#chapter 13 will still only come out on sunday tho

[laugtherhyena]

Fuck today is friday isn't it

[transsexualhamlet]

predictions for yuumori s2 (as a manga reader)

No matter what happens, this is probably gonna end up aging badly, but i’m hyperfixating and I’ve decided to make it everyone else’s problem so I’m going to predict where they’re gonna go with s2 of moriarty the patriot (keep in mind i’m writing this as of episode 2) and what I think would be the ideal scenario, in the likely situation that this is the last season.

So we can tell a lot about what they’re going to cut/include from the opening and ending, and the first two episodes. 

Observations/Conclusions:

-moneypenny and most likely von herder are gone, already evidenced by the first 2 episodes, which is :( but understandable bc there’s only so much space and they’re definitely cutting the arcs where they would be important

-so that means no moran backstory because duh, there’s a point in the backstory and i see value in it, moran slaps when he’s not being an ass lmao, but again, time constraints

-no matter what I can’t see them keeping in the like, child hunting thing 2 electric boogaloo, even tho it did further Fred’s and Louis’ characters, since they’ve previously cut out stuff considering them and. You know. That’s how it be.

-You can see they’re including jack the ripper arc (considering, jack is in the opening) and I have faith that they can downsize the arc without butchering it if they do it right. This is good that they’re keeping it in, considering it’s one of the... main arcs not involving milverton that advances the plot.

-Major thing we can tell is that, yeah, Milverton is nowhere to be seen. It seems like this would fuck things up bad since he’s like, the only kind of “main villain” we get here. But honestly? I agree with that. Fuck Milverton. He has no character or motivation and is like my one and only bone to pick with the manga. He’s just there to suck ass and create plot convenience?? I don’t like him and he never needed to be there if he wasn’t at least going to do something interesting. I support the anime cutting him.

-That DOES fuck over their ability to do the white knight arc, since, well, milverton is the cause of all of that. And this is the one thing I really don’t know what they’re going to do with that to connect jack the ripper directly to the final problem. I can’t predict that, but I do think there are ways it can be done that won’t be Awful.

-So considering that, Mary’s arc is definitely axed, which doesn’t bother me that much since by that point i so impatient for gay people and really didn’t care about watson’s fiance even tho she is a lovely lady. For anime effect, she does not need an arc, though I could see them having her show up a few times so watson doesn’t seem too gay either lmao.

-They’re definitely shooting to end with the final problem, considering without it there’s no big culminating event between moriarty and sherlock, which is obviously the big sell. And well. It’s. Um. The final problem. 

The season says it’s slated to be 13 episodes, since s1 didn’t have enough time for 12. I honestly think they can manage it all, if they play their cards right. 

Outlook:

This whole potential situation does sound familiar, I’ll point out that I just arrived here after the shit show of the promised neverland’s second season. But I don’t think it will get bad like tpn did. Because in Moriarty, they could afford to cut things because there are many stand alone and disposable arcs, whereas tpn really shouldn’t have, since they pretty much all contributed later to Major Main Character Plot Things. And the important points of the arcs that they’ll probably cut can actually be written into existing ones without looking like plot convenience, in my vision of it.

Honestly, I’m pretty optimistic for moriarty, it works better for this kind of adaption than in a lot of other manga that end up getting these most likely two season adaptions. I’d love to get those arcs for the servant’s and other character’s developments of course, but trying to stick that in when there’s really only time to focus on the main characters would suck up time better spent on really getting deep into the main storyline. Even if there are less characters, in a situation like this a streamlined and nuanced story will look elegant, whereas shoving as much content as possible into a few short episodes makes everyone cringe.

The situation does end up looking like the promised neverland, but it has a chance to be significantly less fucked considering,,, well,,, tpn is an insanely low bar, and they will hopefully not make the promised neverland’s same mistakes of Shove Seventeen Plotlines Into One Episode After Realizing Belatedly They Actually Needed Those Parts.

Obviously I don’t know what will happen, and this will be outdated by sunday lmao, but my projection looks something like this for 13 episodes to conclude the show.

Predictions:

(Episodes 1+2: A Scandal in the British Empire)

Episode 3: I’m very anxious for 3 considering this will probably make or break my opinion on the anime. Ideally, this episode would wrap up the scandal arc and go over the whole James Bond thing, it could be pretty baller and fit well into an episode. But though there’s plenty of Irene in the opening, there’s no sight of Bond, so considering anime as a whole is fucking transphobic, they might try to change it, twist around bond’s words or just, gloss over it altogether. If they cut it, they might have time to squeeze in another arc but I don’t think they honestly need to? With what they seem to be keeping in, they’ll have ample time to get to everything, and it would be shorter anyway considering the smaller amount of servants. 

Here, we do definitely need to cover Sherlock’s “receiving the name of the lord of crime and deciding to burn it and find it out himself because he’s extra”, no matter the status of irene/bond’s gender. If they do that right and possibly change a few things so it’s more important, this could play into them moving forward his whole discovery of their secrets.

Episodes 4-7: These will most likely cover jack the ripper arc. There’s a lot to go over here, and I’m confident they can cut it down, because tbh Moriarty is pretty long winded for a manga and cutting things is good to an extent. This covers most of the major expansions on William’s ideas and plans, and definitely has the holes to stuff in more of the points made in the arcs that will be cut out. Though I have my reservations, they could plausibly take most points in white knight and integrate them into here.

Episodes 8-10: These are the ones that are going to take the most work and probably be the most changed. They should finish up the ripper arc in 7, give or take a few episodes, and then here, If Sherlock has a little more figured out from episode 3, he can look deeper. I think it’s honestly a good idea for the one to discover the Incriminating Records to be him, as it again gives them more connection. There needs to be some other reason Moriarty’s secrets are in danger of getting leaked to the paper, but I’m sure they can put something together with scotland yard or something, or even like, Mycroft. I see that. But if that happens, then we can spend an episode or so on the merchant of london, aka little liam commits girlboss, which can be woven into the idea of everything Coming Out.

Episodes 11-13: Final problem. I see this going mostly unchanged, up until 55. Truth is they’ll probably end up cutting something but hmm. I don’t know. They should keep the fred stuff in, since they’ll cut his other development. They should keep the squad asking sherlock for help, since they cut the other parts that highlight the crime squad’s care for him. But I think they could montage most of the William Goes French Revolution On You Hoes, even the part where the kids come in front of one of them, if you see what’s going on right. But everything can proceed as in the manga pretty smoothly, I think, it all makes sense if they put it together in 7-10. You know, you got somehow, the worst case happens, and boom, scandal, final problem enacted. Killing spree. William reveals he’s been emo this whole time but it’s too late now. Everyone scrambling to catch up with his damn plans. Gay boy knocking on 221B with a fucking love letter. Shit gets found out. And then... well, yuh.

Disclaimer I still don’t know everything about this, bc I cannot find a translation of 54, only the raw with no context, and I know there’s content after 55 but I can’t find that either. But I’m sure as hell an english major and can understand where things are probably going. I don’t know what’s involved at that point, and if there’s some plan detailed to save him or something. That’s the main thing I don’t know, and if there is one detailed of course that kind of changes everything, but for now I’m going on the assumption that 54 is “sherlock runs to the bridge and yells at liam to stop being a dramatic whore while london burns around them and the murder squad watches anxiously with mysterious intent, until it is chapter 55″. (IF Y’ALL HAVE THE ENGLISH PLEASE HMU) They better not TOUCH anything in 55 or so help me god.

But as to after 55, things are going to be different. Besties, I’m an optimist, but there’s no way they’ll make a season after this. It does appear that they’ve mostly wrapped up, and they’ve gotten through what Big Revals they plan on doing. The shit hinted from the beginning has happened, and there probably won’t be enough to create another, unless the author plans on fucking shit up again, which I don’t approve of. There are a few things still left unsaid, like, Liam’s real name and everything, but if it’s supposed to be important, things that small can 100 percent be written into this.

And as something that’s intending to finish up a story, depending on what manga canon really is (BESTIE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS) they might change it. There’s two options, a bittersweet/hopeful and a tragic one, but either one will end up open ended, because of my extensive knowledge of 2 season animes with significantly longer mangas. (done badly: tokyo ghoul and tpn, done well: owari no seraph and mob psycho) Either we have it like well, oh damn, everything was destined to be Sad but well you’re with him now you’re probably dead, but you know there’s something hinted at and you don’t know for sure so that’s the catch. So you get a vague and bittersweet but possibly hopeful ending. OR something that takes,,, whatever ends up happening in the manga or whatever the plan is and turning it into an epilogue infodump.

I can see either going well depending on how they handle the messages of the story. But yeah, as far as to my extent of the understanding of the show, that’s how it’ll probably go, and what my opinion of how it should is.

To What Extent Will The Gay:

You know, this is my ideal scenario within these time limits, but you know they could always go The Wrong Direction if the anime team took a look at some of the later chapters and went “holy shit this is a bit too gay” and try to axe some of the sherliam content, which I wouldn’t put past any corporation.

In the case that they do, I see lot of good shit going. They’re clearly trying to do the final problem, so they obviously can’t cut out 55, which is good :). But though 55 is clearly, uh, really fucking homosexual, the most romantic shit goes down in 53, as far as I can tell? (keeping in mind i still haven’t found 54′s english version, if anyone would like to direct me to a translation, that would be LOVELY.) I unfortunately can see them cutting Liam’s letter almost entirely, and that kind of scares me.

You know, even if i’d hate and slander them for it, cutting out james bond would be something i would understand. But messing with sherliam would fuck them over, not just cause that would be awful, but like, because it’s like... kind of the main point.

So I’m not really too worried about them messing with it, mostly because the content itself is holding them at gunpoint, sherliam holds the whole plot structure in place, especially if you’re shooting for final problem. And even in the manga they never, like, actually say they’re in love with each other even tho historically gay lovers would probably call each other “friends” lmao so it’s not like they have to greenlight gay sex or anything lmao it’s just Very Romantic (No Homo)

And apart from that, yuumori has actually been pretty decent to the gays so far?? Damn shawty, they certainly haven’t toned down the gay yet and it’s clearly their main source of fans, and what they’ve decided to emphasize in both openings and a significant portion of the s2 ending. We’re all here for it, and they’re catering to it, so I can at least give you that.

[heymonty]

So, I visited @/tridymiteee on ao3. OMG, they make a horror 13 RW fic. Only using the characters, totally unrelated from the series but I love love LOVEEEEE IT😍. Seriously, like; WHOSE BRAIN THINKS ABOUT TURNING 13 RW INTO A HORROR STORY?!

*left kudos coz I love it!* But sadly only updated every sunday so... I'm waiting for the next chapter 😅

Is leaving kudos enough? I'm too scared to comment on it :(

hmm. tbh, as a fanfic writer i feel so much grateful for the kudos my stories get in all honesty! and i know each of us who writes feels the same. but comments keeps us going too. anyway, since you're here and fawning over their fics, i'mma take this chance too for you guys to check out my 13rw fics (@/ssasakii ao3) as well! ( ◜‿◝ )♡ thanks! tho i already written some fics from a different fandom (but I'm writing in 13rw fandom atm)

anyway, going back, and for everyone who's going to read this post, don't ever hesitate to leave a comment especially if you like someone's work. whether they've written it a month ago, still... leave. a. comment. if you think you can. it really helps us writers to also get motivated or at least to know that someone also liked or what someone thinks of what we wrote/write/are writing, since we're also interested what you guys think. 💙 make sure your comments don't come as rude tho, especially if you find something which you don't like.

[horansqueen]

You & Me : chapter 17

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

Sequel to AM CONVERSATIONS

CHAPTER 1 || CHAPTER 2 || CHAPTER 3 || CHAPTER 4 || CHAPTER 5 || CHAPTER 6 || CHAPTER 7 || CHAPTER 8 || CHAPTER 9 || CHAPTER 10 || CHAPTER 11 || CHAPTER 12 || CHAPTER 13 || CHAPTER 14 || CHAPTER 15 || CHAPTER 16

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his. -4.2k -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

- notes: i know some of you were sort of waiting for that soooo here it is! PLEASE let me know what you think!

if you want to be on the list of blogs i notify when this is updated, just message me :)

requests! : i added a few but some im not posting the screenshots of because i didnt add everything in the ask so it felt weird to add them. it was tough to add requests tho because I sort of had something planned. i hope you enjoy it anyway :)

Chapter 17 : His chapter

NIALL

I hadn't heard from Olivia in days but I was not really surprised. Apparently, her fiance (and trust me when I said I hated that word) had came back for a few days and she had without a doubt spent all her time with him. I was so mad when Harry told me about it that I actually initiated sex with my girlfriend, which was something I hadn't done in a very long time. I hated to think about Olivia with him. In fact, I hated to think about Olivia with anyone that was not me, and it was driving me a bit insane. Who would have thought my best friend would give me all these feelings? I wouldn't have guessed that back then, when we were kids.

I was the first one to sit at the restaurant as I waited for everyone to be there. It was sunday morning and we all had decided to have brunch together. I was not really in the mood but at least, it made me get out of the house, if only for a few hours. Even Heidi, whom I almost broke up with about 5 times in the past 2 days, couldn't handle being around me too much. I was still pissed at her and I knew she could feel it but somehow, I felt like she held me responsible for everything that had happened, like me being mad at her for what she did gave her the right to be mad at me.

Of course, I was not completely innocent in all of this and the fact that Olivia and I had kissed and more should make me feel guilty but it didn't. We were supposed to be together so why were we still apart and dating other people?

Louis and Eleanor were the first ones to join me, followed by Julie and Liam. We started talking about what we would do for Harry's birthday when I felt her presence behind me. It was a mix of the connection we had, and the way she smelled like, that always made me know when she was around and I started wondering if she could sense when I was near, too. It's only when she took a seat that something stirred in my stomach. Her boyfriend was there too and he was doing everything he could not to look at me. It made me frown and suddenly, I realized that she probably told him everything. It shouldn't surprise me, she was not the kind to keep things from people or even worse, lie, but I thought it was something that only belonged to us and it bothered me to know that she shared it with someone else, even if that someone else was the boyfriend she was cheating on. He was also still there, with her, making me think he had forgiven her, which was some crazy level of bullshit.

I tried to have fun and chat with everyone but I couldn't help but keep glancing at Olivia. She didn't seem at ease and I was not even sure why she had decided to come. She didn't enjoy that kind of confrontation and awkward moments normally and once again, I guessed that Dylan was probably the one who had convinced her to come.

I knew everyone was having fun but I was not and when everyone was done eating and were just chatting and laughing, I got up and said my goodbyes. They were short and I had a hard time to fake a smile but I still sent one last glance to my ex girlfriend before leaving.

I was searching for the right key on my chain when I noticed someone from the corner of my eyes and immediately hoped it was Olivia. When I turned my head, however, I noticed Dylan walking towards me and I was wondering if he was just going to throw his fist in my face. I didn't know what kind of guy he was, and although I felt like my ex girlfriend couldn't pick a violent guy, I also didn't know what a man who was cheated on could do.

"Hey man," he started, standing in front of me with a small frown before sighing. "Look, i'm not sure how to tell you that but, I know there's something between you and my girlfriend."

I stood there in silence, not really knowing what he expected from me. Was I supposed to agree? Apologize? Try to explain myself?

"I love her, you know."

I kept a straight face but my heart jumped in my chest. I loved her too. I was in love with her, but I couldn't tell him that, even if I was dying to.

"I know."

"Just," he passed his hand nervously in his hair. "I don't know how to ask you not to ruin this."

I stared at him for a few seconds, trying to let his words sink in and I started feeling bad. Not because I felt guilty for trying to get my ex girlfriend back, but because It was not the first time someone was asking me not to ruin something. I knew I could lie to him but I was not going to.

"I don't intend to ruin your relationship." I just pointed out in a low tone. "But is that really what you want? You want to marry a girl who's not completely yours?"

He sighed and glanced down before looking up in my eyes.

"If you were me, wouldn't you try anyway?"

This time, I had to admit that I was speechless and I just sighed too. Of course I would. If I was in his shoes, I would probably try to keep her, too, which is something I should have done over a year ago instead. If I had, we wouldn't be stuck in this mess.

I ended up just nodding and he did the same before turning around and leaving. I waited until he was back inside to get in my car and closed my eyes, breathing in and out deeply. I couldn't get myself to give up about Olivia, even if I knew she would be happy with Dylan, even if I knew it would hurt him and probably Heidi in the process, even if it would make an even bigger mess in our lives. I hit my wheel once and then a few more times a bit harder, hitting also the honk by accident. It was getting ridiculous and I knew that whatever was going to be decided needed to happen very soon.

I drove home and waited. I didn't want to be the first one to reach out, I thought that time, she was the one who had to call me and I waited.

It was a random thursday afternoon when I got her text message. The truth was, I was sitting in front of the tv but I was not really watching it. I had picked a netflix show that I was not really interested in just because I knew I was not able to focus on anything but when I put it on pause, I realized it would now probably suggest me a bunch of boring tv shows and I sighed, grabbing my phone. I could pretend I was not happy to get a message from her but i'd be lying. I could even try to say I tossed my phone away and kept on watching my stupid show but in reality, my heart had skipped a beat and I had re-read her words about ten times.

'Can we talk? I miss you.'

I blinked a few times, a bit surprised and annoyed by her words, and pressed my lips together in anger. Did she really just message me as if I hadn't stormed out of her place the last time we talked to each other? As if she hadn't asked me not to break up with my girlfriend after pointing out she was still getting married despite everything that had happened between us? As if she hadn't ignored me at the restaurant? I wanted to text her back to remind her that I was pissed and let her know she needed to stop toying with me. Instead, I decided to do it face to face.

'Where?'

I was expecting her to choose between her place of mine but instead, she asked me to meet her in a park and it made me frown. I got up and grabbed my keys and wallet, but kept my sweatpants and t-shirt. I had been quite lazy in the past few days and I didn't even give a fuck.

The drive seemed long but it was probably just because I was impatient and when I saw her, waiting for me on a bench, I stopped walking and inhaled deeply before sighing again. She looked good and I had missed her. The anger I felt so strongly for her now seemed more like annoyance or pain and I didn't feel like being rude to her anymore. I pushed my hands in my pockets, my eyes never leaving her, as hers were traveling around her. She could have been on her phone like most people would but instead, she was looking at kids running, people having picnics and most of all, at dogs walking by. I noticed her lips curling slightly every time one was near and it made me smile a bit, too. It's only when her eyes moved on me that I smiled more and I noticed that she did too. Why was it always so strong when we were near each other? I walked to her and sat a bit farther on the bench, making sure we wouldn't touch. She turned slightly to face me as I leaned against the back of the bench. placing my arm on it too, my hand very close to her shoulder now.

"I'm here now." I just said, my smile faltering a bit. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I'm sorry for what I did, Niall. I'm sorry for what I said, too." she let out, surprising me a bit. "Of course what happened between us matters. It's... it's all that matters, or almost."

She sighed and I stared at her as she looked down at her hands. She started playing with her fingers nervously and licked her lips but I remained silent.

"I asked to meet here so we wouldn't be tempted to just throw ourselves at each other instead to talk. Because that's all we do, you know? We flirt and we kiss and we touch but we have no idea what to do with our feelings."

I moved slightly closer to her and bent down a bit as my hand gripped the back of the bench tightly. It caught her attention and she looked up, her traits softening immediately when our eyes met.

"I love you and you love me." I whispered firmly, my eyes dropping to her lips before moving back to her eyes. "You love me more than you love him. We're meant to be."

Those were not even questions, they were facts, and somehow, I could feel that she thought the same thing. Her lips parted and I realized that I was in her vital space and despite how rational and private I was, that made me want to kiss her. Whenever we were at very short distance of each other, we were attracted to each other like magnets.

I pressed my lips together but it took me all my strength to move back a bit, making sure I wouldn't just kiss her right there, in the middle of a discussion.

"I know you want me to break things with Dylan, I'm just... Niall I'm not sure I trust you." she looked up and I saw she was tearing up. "You used to be the only person I really trusted and now? I don't know, Niall.."

"I know I've hurt you, I know I've broken your trust, but we deserve an other chance don't you think?"

She closed her eyes and swallowed hard but when she looked at me again, a tear fell from her right eye and she quickly wiped it.

"What exactly do you want, Niall?" she asked, sniffing.

"You! I want you!" I expressed a bit louder. "It's your heart I want Olivia!"

"Why? So you can break it again? Shatter it in pieces? Stomp on it?" she let out, her face twisting in pain. "Because I won't survive this an other time, Niall!"

"I would nev-"

"You'd never do that?" she cut me quickly. "Because I used to believe you'd never break my heart and then you did. So I'm just supposed to let go of the only guy who's ready to drop everything for me, for a guy who broke me before?"

"Who says i'm not ready to give up everything for you?"

We stayed in silence for a long time, just looking at each other as people laughed, talked and ran around us. We were the only static alive things in the park. Even the trees moved due to the small breeze and I focused on her parted lips and how she looked wordless because of my question.

"I need time." her voice was so low it was almost inaudible and I just nodded, feeling my heart twist in my chest. "I'm sorry again for the other day. I should have ran after you."

"I should have called you back then. I should have tried to get in contact with you. I should have told you that I missed you, that I still wanted you in my life. I should have told you my album was about you." I let out before taking a short pause. "I shouldn't have broken up with you."

Her head tilted and the left corner of her lips moved up a bit.

"And I should kiss you right now."

"But you won't." I just let out low.

"I won't."

I nodded and sighed, finally looking away.

"I'll give you all the time you need." I gave in, knowing I was going to have to be very patient. "But even if I understand your reluctance, I love you, and I hope you can trust me again."

I felt her fingertips brush on the top of my hand that was still gripping the back of the bench and held my breath at the feeling of her skin against mine.

"Me too."

                                                    ----

We decided to do the party at Louis and Olivia's and for some reason, I liked that idea. We had fooled Harry with the surprise by throwing colorful balloons at him and screaming 'Happy Birthday!" when he walked by the door and it was probably the cheesiest thing we ever did. Of course, Louis had proposed to play a prank on him where we would all ignore him all day but from what I had understood, Olivia had voted against it and apparently, she had a veto power or something.

"Who drank all the beer?" Louis asked in a loud voice after dinner. "I'm tired to drink your expensive wine, Livi, I want cheap beer and some nachos!"

"You are the most annoying person ever!" Olivia let out, rolling her eyes, before turning to Eleanor. "I don't know how you do it!"

El laughed as Louis glared at my ex girlfriend. "You're the one who lives with him!"

"Not for long again."

I frowned again and moved my chin in her direction. "Are you moving out?"

"No, Louis and I are going to move in together." Eleanor replied with a large smile as Olivia walked up to me.

She opened her lips to say something but Eleanor talked again and caught her attention.

"Did you drink? We could go buy beers maybe? Just so he shuts up!"

"Heyyy, I heard that!" Louis pointed out as El wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I can drive, no problem, I just had a glass of wine before dinner." Olivia shrugged, grabbing her hoodie and looking for her keys.

I wanted to propose to go with her but I knew it was a bad idea. Besides, Julie and Eleanor just grabbed their stuff and all the girls left, leaving me with Harry, Liam and a tipsy Louis. I don't know how the discussion turned from Harry being extra single at the moment to sexual encounters but I kept glancing by the window to see when they'd actually come back.

"I swear, that girl was crazy. She had me buy a whip and stuff." Harry rolled his eyes. "A real one too, like, it was insane."

"Don't even try, I bet you loved it. You're the kind of guy that makes us want to believe he's a dom but he's just really a sub." Louis laughed, raising his nose up with amusement. "The best kind of sex is just that first time you push yourself inside a girl that you've wanted for a long time. That my friend, is what bliss is all about."

"Or you know, a fucking good blowjob." Liam let out, making all of us laugh.

"I love when the girl lets me be a bit rough with her." Louis just added with a sly smile.

"Yea, Olivia loved a bit of a spank." Harry laughed, making me frown immediately.

I didn't like hearing about my ex girlfriend having sex with anyone, as hypocrite as it could sound. I also didn't want to be reminded that they fucked and dated, and most of all, it seemed extremely inappropriate to talk about one of our friends like that. Friend who could walk by the door at any moment.

"Oh yea, and a light choke, too."

This time, I frowned even more and turned to Louis who was laughing.

"And how exactly do you know that?" I asked a bit rudely, making him look at me.

"Relax, mate. She told me." he just explained with a shrug.

"So you never had sex with her?" I insisted just as meanly as the room fell silent. Everyone turned to Louis who remained motionless for a few seconds before clearing his throat and taking the cigarette he had placed behind his ear to light it up. I didn't really think they had but he knew so many things about her that it bothered me.

"Niall, come on."

His answer made my heart jump so high in my chest that I thought I was going to puke. If he hadn't had sex with her, he would have just said that, right?

"Did you fucking have sex with my girlfriend, Tomlinson?" I asked a bit louder, getting up quickly.

"EX girlfriend, Niall!" Louis frowned, getting up too, before pushing the smoke out of his lungs quickly. "You two were broken up."

I heard Harry curse but didn't send him a glance. All I could think about was Louis' hand wrapped around Olivia's neck as he fucked her and that made me feel even worse.

"You're a fucking hypocrite!" I almost yelled. "Telling how much of an asshole I was for sleeping around after breaking up with her while you were shagging her!"

"Oh I'M a hypocrite?" Louis frowned, tapping his chest a finger from the hand he was still holding his cigarette with before pointing at me. "Take a look at yourself! Being all mad that your ex girlfriend rode my cock while your dick dipped in so many vaginas you probably can't even remember half of them!"

I felt myself get so angry that I practically ran to him before being stopped by Liam, who acted like a shield between us. He placed his hands on my chest and tried to get my attention by moving his face in front of mine.

"Woa mate, no, don't."

I put my hands into two fists and squeezed them so hard I knew my knuckles had turned white and I felt them shaking. Why didn't anyone tell me that my ex girlfriend and one of my best friends had sex before?

"How many times?" I just asked in a low tone, waiting a few seconds to get an answer. Silence. "How many fucking times!?"

Louis didn't have time to answer. The door opened and the three girls walked in, laughing together. They all stopped when they saw us and Eleanor frowned, her eyes moving from me, to Louis and then Liam.

"Okay, what's wrong here."

My eyes found Olivia but she was looking at Louis with a questioning look. I turned to him as he shrugged a shoulder and his lips twisted in a small and guilty smile. Olivia sighed, rubbing her eyes, and that's when I realized there was one thing that bothered me more than them having sex. It was to realize that they were so close now that they could communicate without even talking.

I groaned slightly and stormed out of the room, trying to calm myself but I was pacing in the hall, pulling on my hair and letting out a few curse words under my breath.

"Nee."

I turned only to see Olivia stare at me with soft eyes but it didn't ease the anger inside me. I stopped walking and shut my eyes tight until I felt her hand take mine. My eyes fluttered open again as she stepped back slowly, bringing me to her room. I followed her, not really sure what she was doing, and she let go of my hand when we were inside.

"Please, close the door."

I sighed but finally did what she asked. We were standing together in the dark, very close to each other, but neither of us tried to touch the other or get closer.

"Can you turn the light on, please?"

Once again, I obeyed without a word and when her face appeared in front of me, I immediately imagined her naked on top of Louis. I looked away and closed my eyes, diving my hands in my pockets quickly and playing with the fabric inside of them, twisting it with my fingers.

"Louis told you, right? Is that why you're so mad?"

"Is that why i'm-" I repeated in a whisper. "Are you fucking serious?" I added louder.

"Niall, I was single, and he was single, and you were who knows where." she explained. Her words hurt me but her tone was soft. "I needed comfort, he needed comfort... You got comfort too, didn't you? With a few girls, I heard?"

"But not with any of your friends." I argued, shaking my head. "And I didn't have sex with as many girls as you seem to believe. Is that really what you think of me?"

Once again, the blame was turned towards me when in reality, i was the one who felt fucking betrayed by their behavior.

"Tell me, Olivia." I continued a bit roughly. "How many times did you let one of my best friends make you cum, uh? How many times did you allow him to fuck you so hard you'd forget about me?"

"That's the thing, Niall! I didn't forget about you! Not a fucking second!"

Her answer made my lips part and I stopped frowning. She took a step closer and once again, took my hand in hers, bringing it up to press her palm against mine before intertwining our fingers together.

"I love you, Niall." she whispered. "Having you so close to me all the time... it's making my body vibrate. I know it sounds stupid but it's true. I miss you. I miss everything we did."

My eyes roamed on her face and I licked my lips.

"You're trying to distract me from what I just learned, aren't you?" I asked low.

"No, I'm trying to tell you that it meant nothing. Not for him and not for me. He's the closest friend I have, and we shared that together in a few moments of desperation and intense sadness. I didn't make love with him, I only made love with you. In all my life."

"I only made love with you too." I admitted, squeezing her hand in mine as I watched her tear up.

"Really?" she asked in a whisper as I saw her break down.

"Yes of course, really." I repeated. "Did you doubt it?"

I watched her nod and sniff again. I couldn't wait for the day that the feelings I would bring inside her would only be good ones. I wanted to see her smile again, I wanted to make her happy. I had promised myself I would make her happiness my priority and once again, she was crying right in front of me.

"What can I do to make you smile, Olivia?"

She brought her free hand on my chest and let it slide gently over my shirt as she licked her lips.

"I know I said I needed time but, please, kiss me." she murmured, trying not to sob again. "Just kiss me."

[dontdropthatthunthunthun]

50 questions you’ve never been asked.

thanks to @whatagreatproblemtohave​ for tagging me 💚

1. what is the colour of your hairbrush? black

2. a food you never eat? I eat pretty much everything, but if there is only a hint of mustard I’ll gag

3. are you typically too warm or too cold? Cold, basically always freezing

4. what were you doing 45 minutes ago? having Easter breakfast (in my country we celebrate it two days)

5. what is your favourite candy bar? bounty

6. have you ever been to a professional sports event? I don’t think so

7. what is the last thing you said out loud? "bye” to my bf

8. what is your favourite ice cream? probably chocolate

9. what was the last thing you had to drink? orange juice

10. do you like your wallet? no not really

11. what was the last thing you ate? bread

12. did you buy any new clothes last weekend? no

13. the last sporting event you watched? probably football or basketball not sure.

14. what is your favourite flavour of popcorn? I’m not really a fan of popcorn but probably sweet.

15. who is the last person you sent a text message to? a groupchat with my 3 studyfriends

16. ever go camping? Yes last year for the first time. I went with my bf on a camping roadtrip so we went to some place in Germany, Vienna, Budapest and Prague.

17. do you take vitamins? I have a shortage of vitamin D (surprise surprise) so I take tablets for that and just some multivitamin pill.

18. do you go to church every sunday? No

19. do you have a tan? HAHA. My skin unfortunately just doesn’t tan. Even when I tanned a bit people ask me why I’m so white.

20. do you prefer chinese food or pizza? Chinese

21. do you drink your soda with a straw? I don’t really drink soda. Not at home at least so when I’m out it comes with a straw most of the time so I do yeah.

22. what colour socks do you usually wear? boring black ones

23. do you ever drive above the speed limit? I unfortunately do. My instructor told me he thought I’d get a ticket for speeding in the first month I got my license. I’ve had it for 3 years now and I (luckily) didn’t get a ticket yet, but I drive to fast most of the time yeah.

24. what terrifies you? fish, heights sometimes, but mostly fish (and spiders)

25. look to your left, what do you see? my bookcase

26. what chore do you hate? mopping

27. what do you think of when you hear an australian accent? 5SOS

28. what’s your favourite soda? None

29. do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thru? Go in the fast food place. I’m too socially awkward for the drive-thru.

30. who’s the last person you talked to? My mum

31. favourite cut of beef? uuuuh steak?

32. last song you listened to? according to Spotify, Fearless

33. last book you read? I’m reading Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu (but i’ve been reading it for like 2 years and I still haven’t finished. I read like 2 chapters in 4 months).

34. favourite day of the week? saturday

35. can you say the alphabet backwards? yes

36. how do you like your coffee? doesn’t matter. I like black coffee, I like lattes. I don’t really drink it tho.

37. favourite pair of shoes? Sneakers

38. at what time do you normally go to bed? it used to be 11.30 In corona times usually 1 am.

39. at what time do you normally get up? 9am

40. what do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets? Sunsets

41. how many blankets are on your bed? 1

42. describe your kitchen plates. white. just white.

43. do you have a favourite alcoholic beverage? everything sweet. If it’s a cocktail I’m fine

44. do you play cards? Yes

45. what colour is your car? I don’t have one unfortunately, but I drive in my dad’s white car.

46. can you change a tire? No

47. what is your favourite province? I live in Zuid-Holland (South-Holland), so that probably lol

48. favourite job you’ve ever had? I’ve had two jobs and I enjoyed them equally. I had the most fun in the bakery I think

49. how did you get your biggest scar? Okay storytime. I was about 11 years old and we were playing on one of these zipline things (see picture). Ours had an artifical grassmat tho. So basically when I was younger we used to do this thing called the superman. Where you hang on the stool in like a superman way. which is fine if you are 6 and light as a feather, but not when you are eleven and getting kind of tall and heavy. Basically the first time I did it was fine, just a bit close to the ground but oh well. The second time my friend was holding on to the zipline and running while pushing me and she kept pushing when I went back to that little hill. I was too heavy, going too fast and bare in mind there was artificial grass involved. My chin and shoulder hit the hill and I grazed my chin and shoulder. My chin luckily didn’t scar but my shoulder did. So that’s how I got my biggest scar 🙂

50. what did you do today that made someone else happy? nothing yet

This took a long time @hoenyy​ @loveonniall​ wanna do this?

[she-is-tim]

Neighbours pt 2

Lucas is a young, exhausted musician who just tries to relax, while Eliott is the overexcited, dubstep loving artist who lives next door.

Aka Lucas confronts his annoying neighbour who turns out to be gorgeous

WARNING slight angst is incoming!

Previous chapter here

Sunday 9:35

Eliott was struggling in bed, he already kicked the blanket off of himself hours ago. It wasn’t the usual struggling though, he just couldn’t sleep much since his adorable and kind neighbour spent hours at his place yesterday. His couch still had some of his sweet smell on it, that nearly drove him crazy. He grabbed his phone and looked through instagram just to forget about it for now. 

He scrolled through some nice and funny posts when something came to his mind, he decided to search for Lucas on there. Not like he wanted to stalk him, but he was really curious. It took him a while to find the profile, but there was him. Lucas der Deutscher. Eliott chuckled and looked through his posts, being really careful not to like any of them. There were some silly pictures of Lucas, pics of nice food, snacks, a theatre, but there was a lot of picture with this guy. He was tall, black, handsome, wearing a leather jacket. Basically every third post was about him which really bothered Eliott. He threw his phone on the pillows and sighed.

An hour later he crawled out of the bed, walking to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth, washed his face and decided to shave too. He looked horrible, the bags under his eyes started to make him look like his spirit animal. 

After he was done, he put on some clothes, light grey jeans and a black shirt with an unzipped hoodie. He wasn’t really fan of flashy, colorful clothing, he liked his dark shirts and jackets. It was fitting his personality.

He walked to the living room, looking at the couch. He remembered how beautiful Lucas looked as he sat there, smoking with him, telling silly stories. His heart was beating faster as he looked at the wall, the barricade that separated him from that gorgeous being. He wanted to just grab a sledgehammer and destroy it, so he could see Lucas everyday. He shook his head. Stop it!

Lucas woke up early, making coffee and a light breakfast for himself. He was sitting in the kitchen, his laptop in front of him, watching a show on Netflix as he ate. His mornings were usually like this, but now he barely could concentrate on what was going on on the screen. His thoughts were circling around Eliott since last night. The way he smiled, the  way he blew a smoke ring like it was an ordinary thing to do. Everything about him was so thrilling, exciting for Lucas. He hasn’t really been in a relationship since he realized that he’s gay. He had two girlfriends before Sara and Chloé. Both of them were clingy and Lucas was just scared to accept his sexuality, so he went with the moment. Thank god he managed to escape that web of lies.

His phone started buzzing, so he paused the show, he didn’t even realize that it was still going and checked his phone. It was a text from Yann, his best friend. Lucas smiled.

From Yann: Morning dude! How’s it going? 

To Yann: G’morning! I have shit to tell, wanna have a video chat? 

From Yann:  Give me 10 minutes

To Yann:  You got it!

He finished his breakfast, drank his coffee and put the plate and mug in the sink, he will wash them later. He then sat back to the table, waiting for Yann’s call. It took him a bit more than 10 minutes, but finally he recieved a video call which he immediately answered. His best friend smiled at him brightly, tho he still looked a bit sleepy, he must have just wake up. Lucas was really grateful to have a friend like him. 

“Hey there! What’s up, Lulu?” Yann asked with his usual enthusiasm. He was always caring and kind with Lucas, except when they were teasing each other. 

“I’m doing okay, I have some news.” he said with a big smile. He had to tell somebody about Eliott, because otherwise he would convince himself that it was just a dream, nothing else.

“I’m all ears.” 

“I met a really hot guy yesterday. But like really, really hot.” he started. “He is tall, handsome, an artist and he has the most beautiful smile.” he said excitedly.

“Where did you meet him? At the coffee shop?” he asked curiously. Lucas used to talk about hot guys that came and go at his workplace from time to time. 

“No, dude, listen. He is my fucking neighbour!” he said seriously. Yann was surprised, he didn’t remember ever seeing Lucas’ neighbour, while he was basically visiting his friend every week at least once. 

“Your neighbour? I thought your neighbour is some kind of sick old lady who never leaves the building.” he said surprised. 

“And I thought it’s some stupid punk asshole.” he shrugged. “I tried to play the piano yesterday when he started to blast dubstep so loud my head started to hurt from it. So I went out, banging on his door, ready to yell at his stupid face, then I just couldn’t talk. He was so fucking gorgeous.” he explained, shivering a little as he remembered how it struck him seeing Eliott for the first time.

Yann chuckled and leaned closer to the camera. “Is my Lulu having a crush?” he asked a bit teasingly. Lucas blushed now and looked away. “Yes, he does! Lulu has a crush! Lulu has a cruuuush!” Yann was basically singing on the other side of the call. 

“Stop it, I don’t have a crush.” he said, but he could hear how that wasn’t true. He sighed and leant back on his chair. “Maybe I have a crush on him.” he admitted. 

“Okay, so is there any plan? I mean you wanna ask him out? Is he into guys too?” he asked, honestly being interested in his best friends now existing love life. 

“I don’t know... I mean, he invited me into his place.” he mumbled and then told Yann shortly what happened yesterday. His friend listened carefully, sometimes nodding or making a noise to let him know he’s still listening. “So yeah, he’s coming over today.” he finished it, looking at Yann now. 

“Woah, that’s a lot to process, bro.” he said honestly. “But if you ask me, I think you should go with it. I mean he clearly seems to be into you and not just wanna be friends. And I am sure he will fall for you hard after you play the piano.” he added with a wide smirk, Lucas felt relieved and smiled back. 

“What would I do without you?” 

“Probably sleep under a bridge somewhere in Paris.” he smirked. “But I got your back, bro. Just let me now how the date went, okay?” 

“It’s not a date.” he mumbled.

“Of course it’s a date. See ya later.” he said giggling and ended the call.

Lucas spent the rest of his morning cleaning and making sure Eliott won’t feel like he’s coming to a messed up musicians place. He picked up the music sheets from the floor, put away the laundry, organized his books on the shelf at least three times. He was super nervous, he couldn’t even eat lunch, so he was just standing in front of his opened wardrobe, trying to find the perfect outfit. He usually wore sweatpants and a loose shirt, but he had to impress his visitor. Yesterday was so sudden he didn’t even think of that Eliott saw his stupid grey sweatpants that had black violin keys all over it. So embarrassing. 

He decided to put on nice, sky blue jeans and a dark red shirt. He tried to fix his hair to not look like he just got out of bed. It was almost 13:00 and he just got more nervous by each minute, looking at the clock on the living room wall as he walked around his coffee table. Sometimes he glanced at his piano too, then his couch that was just behind his instrument. Eliott is going to sit there, watching him play the piano. He suddenly remembered that his guest might wanna smoke, so he looked for an old ashtray he had only because Arthur and Basile used to some at his place when they had a gathering here. He put it on the coffee table and looked at the door now. He can come at any second. 

Sunday 12:34

Eliott was circling around in his living room, holding a joint in his hands. He couldn’t stop thinking about Lucas and that he’s about to see him in a few minutes. He felt anxious, he couldn’t breathe properly which wasn’t a good sign. Probably the lack of sleep, the booze and weed from yesterday didn’t help him to feel better today. He sat down on the couch, leaning back, trying to normalize his breathing just as his therapist taught him. He put the joint behind his ear and grabbed his phone.

His hands were shaking so badly, he needed a few tries to type and send a message. He couldn’t let Lucas see him in this condition, what would he think of him? That couldn’t happen. It broke his heart that he can’t watch him play the piano.

To Lucille: I need you. Come over, please.

He threw the phone away, because he hated the fact, that he had to contact her again. It was inevitable, she was the only one who could handle his anxiety attacks and his depression. He needed her, even though he wanted someone else. He could never want Lucas to see this side of him, this weak, vulnerable Eliott who was wheezing on his couch, grabbing his shirt like it helps him not to fall into the pit of darkness.

“C’mon, Lucille.” he mumbled into the silence of his living room. 

Sunday 13:25

Lucas was a bit worried, Eliott seemed excited yesterday to come over, but he wasn’t showing up. He decided to go and check on him, just to see if he’s okay. His chest hurt because he was truly worried about the tall boy. He exited his apartment and in that exact moment he saw a beautiful, brunette girl standing on the hallway, giving a kiss to Eliott before walking into his apartment with him. 

Lucas felt betrayed and heartbroken, even though he only spent a couple hours with his neighbour, he felt like they had something, some connection that was special. But he was wrong. Eliott never really wanted anything from him, he was just a flirty person in general. Lucas felt so stupid, he should never had such high expectations from this, life has never been kind to him when it came to love. He was destined to be single. 

He sat down to the piano, taking a deep breath. He started to play Debussy’s Claire de lune. He let the soft music to fill his living room, gently moving his torso to the tunes, closing his eyes as he played. He wanted to forget Eliott, forget the world and just live for the music that was always his way to escape reality. Life sucks.

[literallyprentissstwin]

Week 10: Monday, July 16th to Monday, July 23th 2018 

bonjour & welcome to this new reading list which is already the tenth one wooow. i´m really really sorry for the delay and i almost couldn´t post it today, but i managed to do so bc i needed distraction. 

so as always, i collected some of my fav fics :) please leave some love to the authors & give them feedback! 

enjoy! 

aileen xx 

1 - Big God by @lotus--writings 

oook wow. the angst was real. it had me shook. but it´s so good. it´s very well written and i loved reading it a lot. interesting plot as well! xx

2 - I Want to Tell You part 3 (Spencer Reid x Reader) by @spencerreidreads this story is really good and the perfect mix of everything. the end aka the convo with PG had me in tears. ooo and spence should finally make a move. well done xx

3 - Take Care of Yourself by @dontshootmespence 

ok, first of all: i never heard of stomach migraine before but they sound suck-y. spence is so caring and soft. i love him a lot. and i loved this fic xx 

4 - Caught Up in the Moment (Spencer Reid x Reader) by @a-bau-tiful-mind

 oooh god, this was perfect and the end was kind of unexpected. also, i can relate to that part about barnes lol. i love the team and spence and Y/N are cute af. great work xx

5 - What Does This Mean? by @spencer-is-too-perfect 

this is a reminder to myself to actually reread this story bc i only had the chance to slightly skim (?) it and i feel really really bad about this, but what i read about it so far sound SO GOOD. reid is just amazing. i def need to catch up on the whole story. 

6 - Infiltrated: Epilogue by @stunudo 

i´m actually so sad that this series is over bc it is so so good. you´re so freaking talented. i loved this epilogue a lot. i love and miss Hotch. i´m def gonna reread this series as often as i can and i can just highly recommend it. great work xx

7 - A Place to Call Home by @butsomeofusarelookingatthestars 

yes, my fav luke writer is back. i´ve missed u heaps. this story was a blessing. i love me some overprotective luke & i love that you integrated a men talk between Luke and Will. i think they have good friendship potentio (@ cm writers!!). this whole thing is perfect. i´m in love. 

8 - Article of Faith: Chapter 21, Chapter 22 by @dontshootmespence 

i seriously can never get enough of this series. it´s just so good and so different (good different!!!). it´s a masterpiece. also i´m living for this relationship billie and spence have. but i´m also curious to see what matt finds out. literally can´t wait for more. 

9 - Pancakes by @ionlyreadfivebookslastweek 

the beginning actually kind of broke my heart. like i felt so so bad. but i´m so happy everything turned out well in the end. yey for happy endings! 

10 - Redamancy: Pt. 10, Pt. 11, Pt. 12 by @xocriminal-minds-imaginesxo 

i´m so in LOVE with this istg. this series is life and i´m so happy that i came across it. i really don´t have enough words for it. all the plots each parts have are so different and good and cover all emotions. it´s perfect. great job xx 

11 - What Do I Do? by @gabriellewritermua 

i had the privilege to preread this story and i liked it from the very first second. it´s very well written and i loved the plot and the way the characters are written. well done! xx

12 - First Time Out by @dontshootmespence 

ok seriously??? how are people so creative with requests?  like teach me? this was so good and had me at the edge of my seat. a lot of suspense, my favv child Jack and a protective hotch. i mean can it get any better? i don´t think so. well done, nicole xx 

13 - I Will: Pt. 4, Pt.5 (Final) by @xocriminal-minds-imaginesxo  

again, another reminder to myself yall. i just discovered this multiparter and i really need to start at the beginning bc these two parts here got me hooked and i def need to check out all the previous parts yup. i love me some angst. 

14 - Tie My Heartstrings (Derek Morgan x Reader) by @spencerreidreads 

this story right here is an entry to my challenge, thank you for participating. :) yey, a derek morgan fic. my heart is already happy. but DEREK BOI WHAT ARE U DOING? like ugh, can i smack u? but then again, the ending was so cute i´m in love :)

15 - Smooth as a Bump in the Road by @dontshootmespence 

this was hilarious. i love spence so so much. he´s just so cute and i could hug him all day long. also, i miss his and derek´s friendship so much on the show. great work xx 

16 - The Best Job in the World - BAU x Reader by @curlsincriminology 

i loved everything about this story. EVERYTHING. i also loved JJ in this story like a whole lot, this little legend. perfect! well done x

17 - Talent >> Derek Morgan by @eideticreid 

woowza, another morgan fic. DAY MADE! this one was really good and the plot was really creative. you´re writing is so good, i´m jealous. 

18 - Sweet Lullaby by @tenaciousarcadeexpert 

aww, this one was soo soo soo cute. i def need to see more of matt and his family. this fic gave me life :) 

19 - the hardest goodbye´s are the ones we never get to say by @holoitsmeagaintoo 

this fic is also an entry to my challenge & also to you, thanks for participating :) so so so good. i loved it so much. it´s a really good way to integrate the prompt and the angst was there, i could feel it. well done xx 

20 - Just Us Now - Spencer Reid by @bookofreid 

oh god, Dad!Reid. ily. tho this plot was so so sad :( but i love their dynamic and now i want the writers to give this man a damn child. 

21 - Similar by @spncmshsvu 

okay, wow...wow. this was heavy angst, but i loved reading it. like holy cow, i don´t know what else to say except that i´m speechless and that this story was really well done and that you´re super talented.

22 - Movie Night by @xocriminal-minds-imaginesxo 

another reminder to myself yey. this story seem to be pretty awesome and i´m sorry i hadn´t have time to really read it. so consider this a reminder to myself for reading it asap. i bet it´s great :) 

23 - rubix. by @uncomfie  

yes, my fav derek morgan writer on earth is back. this is pure perfection. seriously, how are you so talented? i loved it a lot but you probably could already guess so. ilysm  <3 

24 - I´m Still Scared by @dontshootmespence 

this had me at the edge of my seat. also, my fav genius worries too much. the middle of the fic was quite a shocker but i´m super happy that everything ended up being good. 

25 - Graduate With The Truth II Spencer Reid by @alittlelessthanacirclefics

 i´m in love omg. emma and spence are perfect omg. also the end!!!! i´m in love...great work! xx

26 - She´s a secret by @docspencerreid 

another entry for my challenge! thank you for participating! omg this plottwist was so unexpected like seriously. the angst is real. this was so good well done. the end had me shook. maybe do a part two? 

27 - Morality Above All by @dontshootmespence 

ok seriously? please tell me that this isn´t stilla topic today, bc if so, i have no words. JJ was super badass and i miss hers and hotchs dynamic so much. really good story and very well written! 

28 - Roles Reversed by @ionlyreadfivebookslastweek 

this was funny bc i never expected derek morgan to ask spencer reid for relationship advice. this was everyting. 

29 - Cold Nights by @xocriminal-minds-imaginesxo 

a derek morgan fic, i´m in love. he is so underrated. and this story was so good and i loved it with all my stone cold heart! 

30 - Even You Can´t Save Everyone by @stunudo 

yey, another entry for my challenge! thanks for participating! but why don´t you just stab me in my face? like really. first of all. thanks again for participationg. i´m glad you were a part of this, bc tbh you´re one of my inspo´s on here. beyond that, this fic was perfect. the angst. i feel blessed. well done. 

31 - Familiar Strangers by @illegalcerebral

idk why but tumblr is still being a d** when it comes to those parts of this series. like i was damn sure i saw it in my notes, but it is gone AGAIN: @ tumblr: please fix yourself. so as a matter of fact that i need a lot of catching up bc this series deserves the world and i need to read this bc ELLE <333333 i tagged the whole masterlist so i can reread everything. guys, please read this fic! it´s amazing! 

32 - Second Chance: Part 6 by @docspencerreid

and another remind to me, bc i need to catch up on a lot of parts of this story. but nevertheless it deserves a spot on here. go check it out and give her some feedback bc this story is great! 

so this was last weeks reading list. i really hope you liked it. don´t forget to leave some love and feedback to the authors. see you all next sunday :) (hopefully)

[coffeeandcalligraphy]

Not Vibing + Nostalgia | Doing the Write Thing #47

Dudes. My writing life has just been so weird lately.

I’m not really vibing with this book right now. I don't know why. Kind of a bummer, but it happens. That’s okay. The important part is, I’ve been writing. Though to put it out there, I’m in an editing + outlining mood. Not a drafting mood. Does anyone else feel that way too sometimes? I mean, editing and outlining are still SO important, but for some reason, my stubborn brain refuses to believe I’m being productive if I’m not writing. Even if I’m outlining a million chapters a day, I still can’t feel content with my productivity. It’s weird. But yeah, anyway. Not vibing with you, FOSTERED #5. Not vibing.

THAT’S OKAY THOUGH.

Don’t know if I’m going to have much time to vibe beyond today and tomorrow because GUESS WHO’S DRIVING FROM TORONTO TO PENNSYLVANIA THURSDAY TO SEE PRECIOUS KID.

(when ur brother took that photo cuz both ur brothers already met the band for u because ur brothers happened to be on tour in California cuz ur brothers happen to be in a band, and also didn't happen to have a show that day so they drove like 2 hours just to meet the band for u and ur sister cuz ur brothers are great even tho like don't tell ur brothers cuz ew brothers.)

(when u made that poster Justine [middle] is holding with ur sister [u did the lettering] and ur brothers got the band to sign copies for u ur sister and ur best friend and they do and r like the sweetest people ever)

(when u find out precious kid is having a show in Pennsylvania and even tho its a 7 hour drive ur brothers and mom decide to take u becuz u have the best family ever)

Also, going to Mexico from next Monday to Friday with the family. So my life looks like this:

Thursday: wake up really early and drive all the way to Pennsylvania. Watch Precious Kid show. Faint.

Also Thursday: drive to grandparents’ house and sleep there.

Friday: drive all the way back home.

Saturday: RELAXXXXX

Sunday: Pack. Also. Don’t panic. You’re going on a plane. But don’t panic.

(this is going to be really hard lol.)

(I’ll try)

(I’ve gone on a plane before no problem)

(Except now I’ve got anxiety (TM))

(rip)

Monday: Get up at like 2AM (so basically just don’t sleep the night before), go to airport, get on plane, go to Mexico.

Rest of the week: Enjoy Mexico fams.

Friday (or whenever we come back I don't know things I just go as things go): hello back home Toronto school starts soon BUT ALSO YOU’RE SEEING SURF CURSE IN LIKE 10 DAYS AND MAYBE GET TO MEET THEM AND ALSO DAUGHTER RELEASES A 13 SONG ALBUM TWO DAYS LATER.

HONESTLY JUST FREAKING LIVE YOUR LIFE BECAUSE LOOK AT ALL THE AWESOME SHIT THAT HAPPENS.

Anyway onto the update.

Daily word count goal: 250

Words written: 789

Total word count: 120 981

Total page count: 219

Songs played: SO I don't think I wrote with music, but I have a couple things to say in regards to music.

Like I mentioned one of my ALL TIME favourite bands (right behind The Strokes, like SO close behind The Strokes sort of) Daughter, is releasing a new album on September 1st. I about died. I talked to @sssoto​ about this after noticing they posted an ominous uncaptioned photo yesterday, and I can’t believe it actually happened.

It’s actually a score to the new Life Is Strange video game, but GUYS. Daughter just released their second album at the very start of 2016, and I don't think anyone was expecting them to release something so huge so soon. I’ve been screaming all day because of this news if you know what I mean. ;)

So punny.

They released one of the songs off the album today called Burn It Down, and I’m just going to leave it here because I'm afraid I’ll just type in all caps like OMG GUYZ ITS SO GOODZ so to avoid embarrassing myself:

The lyrics are absolutely amazing. I adore everything Daughter because Elena writes every lyric with such care and has such amazing word choice. Honestly look at me being a writer commenting on word choice in lyrics. ;) I can’t help it. She’s honestly an amazing lyricist.

Here’s some of my faves from the song:

Always said I was a good kid Always said I had a way with words Never knew I could be speechless Don't know how I'll ever break this

And there’s:

Now the world is only white noise Frequencies that I can't understand

NOW THE WORLD IS ONLY WHITE NOISE LIKE WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT.

(See what I mean. She writes with so much care but it doesn't seem forced. Writing goals. Also so sorry if Igor or Remi or someone else also penned these lyrics as well, lol. I love you too.)

I'll set fire to the whole place I don't even care about our house

!!!!!!!

So I got a little carried away there. Daughter is greatness.

Let’s just get carried away more, shall we?

So Surf Curse released their second album Nothing Yet this year. I’m a chronological music listener, so if I like a band, I have to like them A LOT because I buy every album and listen to them in order. I’m not a single song listener. Like, there are so many single songs I love from other bands but I’m such an awful music listener, I won’t listen to them until I fall in love. Basically, any band I listen to is a favourite band.

(I’m so sorry, I’d love music recs though if you have any. I genuinely do love when people do that. :) I apologize for my weird music habits though. Genuinely don't know what’s up with that, lol.)

My point was, I finally got Nothing Yet. My sister, best friend and I (with my brotherz cuz lol) are going to see them, and obviously they’re going to play songs from this album. I’ll admit, this album doesn't have the classic ‘Surf Curse’ sound, but I’m so down for Nothing Yet.

Nothing Yet is a lot more indie than punk but aaaaahahhahaha guess who’s living for it.

Favourite songs so far (I’ve only listened to it once full through since I just got it but): Falling Apart, All Is Lost, Nostalgia, Sleeping, and Christine F.

This isn’t related at all to my writing session tonight but.

Things to know: I’m not having as much fun as I should be? I’m writing a Lonan Clark Interrogation Scene (TM) [they’ve happened so many times because this boy is such a savage at this point they’re like recurring episodes looooool], but eh. Content is fine, but I’m not vibing. You catch my drift? Did I just say catch my drift.

How I felt: Is it terrible if I say bored. Sorry Lonan. dkm. (This is a me thing. It’s literally a great scene, and I’m just sitting there like yahhhhh no.)

Bad haiku to describe writing session: Boredom is not good / Especially when the scene / Is kinda good yeah

Rating of writing session out of 10 and why: 6.5 because of the above :(

On a scale from 1-10 my level of stoked-ness is: also a 6.5

Lyrics to describe writing session: He wants it easy; he want it relaxed / Said I can do a lot of things, but I can't do that / Two steps forward, then three steps back

--The End Has No End, The Strokes (Room On Fire)

I can promise you I’ve used these lyrics before but honestly me. I want it easyyyyyyyy I want it relaxed said I can do a lot of things but I can’t do thaaaaaaaat.

GIF to describe writing session:

*AND THAT OVER THERE IS RACHEL’S MOTIVATION FLOATING FAR, FAR AWAY!*

Thank you Julian. You always believe in me.

Excerpt:

How about some savage Lonan dialogue.

“I really have to tell you the truth?”

“Unless you want your brain matter to paint a Picasso on the wall behind you, I’d suggest so.”

(lonan is the second person)

(I should make that clear but I don't really need to cuz I have tags before this + context but)

“This could take as little as a half hour if you stick to the facts and stop with your bullshit, but seeming as though doing so is impossible for you, I’ll settle for two hours. Understood?”

honestly is he talking to me in this last one. because this scene could literally take me as little as a half hour if I stuck to the facts and stopped with my bullshit but it seems as though doing so is impossible for me so I’m settling for two.

(We all have off days. It’s okay.)

(It’s funny though because I don’t really have writer’s block. I know exactly what needs to happen but every time I try to write I'm like oh this is torture what are words.)

(This happened yesterday too. When I re-read what I wrote, it was fine, but it’s taking a long time to put together! Which is fine. Honestly, that happens sometimes. :))

So that’s it for the writing update! That’s actually not it though! So before I really started blogging, a few really special people in my life did some really amazingly sweet things for the FOSTERED books (+ I’M DISAPPOINTED), and I wanted to stroll down memory lane and talk about it.

EDIT: So I just took 3 hours to find all of these images. I had to scroll through my Instagram which has over 2000 photos on it... Like sometimes I wish I could go back and tell my 12 year old self that literally no one cares but alas. I’ve blurred all handles etc out because my (and everyone else mentioned here) Instagram is private, sooo that’s exclusive to friends and family.

Without further ado, I bring to you, NOSTALGIA. To preface, these were all from 2014/2015. So no judgements. lol. Excuse how lame I am in these captions. Honestly. Also: I hope this doesn't come across like I’m boasting about things people have done for me as that’s not what I’m intending at all. I just want to share the love and kind of thank the people who did all this stuff for me one more time because honestly, every single thing I received genuinely touched me, and everything I receive now continues to touch me. It makes me really happy thinking about all this stuff, so I thought I’d share the good vibes. :)

1. I’M DISAPPOINTED cast fanart

So @sarahkelsiwrites​ drew these guys for me in 2015. I mean let’s just give a shout out to Ben. (Her art doesn't look like this anymore lol. So sorry Sarah.)

2. My first Twitter banner

Do I need to explain this one.

Also, that ain’t my handle anymore wut kind of.

(i’m now @ rachellwrites)

(but I don't use my twitter for anything besides reblogging precious kid tweets so there’s a warning)

3. Ashley’s Foster comment legacy + Sarah and quinoa

I mean. Sarah’s profile picture was legit an avatar she made of Harrison through an app or something.

4. Fetus Loner angst tho I didn't know he was angsty

It’s almost three years later and The Emotional Loner Chronicles is now running its 12th million season ft melancholy and angst

5. Ashley’s Foster comment legacy lives on

6. Fosever foreverrrrr

Sarah made me this really awesome plastic thing with perler beads to commemorate Fosever (MC + love interest aka foster + reeve) and I can’t get over how cool this thing is... It’s been a while (like a year) since I’ve seen it, but it’s lying around somewhere, and it’s incredibly cool. It actually attaches together. Thanks @sarahkelsiwrites!​

7. @sarahkelsiwrites​‘ early Reeve fanart

sarah’s going to kill me for putting this on here lol. Honestly though at the time I literally freaked. She drew it for me when she was at home sick, and it’s just so thoughtful and adorable lol.

8. Ashley’s cliffolution

@imdisappointed​ (Ashley) is the best best friend I could ask for. Bah.

9. Making paper cranes with Ashley

Ashley was actually the one who helped me make all the paper cranes on the newer edition of the FOSTERED books. She posted this when we were done, and I still can’t stop laughing.

10. I’M DISAPPOINTED love

this is just so sweet, lol. bah.

11. Clifford fanart by Sarah + caption

Sarah drew this portrait of Clifford a very long time ago, but it still remains one of my favourite things ever.

12. Sarah and Lonan clash heads a lot 

Do I need to explain this one other than the fact that @sarahkelsiwrites​ literally calls the FOSTERED books Harrison Palooza.

13. The Harrison Chair

Here’s a really cringy old excerpt from book three that explains why Sarah posted about a chair in a hotel room ignore the literal terrible writing :

“She’s in Texas?” I blurt, turning around on the spinning chair. Harrison stares at me for another second like he’s contemplating some evil plan, walks up to me, lifts me out of the chair, sets me on the bed, then takes a seat in it himself. “Oh yeah…” he mumbles. “So much fucking better…” “Harrison!”   “Jesus, this is so much fucking better…” he moans, rubbing a hand over his face. “What the hell was that for?” I growl, crossing my arms over my chest, cocking an eyebrow up at him. He sighs before deflating completely in the chair, answering me with his eyes closed. “For sitting your fat ass in my chair.” He grumbles, soon demanding Foster go turn on the coffee machine.

I talked to her about this recently, and apparently she still gets mad over this. Oh boy.

14. Lonan and his Quest bars

This is actually my own comment but I’m sharing because this is just too good.

15. I don't even know what’s going on but Harrison.

@sarahkelsiwrites and her pro Harrison edits. I just love the font choice in this.

16. Sarah makes Reeve a birthday cake

This was so cute, and I actually forgot this happened until I found this post again super recently!

17. Cousin retrieves a cup with the word Foster just to show me

This was years ago, but I think it’s just really adorable? I think it’s so sweet that she went out of her way to get it. Honestly. I can’t gush because I’m just eklsblwkanelfkn feelings.

18. Ris cover from the trash

This picture was actually what pushed me to make this post because my cousin and I just talked about this a few days ago! She told me she looked through the trash for weeks to find this thing because it looked like it said RIS and lol honestly I just... That’s so funny and thoughtful and plain adorable cuz I know I wouldn’t search through the trash for Harrison (leave him where he belongssss), but she did and that’s just bahhhh. So thank you Becca. for literally going out of your way to retrieve two pieces of trash with my characters’ names on it because if that isn’t their aesthetic, I don’t know what is.

19. Sarah’s emojis

lol. I cri.

20. Greek god.

I can’t help but laugh so hard every time I see this. HAHAHAHAHA.

So that’s it! I talked about birthday cakes etc, before, so I didn’t include them in this round. But honestly, all of these things mean so much to me... I wish I could project my gratitude a little more eloquently, but I’m so happy these three wonderful people are in my life, and thought of my book and liked it enough to take their own time to make things for it.

Most of this was all a couple years ago, like I mentioned, but I still love all of these things now. Thanks so much for letting me share them with you! I hope you guys enjoyed this post. :) I’ll see you in the next one!

--Rachel

[ladyofmind]

February Games Roundup

Hopefully, you regularly follow the Red Letters characters on their Twitter escapades. But in case you are like me, and can generally only catch up on your Twitter every few days, or are not fans of Twitter, I do like to recap. After all, all those loose characters running around talking can get confusing, and I am not just talking about Malta's Cockney phonetics!

This month, I tried 2 new games and stayed faithful to a few of my favorites.

First up- #CharactersTell hosted by @m_arbanassi saw a few of my characters facing tough questions. From the heartbroken surviving those romantic Valentine questions to one half of a semi-happy couple peppered with questions about marriage and children! These women rolled with all of it to the best of their abilities. We met Tweety and Malta, aka Double Trouble, and also Madam Sofia, and one of her minions.

I have a source that says Male characters are planning on appearing this March, so stay tuned for that, or come back again next monthly round up to meet them all! Just say a little birdy told you ;)

#CharactersTell

2/1- Hello again, Tweet here, main storyteller from the Red Letters series. Generally known as your hostess with the mostess! ;)

2/2- Romantic? Yes, love being a matchmaker for others, and have a great track record there. As for romance and myself? Takes a certain kind of something to turn my head. I love love, even if it isn't my strength…

2/3- I'm not the one that gets in the most trouble… well at least in any relationship way. *giggles* Though I have forgiven the music man ghost I enjoy chasing over his perfect song selections. So I love music and love.

2/4- I like an equal partnership. I call the shots in the bar/club I own and run, so I need an SO that is comfortable with my flirting and spotlight issues. If we work that out, SO can run my off hours all they want…

2/5- I am many things, serial flirt being the top of the list, but Miss Tweety is NOT a cheater. One potentially serious love interest at a time, and when I pick, well I'm open to other conversations, but I'm not the one to cheat first.

2/6- Now that is a secret I don't usually tell… Can't give an edge to the chasers working hard to learn and try me, can I? Let's just say I love a good chill situation, and can't remember the last "date" I was on.

2/7- Always spend V-day in company! I run a bar, and it's a busy party night for us… Wait are you asking if I will have company by night's end? No, that's bad for my reputation, but that doesn't mean my heart doesn't have someone in mind…

2/8- If you don't know who I am, you are in the wrong club. I own Sinful. You will call me Madam Sofia.

2/9- Love? Who said anything about love? It is no longer a weakness I admit to having, and I make many a note of those who do, because nothing fills my little black book better…

2/10- at first, I had a serious relationship with this wounded sort who I liked; until I found out he started "dating" another girl at my club… So I moved on to my guitarist, since he makes my voice sound good…

2/11- Depends… are we talking box of chocolates, or man sized chocolate covered? Also, are you volunteering?

2/12- Honey, lying is part of my business. I am what you want me to be, what you need me to be… for the right price.

2/13- What is wrong with your hearing? You pay me, you can visit one of the girls for the night… wait you mean a date for me? Costs you far more, and it's still here in the club, but at least I will sing for you.

2/14- There is no longer dates worth remembering.. so no... get lost, I am done with your terrible questions. That's what the bubbly (w)itches are for, paid by MY own dime, not making the same money the others do… (rants while walking away, pissed)

2/15- *Wonders by with a teapot* 'ello gov'na! Didn' see you 'here, fancy a cuppa? Wot's 'ha'? Questions? Alrigh', I've go' 'ime while my po' boils… Malta's me name, do as I please is me game, aw wai'ress ifna you mus' label i'.

2/16- (Malta) Crush on Duck? No gov'na, bu' she did 'elp me figure ou' wha' 'o do wi'h 'he big old Sco'. Never me' a bloke befawe who could come close 'o ou'lastin me in a drinkin game… tha''s a good skill you knah?

2/17- (Malta) I don' da'e men. I did recen'ly ge' asked ou' by 'ha' Sco' 'hough, even if I star'ed i' wi'h 'ryin 'o check under 'he kil'… Good 'imes *cackles, fondly touching a flowered hair pin in her curly red hair*

2/18- (Malta my Cockney) Me mum an' dad were no' married, so i' doesn' mean as much 'o me. *checks to see who is listening* Bu' if 'he big bloke wan'ed a mit fasting, I wouldn' say no…

2/19- Blimey no. 'avin any ov me own, no… I'm mawe 'he guardian ov some'hin off 'he stree' 'han from me Jack Jones loins.*Malta shivers at the thought, never really having considered it before*

2/20- (Malta) Faw 'he Sco'? Any 'ime I 'ook a spankin 'ha' led 'o da'e 'imes, wi'h aw wi'hou' par'ners in crime… Faw Duck? Well, well, she 'ells i' be''er, bu' we go' awful close one day, over a stupid necklace…

2/21- (Malta- Cockney) I 'aven' 'ad no breakups. Excep' when 'he Sco' disappeared 'o lick 'is wounds faw a bi'. No' like we were married a' 'he 'ime so i' shouldn' 'ave ma''ered… S'upid male pride 'hinkin 'e knew best… *teapot whistle* Sawry gov'na, 'ha's me 'ea.

2/22- You met my boss, Madam Sofia, earlier in the month. Call me whatever you like love, I can be whoever you want me to be… I bet we have everything in common… Are you single? You're so fine…

2/23- The same it is in your world? I would like to mate once, but I can not find anyone… If I sell myself, then it doesn't feel like love, but if I am not, how else will they like me? All the singing and dressing tight or loose hasn't done it yet.

2/24- ROFLMO of course! Silly! I would like to be married one day… oh you don't believe in marriage? … Yeah, you're right, it's only a piece of paper, marriage doesn't matter.

2/25- That's kinda a big deal around here. Being sexy is part of my job, do you think I am sexy love? What do you like?

2/26- I love nature love! Do you want to go out to the hot tub, and enjoy the stars? Maybe stay there until the birds sing?

2/27- I could totally love that! I'm a Gemini! What's with that face? Are you a Virgo? Is that the problem?

2/28- Magic is so cool! I often think I have an impressive wing span *stretches arms* don't you think? There have been comments on my wolf in heat tendencies, but I can't help that it's practically mating season… Where are you going? Can I come too?

The other continued game this month was #AuthorConfessions hosted by @_JM_ Sullivan and @jjulien25. Another love fest, this time a mix of author, character, and a generally good way to get to know people through their writing. This hashtag game had me working the art skills in the free program Canva to answer a question or two. 

#authorconfession D

1- What do I love most? #writing? #music? My family, and friends. Heck even my #librarylife sometimes… not all the time because it is #work, but it's full of books…

2- Very little, I like sweets, and chocolate, but my go to is salty. More chips, less candy.

3- Maybe for a week? We're not really fighters, unless forced into it, so hard to say what might happen in a zombie situation.

4- For my Selfie Sunday pics about my #WIP can usually be found on my Instagram, but this sums it up... #colorful #outlines for the win! Now to #write it...

5- Valentine's day is all well and good, but never has been a huge thing for me… I worked in a flower shop for many years, so V-day was a work day, and if I had a reason to celebrate, it was a different day.

6- The trouble with my MCs is they think they know their greatest desires, and strive for them, until they achieve it (like Woods' music career) but once on the top, they are no longer sure that was their greatest desires… little do they know they want it all!

7- Word count report-

#amediting chapters 1-2 or 650 words total so far, and #amwriting words to fix a few forgotten holes, ditches, cavernous pits, whatever you call it. Not really keeping track of the adds… just page numbers 2/135-150

8-

Roses are red,

violets are blue

my MC is sweet,

but pretty deep too

Told you there's a reason I no longer do poetry 😆

9- Plot bunnies? It's like spring fever over here! Bunnies multiply faster than I can catch them, but there is a system to this! Method to the madness! I hope…

10- #SparkleOn … It's my day off! A Saturday to relax, and catch up on all the things I missed during the long week. Plus an extra day of writing!

11- Too many? There is a kilted char from a @lynsaysands book that was funny and still rolls around my brain….

12- I can't name a specific favorite, but I love good books with good chars that make you laugh and cry as needed…

13- I am kind of in between genres at the moment… I simply write to write because I like to, and the box it is supposed to fit in is not exactly my concern until it has to be… I like reading romance tho…

14- Wait are you asking if I will have company by night's end? No, that's bad for my reputation, but that doesn't mean my heart doesn't have someone in mind…

15- There were a bunch of 90's era #YA sorts of books that got me, terrible titles, but good stories… anyone remember the #LoveStories #series? Full list? -> https://goo.gl/bWHxg8

16- Tell my readers? Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart, you have no idea how much you mean to me, nor how excited I am when I know you have read something. You mean the world…

18- Um.. guess I am good with death in this way… I can't remember a fictional death that stuck with me…

19- No one really dies, most just transition out of the work… There is one death, but it is of a nice old man, nothing violent, just a time thing…

20- Not going to write an epitaph for my books… Feels wrong to me, like allowing myself to give up on them at some point… They will never die… maybe reinvent themselves after a long period away, but nothing written can really die.

21- Night Owl, working on trying to be more middle of the day… Could eventually try being an early writer, but currently not able to pay the steep price of getting out of bed to do it…

22- Usually coffee, or soda… Caffeine…

23-Twitter sparkles because of people like @RW_Hodgson, @Ashleydhansen12, @m_arbanassi being those friends that like tweets, so you don't feel like you're talking to yourself. And @carpekat14, for recently reminding me where I started a few months ago. 💜 to all

24- Each book has a color, and they all fall under the Red Letters theme… Currently working on the split that makes Yellow Days and Sinful Sunrise (orange-y)

25- "I can't believe this ridiculous drivel! It's totally unrealistic, with everything falling into place too easily. I mean who falls into a job in a brothel type night club?"

26- Me, hands down… Antag is emotionless to some degree, MC is one emotional setting presented to people, but some serious stuff going on inside, but as the writer, I have everyone's feelings coursing thru as needed.

27- I write with the range of emotions, but I do like to tickle your funny bone more than making you suffer… does that count?

28- From the writing? Or from the lack of writing and frustrations in relation? Either way, it does make me cry from time to time… Otherwise I am not doing it right.

#StoryWarriors hosted by @writeratops came recommended from #WIPjoy, so naturally, I gave it a go, since there were dual characters. Bebe made her introduction into Twitter here, and well… She's that friend. Bebe and the girls will reappear again at some point, though if you caught #MusicMonday, you might already know they are off to forget about some guys by finding some new ones. You see, as Nira obsessed as Bebe is, she still has a good heart. Between Malta and herself, they have seen who may be coming to town in March games, and they are all about distracting a sister. Triple Trouble are friends first, SO's second, and heaven help the soul caught breaking a heart… So enjoy Bebe's first attempts at Tweeting (yes there are a ton of jokes about Tweety that you guys are spared, trust me, you're welcome) Bebe won't last long before she jumps back in, she had too much fun keeping everyone on their toes…

#StoryWarriors D

1- Hello all! Most days I can be found working in a library, and most nights, I *try* to write books. In the editing and rewriting stage of one book, and the 3rd times a charm rewrite of the sequel…

2- Hello again, Tweety here, Hostess with the Mostest from the Red Letters series… ;) I always say you'll have to come back again to learn more about me!

3- *Bounces into view, possibly on a sugar high* Bebe's the name, bouncer's the game, well at least one of them… *looks around* Why is everyone nervous about this? It's not like they can see my… *Is quickly caught and taken away by Nira*

4- T works in a bar/nightclub, so there is really no desk space that is hers… but you can bet she's found places to hide snacks and notebooks for herself!

5- *no hesitation* Nira. *clarifies question with examples* What? Does no one else use their something like boy toy as a way to get around? What is wrong with you people?

6- I am what you call a picky eater for… reasons… once had a guy turn me off salads for a while, because he was so insistent that I eat the salad over my cupcake sugar fix... learn to let it go, you won't win.

7- I'm good with whatever Tweet puts on the stage, I would give specifics, but there's a name we do not mention, and I may bust on my bestie, but I won't poke THAT wound. Not that crazy or mean.

8- "I love a good corset, pants, heels… well I love all clothes ok. But I always make sure to keep a balance, some skin here and no skin there, for respectability of course." -T "Don't play innocent Tweet, I know you too well" -Bebe

9- I carry in my cargo pockets, or inside my bra. You know, the standard stuff. My ID, some cash, at least one weapon, handcuffs, oh and candy!

10- Why does everyone ask about my room? What's the fascination? I think I get that question as much as I ask what someone's drinking… The room has a lock for a reason, and soon, a keypad too. A lady has to keep her anonymity, or else why come back for the chat?

11- Depending on what the clerk's like, B might not even notice, might cause a scene getting change, or if it's a real crazy day, there may be some acts that would get the clerk arrested for public indecency. It's a good thing B doesn't really shop anywhere... 😟

12- Tweet has a paw print tattoo for a reason… total animal lover. Probably already being followed around by an animal, she would still take this lost one home too.

13- Nira. *is warned about pattern developing in her answers* It's what I do tho... Fine… I may get a bottle of something as an added nightcap… Is that better? You know, you sound like Tweet… Is everyone else a prude type too? 🙄

14- Surely by "attending" you mean "hosting"? I am great with other languages, I may not speak them, but sometimes I understand it and the emotion behind it too. All else fails, a charming smile smoothes many flaws.

15- They don't really need to do that, as they are finally well off, but like quick cash? Well it depends who's around… B would totally help T, there just may be some embarrassment to T that would make B's day.

16- Tweet and break ups… um, sticky issue now of course… but she does have a problem being mean to people that might not deserve it. Tries to let them down gently, also tries not to lead them on from the start…

17- Nira… plays nurse man and makes me soup and other things for the week that I disappear for and am not allowed to discuss in general company… enter at your own risk lol

18- Everyone calls me Tweety Bird, and I don't really mind it… I do flitter around a lot, and there was once this joke about me and a porky pig, but that’s another story for another day…

19- *has a hand over her mouth and plenty of whispers before allowed to answer* fine… I have a talent for drinking games, things that involve whipped cream, and I can strip a man in 5 seconds… (as a bar bouncer?) *giggles wickedly* sure, let's go with that.

20- If I shared my secrets, why would you bother coming back to visit me? Besides, all my secrets go in the book… you can read it for yourself.

21- I really don't know… there was a lot of shy lonely play time growing up, but I didn't find myself until I found my work, and my Nira.

22- That I work too much? I love my job and the life it has given me, but sometimes, just sometimes, I think about vacations.

23- Tweet is my bestie.. I love her, and there is a reason we're double trouble… with Malta, we're a triple threat that no man survives.

24- Oh Sly and I discuss this often. He is so well read, he's like a dictionary. But the book that means the most to me? It's the one full of my patron notes, and quotes, sort of like a diary.

Deciding that maybe you guys might want to know more about me, I threw in one extra game. #Expressoyourself hosted by @chelseadevries, and it was a tough one for me at times, but that is the point of this, isn't it? Get to know the mind behind the characters running wild, get to know a bit about me, to see if you might be interesting in reading my books at some point, right?

#expressoyourself

2/1- Tough one right from the start… My sense of humor? Compassion for others? Fierce protective streak? I'm a work in progress, and grow fonder of it every day.

2/2- To be persistent, but patient. My confidence grows along with my #wip, just like a friendship, and half the fun is in the adventure getting there.

2/3- I may still be on the fringes of it, watching, but I have made some great connections that are already making me think differently, which adds depth and helps me grow as a #writer

2/4- Hard to answer, as everything I have written to date had romance elements, but I would say no, I don't write a story dedicated to romance, just use it as a common vehicle.

2/5- The little mermaid… there may have been a point in my younger life where I may have believed I was said mermaid…

2/6- I pick and choose thru different #writing books… some stick with me, others don't…

2/7- Incomplete? Um 7 maybe 8 or 9? Quite a few are "When I finish #WIP this is next, with pages of notes." Is there a prize or club for 10 or more? Might as well start my entry forms now…

2/8- No, most of my writing is done by typing, but I have tons of hand written notes and edits…

2/9- Any notebook is good… even used to use things like the back of my hand… A short pencil is better than a long memory!

2/10- Funny, and emotional. I write some deep stuff, but try to give a balance, so it is not too heavy or too fluffy in the end.

2/11- Sometimes… Usually start my #writing day by rereading the last few paragraphs, and minor edits are natural, other times I hack it to pieces and fix it to continue.

2/12- Last book I read completely? Dirty Book Club by Lisi Harrison. Neutral about it, since I felt there could have been more to it, or something. Worth the read, just not a full on loved read for me.

2/13- Next book? Flipping through writing books counts? I am on hold and awaiting Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan, because I loved his #NaNoWriMo #peptalk

2/14- #AdrienneBasso isn't on Twitter, but she is a favorite… the rest of my shout outs are for @m_arbanassi, @EdwinaGustafson, @AndrewRoberts66, @patchworknerd, @thelaceylondon, and of course @awakeatlastrock because #music has #writers too.

2/15- Favorite part of the day? When you hit that moment and you know that this time is your free time, and can do what you please. Gotta #relax in between your daily crazy you know…

2/16- Lol more like how do I not procrastinate? Only way I get in the writing zone is with #music. Settles my mind, then helps me set the mood I need…

2/17- I actually don't! Probably should, but I work in a #library so I have my pick and don't think about it much…

2/18- Love… has given me the space to grow into my own confidence, and experience life beyond what I would have done for myself.

2/19- It's odd, and I do not normally recommend books, as people have opinions, but one that I read and enjoyed at a time I needed it was "I regret everything a love story" by seth greenland

2/20- I don't drink much while reading… suppose its because I like to have both hands occupied with the book… just whatever I drink that day I guess.

2/21- Not while reading unless vital to understanding the story.. maybe after the reading time (aka the end of the book) if its not too late or too sleepy

2/22- I already have my US travel companion in mind for book tour, get to see the country that way. Really want to see #London, #Poland, #UK and #Japan among others tho.

2/23- Besides my TBR book pile? My people know I have a thing for #purple, and #TweetyBird.

2/24- The broken and battered appearance deterred many others, who passed it by, but despite the care it needed, I took interest. For inside was a life and story I did not know I needed so. #loveabook

2/25- oh options! Who to pick? Musicians I love? Actors? Writers? I wish my possible future #litagent would find me first, love to chat there…

2/26- The same thing we do every night… Finish writing and editing, to take over the world Pinky! No idea where #PinkyandtheBrain came from… enjoy lol

2/27- Song lyric? @awakeatlastrock #purgatorium "Choices made on this glorious day Will decide your fate so let's play" Really good deep stuff if you think about it.

2/28- To young writers- There will be ups and downs, but never stop. There is something in you that wanted to write, listen to that tiny voice, even if it's like nurturing a dying flame, eventually it will become a fire.

That’s all the games from February... Looking forward to March! Might even play a little Male March Madness, stay tuned, and thanks to all my readers and followers. I hope to have more and more news to share this coming month!

[halo-of-honey]

Concrete Jungle

Daveed Diggs x Original Fem. Character

Synopsis: Emerson O'Connor has always dreamed of playing in a Broadway pit orchestra. After fleeing Boston to move back home to New York, she is approached by Lin and her whole world changes. But moving to a new city to get away from her past may not be as simple as she originally hoped.

[[ Read on AO3! ]]

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20

Chapter Four: Yep, Grey

The next day I sorted out the best course of action for getting the few possessions I still had down to my new home. I had been sleeping on my old twin mattress from when I was a kid since my double bed was still in Boston. Most of the things I had stolen away with were piled in heaps or still in the suitcases I hastily threw together the night I left. I could bring a suitcase down at a time, but I was worried what kind of questions Daveed might ask. So I decided, for normalities sake I would need to pack everything into boxes.

After driving to the local U Haul and stopping for an afternoon snack, I returned with a small stack of used boxes and a large roll of packing tape. My mom was home when I came in, struggling to get through the door with the boxes under my armpit. She asked me what I was planning to do with the boxes, if I was going back to Boston to be with my boyfriend. When I explained to her, once again, that no I was never going back to Boston to be with my boyfriend because he wasn’t my boyfriend anymore, things got heated. We argued over the same things until finally Tim came home and diffused things enough to let me shut myself in my room and start packing.

I texted Daveed around 9pm that night while sitting on my floor putting things into my boxes.

- Hey, do you know if there’s a good place for me to park my car for a day down there?

His response came in about an hour later, most likely just getting out of a show.

- Yeah, I know some good lots. Why?

-I want to bring down some stuff in the morning before I play tomorrow night. Maybe paint the room? If that’s okay?

-Oh yeah...let me find you an address. Will you need help bringing stuff in?

I considered it, getting up to lift my boxes. They weren’t very heavy and I only had three. The rest would be my two suitcases of clothes and shoes, my TV which I had returned to it’s original box, my electric and concert cello, my violin, and my grandmother's chair. I figured I’d bring most of it down and then pack a weekend bag to last me until I could get a mattress and some furniture. Once I had someplace to sleep, I could really move in. I opened my laptop to look into Casper mattresses since I remembered hearing good things and I thought their delivery might be quick.

- No I think I’ll be alright...I don’t have much. Thanks tho

I learned there was a Casper mattress store in the city, so I ordered one. When I got to the delivery address, I realized I didn’t yet know it.

- Btw, what’s our address?

Daveed answered moments later with the address and followed it up with another message.

- I’ll be around all day tomorrow if you do need help

I put through the order for the mattress and went to do some more googling. I glanced at Daveed’s message, wondering if it was necessary for me to reply. Finally he texted me again.

- What color do you think you’re going to paint?

I wasn’t going to have time for furniture shopping on Friday with not only with full cast and crew rehearsal but also the show that night. Saturdays were also two show days, which meant I would either have to have furniture delivered or figure out how to get some early on Sunday morning before the matinee. Deciding it was time to take a break from my furniture conundrum, I thought about Daveed’s question.

- That question is too difficult for me to answer right now. Please check back later...

He replied quickly, despite the fact that it was getting very late.

- You don’t have much time to decide

I huffed and went back to my boxes, replying without thinking.

- I know this. But...this is a big deal for me

-Why’s that? Because you’re moving in with the hottest guy on Broadway?

I flushed bright red. I hadn’t expected that.

- No...

Fortunately he was merciful and let me off the hook.

-Aight aight...I’ll let you get to bed. I gotta get some sleep myself!

I finished my packing and then loaded the boxes, my TV, and my grandmother’s chair into my car. I realized I wasn’t going to be able to fit both my cello cases, my violin case, and my large suitcase with the majority of my clothes in it. I could only fit one cello and my violin. But at least the suitcase and my electric cello would be easy enough to get on the train on Friday morning and I could call an Uber from Grand Central to get me to the theater. I went to bed that night formulating a plan for my day in my head.

First thing in the morning, I initiated my plan. I got the last of my things squeezed into my car, put together a change of clothes for work, and then drove to the hardware store to buy a can of paint. I stood in front of the wall of paint sample chips for ten minutes, pulling up colors and putting them away before I finally decided on a simple, neutral grey. I didn’t know how much paint I would need to cover the room, so I settled for enough to cover at least the wall opposite the brick wall. While the store attendant was mixing up my paint, I walked through the aisles getting some paint rollers and other painting necessities.

By the time I was done at the hardware store, Daveed had texted me the address for the parking lot. I thanked him and let him know I was on my way down, bracing myself for my first drive in NYC. I had driven a few times through downtown Boston and hated it every time, but I had never anticipated ever needing to drive in New York. The closer my GPS told me I was getting to Manhattan, the more anxiety I began to feel. When I finally pulled up in front of Daveed’s house, I was practically shaking.

I double parked in the fire lane in front of the house, taking the risk that I’d get ticketed or possibly towed, and pulled out my cello to bring that inside first. When I unlocked the door and stepped inside, I could see Daveed down the hall in the kitchen. He was sitting at the table, eating what looked like scrambled eggs on toast and reading something on his phone. When he heard me come in, he looked up and grinned.

“You made it!” he called.

“Oh yeah...barely.” I mumbled to myself.

“Where did you park?” he asked.

“I double parked in the fire lane.” I answered.

He stood up quickly and came down the hall, “Shit, well then definitely let me help you get your stuff at least in the door so you can go move it.”

I nodded, giving in, “Thanks.”

He followed me outside and made quick work of my boxes, “You weren’t kidding about not having much.” he said, going back out for my chair while I retrieved my violin, the can of paint, and the painting supplies.

“Yeah, I had to leave my suitcase of clothes at my mom’s and my other cello, too. I’ll bring them down on the train though tomorrow.”

“Oh, right right.”

We dumped everything in the foyer and then I pulled my keys back out of my pocket, heading back for the door. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for another drive through the city. The parking lot was only a few blocks away, but it was far enough for me to feel anxious all over again. Daveed seemed to notice and leaned over to look at my face.

“You alright?” he asked.

“Oh yeah. Totally...just trying to grow some balls so I can go drive my car around the city again.” I answered.

He laughed, “Do you want me to go with you?” he offered.

I shook my head, “No...I don’t know...maybe?” I stammered.

“I’ll get some shoes. Don’t leave without me.” he said, running up the stairs two at a time.

A few moments later he jogged back down the steps, now with sneakered feet. We headed out of the house, Daveed locking up behind us, and I climbed in behind the wheel of my car. Daveed came around and climbed into the passenger seat, buckling up before adjusting the seat back a bit. I started the car, took another deep breath and then looked over Daveed’s shoulder to make sure I had room to pull out onto the street. No one was coming, so I started off.

“So I take it you don’t drive a lot in the city?” he asked.

I shook my head robotically, looking around the corner as I followed the GPS to the parking lot, “No, not really. I thought Boston was bad...but this...this is on another level.”

Daveed chuckled, “You’re not going that far.”

“Not right now. But I already had to drive through like the whole city to get here. And later I’ll have to do it in the dark .”

“I think you’ll be alright.”

Trying to distract myself, I changed the subject. “I ordered a mattress. I think it’ll probably be delivered today or tomorrow. I’m hoping they’ll give me a time.”

“Do you have a bed frame?”

“No, but that’s fine for now. I’ll order some furniture from IKEA tomorrow or something.”

“You don’t have any furniture?”

The conversation was edging dangerously close to things I didn’t want to get into at that moment, “No, I had to leave it behind in Boston when I moved back to New York.” When I decided this answer might bring up more questions, I added a small white lie, “Wasn’t worth the cost to put it in all storage since I wouldn’t have room for it at my mom’s.”

“Oh that’s too bad.”

I nodded, “It’s alright. I’m sure my first paycheck from Hamilton will be way more than I’ve been used to.”

“My offer still stands if you need help getting some furniture.”

“Thanks. I’ll see.” I said as we pulled up to the parking lot. I turned in and rolled down my window to speak to the attendant, “Hi, I’d like to park my car for the day.”

“No problem. Drive on in, we’ll take care of it.” the man said, pointing farther into the lot.

I drove in and put my car in park, leaving the key in the ignition as I checked to make sure I hadn’t left anything important. Daveed climbed out and walked over to talk to the attendant as he came over. By the time I had gotten out and searched through my purse for my wallet, Daveed had already paid the parking attendant. Flushing and awkwardly putting my wallet back into my purse, I confirmed with the attendant that I would be back before 11pm that night to pick it up. Once everything was arranged, Daveed and I headed off to walk back to his house.

“You didn’t have to do that.” I grumbled.

“I wanted to.” he answered, grinning coyly. “So what color did you decide for the room?”

“Grey.”

“Grey?”

I nodded, “Yep, grey.”

“I would not have picked you for grey.” he said.

“Why is that?”

“Because of the three times I’ve seen you in person, you’ve been wearing yellow.” he said.

I looked down, realizing I had pulled on my yellow Patagonia fleece that morning, “Oh well...this was unintentional.”

He grinned, “Is yellow your favorite color?”

“No, green is my favorite color.”

“Well, yellow isn’t too far from green.”

“I guess not.” We continued walking, not far from the house. “What is your favorite color?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”

“Your house is mostly painted teal.”

“I guess I like teal, yeah.”

We turned onto our street and a few moments later passed through the gate and up the stairs. Once inside, Daveed insisted on helping me carry everything upstairs. Inside the big empty room, my few boxes and my chair looked somewhat pathetic. I tried not to wince at the sight of it. Fortunately Daveed left me to go for a run and I got started painting. At two o’clock I got an email saying my mattress would be delivered within the hour.

When the doorbell rang twenty minutes later, I did not hear Daveed answer it or come up the stairs because I had my headphones blasting. I didn’t even hear when he called out my name in the hall before pushing into the room. It wasn’t until he finally dropped the box that contained my mattress on the floor did I realize he was there.

“Oh! God you scared me!” I said, scrabbling for my headphones.

Daveed was grinning, “I called for you like four times.” he said.

“Sorry...I tend to zone out with my headphones on.”

“I got you.” he said with a shrug. “Signed for your mattress. Told the guy I’m your landlord. It was kind of cool.”

“Oh yeah? Well thanks.” I said.

I felt wet paint drip onto my hand and realized I was still holding the roller, quickly putting it down into the tray. “Wow! You work fast! You’re almost done.” Daveed said.

I glanced back at my now mostly grey wall, “Yeah, I’ve done a lot of room painting. It’s kind of relaxing.”

“You sounded like you were enjoying yourself. I could hear you singing when I got back from my run.”

I flushed, “Ah...yeah...can’t help myself sometimes.”

“You have a good voice, have you ever thought of going into music?” he joked, nodding at my cello.

I rolled my eyes, “You know I haven’t yet...”

“Did I hear you rapping under your breath just now, too?”

I turned even redder, “Maybe?” I said slowly.

“Wait, do you got rap game, too?”

“Really? I would have thought Lin’d shown everyone that video.”

“There’s a video ?” Daveed exclaimed. “Oh I gotta see this!”

I wanted to die, “Do I have to show it to you?”

“Yes, absolutely you do.”

I sighed, it was my own fault for bringing it up. I wiped my hands on a paper towel and pulled out my laptop. I brought up the video and pressed play, leaving Daveed to watch it while I finished up painting. I winced as he hooted over my minimal rap skills. When the video was over I heard him click through to more. Three videos later and the wall was done.

“A’ight. I thought you were good before but now I’m like shell shocked. What are you?”

I shrugged, gathering my supplies, “A person I think.”

“You think?”

“Yep, pretty sure.”

I went to go wash up in the bathroom and Daveed followed me, “So do you have much more stuff to bring down?”

“Nope, just my electric cello and my suitcase of clothes.”

“An electric cello? They make those?”

“Yeah, I use it to practice when I don’t want to make too much noise. I can plug headphones into it, so it barely makes any sound. Kind of like playing an electric guitar without an amp. It was great in the dorms in college.” I explained.

“That’s really cool.”

I did my best to rinse the paint roller thoroughly before propping it up in the shower to dry. We went back into the bedroom and I went to tackle opening my mattress. I searched around until I found three printed directions. Step one, open the box and remove the mattress. I did as I was instructed and then propped the box to read the next step. Step two, remove plastic covering and allow the mattress to expand. I ripped open the plastic and watched as the mattress filled with air and unfolded itself across the slippery wood floor. When it seemed done, I checked the last direction. Step three, enjoy your new favorite mattress!

“Well, there it is.” I said.

“Very nice.” Daveed answered. “Are you hungry? I was going to order some food before going to the theater.” At that moment my stomach growled loudly. “Sounds like it.”

“Ah...I think I forgot to eat today.”

“You forgot?”

I waved my hand loosely, “Yeah...”

“Well, what do you want to eat? You choose, I chose lunch.”

“Hmm...” I said thinking. “Tacos?”

“Tacos it is.” he said, heading out of the room. He called from the hall, “Steak, chicken, veggie?”

“Sweet potato, please!” I called back.

I decided to get changed, putting on a pair of loose black tulip hem gaucho pants and a fitted black v neck tee. I had messily knotted my long auburn hair behind my head, so I took a moment to brush it out and tie it into a neater pony tail. I heard Daveed answer the door for the delivery guy, so I went downstairs to join him. I found him in the kitchen, laying out our meal at the big wood slab table. There were two tin take away containers, a handful of cardboard tubs, and a few small plastic containers with salsa and guacamole. Daveed went to the fridge and pulled it open.

“Beer?” he offered.

I shook my head, “Water is fine. I want to be sharp tonight.”

He pulled out two glasses and filled them from the tap on the fridge door, then came to sit down with me, “Are you nervous?”

“No, not really. Mostly excited.” Daveed opened one of the cardboard tubs revealing dirty Mexican rice. He dumped some into his tin tray with his tacos and then pushed it towards me. “Thanks. Were you nervous for your first show? Acting for the first time?”

“Oh yeah for sure. Completely terrified.”

“Somehow I can’t picture you getting scared of anything.”

Daveed paused and I could feel his eyes on me, working out what I just said, “Well I hadn’t really sung before. Only just rapped. So that was new.”

“I can hardly tell now. You seem to blend right in with all the other theater kids.” I replied, trying to sound polite.

“Thanks, it’s a lot of fun. A change of pace from my other work.”

We chatted a little longer, then cleaned up and put the leftovers in the fridge. Daveed and I went upstairs to our rooms to gather our things and Daveed called an Uber to take us to the theater. We met it outside and I loaded my cello into the trunk. The driver was chatty, making polite conversation, so we patiently responded to him. The line outside the theater was busy so Daveed and I had to rush in and I wondered if anyone would recognize me from the day before.

As soon as I was inside, Daveed went to his dressing room and I went to go put my cello in the pit. No one was there yet, so I made my way back to Lin’s dressing room. I knocked lightly on the cracked door, “Hey Lin.”

Lin was sprawled out on his couch, reading and he looked over his shoulder at me, “Hey Em! Come in, take a load off!”

I let myself in and plopped down on the chaise pulling a pillow into my lap, “How’s it going Lin?”

“I’m good. How was your day? How was your lunch yesterday?”

“Good, good! I decided to move in to Daveed’s place. It’s really nice...I don’t think I could’ve said no if I tried.”

Lin laughed, “I can understand that. When do you move in?”

“I actually drove in this morning with most of my stuff. Couldn’t fit a few things. But it’s stuff I can bring down on the train tomorrow.”

“What about furniture and stuff? You couldn’t have fit all that in your car.” Lin pointed out.

I shook my head, squeezing the pillow, “No, I don’t have any. I had to leave it behind when I...when I left Boston.”

Lin squinted, clearly noticing my hesitation, “Oh that’s too bad. Do you at least have a bed to sleep on? A chair to practice?”

“I bought a Casper mattress, had it delivered today actually. And I have a vintage Dutch modern chair my grandmother gave me. I’ll order some stuff from IKEA tomorrow or something.”

“Well I’m happy for you!” Lin said, nudging me with his foot.

“I painted a wall grey today. I’m kind of excited to get everything together. To have my own space again.”

“Don’t you have your own room at your mom’s?”

“Yeah but after I stayed in Boston, she repainted, moved a bunch of her stuff in. Even before that, in Boston with my ex, it wasn’t really my space.”

“You’ll have to invite everyone over, throw a party!”

I grinned, “It’s still Daveed’s house, you know.”

“Oh he won’t mind.”

“What won’t I mind?” Daveed asked, his big head of curls sticking around the doorframe.

“If Em throws a house party at your place.” Lin answered.

Daveed raised an eyebrow at me, “Don’t look at me. It wasn’t my idea.” I said, putting up my hands in defense.

“No, I think it’s a good idea. Been a while since I’ve had a good house party.” Daveed said.

“See! What’d I tell ya?” Lin said, holding out a hand.

The two men fist bumped, “So are we sticking with those adjustments from last night?” Daveed asked.

Lin thought for a moment, stroking his chin, “Yeah, man. Keep it. I think I liked it.” he answered.

Daveed nodded, “Okay, gotta get into costume. Catch y’all later.” he said, holding up a hand as he left again.

“So are you two already like totally best buds?” Lin asked as he got up to move to his dressing table.

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t know what constitutes ‘best buds’ in the world of Daveed.”

“Ah well you’ll get there. I’m sure.” Lin winked at me in his mirror.

I crawled to the end of the couch to reach for the xBox controller, turning on the TV, “If you say so.”