#i also already have two tvs and two laptops so what use would an ipad or any tablet have to me

[oikasugayama]

I had a dream that I had an iPad and I was very happy to get to draw on it 🥺

[fuckyeahgoodomens]

Was doing Staged a big decision, because it’s so personal and set in your homes? Georgia Tennant: We’d always been a very private couple. Staged was everything we’d never normally say yes to. Suddenly, our entire house is on TV and so is a version of the relationship we’d always kept private. But that’s the way to do it, I guess. Go to the other extreme. Just rip off the Band-Aid.

Anna Lundberg: Michael decided pretty quickly that we weren’t going to move around the house at all. All you see is the fireplace in our kitchen.

GT: We have five children, so it was just about which room was available.

AL: But it’s not the real us. It’s not a documentary.

GT: Although some people think it is.

Which fictional parts of the show do people mistake for reality? GT: People think I’m really a novelist because “Georgia” writes a novel in Staged. They’ve asked where they can buy my book. I should probably just write one now because I’ve done the marketing already.

AL: People worry about our elderly neighbour, who gets hospitalised in the show. She doesn’t actually exist in real life but people have approached Michael in Tesco’s, asking if she’s OK.

Michael and David squabble about who’s billed first in Staged. Does that reflect real life? AL: With Good Omens, Michael’s name was first for the US market and David’s was first for the British market. So those scenes riffed on that.

Should we call you Georgia and Anna, or Anna and Georgia? GT: Either. We’re super-laidback about these things.

AL: Unlike certain people.

How well did you know each other before Staged? GT: We barely knew each other. We’ve now forged a friendship by working on the show together.

AL: We’d met once, for about 20 minutes. We were both pregnant at the time – we had babies a month apart – so that was pretty much all we talked about.

Did you tidy up before filming? AL: We just had to keep one corner relatively tidy.

GT: I’m quite a tidy person, but I didn’t want to be one of those annoying Instagram people with perfect lives. So strangely, I had to add a bit of mess… dot a few toys around in the background. I didn’t want to be one of those insufferable people – even though, inherently, I am one of those people.

Was there much photobombing by children or pets? AL: In the first series, Lyra was still at an age where we could put her in a baby bouncer. Now that’s not working at all. She’s just everywhere. Me and Michael don’t have many scenes together in series two, because one of us is usually Lyra-wrangling.

GT: Our children aren’t remotely interested. They’re so unimpressed by us. There’s one scene where Doris, our five-year-old, comes in to fetch her iPad. She doesn’t even bother to glance at what we’re doing.

How was lockdown for you both? AL: I feel bad saying it, but it was actually good for us. We were lucky enough to be in a big house with a garden. For the first time since we met, we were in one place. We could just focus on Lyra . To see her grow over six months was incredible. She helped us keep a steady routine, too.

GT: Ours was similar. We never spend huge chunks of time together, so it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At least until David’s career goes to shit and he’s just sat at home. The flipside was the bleakness. Being in London, there were harrowing days when everything was silent but you’d just hear sirens going past, as a reminder that something awful was going on. So I veered between “This is wonderful” and “This is the worst thing that ever happened.”

And then there was home schooling… GT: Which was genuinely the worst thing that ever happened.

You’ve spent a lot of time on video calls, clearly. What are your top Zooming tips? GT: Raise your camera to eye level by balancing your laptop on a stack of books. And invest in a ring light.

AL: That’s why you look so much better. We just have our sad kitchen light overhead, which makes us look like one massive shiny forehead.

GT: Also, always have a good mug on the go [raises her cuppa to the camera and it’s a Michael Sheen mug]. Someone pranked David on the job he’s shooting at the moment by putting a Michael Sheen mug in his trailer. He brought it home and now I use it every morning. I’m magically drawn to drinking out of Michael.

There’s a running gag in series one about the copious empties in Michael’s recycling. Did you lean into lockdown boozing in real life? AL: Not really. We eased off when I was pregnant and after Lyra was born. We’d just have a glass of wine with dinner.

GT: Yes, definitely. I often reach for a glass of red in the show, which was basically just an excuse to continue drinking while we were filming: “I think my character would have wine and cake in this scene.” The time we started drinking would creep slightly earlier. “We’ve finished home schooling, it’s only 4pm, but hey…” We’ve scaled it back to just weekends now.

How did you go about creating your characters with the writer Simon Evans? AL: He based the dynamic between David and Michael on a podcast they did together. Our characters evolved as we went along.

GT: I was really kind and understanding in the first draft. I was like “I don’t want to play this, it’s no fun.” From the first few tweaks I made, Simon caught onto the vibe, took that and ran with it.

Did you struggle to keep a straight face at times? AL: Yes, especially the scenes with all four of us, when David and Michael start improvising.

GT: I was just drunk, so I have no recollection.

AL: Scenes with all four of us were normally filmed in the evening, because that’s when we could be child-free. Usually there was alcohol involved, which is a lot more fun.

GT: There’s a long scene in series two where we’re having a drink. During each take, we had to finish the glass. By the end, we were all properly gone. I was rewatching it yesterday and I was so pissed.

What else can you tell us about series two? GT: Everyone’s in limbo. Just as we think things are getting back to normal, we have to take three steps back again. Everyone’s dealing with that differently, shall we say.

AL: In series one, we were all in the same situation. By series two, we’re at different stages and in different emotional places.

GT: Hollywood comes calling, but things are never as simple as they seem.

There were some surprise big-name cameos in series one, with Samuel L Jackson and Dame Judi Dench suddenly Zooming in. Who can we expect this time around? AL: We can’t name names, but they’re very exciting.

GT: Because series one did so well, and there’s such goodwill towards the show, we’ve managed to get some extraordinary people involved. This show came from playing around just to pass the time in lockdown. It felt like a GCSE end-of-term project. So suddenly, when someone says: “Samuel L Jackson’s in”, it’s like: “What the fuck’s just happened?”

AL: It took things to the next level, which was a bit scary.

GT: It suddenly felt like: “Some people might actually watch this.”

How are David and Michael’s hair and beard situations this time? AL: We were in a toyshop the other day and Lyra walked up to these Harry Potter figurines, pointed at Hagrid and said: “Daddy!” So that explains where we’re at. After eight months of lockdown, it was quite full-on.

GT: David had a bob at one point. Turns out he’s got annoyingly excellent hair. Quite jealous. He’s also grown a slightly unpleasant moustache.

Is David still wearing his stinky hoodie? GT: I bought him that as a gift. It’s actually Paul Smith loungewear. In lockdown, he was living in it. It’s pretty classy, but he does manage to make it look quite shit.

---

Omg the mug’s origins :D

‘GT: Also, always have a good mug on the go [raises her cuppa to the camera and it’s a Michael Sheen mug]. Someone pranked David on the job he’s shooting at the moment by putting a Michael Sheen mug in his trailer. He brought it home and now I use it every morning. I’m magically drawn to drinking out of Michael. ‘

[invisibleicewands]

Staged's Anna Lundberg and Georgia Tennant: 'Scenes with all four of us usually involved alcohol'

Not many primetime TV hits are filmed by the show’s stars inside their own homes. However, 2020 wasn’t your average year. During the pandemic, productions were shut down and workarounds had to be found – otherwise the terrestrial schedules would have begun to look worryingly empty. Staged was the surprise comedy hit of the summer.

This playfully meta short-form sitcom, airing in snack-sized 15-minute episodes, found A-list actors Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing an exaggerated version of themselves, bickering and bantering as they tried to perfect a performance of Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author over Zoom.

Having bonded while co-starring in Good Omens, Amazon’s TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s novel, Sheen, 51, and Tennant, 49, became best buddies in real life. In Staged, though, they’re comedically reframed as frenemies – warm, matey and collaborative, but with a cut-throat competitiveness lurking just below the surface. As they grew ever more hirsute and slobbish in lockdown, their virtual relationship became increasingly fraught.

It was soapily addictive and hilariously thespy, while giving a voyeuristic glimpse of their interior decor and domestic lives – with all the action viewed through their webcams.

Yet it was the supporting cast who lifted Staged to greatness,Their director Simon Evans, forced to dance around the pair’s fragile egos and piggy-in-the-middle of their feuds. Steely producer Jo, played by Nina Sosanya, forever breaking off from calls to bellow at her poor, put-upon PA. And especially the leading men’s long-suffering partners, both actors in real life, Georgia Tennant and Anna Lundberg.

Georgia Tennant comes from showbiz stock, as the child of Peter Davison and Sandra Dickinson. At 36 she is an experienced actor and producer, who made her TV debut in Peak Practice aged 15. She met David on Doctor Who 2008, when she played the Timelord’s cloned daughter Jenny. Meanwhile, the Swedish Lundberg, 26, is at the start of her career. She left drama school in New York two years ago and Staged is her first big on-screen role.

Married for nine years, the Tennants have five children and live in west London. The Lundberg-Sheens have been together two years, have a baby daughter, Lyra, and live outside Port Talbot in south Wales. On screen and in real life, the women have become firm friends and frequent scene-stealers.

Staged proved so successful that it’s now back for a second series. We set up a video call with Tennant and Lundberg to discuss lockdown life, wine consumption, home schooling (those two may be related) and the blurry line between fact and fiction…

Was doing Staged a big decision, because it’s so personal and set in your homes? Georgia Tennant: We’d always been a very private couple. Staged was everything we’d never normally say yes to. Suddenly, our entire house is on TV and so is a version of the relationship we’d always kept private. But that’s the way to do it, I guess. Go to the other extreme. Just rip off the Band-Aid.

Anna Lundberg: Michael decided pretty quickly that we weren’t going to move around the house at all. All you see is the fireplace in our kitchen.

GT: We have five children, so it was just about which room was available.

AL: But it’s not the real us. It’s not a documentary.

GT: Although some people think it is.

Which fictional parts of the show do people mistake for reality? GT: People think I’m really a novelist because “Georgia” writes a novel in Staged. They’ve asked where they can buy my book. I should probably just write one now because I’ve done the marketing already.

AL: People worry about our elderly neighbour, who gets hospitalised in the show. She doesn’t actually exist in real life but people have approached Michael in Tesco’s, asking if she’s OK.

Michael and David squabble about who’s billed first in Staged. Does that reflect real life? AL: With Good Omens, Michael’s name was first for the US market and David’s was first for the British market. So those scenes riffed on that.

Should we call you Georgia and Anna, or Anna and Georgia? GT: Either. We’re super-laidback about these things.

AL: Unlike certain people.

How well did you know each other before Staged? GT: We barely knew each other. We’ve now forged a friendship by working on the show together.

AL: We’d met once, for about 20 minutes. We were both pregnant at the time – we had babies a month apart – so that was pretty much all we talked about.

Did you tidy up before filming? AL: We just had to keep one corner relatively tidy.

GT: I’m quite a tidy person, but I didn’t want to be one of those annoying Instagram people with perfect lives. So strangely, I had to add a bit of mess… dot a few toys around in the background. I didn’t want to be one of those insufferable people – even though, inherently, I am one of those people.

Was there much photobombing by children or pets? AL: In the first series, Lyra was still at an age where we could put her in a baby bouncer. Now that’s not working at all. She’s just everywhere. Me and Michael don’t have many scenes together in series two, because one of us is usually Lyra-wrangling.

GT: Our children aren’t remotely interested. They’re so unimpressed by us. There’s one scene where Doris, our five-year-old, comes in to fetch her iPad. She doesn’t even bother to glance at what we’re doing.

How was lockdown for you both? AL: I feel bad saying it, but it was actually good for us. We were lucky enough to be in a big house with a garden. For the first time since we met, we were in one place. We could just focus on Lyra . To see her grow over six months was incredible. She helped us keep a steady routine, too.

GT: Ours was similar. We never spend huge chunks of time together, so it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At least until David’s career goes to shit and he’s just sat at home. The flipside was the bleakness. Being in London, there were harrowing days when everything was silent but you’d just hear sirens going past, as a reminder that something awful was going on. So I veered between “This is wonderful” and “This is the worst thing that ever happened.”

And then there was home schooling… GT: Which was genuinely the worst thing that ever happened.

You’ve spent a lot of time on video calls, clearly. What are your top Zooming tips? GT: Raise your camera to eye level by balancing your laptop on a stack of books. And invest in a ring light.

AL: That’s why you look so much better. We just have our sad kitchen light overhead, which makes us look like one massive shiny forehead.

GT: Also, always have a good mug on the go [raises her cuppa to the camera and it’s a Michael Sheen mug]. Someone pranked David on the job he’s shooting at the moment by putting a Michael Sheen mug in his trailer. He brought it home and now I use it every morning. I’m magically drawn to drinking out of Michael.

There’s a running gag in series one about the copious empties in Michael’s recycling. Did you lean into lockdown boozing in real life? AL: Not really. We eased off when I was pregnant and after Lyra was born. We’d just have a glass of wine with dinner.

GT: Yes, definitely. I often reach for a glass of red in the show, which was basically just an excuse to continue drinking while we were filming: “I think my character would have wine and cake in this scene.” The time we started drinking would creep slightly earlier. “We’ve finished home schooling, it’s only 4pm, but hey…” We’ve scaled it back to just weekends now.

How did you go about creating your characters with the writer Simon Evans? AL: He based the dynamic between David and Michael on a podcast they did together. Our characters evolved as we went along.

GT: I was really kind and understanding in the first draft. I was like “I don’t want to play this, it’s no fun.” From the first few tweaks I made, Simon caught onto the vibe, took that and ran with it.

Did you struggle to keep a straight face at times? AL: Yes, especially the scenes with all four of us, when David and Michael start improvising.

GT: I was just drunk, so I have no recollection.

AL: Scenes with all four of us were normally filmed in the evening, because that’s when we could be child-free. Usually there was alcohol involved, which is a lot more fun.

GT: There’s a long scene in series two where we’re having a drink. During each take, we had to finish the glass. By the end, we were all properly gone. I was rewatching it yesterday and I was so pissed.

What else can you tell us about series two? GT: Everyone’s in limbo. Just as we think things are getting back to normal, we have to take three steps back again. Everyone’s dealing with that differently, shall we say.

AL: In series one, we were all in the same situation. By series two, we’re at different stages and in different emotional places.

GT: Hollywood comes calling, but things are never as simple as they seem.

There were some surprise big-name cameos in series one, with Samuel L Jackson and Dame Judi Dench suddenly Zooming in. Who can we expect this time around? AL: We can’t name names, but they’re very exciting.

GT: Because series one did so well, and there’s such goodwill towards the show, we’ve managed to get some extraordinary people involved. This show came from playing around just to pass the time in lockdown. It felt like a GCSE end-of-term project. So suddenly, when someone says: “Samuel L Jackson’s in”, it’s like: “What the fuck’s just happened?”

AL: It took things to the next level, which was a bit scary.

GT: It suddenly felt like: “Some people might actually watch this.”

How are David and Michael’s hair and beard situations this time? AL: We were in a toyshop the other day and Lyra walked up to these Harry Potter figurines, pointed at Hagrid and said: “Daddy!” So that explains where we’re at. After eight months of lockdown, it was quite full-on.

GT: David had a bob at one point. Turns out he’s got annoyingly excellent hair. Quite jealous. He’s also grown a slightly unpleasant moustache.

Is David still wearing his stinky hoodie? GT: I bought him that as a gift. It’s actually Paul Smith loungewear. In lockdown, he was living in it. It’s pretty classy, but he does manage to make it look quite shit.

[sheerfreesia007]

Finding Love In Legacy Oaks pt. 2.5

Title: Finding Love In Legacy Oaks pt. 2.5

Fandom: Kingsman

Pairing: Agent Whiskey x Reader

Author: @sheerfreesia007

Words: 2,435

Warnings: Fluff

Permanent Tag List: @paintballkid711, @fioccodineveautunnale, @phoenixhalliwell​, @synystersilenceinblacknwhite, @linkpk88, @weirdowithnobeardo

Author Notes: ***Very picture heavy!! Had to add the pictures to be able to show you guys what I’m describing.** So this one was super fun to write. It was a bit a collaboration with the one and only Sparkles! She gave the specifics on what would be in the box and I ran with it. Also the Jelly Tots phrase is from the British ladies, Bubbles said it to me in a message and I fell in love with it. Feedback is always appreciated

Also I’m slowly figuring out how to work on the iPad so things might be a little wonky for a bit but I’m quickly learning and soon my old laptop might become obsolete!

Gif Credit:  Pinterest    Picture Credit: Sparkles she emailed me all the photos

It was early one morning when Jack stepped out to grab the morning paper when he noticed the medium sized box on his front step. Staring at it curiously he could see that it was a normal looking brown box that had a bunch of writing on the outside of it different colored letters. On top of the box in purple sparkling block letters was For Jack and Esme Daniels. Grabbing the newspaper and setting it atop the box he easily picked up the box looking around to see if he could spot who would have left it on his step.

   When he turned his head left and right he didn’t see anyone on the sidewalks or for that matter out in their front yards. Shrugging his shoulders he stepped back into the house and began walking through the living room towards the kitchen.

Esme spotted him immediately as she was laying on the floor in front of the tv watching cartoons. She bounced up from her spot on the floor and darted over to him quickly. Dancing around him Jack could see the excitement in her eyes as she stared a the box.

“Oooh! What’s that? Did you order something? Is it for me? It’s got my name on it.” Esme spouted out the questions like rapid fire as she bounced next to Jack while they made their way into the kitchen.

“Relax Es. Take a breath you don’t want to trigger your asthma.” He warned her as he slid the box on the kitchen island. Esme nodded and stopped her bouncing before sliding onto one of the kitchen stools near the box. Jack watched as she took a few slow deep breaths and calmed herself down. “Better, good.” Jack reassured her as he rubbed a hand along her back soothingly.

Jack then turned back to the box and began reading the lettering written on the box. For Jack & Esme, Welcome to the neighborhood!, Welcome to Gardenscape! Were just some of the phrases written all around the box in bright colorful permanent marker.

“So who’s it from?” Esme asked as she watched Jack open the top of the box that had just the flaps folded in on themselves. Jack peered into the box and tilted his head curiously as he saw the wide range of items in the box. Esme kneeled up on the stool and peered into the box as well before she squealed in delight. “Look at the pretty flowers Daddy!” She cried happily.

Inside the box laying on top were two white envelopes with Jack’s and Esme’s names on them, so before Esme could start reaching into the box he pulled out the envelopes and handed Esme’s to hers. She quickly tore into the envelope and pulled out a card that had a pirate on the front that looked like it had been drawn on to add longer hair with a cute pirate saying on it. Jack smiled and turned back to his card pulling it out to see a simple red card with the words celebrating his new home. Still with a smile on his face he opened the card to see half normal print and half cursive writing looping across the card, he idly thought it was pretty handwriting of the gift giver.

Welcome to the neighborhood! I hope your move here wasn’t too too stressful and that you find yourself relaxing in your new home. I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood the only way I know how, with this here care package. I’m kind of known for them, just ask any of your neighbors.

Anyway, I’ve packed a few goodies in here for you and Esme. I’ve been quite a lot about the two of you from the other neighbors. I apologize that I haven’t introduced myself yet, but I’ve been a little busy with my work and helping out the neighbors with some of their things they need handled. I promise I will come and introduce myself at the monthly meeting.

So in your package is a loaf of Mrs. Parker’s infamous Rye bread, she is a wonderful baker and if you can swindle anything out of her make sure it’s her bread. It. Is. To. Die. For! There are also three different homemade jams, strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry. I’m not much of a baker besides chocolate cookies but I do have a garden and enjoy making jams and canning any of the produce and fruit that I grow. You’ll also find a jar of homemade dill pickles in the box as well (like I said I love canning and pickles are my jam! Hah!). There’s a mug in there that I figured you would enjoy after moving into our little section. A brand new doormat that I hope brings a smile to your face every time you come home. A batch of chocolate chips that I baked, it’s the only thing I’m good at baking so enjoy. A pretty bouquet of some of my favorite flowers, Tulips, that I grow in my own garden to brighten up your home.

And finally for Esme I’ve included a Unicorn journal and a set of sparkle pens. I only recently found out that she loves pirates so if unicorns aren’t her thing I apologize!

Hope to see you at the monthly meeting at the end of this week!

Your Friendly Neighbor,

           Bunny (Not my real name but everyone has nicknamed me this because apparently I’m like the energizer bunny.)

Jack grinned softly as he finished reading his card and slowly closed it, setting it down on the kitchen island. He looked over to Esme and saw her eagerly reading her own card. Picking up the pretty yellow tulip bouquet he moved towards the sink and opened the cabinet under it to search for a vase to set the flowers in.

After filling it with water and setting the flowers in it he placed it in the middle of the kitchen island. Esme sighed softly and shut her card placing it down on the kitchen island. Jack smiled softly at her response to the kind gesture of their new neighbor.

“Can I ask what your card said?” He asked curiously as his eyes watched Esme silently.

“No Daddy. It’s girl stuff. Bunny said I could share with you if I wanted but I didn’t have to.” She said firmly and Jack nodded his head agreeing with her having a gut feeling that Bunny wouldn’t be a bad influence on Esme.

“You’re absolutely right kiddo. You can choose if you want to share with me.” He said kindly. “So what do you say we dig into this bread and jam Bunny gave us?” He asked and Esme nodded eagerly.

———

After having a hearty breakfast of sunny side up eggs, bacon and toasted Mrs. Parker’s rye bread with butter and a mix of the three jams Jack leaned back in his chair and smiled lazily over at Esme. She had already cleaned her plate and was now flipping through the blank journal with the set of sparkle pens lying next to it.

“Now that’s gonna be your journal. I won’t read it unless you want me to. But if something is bothering you I want you to come to me and tell me got it? Don’t keep it to yourself.” Jack said knowingly as he looked at Esme imploringly. Esme nodded her head and looked over at him.

“Kinda like after Mommy died?” She asked softly and Jack felt his heart skip a beat in his chest.

“Yeah we don’t want a repeat of that time after Mommy died okay?” He said softly nodding his head. Jack opened his arms and Esme quickly slid off her chair and crawled into his lap hugging him tightly.

“I love you Daddy.” Esme said softly as the two of them hugged each other close.

“Love you lots like jelly tots?” He asked teasingly and Esme groaned against him but Jack quickly held her squirming  little body tight to his.

“DADDY!!” She cried exasperatedly and Jack laughed loudly as he struggled with holding her close.

“Nope you gotta say it you know the rules!” He sang in a singsong voice making Esme grunt and groan as she tried to struggle out of his arms. “Say it! I won’t ever let you go Esme Daniels unless you say it!” He called out amused.

“Fine!” She cried annoyed and the struggling instantly stopped as Jack eagerly awaited her words. “Love you lots like jelly tots.” She said around a giggle and Jack grinned as he hugged her tightly before pressing a kiss to her temple. “Daddy! I can’t breathe!” She cried out trying to get him to release her and he laughed as his arms slowly did release her.

“Esme Daniels you can take my breath away all the time.” He said grinning at her. Esme huffed and rolled her eyes at him.

“Daddy I’m too big to say that stuff anymore.” She huffed at as she began to clean her pens and new journal up and walked out of the room.

Jack was still grinning as he leaned back in his chair, he knew Esme was growing up and soon she would be right when she said she was too big to be saying their cute little phrases. But Jack couldn’t help wanting to hold on to these little moments just a little bit longer.

Where they said silly things meaning I love you, like the jelly tots phrase. He remembered when she had first said that phrase to him. It had been after one of his “work trips” that had taken across the big blue pond to the UK. While he was over there he had found these sugar coated jelly sweets called Jelly Tots and he had picked up a bag for Esme to bring home to her. She had loved the little candies and they had become one of her favorite sweets to eat. It wasn’t until they were fooling around one night while watching a princess movie that the phrase had popped out of her mouth and it had just stuck. The two of them would say it random times to make it more special to them.

And as he sat there listening to the soft humming of Esme from her room he couldn’t help but remember the first time he had told her that she could take his breath away all the time. It had been the doctor visit where she was diagnosed with asthma. She had been sitting on the examination table in the doctor’s office and Jack could tell she was feeling sad at her new prognosis. No matter what Maria tried to do to cheer her up nothing seemed to work. It was just a stroke of genius that the little phrase formed in his brain and he said it out loud with a goofy grin on his face.

When Esme had looked up at him and giggled happily at the silly phrase Jack knew immediately that it would be said just to cheer her up and to show that he loved her dearly. For him it was those little moments that he loved best to share with her.

Standing from his chair he cleared away the plates and set them in the sink. Moving back towards the box he remembered that the card had said there was a mug in there for him. Reaching in and digging around the box he found it easily pulling it out to wash it with the other dishes. When he ready the funny saying on it he burst out into happy laughter and shook his head. Whoever this Bunny person was he couldn’t wait to meet her if her humor really was how she was presenting it in her gifts for him and Esme.

———

After washing and drying the dishes Jack easily went through the rest of the box and stored the baked cookies on the counter and pulled out the rolled up doormat so he could go set it outside the front door. He slipped the rolled up doormat under his armpit and walked towards the front door and stepped outside.

The neighborhood was slowly starting to wake up and people were stepping outside to either leave for work or to pick up their newspapers. Jack waved over to Mr. Turnbill as he got into his station wagon and pulled out of his driveway. Sarah and Henry were next to leave in separate cars and they both waved at Jack before they drove away.

Just then Jack heard a lawnmower powering on and he turned his head to look past Mrs. Parker’s residence to where he had been told Mr. Quinten lived and saw the same woman from the dog park pushing the lawnmower over the front yard grass as an elderly man sat on the front porch. Jack watched for a few minutes as the woman pushed the lawnmower over the grass and he couldn’t see the elderly man yelling at her over the noise of the lawnmower. After a few minutes he watched as she stopped suddenly and whirled around waving her hands in the air at the elderly man.

“I’m pretty sure you ain’t got a say in how I do it. I’ve been mowing your grass for how many years now?! I know how you like your lawn mowed!” Came her aggravated voice through the air. Jack pressed his lips together trying not to laugh at the two arguing over how the lawn should be mowed. When he saw the man gesturing towards the lawn in an impatient manner the woman responded with a huff and turned back to the mower.

Jack smiled as her eyes landed on him and her face seemed to light up with a grin. She waved happily and he waved back. He showed her the rolled up mat and nodded his head before unrolling it and laying in front of the door. When he looked down he burst out in peals of laughter as he read what was on the door mat. Turning back to the woman who was standing there watching him with a grin on her face he waved again.

“Thank you!” He called out.

“You’re welcome!” She called back and he could hear the delight and amusement in her voice when she spoke. She then turned the mower back on and continued to mow Mr. Quinten’s lawn. Jack smiled and stepped back into his house. He really couldn’t wait to finally meet the infamous Bunny.

[purplesurveys]

1183

survey by xflirtykaosx

Alphabetti Spaghetti (1/3)

And we will fall in love with shooting stars. - A

Have you ever seen an Aardvark? I don’t think so.

Were you ever abandoned in a public place as a child? Where? Abandoned is a pretty harsh word lol. My parents did like playing pranks on me and hide whenever I’d get distracted at the grocery or department store. They’d let me get nervous or even tear up for a bit until showing up again.

What accent do you have? I guess just your standard Filipino English accent that’s common among people who were able to take up English studies. I don’t really know how to describe it.

Is there someone in your family addicted to something? What is it? I don’t think so.

Have you ever been under general anaesthetic? What were you having done? I think so? When I had a tooth extraction done on me two years ago I was told I was going to be injected with anaesthesia, but I didn’t feel as if anything changed throughout the procedure. Either my dentist told me fake news lol or he’s just really good at his job for me to not notice anything.

How do you show the ones you love affection? It depends on the person. Around my friends, I know I’ve had taken a liking to them once I start getting especially talkative with them. For people I have even deeper relationships with, I like...buying them gifts, I guess. Getting them things that remind me of them. I would also bend over backwards to do nice deeds for them, like driving them to their destination even if I find it far.

Are you more passive or aggressive? I tend to be very passive aggressive in the way I deal with things.

Do you like the band Aha!? Not in particular.

Do you know anyone called Aidan? What are they like? Nope.

Ever heard of the band Ajax? No but I know that’s a brand of like cleaner or something. That’s close enough to ‘band’ haha.

Do you know anyone called Akash? I don’t either.

Do the sound of fire alarms scare you? They would obviously be scary if it rang for a real reason. Who wouldn’t freak out over a fire?

Do you live in America? If so, which state? If visited, where'd you go? No, and I’ve never visited either. I’d love to take a trip to cities like New York, New Orleans, Portland, and Chicago one of these days.

Have you ever had an ant infestation in your house? Only when there’s food left out accidentally.

Aora - did I spell that correctly? I don’t even know what you’re referring to, so I can’t tell you if you’ve spelled whatever it is right.

Do you have a preference in Apple? What type do you prefer? I don’t quite get this question - like a preference within Apple products? I mean, a phone and a laptop are essentials for me, and generally I do prefer having an iPhone and Macbook over other brands; but I can live without an iPad, an Apple Watch, iMac, Apple Pen, etc...if this is what you mean.

Are you an Aquarian? Is anyone in your family/your partner/best friend? ...You mean Aquarius? No. I don’t believe in astrology nor pay attention to zodiac signs either, so I wouldn’t be able to name Aquariuses that I know right off the bat.

Have you ever worn any type of armor? Which type? I don’t think I’ve ever had to, no.

Do you use the word ass a lot? Kinda, but it’s usually part of a longer word, i.e. asshole, asshat, deadass, etc.

Have you or your family had an attorney? What for? Not to my knowledge.

Is your car/family’s car an automatic gear or manual? Automatic.

Are you interested in aviation, piloting and aircrafts? Just the slightest bit. I would love to learn how to fly a plane, and I would be willing to pay for lessons. It’s just the type of activity that’s super hard to squeeze into an already-hectic schedule of mine.

What was the last award you recieved for? A academic distinction in college.

Axl Rose - like or dislike? Like, but I’m nowhere near a passionate fan. I just don’t have any reasons to actively dislike him.

Do you like air being spelt ayre or ayer in rap or hiphop or is it nasty? I don’t care.

Is the sky outside Azure? If not, what shade is it? No, it’s pitch black.

Belle amour (we've been here before). - B

Do you call anyone baby? Is it sweet or an overrated name for affection? Just my dogs. I find it sweet; it’s my preferred term of endearment if in a relationship.

Bby - does this shortened version bug you? No; my friends and I use this with each other.

Do you know what BC in terms of time stands for? Before Christ, but I prefer using BCE.

BDf - For or against? I don’t know what this is referring to.

Do you prefer beach breaks, city breaks or winter breaks? Why? Beach breaks. Winter break is an immediate cross-out since we don’t even have winter; and I already live and work in an urban area as it is. Beaches are my way to go if I want to escape life for a bit and completely unwind.

Do you spell out boyfriend properly or put bf in texts/online? I can use either depending on what I feel like typing out. It’s not that serious haha.

Do you know what bg is short for? Upon reading this question I immediately thought ‘background,’ but if this question had another meaning in mind I wouldn’t be aware of it.

Do you know anyone with the last name Bhays? No.

Have you ever been bird watching? What did you see? No, doesn’t sound like my kind of hobby.

Do you like Bjork? Not in particular, but just like the Axl Rose question I don’t have anything against her either.

What does this read: bk 2moz miss u lyk fk. Doesn't this text speak annoy? No one types like this anymore at least among people I know, but I imagine it would lowkey bother me a bit.

Do you like BMWs? They’re whatever. I don’t pay attention to cars much.

What is the nearest book to you called? How many times have you read it? There aren’t any books here up on the rooftop.

BnQ - gone there? What did you buy? Idk what that is.

Are you more brainy or brave? I wanna say brainy, if anything? I’m pretty jumpy lol.

Did you like the BSBs (Backstreet Boys) as a kid? How about now? No, I’m a little too young for that generation of artists and groups.

Burgers, Hot Dogs or Salads at a Barbecue? We don’t really practice ~barbecues~ here. But at Filipino parties I would usually flock to lumpia and fried chicken, hehe.

Do you have a Byro? No, because I also don’t know what that is.

Cold eyes and filthy lies all leave me petrified. - C

Do you have a Cactus (Cacti)? No, I don’t like plans.

Do you know what a CCTV is? Yes...?

How many CDs are in the room you are currently in? None where I am right now but I have all of Beyoncé’s albums save for Lemonade in my bedroom. I also have Paramore’s self-titled album and Hayley Williams’ Petals For Armor. My CD collection is about to experience a revival because of BTS, though. My plan to get all versions of all their albums is rock solid, lmao.

What's your favourite cereal brand? Cookie Crisps.

Do you like children's TV shows still? Which one(s)? I’ll revisit an episode or two of shows I watched as a kid at a given time for old times’ sake, but I don’t regularly watch children’s TV shows anymore. I haven’t for a very long time.

Cinnamon - Yum or Yuck? I’m actually kind of in the middle about it. I feel like too many desserts have been banking on cinnamon, so the taste of it can be a little tiring. It’s delicious if I haven’t had it for a while, though.

Do you know anyone with the initials and or name CJ? Quite the opposite; I know PLENTY of JCs, even my sister is one. I know one or two CJs but that’s it.

Have you ever met a self professed clairvoyant? What did they do/say? No.

Do you watch CNN News? What's your prefered news channel/show? I don’t tune into the channel but every once in a while I will encounter a CNN link on social media that I’d actually click on and read through. As for preferred news sources, I don’t have one as there are matters to criticize about 99% of them lol; but I am most likely to trust articles I from AP or Reuters. Just things you pick up as a journalism student. 

How many cousins do you have? I have 9 first cousins. I lose count by the time I try to go beyond that since I don’t even know all of my dad’s cousins, which makes it hard to track who my second cousins are.

Do you still draw with crayons? When was the last time you did? Drew what? I don’t remember anymore.

Do you know what a CSS feed is? What is it? I’m familiar with the term but never bothered to learn about what it is.

Do you like cycling/biking? What type of bike do you have? ...I don’t even know how to ride a bike.

Do you really like it, is it is it wicked. - D

What is the most dangerous animal you've petted/held? I can’t decide between snake or crocodile.

Do you like Death Metal? If so, which band(s)? I wouldn’t say I do.

Did you ever keep a diary/journal? I did a million attempts to keep a diary when I was younger, but I was never able to keep up with any of them and I ended up having 4598358395 notebooks with one or two entries each at most. Having a Tumblr page for surveys has so far been my most successful streak at keeping some type of journal.

Do you prefer small, medium, large or no dogs? I prefer all dogs.

Do you know what DP stands for in porn? Yes.

Have you ever dressed up as a celebrity for a party/Halloween? I went as my favorite female wrestler once. I wouldn’t strictly call her a celebrity, but she’s a very well-known personality in the wrestling industry so she’s popular in that right.

DS or Wii? Why? Wii. I was able to make more memories with it.

Does dust make you sneeze or cough? Sneeze, usually.

How many DVDs do you have all together? Idk, I don’t buy DVDs anymore.

Do you dye your hair regularly, sometimes or never? I’ve never done it.

Every love lies sometimes . . . - E

What's something you refuse to eat? Most fruits.

Don't you think the word ebb is so pretty? I’m neutral about it. I don’t use it a lot.

Do you like Chocolate Eclairs? I love eclairs in general haha. Chocolate eclairs in particular sound delicious.

Ever tried edible paper? Yeah, with the White Rabbit candy.

Eevee - pretty name or too Pokemon-y? Definitely very Pokemon-y. 

Do you sometimes mix up the spellings/meanings of affection and defection? Erm, no? They have completely different spellings and meanings, so I personally have never switched them up.

Do you have a big ego, low self esteem or somewhere in between? I think I’m somewhere in between. I’m insecure about some things about myself, but I don’t really put myself down 24/7. I feel like that would put such a strain on my mental health, which I certainly would never need.

What Element does your starsign fall under? I think earth? My co-workers were just discussing this last Friday, but I couldn’t really butt in since I can’t bring myself to care about astrology. I know they mentioned Taurus being an earth sign though.

Do you show your emotions easily and freely or hide them? Depends...I can do either depending on the situation.

What is your favourite form of entertainment? Korean reality shows are quickly becoming a favorite of mine at the moment. I also like compilation videos on YouTube.

What will they write on your epitaph? I’ve honestly hadn’t put much thought into this yet, and I don’t plan to anytime soon. It just seems like a super grave thing to think about lol.

Estimate/guess what number we are on now? Maybe 60s or 70s?

Do you know basic social etiquette? I mean etiquette will always differ per country or culture, so what is basic in other countries might not be here, and vice versa. I think it’s hard to measure.

Does your country use the Euro, Great British Pound, Dollar or other? Other.

Do you still get excited on Christmas Eve? Yes. Mostly for the free food and the opportunity to see relatives I really only ever see every December 24.

What animal/creature that is extinct do you wish wasn't? Those that went extinct from human activity.

What colour eyes do your parents have? Black/dark brown.

[marikaaajoy]

my relationship with digital art and how BNHA salvaged it

I just wanted to let out my thoughts but I can only do it here :>

This might be a downer for some people but I’d like to share it with people here. BNHA means the world to me and this is why.

I first started drawing when I was 7 years old in 2006

I think it’s ugly now, but 7 year old me remembered being so proud of this because this is a drawing of my stepfather. This is the only drawing I have that was from my childhood. I think the aim here is to draw in anime style BUT I didn’t even watch anime back then. I had a classmate who loves anime and she taught me to draw in school. Drawing became a favorite hobby immediately after that.

Then it was 2013 and I was 14 years old. Drawing is still my favorite thing to do besides being on the computer. I love anime at this point too. My parents bought an iPad for the whole family, but I was almost always the one using it. I discovered an app called ArtStudio and thought “Wow, I can draw without making a mess and with only my fingers” because I was always too lazy to take out my drawing materials and clean up afterwards.

These were my first digital drawings. The pirate one was the very first. I got obsessed real fast. I can color so easily, undo any mistake, layers are a blessing too. There was just so much more freedom. I always sucked at coloring in traditional art and I didn’t like the mess (idk my hands get so messy traditionally)

The next year, it was 2014, I was 15. My birthday is in a couple of months and I knew my parents were planning to buy me something pricey (I think it was a laptop) so I approached them and asked if they could just buy the Wacom Bamboo as a present which was cheaper anyway and I even explained how it works to them and how it would allow me to draw on the computer instead of the iPad. I tried really hard to be convincing. I would have prepared a powerpoint presentation if I had to.

They did give me the wacom as a present. They even gave it to me months before my birthday so I could use it already. I thought I was the luckiest teen in the world with my parents.

These are a collection of my favorite works from 2014 to 2016. The middle one was my second drawing using wacom and Paint Tool SAI. I was a part of a lot of fandoms in those years lol

It gets downhill from there :/

April 2016, my mom and I moved to Japan, while my stepfather and siblings stay in my country. It was tough. For someone who is obsessed with anime, you’d think I’d be thrilled to live in Japan.

I was. Though only at the first few months. It’s not the same as it’s portrayed in anime (I should’ve known but I used to be blinded by anime). It was just lonely. The language barrier sucked and then lots of financial and family issues until my parents split. I got my first boyfriend too and I thought I was blessed by the nicest boy, but the relationship became extremely toxic but I didn’t have it in me to walk away.

All the shit that happened affected me mentally and emotionally. My biggest outlet which was digital drawing, was also out of the question because I did not have a computer/laptop when we moved to Japan. We left it in our home for my stepfather and siblings, even the iPad. I have my wacom with me, but no computer/laptop to use it with. I couldn’t draw.

I tried though. I used my phone to draw, but it wasn’t the same. Then the life problems got piled up, things got worse, and I just lost motivation in anything. Literally anything. From 2016 to 2019, I stopped watching anime, I dropped out of all the fandoms I’m in, I stopped watching my favorite TV series or movies, and I stopped drawing. I even got a bit disconnected with my friends who lived in my country (we talk regularly online). My family was broken so I gave all my attention to my toxic relationship as well which made everything worse too lol

I didn’t draw besides from a few scribbles and the drawings above. I did try digital art on my phone a couple of times again and even posted them on my IG, but they weren’t any good. Eventually, I got mentally and emotionally drained and dropped out of senior high school. I just stayed home for almost a year, leeching off of my mom. I felt even more worthless and my life had no direction at this point. Nothing mattered anymore.

April 2019 or so I think, my (ex)bf bought me a laptop. He says it’s a gift, but I think the real reason was to make up for something horrible that he did (which is stupid because money /gifts won’t resolve anything). I have a laptop. I can draw again, but I didn’t. I didn’t care, I wasn’t interested in drawing anymore anyway.

Welp. June 2019, I went back to my country. My (ex) bf stayed in Japan. The distance helped me end the relationship and my friends were there (they always were) to help put me back together along with two trips to therapy. I went back to finish my senior high school in my own country this time. That said, I have to stay in my country for school (but I was happy because I didn’t wanna go back to Japan yet when the breakup was still fresh and with going back to school, my life has a direction again.)

It was weird. I remember just being sorta lost and confused because I used to put my time, effort and everything into my previous toxic relationship, which was now gone. I was free and I had so much free time that I didn’t know what to do with it. I got so used to doing nothing and being nothing.

This is where BNHA enters.

Dunno when it started, but I started seeing Bakugou frequently online. It’s usually just Bakugou. I knew who he was because my friend suggested BNHA to me back in late 2018 I think but I didn’t watch it since I’ve lost interest in everything at that point in my life.

But ye I thought he hot af but I still didn’t watch BNHA.

But then for some reason he REALLY kept appearing in my social medias and it was really frequent. The last straw was when I saw a pic of him in UA’s gym uniform and thought “damn boi aight imma watch bnha for u” (y’all gotta admit he looks good in those colors with his combat boots XD )

I watched BNHA. Fell in love with Iida along the way. Then I switched to Tokoyami (but Shoji was hot too so aaaaa), but then angry emotionally-constipated sea urchin head caught my heart again. But oof. BakuDeku moments really made me feel some type of way I haven’t felt since I moved to Japan. It felt new but nostalgic. I fell hard in that ship.

I started obsessing. From memes to posts to fanfictions to buying merch to filling my room with BNHA posters. I realized I was reverting to my old self from the time I was still happy and it was thanks to BNHA (and the good people who helped me through the worst too)

Shit I wanted to draw BNHA, I thought.

I mean, I have a laptop, I still have my wacom and drawing softwares. I could totally draw digitally again if I wanted to.

But guess what

I can’t :c

My hand physically cannot draw. My drawings don’t look the way I want them too. 3 years of not drawing really destroyed any skill I had. I was back to square one.

September (yeah they’re ugly, I laughed at it). If you’re wondering why I drew on paper, it’s because, for some reason, I really CANNOT draw digitally. I mean it. I can barely sketch digitally at this point. The lines and shapes just doesn’t come to life. They’re just scribbles. But somehow, I can kinda draw on paper with a ballpoint pen. But yeah, that was the best I could do at this point in my life

After that, I still tried to draw, to regain my old art style, but it didn’t happen... It just doesn’t look or feel the same. Drawing used to be fun. But during this phase, it felt like my ugly drawings were just mocking me (probably was just too emo that time lol)

Weirdly, around a week or two I think, after my half-assed attempts at drawing, I managed to draw digitally somehow o.o

I did a Midoriya and Todoroki drawing like this too. It was my first post here on Tumblr I think. The annoying part here is that I cannot draw digitally unless I draw on paper first, take a pic, and then trace the lineart. I couldn’t draw directly on the computer. Granted, drawing on paper and drawing on digital is very different for me in the first place anyway. But it was still a pain. And it still looked like shit. I can only draw stiff poses :/ it seems like my brain decided to delete all data about anatomy and posture and backgrounds. My lineart here is even messy af. It still really not the same as my old style.

By 2020, I think I got my old art style back. On March, I made this. This took me 27 total of hrs to make.

Right now, I think it’s not bad, but back in March, I was disappointed with the result. This is when I finally broke down crying because it didn’t look good enough and I hated that it took me 27 hrs to draw “bullshit.” I was angry at myself for losing interest in drawing for 3 years when I could’ve used that time to improve. I had to start all over again and it still didn’t look good. (Current me thinks that the drawing above is alright. I was just a lot harsher to myself back then. Used to have a lot of issues but I’m doing great now)

I cried myself to sleep that night. Woke up wanting to cry again. I wallowed in sadness for a couple of days. Eventually told my friends what’s up. Got some pep talk. Even talked to my sister (she’s great, she always hypes me up with my stuff and sometimes I think she’s my biggest fan with how she appreciates my drawings and I’m really grateful for that).

My world turned a 180 and I was weirdly positive after all that crying because brain chemicals and shit. I had a revelation. If I hate how my art style looked so much, then I should have been putting effort in changing my art style, not trying to regain my old art style (that I don’t like anymore)

I researched a lot. I analyzed different art styles and anatomy again. I did everything I could think of to find a style that works for me. I might have even neglected school for a bit to focus on digital art lmao

After all that work, I posted a fanart of middle school BakuDeku in their classroom. I love that fanart so much even if I probably have better ones by now because that was the first fanart I made that I felt like I could be proud of and it was the first one I made in my new art style. It was a milestone for me.

March 2020, I moved back to Japan and without the toxic relationship, I’m a lot positive now. Happy. I’m myself again after the previous bad years. I’m still continuously learning though, trying to improve, but at least, now, I found my own art style :) I really suck at interacting with people online, but I’m always grateful for the support everyone has been giving my fanarts. I’m happy when my content makes people happy.

This is why BNHA is important to me. The series is great alone, but it’s not just that to me. BNHA is so much more. It’s what made me find the passion to create again, only this time, it’s focused on drawing (I used to write, but now I just draw, but maybe I’ll write again for BNHA).

My family is supportive with my love for BNHA, but I think they don’t know the deeper reason why I love it. Sure, I was fine living on with nothing much going on in my life. I’ll finish school, get a job, work until I die or something. It was okay. It was the way of life. But BNHA gave my life color again. I wasn’t just blindly going through life anymore. I have something to look forward to everyday now. BNHA even became a bridge to other things. Ever since then, I’m a lot more open to people, to try new things, to explore and not just live through life and waste away. I got better at leaving my comfort zone. I’ve never been happier in my life :D

Thank you for supporting my fanarts. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to express myself through BNHA. I hope to make more content in the future and improve even more :)

[let-it-raines]

Catch Me If You Can (21/?)

298 days. That’s how long Killian Jones was away from a baseball field. It’s less than a year, only part of a season for him, but it might as well have lasted a decade as he alternated between physical therapy and spending an excessive amount of time sitting on his couch.

But then he came back and won the World Series.

It’s something no one saw coming, and it’s certainly not something anyone who knows about his arm would predict. Now it’s a new season with new possibilities, and anything could happen. On-field reporter Emma Swan will be there to cover it all even if she is not his biggest fan right now.

Asking her out live on-air will do that.

Rating: Mature

a/n: I technically don’t have a horse in the race for the World Series that’s currently happening (tonight could be the last game 🙀), but since this lil’ universe exists because of @wellhellotragic​, I’ll be pulling for the Astros to actually win a game at home! 

@resident-of-storybrooke​ remains the best for reading these words, which include some more meeting of the fam jams! 

Found on AO3: Beginning | Current

Tumblr: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |

Tag list: @eala-captian @galaxyzxstark @xellewoods @mariakov81 @ultraluckycatnd @royalswan @shey-starsfury​ @superchocovian​ @sals86 @iam2307 @ashley-knightingale @karenfrommisthaven @scientificapricot @captswanis4vr @ultimiflos @jamif @idristardis @nikkiemms @resident-of-storybrooke @tiganasummertree @bmbbcs4evr @onceuponaprincessworld @jennjenn615 @mayquita @captainsjedi @teamhook @notoriouscs @kmomof4 @ekr032-blog-blog@cs-forlife @andiirivera @jonirobinson64 @qualitycoffeethings​ @youraverageshipper​

-/-

New York City in the summer is both the best and the worst.

There are approximately a million things to do, which is pretty much always true for this city, but things seem to multiply this time of year compared to any other time. Well, maybe besides around Christmas, but then every street is so full of tourists that Emma can’t do anything for fear of losing her temper and yelling at a middle-aged couple simple trying to enjoy their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary trip.

Bah-humbug.

And as much as Emma likes the way she can wear her jeans with a cozy sweater and coat draped over her with a warm beanie covering her ears, summertime is pretty much the prime time for her with so many baseball games happening and with the US Open coming around at the end of August. But it is decidedly not the end of August since it’s more like the end of July, and all she feels right now is like a big puddle that’s ready to melt whenever she walks outside. Also, that she smells like garbage, but that’s more likely the city than her considering she showered this morning and used vanilla body wash that she can smell on herself.

As well as sunscreen.

And sweat. There is definitely some sweat involved despite the fact she is only wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top with a hell of a lot of deodorant. She literally has deodorant in her backpack next to her laptop and notebook full of stat sheets.

Her hair is really gross too despite the braid it’s in, and the game hasn’t even started. It’s going to be a long day. For a multitude of reasons.

David, Mary Margaret, and Leo walking toward her in the hallway is near the top of that list.

“Emma,” Leo gasps when he sees her, quickly running toward her and leaving his parents behind in the dust. He’s got on a Captain America shirt and the signed Killian Jones hat gracing the top of his head. They didn’t explicitly tell Leo that she and Killian are dating – kids being kids and not being able to keep secrets and all that – but he pretty much knows. And he’s definitely going to after this.

“Hi, bud,” she laughs, squatting down the slightest bit (he’s getting too tall) to wrap him up in a hug that she knows is far too tight. “Long time no see.”

“I saw you for dinner last night.”

“That is too long.”

“You’re clingy,” Leo scoffs before pulling back from her hug to look at her with those furrowed little brows of his.

“Clingy? Who taught you that word?”

“Mom said that about dad.”

“Hey,” Mary Margaret huffs, sliding her arm around Emma in greeting, “don’t be telling tales.”

“It’s true.”

“I’m clingy?” David questions, his forehead wrinkling when he raises his brows. “Since when am I clingy?”

“That’s a conversation for another time.”

“But I – ”

“Okay,” Emma claps, breaking up the argument that is very inevitably about to happen no matter how small it’s going to be, “so I’m going to show you guys to your suite before I have to go out onto the field for a bit.”

“Emma, I know my way around the stadium,” David grumbles like he always does when there is any implication that he does not know absolutely everything that he needs to know, but then he’s kissing her cheek in greeting and gently patting her back in that David way of letting her know that he’s teasing even when she already knows this. It’s, like, a whole full circle thing. “Why is it that you are taking us to a suite today instead of us just sitting in my seats?”

The scorecard keeps ticking higher on David mentioning his investment in baseball by mentioning his season-ticket seats, but honestly, she can’t even say anything.

“Because,” Emma sighs, wrapping her arm around Leo’s shoulder and pulling him forward, “you are a workaholic who needed to get out of the office and spend some time with your family, and I made some special arrangements for that. Also, it’s crazy hot outside today, and the suites have air-conditioning.”

They’re in one of the first suites that Emma comes to, and she unwraps her arm from Leo’s shoulder to flash her badge at one of the security guards in charge of the player family suites before a door is opened for them to go inside. Liam, Elsa, Anna, and Kris are already inside sitting down on the couches that are in front of the TV monitor, and Addy and Lucy are watching something on an iPad, pink headphones covering their ears.

“Emma, are those?” Mary Margaret asks, trailing off at the end.

“Yep, that’s Killian’s family.”

“But we haven’t even met Killian yet.”

“Oh,” Emma sighs, smiling a bit to herself at them reacting to this exactly the way that she knew that they would, “I know. He’ll be up here when he finishes with the game though, okay? I’m feeding him to the lion’s den while I’m working, but he’s going to take us all to dinner afterwards so that you guys can do your creepy interrogation like Liam did to me.”

“He did what now?” David fumes, reaching forward to gently grab her elbow while Liam himself turns around, finally spotting they they’ve entered the room.

Emma can’t help but roll her eyes while her stomach does that twisting thing that is pretty much becoming its trademark. All of these people are ridiculous. “It’s fine, David. It was a joke. But seriously. I might be in and out depending on how the game goes, but Killian is going to come up here after he finishes his cool down, and afterwards, we’re going out to dinner.”

“How is that going to work if you guys are keeping things quiet?”

Emma shrugs her shoulders, a little bit of nervous energy washing over her. It’s something she and Killian have talked about a lot in the past week now that everyone important knows about everything important, and while they’re still figuring things out, they’ve decided that it’s probably safe to go somewhere low key for dinner as long as they’re in a group. Maybe eventually they’ll be able to go to dinner with just the two of them without Emma looking over her shoulder. It’s not like Killian is Brad Pitt or anything, but her worries of being spotted are legitimate. She’s in a very happy little bubble right now, and even though a bit of it has been burst, it’s still holding strong.

She deserves this. Killian does too.

“We’ve got it figured out,” she tells David before walking toward Liam and greeting him with a hug and doing the same with everyone else. Killian’s family are a bunch of huggers, even for people they don’t know very well, and that’s something she’s figured out very quickly. “Okay, so I’m about to do some quick introductions, so everyone brace yourself.”

“David Nolan,” David interrupts, reaching forward to shake Liam’s hand in what Emma can tell is a far too hard handshake to show off some kind of weird masculine authority. “It’s nice to meet you – ”

“Liam Jones. And this is my wife Elsa, her sister Anna, and Anna’s husband Kris. The two munchkins ignoring us are my daughter’s Addison and Lucy, and I bet they will be great friends with your son.”

“How old are they?” Leo asks. “Because I don’t want to be friends with anyone younger than four.”

Elsa actually snorts while Mary Margaret’s intake of breath might as well be a sign that death is coming with how dramatic it was.

“Leo,” Mary Margaret admonishes, “that is not very nice. You should apologize.”

Elsa stops laughing to wave Mary Margaret away, a kind smile on her face. “It’s fine, I promise. I get it. The girls do stuff like that all of the time, and luckily for Leo, they are both a little bit older than that. Plus, Addy really likes Captain America too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, why don’t you go over there and talk to her?”

Leo smiles and nods his head before sprinting over to the girls, plopping down on the couch hard enough that Addy and Lucy might as well bounce off of it.

“I’m really sorry about that,” Mary Margaret says again. “He was stuck with me working with a bunch of younger kids the other day, and I think that’s scarred him.”

“It really is fine,” Elsa smiles. “At least he’s a kid and there’s a bit of an excuse. Anna here sometimes says things like that, and she’s an adult.”

“Only technically,” Anna laughs.

“This is true,” Kris adds in.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to talk about me like that.”

“What? It’s true. It’s how you are. You have the enthusiasm of a kid with a bag of skittles. It’s wonderful.”

“Yeah, but you guys aren’t supposed to say things like that when we’re trying to make a good impression with Emma’s family. We’re supposed to look normal.”

It’s Emma’s turn to snort and shake her head before reaching forward to squeeze Anna’s forearm. “There’s no such thing as normal, which I’m sure you guys will realize as soon as I leave you all here to make some awkward small talk.”

“There isn’t going to be anything awkward about it,” Kris smiles before bumping his hip into Anna’s, “unless Anna keeps talking.”

“You are something else today.”

“You guys are all something else,” Emma laughs, hoping to everything that this is going to go well. This isn’t something she’s ever really had to do before, and it’s kind of terrifying. “But I trust that you can all get along with your spouses, since that seems to be a problem today, and each other. Now I’m going to go sweat my ass off outside, but you guys have a good time up here. And if they bring in those cheeseburger sliders, save me some.”

With that, she turns to walk out the door, knowing she doesn’t have time to go through proper goodbyes with all of them (she’d be there forever), and quickly makes her way to the elevator so that she can get to the tunnels that are going to take her out to the dugout. She always loves the days where she gets to spend some time in there, to really get a behind the scenes feel at it all, and while she’s a bit wary of some of the players now, she knows that it’s all going to be fine.

This is a game, but it’s also a job.

Al nods his head at her when she pushes open the door and walks toward her designated spot at the end with the water cooler and bat racks. August and Lance greet her, the rest of the guys sitting around ignoring her, and she’s thankful when she finds Jeff already in his seat.

“Hey,” he mumbles, his legs shaking up and down.

“Hey, why do you look nervous?”

“I’m fucking hot.”

Emma laughs and takes her seat next to him, and Jeff hands her the microphone pack and her earpiece, which she immediately turns on even though she knows Ruby is probably about to bombard her with questions.

“We can go inside for a bit when the first inning is over. I don’t plan on being out here the entire time.”

“Thank you.”

Emma knocks her knee into Jeff’sJeff’s,but he ignores her and turns his head to look out at the field. He’s always such a character.

“So,” Ruby teases, her voice breaking through the static, “how did the meeting go?”

“Fine. I bolted pretty quick, though. Also, Rubes, we can’t really talk about this stuff while I’m working.”

“Why not – oh, wait, never mind. I got you. There are a lot of people around who can hear you.”

“Yep,” Emma sighs, shaking her head a bit, “so tell me what kind of coverage you want me to get for this game. Jeff and I are already dying of heat.”

“Fine,” Ruby grumbles, and Emma can practically imagine the roll of her eyes, “I guess I will give you instructions for your job instead of gossiping about your life.”

-/-

Killian only pitches three innings, and while it’s a bit unusual, Emma doesn’t think anything of it. They’ve got their first road game in Boston next week, and she imagines Al doesn’t want anything to happen to Killian’s arm. And there’s no reason for him to overexert himself when they’re so easily winning and have already got this series in the bag no matter what happens the rest of the afternoon.

Plus, he winks at her when she finishes doing a quick interview with him after he’s pulled from the game, and the smile on his face tells her everything that she needs to know about how good he’s feeling.

She hopes that he feels that way after he goes upstairs and meets most everyone.

They probably should have eased everyone into it, but honestly, she thinks Killian will be more comfortable with his family around.

“Are you going to make me do one of those Instagram filters again today?” Will questions, as he plops down on the bench next to her, tilting the water cup back and drinking it down in one gulp. “Or am I playing twenty questions? Do you want to talk about my wedding? Or maybe even the game?”

“Shut up, asshole,” Emma laughs before reaching up to fan her face and wipe the sweat from her brow. “You’re the worst.”

“Um, actually, I believe you quite like me.”

“That’s debatable.”

Will hums as there’s some shuffling in front of them with Arthur King reaching around Emma to get his bat and helmet. Anxious shivers run down her spine when she sees him now, and her entire body stiffens until there’s a gentle pressure on her forearm from where Will is squeezing it.

“Hey,” he whispers, dipping his head down to look up at her, his goofy grin replaced with a soft smile that she usually doesn’t see with him, “you okay?”

She nods her head, wishing that her stomach wasn’t twisting like this. “I’m fine.”

“He’s not going to say shit like that again, Emma,” Will promises as his hand squeezes her arm again. “You are a member of this team, just like me and Killian and Rob, and we’ve got your back no matter what happens. I don’t let people talk shit about anyone but especially my friends.”

“Are we friends now?”

“Jones told me that we had to be.”

Emma scoffs and rolls her eyes, but she still knocks her knee into Will’s, a smile curving at the corner of her lips. Who knew that Will Scarlet was going to be so in her corner this early on? Or at all.

“Thanks. I’ll let you pick the filter you use the next time I do Instagram stuff simply because of that.”

“Sounds like music to my ears.”

-/-

Emma doesn’t get any chances to go back up to the suite during the game, but afterwards, when she’s wrapped up all of her work stuff and told Jeff goodbye, she finds herself walking through the suite doors only to find Killian standing at the counter wrapping sliders in a paper towel while talking to David.

Should she focus on the fact that she knows that Killian’s wrapping those up for her even though she asked everyone else to do it or the fact that Killian is talking to David?

Probably both.

“Hey,” she says slowly, stepping up to the two of them so that they both glance over at her, small smiles gracing both of their lips. Okay, good, that’s a good sign. “How are things going?”

“Just dandy,” Killian tells her, lifting his arm so that she can step into his space and press up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Dave is telling me about how he makes me look good on TV.”

“Dave?” she questions, and all Killian does in response is brush a kiss over the hair at the crown of her head.

“That is not exactly what I was saying,” David clarifies. “Killian asked me about work, and I explained it to him. Him thinking that he needs help to look good is all on him.”

“I mean, I get it. I help him look good every week when I could very easily make him look awful.”

“You are so kind to me, darling.”

“I know.”

Killian smiles down at her in that way that makes her heart stutter and her breath hitch, and there are so many emotions flying through her right now that she’s not entirely sure what to feel. There are also a million questions she’s going to have to gulp down, and Emma already knows that she’s going to have to ask Mary Margaret or Elsa for all of the details how everything went.

She really, really, really  wants Killian and David to get along. That’s, like, everything to her even if she didn’t realize it when this whole thing started. Ruth and Mary Margaret will like anyone who is nice to her, but David has seen so much of the shit that’s happened in her life that he’s a little bit more particular.

Okay, a lot.

“Are these sliders for me?” she asks even though she already knows the answer.

“Aye. I figured you’d want something to eat on the way to the restaurant since I didn’t see you eat during the game. Were you avoiding it so as not to get on camera again?”

“Kind of. It was also too damn hot to eat.”

Killian’s lips tick up on the right, his brow arching high on his head, and she knows that there’s a dirty joke rumbling around in there. It must be hard for him not to be able to say it, but they are most definitely not at a comfort level where he can talk about having sex with her in front of David. In fact, it’s probably best if they never get to that comfort level.

“Dad,” Leo groans as he walks over to the them, “Mom said to ask you when we can go eat.”

“I think we can go now since Emma’s all finished with work.”

“Thank goodness. I thought I was going to starve to death.”

“You know, kid,” Killian laughs, dropping his arm from around Emma’s shoulder, “you sound a lot like your aunt.”

What can she say? She and Leo like to eat.

They go to a low-key pizza place six blocks over from Liam and Elsa’s townhome. All of them are so spread out in different boroughs of the city that it’s pretty much impossible to meet in the middle, but Liam suggested the place since he knows that it’s quiet and that the girls like it a lot. Emma’s honestly pretty nervous walking inside, Killian following right behind her with his hand ghosting over the small of her back. It’s odd to have been dating someone for this much time and never really been out with them, but this relationship is never going to fall into the category of ordinary anyways. It’s always going to be a little off and a little funky, and that’s fine with her because it works. She’s never been one to need to be wined and dined anyways.

And maybe she’s also nervous because of the fear that someone is going to see them and that connections are going to be made, but Elsa quickly talks to the hostess and has them moved to a large corner booth in the back that no one else in the restaurant can really see. Bless Elsa. Honestly and truly. Emma knew she would be great for how Killian always talked about her, but Emma had no idea that she was going to so quickly hit it off with the woman so that they almost feel like friends now too.

It’s been a week since they met, but everything goes so naturally that it feels like so much longer.

This isn’t her or her life or the way things usually go. Emma doesn’t just make friends with people she meets and doesn’t integrate her life with others. The only constant friend she’s had over the past six years that isn’t somehow quasi-related to her is Ruby – toss Graham in there too – and if it wasn’t for Ruby pretty much demanding that she and Emma get along, Emma would probably still think of the woman as just her producer.

How different life would be.

So Emma is definitely not the type of person to have multiple people texting her throughout the day or asking about plans, knowing and understanding that the rigorous game scheduling makes those plans kind of difficult to make. But here she is at a table with ten other people where the conversation is easily flowing from subject to subject because all of these people are making an effort to get along for she and Killian.

She’s got some pretty awesome people around her, the man whose hand keeps inching up on her inner thigh included.

Emma twists her head to look at Killian and tell him to stop teasing her by squeezing her thigh, but instead of seeing the smirk she was expecting, his free hand reaches up to cover his mouth as he yawns.

“Are you tired?”

Killian nods as he keeps yawning, small tears escaping the corners of his eyes, and when the yawn finishes, he has to keep blinking the tears away. “Exhausted. I could go for an entire vat of caffeine.”

“Or get an IV of coffee in your arm.”

“What?” he questions, very obviously not getting her reference.

“Gilmore Girls reference, twenty-nine,” Emma sighs, patting his hand on her thigh. “Gilmore Girls. I know we’ve talked about it before. You should watch it when you have time. It’s, like, a peak early 2000’s show. But you can skip the last season.”

“I’ll keep that in mind when I inevitably forget about this conversation and the show.”

“Do you need to go home? We can leave whenever.”

“No,” Killian promises even though he yawns when he says it, “I’m good for a little while longer.”

“Is it past your bedtime?” Lucy asks quietly from her seat next to Emma.

“Do you think your uncle goes to bed before you, sweetie?”

“He looks sleepy. Do you want my pizza?”

Emma’s not exactly sure where the correlation is there, but that’s kind of how kids are. It’s much more entertaining than talking to adults sometimes.

“No, Luce,” Killian promises, leaning over Emma to talk to her, “I don’t want your pizza, but thank you. That’s very sweet. I think it’s past your bedtime though.”

“It’s not Lucy’s bedtime for another hour,” Addy helpfully adds in, much to the amusement of everyone else. “Mine isn’t until eight because I’m older.”

“Mine is at nine,” Leo says.

“I wish I could go to bed that early,” Elsa sighs as she reaches down to pick up her glass of water. “You guys don’t know how good you’ve got it sleeping that much.”

“I don’t like to sleep,” Addy laughs.

“Me either,” Leo says back to Addy, giving her a high five.

Mary Margaret is probably already planning their wedding or something ridiculous like that for how much fun they seem to be having. Actually, Mary Margaret is probably planning hypothetical weddings for several people at this table, but that is not something Emma is going to start thinking about. Nope. Not anywhere near to even being close to being ready and the little thoughts need to chill the hell out. So, if Mary Margaret is going to plan creepy hypothetical weddings, it can be her son’s.

They’ll probably have Captain America-themed plates with baseball hats and stuffed animals from the zoo lining the aisle.

Okay, now Emma is the crazy one.

Maybe she’s a little tired too.

“So, Killian,” David starts, very obviously changing the subject, “I mean to ask earlier, but why did Al pull you out of the game so early?”

Killian’s hand squeezes her thigh, nails digging into the skin a bit roughly, but then he’s letting out a breath and releasing her thigh so that he can scratch at his jaw. “Ah, preservation for the Sox series. Nothing to worry about. I wasn’t feeling top notch, and it’s better not to risk it, you know?”

“That makes sense. I feel like I spend so much time simply making sure things run smoothly on camera that I never get to actually pay attention to the game, so today was nice.”

“See,” Emma huffs, looking between the two of them and pushing down that little feeling of worry over Killian not feeling well today. It was probably just the heat. “I told you that it would be nice. You got all defensive about sitting in the suite.”

“To be fair, I had no idea we would be meeting Killian’s family today.”

“Yeah, hon,” Mary Margaret sighs before picking up a slice of pizza and taking a bite, “we were blindsided a bit, and apparently everyone else already knew.”

“I didn’t want you to prepare questions or some kind of actual interrogation or something else ridiculous beforehand. You have a tendency to be a little too much on the friendly scale.”

“I do not.”

“You totally do.”

“How?”

“Marg,” Emma laughs, “you probably would have been like Ariel and tried planning a vacation for all of us before you even shook Liam’s hand.”

“I would not have.”

“I bet if I looked at your phone right now there would be flights pulled up to Aspen or something.”

Mary Margaret narrows her eyes at Emma, but then Anna is clapping her hands together and making everyone look at her. “Oh, I just love this too much! I think a group vacation would be the most fun.”

Everyone starts laughing, and Killian picks up his bottle of beer to tilt at Anna. “Emma was right when she said that you and Mary Margaret get along swimmingly. It’s uncanny, actually, how similar you are.”

“Friendly people make friends, little brother.”

“Liam, I don’t know how many times I have to say that there is nothing little about me. Ask Emma.”

“Oh my God,” Emma gasps, reaching back to slap his chest, “no. We are not talking about that. You’re an idiot. There are children here.”

“To be fair,” Kris starts, and everyone turns to him, “they got here by the either little or not-so-little attachments we’re alluding to.”

Nothing like alluding to dicks to make a group of people come together.

Okay, that thought could be taken a lot dirtier than Emma intended, so it’s a good thing she’s not thinking out loud.

They all quietly leave the restaurant half an hour later, the conversation and laughter not at all slowing down for the rest of the time there. Maybe it was the bit of alcohol that most everyone had or maybe it was simply hitting a stride in conversation, but it doesn’t really matter. All Emma knows is that her stomach hurts from laughing and she’s got this smile on her face that she hopes stays for awhilea while.

“Today was nice,” Mary Margaret sighs as the two of them stand outside the restaurant while David and Killian settle the bill inside. “I like Killian a lot. I really like that he makes you smile.”

Emma blushes, and her smile increases despite her best efforts not to let it. Who in the world is this woman who is smiling all of the time? This is not her. But maybe it is now.

“You are such a mom, Marg.”

“Literally I am.”

“You know what I mean, though.”

“I do, I do,” she sighs, wrapping her arm around Leo’s waist and pulling him closer so that he doesn’t wander off the sidewalk and into the street. “But you’re basically my first baby even though this one came so close after I met you. All I want is for you to be happy, and that man makes you happy.”

“Yeah, he does.”

“Emma,” Leo asks, looking up at her as the restaurant doors open behind him, “can I meet Will Scarlet now too?”

“We’ll see, kid,” Emma laughs. “We’ll see.”

“You ready to go, love?”

Killian walks over to her and moves to wrap his arm around her shoulder before stopping himself, eyes glancing to the few people around them, and Emma’s heart sinks at that. But she knows that this is for the best, and Killian not being able to wrap his arm around her shoulder when they’re about to get in the car isn’t that big of a deal. It’s really not a deal at all, and Emma pushes down her worries so that she can look up at Killian and smile.

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

The two of them say their goodbyes to everyone else before walking two blocks over to find Killian’s car where it’s parked, Killian opening her door for her even when she insists that she do it herself so that Emma can quickly slide into the passenger’s seat.

“You and David took a million years to pay.”

“Did we?” Killian hums, very pointedly taking a little too long inspecting the gearshift.

“You did. Did he go all big-brother on you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Swan.”

“You, Killian Jones,” Emma scoffs as Killian pulls out of the parking spot and onto the street, “are a liar.”

“And obviously not a very good one either.”

Emma sighs as Killian twists his head and winks at her, a mischievous smile painted on his lips. “What did David ask you?”

“About my intentions with you.”

Groaning, she sinks down further on the leather seat, wondering if it’s acceptable to unbutton her shorts because she’s eaten pizza and cheeseburger sliders in the past three hours and has food babies inside of her stomach. Multiple. That’s how much she has eaten.

“Seriously?”

“Yep,” Killian laughs, turning the blinker on before reaching over to grab her hand and bring her knuckles to his lips to brush a kiss there, the charmer.

“What’d you tell him?”

“That I love you and am very much in this for the long haul as long as you’ll have me. Now do you want to go to your place or mine?”

“Mine,” Emma tells him as her heart stutters in her chest at his words and all of the implications behind them. “Let’s go to my place.”

[jj-lynn21]

Party At Greenwald’s ch 6

Warnings: fluff,  angst, possessive relationship

Images courtesy of @dearcardan on twitter, @billofourtime,imdb, mood board my creation

Music: Party Mix 2018 

ch 1   ch 2  ch 3 ch 4 ch 5ch ch 7

{flash back continued}

When you get back to the guest house you grab your phone to create the email account. Luckily the name isn’t taken. Mark made some turkey sandwiches and you threw together macaroni salad with the leftover cheddar mac. You were getting into such a great flow doing things together. It made you very happy.

Maybe the happiest you had been your whole life other than the fact you could never go out to party with others. Neither of you had done any drugs in almost a month. Just drank a lot of wine. The stores were still delivering great wine with the food you wanted.

You watched True Blood as you snuggled, escalating into more as the show went on. Both of you naked. Your legs straddled over his lap looking towards the television. You thought you were going to be able to watch the show as you as your body bounced with his every thrust. But Mark acted as if he was jealous of your reactions. He pulled your head back by the hair.

“Eyes on me,” he pants. “That’s all wig and make up. I’m real. I’m right here fucking you until you cum.”

“Yes,” you moaned. “Oh, damn I love you…Yes… Mark…I”

He groans “Fuck yeah, I love you, Princess.” He grabs your hips force you down on his cock harder. He growls in your ear as his balls tighten.

“Oh Fuck Mark…” The growl pushes you over the edge and he knew it would. “YES YES…awwww yes”

“Fffffuck…yes…,” he cums. Pulls you back to lay over him. He turns the TV off. “That’s not to bad of a show you picked Babe. Better than those sparkling vampire ones Lily made me watch.”

You looked at him curiously, “Have you been thinking about her since Abra said she was in town?”

Mark chuckles, “let’s take a shower. We have a sort of party to get ready for. You should check your email for the time.”

You got up and started upstairs mumbling, “You still have a thing for someone who never really cared about you.”

“Hey,” Mark grabbed your shoulder before you got to the stairs, “I don’t give a fuck about that bitch. I guess it’s just being back home. Back in this place brings up memories. Not good memories. We have some crazy memories together. But never have I doubted you loved me. Like you said she never really cared about me. Never really loved me.”

You turned and just hugged him tight for a few minutes.

As you showered, Mark puts out what he wants you to wear. He puts out jean and a paisley print button up shirt for him. You walked in the bedroom in with a towel wrapped around your body and another wrapping your hair.

“Do I get to wear panties and a bra tonight?” You smirk since the last time he put an outfit out for you he didn’t want you wearing under garments.

Mark chuckles, “Yeah, I picked out a set I love that will show under the lace top and shorts.”

“You want me to parade around in that with your friends?” You looked surprised.

“Your mine and I want to show you off,” He grins. “Plus, they won’t be wearing much more.”

You just shake your head. He goes to shower. The invite on the email from Bex directs you to sign up on houseparty.com. When everyone is on you can video chat. A music  list is also included to play in the background. You find the music to download to your phone. Then you set houseparty.com up on your laptop.

At 10pm you and Mark grab some beers and sit the laptop on the desk. You Angled wide so the video will show you on the couch and dancing behind it. You set your phone to the playlist.

“Hey, everyone.” Bex says sitting by Abra. “We are quarantining at my apartment. How are you all doing?”

Another window opens with Lily and her grey bearded, bald headed husband by her side. “Hey everyone. We’re good in our neck of the woods.”

You buried your head in Marks shoulder to hide your laughter. He looked more like he was seventy-five than in his fifties.  

Mark kept a straight face, “Hey, this is my girl, (YN). Bex and Abra met her earlier today.”

You thought you would be in the least amount of cloths, but Lily has what looks like string bikini that barely covers her. Bex and Abra have short shorts and cami’s.  

“Turn the music on,” Bex got up to hit hit the music on her ipad.

You hit play on your phone.

Mark chuckles, “All to familiar Bex. Did you get all the songs from senior year?”

“Hell yeah I did, “She and Abra started dancing. “Not all the memories are bad. Do you remember the first party we had at Greenwald’s. His parents were almost always out of town so we could do whatever we wanted.”

“Dance with the girls, Princess,” Mark suggests. “Yeah, good night, I think. I remember trying to hide the hangover from my parents. My mom thought I had the flew from not wearing a coat outside.” He laughed.

“I remember we fucked that night we met,” Lily smirked.

She was sitting on her husband’s lap. You were up dancing. A beer in hand. You ignored Lily’s comment.

Mark said, “Sorry, Lily I have no memory of that night and many others at Greenwald’s. It was great to forget shit for a night or two. Man, I really miss partying. My frat house was a big fucking party every evening at 10pm until around 6am Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”

You throw yourself on Mark’s lap, “I vouch for that. Usually ending with Mark going down on me sooo good. But I get that now to.” You giggle getting tipsy already.

Mark blushed.

Lily glares, “Good for you. That was the cause of our biggest fight.”

“I thought our biggest fight was because you sent dirty pictures to another old dude who was married.” Mark spit out like it tasted nasty in his mouth.

Abra pointed her finger at the screen, “Enough of that shit talking about each other. We are here to dance and reminisce about good things. Like ruling the school and having a great time doing it.”

“I’m sorry,” Mark pouted. “We had some great times. Better nights that I loved, I can’t really remember.” He laughs holding up his beer. “To Greenwald’s”

You and the others all hold up their beers, “To Greenwald’s.”

Bex falls onto her couch, “Sounds like some of us matured more than others that pretend to be.”

An obvious dig at Lily for not apologizing. Lily rolls her eyes.

She pulls her husband up, “We’re dancing.”

Shape of you plays as she rolls her body up and down her husband.

Mark picks you up standing you up. He puts his forehead to yours humming the song. You slide your hand up his neck to his cheek. Mark mouths the words, “I’m in love with the shape of you…”

Lily husband is noticeable excited. “Does this mean we get to have sex tonight?”

She just glares at him.

“Sorry Lily, I know its not our normal night.” He seems completely subservient to her.

Mark and you kiss so you don’t laugh out loud at Lily’s poor husband. Abra and Bex are laugh. They are also smoking marijuana that might be making everything a little funnier to them.

“So how many time a week do you and your Princess have sex Mark,” Bex laughs just knowing its way more than lily.

You speak up, “That’s a difficult number to really calculate. One to three times a day every day unless I really need a break. My legs and my pussy ach for more than a day sometimes.”

Mark grins as he grinds against your ass. Arms around you from behind. You are looking towards the screen as their mouths all drop open with envy.  

“Sorry, Princess.” Mark’s grin just gets bigger.

“And then sometimes I can’t think straight for hours after,” you brag.

“Are you insinuating he fucks your brains out?” Bex comments.

“I wouldn’t put it that crassly but sure,” you blush.

“She is so amazing,” Mark brags.

You drink and chat with everyone eventually passing out in Mark’s arms.

[topfygad]

A Stay at The Eccleston Square Hotel in Belgravia

If you have a penchant for personalised, boutique hotels, you might like to check out the Eccleston Square Hotel. This family-run hotel located in SW1 opened in 2011 when Olivia Byrne decided to create one of the most ‘technologically advanced hotels’ in London. At 23, the Paris-born entrepreneur was dubbed one of the youngest hoteliers of the time.

Since then, the 4.5-star hotel has picked up quite a few accolades. Conde Nast Traveler listed it in the top 15 best boutique hotels in London and it picked up their Reader’s Choice Award in 2016. You’ll also find many articles applauding the hotel’s various hi-tech features and massage beds that come with every room.

With no plans to travel far over the Easter weekend, BC and I took up the opportunity to enjoy a one-night stay here and make the most of some ‘London time’ following our recent move. Here’s how it went.

Eccleston Square Hotel: The Location

The location of Eccleston Square Hotel is definitely one of its strengths. Eccleston Square is located in the SW1V area of London. And overlooking a leafy garden, it feels surprisingly quiet, but is actually, very accessible. Victoria coach, railway and tube stations are just a five-minute walk away. And you have Pimlico, Belgravia and the attractions of Westminster right on your doorstep. It’s a great location for anyone visiting the theatres in Victoria too.

The building itself is a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, which is immediately appealing for travellers who appreciate a bit of character, although, as you’ll read below, this is a super modern hotel inside.

Interestingly, you’ll find the house that Winston Churchill lived in, just a few doors down and I’m told that Queen Victoria’s granddaughter once lived in the building that is now the hotel.

How’s that for a bit of history?

The Arrival

It was very quiet when we first arrived, and we waited a few minutes at reception for someone to greet us. Once they did, the front-of-house staff were very warm and friendly, and check-in was quick and seamless. They’ve taken a very contemporary approach at the Eccleston Square Hotel, with lots of monochrome, marble and sparkling chandeliers.

Once we’d checked in, one of the hotel staff took us up to our room on the first floor and gave us a thorough explanation of the technology and services in the room, which was a nice touch.

The hotel entrance hall

The entrance to our guest room at the Eccleston Square Hotel

The guestroom interiors & amenities

The guestroom interiors, much like the hotel reception, are contemporary and quite business-like with dark wooden wardrobes and furniture, grey carpets and black faux-fur cushions and throws.

There are two fluffy towelling robes and slippers in the wardrobe and guests who have booked directly through the hotel can enjoy a complimentary mini-bar (choice of Evian water, two types of beer and soft drinks). There’s also a Nespresso coffee machine and while there’s no kettle, they do offer a free 24-hour tea service – something I think every hotel should adopt!

My favourite part, style-wise, was the bathroom – a sleek, white marble space where you’ll find a huge two-person shower cubicle fitted with four (yes FOUR) showers. Two rainforest showers were overhead, and an excellent power shower and hand-held shower were fitted to the wall. Eccleston Square Hotel provides various L’Occitane bathroom miniatures (including a lovely Lavender sleep spray) and the whole room was bright and airy, thanks to the natural light that flooded through the frosted floor-to-ceiling windows.

Hi-tech features

The technology at Eccleston Square Hotel is evident as soon as you walk through the traditional front door that’s fitted with automatic sensors. There’s an iPad on the front desk telling you the weather forecast in London and even the lifts are fitted with six miniature TV screens, all tuned into different channels.

Once inside the guest room, all the light fixtures, except for the bedside lamps, are controlled using electronic switches and the heating, curtains and ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign at your door (no need to hang a sign up) are also electronically controlled. There is also, of course, free wifi.

On the bedside table, you’ll find an iPad that’s been installed with a variety of features that are particularly useful for first-time visitors to London. There’s a catalogue of restaurants to try in the area, a list of local attractions (you’ll also find tips for things to do on the Eccleston Square Hotel blog) and a delivery-app called Night Room Service, offering food delivery from around 50 London restaurants, which is great if you fancy eating in. There’s the option for in-room dining from the hotel’s in-house chefs and the local restaurant Lobster & More will also deliver a wide range of dishes to the hotel. For a fee, the in-room iPad also offers the option of late check-out (which we took advantage of) – very handy indeed.

One of the most noteworthy features for foreign travellers is the smartphone which every guest has in their room. You can take it out with you, use the social media and make use of the unlimited data – you can even make international calls to selected countries. It wasn’t something I needed but if you’re travelling from overseas, this is a great added extra.

The massage bed

The feature I’d been looking forward to the most was the Hästens massage bed. After an afternoon walk in the area, I enjoyed a bit of down time ahead of us going out for dinner (I’m pregnant, I have an excuse) so it was the perfect time to try it out.

If you haven’t heard of them, Hästens beds are pretty highly sought-after. Hand-made in Sweden, they cost upwards of £12,000 each and are crafted using sustainable materials such as pure flax and hypoallergenic horsehair, which are said to channel away moisture and excess heat and lead to a better night’s sleep. (I can back that up, I slept very well).

When it comes to the massage function, I have to admit, the massage beds were quite loud and provided a strong vibration rather than a kneading motion (which is what I was expecting) to your body or feet area. That said, I liked the way you could raise the head and feet to your preferred position – a great way to watch the 46-inch TV in comfort.

Speaking of TVs, there were two screens in our hotel room – one at the end of your bed, and a small one fitted inside the bathroom which syncs to whatever you’re watching in the main bedroom.

I’m not sure if it’s the case in every guestroom, but our bathroom TV was located opposite the toilet and you could just about see it from the shower. It’s great if you want to listen to a music channel, but personally, I’d have loved to see a bathtub in there, so you could enjoy a long soak with your favourite programme in front of you.

I think you’ll agree, it’s a pretty cool feature nonetheless. And we got a surprise when we discovered that the bathroom door can switch between frosted and transparent, again, at the touch of a button. The last time I saw this was at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur – another feature that technology geeks will no doubt love.

3D movies

The final hi-tech feature you’ll want to check out is the option to watch 3D movies which are all complimentary with your stay. In keeping with their convenient ordering system, guests can pick from a selection of 3D Blu-ray movie options on the iPad and within minutes, a member of staff will arrive at your door with the DVD and Panasonic 3D glasses.

PJs on and massage bed set at the perfect incline, we were ready for our 3D experience, but sadly, neither of the movies could be supported as it turned out, the TV needed an upgrade. It wasn’t something the staff could fix at the time and they were incredibly apologetic; however, after all the hype, we were gutted we couldn’t experience it!

Downstairs in the hotel, next to the bar, they do have a ‘media room’ where guests have the option to watch movies on the 103-inch LED TV. We were already in our PJs at this point so didn’t fancy coming back downstairs, however it’s a great option for watching sport if you know it’s going to be available. You can also sync your laptop to the screen, so it’s well set up for events and private meetings.

Food and Drink at Eccleston Square Hotel

Once you check out the in-room iPad at the Eccleston Square Hotel, as mentioned, you’ll see that you can order a number of food options to your room, or in the dining area downstairs.

We went out for dinner in Victoria, however, we did order from the hotel breakfast menu the next morning. The Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale were both delicious even though my request for the sauce to be served ‘on the side’ wasn’t noted. The fresh fruit with yoghurt was also fantastic with thick gooey yoghurt, fresh mint and a drizzle of honey. It all arrived fairly promptly and was a great way to end a lovely London stay.

I’ll also be writing a separate post about the afternoon tea at Eccleston Square Hotel, very soon.

Verdict

Although we felt this hotel didn’t quite hit the mark in some areas, the service was extremely warm and welcoming, the room was super clean and cosy, and we felt it had lots of brilliant features that made for a comfortable stay. If you’re looking for something super luxurious, do check out their new townhouses which recently opened. However, I would recommend the Eccleston Square Hotel for couples enjoying a weekend away in London and anyone looking for a personalised stay with excellent access to central London and all its attractions.

It’s not often you can enjoy a free mini-bar, 24-hour tea service and an array of services which you can conveniently order from a screen. With rooms starting from just £125, this boutique hotel gets a thumbs up for convenience, value-for-money and style.

For more information, visit the Eccleston Square Hotel website and follow them on Instagram, twitter and Facebook.

Have you been to Eccleston Square Hotel? Feel free to leave a comment and share your travel tips and thoughts.

Eccleston Square Hotel, 37 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PB, 020 8068 1011

Pin Me

Like this:

Like Loading…

Our stay at Eccleston Square Hotel was complimentary. All views here are my own.

source http://cheaprtravels.com/a-stay-at-the-eccleston-square-hotel-in-belgravia-2/

[nicolewoo]

First Date

I was a little behind schedule and was starting to get frantic... although I suspect it was as much about seeing him again as it was about work. Then there was the meeting I'd had with Stephanie and Paul today. That was weighing heavily on my mind.  I was just thinking I'd get my work done in time when I heard the doorbell. Hmmm. “He likes to be early; like me.” I think to myself after my heart skipped a beat.

I got up from the temporary work station I'd made for myself and went to open the door. The closer I got to the door, the more excited I got. I don't even know how I was breathing. I touched the doorknob and took a deep breath before I opened the door.

In front of me was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen, and his ear to ear smile turned me into a pile of mush. The handsome features, the tousled hair, the searing blue eyes that seemed to look into my soul.

“Hey,” said Fergal.

“Hi.” I have no idea how I got the word out, but my voice didn't crack.

“How are you?” Fergal asked as I stood awkwardly in the doorway with him.

“I'm good. How are you?” I replied.

He placed his right hand on my waist and leaned in to gently kiss me on the cheek. “Can I come in for a minute?” He asked.

I opened the door wider, “Yes. I've got a couple more minutes of work to do. I'm sorry. I tried to get it done before you showed.”

“No problem,” Fergal said kindly. “I'm a couple of minutes early, and you've had a busy morning.” He closed the door and leaned back against a table in the entry. “I wanted to talk to you before we go out.” He spread his legs a bit and took me by both hands, drawing me close to him in between his legs. It was then that he gave me a real kiss. That gentle soft one that turned me into jello last night. As the kiss ended, we both had to catch our breath. “I missed you.” Fergal said sofly

“Ditto.” I joked hoping to dissolve the sexual tension between us, and it worked, he smiled ear to ear, and his blue eyes sparkled.

“So, here's the t'ing. We are in Orlando, and NXT fans are everywhere. I'm sure I will be recognized as we're out and about. I brought a hat and sunglasses, but that's not going to buy us much time.” He reached up and brushed my cheek with his thumb. “I already know that you're going to be an important part of my future,” He said tentatively, looking at my face to see my reaction. I obliged him with a shy smile. That made him smile. “Ok.” He said taking a breath, as if I'd given him exactly what he wanted. “I don't care if people find out about us, BUT....” His tone turned somber. “The minute we become public, you're going to get trashed on social media. It never fails. Some fans just can't handle me dating anyone. You've been through enough lately. I don't want to see you hurt. You're on social media all the time, you're not going to be able to avoid seeing it.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “The second option we have is to not give anyone a reason to talk about us. We can try to keep our relationship a secret, but that means when we're in public, we can't even touch each other. The decision is all yours.”  

He was right. I knew it. I had seen the thrashing Cathy Kelley took when Finn's public found out about them, and it was enough to break them up. “Yeah. You're right. I'm not ready for that.”

“So, you want to keep it just between us for now?” He asked.

“Yes,” I nodded.

He wrapped his arms tighter around me and treated me to another soft, gentle kiss. My whole body was on fire. How was I supposed to go out, and not touch him, after that kiss? “Ok, I said, I really only need 5 minutes to finish my work.” I said tearing myself away from him.

Fergal released me from his grip, and motioned that I should go finish. “Do you need anything?” I asked as I led him into the kitchen and took a seat in front of my laptop on the counter.

“Nah, babe,” He said. “Is it 'k if I catch the score of the Tottenham game t'ough?”

“Sure,” I said as I pointed to the living room.

“T'anks luv.” He said and went to check the score.

I finished my work and quickly checked how I looked in the bathroom mirror. I looked ok, but certainly not as good as last night after Stephanie had sent hair and makeup artists to the condo. I looked more.... me. “Are they winning?” I said as I entered the living room.

“Yeah.” Ferg was grinning ear to ear. He reached over and took my hand. He pulled me close to him. “You look amazin'” Ferg said. It was as if he could read my mind. He leaned in and kissed me passionately. Immediately, fire spread throughout my whole body. This man had way too much control over me already.

“I'm still in my meeting clothes from earlier.” I laughed.

“Do ya want ta change? I can wait.” Fergal said.

I mused for a second, “I.... I don't know what we're doing today, so I don't know what to wear.”

“Ahhhhh,” He said but the crowd cheering caused him looked over to the TV. “Ah, sorry. Tottenham scored.”

I just started laughing. “I know you're a huge fan. It's ok.”

“We can do whatever you want today.” He said. I was finally able to tear my eyes away from his face long enough to see he was wearing jeans and a polo. He didn't wear jeans often, but when he did, he looked so good in them. I made a mental note to check how his ass looked in the jeans later. I smiled a bit, and Fergal said “What's so funny?”

“Nothing. I'm just looking forward to today. Listen,” I changed my focus to today. “I'm sure you have some ideas of what we can do. You live here.” I said.

“Well, how would ya feel about a hike after lunch? We could go swimming t'ough if ya'd prefer. Or we could visit Disney World.”  My mind went into panic mode. A swimsuit? Oh Hell No! I was NOT ready to be in a swimsuit in front of him.....Disney? Way too many people for my mood.  “I think I'd prefer the hike,” I said.

“T’en we'll hike.” He said. “Why don't you go change?” I did. Going from slacks to jeans and a blouse to a shirt more suitable for hiking. I also grabbed a light jacket. As I passed through by the kitchen, I grabbed my Ipad and a notebook.

“Already ready?” He asked, his eyebrows rising from surprise.

“I don't take long to get ready.” I chuckled.

“It's because you're so beautiful,” he flirted.

I rolled my eyes jokingly. “You going to be this charming all day?” I asked.

He circled my waist with his hands, “I'm gonna try my best.” He smiled.

This banter was calming me down, but every time he kissed me, my mind began to spin, my body began to throb. This man had me completely under his spell.

“Is... Is sushi ok for lunch?” He asked.

I answered with a smile and a nod. “I love sushi.”

“Great! I know just the spot.” He kissed me lightly and asked if I was ready. How could I ever be ready to go somewhere that I couldn't touch him or kiss him? “What's with the Ipad and notebook?” He inquired.

“Cover story!” I chimed proud of myself. “We can pretend we are in a business meeting as long as we look at the Ipad or notebook on occasion.”

“Great idea.” He smiled. “Let's go get some lunch. I'm starvin'” he said.

As the door to the condo closed behind me, I felt a sadness that I couldn't touch him, but I was excited to get to know him better.

The sushi was excellent. I realized we had just about the same taste in sushi. We split one nori roll. I had a couple pieces of sushi, and he had two more rolls. We both detested the ginger, and play-fought over who got the most wasabi. In the end, he just ordered more wasabi.

After we ate, and the plates were cleared, Fergal got serious. “What was t'is morning's meeting about?” He asked.

I paused to focus on this morning's meeting. “Ah that.” I said, and I hung my head. There was no way I could wrap my head around the offer I got this morning..... much less make a decision when under Finn's spell.

“Yeah, T'at,” He repeated. “Musta been some serious deal. You look.... Well, you look like the WWE made you an offer you can't refuse.” he chuckled.

“I definitely have some decisions to make.” I said as the waitress left the bill. Ferg was quick to grab it and move it out of my reach.

“Don' even t'ink about it.” He said as I reached for my purse. “Let's get t'is straight. I'll be paying for everyt'ing from now on. Not negotiable.” He put his credit card in the server book.

I started to protest, but when I looked into his eyes, I saw something I hadn't seen before in person. I saw determination. He wasn't going to let me argue. So I simply nodded yes.

“I really need some time to think about this morning's meeting.” I said. Dare I say it? Fergal had admitted earlier that he wanted me to be part of his life. Maybe it would be ok to say what I wanted to say. “I.... well..... there WAS an offer..... a very good offer. But...... I don't think I can make up my mind until...” I looked at the table. “... well, until you and I figure out what's happening between us.” The words just spilled out of my mouth, and I panicked immediately. What would he say? Did I go too far? Shit! I cautiously looked up at Fergal.

There was a warm smile on his face. “Got ya.” he said. The waitress returned with the credit card slip to sign. Fergal signed the slip and left a tip in cash.

I wanted to change the subject as fast as possible. I grabbed onto the first thing that came across my mind. “Your accent is stronger today than it was last night. Did you call someone in Ireland this morning?”

He looked surprised, “Yeah. I did. Is my accent t'at much stronger?” He asked.

“It is to me.” I said shyly.

“Yeah, I talked to mum and dad t'is morning. I wanted.....” Now was his time to stammer. “I wanted to tell them about you.”

Ohhhhhhh..... I smiled to let him know it was alright. Just after that we left the restaurant. We didn't talk at all on the way to the hike area, but he held my hand as he drove. We pulled into a campground's parking lot.

“T'ese are some of my favorite trails around here.” He said as he unlocked the trunk of the car. Inside he had a cooler filled with ice, water and some pieces of fruit and jerky. A bag next to the cooler had suntan lotion, towels, his swimsuit that I'd seen in so many pictures, and bug spray. He grabbed a smaller backpack and packed up some food and water and a first aid kit.

“You come prepared.” I joked.

“Absolutely.” He smiled.

The hike was way more difficult than I was used to, but I started to think Ferg planned it that way so he could help me. “I can tell I'm going to have to get more in shape to keep up with you.”

He sat on a large boulder and reached into the backpack for two waters. He handed me one, and smirked. “Don' worry darlin'. I'll help ya get in shape.” The words were innocent enough, but the look on his face was positively devilish. He slid his arm around me, and pulled me close.

“I thought......” I started to say, but he cut me off with a kiss.

“T'ere's nobody here. I can touch you now.” He kissed me again... passionately, and left me breathless. “You ready to hike more?” He asked with a sly grin.

I reached up to kiss him again, almost losing all control as his tongue slipped into my mouth. “You're teasing me, Mr. Devitt.” I protested.

“Yes. Yes I am.” he laughed.

We hiked for another half hour. Just as I was started to get bored with the hike, we went over a small hill, and what awaited on the other side left me speechless. There in front of me was a beautiful vista of a lake, palm trees and flowers. “Nice.” I said admiring the view.

“It's my favorite view.” He whispered in my ear as he came behind me and slid his arms around my waist. “Well, my SECOND favorite view.” he whispered gently in my ear. It was so intimate, my whole body lit on fire again.

As we stood, Ferg licked his lips. He looked nervous. “So, the hike is almost over.” He said. He licked his lips again. “Would it be ok if we went back to your condo? I promise I'll be a gentleman, but I'd like to be able to hold your hand and kiss you. Would that be ok?” He looked so cute when he was nervous. “Do you trust me?” He asked sheepishly.

“I reached my hand to his neck and ran my fingers over the back of his head. “Yes.” I said calmly. “Yes. I trust you.” I said.

We hiked the rest of the trail, which wasn't far at all, and drove back to my condo. “Mind if I clean up?” Fergal asked.

“No problem.” I said. I wanted to get cleaned up too, because that hike definitely made me sweat. I showed Fergal to the spare bathroom. I climbed into my shower and cleaned up very quickly. I wouldn't have time to wash my hair, so I put it in a messy bun, freshened up my makeup and joined Ferg in the living room. I noticed he had showered too, and put on fresh clothes. He really did prepare for everything. He had another soccer game on the TV by the time I got there. He was sitting on the couch, and my first inclination was to straddle his lap. Shit, I thought. I should have taken a cold shower. I gathered my wits and sat next to him. He immediately placed his hand on my leg, which didn't help calm me down. We decided to watch a movie, and I curled up at Ferg's side.

His thumb started tracing circles on my leg. Slowly, sweetly, and yet, every time it neared my thigh, it jolted a shock of fire straight between my legs. Shit! Should I tell him? Was he doing this on purpose? I couldn't think straight. I finally decide to place my hand on his; effectively ending this stroking, but before I could, Fergal's phone rang.

“I'm sorry he said,” reaching for the remote to pause the movie.  “I've gotta take this.” He turned the phone screen to me, and I saw that it was Stephanie. I could barely hear her, but I was catching every 2 or 3 words.  I was able to figure out she was inviting him to dinner, but I couldn't hear anything else. I got up to grab a couple glasses of water for us.

When I came back, Fergal was off the phone, but my phone started ringing. “Sorry,” I said as I looked at the screen. It was Stephanie. I showed Ferg and he just laughed.

“How has your day been?” Stephanie asked pleasantly.

“Good,” I reported. “I had sushi for lunch and then went on a hike.”

“Great. Are you available for a late dinner?” she asked. Ferg must have heard, because he started nodding yes to me.

“I'd be honored,” I said to Stephanie.

“I'll have a car pick you up at 9. Ok?” She asked.

“That sounds great, I replied. I'll see you at 9.”

When I hung up the phone, Fergal started giggling. “What's so funny?” I asked.

“I'm your ride.” He said. “Stephanie called to see if I'd join you for dinner and then asked me to pick you up.”

I started laughing too. “Do you think she knows you're here?” I asked.

“We did slip off together last night, and a couple people saw us. It's hard to keep any secrets in the WWE.”

“Your right,” I breathed. “Well, I guess we're going to dinner. Crap!” I said.

“What?” he asked.

“I won't be able to touch you again.” I said sadly,

“No. Guess you'll have to do all your touching now.” He joked.

But I didn't laugh. I stood for a minute just looking at him. He started to look confused. I held up a finger to say I needed a minute. I walked out of the room. Standing in the kitchen, I thought about everything. My husband. The offer the McMahons made. Fergal. It was all going to so fast, and I needed to be careful to make good decisions. I can't afford to get swept up in the moment. I thought about the man sitting on my couch. His kindness, his generosity. He was a good man, and he wanted to be with ME. I couldn't believe it, but I wasn't going to waste my chance. I took a deep breath, and steeled myself.

When I walked back in the living room, I walked to the couch and straddled Fergal's lap. His eyes looked concerned. His dick twitched proving he wanted me.

“Whoa, Luv.” Ferg said. He placed his hands on my arms. “I promised I'd be a gentleman.”

“And you have been,” I purred in my sexiest voice.

“And I still am.” he sputtered.

“Fergal,” I said. “I haven't been touched in a very long time. I never thought I'd ever been touched again, and then you came into my life. I want you. I want you so bad, I can barely stand it. I want you with every fiber of my being. If we make love today and you don't call me after, I'll be happy knowing that you were the first man I was with after my husband.... The worst thing that can happen is that the beautiful Fergal Devitt used me as a sex toy.” I giggled at that, but he didn't.

A look of need came over his face. He wrapped his arms around me; one on my waist, one on my neck, and he pulled me down for a slow, soft kiss. “Don' tease me, luv.” He pleaded.

“I'm not teasing. If we're going to continue to see each other, I'm going to spend the next few days punishing my body by denying it what it wants only to give in a few days later. I'd rather just skip over the next few days and have you now.” I leaned over to whisper in his ear. “I want you to make love to me.” I kissed his throat.  I didn't have to ask a second time.  

His arms pulled me in. As I scooted farther up his lap, I could tell he was fully erect by now. My body responded by throbbing at the feel of it.

His next kiss was not the slow, gentle kiss that had been melting me for 2 days. It was the powerful, passionate, wild kiss that completely broke my defenses. He lowered his arms to my ass and stood up, lifting me up with him. He carried me into the bedroom, kissing me the whole time. He laid me gently on the bed, and continued to kiss me as he sank on top of me.

I started pulling at the hem of his shirt, trying to take his clothes off. He sat up and pulled his shirt off exposing his muscles, his chest, his abs. He licked his lips as he looked down at me, and he started kissing me again. I pushed up, sub-consciously, my body trying to get closer to him. My hands explored his body as he placed kisses on my neck. His fingers digging into my hips. We were both losing control. As he gently nipped at my neck, I knew I couldn't hold out much longer. I leaned up and took my shirt off, and unhooked my red lace bra I'd put on after my shower. He looked for a couple of seconds before laying me down and taking my nipple into his mouth, bra and all. He was using his mouth to move the bra out of the way. Bare nipple met his hot tongue. He began to flick one nipple with his tongue and  gently tease the other with his fingers. I thought for sure I was going to explode just from this. That had never happened before, and he stopped just short of it now. As I started to mew, he took both our pants off. He returned his attention to my nipple for just a second as his hand slid between my legs, gently rubbing my clit with his thumb. Oh Fuck! I was going to lose it. He was going to drive me out of my mind with this teasing. He didn't make me wait long. Soon, he had slipped one finger into me. I arched my back in pleasure.

“Darlin', I want you to cum for me.” He whispered in my ear. Then he started kissing me as he slipped a second finger into me, and curled them up to my g-spot. He couldn't have stroked more than two or three times before my first orgasm. He held me tight, feeling me pulse around his fingers, kissing me and saying “Good lass. Good.” I started coming to as he pulled his fingers away from me. I whimpered. “We've got time, luv” he assured me. “You'll come again soon.”

He slowly kissed his way down my body. A quick suck on my nipple sent a jolt through me, but when he started going lower, I melted. My husband was not a fan of giving me oral sex, so it had been years since I felt a tongue on my clit. I quickly learned that Fergal was an expert at oral sex. His tongue going from teasing my clit to invading my pussy to licking my g-spot. One of his hands teased my nipple as I felt myself lose control again.

I heard him hum as he started to drink my juices. It was the sexiest thing I'd ever heard. When I was done shuddering, he moved back up my body, trailing kisses the whole way.

“Are ye ok?” He asked.

“MMMMMM” I couldn't answer. I simply nodded my head.

But my body wasn't done yet. It bucked against Ferg, pushing my wet slit across his hard cock. He growled softly, and pushed back against me, this time entering me just a bit. I could tell he was trying very hard to go slow, but I didn't want him to now. I needed to have him inside me. All of him. “Now.” I begged.

“Shhhh luv.” He started to say, but I interrupted him.

“Now Fergal, Now!” I begged.

It was hearing his name that did it. I had pronounced it the way he did, with the Irish accent. He couldn't resist me any longer. He slammed his dick into me, bottoming out. We began to move together, faster and faster. I could feel him fill every inch of me. I could feel his dick pulse with pleasure. He looked down at me lustfully. His eyes boring through my soul. I came violently. “There ya go, love.” He said, and he slowed his pace again.

“Fergal, I want you to cum too.” I saw a strained look cross his face.

“I will baby girl. I will.” He whispered back to me. With that, he sat upright and placed his thumb on my clit. Slowly, gently stroking it in time with his thrusts. “Jus' enjoy right now.”

I tried to answer him, but all that came out was a moan. I exploded around his cock. The whole world turned brilliant white, my ears began ringing, I was in heaven. I don't know how long I stayed there, but as I started to come back to earth, I saw a satisfied look on his face. “T'ere you go, Luv”. This man. This man that I had admired from afar for so many years. This beautiful, brilliant, kind, loving man was making sure that I was completely satisfied before he even thought about cumming. “How's my kitten?” he asked.

I couldn't talk. I wasn't even going to try, so I let out a long, soft, contented sigh.

He chuckled a tiny bit and then fucked me as hard and as fast as he could. His massive cock filling me over and over. Slamming into the back of my pussy. Over and over and over until I could feel his whole body tensing up. “Yes, baby.” I purred and he exploded.

He collapsed beside me; both of us out of breath. Both of us sated. I watched his chest rise and fall as he caught his breath. Then I watched his abs....... those amazing abs....... the ones I'd enjoyed seeing for years........ They were.... I couldn't resist.... I moved my had to his abs and enjoyed the feeling of the rock hard muscles rising and falling with every breath he took.

He finally started stirring. “Baby girl,” He whispered. “That was.....”

“Mmmm” I replied.

“Guess we better start getting ready for tonight.” He got out of bed and offered me his hand. “Let's go clean up.” He led the way to the shower and kissed me as the water heated up. He stepped in with me and smiled an evil smirk at me. “I do love water.” he said, and I knew this was going to be the best shower of my life.

[artificialqueens]

Beneath the Amber Moon, Part 4 (Galactica AU Group Fic) – TheDane & Veronica

Heyyy!! Welcome to Part 4 of “Beneath the Amber Moon,” a group fic set in the Galactica Universe. Click here for previous chapters.

We hope you’re enjoying it! Let us know what you think!

Summary: Summary: Day 3. Rain, voyeurism, refugee sea creatures, cuddling, and a ziplining adventure: just another day in paradise...

/////

"I can’t believe this.” Fame huffed, dumping down on the bed after coming back from the bathroom.  “Look at this!” Fame said, gesturing to the rain pouring down outside.

Patrick smiled, opening his arm so Fame could crawl into it, the woman sprawling out on his chest.

Fame sighed. “At least my app says it’ll clear up after lunch.”

"I wouldn’t put bets on it, my love."

Patrick had jokingly suggested they could have sex to pass the time while they waited for the rain to clear up, Fame not willing to risk her hair getting ruined by going to breakfast with everyone else, and they had, Fame taking all her frustration out on her husband.

Fame sighed, tracing patterns on Patricks skin.

"Patrick, you're not helping." Fame ran her palm down Patrick’s body, swirling her fingertips on his stomach.

"Relax darling.” Patrick kissed her hair. “Even you cannot control the weather, no matter how much you whine.”

“I don’t whine.”  

“Bianca is here, don't you gals have some TV show you'd like to see?” Patrick knew bringing up the B-word was a risky move, but it was one he was willing to take. Fame and Bianca were dancing around each other, the women hot and then cold. Patrick could already feel Fame growing bored again, his wife not one for being told she can’t do something.

“Are you really suggesting that?”

“We have an umbrella if you want to go see her.”

“To watch TV? Because that’s just my favorite activity.”

Patrick smiled, gently tipping Fame’s face up so he can kiss her. “It’s a vacation, live a little.”

“I don’t think watching TV can be described as living.”

“Maybe it’d make you less grumpy-”

“I’m not grumpy.”

“Sure darling.” Patrick laughed, sitting up, pulling his laptop case out from under the bed. “Besides, I'm sure my partners back in New York would be more than happy if I got around to answering some emai-"

"You brought a laptop?!"

"Sweetheart, I own a law firm. Yes, I brought my laptop with me."

/////

The rain was a true blessing in disguise. Violet was enjoying a slow morning in with Sutan, the two of them eating breakfast in bed with their patio door open, rain falling outside as they listened to the new albums Karl had introduced to Sutan, Courtney knocking on their door, the blonde standing out there with a huge smile. Sutan had ordered a pot of tea, Violet quickly getting dressed in a pair of white shorts and a long top, her lace bra visible through it.  

“Here you go.”

Violet smiled, accepting the tray that had just been delivered from Sutan, Violet handing one of the cups to Courtney, the two of them sat on the edge of the deck, their feet dangling in the water.

“Thank you.” Violet tilted her head up to receive a kiss from Sutan.

“You do know there are plenty of not only very comfortable but also quite expensive couches in the bungalow, right?” Sutan smirked, clearly finding it amusing that the woman had decided on sitting on the floor.  “I’m sure the resort staff would be very sad to hear that two ladies as beautiful as you prefer the floor.”

Violet smiled and shook her head. “I like it here...” She looked out at the rain.

“It is a lot more your speed.” Sutan ran a hand through Violet’s hair, only daring to because it hadn’t been styled yet, her black locks falling around her face. “She’s a real New York girl.” Sutan looked at Courtney, mischief playing in his eyes. “I’ve never seen anyone as happy about rain as Violet was this morning when she realised the temperature had dropped.”

“Well, I know how she feels. I miss the rain, living in a desert now.” Courtney sipped her tea, the hot liquid sweet and delicious.

“I’ll bet.” Sutan laughed. “I’m going to sit on the couch, so have fun ladies.”

“Thank you for the tea,” Violet repeated.

“Thank the staff, they’re the ones who got it.” Sutan gave Violet one last kiss, retiring to the couch where he grabbed the book Raja had thrown at him the day they arrived, his sister insisting he had to read “Crazy Rich Asians,” Raja laughing loudly as she explained it to her brother.

“So, can you help me?”

Courtney had texted her the night before, asking her if Violet could help her with a project. Courtney looked like a schoolgirl, delightful glee clear on her face and honestly Violet felt the same.

“I’ve been thinking about it all night.”

Courtney laughed, reaching into her bag, when she glanced over to Sutan. “Are you sure it’s okay if we do it here? Not that I don’t want Sutan’s opinion, but it’s kinda confidential.”

"Oh. He won’t dare.”

“He won’t?” Courtney gave Violet the ipad, not really believing her words. There was no way Courtney could have had a private conversation with Bianca in the room without the other barging in, and even less one about work. Actually, she couldn’t remember a single time where Bianca hadn’t injected her opinion into what Courtney was doing, from her clothes to her food to how she wanted her hair.

"Sutan and I made a deal years ago.”

"And what is that?”

"If we want an opinion. We ask.”

Courtney couldn’t believe it was that simple, but Sutan hadn’t moved an inch while they talked, the man already diving deep into his book.

/////

“Knock knock.” Fame smiled as she stepped into Bianca’s bungalow.

Bianca looked up from her computer. She was sitting on her couch, glasses on, a pair of linen pants making her legs look infinitely long. “You’re already inside, why are you saying knock knock?”

“It’s good to see you too.” Fame closed her umbrella, Patrick sending her off with a kiss goodbye. “Do you want to watch TV?”

Bianca stared at her, cocking her head slightly.

“What?” Fame touched her face, wondering if her mascara had run from the short trip.

“You just asked me if I wanted to watch TV. Who are you and what have you done with my pretentious friend?”

“Oh, shut up!” Fame giggled, stripping off her damp jacket, a sheer white lace dress underneath before she sat down on the couch. “It’s raining, and Patrick sent me away so that he could work.”

“Ah-”

“Work! Can you believe it? He brought his laptop!”

“Well-”

“I would never do that.” Fame crossed her arms.

“Blondie...You literally have your second in command, your attorney and your head of makeup here."

"Patrick isn't my attorney. Galactica hired their own business affairs department two years ago, you know this Bianca"

"Point still stands.”

“It doesn’t! We haven’t talked shop once.”

“Shop?” Bianca chucked.

“You know what I mean.” Fame pouted at her. “So are you gonna come cuddle me or what?”

“Yes, miss,” Bianca intoned, not dodging in time as Fame hit her with a pillow. “Ouch!” she laughed, dimples appearing in her cheeks as she curled up beside Fame, laying her head on her shoulder.

“I guess the whole TV thing was just a ruse, huh?”

“Mmmh,” Fame said, placing a hand on Bianca’s back, rubbing in gentle circles. “Though there is one thing.”

“Yes?”

“There is something on Netflix called ‘Zumbo’s just desserts?’”

“And you want to watch this?”

“Raven has apparently raved about it.” Fame shrugged. “And I can’t have her have better catering ideas than me.”

“Well,” Bianca smiled. “Anything for you blondie.”

“As it should be.”

/////

“SHIT!”

Courtney screeched loudly as she felt a tug at her foot, Violet jumping at her outburst, almost dropping the iPad.

“Courtney what’s-”

“Shhhh!” They both looked down, seeing none other than Adore Delano who was bobbing away in the water directly underneath them.

“Adore, what the fuck are you doing swimming in the rain?”

“I’m a mermaid. Can I come up or what?”

“Sure, sure, just-” Courtney took a deep breath, her hand still covering her pounding heart as Adore climbed onto the deck, dripping wet. Violet had run off, only now coming back with a towel and a robe, Adore gratefully accepting both.

“Adore, not that I’m not happy to see you.” Violet wasn’t, in fact, happy to see her. “But what are you doing here?”

“Courtney texted me that she was with you, and I’m like, a refugee, so I figured I could hide my ass here since this is the last place anyone would look for me.

“You almost gave me a heart attack," Courtney sighed. “Do you want some tea?”

“Got any whiskey?”

Both Courtney and Adore looked at Violet.

“Umh..” Violet looked around the room. “Maybe.”

“Sweet!” Adore began to strip off her wet swimsuit.

“Aaand that seems like my cue to leave.” Sutan sat up, Adore waving her top in the air, laughing as he avoided eye contact.

“Hey Tan!! What up bro?!”

Sutan stood up, his thumb keeping his place in his book as he opened the minibar, taking out the miniature bottles.

“Here you go ladies.”

“Thanks!” Adore laughed. “Pour me one of those sexy bitches.”

Sutan poured, leaving the bottles on the floor where the girls were camped out, Sutan leaning down and giving Violet a quick kiss.

“I’ll be at Raja’s.”

“Okay.” Violet kissed back, not daring to point out to Sutan that there would probably be even more commotion with his nieces around. “See you later.”

Sutan nodded, Adore already trying to pour alcohol into Courtney’s drink.

/////

“Fuck!” Raven moaned, her hands were fisting the sheets, her hips thrusting again and again to meet Raja who was buried between her legs, her wife expertly fucking her with a clever tongue that knew every part of her. “More- Please, more, I can’t- Raj!”

Raven groaned, Raja hooking her fingers just right, Raven’s legs cramping close around Raja’s head as she came, effectively trapping the other woman but Raja only moaned, the vibrations shaking Raven's body with an aftershock, her breath only slowly returning to normal.

“Kiss- Ah, kiss please.”

Raja laughed, her hands forcing Raven’s thighs apart, crawling up her wife’s body. “My little brat.” Raja kissed Raven, their bodies slotting together, Raja adoring the feeling of Raven’s soft skin and her curves under her. “So demanding.”

Raven smiled, a soft and almost dreamy expression on her face. They had sent the kids to Jujus and Detox for a play date, Raja and Raven falling into bed the moment they had the chance. Raja looked like a goddess under the sun, her long hair and her dark skin even more attractive in these surroundings. “I’m thirsty.”

“Are you now baby?”

“Mmh.” Raven kissed Raja again. “Get me some water?”

“Of course princess.” Raja stood up, slapping Raven’s thigh for good measure before she grabbed a robe. Raven laid back in bed, a hand finding her pussy and gently gliding over her abused folds, Raja taking and taking and taking and Raven couldn’t wait for one more round.

“Oh. Hi Sutan.”

Raven turned her head, looking at the open door to the living room, horror drawn on her face. She hoped it was a phone call, oh god she really hoped it was a phone call.

“How long have you been here?”

“About 10 minutes?”

It wasn’t, and Raven pulled the pillow over her face, screaming into it.

/////

Parking Adore on the couch had proved surprisingly easy, the TV running on low in the background, snuggled up in Violet’s warm bathrobe while her swimsuit dried on the towel rack. Violet picked up the iPad once again, Adore looking over her shoulder.

“Are you guys working on the Moschino line?”

Violet nodded.

“I’m still surprised someone asked you to do a clothing line, Courtney...” she mused.

“Ouch,” said Courtney, miming an arrow hitting her heart, making Adore laugh. “Is it really that strange?”

“Yeah, it’s a little strange.”

“So, here’s the thing,” Courtney said. “Jeremy has been dressing me for a couple of years now, and I thought that his team kind of understood my taste. But then, we had this meeting and they asked about what I liked-” Violet nodded. “What I wanted, and you know, I said, like, rainbows and sequins and glitter and fringe and neon-”

“There is all of that in here?” Violet looked at the iPad, a grimace of worry on her face.

“Awh, listen to my tacky little baby,” Adore cooed, and Courtney stuck out her tongue.

“Well I like it, usually, but the thing is.. They sent me these sketches and it’s like...they used ALL the ideas in the same jacket. And...I don’t often say this, but I think it’s like...too me?”

“If you’re working with Moschino, it can’t be that bad,” Violet said.

“It’s bad, it’s really bad, just...I think what it really needs is someone classy who hates my taste and will add balance.”

“I’m honored you thought of me,” Violet said with a smile.

“Omigod, you’re so gonna hate it,” Adore laughed. “Open it Violet! Open it, open it!”

Violet swiped the iPad, a look with a neon rainbow color-blocked bomber jacket with fringe up and down the arms and a sequined unicorn.

“See!”

“It’s… Umh..” Violet suddenly felt dizzy, a light breeze blowing in from the sea. “It’s…” Violet handed Courtney the iPad. “It’s very…” And that’s when she felt it. “Excuse me!” Violet bent over, vomiting off the edge of the deck, her breakfast disappearing into the water.

“Shiiit!” Adore jumped up, Courtney already grabbing Violet’s hair, as she threw up once more, Violet dry heaving before Courtney gently pulled her back in, Adore’s hand on her back.

“Okay.. So, I know it’s probably a fugly jacket.” Adore teased, a small smile playing on her lips. “But that was a pretty dramatic reaction.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just, the smell of seaweed, it’s so-”

“Seaweed?” Courtney looked at Adore over Violet’s back, silently asking if the other woman had smelled anything, but Adore shook her head, neither of them having any idea what Violet was talking about.

“Can’t you smell it?” The breeze hit once again, and Violet covered her mouth, taking a deep breath.

“Are you okay?” Courtney asked. “I know the others said you don’t do well in this weather, but I don’t think this is normal…”

“They talked about me?”

“They’re just worried,” Adore said. “Raja keeps lecturing Tan about how he’s a dick for making you come.”

“It’s fine, I’m… It’s fine.” Violet took a deep breath. “We don’t have to make a thing of this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Give me the iPad again, please?”

The continued to go through the sketches, Violet jotting down notes and ideas in her own sketchbook as they went, Adore returning to the couch to watch TV as the hours passed by.

“Oh shit,” Adore said, looking down at her phone.

“What’s wrong?”

“Jinkx wants me to go to the spa for couples massages with Alaska. Omigod, I can’t do that. Face down on a table for an hour? There’s no way I’d avoid the Talk there.”

Violet furrowed her brow, not sure what Adore was talking about. Courtney shook her head.

“Don’t ask.”

“Yeah, it’s a long sto- Wait. I have an idea.”

Adore picked up the phone next to the bed and pressed the button for the concierge, tapping nervously on the table.

“...Hi! Um...do you know of any activities that I could do this afternoon that’ll take at least three hours?...Preferably involving heights?”

Courtney let out a small chuckle, knowing how much Alaska feared heights, the woman getting dizzy sometimes standing on the balcony of her penthouse apartment. What was Adore up to?

“Uh uh...ooooh, yes...yes, thank you!” Adore hung up, a big grin on her face. He’d suggested ziplining, something she’d always wanted to try, ever since Bianca had done it years ago, raving about how much fun it was. Which gave Adore another idea…“Hey, Court. How do you feel about zip lining through the rainforest? This afternoon? Huh?”

“Sounds awesome!”

Adore smiled. Maybe she could kill two birds with one stone here...avoid the dreaded Talk, and bring her best friend and favorite sister back together again.

/////

“Owen, sit down, I- fuck!”

“Matthew, don’t swear around the kids.” Juju sighed. It had seemed like such a good idea to stay in with the kids when the rain had started falling, the morning going by as uneventfully as one could expect with three kids. Detox had taken Owen with him in the shower, Owen basking in his father’s attention whenever he could have it, while Kelly had called on FaceTime to chat with her little sister, Julia lighting up like the sun - almost as excited as she’d been to see Courtney - and Juju had played with Grace, the two of them practicing Grace’s colors while Juju had gotten dressed.

“He stepped on my balls!”

“And I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose.” Juju grabbed Owen’s elbow, making her son sit down. “Right Owen?”

“Mmh!” Owen smiled, the piece of fruit he had gone to collect already in his mouth, her sons smile full of watermelon meat and missing teeth.

They had all settled down for a movie - Glimmer, again, of course. Grace fell asleep sitting with Julia, their youngest looking up to her sister almost as much as Julia loved Kelly.

“Apologize to your father.”

“Sorry dad.”

“Apology accepted, champ.”

Juju rolled her eyes, settling back in. Her husband could just as well have disciplined their child himself, but sometimes it felt like she had 5 kids instead of four. Detox more often than not getting dragged along into their children's arguments instead of being the adult who stopped them, but as Detox’s arm slung around her shoulders, his warm hand caressing her upper arm, Juju chose to sink into his embrace instead, watching Courtney as Princess Lucie, galloping away on her winged horse.

/////

Bianca grabbed Adore by the back of the shirt and yanked her close, muttering, “Sister bonding time, eh?”

“What?” Adore bat her lashes innocently.

“Don’t play me, bitch. You didn’t say she would be here,” Bianca nodded her head towards Courtney, who was with one of their guides, slipping on her harness.

“She’s like a sister, too,” Adore said, face breaking into a sly grin as she added, “Or a sister-in-law.”

“Very funny, you meddling cunt.”

“I saw the way you were looking at her at breakfast,” Adore told her.

“I was looking at her fucking nails.”

“You mean her anti-fucking nails?” Adore laughed.

“Exactly! Those things are a giant red light, stop sign, do not cross-”

“Were you getting a green light before?” sang Adore teasingly.

Bianca let out an irritated scoff, releasing her shirt. She had never explained to Adore exactly how ugly things got with Courtney at the end. For some reason, she assumed that Courtney would’ve. But maybe that never happened. So she couldn’t really be mad about Adore’s harebrained attempt at matchmaking.

“Does it matter? She’s sending a pretty clear sign now.”

“Well, speaking from experience...there are work-arounds for the nails. Keep hope alive!”

Courtney skipped over to them, finally fitted into her harness. Bianca tried not to think about the last time she saw her in a harness, albeit a very different kind. It didn’t help that all she had under the harness were the tiniest little short shorts, forcing Bianca to see her rippling thigh muscles, looking strong enough to crack a walnut.

“I’m actually really excited about this,” Courtney said, slinging an arm around Adore’s shoulder. “I’ve always wanted to try ziplining.”

“See, I told you this vacation would be fun!” Adore exclaimed.

“Yeah, yeah...you told me a lot of things…” Courtney caught Bianca’s eye, giving her a little smile, admiring how cute she looked in her athletic wear. Even in a ponytail, her hair looked smooth and glossy, and Courtney had to resist reaching forward to run her fingers through it.

“Uh...have you ever done this before?”

“Never,” Courtney said.

“You’re gonna love it. Such a rush,” Bianca told her.

“Can’t wait.” Courtney bit her lip, twirling her hair slightly, and Bianca felt that uncomfortable stirring in her abdomen, sighing with relief when the guides called for their attention.

/////

“Honey. Stop checking your phone.” Jinkx closed her eyes, enjoying her massage, wishing that Alaska, on the table besides her, would stop fretting and relax for a little while. “Adore will respond when she responds.”

“You’re way too indulgent with her. You let her get away with murder,” Alaska said.

“Well, that’s just literally wrong,” Jinkx laughed. “I mean, if she murdered someone, I’d probably speak very sternly to her… Unless she had a really good reason for it.”

“Jinkx. I’m serious.”

“I know, baby.” Jinkx turned her head, sighing, as the masseuse worked her muscles deeper. “I was trying to lighten the mood.”

“But that’s the problem! Neither of you are taking this seriously!” Alaska cried, wincing in pain as her masseuse found an especially tense knot in her shoulder. “Ow!”

“Lasky, I am taking it seriously. But we can’t push her. It’s not fair.”

“Why? Why isn’t it fair?”

“Because she’s a baby. She’s only 26!”

“Yeah, and I’m 38. I’m not getting any fucking younger. And neither are you,” Alaska reminded her.

“Thanks, my love.”

“I’m just saying. If we really want this, she’s our best shot. But that will require an actual conversation about it.”

“I know. But it can’t be an ambush. And it can’t be two against one,” Jinkx said. “I’ll try to find a time to talk to her tomorrow, on the boat. After we’ve had some fun and she’s in a good mood.”

“So, you’re saying that you don’t want me to be a part of this conversation?” Alaska’s voice was strained. “Ow…”

“No, honey, I’m saying that I think there needs to be a little pre-conversation. Some foreplay to lube her up. And I’m offering to do that, for all of us.”

Alaska sighed. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

After a pause, Jinkx added a soft, “I love you...”

“Yeah, I love you too, Jinkxy,” Alaska said, finally cracking a smile.

/////

“Lift.”

Violet obeyed, lifting her arm just as Sutan had instructed, and Sutan couldn’t help but smile as he ran his hands over it, the liquid soap in his hands getting spread all over his girlfriends skin, Violet humming in pleasure.

Sutan hadn’t realised the stroke of genius he had committed when he had asked Violet if he could come along for her shower. It was something the two of them often did in Paris, the showerhead one of the first things Sutan had replaced when he moved in. The ritual of showering together was an easy and honest way for them to reconnect after long days apart, both of them working so much that it sometimes felt like they barely saw each other, at least during Violet’s busy season. Here in Brazil, however, Sutan had watched Violet transform the moment the water hit her, Violet releasing a breath Sutan wasn’t even sure Violet had known she was holding.

“And the other.”

They switched, and Sutan couldn’t help but kiss Violet’s neck, the woman leaning against him. He ran his hand down her side, Violet whimpering as Sutan ran a hand over her stomach. In Paris Violet would melt like butter when he kneaded her tender back or touched her aching arms, the physical labor of working for Dior Couture sometimes pulling a true number on Violet’s body, the hours and hours and hours going into the dresses they produced paid right away, but Violet loved it, and Sutan loved that she loved it.

“How are you feeling?”

“Good..”

“Yeah?” Sutan smiled, pressing another kiss into Violet’s skin, his teeth nipping at her, and that’s when he felt it, Violet’s stomach practically rumbling under his hand. Sutan broke from her, a laugh leaving him. “Damn lovely eyes. Seems like someone shouldn’t have skipped dinner, huh?”

Violet laughed, and Sutan felt his heart melt, the comfort and trust Violet showed him in that moment something he cherished more than he knew how to put into words.

When he had first met Violet, she would have shied away, embarrassed and betrayed by her bodies humanity, but instead, after years together, she was laughing. Sutan ran his other hand through Violet’s wet hair, pushing it back and turning his head so he could kiss her.

“Some soup does sound nice…” Violet smiled, kissing Sutan’s lips. “Do you think they have tomatoes?”

“I’m sure they have everything you could ever dream of.”

/////

Bianca couldn’t sleep. She laid in bed, covers tossed aside, eyes wide open and staring at the slow moving ceiling fan.

She couldn’t close them because every time she did, she saw Courtney. Muscular thighs on full display as she climbed a ladder, abs peeking out from her shirt when she sailed across a zip line. Even the agile way she jumped to the ground. Who knew that an afternoon of zip lining would be so fucking alluring?

Bianca could have cursed herself for not bringing a single vibrator in her massive suitcase. An oversight that was truly proving to be tragic, fingers simply not enough to relieve the pulsing ache in her cunt.

She flipped over onto her stomach, pillow between her legs, squirming desperately against her hand, some of her hair ending up in her mouth. God, what she wouldn’t give for that mouthful to be blonde and silky. Bianca squeezed her eyes shut, straining, trying to imagine her tongue against Courtney’s skin, hands full of her perfect ass. She whimpered, frustration mounting, finally collapsing in exhaustion and failure.

Why the fuck hadn’t she packed a vibrator?

Did Amazon Prime deliver to remote Brazilian resort towns?

[staytheb]

Like Oh 2.0 - #HAPPYBIRTHDAYMARKTUAN

Previous Chapter: Video Call Word Count: 2,396 Summary: It’s Mark birthday and of course they wanna spend it with the sisters when they have the time to do so.

Like Oh 2.0 masterlist

we’re getting there. just give it time lol anyways, this is where my chapters started getting short because i wanted to write for each birthdays and september just had so many birthdays within it. lol so yeah, i got a bit burnted out or whatever. anyways, um, that was his real hashtag, too that year of 2016. but yeah happy reading and kthxbai, Admin Lia~

"It's funny how ahgases got a lot done for Mark's birthday compare to the others." Serena commented while scrolling through her laptop in the living room as Melanie was sitting on the couch watching TV. "What do you mean?" Melanie asked not looking at her sister as Serena replied. "Someone made a joke about it having to do with land, air, and water." Serena scrolled back up to explained. "Um, Korea did the bus thing, then in the states they flew some stuff in the air, and in Thailand they had it shown on a boat. It's pretty crazy." Serena admired IGOT7's dedication. "They even donated a lot of money in his name to some charity in Thailand as well."

"That's how they are." Melanie laughed as she faced Serena. "Make me noodles." Serena rolled her eyes while shutting off her laptop. "Do it yourself." "You're headed to the kitchen right now to make food for yourself anyways." "Yeah, make food for me, not you." Serena stuck her tongue out at her sister while standing up and stretching her limbs. "I don't want noodles. Been eating that for the last few days already. Have to see what's in the fridge. I haven't gone grocery shopping since we came back from Jeju." Melanie followed after her sister towards the kitchen. "I knew I should have stopped by the supermarket on Friday when I came here."

Serena opened her fridge, but saw nothing of interest and closed it with a sigh. "Let's go food shopping then." Serena looked at Melanie. "I'm tired of take out, too." Melanie rolled her eyes while giving in. "Fine, but you're driving." "Of course. Let's go." "Not like this." Melanie motioned with her hand at herself as she was wearing shorts and a tank top with no makeup while Serena rolled her eyes also doing the same gesture. "I'm the same way. Who are we gonna impress at the market, huh?" "Shit, I don't know, but I hate getting stared at." "Whatever." Serena dismissed as Melanie went to her room to get ready and Serena sighed. "This sucks."

~~~~~~~

"Y'know, if I knew we were gonna run errands, too I would have just taken the bus and given you the car." Serena complained as she and Melanie rode the elevator to the fifth floor while Melanie smiled. "That's why I didn't tell you anything." "This bish." Melanie laughed as the sisters exited the elevators and noticed that a group of men were outside Serena's apartment door. "There goes my mood." Serena frowend as Melanie elbowed her. "Be nice." "Don't you guys have something else better to do than hang around someone else's door when yours is just a few doors down." Serena sarcastically told the group of seven as they smiled at the duo with Melanie greeting them warmly like always compare to her sister. "Hey! What's up?"

"There you are." Yugyeom smiled upon seeing the sisters walk up with bags of things. "Let us help." Jackson offered as he, Jaebeom, and Mark took the bags from the girls with Serena feeling awkward about it, but didn't show it. "Thanks." She opened her door as the group trudge inside. "Don't you guys have some other things to do or maybe a late night schedule to go to?" Serena checked her wall clock for the time. "It's like a few minutes past seven even though it's a Sunday." She remembered something when her eyes landed on Mark shortly afterwards. "Ah. It's also Mark's birthday." "Happy birthday, Mark." Melanie exclaimed with a smile as she held out a small container of vanilla cake with strawberries and chocolate drizzle on top.

"Thank you, Chaewon noona." Mark grinned as he accepted the offered dessert. "Since you're here I could give you your birthday gift, too." Serena said as she went to her room and returned with a medium-sized brown box as the group had settled themselves within the living room. "I still see this has become a routine of sorts." Serena muttered as she eyed the idol group while Melanie grinned. "The boys insisted on staying because they don't have anything to do since it's Mark's birthday." "Mmhmm, right." Serena mumbled before looking at Mark. "You should like it if you haven't seen them yet." Serena handed the box over to Mark as he smiled at her. "I'm sure I'll love it. Thanks, Jyongri noona." "You're welcome, Mark, and happy birthday."

Mark grinned once he opened his gift to reveal a collection of horror DVDs. "APT. Crimson Peak. Darkness Falls. Ju-On: The Grudge one and two. Loner. Shutter. Shutter Island. The Eye. The Orphanage. The Skeleton Key." He looked at Serena with even wider smile. "I've heard some of these, but never got the chance to watch them. Thanks." "Welcome and now you can watch any of them any time whenever you get the free time to do so." Serena smiled at him as Mark smirked at some of his members. "How about we watch one of them now?" "No! Why would you want to watch something so scary, Mark hyung?" Youngjae whined with a vigorous shake of his head before nodding his head. "Let's just watch something else."

"I agree." BamBam nodded. "Guys, it's Mark hyung's birthday." Jinyoung reasoned. "If he wants to watch a horror movie, then we're going to watch a horror movie." "Can we leave the lights on?" Jackson suggested as Serena shook her head. "That'll ruin the fun." "How is that fun?" "It sets the mood and makes it much more suspenseful." "Don't mind her, Jackson. Unnie likes watching suspenseful movies in the dark with the volume turned up high. She's weird like that." Melanie laughed before casting her eyes onto her sister. "Right?" "Yup, totally." Serena laughed as she turned her attention on to the bags still left in the living room.

"You guys do what you wanna do. I'm going to put these away." Serena went to do that as half of the boys wanted to watch one of the horror films while the other half wanted to watch something else. Melanie went to help Seena as she didn't want to bother with the boys' indecisiveness. After the duo put away their things they returned to the living room to see that the idols went with Mark's birthday wish as they saw the birthday boy inserting the disc into the player. "I'm surprised you can operate my entertainment system, too." Serena teased as Mark grinned back at her. "It wasn't all that hard once I figured out which remote went with what console over time since visiting more often." "Yeah, way too many times." "You know you love my company." "Says you."

"This one's good." Serena said upon seeing the opening credits as Youngjae faced her hopefully. "Could you tell us how it ends then?" "No." Everyone chuckled as Jaebeom patted the younger man's back. "You'll be fine." "There's popcorn to keep you occupy and probably distracted." Melanie stated as she placed two bowls onto the table. "One's caramel and the other is cheese." "Ohh, cheese." Jackson grinned taking a handful with Yugyeom doing the same, but for the caramel. "Thanks." The idols thanked her while munching on the snacks. "Welcome." Melanie smiled while she held onto her own personal bowl of both flavors and sat on the floor as the boys returned their attention to the film. Serena switched off the lights leaving on one for Youngjae and joined the group even though she's already seen it.

~~~~~~~

Somehow during the first fifteen minutes of watching the film, Youngjae and BamBam had snuck off with Melanie to the kitchen to watch something else on Melanie's iPad mini. Melanie grew bored of the film, but wasn't interested in this type of genre in general. Serena grew sleepy a few minutes later and tried her best to stay awake for the sake of it being Mark's birthday. She gave in a few minutes later as she quietly made her way to her room knowing full well that she would be call in to work earlier than expected. That left the group of five to finish the movie, but Jackson slowly joined the trio in the kitchen where he discovered the group eating ice cream without him.

The quartet in the living room turned their attention towards the direction of the kitchen as Jackson's loud voice could be heard telling Melanie that he wanted whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top of his ice cream bowl before the bowl itself went crashing to the floor in pieces. This instantly woke up Serena from her slumber as she rushed towards the kitchen to see what had happened with the quartet in tow. "Seriously?" She groaned upon seeing the mess without glasses or contacts on. "This is why we can't have nice things." Serena rubbed at her eyes as she made to clean up the mess, but Melanie told her not to bother and to go back to bed. "I got it, unnie. Just go back to bed. I know you have work later."

"You have school. Don't you?" Serena countered, but let her sister do her thing anyways. "Yeah, but it's later in the day." Melanie explained as she tried her best to sweep up all of the ceramic shards with Jackson trying to clean up the melted ice cream. "Be careful, Jackson." Melanie firmly told the idol as she noticed him wiping the floor. "Don't need you getting one of those things stuck in your hands." "Thanks, noona, but don't worry. I'm being super careful." Jackson assured the female as he finished what he was doing without any harm. "See." He showed Melanie his hands with a smile as she rolled her eyes. "Now sit down and I'll do your ice cream bowl for you."

"Can I have one, too?" Yugyeom asked as Melanie smiled. "Sure. Anyone else?" She looked at the other three expectantly as they all raised their arms a second later. "Alright. I'll scoop you all a bowl, but you guys can top it off with whatever you guys want." Melanie laughed with a shake of her head as she began with Jackson's bowl first. Serena let out a yawn while using her hand to cover it as she glanced at the idols who filled up her kitchen along with her sister in it. "Y'all know the drill so I'm not repeating myself." She pointed a finger at all of them while continuing to speak. "I don't want to wake up to anymore broken things. I don't have the time to replace them since it took me forever to replace the sofa."

"You're not gonna join us?" Mark asked once he noticed Serena was leaving and she faced him with a tired smile. "No, sorry. Although I know it's your birthday." Serena ran a hand through her hair. "I would rather sleep. I become super grumpy and irritated if I don't get in some good sleep." She gave them a small wave. "You guys have a good night and enjoy the ice cream. Don't bother Chaewon too much. I can't be responsible for her if she does anything to you guys while I'm asleep." She chuckled mischievously as Melanie rolled her eyes. "I'm not like you." "Sure." "Good night." She waved one last time with GOT7 wishing her a good night before returning to her room.

"Noona." BamBam called as Melanie was now working on a bowl for Jaebeom. "What?" "What's your passcode?" "Why?" "It locked me out." "You shouldn't have messed with it, hmm?" BamBam rubbed his neck nervous. "I accidentally pressed the wrong button while eating my ice cream." "Yeah, sure. How about we all just go back to the living room and finish the movie." She suggested as she finished the last bowl and handed it to Jinyoung. "I forgot about the movie." Mark laughed sheepishly after topping his ice cream bowl with various items and returning back to the living room with Jinyoung and Yugyeom following after once they were done topping their own bowls.

"Can we not?" Youngjae pleaded as Melanie laughed while putting away the bucket of ice cream. "It's just a movie, Youngjae." She told him before looking at the idol. "We can turn on more lights if you want." "Okay." He let out in a defeated tone with BamBam and Jackson accompanying the male to the living room while leaving Jaebeom and Melanie behind. "So noona," Jaebum began, "Sorry about Jackson breaking Jyongri noona's bowl." Melanie dismissed him as she was topping off her own bowl of ice cream. "It's fine. Accidents happen." "But I know the table must have not come cheap compare to the bowl." "True, but it's all good."

She smiled at him once she was doing topping off her ice cream bowl while she motioned with her head towards the living room. "Let's head on over." "Can't we hang out here and talk?" Jaebeom suggested instead as Melanie shrugged. "If you want to." She eyed the male. "Although it's Mark's birthday." Jaebeom sighed. "It is his birthday." He shrugged with a soft sigh. "Alright, let's join the others." He gave in as Melanie laughed at his behavior. "Why do you sound so disappointed?" Jaebeom seemed alarmed, but quickly recovered. "I wanted to eat my ice cream in peace." Melanie laughed at his response. "It's a horror film, JB. I don't think there's peace when three of your members are easily scared." "I know, Chaewon noona. I know."

The two returned to the living room to finish watching APT although Jackson, Youngjae, and BamBam kept making noises throughout the whole thing. After the movie was over Melanie called it a night She didn't want to be responsible if the boys missed their schedules. "Again, Mark, happy birthday." She said as she cast him a small smile. "Sorry about unnie." "Thanks, noona, and it's fine. It happens." He said with a small smile. "Tell, Jyongri noona, bye from us." "Will do." Melanie smiled at him before walking them towards the door. "Stay safe guys and good luck with the rest of your activities." "Thank you." GOT7 told her as Jaebeom was the last to linger to wish her a good night which made her giddy for some reason. "Good night, noona." "Good night, JB. Take care." "You, too."

[shipppersrus]

Aj Says part 2//Multific

The garage door opens, telling the kids Lee is back from his date. Clem bends to Aj’s level to make things clear between them.

“Okay Aj, nobody was here just me and you all night. We watched Black Panther and fell asleep.” The two make their way downstairs and pretend to be sleep on the couch with Aj falling Clem’s lead.

Lee comes in and notices his children asleep, he gives each of them a kiss and turns off the tv. After Lee heads upstairs and the two get up and heads to their rooms. Clem closes her door and locks it then calls Louis.

“Hey” he answers.

“Hey, I’m sorry about my brother.”

“No don’t be I shouldn’t of came over in the first place, now your enslaved to your little brother.”

“Oh it can’t be that bad, I’m sure he’ll forget in a couple days.”

“Well it was fun watching movies with you, and uh- the other stuff.”

“You too Lou.”

“I guess I’ll see you at school.”

“Yeah will do.”

“Goodnight Clem.”

“Goodnight.”

The next day Aj acted like an angel, as if nothing happened which made Clem think he may of forgotten, but let’s just say she thought to soon. Throughout the week Aj drove Clem crazy with her having to do anything he asked.

“Aj! This room is a mess you need to come clean it now, or no dessert tonight!” Lee threatened, and Clem already knew what that meant.

“Yes sir.” Aj said innocently. Aj made his way to Clem’s room and had a mischievous look on his face.

“Clem, my room needs cleaning.” Aj leaned on the door as Lee often does.

“In a minute Aj I have to finish this paper.” Clem continued typing.

“Okay. Dad!” Aj began yelling making Clementine drop what she was doing and head to his room.

“Yes!” Lee called upstairs.

“Never mind I found it.” Aj followed Clem into his room as he got on his bed and read comic books.

It got much worse from there not only was Clementine doing all Aj’s chores on top of her own but she had to sneak snacks for him and take him anywhere he wanted to go after school, it began driving her crazy. A week and a half past before Clem became fed up. Clem’s seemed to be very irritated at school and Louis picked up on it, during lunch the two took some time together and Louis decided he’d try to help, even if it was it was to get her to smile.

“So uh- you look nice today.” Louis tried to start.

“Thanks.” Clem said dryly.

“Clem please talk to me.” She takes a deep breath before starting.

“ I should of never take a deal with Aj! I have to do whatever he says and I hate it! He strings what happened over my head like a $100 dollar bill. If I even look like I’m not going to do what he says or wait till I have time he starts to yell dads name, I just feel like I’m trapped.” Clementine felt good about talking about it for the first time.

“I’m sorry you’re in this mess, but maybe this is a sign to tell you it’s time to tell your dad yourself. Take the power away from Aj.” Louis was nervous about the advice he recommended. Clementine leans her head on his shoulder.

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah. I can’t let this go on any longer and the best way to get out of it is to tell me dad the truth.”

“Can I just say I’m the best advice giver, I’m going to have to go ahead and charge you for my services.”

“Not again. What do you want Louis?”

“A kiss.” Louis smirked.

“That I can do.” Clementine gave Louis a peck on his lips.

“Aww you can do better than that, put some thought into it!” Louis teased. Clem tried again actually sincerely kissing him and took her time. She hadn’t been affectionate with Louis at all since the incident and it felt good to touch him again. She broke away from her kiss and they rested their foreheads on each other.

“Tonight I tell my father about you, as long as I don’t chicken out.”

“You won’t.”

“Also prepare to never see me again, because I maybe dead.”

“You’ll be fine.” He takes her in his arms and they rest there for a second. “No matter what we’ll make it through this.” Louis held her.

“And if we don’t?”

“Hey I thought I was the one that’s suppose to be the pessimist in this relationship!” He teased.” Relax it will be fine.”

“God I hope so.”

That night dinner was normal, except for Clem being less talkative than normal. Once they finished the small talk and eating Lee asked his normal request:

“Aj, you’re on dish duty tonight.” Lee told him ask they finished dinner.

“Okay.” Aj continued eating.

“What’s gotten into you Aj, you always complain about your chores, and your room has been cleaner than normal, what’s going on?” Lee asked.

“I just want to make your life easier dad.”

“Mhm. Well go ahead and knock those dishes out.” Lee finished up his plate. Once he finished Lee headed to the living room to go over some papers and there was left Clem and Aj.

“Here you go Clem.” Aj passes her the plates.

“No Aj I’m done doing your chores, this isn’t fair I’ve already made up for what happened this is getting ridiculous!” Clem tried to keep her voice down.

“Fine. Dad!” Aj called Lee in with his arms crossed.

“Yes please call dad in, I’ll tell him myself.” Clem got up from the table.

“Not if I tell him first.” Aj cut out running but Clementine caught him and the two started fighting. Clementine tried to pin Aj but he bit her!

“Ow Aj! Don’t bite me!” They continued fighting.

“Hey Stop! Now!” Lee ran in and broke the two up. “If you two don’t stop fighting I’ll ground both of you! Now what is going on!”

The two both start telling on each other completely. Until Lee somewhat understood what was going on.

“Enough! Aj go to your room now.” Lee said sternly and very upset. Aj headed upstairs without another word. “Clementine I’m going to ask you once, what happened.” She sighs and gets ready to tell the truth.

“I’m sorry dad! The night you went out on a date my boyfriend Louis stopped over to make sure I was okay, I let him in and we watched a movie! But we weren’t doing anything, well I mean we kissed but we weren’t going to have sex! Aj caught us and I’ve been doing all his chores and pretty much everything he says since it happened and I’m sick of it!” Clementine said all in one breath. Lee took a seat as he tried to grasp everything she said.

“You have a boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

“That you let in the House? After I specifically told you no one comes in or goes out.”

“Yes.”

“And you has Aj lie for you?

“I’m sorry dad.” Clementine was defeated.

“Sweet pea, why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend?”

“I didn’t know how you would take it? And I didn’t know how to tell you. But you’d really like him he’s a great guy and he’s so funny, and has been dying to meet you.”

“I just always thought we had a better relationship than that, no secrets and all.”

“We do. I’m sorry dad.”

“Then you snuck him in and had your brother lie to you.”

“Yeah I know this is a mess.”

“Well when you’re not grounded anymore, I’d love to meet him.” Lee smiled at Clementine, and she couldn’t help but hug him.

“So you’re not mad?” She asked.

“Oh no I’m furious that you lied and brought your brother into it, but I know we all make mistakes and it seems like you learned from yours.”

“Thanks dad.”

“Now I’ll need your cell phone, laptop, tv, and iPad all placed in my room while I talk to your brother.”

“Wait dad you can’t be serious!”

“Now.” Lee put his hand out for her phone. She handed him her phone and immediately got a text from Louis:

Louis: Goodnight my clemster ♥️

Lee read the message and decided to let Clementine respond before she was put on punishment. Her face beamed as she replied to him trust returned her phone to her dad.

“Hey dad go easy on Aj.” Clementine started. “Or not.” She teased.

“Since your brother is a mass manipulator, I think it’s time he experiences his first grounding.” Lee headed upstairs to talk to Aj. Clementine quickly ran to the fridge to have a couple quick bites of the sorbet in the fridge before her punishment officially commenced, at least her dad wanted to meet Louis, right?

Thanks guys I hope you enjoyed!!

[tazusher-blog]

Mind out, Mum!

There’s no time more necessary than now to share our techno-wisdom with our elders. 

It is no doubt that at one time in your life you have had to show a parent or grandparent how to use a piece of technology. That might have been showing them how to take a photo, send an email, or even turn the computer on. Whatever the action, it is also most likely that you will have chuckled to yourself at the time; stopping to question how the simplest of actions could appear so complex to these people. Especially to those who once taught us to read, write and ride a bike.

Having been brought up in an age dominated by digital technology, it is hard to imagine how using such devices as smart phones and laptops comes unnaturally to some. In fact, if you asked your parents or grandparents, you’d definitely be shocked to learn the age at which they got their first mobile, when they sent their first email, and at what point their family owned a fully-functioning TV. Chances are, their responses will most definitely not fall within the first 13 years of their lives; an answer which is likely to come from only our current generation. Nonetheless, owing to the ever-growing influence of modern day technology, it is no surprise that more and more members of the older generation are turning to high-tech devices for the simple purpose of keeping up with the world. Yes, grandparents are still able to visit their local corner shop for a copy of the newspaper each day, or call up the number of the catalogue they want to buy a new winter coat from, but there are still so many advantages to be gained from having access to the internet. These include the use of Google, online shopping, and catch up TV; all of which my very own grandparents have gained access to following their recent purchase of an iPad.

So where do we step in?

Unlike us who will receive our shining new iPhone upgrade and have our devices set up and ready to go within an hour of receiving the phone, those who aren’t accustomed to using such devices will struggle to know where to start. And yes, there is that 1000-page document that comes with the device to tell you how to work it, but when you have no idea what you’re looking at to start with, even just getting the gadget to work can be a mission.

As a tech-savvy and knowledgeable generation, it is our responsibility to be there for our parents and grandparents; to show them the ropes and help them keep up with the world. I, for one, am frequently bombarded by questions from my parents about what updates on their phones mean, or how to email our auntie the latest photos of our family holiday. Equally, it is our role to warn our parents about the dangers of the internet by showing them how to protect their information online, and how not to be fooled by those on the prowl for such clueless victims.

(Yes, my grandparents are this cute.)

Surveillance Capitalism

One of the most pervasive elements of our online activity is the occurrence of surveillance capitalism. This is when the puppeteers of the internet take control of everything that we do online by converting our personal data into something useful and profitable to them. And it’s all out of our control.

Take Google for example. Google is a marvellous platform which allows us to ask almost ANYTHING and receive an answer within seconds of our search. We can ask Google how to change a tire on our car, what time the nearest Nando’s closes, or where to buy the best value top-of-the range makeup. Whatever our search, Google has an answer. And he’s happy to help at no charge. Well, that’s what we think…

Google is in fact, watching our every move. Absorbing our every click into its data base and sharing this information to its many friends; Facebook, Instagram and Amazon. And what do they do with this info? They use it to create targeted advertising tailored to our searches. Presenting us with adverts to help us find that perfect coat we were searching for two days ago, and tempting us with content that is personal and applicable to us.

Where’s the danger in that?

Whilst there are many of us who are aware of the internet’s tactful tricks, our parents and grandparents are less sensitive to this. And this is where things might get sticky. Take my mum for example, she on a day to day basis messages me with links to products she’s “seen on Facebook”, asking me to purchase them for her. Some of these products are often the most random of things; pillow case covers, ring polishers, and magnet eyelash extensions. Things I certainly wouldn’t come across on my news feeds. When asking her about the unusual eyelash extensions, I discovered that the previous week she had actually googled ‘the best mascaras for lengthening lashes”: and this is where I was able to make the link. The sites had worked together by exchanging this data, and their objective (to target my mum with a product which offered an expensive solution to her search) had ultimately succeeded!

However, this is a very minor example and it could be argued that it was my mum’s choice to buy the item. And that she easily could have turned her head if it was something she didn’t want to buy. On the other hand, there are also adverts which promote slightly fraudulent deals such as ‘Buy XXXXX for £0, limited time only’, which actuals totals at £20 once an extortionate delivery price has been added at the checkout (and you’ve already put your card details in...).

Elsewhere on the internet, there are also much more extreme examples of fraudulent and manipulative behaviour. Phishing being the major method of attack. Phishing is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “The fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.”. It is an act which forces users of the internet to become victims of their own devices, and can result in serious consequences such as losing money, being hacked, or having your identity stolen.

As with the other online trickeries mentioned above, phishing is another example of the need for us to educate our elders about such online crime. Just like cold-callers and scammers who use telephone calls to target vulnerable people, phishing is another, and arguably easier way, for criminals to benefit from the naivety of their victims at the click of a button.

How does it work?

Phishing usually occurs in the form of emails claiming to be sent from trustworthy sources such as your bank, ‘fake’ colleagues, or PayPal. Some might also occur in the form of Holiday agents claiming that you need to enter your card details to re-secure your recent holiday payment. In reality, after giving into this email, you won’t be able to afford that holiday you were saving for!

 Whoever the sender, their goal is to persuade you to give them something valuable to them; that being your passwords, credit card details, or personal information.

What to look out for:

Before you can warn others about the danger of online crimes, it is important to know yourself what to look out for. The main things to seek out are:

Who is sending the email?

Do you actually know the person? If so, do they email like they normally would? How do they sign off the email?

 If it’s from a bank or company, do you actually have an account with them? And is what they are referring to something actually relevant to you?

Is the email legitimate?

The first thing I do when receiving a suspected spam email is to click on the name of the sender and view the entire email address. This way I can see whether it’s likely to be an official account or not. If it doesn’t even mention the name of the sender, it’s likely it’s not.

Are they likely to EMAIL you about this?

When receiving an email about your latest bank transaction, or prompting you to verify your Paypal details, it’s also wise to ask yourself: would they actually email me about this? Or would they rather send me a letter in the post or give me a call? Legitimate emails from companies should never ask you to do something involving such confidential data at the click of a button. 

Also, don’t allow yourself to be fooled by your inbox. Even if an email hasn’t been sent to your Junk folder, this doesn’t mean that it’s as true as it claims to be. Highest chances are, it’s only made its way through the spam checks because the sender knows what s/he’s doing.

If there’s anything that the hundreds of E-safety lessons at secondary school taught me, it’s to think extra-cautiously about everything I do and engage with online. It’s now time to share this wisdom with those who might be slightly less aware. Don’t be dumb, tell mum!

Image credits:

https://gfycat.com/fortunatesmartgreyhounddog

https://smith.queensu.ca/insight/articles/don_t_buy_what_surveillance_capitalism_is_selling

https://tech.rochester.edu/security/phishing-education/

[itsawonderfullifewithz]

The Passing of Pop Culture

The Final Goodbyes

Staying with Z in hospice care was like sailing across a misty lake. You knew your boat would hit land at some point, you just didn’t know when. 

I had signed the DNR forms the following day after our meeting with the Neuro team. They said we’d see a change within 24 hours. Nothing changed. She was still in and out of consciousness. I figured that the 24 hour time frame was a precaution just in case she did expire that quickly. 

Z.’s mom, dad and sister Rizza stayed at the hospital to keep vigil. Xavier and I got a hotel room, about a seven minute drive from the hospital. He was done for the school year so I wanted him close by. Ever since our Florida trip, he’s grown an infatuation for staying in hotel rooms. 

During the days at the hospital, Xavier kept himself occupied with his Ipad and repeated visits to the cafeteria and vending machine. For me, it was a rotation of take-out food, fiddling with my phone, board games with my cousins, and writing on the laptop. 

I did, however, get a chance to read When Breath Becomes Air, a memoir by Paul Kalanithi. Kalanithi--a young, up and coming Neurosurgeon was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2013. He died in 2015 at the age of 37. 

This was the 2nd attempt to read it. I tried reading it back in October but I failed to get beyond the first few pages since they were emotionally taxing. Z was still on remission and I didn’t want to open up pandora’s box by reading someone’s cancer memoir. 

Now, since Z was in hospice care and I was already experiencing a wide range of emotions, reading this book came easily. What struck me most about reading his memoir was that not only was he a Neurosurgeon, but also was well versed in classic literature. Since he couldn’t practice Neurosurgery anymore, his back up plan was to write a book. He also wrote it while undergoing chemo. I imagined him struggling and fighting for as much time as he could to get whatever he wanted to express down while his body as his body took the beating. Another story of someone who dedicated their life to saving others, but couldn’t save themselves. 

On the 2nd week of Hospice care, Z. became less and less responsive. Her friends, family and co-workers continued to visit her even though she could no longer acknowledge their presence. 

Many of the faculty wearing the gray t-shirts in honor of Z. I was touched. My wife was being loved by the people closest to her in her room, but also being revered by the people who didn’t know her in the hallway. 

When the sun set on Friday, June 21st, I kissed her goodbye and took Xavier back to the hotel. Trepidation sunk in my gut. I feared that would be the last time I saw her breathing. 

I was restless that night. I kept on waking up, glancing at my phone--worrying that I had missed the phone call that she had just passed. But, by God’s grace, I didn’t. 

I was already awake when Z.’s mom called. It was just before 8:00AM. She said to come early. Xavier sprung up from bed. He grabbed a muffin and an OJ for breakfast and we rushed to the hospital. 

When we got there, the doctor was listening to Z.’s heart rate. He told us maybe a couple more hours. 

Z passed within an hour. 

Seeing the confused look on Xavier’s face, I felt the need to explain to him what had transpired. I took Xavier to a private room down the hallway. No explanation was really needed. He kind of already knew, at least what his five-year old mind understood anyway. 

“It’ll just be me and you?” he asked.

“Yes. Just me and you. Like Kratos and Atreus.” 

And like the boat that Kratos and Atreus sailed, we had hit land. We had crossed the misty lake. 

The Nurses Honor Guard and The Funeral

On the night of the viewing, the all volunteer Nurses Honor Guard came and paid tribute to Z.’s service. Like the Night’s Watch, her watch had ended. 

We buried Z on Thursday, June 27th at Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor, MI. The sun was out with no dark cloud to be seen, much like the day she died. 

As a final gift to her, I placed her Mulan Funko Pop in the casket, saddened that she won’t be able to see the upcoming Live-Action remake.

The Passing of Pop Culture

I’ve only started the mourning process.  To some extent, I had inured myself to the loss. Z had spent much of the last two months in the hospital that her not being around the house was nothing new to me. 

The busyness of dealing with the funeral arrangements along with her assets had kept me float, only weeping in those quiet moments when I realize she’s no longer in this world. 

For me, 2019 will be remembered when many great things came to an end. Game of Thrones. The end of the MCU Infinity saga. There’s also the ending of the Star Wars Trilogy in December. Even The Walking Dead comic series just ended (issue #193). On a side note, Stan Lee passed on Z.’s last birthday (November 12th).

So I guess in some ways, it’s appropriate that Z. should pass during the end of these pop culture events. 

TV critics Matt Zoller Seitz and Alan Sepinwall ranked the Simpsons as the number one tv show of all time. As consumers of pop culture, we’ve taken that show for granted much like a household utility. Sure, the critics admit the show has overstayed its welcome for at least the last ten years--but those first ten years are unequivocally classic television. 

Maybe, I should look at my marriage in that way--it was like The Simpsons before it started to suck. 

I’m saddened that I won’t be able to share any more pop culture experiences with my wife. I’m sad that we won’t play more board games together with my large extended family. I’m sad that Xavier and I will celebrate Halloween and Christmas without her. I’m sad that the world won’t have a Raziel Dizon Tungol. 

Yet, I’m also heartened that (however brief) our life together was unquestionably and truly wonderful. 

[charlotteroseessex-blog]

Intertextuality: In the life of the Kardashians

Writing is one of humankind's most primal methodologies of dissemination of information and communication. Cavemen (and women) used a type of symbolic writing, known as ‘pictographs’, to display drawings of the animals they hunted as well as the ceremonies they would partake in. Despite ‘pictographs’ not entirely embodying the writing we know now, the 40-50,000 BC scripture triggered the movement towards alphabetic interaction.

Moving slightly further ahead in time, the increasing accessibility for reading and writing materials began the evolution of technology. Charles Babbage introduced the world to digitalised media in the early 1800s when he constructed a machine which would solve his problems of calculations in mathematics. The introduction to ‘machine-readable formats’ was, unbeknown to Babbage, the beginning of a globalised phenomenon relied on by millions - but not for the same numeric calculations it was once intended for...

Inventions such as the Smartphone, have broadened our abilities to consume and access information. Since Primary School, I can remember delving into the realms of digital media platforms from as early as 7 years old. Children are brought up with access to phones, iPads and laptops for entertainment, educational and distraction purposes - so nowadays when eating at your favourite restaurant in town, there is no longer an element of shock when spectating a nearby family with children all scrolling and tapping on seperate devices during their meal, due to the normality and natural occurrence of digitalisation. Our exposure to technology is so profuse that even babies are now taken on buses with iPads shoved under their noses, with the latest episode of Peppa Pig, whilst their mum sits scrolling through Facebook.

The point is, we are all so exposed to the instantaneity of devices that we are losing touch with the connectedness and sentimentality with the true mediums of word. Newspaper articles are no longer desired as a tangible purchase because now, with a few taps on a screen, we can receive the latest news updates on our phones or tablets. Subsequently, the purchasing of hardback books are in a general global decline, reporting to have decreased by 3.4% in 2018 defined by the influx of the digital alternative, the Kindle, experiencing sales between 20 to 90 million over the course of the last decade (Amazon). The concept of a technological takeover suggests that consumers are favouring the practical and transportable methods of reading over the traditional process of turning a page.

In addition’, the crave for platforms which require the least effort suggests the presence of a lazy generation. Instead of having to search through a library to find a suitably informative book, the internet has allowed for access to instantaneous facts and figures provided and suggested to you. Google is the most actively used search engine with 3.5 billion searches per day. This method of consuming information outlines a contagious dependency which we ALL rely on for immediate gratification - this is rather than reaching for a book, requiring incomparably more effort to gage the desired information. Through the accessibility to the internet, digital media has allowed for the growth of knowledge and intellect, such as the input of a read-write web. Most apps downloadable on tablets rely on the concept of expression for users to exercise its domains to suit their requirements. For example, Twitter allows for users to post and interact their thoughts and feelings within the conversational networking site, but in some cases, the app may be used by one person as a freedom of speech and for another it could be used for a less self-indulgent platform - like job searching or news articles through the connectivity of a #hashtag. 

In basic terms, we all roam the domains of the internet with different intentions and yet we can all identify with the purpose to either share, support or be inspired by our searched information. The internet is a space for consumption, growth and reflection caused by the involvement we are now provided with when being able to influence online content. The internet provides a variety of input through the ability to share and comment on sites inviting feedback. Despite this being an invitation towards intellectual and challenging conversations made more approachable through online networking and connectedness, it can also be manipulated by critics and trolls seeking to implode judgement on unsuspecting individuals. The freedom of a read-write web has been recently made into a potentially dangerous world of forced judgement and unexplainable hatred by mostly anonymous and fake accounts.

Due to the globalisation of the internet, such outcomes as intertextuality have evolved as a product of the progression in the lack of unique content (often receiving negative backlash). Intertextuality allows for repetition and relational material to be understood as a complimentary embodiment of an original, featuring and interpreting artworks of differentiability or historicality. With the internet now 45 years young, activated in 1969, it is unlikely that the content discoverable nowadays hasn’t been neither influenced nor inspired by anaphoric textuality. This has made public figures less admirable when their work is comparable to previous editions - intentional or not. Cases of intertextuality are common simply due to the earth being old. Bluntly, it is 4.543 billion years old so the assumption that content created nowadays is unique and never been done before, is impossible. The difference is that now - with the permanence of online sources - we can refer to previous postings to consider reconstructions as examples of either intertextuality, the remix culture or just plain copyright.

To demonstrate intertextuality, I feel it’s justifiable to use the Kardashian-Jenner family as a true modernist representation due to their constant presence in the media. The Kardashians are undoubtedly one of the most influential families in the world so therefore impact a lot of online media coverage. With the concept of intertextuality proclaiming as a hot topic in their recent years of fame, certain Kardashian members have demonstrated the extreme reactions provoked when photoshoots and campaigns merely infer historicality. Their gross level of fame make it difficult to decide whether the headlines attached to certain articles are justifiable, like does it provoke the legitimate shock factor? Or is it simply just an opportunistic platform for critics to slander the Kardashians once again for no reason whatsoever? The problems arise when intertextuality is no longer received as a complementation of inspiration, but rather proof of a lack of imagination and injustice to the original structure.

So let’s begin.

Kendall Jenner. Racist? Or just an unfortunate victim of an intertextual failure? Not many of us might recognise her campaign with Pepsi-cola, as it was pulled from tv after only 24 hours due to the outrage and dismay caused amongst the public. The advert saw Kendall abandon her fashion shoot when a protest catches her eye, so randomly decides to approach one of the more attractive police officers by handing him a bottle of Pepsi - as you do. When the advert aired, viewers complained about the uncanny resemblance between the Pepsi ‘Live For Now’ ad and both the Black Lives Matter movement and the 1960 Civil Rights Marches. 

Now, it could be suggested that there isn’t much similarity between the Pepsi campaign and the Civil Rights movement, nor does the peace offering of a Pepsi can hold much resemblance to the marches activated almost 6 decades previous to Jenners acting debut. However, when considering the bigger picture of the intertextual nature of the campaign (almost certainly inspired by the concept of the Civil Rights protests) the influence upon the storyline of the advert is undeniable. Due to the reinvention of the iconic movement which helped shape history for black Americans, it is not surprising that the reception of a supremely white female fixing a protest due to a can of Pepsi infuses an element of mockery within the intertextualisation between the two events. Black Rights campaigners such as Color of Change, an American group that campaigns to “end practices that unfairly hold Black people back,” branding online that Kendall’s actions “appropriated our pain and struggle” which was implied due to the similarity of settings.

I mean, Kendall Jenner might not be a racist and I’m not insinuating that she is but the branding of the Pepsi-cola campaign certainly raises a few eyebrows for what she actually expected to happen after mocking history.

The reception of intertextuality is determined by the viewing public and relies on their interpretations and overall power. Despite the creative process being intended as an aesthetically pleasing representation of an original artwork and rather paying tribute than mocking or redirecting it’s initial intentions, the line between a well received repetition of a construct and one that is not, often hangs in the balance of the finer details. To explore this let’s use the mishaps of another Kardashian.

Here we go again...

Kim Kardashian West. Arguably the most famous Kardashian due to her inability to stay out of the public eye for more than five minutes. She married a famous rap artist and then proceeded to have 3 beautiful children, so it was only a matter of time before she shoved one of them in front of the camera. At the age of 5, North West has already posed alongside Kim as they channelled America’s late First Lady, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, for an interview and magazine shoot. When addressing the influence of Kennedy on the Kardashian, it’s assumptive that Kims desire to imitate a stronger and more desirable individual as the images create relationships and forges likenesses between herself and the First Lady. North West’s inclusion exercises the freedom of intertextuality as the photoshoot takes inspiration from a public figure and aims to deploy an interpretation instead of copying their exact iconic images. The photoshoot of Kim Kardashian West and her daughter embody the relativity between Jackie Kennedy’s appearance but engages intertexualisation when capturing the style of Kennedy through their own style of expression.

When cross-examining the impact of a read-write web and the growing influence of intertextuality, the Kardashian/Kennedy photoshoot demonstrates how it can all go so wrong. When the shoot was published the hype it created was nothing to do with the beauty and charm of the images, but surrounding the Kardashian herself somewhat altering her appearance to match her daughters. It is no surprise when looking at the Kardashian clan, that their figures are not only arguably more curvaceous than your average white woman but also the rapid progression of their hourglass shapes developing unnaturally fast. Despite the obvious bum implants, rib-removal and liposuction of the middle Kardashian, it was her ‘black facing’ that made the internet go crazy and begin to brand the family as ‘culture vultures’. Caused by the accessibility of the public to retweet, share and publish their opinions online, it comes as no surprise that celebrities are at the full front of the darker side of the internet, especially when Tweeters and Facebookers can attach previous slip ups of the same individual to provide a stronger attack through public shaming.

Intertextuality is a factor of which the Kardashian-Jenner family rely on for most of their inspiration. It’s not unusual though. Like many other public figures or influencers, their ideas all derive from something which previously triggered them to create their next clothing line or the storyline behind the lyrics of their new song. Most intertextual pathways for celebrities are financially motivated with the intention to impact the public, whether it be a new trend copied by fans or solely for the purpose of humour. The humour derived most recently, through the use of intertextuality, is Celeste Barber, an Instagram Comedian whose account blew up when she started recreating images of top models to entertain her followers and encourage a new platform of body confidence.