#ch: fiona gallagher

[soulc-hilde]

Ch. 02 - No Good Fridays

A/N: Even though the gif would've been perfect for the first chapter seeing as this happened in episode 1, I'll still use it because Jeremy's face is just perfect!

Pairing: Lip Gallagher x Black!OFC

Warning(s): Follows the FX tv show, Shameless, viewer discretion be advised. Depictions of grooming as well as non-consensual acts being mentioned, depictions and ideations of suicide, depictions of drug and alcohol abuse, racial and homophobic slurs, mentions of CPS/CYS and foster care, depictions and mentions of consensual sexual acts, depictions of violence (gun and maybe gang), depictions of mental health, depictions of inherited addiction, and so much fucking more.

Synopsis: All Lip Gallagher ever had was family and despite the praise over his intellect, the health and wellbeing of his people were far more important than him furthering his education. Lecroy was a young girl destined to face abandonment until the Gallagher clan came through. Using her own skillset and connects to build a better life for those she loves, she ties Lip and his family to her hip.

Two of the greatest events in television history will broadcast tonight. One - The UFC pay-per-view and two - The Deadliest Catch Season Finale. Such a big event, that Frank went as far as trying to tie his soiled hair in a ponytail before meeting his little friends at the Alibi. Behind him, two cars pull in at the same time. Steve and Ian jump out the black BMW coupe with bags in their hands while Lecroy follows suit.

As the crew began to set up before the show, Lecroy's once relaxed posture turns fridged at the sight of Karen in the living room with Lip. Rather than greeting the boy, she walks past him and into the kitchen with Ian and Steve to grab the food.

"Burgers comin' through," Ian sings, leaving the kitchen. Fiona turns over her shoulder, "uh, Lip, napkins." Karen takes a step forward, "I can do it," but Lip was already ahead of her. "I got it," he shakes his head.

Fiona raises an interested eyebrow, studying the interaction. Wanting to test a theory, she watches as he goes for the kitchen as well, passing the only - other - positive woman in his life. "Hey, Peaches," he greets with a small smile.

However, he receives a rushed head nod and nothing else. Both of Fiona's eyebrows raise as she bites her bottom lip. Oh, great, a pissed off Murphy and a possibly puppy-eyed Lip, the eldest Gallagher huffs to herself.

"Only ketchup," Steve reads off the order. Debbie raises her hand, "me!" He then reads off the next one, "extra onions, jalapenos." V opens the front door, taking it, "me."

She climbs over the couch, landing beside Fiona just as Carl makes his way over. He tries to grab at her cookies only for her to pull it back, "uh-aht-aht, after you finish your shake and fries."

He sits back with a slight pout. Lecroy laughs, patting the back of his head softly before sitting him in her lap on the couch. "It's okay," she whispers, "I'll get you your cookies, bubba."

He now smiles, happily diving into his sandwich. V turns, catching sight of the unfamiliar blonde in her peripheral, "who's this?" Lip answers, coming back with napkins, "this is Karen."

"Hey, Karen. Nice top," V greets her, "what size are you?" Fiona cuts in, waving her hand, "shh! Shut up." As the narrator of the show begins to talk, Lecroy softly nudges V with her elbow.

The two meet eyes as the copper haired teen bounces her eyebrows before rolling her eyes. V's mouth drops, mouthing an understanding, "oh." In other words, Lecroy reminded the woman that Karen was the blonde neighborly pass around who not only is stealing her best friend, but is just an all round nuisance.

After watching maybe like... 2-3 minutes in? A bloody, pouting drunk Frank returns to the house, slamming the front door closed. Everyone turns, watching him with humor and wonder; mostly wondering who out of every Southside resident had the urge to rightfully punch him.

"You okay, Frank?" Steve asks, face scrunching with sympathy. Lecroy, on the other hand, snickers to herself. "Hey," Ian starts, eyes noticing something strange on his deadbeat father. He follows after the man from his seat. "That my shirt?"

At the question, the boy's father stops and turns in silence. On guard, Lecroy carefully sits Carl between herself and V in case she'd have to launch at the man. "Yeah," Frank nods, stepping towards Ian.

His son slowly steps back, shaking his head, "uh, I'm just asking." Frank nods, forcing his forehead down onto Ian's nose with enough force that the teen flies and lands on the table. Everyone jumps, screaming as Fiona begins asking Ian if he was okay.

"Guy in the bar said to pass it on," Frank explains. Immediately, Lecroy pounces at the father.

Sending a right hook at his trachea, the older man collapses to his knees as he fights for oxygen. Clasping onto his throat, wheezing, his eyes widen with delay as her denim clad knee jabs into his glabella. His body falls back without resistance, comparable to a ragdoll.

Steve and Fiona's eyes widen as they try to pull her away from him. Steve's arms wrap under her arms as he tries to lift her away. Fiona calls out, urgently, "wait, no, don't--" but it was too late. Lecroy's elbow forces down into the man's ribs eliciting a gasp, edging on a whimper, to escape.

"She's so strong," he winces, holding his sides. Keeping face, he turns to glare at the drunkard. "You don't do this to your kids, Frank," he grits his teeth. "What are you, a tough guy, Steve? You think you're a fucking tough guy?" Frank teases.

He steps forward, "because you look like a premenstrual Filipino." He points at a glaring Lecroy who stood beside a wincing Ian. "If anyone's tough, it's that baboon bitch--"

Without hesitating, the girl picks up the tray of milkshakes and hurls it at him. He stubbles back, slightly hissing at the sting, glaring toward the teen.

"What the fuck, Frank?!" Lip belts in outrage, happily watching her mop the floor with him. "What the hell did he just call her?!" V shouts, pushing Carl to hide behind her back.

"You wanna come at me, Babygirl," he teases, "then let's go. Let's see how long you'd sit in Juvie this time. Even better, that might put ya in the loony bin."

She forces him against the wall, gripping him by the collar. Repeatedly, she forces him against it until Steve forces her off without getting hit again. Fiona hops in front of the girl, bending down in hopes catching her eye would settle the teen.

The older woman's eyes water at the dark, dead eyes that seem to stare through her. "C'mon, Le," Fiona quietly pleads, "calm down. He's not worth it, okay? Not again."

She pulls her into her chest, hugging her tightly, "go upstairs and calm down, a'ight. It's okay, it's okay." Feeling her shoulders slacken, Fiona slowly turns her to the steps, not allowing Frank to fall in her sight.

As the teen shuffles up the stairs, silent, like a zombie, Fiona turns to the others. Steve puffs his chest, ready to swing on Frank, but she quickly pushes him back and gets between the two. "Steve, go. Get out. Hey, just go!" She orders.

"Please," she pleads, she points at the door as Debbie softly shows him out with a skillet still in hand. "Come on," Franks yells, "don't go. Come on. Puss, puss, puss."

On the table with napkins trying to stop the bleeding, Ian chokes on some blood that slips down his throat. "Ice," V orders. Frank brushes his hair back, "it's a bloody nose. He's not dyin'."

"Shut the fuck up, Frank," V grits, her mind overworked and exhausted as it bounced from Ian being hit by his own father to the man egging on a 16-year-old with explosive anger.

He goes to walk away before turning to them, "anybody notice that I'm bleedin'?" Ian waves away everyone's hands, marching up the stairs, "I got it. Where's Croy?" Lip follows after him, the brothers now in search of the manic girl.

Lodged in the boys' bedroom, Lecroy sat on Ian's bed with a lit blunt hanging from between her lips. Instead of actively inhaling and exhaling the substance, she simply partook in allowing the smoke to swirl inside her body with every passive breath in and shooting out of her nostrils with every breath out.

Her onyx eyes take a pitch of black that gives her a soulless appearance in the nearly dark room. They stare at the floor with a blank glare, not a thought emerging behind those pretty eyes. Lip and Ian, hell anyone who's a part of the Gallagher's close circle, was no stranger to Lecroy's bursts of rage.

It was as if she was her own Hulk, but without the heroic music playing in the background. She could threaten to tear a building from the inside out and mean it, enjoying the pain that licked at her skin with every hit. To the Gallaghers' it was a part of who she was, who they knew Lecroy to be. In her family, however, this was an unspoken of reality for them; a curse, as her grandmother would put it.

Each Gallagher teen takes a seat on her sides. Lip gently pulls the blunt from her lips, inhaling some for himself as Ian changed shirts. "You should've hi'im' back," Lip opens the conversation.

Ian looks down at him, "if I ever do, I'll fucking kill him." The blip of anger seeps between his teeth as he forces the clean shirt over his head. He nods to the blanked out girl between them. "Besides, Le was ahead on that mission," he scoffs, humorlessly.

"So?" Lip shrugs, "eight to ten for manslaughter. Get laid as often as you want. Tattoos and everything. It's gay heaven, man." Rather than respond, Ian takes his seat beside Lecroy, blotting at the blood on his face.

He takes the offered blunt before passing it back. Feeling her bones come to a settle from the enraged shaking underneath her skin, the girl begins to slowly blink as she comes to reality. Noticing the loss of weed in her lungs, she grabs the blunt from Ian's fingers and places it between her lips.

Lip, who waited his turn in the session, softly smiles and lands a quick peck on the girl's temple. The three musketeers, as always, had won another battle against the world. Rather than going home, she stayed the night at the Gallaghers.

In the morning, she cooks breakfast while Debbie sets off to steal the neighbor's paper in search for coupons and Ian, with the help of V, steals milk and creamer from Conrad, the local delivery guy for all the corner stores. Basically, a regular Friday.

Plating up the food, it was a simple menu of sunny side eggs with toast and bacon. Setting a plate down for every Gallagher, she received the usual thanks -- one of them being a soft pat on the rear by Lip -- as Ian sat a half gallon of milk on the table.

"Don't forget V's coupons," Debbie states. The boy nods, walking back outside. In the meantime, Fiona comes down with Liam and grabs the mail. Lip helps her set him up in the high chair.

As she sorts through the mail, gratefully taking the cup of coffee Lecroy made for her, Ian comes back inside with V's coupons. He looks at his sister, "any pizza left from last night?"

Both Fiona and Lecroy glare over at him. "No pizza. Fruit or juice," Fiona answers. Lecroy then states, "besides I'm making a whole breakfast. We've got eggs, bacon, and toast. Take it."

The two girls smile at his disgruntled yet satisfied look. "OJ's in the top, grape's in the bottom drawer," she directs. Over at the table, Debbie reads off all the coupons they've received.

"Poptarts, Frosted Flakes, Bisquick, Heinz Ketchup, and ooh-ooh! Even got a couple two-for-ones for Tide," the young auburn girl grins, waving the coupon beside her head.

Leaving the fridge, Ian looks over at her, "any coupons for meat?" She nods, "yeah. They got a special on ground chuck at Costco and Hot Pockets." Fiona chuckles, "great. We'll go tomorrow."

Lecroy sits between Liam and Lip, feeding the toddler some eggs and finely crumbled pieces of bacon. As his pouty lips fumble around the tips of the plastic fork, slowly swallowing the egg, Lip watches the two. He sets a sippy cup filled with milk in front of her. She sends him a small smile before giving it to Liam.

"Lip, you seen Frank?" Fiona asks, after reading the postal stamp on a yellow envelope. The teen pauses, swallowing, "uh, no." She hums, "what day is it?" He answers again with a sigh, "Friday. Why?"

Fiona skips up the stairs, searching for him without an answer. A firm knock rings from the back door, Ian sets down a plate in front of Carl before answering. Lecroy side-eyes the boy as he licks at the yolk, shooting a piece of bacon at his forehead.

He glances up at her, a small frown taking over his face. She sends a mocking one back, "eat your food, not disrupt the masses."

From behind him, Steve walks through with donuts and cups from the local coffee shop. "Mornin' campers," he greets them.

"Whoa, what'chu got?" Lip asks.

"Jelly, plain, and glazed," he sets the stuff down, winking at Lecroy, "I even got you a couple bostons saved."

The girl smiles, "and to think, I was gon'a be mad that you interrupted a healthy breakfast. All's good now." The two laugh as he hands her the cup labeled: 'hot chai latte.'

He leans over, watching as Carl continues to lick at the yolk of his eggs as Lecroy was distracted. Quickly, he takes a piece of bread from his plate, quickly tapping it against the yolk as the boy side-eyes him.

"Bet you hate when that happens," he teases. Ian scoffs in disgust, "they're his tits. It's the only reason he eats eggs."

Lecroy shakes her head, "I've stopped the ranting and just started throwing things at him," she leans over, playfully glaring at the boy, "like a dog."

Debbie's face scrunches in disgust, "he just licked that one." Fiona comes down the stairs, slowing at the sight of Steve. She looks down, noticing the donuts and coffee.

"Oh, great," she sighs. "Le and I've been trying to get them to eat a healthy breakfast." Munching on a boston creme, Lecroy mindlessly waves the older woman off.

"I already chewed him out about it, Fi," she pauses mid-chew and side eyes her, "the bostons are mine."

Steve smirks, gesturing to the table, "I bought all the essential morning food groups: caffeine, sugar, lard," he lands a peck on her lips, leaning back with a content hum.

She pulls him to the side, "I'm sorry about last night." He shakes his head, "never apologize for your parents. Believe me, I don't. So you can let go of that." Flustered, she sends him a quick smile before looking at the group with a confused frown.

"Has anybody seen Dad?" She asks once again. Debbie answers, "he was asleep behind the armchair." Fiona sighs, marching for the chair with the others following with curiosity.

Leaning over the back of the chair, her face scrunches as she snatches at the polyester material. "It's a tent," she acknowledges, turning to the others, "why is there a tent in the living room?"

"Oh, uh, drying it out," Ian confesses, "ROTC training in Wisconsin next week."

Debbie bends down, "I thought it was Dad. I left him a cup of coffee LeLe made this morning." She picks up the cup, "I thought I heard him say thanks."

Fiona leaves without a word, most likely going to V and Kev's for answers. Fiona returns with a final declaration, "I think Dad's missin'." Like clockwork, Lecroy and the Gallaghers start calling across the neighborhood in hopes anyone had seen the drunkard.

"Hey, Ted," Lip speaks into the phone, "yeah. Yeah. Since Michael Jackson died?"

Debbie sits on the landline, "hey, John, it's Debbie. Have you seen Frank since last night?"

Laying on the floor in the doorway of the living room and the kitchen, Lecroy is caught up in her own two conversations on two phones. One being with her mother:

"Yeah, has he been checked in at all since last night? This morning?" She pauses, "nah, ma, everything's fine... somewhat. The old bastard done went Houdini."

And the other being her boss, or dad:

"Baba, I know," she huffs as the man falls into a rant, "yeah, you wouldn't let him in the shop, regardless, I just need to know if you've seen him? I don't care if you drove past his body on the sidewalk, it'll count."

Fiona stations herself on the couch, "since last night, at the Alibi."

Ian sat on a phone as well, "sorry about the door. And the window. y-yeah, so, anyways, I was wondering; have you seen Frank?"

"Hello, has Frank been down at the department say last night or this morning?" V asks the receptionist at the Police station.

All of a sudden the landline from her house is snatched out of the window, the phone whipping from her hands. "Shit!" She yells, leaning out the window to see the phone being roped down the sidewalk.

"What the fuck? Motherfucker," She wonders to herself, rushing out of the Gallagher house. Still on the phone, but now sitting up, Lecroy laughs with a shake of her head.

"That's some ghetto ass shit," her smile drops as muffled voices begin cussing her out on both phones.

Laying back down, she blurts out rushed apologies into both receivers, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! No, 'm not shoutin'a' ye'."

Soon after Kev had roped V back to the house, everyone's phone calls came to a stop. "Anything?" Fiona asks, looking at them. They all shake their heads.

Ian answers, "nobody's seen him since yesterday." Debbie whines, her freckled face falling. Fiona consoles her, "hey, hey, don't worry, Debs. We're gon'a find him, okay?"

Her small body falls into small tremors. From behind, Lecroy plants a gentle peck on her crown, softly rubbing her shoulders. Ian leans over, muttering words of comfort.

Fiona looks at everyone, "we split up. All the regular spots, okay? Go."

Everyone splits up. Lip and Karen go together, much to the Murphy's chagrin. Instead, Ian and herself ventured off in her Jeep, pulling off with a screeching. They travel around the block, searching every nook and cranny the piece of shit could possibly hide in.

Even going as far as whipping open port-a-potties until Ian accidentally showcased a shitting man. Quickly, all three scramble to shut the door before the two redheads run off to their next spot.

Rounding corners of junkyards and even the neighbors' backyards, they began dumpster searching for him. It was a great idea until Lecroy loses her grip and front flips into one of the bins.

She leaps out of the stank container with a cry, trembling in disgust as Ian laughs his ass, falling in the alleyway. The duo steals a tarp and tucks it over the driver's seat before returning home. However, things weren't much better there.

Pulling in front of V and Kev's place, they walk in, eyes lighting up at the sight of Fiona and Steve. Stepping deeper in the room, they falter at the sight of Veronica ironing a shirt while topless for the webcam.

Ian smiles at the ridiculous scenery, "hey, V."

The woman's portrayal of some sort of sexy housewife doesn't falter as she greets him back, "hey, Ian."

Lecroy, on the other hand, couldn't snatch her eyes off of the woman's breast, blinking with a deadpan. "God, I love women," she mutters shamelessly.

"Um, sorry, Fiona," Ian changes the subject, "Debbie needs you. It's bad." Lecroy nods, jaw clenching as her focus falls back onto what brought them in the first place.

Back in the Gallagher house, a panicking Debbie sobs as she's surrounded by everyone. "Again, Debbie," Fiona speaks. The girl fumbles across her words, sounding as if she was singing hymns.

"Uh, Holly thought she saw a body under the tracks on Halsted," Ian explains. Fiona looks at him in shock, "what?" Steve denies the false tale, "it's not him, Debs, or the police would've contacted us by now."

Lecroy pats her head gently, "besides, it's Holly, honey. She's been in the third grade for four years." Fiona nearly growls, "I'm gonna deck that little bitch."

The Murphy girl shakes her head, "let me do it. I got a pre-buried hole in my backyard anyways." For a second, Steve pauses and glances at the teen with concern before looking back at Debbie.

"Does that even make sense, Debbie?" He asks, bending in front of her. "Why would your dad be in Halsted when he lives in the opposite direction?"

Lip steps in from behind, "well, depends. How was he lookin' when you, uh, left him at the Alibi Room last night, Steve?" He stands up, called out as Fiona follows. "When?" She asks.

"Uh," the man stammers, "ten? Ten thirty. Went to apologize, bought him a drink, then went home." He begins to light a cigarette, trying to appear collected under the lie.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Fiona asks. The front door opens as Kev walks in, "hey, can I talk to you for a sec?" The elder Gallagher steps toward him to the side.

"They found a body under the L," he says.

Once again, the family races off to the tracks, their hearts pounding against their chests in hopes that the body wasn't their father. Sliding to a stop at the circle of officers, Fiona speaks first.

"Do you know who that is?" She pants. "Stay back, okay? Stay back," the officer orders rather than answering her question.

They watch, silently as the coroner studies the body before flipping it over to reveal some homeless man who was very obviously not Frank. Veronica and the kids squeal with cheer while Lip and the others puff out a sigh of relief.

Wiping his hands down his face, the cyan eyed boy takes a hold of Lecroy's left hand, squeezing it into his chest. She looks at him, gifting a small smile, nodding. It's okay, she mouths to him. He simply returns with a smile, looking at the younger Gallaghers.

Off, behind them, Karen watches with studious eyes, lifting an eyebrow at the slip of affection. Despite the continuous ride on the Thrilling Gallagher Adventures thanks to Lip, she could care less about the boy's obvious yet simple need to involve her in his life.

All she needed was a fuck buddy and he seemed to keep her entertain, much like the rest of her roster. However, that doesn't mean she's willing to give him up and allow him to fall into the Murphy teen's arms. While Karen's... extra-curricular activities were a known fact, not much was known about Lecroy.

Her mother's a nurse, takes care of the Gallaghers and is an advocate for DV, her father owns a small auto shop, her nana runs the neighborhood daycare center, and the teen was a certified hustler.

That was it. Not too detailed. Not too vague. A respectable, working class family. Karen could fucking barf.

Oookay, so, this is probably the longest piece I've written yet and this is just 30 mins of episode 2. The rest will be added into Chapter 3, later on.

As we've slightly touched on Murphy's mental health - specifically -- disruptive behavior disorder, at some point we will take a dive into just exactly what she's inherited from her family and how it affects her daily life.

Don't be afraid to inbox me or simply heart, reblog, comment, and/or follow me for more content! Ask me any questions, my time is yours right here,

Much Love!!

Taglist: @slytherinroyalty16 @v1rgorl

SERIES MASTERLIST

[libertymoon]

Answer to (Spoilers) Does every member of the Gallagher family in “Shameless” (US TV series) have a specific mental disorder? by Alantis Perkins https://www.quora.com/Spoilers-Does-every-member-of-the-Gallagher-family-in-Shameless-US-TV-series-have-a-specific-mental-disorder/answer/Alantis-Perkins?ch=18&oid=269442418&share=8d473611&srid=PEeTQ&target_type=answer

[mskrianna]

Fiona Gallagher ~ «Shameless»

[tamiettitami]

🏳️‍🌈 + fiona

she/they lesbian, and i'll never forgive the writers for not making her a canon sapphic... it's a hate crime

send me 🏳️‍🌈 + a character for my gender/sexuality headcanon(s)

[brookestilinskis]

[heymacy]

my ian & mickey playlists are linked in the two new sets i just posted but here are the links again just in case anybody wants them 🥰💛

“i’m fucked for life anyway” (mickey)

“i’m not broken, i don’t need to be fixed” (ian)

[aceofwonders]

some npc highlights from the last academy session:

-isla (a wizard) getting THREE nat 20s for the caber toss?! (and only one of them was a portent roll) everyone come get your Stronk wizard gal 

-emrys telling iris her vibes are “unsettling” aghjks

-lucien’s entire conversation with aeca!

-emma’s mom, naivara, being a badass and divine smiting the hell out of a saber toothed tiger 

[loftec]

Hi i don't know if anyone haven't ask you about it or i'm the only one who wants to read it but CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE YOUR NOTES (ch.44) i don't know if you were serious about that but i really would love to read them cause i'm obsessed with everything what is ntw related 🖤 hope ur well

Hi friend! It’s possibly just you (or one other person, in case of separate anons) but that is enough! I was absolutely serious. 

Note on the notes! This is not all of it, because my notes for this chapter were often repetitive and very messy, and some older notes were from four years ago when I didn’t bother writing things out properly, so they barely make sense even to me. But! I’ve done my best to sort everything in some kind of linear order, and removed most of the repetition. And, well, you asked for it... sorry! 🖤

Ian shows up in the morning, Mickey digs out the magazine Iggy stole from Amelia’s dentist’s office the other day and confronts Ian about the big-ass article in Rolling Stone about IAN’S BAND, says he’s listened to some of their songs, takes out a paper where he’s written down some lyrics that sound strangely familiar.

You’re famous!

I’m in a band, people know about us right now, tomorrow they might not. I’m not famous.

You’re kinda famous.

Ian talks about Mickey recognizing him because of Frank. Hints that there might be several songs inspired by Mickey. It’s awkward as fuck, didn’t want you to know.

Were you ever gonna tell me?

Oh yeah, I had a plan. 3 dates, dinner and a movie, day out with Yev, dinner at my place turned vigorous love-making. Second prong; cohabitation, engagement, marriage, then on our wedding night I tell you about crushing on Justin Timberlake when I was 12,

then I tell you I’m semi-famous, if it still applies.

Mickey thinks his face might be on fire.

What the?

I’m fucking with you, Mick. Figured you already knew.

This again?

You angry?

No, I’m not fucking angry. Just-

Freaked out.

Kinda, yeah.

You shouldn’t be. Please.

It’s weird that I didn’t know, I feel like a schmuck. (And I’m pretty sure by your count we’ve already been on those first two dates.)

I’m sorry. I thought you knew and by some fucking miracle didn’t treat me different. I’d been gearing up to maybe have to have this conversation on our date, ‘cause it’s shit sometimes, you know? I don’t do interviews and I never talk about myself when I gotta do them, but there’s still a limelight and a lot of bullshit that complicates

I’ve been crushing on you since we met basically, and I thought I’d just… let it run its course, keep my mouth shut about it and deal until it went away and we could remain friends without me fucking it up.

Didn’t work, by the way.

Good.

Mickey is talking about it with Etch, who suggests that Ian’s been writing at the diner for a reason.

Etch looks up some lyrics and Mickey caps locks them to Ian

You might have inspired a few lately…

Fuck off. How many?

Since we met? Pretty much all of them.

Maybe one or two made it on to the album, but I wrote those before we really got to know each other so they’re just like… about moments, and how I would feel around you.

Didn’t think of it as creepy but it kinda sounds that way now.

No it’s fine

I won’t do it again.

Said it’s fine. Kinda like it.

Yeah?

You gonna tell me which ones are about me, or is that a secret too?

What are you doing tonight?

Thought you said you were going on tour?

We are, it starts tonight. It’s a small fan club gig here in Chicago.

You have a fan club?

Kinda. I’ll put you on the guest list if you want to come.

(Mickey calls Svetlana to make sure Yevgeny can stay with her over the weekend.)

It’s fine if you don’t want to, we’ll do something else when I get back.

Calm your tits Gallagher, course I wanna go. Needed to make sure I’ve got Yev covered.

Oh okay, good. You’re on the list. Doors at 7, gig starts at 8, no support.

You’ve got no chill.

(Ian doesn’t answer for a while)

I like it.

Good, that was torture. Never doing that again.

(Etch teases him about having his nose in his phone, and makes him aware of new guests arriving)

Gotta get back to work

Yeah, me too. See you tonight?

No chill at all.

Ian invites him to the concert and gives Mickey his phone number. Mickey makes sure Yevgeny stays with his mom on saturday, and after work he goes home and gets ready. Showers and cleans himself thoroughly, puts on cologne and a band t-shirt he hasn’t worn in ages, it’s gotten kinda tight on him since he got it. (He puts on a dress shirt first, tucks it into his pants and glares at his reflection).

He’s on the guest list when he gets there, the girl in the box office can’t find him at first but then Anne shows up and points him out, he’s on the VIP list and gets a pass that he’s told he needs to carry so it’s visible. He makes a point of shoving it in the admission guy’s face, but then shoves the ostentatious thing down the pocket of his jeans. Anne shows him in and tells him about the gig, about how the fan club got started. Anne says he can go backstage but he says he’ll pass, thank you. He gets a beer and finds a good spot, there’s a balcony halfway through the venue where he’s got a perfect view of the stage without having to stand in the front.

They text a little, Mickey says he’s there and Ian says he’ll make a sign when they play a song inspired by him.

run-through of the concert, Ian touches the side of his nose when the song is about Mickey. He’s sexy as fuck, and has some ridiculous stripper moves.

He takes off his hoodie at some point, and sweating through his tank he and Anne put on gloves and start hitting the barrels with crowbars.

Anne is the maestro, maybe Ian crowd surfs at some point? Warren Ellis that violin, man. He has little routines with Anne, and some with Jon too. One song, Anne gets one of his guitars and he does noisy stuff with his violin and plays on the oil barrels with Stran, completely in sync.  

They got some good stage banter going, and at some point Ian does a Tom Waits impression, and Anne groans and says he’ll sing the whole thing if they’re not careful. There’s a reason why he’s

For the encore, Ian touches the side of his nose and they start playing a song, Anne saying that this is a first. It looks like Ian is about to sing, but then it looks like he changes his mind and they start playing a song that Mickey sure as fuck hope isn’t about him. The insufferable man on a date right next to Mickey tells the woman he’s with that they were about to play the mysterious title track from their last album that never ended up on the record

“it’s derivative, but cute”

how can it be a title track if it’s not on the album

the guy talks about how he’s got a friend working as an engineer in the studio and he’s sent him an early demo version. It’s not their best song by far, but it’s cool that pretty much no one else has heard it.

Mickey asks the girl if she’s ok with this joker, and she says she’s fine. He offers to get her a cab or something, if she wants to get out of there.

She says she’s not interested

Lady, if I wanted to get with either of you, it wouldn’t be you. Just sayin, I ain’t picky, but that guy would’ve gotten the boot ten minutes into the date if he were here with me, no offense.

WHAT IF.

The concert is over, and crowd starts to let up. Then a fight breaks out at the front and Mickey makes his way towards it. It’s over before he gets there, and sees a guy in his 40s with a bleeding nose, and Lip shaking out his fist, a security guard between them.

Mickey talks to the guard and defuses the situation, putting the bleeding man in the position of a sad overzealous fan. It somehow warms Lip to him, absurdly, and he finds himself apologized to, Lip shaking his hand and wincing when Mickey grips his bruised knuckles a little too hard. Lip vaguely explains that that was an old ex of Ian’s, a real piece of work, and then offers Mickey to come backstage with them to see Ian. Mickey declines.

It’s Lip, Carl and Debbie (Liam is too young, and Fiona too pregnant).

“I was drunk, and wrong, and when I’m wrong I say I’m wrong. (IT’S FROM DIRTY DANCING YOU LITERALLY FORGET EVERY TIME AND HAVE TO GOOGLE IT WHENEVER READING THIS NOTE should I really be quoting Baby’s dad in this fic? Probably. If anyone can, it’s Lip.) And Ian tells me you’ve been there for him a lot lately

I wouldn’t say that

But he did, he doesn’t tell me a lot these days, but he told me that.

Mickey gets another beer at the bar as people mill towards the merch and exit, he sits on a stool with an eye on the backstage passage. He watches the band come out to talk to some of the lingering fans and sign shit. Ian comes out and is immediately surrounded by fans, he locks eyes with Mickey across the room and Mickey raises his beer in a silent cheers. Ian comes up to him after a few minutes, he looks damp and exhilarated and unexpectedly nervous,

How was it?

Not bad, Gallagher.

he asks Mickey over. He has to pack up his shit and do the rounds, but he’ll be done in half an hour, tops. Mickey says he’ll meet him outside.

Ian leaves and Mickey finishes his beer, watching Ian talk to some fans, signing shit and taking pictures. He goes for a piss and then goes out for a smoke.

Ian comes out after twenty minutes, carrying two guitar cases and a large wheelie-bag. Mickey takes one of the guitars off his hands and they walk together.

(maybe Ian has a banjo and he gives it to Mickey to carry and Mickey is all really? I wanna kick your ass so bad right now, country boy, but then carries it anyway.) (banjos are cool)

Walk from the club. Mickey mentions talking to Lip. They talk about Ian’s Tom Waits impression. You’re not musically illiterate at all! Talk about Mickey’s Radiohead tee that he stole from a hookup when he was sixteen, he’s grown into it now. Talk about Ian’s onstage dancing, used to be a stripper, well, not saying you can’t still do private performances (?? you know what I mean! this is not what they’re saying but you’ll remember it) (Note from 2020: I DID NOT REMEMBER IT.)

Talk about wanting to learn playing the trumpet. Don’t have trumpet playing lips.

”Sure you and your lips can do whatever you set your heart to, I believe in you.”

Looks at Mickey and smiles.

”What?”

”You’ve been flirting with me since we first met, haven’t you?”

”Maybe.”

”Huh”

“What?”

“Oh nothing.” “Just re-evaluating everything you’ve ever said to me.”

”Re-evaluate this;” gives Ian the finger.

”That an invitation?”

”Fuck you is what it is,”

“sounds like an invitation.”

Ian tells him a little about his different instruments, Mickey picks up the beat up guitar Gus first gave to Ian and strums it, Ian asks him to play him something but Mickey snorts and says he’s counting on getting laid tonight and him playing would be detrimental to that plan. Ian doesn’t think so, but accepts it when Mickey gives him the guitar.

”I’ve walked some thousand miles,” he starts softly, eyes on his left hand, moving over the strings, ”I have slept many hundred nights, and people’ve said hello and bye through the years since you were mine. But don’t think I’ll stop my mourning, don’t I know it’s overdue. Just because I’ve gotten older, none the wiser I cry for you.”

”Honey, cutie, sweetie-pie,” ”My darling boy, sweet old times, as long as I keep you in mind I will remember what love is like. So, don’t think I’ll stop my mourning, don’t I know it’s overdue.”

”Just because I’ve gotten older, none the wiser.”

”I cry for you.”

I’M THINKING OF WRITING MY OWN SONG BECAUSE I WAS THIS MOMENT TO BE MORE BEFORE SUNSET THAN ANYTHING, ALL SMILES AND DRAMA FREE. SO MAYBE A TEXT THAT IS A LITTLE MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD.

Ian plays the song and when he’s done, Mickey kisses him and they have really enthusiastic sex on the couch. Mickey is about to leave after when Ian invites him to stay,

How about some long-ass foreplay on the couch and then they move into the bedroom.

They start on the couch, they take it to the bedroom, they collapse on the bed after and Mickey is feeling too good to argue when Ian mumbles at him to “stay”.

(Sings the song, says it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a song, it’s one quick thought put under a spotlight. Feeling like he should have known Mickey his whole life already. It’s too much, isn’t it? In the kitchen.

”do you normally take guys home and serenade them?”

”nah, don’t think it’d be very effective with most.”

”But you figured I’d swoon?”

”Figured you’d want the truth.”

”which is?”)

??? Need to find a good mix of excitement and new and easy, balanced with ho shit wtf are we doing this isn’t going to end well i think i fucking love him shut the fuck up. needs to be sexy and a little rough, as well as painfully sincere against better knowledge. kissing will do that. they’re doing stuff the way they usually do stuff, but for some reason it feels completely different.

Important that Mickey kisses him.

They stand up and stand chest to chest, Ian says they don’t have to do anything, Mickey says shut up and get naked

he helps ian take his shirt off and kisses him the second his face comes back into view

They fucks on the couch.

OR ALT FADE CUT END and don’t go explicit. Just saying, it’s an option. A valid option.

They can go at it in one of the sequels? Like the roadtrip can be more explicit? If I want? But also not?

I mean, there is such a thing as a nice middle ground right.

I just don’t think I’m interested in going all out porn after 40+ chapters of whatever.

THEY KISS AND THEN THERE’S A MOTHERFUCKING FADE TO BLACK MY FRIEND, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT I HAVE DECIDED. Soz

WHAT IF!!

Iggy comes in, is all: guess what I found at the dentist this morning?

M: again? Did Amelia break another tooth?

I: It’ll grow back, take a look at this

E: Did you steal that from the dentist’s office?

M: Rolling Stone, wtf?

E: your dentist’s got rolling stone?

Mickey reads the headlines out loud as a customer comes in and asks Etch about something they’ve lost the other day, and Etch starts rifling through boxes behind the counter as Mickey moves over to sit down in Ian’s booth, rifling through the magazine.

M: what am I looking for?

I: I marked the page

E: what’s this note?

Mickey starts reading the article, realizing that the blurred picture is of Ian, and the interview is with Ian, and holy shit. Ian is legit famous.

Etch starts reading the list of coffees, eventually turning the page over and pointing out that there’s a phone number.

Iggy comes to the diner in the morning, Etch is rifling through stuff behind the counter and Mickey is doing the rounds with the few guests still there after the morning rush.

Iggy shows him the magazine he found at the dentist’s and Etch is in the background like wtf is this, reading from Ian’s note with the coffee orders, Mickey only half listens, trying to take in the fact that Ian is fucking famous.

Etch says there’s a phone number too and Mickey brushes him off.

Then he’s like, hold the fuck up! And gets the note from the trash and tries the number, and Ian fucking answers. And they have the you’re famous conversation on the phone and voila, Mickey has his number and vice versa.

So Mickey calls Ian in the morning, then there’s text talk during the day.

From Ian

So, you’ve had my number for x days and you only now decided to use it?

That’s cold.

From Mickey

You wrote it on a piece of paper you then balled up and threw on the floor, asshole, it’s a miracle it didn’t end up in the trash. didn’t know I had it until this morning.

You suck at this. (This is a nice revelation that he likes, but Maybe that doesn’t come across in text.

Not a complaint btw, just gleeful observation.

From Ian

Are we still on?

From Mickey

Of course.

Dumbass.

Ian

I probably deserved that.

At some point Mickey starts capslocking and sending lyrics to Ian, who has to explain through text why he’s written songs about Mickey, saying that he’ll point them out tonight.

HERE’S A QUESTION

SHOULD I SKIP THE WHOLE “WRITING SONGS ABOUT MICKEY” BUSINESS??

Isn’t it enough that Ian is famous and kept this fact from Mickey? Isn’t the writing songs business a little creepy? and if he did write songs about Mickey, would he really publish them without Mickey’s consent? No. Maybe I’m deliriously tired and about to fall ill right now, but I actually think I should skip that part. It’s a little sad because it’s been part of this idea for three years, but if I’m uncertain about it now imagine how I’m going to feel about it later?

When I started writing this story, it was supposed to be a quick and silly thing, and now it’s something else. It’s not important or anything, but also it is. To me. And making a decision on the rating was a big deal for me, and I think this is another one of those things. I’ve been holding on to this idea for so long but when I really think about it, is it even romantic? It’s romantic in that kind of teenage dream way, maybe? It’s more romantic to me if they fall in love for reasons other than Ian writing songs. But he’s written NTW, and he still thinks about performing it live, but we skip the whole thing about songs being about Mickey.

So they talk on the phone in the morning, and then there’s a text coming in after a little while asking if Mickey wants to come to the show.

HEYHO IT’S A REVOLUTION AND I FEEL FREE

Mickey and Ian text after the show (after Mickey declines going backstage) Ian asks him to meet him round back in twenty minutes. When Mickey goes out there, he sees Ian talking to a couple of fans by the bus and Mickey hangs back to smoke while he waits. The fans leave and Ian looks around, checks his watch, he has a bunch of guitars with him.

I AM LEANING HEAVILY TOWARDS MICKEY KISSING IAN HERE. He’s like “Stop, hold this” giving Ian back the guitar, so he can grab on to him and kiss him, smiling against Ian lips as the guitar tips over and clatters against the asphalt.

They’re outside Ian’s house, Ian says he has to get up at an unholy hour tomorrow. Invites him in anyway.

They’re in the elevator, then they’re in Ian’s apartment. Ian plays him the song, Before sunset ending.

almost none of that rhymed, just letting you know. kinda embarrassing.

(almost none of that rhymed, just letting you know. kinda embarrassing.

yeah, it’s not a very good song. is why we cut it from the record

oh yeah? thought it was ‘cause of the like, intensely personal subject

that too)

They smile at each other like fools and Mickey feels like he is exactly where he’s supposed to be, and there’s no rush. Fade to black.

Etch finds the paper, says there’s a phone number on it. Mickey dials the number and goes out back as it rings out. When Ian answers, he reads a question from the interview and they talk.

He goes back into the diner and basically blows the whole thing off, it doesn’t make any difference to him and he has to go back to work. Yevgeny does his homework and Iggy leaves, and Ian invites Mickey to the gig via text. Etch invites Yevgeny to stay over at theirs for a movie night.

Does Mickey tell Yev about the gig?

Start with Mickey out back, smoking. The phone rings and he waits for Etch to take it, but it keeps ringing. He bangs the door and yells PHONE and then it stops ringing. He kills the cigarette and goes back inside. Etch is behind the counter talking on the phone and going through the lost and found, looking for whatever the caller has lost. Mickey clears a table. It’s afternoon. Etch hangs up but keeps going through stuff in the box, talking to Mickey, when Iggy comes in.

It’s maybe more like afternoon (?) when Iggy comes in and shows Mickey the magazine. He calls Ian and they have a quick conversation (he probably goes outside to have it, to escape his audience) and they establish that Ian is sorta famous. Then they text back and forth a little, until Ian invites him to the show.

Mickey calls Svet to arrange it so Yev can stay with her, and then accepts. He goes home after work to eat, have a shower and change out of his clothes. He wears the only band tee he owns, mostly because it’s funny and because it’s kinda tight and he doesn’t think he looks too bad in it (and a dress shirt is way too much for a concert not-date, not that he tried on a couple first. Then he does a little bit of cyberstalking only to find very little personal information and a lot of crazy fans. Maybe he watches a couple of music videos, but they’re all really weird cartoons so they give him nothing. They’re cool though, and guess the music’s alright, even though he doesn’t have a connection yet to it so it’s hard to tell if he likes it.

Yevgeny calls, because Mickey switched the days and he wants to know why. Mickey asks if he knows about the Broken Bells, and Yev’s like duh who doesn’t? And freaks out when Mickey tells him about Ian. He doesn’t tell him about the whole date situation though, just that he’s going to the concert. Maybe Yev asks for some merch.

Mickey takes an Uber to the venue, even though it’s not too far from the diner (but on the other side, so at least a 30 minute walk) and it seems like they’ve already started letting people in. He hangs back until the admissions office is clear and then tells the lady that he’s on some kinda guest list. She can’t find him, and he’s about to give up and go home when he sees a familiar figure in the background. He calls her Stay-puft first, but then also remembers that her name is Anne and calls her that too. She remembers him, and finds him on a different (VIP) list, the venue staff woman is embarrassed, but Anne is borderline flirting she’s so nice about the mistake. Mickey gets a pass that he’s supposed to keep around his neck, but he shows it to the guards and then tucks it down his back pocket. Anne shows him inside the venue and asks if he wants to come backstage and say hello, but he kindly declines.

He has a quick peruse of the merch table (he checks the CDs, and then sees a smaller table next to the merch with a guy handing out pins, Mickey talks to him and finds out that it’s “fan club” pins to commemorate the gig and Mickey asks if his VIP pass gets him one, it does, and then the guy asks if Mickey wants to sign up for the newsletter) and then gets a beer, before finding a good spot on the mezzanine floor. He’s got a balcony railing for support and beer holder, and he’s got an excellent view of the stage. The floor is filling up with people packing themselves against the front. He texts Ian saying he’s here and they text a little back and forth. He gets someone to watch his spot and goes to the restroom. There, he finds a kid getting cornered by a middle-aged man. The kid looks vaguely familiar and not older than sixteen. Mickey steps in and casually accuses the guy of creeping on a kid and the guy immediately backs off, the kid says thanks and that he’s eighteen (because it’s an 18+ gig) and Mickey says sure.

Getting back to his spot, There is a douchebag on a date behind him that he wants to move away from, but he doesn’t want to surrender his good spot. He decides to tune him out, he’ll hopefully shut up once the set starts. It’s just a couple of minutes after eight when the lights dim and a song comes on louder than before, and the band start coming out on the stage. Ian is wearing jeans and a hoodie, like he normally does, but he’s clean shaven and his normally smiling face is set in blank determination. Anne is the front person, and she commands the audience with the slightest gesture. It’s obvious that the venue is filled with old fans, they all know exactly what to do exactly when she asks them to do it. Ian’s got like four guitars and a whole lot of other shit around him, and he’s super focused on doing his stuff, but now and then he does little routines with Anne and Jon, and gets a big cheer for his occasional solos.

A few songs in, Ian gets up to stand on one of the oil barrels, and Anne starts banging on it with a crowbar. That’s when Mickey starts to really get into it. It’s cool, and it’s a lot harder than Ian made it out to be, but kind of theatrical at the same time. Ian is brilliant, even though he dances like an uncoordinated stripper.

There is banter between the songs, mainly between Anne and Stran (girl sure bangs those drums!) Anne starts banging one of the oil barrels again and Ian and Jon do a little step dance next to each other across the scene.

At some point Ian takes off his hoodie. He’s wearing a white tank and he’s already sweating through it. He gives his guitar to Anne and puts on gloves. Him and Stran do a little bant-y thing and then they start a new song by both banging the barrels in unison while Anne and Jon start playing (maybe Jon plays something else, like an electric piano or a marimba?). At the crescendo of the song, Ian takes out a baseball bat and goes to town on the barrel, sweat shining on his muscly arms and his wet hair flopping down his forehead.

They go off the stage, but come back when the crowd chants a song, stomping their feet and clapping their hands. Anne says they’ve got one more song for them, and they start playing. She moves away from the microphone and it looks for a second like Ian is going to step up and sing. Douchebag behind Mickey tells his date about an unreleased b-side to the last album. But then Ian steps back and says something to Stran, who nods and moves into a slightly different beat. Without blinking Anne, steps back up to the mic and sings the last song.

Some of the crowd lingers by the stage after the lights have gone back on, but most move towards the bar or the merch table. Mickey hangs back to watch the crew take down the stage, and the two oil barrels being handed over to someone in the audience, along with set lists and left-over picks. Walking down from the mezzanine floor to go look for the restrooms, a fight breaks out on the floor. Mickey immediately recognizes one of them as Lip and the other one as the creep from the bathroom, and intervenes by clearly positioning himself on Lip’s side and reminding the creep that he could get him in trouble, the creep backs off and agrees when Mickey tells the security guards it was an accident (in a way that isn’t obviously helpful, but in the end still makes sure that Lip isn’t hurt or arrested for punching a guy) (because he did, he punched a guy, who is thrown out by the guards after Mickey’s intervention). Lip, Carl, Debbie, and Liam is there, but it’s only Lip who knows who Mickey is. He hangs back to talk to Mickey while his siblings go backstage (and PROBABLY DOESN’T tell him a little bit about the guy being Ian’s ex, making it clear that Lip really doesn’t like him). He also apologizes to Mickey for last time. He asks if Mickey wants to go backstage, but Mickey declines. He’s decided earlier with Ian through text that he’ll wait for him and thinks it’s better to do it somewhere that isn’t backstage where he might get asked questions and have to talk to people who aren’t Ian.

He gets another beer and stands in the bar next to the merch, watching as Ian and the rest of the band come out to sign some stuff and shake hands. Ian still looks slightly damp from sweat, even though he’s obviously changed clothes and run a towel through his hair. Mickey wonders if his skin tastes like salt. He drinks his beer.

Ian comes up to him after a little while, asking well? (or texts him, which probably makes more sense? But I also want Mickey to see Ian post-show)

Not bad Gallagher, not bad at all.

Ian looks pleased and asks if Mickey wants to come over, even though Ian has an early morning. Mickey says yes and Ian asks him to wait until they’re done packing up.

Mickey finishes his beer, goes to the restroom (where he sees douchebag by the urinal) and then he goes outside to wait for Ian. (He talks to douchebag’s date and offers to get her a taxi before the guy comes out.) He smokes a cigarette, and before he knows it, Ian is by his side, carrying a fuck ton of guitars. They decide to walk, for some reason, talking on the way.

HEY

Ian says he’s got a car coming and they walk a little bit to where they’re getting picked up. They talk about trumpet lips and stuff and Mickey kisses him. They get interrupted by the car arriving, and Ian picks up his guitars and says “you coming?”

Fuck yes

They sit in silence in the car, but it’s a good one. Ian says

Lip told me what you did back there.

He didn’t tell you shit.

He did, told me you stepped in and stopped him from getting arrested

He was getting his ass kicked, someone had to help the guy

And Liam told me you got him out of a tough situation in the restroom

That was Liam? Some pedo’s creeping on a kid by the urinal, I’m not gonna stand by doing nothing.

You know that’s not what happened

Yeah, well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

He isn’t a pedo, and Lip would’ve beat the shit outta him if you hadn’t stepped in.

You defending this guy?

No, trying to say thanks.

You’re shit at it.

Thank you, Mickey

Better.

So… friend of yours.

No. (Ian isn’t forthcoming with the info)

Alright, whatever.

And he’s definitely not someone I wanna talk about, tonight.

(Ian is smiling at him, all the promise in the world in his eyes)

Fucking fair enough.

They arrive.

OR Ian joins Mickey outside and they stand around and talk

They talk about Ian’s Tom Waits impression. You’re not musically illiterate at all! Talk about Mickey’s Radiohead tee that he stole from a hookup when he was sixteen, he’s grown into it now. Talk about Ian’s onstage dancing, used to be a stripper, well, not saying you can’t still do private performances (?? you know what I mean! this is not what they’re saying but you’ll remember it)

Talk about wanting to learn playing the trumpet. Don’t have trumpet playing lips.

”Sure you and your lips can do whatever you set your heart to, I believe in you.”

Looks at Mickey and smiles.

”What?”

”You’ve been flirting with me since we first met, haven’t you?”

”Maybe.”

”Huh”

“What?”

“Oh nothing.” “Just re-evaluating everything you’ve ever said to me.”

”Re-evaluate this;” gives Ian the finger.

”That an invitation?”

”Fuck you is what it is,”

“sounds like an invitation.”

That’s when a taxi pulls up and Ian walks toward it

Could use some help with these.

They ride in silence

They carry Ian’s instruments from the car, and Ian says something cute

Mickey’s like “Stop, hold this” giving Ian back the guitar, so he can grab on to him and kiss him, smiling against Ian lips as the guitar tips over and clatters on the asphalt.

They’re outside Ian’s house, Ian says he has to get up at an unholy hour tomorrow. Invites him in anyway.

There he asks Ian to play him something that other people don’t get to hear (mostly to be a cheeky monkey, but also because he wants it) and Ian plays him None the wiser.

I’ve walked a thousand miles to end up in your corner booth

Grinning idiot when you bitch, falling fool for your dirty mouth

Sitting on my busy hands when you swagger by and I say -

Hey waiter, pour some coffee in my cup and bring me my toast, before you fuck me up

I’ve been in some thousand fights and it’s clear that so have you, too

Faded threats and cigarettes, sharp glass polished by the sea

Wish you’d put your hands on me and make your feelings clear

Hey waiter

meet me ‘round the back door, tell me I’ve got it wrong and fuck me up some more

‘Cause I’ve fallen a thousand times but never felt this way before, like I should have met you long ago

Walked with you by my side and had your back through thick and thin

Sickness and health, come what may, and I say-

Hey waiter

pop the damn champagne

None the wiser

you fuck me up again

Hey waiter

tell me you’ll be mine

I’ll give you my life

and fuck you up in kind

I wish I was just a plain white shirt

then you could wear me off to work

and I’d be one of the things you keep close to your heart

soft white cotton wrapped around your heart

(Contrasts have faded now

but color still haunt my mind

And words ripped off from their lines

Make bitter tears flood my eyes

Don’t think I’ll stop my mourning

Don’t I know it’s overdue

Just because I’ve gotten older

None the wiser, I cry for you)

Honey, cutie, sweetie-pie

My darling boy, sweet old times

As long as I keep you in mind

I will remember what love is like

So, don’t think I’ll stop my mourning

Don’t I know it’s overdue

Just because I’ve gotten older

None the wiser, I cry for you

’Cause I always say ’I love you’

when I mean ’turn out the light’

And I say ’let’s run away’

when I just mean ’stay the night’

But the words you want to hear

you will never hear from me

I’ll never say ’happy anniversary’

Never stay to say ’happy anniversary’

Bom-chaka bom-chak 23 verses

And he climbed up a mountain

And he looked around

Some kind of forest

With all these dinosaurs

And he stripped his woman

He stripped her bare

But there was a pterodactyl

There!

[claritalunaluna76]

The UK parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is working on its report (and recommendations) from its inquiry into the economics of music streaming. One of the big talking points during the inquiry’s evidence sessions was equitable remuneration (ER): specifically extending it from radio and TV to some streams.

The Broken Record campaign has made ER one of its key requests of the committee; labels have argued firmly against it; and (in our view, at least) the committee seems to be leaning more towards the former camp. But the committee isn’t the British government, so if ER is to be extended, ministers will need to be convinced too.

That campaign is already starting. A letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson – and shown to Music Ally this morning – sees a who’s who of British musicians backing such an extension. Sir Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Chris Martin, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Kate Bush, Roger Daltrey, Damon Albarn, Noel Gallagher, Laura Marling, Sir Tim Rice… and many more.

“Only two words need to change in the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. This will modernise the law so that today’s performers receive a share of revenues, just like they enjoy in radio,” argues the letter. But it also calls for a competition inquiry (or at least a government referral to watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority); for songwriters to get a bigger share of streaming royalties; and the establishment of a dedicated regulator “to ensure the lawful and fair treatment of music makers”.

Later today, we’ll publish our quarterly Music Ally report, including our analysis of the key talking points of the inquiry, and what might happen next. One of our suggestions was that while the DCMS committee seemed sympathetic to the Broken Record campaign’s arguments, the government ministers seemed to be leaning more towards labels’ view of the world.

The letter shows that the former group are going to work hard to change that, and in wheeling out the musical big guns, the intensity of the lobbying has stepped up several notches – even before the DCMS committee’s report has come out. Labels and their representative body the BPI must now decide how best to respond.

Here is the full text of the letter, and its signatories:

———-

Dear Prime Minister,

We write to you on behalf of today’s generation of artists, musicians and songwriters here in the UK.

For too long, streaming platforms, record labels and other internet giants have exploited performers and creators without rewarding them fairly. We must put the value of music back where it belongs – in the hands of music makers.

Streaming is quickly replacing radio as our main means of music communication. However, the law has not kept up with the pace of technological change and, as a result, performers and songwriters do not enjoy the same protections as they do in radio.

Today’s musicians receive very little income from their performances – most featured artists receive tiny fractions of a US cent per stream and session musicians receive nothing at all.

To remedy this, only two words need to change in the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. This will modernise the law so that today’s performers receive a share of revenues, just like they enjoy in radio. It won’t cost the taxpayer a penny but will put more money in the pockets of UK taxpayers and raise revenues for public services like the NHS.

There is evidence of multinational corporations wielding extraordinary power and songwriters struggling as a result. An immediate government referral to the Competition and Markets Authority is the first step to address this. Songwriters earn 50% of radio revenues, but only 15% in streaming. We believe that in a truly free market the song will achieve greater value.

Ultimately though, we need a regulator to ensure the lawful and fair treatment of music makers. The UK has a proud history of protecting its producers, entrepreneurs and inventors. We believe British creators deserve the same protections as other industries whose work is devalued when exploited as a loss-leader.

By addressing these problems, we will make the UK the best place in the world to be a musician or a songwriter, allow recording studios and the UK session scene to thrive once again, strengthen our world leading cultural sector, allow the market for recorded music to flourish for listeners and creators, and unearth a new generation of talent.

We urge you to take these forward and ensure the music industry is part of your levelling-up agenda as we kickstart the post-Covid economic recovery.

Yours sincerely,

Full list of signatories:

Damon Albarn OBE

Lily Allen

Wolf Alice

Marc Almond OBE

Joan Armatrading CBE

David Arnold

Massive Attack

Jazzie B OBE

Adam Bainbridge (Kindness)

Emily Barker

Gary Barlow OBE

Geoff Barrow

Django Bates

Brian Bennett OBE

Fiona Bevan

Alfie Boe OBE

Billy Bragg

The Chemical Brothers

Kate Bush CBE

Melanie C

Eliza Carthy MBE

Martin Carthy MBE

Celeste

Guy Chambers

Mike Batt LVO

Don Black OBE

Badly Drawn Boy

Chrissy Boy

Tim Burgess

Mairéad Carlin

Laura-Mary Carter

Nicky Chinn

Dame Sarah Connolly DBE

Phil Coulter

Roger Daltrey CBE

Catherine Anne Davies (The Anchoress)

Ian Devaney

Chris Difford

Al Doyle

Anne Dudley

Brian Eno

Self Esteem

James Fagan

Paloma Faith

Marianne Faithfull

George Fenton

Rebecca Ferguson

Robert Fripp

Shy FX

Gabrielle

Peter Gabriel

Noel Gallagher

Guy Garvey

Bob Geldof KBE

Boy George

David Gilmour CBE

Nigel Godrich

Howard Goodall CBE

Jimi Goodwin

Graham Gouldman

Tom Gray

Roger Greenaway OBE

Will Gregory

Ed Harcourt

Tony Hatch OBE

Richard Hawley

Justin Hayward

Fran Healy

Orlando Higginbottom

Jools Holland OBE, DL

Mick Hucknall

Crispin Hunt

Shabaka Hutchings

Eric Idle

John Paul Jones

Julian Joseph OBE

Kano

Linton Kwesi Johnson

Gary Kemp

Nancy Kerr

Richard Kerr

Soweto Kinch

Beverley Knight MBE

Mark Knopfler OBE

Annie Lennox OBE

Shaznay Lewis

Gary Lightbody OBE

Tasmin Little OBE

Calum MacColl

Roots Manuva

Laura Marling

Johnny Marr

Chris Martin

Claire Martin OBE

Cerys Matthews MBE

Sir Paul McCartney CH MBE

Horse McDonald

Thurston Moore

Gary “Mani” Mounfield

Mitch Murray CBE

Field Music

Frank Musker

Laura Mvula

Kate Nash

Stevie Nicks

Orbital

Roland Orzabal

Gary Osborne

Jimmy Page OBE

Hannah Peel

Daniel Pemberton

Yannis Philippakis

Anna Phoebe

Phil Pickett

Robert Plant CBE

Karine Polwart

Emily Portman

Chris Rea

Eddi Reader MBE

Sir Tim Rice

Orphy Robinson MBE

Matthew Rose

Nitin Sawhney CBE

Anil Sebastian

Peggy Seeger

Nadine Shah

Feargal Sharkey OBE

Shura

Labi Siffre

Martin Simpson

Skin

Mike Skinner

Curt Smith

Fraser T Smith

Robert Smith

Sharleen Spiteri

Lisa Stansfield

Sting CBE

Suggs

Tony Swain

Heidi Talbot

John Taylor

Phil Thornalley

KT Tunstall

Ruby Turner MBE

Becky Unthank

Norma Waterson MBE

Cleveland Watkiss MBE

Jessie Ware

Bruce Welch OBE

Kitty Whately

Ricky Wilde

Olivia Williams

Daniel “Woody” Woodgate

Midge Ure OBE

Nikki Yeoh

[koganphrancis]

Camless Episode 2 Recap

(I can’t give a credit to the gif maker because they deleted their post right after I saved this gif and before I could click back and get their Tumblr url, so, sorry!  If anyone else would be interested in giffing this moment, please do-looks like there might almost be some butt crack in it for us, and that would officially make this the most interesting moment in the episode.)

Once again the best thing I can say about this episode is there was not even a whisper of a mention of Terror ;)  

But the rest of the show-I really don’t recognize anything from what the show used to be.  This is truly like a brand new Showtime show using some of the same actors from Shameless.  No one reminds you of how their character used to be.  They’re all like those Lego people Emmy’s always bragging about using when she directs episodes-plastic and stiff and lifeless.  

Also, this episode had zero sex scenes, which must have been confusing to its core audience that keeps insisting the show is still worth watching.  I’m sure they missed the tits.  

Like last week, I’ll just run down the characters, if I can stay awake.

Frank.  Ugh.  They gave him this incredibly moronic scene in The Alibi where he rallies his fellow white men against “reverse racism” and you could see how hard Macy was working to try to grind out the lines, but it just stunk.  I’m sure the showrunners think they’re coming up with cutting edge social commentary here, but they’re not.  The audience has long been clued into the fact that Frank’s motivations behind his machinations are to serve one thing and one thing only, and that’s Frank himself.  He will go whichever way the wind blows.  If not being a Make Southside Great Again cretin would’ve got him some money in his pocket, he would’ve been making speeches against everything he was saying last night.  Archie Bunker was an iconic character in the advancement of social progress because he did believe the shit he said, and the audience was in on the fact that he was dead wrong.  When Frank says racist bullshit, it’s not “shameless” it’s not commentary, it’s a lazy fuck wanting something for nothing.  It has nothing to do with improvement or education of the viewer.  Shameless has this unrealistic view of itself being a show “about” something, and when it inevitably fails to hit the mark, they just guffaw and say we weren’t supposed to take it seriously, it’s just a comedy, it’s just Shameless.  Well, you’ve cried wolf too many times and I can’t take anything you say as meaningful.  

Also, this and almost every other storyline last night took the most laborious routes possible to get the characters to their next plot point.  Frank only got involved in local politics because he needed beer money (what happened to his one beer a day with the new liver?  Oh yeah, that was a different character on a different show).  And why the fuck would the patrons of The Alibi put money into anything Frank’s going to be in charge of?  Are they that stupid?  

Fiona and Bored Their lack of chemistry continues to astound.  Their conversations make no sense.  Bored clearly doesn’t give a shit what Fiona does, so why does he insist on giving his opinion that, once it pisses her off, he just drops it?  Why say anything to begin with?  And I only watch their scenes once, so I might be wrong on this, but he leaves me with the impression that he squints every time he speaks.  It’s as if he saw Dirty Harry at an early age and vowed to himself if he ever became an actor, his delivery of all his lines would be just like Clint growling out, “Do you feel lucky, punk?  Do you?”  

Anyway, Fiona’s circuitous route has her going to the Gallagher house to find shoes she left there when she moved into her own apartment.  The fuck?  You gotta try so hard as a writer these days to get any of the family together-it’s another piece of the “old” show that is missing more and more lately, and really ripping the show apart at its already weakened seams.  

She has a big power meeting with a commercial real estate developer now that Ian’s bail money is burning a hole in her pocket.  (And, the fuck?  Ian turns down her offer to post bail so she figures he had his shot and if he changes his mind and wants-or worse yet NEEDS-to get out of jail he’s shit out of luck?  They could’ve had her make sure he understood it was a one-time offer, but no.)  Anyway, for said meeting, she’s wearing what looks like a kimono from a day spa and to complete the look she needs the pair of red fuck me pumps that she finds in a small box that looks like it’s only holding said pumps and one work boot.  She left that behind?  Couldn’t squeeze it into the new place?  

When she arrives back home at the Gallagher house, she finds Liam sitting on the couch and asks him why he’s not at school.  (Forget that, why isn’t SHE taking care of him, she’s his legal guardian!!!!)  He tells her he got kicked out because of Frank, Fi asks what did he do, Liam says, “The moms”, clue laugh track that this show totally needs now.  Fiona brings Liam along with her-he clues her in to how rich folk talk, and she tells the real estate guy Liam’s her intern, a prodigy, cue laugh track.  She has a bullshit meeting with the guy, tries to throw her boyfriend’s name around to prove she has clout (and hey, he has a last name now!  It’s Kellogg, but who will bother to remember that?), uses her patented Fiona looking at real estate phrase when she says a building he showed her has “good bones”.  She’s so obviously bullshitting the guy and we can see her losing her money happening a mile away.  She, however, thinks she’s playing the dick just right.  There’s a scene towards the end where she’s begging to throw her $50K at him, but he says you need $100K to get in, and she says she has it???  I couldn’t be bothered to go back and watch it again to see if at any point she indicates where she’ll come up with twice the money she has, I’m just assuming she’s going to gamble the entire apartment building and lose it all.  And that WILL be believable because she has no business experience that’s not straight out of fantasyland and the only thing that will bother me is they seem to be setting it up that Bored is right and she should listen to him like a good little woman.  

Lip  Lip’s storyline is no longer about Lip, it’s about all the people he keeps taking on as projects.  Last night Xan abandoned the Ball twins she was babysitting to run off with a stolen wallet (what is it with this show thinking child endangerment is funny?).  To nitpick-if Liam was supposed to be in school, shouldn’t Xan have been at hers too?  Last week they made a point of saying she forged a note to her teacher to go to Brad’s wedding...

Anyway, since this new show thinks it’s normal for 24 year old guys to do nothing but parent kids that aren’t theirs and be a one man support system for their mentor and their sponsor (but not their brother), Lip’s taking on a new project, being the reluctant sponsor of a drug and alcohol addict who has an adorable baby.  Lip tries telling Brad that “Gallaghers aren’t sponsors, they have sponsors” (I’m so sick of “Gallagher” pronouncements like that), but in the end, he can see the guy has no one, so he steps in.  And if I could trust this show for one minute I’d be intrigued by this (it’s much more realistic than the whole Xan bullshit)-it’s interesting to think Lip can relate to the baby being with the dad while he was passed out for two solid days more than he relates to the dad-but I just feel like they’ll handle it badly and I’m not going to get attached to the baby or the dad.  

Debbie  She’s shrilly screaming for equal pay and equal rights, but I get the feeling all of that was her circuitous route to meeting this season’s love interest.  It’ll be interesting to see if she keeps up her crusade or if all that’s forgotten once she’s getting sex.

We first see her rattling off statistics from computer print outs, which is a refreshing change from Ian memorizing the Bible overnight, but still.  The stats she’s reading are unfair and horrific, but the people she’s telling them to are in no position to change things.  Debbie takes her “cause” to job sites where again, she’s shouting into the void, since no women are working there and even if they were, what does she expect them to do?  This whole “Norma Rae” thing makes no sense because licensed workers ARE unionized and if the jobs she’s visiting are using under the table workers, no one wants this loud mouth teenager and her baby carriage calling attention to it.  What is she trying to accomplish?  

So, like I said, all the screaming is probably just the set up to her meet cute with the chick she thought was a dude.  Said chick comes to the Gallagher house (claiming she found it because Debbie was screaming her full name and saying she was a welder with a vagina-so good to know everyone in Chicago would know where that person lives...) and does the “big reveal” that she’s a woman.  Debs/Emma is all, “Dafuuuuuck?” and Alex winds up asking her out for a drink.  At home I’m thinking, “Aw, damn, Alex, you’re gonna get roofied!”  

Carl  Carl is moronic as fuck this week-more so than usual.  He tries to see his local congressperson (who is secure in his seat and not running in the same election as Frank’s tampering with, I guess?) and is told by an assistant the list of things Carl will need to get a recommendation for West Point and to come back in 9 weeks.  Carl totally ignores most of the list, the scholastic and athletic achievements-does he really think he’ll get in without it all?  Can’t he just ask Ian what he’ll need to do?  Oh wait, no one knows Ian-I’m thinking of that other show again.     

He starts on a quest to find volunteer work (since court ordered post juvie hours don’t count-cue laugh track), and asks at the first place “if it pays”.  Right there, he’s too stupid to get into any reputable school, why are people wasting their time with him?  

He winds up working for a retired veterinarian who uses an unconventional but cheaper and effective way to euthanize dogs.  The show goes totally off the rails, having Carl “rescue” them and taking them home to die a “natural” death in his basement instead.  Is the writer so stupid she doesn’t know that that’s just forcing the dogs to live out their days in pain, or are we only supposed to think it’s Carl that is that stupid?  Either way, why go there Shameless?  Why drag innocent dogs into your “it’s Shameless!” world of the unfunny?

Kev and Vee  Their painful role as the show’s family sitcom portion continues.  (side note: I was cackling with glee when I heard Bob Saget will be making a guest appearance-I called that Full House vibe from the start!)  They’re checking out preschools and the first place they go, the woman who runs it is dressed as a full on fairy princess.  As if that wouldn’t be enough of a red flag to GTFO.  When they hear the cost of tuition, K&V flip out.  Because, ya know, they had no idea daycare/preschool was expensive?  Have they been hit with the same stupid stick as Carl?  They get a lead on a Catholic school that’s in their price range, but there’s only one spot!  What to do?  Easy, just tell their obviously not identical twin daughters that one of them always has to keep out of sight at school and that from now on, they’re both “Amy”.  Cue laugh track.  

Ian  Oh man, why isn’t Cam gone already?  This week starts with him performing the prison yard triple wedding.  He’s speaking in the cadence and manner of a preacher, yet he’s only been to 2 weddings that he can recall?  Does he watch You Tube videos of sermons now?  It makes no sense!  Anyway, a guard tells him he’s made bail, and all lame, choreographed hell breaks loose as the prisoners want “Father” Gallagher to finish the ceremony.  

Next time we see him, he has at least half an inch more hair and he’s being released back into society, wearing the clothes he was arrested in 9 months ago.  The handmade God Loves Fags T shirt is better than some of the things I’ve seen Cam wearing in real life lately, but I digress.  Geneva is waiting for him and is jumping and yipping all over him like an overexcited puppy.  He tries telling her, “I really wasn’t done in there-those guys need me.”  She’s not listening as she tells him “so much exciting stuff has been happening” (off screen-there’s nothing exciting happening on the show itself)-”We have sponsorships now, we’re in 45 states, 1 mil strong on Insta, we’re getting some of the conversion centers closed down.”  And, just, you lost me with the hyperbole.  Say they’ve spread to 3 states or something believable, not almost the entire continental US.  Anyway, she tells him they crowd sourced his bail and asks if he’s ready to face his public.  He just looks dazed and confused.   A little group is waiting for him behind a (as in one, solo) police barrier.

Next time we see him, he’s being delivered to the Church of Gay Jesus in a luxury SUV.  People are waiting there to greet him too-some wearing unintentionally hilarious masks of Ian’s face-well, really GJ, but come on, that’s Cam!!!

Geneva asks him if he’s okay and he says “Yeah, just used to being in lock up.”  Again, Cam’s not giving us much to work with, but I guess we’re supposed to see that he’s already overwhelmed and doesn’t want to be part of this anymore?  Geneva introduces him to a bunch of workers for the GJ movement that have actual titles-they’re practically a corporation now, then drags him inside where he’s going to make a press statement and take selfies with donors that gave one thousand dollars or more for his bail.  Ian looks down at the index cards with his statement and reads aloud, “My harrowing and abusive time in jail?  Prison was inspiring...”  Geneva is officially his new Terror and dismisses anything he has to say.  She tells him to just emphasize his oppression as a gay man and the daily violence he endured.”  Which, yes, hello, that actually WOULD be his experience in jail, but the show chose to make it cute and sweet.  Grrrr.  

Ian doesn’t have a reply to that, I guess, so he looks at a map on the wall with a bunch of pins in it and asks what it is.  Geneva tells him it’s where they’ve blown up vans, and they’re going to do more in his name.  He seems genuinely upset.  Guess he’s missing out on the fact that he could meet more fireman if he keeps blowing up vans-opportunity missed, John Wells!!!

Another disciple comes up to Geneva with an old timey prison striped shirt for Ian to put on for his statement.  Just like Jerome wore for so many scenes in Gotham.  I don’t know if the show thinks it’s a clever nod to Cam’s other job every time they do something like this, but to me it just pulls me out of the story and I go off on a thought tangent yet again, thinking about how much more realistic Gotham had handled all Cam’s prison stuff.  But I digress.  Ian says, “Am I allowed to take a piss?” which, really?  That’s how the kids talk these days?  He wouldn’t say “go to the bathroom”?  Whatever.  He goes into the bathroom, stares at his reflection because that must be in his contract, stuffs the prison shirt into the trash, flips down the baby changing table, and uses it to escape out the window, flashing the camera a shot of those ugly ass blue shoes with the gold heel coverings.  

In his final scene of the night, Ian is sitting in the dark in the Gallagher kitchen, undoubtedly thinking about the huge-probably life altering-mistake he made.  I’m referring of course, to when TPTB at Gotham sold him on the “Jerome has an unknown twin!” storyline.  Carl comes up from the basement and the two of them share the most awkward scene since the British version of “The Matches”, as told by Eddie Izzard:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfw60qXtOH0  Oh look!  He’s wearing a spa kimono-like garment too!  

Anyway, Cameron and Ethan stiltedly say some lines as if neither of them has ever acted before, and Carl goes to make his escape quite rapidly, but not before we get proof (not that we needed any) that no one’s been visiting Ian in prison, and that when Fiona visited, she didn’t bother keeping him up on family news in the 9 MONTHS he’s been gone.  

Ian: Who’s the girl in my bed? Carl: Peyton List?  (I know I was confused-Lip’s been sleeping in Ian’s bed, Xan’s over in the corner where Carl and Kassidi-remember her?  She’s dead now-slept.)  Let me try again:

Carl: That’s Xan-Lip’s kid.   Ian:... Doesn’t really react to that either.  I HOPE what all this is driving at is that Ian doesn’t feel like he belongs anywhere anymore-he doesn’t want to be part of the huge nationwide movement that Gay Jesus has turned into, he shouldn’t want to be in jail/prison even if there will always be gay men there, he doesn’t belong at “home” where they don’t even have a bed for him and all the kids except Liam are out of the nest now.  For Ian, home is not a place, it’s a caring, loving man with blue eyes and an ass that won’t quit...

[coal15]

Chapters: 13/? Fandom: Shameless (US) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Ian Gallagher & Mickey Milkovich Characters: Ian Gallagher, Mickey Milkovich Summary:

Mickey and Fiona visit Ian at the psych ward. Mickey's POV

[thevioletjones]

Tag Team

Ch. 5: The New Gallaghers

Ian & Mickey’s sons become hard to handle. Fiona visits from Chicago. The dads give counseling a shot.

[imagination-of-a-fandom-slut]

Meeting The Gallaghers (Ch.1)

Veronica’s half sister has lived the big life with her rich father after a few things go south in her home she is sent to live with her mom’s side of the family. Y/N has been spoiled her whole life and has never struggled with anyone, this is all to change when she meets the Gallaghers.

I stood at the airport, hand in my purse wrapped around my taser that made it past security because it looks like a tube of lipstick. People passed me, eyeing my up and down a few wolf whistling and catcalling. I faked gagged, and eyes scanned the parking lot, landing on a sign that read ‘Fisher’. I waved him in and he rushed in, picking up my bags as I strolled my two suitcases behind him. “Why the hell do you have so much shit?” The guy grunted as he led me to a van, a van with pictures of topless girls on it, one of them my sister. “Ah yeah, this is my titty van, that there is V and that there is Svetlana.” He opens the back of the van and lugs my bags into the back, “Did you bring all your clothes?” I nod and put my suitcases in the back and close it. I round the van and climb into the front.

“How fast does this thing go?” I laugh, and he looks at me shocked,

“Thank god, I was beginning to think you were mute.” He starts the van and pulls out of the van, “Oh and by the way, this van goes ten miles an hour, good thing the house is only a few hours from here.” My jaw drops and he laughs, “I’m just kidding it takes about forty minutes, oh and by the way, I’m Kev.” I shake his hand and turn on the radio,

“I’m not driving forty minutes in awkward silence.”

We arrived at Kev’s house, my sister sitting on the porch, “V!” I screeched jumping out the van and racing to her, jumping in her arms, “Damn you’re strong.” I laugh as she sets me on the ground, “I missed you.” She laughed and grabbed my face, kissing my face multiple times, “Ew! Ew! Let me go.”

“I’m sorry, I just missed this sweet little face.” I smile, placing my hands over hers.

“I missed you too, is that your husband?” I point to Kev as he struggles with my bags and suitcases, “I like him.” I finish and bounce off the porch to go help him.

After we finished moving my things into the guest room, I laid on the bed, arm over my face, I was exhausted. “Come on Y/N/N, my best friend Fi invited us over for dinner.” I groan and sit up,

“Ugh, here I come.” I groan and grab my phone, slipping on my shoes. I follow Veronica downstairs,

“Hold on, let me grab the meat sauce, it’s a collaboration dinner.” I laugh and offer to hold the pot to which Kev just tells me he has it, He grabs it and Veronica leads me out the house. We turn left and walk down literally one house, “We’re here.” We walk around the back and up a lot of stairs. Veronica opens the door and I am instantly greeted with several voices at once. “Hey, Fiona.” V smiled and hugged Fiona, Kev setting the meat sauce on the counter.  "Okay, Y/N let me introduce you to everyone.“ She pulled me into the living room and cleared her throat. "Okay, Y/N that’s Debbie and that’s her daughter Franny, Debbie this is my younger sister YN.” I wave,

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” She smiles before attending back to the baby,

“That’s Lip, he’s back from college, Lip this is my younger sister Y/N.” I wave to the boy who laid at the foot of the couch drinking a beer, a cigarette in his other hand.

“That’s Ian, he’s recently come out, we love him still.” Ian smiles and waves,

“Nice to meet you 'Y/N, Veronica’s younger sister.” I wave, smiling a little, I think I’ll like him the most.

“Oh yeah, that’s Liam, he’s the youngest and the cutest.” Veronica laughs tickling him, Liam laughs and I smile joining in on the tickling, just then a guy burst through the door, closing it behind him and locking it, smart call. “Carl, what the hell did you do this time?” He just smirks at her and shrugs,

“Woah, who’s this sexy thing?” He takes my hand and kisses it, Ian and Lip laughing shaking there heads,

“I’m Y/N, V’s younger sister, nice to meet you, Carl.” He smiles,

“Nice to meet you indeed.” He lets my hand fall to my side and rushes upstairs,

“You’ll have to excuse Carl, he’s going through a stage and he thinks he’s black.” I laugh, walking back toward the kitchen to find Fiona setting out plates,

“Here, let me help.” I take the plates from her hands and set them out, “Thanks for letting me join you for dinner, I’m starving.” I finish setting the plates out and Fiona watches me a small smile on her face,

“You’re just lucky you made it in time, my father’s not here, no one wants to meet, Frank.” I laugh and placed the bowl of salad in the middle of the table along with the spaghetti, “Dinner’s done.” Fiona yells and people come rushing into the kitchen, “Careful!  Careful!” She laughs as they take a seat at the table, I join them between Debbie and Liam. We make our plates and dig in, sharing stories,“I want to introduce Y/N to the Gallagher family, I don’t know what brought you here but welcome to the family.” Fiona toasts and I smile,“To, Meeting the Gallaghers.”

[nationalssquash]

2019 Masters Finals

Masters Champions crowned at The Park

DAY five of the British National Championships Masters draw saw an array of senior winners crowned across 17 age categories in Nottingham.

AJ Bell British Nationals 2019 : MASTERS Finals

M35: [1] Peter Marshall 3-0 [3/4] Phil Nightingale     11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (39m) M40: [2] Matt Marshall 3-2[1] Jamie Goodrich   8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 2-11, 11-5 (42m) M45: [3/4] Paul Boyle 3-2 [5/8] Jonathan Gallacher  14-12, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 (55m) M50: [5/8] Phil Yerby 3-2 [5/8] Matthew Oxley  5-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6 (44m) M55: [1] Mark Woodliffe 3-0 [5/8] Greg Loach     11-4, 11-3, 11-1 (19m) M60: [2] Jon Evans 3-1 [3/4] Allen Barwise    15-5, 13-15, 15-10, 15-8 (36m) M65: [1] Stephen Johnson 3-0 [2] Geoff Redfern       15-3, 15-6, 15-8 (19m) M70: [3/4] Howard Cherlin 3-2 [5/8] Phil Ayton  6-15, 15-13, 10-15, 15-12, 15-11 (45m) M75: [2] Adrian Wright 3-1 [1] Mike Clemson     15-12, 9-15, 15-5, 15-12 (35m) M80: 1st [3/4] Vincent Taylor, 2nd [2] Lance Kinder     round robin

W35: [1] Lauren Briggs 3-0 [2] Ria Kennerley         11-3, 11-1, 11-5 (17m) W40: [5/8] Nicky Green 3-1 [3/4] Natalie Townsend  14-12, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9 (33m) W45: [1] Rachel Woodward 3-1 [2] Rachel Calver    9-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-5 (24m) W50: [1] Andrea Santamaria 3-0 [2] Nikki Fowler    15-12, 15-9, 15-13 (24m) W55: [1] Mandy Akin 3-1 [2] Fiona McLean     15-11, 15-10, 15-17, 15-9 (37m) W60: [3/4] Karen Hume 3-1 [2] Jill Campion   17-15, 11-15, 15-13, 15-9 (41m) W65: 1st Rebecca Czuczman, 2nd Bett Dryhurst    round robin W70: 1st Bett Dryhurst, 2nd June Hill

Chairman’s Report

It has all been leading up to this. Some tired and in some cases very tired bodies. But some of the best Masters Squash players in the country do battle in the Finals for the accolade of being crowned “National Champion”.

Rebecca Czuczman (KNT) from Thanet SC has a pedigree in this event winning 50s and 60s titles before. This one was her sixth as she overpowered Sheelagh Shane-Carter (LEC) in straight games to take the Women’s 65 title. Bett Dryhurst (WRC) has a legendary record and she won her 8th National title here to go with 9 British Opens. She took the W70s with a clinical win over June Hill (YKS)

The Women’s 60s has been a classic event sprinkled with World, British Open and National Champions. The final between Karen Hume (KNT) the 2016 World Champion and Jill Campion (MDX) the 2018 World Champion. The first two games were close and shared, it was the Kent player who stuck in and played the big points the best to take a 3/1 win. Surprisingly, her first National title.

The thrills of previous encounters between Mandy Akin (KNT) and Fiona McLean (SCO) did not quite occur in the W55 final as Akin played beautifully to go two up and almost take the third before a spirited fight back by McLean edged the third 17/15. This is a calmer and more controlled Kent woman, however, and she reasserted herself to take the fourth. Her seventh National title.

The W45s had a lot of local support and a packed gallery was there for Rachel Woodward (NOT) and Rachel Calver (LEC). Calver took the first and very nearly the second, losing 14/12. But after that the flow of the match changed and the Nottingham woman took charge. 3/1 to her, and a first National title.

Yorkshire star Andrea Santamaria is another with a top class record and she again showed her class with a polished performance to take the win over Nikki Fowler (CHS) and the W50 crown.

Nicky Green (NOR) was a junior star and now coaches. Her skills have not diminished and her W40 semi final win over the top seed Keeley Johnson underlined her ability. Against Natalie Lawrence (WKS) she held her nerve to win a closely contested 3/1.

Former World top 20 player Lauren Briggs (ESX) is the outstanding player in the Women’s over 35s and for the last few years there has been no one to trouble her. Ria Kennerley (SFD) plays a very good game and deserved her place in the final but had no answer to Brigg’s speed and pace. 3/0 to the Essex player.

The inspirational over Men’s 80s players concluded their round robin event today.

There have been a series of five game matches and some excellent squash played. The current World 80s Champion Lance Kinder (HPH) came second and Canadian Scot Vincent Taylor, unbeaten, took the title.

The M75s pitted to regular rivals against each other. Both from Yorkshire, Mike Clemson has been ahead recently, but Adrian Wright has not won four World Championships by not being determined. He had the upper hand today and won through in four for another title.

The Men’s over 70s also renewed an old rivalry. Phil Ayton (SSX) was National Champion in 1975 and England no. 1. Since then he has won a host of Masters events.  Howard ‘Merlin’ Cherlin (MDX) is one of the most talented shot makers around and is already British Open Champion. Their final was cut and thrust with one gaining the lead then being pulled back. In the end, Cherlin managed to edge ahead and clinch the fifth. His third National title. A great match full of skill.

The Over 65s had the two best players in the group reach the final after an adventurous draw that saw its fair share of upsets. Stephen Johnson (LNC) won the 60s two years ago and he was on top form today as he never let Geoff Redfern (WKS) in the match. A clinical display by Johnson and the title was his, 3/0.

Johnson’s County colleague Allen Barwise the defending Champion was not going to let his 2018 M60 National title go easily. After his superb performance yesterday to oust the top seed he pushed the no. 2 seed, Jon Evans (WAL) all the way. In a match full of quality Evans came through in four hard contested games to add to his 55s title of five years ago.

Mark Woodliffe (GLR) is regarded as one of the great Masters players. He has a relaxed style that is deadly efficient. Greg Loach (DBY) had played exceptionally to reach the final, as he had last year, but again, Woodliffe was just too good as he took the M55 title.

Meanwhile in the over 50s Phil Yerby (BUX) took on home favourite Matthew Oxley (NOT) in front of a packed gallery. Oxley is an immensely powerful hitter and Yerby a fantastic mover. They played a wonderful match that Yerby salvaged from 1/2 down to finish the stronger in the fifth.

The Men’s 45s was one of those matches both deserved to win. Great squash played flat out and the result in doubt to the end. Paul Boyle ( BUX) edged home against England team mate Jonathan Gallagher (DVN) the Leicester pro,winning in five.

The top two seeds contested the over 40 final with Jamie Goodrich (NOR) playing down an age group. Matt Marshall (BUX) is a talented shot maker, though, and Goodrich the defending Champion was not able to use his fitness to best use. Marshall found the winners and forced errors and ran out the winner in five.

The Blue Riband event, the Men’s 35s saw the return of one of Nottingham’s favourite sons. Peter Marshall, former World no. 2, a former three time National Champion at the open group, and now 47. Still playing superb squash and using his signature double handed style. Phil Nightingale, the Surrey professional was good enough to beat everyone else but had no answer to Marshall. Some fantastic squash but it was all Marshall. 3/0 and another title.

It was a marvellous week of Masters Squash at Nottingham Squash Club. There were special thanks to the Sponsors AJ Bell, the Club and all the staff, the referees and Paul Millington, the President of England Squash who assisted in the presentations.

A special thanks went to Mrs. Jane Bell for all her tournament assistance, but the main Thank You went to England Squash Masters Event Manager Brian Brock who delivered a superb  National Championships.

Stuart Hardy. Chairman. England Squash Masters.

[brookestilinskis]

[artificialqueens]

You Belong To Me Ch.2 (Trixya) - Red

A/N- Thank you all so much for reading again. I"m still getting to grip the terms of writing, I used to write a lot (fanfiction) and I would appreciate feedback! Negative or positive say anything! Thank you again!

T/W- Swearing as per usual

“Last night you were in my room, and now my bedsheets smell like you” Trixie sang at the top of her lungs, whilst scrubbing her silk-like skin in the fresh shower.

Trixie loved to sing, she loved to express her voice and showcase that. There was no denying Trixie was talented but she still had her insecurities of course. Her weight, her face and her social skills. Katya had always convinced her she had beautiful curves and not every girl was stick thin. She had also told her every day she was pretty or cute, usually through a pun or some sort.

There was also no denying Katya was her number one fan, and vise versa. Trixie had a massive crush on her in the past. Trixie was still young, still discovering herself. Katya could probably do better than her, she just wished things had turned out differently, no one could make Trixie happier than Katya. Not even Taylor.

“Every day discovering something brand new, I’m in love with your body” Trixie sang, her strong voice wavering as she washed her hair with Strawberry shampoo. Trixie thought more in depth about her relationship with Taylor. Sure he was nice, and kept her warm. She had almost convinced herself she was straight. That is something that’ll never happen.

She was interrupted from her thoughts when Katya bust in the door wearing her short sweatpants and a cotton vest. Katya headed to the sink, grabbing her toothbrush.

“Katya! Fuck off” Trixie covered her innocence as Katya laughed menacingly. “Not like I havent seen it all before, cunt” Katya managed to get out from all the minty foam in her mouth.

Trixie shook her head and turned her back to her, washing her shoulders. Katya stolen a look at Trixies bare back, but quickly turned away, blushing furiously.

“Taylors coming over,” Trixie spoke after silence. Katya groaned and splashed water in her face. Trixie giggled. “He’s not that bad, Kat, we’re supposed to be going to a drive-in-movie tonight.” Trixie smiled to herself, finally a night off. Katya shook her head. “So I’ll be the lonely widow tonight” Katya washed her hands, looking at her bare face in the mirror. Trixie laughed loudly. “Go out tonight, get yourself a woman.”

Katya rolled her eyes and walked out. She picked out a nice red and black dress, a perfect fit to her petit body and tied her hair up. After 15 minutes, Trixie walked out in pink tartan shorts and top, looking like a body suit. “Looking good, Tracey.” Katya complimented. “You look not so bad yourself.” They both giggled and walked out to get breakfast.

“What movie are you going to see, Trix?” Katya asked as they both walked into the kitchen. “I’m not too sure yet, I’m looking forward to getting shitty snacks from 7/11 that is sure to give me diabetes.” Katya laughed at Trixies joke, pushing her lightly. The 2 cups of coffee sat at the worktop with freshly with Trixies newly bought jeans ironed and folded up. Katya grabbed her coffee a bit too quick and spilled all over Trixies gorgeous pair of jeans. “Shit, Trix i’m sorry!” Katya ran over to the kitchen roll and panicked. Trixie leaned on the counter and giggled. Katya gave Trixie the evil eye and shoved her towards the window where it was painted with raindrops. “Rains beautiful” Trixie stated. Whilst Trixie was staring at her beauty, Katya was staring at her.

-

The doorbell went. Katya rushed to get it after discussing about the show they were watching, Shameless, and talking who they would be. Trixie said she’d more likely to be Fiona Gallagher, caring but also a bit of a slut. Katya said she’d be Frank Gallagher. Enough said.

Katya opened the door with a bright smile but immediately dropped when she seen the deformed fuck face that was Taylor. “Oh, its you. Come in” Katya opened the door and walked in, sitting next to Trixie. Almost protecting her territory. Taylor came in and kissed Trixie. Katya looked at them. Why was that bastard but not her? He was a complete ass. His views were shitty, he said gay people made him feel uncomfortable and that women should be in the kitchen. Katya was almost convinced he voted for Trump. Katyas heart eventually sank when the kiss was held for more than 5 seconds. Katya in no way was self pitying herself, she just felt shitty. Well wouldn’t you if someone you loved for years on end kissed another man. Watching someone she couldn’t have was crushing her, thats why she had always turned on alcohol, but cut down now. Thankfully.

“How’re you Trix?” Taylor asled, leaning back on the leather seat. Katya stared at the TV screen, flicking through channels when she spotted the music channel playing the song Trixie was singing earlier. She smiled to herself whilst Trixie and Taylor made small chat.

“Babe, I can’t make it tonight, I’m sorry.” Taylor apologised. Katya looked over at a disappointed Trixie. “It’s alright, I’ll just work on a new song or something.” she mumbled. That bastard! Katya looked at him, he looked almost guilty.

That boy was too fishy for her liking, he was always up to something.

After 2 hours of them talking and Katya growling, Taylor left, claiming he had to run some errands. Bullshit. Katya had tried to cheer Trixie up afterwards. With her Barbara voice and horrific dancing which resulted in Katya nearly breaking her actual leg trying to death drop.

Katya understood Trixies sadness and let her be. Trixie claimed she wanted to start writing a new song. That is when the big stupid-ass lightbulb appeared at the top of her head.

“Trix, I’ll be 20 minutes, I need to get some groceries, mainly milk. Do you need anything?” Katya peered from Trixies door, seeing Trixie lie on her bed, guiatr on the other side of the bed, and it all covered in paper.

“Don’t think so.” Trixie shook her head. Trixie was about to walk away when she seen the drive-in movie poster and snatched it from the desk quickly and ran to the car.

Drive-In-Movie - Juliette park -

7.30pm-10.00pm - Admission fee $9

Showing - Me Before You

Katya started the car up and headed to the nearest supermarket., stuffing the poster in the cup holder. Katyas short heels clicked as she passed through the bright isles looking at stuff to get. She picked up milk and looked over to her left, looking down at a pair of heels and a pair of coverse. Katya looked up more and seen a younger woman, with big lips and nice eyebrows chatting to a little bit older woman with a big smile and a good sense of fashion. They actually looked in love. Katya smiled at them. The younger one looked at Katya and gasped and ran over to her. Katya was about to oiss her panties because what the fuck.

“Hey! You might not know me but I’m Adore! I’m a friend of Violets! I recognised you!” Adore smiled widely, touching the cling-film wrapped around her red arm.

The older woman chuckled at Adores actions and approached. “Don’t mind this bitch, she just wants to pretend to know a lot of people. I’m Bianca” Bianca held her hand out to shake it, Katya obliged, smiling. “Nice to meet you, I’m Katya if you didn’t hear.” They all giggled. “Whats up with your arm, Adore?” Katya asked curiously.

Adore turned her arm, revealing a beautiful flower with ‘Mia Bella’ under it. “I got it today, stings like a fucker but yea.” She held Biancas hand.

“Why 'my beautiful’?” Katya clicked her heels, looking up. Katya was basically a translator and knew shit. Adores tattoo was quite cheesy but at the same time, adorable.

Bianca held Adores waist. “This little cunt wanted a tattoo to remind herself of me, she wouldnt get the devil on her arm but would get some sappy shit like this.” Adore shoved her, smiling.

“Thats-thats fucking cute!” Katya was snatched. “How long have you been together?”

Bianca answered. “Secretly, a year or something.” Adore nodded.

“Secretly?"

"Well, she is my lecturer after all.”

Katya was really fucking snatched bald.

“I know right?” Bianca laughed. “Scandal waiting to happen.”

Katya shook her head, laughing along. “Your secrets safe with me."

"Hey dude, whats your number? We should all hang out sometime, Violet told me you have a crush thats your roommate, right?” Adore got her phone out, snatching Katyas from her hand filling in the numbers.

Katya stuttered, coughing slightly. “Um, Yeah Trixie. She doesnt know though, she’s taken."

Adore and Bianca looked up at her. Shit.

"Not for any longer, bitch.” Bianca smirked at Katya, then grabbed Adores hand when Adore passed to phone to Katya.

“I’ll text ya later, Katya, bye!” Adore waved.

“Bye Katya.” Bianca smiled and walked with Adore.

Katya waved and sighed happily. They were nice.

Katya smiled at the possibility of nice friends, she was sure Trixie would like them. She proceeded to walk around the supermarket, picking up stuff like bread, milk and tampons. Then she picked up crisps, ready made pizza, chocolate, candy. Making sure everything was pink. Pink lemonade, pink smarties, pink popcorn. Who knew right? Pink popcorn.

Katya made sure everything was perfect, she even got a cute little basket to put stuff in. When everything was paid for, Katya stuffed the basket in the boot and the groceries in the front seat.

Juilette park was only half an hour drive away so she had 1 or 2 to get ready and tell Trixie to get ready. Trixie definitely needed the 2 hours.

When Katya got home she sighed and looked into Trixies room door. Trixie had a pen in her mouth, ink running down her h=chin as she played a few cords.

“Hey bitch,you been sucking off a Smurf?” Katya greeted, laughing slightly.

Trixie gasped as she touched her mouth and ran into the bathroom, looking down at the ink stained fingers and attempted to frantically rub the ink off.

Katya stood and chucked at her friend. What a ditz. “Be ready at 6.50pm please” Katya asked, smiling a little bit. Trixie furrowed her eyebrows. “Why?" Katya tapped her nose and walked out the room leaving an ink stained Trixie confused.

-

6.45pm, Katya was excited. She had redone her makeup, the bold red lipstick complimented her darker eyes. Her dress looked beautiful, hugging her in all the right places. She stepped out with her wallet, keys and phone. Leaning on the breakfast bar, Katya sorted her dress, smoothing it out. Earlier she put the basket in the front seat and reminded herself to stop into a gas station.

Trixie walked out, wearing a beautiful pale pink dress with lace all over. It was beautiful. Her hair curly but loose and her makeup making her look the even more irresistible. Katya muttered under her breathe how gorgeous she looked but Trixie stood there smiling.

"Uh- Um lets go! Yeah lets go to the car” Katya laughed and walked out the apartment, Trixie following after. Katya was smiling herself becoming very excited.

Katya entered the car and let Trixie wonder for a minute what a basket was doing there. “Katya, what is this?” She held the basket in her lap, smiling confused.

“WE’RE GOING TO THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE THINGY CINEMAS BITCH!” Katya jumped up in her car seat, starting the car and blasting the music. Trixie gasped and hugged her.

“Thank you! Thank you Kat!” She beamed, leaving Katya pleased with herself, starting up the car.

“Well lets go then.”