#but seriously the WAY that taylor yells playing with fire

[awinkie13]

Y'all... The Great War by Taylor Swift is just... it's almost TOO aziracrow coded.

I mean, obviously, the title. Enough said.

And then there's like... most of the second verse? The way she enunciates PLAYING. WITH. FIRE. (Hi Agnes Nutter, babe, how are you?)

Then, 'the bombs were closer'. 1940s Church? The actual impending great war?

'Always remember the burning embers'. Crowley thinking Azi died in the bookshop, perhaps?

"My hand was the one you reached for, all throughout the great war'. AZIRAPHALE AND CROWLEY REACHING FOR EACH OTHER WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING READY TO FIGHT EACH OTHER (in all of history and s1).

I mean... it's a song about getting through a tumultuous period in a relationship, where said tumultuousness comes from one party assuming the other has ill-intentions or is untrustworthy for some reason. And if that's not s1 Aziraphale pushing Crowley away because he's supposed to go to heaven, and not to a demon, then idk what is.

Plus, once they survive the great war, they can be happy together

[just-random-obsessions]

Funny Moments In Thor The Dark World

Find Thor 1 here

Find Avengers 1 here

This is the second part of me watching all three thor movies and the avengers movie and comparing the humor pre-ragnarok to the humor in the 3rd Thor movie. And, as before, I’m writing this on my computer where the I and U keys don’t work so sorry for any spelling mistakes.

Tag List: @nikkoliferous @fyrecrafted @lokijiro @miskiett @darthxerik @icyxmischief @iamanartichoke @juliabohemian @official-and-unstable-satan @melodylnoelle @just-another-human-2019 @fandomsfanfiction @mentallydatingahotcelebrity @cateyes315 @burningarbiterheart @imnotacreepijustlikeyou @usedtobegoodfriend96 @alexakeyloveloki

Official-and-unstable-satan and fandomsfanfiction weren’t tagged sry

Anyone who wants to be added/removed to the tag list please let me know! and if I missed someone please also let me know. Sorry this post is so long

~ “Hello Mother. Have I made you proud?”

~ “Please don’t make things worse” “Define worse”

~ “I really don’t see what all the fuss is about”

~ “Just like you”

~ *That smile!!!!*

~ “I’ve got this completely under control!” “Is that why everything’s on fire?”

~ *About the Scary MonsterTM: “All yours”

~ *Thor says hi to the Big Scary MonsterTM*

~ “I accept your surrender”

~ “Anyone else?” *All the people simultaneously: NOPE*

~ “Perhaps next time we should START with the big one”

~ *Odin obviously shipping Thor and Jane* (idk I got a kick out of this)

~ *Jane awkwardly avoiding her date*

~ *Date: hi*

~ *Him awkwardly talking about his ex*

~ “And the fact that she kept sleeping with other men” “NO!”

~ *Darcy being mistaken for a waitress*

~ *Darcy mouthing “Cute” to Jane about Richard*

~ *Darcy embarrassing Jane by talking about Thor*

~ “Is there a point to all of this cause there REALLY needs to be a point to all of this”

~ “That’s what I said!”

~ “That’s what I did!”

~ “He’s not interested” “I’m interested” (Am I the only one who feels like his awkwardness was actually kinda cute?)

~ “He’s my intern.” “You have an intern?”

~ *Intern is fucking adorable like Richard*

~ “I have totally mastered driving in London!” *Has not mastered it at all*

~ *Selvig running around Stonehenge naked*

~ *Darcy keeps calling Ian ‘Intern’*

~ *Darcy calls Jane cause she didn’t wanna shout*

~ God I fucking love Darcy she’s so criminally underrated

~ “I am not getting stabbed in the name of science”

~ “It’s okay, we’re Americans!” “Is that supposed to make them like us?”

~ “We’re scientists-well I am” “Thanks”

~ “That doesn’t seem right”

~ “I wanna throw something! Jane give me your shoe!”

~ *Jane ignores Darcy*

~ “Give me your shoe”

~ “Were those the car keys?”

~ *Ian’s face when he realizes he threw the car keys to another planet*

~ *If you have to bury so many people then you’re doing something wrong you hot dumb fuck* (I mean that’s basically what Heimdall said right?)

~ “Typical” *after being left behind while Jane goes to talk to her boyfriend*

~ *Jane! Love of my life and most talented and beautiful person in the world oh how I love yo-SLAP*

~ “As excuses go, its not terrible”

~ “I know” “You do?” “Do what?”

~ *Darcy interrupts the KissTM*

~ “Um I’m pretty sure we are getting arrested”

~ “How’s space?” “Space is fine”

~ “He’s my intern… My intern’s intern”

~ “Holy shit!” (after Jane went up in the Bifrost)

~ *Heimdall calmly dodges the car*

~ “We have to do that again”

~ “Hello”

~ “What’s that?”

~ “It’s a soul forge” *No I’m pretty sure that’s a quantum field generator*

~ *Jane being ready to fight Odin for comparing her to a goat*

~ “You told your dad about me?”

~ “It must be so inconvenient, them asking about me day and night”

~ “Please meet my mother” *Jane shies away from Thor*

~ Loki casually tossing the thingamajig in the air like the cute little shit he is

~ Lord, he’s so damn pretty

~ *Kurse being like: Lol I ain’t touchin’ that boy with a ten foot pole*

~ “It’s as if they resent being in prison”

~ “There’s no pleasing some creatures”

~ *Loki calmly reading a book while all Hel breaks loose*

~ “You have my word that no harm will come to yo-” nvm bitch die

~ *THAT look between Sif and Jane*

~ *Frigga immediately seeing through Odin’s bs lies*

~ *Heimdall: I have defeated the big space ship!! The bigger one behind him: Bitch you thought*

~ “WITCH!!!!” *Now I know who Loki gets his amazing aforementioned smile from*

~ *Selvig using shoes to explain complicated science*

~ *Selvig then using pencils*

~ “Any questions?” “Yeah, can I have my shoe back?”

~ “What’s SHIELD?” “It’s a secret”

~ *Darcy’s cute af face when she sees that Selvig is in the mental hospital*

~ “Are you sure you wouldn’t just rather punch your way out?”

~ *Loki shapeshifting into the guard*

~ “Mmm Brother, you look ravishing”

~ “Costumes a bit much”

~ “So tight!”

~ “I can FEEL the righteousness surging!!”

~ “HEY wanna have a rousing discussion about truth?”

~ “Honor?”

~ “Patriotism?”

~ “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

~ “At last. A little common sens-”Bitch are you really fucking kidding me? (What do you mean that’s not what he said?)

~ “I thought you liked tricks”

~ “I’m Loki, you may have heard of-” SLAP

~ “That was for New York”

~ “I like her”

~ *Loki gazing lovingly at Jane in the background*

~ “Betray him, and I’ll kill you.” “It’s good to see you too Sif”

~ “If you even think about betraying him-” “You’ll kill me? Evidently there will be a line”

~ “I thought you said you knew how to fly this thing.” “I said how hard can it be?”

~ “Whatever your doing brother I suggest you do it faster.” “Shut up Loki

~ “You must’ve missed something.” “I didn’t, I’m pressing every button on this thing”

~ “Well don’t hit it. Just press it, gently.” “I aM pReSsInG iT gEnTlY AND ITS NOT WORKING!!!”

~ *Thor starts slamming buttons and it starts working*

~ *Volstagg: Oh fighting is much fun- OH SHIT IM FALLING!! HELP!!!*

~ “I think you missed a column.” “Shut up”

~ “Why don’t you let me take over? I’m clearly the best pilot”

~ *Bitch I’m the one who can actually fly*

~ “Oh dear. Is she dead?”

~ *Thor knocks over a column* “Not a word”

~ “Now they’re following us”

~ “Now they’re firing at us”

~ “Yes thank you for the commentary Loki, it’s not at all distracting”

~ “Well done, you just decapitated your grandfather”

~ *Seriously, whoever wrote the escape scene is a genius!!!*

~ *Loki yelling at Thor about how thIs was a bad idea you dumb fuck- wait wtf are you doing AAAAHHHHH!!!!1*

~ “You lied to me. I’m impressed”

~ *That smile again snfnejaihfeqrqrsbdsalxdjewonjfeq*

~ “For Asgard!” YEET

~ “Nothing personal boys!”

~ “If it were easy, everyone would do it”

~ “Are you mad?” “Possibly”

~ “TADAAA”

~ “Oh yeah, my father. Eric Selvig”

~ “And these” “yeah… those”

~ “How did you find me?” “You were naked on television”

~ “I don’t get paid enough. I don’t get paid at all”

~ “What’s happening? Birds? Birds are happening?”

~ “All right are you ready?” “I am”

~ *phone rings* “It’s not me”

~ “Why are there so many shoes in here?”

~ “I’ll just text her”

~ “So who’s Richard?”

~ *Thor hanging his hammer on a coat hanger*

~ “Where are your pants?” “Oh he says it helps him think”

~ “Loki is dead” “Oh thank God!”

~ “Better get my pants”

~ “Do you even know what these things do?” “No” “…Neither do I”

~ “Ooh get the guy with the sword!”

~ “Oops”

~ *Ian’s high-pitched scream*

~ *Does car insurance cover My Car Was Sucked Into Another Planet Due To A Cosmic Event That Only Occurs Once Every 5000 Years or no?*

~ *Thor and Malekith fighting between worlds and poor little Mjolnir trying to keep up*

~ *The two of them against windows*

~ *AAAHHH*

~ *Awww! Look at the cute little Jotunheim monster! He’s so adorable I wanna pet him so much!’

~ *Darcy and Ian kissing after he saved her life*

~ “Darcy?” “Jane!” “Ian?” “Selvig.”

~ “Myuh Myuh!!”

~ *Thor ends up on the subway*

~ *The girl taking 50 photos*

~ *Thor and the woman colliding into eachother*

~ “I’ve come to accept your surrender”

~ *Malekith gets crushed by his own ship. Now that’s some lovely karma right there*

~ *Darcy and Ian go back to kissing*

~ “He kinda committed treason on our way out” oops

~ Jotunheim Puppy chasing birds

Wow I’m so sorry this was so long. But guess what? It’s gonna get even longer. Sorry, again.

So one of the differences between the first and second Thor movies is that Thor 2 has humor in the climax whereas Thor 1 doesn’t. This is because of the differences with who is the villain. In Thor 1, Thor is having to fight his brother. To quote Avengers, they “played together and fought together” for several millennia. Of course there’s not going to be any humor in it cause there shouldn’t be. The climax at the end of the movie isn’t supposed to be some epic battle between the forces of Good TM and Bad TM. It’s supposed to be tragic that he’s having to fight his own brother because Loki lost his mind due to so many factors. The last joke in the film is “You’re an amazon liar brother, always have been” “It’s good to have you back”. There’s nothing else till the end credit scene. That’s because Kenneth Branagh knew that this was supposed to be viewed at as being sad a hopeless, not some awesome upbeat battle.

Thor 2 on the other hand, is exactly that. Thor has known Malekith for.. what? 2 days? Maybe 3? His relationship and dynamic with Malekith is different than with his brother. To Thor, this is just another enemy attacking Asgard. And I’m not sure whether this was intentional or not (because I remember reading somewhere how Allen Taylor had a bitch of a time in the editing process so I think the movie came out different than he intended) but the lack of any personal relationship will Malekith means the film can make really funny jokes and still have it fit with the film. If anything, I might even argue that the humor helped the film to maintain a very nice positive vibe. Idk I can’t think of the right words to explain it but the jokes actually fit the film very well.

However, then we move on to Ragnarok. With Ragnarok, Thor is fighting his sister. While (just like Malekith) he has only known her for two days, that still doesn’t take away the fact that he is having to fight his sibling. And I’m not a film director but if I had the option of approaching this situation and taking it the Thor 1 route or the the Thor 2 route, I’d go with Thor 1. Because it’s actually incredibly tragic that Hela has been driven to insanity like Loki (though ok a different level) due to Odin’s shitty parenting. She is the horrible way she is because Odin made her that way. And that could’ve been an AMAZINGLY complex story with the audience feeling so much sympathy for Hela like we did with Loki in Thor 1, but the narrative just falls flat for two reasons. 1) Taika admitted he didn’t want the film to be emotionally complex so 2) The humor in the climax completely detracts from the seriousness of the situation.

Also, some side notes: Yes, this is edited from the original. I accidentally deleted everything and then had to go back and add everything back in. So I also had to re-tag people too. And I also added a bit more explanation at the end. I meant to do so when I originally posted but it never got done till now. Sry. Also sry that it’s so long

[broadstreetmisfits]

Stay Stay Stay - Mika Zibanejad

Requested?  Y  /  N   “I beg of you something that has Mika Zibanejad bc this man owns me and I’m fine with it”

Prompt: N/A

Warnings: Language

A/N: This was inspired by “Stay Stay Stay” by Taylor Swift. I think this’ll be the last song related writing for a bit, but don’t quote me on it cause I’m not sure

WC: 1,261

Summary: Oh I don’t know how else to summarize this other than you and Mika being adorable and a cute couple

It was the heat of the fight, and both you and your boyfriend, Mika, were screaming at each other. Neither of you could remember what had started it, but whatever it was caused a bomb to go off in both of your heads as you yelled about every single little thing you could think of. 

“Can you stop being so ridiculous?” You yelled

“Oh, I’m the one being ridiculous? You’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion!” Mika yelled back

“Bullshit!” You screamed and grabbed the closest thing to you, which happened to be your phone, and chucked it at him

The crash against the wall silenced both of you. Once Mika got out of his crouch to avoid the thrown object, the two of you stared at each other in shock, realizing what you had just done. 

“Mika…” You finally whispered, barely audible as tears began to swell in your eyes. He was silent, still trying to piece together everything that happened. There was no way he was going to stay with you after this happened, especially with you throwing your phone at him, but you knew you had to try to convince him. “Babe, I’m so sorry”

“No, don’t be sorry.” He spoke and walked over to you “You don’t need to be sorry.”

“I just threw something at you though” You replied, and by this point, the tears were falling down your cheeks

“Yeah, you did, which I admit was a bit scary” He chuckled as he wiped your face “But I know you didn’t mean it. I know you still love me. And I still love you” 

Looking up, your eyes met his deep brown ones. You could tell he was being one hundred percent honest with you. 

“So you’re not breaking up with me?” 

“Of course I’m not” 

---------------------------------

The next morning, you were making breakfast, when Mika came in. 

“Hey, we need to talk,” You began, ready to explain that it wasn’t anything bad and you just wanted to talk about the fight last night.

“Hold on” Mika replied and left the kitchen before you could even respond. You were left there speechless wondering what on Earth he was doing, until he came back in with one of his old hockey helmets. “Okay, let’s talk”

“Why the hell are you wearing that?” You asked, a few giggles escaping your lips. 

“All I’m gonna say is that I don’t want to risk a head injury from a flying phone” He replied, throwing his hands up in his defense

“You’re ridiculous” You smiled, but then turned to a more serious tone “But about that fight��� uh, I just wanted to say I’m sorry about everything. I’m sorry about blowing up and throwing my phone at you” 

“I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have fueled the fire like I did.” 

“So does that mean you’re actually staying? Like you said you were last night?” 

“Of course I’m going to stay. I’ve loved you for quite some time, and one stupid little argument isn’t going to change that” 

---------------------------------

A few weeks later, you had gone out grocery shopping. You expected to come home to an empty apartment because Mika would be at practice, however, you were a bit surprised to see him laying on the couch. 

“What’re you doing here?” You asked 

He looked up from his phone and over at you. “Oh, we have an off day. Rest is important you know.” Mika registered the bags of groceries in your hands then continued “Do you need any help with those?” 

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks though” 

“No, I think you need help,” He said, starting to get up

“I really don’t, but I appreciate the offer,” Walking out of the apartment back down to the car, you heard the sound of your boyfriend’s footsteps behind you. Somehow, you ignored his begging to help until the two of you were outside. “Babe, I really don’t need your help. Like you said, you have an off day and you said that rest is important.” 

“I know what I said, but I can spare five or ten minutes to help my girl. And plus, we’re already down here, I might as well get something” He argued

“Oh my god you are ridiculous” You muttered as you grabbed a bag, causing Mika to laugh “What?” 

“You’re adorable when you’re mad,” He said, leading you to cross your arms

“You won’t be calling me adorable when I beat you up” You threatened, trying to put on your most serious face, even though you wanted to smile

“Oh yeah? Bring it” He teased “Let’s drop the gloves right now” 

After putting the grocery bag back in your car, you put your hands up in fists, this time not even bothering to suppress the smile and the giggles that had started. Both you and Mika exchanged “punches” and you somehow ended up in his arms, with your head on his chest.

“I think I won that,” He said and then planted a kiss on your head

“Yeah, yeah, whatever” You mumbled as you got out of his grasp to get the bags. “But get a bag and let’s get a move on, it’s freezing out here” 

---------------------------------

The last few days at work had been rough. It felt like no one was actually doing their job except for you, and you’d only get a fraction of the stuff to do done. As you came home, there was nothing you wanted more than to eat and go straight to bed. 

However, Mika had other plans.

He knew that you had been having one bad day after another, so he decided to surprise you. On the kitchen island, were some of your favorite things; your favorite drink, your favorite ice cream, everything. Everything that he knew that you loved was there. 

Part of you wanted to eat everything in one sitting, but the rational part of you knew you’d feel horrible in the morning. So, you only took a little bit, and then headed to the room that you and Mika shared. 

When you opened the bedroom door, you found Mika sitting in bed, fiddling with something. He was clearly concentrating on the thing, and almost confused with his eyebrows furrowed. 

“Is everything okay?” You asked, breaking the silence, and causing Mika to jump. 

He quickly hid the thing he was messing with before looking back at you, “Yeah, everything’s good. How was your day? Was work any better” 

“It was alright” You shrugged off the question “What was that thing you were fiddling with?” 

“What thing?” 

“Don’t play stupid. When I opened the door, you had something in your hand. What was it?” 

“Ohhh that thing,” He said and then continued to try to beat around the bush. “It was nothing important” 

“Mika, seriously. I know what you’re trying to do. Please just tell me”

“Okay fine,” He sighed and then got up “So, you know how much I love being with you. Not only as boyfriend and girlfriend, but also just hanging out with you right?” 

“Right…” You answered suspicious of what was to come.

“Well…it’s been occurring to me that I’d like to hang out with you for my whole life” 

“Babe, what are you trying to say?” 

“I want you to marry me.” He said and then got down on one knee “Y/F/N Y/L/N, will you marry me?” 

“Oh my - yes Yes. Yes!” The words instantly shot from your mouth. And it was from that moment on that you knew he would stay.

[hh-rose]

Pre Finale

The goal was to have a party better than the first party. Obviously, that goal was reached when the idea for open mic was brought up. The goal was more than reached when the whole gang joined together and sang Dancing Queen. At least, that’s when everyone thought it hit its peak, but there was still a whole night ahead of them.

“Uuuggggghhhhh,” Cyrus groaned when he sat down next to Buffy. She was outside alone. Cyrus assumed that she just needed to get away from everyone for a second. He thought it was the perfect time to have a conversation with her.

“I feel that,” Buffy said quietly. “I just *unintelligible noise*. You know?”

“Trust me, I know,” Cyrus answered. “Like, I completely and utterly know exactly what you mean. Boys. I like TJ so much, and there’s times when I think he likes me too, but then he hangs out with Kira or I remember that he’s probably straight.”

Buffy nodded in agreement. Cyrus wasn’t done ranting. “Did you see how he looked at me when he walked in? And, did you notice how I was all set on singing alone, but he put my microphone next to him? Literally, the microphone was on top of him. I’m not crazy, right? Am I just imagining all of this? I was probably just deluding myself.”

“You weren’t deluding yourself,” Buffy stated. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Obviously, I can’t say for sure, but I’m pretty positive that he likes you, Cy. I, on the other hand, completely missed my shot with Marty. He doesn’t like me anymore.”

“That’s not true, Buff,” Cyrus said sweetly. Buffy rolled her eyes. “No, seriously. I think he told you that he doesn’t like you anymore because he was scared of being rejected again.”

“You know there’s only one way for us to figure all this out, right?” Buffy questioned. They both pretended to shiver. “We have to talk to them.” Buffy pointed at someone on the bench by the fire. “Speak of the devil.”

“Oh, God,” Cyrus said, standing up. Buffy stood up too. “I can do this.”

“Yeah, you can,” Buffy said supportively. “Tell me everything right after, okay? Good luck.”

“You too,” Cyrus said before he turned on his heel and headed toward TJ. “Can I sit?”

“Sure,” TJ answered with a grin.

“I didn’t know that you could play the piano,” Cyrus stated. TJ shrugged.

“I have layers,” he replied. Cyrus smiled remembering the first time TJ said that to him.

“So, I’ve heard,” Cyrus said with a smile.

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know about me,” TJ said sincerely. “All you have to do is ask. Go for it.”

“Okay,” Cyrus said. He thought for a second. “What does TJ stand for?”

“TJ stands for,” TJ took a breath, “Taylor James.”

“Taylor James? Like, James Taylor backwards?” Cyrus asked, half joking. TJ shook his head fondly. “Taylor James. That’s a great name. I love it.”

“I never really liked it because people used to make fun of me because they thought that Taylor was more of a feminine name,” TJ explained. “I don’t know. I guess it was kind of embarrassing, so that’s why I started going by TJ.”

“Well, I love the name Taylor,” Cyrus said enthusiastically. “But, I also love the name TJ. I think you should go by whatever makes you feel comfortable, and people should respect that.”

“You’re literally the only person I can talk to like this,” TJ says.

“So I’ve heard,” Cyrus said, giggling slightly. Neither of them said anything for a second. Then, TJ got the nerve to ask Cyrus a question.

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” he asked. Cyrus took a breath. Slowly, slowly, TJ’s hand traveled to meet Cyrus’s. His fingertips brushed Cyrus’s.

“Uh,” Cyrus let out another breath. “I’m gay.” TJ smiled at him. Like, full on gigantic grin. “And I like you,” Cyrus said quietly.

“I like you, too,” TJ said, holding up their intertwined hands. Cyrus grinned back.

“I love holding hands,” Cyrus said. TJ put their hands in his lap and squeezed.

“I love holding your hand.”

…

Buffy watched Cyrus walk over to TJ, and then she went into the house. Marty was at the mic performing some sort of stand-up thing. He was actually pretty funny, and Buffy was going to tell him that.

“Hey,” she said when he walked over to her after. “You were pretty funny up there.”

“That sounded like an actual compliment,” Marty responded. Buffy blushed slightly. “What’s happening here?”

“Do you really not like me anymore?” Buffy asked. Marty looked at her, slightly, confused. “I mean, I completely get it if you don’t. I said we were better off as friends, and you thought that I didn’t like you.”

“Buffy,” Marty said, but she ignored him.

“I realized that I liked you after I rejected you, and then it was too late,” Buffy continued. “And, it’s probably too late now. I just had to tell you in case maybe you still liked me, but you don’t. That’s completely fine. Trust me, it’s fine.”

“Buffy!” Marty said loudly. Buffy stopped talking and looked at Marty. “You ramble when you’re nervous.” Buffy blushed. “You have nothing to be nervous about, though. I still like you. I never stopped. How could I stop liking The Buffy Driscoll?”

“That is one of the universe’s great unanswered questions,” Buffy said with a smirk. Marty grinned at her.

“She’s back,” he said. Buffy was about to respond when she saw Cyrus and TJ walking toward them holding hands. She had to physically stop herself from screaming.

“Hi, Marty,” Cyrus greeted. “This is my…TJ.”

“You can say boyfriend, Underdog,” TJ whispered to him. Cyrus smiled and turned to Buffy.

“I can say boyfriend,” he said excitedly. TJ grinned.

“It’s fine, anyway. TJ and I already know each other,” Marty said. TJ reached over and did some sort of secret handshake with Marty. Cyrus and Buffy shared a very confused look. “Guys, we’re brothers.”

“You’re what?” Cyrus and Buffy asked in unison.

“Hey, sis,” Marty said to someone. Amber walked over to them. Buffy and Cyrus didn’t know what to say.

“Hey, losers,” she greeted.

“What on Earth is happening?” Cyrus asked Buffy.

“I think the universe is imploding because we finally got together with the…Kippen Brothers,” Buffy offered. Amber shrieked.

“No way! I’m so happy for you guys!” she yelled, hugging both of her brothers.

“What is going on in here?” Andi asked when she and Jonah joined the group.

“Amber, TJ, and Marty are siblings,” Buffy stated, still not fully comprehending.

“What?” Andi asked, completely shocked.

“You didn’t know that?” Jonah asked. Andi, Cyrus, and Buffy all looked at him.

“You did?” Andi countered. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I thought you knew,” he said defensively. He pointed at Cyrus and TJ holding hands. “Cyrus is dating TJ, and he’s friends with Amber.” He pointed at Marty’s arm around Buffy. “Buffy is dating Marty, and she played basketball with TJ. And you and Amber,” both girls blushed, “are you and Amber. You tell each other everything.”

“We should have known,” Andi said. Buffy looked at her.

“Where have you guys been all night?” Buffy asked. Jonah smiled and nodded at Andi.

 “I was showing him something. Something that I have to show you guys now,” Andi explained. She began walking to Andi Shack, and everyone followed her. Bex and Bowie were both outside. “Mom, dad, come here.”

 Andi opened the door to Andi Shack and let everyone see what was in there: she turned all her old Grant Middle School and Jefferson High paraphernalia into a shape that resembled the word goodbye.

 “Why would you do this? Why are you saying goodbye?” Buffy asked. Andi let out a breath.

 “I got into Shadyside Academy of Visual Arts, and I’m going there instead of Jefferson,” Andi explained.

 “Did you know about this?” Bowie asked Bex. Bex looked at Andi.

 “No,” she said softly.

 “I didn’t want to tell anyone because I was scared that I wouldn’t get in,” Andi explained. “I had to make sure that I got accepted first.”

 “We’ll give you guys a minute,” Bowie said when he saw the sad looks on Buffy and Cyrus’s faces. The three of them stood there not really knowing what to say. 

 “Are you guys mad?” Andi asked.

 “Of course, we aren’t mad,” Cyrus stated.

 “Maybe we’re a little sad, but we’re mostly proud of you,” Buffy explained. Cyrus nodded.

 “But,” Cyrus began, “it’s not like you’re moving across the country. You’re just going to a different school. We’ll still see you all the time.”

 “All the time,” Andi said, trying not to cry. Buffy and Cyrus moved forward and hugged her. Cyrus pulled away and smiled.

 “We have a party to get to,” he said. “I also have a boyfriend to get to.”

 “Cy, you know how proud of you we are, right?” Andi asked. Cyrus nodded. “We’re also really happy for you.”

 “I’m really happy, too,” Cyrus said. “Come on, let’s get out there.”

 Cyrus and Buffy both went over to the fire and sat down next to TJ and Marty, respectively. Andi was about to go over too when she felt someone grab her arm. She turned around to see Jonah.

 “I have something to give you,” Jonah said. Andi prepared herself for another horrible present, but, instead, she was greeted by a very familiar bracelet.

 “I thought you lost this at camp,” she said, reaching out as Jonah put it in her hands. He shrugged.

 “I thought that if I told you that I still had it, then you would want me to give it back. I didn’t want to give it back,” Jonah explained. “When you first gave it to me, I couldn’t believe that you made it. It was so amazing. I knew that you were a ridiculously talented artist. Now, it’s your turn to look at this bracelet every day and remember how talented you are.”

 “Jonah, you are literally the best friend ever,” Andi said, hugging him. Jonah let out a small laugh.

 “You’re gonna be docious magocious at art school,” he said when they she pulled away. She smiled at the term she hadn’t heard in what felt like an eternity.

They both walked over to the rest of the group at the campfire. Andi sat down next to Amber who smiled sheepishly at her. Jonah sat at his own bench. There they sat: the Good Hair Crew, the Kippen Siblings, and Jonah Beck. The ultimate group. The group to end all groups. Sure, they still had a whole lot to get through (they were nowhere near the end of their story) but in that moment they were untouchable. They were together. They were here.

[aka-willow]

List Of Names

gif

Words: 1181

Characters: Willow Wren, Annabel Carson, Erin Dunphee, Kate Gray

Prompt/Tag:

“really? do i look stupid?”

“fuck off. i mean it.”

“do it. i dare you.”

Summary: Willow gets into a fight after school and gets in trouble

Timeline: February 2016 

Song: Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift

A/N: we’re in the endgame now...

—————————————————————————–

February 25th. The day the universe just decided to get together and collectively kick my stupid ass.

I woke up late for school and ended up getting myself detention that afternoon, before going to Spanish and realizing that I never studied for the test we had that day, even though I had the whole weekend to do so. Peter and Ned offered to help me study at lunch, but by then, I had a more pressing issue. I had found the address of another ex-Facility worker in the area. Theodore Lindsey. Lived in a suburb in New Jersey. Big house, actually. Huge lawn. Cute little homestead.

And I know, I know I was supposed to stop at some point, but I couldn’t. Not until I found that book. And I was pretty sure Theodore knew where Dr. Turner was. The book couldn’t be far from her. I had uncovered a series of emails on one of their old accounts. The two were together back about five years ago. If anyone knew where she went, he might. He traveled a lot, and based on his social media, he wouldn’t be in town much longer. I’d have to go tonight. Another name off the list. It was that easy.

“Are you sure we can’t help?” Peter asked, and I shook my head as I scrolled through information on my phone.

“I’ll be fine.”

Peter was the other issue of the day. Over the weekend, “Spider-man” had been caught stopping a bus with his bare hands. Super badass, except it ended up all over YouTube. I had been trying to help him get the video taken down, or at least muddy the water enough that it couldn’t be traced back to him, but I think he almost wanted it to stay up. Which, I understood, sort of, but at the same time, it was making me nervous.

After detention that afternoon and another awesome lecture by VCR Captain America, I found myself wandering the halls at MSST, before ending up backstage in the auditorium, studying the set pieces that people had been working on that afternoon, and wondering if it was too late to join tech again. Like I could ever handle that now. A few students were still working, and I stepped around paper plates of paint and wooden cutouts before shaking my head and starting to leave.

“Willow?” someone said, and I turned around to see Kate and Annabel sitting on the stage, working on a fabric backdrop together.

“Oh, I was just leaving,” I said. “Sorry.” Are they friends now? Since when?

“No, wait, hold on,” said Annabel, standing up. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

“Annabel, don’t,” I heard Kate murmur. “She’s not worth it.”

“No, hold on,” said Annabel. She got up and walked over to me. I took a step back.

“Can we go outside into the hall?” she asked.

“Why?”

“C’mon.” Her voice was flat.

In the hallway by the stage doors, Annabel paced across the tiled floor, hands on her hips as I stood motionless across the hall from her. She then smiled at me, and it took me off guard. “So… Kate’s told me some things about you.”

My blood ran cold. “What? Told you what?”

She laughed humorlessly. “Just… it’s because of you my boyfriend died, isn’t it? Had to be.” She continued to pace. “Kate wouldn’t tell me, but what’s your deal? Um… because apparently… you’re not… well, my dad would say you’re enhanced.”

And there, my heart stopped completely, and I shook my head fervently. “No? What? Why would you say that?” I tried to play it off as a joke. “Wow, okay, you seriously think I’m like… what… powered? Is that what you’re trying to say? Dude…”

“Really? Do I look stupid? So, what, did someone come looking for you and you threw my boyfriend in the line of fire instead? How did it happen? Or did you make the whole thing up and do it yourself?”

“Are you serious? Fuck off. I mean it. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh… what are you gonna do? Get all big and green?”

I was trying to keep myself calm, but the glint in her eye and the way her mouth was twisted into some weirdly sick smile as she tried to pry out the truth was chipping away at my composure. Don’t lose it.

“I should tell my dad,” Annabel said.

“You know what?” I said. “Do it. I dare you. You’ll sound like a fucking idiot.”

She stepped forward and shoved me back a little before pointing a finger at my chest. “You’re the reason he’s dead. Whatever you brought along with you when you moved here last year, you got him killed. That’s on you.” My fingernails were already cutting half-moons into my palms. I tried not to react as she pushed me back again. “Do you have anything to say? Are you going to apologize?” Don’t let her get to you. Don’t react. “Come on,” she said. “Do something. I know you want—”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. My fingers unclenched and the hallway filled with a rush of wind as I extended my palm and she shot back, hitting the wall across from me. She screamed and I gasped for control as I staggered backward against the other wall, my arms shaking, and my fingers numb with power that I was trying to control. “What the fuck?!” she yelled, just as I heard the door open on the other end of the hall. Principal Morita was standing there, with Kate standing behind him.

“She attacked me!” Annabel yelled. “We were just having a conversation and she pushed me!”

“Willow! My office—now!”

I tried to catch my breath as I steadied myself on the wall and glared at Kate, and back down at Annabel. Oh, God. Okay. She doesn’t know you used your abilities. She thinks you just straight up pushed her. Somehow.

“Willow!” Principal Morita yelled again. On shaking legs, I followed him down to the main office, figuring out a story in my head. “Twice in a day?” he asked as we walked. “Twice? Didn’t you just get out of detention?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to, she—”

And that’s how I got myself three days in-school suspension. He wouldn’t let me go home alone and insisted that I call “home” and when I told him I wasn’t living at the Field’s anymore, he asked who to call, and I gave him Jessica’s name. I waited on the bench outside his office and banged my head against the wall, pissed at myself for getting in trouble again. And now Annabel was on to me, she may already know considered I used my powers right in front of her, and somehow, she and Kate had been talking as well.

Just when I thought that day, February 25th, couldn’t get any worse, another office door opened and Detective Dunphee stepped out of one of the conference rooms. “Willow?” she asked. “What are you doing here?”

[rorynne]

Time Lost Chapter 5

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/OC

Summary: An accident during a mission sends Shield agent Victoria Taylor back in time to the second world war. There she enlists the help of Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers, and Bucky Barnes to find the object that can send her back.

Warnings: Christmas fun times. Alcohol mention, kinda fluffy.

Word count: 1.8k

A/N: This one is on the shorter side thank god

Masterlist

Prologue Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4

Christmas at the base was an interesting affair. An outsider may have called it pathetic or pitiful, but it was an important morale boost to the men and women involved. All training for the day had been canceled, and all personnel on the base gathered at the mess hall to celebrate. Music played from a radio as men and women laughed, danced, and drank.

Victoria smiled and sipped her drink as she watched Dugan and Jones attempt to ‘convince’ Steve to wear a Santa’s hat and beard. Or rather, the two of them were trying to slip it onto his head every time he had his back turned. There was a ten-dollar reward for anyone that could manage it. “Maybe you should try tackling him!” She yelled to the pair as the failed once again.

“Don’t give them ideas Doll.” Bucky laughed next to Steve, “They might hurt themselves.”

She shrugged. “Wouldn’t be my fault if they decide to do it.” Neither she nor Bucky had talked about that night by the fire a few days ago, and as far as Victoria was concerned, she was okay with that. She didn’t want to think about the slight flutter in her chest that she got whenever she so much as glanced at him, and she sure as hell didn't want to think about the way her stomach swooped when she got near him. She had a mission to accomplish! A goal to meet! A home to get back to. She couldn’t risk her future over some pretty eyes and a nice smile.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Falsworth asked, sitting down next to her.

Victoria hummed, considering his question for a moment, “We’re halfway there. In a month's time, you boys will have all the training we can give you and you’ll be off storming hydra bases and killing Nazis.” She took another sip of her drink, the alcohol burned her throat as it went down. That was probably only half of the things on her mind. “I just really hope it will be enough.”

Falsworth looked at her, “Are you worried it won’t be?”

“Aren’t you?” She asked, “We’re treading dangerous waters here. Any one of you could end up dead.” She watched Bucky from across the room, his face slightly flushed from drinking, donning the hat and beard the men had been trying to get on Steve.

“Why do I get the distinct impression you worry for some of us more than others?” Falsworth asked with a knowing smile, glancing briefly at Bucky. At that moment, Bucky turned his head and caught sight of her, smiling widely as their eyes met. Victoria’s face went warm before she broke eye contact to look at Falsworth.

“It’s the wrong impression.” She said coolly.

“Ah, yes.” Falsworth chuckled, “However could I have gotten it?”

Victoria glowered at him, “Flirting doesn’t have to mean anything.”

He nodded in agreement, “Quite true.” He said, “But, generally speaking, Flirting with only one person tends to mean quite a bit.”

She inhaled sharply as she searched for an excuse, “There’s hardly any women around to flirt with.”

“Plenty of women around today, and yet the only one he seems to be interested in even looking at is you.” Her heart pulsed at Falsworth’s observation. He was right though, for all of Bucky’s talk about being a ladies’ man, she only had his and Steve’s stories as any kind of proof. She shook her head as if to try to banish the thought from her head.

“We’re in the middle of a war.” She argued, “This is hardly the time for romance.”

Falsworth tilted his head, looking back at Bucky, “Personally, I can think of no time better. The world needs a little romance in times like these.” He said as the honk of a truck horn distracted the pair from their discussion.

“Christmas mail call.” An officer yelled into the mess hall. “Get your asses out here if you want your gifts.” Almost all at once, the men swarmed the exit, excited to get anything from home. Even Falsworth joined the mob, leaving Victoria to sip her drink alone.

Victoria stood up and wandered to where Steve and Bucky had been sitting. She picked up a stray Christmas cracker and turned it over in her hand. She had grown used to not expecting gifts for Christmas, but she couldn’t deny feeling a little jealous at times like these. All the more reason to try to get home as soon as possible.

“You aren’t goin’ to see if you got anything Doll?” Bucky asked from behind her, making her visibly jump. He laughed. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

She chuckled softly, “No, I don't have anything coming for Christmas.”

Bucky frowned, visibly confused. “What’d ya mean, you’ve got to be getting something. Your family hasn't sent you anything all month.” Her breath caught in her throat as she searched for words to say. “What? You didn’t think I would notice the fact that your name hasn't been called at mail call once?”

“I don’t get mail, Buck.” She said, but it only seemed to confuse him more.

“What, so your family’s just actin’ like ya don't exist or something?” he continued to interrogate, his Brooklyn accent growing thicker.

Victoria sighed, he was clearly too drunk to consider subtly. “I don’t have any family.”

Realization and regret washed over Bucky’s face. He swore under his breath, “You’ve gotta have someone. Even Steve gets letters from my sister. What about the guy you got into this mess helping?”

Her heart twinged painfully at the thought of Clint. “He couldn’t send me letters if he tried. I don’t have anyone alive to get letters from.”

Bucky looked at her pitifully, swearing twice more. “Doll, I,” He shook his head, looking for words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Victoria held a hand up to try to stop his apologies. “It’s fine, you couldn’t have known. And I’m used to it now either way.” She pointed to the package in his hands. “What did you get?”

He looked down at the half-opened guilt, slightly embarrassed. “Just a fruit cake Rebecca made.” He said sitting down at the table, “Steve got one too.”

Victoria snorted, “She must really hate you two then.”

“Hey!” He protested before breaking into a fit of laughter. “It might be payback for all the dolls I antagonized when we were kids.”

“Sounds like you deserver it then.” She smiled, sitting next to him, ignoring her racing heart. “Here.” She said, holding out one end of the cracker to him. “Pull.” he obliged and the cracker went off with a snap. A small wooden soldier in a painted blue coat fell out onto Victoria’s lap. She giggled as she picked it up and inspected it. “Merry Christmas.” She said, handing the tiny soldier to Bucky.

He raised an eyebrow but took the small toy with a small smile. “It’s better than a fruitcake.” He said, turning it in his hand. “I'll give you that.”

“I couldn’t let your Christmas be that pitiful.” She teased.

He looked at her for a moment, face soft and kind. At that moment he wasn’t the Bucky that always put on a brave face. He was something more and less. He was Bucky, just Bucky, and Victoria couldn’t help but wonder if she was the only one with the privilege to see him like this. “Thank you Doll.” his hand brushed her arm lightly enough to send a shiver down her spine.

Victoria pulled away almost reflexively. “Where did that Santa hat go anyway?”

“I got Steve to wear it by promising to split the ten bucks,” he said, leaning against the table, one hand still fidgeting with the toy.

Sure enough, Steve came back into the mess hall wearing the beard and hat, holding a package not unlike Bucky’s, laughing with the other commandoes. Victoria chuckled at the sight. Of course, it was Bucky that would manage to win the bet. Those two really would do anything for each other.

White Christmas began playing on the radio and Bucky grabbed Victoria’s hand as he stood up. “Let’s dance.”

“What?” She asked, eyes wide as he pulled on her hand. She shook her head, “no, no no no. I can’t dance, I don't know how.”

He rolled his eyes, “Then I’ll teach ya. Come on, just one dance.”

“There’s a dozen other girls here that are a better choice than me to dance with.”

“Not from where I’m lookin’,” He said, “Only dame I see ‘round here that I wanna dance with is you.”

Victoria stared at him at a loss for words, standing up as a voice called into the mess hall. “Agent Taylor, there's an urgent call for you from Col. Phillips.”

Bucky threw his head back in frustration, “You gotta be kiddin’ me. It’s Christmas!”

“Is Agent Taylor here?” The man asked, paying no mind to Bucky’s protest.

Victoria sighed, “Yes, I’m here, I’ll be with you in a moment.” She said. “What can I say? I haven’t had a day off in almost three years now.” She smiled at Bucky apologetically, “Looks like you’ll need to take a rain check on that dance.”

“I’ll hold you to that Doll,” He said.

She laughed, stepping away from him, “Whatever you say, Sarge.” She said before following the soldier out.

She was handed the phone Immediately as she entered the main office, “Hello-”

“Taylor I want you on the first train to London yesterday.” Phillips interrupted, Victoria frowned at the order. “A Russian ambassador is going to be here tomorrow and I trust that man about as far as I can throw him.”

Annoyance twinged at the back of Victoria’s head. “Are you seriously pulling me back to babysit a fucking diplomat? The communists aren't our issue right now.” They could have the red scare after Victoria got back home for all she cared.

“Agent, are you questioning a direct order?”

“Yes!” she snapped, “Not questioning orders is how genocide happens. Why don’t you get Agent Carter to do this?”

“She’s currently Stateside.” He said, “And we have reason to believe that this man may have some connection to hydra.”

Victoria pinched the bridge of her nose, hydra was found to be operating in small groups all across the USSR after the war, but the groups were so small they were barely even of historical note. “He’s Russian, why would a Russian be working for Hydra?”

“That’s your job to find out Taylor. Get your ass on the next train.” Phillips finished, hanging up. Victoria rubbed her face and groaned, a migraine threatening behind her eyes. Her thoughts wandered back to Bucky, it looked like he wasn’t getting that dance any time soon. She tried to convince herself it was for the best, but in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but feel disappointment. She took a deep breath and pushed the feeling as far back as it would go. She didn’t have time to be distracted by a silly crush. She had a train to catch.

[metaphoricallyroger]

With Love, From Me to You - iii of iv [R.T.]

Summary: One-hundred ways to say ‘I love you’ over twenty-eight years.

Words: 3,387

Warnings: Implied smut.

Note: This follows both Bohemian Rhapsody’s and real-life events (generally for dates, minor plot etc.), picture whichever Roger you fancy! The title is taken from ‘From Me To You’ by The Beatles.

--

51. (1977):

“Were you seriously just checking out that woman’s legs?” It wasn’t much to ask, you thought, to have a little attention from your boyfriend whom you haven’t seen for weeks.

But apparently, said boyfriend was too engrossed in the leg length of a party attendee.

“Her legs were longer than Brian’s, how could I not look?”

“I noticed too, but that doesn’t mean I stare when I’ve got my girlfriend sitting on my lap!” You screech and ignore his childlike poking to get a hold of your cigarette.

When Roger goes quiet, you look to the left to find him smiling affectionately at you. You raise your eyebrows, waiting to see what he wants.

“Can I hold your hand?”

His cheeky grin wins you over.

--

52. (1977):

The day seems to drag on and on as the rain slides down the windows of the recording studio while Queen tries to lay down tracks for their latest album.

Roger sighs and takes the headphones off after having finished his harmonies and watches Freddie put his own on, ready to do just as Roger had been.

“Taylor, your girlfriend is here,” the sound technician drones into the microphone without sparing you a glance.

Roger barrels through the door of the control room, much to the protests of his bandmates, grinning widely.

“I thought you had work today?” He says, giving you a surprised kiss.

“Got let off early. Thought you could use a distraction,” you smile. Roger returns it, immensely happy to get out of the studio if only for a brief period.

--

53. (1978):

Your head pops out of the duvet, peering at Roger with puffy eyes.

“I’m sorry that I made you cry,” Roger holds up the flowers he nicked from the neighbour’s yard which were really weeds.

“It’s not your fault,” you wipe at your red nose, “I’m hormonal on my period.”

“I really shouldn’t have eaten the last of that chocolate, I’ll buy you more, I swear.” He puts the ‘flowers’ on the bedside table and crawls into the bed.

He pulls you onto his lap, cradling you much like one would a baby.

“You will?”

“I’ll get you two,” he smacks a kiss against your cheek.

--

54. (1978):

Your hand moves across Roger’s forehead as he rests himself in your lap.

“One more chapter.”

“Roger, you’re falling asleep.” You can’t help but smile at the sleepy man who continuously burrows his nose into your thigh as you turn the pages of your book.

“It’s because you’re rubbing my head. You’re to blame here.”

You remove your hand but the fussy Roger grabs it and puts it right back to where it was.

“I think you’re tired because you just got back from tour. But if you insist, one more only.”  

The blonde on your lap is suddenly quiet, asleep.

--

55. (1978):

You and Roger lay side by side late into the night when neither of you can sleep and this usually resorts to a game of questions until one of you falls under.

“Do you ever think about having kids?” He asks one insomnia-filled night. It wasn’t uncommon for questions to turn to the future, but the topic of children was yet to appear.

“With you?”

“With whomever,” he gestures in the air and you can feel the breeze on your face as his hand lands on the bed again.

“I’ve never really liked them if I’m honest.”

“Oh,” he says, sounding dejected.

“I think I’d like kids with you though.” You roll onto your side to look at his shining eyes.

“You would?”

“Yes. Could you imagine tiny Roger’s running around? We might prematurely age Brian.”

“Can we start now?” Despite the darkness, you can see his profile shift as he wiggles his eyebrows.

“We can practise how not to get pregnant.”

“Deal,” he rolls you to your back and climbs on top of you, laughing.

--

56. (1979):

“Have you ever thought about getting married?”

“Are you asking me if I want to get married to you?” You roll onto your stomach and prop yourself on your elbows, looking at Roger as he does the same.

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

“And you decided that four o’clock in the morning would be a good time to ask?” His tongue-in-teeth grin is all you need to know.

“Seemed like as good a time as any.”

“Alright.” Your hand subconsciously begins to trace around your ring finger where one was yet to appear.

“That a yes?”

“Seems so,” you mock and giggle when he bites your lip, dragging you back down to the mattress of a hotel in Hamburg.

--

57. (1979):

Brian has been graceful enough to lend you his camera after you left your own at home, and you were using every moment of your day with Roger to snap photos of the sights (which mainly included your fiancée in them).

“Love, you’re clogging up the flow of traffic, we’re going to get yelled at.”

“Yeah, but look at all of this, doesn’t it excite you?” Your hands make a sweeping motion over the city. You can’t decide what to focus on, the stores and markets Tokyo have to offer are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

“Seeing you excited makes me happy. Now come on,” he takes your hand, “let’s go get ripped off by a stall owner.”

--

58. (1979):

“Come on, let’s go outside.” Roger gives you a gentle tap on the arse.

“Why?”

“Because you’re about two seconds away from eating that pencil you’re chewin’.” You’ve decided to quit smoking after years of doing so, and it wasn’t proving as easy as you thought. The pencil acts as a placebo and aided a bit, aside from the fact that you’ll need a new one soon and probably dental work.

“What’s the point in this walk? It’s chilly.” You drag your feet along the concrete of the footpath that’s damp from afternoon showers.

“It’ll keep your mind off it. Besides,” he raises his eyebrows, “you get to look at my perky arse when I walk.”

Roger turns where he is leading you and presses a kiss to your cheek.

“Could you get your cigarette breath out of my face, please?”

“You’ve got cigarette breath too, I don’t know what you’re complaining about.” He plants an even sloppier kiss for effect.

“Not for long anymore, trust me, next time you’re home from tour I’ll be minty fresh.”

“Is that a promise?” He tilts his head, and you could compare him to a puppy if you thought about it.

“More like a threat.”

--

59. (1980):

Freddie has taken it upon himself to be the EMCee of the event and has decided that people have been sitting around for far too long and not having any fun. A soft, romantic ballad that neither you nor Roger knew plays from speakers, clearly showing that you both were not in charge of the music. It’s time for your first dance as a married couple.

“Can I have this dance?” Roger glances up at you from where you just finished talking to guests at another table.

“Thought you’d never ask, Mrs Taylor.”

--

60. (1980):

After sneaking out of your own wedding, you and Roger stand in a conveniently unlocked, large, supply cupboard.

“You sure you want to do this?” You grin, leaning on your husband’s shoulder, “we’re the bride and groom, I think we’ll be missed.”

“Who cares?” Roger bites his lip and smirks. “It’s our wedding, after all.”

“You’re going to have to help me with my dress.”

--

61. (1980):

Whilst in the South of France on your honeymoon, Roger decides on both of your behalf’s that it is important for him to buy a Ferrari.

When you get the phone call that Roger just trashed his car, your fear-riddled mind thinks that he’s been gravely injured. That clearly isn’t the case because your husband is the one talking to you and still swearing in that high-pitched tone he affects when he’s angry.

“You’ve crashed your car?”

“No, I didn’t crash, the bloody things shit itself and caught on fire!” You hear a thump from the other end of the line and can picture Roger kicking the phone box in frustration.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, but my Ferrari is.”

He sounds more upset about the car rather than the fact that he could have died.

“Roger, I don’t care about the car, just about whether you’re okay. Where are you?”

During the time it took him to tell you where he was you had already grabbed the rental car keys and ran your fingers over the teeth of the Mercedes one anxiously.  

“Stay there. I’m coming to get you.”

--

62. (1980):

A bulky letter awaits Roger as he returns to his hotel room after soundcheck for the concert in Pittsburgh. He picks up the phone to call home, knowing with the time difference you’d be the only one left awake in the house at this time.

“Hey, love.”

“Did you get my letter?” Too electrified to contain yourself, you ask before you greet him, worrying that the letter you gave to Brian to give to Roger somehow got lost in the woes of international travel. You gave specific instructions, that he was under no circumstances allowed to open, and it was to be handed off when Roger became homesick or too stressed.

“Just did, but I haven’t read it yet. Should I now?”

“No!” You screech. “You have to wait until I’m off the phone.”

“So should I hang up now?”

“You have to tell me about your day first,” you know he can hear your teasing tone.

Roger begins telling you about his day, holding the phone between ear and shoulder, discreetly opening the letter and watching polaroids slip out with a smirk.

--

63. (1981):

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” you wince, “my stomach just feels a bit off. That’s all.”

“Would you like me to rub your stomach?”

“I’m not one of Freddie’s cats.” Even with those words, you lie between Roger’s legs, back to chest so his hands flit comfortingly across your stomach.

--

64. (1981):

“I figured out why my stomach has been weird.”

“I told you not to eat that old take out. Didn’t you learn from that disaster years ago?” Roger barely spares you a look from the magazine he is reading.

“You’re going to be a father in the near future.”

His eyebrows hit his hairline as you sit next to him.

“I’m what?”

“You, me, parents.” You punctuate each word with a slight kiss.

“Parents,” he trails off, eyes stuck on the inconspicuous bump under your dressing gown.

--

65. (1981):

You were practically falling asleep next to Roger on the lounge at Freddie’s party despite the raucous and debauched atmosphere.

You adjust yourself against his shoulder and brace yourself as another server comes to offer you champagne once again.

“She’s not drinking tonight.” Roger easily dismisses the servers but takes a flute for himself.

“You pregnant or something, Y/N?” You look up at Brian who has a knowing look on his face.

You have a look of elation as you glance at him, causing the band members around you, family really, and their wives to all laugh.

--

66. (1981):

“Look after your Mum, okay?” You struggle to hold back a laugh as Roger gets down to his knees in the middle of the busy airport. He speaks directly to your stomach and his lashes flutter when he feels movement under his placed hand.

“They’ve still got two months before we meet them, I’ll be fine, Roger.”

“I know, I just worry.” His brows draw together as he looks up at you.

“I’ve got plenty of help, and Mum and Chrissy will be a wealth of knowledge. Believe me, this baby is well looked after, and so am I.”

You wrap one arm around his neck and your free hand over his, still resting against your stomach. You had thought that the constant touching on Roger’s behalf would drive you up the wall, and it has to a certain extent, but now you knew you are going to miss it.

“I’m still calling every chance I get.”

“You’d better.” You share a kiss before he pulls away with a smirk after the boys call out to him.

--

67. (1981):

“Watch your step.”

Roger helps you up the stairs to the nursery with a careful hand on your lower back. Typically, him fussing annoys the living daylights out of you but because you knew what he was doing today it was a welcome fussing.

“What do you think?” His hand uncovers your eyes.

“You did all of this?”

You were shipped out of the house to spend some time with Mary while Roger, with the help of his band members decorated and put together the flat-pack furniture you’d been seeing arrive the previous days.

The room has everything a baby could possibly need, and the change table was already stocked with enough nappies, wipes and baby powder to sink a battleship.  

“Well, I did get some help from Fred on the decorating and Brian and John with the cot and such.” He blushes and rubs the back of his neck.

“But it was your idea.”

“All mine.” You wrap your arms around his neck and sway with him gently, kissing his stubbly jawline every so often.

“I think the baby will be very happy here.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes,” you smile whimsically, “especially with this.” You walk over to the cot and pick up the stuffed lion you had given him all those years ago.

“How could I forget about him? He’s important to us.”

--

68. (1981):

“You did well.”

“Only well?” You grin down at the tiny, fragile figure in your arms you have given life to. Roger passed her back once she started to fall asleep, and she now rests with her hand tucked in a fist under a rosy cheek.

“She’s perfect already, I’d say you did amazing.” His eyes are glistening with unbridled joy as he glances down at the yet-to-be-named Baby Taylor.

“Yeah, I don’t think we need anything for Christmas this year,” you joke.

--

69. (1982):

You and Roger practically went into hibernation mode after you had Zoe, and haven’t seen the band since before she was born. They all sit in your living room, passing her back and forth between each other and cooing every time she lets out a little grunt or a happy noise.

“Would you look at that, the little darling looks like Rog.” Freddie notices as he looks down at the baby currently snuggled in John’s arms.

“She’ll have his chin, I bet,” John smiles at the sleeping angel.

“Oh God,” Brian moans, “another Taylor running around.” You can see he doesn’t mean it as he has a small smile on his face when Zoe wraps her finger around his tightly.

Roger feels slightly defensive over his new baby, but he knows Brian is just ribbing him and smirks at the taller man.

“Yeah but this one is extra important because she’s half Y/N.”

--

70. (1982):

Since she was born, Zoe hasn’t slept through an entire night, and it was beginning to take its toll on you and Roger. You both love being parents, but the intimacy you once shared is no longer the same.

The intimacy comes in quiet moments when you’re looking after the baby, and you get to watch Roger’s smiles and one-sided conversations with her. It’s an even deeper form of intimacy that only comes when you share the role of caregiver.   

“Roger, I’m tired, I’m not really in the mood.”

“Want to watch the telly instead?” Roger pulls back from where he was sucking on your neck and settles next to you, already grabbing for the remote.

“Are you sure?” You worry your bottom lip.

You miss being in bed with Roger, and the way he makes you feel when he’s pressed deep inside you, but you’re just so tired.

“I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to.” He plants a kiss on your cheek and positions himself so you can lay on his chest, hand rubbing his hip.

--

71. (1982):

Roger pays an extravagant amount for flowers in the shop down the street from the restaurant where your work dinner is taking place. He knows that no expensive bunch of flowers can make up for being late to something that means a lot to you.

“Love! I’m so, so, sorry,” he tries to catch his breath as he finds you, about to get into the car.

“I really didn’t mean to-”

“No, I get it. Busy being a rock star and all,” you don’t even look at him as you unlock the doors, handing him the keys to drive.

“It’s not that at all,” he pleads, “I swear I didn’t mean to be late.”

“Whatever, let’s just go home.”

--

72. (1983):

“Look, Zoe, there’s your daddy,” you coo to the toddler waddling beside you.

“Hi, Bubs!” He calls to her. You and Roger barely stand three feet apart, arms extended in case she falls over. He missed her first steps but won’t miss her fully walking on her own as her little feet stomp over to him to wrap around his knees.

“Hello,” you smile as Roger scoops the giggling girl into his arms.

“I’m so glad to be back,” Roger sighs. You wrap one arm around his shoulder in a hug and let him guide you out of the busy airport.

--

73. (1983):

“Say it, say ‘dada’, Zoe.” You watch Roger with wide eyes as he moves his head side to side with every syllable.

“She’s not going to say it if you tell her to.”

“She will just you wait. Taylor women are very smart, just need some persuasion, that’s all.” He grabs the lion out of her hands and holds it above her fair head.

“Dada!” She finally shrieks and extends her arms to try and grab her lion back.

“See! So smart, just like her mother.”

“I’d yell too if you snatched my toy away.” You still sit down next to the pair and celebrate with them, mainly Roger, because Zoe’s too young to get why this is a big deal.

--

74. (1983):

You’re standing under the warmth of the shower spray when Roger barges into the room, raging about something or other to do with a new song.

“I’m trying to understand, Roger,” you sigh.

“I feel like I can’t tell you anything anymore,” he leans against the bathroom sink. You open the glass door of the shower with wide eyes, uncaring about your nakedness, paralysed.

“What? You’re my best friend, you absolutely can.” You grab onto his elbow when he scoffs and goes to turn away.

“I know I can. I want to, believe me. It’s just … hard.”

“It may take time, but you can tell me anything.  Surely you have to know that.” You hold out your hand and invite him into the shower.

--

75. (1983):

Roger opens his eyes with a groan as the bright mid-morning sunlight streams into the room due to your opening of the curtains and windows.

“It smells like a brewery in here, get up.” You pull back the sheets and begin to remove them, rolling Roger’s dead weight across the mattress as he isn’t making any attempt to move.

“I’m hungover,” he moans.

“Whose fault is that hm? Not mine.”

“Can’t you leave me alone for once? I don’t feel well.” He rests his palm across his forehead and looks up at you with pleading eyes. It doesn’t do anything.

“That would have worked if you didn’t throw up all over my floor at four o’clock in the morning. You’re an adult, not a five year old. You should know when you aren’t feeling well.”

“I don’t know I’m not feeling great when I’m that drunk!”

“I understand that you’re having troubles with the band but if you keep coming home drunk, you’re going to have to find somewhere else to sleep.”

“You’re going to kick me out? Of my own house?”

“I paid for half of this house too, don’t forget.”

You pause and try to take a softer tone, brushing sun-streaked golden hair out of his eyes.

“I just want to help you, Roger. You don’t want to tell me what’s wrong and I’m already worried about you. Would you like a hug?”

Roger half crawls, half wiggles his way over to you.

[thesloppiestbitch]

Honestly - Roger Taylor x Reader Part 3

A/N: I know no one is really reading this series right now, but I’m enjoying writing it, and whether or not people are reading, I’m going to publish it because I enjoy sharing what I write with the world.  BUT, if you are reading this series, then thank you!

Summary: Meeting Roger Taylor was the best thing that’d ever happened to you. You were the happiest you’d ever been during your relationship with him, but when a “rumor” starts to circulate among tabloids, all your faith in the man is lost. You don’t know who to believe: your boyfriend, or your bother and multiple eye witnesses. Will you let the supposed “rumor” ruin the relationship you’d worked so hard to build?

Word count: ~1,700

Warning(s): Swearing, angst

Part One

Part Two

Masterlist

The pub was loud, filled with the sounds of drunks trying to find a one-night hookup, awful club music, and people trying to yell over all the noise to either talk to their friends or order a drink. Roger sighed, placing his head in his hands, as his elbows rested on the counter in front of him. He closed his eyes and tried to convince himself going out for a night would be fun, despite all the hell that surrounded him.

Just as he finally began to convince himself of this falsehood, a bright light flashed beside him and suddenly all he could hear was reports yelling over one another in an attempt to catch his attention. The only voice he was able to pick out was that of a man who sounded quite young; he repeated the same phrase, "Where's [Name]? Shouldn't you be out with your girlfriend? Has it ended between you two?" over and over.

Finally, he had enough, sitting up quickly and banging a fist on the table. "Will you shut the hell up? My personal life is none of your concern, let alone my relationship status! So, please, kindly fuck off before I beat your face in with one of these glasses," He slowly reached ahead, grabbing one of the empty glasses in front of him. "That goes for all of you. Piss off!"

The crowd scattered, surprising Roger. Usually it was more of a fight than that to get them to leave him alone.

"Everything alright, love?" An unfamiliar voice with a seemingly Scottish accent spoke from beside him.

He turned to look in the direction of the voice, seeing a woman a few years younger than him with bright red hair. "Yeah, everything's peachy, can't you tell?"

"Don't have to be rude there, love, just checking up on you. Seem a bit down in the dumps,"

"Look, I may have had a few drinks, but not enough to make me open up to a complete stranger. I'd appreciate it if you would leave me alone, please, I'm waiting for someone."

"Wife?"

He shook his head.

"Girlfriend?"

"No, but with any luck, she'll show up. I'm not looking for a hookup, but nearly everyone else here is, so I wish you luck."

She nodded. "I can take a hint,"

"Really? Cause if you could take a hint, you wouldn't still be sitting here, talking to me,"

"You make a solid point. But maybe something is just drawing me to you..."

He rolled his eyes, clearly getting nowhere.

"Please, just go."

She smirked, lightly booping his nose as she stood up, making him wrinkle his nose; partially in disgust with the woman and partially because he wasn't expecting it.

~

You saw the whole scene unroll from the doorway. You tried to convince yourself it didn't happen, that it was one sided, but you couldn't. All you'd been thinking about that day was seeing him and talking things through, but could you really do that?

Brian placed a hand on your shoulder, having seen exactly what you had. "I'm sure it's nothing. Why don't we go talk to him about it,"

You shook your head, locking eyes with the blonde from across the bar. He smiled and his eyes lit up when he saw you, but your face had turned to a cold expression as you glared at him.

His smile faltered when he realized what you'd seen. As you turned on your heel to leave, rushing towards the door, you heard both men calling your name, trying to get you to stop; Brian even tried to grab your wrist, but you weren't having it.

"Really? You couldn't keep it in your pants for one night? I told you she was coming!" Brian scolded once Roger had reached the front of he bar.

"Oh piss off, you know I'd never hurt her."

"Yeah, that's exactly what you said about your other girlfriends, which you then promptly cheated on,"

"[Name] is different, you know that. It was just some hussy trying to find a one night stand who wouldn't take a hint. That's all."

Brian nodded, believing his friend. "You'd better run after her if you think there's any chance you can save this relationship,"

"Shit, right!" He bolted out he door, without another word.

•••

Back at the apartment, you were hastily throwing clothes into a suitcase you had found in the closet, not really caring what you grabbed, just wanting to get away from Roger as soon as possible.

When you heard the door open and slam shut, you slouched back, rolled your eyes and audibly sighed. "Go away, Rog!" You called out, tossing one of your t-shirts into the suitcase.

"Listen to me; my side, yeah?" He said, appearing in the door-frame of the bedroom.

"And why should I? I saw it with my own eyes, Brian saw it. Why should I even give you a passing glance?"

"Jesus, that's a little harsh, don't you think?" He attempted to joke, hoping to lighten the mood, but you only glared at him. "Okay, in all seriousness, I don't even know what I can say to change your mind. You either believe me or you don't. I'm willing to fight for you, but if you won't fight for me, then I don't know what to do,"

You scoffed, tossing down a pair of shorts. "You have got to be joking," You spat. "I've overlooked all the rumors that have followed you for years! When your fans come up to me, claiming to have been one of your hookups on tour, I overlooked it because I knew you'd never do something like that. I knew you loved me too much to break my heart in such immature way, but now... There's pictures, my own brother and best friend have told me what they saw, I saw it with my own eyes tonight! So don't you dare say I haven't fought for you or this relationship! I loved you, Rog, I really thought you could've been the one, but clearly I was wrong."

You glided across the room to the closet to grab a hoodie; when you turned around to toss it into the suitcase, you saw Roger standing over it, eyes locked with yours, as he pulled clothes out. His expression reminded you of the look a cat gives their owner before they knock something off the counter.

"Stop."

"Stay."

"No,"

"Then no."

"Roger, stop being so childish!"

"Me? Me stop being childish? You're the one throwing a tantrum because you saw something you didn't like!"

"Insulting me really isn't the way to get me back,"

"Implying there's a chance," He scoffed. "Give me five minutes, that's literally all I ask of you. Then, you can leave; I just need you to hear me out,"

"You keep saying that, assuming it'll change my mind."

"Hasn't it?"

You rolled your eyes, crossing your arms over your chest. "Go."

He went on to explain the scene at the bar, beginning from where you'd missed and ended just after you ran out; he strategically left out his short talk with Brian, fearing it may upset you more.

You wanted so badly to trust him, to fall into his arms and cry, apologizing a trillion times for your overreactions, and you almost did. The only thing that stopped you, was a small piece of paper that you saw poking out of the pocket of his black bomber jacket.

"What's that?" You asked calmly, attempting to mimic his calm tone.

"Hmm? What're you talking about, love?"

"There's a piece of paper sticking out of your jacket. Do you mind if I look at it quickly?"

He shrugged, grabbing it and holding it out to you. "Be my guest."

You mumbled a thank you under your breath as you grabbed the paper. Your eyes scanned over it, seeing it was just a schedule for band meets. You sighed in relief as you flipped it over, seeing the name Jaime and a phone number. Inhaling sharply, you handed the paper back to him. "Who's Jaime?"

He looked confused. "Jaime?"

"Yeah, she seemed to like you enough to give you her number on the back of your schedule."

"Jesus, Fred," He mumbled under his breath, snatching the paper and flipping it over. "[Name], this is Freddie's jacket, it's gotta be a number someone gave him that he forgot to taken out!"

"Mmm, and I suppose Jaime isn't the name of the girl I saw you with at the bar?"

"I never got her name! I turned her down and saw you, remember?"

You nodded, wrapping your arms around your torso. "I think I need a few more nights to myself, if that's okay."

"I really think we should keep talking this out, [Name]—"

"Really? I disagree." You spat angrily, quickly tossing the clothes he'd pulled out back into the suitcase and sipping it up before grabbing the handle and marching out the bedroom door.

"Hey! That's my suitcase, you can't just take it!"

"Oh piss off, I'll get one of the boys to bring it back for you. Or, better yet, I'll call Jaime and she can!"

"Oh for God's sake, let it go! I've been with you and you alone for two years, why the hell would I suddenly change my mind over night!"

You reached up, scratching your head with your free hand. "I dunno, Rog!"

"Then stay and we can work this out!"

"No! I can't be in a relationship where one person values the other more than they do them, cause you know damn well I've been in too many of those! I honestly thought you could be the person I spent the rest of my life with, but now I can't even stand to see your name pop up on billboards or hear a Queen song on the radio. You're really playing with fire at this point, Roger, so I suggest you let it billow away before it sparks a forest fire."

He was taken aback by your words, so he just simply nodded and gestured to the door. "At least let Brian know you're safe when you get wherever you're going so I'll know."

You nodded. "I will. Goodbye, Rog."

With that, the door shut behind you, leaving Roger an emotional mess as he stood in the pathway between the hallway and the porch. He knew now that he'd really fucked up. He'd lost the love of his life, all because of some bad coincidences.

And now he didn't know if he'd ever be able to get you back.

[wewillwriteyou]

Friends Will Be Friends || Chapter 4

A few elements from the main plot: A very special group of friends: early days, drama, laughter, booze, success, rock stars life, girl power, friendship, love, sex, music, misunderstandings, some more drama, family. Pairings in the tags

Summary Chapter 4: Chelsea’s point of view. something goes off with Tom. Brian queen of drama. We realize how this sounds awfully weird but we swear it’ll make sense lol

Word count: 2.3K

Warnings: some angst, some drama, nothing to worry lol

A/N: Here we are guys! Things get interesting in this one, so make sure you got the previous parts (you find the link into the description of this blog) and stay tuned for some more. The best is yet to come, lovelies 💖😏 As usual, if you like what you read, comment, like, reblog and share this with others! Thanks again for the support, enjoy! 💗

Chelsea entered the shop covered in sweat; all the eyes were on her, especially her boss’s, who looked at her so angrily, that Chelsea thought she would have lost her job. She smiled and tried to stay as calm as possible, as she approached the cash desk, while both the costumers and her colleagues, were eyeing her from head to toe.

“Miss Parker, you’re late. May I know why?”

“I–I’m extremely sorry! I didn’t hear the alarm going off and my car didn’t want to start up this morning… please, I swear it won’t happen again!” she leaned on the surface in front of her, while her boss was tapping her fingers nervously. Chelsea practically begged her with her eyes, making the woman sigh loud.  

“Fine, but next time, I’ll fire you on the spot, are we clear?” Chelsea let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and thanked her many times, before finally walking towards Mel and Mary to start working.

“Doll! Is everything okay? It’s been a week since we’ve seen each other! What happened?” Mary’s words sounded full of concern, as she caressed Chelsea’s arm gently. Mel was standing next to her, studying the blouse Chelsea was wearing, sure it looked familiar.

“You won’t believe what happened to me last night…” Chelsea whispered, loud enough for Mel to hear.

The three girls got closer, as they pretended to fold some clothes. Mary and Mel were hanging by Chelsea’s lips. She couldn’t help but flush when she thought about Roger.

“My roommate dragged me to a pub to forget about all the situation with Tom, but I got so drunk I almost had sex with a stranger” she decided to be as vague as possible, to avoid further problems. Mel was speechless, while Mary seemed amused.

“By the look on your face, I can say it was worth it, am I wrong?” Mary teased her. Chelsea rolled her eyes and a little laugh escaped her lips.

“And why… I mean… why didn’t you…” Mel was as curious as Mary but too embarrassed to ask her that kind of questions.

Luckily, Chelsea understood what she meant. “Because he didn’t want to take advantage of me while I was so drunk I couldn’t even remember my name… and also, because I threw up on all of my clothes” Mary laughed out loud and a bunch of costumers looked in their direction, quite confused. Chelsea slapped her on her shoulder and walked away, to go help a lady who was looking for a new jacket.

The morning was proceeding, as usual, the three girls were lazily working, constantly checking the clock and wishing it was time to go home. Until, at some point, the little bell on the door rang and Tom entered the shop. Chelsea immediately recognized his voice and tried to ignore him when she heard him asking about her, but after a few seconds, he was already approaching her, with an unexpected little smile on his face.

“Hi” he whispered, leaning against her hear. Chelsea forced herself to ignore the fact that, the last person who did that was Roger. She shook her head and turned around, crossing her arms on her chest.

“Tom. I’m working, what are you doing here?” her voice could cut ice. The smile disappeared from Tom’s face and his sight fell on the ground.

“That’s the first thing that comes to your mind, after not seeing me for a week?” his tone was kind of flirty and left Chelsea confused. She sighed.

“Seriously Tom, what do you want?” she put her hands on her waist, without breaking eye contact. He smiled again, then caressed the back of his neck, nervously.

“I missed you. Look, I know what I said but this week seemed like a year to me… please, Chelsea, I take back everything I said”

“That doesn’t change the fact you said it”

As he got a step closer, instinctively, Chelsea stepped backwards.

Never in a million years she would have imagined hearing such words leaving his mouth and, even if it was terrible to admit, she felt disappointed. A part of her had hoped that he had come to break up with her, but he hadn’t and that made Chelsea feel even worse, because, at that moment, she realized she was the one who wanted to end their relationship.

Not him. Just her.

She immediately thought about Roger and a strong feeling of nausea tied her stomach.

Who was she? What was she becoming?

Before she could stop herself, the words rolled out of her lips.

“There’s someone else, Tom” she remained with her mouth wide open, she couldn’t believe she had said that out loud. And it wasn’t even the truth. Or it was?

Tom looked at her: his eyes wide open, speechless, disappointed, probably angry. He nodded, turned around and slowly walked towards the door. The tears filled Chelsea's eyes and before she could realize it she ran after him outside the shop. She grabbed his arm to block him.

“Please Tom, I didn’t mean what I said. I…”

“You what, Chel?” he got rid of her touch, with a disgusted look on his face “I knew that there’s was something different, but let me tell you, I honestly don’t accept this from you! Who even are you? I don’t recognize you anymore!” he was shouting and Chelsea felt her heart falling in her chest. She realized they were surrounded by curious eyes.

“I’m sorry Tom. I honestly thought we were broken up after the fight we had last Saturday, and when I saw you coming in this morning I was sure as hell you just came to clarify the situation”

“You know why you thought all these bullshit?” he angrily pointed his finger at her “because you’re a coward, you don’t have the courage to break up with me and you were just expecting me to do it! So you could have played the part of the victim, as usual!”

Chelsea knew he was right, but his words cut more than knives and she felt the anger growing in her chest.

“You know what, Tom? You’re right. You’re completely right. But did you ever ask yourself how hard was for me to pretend for all these months? Yes, fucking months” her voice raised more at every word “I don’t love you anymore, Tom. Not in the way I used to, at least… And that’s the truth. I’m sorry” the tears were streaming down her face. Tom’s face was red, as he breathed heavily.

He got closer and Chelsea felt a shiver of fear running in her body.

“Don’t talk to me ever again. When this new guy will break your heart, and believe me, it will happen, and very soon because nobody but me could ever stand your fucking shitty character, don’t come crying to me, because I will not be there for you” it sounded like a threat. Chelsea bit her lip and looked him straight in his eyes.

“Fuck off, Tom” she spat. He started walking away, but suddenly stopped and turned around to ask

“John doesn’t know, does he?”

He grinned when her face revealed the answer he was expecting to hear. She did not answer, and he left.

Mary ran towards her when she saw Chelsea entering the shop again, with her eyes full of tears.

“What happened?” she hugged her, but Chelsea slipped out of her arms and ran to the bathroom.

“Miss Austin, come back to work! Miss Taylor, go and tell Miss Parker to come back immediately, or I swear I will fire her in a minute!” the boss thundered from the cash desk.

Melissa nodded and started to walk fast towards the bathroom when Mary stopped her for a second. “Please be gentle with her, she’s really fragile” she looked so concerned that Melissa felt her heart skip a bit.

She nodded with a small smile, before heading to the bathroom.

When she opened the door, she found Chelsea curled up on the floor, arms around her legs and head resting on her knees. Melissa sat in front of her and sighed

“You know, the first time I saw him approaching you from behind, I knew he was a total prick” she said, getting a little snort from the girl.

“Well he can be” Chelsea lifted her head to look Mel in the eyes. Her face was red and her eyes watery, make up streaming down her cheeks.

“We actually were in love, you know?” she continued, containing a sob “I don’t know what happened but something broke between us at some point. And I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I’m pretty sure it’s my fault” she said as she started sobbing again.

Mel wrapped her arms around her shoulders and lulled her for a bit.

“Chelsea we’re not exactly close friends and I don’t know the background story. All I can say is that a guy who ruins your Friday nights and gets you yelled at by your boss by putting up a scene in the middle of the shop, does not deserve you blaming yourself”

They were now face to face “Look, maybe it’s better this way. Now that you have closure you can move on. And you should not feel guilty about not having feelings for him anymore. It’s sad and hurtful, but people do change and the best thing to do is move on. Don’t cling to the past. It’s not worth it. It won’t come back anyway” Chelsea could have sworn she had seen a shadow pass through Melissa’s eyes, as she put up a small smile.

“Are you always this poetic? I never noticed that before…” she chose to say “But thank you. I really appreciate it”

Melissa smiled back, and they hugged one last time.

“You sure you’re okay? Mary and I can finish your shift, if you want… I heard you had a pretty… uhm… hard night” she joked and Chelsea laughed, blushing at the reference.

“You are a dear, but I think I can handle it” she smiled gratefully.

They headed back in the shop and worked undisturbed till closure.

As she walked through the door of her apartment that evening, Mel felt exhausted. She crashed down on the couch and brought her hands to her temples. She was still a bit shaken by the whole Chelsea and Tom story, but the main thought on her head was John’s lips on her. She was ashamed of how badly she wanted him to call her and how badly she craved for his lips. She blushed, knowing that nobody could hear her thoughts, and it was probably better that way because her imagination was running pretty wildly.

She laid back for a good half hour, smiling by herself like an idiot and feeling a heat spreading around her body when John’s face popped up in her head. The sound of keys in the socket and voices in the corridor startled her and her smile vanished. Brian and Roger entered the apartment talking loudly before realizing the girl was laying on the couch, hands covering her ears and a disapproving look on her face.

“Sorry, sis… what happened to you?” Roger asked curiously.

“Oh nothing, just a rough day” she replied “I’ll take a shower if you guys don’t mind preparing dinner”

“Don’t mind at all, love” Brian said, rubbing his hand on her shoulder when she passed by him.

“So you were saying you think you know him?” Roger asked Brian when the bathroom door closed.

“Yeah mate, I’m sure I’ve met this guy before, but I can’t remember where…”

“He’s pretty good, though, don’t you think?”

“He’s the best one so far, Rog… please don’t do anything to scare him off”

“Why is it always my fault? And when did I ever scare one of them away? If they were shit at playing bass it’s not my fault…”

“Just saying, please be good”

“Alright, I’ll be good” Roger mocked him.

Suddenly the phone rang and Brian reached for it, while Roger went into his room, closing the door.

“Hello?”

“Hi-” the voice on the other side hesitated “is Melissa there?”

Brian was confused “Not at the moment,” he said hesitantly “who’s this?”

“Uhm… I’m a… ehr… friend”

“John? Is that you?” and all of a sudden, everything was clear. Brian knew exactly where he had seen the guy they had just auditioned to be their new bassist.

“Uhm, yes…”

“It’s Brian, from Smile?”

John on the other end of the phone face-palmed. Of course. He had finally decided to call Melissa and who should have answered the phone if not her brother.

“Oh, hi Brian. Sorry, I didn’t recognize your voice” he laughed a little “Could you… ehr… could you please tell Melissa to give me a call?” and he spelled down his number.

Brian could already see her face light up at the news, but he could also picture Roger’s reaction when he would find out their new bassist wanted to shag his little sister. He had the chance to protect the band from useless drama, but what was more important, he could avoid a huge fight between the Taylor siblings. And he knew how those went down. Not a pretty sight.

He didn’t think twice before answering “Sure, mate. See you on Monday at rehearsal” and put down the phone.

He began to wonder whether he had done the right thing, not writing down John’s number, when Mel came out of the bathroom asking who was on the phone.

Brian smiled “They must have had the wrong number”.

Chapters: ⤎ previous | next ⤏

A/N: Hi again! Hope you enjoyed this chapter 💗 we’re gonna tag the lovely people who read, liked and commented the previous chapters. If you want to be tagged in the next one, comment under this one or leave us a message. Our inboxes are always open for you beautiful people

Tag list: @littledarlingwellaway @its-a-metephor-brian  @bohemiandelilah @onevisionliz@misshystericalqueen @loki-lover095 @deakysgurl@inthelapofthe39 @starsoflovingness-wq @minetticatinwonderland@cairdes20 @friendswillbefriendsblog @o-holynight @trash-record-collection @please-stop-me-now @theappleofmybri@marvelsbunch [if your name is crossed out, we couldn’t tag you 😢 please message us, and we’ll sort it out 😘]

PS: We found out the tagging problem is affecting a lot of Tumblr users, so, for now, we rely on you people to spread the news of our story, at least until the whole hashtag deal is sorted out by the @staff. Thanks again,

Cheers, folks! ✌💖

[shippingdelights]

Reputation Tour Houston Sept. 29 post

okay so this is totally long overdue but i finally have some time to write about this now that i'm in class totally not paying attention and taking the time to write out my thoughts and experience about the concert. sorry in advance if this post is hella long and looks like a mess.

So this is actually my very first concert! (I don't count the time when my parents dragged me to go see Enrique Iglesias on a school night back when I was in the 3rd grade.) i went with @stayingstrongandbeingconfident and my sister and my cousin (who i got tickets for the concert last-minute because i'm totally the best sister and cousin ever). the weather was nice and cool and my dad dropped us off so we can save some money on parking fees. while waiting in line to get through security, it was so amazing to see so many people in costumes and custom outfits for the concert.

We made it in time to see Camila perform and she was amazing! My sister was especially happy to see her since she is a huge fan. After she finished performing, @stayingstrongandbeingconfident asked me if I wanted to go in line to get merchandise, but because everything was so loud i assumed she wanted to go get snacks and I was like "nah, i'm good with my water". Later on, I asked her if she wanted to go in line to get merchandise and she was like I asked you earlier and then I was like "Oohhhhhh, sorry I misheard my bad". Then I was kind of concerned because while I wanted to get merchandise I didn't want to risk missing the beginning of the concert. I went with her anyways to get in line and we were there for sometime. As soon as I saw the lights in the stadium go off, I knew what that meant and looking at @stayingstrongandbeingconfident she told me I should go and she wait in line and get the merchandise (you are seriously the best btw). So I got out of line and DASHED back to my section. As I was running back to my section, so were many other people. I had not run that fast in years like I did Saturday night.

I made it in time for the last half of the video intro which was incredible. Seriously the visuals for this concert are just top notch. And then the lights go off again and the stadium is totally dark and you hear "BABY LET THE GAMES BEGIN". And slowly the snake princess of pop emerged on stage and on the screen you can see her silhouette as she turns to her profile side with the mic in her hand and she says "Are you ready for it?" and the lights and music start playing and it was like witnessing the second coming of christ as the crowd went wild! I was recording it too and my hands were shaking from excitement and i got so emotional I started to tear up because holy fucking shit it's @taylorswift . Like wow I can't believe I'm really seeing her in all her glory.

So she nails it as she sings "ready for it" and "i did something bad". IDSB is just so amazing to see live with the choreography and the fire shooting out from the top like we were all burning with her. She sings the next few songs like "love story", "style", "you belong with me". It was fun. I was singing and yelling my heart out with the rest of the crowd. Jumping and dancing! The crowd looked so beautiful with the light-up bracelets during her "Delicate" speech. And of course I did the 1-2-3 LET'S GO BITCH!

The most magical part of the night was when she introduced the surprise song. During her introduction she mentioned fairy tales inspiring her songs and at first I assumed she was going to say "Today was a Fairytale", but then she started listing fairytales and stories that inspired her songs and that's when I held my breath and introduced "Wonderland" and I just started bawling because my god. She has never performed "Wonderland" since it was a bonus track and its one of my all-time favorite songs from her and I had hoped and hoped that she would sing it for Houston. So I sang loud and proud with her as she sang Wonderland. When she finished she talked about how she was amazed with how loudly she could hear us singing a song that was a bonus track and she pointed to my section when she said especially you guys over there. And I firmly believe she meant me because as far as I could tell I was singing the loudest!

The rest of the night was still so incredible. She was absolutely beautiful throughout all of it. When introduced "Long Live/NYD" she acknowledged and thanked all the wonderful people who put this concert together. She played the piano as she sang "Long Live/NYD" and when she paused she looked at all of us like we were really her whole world and I felt that.

When the video for "why she disappeared played", I prepared myself for Getaway Car because if you don't already know its like one of my top 3 favorite taylor swift songs ever and my favorite song off of reputation. I had my snapchat opened and yelled NO NOTHING GOOD STARTS IN A GETAWAY CAR as it recorded and snapchat crashed and did not save the video. but i have most of getaway car recorded and you can hear me singing loudly and horribly.

She is one of the most genuine people out there, and I'm so glad and thankful that I came to love and appreciate her and her music over time. I would love more than anything in the world to tell her how much her music helped me during the loneliest time in my life in college. She's always giving me things to hope and look forward to know for the rest of my life with her music and her spirit and I'm so happy to see her thriving despite all the bullshit she has gone through. Through her I realized that it's important to spend your time and energy doing the things you love around the people you love and that's the best kind of life to live.

So because of all that I decided that I'm gonna drive 7 hours from my school all the way to Arlington for her concert on Saturday. Gonna go by myself, have the time of my life as I see Taylor up closer with a floor seat ticket. Honestly do not care how much of my student loans I'm using to pay for this trip and how long the drive is because Taylor Swift is so totally worth it for me in every way possible.

[anxiety-musings]

In the Blood ~ Part 1

Summary: You were the daughter of one of the most powerful crime families in your home city. Until your uncle made a power grab, his ambition decimated your family, leaving you an orphan. After almost ten years training in the police force and becoming a detective you are sent undercover. Into your family’s historic rivals, the Winchesters.

Character Pairings?: Sam x Reader

AU: Gangster/Detective AU 

Word Count: 4180

A/N: Sorry it took so long to finish up this first part - I got distracted attempting to apply for future study! I also feel like this is going to be either a 2-shot or if it is received well enough we may extend to a mini-series!

Tags: Thanks to @eyeofdionysus who is always there for me to bounce insane ideas off of!

The usual suspects: @bkwrm523​ @littlegreenplasticsoldier @helvonasche @mamapeterson @mrswhozeewhatsis @manawhaat @aprofoundbondwithdean @mysupernaturalfics @eyes-of-a-disney-princess @spnashley @ruby-loves-supernatural @faith-in-dean @lucibae-is-dancing-in-hell @writingthingsisdifficult @oriona75 @teamfreewillimagines @lovemydean-o-saur @kittenofdoomage @sis-tafics @but-deans-back-tho @winchester-writes @spnfanficpond

Apparently people like my writing and want to be tagged  o.O AHHH: @ezilyamuzed @drakelover78 @spnfangirl1965

The captain had called you in early on Monday morning, when he walked in you were laying on the break room sofa, humming to yourself. Shaking his head he walked past you and into his office. You grabbed your coffee and followed him into his office, taking a seat on his much comfier sofa. He sat at his desk and laughed slightly before looking you over.

“Detective, how are you this morning?” he asked, smiling a little too happily.

Your eyes narrowed, “you brought me in early on the worst day of the week and you have an evil glint in your eye. What do you want?”

Your captain chuckled, “You’re going undercover and you’re going to hate it.”

“Where am I being put,” you asked as the captain gave you a look, “no. I’m not doing that. I am not insane!”

“You have to. Commissioner’s orders. He wants you to find out all you can on the feud between the Winchester family and your own. We had to decide whether to send you in or have you train someone but we know that the latter isn’t an option,” the captain smirked, “you’ll be deep cover.”

You finished your coffee before throwing the mug at the wall, hitting a framed photo, smashing both. Rounding on the captain you glared, “You want me to go back, you better hope I don’t get burned or I’m coming back and I’m coming for you and the commissioner.”

“Keep the threats until you’re undercover,” the captain snapped.

“Bite me,” you hissed and walked out of his office, going to your desk and throwing your gun and badge into the top drawer, clearing off the desk and looking back to the captain, “my employment records better be classified. If anyone other than you and the commissioner know, I’m dead.”

The captain sighed as you walked out of the bullpen, walking to the weapons cache and signing out your old guns and holster. You headed to the commissioner’s office and walked in, without knocking. His head snapped up to your very angry face before he held out a file. Grabbing the file you took a seat and began reading, the silent tension in the room growing with every passing breath.

“I’ll go to my old apartment in the city, I go there every so often to keep my presence known. My new one is in your surname. Commissioner, why?” you asked, for the first time meeting eyes with your boss.

“I can only trust you with this. We have been lead to believe that your uncle is planning on making a move against Dean Winchester. The feud has been silent for years, why does he want to restart it,” the commissioner muttered lowly, “from now on you’ll be on your own. If you need help you know how to get in touch. And Ana, you know I wouldn’t put you back in danger if there was another way.”

You took a deep breath before nodding, “keep yourself safe. I’ll be fine, just need to make friends with people who want me dead and hope they don’t let slip to my uncle his boys didn’t finish the job.”

“Good luck Miss Taylor, come home safe,” he sighed and walked around his desk, pulling you into a quick hug, “Kaia, you best come back.”

You nodded and sighed, walking out of the office and to an evidence lockup, picking up a set of keys that were kept in a secure vault. Walking to the garage you climbed into your old car and drove into the city. It took less than half an hour to pull up outside your old apartment complex, even in heavy traffic. You took a moment to ready yourself before getting out of your car and walking into the building, taking the elevator to the top floor using your key. As the door opened onto your penthouse, you took a few deep breaths, checking the floor was clear before pulling out an old phone and slumping on your sofa. Scrolling through the contacts your paused before listening to the voicemails, hearing your mother’s last words to you once more before steeling yourself and hitting call on an old name.

The phone rang twice before a gruff voice spoke, “You have a lot of nerve calling this number Taylor.”

“Winchester, we need to meet. I’ll even come to you wearing a bow if you want,” you snapped, rolling your eyes.

There was silence before an address was muttered, “be there within the hour. Alone.”

“See you there.”

Pulling up in your car outside of the warehouse, you checked your guns and looked once more in the mirror. Your mahogany hair curled loosely past your shoulders, brushing the top of the waistband of your jeans, the white vest top clung to your figure as your leather jacket only partially covered your shoulder holster. Your polished, black, heeled boots came up to your knees, as you walked into the warehouse you threw the doors wide. Standing in the middle of the empty warehouse was the man you were waiting for, Mr. John Winchester, leaning against his impala.

“You know, I didn’t think you would actually show up Kaia,” he chuckled, “certainly not alone. Now, what do you want kiddo?”

“I want my uncle to pay. And neither of us want an all out war again, my uncle doesn’t follow the rules and we both know that,” you stated, walking forward. “Luckily for us, he thinks I’m dead. And it’s going to remain that way, or you and I will have problems.”

John laughed, shaking his head before his eyes met yours in a glare. “You’ve been out of the picture for a while kiddo. Ten years ago your daddy bit the dust, you vanished only a year later. Now you come back full swing, we know you went to the police academy and you were a detective. Did they finally kick the mafia kid out and she wants to come back to play the game?”

You stared at John as you pulled out the old phone and played the other saved voicemail, staring directly at the older man as you both heard your little sister ask her uncle what was happening. John flinched at the child’s screams as she begged for her mother to be saved, three shots sounded and the child sobbed. A final three shots were fired before silence and the call cutting out.

“Only reason I joined the police force was to bring him down. They decided I was not suited to the job and kicked me out. I’m getting my revenge, and I’ve heard whispers that he wants to reignite the war. Starting with Dean’s family. Not Dean, his wife and kids.” John moved faster than you anticipated, grabbing your throat and holding his colt to your head. “Why do you think I’m here John? I’m not letting what happened to me repeat itself any time soon.”

John’s grip loosened on your throat as he nodded, “My boys will take your car, get in.”

He stepped into the impala, waiting for you to get in beside him before driving out of the warehouse. You stared at the sky as he drove, nervously fiddling with the phone in your hands. John kept glancing over to you while he drove to his home.

“You know it isn’t going to be safe for you to go back to that apartment of yours. If we spotted you, it’s only a matter of time before you uncle catches wind,” John muttered, “I’ll get you set up properly.”

You nodded silently, “you know my father signed the truce, he didn’t want our families to fight. My uncle thought he went soft and shot him in the back of the head. He got to be the big man, just killed his brother to get there.”

John nodded and continued driving in silence. He pulled into the grounds of his home, his boys following behind in your car. The door to the manse opened as you stepped out of the car, within the seconds that followed Dean Winchester had lunged at you as his father yelled for him to stop. Dean pinned you to the floor and held his pistol to your face while his father yelled. With him distracted, you twisted and disarmed Dean, throwing his gun aside. You took a step back as Dean jumped to his feet, suddenly being separated by a taller figure as John shook his head.

“Stop it! Dean, Sam, learn how to treat a guest properly. Now get inside, all of you.”

After following the brothers inside you were escorted to John’s office. He took a seat at his desk, motioning for you to sit opposite as both brothers stood against a bookcase, watching you. John stayed silent, scanning the three of you in front of him, his hands folded in front of him, eyes lingering on each of you.

“Father, you can’t be seriously considering letting her stay!” Dean snapped, his glare never lifting from your form. “She can’t be trusted! She’s one of them!”

You tilted your head, looking to the older of John’s children. “You were the one who pulled a gun on me. Take a moment and realise how much of an ass you sound, then hold your tongue, Winchester.”

“If you even think for a second about hurting this family I’ll fill you with lead myself,” Dean snarled.

“Enough.” John’s voice boomed, his glare darting between both you and Dean. “Dean, if you cannot be civil, leave. Kaia came here because she found out about a threat towards us. We’re going to work together.”

Dean fell silent, as you glanced back to him, the harsh facade he put on had cracked slightly and he was staring in confusion. Sam however, had met eyes with his father in some form of silent communication. After a few moments in silence there was a nod from John and then a hand placed on your shoulder. Sam smiled to you and motioned for you to follow him.

You were given a room in the house and shown around. “Why am I staying in your home?”

“My dad wants to keep an eye on you, make sure you aren’t double crossing us. He’s made me your guardian, until we know we can trust you. You’ve been out of the game for a while Kaia, we need to make sure you still remember how to play,” Sam smiled and opened the bedroom door, “This will be your room, mine is just next door. We’ll swing by your apartment to grab your clothes and stuff, then you and I can have a proper chat.” Sam’s voice became very quiet as he spoke once again, “Detective.”

Your eyes widened as you looked to the tall Winchester, “What are you talking about?”

“Hush just now, we can chat after. Follow me, we’ll take my car.”

When you returned to the manse after grabbing your things Sam followed you into your new room and locked the door. You cursed and took a seat as he crossed his arms looking at you with a brow raised. Obviously waiting for your explanation. When you didn’t immediately speak he pulled a chair over and sat in front of you.

“I will wait all night Kaia. You should get talking,” Sam muttered lowly.

“Okay, what do you want to know Winchester?”

Sam’s face told you he wanted to know everything. You sighed and slipped out of your jacket, looking to the younger Winchester. Every possible lie passed through your mind before you realised, if Sam knew you were a detective, he probably knew enough that no lie would work.

“Okay, so I’ll start at the beginning? My uncle decided to make a power grab, tried to intimidate my father. He had my older brothers killed first, some job gone wrong. My father didn’t budge, and signed the truce agreement. The ink wasn’t even dry when my uncle shot him, the truce papers couldn’t be sent back to your father. But my uncle wasn’t satisfied, he wanted to wipe out my father’s side of the family. He killed my mother and baby sister, they had been on the phone to me, telling me to run.” you looked down, clenching your jaw, a fire in your eyes. “That’s when I decided he is going to die, and he’s going to die painfully. I ran and after a staged car crash, thanks to the police commissioner, I joined the police academy. They protected me and I told them what they wanted to know.”

Sam nodded and leaned back, taking his glock out of its holster and setting it on the side table. You watched the older man as he seemed to process everything you were saying. His brow furrowed as you continued.

“I became a detective, using the commissioner’s surname as my own. No one in the precinct knows who I really am. Then I got told I was going undercover because they caught wind that my uncle wants to restart the war, with Dean’s family,” you sighed and watched Sam tense, his eyes locking with yours. “And you wonder why I agreed. Dean has a wife, a son and a daughter and my uncle doesn’t respect the rules. You know if anyone else finds out about what I am, I’m dead and I can’t help your family. Trust me, I want to ruin my family more than anyone, dead or alive.”

“I’ll keep quiet, but if you betray us you know the first thing I will do is burn you. To your uncle and my father,” Sam muttered lowly. “I’ve been keeping tabs on you Kaia, since you disappeared. It was smart to use another name, but you have to realise this will end in one of two ways. Either you die or your family are taken out, there’s not an easy out here.”

You nod, “I’m not looking for an easy out, and my uncle best check I have no pulse next time.”

Sam chuckled and stood, as you copied, gripping his arm. He looked down to you and nodded in silence before stepping out of the room, you heard the door lock once more before you opened the window, staring out of it towards the city. As the sun began to set you unpacked the bags you had grabbed from your apartment, leaving one drawer for your weapons, the other 2 filled with your clothing. A knock at the door had you snap your head towards it, John was standing in the doorway watching you. He turned and walked away, you followed him quietly. Within the hour you were introduced to John, Sam and Dean’s closest family, whenever you glanced to Sam he was watching you, as if waiting for you to mess up.

Once you had dinner with the family, Sam pulled you away with him, handing you your jacket and walking to his car. You took a second to take a breath before following the man, climbing into the jeep. Sam squealed out of the manse and began driving through the streets, keeping an eye out for any strange activity in the Winchester’s part of town. He pulled the car over, outside a nightclub and stepped out, motioning for you to follow. As you walked towards the door the people outside stopped and stared, Sam wrapped an arm around your waist and nodded to the bouncer who stepped aside, nodding in respect.

“Stay close,” Sam whispered into your ear as you stepped into the loud club.

You looked around the club as Sam moved you into the VIP section. His hand stayed on your back as you were both given the once over by a security guard, who ignored the guns you both carried. Sam escorted you through the door and up a set of stairs to a quiet room where people were chatting quietly. The room fell silent as eyes fell on Sam, you watched as a flamboyantly dressed man stepped forward, smiling widely.

“My little Kaia! So good to see the little one again! And with a Winchester, tell me, who died?” he laughed, pulling you into a hug, “Sam here requested a new wardrobe for you. Apparently your outfits have grown a little drab, police issue nonsense.”

Your voice was low as you met his eyes, “Gabe, indoor voice. My uncle will want my head on a pike if he learns I’m alive. And he’ll come for you if he learns you knew.”

“Well then, come on into my parlour and we can gossip like old times. Good thing you don’t appear to have changed much…” he smirked and walked back into the room he had originally come from.

Stepping through the doors you relaxed, a breathless laugh escaping your lips as you took in the spectacle. As soon as the door closed you were enveloped in a bear hug by Gabriel, he kissed your cheek and stared at you, a wide smile on his face. You couldn’t help but to return the smile, looking to your old friend and feeling safe once more. Gabe had hidden you for just short of a month after your “car crash”, he kept you safe throughout multiple raids your uncle ordered. Walking through the parlour your hand brushed over the clothing Gabe would painstakingly spend hours working on. Sam watched as your friend walked to a closet and grabbed a suitcase, he began carefully packing piles of clothes, from everyday wear to ballgowns.

“They are all made the usual way and have hidden pockets, you are lucky you haven’t changed much Kaia,” Gabe smiled, looking to Sam, “I do have to ask what a Winchester is doing associating with a Taylor…”

Sam rolled his eyes, “More like what is a Taylor doing with us. She’s under our protection now.”

“You know there are those in this club still loyal to her family.” Gabe’s voice lowered as he met your eyes, “Not your uncle. They want him dead, I’ve been keeping up with the gossip… Kaia, they know. Your uncle has someone in the police department, not in as high a position as your father had but they recognised you.”

Sam looked at you, watching your reaction. You simply nodded and walked towards a desk, reaching under the desk you pressed a button. Gabe’s eyes flicked over to you as you lifted the fake-top on the desk and stared at your things. Looking through the desk you pulled out your old necklace, guns and a file. Sam raised a brow as you handed him the file - as he opened the cover you watched his whole body relax.

“We wondered what happened to the original…” Sam whispered as he stared at the blood-soaked paperwork.

While you stood in silence, watching Gabe pack and Sam read the file an alarm sounded in the room. Pulling up the CCTV you saw one of your cousins at the door to the club, yelling at the bouncer. Sam and Gabe shared a look as they pushed you through a back door to the parlour. Gabe pulled the suitcase as Sam checked the route was clear. Once you were inside the jeep Gabe put the suitcase in the trunk and smiled to you before disappearing back into the club. Sam revved the engine and pulled away from the club, driving back towards the manse. You stayed quiet as he pulled up, until you saw a car you knew parked out front. Climbing out of the jeep you walked towards the car, upon seeing it was empty you headed towards the manse. Dean opened the door as you approached, he sighed and motioned towards the dining room. Turning through the entrance hall into the dining room you almost ran into the back of a tall figure. As he turned to you he smiled, and you cast confused stares between the men.

“I think we should go to my office,” John muttered looking at you.

The man smiled to you, “Detective.”

“Commissioner?” you asked as he chuckled, “What the fuck is going on here?”

You were escorted to John’s office with the commissioner, they gave each other a look before the commissioner began to explain.

“I have worked with the Winchesters for years, much like how the DA worked with your father. When your father was killed we attempted to extract your mother and sister but were too late, we did manage to bring you to safety though. Using our resources we helped stage the car crash, but we couldn’t simply tell you all of this.” he began, “The Winchester’s have been protecting you since you fled from your uncle. Sam was the head of that operation, we kept this quiet so your uncle wouldn’t find you as easily.”

You looked at John, “Then why the act when I called you? And why did Dean try to kill me?”

“Only immediate family knew of this, so we had to keep acting like you were an enemy. And before you ask, we couldn’t have the commissioner tell you anything because his position would be at risk. Not to mention your uncle has spies in the police,” John stated. “Now, your uncle knows you are alive, and he may know we are protecting you. Sam is going to continue to be your protector, we won’t let your uncle harm you. I promise you this Kaia.”

Nodding you looked to the commissioner who smiled over to you, “Sorry we kept this quiet for so long. You were sent undercover because the police force became unsafe. Your captain worked for your uncle.”

“Knew I hated him for a good reason,” you muttered and ran a hand through your hair, “Thank you for everything, I should go, I kind of left Sam at the car…” you chuckled and shook hands with both men, heading to the jeep to grab your suitcase.

Sam gave you a look of understanding before helping you with the suitcase. Once you entered your room he closed the door behind the two of you and watched you. You began unpacking as he leaned against the door, waiting for the right time to break the silence. As you placed the final dress into your closet Sam finally spoke.

“You know, watching you for the past ten years got tiring. I’m actually surprised you never caught me out,” he began.

You looked at him and laughed, “I knew you were watching me after the first few months. You don’t run into the same person as often as I saw you without them either stalking you or they’re going to kill you. You were around too long for killing so you were watching me,” you shrugged, looking up to the man. “I didn’t know who you were - I had never met you prior, probably why your father sent you since Dean and I had gotten into fights before…”

Sam looked down to you, “You knew I was following you, yet you still…” his gaze dropped to you as you smirked, “Were you drunk that night?”

“Not in the slightest, you were cute and I decided I was going to mess with you. Unfortunately you didn’t come back to mine that night, I would have found out who you were that night. One way or another,” you smirked and stood, walking over to Sam, “You were this unknown quantity following me. But you made me feel safe, I watched you knock a guy out in an alley after he followed me. Not to mention, on a drugs bust you saved my ass by sending the other officers in my direction after my partner left me.”

Sam was looking down at you, his gaze locked onto your own. “I couldn’t let anything happen to you. That was my job.” he muttered, his eyes staring at your lips, conflict in his gaze.

You reached up to Sam’s cheek, brushing his hair back as you rocked forwards onto your toes. Sam’s hands instinctively rested on your hips as you brought his head forward, kissing him softly. His grip tightened as the kiss deepened, Sam pressing closer to you until your bodies were pressed together and he was holding you off of the ground. You wrapped your legs around the man’s hips, his hands moving so one held your ass, keeping you balanced and the other tangled in your hair. You had pulled back for a second, pulling your shirt over your head as there was a knock at the door. Both of you jumped, Sam quickly setting you on your feet as he responded to the knock.

“Yeah?” he called out, still holding you tightly against him.

Dean’s voice responded, “We’re taking Kaia out with the family tomorrow morning. Make sure you’re ready by nine, dress nicely.”

Sam responded with some acknowledgement before muttering how Dean was such a dick. He looked down to you and kissed you softly, “We can discuss this tomorrow. It’s late, you should rest.”

[everythingshawnmendes]

Halloween with Shawn Through the Years (Shawn Mendes x Reader)

talk about last minute halloween fics lmao

4 years old

“SHAWN BABY DON’T RUN YOU’RE GONNA TRIP!”

Two toddlers were running to the next house brightly lit by orange pumpkins. Shawn was dressed up as a fluffy tiger, with a big orange and black striped hood that almost covered his entire head. Y/N was a princess Ariel, with a shirt with purple seashells on them and a green skirt with scales on. The ran beside each other in excitement. Never before in their life had they only had to knock on a door to get free candy! They have also never owned so many treats in their lives. Their mothers scurried behind them, knowing what they got themselves into when they agreed to let Shawn and Y/N trick-or-treat together.

“Trick or treat!” The pair yelled as the owner of the house chuckled at these two little adorable toddlers.

“I got a lady bug shaped chocolate.” Shawn frowned at the sweet he just received as the two walked down the front porch of that house and onto the next.

“It’s okee Shawn, have my caramel.” Y/N grabbed his chocolate and placed her own in his orange bag.

Despite being only four years old, they knew each other extremely well and looked after each other like brother and sister.

They walked onto the next house and Y/N recoiled in fear.

“Mommy I-I’m scared! I don’t wanna go in that one!”

“It’s okay Y/N the skeletons aren’t real. They’re just made out of uh what’s the word pastic (A/N: 4 year old Shawn’s way of saying plastic).”

Y/N was on the verge of a tantrum.

“I don’t want to go.” Tears raising to the little girl’s eyes.

“Come I promise you I will protect you!” Shawn took her hand.

“Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise.”

The pair clutched onto each other as they looked straight ahead, trying not to look at the slightly creepier and more life-like decorations.

10 years old

“Hermione is way better.”

“No Harry is.”

“If it weren’t for Hermione, you’d be dead by the first book.” Y/N poked Shawn’s red and gold tie. “Also, you put the scar on the wrong side.”

“Well Hermione doesn’t actually wear glasses so I don’t know why you have some on.”

“They’re yours, stupid.” Y/N took off the round spectacles and put them back on Shawn’s face.

“Alright my favourite Hogwarts students, go before the Dementors arrive.” Y/N’s mom ushered the two out the door.

“And remember only five streets! And if you get lost go ring a doorbell and ask to use the phone!” Karen yelled after them.

“We got this mom!” Shawn brushed her off.

“Those two make quite the pair, don’t they?” Y/N’s mom smiled watching them race on the sidewalk.

“Yes they do. They certainly like annoying each other, that’s for sure.”

“Well, you know what they say. Sometimes when kids like each other that’s how they show affection.”

15 years old

“Y/N I don’t like horror movies!”

“Stop being a pussy, this one is like the least scary one on Netflix.”

Shawn huffed and plopped on the couch beside Y/N.

“I’ll get it!” He got up when he heard the doorbell to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. “Hey go easy on the caramels will ya, save some for me.” He whispered in Y/N’s ear.

The pair decided to abandon the movie, because honestly Shawn wasn’t going to sit through it anyway. They merely sat on Y/N’s front porch and handed out candy while conversing.

“What do you wanna do later on?” Shawn asked.

“Not too sure. Would like to get into the science field. You?”

“Kay don’t laugh. Like seriously, cause it’s really stupid and practically impossible. But like maybe become a singer?”

“Shawn. I’ve known you all my life. This definitely is far from the stupidest thing you’ve said.” Y/N laughed, Shawn joining.

“So you don’t think it’s stupid?”

“Nah. I see you in Hollywood.” Y/N gazed at him.

“Aw if it isn’t the lovebirds.” The high school bitch exclaimed as she came up the driveway with her friends.

“Aw if it isn’t the dumbass who doesn’t realise a girl and a guy can’t be friends without being in a relationship.” Y/N raised her middle finger.

“Y/N!” Her mom said, as she clambered onto the front porch with Karen and Aaliyah. Shawn snickered at her.

17 years old

“I’d like to thank Taylor so much for having me on this 1989 tour.” Shawn gestured on stage to a Taylor dressed as a snowman. “It’s been great.”

+

Y/N downed the red cup full of beer alongside her friends, all dressed up as cats.

“Hey sexy.” A guy passing by them said.

“Bye.” Y/N waved sarcastically.

“Hey Y/N what happened to that friend of yours? Shawn?”

“You definitely know him. You have his song in your playlist.”

“Wait. Shit. Your old childhood friend is Shawn MENDES?”

20 years old

Y/N smiled at herself in the mirror. A decade ago, she was dressed exactly the same. Gryffindor robe, black skirt, wand in hand. Hermione was the true heroine of Harry Potter. She set out the door into her car and off to some party her friend has been raving about.

Shawn closed the Youtube video “how to tie a tie” as he managed to secure the red and gold Harry Potter tie around his neck. He unwrapped a caramel that was lying on his table then left his condo and over to Andrew’s house.

The pair stood side by side at the bar ordering drinks. Turning around, the both proceeded to say: “Nice costume.”

Their hand then flew to their mouths in shock.

“Y/N?”

“Shawn?”

“Oh my god.”

They hugged each other, dumbstruck. They then proceeded to sit down at a couch and reconnected, talking about everything that had happened in their whirlwind lives the past five years.

21 years old

“Wow cheesy.” Geoff commented on Shawn and Y/N’s costume.

“Shut up it’s funny.”

“Lemme get a picture of you too, it’ll get the media fawning. And the couples who are also wearing a bacon and egg costume not feel alone.”

Y/N chuckled as Shawn looped his arm around her shoulder.

“You’re cute.” Shawn looked down at her.

“As are you.”

30 years old

“THOMAS BABY DON’T RUN YOU’RE GONNA TRIP!” Shawn called after his mischievous four year old as he dragged his two year old sister down the sidewalk, who was barely keeping up with her two tiny feet.

“Shawn that’s literally word for word, what your mom told you when we were 4.”

Shawn grinned at the memory.

“How can I forget? My first trick-or-treating experience.”

“Hey you think we should do that Kimmel “I told my kids I ate their candy” challenge thing?”

38 years old

Shawn and Y/N sat in their kitchen, practically crying of laughter.

“Thomas, Rose come here!” They played a video on their phone of those two eight years ago screaming and pouting.

“Not cool dad, I actually thought you two ate all my candy.”

“I was only 2!”

“It was a joke!” Shawn chuckled. “Although I did steal some of your caramels.”

The pair of siblings left the room.

“We really are bad parents aren’t we?”

“The worst.” Shawn chuckled, pulling his wife in for a kiss on the cheek.

50 years old

“Hey hun look here what Rose posted on her Facebook.”

“Aw cute.” Y/N replied.

“What do you mean cute? She’s half naked! That isn’t a costume it’s lingerie!”

“Shawn she’s 22.”

“Still.”

“Imagine when we were 22. I’m sure you would have liked to see me in that.” Y/N cocked an eyebrow.

“Still do.” Shawn smirked, pulling her in for a hug.

60 years old

“Hi dears come in!” Y/N cried at the sight of her children and grandchildren. “Look at them! You are so precious.”

“What’s up guys.” Shawn opened the door to his son and daughter.

“And Rose! You dressed her up as princess Ariel!”

“What’s so special about princess Ariel?” Shawn said, popping a caramel in his mouth.

“That was my first Halloween costume.”

“Oh yeah!” Shawn remembered.

“And watch how many of those you eat, we ain’t 28 anymore.” Y/N chuckled.

“Not my fault you make these so damn delicious.”

85 years old

Y/N and Shawn were sitting calmly on their armchairs in front of the fire.

“Hey.” Shawn said.

“Hmm?”

“It’s Halloween today.”

“Is it?” Y/N asked.

Shawn got up slowly and disappeared into the storage room. He reemerged into the room with a hat and a pair of glasses. Sitting back down, he placed the hat on Y/N’s head and put the round glasses on himself.

“Harry really couldn’t have survived without Hermione.” He said.

“Only took you over seventy years to figure that out.” Y/N laughed.

“I couldn’t have survived this life without you Y/N.”

Shawn said.

Y/N smiled at him.

“You want me to make caramel?”

ik this aint caramel but honestly i cant find good gifs on here anymore idk why

[thatbluegibson]

CH 36

Dave sat on the edge of the bed in Krist’s guest room, staring out the window into the backyard. Liz’s house was dark, with just a bedroom light on the far side of the house glowing off the wooden deck. The clock next to his bed clicked over to 11:38, but he was wide awake. Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, he stood up to pull it free.

Go to sleep.

Dave looked back up at Liz’s house, but couldn’t see her in the dark windows.

I hate cuddling with Krist. He snores way louder than you. He hit send and looked up again. A few moments with no movement passed before the bedroom light across the deck went out. Dave sighed and set his phone on the nightstand, turning to stare the tiny twin bed and trying to mentally prepare himself for a long night when a light tapping noise startled him. He spun around to Liz on the other side of his window, waving happily.

“Jesus fucking christ,” Dave tried to slow his heartbeat as he opened the window and leaned down to her, “Who’s the serial killer now?”

“It’s me!” she laughed quietly, “Come over.”

Dave stared at her for a moment, “What?”

“Walk over to my house. Like… you pick up one foot and then-“

“Yeah, hang on,” Dave laughed and shut the window in her face.

*

“I do not snore,” Liz grumbled as Dave walked out the back door of Krist’s house.

“You absolutely do,” he shot back, stopping just in front of her.

She glared at him a moment before letting a smile spread across her face. “Let’s go.”

Dave followed her across the lawn, waiting for her to close the arbor gate behind them. He looked around for any obvious flowers in her garden, but saw none.

“It’s fucking freezing,” Liz grumbled, running up the steps of the wraparound porch and throwing open the door.

Dave hesitated a moment before following her inside and closing the door behind them. He looked around the small living room they were in, then realized Liz was watching him closely.

“You’re quiet,” she raised an eyebrow at him, “Krist showed you the Finsen Kid Box of Horrors, didn’t he?” she crossed her arms and flipped on the gas fireplace before leaning against the mantle.

“He did, yeah,” Dave looked down at the grey couch at his side and heard Liz sigh heavily.

“Well,” she shoved away from the wall and threw herself onto the couch, “Let’s get this over with.”

Dave froze for a second, then walked around the couch to sit next to her.

“Why didn’t you tell me you knew Kurt?” he leaned forward on his knees and looked back at her.

Liz covered her eyes with her hand, horrified that Dave even brought him up.

“I didn’t know him,” she said quietly, “He was here for a week and I annoyed the hell out of him the entire time.” She moved her hand when Dave remained silent. “At what point in the past week would it have been appropriate for me to say ‘Hey, by the way, I made your poor friend sit through an hour long tea party with my Barbies’?”

Dave felt himself smile at that, knowing that Kurt probably loved every second of that fucking tea party, “What about Krist?”

Liz shrugged, “I didn’t want you to think I was some raging fangirl dropping names. My tattoo is bad enough.”

“You told me about Nate, though.”

“There was proof with Nate. I just didn’t think I needed to unload all of my childhood onto you, mostly because this felt ephemeral,” she looked down at the space between them on the couch.

“And there’s that masters in English,” Dave grinned at her, relaxing a bit when he earned a slight smile from her.

“Can I just ask you to be patient?” she rested her head against the back of the couch and watched him carefully, “If this actually becomes a thing, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

“Is this not a thing for you already?” Dave turned away to watch the fire flicker, unable to look at her as she thought about her answer.

“I’m just not really excited about getting into something that doesn’t seem… I don’t know… viable? Sustainable? Tenable?”

“All right, I get it,” Dave shook his head and leaned back in the couch.

Liz tucked her feet under her and turned towards him, “Tell me exactly how this could possibly work, Dave,” she meant to sound sincere because she truly wanted an answer, but her tone came across as annoyed.

“I don’t fucking know!” he snapped as Liz sat back from him, then added much quieter; “I just know I that I want it to.”

Liz replayed his words in her mind for a minute, not sure she had heard him correctly, “You understand that my life is a mess, right? Kids, divorce, two businesses, thousands of miles from LA… My entire life is messy,” she stopped when he turned to face her with hurt written all over his face.

“I didn’t come all the way up here to play in the fucking sand with Krist. If you don’t want to do this, tell me and I’ll go,” he sounded frustrated, almost angry.

Liz slowly shook her head, feeling tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, “I don’t want you to go,” she whispered thinking about the other night when he walked out of her hotel room, “but I don’t want you to hurt me.” She visibly cringed at her own words, feeling the tears finally fall down her cheeks.

Dave felt as if his heart were being wrung out at the sight of her tears and grabbed her wrists to stop her as she tried to cover her face. “Quit fucking hiding from me,” he pinned her hands to the couch between them, forcing her to look him in the eye. “I barely know you, Liz. I don’t even know what your fucking name is and I’m here, begging you to give this a chance. Look, I don’t care about your job, I don’t care that your life is a disaster, I don’t fucking care how far away you live, I know who you are when I’m with you and I want that. All of it.”

Liz stared at him for awhile, letting his words sink in and feeling the leftover tears stream down her face. She resolved to let the pieces of her life that she had thrown to the wind finally fall where they may and flexed her hands, relieved when Dave released his grip on her wrists a bit.

“I didn’t say my life was a disaster,” she whispered as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Goddamnit, Liz,” Dave let her wrists go and angrily sat back into the couch away from her.

“I’m sorry!” Liz stifled a laugh and crawled across the couch after him, throwing her leg over his and sitting back on his knees. She took his head in her hands and turned him to look at her, “I’m sorry,” she repeated, now completely serious. She took a deep breath and spoke quickly before she lost her nerve, “I was born Nicole Elizabeth Finsen and changed it to Elizabeth Colbert two years ago. I can’t take anything seriously and I have issues with control, but I really… really want this to work,” she laughed a little as Dave’s face broke into a grin and his arms wrapped around her hips. “But,” Liz pulled back a bit and pointed a finger in his face, “If you fuck with me, I will burn your fucking house down.”

“That’s a risk I’m absolutely willing to take,” he grinned up at her and felt the weight of the past two days dissolve around him as she kissed him, hearing her sigh when he dragged his hands up her back to hold her closer. Just as she began to relax against him, he lifted her off his lap, tossed her onto her back on the couch next to him and leaned over her, resting his elbows on either side of her shoulders. Liz’s eyes went wide at the unexpected move and she laughed up at him.

“I missed that,” he said, watching her face closely.

“What? Throwing me around like a sports ball?”

Dave chuckled a little at her reference, but shook his head, “Your laugh.”

“I laugh a lot when you’re around,” Liz said quietly, not sure what else to say. He shifted above her and Liz grabbed his arms, afraid he was pulling away from her.

“Relax, woman,” he laughed, “I’m too old to fucking sit like this for more than three seconds.” He pushed her to the edge of the couch and lay next to her as she propped herself on her elbow to look at him. He brushed a loose lock of dark auburn hair out of her face and wiped an errant tear off her cheek with his thumb.

“So Krist tattled and told you I was up here?” Liz hadn’t had time to piece together the timeline.

“Taylor actually sent him a text at some point,” he explained, then added with a laugh, “Krist has a way of getting through to me which Taylor is still apprenticing on.”

“What the hell did he say? ‘Yo, my friend is up here sulking around, please come make her stop?’”

Dave shook his head, “Just sent a picture of you holding a beer and that was it. Taylor came by fifteen minutes later with a plane ticket and I was off.”

Liz ran her hand over his shoulder and shrugged, “I didn’t think Taylor liked me very much.”

“He’s come around,” Dave said simply, thinking about Taylor barging into his bedroom with a plane ticket, forcing him out of bed and into the shower.

*

“I’m coming in there, so if you’re crying and beating off, quit it,” Taylor yelled on the other side of the door, jarring Dave from his thoughts.

“Fuck off, Taylor,” he yelled back, hitting the home key on his phone to hide the picture of Liz that Krist had sent him.

“Get up, you fucking mope,” Taylor ripped open the door and kicked the side of the bed while Dave glared at him.

“Get out,” Dave muttered, covering his face with a pillow, which Taylor immediately threw across the room.

“You have a flight in two hours and you’re supposed to be at LAX right now. Get the fuck up.”

Dave stared at him as he wrapped his head around the situation. “She doesn’t want to see me,” he grumbled, sitting up and throwing his legs over the side of the bed.

“Has she told you that?” Taylor grabbed an empty suitcase discarded in the corner of the room after the tour and tossed it onto the bed while Dave shrugged. “Then get the fuck up. She’s probably crying and beating off in her own bed right now.”

“Fuck, Taylor,” Dave looked up at his crude words.

“You should be doing that together,” Taylor stopped in front of Dave, “Or whatever freaky shit you two do with Uno cards.”

Dave smiled at that and stood up, the metal bar in his leg aching from being unused for the past two days.

“But maybe take a shower first, okay?” Taylor shook his head before disappearing into the walk in closet.

*

Dave laughed a little at the memory and focused back on Liz. “Krist picked me up at the airport and drove me across the goddamn wilderness to you.”

Liz smiled at the thought of them crammed into Krist’s tiny electric car, speeding down the highway between Portland and the beach.

“When do you have to go back?” she whispered, wondering how long they could pull off the back and forth game.

“Monday at the latest,” he had his daughters that week and was looking forward to being part of their routine again.

“I have to be back Sunday morning,” she muttered, her voice more irritated than she liked.

“You want company on the trip?” he shifted a little, the idea of travelling with her sounded fun for some reason.

“Yes,” she said simply, unable to hide her yawn.

Dave moved to sit up, gently tapping her hip as he moved, “Go to bed. You’ve been working all day.”

Liz laughed a little and stood up from the couch in a stretch, “No, I surfed all day, then played guitar and poured people beer all night.” She reached for his hand and pulled on him, “Bed,” was all she could muster.

“I should tell Krist I’m here,” Dave looked through the large windows to Krist’s cottage, trying to give her an out if she wanted one.

“I’ll send him a ransom text. I might not get much for you, though,” Liz yawned again and dropped Dave’s hand before heading towards a closed door just next to the fireplace. She sleepily pulled off her black shirt as she walked, tossing it down a dark hallway to her right. She looked over her shoulder at Dave as she opened her bedroom door.

“Coming?”

[workfromhomeyoutuber]

You Need A Budget (YNAB): Humbly Confident Public Relations Manager

Headquarters: Salt Lake City, UT URL: https://www.youneedabudget.com/

At YNAB, we build the world’s best budgeting software. But teaching people how to get control of their money and changing lives, one budget at a time, is what gets us up in the morning. Over the years we’ve slowly gained some notoriety (the good kind!) but there are still a whole lot of people who have never heard of us, and it’s a budgeting shame. 

We’re looking for a natural storyteller, connector, and media whisperer, with years of public relations experience, to help us raise our profile. 

You have experience working with influencers and understand that bigger isn’t always better, but also, that sometimes, it is. You’re flexible like that. In fact, while reading the last two sentences, you began making a mental list of people you’d want to connect with right out of the gate. 

You see opportunities all around you and the thought of cold-calling a potential partner and pitching a potential project or campaign sounds thrilling. If you’re thinking, “Where is the challenge in that? I may even get an invite to the wedding!”, you just might be our person. 

You understand what makes a great story and what makes something media-worthy. And you love nothing more than packaging it all up and getting it in front of the right person, at the right time. 

When you look at all the awesome content the YNAB marketing team produces, you can’t help but think of 14 other ways you would promote it. Don’t be shy—we can’t wait to hear your ideas.  

If you are the right person for the job you’ll have the following experience and/or qualities: 

Experience in public relations, influencer marketing, affiliate marketing, referral marketing, and/or partner marketing 

A sense of humor and the ability to think on your feet (this sounds like improv, which isn’t a requirement, but how awesome is improv?!)

Strong skills as a writer, communicator, and negotiator  

Strategic-minded planner who can execute the details without losing sight of the big picture 

An assertive, proactive personality that is energized at the prospect of building new relationships, partnerships, and programs

A natural-bridge builder that can’t help but make connections, build consensus, and invite collaboration

Excellent time management skills which make juggling multiple projects, priorities, and pitches look easy

That gives you a pretty good idea of the job and who we’re looking for, but first, you need to know if you’ll even like working with us. (Spoiler alert: We think you will.)

A Bit About Us

We build the best budgeting software around, YNAB or “You Need a Budget” if you have a lot of extra time on your hands. For more than a decade, people have been buying YNAB and then telling their friends what a difference it has made in their lives. (Google us, or read some of our reviews on the app store, and you’ll see what we mean.) We love building something that has a huge positive impact on people’s lives.

We’re profitable, bootstrapped, and growing. YNAB started in 2004 and we haven’t taken any outside funding—we’re in it for the long haul. 

We have one overarching requirement when it comes to joining our team: our Core Value Manifesto has to really click with you. If you’re nodding emphatically while reading it, you’ll probably fit right in, in which case, we can’t wait to hear from you! 

First, let’s talk about life at YNAB and then we’ll go into detail about what we’re looking for. 

Who you’d be working with:

Lindsey & The Gang aka the Marketing Team aka just a rag-tag but lovable bunch of underdogs who defy the odds—making budgeting software hilarious, emotional, and accessible—day in and day out. (Disney, are you listening?) 

We love musical theater, board games, stand-up comedy, the Enneagram, video games, and art, to varying degrees, depending on who you talk to first. (Oh, and Ryan likes sports.) Our internal Slack channel is so much fun, it has a growing fanbase of its own. 

Lindsey, our Chief Marketing Officer, will be the first to delete something very important, but also the first to celebrate your wins—big and small. Ryan, our Digital Marketing Director, will quickly become your lifeline in any type of bracketology-related emergency and even under website-launch-level-stress, he can sneak in the jokes that make you feel like, “if Dad’s OK, we’ll all be OK.” 

You’ll collaborate a lot with Rachel, who leads out on the blog, possibly from Hawaii, where she’s working from an AirBnB for a month or two, because she’s cool like that. And Janelle, who is the hilarious brain behind our social media. Of course, there is also Ashley and Hannah, who are growing our YouTube channel, and basically scream “lifestyle partnerships!” with their very existence. And then there are awesome teachers Erin, Ben, and Kelly, who are building out educational content and self-paced courses, that are begging to be discovered by the right verticals and communities… And that’s not even everybody! 

It’s a strong, creative, hilarious team that genuinely enjoys each other and their work. 

How You’ll Work at YNAB

We work really hard to make working at YNAB an amazing experience. In fact, we were recently recognized as Fortune's #4 best small company to work for in the United States! We have a team full of truly exceptional people—the kind you’ll be excited to work with. Here’s how we operate:

Live Where You Want

We’re a distributed team, so you can live and work wherever you want. Proximity doesn’t influence productivity. Taylor, our CTO, was traveling who-knows-where for a couple of years before he bought a farm. Up and move to France for a year? Sure, Todd did that. Don’t like France? How about London, where Janelle trotted off to. Tulsa Remote? Can do. Or if you just love LA or Baltimore or Buenos Aires, we’ve got people there, too.  Not all of us move around, but the fact that these folks have is totally okay because we’re all adults. Just make sure you have a reliable internet connection.

No Crazy Hours

We rarely work more than 40 hours per week. There have been a few occasions where things got a little crazy and people had to log some extra hours. But then they took some extra time off, so it all balances out. We work hard and smart but we’re in this for the long haul, no need to go crazy on the hours.

Take Vacation (Seriously)

We want you to take vacation. In fact, we have a minimum vacation policy of three weeks per year. Five weeks feels about right (plus two extra weeks for Christmas break). It’s important to get out and do something. We’ll look forward to seeing pictures of your vacation in our Slack channel, creatively named #office_wall.

The YNAB Meetup

We get the teams together once a year to catch up on spreadsheets and powerpoints in a Best Western conference room. Just kidding. So far, we’ve done Costa Rica, a gigantic cabin in the mountains, a beach house in the Outer Banks, a ranch in Montana, and most recently, Laguna Beach. We work together, play together, and reinforce the bonds we’ve made as a team and company. Every year, we leave refreshed, motivated, and excited for the year ahead together.

Up Your Game

We’re serious about helping you improve your craft. We budget for it (hey-o!). Think conferences, Lynda subscriptions, dedicated time away from work to learn something new… it’s really up to you and your manager. But we love to see our people growing.  

International is Absolutely Okay

If you are Stateside, we’ll set you up as a W2 employee. If you’re international, you’ll be set up as a contractor. Employee or contractor, it’s all the same to us. You’re part of the team. (We are spread all over the world: Switzerland, Scotland, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Canada, and all over the United States.)

If You’re Stateside…

YNAB offers fantastic health, dental, and vision insurance, where we cover 100% of the premium for you and your family. (No need to check your vision, you read that right, 100%. Although if you did need to check your vision, NBD, we’ve got you covered!)

We also have a Traditional and Roth 401k option. YNAB contributes three percent whether you choose to throw any money in there or not. It vests immediately. (Are you a personal finance junkie like our founder Jesse? He set up YNAB’s 401k to have the lowest fee structure possible, where all plan costs are paid by YNAB, not your retirement nest egg. The investment funds available are fantastic, passively-managed, ultra low-cost index funds. You’re not a PF junkie? Trust us, it’s awesome.)

Other Tidbits

Once you start, we DEMAND (in a friendly, ALL CAPS IS YELLING way) that you fill out your “Bucket List” spreadsheet with 50 items. (That’s harder than it sounds!) 

The bucket list really helps in deciding what we should give you for your birthday and the holidays.

We have a bonus plan based on profitability. You’ll be in on that from day one. YNAB wins, you win. That kind of thing.

We’re all adults. There’s no need to punch a clock, or ask for permission to take off early one afternoon to go see the doctor (health insurance premium 100% covered!). We look at what you accomplish, not how long you sit (have you tried standing?) in front of a computer.

We want you firing on all cylinders so we’ll set you up with a shiny new computer and replace it every three years.

Did I mention we make a huge, positive difference in people’s lives? You may not think that matters much, but then a few months down the road you’ll realize it’s made your job really, really enjoyable. Don’t underestimate this one!

If this sounds like your ideal environment, read on because now I want to talk about you. You will play a big, big part in helping YNAB customers achieve success. You will change lives. I’ll only say that six more times.

Now, back to you, our new Public Relations Manager...

Before “content marketing” and “word-of-mouth marketing” were buzzwords, YNAB’s marketing efforts were anchored in content and community. It’s what we do best. But we have a lot of people focused on creating the content, and very few with bandwidth to really focus on promoting the content. This is where you come in. 

You are full of ideas. There are influencers to work with, content partnerships to forge, referral strategies to execute, media stories to land! 

You see our crazy, loyal fanbase and it gets your wheels spinning—oh, the things you could do with the two families who got YNAB license plates or the couple that threw a YNAB-themed Valentines date!  

If we told you that we were getting users to opt-in to share their data anonymously so we could publish an Annual Report full of spending trends and averages, your head might explode with the media coverage potential. (Oh, the potential!!) 

You are probably a storyteller in your own right, and although we have content creators, you wouldn’t be shy about diving right in and writing content for a partnership you are working on or an influencer campaign in the works. 

You are our ideal candidate if you: 

Have at least 3-5 years of professional experience in public relations,

Agency experience

Excel at juggling multiple projects and timelines at any given moment and switching gears keeps you fresh and stimulated. 

Opportunistic and proactive about sourcing, developing, and executing potential partnerships, programs, and/or campaigns

Energized at the thought of building something from nothing

Comfortable initiating and maintaining relationships 

Understand how to pitch the right media, the right content, at the right time

Persistent. Because media. 

Make us laugh. 

Manage your time exceptionally well and are comfortable working remotely. 

Incredibly organized, flexible, and collaborative. 

Never met a deadline you didn’t love. 

Self-motivated and driven by nature, maybe even a little competitive. 

Stay laser-focused on the big picture, without losing sight of every. last. detail. 

Wildly productive and independent, but a team-player at heart. 

Bonus Points: 

You already use and love YNAB. 

YNAB is an equal opportunity employer. We believe diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences to be critical to our success and are passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive, and collaborative environment for all employees. All are encouraged to apply as we continue to grow a smart, hard-working, and diverse team who love working together to build something that matters.

How to Apply

Apply here (https://ynab.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0qmzk) by 11:59PM on March 12th, 2020. Firm. It’s a real deadline. The kind you love.

Attach a pdf of your cover letter. In your cover letter: 

Introduce yourself and explain why this position is of interest to you, and why you would be a great fit. Please limit this section of the cover letter to 1.5 pages. 

On a separate page of your cover letter, answer the following questions (with each response being about a paragraph in length): 

1. What attracted you to this position? (This is not about what attracted you to the software.) 

2. What criteria do you look for when searching for your next company or position? 

3. What are your favorite and least favorite parts of your current job? 

4. Tell us about a time when you had to learn something new to excel at your job. 

5. We recently launched two self-paced video courses and have two more in the works. How would you go about driving people toward those resources? 

6. Tell us about a campaign or program you built from concept to execution. 

7. With what you know about our brand and our product, share some influencers or other brands that you think could be strong potential partners, and why. 

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[milquetoast-on-acid]

Risk Assessment, A Reactionary Post

Learn about your fellow officer day

Major Crimes, S2xE16: Episode Review

What this episode is about: Parenting Rusty Provenza father's Rusty Life Lessons from Buzz There's plenty of blame to go around Rusty rushes Sharon Where you come from part 1 Congressmen Keller, Ryan & Robert Keller Tyler & Mrs Roads   Not so different after all Mrs Roads & Congressmen Keller Where you come from part 2 Provenza & Andy Julio & Buzz Amy & Mike Sharon

What's with all of the bongs, lately? Pot must have just become legal when these episodes aired. 

Parenting Rusty

Provenza father's Rusty "These two are harmless everyday idiots." "Get drunk somewhere else."

Even though Provenza pushed for option 3, he's not letting Rusty have any slack. Rusty is being your typical teen thinking he's all grown up and can handle anything. And as Provenza is father of the squad you have him sheltering Rusty from a crime scene. Much in the same way that Provenza took photos out of the murder book of Buzz's father and Uncle's crime scenes. In this case, I very much agree with Provenza - Rusty did not need to see that crime scene as much as he thought he could handle it.

Life Lessons from Big brother Buzz I do love we get some background information on our characters here. I'd wish we get more from time to time but we so seldom know anything new about our characters backstories. 

I love how everyone is so surprised when Rusty asks about them. And Rusty is clueless when everyone is surprised. Even with Buzz and others telling him straight to his face that he's so self absorbed that he has no interest in learning about other people. As of 5b Rusty seems to be finally doing some growing up and looking around at other people besides himself.

There's plenty of blame to go around

Both Fritz and Taylor take some pot shots at each other. And both of them make some really excellent points. Fritz points out that Taylor didn't push to solve the murder of a 15 year old black kid. While Taylor points out that Fritz & his partner (both middle aged white men) held back information to a black assistant chief. Both of them are right. The murder of Tyler should have been investigated when it happened. A light on that case should not just now be shinning on it because a privileged white kid was murdered. 

And on the other side Fritz and his partner should not have held back information on Tyler's murder to Taylor. And again, Sharon steps in to try to mediate and push forward. She certainly knows you can't go back in time but you can change things in the present and future. She pushes to use Robert Kellermen's witnessing the murder of Tyler. To try to solve Tyler's murder. And unfortunetly Fritz is still unwilling to let them use their intel.

Rusty rushes Sharon

Seeing that he's not really getting anywhere with Provenza he tries to go over Provenza's head and tries to have Sharon sign off on his police action paperwork. So that he can be done with training. I'm not sure why he think's it will work. Hasn't he realized that by now Sharon can see right though him. Rusty isn't taking this very seriously at all and I'm glad that later on she has Amy scare the crap out of him.

Where you come from...tells a lot about you as a person pt1

Congressmen Keller

The congressmen's power and privileged life have given him a rather limited view of the world and the people in it. Especially people that are not like him both in the color of their skin and their social standing. Nothing matters to him but the murder of his son and he later on attempts to abuse his power to push everyone around. It's really wonderful when this asshole FINALLY gets called out on his shit. Usually it's Taylor who spills the beans but this time it's the congressmen who calls for a press conference and shits all over their case. 

"By the way I don't work for you." I love it that Fritz told the Congressmen straight to his face that he wouldn't be pushed around and that if he tries to use his position to influence the investigation he will follow through on charges. Fritz is real fast on letting people know that he doesn't answer to them. And I really love that about his character. He did this once before back in late Closer days when Sharon was investigating the leak.

I also love Sharon trying very hard to deescalate the situation. Seeing that Fritz pissing off the Congressmen is getting them no where fast she does her best to throw in a positive. Which certainly makes sense to her character - rarely does she let anyone into her her window of emotions and thoughts but she always attempts to play peacemaker. 

Later on, I love that everyone gangs up on the despicable bigoted Congressmen when he starts ranting and raving. And Fritz lets him have it for a second time. Taylor kept his mouth shut the first time the Congressmen opened his mouth but not this time. I hope the fucking congressmen asshole loses his power and position.

Robert Keller Robert was a caring guy who grew up privaged. Unlike his father, he strove his best to use his privilage and influence to help others. He lived in an poor neighborhood where he felt that he could do some good. He purchased vacant lots in the neighborhood to start gardens so the people would have fresh vegitables. He paid some of the kids to paint over gang grafiti so it would keep them out of trouble.

Tyler, Darrell & Mrs Roads Tyler was just an innocent kid who got in the way. And the only reason he was killed was to show Robert Keller that the rounders were in charge. Mrs Roads revealed that Robert pressed Darrell into going to the police about the rounders and that was what ultimately lead to Tyler's murder.

Not so different after all

Mrs Roads & Congressmen Keller

Both Mrs Roads and Congressmen Keller come from two different worlds but have way more in common then they had ever realized. Both are very angry over the murder of their sons, both willing to do anything to see justice be done. Mrs Roads killed Robert Keller because she held him responsible for the murder of her son. As his influence in their neighborhood set Tyler's murder in motion. Congressmen Keller abused his power by completely blowing an FBI-LAPD undercover operation when he felt that the LAPD weren't moving fast enough on Robert's case. Both of them have blinded themselves to progress. Mrs Roads thinks that hope is a fools errand and the Congressmen doesn't care about anyone's well being but finding his son's killer. 

Very tragically Mrs Roads was right about one thing. Robert Keller's interference in Tyler and Darrell's life did lead to his murder. His interference upset the balence in that neighborhood. What she was wrong about was that hope is never a bad thing.

Where you come from...tells a lot about you as a person pt2

Provenza & Andy

"I like telling other people what to do. It's fulfilling."

Provenza's story really doesn't tell us anything that we don't already know. Provenza is kind of lazy and is not very physically active so I could see where being a firefighter would not appeal to him. It's mostly just humorous while also being rather ordinary. I also love seeing Andy nodding in agreement with Provenza about being scared of fire.

I find Andy's story interesting. It's peppered with in house jokes. Provenza yelling at Andy to keep his story short and then mouthing part of the story along with Andy. As it's obvious he's told this story many many times. I get the feeling that this is a nod to Tony's days on Crime Story. Given how much he talks about it in interviews. Then there's the whole thing about Andy stealing a bike. 

"So, you were almost a criminal." That whole bit I feel is a nod to some of Tony's shady past. Often times writers and Duff in particular takes things from the actors or from their own past and write them into the characters. I felt like Andy's whole backstory here is 100% influenced by Tony. 

I could also see Andy as an adrenaline junkie and we also learn that Andy has a brother. We know Andy has a sister who was sick (I believe it was cancer) from The Closer but we don't know either of their names. Or if either of them live in California. Both Provenza and Andy's stories are rather comical which of course fits their characters to a T.

Julio & Buzz "For killing your cat!?"

Julio tracked down some gang members that killed his cat. Although he ended up arresting them for attempted murder and rape. Julio is always so serious and I could see him as this super serious kid lurking and waiting for his cat's killers to screw up. To add to this Julio mentions in an earlier episode (the one he blows up at Emma in) that he grew up in a gang neighborhood. Which really explains why Julio is their gang culture expert.  

Gotta love the look on Rusty’s face right after Julio tells his story of arresting his cat’s killers. 

We learn some very very new information on Buzz which later on becomes a whole arc for his character in season 5. I think with Buzz solving his father and uncle's murders has brought out much more confidence in him. And I think we'll see that in season 6. Both Julio & Buzz's stories have notes of tragedy in them. Buzz most especially, since murder is what ultimately lead both men into law enforcement. Although technically speaking Buzz is a civilian tech.

Amy & Mike "The best job in the world." Here we learn a little bit more about Amy's past in the military. They did mention her being in the military in the first episode. But I can never remember if they have ever mentioned what branch she was in. Here we learn that she was an MP. Which fueled her fire to become a police officer once she got out of the military. 

Learning that Mike was going to become a doctor is not that far fetched. But I think it may make more sense for Mike to have wanted to be an engineer or a computer developer. Since Mike is such a huge computer geek. But I do like that what stopped Mike from being a doctor was all of the paperwork and the liabilities that you wouldn't have as a cop.

Sharon "Saving people from bad things. I like that, too." "There written by Lawyers so no one knows what they say."

I think Sharon's backstory on her becoming a cop is probably my favorite of all. If we didn't already know what's at the heart of Sharon's character then this is a good place to learn. Sharon's dream was to become a lawyer which explains so many different things about her, the way she investigates and her methodical nature. What her story tells us is that Sharon puts other's first. Sharon as the responsible one who became a cop to support her and Jack while she put him through law school. But life got in the way and then Jack got in the way. 

One thing I love about Sharon is that she never seems to dwell in the past and what could have beens. She wanted to be a lawyer but then found she really loved being a police officer. She found herself in FID and was massively hated because of the job and because Sharon was so damned good at it. But she eventually found professional (and personal) happiness in heading MC. As for her personal life - she isn't one to dwell there either. While she was married to Jack for far too long. She didn't sit around and wait for him to come back to her. She got herself a legal separation, took off that ring, got her own place and lived her own life without him. 

I like to think that Sharon's arc as a character and growth as a person, has a lot to do with her realizing her own happiness. For so many years she put other's first and would gladly take a job to save others at the expense of her own happiness. Because that's the kind of person that she is. She became a cop but wanted to be a lawyer to put Jack through law school first. She went into FID because the hours and pay was better as a single mother. Even though she would have rather done work as a detective. 

Sharon is a person who at the core of her character is all heart. Even though it's not how she presents herself. That's why it was so important for Sharon to tell everyone that she was the happiest she'd ever been as the head of MC. Six years ago she would have taken the job of assistant chief, because it would have saved everyone from Winnie Davis. But now she's putting her own happiness in front of her. 

Amy, Mike and Sharon all started off down other paths but eventually they found their way into the LAPD.

What I don't like: There really wasn't much I didn't like about this episode. For one thing that congressmen was such a shitty racist. So it was great seeing our squad (including Taylor and Fritz) filing charges against him for pushing them around. Wish they could have done more on the personal storyline but I think that this episode the case was really what the episode was about. 

What I like: I thought incorrectly that season 1 was the last time that Brenda was mentioned. So I really appreciated Provenza mentioning her here. I never really thought much about this episode until I started digging deeper. It's such a tragic story of two very innocent boys being murdered all because they wanted to do some good. I really liked learning something new about each of the squad members. Backstory is always ALWAYS welcome.

[gojiro]

The Vinyl of the Day is ‘Ace of Spades’ by Motorhead, 1980. The fourth studio album by the band, it was their debut release in the U.S. Motorhead’s ferocious, loud proto-thrash sound appealed equally to punks and heavy metal fans, but in 1979 ‘Sounds’ magazine writer Geoff Barton coined the term "New Wave Of British Heavy Metal" (NWOBHM, not to be confused with NKOTB. At all. Seriously.) to classify a slew of newer bands such as Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Saxon. Motörhead — a band that resented being labeled anything other than rock 'n' roll — was placed in this new genre, which would go on to influence the emerging thrash movement that would include bands like Metallica and Megadeth.

In the 2011 book Overkill: The Untold Story of Motörhead, Joel McIver quotes vocalist and bassist Lemmy:

"..I like Iron Maiden and Saxon out of the new mob, and that's about it, really...We were too late for the first metal movement and early for the next one...Motörhead don't fit into any category, really. We're not straight heavy metal, because we're a rock 'n' roll band, which no-one knows how to market anymore.."

Which is absolutely true - I’ve always put Motorhead’s sound as leaning way more punk (but with way more hair) than what I grew to know as ‘heavy metal’, which I always categorized as heavy and kind of plodding. But this album and this band were influential to both hard core punks and metalheads alike. It's fast, punishing and not unlike white-lining it at 100 miles an hour on your Harley. Subtle this ain’t, just balls out rock and roll and one of the finest metal records ever made.

"Aces of Spades" is an essential, legendary punk/thrash/speed metal classic. It's full of fast, meaty riffs, great solos, toe-tapping drums, and catchy, gruff vocals. Almost every song on here (especially the title track, "Love Me Like a Reptile," and "We Are The Road Crew") is very catchy. And the album opening title track, which has a speedy, groove-y main riff, is world renowned. Other highlights include the wah-wah solo and shout-along refrain on "Fire, Fire," "Jailbait," "Dance" (which has a pair of tasty guitar solos), the X-rated "The Chase Is Better Than The Catch," and the famous, rhythmic, nearly dance-able "Please Don't Touch." All in all, if you're looking for great, groove-y, contagious and exciting speed metal, Motorhead "aces" it.

And of course, the whole thing is powered by the genius of the legendary Lemmy Kilmister. A true character, bassist Lemmy was the ultimate rock 'n' roll badazz. He digs his music raw, dirty, obnoxious, and driven, and so should you. His witty lyrics, alcohol-soaked yell, and swagger totally define this and other Motorhead albums. And his bass playing--sloppy, but fast and killer. Instead of just plucking away in the lower register, he uses it like a second guitar. Awesome. Fast Eddie's guitar playing is simple yet effective and energetic, and "Philthy" Phil Taylor may be one of the most underrated rock & roll drummers ever--he knows exactly what to hit and when to hit it, and keeps the tempo at appropriate levels of thrash 'n' burn. Genius, and easily the best Motorhead lineup.

At our church (which represents the TRUE FAITH) we burnt this band in effigy. Most of us wanted to abduct and actually burn the real musicians, but Father insisted that we couldn't. He said that the libruls in government passed laws making it illegal to burn sinners alive until they are dead and gone and can't corrupt our children anymore. He said we would probably get in a lot of trouble, maybe even end up in jail. I hate government!!!!! We've got to get it out of our lives!!!! This is an evil, bad awful band. They are a mockery of all that is good and righteous. I hate them i hate them. but I’ve still got to admit that this album rocks, and rocks hard, and that against my better judgement I really enjoy it. 

AllMusic Review by Jason Birchmeier

With the 1980 release of Ace of Spades, Motörhead had their anthem of anthems -- that is, the title track -- the one trademark song that would summarize everything that made this early incarnation of the band so legendary, a song that would be blasted by legions of metalheads for generations on end. It's a legendary song, for sure, all two minutes and 49 bracing seconds of it. And the album of the same name is legendary as well, among Motörhead's all-time best, often considered their single best, in fact, along with Overkill. Ace of Spades was Motörhead's third great album in a row, following the 1979 releases of Overkill and Bomber, respectively. Those two albums have a lot in common with Ace of Spaces. The classic lineup -- Lemmy (bass and vocals), "Fast" Eddie Clarke (guitar), and "Philthy Animal" Taylor(drums) -- is still in place and sounding as alive and crazed as ever. The album is still rock-solid, boasting several superlative standouts. Actually, besides the especially high number of standouts on Ace of Spades -- at least relative to Bomber, which wasn't quite as strong overall as Overkill had been -- the only key difference between this 1980 album and its two 1979 predecessors is the producer, in this case Vic Maile. The result of his work isn't all that different from that of Jimmy Miller, the longtime Rolling Stones producer who had worked on Overkill and Bomber, but it's enough to give Ace of Spades a feeling distinct from its two very similar-sounding predecessors. This singular sound (still loud and in your face, rest assured), along with the exceptionally strong songwriting and the legendary stature of the title track, makes Ace of Spades the ideal Motörhead album if one were to choose one and only one studio album. It's highly debatable whether Ace of Spades is tops over the breakthrough Overkill, as the latter is more landmark because of its earlier release, and is somewhat rougher around the edges, too. Either way, Ace of Spades rightly deserves its legacy as a classic. There's no debating that.