#fat father flo

[pastoralnhappy]

Lessons taught your first year pay off by the fourth.

[pastoralnhappy]

If you were raised German, you might understand the struggle to fit in your lederhosen.

[thewriterthatghostedyou]

Chapter Two

Hey guys, I meant to post this yesterday but completely forgot after all of my classes and Halloween activities. Lol. Either way I hope you enjoy! The next chapters for this will be released weekly on Fridays.

Word count: 3173

Warnings: slight language

Divider by @zaldritzosrose

You scoffed slightly as you watched a flock of ladies run ahead of you to the great hall giggling and gossiping as they went. Their frivolous desires that you once shared, seemed to pale in comparison to the duties you had to attend to. You sigh wistfully, wishing that you still enjoyed things as trivial as dresses and gossip.

“I heard the King isn’t going to remarry!” A lady with dark brown hair spoke, fanning herself slightly.

“Truly?” Another lady asked, eyes wide.

“That means Aemond will be king one day.” The first girl snapped her hand held fan in her hands open before fanning towards her overexposed bosoms. “And I plan on being Queen.”

“But doesn’t it bother you that he brought his bastard and mistress to the keep?” A brunette chimed in nervously twisting her skirts in her hands. “I mean the shame of it alone makes me lean more towards Prince Daeron.”

The first lady scoffed loudly and placed her delicate hands on her hips. “I couldn’t give a damn how many mistresses he has now. When I’m Queen they’ll be sent away within a fortnight. He’ll only need me anyway.”

You shook your head ever so slightly, but froze as the proud lady shot you an unexpected smile. “Your dress looks lovely, was it made in the capital?”

You stammered, caught off guard by the unexpected question and ran your fingers through the silky folds in the gown and felt heat rush to your cheeks. “Uh- yes I had it hand tailored by a woman named Myranda.”

“Well you simply must tell me more after the feast tonight, I must confess I’m a bit behind on the capital’s fashions. A sad side effect of being holed up in Rain House for the past few years that I plan on fixing.” The other ladies seemed to flock around her magnetic personality, and you found yourself giving her a genuine smile as she looped her arm in yours.

“I would be delighted to.” You replied politely, as the proud woman led you deeper into the main throne room, leaving behind the ladies that had fawned over her before.

The imposing room had been reconfigured to allow for four long tables the length of the room to be placed and all four tables were filled with food that made your mouth water. There were roasted ducks, platters full of quail, and even a large slab of venison on each of the tables all surrounded by leafy green vegetables and broths that had steam rise from them. You particularly were looking forward to the spiced mutton that had a lovely splash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Although you did notice that there was a notable absence of suckling pigs that had you curious.

There was also a large band of musicians that were crooning songs about brave knights that wore the color green. You tried not to grimace as you and the other lady passed them, but felt your legs turn stiff as you realized that she was leading you towards the Master of Laws and Prince Aemond. Although you had never seen the man before his unmistakable eye patch was enough of a clue to his identity.

“Father!” The dark haired woman said cheerfully as she inserted you and her into the conversion that Lord Wylde was having with Prince Aemond and a few other lords that you didn’t recognize.

“And here is my daughter, Lady Carina Wylde, as I was telling you, your grace. Although I must confess that her companion's name escapes me.”

“Lady Y/n Caswell, I believe.” A strained voice answered before you had the chance to, and you felt the blood rush from your face as you were face to face with Daeron. Your heart was beating so loudly that you thought that the group could hear it, or perhaps just you as it muffled your hearing.

You could barely make out a fat lord laughing loudly due to the ringing in your ears as the conversation quickly flowed away from you for the moment.

The lady beside you, Carina, was looking at you sadly, her perfect eyebrows arched in a way that seemed wrong on her porcelain face. You felt multiple eyes on you as your mouth became sandy at the sight of the man who murdered your family.

You jolted back into consciousness as Carina’s arm lightly tapped your side, and you shot her a small, grateful look, the nearby sounds of the feast returning to their normal pitch. “Yes, my prince. I am she.”

The youngest of the Targaryen siblings swallowed slightly as he looked at you. His own pale face seemingly paler if possible. While his older brother gave you an appraising look. “Ah yes, the traitor’s daughter.” He gave a cruel smirk as both you and Daeron looked anywhere but at the other. “It’s a wonder you were included in my mother’s little ‘wife hunt.’”

“An interesting perspective on the festivities my prince. If not a tad pessimistic.” You looked over to the hooded figure besides Daeron, his face completely covered by the silk cloth.

Aemond hummed slightly, taking a long sip of his wine and eyeing Carina with interest, his gaze on you forgotten. “Well I suppose you’d feel as such, Tyland, after all you are in search of your own wife are you not?”

The name he spoke connected the pieces you could not place as you realized that this was the Master of Coin. The same man the Queen had tortured near endlessly in pursuit of the Crown’s gold.

Although the Lannister line was already secured with Lord Jason’s son as the new lord, you didn’t consider Tyland as a suitable husband. He may be a second son, but as the Master of Coin his position would keep you in the capital. A place that had too many memories of that you would rather forget.

“Perhaps I may have to take advantage of all of the eligible young ladies in attendance.” Another lord cut in and you fought the urge to cringe. He seemed to be as old as the Iron Throne itself and far too old for anyone in attendance.

To your disgust, this remark earned a laugh from all the men present except for Daeron who seemed sullen and quiet, his eyes occasionally flicking towards you.

A younger man with an easy smile, closer to your age waved over a servant carrying a tray of goblets. “Well regardless of the circumstances you must try the arbor red, my ladies!” He handed both you and Carina a glass with a smile. “After all, the crown is paying for it tonight. Aren’t they, cousin?” He nudged Daeron softly with his elbow, and the younger man shook himself out of whatever stupor he was in.

“Ah, yes indeed! My brother must have bought out all the wine in the city for the festivities.” He scoffed with a laugh. “We might as well enjoy it!”

Aemond rolled his eye at the remark, but said nothing as a few of the other lords began to converse. You shifted uncomfortably from side to side as the group split into smaller groups, seemingly already acquainted with each other. You squeezed your cup tightly, your knuckles turning white at the gesture as you looked around for Carina, only to find her and her father talking with Aemond and Daeron.

Although disappointed at the sudden departure of the kind woman, it was the perfect opportunity for you to mingle with the surrounding lords and ladies. And more importantly to escape the somber gaze that the younger prince kept shooting you. A task easier said than done as you scanned the room for any that may be open to a stranger butting into their conversation.

“At least I am not the only one who does not seem to know anyone else.” A smooth voice came from behind you, causing you to jump slightly at the sound, your wine sloshing slightly out of your glass. Although you miraculously seemed to not spill any despite the sudden jolt.

“Oh! My apologies, my lady, I did not mean to startle you.” You released a small laugh at your jumpiness before answering the young men in front of you. His young face had a slight blush dusting his cheeks as he reached out to steady you. Your own face felt as if it were on fire as you took in his handsome features and light blonde curls that crowned his head.

“No, it’s my fault, my lord, I must have been too preoccupied in my own thoughts.” You apologized profusely. “Although I do have to agree with your earlier statement.”

The young man smiled kindly at you before leaning in closely. “I suppose that is due to where our houses were aligned in the war.” He whispered softly, seemingly choosing his next words carefully but you understood the message. Whoever he was, his house, and most likely himself, supported Rhaenyra’s claim.

“Oh gods, am I that obvious to everyone?” You joked quietly, taking a small sip of the sweetened wine.

The man shrugged. “I don’t believe so, but to be fair I think I’m the only one truly sober enough to notice.”

You giggled slightly before returning your cup to a nearby servant. “Well as another mostly sober guest I would like to introduce myself. My name is Y/n Caswell.”

The young man’s dark purple eyes lightened up at your last name as took your hand and gently laid a kiss to it. “Well met, my lady. I am Alton Celtigar.”

That explained the purple eyes. Most likely a remnant of his own Valryian ancestry. You certainly seemed to find yourself gravitating towards Valryians. “You are Lord Clement’s brother.” Your mind conjured an image of a tall imposing man, with similar purple eyes who had been in the capital the same time you were.

“I am indeed.” Alton spun a golden ring around his finger as he spoke. “He spoke highly of your composure at court, although he seemed to leave out tales of your beauty as well.”

You snorted softly before stopping yourself. You could almost feel your septa’s switch slapping your knuckles at such an unladylike action. “My apologies, I just- That was a bit-” You carefully thought on how to word yourself while laughing slightly.

“Too much?” Alton finished for you with a rich laugh of his own. “You must forgive me, I do not have the privilege of speaking to many women while at Claw Isle, I tend to avoid these things in all honesty.” He gestured around at the feast and dancing that was occurring. “My brother; however, insisted that I join him.”

“Well, overdramatic flattery aside, I am glad you came.” You found yourself being honest as you realized that you had been smiling long enough to make your cheeks hurt. Something that you had not done in a long time. “If feasts are not your interest then I must ask: what is?” You suddenly heard the chattering of several women and turned your head slightly to see what the commotion was about, only to look back at the man in front of you when you realized that the One-Eyed Prince and his younger brother were positively swarmed with young women trying to make an impression.

“I enjoy sailing. Although I am partial to hunting as well.” Alton replied, scoffing at the sight of the two Princes surrounded. “It appears that our hosts spent more time training with a sword rather than how to dodge power hungry ladies.”

You giggled again at that before joining in. “I fear blood may be drawn before they take one of them to the dance floor.” At the sound of your laughter, Aemond looked over at you and seemed interested in your proximity with the young Celtigar before returning to gaze at the throng of women around him.

“Speaking of, would you do me the honor of taking to the floor?” Alton offered his hand to you with a shy smile and you took it gladly. “Although I must warn you I am not the most proficient in dancing, you may want to guard your toes.”

You blushed as you felt his warm hand hold yours and followed him closely to the open floor in front of the throne. There were only married couples dancing as the eligible women were surrounding the princes and the single men were drinking themselves towards an early grave. And you and Alton lined up next to them as a cheery jig started to play.

Allowing memory to take over you, you hopped in tune with all of the steps, twirling quickly around your partner you managed to follow the male part’s lead well. Although his steps were clumsy compared to your fluid ones, made second nature by years of practice, the two of you were smiling and laughing happily, enjoying the moment.

“You must tell me more about the Claw Isle!” You huffed out of breath, holding his arm gently as you swayed to the slower tune that had replaced the faster dance.

“I’m afraid that there is not much to tell.” Alton said, breathing as heavily as you, but still in high spirits as he twirled you around. “The Isle itself is small, but I suppose the water is what makes it so special.” The two of you chatted softly as Prince Aemond took Carina to the floor and Daeron followed shortly after with a Peake girl.

You found yourself relaxing in Alton’s presence, and conversation flowed easily between you both. Perhaps the gods had decided to show you their favor for once. Alton was a second son from a good family and logistically would make a good husband for you. But there were also the butterflies that brushed against your stomach as he looked at you that had you considering him as much as you were. You did not think that you would feel it again after Jace, but instead of feeling guilty you knew he was proud of you for pursuing happiness. You were about to begin your third dance in a row with him when a low voice cleared itself from behind you.

“My prince.” Alton said respectfully, bowing slightly and you followed curtsying as well as Aemond made himself known.

“Lord Celtigar.” He said with a forced smile that made your skin crawl. “You seem to be quite taken with Lady Caswell.” He noted and you noticed Carina looking at the three of you from a distance with her father.

“Well, she is a wonderful young lady and-” Alton was interrupted as the prince huffed out a humorless laugh.

“Although I do suppose that makes sense, what with you both being…” He paused slightly. “‘Reformed’ traitors to the crown I’m sure you have much in common.”

You felt your heart race as Aemond stepped closer. “I do hope you think about how that may look to my brother. Lady Caswell,” He turned to you and grabbed your hand firmly, “You must do me the honor of a dance. I do not wish to miss out on what has captivated Lord Celtigar and my bastard nephew so much.” You flinched slightly at the mention of Jace but followed Aemond reluctantly as he dragged you away from Alton who shot you a somber glance before retreating into the crowds.

As the next song began, a slower ballad, Aemond placed his hands on your hips, much lower than Alton had and led you through the steps. You felt your face set on fire again, but for the wrong reason as he leaned in closer.

While your dance with Altan had been full of hushed conversation and comfortable glances, your dance with Aemond was cold and polite and the two of you were silent until he spoke. “I must confess I’m disappointed.” He said finally, sliding his hand up your back in a way that felt too intimate for an unmarried couple. “I expected more from you.”

“I do not know what you mean, my prince.” You said politely, looking at the surrounding festivities instead of him.

“Well you were all too willing to whore yourself out to my nephew for a crown. I assumed you would try the same again with me.”

You slipped out a derisive laugh at that, unable to stop yourself and earning a glare from the prince. “I didn’t agree to marry Jace for a crown, I did it because I loved him.”

Aemond’s face curved into a cruel smile as he looked down at you. “How sweet. And look what that love got him. Floating dead in the bottom of the gullet.”

Your chest rose quickly as you stared at Aemond, barely containing your anger at his mock sympathetic words. Your fear being the only thing stopping you from yelling at the man.

“And you, still unmarried. How sad.” His eyes glinted in sick enjoyment as you focused on calming your breathing.

“A matter I plan to fix soon.” You declared, once again looking to the side instead of at Aemond. ‘Gods how long was this fucking song?’ You wondered in your head as the bard droned on longer and longer.

“As flattering as your affections are, I'm only indulging you for appearance’s sake.” Aemond sneered, gripping your wrist tightly as he leaned closer to your ear. “And I have no interest in my bastard nephew’s spoils.”

You let out another laugh at that and stepped back from his hold, giving yourself space. “I’m heartbroken, my prince, truly.” You replied sarcastically. “Although I had no such interest in your hand, but I am sure that the other ladies at court will be all too happy to have you to themselves.”

Aemond’s jaw ticked slightly at that as the song finally came to a close and you sighed in relief. “Well if it is such an inconvenience to accompany me on the floor you will simply hate joining me tomorrow in the family box.” You gave him a confused scowl as he spoke about tomorrow’s joust as if you were to join him. “Daeron and I are allowed a guest each and I think you have some unresolved issues to fix with my brother.”

You felt your hands grow damp and shake in rage as he continued. “That is a wonderful honor, Prince Aemond; however, I am not worthy of such a gesture. There are-”

“You will join me tomorrow to watch the joust, Lady Caswell.” Aemond shot you a smirk as he regained control of the situation again. “I will see you on the morrow.” He said decidedly before placing a slow kiss to the top of your hand before departing as quickly as he had appeared.

Feeling a familiar wave of powerlessness wash over you, you turned away and took to your seat at the long tables, hoping to avoid any further conversation for the night. Perhaps the gods did not favor you after all.

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[harrisonarchive]

Photo by Neal Preston.

“[George] said, ‘Oh, John would be a Wilbury in a second.’” - Tom Petty, Rolling Stone, January 17, 2002

“John Lennon was and always will be [a candidate for the Wilburys]. Peter Tork is a definite candidate. Michael Nesmith only if he gets back in his jeans and cowboy boots. Arlo Guthrie is most definitely a Wilbury (after all, his father, Woody, was an ancestral Wilbury). The MFQ, Flo and Eddie and Jan and Dean are definite Wilburys. Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Leadbelly, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, yep.” - Audrey Zelenko, Daily News, March 9, 1989

“You might think the Wilburys myth satisfies some longing for the one experience George missed as a Beatle — a bunch of friends playing music for fun, unencumbered by the trappings of success. ‘In a way,’ he concedes. ‘But more than that it was that thing that went on in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, the big craze of supergroups and super jams and everything was super duper. Just getting some famous people together doesn’t guarantee success. More often than not it’s just a clash of personalities and a big ego detour. ‘So I thought we should play it down. Rather than the record company’s natural choice: Look what we’ve got! It took a while to give them the idea of ‘Let’s lighten up a bit.’” […] ‘What I saw as the Wilburys was an attitude, basically. I see loads of people out there who have what I call The Wilbury Attitude. Somebody wrote in a paper things like, ‘Little Richard is a Wilbury, Madonna wouldn’t be a Wilbury but Cyndi Lauper would be.’ It was quite funny.’” - Musician, March 1990 (x)

[revvnant]

i'll do up a proper post tomorrow probably but a few quick changes to movie mike now that the bomb has dropped:

he's still an afton that will never change. sorry i'm a freak. he ( and abby ) and vanessa are half siblings; mike & abby are illegitimate.

i'm trying to decide if garrett died at smoky fazbear's sleepaway camp or at the actual restaurant. on the one hand i really think it would have been cleaner if garrett was like the rest of the missing children. on the other, it keeps him out of the bots and also means mike goes into freddy's blind.

he's not a mechanic. he's smart enough to be able to finagle some things, but he wasn't raised as a mechanic.

jake and flo ( his cardboard cutout parents ) aren't fucking real. he had a mother and a father ( who did not know his kids weren't his, shaggy swooced right in ), but they were like. a normal family. michael has drastically rewritten his memories to be more favourable. they weren't abusive! but this idea of the Perfect Family Life is one that mike mentally cherry-picked.

he is haunted by garrett's ghost, in that he carries it with him. it's not sentient or malicious, it's just. the lingering force of a life unlived.

he's not a good artist. sorry to take everything from him. at least his ass is fat.

[fairymint]

Please repost do not reblog

CHARACTER SHEET ―

FULL NAME: Felix Fae *(subject to change, all shipping verses so far at time of writing are tentatively unmarried.)

NICKNAME: N/A (besides mistaken diminutives for children; "kid", muchacho/muchachito, etc.)

ALIASES: Mr. (birth-22 years old)

PRONOUNS: He/him

HEIGHT: 4'10"

ZODIAC: Aquarius

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Orrean/Unovan (English in a spanish "burqueños" aka new mexican accent), basic child level Kantonian and Paldean.

𝐏𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒 ―

HAIR: Fallow or Agouti, depiction can vary from cream, to red, to black; not explicitly blonde. length may vary from ear to shoulder length. Always tied up when not short.

FACIAL HAIR: Currently sprouting a mustache and beard.

EYES: Pale Green, with 1/4 amber around the pupils.

SKIN TONE: Midtone, tan. not dark enough to realistically show flush, extremities are pink instead of red.

BODY TYPE: chubby muscle- looks a bit round but muscles can be felt under the fat. Thins out at the extremities.

VOICE: Same as the mun's, mildly deep with vocal fry from development.

DOMINANT HAND: Left, manages ambidexterity.

POSTURE: Fairly straight, extremely balanced.

SCARS: simple scars from childhood, notably no visible pokemon scarring.

BIRTHMARKS: brown spot on the stomach.

MOST NOTABLE FEATURES: facial piercings, (nose and two snakebite rings), triple dragon scale tattoo on left hand, eyes that seem to shine and carry a 'lightness' to them; pupils typically hard to locate when unfocused such as with espeon, sylveon, and pikachu.

𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐃 ― 

PLACE OF BIRTH: Agate Village

HOMETOWN: Mintale Town/Agate/Nuvema.

SIBLINGS: @emmetrain (via either Ingo or @gcd-fcrsaken 's Volo), N/A/TBA/none/plot with me

PARENTS: Amadeus Fae (Father), Tulip (possible mother), TBA/plot with me.

𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 ― 

OCCUPATION: Champion/Pokemon Trainer. considering the options of cook, teacher, or stay-at-home dad. also ship dependent.

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Nomadic. utilizing the dorms at Uva Academy for now.

CLOSE FRIENDS: Rival Characters and other Champions by default.

FINANCIAL STATUS: Varies, could be considered "upper" although spends a lot on pokemon training at times.

DRIVER'S LICENSE: N/A? A ride pokemon user.

CRIMINAL RECORD: none, could be charged with breaking and entering had anyone really cared. vigilante justice by real-world standards.

VICES: Fussy, easy to annoy/anger depending on situation, distance/introverted, lust (of both the horny and real definition)

𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄/ Relationships

LOVE LANGUAGE: Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation- typically desperate to accept/understand the other three due to social/romantic anxiety.

RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES:  low maintenance, and yet lights up with love upon seeing partners; Every Time. Touchy-Feely and snuggly. Prone to shower in compliments but yet still as critical as a non-partner. typically slow-mid burn unless touch is taken advantage of. (i.e., selfships typically develop around one year of time.)

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐎𝐔𝐒 ―

CHARACTER'S THEME TUNE: Higher by The Ready Set, or Sugar by Flo Rida

HOBBIES TO PASS THE TIME: Pokemon Training, the occasional video game, food videos.

LEFT OR RIGHT BRAINED: right??? likely full, hard to say.

SELF-CONFIDENCE LEVEL: Intentionally moderate. Occasionally overinflates, prickly. null/numb during childhood.

[bowiebond]

i will back billy x callahan solely because i want to feel the atmosphere and hear the sage thinly veiled words out of Flo's mouth when Billy shows up at the station to pay a fine that may or may not have already been waived and the looks that are exchange between not just billy and callahan but every soul in the room.

gimme.

“Oh no.” Hopper heard Flo’s loud sigh as he dipped his fingers into the donut box Callahan brought in like a good sport. He was younger than the lot of them, so pushing him around was good fun, but he always stuck to being a team player in the workspace.

“He’s back again.” She drawled and Hopper followed her line of vision with a donut half in his mouth.

Billy Hargrove. Huh. Hopper had been out of the office for a bit, focused on patrolling more than paperwork, so he had fallen behind in the office gossip. He watched the scene unfold with curiosity.

Billy walked into the station with a quick scan of the room and smirked when he found what he was looking for. He made a beeline for Callahan who was scribbling out details on a missing dog one of the older ladies often crooned sadly about. She had to stop leaving her damn gate open.

“Officer Callahan.” He greeted jovially, still looking fresh from the pool. The summer was doing him a favour, his tan coming to life in a golden bronze across his skin. His curls were almost dry, frizzing from the chlorine, but he still looked charming with his sunglasses, red trunks and thin white tee as he chewed his gum.

“Hm? O-oh, Billy.” Callahan fumbled with his pen and cleared his throat with a readjusting of his glasses. “Good to see you. Again. What can I- uh…do for you? Today.”

“Oh you know, another speeding ticket. Can’t help it, I live fast and wild, officer.” Billy rested his elbows on the counter and leaned forward with a wolfish grin. “Young and spirited, as your piggy pals would say.”

Hoppers brow twitched in irritation at the insult, and Callahan sighed.

“Billy…”

“Come on, officer, you know I’m jesting. Pulling your leg.” He gestured with a yank that looked more like a stroke, a slow smirk curling on his lips. “So about that fine I’ve been saddled with…” He continued coyly, ducking his head and looking over his shades to peak at Callahan. “Mind helping me out? Just one more time. As your favourite offender.”

“Billy…” Callahan grumbled softly, but was noticeably pink in the cheeks as he put his hand out and made a grab for the paper in the young man’s hand. The blond smacked it into his hand and grinned, gripping it for just a moment before letting go.

“You’re the best, officer Callahan.” He purred.

“No more joyrides, got it? I’m serious.”

“Swear on my fathers grave, Philly.” He winked with a hand to his heart. The older man rolled his eyes.

“Lemme take a look-see, okay?” Callahan clicked around on his computer, brows pinching as he went through the files for the blonds record. Billy stretched over the counter to take his shoulder, giving it a squeeze and rub that made the officer stiffen.

“You’re a real pal, officer. Truly. I’ll be sure to be extra good from now on, scouts honour. If not, I’ll come quietly.” His sly gaze was enough for Hopper to know that was a big, fat lie. Billy Hargrove had kicked up a fuss plenty of times when Hopper picked him up from a bar brawl.

“That’s— that’s good. Really good, um…” Callahan was buffering, floundering for a response and Billy laughed, patting his shoulder twice.

“Cat got your tongue, officer? Be sure to tell her to share it sometime.” Hopper furrowed his brows, not getting his turn of phrase, but Flo just scoffed and Callahan went red, ducking his head back to the computer screen, tapping furiously.

“I’ll take care of the- the fine, just uh- get on home, okay?”

Billy grinned and leaned in, murmuring something Hopper couldn’t quite catch.

Callahan cleared his throat and nodded quickly, readjusting his glasses, a nervous habit.

“Yes, yes, uh- I’ll see you. Okay. Bye.” Callahan turned away, even covering the side of his face from Billy’s view, the blond grinning. Callahan’s wide eyes and pursed lips were on display for everyone else to see.

“Dick-whipped.” Flo muttered and went back to her coffee as Hopper looked at her, brows furrowed in confusion before he looked around the rest of the office.

“See ya around, Philly.” Billy left with that and Powell scoffed.

“That boy has you wrapped around his finger, Callahan.”

“Please don’t.” Callahan groaned, covering his face. Another officer barked a laugh.

Hopper remained puzzled until he clocked out and saw Billy smoking by his Camaro outside, still in his trunks and sunglasses. The blond grinned, all teeth and dangerous.

“Tell my favourite piggy to hurry up, will you? I’m hungry.” He stomped out his cigarette and hopped back into his car, flipping his mirror down to preen at his signature curls. Hopper’s eyes widened.

He opened the door and gave a yell.

“Callahan, hurry up before your girlfriend decides to leave without you!”

Billy caught his eye through the windshield and gave him the middle finger. Hopper rolled his eyes and stomped off to his car.

“Fuckin’ kids. Couldn’t he pick a less troublesome one?”

[carmenpeach]

do NOT interact if you hate mariah carey the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you hate kesha the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you hate anri the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you hate m-flo the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you hate my friend knuckles the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you dont listen to penis music the hedgehog or jazz fusion the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you havent listened to at least one steely dan the hedgehog song, do NOT interact if you like homestuck the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you talk about cat boys the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you hate clown dolls the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you watch stanley kubrick the hedgehog films, do NOT interact if youre a landlord the hedgehog or have ever been a landlord the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you think super paper mario the hedgehog is a bad game, do NOT interact if you think sonic adventure 2 is a bad game the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you have a good relationship with your father the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you play smash bros the hedgehog with a gamecube controller, do NOT interact if you say shit like "wholesome the hedgehog," do NOT interact if you like dragon balls the hedgehog or jojos adventure the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you have not yet participated in homosexual intercourse the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you regularily use twitter the hedgehog, do NOT interact if youre french the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you havent listened to liberated from the world by new deluxe the hedgehog, do NOT interact if youve never participated in fat titty teusday the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you participated in the bowsette the hedgehog "meme," do NOT interact if you are tumblr user rekka007 the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you hate my blog the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you point out my typos the hedeghog, do NOT interact if you hate my clowns the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you screenshot my bio the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you disagree with me the hedgehog, do NOT interact if you think im cringe the hedeghog, do NOT interact if i cant interact with you the hedgehog, and DO NOT INTERACT IF YOU HATE MY FRIEND STRAIGHT YOSHI THE HEDGEHOG!!!

[motsimages]

Some personal thoughts on Harcourt. I haven't really paid attention to her because I spent most season dealing with the fact that we were given a black fat female co-protagonist who is also a lesbian and who is also cute and quirky, but she is actually a very interesting character, rarely seen.

She is like Peacemaker or Bloodsport, literally. She is what would have been of them if instead of becoming assassins the way their father trained them, they left for good, joined the army/special forces instead and ended up being civil servants of sorts, using their highly specific set of skills in not killing people directly (but helping to kill people indirectly).

She has severe trauma, probably from a family like Peacemaker's (she replies "dads" to something he says about his as if she understood and shared the feeling, so she may be more like Bloodsport in that she is aware of her own life and personal situation) and from having killed people before. She has mad fighting and organisation skills which to me say she comes from years of training in the army or so. If she really is like any of them, maybe she was trained as a child too. In any case, her PTSD makes her unable to sleep and a bit of a functional alcoholic (I don't think we see her in her room once in the whole series, when they are resting at home, she is at the bar, beer in hand).

She probably accepted the job with Waller thinking it would take her out of the field (and out of killing people on the spot) and hoping it would be more field-assistance, quiet, follow orders, organise logistics, something like that. But it was Waller and it was Task Force. Maybe it began as a CIA/FBI logistic assistance kind of thing, but she did something wrong, made a mistake and how convenient for Waller: instead of firing her and sending her to a military court or whatever it is they have, she got a new chance.

In The Suicide Squad, she works like any civil servant and eats chips almost every time she is on screen. In Peacemaker, we barely see her eat (we barely see anyone eat, though). She is the first one to make a decision once Flo hits Waller to help them.

So she is a cynic, but has a good heart. She knows she is fucked up, she probably has several mental health issues, (C)PTSD being just one of them, but she is aware of it and she has found the least damaging way of dealing with them: working a lot and drinking alone at a bar, probably until she is drunk enough that it stops her head, but not too drunk to give her problems. She could be taking meds for depression or to sleep but she is doing ok on her own, and instead she takes beer, it makes her feel less crazy, more like any other person. She went to therapy once, years ago, took what was useful for her, the rest she improvised as she needed it.

This type of character is usually a man, and usually he is disconnected from his feelings and his situation, unaware of the pain he causes to other people, entitled in his virtues. Harcourt doesn't think she has virtues, she is better than Peacemaker but not that much (she has also killed innocents, in the name of whoever gave her those orders instead of Peace). She doesn't like him for a while because he is a racist and has no critical thinking skills, he is nothing but a tool and he doesn't even know it.

Usually, when this character is a man, he is also a bit of a sex addict with attachment issues towards women. Harcourt however is an asexual. She has shown no interest in sex and I personally love it, I hope it stays that way. If she is not an asexual (or even if she is, but because society is the way it is, it would be better representation for asexuality if she isn't), she has survived sexual abuse, and she prefers not to have sex if it doesn't follow certain criteria.

She is observant and has good social skills. She knows when someone is being an idiot and when someone is worth a shot. She doesn't trust Leota at the beginning, maybe envies her a bit in that she is not traumatised and can go on with her life as cheerful as always. But she doesn't want her to leave the team (for practical reasons, but personal ones too, she has grown fond of her). She also knows when to say what to encourage people or to make them feel better, regardless of her own personal opinion of them (when Leota is feeling down after shooting Judomaster, Harcourt still doesn't like her and she doesn't trust her, but she recognises Leota needs some support and she offers some words of comfort so that she knows what she is going through is normal and expected and good).

It is difficult for her to create a friendship, she seems to get along with Economos but in a colleague kind of way. It takes her longer to accept she can have a meaningful relationship with her teammates than it takes the others, maybe because she was Murn's helpful hand/higher in hierarchy than the rest, but she was craving to have it. Once she accepted this (and them), she created the group chat and let them share her lonely nights at the bar via chat. When everything is over, she has learnt to appreciate Peacemaker, maybe because she sees herself in him and would like someone to treat her like she treats him, to understand her like he understands her. I don't think it's romantic, although they may confuse the shared experience for romantic love, but they do love each other and probably need each other too.

So what makes Harcourt interesting is that, because it is a woman, trauma, past abuse, emotions and responsibility for one's actions can be explored under a different light. She is not the Badass Woman standard action girl. She is not idealised and she doesn't like being idealised. She wears comfortable and discrete clothes and prefers to not be aknowledged.

In this show, all characters mirror each other, are a door to what could they be if. In this case, she is what Leota could be or end up being now that the door to fighting and killing ("field work") is open. She is also what Peacemaker could have been if he had been able to leave his father sooner. She is a background character who serves as the glue for everyone's experiences, past and future. She is the one that literally and figuratively makes them a group.

[intynidad]

Hey there! I made a request before and you delivered beautifully. Can I request for some Octavinelle content? Some fluffy hcs on how the trio (separately) would react to finding out that the reader s/o is pregnant and with twins

*HAPPY DANCE* little baby fish makes heart go brrrrr (also now I’m curious about what you requested before :D)

A mana potion with extra cupid sighs for our dear anon!

the beginning

have you ever been scare?

not like when you are going down a rollercoaster or watching a horror movie

I mean real pure terror...that’s what you were feeling in this moment

your boyfriend was near your bed with a big envelope in their hands reading the content and looking a certain pictures

Those pictures were an ultrasound…

you were planning to tell them later...maybe in a couple of days

honestly, you were scared...is he mad?

is he upset?

is he gonna break up with you?

you have been hesitating to tell them because you didn’t know how they would react

well I guess it’s time to find out

Floyd

-Nee? so koebi-chan hasn’t gotten suddenly fat ?-Floyd said

-EXCUSE ME ??!!!??- you were equal parts offended and confused

-SHRIMPY IS GONNA GIVE ME BABY EELS!!!- and again with the mood swings

Floyd left the papers on the desk and tackled you to the floor and give you a big kiss while he started to take off your shirt

-Flo-Floyd!! what are you doing-did he got horny out of the sudden?

-I wanna hear my babys~, I help make them so I wanna hear Floyd and (Y/N) jr!-

-Floyd…-you started to tear up and hugged him, god you were so scared for nothing

-I have to tell jade and Azul that I finally bred you, I have been talking to them that is weird that I didn’t get you pregnant when last time I cam-

-FLOYD SHUT UP!!!!-

Jade

his calm demeanor never left his face while his mismatched eyes scanned the paper

-ja-jade, I can explain-you started to panic

-how long-he left the paper in the little desk and stared at you

your hands went to your belly unconsciously-...2 weeks-

the only thing that you could hear is the rising beat of your heart, for the great seven you wanted to cry

-my dear cuddlefish...you know how I love unexpected things, this is truly a beautiful surprise- he slowly closed the distance between the two of you and give you a soft smile while one of his hands stroke your cheek and the other one kindly patted your belly

-please my love don’t cry! the stress is bad for the baby-you couldn’t stop tearing up you were so happy!

-*sob* babies *sob*-you mutter

-Oya? babies?-jade tittle his head to the side

-yes *SOB* babies...I’m pregnant with twins*sobs*-

jade is a reserved man, is difficult to read what is he thinking but now that you are in his arms and he kisses you with such kindness while his hand is gently resting on your stomach I think you can guess what he is thinking and feeling now

Azul

honestly, he isn’t one to go around looking at your things,nononon he is a gentleman

he only look at that envelope because he thought that it could be a contract he forgot to review or maybe some bill he left in your room by accident

He never imagine that it would be this

-zuzu i swear I wanted to tell you but-

-(y/n)!!!!- he practically threw himself at you and gave you the biggest hug in the world

-I will be a father!! I will be the best father !!- the tears didn’t wait to show up,he still a little crybaby octopus deep down

-we need to get a proper crib! NO TWO ! YOU THINK THEY WILL HAVE A MERMFORM ?

SHIT WHAT IF THEY HAVE AN OCTO FORM TOO?? IN THAT CASE I DONT KNOW IS ITS GOOD IDEA TO RISE THEM INTO THE CORAL SEA BUT THEY ALSO WOULD BE A HALF BREED AN-azul rambled

-*giggles* zuzu calm down I only have two weeks hahaha- this octo-dork will be a great father

Reblogs really appreciated!

[pastoralnhappy]

One day you’re just getting your vestments tailored for a treat.

Four years later you’ve matured and everything is custom made to accommodate your massive presence.

[bechloeislegit]

My Spy - Chapter 4

The Bellas had just returned from a meeting with the Dean and members of the Collegiate A Cappella Committee regarding the "vagina-gate" fiasco that had occurred during a performance for President Obama's birthday. They were sitting about the kitchen counter, discussing what they needed to do to fix things.

"What are we going to do?" Stacie asked, looking around at the rest of the Bellas. "We can't be responsible for the Bellas being disbanded."

"We'll just have to win the World A Cappella Championship," Beca said with a shrug.

"It's not going to be easy," Jessica said.

"You're right. It's not going to be easy," Beca said. "But we've been ICCA Champs for three years in a row. That should play in our favor, right?"

"I agree," Ashley said. "And I think we should start by checking out Das Sound Machine to see what we're up against."

"That's a good idea," Stacie said. "I bet we can find some videos of them on YouTube or something."

Stacie pulled her laptop to her and started searching for videos of Das Sound Machine.

"Wow," Stacie said. "There are a lot of videos of them."

"Click the first one," Ashley said.

Beca watched as the girls surrounded Stacie to watch the videos. She looked at Lily and nodded her head to the door. Lily nodded and walked out of the kitchen; Beca followed.

"Can we talk on the porch?" Beca asked, looking back toward the kitchen to be sure none of the Bellas noticed her and Lily leave the kitchen.

Lily nodded and went out the front door of the house. Beca followed and quietly closed the door after stepping outside.

"I know this is random, but have you heard anything from Chloe?" Beca asked as she faced Lily.

"No," Lily said. "Not since that time she texted me her number to give to you. And, that was almost three years ago."

"I thought that might be the case," Beca said. "And I did try to call her once I got back from Spring Break that year, but the number was no longer in service. I can't get her out of my mind. I miss her so much and every time someone even appears interested in me, I blow them off. I feel like I'm cheating on her or something. I can't get past what we had to even think about being with someone else. I just wish I could talk to her, to see if there was a possibility of rekindling our relationship."

"Even after all this time, you'd take her back?" Lily asked.

"I know it sounds pathetic," Beca said. "But, I would take her back in a heartbeat. She's it for me."

Beca could hear her name being called from inside the house. She thanked Lily and opened the front door.

"Beca, there you are!" CR said, seeing Beca and Lily entering the house. "Stacie is looking for you."

"Thanks, CR," Beca said, as she and Lily walked back to the kitchen. "What's up, Stacie?"

"We found out that DSM will be at the Metro Mall in downtown Atlanta next week," Stacie said. "I think we should take a road trip and check out their show. The videos we found of them look too perfect. We think they must have been edited, and seeing them in person will give us a more realistic idea of what they can do."

"We can do that," Beca said. "It will give us a better idea of what we'll need to do to beat them at Worlds."

~~ My Spy ~~

The next morning, Beca was up early. She walked into the kitchen to find Jessica and Ashley each with their laptops in front of them.

"Hey, Beca," Jessica said. "We're all signed up for the Worlds. It's in Copenhagen, Denmark, so we need everyone to check their passports so anyone who has to get theirs renewed has time to do that."

"We also made airline and hotel reservations," Ashley said. "The airfare was a bit higher than we expected, so we could only afford to reserve four rooms. That means we'll be doubling up."

"That's good," Beca said. "Thank you both for doing all that."

"No problem," Jessica said. "I have to call my mom and ask her to check my passport."

"Me, too," Beca said. "I think mine's still good, but I want to be sure."

"Don't forget some of the others may have to do the same thing," Jessica said.

"I'll mention it at rehearsals today," Beca said.

"I'd also suggest they ask their folks to express mail their passports, whether they need them renewed or not," Jessica said. "We have two months before our first break when most of us go home, so having them mailed to us now will help get the renewal process started for anyone who needs the time."

"That's a good idea," Beca said. "Thanks, Jess. I'll mention that as well."

Beca left the kitchen and went back to her room.

"You're up early," Amy said as Beca entered. "Where have you been?"

"I was talking to Jessica and Ashley," Beca said. "We were talking about Worlds and what we need to do over the next several months. You'll need to check your passport to be sure it's still valid."

"I know mine's still good," Fat Amy said. "I had to renew it four years ago to come to the U.S. for school and they're usually valid for ten years."

Fat Amy grabbed her phone and put on a light jacket.

"I'm going out for a while," she said, leaving Beca alone in her room. "I'll see you later at practice."

After Amy was gone, Beca pulled out her phone and called her mother.

"Beca?" Sarah's raspy voice said into the phone. "What's wrong?"

Beca winced as she looked at the time and realized it was only five-thirty in the morning in Seattle.

"Everything's fine," Beca said quickly. "I didn't realize how early it was for you."

"That's okay, I'm up now," Sarah said, yawning into the phone. "Sorry. So, why did you call me at such an early hour?"

"The Bellas are going to Copenhagen in May to compete in the A Capella World Championship," Beca said, rushing to get everything out quickly. "I need you to get my passport and express mail it to me. I have to make sure I have time to get it renewed if I need to. I'm sorry I woke you."

"I'll get it and take it to the post office later today," Sarah said. "What else is going on? I can tell by your voice there's something else you want to say. And don't tell me everything's fine because I'm your mother and I'd know if you were lying."

"I was hoping we could talk," Beca said.

"Hold on," Sarah said, putting her pillows behind her back and sitting up against the headboard. "Okay, I'm comfy now, what did you want to talk about?"

"Um, Chloe," Beca said hesitantly.

Sarah sighed into the phone. "I thought you were done with her."

"I can't help it, mom," Beca said. "I still love her. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true."

"It's been three years, Beca," Sarah said. "She listened to me and has stayed away from you, why can't you listen to me and forget about her?"

"What?!"

Sarah sighed again. "Nothing."

"What do you mean by she listened to you?" Beca asked tersely. "When did you even talk to her?"

"I guess enough time has passed, I can tell you now," Sarah said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "She came by the house when you were here during Spring Break after your father was arrested."

"What did you say to her?"

"Beca," Sarah said, pleadingly.

"Answer the fucking question!"

"Watch your tone, young lady," Sarah admonished. "I'm still your mother and was only doing what I thought was best for you."

Beca laughed. "What was best for me? You mean, like when you shuttled me off to college so I could spend some time with my father? You know, the guy who is in Federal prison for the next fifteen years for being a drug smuggler and dealer?" Beca scoffed. "You know nothing about what is best for me."

"Your father said it was all a mistake," Sarah said. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Wrong place at the wrong time?" Beca sneered before taking a breath and saying, "I didn't call you to talk about my father. But, I now want to talk about what you said to Chloe when she came to the house."

Sarah leaned back and closed her eyes. Sarah sighed again and took a deep breath, knowing in her heart what she was about to tell Beca may well be the thing that sends Beca running away from her and straight to Chloe. She took another moment before replying.

"I told her I didn't know what she hoped to accomplish by showing up here uninvited," Sarah said. "Then she had the nerve to ask me to have you call her because she really wanted to talk to you. As she was leaving I yelled at her to leave you alone; that she was no good for you. I told her that you were over her because you were out with an old girlfriend from High School. And calling her was the first thing you did when you got home."

"Un-fucking-believable," Beca muttered. "Do you realize what you've done? The pain and heartache you've caused me? I could have been with Chloe all this time if you hadn't stuck your nose where it didn't belong."

"I'm your mother," Sarah said. "I only-"

"Oh, for the love of God," Beca interrupted. "Give it a rest! You don't care about what is best for me, you only care about the fact that Chloe was part of the group that arrested dad. If you really want to do what's best for me, then stay out of my life!"

Beca ended the call without waiting for a response. She turned the phone off and threw it and herself down on the bed.

~~ My Spy ~~

"It's awfully quiet up there," Stacie said, looking up the stairs. "Do you think we should go check on her?"

"I think we should leave her be for now," Jessica said. "She sounded upset and may need a minute."

"Jessica's right," CR said. "Let's give her a few minutes, and then we can check on her."

Stacie nodded and remained standing at the bottom of the stairs. Just then, Emily and Flo walked into the house and immediately sensed something was off.

"What's going on?" Emily asked, looking around at the Bellas that were congregated at the bottom of the stairs.

"We just heard Beca yelling at her mom about Chloe," Jessica said.

"Chloe? Is that the girl who was a cop and arrested Beca's dad?" Flo asked.

"That's right," CR said. "Beca and Chloe were a thing when it all went down."

"A thing?" Ashley said. "Chloe was more than a 'thing' to Beca. She's the love of Beca's life. Beca loved her then, and she loves her now."

"From what we heard Beca saying," Stacie said. "Her mother said something to Chloe that made Chloe leave Beca alone. Beca didn't like whatever it was she heard from her mother."

"Is she okay?" Emily asked. "Should we check on her?"

"We were giving her some space," Jessica said and looked up the stairs. "But, it's still quiet; too quiet. I think we should go up."

"We can't all go up there," CR said. "She'll freak out on us. Stacie, you and Jessica know her best. I think you two should go up."

"I agree with CR," Flo said.

"Okay," Jessica said. "Come on, Stacie, let's do this."

~~ My Spy ~~

Stacie and Jessica stood outside Beca's door. Stacie put her ear to the door and listened.

"I think she's crying," Stacie whispered.

Jessica knocked lightly on the door.

"Beca?" Jessica said, opening the door. "It's Jessica and Stacie. We just want to make sure everything is okay."

"Come in," Beca's muffled voice called out.

Jessica and Stacie looked at each other. Stacie opened the door and the two went up the stairs. Stacie peeked around the corner when she reached the top. Beca was sitting up on her bed, staring at her.

"Hey," Stacie said, stepping closer to Beca.

"Are you okay?" Jessica asked from behind Stacie.

"I'm so pissed at my mother," Beca said, sniffling.

"We gathered that," Stacie said. "We could hear you yelling at her all the way downstairs."

"Oh," Beca said. "Sorry about that."

"Meh," Stacie said, dismissing the apology with a wave of her hand.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jessica asked.

"No," Beca said, sighing as she ran a hand through her hair. "Yes. I didn't know it, but Chloe came to see me in Seattle and my mom never told me until now that she was there. Chloe wanted to talk to me but my mother told her I was seeing an old girlfriend and to stay away from me."

"Why did your mother do that?" Jessica asked.

"She said she was doing what she thought was best for me," Beca said.

"But you don't think that's the real reason?" Stacie asked.

"No," Beca said. "I think she was mad because she believed it was Chloe's fault that my dad was arrested. He hasn't taken any responsibility for his own actions and my mom thinks he is innocent and they got the wrong guy."

Beca sighed and looked down at her fingers, twisting her thumb ring.

"I know you girls are all still mad about Chloe lying to everyone," Beca said softly. "But, I want you to know that I'm still in love with her."

Stacie and Jessica both smiled at Beca.

"Beca, I think I can speak for all of us when I tell you," Jessica said. "We've forgiven Chloe. It didn't take long for us to realize she was just doing her job. If she had told us what she was doing, it would have compromised the investigation."

"Jessica's right," Stacie said. "We are all proud of how Chloe helped bring down a huge part of a major drug ring. That's pretty badass stuff."

"Really?" Beca asked, her brows furrowed. "You all forgive her?"

"Yep," Jessica said.

"You don't have to be afraid to talk about Chloe to us," Stacie said. "We all know how much you love her."

"Are you going to try and find her?" Jessica asked.

"I would love to," Beca said. "But I have no idea where to even start."

"I do," Jessica said, grinning at Beca.

"Really?" Beca asked. "Where?"

"Start with Lily," Jessica said. "I have a feeling she has some tricks up her sleeve and can help you."

"That's a great idea," Stacie said.

"I don't know," Beca said. "I've been talking to Lily and she hasn't mentioned anything about being able to find Chloe for me."

"She wouldn't just come out and tell you she could do it," Jessica said. "You'd have to ask her if she could find Chloe."

Beca chewed her bottom lip until she came to a decision.

"What the Hell?" Beca said. "It couldn't hurt to ask."

"That's the spirit," Stacie said. "Let's go see if everyone's ready for rehearsal."

~~ My Spy ~~

Later that night, after the Bellas had finished dinner and were settling down to watch a movie, Beca asked Lily if they could talk.

"Kitchen or front porch?" Lily asked with a smile.

"Kitchen," Beca said and started in that direction.

Lily followed and both sat at the counter.

"Is this about Chloe?" Lily asked, surprising Beca.

"Yes," Beca replied. "I was wondering if you, maybe, had any way of finding where she is? I just want to find out if she's one, okay, and two, if she still has any interest in me whatsoever."

Lily looked down at the counter and back up at Beca.

"I'll do what I can," Lily said. "I can't make any guarantees, but I'll do my best."

"Really?" Beca squealed. "Thank you. Let me know if I can do anything to help."

"I'll start looking now," Lily said, standing.

"I really appreciate this, Lily," Beca said. "If there is anything I could ever do for you, just name it."

Lily nodded and left Beca sitting alone in the kitchen.

After a few minutes, Beca got up and rejoined the girls in the living room.

"Well?" Jessica whispered as Beca sat next to her.

"She's going to see what she can do," Beca whispered.

Jessica threw an arm around Beca's shoulders and gave her a side hug. Stacie saw this and looked at them with raised eyebrows.

"Lily's going to look for Chloe," Jessica mouthed to Stacie.

Stacie smiled and gave Beca a thumbs up. Beca sat back, smiling and nodding her head. She just knew Lily was going to find Chloe.

~~ My Spy ~~

A few days later, Beca had bid everyone goodnight and went up to her room. Fat Amy was out, so Beca was alone. She was surprised by a knock on the door.

"Come in," Beca called out.

Lily came up the stairs, waving some papers as she came into Beca's view.

"I found something," Lily said.

"What did you find?" Beca asked eyes widened in surprise. "Do you know where she is?"

"It took some digging," Lily said. "I had to follow her trail around the U.S. and a few other countries. She's been busy."

"Okay," Beca said. "Do you know where she is now?"

"As of today, Chloe was in," Lily said as she looked through the papers in her hand. "Atlanta."

"Chloe's in Atlanta," Beca said, excitedly. "Oh, my God! I can't believe she's that close. Do you know where she is in Atlanta?"

"I can't pinpoint an exact location," Lily said. "I can keep trying, but I'm not confident we will know more than she is somewhere in Atlanta."

"Thank you for doing this," Beca said. "I feel so much better since I think it's safe to assume she's still alive and okay. If you find out anything more, please let me know."

"I will," Lily said, handing the papers with her notes to Beca. "Goodnight, Beca."

"Goodnight," Beca said as Lily made her way down the attic stairs.

Beca looked through the papers Lily left with her. The list of places Chloe had been was fairly extensive. Over the past three years, she has been to New York, Oregon, California, Germany, and Australia. And now, Atlanta.

"She must still be working as an undercover agent," Beca muttered. "I wonder what she's working on in Atlanta."

Beca continued reading until tiredness took over. She put the papers on the nightstand and climbed under the covers. She laid down and was asleep within minutes.

Chloe flopped back on the bed, laughing as Beca crawled her way up Chloe's body. Beca kissed every inch of Chloe's bare skin as she made her way up, finally landing on Chloe's lips. The kiss was full of passion and want.

"Ready for another round?" Beca asked in between kisses.

"I'm ready for round 3," Chloe responded, in between more kisses. "And round 4, and round 5,-"

"God, I love you," Beca whispered before fully capturing Chloe's lips.

"Wait, what?" Chloe murmured, gently pushing Beca back to look at her face. "You love me?"

"Yeah," Beca said, moving to sit on the bed and look down at Chloe. "Of course, I love you."

Tears came to Chloe's eyes as she stared at Beca.

"I love you, too," Chloe finally whispered.

A big smile came to Beca's lips as she slid back on top of Chloe and kissed her. Her smile suddenly fell when Chloe was no longer under her.

"Chloe? Come back!" Beca cried out. "I love you!"

Beca sat up with a start and looked around. She wiped both hands down her face and mumbled into the darkness, "Where exactly are you, Chloe Beale?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N (actually just a friendly reminder): Next week is BeChloe Week 2021 and I will be participating. I may or may not have the next chapter finished in time to post on Thursday. I'll have to see how the week goes.

[becamitchellsbeats]

Bechloe - Skype Night

Inspired by the Bellas performance of Love On Top!

Beca is isolating alone and is missing the Bellas more than she cares to admit. One skype call and a spontaneous burst into a song later and everything changes.Might continue it so lemme know your thoughts!]

-

Beca's music career had been put on a temporary hold as she was made to isolate at home, her hand wrestling to the bottom of yet another chips packet as she flicked through the TV channel for the 17th time. "Well this officially sucks" she groaned to herself, tucking her legs in closer as she eyed a photo frame on the TV cabinet,  it was the Bellas graduation photo, looking back at it she wished she smiled more for the photo, she looked so grumpy, especially when compared to Chloe who her eyes focusing on Chloe in particular.

Beca hadn't seen Chloe in around 2 months which felt like agony seeing as she was used to seeing her daily, not that she'd ever admit it. The emptiness of her apartment was also driving her insane, she was in a position of wanting company but not wanting to ask for it, especially considering it had bizarrely became against the law for the time being, something she never could of seen coming.

See, everything went to crap when the Bellas graduated, a virus had taken the globe by storm, and university life had changed drastically, Beca was glad they had graduated before all the changes but it now meant she was isolating alone.

Fat Amy, who said she'd be Beca's 'roomie for life' received a 'dodgy' lump sum from her father so of course she was off living in a massive house somewhere and Chloe, who was her other potential roommate had gone and got herself stranded abroad whilst helping out at a vet overseas to gain more exotic animal experience.

Beca reluctantly removed herself from the sofa, dragging her feet across the wooden flooring as she made her way into the bathroom. She stared at herself in her mirror, her bottom lip tugging as she winced at the sight. Hair tangled, Cheetos dust staining her once white t-shirt and chipped black nail paint.

Tired eyes looked her reflection up and down, her hand lazily hitting the nozzle on the taps splashing herself with some cold water. "Okay Mitchell, you need to sort yourself out jeez" she said whilst waving her finger at herself in the mirror, pointing at herself somewhat sternly, then lightly smirking at herself for her own weird behavior. "I'm officially losing it" she admitted.

Feeling motivated to freshen herself up Beca jumped in the shower, warm water running down her body as she collected her thoughts. Stepping out the shower and feeling immediate regret as the cold air wrapped itself around her body, she shuddered, eagerly grasping for her towel as her wet hair now covered her eyes. She huffed, trying to blow the clingy wet hair off her lips as she blindly reached for her hair brush. Groans filled the bathroom as her hairbrush tore through the knots in her hair, her eyes watering from some particularly painful knots.

Fully clothed and nails now painted Beca had just finished on putting on her signature eyeliner. She sat in her bedroom, that was surprisingly still tidy, but that was because she had barely managed to remove herself from the sofa. She rarely socialized nowadays, other than her occasional skype calls with the group, but she always felt funny about joining calls, she was a bit awkward about having her webcam on and well, all of them insisted they have them on so she'd often opt out.

Beca however was eager to speak to Chloe, which was hard to do as she was a key worker at the vet she was helping out at abroad, with time zones and Chloe's long hours she was often exhausted so she rarely had the time and Beca felt weird reaching out to the others, she refused to come across as clingy but secretly felt sad whenever they left their skype calls. She even felt disappointed when Jessica left her.

Her hand moved to flip open her laptop lid as she adjusted her hair once more "I'll just call her, she'll be home" she mumbled to herself as her mouse hovered over the call button on Chloe's contact.

"Why do I feel so damn nervous" she said fidgeting as she stared at her username "Okay after 3, i'll click the damn call button" she moved her mouse up once more as she counted to three, pressing down on the green button as her own video filled the screen whilst a ringing noise echoed out her laptop speakers.

"Man I hate staring at myself like this" she muttered as the whole screen was filled by her camera.

A red circle, with a hang-up symbol filled the screen. Beca's heart sank. "Bad timing?" she wondered.

_______________________________________________

Chloe's heart raced with excitement when Beca called. She was getting worried about her since she had been so far away, she would often flood her with texts making sure she was eating and drinking enough. She knew Beca was down about not being able to carry out with her record label work and she wanted nothing more than to be there with her, but she knew she'd been neglecting Beca lately, she just didn't have the time and the time gap only worsened things.

"You guys Beca is calling give me a second I'll add her!"

DontBelieveInLadders: [Quick AMBUSH her!]

________________________________________________

Chloe's icon flashed up on Beca's screen it was her wearing sunglasses cuddling a baby fox, a new photo it seemed. Beca now focused her attention on her laptop that was now ringing as it flashed up "Chloe Beale + 8 others" "Group call?" Beca wondered as she clicked the green phone icon.

"BECAAAA!" the group greeted in unison. "Oh sweetie you look so good!" Chloe said with a grin who was also visible on her webcam "And you've got your camera on! I'm so glad" she said excitedly."Someone made an effort" Fat Amy teased, taking notice of Beca's stylish yet casual appearance.

Beca looked away from her camera awkwardly "What? I always get ready pfft"

"You literally have no where to go" Fat Amy responded in a pitchy yet blunt tone "But thats okay Beca, self-care is important and Impress-Chloe-Care even more so"

Beca rolled her eyes "How long you guys been on a call for anyways?" her hands fidgeting with the items on her desk, just out of shot of her camera.

FlippingThroughBorders: {Oh we just started} Flo typed on the message box below

DontBelieveInLadders: {We're still waiting for Stacie and still setting up bits} commented Aubrey as she rustled around in the background for her physical webcam to plug in.

_______________________________________________

Stacie laid in bed, browsing memes on her phone, her attention was diverted when Emily's text popped up {Heeeey hurry up and join the group skype call!} Stacie dangled over her bed and grabbed her laptop from underneath her set of bedside draws. She blew the dust off the top of it and opened it up "I've not used this bad boy in a while" she said as she turned it on, the battery flashing orange from where it was getting low.

As she opened up her search engine it flashed up with her old google tabs, an explicit site was restored and automatically started playing the last video she was watching. Stacie's eyes widened "Well that's quite the greeting," her eyes bulging as she looked the model in the video up and down before shaking her head and closing the tab. "Now is not the time for that" she laughed to herself as she launched skype and joined the chat.

"Hey you guuuuuys" she greeted with a toothy grin. The Bellas greeted their soprano cheerfully., Stacie's eyes focused on Beca "Look who finally learned that isolation doesn't mean isolating from virtual calls!"

Beca rolled her eyes again "I join in!""Occasionally" Emily countered."Or when Chloe is in the chat" Fat Amy coughed

"Aw poor Beca" Flo said into the mic now she had got it set up.

Beca began snapping her fingers rhythmically, gaining even more attention from the group. "I'm not doing this with you guys"

"Ba bah bah ba, ba" Beca hummed trying to drown them out

"What is she doing?" asked Emily"Ba ba bah da..." Beca continued "is that?" Aubrey raised an eyebrow "I recognize that arrangement, is that, Queen B?" Aubrey said enthusiastically as she leaned forward in her seat.

"Oh my god you guys are we going to sing?" Chloe said excitedly clasping her hands together as she bounced in her seat.

"Aw yeah!! lets sing together tonight you guys" Emily beamed"Okay legacy calm down don't ruin it before we've begun" Amy groaned.

The Bellas began snapping their fingers and harmonizing as they began to develop more of a beat for the song Beca was starting off.

"Here we go" said Fat Amy as the beat had been accomplished.  A grin slowly tugged at Stacie's face as Lily began beatboxing. "i'll bring  owowowo beat in"

Beca glanced away shyly as she sang into her microphone.‎"Honey, Honeyyy, I can see the stars, all the waaaay from here, can't you see the glow on the--"

"windowpane" the girls harmonized in unison

"I can feel the sun, whenever you're near, everytime you touch me I just melt away" Beca's eyes glanced at Chloe occasionally as she continued singing.

Fat Amy then jumped in with a solo "Everybody asking why i'm smiling now from ear to eaaaarr!" ("You can say love hurts") "Well I knooooooow-OHHH" ("It's gonna take a little work") Fat Amy said raising her fist passionately.

"Nothings perfect but its worth it, after fighting through my tears!" Stacie sang strongly

"And finally you put me first!"  (dah-dah) the Bellas all sang in unison

The Bellas danced together, doing hand gestures and performing together in perfect harmony. As the song continued Beca felt herself feeling more confident again, her heart feeling full as it felt like everyone was finally with her again.Her eyes closing as she found herself getting lost in the moment.

"Chloe its you, you're the one I love, you're the one I need!"

"You're the only one I see, C'mon Chloe its yoooooou"

Beca blurted out raising the octvave as they were reaching the end of the song "you're the one who gives your all, you're the one I can always call!" the girls continued the beat but stared at her. This was the version Beca would sing on her own, as she often would change song lyrics to fit how she felt.

"When I need to make everything stop, finally you put my love on top"

Chloe paused for a moment, failing to continue singing as her mind tried to grasp the lyrics that had just left Beca's mouth, her face reddening with slight tinges as started singing through her smile and teary eyes.

Being a supportive team the girls continued to hold off on teasing her, after all it was one of the Bellas standards not to let distractions interrupt a performance. Fat Amy couldn't help but smirk as she sang, she was itching to tease Beca.

The DJ was in her own world, snapping and swaying in her seat, singing with her eyes closed she hadn't even realised what she had said untilt he girls changed the lyrics themselves.

"Oh Baby I can feel the wind whipping past my faaaace" Beca sang

"As we dance the night awaaaay" the girls harmonized.

"And girl your look it tastes like a night of champagne"  (oooh) Chloe sang solo

"As I kiss you again and again and again and again" Aubrey chimed in.

As the song continued the girls began grinning, looking over at Chloe and Beca, then back to eachother as they all nodded, clearly on the same wavelength as the song progressed.

"CHLOE ,its yoooou" they sang raising the octave.

"you're the one Bec loves! you're the one Bec neeeeeeeeds"

"WAIT, GUYS" Beca yelled as her face went a shade of red she had never gone before.

"You're the only one she sees! c'mon Chloe its yoooou, you're the one who gives your all, your the one Bec can always call, when she needs you everything you DROP,  finally! you say your love out loud"

"Baby, you're the one that I love, you're the only one that I need!" Chloe sang loudly with a cheeky wink as Jessica and Ashley dominated the top notes.

"C'mon Beca its yoooooou" the Bellas sang in harmony

"When I need you everything stops, finally you put my love on top" the group then faded out to a stop.

The girls all cheered and celebrated as they finished the spontaneous arrangement of love on top. "Crushed it" Amy said with a fist bump.

Beca had already retreated behind her hands, wishing nothing more than to have a wheelie-chair so she could move herself off screen with speed.

"So Beca, remember the last time at the ICCAS when you changed the lyrics, well this was certainly distracting but, it kinda sounded like a confession" Aubrey teased.

"Hmm, thats so ODD Aubrey, I TO was thinking that sounded like a confession to me"

"I mean I got ripped a new one for performing an orginal song at that riff off, but to lyric change Beyonce, you're bold Mitchell" Emily joked.

"Aw don't tease her guys, shes drowning, although Beca, you should know, I've experienced  drowning for real,so this is better" Flo joined in.

"There was no hiding that Becs, surprised you didn't notice!" Stacie grinned

Beca groaned "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you" she said behind the safety of her hands.

"Well duh, it wasn't my name you sang the word 'LOVE' next too, quarantines got you all soft huh" Stacie couldn't help but tease.

Beca slowly dragged her hands down her face, peering out from the tips of her fingertips. "It was that obvious huh... guess thats what happens when I have the place to myself to sing the wrong damn version."

Chloe cleared her throat "Well I for one found that really sweet Becs" she said with a smile that met her eyes as her hand rested on her chest "Honestly my heart is pounding! its a good thing I know how to do CPR well on animals but, y'know" she fanned herself with her hand feeling flustered.

"Yeah um that wouldn't work Chloe, you can't do CPR on yourself" Fat Amy said shaking her head.

"I-I know that its just" Chloe went red "I just--" she threw her hands up in the air "Oof just get over her and kiss me Mitchell, screw this virus, lets just isolate together"

Beca looked up "Man this is so embarrassing this wasn't meant to come out like this and--"

"I'm glad honestly!" Chloe said with a grin "it just makes being a part from you even harder" she whined.

"I just wish you weren't so many miles away" Beca groaned

"Y'all need a ride because I can fly a plane, I just ain't got no licence officially at least" Cynthia Rose commented with a slow nod. "If you know what I mean" she said clicking her tongue.

"Thats so sweet of you but highly illegal, the Bellas have been in enough trouble in the news so we better do things legally this time, ahem, that goes to you too Amy" Chloe said suspiciously looking over at Amy who had moved off camera.

"Whaaaaat" Amy groaned "Its not like I was up to anything suspicious on a dodgey website just now"

"C'mon ladies lets give these two lovebirds some space and go gossip in another chat!" said Emily as the Bellas all began to retreat from the call so only Beca and Chloe remained.

Chloe placed her hand on the screen "Can't believe i'm only saying this now after like what, three years but, I love you Beca"

"I love you too Chlo"

- End of part -

[baldrambo]

On Jim Hopper....

After reading a myriad of analyses and meta on Hopper’s character in S3 on Tumblr/Reddit/Twitter/everywhere, I've come to realize that my understanding of his character and his arc is very different than most interpretations I've seen.  And it frustrates me because i think ultimately, the criticism of him is unfairly harsh and misses the point of his arc.

I will make a few bold assertions (bold=likely unpopular) and address them under the cut because the more I’ve thought about this the longer it got and I want to appropriately address each point.

Assertion 1: S1 Hopper is NOT the Hopper we want, in fact, this is regressive! Hopper and we should be glad he’s gone

Assertion 2: S1/S2 Hopper is inappropriately romanticized and it created unrealistic expectations for Hopper’s characterization in S3

Assertion 3: The circumstances in S3 are dramatically different than S1-S2 and drive the changes we see in Hopper’s characterization in S3

Assertion 4: Hopper and Joyce’s arguing in S3 was a symptom of a shift in their relationship dynamic, and not OOC

Assertion 5: Hopper's negative character traits were intentionally amplified in S3 as a juxtaposition for his redemption arc coming in S4

Assertion 1:

When we are introduced to Hopper in S1 he is a pill-popping womanizer. He is a jerk. In episode 1, he shows up to work hungover cracking "your mom" jokes and when Flo tells him that Joyce is worried about her missing kid he dismisses her and says "I’m gonna get on that." A frantic Joyce has to beg him to look for her son and during the conversation, he's throwing in interjections about screwing Chrissy as a teen in the back of his dad's Oldsmobile and somewhat snidely inquiring about whether Will is gay. Not a very nice dude.

It's not until later in the episode when we learn that he had a daughter who is now dead, and begin to suspect that perhaps there is more to him than the jerk-off cop from a small town. And then the first real introduction we get to Hopper, the real Hopper, is in 1x2 when an agitated Joyce asks him "wouldn't you know your own daughter's [breathing]?" He nearly caves then, caves under the weight of his grief, the pressure of dealing with a case of a missing kid, feeling empathy for what Joyce is going through. So what does he do? He retreats to his cruiser as soon as possible and pops a pill. Why? Because he cannot handle the grief and emotion. So he medicates it away.

For anyone who has ever been on Xanax (or see i.e. Benzos in general) they are typically prescribed to dull intense emotions, such as a anxiety attack. You can be in the middle of an anxiety attack (shaking, crying, unable to breathe), and a Xanax kicks in and it halts the entire thing.  You feel nothing.  When you're in pain, physical or emotional, it kills that pain almost instantly, too. And that’s what makes it so addictive. And it's not just pain that it kills, but pretty much all emotion with it.

Hopper in S1 is popping Benzos because he is at the lowest point in his life. He lost his daughter and his purpose in life. He is merely existing. He feels like a curse. Part of him even seems to feel responsible for Will's disappearance for no other reason than his own misery. Think about 1x1-1x7 Hopper for a second: can you remember a scene when he smiles? Laughs? Gets angry? Cries? Shows really any emotion at all? I've watched s1 multiple times and I don't remember one. He's so heavily medicated that he isn't feeling ANYTHING.

But then in 1x8, we finally get a glimpse of the real Hopper in glimpses of his backstory. A man laughing and playfully throwing around his daughter. We see a broken man crying in a hallway. We see a tender man reading to his daughter. This is the real Hopper who isn't just existing as Hopper is in S1, but living.

Hopper saving Will, this is the very beginning of his redemption. In that moment, he is able to bring Will back. Save him in a way he couldn't with his own daughter. That wall he’s built, quite artfully, is finally cracking.

So you see. S1 Hopper isn't what we want. S1 Hopper was in a deep dark cave. Sure, he was kind to Joyce. Helpful. He listened. He didn't lose his temper. But it's easy not to lose your temper when you're not feeling anything. It's easy to be calm and rational when you’re emotionally detached. But what kind of life is that?

Assertion 2:

In S2, Hopper is already different. In 2x1 our first introduction to Hopper is positioned similarly to S1. He pulls into the station in his police car. He's still grouchy, he's still joking around about dumb shit (dating Bob Derek) but we see a real smile from him. He goes with Joyce and Will to Will’s appointments at Hawkins Lab (we don't know how often but it's obviously frequent enough that Owens jokingly refers to Hopper as Will’s “Pop”). Hopper has a purpose again. To protect Will and Joyce, keep them safe. These are externalities.  And as someone as riddled with trauma as Hopper is, externalities make it easier to function.  Hyper-vigilance and overprotective/controlling behavior aren’t exactly admirable qualities, but they come in handy when the people close to you are threatened by inter-dimensional shadow monsters.

It’s at the end of 2x1 when we are introduced to the biggest change for Hopper: he has El. Someone to “feed, protect, teach.” And love. Turns out, love is a feeling.  And with one feeling comes many feelings.  She brought him out of that deep dark cave so now Hopper smiles. Laughs. Cries. Loses his temper. And with those feelings come all of his own insecurities, imperfections, fears.  He confides in El at the end of the season about some of these fears: he believes himself to be a black hole.  A black hole that took Sara.  Almost took Will. And could take El too and he is terrified that will happen. He apologizes for some of his bad behavior.  And we see El forgive him because she not only loves him, but recognizes that his anger and fear come from a different place than Brenner’s did.  Hopper isn’t exhibiting controlling behavior to manipulate her.  It’s because he loves her.

But here’s the thing. His apology and his and El’s recognition of his toxic behavior doesn’t make it okay, and it doesn’t magically make it disappear moving forward. 

The 2 year gap between S2 and S3, I think, gave us a lot of time as a fandom to create the Hopper we wanted in our minds.  A Hopper that moved past his trauma at the end of S2.  A Hopper that didn’t lose his temper anymore because he apologized to El. A temper he can shut off now because the Gate is closed. A Hopper who would patiently wait around for years until Joyce was ready for him and had moved on from Bob.  A Hopper who would be fine with sharing El with Mike because love conquers all. A Hopper viewed through rose-colored glasses.

But this isn’t realistic.  Trauma can often be complex and in Hopper’s case, compartmentalized, making it easy to burst forth at any given moment and often inappropriately so.  It can make you act badly, irrationally. It can be 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. And as an audience, I think a lot of us didn’t expect this to be a part of his storyline in S3.  The expectation was that there would be continuous upward growth from his arc in S2 and when that didn’t happen, it was the subverted expectations that led to the disappointment in how his arc was handled in S3.  But this disappointment doesn’t mean his arc didn’t make sense.

Assertion 3:

The Hopper we see at the end of S2 seems content.  He has El. He has Joyce’s friendship. Things are at peace, the gate is closed. All is well. Or so we think. The Hopper we see at the beginning of S3 is miserable, lonely, sad, fat, and angry. It’s kind of jarring. But so are the circumstances at the beginning of S3.  In S3, there is no longer an active threat. Everyone is starting to move on from the events of S1-S2.  Joyce and El don’t need his protection anymore because there is no active threat.  His hyper-vigilance leads him to almost shooting Betsy Payne’s dog, not shooting inter-dimensional demodogs.  His overprotective/ controlling instincts are no longer useful they’re annoying, over the top, and just plain toxic. 

In short, there are no longer externalities for Hopper to focus on, so all he has to focus on is himself.  And he is not good at doing that, because that means focusing on his fears, insecurities, and imperfections. And the circumstances at the beginning of s3 give him plenty to personally angst about The two major ones:

1) El is growing up. This is normal, of course.  Little girls become teenagers who become adults. But El isn’t a normal girl, and Hopper is not a normal Dad.  El has superpowers, and she is not a kid anymore.  She is a teenager with a boyfriend, she doesn’t need him the same way she used to, and Hopper cannot protect her the way he used to. Hopper lost his daughter when she was ~6 years old and he didn’t get to raise El for the first 12 years of her life. They’ve missed out on so much together.

And here’s the tragic thing: eventually, she will become an adult, and she will no longer need him at all, theoretically.  Hopper isn’t her biological father.  So what ties El to him, other than her need for him to protect her? In his mind, nothing.  In his mind, her growing up means turning 18 and leaving him.  Permanently.  He can’t lose another daughter. That would break him.  So what does he do?  “Try to stop the change.  Turn back the clock.  Make things go back to the way things were.” When she was his little girl he was not in danger of losing her. And because he has trauma, because he is unable to handle his emotions, he takes it out on Mike and Mike/El’s relationship. He takes it out on their closeness. This symbol of her becoming an adult.

2) Joyce is moving away.  Understandable, of course.  Her youngest son was snatched by the Demogorgon and she had to venture into another dimension to bring him back from near death, he was possessed in S2, and her boyfriend was brutally murdered in front of her. I would want out of there, too. But doing so means leaving Hopper behind.  Joyce, the one other constant in his life, who he can talk to about anything, who he relies on for parenting advice for El, who he can trust completely, who is always there for him, who he loves (who perhaps he’s always loved). And she’s leaving him behind.

So he thinks maybe, maybe, if he make her feel safe, if he gives her a reason to stay (him)...that she will.  But she stands him up and she doesn’t just stand him up, it turns out it’s because the threat was back and he not only didn’t realize it but wasn’t able to keep them all safe from it, despite that being his sole driving force.  He had one job.  And he failed.

So, you see, Hopper’s character arc in S3 is about him, and not the externalities in S1-S2.  He cannot hide behind the danger anymore.  He can’t hide behind “feeding, protecting, teaching.”  His flaws and imperfections are on full display and it’s more difficult for us, and Hopper, to sweep them under the rug. They’re amplified by the circumstances and his arc.

Assertion 4:

This is sort of an aside? But something I still wanted to address because I see it come up a lot.  Namely, that Hopper and Joyce’s dynamic in S3 didn’t make sense, was out of character, and/or that Hopper’s behavior was abusive.  I think that this particular point is important to review not only for Hopper but for Joyce as well, who is integral to Hopper’s character arc, and who I think the fandom often handles with kid gloves. Full disclosure, I AM a Jopper shipper, and have been since 1x1.  That being said, I was not bothered by their dynamic in S3 because I think it was an important bridge in the structure of the show as as well as their relationship.

We still at this point in time don’t know what Jopper’s backstory is, although I suspect we are going to finally get that in S4 based on some of the spoilers/casting calls we’ve gotten over the course of the last few months.  What we do know is at the beginning of S1 there is a familiarity between them (she calls him Hop), there are rumors around town that they fucked, and they seem to trust each other on a level that is not shared with other adult characters. 

I hear a lot of people say S2 was “peak Jopper.” Their relationship is pretty stable. They are friends, he goes with her to Hawkins Lab, she relies on him for safety and protection, they are gentle with each other.  It’s nice.  But it’s also not very personal.  Joyce is with Bob.  Hopper doesn’t tell Joyce that he’s been hiding El. They obviously care about each other (and it seems like Hopper has some feelings there) but they hold each other at arm’s length.

This isn’t the case anymore in S3.  In S3, there is no more arm’s length.  They’re co-parenting.  He shows up at Melvald’s at the beginning of 3x1 (reminiscent of Bob appearing at the beginning of 2x1) for advice, which it appears he’s been doing for months. They really have no one else but each other to confide in, which they clearly do a lot.  There are feelings there now on both sides (I don’t subscribe to the theory that Joyce doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, but that is a discussion for another thread.)

These new (old?) feelings interrupted the S2 relationship dynamic. They’re not just comfortable friends anymore reminiscing about high school. Hopper wants to be close to her, but doesn’t quite know how and blunders through attempt after attempt and the more she rejects him the more upset he gets and the worse he handles it.  Joyce is still struggling to move on from Bob and (imo) is confused about her feelings for Hopper because he is a little bit like Bob, a little bit like Lonnie (and yet nothing like either of them at the same time) and I don’t think she quite knows what to do with that except to fight her feelings and hold Hopper at arm’s length.  The end result is bickering and Hopper losing his temper, because neither of them are able to really discuss their feelings for various reasons.

Most significantly, when they’re bickering and when Hopper loses his temper, Joyce is not afraid of Hopper. She is never afraid of him. She holds her own, she argues back, she stands her ground. When he refuses to believe her about the magnets, she steamrolls him into following her to the Lab. When he shouts at her, she shouts back. When he digs at her, she digs back. The problem with characterizing Hopper’s behavior in S3 as abusive is it fails to grasp the intent behind the bickering.  They’re attempting to find a new normal, a new relationship dynamic.  The way people refer to them throughout the season is heavily coded in language that describes a “team” a “couple.” Because despite the bickering they do respect each other and care about each other and in 3x8 they start to come to that realization together.

(My other issue with calling Hopper abusive is that it makes Joyce a victim. And Joyce isn’t a victim.  She’s own her independent entity with needs and wants and desires. After 2 seasons of being “mom,” shoving her into another archetype reliant on another male character’s actions sorta sucks, doesn’t it? I really do not think this what the Duffers were going for here.)

Assertion 5:

Finally, I wanted to touch on the 3 biggest Hopper blunders in S3:

1) Constantly losing his temper. I italicized this further up because I wanted to emphasize the fact that this was not something new in S3.  It’s always been there. In S1 the benzo’s were masking it.  In S2, he was screaming at a 12 year old girl about how she cannot do anything right. It’s unacceptable behavior.  It got worse in S3 because it is also a symptom of a hurting man who is losing control of everything around him.  In S1-S2 attempting to control everything worked, in S3 it didn’t work anymore.

2) Breaking up Mike and El. After nearly a year of it just being El and Hopper, he has to share her with Mike.  Combine this with El growing up and Mike and El’s co-dependent behavior, it’s a recipe for disaster. He tries and fails at a heart to heart and starts shouting and carrying on instead. Slipping into cop mode is easier than Dad mode. It was also the wrong way to handle it.

3) Trying to push Joyce into a date before she was ready. I already touched a bit on this above in #3, but his eagerness to make her stay leads him to try to push her into something she is not ready for. The end result is more misery for him when she fails to show up, and him being a jerk about it for the duration of the season (”You know he reminds me a little bit of a Russian Scott Clarke.”)

Here’s the thing though, he makes these blunders because he’s flawed.  He’s always been flawed. And the combination of his prior trauma, the circumstances leading up to S3, the shift in relationship dynamics between him and Joyce, and the shift of the narrative from externalities to hhis internalities, make S3 very different than S1-S2. And it showed us that Hopper really is more of an anti-hero than a “good guy” and has been this entire time.

And if you wanted him to be the good guy because he had soft moments in S1-S2, S3 was just a set-up for a let-down because Hopper isn’t the good guy. He’s a jerk. And jerks don’t get the girl.  Jerks don’t get happy endings. Jerks die.  Unless they survive, and get a chance at redemption.

Being trapped in a frozen Russian gulag can kill you, or it can make you stronger.  It can make you re-evaluate what you took for granted, how you handled situations, how you interact with those you love, what really matters. And for someone like Hopper, who loves deeply despite his issues, this is the opportunity to turn all of that around and truly start over.  And if you are the Duffer brothers, you want to ying and yang that shit so the yang is that much more noticeable and emotional when it happens. This whole journey for Hopper is just as important as the outcome and as someone who loves his character, I want to be with him for that entire journey, not just the “good” parts.

So I guess, in sum, Hopper is a flawed jerk who loves El and Joyce. Who makes mistakes, but usually has good intentions. Who had a lot of bad shit happen to him. Who made a lot of missteps and mistakes, particularly in S3, but deserves empathy and a chance at redemption. Who should come back a changed man and get the girl and the happy ending. And I think S3 needs to be viewed through this vacuum in order to fully appreciate his character and the arc.

And if you read all the way through this, God Bless you.

[sendrickbecs]

Unspoken Feelings (2/8)

"Who's ready to get their party on?" Amy bellows from the kitchen of the Bella house but her voice is so loud that she manages to travel throughout the entire house and soon enough every member of the a Capella group – minus one – is gathered in the kitchen with huge smiles on their faces.

Everyone is smiling but there's one expression that differentiates from the others. The smile belonging to the beautiful, bubbly redhead isn't as exaggerated. She's only smiling slightly, her lips lifting upwards enough to pass as a grin but if anyone was to examine her expression more intensely, they'd realise it's fake. Chloe can't seem to meet the other girls excitement, she'd been looking forward to the treble's party at the beginning of the week but now that Friday night has finally came around all she wants to do is shuffle back upstairs and crawl into her bed.

She knows the reasoning behind her dampened mood, the reason why she's found herself feeling so glum lately. But she doesn't allow herself to acknowledge that, so when Jessica asks, "What's wrong?" all Chloe can come out with is "Period cramps." Which is understood by the other girls, so they don't question her further.

It's been three days since the last Bellas rehearsal, which definitely wouldn't have happened whilst Aubrey was the captain of the Bellas. The last two scheduled practices were cancelled by the redhead because she had the flu, or at least that's what she told the other girls. But Chloe hasn't been sick in years, her healthy breakfast smoothies and scheduled workout routine are very important factors of her life. She doesn't have the flu. She isn't even sick, not really, yet she still feels like shit.

She's running on two hours of sleep and the headache she's currently nursing feels like something is squeezing her eyeballs out. She lay in bed last night staring out the window, counting the stars before getting distracted and starting again. This lasted for about an hour before Chloe realised she had started to zone out, so she shuffled in her position all night until her eyelids eventually slipped shut nearing four in the morning.

She is so frustrated and tired but the exhaustion she's feeling is not the type of tired that sleep will fix – she could sleep for twelve hours and wake up feeling the same way she's been feeling for weeks, months even.

So what the hell is wrong with her?

Chloe tells herself that she's been so stressed lately because she's simply been overworking herself, to ensure that the Bella's routines is perfect and poised. Her anxieties about leaving the Bella's had geared their way into her head. The Bella's – the a Capella group itself and the people in it – are her life and they have been for years. She just isn't ready to let that go yet. Chloe is terrified of leaving the Bella's – leaving Beca.

Jumping into the unknown is such a horrifying thought for her and she doesn't know how to overcome it. Aubrey graduated and moved on without her – they still skype and text each other but she isn't around every day (or rarely ever) like she used to be so Chloe can't talk to her about the way she's feeling. Beca would also be someone she vents to but Beca's being distant and cold so she can't talk to her either.

Chloe is beginning to feel so alone, they haven't even graduated yet and everyone is already leaving her. And that scares her so fucking much – being alone, being forgotten.

But it's not just that, Chloe knows the main reason behind her funk. She knows exactly what – who – is making her feel like this. Beca effin' Mitchell.

She's so scared of being without Beca, but the way Beca is purposely distancing herself from her because she doesn't want to be around her makes her feel like she's already lost her.

She hates herself for allowing Beca to become so important in her life that she can't imagine ever living without the brunette, she doesn't ever want to live without her. But Chloe knows it's going to happen, at some point along the line, Beca will leave her. Whatever the two of them share won't last forever. They will graduate and they'll go their separate ways. Beca will do amazingly wonderful things with her music, hopefully becoming a producer like she's always dreamed of. She's worked hard for it, so she definitely deserves to have her dreams come true.

The older girl admires the other for staying at the campus radio station for so long even though she was just stacking cd's and records. She never stopped putting herself out there, giving Luke USBs of her mashups every week even though she knew he just tossed them onto a pile.

Then when Beca got her internship at residential heat she hadn't told Chloe about it – choosing to keep it a secret from her – from everyone except Jesse. When Beca finally snapped and told Chloe about the internship she admitted that she was afraid of failure, she didn't want to tell Chloe because she was scared it wouldn't work out and she didn't want the redhead to think she's a failure. But she could never be a failure in Chloe's eyes. Beca was perfect – her imperfections and insecurities only made Chloe love her more.

Chloe would still love Beca if she failed completely in the music industry and worked in retail for the rest of her life. Not that Chloe would ever let that happen, she wouldn't let Beca ever give up on her dreams. Becoming a music producer is the one and only thing Beca has ever wanted, and at times that hurts Chloe – knowing that Beca will never want her as much. But she loves that Beca has never given up despite her father's negative words and discouragement. She loves that Beca inspires herself to continue, to keep trying, to keep moving forwards. She doesn't let anyone hold her back.

But what Chloe doesn't know, is that Beca does in fact have an inspiration that allows her to thrive, someone she relies on for words of wisdom, someone that motivates her when she just wants to give in to her frustration and throw her keyboard across the room (not that Beca would ever do that – her music equipment is too expensive to replace). Someone that always makes her smile when she's so close to breaking. Someone that makes the beat of her mashups flow so easily.

Beca has an inspiration – a muse.

Her name is Chloe Beale.

Chloe hasn't got the flu. She hasn't been sick in years. She just misses Beca. She misses her so much it's effecting her physical and mental health.

On the first day that Chloe was hauled up in her room, lying in her bed covered with blankets, the Bella's tried to make her feel better. Flo made her some soup – she swore it had some kind of magic healing herbs in it. But Chloe wasn't hungry, the last thing she wanted to do was eat. Although Chloe felt like the life had been sucked out of her, she's still Chloe Beale. She didn't want to offend Flo by not eating the soup, so she waited for her to leave and flushed it down the toilet. The Bella's usually cheered her up when she felt glum but even their best efforts just were not enough.

"Chloe?"

Chloe is snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of her name. "Huh?"

"Are you coming?" Stacie asks. Cynthia Rose looks up and down at Chloe's outfit – sweatpants, hoodie and a blanket – and scoffs slightly.

In response, the redhead shrugs, with a light shake of her head. "I'm not really feeling up to it."

Chloe has no plans to leave the house any time soon and certainly not to go to a treble party. She just wants to wallow in bed with a tub of ice cream. So, the redhead moves around the other girls until she reaches the freezer, pulling open the door and retrieving a tub of peanut butter and cookie dough ice cream. Beca's peanut butter and cookie dough ice cream that no one dare touch, too afraid of the threat made by the small brunette. 'If you touch my ice cream, I'll hunt you down and kick your ass so hard into next year AND make holes in every condom in this house.' It was an empty threat, considering how at least half of the girls are gay, and those who aren't are on birth control but Beca thought it was threatening at the time. At least it's a one up from Aubrey's threat to have wolves rip out your vocal cords.

Once Chloe has selected a spoon and span around to face the other girls, she's just about to head back upstairs but Amy stops her by grabbing her wrist.

"Uh...that's Beca's." She says, glancing down at the ice cream tub then back up at the redhead. Amy's eyebrows are knitted as she examines Chloe's expression – a hard scowl.

"I know." She replies, shaking off Amy's hand and gliding passed her.

The other Bellas watch, no one adding to the conversation. They've all noticed the differences in their co-captain's behaviour but don't know the reasoning behind it. "She'll kill you," Fat Amy hisses as thinks about what the big (small) mighty Beca Mitchell will do when she finds out someone has been eating her ice cream.

Chloe doesn't respond, unbothered by the second-hand threat, because if Beca is killing her then at least she'll actually be looking at her.

"She'll rip all your condoms." Stacie adds.

That finally forces some kind of reaction out of Chloe, she chuckles to herself, thinking about how the only person she actually wants to fuck is Beca and condoms aren't exactly needed for that, unless what Beca had yelled at Aubrey after one of the very first Bellas rehearsals Beca's freshman year had been true. Maybe Beca did have a dick after all, that would explain why she acts like a dick most of the time.

"Chloe?" Amy tries again.

Her head snaps up and she's met with the gaze of every Bella. "What?"

"What's going on with you?" Stacie steps forwards, concern written in her eyes.

Stacie's soft expression gives Chloe the overwhelming urge to cry, she feels tears begin to form in her eyes but blinks them away immediately. She can't cry in front of the entire group; she is supposed to be one of their captains. But she hasn't felt like much of a leader lately and isn't sure why anyone would want to follow her.

"Nothing." Chloe shakes her head, eyes darting to her bare feet, then scooping a small spoonful of the ice cream and sliding it into her mouth.

"You're acting like Beca," Amy admits, causing a few of the Bellas to gasp and step back. Jessica and Ashley share a glance, and within seconds they are disappearing from the kitchen.

"What?" Chloe's tone is harsher now, alerting Amy that she crossed the line.

"You're being cold, you know, like Mitchell is at times."

Chloe scoffs and tightens her jaw – she doesn't even realise she's doing it until she picks up on the look Amy is giving her. "I'm not." She denies, even though she's quite clearly adapted some of Beca's mannerisms.

"You know what always helps Beca when she's in these funks?" The blonde's grin widens and her eyes glisten in excitement. Usually Chloe thrives off of other people's excitement with her own but today the happy expression only makes her feel like crying again.

"A party." Fat Amy answers herself before Chloe can intervene.

Chloe groans again and crosses her arms over her chest. "No Amy, I wasn't going to go. I don't feel well, remember?"

"Bullshit." Fat Amy is not one to take no for an answer, "Go get tarted up."

Chloe's frown grows in confusion at the use of the word. What is she talking about now? "Tarted?"

"Yeah." Fat Amy nods, "You know, like Beca Is a vanilla tart." Chloe is getting beyond peeved because they won't shut up about Beca. Why does Amy have to keep on bringing her up?

Stacie obviously acknowledges the confusion from Chloe, so she laughs and steps forwards once again, "She means slutty." She whispers to Chloe with a slight grin.

"Go get slutty, Beale. And don't take too long." Amy quirks up, telling Chloe that she's been defeated. There is no way she's getting out of this one. So, she puts the ice cream back in the freezer before waltzing away upstairs.

Twenty minutes later Chloe emerges back downstairs wearing a dark blue dress and a leather jacket. Her makeup is light, and her hair sits loosely on her back. Getting dressed up has somewhat improved her mood so there's a soft smile at her lips.

Stacie smirks when she sees Chloe appear at the bottom of the stairs. "You look hot," She says, glancing over Chloe's body with a smile. She gets a smile and a 'thank you, so do you' in return before the group heads out the front door.

The Bellas make their way across the grass towards the hedge. One by one each of the girls squeeze through the Amy-sized gap in the hedge into the treble's garden. The damage to the hedge was formed at a party last semester that was hosted by the Bellas – at Stacie's request. Amy drank a little too much of hers and Lily's alcoholic concoction (to this day no one knows what the last three ingredients were but there was definitely a mixture of gin and rum) and decided it would be a great idea to mark her 'sexy fat ass' in the hedge.

She hates herself for it but as soon as she's been sucked into the crowd, Chloe's eyes scan frantically in search for the small brunette. She knows Beca has been staying at the treble house for the past few days so it would make sense if she was at their party too. Although Beca isn't normally a party animal, Chloe has a feeling she might be here. Maybe that feeling is hope, or longing but Chloe brushes it off. She's hated not having Beca around for the last three days and she just wants her best friend back, even if it does hurt like hell whenever she's around her.

It takes almost half an hour before she finally sets eyes on Beca. She's dancing with Jesse and the two of them look pretty comfortable. The sight alone is enough for Chloe to regret coming. Why did she have to let Amy convince her to come?

The rule of not 'fraternising with the enemy' was banished as soon as Aubrey graduated and Beca and Chloe became co-captains. Beca thought it was a stupid rule and Chloe thought it was kind of ridiculous, so they got rid of it. But that meant Jesse was around a lot more. Even though Beca and Jesse aren't official – they haven't even hooked up but have definitely locked lips once or twice – it still frustrates Chloe to see the two of them together.

She's about to turn around and head back to the Bellas house when the brunette looks up and their eyes connect across the pool. Beca's face lights up when she sees Chloe and she waves her hand, gesturing for her to come over. Chloe has a hard time escaping the younger girl's trance, so she finds herself wandering over to the two brunettes.

As soon as the two girls are standing in front of each other, Chloe pulls Beca into an embrace, she's missed Beca's hugs, so she shoves aside her feelings just to feel Beca's hands on her for a few seconds before Beca pulls back.

"Hey, Chloe." Beca smirks.

All Chloe has to do is look at Beca and instantly feel happier. Seeing the younger girls smile makes Chloe's lips curl into a smile of her own. "Hey, Becs." She says, suddenly feeling lighter than she's been in days – normally she'd blame it on the alcohol, but she hasn't even had a drink yet.

"Feeling better?" The brunette questions, her hand still on Chloe's wrist which makes the redhead's skin glow with warmth. Chloe nods, but her smile falters when her head become heavy all of a sudden. Beca notices the change in her expression and gives Chloe's wrist a quick squeeze before letting go. "You okay, Chlo?"

The loss of contact allows Chloe to fix her brain after it's turned to a pile of mush. She puts a smile on her face which Beca can clearly tell is fake, then takes a step back. Chloe gestures to the yellow cup in her hand, "Yeah. I'm going to get a drink."

Beca nods, not daring to question the girls' weirdness, she knows Chloe hasn't been feeling well recently so brushes it off as still not quite over the flu. She knows that if she pushes Chloe to talk then she'll end up comforting her and when Chloe is emotional all Beca wants to do is pull her into her chest and hug her. But Beca can't do that. She won't allow herself to. Beca can't get too attached to her best friend because nobody ever stays in her life for long – not even her parents wanted to stay in her life.

As much as Beca's brain tells her to shut the hell up, her heart and her eyes clearly have different ideas. Her gaze drifts to her best friend as she walks away. She doesn't mean to, but her eyes drop to Chloe's ass and Beca stares in appreciation. She tells herself that she's just appreciating the appearance of her best friend – it would be weird if she didn't find her best friend attractive. But maybe watching her ass as she walks away goes beyond the 'just friends' barrier.

She knows she's been distant recently, but she just thought that Chloe wouldn't notice – or care. Beca shuts her feelings away and pretends not to feel, but watching the redhead walk away makes something ignite in her chest, it's powerful and it forces something to snap inside of her.

With a grunt, Beca tears her eyes off of Chloe. It feels like everything is changing with the two of them, or maybe it already has changed. Whatever it is makes Beca's mind race. Is Chloe going to walk out of her life forever? Has Beca pushed her so far away that she's now beyond reach? Beca's heart speeds up at the mere thought of Chloe leaving her, because without Chloe where the hell would she be? What would a future without Chloe be like? It's lame, but Beca's always imagined that Chloe would be in her life forever, but what if she's pushed her away for the very last time? That would honestly crush her. Life without Chloe would be pretty shit.

Beca only panics more when she questions why she feels this way. She can't have feelings for Chloe, can she? Not only is she her best friend, she's also a girl.

Beca's never defined her sexuality, she knows she isn't straight but she's not a lesbian either. The aspect of sexuality confuses her so much, so she mostly just chooses to ignore it, allowing people to assume whatever they want about her.

For Beca, it's not about what's in people's pants, personality is a very important factor.

But boobs are also pretty great.

Okay, so maybe she's more attracted to girls, but there's still a part of her that finds guys hot.

Just to prove to herself that the physical attraction towards guys is still there, she walks over to the first guys she sees, which just happens to be Jesse. Before he can even greet her, she's taking his arm and leading him over to the edge of the pool where there are multiple people dancing.

It helps that she knows Jesse likes her – is practically in love with her. She grins when she notices the frown appear, tugging his lips down slightly. "Dance with me, dummy."

. . .

It's been about an hour and a half since they last talked and Chloe was getting agitated, watching Beca grind on Jesse is definitely not something she had planned on watching but she can't seem to look away. She hates that Beca dances like that with him but won't even touch her.

Beca is also not having such a great time. She is regretting pulling Jesse up to dance quite a lot now, his hands are trailing all over her body and they just feel so uncomfortable, especially when they rest on her ass. She quickly snaps her own hands down to retrieve his hands and put them on her waist. She hates his hands there too, but it doesn't make her as uncomfortable.

Her mind drifts slightly to the Bellas rehearsals the other day. The dance with Chloe had been on her mind since she left the auditorium three days ago. She remembers the way her skin felt all tingly and warm whenever Chloe ran her fingers over her hip. Those very memorable, exhilarating feelings are very much not present right now. Dancing with Jesse just feels...bland.

Suddenly Beca's mind floods with need – the need to touch Chloe again. Her gaze scans her surroundings until her eyes are locked with her favourite pair of eyes – her favourite colour.

But the longer she stares at the girl, the more she acknowledges how sad she looks, and that makes Beca's heart crack. She pulls away from Jesse's grasp and makes a gesture for a drink, then speeds away from him before he can stop her.

She's such an idiot for dancing with him just to prove a point to herself – it had not been proved.

Her heart races as she approaches the redhead and her palms sweating slightly. She's grinning again and before she knows it, her heart is taking control without giving her brain a chance to catch up.

"Oh. Hey, Becs." Chloe chuckles nervously as Beca flops herself down right on top of Chloe's lap. She isn't complaining, because having Beca sit on her lap does something weird to her body and makes her heart flutter slightly, but she's a little confused as to why Beca is so comfortable with the contact. Normally, the younger girl doesn't even like holding her hand in public, so it causes Chloe to question the girls' actions.

"Chloooeee." Beca squeals.

"You're drunk." Chloe states, watching the girl in her lap with a smile.

A smile that only grows the longer she's looking at her, one she wishes could shrivel into a frown, but no matter how much she wishes she could be angry at Beca for lying to her, for spending time with Jesse instead of her and for not returning the feelings she has towards the girl, she just can't. Chloe cannot bring herself to get mad at her friend, especially when she looks up at her with those beautiful dark blue eyes that Chloe swears are enchanted.

There's also the lip bite. Beca Mitchell's fucking lip bite. She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth and Chloe finds it so unbelievably attractive.

It's her fault she feels this way anyway, so she shouldn't get mad at Beca just because she may be slightly – only slightly – jealous. Beca doesn't feel the same way about her so she just needs to get over her feelings.

She can't stay mad at Beca, and that's what is so damn frustrating, because Beca messes with her head – she's ice cold one minute and the next she's sitting on her lap smiling widely and being so damn cute and loving towards the redhead. It confuses her so much.

"And you're not drunk enough." Beca sighs heavily, "Amy's drinks are even better than last time." She quirks her head up so she's looking directly at the redhead. The girl moves closer to Chloe and lowers her voice as she whispers, "There's a lot of gin." And then a chuckle follows, Chloe feeling the hot breath on her ear and running down her neck.

When Beca drinks gin, she gets giggly and very touchy. Unlike when she strictly sticks to beer, she gets overly competitive and cocky, which usually ends with a broken piece of furniture – Beca and whoever is willing to accept her challenge battling over a game of indoor football until the ball flies towards something, sending it to the ground with a clunk.

Both of those sides of Beca are loved by her best friend, unless she drinks too much of either and ends up on the bathroom floor with her head on the toilet seat. But even then – when Beca is a complete mess, puking from the combination of too much alcohol and lack of food, Chloe is still by her side, holding her hair away from her face and stroking the brunette's back in a soothing manner.

Chloe grimaces lightly at the mention of Amy's concoction. So that's why Beca is so carefree, she's had an 'Amy special' or maybe more than one. Amy's drinks are so strong that a lightweight like Beca only needs one to get absolutely hammered.

"Why are you being a bum in the corner?" Beca asks, looking up at the redhead with such a sincere expression that it makes Chloe's chest tighten. To make matters worse, the brunette lifts her hand up and pokes Chloe's cheek faintly, "You seem sad." She adds, her expression softening.

"Not in the mood." She responds, earning another poke in the cheek with an additional one to the nose. Chloe can't hold back the giggle and Beca's grin widens.

"This is a party, Beale." Beca mentions, and the seriousness to her tone almost makes Chloe snort.

"Mmmh." Chloe nods, "You should get back to Jesse." She doesn't know what made her say that because there is no way she's losing Beca to Jesse again tonight. Beca is hers. Chloe has never liked to share.

A small whine leaves Beca's lips, "No. I want to stay with you." She nestles her head into Chloe's neck, squirming slightly as she inhales her scent.

Beca Mitchell. No fucking way. Don't fucking do this. You know you shouldn't-

"You smell nice, Chlo." Beca mumbles, her mouth is close enough to Chloe's ear, so she hears it even over the loud music. A chuckle escapes Chloe's mouth and she lifts a hand up to cover her face, attempting to hide the blush from Beca.

"Thanks, Bec." Chloe replies after a few seconds, the blushing on her cheeks still very much visible. She can't deny that Beca's compliments, or just Beca in general has an effect on her.

"And your comfy." She adds, shuffling slightly on Chloe's lap, pressing her back into Chloe's front.

Chloe tries her hardest to think about anything to distract herself from the fact that Beca's ass is partially grinding into her as Beca adjusts her position on her lap. But she's blushing before she can stop herself and the movement is making her entire body weak under her touch.

Chloe's grinning, her cheeks rose tinted from blushing so hard, "Yeah?"

"Mmh." Beca sighs with a small nod, relaxing into Chloe's body, allowing the older girls arm to slip around her waist and hold her in place. Beca pulls her head back and rests it against her shoulder, slotting perfectly with Chloe's body.

The position of the two girls is so natural, they are at peace whilst sitting like this, in the comfort of each other's presence, but it's also kind of...wrong. Beca is sat on Chloe's lap with her head leaning against the redhead's shoulder. Their hands are intertwined on the brunette's denim clad thigh where she's running the fingers of her left hand over Chloe's fingers, stopping to play with a ring, twisting it slowly and moving on to repeat the action with another.

This is what she wants. She wants Chloe. But she just doesn't know how to express that.

She's better at doing – showing, than saying, so that's what she does. She's showing Chloe that she wants to touch her, she wants Chloe to touch her.

Beca wants to kiss her, wants to know what Chloe will do if she tries to kiss her. She wants to feel what Chloe's lips feel like on her own. She imagines they'll be soft. Beca wonders how Chloe's lips will taste and the growing urge intensifies.

Before Beca can even consider making a move, Cynthia Rose, Flo and Emily appear at their side.

"We're heading back to the house. You two coming?" Cynthia Rose questions, eyeing the two girls as if she's searching for the reasoning behind why Beca is sat on Chloe's lap. The chairs around them are free so Beca doesn't have to sit on her lap – she chose to.

"Yeah," Beca says but doesn't attempt to move which makes Chloe giggle.

Chloe shuffles underneath her, reaching her hand to push a strand of Beca's hair behind her ear. "You might want to get up Bec," Chloe mumbles close to Beca's ear, her breath running up her neck.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, okay." Chloe chuckles again. Beca is pretty drunk and it's like she doesn't quite know what to do with herself.

She stands up with the help of Cynthia Rose and then holds out her hand for Chloe. Beca is too drunk to realise but Cynthia Rose is still looking at them strangely, but she still grasps onto the brunette's hand. Beca sighs heavily and rests her head against Chloe's chest, looking up at her with tired eyes which make Chloe swoon. All that runs through Chloe's mind is how adorable Beca is in this moment.

"Come on, Becs. Let's get you home." Chloe presses a chaste kiss to Beca's cheek and nudges her upright. Beca mumbles something under her breath then stumbles forwards, catching up with Cynthia Rose.

Chloe follows behind, thinking about how she gets to take Beca home and not Jesse, granted that she is not planning on having sex with her but she cares so much about her and loves that she can care for Beca in ways Jesse can't.

Instead of going through the hole in the hedge again, Cynthia Rose leads them through the gate, Beca waiting back for Chloe. The brunette smiles softly and Chloe can't fight the smile that breaks out on her face.

The house is silent when they walk in so they must be the first to leave the party which is not a surprise because Stacie and Fat Amy barely ever return from a trebles party that same night.

Cynthia Rose heads straight to the kitchen for some water whilst Flo and Emily sluggishly lift themselves up the stairs towards their rooms. The other two girls are close behind, but Beca's movement is extra slow and Chloe doesn't want to rush her.

Just as Chloe reaches out to push open her bedroom door, she feels a grip on her wrist.

"Do you want to cuddle?" Beca asks quietly. Chloe almost melts at the small smile on Beca's lips, she looks so adorable and Chloe just wants to reach forwards and press her own lips to Beca's.

"You're a little softie." Chloe giggles.

"Shut up." Beca huffs, "I'm drunk and I'm tired and I want your arms around me."

Beca's own words startle her but she's too drunk – too tired to care right now. She doesn't know why but she wants to be in Chloe's arms – she always felt safe in Chloe's arms and she is too drunk to fight it, the alcohol fighting a battle with her conscious mind and she can feel the alcohol getting more powerful. Beca's mind is too scrambled to figure out exactly why she feels this way, so she doesn't try. Friends can cuddle in bed together without it being weird so Beca just needs to chill the fuck out.

Chloe doesn't tease the brunette further for admitting that she wants – needs – to feel her arms around her because she doesn't want to push the girl too far to the point where she runs away...again. So, she simply reaches for Beca's hand and pulls her into her bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them. In the Bella's house privacy is treasured, and very much needed when you have the likes of Amy walking into every room without knocking. She even walked into the bathroom one time whilst Beca was peeing because Beca forgot to lock the door behind her. Amy was a girl with absolutely no boundaries. Almost like Chloe, except, when it came to Beca, the redhead never once pushed her limits. She wanted Beca to feel safe and cared for, so she never once did anything to make the younger girl feel uncomfortable – except, maybe that one time in the dorm shower. But that is definitely not a regret.

Beca – who is too drunk to even realise what she's doing right now – shimmies out of her skinny jeans and tosses them to the bedroom floor. She lifts up her gaze and locks eyes with Chloe who's already on the bed, but still wearing her dress from the party.

"Are you gonna strip?" Beca asks, a playful smile pulling at her lips.

"What?" The Redhead splutters out – had she just heard that correctly?

Beca whines softly, followed by a small laugh. "You aren't going to sleep in that dress. Hurry up, I want to cuddle."

Chloe's eyebrows quirk upwards at Beca's words. "Who are you and what have you done to Beca Mitchell?"

The brunette smirks, "If you tell anyone about this I'll kill you." It's another one of her empty threats.

"No you won't, you love me too much." Chloe teases, and Beca caves, dropping the threat instantly.

She scoffs "You're lucky you're pretty."

Beca turns around, venturing over to Chloe's drawers and pulling out some shorts and a t-shirt for Chloe and a hoodie for herself. She chucks the clothes in Chloe's direction and slides the hoodie over herself, pulling off her bra and t shirt in the process.

When she looks up at Chloe, she's already lying under the duvet, wrapped up like a little burrito and it's the most adorable thing.

"Come here." Chloe says, and pulls back the duvet just enough so Beca can slide underneath it and into Chloe's embrace.

Almost instantly Chloe wraps her arm around Beca's waist and the smaller girl snuggles into her.

"Night Chlo." Beca mumbles, feeling her eyelids grow heavier.

"Goodnight cutie." Chloe whispers into the back of the brunette's neck, her lips inches from the skin.

She can't resist calling her the pet name because Beca is so cute right now and she wants her to know that. Chloe gets to see Beca at some of her most vulnerable states and she loves that not many other people do. She's sure that Beca and Jesse haven't had sex but that doesn't mean they aren't ever going to, especially with the way the pair were dancing with each other tonight. But Chloe takes a minute to remind herself that Beca has ended up in her bed, not Jesse's. Granted, they aren't having sex but simply sleeping together in each other's grasps can be more intimate than sex. You are allowing yourself to be completely vulnerable. A smile spreads across Chloe's face when she feels Beca's hold on her wrist tighten a little as she snuggles closer into her.

Chloe thinks that she might be able to get through this without crumbling. She's pretended for the last two years that she isn't completely smitten over her best friend, so what's one more?

It's going to be hard and it will probably break her more times than she can count but being Beca's friend is worth that pain. Beca is worth that. Chloe thinks she's worth everything.

She missed Beca so much in the three days they didn't talk, and it hurt so much knowing she was avoiding her, distancing herself from her. Chloe doesn't know why Beca shuts herself off from others, but she thinks she gets it – it's easier to hide than to pretend. Chloe wishes she could hide from Beca so she would not have to look at her, knowing she'll never be loved by the brunette entirely. But there's a part of her that knows she would still be filled with pain because she'd be without her. She wants Beca with her, and if pretending they're only friends is what Beca wants then Chloe is willing to keep it that way. She'd rather see her every day and have to pretend not to be in love with her.

She can still love her; she just won't allow herself to be in love with her. Because there's no way she's letting Beca Mitchell walk out of her life completely.

- - - -

also on wattpad: @writteninbechloe

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Wet Sugar” [Part 29 of 30]

Summary: Erik and the merc head over to do the London heist and Yani accepts new gifts...

"The brotha's got this complex occupation The brotha's got this complex occupation The brotha's got this complex occupation

Me and this baby gon' be up all night long Walkin' this wood flo' 'til my man gets home I'm at the front do', I'm listening by the phone But I'm gon' be here with my make-up on It's been a long time since my man been gone But when he get here, you know I won't be gone Because I love him, love him strong Me and this baby gon' be up all night long…"

Erykah Badu—"Danger"

Erik wiped down the modified BCM Reece 14 KMR-A. It was an expensive AR-15. He added an M203 grenade launcher with vibranium alterations. The weapon was a polished obsidian dream in his hands. He had to be prepared for the Black Panther. His own blood relative. Tainted blood.

Linda sat across from him cleaning the other weapons they were bringing with them to Korea. The closer they got to their departure date, the more serious she became. He still found it excruciating to be near her, but he treated her like he treated his past military unit that he hated, just neutral all the way.

Klaue walked into the den a watched them prepare the weaponry. Erik took that moment to grab some papers he held in a folder.

"I need you to sign these so I can get the Cessna."

"Seventy-Five thousand?" Klaue groaned.

"I can get you a new one for Three-Hundred Thousand. It's your money."

"Fine, fine."

Klaue used his alias and didn't even look at the paperwork. Just signed where Erik told him to sign and picked up the AR-15 from the work table.

"You missed your calling. You could make a killing modifying weapons full time."

"I'd get bored too quick."

Klaue's eyes looked past him and onto the viewscreen above the fireplace. He turned up the volume. Erik and Linda stared at it with him.

A weather report indicated the return of the hurricane season. And a large category 4 was headed for the islands along the Atlantic.

"I'm sure you battened down the hatches in St. Thomas, Killmonger?"

"Lock stock and barrel."

At last. A tell on Linda's face. A faint blink of her eyes. Erik caught her eyes with his as she picked up another weapon to clean.

"Looks like it'll be a bad one. Hope Our Lady is prepared for it. One of the pitfalls of island life."

Erik felt his midsection tighten. The last hurricane season had been a lucky one. He wiggled his fingers and kept the focus on the radar images and the predicted touch down points. He'd keep an eye on it. Climate change had made life tricky for people globally. It concerned Erik, but he pressed on and picked up a new weapon to inspect and clean.

Linda stared at him and his face felt open and vulnerable with worry. He looked away from her.

###

"Jesus, you can't be still can yuh?"

Yani pressed her hand into her side. The baby was moving too much for her to get fully comfortable. She sat with her legs lifted up with an ottoman in Twyla's house. Boxes stood unopened around her and she was pleased with the one small box she was able to unpack.

Moving in with Twyla had been a sound financial decision. Her lease to the apartment had become month to month, and Nannette was able to find a new roommate easily. Yani's rent money would help pay Twyla's mortgage, and in exchange, Twyla was able to work fewer hours at her job and watch Sydette so Yani could continue taking summer classes with a full course load. She didn't let her pregnancy stop her from finishing up a summer session. Her medical plans were revamped to include an additional two years to finish her degree. Her mind was set on getting into a residency program by the time the new baby was three. Her grades were exceptional but more important than school-Sydette becoming herself again.

The new baby seemed to focus her daughter's anxiety and fears, and Sweet Pea blossomed once more, so excited to welcome the new dumpling.

"Be still, just for fifteen minutes, please," Yani said to her already big tummy.

Sydette ran over to her and patted her stomach.

"Go to sleep," Sydette said.

"Listen to Sweet Pea, Dumplin'."

"Mama, yuh feet so big."

"A little swelling, love."

Sydette rubbed Yani's left foot.

"Fatty feet!" Sydette giggled.

"You gave me fat feet when you were in mi belly."

"No, I didn't!" Sydette said with a smirk on her face.

"Yeah, yuh did."

The doorbell rang and Yani didn't feel like getting up from her seat.

"Get the door, Sweet Pea. Ask who it is."

Sydette ran to the door.

"Who is it? What yuh want?"

"Sydette—"

"Your Daddy."

Sydette's face beamed.

"Can you twist the button?"

"Yes, Mama. I can do it."

The main bolt on the door was left unlocked for Twyla, but Sydette was able to turn the bottom lock.

Chez stepped into the room and scooped Sydette up in his arms.

"Detty!"

Chez tickled her stomach and Sydette laughed and tried to keep his hands from tickling her further.

"Her bag is by the door," Yani said trying to get up,

"Stay where you are. I got it," he said.

Picking up Sydette's weekend bag, Chez walked near Yani.

"You look big, gyal."

"Thanks, a lot," she said.

"I'm teasing. I'll bring her back early on Sunday."

"Okay."

"Twyla home?"

"No. She'll be back in a few hours? Why?"

"I know she's looking for a car. Wanted to see if she'd want mine."

"You selling it? Thought you loved that car."

Chez put Sydette down and raised up Yani's feet as he sat on the ottoman. He rested her legs on his lap and rubbed her feet for her.

"I'm moving to Florida. Found a good-paying factory job. Good hours. I can still make music. Perform in Miami and on the East coast. It's too expensive to ship my car over. Cheaper to get another car later when I get settled. Money will be tight for a couple of months, but I'll get Sydette's child support to you as soon as can. I have a better shot there."

Yani glanced over at Sydette who held the straps to her weekend bag on her shoulders.

"When are you leaving?"

"Next month."

Yani felt her forehead.

"You should have told us sooner, Chez."

"I just got the call. I have to go where the money is, gyal. You know that. I stay here and you'll bust my ass for not having my full child support."

He held his hands out for Sydette and she skipped over to him and rested her chest on Yani's legs.

"I'm sorry I won't be here to take Detty on the weekends. I can send for her with my sister and keep her at the end of the year once I'm settled—"

"No, this new one will be here then and I need my girl with me."

Yani scratched her belly. Chez stared at her hand.

"Ooh," Yani sighed while shifting her legs on Chez.

"Kicking?"

"Too much," she said.

Yani took in Chez's face. He looked hopeful. Ready to test his wings away from the island. It was bad enough having Sydette lose Killmonger. Now she was losing her biological father to distance and a chance at a better life.

"We will miss you," she said.

Chez's eyes seemed to spark at her words. She saw his eyes well up and she was surprised to see him cover his face with his hand.

"Chez," she whispered.

Sydette crawled up onto Yani's legs and touched her father's face.

"I'm alright Detty," he said lifting her weight off of Yani.

Yani moved her legs from the ottoman and rubbed Chez's back.

"I'm okay, Yani. You ready, Detty?"

"Yes!"

Chez stood with Sydette in his arms. Yani picked up her daughter's bag and handed it back to him.

"We'll talk later, yeah?" Yani said.

"I'll call you next week with more information. I'll be staying with my Uncle until I get my own place there. Say bye, Detty!"

"Bye, Mama."

"Give me kiss."

Sydette leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

"Give Dumplin a kiss."

Chez held Sydette upside down as peals of laughter erupted from her. She kissed Yani's belly.

Watching her daughter leave with Chez, Yani thought of how life changed in the blink of an eye all the time. She rested a hand on her stomach as she stood in the doorway tracking Chez helping Sydette into his car.

"Bye!" Sydette called while waving her hand.

"Bye, Sweet Pea. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

When they left, Yani stood and let the sun warm her face. The baby tumbled and then seemed to settle.

"I wish your daddy was here, Dumplin."

Patting her belly, Yani closed the door trying her best not to dwell on Killmonger for too long.

###

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Fuck!

Sitting at a table inside a small Swedish café waiting for a sandwich and some decent coffee, Erik's eyes were glued to the tablet in his hand.

"Holy shit," Klaue said staring at Erik's device.

Other people in the café were staring at cell phones or their computers.

Erik couldn't believe it and he felt a cold dragging on his stomach.

He was already agitated watching King T'Chaka receive praise for his rousing speech giving support to signing the Sokovia Accords. The Avengers had made a deadly mess in Nigeria and over one hundred nations decided they needed to be regulated and controlled, and King T'Chaka's words were splashed all over the press. Public and private superheroes and other enhanced humans had to come forward and be counted, tracked, and given permission to act for good in the future. Erik was sure more vigilantes would break out, but he didn't give a fuck because Wakanda was the only thing he wanted. Once he had his father's nation in his hand, he would blow all these enhanced fools out of the water. Take them out if they couldn't bow down to him.

All Erik wanted to do was eat the perfect open-faced smoked-salmon sandwich and spend time out of the house and away from Linda and Limbano. He hadn't planned on watching his Uncle speak at the Vienna International Centre until Klaue told him that the King of Wakanda was on tv.

Regal, gray-haired, with glasses that gave him a gentle grandfatherly look, T'Chaka Udaku told the world how Ultron stole their vibranium and how his country would not stand by and let injustices continue.

The fucking audacity.

And just like that, Erik and the world watched the room explode and the cameras cut to news footage outside. Erik wanted to yell and jammed his nails into his hands to keep himself in his seat as he saw his grip on justice slip from his fingers.

Klaue's face was stuck in the firm grip of shock.

"This is going to change some things, Killmonger," Klaue said.

Words and images flew online fast and the explosion was quickly labeled a terrorist attack.

"There will be a lot of dead in that room, mate."

Rooted in his seat, it was confirmed soon enough.

King T'Chaka Udaku was dead.

Erik stormed out of the café and walked aimlessly through the street for half an hour. His personal cell blew up and when he looked to see who it was, he answered it.

"Uncle Bakari."

"Have you heard?"

"Yes."

"Are you alright? Where are you?"

Erik stopped walking and let the familiar sound of home focus him.

"I'm in Europe now. Saw the news in a café."

"How are you feeling, Nephew?"

"I don't feel nothin'…nothin' at all."

His Uncle knew he was lying. Erik's voice sounded heavy. Brittle.

"Erik…that was your Uncle, your father's brother—"

"That man ain't shit to me!"

People walking past Erik moved around him quickly because of his tone. He headed back to the café.

"I gotta go," Erik said.

"Call me later…if you want to talk. Shavonne and I are here for you."

"Okay."

Erik swiped his phone and he checked his other cell. Two texts from Klaue.

"Hey man, I'm heading back to the café. Had to take a call from home."

"I thought you were taking this explosion a little too hard, mate," Klaue said.

"Like you said, changes some things, but we'll work around it."

"I had the shop put your food in a to-go box. I'm heading back to the house. See you there."

"Cool."

Erik ignored the café and kept walking. His left hand pressed against the left side of his waist in the space he had saved to carve King T'Chaka into his skin. Stolen from him. Whoever the fuck killed his Uncle would feel his wrath eventually, but now Erik had to deal with T'Challa taking the throne.

Erik halted.

His cousin would have to take his father's body back to Wakanda. That would end all of his travels for the next few months. He'd be where Erik wanted him to be. Birnin Zana. The golden city. The terrorists had cheated Erik of one Udaku, but they had also made his endgame easier so he could have the other one. Losing his father in a violent way would have T'Challa rattled, he was sure of that. Erik knew what that felt like. A rattled King would also be a weak King. A distracted King. One who could easily be beaten.

Erik still felt a heaviness in his chest. There was fiery anger there. Something was stolen from him once more. King T'Chaka had escaped his due punishment and it sucked the energy out of Erik. When he returned to their hideout, he climbed the stairs ignoring everyone else and went to his room, throwing himself on his bed. His mind wouldn't let his body rest and he stayed up all night clenching and unclenching his fists. He tugged on the silver chain around his neck until his fingers clasped onto his father's ring.

###

The museum added additional security two days before the opening of the African Antiquities exhibit.

Linda was able to get a job as a barista there and spent a day walking the entire museum taking more secretive photos to make sure nothing had changed since Erik had surveyed it the previous year. She kept her eye on the lead curator, a grim-lipped white woman with an elitist attitude toward employees.

They hid in a flat less than a mile away from the museum. Erik planned logistics with Klaue and Limbano was able to locate a decommissioned ambulance for cheap purchase from a scrapyard. He also procured EMT uniforms for himself and Klaue.

"That woman is a fucking tyrant!"

Linda stormed into the apartment carrying take out from the corner pub. She went into her bedroom and changed clothes before rushing back out to finish her rant.

"I have never met a person with a stick so far up their ass—"

"Cutthroat museum director getting your dander up again?" Klaue heckled.

Erik and Klaue watched her fume near the window.

"She just does shit to pick on people…for no reason! Every fucking day she gets the same coffee from my section. We know how to make her beverage because she instructs us explicitly down to the most finite detail…and yet…it's never the right way. She's just contrarian for shits and giggles. Jesus, I don't know how regular people can take that day after day."

"But she always comes to you, right?" Erik asked.

"Yeah."

Erik stood up and walked over to her. Reaching into his pocket he handed her a small plastic two-inch bag. A yellowish-white powder sat inside of it.

"What is this meth?" Linda joked.

"On D-Day, put this in her coffee cup. Don't touch it with your hands."

"Fast-acting?"

"Nah. Slow burn. Timing is everything. The moment she sips, you hit me up."

Linda pocketed the poison and grabbed her take out container. She scarfed down a sausage sandwich.

"The plane is ready for Busan," Erik said.

"Limbano will take it over and secure housing," Klaue said.

"I have enough surveillance footage looped. Their security is very sensitive, so you will have a little over an hour to get in and out without them suspecting anything on their feed," Linda said.

Klaue stared at his phone.

"I'm trying to get some intel on Jo'Burg, but Huntsman has been avoiding me," he said.

Another tell.

Linda took a large bite of her sandwich and then wiped her lips as she stared at Klaue attempting to contact the dead merc. There was a lack of confidence in her eyes. A hint of…worry? When she stopped looking at Klaue her eyes darted up and Erik stood in front of her with a can of beer in his hand.

"Maybe he has another gig that he can't get out of," Erik said.

Linda's face froze, but then she reached for the beer and took it from him. He reached into her take-out container and grabbed a few fried chips. Popping them in his mouth, he kept his gaze on her, until she stood up to throw away her empty container.

"Well I need him," Klaue said.

Linda left the room and Erik turned on his laptop and studied the museum layout. The moment Linda fed the poison to the curator, Erik would have to maneuver himself into the exhibit hall, find the vibranium, and make sure the curator stayed near him. Reconnaissance video showed that she hovered throughout the space ninety-percent of the time, and if she was anal about her coffee, she would be anal about hawking his Black ass when he lingered around the room. Once she was down, they'd terminate distractors and make a body switch out into the ambulance smuggling out the vibranium. He just needed to find it quickly.

He switched his screen to the online exhibit brochure and paid attention to the pieces he suspected would be laden with the good stuff.

"What's going on with Bonnie?" Klaue asked.

"Bonnie?"

Klaue pointed to him.

"You're Clyde…she's Bonnie…for fucks sake. Bonnie and Clyde?"

Erik rolled his eyes.

"You two getting along?"

"Yeah."

"She seems distant…not distant…more like preoccupied."

Erik shrugged.

"She seems normal to me."

"Keep an eye on her."

"You getting bad vibes or something?"

"Not sure. I feel like she tiptoes around you. The usual banter between you two seems forced. Not as playful as it used to be."

"I think she's stressed because we are dealing with the C.I.A. now. A lot more hoops to jump through with them once we arrive in Busan."

"I don't think that's it."

"Want me to ask her what's up?"

"Yeah. If things are shaky—"

"I'll take care of it if it is."

Klaue patted Erik's thigh in an off-hand gesture as he stood up.

"Good boy," he said walking over to the window and pulling out a cigar from his shirt pocket.

###

Erik pulled on the non-prescription glasses once he arrived by taxi to the museum.

He made sure to pass by Linda's coffee cart as he strolled into the building. She had already looped the security feed. The morning crowd was gone and the afternoon patrons trickled in. A free public lecture on Benin art attracted a large crowd. He tapped an earbud in his right ear.

"Miss Sunshine has sipped her special brew," Linda said, "she's heading your way."

Erik slowed down and pretended to be interested in an oil painting. The museum director took another sip of her coffee and spotted Erik lingering. He eased away from the painting and headed toward the West African exhibit area. From his peripheral, he saw the director locked on him along with some suited security that tried to look discreet.

The moment he entered the exhibit hall, he steered himself to a glass exhibit displaying a few masks and metal spears. His vibram tattoo didn't itch, and the reflection of the glass showed the director's approach. Another white man in a suit and tie watched him also, his fingers clasped in front of him.

"Good morning, how can I help you?"

Her voice sounded annoyed. Erik turned his head to the left and looked at her with a smile on his face. Her eyes saw his gold slugs and he saw the internal shift she made to deal with him.

"I'm just checkin' out these artifacts. They tell me you're the expert"

"Ah, you could say that…"

Erik skillfully nudged her toward the display he was after. The itch in his gums let him know he had hit jackpot when he read the title cards. Aunt Serah was a fucking boss. Vibranium hidden as a mislabeled Fula hammer. Ole girl rubbed her stomach. Erik knew the poison was waking up in her body. She sounded so confident telling him where she thought the hammer came from. The bitch probably worked Aunt Serah's nerves.

"Nah…"

Her eyes glared at him and her mouth gave a small quirk as if she wanted to burp but couldn't.

"I beg your pardon," she said, her voice sounding surprised.

Erik gave her a quick once over.

"It was taken by British soldiers in Benin, but it's from Wakanda…and it's made out of vibranium."

The rasp in his voice startled her and she clutched her stomach a little harder.

Erik smirked.

"Don't trip, I'ma take it off your hands for you."

"These items aren't for sale."

She elongated the word sale in a way meant to put Erik in his place. The slow rise of heated anger rose in his gut. Fucking thieves.

"How do you think your ancestor's got these? You think they paid a fair price? Or did they take it like they took everything else?"

The bite in his voice startled her. He saw one of the security men inch closer to them.

"Sir I'm going to have to ask you to leave…"

Her voice stopped and she looked toward her minions as she coughed. Erik stepped in close and whispered in her ear.

"You got all this security in here watching me…ever since I walked in. But you ain't checkin' for what you put in your body."

The director gasped and looked at her coffee cup.

"Klaue and Limbano are in position," Linda said in his ear.

Erik smiled.

"C'mon mate…"

A security guard tugged on Erik's jacket, pulling him away from the distressed director.

"I think she might not be feelin' too good…"

The director dropped like a pile of bricks hitting the floor.

"Jam those phones, Linda," Erik whispered.

Erik called for help loudly as three security men surrounded the director on the floor.

"Klaue, Limbano…you're on deck," Linda said.

Less than five minutes later Klaue and Limbano came running in with a stretcher.

"Step back please, gents, step back please," Klaue yelled.

The guards ushered museum-goers toward the exit in the opposite direction. Erik lingered and watched Klaue.

Pistols with high-grade silencers were used to take out two of the guards. Klaue toyed with the third giving the man false hope of survival.

"You can go, but just don't tell anyone, alright?"

Klaue winked at the guard and the man took off running. He let him get twenty feet away before he nickeled the man's brains. The body fell hard.

"Bruh, why you ain't just shoot him right here?"

"Because it's better to leave the crime scene more spread out…makes us look like amateurs."

"I'll meet you guys outside," Linda said in his ear.

"Let's do this," Erik said, guiding Klaue to the vibranium.

Klaue took off the glove on his prosthetic hand and held it up to the exhibit. A sonic pulse shattered the glass and Klaue grabbed the Wakandan hammer. He used his pulse sensors to gently shake off centuries of rust and grit and history. He smelled the metal and laughed.

"You better sell that quick."

"Oh it's already sold," Klaue said bragging. He broke the handle off of the tool and glanced at Limbano to move.

A mask caught Erik's eyes.

He moved over to the standing display and leaned down to look it over carefully.

Regal horns crowned the top as intricate and very detailed carving told a bold story on the blue and steel gray stained wood. The title card said "Warrior Mask, Benin 17th Century". Erik snatched the mask off the metal rod it sat on.

"You're not telling me that's vibranium too, eh?"

"Nah, I'm just feelin' it."

###

Yani's favorite part of laundry day was pulling clean clothes out of the dryer and then folding them. Especially when she tossed in a laundry freshener sheet and everything smelled extra clean.

A clean rain fell outside as she put away Sydette's clothes and her own. She had even washed some of her daughter's old newborn outfits that she would use for Dumplin.

Sydette was sound asleep on her bed in the room she shared with Yani, and once everything was put away, Yani waddled out to the living room where Twyla was braiding Leona's hair and watching tv.

Yani stepped into the kitchen to make herself some fresh cocoa on the stove. She put milk in a saucepan on low and closed the kitchen window. The baby was resting easy inside of her. The day had been a calm one lugging that child inside of her around. One day she would see her feet again and be reacquainted with her toes.

"Yani!"

Twyla's loud shriek startled her and Yani moved as fast as she could back into the living room. Leona was grabbing the remote from Twyla and turning the sound up. The BBC news was on. Klaue's picture took up half the screen on the wall.

"Them find his body," Leona said.

"Shh! Let's hear it," Twyla hissed.

A British-Indian woman anchor told a horrible narrative and Yani wanted to cover her ears, but she stood with a heavy belly, wide-eyed and mouth open as the world was informed that the notorious arms dealer, Ulysses Klaue of South Africa, was found dead in Korea with two others. A woman. And another man. All of Klaue's business was put out into the world and even Twyla's face showed shock because of what the man was accused of doing for so many years. Killing. Arms dealing. Illegal transactions all over the world.

It was all sordid and nasty and so much more horrifying seeing it on the tv.

Killmonger was part of that, and now—

"Yani!"

Twyla moved away from the chair Leona sat in and grabbed Yani's shoulders and eased her onto the couch.

"I'm okay, I just felt a little faint," Yani said.

The headline news moved on to other things and Leona turned down the sound and switched channels.

"They didn't say his name," Yani insisted out loud.

"Calm down," Twyla said.

"They just said Klaue, and then a man and a woman. And there were no photos of him."

Her voice took on a pleading quality.

"Something's burning," Leona said rushing into the kitchen.

"Him not dead. He can't be—"

"They didn't say his name, so no one knows."

"I can look online."

Yani tried to get up, but her weight made it hard to move quickly enough. She felt the baby kicking her side and she gasped. The sharpness hurt. She had upset Dumplin.

"Relax cuz. Be easy, yeah?"

Yani nodded and leaned back.

"Whatever you were trying to make, that milk is ruined," Leona said.

Yani closed her eyes.

Please let me know you're okay, man.

Other news channels that mentioned Klaue only said the same thing. He was shot and killed and found in Korea. Two other bodies with him.

There was nothing Yani could do. Fretting about it would just get her worked up and the baby would feel it. So she focused on getting through the rest of the day with Sydette. Dinner. Bath time. Storytelling time. Sleep.

Yani curled her body around soft pillows and tried to rest her mind. She had to accept not knowing for sure. In the middle of the night, she lumbered out of bed and went to the living room to look on her laptop for any more information. Just various networks giving brief mentions, and then just as quick as the story came…it went.

A week went by and nothing new was reported. Her Aunt was now unemployed permanently from the man. And poor Jerome. Who would spoil him now if they couldn't walk onto the compound anymore? He would think that everyone abandoned him.

So silly. To worry about an iguana as much as she worried about her baby's father.

She touched her chest as her face grew tight. None of her children had their fathers in their life at that moment. Sydette would see Chez eventually in a few months, but Dumplin? Dumplin just had her.

She groaned and lowered her head. Breathing through her mouth she squeezed her hands into fists.

"Oh Lord," she whispered out loud.

She placed her right hand under her stomach.

"Twyla," she called out.

She stood up from the chair in the kitchen.

"Twyla."

"Yeah?"

Her cousin twisted her hair as she stepped into the room.

Yani grabbed a cup and poured water into it from a bottle. She concentrated on swallowing every drop and then turned to face her cousin.

"Dumplin is coming."

"Right now?"

"My contractions are now about thirty minutes apart. I've been keeping track all day."

"All day? You've been in labor all day?"

Twyla's face was bewildered.

"This is baby number two, remember?"

Yani grinned but Twyla's face was still frozen with surprise.

"I'll call Auntie and your Mom."

"Good. I'm going to walk a bit and track my progress while I call my doctor."

"Okay."

Twyla ran to the living room and Yani walked into her bedroom. Sydette was on her bed playing with her dolls.

"Hey, Sweet Pea. Go put your jacket and shoes on. Dumplin is coming."

Sydette's face lit up and she gave a loud whoop as she scrambled to find her shoes.

Yani held both sides of her stomach as she looked down at it.

"Hold on. Give me some time to get to the hospital, yeah?"

Sydette ran out of the room.

"Auntie! Auntie! The baby is coming!"

Yani smiled.

"Take your time, Dumplin. No rush, love. I'm here for you."

###

She was so tired.

By the time the last relative left the house and Sydette was put to bed sound asleep, Yani was able to sit in her new rocking chair and feed the baby. Fourth day home with the newborn and every relative had finally gotten a chance to see the bad man on the hill's child.

Dumplin.

Erik Paradise Galiber-Stevens.

Affectionately known as Riki by the rest of the family.

Nine pounds, four ounces.

Twyla took one look at him and exclaimed, "Dumplin? Tuh, this child is a beef patty."

The boy had the lustiest cry when he came out from between Yani's legs. Twyla cried the entire time she held Yani's hand in her private maternity room. Sydette had a side seat to watch everything and she was a better coach than her cousin. Her mother held Sydette and when her baby brother came out heavy and healthy, Sweet Pea shouted, "Don't cry, I'll help you!"

She had to have stitches, but she was glad that the birth wasn't as labor intensive as Sydette's had been. By the time she was rolled into the hospital to have him, Riki was out three hours later. Fat, vibrant, and restless. Arms and legs constantly moving like he had somewhere to go.

"Are you still sure about 'Paradise'?" Twyla said watching her breastfeed her son.

"What's wrong with that for a middle name? He was conceived in paradise and I want him to know that. What do you think it should be?"

"Lil Big Nigga—"

"Shut up!"

"He on them titties like his Daddy—"

"Twyla!"

"You know it's true."

"Nasty."

"Runs in the family. Before I forget—"

Twyla walked into her room and came back with a handful of mail.

"This all came to Auntie's house addressed to you. It was forwarded from your old place. All your bills."

Yani tilted Riki's head back and wiped his lips.

"Can you burp him for me?"

Yani took the mail as Twyla took the baby.

"Oh, stop fussing, you can have them titties again in a minute, greedy boy. Yuh Mama not going anywhere…Yani…what is it?"

"This came from Korea."

Yani felt her heart patter a little faster.

The manilla envelope had a typed address label on it for her apartment. The return address was written in Korean. The stamped date was recent. Five days previous.

"Open it," Tywla encouraged.

Yani took her time tearing open the flap. She took a deep breath and pulled out several sheets of heavy paper. She stared at them, looking over every single one carefully. When she lifted her eyes up to Twyla, she could barely breathe.

"Yuh scaring me cuz."

Yani was still in pain from having the baby, so she couldn't jump up like she wanted. She opened her mouth but she couldn't get words out.

"Yani…fuck…what is it?"

"Me and Auntie…"

"You and Auntie what?"

"We own the compound. These are deeds to all three houses."

Yani stared at the thick papers.

"Auntie gets the first house. I get Klaue's house, and we both share the middle house. It's the fucking deeds. We own everything free and clear."

"Yuh fucking lying!"

Riki whimpered from the volume of Twyla's voice.

"Killmonger did this. I know it. It's Klaue's signature on the transfer of everything, but…this is Killmonger."

Yani stared at her newborn son, his silky curls, button nose, full lips, and bright brown eyes so perfect. So much like his father.

"Dumplin, your Daddy gave us everything."

Part 30 Conclusion HERE

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