#i really hope jeremy describes him playing as if he was the best thing in the world | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

rouiyan · 4 years ago

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𝘙𝘌𝘔𝘌𝘔𝘉𝘙𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘌 ☾ [ 𝘭.𝘮𝘬 ]

⧏ part of the ‘before i met you’ collective ⧐

synopsis: — “girl, i got your lovin’ on repeat.” but like, literally because mark can’t seem to stop replaying the memory of your love, over and over again, in his head. endlessly.

✧ idol!mark x (fem.) reader → idol!jeno x reader ✧ post breakup au, cheating au

✧ genres : angst, nostalgia, minimal fluff ✧ word count : 4.7k ✧ disclaimers : suggestive themes, mentions of infidelity, mentions of sex, minor swearing

✧ playlist : you were good to me - jeremy zucker, chelsea cutler | highway to heaven (english ver.) - nct 127 | be my mistake - the 1975

author’s note — a sad spinoff of mark’s infamous line in highway to heaven. it’s really sad, i don't know why you would read this and i'm unsure of why i wrote this in the first place. enjoy!

✧ PRESENT

mark takes four, evenly spaced out swigs of water, deciding to down the whole bottle before realizing that he's only a third of the way through his recording session. he's tired, the vein in his forehead showing and his hands limp by his side. there isn't much to the song, except the few lines that are in a deeper range, but mark swears that it's the lyrics that are getting to him. his throat seems to close up at the words 'love' and 'you,' and the producer is annoyed to say the least, telling him to take a break not thirty minutes into the session.

the said boy slips the headphones off of his neck and hangs it securely on the sheet stand, exiting the room per the producer's instruction. mark hesitates before taking a seat at the couch, even the most inconspicuous things seem to make his mind spin. he closes his eyes to rest but almost instantly wishes he didn't because he's met with the sight of you.

✧ NINE (09) MONTHS AGO

the producer's angry at mark but he isn't entirely sure why, too preoccupied with glancing through the thick glass window, separating the rest of the studio with the recording room he's currently in. he figures it probably has to do with the fact that he can't take his eyes off your sleepy figure on the black leather couch, clutching the matching black leather pillow to your torso. your eyes are glossed over and laced with fatigue, laid shut for most the time, only snapping open at the sound of mark's singing voice.

he thinks, well knows, that you're cold, noting how you're dressed in only a thin baby blue cropped camisole and his sweats that are obviously too big for you. despite the heat of summer outside, the recording studio stays cold with a generous amount of ac. he's in the middle of silently reprimanding himself for not thinking of bringing a hoodie for this specific case scenario but is brought back to reality when the producer has taken it upon himself to play the backtrack of the song, not bothering to notify mark in his current state.

mark rubs at his throat with his left hand, his right clutching a wilted sheet of paper with the lyrics and his notes on it. he takes another glance at you, giving a small smile and thumbs up, before jumping into his part at the right beat. a part of him is always nervous when you decide to join him in the studio but moreover, he's extra motivated to give you the best (almost) one-on-one show he can, absolutely giddy off the times when your eyes would glisten with astonishment at how well he could rap and sing or when he would comment at how he thought this line should sound and how that line should should be sung (especially after you had told him, albeit a little drunk, how hot he looked when he was so clearly passionate for what he did).

while he came to the closing line, confident he had closely nailed it, he met eyes with a displeased producer. quickly finishing up, mark questioned him, with a quirked brow, only to be met with a rather comical response. "your girlfriend's snoring too loud, i can't focus. can you ask her to leave, please?"

this wasn't the first time the two of you had encountered complaints like these and mark let out a low chuckle as he nodded in understanding. mark retrieved his phone and quickly dialed jeno, whom he knew would be awake, asking him to pick you up at the main entrance, however soon. after confirming the ride and returning his phone to his pocket, he took quick and quiet steps to the couch where you lay and slid an arm under your knees, another around your back, lifting you as gently as he could. mark felt you curl into him and he looked down to make sure you were still asleep, returning your mindless gestures with an involuntary smile.

he loaded you into the backseat of jeno's pristine mercedes, careful not to fold your legs in an uncomfortable way, and jeno returned the curt nod he had sent in thanks. the boy looked as he usually did at this time of night, messy hair and glasses just about slipping off his face. stretching the seatbelt across your frame, mark gave you a quick kiss to the forehead and shut the door as quietly as he could.

mark trudged back into the studio, gulping down a good amount of water before stationing himself in front of the mic once more. he felt another surge of motivation, the source this time being the strong desire to head back to the dorms as quickly as possible to cuddle you to sleep. his head should be brimming with thoughts on how to better approach his line but instead, he focused on the realization that whether you were there or not, you were always his motivation, his driving force.

✧ EIGHT (08) MONTHS AGO

the night was young, or rather the morning was, the clock on mark’s nightstand telling you it was just past two a.m.. your head was brought back to face mark’s, his finger guiding you by the chin, and he closed the distance between your lips with haste. it wasn’t like midnight makeout sessions were all that uncommon for the two of you but these days you felt that mark wanted something more from you. his kisses that were once filled with slow adoration and sweet smiles now felt rushed and with a new purpose that you couldn’t quite place.

unknowingly, you stopped kissing him back, not realizing until he detached his face from yours. mark’s eyes were clouded with confusion and something you could only describe as lust, though you were scared to confront him about it. moments were shared just looking into each other’s eyes before his low voice broke the silence, “what are you thinking about?”

you genuinely contemplated his question but were unable to come up with any string of words that could encompass the suspicions you had. so you replied with a nonchalant, “nothing,” knowing that he would take the hint that you were uncomfortable and stop before anything escalated.

it was shocking to you how mark had simply accepted that as an answer and returned closer, this time peppering small kisses to your jawline, down to your neck. you let out a small grunt at this but didn’t stop him nonetheless, opting for silence. his lips had reached the base of your collarbone and you felt him rearrange his hands so they were at the hem of your shorts, sliding two fingers under to smooth out the skin beneath.

you felt he was about to pull down your shorts, hands already moving quickly, when you shot your hand up to his wrist. “stop,” you let out, weak and embarrassed, with the hope that you could dodge this situation out the window. he lifted his head ever so slightly to look you in the eyes and for a fleeting second you think you saw a hint of annoyance in his expression. well, that’s new.

“every time, y/n,” his voice sounded exasperated, “every time i think we’re getting somewhere you always stop me.” a few seconds elapsed as you drank in the understanding that he knew you were avoiding having sex with him.

“is it me? and i doing something wrong?” you were surprised at how small he sounded, in stark contrast to the words he had said just before. his eyes were no longer hungry but instead, worried and distressed, and you had an inkling that this was somewhat of an inner debate for him as well.

“no, mark. it’s just- i’m not ready for it. i’m not mentally ready for it.” the words were slow and precise coming from you and you hoped that they delivered the amount of sincerity that you meant. you went on, continuing your thoughts, “i’ve always thought that i would wait until i was 20,” you paused, trying your best to stop your voice from shaking, “but i’ve always known that i want my first time to be with you.”

he took his arms from your hips and you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. mark neared you once again but this time encircled his arms around your shoulders, bringing your head into his chest, the sobs that you had suppressed now being forced out by his sweet actions. he stroked your hair until your erratic heartbeat slowed and whispered into your ear, “it’s okay, baby, i understand.”

it was the first night of few that you had gone to sleep feeling safe in his arms, now with his knowledge of your insecurities. mark, on the other hand, didn’t quite know how to feel, his thoughts keeping him up until the ungodly hours of morning before his mind surrendered to his tired body.

he knew, first and foremost, that your feelings were to be respected. he knew, more than anything, that forcing you to have sex with him was simply not an option, much less a possibility. but laying in bed that night he couldn’t help the unsettling feeling in his stomach of disappointment. he couldn’t help but think about how he had to wait until your twentieth birthday, at the very soonest, in order to fulfill the desires that had stampeded his mind since day one. however wrong he knew the situation to be, he couldn’t help but think that he really wasn’t going to wait and that maybe, just maybe, he could get away with switching things up.

✧ SIX (06) MONTHS AGO

you were at the dorms since seven in the evening, occupying yourself while waiting for mark to return from his hangout with his old school friends. it was late by now, nearing one in the morning, and as usual when situations like these would occur (as they often did these days), you found yourself in jeno’s room, sitting on one of the many cushions strewn about the floor in front of the large flatscreen tv, also propped up on the floor because jeno hadn’t bothered to buy a table for it to sit upon. the two of you were loud despite the quiet hour, yelling at the screen in hopes that it would give you some extra power up or increase your abilities at striking the opponent. also as usual, jeno would win, sending you into a long rant about how you would’ve won if only you had used the character that jeno used or if you hadn’t fallen off the map twice or if jeno just, didn’t play. he had retorted with something along the lines of, “i think that what you’re really trying to tell me is that you just suck at this,” and you had agreed good-naturedly, not wanting another full blown pillow fight to take place.

halfway through laughing at jeno for being too slow to pick the character you both were eyeing for the next round, the door to his room had opened, revealing a very worn out mark, his lips curved into a lopsided smile until he noticed your close proximity with jeno as he tried to strangle the controller out of your hand. you and jeno had paused, mid-strangle and mid-struggle, looking at mark with wild eyes, filled comically with surprise.

“hey y/n, i- i’m back,” were the words that had left his mouth after he had conquered his flustered state. further venturing into jeno’s room, mark noted the childlike glances you and jeno stole at each other like children caught in the middle of a fight and wondered when the hell you guys could have possibly gotten so close. you were almost always busy in the daytime, as was jeno, and mark was reluctant to admit that maybe it was in those times where he was absent, in his free time that he used to save up solely for you, that the two of you had gotten well past acquainted with each other. a familiar feeling of guilt gnawed at the edge of mark’s mind as he realized that the time he spent on his sexcapades was also time you spent with other people that were not him. the jealousy must have outswept his guilty mindset because he gently prodded at your elbow and said, “my room?” before you could press play for yet another round. to his relief, you had nodded excitedly and turned to excuse yourself from jeno, the boy nodding in return and shooting knowing smiles in your direction.

it was no surprise to you that mark had already pinned you under him barely two minutes after settling into bed. these days, he was so kind and gentle with you that you were so sure that he might as well be the love of your life. it softened your heart that mark had really heeded to your preference to not have sex until you were twenty and you couldn’t help but feel even more prepared, now that you knew it was with someone so worthy of your trust.

tonight though, you felt as if it were okay to break the little rule you had made for yourself, with the way mark was kissing you and the low thrum of excitement and longing in the pit of your stomach. you felt as though you didn’t need a number to signal when you were ready but rather a feeling, a sign, that made everything clear. you were so sure, oh so sure.

with your hands tracing the bottom hem of mark’s shirt, you held onto it and raised it up and above his head and outstretched arms, ridding him of the shirt and tossing it aside. your hands explored the vastness of his bare chest and broad shoulders, your eyes clouded with the one thing mark had always wanted to see, lust. his heart soared and pumped wildly in his chest as he watched the expression on your face slowly morph into confusion. switching his line of vision down to where your eyes were trained, he felt his heart drop, and his mind reeled at the sight of a hickey, proudly flushing the skin just under his collarbone, unabashedly. your eyes on him suddenly felt like they were burning holes through his composure, like they were carving up the secrets he had buried deep within his heart. he felt it all, his world of carefully planned lies crumbling under your stare and wilting at the touch of your fingers on his guilty skin.

you watched him gulp visibly and had to remind yourself for the fifth time in the last ten seconds that you didn’t give him that hickey, not today in his bed, not yesterday or the day before in yours. you pressed your index finger hard into the colored blotch, pushing him off of you, sitting up and gulping yourself before asking, “why is that there?”

mark’s silence only increased your desire to throw up. your emotions had really took a sharp u-turn and instead of feeling like the luckiest girl in the world, you felt shitty and even more than that, pathetic. “mark, why is that there?” you repeated, and after being left in the dark once more you urged on, “who did that, mark?”

mark seemed to be at a loss at what to say, his mind bickering endlessly on whether to come clean or say that it was just an unfortunate burn mark. but after minutes of debating, he could only come up with one thing that felt the most appropriate to say, “i’m sorry, y/n.”

your tears fell, sliding down and across the crevices of your face unopposed. mark’s hand instinctively went to wipe them with the pads of his fingers but he found his wrist caught in your hand. again. you gently laid his hand back on the bed and reached for his shirt, tossing it in his direction, then almost ejecting yourself off the bed and out the room before you were stopped by mark’s incessant rambling in attempts to make you stay.

“y/n it’s exactly what you think, i’m not gonna lie. i know, this is bad. i’m bad and- and extremely at fault. i just- i thought i wanted more. but please, y/n- y/n please look at me.”

the tears in your eyes made everything seem like distant blurbs but even if you could see clearly, you doubt that you wanted to see him. “i can’t, mark.”

“okay, yeah i get that. but please, trust me when i say that i’m so sorry and that- that they didn’t mean anything to me, nothing at all. and that i won’t mess up again- ever again if you just,” he paused, entirely sure that this wouldn’t work but going on nonetheless, “give me another chance, y/n.”

if your heart could break again, you’re sure it would’ve. the ache that had dulled in the last two minutes returned again, this time twofold, as you hung your head low, back still facing the boy. “they,” you muttered as though it were a foreign word, “they as in... more than one.”

mark chastised himself at the minor slip up but felt that it was better anyways to fully come clean. he let go of his shirt that he was harshly gripping and slid off the bed, crossing the room quickly and grasping you by the shoulders to turn you towards him. you let out something that could only be described as a sad yelp and pushed his arms away, gently. “this isn’t something we can just talk about, mark. no matter who or how many times or even how many. all i know is that it’s over, we’re over.”

with that, you left the dorms, scurrying to get out of the damned place, ignoring jaemin’s worried glances and jeno’s ‘are you okay’s?’ you were anything but okay. you were falling apart with each step you took, farther and farther away from the boy that had once made your heart whole, the boy that had also crushed it in his bare hands, the sharp edges scraping his flesh apart like glass. you walked the long two-hour walk home, sore feet yelling at you but you were deaf to everything except the memory of mark. the elatedness he had made you feel and the crippling pain he inflicted on you not a second after, it was all coming down in fast breaths and shaky hands. you felt as if you were on a rollercoaster, the cart unfastening itself from the rails just as it hit the climax, the only way to return to the ground was to plummet to your death.

✧ TWO (02) MONTHS AGO

mark was really uninterested in his cereal but there was nothing else in the pantry that could fill his stomach. jaemin enters the kitchen as well, but says nothing to mark as he also sits along the counter with his own bowl of cereal. both the boys sit in silence... that is, until you enter seven minutes later, when the boys are just about sipping the sweet and lukewarm leftover milk. you’re carrying two large brown paper bags, one in each hand, and your back is turned towards the pair, unaware of their presence. just as your about to turn and set one of the bags onto the counter where the boys are sat, jeno enters, also unaware of them, and slips two arms around your waist, pressing a soft kiss right under your ear before pulling back, taking one of the paper bags with him. he turns to set it on the counter but stops halfway when he sees mark and realizes what he had done in his presence, eyes wide.

mark was still uninterested in his cereal but the little show of affection he just witnessed suddenly made the now gray-ish milk seem infinitely more intriguing. he opts to stare at it instead, swirling his spoon around and trying to mull over his thoughts. his head was about to blow with all the new information. just seeing you for the first time in four months would’ve been enough to catch a sob in his throat but knowing you had moved on? that packed one hell of a punch.

you finished unpacking the contents of the first bag into the fridge and proceeded to get the other one, folding the bag along its creases, but were met with three boys staring at each other in silence. collecting your expression to show less concern and more surprise, you thought that maybe it was about time you confronted him, after all, you felt that you had moved on well enough. still, parts of you thought that it was too risky, that your heart would prove you wrong and show you that you really weren’t fully over him. but looking at the boy himself, for the first time in months, your heart calmed itself. maybe what it was seeking was closure.

the corners of your mouth inadvertently edged upwards into a small smile as you place a hand on the counter, leaning into it. “hi, mark. it’s been awhile.” the boy wasn’t even looking at you, but rather at what you assumed used to be a bowl of cereal. he raised his head slowly, looking unsure, but locked his eyes with yours nonetheless. a small smile, not unlike yours, was plastered across his face as his voice came out small, “hey, y/n. it’s nice to see you again.”

you gave him another light smile before taking the other bag in your hands to empty it out as well. in all honesty, you had no idea mark was going to be at the dorms today. and it’s not like you were actively avoiding him, it’s just that jeno and you opted to spend time at your place rather than the dorms, just for the privacy. you wondered why mark never thought of that when you were with him. maybe it just wasn’t important to him at the time.

shutting the fridge door with a firm push, you turned once again to be met with the three boys in silence. jaemin’s eyes were frantically looking back and forth from jeno and you to mark, seemingly taking on the role as spectator. in a sense, you felt that this may have been entirely inconsiderate on your part. the boys hadn’t said much to you regarding mark since the breakup but from what you gathered, they knew the basis of what had happened. jeno knew for sure, being the one to comfort you and bring you down from your hysterical state but it was odd to know that the rest of the boys were also aware of mark’s actions.

you felt bad for him, however incredulous that could sound. he was a kind boy, no doubt in that, and yes, he cheated on you but even then, you never questioned his love for you. in some heinous sense, it was genuine, albeit also twisted. perhaps he was exactly what you needed to learn that love wasn’t always just a rush of feelings; it wasn’t always the beating of your heart thrumming in your ears, and very rarely was it the nervous flush across cheeks paired with shy glances. love, more than anything, was trust and respect. it was long-withstanding patience, over greed and over self-indulgence. he was there to teach you that love was both the big picture and the little gestures and everything in between and that you had simply fallen for the little sliver of true love he had offered. mark would never be the love of your life but for once you were fine with the fact that he was your first.

turning on your heel, you exited the kitchen, head cleared and heart light because the hole in your heart no longer felt hallowed and empty. it was full now, healed with only a scar to remind you of the highs and lows of the boy that once held your heart in his hands followed by the boy that did the same now. mark’s feelings were beyond you, a figment of your past you didn’t bother to unearth. sauntering into jeno’s room, you set up the game console you brought over, with nothing on your mind other than jeno, jeno, and jeno.

✧ PRESENT

if mark swears that he loved you then, he isn’t sure how he could describe what he feels now. he knows it’s stupid that he doesn’t want to move on and how he’s let himself fall farther into the idea of you even as you slip farther and farther away from him. he is lovesick in every way that he isn’t allowed to be.

mark’s grip on the black leather pillow loosens as he tells the producer with a rushed tone that he doesn’t want this. he doesn’t want to be in nct dream anymore. he tells the producer that he feels it should be time to focus more on his new projects, like superm or future nct 127 activities. he doesn’t tell the producer that, more than the previously stated reasons, he doesn’t want to see you sneaking into jeno’s room after dinner at the dorms and he doesn’t want to sit in his room, alone with the sounds of your voice blooming through the thin walls and spilling beneath the cracks under his closed door. he doesn’t tell the producer or his manager or any of the higher ups at his company that he doesn’t want to keep up the facade of looking okay whenever you strike up small talk or ask him about how he’s doing. he doesn’t tell anyone, and barely even admits to himself, that he loves the way you still smile at him and how his heart speeds up ever so slightly whenever your eyes would meet. the least he can feel is ashamed of himself and the most is hatred and disgust; each time he hears your name in passing or sees your face for a split second he’s reminded of how little he feels as a whole in comparison to his feelings towards you, good or bad.

it’s later that night when mark returns to the dorms for one last time. he swipes makeup remover under his eyes, revealing the dark circles and the pimples that had sprouted from the new layers of makeup that were needed to cover his fatigue. mark runs his fingers through his disheveled hair and decides that showering is for tomorrow, that today, he would let himself fall apart one more time.

he dips the edge of his bed, looking down at his hands to keep some sort of semblance. breathing ragged, he hopes that no one comes to interrupt the pain he has laid out for himself. he’s worn out from within and he prays for a day when he can feel okay without having to dissolve himself within his workload. he waits for that very day when he can fall asleep without the need of exhaustion.

feeling around the duvet, his fingers clasp around his phone to check the time but is instead met with a notification that says: one year anniversary♡. his breath hitches, heart lodged in this throat.

tossing his phone back into the messy abyss of his bed, mark lays down on his back, lost in the vast emptiness of the ceiling, and asks himself for the nth time if it was all worth it. the petty lies that held so much more meaning than he’d let himself feel. the desire that clawed through all his righteous thoughts and dared to disrupt the pretty glow in your eyes. the pointless girls he used to chase his highs, the same highs that he would fall from in tears and sweat that drenched his soul, suffocating him yet drowning out his sorrows. he shuts his eyes, your hearty laughter ringing in his ears, over and over again, like a mantra he could never tear himself from. and for the nth time, mark admits that no, none of it was worth it.

and so mark bathes in the silence of his dimly lit room, in remembrance of why he feels nothing and everything at the same time.

✧ edited end note — hello you, yes you who just read this. this piece was my first published fic and it has such a deep hold on my heart. reading through a few months later, it makes me happy to see growth in my writing and growth in my blog. thank you for stopping by. wishing you lots of love, rouiyan.

#nct #nct fics #nct mark #rouiyan fics #rouiyan writes

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thepermanentrainpress · 3 years ago

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THE PERMANENT RAIN PRESS INTERVIEW WITH AZRIEL DALMAN

He may only be 7 years old, but don’t let numbers fool you. Azriel (Azi) Dalman already has nearly thirty credits to his name! The accomplished young artist from Vancouver has had a big 2020, but there’s no slowing down for Azi, who has a number of exciting upcoming projects to share with the world.

Your older brother, Aias, is also an actor. While you are only 7 years old, tell us about your interest in following his footsteps, and what made you want to start auditioning for film/TV?

I loved seeing the completed films my brother was in but I didn’t really understand how he got into them. One day, I was 3 maybe, we went to a commercial audition for my brother and the Casting Director came into the waiting room and asked the kids to practice singing “Old MacDonald.” I knew the song and sang it also. They took the kids in to audition as a group and I asked why this was happening. My mom said it was because they were going to see who should be in the commercial where they sing it. I realized what an audition was then, it meant they were trying out to see who got to be on the video. I asked if I could go do it too and my mom said no because it was not my audition, so I asked if I could get auditions too. After that I got an agent. I never got to audition by singing “Old MacDonald” though so I guess that ship has sailed.

What are your favourite movies or characters?

I love Wall-E and Soul for cartoons. For TV Characters I like Jim and Dwight from The Office a lot. I used to want to be Jake Peralta from Brooklyn Nine-Nine and I think I definitely look like him! And of course I love the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe)!

What is your favourite snack from catering? Is there a food item that you’re most excited to see on the daily menu on-set?

My favourite is a drink, it’s the iced tea. I also like M&Ms but I’m only supposed to have the yellow or orange ones or my mouth will change colours which annoys the people who do makeup... I don’t want to stress them out. I like beef jerky and ramen bowls too but they usually hide those on the truck so you have to ask for them special. For lunch I like trying the new things but my favourite most recent new food was crunchy pork! The 3rd ADs are so nice and deliver the food to my trailer but I like to go for a walk after we eat in the trailer and say hi to the catering people and look at the dessert. On this last project, they learned I liked watermelon on the first day and kept keeping special watermelon for me.

You recently wrapped Coyote Creek Christmas, your first Hallmark Christmas Movie! Congratulations! You worked opposite Ryan Paevey (as your father) and Janel Parrish, tell us about your experience working with Ryan and Janel.

Ryan and Janel are the best humans. They are both down to earth, kind, patient, friendly, funny, loving, talented, and FUN. It was so much fun to work with them because they treated me like a real friend and with a lot of respect. They included me in all of their talks and fun, and never made me feel like I was annoying them because I am a kid. I was very excited to see them every day and now I ask to see their Instagram posts because I love looking at their pictures! I am not surprised they work a lot, they are so good at acting and being around them is so easy. Ryan knows everything about bugs and Pokémon. Both of them are obsessed with dogs and when they saw someone walk by with a dog, they would hug and kiss the dogs... random dogs! It was really funny. They taught me a lot of acting tips also, both on purpose and by accident.

We saw on Instagram that Ryan took you to see Free Guy at the movie theater! Was it easy for you to bond as father-son?

It was easy and instant and it feels like I’ve always known Ryan as a real uncle or something. Sometimes when I am someone’s kid in a movie, I have to do real acting to pretend I am their kid, not because they aren’t nice but because I don’t know them well and I don’t really get to know them too well on the project. With Ryan I didn’t really have to do any acting to pretend I knew him, because I got to know him fast.

What can you share about your character, Noah Bailey?

I don’t think I can say too many spoilers, but I will say that Noah gets to be sarcastic and funny, and I love that. I don’t get to be funny on a MOW (movie of the week) usually, I just get to be cute or scared or sad. Noah was supposed to be a 10-year-old so I got to do some smart lines! And we have some funny scenes too. Ryan said one of the scenes we have together is his favourite scene he has ever done because it’s so funny and cute, and I thought that was really cool.

You can now cross this career goal off your list! Why was a Hallmark Christmas Movie on your bucket list; what do you (and your family) enjoy about them each holiday season?

Christmas movies are the kind of movies you watch every year like a tradition and I love things that are a tradition. My family lives in Vancouver, Canada but MOST of my family lives in America so we don’t get to see them at Christmas. I wanted to be in a Christmas movie so my family far away could see me on the TV at Christmas when they are missing me and so I can watch the movie with my kids when I’m a grown up and say “haha that is me!” For Christmas my family puts up a tree and we eat really good food. We also watch Christmas movies like Rankin/Bass movies, Home Alone, and Die Hard which is definitely a Christmas movie. I basically love everything about Christmas, especially the decorating. My birthday is 2 days after Christmas so I think I’m a Christmas Boy for sure.

Is it funny to see Christmas decorations and fake snow in the summer?

It was a little bit funny but it was also confusing! My brain kept forgetting what season it was. My mom warned me over and over again with every Christmas movie audition that it would be hot, but the joke was on her because we actually had some days that were cold! There were only one or two reallllly hot outside days. We got very lucky. I think the times it was hot on set it was mostly because of the gear and no air conditioning being on. Air conditioning is too loud for movies, I think. It wrecks the sound or something.

You are set to star in the short film Dragon Fruit. What can you share about this project?

Dragon Fruit is going to be so good. The Director, Jeremy Brown, is really nice and smart and made the whole experience really special for all the actors. His props and special effects are amazing... he makes them almost all himself... and the film is going to be... guess what... a sci-fi! It’s post-apocalyptic. A funny thing about it is that I am very dirty in the film so I would go to set clean and they would basically put fake dirt all over me and make my hair messy, then when I left they would clean me up! On one of the shoot dates I had to do a live interview in the middle of the day for another project, so they had to make me dirty, clean me up, and then make me dirty again, and then clean me up again!

Yvonne Chapman will play your mother. She is remarkable in the CW’s Kung Fu as Zhilan. Did it surprise you to see her as the villain in the show?

I was shocked she was a villain because in real life she is definitely NOT a villain type, she is so nice. She is obviously very good at acting! But I am not surprised she is so tough in that show because she does some really tough things in Dragon Fruit too! Yvonne is really nice to work with also, she sits and talks to me and makes jokes with me. I am wrapped on Dragon Fruit now which is sort of sad, because we did it for like 6 months or something, but at least it means the film will be out soon.

You have a part in the action sci-fi Moonfall out next year, and you even made it into the teaser trailer! How exciting! While you likely cannot say much about Sonny Child, what can you share about your initial reaction to booking this movie?

Everything about Moonfall was very exciting. The audition was one of the first ones I got after the forced break by COVID and when we saw it was in Montreal and they were auditioning kids all over Canada we thought it was a long shot, but auditions are opportunities that can be very rare, so you should always do an audition if you are comfortable with it, and always do your best. Anyway yeah, this one was far from Vancouver so when I booked it, we were extra shocked and grateful. Honestly even after the booking, we were not sure it would really happen because of the virus and how things changed every day, so we did not even believe it would happen until we were on the plane! Montreal was the best, I loved it there so much, and I hope I get to work at Grande Studios again!

Did you get to meet and interact with your director, Roland Emmerich? What did you learn from him, and had you (or maybe your parents!) watched any of his previous films?

Yes of course, Roland was the Director so he directed me! Before we left, I watched Independence Day and I was very impressed and thought “This guy really knows what he is doing! I better know my role well!” Roland was very nice and so was Harald (Kloser). They both gave me lots of compliments and I loved that! It was very full-on too, I worked every minute of my time on set there with the exception of my legal breaks and lunch. I loved it so much and I hope I will get to work with Roland on another project someday. I don’t know how to specifically describe what I learned without spoilers, but yeah it was a huge learning opportunity.

What is your favourite object you have gotten to take home from any set?

It’s impossible to choose just one! These are in no order, ok? The first thing is actually TECHNICALLY a lot of things because I often get to take home wardrobe from my character’s “closet” when we wrap. I am obsessed with clothes and was given really cool clothing from the costumers on many sets. Most recently I got a mint hoody I love. I audition in those clothes a lot for good luck. The second thing is a special prop that Jeremy Brown MADE me on Dragon Fruit as a wrap gift. There is a super cool secret weapon in the movie that I will not spoil, and Jeremy MADE me a safer toy version of it. Before my mom saw it was a toy version, she looked very scared when he handed it to me! Third, there are two special items Noah Bailey ALWAYS has with him in Coyote Creek Christmas (no spoilers!) and Ryan, David Strasser (the Director), and Antonio Cupo (the Executive Producer) presented them to me TO KEEP AS GIFTS at wrap in front of the whole crew. It was very special. I am saving these things forever, even some of the clothes! AND one more ok? Fourth, I get to keep the signs that say my name on my set chair and/or trailer door during projects. I hang those up on my wall in my room.

Is there a dream role or character you would like to play in the future? If not character, are there any specific film/TV genres or franchises you would like to be in?

Ok so here’s the thing. I had a few wishes that I wanted to come true in acting... one was the Christmas movie... and one was to play a very specific other actor’s sibling in something. GUESS WHAT? Both those things came true in 2021. Do you know the odds of that sibling thing coming true... my mom said it seemed impossible! But it did come true SOMEHOW. So now I am setting my goals super high and not worrying about how impossible they seem or how many there are. My biggest next goal is to be in Marvel ANYTHING. And you know what, I think Ryan should be in Marvel too, so I think my next goal is to be in Marvel with Ryan! I also want to be a voice of a video game character pretty badly! I also want to do some comedy!

What are your favourite places to visit or eat at in Vancouver?

I am obsessed with sushi and Korean food and lately my favourite place is Shabusen Yakiniku House because you can get both. There’s also a place on Granville Street called The Colony that has a bunch of old arcade games and I love that place too but we haven’t been since before COVID. I hope it’s still there.

You also enjoy other forms of arts like ballet, reading, and writing comics. How do you find the time for all your activities, school, and your growing career in film?

Oh I have a lot of free time. It’s weird. It sounds like I do a lot of stuff but lots of other kids tell me they do like 10 activities really well! I don’t want to do 10 activities because I really like relaxing, so instead of doing like 10, I want to do a few and just do them really well. Ballet is great because I feel like a ninja in the clothes, I don’t have to audition to do it, and it’s definitely a sport. Reading and writing comics I can do while relaxing, and even when I’m on set!

Tell us about the role your parents play in your life and career, not only for you but your brother as well! You keep them busy, but they must be so supportive of you.

My mom does mostly all the acting stuff like keeping track of the auditions and taping and going to set. My dad is a little nervous about going to set for some reason, but I think he would be fine! We are very busy but no one seems to ever complain. The only time it’s a little sad is when we are apart for long during filming but we always do video calls then.

For other young actors like yourself, do you have any advice for how to be confident in front of the camera? What (or who) has helped you prepare for roles and memorize lines?

I think to feel confident you have to know what you are doing. I was confident when I was 3 for some random reason, and then I took some acting classes at LeBlanc School of Acting and those helped me know what I was doing for sure. I have had lots of coaches teach me stuff like Julian, Athena, Kirsten, Natalie, Brian, and Beatrice are a few of their names. Sorry if I forgot anyone! For most specific auditions, I use the things ALL those people taught me and then I work with my brother on the specific scripts. Oh and on the set of my last movie, my new actor friend Naomi King told me that you should learn the scene not the lines... but you will definitely learn the lines once you learn the scene!

We have our signature question for you – if you could be any ice cream flavour, which would you be and why?

Well... I would not want to be ice cream! But if I had to be, I’d definitely be Green Tea or Mango.

Thanks for the insight into your projects and thoughts, Azi! We cannot wait to see you return to action on our screens, and follow as your career grows. To stay up to date on Azi’s upcoming projects and get a behind the scenes look into his busy and exciting life, follow him on Instagram.

Photo credit (top) to: Candace Woods Special thanks to: NoodleHead Productions

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thebrotherssalvatore321 · 3 years ago

Text

Keeping Secrets Ch. 49

Keeping Secrets Masterlist

“You’re back.” Elijah said with a smirk on his face when Katie walked through the front doors of the compound that led straight into the courtyard where Elijah sat in a black suit, light blue shirt and a black tie reading a book.

“I’m back.” Katie said with a smile and a look around the place. “And you’re wearing a suit.” He closed his book and sat it on the table. “The laid back look didn’t suit you. Pun intended.”

Elijah just shook his head at her bad joke as he stood up and walked over to her where she’d stopped next to the fountain. “How was your trip?” he asked as he held his hand out for her bag.

“It was good, but I’m happy to be home.” She answered as he took her duffle bag off of her shoulder.

“So where is Niklaus?” he asked as they started up the stairs to Katie and Klaus’s quarters.

“Father Kieran asked for a meeting as soon as we returned.” Katie answered as they came to the door and she pushed it open. “So how was your Klaus free week?”

“Quiet.” He answered with a bit of a smirk as he put her bag down next to the door.

“A good quiet or I’m bored out of my freaking mind quiet?” she asked curiously as she sat down on one of the two couches in the sitting room.

“Good quiet.” He answered with a bit of a nod as he sat down on the couch across from her.

“Good.” Katie said with a small smile.

Things had fallen comfortably quiet between them for a few minutes when Elijah looked around. “I just realized there is not a t.v. in your quarters.”

“Yeah, so?” she asked with a confused shake of her head.

“So, how can you watch your man if there’s not a t.v. in your room?” he asked with a smirk.

“My man?” she asked, still confused.

“The crossbow wielding man with angel wings on his back and in dire need of a bath.” He described making Katie wrinkle her nose at the memory of her telling Elijah that Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead was her man. “Or do you only have eyes for Klaus these days?”

“Yes, I only have eyes for Klaus, but I am also a red blooded American woman who can’t deny that Daryl Dixon is very attractive.” Katie told him honestly.

“And who pray tell is Daryl Dixon?” Katie heard Klaus’s voice behind her and turned to see him walk into the room having caught the end of her sentence.

“A fictional character from her favorite t.v. show.” Elijah answered for her as he stood up and Klaus walked around the couch and sat down next to her. “Blue eyes, dirty blond hair, questionable people skills…It seems she has a type.” Elijah said then saw himself out.

“You know, now that I think about it, the guy that plays Daryl is also an artist. Maybe I do have a type.” She thought out loud.

“You’re trying to make me jealous aren’t you?” Klaus asked with a glare to which she just held up her fingers in a pinching manner with a devious smile.

He glared at her and let a low, playful growl rumble up from his throat. “Okay,” she laughed, holding her hands up in surrender, “before you go all Big Bad Wolf on me…what did Father Kieran need?”

“He asked me to compel Camille to leave town.” He told her and she frowned. “The look on your face tells me I was right to seek your council before compelling her.”

“Why does he want her to leave town exactly?” she asked as she turned, pulling one of her knees up on the couch to face him.

“It seems compelling her to sleep easy and accept that her brother simply snapped, hasn’t had the desired effect. Her pursuit of what happened to her memories is leading her closer and closer to the dangerous truth. Father Kieran doesn’t want her to get mixed up in our world. I’ve stopped compelling her since moving here, but it’s too late. If I don’t compel her to leave she will get mixed up in all of this and you know better than anyone what happens to the people that get pulled into our world.” He explained.

“I also know that unfortunately some people are just meant to get mixed up in our world and will do so no matter what compulsion is worked on them.” She added. “Take Jeremy for example. Damon compelled him to leave town and forget about Vicki. He did, but Kol found him and pulled him back in. You can compel Cami to leave, but if someone wants to get to Father Kieran again they will just go after her and pull her back in. I’m not sure compelling her to leave and taking away her choice in the matter is the answer.”

“So do you think we should just let her find out the truth on her own?” he asked curiously.

“I think you should ask her what she wants. It was clear when I met her that she felt like she was going insane and compelling her to leave won’t fix that or the gaps in her memory.” She answered.

“Have you been compelled before?” Klaus asked.

“Nope and I hope it never happens. Which is why I picked up this while we were in the mansion.” She said as she pulled her vervain necklace from Damon out of her pocket. I figured since I can’t ingest vervain I could wear it just in case.” She explained.

He took in a deep breath and breathed it out. “So exactly what do you suggest I do?”

“Let her remember everything.” She started.

“She will despise me.” he pointed out.

“Maybe, but there’s also the chance that by letting her have a say and giving her back her free will she won’t. She may even choose for you to cover up everything supernatural with a story fabricated by her and choose to leave on her own. But I firmly believe it needs to be an educated decision on her part and that you need to respect her decision whatever it may be.”

“It will anger the priest if she doesn’t leave.” He pointed out.

“Just because he is her family doesn’t mean he knows what’s best for her or that he gets to dictate her life.” Katie shrugged. “Telling her everything includes that her uncle knows about vampires and witches. I didn’t agree with Elena messing with Jeremy’s memories and I didn’t use compulsion a lot when I was a vampire for a reason. I don’t like playing god and messing with people’s free will.” Klaus sighed and turned away from her as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped. “You know, just because you come to me for advice, doesn’t mean I’ll get mad if you don’t take it. I trust you to do whatever you think is best.”

“I’m just trying to figure out if I should warn Father Kieran of what I intend to do before we talk to Cami.” He said then sat up and looked at her.

“We?” Katie asked.

“I would like you to come with me. My presence tends to put her on edge however last I checked you managed to win her favor.” He told her with a look in his eyes that told her he was set on taking her advice.

“Okay.” She gave him a nod. “I’ll go with you.”

TVDTVDTVD

Katie stood next to Klaus who knocked on the door of Cami’s apartment. After a few seconds she answered, looking confused for a second before she remembered them. “What do you want?” she asked him with a glare, her eyes darting back and forth between the couple.

“We just want to talk.” Katie told her.

“According to your uncle you are on edge and not yourself.” Klaus added.

“And you’re here to what, compel me not to be?” Cami asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Actually I was going to take your uncle’s advice and compel you to leave town. However after discussing things, we,” he looked at Katie then back at Cami, “believe that wouldn’t clear the root of your anxiety.” Klaus stated. “May we come in for a chat?” he asked with a motion inside considering the couple was still standing in the hallway.

“Sure, why not.” She answered sarcastically and stepped aside letting them in.

After explaining everything to her, she stared at them with tears in her eyes. “My uncle has known what happened to Sean this whole time?” she asked with a whisper and Katie nodded. “Why are you telling me about all of this if I’m just going to forget it when you leave?”

“Because we want to give you a choice in the matter.” Klaus answered then looked at Katie.

“Knowing what you do about this city is dangerous.” Katie took over. “It may very well mean the death of you, but we don’t want to manipulate you anymore. You can choose to remember everything, a little or nothing at all.” Katie explained. “Point is…how much you want to remember, if you leave or stay…it’s your choice.”

Cami just stared at them. “You do not have to decide today.” Klaus told her

“I want to remember, everything about everyone.” Cami answered, her stunning green eyes wide and watery.

“You’re sure?” Katie asked, needing to know that this was truly what she wanted.

“I’m positive.” Cami answered with a wide eyed nod.

“Okay.” Klaus answered then moved to kneel in front of Cami, placed his fingertips on her cheek and looked her in the eyes. “You will no longer forget about us when we leave your sight and you will remember everything. You…are…free.”

As Klaus stood up Cami blinked out of the compulsion then looked up at him. “Thank you, both of you.” when she looked at Katie she gave her a nod and a small smile.

“You’re welcome, although I’m sure your uncle will not be happy with me.” Klaus replied.

“Probably not, but he’ll just have to get over it.” Cami said as she stood up and crossed her arms over her chest with a smirk.

TVDTVDTVD

“What do you think about me letting Thierry out of the garden?” Klaus asked as they walked into their quarters.

“I don’t know.” Katie answered as she set her shoulder bag on the table by the door. “He’s only in there because you set him up. So he doesn’t really belong there, but at the same time if you let him out he might want revenge.”

“Or perhaps if I issue him a pardon he will be thankful enough to not try anything stupid.” He countered as he grabbed her hips and pulled her close.

“I’ve never met Thierry.” She answered as she slipped her hands up his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s totally your call.”

“What about if I tell you I’m thinking about asking Diego to lead a rousting of the caldron?” he asked with a look at her eyes.

“Why?” she asked.

“With the loss of Davina we no longer have the edge over the witches. Not only will a rousting keep up the morale, but it will remind the witches who is in charge.” He answered. “I’m also hoping Marcel might join them. Getting back at the witches might do him some good.”

“If it will entertain the men and keep them happy along with keeping the witches on their toes then I say have at it.” Katie answered then pecked him on the lips.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie stood to the side of the courtyard watching as Klaus walked in with Thierry and announced to the handful of the top men that Thierry had been pardoned. They all clapped and welcomed Thierry home. “Well, you’re in a good mood.” Marcel said from where he sat at one of the patio tables with a bottle of bourbon and a glass. “You should visit Mystic Falls more often.”

“Well, as much as I’d like to, I have pressing responsibilities here.” Klaus said then got the attention of the people around him. “Now, as you all know, the witch Davina is no longer with us. Without Davina we can no longer monitor the activity of our witch neighbors. However, since their harvest failed their magic will soon be gone forever.”

Elijah walked up to stand beside Katie with his hand tucked into the pockets of his suit pants. “Was letting Thierry out your idea?”

“No, it was his.” Katie answered not looking away from Klaus.

“And the rousting?” Elijah asked.

“Also his idea to keep the witches on their toes and lift morale.” She answered seeing Marcel grab his bottle and walk away, not interested in the rousting. “Although it’s not working for Marcel, not that I thought it would.”

TVDTVDTVD

Katie, Elijah, Klaus, Diego and a few of the daywalkers stood in the courtyard looking at the two desiccated daywalkers that were killed at the rousting. A small symbol carved on their foreheads. “Someone will die for this.” Klaus stated.

Elijah kneeled, looking at the forehead of one of the men. “Remarkably, I don’t disagree. However I would like to know where they learned such dark magic.” Elijah stood up and turned to Klaus who stood next to Katie with his hand on her lower back. “I had hoped never to see that symbol again.”

“I recall it is the signature of a fool who once stood against us. Clearly, some upstart witch is salvaging old tricks. I’ll do for him as I did the other.” Klaus said then walked over to Diego. “Diego, when night falls, I want you to gather every vampire in the quarter. Get me the head of whoever did this and put it on a stick.”

“Yeah, that’s gonna be a problem.” Diego replied and Katie frowned. “Everyone’s freaked out man. We haven’t had witches killing vampires in a long time. Marcel made sure of that.”

“Marcel has run off like a scared child.” Klaus replied and clapped his hand down on Diego’s shoulder. “You lot are left with me.” he took his hand off Diego’s shoulder and back away, turning his eyes to the other daywalkers. “Now, who of you will fight to defend our home?” no one said anything. “Not a single one of you will stand with me. So afraid are you of this new threat? You should know better.” Klaus looked away from them to Katie to see her giving the daywalkers a frowning glare. “I’ll handle this myself.”

Katie and Elijah watched Klaus walk out like the man on a mission that he was. Katie looked at the daywalkers, scoffed with a roll of her eyes and started to walk off. “You got something to say, queen?” the female daywalker with dark hair spiked up into a mohawk asked.

“Actually yeah, I do.” Katie answered as she walked over. “You were all given the privilege of a daylight ring to protect this city. And now when you’re needed most you tuck your tails and hide? The hell kind of soldier cowers from a fight?”

“The kind that doesn’t bow to Klaus Mikaelson.” The tough looking brunette standing next to the mohawked woman answered. “And Marcel advised us to stay out of the fight with the witches.”

“Marcel is stuck in a cloud of grief and not thinking clearly. Or did you all forget how much he cared about Davina?” Katie asked with furrowed brows. “The fact of the matter is your people, your fellow vampires, are being threatened and you’re just going to stand back and watch. How is that the right thing to do?”

“Is right because it keeps us safe.” Mohawk girl argued.

“Oh my god.” Katie laughed with a look at Elijah as she threw her hands up in frustration. “Why do I even bother when it’s clear you are all a bunch of selfish fools?” as she turned toward the stairs she saw Diego look at her as if he agreed with her then back at his people. Contrary to the tone he took with her at the dinner Klaus threw when they first moved back into the compound, Katie actually liked Diego. Of course he was loyal to Marcel, but he also seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. Elijah followed her up to what she was starting to think of as the common room. She made herself comfortable on the couch and Elijah went to the bar in the corner of the room and poured himself a drink. “Should I have kept my mouth shut?”

“No.” Elijah answered without a second thought. “You are their queen and as such you have the right to speak your mind.”

“But what if what I have to say isn’t the right thing or if I make things worse?” she asked with a sigh. “You and Klaus built this place, you both have experience at being leaders. I’m just a weirdo that lived two lives and has never been given authority over anything before.”

“Based on what I just witnessed, I believe you will do just fine.” Elijah answered honestly as he walked over and sat in the armchair across from her. Katie just grabbed a throw pillow as she leaned her head back then pressed it to her face with a groan. Elijah smirked at her dramatics.

TVDTVDTVD

When night fell Katie started to worry about Klaus and went down to the courtyard to wait and found Elijah pacing with his phone to his ear. When he pulled it away and hung up Katie gave him a look that asked what was wrong. “Rebekah’s not answering her phone.”

“You worried about her?” Katie asked as she tucked her hands into the front pocket of the dark grey hoodie with a pink Under Armour symbol of the front of it.

“Frankly I’m worried that she had something to do with this. She’s very displeased with Niklaus.” He told her with a worried frown.

“Well, she does love to conspire against him.” Katie said with a tilt of her head.

“Yes and I believe this time she’s had help.” He told her as he turned his eyes to Thierry, sitting at a patio table by himself in the courtyard littered with other vampires, mostly night walkers lounging around. “Thierry, is it?” Elijah asked as he and Katie walked over to him.

“That’s right.” Thierry answered skeptically.

“My sister is rather fond of you. It's strange, she’s not typically drawn to unremarkable men.” Thierry looked at him with fear in his eyes. “Would you care to explain your sudden magnetism?”

“I don’t know what you’re-” with a woosh Elijah grabbed Theirry by his neck and pinned him to the wall of the arching hallway that led to the front doors.

“You can either tell me what you know or I can distribute tiny pieces of you throughout the quarter.” Elijah told him as Katie rushed over to them.

“She asked me to keep and eye out on witch stuff.” Thierry answered with a groan. “I found something and when I showed her we were jumped by some guy. He desiccated her with his touch.”

Elijah who had loosened his grip a little while Thierry was talking slammed his head back into the wall again. “Like a coward, you left her.”

“What was I supposed to do, fight some warlock that took out an original?” Thierry asked in fear of his life.

Katie pushed her hair back out of her face. “Where did you leave Rebekah?”

“The docks, warehouse 57.” Thierry answered while looking at Elijah. “I was just doing what she asked.” He looked at Katie. “You cannot tell Klaus about this.”

Elijah threw Thierry head first into the wall behind them. “We shall take that into consideration.” He gave Katie a smirk then started for the doors.

“Take me with you.” Elijah turned and gave her a look that told her she was out of her mind. “As much as I like my home I don’t feel safe in it without you, Klaus or Rebekah here. It’s no secret these people don’t like me.”

Elijah pondered it for a moment. “You do not leave my side, understand?”

“Yep.” She answered, popping the p at the end of the word as she headed for the door.

Elijah grabbed her hand, stopping her. “I am serious.”

“I know, Elijah, but you and your brother need to remember that while I am human and pregnant I’m not made of glass. I know my limits.”

He took his hand off her wrist. “Very well then.” He pulled the large wooden door open and waved her out.

TVDTVDTVD

They found Rebekah in the warehouse lying in the center of a salt circle with other witchy symbols drawn in salt, and a dead snake inside of it. When they tried to step inside it and get her out they hit an invisible wall. “Of course there would be a boundary spell keeping us out.” Katie sighed then kicked the wall.

Elijah saw the symbol on her forehead. “Someone’s channeling her. Typically it’s a lethal process, but because she’s an original, she can’t die. Instead she’s an endless source of power.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know how to break this kind of boundary spell would you?” Katie asked and he shook his head, his brown eyes wide with worry. “I’ll call Bonnie, you try Sophie.” He gave her a nod and they both pulled out their cell phones.

Sophie answered before Bonnie so Katie gave up and listened to Elijah talking to Sophie who was on speaker phone. “You’re not listening. We cannot enter the circle. There’s some kind of confinement spell or… If I can’t remove her, we can’t break the link.” Elijah explained.

“It’s a convoluted spell. It’s like a witch’s recipe. You can spoil the balance by adding a more potent ingredient, a mystical binding agent.” As Sophie spoke, Elijah turned to Katie with wide eyes then kneeled near the circle. “I don’t know, volcanic ash, rock salt, anything up to and including eye of newt.”

“What about the blood of a witch?” Elijah asked and Katie placed her hands on her stomach.

“Do you have the blood of a witch?” Sophie asked, confused and Elijah hung up on her as he looked from the circle to Katie. “I need a favor.”

Without a second thought Katie held her hand out to Elijah and watched as he took it and bit the fleshy part of her hand between her pinky and wrist. Like usual Katie didn’t even flinch from the pain his sharp fangs piercing her soft skin caused. When they held her hand over the outer line of salt and dripped her blood on it the salt started to bubble and smoke, working its way around the circle back to her blood droplets. “Did it work?” Her question was answered when Elijah stepped into the circle, picked up Rebekah and whooshed her out of it.

“So I’m guessing you want me to keep the fact that Rebekah is conspiring with Thierry to myself?” Katie asked as she slid into the passenger seat of Elijah’s Lincoln.

“Yes.” Elijah answered as he shut the back driver’s side door having laid Rebekah in the back seat. “If you wouldn’t mind.”

“I don’t like keeping secrets from him, but…” she paused as she grabbed the seat belt strap and buckled herself in, “he has asked me to let him worry about Rebekah and to not stress over her. So, I will let you two worry about your sister while I worry about whoever is behind these weird marks on people’s heads.”

“His name was Papa Tunde.” Elijah started, then proceeded to tell her about the dark witch and former leader of the French quarter coven in the early twentieth century. How he used sacrificial magic to gain the power needed to make the city the witches once again. But Klaus studied him, figured out his strengths and weakness and in doing so figured out that Papa Tunde was channeling the power of his twin sons, killed them, then killed Papa Tunde.

When Rebekah woke up she informed them that it wasn’t a copycat, Papa Tunde was alive.

TVDTVDTVD

“Elijah has informed me that you had a talk with the inner circle.” Klaus said as he walked out onto the balcony where Katie was sitting on the patio couch looking through Davina’s drawings.

“They poked, I bit back.” She answered honestly as she kept her eyes on the drawings she was flipping through.

“He also said you handled yourself well and did a good job of putting them in their place.” He said as he took the papers from her hands, shut the large folder they were in and set them on the table.

“Yet they didn’t venture out to help you did they?” she asked as he sat down on the couch beside her and pulled her to straddle his lap.

“No,” he answered as she rested her hands on his chest and his held her outer thighs, “but you did.”

She lifted her eyes to his, a hint of guilt in them. “Are you angry?”

“No.” his answer surprised her and her face showed it. “He said you didn’t feel safe here without one of us around and I never want you to feel unsafe.” He moved his hands to hold her sides over the thick hoodie she still wore. “Now, as for the cowardly vampires, Marcel and I have discussed giving them an ultimatum. Either they stay and prove themselves to me or they get out of my city.”

“The only thing I know about an army is when they aren’t acting like one.” She replied as she moved her hands to hold the sides of his neck. “If you and Marcel think this is what’s best then I trust you.” he gave her a small smile before he realized her hands were sucking the warmth out of his neck.

“Your hands are like ice, Love, what are you doing out here?” he asked as he took her hands off of his neck and started rubbing them to warm them up.

“Just thinking.” She answered. “We never figured out why Davina was drawing Celeste. It couldn’t have been to warn us that Sophie was going to use her magic to complete the harvest, there was no magic to consecrate.”

“Will you do me a favor and not freeze to death in the process of figuring it out?” he asked with puppy dog eyes.

She laughed. “Sure.” With a whoosh he brought her inside, shut the balcony door and set her on her feet near the fire that was lit in the fireplace.

“So would you like to stand with me while I give my speech?” he asked from where he stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her chest.

“No. Contrary to what they seem to think, I’m your queen, not theirs.” She answered. “I won’t be their queen until they respect me and they won’t respect me until they respect you. So, you lead the way and I’ll follow.” She said as she turned in his arms and pecked him on the lips.

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Katie stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard across from the one Klaus stood on, the vampires of the French Quarter gathered below. “Not long ago, you all united against me. You failed. Since then, in my benevolence, I have wiped the slate clean. Yet it seems clear you think that I am the one who needs to earn your respect, your loyalty. You’re mistaken.” Klaus spoke, looking down at the vampires. “It is you who must prove yourselves to me. Our community is under attack. I require soldiers. I need warriors, not cowards.” He held his hands out at the people below. “Each of you has a decision to make. You either fight alongside me, or you leave…Now.”

The vampires started murmuring amongst themselves, no one moving until Thierry stepped up and looked up at Klaus. “We don’t owe you anything.” The vampires stopped talking and looked at Thierry. “If staying in the quarter means living under your rule, I’d just as soon get the hell out.” He turned and looked at Diego who gave him a look that told him he wasn’t leaving. Thierry shrugged and left. A little over a fourth of the vampires followed his lead. Katie noticed that none of the people that she had spoken to earlier that day left with Thierry and she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d made a difference or if they stayed because Marcel was still here.

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Klaus and Marcel shared a drink at the bar in the corner of the common room while Katie sat on the sofa and Sophie stood near the lighted bookshelf that was built into the wall on each side of the fireplace and held records and a record player. “I’ve got no reason to help you, and I sure as hell don’t have a reason to help him.” Sophie told Klaus with a motion at Marcel.

“Now, now, don’t be difficult, love.” Klaus told Sophie as he moved to sit at the table in the room. “You’ll only live as long as you’re of use to us and right now, your best use is to explain why a witch I killed 100 years ago has come back for revenge.”

“Come on, resurrected witches with vast power?” Sophie told them as if they should be able to figure it out. “It’s the harvest. Four girls were meant to die and be reborn. I don’t know how, but someone jacked that power and they used it to bring back 4 witches…just not the right ones.”

“So there’s still a chance. If we can get that power back, we can save Davina.” Marcel said with an almost excited look between Klaus and Sophie.

“Let’s concentrate on the immediate problem, shall we?” Klaus asked. “Papa Tunde wants revenge. He’ll continue to attack us, channeling power from the vampires he sacrifices. He kills, he grows more dangerous. So, how do I end him?” Klaus asked, talking with his hands as he thought out loud.

“He needs sacrifices to gain power.” Sophie pointed out. “Keep him from killing anymore nightwalkers, that’s a start.”

“Unless…” Klaus looked up at Marcel, “he finds the one place with a load of vampires ready to be sacrificed.”

“The garden.” Katie thought out loud.

“The garden.” Klaus confirmed with a nod as he stood up and he and Marcel headed for the door. “Katie-”

“I’ll stay here.” she told him and he gave her a thankful nod before he disappeared out of her sight.

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Katie was eating a small dinner in their quarters when Klaus came in and sat down across from her with a glass of blood in his hand. “He got to the garden and drained every last soul in it.”

She took the last bite of her salad and pushed the empty bowl away. “So now what do we do?”

“I say we figure that out in the morning.” He sounded tired as he lifted his eyes to hers. With that one look she knew exactly what he needed. So as soon as he was done with his glass of blood she walked around the table and held his hand out to hers. He put his in hers and let her lead him to their bedroom.

“Lay in the center of the bed, arms outstretched and eyes closed please.” She told him and he gave her a curious look. “Just do it.” she told him then disappeared into the bathroom. When she came back out she found him lying as she said, minus his shirt. “I didn’t ask you to take your shirt off.” She laughed.

“You didn’t ask me not to either.” He pointed out with a smirk keeping his eyes closed. “Will it be a problem?”

Katie picked up his shirt from where he had put it on the bed and replaced her own with it, loving the spicy scent of his cologne. “Nope. You know I love the view.” She answered as she sat down beside him, squeezed some hand cream into her palm and rubbed her hands together to warm it up before she picked up his hand and worked the cream into his skin.

“What are you doing?” he asked only to get shushed by her which made him chuckle. However, his laugh was cut off when she dug her thumbs into the heel of his palm and slid them outward. She repeated the action up his arm, halfway to his elbow, then back down and focused on one of her favorite parts of his body.

After spending a good ten minutes kneading every muscle and joint of his left hand she straddled him and kissed her ways across his chest then sat down at his right side. Another content sigh left his relaxed, parted lips when she started massaging his other hand. When she’d spent just as much time on his right hand as she did the left she started working her way up his arm, but before she could massage any further he grabbed the back of her neck with one hand, wrapped the other around her waist and rolled her over so that he was hovering above her. “You’re too good to me.” his blue eyes looked lovingly into hers.

“I would argue that I don’t show how much I appreciate you often enough.” She argued as she slid her hands from his sides that she’d grabbed out of instinct, up to rest on his chest, feeling the beating of his heart.

“You don’t have to. It’s in your eyes every time you look at me.” he said then caught her bottom lip between his and she sighed into the gentle yet intense kiss.

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Katie sat on the bed watching Klaus get dressed for the first public service at Saint Ann’s since Sean massacred his fellow seminary students and himself. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me and get out of the compound for a bit?”

“Yeah.” She answered. “We still don’t know where Papa Tunde is. Plus, I stopped being a beliver somewhere around 1822.” She slipped off the bed and walked over to him as he shrugged on his jacket.

“So you said that these people won’t respect you until they respect me.” he started as he put his hands on her hips and Katie hummed a positive answer. “I feel like I have forced the position of queen of the French quarter on you.”

“Maybe a little.” She agreed with a so-what shrug.

“Do you even want to be their queen?” he asked.

“I don’t feel like I deserve the position, but you’re their king and I’m your partner in crime. It only makes sense that I’m queen.” She reasoned.

“Yes, but is it something you want?” he asked with a pointed look.

“I haven’t thought much about it to be honest, so I don’t know if it’s something I want.” She shrugged with a frown.

“Okay, to help you decide, why don’t we use today as a trial run.” He offered.

“What do you mean?” she asked with a confused shake of her head.

“While Marcel and I are out, if a problem arises Diego will come to you with it.” he told her and she just stared at him with wide eyes. “You don’t have to. If you feel better with how things are now, with you behind the scenes, I will be fine with that too.”

She thought about it for a minute. She never saw herself as a leader but since coming to New Orleans she’d been helping as Klaus said, behind the scenes, but if she stepped up as Queen she’d be putting herself directly in the limelight working with Diego and Marcel. Was that really something she wanted? “I want to stay behind the scenes. If I change my mind later I’ll let you know.” She answered and then looked at the clock. “You better get going or you’ll be late.” He pecked her on the lips then left.

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Katie was bundled up in a hoodie and yoga pants, reading a book on the private balcony when a knock sounded from the door of their quarters. So she closed her book and answered it revealing Diego on the other side. “Hey, Klaus isn’t here.”

“I know, but I thought you should know the witches left us a package in the courtyard.” He told her then jerked his head for her to follow him.

“Did Klaus ask you to keep me in the loop?” Katie asked, sounding confused as she followed him.

“Na, but you’re our queen now right?” he asked as they walked down the stairs.

“Seems that way.” As they walked into the courtyard the bright white suit of Papa Tunde caught her eyes. “What the hell…?” she asked, taking in the slit across the dead man’s neck.

“Either our witch problems are over, or they’re just getting started.” Diego told her as he too looked down at the body.

“I’m gonna go with just getting started.” Katie said, noticing that the symbol he was laying on was the one he used to channel the power of his offerings. “He doesn’t have the mark on his head.” she thought out loud.

“Yeah, so?” Diego asked, sounding more confused than snarky.

“So whoever killed him thankfully didn’t absorb his power.” She answered. “Which was a lot considering he drained the entire garden last night.” She looked over the body in thought. “It also mean’s he most likely didn’t become anyone’s sensei during the short time he was on our side. No smart witch would let power like that go unclaimed.” She looked up from the body to Diego. ”Sorry if you had friends in the garden.”

“I didn’t,” he answered, “but a few did walk away.”

“Well, for what it’s worth I’m glad you stayed.” She told him as she tucked her hands into the pocket of her hoodie then looked at the other inner circle vampires standing around the courtyard, including the two women that had sassed her the day before. “All of you.”

“Yeah, well, getting called a coward by a human tends to make you rethink your actions.” Mohawk girl said with a tilt of her head and a shrugged shoulder.

“I see my lovely queen is already on top of things.” Klaus said as he walked into the courtyard with Marcel.

“If by on top of things you mean gawking and trying to figure out how someone as powerful as him ended up with a slit throat and left in our courtyard then yeah, I’m on top of things.” Katie answered a little sarcastically.

Elijah came downstairs and kneeled down by the body. After a few minutes of Elijah looking Tunde over Klaus asked, “Can I get you anything brother, a magnifying glass, a pipe perhaps?”

“Do you have a theory that you’d like to share with us, Niklaus?” Elijah asked.

“Back in the day, if the witches wanted to send a threat, they’d just kill a chicken and leave it on your doorstep.” Marcel spoke up.

“It’s a rather large and ominous chicken, wouldn’t you say?” Elijah asked as he stood up.

“Papa Tunde defeated Rebekah with ease, almost got the two of us as well. If he was supposed to be their prized fighter, why leave him for dead in our front yard?” Klaus asked.

Before anyone else could say anything Rebekah walked in. “Well, don’t you all look cheery?” she asked as she joined the circle around Papa Tunde. “Listen to this. A girl literally exploded from a grave today as Sabine was giving her tour of the city of the dead.” Everyone perked up giving her their full attention. “It was Monique Deveraux.”

“What?” both Katie and Klaus asked at the same time.

“The tourists thought it was part of the show, but the witches are celebrating like it’s some kind of bloody miracle.” Rebekah told them. Katie realized then that Papa Tunde’s death redirected the magic that raised him back to the rightful owner, Monique.

“Maybe it is. They think that all hope is lost, but now suddenly a harvest girl is resurrected.” Marcel said, his brain taking the same path as Katie’s. “This is how we’re gonna get Davina back. Kill the witch that took her place.”

“Well, Davina was drawing pictures of a dead witch.” Katie spoke up making everyone look at her. “It stands to reason that Celeste could be the witch that took her place.”

“First Papa Tunde returns to settle old scores.” Klaus said with a point to the dead Papa Tunde, then pointed at Elijah. “Now your murdered lover is back. This isn’t witches attacking vampires. They are declaring war on us.”

“Awesome.” Katie sighed letting her head fall forward.

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Katie was in the kitchen making herself an early lunch when Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah found her. “Okay, what’s with the family gathering?” she asked with suspicious eyes.

“We would like to talk to you about your safety here.” Elijah answered.

“Mkay.” She drawled.

“With three more resurrected witches out and about we think it would be best if you left the quarter for a little while.” Klaus told her.

“So, as your future sister in law, I’d like to accompany you to the plantation house.” Rebekah said with a hopeful smile.

Katie looked at Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah then back at Klaus. “And you all agree that this is what’s best?” she asked and he nodded. “Then I’ll go.”

“That seems too easy.” Rebekah pointed out skeptically.

“Well, you guys have a war on your hands. You need all hands on deck and my puny human ones, fighting skills and magic muting bombs aside, are more of an obstacle than an asset.” She pointed out.

“Magic muting bombs?” Rebekah asked with a confused face.

“Bonnie gave me a going away present.” She explained. “Bombs like the vervain one Elena used on you after Rose and what’s his face kidnapped her.” she told Elijah. “Only these are full of a crushed herb that when inhaled by a witch will mute their power. But I only have three and I need to save them for when, slash if my back is ever against the wall.”

“Leave it to the Bennett witch.” Rebekah said clearly impressed.

“You two can’t think clearly if you’re constantly worrying about me and the baby.” she told Klaus and Elijah then looked at Rebekah. “So I’ll go pack a bag and meet you out front. I’m driving.”

“But your car’s a junker.” Rebekah argued.

“It is not a junker, it’s well loved and the only thing I’ve ever earned and paid for myself. I just got it back, I’m driving.” Katie argued making Klaus and Elijah smirk at her as she left the kitchen, her bowl of lunch in her hand.

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“I had hoped to not spend another night in this house again any time soon.” Katie complained as she and Rebekah rocked in the rocking chairs on the front porch, taking in the cold night air.

“Yet you agreed to come here.” Rebekah pointed out. “With me even though you don’t trust me.”

“I don’t trust you when it comes to your attempts to thwart Klaus’s rule, but I do trust you when it comes to keeping this baby, and therefore me, safe.” Katie corrected her then hugged herself. Even in the thick hoodie she was freezing. “I’m gonna turn in for the night.”

Instead of going to sleep Katie sat at the piano in a small room playing what her fingers could remember of what her mother had taught her. When her phone started ringing she pulled it out of her pocket to see that it was Elijah. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Where are you?” he asked, sounding worried.

“The plantation house where I’m supposed to be.” She answered with a frown.

“Where’s Rebekah?” he asked.

“Outside last I checked. Elijah, what’s wrong?” she asked as she stood from the piano headed to the front door.

“You were right. Celeste is back.” he told her as he pulled the front door open. “Niklaus, Rebekah, you’re all in danger.” As she tried to walk out the door slammed shut and Katie yelped. “Katie, you have to find Rebekah and stay with her until I get there.”

“Elijah, I can’t. Those stupid witches are trapping me in the house” she told him as she rushed to the back door only for it to catch fire making her yelp and jump back. “Damn it!”

“I’m on my way.” Elijah hung up. Every exit she tried burst into flames, the door to the rooms she ran through shut behind her until she was trapped in the piano room that wasn’t on fire, but when she tried to kick the window open a line of fire spread along the walls completely trapping her. Not knowing what else to do she took off the hoodie she was wearing and the tank top underneath, poured the glass of sweet tea she’d been drinking while playing the piano on the tank top then lowered herself to the floor where less smoke was likely to be. Even with the filter she’d created, smoke still managed to make its way into her lungs making her cough. She was starting to feel light headed when Elijah whooshed in through a window, scooped her up, whooshed her out into the fresh air and laid her on the hard drive way out front. “Where’s Rebekah?”

“I don’t know.” Katie answered as she sat up still coughing. “Last I saw she was on the front porch.” He grabbed the hoodie she’d been clutching in her hand and pulled it over her head then helped her stand up and bit his wrist. She drank enough to heal her smoke ridden lungs then pushed it away.

“Aww you healed her. How sweet.” the voice of Sabine made them both turn from the house to see her walking up the drive to them. Elijah pushed Katie behind him with a defensive stance. “You won’t hurt me. I’m the only one alive who can break the curse on Hayley’s family.” Katie had no idea what curse she was talking about, but at the moment she didn’t care because another redheaded witch walked up to stand beside Sabine who Katie guessed was really Celeste. “And Genevieve knows where your sister is.” Another older witch joined the women. “Bastianna has Klaus tucked away someplace safe. He’s suffering horribly, I might add, and all because you chose to save the little human instead of your own blood.”

Elijah took a few steps toward Celeste and she held her hand up, the sickening crack of bones breaking filled the air a second before Elijah yelled out in pain and sank to his knees. “Stop!” Katie yelled as she rushed to Elijah’s side holding his shoulder, wishing she could help, but she’d stupidly left the grenades in her car. “Stop hurting him.”

“Oh I’m going to do more than hurt him.” Celeste told her then looked at Elijah. “What a horrific ending,” Celeste closed her hand into a fist causing Elijah to yell out again, “to your pathetic diseased family.” Celeste opened her hand and closed it again torturing Elijah. “I guess always isn’t forever after all.” Celeste twisted her fist snapping his neck before the three witches walked away. Not knowing what else to do Katie sat down next to Elijah and waited for him to wake up.

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“Marcel!” Elijah yelled as he and Katie walked into the compound courtyard. “Where is my brother?”

“I’ve got guys out looking for him right now.” Marcel answered with his hands held out in a calming manner. When two men stepped in front of Marcel, Elijah grabbed them and threw them aside.

“Was that really necessary?” Katie asked with a frown at Elijah’s temper.

“Klaus threw one of his classic temper tantrums, snapped my neck, tried to take on a coven of witches by himself. He got dropped.” Marcel explained. “I don’t know where he is or how to find him.”

“They also have Rebekah.” Elijah informed him then turned his eyes to the vampires around them. “Every! One of you, will help me to find them.” He pointed at the vampires then looked at Marcel. “I’m going to kill them all.”

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Katie was getting out of the shower from washing the stench of smoke from her hair and skin when she heard a knock on the door. So she threw on a robe and answered it to see Elijah. She stepped aside and jerked her head for him to come inside. “Are you okay?”

“Physically yeah, mentally not so much.” She answered as she went to the bedroom and grabbed a tank top and a pair of pajama bottoms. She changed in the bathroom and came back out to find Elijah leaning on the archway. “So the night walkers are looking for Klaus and Rebekah?” She asked as she sat down on the bed and pulled her leg up on it.

“Yes, I was going to join them, but I didn’t want to leave you unprotected.” He told her as he walked further into the room. “They are originals, they can’t die.”

“But I can.” She added. “Is that why you saved me? Because they can’t die but this baby and I can?”

“Yes.” He answered with a nod. “However I also gave you and Niklaus my word. I will not let anything happen to you or the child.”

“Well, whatever your reasons…thank you.” she told him with a tired blink.

“I will let you get some sleep.” He turned to leave.

But she stopped him, “Elijah?” he turned to her with questioning eyes. “I really don’t mean to send the wrong signal here and I have no right to ask after leaving you in the bayou with a werewolf bite, but I haven’t spent a night by myself since moving here and with the witches after revenge…” she shook her head. “Never mind.”

“I will stay, if that’s what you’re asking.” He told her seriously.

“That's what I’m asking.” She told him with a nod that he returned as he watched her slide under the sheet and comforter. He laid on the other side of the bed on top of the comforter facing her. After laying in the dark for a while Katie asked, “What curse was Sabine or Celeste or whatever she wants to be called, talking about?”

“Hayley’s family has been cursed to spend most of their time as wolves, only being human on the full moon.” He answered. Katie couldn’t help but wonder why that meant so much to him that Celeste though it was enough to keep her alive. She knew Elijah well enough to know that he’d either given Hayley his word that he’d help her break the curse on her people in return for helping him during his time in the bayou or he’d developed feelings for Hayley. “You can ask whatever it is you’re not asking. I hide nothing from you.”

“Why does the fact that Celeste is the only one who can break that curse matter to you so much that it would keep you from killing her?” she asked. “I mean why would you go out of your way to break a curse on werewolves without there being something in it for you or someone you care about?”

“I have given Hayley my word that I would help her people.” He answered. “I also started courting her during the week you were gone with Niklaus.” Forgetting that he could see her even though she couldn’t see him she smiled. “This pleases you?”

“If she brings you even the slightest bit of happiness then, yes, it pleases me.” she answered then yawned. “The sooner I go to sleep the sooner I can help you find Klaus. So, goodnight, Elijah.”

“Goodnight.”

#The originals #the originals fanfiction #the originals klaus #the originals elijah #the originals rebekah #the vampire diaries fanfiction #elijah x oc #elijah x oc fanfiction #klaus x oc fanfiction #klaus x oc #tvd #klaus mikaelson x oc fanfiction #keeping secrets #phoenix rising #fanfiction.net

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aion-rsa · 3 years ago

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Marvel’s What If…? Episode 1 Review: Peggy Carter Changes MCU History

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This review contains spoilers for What If…? episode 1.

What If…? is the latest Marvel Studios small screen project to arrive on Disney+ after much fanfare. The animated anthology show, created by Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia writer A.C. Bradley and Marvel storyboard vet Bryan Andrews, aims to explore alternate timelines in the MCU multiverse. In order to fully grasp the basic premise of What If…? as a whole it helps to have watched Marvel’s Loki, which recently introduced the multiverse to the MCU.

What If…? episode 1, “What If… Captain Carter Were The First Avenger?,” focuses on a (mainly) WWII-era version of Peggy Carter who made a key alternate choice that affected the creation of Captain America in a major way.

It’s a fun episode! Your mileage may vary depending on how much you love Peggy Carter, but since I love her a whole lot I had a good time watching this. The main downside, I suspect, to any of these installments, is that they’re inherently redundant. As far as we know, none of the fantastical concepts here will bleed into the live-action MCU. But if you’re here for a good time and not a long time, What If…? should make for a neat weekly diversion.

Our What If…? reviews are going to adopt a different format. More of a “breakdown” that we hope will still satisfy regular readers but also help younger viewers and those less familiar with the MCU keep up.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at “What If… Captain Carter Were The First Avenger?”

Required viewing

In terms of understanding the central characters and how things changed inside the branch timeline featured in this first episode, we would recommend revisiting Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter, and the opening act of The Avengers. If you’re on a full Peggy Carter binge, why not add both seasons of ABC’s live-action Agent Carter series to your watchlist, too?

What’s different?

This episode explored what would have happened if Steve Rogers was unable to take the super soldier serum during World War II and Peggy Carter volunteered to become Dr. Abraham Erskine’s lab rat instead.

Peggy’s “what if…?” was deciding to stand her ground and stay in the room while the serum was administered during the iconic transformation sequence featured in Captain America: The First Avenger. She then had a chance to intervene in the Hydra bombing, but Steve got caught up in the action and was subsequently shot.

With time running out to perform the super soldier process, Peggy jumped into the machine and went on to become Captain Carter, having all the physical powers of Captain America along with a different costume and an altered shield with a Union Jack at its center.

Steve was badly injured and had to undergo intense physiotherapy while Peggy trained to be the best she could be. Their relationship blossomed and, thanks to Howard Stark, Steve took on the role of her sidekick in a Tesseract-powered Hydra Stomper – basically an early version of the Iron Man suit. Meanwhile, Peggy faced interference from Colonel John Flynn, who was regularly on hand to pour out a stream of misogyny regarding her place in the fight.

In a familiar First Avenger train sequence, Peggy went on an altered mission with Steve, Bucky Barnes and the Howling Commandos to take out the Red Skull, however it was Steve who ended up falling from the train in this timeline and not Bucky, so it stands to reason that Bucky wouldn’t then go on to become the Winter Soldier.

Other more minor changes include Peggy probably not making out with her own niece during any Civil War shenanigans in the future – and please do not direct me to any fan art depicting that scenario in the comments, I beg you.

In the end, the Red Skull used the Tesseract to summon a tentacled “champion of Hydra” and Peggy had to sacrifice herself to push it back back into the space portal from whence it came. She emerged from the portal pre-The Avengers’ Battle of New York.

Who are the voices?

Jeffrey Wright plays the show’s narrator, Uatu The Watcher, and he’ll be here for every episode.

Returning to voice their characters from Captain America: The First Avenger were Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan, Toby Jones as Arnim Zola, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine. Other MCU actors joining in were Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Ross Marquand as the Red Skull, reprising his role from Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame.

Bradley Whitford may seem like a new addition as the arrogant Colonel John Flynn, but he previously portrayed the character in the live-action Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter released back in 2013, so even in the Sacred Timeline Flynn continued to be a thorn in Peggy’s side for quite a while.

The elephant in the room here is Steve Rogers. Chris Evans did not add his voice to the What If…? mix, so it was up to Marvel animation alum Josh Keaton to stand in for Evans, and he honestly did a really good job of it all things considered.

Standout moments

I gotta say it was truly wild for me to witness Captain Carter have adventures onscreen at all! It was obviously great to see Peggy kicking ass with her enhanced strength – the serum only beefed up her already brave and competent nature – but this version of the character has something of a unique origin, having been concocted as a kind of throwaway addition to the match-3 game Marvel Puzzle Quest in 2016. A couple of years later, Saladin Ahmed added her to the pages of Marvel Comics in Exiles #3, and it clearly didn’t take Marvel Studios long to figure out how to apply the enthusiastic Captain Carter fan response to an MCU project.

Peggy riding Steve’s Iron Man-esque Hydra Stomper into a dogfight during the WWII montage sequence was a delight, frankly. The animation in most of the fighting sequences was terrific and really took golden opportunities to reach for the kind of punching, kicking, shield-throwing ballet that the live-action format could never quite achieve with its restrictions of reality.

I found myself slowly warming to What If…?’s animation style, which I probably still wouldn’t describe as my favorite if I’m honest. I love the What If? comics, and this series felt like an opportunity to really push the weirdness envelope a little more. You only have to look at what Netflix accomplished with its anthology series Love, Death & Robots to see how differently a What If? series that embraced other styles and voices could have gone, but I grew up on Saturday morning cartoons, stop motion, Fantastic Planet, and Heavy Metal, so forgive me for briefly imagining the possibilities of this project in a wilder sense.

One of the oddest standout moments for me was when the episode subverted my expectations somewhat. After Steve was seemingly killed during the train heist, I thought the creators of the show were all set to explore him becoming the Winter Soldier, and I have to admit the idea intrigued me a little! However, it didn’t go down like that, and I was left to mentally wander down a different “what if…?” rabbit hole alone.

How does it work out?

In the future, Nick Fury used the Tesseract to transport Peggy back from wherever she ended up after she entered the portal, and it looks like she joined the Infinity Saga-era Avengers Initiative in Steve’s place. Whether it all worked out well for this episode’s specific MCU timeline remains to be seen, but it would be really fun to see if Agent Coulson had a pack of Captain Carter trading cards!

More to come

Episode 1 played like a pilot for an ongoing Captain Carter series for good reason: What If…? has been confirmed to include at least one Peggy Carter installment in every season going forwards.

“A lot of the season one episodes are riffing off certain points in the cinematic universe and maybe even delving in a certain phase, but we need to expand and explore more things, so we had to come up with other ideas that were a little further down the timeline,” director Bryan Andrews told us, later adding “Peggy Carter is pretty awesome; Captain Carter is pretty awesome, we’d love to see more of her.”

Marvel’s What If…? is now streaming weekly on Disney+ every Wednesday.

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jemfisch · 4 years ago

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⌠ MASON GOODING, 21, CISMALE, HE/HIM ⌡ welcome back to gallagher academy, JEREMY “JEM” FISCHMAN II! according to their records, they’re a SECOND YEAR year, specializing in ADVANCED ENCRYPTION & “MACGUYVER” SURVIVAL SKILLS AND NAVIGATION; and they DID NOT go to a spy prep high school. when i see them walking around in the halls, i usually see a flash of (old hip hop blaring from headphones, a broken crtv with the cords ripped out and repurposed, the smell of spray paint graffiti, brightly colored shirts with 80s patterns). when it’s the (cancer)’s birthday on 06/23/99, they always request their ICE CREAM SANDWICHES from the school’s chefs. looks like they’re well on their way to graduation. ⌿ kati, 24, she/her, est ⍀ @gallagherintro

STATS / PINTEREST / CONNECTIONS / CLASSES

INSPIRATION

fox mulder (the x files)

hogarth hughes (the iron giant)

will turner (pirates of the carribean)

robin hood

george weasley (harry potter)

aladdin

spike spiegel (cowboy bebop)

mark watney (the martian)

BACKGROUND + CLICK FOR BIO

his parents were high school sweethearts and married just before they attended college at harvard together, securing careers at the kennedy space center.

jeremy fischman sr dies under mysterious circumstances in a lab accident and ellen is twenty-eight and left alone to raise baby jem. things only go downhill from here. jeremy was the love of her life and she becomes obsessed with his disappearance and all kinds of conspiracy theories, blows a bunch of her money. it doesn’t take long for her to be fired, savings blown on expensive equipment or sunk into internet hoaxes

they move to a rough neighborhood in gainesville where jem grows up. he likes jem, not jeremy, jeremy is his father. he’s never experienced the perfect life his parents used to live, the white picket fence, the shiny space shuttles. he’s only got this, and honestly, he doesn’t hate it.

the neighborhood’s rough, but there’s a lot of fun characters, and his mom is practically his best friend – aside from his next-door neighbor, NOAH WARD.

jem’s mom does odd hacking jobs from the comfort of their home. some of them are shadier than others, she makes connections with a lot of private investigators in town and looks into people’s cheating husbands and tracks down birth parents and missing people. she does pro bono work too, a kindhearted woman, she can never say no to those in need, even if she’s not so fortunate herself. as jem gets older, he learns everything that he knows from her

every summer vacation growing up, jem and his mom would pack their bags and make home in a camper van, traveling across the country. in some ways, this was great mother-son bonding, but this wasn’t why they did it. his mom never gave up looking for the truth about her husband, but hacking into secure, top-secret government databases is nothing like hacking into the gainesville city hall, it’s hard work, and they travel around the country methodically so that their signal cannot be traced. every summer they get close, but never close enough.

when noah moves away for college, jem stays home. he’s not comfortable leaving his mom.

he keeps up with hacking jobs and keeping up with looking for his dad on the side. he doesn’t think they’ll ever find him, his mom holds out hope but jem is eighteen years old and a bit more jaded now, he figures the guy’s just really dead and well, the conspiracy of it all matters less and less when he knows that either way, he’s still grown up without him.

a lot of jem’s social life is online, whether it’s friends from hacking forums or via soundcloud.

when he’s not hacking, he’s making music. his passions of technology and music mix and he creates his own beats and soundcloud, mashing together songs, and even putting together a popular meme track or two used on tiktok.

it’s actually a bit lucrative, but that’s not why he does it. doesn’t even really use his name, catch him on soundcloud…username? uncutjems.

every time he and his mom get close to finding his dad, there’s just more to do, and it’s almost like someone KNOWS what they’re doing.

jem’s right about that – he is being watched. since noah’s admission to gallagher, recruiters have been aware of the boy who taught her everything she knew.

when gallagher makes the choice to start allowing male students, an agent shows up at his door offering him a once in a lifetime chance at a free education.

jem doesn’t have any strong ambition to go into espionage, per say, but he won’t say no to advanced classes taught by some of the world’s brightest minds – and a chance to reunite with his best friend. however, he hasn’t stopped trying to get into the government’s records and still has ambitions of going into music production.

PERSONALITY.

INTUITIVE. jem has a natural intuition about things and he trusts himself and his own opinions about things. i suppose you could perceive this as confidence, but honestly he’s just really SMART, good at absorbing facts even subconsciously and putting things together about people or situations. in a sense, he has a habit of being correct – he definitely comes off as intelligent, even though his grades in school have never been very good. he just has different priorities.

LOYAL. make a friend out of jem and you have a friend for life, he’ll take your secrets to the grade and he’s pretty trustworthy. he’s the type of guy that gets along with pretty much everyone but he has a few select, close friends because he is somewhat intentional about the company that he keeps. he’s friendly and kind, but he keeps his inner circle of people he trusts close and somewhat exclusive.

PROTECTIVE. kind of has papa bear energy, you know ? maybe the dad friend of your friend group, but in a laid back way, he might not seem like he’s the type to spring into action but call someone close to him a rude name and you’ll see his fist coming at your face. he’s protective but not possessive, i guess is how i would describe it, but i think he gives pretty good advice as well because he’s really hoping the best for ppl.

MALINGERING. jem is kind of a SLACKER! at least, that’s what teachers have called him in the past, he simply does not dream of labor. he’s just kind of doing his own thing, will fake sick to skip a class, whatever else, even though he likes producing music he doesn’t really have a great ambition for anything, spy or otherwise. as long as he has a good computer setup, then he’s fucking chilling.

MOODY. he’s laid back to the umpteenth degree when it comes to work or obligations, but he does have sort of mood swings, i guess he’s the sort of person that you would describe as grumpy at times ? definitely NOT a morning person and when he’s in an off mood, he can be hard to interact with or snap out of.

DISORGANIZED. the sort of person to throw his stuff across the bed or leave piles of clothes on the floor to deal with later, maybe he’s not your favorite roommate for this reason. he has a habit of losing things that he just set down or whatever, things like that.

HEADCANONS.

tbh you can think of him like...beca in pitch perfect ! he’s here bc he was offered a free education and he’s cool with that, but he’d rather be pursuing a future in music. a damn good hacker, though, and the gallagher recruiters are hoping that with some ‘ambition’ he’ll want to work for the government someday.

played baseball throughout middle and high school and he’s fairly athletic – he can get pretty competitive when he plays, it kind of brings out a side in him that most people don’t expect to see because he’s fairly chilled out most of the time

a boss with a slingshot. there is no reason for this, but he had one as a kid and he used to chase squirrels away from the bird feeders outside their home. he has great eyesight and his aim is great, but it’s literally the only weapon he’s proficient in

he’s not tiktok famous for his face, but he has two tiktok famous songs...he’s made like 12k in record deals for selling the rights, it’s just the kind of shit that he does goofing around in music software and he has a good ear for what is going to be catchy

he’s NOT a morning person, definitely a late night kind of guy, will stay up until all hours just fucking around on the computer and then he’ll sleep until 1 or 2pm, at least. getting up for morning classes is a struggle for them and he has slept through them on occasion.

funky sweaters, crazy socks, fun-patterned shirts, he dresses a bit like a circus tent at times, but you can’t say that he doesn’t have style – he dresses well, but it’s like he’s stepped out of a 90s cartoon or something

if he makes u a playlist he either wants to be ur friend so fucking bad or he’s head over heels in love with u

really likes making new things with old technology, he loves taking the macguyver courses and learning new things and he’s actually built his own computer and a lot of his own musical instruments

usually has a couple bandaids because he’s a bit accident prone or can lose his focus when working in the lab. when he gets in his own head while working on a project, he literally cannot hear anything else – sort of selective hearing

likes fucking around with spray paint, if he can, he’s got a bit of an artistic streak and he doodles stickers on sticker paper sometimes. you can probably catch his tag around campus or even stuck to the latops of his close friends, it’s just a little man with a tv for a head.

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

HACKING JOBS – if you STILL need a hacker for any of your wild backstory connections, jem is a great bet. he’s been doing paid jobs for people professionally since he could type, and he’s sort of an ace at getting in and out without leaving a trace...and he’s no gossip. so, your secrets would be safe with him.

SMOKING BUDDIES – people that he can smoke up with, talk about life, talk about the bullshit of gallagher, but also people he can laugh with that don’t make him feel stressed or concerned about the future.

MUSIC MAKING BUDDIES – if your character makes music, maybe they can collaborate on something...we’re about to drop the hottest mixtape of all time right here at gallagher academy i will teach myself garageband for this shit...jk but maybe

EX ON BAD TERMS – someone he dated last year...i’m imagining it was their first year and things were really great for the first semester, but shit fell apart second semester along with the school. maybe all the drama on campus caused distance, maybe he wasn’t there for them when they needed it, or maybe they got jealous of the way he always prioritizes noah ? a combination of things, we can hash out the details since i know some of you had some pretty angsty things going on second sem, and maybe it’s awkward now because it feels like there’s unfinished biz.

EX ON GOOD TERMS / LOVERS TO FRIENDS – maybe someone that was a rebound and things didn’t really work and they saw that, maybe he wasn’t over his ex or whatever but they were able to stay friends ? it’s up to you how your muse feels about it but i want an ex that jem also has no hard feels about and actually is maybe sort of protective of them and cares a lot about them finding happiness, they bonded hardcore.

EX-FLING – idk maybe they were hooking up for a while and then one of them started seeing someone else or one of them caught feels so they don’t hook up any more but it was super fun when they did !! also down for it to have been like a summer fling and once the summer ended.

BROS – idk i would like for him to have a squad or something for him to just fuck around with <3 but it’s wholesome and they respect women

ONLINE FRIEND (ANONYMOUS) – he spent a lot of time on forums online and stuff so i’d love for him to have an online friend !! maybe cute if they just know each other by their screen names rn and we can do a bunch of text chats and maybe they both know they go to gallagher but they simply. haven’t met idk

ONLINE FRIENDS – also friends he met online that aren’t anonymous they could’ve met through any number of forums but probably have similar interests like music or hacking so they’re long time homies , someone he’s known almost as long as noah

ONE NIGHT STAND – self explanatory. maybe they’re super good friends and now it’s kind of awkward now and they want to get back to a place of normalcy but it’s simply not normal, maybe they fucked things up by breakin the tension on like. halloween or some shit.

FRIENDZONED – someone jem accidentally friendzoned and maybe he doesn’t even realize it himself but they had a thing for him and he really just didn’t realize it bc he can’t tell unless you spell it out for him.

CLASS RIVALS – someone who tries really hard and cares about class a bunch vs. jem who doesn’t give a fuck but he keeps making the grade without really trying, so they’re ? bitter about it ? and so the two really do not hit it off because of that and they go back and forth , i just rly want a classroom rivalry. maybe even this rivalry and them nagging him actually motivates to try in the class just to piss them off

ENEMY – this person shared a secret with jem and then it somehow got out on the gossip blog idk ! they think jem told and now they hate him.

anything pls let’s chat !

#gallagher:intro

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anotherbeingsworld · 4 years ago

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Our Do Nothing Day

Pairing: Bryce x F!MC (Casey Valentine)

Characters: Bryce Lahela, Casey Valentine, Louis Lahela(OC), Keiki Lahela, Sienna Trinh, Jackie Varma, Elijah Greene.

Rating/Warnings: G/FLUFFY AT ITS FINEST.

A/N: Hi! I am back with a new one, and this is inspired by the legendary show ‘Phineas and Ferb!’ I loved that show so much, and I decide to use one of the songs from the show as an inspo! (I am actually binging P&F songs at the moment lol). I had a pretty rough day with everything that is happening in my life, and...writing really helps a lot and.. writing Bryce especially made a girl happy :) . I hope all of you enjoy it!

PS- Link to the inspo song, Do Nothing Day from Phineas and Ferb! Also, the gif is somehow not from the inspo episode , since the real one can’t be found! I apologize for any grammar mistakes and all! Enjoy!

Tags: @bitchloveskcbaseball , @storyofmychoices , @jaxsmutsuo , @mvalentine , @princess-geek , @lahellacute , @kacie-0156 , @simp-for-villains , @annekebbphotography , @brycelahel , @mrsbhandari , @dcbbw , @choicessa , @choices-confessions , @aylamwrites , @fantasyoverreality98

LINK TO MY MASTERLIST

A day off is rare for both of the doctors since they aren’t used to a free day without emergencies surrounding them. They decide to have the day for the two of them since, with Louis being born and their hectic shifts, they haven’t gotten to chance to have much alone time with one another.

The day was early, as the knock on the door was heard. Casey happily opened the door to be greeted with her friends, and a smiling Keiki waiting outside their door. All of her friends made their way inside to the apartment, as they settled in.

‘All of them agreed on watching Louis, as Keiki wanting to spend more time with her nephew. Louis is growing every day, and Keiki had vowed on not wanting to miss a thing after he was born.

Bryce walks into the living room, with 2-year-old Louis fresh out of the bath. He is smiling happily at the sight of the company, especially when Keiki holds her arms out to hold him. Louis accepted her arms happily, as the two of them bond away.

Casey smiles at the sight of them, as her friends are trying to entertain Louis with the help of Keiki. Bryce took a cup of coffee that was made, as his eyes follow her direction.

‘We are really lucky to have them.’

Casey nods, as she took a sip of the coffee once more before she placed it in the dishwasher.

‘We do. Your sister is something else, Bryce.’

A smile appears on his face, as his eyes followed Keiki who is singing along to the nursery rhymes on the television with Louis happily clapping his hands. Sienna and Elijah were singing in harmony whilst Jackie just let out a sigh followed by a laugh at the commotion in front of her.

----------------------

Bryce and Casey said goodbye to Louis and the others, as they started their date for the day. Casey pulls out her phone, as she examined each plan she had for the day while he shook her head at her.

‘They say if you plan. Life tends to end up pretty badly y’ know.’ Bryce stated as he placed an arm around his wife.

Casey shook her head, as she leaned into his touch.

‘Nope, not true! I have lived my life to plan everything, and… it went by perfectly.’ Casey stutters a bit as she walks faster with Bryce besides her who just nodded at her argument.

They made their way to a local theme park she found on the web. She did a few research as she wanted to make this day perfect, for both herself and Bryce. Casey felt herself being optimistic, as she scatters on forward only to be stopped by the long line in front of them.

‘Wha-? How?! I saw the posts, they said people won’t be coming today!’ Casey lets out a sigh as the line in front of them was very very long.

‘Hey, it’s okay. We can do something else, as long as we are together okay?’ Bryce reassures her, as Casey felt a bit better. They left the theme park, as Casey pulled up the list once more to their next destination. The theatre, and unfortunately. All the tickets were sold out as well. She is still standing tall, as Bryce giving her thumbs up in a supporting manner. Moving on to the next destination, the city aquarium. As they said, third time’s a charm, right? But… little did they know, the aquarium was closed for renovations as they arrived at the entrance.

Casey smiles falter as the sign says, ‘Closed for renovations.’ Bryce stopped in his tracks at the sign, as he glances at Casey who is looking disappointed. Casey felt given up, as she sat on the sidewalk. Bryce followed suit, as he sat beside her.

‘You are right as always, ugh!’ Casey lets out a groan and she buried her face in her hands.

Bryce rubs her back slowly before he could say anything. Both of their phones beep in unison, as they took it out at the same time.

Both of them receive a message from their friend’s group chat and Keiki, with various pics of Louis playing with his toys and happily smiling from the pics. One of the pics that stood out to them is the one with Keiki holding Louis in her arms, as he is smiling widely. There was a video attached to the group chat, as Casey played it.

Sienna’s voice could be heard, as she is holding the phone.

‘Hi, Louis, smile for the camera honey!’ Sienna called out to him, as he jumps happily in Keiki’s arms.

Louis was facing the camera, as he jumped happily. Keiki is holding his arm, as a small attempt to wave at the camera.

‘Louis said, have fun to mommy and daddy!’ She said as Louis moves his little arms slowly as an attempt of waving to the camera before the screen fades.

Casey felt a smile appear on her face, as she played the video once more. Bryce did the same, as he pulled her into his arms as they stood silently on the pavement.

‘It’s not your fault Cas, you didn’t know.’ He rubbed her back as she leaned her head on his shoulders.

‘I know… I wanted today to be perfect for us.’ Casey’s voice is small as she lets out a sigh.

‘It’s already perfect with you here okay?’ He reassures her once more as her smiles appear once more.

Bryce’s face lit up as an idea dawned on him. He stood up, as she followed suit.

‘I have an idea, let’s go.’

They drive for half an hour, as they finally arrived at the spot. It was already evening, as they reached the destination. There were parents and kids are having fun, vendors were selling food, and they even had a stage set for performing along with a projector where the kids were watching Phineas and Ferb happily. The place has its charms as Casey’s eyes went wide at the beauty of the whole place.

‘How did you find this place?’

Bryce shrugs as they started to walk towards the entrance. The places weren’t as packed as the theme park, but… the sight of it had made her smile as her eyes traveled through the whole landscape of the place.

Casey was mesmerized by the whole place that she left Bryce behind, as she stopped as smelled the flowers. There was a variety of them, as she took a couple of photos for future-keeping. She turns around, as she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Her head turns, to be meet with Bryce who was holding a picnic basket and a bundle of flowers in his hands. Casey felt her eyes widen at it all.

‘How did this get here?!’ Casey asked in disbelief gesturing to the basket and the flowers. He passed the flowers towards Casey, as she accept it happily.

‘I magically appear it on my own.’ Bryce replies happily as Casey groans at him. He shakes his head, as he walks forward leaving her behind. She immediately runs towards his direction, as he leads them to an empty spot a few feet away from the projector area where the kids were happily watching the show.

The spot was empty, as Bryce pulls out a blanket from the basket. He places it down the grass, as they sat down happily. The sight of it all made Casey happy. The kids running around, as bubbles were floating into the sky. It somehow felt like it was taken from a movie.

Bryce lays out the food, as Casey glances at him with gentleness in her eyes.

‘You are amazing, you know that?’ Casey said as she took a bite from the deliciousness in front of her.

‘Hey, I did what I can. We deserved this, and it feels amazing to just… settled down for a while.’ Bryce said happily as they sat continue eating. After the food is done, Casey lays her head on his shoulders as they watched Phineas and Ferb as the park was doing a marathon of old episodes. She smiled at the sight of the classic show, which is one of her favorites growing up.

‘I remember every detail about this episode!’ Casey said as she is reminiscing her whole childhood through that one episode.

‘Is that so? Tell me what happens next.’ Bryce challenges her, like the scene where the dinosaur slide that Candace is building starts to fly away.

‘Alright, the dinosaur would land at the town’s fair where Candace’s boyfriend, Jeremy, and his band are performing there.’ Casey said with full confidence as she observes the scene closely and, lets out a whoop as she nailed it.

‘Fine, fine. Never underestimate the one and only Casey Lahela.’ He said as he kissed her cheek.

They sat in silence as the song started to play from the episode, which is one of Casey’s favorite song from the whole series. Honestly, all of the songs from the show are amazing, like… good. But, this one stood out to her today somehow, as she is having a good and relaxing day-off with the love of her life as Jeremy sings the lyrics that describe their day perfectly.

Slow down and look around you (all around)

Throw your to-do list away

The clouds look like sheep and vice versa

On a do-nothing day (on a do-nothing day)

On a do-nothing day.

The episode ends with the credits, as the song was played once more. Casey sang along to the lyrics as she reminisces the day they had today… she would learn a thing a two of living in the moment with Bryce. She didn’t worry much as they have a whole lifetime together to enjoy the ride. But, right now.

She took a glance at him, as the world around them fades.

‘This is the best day ever.’ She whispered to him, as he lets out a small laugh at the statement.

‘Are you sure? What about our wedding day? Or… the day Louis is born?’ He raised an eyebrow as an attempt to play with her.

‘It’s in the top-five list alright!’ She lays her foot down with that statement as they are finally ready to call it a day.

The sun is setting, as they made their way back home. It wasn’t the perfect date she had planned out instead, its something entirely different. It was their do-nothing-day and, Casey looks forward to more days like this with her family in the future.

THE END

A/N #2: I hope all of you enjoy it! Thank you so much for reading it! - A

#bryce x mc #bryce lahela #open heart #casey valentine #bryce x casey #anotherbeingsworldwrites #fluff #phineas and ferb

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margridarnauds · 4 years ago

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1) How'd you get into Japanese Musicals?, 2) Favorite Celtic Myth?, 3) Favorite POTO Cast (Real Trio that existed together + make a trio of anyone you want)?

(1) I feel like this is a fairly common origin story for the international fandom of Japanese musicals, but I got in, primarily, through German musicals that had been given Japanese productions. I had the...luck (?) of falling into Frank Wildhorn musicals around 2011-2012, which was perfect because it was timed EXACTLY so that I was there when the very first Japanese production of Dracula happened, and so I watched the proshot of that. I thought it was okay, not my FAVORITE (that went, at the time, to the German, though now I’m firmly #TeamKorea), but it was good! And it was a good introduction.

Because of the German production of Dracula, I fell into Elisabeth (aka “The Reason I took up German in the first place) and, like a ton of people, fell into the Takarazuka production of Elisabeth (and The Scarlet Pimpernel, because Wildhorn) because of that, though it still wasn’t a great, overwhelming love for me. It was okay, it was pretty, but not an OVERWHELMING love.

I was interested in Lady Bess...fairly early on, I want to say 2014-2015, not long after its premiere, because I was like “Oh, Kunze and Levay are doing a musical on Elizabeth I? PRETTY COSTUMES?” I think I actually was there to see the very early press releases, ft. the English demos, as they were released. But, of course, Lady Bess was a bit of a white whale. There was NOTHING on it, the cast album was phenomenal, but that was ALL, really. Very little in the way of video, very little in the way of pictures (now I could probably find them, but back then I was a bit on my own), nothing in the way of plot. So, I basically gave it up for lost, though I retained hope that, one day, SOMETHING would surface on it.

Then, 1789. Attending the European Musicals Streamathon in....around 2017. Seeing the Takarazuka 1789. It was like LIGHTNING. I’d loved the French production, though I fell out of it due to the general disdain for it that I felt in the French Musicals fandom at the time, but, if I’d loved it before, the Zuka made me fall in love with it x10. I wrote fanfic, for the first time in my fandom life (or, at least, fanfic that saw the light of day), I got involved in the world of Takarazuka (I’m not as much there as I am with Toho, and I know some people probably think I actively dislike it, but it IS where my roots are, and I retain a ton of affection for it), attended streams, etc. It got me into the rabbit hole of Japanese musical theatre, really, though Toho would have to come a little later.

Then, in 2018: The announcement that Lady Bess was coming back. I don’t know how, but even then, I had the sense of “What if they do a proshot, like they did for Elisabeth and Mozart? What if we get that?” And then, shortly afterwards. The announcement. It was a “HOLY SHIT” moment, because I’d been waiting for FOUR YEARS and there it was. And it was expensive, especially for a family that. Well, no nice way of putting it, we’re well below poverty level.

It was also...perfectly if also morbidly timed as well, because 2018 is on the record as being one of my most difficult years, even next to 2020. In 2018, I was a senior, just wrapping up my undergrad, I was overworked, exhausted, terrified of not getting my capstone in, and my uncle had just died in the last month or so of my program (along with my paternal grandfather), with my mom, who’s generally my #1 supporter, not able to be there for me at home because she was often over at his place, taking care of him.

I was, frankly, absolutely miserable.

But my mom told me that, as a present for dealing with....everything, I could get any Japanese musical that I wanted. And I chose Lady Bess.

I remember taking it back from the post office, SO excited because it was actually REAL and I could hold it after all that time, and then getting my mom and aunt to play it in the front room so that I could finally see it. And then, with that first shot of the night sky as the overture plays, as Ascham takes the stage, I was totally in love and, more than that, my family was, too.

Then the announcement that 1789 was going to re-run. As soon as I saw it, I thought of Lady Bess, and I was like “....are they....?” And then the resulting announcement shortly afterwards, which had me conflicted because, on one hand. It was *1789*. Arguably the single greatest musical love of my life, the musical that got me to write and publish fanfiction. And it was the TOHO one, the one that the entire fandom had been curious about since 2016. But also. My family had just spent the money on Lady Bess. It was hard to justify pre-ordering 1789, no matter how in love they were with Lady Bess.

But, as it was, I had a streak of luck - I’d been given some money as a graduation present by a close friend of the family (which was given under the STRICT order that I buy something “frivolous”), and so, with nothing else really frivolous to spend it on...I was basically vibrating around six months later, when the proshot arrived in the mail, and got to put it in the DVD player.

If my family fell in insta-love with Lady Bess, they REALLY fell in love with the energy of 1789. To the point where we watched either it or Lady Bess once a night. And, from there...I was sold. No real going back for me. The last year, I’ve not been able to keep up with the new releases (I know when they happen, but I can’t buy them), but I’m still very much IN, and it’s me the chance to know some very, very awesome people. It was a long road, but definitely worth it, in my opinion.

(2) Cath Maige Tuired! My actual baby, my child, the love of my life, the one that really got me into it in the first place. (Read the Elizabeth Gray translation, skip the Stokes.) It was reading John Carey’s article on “Myth and Mythography in Cath Maige Tuired” that I realized that people could study this stuff AS A FIELD and, not only that, but Americans could do it to, and since that point...I never really wanted anything else, besides the odd break. It is funny because, when I was doing aforementioned Capstone, my mom wanted to read up on it, since it was a major part of my work and she wanted to get involved. And I was like “Sure, here!”

...since I’d been reading CMT since I was 14. I had forgotten that it contains one of the single most explicit sex scenes in medieval Irish literature.

Coming from a fantasy background, it’s probably the closest you can get to a fantasy novel, in terms of scope and characterization - you have this vast variety of characters who, even though we don’t get INTERIORITY into them as such, do have quite a bit of depth to them once you pick below the surface, and it has a hundred different angles. I think that the best description was by Mark Williams, who described it as being “like shards of mirror stuck into the ground at angles to one another”, because that really is it. You have a hundred things going on, a hundred characters reflecting and refracting against one another, a hundred different social contexts, and the result is a work that, while seemingly a very simple tale about kingship and power and good and evil, is very complex.

(3) I can’t speak as much about acting since, in all honesty....I haven’t. Really. Watched any POTO bootlegs. All the way through. (I’M A FAKE FAN, I KNOW. I KNOW.)

That being said, I THINK that, as far as trios that have played, Kim So Hyun, Hong Kwang Ho, and Son Jun Ho have my entire heart. Kim So Hyun has a BRILLIANT voice, and a very distinctive porcelain doll-esque appearance that fits her very well, Hong Kwang Ho has a magnificent voice (first fell in love with him in Death Note), and Son Jun Ho....you can tell that he’s married to Kim So Hyun in real life because there’s such a tenderness to their performance - It really sells R/C.

Honorable mentions include Claire Moore’s Christine, who’s had my heart from the first time I heard her very distinctive, haunting “oo” cadenza, Ivan Ozhogin, Celia Hottenstein (got to see her live so I’ve had a soft spot for her Christine ever since), Jeremy Hays, Hugh Panaro (who was once kind enough to deal with a teenaged fan at stage door for a concert of his and take a picture, as well as sign my playbill) and....there are definitely others.

#thanks for the ask!#Anonymous #also: Always willing to take POTO recommendations!

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shriekbackmusic · 4 years ago

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Collaborations #1 (’Shriekback are Seeing Other People’)

Well, collaboration is everything really innit? No man is an island, not even the ones who pretend they are. That’s what I reckon. Merging somebodys’ talents and energies with yours. What a thing. The very stuff of life.

Still, it can be a fractious business: politics will come into it. LIke: who’s in charge here? Who gets to say whether your bit is better than my bit? And how do we work that shit out? A microcosm of the world or what?

Undeterred, we seem to do it (collaborate) quite a lot. And these are some pretty successful tunes, I would say. Good for us. Bold and resolute Shriekback!

So there’s Hope, right?

(BA)

MART’S TRACKS:

DROP BY DROP Barker/Burridge

Taken from my Album" Water and Stone." Exploring my rolling Gtr and groove in 7 with the wonderfully talented musician cellist Emily Burridge.

Inspired by the miracle of water, its rhythm, its music, its journey, its myths, its poetry and beauty

FLYING SAUCER Barker/ Roedelius/Noah1

Lovely to have met and worked with the master of Ambience, Hans Joachim Roedelius for the Album Fibre.

Recorded up in the hills of Shropshire with George Taylor (Noah1) and Jez coed

This piece was inspired by my riff Im playing on the Hang Drum, hence the title "Flying Saucer"

GOLDEN MOON Barker/Young

Taken from my mini Album” Blue” Talitha Rise.

This was my first big endeavour into the musical spiritual world and collaboration with Jo beth young.

We are joined on the Riti by Juldeh Camara.

PILGRIM`S WAY Barker/Adams

My new project/collaboration still ongoing with the mighty talent of Justin Adams .

This first piece inspired by ancient walks.

This new whole album partly inspired by the writing of Robert Macfarlane "the old ways"

SANDLINES. Barker/ Adams

Second piece inspired the Ancient paths of the desert.

THE LAKE Barker/Young taken from the album" Abandoned Orchid House” Talitha Rise

Another collaboration with Jo beth Young and another piece in 7!

Intense, energetic and rich with riddles.

THE SELKIE. Barker / Pynn

Second Piece taken from my Album "Water and Stone”

Inspired by the Myths and stories of the Selkie. With the magical multi instrumentalist Nick Pynn on Violin.

CARL’S TRACKS:

Words Fail Me

with AMANDA KRAVIT

(Barratt/Marsh)

David Barratt and I were introduced to Amanda by John Mrvos, one of the A&R team at EastWest Atlantic in New York (Happyhead’s label) - she was his girlfriend and he wanted to get her recorded, basically, so we came up with this. Dave had done some kind of publishing deal that allowed him to sample the company catalogue, hence Ravi Shankar playing sitar all over it. Backing vocals by Bill Clift; some of the drums sound like Jim Kimberley, sampled from HH sessions (1992ish.)

The Longest Goodbye

with BILL CLIFT

(Clift/Marsh)

I’ve written loads with Bill under various banners, of course. This is a mid-90s demo recorded in Bill’s flat in Greenwich. BVs by Stella Clifford and Marilyn Gentle, bass (I think) by Gary Brady… not sure who did the wibbly organ. This song was later recorded by Bill’s band Fuzzbuddy, re-titled Killing Me Now - it’s just been re-released as part of their Complete Studio Recordings compilation.

THE PALACE DOGS

with GEOFF WOOLEY

I’ve collaborated with Geoff Woolley since Out On Blue Six, and in school bands even before that. These two tracks, from around 1995, are both built from sampled TV shows (and therefore subject to all sorts of potential copyright issues…).

Queen of Peoples’ Hearts

(Marsh/Woolley)

The self-styled QOPH’s Panorama special, cut up and pumped up with added Dario Argento and a spot of Jeremy Paxman. The Original is all-electronic; the Guitar Version has not only mine and Geoff’s rhythm bits but some wildfire lead from Steve Bolton (Atomic Rooster, Paul Young, The Who etc. and currently fronting the mighty Dead Man’s Corner). Take yer pick.

Crazy Dames

(Marsh/Woolley)

The main voice and piano on here are from a 1961 Twilight Zone episode called The Midnight Sun, in which the Earth is knocked out of orbit and is spiralling towards the Sun… it gets hot. Other vocals by Stella Clifford and Marilyn Gentle.

GASWERKS

The Ying Tong Song

(Milligan)

Basically the same format as The Palace Dogs with the addition of Bill Clift, whose idea it was to knock out a dance version of The Goons’, er, classic. Dig that crazy rhythm, indeed. We were told the novelty song market was a hard one to crack… by the singer of Black Lace, who should know, I suppose…

WOOLLEY/MARSH

The Girlfriends Of Dorian Gray

(Barratt/Marsh/Woolley)

David Barratt came up with the conceit of a modern Dorian Gray who preserves his youth (or immaturity) not by having a grotesquely ageing portrait in the attic but by having an ever-changing string of girlfriends who absorb the consequences of his many flaws and are discarded one after another. Dave sketched out the chorus and then proposed that he, I and Deni Bonet (NY-based violinist and writer that we’ve worked with on various projects) should write our own versions of the story, possibly with the idea of creating some kind of meta-version combining them all. That never happened, but I like the track Geoff and I came up with and the lyric is nice and tricksy - shades of Costello, maybe, if I say so myself.

You’re The Only One

(Marsh/Woolley)

A re-write of a Happyhead demo, switching New York electronica for some 90s Britpop vibes, it sounds like. Bit of a kinky ménage à trois scenario with reasonably loud guitars. Nice.

BARRY’S TRACKS

The Frances & Martine poems, with Hilda Sheehan (2014)

part 1: GLOW, GOOSE, CORN-REMOVER

part 2: COAT, ARM, KNOB OF BUTTER

I met Hilda Sheehan - through the (surprisingly vibey) Swindon poetry scene when I was stationed back there for 10 years in '04. She was often the star turn at their spoken word events and, I thought, had the mark of a real artist in that she came with her own self-contained world (’magical realist Northern UK kitchen sink’, if I had to describe it).

I thought it would be fun to 'set' (as they say) some of her poems to music and so I did. From Hilda's considerable oeuvre, I picked the Frances and Martine series - I liked F&M's mutually abrasive dependence - the key ingredient in any sitcom - and the succinct and sometimes brutal nature of each of their adventures.

Dame Hilda Sheehan

The Anaxaton6 EP with Mike Tournier (2013)

I first worked with Mike Tournier (Big Mike as opposed to Little Mike - these were Flukes' Contrasting Mikes at the time) as producer on their OTO album c.94. Techno outfit Fluke apparently liked them some Olde Shriekback (they had worked previously with Wendy and Sarah) and thought I might add something to the project.

It turned out that producing a techno band is every bit as awkward as you might imagine (there’s only one computer screen for a start) and we abandoned the collaboration after I'd failed to insert myself into Fluke's process in any useful way (sandwich run doesn't count).

Anyway, we stayed in touch and collaborated rather more successfully on a Fluke/Shriekback tune and performance for MTV.

It was the redoubtable Julian Nugent, Fluke's manager, who got in touch - in 2013 to suggest that Mike and I might like to try knocking up a tune together.

I liked the idea of this straightaway. Mike can produce huge, hi-torque productions and I had an idea of a songwriting approach which I though might complement this. The vocalist would be recognisably the bloke out of Shriekback but CG’d with florid new appendages. I fancied some mad-as-a-rat lyrics (Welcome to their secret sign: Boola Stack! Haunted Lego of the Mind! Boola Stack!) but the music would be slick and vivid and solidly crafted because that's always how Mike rolls. Thus you get something quite absurd being taken very seriously which is, to my mind, the best thing you can possibly have.

extract from the sleeve notes:

BONE MARAUDER tells of a pure love, painful engorgement and hog sorcery.

JUJUGRID (GO LIVE!) wrangles with hedonic guilt, ecclesiastical turpitude and leaves everything else the fuck alone.

BOOLA STACK! - There are so many things to say of Boola Stack that to ennumerate them insults us both.

NO FOOL BOLETUS... let's just be clear about this: you got nothing to hide, there's no need to worry. Be lucky.

Michaele don Turino and Bleary Android are the naked mortals chained to the husky obelisk of ANAXATON6

Anaxaton6 has some videos here:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=anaxaton6

Mike Tournier

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mysweetestcreature · 5 years ago

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Tomorrow Never Knows (President!Harry) Chapter 11: Kiss Me

(Banner by the wonderful noblewomankat!)

***

Thursday November 27, 2008

“One more.”

“They’re probably wondering where we’ve gone!”

“Just one more, please.”

“We’ve already been here for more than half an hour.”

Harry tightens his hold around her waist, stroking her sides in soothing reciprocating motions as the pads of his fingers trace along the creases in her shirt. “Kiss me again,” he begs, burying his nose into the curve of her neck. For the first time in his life, he feels completely content. Words to describe it are beyond inconceivable, not a single phrase can do justice to sum it all up. He had tried to imagine what this would be like in the early hours of the morning before even the sun sets its alarm. And yet, none could have even come close to this feeling of bliss, a paradise of their own where everything around them is nearly nonexistent.

The movement of his lips against her skin as they form into a cheeky smile is enough to send goosebumps up her spine. She runs her palms up his chest and lets her hands curl around his shoulders until her middle fingers hook together as they tangle through his brown curls. Her cheek presses up against the side of his head, and she can’t help that sense of relief that makes it feel like she’s floating. Having experienced such a burden of uncertainty from the very onset of their relationship (and yes, she means relationship in a romantic sense –– how could she not after tonight?) she would have never expected the accumulation of all those heartbreaks –– both big and small –– to transform into something as wonderful as this. “Just one,” she giggles into his ear. “But then we really have to move it because I can’t imagine Mason being very happy that I’ve stolen his best friend away.”

“It’s all I’m asking,” and he lifts his head up, dimples dressing his cheeks as he wriggles his eyebrows. “Now, c’mere.”

Pulling her closer between his legs, he starts with small pecks along the underside of her chin. They become slower, more concentrated in certain areas as they move up and linger at the side of her mouth. His lips hover over hers, and he stares at them with half-hooded eyes. The way her lips part as they make subtle contact with each small movement of their heaving chests only makes this all the more enticing.

Unable to dawdle at such a teasing phase for much longer, Harry closes the gap that separates them. It’s unhurried, nearly sensual. Two longing persons finding exhilaration as their lips move fluidly together as though it were second nature. The temperate flavoring of strawberry or cherry or something just as fruitful and sweet once again finds its way to coat the tip of his tongue and cause the ends of his mouth to curve up as he finds fulfillment in ravishing her like this.

She’s the first to pull away, pushing lightly against his chest just to catch a breath. He’s quick, however, to entertain her once more with one last suckle of her bottom lip. He isn’t sure when he’ll be able to kiss her again once they’ve joined the others downstairs, nor does he want to envision a time when they won’t be locked together and surprisingly uninterrupted by a chaotic world full of mountains and treacherous seas.

“That was two!” she gasps, but the premature stages of a simper rebel against her, and she fails to display any mask of displeasure. “Don’t be greedy.”

“We can be as greedy as we want. We’ve waited an eternity for this to happen,” he counters before settling for a tight embrace as he stands from his sitting position on the bed. With his height now towering over her, he looks down and chuckles when she rolls her eyes at him.

Y/n scoffs playfully and shakes her head. “I would barely consider two and a half months an eternity.”

“No?” he ponders thoughtfully, pressing another kiss to her temples. “Sure felt like it, though.”

***

Every moment thereafter is been filled with forcefully reserved and pining looks from across the room whilst Harry is doing his best to get back in a football state of mind (he’s only now realizing just how difficult this will all be once the season starts back up again), and Y/n attempts to answer questions about various piping techniques and flavor combinations.

“Where’d you run off to earlier?” Jeremy asks during a commercial break. He dips a hand into a snack bowl filled with Party Mix and tosses each cheesy piece into his mouth one by one. “For a second I thought you were going to miss the entire second quarter.”

Harry coughs as he tries to scratch the tickle in his throat. Before coming back down, they had agreed to keep it subdued in front of their families, especially when it’s all so new for the both of them. Besides, they’ve done what they had set out to do, there’s no wrong in wanting to keep it to themselves for a short while.

“Uh...” he drones, scratching the pointed part of his jaw. “We were just talking about organizing a study guide for finals.”

Well, it isn’t a complete lie! He had quickly glanced down at a set of her study notes on her desk just as they were exiting the room, and he might have –– he can’t remember since he was too busy covering her shoulder in sweet, seemingly innocent little kisses –– suggested they collaborate on ones for the classes they share. (Come to think of it, he doesn’t recall an actual answer to the question either, the only thing his ears had heard were the sounds of her stifled giggles as he tickled her neck.)

Thankfully, Jeremy seems to accept it without further question. The older man nods before taking a long gulp of iced tie from his officially licensed Packers tumbler. “That’s studious of you two. Good job!”

“Mhmm.” Harry bites his lips inward to hold in a snigger. Imagining the look on Jeremy’s face if he were to find out what they had actually been doing would probably regress everything in his eyes (but that’s just speculation for the time being).

“Your turn, Harry!” Mason chirps, having just dropped his second red piece into the suspended grid. As Harry prepares to release his own yellow disc in the far-right column, the little boy is quick to stop him. “Don’t go there! Or you’ll lose again,” he pouts, and takes it upon himself to move Harry’s hand and hover it over the middle.

A soft coo sounds from Harry as he ruffles Mason’s hair. “Taking pity on me, eh?” he teases.

“At least he lets you win,” Jeremy interjects, slumping forward with his knuckles pressed firmly into his cheek. He squints at his son with pursed lips. “Whenever I play with him, he sabotages my every move.”

“But Harry’s my best friend, Daddy! And friends always help each other.”

“I’m your father. I quite literally mad–”

“Honey, he’s six” from across the room, Olivia scolds her husband. “Save it for puberty.” She turns back in her chair, the three women around her unable to hide their amusement as she slaps her forehead at Mason’s hushed “What’s poo-berty?” behind her.

“I remember when Harry was that age,” Anne gushes, a warm mug of cocoa sat in her lap as she recalls the past fondly. “He once poured out the entire fish tank into a river that flowed out back.”

“Be free fishies! I love you! Bye-bye!” Gemma mimics a young six-year-old Harry.

Y/n giggles into her hands. She turns to the side hoping to catch his eye, only to find him blushing profusely into one of the decorative pillows.

Falling for him could not have been easier.

***

Monday December 1, 2008

For the eighth time today, Harry feels more than grateful to have her locker only two down from his. It’s a convenience, really! He doesn’t have to search far for her in the mornings when he wants to give her a quick peck before they start the day, or just hug her because now he can without any looming doubts that he’s sorely pressed his luck.

So, here he is, watching with soft eyes as she reorganizes all her textbooks and notebooks and folders alike.

“Will you quit it?” she pokes his tummy. “I literally can’t concentrate when you’re looking at me like that all cute and British.”

The last part makes him laugh, and he curls a finger along her chin. Taking a moment to examine their surrounds to make sure no one is being too intrusive (he thought he saw a junior raise an eyebrow at them earlier today), he tilts her head up and nudges his nose to hers. “I can’t just look at my gir–” but he cuts himself short when he realizes something.

Now, there’s no questioning that this thing between them exceeds any form of platonic friendship. The real question is what the appropriate label for them would be right now without being too presumptuous or just moving too fast.

“So, I’m your girl?” she smiles.

“I guess that really depends if you want to be because if you ask me...” he starts, stepping forward, “I’m pretty much already your–”

“Y/n!”

Both let out an annoyed sigh (Harry more so) as they hear his footsteps approaching from down the hall. She’d almost forgotten about this one little impediment with her mind having been preoccupied over the long weekend. But as Jasper moves waves to her, she’s suddenly reminded of everything she probably should have taken care of by now. She retreats so that her back is up against the cool metal surface. Harry starts to grumble a few colorful choice of words under his breath as he begrudgingly goes back to his locker.

“Hey!” he greets and looks behind her to nod at Harry. “How was your Thanksgiving?”

“It was, um...” She darts her eyes towards Harry. “It was really eventful, really great” she chuckles nervously, and intrinsically slaps herself for making this more awkward than it needs to be.

“I’m happy to hear that then.” She watches as he rummages through his bag. “Here, I got this for you,” and he pulls out a plush figurine. From behind, Harry glares menacingly at it, not finding any of this to be an ounce amusing. “My family and I went into the city this weekend, and I saw this and thought you’d like it.”

“That’s so nice of you,” she says, taking the plush toy. “What-what is it exactly?” She looks up at him.

“It’s a tarsier! They’re pretty popular in the Philippines.”

“Right! I can’t believe I didn’t catch that,” Y/n muses, staring into its big piercing eyes. “You know whose favorite animal this is?” He shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders. “Cici’s, she like obsessed.”

“Cool, cool,” he replies enthusiastically, and she can tell he has more to say. “So, my mom was actually wondering what color your dress is gonna be so we can coordinate with my tie.”

She glances over her shoulder to check on Harry, whose face is practically stuffed inside the alcove. “Formal...yeah, that’s a thing...isn’t it...uh...” she trails off, the body of the tarsier in her hands suffocating as she tries to find the right words. There’s no way she can go with him now, and she hates that she has to do this to him. After all, Jasper is a genuinely nice guy, and any girl would be lucky to be his date. It’s just she’s not that girl. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that, actually.”

“Really? What about?”

“This is really hard for me to say but I can’t–”

“Can’t decide whether to take photos at your place or hers.”

Her mouth falls open when Harry appears at her side. Their eyes meet, his filled with something she’s unable to put her finger on. She doesn’t understand this, but as he places a hand on her back, giving her the opportunity to study his expression, she can practically hear his thoughts, believe me.

Jasper looks between the two of them. “Is that true?” he asks, and it seems open for either one to answer.

She gulps before snapping back. “Yeah, you know...we need a good background and everything.”

“Oh, uh...” he checks the time on his phone, “I’ll text you about it? I’m actually a little late for a meeting with Dr. De Angelo about my essay, but I’ll definitely get back to you!”

He runs back down the way he came.

It leaves Harry and Y/n to endure a painful silence. Neither opt to move. Feet stay glued to the floor as more and more students start to occupy the halls. She can’t help but feel a little betrayed, having honestly thought that they would be going to the formal together now that they’d cleared everything up. “Harry...” it’s barely above a whisper.

His hand slides around her hip before he carefully turns her around. “I should explain.”

“Please do.”

He sighs, his forehead falling unto hers. “Follow me.” And he takes her hand and hurriedly guides them up the far-right stairwell to the second floor. She wonders where this might lead, especially when they duck into one of the less used corridors that hold the building’s teacher’s lounge and stockroom.

The last door on the left just beside an open window. He jiggles the knob before pushing against it with his shoulder. She squeezes his hand and her fingers curl around his bicep as she takes a peek at what he’s doing. Suddenly, the door creaks open to reveal an empty room. “In here,” he tells her, and pulls her in.

It’s more or less what she expects from an unused room, a moderately large open space with school posters covering all four walls, a few long tables and a couch positioned diagonally in a corner.

“I did something stupid.”

***

“I’m sorry, but you what? I swear it never ends with you two!” Cici groans, head banging against the table. “How’re you gonna spend all of Thanksgiving making out and still go to this godforsaken dance with different people? It’s anti-intuitive! Literally insane!”

“Usually I’m not one to agree with Cici, but you guys really have exhausted my last functioning brain cell,” Maxxie joins in. “And I have a Geometry test in an hour, so if I fail that’s on your consciences.”

Mrs. Comey, the librarian, emerges from behind a shelf, a stern expression coating her pointed features as she gives the four of them a warning glare.

Harry and Y/n sit opposite of their friends, her leaning into his side as he strokes along her arm. “It’s not like that was intentional,” she complains. “I was already going with Jasper and Harry had just asked...you know what? I don’t even want to say her name right now.” And she covers her face with her sleeve to hide her contempt. After a long talk –– so long, in fact, that they had missed homeroom and the entirety of first period US History –– they had come to a bittersweet agreement that they would stick to any prior commitment plans to avoid any (overly) ill-feelings with their respective dates.

“Hey,” he whines, trying to get her to look at him, “you said you weren’t mad!”

“Honestly, if you were my boyfriend and you asked the girl that had continuously tried to steal you from me to a major school function –– even before we officially got together –– I’d be pretty pissed too.”

“Thank you, Cici,” huffing, Harry shoots her daggers with his eyes, “for that wonderful assessment.”

Cici massages her temples. “Just tell me why –– out of all the girls at this school –– would you choose Zoey as a rebound? The actual devil incarnate!”

“Don’t harass him,” Y/n pleads, playing with his fingers. There’s no use dwelling on something they seemingly have no command over. “Yeah, it sucks that we won’t be going together, but at least after it we can move on from this.” At least they’d resolved the most significant issue, making this little bump in the road to be almost trivial, right?

“Y/n’s right,” Maxxie agrees, falling back in his chair. “It could be worse. He could be taking Zoey to prom.”

***

They take Harry’s bike to Ruben’s right after dismissal. He enjoys this even more now that the faint restrictiveness from the first time is delightfully gone, and instead it just feels so completely natural to have her so close, and now with an added bonus of being able to kiss her fully.

Because now that he thinks about it, not a whole lot has actually changed besides that. Sure, they’re probably thrice as affectionate now than they were a month ago, or even at the beginning of last week. It really only was a matter of time!

“Halfsies on the roast beef and swiss, and a strawberry milkshake?” It’s their usual order starting from the first time they’d eaten here all the way back in September. They order it every time without fail as though tradition.

“Yeah, sounds good,” she sings, “but can we get mozzarella sticks too? Maxxie ate like half my lunch when we told them, so I’m a lot hungrier than usual.” She snorts out loud, closing her menu and placing it on the table.

Harry looks up at their waiter. “... and add some mozzarella sticks. Thanks, man.”

Comfortably, they sit and enjoy the song playing from the jukebox. Someone with excellent taste had just chosen Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, and Harry wraps his arm around her shoulders as he hums along to the chorus. “...built my life around you. But time makes you bolder, children get older...”

“You should sing more,” she encourages, pecking his cheek, “you have a really nice voice.”

He lets out an airy chuckle. “I guess you have to say that now.”

“Shut up, that’s not it!” she gasps, lightly smacking his chest. “I mean it.” She raises her hand to cup his cheek and uses her thumb to wipe away a fallen lash. Peering back at him, she smiles shyly. It’s almost strange, being able to do something like that so freely and without having to think twice. The way they’ve already managed to fall into this with such ease will never fail to astonish her.

Overcome with the sound of his heart’s tune, he surges forward to press his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. “I really, really like you,” he breathes as they pull apart just as their order arrives. “And I’m so happy this is finally happening.”

“Me too,” she says, pulling him back for one more.

For a moment she’s completely distracted by a basket of decadent fried mozzarella. She takes her favorite of the bunch –– the one that has the most cheese oozing from the tips –– and takes a bite, pulling it away to test the stretch. He takes the opportunity to ask a burning question.

“So, earlier at the library,” he starts, sounding as ambiguous as possible as he picks up a fry from the side of their plate. “Do you remember what Cici said?”

Her eyes narrow on him as she tries to think. Could he be referring to before or after she’d scolded them for stressing her out more than any upcoming exam? Or maybe when she’d called them lunatics for formal? “Cici said a lot of things today, Harry.”

“Well, there was this one thing that I’ve been thinking about all day” And he dips that fry into a pool of ketchup and layers it in his mouth. He muses to himself as he savors the crispy yet fluffy texture. “And I feel like it’s kind of urgent.” He shoots her a wink.

“Don’t leave me guessing then,” she pouts, swatting his hand away when he goes for another fry.

“It’s just that she called me your boyfriend,” he smirks, sitting back and waiting for it to fully marinate between her ears.

Her lips quirk to the side as she lies back and rests her head on his shoulder, then cranes her neck to gaze up at him. “She did say that, didn’t she?”

“She did.”

***

#president!harry #harry styles #harry styles imagine #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #harry styles au #harry styles drabble #harry styles fluff #one direction #one direction imagine #one direction fanfiction #one direction au #one direction preferences #writing

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