#i needed a calendar and went to B&N and they happen to have one copy left of a book that has been on my list forever

[sonuvawitch]

me, last month: i'm not buying any more books for a few months because i have Too Many and need to get through them

me, the second day of the new year: ...just one more is fine

[petitelepus]

Yo I noticed that you haven’t write about wreck gar so- wreck gar number 23?

THIS GOT WAY TOO LONG, BUT ENJOY SOME HUMANFORMERS WRECK-GAR AND SCHOOL!AU!

You hate it there. The school was a real drag and you couldn't stand being there any longer than you had to but the world was cruel and in hopes of getting a proper job one day you had to have graduated from university with grades that would shine like stars in the night sky.

You hated being in the classroom filled with people who didn't care shit about you and why should they? You hadn't exactly been talking with your classmates since... You started school a year and a half ago. You knew you could have made friends, but you hated school, you hated people and you hated yourself.

Especially when Professor gave back your exam and you saw a big fat C on the front page. You felt your stomach drop and despair clutch your heart. Another C...

You looked over your shoulder, watching after the professor, but he was already at the far end of the class. You swallowed as you put the exam away and waited for the class to end so you could talk with your professor. The class ended half an hour later and you wanted to approach the professor but he was surrounded by your classmates. So you waited and finally, when the other students had left, you approached the older man.

"Uh, professor? About my grade... Do you think I could take the exam again?" You asked bashfully and the man looked at you. "I'm afraid to tell, but all grades are final."

"B- but... I can do better. I just need some time." You swallowed, "Please professor Ratchet, let me take the exam again."

"Is everything alright?" Ratchet asked and you frowned in silence before nodding, "I guess..."

"Look kid, I'm going to ask you..." Professor Ratchet cleared his throat and looked at you seriously, "Is everything alright with you? You aren't being bullied or anything?"

"N- No, sir." You frowned. The old man nodded, "Is everything okay at your home?"

"I live alone." You blurted, but it was true. You used to live in this small town, but when you had gotten into Cybertronian University you had moved onto your own from home. The professor sighed and took his huge calendar and looked through the days. "I can't let you take the exam again, but if you want I can get you some remedial instruction."

"I..." You really didn't want that, but it might have been what you needed. "Can I think about it?"

"Sure thing kid." Professor nodded and looked at the clock that hung over the classroom's door. "Now get going. School is done by today."

You nodded and bid your professor good day before leaving. Only a handful of students were scattered around the university and you were one of them. You went to the front door and were about to leave when thunder suddenly roared and it started to rain like crazy. Typical Autumn rain.

You groaned. You didn't have an umbrella. Just your luck. Well, you would have to suck it up and take off. You pushed your school bag against your chest and ran out into the rain, but you had a plan. There was a 24/7 market just around the corner and they usually sold everything, umbrellas included.

You entered the store and the cashier looked at you as water dripped down your hair and clothing. You didn't dare to say anything but smile awkwardly as you took a shopping basket and went to search for food and an umbrella. Noodles for your poor ass, energy drinks for your night owl life, and a cheap umbrella.

You paid the cashier and left the store quietly before opening your new umbrella and setting on your journey back to your apartment. You tried to dig out your ear puds but you couldn't find them from your bag so they must have been left in your apartment.

"Shit. This day can't get any worse." You cursed by yourself and kept going while listening to thunder wreck havoc above in the clouds. As you thought what a crappy day you had you saw something orange peeking from an alley and you stopped for long enough to see what it was.

"Oh, you guys are adorable! What am I going to call you?"

It was a man with a bright orange jacket and a rucksack big and full enough to last for a long hiking trip. At first, you thought he might be drunk or on some sort of drugs as you listened to him talk by himself so excitedly. You were about to leave when you heard the tiniest meow and you stopped on your tracks. Cat?

Carefully, you patted the man's shoulder and he looked over the said shoulder at you. You blinked. "Uh, is everything okay?"

"Hello! I'm Wreck-Gar!" The man greeted you happily and stepped aside enough for you to see a cardboard box that was just about to crumble into wet mush in the hard rain... but what caught your attention were the 4 little kittens in the box. Your felt like your heart was about to jump out of your chest and you awed.

Wreck-Gar smiled, "I found these little guys! Cute, aren't they?"

"Very cute." You nodded and looked at him. "Are they yours?"

"No, I found them!" He turned and took a folded paper from his pocket and gave it to you. "They had this with them!"

You took the paper and read the message. "Free Kittens." You frowned but Wreck-Gar was smiling. "Aren't we lucky! They are free!"

"They're orphans." You said and looked at the man. "They should be taken to shelter. Can you do that?"

"Sure!" He said with a wide smile but you frowned, remembering that all the shelters were probably closed by the time you would make it to one. School had stretched and the sky was turning dark. One of Autumn's many miracles. "They can be taken tomorrow. Do you have a home where to take them?"

"No! I just came to the city!" He said like nothing was wrong. You blinked in and wondered how he could be so happy? He is soaking wet, he has nowhere to go, and now he has four little lives in his arms. You weren't prepared for this. You were getting anxious, you had to get away.

"Ah... Okay." You nodded and turned to leave, "G- good luck!"

"Bye-bye!" The man called after you and you managed to step out of the alley before your feelings took over and assassinated your common sense. Fuck it. You turned around and raised the umbrella over the man's and kittens' heads. Wreck-Gar looked at you over his shoulder and smiled, "Oh, you came back!"

"Yes, uh... Do you have any place to go? Friends or something like that?" You asked, but Wreck-Gar shook his head, still smiling. "Nope! But I have a tent in my backpack! I can sleep in the park!"

He could definitely NOT do that! The cops would take him straight to the station and you didn't have enough money to send him to a motel. Aah, you felt a headache coming. Must have been thunder and this big man's constant happiness. Not only that, but you felt weak from hunger. You rubbed the ridge of your nose with your fingers and looked at him. "Would you like to come and spend the night at my place?"

You didn't believe it was possible, but Wreck-Gar's smile got even bigger and he jumped up on his feet from his crouching position and you were taken aback by how tall he was and you got to experience it as he hugged you tightly against his chest.

"I'm so happy! Me and kittens get to stay with-!" He stopped and frowned in confusion, "What's your name?"

You told him your name and he cheered up again as he repeated your name. You tapped his arm and he seemed to realize that he was hugging you a little too hard. "Oh, my bad!" He said and kneeled back down to grab two kittens and he offered them to you. "Will you help with kitties?"

"Yeah, sure. Hand them over." You nodded and carefully took the black and white kittens into your arms while trying not to drop your umbrella. Wreck-Gar got the last two kittens and you two started walking through the rainy city streets until you got to your building complex.

You inserted the key and opened the door, but just before you stepped inside you turned and looked at Wreck-Gar seriously. "If you try anything stupid then or I'll scream loud enough for neighbors to call the cops."

"Right! I won't try anything stupid!" He said and you had a feeling he was being genuine so you let him in and you took an elevator to your floor. Once there, you used your keys to get inside and flicked the lights on.

"Shit." You cursed when you realized what kind of a mess your apartment was. Empty noodle cups and empty energy drunk cans were scattered everywhere

"Did you have an accident?" Wreck-Gar asked and you blushed in embarrassment, "Wha- No! My apartment is a mess!" You cried out before shame washed over you and you took off your shoes and he copied you. Both of you put the kittens down and the little things immediately started to meow. You smiled and put your bag down. "Let's get you and kittens warm. You can sleep on my couch this night."

Wreck-Gar looked at your couch covered in clean or dirty laundry, you weren't sure anymore yourself either, but he was still smiling. "Got it! I'll sleep on the couch!"

"Just a second." You sighed as you grabbed your clothes and threw them onto your bed that weird enough was the only clean place in the small apartment. But just as you were about to go and search for the extra blanket you felt your headache turning worse. You had to sit down on your bed for a second, but Wreck-Gar seemed to notice you weren't feeling good.

"Are you okay?" He asked and you wanted to nod, but you couldn't. "Just... Tired."

The kittens were meowing and you wanted to help them, but your body seemed to shut down. You could rest your eyes a little bit. You closed your eyes for a moment to stabilize your breathing but you didn't open them... Not until a couple of hours later.

You groaned as you tried to recall what had happened, but your head was hurting too much. It felt like there were razor blades whirling inside your head. You groaned as you heard clanking here and there but suddenly the noises died out and someone pushed a cold glass of water into your hand and a pill to another.

You didn't even think, you just automatically took the pill and chased it down with water. "Thank you..." You muttered weakly before you buried your head between your pillows and fell back into sleep.

You didn't wake up, until the next day. You groaned, but you felt much better. Like, a ton better. You felt like a new person, but you still wanted to sleep... Until you heard meowing and your eyes snapped open as you bolted up. The kittens! Wreck-Gar! You looked around and saw the little black and white kittens chasing each other around the floor.

Wait. Your floor was clean? You looked around and saw that all your energy drink cans and empty noodle cups were gone. Also, what was that scent drifting through the air?

Suddenly your bathroom door opened and Wreck-Gar steps out of the little room, wearing your pink bathrobe and a towel wrapped around his head. The look on him was actually pretty funny and you snorted as you tried not to smile or laugh, but the man noticed and beamed like a sun when his brown eyes landed on you.

"You're awake!" He cheered before suddenly smacking his hands over his mouth and then whispering again, "You're awake...!"

You nodded as you looked around and then at him. "Did you clean here?"

"I wanted to help the nice person who helped Wreck-Gar and kitties!" He said and smiled as he rushed across the room to your small kitchen. You rubbed your eyes as you pushed yourself on your feet, grabbed some clean clothes, and went to take a shower. You let Wreck-Gar know that shower was taken and you got rid of your dirty clothes and took a quick shower.

You put the clothes on and stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing your hair clean dry with your towel and you were about to head to the kitchen but then you saw a bowl of soup on your coffee table in front of your couch.

"I made you soup since you're sick!" Wreck-Gar said happily and you blinked as you took a seat on the couch. "What is it...?"

"It's chicken noodle soup! Eat your soup before it gets cold!”

"How did you get chicken? I had nothing in my fridge." You asked and Wreck-Gar looked extremely proud of himself as he smiled, "I took all your cans to the recycle and got meat with the refunds!"

"What about kittens?" You looked at the four little furballs running around, but they didn't seem hungry. If anything, they had a lot of energy.

"I boiled some chicken for them also and shredded it!" He said and you turned to look at him. Wreck-Gar while you had been sick, this unknown person had cleaned, taken care of you and kittens, and made you all food. And that wasn't the end of it. You watched with eyes wide how the man took off the towel around his head and his long black hair fell over his shoulders.

You could feel a blush rise to your cheeks as you looked at him. You had been too tired and sick last night to take notice but Wreck-Gar was quite handsome. His skin was lightly tanned, he had a clean face with some mustaches that he must have cleaned up in the shower. And damn, he looked good as he tied his long dark hair into a bun.

Wreck-Gar notices you looking and your blush grew darker but he seemed completely clueless. He smiled instead and pointed at the soup, "Please eat! I called a doctor to check you!"

"You have a phone?" You asked and he seemed proud. "I have everything I need in my backpack!"

"Even local doctor's number?" You asked, but now you were just teasing him. You ate the chicken noodle soup he had made and you could feel your strength coming back to you.

A doorbell rang and you were about to let the doctor in with your control panel by the door, but Wreck-Gar was faster. "I'm buzzing you in, father!"

"Wait..." You blinked in shock, "You said you don't have friends or anyone to go to!"

"You didn't ask about family!" He said and you blinked. This man was either the most trusting and kindest man you have ever met or then he was that and dumb. Your apartment's doorbell rang and Wreck-Gar opened it for his father and-!

"Professor Ratchet?" You asked and the old man blinked in shock as his old eyes landed on you. He repeated your name in surprise and you looked at the younger man.

"You know my professor?"

"I sure do! Ratchet is my father!" Wreck-Gar exclaimed and your eyes widened in shock and you snapped your attention to your professor who looked like he was one now having a killer headache. He saw how you looked at him and shook his head. "He remembers wrong, I've told him I'm no father figure!"

"Ratchet and I met while hiking!" Wreck-Gar cheered. Ratchet grumbled under his breath as he walked to you and started to ask you questions about your health and how you were feeling. You told him honestly and he nodded, pleased that you were healthy again. "Must have been stress that got you. You can take a couple of days off from school, I'll let the other teachers know that you needed rest."

"Thank you." You were honestly so overjoyed that you could almost cry. Suddenly you heard a tiny meow and you all turned to look at the kittens that were interested in your professor's jacket. "I didn't know you had cats."

"I actually don't..." You frowned, "I found Wreck-Gar and he had found them in an alley."

"Of course." Ratched looked at the young man and grunted, "Wreck-Gar, you can't keep doing stuff like this!"

"I tried to help the kitties." He said and Ratchet crossed his arms. "I cannot let you stay here any longer and bother my student. Grab the kittens, you're coming to my place. We will discuss what to do with you there."

Wreck-Gar didn't seem to notice how serious the situation was, as he was still smiling. One by one they got the 4 kittens and Ratchet excused himself and his friend... But you couldn't let it be the end.

"Wait!" You called after them and they both stopped and looked at you. You blushed and swallowed your fears, "Professor, if Wreck-Gar doesn't have any other place to live... Could he stay with me?"

"Please, you don't have to feel any responsibility for him. I can take him off your hair." Professor said but you shook your head. "No, he actually took care of me instead of another way around. And I like him."

You smiled as you looked at Wreck-Gar who was beaming, "He isn't like other people I've met."

"I don't know... He needs to be taken out regularly and he needs very much attention and training." Ratchet said and you blinked. Did your professor just describe a dog?

"I think I can handle him." You smiled and Wreck-Gar cheered, "I get to live with such a nice person!"

Professor Ratchet grumbled but finally nodded, "Alright, but when you return to school after two days of rest, take Wreck-Gar with you. I'll get him a job there so he isn't leeching on you. Oh, and what are you going to do with the cats?"

"It's okay." You nodded as you scratched one kitty's chin, "I think we can find a home for them. Just like Wreck-Gar."

And you did. Your cousin happily took the kittens and found them a life-lasting home. Wreck-Gar moved to live on your couch and when you returned to the school, he got a job as a janitor. Not the most glamorous job, but he is good at cleaning and keeping the university in shape. He also made school less bad for you.

And... a couple of months later you and Wreck-Gar kinda started dating, but that was a story for another time.

[noona-clock]

The Watch - Part 2

Genre: Time Travel!AU

Pairing: Seungyoon x You

Warnings: None

Part 1, 2, 3, 4 | Words: 3,772

Seungyoon had thought nothing else could take him by surprise.

But then you’d said that. You’d brought up his watch. You’d mentioned that he had tried to fix it.

It’s not like you had even asked if he’d fixed it. You had just... said it straight out.

Okay, well, technically you had asked. But you’d asked it in that way which clearly meant you already knew the answer.

“Y--yes,” he stammered, completely bewildered. “How did you --?”

“You told me,” you explained as you slowly let your hands fall from his face.

At first, Seungyoon had felt a bit awkward with you touching him like that. But now that your hands were gone... he was tempted to take hold of your wrists and put them right back.

“I told -- what do you --”

“You told me this would happen. You explained everything, you even told me when. The exact date. Of course, I completely forgot. You know how I am with dates -- okay, well, you will know how I am with dates. I have a horrible memory,” you told him with a soft chuckle.

Seungyoon searched your face, his brow furrowed as he gnawed at the inside of his cheek. “When did I tell you?”

“The day you told me you loved me for the first time,” you answered. “You said now that you knew I wasn’t going anywhere, you could tell me something really unbelievable without being scared I would run away.”

He would have to make a mental note to actually do this -- tell you this would happen. He just wondered a) if or when he would get back to the present, and b) when he would meet you.

“So, what else did I say?” he asked, his heart starting to race. Had he told you what he needed to do to go home? Well, home but two years ago.

“Yoon,” you lamented with a bit of a whine. “I just told you I have a bad memory. You said you had time traveled because you were trying to fix some watch, and you went into the future when we were living together, and you would probably be acting weird, and I should tell you that you told me. That’s all I remember.”

“Did I tell you anything about... how I got back?” he asked gently.

“Well,” you sighed. “How did you get here? What did you do?”

“I wound it,” he answered.

“So... just unwind it,” you suggested with a shrug.

...Wow. Why hadn’t he thought of that?

He immediately lifted his wrist and began taking his watch off, but you let out a soft gasp, causing him to freeze momentarily.

“Wait, I was supposed to tell you something,” you said. Your eyes flew up to the ceiling and you frowned in thought, but after a few seconds, you still hadn’t said anything.

“...What was it?” Seungyoon whispered.

“I can’t remember,” you admitted with a shake of your head.

“Well... how about you tell me your name?” After all, he still didn’t know it.

A smile quirked on your lips then, and you took a step closer to him. “Y/N,” you told him softly. “And when you meet me, tell me you like it. I’ve always been a little self-conscious, but finally, some really cute guy told me he liked my name. It made me feel a little better. And it gave you tons of Brownie points.”

Seungyoon couldn’t stop a soft chuckle from escaping his lips, and he had an almost irresistible urge to take one of your hands or kiss you or something. He didn’t even know you, but... it felt like he did.

“I’ll remember that,” he replied with a tiny smirk. “Do you... when do I meet you?”

“Oh, come on,” you laughed. “I can’t give that away, now can I?”

“I think you can.”

“No,” you whispered, leaning in and brushing your lips over his teasingly. “Okay, I gotta finish getting ready. Unwind the watch and see if it works.”

Seungyoon nodded, gulping down the tiny lump of anxiety in his throat before you pulled away and slipped back into the bathroom.

Lifting up his wrist again, he let out a soft exhale and unhooked the watch. It slid off his wrist, and he held it gently in his hands, just as he had not too long ago. And, again, he carefully took hold of the crown with two fingers, pulling it out and... 

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he turned the crown toward him.

Once he had spun it around twice -- the same amount of times he had earlier -- he prepared himself for the blurry vision and the dizziness. This morning it had been pretty much immediate, and he hadn’t been at all prepared for it. Obviously. Did anyone ever know ahead of time they were going to be traveling to the future?

But now he was prepared for it.

Except... it wasn’t coming.

“Did it work?” you called out.

“Uh... apparently, not,” he answered, opening his eyes and examining the watch. It was still ticking, so... maybe that was the reason why it didn’t work? Maybe he had to wait for it stop again?

You let out a soft hum, appearing yet again in the doorway with more of your hair curled. And then suddenly your eyes widened, a smile forming on your lips. “Oh, wait! I remember now!”

“Remember what?” Seungyoon asked eagerly, taking a step toward you.

“You told me you have to wait until the watch stops working again, but it usually happens when you wake up the next morning,” you informed him, looking just a bit guilty because you’d temporarily forgotten this important piece of information.

Seungyoon’s forehead wrinkled as he looked at you, though he hoped he didn’t look that distressed. “So... I’m here for the rest of the day.”

“I think so,” you shrugged. “Do you... want to call in sick?”

“Do I still have the same job?”

“Yes. But, still. I think this is a pretty good excuse not to go into the office.”

Your innocent expression made him chuckle, and he couldn’t help but shrug defenselessly. “All right,” he relented. “As long as you play hooky with me.”

He was still getting used to the idea that someone was in love with him - and living with him - but he figured he should take advantage of it while he could. He had no idea when he would meet you back in the present, so why not get to know you now?

“Of course,” you replied as if it should have been obvious. “You don’t know this now, but someday you will: I will literally do anything for you.”

“Okay,” Seungyoon chuckled, feeling his cheeks warm. 

“I mean, maybe not anything, but -- I just -- I love you. And I trust you,” you told him. “And you may not feel it right now, but you love me, too.”

His cheeks warmed even more, but he forced himself to look at you when he said, “Well, if the inside is just as beautiful as the outside, I can see why.”

You clapped your hand and let out a whoop of laughter, and Seungyoon’s eyebrows knit together in slight confusion.

“What? What’s so funny?” he asked.

You opened your mouth to reply, but apparently, you thought better of it. “No, nothing,” you chuckled, shaking your head. “I need to be careful not to give too much away. Now, go change.”

“Change into what, exactly?” 

“That depends,” you said with a wondering sigh. “What do you want to do? Do you want to stay home and be lazy or do you want to get out and do things? Go shopping, have lunch, see a movie?”

Seungyoon felt kind of silly for asking this, but... “What do we normally do on weekends?”

“A little bit of both,” you chuckled. “What do you feel like doing?”

To be quite honest, he still wasn’t sure how he felt about anything. He was confused and intrigued and anxious and excited all at the same time.

Apparently, his conflicted emotions were all over his face, because you answered your own question before he could. “Let’s go out,” you suggested. “Enjoy the day while you can. Oh, god, that sounds very ominous, but I swear you will go back. You told me so.”

“Okay,” he replied with a slightly embarrassed chuckle. “I guess I’ll change then.”

You beamed at him before turning and going back into the bathroom one last time to finish getting ready. Seungyoon, in turn, headed to the closet to find a more casual outfit to wear.

He wasn’t sure why he was surprised when he opened the door; you lived here, too, now, so it only made sense that your clothes were also in his closet. But he still jumped a little when he saw just how different it looked in there.

It took him a bit longer than expected to figure out where, exactly, all of his clothes were, but he eventually changed into a t-shirt and jeans. After grabbing a suede jacket, he went back out to the dresser. He didn’t realize until he’d opened the top drawer that he didn’t need to pick out a watch because he was already wearing one. And... truthfully, he was kind of scared to take it off at this point. 

As he gently closed the drawer, he noticed there were pictures on top of the dresser. Three pictures, actually, and all of them were of you and Seungyoon together.

He was examining one of them, a selfie of the two of you sitting side-by-side. You were beaming and holding up a key, and Seungyoon was kissing your cheek.

“Ah,” you murmured, coming to stand next to him. “That was when I first moved in. See? I got my own copy of the key and everything.”

Seungyoon chuckled and nodded, putting the picture down and picking up the next one. 

“Ooh, this one was our first vacation together,” you explained, your tone becoming more excited. 

“Where did we go?” he asked as he narrowed his eyes to try and discern what was in the background.

“We went to the beach,” you answered. And then you let out a little sigh. “One word of advice, though: Sunscreen.”

Seungyoon nodded quickly and set the frame back down. “Got it.”

You picked up the final picture, stepping just a little closer to Seungyoon and resting your chin on his shoulder. “Our first selfie together,” you murmured wistfully. “I think this was our... second date? You would remember better than me. You’re my walking calendar, that’s what I call you. You remember everything. All the dates and when everything happened. You keep my life organized, that’s for sure.”

A soft chuckle escaped his lips, and he suddenly felt... heartsick? You were describing a relationship he hadn’t experienced yet, but he really, really wanted to.

“I’m jealous of you, you know,” you sighed, setting the picture back down on the dresser.

“Jealous? Of me? Why?” Seungyoon asked. Your chin was still resting on his shoulder, so he was doing his best not to move one single inch. He didn’t want to disturb you.

“Because you have yet to live through all these! Everything is just a memory for me. I would love to go back and experience it all over again,” you lamented.

“So... they’re all good memories?” he asked, just to be sure.

“Yes, mostly,” you nodded. “We argue, of course. And that sunburn you got was pretty bad. Maybe when you leave it’ll be erased from my memory since I told you about it. I sure hope you remember to use sunscreen when we go.”

“I will, I promise,” he laughed softly.

“Good.” You poked him gently in the side before lifting your chin away. He waited for you to walk away completely, but you didn’t. Not yet.

“I’m sorry,” you sighed. “This is probably going to be weird for you, but looking at these pictures has made me all nostalgic, and I just really want to kiss you. Is that -- I mean, is that okay?”

Seungyoon would have to be insane to say ‘no’ to a beautiful girl wanting to kiss him. Even though he had just met you and learned about your relationship less than an hour ago, it was clear the two of you were pretty deeply in love.

“Yes, of course, it’s okay,” he answered, though he felt his cheeks warming. They were most likely tinged with pink, too.

He turned toward you, and you immediately slid your arms around his neck. Your smell invaded his senses as you pressed your body lightly against his.

You smelled like perfume and toothpaste, and as weird as it sounds, it took his breath away. It was like your scent was familiar, but he knew he’d never smelled it before.

“Are you sure?” you whispered, your brow furrowed adorably as your nose brushed over his.

He nodded wordlessly and snaked his arms around your waist, pulling you even closer to him.

A smile quirked at your lips, but he only saw it for a second before you stood on your toes and captured his lips in a kiss.

You had already kissed him earlier, just after you’d set his breakfast plate down and before you’d gone upstairs to get ready for work.

But that had been a different kind of kiss entirely. A quick, good-bye kiss. And he hadn’t been expecting it.

This kiss possessed neither of those qualities.

This was a kiss of... yearning. 

Your lips moved slowly, gently against his, cradling and caressing them as if you thought they were the most precious treasure in the universe. With each passing second, your tender kiss stoked a new sort of emotion in him. He felt passion and terror and love and trepidation and affection and jealousy.

Yes, he was jealous of his future self for having spent all this time with you. For having kissed you thousands of times already.

But the other thing about this kiss which was different from the previous one was he had been expecting it. And he wasn’t sure if that made it better or worse.

All he was sure of was this: the instant you pulled away from him, he knew he never wanted to live another day of his life without kissing you.

Not even ten minutes ago, he’d been ready to go back to his life in the past.

But now... he didn’t want to leave.

Not at all.

As Seungyoon got ready for bed that night, he had to admit to himself that he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a good day.

The two of you had taken full advantage of your “sick days.” You’d gone shopping at a local mall, and Seungyoon had pointed out to you all of the stores which had changed since two years ago. He thought maybe you’d get sick of it, but you hadn’t.

For lunch, you had taken him to a restaurant he’d never been to, but you’d clued him in that this where your second date had occurred.

...Or maybe it had been your third. You couldn’t quite remember.

After a delicious meal, you’d gone to see a movie, and Seungyoon now had plans to impress everyone he knew by guessing the ending before it even came out.

You had then spent the rest of the day at home, relaxing on the couch and watching some mindless television -- though mostly you had just talked.

“Can’t you give me just one little hint?” Seungyoon had needled as he played with your fingers.

“No!” you’d laughed. “I really can’t. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“Why not?” He had been trying to pout in a cutesy way, wanting you to feel bad for him, but it hadn’t quite worked.

“Because! I didn’t know beforehand when we were going to meet. I didn’t know you existed. You already have an advantage of knowing me when you see me.”

Well, you did have a point. The moment he arrived back in the past -- his present -- he would be on the lookout for you.

“You do a really good job of acting like you don’t know me, though,” you’d pointed out.

A smile had quirked at Seungyoon’s lips, and he stopped playing with your fingers -- but only so he could grasp them and pull you to lean against him.

As soon as you were cuddled up against his side, he had begun lazily combing his fingers through your hair. “Can you at least tell me what the beginning of our relationship was like? You said I did a good job of acting like I didn’t already know you... What else?”

He’d heard you let out a soft huff, and for a moment, he had been afraid you would refuse to answer him again. But then you’d said, “Well, it was... It was easy.”

“Easy? So, like, it didn’t take long for us to have --”

“No, not easy like that!” you’d laughed, swatting at his chest. “I mean it wasn’t difficult. There was no guessing. We met, we went on a date, and... that was kind of it. I knew from the get-go that you liked me, so I was never up at night wondering how you felt. You always told me. And you showed me. I think that’s how I knew you were different, in a good way. All the other guys I’ve dated, I spent so much time worrying and thinking about what would happen next. With you, I never had a chance to worry. Even before you told me you loved me -- way before -- I knew you did. And... I don’t know. It’s just like... we were... meant to be.”

Seungyoon’s heart had burst with every word you’d said, and even though he desperately did not want to leave you, he was also looking forward to everything you just described. He couldn’t wait to actually meet you and tell you he liked your name and ask you out and show you how he felt about you and not give you a chance to worry about where your relationship stood and tell you he loves you.

He just hoped he didn’t have to wait that long.

Obviously, he knew he wouldn’t have to wait two years. You were already deeply in love and living together, and that in and of itself had to have taken at least a year.

So when would he meet you after getting back to the present? Six months? Three months? Two weeks?

The agony of uncertainty would probably kill him.

“Are you worried about going back?” you asked softly, coming up behind him as he stood at the bathroom sink. He had already brushed his teeth, and he now realized he had just been standing there, staring at his own reflection in the mirror.

You slid your arms around his middle and set your chin atop his shoulder, just as you had earlier this morning.

“Yeah,” he admitted, only glancing at you. “On the one hand, I... don’t want to leave you. Especially since I don’t know when I’ll get to meet you. But... on the other... I do want to experience all the things you’ve told me about. Dating you and going on our first vacation -- with lots of sunscreen. Telling you I love you and telling you about this. Moving in together. I do want to live through all of that.”

“See? It won’t be so bad,” you assured him as you squeezed him affectionately. “You have a lot to look forward to.”

He hummed in agreement, leaning back against you just slightly.

“And besides... there’s something else,” you added.

Seungyoon’s brow furrowed, and he turned around in your embrace to look at you fully. “Something else?”

You nodded, barely able to keep a smile from your lips. “When you told me about this, about traveling forward in time... you said you’d done it twice.”

“Twice?”

“Once before we were married, and once after --”

“Married?!” Seungyoon interrupted in astonishment.

A flush overtook your cheeks, and you nodded again. “You weren’t going to tell me details, but I kind of forced you. I already knew by then, of course, I just... wanted to make sure.”

He took a few moments to let this sink in, his eyes traveling all around the bathroom as his mind raced with thoughts.

“Twice?” he asked again. And when you nodded, he furrowed his brow down at you. “Only twice?”

“That’s all you said,” you shrugged.

Well. Now he had some stuff to think about it.

“Come on, let’s go to bed,” you whispered, standing on your toes and pressing your lips to his sweetly.

Seungyoon hummed distractedly, but he still followed you out of the bathroom and over to his bed -- your bed. The bed he shared with you.

After the two of you had turned off the lights and settled under the covers, Seungyoon could feel your hesitation -- but only for a moment. You turned around and snuggled up to him, curling one arm up against his chest and fitting your head right into the crook of his neck.

“Good night,” you whispered.

“Night,” Seungyoon whispered back before placing a kiss on the top of your head.

“I love you,” you added. “And you don’t have to say it back. I know you don’t love me. But... you will.”

Seungyoon gulped down a small lump of anxiety in his throat, and he couldn’t remember a time when he’d wanted to go to sleep less.

It was just so... strange. He wanted to spend more time with you, but he also wanted to meet you. He was afraid of what would happen next, but he was also excited. He wanted to try immediately to travel forward again and see where it took him, but he also wanted to save it. But what if he waited too late? What if there was some sort of time limit? I mean, it was a watch, after all. It kept time.

“Don’t worry about it,” you whispered, cutting into his frantic thoughts. “Everything will work out just fine.”

He let out a soft exhale through his lips and nodded, sliding an arm around your shoulders and squeezing you tightly, holding you close to him.

You were right, of course. Everything would work out just fine.

At least... he hoped you were right.

Part 3

[loverontheleft]

Ready to Leap (4)

AU with B as a band teacher and reader as an English teacher. Fluff and smut anticipated. Chapters 1-3 can be found on my Masterlist.

Brendon x reader. Warnings: language and implied sexual situations. ALSO SOME KILLER FUCKING DIALOGUE; I LITERALLY HIGH-FIVED MYSELF A FEW TIMES (I looked like a goddamn seal). Lesson of the day: it’s important to notice your strengths and validate them.

Word count: 4.2k. Also, I tried some new formatting with the internal thoughts; honestly I was just too lazy to italicize them in the first three chapters but if y’all have a preference just lmk. I don’t think I love it but I’ll do what you want.

—————————————————————

“MS. MILTON. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HEARD?” You wince at Jessica’s volume.

“Too early to be so loud Jess. We’re in 1st block and you’re at 3rd block volume.”

“I HEARD THAT YOU AND MR. URIE WERE MAKING OUT ON THE MARCHING BAND FIELD YESTERDAY.”

“That’s not true,” Caroline argues from across the room. “They kissed but they weren’t making out.”

“Well, I heard they hooked up.” You can’t tell who that is. Probably Eric.

Caroline comes to your defense. “No, you guys, they only kissed!”

“No, they definitely hooked up.” Brian smirks from the back row. “I saw it.”

You’re done with this. “Everyone.” They freeze at the tone of your voice. You never raise it; you don’t have to. “First, all of you are wrong. I brought him a water bottle. Second, consider your environment. This is a classroom and a place of learning. Respect it as such. Your current topic is inappropriate.” You’re calm and you look at everyone in their desks. “I don’t want to hear anything else about it, understood?”

“I’m just saying Ms. Milton, no one would judge you. He’s so sexy.”

“Jessica!” That’s Caroline. Bless her.

“I mean have you seen his face?” Anna is joining in now. “And his butt? Lord!”

“Anna!” Caroline is probably planning to become a teacher. Or a nun. You’re not sure which.

“He’s super hot Ms. Milton, you should get it.”

“Beth!”

“Ladies! What did I just say?” You’re annoyed now. They can tell. They turn back to face you, chagrin clear on their faces. “I’ll ask again. Am I understood when I say I don’t want to hear anything else about it?” The entire class nods. “Good. Moving on. We’re going back to Beowulf, Canto 11. Brian, you’re up first.” A groan from the back. “You had plenty to say about me, I want to hear what you have to say about Grendel in Canto 11. Don’t make me ask again.” Your voice is level but they can hear the restraint. Everyone, including Brian, knows better than to fuck with you right now.

The rest of class goes much more smoothly, and you feel your shoulders drop. The bell rings. Maybe second block won’t be so - ah, shit. “Ms. Milton, do you know what they’re saying about you and Mr. Urie?” Emily’s eyes are wild and she’s come flying into the room with Stacy and Josh, two other band kids, right behind her. You hold up both hands, hoping to cut her off but it’s no use. “They’re saying you KISSED.”

You laugh. “Oh, is that the worst you’ve heard?” Her jaw drops and you continue. “You three were there and you saw that nothing happened. Don’t let what other people say bother you. I’m fine.” You smile reassuringly and Stacy looks unsure. “Really.”

“Well. If anything did happen -” Stacy starts, and Josh cuts her off.

“The band leadership board supports it.” You act quickly and stifle your laughter. Maybe the worst is a twitch of your lips. Good to know you have their blessing. “After you left, Mr. Urie let us go home 15 minutes early. He’s never done that.” Josh looks impressed.

Hope he went home to take a cold shower after that eyefucking you gave him; you know you did, that white shirt plastered to his chest with sweat had you all - BRAIN. FUCK. Knock it off. “Well, thank you guys. That’s kind of you. I’m sure I had nothing to do with you getting to leave early; you probably earned that with your hard work.” The three of them look at each other and it’s clear they don’t believe you. “Anyway.” You make eye contact with each of them. “If the class isn’t quiet during SSR because they’re discussing this rumor, you three are going to shut it down, yes?” They all nod eagerly. “Good. Thank you.”

There’s some chatter, but the three of them and a few other band kids in your second block quell the gossip and you transition to Beowulf with more ease than first block. You have good students, all in all. The annoying ones don’t ruin it for everyone, and you count yourself lucky.

When the bell rings for third block, you snatch the print-out of the pop quiz you’re giving tomorrow and book it to the copier. You’re feeling lucky; today’s a good day; you’re only going to say nice things to the stupid fucki-...hardworking and tired machine. You round the corner and the juxtaposition of your emotions is harsh. On one hand, Brendon’s back is to you. On the other, he’s writing a sign that says “Out of Order” and taping it to the stupid fucking bitch machine. It’s like your heart went on Tower of Terror. Yanked up, then sent crashing down. Fuck.

“Nooooooo,” you moan, sliding to the floor. He turns, sees you, and smiles wanly.

“I’ve done my best and I can’t get it. I let Jess in the main office know, so hopefully we’ll get a repair guy out here later this afternoon.”

“In time for me to make copies of a pop quiz I’m giving tomorrow?” You look desperate. Copy machines in this school are on strike, if Brendon can’t get this one to work and the repair guy doesn’t come, you’re fucked. He shrugs and offers you a hand.

“Come with me.” You take it and let yourself be pulled to your feet.

“Brendon, cookies won’t fix this.” He grins and shakes his head.

“I have something better than cookies.” You gasp playfully but you follow him back to his office inside the band room. “I have this.” He points to the corner and you turn to him in awe. And then, you’re annoyed.

“You jerk!” You hit his chest lightly. “You’ve been hiding your own copy machine?” He grins and catches your wrist.

“I’ve been saving the public copy machine and saving you time by not making you walk all the way here to me.” You consider this. “It’s for all of the sheet music I have to print. The school didn’t want me holding people up by using teacher’s lounge copiers, so this was a gift from the Band Boosters. You’re welcome to it for as long as you need.”

“This walk isn’t bad. I’d walk a lot farther to get to you.” Fuck. That was out loud. You walk briskly to the machine and start running copies, your head down, praying the comment will go over his head.

He makes a thoughtful sound and says nothing else for a moment. Then, out of nowhere: “You’re wearing pants today.” You give him a weird look over your shoulder. “You can climb the tower this afternoon then. I mean,” you glance again when he pauses and he looks almost nervous. “If you don’t have anything better to do.”

You turn fully, leaning back against the machine. “It’s a Tuesday. What else could I possibly have to do?” He shrugs and you just want to go hug him, he’s blushing and he looks so insecure right now.

“I don’t know, I mean, maybe you’ve got plans with some-”

You cut him off. “I don’t have any plans. With anyone except for you now. I’ll be there.” He breaks out into a smile and the confidence is back. He eyes your outfit and tells you you look good. Your turn to blush. “It’s different. I mean, I am just so used to the skirts…” you trail off, running a finger over the pattern on your ankle pants.

He shrugs. “You look great all of the time. I mean...the students say so. Someone joked you’d win Best Dressed for the senior superlatives.” He grins. “And yeah, it’s a departure from your normal look, but it’s not a bad one by any means.” You’re not sure what to say.

“Thanks.” You collect the copies and look at him and the door. “Any other secret food-based missions we’re going on today?”

He shrugs. “Nothing on my calendar.” Your eyes meet and you blush again. Why are you like this? It’s never been weird before. Those stupid rumors.

“Have you heard th-”

He interrupts you. “The rumors that we kissed and/or made out and/or had sex on the marching field yesterday?” You feel your shoulders drop and you exhale. “Yeah I have.” He looks up at you and grins. “I’d like to think the two of us have a little more class than to go at it on the field.”

You laugh, and the tension is broken. “It’s like they don’t know us at all.”

He stands, stretching. “Exactly. Come on Milton, let’s go get a cookie.”

Turns out there’s a fridge in the student council room too, and you both audibly gasp with glee when you see the carton of 2% milk. You turn to him, looking conflicted, holding a ten dollar bill in your hands. “It’s only Tuesday. Debbie will notice before Friday that they’re running low, right?”

He nods seriously. “She comes in here every day during 4th block. We’ll be fine.” You tuck the ten under the coffee pot and look at him expectantly. He looks back. “Am I making the cookies?” He seems amused when you nod. “Y/n, you know they’re not really better because I dropped the hunks of frozen dough onto the hot surface, and you didn’t, right?”

You shrug, filling two mugs with milk. “But why risk it?” He laughs at your serious expression and gives in, dropping the dough and setting the timer.

“Alright Milton, spill.” You look dubiously from him to the mug of milk in your hands and he rolls his eyes. “Not what I meant. You know,” he nudges your hand with his mug lightly, “your story. It’s been a whole two weeks and I know your name, what you teach, your age, you’re single, and your favorite movie. And,” he grins, “sometimes you disappear on me. I look over and you’re just staring into space.”

You blush. Oh, I could tell you where I’m at, all you have to do is ask. Shut. Up. Brain. “I’m not great with giant vague topics. What do you want to know?”

“Well, I know this isn’t your first year teaching. Where were you before this? What brought you here?”

You look up at him through lowered lashes. “I killed a man.” You can tell from his eyes he doesn’t know whether to believe you or not and you burst out laughing. “Dang Urie, they did a background check on both of us to get hired, remember?” He nudges you again and you fold. “I taught in Texas for 5 years. I grew up there. My parents died when I was 10 and my grandma passed in early February two years ago. Couldn’t stand to be in the area so I moved from Austin to Amarillo. So when my ex from Austin showed up, I did what I do best.” You give him a rueful smile. “I ran.” He is looking at you so softly and you feel the need to comfort him. “I mean. He wasn’t abusive or anything like that. It was just a messy end and he wanted to get back together and I couldn’t - well, wouldn’t. I respect myself too much.” He gives you an encouraging smile. “But he didn’t like hearing ‘no,’ and kept showing up and I just got tired of it. So I called my best friend, she came from Austin, and we starting packing up my apartment. I gave my notice of not continuing my lease, declined to renew my contract, and I sent out my teaching resume, said I’d move really anywhere, and liked y’all the best. So here I am. New start.” He nods slowly, considering this. “What about you? How did Mr. Brendon Urie end up in glamorous Putnam, Connecticut? I know you’re not from here; Tracy in the English department knows everyone and everything from Putnam and she’s got nothing on you except you’ve been here for five years. Hermit.” You point at him playfully.

He shrugs. “I’m a west coast transplant too. Napa Valley, born and raised. Just got tired of it, I guess. Did the same thing as you; except I’ve done all five years here. Got my teaching license and sent out the resume nationally.”

You look at him in disbelief. “You got tired of Napa Valley, where the air smells like wine and the sun is shining almost all the time?” He shrugs again, meeting your gaze. He certainly doesn’t look like he’s got anything to hide. “Okay then.” You nod decisively.

He glances at his watch. “I don’t want to steal all of your planning period. Mine is really a break; we have band after this, so my prep work is minimal. You have to teach.” He looks cautious and you wave away his concerns.

“I’m an insomniac and I’m here when the building opens at 5. I’m super productive in the morning so this is also my break.” He relaxes a little.

“Next question.” He pauses. “I’m going back over the annoying ones your kids asked. Uh. Where do you get your clothes?” He grins. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like someone’s daydream from 1950. You know, the pencil skirts, the sheath dresses...”

You laugh. “That’s the best one I’ve heard yet. My best friend, the one who helped me pack, is a seamstress and she works for the performing arts center in Austin. We both have a very particular style, so she’s made all of my skirts and dresses. The tops and pants are from wherever.” He looks impressed.

“That’s really cool.” He thinks for a moment. “What music do you like?”

You consider. “I’ll really listen to anything. I like most everything, but give the choice, I’ll usually go with some form of alternative pop/rock. Oh, and showtunes. I’m a huge Broadway nerd. Being so much closer to the city is amazing. 3 hours in the car is nothing.”

He nods. “I love Broadway. Do you have a favorite show?”

You groan. “That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child.”

“Wait, do you have kids?”

“Nope. Unless you count the 73 I see on a daily basis.” You grin at him. “Favorite show...favorite show. Uhm. I relate so much to If/Then, but I also love Next to Normal. Fuck, I can’t choose. That creative team is so talented.” You must really look distressed because he places his hand over yours and you shiver at the contact.

“You don’t have to choose a favorite. I’ve seen both of those and they are incredible.” You return the question to him and he thinks for a moment. “Of the classics...probably RENT. Of the contemporaries...Maybe Book of Mormon?” You nod approvingly and he checks his watch again. “We’ve got time for one more if we want to sneak out between lunches. Speaking of lunch, what’s your favorite food?”

“Again, favorite child scenario. I love all food.” You grin and pop the last bite of cookie in your mouth. He laughs and stands up. “And yours?”

He smiles. “Same answer but I’m going to attempt partial credit and give you a restaurant suggestion. The Stomping Ground on Main Street if you haven’t been already. So fucking good.” He extends a hand and you take it, rising to your feet and you leave the room. You stealthily move from the front of the cafeteria to the back, though stealth might not be necessary since the cafeteria is empty except for staff, and you slip through the arts hall door. You pause at his room and he gives you that crooked smile that makes you warm all over.

“I’ll see you later Milton. Practice starts at 4:30 and we’re done at 7:30. Glad you wore pants so I can get you on my tower.” He gives you a quick wink and then he’s disappearing into the room. You’re certain you’re blushing. He knew what he was doing that time. He had to have known.

The fourth block gossip circuit isn’t as bad and yet, in some ways it’s worse. There aren’t any band kids in this class, so no one has even somewhat accurate stories by this point in the day. As a result, the stories are so outrageous, even the students repeating them don’t seem to believe it. They do seem to like Beowulf though.

The bell rings and it’s 3:35 and they’re flying out the door. You’ve officially got an hour til marching band practice starts and that might be just enough time when you factor in traffic.

You end up being exactly right; you’re pulling in beside what you assume is Brendon’s car and it’s, according to your car, 4:20. You open the door, muttering “blaze it” to yourself and grab the cooler from the backseat. You wore shoes with more traction this time so getting down the hill and dragging the cooler isn’t half as bad as yesterday.

He meets you at the base of the tower. “What’s all this?” He looks behind you at the cooler and back at you. “You look great by the way.”

You give him a weird look. “I literally haven’t changed since you saw me two and half hours ago…you on the other hand…” he’s changed into something similar to yesterday’s outfit and he shrugs, either not noticing or reacting to your appreciative glance.

“Thought you should hear it again. What’s in the cooler?”

You smile and bite your lip, feeling the blush creep up your face. His question finally processes. “Oh. I brought you water yesterday so I brought them water today. And snacks! For when they’re done for the day of course.” He looks so happy. It’s a small band, maybe fifty students tops, so this wasn’t a big deal - two packs of water, a bag of ice, and two variety packs of granola bars. You tell him this and he shakes his head.

“No, it is a big deal. I appreciate it. So much.” If you could capture the look on his face right now, you’d look at it every day for the rest of your life.

“It’s the least I can do since I’m hijacking your copier for the foreseeable future. The repair guy didn’t come today.”

He pretends to look annoyed. “Oh no, you’ll be coming to see me all the time and I’ll have to talk to you. Gross.”

You laugh. “I’m not coming for you, Urie,” fuck; phrasing, do better brain, and this time it’s a serious fuck-up because he smirked and raised one eyebrow - fuck fuck fuck. “I’m coming to see that copier of yours.”

“You’ve wounded me. I’ll never recover.” He looks around. Marissa is the only student even remotely nearby; everyone else is unpacking their instruments and talking to others. You can tell she’s waiting for instructions. “Marissa, please start the group warmups. I want the trumpets at least 20% louder, let them know, please. You can use your judgement with the others. Listen closely and remember what we talked about in identifying the ones who are sharp and who are flat. Now go get’em.” She nods eagerly and he sends her off with an encouraging smile. He turns to you. “She’s an excellent drum major and a very gifted flutist. She’s only a junior, so she’s got time, but she’s looking at Berklee in Boston, Juilliard, and Oberlin. I think she’s gonna get in at all of them but I’m biased.” He grins and shakes his head a little. “Sorry. I’m bragging. Let’s get up there. After you.”

You turn to give him a playful grin. “Trying to get a good view, Urie?” Oh, you are shameless.

“No!” He looks horrified. “Honestly, it’s a safety thing. I don’t want you to slip and fall without anyone to catch you.”

“Oh. Well thank you in advance for catching me. I’m accident-prone and I will fall.” You are sure you look embarrassed, not considering the safety of it and saying what you said out loud.

He smirks. “Well I’ll catch you as needed. Also the view thing might also be true, yeah.” You’re laughing as you climb the ladder and he scampers up behind you, sunglasses in place and an extra pair you hadn’t noticed before tucked in his shirt collar. “Here you go.” He hands the other pair to you. “It can get kind of bright when the sun starts to set, if that makes sense.” You nod and accept them gratefully. “Now Ms. Milton.” You look up at him and he looks very serious. “I’d like for you to listen to the trumpets and give me some feedback, and then I want your general opinion on the show.”

“I think I can do that.” Just as the words leave your mouth, the warmups start and as promised, Marissa has the trumpets louder. You smile appreciatively and nod as they run through their scales. “They have a lovely tone. You’ve got one or two who are sharp.” You both wait and Marissa, without hearing you, gives the same feedback. It isn’t long before the show is starting and you’re honestly blown away. You’re leaning slightly over the edge to watch, and your jaw is dropped. Eyes wide, you turn to him excitedly, hitting his arm repeatedly. “Did you see that?!” He grins and nods. The band transitioned seamlessly from interwoven triangles to a full company forward march and it was stunning - you’d never seen it done that well before. “Brendon, this music!” Your eyes are welling up. The show is called Heroes and Villains and what started with a jazzy Superman theme and a riff on The Incredibles has been a wild ride; you’ve just been transported from a full-band, raging interpretation of Dies Irae with something you can’t quite place before it to a soft, lone trumpet playing Taps. “This is gorgeous. Really.” He smiles softly.

“Do you really think so?” You look at him in surprise.

“Uh, yes! It’s amazing!” His smile gets a little bigger but he tries to contain it. It dawns on you. “Did you do this arrangement?” He just looks at you, beaming, and you poke him in the side. “Brendon I don’t know your middle name Urie, did you do this arrangement?” When he nods, you shriek. “Brendon! Damn you for being both so talented and attractive it’s not fair! This is truly incredible, really.”

He grins at you. “You said I’m attractive.” You roll your eyes and shove him lightly. You did say that. Fuck. You wave a hand in front of his face.

“Focus on what’s important here, Urie.” He nods and grabs his megaphone.

“Sounded great everyone. Pack up and enjoy your Tuesday night. Make good choices. Ms. Milton brought water bottles and snacks for you, so grab something on the way out.”

You and Marissa are both staring at him. “Mr. Urie it’s 4:50...we only warmed up and ran it once…” her voice is cautious like she wants her Tuesday night but also doesn’t want to risk her Superior ranking at State. Everyone else meanwhile is either packing up or already packed and flying up the hill.

He beams down at her and drops the megaphone. “And it sounded great. You did wonderfully. Now call that guy you like, Jason or Justin or whatever and let him know you’re free.” She’s gaping at him and he just grins and makes a shooing gesture. “Go on. Text him if you must but make contact. Go go go.” The teenage girl in Marissa’s brain takes over and she’s off the podium, stuffing things in her bag, and racing toward the parking lot. You turn to head down the ladder and he stops you with a grin. “I set them free, not you.” You shiver a little, enthralled. Okay. You’ll bite.

“Fair enough. Okay, first of all, that opening with Superman as a jazz rendition was so fucking cool and it blended into The Incred-what are you doing?” He’s got one hand on your waist and he’s drawing you closer, eyes blazing.

“Focusing on what’s important.” And his lips are on yours and you’re pretty sure this is real. You moan and arch into the kiss, reaching a hand up to get his hat off so you can run a hand through his hair, pulling gently. He gasps into your mouth and his teeth tug at your lower lip, the hand on your waist bringing you closer still.

“God, Urie,” you sigh against his lips and he pauses, using his other hand to cup your face.

“Yes, Milton?”

“Oh thank god. This is real.” You kiss him again, flicking your tongue out over his and when he responds eagerly, really exploring your mouth, you feel your knees start to buckle. You cling to his shirt and he tightens his hand on your waist, wrapping his arm around you now and holding you up and against him. “Told you I’d fall.” You whisper this and he smiles down at you.

“Told you I’d catch you.”

[thejokersenigma]

Joker x Reader x Bruce Wayne - Plan B(ruce) Part 2

Ok, so this has a sudden Christmas theme (not that much - it just happens to be Christmas) because I wrote this as part of my Christmas advent calendar - that is also why its so short because I've only had a few hours to work on it! Hope you enjoy it anyway!

MASTERLIST

J had been right. This was the best room in the house. This was probably the best room in the whole city. It was situated at the very top of the Wayne Enterprise Tower and the room took up the whole floor, the walls on my left and right made completely of glass that showed the breath-taking view over the city on either side. Not only was the view gorgeous, but the room itself had been lavishly decorated with expensive festive decorations – a large, extravagant tree next to the small stage which had been decked in tinsel and lights where a live Jazz band played upbeat Christmas songs, wreaths on each window, golden embroidered table cloths, mistletoe on the pillars, candles in brackets that gave off a distinctly Christmassy smell.

It was beautiful and made me feel like I’d just won the lottery.

I’d made J buy my dress for me – knowing he could afford it - and I hadn’t held back on the price label.

That would teach him to use me like this.

But then, I couldn’t help thinking as I looked around, this night didn’t look like it was going to be complete torture. Everyone looked just as stunning, all making the most of the free open bar and the dainty canapes handed out by servers whilst they gossiped away, or swayed to the tunes performed on the stage.

But who was it I was supposed to be talking to again?

I helped myself to one of the glasses of champagne that were being handed out at the entrance, then stepped my way delicately to the side of the room, trying to look like I belonged there. I sipped at the alcohol as I wandered the perimeter of the room, surveying the room and the company that milled noisily in the centre, occasionally unable to help my glancing out the tall windows at the city that way laid out before me.

Most people in the room seemed to have paired up – whether because they arrived that way, or that was the way these socialites just gathered, I wasn’t sure – and I couldn’t help but wish that J was with me, so I didn’t appear so lost on my own.

Despite this, I made sure to enjoy myself amongst the riches none the less – after all how often was it that I would be able to pretend to be an aristocrat and all the perks that came with it? I made sure though, to keep an eye out for my target – the infamous Bruce Wayne. I had seen him in enough news reports and newspaper articles to know vaguely what he looked like, but I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to pick him out amongst all these other men business men in their identical suits.

Ok, enough of being on the outskirts of this part, it was time to dive into it now that I’d had a bit of liquid courage. I placed my empty glass on a cloth covered table in one of the corners of the room, then confidently sashayed my way into the middle of the room. I could feel the eyes on me, the stranger amongst them all, but I didn’t falter in my strides, walking like I outranked them all, like I had important matter to attend to - though I actually had no idea where I was going or what I was doing.

Despite my upturned nose and important air, I kept my eyes on the people I passed, scanning for a face that matched the picture in my head. When I finally neared the other side of the room my eyes fell on the large balcony lit with fairy lights. I headed for this.

A group of 4 people entered back into the room as I left it, none of them bothering to hold the door open for me and I scowled out into the darkness at this - clearly manners did cost something, and these people weren’t willing to pay it.

I was the only one out here now, and I understood why, the balcony had been built slightly into the building to lessen the strength of the wind at this height, but it was still freezing out here. I wrapped my arms around my chest against the cold and walked up to the railing, leaning my arms on it and looking out at the lights of the city. I could see the windows of office buildings where late night workers were still at their desks, the bright advertisement bill boards that stood tall and garish against the dark sky and the streets below were lined with tacky lit names of casinos and clubs.

“Quite a view isn’t it?” Came a voice from behind me, the tone of the voice deep and soft.

I played it cool, not bothering to turn, my eyes on the landscape before me. “Yes it is.” I agreed.

The man came up next to me then, but I still didn’t bother to turn. He copied my position, leaning over and resting his elbows on the balcony railing. “Bit cold though isn’t? Especially in a dress like that.” He said, and I saw him glance me up and down.

I turned to look at him now, crossing my arms and leaning my hip into the barrier, shooting him an unimpressed raised eyebrow at his last statement. The light behind the man threw his face into shadow, but the more I listened to his voice, the more familiar it was. “And just what is that supposed to mean, Mr Wayne?”

“Oh nothing.” Bruce Wayne defended quickly, realising his mistake and turning to face me as well, “Only that your dress doesn’t really protect your arms against this wind.” He said gesturing to the sky.

I laughed at how nervous I had made him – clearly, he wasn’t a man that was often poked fun at. “Don’t worry.” I brushed it off, “I’m only teasing.” I smirked, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “I’m [Y/N].” I said, holding out a hand in a sign of peace.

Bruce took it gratefully, “I guess you already know who I am.”

His hand was strong, and surprisingly rough for a business man. “Of course, Mr Wayne.” I smiled at him warmly. He had a nice feel to him.

“Call me Bruce.” He insisted.

“Ok, Bruce.” I nodded, releasing his hand. “I do have to ask though, why are you out here, when the party is in there?” I asked, gesturing back towards the door.

“Honestly I’m not one for parties…” He admitted rather sheepishly, “But it kind of comes with the job.”

“Of being the owner of a multi-million-dollar company, or of being a billionaire bachelor?” I teased.

“Both.” He laughed, and I laughed with him.

“What about you?” He asked, “Parties your scene?”

I considered this for a moment. “Not really.” I said truthfully. “I’m more of an all work, no play kinda gal.”

“Might explain why I’ve never seen you around.” He said.

I knew my lines well and didn’t even hesitated before I said, “Well I’m new to Gotham, first event I’ve been invited to.” I explained. “So, I appear to be the stranger that everyone gawks at.”

“I’m sure that’s not the only reason they’re gawking.” Said Bruce and I couldn’t help but blush at his smooth flirtation.

We chatted a bit longer about this and that. I stuck as close to the truth as possible, so I didn’t get too lost in a web of lies – I told him I ran a highly successful line of restaurants and was hoping to start one up on Gotham. He seemed genuinely interested and it almost made me feel bad. He seemed a nice bloke, but also quite simple. Getting information from him shouldn’t be too hard.

It wasn’t long before he was offering his jacket for my shoulders – which I gratefully accepted – and then eventually he led me back to dance for a while – under the promise that it was to ‘warm up’.

Bruce was such good company, in fact, that I almost forgot the reason I was there in the first place – happily chatting away about anything and everything – the things I didn’t need to lie about like my dream holiday, favourite colour and other silly details that we somehow got onto.

Yes, I had almost forgot why I was at the party, that was until Bruce asked about my love-life. I was sure he was wondering if he could put the moves on me, but I was promptly reminded of J and the original plan for the evening. Shit. I muttered something about it being complicated – because it honestly was. I didn’t know what I was to J – a stress release? An easy fuck? Or something more? And I didn’t know what I was to J – did I love him? I felt like I could do, maybe, but did I right now? It was complicated.

Bruce didn’t push the question any further, but now I had been reminded I changed my head back to business and knew I needed to start asking the man a few more specific questions I had runover with J earlier that day.

“So, what –“

Bruce glanced down at his watch that flashed something – maybe an alarm? Then snapped his gaze back to mine. “I’m really sorry, [Y/N], I hate to suddenly run, but I’ve got an important meeting in the morning that I need to be slightly coherent for.” Bruce said with a small apologetic smile.

I smiled back in understanding at this, though inwardly I cursed at the shit timing and my lack of concentration on my job all evening. J wasn’t going to be impressed if I went back to him empty handed, especially when I made him fork out so much for this night. I had to pull this back somehow.

“Bruce, I –“ I started.

“Would it –“ Bruce said at the same time.

“Sorry.” We both apologised, like a cheesy chick flick couple.

I gestured at him, “Go for it.”

“I just wanted to know if I’ll see you again soon?” Bruce asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“Uh –“ That took me by surprise, “Yeah, sure. That would be nice.” That hadn’t even been a lie just to see him again to gain some information - it would actually be nice to see him again.

He smiled at me, then glanced at his watch again. “Ok, now I really have to leave.” He said, though he seemed reluctant.

“Go.” I said.

He wavered.

“Go!” I laughed, shoving at him playfully, and he exaggerated the movement, leaning further away from me than I could ever hope to have pushed him. I smirked at his good humour until he then swung back and planted a surprising kiss on my cheek.

My eyes widened momentarily, but then I quickly gathered myself back together again. “Smooth.” I mocked with a smug smile. “Now go!” I cried with a laugh, shoving him again, making sure this time that I pushed him solidly in the back toward the exit.

“Ok…” He sighed dramatically and headed off with a last wave in my direction.

I gave him a small wave back, unable to help myself smiling after him. It was nice to talk to a guy that I wasn’t always trying to second guess the meaning behind his words or actions like I was with J. J never did anything without a reason. But Bruce was more of an open book - I doubted there was anything hidden behind what he did.

Tags: @gemma60

[spicynbachili1]

Spotify: Albums are alive and kicking in the streaming age

Picture copyright Getty Pictures

Picture caption Drake’s God’s Plan is the highest streamed tune of 2018, he is experimented with how his music is launched over the previous couple of years

In 1948, New York’s Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra put out a recording of Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor.

You realize the one – the discharge extensively considered the primary ever album.

Since then, the format’s taken on numerous sizes and shapes, as followers hearken to music in several methods.

Though latest figures advised UK gross sales had halved since 2010, the world’s main streaming platform says the album is “alive and kicking”.

Picture copyright Getty Pictures

Picture caption Fingers up if you happen to had been probably the most streamed artist and bought probably the most copies of your album on vinyl in 2017

Because the UK’s first Nationwide Album Day celebrates “all elements of the album” (and Violin Concerto in E minor marks its 70th birthday) Spotify UK’s head of reveals and editorial says an album launch in 2018 “can nonetheless be completely monumental”.

“You solely have to take a look at a number of the data which have been damaged on Spotify within the final 12 months or two with issues like Drake’s Scorpion, Put up Malone, Ed Sheeran or Stormzy’s albums in 2017 to see you’ll be able to have very massive second throughout streaming and conventional media,” suggests Austin Daboh.

“Folks will at all times have a look at a group of songs as a second, a landmark, a flag within the sand for an artist’s profession.”

In 2017, figures from the BPI advised bodily album gross sales and downloads within the UK had halved since 2010 to 59.7m.

Picture copyright Spotify

Picture caption Austin Daboh says the music trade continues to be within the “wild west” of discovering probably the most environment friendly option to launch albums within the streaming age

Many linked an increase in streaming websites like Spotify and Apple Music to a drop within the format’s recognition however Austin claims latest information from customers seems to point out the album hasn’t been killed off by streaming simply but.

“Final week on Spotify we had 5 million streams on albums.

“Evaluate that to the peak of the digital period, the peak of the iTunes period, no person bought 5 million albums in a calendar 12 months not to mention per week.

“Additionally, 46% of all streams on Spotify aren’t singles. These are songs which might be coming by means of initiatives whether or not that be albums, EPs or playlists.

“The album could be very a lot alive and kicking on Spotify.”

Picture caption Arctic Monkeys’ newest album was launched in a conventional means with the title and launch date introduced months upfront

Whereas Austin says there’s work to be achieved to make sure albums are launched “in an environment friendly means” on streaming platforms, he is adamant acts needn’t change their method to writing music.

“It isn’t a case of claiming: ‘If you happen to’re a guitar band it’s essential to launch on this sure means or if you happen to’re an MC it’s a must to do that wacky format.’

“We’re not within the enterprise of telling individuals what sort of music they need to be making or how… if music is sweet, we’ll help it.

“It is at all times been the case that some albums do and a few albums do not work, the streaming period isn’t any totally different.”

‘Albums stick with you for all times’

Picture copyright Phoebe Fox

Picture caption The Amazons’ self-titled debut album went to quantity eight within the UK

For Amazons singer Matt Thomson the thought of albums changing into much less vital “actually does not enchantment”.

“Simply because we’re a band in 2018 why should not we be allowed to do albums?

“I do not care what 12 months it’s I need to put out music, not with one or two singles right here and there, I need to put out our bodies of labor.”

“The methods bands do issues in all probability does not mirror how persons are listening to music in 2018… However for rock n roll, albums are of big significance.

“It is a terrific probability to have a snapshot of the place a band is at.”

Picture caption Elliot Briggs of The Amazons

The band are engaged on their second album and though they are saying making it’s “a mixture of pleasure and terror”, bassist Elliot Briggs explains approaching a brand new album, as each an artist and as a fan of different individuals’s music, “is like when an enormous film comes out”.

“There is a degree of pleasure you’ll be able to’t discover anyplace else aside from in an album that individuals have spent hundred of hours on.”

Matt provides: “However music has an even bigger influence. Seeing a movie is possibly a as soon as or twice-off expertise, albums stick with you for all times.”

Drummer Joe Emmett agrees: “The world with out albums could be an attention-grabbing place.

“If music was simply launched by way of singles it might simply change into like chip paper – it might be so throwaway.”

‘Everybody’s releasing what they need’

Picture caption Ray BLK’s upcoming undertaking, that includes songs she’s written during the last two years, will probably be launched in her album in 2019

Since successful the BBC Sound Of ballot in 2017, there’s been numerous hypothesis across the launch of Ray BLK’s debut album.

She’s following a string of singles and EPs with what she’s calling “a undertaking” later this month and is in no rush to decide to her first file.

“It is a assortment of songs I’ve achieved over a very long time… I simply did not need to put an enormous label on it.

“If you happen to name it an EP individuals discard it as not that severe, and if you happen to name it an album it is like ‘Oh my god this needs to be your the whole lot’.”

Picture caption Amongst Ray BLK’s latest releases is a collaboration with Naughty Boy

She says she’ll be releasing an album in 2019 when she has time to “think about a physique of labor”.

“I am an album lover, so somebody’s album for me is whenever you say ‘I’ve taken day trip to do the most effective factor I can’.

“I at all times anticipate quite a bit from different artist’s albums so I anticipate quite a bit from myself as effectively.”

Picture copyright Getty Pictures

Picture caption ‘I used to be telling the label about Extra Life… They thought it was an album’

Though some behind the scenes within the trade may query the transfer, Ray insists R&B and dirt followers aren’t as fussy as individuals suppose.

“After they hear songs they are not pondering ‘Oh is that this your first single from the album?’ They only need to hear good songs.

“Quite a bit is altering so I believe artists know that… Everybody’s simply doing what they need.

“Like Drake put out a playlist – what’s that? I by no means heard of that earlier than he did it however now it is a factor.”

Comply with Newsbeat on Instagram, Fb and Twitter.

Take heed to Newsbeat dwell at 12:45 and 17:45 each weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra – if you happen to miss us you’ll be able to pay attention again right here.

from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicymoviechili.spicynbachili.com/spotify-albums-are-alive-and-kicking-in-the-streaming-age/

[lattice-heart]

not quite tagged by @omgittybits because hey, this looked fun.

AZ asks

Rules: Copy this post into a new text post, remove my answers and put in yours, and when you are done tag up to 10 people and also tag the person who tagged you… And most importantly, have fun!

Tagging you, if you want it!

a - age: 31 as of today! 

b - biggest fear: Most things, really. Maybe start with inadequacy and swimming somewhere that I can’t see the bottom?

c - current time: 11:00 PM

d - drink you last had: Cherry coke

e - every day starts with: The snooze button because I do not wake up very easily 

f - favorite song: I usually have a rotating cast of favorites. One of the ones that’s stuck around a long time, though, is Numb by Marina and the Diamonds.

g - ghosts, are they real: I think so, but I’m not 100% sure. I’ve had some things happen that I can’t explain. (I’m also generally a superstitious person.)

h - hometown: Born and raised north of Buffalo, NY. Like...last summer I was two blocks from Lake Ontario north of Buffalo. (On a clear day, you can see Toronto!)

i - in love with: Honestly, probably food. 

j - jealous of: people who work during normal business hours, I guess? I’d love to see my friends more often, but I work evenings and weekends so it doesn’t usually happen!

k - killed someone: Nah, but if you’re already on a murder spree, I could probably make a suggestion if pressed lol

l - last time you cried: Couple of nights ago. Some bad family shit went down and it did not go well.

m - middle name: lol, I don’t even use my first name on here!

n - number of siblings: Three younger sisters.

o - one wish: Every time I go looking for a new completed 200k+ mutual pining slow burn fanfic with a great pairing, I find one!

p - person you last called/texted: Last text was from my best friend (”[her husband] told his mom he doesn’t care if I fuck Marcus Foligno, as long as there’s a reason we get to watch more hockey. I’m like...no fun! Haha”) Last call was from my mom.

q - questions you’re always asked: I’m not really sure? I guess I still get carded for alcohol fairly regularly. 

r - reasons to smile: My nephew is pretty great. I babysit him a lot. We’re bros. Dude really needs to expand his tv tastes beyond Elmo (”Melmo!”) and Minions (”Onions!”) though.

s - song last sang: “New Born” by Muse

t - time you woke up: Oof, I’m not sure. It was later in the morning, though. I was up super late last night.

u - underwear color: gray with black trim!

v - vacation destination: I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland. 

w - worst habit: Procrastination and telling myself it’ll be fine because I work better under pressure. Also, I’m better at it now because I religiously use my calendar and maintain to-do lists for home and work, but I used to be super unorganized and forgetful. Generally, if it doesn’t make it onto the appropriate list or the calendar (or both!) I’ve probably already forgotten about it.

x - x-rays you’ve had: Just my normal dental/orthodontist x-rays. I broke my toe in college, but the health center was like “Yeah...we can’t do anything for you...take some ibuprofen” and didn’t x-ray it at all. Pro tip...walking up and down a very hilly campus in January and February is not a good time. I can’t recommend it.

y - your favorite food: For savory, I really love barbecue, especially ribs and pulled pork. For sweet, I am a big chocolate fan and will try almost anything with salted caramel.

z - zodiac sign: Aquarius!

[dorothydelgadillo]

Coordination and Communication Lessons (The IMPACT Show Ep. 45)

In this week's episode of The IMPACT Show, Nick and I talk about our time together at IMPACT HQ, all these live broadcasts we've got going on and how we do it, what's goin in in Elite, and so much more.

We went live at our NEW time this week on Friday at 11:00AM ET. Next week we will actually be live on Friday at 12:45PM ET (yes, different again) so mark your calendars and let us know what you think of the new day and times. 

Just in case you missed us live (or if you want to relive the magic), you’ll find the episode’s show notes below as well as the recording.

Enjoy and make sure to share! 

Like what you saw? Make sure to subscribe to email reminders and give us a review on iTunes.

Have feedback or questions? We’d love to hear it. Comment on this blog or email us at show@impactbnd.com

IMPACT Updates

Reflecting on our time together at HQ

Now that we're back from our team week in the office we took some time to reflect on how it went and what we learned. If you're part of a remote culture, want to be, or want to build one - here's what we thought. 

Shout out to Natalie and Carolyn on our team who helped plan activities and meals throughout the week. They made sure these things were on our calendars and we had all the information we needed to make these events fun. 

We had a great time but Nick and I also discussed how trying to squeeze this week in created some tension. Trying to balance getting your necessary work done while still having fun is hard. It's also tough to balance the "purpose" of the week between spending time together as a team and strategizing (which sometimes creates more work!) and spending time having fun getting to know each other. 

Shout out to Zach Basner and George B Thomas for the amazing video workshop they hosted during our team week! 

My key takeaway from our team week was that a week is surprisingly LONG at the end. I think if we shorten it to a couple of days and condense what we're doing we might be a little more productive. The team put a TON of work into preparing for this week, gathering feedback, and making adjustments. And we sure do appreciate that! 

"Make adjustments. Go get it energized. That's good advice for life, too" - Ted Mosby

How are we coordinating all of these live broadcasts we have scheduled? 

From webinars to scheduled shows to surprise Facebook live broadcasts - we've got a lot going on. While using our content calendar in HubSpot is great, for production management I knew I needed something more to keep myself on track. As I'm scheduling some more live conversations in Elite I needed to be able to glance at what we already had booked and when. I created an event calendar - I just knew it was what I needed so I did it and shared it with the team. It's that moment of knowing you can't wait for someone to do something for you - if you need it done then make it happen.

I was just re-reading Kaitlyn Petro's post on "23 Marketing & Sales Leaders Share the Best They've Ever Gotten" and I read one by Ann Handley. She said: 

The best bit of advice I ever got was from my driving instructor (Henry) when I was 16 and learning to drive. He told me "Poke you nose out. No one’s going to invite you.” 

This is exactly what I mean. Don't wait for things to come to you - make them happen! 

Remote Life: Video Tech Update - Nick and I wanted to share our tech setup since we get a lot of questions about how we do what we're doing live. 

Kyle Bento helped me get set up with some great new gear including two Emart table top photography studio LED lights with tripods with Haoge 7" 180mm soft white diffusers. I also have a Logitech HD C920 pro webcam on a Neewer 14 inches mini travel tabletop tripod. Microphone update to come next week!

Nick shares his lighting setup, microphone on an arm, and the fact that he's still sticking to the good old Mac built in web cam!

Lessons from Our Latest Webinar

We got our webinar follow up out via a HubSpot email this week! I think this will make the experience feel more like IMPACT and as we progress we'll be optimizing this more and more. I'm so proud of the team for hustling to get that change made in time. If you got that email let us know what you thought.

Our webinar was with Oli Gardner and he talked about 3d (Data-Driven Design) which was a fantastic presentation.

Our next webinar is on April 12th with Larry Kim who will be talking about hacks to master chatbot marketing! Save your seat today: 

  HubSpot User Group Updates! (HUGs) 

This week we hosted the New Haven and Chicago HUGs on Wednesday and Hartford on Thursday! Marcus Sheridan spoke at the New Haven and Hartford HUG meetups and we did something similar to Website Throwdowns at the Chicago HUG. 

What Marketers Be Talkin' 'Bout

Where we go over what you're saying in IMPACT Elite.

IMPACT Elite is a community of now over 2,500 passionate inbounders looking to help other marketers (and sales and customer success people) succeed. We’d love for you to join us! 

Go to impactbnd.com/elite or just search the IMPACT Elite Group on Facebook and request to join. Plus, join us LIVE and in person this August at IMPACT Live 2018.

Elite Member Mia Charette posted: "We get a ton of flack from our sales team when a prospect gets an email noted as "irrelevant" to them, but it isn't 100% marketing's fault. For example, someone downloads an ebook intended for personas a,b,c, but they are clearly persona d. they haven't provided us with enough information yet to say they are certainly persona d, so they automatically get enrolled in a workflow for persona a. [...] I swear some people just don't know how to fill out forms. Does anyone else run across this? How do you handle it?"

There's a great discussion happening on this post about sales and marketing alignment, setting expectations with your team, powerful automation and more. Check it out and add your thoughts in Elite. Elite Member Andrea Funk posted in Elite about personalized search results: "We have two cellphones next to each other googling the exact same search word. We get totally different results. On one phone we were first and on the other phone we were third. So how can I ever know what my Google ranking for a particular key word is? Do I only know in aggregate from Google Consel? Is Google showing me something different than someone else based on my what?" Of course there's a ton to unpack here and the Elite members are doing a great job of doing so on the post including Nick Sal's great response. Check it out in Elite. 

Elite Member Highlight!

Shout out to both Kaitlyn Casso and Chris Marr who posted videos to Elite this week and took a step outside their comfort zones! Way to lead by example! Also, let's give a warm welcome to our 2,500th Elite member: Emma Sepke! 

Shout out to Christine who answered Matt's question during the broadcast. Matt Golueke asked: "Hey guys, are you using BeLive.tv with custom format and/or graphics or a different live broadcast platform?" 

Christine replied and said: 

Inbound in the Trenches

This is where we talk about what we’re doing and what we’ve learned lately right here in the trenches. 

The Sales Corner

Nick talked about how IMPACT is balancing wrapping up the quarter with how to translate legacy sales goals with some newer and more flexible metrics around new revenue streams as well as retention. We know there's value in relationships but we haven't necessarily had that as a goal that's part of how we're measured for success. So Nick is excited about that! 

In my work lately we have been working on cleaning up our database. This includes needing mailing address information for Enthusem and other campaigns we're doing, contact data so we can register our leads with HubSpot, implicit information so we can segment properly, job titles to help with our personas, and so much more. I've spoken with 9 or 10 data enrichment solutions this week and have yet to find the perfect one! 

Next Steps:

We have a very exciting IMPACT exclusive live conversation with Rob Dube on Tuesday at 11:00AM ET.  Rob is the president of imageOne and author of "Do Nothing - The Hardest Leadership Challenge You’ll Ever Take." He is also a mindfulness expert, EOS practitioner, and his company uses HubSpot. We'll also be giving away 3 copies of his book LIVE during the broadcast! Mark your calendars!

Don't forget to save your seat for our webinar with Larry Kim on April 12th!   

Next week...Nick will be live from PAXEast! We’ll also talk about our all hands. that will be that morning. We'll be live at 12:45PM ET next week - this cadence will continue for now so let us know what you think!

Most Fridays will be at 11:00AM ET and once a month when we have our all hands calls in the morning we'll bump the show to 12:45PM ET and do a little bit of a monthly recap. 

We would love your comments! Feel free to send us an email or comment on the Facebook thread. 

If you really liked it, please give us a 5-star review on iTunes and subscribe to updates for the show.

We're going to IMPACT Elite to ask what you want us to talk about, so jump in on the post there.

Join Us Next Week! 

We'll be back again next week at another *NEW* date and time: Friday, April 6th at 12:45PM ET. Mark your calendars! 

Until next time...we'll see you in Elite! Don't forget to stick your nose out there. 

from Web Developers World https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/coordination-and-communication-lessons-impact-show

[books-n-wine]

~**~ Review Blitz for The Hot Shot (Game On #4) by Kristen Callihan w/ Excerpt ~**~

First we were friends. Then we were roommates. Now I want more…

What can I say about Chess Copper? The woman is capable of bringing me to my knees. I know this about five minutes after getting naked for her.

No one is more surprised than me. The prickly photographer my team hired to shoot our annual charity calendar isn’t my usual type. She’s defense to my offense, a challenge at every turn. But when I’m with her, all the regrets and darkness goes away. She makes life fun.

I want to know Chess, be close to her. Which is a bad idea.

Chess is looking for a relationship. I’ve never given a woman more than one night. But when fate leaves Chess without a home, I step up and offer her mine. We’re roommates now. Friends without benefits. But it’s getting harder to keep our hands off each other. And the longer we live together the more I realize she’s becoming my everything.

Trick is… Now that I’ve made her believe I’m a bad bet, how do I convince her to give this player a true shot at forever?

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Paperback

CHESS

Grumbling, I toss on some black lounge pants and my oversized Tulane t-shirt and head to the drugstore.

My head throbs by the time I get there, and my insides are writhing. I rest my hand against my lower stomach and grab a basket before calling James to complain.

“I swear,” I tell him as I grab a bottle of painkillers. “It’s like this entire day has been cursed.”

He snickers. “Curse. Get it? Curse?”

I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see me. “Laugh it up. Meanwhile, it feels as if someone is playing Battleship in my uterus.”

“Poor Chessie bear. At least we know why you were in such a foul mood.”

A flush washes over my cheeks. “Yeah.” Lie. Lie. Lie. A tub of salted caramel gelato makes its way into the basket.

“Tell me you’re getting some gelato,” James says.

I smile. “Just grabbed it.”

“Salted caramel?”

“You know it.”

I find the feminine products aisle and search for my brand. “I’m going to go home, take a long bath with my gelato, and forget this fucking day.” Forget Finn. “And then I’m going to go on Amazon and buying a freaking year’s supply of tampons so I don’t have to make these kinds of emergency runs anymore.”

A low, deep chuckle rumbles from behind me, and all the tiny hairs lift on my arms.

“But you’ll still need your gelato,” a familiar—fuck me, seriously?—voice points out.

My insides swoop even as my cheeks burn.

“Who is that?” James asks in my ear.

I slowly turn on one heel. “The plague,” I say, glaring up at Finn Mannus’s smiling face.

“From asshat to plague.” Finn scrunches up his brow. “I’m not sure if that’s a step down or a tie.”

“Who is that?” James nearly yells now.

I don’t take my eyes off Finn. “I’ll call you back.”

James’s squawks of protest cut off as I hit the end button.

“Are you stalking me, Mannus?”

Finn a rests his hands low on his lean hips. “Having a healthy amount of conceit myself, I have to admire yours, but no, buttercup. My buddy Woodson lives a few blocks away. It’s poker night. I’m stocking up on beer.”

It’s only then I notice a twelve pack tucked under his other arm.

“And tampons?” I ask, with a pointed look around the aisle we’re standing in.

“Not tonight,” he says easily. “Though we used to keep a pack of them back in college. Light flows were perfect for stopping up bloody noses.”

A snort escapes me. “Now there’s a visual.” Somehow, I’ve taken a step closer to him. He’s freshly showered, the golden brown strands of his hair still damp at his temples. And I wonder if he’s just come from the gym or practice. “So back in college you went and bought these tampons?”

“Nah,” he says with a cheeky smile. “I’d ask one of the girls hanging around to get me some.”

“Of course you did.” My nose wrinkles with annoyance.

“Give me a little credit, Chess. I’d buy them now if I had to.”

“Hmm…” I eye him, trying not to return his smile. If only because it’s more fun when he teases. “So why are you in this aisle now, if not for potential nosebleed needs?”

“That’s easy.” He steps closer, a warm wall of muscle and clean scent. “I heard your voice.”

For a second I just blink. “You recognized my voice?”

His gaze darts over my face as if he’s trying to get a read on why I’m gaping at him. “Not to be…ah…rude, but you’re loud when you talk on the phone.”

“Yeah, but… You recognized it.” We’d only just met. It occurs to me that I’d recognized his both times he’d snuck up on me. Then again, his voice is distinctive, flowing like hot honey when he’s relaxed or hammering down like iron to rock when he’s taking command of a situation.

A soft flush of pink tints the tips of his ears. If I wasn’t staring at him, I might have missed it. He shifts his weight. “Was I not supposed to?”

“No. Yes.” I shake my head and laugh. “I don’t know.”

He grins then. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

“I’m not flustered.” I am.

*** 5 “Take My Hand” Stars ***

I’m sure everyone who is a fan of this series is with me when I say it feels like we’ve been waiting EONS for the next book in this series. EONS. And it’s not necessarily for a particular character to get a book, it’s simply THIS series. These characters, as a whole, are just so damn addicting that you can help but need more (I can always have more Gray Gray...and even Dex...but mostly Gray Gray...just sayin’) and it makes the wait practically intolerable. But the wait was so worth it! It was a sweet, smexy, swoon worthy read with a good dose of angst and a lot of heart that I wanted one to devour, but instead took my time to savor.

I adored Finn and Chess. Finn is sexy, charming and has more charisma that he should given all his smexyness and like any good quarterback he knows how to read people. He’s got a laid back alpha vibe going on and once he decides on a path he sticks to it. Despite having it all and incident in his recent past has caused a shift in his perception of what he wants in life, but he isn’t necessarily ready to make a commit to that change of thinking.

Chess has moxie in spades, she comfortable in her own skin and has a career she is passionate about. She doesn’t have a wide circle of friends, but the ones she has she adores and would do anything for. She wants to be in a committed relationship but with issues due to her atypical childhood and a situation that arose when she was in college, she finds it difficult to take the steps to get there.

Finn and Chess’s journey to their HEA was a mix of opposites attract and enemies/frenemies to lovers that was fun to watch. I loved how they kept colliding and the little ‘sign’ that became so significant to them both. I loved their bantering and holy hell are they smexy together.  Things were definitely bumpy, but as they worked things out they became closer and their trust in each other deepened. The huge relationship bomb was painful to watch, but when you look at them separately, it was bound to happen. The way they reunited wasn’t what I would have wanted for them, but it worked and I really liked where they were at the end of the book.

You can read The Hot Shot as a standalone, but I’d recommend that you read them in order because some of the characters from those books are either mentioned or apart of the story and it’ll make it that much more fun to have a little more background on them all. If you only have time to read one of them then I’d say read The Game Plan because it takes place at the same time as this one, but in the end you’ll more than likely want to go and read them all once you’re finished with The Hot Shot. I enjoyed getting a look at the inner workings of the team and how not everything is as it seems and I loved spending time with Rolondo and Dex. I’m curious to see whose book will be next. I’d love one on Jake or even North, but I’m still crossing my toes for Cal’s to happen one day, so toes crossed for those ones!

~ Copy provided by InkSlinger PR ~

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal , best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

[thejokersenigma]

Christmas Fan Fiction Advent Calendar 2017 - Day 20 - Joker x Reader x Bruce Wayne - Plan B(ruce) Part 2

Ok, so this is the second part to a new series I’ve just started writing which was a request given to me here on tumblr! Tbh it’s not very Chrtistmassy - other than it’s happening at Christmas, but oh well - feel free to check out the first part if you like it (or want to read that first). It is quite a bit shorter just because I only had a few hours to write it!

Hope you enjoy it!

MASTERLIST

J had been right. This was the best room in the house. This was probably the best room in the whole city. It was situated at the very top of the Wayne Enterprise Tower and the room took up the whole floor, the walls on my left and right made completely of glass that showed the breath-taking view over the city on either side. Not only was the view gorgeous, but the room itself had been lavishly decorated with expensive festive decorations – a large, extravagant tree next to the small stage which had been decked in tinsel and lights where a live Jazz band played upbeat Christmas songs, wreaths on each window, golden embroidered table cloths, mistletoe on the pillars, candles in brackets that gave off a distinctly Christmassy smell.

It was beautiful and made me feel like I’d just won the lottery.

I’d made J buy my dress for me – knowing he could afford it - and I hadn’t held back on the price label.

That would teach him to use me like this.

But then, I couldn’t help thinking as I looked around, this night didn’t look like it was going to be complete torture. Everyone looked just as stunning, all making the most of the free open bar and the dainty canapes handed out by servers whilst they gossiped away, or swayed to the tunes performed on the stage.

But who was it I was supposed to be talking to again?

I helped myself to one of the glasses of champagne that were being handed out at the entrance, then stepped my way delicately to the side of the room, trying to look like I belonged there. I sipped at the alcohol as I wandered the perimeter of the room, surveying the room and the company that milled noisily in the centre, occasionally unable to help my glancing out the tall windows at the city that way laid out before me.

Most people in the room seemed to have paired up – whether because they arrived that way, or that was the way these socialites just gathered, I wasn’t sure – and I couldn’t help but wish that J was with me, so I didn’t appear so lost on my own.

Despite this, I made sure to enjoy myself amongst the riches none the less – after all how often was it that I would be able to pretend to be an aristocrat and all the perks that came with it? I made sure though, to keep an eye out for my target – the infamous Bruce Wayne. I had seen him in enough news reports and newspaper articles to know vaguely what he looked like, but I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to pick him out amongst all these other men business men in their identical suits.

Ok, enough of being on the outskirts of this part, it was time to dive into it now that I’d had a bit of liquid courage. I placed my empty glass on a cloth covered table in one of the corners of the room, then confidently sashayed my way into the middle of the room. I could feel the eyes on me, the stranger amongst them all, but I didn’t falter in my strides, walking like I outranked them all, like I had important matter to attend to - though I actually had no idea where I was going or what I was doing.

Despite my upturned nose and important air, I kept my eyes on the people I passed, scanning for a face that matched the picture in my head. When I finally neared the other side of the room my eyes fell on the large balcony lit with fairy lights. I headed for this.

A group of 4 people entered back into the room as I left it, none of them bothering to hold the door open for me and I scowled out into the darkness at this - clearly manners did cost something, and these people weren’t willing to pay it.

I was the only one out here now, and I understood why, the balcony had been built slightly into the building to lessen the strength of the wind at this height, but it was still freezing out here. I wrapped my arms around my chest against the cold and walked up to the railing, leaning my arms on it and looking out at the lights of the city. I could see the windows of office buildings where late night workers were still at their desks, the bright advertisement bill boards that stood tall and garish against the dark sky and the streets below were lined with tacky lit names of casinos and clubs.

“Quite a view isn’t it?” Came a voice from behind me, the tone of the voice deep and soft.

I played it cool, not bothering to turn, my eyes on the landscape before me. “Yes it is.” I agreed.

The man came up next to me then, but I still didn’t bother to turn. He copied my position, leaning over and resting his elbows on the balcony railing. “Bit cold though isn’t? Especially in a dress like that.” He said, and I saw him glance me up and down.

I turned to look at him now, crossing my arms and leaning my hip into the barrier, shooting him an unimpressed raised eyebrow at his last statement. The light behind the man threw his face into shadow, but the more I listened to his voice, the more familiar it was. “And just what is that supposed to mean, Mr Wayne?”

“Oh nothing.” Bruce Wayne defended quickly, realising his mistake and turning to face me as well, “Only that your dress doesn’t really protect your arms against this wind.” He said gesturing to the sky.

I laughed at how nervous I had made him – clearly, he wasn’t a man that was often poked fun at. “Don’t worry.” I brushed it off, “I’m only teasing.” I smirked, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “I’m [Y/N].” I said, holding out a hand in a sign of peace.

Bruce took it gratefully, “I guess you already know who I am.”

His hand was strong, and surprisingly rough for a business man. “Of course, Mr Wayne.” I smiled at him warmly. He had a nice feel to him.

“Call me Bruce.” He insisted.

“Ok, Bruce.” I nodded, releasing his hand. “I do have to ask though, why are you out here, when the party is in there?” I asked, gesturing back towards the door.

“Honestly I’m not one for parties…” He admitted rather sheepishly, “But it kind of comes with the job.”

“Of being the owner of a multi-million-dollar company, or of being a billionaire bachelor?” I teased.

“Both.” He laughed, and I laughed with him.

“What about you?” He asked, “Parties your scene?”

I considered this for a moment. “Not really.” I said truthfully. “I’m more of an all work, no play kinda gal.”

“Might explain why I’ve never seen you around.” He said.

I knew my lines well and didn’t even hesitated before I said, “Well I’m new to Gotham, first event I’ve been invited to.” I explained. “So, I appear to be the stranger that everyone gawks at.”

“I’m sure that’s not the only reason they’re gawking.” Said Bruce and I couldn’t help but blush at his smooth flirtation.

We chatted a bit longer about this and that. I stuck as close to the truth as possible, so I didn’t get too lost in a web of lies – I told him I ran a highly successful line of restaurants and was hoping to start one up on Gotham. He seemed genuinely interested and it almost made me feel bad. He seemed a nice bloke, but also quite simple. Getting information from him shouldn’t be too hard.

It wasn’t long before he was offering his jacket for my shoulders – which I gratefully accepted – and then eventually he led me back to dance for a while – under the promise that it was to ‘warm up’.

Bruce was such good company, in fact, that I almost forgot the reason I was there in the first place – happily chatting away about anything and everything – the things I didn’t need to lie about like my dream holiday, favourite colour and other silly details that we somehow got onto.

Yes, I had almost forgot why I was at the party, that was until Bruce asked about my love-life. I was sure he was wondering if he could put the moves on me, but I was promptly reminded of J and the original plan for the evening. Shit. I muttered something about it being complicated – because it honestly was. I didn’t know what I was to J – a stress release? An easy fuck? Or something more? And I didn’t know what I was to J – did I love him? I felt like I could do, maybe, but did I right now? It was complicated.

Bruce didn’t push the question any further, but now I had been reminded I changed my head back to business and knew I needed to start asking the man a few more specific questions I had runover with J earlier that day.

“So, what –“

Bruce glanced down at his watch that flashed something – maybe an alarm? Then snapped his gaze back to mine. “I’m really sorry, [Y/N], I hate to suddenly run, but I’ve got an important meeting in the morning that I need to be slightly coherent for.” Bruce said with a small apologetic smile.

I smiled back in understanding at this, though inwardly I cursed at the shit timing and my lack of concentration on my job all evening. J wasn’t going to be impressed if I went back to him empty handed, especially when I made him fork out so much for this night. I had to pull this back somehow.

“Bruce, I –“ I started.

“Would it –“ Bruce said at the same time.

“Sorry.” We both apologised, like a cheesy chick flick couple.

I gestured at him, “Go for it.”

“I just wanted to know if I’ll see you again soon?” Bruce asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“Uh –“ That took me by surprise, “Yeah, sure. That would be nice.” That hadn’t even been a lie just to see him again to gain some information - it would actually be nice to see him again.

He smiled at me, then glanced at his watch again. “Ok, now I really have to leave.” He said, though he seemed reluctant.

“Go.” I said.

He wavered.

“Go!” I laughed, shoving at him playfully, and he exaggerated the movement, leaning further away from me than I could ever hope to have pushed him. I smirked at his good humour until he then swung back and planted a surprising kiss on my cheek.

My eyes widened momentarily, but then I quickly gathered myself back together again. “Smooth.” I mocked with a smug smile. “Now go!” I cried with a laugh, shoving him again, making sure this time that I pushed him solidly in the back toward the exit.

“Ok…” He sighed dramatically and headed off with a last wave in my direction.

I gave him a small wave back, unable to help myself smiling after him. It was nice to talk to a guy that I wasn’t always trying to second guess the meaning behind his words or actions like I was with J. J never did anything without a reason. But Bruce was more of an open book - I doubted there was anything hidden behind what he did.