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gleeincorrectquotes · 4 years ago

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Tbh yeah same. I'd read a whole thing of like all the times someone had a crush on Kurt and the one time that it was 100% mutual - could be real cute

I know there are probably hundreds of these but I kinda like writing so I wrote this for you anon 🙂Please go easy this is like the second fic I’ve ever posted heh

Summary : 5 times one of the guys has a crush on Kurt and 1 time Kurt finds out. Word count : 878 words

Artie

For the record, Artie finds everyone hot.

Just because he occasionally finds himself staring at Kurt Hummel’s butt or his really long eyelashes or his long legs or his..... it doesn’t mean he’s gay!

Bros sometimes stare at other bro’s behinds, okay? Especially when they’re just so.... nice to look at. Artie just doesn’t stare at Finn or Puck or Mike or Matt’s butts because they’re not as nice.

That’s all it is.

Definitely...

Tina can never know.

Matt

Matt likes Kurt. He likes his funny clothes and his cute smile and the way he instinctively touches his hair when he’s nervous.

He also really likes his voice. Not just the way he sings, but his voice in general. It has a nice, calming quality to it. Matt’s ears tend to be drawn to it and sometimes he feels like he could spot Kurt in the middle of a crowded hallway if he was just whispering.

But Kurt deserves someone out and proud and loud like him. Someone that can stand up for him at school in the hallways and in glee club. So Matt decides he’ll just admire from afar.

He’ll get over his crush eventually, and if he doesn’t? There’s always next year.

Puck

It’s not like a thing, okay?

It’s just that since Puck starting trying the whole supportive baby daddy thing with Quinn, he’s gotten no action. Nothing, Nada, not even hand stuff.

So when Hummel starts parading around in that cheerio outfit.... it does something to him.

The pants are way too tight and it turns out Kurt might be more jacked than he realised and just... damn!

But he’s not even gay. He doesn’t wanna spend his Friday nights watching obscure musicals and singing show tunes with the guy all of a sudden.

There’s a big difference between being gay and wanting to know what it’d be like to give Hummel a hickey, alright??

It’s totally not a thing.

Mike

Okay, Mike’s dating Tina and he loves her and he thinks she’s the hottest thing on the planet Earth. And Kurt might just be the second.

He’s not sure when but at some point when Mike was away at Asian Camp, Kurt Hummel got hot.

Maybe it’s his clothes? Or the way he’s started doing his hair?? It doesn’t matter really because at the end of the day it’s just distracting damn it.

And he feels guilty as heck, isn’t this some kind of cheating??

He needs to talk to someone, but who? What if Tina broke up with him? Or Finn was forced to beat him up out of obligation for crushing on his sort-of step bro?? No, it’s better Mike keeps it to himself, it’ll blow over.

He’s just hoping it happens before he helps Kurt with the dancing for his solo duet next week...

Sam

It’s never been that big of a deal to Sam, who he liked. So what if he sometimes dreamed about making out with both Zelda and Link? But apparently at McKinley, it’s a bigger deal than he thought.

Kurt seems cool, though. And he sings like really, really well so they just might be able to win this competition. (He’s not exactly bad on the eyes either)

He’s actually a little bummed when Kurt calls it off. Sam guesses Finn has something to do with it, whatever that guy’s deal is.

Then Kurt rocks that stage by himself, in makeup too. And wow, Sam is way more attracted to that than he should be.

Maybe once he’s got his rep up a little something could happen there. Until then he’s got a date with a pretty cheerleader and he’s gotta try and find a way to dodge that Santana girl, she seemed pretty upset about losing.

Blaine

Blaine always thought when he met his soulmate he would know instantly. He’d just feel it in his body.

When he meets Kurt on that staircase he doesn’t feel much of anything. Sure his palms go a little sweaty but that’s just his awkward body’s natural response to seeing a pretty boy. Mostly he’s just suspicious, because this kid definitely isn’t a new Dalton addition.

But as time goes on, and they start getting to know each other something just sort of happens... Somehow between helping Kurt with his bullying situation and right this second, watching him perform Blackbird, something changes.

He feels dizzy, like he’s been hit with these emotions all at once, but at the same time like they’ve been there forever. It’s like he’s meeting Kurt all over again. That’s when he’s knows it, Kurt’s his soulmate.

And he’s never been this excited before. He’s also never been this terrified before. Because he’s never done this before, and he’s already rejected Kurt once. But he needs to tell him, if not just so Kurt can have the satisfaction of rejecting him back.

But then he doesn’t reject him. He lets Blaine kiss him and keep kissing him until a faculty member walks in and threatens to call their parents.

And then Blaine remembers Mr Hummel.

The man who’s place of work Blaine barged into and insisted he teach his son about safe sex. His son who is now Blaine’s sort-of boyfriend.

Oh no.

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peterstanslizzie · 4 years ago

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Re-watching Lizzie Mcguire: Episode 2.8 (Inner Beauty)

Miranda and Lizzie making detention fun

- Gordo wants to expand his filmmaking repertoire and so, he wants to shoot his own music video for the song, ‘Us Against The World’ by Play, starring his best friends, Lizzie and Miranda whom are both practicing their dance moves in Lizzie’s living room:

“Britney, Britney, Janet and J Lo” vs “ Brtiney, Janet, Janet...”

- The both of them then take a snack break to which Gordo get all concerned about because he thinks they’re not taking his new venture seriously. Relax Gordo, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break lol.

- In school the next day, we see Miranda being upset about getting a B on a recent Science test. She basically feels like she’s coming up short, which I can totally relate.

- To make matters worse, she now thinks she’s fat after looking at the stills Gordo took of them from rehearsals the other day. It’s sad to see her nitpick every single body part on that photo. Anyways, it’s pretty clear what direction this episode is going to take and what issues that are going to be tackled, which are body dysmorphia and eating disorders. I definitely have my own personal opinions regarding how Miranda’s storyline was handled in this episode but I’ll save it for the ‘Overall Thoughts’ section.

- Lizzie and Gordo are clearly shocked to hear how negatively Miranda views herself and she also declares to them that she’s going on a diet.

Crash Diet Woes

- At lunch, Gordo notices that Miranda isn’t having anything to eat. Miranda gives the excuse that she had a very heavy breakfast in the morning. Even after Lizzie tries to offer her some of her own lunch, she strangely acts like she just got a paper cut and has to go to the bathroom to run her finger over cold water. Girl, we know you’re not a good actress...stop it!

- After leaving in a hurry, both Lizzie and Gordo are even more concerned now because it’s obvious that Miranda is forcing herself to go on a strict diet. Lizzie even points out that Miranda is not that kind of person to starve herself like that.

- After school, Lizzie and Miranda are going through another practice session and this time around, they’re showing their moves in front of Lizzie’s mom, Jo. Jo is super impressed with the girls and asks Gordo if she can be in his MV (music video) too. but he kind of indirectly shot her down lol. But worst of all, she was trying to act all cool despite being disappointed about being turned down:

Her face here definitely does not read “I’m kidding” lmao

- Anyways, throughout the rehearsal, it’s very apparent that Miranda is starting to feel woozy based on her facial expressions. Despite this, she still insists that she and Lizzie continue practicing. Big mistake here because a few seconds into their next run-through, she becomes lightheaded and drops to the floor. They all rush over to help her up and they ask her what’s up. Miranda lies again and says she had a really heavy lunch when she definitely did not. Lizzie is definitely concerned about her best friend’s wellbeing.

Defensive Miranda

- Some time after Miranda’s fainting spell, Lizzie and Gordo are discussing what they should say or do with regards to Miranda’s problem. Well, it’s mostly Gordo who’s talking because he’s not giving Lizzie any chance to give her two cents. But I got to say this; It’s unfortunate that Gordo thinks that just because Miranda is a girl, he feels like he can’t talk to her about the issues she’s facing with her body image. As her best friend, I feel like he should at least hear out what's going through her mind. But again, I need to remember that Gordo is just a teenage boy and he can’t help but to feel awkward in this type of circumstance.

- Next, we see Lizzie at the mall with Miranda to shop for new outfits for their upcoming MV shoot. As I’ve predicted, Miranda feels dejected going through the rack of clothes she thinks she won’t look good in. Lizzie tries putting things into perspective with Miranda but she just gives off this nasty and defensive attitude towards Lizzie.

Again, what’s with the attitude?

- Lizzie decides to come clean and be honest with her best friend by saying that she’s making a bad decision by going on all these crazy fasts. I generally feel like what Lizzie said to Miranda was appropriate, especially after reminding her that they’re best friends and she should feel comfortable being able to open up to her.

- Miranda is just not having it with Lizzie and says something really passive aggressive and in the end, she just storms off. I feel like being Miranda’s friend is exhausting at times.

- At home, Lizzie is feeling down about what just happened and she explains to her mom about the problems she’s facing without revealing Miranda’s identity. Poor Jo first thought that her own daughter was the one with body image issues. Also, who is Lizzie fooling when she tells Jo that she’s talking about a friend? It’s pretty clear that this friend she’s referring to is Miranda lol. Well, at least to me it would have been obvious.

- Well, Jo is just as shocked to find out that the person is actually Miranda and she freaks out about it some more after connecting this to the fainting incident in their living room a few days ago. Luckily, she calms down and tells Lizzie that if the situation doesn’t improve in a few days, she will have a sit down with both Miranda herself and with Miranda’s mom. Daniela.

Opening Up

- It’s the day of the actual music video shoot and Miranda surprisingly shows up. Gordo tries apologizing to her for the comment he made about her eating too much but Ms. Sanchez is still upset at him for who knows why. Lizzie then steps in and apologizes to her for butting into her life and her issues at the mall. But she also tells her that she’s very concerned about her wellbeing and it’s actually scaring her. Aww poor baby.

- In my opinion, I feel like Lizzie doesn’t have to explain her concern over Miranda. I think it’s very obvious that Lizzie only has good intentions. But I guess sometimes it’s good to break it down to the other person who is going through the motions. Fortunately for all three of them, Miranda opens up to them about all the issues she’s facing at school and the pressure she feels coming from her parents regarding what she wants to do in the future.

- Because of the overwhelming pressure she’s facing, she feels like she needs something in her life that she is able control, which are her eating habits. I think this is a very common feeling to have amongst people who suffer from eating disorders or body dysmorphia. And I like how Miranda explains that it’s something that she really feels deep within even though it doesn’t make sense on paper. It’s just how our brain works really.

I wonder if that look Miranda is giving to Gordo is a good one or a bad one lol

- Lizzie explains to Miranda that she relates to her struggles as well because she too, feels pressure to fit in. Even Gordo shares the same feeling for being non-muscular and probably short lol. She then reassures Miranda that being her best friends means that they will support her through this no matter what. And in the end, Miranda thanks them for having her back. I'm glad she came around lol.

Rock those flips Hilary!

The teacher definitely has some moves of his own too!

- The episode ends with our favorite trio watching the fully-shot iconic MV of Miranda and Lizzie dancing incredibly and looking amazing together at the same time. But most importantly, they look healthy and happy.

Miranda is definitely feeling herself in this music video

B-Plot: Matt’s 5687th Career, An Artist

The resemblance is uncanny

- In this episode, Matt’s storyline centers around him being an artist, to which his school apparently thinks he’s a very talented one at that. They notify Jo about his ‘newfound talent’ and she wants to nurture that in him. I can already tell this whole plot is going to be campy. At least Sam is questioning this whole thing:

“Sensitive? Matt eats mud!”. ICONIC

- We then see Matt creating a portrait of Lanny in the backyard using the splatter paint technique, if I’m not mistaken. As expected, he makes a mess outside because he got his paint all over the patio, the plants and even Lanny himself. I don’t get why Jo is encouraging this given all the shenanigans he pursued in majority of the past episodes. But most of all, I wonder who is the teacher at his school who thinks he has this talent? I could be wrong though; He might actually have a gift....

- Later, they decide to take Matt’s work outside and both Matt and Lanny are now going through pieces of junk outside to see what can be used for his next masterpiece. I smell disaster in the horizons for sure.

- And I was right! The Mcguire home is ridden with all the trash Matt and Lanny brought home with them from the junkyard. Jo and Sam sees this and they are just shocked. But I’m very surprised to see that Jo is still trying to encourage Matt. I thought she would put her foot down by now.

OK. This should be the trigger lol

- Matt pretty much butchered poor Sam’s car. Jo finally sees that Matt has crossed the line (when she should have reeled him in days ago) and tells him to stick to creating art on paper. This boy needs to be restricted, which come to think of it...it’s not really an appropriate word to use given the main storyline of this episode but I’ll just leave it at that lol.

Overall Thoughts

- I feel like this is the first episode of Lizzie Mcguire so far that dealt with a very serious topic, apart from maybe the bullying situation Matt was facing in the season 1 episode, ‘Sibling Bonds’. Episodes like this one really stood out to me over the years till today because it was mainly on an issue a main character was facing both physically and internally. And it had nothing to do with relationship drama or girl drama. So naturally, the episode was very memorable.

- In terms of the execution of Miranda’s eating disorder storyline, I had issues with it but I also have some positives to say. Let’s start with the negatives; I just feel like the show kind of made it seem that Miranda’s body image issues went away within a week of it popping up. You can see by the end, Miranda was happy with how she looked in the music video. In fact, she was even praising herself. And that’s just not the reality of most people’s struggles with ED and body dysmorphia. These things just don’t go away so quickly. That being said, I definitely don’t think Miranda had an eating disorder based on what I’ve seen in this episode. But because things are shown through the lens of a children’s TV show camera, things might not appear to be so clear cut.

- But I could view them having showed the viewers that Lizzie and Gordo having Miranda’s back no matter what means that they will continue to be there for her in case the issues she’s facing do come back. Moreover, I wish that the show would’ve added a separate conversation between Miranda and her mom or at least show Jo talking to Miranda because I think including adults in this would add more seriousness to the situation. Again, this is a TV show that is targeted towards kids and young preteens. So, there’s bound to be some problems here and there.

- As for the positives, I recall myself pointing out earlier in this review that Gordo should feel like he should be able to talk to Miranda about her issues. And so, I’m very glad that he was included in the scene by the school staircase with Miranda and Lizzie. If it were just the two girls, I would honestly be upset because Gordo is supposed to be Miranda’s best friend too and differences in gender shouldn’t dictate the conversations best friends should have with one another. So, that made me feel really glad.

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spnreactions · 4 years ago

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15x16: Drag Me Away (From You)

The time has come!!

Let’s get some questions answered and see some young Sam and Dean! I’m pumped!

Oof. I can tell this episode is still gonna be pretty plot heavy just based on this “then” alone.

AHHHH my baby crying again. :’( :’( :’( :’(

Okay quick side note on Cas’s reaction to what Jack tells him: I read something from Matt Cohen that said he just kept the camera rolling for unusually long takes during that scene to see what Misha would do with what Jack was saying, and that, in the process, he totally saw a touch of Misha’s fatherly side when it comes to his own kids. I completely agree, and that is a hardcore acting point for Misha and a definite directing point for Matt.

YEAH CAS! TELL US!

UGH! Since it’s a MOTW, we have to wait and watch someone die in the first five minutes before we get resolution. Gosh darnat.

Also this is a very interesting music choice? XD

My Mom: “Doctor’s orders.�� Do you think that means his shrink told him to go there?

Oof. “Long time ago.” Suspicious.

Nice cinematography. Cool shot of this hallway.

I’m gonna take a wild guess here and say that something happened in that room forever ago that traumatized him.

Wow. That is a swanky hotel room. (My mom and I said basically the same thing at the same time. XD)

Whiskey. Great start.

Ope. Music changed. Dude’s gonna die.

Hey, for future reference, if you’re trying to convince yourself it wasn’t real, it was probably real.

UMMMMM

LOOKS PRETTY REAL TO ME TRAVIS!!!

Wait a second...that’s one of the kids from the promo videos?? Isn’t that young him? As a...ghost?

I’D SAY THAT’S PRETTY REAL TRAVIS!!!

Jesus...

Okay finally! Resolution.

Ummmm...this doesn’t look like resolution!!!

Dude did not slit his own throat, but okay then.

Ummm...you have a lot to do??

Oh da**it...THIS AGAIN??! REALLY DEAN??!! DIDN’T WE LEARN FROM THIS BACK IN SEASON 9?? (No, of course we didn’t, because these two never learn anything.)

LIAR!!

Wait wait wait. Can we talk about the fact that Sam’s first thought was that Cas left because he and Dean got into a fight? *cough cough* The Destiel is real *cough cough*. XD XD XD

SAM YELLING AT HIM FOR TEXTING AND DRIVING OH MY GOD I’M DEAD!!!

ALSO THAT TEXT FROM CAS HOLY FRICK!!! “Did you tell Sam yet?” I’M LAUGHING SO HARD RIGHT NOW!!!!

Because the thing is, I can totally imagine Cas just SAYING that, knowing full well that Dean probably didn’t tell Sam, and I read that text with so much sass and scolding in it and I’m dying laughing oh my god.

And no, of course he didn’t, because WE DON’T GET TO KNOW WHAT IT IS!

But also...if Dean hasn’t told Sam yet, this is making me think that Cas didn’t tell him about the Empty, but rather about what Jack told him...which means I was wrong.

Unless I wasn’t. But if it was about the Empty, why wouldn’t Dean tell Sam?

Although, actually, if it is about Jack, WHY wouldn’t Dean tell Sam?

DEAN JUST TELL YOUR BROTHER SO WE CAN HEAR WHAT THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION WAS GOSH DARNAT!!!

Also tell your brother because we should know by now that lying doesn’t get us anywhere.

Anyways. Moving on.

God that texting and driving interaction. XD XD

Ooh! Nice transition!

When do I get the backstory?? I want the flashbacks! If this is our last flashback episode, I want to revel in it gosh darnat!

OH WAIT HERE IT IS!!

LITTLE SAM AND LITTLE DEAN AHHHH!!!

DEAN’S WEARING THE SAMULET OH MY GOD!!!

I know it’s, like, not a surprise, but it’s BEEN SO LONG since we’ve seen him wearing it!! It’s SOOO good to see it back!! It’s such a subtle little detail, but man it’s a good one.

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.” XD XD EVEN AS A KID, SAM HAD SO MUCH SASS OMG!! XD XD

BROTHERS! XD XD

The way that actor just said victory was SOOO Dean omg. The casting on this show is INCREDIBLE. This kid is already ROCKING the Dean personality and he’s only been on screen for two minutes.

Young Sam’s actor is nailing it too, for the record. ESPECIALLY with that sass.

...ouch. That was rude Dean.

Very Dean (at least at that time), but still rude.

That music. Yikes.

DUDE THAT’S THE SAME SOUNDTRACK USED IN SWAN SONG DURING CHUCK’S NARRATION OH MY GOD!! THEY 100% DID THAT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE SAM’S TALKING ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE AND IT ALL CONNECTS BACK TO WHERE THIS STORY STARTED AND IT’S OUR LAST FLASHBACK EPISODE AND OH MY GOD I LOVE THE SUBTLETIES OF THIS SHOW!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

This small scene is so poetic wow. Between the music, and Sam setting down the college book to pull out his hunting gear...just...wow. Well done Supernatural. Well done.

THERE’S FLANNEL IN THAT BAG! It really is a Winchester trait!

...dude WHAT? I wanna be able to do that.

YEP! YOUNG TRAVIS!

Okay so...a monster who imitates their victims...as their younger selves? That...Sam and Dean have fought before? I’m just gonna let them tell me lol.

Dean has always been suave with the ladies. XD

Do...do kids of cleaning crew people usually stay in the hotels that their parents work in? Cause I didn’t know that was a thing, but okay. XD

HA! Yeah, these two were 100% a thing, even if it was a small thing.

Alright, I like her. She’s fun.

OOH! Nice transition into older Caitlin, with young Caitlin echoing in the background.

Okay something about those hugs just made me “awww” out loud. I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t seen them hug anyone in a while or what, but that just felt so sweet. <3

I would be too, girl. :(

WHAT DID HAPPEN?! (I know they’ll tell us, but I’m impatient.)

Oof. See, in most cases, I am all for immersion therapy, because I think it can be useful, but when it’s a monster we’re talking about, that is a hard pass.

Also my mom just said “ha! Called it.” about the shrink thing. She is significantly better at predicting things in this show then I am...sometimes anyways. XD

Wow. I loved their reactions with that. Dean knew, probably because he was older, but Sam seem confused. Plus, that change in music was great. It was just the right amount of dramatic.

She needs you to hunt it.

WHY DO YOU THINK, SAM?!

WHO IS “SHE”??!! Someone please tell me. The suspense is killing me. XD XD

Awww...poor Travis.

Ummmmm....

JESUS CHRIST!! HOLY FREAKING...

My mom and I both just screamed! AGH! WHAT THE FRICK IS THAT??!!

Yeah this episode is definitely digging into this show’s horror roots.

“You okay, kid?” is one of the most Dean lines to ever Dean.

Yeah okay I can understand how that could be traumatizing enough for him to need therapy.

Yeah that’s what they all say.

I mean, I believe you, because I saw it, but...

EVEN AS KIDS, SAM AND DEAN GAVE EACH OTHER THEIR LITTLE NODS I LOVE THEM!!! <3 <3 <3

The talk--simplified.

THE FAMILY BUSINESS! <3 <3

Also Sam not being old enough to be included in the hunting business yet, but old enough to know about it is a big oof.

Sam backing up his big bro. <3

Watching young Dean try to ask questions in order to figure out the hunt is great, because you can tell he’s super inexperienced compared to now in the way he says it, but also that he definitely knows what he’s doing and I love it.

Oh. Maybe that nod is just a general sibling thing, because Caitlin and Travis just did it lol. It’s still the best when Sam and Dean do it though. XD <3

Huh. Yeah, I’d call that pretty weird.

That was a great shot. Down the line like that. I’m really digging this half of the season’s cinematography.

THAT WAS SUCH A GREAT TRANSITION OH MY GOD! And it just proves how well that young Dean actor (Paxton Singleton) is doing, because young Dean and older Dean’s expressions matched EXACTLY. <3

Dean do you just not want to admit that you might have not actually killed it?

Oh. That makes more sense. The lore doesn’t line up. Okay.

...okay maybe it’s also him being a little overconfident.

NICE TRANSITION AGAIN!

I KNEW THAT PROMO PHOTO WAS OF ALL OF THE KIDS HUNTING!

Welp. That’s it then.

“Got a knife, got a gun. I’m good.” That is so Dean, and also so dumb.

“Dad wouldn’t like this.” “Dad’s not here.” Haha I love them. XD <3

Awww...Dean still protecting his little bro. <3

Goonies reference. XD

He does not got this. Calling it now.

Dean don’t get hurt.

Either Sam or Caitlin is gonna show up. Calling it.

Probably Caitlin, ‘cause Sam still listened to him at that age lol.

YEP.

Also the way he pointed that gun at her omg. Have I mentioned that Paxton Singleton is doing an AMAZING job as Dean? Because WOW.

Ha! Yeah these two totally had a thing. A small thing, but a thing.

Ha! Okay, I like her sass. She’s cool.

My mom is not digging the high-pitched tone that’s attached to this music lol.

Yeah okay this episode is scaring me (in the best way lol). I’m loving it! We haven’t seen a horror-based episode in a while. It’s good to have one.

Awww...little bros bonding.

“Whatever it is, my brother will kill it.” He’s always had so much faith in him. <3 <3 <3

Although...the fact that they’re showing us the two boys back at the motel pretty much tells me that the monster isn’t where Dean and Caitlin are, but where Sam and Travis are. So...that’s great.

Ha! Too true.

Nice shot with the flashlight and the cobwebs.

Okay, now your optimism and chattiness is a little unnecessary, girl. Dean’s scared because he knows what could be out there. So shush.

But also I like your sass. XD

Oh...frick. What’s under there? It looks like the stuff from the kids.

YUUUUP. Called it. The monster is with them. Friiiiick. Sam still knows...how to hunt, right? He can handle this, right?

Remains? Mangled bodies? Something like that I bet.

Wow. Dean you hid that panic REALLY well. He really has been burying his emotions for years. No wonder he’s so good at it.

FRIIIIICK.

FRICK FRICK FRICK!!

*screams* *jumps*

Yep. Horror based episode. Lots of jump scares. But it’s AWESOME.

...okay, that young Sam actor (Christian Michael Cooper) has been doing really well, but that “Travis!” shout was really bad acting...

FRICK! DO SOMETHING SAM!

Dude I LOVE how that just went down. Sam rescuing Travis even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way and Dean immediately coming to his rescue. It’s very characteristic of them.

Oh...so it has...fingers. That can be cut off. Which means it isn’t a ghost like I thought it was all this time.

Also great shot with the slicing off of the fingers.

Nice Dean!

Sam holding a protective arm in front of Travis I love it.

Oh frick. It’s the ring. That’s why she’s back. (And hey! We know who the she is now! Still don’t know what she is, but we’ve seen her.)

Wait a second...wasn’t Travis wearing a ring on his necklace? Could it be the same ring?

That’s...that’s weird though. Why would he have kept a ring from the most traumatic moment of his life?

I love that Caitlin’s a hugger and runs to her brother.

That look that Sam and Dena share there is awesome.

OOH! GREAT TRANSITION AGAIN!

Dean, why on EARTH would that have been Sam?

Okay yeah, so this monster is manifesting itself as younger versions of its victims.

Hey Dean, just a thought, but I’m feeling like your instinct that it wasn’t back is the wrong instinct.

OOOOOF.

Ummm...excuse me?

HEEEEEEEY HOLD ON!!!

WHERE IS SAM??!!

SAMUEL WINCHESTER COME SAVE YOUR BROTHER!!!

DEAN STOP!!!!

DEAN!!!!

OH THANK GOD!

HOLY FRICK THAT WAS TOO CLOSE!!

Wait..what? The knife...wasn’t even...real? And Sam didn’t see the monster at all...does this thing make you hallucinate? Cause that’s terrifying.

Yeah no DUH.

My Mom: Well, there’s only one of it, and it can’t imitate them both, so as long as they stay together, they should be fine, right? Me: Yes, theoretically, but when do they ever actually stay together? My Mom: True.

Ummm...our visual just cut out? All we’re seeing is the CW logo. We can hear it though.

Oh shoot it’s starting again. Hopefully this fixes itself soon. At least we can still hear it?

Feelings/hunches are valid, Caitlin. Especially with this kind of thing.

Dean that’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. I can hear you blaming yourself.

Oh good. Visual’s back. Phew. I was getting nervous.

“She’s scary.” Me too girl. XD

She 100% plays with people.

“Lore?” XD That’s hilarious. I’ve gotten so used to them saying it that it doesn’t even occur to me as a weird thing, but that’s a good point that normal people wouldn’t understand what he means. XD

Ope. That’s what he saw.

Yikes...though gotta admit, that was a little less gruesome than I was expecting it to be. Still sad and scary though.

Awww Dean. :( :( :( :( :( :(

God he really has been shoving feelings down all his life. That’s super not healthy, Dean.

Awww...poor Dean! :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

“We used to keep a lot of secrets from each other.” USED TO? Sam where have you been for the last fifteen years? XD XD

Or is he just referring to this season? Because in that case, that’s a good point. There hasn’t been a lot of lying this season. Well, excluding the fact that Dean is hiding whatever Cas said to him from Sam....

Welp. I can already see that parallel...so you better come clean, Dean!

“Cause I know my brother’s gonna ask”.

HA! Me too, server lady.

BILLIE! JESUS!

“Working a case? Now?” HA! I said the same thing!

...hoh boy. That’s not good. They’ve spent so much time talking about how close he is to being done, but now he’s actually done. That’s...super not good.

Yeah no Billie. We’re not doing that.

So it WAS about Jack! GOOD! Then they’ll all know and they can all stop it! (So Dean tell your brother already.)

YES! Dean is upset about it!! That’s a good sign! Screw you and your plan, Billie!!

HEY!! HOLD ON A SECOND BILLIE! Are you telling me, that you’re the one who put that thought into Jack’s head?? WTF??!! SCREW YOU!!! THAT IS SO NOT OKAY!!! HOW DARE YOU!!! I don’t care HOW badly you want Chuck dead! That manipulation was NOT the way to go!!! I didn’t hate you, but now I do. Now I really really do. Screw you. We’ll find another way.

Yes. You were wrong.

...Dean you better tell her she was wrong.

HA!

Gotta be honest, I can’t believe we’re still having the conversation about Sam and Dean being normal--especially Sam. I mean, I can believe it, because it makes sense, but at this point, it’s just so hilarious to me. Like, “yeah no, that ship sailed a LONG time ago. Sorry girl, but there’s no way Sam’s getting out of it now.” XD XD

Awww... :( :(

Ummm...say what now?

SERIOUSLY Billie??!! SERIOUSLY??!! You’re just gonna...set up our beloved kid to be a bomb and then walk on out?? Wow. Yeah okay I’m really mad at you now, I don’t care if you brought Jack back. Not if this was the endgame. Screw you.

“One Messenger of God’s Destruction right here.” XD XD

YES we have a problem! TELL HER WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!

DEAN!!!

GOD DA**IT DEAN!!! It is not worth sacrificing your SON!! DIDN’T WE ALREADY GO THROUGH THIS??!! WHATEVER HAPPENED TO NOT LETTING ANYONE KILL HIM??!! TO THAT BIRTHDAY PARTY??!! WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FORGIVENESS?? TO FAMILY!! HE IS YOUR SON GOSH DARNAT!! ACT LIKE IT!!!

Jesus Christ. This show is making it harder and harder for Dean to be my second favorite character...

He better not let it happen in the end. It better be like what happened with Season 14. No matter how mad he is, he can’t lose Jack. It better stay that way, or I’m gonna be super pissed at him all over again, just like in 14x19.

YOU HEAR ME DEAN?! STOP IT!! DON’T BE AN IDIOT!!

HA! Billie saw RIGHT THROUGH YOU Dean.

Welp. Now I know why Dean hasn’t told Sam. Because Sam is not gonna like it.

You know what Billie? Screw you. Shut the f**k up.

He doesn’t have his house in order. There’s conflict there, and it’s not gonna happen. Shut up, Billie.

Please Dean. Please help me out here. Don’t let your son die. :( :( :( :( :( :(

Wait wait...Baba Yaga? As in...that witch that that security friend dude Kurt is so afraid of in Ant-Man and the Wasp? (Look at me, mixing my fandoms. XD)

So that’s a yes then.

I CALLED IT! I KNEW IT WAS THE RING! (I mean, they kind of made it obvious, but still.)

Oh friiiiick. That’s why she disappeared for a while, but then came back...in time to kill him.

...she’s gonna go get the ring. She must have it.

But also TAKE SAM WITH YOU CAITLIN! ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!

Ummm....

...where’s the ring?

FRICK!

I TOLD YOU TO TAKE SAM WITH YOU!!

She dead.

SAM!

FRIIIIICK!

Oof.

My Mom: NO! Don’t split up! Me: I told you! They never learn. My Mom: They really don’t.

Alright, let’s take bets. Who’s gonna get attacked? Sam, or Dean?

Ope. Looks like it might be Sam.

CALL YOUR BROTHER FIRST GOSH DARNAT! Seriously. You two are the worst.

Oh! Never mind. XD XD

My mom just burst out laughing. XD XD XD

Okay yeah, that was a good comedy reveal. XD XD XD

So...it’ll be Dean then.

Better find your bro quick, Sam.

Oof. The vending machine. Original attack. Must be close.

Dean don’t roll your eyes and act like you never watch (or do) that kind of thing. XD XD

“I’ve seen this movie before.” PROMO! CALLING IT!

YES! I was right! XD XD

I love him.

Okay, so I’m mad at him for the Jack thing, but I still love him okay? He’s just too great. XD <3 <3

DEAN DON’T GO IN ALONE ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!

You literally saw it coming.

YEP! EXACTLY!

Okay wait what??

...that’s not what I was expecting.

Wait...hallucinations, right? So that must be what this is.

But...I think he found her nest.

Oh yep. Definitely a hallucination.

One of my favorite things about this show is that any time Sam or Dean has a bad vision/hallucination/nightmare caused by a monster, the other brother is always dead in it. Like, it makes perfect sense for their relationship, and as sad and scary as it is, it works beautifully.

Wow. Yeah I can totally believe that that gave Dean nightmares for the longest time just on that acting alone. Now Dean was terrified even re-living it a little bit. :(

Oof.

Ummm...you know what she is, but CAN YOU KILL HER?

...welp. Guns don’t work. What’s Plan B, Dean??

EEP!

That feels very Pennywise yikes.

HURRY SAM!!

SEE?! THIS is why you shouldn’t split up!

Welp, at least their fighting is loud.

Yep. Hallucination.

Oh. Caitlin isn’t dead. That’s good.

Sam to the rescue.

YES DEAN!

WOW! Now THAT was awesome. The way he smashed that ring, and the shot--it was all beautiful.

WHOA! Green fire. That was cool.

Okay. I liked that monster, and how it went down. Very cool.

Ha!

“You tell the truth more because you know that lies...they don’t make anything better.” My Mom: I have never, ever heard anyone say that about getting older. XD

Yeah I’m with her on this one. Not a great line, but it was definitely in there intentionally to make Dean feel guilty about not telling Sam the truth about Jack. Which means...he’s going to tell him, RIGHT?!

Awww! A sweet little hug again!

THAT TRANSITION!!

I knew she was holding a business card in that promo photo!

...oof.

Yep. Dean’s definitely gonna tell Sam. They showed that scene of him lying to Sam as a kid about the bodies, and they keep talking about how he’s changed. He is definitely going to tell Sam before this episode ends. ...and I bet it’s not gonna go well.

“That I handled it.” XD <3

“WITH A LITTLE HELP!” <3 <3 <3 <3

AWWW DEAN!!! Still being a supportive bro!!

“We do make a good team, right?” “Yeah, we do.” I’M SERIOUSLY ABOUT TO CRY OH MY GOD!!! :’( :’( <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Awww...we don’t actually get to see a version of young John. Just an arm from a stand-in lol.

Nice shot of Sam, though.

AWESOME transition.

Ope. Here it comes.

OOOF!! Dean you better say something, or Cas will!

THERE WE GO!! FINALLY!!

Oooooh...this is gonna be rough.

Ummm....okay. Good start.

THERE YA GO!

Well...okay then. Just...come out with it I guess.

Dean...doesn’t sound happy about that. And he doesn’t seem to be handling it well. I really really really really REALLY hope he doesn’t let it happen. I’m gonna be really upset if he does.

Ope. Here it comes.

Uh-oh...Sam is mad.

Oh FRICK. Wrong answer, Dean.

Dean I’m with Sam on this one.

Oh god...this fight. :’( :’(

DEAN!!!

NOOOOO NO NOOOOOOO!!!!

Oh my god...the way Sam just yelled at him. :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

That was even worse than I thought it was gonna be holy frick....

“Just drive.” :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

...well....

God. That was a TERRIBLE ending, Jesus Christ. All the bonding and family teamwork that’s been happening this season just went out the window with that fight.:’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

I‘ve always loved Dean, obviously, but Jesus Christ dude. Ugh. This better resolve itself. :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

GOD! Could SPN please STOP with the emotionally charged endings that are hurting my heart! Because this was a DANG GOOD EPISODE, and then they just HAD to do that!! :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

Welp...my heart hurts, but review here we come.

I really really loved this episode. I mentioned it already, but I’m really glad we got to see some of Supernatural’s elements of horror in this episode. It was genuinely terrifying at several points in time, and we haven’t had an episode like that in a while.

Also, as I often do, I loved the flashback scenes, and all the subtleties that came with it. One of my favorite things about flashback episodes is getting to see just how close Sam and Dean have always been, and I really love seeing them at different times in their life with how their relationship has changed over the years and how it compares to how they are now. It’s nice to see how much they’ve grown, but also how much about their relationship has stayed the same in the sense of that they still love and care for each other and have such a strong bond. It’s a beautiful thing, and this episode conveyed that really well.

Paxton. Singleton. Oh my god. What. An. Actor. I don’t know if he watched episode after episode of this show before being in this episode, but WOW did he NAIL Dean Winchester. I pointed out several specific instances in my reactions, but seriously, his interpretation of Dean was incredible. I was totally able to believe that that was a younger version of Dean, easily. It was amazing. This show’s casting team will always impress me.

All of that said....let’s address that ending.

Holy frick. God that hurt. First of all, as if I haven’t made this clear enough, I really really need Dean to acknowledge that he loves Jack and can’t lose him so that we don’t lose my precious baby, okay? That’s a thing that definitely needs to happen.

Second of all, I do not at all blame Sam for the way he reacted. In fact, I’m actually really impressed with how upset he got, because it plays so much into what’s been going on this season and what’s bound to come.

At the end of Season 14, our team was divided. Between Dean and Cas’s fight over Mary’s death, Sam and Dean locking Jack in the box, and then Sam and Dean fighting over Dean wanting to kill Jack, our boys were a mess. Then, Jack was dead, and Sam and Dean and Cas were grieving, which meant taking things out on each other and being angry and distraught. But within the first several episodes of Season 15, they started to latch onto each other again, and they stayed that way and only progressed further. For the majority of this season, we have seen them bonding and being a family again. We’ve barely seen them fight, and the only exception to that was Dean and Cas’s tension with each other. However, once they made up in 15x09, everything changed. That’s when the OG team was really back. And then when Jack came back, everyone was together again. They were all starting to learn to be a family and work together to take down their enemy. And, I already analyzed this, but after Last Holiday (15x14), even Dean and Jack’s tension was released, to a degree. Sam and Dean and Jack got to bond, and it felt like everyone was ready to take on the enemy together. And then SPN hit us with this.

With Jack and Cas’s emotional turmoil--Jack feeling like the only way to ever have Sam and Dean forgive him was for him to sacrifice herself. Cue the divide between Cas and Jack.

And then this. Dean hiding something from Sam again. After everything they’ve been through this season, after trusting each other more than anything, learning to communicate with each other again, and having each other’s backs every step of the way with no secrets...Dean hid something. And it tore them apart.

Our team is broken again, and right when we need them to be together the most.

And as much as it hurts my heart and made me break into tears and scares the heck out of me for what’s to come, it makes perfect sense, and it’s beautiful.

Because the next episode is called “Unity”. And that’s exactly the opposite of what we have right now, but the hope and the thought is that, when it comes down to it, they’re still a family, and they all still love each other, and they’re all going to be there for each other, and they’re not gonna let anyone go down without the rest of their family’s support.

At least, that’s what I’m hoping.

And maybe I’m over-analyzing. Maybe I’m being too optimistic or hopeful for my boi Jack’s future. But honestly, I feel like I’m right, because I feel like this is exactly what the writers are going for. And I’m excited to see it.

So, obviously, I loved that episode. It had horror, it had great representation of Sam and Dean’s brotherly relationship, it had flashbacks (our last ones :’( :’( :’( :’( ), and, at the very end, it had some very intense feels. But it was a great set-up, and beautifully done, and I absolutely loved it.

My Rating: 10/10

#spn #spn season 15 #15x16 #drag me away from you #supernatural #spn spoilers #flashback episodes #spn season 15 spoilers #season 15 #spn 15x15 #my review #my reactions #my opinion #me #personal #spn reactions

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mindctrlaltdel · 4 years ago

Text

Random Reviews: Mulholland Drive

This movie is BASIC INSTINCT, written and directed by Salvador Dali.

***

Recently, I watched MULHOLLAND DRIVE for the first time for my friend Shawn Eastridge's podcast, MISSING FRAMES (www.thenerdparty.com/missingframes/episode-103-mulholland-drive).

As I watched this odd, funny, disturbing, interesting flick, I took the following notes. Is it, as some critics say, the BEST FILM OF THE 21ST CENTURY? Here's an inside look at my viewing experience as I mulled over MULHOLLAND DRIVE...

[PRESS PLAY]

I love how the first five minutes is basically a bad late 90's Gap commercial, all swing dancing, no point...

The Mulholland Drive sign is calling to us. The street, Mulholland Drive, is Bali Hai for perverts.

Justin Theroux gets top billing over Naomi Watts??

I gotta admit, I saw one of the movie's original posters and thought "Naomi Watts AND the lady from the first MEN IN BLACK is in this? It's the triumphant return of Linda Fiorentino." When I DIDN'T see her name in the opening credits, I was disappointed. She's NO Linda Fiorentino... for this role, she's even better. AND she's a countess (seriously, look it up). Oh, and Robert Forster shows up for 10 minutes.

Not-Linda Fiorentino has some hustle in her for someone who just survived a horrible head on collision.

I like how the street signs kind of tell us where we are and what kind of world we're in. It's like a surreal, dramatic version of that Californians SNL sketch.

You mean to tell me that the red-headed older woman didn't see not-Linda Fiorentino under her kitchen table? UnbeLIEVable.

Holy crap, the wide-eyed guy in Winky's - he plays Jimmy Barrett, the comedian in MAD MEN... and MAD MEN is an interesting connection here, because everyone talks in this measured, paced deliberate way throughout that series, kind of similar to how the characters usually speak in the David Lynch productions I've seen... When I started watching MAD MEN, I thought the actors were purposely directed to speak that way, so everything to seem more "real" as opposed to that fast-talking, old-Hollywood style that you'd expect to see from outspoken, big idea-types. I imagined that Matt Weiner wanted people to seem - at least to modern audiences - the way people actually were - particularly, the inhabitants of the intelligent and cerebral world of ad men, working behind the scenes, on the fringes of show business. But then Jimmy Barrett, an old-timey comedian ALSO spoke that way. And it just didn't seem authentic to me. Anyway, back to THIS movie...

OH and that dingy woman behind the dumpster! She's like if Captain Howdy moved out West and got all LA on us. Is that Cloris Leachman covered in mud? And the music... for some reason, there's nothing scarier than the sound of an HVAC vent on full blast. (According to this article, www.vulture.com/2014/10/mulholland-drives-evil-hobo-breaks-her-silencio.html,the actress who played Evil Hobo #1 said of her audition process: "I don’t mean to brag, but David Lynch said he was looking for the most incredible face he could find. I actually met him at a Twin Peaks party, and he was like, 'Look at that face!'")

I love the X-Files-style synth strings that play over Naomi Watts (Betty) and gram-gram (Irene) as they walk through the hotel, I mean the airport... Aw, these two old people love Betty. What a different life she's living than that countess who's not Linda Fiorentino who's squatting in that redhead's apartment that Betty's about to move into.

Even then, Naomi had a good American accent. (Although I learned she's technically British but split her time between England and Australia), those Australians are great at spitting out neutral American sounds. But once I learned that Betty is supposed to be Canadian, I was very disappointed. It's not THAT authentic. Where are her "Aboots"? And she didn't put maple syrup on anything in this whole movie.

Oh my God, are Irene and her husband, riding in this towncar, ALSO going to get held up, like not-Linda Fiorentino at the beginning of the movie? Oh okay, they're not. We just followed them for no reason other than to see that they look happier than an old couple in a Cialis commercial. I guess meeting Betty really improved their sex life or something.

Coco - of course she's a fading hollywood starlet... AHHH, Coco is played by Ann Miller - good for her. She's basically that kooky old landlady from SEINFELD, the one who worked with the Three Stooges that Kramer met when he went to LA. Look at all these connections!

"Prize-fighting kangaroo who shits all over the courtyard" - do you think Naomi Watts is going to come out and say, "as an Australian, I was actually offended by this line, but I was scared into silence by that power-hungry monster, David Lynch."

The countess - who now goes by "Rita" - does kind of look like Rita Hayworth. I like the connections to old Hollywood and to noirs and how it's all wrapped together. Rita Hayworth is also a redhead, like Betty's aunt. She's of Spanish descent as well... and the actress playing Rita in this movie is of Mexican descent... Connections, connections.

I love that this casting session is basically run by a deep state shadow organization with a weird waiter in a red blazer... This is how Disney cast WandaVision.

HAHAHAH "That is one of the finest espressos in the world sir!" - this is DEFINITELY how Disney casts their movies. And Justin Theroux is the only man with integrity in this room! Does anyone have any class in this town!? They don't even validate his parking.

This is my favorite movie about making movies since BOWFINGER. And I may not be lying. And somehow less weird than THE ARTIST.

Is everyone gonna start killing each other over Ed's famous black book? This is oddly funny.

"Something bit me bad!" This incredibly long fight scene between the blond guy and secretary... it reminds me of the Uma Thurman/Daryl Hannah trailer fight in KILL BILL VOL. 2 but with less snakes.

These closeups of lingering looks on Rita's cash-filled purse are great... She's pulling wads of cash out of that purse one at a time, like Leslie Nielsen pulling eggs out of that blond lady in AIRPLANE!

I want to know what direction David Lynch gave that braless woman who's following the blond assassin around. It's like she's doing an acting exercise... like you know, when you're told to fill the space... "walk around the room, and clear your head. And now you're walking really fast. And now you're slow. NOW, imagine what it would be like to walk with your nose as the furthest point in front of you. Lead with your nose..." And David Lynch did that and told the braless woman to lead with her chest.

Justin Theroux is basically Robert Downey Jr.'s character from BOWFINGER, except NOW, he's the protagonist.

Betty is loving Rita's amnesia a bit too much. If this were my life, Rita would be the most interesting thing to happen to me too. Hell, if I was from Ontario, getting off at LAX would rock my world.

When Justin Theroux enters his glass-walled home to find his wife with another man, well... Justin Theroux may never star in something like HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, but I can definitely picture him in YUPPIE WITH A GOLF CLUB.

That slinky theme song playing in Justin Theroux's/Laraine's house is a song that I actually listen to in my tiki, lounge playlist - to give you a hint of my music tastes. What I listen to for fun, Billy Ray Cyrus puts on to drown out his love-making.

By the way, BILLY RAY CYRUS!!! WHAT? Is this how Miley was conceived??? I think yes.

Pink paint in a jewelry box! This is much better than the usual throwing-all-his-belongings-out-a-second-story-apartment-window-scene that happens in every other movie.

I wouldn't be THAT excited if I learned MY name was Diane Selwin. BUT the sexxxual tension with the waitress Diane at the diner is palpable!

So, not-Linda Fiorentino has amnesia. How does she know that answering machine is NOT her voice!?

Justin Theroux/Adam Kesher's wife is very aggressive with the large man who's so dedicated to finding Adam Kesher that he keeps calling Adam's name in vain like the secretary in my doctor's office.

I watched this movie in pieces, the first half late at night. The second half the next morning. In between, while sleeping, I had a dream where Betty and Rita were looking over a map and any time one of their hands brushed over another, their hands would turn gold. As if this was a stylistic choice made by the filmmaker directing my dream to show that there's some kind of deeper relationship between these two women. So I've started dreaming in Lynch.

I like how this film is so utterly connected to not only Lynch's subconscious, but the audience's as well. Lynch is TAPPED IN. I don't always love when a film goes all in with a surreal style, because sometimes that's just a cover for something lacking in the storytelling department. But I do feel there's more to it here, in MULHOLLAND DRIVE.

The hooded woman, Louise... I feel like I've run into her on the streets of New York. A Louise will ALWAYS find a way to give you a portent of doom that ruins your day. Friggin’ Louise.

This movie is so moody, you really have to be in the mood to watch it.

There's something magical and prophetic about the cowboy, like he's the seer that the old general sees on the eve of battle... Also, I love how the lead female role in Justin Theroux's movie is his sword of destiny. There's a glitz and gleam and nostalgia to Old Hollywood that naturally gives this movie, set in "modern" Hollywood," a total fantasy vibe.

Hahaha that "You're still here?" scene rehearsal between Betty and Rita is an excellent transition.

James Karen - the real estate guy from POLTERGEIST - is handling casting! "He moved the headshots but he didn't cast the bodies!!"

The casting direction: "Don't play it for real until it gets real." It's interesting how the characters, who work in the "business," seem to control their reality. Betty seems unsure of where the scene is going, then she gets into it. And it really speaks to her conversion from a bright-eyed new arrival to someone who surrenders to the darker impulses of the city.

HEAVY BREATHING.

Ugh friggin' Bob...

I love how Lynnie, the casting director, pulls the rug out from under that scene. There's always a jaded casting person who totally wrecks any good feelings about every audition. It's a thing.

David Lynch uses nostalgia and a latent love for Hollywood to draw the characters (and us) into his world and then subverts our expectations. A lot.

Why is the screen test just a lip-synching contest? ...I think it feeds into the nostalgia element for the movie at large but it seems like a waste of studio resources here. Early-aughties Hollywood spending, amirite?

Rita's reaction to finding the body is played very much like the reaction a character would have in an older film... The horror! The fear! The silent gaping terror while possessed with the inability to scream. I was watching the original KING KONG before this (which is may be a sign from the universe that I had to watch this Naomi Watts vehicle, as she starred in the remake), and specifically remember the scene where the director Carl Denham is coaching Ann Darrow/Fay Wray on how to act in a horror film - "now look up, and you see it, you see it in all its horror. And your jaw drops and you try to scream but you're so frozen in terror that you can't!" - I imagine that's what Lynch is doing to not-Linda Fiorentino off-camera as they filmed this scene.

Uh-oh, Rita is single-white femal'ing Betty now... She doesn't have a personality of her own, so she's going to take Betty's.... And now we're just getting NUDE with each other. This erotic thriller immediately turned from skintillating to Skinemax.

"I'm in love with you" - is Betty just saying that to convince herself? It feels more lusty than real. Betty's so bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Rita is gonna chew her up and spit her out!

I like the shot when they're sleeping together and, as they rest, their faces overlap thanks to the perspective of the framing. How much of the same person are they becoming? Where does one personality start and the other end?

The weird 2am theater. How'd Rita and Betty find this place? I love how this pop-up slam-poetry reading in this opera house is as terrifying to Rita and Betty as finding the dead body.

So Betty starts convulsing in her seat and then the poet disappears in a kind of old-style, cinematic I'm disappearing effect. I dig it.

Wait... is this a mysterious, magical show that just appears in LA, like Hamunaptra, the City of the Dead, that town in THE MUMMY that only shows up at sunrise on the third day or something like that? Or is this just a poorly attended Spanish-language talent show that could only afford to book this theater at 2am on a Thursday?

I love that Betty and Rita are tearing up over Rebekah Del Rio's performance (Rebekah Del Rio is a real person, by the way). Then, Rebekah faints as her voice keeps singing - is NOTHING real? Has Betty totally given into this weird world to the point that she doesn't really know what's authentic and what's fake anymore OR was Betty fake before she got to LA so it was easy for her to get acclimated.

This movie is like THE MATRIX, from the perspective of characters who only took the blue pill and didn't look back.

OOOH, Betty has the box and Rita has the key! But the box is empty except maybe its the Gom Jabbar pain-box from DUNE. Is David Lynch using MULHOLLAND DRIVE as an excuse to make good on his promise to produce a good version of DUNE.

WAIT A SECOND, the cowboy knows the dead girl? Does this even matter?

Now, wait ANOTHER second. Is Betty performing or DREAMING when she's Diane or is something else going one??

What's the BLUE KEY doing there?

"Two Detectives"??? Is she talking about Betty and Rita OR Robert Forster and the pudgy guy? OR someone else entirely - the two guy's from Winky's???

The movie became more interesting the moment the perspective shifted to "Diane" and "Camilla." When that happened, Naomi Watts really amped up her performance... reaching a level of intensity we hadn't seen since Betty's audition... it does take 2 hours to reach that point.... But then, when Betty and Rita are topless on the couch, I couldn't tell who they were supposed to be until Rita/Camilla called her "Diane."

Wait, now Rita's acting?? OH, so Rita was an actress? And Diane wasn't? Or Betty looks exactly like Diane?

The weird shifts in focus. The sad masturbating. This is the most depressing soft-core ever made!

Did Betty get killed and have amnesia too?

They take a shortcut to Eddie's house which looks EXACTLY like where Rita/Camilla was taken at the beginning of the movie by the hitmen in the towncar before that wild accident with those teenagers made her life weirder... OR less weird. You be the judge.

IS this a flashback or the future. Eddie and Camilla are having an affair?

MY MOTHER? COCO - what's real and what isn't????

The jitterbug competition.... Diane/Naomi wanted the lead so bad, Camilla got the part but in Mulholland Drive, Naomi is the star.

Then, Camilla is kissing that other blond actress who Betty watched screen test...

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is just David Lynch telling us that LA is a place for lust and jealousy and no matter what, purity gets ruined.

WHAT, the blond waitress is BETTY? And Diane hires the blond guy, who's officially labeled as a hitman.

Diane is also from Canada...

Are Diane and Betty just different versions of the same people in nearby parallel universes? I certainly HOPE so. This is too much insanity for ONE universe to handle.

The blue key will be found where the blond guy told Diane. Okay, that makes sense. But if this were to mirror real life, the key was in her hand the WHOLE time!

OH, and hobo-Cloris Leachman comes back... AND she's holding the blue box/Gom Jabbar... WHY the hell did those two old people wander out of that paper bag??? Do they represent longstanding guilt? Seems like it. Because they've just crept into Diane's apartment.

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is almost silly to the point of pretentiousness at points - at least with the last word to be uttered on screen - "silencio." That said, it does evoke the HAMLET line: "And the rest is silence," so THAT's poetic.

Sadly, Robert Forster was barely in this movie...

Oh, and Lee Grant played Louise - the old-Hollywood connections keep coming!

I can't believe this movie was intended to be a pilot?

***

Now, some final notes:

On the swapping of characters and relationships in the last 30 minutes -- my first thought was that Betty/Diane and Rita/Camilla look similar and/or they're connected by a parallel universe, and the diner is like the central hub between worlds, and hobo-Cloris Leachman is the gatekeeper between the two worlds... I buy the "dream world" explanation that some critics espouse, that's something I considered myself as I watched. But I'm not sure I believed Betty is Diane's dream version of herself. Also, I think David Lynch has a feeling about how everything fits together, yet I don't know if he's even settled on an explanation for everything. He just trusted his subconscious and he's so confident in his latent abilities, that we trust him to show us everything we need to see and take us everywhere we need to go.

I enjoy how it's a surrealist answer to SUNSET BOULEVARD. I hope in 2050, someone makes "The 405" really tying all these movies and Los Angeles roads together.

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is weird but good. Still, I don't know if, to me, it's more weird than good. It's also funny. But is it funny because it's weird or because it's actually, genuinely funny? Are these questions David Lynch actually wants me to ask or does he make it weird on impulse to cover for the fact that the film is simply just weird and based entirely on impulse? MULHOLLAND DRIVE is almost like a parody of a film noir, made by an inter-dimensional alien life-form who studied a bunch of movies from the 40's through the 90's but doesn't have a full grasp on human behavior, and DESPITE THAT, it's more of an emotional experience than a logical one. It's somewhere in between. It's self-indulgent in a way but also very giving. It's a paradox wrapped in an oxymoron wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a coffee-stained napkin covered in cigarette ash locked in a small, blue box.

***

Summing it up: I don't think there's a world where this movie would get a perfect score from me. Because ultimately, for all it's interesting and exciting moments, it's more of a passion project for David Lynch than a piece of entertainment for the audience, no matter how entertaining it may be. To me, it's a vision board more than it is a complete film. And yet, it IS a complete EXPERIENCE. And there's nothing wrong with that.

All of that said, I know David Lynch doesn't really like to give viewers a clear cut, traditional narrative. So, I had a feeling the mystery was just that, a mystery. Or even moreso, the FEELING of a mystery. It's not about where we're going, it's about the journey to the destination. And while the general atmosphere is moody and evocative and often powerful, MULHOLLAND DRIVE plays more like a 2.5 hour piece of music than a cohesive narrative. Maybe that's the best thing about it.

In the distant future, when our way of speaking has become as archaic as the words of Shakespeare are to us, it's the feeling and emotions and images of movies like MULHOLLAND DRIVE that will still have a timeless impact on the future audiences who view them.

#Random Reviews #movie review #review #Mulholland Drive #David Lynch #Missing Frames #Twin Peaks #Naomi Watts #Laura Harring #Ann Miller #Justin Theroux #Dune #existential #surreal

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after-lauhgter · 4 years ago

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Hey dude, I really like your music taste so do all the music questions that you didn't already answer 🌚

OK DUDE HERE THEY COME (except 1,6 & 14) ... ok lets do number 1 again What's a song you've been listening to a lot lately? as the world caves in by Matt Maltese, if I get high by nothing but thieves, and literally anything off waterparks’ new live album, that thing makes me feel so ALIVE bc like LIVE MUSIC Is there an album you recently discovered and are obsessed with it now? well waterparks live in the uk obviously but if the last 6 months count as recently, then the new abnormal by the strokes. its... absolutely breathtaking. I don't have words. 0 words. except these dudes know what the fuck they’re doing. and then I found the devil and god are raging inside me by brand new and jeeesus. literally Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ was my most played song in 2020 AS IT SHOULD BE bc its EVERYTHING this album is THE SHIT. every song is just *chef kiss* like there's limousine (omg limousine) and you won't know and not the sun and AHH listen to these albums omg Put your playlist on shuffle and show the first 10 songs. No cheating. i assume “your playlist” means all my saved songs so Topography by Civilian (pls go listen its SO great) Na Na Na by mcr yees issa classic Du schreibst Geschichte by Madsen omg geeerman just saying by EDEN (pretty pretty pretty) Westerland von den Ärzten another classic letdown by nothing,nowhere. sad but the good kind of sad The Man by the killers making fun of toxic masculinity gives me LIFE Graffiti by CHVRCHES YES and death stranding by CHVRCHES too YES SO GOOD simmer by Hayley Williams, a queen How do you tend to discover new music? If you do at all of course I do enjoy what Spotify suggests, like my weekly mix brought a lot of bops in the past, although sometimes it just sucks lets be real. I also like the artist- or album-radio, when I wanna find something similar to an album but not the album. and another thing I lovvve is when artists I like recommend music, for example, have you seen dallon weekes instagram stories? THE TASTE? bc yes, someone who writes music like that MUST have a superior taste in music and he fucking does.

What app do you mostly use to listen to music? Spotify :) Is there an artist that you feel ashamed of listening too? I can't think of anyone so probably not What is your favorite album cover art? omg. I have to go with more than one. so there's where the mind wants to go/where you let it go by I the mighty, one of my favorite albums of all time, and I'm going to say it how it is, I LIKE THE COLORS. the blue-ish imagine with the red omg. look at it pls. Also fandom by waterparks looks SO COOL. again the COLORS and I love the art for Isola by Kent. I recently discovered you wouldn't believe what privilege costs by civilian and I think that cover is pretty cool too. well and then there's petals for armor by Hayley Williams, the cover art is so fucking powerful Jesus I get goosebumps just thinking about it. in case you don't know about it, long story short: there's been a lot of shit going on in Hayleys life in the past. relatable imo. then they made after laughter and its been like u know what fuck it we’ll just laugh and dance through the pain. together. and I LOVED the vibe omg it gave me so much. but for Hayley it kinda postponed REALLY dealing with shit. she came home from touring with AL and she also got divorced during the AL era and everything's shit and out of all that came petals for armor. and in it she reclaims femininity, being alone, being powerful, being a women, everything. and ah yeah we were talking about the cover art, the cover is her, having a line of squares on her face, three of these squares are tattooed on her fingers though bc its where her ex husbands initials used to be that she got covered up. WHAT A MOVE. THE POWER. (if anyone is interested in hearing Hayley talking about/explaining all this, I really recommend watching her interview with zane Lowe. its SO GOOD basically free therapy) How much did your parents influence your music taste? a. lot. my dad listened to a lot of “dad rock” you may call it, I guess a lot of dads listened to stuff similar to this. Deep Purple, the police, simple minds, Green Day, Billy Talent, the scorpions and things like that. what influenced me the most tho was the beatsteaks (german band, very good), die Ärzte (german band, very good) and LAST BUT NOT LEAST the fricking blues brothers. my favorite movie (not the 2000 remake, go watch that in hell where it belongs), a great, charismatic band, unbelievable live performances. very big WOW from me. Do you own any vinyl? don't get me started omg. I DO. I wish I could take a photo but my records are at my parents house so ill just name my favorites. -after laughter and brand new eyes by paramore -violent things by the brobecks and their song boring on 7inch (this is very rare ok) -razzzzmatazzz by idkhow in gold :) -may death never stop you by mcr (my first one, I bought it first and then bought a record player for it, that's how it started lol) -omg the black parade is dead by mcr, this was never available on vinyl until record store day 2019 (?) and I hunted that bitch like idek what it was insane but I found a super cute small record store and the owner didn't have copies of it bc NOBODY DID but he fucking CALLED THE LABEL even though it was way too late and he asked if they'd send him a copy and THEY DID I FUCKING OWE THIS MAN -and omg Isola by Kent (in Swedish tho bc the English version was never pressed on vinyl) this was intense. I searched for like 2 weeks and then, on google results page 8 or something, I found what could've been the only copy on the damn internet and it was very expensive but its MINE NOW -my signed vertigo vinyl by EDEN, its clear and on side D it doesn't have music but a little message engraved it the vinyl IT IS CUTe -Placebos MTV unplugged! I am so I love with this album. SO. in love. and one day, when I was in Berlin to see palaye royale, back when we had concerts, I walked by a random record store and they have like 4 records left bc they were closing or idk and the only one displayed in the window was this one. tell me about FATE Do you own any cds? not many. sometimes when im at the store and I see ones I know or like, I just buy them and put them in me moms car bc I want her to listen to them. or when I find a cd by a smaller artist I enjoy, I buy it just to push the nachfrage. HI i am HERE and I WANT this music Is vinyl really better than listening on a digital device? im not gonna be that middle aged white male audiophile that hates on our generation for using Spotify. bc its great. I think its just different. I mean im sorry I don't carry my record player on the bus with me, pls forgive me for using my phone? having immediate access to most of the music that is out there? wow. what a concept. I love the internet. YES TECHNOLOGY. but. vinyls are... different. I feel likes its a different kind of listening. I feel like youre rly LISTENING. and that way isn't better, or right, and im not saying it works like this for everyone. but when I put a record on, my only activity at that moment is listening to music, I sit down and I listen. to the entire album. so skips and no pauses, bc that's how it works. and I think that sometimes, that can do a lot for you. if you let it. and besides that, physically owning a record makes me happy on a level nothing else really does. fuck I love music so much and when I fall in love with it, I fall hard. and then owning a copy of it, something I can touch, something that is MINE, putting it in my little shelf, looking at it every few days and just being in love? fantastic feeling. What is a genre of music that you tend to go to for comfort? sad shit. I feel like I can get great comfort from the sad shit. or maybe just slow shit. and songs that mean a lot to me and have been around me for some time, they have this other level of comfort. like for Emma, forever ago by bon iver for example. I have a playlist, maybe I'll reblog this again and link it ;) Do you tend to like poppy upbeat songs, or more intricate and interesting songs? both. sometimes I wanna have complicated stuff and analyze the shit out of lyrics and instrumentation, sometimes I just wanna v i b e If you have a favorite band or artist, tell us about how you got into them I liked paramore before but when they posted the video of them performing last hope at reading? it was over. when Hayley sang the bridge it was over. now im a die hard fan and I never looked back Is there a song that came out this year that you like? maybe after reading all this shit you expected a list but somehow I can't. where do u even start. but the answer is definitely yes. THANK YOU FOR REQUESTING I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS

#asks #music #i guess #not me putting I guess after my tags all the time #I like guessing #questioning everything is a lifestyle

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simpsonsnight · 4 years ago

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Episode #183

WHAT THIS?

The Cartridge Family Season 9 - Episode 5 | November 2, 1997 Homer gets himself a gun and joins an NRA-like organization. It might just be the NRA. I forget. But I bet they changed it for the show. Again, not sure. Don’t remember. Don’t feel like looking it up. Please don’t write me and tell me. This is getting published almost a month after I wrote it so I won’t even know what you’re talking about. This is very much a Mike Scully episode, and in fact this is the first non-Treehouse-of-Horror Scully-produced episode to air. The thing that sticks out to me the most is the lil scene where Homer is sitting on his front lawn lamenting that he has to wait to get his firearm, and while this happens a bunch of targets (a truck with the TARGET logo, some rabbits, Flanders on a riding mower) all present themselves in front of him as we fast forward through Homer’s waiting period. It’s set to "The Waiting” by Tom Petty. It takes a little context to realize that Mike Scully is an impossibly lame dadrock guy (NRBQ hasn’t shown up on the show at this point.... yet). This is the era where I first noticed that the show was indulging in a lot of uninspired musical montages, usually extremely right-brained in nature: Here we have a classic rock song called “Waiting” while Homer Waits. It’s the Simpsons simply telling you that they can afford expensive music cues. The first act is also not that great, an extended riff on Soccer being a boring sport. It’s a comedy idea that’s as fresh as... well, off the top of my head I remember the SCTV Godfather episode made a big rude soccer joke. So like, early 80s? At least? Damn. As far as season 9 goes, I guess this episode is better than most? I like scenes in this, and I remember watching it on TV and not thinking that it was particularly bad. It’s only through hindsight that I see the cracks now. So, I guess I’ll keep this one.

THE B-SODE:

youtube

A Brief History of the United States Segment from "Bowling for Columbine" | May 16, 2002 Micheal Moore movies were one of the few respites from the shitty inescapable politics of my backwater redneck town. I saw them all. They made me feel stuff. I was young. I’m not anti-Moore but he definitely has shitty stuff about him. Like, for example, this cartoon, which appears at the point in the movie after he interviews Matt Stone from South Park. But here’s how Moore did Matt dirty: this cartoon is heavily implied to be from Matt & Trey, but it’s not. They had nothing to do with this. It actually resembles their cartoon “American History”, which was a student film they made in the early 90s. I forget where, but I recall Matt & Trey being annoyed at this, and Matt in particular felt used. This kind of thing Moore does is irresponsible and shitty to do, and I don’t think he should be above criticism just because he leans the same political direction I do. In fact, I was such a Moore devotee that I had all the episodes of The Awful Truth and TV Nation, the later I had to get nth-generation tapes from eBay. But I still read up on his dishonest film-making practices and took criticism of him seriously enough that if people asked me if I liked him I’d reply “he’s a decent satirist but a shitty documentarian”. All of this lead up to the moment when “Fahrenheit 9/11″ came to Redding. I worked as an usher at the time, and I actually came in before I started work so I could watch the first showing before my shift. Air America had been on for a couple months or so, and I listened to it a TON. I read all the blogs they cited, I started reading the news paper, I was WELL-INFORMED and POLITICALLY ACTIVATED, and GODDAMN IT, I CARED ABOUT ALL THIS STUFF DEEPLY. So a particular PACKED showing of Fahrenheit 9/11 plays and I’m sitting in the theater watching the last ten minutes and my heart swells while the credits play, and the theater is emptying out and I’m just waiting till it empties most of the way out so I can start picking up other people’s garbage. An old woman walks up to me. “You see this movie yet?” “I have!” I said proudly. “What do you think of it?” she asked me. “Well...” I started thinking about how dishonest Michael Moore can be, and how his films require more scrutiny than just looking at them at face value. “The movie effected me emotional and I agree with the message, but I feel like I need to do more reading about--” she cuts me off: “start reading the newspaper. It’s all in there.” she walks away, setting her half-eaten popcorn on a chair for me to pick up for her. And THAT’s why I fucking hate democrats.

#simpsons #season 9 #bowling for columbine

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xenolithium · 5 years ago

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gercan for the ship meme please!

Germany/Canada

Who hogs the duvet?

Neither really, they both sleep pretty soundly so shuffling around the blankets isn't really a problem amongst them. They're also both too considerate of each other, if anyone steals the duvet, it's because one of them gave it to the other.

Who texts/rings to check how their day is going?

Ludwig, it's easier for him to communicate certain things than through his voice. Like feelings left unsaid and thoughts he wanted to vocalise to his boyfriend. Matt is a little more nervous when it comes to texting, is he bugging him? Should he really say that? He deletes the message multiple times before deciding to give up.

Who’s the most creative when it comes to gifts?

They're both pretty thoughtful people, but Ludwig tends to show his affection less. Aka, giving out gifts, than Matthew does. So usually when he does, he tends to think long and hard, sometimes making himself a little stressed out. Giving the gift is even more embarassing, but at least Matthew is always very appreciative and understanding.

Who gets up first in the morning?

Ludwig for sure! Good luck dealing with Matthew in the morning. Usually the German is up bright and early, ready and prepped for the day. Matthew? He looks like a serial axe murderer until he gets his first cup of coffee.

Who suggests new things in bed?

Matthew, if he works up the courage to suggest anything at all. It's awkward for him and he's unsure of how to really phrase his wants. Is he being selfish by asking? Is usually what goes through his head. Ludwig doesn't have as high a sex drive so it doesn't really cross his mind as much, not to say he's not willing to try.

Who cries at movies?

Matthew if anybody, but usually no one is really sobbing much. Though Matthew definitely twitches more and shows more facial expressions to what is going on. Ludwig likes to occasionally observe him.

Who gives unprompted massages?

Neither, they're not really touchy feely sort of people. Matthew might ask occasionally or maybe Ludwig once in a blue moon if Matthew looks particularly depressed, but otherwise they aren't randomly giving foot rubs.

Who fusses over the other when they’re sick?

Believe it or not, Ludwig. Just in his own sort of way. He'll run himself ragged trying to do something, anything. He doesn't just want to sit on his ass while his boyfriend suffers. He's always been a do and get shit done individual. So he'll definitely help in any way he can and internally worry for him. Not to say Matt doesn't worry. He worries so much, but Ludwig is good at hiding illness.

Who gets jealous easiest?

Matthew, he can't help it. Usually, it starts off with self doubt. He's always doubting himself, wondering if he's doing things wrong. So seeing Ludwig interacting a lot with someone else just gets him thinking. An over thinking Matthew is a depressed Matthew. What if he likes them better than me? Was I not good enough? He usually doesn't act on it, but he definitely looks like a kicked puppy.

Who has the most embarrassing taste in music?

Matthew. Why are you still listening to early 2000s pop and rock? Seriously? Nickelback?

Who collects something unusual?

Ludwig, have you seen his hoard of manuals? He has to know how to do everything perfect! Even if he's done it just fine before or the answer is fairly obvious. Him and Matthew seem to both share in their habit of doubting themselves. Just in slightly different ways.

Who takes the longest to get ready?

Ludwig, usually. Matthew tends to throw on a hoodie and shorts then call it day. His German boyfriend is a lot more meticulous in how he presents himself. Especially combing back his hair and making sure not a spec is out of place. Actually, scratch that. He's borderline obsessive with how he looks.

Who is the most tidy and organised?

Ludwig hands down, is this even a competition? It's not so much that Matthew is a slob, he's just a normal person. Ludwig on the other hand, well...shit better not be out of place.

Who gets most excited about the holidays?

They're both pretty uncaring towards them. Matthew will celebrate and enjoy them but it's not the end of the world if for some reason he couldn't. Ludwig usually just finds the whole thing tedious, especially going to Alfred's parties.

Who is the big spoon/little spoon?

Matthew is the big spoon if only because usually he's the one initiating any cuddling in bed. Ludwig has a weird thing about sleeping with people, so it's not his go to thing to do. But after a while he'll shut up and warm up to it, even enjoy it. Then they'll switch.

Who gets most competitive when playing games and/or sports?

Matthew, 100%. Competitive is his middle fucking name. Wanna get your ass beat in hockey? Just give this dude a call. Not even Ludwig can keep up with his sudden aggressive transformation on the ice or in any sport or competitive activity he finds himself in. He also realizes that he can't look away either. Was Matthew always this hot?

Who starts the most arguments?

Ludwig, I guess? He tends to nag a lot or be a bit more confrontational. But Matthew is literally the world's source of patience. Not to say he can't get angry, he can get angry and oh boy is it not pretty. Though he usually opts for a more passive approach to things, so nothing really ends up happening for the most part.

Who suggests that they buy a pet?

Ludwig likes dogs, what can I say? He wants all those soft puppers. The cutest, biggest puppers the nearest pound has. He's a softie when it comes to animals, they're just so pure and cute. Matt has Kuma, who is enough for him.

Who is the best cook?

Ludwig, by far. Sorry Matthew, but KD and your inability to find joy in making anything that you can't just leave to cook and walk away from, makes it hard to say you're amazing at it. Not to say Matthew can't cook if he puts his mind to it, but well...he usually doesn't.

---

Left a few questions out again, but thank you so much anon for this request. It was a lot of fun to think about and I hope you like it~

Original if you want to ask more!

#gercan #aph germany #aph canada #hws germany #hws canada #hetalia #headcanons #fluff #ship meme #drabble #this pairing is seriously cute #not my fave #but cute #anonymous #anon request #thanks for the ask!#request

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atc74 · 5 years ago

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Anything You Can Do

Square(s) Filled: Girl Power for @spnfluffbingo2019

Warnings: playground antics, flirting, fluff, ahhh, IDK, it’s fun! Implied sex as payment (it’s REALLY not what you think)

Summary: Jared opens his man-child mouth and it’s on! It’s a karaoke battle for the ages and the ladies are in it to win it! But, when this crew shows up, there are no losers!

Pairing: Reader x past OC, Rob x Reader, Jensen x Briana

Word Count: 4455

Written for: @spnfluffbingo2019

Beta’d by: @alleiradayne who was crazy enough to support this idea from the beginning and my dear @amanda-teaches, whom I would be lost without.

A/N: I wanted to do something really fun and who of us wouldn’t be up for some of this on a Friday night???!!!! All the songs were painstakingly chosen for reasons. There are also some shameless plugs for my boys Louden Swain.

Also a shout out to my friend Beth @brooksba, who took all the amazing photos found in the graphic below!

It was a rare convention weekend when all the guests showed up on a Friday. The green room was fuller than normal as Jensen, Jared, Rob, Rich, Briana, Kim, Y/N, Ruth and the boys from the band sat around shooting the breeze. The green room always had a relaxed and playful atmosphere and this time was no different.

“Oh come on! You cannot burp the alphabet!” Jared scoffed as Briana picked up a warm soda from the table and opened it.

“Why, cause I’m a girl?” she challenged him and the room exploded with the disbelief of all those in attendance that Jared dare say such a thing to her, or any of the women on the convention circuit.

“Well,” Jared looked around sheepishly, waiting for someone to help him.

“Nope. You’re on your own with this one pal!” Rich slapped him on the back. “You have awakened the beast.”

“I just mean, you’re little and…” Jared tried to come up with another reason. Christ, Gen was going to kill him when he got home.

“I may be little but I am fierce, Jarpad,” Briana grinned and chugged the soda. It wasn’t long before a symphony of belches in the form of the alphabet song erupted from her. “Anything you can do I can do better. I can do anything better than you.” She sang as she high fived Kim and Y/N.

“No, no, no. Not this again,” Jensen chuckled, shaking his head.

“Oh yeah! I am so down for this. And this time, a wager perhaps?” Rich went into full on emcee mode. “What do y’all say about a battle for the ages? A karaoke battle, if you will. It is Friday after all.”

“Yesss!” The women shouted.

“Winner picks the losers costume for the next convention?” Rich continued, knowing he had the ladies all in for this. “Fellas? You gonna back down from a challenge?”

“Hell no! I’m in!” Matt Cohen raised his hand.

“Yeah, I’ll do it. I mean, I am a professional,” Rob joined him, making eye contact with Y/N shyly across the room.

“Can’t leave my fearless leader in the wind. I’ll do it,” Mike Borja threw his proverbial hat in the ring, looking at the last three.

“Don’t look at me! I don’t sing!” Jared backed away slowly.

Jensen glanced to Jason, then back to the women, all with shit eating grins on their faces. “I’m probably gonna regret this, but okay. Jason and I are in.”

“Wait, how did I get wrapped into this? I’m not an idiot like Jared!” Jason defended.

“No, but you are a team player buddy and we need you if we’re going to stand a chance,” Jensen replied, looking to Briana with a wink.

“Splendid! The rules are simple. I, and only I, will pick your songs. No one else will know what you are singing but me. Now, go. Be gone. Out damn spot!” Rich grinned ear to ear as he pulled out his phone, making the most epic list of his convention career.

~*~

“Y/N, girl, are you gonna tell him or not?” Briana asked her pointedly when they got to Briana’s room to get ready for the Karaoke Party.

“Yeah, did you see the way he was looking at you?” Kim chimed in.

“You guys, I just ended a really bad relationship and he’s my friend,” Y/N said. “I don’t want to ruin what we have.”

“Then don’t. Just ruin him for all other women!” Ruth giggled.

“Oh my god Ruthie!” Y/N hid her flushed face behind her hands.

“And may I point out that you didn’t ‘just’ end that relationship. It’s been over for weeks officially,” Kim reminded her.

“And you gotta get back on that horse sometime. No time like the present I say!” Briana laughed.

“Come on, Y/N. You’re an overachiever! Just go out there tonight and be amazing; sing your rock song. This is real life, babe and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a leg up on him and he won’t know what hit him!” Kim encouraged.

“All’s fair in love and war and karaoke battles,” Ruth chirped. “This is how you’ll win the big one, Y/N, ready steady.”

“Okay, okay okay! I get it. Gosh, you all sure know a lot of their songs,” Y/N rolled her eyes as Briana dragged her in the bathroom to curl her hair.

“Aha! You know all the songs, too!” Kim shouted.

“Yeah, yeah,” Y/N smiled at Briana in the mirror.

“You’re gonna knock his socks off,” she smiled back.

~*~

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Friday Night Karaoke! Boy oh boy, do we have a special treat for y’all tonight! During some green room antics earlier, a challenge has been issued,” Rich paused, waiting for the audience to quiet some and let him finish his intro. “Tonight, with you good people as witnesses, will be a battle to battle all battles! The ladies versus the men

of Supernatural will battle it out for bragging rights right here on this stage!!”

The crowd exploded in cheers and applause. Rich drew a slip of paper from the bowl and the first few fans sang their songs to roaring applause. Briana, Kim, Rich, Rob and Matt all joined in on stage for the fun.

“Please may I get a warm welcome for Miss Y/N Y/L/N!” Rich announced.

Y/N walked through the curtain, kissing him lightly on the cheek and whispering in his ear. “I know what you’re doing Rich. I’ll get you back for this.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about darlin’. Now go, sing!” Rich shooed her from his side.

The beat started and Y/N started rocking her body with its rhythm. “Yeah!”

“I’m coming up so you better get this party started!

I’m coming up so you better get this party started!

Get this party started on a Friday night

Everybody’s waiting for me to arrive

Sending out the message to all of my friends…”

The crowd was going wild, bouncing and singing along as Y/N worked them into a frenzy with her first song of the evening. If this was any indication of how the night would go, she didn’t care who won, she was having a damn good time, and she made sure the crowd was too as she finished her song.

“Well, well, well, I guess we really got this party started now!” Rich laughed, pulling another name from the bowl.

“Please give it up for Miss Briana Buckmaster!” Rich shouted as Briana walked forward.

Briana took center stage in front of the screen. She was holding her breath, praying Rich didn’t pick something lame. When the screen lit up and the music started, she gave it everything, knowing they had this shit in the bag.

“Step back gonna come at ya fast

I’m driving out of control

And getting ready to crash

Won’t stop shaking up what I can

I serve it up in a shot

So suck it down like a man

So baby yes I know what I am

And no I don’t give a damn

And you’ll be loving it up

Some days I’m a super bitch

Up to my old tricks

But it won’t last forever

Next day I’m your supergirl

Out to save the world

And it keeps gettin’ better…”

From the first word, the crowd was loving it and singing along with her. Jensen watched discreetly from the side of the stage, cursing Jared for opening his gigantic mouth, but loving the view. Man that girl could sing! And the way she moved…mesmerizing, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. It definitely keeps getting better.

Briana finished off her song and Rich stepped up to announce the next name. “You know, Robby, we’ve been doing this for how long? Four, five, sixty years?”

“Oh about sixty I think, from how old I feel at the end of a convention weekend,” Rob quipped, the audience breaking out in laughter.

“And never, in all that time, has this next person ever, ever, graced us with his presence on a Friday night. Did you know that?” Rich asked Rob.

“Never, ever?” Rob repeated.

“Never. So without further ado, please welcome to the karaoke stage for the first time EVER, Mr. Jensen Ackles!” Rich stepped away, letting Jensen saunter on the stage. The crowd was deafening and could not believe that Jensen would not only attend the Karaoke party, but actually participate!

“Thanks buddy. Don’t make me make you regret this,” he chuckled as the music started and he shook his head. He looked to the side and made eye contact with Briana, a knowing grin on her face.

“Revvin’ up your engine

Listen to her howlin’ roar

Metal under tension

Beggin’ you to touch and go

Highway to the danger zone

Ride into the danger zone

Headin’ into twilight

Spreadin’ out her wings tonight

She got you jumpin’ off the track

And shovin’ into overdrive…”

Jensen was never one for karaoke, but loved to sing and did so with everything he had. The song, while not special to him in any way, held a new meaning after tonight. He looked out among the crowd and was energized by them.

“Out along the edges

Always where I burn to be

The further on the edge

The hotter the intensity…”

Jensen closed out his song with vigor, feeding off the fans, much like he does at a Saturday Night Special Concert. He tossed Rich his microphone and practically bounced off backstage.

“Robby, I think you know what I’m going to say,” Rich paused for dramatic effect.

“Rich, I might play God on television, but I don’t know what you’re going to say. I might actually be afraid of what you’re going to say,” Rob turned to face the audience, a knowing look on his face.

“Well Bobbo, we’re gonna turn it up a notch. Please put your dirty little hands together for the one, the only, Miss Kim Rhodes!” Rich roared and the crowd went nuts. Kim ran out onto the stage, a smile splitting her face from ear to ear. She was always a fan favorite at karaoke and Rich knew with the song he picked, this would be no different.

As soon as the music started, Kim threw her arms in the air and started stomping her feet along with the beat.

“County road two thirty-three under my feet

Nothin’ on this white rock but little ol’ me

I’ve got two miles till he makes bail

And if I’m right, we’re headed straight for hell

I’m goin’ home, gonna load my shotgun

Wait by the door, and light a cigarette

If he wants a fight, well, now he’s got one

And he ain’t seen me crazy yet

He slapped my face, and he shook me like a rag doll

Don’t that sound like a real man?

I’m going to show him what little girls are made of

Gunpowder and lead…”

“Come on! I can’t hear you!” Kim screamed. “Let’s make sure everyone knows we’re having a fucking good time tonight!”

“Well, it’s half past ten, another six-pack in

And I can feel the rumble like the cold black wind

He pulls in the drive, the gravel flies

He don’t know what’s waiting here this time

I’m goin’ home, gonna load my shotgun

Wait by the door, and light a cigarette

If he wants a fight, well, now he’s got one

And he ain’t seen me crazy yet

He slapped my face, and he shook me like a rag doll

Don’t that sound like a real man?

I’m going to show him what little girls are made of

Gunpowder and lead…”

The decibels were so high, it was a miracle anyone could hear anything after Kim finished, whipping the crowd into an even higher gear.

“Well, Kim really knows how to put on a show doesn’t she? You think she gets that from Zach and Cody?” Rich turned to Rob, who could only shake his head at his friend.

“I will end you Speight,” Kim’s voice carried through the PA system.

“Well Bobbo, I guess it’s your turn!” Rich quickly got back to business.

“Well this should be fun,” Rob commented, waiting somewhat awkwardly for the music to queue.

Now, the Black Crowes were a good band, a great band, but Rob wasn’t sure if this was the kind of message he wanted to send. But he undoubtedly knew it was exactly the message Rich wanted him to send.

“Baby here I am

I’m the man on the scene

I can give you what you want

But you gotta’ come home with me

“Girl, you have no idea how into you he is,” Briana cooed, her red lips just inches from Y/N’s flushed cheeks. “I couldn’t have picked a better song myself.” She just smiled, throwing her arm over her friend’s shoulders as she watched Rob work his magic on the crowd, and Y/N.

I have got some good old lovin’

And I got some more in store

When I get through throwin’ it on

You gotta’ come back for more

Boys will come along a dime by the dozen

That ain’t nothing but ten cent lovin’

Pretty little thing, let me light your candle

‘Cause mama I’m sure hard to handle now, yessir'am

Action speaks louder than words

And I’m a man of great experience

I know you’ve got another man

But I can love you better than him

At first Rob felt dirty singing this, knowing Richard’s intent behind it, but by the end, stealing glances at Y/N throughout the song, Rob threw caution to the wind. He ran to the side of the stage and sang directly to her. It was no secret to everyone that Rob had a giant crush on her. It was only lost on her. Maybe he could get her to notice.

Take my hand don’t be afraid

I’m gonna prove every word I say

I’m advertising love for free

So you can place your ad with me

Boys will come along a dime by the dozen

That ain’t nothing but ten cent lovin’

Pretty little thing, let me light your candle

'Cause mama I’m sure hard to handle now, yessir'am…”

Y/N was blushing furiously, her mouth agape as Kim and Bri led her backstage for her next song. She looked like she could use a stiff drink. Or two. Ruthie was headed out just as they walked in. She winked at Y/N and skipped behind the curtain as Rich called her name.

Ruth was a great entertainer and sang a fun filled rendition of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, getting the whole crowd involved, even pulling a few fans up on the stage. Mike Borja even joined the fun, then followed it up with ZZ Top’s Sharp Dressed Man. The crowd went wild for Matt Cohen as usual when he came out rapping Macklemore’s Can’t Hold Us like a beast and Jason slowed it down a bit with Tom Petty’s I Won’t Back Down.

“We’ve got a few more songs for you good people tonight and I know I appreciate you letting these fools take over your karaoke party. Whaddya say we get Jensen back out here?” Rich addressed the screaming fans and it got even louder when Jensen made his way back through the curtain. “Oh Ackles, you’re gonna love this one!”

Jensen gave everybody the most epic bitch face that ever bitched when he realized what song was playing. But, ever the consummate performer, he rolled with it and knocked it out of the park in a way that only Jensen can do.

This hit, that ice cold

Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold

This one for them hood girls

Them good girls straight masterpieces

Stylin’, wilin’, livin’ it up in the city

Got Chucks on with Saint Laurent

Gotta kiss myself, I’m so pretty

I’m too hot (hot damn)

Called a police and a fireman

I’m too hot (hot damn)

Make a dragon wanna retire man

I’m too hot (hot damn)

Say my name you know who I am

I’m too hot (hot damn)

And my band 'bout that money, break it down

Girls hit your hallelujah (whoo)

'Cause uptown funk gon’ give it to you

Saturday night and we in the spot

Don’t believe me just watch (come on)

Briana watched from the wings, her skin heating up as she watched Jensen dance his dorky self across the stage, high-fiving fans, slapping Rich on the ass and stealing Borja’s hat. He could never pretend to be grumpy for long, and she got the feeling he was loving the whole experience and getting closer to the fans that the normal concert allows.

Before we leave

Lemme tell y'all a lil’ something

Uptown funk you up

Uptown funk you up uh

I said uptown funk you up

Uptown funk you up

“You better go jump on that!” Kim pushed her out onto the stage just as Jensen made his way over to where they were standing. Briana stumbled right into Jensen, but he easily caught her with one strong arm and pulled her with him to center stage. Briana was never a shy one and she wasted no time doing her worst as Jensen finished the song out, his eyes never leaving her grinding body on the stage next to him.

Come on, dance, jump on it

If you sexy then flaunt it

If you freaky then own it

Don’t brag about it, come show me

Come on, dance

Jump on it

If you sexy then flaunt it

Well it’s Saturday night and we in the spot

Don’t believe me just watch come on!

“Well that was incredible wasn’t it? Watching two of the world’s most beautiful people get their freak on in front of a couple hundred people? But damn if it wasn’t a good time!” Rich laughed, his body rolling forward as Jensen and Briana made their way off stage. “Oh no Miss Buckmaster! You get that fine ass back here! Might as well bring him with.”

“Richie, can I at least pick?” Briana pouted, standing close enough so only RIch could hear her.

“Oh no sweet cheeks! The whole idea was for me to pick the songs!” Rich reminded her. “Besides, the ladies are totally killing it!”

“Yeah, we are!” she smiled. “Fine. Let’s do this.”

Briana killed Whitney’s I’m Every Woman, all the ladies coming out to join her, as they tormented the men, Jason even pulling Jared on stage, so he could see how they were getting beat down by a bunch of girls.

“Brother, it doesn’t matter the competition, women will win every day of the week and twice on Sundays,” Jason slapped him on the shoulder as he headed off stage. “I need a drink.”

“So Rich tells me I’m up for another one. Hit it Maestro,” Y/N smiled. The music started and she knew she had Rich to thank. This song had become her anthem. He had been a good friend and better listener over the last several months and she was grateful for him, grateful for all of them. She could never picture her life without the crazy family she had found.

“This is for every single one of you that has been through hell and came out the other side…like a Winchester,” she grabbed the microphone and readied herself.

“You know the bed feels warmer

Sleeping here alone

You know I dream in color

And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me

Think you had the last laugh

Bet you think that everything good is gone

Think you left me broken down

Think that I’d come running back

Baby you don’t know me, 'cause you’re dead wrong

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone

What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter

Footsteps even lighter

Doesn’t mean I’m over 'cause you’re gone…”

Y/N laughed as she danced around the stage, much like she did alone in her apartment or trailer. She finally felt like herself again.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger

Just me, myself and I

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started

Thanks to you I’m not the broken-hearted

Thanks to you I’m finally thinking 'bout me

You know in the end the day I left was just my beginning

In the end

Bouncing around the stage, Y/N closed out the song to a standing ovation and ringing ears. She had never felt lighter. She hugged Rich, giving back the microphone. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but I ain’t done yet,” he winked at her. “Robbie, you’re up buddy!”

As soon as the title card hit the screen on stage, Rob groaned internally. The audience picked up the whistling for the first 45 seconds as Rob gave his best friend a piece of his mind, a smile on his face all the while.

“Rich! What are you doing? You totally set me up for this. I’m going to kill you in your sleep, just so you know!”

“Ohhh Bobbo, you’ll thank me in the morning and we both know it. Everyone knows it. Now focus and sing Axl!” Rich slapped Rob’s ass before ducking off stage. Rob looked around and caught Ruth and Y/N off to the side, slowly swaying to the tune.

“Shed a tear 'cause I’m missin’ you

I’m still alright to smile

Girl, I think about you every day now

Was a time when I wasn’t sure

But you set my mind at ease

There is no doubt you’re in my heart now

Said “woman take it slow, and it’ll work itself out fine”

All we need is just a little patience

Said “sugar make it slow and we’ll come together fine”

All we need is just a little patience (Patience)

Mm, yeah

I sit here on the stairs

'Cause I’d rather be alone

If I can’t have you right now, I’ll wait dear

Sometimes I get so tense but I can’t speed up the time

But you know love there’s one more thing to consider

Said “woman take it slow and things will be just fine”

You and I’ll just use a little patience

Said “sugar take the time 'cause the lights are shining bright”

You and I’ve got what it takes to make it

We won’t fake it, I’ll never break it

'Cause I can’t take it…”

Y/N left Ruth’s side and strolled to where Rob stood center stage, his hand wrapped tightly around the microphone, his eyes closed as he whistled the quick few notes. When he opened his eyes, he found her right beside him.

Little patience, mm yeah, mm yeah

Need a little patience, yeah

Just a little patience, yeah

Some more patience, yeah

I’ve been walking the streets at night

Just trying to get it right

It’s hard to see with so many around

You know I don’t like being stuck in the crowd

And the streets don’t change but maybe the names

I ain’t got time for the game 'cause I need you

Yeah, yeah, yeah but I need you

Oh, I need you

Ooh this time

Rob looked down at the end of the song, the ballroom booming with cheers and applause, to find Y/N’s hand clasped tightly in his.

“All you needed was a little patience,” she smiled up at him.

“If I can’t have you right now, I’ll wait dear,” Rob admitted, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

“Take it slow and things will be just fine,” she squeezed his hand and they rushed off the stage, only to be besieged by their friends.

“I knew it!” Kim threw her hands up in victory.

“Well that took longer than it should have,” Ruth giggled, sashaying back to the refreshments.

Y/N watched as Jared and Matt both slapped twenties in Jason’s hand.

“You bet on us?” Y/N asked, a mix of outrage and amusement as she looked among her friends, her hand still in Rob’s. His face was somewhere between pride, joy and shame.

“Hell yeah we did,” Jensen chimed in. “Now pay up Buckmaster!”

“I’m fresh out of cash, Ackles. Sorry,” she swayed towards him.

He grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her to him. “ I can think of plenty of ways you can work it off.” His deep timbre practically a growl before he kissed her.

Catcalls could be heard out on the stage no doubt. Rich poked his head through the curtain. “I missed it?”

“Told ya you would!” Kim hollered, holding out her hand. Rich, Mike, Y/N and Ruth all slipped her their payment. “Jas and I cleaned up. Come on folks, first rounds on us!”

“I guess it was a wager in more ways than one tonight, huh?” Rob chuckled, turning to face Y/N, a smile lighting up his face.

“Our friends may have bet on us, but I’m still a winner,” she grinned, lifting her chin to meet his baby blues.

“Yeah? How so?” he asked.

“Well, I’m pretty sure I got the guy, but I am still missing my winnings,” she stepped closer, mere inches separated them and she could feel the heat emanating from his lean body.

“What winnings are those?” he whispered, closing the distance even more.

“I still need your payment on the Buckles bet,” she reminded him.

“Oh yeah, what do I owe you again?” he feigned innocence.

“Let me think,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his in a sweet and slightly heated first kiss. “I think about a thousand more of those would be a good start.”

“Seems like a steep wager, Miss Y/L/N,” Rob quipped. “But I think I’d like to up the ante.”

“You’re on. Just remember, anything you can do, I can do better,” she giggled under his steady gaze.

“It’s going to be a fun weekend,.” Rob mumbled, grabbing her by the neck and kissed her harder this time, leaving her breathless and wanting more. He pulled away, her lips chasing his. “Patience, my dear. Just a little patience.”

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onestowatch · 5 years ago

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The Wombats' Matthew Murphy on Picasso, “Black Mirror,” and Solo Project, Love Fame Tragedy [Q&A]

After 17 years at the helm of the English indie rock band The Wombats, Matthew "Murph" Murphy decided it was time for a change. In a two year span, The Wombats toured with The Rolling Stones, Weezer and The Pixies, released their fourth studio album Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life and made sure to hit up all the spots on the festival circuit this summer. When he wasn't on the road, Murph was spending time in Los Angeles – ultimately moving there from London – and working on new material that didn't quite fit The Wombats' mold. He played a little of what he calls "contact list roulette," recruiting musical collaborators to work with him in the studio on some new songs. And that's where Love Fame Tragedy was born – the solo project sees Murphy exploring different musical avenues and creating an entirely new sound. "I just wanted to try something new," Murphy said in a statement. "Something that didn't involve any politics." He found inspiration for the name after visiting a Picasso exhibition at the Tate Modern in London. "It triggered a lot of things," he said, "and a lot of songs flew out after that." Love Fame Tragedy finds Murphy joined by a cast of companions, including The Pixies' Joey Santiago, Alt-J's Gus Unger-Hamilton and former Soundgarden and Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain. The singles had been trickling out slowly all summer, but, at long last, we have the full EP.

I spoke with Murphy over the phone a few days before the EP dropped. We chatted about the project, as well as drawing inspiration from the likes of Picasso, moving to LA and Black Mirror. Get a look inside Murphy's solo project, Love Fame Tragedy, and make sure to check out his debut EP, I Don’t Want To Play The Victim, But I’m Really Good At It.

OTW: Let’s talk about the name “Love Fame Tragedy." I understand you saw a Picasso exhibit and were inspired by one of the paintings. What in particular inspired you?

MM: Whenever I have days off, I go to museums or try to get some inspiration in some form. I saw this Picasso exhibition and it was so hilariously dark because, you know, the whole premise behind “Love Fame Tragedy” is him painting his mistress out of town whilst his wife is in Paris and he’s in the countryside… it’s pretty dark shit. I was also looking for something that had, like, a looping kind of comic feeling, which I think “Love Fame Tragedy” does. I think [the paintings] are kind of linked, and one leads into another. I just liked it. Before I knew it, I’d completely ripped off a Picasso exhibition and that was the name of the band.

OTW: When I first saw the name, I couldn’t help but think of The Wombats’ debut, A Guide to Love, Loss, and Desperation. You certainly have a thing with threes.

MM: Yeah, I do. Well, three’s a very powerful number, apparently.

OTW: Both the sound and the music videos have been pretty experimental for this project. What was the songwriting process like?

MM: The songwriting process for me is the same as it’s always been. It’s just me trying to excite myself. For this project, I’m working with this one guy Tyler Cunningham. He lives in LA. He and I are doing the videos and doing all the artwork together. It’s exciting to be creating this long thread, which I’ve never really done on an album before. It’s always different directors for this, the label wants to do that, whereas this is very much streamlined. It just means I can be a bit more creative and clever with artwork, videos, and general content.

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OTW: LA is such a creative hub; almost everyone there is a transplant. What are some things you’ve gotten from immersing yourself in the city?

MM: LA’s been such a special place for me. I met my wife and had a baby there. The essence of collaboration that’s running through the water there is important. I’ve been inspired by that. That’s why I’ve had other people guest on this record, and I just feel 10-15 percent happier there. It’s a very New Age-y place, and that kind of rubs off on you. I just feel like happiness and sadness are really conducive to creativity, but happiness even more, so I’m really thankful for LA for providing me with that.

OTW: You mentioned all the different guests on the record. You’ve worked with some iconic names like Joey Santiago (The Pixies) and Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam). How did having all those different minds working together impact your thought process?

MM: It was all pretty chilled out. Me and Joey played golf beforehand; we kind of bonded on the Weezer/Pixies tour and I said, “Do you want to come to the studio?” And that’s what he did. There wasn’t too much overthinking. Collaborating with people and making new friends all the time is a much better existence than locking yourself in a room in London and writing for ten hours a day like I used to.

OTW: I loved how you let the songs trickle in slowly, kind of building the anticipation for the full EP. MM: I didn’t really decide to do it that way (laughs) I wanted to make a Love Fame Tragedy album, and all I’ve been doing is writing the songs, getting them recorded and being happy with them. But I am excited about the way it’s coming out. It’s exciting for me. There are going to be two EPs and then an extra handful of songs, which will all make one big, pretty long album at the end of it, next year. But it is fun doing EPs because you can treat everything like a mini album; everything’s got its own title, its own artwork. It’s kind of a cool way of doing it and a way I was happy to go along with. It just seems like a much more exciting way to do things.

OTW: You performed some of the new songs at the Reading Festival. What was that experience like? MM: It was horrendous! (laughs) Everything went wrong. It was a baptism of fire. It was kind of amazing that that happened because every show since then has been so great and so strong and exciting. I think we got all of the bad juju out. It wasn’t that bad a gig, I just had no guitar for the whole thing so it was just really weird. The other guys were great. We had the voice and we had the rest of the band. We just didn’t have my guitar, which was pretty interesting. But people seemed to like it.

OTW: I feel like sometimes happy accidents like that help you grow as a band.

MM: I think so. I mean, I’d met the guys way before that, but it was definitely a real bonding experience.

OTW: What do you hope your fans will get out of these live performances?

MM: Same reason I write music: I just like to make a connection with someone, and want them to feel something. That’s kind of all I do. There’s no dramatic or political statements or anything I’m massively pedaling. They’re just confessional songs and I hope they hit people the way some of them have hit me.

OTW: I think the subject matter in the songs resonates with a lot of people. Like in “My Cheating Heart,” I noticed themes of self-indulgence, materialism, temptation… love, fame AND tragedy all kind of combined into one explosion of a song. “Backflip” kind of reminded me of modern dating.

MM: “My Cheating Heart” is about a state of anxiety, really, and a lot of things that I felt when I first moved to Los Angeles and how I dealt with it… or didn’t deal with it. And “Backflip,” I guess, is about modern dating. I feel like that’s more so because of the video and the visuals and things.

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OTW: Very Black Mirror-ish.

MM: Yeah, it’s completely ripped off from “Metalhead!” I had the idea for all these shifting shapes, or whatever, which apparently is an idea people had a few years ago. I just said to the director, Watch ‘Metalhead’… can we just make it look like that?” I think we did a pretty good job.

OTW: Hey, Quentin Tarantino says he steals from every movie ever made, so don’t feel bad.

MM: (laughs) Oh no, I don’t feel bad!

OTW: What other themes do you think you’ll explore with this process?

MM: A lot of the songs are barking up the same tree I’ve always barked up. Problems with relationships… maybe relationships are like a metaphor for me having problems with the outside world? I don’t know. When I find them, I’ll be sure to explore them.

OTW: Before we go, who are your Ones to Watch?

MM: I really like Emily King. Me, my wife and daughter listen to her every morning. I think she’s pretty special.

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#matthew murphy #the wombats #interview #alternative #pop #indie rock #love fame tragedy #I don't want to play the victim but I'm really good at it

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kalluun-patangaroa · 6 years ago

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An Audience With… Brett Anderson

UNCUT Magazine

December 2010

Interview: John Lewis

Brett Anderson has some fans in odd places. This month, Uncut’s email boxes are positively heaving with questions from adoring fans in Peru, Serbia, Japan, New Zealand, Belgium, South Africa, Slovenia and Russia. “I’m quite popular in odd places,” he says. “Suede had No 1s in Chile and Finland. We were massive in Denmark. If asked why Denmark, my stock answer was that, well, I’m a depressed sex maniac and so are most Scandinavians. We toured China long before most Western pop groups. I remember playing Beijing, to a crowd divided by armed soldiers facing the audience. That was pretty scary.” Anderson is currently back in the Far East, speaking to Uncut as he overlooks Kowloon Harbour, preparing for solo dates. Later in the year he’ll be in London for a big O2 show with Suede (sans original guitarist Bernard Butler, although the two remain good friends). “I wanted to check out what the stage was like at the O2 Arena,” he says. “So I went to see The Moody Blues with my father-in-law. Come on, you can’t argue with ‘Nights In White Satin’. What a tune!”

I presume you’re aware of the ‘reallybanderson’ Twitter account purporting to be by you. Amused or offended? Helen, Birmingham

Twitter is one of those strange things, like Facebook, that I don’t have anything to do with. But I have to grudgingly admit that the reallybanderson Twitter updates are rather funny [starts giggling]. And the guy doing it is obviously a bit of a Suede fan, because there are some very detailed references to b-sides and bla-di-blah. I can’t exactly complain about it without coming across as a real tit. It’s just fun and no-one really thinks it’s me, it’s a cartoon version of me reflected through some fairground mirror. I don’t think anyone reads it and thinks, ‘Oh, Brett Anderson has Jas Mann from Babylon Zoo doing his washing up, or Brett punched Damon in the street.’ It is, ha ha ha, quite witty. Having shown them the picture inside the Best Of Suede CD, my kids would like to know why you refused to feed me for five years? Also – can my mum have her top back? And are you around for a trip to the Imperial War Museum? Bernard Butler

Yes, what most fans don’t realise is that we kept Bernard in a cage for five years, and fed him edamame beans and tap water. Regarding his mum’s top – he should know that it’s long been ripped up and destroyed by the front row of the Southampton Joiners, or somesuch venue. Now, the Imperial War Museum – me and Bernard were talking about getting older the other day and he said: “Are you finding yourself increasingly interested in British military history?” And I have become oddly fascinated with watching WWI docs on YouTube. It’s not just the personal tragedies, but the sense of it being a shocking transition point between the Victorian world and modernity. The idea that they were going into war on horseback, and by the end of it they were in tanks. Blimey. So tell Bernard I will be going to the museum, soon… What’s your favourite Duffy song? Kris Smith, Wembley

I thought “Rockferry” was a very beautiful, stirring track. So that’s the only one I know well, but I’m really pleased for Bernard that that was a big success [Butler co-wrote and produced much of the album]. He’s an incredibly talented person and works incredibly hard, and he’s one of those people who is just obsessed with music. People like that deserve success. Did I ask him to join the Suede show at the O2? No. I told him about it, but he’s moved on so far from Suede that it would have been odd, and we’ve had a completely different lineup since he left. I don’t think he’d want to be jumping around a stage again! He’s much happier doing what he does now, I think he’s really found his calling. Do you still have your cat, Fluffington? Claire Vanderhoven, Holland

Unfortunately, he’s ascended to cat heaven. He had 15 long years of adoration. Am I getting another cat? Well, I recently got married, and my wife brought two Italian greyhounds with her. I don’t know if anyone is aware of them, but Italian greyhounds are like little cats. Ours are eight years old but look like miniature foxes, bonsai greyhounds. But incredibly fast, like little bullets. When they’re not running they spend their whole life under the duvet. Someone once told me they were bred by the Pharaohs as bedwarmers! Brett, do you have a copy of the single I recorded with Suede: “Art” b/w “Be My God”? If so, could I have one? Mike Joyce

Mike, I think I destroyed my copy years ago. I’m not one to keep memorabilia. They’re about 100 quid on eBay. Mike was an early member of Suede. We were advertising for a drummer and listed The Smiths as an influence. Then at an audition, their drummer pokes his head through the door and says, “Hello, lads!” Ha! It was a bit Jim’ll Fix It. I don’t think anyone thought it was going to last, Mike was far too big a name for us. But he just took us under his wing, guided us through the industry, and was so charming. I still keep in contact with him. What’s the weirdest story you’ve heard about yourself? Badabingbadaboom

Someone once told me that they’d heard a story about me wanting to shit in someone’s mouth. But I also heard the same story about David Byrne, so I think it’s one of those urban myths that gets transferred from one slightly kooky pop star to another. That’s probably the most unsavoury thing I’ve heard about myself. Maybe I should give it a go. Which actors would you like to play the lead members of Suede in a biopic? James Kumar, Manchester

This is the kind of thing we talk about on tour. Matt Osman is convinced I should be played by Peter Egan, who was in Ever Decreasing Circles. I think Nic Cage should play Matt. Arsène Wenger reminds me of Bernard. That’s what Bernard will look like when he’s 60. Billy Idol could play Simon Gilbert, couldn’t he? Would you ever consider working in musical theatre? Neil Tennant

It’s funny he should ask that, because only the other day, I was listening to the album Neil and Chris did with Liza Minnelli in the late ’80s. Results, I think it’s called, with “Losing My Mind”. That sounded great, so emotive, and real. I’m a big fan of the Pet Shop Boys, they’re one of those amazing bands that almost created their own genre. But anyway, musical theatre. Yeah, I think I would. Sondheim? Rodgers and Hart? Definitely. I’m always open to new ideas. Musical theatre sounds like it’s going to have camp undertones, but I’d love to do it in an interesting way. What’s the worst song you’ve ever written? Mark Catley, Christchurch, NZ

That’s a good question. I wrote lots of terrible songs that were never recorded in the early days. But there’s a song called “Duchess” – a B-side to something from the Head Music era [actually to 1997 single “Filmstar”] – which is pretty rubbish. I’ve often regretted the production on certain songs, like “Trash” and “Animal Nitrate”, even though they’ve been pretty good songs. But you can’t go messing around with things like that. You start to interfere with what people originally liked about it. I also think people like your mistakes, as they give your work humanity. I quite like that about Prince. He seems to throw stuff out – some of it genius, some unlistenable – but all quite honest. I respect that. Do you enjoy art? Excited about Gauguin at the Tate? Katarina Janoskova, London

Absolutely. I’m a big fan of Gauguin and the post-impressionists. My favourite visual artist, if I had to narrow it down to one, would be Manet, the pre-impressionist. Not Monet, who doesn’t do it for me. But Manet had this revolutionary technique of painting on black, which gives his pictures a real depth, there’s something very sumptuous about his paintings. And further back, the kind of medieval-style stuff like Holbein and Brueghel – they’re so well observed and so real. You look at these pictures of people who lived 500, 600 years ago, you can imagine them walking down Tottenham Court Road now, the same face, they’re so real. It’s a little window into the past. I’ve quite got into art recently. It’s all part of expanding yourself and your education, appreciation of beauty in life, innit? Now that you’re no longer coming to work in Bow, how are you coping without the salad pitta? Leo Abrahams, musician and producer

Ha ha! I’ve been working on an album with Leo, in his studio, and I have an unhealthy obsession with East London’s kebab shops. You don’t get many good kebab shops in west London. It reminds me of being a student. I’m surprised Leo’s got the time to email you questions! He’s far too busy producing Eno or Grace Jones or Florence & The Machine. He also does these bizarre things where he plays entirely improvised gigs, no rehearsals. And that inspired the latest solo LP I’ve done with him. It was based on improvs. Me, Leo, Seb Rochford on drums, and Leopold Ross on bass just jammed for days, cut up them up and improvised, and did overdubs. It’s a full-on rock record. I love Leo, he’s great. He never takes the easy option. He pushes you a bit, which can be terrifying. Can you give us not-so-slim-in-2010 Suede fans some health tips? Simon Quinton, Oxford

My wife is a naturopath – she’s conscious of what she eats, so we eat a lot of sushi and seeds. I’ve got into cycling recently, particularly living in London, through the parks and the backstreets. It makes you fall back in love with the city. I cycled to Bow the other day from my house in Notting Hill. So that’s staving off the fortysomething belly. I’m sure I’ll get it when I’m fiftysomething. I’m looking forward to that. What do you think of Gorillaz? Ruiz, São Paulo, Brazil

To be honest, I don’t know much about them. I like the drawings. I guess that’s a veiled question about my relationship with Damon? Well, we don’t have a relationship to talk about. We all have things that happened years ago, rivalries and so on, and people assume that they’re still on your radar and part of your life. It’s like some musical soap opera, often one that’s been fabricated, without much substance. I have different issues in my life now. Is the art of songwriting dead? If it isn’t, who is flying the torch? Paloma Faith

Oh, it’s not dead at all. I’m constantly inspired by new music. If you look on YouTube, there’s a clip of me singing Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”. When you’re covering stuff it’s interesting to try things that are out of your genre, which gives it a frisson. So I always try songs that aren’t, you know, British indie, stuff like Blondie, or The Pretenders. That Christina Aguilera song is amazing. I try not to look at songs as the finished product, I look at it as the chords and the melody and the words, like sheet music to be interpreted. You’ve got to keep moving with your musical appreciation. I loved the last Horrors record, I liked The National, The Drums, These New Puritans, lots of stuff. I never listen to the records I grew up with. Why bother? It’s all in my head! Brett, you’re from Haywards Heath. What’s the deal with the swimming pool there? It’s deep in the middle, not at one end. What’s your take on that? And were you ever caught out by it? P Newman, Brighton

I don’t know what they’re referring to at all, but funnily enough my dad used to work there as a swimming pool attendant. And I don’t really know how he got the job because he couldn’t swim. It’s lucky there weren’t any accidents. Every Tuesday, we had to troop down to the local pool, and everybody would be pointing at my dad saying, “Oh look there’s your dad, he’s working as a pool attendant.” And I was hoping none of them would start drowning, ’cos my dad wouldn’t be much use. Still, this was the early ’80s, and I guess we all thought the world was going to end any second with a nuclear bomb. Ha ha.

#suede #brett anderson #press #interview #bernard butler #mike joyce #neil tennant #leo abrahams

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belizedeservesbetter · 5 years ago

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Rock of Ages is Hadestown

I don’t really know if this is a review or my upcoming college thesis

I’ve always loved Rock of Ages. It’s so fun. It’s so dumb. But it’s also so smart. Rock of Ages knows exactly who Rock of Ages is and should be. Rock of Ages is exactly what Rock of Ages wants to be. It’s a blast and the songs are of course good and it’s funny and full of heart and there’s actually some really wonderful theatrical moments and I’m thrilled that it’s back at New World Stages for the summer. But as I sat there watching the show on Thursday, I realized something.

Rock of Ages is Hadestown.

The plot is literally the same. Young musician working in a restaurant falls in love with a girl who wants more out of life but young musician can’t give her what she wants and eventually sells her soul to the devil. All the while, a fun narrator steps in and out of the plot and a second story of young love and falling out of love occur between the older character. Three women who sing together are also involved. That is a vast oversimplification of both stories but you get my idea.

Orpheus, then, is Drew. The wannabe musician with a big heart, good intentions but not the smartest or most logical person. Drew, who throughout the show writes a song that will Change Rock and Roll (and in Orpheus’ case, the world). This song that makes their female love interest fall in love with them. In this current production of Rock of Ages, he’s played by CJ Eldred, who looks STRIKINGLY like Reeve Carney, but can actually act.

tell me that is not Reeve. tell me they are not long lost siblings or at least dopplegangers

Which brings us to Sherrie, aka Eurydice, who has blown in from nowhere and bumps into Drew/Orpheus and there is an instant connection that is only bolstered by a lovely duet by the Greeks and a shared slushee by the rockers. Sherrie, like Eurydice, is a “hungry young girl” who wants more out of life. Where Eurydice wants... something, I guess, Sherrie wants to be an actress. Kirsten Scott sings the hell out of all her songs and is a sheer delight to watch on stage. Sherrie and Drew have a good thing going until Drew mentions just how good of friends they are.

Am I equating Orpheus’ inability to do anything but write his “La La La” song with a nervous Drew accidentally telling Sherrie they’re just friends? Yes. Yes and the scene it happens in the show is hilarious. There’s this wooden car set that Drew brings on and off that is SO cheesy and SO hilarious and they all know it too. There’s even a part where Drew mimes opening and closing the car door even though there is no door that was Comedy Gold.

Which brings us to Hades, aka Stacee Jaxx. Where Eurydice sells her soul to Hades and goes way down to Hadestown, Sherrie sleeps with Stacee, who then gets her fired and puts a rift between her and Drew. Stacee Jaxx is as gross and sleazy as they come, and PJ Griffith (whose bio on the website is fun) works every second of it. His story ends with Sherrie breaking his nose before he has to flee the country. Where Hades is revealed to Have a Heart, Stacee is kicked to the curb, which I liked. I liked that the Big RockStar ends the show with nothing and no one.

The Hermes of Rock of Ages is Lonny, who is both the narrator of the show and a character who influences the plot. “Just Like Paradise/Nothin’ But a Good Time” is literally Road to Hell and all the characters and themes are introduced right from the start. Lonny steps in to narrate quite a bit, going so far as to interrupt Drew’s train of thought towards the end of the show which leads to this funny “You’re in a musical called Rock of Ages and it used to be on Broadway and now it’s not and they made a movie out of it” moment which was absolutely on the nose but they KNEW it was on the nose and worked with it. Mitchell Jarvis, who created the role of Lonny, is back in this current Off-Broadway production and he is spectacular. You can tell he loves everything about this role and this show and he is having a fantastic time and you the audience are having a fantastic time with him.

This is where it becomes a bit more of a stretch but bear with me on this so there are three waitresses who also work at The Bourbon Room and while they ominously sing like The Fates, they do pop in to provide Sherrie with some comfort every now and then. They’re also super cool and do some really incredible dancing. The standout waitress, also known as Waitress #1, is Katie Webber and holy shit she’s incredible. She was also in the original cast of the show and you can tell how much she loves it.

This is even more of a stretch but the characters Dennis and Justice combined make Persephone. Dennis, the owner of The Bourbon Room, talks about Stacee Jaxx with a lot of love and nostalgia, which makes me think he had feelings for him at some point. Considering Dennis ends up with Lonny at the end, I think I could be right in this. This is probably adding layers to Rock of Ages that isn’t there but I think Dennis really loved Stacee and was hurt to see him leave him in the dust like that. Matt Ban plays Dennis currently and gives Dennis a strong “Tired Dad” vibe, which worked well for the character. He also had great chemistry with Mitchell Jarvis.

Justice also gives me big Persephone vibes, especially her moment with Sherrie where she talks about how she was in love once and how she’s not as happy as she used to be. I’ll definitely take “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (and Dennis’ “Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore”) as this show’s “Our Lady of the Underground” and maybe some of her verses in “Chant.” Jeannette Bayardelle was wonderful as Justice. She also had this glitter lipstick that looked like the glitter lips from Priscilla - Queen of the Desert which I love love loved.

A lot of the themes are the same - with the ones on climate change, the workforce and capitalism being summed up in the Regina (pronounced like vagina)/Hertz plotline about tearing down the Sunset Strip. Of course the Orpheus/Eurydice themes match up surprisingly well with the Drew/Sherrie ones too. Actually, I think it’s interesting how Rock of Ages goes further in exploring what happens when Drew does get what he wants, like what happens when his songs do get noticed and how it turns out to be not what he wants after all.

And in this current production, there’s even a Tall Ensemble Man, played by Michael Mahany, who, again, is clearly having a great time. He’s also the sole male ensemble member (not including Mekhai Lee because he plays The Mayor and Drew’s Agent mostly) which makes the big ensemble dance breaks really funny.

The set is also literally the same as Hadestown, but more rock and roll. There’s literally the stares Hades uses to go up and down from his little patio, but this time they go into Dennis office. To be quite honest, I fully expect the inevitable Hadestown revival in the far off future to be staged in a rock and roll bar/club like The Bourbon Room. It fits the story perfectly.

The big difference is that Rock of Ages ends happily. Drew and Sherrie actually get to live happily ever after, which Orpheus and Eurydice don’t get to do.

There is so much I love about Rock of Ages. It’s an absolute blast. I love seeing it because it’s sheer escapism. There’s nothing I have to think too hard on and it’s not a show that tries to be that either. I love how you can tell what songs they only got partial rights to, like the split second moment where Stacee sings Styx’s “Renegade.” I love how much fun everyone is having, especially Tall Ensemble Man. I love that the ending is absolutely ridiculous and Dennis is briefly mentioned to have died, but he comes back as an Angel that gets rid of Stacee Jaxx. I love that Lonny tells Drew to fuck the book writers of the musical. And I love that Rock of Ages has its flaws and problematic jokes, cause it keeps me humble. It reminds me that I’m seeing Rock of Ages and not a Serious Show. I love how much fun and how drunk the audience is for this show. I love that this is the closest thing to Straight Culture I’m ever gonna see, which is fascinating to say the least. I love the merchandise the show has! You can get Wolfgang Von Colt (Drew’s stage name) t-shirts that look like Drew made them himself. I love that you can buy Arsenal (Stacee Jaxx’s band) sweatshirts that look like Stacee designed them himself. I love that the band is onstage the entire time and I love that they are Arsenal and are constantly flipping off Stacee.

Also! We don’t give enough credit to director Kristin Hanggi! Why do we always forget about her when we talk about female directors? She's been with this show right from the start! She’s infused this show with so much satire. It’s really a lot more progressive than you’d think.

And this show is so fun. It’s so so fun. I understand why there’s die hard Rock of Ages fans who’ve seen this show hundreds of times.

Go check out Rock of Ages at New World Stages till the end of summer! New World Stages has actually become a great spot for post-Broadway shows, like Jersey Boys and Play That Goes Wrong. There’s also Puffs, which I liked even though I’m a little traumatized from it. And there’s also Gazillion Bubble Show, if you’re into that.

#rock of ages #review #broadway #off-broadway #i will die on this hill i love this show #voice

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kidgetrash · 6 years ago

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I already did G, so here’s Y! You have been warned! Also, I can’t leave stuff angsty! So angst with a happy ending, I guess!

Y - Yelling at each other (for the angst)

(as always, my characters are aged up!)

Pidge ground her teeth. Of all the stupid things to do, of all the stupid people to do it, it had to be him, it was always him. She had lost count of the number of times he had almost sacrificed himself for the good of the team and she couldn’t deal with it anymore.

She ran down the ramp from Green as she pulled her helmet from her head, not even bothering to put her glasses on as she stormed towards him. They had landed on the planet they had been aiding, safe now that the threat was gone, and everyone was disembarking for a brief post battle check before continuing. Pidge didn’t care about that.

‘I took a little damage on the left flank.’ Keith was saying to Shiro as she approached. ‘Nothing Pidge and Hunk can’t fix, I’m sure, right?’ He turned towards the smallest Paladin but was rewarded by having her helmet thrown at him, striking him in the chest before falling to the floor. ‘Ow, what…?’

‘What the hell were you thinking?’ She yelled, shoving at his chest with her hands hard enough to stagger him.

‘Pidge…’ He started but she didn’t relinquish for a second, continuing to shove him as her anger flowed through her.

‘Do you think it’s brave, what you’re doing? Do you think it’s smart? Because it’s not!’

‘Hey, I just did what I thought should be done in the circumstances.’ He snapped back, trying to grab at her wrists but she avoided him easily.

‘You’re a selfish idiot, that’s what you are! A quiznaking moron!’

‘I did what needed to be done.’ He said firmly, as though he were explaining to a petulant child, but it only made her angrier.

‘It’s your solution to everything! If at first you don’t succeed, crash my stupid ass into it!’

‘Hey! If we hadn’t stopped…’

‘Then what?’ She interrupted as Shiro carefully approached her, everyone else watching anxiously. ‘We stopped it without you having to sacrifice yourself anyway, all you did was scare the shit out of all of us, again! You’re the Black Paladin, Keith! Without you there is no Voltron!’

‘That’s not true.’ He argued. ‘If anything happens to me we have Shiro and…’

‘And he can’t pilot with one arm!’ Pidge all but screamed, her voice breaking as her eyes filled with tears. ‘You would leave the rest of the galaxy defenceless, you would leave us without a…a you! You’d leave me!’

‘Katie…’ He said quietly as he stepped towards her, realising where this was truly coming from. They had been together now for some time but had kept it between the two of them, thinking at first that it was because of the circumstances they found themselves in, but had recently realised that it was more than that, a whole lot more. It amped up the threat level considerably when you were in danger of losing one another on a daily basis.

‘Don’t “Katie” me, Kogane!’ She waved her finger at him threateningly.

‘Pidge, maybe you should…’ Shiro tried, but she glared at him until he took a step back.

‘This concerns all of us, Shiro! If he dies, Voltron dies with him! There is always another way!’

‘But what if there’s not?’ Keith yelled, Pidge turning her glare back on him. ‘What if one time that’s the only way to do it? Shiro sacrificed himself for us and I would do the same, for the sake of the galaxies and…’

‘What about my sake?’ She all but screamed back. ‘What would I do if you weren’t here?’

‘Are we missing something?’ Hunk asked, but got ignored.

‘You’d carry on, because that’s what you have to do, that’s what you do in war. You’d find a way.’

For some reason this incensed Pidge, pushed her over the edge, and she leapt at him, but Lance was there, catching her around the waist and lifting her off the ground, even as she struggled. ‘Easy, Pidge!’

‘I won’t easy anything!’ She shoved her thumbs into the pressure points in his wrists between his armour and he dropped her with a yelp. ‘And you’re going to stop this stupidity, once and for all, before it finally does kill you!’

‘If it saves lives…’ Keith said harshly.

‘What about my life? What about our life?’ Pidge yelled. ‘Why should I have to explain to our baby why they don’t have a father?’

Keith visibly paled, his eyes going wide as Pidge realised what she had let slip, what she hadn’t told even him. ‘Katie, are you…?’

She didn’t reply, instead she pushed him out of the way as she ran, needing to put some distance between them.

‘Did she just say baby?’ Shiro looked at Keith, his face full of confusion.

‘Katie!’ Keith ignored him and ran after her, leaving the rest of the team to look between one another in surprised confusion.

Keith found her sitting in a small sheltered formation of rocks, her knees drawn up to her chest and her chin resting on them.

‘Go away.’ She said without looking up, dragging her glove across her face to get rid of the tears. She didn’t want him here, she didn’t want his sympathy, and she definitely didn’t want to forgive him just yet.

He didn’t answer, instead he came and sat beside her, careful not to touch her. ‘How long have you known?’

‘A couple of days.’ She sniffed loudly.

‘Any idea…uh…’

‘If it’s yours?’

‘I know it’s mine.’ He countered immediately. ‘I meant how far along are you?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Nine weeks, nearly ten, maybe. Periods in space aren’t an exact science.

‘I’m sure the Alteans can…’

‘Enough.’ She growled. ‘I can’t do this, not knowing that tomorrow might be the day you choose to go out in a stupidity induced blaze of glory.’

‘What if,’ he started, his fingers daring to touch her arm, the barest of touches she could hardly feel, but she didn’t pull away, ’I promised to stop being an idiot Paladin and offered to be your idiot husband instead?’

‘I don’t need you to marry me, Keith, I need you to be alive.’

‘Can you do both?’

She let out a shuddering sigh and looked at him through bleary eyes. ‘You’re saying you’ll stop being an idiot and marry me? Sounds pretty farfetched.’

‘What if it wasn’t?’ He managed to pry her fingers off herself and laced them with his own.

‘No more stupidly? No more suicide missions?’ She asked suspiciously.

‘No more, I promise.’

‘You’re still not forgiven.’ She replied, squeezing his hand.

‘So…I’m going to be a dad?’ He gave a small laugh.

‘Yeah, so, I’m going to be a mom.’

‘Oh boy.’ He said as he realised something. ‘Your dad is going to kill me.’

‘Not if Matt gets his hands on you first.’

‘Damn, I forgot about him too.’ Keith grimaced. ‘But no matter what happens I promise not to pull any more stunts like that. I want to be there for you and our little paladin.’

‘Little paladin.’ She snorted a laugh. ‘Speaking of, hadn’t we better go back and face the music? They didn’t even know we were together, let alone the other thing.’

‘Let’s let them stew for a bit.’ He edged closer to her and pulled her into his arms. ‘Right now I just want some quiet time with my wife to be.’

‘You’re serious about that?’ She asked as she nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder

‘Never more serious.’ He kissed her hair, never more grateful that she had crashed into his life than he was right now.

Headcanony prompty asky thingy! If you want more you gotta ask, I’m all up to date now!

Buy me an OJ?

#kidge #voltron #headcanons #prompts #pidge #keith #angst

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nhlhoser · 7 years ago

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On The Rocks - 20

PART 19 MASTERLIST

word count: 4226

"Mother fucking star boy"

The loud bass pumping through the club and into my body urging it to move in a seductive rhythm to the beat, surrounded by moving bodies pressed against together in similar rhythm. The girls surround me shielding each other from predatory males, shooting venomous glares to anyone that dare approach or even look at us with suggestive eyes. Mitch, Matt, and Connor form an additional layer of protection their hands on their girl.

The faces in the crowd blur together as I head for the bar in search for Steph who had gone to replenish her drink but wasn't back yet. I volunteered to try and locate her but also to replenish my own drink. Bumping into the odd person here and there I finally made it to the busy bar being attended by about 4 people busy making drinks with flair, tossing and flipping the bottles in the air and shaking the drinks to the rhythm of the music.

My height gives me a better view of the people surrounding the bar, scanning the variety of different faces I was able to spot Steph trying desperately to gain the attention of the bartender closest to her, which seems to be proven difficult by the amount of time she had been gone. Starting to approach an unknown guy drops his hand onto the middle of her back and talks in her ear, she instantly lurks away making me instantly quick my step and slipped my arm around her creating a barrier for her.

"He bugging you?" I asked my head bowed to her ear like the man did just moments before but she welcomes my closeness by tilting her ear to me before nodding. I step closer to the bar completely blocking him from her with a glare.

"-Putanna," I heard the guy say to someone meaning whore. "I was just trying to have a little fun with your friend here," The guy raise his arms in mock surrender with an eye roll leaning back to laugh with his buddies beside him.

Deciding to ignore this guy, I turn and lucky was able to catch the eye of one the bartenders and waved my wrist bearing the vibrant orange VIP band, he beeline towards us instantly inquiring our needs with a harmless flirtatious smile before quickly preparing the order with the same flare I had observed for awhile. As we wait for our drinks the guy beside us is talking to his friends loud enough to be heard over the music in Italian, some of the things are funny and the rest is disgusting.

Getting our fruity cocktails I left Stephanie to walk ahead of me as I follow. I could feel the guys eyes on me as I sip my drink stepping away from the bar, my back rigid.

"Putanna, si sarebbe più eccitante se eri più piccola ," whore, you would be hotter if you were smaller. On what ever reflex that sober me would never have done I whip my head and glare into eyes before snapping.

" NON SONO NESSUNA PUTTANA ," I am no whore I seethed loudly drawing more attention. "TUA MADRE NON TI HA INSEGNATO LA RISPETTO, CULO!" Your mother didn't teach you respect. Steph was at my side instantly pulling towards where we were last all together, the guy was too shocked by my outburst to react.

I am still shaken up when we reach our group, I could tell by the temperature that my face is red and so are my ears. Pushing hair away from my face to behind my ears I take deep calming breaths through my nose before chugging back my tequila sunrise instead. Mitch tucked his girl under his arm protectively with concern and wonder etched on his face as well at the others.

"What happened?" Mitch observed wide eyed as my tense stature and red face- and probably crazed eyes.

"I'm not exactly sure other than- HOLY FUCK THAT WAS HOT!!!!" Steph cheered. "SHE.WENT.OFF- in Italian," she swooned into her boyfriend's arms with a drunken laugh easing no one's curiosity but sparking it more.

"First off she came out of nowhere as this creep tried to hit on me, then instantly flagged down a bartender which I was trying to for awhile THEN WHEN WE WERE WALKING AWAY THIS GUY- THE SAME GUY SAID SOMETHING I can only assume is nasty and AMELIA WHIPPED TO HIM SO FAST AND BEGUN A VERBAL ASSAULT IN ITALIAN," Steph recounted her side of the tale over the loud music with enthusiasm, bouncing in her spot her boyfriend looked grumpy at the knowledge of someone trying to get with his girl.

"He called us whore's many time as we were beside him," I deadpanned not sharing her energy. Mitches eyes darken as does Stephanies as a look of disgust shoots across her face clearly now offended by the situation.

"That ass" she hissed.

"Culo," I gave her the Italian translation with a smirk but her brows crease before shooting up with understanding.

"Well, let's get back to shaking our Culos!"

"It's not gonna work for you, nobody can equal me,"

My heart continues to pump viciously from anger as I move with Sydney and Steph, the intent of his words sit directly on my heart. My lack of a good mood doesn't go unnoticed as Steph pulls me between her, Sydney and Lexi and all started to sing a lot to the music horribly close to my ear. Steph pulls away couple songs later to say something to Mitch who then disappears with Matt. Continuing to dance to a heavy bass song, Steph directly in front of me, Sydney to one side and Lex to the other with Connor practically wrapped around her. All moving to the beat to the best of our drunk abilities and laughing at each other.

Multiple songs later, the pair return with drinks in hand but also with Auston carrying a tray of shots, of what is yet to be discovered. Matt balances multiple drinks in his hand, giving one to me with a huge grin and nodded before dishing out the rest, Mitch's hands are full of beer bottles of different variety squinching at the label before handing out to the respective owner. It was rather harmonized for a bunch of drunks. Auston as if on queue, when all the drinks we situated he started handing out the shots of -once I smelt it- whiskey to everyone as he balanced his drink.

"TO HOCKEY!" Sydney raised her shot and we all copied before slamming back to the rough liquid, instantly burning down my throat. Shaking my whole body to ease the burning before chasing with my drink. The alcohol settles into my system a sense of calm and bliss wash over my whole body.

"He calls me the devil, I make him wanna sin," The opening for one of my favorite songs floods my ears, my body instantly reacts moving to the sensual beat moving my hips proactively.

"Hotter than hell," Closing my eyes singing along off tone. "As my kiss goes down you like some sweet alcohol," I open my eyes taking a sip of my own sweet alcohol, my blues meet the dark brown of Auston couple meters away sipping his beer. The alcohol coursing through me I work around Steph and Mitch, I approach Placing my hand on his always tense shoulder his head tilting towards me curious look in his eye. Definitely not use to me being the one to come to him as usual, it's the other way.

"Relax, Auston," I coaxed leaning my head towards his shoulder so he could hear me over the pounding music. When he doesn't relax right away I pout like a spoiled brat, gliding my hand down his bicep to his hand. Pulling him and slightly pushing him to the beat, a dumb grin raising on my lips. He's resistance still held, taking my hand out of his I use it to push the one holding his drink to his lips, he drinks after he rolls his eyes. He chugs it back before setting it down on an empty random empty table and urging me to drink mine back as quickly as he did, taking my glass and setting it beside it, grabbing my hand starts leading me deeper into the crowd.

The music got louder, vibrating the floor beneath my feet. Auston's face was shadowed by the lack of lighting in this area making it increasingly hard to decipher what he's thinking. Taking a couple beats to take him in for the first time tonight, his white dress shirt not as crisp rolled to his elbows and the top buttons undone expose the hints of his strength.

He pulls me by hands and then pushes like I had done to him but ultimately puts me into him, his large hands lay on the bare skin of my back. guiding me to him as he moves with beat moving me too. Both smiling as he pulls and twirls me a couple times, I end up with my back pressed up against his chest.

We laugh and dance for many songs before deciding we should head back to the floor above with the rest of the hockey people. We stumble into the elevator knocking into each other nodding at the security as they eye our bracelets letting us through.

"Uhm did you see a big kind mean looking guy come here yet?" I ask the guard pressing buttons, referring to Matt because he was the tallest.

"That's not this guy," The guard teased my head whipped to Auston survey him to figure out why the guy thought he looked mean but he had his usual look on his face it naturally looks bitchy so I guess i could understand.

"Nah, this one just has a case of bitch face," I dismiss as Austons face forges into a mock expression offense. "It's a good look though," I padded his shoulder.

"To answer your question, I did. He was with two other guys and three girls,"

Getting off the elevator I was stumbling mildly I put it but apparently it was enough to worry Auston as his eyes were wide with worry, his hands going to my shoulder. I rolled my eyes and stuck out my tongue leading forward to the rest of the Leafs. Auston in toe as we were greeted by a waitress with some shots, grabbing one for both of us without hesitation quickly handing Auston his as I violent slam it back. Probably didn't help my stumbling situation as dizzy spell hit me, grabbing onto Auston for some support,

"So now you want my help," He teased wrapping a strong arm around my waist better stabilizing me but also him.

The party is still going but now it was more just the players and respective partners. Sitting down at a booth with William, Morgan, and James who are all wasted by the sounds of it and that they admitted they'd probably fall if they stood. They all now nursing a glass of water each, which seemed like a great idea but when I went to get out the booth Auston was there.

"You're in my way," I poked his shoulder aggressively with a pout dawning my lips. He lazily/drunkenly turned his head to me his brows raised.

"And?"

"I'm thirsty," I actually was quite parched from dancing. He stood up with a grievance but when i tried to get up he pushed me back into the booth shaking his head. "you'll fall," he mumbled but he was no soberer than me and the other guys could tell- laughing.

"Wha- do you want?" he hiccuped.

"Water, please," he nodded before wandering in the general direction of the bar- I think. I tuned back into the conversation at the table brief before getting distracted by the aching in my feet, groaning stretched my feet in front of me.

"Why don't you just take them off?" Morgan mused.

"I think they're part of me now," Was the first thing out of my mouth seriously as I frowned down at my slightly swollen feet which would only swell more and I'd never get them back on when i had to leave is actually what I could have said but they're guys they don't understand.

"She wouldn't get them back on when she had to leave," James said in a condescending tone with a dramatic roll of the eyes. The other two simply nodded giving their teammate/friend a look. Impressed I nod in agreement with him as his chest puffs out a little making us all break into laughter.

Digging my phone out of my bra for the first time tonight, unlocking it I have to blind my eyes to focus on the bright screen.

3:01 am

A tall glass of cold water is set down in front of me, instantly my hands make hast dropping my phone in my lap to grab the cold glass. The water refreshing on my throat and dry mouth. I was half gone by the time I turn to an amused looking Auston sipping a dark amber liquid.

"Oh yeah, thank you," I smiled raising my glass mock cheers tapping it against his as he sets it down. I continue to enjoy my water it made no difference in lack of sobriety but it and much more would help my head tomorrow. That reminded me that I'm not exactly sure how I am getting home even into my apartment at this point not having my keys, Steph didn't really give me the plans.

"It's 3 am! Do you know if Steph left yet?" I asked the guys no one imparticular.

"I don't think so, but you might want to check with the other Leaf lady they might no more than us," Morgan shrugged nodding towards Molly and Lucy mere feet away. Turning to Auston who's once again in my way he lazily slides out wordlessly. The rest of the guys got up also deciding they should start heading out, we said our goodbyes but Auston stayed with me as I approached Molly and Lucy.

"Hey, Do you know if Steph and Mitch Left?" I got out over the music, slightly startling the two who are quick to shoot me their huge smiles pulling me into a semi group hug.

"Yeah, I think just a bit ago. She and Mitch looked pretty eager to get outta here," Molly winked insinuating they probably left to go have sex.

"Thanks, It was great meeting you guys. I'll already know I'll be seeing lots of you guys," I drunkenly giggled as we hugged and parted ways as stressed settled on my shoulders, my drunken brain decided the best way to deal is with more shots as a waitress came up to us with another tray of vodka shots. I took two for myself and wasting no time in drinking them as I could feel the judgment radiating off Auston as we wordlessly made out way outside of the club.

"I have no idea what the hell I am gonna do?" I started to freak out when Steph didn't answer her phone so could give me an Idea of where the hell is I suppose to go. Auston was obligatorily drunk beside me leaning against the brick wall casually, staring with glazed over drunk eyes.

"What's the matter?" He sounded like a little kid as his bottom lip jutted out forming a pout.

"I can't go home, I don't have my keys to get into the building or my apartment and Steph is probably fucking Mitch right now," I curtly confessed.

"You can stay at mine," He offered instantly with a bright smile. "Plus I always stay in your guest room," he added. Seeing as I literally have no other opinion and that I'm drunk it's a great idea. Nodding with a drunken smile as I watch the same smile grace his lips.

"Perfect, let's get- outta here.I'll get uber," Pulling out his phone nearly dropping it in the process he began tapping away. He squints at the screen with extreme concentration as the task became more difficult being under the influence.

Leaning back against the cool brick waiting for him to get everything situated, shifting from foot to foot they throb but are more at the point of numb then pain. I tilt my head up looking into the light polluted sky unable to see the stars. The air is cold raising goosebumps on my bare arms and legs, the lingering sweat intensifies the chill in some areas a shiver running down my body breaking through my drunken haze.

"Let go- wait at the front,"

My head is spinning and my stomach was turning.

Where am I? The surface under me was soft and warm.

and breathing? Rolling over I fall from the comfort onto the cold floor, knocking my elbow of the too close coffee table. The sound hurts my ears as my elbow buzzes.

"Can you kill yourself quieter please?" A voice said grumbled from the couch, so I was laying on someone. Blinking my eyes open carefully, it's still rather dark meaning it's early. The ceiling is not mine and neither is any of the furniture of what I could make out.

"You can stay at mine," The memory of Auston offering me to stay at his returns to my brain as I try to decipher where the hell I am. Relief temporarily washed over my body before the need to throw up replaced it, shooting up too quick on my wobbly feet with a groan. I stumble through the dimly lit foreign apartment, loudly knocking into the coffee table again and a wall on my mission down the hall to the bathroom. Throwing open the first out of 4 doors to luckily find the toilet on the first try.

Returning to the living room still feeling the effects of alcohol. Auston now lays on his stomach, his head turned out and his mouth open but his eyes still closed. He's still asleep. Looking around the Austons place it's open concept like mine but with a lot more tall windows, the living room is separated by a kitchen island complete with bar stools. His apartment being in the corner of the building, there is a great view of the city and the water. The city light's still bright as the sun is still down.

"Auston," I nudged his shoulder but nothing happens. "Auston, come on," I pushed harder earning mumbled words and a groan. "I need to steal clothes," I whined still in my club outfit but now it's wrinkled and gross against my skin.

"Take anything," He whispered turning towards the back of the couch.

"That couch isn't good for you back, Auston," I nagged but headed towards the doors from before this time taking my time to discover where each of leads.

"You'll just have to fix it," He muttered in the couch cushion.

"Ass," but I probably will anyway.

Behind the four doors is a bathroom and laundry room on the left side, a guest rooms with a bare matress on the right and Auston's room is at the end. Walking into his room I'm hit with the scent of Auston's and not surprised by the mild mess on the floor, ties throw across a slick looking dresser with a full-length mirror to the left with a suit jacket hung on the corner.

There's a walk in closet attached to his ensuite bathroom, stealing a hoodie, a black v neck, and compression shorts. Jumping into the shower there to no surprise is only male products but luckily he cares about his skin and has a face wash and exfoliator. Turning on the water is like the other time in someone else's shower it's a puzzle but alcohol makes it near impossible until I flip something and tug another getting the water to perfect burning temperature to wash the night off my skin.

Fresh faced and now more tired than ever, the window in Auston's room showcases the starting of a beautiful sunrise. A cheerful smile lights my lips as great idea spring in my still drunk head a hungover looming dangerously. Quickly jogging back into the living room, the sound of my bare feet slapping against the hardwood. I stop at Austonsleeping figure and try to figure out how I am going to get him wake and get him onto the balcony.

Deciding on the physical way I put my arms around his chest under his arm pits and start pulling him up. His heads lulls on my shoulder, soft snores hit my neck.

"Auston, come on," I tried to pull him into a sitting position but he's dead weight being asleep.

"AUSTON!" I go to shake his shoulders but decide against it as it would cause him to puke.

"You're killing my vibe," He mumbled leaning against me now.

"Get up, you drunken arse," It was easier this time as he worked with me, pushing himself off the couch and let me guide me towards the balcony. The crisp morning air assaults both of our senses, Auston eyes shoot open with a look of confusion. I guide him down to the single outdoor love seat and sit down with him.

"What?" He mumbles eyes widening. "Sunrise?" He turned to me, hair a mess and eyes half open brow cocked. I nodded eagerly curling my legs to my chest resting my hands covered by the ends of Auston's hoodie and rested my chin on them, looking out over the water as the sun rises. A shiver runs through my spine as the breeze catches my damp hair, I pull the hoodie closer to my body and the collar over my nose enjoying the scent of Austons deterrent.

Auston's arm came around my shoulders wordlessly as he repositions me to be leaning against his chest, cocooning me with his body heat. The sensation warms my heart and colors my cheeks red as the colors in the sky start to slowly morph from dark black night into lighter hues of navy blue as the sun brings up contrasting hues of oranges, reds, and purple as night meets day.

The brighter the sun gets, my eyes become heavier as my body slowly starts to descend into peaceful slumber wrapped up and surrounded by comfort and beauty. Auston has his left arm wrapped around my shoulders playing with the damp strands of hair falling over my shoulder as his right is around the front of my stomach, his head resting on my head on chest.

"I've never been this relaxed and hungover before. I'm so conflicted right now," Auston chirpy more lively than before breaking the silence. I hummed in agreement my eyes closed as I sink into him further.

"Amelia,"

"Come on, you can't sleep out here. It's bad for your back," Auston used my words from earlier as he poked my cheek. Blinking my eyes open easier than the first time I woke up, the sun is higher in the sky than before the sun rays glistening across the water.

"And you might wanna know that the view only gets better," He mused tiredly as he probably has seen the sun rise much time since he lives here.

"Let's go to bed, the sun is starting to burn my eyes," I suggested squinting, Auston laughs his chest shaken me with it. We get up Auston stumbles into the apartment, raising his arms into a large stretch as his bones crack in multiple locations.

"I wasn't kidding about you fixing my back," He smirked collecting our phones from the floor and moving our discarded shoes closer to the door.

"Sorry, it's my day off," I shrugged with a teasing smile closing the glass door and close the blinds. He mocks offense before adjusting his hair to look half presentable tossing my phone as I got closer.

"Water, Gatorade?" He offered as yawned walking into the kitchen.

"Gatorade and Advil if you have any? I can feel my hangover creeping in," I rubbed my eyes yawning myself.

"Good idea, I think I have some in my bathroom," He handed me the bottle of grape Gatorade beckoning me to follow him as he heads in the direction of his room. Following him into his room I sit on his comfortable bed as he searched for medicine, leaning back into the mattress and soft duvet I sink into sleep.

"Here it is," He tossed the bottle beside me startling me.

"Oops uhm go back to sleep,"

I did just that as he went into the shower, pulling off the hoodie and crawling under the duvet and I didn't instantly fall asleep. The other side of the bed dipped as he gets in 15 minutes later, I could hear him fiddling with his phone but the electric sound of the curtains closing break the silence correcting my assumption as he sets into the mattress with a sigh.

"Can you fix my back later?" Whispered seeing throughmy fake sleep. Cracking open an eye he has a small smile.

"Fine, go to sleep,"

Even though it's my day off.

#auston matthews imagine #auston matthews #on the rocks #482754

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palmettofoxden · 7 years ago

Text

Headcanon that before long drives to away games the Foxes make a playlist for each trip as a team.

Everyone has to go to Renee and she gives them her phone and lets them add songs to the playlist

When Neil doesn’t add any, she tracks him down to see which he wants on there

He picks just enough to make it look like he put some effort in so he can be left alone, but he doesn’t know much music

His choices are just a few songs that he doesn’t feel that strongly about, but he knows their names because he’s heard them a few times on the radio and he doesn’t hate them, so that’s good enough for him

On the run, it was just what they could catch on the radio and lots of the time they were driving where they couldn’t catch any signal but obscure country stations

Now Neil hates country music because of it

He couldn’t change the station to something else while he was driving because his mom wouldn’t let them stray from the one she had found (no matter how staticky it got) in case they couldn’t find one again while she was awake

And when it was her turn to sleep while he drove, he had to keep the radio off

On the bus, they put the whole playlist on shuffle while they drive

There’s no skipping allowed or else it would be total chaos and there would definitely be spite skipping

Which is why they all suffer through “This is the New Shit” blaring through the speakers at 5:30 in the morning because Andrew put it on the playlist

Also, they guess and make bets on who put what songs on when it’s a tough call

But sometimes it’s an easy call

Like, okay Kevin, we all know you’re the one who put “We Will Rock You” and “Tubthumping” and “All I Do is Win” on there

Tbh he may as well have put a whole sports rock album on there

Neil is so confused when Nicky’s singing along to the French lines in “Bad Romance” because Nicky doesn’t speak French????

And Nicky bursts into laughter when Neil asks about it and explains that’s the only French he speaks and he doesn’t even know what it means, he just knows all the Lady Gaga lyrics

Nicky also puts “Get’cha Head in the Game” on there and he definitely sings at Kevin when it comes on

And Andrew put “Basketball” on there just to annoy Kevin

When the song comes on, it keeps repeating “They’re playing basketball. We love that basketball.” while Kevin gets more and more visibly angry and Andrew almost smiles

Andrew turns and glares at Neil when “Head Over Heels” comes on, but then relaxes when Matt starts pretending to sing it to Dan and he realizes Neil didn’t put it on there

Andrew’s songs are mostly Marilyn Manson and punks songs that are a whole lot of loud with a whole lot of swearing, but when “Remember the Name” comes on people guess Kevin put it on and not Andrew

(Plus, Aaron is way more likely to put rap songs on than Andrew is, so Andrew is pretty low on the list of people who might have put it on)

When “Titanium” comes on, the upperclassmen look between each other and then at Nicky because there’s no way it was any of the other monsters

It was Neil and he actually likes the song, the upperclassmen appreciate the addition and sing along

Everyone (especially Nicky) is shocked that not only has Neil never seen Annie, but he doesn’t even know what it is or recognize the song when “The Hard-Knock Life” comes on and Neil doesn’t understand how everyone knows the lyrics when the upperclassmen and Nicky start singing it

Andrew and Aaron know the lyrics, but they’re not about to start singing them

Renee’s the one who put the song on the playlist

Even Andrew thinks it’s weird that Neil’s never heard of Annie, but then again Nicky’s made him watch it like 8 times and now they’re going to have to watch it a 9th to educate Neil

Allison’s got songs like “Bo$$,” “Confident,” and “Hard Out Here” on there and between her and Nicky they’ve got quite a bit of pop on there

Neil is in the middle of talking when Andrew holds a finger up to his own lips and then tells Neil to listen to the song that just came on

Neil is super confused, but of course he listens to the song because Andrew wants him to and now he’s curious about what Andrew likes about the song

It takes a minute for the rest of the bus to realize what song it is and by the time they do, it’s too late

At first Neil thinks it’s just another song about runaways with “I don’t want to know your name. ‘Cause you don’t look the same. The way you did before.”

And Andrew’s still staring Neil down with a blank expression

And then Neil’s a little busy wondering if Andrew really thinks he has a pretty face during the lines “Okay, you think you’ve got a pretty face. But the rest of you is out of place. You looked alright before.”

But then it gets to the chorus and “Fox on the Run” is blasting through the bus while the upperclassmen are scrambling to get their eyes on Neil and offering to turn it off and insisting that it isn’t funny

And if it was anyone else who had put it on there, Neil would probably be more annoyed, but Andrew specifically went out of his way to put this song on the playlist because it reminded him of Neil and so instead of looking annoyed, he’s smirking and the upperclassmen start to relax a bit, but still keep an eye on him until the song is over

“Who the fuck put ‘YMCA’ on here twice?” “It was Nicky, wasn’t it?” “I only put it on there once.”

“Okay, seriously, who the fuck put ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ on here and can we fucking skip it?” “No skipping. That’s the rule, remember?” “Fuck off.”

Neil does not understand what is happening when almost 7 hours into the drive the entire bus seems to catch a second wind when a song comes on

Dan starts singing it first because she’s the one who put it on the playlist, but it doesn’t take long before others join in at the top of their lungs

The entire team (with the exception of a confused Neil and an apathetic Andrew) starts enthusiastically singing along to “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and Neil’s so confused, but he loves it and loves the Foxes

#All For the Game #The Foxhole Court #Neil Josten #Andrew Minyard #Kevin Day #Renee Walker #Nicky Hemmick #Allison Reynolds #Dan Wilds #Matt Boyd #Aaron Minyard #Andreil #Personal #I have thought way too much about this idea honestly #I hope you like my self indulgent af post

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