#beverly has known for years but shes not going to gossip about something like that | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

supertweetycherry · 5 years ago

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DIE HARD || [iv. Girl Talks and Boys]

—Pairings: BTS x OC

—Genre: BTS Mafia Au, Slight Fluff, Angst (a lot of it), Heartbreak, Thriller

—Ratings: 18+ | MA Content | R

—Warnings: Abuse, Rude Behaviour, Fighting, Blood, Death, Weapons/Blades and Mentions of Sex, Mentions of Killing.

—Summary: She belong to them. They belong to her. It’s simple as that. Period.

—Word Count: 7k

Navigations -> Masterlist || MASTERPOST <<Part 2 || Part 4>>

Chapter 3 - Girl Talks and Boys

“—the local law enforcements in South Korea are still working on the case of the famous murder mystery of the Lee Enterprise executive director, Jung Jae-hee. The case has become a global interest as it is related to the world’s most dangerous and notorious gang of the decade. Tweets, news articles and unseen videos are being surfaced around the web, with ‘Bangtan’ trending on social media. It is being speculated that the notorious group of viscous killers are residing here in America, causing fear and a state-wide panic around the country. The United States government has yet to say anything official about the rumors. Till then, the focus has been shifted onto the murder case and the increasing mafia activities in South Korea—”

Yoona hummed to herself as she sipped onto her herbal tea for the tenth time in the past hour. Her small fingers cupping the warm cup as her ears continued to pick up the words of the nearest news channels playing in the large cafeteria.

It has been few days since the actual incident and people are still continuing to hear the old, recycled news over and over again. The amount of channels covering this piece of segment for the last few days has left a large gaping hole in Yoona’s ears. She was sick, tired and exhausted of it.

Yes, a murder happened in her home country.

Yes, the victim was her former boss.

And yes, the culprits might be the worldwide famous gang called ‘Bangtan’. A native Korean gang who had appeared out of nowhere.

So what? Deal with it!

Yoona sighed loudly as she buried her face into her arms. Her ears picked up the change in the news reporter’s voice. It seemed more feminine now. Pulling her head up a bit, she glanced at the large TV as a new segment rolled in.

“—moving on, the three-day search for the two college girls in Beverly Hills has now come to an end as the local authorities here in the downtown Los Angeles, discovered a series of dead bodies in the Chinatown district of the city. A total of five girls were found, dead and tortured, with their vital organs missing from their bodies. Two of those bodies matched the description of the two missing girls while others are still unaccounted for. The bodies have started to decompose suggesting that they’ve been dead for quite a while before a citizen of Chinatown found them in a ditch near his area—”

The 26 year old groaned and rubbed her ears in frustration as the segment ate her brain up, again. She dipped her head back into her arms, pushing the warm beverage away from her fingers. Sure, she felt remorse, pity and sadness for the dead girls but it also annoyed her that her surroundings are filled with so much of negativity. It triggered her in a way that she didn’t like.

That is until... a large folder slammed onto the white table infront of her. The loud bang that erupted from it was enough for yoona’s tired, aching muscles to tense up again. She had to hold down her cup tightly before it could jump and topple down the table due to the vibrations.

“You know, a small warning would have been sufficed.” Yoona said slowly as she threw a slight glare at the person who dared to interrupt her personal ‘me-time’.

“Bitch please. You should be happy that a mere peasant like you has the honour to be in my holy presence. Not even kings can afford me.”

This only earned the intruder a mocking eye-roll from the 26 year old beauty.

“Don’t you have work to do, your highness?” Yoona mocked as her shaking nerves relaxed. She pulled herself up and continued to drink her warm tea. But it wasn’t warm anymore.

“Not when there’s juicy gossip.” Her friend smirked before shoving the said folder in Yoona’s direction. Yoona stared at it blankly. It was black in colour and looked quite thick. “It’s about Jung Jae-hee.”

“No.”

The mere mention of the late director was enough for Yoona to do a 360 turn and never look back again. She picked up her cold tea and left the small table she was sitting on.

“Yuriii...”

“No, Suzy.” Yoona ignored her friend’s whining as she dumped her cold tea through the drain before leaving the blue coloured cup in the sink. “Why are you all so obsessed with her death? People die all the time. Just get over it.”

The little shiver in the older girl’s voice should have been enough for Suzy to stop pestering her friend. But like the stubborn chick she is, Suzy continued in her voyage to tell the new juicy gossip she had discovered recently.

Yoona didn’t like it when her only friend gave her a sudden smirk before pushing her right through the fire exit’s door and right into the stairs that suddenly appeared in her view.

“Suzy!” Yoona exclaimed when she realised that the younger girl had practically kidnapped her.

“Shush.”

“But—”

“I said shush, Yuri. I need some girl time with you. And this, my friend, is the best way we can relish our old memories, considering hardly anyone looks our way these days.”

That was true. Yoona couldn’t deny that fact. They were the noisy, cheap girls of the company. No-one gave them a second glance unless they needed a one-night stand or something. Yoona wasn’t exactly sure how they gained that reputation. She had never been active in her love life unlike her friend, Suzy. Yoona had kept herself quiet, timid and hidden most of the time. Infact, she’s a pure virgin, with no skills at batting her eye lashes at any pretty boy. So, why?

“You want us to bond over a murder case?”

“No, I want us to bond over the world’s most dangerous species... boys.” The girl exclaimed, making Yoona groan.

Boys is a topic that Yoona tends to stay away from. There are just too many old and painful memories associated with them.

“Come on, don’t be a spoil sport. There are many varieties in here.” Suzy insisted as she pulled Yoona near the steel railings where they found a clean spot to sit on. The older girl didn’t like how open and wide spread the exit was. She peeked down to see an array of blue stairs leading down to the ground floor. They were designed in a zigzag formation, continuing on and on for what seemed like, forever.

It wasn’t Yoona’s first time at being kidnapped by her friend. Suzy had done that to her many times on multiple different occasions. But today, the familiar scenery of the descending stairs was unwelcoming. Not to mention, the see-through glass that acted as the walls of this passageway was too exposing and open for her taste. She could literally see the giant skyscrapers from here with a visibility record of 100%.

Yeah... Lee Enterprise is too rich for their own good.

“So, this baby here—” Suzy held up the thick folder. “—was delivered to the queen boss this morning. And like the curious, evil person I am, I snagged it before she could have a chance to read through the papers.”

Yoona raised her eyebrows at this before shaking her head in disappointment.

“No wonder files kept disappearing around Ji-Soo. She’s too dumb to notice her surroundings.”

“Exactly.” Suzy smirked before flipping through the pages. “And that is how ARIA files must have been stolen from her desk. She really needs to invest in a good secretary.”

Yoona couldn’t help but smile at this. Her uncle’s plaything ‘ARIA’ has been unresponsive for the past few days. The files continued to be missing while no-one has any idea as to what has been going on with ARIA. The large casino building is one of their major money-making sites here in the American branch.

“Anyways, back to the topic, there’s a postmortem report in this folder indicating that our lovely girl, Jung Jae-hee, might not be so innocent as we thought.” Suzy teased, flickering to a page filled with numerous Hangul symbols. “I’m not great at reading Hangul, but by the look of this, I can tell, Jae-hee had an intimate intercourse with her killer. It was right before she was killed. How exciting is that?”

Yoona was spooked by her friend’s glazed eyes.

“Exciting? How is it exciting?” She questioned.

“You very dumb dumb bimbo...” Suzy groaned, hitting Yoona on the head. “Jae-hee was known to have a special, unique taste in men. Whoever she chose to be worthy of her attention, was a diamond from the rarest mines. Think about all the boys that surrounded her. Danny, Brad, Jackson, Bambam and our very own, Taemin.”

The older girl scoffed at her eldest cousin’s name.

“Taemin had a crush on her?” Yoona asked, whacking her brain to remember all the interactions between the two people she despises.

“He still does. Why do you think this baby is here in my hands?” Suzy said in glee, pointing at the opened folder.

“So, what’s the point?”

“The point is that my dear Yuri, Jae-hee had an impeccable taste in men. Which means whoever she had sex with was just as impeccable as her taste. Wanna see who that could be? There are few delicious choices in here.”

The older girl felt scared at her friend’s weird taste in men. She wanted them to bond over a series of hot killers? No thanks.

“No.” Yoona said, shaking her head. “You seriously have a messed up kink regarding these ‘delicious choices’. I’m not interested.” She continued, standing up on her feet.

“Honey, you haven't experienced the dark, steamy side of the world of guns. So women up and sit down.” The younger girl pressured, tugging down on Yoona, forcibly. The force of the little tug, sent the older girl spiralling down onto her bottom.

“Ya!” Yoona shrieked but was ignored by the younger girl.

Suzy threw a smirk in Yoona’s direction before she opened her mouth to recite the names of the killers like an intimate, sex broadcast on a radio.

Yeah, she was that crazy.

“Suspect number one: Do Kyung-soo. Code name is D.O. Height is unknown and DOB is unknown. His occupation is being a freelance hot-headed assassin. He has a body count of 256 people including both women and children. He fights with his hands and bites with his mouth. Known to be very brutal with his victims and has a large thirst towards sex. He’s the maniac elf that even the local law enforcement can’t control.” Suzy read off the folder as Yoona sighed in defeat. She made herself comfortable on the stairs before glancing at the photo of the man that her friend was so intimately reading about.

“The guy looks normal to me.” Yoona commented, not feeling any kind of attraction from the young-ish looking boy. “He’s a bit cute, but not cute enough.”

“You hardly feel anything towards any boy, sweetheart.”

Yoona forced a smile back in her friend’s direction. If only her friend knew about the lost boys from her past.

“So, who’s next?”

Suzy gave a bright smile to Yoona. She patted the older girl in affection before flipping the page to the next person.

“Suspect number two: Kwon Ji-yong. Code name: G-dragon. He’s a sniper, mainly works for the local gang called ‘Big Bang’. But it says here, he’s known to have involved in various assassinations of high profile victims. He’s a bit old for our age but still, he has an impeccable taste in women. Who knows Jae-hee might have fucked him before she departed to hell.”

Yoona looked closely at the picture. The guy looked a bit familiar. Or was it his eyes that reminded her of someone?

“Wait...” she said slowly, letting an old memory resurface. “Isn’t he—”

“Yup. The one and only.” Suzy nodded, cutting her off with a wicked smirk. “Jae-hee must have been one lucky girl to bang one of the most wanted criminals in the world.”

Kwon Ji-yong, AKA the G-dragon, was one of the snipers who was involved in the assassination of Donald Trump, the deceased president of United States of America. The attack took place an year ago. Upon deeper investigations, it was revealed that a series of snipers and killers were hired to kill the president. It was a month of horror for all of Americans and the president himself. There were so many attacks, so many explosions, the streets were flooded with criminals trying to get to the 73 year old man. But in the end, it was the two Asian killers who managed to cut the old man off. And Kwon Ji-yong was one of those Asian killers. The only one who had his face plastered on every news channel.

“Wow..” Yoona gaped at the new information.

“I know right? When I saw him, I had the same reaction.” Suzy commented, running her fingers through the photo. “Too bad he's a wanted criminal. I would have loved to bang this beauty.”

Yoona cringed at the cliche.

“He has a tattoo.” She offered, trying to get Suzy’s glazed eyes off the photo. “A large insect tattoo.”

“So he does.” Her friend teased with a devilish smirk.

“And multiple ear piercings.”

“So he does.”

“He’s not good. He’s bad.”

“Doesn’t matter to me.” Suzy countered with another smirk. “After all, bad boys are known to bring the heaven to you.”

Yoona groaned at her friend’s infatuation with criminal boys. The very first year into their friendship, Yoona had discovered the crazy obsession of bad boys that lives inside the younger girl. It peeked out from time to time whenever the younger girl’s sexual frustration increased, which by the way was a lot of times. Maybe that’s why the 24 year old was no longer a virgin. The pure innocence was lost in a dark, steamy one night stand three years ago.

“You’re still stuck on that boy, aren’t you?” Yoona questioned when she saw Suzy fingering the little trinket in her neck. It was a little necklace piece shaped into a Bluebell, hanging dangerously close to her round cleavage. It always makes a bell like noise whenever it was moved by her fingers or her olive skin.

“Who?” Suzy asked, snapping out of her glazed look. She was still fingering the little necklace.

“You know... that tall, steamy, purple-haired sex god who let you ride him for hours and hours.” Yoona teased, finally enjoying the moment.

A small hue of red appeared on Suzy’s cheeks. Her lips curled into a small smile as a warm feeling entered her chest.

Yoona chuckled at the blushing young girl. That boy must have been very special to cause the great Bae Suzy to blush like a little girl.

“Hush... stop laughing. It’s not funny. We’re going off topic!” Suzy exclaimed, flicking at Yoona’s obvious giggling state. “Yuri, Stop!” The younger begged. “We have to focus on Jae-hee!”

“Oh come on!” Yoona whined, flicking at the folder. “I’m more interested in your steamy one night stand than this folder full of lazy criminals.” The words caused Suzy’s ears to turn red. “Come on, let me do the honours.”

A terrified look appeared in Suzy’s eyes. Before the younger girl could react, Yoona had already snatched the folder out of Suzi’s fingers before throwing it over the railings. It clattered down the small, narrow gap quietly before a loud thump was heard indicating that the thick file has touched down on the ground floor.

Suzy gaped at her friend’s actions before looking down the railings. Yoona followed the same movements, only to discover the large heap of flying papers still descending down the stairs slowly due to the air and their light weight. The black folder itself was lying limply on the bottom floor like a dead man.

“Y-you just... oh my god!” Suzy couldn’t form the words. She looked so shocked that Yoona tried not to look too guilty. Looks like her habits of being unpredictable were acting up again. “That was Ji-soo’s file you dumb child! I was gonna put it back. But now it’s...”

“Don’t worry, she’ll just think it’s lost like the ARIA files.” Yoona shrugged before pulling the younger girl away from the railings. “Now tell me more about your knight in the shinning armour.”

It’s funny how Yoona changed her mood so quickly. A moment ago she wanted nothing more than to run away from Suzy’s constant prodding into her dead boss’s case and now, she wanted nothing more than Suzy to tell her about the dreamy boy she encountered in her euphoric adventures three years ago. She didn’t even care about the giant stairwell that was now flooded with colourful photographs and Korean paperwork outlining the details of a very sensitive case around America and South Korea. Something that could put a lot of people in a tight spot.

“Please?” Yoona begged, trying not to cringe at herself. Suzy looked tormented between her friend and the file on the bottom floor. After few seconds, she sighed in defeat.

“Why do you want to know so much about my man, lady?” Suzy countered, not liking the sudden interest.

Yoona grinned to herself. I’m interested because then you will forget about that stupid murder case and not give me anymore of those painful headaches that I’m already dealing with. She played the words in her mind.

“Because I love a good romantic story.” She beamed at the younger girl. Lies. I hate romantic stories. They always end up with a sad ending. Like mine did.

“Fine.” Suzy agreed, still giving her friend a suspicious look. She clapped her hands before opening her mouth to recite the memorable night once again. But before she could, a loud noise from down below interrupted them. They both panicked as they heard a hoard of footsteps making up the staircase.

With no time to think, they sprinted out of the same fire exit door that they originally came through, just barely escaping the steely eyes of the eldest Lee child who was sprinting up the stairs to find the person who stole the files from his sister’s desk.

He grumbled when he couldn’t find anyone and stared hopelessly at the mess of photos and papers that covered the stairwell, revealing the origins of his illegal sources.

“Fuck.”

*******

“—it has now been confirmed that the missing vital organs of the girls found dead earlier in Chinatown, are up on the black market to be sold to the highest bidder. The local police force are trying to trace the source of origin, but nothing has been found yet. With this new killing spree, young girls are advised to stay in their homes until the culprit has been arrested. The death of these girls has raised awareness issues around—”

“I can’t believe he actually did that.” Jongin commented as he grimaced at the graphic pictures being displayed on the large TV. His elder brother who sat beside him also looked uncomfortable. “Hyung, you should keep him in South Korea. He’s too brutal for America.”

“I wish I could, Kai. But I might have pissed him off real bad this time.” Minseok admitted as he shivered at the screams he heard that day. He was a member of the mafia too. He has seen his fair share of murders and has indulged in various killings but bangtan?... Bangtan is on a completely different level compared to him. They were ruthless and crazy-minded.

“Where is he now?”

“Honestly speaking... I don’t know.” Minseok replied with a shake of his head. He exhaled loudly and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I have a feeling he’s still here, lurking around somewhere in the city.”

A tensed silence passed through them. Their body tensed up at the thought of their cousin still roaming around somewhere in the city. It’s dangerous for that guy to be here. The man had the most unstable mind in the group despite being the oldest and most responsible. He was an obsessed freak.

“This is too depressing for my liking.” The younger joked. Minseok couldn’t help but smile at the lame joke.

“Yeah, it is.”

There was a small pause between them, before Jongin spoke again.

“I wish Chen hyung was here. I miss him.”

The words were quiet and faint to the normal ears, but with minseok’s enhanced hearing, he heard every syllable. He also heard the painful longing that was hidden behind the tone. He looked at his youngest brother with a sad smile.

Kim Seokjin wasn’t the only one who had lost his love that night. Minseok had lost one of his little brothers that day. Kim Jongdae. He usually went by ‘Chen’. He was assigned as a bodyguard for the lovely Lee Yoona, swearing and dedicating his life to protect the girl who has once saved him when he was little.

“I miss him too, bud.” Minseok replied with the same tone. He really wanted his little brother back. But it was too late. The cheerful, playful boy was gone. He died that night, taking three shots to the chest for the very girl he was trying to protect.

Unknown to the Kim family, somewhere back in their home country, in a dark, dirty cell, a man laid on the floor, whimpering from the recent torture he has just received. His face was half burnt. His body was filled with numerous scars and painful wounds. He was shaking on the cold floor as he cried himself to sleep, thinking of only one thing. His brothers.

*******

“That was a close call.”

Yoona couldn’t agree more. She was slumped down onto her soft, leathery chair, relaxing as she closed her eyes and thought about the unexpected getaway she was involved in few hours ago. All thanks to Suzy of course.

The older girl glared at the younger girl who was invading her cubicle like a tall tree. Suzy’s eyes were focused on Yoona’s slumped state. After their hurried escape, they had separated into different directions, promising to meet up after the coast was clear.

“How can you be so relaxed, Yuri? We nearly got caught this morning!” Suzy whispered-yelled in a low voice. She was sitting on Yoona’s desk, a pile of papers acting as her cushion underneath her curved butt.

“The only thing I care about is that we escaped. And the fact that I will never let myself be kidnapped by you again.” Yoona muttered, poking a tongue out at the younger girl.

Her friend pouted.

“Oh come on!” Suzy whined. “We both know you were enjoying it.”

“Correction. You were enjoying it, I wasn’t. I was miserable.”

Wrong move.

“Fine, then be miserable forever.” The younger girl hissed before jumping off the table and leaving the workspace.

Yoona shook her head in disappointment. She was used to Suzy’s unexpected angry tantrums. Rubbing her head in complete tiredness, Yoona stood up and made her way to the furthest water station that served cold water and some cold ice cubes. Something that she truly needs to soothe the pain in her head.

Despite her bruises being healed, she still felt her body ache from time to time. The lack of a nutritional diet and her constant voyages of skipping meals produced sudden headaches and body weaknesses inside her. It sometimes affected her health in a bad way, but it doesn’t faze her even one bit. She’s careless with her existence. It’s something she has tried to work on but she never had the right motivation.

“Ahh... this feels nice.” She mutters to herself. The small bag of ice cubes was now placed against her forehead as she sipped onto the cold water quietly. The coldness from the bag was seeping into her skin, soothing the hot pain that penetrated her forehead like fire. She wanted nothing more than to fall asleep right here and then. But something stopped her.

A loud voice echoing behind her.

“ENOUGH!”

The loud volume of the voice was enough to tell her that it was coming from the nearest cabin which turned out to her uncle’s. Putting her makeshift ice bag and the water cup down, she walked further down the corridor that led to her uncle’s cabin. The curiosity cat inside her was bubbling to know the reason behind the loud voice. Her body shook in nervousness as her feet led her to a slightly ajar door. She stepped a bit closer and peaked through the small open space.

Her cousin Ji-Soo was crying as she held her right cheek with her hand. The tears that tickled down the younger girl’s face almost made Yoona regret her decision to eavesdrop. It was then her eyes travelled to the fuming figure that stood like an angry bull, pointing his angry, blazing eyes at his own daughter.

“Do you see this, Ji-Soo?” The man screeched, holding a stack of papers in her cousin’s face. “This means that someone transferred the property on their name, leaving us with no authorities over ARIA. They took possession of our one of the largest money making revenues in America. Do you know how it could affect our reputation here? Or back home? We will be mocked!”

Yoona griped the door frame a bit harder. She wasn’t surprised at the news, considering the disappearance of the property files was a dead giveaway, but she did feel a bit disappointed though. It doesn’t matter if Lee Enterprise is being controlled by her uncle right now. The company is still part of her family’s legacy. Any losses that it faces, it affected her directly. She had a sense of duty towards it. ARIA was one of the true blessings to their company. It brought a good fortune to them. So, loosing the property was a big disappointment to her.

“Appa, I swear it wasn’t my fault. I had no idea.” The younger girl whimpered as Yoona felt a pang of guilt hit her. She felt an urge to hug the girl. Despite her younger cousin’s hatred towards her, Ji-Soo was still her partially blood sister. Whether she admits it or not, they were related by blood. So, when her uncle raised her hand to hit Ji-Soo again, Yoona’s heart clenched at the sight. She held herself back from entering just in time to see another tall figure blocking the raised hand.

Taemin.

Her oldest cousin. The brother who fiercely loved his sisters except Yoona. He stood over Ji-Soo like a protective tiger.

“It wasn’t her fault.” He said firmly, gazing into the man’s eyes who gave him birth. Yoona bit her lip in silence. She felt jealous that her younger cousin is so lucky to have such a protective brother on her side. It nearly made her miss her dead sister who promised to stay by her side forever too.

“You of all people should know that Ji-Soo would never do this, dad. The files were stolen. It’s not her fault.”

The elder man huffed angrily at his son. He exhaled loudly before returning back to his seat.

Yoona felt a bit awkward standing there. She was about to move away is when her cousin’s next words stopped her.

“I know who did this.” His voice was laced with venom. “I know who stole the papers and sold them to a bidder.” There was a forced silence in the air, before he spoke again. “The Kim Industries.”

A sudden chill went down Yoona’s back. She lost the ability to breathe for a second. It’s been years since she had heard that name.

“Don’t be ridiculous. They all died that night.” Her uncle countered, grumbling to himself.

“No, not them. Their extended family. Kim Minseok.”

Yoona felt her eyes water at the familiar name. Minseok was one of the supposed brother she had when everyone was still alive. He took care of her just like her older sister. But after that night, he never got in contact with her. She figured either the man didn’t know she was alive or he hated her for killing his brothers. Four members from the Kim family died that night. It was enough for anyone to hate her, considering they all died protecting her.

“He’s been inactive for years, son.” The eldest Lee said, resting his head on his chair. Yoona could see Ji-Soo cowering in her spot on the fancy couch. “He’s an emotional mess due to his brothers deaths.”

Guilt hit Yoona like a wave of water. Was the man she considered as her older brother was really messed up due to his brothers deaths? Does that mean he hates her?

“Kim Minseok has been very much involved with everything we have neglected, dad.” Taemin’s voice echoed through the small gap. “He’s been eating off our hands without a blink from us. I just discovered his little projects.” A slam of a heavy folder sounded among the room. “He has been gambling in the mafia since the very beginning, staying under the radar to avoid us. All the projects we have been involved in, his company, Kim industries, has been snagging them one by one. And ARIA is one of them. Even after those little bastards are dead, their family line still continued to dominate us.”

The 26 year old felt her fingers grip the doorframe tightly.

“How far off is he?” There was a thick tension radiating from the room. Everything had gone so quiet suddenly.

“Far enough to topple down the lowest of our rank in the circle.”

The circle. Yoona has heard about them before. A mysterious group of leaders. The term has come up in many of her uncle’s secret conversations when she had accidentally stumble upon them. Like today.

There was a silence in the room before something creeked and the door she was leaning on, swung open, toppling her balance and crashing her down to the floor. She groaned slightly at the pain. That was until someone gripped her hair and dragged her into the room.

She bit onto her lips from screaming out.

“We have a pest here, dad.” Yoona gulped as she recognised the harsh voice of her oldest cousin. Her luck has finally ran out. “Let’s teach her a little lesson.”

Squeezing her eyes shut, she waited for the fateful slap that would grace her cheek... but after a minute of waiting, it never came. She slowly opened her eyes to see what was happening.

Taemin’s raised hand was being blocked off by another arm. The arm that was covered in a stripy grey suit with the finest material known to mankind. Only one person in the family has a taste for rare things. Her uncle.

“Leave her.” Her uncle’s firm voice cut through the thick silence. Both of his children stood gaping at the man. As for Yoona, she was surprised and shocked to hear the words. Lee Sung-Woo has never defended Yoona before. Her uncle was the one who gave his wife and children permission to torment her with verbal, physical and mental abuse. He let them break her down into bits as he watched from his throne quietly, not giving any care to his beaten and bruised niece. So, why now?

“But dad—”

“I said, leave her.” The older man repeated the words with a dark undertone to his voice. His son shivered before dropping his hand to his side. Yoona glanced at her eldest cousin, only to see him glaring at her. Something told her that she was still in the danger zone.

The elder Lee turned to face her, his light brown eyes boring into her dark ones.

“Get up, Yoona. I have a job for you.” He said, giving her a genuine smile that raised red flags in her head. His face showed the kind features he had mastered over the years while his eyes reflected his true intentions towards her.

Still stunned by his words, Yoona didn’t move from her position on the ground. She still sat on her knees, dress ruffled at places and hair pulled out into a messy hodgepodge due to her eldest cousin’s tight grip on her.

A sudden pain enveloped her when the same man applied a bit of strain onto her escaping roots, causing her to whimper softly.

“Don’t push your luck, pest.” She clenched her jaw at his words, holding herself back from bitting at him. It will sign her an eternity of pain if she ever did.

Slowly but surely, the 26 years old beauty picked herself up from the floor. She stood on her feet with shaky legs as her uncle walked back to his leather chair in the middle of the room.

“I won’t ask you how much you have heard because I know you have heard everything.” The male spoke, rubbing his hands together. “And frankly, it’s a good thing you know this now.” Yoona was puzzled by his words. “Do you remember Minseok?” She nodded which earned her a small laugh from him. “He always stuck around you and your sister like a magnet.”

Yoona bit her lips. Was he mocking her?

By now, she has been forcibly pushed onto a chair, across from her uncle’s table.

“Do you know he hates you?” Her body stiffened. “I bet this vendetta he has going on against Lee Enterprise is because of you. I mean, you were the reason for the death of his brothers after all. How can he not hate you?” Yoona felt a chill run down her back at those words. Her chest ached at the idea of Kim Minseok hating on her. She knew he did, but it hurts a lot when someone say that to her directly. “You very well know who was the target that night.” Yes, she knew. Yoona was the target. Lee Yoona and her older sister. The offspring of the current Lee family.

“And you know why he—” Before he could continue, Yoona cut him off with her hand banging on the dark polished table.

“You don’t need to tell me the past because I know what happened.” She hissed, trying to keep her tears at bay. “I know they died because of me. What do you actually want, uncle?”

A sudden pull on her hair was enough to know that his bratty children are acting up again. She could feel the long nails behind this one. It has to be her darling female cousin.

“Let her go, Ji-Soo.”

“But appa...”

“Let. Her. Go.” The younger child growled before letting go of Yoona’s hair. The 26 year old was surprised at the sudden change in her younger cousin’s behaviour. One moment she was crying and the second she’s on her feet like a wild cat, ready to tear her apart.

“What do you want from me?” Yoona demanded after a full minute of silence.

Traces of a faint smile appeared on her uncle’s lips. He pulled something out of his nearest cabinet and slapped it down onto the table infront of her. She stared at it blankly. It was a large yellow envelope about the size of an A4 page.

“I want you to go on a little trip for me. It’s indefinite of course.” He pointed to the envelope. “All your tickets, identity papers and everything else is in that envelope. You are going to be starting a new life. A new name, a new look and a new identity. Congrats Yoona, you are the new executive director of Lee Enterprise for the Korean branch. You’re going back home.”

“What?!” Three different voices in the room screamed, and Yoona was one of them.

“What do you mean?” She asked, stunned at the words he just blurted out.

His children were also looking at him in shock. Ji-soo’s hand was curled around a nearby couch pillow while Taemin’s fist was turning white due to the pressure he was applying on the chair next to Yoona.

The 26 year old flinched when the leather of the chair curved inwards at the raw strength. She looked at her uncle in obvious shock and fear.

“We need a new person to take the position. It been chaotic in our home country. Since you are practically useless to me right now, I have assigned you as the acting head. The position is yours to work with.”

“What—No!” Ji-Soo said in outrage. “That’s my position! How could you just give it to her?”

“I don’t need to explain my reasons to you, Ji-Soo.”

“But appa—” the girl looked appalled at her father.

“Leave my office. Both of you. Now.” The direct order was cold and piercing to his children’s hearts. The man who had never raised his voice on his kids, unless they did something wrong, is choosing their dirty cousin over them.

When Yoona heard the loud slams of the cabin’s door, she lifted her eyes up to the old man.

“Let’s talk in peace, shall we?”

********

Meanwhile, miles away from America and right into the heart of South Korea, a dark figure, clad in the most darkest attire of an assassin, battled his way through a crowd of armed men as his silver blade pierced through their bodies one by one. With each duck and with each stroke of his blade, blood spilled out onto him like splashes of water. The oncoming rain from above hit him like bullets as he rolled on the wet pavement and slashed at yet another men. His clothing that was designed in the most expensive polymer, tightened around his lean figure as he bent, jumped and rolled under various stalls to avoid the oncoming slaughter of the real bullets, aimed directly at his prominent limbs.

“Ya, hyung!” A childish voice whined from behind him. “Hurry up and save me already. I’m hungry!” A young boy said, jingling the silver metal cuffs on his wrist. He was sitting on a nearby stall, sucking onto a lollipop as armed men surrounded him.

The boy was unfazed by the ring leader who tried to make him cower in fear.

“Pali, Pali hyung!” He whined again when the ring leader tried to take away his lollipop. “Ya! You little cockroach, let go of my lollipop or I swear I’ll stuff your butthole with them.”

The assassin who was in the middle of a trio fight, shook his head in annoyance. He bent and rolled on the ground, letting his blade do the work instead.

“Aish.. this kid.” He muttered to himself before throwing one of his trusty knives at the grubby hands of the ring leader. The old, puggy man screeched in pain as his right hand is pierced by a pointy blade in the shape of a Star. “Stay the fuck away from my brother’s lollipop!”

The said brother smiled and continued to suck on the juicy blob of sugar.

Another minute passed, and the assassin’s enemies has decreased in numbers. Bodies piled up the wet pavement as the last of the armed men fell to the ground with a sliced neck. The only one remained was the puggy ring leader and his two trusted men.

“Daebak! Hyung, your awesome!” The younger boy cheered, clapping his cuffed hands together like a teenage Pom Pom girl. His light brown hair also bounced as he jumped up and down.“I feel so proud. My hyung is the best!”

The said hyung scoffed. He has heard that line several times from the younger boy on many different occasions.

“You say the same thing to others, Jungkookie.”

“No, I don’t.” The boy lied, giving the elder a huge, innocent pout. The tongue that has now turned blue due to the lollipop he has been sucking, lapsed around his puffy lips like a little boy. “Pali, Pali! Save me and let’s go for dinner.” He whined again, pouting his lips and widening his doe-eyes.

“Aish...” The said assassin grumbled before raising his sword like a true ninja. He grit his teeth and charged at the last remaining set of men.

A minute later, all three them fell lifelessly on the ground with broken limbs. The younger bunny boy cheered, jumping on the stall like a little kid.

“Yay! Let’s go for hotdogs now!”

The assassin clad in black huffed and wiped his sword clean with his sleeves. He stashed it back into its holster behind him before tugging on his younger brother’s metal cuffs and pulling him off the stall with one hard pull.

The said boy stumbled to his feet before landing on the wet pavement with a thud. His pretty, child-like face turned into a scowl as he felt the rain water seep into his black pants.

“Hyung!” He exclaimed angrily.

“This is the only favour I’m doing for you, Jungkookie” The assassin said in a husky voice as he removed his face mask. He pulled his hood back, revealing a nest of dark orange hair. “Go back home or I’ll dob on you. Next time you get kidnapped by goons, fight your way out. Don’t call me for help.”

“But it’s fun watching you fight.” The boy whined innocently. But he stopped when he noticed his hyung’s narrowed eyes. “Fine. Whatever.”

And with that he pulled himself up on his feet, discarding the metal cuffs on the ground with no help. His hands swiped another lollipop out of his pocket before he skipped away, throwing a simple smirk over his shoulders.

“I swear I’m going to skewer him one day.” The assassin mumbled before shaking his head. Who is he kidding? The bright, sunny angel inside him would never let the dark ninja kill his maknae.

Stupid brotherly bonds.

Tag List: @demonic-meatball, @youtube-obsessed-duh, @trinityautumn, @original-internetmonster, @seoul9711, @jinniesjoon94

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royallyprincesslilly · 5 years ago

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Title: Rumor Has It

Chris Evans x Famous Reader Uriah “Riah” Tyler

Warning: Cursing

Word Count: 1.7K

Summary: Inspired by a video of Chris and his co-star Ana De Armas on their press tour for Knives Out at where she kept touching his chest and face standing about five inches apart while talking to him. This was not asked for, just something I thought up because of it. Also, I don’t know what this is. LOL

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Come on, Riah; you need to be in front of that camera in five!” Your personal assistant/ cousin, Zora's voice, was loud as hell.

You rolled your eyes and walked out the bathroom where you were checking your messages trying to get some time to yourself. It had been a long ass day. You’d been awake since four in the morning, and it was nearing six, and still, you were doing this photoshoot. When you walked into the room you passed the wall-mounted flat-screen TV to get to your makeup artist/best friend, Kizzy. You glanced at the TV as you sat down and did a double take.

“Turn that up.”

“You saw it here first guys. This is exclusive footage caught by someone on the set. This is Chris Evans and his co-star Ana De Armas who he stars with in their new movie Knives Out. As you can see, Ana is touchy-feely. She touches his chest several times before his face and beard. Onlookers on the set said the two laughed and joked nonstop and had an easy sort of air around them, an air similar to those who’ve either been best friends for life, married or who’ve been intimate. As you guys know Ana and Chris have said they didn’t know each other before filming of this movie, so that leaves two other possibilities,” Harvey gossiped on the Thursday evening episode of TMZ.

“I mean, does it really? The guy is married to none other than fashion model turned actress Uriah Tyler. So, we know that he and Ana aren’t married,” Shavonne, another commentator at TMZ added with her hand out to say, “hold on now.” She was the only black girl there.

“That only leaves one other possibility,” Dax reported. You knew all their faces well. You’d spent some time becoming familiar with them from your PR team when you were single, so you knew who to throw fat ass lawsuits to when need be. They all gave each other the eye as if they were implying something.

The video played again on a loop, and your eyes zeroed in on her hands and every touched seared into your memory. “What the fuck? Riah, are you seeing this shit?” You held up your hand to silence her and leaned closer to watch the video again. The commentary of the asses at TMZ was working your nerves. If one wasn’t flat out insinuating that your husband Chris was fucking this woman they were hinting at it. Looking at the video it looked suspicious as hell.

“Don’t jump to conclusions Riah, it’s a gossip show, and they always blow things out of proportion. Take a beat and think clearly,” Zora cautioned trying to reason with your logical side, the side that knew what it was like to be in the public eye. The side that knew shows and mags liked to cause problems where there weren’t any just for ratings and copies sold. You heard her, you did, but you also had eyes and what you saw before you was not platonic. What you saw before you was a plain as day sign that something didn’t meet the eye.

You jumped out your seat, grabbing your phone from the table before you and scrolled through to your husband’s contact and hit the green dial button. Pacing the room, you pressed the phone to your ear and waited for him to pick up. One ring, two rings, three rings. After the fourth ring, you were pissed beyond belief.

“Hey, this is Chris you got the beep you know what to do. I’ll get back to ya when I can.”

The tone sounded, and you squeezed the phone. You desperately wanted to cuss him the fuck out, but you also didn’t want to get loud and ignorant in this room knowing outside there were countless set workers. You loudly groaned. “Christopher Robert Evans, what the actual fuck am I watching right now? What the fuck is this? I can’t believe this shit!” Your words were tight and controlled though you felt anything but. Ending the call, you bent, rested your hands on your knees and took a few breaths.

“Riah, calm down. Looks can be deceiving,” Zora added.

You wanted to say some slick shit. This was not the first time you’d seen some shit with him and his female co-stars. There was Scarlett, but that was before you guys got together. There were even rumors about him and his Defending Jacob co-star. It seemed wherever your husband went the thirsty ass women followed and didn’t know where the fucking line was drawn. He was a fucking married man. Then the thought hit you that they are half the problem; it is your husband’s responsibility to stop the pussy train from trying to make him a passenger. That made you even angrier.

The knock to your door signaled you had to get your ass to the call spot now. Standing you took a few final breaths and composed yourself. You didn’t want to give anyone any reason to gossip even more than necessary. When the doors opened, you walked out and down the hall with your head held high. Taking your spot in front of the decorated set you lowered your robe revealing the sexy designer gown you wore. As the shoot began you tried to remain as focused as possible, but you definitely weren’t on your A-game. Your heart was heavy.

~~~~~~~

By the time you made it home, it was after one in the morning. You were exhausted, and all you wanted was a bottle of wine, a hot bath and the dim-sum from the Japanese place in Beverly Hills. You walked through your dark house, past the modern and traditional mix decorations in the halls and to the kitchen. You didn’t need light to know where you were going. You and Chris had lived here for almost five years now, so you knew every nook and cranny with your eyes closed. Scanning the contents of the fridge you grabbed a bottle of your favorite Moscato and the leftover dim-sum.

While you waited for it to heat in the microwave, you opened the bottle of wine. When the food finished you made your way upstairs deciding against a glass. You knew you’d finish the entire bottle; there was no need to front like you’d only have one glass. You’d never been a “one glass of wine” type of girl. Why have one when the whole bottle was meant to be consumed?

Walking into your master bedroom you sighed, you could still smell him everywhere. He’d been gone for two weeks now, and still, his scent lingered. You walked into the ensuite and turned on the water to the giant tub and walked back into the room. Tossing your bag on one of the couches in the room you didn’t budge when your dead phone fell out. Usually, you’d have rushed to plug it in to get some juice, but you didn’t give a flying fuck about a phone right now.

Once you’d undressed, tied your hair up and made it back into the bathroom, the water was high enough. Turning it off you added some bath oils and three bath bombs before grabbing your favorite soap. Chris always said you smelled good enough to eat after you showered with it. So good that he usually always ended up spending half the night with his head buried between your thighs. When you sank into the hot water you sighed and stretched allowing your muscles to elongate. Reaching for the bottle of wine and took a few gulps before dropping your head back to the cushion.

Your head was still spinning from that stupid TMZ report. Shortly after you called Chris, your phone died. Zora made a move to charge it, but you fanned her off. You didn’t want to talk to him. What more could he say? You’d had this discussion before, not about Ana but other overtly friendly co-stars. He always said the same thing “it’s nothing, I’d never do that to you.” You believed him, believed him enough to marry his ass after four months traveling the world together after he finally took a break between Avengers films.

Everyone said four months wasn’t enough to build a whole lifetime together. Everyone said why rush, take your time, date. You and Chris always repeated the same thing; “When you know, you know.” You loved your husband, you loved him with everything in you, but you hated everything that he came with. In your career, you’d known fame and pressures from the tabloids but with your first line of work you weren’t hounded like crazy. It was only when you made a transition into acting after your wedding did that attention pick up. A huge part was because you were now Mrs. Chris Evans, thee Captain America, the almost lifelong bachelor. Apparently, there were plenty of bets he’d never get married and even more jokes that when he did every woman in the world dedicated a full ten minutes of silence as they wept. It was ridiculous.

You knew the rumors came with the territory, but you hadn’t been prepared for all of this. It was stressful. You groaned out loud and rubbed your forehead.

“He wouldn’t, right?” You doubled down on your guzzling of the wine and kissed your teeth. “Oh, I’m sure she would though.”

Focusing on a spot of color in the bathwater you scowled. “He wouldn’t throw away everything we’d built so easily, would he?” Realizing you were sitting there talking to yourself, you rolled your eyes and dropped your head back in frustration.

When you made it back into the bedroom, a few hours had passed, you decided against turning on the TV not wanting to see any more potentially upsetting stories. So, you sat in the bed and ate the dim-sum staring at Chris’ empty side. You tried not to wonder whose bed he was in tonight; if it was his own hotel bed or hers. By the time you finished the bottle of wine and the food, you’d pushed those thoughts aside and moved on to hopeful thoughts that your husband wasn’t a complete asshole and actually loved you. The last thought before you drifted off to sleep was that you were going to cut his dick off if even a single theory of yours was true.

#rumor has it fic #Chris Evans #chris evans fanfiction #chris evans x you #Chris Evans X black reader #chris evans x reader

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stellar-alley · 4 years ago

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Moonstone

•Chapter 7•

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

(Summary: The Losers have one Last Splash)

Shout out to my amazing writing partner @ _hannahisodd on Instagram for allowing me to bring her amazing artwork to life!

Also, don’t forget to check out my Instagram Stellar.Cosplays if you want to see more of me and what goes on in my life!

Shout out to my beta psychcticminds on Ao3 and psychtic.minds on Instagram!

The talk with his parents had been… hard. But in the end, they understood Richie’s craving to learn more about himself and his family. Andrea mentioned how dear of a friend Maggie was and how she’ll be over the moon to see her son again. That’s when it hit Richie that he would be meeting his biological parents… At that moment he looked at Andrea and Donald. They were his real parents, and nothing would change that.

Telling his parents, and Stan, that was one thing. Stan didn’t seem too surprised since he’s known Richie all his life. He’s grown used to Richie’s constant state of curiosity and demanding nature when it came to answers. So when Stan found Richie awkwardly loitering in the hallway, filled with anxiety about telling Stan the news, Stan simply wrapped Richie up in a hug and told him how he supported him no matter what he chose.

Yeah, telling the Losers was a different story.

Eddie’s mind was still trying to wrap around the information that Richie had just told them. I’m going to find my parents in The Dragon Lands. Everyone, except Eddie, gave different responses from “Wait really?!” to, “That’s so cool but I’m gonna miss you”. Eddie couldn’t get a single word out of his mouth.

They were all at the diner when Richie told them the news. Bill had just won yet another milkshake contest and Richie had ordered a second milkshake as he claimed “Cause I don’t know when Imma be getting myself another one of these!” he chimed in as he held up his cup.

The rest of The Losers followed suit, lifting up their cups towards the center of their semi-circle table. “To The Losers,” he proclaimed. “To the Losers,” they all cheered, but Eddie’s voice was just a little bit quieter than the rest of theirs…

Bill and Stan went off to the bathroom while Bev and Richie left to go smoke. Leaving Ben, Mike, and Eddie alone at the table while they finished their meals. Eddie kept his eyes on the half-eaten burger that laid before him, releasing yet another sigh. It caused Mike to pipe up, “Eddie you’ve sighed about 45- It was 45 right?” he nodded at Ben.

Ben pondered about it for a second then responded, “No… I counted 53.”

“Yeah, 53 times you’ve sighed and that’s only since we entered the diner,” Mike stated, but then his lips curled into a smirk, “I don’t even wanna think about how many times you’ve sighed today-”

“What’s your fucking point?” Eddie snapped.

Mike immediately shot back, not in an aggressive way but in his ‘This is important and I’m concerned’ friend way. “Eddie we’re worried!”

“Yeah you’ve been really distant today,” Ben pointed out, sympathy laced his voice.

“Oh… Sorry if my sighing ruined your day” Eddie rolled his eyes, put his elbow on the table, leaned on his hand, and looked away from them. “Mine has been pretty shitty,” He almost whispered.

That was all Mike needed to prove his point, “It’s Richie isn’t it? Cause he’s-”

“Don’t, okay? Fuck that’s all we’ve talked about since we heard the news. My boyfriend is leaving, fucking great alright, fan-fricken-tastic,” Eddie groaned, his heart twisting within his chest at the thought of Richie leaving.

Ben and Mike exchanged a glance. Without saying a word they both could tell they had to try to help Eddie. They both shuffled a little closer to Eddie, one on either side.

Ben spoke first, “I don’t even wanna begin to imagine what you’re going through-”

“Then don’t fucking try ‘cause it sucks,” Eddie fumed, his fingers curling into fists with all of his pent up anger.

“Let me finish,” Ben’s tone stayed the same, calm, supportive. “Just try and see it through Richie’s eyes. His entire life he’s been kept in the dark, he had to figure out all of his dragon side on his own. Do you know how hard that must’ve been for him? Being the only dragon born in the entire city probably. What if you were the only elf? Hmm?” He hummed in questioning. “Eddie, Richie doesn’t know how to fly, and he’s a dragon. He doesn’t even know how to control these new powers or whatever they are,” Ben pointed out.

Eddie’s heart twisted at that, his expression turning from anger to sadness.

“And now he finds out he’s a prince, of a whole kingdom. Of course he’s gonna wanna go back. How do we expect him to keep living his life in the dark when he has the chance to be in the light?” Ben paused when Eddie looked turned to look at him.

Mike continued, “He’s not leaving forever either, it’s Richie! He’ll be back, you of all should know how much of a pain in the ass he is to get rid of.”

That made Eddie chuckle, “Yeah, he is a pain in my ass,” he agreed.

“Did someone say my name?” Richie had a shit-eating grin plastered over his face as he approached the table with Bev in tow.

“Ah speak of the devil,” Eddie’s gut untwisted when he smiled up at Richie. Ben had slid out of the booth to talk to Beverly so Eddie sat on the edge and looked up at Richie.

Richie leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Eddie’s shoulders. He bent down and pressed his forehead on top of Eddie’s soft hair. After a moment passed he lifted his head up to look at Eddie, “Let’s do something tonight. I want one last night with my Eds.”

“Yeah of course- where?” Eddie asked.

Richie smirked, “I know a place.”

“Your roof? This is the place you want to take me on our last night together?!” Eddie whisper shouted at Richie who was standing outside his bedroom window, on the roof.

“Oh come on Eds! It’s sentimental,” Richie insisted.

“How the fuck is it-“

“What was it, 9, 10 years ago we came to this very spot when you guys came over for a sleepover! It was the first time I ever opened up to someone about constellations, and Lyra,” Richie’s voice grew serious as he recalled the memory.

Eddie stopped in his tracks, a wave of memories came back to him. “Oh…” his voice trailed off, “You’re right,” he realized.

Richie hummed, “yeah I know,” he flashed Eddie a half-smile. Richie reached his hands out, through the window and towards Eddie.

The elf glanced away but soon held his hands up to meet Richie’s. He allowed the dragon to lead him out of the room and onto the roof.

The lovers got comfortable on the roof. They cuddled up against each other, knowing that they won’t have that many chances to do this again before Richie left. The dragon had curled himself up into a ball, both of his arms were wrapped around Eddie’s torso with his head buried inside his chest.

Eddie had his cheek resting on top of Richie’s head, his legs all tangled up with the others with his arms wrapped around his chest.

Richie slowly lifted his head from Eddie's chest so he was able to look up at his boyfriend, “This isn't the end… You know that, right?” he asked quietly.

Eddie's eyes hardened as he remembered the hard truth of their reality, “Then why does it feel like it,” he said in a grim ton.

“Eds… You know I'd never abandon you, right?” Richie gasped when Eddie hesitated, “come on! We're Richie and Eddie, best pals, partners in crime, Losers and Lovers,” Richie tilted his head up and softly kissed Eddie's lips, “You know you mean the world to me, right? I'd go to the moon and still always come back to you,” he cooed.

Eddie chuckled, “You do like the moon,” he pointed out with a smirk as he kissed Richie back. “Write every day,” he softly demanded.

“My thoughts exactly. This won't be forever, I just need answers,” Richie whispered and kissed his boyfriend again.

He said he would only be gone a week or so, but for some reason, it felt different. They felt as if by Richie discovering his other side, he'd forget the side he always had. In the end, they wanted the best for him, and if that meant leaving them, then so be it. But he was still leaving nonetheless, and the Losers couldn't let him leave without a party.

“SURPRISE!” The 6 Losers exclaimed the moment Richie got down the ladder to the clubhouse.

Richie nearly leaped out of his own skin. “AH!” He screeched. “Jesus you scared the fucking scales off of me,” he sighed, catching his breath.

“What did you think we’d let you leave without a celebration?” Mike asked as he clapped a hand on Richie’s back.

“Yeah, we had to have one last splash with all seven of us,” Ben chimed in with a smile.

Richie’s heart warmed at the gesture, “Aw guys…” Richie sighed with love, “but you know I won’t be gone forever right?” Richie arched an eyebrow. His heart almost ached and how easily his friends thought he’d abandon them.

“But s-st-still! We wanted to wi-wish you good luck,” Bill chimed in.

“Yeah plus- when was the last time we threw a good party-?” Beverly asked. She was met by cricket sounds in the silence of the clubhouse, “Exactly!” She exclaimed, “So let’s just have a good fucking time,” she nodded.

And a good time they had.

Ben played one of his classic well picked playlists on the speakers of his boombox while the Losers ate their feelings away with the large assortment of food they all brought. They played cards and board games, traded stories and gossiped.

Richie and Beverly had stepped out for a smoke break when Bill called Beverly back inside. “Be right back,” She informed Richie before she climbed back down into the clubhouse.

“I’ll be here” Richie waved his half done cigarette as her red head disappeared. When he was finally left alone with his own thoughts, everything finally set in.

I’m leaving tomorrow, leaving The Losers, to go to the Dragon Lands, to find my birth parents…

He was snapped out of his thoughts when- “Hey Rich, come back down for a sec!” Ben called, his eyes poking out from the entrance to the clubhouse.

“Coming,” Richie called out. He dropped his cigarette butt onto the ground and smooshed it with the toe of his shoe, in hopes of not starting a forest fire. Then he made his way over to the open trap door of the Clubhouse and began his descent.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d like to present to you Richard Toizer-” Mike announced the moment Richie stepped onto the floor. “- The Prince of the Losers,” he declared.

Richie’s eyes went wide, he realized that the Losers were lining the entrance with big smiles as they all bowed down to him. He was momentarily shocked before he realized what was happening and of course he had to play along. “Oh yes! Thank you my loyal subjects for this kind greeting,” Richie waved in his best (worst) British accent.

When they all stood up again, Stanley stepped out of line to go retrieve something from his bag in the corner. When he returned he held one of those classic gold crowns you can buy from your local dollar store. The fake blue and red gems shined as Stanley straightened up.

“And he wouldn’t be a prince without his crown,” when he finally lifted his eyes, they were glossy as he held back tears. “Your Highness,” He said. The thought of Richie leaving caused his voice to become quieter than it had been.

Richie’s heart clenched at the sight of his brother, on the verge of tears, something that was very unlike Stan. Richie slowly approached Stan, tilting his head down once he stood in front of his brother.

Stan inhaled sharply, his hands shook lightly as they raised the crown up and carefully placed it upon Richie’s mess of dark curls.

When the crown was in place, Richie raised his head to meet Stan’s gaze, “How do I look?” He flashed his (slightly crooked) pearly whites.

“You look great, Rich,” Stan gave him a small, warm smile before he announced, “Your Prince, Richie, The Prince of The Losers.”

Word Count: 2053

Wow this is a lot shorter than I thought it'd be. But it is what it is, and I'm tired so it's gonna be a shorter chapter. Next chapter is gonna be an emotional one though so get ready!

Even this authors note is gonna be short cause that's all from me,

Until next time, as always

So Long and Goodnight

[Taglist]

@richietoaster @s-onora @that-weird-girl-blog @beproudtozier @ghostnebula @gen-s-stuff @bellarosewrites @s-s-georgie @lermanslogan @iamcupcakefrosting @madidraw @gazebobullshit @thoughtfullyyoungduck @aangzukos @ambitiousskychild @reddieonwheels @breadheadscorpius @derpyanimatesstuff

Let me know if you wanna be added to the tag list!

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hcllowcy · 5 years ago

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hey kids, as you can see i waited exactly five seconds before grabbing a third charcter 🤷‍♀️

[ ALYCIA DEBNAM-CAREY / KALLOS / PEITHO / MUSE 37 ] / [ BRYNN HOLLOWAY ] is a [ TWENTY-ONE ] year old [ FILM ] major. [ SHE ] is known for being [ CANDID and STOIC ] but [ HEADSTRONG and RETICENT ]. when i think of them, i imagine [ nails bitten down and covered with acrylics, dark under eye circles from too many all-nighters, blue light glasses on top of messy curls ]. and even though they’re a proud HU student now, we all have our roots. theirs run back to them being a [ MHP (TERRA) ] graduate. i asked around and it turns out they [ AREN’T ] an AOP student. in their interview, they managed to woo the admissions team by [ PRESENTING A FILM SHE WROTE/DIRECTED/STARRED IN/EDITED ]. i guess that’s all there is to know! unless…

basic info

full name: brynn karolina holloway

birth date: january 19th

pronouns: she/her

hometown: beverly hills, california

sexuality: bisexual (but in denial)

height: 5′6″

eye color: green

hair color: light brown

build: slender

tattoos: none

piercings: earlobes

style: classic and clean, very polished looking

favorite color: purple

favorite food: sushi

zodiac: capricorn sun, aquarius moon, scorpio rising

mbti: istp

hogwarts house: slytherin

enneagram: type 5 wing 4

temperament: choleric-phlegmatic

alignment: neutral evil

rambling mess of facts

SO THIS IS BRYNN the loml but don’t let her be the love of urs

she’s the definition of a latchkey kid

her mom’s an award winning actress and her dad’s an entertainment lawyer so they were always off somewhere for work, or if not for work then for one of the numerous affairs they’ve had over the course of their marriage

sometimes one parent would be home with her but it was rare for both to be home at the same time

and if they were both home at the same time, it was chaos

for whatever reason they always insisted on “family time” whenever they were all in the same city at the same time even tho her parents can’t stand each other, so usually it would just end up with a lot of yelling and broken shit

so basically she doesn’t believe in love lmao isn’t that typical ???

and when she does date (which isn’t often bc she hates people) she breaks it off before they can dump her first

bitch isn’t gonna let herself get hurt u know and she ALWAYS gets the last word

she started off as one of my few het muses but i’m too gay to actually play straight characters 🤷‍♀️

so yeah she’s bi but in denial

so personality wise she can be pretty chill if she likes u but if she doesn’t she’s gonna tell u straight up

doesn’t rly have a filter ????

loves stirring up shit she’s basically brunette tinkerbell

will walk around with non-alcoholic drinks or empty cups at parties so she can be in control of her actions, but also blame things on alcohol if she needs to

rly needs a hug but would never tell anyone that

would probably kiss ur boyfriend bc you looked at her the wrong way

has a pet kitty named sprinkles and she’s her best friend

she luvs dark comedies and horror movies more than any other genre (lowkey trash for teen slashers)

talk to her about good cinematography and she will automatically love u

her guilty pleasure tv shows are baking competitions tho (like cupc/ake wars, etc.)

doesn’t rly like social gatherings or clubs but will make an appearance

whenever she’s at parties her drink is non-alcoholic (secretly) bc she likes to remember everything so she can maintain control (but she can also pretend she was drunk if anything happens that she doesn’t want to own up to lol)

probably has like two (2) friends she hasn’t stabbed in the back

uhhhh some wanted connections ???

those two (2) friends she hasn’t stabbed in the back lmao

anyone she’s broken the heart of

flirtationship where they always teeter on the line of something more but neither of them wanna step over it

a girl from her adolescence that she had feelings for (possibly mutually???) but she’s DEFINITELY NOT INTO GIRLS WHAT

toxic on-again-off-again thing where they both KNOW they don’t work but they keep going back to what’s familiar (even if it always ends badly)

someone who makes her want to be a better person

someone who pushes her out of her comfort zone (they’d need to be extremely persuasive and patient bc she’s stubborn as ALL HELL)

a fellow film heaux

anyway that’s all xoxo gossip mels

#hatchet:intro #honestly why are all of my intros just a rambling mess of facts lmfao

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winchester90210 · 5 years ago

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The BH 90210 Rewrite. Bonus #2: The E! True HollyWood Story

Rewrite Masterlist

My work is not to be reposted and/or edited without my expressed written consent. (Reblogging is fine and encouraged!!)

Chapter Summary: E! News has made a documentary on you, following Shannen's. Although it may seem like the full story, remember-- media is still media and there's still things that need to be uncovered. Italics are the narration.

Warnings: mentions of drugs, addiction, sex, adultery, divorce, rumors, tabloids.

Word count: 2,500

A/N: Like the other bonus chapter, this isn't necessary for the rewrite itself, but will supply background knowledge for the reboot! Hope you guys enjoy :)

July 19th, 2008. E! True Hollywood Stories.

America's sweetheart. The girl who played with fire. An old interview of yours pops up on screen, from when you were promoting season 4 on 90210.

"Shannen's a lot more... headstrong than I am, for sure. She gets me in trouble from time to time," you laugh. Y/N Perry. She blew audiences away with her portrayal of Y/N Y/L/N on Beverly Hills, 90210. But she wasn't always the wholesome 90's starlet.

Jason Priestley, "Y/N was one of my best friends. I've never met anyone with a bigger heart." Her romantic and musical exploits made her a tabloid heavyweight. But her friendship with notorious bad girl Shannen Doherty was what made her a target. This is the story of Y/N Perry. The E! True Hollywood Story.

Y/N wasn't always the romantic we knew her to be, but that charming sparkle in her eye quickly became a trademark for her.

June 20th, 1972, Y/N was welcomed to James and Carol Clark's upper-class home.

A man, Kevin McLaren comes on screen with the title "Entertainment Journalist." He speaks, "Y/N was born into a catholic family in Columbus, Ohio, and they had her working in commercials by the time she was eight." Her family then located to Encino, California. From there she joined a Children's drama group where a talent agent immediately took notice. Not long after, she was introduced to TV star, Tom Selleck.

Mary Murphy, senior editor of TV guide, "Selleck sort of... discovered her. Her teacher at the theater group introduced them and he seemed to see something in her. He was her mentor, she really looked up to him. He even got her her first major acting job." She had a 3 year stint on Magnum P.I. as Carol Baldwin's spunky and outspoken niece. She later won the role of Diane Court in the 1989 classic Say Anything, opposite John Cusack which was what began her lift to stardom. The buzz from the romantic comedy hit veteran TV producer Aaron Spelling, who was currently auditioning actors for a new series.

Aaron Spelling, 1993, "We went through hell with casting. It took weeks to pick everyone out. Then, Tori came to me one night talking to me about the lead girl in Say Anything, Y/N Clark. She was telling me "She's perfect, you have to hire her." and I told her uh, we'll see." That show was Beverly Hills, 90210. And in February of 1990, Y/N landed the part of Y/N Y/L/N. But she had originally gone for a different part.

You, an Arsenio interview in 1995, "I was called in to read for Brenda at the beginning, Y/N Y/L/N didn't exist. I didn't get the part obviously, and I was totally crushed. But then a few weeka later my agent called me to let me know that they had written a new character, and they wanted me to play the part. This was after they had filmed the two part pilot, which was why I'm in the second episode." The cast included several unknown actors, including Spelling's daughter Tori, Jennie Garth, Ian Ziering, Luke Perry, Jason Priestley, and established actress and Y/N's soon-to-be best friend, Shannen Doherty. The cast bonded immediately. And while Y/N would continue to become closer with the entire cast, she was instant best friends with Doherty, both of them bonding over their similar family lives and careers.

On October 4th, 1990, Beverly Hills 90210 premiered on the fledgling Fox network. The series clicked immediately with teen audiences, and so did the hot young cast. 17 year old Y/N Clark was center stage. She was a magnet for paparazzi, but she didn't understand how wanted she truly was until leaving a night club with Tori Spelling and Shannen Doherty one night, when they were immediately surrounded. The night was heavily publicized-- magazine covers and gossip columns.

You, 1992 at the red carpet with Tori and Shannen for the MTV Video Music Awards, "Just don't believe everything you read, tabloids are nasty and they only want to twist the truth and bring out the worst in people. They'll dig anywhere they can to get something that shows in the worst light possible." 90210 was becoming the most famous zip code in the country. You, 1992, sitting down for a casual interview on Howard Stern, "I don't think anyone expected the show to take off like it did. No one is quite used to it yet, at least I'm definitely not. On one hand, the attention is flattering and I'm grateful for all the love, but on the other... it's definitely a little scary." 90210 originally centered around the Walsh Family as they tackled their new surroundings. But as the show carried on, it turned into an ensemble show.

Mary Murphy, "They all had different opinions about the switch. Shannen was definitely happier when every episode was going to be about Brandon, Brenda, and Y/N. She didn't like the shift in attention at all, and she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Y/N, though, wanted to keep to herself and was willing to go where the show took her, wherever that was." During the very beginning of the first season, Clark would become infatuated with castmate Luke Perry, but he immediately rejected her, due to her being barely 18 at the time. Things heated up later for her though, when she and Jason Priestley began dating near the end of filming the first season.

Tori Spelling, for the documentary, "Y/N and Jason were so crazy about each other. It was so sweet. If you ever look at behind the scenes stuff from the show, they're all over each other. I think their chemistry really translates on screen, and that's what made Y/N and Brandon so great."

You, the Today Show, "Our relationship was so wholesome. I was so in love with him. I had been eighteen for a while and he'd just turned 20 or 21, we were total babies back then!"

Jason, "I remember the night we got together. She'd been flirting with uh, Brian-- Brian Austin Green the entire night, it was a cast Christmas party and I was grumpy, unbelievably grumpy. And I couldn't figure out why. Ian Ziering had to pretty much spell it out for me because everyone else knew why and they were pretty fed up. I was head over heels for her from the start."

They would continue to date for almost five years. But romancing Priestley and befriending Doherty would prove to be an unlucky combination for her.

Joe E. Tata, 2001, "When the tabloids got ahold of her and Jason, they had a field day. They followed them on dates, to clubs. Everywhere." Shannen and Y/N continued to fuel the fire with non-stop partying and clubbing.

Kevin McLaren, entertainment journalist, "After working non-stop since she was a child and being 21 and newly exposed to things like drugs, alcohol, sexual freedom, she certainly fell prey to it all." 1993 was just on the horizon. But little did she know it would become her most dramatic year yet.

Charles Rosin, producer of 90210, "We do know, during 90210, when there was a lot of coverage on the tabloids that we had people in our own crew spreading stories and feeding them information."

Jason Priestley, 2001, "It was horrible. We felt so violated. I remember Y/N/N being absolutely destroyed. And that made me feel awful, because there was nothing I could do, nothing she could do. We had to sit there and take it all."

Clark would continue to be slammed with press, her partying habits only elevating as the tabloids became more and more vicious. Rumors of her being pregnant with other castmates babies, cheating on Jason Priestley, sex tapes, and an oxycodone addiction.

You, filming an MTV interview, 1998, "Media loves to make you and break you. They build you up, and they tear you down twice as hard. It's... ridiculous. But it comes with the job description, I guess. For a while I just felt like I couldn't do anything right." Her frequent club nights came to a crashing halt, as Jason Priestley became fed up with it, and managers and agents became worried of her further tarnishing of her good girl image.

Jennie Garth, "Her and Jason were a real fireball together. Jason adored her, so when he saw her start to spin out of control he gave her an ultimatum. Either she settles down and stays away from the party scene, or he leaves. She was crazy in love with him, so she had no other choice." But her image and her drama didn't stop her from bonding closely with yet another co-worker. Luke Perry. Despite being rejected early on, Y/N maintained a friendly close relationship with Luke and as those two became closer, so did their characters.

Heidi Parker, Playboy, "Y/N, Jason, and Luke were very close. Although Y/N got along with everyone, those boys loved her, and she loved them. It was a really strong, intimate friendship. Despite Jason and Y/N being in love, that didn't stop people from insisting Luke and Y/N were seeing each other. I mean, when you saw them on screen, it was completely electric and everyone caught wind of that. It spawned some awful rumors. This girl hadn't done a thing to anyone, but her mere association with Doherty was what dragged her in to begin with. Y/N was known for being a total sweetheart on set, yet she was still getting pummeled. It got out of control. Everyone who knew her loved her and everyone who read about her hated her."

At the end of 1996, Jason and Y/N parted ways. After almost 5 years of dating, Y/N moved out of their shared condo and into a Beverly Hills apartment with Tori Spelling.

Jill Ishkanian, US Weekly, "Everyone was surprised when they split. They had talked marriage, they had talked kids. But she left him after they had gotten in a fight about Shannen. Jason did not want Shannen around as often as she was and Y/N wasn't willing to let Shannen go that easily. She was Shannen's main support system, especially with all of her relationship struggles. Two failed marriages, a handful of abusive relationships. Y/N was the only stable thing she had. So, she dumped him, packed her things and left." Y/N went on a few dates with Ian Ziering a few months after, but they quickly decided they were better as friends and they kept it professional from there on out.

You, late night with David Letterman, 2000, "Oh, everyone hooked up with everyone. I definitely wasn't one to stray from that. We were so young, everyone was so attractive on that show, I mean it was kind of inevitable."

Clark and Spelling would live together for two years, with Spelling being a shoulder to lean on during the fallout.

You, 1996, "Look, it's not a pretty scene for anyone and I really just need... privacy right now. It would be great if people could stop asking me about it." As the couple fought in real life, so did their characters.

Jennie Garth, "When Jason and Y/N broke up it was chaos. There was a good period where they didn't even want to be near each other, let alone make out all day at work, y'know? They weren't exactly fighting, but they wanted nothing to do with the other, they were miserable. Luke had been gone at that point and the producers were freaking out because they had planned out this whole thing with Brandon and Y/N and they had to scrap it, because with them butting heads it just wouldn't work. So they switched gears and had their characters fight too. I think it was just cathartic enough to get them close again." They repaired their damaged relationship slowly but surely, just in time for things to heat up with Clark and ANOTHER 90210 alumni.

In the winter of 1997, Y/N and Luke Perry embarked down a romantic path, sharing their first kiss at Tori Spelling's casual New Years Eve party with their friends and families.

Tori Spelling, "When they started dating it was like everything fell into place. It dawned on everyone how perfect they were for each other, I know Jason wasn't thrilled about it, but we were all genuinely happy for them."

Jennie Garth comes onto the screen. "Luke and Y/N/N have always made sense to me. They're both very humble, well rounded people. And they always had this really flirty element to them from the start, I'm surprised it took that long," she laughs. A year and a half later, they tied the knot with a small private ceremony at their shared home in Beverly Hills, California. Costing only $20,000, it was the cheapest wedding of all of the 90210 clan's. And in June of 1999 they welcomed their first child, a baby girl, Sophie. Selling their 3 million dollar home, they moved into a 6 million dollar house outside of Hollywood, accidentally moving in next to none other than Jason Priestley.

Thankfully that caused no serious drama between the two families. But the finale of Beverly Hills, 90210 caused a stir that no one could have expected. Priestley made a surprise guest appearance that reportedly caused more drama off screen than on.

Jennie Garth, MTV, 2000, "It's so ridiculous. Everything was just weirdly timed. Jason being on the show had nothing to do with his divorce and it has nothing to do with Y/N's pregnancy, either. People love to make stuff up and cause drama that wasn't there to begin with and it's probably so exhausting for her."

Shortly after appearing on 90210, Priestley filed for divorce, ending his 8 month long marriage. Around the same time, the Perrys announced their second pregnancy. Tabloids began to say that Y/N had caused the divorce and that she was secretly pregnant with Priestley's baby.

Tori Spelling, "Those were so awful and so fake. Her son is a carbon copy of Luke, I'd be floored if Jason was the father..." "I think that part of Jason will always be in love with her... and that shined through in the finale a little bit and that's what people are picking up on. But her and Luke are soulmates. She has a good head on her shoulders, a lot of integrity."

Shannen Doherty, the Rosie O'Donnel Show, 1997, "Y/N's my best friend in the entire world, we went to Ireland together last summer and everything. Yeah, her and I have always been close."

Jennie Garth, "She's incredibly intelligent, super funny. Easily one of the strongest women I know."

Join us tomorrow when we air Tori Spelling: The E! True Hollywood Story. Only on E!

Taglist: @be-patient-be-good @mpmarypoppins @bevelyhills90210 @blueoz @harleylilo88 @princess-ghost-alien @hueycat2004 @l4life

#beverly hills 90210 #bh90210 #90210 #rewrite #jason priestley #jason priestley x reader #bh90210 imagine #jennie garth #tori spelling #luke perry #jason priestley imagine #shannem doherty #90queue10 #beverly hills 90210 rewrite

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halfwayinlight · 4 years ago

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cross-posted on AO3. written for @nothingeverlost.

Title: Steeplechase

Rating: Teen

Set during the events of Star Trek The Next Generation’s Season 2′s episode “Manhunt”

Deanna Troi is never—ever—prepared for her mother to arrive. It occurs to her that even if she knew her mother was planning to arrive, there would be no way to prepare. She’s never been able to predict what her mother will do next. Or say next. After twenty-nine years, she feels like she should know her own mother better. Be able to anticipate something, anything with her mother around.

The only thing that is certain with Lwaxana Troi is that the unexpected will usually happen.

She should’ve known something was amiss as soon as her mother asked Jean-Luc to carry her luggage. It’s not only the informality of the Captain’s first name in that request that chafes Deanna. There’s something more at play, and she will later regret that it takes her so long to put the pieces together. It was something of a feat of strength, of Lwaxana sizing up the options from the very moment she stepped off of the transporter platform.

And, of course, Will had to be both an officer and a gentleman and step in. Later, Deanna will wonder if things would’ve turned out quite the same way had Will not taken it upon himself to insist on carrying the absurdly too large and over-packed luggage. It’s a monstrosity that Lwaxana Troi takes pride in. Her mother definitely hates transporters. And she has a horror of replicators.

Deanna is aware that Will is going to pay for his gesture later—either trying to ignore the ache in his back all during shift or he will slink down to sickbay and try to get one of the nurses to quietly treat it. It won’t work. Kate Pulaski seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to senior staff in her sickbay. She won’t lecture him like Beverly would’ve. But she’ll tut at him and patch him up. Admittedly, Will is hard to miss in any room—particularly when he’s really hurting, which turns him into a bear with thorn in its paw.

It was bad enough that her mother pursued the Captain. Lwaxana’s always gotten a thrill out of teasing and prodding him. Within the first hour of her mother’s arrival, Deanna put the edges of the puzzle together. She could feel the shift in her mother’s focus, which was a polite term for the building urges that were as obvious to Deanna as Red Alert klaxons.

It’s her mother’s comment that the captain is as charming as her father that unnerves her. And she cannot and will not stop herself from confronting Lwaxana about it. It angers her the way her mother is brushing this all off.

As though it wasn’t significant.

As though it’s a game.

As though this isn’t Deanna’s world. Her professional life.

As though this isn’t a time when her mother should be far more cautious than ever.

Many a Betazoid has come out the other side of The Phase with regrets. Some have left Betazoid society over the aftermath of their actions during such a time. Their society is permissive and understanding, but Lwaxana is something like royalty. And acting as an official representative and there are roles she must still uphold.

She thought she had covered her bases, as Will would say. It was too easy to simply send the Captain off to an unreachable, fictional world in the holodeck. Deanna can handle the small eruption of Mount St Lwaxana. But the “other plan” is even more unsettling. Because her mother isn’t sharing, and she can’t possibly imagine what that might be. What poor, unsuspecting other soul that her mother is setting her sights on. A small part of her wishes it could be Mr. Homn. Mr. Homn would be convenient, but if that were the case her mother would’ve already made that choice.

This was no child’s game, nor mere entertainment. Lwaxana Troi was being driven by physiology. And she was nothing, if not highly adaptable.

It should have been taboo.

Deanna objects, strongly. Adamantly. Not him! But Deanna can’t find a vocabulary, spoken or telepathic, to answer why not. Because. Because it’s him. And in any case, that should’ve ended anything and everything for her mother right there. Full stop.

But there is absolutely no stopping her mother. She shouldn’t have even been on the bridge in the first place. And now, now… Not only is her mother looking him up and down, but she’s sitting in Will’s seat. Her fingers are twitching with the formation of a plan, and Deanna is uncomfortable in her own chair. She’s on edge. And a headache is building as she tries to tease out what in all the galaxies her mother is doing.

Praying her mother’s sights aren’t going to be set on some poor, unsuspecting other. Like Wesley Crusher sitting in front of them. Four Deities, No! she begs.

But things go into motion faster than she could’ve expected. It’s like a ship wrecking simultaneously in a second and also in slow motion. And Deanna can’t object fast enough and can’t look away. She barely breathes out a no. But that word seems to mean nothing to her mother. She wants to scream it. To stamp her foot on the deck and protest. To command Worf to lock her mother up in the brig for all their sakes. But the words are caught in her throat.

And when Deanna finally has the presence of mind to act, a hand on her forearm stops her short. It’s Will. He’s never once stopped her like this before. The gesture is all First Officer. And she’s so angry that her words are barbed. She knows she’s the coward, not Will. She should’ve shut this down hours ago because somebody absolutely has to put some boundaries on her mother.

Later, Deanna will be thankful that Data uncharacteristically steps between them with his strange request for a delay before finding the captain. It prevents her from indulging in the number of acerbic comments on the tip of her tongue. Things she might regret having said on the bridge later.

“Ready Room,” Will says calmly but firmly as Data disappears into the turbo lift. It’s not a request, and his head nods toward the door indicating he’s waiting on her.

Deanna Troi has already been an indirect party to one scene today, and she’s not able to be part of another. Not on the bridge, not among the alpha shift she regularly serves with—and the way gossip travels, all the other shifts will know within a day. So she marches toward the ready room, barely restraining herself from stomping her way there. As soon as the door shuts as Will passes through, she whirls on him. “Why didn’t you stop her? She’s completely out of control, and she’s embarrassing herself.”

“She’s embarrassing you,” Will answered quietly, his voice at the pitch she uses in her professional role. “And I’m sorry for that, but any further attempt to address the issue in front of the crew isn’t going to help matters.” He moves to the captain’s desk and leans against the edge of it.

Her arms are folded across her chest, shoulders tense, and she feels like a thundercloud. Or maybe that’s simply the turmoil in her mind and emotions. She wants to scream, but settles for stomping her foot childishly. When he didn’t react and didn’t add anything further, Deanna took a breath and began to deflate. “She’s on a self-destruct sequence.”

When she took the half step forward, his hand reached out to wrap around her upper arm and guide her slowly but steadily in until she pressed her head against his chest. “I want a nap,” she mumbled into his chest. His broad hand was cupping the back of her head, the way he knew made her feel protected. And when his thumb stroked soothingly over her temple, she felt the emotions she’d been fighting all day well over.

“It’s easier to be angry at her,” Deanna protested, trembling with the intensity of all of the feelings hitting at once.

“I can relieve you of duty,” it was a serious offer, given at face value. This was both her dearest friend on board and First Officer talking. When she didn’t answer for a long moment, he added, “You haven’t taken leave in a while. And we don’t anticipate any diplomatic duties until everyone beams down at Pacifica anyway.”

She nodded and sniffed, relaxing against him for a few extra moments and reveling in letting his touch soothe her. “You should, please,” she requested, taking the offer that would both let her save face with the crew and give herself some time to get things under better control. “And I’m a mess,” Deanna added, finally pulling away and running her fingers under her eyes to catch the last of her tears.

“You’re someone dealing with a lot of things she didn’t ask for and a very capable counselor,” Will corrected, his voice firm and allowing no objections from her.

“I’m still a little angry at her,” she admitted, glancing over her shoulder at the still-closed door leading to the bridge. “It’s primitive, but I still feel it was wrong for her to set her sights on you. You should’ve been off limits.” She sniffed and wiped more of the tears from her cheeks again.

“Does it both you more that she is planning to marry me, or that you weren’t the one making those plans?”

The question is pushing the limits of what, exactly, is and is not his business.

“We’re both adults who have had our fair share of relationships with other people.” She was hedging and his raised eyebrows and silence let her know that he was aware of this. “Will, I’d be lying if I said I was never jealous, not even the tiniest bit, when I’ve seen you with others. But we’re not in a relationship with each other—or, as far as I know, with anyone else right now.”

“Apparently I am,” he couldn’t resist adding this with a wry grin.

Deanna threw him a glare. “It can be hard to keep up with your social calendar sometimes.” Her anger was back, and it drove him to take several steps back and give her wider berth. But like before, she also had the painful awareness that most of it was anger at herself for letting words out before she took the time to consider them. “She knows how I felt about you. Even among Betazoids, it would improper. There’s a universe of beings, and she picked the one that …” She wasn’t sure how to finish the sentence.

He shifted now, moving closer and resuming a seat on the edge of the desk. Turning to fully face her, he began, “I’m not indulging you in a fight. And for the record, Deanna, there’s only ever been one Troi that I was interested in pursuing romantically. Your mother is a beautiful person, and I think I have enough experience in persons and beings to say that with some authority. Beautiful and entertaining that she may be, I have no interest in marrying her—even if it means risking offending the Fifth House or her never forgiving me for it.”

“We’ve both had plenty of our own experiences,” she concedes, gaze dropping to her lap at the admission. She smooths her hands down the front of her uniform

Will’s head tilted slightly as he watched her gather herself again. “I know you’ve counseled families on this ship—and other families before you joined the Enterprise. If a father, for example, were to meet with you about his child who was going through adolescence and was trying on new behaviors or amplifying behaviors, what would you say?”

Her breath left her in a short huff, and now she was the one leaning against the captain’s desk. “There are so many other variables I would need to know…”

“Deanna,” he pressed, eyebrows raising and his arms now crossing as he settled in for a more developed and professional response.

With a slight shake of her head, she finally answered, “I would talk about the physiological changes and the psychological shifts it can bring with it. And,” she added, seeing his eyes widen as he knew she understood his point, “I would encourage the parents to set clearer boundaries on appropriate behavior but also have some understanding that life cycle changes are just as challenging for the family as for the person experiencing them.” She rubbed her nose and gave another shake of her head. “I hate it when you do that.”

“I didn’t do anything, I merely asked a question,” he protested, hands coming up surrender. He knew her too well to think she actually hated it.

“Thank you, Will,” she murmured, her hand reaching for his and giving it a gentle squeeze.

He took the moment to bend and press a kiss into her hair and then lifted her hand to his lips and dropped another across the knuckles. “Data’s going to be looking for me soon,” was his apology. With a nod to the sofa near the star port, he added, “Take your time to sort yourself out before you go back to the bridge. Hell, take a nap if you need to. I’ll inform Worf that you’re working on ship’s business and are going to take leave once you’re finished.”

She moved toward the sofa already, feeling every minute of the last day or so since Lwaxana Troi had beamed aboard. She wasn’t the only person trying to fix this now. And maybe her mother’s preoccupation with Will would at least keep her out of further trouble in the last half day before their arrival. For now, Deanna was willing to concede this round. She barely had time to curl up onto the sofa and offer a quiet “Thank you, Will,” before he responded with a “You’re welcome” and ordered the computer to cut the lights once the door closed. Everything else could wait. Between Will, the captain, and the Four Deities, at least she's no longer dealing with her mother alone.

#deanna troi #counselor troi #will riker #william t. riker #commander riker

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mitchmarnier · 6 years ago

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no, you can’t fence time and you can’t stop love.

Derry, Maine, had never been the most accepting of places to live. In its defence, nobody had ever claimed that it was. It was a hard, rough place to live if you were different in even the smallest way. The Losers Club had known this better than anybody else, all of them completely different from the norms and long given up on trying to hide it. They’d always promised each other “graduation and out.” They’d go off to their colleges of choice and never look back at the terrible place.

Some people though, had a slightly different plan. One not openly shared, one known only by two and sure to leave the ground shaking. The beat up white pick up truck Richie Tozier had spent the better part of two years saving up for that only ran out of Richie’s pure determination not to let it die pulled up outside the Kaspbraks’ house at exactly 5:17 on a Tuesday afternoon when Sonia Kaspbrak was known to be down at the pharmacy for her usual appointment.

Eddie stuck a note onto the screen door before running down the front steps and launching himself into the passenger seat.

I’m sorry but I’ve got to go. <3 Eddie

Sonia Kaspbrak had been staring at the note for so long that her vision had blurred, and her hands had shaken from holding them up. Where was her son going? Why hadn’t he told her he had plans? What could he possibly be doing?

She’d marched up to his bedroom in hopes of finding some sort of answer only to find herself rooted to the spot the second she threw the door open. Eddie’s bed had been stripped bare, everything from his shelves and walls pulled down. The only thing remaining of her son in the bedroom was the orange bottles of pills and the aspirator sitting on his desk.

That’s when Sonia Kaspbrak placed a call to Derry Sherriff Department.

“I’m sorry, Mrs Kaspbrak,” the deputy told her. “But Eddie is eighteen and all signs point to him having left willingly. We can’t do anything about this. Your son is an adult.”

“My son is fragile!” Sonia screamed, tears burning their way down her face. “He needs his medicine and he needs his mother! I want to talk to the Sheriff! Why would they send me a deputy! This is an emergency! My son has been kidnapped!”

Deputy Miller looked up at the Kaspbrak’s too clean ceiling as though it might give him strength. Meanwhile, Wentworth Tozier could hear his wife sobbing upstairs as he stared out the kitchen window. As though staring, unblinking, at the overgrown lawn would make his son’s truck pull into in the drive way or his belongings return to his bedroom. How was it that eighteen years could just up and drive away in the middle of the afternoon on a Tuesday?

He’d given that damn boy everything he’d had. Wentworth knew things hadn’t always been easy in their home, they hadn’t always had enough money and his wife’s drinking had brought a damper down everything. Richie had certainly isolated himself over the past few years, but Wentworth had simply assumed it was the usual teen angst that all boys his age got. God knew he had gone through it- though it certainly hadn’t escalated to running away the day after his eighteenth birthday with all his things in hub of his truck.

“Damn that boy,” Wentworth hissed bitterly. “Damn him straight to hell.”

///

Bill Denbrough could feel all the eyes on him when he walked into church that next Sunday. It did nothing to help the heaviness he’d felt in his heart since Tuesday night when he’d gotten the call from Sonia Kaspbrak. How could Eddie have just run away? Bill had still been trying to wrap his head around it the next morning when he noticed that Richie hadn’t shown up to school either. The Losers had tried to reason that Richie was just taking Eddie leaving harder than anybody else, but the tense feeling in Bill’s stomach seemed to tell him that he knew better than that.

A drive down to Richie’s house after school had been all it required to confirm what he feared. Once Richie didn’t appear at school for the second day in row, the rumours all began to fly and by Thursday evening it was the only thing anybody could talk about anymore. There were so many theories that it made Bill’s head hurt, but there was one that seemed to be on everybody’s lips.

Could it be true? Bill supposed it could be. He wasn’t even sure how much it would surprise him if it were. Eddie and Richie had always been so close, closer than the others, and nobody could deny how Richie flirted with him. But running away to get married? Bill wasn’t sure he could believe that Richie and Eddie would be that good at keeping something like that a secret from him. Though he couldn’t deny that they’d kept the fact that they were running away the moment Richie turned eighteen, so Bill depends that anything was possible.

Bill ignored the way the eyes followed him as he moved. He’d already gotten the third degree from Mrs Kaspbrak- all the Losers had, and all of them had given the same answers of having known nothing about it at all. They all knew what the whole town thought, what they were all saying. They could hear the whispers, it was impossible not to.

“As I’m sure you’re all aware,” the priest began from the front of the pews once the church go’ers had been seated. “We’re missing a long-time member of our community here today.” The whole church heard Sonia Kaspbrak’s loud choking sob as it echoed throughout the pews. Bill squeezed his eyes shut and tried to calm his stomach, so he didn’t end up throwing up in the middle of Sunday service.

“Edward Kaspbrak was a good Christian boy,” the minister continued as Mrs Kaspbrak’s sobs threatened to overpower his voice. “Never missed a service, never missed a Bible study. Edward Kaspbrak was corrupted by an evil sin that is slowly making its way through this world. We lose so many of our good citizens to this sickness, they’re taken off and they lose the good people they once were.”

Bill’s hands were shaking as the minister continued to drone on. He clenched his fists shut and tried his hardest to drown out the preaching. Instead he found his thoughts wandering to Eddie and Richie. Of Richie snapping Eddie’s arm back into place after Henry Bowers had broken it in seventh grade and of the time Eddie threw himself into a group of Henry’s old gang when Richie’s mouth ran too wild and the boy nearly got himself killed… but also of smaller things, of Richie’s arm draping around Eddie while they walked or how Eddie would be sitting up against Richie’s or even in Richie’s lap during movie night, or how nobody ever questioned whether Eddie would get shot gun in Richie’s truck while everybody laughed as the two fought over the music. Bill’s heart clenched his chest and tears burned his eyes. Those fucking assholes… his best friends.

“Billy?” Georgie was suddenly pulling on the sleeve of Bill’s blazer. “Bill? Did Richie do something bad to Eddie? Did he make him sick?”

Bill nearly gave himself whip lash turning to look at Georgie so quickly. His eleven-year-old brother looked heart broken, his brown eyes glossy with tears and bottom lip jutted out just slightly. The hurt in Bill’s chest quickly boiled into anger.

“N-n-no.” Bill said firmly but quietly. “Richie d-di-di-idn’t d-d-d-d-do anything to Eddie. They didn’t do any-anything wrong. They are-aren’t sick, okay?”

“Okay,” Georgie replied, eyes downcast and bottom lip trembling. Bill managed to hear the minister saying “that Tozier boy” before he launched himself out of his seat. Hands and jaws clenched tightly, he stormed out from the pews. Bill Denbrough walked out that church without looking back, pretending he couldn’t hear the whispers that followed him.

///

Beverly Marsh sat behind the desk at the local downtown salon. Her aunt had gotten a job there once when she had moved to Derry after Bev’s father died. Her aunt was beyond talented and Bev knew she deserved to work at big time salons in huge cities and sometimes the feeling of guilt riddled Bev until she couldn’t sleep.

“I hear they ran off to Las Vegas to get married,” some woman who came in a got her hair permed every six months like clock work rattled on. “Poor Sonia, she tried so hard with that boy. I couldn’t imagine my son ending up like that.”

“I feel worse for Margaret and Wentworth,” the ‘just a little off the sides’ every two weeks woman said haughtily. “Why do you think Sonia tried so hard with Edward? She had to have known, how could she not have? Everybody must have known, he had the look of it. Richard, though? I never would’ve guessed Richard was one.”

Bev inhaled deeply and squeezed her eyes shut. Would this never stop? It had been almost two weeks since Richie Tozier and Eddie Kaspbrak had spilt town without warning or a single goodbye. Bev couldn’t pretend she hadn’t been pissed when she’d gotten the news, and continued to be pissed for maybe days afterwards. It wasn’t until she the gossip started swirling about Bill walking out of church that she realized that Eddie and Richie weren’t entirely the people she should be mad at. She didn’t know about the rest of the Losers, but Beverly had always sort of known that there was something between Eddie and Richie. She just hadn’t known that they had known it too. As angry as she’d been that her friends had organized this brilliantly sneaky plan and pulled it off flawlessly without telling her, she knew that this might be the only way for them. They couldn’t ever be who they really were in Derry.

“You’re so right, Wendy,” the man who comes in to get his barely-there-hair-cut once a month said sadly. “The Tozier boy never struck me as the type to be into that. Kaspbrak had no real father figure in his life, it can’t come as any surprise he’s a little bit of a fairy. It’s unfortunate he had such an influence of Tozier, he had such potential to be somebody great.”

That was almost too much for Bev. Since fucking when did the adults of Derry ever have anything good to say about Richie Tozier? Store owners followed him around as though he was stealing (he never was), fathers warned their daughters to stay away (clearly, they didn’t need to worry) and teachers would kick him out as class for being disruptive and when he’d pass every test with flying colours they’d accuse him of cheating (he never did). Richie Tozier was never a source of pride for the people of Derry but it seemed they’d gotten bored of villainizing him in the corruption of sweet, innocent Eddie Kaspbrak so they needed to change up their story to keep themselves entertained.

It boiled Beverly’s goddamn blood.

“You know,” Bev said loudly from behind the desk. “It’s fucking free to mind your own business and keep your nasty mouths shut. It’s not that hard.”

The shop fell silent with scandal as Bev smiled down at the desk. Maybe she’d be asked to leave, and maybe her aunt would be pissed at her for she couldn’t be bothered to care for a single second. Beverly Marsh had stood up for her gone friends the only way that she could.

///

Mike Hanlon had started working at the public library as a student page during his senior year and it was a nice escape from the world around them. Nobody bothered Mike in the library. He’d never had a problem before today.

There were a group of boys sitting in the back, looking over their book before exams. The public high school kids coming in for exam prep made Mike a little sad, because of he thought of the things Richie and Eddie had left behind when they’d run. They weren’t going to graduate with their friends, Mike didn’t know if they were ever finish high school at all.

Mike tuned into the conversation of the boys sitting at the table closest to his desk without giving it any thought. “… I saw good riddance,” one of them said spitefully. “Who needs that kind of shit around?”

Mike frowned. Spending years in the presence of The Losers Club had numbed him pretty much completely to the sound of cursing but he still wasn’t fond of it in the library. His slight irritation only grew as he heard more.

“Yeah. Who knows who else they could corrupt? I heard that stuttering kid is one too. He some freak out in Church when Father James was talking about Kaspbrak.”

Mike closed his book harshly on the desk and closed his eyes for a minute. He counted to twenty in his head, then counted to thirty. The boys were still talking.

“Yeah don’t need any fucking fagg-”

“Okay, you need to leave.” Mike pushed himself up from the desk. The three teenage boys whipped around and looked at him with wide eyes. “We don’t tolerate that sort of language in a public building. I need you to leave. Have those conversations somewhere else.”

The middle boy looked as though he was ready to fight him, but his friend grabbed him by the arm. “Don’t.” The kid said. “He’s one of those Losers. I heard they’re fucking fairies.”

Mike Hanlon watched them leave, chest heaving with some burning pressure he couldn’t release.

///

Stanley Uris held the envelope in his hands as he walked towards the other Losers outside of the high school’s auditorium. His suit was uncomfortable, nearly a year old and too small. He hadn’t bothered buying something new for graduation, another suit he wouldn’t need to wear again. His nerves were jumping a mile a minute and it had nothing to do with the ceremony he was going to attend within the hour.

Richie and Eddie had been gone almost two months, and the town still wasn’t over it. People still whispered, people still stared. After a few outbursts, people started avoiding saying anything in the presence of the Losers. It got easier to ignore.

Stan knew he was about to rip open wounds that were yet to fully heal. He wouldn’t be completely surprised if he walked away from today friendless.

“I have to show you guys something,” Stan said as soon as he reached them. “And you’re going to be mad, but I need you to promise hear me out before you say anything.”

The rest of them look at each other before looking at Stan. Stan bit down on his lip and then sighed.

“I knew that Richie and Eddie were going to run away,” Stan said in one quick breath. Silence rang out for a moment before-

“You motherfuck-“ Bev shirked before Ben hushed her quickly.

“We promised to hear him out,” Ben said. “Let him talk.”

“Richie told me about a week before they were going to leave,” Stan said. “They needed help sneaking Eddie’s stuff out of his room, they didn’t want his mom to see them taking it and Richie didn’t want his parents to sober up and see it. I let them keep stuff above my garage. They came and picked it up before they left. They made me a promise. They kept it.”

Stan held the envelope out. Bill- ever the leader- reached out and took it. He opened it to a show a picture of Richie and Eddie, wraps thrown around each other. They were wearing rich looking suits and Richie was kissing Eddie’s cheek. “They got married. In Vegas,” Stan said, inches of fond slipping into his nervous voice. “I mean, not really married since the aren’t actually allowed but there was a ceremony and- the letter says everything.”

Bill looked up from the note, too quickly to have read it, with tears in his eyes. “Wh-wh-wh-“

“Why did they tell you?” Bev said for him, her cheeks burning while she refused to meet Stan’s gaze. Stan bit his bottom lip and shrugged.

“Richie and I have been best friends since kindergarten. We were each other’s best friends,” Stan said meekly. “Before Eddie, before Bill, before any of you guys. I knew that Richie and Eddie were together- they never told me!” He said quickly when Bev launched her mouth open again. “I pretty much told Richie he was in love with Eddie, I could just tell. There wasn’t any hiding it after that really. Maybe that’s why they chose me, because they wouldn’t have to explain as much. I don’t know. But they told me not to tell, not right away, said that I should give it time before I told you guys-“

“I knew Eddie and Richie were dating, too,” Ben blurt out suddenly. “Eddie… Eddie told me when he liked Richie. He wanted some relationship advice, I guess. He seemed to think I was some big romantic.”

“You are, though,” Bev said quietly. Ben flushed.

“Eddie was so excited when Richie finally kissed him, and they got together, he told me that next night. He was so happy,” Ben smiled softly to himself. “I’m not mad at you, Stan. We all kept secrets.”

“I di-di-didn’t even kn-know they were guh-gay,” Bill stuttered in frustration. The rest of the Losers all shot him withering looks.

“In the letter Richie said-“ Stan clearly his throat. “He said we should come see them. After graduation, go on a roadtrip. Visit them. They miss us as much as we miss them.”

“Those fucking assholes better apologize when we go,” Bev said bitterly but she was smiling. “I barely made it through senior year without my smoking buddy.”

“I can’t believe they got married and didn’t invite us!”

“Ed-Ed-Eddie better ruh-ruh-realized how sc-screwed I was with-without his sc-sc-science notes.”

The five Losers wrapped their arms around each other, walking into the auditorium while laughing and making their plans.

#reddie #reddie fic #richie tozier #eddie kaspbrak #RE POST OF MY FIRST EVER FIC :d #im not expecting this to get notes #i just accidentally deleted the og post when i cleared out my blog

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hiyo-silver · 6 years ago

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Chapter 2: The New Kid

Summary: Bill and Richie meet, gaining an unexpected reaction from Bill's emotions.

Pairings: Bill Denbrough/Richie Tozier

Chap 1 + AO3

Taglist: @fuckboykaspbrak @thesquidliesthuman @starboystan @rachi0964 @shewasthewind @beepbeep-losers @bigbilliamdenbro @jalenrose1122 @sleepygaybrough @itandstrangerthingsfanfic @boopboopreddie @peachywyatt

Bill hears the lunch bell, walking over to Eddie's table, sliding into a seat next to them as he has for the past few days, donning a white and black striped shirt and a navy blazer, truly fitting in with them.

Ben watches on from his lonely table, having trouble focusing on his poetry book, he's been trying to get into it, wanting to impress Beverly.

Bill laughs with the group, complimenting how Bev's skirt looks today, though she seems to wear a similar one every single day. They talk and gossip and they treat him like an old friend.

Suddenly, another fight breaks out across the room, part of the daily routine. Bill recognizes one of the perpetrators as the same kid as the fistfight on the first day of school. His gaze gets locked on the fight, wanting to look away but his morbid curiosity takes over.

God, that's horrible, he thinks to himself, but that kid has muscles, and he's got a firey attitude, wouldn't want to get on his bad side, he sighs, biting his lip. He flinches at each punch, everything sounding like a sound effect in a bad movie.

He stands slowly as some teachers jump in to break up the fight, trying to get a good look at the teen's face. He's new, I don't know him, he concludes, Immediately making assumptions on him based on what he's seen.

He's violent... Did he get kicked out of somewhere? Maybe he tried to kill someone. I bet he tried to kill someone, he decides, his breathing quickening and he immediately sits back down, having scared his curiosity away.

Stan looks to him, fidgeting with the sleeve of his sunshine-colored blazer. "You good, Bill? Look like you've seen a murderer," he comments, hoping to snap Bill back into reality, wanting to hear more about Bev's date the night before.

"Yeah- No, I'm great," he assures, plastering on a smile, running his fingers through his hair with an awkward nod. "Just don't remember so many fights in our junior year," he says softly, looking a bit awkward.

"Oh Bill, sweet, innocent, Bill. You've just never been relevant to even know what's relevant," Eddie says, his tone smooth and condescending.

Bill closes his smile, looking down at his hands clasped together on the plastic table. He taps his feet in alternation, looking back up at Bev as she starts talking about how the guy tried to have sex on the first date, when everyone knows she doesn't put out until at least the third.

He looks back to the scene of the fight as he laughs along dryly, seeing that it had been broken up, hearing a teachers yelling echo from down the hall, probably at the murderer, he thinks to himself, turning back to his newfound friends as brightly as he can.

"Bev, I seriously can't believe, and you're way out of his league. Unless he's a college guy, he should complaining," Eddie laughs, talking as dramatically and theatrically as he can.

"I kn-know, it's idiotic!" She exclaims back, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as she laughs.

Bill has to drone out the noise, it's all too loud and all too overwhelming, he nearly cringes at how loud this all feels. He starts to stand, grabbing his tray to put it back, despite the fact that it never had anything on it.

He puts it back, still feeling the roar of the cafeteria taking him over, he sucks in a deep breath, making the decision to rush to the bathroom. I just need to splash my face, he promises himself, pushing the door open.

He spots the new boy from the fight, going to turn on his heel to avoid him, but the teen had already caught his reflection in the mirror. "Hey," he says flatly, and Bill has to respond, why does this always happen to me?

Bill looks the other boy in the eye through his reflection in the mirror, stepping to the sink like he'd originally planned to, "Hi, bloody nose?" He asks, his spine chilled by the sudden quieter after the overwhelming noise of the cafeteria.

"Yeah, perks of getting into a fight, amirite?" The boy asks, putting his (hopefully) freshly washed hand out for Bill to shake, "Richie Tozier's my name, voices are my game," he smirks, using an awful accent through his entire introduction.

"Bill, here to wake myself up," Bill shakes Richie's hand back hesitantly, not knowing his rules of interaction now that he's with the popular crowd. He takes his hand back, pressing the stiff button to start the sink, catching the lukewarm water in cupped hands, time seeming to last forever until the water hits his face, shocking him back into normal speed.

"You seem to be having some trouble," Richie wonders out loud, a smug look on his face, his obviously very punchable face, Bill could feel that in this moment, but he remembers his promise to himself not to get on this boy's bad side.

"A little, my anxiety," he mumbles plainly, getting a paper towel and drying his face, not wanting to walk out looking like he'd been crying, especially since he hadn't been this time. This time; unlike that time in ninth grade I thought they'd never let live down.

"Ah, an anxious boy, are'ya?" Richie asks in yet another awful accent, making him seem even less intimidating, and even more punchable.

"Diagnosed, yeah," he says flatly, tossing the paper towel in the garbage by the door, not in the mood to bullshit his way through this, and something about Richie was nearly pulling the information straight from his brain and forcing the words out clumsily through his trembling lips.

"Ah! Me!" Richie agrees, punching his hands at the air theatrically, making Bill flinch, considering Richie's known track record.

Bill looks taken aback at how he admits it so excitedly, but it makes a lot of sense, considering how much Bill had already revealed to him, in their first conversation, in a school bathroom.

"It's kinda hard, changing schools again, y'know? Highschool is like prison," he says dramatically, leaning his head back and looking at the ceiling. "Prison rules, find the biggest guy in there and take him down- correction; second biggest, that was my mistake," Richie claims, wiping some more blood off of his upper lip.

Reference to prison, nice, he thinks to himself, his internal monologue dictating it in the most sarcastic way possible. "Uh, why did you change schools?" Bill asks, leaning against the cool tiled wall.

"Ah! Dad lost his job again, had to skedaddle, cheaper apartments available in Derry, so came here and got a good breath of that sweet derry-air," Richie responds with the same excitement of all his past statements, wiggling his eyebrows around suggestively just to make Bill more obviously uncomfortable than he already was.

Bill nods, crossing his arms over his chest with a sympathetic sigh. "Uh, nice?" He questions, unsure of how to respond, shifting awkwardly, "I really should get back to my friends, lunch is endi-," Bill starts before Richie interrupts him. Man, this kid likes to talk.

"Where is your mom? You may ask. Well, good sir, to answer that question, she left my dad and I for her scissor sister, Aubrey," he says with a grin, looking near proud of his tragic backstory.

"I'm sorry, that that happened, really, uh, hey-," he starts to excuse himself again but his intrigue takes over. "Do you miss her?"

"Sometimes, good fellow, also, unrelated, but you're a mighty fine blazer boy if I do say so myself," Richie says, licking his pointer fingers and rubbing them across his unruly eyebrows, something about it being disgustingly endearing to Bill. A teenage infatuation takes over, his eyes scanning over Richie's face again.

"Not so bad yourself," he admits, putting his hands in his dark jean's pockets. Really, the chance of something less monotonous was bringing a fresh wave of excitement to Bill's already raging hormones, his brain near manic with the need to constantly try new things.

He's hit what his goal has always been, popularity, being liked , now what? A relationship. He needs one, to find his own happily ever after, and Richie is the first to show genuine interest.

"Mind if I ask why you're sparking a cigarette in the bathroom, though? Pretty sure you can get in trouble for that," Bill comments, watching Richie's thumb flick the flame into existence, blue eyes trained on the orange glow.

"Dunno where the approved smoking areas are," Richie shrugs, "Always go for the bathroom. Only the bathroom, all school bathrooms are the same, safe zone, Billy boy," Richie shrugs, taking in a deep inhale, offering the last in his pack to Bill.

Bill does something he wouldn't expect, he accepts the gesture, standing against the wall next to Richie, letting him light it for him, taking a shuddering inhale of his own, the burn filling his throat and lungs, feeling more like it's filling his heart when Richie impulsively reaches for his hand.

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capnebula · 7 years ago

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Winter Cherry - Part III

A/N: Firstly I want to apologise for this taking so long. School and Holiday stuff has been holding me up big time, and for a while I was kind of stuck on where to go with it. Also, I won't be able to link the past chapters for this until mid January due to mobile devices being a bitch. Hope you all enjoy it!

BLURB: It was always said that if you met a mutant with the opposite power as you, that person was your soulmate. Stan Uris, who steals life with his power, didn't believe in superstitions like that until he met Mike Hanlon, the boy who gives life.

PAIRINGS: Stanlon (main), Reddie (side), Benverly (side), Audra/Bill (side (p.s. Do they have a ship name?))

WARNINGS: main character with negative self image, references to parent death, (will update as needed)

WORD COUNT: 1803

His mother was a consistent breaker of mutant folklore, and though she told him much of it, she always reminded the boy that it was all just speculation and something of a children's story so they could believe in all good things. He remembered that the darkness was an invite to peace and safety from those who thought mutants should be dead or “controlled”, that each mutant was special and even if they had similar powers one person would have a different strength than the other, and that mutants met on accident were supposedly lifelong friends, but his mother had never once told him about one of the biggest tales in mutant superstitions. It was like all the stories where people were “meant to be”; the clichés that Stan always snorted at, though a lot of the time the stories were good in spite of the soulmate concept. It was the sound of his best friend’s voice that brought Stan back to earth. He was saying something about opposite powers, Eddie and himself, Bev and Ben. Stan hadn't caught all of it, and as such was rather confused. “So she thinks you and Mike are gonna be perfect for each other, too, which is fine and great and all but damn does Mrs. Denbrough run things along fast. It's like she's looking for good romance to gossip about with the other teachers,” Rich finished. “I'm sorry, what? I have honestly only managed to process the last two sentences you have said. Everything else is like white noise in my brain,” “Mutants. Opposite powers. Soulmates. Eds and I. Bev and Ben. You and Mike,” and then he was making kissy faces at his best friend as if to mimic what was going to happen. Stan paused for a moment. And then he laughed. He let out a howl of hysterical laughter, and continued laughing until he was tearing up. “You do know that shit is fake, right? Just like every other superstition mutants have. It's just for kids,” he choked out before laughing a moment more, finally starting to calm down. Everyone seemed to be thinking what the fuck at Stan’s behaviour towards this concept, because to them it was something that could easily be true. Had he been thinking properly, Stan would have probably thought the same thing of himself. He wouldn't have let anyone know it, but he was acting out of shock. Although he trusted his mother, he had always wondered if at least some of them were true. Maybe mutants you met unexpectedly were bound to become your best friend until the day you both died. Richie didn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon, after all. And the concept of soulmates was something he wanted desperately to believe in, but the idea of it being this boy who seemed nice enough and had a rather nice appearance (Stan couldn't lie to himself, honestly) the idea of them being soulmates was so utterly absurd he couldn't possibly believe it. “Stan. I know this sounds ridiculous coming from me, but calm the fuck down,” Richie blurted. Stan heaved a sigh. “You think I'm crazy for not believing it, don't you?” There was a silence, like a collective nod that no one wanted to make reality, as no one answered. “Thought so,” Stan muttered, “Well, to change the subject here, how about someone help me figure out where I'm supposed to be staying. I need to get my suitcase, as well. It was left in that main building,” Beverly stands up. “Your suitcase shouldn't be a problem. I'll go talk to Mrs. Denbrough about who your roommate will be and where that will be and let you know,” “Thanks, Bev,” Stan replied, trying out the nickname the girl had said to use. He rather liked saying something nice and short and simple. Though Richie was short for Richard, it was like the rare times he'd call the shapeshifter Rich. It was almost exhilarating to call people by nicknames. The redhead sashayed off after a planting a quick kiss on Ben’s forehead and waving to everyone, leaving the them alone with each other. Richie finally sat down, plopping crisscross next to Stan. “So, I see you all have met my best friend ever. Whatcha think of the guy?” Everyone's eyes spoke for them, all signalling Richie to be quiet. It was evident Stan could have made a better impression than he did, but he was grounded in what his mother told him all growing up. He would heed her words until his last breath; he had decided that when she passed on. “Can I ask something?” Georgie piped up, curious eyes looking directly at Stan. He nodded. “Why don't you believe in soulmates?” “I… I think it has to do with how I was raised. My mother married a non mutant. She told me she met her ‘soulmate’ and they never once got along, so I saw no reason to have to believe in them,” Stan explained. He wanted to provide a decent explanation while not giving too much information about himself, and he had gotten good at that over the years. The only hindering factor was Richie, of course, but he wasn't one to complain. Richie was a good friend, flaws and all. Beverly came flying backwards and almost crashed into the ground, somehow stopping herself before she hit the bottom. “Mrs. Denbrough says she'll show you later, but told me where it is if you wanna see now. Your stuff is already there. Ben, could you help me with the straps? Wings need to go,” she stated breathlessly but without a pause. Ben stood up to help Beverly out while Stan thought about what to do. As much as he wanted to try and make friends, he was already ready to be alone for a bit again. By the time Bev’ wings were back to looking like tattoos, he decided to at least check it out. “I want to at least have a general idea of where it is, so if you could show me that would be great,” Bev smiled. “Gotcha. Follow me then. See you losers later; gotta show the new kid where he’ll be staying,” Stan stood up and waved at everyone, then turned to follow Beverly, who was already walking away. They went out across the grass and to the main sidewalks, which weaved throughout the school grounds in a way that could only be described as labyrinthine. It was silent for some time until Beverly piped up. “So, Stan. Richie talks about you an awful lot, and I'm guessing based on what he's said that you two have known each other a long time. I'm not one to pry out backstories the first day I meet someone, but I just wanna fact check,” Stan scrunched his nose in thought before saying “Well, I met him when we were probably five or six, so it's been a good while, I'd say,” “Wow, that is a long time!” Stan nodded. He was glad they had put up with each other as long as they had. If they hadn't, Stan would be friendless and Richie would have been probably about ten times more annoying than he was today. They balanced each other out, after all, and if Richie’s life had never been put in peril by Stan neither of them would have taken life and death so seriously. “Stan, you're not very talkative. At all. I hate to be that stereotypical girl who is always talking, but I really feel like I need to fill in the bouts of silence,” Beverly admits. Stan looks towards the ground, feeling kind of bad. “Well, you can pick a topic and go from there. I can't promise I'll talk as much as, say, Richie, but I can certainly try to sustain a conversation,” “Hm… Okay. What kind of things do you find funny? Like not ‘this is stupid’ funny. Genuinely funny,” “You mean like my sense of humour? I don't really know how to explain it. No one understands my jokes and half the time it's just random words that sound funny to me that I end up laughing at for up to five minutes,” “Like what words?” Stan thought for a moment, then a word came to mind and his shoulders shook with silent, contained laughter. “Stan, what words? I see you laughing; you have to tell me now,” Bev pried. “Avocado,” he half-whispered before bursting into laughter that put his fake laughs to shame. Beverly actually joined in. She shared his sense of humour, Stan could tell. Her laugh wasn't even slightly forced; in fact it seemed more real than any laughter he had ever heard. “Okay, then we should get along just fine. You’ll get me,” she said after she evened out her breathing, “No one really gets me in that way, you know?” “Yeah. It kind of sucks until you find someone who gets it,” he agreed. Kindred spirits, to Stan, were one step towards feeling safe and at home wherever he was, and being able to see how Beverly acted one-on-one opened Stan’s eyes to a whole world of people similar to him. Perhaps no one else would understand his humour, but he didn't need that to know there were other people he could get along with. “Hey Beverly? I was wondering how it was you ended up here,” The redhead become very somber and stayed silent for a few minutes. “You have to be at least a level four friend to unlock my tragic backstory. Sorry,” she said as if trying to joke it away. Just like Richie. Heck, sometimes just like himself. Humour and satire and sarcasm had become less of a joke and more of a coping mechanism for the few people Stan knew, and Beverly could easily be added to the list. She forced a small smile and Stan frowned. “You don't have to tell me now. I was just curious,” “Alright. I'll tell you later, once we know each other a bit better,” she stated decidedly. They walked in silence for a short while longer. Upon the end of this time, they had reached a rather large two or three story house. Stan assumed it was one of the dormitory buildings. Beverly led him inside and up to the second floor. Down twisting halls all decorated and almost impossible to distinguish from one another, they came upon his room. “You’ll like your roommate, I'm sure. If I assume correctly, you already met him,” Beverly assured him as she opened the door. And she was right. He was in there, listening to music in his headphones and laying in his bed, reading. Stan figured his time at the school would be tolerable, now.

TAGS: @rhubarberous @alex-twy

#winter cherry #stanlon #reddie #benverly #audra phillips #bill denbrough

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Leighton Meester's Short Hairstyles and Haircuts - 15+ - https://shorthaircutsmodels.com/leighton-meesters-short-hairstyles-and-haircuts/ - Leighton Meester's Short Hairstyles and Haircuts, The whole process took six hours. Anyone who bleaches their hair knows how harmful it can be. Meester avoids this by using the new black rice-infused Nexxus. Keraphix mask and reconfiguring the Protein treatment. My hair is incredibly bright and soft considering how it's processed. And it's a real testament to the treatments I've done to change the keratin protein. Leighton Meester's Short Hairstyles and Haircuts Leighton Meester's Short Hairstyles and Haircuts, In my hair, she said ELLE.com when we caught him after the salon date. In honor of her new look we Meester decided to walk us through her archive of hair where. We can only imagine what Serena van der Woodsen would do when she saw this photo of Blair Waldorf. like a blonde. 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Leighton Meester at the premiere of his country Movie, The Mighty leighton, at the Beverly Hills Theater of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on 2020 - 2021 in Los Angeles, grows and matures as the years go by. She looks so elegant and stylish when she rocks this messy updo hairdo. Leighton Meester's Haircuts Casually draped strands of hair make her look the same sweet as before. From Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester dos up the glamorous red carpet for cute braids and ponytails, as Blair Waldorf and in real life also runs a million hairstyles as her character. Here are our favourite Leighton Meester hairstyles. Wow. Leighton Meester looks stunning with his new super chic blunt cut swept straight through with volume at bob roots. Leighton Meester's Short Hair This bright red lip is also the perfect picture. Does this Leighton's hair pay homage to Princess Leia and other science fiction female characters? 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From pre-Gossip Girl twists to Blair Waldorf barrel twists and so far. Leighton Meester Dyes Her Hair Dark Brown The latest news from the Gossip Girl remake and padded headband is currently trending this summer bringing nostalgia for the early 2020. Following is the buzz coming from Leighton Meester on TV in a new series of elite Upper East Coasters, it seems the Queen of the Upper East Side will not be related to Blair Waldorf's role. Leighton Meester Hair Transformation The actress dyed her hair a rich maroon brown color that resembled a Waldorf. Celebrity hair colour expert Justin Anderson shared Meester's new hair on Instagram. And the new color wasn't the only change. Celebrity hairdresser Desiree Leilani Gomez cut out the actress' bob and styled it into loose waves. View yourself with Leighton Meester hairstyles. Leighton Meester's Hair Evolution We also provide easy how to style hair by reporting tips on which facial shape can match hair texture and hair density. I like to be very sensible because I use a lot of products. One of the things people with valuable brands think is less is more, he says, and the envy of his wet body when applied to a golf ball size Wet Hair Volume Mousse in. What is Leighton Meester's natural hair color The Leighton area is then spread throughout the hair using your fingers to make sure the scalp root rub is to ensure maximum removal. He then squeezes the product, using the water as a conduit to help move it through the hair, though the hair is still quite wet. Leighton Meester natural hair color Charles diffuser Leighton says that using hair will be drier but the brush also helps to complete the hair spray with volumetric whole body envy that Charles literally creates units for his hair to create more units when his hair does not naturally contain a little thinner. Leighton Meester hair 2020 - 2021 To her credit with a bevy of brave ensembles and bold beauty meester makes her mark here are our favourites. 26. happy birthday, Leighton. At times Leighton rocked wispy bursts. They look great when they're chocolate brown. Buttoned-up alter ego Blair Waldorf is no slave to the headband, unlike Gossip Girl star leighton Meester. Leighton Meester hair extensions The well-coiffed starlet is known for her long glossy mane volume and the new face of herbal essences which has an almost supernatural level of brilliance. We sat down with the star and her stylist BFF Charles Baker. Strahan to get her tips on how she keeps her hair looking so bushy. Leighton admits he does not often do his own hair and relies on. Leighton Meester natural hair Charles to style his mane. Usually the most thing I do for myself is wash and condition my hair, which is a big deal, Leighton says. Defines the signature view as the next day view. He says he just wants her to be comfortable. Autumn 2020 - 2021 may be a season of side-swept waves and fake bobs but some stars are changing their hair length and colour as. Leighton Meester blonde hair The year ends. Some choose shorter styles, while others go from blonde to brunette and vice versa. Here are 13 new looks wearing 13 stars: which ones get your vote of approval. Leighton Meester began a big head craze as Gossip Girl at Queen B Blair Waldorf on the Upper East Side. Go all the way to find out. Leighton Meester, known for playing stylish schemer Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl, has said goodbye to his most famous role with. Leighton Meester hair colour A stiff haircut. Debuting her new short 'her new flaunting magazine cover said she did so at a party celebrating leighton JustJared.com gososs. I cut the sar hair then sign. Leighton Meester haircut My long wavy hair has picked up a lot of mileage, so it's time for a change. A lot of miles. Naturally blonde Leighton dyed his hair dark brown to play Blair whose dramatic character constantly contrasts with Blake Lively's bubbly blonde Serena. Leighton Meester curly hair The inspired subplots that included rich brunette waves by many headbangers and later comic fascinators over the course of six seasons all show a series of how to own and YouTube tutorials on Blair's hair. Leighton Meester new haircut Funnily enough Penn Badgley did the same: offered adieu a shave off his. Curly pompadour once his character Dan Humphrey filmed Season. Six where the Gossip Girl star wrapped up. and her hair looks much better now. Leighton Meester red hair To create this volume, Charles uses the body Envy collection of herbal extracts. The actress has now undergone a drastic change that shows how far she has come from her days at Constance Billard. Leighton Meester hairstyle Officially Platinum yellow for the first time. Yesterday at New York's Nexxus Salon, she dived in thanks to Aura Friedman, the in-demand colorist who made everyone from lady Gaga to Jennifer Lawrence. Leighton Meester long hair Instagram story Meester uploaded several more photos to his story on Tuesday from the previous day's process. In one his colorist Aura Friedman washes paint from Meester's now bleached locks. Leighton Meester new hair A photo shoot inspired plaid trousers and black turtleneck and intimate poses. Friedman Meester sports what another taken post–date Sky Star. I had the best time pulling @ itsmeleighton from a brunette who said Friedman to a former Hollywood platinum. Leighton Meester brown hair I got to know Leighton Meester through Gossip Girl character Blair Waldorf. I love Blair, that's why I love Leighton. She is very beautiful and lovely and one of her fans. I love everything about him. In this post I will take you to see the top 27 Leighton's beautiful hair. Let's start with the familiar ones. Gossip Girl Blair always seems to wear a cute headband. No matter your hair is straight or wavy, a proper headband will make you very cute. Leighton Meester hair color Do not disturb the front hair. You could say that a paint job changed the course of Leighton Meester's life. The natural blonde colored her hair brown in the process. Of auditioning her Gossip Girl to help the celebrity creators envision her as Blair Waldorf.

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mshelenahandbag · 7 years ago

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Best of ‘17 — TV

This year’s best include a wide variety: historical recreations of Hollywood, a fantasy medieval world on the brink of all out war, two separate shows with drag queens, the secret lives of soccer moms, a revival 25 years in the making, a documentary about America’s greatest shame and an Emmy-winning adaptation of a book hitting a little too close to home.

Honorable Mention: Scandal (ABC)

Shonda Rhimes finally got her damn groove back. After watching The Catch and Still Star-Crossed fizzle out and a less-than-stellar third season of How To Get Away With Murder, Shonda’s flagship Scandal was back on track after two seasons of stagnant WTF-dom. Season six brought us back into the world of Olivia Pope with a bang when president-elect Frankie Vargas is assassinated. And it just gets crazy in the best way possible from there. We really get a glimpse again of the Olivia we all have loved since the first season and probably the best performances to date for Bellamy Young as Mellie Grant and Darby Stanchfield as Abby. And with Shonda announcing season seven will be the show’s last, this season could have served as its conclusion, but now we get to see Shonda’s gloves off for this final season with nothing held back, and a darker Olivia Pope with no white hat, now running B-613.

Outstanding Episode: “Trojan Horse” (Original airdate: 4/20/2017)

Mellie’s future to the White House is suddenly in doubt when Cyrus is pardoned for Frankie’s assassination and makes his pwn play for the White House, despite a massive campaign against him. Olivia wants to help Cyrus, even as her father warns her not to, for so many reasons, the biggest of which remains the shadow cabal who arranged for Frankie’s assassination and Mellie’s eventual win. The meat of this episode comes when Mellie meets her unexpected benefactors, Plus and Ruland, who she tries to threaten, only for Ruland to off her chief of staff, Elizabeth North (Portia de Rossi) via a golf club to the skull. Mellie is broken down and a total pawn for whatever they want to her to do. Elsewhere, Fitz breaks it off with his girlfriend, the FBI director, who pushes for Rowan’s arrest, which Fitz has already done, for his protection. Fitz and Olivia FINALLY get back together as everyone gets ready to take the shadowy organization down once and for all.

Honorable Mention: American Horror Story: Cult (FX)

I was not expecting to put this back on my best of list. Roanoke was disappointing in so many aspects. So when season seven was announced, and a theme element of the 2016 election announced, I was already ready to tune out. But something about this season is a brilliant commentary on our hive mind ideology of democrat vs republican, liberal v conservative, etc. It’s also just flat out scary. We see the lives of a lesbian couple Ally (Paulson) and Ivy (Alison Pill) as they adjust to the post-election realities, especially since Ally is damn near afraid of everything. We also meet the charismatic Kai Anderson (Evan Peters in his best AHS role to date) - a cult leader who seems to be able to read his followers and get exactly what he wants out of them. Unlike the prior six seasons, there’s nothing supernatural here, it’s all things that, could, can and have happened in the last year. What I love is that the show is not just skewed to show the evils of the alt-right, we see the exaggeration on both sides. And yet it’s still got its funny moments (“lesbians we’re under attack”) and true terror. I was ready to dismiss this season but it has truly become the show’s best since its inaugural season.

Outstanding Episode: “Drink the Kool-Aid” (Original airdate: 10/31/2017)

First off, props to Evan Peters. He played not only his role of Kai, but four additional roles in this one episode. In a massive flashback tapestry we see Peters’ Kai tell the stories of the Branch-Davidians (Peters playing David Koresh), Heaven’s Gate (Peters playing Marshall Applewhite) and finally the People’s Temple (Peters playing Jim Jones and later Jesus in a lie Kai tells his cult about Jones’s fate). Through these stories we see how Kai has managed to shape his own cult from the past and learn from what has worked and what hasn’t. Kai announces his intent to run for Senate but also forces his cult members to truly declare that they would do anything for him in the times to come. So he brings the men and women together and has them literally drink the kool-aid. The men do it willingly, the women at gunpoint, all nervous about sacrificing themselves only for Kai to reveal there was nothing in the drink. The sheer terror at so many of those involved in this scene truly sell its horror (special shoutout goes to Adina Porter’s Beverly Johnson for finally cracking amid her to-date strength). The other standout is the “B plot” as it seems all is well again with Ally and Ivy - as Ally explains that she has conquered her phobias by using her energy on getting revenge. So, yeah, Ally has poisoned her wife’s wine and pasta as revenge for institutionalizing her. And then she plays her next card deftly forging donor records that claim Kai is her son’s father. Sarah Paulson continues to be the show’s MVP every year because her range shows so many different sides every time. In this one episode Ally stops being a victim and starts to plot her way out of the cult, and taking Kai down with her.

10) Game of Thrones (HBO)

Winter has finally arrived in Westeros and shit just hits the fan from here on out. Even with a HUGE threat to the entire region from the White Walkers, we watch as Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) FINALLY lands on her home soil and proceeds to try and make her claim for the Iron Throne. Cersei (Lena Headey) allies with Euron Greyjoy to cement her hold on the Seven Kingdoms; in the North, Sansa (Sophie Turner) tries to keep things together while Littlefinger (Aiden Gillen) schemes. Basically we get a season’s worth of plot in seven episodes, and they all were so fantastic. Lots of action, but for the final season I want Benioff and Weiss to remember their prior six seasons had far better writings and less contrived coincidences. But the stage is set for a truly epic finale that will determine once and for all who will hold the Iron Throne…if the White Walkers don’t kill everyone first.

Outstanding Episode: The Queen’s Justice (Original airdate: 7/30/2017)

The long-awaited meeting between Dany and Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) is just one of the many highlights of this episode. We see Dany overtly trying to get Jon to “bend the knee”in fealty to her. Jon tries to convince Daenerys to abandon her quest for the Throne and aid their fight against the White Walkers. It’s a very frosty exchange between the two, and it looks like the alliance we all want may not actually be happening. Cersei enacts her revenge on Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma) for murdering her daughter Myrcella. The scene excels with a beautiful monologue performed by Headey where you see Cersei’s pain and anger. You might hate her like I do, but there’s times like this, you can’t say you’d do the same for your child. Cersei kisses Ellaria’s daughter Tyene with the same poison they used on Myrcella, and forces the guards to keep her eyes open so she can watch her die. Tyrion, meanwhile, gives Dany an inside scope of where to attack to let Cersei know about their presence: the Lannister stronghold of Casterly Rock. The Unsullied take the castle with little resistance, only to learn that Lannister forces have marched on Highgarden and taken it, and with it, Targaryen ally Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg). Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Olenna have probably one of the most epic scenes in series history. Olenna takes her fate - death by poison - as she has everything in the series, with her trademark wit and devil may care attitude. She flat-out tells Jaime she arranged Joffrey’s death and that she wants Cersei to know it was her. Diana Rigg’s performance in the series and this final episode are just one of the many things I’ve loved about Olenna and was so heartbroken when her time was up.

9) Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)

Ryan Murphy continues a streak on FX that translates into brilliance…as long as he isn't the sole writer. We’ve all known about this infamous feud between Hollywood legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford that exploded during the filming of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. This new series from Murphy really highlights the sexism of Hollywood, the way the two stars were baited against each other and the lasting effect it left on the two of them. This is just a star vehicle of excellence for both Jessica Lange’s Crawford - obsessive, scheming, paranoid but refined and Susan Sarandon’s Davis - witty, shrewd and blunt. The supporting players like Alfred Molina’s Robert Aldrich and Stanley Tucci’s Jack Warner all help support them (but special note given to Jackie Hoffman’s Mamacita, Crawford’s long suffering and lovely maid, and Judy Davis’s pitch-perfect portrayal of gossip columnist Hedda Hopper) but it’s just a tour-de-force from both leading ladies. You almost feel pulled in both directions on who to root for: Crawford or Davis, but the end result shows how Hollywood works. One day you’re the talk of the town, the next you can't even get arrested and make the papers. Brilliant work!

Outstanding Episode: And The Winner Is-The Oscars of 1963 (Original airdate: 4/2/2017)

After Joan is denied a nomination for her work on Baby Jane, she and Hedda set out to ensure that Bette’s nomination is not going to get her a win. Crawford makes the rounds with the other nominees, convincing Geraldine Page (Sarah Paulson in a brief cameo) and Anne Bancroft to not attend the ceremony and allow her (Crawford, that is) to accept the award on their behalf if they win. Hedda, meanwhile, buries Bette with the Academy and the press with stories from the set of Baby Jane, some true and some not. Oscar night comes and Jessica Lange’s Crawford is in a full tour-de-force of rubbing it in. She presents the Oscar she is slated to, then in a brilliant tracking shot, goes backstage and gets ready for the Best Actress category. When Anne Bancroft wins, seeing Sarandon portray Bette’s heartbreak as Lange’s Crawford struts past, victorious, is the high point of this beautiful series.

8) The Boulet Brothers’ DRAGULA: The Search for The Next Drag Supermonster (YouTube)

This series has upped its game in a big way for 2017. After a very cool and very punk season one (voted one of the best year by IMDB), season two took off like a rocket. Bigger budget, bigger guest judges, more intense extermination challenges and a cast that spans the country. The Boulet Brothers have definitely made their little-series-that-could into the little-series-that-IS. We’ve upped the game, and these queens want to truly show the world they’re the next supermonster, whether it’s fashionable yet fierce Abhorra, the completely wacky Disasterina or the cosplay-themed-yet-fierce Erika Klash. This cast brought it and made this show even better, and that’s before you factor in how bigger the show got in a year. With the Boulets saying that anyone can audition, we may have something to answer the call for those who don’t fit the mold for other drag TV competition series. And that’s a good thing!

Outstanding Episode: Episode Three (Original airdate: 11/14/2017)

My fav on season two was Biqtch Puddin, and I’m 100 percent biased because she’s my sister. And she had a rough start to her run on Dragula - a misunderstood outfit week one and a low performance week two that led her to face her first extermination challenge. Going into week three, the Boulets wanted to give Biqtch a challenge, so in announcing the rock band challenge, both Victoria Elizabeth Black (the winner of the challenge) and Biqtch (who had performed low beyond the Boulets’ expectations) were given the role of lead singer for the two groups’ rock bands. And BIQTCH. TURNED. IT. OUT. For one she was the only contestant to turn out big ‘80s rock hair, and her outfit was a loving tribute to Pete Burns, glam rock and more. Her performance as lead singer, along with her entire group’s synchronicity boosted them to the top and gave Biqtch a much needed win after two low weeks. She really did it and I was so happy to see that. In general this week was a great episode: fun challenge, lots of tributes to punk and grunge rock and you can really tell the girls enjoyed this one. We also got to hear a little bit about Dahli’s touring with Blood on the Dance Floor - and how she quit touring with the band because of an HIV diagnosis. I love that this show is able to play with soft and hard so beautifully. We can be talking about real issues one minute, and the next you see these beautiful super monsters taking their pain and using it to their benefit on the runway. Sadly for Kendra Onixx, her time was up after missing the mark in her runway, performance and not being able to grin and bear the extermination challenge of getting the most embarrassing/trashy tattoo. This series continues to just be all pleasure and no guilt, and I love every second of it.

7) American Gods (Starz)

Neil Gaiman’s best non angelic/devil story (which has its own series coming soon to Amazon) took off like a bandit this year with this show that made me actually watch Star for the first time ever. The combination of Bryan Fuller’s beautiful creative direction with Gaiman’s text and imagination result in the one of the most creative and innovative shows this year. Ricky Whittle gives a star making turn as our lead Shadow Moon, released from jail as his wife has died, and meets a mysterious stranger. Ian McShane was the perfect choice for Mr. Wednesday, as we begin to get into the (literal) mythology, setting up the war to come between the Old Gods and the New. Gillian Anderson also must be praised for her seamless portrayals as Media in the forms of Lucille Ball, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. I love that we learn about the origins of so many gods coming to America, and setting up what’s to come for the second season and beyond!

Outstanding Episode: “Come to Jesus” (Original airdate: 6/18/17)

There were so many fantastic episodes in the first season, it was really hard to narrow down to what truly was the best. But seeing Shadow finally realize what world is was finally apart of is a thrill. Wednesday and Shadow make their way to a celebration thrown by Ostara (Kristin Chenoweth) for spring, just as Media, Mr. World and Tech Boy **and** the same time as Shadow’s not-dead wife Laura (Emily Browning) and leprechaun Mad Sweeney (Pablo Schreiber). So shit gets real VERY quick as Shadow finally catches on he’s among gods. And this is where the most amazing things happen. We learn Wednesday was behind Laura’s death in a car accident and when Media tries to persuade Ostara to join the New Gods, let’s just say shit get biblical. Odin, that is Wednesday, unleashes his power, and encourages Ostara to do the same. We get to see Ostara make things bloom…and wither. From here, Odin and Ostara — and Shadow have drawn their line in the sand that will be the big focus of season two!

6) RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)

Hot off a fantastic year of season 8 AND All Stars 2, Drag Race had won its first Emmy for mama Ru’s hosting AND made the switch to VH1. Season 9 upped the game with Lady Gaga as the show’s first guest judge and brought us some of the series’ best contestants to date, whether it was the slaytastic Shea Coulee, artsy Sasha Velour or even the amazing tucking talents of Trinity Taylor. The judges were bigger and better (Kesha, The B-52s, Joan Smalls, Cheyenne Jackson!), the challenges upped the stakes and the eliminations got more and more WTF as the season went on. PLUS mama Ru had had enough half-assed lip-syncs and completely changed the format of the finale to make the finalists TRULY work for the crown.

Outstanding Episode: “Your Pilot’s On Fire” (Original air date: 5/19/2017)

Bitch if ever we were to surpass “what did Willam do” - I’m pretty sure we did with this episode. Ru tasks the final seven to come up their own pilots for network TV. Sasha and Shea, whose chemistry and partnership worked previously in the season, slayed with their spy-comedy Teets And Asky; Peppermint, Trinity Taylor and Alexis Michelle were good for all the wrong reasons (But Trinity’s Sister Mary Kuhnt was HILARIOUS!) due to a lot of infighting mostly from Alexis’s perfectionist tendencies and capacity to throw her other team members right in the path of any oncoming bus. And then there was Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown. Woefully underprepared with no script, their attempts to ad-lib don’t wow Michelle Visage and Carson Kressley. The runway theme, club kid, is a true standout among the nine seasons of the show, but big shock, Val and Nina are bottom two, and lip-syncing to Ariana Grande’s “Greedy.” Valentina’s mask stays on at the beginning, and we ALL noticed. And for the first time ever, RuPaul has to stop a lip-sync to ask Valentina to take her mask off. Valentina, to that point, had been portrayed as the sweetest girl in the cast. So when “I’d like to keep it on please” came out of her mouth, the fanbase was shook (we’d be even more shook at the Reunion by her behavior). Valentina throwing in the towel officially, to me, ties Willam’s elimination for the most shocking moment in the show’s history. It also happens in one of this season’s best episodes, and just truly shook up who I thought would make it to the finale.

5) The Vietnam War (PBS)

If you are my age, and you were in high school learning U.S. history - your teacher probably rushed through the 20th century in the span of two weeks or less. If that. Vietnam is usually a day, or two, maybe a week if you’re lucky. And we don’t know nearly enough, my generation that is, about one of the greatest embarrassments in our lifetime. Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s 10-part, 18 hour masterpiece truly encompasses every single facet of the Vietnam War - the U.S.’s involvement, the North and South Vietnamese armies and governments, the anti-war protests, the U.S.government. There’s so much to unpack and Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s interviews, research, set to the music of the ‘60s and ‘70s and guided by Peter Coyote’s steady narration. By the end of it all it feels like you’re gone through the war your self and you will most definitely ask what the fuck were we doing there as so many have over the years. Ken Burns may be known for his Civil War documentary but I truly believe because he was able to tell these stories from the sources, that this will be his masterpiece.

Outstanding Episode: “Part 6: Things Fall Apart” (Original air date: 9/24/2017)

Most episodes cover a few years of the 20+ year war but this part covers one event that would change so much of the war. The Tet Offensive from January to July 1968. Hearing the stories of American veterans who were stuck on hills for months while the Vietcong rained down on them, and hearing the same stories from the other side is just incredible. But I think the point that this episode drives home is the perception and appearance of the fake activities of the war. We see one of the most iconic images of the war - the execution of Nguyễn Văn Lém. It’s a photo we’ve all seen in our history books, but we learn the whole story about this execution from this episode. I didn’t know there was video of this - color video. We learn Lém was found near a mass grave of bodies and that a general executed him on his own decision. Despite my very desensitized nature, seeing the video put a giant pit in my stomach…and if I wasn’t already against the war from the first five parts, this convinced me so much that this war was being fought for the wrong reasons.

4) Big Little Lies (HBO)

Limited series are completely in vogue right now, and this is without a doubt one of the best ever. A whodunit murder in Monterrey, California, occurs at a trivia night and we backtrack to meet all the players and suspects. You have high-strung Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), perfectionist Celeste (Nicole Kidman) meeting new single mom Jane (Shaleine Woodley). Things seems off when Jane’s son Ziggy is accused of attacking the daughter of Renata Klein (Laura Dern in what more than easily netted her an Emmy in my opinion) and a series of misunderstandings and power plays occur. (You think corporate greed is bad and under-handed? You haven't seen Witherspoon’s Martha outdo Dern’s Renata on a birthday party Jane’s son wasn’t invited to!) I am always in love with shows that show the dark underside of those “perfect, ideal suburbs.” And this is no exception. Everyone here fires on all cylinders, but the cream of the crop here is Kidman’s Celeste, especially when you learn her husband Perry (Alexander Skarsgard) is beating her. The way Kidman’s confidence is put on and later crumbles is haunting. But I also must give props to Laura Dern is truly having the best year of her career ever (more on this later in the list, twice, no less) and Renata is just a juicy and perfect role for her. People want a second season of this, but I strongly disagree. The majesty and brilliance of this show is in its limited form, and as much as I’d love to see more from all involved, it’s way better and far more powerful as a standalone limited miniseries.

Outstanding Episode: Burning Love (Original airdate: 3/26/2017)

It’s so hard for me to pick one episode, because literally every single of these episodes were brilliant. But the setup right before the epic revelations in the finale was just too perfect. Jane’s search for her rapist (and Ziggy’s father) hits a dead-end, just as Renata draws up a petition to suspend Ziggy. Woodley and Dern going toe-to-toe is just absolutely epic and I couldn't take my eyes off their confrontation. Kidman also excels this hour as Perry’s beatings finally give her courage to look for an apartment, in the first step to leaving him. Martha is livid that her daughter is auctioning her virginity off online, AND her affair from years back is still obsessed with her. Witherspoon more than makes up for lost time the other ladies have gained with this one scene. It’s just once again a complete tour de force of shade and style and substance.

3) Twin Peaks (Showtime)

I’ve waited patiently for this - since I first started watching the original on Netflix three years ago. And it’s so hard to try and describe this without giving crucial plot points away…AND because David Lynch’s brilliant work is sometimes so hard to dissect. OK, so…after the ending of season two, NegaCoop/Evil Cooper/BOB is still in our world, Dale Cooper himself is still stuck in the Black Lodge. And some transference has to happen for Nega to go back and Dale to exit…but Nega has planned for this and created dimwitted Dougie Jones, whose body Dale switches places with. Does that make any sense? No…well it’s David Lynch so fuck it! Now CONFIDENTLY, I can say that Kyle MacLachlan delivers three fantastic performances, that we connect to the original two seasons wonderfully and Fire Walk With Me perfectly and the entire thing is shot to Lynchian perfection. Everyone involved with this, from Sherilyn Fenn’s return as Audrey, to Robert Forster as new Twin Peaks sheriff Frank Truman (Harry’s brother) fire on all cylinders, but my hat goes off to Laura Dern as the previously mentioned but never seen Diane for delivering a chic character with a LOT of panache. (Special mention also has to be given to the late Catherine Coulson’s Log Lady and Miguel Ferrer’s Albert Rosenfeld for giving their characters more depth and final performances that will continue to make their stars shine). This limited series was something I was looking forward to each Sunday and feel honestly honored to watch a true work of art play out every week. Even if the ending was beyond frustrating, it was all about the journey this summer and honestly one of the best summer TV journeys I’ve ever had.

Outstanding Episode: “Part 16” (Original airdate: 8/27/2017)

The first fifteen weeks were amazing Lynchian art, but the penultimate week had plot development for days. After Dougie stuck a fork in an outlet (it’s a very long story, just watch this brilliant season), he’s in a coma BUT wakes up as the Dale Cooper we’ve all loved. And he’s ready to head back to Twin Peaks. Meanwhile, NegaCoop (he’s called Mr. C in most press but it’s just more fun for me) takes wayward fuckup Richard Horne (Eamon Ferren), Audrey’s (and later revealed HIS) son with him to coordinates given to him. Richard dies by electrocution meant for NegaCoop and knows that one set of coordinates is false, and the other will lead him back to Twin Peaks and to a showdown with his doppelgänger. Meanwhile (see what I did there, Peaks fans?) in North Dakota, Diane Evans (Dern) is contacted by NegaCoop and seems to convulse. She meets with her FBI allies Gordon Cole (David Lynch), Albert (Ferrer) and Tammy Preston (Chrysta Bell) revealing what happened when she met “Cooper” years ago. In short, NegaCoop raped her, took her. And then Diane freaks, saying she’s in the sheriff’s station and pulls a gun on her company, only to be shot by Albert and Tammy. Diane then vanishes to the Red Room, where MIKE (Al Strobel) realizes she’s been manufactured. Meanwhile meanwhile, Audrey Horne (Sherilynn Fenn) after two episodes of will she/won't she FINALLY goes to the Roadhouse with her husband. After a performance by Eddie Vedder, it’s announced the band will play “Audrey’s Dance.” Audrey then recreates her iconic dance from the pilot episode only to be interrupted by a sparring match between two men. “Get me out of here” Audrey says to Charlie, only to awake in a white room somewhere in front a mirror, crackling with electricity. And we still don't know where THAT is! (Seriously, David Lynch, do what you want but why include Audrey only to leave us hanging?!)

2) Stranger Things (Netflix)

One of the best surprises of last year has rightfully become a pop culture phenomenon and become one of the best made, best acted and just most fun shows on any medium right now. Set a year after the Vanishing of Will Byers, we rejoin the gang in Hawkins as Lucas and Dustin (Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzzo) vie for the attention of new girl Max (Sadie Sink) who just might be able to hang with the gang, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) still coping with the loss of Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown), Joyce (Winona Ryder) has a new beau (Sean Astin in a role that is just awkward HIL. AR. ITY.) oh and Will (Noah Schnapp) is having episodes (flashes of the Upside Down) on the regular. Things all begin coming to a head as something new from the Upside Down is coming, and it’s not going to stop with Will, it wants Hawkins, it wants the world. And it provides some of the best TV this year. This show’s word-of-mouth in season one is what contributed to its success, and I think the Duffer Brothers were able to build on that and make this season a standout, a great companion to the first and reset everything for its next two seasons.

Outstanding Episode: Chapter Two-Trick or Treat, Freak (Original airdate: 10/27/2017)

After we find out that not only is Eleven alive, but out of the Upside Down AND LIVING WITH HOPPER - you know I clicked NEXT EPISODE and FAST! We learn how El escaped, setting up a great set of small flashbacks for the rest of the season. But the main event here is Halloween with our heroes, taking full splendor of 1984 with Ghostbusters. (And being the only kids in Hawkins to wear their costumes to school - didn’t you hate when this happened to you?) I really enjoyed seeing the gang begin to try and let Max (Sadie Sink) into their ranks. But our focus this episode is two fold. We first get to see the boys trick-or-treating and we see Will being bullied as “zombie boy” and other nicknames (kids are the worst and its even driven home more later when Joyce, knocked back into the Upside Down. But this time with a video camera that will prove to be very crucial later. We also are privy to the high school’s Halloween party as Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Steve (Joe Keery) begin to have issues. Nancy, especially, still wracked by guilt over the death and disappearance of her best friend Barb. It’s weird to see the dynamics shift of Steve being the responsible one and Nancy spiraling out of control. We’re still setting a lot of things up here, but the binge continues as Halloween winds down as Dustin finds something in his trashcan that changes the course of the entire season.

1) The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)

Even if the election of 2016 hadn’t essentially made this work of fiction a bit more real, I would still have given this the #1 slot. Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel has been a favorite of mine for years and the world of Gilead has needed an onscreen revival after its entertaining but bare ‘90s adaptation. Enter creator and show runner Bruce Miller who took the novel and made a series that is equal parts terrifying, inspiring and breathtaking. The world of Gilead is expanded, lived in, and utterly terrifying in a post-11/8 “45” presidency. But it’s the best show on any platform right now. This is Elisabeth Moss’s show, because she absolutely vanishes into the role of Offred. We get to see how Gilead came to be, through Offred’s eyes and it’s one of the many strengths Miller has made for the series. A first person narrative is amazing, but can only go so far. The series goes beyond only what Offred sees in the novel - we see WAY more here and it sets a lot up. And it’s not just Moss, the entire cast is just fantastic, whether it’s Yvonne Strahovski’s cold and calculating performance as Serena Joy, Samira Wiley’s inspiring Moira - a Handmaid that has escaped, or the Emmy-winning talents of Ann Dowd as the cruel Aunt Lydia. Atwood’s novel is seen during season one and I’m curious what season two is gonna bring us with things never seen in the novel. This is the best 2017 gave us and I knew on its first day of release. The series is a warning, it’s a rally cry, and it is also an inspiring message to never give in, even when things are absolutely horrid. As was written by a Handmaid, and found by Offred: nolite te bastardes carborundum.

Outstanding Episode: “Late” (Original airdate: 4/26/2017)

This isn’t even Elisabeth Moss’ best episode. The reason this episode is the best of the year is because of Alexis Bledel’s Emmy winning performance. AND DOESNT EVEN SAY A WORD DURING THE WHOLE HOUR. We focus on Offred adjusting to the new Ofglen that has replaced Bledel’s. Aunt Lydia interrogates her and Serena assumes Offred is pregnant and defends her against her treatment. (She’s not.) Later when Serena finds this out, Strahovski’s anger and malice play beautifully as she forcibly drags Offred upstairs to confine her to her room. But that’s not the highlight and not why this is the best episode of TV this year. For this we must go back to Ofglen/Emily and Alexis Bledel. She’s been removed from her assigned residence for being a lesbian, a gender traitor and a crime in Gilead, especially the fact that she’s had a secret relationship. She and the Martha (another class of female servants) are sentenced - the Martha hanged (in a tracking shot as a van pulls Bledel away to her own punishment and sentence. We don’t see that until the episode’s end when Dowd’s pious Aunt Lydia comes in to tell Emily she won't want for what she can’t have. We then look down to see she has under gone genital mutilation. Bledel’s silence is finally broken as she screams, and it’s a chilling end to a brilliantly tragic hour of TV.

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