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denimbex1986 · 1 year ago

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'With a face carved by the hands of Michelangelo himself, Cillian Murphy’s film presence seldom goes unneeded. The Irish actor isn’t Hollywood’s most recognizable leading man. He’s spent most of his career traversing from underrated role to underrated role, giving him an incredibly diverse filmography.

Now, as his titular role in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” garners critical acclaim, I wanted to take a look at some of his previous projects.

Red Eye (2005)

Starting off strong with this airplane-set thriller, “Red Eye” follows two strangers, Lisa Reisert, played by Rachel McAdams, and Jackson Rippner, played by Murphy, on a flight to Miami. Jackson’s charm entices Lisa at first, but things take an unexpected turn for the worst when his true intentions are revealed.

Murphy deserved an Academy Award solely for his sassy line delivery in one particular scene — if you know, you know. The fact that he served face doing it makes it so much better.

Watching the Detectives (2007)

This rom-com follows a film nerd and video rental store owner whose life is turned upside down when a manic pixie dream girl type, played by the incomparable Lucy Liu, shows him life can be just as exciting and unpredictable as the films he obsesses over.

Violet, Liu’s character, thrusts Neil, Murphy’s character, from crazy scenario to crazy scenario. For example, after the duo vandalize another local video store under Violet’s suggestion, she pranks Neil by getting two “detectives” to scare him into thinking he’s been caught.

Throughout the film, Violet tells Neil stories in which fact and fiction are hard to discern. One in particular includes a big, bald musician she once dated who stalks her. She ends up pulling another ruse on the now paranoid Neil, faking an abduction by this bald ex that leads to a violent resolution.

I hope this movie inspires film bros to go outside and experience the world beyond the screen — though, hopefully not to the same extent as Neil did.

Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

In this drama, our blue-eyed beauty plays a transgender woman named Patrick “Kitten” Braden. After her mother abandoned her on the steps of a priest’s home, she leaves her small town in Ireland for London in search of her mother and a freer place to fully live her trans identity.

Her journey through London finds her falling in love with the lead singer of a glam rock band and singing and dancing as a member of the children’s entertainment group, The Wombles. She becomes a magician’s assistant and is ultimately forced into prostitution where she narrowly escapes a violent attack by iconically spraying her assailant in the eyes with Chanel No. 5.

Murphy’s performance is striking and campy throughout as he buoys the hardships of the trans experience with Kitten’s whimsy and aversion to taking anything seriously.

The costuming is also absolutely scrumptious. From a certain leather ensemble to the myriad of furs, this is certainly Murphy’s most glamorous role to date.

In Time (2011)

This dystopian quasi-thriller takes place in a society where time is currency. Citizens are genetically-engineered to not age past 25, and when they do reach that age, they are given one more year to live. Time is exchanged from person to person and is stored in capsules; citizens can gain time by working, bartering, stealing or fighting for it.

Though the concept is interesting, the execution leaves much to be desired. Even though the cast is full of familiar faces: Amanda Seyfried, Olivia Wilde, Johnny Galecki and Justin Timberlake — yes, it’s from that weird era where they tried to make Timberlake a movie star, it seems like everyone here forgot how to act.

With the exception of Murphy, of course. Here, he plays a so-called “Timekeeper,” a select group of individuals tasked with keeping the peace and investigating “time crimes.” Murphy portrays his character, Raymond Leon, with a cold suaveness and a certain sassiness that’s innate to Murphy. The leather jacket and dark, slicked back hair is just a cherry on top.'

#Watching The Detectives #Red Eye #In Time #Amanda Seyfried #Olivia Wilde #Johnny Galecki #Justin Timberlake #Raymond Leon #Rachel McAdams #Jackson Rippner #Breakfast on Pluto #Lucy Liu #Neil #Patrick “Kitten” Braden #The Wombles

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simonsrosebud · 4 years ago

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Kevin's first real christmas with dalton!!

kevin says he’s celebrated christmas before, but it’s not true.

sophomore year he spent it locked in wymack’s apartment with a broken hand and ongoing anxiety attacks.

junior year he went to new york with matt and nicky and the others which was weird because they didn’t actually do anything christmas-y and he was drunk for a lot of the trip.

and last year he had dinner with abby, his father, and andrew and neil. but then neil was having a panic attack because this time the year before he was at evermore. they left early and kevin ducked out because he didn’t want to intrude.

then he spent the whole next few days panicking over meeting dalton’s family.

this year, his last year at palmetto, dalton asks if he wants to spend christmas in maryland with him and his family.

there’s no question, of course he’s going.

dalton tells him when they’re at the mall about all the things they do, and how they’ll go to new york again if he’s okay with it. and then, “what do you guys normally do for the holidays?”

kevin freezes. he thumbs at a shirt on the rack in front of him. “uh... last year me neil and andrew had dinner with my father and abby, but neil was having some ptsd relating to this time of year, so it was kind of a mess...”

“that sucks. for him, i mean.”

“yeah.” he nods. it does suck, and kevin still blames himself. “and the year before i went to new york with the team to matt’s dads place, but i was drunk most of the time,” he mumbles.

dalton feels like an idiot for asking, “and before?”

kevin shakes his head. broken hand.

“we ran practices every day of break at the nest. never celebrated any holidays growing up.”

he did have one thing he did every year. he lit a candle for his mother. he didn’t realize it until his first christmas away from the nest, when he was hidden at wymack’s apartment and noticed the man didn’t have a single candle lying around.

he sparked wymack’s lighter and sent up a quick prayer instead.

dalton slides up to his side and wraps an arm around his waist. “i’ve got to impress you this year, then.”

“the bars set pretty low.”

when dalton’s on the phone with his mom that night, he tells her about kevin’s lack of experience with the holidays. “have you done the tree yet?”

“i was planning on doing it tomorrow, why?”

“do you think we could wait and do it all together when me and kev are there?” he hesitates. “he’s never really celebrated christmas and done the typical traditions, and i know he wants to cause his mom used to.”

anne’s heart wants to break a little. “i’ll save it until you get home. and he’ll be here in time to make cookies, too.” oh boy. “you guys can go ice skating if that one place does it again- you know the one, and uh... should we get him a stocking?”

“me and bella got him a present!”

“is that carm?”

“yes!” she steals her mothers phone. “he always pays for things for us when he’s here so we got him this peanut butter sampler pack and an ocean city maryland crewneck.”

dalton pouts, but only because it’s cute to him that they did that for his boy.

when they drive up, dalton’s family welcomes him like they haven’t seen him in years, and it makes kevin smile every time. they don’t get in until late, but bella still peeks into dalton’s room once they’re in bed for the night. “did you bring your racquet?”

kevin’s got his eyes closed, he’s tucked underneath dalton’s big comforter and arm with an ankle thrown over his boyfriend’s. he hums a yes.

dalton grumbles. “shut the door, bella.” and tugs the blanket up to his chin.

they wake up earlier than they’d like. anne and george are at work, and the girls are still asleep. he has dalton at his back and an arm holding him close.

kevin doesn’t ever want to move.

he only does when dalton’s phone alarm goes off. “what’s that for?” he groans. dalton reaches over him to shut it off and drapes his arm and leg right back over kevin.

dalton’s voice is muffled. “shopping day.”

oh fuck. he knew d had said something about shopping yesterday.

it takes them another half hour to get up, and kevin hates the mall to begin with, but this is unbearable. he’s just lucky they’re there a week out and not the day before christmas eve.

kevin stops. they’re in a clothing store, and he’s wandered to the women’s side. he sends a few pictures to allison, and when dalton come over he holds up a fuzzy bomber jacket and an oversized jean jacket. “for the girls?”

“i already got their gifts.”

“but from me?”

“oh.” dalton smiles. “then absolutely. did you already text allison?” he’s joking, but laughs when kev shrugs because that’s so a yes.

anne has the family decorate the tree that night after dinner- takeout, and kevin is kind of in heaven looking through dalton’s ornaments from when he was a child.

“you wanna put the star on top?”

their ceilings are high enough for them to have a fake tree tall enough for kevin to not be able to reach, which is definitely a first for him.

so instead, he gets on dalton’s shoulders.

after they’re done, anne sits next to kevin on the sofa. “you know, i never did the thing where i show you all of dalton’s baby pictures, but i did find this yesterday.”

and kevin turns to look at the book in her lap, and smirks. “no way.”

it’s a small book, with all of dalton’s school picture day photo’s going back to kindergarten. “this is better, i think.”

dalton stops, and lets his head roll back. “can we not?”

“no, we can.” kevin takes the book and opens it up to a random page.

“you’re not allowed to mention the braces.”

“but they’re so bad!”

christmas eve is fun.

kevin is no cook, dalton is and even then that’s saying something, but anne puts kevin to work after he’s up in the morning. they’ve got a lot of family coming over around six, and she needs help in the kitchen.

he’s doing pretty alright, he thinks, and his face lights up when anne tastes a bit and pats his arm. “that’s really good.” it’s a passing thought, and she leaves right after to make a run to get more of something at the store.

but when dalton comes back from the alcohol run, kevin’s plenty proud of it anyway.

and then, because he’s already dirty from cooking anyway, he helps dalton’s father with stuffing the turkey. “you actually stuff it?”

he knows it’s called stuffing, but he’s never actually seen it prepared. or eaten it, he doesn’t think. abby doesn’t make it for thanksgiving or anything because only she and nicky typically eat it. it goes to waste.

george nods. “stick your hands up there, kid.”

kevin lowers his stare to dalton just sitting there across the table. he grins. “you’re doing great, babe.”

kevin takes a shower after he’s done while the others do what else needs to be done.

once dalton’s family starts filtering into the house it’s a little chaotic. in a good way, opposed to the way that he typically knows chaotic to be.

he’s fine, really, once he gets used to it.

at this point they all know who exactly dalton’s boyfriend is, but kevin only recognizes a few faces so he still gets the excited introductions from the few that are fans.

two of them are younger kids, anyway, so that’s at least entertaining and cute.

dalton comes to stand with kevin and his cousin. “can i steal him for a sec?” he takes him by the hand to the other room where the two younger cousins are lounging. “dessert is out, guys.”

they go running out of the room.

“that was cruel,” kevin says, but then dalton is holding something above their heads and-

mistletoe.

“are you sure?”

kevin smiles. “i take it back.” and pulls dalton in.

dalton grins against his lips, and after a moment pulls away just a bit. “that’s not actually why i pulled you away, but i got lucky.”

kevin kisses him again, because he can, and dalton turns. there’s a ledge above the unused fireplace that his mom usually uses for picture frames, but there’s a candle in the middle, now.

“you’ve told me about lighting a candle for your mom, and i figured maybe you’d still want to do it even though you’re here this year.”

he definitely does, and dalton presents him with a lighter when he nods. kevin lights it silently, and watches it for a moment. “thank you,” he says quietly. “i know you listen, but i didn’t expect that...” he wraps his arms around dalton’s waist. “it’s really nice.”

“yeah, well, i’ve got to impress her.” he kisses the top of kevin’s head.

christmas morning, kevin looks surprised when bella says “kevin’s turn” because he really isn’t expecting to get gifts. he has money, he doesn’t need anything.

but then he opens the peanut butter sampler package, and after taking a moment to read it he starts to smile to himself. “i love peanut butter.” it’s almost a whisper, but it makes everyone laugh and sends warmth through his chest.

he hugs the box to his chest. dalton hugs him from the side for a moment, and then kevin gets more surprised because dalton’s parents are handing him a bigger box and oh my god it’s a little portable mixer for his shakes and a nike gift card.

he and dalton do their gifts alone.

dalton gets him a big chunky weighted blanket and a new pair of sneakers that he’s been eyeing for weeks, and then kevin unwraps a small frame. and in the middle is the ticket to the first game of kevin’s that he’d gone too, with a heart drawn on the corner so many times that it’d been indented the ticket.

he remembers teasing him about the heart, but he never knew he kept the ticket all this time.

kevin tackles him from where they’re sitting on the bed. “i love it, and you.”

kevin gets dalton airpods, sweatpants that say “my boyfriend likes my tramp stamp” on the butt as a joke, and a box of his favorite coffee k-cups from a brand that supposedly stopped selling them months ago.

and last, a thin gold necklace, long enough to tuck under his shirt like he used to do with his cross necklace until it broke. except this one has a small “k+d” hanging.

dalton’s smiling down at it, and rubs the charm. he pouts and looks up at kevin. “you got this made?” he nods. “can you put it on me?”

he nods, and drapes it around his neck to clasp it. he presses a kiss to the back of dalton’s neck when he’s done, and dalton kisses him when he twists around.

“i love you.” he wraps his arms around kevin’s neck and leans into him. kevin lies down on his back so dalton’s on top of him. he thumbs at the necklace hanging.

“looks good on you.”

dalton kisses him. “i know.”

they have dinner at dalton’s aunts house. it’s just her, her husband, and her two kids, so it’s nothing like the night before.

wymack calls just after dinner. “merry christmas. what are you doing?”

“merry christmas, we just ate, we’re at his aunt’s house.”

“everything going good? no problems?”

he glances through the doorway at dalton at the table and smiles to himself. “no problems.”

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zodiyack · 5 years ago

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True Colors

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x reader

Warnings: Neil abusing Billy, vulnerable!Billy, soft!Billy, fluff, sexual references because we’re describing Billy here, swearing, lyrics

Song: True Colors by Cyndi Lauper (Cover Version by Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake)

Note: I don’t know if this has already been done, but I think of Billy when I hear this, so let’s go. | Lyrics = Bold + Italic | Memories = Italic

Masterlist | Stranger Things Masterlist

You with the sad eyes. Don't be discouraged. Oh I realize, It's hard to take courage. In a world full of people, You can lose sight of it all. The darkness inside you, Can make you feel so small

Neil grunted, throwing Billy into the wall. Susan held her hands over Max’s eyes, protecting her from seeing her stepbrother and stepfather fight. Max knew it was happening, she knew what it sounded like. What it looked like. She’d seen a tear escape Billy’s eye after one before. Unfortunately, Billy bullied her for knowing what happened. He thought she pitted him. He thought she thought he was weak just like his dad did. And for Susan...well she didn’t do anything but watch with fear. She didn’t step in like a mother would. It made Billy agitated. His mother would’ve stopped Neil.

His head hit his pillow and his eyes closed. Trying ever so hard to forget about the words his father spoke. Failing to free his mind from the insults and swears that poured out of his father’s mouth, he growled and turned over. His eyes opened and he decided to think of something else. California. His mother. Anything. He felt so weak. Just as weak as his father claimed he was. Tears escaped Billy’s eyes at the thought of everyone finding out his fears and insecurities. Would his mother find him weak? Of course she wouldn’t...but Billy didn’t know that.

Tommy and Carol were pretty much cackling after Billy shoved a freshman into a locker. He was mad, taking his anger out on another human being just like his father did. He wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn’t weak, that he wasn’t the pussy his dad accused him of being. No matter what happened or what he did, Billy still felt weak. The girls he brought home praised him, and he loved it. People at school brought his confidence back up when they cheered him on in fights. So, Billy did what Billy did best. He slept with random girls and brawled at school. Even if Neil broke his self esteem all over again, it was the only way he would get it the attention he wanted.

Show me a smile then, Don't be unhappy. Can't remember when, I last saw you laughing. This world makes you crazy, And you've taken all you can bear. Just, call me up, 'Cause I will always be there

There was one person that Billy could practically milk compliments from was his true best friend. Y/n L/n. She was always there for him in fights, awaiting his command or permission to join in. They shared laughs, hugs, happy tears while watching cheesy movies, and good memories. Even so, he never noticed it when she would avoid him every time where was a girl by his side.

To be completely honest; no one noticed. She was basically invisible to everyone except for him. It wasn’t her fault, she really did try to make friends and get noticed by humanity. Billy only originally realized she existed because no one else did. What he didn’t know, was that the day that he started talking to her was the day her life officially started.

Bumping into people and stumbling over her own feet, y/n raced to get to class. She was five minutes late, she didn’t actually care- but her family did. It was crowded in the halls, as per usual, and that meant it would take longer to get to her class. ‘Why not ditch at this point.’ She agreed with her thoughts and sat down against the nearest wall, closing her eyes and drifting into wherever her imagination took her.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing by herself?” Y/n’s head snapped to where the voice came from. A handsome blonde teen leaned against the opposite wall. He had a curly mullet, and his tight denim jeans were hugging his legs. Her eyes traveled up his body, glancing at his unbuttoned shirt, then at his half smirk.

“Me?” There was no possible way a man that gorgeous was talking to her. Y/n denied the very thought. No one talked to her. Not even Nancy, who everyone thought was an angel and a nice girl. His nod went against her theory, making her furrow her eyebrows and tilt her head. “Why? No one does.”

“Well why would that happen? Did you scare ‘em or somethin’?”

She shook her head and looked down, sighing. “No. I’m just unnoticed here. The teachers don’t even know who I am half the time.”

“Well, I’ll be the first person to notice you. I’m Billy. Billy Hargrove.”

“I know... I’m Y/n L/n.” The bell rang and startled Y/n. Billy chuckled and walked over to the young girl.

“See you around, Y/n L/n.”

And he did. After many days of getting to know each other, she approached him with the sweets she made in home ec. He didn’t know why, but it was different. No one really gave Billy Hargrove gifts. Why? He was Billy fucking Hargrove. Emphasis on the “fucking.” He didn’t do feelings. He did girls. He didn’t eat treats. He ate pussy. He didn’t accept gifts unless it was a girl’s virginity. So when the popular Hawkins King ate one of them and thanked her; it was a surprise for everyone.

She watched him fight. One day, she even threw a punch at a jock named Theo after he had given Billy a nasty cut. To say it amazed Billy would be an understatement. That shit was hot and the only people who witnessed it were Theo and Billy. Billy had a small crush on her for a bit. Alas, reality knocked on his door when he remembered that he only did girls and then left them. He couldn’t just do her and then continue being her best friend. He wasn’t that evil.

Little did he know, his point of not being evil wasn’t proved to Y/n. To her, it was so incredibly evil that he robbed her of being able to see an actual smile on his face, full of real joy and laughter. She knew the difference between fake and real happiness. All she wanted, was to see the genuine side of him. Not the Billy that could give a good fucking, not the Billy that would see his bloodied and bruised knuckles as his trophy, but the Billy that was somewhere deep down hidden under his many masks.

And I see your true colors, Shining through- I see your true colors, And that's why I love you. So don't be afraid, to let them show; Your true colors, True colors are beautiful!

Billy clung to Y/n, crying into her shoulder as she rubbed his back. She didn’t know why he was crying, but she was there for him and she would always be. The friends didn’t move for a while. Even when it was almost midnight, they just sat there, Billy’s head resting on Y/n. She whispered soft positive things to him as she combed her fingers through his curls. It was nice, the two of them quiet, calm, and alone together.

You would probably guess that he did this often, seeing her reaction and how he would never cry in front of another person. But that, sadly, is nowhere near accurate. Even Y/n was surprised to see Billy knock at her door instead of her window, a small bruise on his cheek. She rushed him up to her room and took care of him. Neither of them had spoken a word since he showed up, the silence didn’t affect them though.

The teens never spoke about it. Billy showed up more and more, with bruises worse and worse. A normal best friend would ask what happened nonstop, but she was his best friend. And being his best friend meant that your relationship with him was not normal. It meant that you weren’t normal. It meant that you had a heart that could love someone like Billy Hargrove. And as a person with a heart like that, she took care of him and didn’t persist that he tell her what happened. She asked once and he told her he didn’t want to talk about it, so she stopped asking.

He appreciated the confidentiality she let him keep. Billy promised himself that one day, he’d prove himself not weak to her by telling her the truth of his life. He would let her see the true parts of him...when he was ready. And hopefully that was soon, because his hurt and suffering was affecting her. She loved him, and it brought her great pain to see the person she loved struggle.

The silence was soon broken by Billy. “Can I stay the night?”

Y/n winced at the sound of his voice being scratchy and full of sorrow. She was calm again after he sat up and grabbed her face with one hand, turning it towards his. “Of course, anytime Billy.”

I see your true colors, Shining through (true colors). I see your true colors; And that's why I love you. So don't be afraid, to let them show. Your true colors, True colors are beautiful! Like a rainbow, Ooh ooh ooh, like a rainbow

“Y/n?” She sat up and rubbed her eyes.

It was the day after Billy stayed the night for the first time. They didn’t move from their position after he put his head back on her shoulder, Billy waking up as the sun rose in the blue sky outside Y/n’s window. He looked around, panicking inside as this was not his room. His memories of the night before came flooding into his head, of the silent moment he shared with his best friend. Of the thoughts that he had while they sat in tranquility. Today was the day he’d tell her.

Y/n and Billy’s eyes closed. Whispers of goodnight were not made, instead, the two fell back onto the bed. The night was calm as the stars danced in the night sky. Though they were unconscious, Billy and Y/n’s hands inched towards each others, intertwining with smiles on their faces.

When he was fully awake, Billy didn’t wake Y/n up. Instead he watched her for a moment. She slept peacefully, cuddling the pillow that replaced Billy’s body. A small smile was on her face, making a genuine one appear on Billy’s. He left the room, letting her sleep. The boy couldn’t cook if his life depended on it, but he gave it his all, bringing a tray with her favorite breakfast on it.

“While we’re on the topic of food, I could go for some y/f/r (your favorite restaurant). I really love y/f/b, it’s amazing! Have you ever had it?” The h/c girl was beaming with excitement. On the other hand, Billy was staring at the girl in front of them. “Oh. You’re not even listening. Why am I not surprised.”

“Huh? Yeah we can go to...”

“Y/f/r. Billy you’re obviously distracted right now. Are you alright?”

“Yes Y/n. I’m absolutely fine. I’m sorry, let’s just go, okay?”

“Okay...”

Rubbing her arm, he said her name softly. Her eyes fluttered open, taking Billy’s breath away. She glanced over to the food tray, looking back up at him with confusion. “You..remembered?” He nodded and set the tray down, giving her a kiss on her forehead. “I thought you weren’t paying attention that day.”

“I was. I just didn’t completely register it until now. I didn’t register a lot of things until last night...” Y/n tilted her head at his words. She took a sip of y/f/d, waiting for him to continue. Sitting down, he did so, “Those bruises are..from my dad. I’m a shit person, and I know it. I just refuse to admit it. I think I’m weak..but what makes me weak is letting everyone tell me that I am so much that I end up believing it.” He inhaled, looking at her and grabbing her hand that was resting on her lap. “But you- you help me. You do all these things and I was too caught up in false pride to see them... I need to say something, promise me that our friendship won’t change if I say it?”

Y/n nodded and squeezed his hand in reassurance. “I promise.”

“I love you Y/n L/n. I have for the longest time, I just was too blind and too much of an asshole to realize it.”

Billy waited for her response. This silence had the opposite feeling of last night’s. He was about to give in, say it was a joke, until she finally spoke up. “You’re not an asshole Billy. you showed your true self to me, that’s all I’ve ever wanted. You told me the truth, and that takes a lot of strength. I love both of those things about you. And I love you more than them.”

True Colors - Cyndi Lauper / Anna Kendrick & Justin Timberlake

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the-blind-assassin-12 · 4 years ago

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Pygmalion

Word Count: 2,258 (oops) Character: Sam Adams A/N: I don’t even know what to say aside from that this made me laugh at myself the entire time. Happy Birthday to everyone’s favorite rebel, and a huge shout out to everyone’s favorite custom pop artist.

(ARTIST APPRECIATION SUBMISSION)

Happy Sunday friends! And a very happy 298th birthday to the one and only dirty rotten rebel bastard, Sam Adams! This submission made me so happy because it’s SO creative and the artist is incredibly talented and absolutely deserves this spotlight. I have to admit that I was far too terrified to write a longer, period appropriate piece for Sam, but this idea pop-ed (see what i did there??) into my head and I ran with it.

So thank you to the anon who sent this submission in for @its-my-little-dumpster-fire ‘s custom Sam Adams Funkopop! And thank YOU Mrs. Dumpster-Adams, for sharing your incredible artwork with us all! The submission also mentioned the amazing illustrations that you added to your masterlist and the animated art you shared for a few of the characters- Neil in all his sparkly glory was my favorite! You astound me with your ceaseless list of talents, woman. There’s literally nothing you cannot do if you try your hand at it. So from this anon and I to you: THANK YOU FOR GIFTING US ALL WITH THIS FANTASTIC, FUN FANART. YOU ARE TALENTED. YOU ARE APPRECIATED. YOU ARE A WEALTH OF HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND OBSESSIONS, AND YOU WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT COLONIAL. Too bad it’s 2020...

(Would you just lookit the detail!!! My goodness.)

Pygmalion

This isn’t happening. It can’t be happening. You kept your hands at ten and two as the city lights faded, giving way to the darker country roads, your grip on the wheel so iron fisted that the bones of your knuckles were straining at your skin. It can’t be happening, because if it is then I’m crazy and I’m not crazy, so… You nodded to yourself. So it’s not happening. I’m going to look to my right and he’s not going to be there because this is not happening. Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you exhaled slowly and turned your head towards the passenger seat, expecting - hoping- to be met with nothing but the pattern of your material interior. But instead your eyes landed first upon a pair of legs in linen trousers before scanning upwards and taking in a thigh length overcoat atop a dark waistcoat, the color of which you couldn’t be sure was from dye or dirt, accessorized with a mustard cravat. It was strange attire to see sitting in your passenger seat, but even stranger was the man wearing it. A tricorn hat that he’d been wearing was now sitting on his lap, his long hair corralled in a small tail at the base of his skull. Shit. It is happening. I am crazy. Okay. You let out a little puff of air that was part laughter, part disbelief and part surprise as you flicked your eyes back to the road.

Samuel Adams- or at least that’s who he claims to be- was sitting in your passenger seat. Either that or you were having the most vivid dream that your brain had ever conjured. You cast another sidelong glance at the man, who was gripping the handle above the window with his right hand, his left clutching the chest strap of his seatbelt. You’d had to reach across him to pull the belt down and into the lock, his earthy scent filling your nostrils as you did. Leather. Tea leaves. Gunpowder. Dirt. He smelled exactly as you always thought that he might, which briefly made you question why you’d spent so much time thinking about that, but you were distracted by his startled jump as you clicked the seatbelt into its lock. After convincing him that it was a safety measure and that you would be wearing one, too, he watched in awe as you drew your own seat belt down and pressed it into the locking device, the word ‘remarkable’ slipping from his whiskered lips in an astonished gasp. If this is a dream, I can wake myself up. Keeping one hand on the wheel, you took the other off to pinch yourself, hard, using your fingernail to bite into the fleshy part of your bicep.

“Ow.” You muttered to yourself. Okay, so it isn’t a dream. I have a founding father in my car… completely normal.

.. .. .. .. .. ..

Your day had started out just like any other; just a humdrum Sunday, which meant taking the dogs out before heading into work for the morning, and running to the grocery store since you’d been putting it off all week and all that was left at home were a few packets of Ramen that were older than the framed degree hanging above your desk. The only exception was that today happened to be Sam Adams’ 298th birthday, and since you were new to the Boston area, and since you were quite possibly the biggest American History buff in the state if not the country, you decided to head downtown to see what kind of festivities that the city had planned. The brewery was more packed than usual, as was Griffin’s Wharf, both locations offering special tours and discounts in honor of Boston’s favorite son. But you weren’t looking for a drink, and you’d already visited the wharf when you had come out to Boston looking for a place, so instead you spent the day at the State House, walking the FreedomTrail, and eventually ending up at Faneuil Hall, where the man of the hour’s likeness stood tall in bronze, surveying his city. “Happy Birthday Sam,” you said to the statue, “wish you were here so you could see all the hullabaloo the city kicked up for you today.” But you hadn’t been expecting a star to shoot across the sky at the very second that those words left your lips, and having had your fill of the city for one day, you turned to head back towards where you’d parked your car. That was when a searing flash of light came from right behind you, making you spin back around to see what had caused it.

What the he- the thought died mid word as your mouth dropped and your eyes grew to the size of the silver coins you’d seen displayed in one of the exhibits earlier that day. Blinking furiously as though the rapid opening and closing of your eyelids would change what you were seeing, you told yourself that what you were seeing couldn’t be real. And yet, the pedestal holding Mr. Adams’ statue was empty, and there was a man standing beside it that looked as though he had just stepped from the pages of one of the many history texts you kept on shelves and tables and in piles on the floor of your home. What...the...hell?

The stranger before you seemed just as stunned as you were, the overwhelmed look on his face turning to one of horrified shock as he took in the sites and sounds of the city. Oh my god. This is...this can’t be… Oh. My. God. Just as the bell from a pizza delivery man’s bicycle chimed, the colonial time traveler jumped back, one hand going to the holster on his waist, dirty fingers seeking out the pistol that hung there. Oh, that’s not good. You had no clue what was going on, where the man came from or what kind of trick this was, but you knew for certain that a colonial era gun going off in the city’s center would only make things worse.

Stepping forward, you held up your hands and approached the man like you might approach a frightened horse. “Hey there, it’s- No! No, I’m not going to hurt you, just…” You pumped your hands, heart racing as he lowered his pistol shakily. Releasing a relieved breath, you wondered how on Earth this was happening, and why on Earth it was happening to you. “There you go, easy. It’s okay.”

“Who are you, miss, and..and where...what’s…” he worriedly looked around, taking in the tall buildings, streets paved and crowded with vehicles, and bright lights. “What’s happened to Boston?”

Oh boy. I swear, the crazies really sniff me out, don’t they? But you couldn’t ignore the fact that where just moments ago there was a huge, heavy, solid bronze sculpture of your favorite founding father, there now stood an empty plinth. And a man who looked like he had never taken a shower in his existence. You told him your name, which he repeated immediately in his serious tone as though to commit it to memory. “Um...nothing’s happened to Boston per say, it’s…” you struggled to find the right words. “Do you...do you know what year it is, sir?”

“What year it is? Why of course I...it’s 1778, but I…” he looked back at the empty structure and then again at you, confusion only growing in his warm brown eyes. “Something isn’t right, something’s…something isn’t right.”

“Alright, it’s alright, d’you…” you cleared your throat. “What’s your name?”

“Samuel. Adams.” He reached up to remove the hat from his head, touching it to his chest. Beneath the hat his unkempt hair was flattened aside from the strands that hung free around his forehead. “My friends call me Sam.”

I was afraid that’s what you would say. You sighed. “Alright, Sam.” I can’t believe I’m… You suddenly realized that while the two of you had yet to garnish any attention, the fact that the Sam Adams statue had gone missing from its pedestal would not go unnoticed for much longer, and you did not want to be anywhere near it when people did notice. But I can’t just leave him here, I have to… “I can...yes, I can help you, but we can’t stay here, alright?”

He nodded eagerly, thanking you, and against your better judgement, you took his elbow in your hand and led him towards your car, planning to bring him home, let him clean up and get a good night’s rest- but that was the extent of your plans, as you decided that the rest would depend on the next few hours. This should be interesting…

.. .. .. .. .. ..

“Are you hurt?”

He hadn’t said much since climbing into your car, seemingly as shocked to be there as you were to have him there, but his question came without the skittish nervousness that had been present in his voice at first, only genuine concern in his words now. Maybe my brain is hurt, but… Another little burst of incredulous laughter burst from you as you turned your car onto your street. “Uh, no I’m,” clearing your throat you threw him what you hoped was a reassuring smile but what felt more like a hysterical grin. “I’m fine just...this is...I’m fine.”

“I thought I heard...it sounded as though you were in pain, are you certain you’re alright?”

Pulling into your driveway you fought the urge to laugh, swoon and scream all at once. “Yep, I’m...not hurt. Don’t worry.” You put the car in park and took the keys from the ignition, the sudden quiet startling him just as much as the instant roar when the engine had come to life. “Here we are, home sweet home.” You undid your seat belt, feeling his eyes on you as you did, and then reached over to open his as well.

“Oh,” he put up a hand and you froze. “May I?” There was an intrigued twinkle in his eyes behind the uncertainty and confusion that made you smile. He wants to…

“Be my guest, Sam.” You watched as he extended his pointer finger and pressed down on the red button to release the metal clasp of the restraint.

“Fascinating.” The seat belt snapped back into place and though you could tell that he was still distressed and disoriented, he chuckled in surprise as the harness retracted.

“If you think that’s fascinating, wait until you try a shower.” You winked at him and got out of the car, helping him open the handle on his side. This is insane.

“A shower?” He paused in the middle of your walkway and looked up to the night sky. “There aren’t any clouds, it isn't going to rain.”

“No that’s…” you sighed, turning your key in the lock. “Not what I meant. Just...come inside, okay?” The last thing I need is my neighbor peeking out the window to see this. He agreed, following you inside where you instructed him to wait in your living room as you searched your room for spare sweatpants and an over-sized tee that would fit his tall frame and broad shoulders, depositing the items in the bathroom before getting the water started. There’s no way he would be able to figure out modern plumbing. You chastised yourself for believing even for a second that he was the real Samuel Adams, and not some crazed costumed performer who took the man’s birthday too far. Once the water had reached a decent temperature and you’d set out towels, soap and the clothes you’d gathered, you left the bathroom and headed back out to find him hovering near your desk.

He pointed at the framed diploma as you entered the room. “I’ve never heard of this University before. Did you attend it?” Of course you hadn’t, it wasn’t founded until almost a hundred years after you… You nodded and he looked impressed. “I had my schooling at-”

“Harvard,” you said the word with him. “I know.”

He regarded you curiously, one cheek growing slightly rounded as he gave a sideways smile. “Hmm.” Hmm? What’s he… But before you could wonder what was going through his head, his long fingers closed around a small item on your desktop that made you gasp. Oh, I didn’t even think about… “What is…” He picked up the small figurine which was wearing an outfit stunningly similar to the one that he had on. “Is this...me? What is this?”

“Uh...yeah that’s um… it’s called a Pop?” You shrugged. This is so stupid. “And I uh...made it. Well I didn’t make it, I…” what am I saying? “I bought it, it looked different when I bought it, but then I customized it, you know, with paint and… um...to make it look like, yes. To make it look like you.”

He smiled again, still looking just as confused as he was when he appeared out of nowhere, but entertained and interested in seeing where that confusion would take him when it finally lifted. “Fascinating, truly.”

He set the figurine back down where he found it and crossed the room to where you stood, finally giving him a smile of your own. “If you think that’s fascinating…” You trailed off into laughter. “Come on, bathroom’s this way.”

You led him down the hallway, trying not to laugh as you heard him exclaim “An entire room just for that bath? Fascinating!”

I had a blast writing for this amazing artist and her wonderful work! If you are an artist in the Ben Barnes fandom, or if you would like to surprise an artist with a quick little drabble, send me a message or link me to the piece that you would like me to write about. Let’s show these talented folks how much we appreciate them and the beautiful things that they create!

#ben barnes fanart appreciation #ben barnes fanart #ben barnes characters #ben barnes fandom #its-my-little-dumpster-fire #mrs. dumpster-adams #sam adams #samuel adams #HBD Sam!#298 never looked so good #sam adams sons of liberty #sons of liberty fic #sort of #pygmalion

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honoraryfox · 5 years ago

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The foxes date night

So I was bored and thought this would be fun to write but it’s kinda long so bear with me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

So Matt and Dan thought it would be super cute if they had like a double date night thing, but with all the Fox couples. (for team bonding and such.)

Eric was going to be in town visiting Nicky so it was perfect timing to do it.

Dan planned everything of course, wanting it to be a really fun night for everyone and Matt helped out.

Aaron didn’t exactly want to go, but he agreed only after Katelyn said it would be fun.

That left Andrew and Neil.

Nobody thought Dan could get them to come. Bets were made, and soon there was a lot of money riding on whether they were coming or not.

Dan thought four couples was better than three, and Andrew and Neil were the only other couple besides her and Matt who were both foxes, and she wasn’t going to let them say no.

“No,” Andrew said dismissively

“Come on, it will be fun!” Dan argued insistently.

“Who’s Neil?” Andrew asked with Neil’s hand tucked neatly into his.

“There will be icecream,” Dan said.

“Fine,” Andrew said instantly.

Kevin cursed in the background and handed over the money he lost to a smirking Renee.

Kevin insisted he could care less that he wasn’t included in date night and left quickly to play some exy, which he would much rather be doing.

Dan hugged Allison and Renee who also were completely fine with not tagging along and decided to stay and watch a movie.

First they all went out for dinner at a much fancier restaurant than Sweeties. They began to look at the menus, but Dan stopped them.

“Sooo first couple activity of the night is. Tonight you aren’t picking your meal, you’re picking your partners meal for them.”

There was a mixture of boos and excitement as the foxes realized they had to eat whatever was chosen for them, but also that they got to choose what the other ate.

Nicky and Eric excitedly turned to their menus already picking things out. When meals were ordered they had both gotten each other exactly what the other wanted and they kissed each other in thanks.

Neil got Andrew what he wanted, but that was mostly because Andrew had slid closer to Neil and pointed at something on the menu, giving Neil an “order this or else” look without saying a word.

Neil happily obliged and was even more happy when Andrew picked Neil’s favorite meal out for him.

Of all the couples Andriel were the least outwardly affectionate, but Neil was just happy to have Andrews leg pressed against his under the table.

Afterwards they all went out for icecream as promised by Dan to Andrew. All the couples shared a cup of icecream except Andrew and Neil because Andrew wanted as much icecream as possible.

They found some park benches to sit at and Neil observed Andrew looked actually kind of happy.

Then Dan took them back to the Foxhole Court. Inside they found, laid out on the field, some couches and flashy signs.

Dan made a couples game show for all of them and declared her and Matt hosts because they “won by default.”

“If you win why are all of us competeting then?” Aaron pointed out.

“Because we have to find second best,” Matt made up on the spot.

Dan asked each of the couples trivia questions about each other to see who knew who best.

Eric and Nicky had been together so long that they did well, but it was no surprise that Andrew could easily remember the dumbest little things about Neil, and instantly put them in the lead.

What is a surprise is that Neil is equally as good at spouting out dumb facts about Andrew, like his favorite season was fall, and the exact scent of cologn that he wore.

Andrew kept a neutral face, but only Neil could see with each question he got right Andrew let a little bit of surprise show behind his eyes.

The only question Neil was stumped on was, “what is your partners hidden talent?”

Andrew and Neil still won.

Later they went star-gazing, all lying on their backs, looking up at the beautiful stars.

Neil made sure to put a bit of distance between Andrew and him when he laid down (unlike the other couples) because he knew Andrew didn’t like being touched.

Then he felt a soft tugging at his sleeve and saw Andrews pale fingers wrapped around his arm. He scooted in a little bit. Andrew tugged on him again so Neil again scooted closer.

With an exasperated sigh Andrew yanked Neil all the way in so that Neil was tucked up against his body. He even wrapped an arm around Neil.

Dan noticed the little interaction,but kept it to herself. She was beeming with happiness though.

“Can’t think of any of my hidden talents?” Andrew whispered, his lips tickling Neil’s temple.

“Actually I was going to say you could paint, but I didn’t want to get stabbed for telling the others that,” Neil replied.

Andrew tried to act incurious, but he finally asked, “how did you know that?” Andrew hadn’t told anybody except Bee that he liked painting.

“I came home from a run early and when I walked in you were painting. You didn’t see me so I watched for a little bit, and then I slipped out again.” Neil shrugged against Andrews side.

“What was I painting?” Andrew asked.

Neil rotated his head so he could look Andrew in the eyes. “Me,” he answered, “in my exy gear, on the field.”

Andrew didn’t say anything. He just turned his back so he could continue looking at the stars.

“Yes or no?” Neil whispered.

Andrew nodded his head and that was all Neil needed. He planted a soft kiss on Andrews neck and Andrew leaned into it.

They pretended to forget the other foxes were scattered around them, and kissed each other under the light of the stars.

They would never admit it, but they were glad Dan had dragged them along on date night.

#andrew minyard #nora sakavic #the foxhole court #the raven king #all for the game #neil josten #the kings men #aftg #tfc #andriel

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redsoapbox · 5 years ago

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MY TOP FIFTEEN TRACKS BY WELSH ACTS IN THE PAST DECADE.

Pictured - Davey Newington. Davey features in the list twice - as Boy Azooga and as a member of the gone but not forgotten Houdini Dax.

In my introduction to Pop Hack, my debut collection of reviews/interviews, I make the claim that ‘some of the best records I have heard in my lifetime come from the unsigned and unsung acts that I stumbled upon covering the Welsh music scene’. I repeated that claim the other day while being interviewed by Bill Cummings for his Cymru Am Bop podcast (see link below), so I thought it was about time I put some flesh on the bones. In no particular order, then, are fifteen tracks from some of the best singer/ songwriters and bands in Wales.

1. Dan Bettridge - Third Eye Blind (2015)

Released as a single in 2015, and wisely included in Dan’s exceptional debut album Asking For Trouble three years later. “Third Eye Blind” is a stirring soul workout, hugely influenced by Van Morrison’s classic track “Real, Real Gone”, and a surefire set closer by anybody’s standards.

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2. Pretty Vicious - Cave Song (2014)

The mighty tune that famously sent the major record labels into a lather and into a headlong race to Merthyr in pursuit of the teenage rockers. I caught the band at the EVI (Ebbw Vale Institute), a few months after they had signed on the dotted line, and filed one of the earliest national reviews of the band for Wales Arts Review. I spent most of the review decrying their major label status; ‘Pretty Vicious has signed with Virgin, it’s the first uncool thing they’ve done’ I moaned. I ended the review on a note of caution - ‘Pretty Vicious would be wise not to rush into the recording studio just yet. You never get a second chance at a debut album’. My scepticism about the multinational’s motives was on the money - the band was unceremoniously dropped by Branson and Co in 2017 without even releasing an album!

https://soundcloud.com/prettyviciousuk/cave-song

3. Houdini Dax - Found Love In The Dole Office. (2015)

I was a huge fan of Cardiff’s sadly defunct power-pop trio, whose two albums, You Belong To Dax Darling (2011) and, particularly, Naughty Nation (2015), are packed with bangers/earworms/crackers - take your pick. I was bemused by their complete lack of success, but nevertheless surprised when they morphed overnight into Monico Blonde. Drummer Davey Newington went on to bigger, if not necessarily better things, with Boy Azooga of course. “Found Love In The Dole Office” is a typical Dax track, matching a punchy melody with a clever lyric.

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4. Jodie Marie - Everyone Makes Mistakes (2015)

Taken from one of my all time favourite albums, Trouble in Mind (2015), “Everyone Makes Mistakes” is one of four or five outstanding ballads that form the centrepiece of this truly fine record. This is a heartbreaking song that leaves the listener reeling!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNBraJss7-4&feature=youtu.be&autoplay=1

5. oblong - Light Sleeper (2019)

I tossed a coin with this track. Llanelli’s bilingual post-punk combo has released two scorching albums, Brilliant...Gwd (2017) and Hollalluog (2019), which are brimming over with terrific tunes. Any one of them will set the pulses racing.

https://oblong1.bandcamp.com/

6. Danielle Lewis - West Coast Sun (2016)

When we beat this virus and lockdown truly ends, this is the record that I’m going to emerge from my hideaway playing. A joyous tune that deserves the sun on its back and for people to be of good cheer when they listen to it. Danielle’s current single “Flowers” is another beautiful composition.

https://daniellelewis.bandcamp.com/track/west-coast-sun

7. Aled Rheon - Wrap up Warm (2016)

It’s never the done thing to quote oneself, but as this feature is partly to publicise my book Pop Hack I’m going to take a diabolical liberty! In my review of the song I write ‘It’s a beautifully judged lyric with a performance to match, as Rheon’s fine-grained vocal manages to make James Taylor sound like Jello Biaffra’. Not bad, even if I say so myself!

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8. Armstrong - Gratitude (2019)

Although this song dates back a good number of years, it was included in the deluxe release of Armstrong’s majestic album Under Blue Skies (2019). As with oblong, above, I was spoiled for choice and very nearly chose the exquisite “My Resistance”, then again I very nearly opted for the heartaching “Perhaps It’s Time To Say Goodbye”. “Gratitude”, though, has a life-affirming quality that somehow transcends the times in which we live.

https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/ArmstrongUnderBlueSkiesTheBeautifulMusic

9. Climbing Trees - Aliosi (2013)

Does this song really contain ‘the most romantic couplet in the history of pop’, as I somewhat fancifully speculated in my review of Hebron, the Pontypridd combo’s debut album? Perhaps not, but that’s what a great pop song can do to you. I happily plead guilty to getting carried away by ‘Sunlight streams into my eyes, It always brings me to / I didn’t mean to wake you darling, but I can’t keep my eyes off you’. If that doesn’t set your heart racing, what will?

https://ilikeclimbingtrees.bandcamp.com/track/aloisi

10. Silent Forum - Limbo (2017)

Silent Forum had a great 2019, with their debut album Everything Solved At Once earning them rave reviews across the board. It’s a wonderful album and it would have been easy to choose its centrepiece, the stupendous “How I Faked The Moon Landing”. I opted, however, for “Limbo” an old favourite of mine and a song that stood out for me the very first time I saw the band play in 2015. This is Indie-noir incarnate!

https://silentforum.bandcamp.com/track/limbo-2

11. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - Love Forever (2019).

Can there be any doubt that Tom Rees and his band are heading for the big time? The man writes killer tunes and has the chutzpah to carry them off. Rees is a real political animal, but he tends to separate that out from his music. On “Love Forever”, an ‘all you need is love’ protest song, he puts a hippy-dippy toe in choppy political waters for the first time.

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12. Boy Azooga - Loner Boogie (2018)

After missing the boat with Houdini Dax and Monico Blonde, Davey Newington’s ship finally came in with his solo project Boy Azooga, leading to support slots with the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Young. This tune is as fun ‘n’ funky as pop music gets.

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13. Burning Ferns - Bullet Train

Newport’s Burning Ferns are often compared to stellar names like Big Star, Teenage Fan Club and The Byrds, so if you admire classic songwriting, chiming guitars and three-part harmonies then their two fine albums on Country Mile See Saw Seen (2013) and Public Mono (2017) are must-have records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM6m3GTm7DE

14. Georgia Fearn - Catch Me When You Can (2018)

An edgy and imaginative songwriter, Georgia Fearn was just 17 when she released her debut album, the dark delight that was Perfect on Paper. Equally influenced by TV, cinema and literature’s tales of the macabre, Perfect on Paper is something of a black comedy, one that you might want to listen to crouched into the foetal position whilst hiding behind the sofa!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgVmBKAbn6c

15. Head Noise - Microwave (2018)

It defies explanation that Mitch Tennant left the mini-masterpiece “Microwave” off last year’s 14-track debut album Uber Fantastique. A fun pop artefact in the vein of Landscape’s “Einstein A Go-Go”, every home should have one - “Microwave” the song, I mean, not an actual microwave. Although I’m given to understand by the cooks in the household that a microwave is a product that comes in handy, personally I never venture into the kitchen, so I can’t properly comment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wXV_7fr7k8

The five next best

Travelator - Anonymous Iconoclasts, That Night at the Table - Beth Goudie, Just Rock ‘n’ Roll - I Fight Lions, Obsolete - Matthew Fredricks (not yet released), High -Clwb Fuzz.

http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2020/05/11/podcast-cymru-am-bop-episode-three-featuring-kevin-mcgrath/

All of the above acts are featured in my book Pop Hack

http://bit.ly/PopHack

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ladyshandioftheendless · 5 years ago

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~KISS AU writings 12~

Heading straight on into the next part of this fiasco! I’m really eager to move this story along cause a looooot of shit is about to go down~ Enjooooy~

~Shandi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~MODEL AU Part 3~

Featured Pairing: Bruce Kulick/Paul Stanley

Special Guests: Peter Criss, Vinnie Vincent, Dana Strum, Mark Slaughter, Bobby Rock, Mick Mars, Vince Neil

Summary: Paul invites Bruce to to a party for the magazine he modeled for..where things escalate even further~ (told from Bruce’s POV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few days later I return to the studio with the photos. As soon as I’m through the door I see Mr. Criss and Paul standing there waiting for me. Oh boy.

“Let’s see ‘em.”

Mr. Criss holds out his hand and I give him the folder. Please like them. As soon as he opens the folder he rolls his eyes, which doesn’t exactly fill me with a lot of confidence. Then he looks over at Paul who just smiles at him sweetly. “It figures that the first photo I see is of your naked ass. You really think the magazine is gonna print these?” Paul just tosses his hair. “Of course they will~ You know why? It’s me~” He’s got him there. I mean..they’ll definitely edit them heavily but they’ll eat those up just because it’s Paul. Mr. Criss sighed but he conceded. “Alright alright. I’ll submit ‘em but I don’t wanna hear any whining about how they’re edited when they’re published. Got me?”

“I’m not worried, Petey. They’ll show as much as they’re allowed to get away with~” That’s for sure. Someone would have to be crazy to not want to show off his..’assets.’ After looking through all of the other photos, Mr. Criss closes the folder. “It’s real good work, Kulick. Fantastic even.” He hands me an envelope. “I’m gonna submit these this afternoon. As soon as we have access to the first copies you can have one if you want.” It would be nice to see my work in the pages of a magazine. My heart is beating a mile a minute just thinking about it! “Thank you, Mr. Criss, I’d like that very much~” Paul of course is incredibly amused. “I am a work of art, aren’t I, Photopup? I’d be proud too~” You mean you aren’t already? I find that hard to believe. “Anyway..” Mr. Criss interrupts rather firmly. “..make sure your schedule’s open cause I’ll be keepin’ your number handy. You up for more work like this?”

“Absolutely!”

“Then we’ll be seein’ you again soon.” Paul blows me a kiss before turning to follow Mr. Criss back to his office. “Until next time, Photopup~” While I’m in my car I open the envelope. A check for $2,500! I think I’m gonna celebrate with a nice big pizza when I get home~

The next week passed by like normal. Normal and boring. As much as I hoped for a call one never came. Still, I kept my camera clean and ready for its next job. The following week however started off with a bang. Monday afternoon when I check my mailbox I find a brown package folded up inside. When I open it I see one of my photos of Paul on the front cover of Runway. “Finally!” I sit down on the couch and flip through the pages with a big smile on my face. These were my photos. My photos printed in a magazine for the world to see. They weren’t even edited as much as I thought they would be. Paul was perfect. I can kinda see why he wanted to do it this way now. If I had a body like his I’d want to show it off too~ The lighting was the best decision I ever made. No fluorescents would have been able to bring out the golden undertones of his skin or the highlights in his hair. I turn to the next page and WOW. There’s his ass in full view. How were they able to get away with this? Are models exempt from censorship? Either that or someone pulled a lot of strings. Or more likely an extremely smart executive decision. A spread as hot as this will make magazines fly off the shelves. Quite a business~

Late Thursday night I get a phone call..but not from the person I was expecting.

“Hello?”

“Well hello there, Photopup~”

“Paul..?”

He giggles. “Surprised~?”

“Yeah, a little. How did you get my number?”

“From Petey’s rolodex of course~ You busy Saturday night~?”

“Um..” Is he..asking me out..? No, that’s crazy. “I don’t..think so..?”

“You sound unsure. Are you or aren’t you?”

I usually play guitar on Saturday nights but..this could be important. I can always play some other night. “No. No I’m not busy.”

“Good! Come to a party with me~”

What? Is he serious? “A..party..?”

“Come ooooon~ The Executive of Runway magazine is throwing a little get-together and he invited me.”

“Why don’t you go with Mr. Criss? Isn’t he more suited for these types of things?” I hear a loud sigh.

“Petey’s gonna be in New York that weekend. Pleeeeeease? I don’t wanna go alone..”

Ugh he’s using that cute voice. I can hear him pouting over the phone. “Oh..alright..I’ll go.” Damn him.

“Wonderful~! I’ll pick you up at 6:00..and dress fancy~ Ciao, baby~!”

I hang up the phone and run a hand through my hair. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Saturday came much too quickly for my liking. It also didn’t help that I had nothing to wear that would classify as ‘fancy.’ I went for the next best thing. I dressed like I was just going to the club to play: a plain black tank top, black jeans and my favorite leather jacket. I’m not a fancy guy. I like things simple. I don’t see why I need to compromise myself for a bunch of people I’ll probably never see again. At 6:00 precisely I hear a car horn. “Well..here goes nothing..” I put on my jacket, grab my keys and head out.

Paul Stanley didn’t strike me as a guy who did much for himself besides his own hair and clothes..possibly not even that. I liked him, but he was a total prima donna. So it took me by surprise when I didn’t see a limo waiting out front for me. Instead there he was, sitting in a beautiful black convertible Corvette, with purple stars scattered across the rear of course~ It was immaculate, like it had just been driven off the lot. Paul smiles at me and waves. “Hey there, handsome~ Going my way~?” Hell, I’d go anywhere with him in a car like this~ “As a matter of fact I am~” When I get in and buckle up he starts the engine up again and revs it. “Mm..that sounds so good~”

“Like fast cars, do you~?”

“Ever since I was a kid~”

“Then hold on tight, baby cause we’re about to go for a ride~”

Boy was he not kidding. I actually hear the tires squeal as we take off down the road. It was fantastic~ “So..where is this party we’re going to?”

“In Malibu~”

“Oh great. I’ll fit right in with all the rich, pretentious assholes..”

Paul laughs out loud and pats my thigh. “I refuse to believe you’d give any kind of a shit about what they’d think of you. Besides you’ll be there with me so they won’t have anything to say..except compliments on your terrific taste~” I scoff but there’s no doubt a lot of truth to that statement, especially with the way he looks right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen purple leather look so good on anyone in my life.

“You’re staring~”

I am staring. I don’t try to hide it. He’s made a career out of people staring at him. What’s one more? “What are you thinking about, Photopup~? Do you wanna fuck me~?” Okay..caught me straight off guard with that one. He just laughs at my reaction. “It’s alright if you do..a lot of people do~” There’s the shallowness I’d come to expect from his type. I cross my arms. “I’m not like that. Yes, you’re attractive but that’s not all I want in someone.”

“What do you want~?”

I sigh. What I want is to not have this conversation. But I don’t say that out loud. At least not with those exact words. “I have more important things to worry about than my love life. Like keeping a place to live for example.” After that he takes the hint, and the rest of the trip is uncomfortably quiet.

I don’t have the words to describe the place we pull up to. It’s like..if someone built a beach house and expanded it into a gigantic mansion. It’s just..absolutely breath taking. I could only wish to afford to leave near the beach like this. While I’m staring Paul silently gets out of the car and leaves me behind. Yep. He’s definitely still sore about the conversation we had earlier. I guess I’ll have to find a way to make it up to him later. I get out, lock to doors and run after him. “Paul please. I’m sorry. If..you wanna talk more later we can. It’s just..not an important subject for me..” He fluffs his hair a few times before looking at me. “I dunno..I think your annoyance was kinda justified. I tend to be too nosy for my own good sometimes~ Hm. Actually all the time~ Apologies all around, then..now let’s go party~” I let him take my arm and lead me to the door.

Everyone inside is ridiculously beautiful..and now I feel ridiculously outclassed. People shoot me disdainful looks as we walk past, clearly making it known that I don’t belong in their exclusive little fanclub. I have an overwhelming urge to beg Paul for his keys so I can drive back home. We approach a man dressed in gold from head to toe and holding a glass of wine. When he sees us Paul waves to him. “Vinnie~!!” Someone dressed that extravagantly just has to be the host. He waves back with a big smile. “Paul, you made it! How wonderful to see you!” He comes over to give Paul a tight hug with his free arm. “Have I got a lot to thank you for, darling~ Thanks to those delicious photos we’ve had the highest sales we’ve ever had in months!” Paul holds onto my arm tighter. “Glad to hear it! The photos were all thanks to this one right here~ This is Bruce Kulick, our new photographer~ Brucie, this is Vinnie Vincent, head of Runway magazine~” I take his offered hand and shake it. “Were you a model yourself, Mr. Vincent? You certainly have the look.” He laughs. “My, what a charmer you are~ As a matter of fact I was a few years back. I got my start at Catwalk just like Paul here~ Then personal life intervened and I lost my love for the stage. So I channeled what was left into this instead~ And please call me Vinnie. Everyone does~” It feels so strange calling someone I barely know but their first name..but if he insists.. “A-alright..Vinnie. I’m..very happy that you liked my photos~ That was actually my first time shooting with Paul.”

“Oh darling they’re masterpieces! I fully insisted that nothing be done to them by way of editing~” Just as I thought~ He reaches into his suit jacket pocket and hands me a business card. “If you’d ever like to do some editorial photos for me just give me a call, hm? I could use a photographer with your skill~” I look at the card in shock. “Would you look at that~” I hear Paul say, laying his chin on my shoulder. “Somebody might be moving up in the world~ Happy you came now~?” Vinnie smiles and takes my other arm. “Of course he is~ Come and let me introduce you to some of my friends~” He was absolutely right. I am happy I came~ It was more fun than I ever expected meeting Vinnie’s coworkers. Bobby was intelligent. Mark was friendly. Dana was funny. They admired my work and gave me advice on how I can improve. I could definitely see myself working with them if I decided to take Vinnie up on his offer, which I was seriously considering. I’d have to talk to Mr. Criss about it when he comes back. Paul makes a disgusted noise that snaps me out of my thoughts.

“Oh fuck. Why did he have to come here?”

I look down at him and he’s cringing, his expression twisted in annoyance and anger. “Paul? What’s wrong?” Paul pointed towards the door. Following the direction of his finger I’m pretty sure I see the culprit. How could anyone not see him? His hair was a bright blond. Definitely bleached. He made sure he stood out wearing a shredded pink tank top over a white mesh shirt, white patent leather pants and pink platform heels. He was hanging on the arm of a slightly shorter man dressed all in black leather with long black hair and red tinted glasses. His pants had MARS written down the left thigh in large white letters. An interesting..and loud way to make his name known to strangers. “Hey there, pretty people!” the blond yelled, catching everyone’s attention. “Can one of you be an absolute doll and get a drink for me~?” I don’t think I’d ever seen so many people move so quickly towards the bar. They crowded it, fighting each other to be the first to get a glass filled. I watch the spectacle amused, but Paul just rolls his eyes. “Selfish asshole..” My curiosity is piqued. “It’s obvious you don’t like him. Who is he?”

“Vince Neil. The self-proclaimed ‘hottest model in Malibu’.”

“He’s not?”

“Of course he is. He just has to make sure everybody knows it.”

“Who’s with him?”

“Mick Mars. His agent.”

“Creepy guy.”

“Mick is a sweetheart. I actually like him. Vince is an arrogant prick who thinks he’s the hottest shit in California. He’s trying to force some kind of rivalry with me..says he thinks it’ll boost our popularity. I can get to the top on my own, thank you very much.”

Looking back at the mob, it looks like a good looking red head got lucky. She pushes her way through the crowd with a glass of wine and hands it to Vince. He takes it from her with a grin. “Congratulations, baby..you win first prize~” The rest of the crowd just mind their own business and go back to partying while Vince practically makes out with the woman in the middle of the room. Quite a guy. Paul however is clearly fed up. “I don’t know about you but I’m ready to leave.” It’s not like I can say no. He’s the one who drove us here. “If that’s what you wanna do.” He nods. We say goodbye to Vinnie, Dana, Bobby and Mark and head for the door.

“Heeeeeeey leaving without sayin’ goodbye, Paulie~?”

Paul winces. Guess we weren’t getting out of here without Vince noticing after all..much to his dismay. “Don’t call me that.” he hisses, glaring daggers. Vince just gives him a cocky smirk. “Shoulda figured you’d be here somewhere. Were you hidin’ from me? “Ain’t like you to not make yourself the center of attention~” I can see Paul’s eye twitch. “Unlike you I don’t need to do such things.”

“That’s because everybody forgets about you when I’m around~ Who would notice you~?”

“How could I possibly compete with that tacky bleach job?”

“Like you haven’t had any work done on your face!”

“Maybe more people would take you seriously if you didn’t dress like a prostitute!!”

I have to grab Paul’s shoulders and pull him back. “Come on. I thought we were leaving.” Vince turns his gaze to me. “You his boyfriend? If you ever get tired of him being such a bitch I’ll be your Barbie doll~”

“YOU FUCKING SKEEZY TRAMP!!”

Paul pulls away from me but he’s stopped again by Mr. Mars. “That’s enough.” he says in a calm voice. “Vince, shut up and go mingle. You..” He hands Paul back to me. “..take him home. If those two get into a fight nobody’s gonna win.” I can’t argue with that. I take Paul’s keys from his jacket pocket and take him out to his car. “If you don’t mind I think I should drive us back.”

He doesn’t argue.

To be Continued!!

#Shandi's drabbles #KISS AU writings #Supermodel StarChild~#a rival appears!#poor Brucie pretty much gets caught in the middle #petty insult party LAWL #StarChild vs Malibu Barbie #this is a long one!

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wulfrann · 6 years ago

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Andreil Contemporary Dance AU Because I Can

I don't know what this is. Call it a bullet-point fic, a ficlet, a one-shot, but the point is - the thought of a Contemporary Dance AU wouldn't leave my mind, so I wrote it down and here you go.

It's messy and barely edited and very self-indulging, but maybe this can be my Happy New Year contribution to the fandom.

- Palmetto's Foxes is a dance school known as an eclectic, unsynchronized, bastard group that mixes various types of dancing into contemporary with various levels of success. Kevin is appalled at first and convinced that they need to stick to one genre, but then he realizes that it could actually work, maybe, as long as they reinforce the contemporary elements to make it a real basis for all the other stuff that they add to it. Also they need to work on their group dancing, because solo/duet stuff is great but they're a team too so they need to start acting like it.

- Dan knows how to pole dance. She does it once during a solo performance and it's the most majestic thing ever. Matt can't stop talking about it for months. (and no one can really blame him)

- Renee can breakdance. I will fight you on that.

- Allison used to do ballet at a high level when she was still living with her parents. It got her into a fucked up mindset that nearly broke her, but she's slowly learning to appreciate it again for what it is, and not the memories it is tied to. (Renee helps. with that. because I'm weak.)

- I feel like Nicky would know some ballroom dancing? He would have gotten into it in Germany with Erik because it is a Thing there to have ballroom dance classes when you can afford it (sources are my German teacher who's German). He's petrified with fear the first few times and only dances with girls (there are more of them than guys anyway), but after getting with Erik and starting to be at peace with himself they start practicing together. Nicky can't help but cry a little the first time, because this is real and Erik is real and he's dancing with a boy and that boy is smiling at him like nothing else around them matters, and it's all a little too much to take in. But he does, eventually.

- The Ravens are this super elite, very competitive dance club with. "disputable" methods. They do a lot of group dancing where everyone is doing exactly the same movement, with Riko as their only lead dancer. Kevin was his go-to partner for duets before he left. Then it was Jean, and then no one because he sucks.

- Riko broke Kevin's right foot, not hand. He has to adapt his dancing not to put too much weight or strain on it, which takes a lot to hide.

- When Jean joins the Trojans, he's completely unable to dance duets or any kind of non-group dancing. His feet are in the worst shape and he's got bruises all over.

- So Jeremy takes it upon himself to make Jean fall in love with dancing all over again and to Jeremy, that means reminding him that dancing can be fun, too. Which means Jeremy giving Jean improv dancing and ballroom dancing lessons in private, just the two of them.

- It works, of course.

- Except Jean doesn't fall in love with just dancing, and Jeremy gets caught in his own trap because a carefree Jean might actually be the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

- Neil mostly did ballet as a kid because that's what the Ravens have the children do (teaches discipline and all the basics, according to them, which isn't entirely false from my understanding).

- When he was running with Mary, he used to stare at any kind of dancing whenever he thought she wasn't looking. Not long after her death he's squatting in this house, right, and there's a small dance club two blocks away. Neil tries, he really tries not to give in - but it's a Monday night, or maybe it's a Tuesday, he hasn't been keeping track - he's out of food and hasn't slept in days, because the nightmares are worse than the frantic beating of his heart against his skull and the shaking, incontrollable, that makes any lock picking last minutes he can't afford. The sun is setting behind the suburban buildings as he walks past the dance club, and maybe the light catches on the picture window, maybe there's music filtering out the cracked-open door, or maybe Neil's feet are too heavy to keep going past the building and into the empty, cold house.

- Neil stops.

- He stops, and stares right through the window.

- He doesn't know what kind of dancing it is, doesn't remember anything about it except the focus, suddenly, the sense of purpose and here and this is what living looks like, and his heart in his chest. Beating.

- Neil picks his way into the house within seconds that night, and sleeps.

- In the morning he's gone.

- His mother would beat him up if she saw him taking dance lessons again. But his mother is dead, and dancing is the only thing driving Neil to make sure he isn't.

- When Wymack and Kevin show up after his contemporary dance class, Neil makes a run for it and gets punched in the stomach by a small blond guy, because of course Andrew Minyard came with.

- Both his parents' imprint in his flesh isn't enough to make Neil disappear this time.

- When Neil trains with Kevin at night they mostly do ballet, though Kevin makes sure that whatever they do doesn't interfere with regular training.

Andrew always dances alone, and Neil doesn't understand why.

His posture is good, and somehow melts into the movements without ever going soft. It's like watching a stream boil down the mountain's flank, except the stream is 5 feet tall and makes the mountain look pliable.

Every time he looks at him, Neil wonders what it must be like to dance with someone as steady and centered as Andrew. Wonders what it must be like to be centered.

Then he snaps out of it and pulls his mind back to practice.

"Why do you always dance alone?"

Andrew blows the smoke out of his mouth and studies Neil's face through the wisps.

"Why are you always in the back?"

"I asked first."

"And I asked second. Afraid you might trip?"

Neil crosses his arms. "I don't trip."

"So you're afraid to stand out."

It's not a question, so Neil doesn't answer. "Why do you only dance alone?"

Andrew takes another drag out of his cigarette, then lets it drop to the ground and steps on it.

"I don't do teamwork well," he says, and then goes back inside.

Kevin asks Neil to do a duet with him at some point during the regionals. They've been practicing together for a while now and although they clash a lot, Kevin and Wymack think there's potential there. Neil panics and says no. When Kevin starts pressing the matter, Andrew interrupts.

"Drop it, Kevin. Rabbits only know how to dance when they're running."

Kevin storms out, and Neil stares at Andrew with clenched teeth.

"I'm not running."

"Could have fooled me."

- Neil agrees to do the duet with Kevin, but only if they practice it during their night sessions for now.

- "If we can't make it work with the group, there's no point doing it."

- "Take it or leave it. We don't even know if we can sync together. If it works, we'll take it to the rest of the group."

- It's a disaster, of course. Neil has never done duet work since he was a child, and his approach to dancing clashes with Kevin's.

"I can't dance with him."

Neil and Andrew are on the rooftop, the smell of tobacco and ash floating up lazily to the stars hidden by the city lights. A red glow cuts out Andrew's features against the night, his silhouette a mere shadow but for his face.

"I thought you were done running," Andrew says, blowing out smoke.

"I am."

"Then act like it."

Neil lets his eyes wander to where Andrew's hand is tapping his cigarette against the edge of the rooftop, cinder flakes falling down like snow, weightless and bright. Stretching beneath them the city sleeps, a quiet map of lights.

"Help me practice."

The sound of his own voice surprises him. The silence that follows is filled with it.

Andrew turns a blank stare to Neil.

"I don't mean the choreography," Neil says, slowly forcing out the words. "Help me practice dancing with someone."

A beat.

"I only dance alone."

"I'm no one, aren't I? You said so yourself."

Andrew flicks the remainder of his cigarette into the darkness and leaves. Neil watches it fall down until Andrew's footsteps down the stairs stop echoing through the night.

It's not until three days have passed and Neil is this close to giving up on the duet that Andrew gives him an answer.

It comes in the form of a small stereo sitting on the rooftop, music winding from its speaker and escaping from the roof like smoke, slow and flimsy.

The first time isn't really dancing. Mostly they just stare, feet solidly planted into the ground. Then Neil closes his eyes, and Andrew takes a step forward. He takes a hold of Neil's wrists and brings them to his shoulders, then puts his hands on Neil's waist. They stay like this until the end of the song.

The second time they start shuffling along with the music.

The third time Andrew tells Neil to open his eyes. They swing, slightly, and Andrew's face is more blank than ever. Neil takes it as a victory none the less.

The fourth time, Neil asks if he can try something and takes Andrew's right hand in his. Andrew lets him.

The sixth time, Neil figures out a few steps - and smiles when Andrew goes along with them. They're awkward, barely in rhythm parodies of the dancing Neil has been watching with increasing frequency on his free time, but they start to settle into it after the third try.

After that, Neil keeps testing out steps, trying to place them on the music, and repeating them for as long as Andrew will let him. Sometimes they only go through it once, sometimes four, and sometimes Andrew stops before the end of the song. But he always comes back.

By the time Neil feels sort of comfortable dancing with Andrew, dancing with Kevin starts getting bearable - sometimes even rewarding. Neil stops trying to put as much distance between them as he can, and he starts enjoying the movements, too. Kevin is nothing if not meticulous, but he makes it look effortless, and the choreaography reflects that. It's a rapid, wild dance, with a lot of back and forth that gets suspended, for a split second, then starts again, changing forms. Kevin calls it a tide, once, and Neil starts to feel the waves in the music and the wind carrying salt across the pale wooden floor.

Kevin gives him a twelve-hour notice for their first group practice. Neil barely sleeps.

He doesn't know what, exactly, makes his body stiffen as soon as he walks into the room, but the whole thing is a disaster. Kevin makes him run laps, which he does enough of that the burning in his muscles is the only thing he can think about.

It goes about as well the next day, so Kevin cancels their night practice so he can get his thoughts together.

"If you can't give it your whole tomorrow, don't bother showing up."

Neil goes for a run. When he comes back, Andrew is waiting for him outside the building. They walk up to the roof without a word and start dancing, simply repeating the movements that Neil put together over time. The music, slow and familiar, wraps itself around them like a stream, and Neil is content just to let himself be carried. He loses the tension in his muscles, in his chest, lets the current wash it off into the night.

Then Andrew does something new - and Neil has to pull his focus back to follow, to stare, as well, to fall back into the regular steps as he studies Andrew's face, unmoving and unmoved, bored but for the the slightest hitch pulling at the corner of his mouth and his hold, steady, focused - open.

Neil debates saying something, but closes his mouth to smile instead.

"What?" Andrew asks, voice flat. Neil focuses on the music, adds a step without leaving Andrew's eyes.

"Nothing."

- The group practice with Kevin isn't perfect the next day, but it flows. Kevin makes him work even harder that night, "to make up for the time you wasted". Neil doesn't complain.

- They dance the duet for the regionals. It just about closes the whole performance, and Neil leaves the stage feeling like his chest will either collapse or burst out. It's not an unpleasant feeling.

Andrew's hand brushes his back lightly when he walks past.

"Junkie."

Neil grabs Andrew's tee-shirt to stop him. "Thank you."

Andrew pushes his smile away with his hand and a frown and leaves before the rest of the Foxes can get there.

"I want to dance like that again."

Andrew lights a cigarette and puts it on the ground next to him. Neil takes it, sitting, and takes in the smell. His mother is as fickle as the coils of smoke rising above them that night, so he lets it rest. Andrew picks it up from where Neil put it down between the two of them and takes a drag, blowing out the smoke with his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Neil waits for Andrew to turn towards him. "Next time I want to dance a duet with you," he says. Neither of them wavers, but the air between them does.

Andrew reaches for Neil's neck, bringing it down.

"What makes you think I want to dance with you?"

Andrew's words smell of smoke and Neil can feel the heat of his breath grazing his face, sees it in Andrew's eyes clear as the city lights.

"Because we did."

Something flickers across his face, quick as a ghost.

Neil knows he could pull away if he wanted to, but when Andrew brings him closer he lets him.

"Yes or no?"

There is a tension in them, pulling - whether it's a tide or a stream, Neil doesn't know. But he dives anyway.

"Yes."

Andrew kisses him, and the weight of Andrew's hand at the back of his neck is an anchor that the storm in his chest cannot reach.

Kissing Andrew is not much different from dancing with him, Neil thinks.

And then he stops thinking.

#andreil #tfc #aftg #contemporary dance au #jerejean #renison #ficlet #bullet point fic #andrew minyard #neil josten #kevin day #I'm weak and gay so this is what I did today #wulfrann writes #fluff #(mostly)#one shot #the foxes #nicky hemmick #nerik

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lazy-queen · 6 years ago

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Andreil Ficlist

So, I’ve been away from Tumblr for a while but my love for the fandom is still strong. I’ve read some awesome fics from this pairing, and if you are looking for something too, you’re welcome to use this as guide.

Pairing: Neil Josten/Andrew Minyard

Fandom: All For The Game (Nora Sakavic)

All of them are taken from AO3, and all of them are marked as completed. Enjoy!

Hold Each Other by exactly13percent (superagentwolf)

He came along and showed me how to let go. - A series of stories about Andrew and Neil, with occasional Fox Family-centric feels. Current lineup: SMUT / Neil bringing up his torture / Neil protecting the Foxes / Neil using Nathaniel for good / AU: Riko, Canon divergence / Fixing Nicky's Kiss / Post-Canon AU / 5+1 bonding / Andrew & Nathaniel / Neil & Nicky bond / Magic!AU with tattoos / Post-Canon Piercing & Aaron bonding / Neil & minor PTSD / Neil & PTSD, Andreil / SMUT / Andrew and jealousy (kinda) / Baltimore AU & Kevin, Matt bonding / Neil trauma & Andreil / normal!AU Andreil in 3 parts / Raven!Neil AU in 8 parts / Andreil tea shop!AU / Andreil flower shop!AU / Andreil no Exy&college AU / Andreil no exy & college AU again lmao - UPDATE: This has turned into a series where each fic is a different AU!

Hic Sunt Draconis by exactly13percent (superagentwolf)

Andrew is just trying to keep Kevin alive when an elf jumps into the fray, flashing daggers and blue eyes. He hires the Foxes to help him catch a demon from his past, but it starts to feel less like he's the client and more like he's the protection. Andrew hates how entranced he is by the scarred rogue, with magic on his skin and a tongue as silvered as the city's statues.

It's a good thing Andrew needs something to hold his interest. Neil is doing his best to meet the expectation, whether anyone asked for it or not.

It's Way Beyond Ice Cream by nekojita for Blurredminds

(part 1 of the Ice Cream AU)

Fic for the AFTG Summer Exchange - Neil's doing his best as a new freshman at PSU, helped by Renee as he navigates life as a normal 'person'. That includes classes and studying, and dealing with a certain stubborn employee at the local ice cream shop who seems to delight in messing up his order each time he goes there for some unknown reason....

Of course Allison and Renee will eventually explain what's going on to him (and help poor Andrew out).

Life Never Tasted So Good by nekojita

(part 2 of the Ice Cream AU)

It's time for Andrew's date with the cute freshman he's been tormenting for the past couple of weeks by messing with his ice cream order. Still not convinced that Neil really wants to go out with him (in part because of how Neil is cagey about anything to do with his past), Andrew prepares for the night out.

In other words, continuation of 'It's Way Beyond Ice Cream'.

Feels Like Wasted Youth by conniptionns, exybee

Neil’s current living situation is … complicated.

Between his roommates’ badass rager parties and his neighbors’ constant barging into his apartment, Neil’s sure he can handle anything junior year throws at him

That is, until someone leaves a passive-aggressive noise complaint on his door. Unfortunately for the second floor, Neil has skipped the passive and gone full aggressive.

Or the Neighbors AU featuring post-finals parties, ill-timed fire alarms, and helpful campus squirrels.

Forever Home by moonix for lolainslackss

Neil works at a movie theatre. Andrew is his favourite (and only) customer.

The Kids Are Alright (Now) by Marmeladeskies for BakaDoll

When they're two years old, Aaron and Andrew are adopted together- and it changes the course of their fate drastically. A story about scars, healing, dogs, and the little boy with the auburn curls who just moved in next door.

Foxglove Fridays by moonix

(Part 1 of Foxglove Court)

Every Friday, Neil comes into Andrew's shop to buy flowers.

Wishbone Wednesdays by moonix

(Part 2 of Foxglove Court)

Attraction is a slow creature for Neil. It sneaks up on him over time and winds him tighter and tighter in its coils until he’s smothered in it.

In which Andrew is a florist with magic hands, Neil is a tattoo artist with a tragic past, and everyone else is busy wooing Renee at the coffee shop.

If You Must by Tourmaline147

Neil's whole world went up in flames the minute he burned his mother's dead body. Mary prepared him for almost every possible scenario, except this one. Now he's stuck in the middle of California trying to restart his life.

Andrew's world had been dark long before Neil Josten came into town. He's been barely living the past few years but he was working on that.

Together these two strangers who only knew how to survive take on a new challenge: learning to live.

*** Featuring the other foxes, the bad guys, copious amounts of music, and, hopefully, happiness.

*** Basically a high school au with music. Enjoy.

TFC High School AU by Moonix

1. Take Shelter by moonix

After his mother's death Neil Josten just needs to keep his head down until graduation, then he's going to leave this town and identity behind like all the others and start over somewhere new. There's a small hitch in his plans though: his deal to protect Andrew from bullies in exchange for some quiet company.

2. Guns And Horses by moonix

A year after they run away together, Andrew and Neil finally find themselves in Columbia where they make a temporary home, get jobs, and meet Aaron.

3. Stop The World by moonix

Neil’s mother is dead. His father is in prison. If he’s lucky, things might just be working out. Except Neil isn’t usually lucky…

4. Up In Flames by moonix

Neil keeps his promise.

The Proposal by PalmettoFoxDen

Andrew said he was engaged to Neil to get Nicky to stop telling him he would die alone. Now, Nicky is expecting Andrew to bring Neil to Columbia to meet them all. Meanwhile, Neil just found out he's going to be deported. Even though they can't stand each other, Andrew makes Neil a deal. If Neil visits Andrew's family and convinces them that they're really engaged, Andrew will marry him and convince the investigator on Neil's case that they're in love. But if they're going to convince anyone, they'll need to learn a lot about each other.

A Thief and a Liar by ClockworkDragon, gluupor

After two years in prison for a crime he absolutely did commit, Andrew has his next heist all planned out. All he needs is a team of thieves as talented as he is.

An Ocean’s Eleven AU where the Foxes like to steal things, Riko owns several casinos, and Andrew has a score to settle.

Shake My Tomb by exactly13percent (superagentwolf)

Nathaniel Wesninski takes his father's life and his father's title at the age of twelve. He kills a man at thirteen.

At eighteen, Kevin Day comes to him for help.

The Butcher of Baltimore is a name that used to mean something. Under Nathaniel's direction, the Wesninski Family has become an entirely different beast. They are the shadow thrown by the fire of the Moriyamas. Nathaniel isn't one to interfere with something bigger and more dangerous than him, but Kevin's position means something to him. Kevin, and the strange family he brings with him.

Maybe even Andrew, the one that challenges Nathaniel the most—and the one that Nathaniel finds himself drawn to. There's a lot at stake, though, and Nathaniel has nothing left to lose. Nothing but himself.

Pressure Points by puddlejumper99

(Part 1 of Out of the Ashes)

Neil enrolls at Columbia High School and remarkably fails at remaining invisible

False Equivalence by sunrise_and_death

Some part of her had known it would come back to Neil. He was the one who had cracked the twins the first time. Of anyone, he was the most likely to have a solution for this as well.

Although the events of the previous year resolved a lot of issues, Katelyn quickly discovers that not every problem has been addressed. As she attempts to map a future in which Aaron has both her and his family, she finds herself once again working with Neil Josten—to unexpected results.

Only You by wematch

In their second year a deal is made. Andrew wants to explore his boundaries and there’s really just one person he trusts around himself.

Set in a universe where everything is the same except that Andrew never kissed Neil on the rooftop that night. Instead, they just got closer and more comfortable around each other.

stars may collide by broship_addict, llheji

Moonlighting as Abram, member of the city's crime-fighting Foxes, Neil is doing a very bad job at staying under the radar. He's busy enough between his friends, patrol, and bickering with Andrew at work, but with the Ravens gang finally within reach and the reappearance of the Monster, he might have bitten more than he can chew.

(Or, how both Neil and Andrew accidentally fall in love with the same person twice. Lame.)

finger on the trigger/pedal to the floor by badacts, lightning_struck

Neil and Kevin, operatives for the highly secretive US body known only as ‘the Agency’, are very good at their jobs. Maybe Neil isn’t the patriot that Kevin is, but he can recognise the need for people like him, and, if nothing else, he is loyal. However, in the wake of an assassination attempt on the president foiled with the help of talented-but-civilian sniper Andrew Minyard, of the chipped shoulder and the uncanny knack for seeing right through people, Neil begins to question who it is giving him orders.

However, asking questions is a dangerous game. If Neil isn’t careful, he’ll end up dead - or worse than.

falling. by Idnis

The sun was bearing down on the park, on Andrew, on Neil Josten’s sketch, his auburn hair and blue, blue, blue eyes.

After a dozen tries, Andrew clicked through his photos. All the way to the first one. The one where Neil was staring straight at the camera.

Andrew’s breath caught.

flour petals, sugar stitches by ephemeralsky

“Thanks for coming with me,” she says, keeping her eyes trained in front of her.

“It is not like I had a choice in the matter,” Andrew says, blowing out a stream of smoke through his mouth.

Renee’s lips curl into a smile. “Maybe you’ll win our next sparring match and I’ll finally have to buy you ten cartons of Haagen-Dazs.”

“It cannot be worse than tagging along to a bridal boutique.”

“Maybe,” Renee allows, humor in her voice. “But what kind of man of honor would you be if you didn’t come with me to choose a dress?”

(or: Andrew is a baker, Renee is a bride-to-be, and Neil is a dressmaker)

Neil Josten the Sex God by manya

“Okay, look. My friends were kinda getting on my back about me being single, and I said that it was by choice and if I wanted to I could get anyone I wanted. And obviously that’s an extremely presumptuous thing to say, so they told me to prove it. So, uh, here I am. And here you are. And if you’d like to maybe help me out with this, that would be awesome.”

Andrew stares at Neil for a moment that seems to stretch on forever. “You want me to play along with you and pretend that you’re some kind of sex god?”

Crystal Clear by exactly13percent (superagentwolf)

Your crystal is your heart and soul, manifested. You must keep it safe. Neil and Andrew don't have typical crystals. For one, they aren't whole. They're little pieces, broken by years of wrong. But Kevin's magic shop brings them together, and they figure maybe broken doesn't mean destroyed.

Paint Me The Color of You by exactly13percent (superagentwolf)

Sound is supposed to be the language of love. Neil has never heard his soulmate. Never. Except he sees blue all the time, and then he meets Andrew and the entire world turns to color.

The Glass Mountain by exactly13percent (superagentwolf)

The apples from the glass mountain are all anyone cares about. Anyone but Andrew, that is. Andrew is just trying to keep Kevin alive, despite Kevin's attempts to reach those apples again. The apples, and the captive prince at the top of the mountain.

Minyards' Magical Mischief by moonix for alexjosten

“No,” Aaron said. “Andrew, no.”

They locked eyes, and for a moment it was like they were eleven again, catching sight of each other for the first time across a crowded train platform.

“I confess,” Andrew said tonelessly, “to the murder of Drake Spear.”

(Or: an Auror and a murderer walk into an ice-cream parlour.)

If I Tried by exactly13percent (superagentwolf)

Neil is getting used to high school. He ends up getting used to a group of mismatched students, and he gets a little too used to one of them in particular. Maybe enough to go to prom.

library hours by lolainslackss for exybee

Andrew always sits across from the same guy in the library. The set-up suits him: they're both night owls, they're both relatively neat, and they both like the quiet. There's absolutely no need for them to get to know each other. This delicate balance shifts, however, when the guy sprains his ankle and Andrew finds himself breaking all his own rules and driving him to the emergency room.

A wintry college AU featuring all-nighters, homemade sushi, copious amounts of coffee, and many mixed-up feelings.

winter, formal by moonix for lolainslackss

Neil tries to get away from a boring conversation and accidentally ends up asking the most popular guy in school to dance with him at the winter formal.

faking it by flybbfly

After being photographed together, Neil and Andrew decide to roll with the rumors that they're dating.

Hot Thoughts by conniptionns

99: “Calm down. I look a lot worse than I am.”

Neil is hit by a car on the way to Dunkin Donuts, but he's totally okay

The Manny by mishaschmidt

Problem #1: Neil accidentally becomes the nanny of two adorable kids.

Problem #2: Neil somehow manages to fall in love with their father.

Fuck.

The Life of a Star by gluupor

Stars did not get sick and they did not age. If Neil's smart mouth didn't get him murdered (something which had a non-zero probability of occurring, according to Andrew) then he would continue on, immortal and unchanging.

It hadn't occurred to him that the same wasn't true for Andrew.

An epilogue for my Stardust AU.

None But You by gluupor

When Neil was eighteen he met and fell for Andrew Minyard. Their relationship seemed solid and unbreakable until Neil's mother found out about it and made him end it.

Six years later Neil still has a few regrets about breaking up with Andrew but he's completely over it. Really, he is. Although he does have to admit that it was easier to be over it before Andrew walked back into his life and started dating someone else.

A modern day adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion.

Tale as Old as Time by gluupor

In order to protect Aaron, Andrew ends up cursed into the form of a beast. The curse can only be broken if someone is able to see past his fearsome exterior and fall in love with the man he is inside.

Believing this to be impossible, he isolates himself in a run-down castle knowing he will be alone forever. After all, who could possibly be desperate enough to seek shelter with a beast?

Where You Lead by gluupor

When Neil promised Kayleigh that he'd look out for Kevin if anything ever happened to her he'd never expected to be a single teenage father hiding out in a small town. Luckily the town's residents seem keen to adopt them.

A Gilmore Girls AU where Kevin's a kid, Neil's his caffeine-addict father, and Andrew's a grumpy diner owner who loves them both.

Fake It 'Til You Make It by gluupor

Neil works three low paying, dead-end jobs and makes just enough money to afford a room to sleep in and to keep himself from starving. He has no prospects, no hope, no future. That all changes when a chance encounter results in a job offer that he can't ignore.

The job? Pretending to be professional exy player Andrew Minyard's boyfriend.

Andrew Versus the Truth by gluupor

Andrew has an unexceptional life working at an IT help desk in Southern California and living with his cousin. Then he gets an unexpected message on his birthday from his estranged twin brother and very strange things start happening. His computer catches fire, two attractive guys seem interested in him, and he keeps imagining that he knows classified CIA intelligence.

These things couldn't possibly be connected... could they?

Everything is Fine! by gluupor

"Hello," Dan said. "I'm sorry to tell you that you're all dead. This is the Afterlife; your placement here is dependent on your actions during your lifetime. Now, I have some exciting news for you-"

Nathaniel snorted loudly. "You don't expect any of us to actually believe that we made it into the Good Place, do you?"

"Why not?" asked Dan.

He jerked his thumb in Andrew's direction. "Well, before you came in, Exhibit A over here had just finished telling us that he died when he crashed a car on purpose in order to kill someone. What's the cutoff for how many murders committed before someone doesn't qualify for the Good Place anymore? Is it more than zero?"

"Speak for yourselves," cut in Kevin. "I think I deserve to be in the Good Place. I have a large number of devoted fans and am very talented."

Nathaniel was quiet for a beat, before pointing at Kevin. "Exhibit B."

Don't Break the Seal by gluupor

Living with the Spears and feeling desperate and alone, Andrew meets and befriends a seal who can turn into a boy.

In later years he comes to believe that the magical boy he met was just a hallucination. It is therefore very surprising when he meets him again after hitting him in the stomach with an exy racquet in a tiny town in Nowhere, Arizona.

Better Late than Never by gluupor

Andrew should have known not to ally himself with a lying runaway, he really should have known not to trust him, and he definitely should have known not to fall for him.

It's the Thought that Counts by gluupor

Andrew and Neil's relationship has many facets that are confusing to outsiders. The strangest may be their habit of giving each other the contents of their pockets and calling it a gift.

Too Gay to Function by gluupor

After school, Neil started to make the trek back to his uncle’s house when a shiny, black beast of a car screeched to a halt in front of him. The driver’s side window rolled down. “Get in, loser,” said Andrew. “We’re going shopping.”

Fast Boys and Hot Cars by gluupor

Minyard had gotten out of his car and was stalking towards Neil like a predator - a panther, maybe, or some other big cat. “Double or nothing,” he said, sounding unaffected and bored by the proceedings despite the fact that he’d just lost a race for the first time in years.

An Overdeveloped Sense of Vengeance by gluupor

“No one could be following us yet?” Kevin asked suddenly. “No one,” Riko said impatiently. “That would be absolutely inconceivable.” There was a pause. “Out of curiosity, why are you bothering me with such a stupid question?” “Oh, no reason,” answered Kevin. “It’s just that I looked back and someone is there.”

It's a Cruel World, Mr. J by gluupor

“And you? You think I’m a monster?” asked Andrew. “Maybe,” said Neil. “But I don’t think that monsters are born. They’re made.”

A Truth Universally Acknowledged by gluupor

“Palmetto Court has been let at last!” said Mr. Hemmick in raptures. “Mrs. Wymack reports that a single man of good fortune has taken Palmetto for a twelvemonth at least! What marvellous news for my dear cousins!”

It's Called a Hustle, Sweetheart by gluupor

“We need to find out who owns this license plate, but I don't have access to the police database yet," said Kevin. "Relax," said Neil. "I know a guy at the DMV."

bloom (just for you) by godotco

For lack of any better explanation for what was happening, Neil was in uncontrollable full bloom.

- A little slice of witch au turned flower shop au

#all for the game #AFTG #Andreil #Andrew Minyard #Neil Josten #Foxhole Court #fanfic #fic list #andreil fanfic

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ghost-nabbers-imagines · 6 years ago

Text

They Propose: Larry

Larry

(Set like summer after high school before Sal and him have moved out)

The first time it wasn’t really planned.

The gang was out at an arcade. You were playing Dance Dance Revolution while Sal and him were up at the counter deciding what to spend their tickets on.

They had spent the night having a brotherly competition over who could score the most tickets. Sal bought a ton of candy but something caught Larry’s eye. A fake diamond ring. He got that mischievous smirk of his as he traded in his tickets.

The two boys returned to the table Sal now noticing what his step brother purchased.

“Larry are you gonna propose to S/O!?”

“I think so little man. I think it’s time.”

The whole group eventually returns to the table laughing and talking as they enjoy pizza, wings, fries, and beer (except for Sal who had a Caprisun.)

Larry has one arm wrapped around your shoulders his other hand fiddling with the ring in his pocket. He had a small bit of nervousness in his stomach but not as much as he would’ve thought. He knew this was the right move.

“Larry they updated the DDR machine with some new music. They even added Singular.”

“Oh hell yeah you and me have to go dance to Sanity’s Fall!”

He’d excitedly pull you from the booth. Sal had everyone follow pulling out his phone in preparation.

Larry put in some quarters and you too began following the steps to your guys favorite song.

Ash, Maple, Chug, Neil, and Todd were a bit confused as to why Sal made them follow but they all stood around while Sal filmed you both.

When the song came to an end you smiled noticing your score was slightly higher.

“Take that Johnson. Your (girlfriend/boyfriend/ partner) just kicked your ass at your favorite song.” You’d tease as you faced your friends who all had shocked and happy faces. You tilted your head confused making them point to behind you.

You turn around to see Larry down on one knee holding out the toy ring.

Your hand comes up to cover your mouth and your eyes began to water.

“Larry what are you doing?”

“S/O I’ve loved you for a every second I’ve known you. You’re my sun, my moon, and all my stars. I never thought I’d be the kinda guy to propose or to ever want to get married after what my dad put my mom through but I know you’d never abandon me and I can’t think of any future that could be better than one where I get to call you my spouse. The way you get along with my mom, how you always help her around the apartments without anyone asking you too, how you love chilling in my room just listening to music and watching me paint or playing video games together, how you are with Sal and my friends. These reasons and so many more are why I love you and want to spend the rest of my life loving you. So (your full name) will you marry me?”

You nodded your head excitedly the tears falling down your cheeks.

“Yes Lar bear of course!”

He’d kiss your hand before sliding the ring on your finger which fit perfectly. Then he’d stand up and wrap his arms around you lifting your feet off the ground.

You hold onto each other tightly as he spins you around mumbling I love you’s into your ear. Once he set you back down he’d tip you giving you a passionate kiss.

Sal would stop recording and the group would come up congratulating you and group hugs all around.

Larry and you would go into the photo booth and take cheesy engagement photos for his mom

On the walk home he can’t stop holding you and he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.

“I’m gonna get you a real ring babe that’s just a placeholder.” He’d say watching you observe the fake diamond.

“You better not I love this ring.”

“It’s plastic and only cost 25 paper fuckin tickets nah you’re getting a real one someday.”

When you woke up the next morning Lisa was actually sleeping in for once so you made breakfast. Sal helped you come up with the idea of making cinnamon knots.

Larry tried helping but he’s not great in the kitchen and not all that awake. So instead he drew up a pretty note that said we’re tying the knot. He even paper clipped the photos to the sign.

When Lisa came out you had everything all nicely set up on the table.

“Morning mom here take a seat. S/O and Sal made breakfast.”

“Larry what did you do? Please tell me you didn’t drag my sweet Sal and lovely S/O into anything dangerous or illegal.”

“What? No chill we have good news I didn’t do anything bad.”

She looked at you and Sal to see you smiling and Sal doing a thumbs up so she shrugged and took a seat.

Larry sat her coffe down in front of the tray of food and the sign.

She took a sip from her cup before moving her eyes to the food. You could see she quickly read the sign and her eyes moved to the pictures her suspicious expression changing into a much happier one.

When she looked back up Larry was standing with his arms around you as you held out your hand with the ring.

“You’re engaged?!”

“Yea I proposed last night. Wasn’t planning on it but couldn’t wait any longer.”

She’d jump up pulling you both into a bone crushing hug.

“My baby’s getting married!”

“Mom we can’t breathe.”

She’d let go grabbing your hand to admire the ring.

She notices it’s just a toy and eyes her son for a moment before leaving the room.

When she returns she has a small box in her hand.

“This was the ring your father proposed to me with. He’d want you to give it to the person you love.”

She’d hand Larry the ring box. And he looked at both of you silent.

“Mom are you sure?”

“Yes. Besides I have my ring from Henry now. I haven’t worn that in years.”

Larry smiled hugging his mom again.

When he pulled away he turned his attention to you. With that signature grin of his he got back down on one knee.

“What do ya say babe is the answer still a yes?”

“Always will be you goofball.”

He’d replace the plastic ring with a real one but you insisted on wearing the original on your other hand at least.

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vincess-princess · 6 years ago

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Genderbent Crue, p. 2: Vince

(This one turned to be so. damn. big. fucking 1786 words, what the actual fuck. i didn’t even expect it and now i feel ashamed because i wrote twice fewer words for nikki. school’s really getting in the way now and i’m so tired so i’m sorry it took a while and next one will probably too. placing it under a cut because it’s just. so big)

Violet Whitley Neil thinks she was born in the shittiest place possible - Compton. She’s not entirely wrong.

Her parents loved her and her little brother, but she didn’t get to see it often – they were always at work. She knew that, but as she grew older it had become less and less believable.

Being the only white family in the neighborhood was hard. Being the only white girl in neighborhood was even harder. That's why the two things most well-preserved in her memory from her childhood are: 1) Don't go out at night, and if you really need to 2) Don't be afraid to fight for your life, because if you don’t, nobody will.

The second rule was hard for a petite girl to follow, and along with always carrying around a switchblade, she had to find other ways. Like enamoring the local ringleader. Always worked.

She was pretty, and she knew that from unnaturally young age. She learned it from the way the boys looked at her, tried to touch her, wanted to share a desk with her. She wasn’t stupid, and she noticed everything. At first it caused only discomfort, the way boys pushed her around, hiked up her skirt and called her names trying to get her attention. She grew up, and she began to understand why. It didn’t make it more comfortable, though.

She had her first boyfriend when she was ten, and it'd all been fun and games, just children being children. When the games had become too serious she didn't quite remember, but she remembered very well the moment when a pharmacist had refused to sell her condoms, "girl, what are you, twelve?". Someone in the line muttered something indignantly, the others scowled, and she swallowed her resentment and fled. But these disapproving whispers haunted her for the rest of the day.

School was hard and really not worth the effort. Letters and numbers in the books didn't make sense, and after a while she gave up trying to understand them. "Thinking about boys again?", the teachers used to call her out, seeing this only as laziness, and soon she became convinced of it herself. Everybody was saying that good girls should study well and shouldn't date so many boys. Maybe she wasn't a good girl after all, she decided. Not that it really bothered her.

Then Violet heard soul and rock n’ roll for the first time and absolutely lost her mind. She had no money for records, and her parents, though not forbidding her to listen to it, didn’t either. She shoplifted and outright cheated, her favorite trick pretending to be short of money in shops, and everyone liked helping a pretty girl. She lied to her parents that she got a job to explain her constantly growing pile of records, and they were so glad to hear that their daughter didn’t spend her all free time hanging out with boys that they didn’t ask questions. She went to concerts and met new people there, and soon discovered weed and alcohol. She also discovered that she could get it for free if she talked the right way with the right people.

After that school suddenly became an important place in Violet’s life – a place to sell weed. She was making big money out of it until someone snitched to the headmaster about it and she was suspended. The only reason that bitch avoided her revenge was that Violet didn’t want to go to school anyway. When her suspension ended she just didn’t show up.

By that time, tired of all the dangers of Compton and uncontrollability of their daughter, Violet’s parents moved the kids to their aunt’s place. Another school, in which Violet wasn’t interested in a slightest, ended up being all the same. She would come to lessons completely stoned and just sit there, not listening or watching anything, not even reacting when she was called. You don’t need education to be a rock star, so why bother?

Her real life always started after lessons. She had a thing for bad boys, some were from local gangs, some were aspiring musicians, some were rich kids with inexhaustible money and weed in their pockets. She loved sex, and they loved her for that. She laughed when needed, smoked weed in their cars, took their money and never believed anything they said. She was long disillusioned about love – it was always just lust in disguise. The heartbreaker, they called her, and she only laughed at them, those silly boys still had so much to learn. The whore, others called her, and those times she never laughed; she could never force them to change their minds, but she could make them respect her. And she did, with a punch, a scratch, a kick, an insult, because the other thing she learned about boys was that they respected only force.

At this time she started taking part in lip-sync competitions with her friends. She ran around the stage, hair messy, lipstick smeared, and screamed into an imaginary microphone, and people actually liked it. This was the time when posters of The Runaways were in every teenager’s room, and she wasn’t an exception. Hello, daddy! Hello, mom! I’m your ch-ch-cherry bomb! Everyone told her she looked like Cherie Currie, and she believed she could sing just as good. She wore the shortest skirt and the highest heels in her class, and this was probably a reason why a new kid accosted her right after the first lesson to ask her to be in his band. She agreed, of course. The Runaways weren’t formed in one day, and this was a start.

Months went by like this, all days merged into one, weed-smelling, alcohol-tasting, rock n’ roll a constant background theme, until one day her life shattered into pieces. She got pregnant. Her at that time boyfriend begged her to keep the child. Her parents did the same, promising to help her raise him. She was only sixteen. She wasn’t ready. She was scared. She agreed.

Violet was at last kicked out of school. Her boyfriend, who tried to help her during pregnancy, bottled out a few weeks after the child’s birth. She named the child Vince Wharton, the name her parents said they would have given her if she was born a boy. After a few sleepless weeks she understood she couldn’t take it anymore. She had no love for this little red creature, his cries only driving her mad. She wanted back to her careless, free life. She gave up her child for adoption, visiting him occasionally at foster home, more out of duty than of love. After he was adopted, his new family forbid her to visit him, explaining it with her “promiscuous lifestyle”. Not that she was very disappointed by this.

After that Violet moved out to the other part of L.A. Her life never became the same, but it was still better. She worked some manual jobs, her lack of school diploma not letting her to get anything better-paid, but it was slowly driving her insane, all these dishes, all these coffees, all these customers, and she quickly found herself a sugar daddy just to escape them. She tried to resume her singing career then. It wasn’t hard, lots of bands wanted to have a sexy blondie as their frontman. She sang here and there, becoming pretty well-known among local rock n’ roll circle, both for her performances and her wanton lifestyle. Her sugar daddy tried to stop her, and she ditched him that very moment because no man would ever stand between her and her favorite thing. Her new one was a son of a McDonalds owner where she worked as a waitress. He was rich and a cocaine addict and didn’t mind her sleeping around as long as she lived with him. Things were getting back on track, but there still seemed to be something missing in her life, something she longed for since her teenagehood, something she’d never been able to put into words. Maybe because she wasn’t good with them, maybe because it wasn’t possible at all.

One of her friends from school, the only girl she got on well with while there, had been asking her to join her band for some time, but Violet never considered it serious. Her own band was considerably well-known, had gigs and fans, and a band consisting of a junkie who couldn’t even play properly, an inexperienced schoolgirl and an old unsuccessful guitarist was of no interest for her. Girl bands, despite the Runaways’ success, still weren’t taken serious; “they only do it to attract attention of boys,” she often heard, “girls don’t understand rock n’ roll.” She disagreed, but no one listened to her.

Things changed when she got kicked out of her own band, unexpectedly, with no warning. The other members thought that they would attract more girls with a male frontman. Violet wished them good fucking luck doing it with black eyes and missing teeth, but it still didn’t change a thing other than the fact that she’d never come back to that band again. All other options for her proved hopeless – the bands were ready to see her only as a groupie, not as a bandmate, - and she soon found herself digging around her room searching for that piece of paper with a number her friend had given her. Better a shitty band than no band.

She arrived at the place, and she saw them, three black-haired girls who were so alike they could be mistaken for twins but for the difference in their height and age. They could make an interesting contrast, three brunettes and one blonde, people are gonna love the image, but she needed to hear them first. The guitarist was much older than they all, and at first she shook her head at the thought, rock n’ roll was for the youth, after all… but then she started playing, a fast metal riff, and Violet had never heard a guitar sounding so strong; then the drums joined it, the junkie girl smiled like mad and grabbed her bass. Violet looked down, at the lyrics they gave her, and her high-pitched voice intertwined with the melody; and her heart sank, because there it was, there was the thing, echoing from the walls, the one she could never catch, the one she could never put into words. Here it was, in the air, in the loud music, in the messy black hair, in the high heels, in the grin of the junkie girl.

Maybe people wouldn’t take their band serious at first, she thought. But they would make them.

#motley crue #fanfiction #genderbent #vince neil #au #there's exactly one paragraph in this that i'm proud of. everything else is garbage #bullet lists usually have short headcanons... not entire paragraphs...#it's also not very accurate in terms of vince's biography because i haven't reread the dirt in a while #it's only a week left before i finally can get some rest #ah and yep. just because i said violet likes fucking boys doesn't mean that she isn't into girls too #she just haven't realised it yet #*hasn't #anyone even reads this?#motley crue fanfiction #motley crue slash fanfiction

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ineffablecolors · 5 years ago

Text

Thanks to @brave-lassie for the tag!

1. How tall are you?

1.6 m

2. What color and style is your hair?

Chestnut brown and pretty straight and down to my shoulder right now

3. What color are your eyes?

Brown with some flecks

4. Do you wear glasses?

5. Do you wear braces?

6. What is your fashion style?

Gods, everything? I think I’m def more fashionable now than I was 5 years ago but it’s definite a wild mix - from super girly to super gay, from all-black to colourful, hippy vibes, from low-cut tops and high-waist skinny jeans to baggy sweathers and boyfriend jeans.

7. Full name?

Lyublyana Atanasova

8. When were you born?

12th February 1993

9. Where are you from and where do you live now?

I’m from Bulgaria, born in Burgas, now living in Sofia.

10. What school do you go to?

I graduated from a mathematics and science highschool and then got an English Bachelor’s degree at Sofia University.

11. What kind of student are you?

Always been an A student. I’m incapable of procrastination but I’ve also never really pulled all nighters and worked myself too hard. I’d say I’m very balanced and organized.

12. Do you like school?

Loved school! High school and then uni. I couldn’t stop gushing about all my classes and professors at uni the first year.

13. What are your favorite school subjects?

High school - English with a side of all the one-year subjects (Philosophy, Law, etc) and I guess I liked Math and Chestry more than most. University - American literarure, all the culture classes and Semantics. Oh, also Public Speaking was awesome!

14. Favorite TV shows

Once Upon A Time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Series are the cult classics. F.R.I.E.N.D.S, of course, as well as Scrubs, Modern Family and Parks and Rec. Also love anthologies like Black Mirror and True Detective. Oh, and I love the Syfy Alice and A Discovery of Witches! <3

15. Favorite movies?

LEAP YEAR!!! + Anastasia, Tangled and Zootopia, The Jane Austen Bookclub, Pride and Prejudice 2005 and Emma 2009, STAR WARS (only the original 6) and everything Marvel (except the Captain America movies).

16. Favorite books?

Jane Austen’s Emma. Everything by Donna Tart and Jonathan Franzen. Jeffrey Archer’s short stories. Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.

17. Favorite pastime?

Writing and reading (fanfic and OG fiction), visiting friends abroad and playing board games.

18. Do you have any regrets?

In life? I’m very much a person who lives in the present and doesn’t beat themselves up over the past but I wish I’d spent more time with my grandmother and I wish I’d played more with my brother when we were little.

19. Dream job?

Writer and/or book publisher.

20. Would you like to get married someday?

Maybe. I’d love a small, prettily lit wedding on the beach. But it all depends on whether or not I’ll find someone I want to commit to like that.

21. Would you like to have kids someday?

Again, depends entirely on whether or not I’ll find someone I want to do this with.

23. Do you like shopping?

Nah. I don’t mind it in a place like IKEA but clothing and cosmetics and jewelry and ugh, no.

24. What countries have you visited?

UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Austria, Turkey. I think that’s about it. Gonna visit Belgium this summer.

25. What’s the scariest nightmare you’ve ever had?

I think I used to have some repetitve nightmare with a snake in my childhood but I honestly don’t remember my dreams.

26. Do you have any enemies?

Hahha, enemies is such a strong word. Let’s just say I didn’t get along with everyone at uni and I don’t get along with everyone at work.

27. Do you have an s/o?

Nope. Currently looking for someone to cuddle and binge TV shows with and travel around.

28. Do you believe in miracles?

Of course.

If you see this and haven’t done it yet - feel yourself tagged.

#me myself and i

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twelvegrimmyplace · 6 years ago

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Love And Marriage Go Together Like a Nick & Harry: A Gryles Wedding Fanmix

A wedding playlist featuring some of Nick and Harry’s favorite artists, special song selections for the ceremony and reception dances, as well as some of my favorite classic soul and r&b tracks, which are absolutely essential to a wedding in my opinion. Oh, and of course a bunch of absolute bangers for when the elderly relatives dip and everyone’s drunk on the dance floor.

Behind the cut: some thoughts on their choices for the First Dance songs

Spotify Playlist

Introducing Mr. & Mr. Grimshaw-Styles:

Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You) – UGK, Outkast

Listen. I understand this seems like a wild choice but watch the music video and tell me it’s not a great wedding entrance song. Nick would not think twice about those lyrics and Harry would let him get away with it b/c hey, keep your heart, three stacks, keep your heart.

First Dance

Harry’s choice: Harvest Moon – Neil Young

Nick’s choice: Baby I’m Yours (cover) – Arctic Monkeys

Wedding planning was easy for Nick and Harry. Harry is almost always laid back and eager to compromise; Nick isn’t that bothered about the idea of a wedding to begin with. They had fun crafting their dinner and reception playlist requests. There was, however, one exception: their first dance. For months they argued over the perfect song, texting suggestions and playing options while cooking dinner. That is until one night it occurred to Harry they needn’t compromise at all. They would dance to two songs, each of them choosing a song with which to surprise the other.

Harry never bothered suggesting his to Nick because he didn’t think it was his kind of song, but he kept coming back to it. He wanted a song that sounds how it feels to grow old together. For their first anniversary, Harry teaches himself the song on guitar, and for many years after Harry would play it for Nick on lazy Sunday afternoons spent lounging around the house. Nick whines every single time that it is embarrassing and cheesy (it is), but Harry spots the tiny smiles Nick can’t quite hide.

He had no idea what Nick would pick but he thought about it a lot in the weeks leading up to the wedding. His best guess was something fun and upbeat, anticipating a more mellow, classically romantic choice from Harry. Maybe Prince, maybe Bowie, Madonna? Something late 80s/early 90s felt right. By the day of the wedding he bet himself Nick chose an inside joke song that would confuse their guests but make Harry laugh.

He never anticipated that when the DJ faded the bridge of Harvest Moon, the pretty harmonies and sweet sentiments of Baby, I’m Yours would be on the other side. When Harry gave him a look of surprise, Nick shrugged and sang along with Alex Turner in that charmingly flat voice, “baby I’m yours, and I’ll be yours until the stars fall from the skyyyy”. Harry laughed with tears in his eyes as they spun around the dance floor for a minute more.

Dance of the Mums: Eileen and Anne

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Was there any other option really? (and if we want to really dream wild: Adele performs it live at the reception)

#grimmy fest 2018 #gryles #fanmix #this playlist is like 3.5 hours long btw lol #what love to hear from others what they'd choose as the first dance processional etc.#btw if anyone wants this in apple music let me know #I can certainly do that #I couldn't be bothered to do download links this time sorry

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fuzzballsheltiepants · 7 years ago

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The Eulogy

Okay, here it is. The All For the Game fic that ruined @tntwme‘s day. The title should be enough to give a clue here. Read on AO3 if you prefer.

Andrew stood under the lights he had left behind so many years ago. He knew there were people there, facing him, waiting for him to speak: Neil’s family, and his, inside the court, and who knows how many fans up in the stands or around the world, watching on their computers. All he could think was how pissed Neil would be if he could see the court being used like this, the risk of the chairs marring the polished floor.

He pushed his glasses up and adjusted the microphone, because of course he had to go after fucking Boyd. There was no part of him that wanted to do this, but he would never forgive himself if he didn’t. He owed Neil this, no matter what it cost him. Everyone who mattered was there; everyone but Wymack and Bee, who both had preceded Neil on this journey years ago. Renee caught his eye, smiling serenely through her tears. He didn’t know what pictures were showing on the screen over his head. Dan and Allison had picked them out, spending hours going through them, trying to capture a whole life in a few hundred stills.

“Neil Josten was an idiot,” he began, and he saw fond smiles twitch across the dozens of faces before him. “And he was brilliant. He was raised to be a liar, but he told hard truths. His first instincts were always to run, yet he would stand his ground for anyone he cared about. He was taught not to love, but he loved more fiercely than anyone I have ever met. And while he spent the first twenty years of his life trying to be invisible, he spent the last forty never shutting up. In short, he was a conundrum.”

Right then, Andrew wasn’t sure if he blessed or cursed his perfect memory. Every moment was there. Dark haired, dark eyed Neil bolting, then calling him out for not being medicated. Wrapping him up in a bloody sheet. Covered in bandages, layers of fresh wounds over old scars. Beaming like the sun after scoring an impossible goal. Flopping in his chair at the kitchen table, still disgusting and sweaty after a run. Cradling Aaron’s first daughter in scarred hands. Moaning beneath him. Swamped by Matt and Dan’s children. Washing dishes in the kitchen with one of the cats on his shoulder. Reading Green Eggs and Ham in French to the first child they took in because Sam said the sound of that soft language made his nightmares go away. The pair of them lying tangled on the couch, laughing themselves senseless while Neil plotted how to eviscerate some asshole on the internet.

The feel of his emaciated body shuddering as he gasped his last breaths. Then the sudden and eternal heaviness in Andrew’s arms, in his heart, as Neil left his body; left him behind.

“The world first came to know Neil because of exy. While I know for a fact he was inordinately proud of that,” there was gentle laughter from the others, “it was just the surface layer of him. It was the first part of his identity he clung to, that gave him a foothold to become who he really was.

“At his heart, Neil was an advocate. It started small, with him standing up fiercely for his teammate on national television, when all logic would have dictated that he keep hidden. He ended up fighting for all of us that first year, in one way or another, and he never really stopped. He used his platform as one of the best athletes in the world to speak out again and again. Which means I have it on good authority that the head of PR of one of his teams burst into tears when he found out Neil had been signed.”

Said head of PR was sitting near the back of the crowd, balding and stooped; he laughed with the rest of them. Neil had won him over, of course. As he won almost all of them over, in the end.

Nobody likes a smart mouth, he remembered saying, all those years ago. Except you, Neil had replied. Neil had always seen through him. He wondered what Neil would see now. What he would make of the empty shell that was left now that Andrew’s heart was gone. If he would realize that Andrew was just waiting, like the last of the autumn leaves, for a strong wind to come and carry him after.

“I don’t think there’s enough time to go through all of the causes he championed, but I do know that there are so many people in this world who have received support from him. From queer athletes who followed his lead, to the children and cats we gave safe haven to, to his rather biting indictment of the gender pay gap and the infamous Twitter war he engaged in with a certain former President who shall remain nameless.”

Abruptly the agony surged again, clawing up his throat, choking him. He needed to feel those scars under his fingers again, to run his hands through graying auburn hair that hadn’t thinned like his own, to dance unseen by anyone but their cats in the garden Neil had insisted on developing during his retirement. To go back to a year ago, before they first noticed him looking a little gaunt, before they sat in that doctor’s office with the huge window, laced fingers clenching tight with the words “pancreatic cancer” reverberating around them. He wanted to erase the memory of Neil waking up in that hospital bed with the knowledge that the surgery had failed, and Neil shrugging and saying, “I should’ve known a knife would never save my life.”

But he couldn’t go back, none of them could. He looked at the dozen young men and women watching him with their tear-stained faces, the ones who had grown up with Neil as the shooting star they all followed through the darkness, and cleared his throat. “Neil seemed to care about everything, which made most people wonder how he ended up with someone who cared about nothing.” Kevin gave him a knowing look from where he sat next to Nicky’s family. “I maintain that I provided the necessary balance to keep the world from imploding. Trust me, the internet would never have been able to handle Neil on social media if it weren’t for my restraining influence.” A loud “ha!” sounded from someone in the audience and his lips twitched in response. His friends knew well exactly how much—or little—restraint he had ever exercised, how he goaded more than pruned.

“But the truth is, I have no idea how it happened. I don’t know why a man who had been so marked by knives would choose someone who wielded them. I don’t know how he could see through every mask when he wore so many himself. All I know is, forty one years, three months, and six days passed between the first time I kissed him and the last, and it wasn’t enough.”

He stepped back from the podium and looked up at the ceiling. Even he wasn’t sure if he was trying to see the photos that were flashing up on the screen, or through the roof to the sky above. “Thank you,” he murmured, not caring if the microphone caught his words, if the hush that rippled through the stadium was a result of it. “You were amazing.”

#aftg #all for the game #andrew minyard #neil josten #andriel #angst #all the angst #i'm sorry #tfc #the foxhole court #my writing #fanfic

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