#first date with tom

[shivroy]

random disorienting succession sketch grab-all and lastly my son keebler elf kendall who i hate

[onestormynight]

hell of a way to go out

[bluebeewings]

I’m collecting Nicholas Braun’s prophetic tomgreg moments in his other movies like infinity stones

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

05/09/2024 Daily OFMD recap

TLDR; Leslie Jones; David Jenkins; Taika Waititi; Samba Schutte; Vico Ortiz; Jes Tom; Police Menacing Max; Articles; WBD Q1 Earnings Call; Casey Bloys Excuse Generator; Love Notes; Daily Darby/Tonight's Taika

== Leslie Jones ==

Leslie Fucking jones will be Joining NBC's 2024 Olympics coverage!! She's gonna be Chief Super Fan Commentator! Fuck yeah Leslie!

Source: @nbcolympics Instagram

== David Jenkins ==

Some sneaky shots with Chaos Dad for Kinga's 41st birthday! Happy Birthday Kinga!

Source: Kinga Malisz's Instagram

== Samba Schutte ==

So apparently Samba has started his Thirst Trap Era -- none of us are complaining! A lot of the OFMD cast members decided to comment on these as well!

Source: Samba Schutte's Instagram

== Taika Waititi ==

In case you missed the video on Rita's IG Stories: Peepa Sighting (I don't actually know how to spell this? I see like 3 versions online-- feel free to correct me!)

== Vico Ortiz ==

Vico's been doing so much voice acting lately! They decided to drop some pics from the booth! Loving all the facial expressions!

Source: Vico Ortiz' Instagram

= Date My Abuelita, First! =

New Episode of Date My Abuelita, First! with Vico! Listen here

Source: DMAF Instagram

= Jes Tom =

Our dear Jes Tom is an honoree of Queerty's 2024 #Pride 50! Congrats Jes! Thanks @adoptourcrew for sharing this!

Source: Adopt Our Crew's Twitter / Queerty's #Pride50

== WBD End of Q1 Meeting ==

Today's Q1 Meeting was full of massive BS as you've probably seen from various sources by now. Thank you @ragsandmuffins-ali for live tweeting during the call so we could get an idea of what's going on in their heads.

Source: @ ragsandmuffins Twitter

== Max Polite Menacing ==

SO MANY OF THE CREW stepped out today and started polite menacing Max again! Excellent job everyone! Thank you @ indarltonitrust for catching the count! I saw it was close to 10K by the time I went to bed!

Source: @indarltonitrust on Twitter And man oh man, we even got the bots in on it!

Source: @ragsandmuffins-ali on Twitter Some folks really let loose!

Source: @ ofmooshd on Twitter @ Seven_Sugars not pulling the punches either.

Source @ Seven_Sugars Twitter

= Casey Bloys Excuse Generator =

Idk which one of you indestructible little fuckers on this crew created a Casey Bloys Excuse Generator -- but well done! It's fantastic, try it out below.

== Articles ==

Thank you to Adopt Our Crew, Pink News, Never Left Podcast, and everyone else who shared all these articles today! Adopt Our Crew as well as the general OFMD fandom got several shoutouts today in them!

‘Nobody cares about Gollum’: The Internet’s reaction to new ‘Lord of the Rings’ films is anything but ‘precious’ 

‘Don’t Stream on Max’: Why viewers are protesting Max and calling for David Zaslav to be fired

#DontStreamOnMax, #FireDavidZaslav Trend as Warner Bros. Tries to Convince Us Everything’s Going Great

Warner Bros. Discovery Misses Q1 Expectations, TV Ad Sales Down 11% as Streaming Revenue Flat

Warner Bros. Discovery Reports Wider-Than-Expected Loss as Revenue Falls Short

Warner Bros. Discovery Plans Fresh Cost Cuts, Max Price Hike

== Love Notes ==

Wow! Crew, today was nuts! I wasn't even present for most of it, but I poked my head in occasionally and saw so many people Polite and Not so Polite Menacing today! It was fantastic! I want to give a huge shout out to AdoptOurCrew for leading this charge, SaveOFMD Crew for all their support and resources, @sonnetforbonnet for guiding folks, and all the other folks who helped so many people today in menacing Max! I tell you lovelies, it felt really good to see that kind of passion and banding together today. It reminded me of earlier this year when we were all united for one common cause. I realize we can't keep that momentum up all the time, but it was so very heartwarming to see everyone working together today again.

You all are badasses and you should be proud of yourselves. You seriously stepped it up today. I heard there was some drama with some not so kind "max supporters" but if you can, please just ignore those folks. They don't know where we're coming from and they are absolutely not worth your energy if you don't have the spoons <3 I'd like to share another love note I found on Instagram today that's not completely applicable to todays events, but it spoke to me because of the last part. Be proud of yourselves lovelies. No matter what you did today, polite menacing, sleeping, massive aggression, whatever it was. You did great <3 Take care <3

Source: soulscribbleerr's Instagram

== Daily Darby / Tonight's Taika ==

Tonight's theme is being a boss and dancing, cause yall were BAMF today.

Gifs courtesy of @ fandomsmeantheworldtome and @ a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives

[pollyna]

Everybody, including their mothers and grandmothers, knows Iceman eats and snacks around every time he can. Preflight, postflight snack, a gum in his mouth chomping away most of the day, and, if he has enough, even during their flying time because he can, and so he does that too. What a significant smaller number of people knows, and that's probably Slider and Mav himself, is that Ice can appear like someone who eats whatever you put in front of him, but he can be picky, not that much that everyone notices but enough to start an argument with Slider over lunch. 

("Ice c'mon leave it alone"

"Sli, you know I don't touch that thing"

"Iceman please, stop, we are already being over this" pointing their plates and then the both of them "thousands of times."

"And then you know I'm right, Slider"

"Tom!"

"Ron!"

"Thomas leave it be"

"Ronald, for the love of God, stop being such a child"

"Thomas Jacob!"

"Ronald William!"

Months later, Mav is still unsure what the problem was.)

So, when Mav decides he's going to ask Ice out for a date (to spend the rest of your life together, had mock Goose) he can't help but try to guess what Ice isn't going to like to find on his plate. And it's fucking hard because the man just eats and snacks, and it seems so random that he almost gives up the idea of cooking for him and just takes him out for a burger and fries or a pizza. But then Slider approaches him with a half-hearted exasperated smile and says, "Listen, Shorterick, Ice is going to love everything you're going to make him, even if it's half burnt and non-edible. But, just as a little help so you can finally put an end to my sufferings, Ice likes red M&M's, he doesn't eat stuff made with oranges, but he drinks and eats them if they're fresh, he fucking hates capers and can't stand to find onions on his plate, but he can live with it, he's a grown boy these days, so no problem. But please, please Pete, don't try to give him stuff with cinnamon in it and try not to eat cinnamon chewing gum before being in his vicinity because he didn't hook up with Cougar because they were his favourite flavour of chewing gum."

"He was going to ho-"

"Mitchell! Not the point now. He doesn't have any allergies, so don't worry about that. And please kiss him, okay man? Give the entire squadron a break from whatever you two have going, please."

He's out of the room before Maverick can even think of saying anything, and for once it was all going to be a thank you.

(It takes Maverick another month and a half to master the courage to ask Ice out, but when he does, the other man's smile is so big and genuine that they almost end up kissing right there, in the middle of the O Club. The dinner is a success, and when Mav starts to divide the M&M's for the movie, Ice kisses him so hard that they both lose their balance and half of his work ends on the floor, but it all has so little importance because they're both laughing and kissing, and oh god, Mav really loves this man and he has the nagging feeling that this particular man loves him too.) 

[dracosdarlingg]

Slytherin boys and your first date

No warnings just enjoy

Draco

Was stressing out on where to take you but ultimately decided on a nice dinner that way the two of you could chat and get to know each other better. Shared the créme brûlée for desert but couldn't help with their free hand holding it.

Mattheo

Deff took you dancing, he wanted to do something fun and somewhat energetic. Loves when you get all dressed up for him and the way you smiled each time he twirled you around.

Blaise

He would take you to see a movie, because he was kinda shy and doesn't really know what to say. But he does remember you once telling him that you love going to the movies so it was a win win really.

Theodore

He would take you out for coffee, and the both of you would order too many pastries yet try and love them all. Was a little nervous before the date started but after a few laughs he was really enjoying himself and glad to see you also were.

Lorenzo

100% planned a really cute picnic and even tried his hand at baking a cake. It didn't look the best but you said it tasted great anyway. Most likely played 20 questions too.

Tom

Took you out for dinner, surprised himself because he usually doesn't do dates but for some reason you had convinced him. Played 20 questions, drank too much wine, and he enjoyed himself more than he will ever admit.

[eemcintyre]

Surprise Me (Tom Cruise)

I've been pondering on this absolute unit for a while. Please appreciate the amount of time, energy, and NYC restaurant research I had to do, lol

TW- none

Summary- One of your friends, after a poor track record of setting you up on blind dates, gets one more chance and makes the most of it. You meet the date for dinner at an elegant NYC restaurant to discover that your friend has set you up with Tom Cruise.

Y/N was one of those people who had told herself, her whole life, that she would never go on a blind date. No matter how many months or years went by of being single, she had refused to stoop to what she perceived to be such a desperate level. Moreover, she was not actively looking for a relationship, as she was generally happy on her own, living a full life of work, hobbies, travel, and friendship.

However, one lapse- one lonely, alcohol-induced, self-pitying night of self-disclosure with a friend later, and that friend, Nikki, had become obsessed with setting her up. Nikki had arranged a number of dates for her with a number of men, who despite Nikki’s good intentions, mostly turned out to be questionable at best, and occasionally were potential serial killers at worst. Tonight was Nikki’s last chance- she promised that this time would be different and would make up for all of the other terrible evenings and to just trust her. Promises, promises.

Y/N exited the taxi that had taken her to La Grande Boucherie, the restaurant that she and her date had agreed on for the evening. It was an open-air French establishment situated in an alley between two avenues. From across the street where the taxi had dropped her off, she could see fairy lights wrapped around several small trees inside the restaurant, twinkling in the descending dusk.

All she knew about her date, from their text conversations spanning the last few days and the description of Nikki, was that his name was Tom, he was handsome with dark hair, fun and energetic, and that he worked in the filmmaking business. As Y/N lived in New York, it was not at all unusual to run into people in the film industry rather frequently- even she herself had worked in costume design, and currently production design. Although, he and Nikki were both a bit vague when she asked what exactly it was that he did. She figured that meant he was probably one of those “aspiring actors” who really make their living doing guided NYC tours or waiting tables and had a bit part in a B movie once.  

Y/N had never been to La Grande Boucherie before, and it looked a little more high-end than she had anticipated. Elaborate fixtures of spherical lights hung from the vaulted ceiling, and large tropical plants provided a small canopy by one of the walls. Although “Tom” had mentioned that the place was on the elegant side, she almost wondered if she was underdressed, in a simple, mid-length, classic black dress. But she figured the date wouldn’t last a particularly long time anyway.

If tonight’s a disaster, this is the last time you set me up and I swear I’ll key your car in revenge, she texted her friend a final time before slipping her phone into her purse and crossing the busy street. She wondered why she was feeling a bit nervous when she had been on so many unsuccessful dates and her expectations had become so low. No matter how hard she tried to suppress it, it appeared that a miniscule part of her remained hopeful about finding someone. And at this point, she really had no idea what to expect, as this was a much nicer place than where her previous dates had invited her. Though, of course, men with money had just as much potential to be terrible dates as those without, she was terribly curious, and equally intimidated. What had her friend gotten her into this time?

Upon reaching the front of the restaurant, she briefly scanned her reflection in the window, adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder and shrugging. She also took a moment to evaluate the atmosphere of the restaurant up close. Soft jazz music glided through the entryway, and the building smelled of a combination of rich, sizzling French meats and soups, and the luxury perfumes and colognes of the affluent people who dined there. She was not necessarily worried about the dinner being expensive- she made enough money to be able to splurge on something nice from time to time- but doubted that the overall night’s experience would be worth it, no matter how good the meal was.

Her gaze roved over the occupants of each table, but none of them appeared to be the mysterious “Tom,” either not fitting the description or already accompanied by other guests. Luckily, “Tom” had texted her a table number to look for. Approaching the hostess’ podium, Y/N inquired “Hi. Can you point me in the direction of Table 16?”

The hostess answered with a knowing smile that puzzled Y/N. “Good evening. Of course. It’s the one in the far-right corner by that display of pink flowers.”

“Thank you,” Y/N murmured, spotting the table and the back of the head of the man sitting in one of the chairs.

“Enjoy your night, ma’am.”

“You too.”

Y/N crept slowly across the tiled restaurant floor to Table 16, frustrated with herself at how on-edge she was. Feeling like she was being observed by everyone she passed, she almost tripped on a chair leg. Rounding the last corner and reaching her destination, she braced herself to greet “Tom” and finally see what he looked like.

Sitting at the table was a man in a simple black suit and white dress shirt with the first two buttons undone. He had short, dark brown hair, a few strands brushing his forehead, with green eyes that stood out against his pale skin, and a distinctive mole on his left cheek. Y/N froze, momentarily forgetting everything about what she was going to say, where she was, what she was doing there, and how to talk.

From his seat at the table, Tom Cruise grinned and said “Hello.”

“Oh gosh… wait- oh my gosh, you’re…”

“I am,” he grinned wider and shrugged. He was about to say more, when Y/N continued:

“I am so sorry, I- I must be at the wrong table. They told me Table 16 and pointed me this way-” she gestured frantically, feeling her face grow hot.

“Well, you found it,” Tom confirmed, gesturing to the small sign on the tabletop. “This is Table 16.”

“Oh, um, well, he must have texted me the wrong number… I am so, so sorry, this is embarrassing. I was supposed to meet someone here, and…”

“Wait, hold on- is your name Y/N?” Tom inquired, cocking his head to the side.

“…Yes, it is,” she answered slowly, feeling lightheaded.

“Do you know Nikki?” He leaned toward her from his chair. The look on her face was her answer. “I think we’re supposed to go on a date tonight,” he stated matter-of-factly, beckoning to the chair across from him. “Sit down.”

“Oh, there’s got to be a mistake here somewhere…” Y/N said, her stomach performing feats of acrobatics as she stood rooted to her spot.

“You won’t even give me a chance?” he teased, fixing her with puppy-dog eyes. “I thought we got along pretty well over text.”

“No- I mean, it’s not that, I just…” Y/N brought her hands to her head in embarrassment as she stammered, finally managing to move and take a step back from the table. “I’ll be right back; I just need to- I just need to use the restroom- I’ll just be a minute.”

“You will come back, right?” he joked, although his eyes betrayed genuine concern that she was about to make an escape.

“Yes, I’ll be back.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” She spun around and took several rapid steps in the opposite direction of the table before she heard him call out “It’s the other way.”

~

“Wow. I can’t believe you; I mean, what the fu-” Y/N hissed into her phone, holed up in one of the women’s bathroom stalls of La Grande Boucherie.

“-What?” Nikki’s voice sounded from the phone speaker innocently.

“You know exactly what you did-”

“-Are you actually calling me right now to complain about being set up with Tom Cruise? I told you that I was coming in clutch for you this time.”

“What the hell are you trying to do to me?? I am not prepared for this!” She snapped, detecting the footsteps of whoever else had also been in the bathroom as they exited rapidly.

“What do you mean? I’m sure you’re wearing something nice, you always do, and I know you know how to eat…”

“YOU SAID HE WORKED IN THE FILMMAKING BUSINESS, NOT THAT HE’S THE MOST FAMOUS ACTOR IN THE WORLD.”

“Okay, okay, calm down…”

“Why didn’t you tell me??” Y/N groaned, emerging from the stall to examine her hair, makeup, and outfit, which seemed to have gone from “possibly slightly underdressed” to totally inadequate.

“You know you never would have gone if I’d told you. You would have either thought I was trying to prank you or you would have had the aneurysm that you’re having right now.”

“Well, what am I supposed to do?” Y/N snapped defeatedly.

“Act like yourself? Do what you would normally do?” Nikki replied, exasperated. “He was interested in you just off of my description and you guys’ texting.”

A pink tint rose to Y/N’s face. “He was? You’re not just telling me that?”

“Hey, I’m a little crafty, but I’m not evil.”

“…What did he say?”

“He thought it was cool that you’ve done production design and costume work, he liked that you’re kind of outdoorsy… he was interested, okay? Get out there and talk to him instead of talking to me!”

“We are going to have a serious talk about this…” Y/N muttered, straightening the wrinkles in her outfit and heading for the door.

“You can tell me all about it tomorrow. Trust me, I’ll want to know every detail.” Nikki paused. “And you said I’d never set you up with anyone good.” Y/N could hear the triumphant smirk in Nikki’s voice and hung up, rolling her eyes.

“Be calm. He’s just a person. He’s just a guy,” she said to herself as she neared Table 16 once again, relieved to see that Tom still sat there.

“I told you I would come back,” she managed a smile, moving to slide into the other empty chair, when Tom rose from his place to pull it out for her.

“I’m glad you did,” he added, smiling back and looking equally relieved as they finally faced each other at the table. “I ordered us an appetizer and some drinks while you were gone. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so hopefully it’s all okay…”

“Oh, I’m not picky.” Silence fell briefly, and before it could become too awkward, Y/N decided to address what was certainly weighing heavily on both of them. “So, you and I got off on the wrong foot and I want to apologize. I was just totally caught off-guard…”

“Nikki didn’t tell you?”

“No- well, she knew I never would have gone if I’d known-”

“Do you really hate me that much?” he chuckled. “I mean, I know not all of my movies have been great…”

“Not at all, it’s not that, I just would have been too scared.” Y/N dropped her gaze to her hands, twisted tightly together in her lap.

“Well, it’s normal to be nervous, but come on, I’m not so scary now, am I?” He leaned forward with his elbows on the table, smirking.

Y/N gathered the courage to meet his gaze. “No,” she admitted, with a grin. “I just feel out of place here, in this restaurant, in this whole situation.”

“I think you fit right in,” Tom assured her. “Actually, before our conversation went off the rails earlier, I was going to say that you look stunning.”

“T-thank you, you do too,” she stammered, feeling the blush creeping over her face again, cringing at her reply. He laughed, but it was a good-natured laugh, not seeming to be at her expense.

“Thanks. I tried.”

Y/N finally took a sip of the drink that Tom had ordered for her, a sparkling cocktail that tasted of cranberry and lemon. “This is good,” she nodded.

“I made a good choice?”

“Yes, you did, thank you.”

Soon after, the appetizers arrived- a roasted beet and endive salad. As they started to eat, Tom suggested:

“Now, why don’t we just start the night over? Hi, I’m Tom.”

“I’m Y/N,” she replied, and they both laughed between mouthfuls.

“You mentioned that you do behind-the-scenes work for film projects- what are you working on right now?”

“Oh, just a local documentary thing. Street art and its origins, styles, and cultural significance. Terribly exciting, I know.”

“Of course it is. But you’d rather be doing something else?”

“Like everyone else around here, I have higher aspirations. I know everyone has to work their way up- you know that better than anyone- but I also know that not everyone who puts the work in ends up making it, and it usually just comes down to chance and luck- being in the right place at the right time or knowing the right people. I’m just afraid that my miracle is never gonna happen, y’know?”

“Well, I really believe that if it’s what you’re meant to do, as long as you stay dedicated and a step ahead of everyone else, it’ll happen. We’re just not all on the same timetable. It happened early on for me, but for a lot of other people, they didn’t ‘make it’ until they were in their thirties, forties, hell, fifties…” He took a taste of his own drink- a non-alcoholic cocktail.

“I hope I don’t have to wait that long,” she said, half joking and half serious. “But what projects are you involved in at the moment?”

He obliged to the change in topic. “I have a lot going on with this action-movie satire piece. It’s one of those ones that’s been stuck in development hell for a few years, so there’s just a lot of negotiating back and forth; it gets tedious after a while, but I think we’re finally getting things nailed down. It’s looking like it’ll be a lot of fun once we get past the initial stages.”

During the course of this conversation, they realized that they should begin perusing the menu and decide on their main courses. As she examined the options, Y/N reminded herself that she could afford to spend a bit extra once in a while, yet the prices still managed to stun her. It must have been visible on her face, because Tom said “Order whatever looks good. I’m buying tonight.”

As Y/N opened her mouth to strongly protest, he held up his hand. “Nikki said you’d complain, but you can’t change my mind. It’s been a while since I’ve gone out, I want us to have a good time, and besides, it’s the way I was raised.” He shrugged, folding his hands in front of him on the tabletop. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect anything, and I know you’re capable of paying if I let you, I just want to. Okay?”

~  

When the server appeared with their entrees, the dusk had long since turned to nighttime darkness, allowing the fairy lights and orb ceiling fixtures to bathe all of the restaurant’s occupants in a warm glow. Y/N had ended up deciding on a mushroom ravioli dish, while Tom ordered a filet, and they shared a portion of seafood that he insisted she try. She was surprised to admit that she was feeling remarkably more at-ease.

“I am obsessed with this place,” he said offhandedly, having made it about halfway through his steak.

“I can see why,” Y/N giggled. “So, tell me: what is it you like to do when you’re not sword-fighting people or scaling the sides of buildings?”

Tom laughed, using one hand to smooth his hair back. “On those rare occasions, I like to do things like rock-climb, fly…”

She coughed on her food. “Fly? Oh yeah, that’s right.”

“Or cook, watch sports... I can have fun with both feet on the ground too. I’m down for just about anything.” He cocked an eyebrow. “What do you get into when you’re not designing the aesthetics of local documentaries?”

“Well, I enjoy a good hike or some skating, and I can be a bit arts and crafts-y when I want to. I do some drawing and painting when I’m between big work projects.”

She was amazed at how attentively he listened, and how he didn’t do it just to respond, but to ask questions as well. She was used to enduring her date’s life story without getting more than a few words in edgewise. She reminded herself that his entire job was to be a convincing actor, and so to not become too optimistic or believing of how he appeared. But damn, if it wasn’t difficult the longer they maintained eye contact and sat so closely and laughed with each other amidst the dim, cozy lighting and the soft jazz piano. Maybe she wouldn’t totally eviscerate Nikki after all.

~

After making it to the end of dinner, standing on the street outside, they prepared to part ways.

“You can ride along with me and my driver can drop you off,” he proposed.

“No, that’s extremely sweet of you, but you’ve done more than enough,” Y/N insisted. “You can’t change my mind.” Her eyes gleamed mischievously at him as she referenced their conversation near the beginning of the evening.

“Well, Y/N,” Tom sighed, “I’ve got to admit that tonight was the best time I’ve had in a while. You didn’t think it turned out so bad, right?”

“Not bad at all,” she replied, clutching her coat in both hands as a soft breeze passed.

“Good enough to do it again sometime? Soon?” he asked, eying her expectantly as the two of them shifted awkwardly back and forth on the pavement.

“Oh, I suppose,” she teased, though her expression was beaming. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a while too.”

A limousine pulled up to the curb next to them. She deduced that it was Tom’s aforementioned ride, but he was determined to stay until she flagged down a taxi, uncomfortable with the idea of leaving her on the street alone at night.

“You’ll have to think about what you’d like to do next. Maybe we could go flying,” he joked, as she eventually caught a passing cab driver’s attention.

“Maybe,” she chuckled as she approached the taxi. Tom opened the door for her, and before she slid inside, he placed a hand on her shoulder and murmured “Have a good night. Be safe.”

“Goodbye, Tom,” she slid into the backseat of the cab, smiling at him and then to herself as the cab started on its path to her home. Basking in the feeling of his touch on her shoulder and the slight giddiness that the earlier cocktail afforded, she lost herself in contemplation of the evening’s events, wondering where they might lead.

[verfound]

FIC: "A Story for the Kids" (MLB; Lukanette; LBSC Lukanette Month 2024)

@lovebugs-and-snakecharmers is doing a Lukanette Month for September 2024, and we all just kinda tossed some prompts in the disco to compile a list?  We ended up with 71 prompts, so I decided I’d roll some dice to pick a prompt, do a twenty minute (ish, bc we all know sometimes they run away from me) sprint, and try to get some short fics out this month?

Read on Ao3

Prompt 42: “I can’t believe our first date ended in the emergency room.”

“…I can’t believe our first date ended in the emergency room,” he groaned, sinking forward in the chair to drop his head in his hands.  His elbows dug almost painfully into his knees, and just because that didn’t feel like enough pain he twisted his fingers in his bangs and tugged.  She had the nerve to laugh at him, though her chuckle sounded kind of groggy.

That was probably the pain killers.

They…had dosed her pretty well.

“I can,” she said.  He heard a tapping, and he looked up to see the pulsox on her finger tapping against the railing of the bed she was curled up on.  She looked…she looked…

God.  She looked like shit.

Why hadn’t he forced her to stay home?  They could have rescheduled.  They could have done this another night, any other night, and she could have rested, and…and…

…she would have been alone when she’d collapsed.  And it would have been worse, and he’d probably be beating himself up for an entirely different reason.

Still.

He should have insisted they stay in.  Rescheduled.  It was just a date.  Just…

You wanted this as much as she did and you both know it, a tiny voice in his head reminded him, because had suggested it.  Rescheduling.  And she had fought him, nearly bringing herself to tears because she had thought he had meant cancel.  He swallowed and reached for her hand, worry and guilt creasing his brow.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“You didn’t tell my appendix to rupture,” she said.  He squeezed her hand, swallowing.

“It didn’t rupture,” he said, because that was very important.  The nurse had been adamant about how important that was – how good it was he had gotten her here as quickly as he had.  Because it hadn’t ruptured…yet.  “That’s why you’re going into surgery as soon as your parents get here, remember?  Because it did not rupture.”

…their date would have been so much worse if it had.

“We never even made it to dinner,” she sighed, her eyes closing.  “I owe you so much for this.”

“Stop that,” he said, scooting his chair closer to her bed.  “You didn’t do this on purpose.  And this…this is a fluke, Mari.  This means nothing.  As soon as you’re better, we’re rescheduling.”

“Feels like déjà vu,” she sighed.  Her eyes closed as she sank back into the bed.  “Couldn’t finish a date last time, either.”

“It’s not the same,” he said, his voice hard.  “It’s not.  Marinette, please don’t think…this is just bad timing.”

“We always have bad timing,” she groaned.  A little whimper escaped her, and she curled in around herself as another wave of pain hit her.  “We’re jinxed.  Doomed.  Cursed.”

“We are not,” he insisted.  “Marinette.  You…you still want to go out with me, right?  You want to reschedule, right?”

It had been a long time since…he had just started to accept that they’d never be more than what they were – really good friends – when she had stormed into his berth, nearly in tears, and declared she couldn’t do this anymore.  She loved him – still, always, forever – and hated that he didn’t know it.  That she wasn’t allowed to act on it.  And sure, he’d probably moved on and wasn’t interested anymore, but she had to tell him that – and that had been about as far as he’d let her get before he’d kissed her, because holy shit that was everything he’d ever wanted to hear.

There had been…a lot that they’d needed to talk about, but at the end of the day none of it really seemed to matter anymore.  He already knew her secrets, and thanks to his time on the road with Jay (and a certain monk that he still wanted to kick more times than not) he felt better prepared to protect them.  To protect her.  And she had still been nervous – she’d been guarding those secrets for so long now, and the idea that she didn’t have to do it alone anymore…

They hadn’t broken up because they’d wanted to, before.  A lack of love and commitment had never been their problem.  Balance and timing, maybe, but they were older now.  They had both grown.  Balance was…easier.  Usually.

Though it seemed timing was still out to get them…

“I want Luka,” she whimpered, pain flashing across her face again.  “He’s gon’ be ssso…” her voice was slurring, then cut off completely with another whimper.  “Worried…”

…yeah, he was.

But she was going to be fine.

As soon as Tom and Sabine got there, the doctors would take Marinette into surgery and she’d be fine.  If she could just wait…

She had collapsed on their way to the restaurant.  That he’d actually made reservations at, because it wasn’t technically their first date, but it still kind of was, and he’d wanted it to be special.  Memorable.  He’d wanted to show her he was serious, that the bullshit didn’t matter and he wasn’t running away this time.

…she was definitely going to remember it, that was for sure.

“I’m right here, beautiful,” he said, kissing the back of her hand.  He wondered if she felt it, through the tape holding her IV down.  “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Hurts…” she whimpered.

“I know,” he said.

He hoped her parents got there soon.  The staff had had trouble reaching them – something about a car accident near the bakery and a downed line making cell service spotty, and it was late enough that he wasn’t sure if the landline at the bakery would be switched off for the night.  They had reached them, though.  Because he’d been able to reach Juleka, and she had rushed over to tell them, and they’d be there as soon as they could.

They would be.

And if Marinette took a turn before then…the doctors would make sure she was fine.  He knew they would.  But she was still just young enough that her parents had to give the ok first, and unless she was critical the doctors were going to honor that.

…he understood.  He did.  He still thought it was bullshit.

She groaned again, her bleary eyes blinking open.  It took her a moment to focus on him, and he wondered if it was the pain or the drugs and how many of him she was actually seeing.  He kissed the back of her hand again – a little higher this time, so he could know she would feel it – and a tired smile curled her lips.

“Look…at it this way,” she said, her voice still groggy but sounding easier than a moment before.  He hummed, brushing his thumb over her fingers, and she sighed as she settled back into the bed.  “Gonna be a hell of a story for the kids someday.”

…kids.

Kids?

…kids.

A choked laugh was startled out of him, but it had nothing on the booming laugh that barked out behind them.  He jumped, squeezing her fingers as he turned to see Tom, Sabine, and Juleka standing behind them.  Tom was still laughing, looking like Christmas had come early (and maybe it had), and while it was more reserved there was still a smile on Sabine’s face, too.  Juleka…Juleka looked like she had just gotten her blackmail for the next few years, though he wasn’t sure if she was planning on lording it over him, Marinette, or both of them.

“That’s right, mon choux!” Tom laughed, walking over to the head of the bed and clapping a hand on Luka’s shoulder.  He bent down to press a kiss to her forehead, and she smiled at the touch.  “The kids will love this story!”  He looked up at Sabine, his grin growing, and whispered: “Did you hear that, Sabine?  Kids – plural!”

“She’s always wanted plural, dear,” Sabine said, her voice entirely too calm for the way it made heat crawl up Luka’s neck.

“So gross,” Juleka muttered, shaking her head – but Luka noticed she was smiling, too.

…he had to smile, too.  Just a bit.  Despite the worry still swirling in his gut.  Despite everything.

He supposed that meant she definitely wanted to reschedule.  If this was going to be a story for their kids.

[tantrumofdarkness]

[thebahwrites]

Prompt from @starryinspace Icemav, first date post top gun 1986 cinematic timeline

Just The Two Of Us

“Hey Mitchell!” Tom calls out as soon as he gathers the courage to do so; though he would never admit to fear in the first place.

‘Being the bigger person’ wasn’t Iceman’s thing; coming back from the Layton rescue, now waiting for new orders and yet Tom Kazansky felt like he was living on the edge of a knife. Racing his own emotions and fears to not lose a chance. Much easier when it came to flying death machines, a lot fucking harder when it came to chasing his wingman. 

“You got this.” Slider hums quietly by his side with a half grin, fixing the khaki’s buttons before Tom makes a beeline for Maverick, who’d just tilted his head up like a confused puppy. He doesn’t need the pep talk but it’s nice anyway, right now he has to hold back from wanting to reach for Maverick’s hairs and ruffle the unruly locks. Pete Mitchell, with those stupid big green eyes, laying back in a booth with his legs thrown over Hollywood’s lap showcasing those asinine cowboy boots, he blinks a couple times as Ice leans over the table, arm over the booth’s wall and hand holding on to the tabletop.

Tom gives Hollywood, Wolfman and Merlin a look over Maverick’s head. “Scatter.” It’s a command more than a request or a suggestion but his confidence pulls it off enough that all three men are sliding from there, leaving him to loom over Pete who lets out a loud snort.

“Oh, who died and made you boss, Kazansky?” Maverick teases, turning his position around to lean into the space vacated by Rick, back hitting the red upholstery, one eyebrow lifting. So smug and cocky but Ice can’t even be mad about it, not anymore. He finds it endearing. Tom waits until they’re pretty much alone even though he’s well aware there’s at least four pair of eyes watching them, piercing strongly into his back. 

“No one, I’m just that good Mitchell, keep up.” He snipes back with a smirk and gets Maverick’s trademark one in response. It’s not faux confidence but it’s certainly a lot easier to do it pretending they’re all alone in the world.

“Oh, my bad.” Pete gives him that once over he’s so fond of and picks up a peanut, popping it into his mouth by throwing it in the air with a smooth arc. Show off. “Go on then, whaddya need then, blondie?”

Iceman doesn’t get nervous, Iceman doesn’t get cold feet, Iceman doesn’t get afraid and yet, here he is, almost backtracking on spot. But he doesn’t because Maverick’s gaze is as inviting as it is a challenge, clearing his throat quietly, Tom’s fingers flex around. “Come over to mine tomorrow night, for dinner.” 

There’s a quiet stretch of silence as Pete blinks back and Tom ignores the fact there’s a warm crawl of heat along his cheekbones. “Just the two of us.” He adds for good measure so at least it’s clear what he means by it. Pete can say no, if he wants, this is just impersonal enough that—

“Fuck, thought you’d never ask, Ice.”

Of course, Maverick has the gall to crack open a big smile.

(send me fic & aesthetic prompts for the TG’86 crew!)

[colorfulandblack]

It is the year of our lord 2024 and here I'm eating carrots and desperately digging in the infinity of the abyss that is this hellhole to find some crumbs pertaining a pink haired, three eyes, purple goober with anger issues and going absolutely FERAL about the fact that apparently Starco is canon.

[compacflt]

wip wednesday: picking at it slowly but surely

[bumblingbabooshka]

St Voyager Memes : One More Again

[asktheheirofslytherin]

did the 16 year old handsome tom riddle perhaps have a girlfriend in his 5th year? or maybe 6th? 7th?

I had a brief courtship with a girl from Ravenclaw in my sixth year. It lasted several months. She was pleasing enough: a pureblood, a star member of dueling club, attractive.

She broke it off as her graduation approached. She knew I was not going to continue with her, and was clever enough to be the one to break it off. The preemptive move was...embarrassing.

I had a couple other dalliances in my seventh year, but let nothing go on longer than a month or so.

[billkill]

Can anyone write icemav or hangster in the au of 500 first dates??

[crocrubies]

This was trending and I had to make it about them