and still feel amazing. It wasn’t just a dress—it felt like it belonged to me.

Rya leaned against the doorframe, watching as I studied myself in the mirror. Her knowing smile made me feel both self-conscious and reassured. “You'd look incredible wearing it,” she said softly, her voice cutting through the haze of doubt clouding my mind. “You’d turn every head at the ball in that.”

I placed the dress down gently, avoiding her gaze. “I am not used to all the attention...”

She straightened, folding her arms as her tone shifted into something more persuasive. “Y/N, when are you going to stop letting their crap define what you do? You’ve always been better than that, and now? You’ve got the chance to show it.”

I sighed, running my hand over the fabric of the dress again. “It’s not that easy, Rya.”

“What is?” she shot back. “Look, if the ball feels too messy, fine. But tonight? Come out with me and Hoseok. No pressure, no expectations. Just a night to breathe, dance, and remind yourself that you’re allowed to take up space without caring what anyone else thinks.”

I hesitated, biting my lip as I looked at her. “I don’t know if I’m really in the mood for clubbing.”

She tilted her head, her smile turning sly. “Oh, please. We both know you need this. Hoseok’s got the energy of ten people, and he already said he’d buy the first round. Plus,” she added, leaning in conspiratorially, “you know you’ve been dying to see what he’s like on the dance floor.” Hoseok had mentioned that before he became a Social Media Specialist, he was owning a dance studio downtown and he was the best of them all. However, he had to shut the studio down due to lack of money. Which was unfortunate. Everyone deserved to follow their dreams.

I laughed despite myself. “Fine, maybe that’s true. But I don’t even know what I’d wear.”

Rya’s eyes lit up, sensing victory. “I’ll help you pick something out. Something killer. And trust me, when you’re out there, laughing with us, and feeling like the badass you are, you’ll be glad you said yes.”

I let out a long breath, shaking my head. “Okay, okay. I’ll come. But if Hoseok tries to drag me into one of his ridiculous dance battles, I’m blaming you.”

Her grin widened as she clapped her hands together. “Deal. Now after we chose a dress for you, let’s get you ready to turn some heads for tonight.”

-

The evening had settled in, and it was finally Saturday night—an evening I had been both anticipating and dreading. A few hours ago, Rya and I had spent what felt like an eternity picking out dresses. After much back-and-forth, I had found the perfect one: the royal blue dress that fit me like a glove. It shimmered softly under the light and made me feel like I was someone else—someone confident and powerful. It was a far cry from the usual clothes I’d wear, but something about it felt right and elegant.

I’d also grabbed a few other things for tonight—something a bit more casual for the club, but still fitting the vibe. Rya had promised me a good time, and I figured I might as well go with it. I hadn’t really done anything fun for myself in a long time, and the club seemed like the perfect way to break out of the monotony.

Sitting in my apartment now, I relaxed into the couch with Hades curled up beside me. I had a few hours before Rya and Hoseok would pick me up—around eleven—but the anticipation of what the night might bring was already starting to settle in my stomach. The drinks were free, the entrance was covered until midnight, and they were headed to one of the most famous clubs called "Devil's Dreads", known for its great music and even better drinks. Hoseok had practically been vibrating with excitement as soon as he heard that I was coming clubbing with him and Rya tonight, and it was hard not to get caught up in his energy.

I was just about to reach for my phone when it buzzed on the coffee table. The caller ID showed “Mom & Dad” and I smiled despite myself. I hadn’t spoken to them in a few days, and I figured it was the right time to check in.

“Hey, Mom! Hey, Dad!” I answered, sitting up and adjusting my position on the couch. Hades stirred but didn’t get up, just snuggling closer to my side.

“Y/N, my love! How are you?” my mom’s familiar voice came through the phone, warm and comforting. “You’ve been so busy lately. Have you been eating enough?”

I laughed softly, rolling my eyes. “I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry. Just work, you know? It’s been a little hectic.”

“You always say that,” my dad’s voice chimed in, his deep tone carrying an affectionate teasing. “Tell us something fun. What’s been going on with you?”

I smiled, glancing around my small apartment. “Well, actually, there’s a company masquerade a week from now. It’s for work. We’ve been working on a big project, and uh Taehyung called me and invited me to be his date since he is going as well.”

There was a noticeable pause on the other end, followed by the sound of my mom speaking quietly with my dad in their native language.

My dad’s voice came as an answer a few moments later, a little more serious now. “Y/N, we’ve known Taehyung since you were little. He’s a good man. And we’ve seen how much he cares for you.”

The weight of his words hit me unexpectedly. “I—Dad, I don’t think…” I trailed off, not knowing how to respond. I had never thought about Taehyung in that way. He was just my friend, someone who had been there for me when no one else was.

My mom’s voice softened, a tone I knew well from years of gentle guidance. “Sweetheart, sometimes the person who cares for you most is the one who’s been there for you all along. Not the ones who just chase after you when you look good in a dress.”

I let out a soft sigh, sinking deeper into the couch, unsure how to take their words. “Mom, I don’t know. I’m not ready for that kind of thing, especially not with Taehyung. We’ve been friends for so long. I don’t want to mess that up.”

There was a moment of silence, and I could almost picture my mom’s thoughtful expression. “We’re not trying to push you, darling. We just want you to be happy. But don’t close yourself off to the possibility just because you’re scared of what might happen.”

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat. “I’ll think about it,” I said quietly. “But for now, I’m just focused on work.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” my dad said, his voice reassuring as always. “Just remember to enjoy yourself. You deserve it.”

“I’ll talk to you both soon, okay?”

“Take care of yourself, Y/N,” my mom said. “And have fun at the ball. We’ll be waiting to hear all about it!”

“I love you guys, bye.” I said, hanging up the phone, feeling a mix of warmth and confusion. The conversation had been more than I expected, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about what they had said.

As I sat there in the quiet of my apartment, Hades curled up beside me once again, I found myself lost in thought. Taehyung? Could he really have feelings for me? I’d always seen him as a friend, but my parents seemed so sure. It felt like the idea came out of nowhere, and yet... maybe there was something to it.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I didn’t know if I was ready to confront that possibility, but for tonight, I had a night out with Rya and Hoseok to look forward to. Maybe I just needed to focus on that for now—enjoy myself, let loose, and stop overthinking everything.

Rya and Hoseok were picking me up in just a few hours. The drinks were free, the club was waiting, and I wasn’t going to let any of my doubts ruin the night. For once, I was going to let go and enjoy the ride.

-

It had been ages since I’d stepped foot into a club. The pulsating bass, the kaleidoscope of lights, the hum of people enjoying the night—it all felt foreign yet oddly thrilling. Devil’s Dreads was a sight to behold, unlike any club I’d ever been to. The VIP section on the second floor, where we were seated, offered the perfect balance of exclusivity and immersion. From here, we had a clear view of the stage bathed in fiery orange and violet hues, with sleek, futuristic lighting patterns that pulsed in time with the music. The plush, deep purple couches I sank into were ridiculously comfortable, making it feel less like a club and more like some hidden lounge in a sci-fi movie.

Looking down at the main floor, I could see the crowd moving like waves to the hypnotic beats. But up here, it was quiet enough to hold a conversation without shouting, which was a luxury I didn’t know I needed until now.

Rya was the first to order. She went all out with something bold—a sparkling martini topped with edible glitter. It matched her red short dress perfectly, shimmering under the soft light like it was made just for her. I laughed when she held it up for a dramatic toast, the red matching sequins of her dress making her look like she belonged on the stage herself. Her dirty blonde hair was curled just perfectly, lifted in a messy bun style — Pamela Anderson. And her make up did not disappoint, dark, smoky and sexy, fitting her dark blue eyes perfectly.

Hoseok, being Hoseok, opted for a vodka on ice and an old-fashioned style of outfit. It was simple, strong, and sophisticated, just like him. His black button-down shirt with those subtle gold accents caught the light in just the right way, making him look like he belonged in a magazine ad for luxury watches or cologne. He wore black ripped jeans and his hair was messily styled. He looked like an model.

And then there was me. I scanned the menu nervously, feeling the weight of their expectations. It had been so long since I’d ordered a drink at a club, I wasn’t sure what I wanted. My eyes landed on something fruity and innocent-sounding—a cocktail called Strawberry Dream. The description promised a blend of strawberries, peach, and a “whisper” of vodka. Perfect. I didn’t want to get hammered on the first drink.

But, boy, was it deceiving. Rya had managed to pick the perfect dress for me. Firstly, I never wore something so short, and secondly, I almost never was opting for dresses. Jeans were more comfortable for me, but in this case, I loved how this dress fitted me.

I felt bold and my dress definitely matched the vibe. The black mini-dress I chose hugged my curves perfectly, the structured bodice giving it a corset-like edge that made me feel powerful. The neckline was the real star, though—crisscross straps framing my shoulders and collarbones in a way that was sultry but still sophisticated. The long sleeves balanced the look, keeping it sleek and elegant, while the fabric clung just right, making me feel like the main character.

I paired it with gold hoop earrings for a touch of glam, a natural make up made by myself and my hair was curled in beautiful long curls that framed my features, which gave me this effortless, confident vibe. As I glanced at myself in the reflection of my drink, I couldn’t help but smile—I looked like I belonged in a place like this.

We didn’t waste much time lounging. Once our drinks arrived, the music pulled us in. Rya was already dragging me up to dance, and Hoseok followed close behind. It felt freeing to let go for a while, to sway to the music and laugh until my sides hurt. I sipped my cocktail in between songs, the sweetness of the drink making it go down far too easily. Before I knew it, I was on my third glass, and the room was beginning to tilt—not in a bad way, but in that warm, buzzy, I’m-gonna-regret-this-tomorrow way. -

The music was pounding through my body, the bass so heavy it felt like it was syncing with my heartbeat. Hoseok and Rya were right there with me, the three of us lost in the rhythm, moving to the beat like we didn’t have a care in the world. The alcohol buzzing through me made everything feel lighter, almost dreamlike. The edges of the room seemed to blur as I twirled under the neon lights, laughing at something Hoseok said, though I couldn’t hear a word over the music.

That’s when I felt it—a hand on my waist, warm and unfamiliar.

I turned, a little dazed, to find a man I didn’t recognize standing close. Too close. His smile was charming enough, but the way his hand lingered made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Still, the cocktails had softened my edges, and my better judgment was slow to catch up. He leaned in, his lips moving as he said something I couldn’t hear over the music. Before I knew it, I was swaying with him, letting him guide my movements.

It was harmless, right? Just a little dancing. At least, that’s what my tipsy brain told me as I let myself follow his lead. But then his hand moved lower, settling on my hip, and a quiet alarm bell rang in the back of my mind. I froze for a second, unsure what to do, but before I could even process the situation, Rya and Hoseok were already on it.

“Hey!” Rya’s voice was sharp, cutting through the music like a knife. She stepped forward, placing herself squarely between me and the guy. Her sequin-covered arm reached out, pushing his hand away from me with more force than I expected.

Hoseok wasn’t far behind, his easygoing smile replaced with something steely and firm. “She’s with us,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge that made it clear he wasn’t asking. “Back off.”

The man raised his hands in mock surrender, a lazy smirk on his face. “Alright, alright,” he said, backing up, but his eyes lingered on me for a second too long before he disappeared into the crowd.

I blinked, feeling the haze of alcohol and adrenaline mix into a confusing swirl. “What just happened?” I muttered, my words slurring slightly.

Rya looped an arm around my shoulders, her expression softening as she guided me back toward our booth. “You were letting some random creep get a little too close,” she said gently but firmly.

“Yeah,” Hoseok added, his tone lighter now that the guy was gone. “You’re lucky you have us to keep an eye on you.”

I let out a weak laugh, grateful but also embarrassed. “I didn’t even realize…”

“It’s the cocktails,” Rya said knowingly, giving me a reassuring smile. “That’s why we’re here, though. To make sure you’re good.”

As we made our way back to the VIP booth, I could still feel the ghost of the guy’s hand on my waist, but it was fading now, replaced by a warm sense of gratitude. Rya and Hoseok weren’t just my friends—they were my safety net. And right now, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

I leaned back against the balcony railing, catching my breath, when the familiar face in the crowd below stopped me cold. At first, I thought it was just my tipsy brain playing tricks on me. But no. It was him.

Yoongi.

My stomach did a weird flip as I watched him stride through the main entrance like he owned the place. His tailored black blazer and crisp shirt beneath screamed confidence, and his sharp gaze scanned the crowd with ease.

His eyes landed on me—on us—and widened slightly. I couldn’t tell if it was surprise or amusement that crossed his face first, but by the time he started walking toward our booth, his signature smirk had taken over.

“What brings you all here?” he asked casually as he reached us, his voice low enough to compete with the music but still clear. He looked between the three of us, his expression unreadable.

Hoseok, ever the social butterfly, clapped him on the shoulder. “What, are we not allowed to hang out at the best place in town?”

Yoongi raised a brow, clearly entertained. “You have good taste. But from the looks of it…” He motioned toward the now-empty cocktail glasses on our table. “...you’re drinking like tourists.”

I flushed under his gaze. “Excuse me,” I said, my words slightly slurred, “but I’ll have you know this drink was amazing.”

Yoongi’s lips twitched, and he leaned in just enough to make my breath hitch. “Amazing, huh? You might want to pace yourself. Those are just the appetizers.”

It was then that it hit me. The way he carried himself, the way the staff seemed to acknowledge him without a word, the way he spoke like he owned the place…

“Wait,” I blurted out, blinking through the haze of tipsiness. “Do you… own this place?”

The smirk deepened, and he straightened up, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Figured it out, did you?” He looked entirely too smug. “Welcome to Devil’s Dreads. My little slice of chaos.”

[savingcrxws]

eyes on fire | carmen berzatto headcanon

carmen berzatto x ex!reader (but not for long...)

warnings. language, mentions of suicide & death (mikey)

authors note. thinking of turning this into a fic but i just wanted to get these thoughts thrown onto a page for now | EDIT 7/7: ITS A FIC! HERES PART ONE

you hated carmen berzatto, to say the least

you had been each others first s/o and spent a lot of the end of your teenage years attached at the hip

every berzatto family function (no matter how messy they always ended), every school dance, every hell's kitchen rerun--you and carmy were together

mikey liked to call you guys soulmates, watching how you and carmy just seemed to click like that- a statement that never failed to make carmy go flush in the face (que richie faking barfing in the background)

you were one of the first people that carmen told about his wishes for the future-how he wanted to take up the restaurant with his brother and continue the berzatto tradition

you loved the way his eyes lit up when he talked about cooking with his family-the way he gave his all into his aspirations

"well you gotta make sure i'm the first one to eat those fancy sounding dishes when you start working at the beef, carm"

"absolutely, babe. i wouldn't have it any other way"

however, like everyone after high school, you and carmy hit a rough patch that sunk your relationship -- you were planning to go to college for business administration and carmy was leaving chicago to go to culinary school

you two definitely attempted everything in your power to stay together-late night skype calls, daily texts, hell you even offered to fly to new york to spend time together

but the more swamped you got with school and the more carmen got slammed with cooking (especially right before he went of to Noma), the more the truth begun to show itself

the breakup was messy, because it was less a breakup and more of ...

you: what are we doing right now? like, as a couple?

carmen: i think that i need to focus more on my career right now

you: oh, so..are we breaking up right now? (read 9:57PM)

you: carmen? (read 10:15)

you: ok, asshole, be that way (delivered)

that's right, that motherfucker ghosted you

despite the tumultuous ending of you and carmen's relationship, you were still close to sugar and mikey (and, unfortunately for you, richie)

sugar was adamant on flying over to copenhagen and have a "conversation" with her brother herself + mikey and richie were not too far behind on the cause

"it's fine guys. let's just all agree that carmen is a soft little bitch" you said, trying to lighten the mood even though you knew that you were still racking thru the pain being broken up with so suddenly

you deal with the breakup harshly at first, but you put a lot of that emotion towards your own growth

fast forward a couple years, you graduated college and are on the up-and-up in chicago as a successful business marketing manager

you get closer to the berzattos, strangely, as carmy gets more distant

you don't think of carmy much anymore but it grows harder as he wins awards and recognitions in his field that honestly make you..proud, in strange way

then, mikey dies...and a lot of things change for you

you help sugar and richie plan the funeral, and something sour sinks into your stomach when you don't see that familiar head of dirty blonde hair during the service

some months pass and you try to gather yourself and get back to normal after mikey's passing

richie invites you down to the beef one day to "catch up" randomly

you go, if not to just see tina and the rest of the crew but are met with great surprise when you see him

carmen motherfucking berzatto, in the flesh, standing behind the bar yelling to richie about something nonsensical

he stops yelling when he hears the door open and literally freezes in place when he sees you

you stare at him for a second, taking in the man who once had your heart, noting the new tattoos and the new way he styled his hair and he seems to be doing the same

then, richie breaks the silence--"oh my goodness, what are you doing here, sweetheart?"

you and carmy speak at the same time

"richie, you motherfucker"

"richie, you dick"

[lillypad910]

I’m the person who asked for the Queen Bee with Big Dick! Billy and omg PLEASE do a smut with it (btw that just fulfilled all my dirty mind tysm).

Didn’t think this would be my ticket to fame but no complaints-

Of course!!

Ex-Queen Bee

Pairing: King Billy! Billy Hargrove x Queen Bee! f! Reader

Warnings: Smut, p n v, oral (f receiving), fingering (v and a ), pure filth, degradation, slut shaming, enemies who fuck,

Summary: You have lost your rep as the Queen Bee of Hawkins High at that party last week, but with this loss from the Tigers at the basketball game, Billy propositions you for some much needed attention.

A/n: Someone call Jesus cause I might need to just go ahead and start my walk to hell after this one

It has been a week since Billy was an asshole at the party, calling you out in front of everyone. You have lost a lot of power over everyone, your friends started drifting, Carol realizing how genuinely stupid it was of her to do everything you asked. Tommy broke up with you, returning to that bitch.

Tina is the only one who still sticks around, at least for now. You hold some power over her, after kicking Carol off the cheer team. People look at you differently, snaring and glaring at you whenever you walk by, but you don't let it bother you. You refuse to let it bother you.

"Go, Tigers, Go!" You all cheer, doing a small routine on the sidelines of the basketball court. The members of the basketball team fight their way to win. Billy dribbling the ball closer to the net as the timer counts down.

The crowd behind you and your cheer squad go dead quiet as the ball is thrown into the air. The buzzer goes off as the ball teeters on the rim of the goal, but it doesn't go in. The ball falls over the edge, bouncing onto the hard wood as the other team's cheerleaders and audience blares into loud excitement.

The Tigers have lost the Home game.

Walking out of the gym with the rest of the squad about 30 minutes after the game has ended, you make your way down the hall when you remember you forgot something in the locker room.

"Shit," you quickly grab your bag off your shoulder and look inside, your necklace no where to be seen, "Ugh, girls, I'll see you tomorrow. I forgot something." Tina waves you off as you walk back towards the gym.

You step into the gymnasium, your sneakers squeaking across the now dead room, echoing through the large space. You take out the key Coach gave you earlier in the year as the Cheerleading Captain, unlocking the door before stepping inside.

You look inside your locker, then around the surrounding area. You catch a glimpse of silver under the bench.

"There you are," You mumble before crouching down and getting under the bench to snatch the necklace off the floor.

"Shit, do you show your ass off to everyone?" A voice comes from behind you and you jump, knocking your head into the bench.

"Fuck!" You yell, grabbing the top of your head as you climb out from under the bench, looking over at the unwanted visitor. There stands none other than fucking Billy Hargrove. "Ugh, fuck off, Billy." You groan, standing up, not even bothering to fix your skirt as it now just barely covers your ass.

"Aww, you don't like seeing me, Queen Bee? Or should I even call you that anymore? You know, since you're loosing your influence."

You roll your eyes, obviously annoyed at his presence, "Why are you even in here? This is the Girl's locker room, William."

"Hey, don't fucking judge me, Whore." He shoves his hands into his pockets, glancing around the room.

"That doesn't answer the question, Jackass." You raise a brow. Billy just sighs, looking you up and down.

"Well, originally Tina was supposed to meet me in here."

"Really? That dumb bitch?"

"I thought you two were friends?" He counters.

"More like... she does what I ask and I give her popularity points for it." You cross your arms over your chest.

"Hmm..." You watch Billy's eyes trail over your form, stopping for a second when his gaze reaches your chest. "You know, I hear no guy has even given you the time of day since that little brawl at the party." This catches you off guard, causing you to blink for a second before turning your head away from him.

"So?"

"Please, Bitch, we both know a whore like you needs all the attention." Billy steps closer to you, getting right up in front of you. "I wouldn't mind... supplying." You scoff at his proposition.

"Are you fucking serious? You? Shit, and I thought I was desperate." You go to move around him but he stops you, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you close to him, turning you around so your back is against his chest.

"Come on, Whore. We both know just how needy you are." His hands slip down your abdomen, pulling up the cheer uniform you have on. His fingers graze over the bare skin of your stomach, causing goose bumps to go up your arms.

"Fuck you, Billy." You try to wiggle out of his grip, but he only tightens his hold on you. One of his hands move downward, slipping under the skirt and into your underwear. Your breath hitches as his fingers push inside you.

"Please, you can cuss me out all you want, Bitch. But we both know this pussy needs attention. No other guy is willing to give what I'm offering." He pumps his fingers inside you, causing small moans to leave you.

"Fuck..." The word slips out without your approval as your knees nearly buckle. Why are his fingers so big?

"Do you like getting your pussy fucked? You fucking whore." Billy curls his fingers, causing you to slap your hand over your mouth. This doesn't seem to make him happy though.

Billy pulls his hand out of your clothes and shoves you down onto the bench in front of him. Before you can even react, he has his pants down to his ankles, his huge cock right at your face.

"Come on, Bitch. Be a good little slut and suck my dick. I wanna know what Tommy spoke so highly of." His voice is deeper than usual, eyes blown dark. Something about his attitude is... hot.

"Ew," You refuse to be his bitch, "I would rather die than suck your cock, Billy." Billy sighs.

His hand pulls up and wraps around your ponytail, yanking your head back. You gasp and he takes the opportunity to shove his fat cock down your throat.

You gag, your hands gripping at his thighs, "Mm!" You try to push yourself off but he holds your head down.

"Go on, Whore. Suck my cock like a good bitch." Tears form in your vision as he begins to bob your head on his cock, not giving anytime for you to adjust to his size in your mouth.

"That's it," Billy groans, "Just like that." You glare up at him, but decide to take advantage of this.

If he wants to see you be a whore, you'll show him a whore.

You concave your cheeks around him, sucking hard as you grip his thighs. You begin bobbing your head yourself, allowing him to loosen his grip on your hair a bit.

"That's right, suck that dick." He groans as you get a little sloppy with it, causing some spit to dribble down your chin. You feel your throat going sore fast, his cock rough as he thrusts it into your mouth.

"Shit-" Billy yanks you off, causing his cock to leave your lips with a sloppy pop. He looks down at you with those darkened eyes, his cock dripping with precum.

"What's wrong, Billy? Is my mouth too good for you?" You give him a smirk, still trying to catch your breath from when his big dick blocked your windpipe.

"You fucking Bitch." Billy shoves you to lay stomach down on the bench before yanking your underwear down. You don't fight him, actually finding it hot how rough he's being with you. Most guys are gentle, kind, they worship you, but he's being so aggressive.

He steps over the bench, straddling it behind you, pulling your legs so you are doing the same. He pushes you down so your face is squished into the metal seat.

"Gonna fuck you so good. Ruin you so no one else can fuck you." You feel the ridges of the bench rub against your bare cunt, the cold of the metal feeling oddly good.

"Please, like that tiny cock could do much damage to me." You say, looking back at him just enough so you see the flash of fury go over his eyes. He spanks your ass once, a hard slap that will definitely leave a mark, before lifting your hips as he pushes his cock right against you. You hold in the moan as the tip of his dick presses against your cunt.

"Beg." He orders you, but you glare back at him.

"No." You groan back at him. Billy leans over you, getting right at your ear.

"Fine." He bucks his hips forward, shoving his fat cock into you forcefully, causing you to grip the bench tightly, gasping as you brace yourself for the best fuck of your life.

"Shit!" You push your sneakers into the tile of the floor, causing your ass to lift off the bench a bit more, but Billy just grabs at your hips and thrusts into you, repeatedly hitting that perfect spot inside you than makes your toes curl. "Oh- Oh, fuck!" You moan out, gripping tighter onto the bench as your body starts to rock, inching forward with every harsh thrust he gives you.

"You like being treated like a whore? Like having a fat cock up your pussy?" You can hear him grinning through his words. They make you wanna vomit, but you can't deny how full his cock makes you feel.

You can feel him hitting deep, feeling your stomach make contact with the cold metal of the bench over and over again as he thrusts into you. God, you could have his cock in you all day.

"Y-You're being so gentle." You barely pant out, trying to provoke him further, but it only gets a laugh from him.

"Gentle? Please, Slut, I'm anything but." He grips your hips tighter before pounding his dick into your cunt, making you gasp.

It doesn't take long for this treatment to push you over the edge, you cunt spasming around his big dick as you come undone. You begin to feel overwhelmed as he doesn't stop. You pant like a dog as he fucks into you, harsh and deep. You feel like your insides are being rearranged.

"Fuck, look at you. Going stupid already, Whore?" You blink as you come back into focus at his words.

"N-No, I can take it. This is-Ah!" You shut up as your face is shoved down into the bench under you.

He fucks into you for what feels like hours, you don't know how many times you come undone on his cock. The bench is soaked as he finally does that last deep thrust, filling you with his cum, the warmth shooting through you. He pulls out before he can finish completely, pumping his cock in his hand as his cum shoots over your ass.

You both take a moment to catch your breath, him spreading your legs further to watch his cum leak out of your abused and sore cunt.

"Gotta' admit, Bitch. You look pretty like this." He moves his hand down, digging his finger into your cunt, earning a whimper from you.

"Billy..." You moan out his name, not even realizing it until after the fact. He just smirks, taking out his now covered finger and spreading your ass open for him to see.

"Ever had someone fuck you back here?" He presses his thumb to you, watching your ass slowly let it sink in. You whimper again, earning a small chuckle from him. "Going to ruin it too," he shoves his fingers inside your ass, the mixture of his cum and your slick helps lube the intrusion, making it nearly frictionless.

"Gonna make you my personal Bitch."

Tag list!

@cagethemunson

@spikeybatt

@cherrycolas-things

@r-a-d-i-0-n-0-w-h-e-r-e

@ali-r3n

@thepurplelovewitch

[claraswritings]

CARMY BERZATTO SFW ALPHABET

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

At first he kinda struggles with it because he’s not used to having a girlfriend. He’d be a bit of a lets just link arms or hand hold…. but after a few months he’s coming in and picking you up and kissing you once, twice, sometimes three times until Richie or Tina make some comment and then he’s embarrassed but will still give your hips a squeeze as he walks by you.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

I think he would be that friend that you check in with every couple of weeks and see maybe once or twice a year for dinner unless you lived locally but I think he’d be loyal and interested in what you were doing if anything because it would be escapism for him.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

YES. Carmy is always wrapping his arms around you and hugging you from behind and I think he’d be like the lean on hugger where you would both end up like semi-leaning on each other. When you’re sitting down I think he’d like to lie on your shoulder and have you play with his hair

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

I think he’s never really thought about it but as soon as he meets you it clicks that he wants you as his partner whatever that looks like. He’s obviously an excellent cook, he’s good at cleaning too as he knows a clean kitchens importance but he can be a litttle disorganised, like the way he has his books on a stack and not on a shelf. You fix that quick.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

I am gunna be so fr right now. I love him but he is not the best at expressing his emotions. He would ghost 💀. Or at least he’d like try phase down contact bit by bit until you wouldn’t know what the hell was going on. He’d say he was just busy and do anything to avoid THE TALK until you brought it up.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Like on D- once you’re together he knows he wants you and is committed to you and managing you as an important aspect of your life. I think he’d wait a little bit longer than average before asking you. He wants to lock it in but also is SO nervous because his parents marriage clearly didn’t last and what if you end up divorced like Richie and Tiffany? He wants everything to be perfect. But after a long hard talk with Nat, he knows he’s asking you…that evening.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Carmy would never want to lose it with you ever. He takes extra care not to snap at you or be impatient. Everyone in the Bear would be so surprised when he’s being usual Carmy and then you show up and he’s super sweet, they’re like what the hell when they see him being so gentle and nice with you

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

I think he’d be the kind to hug you from behind even when you’re walking 😭. Like he’d wrap his arms around you and walk with you. Carmy would also be a BIGGG hugger when you’re alone at home. He’d want to lie on your shoulder and be held and have you play with his hair. He’d want you to hug him when you’re in bed too.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Carmy would have it dawn on him one day that he loves you and he would WANT to tell you immediately but I think he’d hesitate and it would happen one of two ways. You’re getting hot and heavy and he just slips out with it OR he says something and stops and you just know so you help him out by saying it first

“Carm?”

“What?”

“I love you”

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Omg. Carmy gets so jealous. If a guy looks at you, he’s on the defensive with an arm around you and pulling you in to kiss you. He gets verrry handsy and if the person persists Carmy will absolutely tell them to fuck off

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

We’ve all seen that scene with C. He would take his time kissing you slowly at first, like touching your arms and hands as he does. Apart from on the mouth, I think he’d kiss your hands, and your neckline. He LOVES being kissed in his hair

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

He’s good around kids, better than he thinks. He’s the youngest out of his siblings so barring Eva he’s not been around kids a whole lot. I can imagine if he found out his partner was expecting and they hadn’t been actively trying he’d be a bit of a worrier but as soon as it’s sunk in, he’d be really determined to be as present and there for the kid as possible. Given his own upbringing it would encourage him to work on his issues so it didn’t impact the kid.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

He’s usually an early riser and even if you are too he still manages to be up before you. If you have to be up early too, he’ll make a breakfast for you both. If you don’t he’ll nudge you awake so he can kiss you goodbye

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

👀. Okay aside from the obvious... you’d go out for a food and then cuddle up on his sofa, you’d watch a cooking show and he’d walk you through the RIGHT way to make it. Or you’d go for a drive and take food with you to eat somewhere with a nice view. It would help him de stress I think

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

It would take a while because I think he’d do it gradually . You’d get a comment here or there about Mikey or Donna and you’d, obviously, be like shit, Do you want to talk about it and Carmy would just say ‘no. All good. I’m fine’ in such a way you’d almost believe him if he could meet your eyes. He’d one day just feel comfortable enough to talk fully

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

He’s used to a hectic environment and whilst he can sometimes be a little impatient in the kitchen, with you he’s so patient. He’ll take time with you and slow things down to give you breathing space because he does not want to lose it with you.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

I think Carmy remember the most random shit. Like if you mentioned to him one Tuesday morning that you liked to have everything in, say, blue, he’d remember that forever and make sure to get you anything in the blue version. He’s the type to double check and if you wanted a hot drink he’d recite your order back to you and then be like “and do you like the lemon or chocolate muffin? Usually you get lemon but you mentioned you wanted to try chocolate?” And yet he’d still he get you both.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

Probably on your anniversary when he closed the Bear early and set up a table just for the two of you. He’d made a menu just for the two of you and roped in the staff to play their part. Carmy made only ONE trip into the kitchen to check in which he was promptly escorted back to his seat.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

He would be SO protective. He doesn’t want anything to happen to you so I can imagine he’d be the “I’ll drive” and the “I’ll walk on the outside” kinda guy. As for how he’d like to be protected, he’d just want you to have his back.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Carmy would go out of his way to make sure it was special. If it’s your anniversary, surprise. He’d be super attentive and want to do all he could to show you he does care. The every day would be walking you to and from work every day. I think he’d do that even if the schedule was hectic

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

He can be a massive workaholic, he focuses a lot on the negatives: you’ll try point out to him to focus on the lovely chefs he’s worked with but he’ll be focusing on that one awful chef. It’ll frustrate him and you. I would say smoking but he looks hot doing it soooo 👀

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

We know Carmy obviously works out as I mean… those ARMS. I don’t think he’s a vain guy. I would say he’s self aware he’s a little shorter than average so would go out of his way to make sure he’s jacked to make up for it… I think he’d be concerned more about being neat and tidy for hygiene purposes.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

I think he’s been so used to being without a partner that when he gets you… it just feels like you were the missing part of him. If you were to all of a sudden leave, he’d feel like he’d lost a big part of him and he’d really struggle without your support

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

He draws you. Constantly. Like you could be sitting reading or playing a game or just… doing something and Carmy will want to draw you. I LOVEEEE the idea of Carmy drawing

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Anyone too clingy or who doesn’t understand when he needs to focus in the restaurant would get on his nerves. He’d want someone who doesn’t need to stick to him like glue. I can imagine he’d probably want someone a bit more relaxed than him too as otherwise the tension might get too much

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

Carmy is used to crashing out on his couch a lot of the time so he only has one pillow on his bed. It’s clean but it is still just one pillow. You, of course, go straight out to the nearest place to get a whole set which he then doesn’t know how he ever lived without.

[scyeschef]

The Bear S3 Review - scyeschef

Spoilers ahead!

They lost the plot REAL mf bad. I'm not sure if it was because they were so focused on quickly finishing production, or if they focused too heavily on the cameos, or if they were so hell bent on showing sydcarmy shippers less intimate moments by reducing syd and carmy scenes so their chemistry wouldn't be displayed or what. But it could very well be all of the above, and in return, they missed the mark completely.

Shipping aside, where the fuck was my family?? There were barely any scenes between the og characters that felt like they were more than just "strangers who come to work". All of the characters fell flat. Marcus' storyline fell flat, when it had a lot of potential to work with. Outside of his funeral monologue, there was nothing more to his storyline. We did get to see him be inspired by Carmy once again, but even that fell flat.

I don't want to even get started on Sydney... or Carmy... or the Faks, which speaking of was incredibly too much, and they might as well just call it the Family Fak show. They relied too heavily on them to be the comic relief this season instead of the og characters banter between each other, and it got old real fast. Carmy felt like he made no progression after season 2, and that probably disappointed me the most after watching 10 episodes where nothing happens. Certain scenes that would've otherwise felt powerful to see, such as Syd's panic attack, did not feel earned despite me feeling slightly bad for her.

The poc characters felt so pushed back to allow the white guest stars/cameos more screen time, outside of Tina. Speaking of Tina's episode, I have to say it was my favorite of the whole season. Liza did so well, and so did Ayo with directing. Other than that, I had a hard time digesting the rest of the season.

There were so many unfinished storylines, and unfortunately, I feel too defeated to even list them out. Everything felt rushed and horribly paced, thanks to them just finishing up with filming two weeks ago. On the bright side, the episodes were shot really well despite certain montages that felt repetitive, along with the dialog.

In terms of sydcarmy...I dont think i have lost all of my faith yet. It's probably the power of delusion in me that's still holding on, lol, but there were some parallels and moments (despite being significantly small) that definitely still sealed the deal for me even if that's what they clearly tried to avoid this season. But because of that, they shot themselves in the foot. I wonder if, after all the negative reviews, they're going to realize Syd and Carmy's chemistry is the heartbeat of the show, and it was a huge mistake to strain it just because of shippers.

There's so much more negative I can say about this "nothing burger" of a season, unfortunately, but honestly, I feel too drained and disappointed to even continue.

[lovelytsunoda]

can't stand the rain // george russell

summary: the nights are always long and lonely when she misses her lover. but dating a formula one driver isn't easy, and she knew that when she started dating the most wonderful and exciting man that she had ever met.

pairing: george russell x female reader

warnings: longing and pining! the harsh reality that which would be dating someone like george russell, but there is a happy ending! allusions to sex, but not written out.

I can't stand the rain, against my window cause he ain't here with me//hey window pane tell me, do you remember how sweet it used to be? when we were together everything was so grand//now that we parted there's just one sound that I just can't stand

it was on nights like these that she missed george the most.

rain drops crashing down against the window panes, a steady haze of fog rolling across the english country side.

she hated that sound when he wasn't here to share it with.

y/n was sitting on the couch by the window, a scented bath and body works candle on the coffee table, burning and filling the main floor of the house with that simple, summer scent as she wrapped herself in a blanket, powerpoint presentations reflecting off the blue light lenses as she typed.

dating someone as magnetic and larger than life as george russell was no easy feat. the days and nights were long, the timezones too much to bear as his schedule demanded he jet off to some faraway country every weekend.

sometimes, it felt like her george wasn't actually her george, but the world's george.

she slammed her laptop shut, rubbing her eyes under her glasses before she turned on the tv, dialing in to sky sports as the warm up for the evenings race began.

if george were here, they would be watching some stupid movie on netflix (last rainstorm it was bait, a movie about tsunamis and twelve foot long sharks), with the plush calvin klein blanket pulled tightly around their bodies until one of them got tired of the film and started getting handsy.

something about the rain always got george russell going. those afternoons usually ended up with y/n on her back, georges gentle kisses against her skin as he made love to her, the pitter patter of the rain in the background.

she missed him.

the race ended, and she sent him a congratulations text, knowing that he did the best that he could in a car that wasn’t where either mercedes driver had expected it to be.

she blew out the candle, phone in the back pocket of her jeans as she moved to the kitchen of a house that felt too large for just her alone as she warmed up the kettle.

her phone rang, and she slipped the small device out of her pocket, beaming as she swiped up to talk to the most important man in her life.

“hey, beautiful.” george russell beamed from the other end of the line, and the other side of the world. “how are you feeling?”

“tired.” y/n laughed. “uni is relentless. remind me why I decided to go to law school?”

“because I wanted a strong, powerful girlfriend?”

“hilarious. it’s killing me slowly.” she grimaced, placing a bag of peppermint tea in her indigo mug. “you had a good race today, honey. I know the car is shite this year, but you’re driving the hell out of that thing.”

“you know what, I think I’m finally getting the hang of the car.”

“that’s really good, georgie. I’m proud of you.”

george smiled sadly, wishing that he could reach through the phone and hold his lover in his arms. every part of his skin, his body aches for her touch, for the feeling of cradling her in his arms again.

“I miss you. I’ll be home before you know it, yeah? you’ll wake up in a few mornings and I will be there and you’ll get to wrap your arms around me and we’ll make the most of the time we have before I have to go to the next race.”

“I wish it were easier. I wish I could come with you.”

“I know, sweetheart. I know.”

two days passed since that phone call, and the rain showed no signs of stopping. a few times the downpour has lightened to a manageable drizzle, but it was still as if the clouds in the sky were reading her emotions.

reading how much she longed for georges presence.

how she missed watching him play backgammon with his mates at the table by the french doors, sunlight refracting on his face.

how she missed his touch, even when it was the touch of his cold, cold feet in bed.

how she missed his cooking, even when he burned the simplest of dishes and ended up ordering takeaway (and swallowing his pride).

the weather outside reflected how she felt, but that fact did nothing to make her feel better. george was stuck in team meetings, despite the promise of a two week break before the next double header began.

she was debating the merits of going to visit her parents in the city, reconnecting with the world and getting away from her feelings and her term papers. it seemed like all she had done since george left was drink peppermint tea and pore over old court documents.

until the morning all was right again.

the sunlight was orange as it filtered through her curtains, the sun just beginning to rise over the hilly countryside. she heard footsteps, and the sound of the creaky bedroom door swinging open.

she’s have to to tell george to fix that.

george.

she didn’t believe her eyes. there he was, kneeling in front of the bed to kiss her forehead. she grumbled his name, trying to peel her groggy eyes open.

“I’m right here, darling. caught an earlier flight. there’s an iced coffee in the fridge for you.”

she smiled, reaching for his hand. “I missed you.”

“I know, love. can I join you?”

“you may.” she hummed, pulling the blankets back up over her shoulders. normally she would have loved to watch her boyfriend undress, but this morning she was far too sleepy to care about the sound of georges heavy hilfiger belt hitting the hardwood floor.

eyes still closed, she felt the mattress dip next to her as george slipped underneath the covers, taking her into his arms. she sighed contentedly, resting her head on his bare chest as the driver ran his large hand up and down her back.

“I love you, y/n.”

“I love you too, george william russell.”

TAGS

@daydreamingleclerc @libraryofloveletters @magnummagnussen @scuderiamh @sidcrosbyspuck @oconso @cl16version @cartierre @monzabee

[melfinawins]

My partner started watching the new season so I joined in. Oops?

The spoiler tag is at the top. I recommend not reading this until you've watched the entire season.

Well. That season was all over the place. Big lack of cohesion.

I wound up watching it because my partner did. And I just marathoned it.

I like all the long conversations, but it got taxing and too meandering by around episode 6. I kinda hit my limit with Mikey and Tina. I loved their interaction completely, but instead of it being a unique/special moment, they applied it to every fucking character on the show.

I liked that Claire told the Faks to fuck off. That was nice!

I loved Ted Fak and Sweeps/Gary's conversation. Got teary-eyed.

Loved everything to do with Marcus. I've said it before and I'm going to say it again: he's getting a star before all these other jokers. He's the only one who has balance. He has climbed the mountain of self-actualization and reached its peak.

Loved in the finale where the camera just recorded real life world famous chefs talking and being happy about food. I was so starved for a sense of joy, I rewatched that part over again because I just wanted to see happy smiling faces. But they kept showing Carmy's dumb ass.

Things I hated: nothing was resolved, only secondary storylines (Marcus, Nat). Literally EVERYTHING ELSE IS OPEN. We didn't even get Syd telling Carmy she wanted out (didn't have to resolve that shit, just fucking START THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE), or Cicero being straight with Carmy. We didn't get Nat showing off the baby to her brother, we didn't even get Carmy meeting the baby. WE DIDN'T GET RICHIE FINDING HIS JOY AFTER LOSING IT-- HE DIDN'T EVEN GO TO THE WEDDING OR NOT GO--NOTHING. Like, the fuck? This show goes on and on about the heart, but we barely got any moments with the characters reminding us what we watched for.

I hate that Carmy passed down his abusive behavior and trauma he got from the EMP chef to Syd, so now her ass is panicking in a hallway when THE FORMER EC OF EVER IS DOING JAEGER BOMBS IN HER LIVING ROOM. Carmy ruined that for her. They didn't get trapped by a star, Carmy ruined that opportunity the moment he got out of that freezer. They were never going to get the star. It was always a shot in hell in the first place, but with Carmy at the helm, it was fucked from jump. HE SHOULDN'T BE EXEC CHEF OF JACK SHIT.

I'm mad that Carmy doesn't even realize how hard he's fucked literally everything. I know that's a part of the point, as EMP chef didn't give two fucks either, but I'm mad that Carmy let the trauma get the best of him and then fucking PASSES IT ON.

WHY DIDN'T CARMY APOLOGIZE TO CLAIRE. I feel like even with his traumas, it was overblown. Like, a lot. As a person who was raised by two Donna's, who fucked off and left the state like this fictional character did with like, 24 hrs notice, a person who would have also skipped their parents funerals had not they had to pay for it, ect, where are his motherfucking balls? CLAIRE FUCKING DESERVES BETTER. THIS MAN IS IN HIS THIRTIES.

This review isn't even about SydCarmy, because I'm just mad about the season in general lmao

Like, I hate Carmy right now. There are sooo many people depending on him to support their families and their way of life. He was so self absorbed this season that he imploded his restaurant over fucking menu choices. The damage may be too great. And he may have fucked it beyond repair. I kinda don't care about his head space, because Donna is/was shit, but she didn't fucking implode a restaurant full of people depending on her.

He's turning into his parents.

I said previously that his ass was on thin ice. I meant that shit. Like, I'm not rooting for him as of right now. He's done too much damage. It's like Syd said in the 2nd episode or whatever: this is a him problem, not a them problem.

And Donna can fuck right off lmao And no, being women who can experience and bond over childbirth doesn't heal fucking wounds, actually. As a person who has been in that exact situation, I skipped half the episode once Donna showed up. Because I also thought my mother with severe mental health issues could relate to her daughter giving birth. But then that shit didn't happen and once the baby has arrived, the story gets rewritten. Donna, in her current state, is incapable of change. Sorry not sorry.

And when has Nat ever been that fucking dense? Anyone with eyes could see Syd and the rest of the staff are miserable. And she saw the numbers-- that place won't last a year if they don't fucking bring in the budget. What good is a star if the place is closed a week later? CICERO HAS PUT DOWN ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS. If the storyline is to be believed, they would be making a nice dent in the loan if not for the daily changing menu. And for what? Recycled, uninspired food that Carmy is just regurgitating from his former bosses who actually put in the creative energy to accomplish it? Very 2014 of him indeed.

I usually really love dark seasons of shows, or the mid point of a movie franchise (think Two Towers of LotR). I was going in expecting it to be fucking really dark. But something that's really important when you're doing the midpoint of a story is giving the audience something to hold onto. You have to show the audience that though it's dark, the dawn will come. There needs to be hope, even if it's just a flicker.

Not the case here.

In this 3rd season, every time the story would show some positive moments in a tiny storyline, they'd reiterate how shit is fucked and possibly permanently. And the characters are unlikeable, but not in a Succession kind of way!

My hopes for the characters of The Bear is that they get the fuck out and find other spots at other places where they can self-actualize and be happy.

I hope Syd gets every one of her dreams and spending time with Carmey will seem like a drug induced psychosis from the stale waffles she ate in her freezer. I hope she and Luca fuck. I hope she, Luca and Marcus fuck. I hope she opens her dream spot with those two and they get everything that Carmy inadvertently sabotaged at The Bear.

I hope Tina goes if she wants to go around the world, even if it's just at Syd's new place. I hope the staff walks and goes with her. Honestly, I hope they all just go to a spot Syd creates. Syd has the potential to be Terry when she "grows up". All she did this season was babysit Carmy and put out fires that Carmy himself lit. Even if Carmy promises to fix himself, like, HE CAN'T BE TRUSTED. Because his "relapses" are fucked and terrible and severe. Even though we see him kind of get a catharsis from telling EMP chef off, Syd and the crew didn't see that shit and there's not much left of his word to them.

That's it for now. I got progressively more angry as I started writing.

I think that episode 1 of this season was one of, if not the best, hour of television I've watched in a long time.

I'm surprised that the season as a whole left me so disappointed.

Also, it's really funny that they got Thomas Keller to do a cameo, since Joel McHale is based off him lmao

[unlikelyjapan]

s2e3 rewatch notes

One more before the weekend...

"When I was a kid anything that would give me some type of excitement, or amusement or enjoyment would get fucked ... Sometimes they'd try too hard, or they'd make promises they weren't able to keep" - everything in Carmy's AA statement can be related to cooking, the restaurant, drawing, Claire - pretty much the sum of Carmy's parts now.

Second Carmy/Syd kitchen scene:

Carmy is always the first to ask about anyone's parents (but only to Syd) - just like he inquires about Syd's Dad, his first concern is to ask about Marcus' mom while they debate sending him to Copenhagen. Family and people, in general, are always at the forefront of his mind, while progression is always at the forefront of Syd's (even if she does genuinely cares and checks in, it's secondary)

Carmy's "I want to make a suggestion" to go out was so loaded - it was obviously a premeditated move that he wanted to do the food tour with Syd. "I think WE need to go out, and we need to try some stuff"

After he tells her he'll see her in an hour, Goodbye Girl by Squeeze starts playing, and the track ends as Tina realizes that Ebra isn't ever going to be by her side in class *dies twice*

Richie dropping off his daughter: I have a precocious 6-year-old daughter as well and.....they tried to squeeze way too many lines into Eva to advance Richie's storyline when it should have come via Tiff or something - I hate being a negative nelly, but this part is so botched/lifetime drama-y.

(His obvious tenderness is sweet though)

10:44am call with Claire: this is only 2ish hours after his AA talk - I guess the subject matter was resonating with him?

Her forcing the convo on how ingratiated she is with his family makes me throw up my hands and say "no wonder the guy had a fucking panic attack later!". I was just highlighting how in AA how his family tries too hard sometimes - this is a prime example with her "I know all the fuckin' Faks" jousting.

And my god, she knew he was about to tell her that he was busy today, and she claps back "can you not make this weird?" - it literally harkens back to his family's bullying and expectations that Carmy will pacify them. (I know she can't know all this, but damn)

This part of the conversation gets its own bullet point:

"You know, he [Fak] told me that you guys are really close and that he's your best friend" - I didn't realize the first go around how bold the attempt at enmeshment was. With Fishes as context, the toxicity levels in this conversation are off the rails.

Also, her demented smile when she says "really?" when he says "no...no, Fak's not my best friend" - aggghhhh!

"No, no. He is. He's probably my best friend"

What the hell is this? "That's interesting, to sit with, for you" with the continued weird little smile -this isn't flirting, this is her relishing in the fact that she can manipulate him.

Why didn't I clue into how caustically fucked this scene was the first time? I think I was so distracted by the whispy dialogue and cadence of the conversation that I actually blacked out of the dialogue. Thank goodness for subtitles, because this script is mildly psychotic to read.

I know Storer said that one of the themes of this season is "winning is losing" - Claire is definitely playing to win at all costs. Is s2e10 showing that she lost? Or am I sitting through this dialogue again next season? I NEED TO KNOW.

Anyways, Secret Teadrops by Martin Rev (google the lyrics) plays as sydney enters Kasama - God, the music suggests she was thrilled to be spending a day out of the usual context with Carmy, and her checking her phone constantly is killing me.

Twenty Five Miles by Edwin Starr starts playing at the start of the food montage, just as Sydney gets the text from Carmy that she'll be doing it alone.

"I've been walking for three days and two lonely nights, and you know that I'm mighty mad"

After the owner of Avec tells her that she needs a great partner above all else, the lyrics blare again with "although my feet are tired, I can't lose my stride" - she can't abandon faith in Carmy just yet.

After the Pelican meats scene where the butcher (I forget his name, sorry!) tells Syd that he and his wife lost their restaurant in Bucktown after a business partner cut and ran, the song again blares with "I'm SO tired, but I just can't lose my stride"

Syd starts to adjust her language to "I'm not exactly solo" in the next restaurant scene- ugh - painful.

Enter conversations about profit sharing. Naiya assumes that she and Carmy are INVOLVED involved, and when she finds out they're just "gentleman's agreement" partners, she basically tells her to watch her back. Syd registers the statement, but looks so dejected, like she knows she's on a fool's errand now.

The lyrics flare one last time simply with "I've got to walk on"

Cue Carmy's phone going to voicemail as she has the jitters on the loading dock. She looks so sad, but also resigned to her fate at this point.

Sydney calls Marcus right after trying to call Carmy looking for any kind of sign or reinforcement. We're at the triangle again, with Marcus interpreting it one way, and Syd....really not reading anything into it at all.

I feel like Fak making fun of Marcus for "looking forward' with that big, dumb smile on his face means he knows Marcus' affection for Sydney.... and I'm starting to realize all the plots I don't like are the result of Fak's intuition and/or meddling.

Syd awkwardly trying to poach BOH workers is adorably baller and shows how aggressive she is just now realizing she needs to become- and she's so terrible at it, and I love her.

Future Perfect by Duretti Column (what an awesome deep cut) playing - I love that this part of the montage is Syd diving deep into herself and her more analytically-bent creative process and fuck everyone else. It's just her carrying the creative load of the restaurant right now, but she's truly free.

Lyrics repeat "You tell me stories, you speak in pictures"

She's being absolutely present ("Don't live in the future") and letting the food and the city that birthed it speak to her honestly and it's just so beautiful. The old family pictures surface in her memory alongside the plates she's crafting - her own contribution to the chaos menu, her past and present combined, her future (The Bear) undetermined.

Back to The Bear with "Make You Happy" by Tommy McGee playing in the background - I feel like enough ink has been spilled on this scene, but honestly read the lyrics here - ack.

One small observation after Carmy says "I'll let you know" - in the background, Marcus looks completely defeated, Fak's suppressing a laugh or something, and we get Richie's "ooooooohhhhhhh!"while Carm gives him dagger eyes. Y'all....these are not great men.

Syd rightfully realizes she needs to get the fuck away from everyone in that instant if she's going to do anything productive with the inspiration she's culled from her day of exploration and calls in the favor from the kitchen. I love that it almost immediately cuts to her there with her emotional support spoon 🥺

The ravioli failure - i.e. the fantasy vision of the food she had on the plate during her journey day not matching the reality of what she can craft on her own = the fantasy vision of the restaurant/life she could craft with Carmy not matching the reality of what she can is forced to craft on her own.

Oof, taking a break for a few days now....

[what-gs-watching]

“Do I wanna break into a dead guy’s apartment and go through all his shit? Sounds like an afternoon.”

Okay so I obviously needed a real good palate cleanser after I watched Barry and subsequently melted down a little bit, and there was an obvious choice because Y’AAAAAAALL

ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING IS BACK!

I’m fucking crazy for this show. Steve Martin??! Martin Short???!!! being amazing old guy best friends with Selena Gomez to temper their ridiculousness and bring that fantastic sass? 

It’s one of those rare, perfect shows. Everything about this show is absolutely on point. It’s funny. It’s smart. It’s emotional. And ridiculous. And gorgeously stylized. I’ve been on this wagon since day one and it’s truly wonderful.

Wherein, three tenants of an upscale apartment building in New York City, The Arconia,  start a podcast after someone dies in said building, and they’re convinced it was murder. 

Since season 4 is starting, it’s the perfect time for a rewatch, gang. And it’s my first one! That’s always a fun experience, getting into something you know you enjoyed for a second time. It’s not quite familiar yet, it can still surprise you because you remember the shape of it but not necessarily all of the details. It was extremely satisfying. 

I’m trying to decide which has been my favorite season so far, let’s talk it out.

Season 1: Victim, Tim Kono

A lot of shows struggle in the first season but dang this one is so strong. Charles (Steve Martin) is a mostly washed up tv star from the 90’s, Oliver (Martin Short) is an eccentric Broadway director who got blackballed after his disastrous last production, and Mabel (Selena Gomez) is in her late 20’s, squatting in her aunt’s posh Manhattan apartment and not doing much else. 

At the start, the fire alarm in the building goes off and all three head to a nearby restaurant and run into each other. They bond over a podcast about a missing girl’s murder in Oklahoma, produced by the podcast queen Cinda Canning (Tina, effing, FEY!!!!!!). Cinda is an amazing addition to this show, I love Tina Fey in absolutely everything but she is so great here.

Anyway, then they find out a tenant in the building apparently shot himself, but they’d been in the elevator with him not long before and none of them were buying the story, so what else was there to do than start a podcast and investigate? It’s a ridiculous premise honestly, but it works so fucking well. 

In my mind, Mabel is the focus of that season, it turns out she has a connection to Tim Kono, the victim, and the story winds out of control which I love, but they do a really good job of balancing between the three of them. Charles’ storyline ends up being insane and I enjoy Oliver’s snark and pluck and his confidence. 

And I obviously love the bromance that blooms between Charles and Oliver, it’s so sweet. Like their real friendship bleeds through. 

Another highlight of season 1 is Charles’s stunt double from Brazzos, played by Jane Lynch. The way they make the two of them really look like each other is funny as hell and Oliver’s reaction to meeting Sazz is classic - believing it’s Charles he asks what work he’s had done. It’s hilariously uncanny.

I won’t go into too many specifics, it’s too good to spoil, but I think I can say now that the killer in season one is my favorite. Didn’t really care about the victim but ooh, I DID NOT see that one coming. 

Season 2: Victim, Bunny Folger

So after they solve their first murder, the trio celebrates and everything is awesome, but Mabel goes back to her apartment for more champagne and guess what! She finds the dead body of Bunny, the head of the board for the Arconia, who they’d spent season 1 not getting along with - Bunny had even tried to evict them.

Surprise, surprise, the three of them immediately get arrested since Mabel was found basically standing, covered in blood, over the body.  #bloodymabel

It’s fun that they spend the season trying to clear their names, I liked that aspect of it. Of course they had to come under suspicion at some point, how many murders can realistically occur in an Upper West Side building before it gets weird and you have to look at the people who’ve suddenly gained notoriety because of it? 

This season for me was all about Charles, his backstory with his not-really-a-step-daughter and his dad. I guess it’s really about family overall, with Oliver’s own family drama bubbling up. I loved that they did an entire bit about Oliver always knowing when someone is lying - the scenes of him orchestrating rounds of the Son of Sam game are fantastic - but then of course he gets a big ol’ shock when a devastating secret is revealed. 

I wasn’t a huge fan of Mabel’s storyline with the random british artist that popped up out of nowhere, she was kind of a twit, but you do you girl. I’m with it. 

The killer reveal in season 2 is definitely my favorite - along with the joke about them throwing a “killer reveal party” - WAS it a party to reveal the killer, or a party that was going to be killer in nature??! Definitely the most satisfying reveal so far. 

Season 3: Victim, Ben Glenroy

So after they solve a few murders back to back, the three of them suddenly have some good press and their lives start to turn around. Oliver gets a call to direct a new play actually ON Broadway this time, even though his last production had been a literal disaster - mermen jumping from the rafters into what should have been a pool, but was definitely just a hard stage floor, instead. L O L at the retelling he does of that tragedy during season 1. 

Mabel of course is still a muddling millennial but she’s at least finally finished renovating her aunt’s apartment, and Charles’s return to his rebooted show, Brazzos, is on hiatus. SIDE NOTE, I love all of the Brazzos flashbacks, they’re so ridiculous and yet absolutely 100% what a crime drama in the 90’s was like. 

Anyway, Charles joins Oliver’s show, which is starring Ben Glenroy (played by PAUL RUDD who I absolutely love), a famous actor who’s known for his superhero franchise, CoBro - which is about a bro who turns into a literal COBRA and fights crime. 

One of the best parts of this season is the mentions of Ben’s starring roles. Mabel loves him from a show called “Girl Cop” and there’s an adorable moment where she does the handshake from the show with him (kind of). I want to be able to watch all of the invented content, it sounds so incredible.

BUT, of course, on the opening night of Oliver’s play, Ben ends up dead. He is by FAR my favorite victim. He seems like a dick and he definitely is but as they investigate you see a different side of him as well and I will always and forever love Paul Rudd. Bringing him on was a fantastic decision.

Did I mention that MERYL fucking STREEP is in the musical as well?? And her character is wonderful. When Oliver decides to turn the show into a musical after Ben’s death, she gets the best song of the entire thing and the first time she performs it is so poignant. I choked up a little bit the first time, and again the second time. 

Also, this season has my favorite episode of the series - Charles is trying to learn a ‘patter song’ for the musical and the first time he performs it in front of the cast, he devolves into a string of hilarious curses and he blacks out and ends up in a white room, surrounded with soothing music and he’s happy and dancing and everything is great. Until they cut back to reality and his pants are down and the stage he’s on is a mess and everyone is fucking MORTIFIED. When he asks what happened, Oliver screams “TOO SOON!!!” while Mabel is shouting, “Not ready!”

It’s absurd and absolutely fucking hilarious. He goes to the ‘white room’ a few more times in that episode and I can’t help but die everytime. I don’t know why I find it so hilarious but the sequences are perfect. You never know what happened and neither does Charles and I love it. 

I think I’ve decided this is my favorite season, even if the killer is kind of obvious. There was so much going on with the musical that the usually elaborate story of getting to the murderer is kind of muted, but it’s still so. good. 

And so, season 3 wraps up nicely, but we find out that Sazz has basically been executed in Charles’s apartment while they celebrate. Uh oh.

Which leads me to the start of Season 4. I’m SO excited. One of the best parts of this show is the cameos, and I am losing my mind over the addition of Zach Galifianakis. I’ve been in love with his insane face since his comedy special “Live at the Purple Onion” was on Netflix. I’m talking like, 2008, people. I saw him perform at some random festival before The Hangover ever came out. For a long time “Purple Onion” was my comfort watch, before ‘comfort watch’ was really a thing. 

He’s going to be incredible, and I can’t wait. I’m sure Eugene Levy and Eva Longoria will be good too but whatever, it’s gonna be all about Zatch Gaspifinasky for me. 

I’m not a huge fan of streaming shows releasing one episode a week, but I’ll endure it happily for Only Murders In The Building. Not many shows lately have been as solid, consistent, and FUN to watch as this one. 

Who killed Sazz Pataki, y’all?! I can’t wait to find out…

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

House on Fire: Part Two

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2.3k

Summary: Fire burns everything including energy, but when an unsub uses fire to murder dozens, you feel each and every one of those deaths.

Warnings: canon violence, canon language, canon talk of death, methods of kill

Author’s Note: I do not own anything from Criminal Minds. All credit goes to their respective owners. If there are any warnings that exceed the normal death/kills from the show, I will list them. If you’ve seen the show, then it’s the same level of angst unless otherwise stated

x

The bar down the street was the target this time, and the fire department is putting the fire out when you arrive.

"This doesn't make sense. He should have been at the memorial. He shouldn't have been able to resist seeing the damage he'd done," Hotch sighs,

"Captain. Can I get a word?" Derek asks.

The captain excuses himself to explain what happened to your team.

"It started in the kitchen. It looks like he came around to the back and tossed a cocktail through the window."

"That's a different delivery system. That's a big deviance from his MO, but perfect for this location."

"I don't know. With a space this small, he shouldn't have been able to pour gasoline without being noticed. Nobody saw anything?" you ask.

"Witnesses say they heard an explosion."

"I guarantee he stuck around to watch."

This fire only claimed the lives of five victims, but because it's so fresh, their spirits still linger behind. Their sadness and anguish weigh heavily on your shoulders, but you try not to let it affect you. It's not real. I'm okay. I'm not really feeling this, myself. I'm going to be okay.

"The bar matches his previous locations. It's another local hot spot, but there were only five victims this time. Why lower the body count?"

You walk around to the back entrance and see there is a bolt and chain around the door so that people can't get out even if they tried. There is another bolt and chain on the front entrance, not allowing anyone to escape.

"This is something different. There are bolts and chains on both the front and back entrance. He really wanted to make sure nobody got out this time."

"Why bother? No one made it out of the other ones."

"Maybe he knew the fire department would show up sooner."

"Yeah, we're faster now," the fire captain says. "Practice makes perfect. What the hell difference does it make? What good are you guys doing for us? You see chains and figure he didn't want anyone to get out. I could have told you that."

"We're not criticizing anyone. Our job is to look at the same things you do but to try to see them from a different perspective," Rossi says.

"Sure," he scoffs.

"With all due respect, captain, you look at that chain and say the killer wanted to make sure nobody got out, right? We look at that chain and see a little bit more. This fire is different from the first one because he really didn't want anyone escaping, which means whoever was in this bar meant something to him. This fire matters more than the first, and this fire is going to help us catch the guy. If you're going to disrespect us, then you're not really needed here," you sass.

Hotch, Emily, and Chief Carlson make their way over to where you are as they talk.

"My father was chief here for over thirty years. In the last two weeks, I lost more folks than he did in his whole career."

"Chief, what do we know?"

"Only four of the victims have died. The bartender, Nancy, is still hanging on."

"How bad is she?"

"Pretty bad. She was unconscious when they took her."

"If we get a chance, we need to talk to her."

There is some commotion coming from the road, and you see Tina trying to make her way through the crowd. She isn't in her EMT uniform, so she must not have been on duty. The sheer panic on her face would not be there if she didn't have someone she loved in that fire.

"I was off duty. I heard it on the radio!"

"God, I'm sorry, Tina," the captain sighs.

"I just talked to him on the phone. He said he was coming home," she cries.

"Tina's fiance, Jason, owned the bar. He was inside when it all happened. When is it gonna stop?"

"Did you get anything?" Hotch asks you.

"Not spiritually, no. Though, it's a completely different MO than before. Assuming it's not a copycat, we know why the unsub wasn't at the funeral. Someone in that bar was more important to him than anything else."

"Morgan, call Garcia. Tell her we need to know absolutely everything there is to know about these five victims, and we need to know it now. I'll go tell Chief Carlson we want to talk to his officers."

Hotch walks away and Derek gets Penelope on speakerphone so you can hear their conversation.

"Hello?" Penelope sighs.

"Hey, how's Miss Smart and Sexy doing today?"

"Fair warning, cupcake. As much as I love you and our witty banter, I am all out of witty and banter and am struggling with love."

"What's wrong?" you ask.

"I am standing at the crossroads of thirty-one lives, and what I see is a train wreck. Do you want a little tour? This is what I mean. Flip Phillips beat his wife. It went on for years. Although you wouldn't know it if you looked at the police reports because that's one of the perks of being the Mayor. David Alexander sued his boss for five million dollars over something totally lame, and what makes it even more erotic is that he was sleeping with the Boss' daughter. Then there's this town councilwoman who had a terminally ill husband and three boyfriends under the age of twenty. I want to believe that the world is just teeming with awesome people, but all of this is giving me a great pause. I want to go back to cyberspace."

"I don't think it was fair for Hotch to ask that of you," you say. "We have someone who reads incredibly fast, and you could have sent over the files for me and Spencer to read."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Derek sighs, "but I got a few more names for you."

"Okay. Please tell me they're still alive."

"I wish I could do that, Garcia."

"Send over the names. I'll call back when I have something."

Since you know what kind of unsub you're dealing with, you're ready to give the profile out. This kind of unsub is a textbook arsonist, so it's not hard to put together a profile on him. Chief Carlson gathers his men and women to hear the profile.

"All of the first four fires--the convenience store, the restaurant, the rec center, and the movie theater--are indicative of a revenge arsonist. That's someone who's seeking retaliation for an injustice whether real or imagined."

"Revenge arsonists often target group headquarters such as churches or government buildings. This unsub has chosen local gathering places with large numbers of potential victims inside. It's clear to us that he's chosen to target this community as a whole. That tells us that the unsub is a local, someone who lives or grew up in Royal."

"But he feels like an outsider," Derek adds to what you said, "as if this community has wronged him in some type of way. These fires are just his way of striking back and trying to draw attention to himself."

"These fires not only killed innocent people, they also gave the unsub a sense of power over the community. Somehow those fires were lacking, though. They didn't exact the correct measure of punishment, attract enough attention, or attract the attention of the right person."

"So, with the bar fire, he didn't increase the number of victims. He reduced them. That's why the third fire is key. He's not striking out at the community as a whole anymore. He's now striking out at one or more individuals."

"You're sure it's the same guy?" Dan asks.

"The odds of another arsonist in a town this small are almost negligible," Spencer explains. "That's why we need to concentrate on these victims. These five will hold the key."

"So, all we gotta do is just figure out who would have wanted to hurt them," Chief Carlson says.

"It may not be that simple. This type of rage tends to stem from things that people keep buried, things they just don't talk about. Which is why we're gonna have to dig deeply."

"Understood."

Nancy, the bartender who survived the bar fire, is well enough for a few questions, and Hotch wants you and Rossi to go with him. If anyone will get anything out of her, it's you. She might not remember she knows something, which is where you come in. However, as soon as you see her through the window, tears start to well in your eyes. She is covered head to toe in what looks to be fourth-degree burns. She looks like she's in so much pain, and that breaks your heart.

"How is she?" Hotch asks the doctor.

"We couldn't even send her to the burn unit in Gary. It wouldn't have mattered."

"We'll be brief." You take one step closer to her room and let the tears fall freely. "You need to keep it together."

"I know," you sniffle and wipe your cheeks.

"Nancy? It's me. The FBI is here," the doctor says gently.

"Nancy, can you tell us what happened?"

"There was a crash, then everything exploded."

"What happened before that? Was there anything unusual or out of the ordinary? Did anyone come in or leave?"

"Just Jason. He came for the money like always. He's dead, isn't he?"

"Nancy, what about the customers?" you ask, keeping her on track. "Was there anyone there who seemed anxious or upset? He would have kept to himself and taken a seat away from the other customers. Maybe he was checking his watch or his cell phone."

"There was one guy. He seemed angry. He kept changing seats."

When she thinks about what happened, she starts panicking thinking that he's going to come after her. She starts freaking out and breathing heavily, and this is when the doctor steps in.

"Okay, we have to stop."

"Who was that, Nancy? Do you know his name?"

You don't have to be touching Nancy to connect to her trauma. Images flash by quickly--too quickly for you to process what they are. There are only two things you're getting from these images. The initials T.W. and a white man with blonde hair.

"Now," the doctor glares.

You and Hotch have no choice but to leave, so you leave Nancy to live the rest of her short life in peace.

"What did you see?"

"The initials T.W. and a white man with blonde hair. That's it."

Maybe the rest of your team is having a better time narrowing down the suspect list based on what they know about the victims of the bar fire. Hotch decides to stay back with Rossi while you head back to the police station.

"So, tell us about the bar victims," Emily says to Penelope just as you walk in.

"Alright, the first two were Hilda and Roger Drake. She was a teacher and he sold insurance. Neither of them had any enemies. Their biggest problem was finding baby names because Hilda was pregnant."

"Are you sure? The ME hasn't even started yet."

"Yes, ma'am, I'm sure. There was a belly watch on Hilda, and people in Royal take out ads. It's very hard to keep secrets in this town."

"That's just wrong."

"That's small-town life for you," JJ chuckles. "Your business is everybody's business."

"What about Eric Gall?" Spencer asks about another victim.

"He was a boozer. He spent most of his time at his dad's house. He's got a few drunk and disorderlies but he seems harmless. Given the number of rounds he bought, It's safe to say the whole town loves him."

"I just talked to Nancy. She says there was a guy there before the fire. He didn't talk to anybody and kept switching seats. She didn't seem to recognize him, which makes me think he's not from Royal."

"That's not necessarily true. What if she knew him and she just didn't realize it?" Spencer says.

"Like a disguise?"

"The fire captain said the unsub knew the layout of the movie theater. He used that knowledge to light the fire, but at the bar, the unsub kept changing his seats. He was studying the layout of the bar and got better views of the entrances and exits because maybe he wasn't familiar with the area."

"What if he grew up in Royal and he moved away? The only thing I got from Nancy was a white man with blonde hair and the initials T.W. Penelope, what year was that bar built?"

"Six years ago."

"What about the movie theater?"

"The forties. Back then, it was a single screen, and the rec center was built in the late seventies. I'm digging into the bar as we speak, and it looks like Jason opened the bar six years ago when he moved to Royal from Indianapolis."

"Does he have friends and family here?"

"None that I can find."

"What about the bar? Did Jason buy it from someone and take over their business?"

"No, Jason started the bar himself. He named it after his father, who was his sole beneficiary."

"That makes sense. He was single," Emily states.

"Was single, sugar. Until a couple of days ago, he married Tina Wheeler."

"Tina Wheeler's initials are T.W.," you say.

"You think Tina set the fires?" Spencer asks you.

"I didn't say that. I'm merely stating facts. I did see a white man, so I don't think Tina did it."

"I checked her out originally as one of the first responders, but her work records looked squeaky clean. I let it go until I realized she'd married Jason. Then, I did some more aggressive digging, which I should remind you that you asked me to do, and it turns out that Tina's parents died in a fire when she was five. After they died, she and her brother, Tommy, were sent to live with their grandparents in Royal."

"Tommy's initials are T.W.," you say. "Send us everything you have on them."

"That's just it, I have plenty on Tina, but I can't find anything on her brother. Tina lives in Royal, went to a community college a few towns over, got a degree, took a job, worked hard, and married Jason. Tommy just disappeared."

"There isn't anything you can do? Tommy should be somewhere."

"I'll keep digging."

"T.W. makes so much more sense. I bet Tommy is a white man with blonde hair, too," you say when Penelope hangs up. "If that's true, then Jason might have been the target all along. He seems to visit every place frequently."

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[bobgoesw00t]

All caught up with The Dragon Prince and here are my thoughts on what happened in the last episode: ...CLAUDIA CAN SUCK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, I want her and Terry to be happy, but she's such a FUCKING BIMBO when it comes to dark magic, her dad, and Aaravos, and IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME SHE GOT BITTEN IN THE ASS BY KARMA! I absolutely love her and Terry as a couple (THEY ARE SO CUTE AND FLUFFY AND WHOLESOME AND OSRGNASOGIJAHGPOEAIRHG TOO CUTE). Still, she TOTALLY deserved to have Rayla slice her leg off for all the bullshit she's done and tried to pull since the series started.

Also, soooo happy Viren gave Aaravos the middle finger and decided to not kill Sir Sparklepuff in the end! He's had the greatest story arc in the last two seasons by far and he deserves to go out on his own terms. Hell, the only reason Claudia came so to getting Aaravos's prison was because she's a STUPID BIMBO AND DIDN'T REALIZE VIREN WAS PERFECTLY OK NOT SURVIVING PASSED THE 30 DAYS!!!!!!!

As for the plotline with Amaya and Janai, GOD I want to bitch slap Karim for being a stupid idiot! He needs to have an intervention at some point before he fucks everything up with the Sunfire Elves...but at the same time, I kind of want to bang him cause DAAAMN HE BE HOT THIS SEASON!!!

Lastly, a few side notes. I totally knew they were going to pull a Yoda with Akiyu the moment she showed up as "TIDEBOUND TINA", I mean you'd have to be a nincompoop not to see that from a mile away. And DAAAAAAAAAMN, WHAT HAPPENED TO FINNIGRIN WAS BRUTAL!!!!!!! He beyond deserved it however and it was nice to see it happen.

This was a good season, and I'm already excited to see what happens next...hopefully, they go ahead and get the Nova Blade as a form of insurance in the chance that Arravos manages to get out of the prison (which, let's all be honest, will probably happen before the show ends xD) and MAYBE, that bimbo Claudia realizes she's been a stupid idiot and comes around to live a happy life with Terry. ...BUT THAT PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN, in which case, Terry needs to give her an ultimatum: she either gives up her quest for Aaravos, or he'll dump her ass and go to Callum and friends for help.

[nat-seal-well]

I’m going to the renaissance fair today so I probably won’t be on much, haha. I’m about to go get ready for it because that’s going to be a Process™️. But before I do that I wanted to share part of what I’ve been working on (since I hit a roadblock with my other wip again).

When Elena comes to, it happens in stages.

She is vaguely aware of her mind waking up, only to be pulled back under the sea of unconsciousness. Like the lull of ocean waves, advancing and retreating, she is one grain of sand picked up by the force of the water and helpless to do anything but ride it out. Conscious and then not. Conscious and then not. Over and over again, in a loop.

But tides go out eventually, and when hers does, she finds she’s able to stay awake for more than a few seconds. Here is the next stage. She is slow, groggy, and wakefulness comes sluggishly like it often does after a long night with Tina and cheap, flavored vodka.

The third stage is thought, and the thought in particular that she has is, I fucking hurt.

I fucking hurt is an understatement. If Elena wanted to be more precise, she wouldn’t have been able to tell herself anything at all, because she doesn’t have the words for it. The hurting is an all-over sort of pain, a compounded concretion of many different kinds all at the same time. Her muscles ache. Her head is killing her, above her right eye, where something feels gross and like it was wet once, but dry now. All of her limbs burn with the stinging of too many different cuts to count. And whatever is under her is hard and unyielding, like stone, which does nothing to help.

It occurs to her afterward that this is not normal. She should be—

She should be…

…Where should she be?

There is a gap in her memory that unnerves her exactly as much as it should, which is to say, a lot.

Through her closed eyelids, Elena can see that there is a light. Someone must have left it on, which is annoying. She already has a headache and the brightness of the light won’t do a single thing to help, so she elects to keep her eyes shut as she has a little, private, spiral of panic.

Okay, okay, okay, she says. C’mon. Don’t freak out. (Too late, but she can try.) What happened? What is the last thing you remember?

Where were you?

When Elena was in high school, she needed to fill one of her classes with an elective because she was an extremely uninteresting teenager and didn’t feel like having a free period. It was the only high school in Wayhaven—what was she going to do? Wander around town? That was what all the other kids did their last year, only taking a half-day because they already had all of their required credits, but Elena didn’t see the point in it. She had already spent endless weekends unsupervised and doing exactly that, when she wasn’t working short shifts part-time at a little boutique she hated. So she decided to take an Intro to Photography class, just for the hell of it.

They had her go out with one of those super old cameras, the kind from before everything went digital. The pictures had to be processed in chemical baths under a red light, the whole deal, and then hung up to dry and develop. Whatever the camera had captured an image of would start to show eventually, a little at a time, and Elena’s was spectacularly awful. It was a good thing the teacher graded based on participation.

Trying to remember feels a lot like that picture in the dark room.

It comes to her slowly, bit by bit. Fuzzy at first, it starts to clear up the further she pries into her own head, even though that is already voicing its complaint with the throbbing right above her eye.

[accidentally-in-fictional-love]

Things I Noticed While Writing Light The Fuse: Part 11, Episode 4

This one may be just about one Phoenix but finally I get to show Ethan some love hehe 🥰💛

Before we get to him though, a clock! An actual, working clock! The rare showing of time that helps me figure out how long this show is actually going for!

Here it is, my Timeline. The furthest it goes is the 23rd, and he would be checking more pages if it went further to see if she was/had been there, so I placed Cop Night on July 23rd with this scene taking place the next morning on the 24th, therefore Ethan starts dating Matty and Johnson on July 23rd to go along with Matty and Johnson's anniversary on July 1st in Fucked / Up ❤️💛💙

Going off this single date I ended up having the fic start on June 7th with Ethan arriving on the 8th by the end of my figurings, and I have a column in my notes just for dates based on what everyone says, their runs, and outfit changes, all thanks to this single crumb. And now we have all three of their Phoenixversaries, Johnson on February 2nd (with his bday), Ethan on June 8th, and Matty exactly two months later on August 8th~

This still isn't Ethan but this scene will forever haunt me WHY IS HELL ITSELF AT THIS MOTEL???

Okay now it's Ethan Time, because this scene makes me insane for a different reason. Him saying later that he literally just trusted her through everything really confirms that Ethan is a canon dumbass, like dude you can still trust her but you had to have some idea! This is why I made him so aware of what's going on that he held info away from her as well. I really loved writing this scene, I love writing all their scenes, him constantly trying to cut ties with her and failing each time she calls because of their bond is so important to me with all the angst possibilities

Like this right here, with that smile of hers knowing that he will, and him doing it. Add in the fact that he also knows he will even when he's catching on that she's not the Doris he knew anymore, I love that so much and I'm so glad I got to write it all out amidst him hanging up on her after making her panic that Burt already got to him before he namedrops Matty for the first time

Also Ethan having this convo directly next to a Pinup room when he's trying to be stealthy is so funny to me

That's because you just spoke to your adoptive mom after gaining not one but two boyfriends, of course you're feeling weird. Also since when does Ethan wear a black undershirt, that's Matty's! I'm insane!!

Comfy??? My man's all spread out, ditched the coat, he is there to stay

Matty: You heard it pays?

Ethan is so bad at lying how has Matty taught him nothing by now it should be a second language by this point

You're killin' it man she totally believes you

Meredith is so cute here, I love her genuine shock that he'd really think she'd take one of them, I wonder how many actual conversations she has in this place outside of Joel (for the most part) and Matty and her friend Tina

Ethan is so cute I love his smile so much 🥰🥰🥰

The fact that he hasn't had this talk with Johnson in canon is so weird to me, he's around him so often that I bet he'd talk about it with Matty there, I don't doubt that cause I'm obviously upping his mystery in my own way since I don't know what his actual deal is. It makes for a nice bonding scene with Meredith, but they really underutilized Johnson also being around for so long so many times which is just criminal honestly

I really wonder if she was ever able to talk about this, since it was such a big thing, a war so bad Joel's even afraid of it and she was just a child during it. I really never shipped them even before my eyes were opened to the Phoenixes being boyfriends, so them having this conversation as friends is so important to me. It's a romance that doesn't need to happen for them to stay close, just like she is with Matty, and I can only pray they stayed this way in season 2.

Their friendship is everything to me. At its basis, these are two people who need friends more than anything, people to listen and be there for them as they come to see that they're already home, if season 2 had come out and had them suddenly start making out sloppy style it might've actually made me upset and that's no joke

Episode 4 down, I can tell already that ep5 is gunna need several posts but I am so ready to talk about it hehe 💛

[tumortain]

i wish the main focus of this book was the detective trying to juggle all their responsibilities. and failing miserably lol.

i was so disappointed when i got to just call tina to cover for mc at the station and she was like “haha ofc <3″ and from what i remember she was ok with it even if she didn’t know The Truth like wtf.... people are being kidnaped left and right, the town’s only detective goes AWOL and no one bats an eye? and don’t even get me started on the chamber, you can be like “i fail at everything i do” and they still will want to suck your dick dfkjdslkjfs???? so goofy.

idk but seeing mc fail at being there both for UB and missions with them and tina and verda and their job as the detective would be a better catalyst for internal and external conflict than whatever the fuck All of That was. 

and the ending would make much more sense. mc looks back at all the times they had to choose between their new and old lives and finally comes to terms with the fact that now that they Know The Truth they can’t leave the supernatural world and even if they don’t want to they have to leave the station and become an agent and like you can be happy or not about it but it is what it is. they accept the promotion knowing that they are leaving something behind. it’s a bittersweet but needed moment.

because it threw me off!!! so much!!! when mommy dearest showed up and was like you’re an agent now byeeee~. i get that with all that soul bonding bs it is your destiny~ but after all the shit mc goes thru the book i felt so drained and confused so when rebecca told mc abt the promotion it felt... so helpless? 

and i was like oh ok it’s somethingsomething MC and Sin parallel somethingsometing moment. that’s fun ig?? and i’d be ok with it if the book didn’t end with that GODDAMN PARTY hfjsdkf like i get wanting to end on a high note but uhhhh that was not a way to go about it imo. i wanted to tell them all to go to hell leave me alone so bad LMFAO.

[becauseimanicequeen]

Pride Month Watch: Mama Gogo (ep 11-12)

My thoughts on episodes 1-4, episodes 5-7, episode 8, and episodes 9-10.

I'm currently going through my Pride Month Watch List and Mama Gogo is on my list of shows/films I haven't watched before but have wanted to get to.

Let's see how this series will end. Starting with the 11th episode.

No!

No! Hell no!

No!

No! Hell to the fucking no!

Okay, I'll give you that one. At least you're honest about it.

But otherwise, get the fuck out!

Yes!

She's learned her lesson. This asshole won't get the chance to mistreat her again. I love my queen so much!

Well, I was right that Chen's mom would tell him to fix things between him and Annie....

I have a newfound respect for her.

These two...

Are adorable!

OMG!

The way I fucking choked on my tea!

I appreciate these men for protecting Annie...

Not that she needs it. She can definitely take care of herself. But it's still nice to see them stand up for her.

If you look up the word "ego" in the dictionary...

This man's picture would cover the whole page.

Btw...

Toptap's facial expressions are everything to me.

Now I'm just waiting for Mikhael with a k to come back to Mama Gogo.

This is probably the only rational way to settle the animosity between Gayu and Kampan:

And I really hope Gayu wins (I'm pretty sure he will).

Oh, lord, look at these two idiots...

Was that all it took for them to bury the hatchet?

I can't believe Kampan won... I mean, he's hot and all. But Gayu is hot and a good person. Anyway...

Annie's loyalty to her boys is so sweet:

I'm sure she'll find a solution and make a choice that will benefit everyone.

Annie owned up to her mistakes and apologized...

And Tina accepted. I love this for them.

And he's finally back!

I'm so happy!

Because I love his energy!

And I need people like him in my life.

And this woman:

That's my girl!

It's official now...

And I'm so happy for them.

So, my overall thoughts on Mama Gogo...

I was pleasantly surprised by how entertained I was. I knew I would like it because it's a Jojo show (and he hasn't let me down yet) and because it's Cris (Annie), but I laughed a lot because it was silly and funny and entertaining too. And even though I sped through the dances at double speed (because this, as well as singing, always makes me cringe and gives me second-hand embarrassment, and I just can't watch it), I loved the series overall.

Will I rewatch it? Probably not. I'm more into QLs. But I don't regret having watched it.