#but we workin on that. we're getting Better

[hballegro]

alright here's the essay under the cut.

entirely just my experience w/ MASH, almost no editing [just spelling mistakes and a few apostrophe misuses]. fair warning, my father was [is] an alcoholic and a horrible person, and i mention that a bit, so if thats something you're sensitive to, bewarned.

         My story with M*A*S*H begins a hundred years ago when I was somewhere between 5 and 8, old enough to watch television but not old enough to remember how old I was when I was doing it. The childhood I had was overall unremarkable, marred only by my pitiful excuse for a father that parented by either drinking or being hungover on the couch in between screaming at his children or beating his wife. Unfortunately, he is part of this story, but only accidentally. See, he used to do all that stuff in our unfinished basement, on an old ugly couch, hiding from his family all day. Then, eventually, he decided he liked the couch and television upstairs better, and plagued the family room for many years instead, putting whatever he wanted to watch on instead of letting his children watch cartoons. I ended up liking The Three Stooges quite a lot, less out of actually thinking it was fun and more out of it being the only thing he’d put on that I found remotely entertaining, so I was taking what I could get. We kept the old burned CDs he’d made of them after he moved out.

         Anyway. My mother had (and still has) a television in her room (it used to be their room, but she kicked him out) that she could avoid him with. Not wanting to be around the violent cesspool of a person on my couch, I’d sometimes crawl to her room, so as not to let him see me and have him make me come over and listen to some music or whatever he wanted. Old guitarist reliving his glory days or something, I couldn’t tell you. But anyway, I’d enter her room and sit down on her bed with her or on the floor, and we’d watch TV. More often than not, she’d put on MeTV, because she watched those old shows with her own father, and it was a bright spot in her memory that gave her some escapism too. There were a lot of shows on there, but I only really ever remembered things like Gilligan’s Island, ALF, Columbo, Bewitched, The Twilight Zone, and, of course, M*A*S*H.

         I liked the other shows, of course. I remember them fondly, especially Gilligan’s Island, maybe it was the catchy theme song with words I could learn. I didn’t like how brown and gross Columbo was, but my mom explained that that’s just how it looked back then. I thought the puppet on ALF was funny, and The Twilight Zone scared me, but I was still interested. I remember enough of Bewitched to remember the nose wiggle and constantly mix it up with I Dream of Jeannie for some reason. Really, anything was better than watching the same episode of Farscape again, which I’ve heard is actually a very good show, but my father kept forgetting that he’d already made me start watching it, and so every viewing session was just the pilot. That’s also the reason I never learned Spanish.

         But then I got to M*A*S*H. I won’t lie to you and say that, as a wizened 5-to-8-year-old, I could ‘tell something was special’ about this show. It was a show. It was a show that I remember looking at my mom during, and seeing her really happy. Later she told me, after watching it with me in present day, that she would watch it with her own father, before her parents got divorced. Her father more or less was not present in her life after the split, and that happened when she was 14-ish. The show started airing when she was the age I was when I watched it with her, and she and her father made a weekly thing of it. Neither of us at that age should have watched it, but for both of us, it was forming a little bright spot in our minds, a good dream with a parent when times were tough.

         I remember laughing, even if I didn’t get all the jokes. I remember thinking I liked the shade of red one of the characters wore, and also the shade of dark blue the same character wore sometimes. I remember one or both of my siblings being there sometimes, laughing along. One of my siblings told me recently that B.J. Hunnicutt and John ‘Trapper’ McIntyre, both filling roles as doubles partners for Benjamin Franklin ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce, had merged into the same person in their memory. I thought that was hilarious; how could they ever think those were the same person! B.J. Hunnicutt had a mustache! Imagine my surprise re-watching season 4’s opener, ‘Welcome to Korea’, featuring a clean-cut fresh-faced Mike Farrell, lacking the horse brush I had so clearly remembered him housing under his nose.

         But the rewatching, yes, the rewatching. It started innocently enough. Between breaks at college, far beyond my young-youth, the real youth people mean when they use that word, my mother opened it up on the tv and put it on. No matter what era you go to in our household, the TV was always going. Most of the time no one was watching it, sometimes blatantly, loudly, explosively chattering and guffawing and gasping with our own business and ignoring it entirely. It was background noise, we all needed it, so we always had it. But something a little strange happened; my mother was watching it, as she often did when she put something on in the evenings to massage her brain to bed after a long day at work. I was typing away at something on my laptop, like I am now, sitting on the couch with her, which I am also doing now (although she’s long gone to bed), and I looked up.

         I saw Hawkeye.

         It didn’t feel like a rush of emotion, it didn’t feel like something important was happening. That was just my old friend. Looking absolutely horrible with the haircut he was rocking in the pilot, but I remembered him. The pilot doesn’t open with the theme, as I recognized that as soon as it played, it opens with golf, a little vignette of the camp before the choppers come in with wounded. I saw Hawkeye, I saw his shirt, and it really was like when you see an old friend, one you can’t really remember what all you did with, or where you met, or even each other’s names anymore, but you know they mean something to you. You knew this person, and you liked them, you liked them enough that even though you forgot everything else, you remember the love that was there.

         And it was a very small thing that happened, and it didn’t happen with every episode, but I would pause my music. My own background noise to drown out everyone else’s background noise, blasting into my headphones. I’d pause my music, read the subtitles, hear them faintly through muffled ears, and laugh along. Smile when I’d see a smile, and a little more than half pay attention.

         I went back to college, life went on, we only got maybe to the beginning of season two, but my mom didn’t continue without me. She waited, and eventually, I came home for the summer, summer of 2024.

         She put it on again, and the same thing happened. But this time, I way more than half paid attention. I really paid attention. By the time we got to Abyssinia, Henry, I completely paused whatever I was doing when it was on and sat, laptop open, head at a 45 degree angle to watch the TV. I’d still futz around during commercial breaks, but I waited for the commercial breaks to do anything now. More and more it warmed my heart, to see all these old friends I’d forgot about, drag them all out of the closet, finally see B.J. Hunnicutt with that stupid mustache again for the first time in over 15 years at least—it was all so amazing. I was laughing at this show that came out over 20 years before I was even born. My parents hadn’t even met yet when this thing ended. Then, of course, because of the way my brain unfortunately works, it is now all I can think about it, to the point I’ve convinced several people to watch it just by virtue of never-shutting-the-hell-up.

         And then? I finally got to see all my friends go home.

         I remember the night I watched the finale with my mother. We’d gotten to the penultimate episode, and we’d paused. It was near 8ish, near my mother’s bedtime, and she and I both agreed we could not handle the finale that night, it was too much. And so we put on something, My Name is Earl, anything to make noise, something funny, something light. That’s how the next several days went; do we feel like we can handle the end? No. Tonight? Maybe tomorrow. Maybe after dinner? It was a long day.

         But then, after dishes had been cleared and we were both sitting quietly, the sun had already gone down, and she proposes we watch it.

         So we did.

         I don’t cry at things anymore. I used to cry all the time as a kid, scraped knee, called an idiot by a sibling, way too much crying even for a kid. I got it out of my system, apparently, because now I’m an adult and I have trouble with making tears, and when they do come, they sneak up on me. The last time I remember crying was at my grandmother’s funeral, months ago, and before that, I have no idea. I get misty-eyed, sure, but nothing makes me boohoo.

         The same held for the finale. Contrasted heavily by my mother, the woman that regularly cries at especially-touching commercials, shedding a few for every other scene (the bus revelation, the final meal, Charles’s music adventure finale, the wedding dress, every single goodbye, and of course the big one at the end), I was mostly quiet. I remember it ending, and thinking, well, that was about the best finale I’d ever seen. I also thought about how I’d seen strikingly few finales, and that I ought to see more series through til the end. I spoke with my mother a bit about it, we had some good moments from the program tossed back and forth, and she went to bed.

         Then I took a shower, and after I got out, the floodgates busted. I was boohooing alright, blubbering too, but I couldn’t point to why. Sure, there were moments in the episode worthy of tears, but this was full sobbing, aching and pitiful and messy. I just left it as something not to worry about, and went on. Since then, on my own, I’ve rewatched select episodes, watched the finale (again) with the sibling that confused Trapper and B.J., done three paintings of stills from the show, made a miniature version of the signpost for my mom, and started writing again for the express purpose of doing things with these characters, and I’ve only now put a fine point on it. It’s a threefold answer of why I fell apart leaving the shower after watching an episode of television that aired 40 years ago.

         The first is simple; I have got it in my head that I need to be alright for everyone. If I’m happy, then everything is okay. I think it’s a relic from what made me stop crying, this need to tell everyone, “Hey, I’m the crybaby, so if I’m okay, then really, everything is okay!” My tears are (were) meant to be shed in private. They were my own cross to bear, especially for places like the bathroom where I could get privacy, as I shared a room with a sibling growing up. This is something I’m getting better about.

         The second answer is very warm; I finished M*A*S*H with my mom. I remember my grandfather, though he wasn’t too present in my life, and I loved him. He passed when I was young, but I was old enough to remember him, and his death date is near my birthday. My birthday is actually near a lot of either death-dates or birthdays of people that are now dead that my mom loved very much, so I am constantly reminded that my birth is the only good thing that happens to her that month. Finishing the show with her was special. We did it. It’s a tradition now. I don’t plan to have kids, but the future may be strange. At the very least, I know at least one sibling does, so I’ll just have to make sure their kids watch it, too. I don’t have anything of my grandfather’s, his family wasn’t kind to mine  and took pretty much everything when he died, but now I have this show. And I have this with my mother. It keeps my heart warm.

         And lastly, the thing responsible for the most boohooing, is that, like I said; I got to see my friends go home.

         I didn’t really think about it hard, but these were my little friends. I couldn’t remember them, but I remembered that I loved them. That they were something that made me happy, and made my very sad mother happy when I was little. They were funny, they were going through a very bad time and they were still being nice to each other and doing their best. They laughed, cried, cried some more, laughed some more. They drank, but in a safer way than what I knew of it at home, so it felt okay. They hugged, they fought, they loved each other. Then they were locked away in a little memory in my heart, and they sat there for over a decade, nearly two. And then those lovely people that made my life a little bit better finally, finally,

         Got to go home.

         A catharsis.

         Everything isn’t perfect, but all of us are somewhere better now. We have new problems. We have old scars. But the big bad is over. A little part of me healed. It was okay, finally. They got home. It’s okay.

         And if I can pick up a show from the 70’s about the 50’s that’s also still about the 70’s and the Vietnam war about all war that’s also about love and family and surgery with a cast that’s almost all gone now that so painfully soldered its place in my heart that watching the end of it all put me in a puddle on the floor of my bathroom at 11 at night, if I can wait 15 years and still manage to rouse these old soldiers and send them home, a little cracked but finally safe,

         I think B.J. Hunnicutt can drive those 3,000 miles to a little place in Maine to see his best friend. 

[stephaniedola]

its great and all that he can hold onto love forever no matter the distance but i can't bro im too fucking busy i need to be focused on school and shit so like. its so over

[midnightsnyx]

for smau… mat barzal just gushing over his girls (wife and daughters) all the time to the point where he literally doesn’t even post hockey anymore. it’s just his girls 25/8 and his teammates are always commenting and chirping at him.

love love love this idea!!! i took the name nora from my mat barzal fic and just picked the other from a baby name website. also, i dont know many islanders so theres only a few lol

honestly i kinda wanna take this and turn it into an AU lol

disclaimer: photo credit to all original owners. they were found on google/pinterest/etc. requests for blurbs & instagram edits are open!

barzal97

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barzal97 best feeling in the world.

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al_rom26 second that! ⤷ barzal97 ✌️

user1 good luck this season!!!

ny_islanders 😎

titobeauvi91 miss you brother ⤷ barzal97 miss you too! see you on the ice✌️ ⤷ user2 screaming crying throwing up

mattymarts17 there will be a better feeling one day bud

barzal97

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barzal97 missing this girl

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user1 since when does Mat have a gf?? ⤷titobeauvi91 that's his wife 👀 ⤷user2 SINCE WHEN IS MAT BARZAL MARRIED

ynbarzal miss you too ❤️ ⤷user3 brb going to stalk her profile

bohorvat young love

al_rom26 yeah man you're kinda depressing when your wifey isn't here ⤷barzal97 am not ⤷mattymarts17 he's right

barzal97

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tagged: yourusername

barzal97 my wife's been upgraded to baby mama

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pagertrain did yn approve this caption? ⤷ynbarzal no she did not.

joshanderson_77 congrats guys!

user1 omg awwwww

titobeauvi91 can't wait to be upgraded to uncle ⤷barzal97 you'll have to visit us

user2 baby mama lmao love it

ynbarzal can you come make me a sandwich ⤷barzal97 I am in the next room?? ⤷ynbarzal too much energy ⤷bohorvat don't question pregnant women bud ⤷user3 she's so cute omg

barzal97

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barzal97 Welcome to the world Nora. Beyond thankful for my wife❤️

tagged: ynbarzal

titobeauvi91 booking my plane ticket now ⤷barzal97 ✌️

ny_islanders Congrats to the Barzal's!

mattymarts17 we're so happy for you guys. ⤷barzal97 thanks man

user2 still can't believe mat barzal is married and has a kid

al_rom26 wow, congrats guys!

ynbarzal love you and our little family <3 ⤷barzal97 love you ❤️

barzal97

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barzal97 like mama like daughter

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bohorvat Holly said to bring Nora for a playdate with the kids soon ⤷ynbarzal i'll text her!

user1 she is literally living the life we all want ⤷user2 fr

al_rom27 workin on #2 yet? ⤷ynbarzal get outta here ⤷barzal97 👀

titobeauvi91 do you even play hockey anymore🙄 ⤷barzal97 full time dad ⤷ynbarzal he's in dad mode

user3 🥺🥺🥺

mattymarts17 she's growing like a weed

barzal97

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barzal97 Nora is getting upgraded to big sister!

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titobeauvi91 growing your own hockey team so you don't have to play? ⤷barzal97 you know it

user1 no wayyy ⤷ynbarzal yes wayyy

ny_islanders Can't wait to see Nora as a big sis!

al_rom26 you just should change your username to "mat barzal family fan account" ⤷ynbarzal tell me about it

barzal97

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barzal97 everyone meet Rosie

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user1 girl dad!!!

mattymarts17 how's Nora adjusting? ⤷barzal97 she doesn't want anyone else to hold her Rosie so we're working on that

titobeauvi91 2 down, 18 to go ⤷ynbarzal Anthony, get out of here

barzal97

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barzal97 thought playing hockey was the best feeling in the world. turned out, it wasn't even close.

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titobeauvi91 that is so sweet... I kind of love it

ynbarzal we love you so much ❤️

ny_islanders beautiful family!

user1 literally crying ⤷user2 same omg

al_rom26 ok this is officially a mat barzals family fan account

mattymarts17 I told you bud

[3liza]

anime club, dude, just rep your work we like a super-sayan stuffed in a checkered shirt all you motherfuckers wanna try and test the verse? listen up -- here them players that'll get ya hurt GLOMP ME! yo, i'm chillin' here with mah friendses got that driftwood chain and transition lenses straight shinin', ya'll, forehead gots to gleam all them TLO cats call me 'oxyclean' well, i'm Baby Fillipe, girls call me "Surprise" cuz when I'm layin' pipe, lasers come outta my eyes known to flip like Freeza when i'm enraged got a level 20 half-orc fire mage Mr. Casual Khakis -- Sweaters-From-Moms got a rap attack that blasts cats better than bombs i'm all history and learnin', not them sports n' crap check out my basement! i'm workin' on a torture rack! (in a deep voice ala that annoying fucker from jurassic 5) Big Red in the back with so much soul Make snacks and operate the remote control Ya'll ain't gotta hate on the way I roll If you wanna pick the movie, just vote in the poll ay yo - fuck the system; The Man is ghey gonna smoke five blunts and watch anime Skeez, the TLO hook-up, ya'll bitches jock me Keep it locked down, slangin' that wet n' pocky step back, boys, i roll with the TLO so think twice 'fore you roll up and say hello Margaret, ya'll, my steez keep 'em duckin' for cover deviantart style -- animes fuckin' each other call me Celph-Satisfyde, i'm the mastermind mix up your manga titles and your ass is mine frontin' on me? that's a crime when i'm in the room with bitches, yo, it's sexual harassment time FRANKLIN -- here i come, devastatin' the track drankin' a forty, got a dozen shorties waitin' in back hey, ya'll! there's some empty seats near da TV i got a six of Dew, ya'll can watch Akira with me (beatbox solo) PHOOOM doom PHWAAAACK ka (heee-uh hee-uh) PHWAAACK eeeeer-wicka-a-a-ANIME CLUB who the heck are these people? haven't asked 'em yet i guess i joined an anime club by accident i'ma slide out the door 'fore these dudes assume they're legit cuz there's a real asian in the room yeah, nine mc's and one dj we be gettin' down with no delay fuck you, mom and dad, we're here to say:

japan is better than the USA

[bradshawssugarbaby]

Hard to Forget - Willard Hewitt x Reader

A/N: I wanted to branch out the list of characters I'd write for and since Willard is a fave of mine (I have a soft spot for dumb pretty country boys oops), I figured I'd roll with it.

Inspired by I Bet You Think About Me and Betty by Taylor Swift;

“But now that we're done and it's over, I bet you couldn't believe when you realized I'm harder to forget than I was to leave”

“But if I just showed up at your party, - Would you tell me to go fuck myself, - I’m only 17, I don’t know anything.” “Will you kiss me on the porch in front of all your stupid friends?”

pairing: Willard Hewitt (Footloose 2011) x f!reader

content/warnings: swearing, angst, Willard being a dummy, some pining, fluffy ending.

word count: 3k

“Willard, you can’t just go around kissin’ other girls and then telling me you love me, that’s not how this works!” 

“Well, maybe I dunno how any of this works, did’ya ever think that? Jeez, you’re puttin’ more rules on me than coach does for a football game, babe. Maybe I don’t wanna be in a relationship like this? I’m young, you know, I’m 19, I wanna be free and have fun while I still can. I’m gonna graduate soon and I wanna enjoy life before I get stuck workin’ a 9 to 5 somewhere. I know I’m not playin’ football when I get out, but I’m not plannin’ to be like everyone else back home and have a wife and kids and a dog before I turn 30.”

“Well then, maybe we should break up, Willard. Apparently according to you we were never anything to begin with, so it shouldn’t be too hard to call this off.” 

“Yeah, maybe we should.”

Willard’s words were like venom, stinging you as you walked away, hot tears threatening to overflow your eyes and stream down your face. You headed off to your dorm, trying your damnest to not let Willard’s indifference towards you get under your skin. You were determined to not let some country boy from a small town in Georgia break your heart, you were better than that. Before you left, you spun around on your heel and looked at him.

“Why don’t you go fuck yourself, Willard?” 

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡

Five years later, and you had long moved on from the cute Southern country boy who’d tried to break your heart. You’d completed your university degree in Education, worked your ass off, determined to be happy with or without your ex boyfriend. You and Willard never crossed paths again at university, and you were sure you’d never see him again. That was, until you had to return home for the weekend. Your younger sister had just turned 16, and your presence was requested, causing you to make the four and a half hour one way trip down to Athens to be there for her party. You’d moved to South Carolina after graduation, landing a job with a school district in Charleston where you were hired on as a first grade teacher. Once you arrived back home in Athens, the memories of Willard and your years at university all came flooding back. Complicating these, was when your tire blew on your car. You had to have it towed to the nearest mechanic.

When you hopped out of the tow truck, you lifted your sunglasses up from your eyes, resting them atop your head, squinting as you walked into the garage. A tall man with dark hair and a deep Southern accent with his back turned to you as he wiped his hands off called out to you. There was a sense of familiarity as he spoke, an uncomfortable feeling brewed in you as he turned around. You saw his face, and nothing about him had changed - the same hazel eyes, dark brown curls, the faint scars on his cheek and his chin now almost unnoticeable. His breath audibly hitched as he saw you. 

“Well...hi,” Willard chuckled awkwardly as he saw you, taking a moment to register everything that had changed since you’d left him.

“Hi,” You responded coldly, your arms folded across your chest as you looked at him, “My tire blew, I just need one replaced. No I didn’t have a spare, just charge it to my credit card when you’re done, ok?” 

“Well now, is that anyway to talk to your ex boyfriend?” Willard smirked playfully, that same godforsaken twinkle in his hazel eyes that always won you over before still clearly present.

“Ex for a reason, Willard.”

“Not a good one,” He admitted as he nodded his head slowly, “I-uh-I’ve been thinking.”

“After 5 years? Seems a little late.”

“Listen, darlin’, I was a stupid kid,” he began, nodding slowly, “I never wanted to hurt ya.”

“Well, you just did a damn good job of that without even trying, didn’t you?” You rebuffed his attempt to discuss further and handed him your credit card so he could put the tire repair on file with your card. 

“I’m sorry, ok?” He said softly, his voice barely a whisper as he spoke. 

“I’m not.”

“I probably deserve that, I’ll admit,” Willard sighs and shakes his head, “Let me make it up to ya, ok? Maybe I could take you for dinner some time? How long are ya here for? I can’t cook for shit still, but I remember you always loved going out to that place near the campus, I could take you there if ya’d like?”

“Thanks, but I have plans.”

“I haven’t even told you when it is yet.”

“Well I’m only home for a weekend. It’s my sister’s sweet 16.”

Willard’s face fell as he nodded slowly. He sighed softly and handed you your card back, furrowing his brow as he spoke.

“S’pose I can’t convince you then, can I?” 

“What could you possibly say to fix it after five years, Willard?

He frowned again before gazing up at the clock on the wall. He nodded slowly and turned his attention back to you before speaking again.

“I’m off in 10 minutes, if you wait for me, I’ll explain everything. If you say my explanation and apology aren’t good enough, I’ll back off and you can pretend you never even met me. I’ll even fix that tire for free first before you go back home.”

You weighed your options as Willard looked at you hopefully, almost as if he was pleading you to agree. You sighed and shook your head before pointing a finger at him.

“Don’t disappoint me, ok?

“I’ll do my damnest not to, darlin’”

After 10 short minutes, you observed as Willard punched out his time card and trodded off to the change room to discard of his dirty, grease laden clothes. He smiled as he walked out to you, wearing jeans and a plain white t-shirt, his beat up old baseball cap from when you’d first met him now adorning his head. He laughed softly before turning to you once again and grinning.

“I’m impressed you waited for me,” Willard explained. 

As the two of you headed outside, you spotted his infamous beat up old pickup truck, looking as rough as ever parked outside. Willard grinned at you and laughed, “You used to love this truck, you know.”

“Yeah, when I was 19, I also loved country boys in cowboy hats who wiillingly broke my heart by kissing other girls while I thought we were dating exclusively,” You hissed at him.

If there was one thing you knew about Willard, it was that he didn’t give a single fuck if anyone didn’t like his truck. That truck was the only thing he loved more than his own mama, and Willard would spend every last dime he had to fix that awful thing just so he could continue cherishing it. He’d always been very set in his ways about everything. It was the reason why you’d split in the first place. He was so determined to “live freely” and “live his life” that he gave up anything he figured might have stopped him, including you.

“Listen, I’m sorry for what I did, yeah?” 

“So you’ve said.” 

“Just hear me out, ok? I was a stupid kid. I was 19, I didn’t know shit. I still don’t know shit at 24, but you know what I do know?” 

“How to count past 10 without taking your shoes off?” You retorted dryly.

“Hey now, I’m trying to be serious!” Willard laughed softly, “I know now that you never would have stopped me from doing whatever I had my heart set on. You would have encouraged me to just be happy. I appreciate that. I was just too stupid to pick up on that. I’m sorry I broke your heart. I also learned that you were so much harder to forget than you were to leave. Watching you walk away and hearing you tell me to go fuck myself gave me quite the ego check. And, I really did think you were the sweetest lil’ Georgia peach I’d ever met.”

You rolled your eyes as you tried to maintain your icy exterior towards him. On the inside though, you could feel your heart melt ever so slightly as he called you a Georgia peach - that had always been his saying when he thought you did something cute. He’d pat your cheek with his big hand, calloused from a combination of playing football and his studying to be a mechanical engineer, and grin at you as his thick as molasses Southern accent gushed at you. “Well ain’t you just as sweet as a Georgia Peach?” he’d always say. Half the time you figured he said it purely to make you blush. 

Willard took a step closer to you, his hazel eyes meeting with yours the way they had when you two had dated all those years ago. He sighed softly, almost happily as he saw you weren’t rejecting him this time around. His hand reached for yours slowly, his touch gentle and delicate, as if he was trying purposefully not to scare you away. He smiled softly as you allowed him to hold your hand, your lack of resistance giving him a glimmer of hope that you might have somehow found a way to forgive him. You would feel yourself wearing down against him, your cold, frozen exterior towards him melting away as he gently held your hand.

“Willard,” you frowned slightly as you looked down at his hand holding yours, trying to ignore the fact that your hand fit perfectly in his.

“Darlin’ I’m willing to do anything to prove to you that I’m not going to break your heart again if you give me the chance. I’ve spent the last five years realizing that those big dreams and aspirations I had in college weren’t going to come true without you. I never did make it out of college football, I never ended up travelling or leaving Georgia like I said I would, but, I mean, I do decently well for myself. When you left I realized you were what made me happy though - not travelling or football, or workin’ on cars. You. And when I didn’t have you to do all these things I’d dreamed of with, well, none of them seemed worth doin’ anymore.”

 You sighed softly as he gave your hand a gentle squeeze. You looked up at him, meeting those gorgeous hazel eyes you’d always loved, tears welling up in your own as you gave an understanding nod of your head. 

“Now, there’s my sweet lil’ Georgia peach,” he smirked as he stroked the back of your hand with his thumb. 

A rush of memories and a sense of familiarity came rushing over you as he spoke, calling you by the pet name that always made you weak in the knees years ago. You shook your head quickly as you tried to shake the feeling of nostalgia that was overtaking you.

“I should get going.” Your voice was soft-spoken, partially feeling guilty as you spoke.

Willard swallowed hard and nodded his head, trying to not sound defeated. He gestured his hand outward, pointing towards the street, forcing a hearty laugh and a big smile as he spoke.

“Yeah, might not wanna be late, your mama’d be so mad. Bet your sister wouldn’t be none too pleased either tho, would she?”

“No, I don’t suppose they would be. My sister’s party is supposed to start in,” You frowned as you looked at your watch and shook your head, “!5 minutes. Christ, I better start walking.”

“Don’t be silly, I’ll just drive you over. Sure your mama doesn’t want you wanderin’ your way around town to get home.”

You opened your mouth to argue but quickly closed it again. You knew he had a fair point, and you’d never make it there in 15 minutes by walking. Smiling, Willard opened the door of his truck for you, gesturing to the front seat for you to hop inside. You jumped up into the seat and nodded slowly as Willard took your bag out of your temporarily non-functioning car for you, placing it in the back. He climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key over, the engine making its unique sputtering sound as it roared to life, the old engine sounding like it was clinging to life by a thread. 

“You know, I could fix ‘er, but I just…I dunno, the sound is sort of nostalgic for me, ya know? It’s comforting,” He chuckled.

You rolled your eyes and laughed as he drove towards your parents house. You directed him along the way, but once he found himself in the familiar neighbourhoods he used to drive through to pick you up all those years ago, he didn’t need your navigation skills anymore. He smirked as he pulled up out front of your parents’ home, watching as you hopped out of the truck. He raised an eyebrow as the crowd of your family members that was congregating outside of your garage. Willard waved politely to them, recognizing a few of their faces from family functions he’d accompanied you to years ago. He parked his truck and hopped out, smiling as he looked over to you.

“I take it you never did tell your mama the truth about why we broke up, did ya?” He whispered to you as your mom waved to him from the garage.

“No, I didn’t want to her to go sharpen her pitchfork to come after you with,” You smirked at him and shrugged your shoulders, “You’re welcome.”

As you came up closer to your family, you felt Willard put his hand gently on your back. Turning to you, he smiled softly and whispered in your ear gently.

“Sorry, just trying to make it seem like we didn’t quite break up as badly as we did,” he nodded as he let out a soft chuckle.

You nodded slowly in agreement and smiled at your family members as Willard joined you. He laughed as your dad wrapped an arm Willard’s shoulders, pulling him in to talk for a moment, as he would have with an old friend. Willard gave you an apologetic smile as he shrugged, not realizing that your family would have missed his presence so much. 

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩✮ ⋆ ˚｡

A few hours later, Willard was still hanging out at the party, unable to make a quick getaway as your family members wanted to hear about all the things he’d done over the last five years. In a way, you were glad they were so welcoming towards him once again, happy to see that he was still considered family by your loved ones. You couldn’t help but notice the butterflies you got every time you saw him smile or laugh while he spoke, like he was genuinely enjoying himself, it showed to you that what he had said earlier about missing you had been completely heartfelt. 

As everyone started to head out, you met Willard on your parents front porch, smiling softly as he held your hand again under the warm glow of the porchlight beside the door. You could feel the gaze of your family members peering through the curtains at you, all secretly and silently hoping that one of you would give a sign that you were rekindling what you’d once had together. 

“Thanks for letting me stick around, I missed seeing everyone, I missed how nice your folks are,” Willard nodded, smiling brightly at you, his cheeks turning pink as he spoke.

“I don’t think they would have given me the option to send you home without staying, to be fair.”

There was an awkward silence in the air between you two as Willard’s eyes met yours. He bit his lip softly and laughed, shaking his head, his dark brown curls becoming perfectly tossed, his discarded baseball cap shoved into his back pocket from when he sat down for dinner earlier. 

“You know, I really wanna kiss you right ‘bout now.”

“Strangely enough, you’re kinda making me wanna kiss you right ‘bout now too,” you teased.

With that, Willard put his hands on your waist, pulling you in close for a kiss. His lips were soft, with a sense of hunger and passion added to the chemistry between you. You could tell just by how his lips met with yours that he’d been craving this for the last five years. That he’d wanted nothing more than to hold you close and kiss you under the porchlight like had so many times before. And if you were being honest, you’d craved it too all these years, as much as you hated to admit it.

“So, where does this leave us then?” You raised an eyebrow at him, “‘Suppose I can’t hate you anymore if I’m letting you kiss me like that, now can I?”

“Don’t suppose you can, sweetheart. Looks like you may have to agree to datin’ me again?”

“Is that so?”

“Now come on, my lil’ Georgia peach, don’t make me get on my knees and beg you to take me back in front of your folks. You know I will.”

You laughed softly and pressed your lips to his again, murmuring into the kiss as your lips touched. 

“Come ‘ere, country boy,  you’re mine now.”

[spookiesmausoleum]

𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

This is a game that has extremely heavy themes, so please be aware of that! There's some things said that are extremely dark within their own context, so discretion is advised. Also obvious dialogue spoilers for the game.

Remember to specify muse for multi-muses!

"I hope this hurts."

"The only thing that's worth than dyin' is not gettin' paid."

"Man. Pony Express bosses really aren't chill at all, huh?"

"C'mon. One look won't hurt."

"How exactly is this group therapy committee planning on getting in there?"

"I nearly corked a kid once!"

"You were goddamn born fully corked!"

"For better or worse I'm captain now. I'll figure it out."

"He doesn't want to keep still anymore."

"What about the pain killers?"

"...You did make it through nursing school right?"

"I'll take care of it."

"Why do you think he did it?"

"Does it matter? What answer would make you feel any better?

"I have to believe our worst moments don't make us monsters, [name]."

"He tried to take us all down with him, [name]."

"As I see it there's two reasons to keep him alive at this point. Guess the important bit is that we all agreed to it. For one reason or another."

"I'm workin'. Blue collar fools can't afford to stop working even when the machine does. Go figure."

"I ain't letting anyone else mess around in there."

"I warned her, but it was in one ear and out the other."

"Then there's that teeny bopper only thinkin' with his downstairs longnose just like my useless kids back home."

"Are we doing the right thing...?"

"...Are you listening?"

"Couldn't sleep again, but I passed the psych eval?"

"I do wish you'd open up a little more, [name]."

"He acts as if I do these things for fun."

"I've known him a long time. He won't try any bullshit with me."

"They can't expect me to work miracles!"

"I don't know what it means, but... it sounds like fun."

"Passed inspection, right? Shouldn't be an issue."

"I take it [name] diagnosed you with "being sane" then?"

"...How are things otherwise? Off the record."

"I like it. We're in control here."

"How come it always feels like you're standing on the edge of a bridge with your feet in cement?"

"Is this enough? Should I just stay here because I've been successful at it?"

"It's terrifying. I think, "Am I figured out? Is this all I'll ever be?" Or do I take the risk and try something new? Even if I'm bad at it."

"Hm. I guess I get it. You've reached the highest rung on this ladder and now you're thinkin' you might be on the wrong ladder altogether. Still a long way down from the top no matter how you look at it... While I'm still climbing and climbing."

"Hey I believe in you! Here. On Earth. Doesn't matter."

"...It's all mouthwash."

"I s'pose we'll smell good at least."

"Guess anyone could get seriously blasted off this stuff."

"Yeah and kill you in the process."

"...Hey. What's wrong?"

"That's all it said on the report from management. We will receive the paycheck for this delivery. I don't know anymore than that."

"...So I guess you got what you wanted. Without the guilt."

"...[name]. If I had known..."

"I can go back to my, how'd you put it? "Struggle of a life.""

"I'm just working on my life being a place I don't have to fucking escape!"

"We're the ones you're trying to escape! Leave the dirt behind now that your boots are clean."

"You just couldn't frame it to yourself in a way that still kept you as the hero."

"Let's have some fucking cake, hmm?"

"Come on. Stop with the noise."

"I know what everyone is thinking. The way they look at me. What can I even say?"

"I hope these make you feel fucking better."

"Take responsibility."

"Sometimes you can only get the subpar stuff. That' what makes the really good stuff, well, good, right?"

"Hey. We all tried to escape. It didn't work for any of us."

"I've thought many times, "Hey is this what peace feels like? And is this good enough?" If I'm being real it certainly isn't the best. So all I can try to do is make my life one I'm not trying to run from all the time."

"Mom found this internship for me. Such a slacker she said."

"I don't know. I just never know what I wanted to be. Never was good at anything."

"We're not done yet, [name]."

"Listen, listen! This is the best part. Aa-waay-oooo!"

"You're a mess, [name]."

"[name] pullin' the plug on the party before it's the last call!"

"you thinking about drinking that too?"

"Honestly, yeah. It'd probably just make me sick. Wouldn't fix anything, as much as I'd like it to."

"...You're not serious."

"Look I've entertained your sentimentality up until now, but I'm actually trying to fix things [name]!"

"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"...I don't think I understood the pressure you were under before. Fuck. And you tried to tell me."

"Our worst moments don't make us monsters, huh?"

"I'll get us both through this."

"You heard [name]. I wouldn't put it past them to do something extreme right now."

"What would you have done?"

"Anything. Anything. You, the crew, you're all my responsibility."

"I know you'd never give me the gun to protect myself, so the least I can do... is make sure he never gets it either."

"...The bleeding won't stop. Just try to sit still [name]."

"It's alright, [name]. Calm down."

"I though you were dumber than a can of paint, always chewing me ear off about something. Useless ray of goddamn sunshine. Not an ace student, career workhorse or force of ambition. Just a damn good kid trying his best. You coulda taught an old fool like me a lot."

"Why can't any of you give me some time to fucking think!?"

"How do you still not understand? It's over. End of the fuckin' line."

"Take care of it."

"All I ever hear is how great of a leader you are. God, it's so annoying."

"Or this can be remembered as a tragedy. Despite what must have been the best efforts of it's acclaimed captain. The crew never found. No one survived to tell the tale."

"You're standing at the top. Feet in cement. I get it now. Right?"

"[Name], t-tell me you didn't."

"I won't give up on you, even like this, I believe in you. We're going to make it through this."

"I have something to say. So shut the fuck up and listen."

"So I got a collar shirt, a mortgage. Everything that makes a good man."

"I wanted to believe I was never one set-back away from my worst self."

"I've got nothing to hide. I'll face the music. I can see myself for what I am. But you? A cowardly, selfish motherfucker and you can't even see it."

"[Name]. I'm going to fix everything. We're going to make it."

"Fuck you."

"I know what you think of this predicament of yours. Poor you. Caged and misunderstood."

"Shut up. [Name] tried his best. I did too, but he's the better man."

"You really mean all that, huh?"

"I fucked up, but I can make things right."

"You always had my back. I ended up I ended up hurting you even though I was trying to save us."

"It's like you said, together we can fix anything."

[stupidvillainousposts]

And Tate Can Get His Own Specialized Fishing Hat!

Stan: *Kicks Tate's Door In* Wake up, we're going fishing.

Tate: *Glances at His Clock* At two in the mornin'... why not?

Stan: *Huffs and Walks Off*

Tate, sighing: Okay, let's get this over with.

-A Few Minutes Later-

Tate, following his dad(s) to the lake: So, is this, like... a family outin' sorta deal?

Fidds: Ya better believe it! I had Stanley make some suggestions about a fun mornin' activity, and wouldn't ya know it, he chose fishin'! He loves it just like you!

Stan: For the record, I was under the impression that it would be just me and your dad.

Fidds: *Slaps Stan's Chest Lightly* Now, Stanley, be nice! Oh! And give Tate his present!

Tate: My pres- *Grunts as a Hat is Slammed Onto His Head*

Stan: *Grunts Affirmatively* Least it fits.

Tate: *Takes the Hat Off to Get a Better Look* "T8r Tot"?

Fidds, giggling: Stanley’s been workin' on his puns.

Stan: *Growls Under His Breath* Let's just get to the lake already! We only have a few hours before the sun and people come out!

Fidds: *Smiles at Tate and Gives a Thumbs Up*

Tate, pleasantly surprised: Huh.

[nisuna]

I fucking love the fact that you write down my ideas so quickly. you have become my favorite.

and so, for a very long time I thought that Itadori had an older half-sister who always took care of him. Even when she learned that Yuji had become a vessel for Sukuna, the older half-sister did not leave her brother. And that's why she feels weird when Sukuna, who has her brother's body, fucks her on the couch. Of course, she couldn't resist the King of Curses himself. But she is very worried about the fact that this is her younger brother's body

Omg hiiiii♡ thank you so much that's so sweet of you ���� I'm trying to keep up, but I've gotten a lot more submissions that I expected 0.o Would you like me to call you something or anyone for that matter? Something like (emoji)-anon if you're comfortable enough with me knowing that it's you ^^ Let me know if anyone would like that!

But either way, thank you for another take!!<3

~short drabble~

TW: this one's kinda dark as I'm currently malding, screaming, crying, throwing up over the new episode 🥲; angst with smut, kind of dubcon, forced sex, mating press, a lot if talking and hating, my heart hurts, this probably wasn't what you had in mind I'm sorry 😭

"Lets make a binding vow. If you let me fuck you I'll leave your brother alone whenever you're around, deal?"

Is he joking? What kind of deal is that? You cursed yourself that you were even considering it, but being able to linder your brothers pain even just a little was worth it for you

"Deal...but doesn't he see everything like you do when he's on the inside? I don't want him to know about any of this."

"Don't worry I put the brat to sleep and if he does wake up I'll erase his memory. He'll never know any of this happened."

"Not tricks alright? I want that included in the vow."

He clicked his tongue at your comment nodding his head with a sigh. "Sure sure whatever you want sweetheart. Now get rid of those clothes let's not waste any more time. You wouldn't want him to take over while you're stuffed full of cock now would you." At that you swallowed your remaining pride and gave him the okay by pulling your top over your head.

"Now we're talkin'."

You shouldn't be enjoying yourself right now, you really shouldn't. But how could you not if his fat cock was splitting you open so deliciously.

"Shit you're dripping. Best pussy I've had in years. You like it too, huh? Like my fat cock up your pussy? 'gonna make me cum if you keep clenching 'round like that."

"Ooooh will the mighty Sukuna-sama, King of Curses cum like a virgin boy within a few thrusts boohoo", you mocked which only earned you another hard thrust of his hips.

"Cool it. Or I won't play nice anymore. Might even wake the brat up to see his sister like that."

"You wouldn't! What about the vow?, you moaned at his harsh words and mean thrusts.

"The vow starts after the fucking, so you better watch it, got it?"

With that you pressed your lips together nodding your head. "Got it..."

Satisfied he grinned while putting your legs over his broad shoulders folding you in half.

"Now that's a good girl"

"Whatever."

At least he made it worth your while. He made you cum harder than anyone ever had. And more times than you could count. Your head was mush at the point he bottomed out and filled you up.

"Was nice workin' with ya, see you never, Sweetheart." he mused being kind enough to put Yuji's clothes back on.

As Sukuna left Yuji's conscience you were quick to put your clothes back in place. Catching him because he almost toppled over from exhaustion. He faintly heard you calling his name but as soon he saw your dishevelled self, pink cheeks and messy hair, his eyes shot open.

"Oh no. He was out wasn't he. Nee-chan what did he do? Tell me what he did, if he hurt I'm going to kill him. I'm going to fucking-."

"No he didn't do anything, don't worry everything's fine. I'm fine. We just.. talked. He will leave you alone as long as you're with me. You're safe with me now. He won't bother you anymore. From now on I won't ever leave your side. We'll stay together forever.", you smiled at him trying your best subdue the tears that were threatening to spill. You opted for hugging him tightly, patting his head softly. Yuji opened his lips to say something, but he swallowed his words and hugged you back just as tight instead. "Okay, I trust you. You would never lie to me right, Nee-chan?" You felt your heart drop at his words but hummed in agreement nonetheless. "Never."

You were a good sister and you loved your brother more than anything. And that is why you will be taking this secret to the grave.

-----

Feel free to send me your Hot Takes as well ^^

[fallinginaforrest]

SPOILER WARNING FOR WORKIN BOYS, I BREAK DOWN MY FAVOURITE SHOTS. SPOILERS WILL BE HERE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Okay here's my opinion:

Curt being the DP for Workin' boys is the best thing that coulda happened to it. There are so many choices that were made during filming that just absolutely heighten the level of comedy. It's shot like a Mockumentary almost? The shakycam and the randomized movement? As someone who wrote a Mockumentary last year, I can only dream of pulling off a film like this.

A couple things I wanna point out:

-the minuscule push in on Hidgens when he realises he won the workshop competition feels very office-ey.

-the cut back to MK's amused face had me WHEEZING

-the pan over to Paul as be reminds Hidgens to remember the changes

-"apparently a musical about six men bonding on a football field isnt 'of the times..."'etc, this line right here felt like a talking head, I appreciated it.

-those time cards eg: "Rehearsal #2, 28 days until opening" lent itself so much to the documentarian feel of it.

-"wow, what an auteur", not a camerawork comment but I appreciate the joke for all of the film and theater theory studiers

-the "rehearsal montage" I love a good meta joke.

-even in this montage, the camera is never really onstage. At all. Like, it's always situated off to the side or in the audience, and then zoomed in, the documentarian is trying to capture all of the action on stage instead of trying to make us feel immersed in the rehearsal process. We're not really aligned with any of the characters, we're an audience, and we better stay that way. For our own sake.

-and then this dynamic totally changes, and shifts away from the mockumentary feel

-but I'll get to that in a second

-henry is almost always by himself in the shot. I think the one of the only other times that the entirety of another character's face is seen alongside Henry's (I mean, both faces are CLEAR and uncovered in the shot) is in the two shot of him and Paul's stage manager in the rehearsal montage. He is totally singular in his experiences with this show! He is not one of these girls, if anything he is opposed to them. And this becomes clearer later, but it's a nice seed to sow, establishing that he is not in a collaborative mindset at all. The only other time I can think of is him and Zoey behind the curtain, even then, the only time both of their faces are actually IN the shot is when they're behind all the workin' girls. There's probably more but ykwim.

-also the sheer number of times that Henry is off centre in the shot with just a bunch of space surrounding him.

-okay after "two week notice" or whatever tf that song is called (Kim sounds amazing as always) is when the style shifts. It feels less like a mockumentary and more like this sort of voyeuristic peek into Henry's psyche. I LOVE IT.

-the fact that he is never shown in the shot with the workin' boys! It makes you absolutely feel like he is just talking to the air around him (this is hatchetfield so who knows, either way its unsettling)

-we get aligned with ruth, for the first time, we see the audience from the perspective of a character, not just from a stage POV

-the camera roll!! We don't get a full rotation but we feel dizzy and unsettled when we look at ruth, which is exactly how she feels!

-camera roll close up on Zoey. Uncomfortable, unsettling! Rests in a canted angle before continuing to roll on Hidgens! Who is centered in a low angle shot! We don't see the axe until he brings it up to his face! He is not only in a position of power here, but revealing the axe only when Henry makes it clear he is gonna kill them makes it clear that he calls the shots! We've departed from the Mockumentary style completely, as if this was never a documentary to begin with, more like we're flies on the wall or spirits in the theater or omniscient eldritch beings... anyway-

-long shot of Henry dragging zoey's body, no footage of them being killed, aligns us with the audience

-our friend the camera is getting shakey again, the chaos is in the process of ensueing

-THE PULL OUT SHOT OF GRACE WITH THE GUN. I GASPED. I KNEW IT WAS GONNA HAPPEN AND I GASPED. Fun fact on my first watch I thought this was a dolly shot but I dont think y'all are fitting a dolly on the Hudson theater main stage steps, and also the distance is too short so it must have been a pull out. It was REALLY SMOOTH.

-notice, when grace quotes the bible, we are EVER SO SLIGHTLY looking up at her. It gets progressively more obvious the further she gets into the line, but she has the power now. Somehow she always ends up with the fuckin' power, maybe I should convert to christianity smh.

-shakeycam is back again baby!

The creative minds put so much love and care into Hatchetfield, and you can tell that every project is a passion project. People know starkid primarily as a theater company, and that's great and all, but in reality it's an Avenue for all kind of creatives to not only have the opportunity to create all kinds of amazing things, let alone theater, but also have a way to show people. It's moved past being a theater company, with things like Starkid returns and Workin' boys, it's more like a production collective, and it feels like the beginning of a new era. Not only in terms of broadening the way that they Express themselves and be creative, but also in terms of finding a new niche in the industry. Finding a new, wider audience. Because yeah, you're always gonna have people that dislike the new media you produce, for nostalgia's sake or whatever, but beyond that, there are going to be be people that absolutely love what you have to offer. There's no point in trying to revert back to the way it was before, or trying to cater specifically to an audience from an era gone by. How do you grow as an artist if you're always thinking in the past? Starkid is moving in a new direction. The next musical is likely not going to be hatchetfield, but I dont even mind because it's going to be new. New is always good, and Starkid has a bright future.

TL;DR @curtmega you're a literal genius, and starkid is TOTALLY AWESOME

[pjackk]

fuck you dickhead

Uh. Yo, check it out. I want you to pay attention to this, know'm saying? Listen up, alright? Yo You bust lead? So do I. Except mine impregnates the page giving birth to thoughts that unify You fuck little girls. I make love to women My words uplift, yours are poisonous like venom I'm an M.C. You're a rapper I'm as real as they come While half the guys you idolize are just actors You run from commitment I remain loyal You call women bitches. I call them queens because they're royal You make rap songs I make soul music! When God speaks through rhythm will you go to it? Yo, I save my cash yours you blow through it I say your child's special you say he's so stupid I'm pouring my heart out in everything written You're scared you'll look soft heart remains hidden Yo, on touchy subjects nerves I stay hittin' But I ain't better than you I just think different Is the glass half full or half empty? It's based on your perspective quite simply We're the same and we're not know what I'm saying listen So I ain't better than you I just think different Is the glass half full or half empty? It's based on your perspective quite simply We're the same and we're not know what I'm saying listen So I ain't better than you I just think different My fam run things, while you run your jewelry Yo, my people pop lock you tough guys pop toolies You rock gems I drop gems you Xerox copying While I originate material to stimulate Positive thought patterns when the chosen start gathering We bar none, yo I got jokes you are one I'm out doing it while you talk about it I'm constantly in the mix, while you walk around it You try, I do, I'm wise you're clueless. I get the job done you fail and make excuses I'm a gentlemen you're behaviors abusive Yo, I'm patient... you're jumping the gun false start! You're caught up in dress codes I'll shop at Walmart Sucker I'm all heart you're half hearted! Yo, you suckas are vandals we graf artist! Thought you had the last laugh but we laugh hardest. Is the glass half full or half empty? It's based on your perspective quite simply We're the same and we're not know what I'm saying listen So I ain't better than you I just think different Is the glass half full or half empty? It's based on your perspective quite simply We're the same and we're not know what I'm saying listen So I ain't better than you I just think different You fall in love with body parts I connect mentally With my female counterpart before we bond physically Cats I chill with rap about revolution While you rap about drug abuse and distribution You wanna be like Mike well I wanna be me. My queens hard to obtain while yours is easy We both from Maryland but be reppin DC We all front sometimes that's how MCs be My word is bond and yours is worthless You're mainstream I'm beneath the surface I stay working hard while you're hardly workin' All you want is "money and you're dick sucked" are you certain? Yo, I want a better world for our seeds to live in. I put faith in myself not the system Yo we trying to travel so why you making pit stops? You cats is rap and I'm HipHop! Is the glass half full or half empty? It's based on your perspective quite simply We're the same and we're not know what I'm saying listen So I ain't better than you I just think different Is the glass half full or half empty? It's based on your perspective quite simply We're the same and we're not know what I'm saying listen So I ain't better than you I just think different

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1216: Small Beach Crush (Sonic X SSBU)

4:42 p.m. at the Smash Local Beach..........

A race has been going on in the bright, sunny day at the Smash Beach, that specializes in Extreme Gears founded and provided by the Babylon Rogue Inc.

The two racers, Sonic The Hedgehog and Jet the Hawk, appear to neck to neck towards the Finish Line, in the last lap.....That is until the final racer swoops in outta nowhere, with more vigorous speed, sweeping both of his competition off their boards and onto the sandy ground, much to their surprise.

The crowd begins to roar in applause the very moment he crossed that Finish Line before sticking a gnarly, perfect landing on the ground. It wasn't long before a Shy Guy announcer runs in to announce the winner helping him holding his own arm up, which just so happens to be...I...

Announcer: The Winner of the 5-Lap Riders Prix.....FUUUUNKY KOOOOOOONG!!!

'Even More Applause'

Sonic: (Groans a Bit While Getting Himself Back on his Feet) Darn...... The folks weren't kidding when they say he's the Best Extreme Gear rider of this part of town.

Jet: (Sighs While Getting Up From the Ground as Well) The guy's a natural born surfer. He can make even the most uncontrollable board a cakewalk to ride on.

Sonic: (Begins to Stretch his Back Forward Befire Stretching his Arm Up Next) Welp! If that's the case, I'm gonna that means I gotta to work a little harder next time. Can't afford to be in 2nd Place forever, you know?

Jet: (Scoffs While Rolling his Eyes) More like 3rd Place...

Sonic: (Turns to Jet With a Raised Eyebrow) Pardon?

Jet: You heard me! 3rd! The place- (Points at Sonic) YOU are currently in!

Sonic: Oh get real. (Starts Butting Heads with Jet) I clearly crossed that line before you could even get close to me!

Jet: Big talk for a guy who's tip of his board Isa millimeter shorter than mines!

Sonic: Oh, so we're measuring boards now?

Jet: If it proves that I'm better than you, why the hell not at this point?

Sonic: (Shrugs) Alright. (Forms a Cocky Smirk on his Face) Still can't beat me in a fist fight though.

Jet: (Angrily Cracking his Knuckles at his Rival) Wanna bet? I been wanting to pulverize that stupid face of your some time now!

Sonic: (Waves Both his Hands Back to Him in a Very Competitive Fashion) Well, bring it then, Birdbrain. I ain't got all-

????: BOYS!

The rivals turns to see the Certified Moms giving both of them their collective Motherly Glares in the mid.

Samus: What the hell did we say about being civil?

Peach: This is a place for fun and relaxation.

Moms: NO. FIGHTING!

Sonic: (Sighs in Defeat Along with Jet) Yes, ma'ams......

Jet: Won't happen again.....(Turns to Sonic) Forgot how scary your moms are..........

Sonic: (Shrugs) They gotta take their jobs seriously somehow....

?????: Hey now!

The duo turns to see the winner of their race, Funky Kong, walk over to them along with the crowd, with a bright, chill smile on his face.

Funky: No need to fuss n' fight now. You both did great out there. Actually had me to workin' up a sweat just to keep up.

Sonic: (Smiles Softly at Funky) Thanks, man. Congratulations on the win.

Jet: Yeah, congrats. But uh...('Clears Throat') Who would you say is the fastest between the two of us here, hm?

Sonic: (Rolls his Eyes at Jet) Could you not waste his time asking that dumb question? The answer's obviously me.

Jet: (Glares at Sonic) Lies! It's me and everyone out here knows it.

Sonic: Yeah, keep telling yourself that you-

Funky: (Breaks Up the Potential Fighting Between Hedgehog and Bird) Hey-Hey-Hey! No more of that now. We're a the fastest here in this wicked beach time. (Holds Both Sonic and Jet's Hands Up) AM I RIGHT, PEOPLE!?

'Uproarious Cheers and Applauses'

Tails: (Watches the Crowd in the Distance With Amy and Coco Sitting Next to Him) Never thought I'd see the day someone would actually out speed Sonic in anything, but...here we are.

Amy: (Sighs Dreamingly at her Man) He may have lost the race, but he'll always be The Fastest, Most Handsomest Thing in my eyes and heart~ (Takes a Look at the Time on her Phone) What is taking Wave so long to get here? (Starts Pouting a Bit) If her boss starts picking fights with Sonic again, there's gonna be heck to pay!

Coco: You know Wave: Have to make extra sure her work is completely done before she could do anything else. (Notices Something) Ooh, speaking of which- (Points Tails and Amy to Their Swallow Friend Walking in the Distance) There she is right now. (Raises an Eyebrow in Confusion) Looking a lot more girlier than usual......

Tails: Girlier?- (Eyes Widened at the Sudden Realization) Wait s second! Is she looking pretty for someone?

Amy: (Happily Clasps her Hands Together as Her Eyes Starts to Sparkle) A secret admirer perhaps?~

Coco: (Casually Shrugs While Forming a Teasing Smirk on her Face) It's the only reason I can think of~

Meanwhile.......

Funky: (Happily Greets Wave) Yooo, Wave, you finally made it!

Wave: Yeah, sorry it took me so long to get here. (Smiles Sheepishly While Rubbing the Back of her Head Back and Forth) You know how I am when it comes getting everything done down in the workplace....B-But I was able to catch some of your racing highlights on stream. (Starts Blushing a Bit) You were.....pretty gnarly out there, I must admit~

Funky: (Chuckles Lightly) Appericate the wicked feedback, little lady. And here I was worried that I ticked you off for outstaging your boss out there.

Wave: (Playfully Scoffs) Please. There's a lot of things that would drive me up the wall. But winning a race against Jet is definitely not one of them.

Funky: Good, good. So, now that you're out and about, what you plan on doing from here on out?

Wave: Well, I-

???: Ohhh Waveee!~

Wave turns around to see Amy giggling softly and Coco and Tails waving at her with teasing grins on each of their faces before letting out an annoyed sigh and turning back to Funky.

Wave: I have a couple of twer-I mean-('Sigh') Friends I gotta to hang out with.

Funky: (Smiles Brightly) Nice! Friends are the one thing that could help build up your character after all, especially in an awesome place like this!

Wave: (Rolls her Eyes a Bit in Annoyance) To an egregious sense maybe.....(Puts on a Small Smile on her Face) Catch you later then?

Funky: (Happily Nodded) Sure thing. Go out and enjoy yourself, Wave! You've earned it after all the work you've done.

Wave: Thanks, Funky. You too. (Walks Away)

Funky: (Watches Wave Leave Before Going Back to the Crowd) Now, which one of you crazy people are up for a game of LIMBO!!?

'Even More Applause'

Wave: (Walks Ovver to the Trio, Already Annoyed) ('Sigh') Alright. Get it all out of your systems already.

Coco: Why hello here, Wave~

Tails: Whatever do you mean exactly?~

Wave: (Glares at her Felliw Tech Friends) Oh don't even try and play the innocent card on me, you little twerps! I can tell by the look in your dumb faces that you're gonna the annoy the hell outta me over this.

Coco: (Chuckles Lightly) Hey, considering all the times you tease us on being a potential couple, it's only fair we find some way to return a flavor~

Tails: All's fair in love and harmless teasings~

Wave: ('Ugh') Whatever. (Turns to an Giddied Up Amy Rose) And what are you smiling about over there?

Amy: Oho nothing too noteworthy!~ Just admiring the fact that a bookworm like you is having yourself a school girl crush~

Wave: (Was About to Ipen her Mou-)

Amy: Don't even try to deny it. (Forms a Bit of a Teasing Smirk of her Own) We seen the way you look and talk to him over there. You're in looove~

Tails and Coco hold onto to each other hands and starts making kissy noises just to get under Wave's skin.

Wave: (Comically Glares at the Duo Again) Will you cut that out!? I'm not crushing over Funky!....At...least not completely!

Amy, Coco, and Tails stares at their blushing swallow friend, unconvinced on everything she's telling them.

Wave: ('Sighs in Defeat') Okay, so maybe I do have a tiny bit of mushy feelings for him these days. We've been working together on a few business projects as of late. Didn't care for him at first glance, but the more days we work, the....(Starts Blushing a Bit) More I started to enjoy his company a bit. He nice, compassionate with his craftsmanship and profession, and a lot more intelligent than I gave him credit for. He's incredible~

Amy: And just your tyyyyype?~

Wave: ('Sigh') I dunno. Maybe? He's a lot more laid back and outgoing, despite him not being a fan of going out on adventures all that much, oddly enough. Meanwhile, I'm as boring as they come, or as Storm would irritatingly put it...."A Killjoy".

Tails: (Gives Wave a More Reassuring Smile Along with Coco) Come on, Wave, you're none of those things.

Coco: Yeah. I mean, you can be a real pain sometimes, but you're still cool be around in our books.

Wave: (Turns to Coco With Genuine Surprised on her Face) Wow. That.....might be the most nicest thing you've ever said about me yet, kid. Thanks.

Coco: No problem. Don't expect this to be a recurring thing though. (Smirks Again) You're still a nagging know-it-all in my eyes.

Wave: (Smirks Back at Coco) ('Hmph') And you're still a half pint brat.

Coco: Better than being bossy.

Wave: Better than being annoying.

Coco: Better than being an eyesore.

Wave: Takes one to know one, brat.

Coco: Hey, I am PLEASANT to be around!

Wave: Could've fooled me.

Coco: Yeah, well....(Continues Arguing with Wave)

Tails: (Sighs While Watching his Two Tech Friends Bickering With One Another Again) It was fine to see two get along while it lasted, albeit a few seconds. (Turns to See Amy Writing Something Down on her Mini Notebook) Whatcha writing over there, Amy?

Amy: A few confessional and romantic ideas. I'm gonna help make Wave's dating dream come to reality and I want you and Coco to help me.

Tails: (Gives Amy an Uncertain Look on his Face) You sure you want our help on this? We're not really that knowledgeable when it comes to anything romance related.

Amy: Yeah, but you guys know Wave way better than I do these days, so you're crucial for this operation. (Gives Tails the Sad Puppy Dog Look) Plus, I really want us to spend more time together these days~ I miss you-

Tails: ('Sigh') Lower those eyes, Ames, we'll help out. Just.....don't expect this operation to go as flawlessly as you hoped.....Also, I missed you too.

Amy happily pulls Tails into a loving hug as they continue to enjoy their time at the beach together.

@albion-93

@ma-lemons

@caleb13frede

@bestpony666

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Ruggie Bucchi New Year's Attire Voice Lines

When Summoned: Alllright, this is all for the madol... Guess I gotta go all out! Welcome!

Summon Line: Time for me to show off my skills as a resourceful employee. I'm gonna get those customers to spend all their money!

Groooovy!!: Me, I got no plans to lose in a game with money on the line. You ready to break down 'n cry yet?

Home: 'Kay, I'm gonna go make a ton of money!

Home Idle 1: During this break, I took a short trip back home. I showed my grandma my improved grades, 'n she was super happy for me.

Home Idle 2: It's pretty neat havin' this sash holding up my sleeves so they don't get in my way. I bet I could use this while wearing other outfits too, so I better learn how to tie it up.

Home Idle 3: Snow kinda looks real tasty. Bet if I covered it in some kinda syrup, I'd be able to eat a whole lot. I wonder if it'd be okay if I just had some while no one's lookin'?

Home Idle - Login: Happy New Year! I wanna make this one another year where I don't gotta worry 'bout food, and I don't gotta work too hard.

Home Idle - Groovy: Did you actually use madol for your snowman's eyes!? What if someone takes... Oh, it's fake.

Home Tap 1: Urk, it's so cold! Waking up was real hard today, manー ...What's with that look? Even hard-workin' guys like me have days we don't want to get out a bed too, y'know.

Home Tap 2: Maan, this job's pretty demanding. I gotta eat twice as much as usual, or I'm gonna starve.

Home Tap 3: Apparently, in the East, there's this custom where they give gifts of money for New Year's. Man, I'm so jealous～

Home Tap 4: Yooo, Cater-san's super cheery and real good at sellin' stuff, and is great with the customers. It's a relief that he's on my team.

Home Tap 5: You want me to show you what we got for sale? Sure, but once you finish listenin' to my spiel, you're gonna want everything so bad your wallet's gonna be empty by the end of it.

Home Tap - Groovy: Eh, you brought me some snacks? I ain't gonna give 'em back, even if you ask for 'em back, okay? ...Yay! Heheh, thanks.

Duo: [RUGGIE]: Cater-san, we're definitely gonna win! [CATER]: Duh, let's go, Ruggie-kun!

Requested by Anonymous.

[dizziedupthegirl]

. DIZZIE'S XMEN DR; a playlist .

below youll find songs that i associate with my xmen dr, as well as a lyric from it. some are not time era accurate but idc hehe...enjoy!

~

TEENAGER. BETTER THAN EZRA; "and if it feels good do it. 'cause if it tastes fine to drink. well theres a range of possibilities to find, teenager"

🎵

NAME. THE GOO GOO DOLLS; "nd now we're grown up orphans that never knew their names. we don't belong to no one that's a shame. you could hide beside me maybe for a while, and I won't tell no one your name. and I won't tell 'em your name"

🎵

HATE THIS PLACE. THE GOO GOO DOLLS; "can you feel it? I didn't mean it. can I see you? what are we doin'? I think I love you. but I ain't sayin' nothin' you don't know. hold on dreamaway. you're my sweet charade"

🎵

BABA O'RILEY. THE WHO; "teenage wasteland. It's only teenage wasteland. teenage wasteland. oh, yeah, teenage wasteland. they're all wasted!"

🎵

DESPERATLEY WANTING. BETTER THAN EZRA; "when they turn you on again, when they turn you on again. I remember running through the wet grass falling a step behind. both of us never tiring, desperately wanting."

🎵

BIG MACHINE. THE GOO GOO DOLLS; "now this angry little girl, drowning in this petty world and I'm who you run to. swallow all your bitter pills, that's what makes you beautiful. you're all or not, I don't need what you ain't got. I'm torn in pieces. I'm blind and waiting for my heart is reeling. I'm blind and waiting for you"

🎵

ELECTRIC AVENUE. EDDY GRANT; "workin' so hard like a soldier, can't afford a thing on TV. deep in my heart, I abhor ya. can't get food for them kid good god! we gonna rock down to electric avenue and then we'll take it higher (oh) we gonna rock down to electric avenue and then we'll take it higher!"

🎵

REBEL YELL. BILLY IDOL; "in the midnight hour, she cried, "more, more, more" with a rebel yell, she cried, "more, more, more," wow! in the midnight hour, babe, "more, more, more" with a rebel yell, "more, more, more! more, more, more"

can yall guess my favorite band? hehe

~

asks are always open! pick from a prompt here, or here, or here! and all my drs can be found here 🥰

[astrobravo]

For day 1 of Scoteng Week! I did write it on day 1 but I needed to gather courage to post

I attempted to write Scotland's accent. I'm sorry.

Prompt: Anger from worry / Inconvenient Attraction

Summary: A dialogue-only fic about a sexventure gone wrong between the lads, but it all comes out okay in the end. ♡

—

“Hold still ye fucken weapon. Almost… almost– uh-oh.”

“Uh-oh? What do you mean uh-oh?”

“It slipped again. I don't think this is workin, Arthur–”

“Shut it. Shut your mouth right now and get your fingers back in there and FIX this.”

“I’ve been trying! It’s not moving.”

“It will move! It will move!!!”

“I cannae even SEE it anymore…”

“It’s because you keep shoving it back in with your sausage fingers!! Give it a minute!”

“A minute? I’ve been four fingers deep in yer ass for near an hour and a half!”

"So you’re giving up already. After all you have done to me.”

“After all I've done to ye? Was I the one who came home from the sin shops with a new dildo in MY sustainable canvas shopping bag? Was I the one who laid a towel down on the sofa next to my fuckpal as he was TRYING to watch the footie, stripped down to my skin, stuck my bony chicken legs into the air, and said, in the exact tone of an exhausted cross-town bus driver, 'Turn off the telly and put your back to the plow, beast'?"

“You’re mocking me in my time of crisis. You have inflicted this hell upon me and I’m going to DIE like this and my tombstone will have YOUR FACE ETCHED UPON IT because you will have KILLED ME with your SAUSAGE FINGERS and MOCKED me on my DEATHBED-”

“Ye said ye wanted to stay on the sofa… didye want me to move you to the bed?”

“NO! When this is over you’re going to be sleeping on this couch for the rest of your LIFE, you giant OX-”

“So yer lying on my deathbed then.”

“I can’t believe this. I'm going to die because of your perversions and you're refusing to take my suffering seriously–”

“MY perversions??? That's rich. That's rich!”

"What? You're the one who got so enthusiastic about sticking it to me that the flared base slipped in!”

"YOU SHOULDNAE BOUGHT ONE WITH SUCH WEE BOLLOCKS! USELESS!"

"IT WAS ON SALE! NO ONE ASKED YOU TO GET THAT ENTHUSIASTIC!"

“YE WERE INTO IT!!! YE WERE INTO IT!!!”

“AND NOW IT’S IN ME AND WE’RE BOTH FUCKED!”

"CALM DOWN AND STOP CLENCHING-"

"DON’T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!! I'M CALM! I'M UNCLENCHED!"

“JUST BREATHE!"

"YOU BREATHE! IT'S PRACTICALLY POKING ME IN MY LUNG!"

"OKAY!! Okay. Okay. Arthur… I think it might be time to consider alternative options.”

“We are NOT going to the A&E.”

“Oh, agreed.”

“Wh- you wouldn’t take me to the A&E?”

“I would! Do ye wanna go? Let’s fucken go!”

“No! You know ours is a teaching hospital! I REFUSE to have a gaggle of med students gather around my deathbed and stare into the depths of my fundament with their greasy, judgy, born post-2000 faces! YOU'RE the one who INSISTED on basting me like a Sunday roast-”

“Ye said ya LIKED the slipperiness of the new lube!!"

"-and now look where your decisions have brought us."

"We're getting off track. Arthur, listen to me. There's one thing we haven't tried yet."

"OH and you were saving it for a rainy day? A special occasion? The diamond jubilee?"

"I got up to four in you."

"I'm WELL AWARE-"

"What if. Five."

"..."

"Now hear me out-"

"Your hands are the size of garden trowels-"

"-I could get a better grip-"

"-and you want to rummage around in me and pluck it out like the last crisp in the bag? I've SEEN the poor crisp bags after you're done having your way with them-"

"-pull it right out, and then we'll worry nae more about it."

"-shredded! Like a fox went through the bins!"

"It's either this or the med students."

"..."

"..."

"You'll go slow."

"Slow as ye please."

"And you'll stop when I say."

"Aye, the very moment."

"Christ alive. Fine. Fine. Get in me."

"Alrigh', let me lube up–"

"TO YOUR FOREARM?"

"I've been staring into your asshole for almost two hours. I'm doin what I gotta do here. Alright, I'm goin in."

"FUCKING HELL don't START with four!"

"It's fine, look, they slid right in. There we go. And, breathe in-"

"Ugh–"

"Alrigh', just hold it there, keep breathing, you're doing so well–"

"Hah…hah… huff…"

"That's it. That's it. I'm gonna tuck my thumb in now, just keep breathing–"

"Christ–!"

"Don' tense up on me now! Easy, easy, let me in– oh."

"Alasdair…"

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm in ye. I'm all in. I can feel your heartbeat around me. Yer holding me so tight, yer burning up inside…"

"Wha… the fuck– are you getting hard right now?"

"I cannae help it, you're so open and soft and clenching so tight on me, maybe don't do tha'–"

"BECAUSE YOUR HAND IS UP MY ASS! Let me put my hand up your ass and see if you clench, you insufferable bastard!'

"God, I love ye."

"Wha...did you seriously– HOW DARE THE FIRST TIME YOU SAY THAT BE WHEN YOUR HAND IS UP MY ASS! I demand a do-over!!!"

"Every day, sweetheart, as much as ye like. Just a little deeper, let me in…

"Haa… haa…"

"Oh- I've found the end of it! Hold on now, you're doing so well, don't clench– I got it… I got it, hold on!"

"Guh- BE GENTLE!!"

"Sorry, sorry. Ok. Ok I've got a good grip. Gonnae gently draw it out. Breathe in–"

"Hah, hah… ha-ah!"

"Here it comes, breathe–"

"Alasdair– GAH!"

"It's out! It's out!"

"Haah…"

"I don't see any blood, I think yer alright. You're still open a little–"

"Dont look… -hic- don't– -sniff-"

"It's alright. It's alright. Just let it out. C'mere, lemme hold ye."

"-Sniff- No, you don't have to…"

"Ow, fuck, fucken elbows like scythes– there."

"I hate you."

"It's alright. I love ye."

"I…love you, too. Unfortunately."

"My condolences."

♡　The End　♡

[lewmagoo]

Sick prompts 14 and 38 with Rhett??

14. “you’re delirious. you forgot my name today.”

38. “i feel like i was hit by a train. everything hurts.”

rhett did not handle being sick very well. he hated being laid up for long periods of time, unable to get things done. a lot of times, he would simply force himself to work through whatever it was that was ailing him. but every once in a while, a particularly gnarly sickness would knock him flat on his back.

this time around, it started out with a headache. you could tell something was wrong when he got up that morning. when he sat up in bed, he promptly fell back against the mattress, letting out a groan and holding his head in his hands. beside him, you stirred, shifting closer to him. "what's wrong?" you softly asked. he grunted, his eyes screwing shut. "m'head hurts like a bitch," he replied, voice raspy from sleep. you propped yourself up on your elbow, a little more alert then as you cooed at him.

"oh, honey. you want some excedrin?" came your offer. you knew if he was reacting this way, it had to be hurting something fierce. you barely made out the muffled "yeah," he let out from under the arm he'd slung over his face. you were quick to reach into your bedside table drawer and pull out a bottle of headache medicine, followed by the water bottle you always kept beside the bed. you handed both to rhett and he downed a double dose of pills along with a long swig of water.

although the pain was incessant, he couldn't very well stay in bed all day. he forced himself to get up, though he was moving rather slow as he got ready for the day. he couldn't even lean down to kiss you, because it sent a godawful throb striking through his head if he lowered down that way. instead, you kissed the top of his hand and gave it a squeeze. "i love you. hope your head feels better," you said. he hummed gruffly in response, and then he was gone.

you should've known it would only get worse. later that day, you received a call from your brother-in-law. you thought it odd for him to be calling you, because he never did so. you had a sneaking suspicion it was about rhett. and sure enough, when you answered, the first words out of perry's mouth were, "i think ya need to come get rhett. we were workin' on the fence and he kinda just...dropped. he's insisting he's fine but i don't think so."

concern washed over you, and you were already rushing out to your truck. "be there soon. keep a close eye on him, alright?" once perry agreed, you hung up and jumped in the truck. you knew why he called you instead of 911. the hospital was so far out, and it was much quicker for you to come and get him. your place wasn't too far from the abbott ranch, so you were able to reach your husband in no time.

as you jumped out of the truck, you saw rhett sitting on the tailgate of his own truck, hands resting on his knees, head bent low. you called out his name, and he lifted his head to see you approaching. "talk to me, baby," you urged. instinctively, you reached up to press your hand to his forehead, gasping when you found that he was burning up. "i feel like i was hit by a train. everythin' hurts," he moaned. "okay, let's get you home," you gently coaxed, helping him to his feet.

"but the truck," he weakly protested. you shook your head, wrapping an arm around his waist as you led him to your vehicle. "perry can bring it by later. right now, we're getting you home and into bed," you explained. a twinge of worry passed through you. for him to be in such a state must mean he was really sick. you desperately hoped it wasn't a hospital worthy sickness.

with perry's help, you got rhett into the passenger's seat of your truck, and soon, you were heading back toward home. rhett had his head resting against the glass, and by the time you pulled into your driveway, he'd nearly fallen asleep. "c'mon sweet man, let's go inside," you urged. he slid out of the truck and allowed you to guide him up to the house. when you got him to the bedroom, you had him sit on the edge of the bed while you went to grab the thermometer.

moments later, you were coaxing him to open his mouth as you pressed the device under his tongue. while you waited for it to read his temperature, you lovingly brushed his hair out of his face. he looked so out of it, the poor thing. eyes glassy, cheeks flushed. you wanted nothing more than to hold him in your arms and take away his pain. but your reverie was interrupted when the thermometer began beeping. you pulled it away to find that he had a temperature of 101.9, which explained why he was so weak.

you cradled his face in your hands. "poor babe. i'm so sorry you're not feeling well. let me get you out of these clothes and into bed." you helped him undress, stripping him to his underwear. rhett preferred to sleep in just his underwear, so you didn't see any point in trying to dress him. instead, you guided him underneath the covers. then you drew the blinds so the light wasn't irritating his headache.

for he next twenty-four hours, you took care of your husband. through the night, his temperature climbed. you did all you could to keep him comfortable. the higher the fever went, the more weak he became. he was out of it, fading in and out of a fever dream. seeing him in such a state broke your heart. you'd never seen him like this. even when he'd sustained considerable injuries after a ride. this was a side of him you were unfamiliar with. he could not take care of himself. he fully depended on you to do so.

the next morning, he was still out of it. so much so that uttering a coherent sentence was difficult. most of his words were slurred. it was sort of cute, but sad at the same time. especially when he said, "y'take really good care of me. my wife would like you." after which, he promptly fell back asleep. you sighed softly, running your fingers through his sweat-dampened hair. "please pull through for me, baby. you're breaking my heart," you whispered.

that evening, he seemed a little less out of it. still delirious, but a little more coherent. you were able to sit him up in bed and feed him some soup. as you did so, he shot you a rather dopey smile. "you're pretty," he hummed. you simply shook your head. "and you're delirious. you forgot my name today," came your response. his brow furrowed. "how could i forget the name of the most beautiful person in the world?" he asked, sounding so serious about it. "okay, now i know you're literally out of your mind with fever," you teased.

hearing his humor coming back gave you some relief, because that meant he must have been beginning to feel better. you continued to keep a close eye on him throughout the night, pressing cool, damp cloths to his skin as needed. much to your all consuming relief, rhett's fever broke sometime in the wee hours of the morning. as the sun rose above the horizon, those clear blue eyes opened, and they were the prettiest sight you ever did see.

"hey there, sweet man," you whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. he made a noise deep in his throat, burrowing against you. "feel like i've been through hell and back," he murmured. "you have been," you agreed. "you had me scared there for a minute. i've never seen you like that." he looked up at you, brow furrowed. "'m sorry," he mumbled. you smiled, hand trailing down to rest against his cheek. what a relief that it was no longer hot to the touch. "don't ever do that to me again, alright?" you chided. "yes ma'am," rhett agreed.

[thefreakydeaky]

After the Thrill is Gone

Part thirteen Fourteen

Negan Smith x Reader

Daryl Dixon x Reader

Modern AU

Summary: From the first moment you laid eyes on Negan you were inexplicabley drawn to him. The passion between you is hot and only grows more intense the longer you see each other. There is only one problem, you're both married to other people.

Warnings: Dark Fic , Rape/Noncon, Violence, Stalking, Stalker behavior, Smuttyness, Adult Language...

"Yeah, every Wednesday he gets so drunk he can't get home and every Wednesday we find ourselves driving him there." Rick told you all of a local congressman.

You laughed then took another sip of your beer.

"Good to know we're not the most boring town you've ever worked in." Daryl commented

"Not by far." Rick assured him. "The first town I ever worked in, my hometown was a one stop light town. Now that was boring."

After you had helped Lori clean up, as mich as she would allow you to anyway, you got ready to leave. You gatheres your kids and reminded them to retrieve anything they had brought with them. As Hunter went to retrieve his handheld video game, you looked ahead and saw Daryl and Rick talking still near the back door that led to the backyard. Your husband's stoney expression worried you. Rick had a hand on Daryl's shoulder and from the look on his face the conversation was definitely serious.

Not wanting Wyatt to notice, you turned your face back to your kids. It turned out you hadn't had a reason to do so as you noticed he was busy talking to Carl. Both the boys' eyes were on the screen of Carl's phone.

Oh Great. You thought. He's gonna ask us to get him a phone again.

It was an argument that kept coming up as he got older. He insisted that he needed a smart phone and you and your husband insisted that if a situation arose where he needed to call someone there was always a phone he could borrow from the person he was with. It wasn't as if you allowed your child to go off anywhere on his own yet. He was too young to be responsible enough yet. Wyatt of course did not understand and continued with increasing frequency to ask you for his own device.

Daryl came in from the back yard then. You smiled a little. He looked at you and there was something dark in his eyes some emotion you couldn't quite name. You took a breath and looked away. You turned your attention to saying good bye to Lori and her family and picking up Millie. You took hold of Hunter's free hand and followed Lori to the door which she held open for you.

"Thank you again." You said as you went passed her.

The drive back to your house was quiet. Daryl was usually quiet, but his mind seemed preoccupied with some worry or another.

That night as you were getting ready for bed you could feel Daryl watching you undress. You felt a bit self conscious, but tried not to show it.

"I thought we were gettin' better." Daryl said suddenly. "I thought we were makin' progress, but we aren't are we?"

You turned, surprised by his remark.

"We are. I think we are. You don't?"

His green eyes were on your chest until you pulled your night dress over you covering up.

He sighed.

"Doesn't feel like it...lately."

You frowned.

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, we did...our homework once and that was a month ago maybe more." He watched you get into bed beside him. "You've been actin' weird. real weird for a while now and I'm not sure what to make of it."

You tried to keep your expression neutral.

"The only thing new I've had on my mind is Wyatt playing baseball. It worries me. I don't want him learning from that-that man." You finished lamely.

Daryl nodded.

"And that's all it is. Stress?"

"Yeah, Just stress." You assured him.

He rolled onto his side, closer to you.

You did the same, facing him.

"I know we still have a long way to go toward workin' this out, but I hope we're learnin' that we can talk to each other about anythin' that's botherin' us, anythin' that's goin' on. That we can trust each other." Hesitantly, he reached for your hand.

You took it into yours and held on gently.

"We're tough enough to face whatever comes at us, together." He told you.

You looked into his serious forest green eyes and then down at your hands, entwined. You weren't entirely sure you believed his words to be true.

•••••••••••••••••••••

The sun shone brightly above you as you pushed Millie's stroller down the sidewalk. You could see the tall figure of Negan standing by a bench near the empty playground in a black wind breaker and matching black pants.

He said your name as you neared.

"I'm sorry. My clock must be behind I thought I was on time-"

He reached for you. You flinched as he pulled you into a hug and kissed the top of your head. You felt your hair move slightly as he inhaled your scent.

"Now, now, calm down, Doll. You're on time. I got here a little early. That's all."

You were somewhat relieved by the revelation, but remained wary.

He let go of you and bent over to release Millie from her seat.

Together the three of you walked over to the little covered playground. Negan set your daughter down onto the first stair so she could climb up to the slide and you waited near the bottom where the slide wound down like the bottom of a twister.

You watched as Millie climbed the steps and used the metal posts to steady herself. She took a big step up and sat down at the mouth of the slide. She giggled as she slid down. You caught her at the bottom then walked her back to where Negan was so he could set her on the stairs again. Then you went back to the slide.

"So, does he suspect anything?" He asked casually.

You thought back on the conversation you had with Daryl.

"I don't know." You kept your eyes on Millie as you brought her to Negan again.

"Well is he acting different, talking to you different, asking questions?"

You sighed.

"He said that I've been weird. So, I told him it's because I'm stressing about Wyatt being in baseball."

"Hmm." Negan helped Millie back up the stairs.

"I can't help, but be stressed having this part of my life collide with my family life, my home life. I constantly feel like Daryl will notice some random thing and somehow that'll make him put it all together. To be honest, living like this, it's exhausting."

"Is that why you tried to end it with me? Stress?"

You nodded.

"Although, it's definitely more stressful now than it was then."

"Your life would have become complicated even if you hadn't tried to break up with me. I would have ended up being Wyatt's teacher anyway. I'm the only Gym teacher at that school."

You frowned.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

You caught Millie and placed her on your hip.

Negan came over to your side. He ran a hand over your baby's head then did the same to you.

"My beautiful girls." He said the words with something like ownership in his tone. It made you shiver unpleasantly. "Why don't we go for a walk?" He took your free hand in his and led the way off the playground.

You set Millie onto her feet and held her hand in one of yours, Negan's hand in the other. You walked along the trail together quietly for a time. Not thinking about what he had done to you was nearly impossible, but you had to try otherwise you would follow your instincts and flinch away from his touch. He wouldn't like that.

"Have you thought about putting Millie into pre-k?" He asked.

You gasped.

"Pre-k? She's only three."

"She'll be four soon enough and there's a pre-kinder class at that religious school, Sacred Heart. You can start looking into it now. See what you'll need to get her acepted and registered, that way she'll be set next fall."

You frowned.

"That's a private school. We don't have the money to-"

"Don't worry about money. I know someone in the front office who can get her a scholarship. I'll take care of that part of it. You just tell Daryl you found a scholarship program. He's not gonna say no if it's free."

She nodded. It felt gross to be discussing parenting decisions with Negan when Daryl had been the one by your side raising Millie with you. You swallowed your distaste to get through the visit.