#but i feel dragging marlene back fro

[chronicallyari]

okay, now I did consider that and thus shall accept this addition without complaint.

dorcas and marlene are orpheus and eurydice.

no i will not elaborate.

[familyvideostevie]

october twenty-fourth

day twenty-four: james potter james forgets his gloves on a walk along the river | established relationship, fluff, first i love you | 1.2k

The city is lovely this time of year. People clinging to the evenings where a heat lamp is enough to convince everyone to sit outside, vendors selling scarves and hot nuts on the bridges. The days are getting shorter, yes, but you bask in the chill and the energy of it all. Autumn is a season of change, of preparation, and you adore it.

The path along the river is bustling, full of young people drinking beer and kids on skateboards and couples like you and James. You’re due to meet your friends for dinner in about an hour but you got here early to stop at a bookshop and just spend time together.

He’s bought you mulled wine and himself spiced cider. The cups are doing wonders for warming your hands, which are cold even through your gloves. James, however, has forgotten his entirely, and the tips of his long piano fingers are starting to look the wrong color.

“Are you sure you don’t want at least one of my gloves?” you ask him. He shakes his head and reaches for you with one hand. You twine your fingers together as if it’ll keep him warm. James is the kind of person who will not admit that he’s cold even as he’s freezing to death.

“I’m not sacrificing your fingers because of my idiocy, love,” he says. “I’ll be alright.”

You pout at him and he laughs.

“None of that, come on now.” He kisses the pout from your lips until you’re laughing.

“James, don’t spill my wine!”

He tugs you into his side. “Sorry, sorry.” He doesn’t sound sorry at all.

You study him as you walk. His hair is windswept by the breeze coming off the river, his glasses clean only because you cleaned them a few minutes ago. He did remember a scarf, one you knitted him last month in preparation for the cold. Maybe you should buy him a pair of gloves for every coat. You really wish he would look out for himself more, not just everyone around him. But you can handle it being your job.

“Do you think Marlene will be cross if we show up tipsy?” you ask.

He looks at you with amusement in his eyes. “Are you already? You’ve had less than one wine.”

“No!” He laughs. “I just think we should get another, since they’re so warming.” James has finished his and tosses it in a bin.

“You don’t need to worry about my body temperature,” he says. “I will be just fine.”

You grumble. You worry! How could you not? He’s your boyfriend.

The smooth sound of a cello drifts towards you as you walk. “Do you think the buskers are out?” you ask James.

“I love that guy with the tuba that spits fire.”

“Please tell me you don’t think you’re hearing a tuba right now, James.” He kisses your temple with a smile.

“No, love, I know what it is. Let’s find it.”

You end up having to walk under a bridge and through a narrow tunnel but you end up by the art museum James took you to on your first date. It’s a weird one, full of experimental art and big, open floors of interactive installations, but you’d been smitten with him immedietly.

“Good memories,” he says, as if he can read your mind.

“The best.” It’s you who presses a kiss to his cheek this time. “There’s the cellist. Shall we watch?”

James allows you to drag him to the edge of the small crowd that has gathered to listen. He stands behind you and, in a move that makes you feel slightly triumphant, wraps his arms around you and sticks his hands in your jacket pockets.

“You’re warm,” James says into your ear. You lean back into him, one hand on your wine and the other resting on his arm.

“You’re welcome.”

He sways you to the music. It’s like you’re in your own little world with James, sometimes. He has this ability to make everything else fade away, to make you feel like you’re the most special person in the universe, like he’d do anything for you. And you think he would. Your heart aches with the desire to tell him you love him, you realize, to whisper it in his ear every second. To shout it from the bridge so the whole city can hear. It hits you like a truck.

How did you not realize before?

Standing here with him, his hands in your pockets because he likes to be close to you and he knows you’ll keep him warm, is the best place you could be right now. You are happy. A laugh bubbles its way out of you as the cellist starts to play a love song you heard on the radio this morning.

“What’s with you?” James asks, tone cheeky. “Got the giggles?”

You keep laughing, turning your face so it’s in his neck while his hands are still in your pockets.

“God, I love you,” James says. He pulls his hands from your coat and cups your elbows instead and you stop laughing.

“James —” you say, turning in his hold.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” he mutters.

Oh. Ouch. “Did you not mean it?” He hears the hurt in your voice and his eyes snap to you, reading the devastation in your gaze.

He quickly cradles your face and presses his lips to your brow. God, his hands really are cold.

“Of course I did,” he says in a rush. “I love you,” he says again. It sends a thrill down to your toes. “I just…meant to tell you in a more romantic way. Candles and dinner, or something.”

He kisses your lips this time, quick and hard, and flops his forehead onto your shoulder. The cellist keeps his rhythm, oblivious to the enormity of this moment between you.

“James,” you say, feeling a bit giddy. He loves you. “James, come back.”

“No,” he says, voice muffled by your jacket. “I’m embarrassed.”

You tug on the hair at the nape of his neck and he rises. His glasses are cooked so you straighten them.

“This is just fine,” you say. “This is perfect, actually.”

“Oh, is it?” he scoffs. “You’re just humoring me.”

“Maybe I am,” you say. You tug off one glove so you can rest your bare palm on his face. He leans into it. “But it’s alright. That’s what you do when you love someone.”

His gaze brightens, his mouth tugs up at the corner. “That so? How do you know, pray tell?”

You scrunch up your nose at him for playing this game, but you love it. You love him. “Because I love you, you silly man.”

He closes his eyes for just one moment as if he’s gathering himself. “I love you,” he says again.

“You said that already.”

“I’ll say it a million times.” You throw your arms around his neck and he pulls you tight to him, picking you up and spinning you around just once. People are probably staring but you don’t care.

“See?” you say once he sets you down, a little breathless. “Plenty romantic.”

James presses his forehead to yours. “If you say so, darling.” The cello plays on.

thank you for reading <3 reblog, send feedback, general masterlist here! promptober masterlist, find all fics under #fvspromptober23

[itisme-rosie]

-- relief; sirius black, marlene mckinnon, remus lupin x reader (separately) in an au where the war doesn't exist and everyone lives happily ever after and to be in your arms is the relief they need...

cw: fluff!! established relationships for all

masterlist | rules

[ sirius black ]

"you're pacing again," i admonish over my teacup, eyes flickering to the man walking to and fro in front of me, "it's making me feel dizzy just watching you,"

"then pace with me," comes his reply.

i scoff, lowering my teacup to its saucer, "what, and work myself up too which, in turn, will work you up even more? i think one panicky adult is enough in this situation, so i'll pass,"

"i'm not panicky," sirius pouts, pausing in his pacing to look at me sat comfortably on his couch.

"oh, but you are worked up,"

"i'm just worried,"

"sirius, harry is a good kid," i remind him, shifting in my seat, "you and james were the same - sneaking out at this time to spend time doing one thing or another with the rest of your friends, but regardless, he knows how to be safe, he'll be alright,"

my words seem to do nothing to ease his worries and i sigh, lowering my tea to the table, chewing on my lower lip.

"c'mere," i say softly, opening my arms and leaning back against the couch.

that make sirius stop in his tracks, eyes narrowed in confusion, "aren't you worried? what if something happens to him on our watch?"

"come here please," i say again, gesturing for him to come closer and he sighs, walking closer and holding onto my hands, tugging me to stand up before enveloping me in a tight hug and i hear him inhale deeply.

""he'll be fine, love," i murmur, "and of course, i'm worried," i say in a hushed tone, "but this is harry we're talking about, he knows how to protect himself - you, pads, moony, and lily made sure to teach him as much," i pat his head soothingly, "and if he's with ginny, then we really don't have anything to worry about, his parents may well have been expecting him to sneak out to see her,"

"but -"

"it's okay," i pull away to cup his face and pull him into a soft kiss, "have a little faith in him, yeah?"

he sighs deeply, thumbing over the back of my hand as i cupped his face, "yeah, you're right," he kisses my palm, sighing again so i tug him back to the sofa, allowing him to lay on top of me with his head on my chest, eyes finally shutting temporarily.

"rest," i kiss the top of his head, rubbing his back, "i'll wake you up when he gets back,"

[ marlene mckinnon ]

"you -" i glance up, meeting marlene's eyes for the briefest of moments before looking back at the pile of papers on my desk, "- should be asleep already, love, what are you -"

"no,"

i raise my eyebrow the same time my lip quirks up in a half-smile, "come now love, you were drinking for two last night, remember? it's gonna be a while before the hangover potion takes effect,"

she lets out a whine of protest as she makes her way to me, bare feet pitter-pattering against the wood and dropping her head against my shoulder, staying quiet for a while before speaking up again, "it's the weekend, isn't it?"

silence. only the scratching of my quill on the parchment filling the space between us and it takes an impatient tug on my shirt for me to answer with a clear of my throat - albeit a little hesitantly, "yes, it is,"

silence again.

"so why are you working?"

"because i want to get started on next week's load so we can go to that restaurant opening up in diagon alley, i know you'd hate to miss it and i, quite frankly, do not wish to work on that specific day, so i am trying to make up for it now,"

marlene lifts her head, dragging her lips to peck the crook of my neck before leaning her chin on my shoulder. if i focused enough, i could almost completely and perfectly visualize her expression at that very moment. eyebrows furrowed as she tried to make sense of the words on the paper, eyes squinted to limit the light entering her eyes as the sunlight of a new day enveloped my workspace, lips in a pout as she went over every possible option and deciding which one would most probably coax me into her arms.

reaching behind me, i lightly scratch at her scalp with my nondominant hand, not looking away from my work, "marls, honey, if your head still hurts, you should get back to bed, you need to rest - meaning more water and more sleep,"

"i do not need more sleep," she says in a half haughty voice, "i don't need more water, i need you,"

"is that so?" i muse.

"darling," my girlfriend starts warningly, swivelling my chair around til i faced her before sinking to the ground on her knees, wrapping her arms around my calves and leaning her head on my lap which prompted me to run my fingers through her hair with a growing smile, "i am very cross, very cranky, and, as you said..."

i could practically feel her roll her eyes and i smile.

"...in need of rest,"

silence.

"i know, i'm right,"

"and i wasn't finished," she scoffs, snuggling more against my side and sinking to sit on the back of her legs, "and you know how i say i always sleep better beside you, right? well, if you take a break right now, we both get what we want! you, getting me to rest, and me, getting to hold you! it's a win-win! whaddaya say?"

i let out a small half-scoff, half-laugh, lightly scratching her scalp before relenting, "alright," i sigh, laughing harder when her head shot up excitedly.

"really? you mean it?"

"yes, love," i duck my head to peck her lips, "as long as you drink water before we go to bed,"

i have never seen her stand and hobble out of my office to the kitchen that quickly and while hungover before.

[ remus lupin ]

this particular party was indeed very big.

a massive, extra-spectacular party no one else has and could ever pull off again - in the words of one mr. sirius black, of course. not that i could blame him for his flowery words, it was a particularly gruelling quidditch season and gryffindor had won against slytherin.

almost immediately as i entered, i was lost in the crowd of students, pulled away like a floatie out to sea far away from my boyfriend.

i had gotten lost in a conversation and a drink with one of my old friends from another house, and by the time i looked around for a familiar figure - a tall, lanky brunette sandwiched between his friends, i had lost him.

now, with his height, he was like a beacon, my beacon of salvation whenever i get lost in large crowds and it was easy enough to spot him. but when i saw james and sirius on top of a table, drunkenly singing to muggle bands, i knew remus must have retired already.

after all, in a party this big, it was quite easy to miss a few faces. not me, i would have never lost his face. so to the dorms i went, right over to the one he shared with his friends.

it was dark when i peeked in, save the light from a crack in their bathroom door streaming into the room and illuminating the semi-mess of a room the boys shared, so i walk in, shutting the door behind me before knocking on the bathroom door.

"come in," comes remus' voice.

"rem," i call for him softly, lips in a line, eyebrows furrowed in concern when i see him with his legs tucked against his chest in the bathtub. my dear, dear boyfriend sat fully clothed in the bathtub with one of those muggle music players beside him s he sheepishly looks up at me.

"tired already?" i ask softly, sitting on the edge beside him and rubbing his shoulder comfortingly.

"a little," he takes my hand to kiss my palm, "sorry 'bout leaving you out there, darling," he murmurs and i shake my head.

"it's alright," i smile a little wider when he kiss up my wrist, "the full moon is 'round the corner and you need to rest,"

tugging lightly on his hand, i attempt to help him stand but he protests, trying to tug me into the empty tub.

"love, it won't be comfortable for you," i say gently.

"just for a little while? please?" remus looks up at me with pleading eyes and i am weak-willed under the force of that stare, so i sigh, ducking to kiss his forehead.

"scoot up then, please,"

his eyes light up just a little, and i smile, kissing the scar on his cheek before sliding into the tub behind him so his back laid against my chest. his knees were bent, my legs were squished uncomfortably, but the weight of him on me, his warmth enveloping me made it all worth it.

i wrap my arms around his shoulders, patting his chest, right over his heart, while the other scratches lightly at his scalp and i start to hum, kissing his hair again.

"i love you," i whisper.

remus relaxes more in my embrace and i just knew he had that stupid, lovestruck grin on his face as whispered the endearment back. and that was alright, because i was smiling just the same way.

[marauderss-hp]

Ficmas Day Three - Finally

Some modern day magic hogwarts Jily fluff that warmed my heart to write. I only slightly read over this so I'm sorry if there’s any mistakes :)

word count: 1,262

-

“Oh, I wish it could be Christmas everyday…”

Lily cringed as James started up singing another Christmas song for the fourth time that evening. She tried her hardest to block him out and continue to do her homework, but he was relentless and grew louder and louder every song. Except for this time, he seemed to want to dance around too.

They were in the common room, Sirius record player on the coffee table, a stack of muggle Christmas songs in a pile next to it. Remus and Sirius were nowhere to be seen and Peter had headed to the kitchens to grab a snack. Which left Lily to deal with a screaming James Potter all by herself. God, why won’t he just shut up! She groaned and buried her hand in her hands before taking a death breath and starting on her Charms essay.

She could hear him stomping around the room, making the tables shake slightly as he started jumping up and down too. She was losing the plot. She had hoped that the Common Room would be empty and that the boys would be doing this in their dorm, but Lily had the worst look. Of course, she could easily be up in her dorm too, but Dorcas and Marlene wanted some ‘alone time’ and she sure wasn’t sticking around to witness that...again.

She was making good progress and had succeeded in blocking the majority of James’ voice out of her ears, before the desk chair she was sat in was whisked around and she was face to face with James, sweaty and panting but with a gleeful smile on his face. They had gotten over their...past disagreements and became friends last year. Except, she didn’t want that. She wanted to be more, and she thought that James wanted to be more as well seeing as though he couldn’t stop asking her out the past five years. But the past two years were different. He wasn’t trying to win her over anymore or constantly coming up to her daily to see if she would go to Hogsmede with him. She doesn’t know why, but it made her sad. She had started to fall in love with the messy-haired boy as he, as it seemed, was falling out of love with her.

“Evans!” she blinked quickly and regained focus, seeing James with a worried look on his face before she smiled back at him and it dropped. “Thought that I’d lost you there, love.”

Lily didn’t want to admit how many butterflies she got from the name, feeling them start up again in her stomach when he gave her a dopey grin. She blushed under his gaze and tried to focus on anything else except fro his eyes. It didn’t work as she felt two fingers gently grasp her chin and pull her focus back onto him.

“Dance with me, Evans.”

That was not what she was expecting him to say. She didn’t know what she thought or wanted him to say, but when he took her face in her hands, she had hoped it would be going in a different direction. Clearly not.

“I’ve got work to do, Potter, dance on your own,” she started to protest before James was wildly shaking his head, a playful gleam in his eyes.

“You can take a break, Lils,” again, more butterflies, “Besides! I want to dance with you and it wasn’t a question. It was an order.”

He then grabbed her hands and hauled her to her feet, causing her to stumble right into James’ arms, not as gracefully as she had liked it to have been. She watched on helplessly as he began to move around the room again, this time dragging her with him. She laughed when he let out an exasperated gasp.

“Lily! Relax and dance with me. Its Christmas, don’t be a Scrooge!”

“James, it’s not Christmas, it’s the 3rd of December, there so many days to go-”

James gasped and placed a heart over his heart. “Did you just call me James! Lily flower, are you warming up to me?”

“You have no idea!” she murmured under her breath, quiet enough that nobody should have heard it. James, however, is not an ordinary person.

“What was that Lily darling?” he smirked and ducked his head slightly to try and catch her eyes in a gaze.

Blushing furiously, she tried to change the subject. “I thought you wanted to dance. Let’s dance!”

She grabbed his hands again and started bouncing around in circles, sending James into a fit of laughter before the song stopped and he let go and went to change the song. She watched him flip through the records before he stopped and let out a content hum and place the record down. He turned over his shoulder and grinned at her as the start of the song played.

I don't want a lot for Christmas

She groaned as he stalked back over to her and started singing directly at her. Lily hoped that it wasn’t just the friendly singing at your friend and that he actually did want her. But she didn’t let that show and instead laughed and joined in.

“There is just one thing I need. Don't care about the presents. Underneath the Christmas tree” the two of them screamed out and began jumping around the couch, the fire blazing in the background, letting a soft orange glow surround them.

He grabbed her hand and spun her in a circle, bringing her back towards her chest as he began singing the next lyrics, looking straight in her eyes and smiling. Lily smiled back, words stuck in the back of her throat.

“I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you, baby!”

Before she knew what she was doing, Lily surged forward and smashed her lips on James’, eliciting a gasp of surprise out of the boy’s mouth, before he grabbed the back of her neck and deepened the kiss, hands tangling in her hair, as Lily’s rested on his chest. They kissed for what felt like hours, soft and slow, the world around them melting as they both thought the same thing. Finally.

James broke the kiss first, pulling away and taking her hands back into his own, pressing a kiss to each one.

“No idea, huh?” he said between quiet laughs

“Stop, James!” she buried her head into his chest as the sides of his mouth quirked up and he wrapped her arms around her and gently rocked them to the song.

“All I want for Christmas is you baby. All I want for Christmas is you baby. All I want for Christmas is you baby. All I want for Christmas is you, baby…” he whispered in her ear as she snuggles further into his chest. “I mean it...I want you...If you’ll have me?”

She lifted her head up and kissed him sweetly, his hand going to cup her face. She pulled back and rested their foreheads together. “Yes, of course, I’ll have you!” He smiled happily and fell back against the small armchair in the corner, Lily in his lap the both of them humming and smiling to the next song with lidded eyes.

That was how their best friends found them, curled up against each other, Lily’s head resting in the crook of his neck and his lips pressed to her forehead, smiles gracing both of their faces. Finally.

[stylesluxx]

breakups – s.black

[warnings: you could say angst but eh]

summary: in which sirius is going through more than one breakup and y/n just wants to protect her brother | potter!reader | part two

word count: 1,947

masterlist

When you and Sirius broke up, James and Sirius broke up. You knew what would happen if you and Sirius ever broke up and that's why you kept rejecting him. The last thing you wanted to do was hurt your brother or drag him into whatever mess you and Sirius were bound to create.

"Y/N, just give the poor kid a chance," James was begging.

"Okay and when it all goes to shit, then what, James?" You questioned. "You're willing to risk your relationship with either me or Sirius? Because I know I'm not willing to risk my relationship with you."

"It won't come down to that. And if it does, you're my twin; I'll have your back regardless of the circumstances, you know that."

"See, but I don't even want to put you in a position to choose."

"Okay, but I'm willing to do that if it means you two idiots will be happy. Just think about it, Y/N."

And you and Sirius were good for a long time. You were good for two years; from fifth year up to seventh year. He was your best friend and two were nearly inseparable. His face was the first thing you saw in the morning and the last thing you saw before falling asleep in his arms. He walked with you to the classes you had together, sat with you at all meals, made sure you ate and made sure all your schoolwork was done. Being with him was easy until it wasn't.

Any relationship was hard to maintain with the threat of war lingering in everyone's minds. He and the other three boys spent so much time game planning their first year out of school that your boyfriend had forgotten about you.

The first and last face you saw every day was Lily's. The only arms wrapped around you were your own and you were also the only person looking out for yourself. The thing is, for a while this didn't even bother you. You knew how serious everything was and you knew Sirius wasn't doing anything stupid. You were beyond understanding and gave Sirius all the space he needed. But since you and Sirius' relationship was so public, of course, people would attempt to plant seeds of doubt in your head. For a while, you ignored them and focused on yourself and your studies but it eventually got too much, forcing you to confront Sirius.

You were walking by a few Ravenclaw girls in the hallway who immediately snickered when they caught sight of you. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion but kept walking, trying not to think too much of it. But when Lily walked up behind you and took your arm, tugging you along, you figured something was up.

"What could it possibly be now?" You huffed. Lily never came to you with gossip unless she knew there was at least an 85% chance of it being true. She kept quiet and dragged you through the halls until you two were back in your dorm.

"Talk to Sirius, like ASAP," She told you seriously, looking you directly in your eyes.

"About?"

"He and Marlene have been spending a lot of time together–"

"Well aren't you guys in that little Order thing? That's probably why," You shrugged.

"No, Y/N something's up. James is the one that pointed this out to me and you know James–"

"Yep, nothing but an empty barrel," You nodded.

"Now, I'm not saying he cheated but they're a little too close for comfort. Talk to him."

You huffed as you left the room, deciding not to avoid this conversation. You spotted Remus and James in the living room which was all too convenient.

"Have you two seen Sirius?" You asked, putting your hand on your hip already beginning to get aggravated.

"I have not," James shook his head and shut his book so that he could look at you.

"I think him and Marlene stayed behind after the meeting," Remus answered, giving you a small and unknowing smile. But James gave him a weird look before looking over at you and giving you a small nod.

You quickly left and went to the room of requirement, ready to confront your boyfriend. Although you weren't confrontational at all, you were always very gentle and calm which was one of the things that Sirius claimed he loved about you.

The door was there when you arrived and you could hear the giggling and fits of laughter from outside the door. Without knocking you barged in and quickly took note of the two sitting on the couch and Marlene's hand on Sirius' lap. Your unannounced arrival caused the laughter to cease and their heads quickly turned to look at you.

"Oh hi, Y/N. What're you doing here?" Sirius questioned, almost as if nothing was wrong.

"I could ask you the same. The meeting ended almost 30 minutes ago and yet here you are. And with Marlene McKinnon," You spoke stoically.

"Hi Y/N," She spoke up shyly.

"Hi, McKinnon. I heard you were struggling with potions, maybe you should, well, I don't know, go study or something," You suggested with a forced small smile.

She nodded and grabbed her bag before looking back at Sirius, "see you later?"

"I'm doubtful," You quickly cut in.

When she left, you went and leaned on the wall as you waited for Sirius' explanation.

"I'm not cheating on you," He started, making you roll your eyes.

"Mhm and was you starting with that supposed to make me feel confident about that?" You titled your head and furrowed your eyebrows.

"Seriously, Y/N, I'm not."

"So what's with all the rumors and girls laughing at me when I walk by them? Oh, and where have you been lately? You ditch me at meals, you don't ask me to sleep with you anymore, you've completely changed," You asked, feeling yourself start to get vulnerable.

"I've just been really tired and busy, Y/N, honestly," He huffed, thinking that explanation would excuse his behavior.

"Too tired and busy for your girlfriend, but you can spend time with Marlene McKinnon?" You questioned, starting to get loud. You couldn't believe he tried to play the exhaustion card, it blew your mind. You pushed yourself off the wall and began pacing as you ran a hand through your hair, clearly getting frustrated. "Sirius, it was never like this before. I used to be your security blanket; you would literally beg for me when you felt this way. I'm so lost."

He sighed, "Y/N, I know. But don't you think we kinda... outgrew each other?"

"Absolutely not!" You shook your head and stopped pacing, looking at him.

"I just- I'm not feeling this, us, anymore. I-I–" He tried to get out and put his head in his hands.

"You love her?" You whispered, making Sirius' body freeze.

He quickly relaxed and nodded before looking up to meet your eyes. You nodded, trying to take everything in. You didn't want to show him that he hurt you even though you knew he would know.

"Y/N–"

"I'll see you around, Sirius," You cut him off and quickly walked out the room and went straight toward the common room.

"Hey, did you find him?" James inquired once he saw you.

You wanted to tell James everything. Sirius was your best friend, but James was your rock and vice versa. This meant that you were supposed to protect him at all costs and you figured that you were better off crying in Lily's arms tonight.

"Yeah he was helping Marlene with potions," You nodded and tapped your foot, anxious to go to your room and let it all out.

"Sirius isn't even good at potions," Remus made a face.

"Yeah, I think Marlene figured that out pretty quickly," You chuckled.

"So, where is he now?" James questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Ummm, I think he said something about getting some food. But hey, I'm a bit tired so we'll talk later," You spoke, trying to hide the irritation in your voice.

Before they could say anything, you ran up the stairs and to your dorm. You sighed when you opened the door and let your shoulders slump. Lily looked away from her book to look at you and you gave her a defeated smile.

"Hey, hey, it's going to be just fine," She said softly and rushed over to hold you in her arms.

"Yeah, I know. But James," You squeaked out and let the tears fall.

"Babe, this is not about James. This is about you. James will figure it out, let him," She said, putting you at arm's length and rubbing your shoulders.

"That's his best friend. I don't want him to choose between me and Sirius, but I know he will," You shook your head.

She shook her head and brought you over to lay on her bed. "Dorcas and Alice went to Hogsmeade, so you have plenty of time to get it all out," She assured you.

"He didn't cheat on me," You told her, trying to wipe your eyes but the tears kept coming. "But he loves her."

Lily gasped quietly and had you lay your head on her chest as she rubbed your back. "Y/N, babe–"

"It's okay. I'll be okay. James doesn't know yet."

"Enough of James, Y/N! This is your heart and your heartbreak here, not his."

"This is his heartbreak, too, Lily. You know their relationship," You kept trying to explain but just shook your head. "Forget it."

The next morning you found yourself on the couch in the common room waiting for James to come down, which was taking forever. James liked to look presentable, but he was never a diva about his appearance.

"What's taking my brother so long?" You asked Remus as he came downstairs with Peter right behind him.

"Those two are still expressing their differences," Remus huffed, keeping the answer short and simple. He looked at you with pity in his eyes and you suddenly weren't so confused.

"Sirius told James?" You questioned, but you already knew the answer.

"They argued all night. They woke up arguing," Peter groaned.

"Well, it's mostly James. Sirius is sorta just... taking it," Remus corrected Peter

"James!" You yelled as you stormed up the stairs and to their room. You could hear him down the hall, which only annoyed you even more.

"I cannot believe you, Black!" You heard James, which turned your annoyance to sadness very quickly. James had never called Sirius by his last name and it almost made you flinch when you heard it.

You sighed, not wanting to face Sirius so soon but you needed to stop your brother from being so irrational. You opened the door but that didn't stop James' rant.

"James, please stop," You spoke gently but you were loud enough for James to hear.

"Y/N-"

"James, look at him," You said and looked over at Sirius who was uncomfortable and saddened by his friend's words. "He's had enough of your mouth. I could hear you yelling at him from down the hall. Let's go, please."

James quickly looked at Sirius before turning back to you and nodding. He grabbed his backpack and slipped on his shoes and walked over to the door, but turned back.

"Her eyes are puffy because she's been crying. Over you. That's why we can't be friends anymore," James calmly said before leaving the room.

You turned back to Sirius and sighed, feeling your eyes well up. "I'm sorry," You hiccuped and wiped your tears. You quickly turned and followed your brother out of the room, taking his hand for comfort.

[AN: hi so this is the longest piece of work I’ve written on here and wow. ummm I really like this piece and I left it open for a part two if it’s requested so let me know what you guys think]

[spotlightsaga]

Kevin Cage of @spotlightsaga reviews… Untucked (S09E06) Snatch Game Airdate: April 29, 2017 @wowreport Ratings: 593,000+ on @youtube as of 6/15/17 Score: 8/10

**********SPOILERS BELLW**********

I made a specific contestant a promise I would go ahead and watch Untucked to not only highlight the juxtaposition of my styles of writing when it comes the two totally different series (one competition, one what’s morphed into a show of spirit and sense of community), but also because Drag Race is simply a tough one for me to review. I have a lot of respect for everyone that comes on the show and demonstrates that ‘fire’, and I get caught up in trying to both critique ‘Drag Race’ as the competition style calls for and pad my blunt critiques with humor that can be sometimes taken the wrong way. Last week’s 'Untucked’, I focused heavily on Nina, I recognized a pattern, certain tendencies, withdrawing fro. The group, and a look of the eyes that I know all too well because I myself have battled depression, addiction, dependency, a slew of shit (as most of us have) and had to figure out how to maneuver life without throwing up too many buckets of water on myself when I start to get white hot. It’s not easy, but for some people it is… And sometimes those very people want to say, 'Get over it’, 'Suck it up’, or write you off… Depression, self doubt, all these things that plague us in the cycle of the human condition are not something you can just wipe off the mirror like lipstick… But I see you Queens struggling with that too, so…

We start this 'Untucked’ off with a bit of fun, the same fun we aren’t exactly seeing translate to VH1 on the 'Main Stage’… Then again VH1 was the network that picked Wendy Williams to host the between breaks 'Viewing Party’. Just ask our buddy Jonny McGovern & his friend Erickatoure why that’s not the best move… Better yet just go subscribe to his channel on YouTube. 'Hey Qween’ is literally just waiting for you, calling your name, just sitting on YouTube Red’s digital shelf waiting for you to watch until your eyes turn glossy & red, leaving you pupils dilated to the size of mega saucers… And when you finally emerge from your house everyone will assume your either a tweaker or from Wilton Manors.

Apparently Trinity Taylor, God Bless her Floridian soul, has never seen 'Bad Girls Club’ or been the only white girl in the room… As she has no clue what 'edges’ are. I can’t tell you why this is so damn funny to me, maybe it’s Shea’s earnest and surprisingly highly detailed & accurate attempt at educating Trinity on the matter (This is emerging as Shea’s specialty, not the history and extensive knowledge of edges, but breaking things down in articulate manner that anyone can follow - plus she’s talent personified)… Maybe it’s Valentina’s adorably juvenile delivery of the line she delivers to Trinity explaining to her that she has her own form of edges, 'that black spray stuff you be spraying, DUH!’ But as god as my witness, there are simply no words to describe the laughter this scene inspires!

Trinity still doesn’t get it, she’s 'from the south’ she says we don’t use words like 'Edges’… Tho, again, I’m gonna have to break something down… South Florida and even parts of Central Florida aren’t really the south. Consider us more of the North Caribbean, hell we aren’t even really a part of the United States, thats just what it looks like on the map so everyone including your parents and teachers have told you so. But yeah, 'edges’ are most definitely still a word down here in the 'North Carribean’. Valentina’s adorableness continues… Her Hispanic background leads her to really appreciate Trinity’s astonishing ability to be 'so evil and so nice at the same time’. See, that’s how we do it here in South & Central FL… We love you, but we simply don’t have time to dance around your feelings. We’ll give you the shirt off of our backs then have you lay down in a mud puddle so we can walk over you. I’m kidding, of course. We’d obviously pick you you up and give you a peck on the cheek, dust off the mud and take our fn’ shirt back. It’s just the way the bottom half of Florida works, and that’s why I 'get’ and love Trinity Taylor so very much. Now that we got some proper Florida representation, maybe S10 we can get South Florida’s legendary 'Daisy Deadpetals’ finally on this show! Ru, please?

Enter the tops and the bottoms… Tho Alexis clearly states, 'This top is versatile.’ Told you, Alex, we could have so much fun. Tho for me it’s always much more about the passion and connection than it is about the final act. We’re getting way off topic. Sasha and Alexis go back and forth telling the others how much the judges praised each other… There is a deep respect between the two and though I absolutely loved Sasha’s 'Marlene Dietrich’ and did pad my opinion with a bit of comedy on the 'Main Stage’ review… I do want to set the record straight and say Alexis’s Liza was most definitely a highlight. Seeing the top two sit across from each other with their dignified 'Northern Poise’ is quite the scene… And Alexis’s shape from the side is nothing short of astounding. If the hair was different and the dress were pants, it would be spot on to my favorite Madonna… 'Bedtime Stories’ Madonna, particularly 'Human Nature’. Either way, I love it and for some reason Sasha’s poise is so proper I can’t help but keep rolling the word 'Yankee’ through my head… I don’t know how to interpret that for you, but I have it on pause and can’t stop laughing.

With VH1 taking the show in such a vastly different direction, I can’t say how much I appreciate this 'Untucked’ enough. Alexis, Shea, and Sasha look to immediately focus on Nina who needs a bit of love after the strange exploitation of her depression reared its ugly head the episode before last of 'Drag Race’. It’s clear Nina is feeling a bit better at this point but those kinds of battles are never over. These three obviously are aware of that and I want to show love to all three of them, particularly Shea who goes the extra mile for her and really tries to continue to hammer things back into perspective for Nina. This is the 'Drag Race’ I want to see. People have criticized the show for being too 'best friend race’ as they have with Slice’s RHOT… But we do enough of beating each other down, especially when you are in a high pressure situation constantly trying to squeeze every last drop of creativity that you can for the next challenge and the next and being paraded around on a runway and criticized, by both the judges and the world… I’m happy to see (however you want put this) the brotherly/sisterly… Straight up human empathy shining under the bright stage lights of television.

The bottoms… Peppermint, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, and Farrah Moan speak next. Peppermint is frustrated that she nailed Brittany in a prior challenge, but couldn’t nail Nene Leakes. It’s much different when you are given a character with lines & direction than when you literally have to create one from scratch… Then again, everyone knows 'Snatch Games’ is coming, so they really do need to be prepared. Farrah looks stunning, and is clearly saved by her fantastic runway look, I’m still curious as to who Gigi was or why anyone would care… Then again I’m in my 30’s and an ex-athlete, Ginger Cub who thinks the thicker the better… Im not scouring the internet for makeup tips. Either way, Farrah is just very young for this competition. Bring her back in 5-10 years and she’d be a massive threat. Her talent is there, it just needs a few years of experience before she can really show what she’s made of.

I often find myself very frustrated with Cynthia Lee Fontaine. This is a competition, I want to see the best of the best battle it out. This is Cynthia’s second time on the show and she’s screwing up essential Drag Race portions of the show… But here, she’s just so defeated, but she instantly goes through a horde of emotions within 2 seconds and is all the sudden firing herself back up with her own words, and it melts me. Despite any critiques I give as a judge would in my reviews of the 'Main Stage’, I’m a softie on the inside and nobody does Cynthia like Cynthia Lee Fontaine. I just don’t think a 2nd stent on 'Drag Race’ was in order, but there is something about that fighting spirit Cynthia displays that I feel needs to be seen, not just by this younger generation, but by everyone. Alexis takes note and proposes a toast, “L'chaim”, bitches!

World Of Wonder, come through! If VH1 has the producers focusing on the negative, then WOW always has their own freedom with 'Untucked’ to make up for that… And they do. Our girl Nina needed this video message from her mother, and that soft, loving, and tender look Nina shoots the screen that you can see if you pause the show right at 13:49 is all I needed and wanted for Nina. Keep pushing, girl… And listen to Shea! That’s a true friend, and there aren’t that many of those in the world. Like I keep saying, you can always tell who the strongest men and women in the room are… They are the ones lifting everyone up, instead of tearing them all apart.

Before I close out yet another long-winded love letter to World Of Wonder’s 'Untucked’ and all the contestants in this show… As I’ve explained in the past, I’ve always had an extremely tough time with the gay community. I sold myself at Johnny’s in Ft Lauderdale for years and nearly destroyed myself after my Aunt (who was like my sister) took her own life. My past experiences made it difficult for me to separate sex and shame, I will not point fingers as to why, but I’ve opened up about it in other reviews and will continue to do so as I sort it out as I go along. My critiques for the main stage of 'Drag Race’ are always difficult to navigate. I have a deep respect for the art form and contestants of Drag Race from Jaymes Mansfield to Nina BoNina Brown to Alexis Michelle and everyone in between, but like Trinity Taylor I try to tell it like it is from a loving place. I enjoy writing about the show. I enjoy watching the show. And if I’ve ever offended a contestant or said something that crossed a line or was taken the wrong way, I apologize. I fight to kind of hold onto the gay community in a weird way through this show, because my experiences with said community have been mainly negative in real life… Whether I was selling myself on stage at Johnny’s or Boardwalk… Or being introduced to methamphetamine at an early age.

I write because it’s my passion, and I’m starting to make a nice living at it and turning my dreams into reality. I said something in my last review of 'Drag Race’ and attempted to pad it with humor and the person who it affected respectfully came to me and talked to me about it directly. I appreciate that… And I think we were both able to see where each other were coming from and hopefully a friendship will come of it. But then this morning I wake up to death threats, 'kill yourself’, and a variety of hate speech from a community that I’ve never been able to find that true piece of love and acceptance I needed… One that for some reason is the hardest on me than any other community or subject I write on. I’m not over here crying about it, but all that nastiness will get you blocked real quick. My Spotlight Saga project, which is growing fast, and I’m happy to tell you all is being built into an online magazine slowly but surely - as well as a place where people can share perspectives to open hearts, minds, mouths, and ears, is my baby and I will fight for it till the end of time. There’s nothing in this world that I do half assed, my momma sure of that. So show love, address each other with respect, and fools… Don’t come at me crazy, cuz I’m not throwing the towel in anytime soon.