#going down the hallway at abbey road the other direction or something

[asurrogateblog]

given the four separate beatles biopics I see no reason why they shouldn’t do the same thing with pink floyd. let roger and david make two completely conflicting and unapologetically biased movies. nick can narrate them both and offer wry commentary

[hopetofantasy]

Culture, parallels & meta - S2 E10

Zaterdag 09:56

Perfect parallel: 

Zoë laughing off Senne’s supposed ‘flirt attempt by telling her his childhood sob story’ at their first date, Zoë actually hearing his and Viktor’s childhood sob story from Gill in this episode.

Viktor’s manipulative “He would have these crazy temper tantrums” about Senne in E6, Gill stating the true “Viktor used to throw these crazy temper tantrums” in this one.

Oopsie: Before the “Viktor and I woke up naked together in a bed”, Gill’s hair is in front of her face. After that, her hair is tucked behind her ears.

Blink-and-y’ll-miss-it: Gill mentioned that Viktor was 14 when the accident happened, making Senne 11/12 years old at that time. 

°

Maandag 11:45

C is for culture: 

“That’s a rental book, you realize that right?” - In a lot of secondary schools, course books can be rented instead of bought. The content doesn’t change that often anyways, so it’s cheaper to offer them for a certain fee to the students. Though, at the end of the school year, they have to be returned in the exact condition. Paper workbooks or prints, however, have to be bought. 

“Come on, warm waffles!” - There are actually two types of Belgian waffles: the Brussels and the Liege. The girls bought warm Liege waffles, which are thicker, chewier and with uneven edges. The Brussels one is more a rectangular shape, with a lighter and crispier texture.

Funny coincidence: Luca’s “Free at last” sounds like the quote in Martin Luther King’s speech ‘I have a dream’.

Nod to the OG: The song ‘Paradise’ by Coldplay.

Perfect parallel: Amber’s tired “Why are you always so loud?” directed towards Luca in S2, Noor’s hungover “Do you have to be so loud?” to Amber in S3.

Lost in translation: Amber saying "We gaan een terrasje doen" (literally: ‘we’re going to do a terrace’), it’s an expression indicating that you’re going to drink something on the outside (summer) terrace of a bar. 

Oopsie: The girls pass along a college campus, after they step off the tram, and cross the street for the ‘Groenplaats’. But then it cuts back to the girls passing the college campus again, right before crossing. 

Hello from the outside: The girls pass along a parade of mustached men, with Jana mimicking the facial hair with her napkin. This parade was actually part of the ‘2019 World Beard & Moustache Championships’, which was held in Antwerp on Sunday the 19th of May. 

Blink-and-y’ll-miss-it: The girls picking up the papers Luca tossed in the air. Them all walking along the crossing in Beatles’ formation (like the Abbey Road album). Luca is eating two waffles at once.

°

Maandag 12:58

C is for culture:

“Robbe. Robbedoes!” - Luca calls Robbe the nickname ‘Robbedoes’, a reference to the Belgian comic ‘Robbedoes & Kwabbernoot’ (English version: ’Spirou & Fantasio’). Its two main characters are spontaneous journalists who run into fantastic adventures, aided by the pet squirrel ‘Spip’ and their inventor friend ‘the Count of Champignac’.

“Are you going to Rock Werchter next week?” - Rock Werchter is a large, annual pop/rock music festival in Werchter (near Leuven). The four-day event is organized every first weekend of summer vacation. The number of attendees can rise up to 149,500 people for the whole festival, with a noteworthy influx of international festival goers in recent years (British, French, Dutch, Australian, South African, ...). It has three spin-offs: ‘TW Classic’, ‘Werchter Boutique’ and the French ‘Main Square Festival’ in Arras.

Perfect parallel:

Jana buying her summer outfits at C&A in S2, her shopping at the same clothing chain - with Noor helping her - in S3.

Yasmina again hinting at a (former) crush on a boy, just like the earlier conversation with Zoë in S2 and doing the same in a conversation during wtFOCKDOWN.

Lost in translation: Luca's "Eentje is geentje" (= literally: ‘One is none’), stating that it’s better to drink/eat/do at least one or more than having missed one (thing). 

Blink-and-y’ll-miss-it: Robbe's eyes dart upwards for a millisecond, after Jana asks "For Blonde Ambition?", confirming that he indeed voted for them.

°

Dinsdag 08:42

C is for culture: What’s with the last week of school? Well, after the December/April/June exams, the school can fill the days before the break with what they want. Most schools give their students a couple of free days, others might organize fun excursions or festivities. On the last Friday, however, they’ll hand out report cards and discuss them with students/parents.

Perfect parallel:

Zoë quickly darting away to avoid Senne in E7, Senne doing the same to her in this one.

Her making up lame excuses not to contact Senne in previous episodes, Senne’s “My phone was turned off. I didn’t want to be distracted while I was studying. Sounds familiar?” here.

In the first episodes, Zoë keeps saying that she won’t fall for what Senne says - his flirt attempts or lying stories, in this episode she states “I’m not falling for your bullshit” - his statement about wanting to leave. 

Zoë saying “Isn’t it time to get over it?” to Senne in S1, her “You should stop feeling so sorry about yourself" in S2.

Zoënne letting go of each other’s hands after a painful conversation in S2, Sobbe doing something similar after their make-up kiss in S3.

An upset Senne left behind in a high school hallway in S2, a sad Robbe ignored in a college hallway in S3.

Blink-and-y’ll-miss-it: Senne’s slight nod at Zo��’s “Away from me?”. 

°

Woensdag 11:44

Perfect parallel:

Zoë acting cold, because she doesn’t trust Senne, in the earlier episodes. Senne looking for reasons to be cold, because he’s scared of people being too close to him in this one. 

Senne’s “I don’t believe that” at Zoë’s statement that her parents don’t love her in E4, Zoë saying “I don’t believe that” at him denying his love for her in this one.

Zoë always running towards Senne - to chase him, to apologize, to talk - in previous episodes, him running towards her - to make-up - in this one.

The song ‘Nightcall’ by London Grammar played during their first kiss in E3, the same one plays during their reunion in this scene.

Their kiss can be compared with their first kiss, only quicker and more frantic: her rubbing his cheek, pausing to smile in relief, wrapping her arms around his neck, putting the palm of her hand under his ear, Senne messing up her hair, her squishing his head between her hands.

The movements of the sex scene in S2 are similar to the ones from S1 and S3. Foreheads leaning on each other before a kiss, a cut to pushing themselves through a open door, a hand caressing along the side, a neck kiss, kissing down a stomach, fingers gripping a back, a hand through the hair, a cut to both of them having naked chests with one on top. 

Nod to the OG: 

Blink-and-y’ll-miss-it: Zoë never ends the call with Jana. (Awkward!)

°

Donderdag 09:32

Perfect parallel:

The entire cuddle scene in S2 can be mirrored with the Sobbe hotel clips in S3: the way they’re positioned (big spoon-little spoon, face towards each other), movements (caressing cheeks, going through each other’s hair), the kisses (forehead kisses, cheek kisses, full-on making-out) and the looks they give each other (Zoë looking up at Senne).

Senne saying “He can’t get away with this” in this clip, repeating it in the next.

Zoë inviting Senne to come live with her in S2, her offering a room to Robbe in S3.

Blink-and-y’ll-miss-it: Zoë is still wearing her white and black hair tie on her right wrist, like she consistently does throughout the season.

°

Vrijdag 15:43

Perfect parallel: 

The theme of their FreeFest team was ‘80s flashback’ in S1, Luca wears an 80s-inspired-outfit in S2.

The season opening with a (washing machine) door to Zoë’s POV, ending with an aerial shot away from her in S2. The third season opening with a door that Robbe opens up to a party, ending with an aerial shot - through the roof - away from him. 

Zoënne kissing at a party while their friends cheer in the background, before the camera pans away at the end of S2, Sobbe experiencing the same in S3. 

Oop, there it is, the homophobia / heteronormativity: Robbe pushing Milan away from him, saying “Get off me, faggot”. Moyo can see what’s happening and laughs at his embarrassment.

Hello from the outside:

Somewhere during the exam period (I can’t find whén anymore), Luca and Amber made tiny exam motivational quotes, which were spread out all over Antwerp. Fans of them found them and made pics.

At the party were a ton of Belgian influencers, who made multiple insta stories of being there at the same time that the clip dropped.

Where’s Wally? Hey, look, Keisha dancing with Jens and Moyo, Britt in the crowd with Gill, Max' making some dance moves towards Luca and Lisa is vibing with Milan. 

Blink-and-y’ll-miss-it: Jana mouthing ‘hoi’ (= hey) to Luka. The tiny nod Jens gives Robbe, so that they go upstairs. The millisecond of hurt on Luka’s face when he noticed Jana greeting Jens and her lingering look on him afterwards. 

[alicescripts]

Bonus: The Window & The Mirror

Transcribed by olanovena. Many thanks!

It was a dream, but not a dream. I was awake, I knew that. But it wasn’t real. I can’t explain it, I can only tell it.

I’m on the waterfront of a city. I don’t know which one. A lot of high-end stores, Louis Vuitton and the like, but those are everywhere. Like a Starbucks, they give up no secret of their location. Palm trees. But that could be anywhere, too. Across the water... Is the water a river? A bay? There are three skyscrapers in a row, and laid across the top of the three of them is what appears to be a cruise ship. An entire boat perched on top of three skyscrapers. But it is not a dream. I am not dreaming. I start walking. I pick a direction and go. I appear to be wearing clothes and sensible shoes, so, there’s that. It doesn’t take me long to figure it out, as I pass through the shadows of the tall buildings. I am in Singapore. I have never been to Singapore. I don’t remember getting on any flight to get here, but here I am. It all feels entirely real as I walk. The heat, and the crowds, so different from the lonely highway, the air-conditioned truck. I usually see the world from inside a capsule. And now I am in a city of tall glass capsules, and I am the one on the outside. I pass down a road, and there are a series of trees. But instead of leaves, they have brightly-colored umbrellas growing from them. But this is not a dream. Eventually, I have gone very far. Farther, I think, than I can walk. I don’t remember how I got here. I am on a quiet road surrounded by dense foliage. But I can see planes landing overhead. I am near the airport. A yellow sign with red text points me down a path to what is described as “The German Girl Shrine.” I follow the sign and discover that it is true to its word. A German teenager who died in World War One and is now worshipped as a Taoist deity. [chuckles] Well, we all leave legacies, I suppose. I go past the shrine, down to the water. Houseboats float quietly. I smell the dampness of the ground where it meets the gentle waves. And in the distance, above the water, attached to no building, I see a window with a red curtain covering it. But I am not dreaming.

I am in a hallway. It seems to go on for miles, but I think it is a trick of perspective. I think the hallway gets narrower and narrower, making it seem to go much farther than it actually does. The walls are all window, and I find myself looking out onto green hills. It could be Minnesota, maybe. Maybe Michigan. I’m not sure. I turn away from the view and see that I am in a structure jutting out from a house. There doesn’t seem to be any supports for this hallway over the drop, and so I make my way into the building. It’s empty, but has the look of a well-trodden tourist attraction. I am here before or after visiting hours, I don’t know which, because I don’t remember coming here. Every room is a new surprise. A full-sized carousel, silent and dark. I pass by it, and every light blares suddenly. Manic carnival music pops on, with a drum section I would describe as deeply aggressive. I scream. But there’s no one in sight. The horses bob up and down to the tinny march, and I leave. Another room. A staircase leading down intricate stained glass of religious themes. Lambs and crosses and such. The sunlight dapples the religion onto the steps. One room is just an entire old-fashioned main street, shop fronts and streep lamps, but covered in dust and never lived in. I realized I know this house. I read about it once in a novel, although I can’t remember which one. I had enjoyed the novel, I remember that. It was something spooky, something about road trips and weird America. But I can’t put my finger on the name. Finally, I find the exit. Outside, the sun is dead center overhead, but still, there are no people. This must be a dream, but I know it is not. Over the road in front of the house, in the middle of the air, and attached to no building, is a window with a red curtain. I step toward it, but already know that this is not the time I will reach it. Maybe next time.

I’m at the end of a valley leading down to the water. It’s sunny, but cold. The trees are deep green, the green of a place that gets a lot of rain, or a lot of melted snow, or a lot of both. Clouds cling to the mountains, like they do for reasons I’ve never bothered to look up. I walk by a yellow building, a hotel, apparently, although it does not appear to have been used as such in quite a long time. There is something especially haunting about an abandoned place where people once slept. Sure, abandoned office buildings and abandoned warehouses can bring up strange feelings, but it’s abandoned places that still hold beds where people dreamt and woke again, those are the ones that stick with you. On the third floor, I see a woman in a white dress looking out the window. A squatter, maybe. I raise my hand to her, and she raises her hand back, smiling sadly. And then I keep on walking past. It doesn’t take long to figure out I am in Skagway, Alaska. There are signs saying so. I try to think about what I know about this place as I walk. As it happens, I know about a strange miracle near here, just across the border. The Carcross Desert, the smallest desert in the world. A patch of arid sand, incongruous in the Yukon, kept a desert by the rain shadow of nearby mountains. Again, all of these amazing things caused by how mountains affect clouds. A subject I just have never bothered to learn anything about. I make my way to the port, where a cruise ship the size of several city blocks has docked, towering over this scattered little town. I’ve never seen the recreational appeal of these behemoths. They make me a little nauseous with the size of them. Looking closely, I realize with a sinking feeling that there is something off about this cruise ship, and it is something that I am becoming familiar with. One of the windows toward the bottom of the boat is not like the rest of the stateroom windows. Instead, it has an old-fashioned wooden arch frame, and a red curtain is drawn across it. As I look, the curtain moves, as though something on the other side had brushed against it.

I am under an archway made of bone. I am not dreaming. A vast being had lived and died, and then we built a structure of the skeleton. What strange creatures we are. I feel the bite of ocean air, and I look out. I am on a hill over a town. Seems quiet. Irish or British, probably. Cosied around the mouth of a river. I have no memory of coming here, but here I am. I reach out my hand and touch the archway. It feels like stone. It is not stone. All the way across town, on the opposite hill, is another kind of skeleton. The ruins of a church, it looks like. Gothic and ominous. Failing any other direction, I head toward there. Soon enough, I pass a bench with a plaque on it, informing me that this view of the town inspired Bram Stoker to set part of his novel Dracula here. Well, that totally tracks. There is a lovely welcoming town, glared down upon by that empty-eyed church, and the contrast between the two is riveting. Descending the hill and crossing the river, I make a left on Church Street, a narrow cobblestoned road of pubs and shops with names like The White Horse and Griffin and The Shepherd’s Purse. Next to The White Horse is a place called The Black Horse. Wonder if there are arguments. Church Street ends at a steep set of stairs, curving up the hill, and I take them. They go up and up and end in a graveyard of a more modern-looking church. I say more modern in that it’s still standing and has all of its doors. It’s probably hundreds of years old. Modern is relative. Beyond the cemetery is what the sign tells me is Whitby Abbey, a husk of place. What once was floor is lawn. Depending on the tone of light, this could be beautiful or horrifying. At this moment, it’s both. Of course, I already know that it won’t be missing all of its windows. I look up the high wall and see a single wooden arch frame set into the stone. A red curtain covering it. The curtain moves. And for a moment, I see the flash of a hand.

[cocochannel00]

Harry and Kids # 15 College Bound

Kids Ages: Connor (18), Rebecca (16), Grayson and Riley (14), Victoria (11), and Casey (6)

Connor is college bond and some family members take it harder than others

“Connor, is this the last box?” you asked your eldest son who had decided it would be smart to procrastinate packing till the last minute.

It was currently 7 am on what would usually be a quiet Saturday morning but with all of the boxes and kids bouncing around the house trying to get Connor’s attention you were on the verge of losing your mind. Harry and you were moving Connor into his college dorm today and to say Harry was taking it hard would be an understatement. He had managed to spend the majority of the night sobbing his eyes out at the thought of his first child leaving home. Don’t get me wrong, Harry was overjoyed with the idea of his son going to college, something Harry never got the opportunity to do, but Harry was accustomed to being the one to leave and now that the tables had turned he didn’t like it.  

“Can we hold him back another year? I mean no harm in that right, might even make him smarter!” he stated while curled up in bed with you last night. You chuckled at his idea.

“Love he was top of his class and he’s going to an amazing school, I don’t think he needs anymore high school” you mentioned as you wiped the stray tears from his eyes.

“He’ll be fine, don’t worry. My college experience was fine and he’s a smart kid. You still have another five kids at home to pester you about help with math homework” you stated as Harry scoffed.

“Please, you and I both know I’m no help with math homework. I know he’ll be ok but I’m going to miss him. I was bad when Gemma left and now that it’s my kid I’m on the verge of a breakdown” he mumbled into your shoulder as he tried to close his eyes and ignore the problem.

You were upset that Connor was leaving you, after all, he had always very much been a momma’s boy and you absolutely loved it. Having Harry always being on tour growing up also helped in this situation as you had gotten so used to him leaving for long tours that having Connor go to college wasn’t as stressful for you. That’s not to say that you didn’t cry in bed because you did (for a good hour after putting the kids to bed). You knew that everything would work out just fine in the end though.

“Mom I can’t find my black leather jacket! You know the one Uncle Mitch gave me last year for Christmas?” Connor screamed from upstairs as he dragged a box into the hallway.

“Honey I don’t know where you put. Check your closet, love” you reply as you begin to search the downstairs part of the house for the jacket.

You had just finished looking through the coat closet near the front door when you saw a black jacket wrapped around one of your little ones. You crept over to the couch where they lay, careful not to wake them up if they were asleep, but what you find instead is more heartbreaking. Under Connor’s leather jacket lies a quietly sobbing Grayson curled up in a ball on the couch.

“Oh baby, what’s wrong?” you whispered quietly to the crying boy as you carefully sat down next to him and ran your hands through his curly hair.

“He can’t leave mom, he can’t” he whispered quietly, “Who’s gonna bring me to fun concerts or teach me how to play the drums or- or-or” he continued as sobs continued to come from his mouth.

You wrapped him in your arms carefully as you rocked him back and forth. Grayson and Connor had always been close especially for there love of music. On any given Sunday you could wake up to the two of them blasting Queen and Fleetwood Mac in the kitchen and using all of your frying pans as drums. You knew Gray was going to take it the hardest (although Harry was a close second) but you weren’t expecting it to be this soon.

“Baby, don’t worry he’s going to be back soon. We can always go visit him too, its ok. I’m sure dad would love to teach the drums or him and I can take you to concerts too” you replied back as you pushed his hair away from his forehead.

“It’s not the same though” he sulked as he tried to sniffle the last of his tears.

“I know baby, I know, but we’ll try our best” you stated.

You knew it wouldn’t be the same. Connor always had this livelihood to him that made everyone around him smile, much like Harry. Every time they went to a concert Connor would make the two of them “disguises” so they could join the crowd in the mosh pits and not be recognized. It was one of the few times in which the two of them could just be normal kids and not just “Hary Styles’ sons”.

“Mom, did you find it? I swear I left it in the kitchen or maybe... hey what’s wrong in here” Connor asked quietly as he sees Grayson in your arms, the leather jacket laying on his lap.

Grayson quickly attempted to wipe his tears while mumbling a quiet “nothing”.

“Hey come on now talk to me?” Connor replied as you slowly got up and left the two boys to talk.

You walked out into the driveway to see Harry trying to shove the last box into the trunk of the Range Rover. Praying there was nothing fragile inside as your husband slammed the door shut you carefully wrapped your arms around his back.

“Is that everything?” you mumbled as you placed a kiss to his shoulder. He turned around in your grasp, cradling you to his chest as he placed a kiss to your temple.

“Just missing the Connor” he mumbled back sadly. You squeezed his waist tightly.

“He’s talking with Grayson right now” you whispered as Harry bit his lip nodding his head. He knew how hard it would be for Gray to see his big brother leave.

The two of you made your way back into the house and headed for the kitchen, seeing the other four of your kids sulking at the dining table, each with a bowl of cereal. You kissed each of their heads before picking up Casey and sitting her on your lap.

“Hey, he’s going to be back and visit every once in a while. We’re going up for family’s weekend in a month, it will all work out.” You reassured them as Harry stole a spoonful of cheerios from Victoria’s bowl.

“I know its just going to be weird not having him at home or at school, you know?” Rebecca stated as she swirled her spoon around.

“I know baby but the twins start at the same school as you so you have them. And Connor will always just be a call or a car ride away,” you stated as you nudged Harry with your elbow hoping he would some encouraging words to the conversation.

“Uh yeah... I think... See I felt the same way when Gemma left for college. It was before the band and it had always just been me and her through everything. I remember I cried a lot for a couple of days but then I realized that it would all be ok. She came back for holidays and things and it was like she never left” He said just as Connor and Grayson walked back into the room.

“Ok, I’m ready when you two are. Come on guys I want a hug before I leave” Connor announced as he opened his arms.

Victoria was the first to give him a hug, followed by a crying Rebecca and Riley who’s eyes had begun to water. They each gave him a quick hug before Casey wiggled out of your arms and rushed to Connor, tears starting to stream down her face. The sight before you made your eyes water. This had definitely been the hardest goodbye for your kids. As Connor whispered something in Casey’s ear, making her giggle, Grayson came up to you and wrapped his leather jacket covered arms around your waist. You gave him a squeeze before placing a kiss to his forehead and slowly rubbing your hands up and down his back.

“Alright bud we should probably head out, don’t want to get caught into much traffic” Harry stated as he grabbed the car keys off the table. Connor passed Casey to Rebecca and gave a quick wave goodbye before heading out the door towards the car.

Harry started up the car as the three of you got in to start the five-hour car ride.

“You ok love?” you asked Connor as you watched him quickly wipe tears from his face.

“Yeah I’m alright, just hard to leave them you know” he replied back.

The rest of the car ride was spent with Harry blasting music trying to make the atmosphere a little more upbeat and happy. The three of you laughed and sang and talked the whole way there, only making one stop for gas (and for a tube of Pringles). It was a little past two that afternoon when you arrived on campus and after Harry getting lost for a good ten minutes and refusing to ask for directions you finally made it to his dorm.

A couple of students welcomed you at the door and helped Harry and you get everything loaded out of the car as Connor went to go check in and get his room key.

“So this is what going to college looks like? You know it doesn’t seem that bad. The dorm actually looks kind of nice” Harry mumbles as he grabs the last box from the car.

“My freshman dorm building had cockroaches in most of the bathrooms and my room was so small me and my roommate could touch hands from our beds that were on opposite sides of the room” you stated as you made your way into the building.

“That’s disgusting love, don’t tell me that” he replied as he searches the room full of parents and students for your son.

Connor gives you two a quick way as he helps lead the two boys helping you with his things up to his floor into the elevator. You and Harry followed closely behind as you made your way up to the sixth floor. After thanking the two boys Connor opened the door to his room.

“Nope I take it back, University is awful. I’m glad I didn’t go” Harry announces as he sees the small room Connor will have to share for the year.

“Dad its fine, come on help me get my record player set up on the desk,” Connor stated as you began to take out his folded clothes from the boxes and put it in the draws and closet.

The three of you worked together quietly as the record player played The Beatles album “Abbey Road”. You had just finished hanging up his winter coat when a small knock was heard on the door. Connor carefully opened the door, trying to avoid hitting any of the boxes that were sprawled out and saw a boy outside the door. He was about the same height as Harry, maybe a little taller with dark brown hair and eyes and olive skin.

“Hey, sorry to barge in. my names Lucas, I’m your roommate. These are my parents Pedro and Anna ” the boy stated with a smile as he gestured two the middle age couple behind him.

You all introduced yourself quickly as Connor and Lucas began to discuss living arrangements and what they would keep in their fridge. His family was lovely and you found out that both of his parents were originally from Spain but now lived about twenty minutes away. You ended up exchanging numbers with Anna as a precaution in case anything happened to either boy and to be able to better keep track of your baby. After a while of talking the three of you excused yourselves to let Lucas set up his side of the room.

You spent the next two hours eating at a local restaurant with Connor and stopping by the grocery store to stock his room up with water and other essentials (you weren’t sure how a box of 50 fruit snacks was a necessity but it somehow made it into the cart). When you came back in the room Lucas and his family were heading downstairs to say their last goodbyes before his parents went back home You decided it was easiest to say your own goodbyes up here now as it was getting late and you still had a long drive home.

“So I guess this is it” Connor announced as he rocked back and forth on his feet before bringing you into a tight hug, burying his head in your shoulder much like Harry does when he’s upset.

Your eyes filled with tears as you ran your hands through his hair carefully as he cried while telling him how proud you were of him. You placed a kiss onto his cheek before releasing him so he could say goodbye to Harry. The minute he was out of your grasp Harry wrapped Connor up in a bear hug as the two of them sobbed. You cried quietly as you watch the two of them whisper things to each other until the two of them let out a stranged laugh. Harry released Connor from his grasp and held him at an arm's length.

“I might be going on tour this year but if you need anything, anything at all, don’t be afraid to call me ok? I’ll fly out, I’ll sit and listen. Just know that I’m always here, ok?” Harry instructed as Connor gave him a quick nod, both men wiping the last couple of tears from their eyes.

You both said your last goodbye’s as a puffy-eyed Lucas came up again. You gave him a quick hug before stating, “Connor has money for dinner, make sure you both go out and eat something before you’re stuck with dining hall food all year, ok?”

Lucas chuckled before giving you a quick thanks and walking in the room. Connor closed it behind the two of you and you heard both boys talking behind the door.

“Dude you and I can’t go looking like this” Connor stated as Lucas gave a quick laugh and replied back “I know we’re going to look like absolute wankers if we don’t get it together”.

You smiled at their conversation, knowing that he would be just fine. You and Harry walked to the car and just as you were about to get in Harry handed you the keys and began to sob into your shoulder again. It took everything in you not roll your eyes at the blubbering mess your husband had become. If he was this emotional now you can only imagine how much of a mess he was when he moved out at sixteen. You rubbed his back softly as you carefully opened the passenger door for him, passing him a packet of tissues from the cup holder. You mumbled some reassuring words before getting into the driver's seat and starting the car.

Harry stopped crying about halfway through the trip so the two of you switched spots at one of the rest stops. You slept the majority of the way back as Harry decided to play all of his favorite sad songs. You made it back to your house a little before 11pm. You could see some faint lights from the upstairs bedrooms and the living room light on as you pulled into the driveway. The two of you carefully got out of the car and made your way inside, finding Riley and Rebecca watching a baking show on the couch.

“Hey, how did it go?” Riley whispered quietly as you sat down on the edge of the couch with them.

“Good, good. He’s all set up and his roommate Lucas is lovely. Your father balled for about three hours on the car ride back but it was good” you stated as the two of them laughed at their dad.

“Hey you know I’m a sensitive man” Harry grumbled from the kitchen where he was making himself a sandwich. The three of you rolled your eyes before you sent your kids off to their rooms with a quick peck on the cheek.

You carefully folded up the blanket they had been using and turned off the lights and the Tv before going up to check on the rest of your kids. You made your way through the hallway and found that Victoria and Casey were both happily asleep in their beds but when you went to see Grayson you found his room empty. You furrowed your eyebrows and heard Harry’s elephant-like footsteps come up the stairs. Just when you were about to ask if Grayson was somewhere downstairs you saw that the light to Connor’s room was still on. Carefully the two of you walked to the end of the hall to see Grayson tucked into Connor’s bed, hugging his pillow tightly. You could see the tear stains on the pillowcase but he looked much calmer then he had before even if he had fallen asleep in the leather jacket Connor had left him.

“You know when Gemma left for University I slept in her bed for a whole week” Harry mumbled as he took another bite of his sandwich. You nodded your head while bitting your bottom lip softly.

“You think he’ll be ok?” you whispered back as the two of you stared at the sleeping boy from the door.

“I think he’ll be fine (Y/n), I mean, I was. Come on leave him be, I want to cuddle you in bed for a bit, maybe even eat you for dessert” he announced as he placed a kiss on your cheek playfully and walked towards your bedroom.

You rolled your eyes at your husband and walked into Connor’s room to pull down the blinds and turn off the lamp. You placed a quick kiss on Grayson’s head before leaving the room and carefully closing the door behind you. Tomorrow was going to be a tough day for everyone but you knew that in the end, everything would be ok. The Styles family wasn’t going to break this easily, you were sure of it.

@thereal(y/n): Can’t believe our oldest baby is off to college!! Wish we could have kept you this small forever!

________________________________________________________________

Thank you too @applepiejamz for send this request in!! If you guys have any requests feel free to send them in as well!!!! My masterlist is in my bio if you want to check out any of my other writing!!

[seromreven]

Would you be willing to write a non-smut fic where its Paul's birthday but they're so caught up filming Let It Be that they forget and it sours his day until John suddenly remembers and decides to throw something together real quick? Much thanks ^_^

here ya go, here ya go, here ya go,

1969,

Paul showed up early at Abbey Road Studios the morning of the eighteenth of June. Ha hadn’t needed too but he had woken up in such a great mood early that morning and just couldn’t keep it to himself so he had left the house well before anyone else had even woken up.  It made him hope Linda hadn’t planned anything special because, well, he wouldn’t be there to experience it.

He got up the clean stone stairs leading to the entrance of the studio, full of anticipation. It wasn’t an especially exciting age he was turning. Twenty-seven. Hopefully just another of many years left for him. It made him wonder with excitement what he would be ten years from now. In twenty years. In fifty years! Imagine that! Him at seventy-seven. The thought made him all giddy and anxious at the same time.

He rushed to the studio itself and, unsurprisingly, he was the first to arrive of The Beatles. The cameramen and the miscellaneous crew was already there setting things up while looking at him with stunned faces or raised brow. While, yes, Paul showing up early wasn’t uncommon. It was to this degree. He was, in fact, very early.

He shrugged it off and continued his way to the front of the pianoforte where he placed his briefcase and jacket in a small bundle next to the small stool and sat down in front of the piano with a crack of his knuckles. Might as well warm up and look over some songs while he waited for the others.

Michael, the director of the film, came to his side and placed a steaming mug of coffee in front of him with a flow of well wishes and happy birthdays from him and the crew. It gave him a warm sense of wellbeing he knew to only be surpassed by that of his bandmates.

They hadn’t been getting along together well lately but Paul had hoped, and hoped and hoped, so intensely that it could be pushed aside for this one day. That for this day they could have a calm and easy time making music. Hanging out and hopefully, for once, eat dinner together like they used to before all this animosity came over them like a vengeful tsunami.

Paul played music for about an hour or so before the rest shoved up one after another. Only Ringo really said anything to him, much to his dismay. Only a ‘mornin’, and nothing else. He hadn’t recalled doing anything recently to piss off the other two but there must have been some reason for their avoidance. Maybe they were all much too into their work mindset already that they didn’t think of anything else but getting down to it. So that’s what they did when the hours rolled by. Singing and playing. Occasionally looking over lyrics and notes. The usual.

Paul felt his mood gradually dampen at the lack of… anything from the other men. Had they forgotten? Could they forget? They had known each other for over a decade so surely this wasn’t a date easily forgotten? He was getting right bloody sour and was quickly packing his things to go back home to his wife and kids who he knew for sure wouldn’t have forgotten like some people.

Turning towards the door; he saw that the room was already empty of any other Beatle. Which made him pause; he hadn’t noticed any of them leave. Last he had noticed (which was something that he found, in a way, peculiar now that he was giving it some thought) was that John had been whispering to the other two in hushed voices. Paul had wondered about that but had been far too depressed about the lack of any birthday greetings or attention to put any deep thoughts to it. Until now. What had that been about? Hopefully nothing too serious. Paul just couldn’t handle any more band related drama today.

He slowly made his way out of the studio and as he was nearing the front door was stopped by a heavily breathing John who suddenly appeared out of a corner down the long hallway. He wasn’t wearing the (his wife’s) coat that he had been wearing that morning and now was showing off his skinny arms in a tight-fitting t-shirt as he stood with his hands on his knees, trying to get his breath back.

“John... We were taught in school not to run indoors, y’know,” Paul joked, despite the mood he was in. He couldn’t help himself, really. John waved a hand at him as he finally straightened himself out.

“When did I ever do what the teachers told me to?”

He said with a snicker and Paul, again despite himself, joined in on it. Well, no matter how much he wanted to be mad and hold a grudge about what had happened (or not have) today; he also had found it hard to be mad at John for too long.

John’s slender, calloused hand came to rest on Paul’s bicep and started slightly tugging at it as he started to go in the direction from where he had emerged from not too long again. “Come along now, Paulie,” he said with a slight grin as he dragged the younger man along with him.

Paul questioned him as to where they were going but to no avail. John had apparently decided to stay mum the entire way to… wherever he was bringing him. It was all very… strange for Paul who much rather just wanted to go home after the rather exhausting and… lacking day he had had. John stopped in front of the door Paul knew to be belonging to the small kitchen and breakroom of the studio and looked to his old friend with a raised brow. Why had he led him there?

It was quickly found out once John slammed open the door (the force was pretty unnecessary, Paul thought) to a sudden influx of yelling ‘happy birthday” with small bundles of shredded paper thrown at him. It took a second or two before it really registered with Paul what was going on. He looked around the room to find a small, probably quickly done, birthday party done in his honour. Ringo and George stood behind the wide table with bags of white shredded paper (homemade confetti, apparently) and a small store bought cake that looked to be from the small grocery down the road.

He looked at the duo in gaping shock before turning to John. John, who seemed uncharacteristically nervous, glanced from Paul to the cake and back again. When their eyes connected; he smiled nervously to Paul as he awaited some kind of reaction.

Paul laughed. Laughed in relief. Laughed at the rather ridiculous sight the trio made. John smiling awkwardly by the door while Ringo and George held clear bags of shredded paper that was still flowing around the room due to the draft the open door and window made. It had gotten in their long brown hair for which they seemed oblivious.

“So you did forget!”

He managed to get out in the midst of his laughter and John started stammering in response. Most likely thinking of some kind of denial or excuse but it was clearly all very obvious to Paul what had happened in the proceedings of this impromptu birthday party. He dragged John into a hug, something he soon after realised hadn’t happened in… years, with a fluttering of thanks to both him and the confetti wielding duo.

And as he pulled back from the hug; both John and his own cheeks slightly pink, he admitted that whatever this was… it was much better than whatever they could have done if they had remembered his birthday in advance. That this small impromptu intimate affair was much closer to what he would have wanted from the three of them.

So, they celebrated in the small cramp room. Eating the strawberry cake, which wasn’t all that good but Paul didn’t mind, while throwing clumps of confetti at each other occasionally. Soon, Ringo and George each had to leave, leaving John and Paul alone. Sadly, a rare occasion these last few weeks. There were always people from various jobs and duties. Or Yoko, who seemed to be an eternal shadow to John’s figure. Paul didn’t exactly mind that. She was nice enough, but there were times where she needn’t be in the studio (admittedly that was most times) but she was.

“Again… thank you,” Paul said to John who sat across from him, scraping off the last few pieces of frosting off his plate as they sat talking. He shrugged with a shake of his head and licked his fork clean.

“It’s the least we could do for being such gits and forgetting your birthday, yea?” he glanced to the still open door. “In all the years we’ve known each other… you’ve never forgotten mine,” he muttered and looked back at Paul, looking distraught. Paul sighed, “it’s alright. We’ve been all very… stressed, y’know. Backed up with work and the like.”

John shook his head again and got up to collect their plates; putting them in the sink while saying in the midst of the porcelain clanking; “don’t excuse our actions.”

Paul said no more, knowing it to be a losing battle and satisfied himself in the feeling of content the small gathering had brought. It had been so long (too long) since the four of them last had been in a room alone with no fighting or threats of leaving the band.

So he got up; feeling a content sense of calm he had not expected to end the day with just a little earlier said day. He turned around to face the sink and almost bumped into John, whom had not heard near him at all. They followed each other out the room in serene silence but Paul was stopped by John before they reached the corner where they had almost crashed into each other earlier that day. Paul looked at him, feeling confused at the sudden interruption.

If his silent question was answered or not remained to be seen as John whispered a last ‘happy birthday’ before placing a chaste, bearded, kiss to his own soft lips. Paul knew not how to react and when he finally snapped out of his bewildered haze, John had disappeared out of sight. He heard a door slam but didn’t yet move out of his laconic state of being as he silently felt his lips with the tips of his fingers; trying to discern if that had really happened.

He blinked before lightly shaking his head, trying to snap himself out of it. Had John really kissed him? He took one step. Two steps down the hall before stopping again to, yet again, feel his lips that still tingled from the soft touch and rough tickles John’s lips and beard had left. It was certainly a birthday that both ended and started in a way he hadn’t expected.

[birdybirp]

[[Untitled Fic]] Chapter 1 - Tiberius

Summary - An abuse survivor in recovery accidentally finds herself befriending a bunch of Satanists.

You kids ready for a first chapter that is probably waaaaaayyy too long? Good, it’s here. 

This is gonna be a Copia/OC fic with some romance, some awkwardness, and some drama if all goes according to plan.

WARNING -- This sweet baby girl is an abuse victim. If this makes you uncomfortable, I’d sit this one out because it is an integral part of Evelyn’s life. Also, I take her triggers and reactions partially from my own experiences with emotional abuse and from other accounts of abuse that I have heard from friends or read. If you have any comments, critiques, or concerns with how I write these situations, please let me know! I only have my own knowledge to draw from and your input is appreciated.

Getting a cat was a mistake.

I had been advised by both my doctor and therapist to get some kind of animal companion so that I wouldn’t be so alone all the time when I left the hospital. Not that I minded my time at home, watching TV. It just seemed like a nice thought to have a furry friend around the house that could sit on my lap and comfort me in harder times. I had always loved animals, but had never had the chance to care for a pet of my own.

I had to set out to a local shelter, determined to get a dog. In a window close to the entrance, though, I saw a group of cats playing together. I took a small glance in and saw a white cat with black on his paws and around his eyes, which were mismatched green and pale blue.

I was immediately in love.

The shelter had named him Tiberius; apparently his entire litter had been named after Roman emperors. I thought the name was silly, but decided to keep it, putting the name on his adoption papers and taking him home. I figured I could call him Tibby, which looked like it fit him.

The next few weeks with him were great. I had no idea how to care for a cat, but Tiberius had very little needs. He mewed when he was hungry, used his litterbox 95 percent of the time, and curled up next to me and purred every second he could. He was a perfect cat

That is, until today.

I had opened the front door to take out the trash and Tibby bolted out like a bullet from a gun. I groaned loudly, dropped the trash bag on my porch, and sprinted after him. I did not have time for this. I had to be to my doctor in about 20 minutes to get my stitches out and those things itched like hell. I wanted them gone, but apparently Tiberius thought I needed to get in a morning run before hand.

He was so fast for a creature that was usually so lazy. I would get close to him and he would zip away, farther and farther down the driveway. It seemed like he was having fun, which made me even more mad. I thought I had him cornered at one point, until he ran between my legs and across the street. My heart dropped, hoping that no cars would hit him, and I just watched dumbly as he made his mad dash across the road. That did nothing to ease my worries, though, because as soon as he hit the other side of the street, he bolted his way through the open doors of the abbey across the street....Great.

The abbey, which I had just been calling The Church in my head, was something that no one in my neighborhood seemed to like. People mumbled about it being a Satanic church. That didn’t bother me, however, as the presence of the ‘devil worshiping’ building brought the cost of homes way down in the area. Having just come out of a...rough situation, I couldn’t pass up the price of my small one story home. I had just told myself I’d avoid the creepy, Gothic building like the plague.

And now my cat that I have only had for less than a month just waltzed in there.

I groaned again. I was going to kill that little furry shit.

But to do that I would have to find him first.

I ran across the street and slowly, gingerly, stepped through the doors of The Church. The ceilings were high, covered in metal chandeliers that seemed to have electric lights in them. All the walls were brown stone that made every noise echo. Luckily, it seemed that the church was much busier than it looked on the outside. Members of the clergy in different colored robed milled around, nuns in shorter skirts than usual following after them. There were also a lot of people in all black wearing silver masks, which was weird. Or was it normal for this church? Either way, hopefully no one would notice one anxious girl darting around them trying to find one white cat.

I kept my pace quick, giving a wide berth to anyone close to me so I didn’t accidentally bump into them. I just had to find my stupid-ass cat and leave, no big deal. However, my heart was thumping. I hadn’t been around crowds much in the past three years and this was certainly a crowd of very strange people. It put me on edge. I was tense as I went through every hallway and corridor, no one seeming to pay me any attention. Surprisingly, I saw a handful of cats walking around the place, all probably strays, but none of them were Tibby.

Time was ticking away and I really had to go to my doctor’s appointment. I wasn’t going to have these stitches in my side a second longer than I had to. But I couldn’t just leave my new furry friend in a place like this. What if they sacrificed cats? Do Satanists sacrifice cats? I wasn’t sure, but even if they didn’t, one of the strays lurking around could attack him. I swallowed my pride and approached the next person I saw, one of the people in all black with the masks.

“Excuse me...” I said, my voice shaky and nervous despite my best efforts. “I’m sorry. I’m looking for my cat. He’s white with black on his paws and around his eyes. Have you seen him?”

I couldn’t see the person’s eyes through their mask but I could tell they were confused by me. They stared, unmoving, for a few moments and I felt myself start to sweat. Then the person made a kind of chirp noise, kind of similar to one Tibby made when I annoyed him, and pointed down a dark corridor.

“Uhm...Thank you.” I said and jogged away from the strange figure. I turned to look back at them for a second and saw them staring at me, something long and black swishing behind them idly. A tail? No, no time to think about that.

I kept my jogging pace down the corridor until I heard the sharp crash of something metal hitting the stone floors and the sound of a high pitched yelp. Something in my bones told me it was Tiberius doing something he shouldn’t have and I followed the noise down another hallway. As I turned the corner, I saw a very tall metal candelabra on the ground, it’s candles thrown off of it and put out by the crash. Next to it, I saw a man pressed up against the wall, his arms spread out and his palms crushed into the stones, trembling. I looked down from the man’s terrified face to see a little white ball of fluff kneading at his leg as if he wanted to climb up him.

I quickly ran up and scooped the feline off of the poor man’s leg, holding the menace in one arm. Tiberius stretched out his paws towards the man as if he didn’t want to let go. I held his arms down and started apologizing. “Sir, I am so, so sorry!”

The man quickly snapped to attention, obviously embarrassed to have been seen terrified by a cat that isn’t even a year old. As he nervously fidgeted, smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothing, I finally got a good look at him. He was an older man, but I couldn’t guess how old. 40s? 50s? I was never good at guessing these types of things. I’m not versed in what people in churches wear, but he wore a black robe with buttons all the way down, a black sash at his waist. At the end of the sash was a symbol that was like an inverted cross, but not quite. He wore the same symbol around his neck. His face seemed to be wrinkled from looking constantly worried; creases lined his face around his eyes and mouth and were deep on his forehead. His upper lip and around his eyes were tinged a purplish black. Makeup? He also had a mustache reminded me of 1920s black and white films. When he finally collected himself and looked up at me, I finally saw that his eyes were two different colors: green and a bright white. What a strange person...

The nervous man cleared his throat and stood up straight as if to show that he was more calm and collected than he really was.

“It’s...uh...” he cleared his throat again. “It’s quite alright. I’m just...not very fond of cats.” He looked in my direction, but was obviously avoiding eye contact. I think he was looking over my right shoulder.

“I really am sorry...He’s ever done this before...” I apologized again, patting the cat on the head gently for emphasis. Granted, I had not had Tibby long enough for him to do something like this, but I wasn’t exactly lying.

And then I noticed: the man had a rat on his shoulder.

“Oh my God, was Tiberius chasing your rat?!” I gasped, holding the small cat a little tighter. I had never seen him around other animals so I didn’t know if he would behave like this. I looked at the rodent and instantly felt bad for the creature. His ears were pulled back and his small pink paws were wringing nervously. I wanted to hold it and tell it everything was going to be okay.

“Yes, I believe he was.” The man seemed to relax slightly now that my eyes were focused on the rat and not him.

“Did he hurt him?” I asked with genuine concern. He looked at me, puzzled, as if no one had cared to ask him about the animal before.

“I...uhm...” he fidgeted again and looked down at the ground. “I don’t think so...Asmodeus is one of my faster rats...I don’t think a cat could catch him.” The poor creature still looked so scared and I frowned slightly.

“This might...sound weird...” I started, feeling a general anxiety in my chest at talking to this stranger. But my love of cute furry animals won out. “But can I...pet him? Or hold him?”

Again, he looked confused. I feel like he doesn’t have people ask to interact with his pets often. He looked at Tibby, then back at me, and at Tibby again, before giving a small nod. He held a leather clad glove to his shoulder for the rat, Asmodeus, to crawl in to. He wrapped both hands gently around the rodent and held him up to me. The rat seemed more curious now than anything, sniffing the air and looking around. I gently reached out and pet the top of his head with two of my fingers as a sign of apology. The rat looked at me and, for some reason, I felt like he forgave me and my asshole cat. I looked back up at the rat’s handler and realized he was staring at me. I couldn’t read his expression at all and it made me nervous. Then a small, almost unnoticeable smile played on his lips. I felt myself turn a bit red, taking a small step back. Now if was my turn to fidget.

“I--I’m sorry again.” I stammered, the anxiety in my chest blooming and making my ribcage feel tight around my lungs. “He just got out. I live across the street and he just ran in here. I don’t even know if I’m even allowed in here--I am so, so, so sorry.” The words tumbled out of my mouth even as it felt tough to breathe. There was a long silence between us and I could feel a lump of fear in my throat growing bigger and bigger.

“I...should go.” I squeaked out, taking a few more steps back. “I’m sorry again...” I realized that I didn’t know what to call this person, so I just went with what I thought was polite. “...s-sir...?” I had turned my back to him and was walking away, feeling a slight tremble in my legs, when he spoke softly.

“Copia.”

“Huh...?” I turned and saw him looking down at his hands.

“I am Cardinal Copia.....You can come see Asmodeus another time if you would like.” And he turned and walked the other way down the stone corridor.

“C--Copia...yeah...alright....thanks...” I muttered. “Oh! I’m Evelyn, by the way!”  I didn’t even know if he could hear me as I blurted out my name, staring at his back as he left. I couldn’t make heads or tails of this person. I shrugged it off and went back the way I came. The farther I got away from that conversation, the less anxious I became. When I was almost entirely calm, the urgent itch in my side started again. My stitches...I had to get going. As I walked, I held Tiberius in front of my face with both hands.

“What were you thinking, little mister?” I asked judgmentally. Tibby licked my nose in response and I sighed. I looked into his mismatched eyes and realized...His patches of black fur made his eyes look like the Cardinal’s. I chuckled.

“Maybe you were supposed to find each other.” I said, cradling the cat in my arms as I continued to power walk and find the exit. “But, you have to admit, it was really shitty of you to attack his rat.”

--

[[How much is Tiberius going to be in this story? Not much, but I still love this fictional kitty with all my heart. Please leave any feedback you have for me! I hope to update this once a week.

 Also, tune in next time for Evelyn getting stupidly lost and having an interaction with a Papa that makes her insanely uncomfortable.

Thanks for reading!

--Birdy]]

[drowningbydegrees]

Tagged by @newsbypostcard . Thanks friend! I like this meme so much. :D

RULES: List the openings of the last ten stories you published. Look to see if there are any patterns that you notice yourself, and see if anyone else notices any! Then tag some friends.

Bucky hated hotel bars. They were beautiful if you could actually see them, only the lighting was usually so low you could barely appreciate the ornate marble countertops or the carefully carved out bar stools. If you didn’t watch yourself, you’d trip over the plush chairs huddled far too closely together around tables littered through the space. That was the bit that bothered him, the enforced intimacy of it all. - We Never Had a Choice (But I Choose You)

It was rare that Bucky went to these sorts of events just for the fun of it, mostly because political rallies weren’t usually that much fun. This one wasn’t much of an exception. - Hostage Situations and Other Meet Cutes

Skulking through hallways, surrounded by grey stonework that went on and on, it was easy to forget this place had been an abbey. - Where All Roads Lead

The motion that caught Steve's attention was subtle, just a brief flicker of movement at the edge of one of the warmly colored pillars lining the Cloister garden. - I Can Hear The Echoes

Bucky glanced out the window as he put on his shoes, meaning to go for a jog. - A Fist Full of Lilies

Bucky and Steve laughed their way up the staircase of the house Bucky had grown up in. That was the thing about friendships like theirs. It didn’t matter that Bucky hadn’t seen Steve in person since the year before. They just picked right back up where they’d left off. - It Was Always You

There was an insinuation of permanence that came with furniture shopping. It was something couples did - normal couples who intended to share a home together - and the thought was enough to make Steve grin when Bucky wasn’t looking. After everything they’d been through, they’d landed here, out of hurdles to leap. - The Methodology of Couch Shopping (I’m cheating a little and skipping the other drabbles that go with this because they were all meant to be taken together anyway.)

If this was what it meant to be back in Steve’s orbit, Bucky was not about to start complaining. He stretched out on his stomach against the bedding, cheek resting on his arms where they folded across the pillow. Steve sprawled across his back, a welcome weight of warm skin and solid muscle. He could get used to feeling like there was room for him. - Truth in the Periphery

It’s three hours before their rendezvous, and Bucky should be sleeping. - A Rooftop Nowhere

“Time travel? Honestly, Tony. Of all the reckless things…” Steve peered down at the machine Stark was showing off. - I, The Paradox

I think the biggest pattern for me is around structure. I tend to write opening lines that need at least most of the first paragraph to mean much. 

As far as content goes, the majority of my openings are a fairly even split between action and introspection. That actually surprised me a little bit because character study and interpersonal dynamics are really where most of my writing interests lie, so I sort of thought it would lean more in that direction. 

Tagging: @jinlinli ,  @leveragehunters @noncorporealform , @belovedmuerto , really honestly whoever wants to do it is welcome to do so <3

[tryingtokeepcalm]

Abby on Abbey Road

Okay, I was super tired last night when I got home so I didn’t write about Sunday. But here’s what happened!

I woke up and met Daniel at Green Park so we could see a changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. It was a bit frantic because, obviously, other people are seeing the changing of the guard too. So I was in the tube station, my eye catching every slightly blond guy wearing a dark jacket.

But I finally saw him through the crowd, and we walked through the park to get to the palace. It was so cool to see the park now that flowers are starting to grow and it’s not freezing! We then walked around the front of the palace to wait for the guards to come up. It was actually a similar spot to where I saw it during my first week here.

It was starting to rain, but it wasn’t too bad when the guards actually walked by. Afterwards, we walked through the grounds. Daniel got to see the pelicans and all the other birds that flock around the lake. We saw a goose that looked like it was walking on water, so we called it Jesus Goose. All hail Jesus Goose!

After that, we decided to go over to Abbey Road! I was so excited that he wanted to go, because it was on my bucket list from the beginning. As a Beatles fan, and as an “abby” myself, I just have to go.

We took the tube over to the area where Abbey Road is and Daniel got to see a more residential area of London. Everytime I take a tube to a new area, I’m also eager to see what the area looks like. Because this city is so diverse! Anyway, we just had a short walk from the tube station to the famous crosswalk. It was pretty easy to find it, since it’s crowded with people. We were a bit lucky that it was rainy, cause not as many people were there than I thought there would be.

The crosswalk is a lot shorter than it looks like on the album. But we crossed it and waited our turn to stumble around the traffic to take pictures. Almost as much fun as taking your own picture is watching all the other people taking pictures. Some are more bold and will actually stop and stand in the middle of traffic to take pictures! I mean… I stood in traffic to get my picture taken but Daniel waited on the sidewalk to take my picture. So there’s that.

After we were satisfied, we took the tube back to Bloomsbury to get some lunch. On our way over to the restaurant I wanted to try, we saw some filming taking place near my flat. We couldn’t figure out what was being filmed, but it was definitely something with old-fashioned clothes and cars and businessmen.

We went to lunch at Byron’s Burgers, which is a chain. It was pretty decent! I did realize my taste for American cheese is not the same as it used to be. I think I’m getting used to cheddar here. Daniel got tea and nearly burned his hand off. It was a great time.

After lunch, we had some time to kill before the show we were going to see started at 4pm. So we walked back down to Big Ben and got our picture together. We awkwardly asked these british girls to take our picture, but they did! I also took Daniel’s picture next to the famous phone booth that has Big Ben in the background.

We then hopped on the tube and headed over to Greenwich for our show.  We ended up taking the DLR, which I still don’t really know what that stands for or what makes it especially… different. But we got on, after changing from the tube, and realized that we hadn’t swiped our oyster cards at all before getting on the train… I’m still not sure how we did that.

When we got off at our stop, we realized that it’s more of an honor system. You don’t have to go through the gates like you do when you get on the tube. There’s just a little system off to the side of the hallway at the DLR stations, and that’s where you swipe. We probably walked right by it on our first go around!

Anyway, we got off in Greenwich and walked to the theatre. Oh yeah, the show we saw was called Lizzie, and it’s about the Lizzie Borden murders. And… I’m completely convinced this show was written for me. A rock musical, a lesbian subplot, kick-ass women with amazing vocals, and amazing costumes! It was so much fun! We were a bit worried when we first walked into the theatre. We had great seats, front row, but we found a little poncho sitting in our seats… Apparently, we were in the splash zone!

I was freaking out a little, mostly from the idea of getting splattered with red corn syrup during the show but also just from being so close to the stage, but in the end it was fine. The show was amazing and when the death scene actually happened, no one really got splashed. It was more a metaphorical thing.

But the show is, like I said, amazing! I’m definitely gonna buy the soundtrack at some point, because it blew me away. I’d tell everyone so go see it, but we saw it on closing night so… lucky us, then!

After the show, we decided to check out this thing called The Sky Garden. We took the DLR, after correctly swiping our cards, and tried to check it out. Unfortunately, you have to get tickets beforehand, even though it’s free.

So, we admitted defeat there (but I’m definitely gonna check it out on a later date) and made the long walk back to Covent Garden to get dinner. We could have tubed there but I wanted to work up a bit more of an appetite. And it was fun to spend Daniel’s last evening in London walking along the Thames. And just walking in general.

We finally made it Maxwell’s, a restaurant that I’ve been to before with great milkshakes! Freak Shakes, actually. I didn’t get one last time I went, so I got the oreo one. Aside from the use of clotted cream instead of whipped cream, it was amazing! It came with it’s own ice cream sandwich, talk about freaky! Daniel got the Mars Bar shake. And they played Don’t Stop Believing when we walked in. “Literally full circle” is what Daniel said and I couldn’t agree more.

I think we were trying to stretch out our time at the restaurant (or at least I was) because we knew that we’d have to part ways once we left. But eventually, we left and headed over to the tube station. It was very dramatic to say goodbye, because we were taking the same line just in different directions. So we literally had to go through two different doors on the opposite side of a hallway. Ugh, again, where is my movie deal?

But we did say goodbye and I took the tube back to my flat. I took a shower and relaxed for the rest of the night. Needless to say, it was an awesome weekend with Daniel! A tiring weekend, and I was not looking forward to going to class Monday morning. But this was a super fun weekend and Daniel got back to Valencia safe and sound! I’ll see him back in America (which is such a weird thing to even think about at this point)!

Steps/Miles: 26,368/10.69 miles

[sunflowerstache]

sarah anything you write is gold... so i’m sure the bta chapter is great. i would love a preview tho...

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU MY SWEET LITTLE BLUEBERRY🥺😍💛 here’s a very tiny preview of the beginning of the chapter (I promise the Y/N stops there, I start using Tiny right after this bit!) (:

~~~

“I live close, so we drive past it all the time, and you know, the fact that there’s always people outside.. and the graffiti on the walls, there’s like an aura about the place.” And that aura doubled in in size when Harry stepped out of the black car, making sure to carefully maneuver himself so that nothing jostled the infant sleeping in the car seat in his hand. And as soon as he turned around, a small smile graced his lips when seeing his longtime girlfriend, Y/N, waiting at the front of the car for him. It didn’t take long for her to take the car seat out of his hands, pressing a quick peck to his cheek at the trade off before Harry turned to give the young man waiting at the bottom of the steps a handshake.

It wasn’t uncommon for the pair to be walking down a dark corridor hand in hand, they had spent years wandering around different backstage areas and hidden hallways to make sure no one saw their affection towards one another. But this time, there was no hiding how their hands gently swung with the pep in their step or how they spoke around the giggles falling out of the mouths. They were just Harry and Y/N, no longer hiding.

“The first time coming in and being around the studio to do this and play the album for the first time has been quite overwhelming.” There was something about the look in Harry’s eyes when the hallway opened up into the studio and he saw his band, having it sink in where he was and what he was about to do, that made it impossible for Y/N not to smile as she watched his joy.

“Hey.” She whispered, giving his hand a little squeeze before letting go. “’M gonna go sit down with her, watch from back there.” she lifted her hand up over her shoulder to point her thumb towards the booth behind the glass windows.

“Alright. Jeff will be back there in a bit too, so if you need anything -”

“I know.” she laughed, extending her hand to rest on his cheek, her thumb softly swiping the skin, “You’re gonna do amazing. You were made for this.”

“Think so?”

“Mhm. Worked so hard on this album, and everyone here knows it.”

He stared at the girl in front of him for a moment, taking in just how beautiful she looked - even in the dim lighting - and saw her own excitement bouncing around in her eyes. Like she couldn’t wait one more second to hear everything he’d been working so hard on come together so perfectly.

“I love you.” he said, turning his head to press a kiss to the palm of her hand.

“Hmm, love you too. Now go kick some ass so I can tell everyone my baby daddy crushed it at Abbey Road.”

She always knew how to bring a smile to Harry’s face during times of uncertainty, and as she walked away from him, he couldn’t help but count his lucky stars that he had such a perfect muse. But his attention was quickly brought back to what was waiting just ahead of him, the movement of everyone on his team getting ready to perform seven of his ten brand new songs. The dim lighting continued throughout a majority of the studio, only being extremely light at the center of the room where he and his band would be stationed. Blue patterned carpets littered the hardwood floors to help with acoustics, and Harry couldn’t help but think of all the other legendary artists who had stood exactly where he was.

It was a lot to take in. Of course One Direction had accomplished insane things while touring the world and making records, but being in such a special location and filming for his first ever solo album,was a whole new level of crazy for Harry. So he took a few seconds to crouch down and just take everything in, listen as the notes from Clare’s piano flooded his mind, sounding exactly the way he envisioned it. And as the intro of ‘Only Angel’ wafted through the room, Harry couldn’t help but look over to where Y/N said she would be sitting, needing just that rush of last minute confidence she always gave him. But what he was met with nearly made his cackle with laughter. She was standing as close as she could get in the room, holding a piece of paper up against the glass reading; “Should I show you my tits like the old school rock stars got?”