#he and Ollie literally did lines at a party like last week

[arkangelo-7]

Imaging a scenario in which Dick is helping out with Roy with a drug bust or something, but they decide to “test the product” and they end up getting high af, so Oliver has to drag that kid’s giggly ass back to the Batcave and awkwardly explain what happened to Batman, who quite literally had murder in his eyes.

[atlafan]

Burning Love - Part Three

a/n: the third and final part of this little series is here! I hope you enjoy! Feedback and reblogs are helpful! Support me here if you’re able! (not proofread)

Warnings: cocky!Harry flirting, a tiny bit of angst, fluff, and smut!

Words: 8K

Pairing: Harry x OC (kindergarten teacher Danielle Robinson)

Masterpost

Having a firefighter as a boyfriend was anything but boring. Sometimes Harry was called away in the middle of the night for backup, sometimes he had to straight up sleep at the fire house if someone was on vacation, and sometimes he was cooking up a storm so the guys coming back from a fire had plenty to eat. Danielle would sometimes help cook as well. The guys really liked her turkey chili.

Danielle’s classroom knew who her boyfriend was too, and they loved it when Harry would come by for a visit. He’d bring them little coloring books, or sometimes he’d get Doodle to come for an even better surprise visit.

When they were together three months, Harry made sure no one was in the fire house so she could come to his office, and he gave her a little strip tease. She had practically been begging him to play the part of the sexy fire fighter and he was finally doing it for her. The only condition was that he got to bend her over his desk and fuck her. She even let him hit it raw, it was the greatest mutual gift in the world. Also hearing her moan out, “You’re hitting it so good, don’t stop, Harry!” over and over was pretty nice too.

Yup, things had been going pretty well for the new couple. Even though they were still in the puppy-love phase, it wasn’t all sex all the time. Harry would sometimes come over and help her late into the night as she was crafting activities for her class the next day, or he’d go to the art supply store with her because Danielle never made a list and she would often forget at least one thing she needed for class. Harry always remembered what she’d forget. Danielle was also a big help with the fire department’s fundraising efforts. She made the best hash browns anyone had ever had at the monthly pancake breakfasts. The deputy fire chief even got them a matching set of aprons. Things were going so well that she even started to let him call her Dani.

One Sunday afternoon they were walking through the grocery store together. Harry liked pushing the cart for Danielle as she mumbled to herself about what she needed for the week. She liked that he joined her because he could pick out the snacks he wanted to leave at her place, and vice versa. They were walking down the coffee aisle, Harry liked Hazelnut and Danielle liked French Vanilla.

“Dani?”

Danielle looks over in the direction of the deep voice that said her name. Her eyes widen when she realizes it’s her ex, Oliver.

“O-Oliver?”

“Oh my god, it’s so good to see you!” He exclaims, throwing his arms around her. She doesn’t reciprocate. “It’s been what, three years?”

“Something like that.” She swallows, and hooks her arm around Harry’s waist. “This is my boyfriend, Harry.”

“Hi.” Oliver shakes Harry’s hand. “You shop here a lot?”

“Yeah…this is the grocery store closest to my apartment, why?”

“This is my first time as this specific store. My fiancé lives in the area, and we’re choosing to buy a house here so her son won’t have to switch elementary schools.”

“Her…her son?” Danielle wanted to smack him.

“Yeah, guess he’s like my son now too.”

“Olly? Did you find the decaf tea?” A woman long blond hair, and a slightly swollen belly comes rolling her cart down the aisle with a little boy sitting in it. “Oh…Danielle…hi.”

“Hi, Rory.”

“Miss Robinson!” The boy exclaims.

“Hello, Joey.” She tries to say with a smile. Danielle wasn’t sure how she could have been so stupid. Joey took the bus to and from school, and she had only ever spoken with his father. She also didn’t make a second glance at his mother’s name on his contact list since it was under Lorelei.

“Joey raves about you all the time.” Rory says, trying to cut some of the tension.

“Mumma, it’s Chief Harry!”

“Aw, nice of you to remember me, buddy.” Harry says. “Um, we’ve got frozen stuff in the cart, so we should probably get going, right, darling?” He says, looking at Danielle, and she feels thankful for him finding a way out of all this.

“He’s right, we should really get going.”

“Guess we’ll be seeing more of each other, huh, Dani?” Oliver says with a soft smile.

“So it would seem.” She looks at Joey. “See you tomorrow morning in class, Joey.”

Harry pushes the cart as they walk away. She was beyond mortified. They get in line and pay for their things. She had driven there, but she has Harry drive back to her place. She was quiet until they got inside her apartment to put the food away.

“He, uh, seemed a little delusional there, no?” Harry says.

“He’s always lived with his head in the sand.” She scoffs. “Rose colored glasses, you know?”

“Did you not know that-“

“No, I didn’t realize that Rory, the person he cheated on me with, had a son. I knew that she was a married woman. They got divorced because of Oliver.” She shakes her head. “Joey’s father is such a sweet man, I can’t believe I never put the pieces together.”

“How exactly did they meet?”

“The first school I worked at was a K-5 a few towns over. Rory was the principal’s secretary, she still is, I think. I brought Oliver with me to a holiday party, and they got to talking. She’s a couple of years older than he and I are. I don’t exactly know how things progressed from there, but apparently she’s pregnant with his kid, they’re engaged, and they’ve bought a house! Isn’t that just kick you in the crotch, spit on your neck fantastic?”

“Remind me to never watch Friends reruns with you again.” He chuckles.  “I can’t believe he had the nerve to hug you like that?”

“He hugged me like that because he’s still in love with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Until I blocked him on literally every platform that I could, he would send me these messages about how he fucked up and that he’d do anything to win me back. He’s in a loveless relationship. He’s made his bed and now he has to lay in it.”

“Does Rory know it’s a loveless relationship?”

“I doubt it. If I had to guess they probably got engaged after they found out she was pregnant. It was probably her way of trapping him.” Danielle rolls her eyes. “You know what they say, once a cheater, always a cheater.”

“Well,” he comes around her to hold her from behind, kissing her cheek, “you don’t have to worry about that or pay it any more thoughts, alright?”

“Yeah.” She smiles and turns to kiss him. “I just hope I don’t start running into them all the time now.”

“We could always go to the market near my place, or we could do the online order thing.” He shrugs. “Whatever you wanna do. I just don’t want that idiot making my baby upset.” He pouts at her and she pouts back.

“I love that I get to be your baby.” She sighs as she nuzzles into his chest.

“Me too…I…I love you, Dani.” He kisses her forehead before she looks up at him.

“You do?”

“Mhm.” He smiles. “Guess there’s no perfect time to really say it, but that’s how I feel.”

“Oh, Harry, I love you too.” She kisses him, and blinks some tears away. “Like, a lot.”

“Let’s get these groceries put away, hm? Then I’ll fuck you on the counter. Would you like that, sweetheart?”

“I would, very much so.” She chuckles.

//

It was the last day of school, so Danielle had both of her groups in the morning. There was a small ceremony for the kindergarteners to commemorate them being able to move on to the first grade. They each got a personalized certificate with some type of achievement they earned in Miss Robinson’s class. She spent two weeks working on them. Once it was over, Danielle had to clean up her classroom for the summer.

“Happy last day of school, babe.” Harry says as he walks in, holding a small bouquet of flowers.

“I think you should ask for a separate office here with how often you come to visit.” She jokes as she takes the flowers. “Not that I’m upset, but what are these for?” She smiles.

“You made it through another year with a group of five-year-olds, thought you should have something nice for it.”

“Well, that’s very thoughtful, thank you.” She kisses his cheek. “I’m just finishing up here and then we can grab lunch.”

Harry nods as he waits for her, helping her take a few boxes out to her car. He thought she looked gorgeous today in her light blue sundress. They enjoy their lunch together before Harry has to go back to work.

“Wanna come to my place tonight?” She asks before they part ways.

“Sure.” He pecks her lips. “Want me to bring dinner?”

“No, I can cook. I’ve got stuff to make a taco salad.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later.” They kiss again and off they go.

Things had gotten quite domestic with one another, and Harry was really starting to like it. He also really liked that she was about to be off for the entire summer. Sure, Harry had bonfires, lawn mowers, grills, and other things of that nature to worry about, but his group of volunteer fire fighters would be coming on once again, so it freed up a little more time for himself. He’d be able to take a vacation with Danielle if she wanted. Or he could just take a ton of long weekends so he could spend some time with her. He wasn’t exactly sure what she did over the summer, but he figures they’ll talk about it soon.

When Harry gets to her apartment later that night, he realizes soon means tonight. Danielle was running around her apartment in a tank top and shorts boxing things up and packing.

“Hey, uh, what are you doing?” He says, startling her.

“Oh! I didn’t even hear you come in!” She gasps and clutches at her chest. “Sorry, I’m just trying to get my shit together. I always save this stuff for the last minute.”

“Are you moving?” He asks, almost frantic.

“What? No.” She chuckles. “But I do need a lot of my things with me for when I go up to Seabrook.”

“Seabrook?”

“To my parents’ summer house. I told you they had one, they’re snowbirds, remember?”

“Yeah, you mentioned that…” He swallows. “Are you going for a long weekend?”

“No, I’m going for the majority of the summer. I was actually sort of hoping you’d be able to water some of my plants, but if you can’t I can ask the neighbor again.” She goes over to him and gives him a kiss. “Come on, I set dinner up in the kitchen for us.”

They both go into the kitchen and sit down with their taco salads.

“You’re sort of blindsiding me a bit, babe. I mean, you’ve known you were going to New Hampshire all this time and didn’t think to tell me?”

“I figured I’d come back on weekends.” She shrugs. “You’re going to be working all day, so I figured you wouldn’t really mind if I wasn’t around as much.” She takes a bite of her food. “I also thought maybe you could come up and visit…you know, meet my family.”

“It’s gonna be torturing not being able to come over and see you after work.” He pouts. “But of course I’d love to meet your family.”

“I know…that’s sort of why I was keeping it to myself. I’ll miss you just the same, I hope you know that. This is just really precious family time that I wait all year for.”

“I get it.” He sighs. “What weekend would you want me to come meet them?”

“I’ll have to ask my parents what weekend would work best for them. The first couple of weeks are spent catching up with their friends, and whatnot. The house is in a fifty-five and over community.”

“And you won’t mind driving back on weekends?”

“Not at all.” She shakes her head. “All of the traffic will be going the other way, and the beaches are always so crowded on the weekends. It’ll be perfect.” She smiles at him and leans in a bit. “Plus, I’ll be coming back to you with sun kissed skin. I’ll have lots of tan lines to show you.” She winks and it makes him chuckle.

“Alright, alright. I get to use more time off in the summer, so I’ll be able to take lots of long weekends. We have more of a crew because a lot of our volunteers are teachers, so they have more time to help out.”

“That’s good! I’m so happy the school year is over with. Did you see I put the flowers you got me in a vase?” She points over to the vase in her kitchen window.

“I did.” He nods, a smile growing on his lips. “M’glad you liked them.”

“I loved them.” She kisses his cheek. “You’re so sweet to me, Harry.”

“You’ve turned me into a total mush ball.” He sighs. “But I suppose that’s not a bad thing.”

“You were a mush ball the second you walked into my classroom for the first time.” She smirks.

“And you were a flustered little thing.” He smirks as her face falls. “Ah, she can dish it out, but she can’t take it.” He kisses her temple and takes their now empty plates to the sink. “When are you heading up?”

“A couple of days.” She sighs. “I hate packing so much, it’s the worst.” She groans. “I just keep telling myself I’ll be relaxing on a screened in porch soaking in the ocean breeze with a book in my hand before I know it.” She flops down onto her sofa and Harry sits next to her, rubbing her back. “At least I’ll see my niece and nephew soon too. I love getting to spend so much time with them.”

“Tell me about them, I wanna know as much about your family as I can before I meet them.”

“Really?” She sits up to look at them.

“Mhm.” He puts a pillow on his lap. “Come lay one me. I’ll play with your hair while you talk.”

“If I didn’t love you before.” She giggles, and rests her head in his lap. He starts scratching at her scalp and she sighs. “Okay, so, my dad…”

They both fell asleep on the couch that night talking. Harry told Danielle a lot about his family as well. In the wee hours of the morning, Harry carried her to the bed, and they both snuggled up while they got a few more hours of sleep.

//

“Danielle, it’s the middle of the night! Where are you going?!” Her brother Clark asks her in a panic. “Shit, are you crying?”

“I…I just got a call.” She sniffles as she throws her hoody on. “I have to get home.”

“Why, what’s happening.”

“H-Harry’s deputy chief called me…there was a really big fire a few hours ago, and a wall collapsed on him, and now he’s in the hospital.” Tears were streaming down her cheeks. “I have to get home to him, Clark, I need to be there when he wakes up.”

“You’re in no condition to drive, especially not for two hours. I’ll go with you. Let me just go to Isabelle.”

“You don’t have to do that, I’m fine.” She wipes her eyes. “I’ll let you know when I get there. I’ll be back in a few days, I’m sure of it.”

She rushes out of the house and gets into the car. She had the radio practically silent, and she was sucking down an iced coffee. Caffeine put her anxiety into hyper drive, but she needed to stay awake somehow. Harry wasn’t even supposed to be at that fire. He got called in as backup, but he wasn’t supposed to go inside. He went in looking for the family’s new puppy.

Once she gets to the hospital, probably looking like a mad woman in her pajama pants and oversized hoody, she checks in and asks where Harry’s being kept.

“Please, I’m his girlfriend, I need to-“

“Dani!” The deputy chief, Ralph, comes rushing towards her. “He just woke up, come with me.” He yanks her by the wrist before the nurse at the desk can say anything.

“Is he okay?”

“He will be.” Ralph nods. “Here we are, go ahead in. Take your time with him.” Ralph smiles, and Danielle returns it.

“Harry?” She says just above a whisper.

“Hey, baby.” He gives her a soft smile. “What are you doing here?”

“I hopped in my car a second after Ralph called me. I was so worried.” She sits on the edge of his hospital bed.

“I’m okay, sweetheart, just a few scrapes and bruises.”

“Harry…your arm’s in a sling.”

“Just a sprained wrist, it’ll heal up real soon.”

“How can you be so calm about this?” She asks as she curls up next to him. He throws his arm around her and sighs.

“Because if I let every little accident scare me, I wouldn’t be able to do my job properly. This is what I signed up for, babe.”

“Did you at least find the puppy?”

“I did, shielded the poor thing from the wall that collapsed on me. M’gonna have to go on light duty for a while.”

“Which means what exactly?”

“Lots of administrative work…that I can do remotely. So, I was thinking…maybe I could come up to Seabrook with you for a little longer than a weekend.”

“I’d love that! We can drive back up together. Everyone’s excited to meet you.”

“I’m excited to meet them too.”

//

After Harry rested up for a few days at home, with Danielle doting on him even though he told her she didn’t need to, the two drive up north together.

“Auntie Dani’s back!” Sarah exclaims as she bursts out of the porch.

“Sarah!” Isabelle yells after her. “We don’t run out of the house, no matter how excited we are to see Auntie.” She picks her daughter up. “Sorry, Dani.” Isabelle chuckles.

“No worries.” Danielle laughs. “This is my boyfriend, Harry. Harry, this is my sister-in-law Isabelle.”

“Hi.” Harry says, and Isabelle gasps when she sees his arm in a sling. “Just a sprained wrist, m’fine.” “It’s nice to meet you. This must be Sarah, yeah?”

“Hello.” The little girl smiles.

“Come on, everyone’s inside getting ready to head down to the beach.” Isabelle says.

Harry and Danielle follow inside. She takes him into the kitchen where her parents, Robert and Donna were finishing up their coffee.

“Dani!” Donna smiles. “How was the ride back up?”

“Fine, not a lot of traffic once we were out of the city.” She smiles. “This is Harry.”

“The hero that saved the puppy!” Robert says.

“I’m no hero, just did my job. It’s nice to meet you both. Thank you for inviting me to your home.” He shakes both of their hands.

“Are you kidding? We were over the moon when Dani said she’d be bringing a boyfriend with her.” Donna says. “Honey, why don’t you help Harry get settled and then meet us down at the beach?”

“Okay.” Danielle nods.

The two bring their things inside while everyone else makes their way to the beach. Danielle helps Harry put his clothes away in the dresser.

“So…are we alone right now?” Harry asks casually after putting his things away in the bathroom.

“Um, yeah. Everyone went down to set up at the beach, why?”

“Well…” He sits down on the bed and tugs her to sit on his lap, straddling her. “I haven’t been able to do much the last few days, and I’d like to make up for it.”

“Harry.” Her face flushes. “I can’t just fuck you here.”

“In the privacy of a bedroom? Here I was thinking this would be the perfect place.” He rolls his eyes.

“I just…” She bites her bottom lip. Before she can say anything when she opens her mouth again, he’s kissing her. “Fuck, okay, but we have to be quick. And no leaving marks, I don’t need to feel like a teenager at the age of twenty-seven.”

“How about no marks in any visible places?”

“Harry, I’m gonna be wearing a two piece, a lot is going to be visible.”

“Your ass?”

She whimpers softly and kisses him again. They both fall back on the bed, careful not to hurt his wrist. Danielle ended up riding his dick since he couldn’t really prop himself up with hands at the moment, but neither of them minded. It was a much-needed release for the both of them. Once they’re both cleaned up, they change into their bathing suits and go down to the beach to join her family.

“Auntie Dani, do you wanna dig a moat with me?” Ryan asks her the second she sets her things down.

“Sure! Just let me get some sunscreen on, okay?”

“You’re already looking a little red.” Clark remarks, and she glares at him. “Nice to meet you, Harry.”

“Same to you.” Harry says as he sits down in his beach chair.

Danielle peels her coverup off, and lathers up in sunscreen before grabbing a sand toy to help Ryan dig a moat. Isabelle was down by the water with Sarah.

“Harry, do you like seafood?” Donna asks him.

“I do.” He nods.

“Wonderful, I thought it would be nice to go out to eat since you’re here with us now. Celebrate having a full house and whatnot.”

“Oh, well…that sounds nice, thanks.” Harry smiles at her.

“I hope you won’t be too miserable working from inside the house…there’s no central air or anything.” Robert says.

“Oh, it’s not a problem. Heat doesn’t exactly bother me.” He smirks, and Danielle flicks some sand at him. “Oi, what was that for?!”

“No fire fighter jokes or puns.” She points a finger at him warningly. “We’re on vacation.”

“Come on, that was a good one, admit it.”

“I will do no such thing.” She looks at her parents who were chuckling at the exchange. “Don’t encourage him, it’ll only make it worse.”

“Anyways,” he side eyes her and then looks back at her parents, “I’ll probably just set up on the porch when I need to hop onto email. My deputy chief is taking on a bit more for me for the next couple of weeks.”

Harry never really saw himself being a dad someday, but as the day went on, and he watched Danielle interact with Sarah and Ryan, he suddenly understood why women would get baby fever seeing a man hold a baby. He may have only been with Danielle for five months, but fuck…he wanted to be the father of her kids. Yes, he got to spend an entire week with her and her classroom, but it’s not like he got to witness her loving on any of the kids. The way she cradled four-year-old Sarah to her chest as she napped, or splashed around in the water with Ryan, well, if he had ovaries they’d be bursting.

Seeing her help them at dinner was just as cute too. Sarah insisted that her booster chair be places next to Danielle, and Danielle ended up helping cut up Sarah’s chicken fingers. Then Harry got to witness Danielle tucking Sarah and Ryan in for the night to give Clark and Isabelle a break.

The two decide to turn in a bit early since it had been a long day. Danielle was sitting up in bed reading her romance novel. Harry was reading the same one. They had formed a little book club with another once they found out they liked the same genre of fiction.

“Dani?” He says to her.

“Hm?” She says without looking at him.

“Do you think you wanna have kids of your own one day? Or are your kindergartners enough kids for you?”

She immediately closes her book and looks at him. She was a little shocked.

“I…I always thought if I met the right person then I’d want to have kids. Like, turning that love into something physical, you know? What’s got you asking me about kids all of a sudden?”

“In all honesty…watching you with Ryan and Sarah today sort of sparked my interest. You’re so good with them in so many different ways. I…I mean I never really thought twice about having kids, but if you and I decide this is a long term thing…I’d love to be the person you have kids with.”

“Thought you didn’t like playing the what if game.” She leans in and pecks his lips.

“I don’t.”

“Okay, so, it’s not an if with us, Harry, it’s a when.”

He smiles and kisses her tenderly.

“You’re the love of my life, you know that?” He says against her lips before kissing her again.

//

The school year was just about to start again. Classes would begin just after Labor Day. How were Harry and Danielle spending their long weekend? Well, she was currently bouncing up and down on his dick reverse-cowgirl on her couch while he sucked a nasty bruise into her neck, rubbing her clit with one hand, and kneading one of her breasts with the other. She felt like she was drooling from how good everything felt. The two of them had both tanned nicely over the summer, and now they Danielle was fully back in her apartment, Harry was taking full advantage.

“Fuck, fuck!” She pants. Harry was thrusting up into her, pounding against her g-spot.

It was how she liked it, she didn’t care if she was sore later, and he was happy to give it to her like this. She turns her head slightly and she licks into his mouth to suck on his tongue. He replaces his tongue in her mouth with two of his fingers, which she was happy to suck on while his fingers continued to work her clit. They had been together for a while now, and sometimes when you were a little older, time didn’t make much of a difference when you were trying to check off certain boxes with the person you loved most. So, Harry just blurts out what he’s thinking.

“I think we should move in together.” He grunts, and she gasps around his fingers.

“Wh-what?” She says, whining because she’s so very close. This wasn’t the type of talk she enjoyed during sex. “Harry, please, I’m almost there, can we talk about this after?” She tugs at his hair, making him groan.

He grips her hips, helping her rock faster on him, and she goes to rub her own clit. He was fucking so hard and deep that she thought her spine was going to crack in half, but she didn’t fucking care. She wanted it. He hits it just right again, and her eyes roll into the back of her head as her back arches, her body molding into his as she rides it out. His come shoots up inside her a moment after, and he presses his lips to her temple. She tries to move off him, but he wraps his arms around her tummy to keep here there.

“Can we talk now?” He breathes, his breath hot on the shell of her ear and she whimpers. “I really think we should live together.”

“And whose place do you want to live at, hm? We’re both pack rats, Har. We both need home offices, we both-“

“Just answer the question: do you want to live together?”

“Yes.” She looks over her shoulder at him. “I do.”

“Okay, then.” He smiles and gently lifts her off of him. “Right when we started dating, I got pre-approved for a home loan.” He wraps her up in the blanket she has on the couch and carries her into the bedroom so they can both lay down before cleaning themselves up. “I put the house hunting on hold, obviously…I’d need to get pre-approved again since the three-month window they gave me lapsed, but…I can afford a pretty decent house.” He smiles fondly at Danielle. She had that after sex glow to her, and it always made him melt.

“You…you can afford a house?”

“I can.” He nods. “Been saving up for a while. I was sort of hoping…well…we could look at houses together. I could buy it, and then we could split the mortgage payments, or I could just pay the mortgage and you could take care of the utilities and other bills. Whatever makes more sense.” He shrugs. She blinks a few times and then licks her lips.

“I just…wow, I can’t believe you wanna do something so huge with me. Buying a house with someone is a pretty big deal.”

“I feel like it makes more sense to buy the house first, and then save back up for a wedding later, but that’s just me.” He gives her a smug look and her eyes widen. “I think that’s why the divorce rate is too high, not enough people live together before they get married.” A grin starts to form on her lips. “Don’t look at me like that, we’ve talked about long-term stuff before.”

“We’ve talked about hypothetical babies, not buying a house. Do you already have a realtor?”

“No, and we don’t really need one. We can just look up the houses we wanna see and contact the realtor that’s selling the home. A friend of mine did that and they said it was a way better experience.”

“I can’t believe this.” She shakes her and then giggles, throwing her arms around his neck. “You wanna be us a house! I wish I could help with the down payment, but my student loans have prevented me from putting a lot into my savings…”

“It’s no problem. You’re able to afford this place on your own, so I figured you’d be able to help with bills and stuff.”

“I definitely will be able to.” She kisses his cheek. “Let’s go take a shower and then we can start looking on realtor.”

“Eager.” He smirks as she tugs him up from the bed.

“Now’s the time to buy! All of the snowbirds who are looking to make the big plunge to warm weather full time will be looking to get rid of their houses, and with the school year starting we don’t really have to worry about competing with families. It’s perfect, Harry!”

It was, it really was.

//

By the beginning of October, the two were moved into a stunning home with four bedrooms, and four baths. They got just about everything on their wish list, and anything they didn’t, Harry said he could make happen. Danielle was able to pass out candy for Halloween to the kids in the neighborhood, which delighted her to no end because a few of her new and previous students stopped by. And when it came time for Thanksgiving, even though they weren’t full unpacked, Danielle was able to host a fabulous dinner for her family.

It wasn’t always perfect, they disagreed on paint colors, furniture, curtains, and rugs. They usually found some way to compromise, though. Sometimes Danielle had trouble checking her attitude at the door. There was one evening she got home a little later than usual, so Harry got dinner started. A nice gesture on his part, which she thanked him for. However, when it came time to clean up, she wouldn’t stop huffing while she loaded the dishwasher.

“Alright, what’s wrong?” He finally asks. “Why are you reorganizing everything?”

“Because you never put anything in here right.” She snaps. “Bowls and cups go on the top rack. Look at this! You put one of the little plates up here, how the fuck is that supposed to get cleaned properly?” She says as she moves the small plate to the bottom rack. “You also don’t load the silverware correctly. Did you want me to stab myself?! I’m usually the one that has to unload it.” She huffs again after throwing a pod in and turning the dishwasher on. She crosses her arms and looks at him. “I’m your girlfriend, not your mother.”

“I never said you were.” He crosses his arms as well, astonished at her tone.

“Yeah? So, did you think that your dirty socks and underwear just magically picked themselves up and put themselves into your hamper? Did you think that the bed magically gets made? Did you think that the broom and dustpan do a little fucking dance and that’s how the shmutz on the floor gets cleaned up?!”

“You’re making it seem like I don’t do anything to help out around here. I’m the one that rakes the leaves and mows the lawn, I’m the one that has to stop what I’m doing to come kill a bug every time you yelp, I’m the one that takes care of all the trash in the house-“

“Only when I say something about it overflowing. I have to tell you to do everything!”

“Look, I’m sorry I don’t load the dishwasher in the way that you’d prefer, but the dishes get clean, so-“

“No, they don’t. I either have to run it again, or I wash the stuff by hand. We’re gonna have kids someday, Harry, I don’t want them picking up on your bad habits.”

“My bad habits?!” Okay, now he was getting angry. “I have to ask you to clean your hair out of the shower drain. In fact, your hair is fucking everywhere! You never wipe off the mirror after you pop a pimple, which you know you shouldn’t be doing anyway.” He rolls his eyes. Her face falls into a deep frown. “Not so much fun when someone’s pointing out your flaws, is it?”

“Fuck off.” She turns on her heel and makes her way out of the kitchen.

“Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be. You’re going to start an argument with me, but you’re not going to finish it?” He says as he follows her out to the staircase.

“You asked me what was wrong, and I told you.” She states.

“Yeah, but you didn’t have to be such a bitch about it.” Her eyes widen with anger at that, and her nails press into her palms. She starts stomping her way upstairs. “Dani.” He sighs. “Shit, I didn’t mean to say that.” He follows her up the stairs.

“But you did.” She goes into the bedroom and almost shuts the door in his face, but he catches it, making his way in. “You men are all the same, you know that? Any time a woman calls you out on some crap, she’s a bitch.”

“You got upset over something as insignificant as loading a dishwasher. You know we’re lucky to even have one? There are people who don’t have the luxury.”

“Yeah, I know! And I’d probably be the one to always be washing the dishes.”

“If it bothered you that much, then why didn’t you say something to me before?”

“Because I didn’t want to come off as naggy! I don’t want to be one of those women that’s always telling their partner what to do and how to do it, but holy fuck, who actually raised you?! I mean, some of the things you do, I just don’t understand.” She shakes her head.

“We were obviously raised differently.” He sighs. “You know if you just told me-“

“But I don’t want to have to tell you! I don’t want to have to ask because I shouldn’t have to.”

“I’m not a mind reader, Dani!”

“I’m not asking you to be! But when the sink is full of dishes, do you think you could take care of it without me having to mention it? Do you think that when the trash is full you could just bag it up and take it and put a new bag in? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally thrown something out without a bag being in the barrel. It drives me bananas!”

“Okay, I’ll…I’ll try to be better about those things. I don’t want you to feel like you’re having to pick up after me.” He runs a hand through his hair.

“And…I’ll try to not just explode on you when something’s been bothering me.” She sits on the bed and lays back. “Ugh, I just had a long day. Kids are starting to get colds, and the meeting I had after school just wouldn’t end, I’m supposed to get my period in a couple of days so I feel bloated and gross.” Harry sits down next to her and rubs her thigh. He looks down at her with a soft smile. “Listen to me.” She sighs. “Here I am complaining about stupid things when you literally put your life at risk every time you go to work.”

“Don’t compare us, babe. You’re allowed to feel annoyed and stressed.”

“How do you always stay so calm?” She tugs him down to lay with her.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to stay upset when I have such a cute girlfriend.” He kisses her cheek and she giggles.

“I’m sorry I got so mad.”

“It’s okay, baby.” He kisses her cheek again. “We’re bound to have an argument once in a while. The most important thing is that we always make up afterwards.”  He starts kissing on her neck and she bites her bottom lip.

“Harry, I just told you that I feel bloated and gross, and-“

“So, let me make you feel not gross.” He says as he moves on top of her. “Let me love on you, darling, it’ll help you destress.” He moves her up the bed until he’s situated between her legs. He undoes her pants and drags them down her legs. “Are you wearing boxer-briefs?” He questions.

“Y-yeah? I started buying them a little while ago. They’re more comfortable, and they breathe better. Plus, no panty lines.”

“How did I not notice this?” He blinks.

“Because I usually change when I get home into something a little sexier.” She chuckles.

“Actually…” He tugs on the band and lets it snap back against her skin. “You look pretty sexy in these.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He tugs them off of her and kisses on her tummy. He parts he legs and licks around her folds. She sighs and lets her body rest into the mattress.

“I really feel like I don’t deserve this since I was so nasty to you.” She says as she cards her finger through his hair.

“You can make it up to me by letting me fuck your mouth afterwards. Seems like you could use a break from running it, hm?” He sucks on her clit, making her groan, and she nods.

“Yeah, seems fair to me.” She gasps as he licks into her warm center, and uses his thumb on her clit. “Would you make me come a few times, though, at least?”

Her gives her a devilish smirk, which she takes as a yes while he continues to work his tongue in and out of her. He gave her four orgasms before crawling up her body and stuffing his throbbing down her throat. Feeling her nails dig into his hips as he thrusted in and out of her was everything he needed. They didn’t do stuff like this often. He didn’t want to be one of those couples where certain types of sex or positions were used as punishments. But he knew Danielle genuinely enjoyed feeling a little bit of pain, not that they’d ever talked about it. He didn’t want to embarrass her by bringing up one of her very obvious kinks. Whenever he did fuck her throat, though, she always moaned around him, and she’d end up drenched between her legs all over again, so he knew she enjoyed it. He also made sure to love on her right afterwards, praising her, telling her how good she did for him, and he’d get a glass of water for her to sip on while he cleaned her up. They had good, healthy relationship in many aspects. He loved her, he really fucking loved her, and he never wanted to be without her.

“Dani, fuck, I love you, I love you so much, shit!” He cries out as he comes down her throat. He pulls away from her carefully and she smiles up at him after swallowing. He wipes a few stray tears away from her cheek.

“I love you too.” She says, voice hoarse, but still there.

“Do you feel like taking a bath tonight? I could rub your shoulders for you.”

“I’d like that, yeah, thanks.”

//

A couple of months later, and it was fire safety week once again. They made it through their first holiday season together, and his thirty-third birthday. Now they had been together an entire year, owned a home together, and were looking into potentially getting a dog. Harry had told her all about the senior dogs at the shelter, and Danielle sort of liked the idea of not having to train a puppy, even if they were undeniably cute.

All of the kids in both of Danielle’s groups knew that Chief Styles was Miss Robinson’s very special friend because she had a picture of the two of them on her desk, and one of him as her desktop wallpaper. It was no surprise that some of the kids teased them a bit, and asked some personal questions, but other than that the week was going well as it usually did. When Friday rolled around, it was time for the kids to put on their performance for the fire department. It was an assembly all of the grades came to, along with the other teachers. Once the four songs, and a skit, are over, Harry goes up to give his thanks just as he did last year.

“Thank you all so much for another fantastic week. Fire safety is extremely important to learn at a young age. I know we had a lot of fun together, but remember, when you’re missing Chief Styles, don’t call 911 to talk to him. Have your parent or guardian come down to the fire house, and we can say hello there, alright?” That was usually where the assembly would end, but today things were going to go a little differently. “If I could have all of the kids back up on stage for a moment? Parents, I promise this won’t take more than a couple of minutes.”

Danielle was visibly confused because she hadn’t planned anything else with the students, and Harry hadn’t mentioned adding anything special today. So, she sat in her seat in the front row and watched. She leaned over next to one of her colleagues.

“Do you know what’s going on?” She asks.

“Just watch, Dani.” Her colleague says, and Danielle sits up straight in her seat again.

All of the kids were holding a piece of paper in their hands. It was facing blank towards the audience. Some of them were giggling as Harry and the other fire fighters placed them in certain spots. Ralph gives Harry a thumbs up, and he starts speaking into the microphone again.

“Not a lot of people know this, or maybe they do, I don’t really know, but last year was my first year getting to host fire safety week with the lovely Miss Robinson, and over this last year she’s managed to steal my heart, giving me the great privilege of calling her my girlfriend.” The kids behind him snicker and giggle. “You said you’d all be cool, come on.” He looks over at Danielle, who still really had no idea what the fuck was going on. “Miss Robinson, could you come here for a moment?”

She nods, and gets up slowly, walking over to him. He takes one of his hands in hers.

“What are you doing?” She whispers.

“You’ll see.” He winks. “Miss Robinson has taught her kids how to spell lots of interesting words already this year. She teaches them how to sound things out, and all that good stuff. I had a chance to teach them something this week and they’ve been dying to show you.” He tugs her to the side so the whole audience will be able to see. “Alright, kids, flip your papers over to show Miss Robinson.”

She gasps when she sees it, cupping a hand over her mouth as her eyes start to well up. All of the papers spelled out: M I S S – R O B I N S O N – W I L L – Y O U – M A R R Y – M E ? She looks at Harry, who was now down on one knee, holding up a gorgeous ring in a little black, velvet box.

“It says, Miss Robinson, will you marry me?” He says to her with a beaming smile.

“I can see that.” She says, wiping some tears from her cheeks.

“Will you?”

“Yes! Oh my god, yes.” Everyone in the room cheers as Harry slips the ring on her finger. He stands up, and kisses her, not to vulgarly because there were kids around, but enough to show how happy he was that she said yes. “When did you have the time to plan all of this with them?”

“Got their parents’ emails from one of the other teachers.” He smirks. “Are you surprised?”

“I’m shocked!” She turns to her students. “You all kept such a big secret from me!” They crowd around her to hug her as she opens her arms for them.

A ton of the teachers, parents, and fire fighters all come up to the congratulate the pair. Once all of the fuss is over, and the cafeteria is cleared, Harry and Danielle go back to her classroom so she can pack up her things for the day.

“Do you like the ring?” He asks nervously.

“Are you kidding, I love it! It’s so beautiful, baby.” She pecks his lips. “I can’t wait to call my parents, I’m buzzing! Think of how cute Sarah’s going to be as a flower girl. Oh, and they’ll start calling you Uncle Harry, how sweet!”

“Gonna have to let Ryan be a groomsman, or I think he’ll try to kill me.” Harry chuckles. “He’s quite protective over his Auntie Dani.”

“And don’t you forget it.” She presses her finger to his chest. He leans in and kisses her tenderly. Normally, Danielle didn’t like getting so lovey dovey in her classroom, but she figured she had a good excuse in case anyone walked in. “I still can’t believe you planned all of that and pulled it off. Those kids usually can’t keep a secret.”

“I promised them all a ride in one of the fire trucks if they kept their mouths shut.”

“Damn, that was really smart.” She chuckles.

“I’d say so.” He smirks. “Do you feel like going out to eat tonight to celebrate? Ralph and his husband were hoping to treat us.”

“Sure.” She nods. “I’ll just need to cancel my yoga classes really quick.”

“You can still teach your classes if you want. I can just tell him we won’t be ready until later.”

“No, see, I wanna go home, and stay there for a bit.” She tugs on the suspenders that were keeping his fire pants up. “I’d like to celebrate with you privately first, Chief Styles.” She takes his hat off and puts it on her own head before catching his bottom lip between her teeth and sucking on it. He groans into the kiss, and she lets his lip snap back. He had inadvertently put her into one of her ‘Chief Styles/Miss Robinson’ moods, which he wasn’t upset about in the least. “How’s that sound?”

“Well, Miss Robinson, I’d say it sounds like you’re trying to seduce me.” He smirks, and she rolls her eyes. It was her least favorite joke.

“I can’t wait to be Danielle Robinson Styles so that you can’t make that stupid fucking joke anymore. I’m not a forty-year-old woman seducing a recent college grad!” His face softens immensely. “What?”

“Nothing.” He puts his hands on her hips and gives her a squeeze. “I just…I didn’t think you’d want to change your name, is all.”

“Harry, I’d be proud to be called Mrs. Styles. Think of how cute it’ll be after we get married and I have a new class, and then when you come in for fire safety week, I’ll be able to say my husband, Chief Styles.” She pouts at him.

“Alright, it’s time we get you home before my stiffy pops through my pants.”

She giggles as she grabs her bag, and they both rush out of her classroom, and out to the car. They held hands the while way home, not wanting to be apart from one another’s touch for even a second.

[talkfastromance4]

sparks and surprises// Luke&Lily oneshot

just some family fun :)

word count: 3.2k

Luke&Lily Masterlist

Masterlist

enjoy!

***

Lily and Posy were ecstatic about the upcoming holiday and the fact that it would be at your house. With Oliver being just shy of three months old, you didn’t want to take him out again after the weekend away. You spent the week before the 4th cleaning the house and picking up food from the store. 

On Saturday, Ashton and KayKay came over to pick Posy up for her karate lessons. She’s been on a kick watching Kung Fu Panda and would walk around the house ‘karate chopping’ the couch and kicking pillows while shouting ‘HIYAA!’ Ashton suggested taking her, there’s a studio next to his yoga class, and Posy was more than thrilled to be doing karate with her uncle. KayKay went along when she could and cheered Posy on.

You and Luke would alternate every Saturday to go watch her as well so one of you was still at home with Oliver. Sometimes Lily would go but she was always at Cory and Ella’s on the weekends.

“Go have fun and listen to your teacher, okay?” you told her kissing her cheek. You made sure her pigtails were tightened enough.

“‘Kay mama.”

“Is it alright if I take her for lunch afterwards?” Ashton asks, lifting her in his arms.

“Yeah that’d be great, thank you,” Luke says with Oliver in his arms. Ashton’s face lights up at his nephew. 

“There’s the little man,” Ashton smiles, reaching forward to stroke his cheek. Oliver stretches his arms up, his little face twisting from the touch. “He’s really getting bigger.”

“Yeah, he eats like his daddy,” you chuckle and poke Luke’s dimpled cheek. 

“All right, we should get going, huh little one?” Ashton asks Posy. “See you guys later.”

“Bye daddy!” Posy waves over Ashton’s shoulder. 

“Bye Pose!” he waves with a smile and then they’re out the door. He sighs. “Big cleanup day today, lovie.”

“I know. I’ll feed Olly and change him, then we’ll be out to help in the backyard,” you say, taking your son from Luke’s arms. “Hi sweet boy, did you sleep well?”

It was pretty warm out so you made sure Oliver had on a short sleeved onesie. You covered him in a blanket with a hat on and turned the small fan clipped to his carrier as you helped Luke with the pool. You vacuumed while he got  the leaves out from the top. You checked on Oliver multiple times but he seemed pretty content in his carrier. 

“I’ll get the tiki torches and line them around the pool,” Luke huffs, tying his hair in a bun. He tugged off his white tank top that had a sweat mark on the chest and tossed it to the grass. 

Your eyebrows raise in appreciation as he turns into the shed, his butt looks really nice in his black athletic shorts. Oliver makes some noise so you go to him immediately to see if he’s all right. When you reach in to check his temperature, his little hand grasps onto your finger tightly.

“I’m right here, baby. You’re doing so good out here, yes you are,” you coo at him and kiss his forehead. You sit down in one of the patio chairs when Luke emerges with about a dozen tiki torches. 

Watching him twist the torches into the ground, his back muscles flexing and glistening with sweat in the sun and his arms tightening leaves you hot and bothered. You’re transfixed by the power he wields in each one he places around the perimeter of the pool, your eyes moving over the slope of his back and you’re left with a wanting ache for him. 

“Are you all right over there?” he asks, strutting his way to you with his tank top in his hand. He just put in the last tiki torch and you shook your head from being frazzled. 

“Yeah, you just...you look so sexy right now, that’s all,” you shrug then look down at Olly who’s fast asleep. 

“I do?” he snorts resting his tank top around his neck, he uses it like a towel to wipe at his forehead. 

“Mhm,” you sigh, eyeing him up without remorse. 

His eyebrows raise and he glances at Oliver then back at you. “Care to show me how sexy I am?”

You lay Oliver in his crib so he can continue his midmorning nap and Luke is quick to drag you into your bedroom, his lips on yours. It’s been well over six weeks since your C-Section and you were given the okay to have sex again. 

“What time is it?” Luke mumbles, kissing your neck and pushing you to the bed.

“You have somewhere else to be?” you laugh then sigh when he starts to suck in your sweet spot. 

“I’m exactly where I need to be,” he groans when you dip your hand in his shorts and start to stroke him. “Ash and Po will be coming back soon.”

“That’s right,” you sigh and plop on the bed. You gaze up at him, his blond hair slipping out from his bun and he’s breathing heavily. You wiggle your fingers between his own and pull him down on top of you. “We’ll have to be quick then.”

He smiles before kissing you, his hand tugs your shorts down and he pulls himself out of his shorts. Your kisses are frantic and just as he pulls your underwear to the side, Oliver lets out a loud wail and Petunia barks at the front door. 

You groan at the horrible timing and Luke sighs on top of you. 

“We weren’t fast enough,” you sigh, letting him situate yourself and shoves himself back in his pants. 

“We’ll have some alone time soon, lovie,” he promises with a smile. He takes your hands pulling you in a sitting position.

“Mama! Daddy!” Posy calls.

You fix your hair and make sure your pants are buttoned and zipped before exiting the room to get back to your responsibilities.

***

It’s the morning of the 4th and you’ve just changed Oliver and put his blue overalls on with a red shirt underneath. Posy is wearing a blue dress with red sandals and you and Luke are matching in a red dress and a red tank top for him. Before your party, you’re all going to the parade in town where Cory and Ella will meet you with Lily and Violetta. 

“How hot is it outside?” you ask Luke, settling Oliver in his car seat. Posy is in his arms wearing white sunglasses. 

“Not too bad right now. I’ve got extra sunscreen in the bag and water.”

“All right, let’s go!”

Cory, Ella, Violetta, and Lily are already sitting down along the curb in their chairs. Lily springs up in her own blue and white dress to give you a big hug. Her hair is pulled back in a red headband. 

“Hi honey!” You hug her the best you can with Oliver in your arms, Luke and Posy are behind you with the stroller. “You did such a good job saving our seats for us!”

“Look at my necklaces!” Lily shows you the red, white, and blue beads around her neck. 

“Wow, you have so many! Hi guys,” you smile to Cory and Ella. Cory has Violetta in her arms and she’s in a white dress with a red bow on her head. 

“Po, I have some necklaces for you!” Lily runs to her sister and takes off two of her necklaces. “Aren’t they pretty?”

“Pwetty!” Posy gasps, touching the beads lightly with her fingers. 

You sit in the chair next to Ella smiling at Violetta, she’s chewing on her teething beads. Luke immediately requests a photo of all of you with Lily and Posy standing in front, their smiles wide and beautiful. 

“You need a family photo,” Cory says and takes Luke’s phone. 

You stand next to Luke pointing Oliver to the camera and Posy wants to be in Luke’s arms. Lily stands in front and you put your hand on her shoulder, all of you smiling. 

“Beautiful,” Cory smiles. 

The parade starts and the girls are excited watching the floats and bands go by. They’re especially excited when candy is tossed to them. Oliver does a decent job being content with the loud noise until the firetrucks and ambulances come by. 

Lily scrambles into Luke’s lap and he puts on her sound cancelling headphones she’s used since she was a toddler at his shows. Her small hands still hold onto the ear pieces and she watches the trucks drive by. Posy on the other hand is watching in awe and waving to the people inside. 

“Lily and I made cupcakes yesterday that we’re going to bring over,” Ella tells you.

“Oh, that’s great. When will you be coming by?”

“After Vi’s nap, she’s been having a hard time sleeping lately. How’s our little man doing? I love his overalls, he looks like a cute old man.”

“I know right?” you laugh stroking over his nose. “He’s doing good, eating a lot and he’s at the weight he should be.”

“Mama look at all my candy!” Posy runs up to you with her candy tucked in her dress like a sack. 

“Wow! It’s just like halloween!” you smile. 

When the parade is over, Posy is starting to get fussy too because you won’t let her eat her candy because she hasn’t had lunch yet. 

“We’ll see you guys later,” Cory laughs watching you all leave. Posy is wriggling in Luke’s arms nearing meltdown mode. 

Ever since her birthday she’s been having more meltdowns and you couldn’t agree more that it’s the terrible three’s and not the two’s. She’s learning how to test her limits with you and Luke and when it doesn’t go her way, she screams and does all the dramatics. 

Posy is still whining in the car and Oliver starts to whine now too because he’s hungry. Lily is holding her ears because Oliver’s cries increase.

“We’re almost home, sweets,” Luke says and turns into the subdivision. 

You’re trying to console Oliver by letting him suck on your knuckle but he just spits it out. You hate hearing your kids be upset. Luke parks in the driveway and you both scramble to get the kids out and your belongings. Luke takes Oliver and you carry a wiggling Posy inside the house. 

“I’ll feed him and then we’ll have a quick lunch I made for them this morning,” Luke says, opening the fridge and taking out Oliver’s bottle. 

Lily runs to her room to get away from the noise and you set Posy down on the floor. She literally collapses onto the floor, her face red and wet with her tears. You settle next to her letting her get her anger out. In a moment, she’s sniffling and coughs wiping at her cheeks. 

“Are you finished?” you ask gently and she nods. “C’mere by mama.”

You help her stand up and wipe at her wet face, brushing her hair away from her forehead. 

“Deep breath,” you say inhaling and she follows, then you let it out and Posy does as well. You repeat that three more times until her breathing is back to normal. “After lunch you can have one piece of candy, okay? We can’t eat candy for lunch. How about you go pick one out and I’ll get lunch started.”

“Okay mama.”

You’re gathering the lunches Luke prepared, ham and cheese sandwiches with grapes and applesauce. Lily comes running out and asks if she can help you, she’s always such a big help to you. Posy is playing with her toys in the living room when Luke comes back downstairs. 

“Daddy look!” Posy jumps up from her spot holding up the red lollipop she chose to eat after lunch. “I picked this for after lunch!”

“You did! I think that’s a very good choice, do you want me to hold onto it until you’re done?”

“Yeah!” she hands him the lollipop and he pockets it, giving you a wink. 

Posy climbs into her chair just as you set her plate of food down. Lily takes her place and the girls start eating. 

“Is he down?” you ask Luke moving to pick up the toys Posy was playing with. 

“Yup, hopefully he’ll sleep until people start coming.”

***

Your friends arrive right on time and are more than helpful with setting the food up outside and Michael has set up his music stuff in the corner. Lily and Posy are occupied by Calum and Ashton. Posy is showing off all her candy and practicing her karate moves with Ashton while Lily is telling Calum all about the parade. 

“You had your headphones on right?” Calum asks and she nods. 

“Yeah, they are too loud.”

“Do you have them for the fireworks?”

“In my room!”

Luke and Cory are manning the grill again, you decided on having chicken for dinner. Halfway through the party you go get Oliver and Michael comes over to say hi. You ask him how he and Crystal are doing with trying for a baby and he said they’re taking a break right now. They don’t want to stress about it too much. 

When it becomes dusk, Luke lights the tiki torches and the yard is in a fantastical glow. Posy keeps asking when the fireworks will be and you tell her it will be when it’s much darker outside. 

“Hey mama,” Luke murmurs in your ear, his hands wrap around your stomach. Ashton and Michael brought out the sparklers and were helping Lily and Posy with them. He kisses your cheek. 

“Hey,” you smile leaning into him. 

“Want to try and finish what we started yesterday?” his lips move to your shoulder and his kiss makes the strap fall down. 

“Right now?” 

“I meant later when the kids are asleep but if you want to try when the fireworks are going off...they’d mask how loud you are,” he teases. 

“You don’t want to watch the fireworks?”

“You’re the only firework I need,” he squeezes you.

“If Lily and Posy are okay during the show, we can try and sneak away,” you promise and turn around in his arms. His nose and cheeks are a little red and you touch his face lightly. “You got sunburned today.”

“So did you,” he glances at your cleavage where you see a very noticeable line. “I’ll have to rub aloe on you later.”

“Mm, that sounds nice,” you mumble and lean up on your toes to give him a kiss, your fingers tangled in his hair. He tastes like perspiration, a shot of tequila and Luke, your favorite taste. You get lost in his kiss and his arms wrapped around you. “Wanna slip away now?” you whisper, pulling away before you get too carried away. 

“I hope we aren’t too late,” a familiar voice says behind Luke. 

You both look at each other before turning around to see his parents and brothers standing there. Your mouth opens in a gasp and then Lily and Posy are running to Liz shouting ‘nana!’

“Oh hello my loves!” Liz exclaims hugging them both. 

“Mum? What are you doing here?” Luke asks tugging you along.

You’re all giving hugs and kisses and there’s questions about Oliver and why they didn’t tell you they’d be coming.

“Who cares, what a great surprise!” You laugh hugging Liz again. “I’m so glad you’re here, how long are you staying? Where are you staying?” 

“We rented a house not too far from here and we’re staying for the whole Summer.”

“The whole Summer?!” Luke’s eyes widen and he hugs his parents again. 

Lily and Posy try to get their attention but Jack quickly intercedes and asks them to show him how the sparklers work. The rest of the group come and say high and you gather Oliver in your arms so Liz can get a look at him.

“This is Oliver,” you smile and there’s tears in her eyes.

“Can I?” she asks, holding her arms out. 

“Of course!” you hand him over.

“He’s just darling, and he’s so strong! You just couldn’t wait to come into the world, huh handsome boy?” Liz coos rocking him. “He looks just like Luke.”

“I think so, too,” you smile, looping your arm around Luke’s waist. There’s a firework that goes off behind you, a sign from the neighbors that their show will be starting in about ten minutes. Lily clutches to your legs, covering her ears. “It’s okay, honey, we’ll go get your headphones.”

“Already got them,” Calum grins coming out from the house with the headphones in his hands. “Do you want to watch them with me, Lils?”

“Mama can I?” she asks looking up at you.

“Of course you can, go get your blanket to lay in the grass,” you tell her. 

“Help me pick a blanket, Cal!” She takes his hand and he follows her inside. 

You’re more than happy for Liz to hold onto Oliver while the fireworks go off, Posy is close to her sitting in Ashton’s lap. She’s chattering about her karate class and what happened at Disney World and that nana should come with next time. 

“I think that’s a great idea, bug,” Luke pinches at her cheek when he returns with a beer. He points at you. “Stand up.”

“What?”

“Up, lovie,” he smiles, pulling you up himself so he can sit in your chair. You place your hands on your hips. “Okay, sit down.” he pats his thigh and you sit down on his lap happily. “This is your seat for every firework show.”

You press your lips to his balmy forehead, it smells like sunscreen and the hot summer day that was today. 

“Guess we can’t sneak away now with your family here,” you mumble.

“It’s okay. If they’re here the whole summer, I’m sure we can go away for a night just the two of us,” he pinches your hip. 

“Maybe we could do a whole weekend?” you raise your eyebrows.

“You’ll be okay leaving Olly for a weekend?”

“Apart from me and you, I trust your mom. She had three kids of her own, you know.”

“Oh, I’m aware,” he laughs and gives you a kiss. “It’s a date, we’ll set something up.”

“Your birthday’s coming up,” you trace your finger along his bearded jaw. 

“Mm, that’s the best birthday present I could ask for,” he smiles. 

The fireworks start to go off and you look in the grass where Calum and Lily are, she’s sitting in his lap gazing up at the sky. He points to the ones way up and her mouth opens at the big ones. Posy is in Ashton’s lap and her commentary makes everyone laugh. 

“That’s my favorite! I love that one! Look Unca Ash!”

“I see! These are all my favorites, too,” he comments back. 

Then you look over at Oliver in Liz’s lap, she’s kissing his head and rubbing his back talking softly to him. You turn to Luke last who is already looking at you, his face lit up from the colors bursting in the sky. 

“I’m so glad I married you,” you tell him, pecking his lips gently.

“I’m glad you married me, too,” he grins. 

You relax against him and enjoy the rest of the display. Life is good and full of love.  

Taglist: @calumance  @in-superbloom @calpalirwin @karajaynetoday @wiiildflowerrr @sunshineeeluke @littledrummeraussie @suchalonelysunflower @hoodhoran @Fobodob @thew0rldneedsmcreycghurt @sunshineeashton @ashtonsunflower @mymindwide @itjustkindahappenedreally @seanna313 @fivesecondsofonedirection @princesslrh @prentisswrites​ @mulletcal​

[scornedlove]

Chapter Thirty

ROBYN

It’s amazing what good sex can do. When we left the mall, Rocky took me to his duck off spot at Manhattan beach, where we set some rules to our situation. No questions, no venting, and no expectations. We promised to keep emotions out and orgasms in. If either of us broke any of the agreements, that would be the end of our rendezvous.

After we both had a clear understanding, he got to work like his life depended on it. He took me to heights I’ve been desperately needing right there on the sand and in the back of his car. I rode him so good, I woke up the next morning sore as hell with a little pep in my step. 

What I didn’t expect, was Dre’s face to be the first one I saw when I arrived at the boutique. There was an all black Chevy Impala parked in the very last space, with some guy watching him. Guess he found a new driver. He kept glancing in all directions as if he was Dre’s bodyguard. All I could do was roll my eyes when I noticed Dre. He was holding a box of muffins and some flowers looking like somebody killed his dog.

I took my time getting out the cab, then slowly approached him with no-nonsense on my face. There wasn’t enough orgasms in the world to make me forget about him calling me an addict. When I got in front of him, I paused, waiting for him to speak first.

“I hate when you’re mad at me” he admitted, holding out the gifts.

“Is that what you think of me? An addict?” I quizzed, ignoring his offerings. 

“See, I knew you took what I was saying the wrong way. You know I don’t think you’re an addict, but you do need help. Which is why this is the last time I’m giving you these” he stated, pulling a pill bottle out of his pocket. It must’ve been evident that I didn’t want to take them from him, because he urged, holding them out for me to grab.

“I don’t want anything from you. Matter of fact, forget I even exist” I frowned, turning my back on him to unlock the door. I was early this morning for a reason and he was cutting into my time.

“Anna you gotta stop pushing the people who care about you away. I talked to John this morning and he told me-”

“Oh please, because YOU care about me right? Go care about those stupid tramps you got prancing around in them tight ass clothes at your clinic.” I bumped him out of my way, knocking the pill bottle from his hand as I entered the building.

I locked the door and peeped out the window as he scrambled to find the bottle without dropping everything else he was holding. The scowl on his face as he mumbled to himself when he picked it up, showed he was done trying. 

I hadn’t noticed before, but John was parked across the street waiting for him. He jogged over to the car without looking back, clearly cursing my name. 

“Bet his ass won’t come back now” I shook my head, thinking out loud.

“Damn it’s been forever since I’ve seen you!” Meagan’s animated voice scared the crap out of me.

“SHIT” I yelled, clutching my chest.

“Sorry, I ain’t mean to scare you” she giggled, coming from around the front counter. 

“What you doing here so early? I didn’t see your car out there.” I snapped, glancing around the store. 

“Oh, my mom needed to borrow my car, so I got dropped off today.” she explained as if this was the norm. Jenn, Frankie, and I were gonna have to have a talk. I gave them a key, so how did Meagan end up with a copy?

“So who’s that guy waiting out front?”

“What guy?”

“There was some guy” I explained, as I went to see if he was still there. He was gone and now I was starting to wonder if I was just overthinking. “Nevermind....you know we don’t open for another hour and a half right?”

“Yeah, I know. It was either be early or be late. So, here I am” she shrugged, walking over to the window to see what I was looking at. “Is that Dre”?

“I’ll be in my office if you need me” I yawned, ignoring her question as I jogged up the stairs.

It felt good being back in my workspace. I didn’t realize how much I missed being here. I started to notice that every time I’m in a low place, I avoid the things that really make me happy. Just then, an idea came to mind. It had been awhile since I’ve been inspired, so I wasted no time pulling out my pad letting my hand flow as I began to sketch. 

When I finished a couple of designs and going over the numbers for the past few weeks, I smoked a blunt, made some coffee, and promised myself today would be great before I went downstairs to join my crew. 

“Bitch, you don’t need no more vacations!” Frankie exclaimed, as Jenn finished counting the day’s deposit. While she did that, Frankie and I were reviewing the reports for the past quarter. For some reason, every time I was here in the shop compared to my vacation days, sales were up by thirty percent. I wasn’t complaining, but it did seem strange. 

“It makes sense if you ask me.” Meagan piped in. “Customer’s appreciate when you actually show up for them”

“Girl you still here?” I quizzed sarcastically. She was sticking her nose in places she had no business and it was starting to piss me off. “I appreciate your hard work. Enjoy the rest of your night and go get some rest. You’re off tomorrow so I’ll see you Thursday!”

“She’s off Thursday too!” Frankie corrected with a nod.

“Oh, well see you Friday” I grinned with a wave. She stood there lost for a moment, then finally agreed that she was tired as she grabbed her things and headed towards the door.

“Which one of ya’ll gave that heffa a key to my shop?” I asked crossing my arms over my chest as I glared from Jenn to Frankie.

“Not me” Frankie threw his hands up in defense. 

“What makes you think she has a key?” Jenn quizzed, unamused.

“She was the first one here today. I don’t trust her and I don’t appreciate my key being copied. I’m changing the locks.”

“I think your exaggerating” Jenn shook her head in disbelief.

“Well I think I’ll be the only one with a key since nobody knows how a copy just magically appeared.” I shrugged, leaving it at that. We finished closing the store in silence, but I could still feel Jenn’s attitude. I didn’t let it get to me though. I just rolled me another blunt and smoked until my cab showed up.

Minus the stench on his breath, the driver was a nice guy. He was a college kid trying to scrape up every dollar he could with every minute he had. I remembered those days. I invited him to have dinner with me when we pulled up to Gorgio Baldi, but he declined, which meant I’d be dining alone. Usually, I wouldn’t mind, but the last time I was here was with Chris. I hate that I let him meet me here, because now it will never be the same.

The same place that usually felt warm and cozy, was now big and cold. As I waited for my food, I had an eerie feeling that I was being watched. I looked around the room and noticed how busy it was. There were a few couples, a couple of families, and a group of girlfriends having dinner together. I wasn’t the only loner though. There was a guy, a couple of tables away, with his face in a book while he waited on his food. He was comfortable in his lonesome, but I was not. I couldn’t shake the feeling of embarrassment as the memories of the last time I was here, flooded my mind. 

When the waiter came back with my food, I took it to go. I decided if I wanted to enjoy my food in peace, I’d better stop and get Ollie and Pepe’s food as well. When I entered the grocery store, I was immediately irritated by how long all the checkout lines were. I wanted nothing to do with the chaos going on, so I grabbed some dog food and called it a day. 

As I weaved through the crowds, towards one of the long ass check out lines, I noticed a cashier opening a new lane, so I quickened my pace. I was almost there when, out of nowhere, a guy walked right in my path, causing me to smash my cart into his side.

“Fuck!” he yelled out in pain, scaring me half to death.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you! Are you okay?” I panicked, rushing around the basket to pick up one of the 2-liter cokes he’d dropped.

“I’m good” he winced, massaging his hip.

“You may wan grab another” I suggested, handing it back to him.

“You may wan watch where you’re going, you could’ve fucked my shit up.” he mimicked disrespectfully.

“Scuse me?” I paused, stepping back with a scowl. Who was he coming at sideways when he’s the one that ran into my basket? I fixed my lips to tear him down, but my voice caught in my throat.

“Oh shit! I was hoping I’d run into you again, just not literally, we forgot to exchange numbers.” Rocky lightened up, after recognizing me. I went from wanting to slap him, to wanting to jump his bones, and back to that strange feeling in the back of my gut. How the hell do I keep running into him?

“You following me?” I stared him down, trying to read him. I had to know, this was one too many coincidences. 

“How can I be following you when I’m on my way out?” He asked, waving his receipt.  “I was just picking up a few things for my little sister’s party ”

“Well, uh have fun.” I stammered, before rushing towards the checkout lane. Something about running into him two days in a row made me feel a little uneasy. He knows where I live, which means it’s possible he followed me. 

I didn’t see him or his car in the parking lot when I left the store, but I was more alert the entire ride home. By the time I made it home I convinced myself he lived nearby. That’s the only thing that made sense, so I said a quick prayer and brushed it off.

The next few days, I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder. I even went as far as having cameras installed at home. When you live alone, there’s no such thing as being too careful, so I updated my security system too. When everything was finished, I was impressed to say the least. I had everything connected to my phone, plus a couple of panic buttons around the house, in case I ever get caught slipping.

“This shit is dope” Mel exclaimed, as I explained the new system to her. “I just got one question. What’s going on?”

“What you mean?”

“Why did you get all this? Has Chris been threatening you?”

“What? Please! Not everything is about him. I just want to feel safe, that is all”

“You sure you’re not keeping anything from me?”

“I’m sure bitch! Now hurry up and roll up so we can get this movie started” I demanded, changing the subject. 

“Movie? Un-un! You still gotta pack your shit, we leave for Bim tomorrow.”

“Our flight ain’t til 11! I was gonna do it in the morning, you wanna help me?”

“Hell naw! You know how your ass is! It’s gon’ take you forever to pick out 3 days worth of clothes and I’m starving. I’m finna raid your fridge.” 

“Well, how ‘bout you pick my clothes and I fix dinner.” I bargained with a brow raise. 

“Ooooh, deal. I’ll take jerk chicken.” she jumped up a little too happily. “Besides, It’s been a minute since I raided your closet!”

“I betta not find nothing missing!” I called over my shoulder on my way to the kitchen.

CHRIS

"You can’t hold me!" Trey taunted, with his usual trash talk as the shot clock reached zero. We were at his crib playing 2K while Lala and Danni were cooking food, preparing for tomorrow. They were hosting Thanksgiving this year, so the house was smelling marvelous.

“Shut up man! You definitely got lucky” I shook my head in shame.

“Yeah okay, I beat yo ass bro. You just gon’ take that L?” he teased, challenging me to another round.

“Imma have to, I gotta get up outta here. I gotta be at the airport by 7am.” I explained, glancing at my watch. As much as I loved this game, I had other shit on my mind. I needed to figure out how to get Tae to hear me out, and what better way then through her best friend?

“Oh, you gotta get to Mama huh? Can’t miss out on that Thanksgiving dinner!”

“Nah, I’m actually gonna pop up on Tae. Maybe meet the fam and all that”

“Oh yeah? Can she cook?”

“You know what, now that you mention it,” I paused in deep thought. I don’t know. I’ve never had her cooking” 

“Well shit, I guess you about to find out! Good luck!” he laughed, cracking himself up. “But in all seriousness, how’s that going?”

“It’s cool” I lied with a shrug. “How’s the married life?”

“Man, if I knew marriage was the key to turn up the freak in Lala,  I would’ve did this shit a long time ago!” he exclaimed, grinning hard as hell.

“Guess that means it’s going good?”

“Nah, this shit is great. With the way we be going at it, she’s definitely gonna be pregnant any day. That’s if she ain’t already!”

“You fucking stupid” I laughed out loud and damn near choked when Lala came from the kitchen, holding a spatula covered in chocolate.

“Taste this” she demanded, as she strutted towards Trey. She had definitely put on a few pounds since I last saw her. Hopefully he was right and they were expecting. Everybody knew how much they wanted kids.

“Ugh, ain’t that cross contamination?” I frowned, shaking my head.

“Shut up, I’m still mad at you for what you did to my friend” Lala glared in my direction. 

“What you do?” Trey quizzed, looking confused. “You just said everything was cool”

“It was just a big misunderstanding” I sighed as I proceeded to explain the situation. 

“So you’re telling me you passed out next to yo horny ex-fuck buddy and ain’t hit?”

“I swear to God bro”

“No wonder she’s pissed. That just sounds like bullshit” Lala frowned, shaking her head. 

“It ain’t bullshit. Yeah, it looked bad, but I promise ya’ll I ain’t stupid enough to go down that road. I gave her some time to cool off, now I gotta go get my girl back”

“You really love her?” she wondered aloud as she cut her eyes at me.

“I do and I miss the shit outta her. Now what do I gotta do to at least get her to hear me out?”

“Chris, if I help you and you hurt my friend, I will personally help her fuck yo life up.”

“You ain’t gotta worry about that” 

“Okay, you got one shot. The only reason I’m even agreeing to help is because I know how she feels about you. She deserves to be happy. So if you ain’t 1000% sure about her then you should just leave things where they are. ”

“Damn he said he ain’t cheat! If my boy can survive that kind of temptation, then he know what he want. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience. ” Trey exclaimed on my behalf.

“He got a point. Now can you call her for me?

“Why you can’t call her?”

“You know she blocked me” I shook my head as she pulled her phone out.

“You wanna talk to her”

“Nah, I just need you to figure out what she got going on tomorrow so I can pop up on her. I know that seeing me face to face will show her how serious I am.”

“Okay, I can do that.” she smiled, as she dialed Tae’s number. She answered on the second ring and they caught up before she got the information I needed. Tae didn’t even think twice as she ran down her plans for tomorrow. I made Lala promise not to give her a heads up so she could be genuinely surprised. Now all I had to do was show up and speak my truth. How hard could that be?

ROBYN

“If the dog don’t trust it, you know something’s up” Mel blurted to the TV.  We were bundled up together on my love seat because my grown ass wanted to cuddle.

“I never understood why people don’t listen to they dogs!” I agreed, as we cracked our beers and clinked them. We were watching the Conjuring, knowing damn well we were gonna have nightmares from it. I didn’t care, I just needed a distraction.

Ever since the beach sex I had with Rocky, my hormones have been raging. That man had a magical tongue and the fact that he could hang for so long was impressive. I had more than a few orgasms when he’d finally gotten his, and I definitely didn’t expect that from a stranger. I didn’t know if he was really that good or if my drought intensified our encounter. Either way, I was still riding the high.

“You gonna answer that?” I asked, shaking Mel’s shoulder when her loud ass ringtone woke up my babies. Evidently, she was exhausted because she didn’t even make it halfway through the movie.

“Mellie” I called out again, but all she did was roll over and snore louder. I figured it was J when the text notification went off, so I grabbed her phone to let him know she had passed out.

I need another round, last night was incredible. 

What are you doing tonight?

Seeing Michael’s new text along  with no previous messages had my mind going straight to the gutter. I just knew this hoe wasn’t cheating on J. I wanted to wake her ass up, but decided against it. There had to be more to the story. I really hoped so.

My nosy ass could’t help it. I had to get more information. I went through her call history and didn’t notice his name once. I was about to dig even deeper when my phone lit up with an alarm notification. I received a text when my alarm noticed movement within 15 feet of my house. The last couple of times it was a squirrel but this time I was glad I checked it anyway. Apparently I had company.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about this unannounced visit, but smiled when a familiar face paused and took a deep breath before knocking at my door. 

“Sorry for popping up on you” Rocky grinned, when I opened the door.

“So you remembered where I live?”

“I couldn’t forget if I wanted to. My sister lives right across the street” he pointed behind him at the party that was going on. "She throws a mean Thanksgiving eve party if you don’t have anything going on.”

“Oh, um”

“I would’ve invited you the other day but you left so quickly I didn’t get your number” he hinted.

“My bad, I was in a hurry. I would go, but my sis is staying with me tonight.”

“The more the merrier. I bet she’d have a good time too”

“We actually have a flight in the morning, so we’re about to call it a night.” 

“Aight, guess I’ll just see you around.” he shrugged, returning to his party. The throbbing between my thighs wanted to invite him in to have our own little party, but my better judgement willed it away. Instead, I went straight to my room, pulled out my little friend, put some fresh batteries in, and went to work.

[raywritesthings]

Secret Superhero

My Writing Fandom: Arrow, The Flash Characters: Laurel Lance, Oliver Queen, Barry Allen, Iris West, Team Arrow, Team Flash Pairings: Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen, Barry Allen/Iris West (secondary) Summary: When Oliver and Laurel are unknowingly assigned each other in a joint Team Arrow/Team Flash holiday gift exchange, feelings long-held secret rise to the surface. Notes: This is set in an AU timeline where Laurel was never stabbed, Felicity remained off the team and Oliver never learned Laurel still had feelings for him. The story takes place sometime between the season 6/season 4 crossover event and midseason finales. *Can also be read on my AO3 or FFN, links are in my bio*

Like most years, the holiday season caught Laurel unaware. She’d spent so many years ignoring it that it was something of a habit now. It didn’t help that between her busy schedule and the majority of her friends and family having gone without it, too, she had little reason to bother remembering it. It was always something that occurred to her as she walked down streets lined with lights and wreaths in store windows, and even then it was more of an afterthought.

Except this year, when something entirely unexpected happened.

Their meeting in the base that evening before heading out was interrupted when a streak of lightning entered the room, announcing Barry’s presence. “Hey, guys!”

He wasn’t alone, as he set down the brand-new Mrs. West-Allen. Iris was beaming from ear to ear and wearing a Santa hat. “Sorry if we’re interrupting.”

“That’s okay,” Oliver assured them. “Was there some kind of emergency?”

Laurel hoped not. The last one at Barry and Iris’ first attempt at a wedding had been uncomfortable to say the least, without even getting into the loss of Dr. Stein.

“No, no. Everything’s fine. Actually, Iris and I were talking and we sort of wanted to run an idea by you. For the holidays, kind of the pick up people’s spirits, you know?”

Laurel shared a curious look with Thea before her friend asked, “Sure, what’s the idea?”

“A Secret Superhero. Like a non-denominational Secret Santa,” Iris explained. “We pick names, get each other gifts. It’s a fun way to get to know everyone a little bit better.”

Laurel didn’t see anything wrong with it. Thea was smiling and John was also nodding along.

“It sounds fun,” Curtis, their tech support ever since Felicity had departed the team over a year and a half ago.

“I was thinking just a little get-together at the old farmhouse,” Barry said to Oliver. “Nothing big, we don’t have to make a big deal out of it—”

“Oh, make as big a deal as you want. Ollie loves Christmas,” Laurel said.

“Wait, really?” Barry and Iris looked both stunned and delighted by this information. “I never would have guessed!”

“I- it’s a nice time for friends and family,” Oliver said, his shoulders hunched at the attention he was receiving. Laurel bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to embarrass him. “How do you want to do this, Barry?”

“We figured we’d have you all pick first, then take the remaining names back with us for the team at STAR Labs.” Iris took out a little baggie of paper slips and removed her Santa hat with her other. She dumped the paper into the hat and shook it around, then stepped forward.

“Who would like to go first?”

Thea naturally did, and the hat was passed around in a semicircle from there. Laurel withdrew her own slip and felt her heart give a funny jump when she read the name.

Oliver.

God, she couldn’t even remember the last time she’d gotten him a gift… actually she could, and the memory of standing there on the dock with love bubbling up in her and his kiss on her lips, it nearly stole her breath.

“Okay, Bear, your turn,” Iris said, her voice drawing Laurel out off the reverie. She gave a little shake of the head.

Barry drew his name and Iris drew hers. The couple exchanged a smile before each tucked their slips of paper away.

“Okay, so we’ll be in touch. We’re thinking maybe about two weeks from now?”

Oliver looked up from his paper and nodded. “That’s fine.”

“Okay, great. We’ll see you then!” With that, the West-Allens left the base as quickly as they came.

“Okay! Maybe an early night so people can get started shopping?” Curtis asked after a brief silence.

“We’ve got two weeks, Curtis,” Oliver reminded him.

“Right. Yeah, of course.”

Laurel almost wished they had taken an early night, because her mind just wasn’t in it the rest of that time. She knew that wasn’t good, but she couldn’t help worrying about the gift exchange.

Oliver wasn’t a material kind of guy, at least not since the island. He appreciated gifts that had utility or that had some sort of sentimental value. But what kind of sentiment could she express that didn’t give everything away?

She’d nearly confessed her still-present feelings so many times. The closer they seemed to get the harder it was to keep silent. Reminding herself that all it would do was drag up long-buried history Oliver had decisively buried. No matter what kind of signals she thought she might have been picking up. It was all in her head, or better yet, her heart.

Still she wanted to give him something that had meaning nonetheless. It was what he deserved after all they had been through together.

But what to get for the man who’d had and lost everything? And who meant everything to her?

---

Oliver was well-practiced at hiding his emotions, which allowed him to keep anyone from guessing whose name he might have drawn. On the inside, however? He was a mess.

Laurel, the paper read. Of course.

He still hadn’t told her. Still hadn’t said anything in over a year, had sworn Thea, John, Sara and Ray all to secrecy over the matter. The dream.

His dream. His dream of the life they could have had before the Gambit, before all this, if he hadn’t pushed her away like a fool.

Laurel remained in his life as a friend. She was far too kind to him to even allow that. And now he had been handed the chance, by literal chance, to show just some of the appreciation he felt for her continued presence every day.

If he were truly brave enough, bold enough, he might even show her how he felt. But could he?

It was now or never. If he let this opportunity pass him by… but maybe he should. What would be the point after all these years?

He watched her over the next week. Her gentle smiles, soft touch and compassion never wavered. Neither did her fierce sense of herself and of what was right. Oliver tried to imagine it — that version of Laurel, not just the one in his head, still in love with him. Was it something that could be reality or truly just a dream?

There was one thing that had been in the dream. Something he’d given her. Something he wished he really had given her in their actual lives. So Oliver set to work, all the while knowing he might be setting himself on a collision course with disaster.

The night of the party arrived and their team came into Central on a high-speed train, meeting Barry and others out at the farmhouse. Oliver paced the ground floor as everyone stood around chatting in small groups. He noticed Barry watching him with concern while Iris perched on his lap, but Oliver waved him off. Better that Barry not keep troubling himself with Oliver’s romantic failures; he’d gotten his happy ending.

“Hey, Ollie, I think we’re gonna start,” his sister called to him when he’d been out on the porch for several minutes alone.

“Okay.” He touched the small box in his pocket and squared his shoulders before marching inside.

Laurel sat on the arm of the couch, taking up very little space so as to accommodate the others, he noticed. Her present, a large rectangle — in another life, he might have teased her about bringing a book — rested on her lap. She kept smoothing the wrapping paper down nervously, unconsciously. Oliver wondered who it was for.

“Okay, everyone,” Iris said, walking into the middle of the room. “We’re gonna try to do this in a chain. You get your present, you give your person their present and so on. As the hostess of the festivities, I’ll start us off.” She took a couple steps forward to John who stood up against a wall. “John, this is for you.”

His friend smiled in thanks and unwrapped his gift. It was a toolkit for maintenance and cleaning of guns.

“Oh, this had to be too much.”

“Nope,” Iris informed him with a wide smile. “Dad knows how to get the best deals. I figured you could always use more even if you have your own supply.”

“Well, thank you.” John se this present aside and then picked up the wrapped gift he’d brought. He turned, and for a moment when his eyes met Oliver’s, Oliver thought — “This is for you, Caitlin.”

Oliver breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t going yet. He knew he would have to, eventually. But maybe if he just steeled his nerves, he’d be ready.

His in attention caused him to miss a couple exchanges, and so he refocused, wanting to be prepared. Cisco had Thea, Thea had Barry and Barry had Curtis. A new custom-made quiver, a Flash-themed Christmas sweater and some new kind of gadget were all exchanged. On and on things went, the list of people and gifts dwindling. Oliver waited for someone to call his name, to turn to him. It didn’t happen.

“I had Iris,” Wally West said, standing up to hand his sister the package in his hands. She unwrapped a set of fountain pens that wouldn’t have been out of place on Oliver’s mother’s desk and reached out to give her brother a tight hug.

Wally grinned for a moment before looking around. “So what happens now?”

“Who didn’t go?” Asked Cisco.

“Uh, I didn’t,” said Laurel, and it suddenly clicked.

“Neither did I.”

The room seemed to hush as they met eyes across the room. Laurel’s displayed surprise, then happiness and then strangest of all nerves.

“I guess we had each other.”

“I guess so,” said Oliver, his voice needlessly quiet. He cleared his throat. “So, uh—”

“Right.” Laurel stood, and he met her halfway. Oliver nearly dropped the box as he took it from his pocket, but managed to pass it to Laurel without incident. The package she handed him felt like book, but somehow heavier.

“Ooh, open them at the same time!” Caitlin suggested.

Laurel inclined her head as she looked at him, as if asking how he felt about that idea. Oliver nodded, and she turned her attention to peeling back the wrapping paper.

He watched her instead. He couldn’t help himself.

“Looks like jewelry?” He thought he heard Curtis mutter to someone else as the velvet box was revealed.

Laurel opened the jewelry box, her eyes going wide. “Oh.”

“What is it?” This time it was Iris who asked.

“A bird necklace,” Laurel said, turning it around to show the room. It got a couple of appreciative “oohs” from Iris and Caitlin while some of the guys looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“It’s a canary,” Oliver told her. “Cause, you know.” He somehow lost any semblance of a train of thought as she looked up at him with a brilliant smile.

Behind him, there was a gasp as Thea caught sight of the necklace. She came up to his side. “How did you find it?”

So she recognized it. There had always been the chance. The knowing look John was wearing across the room said she wasn’t the only one. Oliver ducked his head. “I, uh, made it.”

“From memory?”

“Wait, sorry, what are we talking about?” Laurel asked.

Beside him, Thea wore a panicked look. “I, um, I meant — maybe you should open your present, Ollie.”

“Yeah,” he agreed quickly, ripping back the wrapping paper with far less care than Laurel had displayed. He realized right away why it had held the shape of a book while feeling heavier. It was a leather-bound photo album.

“I figured in all the moves you’ve had to make, you probably haven’t been able to hold onto many pictures,” Laurel explained. “So I looked through what I had and I asked around.”

Oliver opened the cover and saw his own old baby photo under a plastic covering. Thea’s baby photo was beside it, and two underneath of his mother holding first him as an infant and then the other of his mother holding Thea with him standing by her shoulder. The edge of that one looked slightly singed.

“The fire at the Manor,” Laurel said, seeming to read his confused look. He nodded. Allowing himself one last look at the long-forgotten images, he shut the album.

“Thank you, Laurel.”

“And thank you for this,” she said, taking the necklace out of the box and holding it up in the light. She made to put it on, seeming to have some trouble finding the clasp without being able to see it.

“Here.” He moved behind her, setting his new album on a table for a moment in order to move Laurel’s hair aside to fasten the clasp of the necklace. As his fingers brushed her neck, he thought he saw her shoulders jump and heard a sharp intake of breath. It was agony to force himself to step back, to take his hands away from her. He took the photo album back up between both hands instead. Laurel looked over her shoulder at him, her eyes wide and lips slightly parted.

“Wait, we’re not passing around Oliver’s baby photos?” Cisco asked, earning a round of laughs from the room and breaking the moment of tension between them.

“Nope,” he managed to reply, glancing back once at Laurel before making his retreat. Had he imagined her cheeks turning red or had it simply been a trick of the light?

As the party picked back up he found refuge on the porch swing outside. He hadn’t said what he wanted to, even when Thea had unintentionally given him the opening. Why was he such a coward?

Alone, Oliver opened the album to random pages. His family at the beach house in Coast City. Him and his father, working on an old boat engine. His first day of school, and then a second photo from the first day of the next year. Him and Tommy standing in front of the car in their uniforms with tiny backpacks on their shoulders. There was his senior photo, but not his senior prom. A Christmas photo with his family, too, even when he knew he’d also taken a photo with Laurel that year as their first Christmas together as a couple.

Had those photos just been lost in the fire? But then when another photo surfaced of him and Tommy on the slopes at Aspen from the trip he knew Laurel had come with them on just as he knew what she’d spent her nights there doing with him, he thought he was starting to sense a pattern.

Then he flipped a page and was faced with Thea holding a bow and arrow. He squinted at it, because that couldn’t be right. Thea’s hair was long the way she’d worn it as a teenager and she looked decidedly that age as well.

“Some of those are from your time away.”

Oliver looked up. Laurel had wrapped herself up in a blanket and stood watching him on the porch swing. Wordlessly, he scooted over and she joined him.

She turned the page and pointed to a photo he had never seen before of his mother in a cream-colored dress looking radiantly happy. “Like, um, this was your mother on her and Walter’s wedding day. He was able to find me it in his things.”

She flipped another page and his old friend was smiling up at him with an arm around a young woman probably none of them knew the name of.

“That was Tommy’s twenty-fifth birthday,” Laurel told him.

“Looks like a typical Tommy birthday.”

They both smiled, fond and sad. They'd sat like this going through old photos once before, and he’d kissed her. He hadn’t known then it would be the last time.

Laurel dropped her gaze. “Yeah. There’s, um, one more I wanted to show you myself because, it’s a bit of a story. Samantha gave me a photo to pass along to my dad in case we’d needed to put out a missing poster.”

Oliver felt a lump rise in his throat as Laurel went past several pages with glimpses of John, Roy and even Felicity to reveal a photo of William dressed in his baseball uniform. He hadn’t seen his son since that terrible time on the island. Thank God Laurel and Thea had pulled Samantha back to avoid her getting hurt or something worse, but she had been even more adamant after that that his world and William’s world were never to collide. And he hadn’t blamed her.

Having this now, though, it brought the love and longing he felt for his son back to the surface. Oliver put a hand to his mouth, his shoulders trembling slightly.

“Ollie, I’m sorry.” Laurel’s hand rested on his arm. “I didn’t know if it would be too much, I just—”

“It’s not. I don’t — I didn’t have anything of him. I love it. I do.” He turned and hugged her. In her arms, he finally found the strength to add, “It’s just, there’s something missing.”

Laurel paused, her hand stilling where it had begun rubbing his back. “What’s that?”

“You.”

She pulled back and looked at him. “Well, um, most of the photos I have with us are from when we…”

“I know.”

Laurel searched his face, then touched the canary pendant hanging from her neck. “Ollie, what was Thea talking about earlier?”

He licked his lips and said, “You know when a few of us were captured in that Dominator ship? While we were there, they put us into some kind of illusion. It all looked and felt so real, but it wasn’t. It was… I guess in a way it was all our greatest temptations come to life.”

He looked down at the photo album and flipped back a few pages to a photo of his family. “Mom and dad were alive, Ray was happily engaged, the island had never happened. And you were there, too.”

“Well, what was special about that?”

Oliver hesitated a single moment, then looked up and met her eyes. “We were getting married.”

Laurel clutched the pendant, her eyes wide with shock. Oliver nodded at it.

“That necklace was an engagement present I’d given you. I’m not trying to say it means that here. I know that — one of the hardest parts about leaving that world was coming back and seeing the real you and knowing that could never be us.”

Laurel flinched back. “It can’t?”

Oliver froze, then slowly set the album aside on the bench. He angled himself more towards her. “I didn’t think you could remember being in love with me.”

Laurel’s lips pressed tight together, clearly knowing exactly what he was talking about. Then she said in a voice, carefully light in that way where she was trying to hold back tears, “I thought you were done running after me.”

He closed his eyes. Of all the things he had ever said in anger, perhaps that conversation was one he wished he could take back the most.

“It wasn’t true.”

“It wasn’t true,” she echoed, and he knew she was referring to her own previous declaration of no longer having feelings. Falsehoods they had told each other and perhaps told to themselves to try and keep apart.

He looked at her again. Laurel’s eyes were shining bright in the porch light and her lips were twisted in a funny sort of way as if to hold everything inside. Oliver reached out, but faltered before he made it there.

“In the dream, I told you I didn’t deserve you. I still don’t.”

Her fingers brushed his cheek, guiding him back to face her. She gave a slow shake of the head. “It’s never been about that, Ollie.”

Then she leaned in, her lips soft against his own. Their breath mingled and turned to puffs of steam in the winter night air. The swing rocked as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

She was warm, almost hot to the touch under the blanket, and Oliver couldn’t help grinning when she shivered at the touch of his cold hands. But Laurel determinedly pressed herself to him, one leg sliding over his knee. He seized her around the waist, lifting her onto his lap—

“Hey, we’re taking a picture! Oh,” Barry added in the doorway as they both turned their faces to look at him. “Uh, my bad.”

“That’s okay, Barry,” Laurel spoke for them, which was probably good since Oliver was inclined towards growling in annoyance at the moment. “We’ll be inside in a minute.”

“Yeah, sure. Take your time.” The speedster didn’t tap into his powers to leave, but he suspected it was a near thing.

Oliver sighed and prepared to get up, only for Laurel to turn back around in his lap and kiss him again soundly. “What? He said take our time.”

The photo of their joint teams was a crowded affair, but it was easiest to pick out him and Laurel. His jacket collar was rumpled, her hair a little mussed, and both of them had their arms around each other with wide smiles while the light glinted off her canary necklace.

It was the first of many new additions to his album.

[doof-doofblog]

“I’m Getting You Your Money, I’m Getting it! I Am, Wait -!”

Tuesday 11th February 2020

GUYYYYYYSSSSS!!!! Omg I am bursting with excitement right about now!! Surely you must've seen by now the new promo pictures that have been released of the epic 35th Anniversary week that's coming!!! If not, have you been living under a rock?! I'm sure you must've seen the new mini trailer showing Kush, Kat and other regulars enjoying their time at the Boat Party on the upper deck of the boat, to it then showing Ian and Mick struggling with some things going on on the lower decks of the boat. HAVE YOU SEEN THE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN KEANU AND PHIL?! Yes! Of course you have! Can't wait to see what's going to happen!!! I am so excited for these up coming episodes! There are so many lives in the balance, it could literally be anyone we could lose! Who do you guys predict is going to die?!

Anyway, shall we talk about tonight's episode ... Okay, I really don't understand why Leo is staying in Whitney's attic ... what he is really trying to get out of it? Is he hoping to find out secrets about Tony or what happened back when he abused Whitney? She did admit tonight that she still has a letter from Tony before he died, we know Leo is going to be on the hunt for that. I kinda hope if he does find it it'll show that Whitney was telling the truth in someway, I hope he'll come to believe that he father actually was a paedophile! Leo needs to get caught eventually ... this stalker story-line can't go on forever. I hope he either dies (along side his father) or he gets put away for good for causing so much stress for Whitney.

Also, what is Suki gaining from befriending Jean?! We know she's lying about having cancer, I think she's just manipulating her! Nothing good is going to come out of this supposed new "Friendship". I don't really understand where this is going to go. I can't wait for everyone to find out Suki has been lying about her supposed illness, I hope Jean puts her right in her place! .... Another thing with Jean, I swear to god, I bloody blubbed when Daniel told her how much he loved her .... gosh it's going to be so bloody heartbreaking when he dies! That moment when he said "I'm wearing the knickers too!" was such a lovely lightened moment of a really upsetting scene! Loved it! Is he going to pass away during this 35th Anniversary, we know he hasn't got long left? Will he pass away before then? Either way, that's going to be an emotional moment, I'll have to get a box of tissues ready for that one!

Oooooo shit! Linda, what have you done?! Things are only going to get worse for the Carter's now Linda has let slip about Ollie making his way up on the roof when she was out-cold! What are the Social Services going to do now?! It's only right that Mick has lost his patience with her and not standing by her! To be fair, he can only take so much, and he's definitely been putting up with a lot due to Linda's alcoholism! What is Shirley going to say/do?! Oooo things really aren't looking good for the Carter household! I'm feeling really sorry for Mick right now, but however, I do want to applaud Kellie Bright for putting on a fantastic performance these last few months!

Now ... focusing on Keanu, Callum and Ben. Keanu ...... you've got it all wrong!!! Callum had nothing to do with it, he only knew because Ben was struggling to cope, Ben confided in him, but there was nothing he could do! He's nothing like Ben, Ben is also trying to change, he pretty much has changed! Its really sad all this, I understand Keanu being out for revenge, but surely he's not going to murder Callum? I really don't see Keanu being a killer! Ben's love for Callum is seriously growing day by day and now he's been kidnapped, it won't be long until Ben says those 3 little words to Callum, I believe! You could see during that phone call at the end he was terrified for Callum's life! What is going to happen? What is all this going to come to? Is Martin going to help get Callum back?! Is it all going to go on until the Boat Party and something goes horribly wrong for either of them! I believe Keanu is meant to do something and then comes to regret his actions ... does he put Callum's life in danger?! Ahhhh so many questions!!! This week and next week are going epic episodes, I'm looking forward to seeing what's going to happen ... if any of you guys have any predictions or theories, I'd love to here them! What do you guys think of the story-lines so far?

Makes me sad that we've got to wait until Thursday now to see what happens! I'll be back on Thursday evening with more of The Doof Doof Blog! Have a good Wednesday everyone! Goodnight! xXx

[justlookfrightened]

The Mayor of Halloween Town

This is filling an anonymous prompt for Bitty dressing up as Jack Skellington, and Jack’s reaction.

Bitty pulled the garment bag out of his closet and considered.

He’d brought this with him specifically for Halloween. He’d done the puck bunny thing last year – speaking of terrible life choices. He wasn’t sure who took the pictures that ended up on the Swallow’s website, but he’d had people making rabbit ears at him for weeks.

The year before that he’d been Mrs. Lovett because pies, but this year, he wanted something not so … feminine, maybe, not that anyone would consider Mrs. Lovett a sex symbol or anything.

But this year, he was the captain of this team, and the Halloween kegster came just after the season started, and he needed something that would demonstrate that he was in charge. Or at least not make him seem cute.

On a visit home before returning for the school year (and wasn’t that a change: his parents’ home was now a place he visited), he’d spent an afternoon helping Mama organize the attic, moving some of his old things out of his parents’ way and making room for Mama’s new sewing machine in the guest room.

That was what gave him the idea, really. The old things in the attic, both the collection of Halloween Town figurines and the rack with his old figure skating costumes.

There was the tiny statue of Jack Skellington, the leader of Halloween Town. And there was the black coat he’d bought for his last costume – he’d planned to skate to Phantom – but, well, that skate never happened.

The coat had been a bit big then, and it was more than a bit snug now, but that would work for what he wanted. He still had black tights that fit, and a dance belt. He could do this: Not a burly monster or a bedraggled zombie, but the spritely skeleton who was clearly in charge of the holiday.

With the bag stashed in the closet, Bitty had gone along with it when the frogs started talking about a Halloween kegster. The new baby tadpoles (what do you call a frog before it’s a tadpole?) had been around for two months, and they were ready to be exposed to the drunken debauchery of a real Haus party. As long as Bitty could make sure they ate enough and drank enough water.

Ollie and Wicks were eager to prove their version of tub juice was just as revoltingly strong as Ransom and Holster’s, and the rest of the boys were itching for some fun.

But when Dex and Nursey came up with the idea of a Haunted Haus kegster, Bitty had wanted to talk them out of it. First, because he wasn’t sure tub juice and jump scares were entirely compatible; second, because he didn’t want people losing it in his kitchen, and there was no way on God’s green earth that any of the boys would allow guests upstairs during a kegster, and a haunted Haus meant people would have to go somewhere; and third, because he wanted to be Jack Skellington, and that just wasn’t scary enough for a haunted house. Or maybe that was first.

But that was a selfish reason, so he agreed to the Haunted Haus party. All the haunting would be on the ground floor of the Haus, and guests would be escorted from the end of the spooky pathway through the kitchen and out to the back porch, where they could get more drinks (“Dude, everyone has to drink before they go in,” Wicks had insisted. “That’s not safe,” Bitty countered. “Not everyone can have alcohol, or wants to.” “They can drink water for all I care,” Ollie declared. “They just have to drink.”)

With Bitty on board, the new Haus mates started planning in earnest. Nursey called on his theater friends to offer props, Dex planned for creepy creaking doors and caskets, ghosts and spiders dropping suddenly from the ceiling, and bursts of mist and cool air. Nursey was creating and a soundtrack of screams and moans (“Sweet!” Wicks said. “That’ll reduce some inhibitions.”)

Even Chowder got into it, talking about the vintage goalie mask he could wear to portray a terrifying serial killer.

“He’ll have to wear it to scare anyone,” Bitty told Jack over Skype that night. “Chowder can’t be frightening unless he has a goalie mask on. Kind of eerie how that happens.”

“So what are you going to be?” Jack said. “How will I recognize you when I come up?”

“You’re not seriously going to come, are you?” Bitty said. “I mean, I know we talked about spending Halloween together since you don’t have a game, but it’s going to be a fright show up here. Literally.”

“It’ll be fine,” Jack said. “I’ll wear a costume. You won’t have to stay all night, right?”

“No, and we don’t practice until the next afternoon,” Bitty said. “I’m thinking of making my escape to Providence and let the boys handle the cleanup. I’m not sure I really want to do a haunted Haus anyway.”

“Not a fan, eh?” Jack said. “You don’t like being scared like that? We can go through together if you want.”

“You think I’m gonna want to cling my big strong boyfriend?” Bitty said, managing to hold it a moment before snorting. “Jack, honey, I’m always happy to get close to you, but I don’t think anything these guys come up with will scare me. Especially since we all are gonna have to help set it up.”

“Guess I’ll see you there then, bud,” Jack said. “Maybe I can cling to you.”

When the call ended, Bitty breathed a sigh of relief. He’d managed to distract Jack from pursuing his question about Bitty’s costume, and Bitty wanted it to be a surprise. He’d promised Jack he wouldn’t show as much skin as he had last year (“If you’re dressed like that, lapinou, I won’t be able to leave your room without everyone at the party knowing how I feel about you”), but he wanted the costume to be a surprise.

******************************

Jack waited until 9:30 to leave for the Haus. He’d promised himself he’d wait until 10, knowing kegsters didn’t really get going much before then and his arrival would be less likely to cause a stir if everyone was past their first cup of tub juice, but Bitty was there, so that was where he wanted to be.

He checked himself out in the mirror: plaid flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, cowboy hat, bandanna that he could pull over his face if he needed to. He couldn’t do much about the jeans – they were one of his two regular pairs, since he had to have them specially tailored. Even if they didn’t look like he’d been riding the range, Bitty assured him they showed off his, uh, assets, to their best advantage. A costume store gun belt with plastic six-shooters completed the look.

It was Halloween, but it was also a Monday night, so traffic from Providence to Samwell was light and Jack had parked his car down the block and was making his way to the Haus by 10:15.

It seemed like most of Samwell’s student body was headed toward the Haus, with costumes ranging from zombies and witches to firefighters and cheerleaders.

He was just heading toward the front porch when he heard someone say, “Well, get an eyeful of you, Jack. I gotta say, that’s a good look for you. Helps make Halloween the wonderful holiday it is.”

Jack looked around to see who was talking to him. He thought he looked pretty good – better than with the lame cat ears from last year – but that was a little over the top. But no one seemed to have even noticed he was there. The guy talking was on the porch steps, addressing someone in the shadows of the hanging spiderweb.

Must be another Jack, then.

Then Jack heard Bitty’s warm laugh.

“So that means I’d best be happy with Halloween and not take over Christmas, too?” he said. “You’re too kind. I see you have your drink; step right in and see the frights! Don’t worry, there’s plenty of cookies and snacks to revive you at the end.”

Bitty had stepped into the light and was holding the door open for the guy, who was in a traditional Dracula outfit.

“How about a bite out of your neck?” Dracula said. “I vant to suck your –”

“Oh, there’ll be plenty of people back there to try that line on,” Bitty said. “But the only way to get to the party is through the Haus. Good luck! Try not to scream!”

And with Bitty’s hand firmly at his back, the guy was through the door and Jack could take a long look at his boyfriend, whose body somehow looked longer and leaner that usual. He was wearing a black suit – sort of. The jacket was nearly form-fitting, with tails in the back and a tie that looked like a bat. If the jacket was nearly form-fitting, the pants were – well, Jack couldn’t see any underwear lines under the glare of the porch lights, but the bulge at his groin was clearly apparent.

Jack forced his eyes back up. Bitty’s hair was slicked back and his face was white, with his features made up to look like black sutures. And the guy had called him Jack. Must be some character – not Jack Sparrow, although that look would be good on Bitty too, he thought.

“Howdy, partner,” Jack said, stepping into the light.

Bitty turned and caught sight of him.

“Jack! You make a great cowboy! Haus rules are that you have to have a drink to go in, but it doesn’t have to be whatever excuse for tub juice these boys have put together. There’s beer, or water.”

“Mmm, much like the vampire, I’d rather have you.”

Bitty made a face that made the drawn-in mouth twist. “Heard that, did you?”

“You did an admirable job of sending him to the demons,” Jack said. “You are something in that. Do you have to stay here?”

“Not really,” Bitty said, slipping his phone from a pocket Jack hadn’t noticed. “I’m the captain, remember? Let me get one of the tadpoles to take over the door. Then I will escort you through the haunted Haus with no interruptions.”

“You’re sure about that?” Jack asked skeptically.

“You forget, I am the mayor of Halloween Town,” Bitty pronounced.

“Really?” Jack asked.

“Jack, you don’t know who I am?”

“You’re the mayor of Halloween Town.”

“Jack! I’m Jack Skellington! From Nightmare Before Christmas? You must have seen it.”

“Skellington? Like a skeleton? That’s why you look so thin?”

“And move so gracefully,” Bitty said, pirouetting on the threshold as Tango arrived.

“The door is yours, my good man.”

Jack crowded up behind Eric as they entered the darkened living room.

“I don’t doubt the moves,” he said. “But I know there’s more than skin and bones under that suit. Let’s get through this as fast as we can and hit the trail, eh?”

“Sure thing, partner,” Bitty said. “Let’s see if those guns of yours fire anything but blanks.”

Then he giggled, and Jack laughed, and he was having the best Halloween of his life.

[rantceratops]

Insecurity

(Warning: this is roughly the size of a small fucking novel, sorry.)

(Also I skipped Agendas for now because I REALLY wanted to get this episode done. This has been in my drafts for like a month or two)

I fucking love this episode. Have I ever mentioned that before? Because if Failsafe is all aboard the feels train, this episode is all aboard the roller coaster of emotions. Like, wow is this one of my all time favorites.

IT’S SPIDER-MAN– oh wait, never mind it’s his evil twin, it was hard to tell in this lighting.

Cissie! Who I know nothing about except that she’s in the Arrow fam eventually and that everyone was dying for Artemis to be her mentor in s2 of Young Justice. I kind of miss some of the fandom ideas for what s2 would be like. :(

“I’m sorry, you know how it is. I’m on dead line. And so are you.” OH HO HO SPIDER-MAN, YOU SO PUNNY.

Aw yeah, archer babes to the rescue!

Look at them, looking all badass with the moon behind them! Could there BE a better time for your name to be Artemis and your talent to be archery? Definitely not.

Small detail that’s nice: you can tell whose arrows are whose because Ollie’s are tipped with a lighter shade of green than hers.

Awww, I love that part! I love how the camera kind of specifically pans more toward Artemis to convey that Cissie is awestruck by her in particular. Like, she’s seeing this badass female archer with blonde hair just like her kicking bad guy ass and saving her dad. And you can tell she’s just thinking “I want to be like that some day!” Artemis is literally being a badass inspiration right here and she doesn’t even know it, and it’s just so fucking cute! My baby is an amazing role model!

Fuck you, Sportsmaster, go away! (I will say that I like Sportsmaster’s voice though, and whether intentional or not I almost feel like a huskiness to the voice is just another trait that Artemis shares from his end of the gene pool.) Speaking of Artemis sharing in Sportsmaster’s end of the gene pool, have I ever mentioned that I honestly adore the decision to have Jade (the villain daughter) share more with Paula (the nice parent) in looks, while having Artemis (the hero daughter) sharing more traits with Lawrence (the awful/villain parent). I just thought it was an interesting thing, I don’t know whether they did that on purpose or not, but it’s just a thing I picked up on and thought was kind of neat.

Ollie stop trying to sound cool.

Damn, Artemis must be pretty fucking strong to still be standing after a possibly grown ass man just did a literal backflip off of her shoulders! 

“Good girl! Uh… take the lead on this one!” Oh, Ollie. XD He’s just letting her take the reigns while he tries to recover his wounded pride. Also, I just got feels thinking about how different it must be for Artemis to work under GA’s tutelage instead of her father’s. Like, can you imagine the contrast? All that praise and affection Ollie no doubt showers her with, compared to the harsh commands and emotional/mental abuse from Lawrence growing up? She probably hardly even knows what to do with Ollie’s praise half the time. 

Out of the penalty box. Sportsmaster, please.

“Bonus points for poetic justice.”

“Did you see the look on his face!? O-okay, he was wearing a mask, but– did you see the look on his mask!?” Oh my god, she’s so precious and giddy! I really wish we had gotten to see more of her interactions with Ollie, like this moment is seriously the most giddy we ever see Artemis in the series. You can tell she absolutely loves kicking ass with Ollie, and once again, tying in with the contrast between Lawrence and Ollie as mentors to her, it must be so exhilarating to literally be given the reigns on a mission, and then praised and encouraged for doing so! I don’t think Artemis would ever admit it, but I could honestly see her craving that interaction with Ollie every week, that kind of fatherly guidance. This is why I so love the idea of her seeing Ollie as a father figure, etc. 

And Ollie’s just so amused by her giddiness!

Shut up, Roy, go away. 

It must be really awkward at parties when your belt starts talking to you.

Can someone explain to me why Sportsmaster is having to sneak inmates out of Belle Reve when it’s under control by Strange? (I guess most of the guards still think it’s a legit detention facility or something? That would make sense, actually)

“Set a good example, join the Team first.” OKAY, IN WHAT UNIVERSE IS ROY EVER A GOOD EXAMPLE, OLLIE. (god I’d like to smack that scowl off of Roy’s face!)

“You should have seen the look on that little girl’s face, she was so grateful that her dad was safe.” (awwww, Artemis, babbu, this is why you were made for the hero life

“This life suits you, Artemis.” Yes, yes it does mama Crock! “Most mother’s would be horrified, but for me, it’s a relief. You don’t know how nervous I was when Arrow and Batman first confronted me about your… activities.”  STOP. “Confronted us. They figured out I saved my soulmate Kid Flash and confronted us.” “Not… initially. I’m your mother. They talked to me first.”

OH MY GOD PAULA’S SMUG TONE AND FACE AT THAT PART ALWAYS CRACK ME THE FUCK UP.

Look at that fucking smug ass face! XD She’s like I fucking pushed you out, they talked to me first because I’m the badass that made the tinier badass they were after. 

“What-what did they say!? What did you say?” Artemis is like OH GOD MOM HOW DID YOU EMBARRASS ME THIS TIME.

“I was afraid you were in trouble. While I was in jail for my crimes as Huntress, I lost one daughter, I couldn’t bear to lose another so I begged them to help keep you on the straight and narrow–” “You begged!? So I was some sort of pity case!?” 

Ooooh, man, Artemis is fucking PISSED. All the confidence that she’s built up since joining the Team shatters almost instantly as soon as she hears the word begged. Paula, of course, didn’t mean it that way; she didn’t beg them to let her on the Team because she was afraid she would still turn out to be a bad seed. She begged them to keep her on the right path: a path that Artemis had clearly already chosen on her own. Artemis had already been saving lives all on her own, and I think that Paula was relieved and proud when she found out, and I think the “begging” that she did was nothing more than a mother desperately wanting what was best for her daughter. Artemis had already CHOSEN the “straight and narrow” on her own, and I think Paula wanted to make absolutely sure that she had the tools and connections she needed to keep going in that direction, and to stay out of Sportsmaster’s influence. Artemis, of course, doesn’t see it that way, and instead takes it as an insult to her skill; this whole time, she’d thought that she’d impressed them enough on her own for them to come calling, but now she’s thoroughly convinced that they only wanted her on the Team as a favor to Paula, who begged them. Which, of course, is not actually the case.

“This isn’t T.O. Morrow!” “Klarion, this is Professor Ivo.” Oh my fucking GOD, the way Sportsmaster says that is actually kind of HILARIOUS, because his tone suggests that he’s trying to appease a bratty kid… which he pretty much IS. XD 

“Okay… so maybe I wasn’t brought in because I impressed them.” Oh, my poor baby! :( Just sitting on her fire escape with her knees pulled up, stewing in fucking insecurity. 

“I just spent the last four months doing nothing but. I’ve got nothing to prove, I’m one of a kind.” Yes you are, bby! (You can tell she doesn’t believe her own words though, because even though her hands on hips body language at that moment might LOOK confident, the unsure flick of her eyes over toward the alley wall conveys that she’s doubting herself.)

“Artemis! Just in time, look who’s agreed to join the Team.” “Finally!”

Oh, wow. I feel so sorry for poor Artemis in this particular episode. I’ve joked around that this episode could have been her super villain origin story, because man oh man is it just one thing after another piling on top of her insecurities at the beginning of this episode (it’s called Insecurity for a very good reason). So not only has her confidence just taken a very heavy blow because of her mother’s revelation that GA and Bats talked to her alone first, but then she Zetas to the Cave and what the fuck is the first thing that greets her upon materializing there? Roy. And GA smiling and saying “Artemis! Just in time, look who’s agreed to join the Team.” and Wally happily throwing his arms out and saying “Finally!” I can honestly only imagine the horrible sinking, burning feeling in her gut in that moment; seeing her father figure mentor and her crush standing there, smiling happily at another archer that she had, only a few months earlier, been accused of taking the place of by Wally. She had literally just been trying to convince herself that even if she was a pity case, she’s done nothing but prove herself over the last four months… only to Zeta to the Cave and see Roy Harper ready to join. (”We have no quota on archers.” “Yeah, and if we did, you know who we’d pick.”) Another insecurity dropped onto her already overburdened shoulders; Roy is here, and she feels like she’s not going to be wanted or needed anymore. And really, that insecurity has been lingering in the background since Infiltrator.

“Sure. Team’s needed a real archer.” The derisive sarcasm in Artemis’s tone is fucking palpable. Roy is a threat to her at that moment; what other reason would they finally have him on the Team other than to push her out, to replace her with someone “better”? She already thinks that she was not actually chosen out of skill, but out of pity, whereas Roy has always been the desired archer for the Team. She feels like her place on the Team is being compromised, and that she’s not good enough. And that terrifies her.

Wally, meanwhile, isn’t completely oblivious to the scathing remark that Artemis makes in response to the news. We see his expression visibly shift in response, his mouth drops and his eyebrows raise in something like surprise. He hadn’t expected that kind of response out of her because he himself has always wanted Roy on the Team simply because they go way back as friends, and at first I don’t think he understands why Artemis reacted the way she did. He even casts her one last aside look as GA and the others turn toward the screens.

For Wally, Roy joining the Team can only be a good thing! Right? I think, then, that it slowly starts to dawn on him between this briefing room meeting and boarding the Bioship, that Artemis is upset. I think he stews on it, tbh. He was truly bothered by seeing Artemis react that way, that she seemed so upset about something. And I think it begins to dawn on him, the more he thinks about her posture and her comment. “Sure. Team’s needed a real archer.” I can almost imagine the sinking feeling he starts to get in his gut when he realizes that he himself largely contributed to the obvious threat she’s feeling from Roy’s presence. HE treated her horribly and acted like she wasn’t good enough in the beginning, HE wanted Roy on the Team instead of her, HE accused her of replacing Roy and driving him away, and HE just now showed extreme happiness and RELIEF at having Roy join their ranks. How must that have looked to Artemis? Like he was happy that her better had just showed up to replace her, the archer that the Team (that Wally) wanted more than her to begin with? But she’s Artemis, right? She wouldn’t let that bother her! But Wally realizes very quickly that he has royally done goofed. That the way he treated her in the beginning really has stuck with her, that it didn’t just roll off her back as her confidence always suggested. And Wally, at this point, is very much aware of his crush on Artemis, he’s finally dropped some of that denial, and he’s moved on from trying to trick himself into thinking he wants Megan (or even has a chance with her). So ultimately he realizes that he needs to take a chance and open his heart up to her and try to make things right. This antagonistic behavior they’d kind of harbored throughout the season needs to end; Wally’s no longer suppressing the way he feels about her, and I think he’s more than ready to be a man and just… make the step to change the way they behave around each other, to try and lead this relationship to the place it was always meant to be. And I think he comes to the conclusion that letting her know that he doesn’t see her as some replacement nuisance, that she is a real archer, that she has made her own place on the Team and has absolutely nothing to prove to him, is the right first step.

“In full costume? Nervy.”

This is it! The single most important Spitfire moment in the entirety of s1! Oh god, all aboard the feels train!

“Aaah, this could wind up being one of those things that sounds better in my head than out loud.” 

He’s so nervous about saying this to her. You know he was stewing about what to say to her this whole time, how he could word it so that he comes off as genuine about it as he feels, so that she’ll know he’s telling the truth. He’s alone in the main cabin with her for the few precious moments in which Kaldur and Roy are storing his motorcycle in the back, and he finally just grits his teeth and tells himself that it’s now or never time. She needs to hear this before the mission.

“But, you are a real archer.”

Complete sincerity in his eyes. Complete sincerity in his voice, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world to him. “You are a real archer.” How could she think otherwise, after everything she’s done? Wally might not have been so sweet on her at the beginning, but she has more than proven time and again, has saved his ass with the same arrow TWICE. He would still be lying to himself if he thought she was anything less than capable. (I think he has honestly begrudgingly accepted that she’s an amazing archer for a long time, or at least for the very beginning when he was still pinning her on Roy’s aversion to the Team. And even pinning that on her was less about Roy and more about him having a gross crush on her and being embarrassed by their first meeting.)

Artemis seems less than impressed. I don’t think she believes him at first. Her face almost screams, “Really, Wally?” Like, she saw how relieved he was that Roy joined the Team, she knows that he prefers him as the Team’s archer, right?

“No, I mean I’m jazzed about Red Arrow! We go way back, you know? But, you…” He’s making it clear that he’s happy about having one of his best friends finally join the Team, that he’s not happy because oh, the guy she “replaced” is finally coming to push her out of the Team and take her place, or prove that he’s better than her at archery. None of that ever even crosses Wally’s mind; in fact, when Artemis first Zeta’d into the Cave and Ollie told her the news and Wally says “Finally!” with happiness, his eyes are actually on Artemis. Like, I think he fully expected her to share in the happiness, or at least be okay, because to Wally it was only ever about “one of my best friends is finally joining, hell yeah!”. Robin, Kal, and Wally all wanted Roy to join from the beginning, so it stands to reason that Wally is happy when he finally gets the stick out of his ass and joins. (Wally definitely knew that Artemis never really “drove” Roy off the Team, not by any intention or fault. Roy was honestly being a huge pain in the ass about it from the beginning, continuously ignoring their attempts to get him to join up BEFORE Artemis even showed up. And I doubt Roy had any intention of joining when he brought the Roquette mission to them either. Again, blaming Roy’s refusal to join the Team on Artemis was just a “peg for his insecurities” about Artemis and his self.)

Honestly, the way Wally says “But you…” kind of makes me fangirl so hard. The way he just looks up at her when he says that, the emphasis on her. Like, woah, did she come in and make her own place on the Team! He very much noticed throughout all these months; she just waltzed right onto the Team like she owned it and then proceeded to be a huge badass at every turn. He thinks she is amazing and somehow that fact is so brilliantly conveyed just by the emphasis he pressed into the word “you”. (It’s like he’s saying “You’re not Roy. You’re something else entirely.” in the most sincere, endearing way imaginable.)

And Artemis just can’t even believe that Wally West is saying these things to her. That he’s actually sitting there, making an effort to just wear his heart on his sleeve for her in this exact moment. 

“You’ve made your own place on the Team. You’ve got nothing to prove.”

He is making her feel wanted and needed and maybe, just maybe re-convincing her that she has, in fact, proved herself over the last four months. That she is, in fact, one of kind, that she’s not replaceable, that he doesn’t want her to leave so Roy can finally take her place. Some of his words even echo the very words she used to try and convince herself: “I’ve got nothing to prove, I’m one of a kind.” “You’ve got nothing to prove.”

“Not to me. Okay?”

“Not to me.” He’s very specific about adding that, about mentioning himself. Because once again, I think he knows that he has stemmed a lot of this insecurity she’s displaying; I believe he may have even seen her obvious eagerness to join in on the mission as a giveaway. Roy joins and the boys get a mission immediately, and Artemis is intent on joining in, and her expression is serious and intense. Wally is not stupid, he made that connection, realized that the reason she was jumping in was because she wanted to further prove that she IS a real archer and that Roy isn’t going to take her place. But to Wally, it’s almost funny that Artemis would think she’d even need to prove herself; she’s already done that so many times over the past four months! But her scathing “Sure. Team’s needed a real archer.” comment just really clued him in on the fact that he specifically is partly to blame for her insecurities. So when he says these things to her, he realizes how important it is to come from him; he knows she needs him to say this to her, it’s a sort of “apology” long overdue, an acknowledgement of how useful and amazing she is and how she’s made her own place on the Team. And he emphasizes “Not to me.” Not to him, least of all to him.

“…okay.”

Artemis just lets the words sink in, and I could only imagine how warm the Bioship probably felt to her in that moment. And she just slowly looks up at him through her lashes, and I swear to god this was probably one of the single most important moments of her life. Like, she needed to hear Wally say this to her; it had to be Wally. I sincerely do not think any words of encouragement from anyone else would have had even remotely the same impact, it only would have felt empty, like hollow words of reassurance. 

Can we just all remember and appreciate the fact that, at her core, Artemis is a teenage girl with a crush? Put aside all the missions, the costumes, the fighting, the secret Cave, the life or death situations… and all of them are still just teenagers. And I bring this up because honestly, as I rewatch this scene over and over to try and commentate it as best I can, it just really strikes me how self-conscious Artemis gets once Wally starts spilling his heart to her; the way she kind of looks at him with wide eyes, then swiftly drops her gaze down to her lap, with this almost shy expression. She’s self conscious, a teenage girl with a serious crush.

Look at her. Having his attention on her, just between the two of them, and him saying words that she’s needed to hear from him for so long. She’s known she has a thing for him for quite some time, yet that whole time she’s been scared, afraid that her past would come out and that Wally would reject her in every way imaginable. They already started out on the wrong foot, and their relationship suffered from it; obviously they found a comfortable place, full of banter and snark and quite frequently barely contained antagonism– all because he tripped in front of a cute girl, and she snarked because of a cute, shirtless boy. To Artemis, that tentative friendship with Wally could have all tipped right over the edge of the cliff if the truth about her criminal family came out. To her, that’s all it would take for him to fully reject her, maybe for him to even accuse her of being the mole. And those thoughts terrified her, because Wally means so fucking much to her that it’s unreal; rejection from him in any form is unthinkable. She cares about him too much. 

So then, just when her confidence is being completely shot, just when she thinks maybe nobody needs her, that the Team– that Wally –wants to replace her with Roy because she was just a “pity case”… Wally tells her that she has nothing to prove. Not to him.

This moment means so damn much to Artemis that I can’t even properly put it to words. Wally is opening up to her, letting her know that she’s amazing and needed and he was stupid for giving her such a hard time when they met. He’s meeting her halfway, as Greg once put it. And it’s this show of something deep and sincere that makes Artemis all the more terrified of the secret of her family coming out. Something is happening between her and Wally, something is finally giving and they’re both so, so close to giving into previously suppressed feelings… and her past could royally fuck that up. 

So she goes to the extreme to keep it locked away. Artemis goes into that mission with the intent of proving herself, of further cementing her abilities and proving to everyone and Wally that she’s NOT to be replaced. But after Wally says those things to her on the Bioship, for Artemis the mission then becomes a drive to confront her family on her own to keep her secret. Wally's words meant the world to her, she wasn't trying to prove herself anymore after he told her she didn't need to, she was trying to protect the bond forming between herself and Wally, as well as her past.

“And, um... Wally?”

“It sounded... fine, out loud.”

UGH MY HEART. LOOK AT HOW SHE GAZES AT HIM AND HOW HE’S SMILING TO HIMSELF DJSNFJSDFNSDJFNSD

Like, UGH you can tell Wally feels so GOOD for saying that to her, and the fact that it seems to MEAN something to her, that she LISTENED to him and genuinely, sincerely echoed his “okay” back at him when he was done. God it took him so much nerve to even work up the courage to tell her those things, but he knew he needed to and then he did and that risk was rewarded. He’s SO ready to change things between the two of them, to tentatively stick his foot in the water and see where it might go. And Artemis is ready too!

Or at least, she would be, if not for that one final obstacle: her family tree.]

GOD I HATE ROY. 

“And suspect number 1 is Artemis.”

“No offense guys, but even my boredom is bored.” “Maybe a night off wasn’t the best idea.”

Come on, Conner, we all know you’d just go all angry and shit if you went on a stake out, especially since you’ve started doing drugs-- I mean, Shields-- just last episode. He’d probably hulk the fuck out and go on a rampage.

TORNADO OUT. Seriously Tornado gave like no fucks at all. He has important things to do like make a human android so that he can flamingle with the humans.

Oh, Zee, you curious thing you. She’s probably a riot at parties.

“Pursue, but maintain a discreet distance.” Roy says, as he jumps on a fucking jet ski and starts immediately following Sportsmaster in his fucking rental boat. Like, damn dude. I suppose that the ski would sort of be drowned out by the boat engine but that still doesn’t seem like the most discreet method that could have been used; at least Wally’s on a motorcycle on the road, that could be conceived as pretty inconspicuous to Sportsmaster. Geez.

Also the rental boat is kind of making me laugh because it reminds me of the whole “What do you call this, the Arrow Boat?” “I call it a rental.” Like, I feel like in the Young Justice universe, that boat rental shacks make an ass ton of money renting boats to superheroes and villains and they don’t even know it. (or maybe they lose money, because half the boats mysteriously come back with giant holes in the center, and gashes in the paint, etc. Being a boat rental person must be a tough job in that world. They’re obviously the real heroes (or villains?) at the end of the day.)

“That goes double for you, Artemis.” Wow Roy could you BE anymore fucking hostile? I’m not sure who’s worse, Wally in Infiltrator, or you in this fucking episode as well as Performance. God.

Kaldur in his natural habitat. It would have been nice to have more chances to see Kaldur in his element tbh. Then again, I suppose there was a bit more of that in s2 with the whole Black Manta sub and shit.

I bet Wally is itching to run instead of use that motorcycle. (There should have been more Team on motorcycles, imho.)

Artemis, bby, no. T_T I sort of wish she had just stayed put. Then again I wouldn’t have wanted to listen to Roy’s stupid mouth, either. Or, you know, let my shitty criminal dad ruin like everything I’ve ever worked for.

CHESHIRE! <3

“Heeey, sis! Long time no reveal who you really are to all your friends!” Wow, it’s like Jade LITERALLY popped in just to remind us of what’s driving Artemis for the rest of this episode. Like I mentioned before, I feel so sorry for Artemis in the episode, it’s like the cards are all just stacked against her, everything is at stake and that’s why she’s so goddamn reckless in this episode.

You know how there’s that episode in s2 where everything keeps going wrong and Artemis keeps saying “Perfect.” to herself in her mind? I feel like Cheshire showing up in this episode is one of those moments. Like, now not only does she have to worry about her dad, but now she has to worry about Cheshire spilling the beans on her as well. Fucking perfect.

CROCK SISTER FIGHT! (they’re both so badass I love them)

Appreciation time:

I always loved that badass little throw that Artemis does. You go babbu!

“Bet you run out of arrows before I run out of sword. Unless you plan on breaking out the pointy ones to use against your own sister.” “Why shouldn’t I? You are working with Sportsmaster!”  Damn Arty got some fury in her voice.

“Why, Arrow, if you wanted another date you only had to ask.” “You two are dating!?” LOL oh my GOD Artemis’s fucking cracking voice of disbelief makes me laugh every time! She is so fucking horrified it’s not even funny! Like holy fucking HELL I’m crying. 

“Really I’m so fond of you both, I couldn’t bear to hurt you. Much.” Yeah, yeah, play is up Chesh, but we all know you would never seriously hurt Artemis, and probably not Arrow either considering. 

Goddamn that was a brutal leg sweep, Jade. (it’s even worse with the sound)

“Oh, too bad, lover boy.” Woah, Jade, chill with the bedroom voice, there are children present! 

I’m... honestly unclear on Jade’s motives for obviously holding that kiss until Artemis saw it. Like... idk? I mean it seems like a very Jade thing to do, but I can’t quite pin her motive for specifically making sure Artemis saw it. Possibly just to mess with her though, I suppose, and perhaps to pin some suspicion on Roy for some reason or other? IDK, JADE TELL ME YOUR INNER WORKINGS.

“But at least a kiss is still a kiss.”

“And a sai is just a sai!”

“And quite the souvenir, by the way.”

Oh, Wally. <3

“He’s out of range.” I can’t honestly tell if Artemis purposely didn’t put the tracker on or... okay, yeah, she had to have done it purposely, because our girl Arty can seriously hit pretty much any target, she’s hit some hum dingers throughout the season (Home Front, anyone?), there’s no way she couldn’t make that shot. But why, then, did she hold back? Did she want to let Sportsmaster get away and then try to track him down on her own? Like, idk, girl, tell me your thoughts.

“You’re abandoning!?” “I’m prioritizing!” 

“Oh, that’s gotta sting. He makes the shot you were afraid to even try.” Jade, I really think you hit a fucking nerve, considering how Artemis’s night has been going.

Siblings can be a real pain, huh, Artemis?

Always loved that Wally sort of gets in a defensive position between Artemis and Cheshire.

Wow, Roy. That was... spectacular. You sure did distract Sportsmaster so well. ‘_’

“Leave him alone!” Yessss, gimme dat Revelation parallel!

“Artemis!” YAS LAWD GIVE ME MY OTP

“Did you...?” “Tracer’s on her sword.” “Brilliant. I knew you could-- hey, there’s the guys.”

WALLY. It takes a LOT of skill to cock block yourself.

But in all seriousness, look at him fucking encouraging her! <3 God he’s just continually encouraging her and having her back in this episode! He knew she fucking needed it and tbh I think he just WANTED to. Like ajsdhjdhjshfjdsfh god he’s so fucking supportive in this episode because even though he said that meaningful stuff to her on the Bioship, he STILL continues to point out how amazing she is and to defend her against Roy’s suspicions. WALLY IS SUCH A SWEETHEART SOMETIMES I SWEAR.

“So we threw the fight as ordered. After Artemis planted the tracer.” That tone in his voice,  he’s like “Hell yeah my girl Arty nailed that shit like always.” <3

“Sportsmaster was headed south-- kinda like this mission.” I hate you, Roy but that’s a good line XD

Ugh, it pains me to see Artemis trying so hard to protect her identity. Like... it’s made all the worse because of Wally defending and standing up for her so much. Like... fuck. This whole episode hurts my soul. Wally’s on her side but she’s throwing all sorts of wild goose chases to try and protect what she has with her makeshift family and Wally... Artemis may not be doing these things for the stupid ass mole reasons that Roy thinks she’s doing them, but she is in fact fucking with the mission. And that’s why the end of the episode hurts so much. On the one hand I 100% don’t blame Artemis and can see her reasons for acting as she does in this episode... but on the other I’m just shaking my head and begging her to STOP. T_T

“Artemis...”  UGH. GOD JUST MAKE IT STOP.

Goddamnit, Artemis, you stubborn fool. I LOVE YOU BUT STOP IT.

Love Zee’s little magical boost! The animation on it is so smooth, and the brighter colors mixed in with the puff of smoke definitely gives off a “magic” feel.

In the episode or so where Conner isnt actually seen using a Shield, I love the small detail of him kind of subconsciously scratching his bicep all the time. Don’t fucking do drugs, kids.

“Bark if Tornado comes back.” LOL 

“Is that what I think it is?” A dead body. Yes, Zee.

I must confess I’m a little fond of the MONQI’s and their dumb laughter. It was refreshing to hear it again for the first time since Schooled. Then again I also really like the episode Schooled.

Sportsmaster is such a lackey in this episode. The dick.

Hey look, it’s the same Madri Gras warehouse background that was used in Terrors.

“Pulled it off my sword about a minute after you put it there. Thought you’d want it back, since it goes so nicely with the one Red Arrow gave you.”

Of course Jade would know that Artemis put a tracker on her. You know, as much as I love the Jade and Artemis dynamic and the fact that they still love and care about each other despite being on opposite sides, I would still love to see a good, even playing field fight between them, post s2. Because like... at their core they were both trained by the same man as young ones, but after that it starts branching out. Jade probably learned more from the streets and from the Shadows. Artemis learned a hell of a lot from Black Canary’s training as well as sparring with her Teammates, etc. I definitely wouldn’t want them to truly hurt each other (and I don’t think they ever would), but a straight up fight between them would surely be an awesome sight!

“*sing song voice* Someone on your Team doesnt trust you.” Goddamnit, Jade. I honestly wonder whether Jade would truly WANT to actually out Artemis’s connections in s1. She threatens her with it a few times, obviously, but... there’s this part of me that honestly thinks maybe Jade is proud of Artemis for finding her place, even if it is on the hero side, so I can’t see her ruining that. But I suppose that’s another bit of meta for another episode or something. (I tend to think Jade mostly just bluffs about revealing her identity because she knows it’ll make Artemis back down, because it means too much to her)

Jade why are you carrying around a tablet and where the fuck is that camera view even coming from?

Can’t get to Arrow in time? Blow the door up and knock him on his stupid ass! You’re welcome, Roy!

“So you’re pretty much allergic to radioing a warning?” “Artemis to Arrow: look out.” I love my sarcastic babbu <3 (also pretty sure if she had tried to radio him he would’ve either NOT listened to her, or else it just would have taken too long to relay and Sporty would have stabbed him with a big ole javelin. So yeah, explosion was the best option)

“Sooo, is Red building a friend or what?” LOL 

So I’m guessing that considering the fact that it doesn’t show the android below the waist (and when it does there’s another part in the way), and Zatanna’s “friend” line, and the fact that she says it really needs some pants... that it’s, ahem, anatomically correct. Or something. Kinda freaky. But okay, Red. I don’t even want to know.

“Wolf.”

LOLOLOLOL.

“Is this a sign of disrespect?” “Curiosity!” “Boredom.”

Fighting time! 

Okay, Roy, this is one of the only times I’m gonna say this but... KICK SPORTSMASTER’S ASS, OKAY. He’s an even bigger dick than you!

I just really like the animation on Artemis landing there. 

LOOK AT HIM. Helping her gently to her feet! Using both of his hands to hold her’s even though he could have easily just done it with one. OH my god please kill me, THEY’RE TOO ADORABLE 

JUST. FUCKING--

LOOK AT HIM CUPPING HER HAND IN BOTH OF HIS. I’M DYING GOOD-BYE.

“Do as she says: Freeze!” I honestly love Klarion. XD

WALLY YOU BROKE JADE.

Hello I just wanted to point out how close they’re standing to each other okay

OH NO, HERE WE GO. SHIT’S GETTING REAL :(

“You know, I’m getting pretty tired of you dumping on her!” Do it, Wally. Punch his stupid face!

(I kind of wonder... if part of the reason Wally was getting so fed up with Roy’s shit was also in part because he realized that’s how HE must have seemed towards Artemis when she first joined, you know? I mean in Infiltrator, specifically. And maybe it just made him doubly pissed with hearing Roy talk to her that way, because it’s kind of echoing how rude he was to Artemis when she first joined, and it’s kind of getting under his skin that he behaved that way. Maybe I’m thinking too much into things, but I really do think it’s possible.)

“Her tracer, so? Cheshire ditched it.” “No. Artemis ditched that to send us on a wild goose chase. She put this one on Cheshire.”

Oh god make it stop. Look at his face

“Artemis. Are you that freaked out about Arrow joining the Team you had to prove yourself by bringing down the bad guys solo? Please tell me I’m wrong.”

Oh dear fucking god the end of this episode is seriously downright PAINFUL for me to have to watch! There’s just so much misunderstanding and holding back and blaming and just... it distresses me so goddamn much. This episode is only tied with Failsafe for how many feels it gives me, I can’t bear to watch them be SO fucking close to each other, yet so far away.

And all because of Artemis’s stupid criminal family. 

And oh, oh god the worst, the WORST fucking part is when Artemis opens her fucking mouth to tell him and then just falters!

First of all look at the completely HOPELESS fucking face she’s making when he’s asking her to tell him he’s wrong.

Like oh god, he’s got this angry, disappointed look on his face and it’s directed at HER and things had been going so fucking well between them, she could feel it. But now everything is just hitting her right in the face, all the mistakes she made, the last ditch, desperate measures she took just to try and keep herself from getting outed. The saddest part is that she did all this to try and keep what she had with the Team, and more importantly, with Wally, safe; but in the end it all still winds up leading her and Wally straight back to square one, the same antagonistic, unsure distance they’ve had for the entire season. Only now... now it hurts ten times worse.

Fucking look at her. She’s desperate to tell him, she wants to, or at least to just fucking defend herself, to let him know that she wasn’t trying to prove herself, that his words to her on the Bioship did fucking mean something to her, that they meant the world to her, that she was only trying to protect herself, that she’s related to Cheshire and Sportsmaster!! But she fucking can’t, she stops, freezes up, and just stops looking him in his disappointed eyes; because she can’t tell him. If she tells him that she’s the daughter and sibling of criminals, then he’ll reject her in every way. If she just lets him think that his words on the Bioship meant nothing to her and that she was still trying to prove something... at least he’ll still be around. At least he’ll just be mad. 

Mad is better than gone. She can’t lose this Team... can’t lose him.

“Well, nice goin’. What you proved is that you’re insecure and selfish. Keep the sai. This is the right souvenir for the mission.”

And oh god. Oh, Wally, bless his fucking soul. He’s so goddamn hurt at the end of this episode; both of them are, in two very different ways. To him, her display, her leading them all astray and seemingly trying to go after Sportsmaster and Cheshire all by herself is basically like her rejecting what he said to her aboard the Bioship; to him, it’s a slap to the face, it’s her showing that his words, his heart, meant absolutely nothing to her. He told her she had nothing to prove, not to him, because he was the one that caused her insecurity and he knew that. And she told him okay, that it sounded fine out loud, and he felt so good, so happy that she had seemed to take his words to heart, that she wouldn’t feel the need to try and go an extra mile to prove herself better than Roy, or to prove herself to Wally (whom she certainly never needed to prove herself to in the first place). But obviously she didn’t care, right? She didn’t care about his words; she still went off recklessly, sending them all over the place and making them look stupid and fucking up the mission-- and for what? 

To prove herself better than Roy. As if Wally’d never said any of that heartfelt stuff to her before the mission.

All for nothing. 

He’s embarrassed, and hurt. Oh man, is he fucking hurt. Finally he gathered up the courage, and the maturity, to want to try and move things forward with Artemis... only to seemingly be rejected in the most painful way.

But of course, the most painful part is that it’s absolutely not true. None of it. 

His words meant the world to Artemis, and she wasnt trying to prove herself anymore... but Wally can’t know that. They’re both at a crossroads.

“So how will you betray us next time?” SHUT THE FUCK UP ROY YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE. MY BABIES ARE HURTING, LEAVE THEM ALONE.

(Also, remember that in outing Artemis for sending them astray with a tracker, Roy was trying to pin Artemis with evidence as the mole. But that thought never even crossed Wally’s mind; he didn’t think she was a mole for it, just that she was disregarding his feelings. Wally never suspected Artemis was the mole, why would he?)

“Enough! If making a mistake was a betrayal then we would all be traitors.” Thank you, Kaldur, bless.

Ugh, I just realized... the entire Team was standing there. The ENTIRE fucking Team sat there and watched that exchange between Wally and Artemis. Oh god...

“You’re not who you say you are. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”

Oh my poor baby. :[ You have just had a fucking horrible night, haven’t you?

“Artemis? Is everything--” Paula just wants to help her upset bby :(

“Shhhh. We wouldn’t want to upset your mother.” God stop being such a fucking CREEP, Sportsmaster.

“What are you doing here!?” Fucking do it, Artemis. Turn him into a pin cushion; it’s the least he fucking deserves.

“Blamed you, didn’t they?”

(You know how Sportsmaster is mentally and emotionally abusive? This whole scene is a shining fucking example of that.)

“Will they keep you around now that Red Arrow’s joined up? And what if they learn the truth about the family ties you’ve worked so hard to hide? Would they ever trust you again?”

Like... Lawrence is literally throwing every insecurity Artemis has had in this episode, right back in her face. He’s undoing Wally’s reassurances; he’s re-enforcing the fear she has of her family being discovered; he’s playing off the fear she has of being untrusted and rejected by her makeshift family. He’s tearing Artemis down mentally  because he knows she’s in a vulnerable spot. He knows that this is the time to strike, as it were. To say these things to her while she’s down, to try and use her insecurities to manipulate her onto his side of things; she’s his little soldier, after all, he made her what she is. 

“Thanks for the pep talk, dad, we should have these family reunions more often.”

I love the lighting on Artemis’s face throughout this scene.

“You tried, baby girl. You can fight Jade, you can fight me. But you can’t fight who. You. Are. Time to switch sides, Artemis. You’ll never be one of them. You belong with us.” 

And there’s the emotional abuse. You tried, you failed, and the reason you failed is because you were meant to work on the side of evil. You were born into this, you don’t have a choice. And everything that’s happened tonight is proof of that; you mislead your Team, they brought in someone to take your place, they won’t trust you anymore now; what else is left for you now? You can’t fight genetics.

If any of that were true, if Artemis were a lesser person, if her heart wasn’t fucking golden and if she wasn’t meant to be a true fucking hero... this episode might have been her villain origin story. 

But Lawrence was fucking wrong. Artemis Lian Crock was never meant to be a villain, not in this lifetime. 

[nexusradiodance]

Felix Jaehn: Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Felix Jaehn Interview.

Ever since he charted at number one in more than fifty-five countries with his remix of OMI’s Cheerleader, the platinum-selling DJ and music producer Felix Jaehn whose real name is Felix Kurt Jähn has captured the attention of the international Electronic Dance Music community.

Jaehn, who started his DJ career at only age sixteen and has now accrued more than 2 billion streams (and counting), has made him one of the most sought-after DJs in 2019. His last single So Close, a collaboration with the Swedish duo NOTD, songstress Georgia Ku and Los Angeles-based trio Captain Cuts continues to simmer at mainstream Top-40 pop radio.

The German producer was recently in the BPM Supreme-Nexus Lounge Miami during Miami Music Week to promote his latest single with Alok and The Vamps called All the Lies. And he was very impressed with Nexus Radio host Adam Turner’s pronunciation of his last-name.

Adam Turner: This is Adam Turner here in the Nexus Lounge in Miami on Miami Beach and I’m joined by Felix Jaehn, how are you?

Felix Jaehn: Hey Man, what’s up? Thanks for having me.

Adam Turner: Did I pronounce your surname right?

Felix Jaehn: You did, I’m quite impressed. Like, there aren’t that many people who get it right [laughs].

Adam Turner: Is it German?

Felix Jaehn: It is German. We have the […], “a” with two dots on top of it. You don’t have that in the English language. That’s why a lot of people get confused.

Adam Turner: Where in Germany you from?

Felix Jaehn: I’m from Hamburg originally and now I live even further north by the sea in like a really small village, literally 80 people live there.

Adam Turner: So, how is your Miami (going)?

View this post on Instagram

I whisper it slow #AllTheLies

A post shared by FELIX JAEHN (@felixjaehn) on Mar 26, 2019 at 8:38am PDT

Felix Jaehn: It’s great. I love it. It’s actually the first time I’m in the warmth this year. I’ve been in Europe most of the time this year and it’s been freezing, so I’m enjoying the sun. I’m enjoying wearing shorts and I’ve actually been to the beach as well. The first day we got here, I woke up jet lagged at 6:00 AM and I called my photographer. I was like, ‘sorry to wake you up, but let’s go to the beach, watch the sunrise, take some epic shots and go for a swim.’ It was beautiful.

Adam Turner: Amazing. I mean, you’re not going to get that much of a chance to do that in Germany, so why not do it while you’re in Miami. How long are you here for? Are you here all week?

Felix Jaehn: I’m leaving on Friday, so tomorrow.

New Music.

Adam Turner: Are you going to play anywhere?

Felix Jaehn: I did an appearance together with Alok who’s also going to be here in a bit. We have a single out together, it’s called All The Lies, so that’s why I came basically, to promote that record.

Adam Turner: Fantastic. Let’s jump straight in. I’ve got five questions for you. So, what are the five essential things that you carry in your DJ bag?

View this post on Instagram

Back in my studio! First writing camp of the year starts today

#excitedface

A post shared by FELIX JAEHN (@felixjaehn) on Jan 13, 2019 at 1:30am PST

Felix Jaehn: USB sticks, headphones, ear-savers (ear plugs), […] a generation of MacBook that I need a USBC to USB adapter [laughs]. It’s always in there.

Adam Turner: It sounds like a big bag [laughs].

Felix Jaehn: That’s just four (items on the list) though, isn’t it?

Adam Turner: Sorry. Yeah, you’re right. One more.

Felix Jaehn: ..and then (pause), that’s it. That’s all I need (pause) really [laughs]. I just need four things.

Adam Turner: What is your favorite Emoji?

Felix Jaehn: My favorite Emoji at the moment is the rocket. Because that’s like my vibe, let’s go to the top!

Adam Turner: I like it!

Felix Jaehn: Let’s skyrocket! Let’s go to the top!

Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Jaehn, who came out publicly as bi-sexual to a German newspaper recently, shared a few words to live by “Don’t worry, be happy.”

View this post on Instagram

Back then I spent weeks looking for the right music for my birthday party with thirty friends. I knew exactly what time I wanted to play each song. I thought about how to build the vibe so my friends would hopefully dance. Today I still do the same. For thirty thousand sometimes! This pic just made me remember how far I've come. It's over nine years ago… but I still have the same passion!

A post shared by FELIX JAEHN (@felixjaehn) on Dec 19, 2018 at 5:41am PST

Adam Turner: If you had a time machine, Felix, where would you go? Which decade would you go back to?

Felix Jaehn: I think I wouldn’t go back.

Adam Turner: You’re going to go in the rocket forward?

Felix Jaehn: No, I was going to say I wouldn’t go back very far. I think I would go back to my childhood actually.

Adam Turner: When was that?

Felix Jaehn: I would go back like 15 years ago now, when I was like nine years old and just tell this little kid that everything’s gonna be okay, and don’t worry, and just be happy.

View this post on Instagram

I had a chat with @attitudemag!

'Before releasing and touring his debut studio album, I, Felix finally took a break from his hectic schedule and decided the time had come to come out publicly as bisexual. Inspired by contempories like Troye Sivan and Olly Alexander, he did so in February this year, telling a German newspaper he was ready to find "the person I want to share my life with, man or woman.“ Nine months on from that announcement, Attitude's Will Stroude caught up with Felix […] to find out how his life has changed for him since, and how the search for Miss or Mister Right is going…'

A post shared by FELIX JAEHN (@felixjaehn) on Nov 4, 2018 at 2:43am PST

Adam Turner: Who do you stalk the most on Instagram?

Felix Jaehn: I don’t know. Who do I stalk? I don’t really stalk people. Like, there must be someone (thinking that) I ‘stalk’ right? Like, nobody believes me [laughs]. I must say, I don’t stalk [laughs].

Adam Turner: You know, when you hand over your phone to someone like ‘oh! Look at this on Instagram’ and they look at the who like the top follower is…

Felix Jaehn: Let me see who’s on top right now. It’s usually the artist that I collaborate with at the moment because I want to stay up to date with what they’re doing. I don’t use Instagram privately a lot because…..yeah, it’s NOTD at the moment, we have a song out together, it’s called So Close. There you go! [laughs]

Adam Turner: Oh! By the way, that’s an amazing record! I’m a big fan of it, it’s really good. I heard it on the radio in L.A. just last week.

Felix Jaehn: Sick! I heard it on the Uber here last night and I was really happy. Like, I asked the Uber driver ‘Do you like this song?’ I went all in.

Adam Turner: Last one (question) on the Take 5. What career path do you think you would have gone down if you didn’t do music?

Felix Jaehn: I would have gone down a business career path, but I think I would’ve realized quite soon that it’s not the right thing for me to do because I would have done it just because that’s what my parents do.

And if music [does not] work out anymore at some point, which I don’t believe (so) because I’m doing great, and I have so much music coming up, and I don’t want to stop. But I would like to become a youth care worker at some point, and just work with kids and hopefully inspire them and share my values and all of that.

2017, Sorry, 2019 And Beyond.

Adam Turner: That’s fantastic! That’s Take 5, now tell me, what is 2017 (look like)? You’ve got a track out of the moment…

Felix Jaehn: 2017? Is that your time-machine vibes still going on [laughs].

Adam Turner: I don’t know why I did that, what is ….

Felix Jaehn: Why would you like to go back to 2017? What happened that year that you love it so, so much? [laughs]

Adam Turner: That year was quite good for me. I was happy with that (year)…. 2019, what’s going on for you this year?

Felix Jaehn: It’s a lot of music basically. Like last year… everybody always says line [laughs].

Adam Turner: Yeah, they do.

View this post on Instagram

Back in my studio! First writing camp of the year starts today

#excitedface

A post shared by FELIX JAEHN (@felixjaehn) on Jan 13, 2019 at 1:30am PST

Felix Jaehn: But last year [I was] songwriting so, so much. I’ve been to L.A. for two weeks, London two weeks, Stockholm two weeks. I do songwriting camps at my little village in Germany and I invite songwriters to come over.

And, what’s new for me? I’m also co-writing all the songs and I’m involved with (lyrically). Even though I’m a DJ-producer, I try to make the songs as personal as possible. So, my next single is going to be about self-love for example. All those things that [were] going on in my head growing up […] I try to bring them into my songs and share the vibes.

He’ll Be Back.

Adam Turner: Fantastic, that sounds great. Are you going on the road? Are you deejaying? [Where] are you playing?

Felix Jaehn: Yeah, I’m playing a lot. I’m actually going to Dubai next week, then it’s Tokyo, Bali coming up. A lot of European shows, then there’s actually some U.S. shows confirmed already as well: San Francisco, Las Vegas. And in September, we just blocked off the entire month to do a U.S. Tour. I’m going to be here all September and I’m going to try to go everywhere!

Adam Turner: Fantastic! It sounds like you’ve got a crazy 2019.

Felix Jaehn: Yeah, it’s going to be big.

Adam Turner: Yeah, it sounds great! Felix, thank you so much for joining us in the Nexus Lounge, have a great Miami, and I will come and ….are you spinning this week?

Felix Jaehn: No, I don’t have another show coming up here.

Adam Turner: Did you play already?

Felix Jaehn: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Adam Turner: Damn! I missed it.

Felix Jaehn: But we’ll be back!

The interview.

from Dance Music – Nexus Radio http://bit.ly/2L4SjcR

[writingguide003-blog]

Does a hit song really need 9 writers?

New Post has been published on https://writingguideto.com/must-see/does-a-hit-song-really-need-9-writers/

Does a hit song really need 9 writers?

Image copyright Atlantic Records

Image caption Rudimental, Dan Caplen, Jess Glynne and Macklemore – just some of the writers on These Days

Rudimental’s uplifting dance track These Days has been named the most-performed song of 2018 at the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards.

A major international hit, it topped charts across Europe, and became the UK’s fifth best-selling single of 2018.

But their prize had to be shared between nine writers – a phenomenon that’s become increasingly common.

According to research by Music Week, it took an average of 5.34 people to write last year’s Top 100 biggest singles.

That’s up from 4.84 in 2017, and 4.53 the year before. So what’s going on?

“It’s a sign of the times,” says Jamie Scott, who wrote the first draft of These Days in a shed at the bottom of his garden.

“You go into a [songwriting] session and there are five people in a session and, if everyone is doing a great job, then there’s going to be five people on the credits.

“And if they’re not, then next time there are going to be four people in the session.”

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Scott says songwriting teams have blossomed because streaming services demand a constant supply of new material: An artist who wants to stay at the front of fans’ minds needs to put out more new music, more frequently, than at any other time in pop history.

“You need songs out there – literally one a month for streaming,” he says.

“It’s a business and people want a great product. That’s what we’re here to do – and that’s why you’ll find six or seven or even 12 writers on a song.”

It can go even higher than that. Anne Marie’s 2002 has 18 writers; Drake’s Nice For What lists 22; and Travis Scott’s Sicko Mode credits a staggering 30 people, each of whom receives a wafer-thin slice of the royalties.

Song ‘skeletons’

To be fair, all of those tracks contain samples and/or lyrical fragments of other songs, whose writers receive a mandatory credit in the post-Blurred Lines era of copyright litigation.

But co-writing culture is so ingrained that even singer-songwriters like George Ezra and Lewis Capaldi take a helping hand in the studio, albeit on a more one-to-one basis.

“I often write with other people and I always enjoy it,” says James Blunt, whose last album had collaborations with seasoned hitmakers like Ryan Tedder (Adele, Beyonce) and Johnny McDaid (Ed Sheeran, Snow Patrol).

“I still write very much from the heart but it’s nice to have someone to show me the elusive fourth chord – otherwise I’d always just be repeating the same three.”

Carly Rae Jepsen wrote 200 songs for her new album

How many writers does a hit song need?

Ryan Tedder slams ‘ludicrous’ copyright cases

For pop star Dua Lipa, working with co-writers helped her learn her craft at the start of her career.

“I was always able to write – essays and poetry – but I never really sat down to write a song,” she says.

“So when I started going into the studio, I learned a lot from the co-writers that were coming in to help me – the bones of how to write a proper song.

“But now I feel able to take the lead.”

Image copyright Dua Lipa / Instagram

Image caption Dua Lipa and Silk City’s hit single Electricity credits 10 writers – but she wrote the bulk of the song in the studio with Mark Ronson and Diplo

Songwriting sessions aren’t for everyone, however.

After making two records in a Glaswegian basement, pop trio Chvrches attended a songwriting camp to see if it could bring a new dimension to their third album, 2018’s Love Is Dead.

“These guys were writing a track and we were bouncing ideas around when a couple of producers came in and kind of sprinkled a chorus on,” recalls singer Lauren Mayberry.

“And then they left… We were just like, ‘What just happened? Have they gone to the toilet? Are they coming back?’

“But no, they’d left like ‘Boof! There’s your chorus. Goodbye’.

“That song did not make it any further.”

Personal touch

Let’s Eat Grandma, whose psych-pop opus I’m All Ears was up for album of the year at the Ivor Novellos, have also shunned writing camps.

“When that many people get involved, everyone is almost competing for their ideas to be heard,” says singer Rosa Walton. “It makes it hard to be honest and open.”

“If you’ve got really personal songs, you don’t really want to share them with people you don’t know that well,” agrees her bandmate Jenny Hollingworth, “because then you can’t really be yourself.”

That’s exactly why Olly Alexander (largely) avoided co-writers on Years and Years’ recent album Palo Santo,

“I don’t really want to sing a song someone else has written,” he says. “I have to be the person who writes the lyrics and who writes the top line [melody].

“I wouldn’t feel comfortable otherwise.”

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Dance producer Jax Jones, who’s scored top 10 hits with Breathe and You Don’t Know Me, says the proliferation of writing credits often obscures the fact that songs originate with one or two people, who will ultimately take the lion’s share of royalties.

“When I’ve had experience of writing in LA, you might get a killer song but as a producer, I’ll be like, ‘Alright, I need a better part here’.

“And I know someone who’s incredible at writing a verse, or a bridge, so I’m going to call them and get them involved.

“But that’s traditional record making,” he argues. “Quincy Jones works like that, Kanye West works like that. It’s amalgamating all these incredible talents, and that’s why you get incredible records.”

That’s pretty much a template for how These Days came together. It was originally written by up-and-coming R&B singer Dan Caplen in a session with the team behind One Direction’s Drag Me Down – Jamie Scott, Julian Bunetta and John Ryan.

He sent it to his label, who passed it on to Rudimental. The band liked the song and did some additional production work, earning each of their four members a share of the rights.

Finally, US rapper Macklemore was asked to contribute a guest verse – resulting in a ninth, and final, credit.

Caplen admits the figure looks ridiculous but says the song “needed a little Midas touch to make it what it is today”.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Dan Caplen says any hit single needs the “perfect mix” of hard work and inspiration

In general, however, Caplen prefers to work with a smaller team.

“You know when there’s too many cooks in the kitchen? I say three or four maximum,” says the 27-year-old.

But the real question is whether the climate of co-writing genuinely affects what we hear.

“A film isn’t necessarily more enjoyable if it’s based on a true story. Likewise, a song isn’t necessarily any better or any more heartfelt, or convincing, because it was written by the singer,” wrote Bob Stanley in his peerless history of pop, Yeah Yeah Yeah.

And Natasha Khan, aka Bat For Lashes, argues the modern hit factory isn’t too different from the 1960s, when teams like Dozier-Holland-Dozier wrote timeless soul classics in the back room of Motown Records.

“Five writers seems like a lot,” she says. “It feels like it’s manufacturing something.

“But if a great pop song comes out of it then, why not?”

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Related Topics

Ivor Novello Awards

Music

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk

[grapsandclaps]

Graps and Claps does Guest Blogs Part 3 - True Grit Wrestling

Hello everyone!  Ben Corrigan here, feeling very honoured to have been invited back to present another guest edition of #GrapsAndClaps.   My last stint as a GUEST GRAP CLAPPER was a few weeks ago when I told you about my trip to 3CW; you can read all about that one (as well as a bit of background on myself) here: https://grapsandclaps.tumblr.com/post/165973966028/graps-and-claps-does-guest-blogs-the-755-show. This return edition will focus on my recent visit to True Grit Wrestling, held at Fibber’s in York last Saturday (21 October 2017).  This was my 59th live wrestling show of 2017, with the big 6-0 coming the following night in Leeds at TIDAL Wrestling (which I’m sure your regular #GrapsAndClaps host Andy will be along to tell you all about shortly).   This one wasn’t really an “away day” for me: it was the local-est of local graps, taking place a mere 10 minute walk from my front door.  Thanks to Storm Brian, however, that brief walk was cold, wet, windy and rather unpleasant, though did give me chance to consider whether “Brian Storm” would be a good wrestler name (I concluded that no, it would not…). The venue itself, Fibbers, is a noted live music spot in York.   I used to come to this building years ago when it was ‘Toffs’ nightclub.  It’s since been ‘Tokyo’ and ‘Tru’, and as of a couple of years ago now plays host Fibbers at the back, York’s Barvarian-styled Bierkeller at the front and a, erm, “gentleman’s club” club upstairs.  While regular readers of this blog will be horrified, the local nature of this show meant that I hadn’t planned on visiting any of the local drinking establishments beforehand.   Given the inclement weather, though, there was no chance of me queuing outside so I popped into the aforementioned Bierkeller to dry out and wet one’s whistle.  In true bierkeller fashion, they offer a variety of German beers served as either pints or steins.  I was tempted by the Warsteiner, but settled on the Lowenbrau at a reasonable £4.40 a pint.  Wunderbar. As for True Grit Wrestling, they originally started running shows in Leeds nightclubs in 2014, then moved to Wakefield for a single event, before stopping altogether when that venue became unavailable.  Those original shows were effectively the “big grown up sister” events to West Yorkshire-based GRAPPLE Wrestling, very strong on in-ring action and featuring many of the top names in northern BritWres.  GRAPPLE itself has been running Fibbers for over a year now, with the shows there recently rebranding under the returning True Grit banner.   As a university city, they’d put effort into marketing the show to students and it paid off, with the biggest crowd I have seen packed into that venue (150, I’d say), mainly young adults treating it as a night out.  It’s an ‘intimate’ setting for wrestling, with the all-standing crowd gathered looking down on the ring, which is set low down in a pit (the ‘dancefloor’).  The room and set-up doesn’t offer great sight lines unless you manage to get to the front of the standing areas (as a gig venue, it’s mainly intended for everyone to see the stage, not low on the floor), so it’s worth getting there a little early if you can.   I was lucky enough to get a decent vantage point (though next to the constant dripping of the leaking roof…), but with the strong attendance on this occasion there were plenty that were struggling to see. Inside waiting for the show to begin, we were treated to a soundtrack of WWE themes both old and current, including Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Kane, AJ Styles (that had people singing along!), Evolution, Los Guerreros, Ember Moon, Sanity and more.  There was chance to go to the bar, which has everything from your usual draft lagers to an impressive selection of bottled real ales and canned craft beers.   I started on the Goose IPA at £4.80 a pint (“One!” “Two!” “GOOSE!”  No.), before later moving onto Becks Vier (£3.90) until it ran out halfway through the show, pushing me onto the Stella Artois (also £3.90). The show itself opened with ring announcer Ricc “Dombrowski” (the name being a spoof on the former 1PW commentator) introducing Danny O’Doherty as the “host” for the show.  He was really good in this role, drinking beer, engaging with the audience, chipping in with comments before each match and leading chants during them.   He set the tone for the show as being a fun night out and encouraged people to get involved.  Good stuff. The first match saw The Evil Within (Sean Only & BA Rose) retain their GRAPPLE Tag Team Championship (or, to quote what is hilariously misspelt on the rather-crap-looking title belts, the “CHAMPIONATOS DE PAREJAS”…) over ‘Amazing’ Matt Myers and Ace Matthews.   The match was good, with Evil Within beating down their opponents and Myers & Matthews making spirited comebacks.  Rose reminds me of a mini Dave Mastiff, not only in the looks department but also with much of his offence (back sentons and cannonballs).  It was Only that scored the fall, though, pinning Ace after a curb stomp. The next match started off as a friendly bout between popular fan favourites the “Bhangra Bad Boy” Amir Jordan and “Hot-Blooded” Dom Black.  Black is pushed as “York’s Own”, and he did have his vocal fan club in the crowd there specifically to see him.  He’s a talented young performer that shows a lot of potential.  All friendliness came to a halt a few minutes later, though, as “Your Naan’s Favourite Wrestler” faked an injury as an opportunity to get a jump on Dom.   From that point on it was a heated brawl, with the entertaining Jordan showing annoyance at the audience’s support of Black.  The pair brawled out into the crowd, and referee Mark Rolls had no choice but to count them both out.  It was at this point that it was revealed that True Grit’s return date would be 20 January 2018, featuring a championship tournament with tonight’s matches acting as qualifiers.  As Black and Jordan were both counted-out, it was announced that both would be in that tournament.   So, the rivalry is to be continued, by the looks of it.  I like that they’re building some rivalries now that they seem to be running here semi-regularly – it always makes the matches more interesting than basic goodie vs. baddie. Next, former Super League player Luke Menzies showed off his power in dominating and beating Olly and Bradley (apologies, I missed their surnames) in a handicap match.  I’ve been incredibly impressed with Menzies on the few times I’ve seen him now; as I mentioned in my last appearance in #GrapsAndClaps he looks to have all the tools and aptitude to be a star in this business.   So this match was basically him just launching these two kids all over the place with ease and it was BRILLIANT.  Luke quickly put them out of their misery with a huge powerslam.  Consider me well and truly aboard the Luke Menzies train. The final match of the first half was billed as a “RI:SE guest match”, where WWE:UK’s MUSCLECAT Saxon Huxley bested Joe Vega with a shoulderbreaker.  RISE runs gritty cool-looking “underground”-type shows in Leeds gig venues, themed around attitude-fuelled brawling and out-of-control action.   They have a show coming up on Saturday 28 October at ‘Temple of Boom’, so that got a heavy plugging here.  I do want to check out a RISE show, as they are pretty local to me and do look very cool and chaotic in a good way, but they always tend to clash with other shows I’m already attending (as is the case with their show next week, as I’ll be in London for wXw that day). Vega was a regular on the north-west scene a number of years ago, but then had a long spell out with injury.  He was good here as the arrogant little prick.  Much of what Musclecat does is basic, but I noticed that he does do those basics very well indeed; he’s a solid and capable wrestler.  Danny O’Doherty spent most of this one leading chants of “JESUS!  JESUS!” over the microphone, based on Saxon’s biblical appearance. After an interval in which drinks were refilled and raffle tickets were bought, Boris Koslov beat The Pop Punk Kid in a colourful and entertaining contest with the air raid crash.  Boris, an alter-ego of longtime British wrestling personality JC Thunder, is no longer the “Russian Nightmare”, but a dancing, drinking friendly Russian party animal.  PPK is billed from Chicago and came out with a box of pizza to match his pepperoni pizza tights.   This match was daft but also loads of fun, with pizza getting thrown around (and out into the crowd) and Boris Cossack dancing and swigging from his vodka bottle to power-up his moves. A number of lounge chairs were brought into the ring next (then taken out… then put back in…), together with a potted plant, for a segment only described as “SPEED DATING WITH COWBOY JOHN PARKER”.   Cowboy John Parker is a manager on GRAPPLE/TGW shows, and wears a cowboy hat and cowboy boots.  Like a cowboy, you see.  He also fancies himself as a bit of a lothario, so this was about bringing out some of the female wrestlers (including Ruby Radley and Evee Black) for him to “woo”.  Instead, he insulted each of them in turn, before Evee smacked him round the head, called the segment “the most degrading thing I’ve ever been involved with in wrestling… and that’s saying something…” and challenged Parker to a match on the next show.   This whole thing was nowhere near as cringeworthy as I thought it could be; a daft bit of throwaway fun. Before the next match, in which THE LION KINGS Seb Strife & Nsereko beat Bison Reid and (a partner whose name I didn’t catch), it was time for that all-important raffle, often the highlight of a British wrestling show.  Starting a theme that would last all weekend, I only went and won the top bloomin’ prize – a family ticket to the 20 January return show.  So there.  The match itself was fine, a good showcase for the Lion Kings and featuring plenty of “RRRAAAAARRRR”ing.  Oh, and Bison Reid is literally the best name for a wrestler. The main event was a rematch from the last True Grit show in Fibbers, in which Martin Kirby had defeated ‘The Grafter’ to relieve him of the GRAPPLE Championship.  This return match was a streetfight, and while neither man “brought their jeans” for the occasion, it did involve an entire bagful of Poundland’s Halloween toys, including a severed hand which made a wonderfully satisfying noise when Kirby used it to chop Graves.  Being a streetfight, it was quite fitting that they went outside Fibbers and FOUGHT, on the STREET.  Most of the audience ran outside to watch, but I stayed inside and waited for it all to calm down…  Sure enough, they fought back to the ring, where they bumped the referee and Kirby hit a Sablebomb on top of a pumpkin for a desperate nearfall.  I am not making this up.  After surviving such devastation, Graves hit Kirby with a spear to win back his belt. And that was that.  Actually, no it wasn’t, because the show closed with a massive brawl between all the guys in the 20 January tournament and more.  Referees & trainees couldn’t separate them, and it was only when the onlooking Big T Justice jumped in to lend a hand that everyone thought “f*ck that” and wisely backed down. And THAT was that.   A fun little show that I really enjoyed, and I’ll likely be back for the 20 January championship tournament show (I did win the raffle, after all).  Good local undergraps.  Some good upcoming talented performers in a good atmosphere. And nothing that could be described as “bad”.  You can find out more about that show and True Grit Wrestling in general on Facebook and at @TrueGriPromote on Twitter.  As for me, you can read more about my adventures at @BritWresAwayDay and maybe one day back in another guest edition of this blog… Until then, keep supporting Andy and #GrapsAndClaps, and I’ll see you out there!

[raywritesthings]

What Have They Lost 2/?

My Writing Fandom: Arrow, The Flash Characters: Barry Allen, Iris West, Laurel Lance, Oliver Queen, Thea Queen, Connor Hawke, Ted Grant, Quentin Lance Pairings: Barry Allen/Iris West, Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen Summary: "I can definitely tell you that there’s a way we’re going to bring [Laurel] back and she’s going to be alive and well. And Flashpoint might have a little bit to do with that.“ -Wendy Mericle AKA: The AU where that wasn’t a blatant lie, and Flashpoint has bigger repercussions for Barry’s friends and allies than he first realized. *Also can be read on my AO3*

Oliver’s life was rarely dull ever since he boarded the Queen’s Gambit back in ‘07 with both of his parents and lost them to the sea, but the last few years particularly had had their ups and downs.

One of those big ups was Connor. Even if the kid could be a handful sometimes. But that was better than when he’d first got here.

Oliver stepped forward and ripped the arrowheads from the wall that were keeping Barry held back and handed the line off to Connor. “Not bad placement.”

Connor beamed up at him. “Thanks, dad.”

He reached out and ruffled his son’s hair, looking back to Barry with a grin of his own. “He’s getting almost as good as me.”

“Yeah, that’s- that’s good,” Barry said, staring at Connor with the weirdest look on his face.

Connor seemed to notice it, too, for he shrunk back a little. “I think I’ll go meditate for a bit. Let you two talk about whatever.”

Oliver nodded, seeing his son off before rounding back on Barry. “Want to explain anything?”

“It’s, um, complicated. Look, Oliver, can you just answer a couple questions without asking me why I don’t know the answers already?”

He raised an eyebrow, but said, “Alright, shoot.”

“Connor is your son.”

“Not a question, Barry.”

“I know, but he’s...he’s gotta be like fifteen, doesn’t he?”

Oliver looked down, grimacing. “He’s fourteen.” He didn’t need to look up to know there was a follow up question on Barry’s lips. “We all know I screwed around, okay? Can we leave it at that?”

He’d been sixteen and stupid, sneaking into a college party with his best friend, Tommy Merlyn. Tommy had played wingman for him with a college girl named Sandra, and they’d fallen into bed with more alcohol in them than was wise. He’d forgotten the condom, or ripped it in his clumsiness, or something. He couldn’t remember anymore. He’d put the night out of his mind for almost twelve years.

Sandra hadn’t, of course. She’d gotten pregnant with an underage boy’s baby. And so she’d disappeared, she’d had to. Back to her father’s ranch in Idaho. And only when Connor was old enough to know the truth about his father had he come looking for him, turning Oliver’s whole world upside-down.

Maybe Barry hadn’t gotten all the dirty details when he’d first met Connor, but he’d got the gist. So what was the deal?

“And you don’t have any other sons?” Barry asked next.

“Not that I know of. Barry, are you going to tell me what the point of this is? What does this have to do with — who’d you ask me about?”

“Laur- Dinah,” Barry corrected himself. “She goes by Dinah, and maybe you’ve heard some of her music, but uh—”

“Oh,” said Oliver. “You mean the singer? With the- what’s that band called — Bats or Birds or something?”

“Yeah,” said Barry, though he didn’t look all that happy they’d gotten on the same page. “Do you know her?”

“I know of her. Wouldn’t mind getting to know her,” he mused aloud. She was something else from the occasional photo or poster he’d seen. Those legs in those fishnets...

Barry coughed.

Oliver blinked and came back to himself. “Well, what about her, Barry?”

“It’s kind of hard to explain,” the speedster hedged. “Felicity didn’t happen to talk to you after I saw her a couple weeks ago, did she?”

Oliver frowned. “Barry, you know she doesn’t talk to me unless she has to anymore, right?”

Barry’s eyes went wide. “Wait, what? You’re not saying the breakup went worse?”

He gave a small snort. “Yeah, breakup. It was one date, Barry.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Because Connor came to me right after, and I was busy trying to verify if what he was telling me was the truth, remember? I asked you to run a paternity test?”

Barry’s head hung back. “And Felicity found out after and got upset and broke up with you?”

“Yes, except I did the breaking up. I’d just found out I had a kid, I wasn’t at all in a good place to be starting a relationship.” Truthfully, he was kind of glad things had worked out that way. He liked Felicity well enough, but at times they just couldn’t relate. He’d thought about dating her mostly because she was one of the few who knew his secret; it would’ve been practical. But love wasn’t practical. He’d been kidding himself.

Oliver shook his head. “Is there a reason you’ve developed selective amnesia?”

“There is. It’s just, I’m not sure how much I should say.”

“Well, if it’s about Connor, then I need to know. I’m his father, Barry.”

He stared the younger man down, who shifted uneasily.

“What do you know about time travel?”

“That you can do it? Or that speedsters can, I guess.”

“Okay.” Barry took a deep breath. “The thing is, I sort of time traveled this last spring and as a result some things changed.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Well, like, um, some things about your life and the people you know. It’s not all bad. I mean, Laurel’s still — Dinah, I mean. Dinah’s still...and Digg’s okay! I didn’t see anything about Thea, either.”

Oliver blinked. “Who’s Thea?”

Barry snapped out of his babbling, a lingering smile on his face. “Oliver, come on. Thea. Thea Queen? Your sister?”

“Barry, that’s not funny.”

“I’m not trying to be — Oh God. Does she not...exist? I — no, that can’t be right. I- I gotta go.”

And with one last horrified look, Barry was gone in a rush of wind. Oliver sat down hard, putting his head in his hands. What had just happened?

Barry had messed with time, and now something about Oliver’s life had him spooked. But it was his life. It didn’t feel strange or wrong to him. Was he just thinking that because that was how things had always been.

And what did a literal rockstar have to do with it? There was no way he could be connected to someone like her. His whole team never stopped reminding him of what a dork he was.

Oliver shook his head and left the base for the upstairs loft he shared with Connor. Owning the whole building did come with some perks.

Connor looked up from where he was sitting cross-legged on the couch, taking deep, even breaths. Oliver raised a hand. “Don’t let me interrupt you.”

“It’s okay. I just got here five minutes before you did.”

Oliver paused, then shook his head. He should have figured his son would’ve listened in. “Alright. What do you think? Uncle Barry’s gone round the bend?”

Connor made a face. “Doesn’t seem like he wants to be my uncle.”

Oliver’s smile dropped. “Connor, no. It’s not you, it’s speedsters. You know how big picture they get, zipping up and down through time. Makes me glad not to be one.” He settled down on the couch beside Connor. “Give Barry some time to readjust, and I’m sure it’ll be fine. And if not, I’ll be talking to Iris.”

If anyone had a problem with his son, he’d go to whoever he had to to set it right. Oliver couldn’t even fathom a world without his kid now, imperfect as their relationship had started out. He wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Connor smirked briefly, though it fell as he asked, “Dad, do you really have a sister?”

“I…”

He wanted to say no. Before today, he would have said so without thinking. But Barry’s confusion about the past had him thinking of his own past, of those dark, bygone years.

His mother wasting away in the liferaft, muttering feverishly into his shoulder as she clung to him. “Oh, my babies. My babies…”

“I’m right here, mom.”

“My beautiful boy. Keep her safe. Robert, Robert mustn’t know…”

“Know what, mom? Mom?”

She hadn’t responded, slipping into unconsciousness from which she never awoke.

He wrapped an arm around Connor’s shoulders to ward off the dark mood that usually came along with such recollections. “Honestly, I don’t know. There was a lot that my parents chose not to tell me. Not until the end.”

And if he did have a sister? All these years, he had failed his mother’s last request, to keep her safe. If she was even real.

He squeezed Connor tight for a moment before standing. “I’m going to be busy looking through the old family papers for a couple days, okay?”

“You want any help?”

“Nah, it’ll be boring. You keep up with your target practice.” He reached out and ruffled his son’s hair. “Since you’re determined to join me out on the field.”

“Okay, okay.” Connor brought up his hands to fend off the attack, so Oliver left for the kitchen to get started on making a late dinner.

He put on a pot of coffee for good measure. He was going to be pulling a lot of late nights.

—-

Mia wiped off the bartop with a rag as a young couple left their seats to head out into the evening air. There were a couple bucks left under an empty glass, and she quickly stuffed them into her bra. Better to keep track of tips than leave them lying around.

There was chatter from the booths and music blaring overhead. Larry was already taking up his end of the bar. Just another evening.

She felt a sort of charge to the air for a moment, and the ends of her hair whipped around her face. Quickly as it had happened, it stopped. Mia blinked and shook her head.

The front door opened and a man staggered through, making straight for her at the bar. He’d be cute if he didn’t look half-crazed.

“Okay. You’re still here. That’s- that’s good. Ollie’s not gonna kill me now.”

Mia arched a single eyebrow. “Can I help you?”

“No, that’s okay. I’ve just been looking the last two days. Between work and everything else, had to do it in stages,” he explained. “Actually, can I get a water?”

“Sure.”

Mia got it for him with growing bemusement, especially when he gulped it down and asked for another.

“You gonna actually buy anything?”

“Uh, no. Actually, I don’t drink. But, uh, I could tip you?” He added when she gave him a look.

“Yes, you could.”

He got out his wallet. “So, just to be sure, we’ve never met before, right? You have no idea who I am?”

“No. Should I?” Oh God, it’d be just her luck that this guy was from her druggie days.

He shrugged. “Depends how you look at it. I’m Barry.”

“Mia.”

His face scrunched up. “Mia?”

“Yeah, what about it?” She dropped a hand to her hip and snatached up the dollar he’d just laid on the counter.

“Nothing. But I guess it explains earlier.”

She wanted to ask him about that. She wanted to ask him about a lot of things, actually.

“Hey, can I get a scotch or what?” Larry called out, and Mia groaned in the back of her throat.

“Yeah, Larry.”

She pulled down another glass and poured out the drink. She was tempted to water it down a bit, but even sloshed he would probably notice. Mia scooped up the dollar tip he slapped down as she set the drink in front of Larry, then walked back down to the other end of the bar where her new friend sat.

“Did you just call that guy Larry?”

Mia shrugged. “Yeah, what about it?”

“But he’s…” Barry shook his head. “What can you tell me about him?”

“Just that he’s a regular. Why, what’s it to you? Wanna buy him a drink?”

“Um, no. Maybe. He’s here a lot then? Doesn’t he have family or something?”

Mia snorted. “That’s cute that you think people just ‘have family’ lying around waiting to take care of them.”

“Well. Don’t you?”

Mia froze for a moment, then turned to the rack of washed glasses while ripping a clean rag out of the bag they kept under the counters.

“Mia, what do you know about Oliver Queen?”

She snorted. “What, the trust fund brat they fished out of the ocean a few years ago? Heard he’s got a kid, doesn’t he?”

“He does, yeah. What about his parents?”

“They’re dead, aren’t they?” This guy was making less sense than the drunks.

“They are, but what else about them?” He had something pulled up on his phone, a news article or wiki page by the looks of it. “What about Moira Dearden Queen?”

“Her name’s Dearden?”

“Her maiden name, yeah.”

“Okay,” she said, forcing a laugh. “What’s the joke?”

“What do you mean?”

She leaned forward and muttered, “I mean, that’s my name. Mia Dearden.” A thought hit her. “Tell me you’re not gonna use that to stalk me.”

“No. No, I’m not trying to stalk anybody! I’m just trying to make something right. Something I screwed up.” He dragged both hands through his hair. “And there isn’t really a way I can explain why without sounding crazy.”

The door opened, and Mia looked up. “Oh my God.”

“I know, I probably do sound crazy already,” Barry groaned. “Iris tried to warn me.”

“No, not you.” Mia swatted at his arm impatiently. “Is that- I mean, maybe she’s just a lookalike—”

“Who?” Barry started to turn around in his seat.

“Don’t just stare!” She hissed, as she stared at the blonde walking across the room to the end of the bar. She didn’t sit down, instead stopping by...Larry’s chair?

“I’m not crazy, right? That’s Dinah from Birds of Prey.”

“Sure is,” Barry said with a grimace.

Mia only barely held in a squeal.

—

Dinah stepped off the train and drew in a deep breath. Yep, same old Star.

“You sure you don’t wanna skip the old man this time? You can always mail him,” Ted suggested.

She shook her head. “This is the only way I can make sure he’s still kicking, Ted.” If barely, she added mentally.

He shouldered both of their duffles and passed her a set of keys. “Alright. Here’s for the apartment. And don’t let him get to you.”

“Nothing gets to me.”

She shrugged deeper into the shoulders of her beat up leather jacket before marching off. It was a fifteen minute walk from the train station to the old walkup, and in that time she was catcalled three times and only stomped on two sets of toes. On her best behavior, really.

She entered the front hall with its sour milk smell to find the old landlord Nichols pounding on her dear old dad’s door. “Lance, I’m warning you this time! You’re three weeks late!”

“Hey.”

He turned and sucked in his gut at the sight of her.

“Oh, uhhh.”

“Give me a minute to get it all squared away, would you?” She smiled with no teeth as she slipped by him and bent to snag the key out from under the threadbare mat. Dinah could feel the old lecher’s eyes on her.

She entered the empty apartment and thumbed through a stack of bills. He was falling behind again.

Dinah took out the envelope of money she’d brought with her, fishing out several twenties before leaving the rest on top of the bills. Then she exited the apartment and locked up.

“Here you go,” she told Nichols sweetly, tucking the bills into his breast pocket. Then with a light shove to get him out of her way, she left the building.

From there, she hit the bars, from closest to furthest. It was in the fifth one that she spotted him hunched over a scotch.

He’d gone totally bald last year, but it was still strange to see. He looked older, frailer somehow even without the scraggly mess that used to sit there. Dinah walked up and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey.”

Her father raised his head from the bar top, bloodshot eyes taking her in before he snorted in disgust. “What’ve I told you about walking around looking like that, huh? You hoping to get jumped?”

Dinah crossed her arms. “I can take care of myself. And I wear what I like.”

“Yeah? Does that Grant like it? Lousy old—”

“I don’t wanna fight about Ted. You know he thinks anyone who isn’t in sweats is just screwing themselves anyway.” She pulled the stool beside his over and sat with her back to the bar, a nonverbal signal she wasn’t interested in what they were selling.

“I ran into Nichols in your building. You’re all paid up.”

He scoffed into his drink. “I don’t need charity.”

“Right, just your rent,” she observed dryly. “Dad, why don’t you let me buy you a house?”

“I just said—”

“It wouldn’t be charity. It’d be, I don’t know.” She pushed her hair back behind one ear. “It could be our house. You know?”

He actually put the glass down. “Our house with you running all over the country? Yeah right. We haven’t had a house since you were eight years old. Bet you wish she’d taken you too, huh? Dinah?”

“Don’t do this here,” she muttered.

“Well, why’d you take back her name?” He accused, turning sideways to face her head on. “Why’re you doing any of this, selling yourself to all these people? You were gonna do something with your life once. Remember that? Always told me you wanted to save the world, just like your pops,” he said, voice breaking on the last word. He swayed a bit on the stool.

“Yeah, well my pops got kicked off the force for drinking and left his daughter in foster care,” she answered stiffly. “You sort of forget about the world when you’re just trying to save yourself.”

He blinked and shrunk back. “Laurel—”

She shrugged off his hand when he tried to reach out. “Go home, dad. You’re only embarrassing yourself.”

She stood and left him sitting there with his drink, heading straight for the door. She didn’t hold out any hopes that he would listen to her advice. He never listened to anybody’s.

Dinah glanced sharply over her shoulder. All she saw was a line of patrons sitting at the bar and a young bartender at the end drying the same glass over and over. She shook her head and left out the front door. Probably just paranoia.

But she could swear someone had been watching her.

—-

Barry shrunk down at the other end of the bar, hoping he hadn’t been spotted. At the sound of the door swinging shut, he relaxed.

“Wow,” Thea — or Mia, he guessed, breathed. “I can’t believe Dinah from Birds of Prey just walked right in here! How does some loser like Larry know her anyway?”

“He’s her father,” Barry said on a sigh.

“What?”

“Or he was. I — this is a mess.”

“How do you know? You friends with her or something?”

“Or something,” he replied.

“Lucky,” said Mia enviously. He wanted to tell her that she had it all wrong, that she was the one who was good friends with Laurel. That they were like sisters, inseparable.

But they weren’t. They were strangers. He was sitting in a sea of strangers.

Barry stood. “Uh, listen, thanks for the water. And- and take care of yourself, okay?”

“Sure.” She gave him another crooked smile like she was trying not to broadcast her thoughts that he was being weird. Then she took his glass and took it over to wash.

There were more piercings in her ear than he thought she’d had. The knuckles on her right hand were bruised. Did she still fight? Did she have a place to stay? Were they okay like this, and was there any way for him to judge it fairly? Some way to stack up the improvements against the drawbacks and put his conscience to rest.

Larry Lance fell off his stool. Barry ducked his head and left the bar. He didn’t think he could offer his help, knowing he’d done this to the man.

Out on the street, he looked both ways, trying to spot Laurel. Or Dinah. For some reason, it was harder for him to think of her that way than the others; maybe because he wanted more than the others for her to be exactly as she’d been before the prison riot, before Darhk, before Oliver and the others had lost her.

Barry didn’t have to search far.

“She said to let her go,” he heard her familiar voice from down the end of an alley. “Or do you need your hearing checked?”

When Barry stopped just outside the entrance of the alley, he found Laurel standing with her arms crossed in front of two men, one of whom was tugging on the arm of another terrified looking woman.

“Hey, this is my girl, alright? Stay out of it,” the man holding the woman at his side said. “Unless you wanna keep my buddy company.”

His friend cracked his knuckles.

“Very cute,” Laurel remarked. Her tone was light, but Barry recognized that stance. Whether she knew it or not, that was the Black Canary.

The second guy advanced menacingly. “I’ll show you cute.”

Just as Barry was preparing to intervene — rush the innocent woman to safety, then deal with these less than exemplary examples of the male species — Laurel made her move.

Only he’d been wrong. It was Siren’s move.

The sound waves crashed into the guy and sent him flying as she screamed, and he rolled to a stop just before the alley wall.

“Jesus!” The first man exclaimed. His supposed woman took off running in his distraction. He picked his friend up off the ground and the two men tore off in the opposite direction.

Laurel stood breathing heavily in the alley, fists clenched at her sides. Then she looked over her shoulder.

Their eyes met. Laurel’s breath stuttered in her chest. Barry gave a slow, disbelieving shake of the head. Then he drew one step back.

Barry ran. He ran all the way to Central, to Joe’s house, and up the stairs. He found himself stopped outside Iris’ door.

It was late, way too late. But he knocked anyway.

Iris answered in mere minutes. Her laptop was sitting open on her bed with her notebook beside it. Her hair sat in a knot on top of her head. The easy smile she wore slipped off her face at the sight of him.

“Bear? What’s wrong?” She reached to touch his arms. “Did you find Thea?”

Mia, Larry, Connor, Dinah — it was wrong, it was all wrong, and he couldn’t fathom the careless damage he’d done.

So he buried his face in the crook of her shoulder and cried.