#crochet you are my nemesis

[banannabethchase]

I mean this from the bottom of my heart:

If I could crochet a novelty dick or a scrunchie or a stress ball or an octopus for all of you, I would. But shipping costs.

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

i love having cats. there's just a Little Guy in my house that i can go annoy when i'm bored

[pfhwrittes]

Hello again from 💚💚 on this fine day!

Thank you for always answering my questions - I love seeing what people come up with for these silly little questions, and it helps distract me from the current stress of my IRL life 😵

Johnny is my fave of the 141, and I loved your niche hobby HC for him! I'm a habitual hobby cycles- do you think he's tried any of the other 141's hobbies with them??

I also though Gaz's was very fitting. Does he compose his own pieces do you think?

Do you think Simon can also knit, or does he just crochet? What does he do with all his finished pieces? I crochet, and I can never figure out what to do with the stuff I make. Specifically, I love making blankets during winter, and I'm running out of friends to give them to.

Do you have a favorite fall hobby? What about a fall specific food? I personally love going on long walks to see the trees change color. They've just started really turning this week after our first cold snap. I think I'm going to make time for a very long walk this weekend and see what colors I can spot!

hello 💚💚 anon! sorry i'm late to answer, for some reason notifications haven't been showing up in my inbox? tumblr truly is a webbed site.

i hope the stress of life eases soon for you. i'm sending you the most immaculate vibes and sending a small curse of perpetually mysteriously wet socks to the people that have upset you or caused you undue distress. may their toes be damp and their socks chafe.

...do you think [Johnny's] tried any of the other 141's hobbies with them??

oh absolutely! i think he probably took to crochet like a duck to water because it's basically just fibre arts fractals and i like to think he's the best at maths of the lot of them. however, i think he struggled with learning to play the keyboard with gaz. he's not exactly tone deaf but i think he struggles to tell the difference between some of the notes due to slight hearing loss (there's only so many times you can make something go ka-freakin'-boom before your ears give up on you - even with protection).

Does [Gaz] compose his own pieces do you think?

oooh! perhaps! i think if he has, he's kept it very close to his chest. he'll happily rearrange or cover pieces like this (the link should take you to bronwen lewis on tiktok, where she has covered "build me up buttercup").

Do you think Simon can also knit, or does he just crochet? What does he do with all his finished pieces?

i love to imagine simon hates knitting with a passion. he made a very lumpy mustard yellow scarf for soap but frogged it before he could gift it. somehow he manages to pick up and drop stitches at random or his purl row turns back into a knit row midway through.

simon absolutely drops his completed blankets off in the rec room where he knows someone will "tactically acquire" them. there are benefits to living on base and that is the fact that everyone wants one of the mystery blankets that appear overnight on the ratty little sofa.

Do you have a favorite fall hobby? What about a fall specific food?

whenever the season changes my brain turns to sunlight deprived mush so most of my hobbies come to an abrupt and untimely halt. i always want to pick up knitting again but i get frustrated. usually i end up doodling in my journal or writing just to get the urge to create out.

autumn = soup time. unfortunately soup hates me. soup is my nemesis. @/391780 is convinced my mum was cursed by a soup witch when she was pregnant with me because there is no other explanation for how i end up hurting myself (or breaking my soup making equipment) every single time i make soup.

also salmon. salmon is my autumn food. i turn into a bear (god i wish) and crave as much salmon as i can get my mitts on, NHS guidelines be damned.

i hope you have a lovely walk and get to see many many autumnal colours this weekend! it's still too green where i am, maybe next week the leaves will start to change!

[a-drama-addict]

1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 all for my good friend therése!!!

YAYYYY YOUR GOOD FRIEND THERÉSE!!! [ask game]

1: Where in the Thedas is your Rook from?

Starkhaven! I heard the accent and went 'Close enough to the accent, welcome back Starkhaven'

4: If your Rook was a companion, where would they be found?

Ohhh probably the Anderfels. She had stepped back from the Wardens for the moment because she disobeyed orders so she'd just be taking strolls out in nature there anyway. Plus she can still be out killing darkspawn (<- if she doesnt do her job she gets consumed by guilt which is normal)

5: What emotion did they usually pick?

Sarcastic. I'm weak i <3 sarcastic and tired overworked heroes. Therése also does a lot of just. Diplomatic options so it's kind of an equal divide between those

6: What companion are you platonically close with?

At the moment Bellara. Their minds aligned so hard and it's really funny. they're probably bouncing off one another always (<- bellara triggered her special interest once; birds, and therése hasnt shut up since)

7: Romantically close with?

Neve <3 her beautiful wife that isnt quite her wife yet. Theyre definitely flirting a lot though their dynamic is so good.

8: Who are they suspicious of?

Lucanis because her experience with abominations is what she's heard of her lovely Prince Sebastian Vael who had a great experience with an abomination once! Lovely!

9: Does your Rook get along with their chosen Faction?

With some of them Sure. She doesn't care for the First Warden but enjoys being a Grey Warden for the most part. (She didnt become a warden willingly but Oh Well)

11: Weapon of choice?

Sword and shield <3 i heart tanks forever and she has just been trained to wield them since. birth

14: What hobbies does your Rook have?

Hobbies? Don't exist she only works. She does like cooking and hunting though. Also horse riding

15: What NPCs do they like? Which one's do they dislike?

She loveeeees Strife, Strife is her buddy (woman who needs a positive older male influence in her life so bad)

The First Warden is her own personal nemesis i think and she would gladly kill him ten times

17: Do they enjoy life as an adventurer?

Yes! She grew up as the eldest daughter of a minor noble house in Starkhaven so this is a really nice change of pace. She became a Warden very willingly and not because of Any Crime

18: What would your Rook be doing if they weren't recruited by Varric?

Warden stuff. Probably she would most likely be at Weisshaupt, training, fighting the oncoming blight, die. Classic Grey Warden stuff!

19: How do you think they'll meet their end?

Ohhh boy i've mulled this over so many times but it is just definitely the calling. She has been dreading it forever and she just.. blegh. She doesn't want to die as a Warden in the deep roads somewhere. Not that she has much of a choice

20: Would they side with Solas or fight him?

Therése is cracking that egg probably. Probably because of Shae'riel because Shae hates Solas with everything she has

23: What do they do after an absolute crisis?

Stare at things a lot, she's absolutely dead silent and looks like her eyes are glued open. After she's 'calmed' she's just.. Not There for like at least a few days

27: What was their life like before the events of Veilguard?

Warden-y. And before the warden stuff, she used to spend a lot of time hunting with her father, taking crochet courses with her mother, train with her younger siblings. She also liked horse riding.

28: Is your character the de facto leader of the party? Or do they consider someone else to be the leader?

Therése considers herself sort of the leader, but she considers Neve the real leader lol. Like Neve brings so many ideas and strategies to her attention and then Therése just goes "Guys we're doing what Neve said!" because their views mostly align

29: If you could choose a different faction for your Rook, which one would they have joined and why?

If she could've chosen she would've probably... never been anything. She'd want to live a normal simple life, maybe become a baker or chef. If she had to choose a faction, she'd become a Shadow Dragon to have a chance to help people

30: What's your favorite thing about your Rook?

Her eyebrows <3

i also really love her nose. Idk her design is good for my brain so thats my fave thing at the moment. i also love that she has committed serious arson twice

[nestingtendencies]

Hello, my lovelies!

For some reason I don't post here often as just... me - the person behind NestingTendencies. I'm not quite sure why this is; I guess most of my crafting needs are catered to by Ravelry, as a platform. But I do realise that I have many, many wonderful followers, who have been regularly reblogging both the patterns that have piqued my interests and my own creations. And for that I am very grateful!

So I'd like to try and be a bit more social here; get to know you a little, learn what projects you're working on, and show you what's on my own hook!

First up is the Mariposa Sweater which has been the bane of my existence sole focus of my work since January!

You see, one of my new year's resolutions was to grow as a crafter beyond shawls, which are my specialty, and make sosme sweaters and jumpers! I've been having urges for those since last autumn and by now the craving cannot be ignored any longer.

So this is my first ever crocheted sweater, right? Do I bother with a gauge swatch?

No. Gauge swatches are for the weak.

Pretty soon I realise that my crochet is much, much tighter than the author's. Do I go back and try a size bigger? Do I increase the hook size to obtain the right gauge?

No. I decide that I know better, and I understand enough about how raglan works to just wing it. The joy of making a garment yourself is that you can make it fit your personal body contours perfectly, right?

So long story short, I am now on Mariposa the Second (First one is here) and I have frogged SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF ROWS (like, all of the yoke for example) - wait for it - upwards of 20 times. Yes, 20. Not an exaggeration. If I hadn't done that, I could have probably about 4 completed Mariposas by now.

But no. The Gods have cursed me with a perfectionist streak. So we live and we learn and we carry that burden with us.

The photos in this post are the latest of the most correct version of this top that I currently have. My New Hope. My baby. I'm going to be sharing more WIP photos in the future.

The only good news is that as soon as I figure this sweater out, I'm going to have meticulous notes, which will give me the exact stitch sounts for my measurements and unlock the door to other jumpers like this one, of which I want to make at least 3.

And then there are other sweater patterns. 74 of them currently in my library. At least a dozen literally burning a hole in my consciousness - I want to start them immediately right now yesterday!!! Look look!

Elara Pullover - This is want in gradient purples, like an autumnal sunset

Chevie Sweaer - This I want in greys and golden ochres. I love the stitch used.

Don't Scrap That Raglan - Aaaah, Moss Stitch my favouritest stitch ever and I've almost improvised a sweater like this before!

Cosmopolitan Sweater - This I want in solid teal. Alpine stitch could well become my new mistress. It's also probably THE sweater I should have started with as my first project...

Peony Tee - I am in love with the funky-coloured contrasting sleeves and the raglan concept

Bridgette Ballet Neck Pullover - Ballet necks are my weakess...

Cap Sleeve Top - This I had a little romance with before, oh, about 8 years ago and it was shaping up beautifully in navy - I have all the yarn that I need for it.

Isop Sweater - I really want to learn this fair isle technique of making yokes, because I saw this pornographically beautiful set of 2 knitted sweaters in just the perfect colours and I'd like to do equvalent crochet versions, no I'm not at all trying to run before I can walk, why you ask?

Many of them much easier than Mariposa. Many of them not so tailored to the figure.

But no. Mariposa.

I have been buying up yarn in bulk again. This is how I know I'm in trouble.

But what about you guys? Do you have a Nemesis Project that has been kicking your ass for ages? Do you get overly ambitious like me? Or do you make your gauge swatches and avoid pissing off the Gods of Yarn, like sensible people?

[uselessmicrowave]

HII I’m so excited to submit a matchup!! I’d like the MTMTE LL cons (or just anything besides autobots), and maybe Tfp decepticons? I love your writing..

Pronouns: any

Attracted to: all and everything

Zodiac: Aries if important

Appearance: long dark/almost black hair with bangs, same color eyes. I’m pretty lean and average height, always dress in dark clothing or neutral shades. Very into formal clothes, always dress like i have somewhere to go(i dont)

Personality: when meeting someone for the first time, I’m all awkward smiles, avoiding eye contact, and shy politeness. Ermm i tend to get attached to people to continue to look past that and continue talking to me. Anyways after being friends for a while, i get so much louder and more talkative, i like to annoy/tease my friends but will stop when they tell me to. Sarcastic, protective, loyal, and i also tend to make A LOT of jokes…sometimes during bad times. On the other hand, i can be quite irritable, gets overstimulated by my surroundings easily, awful memory, no motivation to do simple tasks at times, sensitive, sometimes does not know when to shut up. Stubborn AS HELL and erm,

Likes: all forms of art, fiction books, the night sky, quiet environments, rain, storms, loud music, spending time with people i care about, playing videogames, trying out new hobbies, having my own space once in a while. Love when people rant about their interests to me as well, like yes please keep talking

Dislikes: not doing anything for a long period of time, loud and crowded places, hot weather,

Hobbies: oh boy..drawing, writing, reading, tinkering with technology, coding, sculpting, 3d modeling, crocheting, storytelling. I also like collecting knives, rocks, figures, and toy cars :D

Pets: i have a puppy rn! I love him and he’s very energetic, sometimes cuddly, but very protective. Very playful and likes climbing on everything

Pet peeves: people that can’t take silly jokes…but also people that can’t take anything seriously. Need a middle ground! No communication/silent treatment habits, making fun of my interests or me in general. Treating me differently in front of others idk

I love your writing too, thank you! Sorry for only doing one of the continuities, but I’m not that far into MTMTE and just not sure who counts as a con/is a con. I’m matching you up with TFP Knockout!

Knockout

After getting over the notion of having a human aboard the Nemesis, Knockout begins to admire you. The way you dress nicely, the colors you dress with, your hair, ect.

He likes that you’re shy at first, he can work with shy. It gives him room talk about the last human show he watched or what slag plan Starscream had the other day. However, Knockout wants you to ask questions so that he knows his rambling is appreciated (it isn’t by the vehicons he patches up).

He’s also sarcastic, stubborn, loyal and protective, Breakdown jokes that they have another mini KO on the ship.

Show him your toy car collection! He’ll love seeing different models and brands, colors, ect.

The medbay is usually very quiet, so you’ll spend most of your time with him there.

He would offer to take you to art museums, but until Shockwave fixes the human holoforms he won’t mention it to you.

Knockout can be a little bit dismissive about communication issues, but he will come around if you’re insistent enough.

He will never treat you differently just because you’re in front of someone else. Megatron? Optimus Prime? Unicron himself? He’ll still give you a little kiss.

[bokettochild]

In reflection, my friends and I are insane

We have an entire collection of jokes that you can simply say a word and the entire group starts spluttering/laughing/blushing/screaming/scrambling to explain and/or shut the others up.

Seagulls

The Slushie Incidenent

Drugs (not what it sounds like)

Ketto's breathing

Rings

Roses

Factories

Baby Girl

Blueberries (my personal nemesis)

Crocheting

Pants (or leather)

Every time a new person joins this group I'm struck by how insane we all look.

(This means nothing, but I wanted to say something somewhere because I am having thoughts and it's past midnight so I have no control)

[usamamoweek]

Meet the Creators - RiverLethe

What username(s) and platform(s) can folx find you on? (Please include links!)

@riverlethe - I am on Tumblr and Ao3!

(Fun Fact) What is your favorite kind of potato?

Yes. If it is a potato, I will eat it (except for mayo-based potato salads - no thanks), and my preference absolutely depends on mood, but if I had to pick one.... Have you ever tried Chef John's Potatoes Romanoff? If the answer is no, go fix that right now! (add in crisped up pancetta before baking - you're welcome)

How long have you been creating works in fandom spaces? How long have you been active in the SM fandom?

If reading fanfic counts as being active in the fandom, I've been active, on and off, for a little over 20 years, but I didn't actually start writing fanfic until 2 years ago.

What type(s) of creative works do you usually make? (fanfics, digital art, cosplay)

Fanfics are my #1 contribution, but I also crochet. I made @linlamont's Sailor Rex plush based on her amazing artwork for her adorable story "Treasures", and I am currently working on a custom Sailor Rex for my 6 yo daughter. There are plans for a Tuxedo Rex and Tuxedo Kamen

What do you enjoy about creating for the SM fandom?

I love the sense of community and making friends within the fandom. Discussing and theorizing all things Sailor Moon is one of my favorite things! Plus, there is just so much to explore, both in canon and fanon

Are you strictly UsaMamo or do you create for other pairings as well?

I wrote a Kunz/Venus fic for Heavenly Pearl's/@kaleidodreams' first ever Rare Pair week, but I otherwise exclusively write for UsaMamo. Who knows, maybe I'll be inspired to create for another ship in the future. Never say never!

What inspires you to create works for Usagi and Mamoru?

The emotions! Everything these kids go through is dark, scary, intense, etc etc, and I love to explore how it affected them, how they're feeling in the moment, and how Usagi and Mamoru support each other through it.

Do you tend to work on multiple projects (WIPs) simultaneously or try to finish one at a time?

Ideally, I would work on one WIP at a time, but with my ongoing story Once More, with Feeling!, I always have multiple going on. While I normally don't mind putting OMwF aside for a OS or two, I haven't updated it in almost a year, which I feel really bad about, so I am trying to put any new ideas on hold right now so I can get Chapter 13 done. OMwF will eventually update, I promise!

Do you prefer large projects (chaptered fics, webtoons/zines, highly detailed art) or small projects (one-shots or simple art)?

I love how much of a story can be explored and fleshed out in a chaptered fic, but, for fans, they can be daunting to start reading if you aren't there from the very beginning (depending on length), and there is always that ever present nemesis: time. As a writer, I like the regular engagement with the community that posting new chapters allows, but writing as I go can be very stressful, especially when motivation just isn't striking. For OSs, I love that ability to focus on one small part of the characters' lives without needing to generate a lot of backstory or lore. Will I do another Chaptered fic once OMwF is finished? Probably, I do want to continue into R, but I will hopefully take everything I've learned working on OMwF (it's my very first ever fanfic!) into the sequel so I'm a little more prepared.

Are there any common themes, situations, tropes, or mediums in your work?

Angst and Romance are probably the most common as I love the emotional impact the angst imparts and how Usagi and Mamoru support each other through it. Honestly, I find the original anime (and the manga to a lesser extent) a bit emotionally stunted, so I absolutely love fics that elicit emotions, in me, either happy, sad or anything in between!, and I strive to do that for my readers. With any luck, I succeeded!

Is there anything you haven’t explored artistically and would like to try?

If I could draw, I would totally do art. I am in awe of what artists can create through their medium and would love to be able to visually see what so many of us use words to describe, but, alas, I'll stick to crocheted dinosaurs with odangos! Regarding writing, I have more OSs in mind for stories and ideas I haven't explored yet, and maybe I'll actually learn some restraint and create chaptered fics that aren't 12+ chapters long at 5k-12k words each. Anything is possible! (Except for me and art. Not gonna happen)

[nerodmcdevilslayer]

15 questions!

Tagged by @disco-deviant 💛💛

Are you named after anyone? My great grandmother.

When was the last time you cried? Last week!

Do you have kids? Nope. Probably never will.

Do you use sarcasm? On the daily baby.

What is the first thing you notice about someone? Their eyes.

What is your eye color? Green!

Scary movies or happy ending? Either one really! Depends on the mood. But if I had to pick, scary movies.

Any special talents? I can do origami!

Where were your born? South Carolina.

What are your hobbies? Crocheting, rolepaying

Do you have any pets? My mom has a dog, she’s my baby too.

What sports do you play/have played? Softball, fencing.

How tall are you? 5’9”

Favorite subject in school? Anything science but mostly biology

Dream job? Already got it, lab scientist.

I tag @sparkie96 @smol-nemesis @metalscoops and anyone else who wants to do it!

[banannabethchase]

My house is full of crochet granny squares and random dicks imbued with anxiety and burnout.

[astranite]

Thank you very much for the places to start!

Am already finding a crochet hook would be very handy. Have to get myself to spotlight and avoid being dragged down by my nemesis of sewing paraphernalia along the way! And now yarn too, so much temptation!

I am feeling very welcomed by the yarn crazy side!

First attempt at crochet!

So I decided try my hand a crochet because I needed to do a Craft this afternoon as I have a cold and am miserable.

I am enjoying it! Zero clue what I’m doing but I’m having fun! Haven’t even gotten bored yet two rows in like I did last time I tried knitting.

Using my fingers because I don’t have a crochet hook. Resisted buying one the other day because I do not need to start another crafty hobby or wip yet here I am anyway!

The yarn is The Red Stuff acquired from the lovely place of The Back Of My Cupboard. It is size Big(?) and material ? (I think I might have a label for it somewhere but who knows).

The pattern I am using is ??trying out stitches?? I name it Thing. (Lol) (I have no idea what I’m doing) (…help me)

Very much inspired by crafty thunderfam members who I keep seeing making amazing stuff. Including (the people I can remember because my mind is blanking) but not limited to @gumnut-logic @gaviiadastra @soniabigcheese

Hi witness my first attempt!

[jokeboy]

people will come up to me freaking out asking if I can teach them to crochet and then when I say yes they go ouugghhhhh but I was only joking like what the fuck my autistic ass wrote up a lesson plan. you are my arch nemesis now

[susiequaz12]

Flufftober Day 4- “Supporting Silly Quirks/Hobbies”

Day 4! The Carrot Top masterlist for these characters is here.

“See look- you hold it like so- and then you loop it around. Once you’ve done that, you can pull it through, and drop the other stitch. Then you can keep repeating it until you have enough that you need in the row-” 

Micah glanced up towards Andrew, seeing a clear look of confusion in his face. He chuckled, Andrew’s hands were tangled in the yarn, his eyebrows furrowed together as he tried to make sense of the stitches. 

“Okay, here- let me show you a little differently.” He shuffled a little closer towards the boy, until their legs were overlapping, shoulders brushing tightly against each other. 

Micah carefully positioned the yarn, helping to wrap it carefully around Andrew’s fingers. He situated the crochet hook in his hand, and then picked up his own to demonstrate once more. 

After a few minutes of explaining and reexplaining, Andrew had the beginnings of a few rows of crochet.

Andrew laughed, shaking his head.

“I’m so much worse at this then you are- look!” He exclaimed, holding up his row of loose, wobbly stitches. “Yours is practically perfect-” 

“Darling, I’ve been crocheting for years. My stitches looked like that too at first.” 

“I don’t think I could crochet anyways- my hands aren’t nearly steady enough.” Andrew looked down at the tremor in his fingers, the shake in his hand that never really went away. Micah grabbed it in his own, pulling it to his lips. He kissed the back of Andrew’s hand, turning it over to kiss the palm as well. 

“We all have our strengths. You saw how terrible of a cook I was at first!” 

Andrew chuckled, pulling an arm around Micah’s waist until the boy was nearly sitting on his lap. 

“You couldn’t even peel a potato.”

“Exactly!” He kissed Andrew’s cheek, pulling away briefly to grab one of his recent projects. “So, you cook me the fabulous food you make, and I’ll crochet you all the hats and scarves and little critters that you want.” He pulled the hat he had grabbed over Andrew’s head, a soft, gray beanie with a few red stripes running through it. 

Andrew adjusted the hat on his head, pulling his arms around the boy and kissed the top of his head. He smiled. 

“You have a deal, darling.” 

- - -

@imagination1reality0, @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi, @thehopelessopus, @burtlederp, @whump-me-all-night-long @laves-here​ @yesthisiswhump @myfriendcallsmeasickwoman19 @brutal-nemesis​ @lunaabsentee​ @morning-star-whump​ @beatenbruisedandbloody @flufftober 

[sneakydragon]

Sneaky Dragon Listening Party - Ep. 70

Hello, partygoers!

Well, this is it. The sad moment we knew would come eventually – the final episode of the Listening Party.

But now ain’t the time for your tears – to paraphrase Bob Dylan – we’ve got a show to do! This bi-week, Mary and David read your celebratory – we hope – comments and play some fun Top 5 playlists!

As we pack up the Listening Party rumpus room and put that old beanbag chair back into storage, we’d like to thank everyone who spent time with us here. We hope you know how much we love and appreciate you all!

As always, thanks for listening.

Top 5 Toytown Psych Songs: 1) Manfred Mann – “My Name is Jack” – Fontana Records single b/w “There Is a Man”, 1968 – 26:04 2) Eddy Howell – “Easy Street” – Parlophone Records single b/w “Judy’s Gone”, 1969 – 30:20 3) Keith West – “Sam (from A Teenage Opera)” – Parlophone Records single b/w “Thimble Full of Puzzles”, 1967 – 38:56 4) Noah’s Ark – “Paper Man” – Decca Records single b/w “Please Don’t talk About Yesterday”, 1967 – 45:20 5) Crocheted Doughnut Ring – “Happy Castle” – Deram Records single b-side to “Havana Anna”, 1967 – 1:00:06 Bonus Toytown Psych Song: 6) Broken Toys – “Broken Toys” – Polydor single b/w “Oh Suzanna”, 1971 – 1:05:46

Top 5 New Songs I Wish I’d Played: 1) Juana Molina – “Cosoco” – Halo, 2017 – 1:11:22 2) Once and Future Band – “I’ll Be Fine” – Once and Future band, 2017 – 1:17:28 3) Cassandra Jenkins – “Hard Drive” – An Overview of Phenomenal Nature, 2021 – 1:28:25 4) The Weather Station – “Kept It All to Myself” – The Weather Station, 2018 – 1:37:00 5) Jane Weaver – “Modern Kosmology” – Modern Kosmology, 2017 – 1:44:08

Mary’s Top 5 Phineas and Ferb Songs: 1) Sheena Easton – “When Will He Call Me?” – Phineas and Ferb: Across the 1st and 2nd Dimensions, 2011 – 1:57:07 2) Vincent Martella – “Watchin’ and Waitin’” – Phineas and Ferb: Across the 1st and 2nd Dimensions, 2011 – 2:08:40 3) Danny Jacob – “My Nemesis” – Phineas and Ferb, 2009 – 2:14:27 4) Aaron Jacob “Dance Baby” – Phineas and Ferb: Rockin and Rollin’, 2013 – 2:20:48 5) Aaron Jacob – “Funhouse” – Phineas and Ferb: Rockin and Rollin’, 2013 –

Top 5 Old Songs I Wish I’d Played: 1) Alden Shuman – “Ladies in Love” – The Devil in Miss Jones, 1973 – 2:35:01 2) Erasmus Chorum – “Mary Jane” – Chapter 1 Records EP – b-side to “Oh Lord”, The Holy House (on Sunday)”, 1972 – 2:48:40 3) The Us – “How Can I Tell Her” –Nuggets from the Golden State – Dance with Me: The Autumn Teen Sound, 1994 – 2:59:36 4) Robb Kunkel – “O Light” – Abyss, 1973 – 3:06:07 5) Trader Horne – “Here Comes the Rain” – Dawn Records single b/w “Goodbye Mercy Kelly”, 1970 – 3:14:14

Top 5 Goodbye Songs: 1) Mary Hopkin – “Goodbye” – Apple single b/w ”The Sparrow”, 1969 – 3:21:19 2) The Association – “Goodbye Forever” – The Association, 1969 – 3:29:33 3) Peter Sarstedt – “Sayonara” – Peter Sarstedt, 1969 – 3:32:41 4) The Turtles – “Goodbye Surprise” – Turtle Soup bonus track, 2016 – 3:37:28 5) Jeff Buckley – “The Last Goodbye” – Grace, 1994 – 3:41:14

Also spinning on the old Victrola:

The Free Design – “Friends (Thank You All)” – One by One, 1971 – 3:53:32

Want to see those Phineas and Ferb songs? Well, take a gander at these!

https://media.blubrry.com/sneakydragon/p/content.blubrry.com/sneakydragon/Sneaky_Dragon_Listening_Party_70.mp3

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Sneaky Dragon Listening Party – Ep. 70 was originally published on Sneaky Dragon

[castelobyers]

Hey yo thanks for tagging me @daydreams-in-the-moonlight

1. Are you named after anyone - Yes, I'm named after an actress that was a main character of a soap opera that was famous in Brazil in 1999 so yeah lol

2. When was the last time you cried? - about a two months ago after spend about a year without crying because i have emotional blocking 👍

3. Do you have kids? - no thank god

4. Do you use sarcasm? - if i can use sarcasm why not?

5. What's the first thing you notice about people? - maybe mood, if my sense for humor will fit with this person, if they are shy or not, somethings

6. What's your eye color? - Dark dark dark dark brown

7. Scary movies or happy ending? - i hate scary movies, but i can appreciate a bittersweet ending for some story so yeah, depends, but scary movies are my nemesis

8. Any special talents? - no... :(

9. Where were you born? - Ceará - Brazil, close from the beach

10. What are your hobbies - i don't think I'm good in anything but i try a lot of things, i kinda know how to play guitar not so good, i know crochet basics and some of other random stuff that i try to learn when I'm bored

11. Do you have any pets - two cats, my babys and three dogs

12. What's sports do you play/have played? - I'm not a athletic person but i used to fight Muay Thai when I was younger but now I'm not doing anything, only forcing myself to go to the gym

13. How tall are you? - 5'2? I don't know in feet exactly lol but in cm is 1,62cm

14. Favorite subject in school? - History and Social Studies

15. Dream job? - i don't really have a dream job i just wanted to work in something that i don't hate and that i can have time to live my life and spend my money

15 Questions | 15 People

thank you for the tag @squintclover @tracingpatternswrites @sweetpeasandlilies <3

1. are you named after anyone? danyal, a prophet in shia islam

2. when was the last time you cried? while reading Wasteland by @heartofspells ASK HER literally sent her a video of me sobbing

3. do you have kids? yes!! two little gremlins of my own + 7 younger siblings who are technically all my kids too

4. do you use sarcasm a lot? not really

5. what’s the first thing you notice about people? accent/dialect/speech

6. what’s your eye colour? dark brown

7. scary movies or happy ending? both?

8. any special talents? i can blind type in 3 languages on any keyboard (en, ar, he)

9. where were you born? in a terror camp in south Lebanon

10. what are your hobbies? writing fic reading fic talking about fic. cooking

11. do you have any pets? no

12. what sports do you play/have you played? tennis, cycling, running

13. how tall are you? 173cm

14. favourite subject at school? idk i dropped out early

15. dream job? pretty much what i have right now. freelance translating + editing from home. only goal is to get more clients make more money doing it.

no-pressure tagging @roalinda @gracelesslady23 @artemisia-black @whywhywhymoney @ambrxsiaa @mxlfoydraco @broomsticks and anyone who wants to do it

[alias-b]

sins of my youth. 004

Billy Hargrove x OC! Evie Fenny~ Also posted to my AO3

Summary: It was common knowledge that Billy Hargrove hated Hawkins. Hated Cherry Lane. Even loathed the strange girl next door. Evie Fenny wasn’t too fond of the chaotic Cali transfer either. An awful high school tradition sparks a chain of events that changes everything, ultimately bringing two frayed souls together.

A/N: Hello all! Pushing out a baby chapter early so I can focus on my other fic! Thank you so much for the support on this fic. Billy goes to dinner and Tries It. That's the chapter. :D  Tag list open!!!

Chapter 4: No Day But Today

   “Claudia, do you have the keys?” Mona crossed the salon floor.

   “I do, we’re fine here, go on. Dusty is spending the night at the Wheeler’s place. Having some castle and dragons party.” She'd gushed.

   “Feel free to close up early if we’re dead the last hour. Thanks, sugar.” Mona patted her back as she followed Evie out the door.

   “Can I drive?”

   “I was hoping you’d ask.” Mona smiled.

   Evie was saving for a car. And college. And her future. 

   And it was a lot.

   Truthfully, she didn’t care for school. It was in the way. Wished her lyrics could carry her straight to the red carpet before all those flashing paparazzi.

   Wanting to unwind, Evie hid in her room when she got home. Shut the curtains and prodded at herself before the vanity. Sorted dangly earrings in a mesh metal display. Huffing to lean over when Bourbon swept into her legs. His little body shivered and she plucked him up.

   “Okay, BB, you’re my best guy. You can’t let me down.” She scratched under his chin, gave him a little boop on the nose. “You take one look at that walking Def Leppard poster and you hiss and run. Got it?”

   A purr.

   “Good boy. You’re my only hope here. We can’t lose. Not to Billy Hargrove.” Arms let him down. She'd feel this sentiment often about Billy. A sigh. Evie applied a fresh lip color and paused. “Ugh.” She pushed up and didn’t change. Did her school work to get it out of the way and wandered out, turning the TV on to some game show. The savory smell of dinner wafted. “Need help here, Mom?” One tug and the ceiling fan spun, cycling cooler air.

   “No, I have it. You can set the table for me.” Mona drained some noodles.

   “Got it.” Plates and cutlery clicked around. Evie slid everything into place, perked up when the doorbell rang. Mona turned and smiled as her daughter adjusted fabric and fixed curls into place all the way to the door.

   Evie half expected Billy to not even show. But, there he was. Sly smile and all. Billow of date night cologne. A vision in moonlight.

   “Hey.” Evie said slowly. The surprise evident.

   “Hey." He mirrored it.

   "You're here." An exhale out. He blinked, found himself again.

   "I was gonna steal flowers from the old lady’s garden across the way, but there’s a huge opossum in her trash guarding it.” He tilted his head, earring catching the porch light and she cracked a grin.

   "Big Ben? Yeah, he's the neighborhood menace. Chief Hopper's nemesis because they get so many calls about it. You'd be a hero if you took him on." Evie persuaded lighter. His face fell.

   "I'm not trying to die in Hawkins, Indiana. That thing was bigger than anyone on our football team."

   “Color me impressed. King Billy didn’t want to do battle for the first time?” She actually teased him. Her nose crinkled when she smiled. Cute. “Shock and awe.”

   Billy felt this tug pulse up his ribcage. Pulled a genuine chuckle from his lips. He had to look away to give it. Glowy in starlight.

   “Sometimes I surprise people. I know my weight class and the pests here look like they were grown and mutated in some lab.” He shrugged into the door frame with one fist lifted, clicking his lighter shut. Hooded eyes all over. Evie went still as he leaned forward to her face with his tone lowering. “Am I allowed inside? Pretty please?”

   “With cherries on top?" Bright, wet lips parted. His lashes fluttered, a baritone sinking. Bringing her with him.

   "With anything your heart desires on top." Smooth.

   "Huh. I guess. For now.” Evie stepped out of the way. “We go to school with plenty of those lab grown pests by the way.”

   “No kidding.” Billy shrugged his jacket off and she awkwardly reached to take it. Hung it up behind her.

   Evie turned to see him staring again and swallowed a hard lump down. Thought maybe he saw all the begonias blooming behind her eyes and up her throat.

   “Billy.” Mona came out of the kitchen, arms out. “So glad you’re here.”

   “You saved me from a sad date with a TV dinner.” Billy winked, charming Ms. Fenny to bits. She giggled and shook her hair out.

   “Dinner’s got about ten minutes. Why don’t you show him around, baby?” Mona hurried back off, leaving them alone again.

   “Tour? Great idea." He peered behind Evie. A mission at hand. "Where’s the cat?”

   “Hiding from you, clearly.” Evie beamed, gesturing. “Welcome to the living room. Mom's showroom is a better word.”

   “Your mom like tchotchkes or what?” He came to the full mantle. Scanning.

   “How’d you guess?” Evie reluctantly trailed to his side.

   It was strange to let this boy wander around and see little bits of her life. Guess things about her as he went along, trailing deft fingers about the fireplace. She wondered what was blooming within the pit of his stomach, if anything.

   Mona Fenny's house overwhelmed.

   Photographs, plants, and crafts. Little porcelain figurines. Too many handmade candles. Crochet projects. A full dollhouse on a table in the corner.

   “My grandma passed a lot of craft skills down. She owned this amazingly strange trinket and voodoo shop in New Orleans that my aunts run now after Nana died."

   "Your mom didn't stay for a piece of that?" Billy let his eyes trail over every little thing.

   "Ah, I don't know. She was the baby and married pretty young. Seemed like she wanted something new," Evie peered behind her and whispered. "Never really got along with Nana like her older sisters did."

   Billy hummed a little. Decided not to pry with Mona in the next room. Evie brought him to the corner and flicked a lamp on.

   "Mom’s dollhouse is her pride and joy. Lights up and everything.”

   “Tell me why your mother has a framed photograph of Dolly Parton next to a picture of you two on the fireplace. And the same photo shrunk down in the dollhouse?”

   “Science may tell us the truth one day when the world is ready. And I fear for that day.” She replied in all seriousness and Billy snorted. Laughing.

   A truly enchanting sound Evie decided she liked.

   “And I have to say,” he plucked a photo off a bookshelf with a broad grin, “this one is my favorite.”

   One of Evie on Halloween. Had to be about six. Dressed in the campiest pink daisy costume with a huge toothy smile.

   “Gah,” she cringed and swiped it from his hand, “this house is a museum of embarrassment.”

   “You’re into the museum shit, guess this is like our first-” Billy stopped himself from producing the damning word when Evie turned. Blushing. Oof. He scratched the back of his neck. “So, uh, you got a bedroom in here or do you sleep in the dollhouse?”

   “You won’t find the cat that easily.” She caught him peering around again and led him past the kitchen. “C’mon, not much to the rest of the house. Garage. Spare room.” That used to be her dad’s office space. “Mom’s room. Attic up there and on this end. My cat's room that he lets me stay in too.”

   The door was open so Billy prodded it to peek inside. Evie exhaled and flicked the light on.

   It didn’t feel like a teenage girl’s bedroom. Not covered in decorations and pictures like the rest of the house. No posters cut from magazines covered in pink lipstick kisses.

   A vanity full of disorganized makeup. Desk. Overfilled bookcase of novels and tapes. Crafts and trinkets she collected in labeled tin boxes. Dresser covered in jewelry. Music player. Bed. Closet. Couple of pictures taped by the vanity and headboard. Mostly Evie and Heather laughing and bright. Her beloved acoustic guitar propped in the corner. 

   It felt like it was decorated by one trying to take up as little space as possible. Everything was compacted. Billy eyed the wall by her bed. Realized most of the papers were notes with random lyrics and words patched together.

   “Yeah, I tend to jot every little thought down even when I’m half asleep and hope it makes a song eventually.” She peered aside. It felt too intimate, letting Billy shift about the space.

   "Hey, everybody has a method." Two fingers traced over a note taped up to straighten it. She caught the ring gleaming on his middle finger. “My-”

   “Ah, don’t read them aloud, I may combust.” 

   “Oh?” Billy slunk toward her, licked his lips. A hungry way about it. Mouth watering fangs full of sweet venom. Wonder how they'd feel sinking into her throat. “Because I make you nervous, Angel?”

   “No, it’s just...just…weird.” Evie pressed up into her desk. Billy closed the distance. Got within inches of her. “It’s weird.”

   Repetition didn’t ease the sear of those ocean eyes drowning her too sweetly. She felt her chest fill and flutter all the way down. Flowers unfurled to be plucked and caressed. Billy pushed into the space until she was seated there on the desk. Scrambling further. Unable to climb the wall.

   “You do seem nervous though, Evie.” His tone hushed. Fingers brushed her thighs and palms came to rest there. The bunched fabric of her dress barely separating them. She inhaled his cologne. Smelled peppermint from his breath. Chest heaving.

   Billy knew this wasn’t part of the quest. If that’s what this was, maybe that was a nicer way to put it. Maybe rationalizing it a thousand times would help him get some sleep at night. Just show her a good night, cash in, and go home.

   It still sounded shitty. Wasn't doing Evie any favors. This girl painted too many iridescent colors. They could bleed and Billy wouldn't step away if it pooled too close.

   He liked to watch the blush spread across her freckled cheeks. Rose petals falling into a cool pond. Liked the way her nose scrunched when she smiled and when she was cross with him. 

   Billy didn't want her because she was a conquest. A challenge. Sure, she challenged him, that was part of it. And she also made him smile like he was looking at the rocking ocean waves again. Sand and wind kissing his warm skin. There was a mystery in those molten eyes he wanted to taste for himself. Maybe it was possible to just enjoy a person without strings.

   To let colors bleed and swirl. To just watch it happen without fear or judgement. To not step away from it either. Just sink right in and create those echoing ripples.

   It was too sweet and peculiar, how soft Evangeline Fenny was against the hard edges of his steel frame. So sharp, it warded everyone off.

   But, not Evie, she fit perfectly against him. Fire with fire. It gave them so much in this world that had forgotten them both. Freckles to count. Eyelashes to wish upon. Flesh curves and razor angles to explore.

   Hell, he even enjoyed how shaken she got as he neared and how still she went when his fingers trailed up her legs. 

   Evie watched his muscled chest rise, the saint pendant caught the light. Looked up at his eyes and then his mouth because it couldn’t be helped. Billy Hargrove filled Evie's space and lungs with sugary smoke. He was too many colors in one soul. So, he pushed further because those painted lips were big and full and right fucking there.

   One curious taste, that couldn't hurt.

   Brought his hand up toward her chin and leaned forth when…

   “Dinner!” 

   Evie practically shoved Billy back. Scrambled up so the desk gave a rut. Bright red as he stumbled.

   “Sorry.” She shuddered, passing him. Smelling of amber perfume. “Coming, mom.” Billy stared at the back of her hair. Blinked a couple times to pull himself together. To rationalize some.

   Curiosity. A deadly thing and so sweet too.

   It felt like he was dreaming and woke up sitting at the dinner table. Evie clicked a Coke in front of him, flashed a knowing expression that made him smirk before she sat down.

   “Now, I left a bowl in the kitchen to cool. We always bring extra to Miss Abigail, she’s three doors down.” Mona was setting plates about.

   “It looks amazing, Ms. Fenny.” Billy even shifted a dish to help make room for another.

   “Please, Billy, just Mona. Ms. Fenny was my mother and she was a harder woman.” She set a glass of water down and smoothed her dress out, sitting. Billy went for his fork and his hand was snatched. Evie shot him a look as Mona reached out. “I always say grace. Don’t feel pressured to join, sweetheart.” 

   Billy peered at Evie’s warm hand in his and accepted her mother’s. Bowed his head a little so Mona could say her prayer. 

   “Bless us, oh Lord. For this and all we are about to receive, make us truly grateful. And thank you for bringing Billy to our humble table, may he truly feel welcomed in our home. Please guide and protect him. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.”

   “Amen.” Evie offered softer. Lips lifting when Billy peered at their hands again leaving each other. Clearly not expecting such words from a neighbor.

   “You’ll forgive me, Billy, some people say they leave their hearts open. I just let mine fill the room.” Mona settled a napkin in her lap. “May I ask, if your family is religious at all?”

   “Dad’s Lutheran.” Which meant Susan was by default now whatever she believed before. “We don’t go to church or anything.”

   As if Neil Hargrove could drag his son under a steeple without one of them spontaneously combusting.

   “Well, that’s perfectly fine.” Mona cut each of her meatballs into smaller pieces which Evie mirrored. “Evie doesn’t attend with me when I go. Although, the choir sure misses her voice.”

   “Mom...” A teenage whine, near silent as she prodded at noodles.

   “She get all the solos?” Billy encouraged the pink spreading Evie’s cheeks.

   “Oh, every single one. She’s even been asked to come sing the national anthem at minor league baseball games.” Mona prattled and Evie’s head fell back.

   “Mom!” Another drawn out groan. Evie sunk down lower.

   “Oh, Evangeline, let your mother brag about you.” Mona ignored her.

   "Yeah, Evangeline." He chimed in, earning a harder glare.

   “Now, Billy, you’ve been in Hawkins just over two months?” Mona continued. Blue eyes lifted from the plate before he gave a nod. “How are you liking it? I’m sure it’s such a huge change from California. You must miss the beach.”

   “Getting used to the cold.” Billy speared a meatball and didn’t sound convincing.

   “I’ll bet you’ve never seen snow before, your poor sinuses aren’t going to know what to do. Anyone in your family takes ill, just give us a ring.” Such a mom. “It took me a few years to get used to the cold here too. We moved when Evie was just a baby straight up from N’aw Lins.” 

   Billy bit his tongue.

   “What type of music do you write?” Billy asked and there was a beat when Evie realized he was looking at her. Addressing her pointedly. Maybe to make conversation and suck up to her talkative mother. Evie’s back grew taut, lips opening.

   “Evie’s gonna be a folk singer.” Mona had cut in. “Voice of an angel, she’ll make it big. She’s been in competitions, just one look from any talent scout and she’s sold.” Evie sank down again to go back to her food. Billy watched her roll a meatball around her plate like it was the most interesting thing in the room. 

   Mona Fenny struck Billy as a woman who always meant well. Frilly like a lace doily. So well, she steamrolled over you because she knew best. Evie barely got two syllables out before her mother was flicking her hair and boasting. A doll that constantly had the string in its voice box yanked.

   Billy learned a great deal about her.

   That Mona had been arrested twice in her life for marching and protesting. Civil and women’s rights. She joked that she hadn't been arrested for gay rights yet, but looked forward to the inevitable. She was a pageant queen too. Stopped when she found out she was pregnant and couldn’t compete after that. No bitterness there of course. She had a daughter to mold and complete the legacy now.

   Mona insisted on taking the plates away. Grabbing her own, Billy’s, and a side dish. 

   Evie was still rolling that meatball around until Billy plucked up a fork, stabbed it, and swallowed in one bite. She perked with flushed cheeks. Glared again.

   Billy wanted attention.

   “Your mom is friendly.” Statement of the fucking millennium.

   “Just wait til she busts out her old pageant scrapbooks. You'll never see home again.” Evie quickly flashed a smile and picked up her own plate to follow her mother off. Billy stood too, peered around. That cat had to be close. “Give it up.” Arms crossed when she leaned into the doorway working a melting ice cube around her mouth. Swallowed it whole instead of crunching. Water ran in the kitchen behind her.

   “We agreed on an hour of television.” Billy matched her stance, saw her hip cock.

   “Half hour.”

   “Hour.” Billy went in to sit on the couch like he owned it. Legs spread. “Come on in, the water’s fine, Evangeline.” Evie plucked up the remote, sat as far away from him as she could. Turned the TV on to something campy just to make him suffer.

   “Fucking Love Boat. Really? Susan watches this crap.”

   “You said the full hour.” Evie flashed a smug grin. “I think The Golden Girls is on too.”

   “Love Boat is fine.” Billy lifted his hand. Swiped the remote from her to set it on the other side of him. They both sunk in there. Eyes on the screen. Mona left them alone to bring the plate to their neighbor, stayed for conversation.

   Billy fidgeted. Stretching to scoot closer so he could nudge his knee into Evie's. Her face remained at total peace. She pushed back at his leg which drew slow smiles upon them both.

   “What kind of music do you really like, or does your mother always do all the talking?”

   “Doesn’t matter.” Evie felt him peer back over and held herself. A beat.

   “Yeah, your dreams. They don't matter." Came sarcasm. "A girl who wants her name in lights. Don't spend too much time feeling for the switch in darkness, Angel."

   "Why do you want to know?"

   "Just asking. You really want to sit in silence to this cheesefest? Young actresses paired with old ass grandpas playing love sick.” Billy put his arm up over the couch. Missed Evie twitch. Got his hand smacked for tugging her curl like a giddy little boy. 

   “I don’t know,” Evie faced him with a shrug, “somewhere in the rock and pop area. Maybe with a touch of soul. Not the hair metal I’m sure you’re into."

   How beautiful she looked when she hoped.

   "And my name in lights won't ever be enough, I need people to chant it too.”

   Lips curled at Evie.

   “Better than folk music.” Billy decided. Pride welled because she smiled too. Genuinely. Evie fiddled with her necklace. Delicate little music note caught the technicolor glow. Brown eyes turned to see him, she tried to bite the smile down. Failed.

   “So, what’s the deal with this party thing? A dance?”

   “One of many in the city. Bunch of high schools will probably run drunk through the streets with everyone else. No one will get carded because no one cares on New Years. Dancing and whatever. Watch the ball drop, it’s just the feral thing to do that night.”

   “And you could score with any girl, but you’re asking me. It won’t be like a date or anything.” Evie dropped the charm in her fingers to see Billy’s eyes linger.

   “You mentioned that. I know how to get out and have a good time without fucking. I have all sorts of tricks.” He noted the word didn’t make her wince. “Not looking to break your seal.”

   “You’re gross.” Again, no argument on the details of it.

   “You’re too tightly wound.” He paused, whispering. “Maybe not, but you hide it.”

   "Nothing to hide, I'm an open book."

   "A never ending record," Billy pushed into her so their legs pressed flush, "not nervous around me though."

   "Nope." Her lips popped, fingers curling into the hem of her dress when his arm snaked behind the couch. "Not nervous."

   "Not running either." That realization seemed to hit them both.

   "Why would I? I can handle you just fine." She hissed at that because it came out sexual. Billy licked his lips and snickered, shifting to face her head on.

   "Oh, I like the sound of that." He'd murmured, inches from her face. Evie found herself wondering how he managed to weasel his way in this close. Wondered why she was drinking him back in. "Picture this. You and this perfume enjoying a couple free drinks and some fireworks in the city. No strings attached. Not a date. Just those exploding lights and that chilly wind cooling your cheeks down, because you'll be blushing and you won't know it."

   "Uh huh. I guess I can see it." Evie sized him up and crossed her legs to lean back into him. "You and the roar of a Camaro commanding the city to its knees. Glam and hairspray working their magic."

   "I love an audience, Angel." Billy shook his head and froze because her palm came to his knee. Bold move. "But, I don't mind the front seat to see you blush too."

   "What about you?" She whispered with a hum. "What makes King Billy blush? Does all the noise you like to make hide it?" A spark flitted up her eyes. Made his chest heave. "Is that your secret?"

   "Come to the party, I'll tell you all my secrets." Fingers grazed up her arm when soft digits gave a rhythmic tap against his thigh. Billy went for it. "Do this dance with me."

   "You don't play as hard to get as you let on."

   "Not when I want something bad. Better to just play harder." Lips parted to hit that word. Her brows lifted at such an admittance. "You're sizzling up a fuse, aren't you, Evie?" She shook her head with a lazy smile. Eyes finding his again after. Near sultry.

   "You have to light a fuse first, Billy, for it to sizzle." Her hand crept along denim. Felt him go rigid and part his thighs just a little bit wider before she sat back. "And the fire's out anyway. I'll make good on the deal. If you win."

   "I hope you have a dress picked." Billy scoffed, breathless and still intent on her while she looked ahead at the screen.

   “Time is ticking. As if you taking me out will do me any good." Evie rolled her eyes and reclined back into his side. Quite comfortably like she wasn't thinking about it. "Give me cool points so Tommy and Carol leave me alone.”

   “They’re assholes to everyone. It’s not you.” Billy replied dismissively. Curled his finger into her locks behind the sofa.

   “You don’t notice who they target because you’re too busy chasing skirts and fighting others yourself. Also haven't seen the writing about me on the bathroom walls. School hierarchy rules. Open those pretty ocean eyes and see the world for what it is. You're untouched because of your front. Everyone wants to be Billy Hargrove or screw him.”

   Evie looked at him there, blinking.

   "What side of the line are you on?" He bit his lip. "I can guess."

   She plucked his hand from her shoulder and placed it back into his lap. Patted it for good measure.

   “So, you really think my eyes are pretty?” Billy laughed when a square pillow nailed him in the face. "You said it before too! When we were drunk and you still think it now that we're sober. Telling."

   Tension shattered. Evie glittered right back at him, teeth flashing. Still chuckling, he tilted his head back to create the magical sound. Quieted.

   “Fine. I’ll pay attention if it helps you sleep at night.”

   Evie blew air out her lips, let a curl fly up and bounce down. They watched the screen again. Shared a space. Maybe it shouldn't have felt so intimate. 

   “Episode’s almost over. Thanks for playing.” She about sang. Triumphant.

   “I guess you have me, Fenny.” Billy pushed up. “Mind if I take a leak?” He was already pacing off so she said nothing.

   Just watched couples go hand in hand into the sunset.

   There was a flush, the sink running, and then Billy’s huge smile crept back down the hallway. The boy was gone all of three minutes.

   Bourbon in his arms. Purring. Perfectly happy. Evie’s jaw dropped open.

   “Guess who crawled out of the shower to eyeball my junk? Not that I blame him.” Billy quipped, scratching the cat’s chin. Bourbon rubbed back into the touch. Rasped his scratchy meow for more.

   “Traitor...” Evie muttered, coming to her feet. “Damn it.”

   “Oh, yeah. You’re mine now, Evie. Seven o’clock. Wear something short if you like.” Billy’s lips were pressed up. Such an ass.

   "I call foul." Her finger lifted.

   "And I'll be calling on you. New Years Eve. Just an annoying dance. It'll be fun and free." His chin gestured at her. "Just say yes, Evie. Get out of this small town and see some lights for once. You want your name in them so bad, you gotta look at the damn things first. No day but today. Right?"

   "Right," a lengthy sigh, "but, the fire's still out. Bourbon, why? First, mom and now you. He's just hypnotizing you both.” Evie took the cat from Billy, watched his face scrunch.

   “Your cat is really named Bourbon?” He said flatter.

   “I found him when we visited family in New Orleans. Bourbon street.” She let the feline nuzzle into her chest.

   “God, Angel, I hope your lyrics are more creative than that.” Billy lightened, chest shaking as he peered away shaking his pretty head. “Well?”

   She pouted and if that cat wasn't between them, Billy didn't know what he would have done. Another time or place. Another pretty dress. Another shared beat of bleeding together.

   That itched him the rest of the night.

   “I’ll go. Seven. I’ll dress nice. It’s not a date, so don’t try anything and get me home in one piece. I reserve the right to leave you if you act like too much of an ass.” Evie grumbled some about it, defeated.

   But, she wondered about the lights and what it might be like to share them. Suppressed all urges that longed to hope.

   “That much I can do, I might even keep my ass in check. Don’t flake, we have a deal. I’ll be your Mr. Darcy or whatever.” Billy made for the door, plucking up his jacket as she opened it.

   “That’s an impossible standard, but keep dreaming.” Evie sighed out. Watched him turn to beam. Offered a pet to Bourbon. “Least you got his name right.”

   “Quick learner, I get points. New Years Eve. Don’t make me chase you, Evie, because I will.” Billy stepped off the porch lighting a cigarette, idly waved behind him.

   Game. Set. Match.

   “I’m not gonna be nice about it.” She called.

   “So, you’ll be your normal, cheery self with me. Great. Won't ask for anything else, we have a good thing going.” He turned to wink, curling a final smile. Evie stilled, petting her cat before sighing into the cold air. “See you then, Fenny.”

   “Whatever you say, Hargrove.” She shut the door as he climbed his own porch. Looked at her cat.

   “You did this to us, I hope you’re proud.” 

   Bourbon blinked. Another rumbling purr in response.

** ** **

   “The world...” Evie plucked an idle cord. Sang soft to not disturb her mother down the hallway sleeping. Nestled into the wall on her bed next to the window. “May think I’m foolish. They can’t see you like I can...”

   Darkness shrouded save for a small set of twinkling lights around her bed frame. Eyes kept averting to the clock.

   “Oh, but anyone...who...” 

   Another pause to see the clock. Eyes flickered out along the street marked with lamps. Cracking her window to see out. Nothing. Evie settled. Changed the tune to something original and plucked another heart string.

   “Those ocean eyes… Drowning me out. What I wouldn't give to...” Her palm caught the vibrating cord to snuff the sound. A groan as she set the guitar aside. “Shit.”

   That was not happening.  

   A car went down the street at the exact moment the clock struck eleven. Evie grabbed her coat and locked her bedroom door. Checked her hair and makeup before hitching one leg over the window. Felt the naughty thrill pulse into her heart as she snuck out.

   Billy peered to see beyond his own window near the foot of his bed. Unseen in the pitch black space. Thought about catching her. It was always a Saturday night. Evie Fenny crept out like clockwork. Wearing something nice under a jacket she held close. Sometimes with the guitar on her back. Lips painted red. Went down the street and returned as the sun rose. He’d observed it often. Sometimes it happened on school nights. Two to three times a week. Never asked because it didn’t seem important enough before. But, now…

   Billy knew a teen girl didn’t paint her lips red at eleven o’clock on a Saturday for just anyone.

   Evie hurried down the street toward the woods at the end. Got into a shiny car. Disappeared until sunrise.

~~~~~

Chat with me about Evie & Billy and the impending Skirt Safari Dance! Thanks!

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