#if any of you are going to see queen in toronto

[maybeinanotherworld]

i haven't really mentioned this on here for some reason but i'm seeing queen+adam lambert on sunday and dear GOD I am so excited

[norrisprincess]

It's About You and Me

Summary: After so many romantic disappointments, you thought you weren't going to have another relationship, until one guy in particular caught your attention.

Pairing: Best Friend!Oscar Piastri x Best Friend!Singer!Reader

Warnings: No use of yn, just fluff, some dates do not match, the characters will fall in love slowly, fake concert and some bad words

Face claim: Sabrina Carpenter

Author Note: English isn't my first language, so I apologize in advance for any spelling errors! Some things were written with Google Translate.

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yourusername Ready for the Short n’ Sweet tour??? See you tomorrow! My new life starts in Columbus!

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user2 OMG SO READY!

user3 yessssss!!! ♥︎

user4 I AM QUEEN!!!!!!!

user5 PRETTY GIRL!! (Im poor but ready)

↳ user6 same 😔😭 x2

↳ user7 x3

↳ user8 x4 🤕

↳ user9 so true….x5

milliebobbybrown I will try to be there ❤️ liked by the author

user10 LANDO IN THE LIKES? HELLOO

↳ user11 🌝

↳ user12 lando and his likes 😭

↳ user13 LANDO IS A FAN LIKE US?

↳ user14 girl…he is her friend, and he can like her like us yk?

user15 YESS 🩵

user16 ILY AND YES OFC ☺️

oliviarodrigo Go for it girl!! liked by the author

lando Sure 😉 Oscar is too liked by the author

oscarpiastri … liked by the author

↳ user17 WHATTT??

↳ user18 QUE?

↳ user19 OSCAR IS WHAT? THE OSCAR?

↳ user20 HAHAH OMGGG

↳ user21 NAHH 🥸

user22 Im…im in shock, How could someone break up with you? 😾

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yourusername heeeello Columbus, Ohio! You were LOUD!

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yourusername A little break before heading to Toronto!!

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user23 GORGEOUS AS ALWAYS 😻

user24 outfit 10/10, makeup 10/10 you 10/10 ✨

user25 YAYYY LITTLE BREAK

user26 Toronto is waitingggg 🌚🌚

↳ user27 yes we aaaaaaarrrrrrreeeee

user28 is she the lucky amulet of Mclaren or smt?

↳ user29 why do you said it???

↳ user30 because Mclaren DID win this race 😜

oscarpiastri you look stunning in these pictures 🙂 but it was better seeing you in person liked by the author

↳ yourusername aww thanks pookie ☺️💖

↳ user32 WHATTTT

↳ user33 my two fandoms have reached me…finally

↳ user34 awww

↳ user35 they look so cute together! Couple material ✨💗

↳ user36 aww! So cuteee

oliviarodrigo 😎🫵🏻🆒 liked by the author

↳ yourusername 🫂💖

user37 omgggg🧡she is a papaya team fan!

user38 Your ex doesn't deserve you, you're too much for himm

user39 I LOVE YOUUUUU

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lando

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lando today was really fun 🥳

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user40 OMG ARE THOSE….?

↳ user41 yes girl…they are

↳ user42 😱

user43 OMGOMGOMGOMG

user44 I hope it wasn't Lando who drove because that martini is wild

↳ user45 THISSS

↳ user46 lol HAHAHH

yourusername it was!!! 😙 liked by the author

user47 I love their friendship 💜

user48 GO KARTS OMGGG

user49 the first and last pic are art 🙂‍↕️

↳ user50 omgggg yessss I love them ❤️

↳ user51 THISSS

user52 ❤️❤️❤️

oscarpiastri it was good, I had fun! liked by the author

↳ yourusername yuh huh liked by the author

↳ lando yuh huh 😎

user53 OOMMMGGGG

user54 THE FIRST PICCC 🥹

user55 awww 🆕 friend grouppp

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yourusername Toronto, you were wild!

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your pov

You were sitting peacefully in one of the seats of your private plane while Oscar was sitting in a seat next to you. He was looking at the window while you excitedly checked your phone before you heard an announcement on the plane's speakers calling both of your attention.

“Please fasten your seatbelts for our landing.��

The pilot's voice was heard and you both fastened your seat belts as the plane tilted slightly for the landing.

You got a little nerveous when some turbulence made the plane move a little and Oscar noticed it almost immediately when he saw how your eyes widened a little and you bit your lip in surprise.

“Are you ok?”

He asked you, taking your hand in his own while looking into your eyes.

“yes..I am ok”

You said, looking into his eyes while something inside you that you thought you would never feel again, was felt again after many months of crying.

He smiled at you before nodding and letting go of your hand at the same time that the pilot spoke again through the speakers.

“Welcome to Melbourne, Australia. Enjoy your stay here.”

You unbuckled your seatbelt before getting up from your seat and stretching your arms a little.

Oscar stood up a few seconds after you, shaking his shirt a little before turning completely towards you to look at your eyes.

“Do you need help with that?”

He asked, pointing to the overhead compartment where your suitcase was now.

“It would be great to get some help”

You said smiling at him while you fixed your hair a little.

Oscar smiled back at you before approaching the overhead compartments and taking your suitcase down, being careful not to drop it.

You took your suitcase and while Oscar also took his suitcase down from the overhead compartment before he extended his arm to you.

“Come on, Miss Sleepyhead”

Oscar said in a playful tone

“Here I go, Mr Pastry”

You said, wrapping your arms around his as you both dragged your suitcases toward the plane's exit door behind some security guards and authorized personnel.

You continued walking behind the staff as camera flashes and a few journalists talking became part of the background as you continued walking together. This moment was just the two of you.

just two best friends.

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yourusername I have one more thing to do before I leave Melbourne. 😉

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yourusername 🧡 let’s go McLaren (Oscar 🤭)

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lando what about me 🥺? liked by the author

↳ yourusername LET’S GO LANDOOOO 🥳💃

↳ lando thanks 😎 liked by the author

user59 you look beautiful in Orange!

user60 LETS GO PAPAYA TEAM 🥭

user61 with you supporting the team we will winnnnn

user62 MARRY MEEE 💋 You are fucking beautiful!!

user63 Long live single women! 😼

user64 so pretty!!!!!

oscarpiastri ❤️ liked by the author

↳ yourusername ❤️‍🩹

mclaren 🧡🧡🧡 liked by the author

user65 omg Im so excited!

↳ user66 me too!!!

user67 YAYY ANOTHER MCLAREN FAN

user68 linda muchachita! 💖

user69 you look so cuteeeeeee AHHH 😋

user70 we are going to win, Belive in me 😎

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oscarpiastri I want to thank first my team, who made an effort so I could get here, my teammate, Lando, who gave me funny moments and encouraged me before this race ,and, I want to thank my best friend, who was always there for me and who was present at the race today even though her time was running out, I thank you all for everything you have done for me.

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narrator pov

Oscar, Lando and you were celebrating Oscar's victory in P1 and Lando's victory in P2. You were on your private plane since you both agreed to accompany you again to your next concert in which you would make a special announcement, an announcement that you didn't think would be possible to make again.

Lando and Oscar were playing cards and Lando kept losing until he let out an offended sigh and went back to his seat earning a few giggles from you and Oscar.

Oscar sat next to you and you rested your head on his shoulder, yawning a little before you decided to close your eyes and fall into a deep sleep, the result of not having rested well the last few days since you had been very busy these days with your tour and some extra things, one of which was what you were preparing for your next concert.

Oscar moved a little so you could settle in better and before he could even touch you, Lando took a picture of you both while he laughed a little and ran away.

Oscar got up quickly, waking you up abruptly. Then you saw Oscar chasing Lando around the plane, making you laugh until your stomach started to hurt and you started to cry from laughter.

This was a moment to treasure, as it would always be the three of you...

or well, maybe not always.

your pov

The stage lights flickered in your face as you heard the energetic screams of your fans, some screaming with excitement and others singing the last line of the song you had just sung a few seconds ago.

The cold night wind hit your face as you smiled a little at your audience, which included Indo and Oscar, the latter being the one who seemed the most excited, although Indo wasn't far behind, singing all your songs without stopping.

You took a deep breath before sitting in the middle of the stage facing your audience.

A few seconds passed in which only the praises and shouts of the audience could be heard before you brought the microphone closer to your mouth causing a bit of silence to fall.

“This song has a meaning that...well, it's not for anything really serious but...do you think we change the meaning today?”

You said looking at Oscar before smiling again and starting to sing.

When they started clapping your eyes filled with tears, you wiped your tears and then looked at Oscar, who was no longer there, Lando just gave you a thumbs up sign and you nodded before turning back to the audience.

“Fuck, Im crying…Thank you all very much for being here...I love you all.”

You stood up before blowing a kiss to your audience and turning backstage.

Your footsteps could be heard all over the backstage area as you headed to your dressing room, your steps excited as you approached the door and when you opened it you saw Oscar standing there with a little box.

“I was thinking of giving it to you if I became world champion...or even if I didn't become world champion, I wanted to give it to you.”

Your eyes watered more as you looked at him and your hands went to your mouth while your tears began to roll down your cheeks.

He opened the little box in front of you revealing a beautiful necklace with your initial and his.

You turned around a little and he put the necklace on you, brushing his hands against your neck as he did so.

He turned you around so you were both facing each other and he bit his lip before smiling at you.

“I’ve tried to find the right words for a long time now, but nothing has ever seemed big enough, true enough, or brave enough. But I’m done hiding how I feel, because you deserve to know the truth. You’ve always been there for me—in the quiet moments, in the chaos, when I’ve been my best and when I’ve been at my lowest. You’ve seen every side of me and never once walked away. You’ve made me laugh when I didn’t think I could, listened when I had no words, and stood by me when I didn’t even know I needed someone. Somewhere along the way, something changed in my heart. What started as friendship—the purest, strongest kind—grew into something deeper. I fell for you. Not all at once, but gently, in the way your smile makes everything feel lighter, in the way your voice calms me, in the way just being near you feels like home. I love you. There it is. Simple. Honest. Maybe it was always there, quietly growing between us, or maybe I just finally let myself see it. I don’t want to risk our friendship, because it means everything to me. But I also can’t keep pretending these feelings don’t exist. If you don’t feel the same, I understand. And I’ll always be your friend, no matter what. But if even a small part of you feels this too, then maybe… maybe this could be the beginning of something even more beautiful than what we already have. Whatever happens, thank you—for being you. For being mine, even before I knew I loved you.”

You started to sob and Oscar hugged you, you hid your face in his neck while he stroked your hair, you smiled a little and rubbed your face against his neck and then Oscar kissed your head.

“and then...? you want to be my girlfriend?”

“Of course...I love you”

Your lips met Oscar's and he held you close while you kissed tenderly, a kiss full of love and patience.

You smiled at Oscar while you two were still kissing you melted into a special hug, in a moment that was only yours.

This moment belonged to you, in this moment, this was only about you, and him.

it’s about you, and him

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Taglist 🫶🏼

@theholyharp

congratulations! You are the first person on my Taglist!

[swaymann]

Late mornings

Pairings: Joesph Woll x reader

Summary: you spend a lazy morning with your fiancé, Joesph Woll.

Word count: 986

Warnings: normal adult relationship stuff.

You blink slowly awake, fingers trailing soft lines up and down your back tenderly. You hum in contentment stretching out like a cat after a nap, letting out a small grunt and a yawn. Turning your head to see the person next to you, smiling lazily up at him.

“Good morning you” he chuckles as he brushes your hair out of your face and onto the other side of you, looking down at you with admiration across his face.

“Morning” You grin sleepily, pressing a kiss to his shoulder, the closest piece of him you could reach without moving much.

He leans down and kisses your forehead, his fingers still tracing soft patterns across your back. “Fancy some breakfast?” He asks.

“I’d love some, and coffee too please?” You ask sweetly, blinking blearily up at him.

“You know I wouldn’t forget your coffee” he chuckles and stands up, pulling on a fresh pair of boxers from the chest of draws in the corner of the room.

He grabs his phone and walks out of the bedroom, not without a passionate kiss on your lips first.

You watch him leave, sighing in content, admiring his ass as he walks. Thinking about how lucky you are, with the perfect life, and the perfect fiancé who you wouldn’t trade for the world, the person who treats you like a queen, the person that is always there for you no matter what, loves every flaw you have. You don’t know how you found the perfect man.

On a random day, owning and working at your own book store, in Toronto. Surrounded by your favourite hobby. Books and reading. One day, specifically a Tuesday, even more specific the 13th of November. A tall, dark haired, bright eyed man walked into your shop, asking for a specific book. Despite having that exact book in, he still kept coming back with new books he wanted, wasn’t till you were together that he confessed he only kept coming back to see you, he didn’t really need the books.

The thought brings another smile to your face as you sit up, stretching and cracking your back. Grabbing one of Joseph’s shirts and pulling it on, you pad your way to the bathroom and go about your business.

Heading downstairs once you’re ready, the smell of pancakes wafting through your house, enticing you to follow. Walking into the kitchen and wrapping your arms around his waist from behind, resting your head on his back.

“Smells great Joe” you hum against his back, splaying your hands across his abs, secretly feeling him up as you do pretty much any chance you get. Admiring his body, honed by hours of training and playing hockey.

“It’s almost ready, babe. Your coffees ready for you on the table, just the way you like it” he flips the pancakes over in the pan. Picking up one of your hands of his abs, kissing your palm, giggling from his scruffy beard tickling your hand.

“God you’re the best” kissing the centre of his back you walk over to the living room and siting down on the couch, your coffee on the coaster, steaming and ready for you to sip the nectar of God. Cut up fruit, bottle of syrup and your cutlery are set out neatly ready for you on the coffee table in front of you. Sipping on your perfectly made drink as you wait for him.

Joseph walks into the living room, two plates in his hand, he places one in your awaiting hands and sits in the spot next to you, setting his plate down on the coffee table to start loading up with the additions.

You lean over and give him a quick kiss, “thank you for breakfast” starting to load up the fruit and syrup onto the perfectly cooked pancakes as well.

He follows suit as you both tuck into the pancakes. “I have training this afternoon with the team” he reminds you as you both enjoy your breakfast. Both of you leaning against the back of the cushioned couch, your favourite sitcom on low in the background.

“I’ll have to continue this lazy day without you then” you grin over at him, a little bit of syrup on the corner of your lips.

He chuckles, leaning over towards you, swiping his thumb across your lips and collecting the small dollop, sucking on his thumb, a small smirk on his face.

Your face heats slightly at his action, your cheeks turning pink, “when I’m back I’ll come back, right to this spot, and we can continue lazying around”

“Sounds good to me” finishing off your plate of pancakes, placing it down on the coffee table, his following and climbing into his lap. He wraps his arm around your waist, holding you close, his hands running up the back of your shirt and splaying across your naked back. Chest to chest, you kiss a path up his neck to his jaw softly as he holds you close. Your favourite thing is lazy mornings like this, enjoying each others embraces without having to talk constantly. Soft touches, tender kisses, and a whole lot of cuddling.

One hand moves off your back and runs through your hair. “I could stay like this forever” he admits, glancing down at you.

You look up at him through your lashes, “we have the rest of our lives for this” you grin at him, the engagement band on your finger, a gold band with emerald stones embedded in it, your favourite colour, and as joesph likes to remind you, his favourite colour too, because it matches your eyes.

You kiss him, wrapping your arms around his neck and holding him close, running your fingers up through the back of his shaggy hair. His arms holding you against him as he kisses you back just as fiercely. Life could not get any better than this.

[freyafrida]

rilla of ingleside, chapter six

fairly short and less heavy chapter -- i mean, it's still quite sad buuuut less to grapple with re: the righteousness of WWI and speeches about whether or not it was worthwhile whew

“Who would be president? Not she. The older girls would not like that. Irene Howard? No, somehow Irene was not quite as popular as she deserved to be. Marjorie Drew? No, Marjorie hadn’t enough backbone. She was too prone to agree with the last speaker. Betty Mead—calm, capable, tactful Betty—the very one!”

Rilla puts together a Junior Red Cross! On the one hand, always appreciate indications that the Blythes and Merediths are not the only people in the Glen, on the other hand, who are these people

(My girl Una is treasurer! Why? Who knows. I do headcanon that she's probably a bit careful about money, having grown up somewhat shabbily in Rainbow Valley. I am intrigued by Rilla wanting to put her in any kind of official role if only because Una gives the vibe -- and Rilla herself later says -- that she's happy just doing whatever.) (Also inch resting choice to put Una in the Junior Red Cross -- she's ten in RV which takes place in 1906 iirc? So she's about three years older than Rilla; RV says she's also only a year younger than Faith/Nan/Di, who are in the regular Red Cross. Some older girls like Irene are also in the Junior Reds, idk if the split is between the social circles of the girls that went to college and not.)

Rilla herself thinks that she has an aptitude for planning and organizing that surprises her, and we also see her perceptiveness about people again here, figuring out how everyone's personalities will fit in the Red Cross group. I love it, although I'm trying to imagine how that would play into her future? Tbh she actually would've made a good teacher, had she gone to Queen's. I guess she probably would make a good society wife, assuming she marries Ken and they throw a bunch of parties in Jazz Age Toronto together. rilla/carl agenda time: they travel the world together looking for bugs and rilla organizes all the train and ship schedules

“You have basted the top hem of that sheet on one side and the bottom hem on the other,” said Di.”

aaand this is the only thing Di says to Rilla across three books 💀 (is this Di's only line of dialogue in this book entirely?)

The bit where Anne mentions wanting to pick baby Jem up at night and Gilbert saying it would foster bad habits sounds so familiar but it's not in House of Dreams, so I can only assume it's because I've read this book eighty million times (the closest thing in HOD is their little discussion about baby talk, although Gilbert never quite protests against baby talk; the narration only notes he's not entirely sure the anti-baby talk author -- predecessor to Morgan? lol -- is wrong).

“Jem Blythe and Jerry Meredith left next morning. It was a dull day, threatening rain, and the clouds lay in heavy grey rolls over the sky”

😢 Heartbreaking to think that their families thought they'd see Jem and Jerry again in a few months -- if the worst didn't happen -- only for the two of them to serve the entire war. (also the running bits of the bravery and stoicism of the women at home are here again, idk perhaps I'll think of more to say when that pops up again in the future)

(Mary cries over Jem and Jerry enlisting!!! I love her idc.)

“but almost everybody in the Glen and Four Winds and Harbour Head and Upper Glen and over-harbour--except Whiskers-on-the-moon--were there to see them off.”

Sometimes when I write fanfic I just stick one of these names in there for the setting bc I really have no idea where any of these places are in relation to each other or if they're all considered separate towns or what

“Mrs. Drew did not understand but Rilla did. She flung up her head. Her brother did not have to be urged to go.”

@theincorrigiblemagpie brought up the good point that Rilla is very proud of Jem and a bit scornful of the families whose sons don't enlist, while simultaneously reassuring Walter that it's fine for him to be too afraid to enlist. My feeling is that...yeah, Rilla is just being hypocritical about her favorite brother lmao -- although with further thought, I do wonder if part of it is also defensiveness, as several people actually are a bit discouraging of Jem and Jerry enlisting. (Jem and Jerry are the only ones, it seems, that enlist from the Glen.) There's criticism from some of the characters (Mary, Mrs. Drew, the Reeses) that the war is a lot of fuss over nothing, and the boys rushing off to fight are doing something stupid.

“A queer little wind of desolation that even Jem’s going had not caused, blew over Rilla’s spirit.”

LMAOOO this is in relation to Ken going back to Toronto. Your brother is leaving for war, Rilla 💀 Honestly, I was never a huge Jem fan (too well-liked and well-adjusted to interest me I'm afraid) but I'm starting to come around on him, mostly because I feel bad that Nan and Rilla are freaking out about Jerry, Walter, and Ken enlisting/not enlisting and then are like "Oh yeah and it's sad Jem is going too." lmao, jeez guys.

(Also, totally didn't notice in the lighthouse dance chapters, but Mary is always calling Ken "Ken", while Rilla calls him "Kenneth" up until midway through the book. Idt Ken and Mary know each other like that? It would be so on-brand for Mary to assume familiarity with him, though, and I say this with affection.)

The bit with all the snatches of conversation -- everyone moving on with their lives, offering opinions on the men's enlistment though they aren't the ones affected -- feels so real. "A Long, Long Way to Tipperary" is referenced! It predates WWI but is v. much associated with it (per the glossary, it gained popularity as a marching song) although idk if it would be anachronistic for a rando Canadian to know it that well before any Canadians had gone overseas to fight. Anyway, ngl it's a catchy song.

“Jem kissed Faith before everybody”

in front of God and everybody!!! not to be my grandma or anything. Intrigued by Rilla saying she "thinks" they are really engaged last chapter -- that makes it seem like it's not really a formal thing? I suppose maybe they just...agreed upon it between each other, and Jem would later tell their families and it would become official? (I briefly thought an informal engagement right before going off to war was insanity but then remembered that Jem almost certainly didn't think he'd be gone that long.)

“Nobody missed Dog Monday at first. When they did Shirley went back for him. He found Dog Monday curled up in one of the shipping sheds near the station and tried to coax him home. Dog Monday would not move. He wagged his tail to show he had no hard feelings but no blandishments availed to budge him. “Guess Monday has made up his mind to wait there till Jem comes back,” said Shirley, trying to laugh as he rejoined the rest.”

Shirley! \o/ Brief insight to his personality here (trying to crack a joke to ease the atmosphere).

I have no real feelings on Monday waiting for Jem and I feel kinda bad :( I find it cute but not super moving. Dogs are to me what babies are to Rilla, I guess -- I like them but that's about it? Lmao sorry Monday. Glad there's another member of the Blythe family that cares about Jem's enlistment ❤️

Also I was reminded that the way Monday is described (yellow with black spots) honestly has always made me picture him as a banana slug. Sorry Monday (again some more)

glossary bits:

Readying Rilla bits:

Rilla originally thinks of putting in "Jen Vickers" as treasurer; the name later pops up as a girl Rilla doesn't like.

Two cut instances of Selwyn Ken calling Rilla "Rilla-my-Rilla"; he doesn't call her that at all in the final version.

Repeated references to Monday as "Rags" in the draft of this chapter as well.

There's a cut mention of "the other three volunteers" leaving with Jem and Jerry, presumably the three boys who "followed their example" that were cut from chapter 5 -- which leaves Jem and Jerry as the only ones that rushed to enlist from the Glen? (It feels obvious now but idk, Jem says "scores" of men are enlisting, I always assumed that maybe there were some people from over-harbor or Four Winds or one of those towns who enlisted and just weren't mentioned.)

Ken originally refers to his ankle as "blooming" instead of "bally", lmao.

Rilla originally lisps and calls Selwyn/Ken (Kenwyn?) "Thelwyn."

Cut line of Rilla wanting to "scratch Nathan's eyes out" (re: Nathan Crawford, who says "them young fools are just going for adventure). There's def. moments of Rilla getting angry in the book, but not quite this kind of violence, so that's interesting.

Di was forgotten from the group of Blythe kids walking back from the station (it says "Walter and Una and Shirley and Carl and Rilla"), I guess it happens to all Blythe kids eventually!

Walter originally goes back for Monday; he's replaced by Shirley (Walter originally makes Shirley's joke about Monday waiting there for Jem, which def. doesn't sound entirely like him!)

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

German Yellowjacket (Queen) - Vespula germanica

Although today's find may seem like just an ordinary Yellowjacket Wasp, I assure you that she is something very special. This individual is in fact a Wasp Queen, and the first to be featured on this blog. When her pictures were taken, she was observed gathering wood pulp using the scraping action of her mandibles. You can see how much she has scraped up based on the trail left in the wooden signpost. I would have taken a video, but the construction near the Lash Miller chemistry building was too loud for a comfortable experience. In any case, as a young queen who has survived the bitter chill of winter, it is up to her to choose a suitable location for her nest, and then construct the beginning of that nest. She's completed the latter, and typically this specie is a ground-nesting Wasp, rather than one who builds a nest in a cavity or under an overhang. However, on the University of Toronto's (U of T) campus, it's possible that this regal specimen found a nice seclusion to build in. In any case, she collects material to build nest combs in which eggs will be placed. Over time her first batch of hatchlings will mature into adult workers, and they will be assigned with the queen's former duties of foraging, defending and maintaining the structure and cleanliness of the nest.

When those workers Wasps eventually go to forage, I can seem them being quite a major nuisance during U of T campus' summer time. Interestingly, the many generations of Wasps that this queen creates will appear slightly different in terms of appearance (its all in the genes). With that being the case, how can be tell that the Wasp in these pictures is a queen? The answer is relatively simple for this specie: German Yellowjacket queens will have a diamond-shaped marking on the first segment of their abdomen. By comparison, the similar-looking native Eastern Yellowjacket (both queens and workers) have a wide "anchor-shaped" marking in the same location, as do the German Yellowjacket workers (their anchor-marking is more narrow). Further, this queen's subordinates will also display more prominent black markings along the abdomen's segments, while a queen's pattern typically appears reduced, as if her abdomen has black spots running down the side. The face of a Yellowjacket can also provide a clue on which specie she belongs to. Thanks to Picture 6's close up, we can see spots on lower part of her face and no further prominent striping in the center of her face or above her antenna. As a final add-on, male/drone Wasps are simpler to identify from their fellow nestmates; they have longer antennae and distinctly longer abdomens which lack a sharp tip.

Pictures were taken on May 29, 2025 with a Google Pixel 8a. For additional information regarding North American Vespula specie identification and how to discern differences between Wasp Queens, Workers and Drones of the same specie, you can check out Bugguide's Vespula genus page via the clickable link if you like.

[ofmdrecaps]

09/10-17/2024 Daily OFMD Recap Pt 2

TLDR; Taika Waititi; Ruibo Qian; Madeleine Sami; Samba Schutte; Leslie Jones; Rachel House; Minnie Driver; Rory Kinnear;

Part 1 / Part 3

== Taika Waititi ==

New shots of Taika and his fancy drinks keep popping up over on instagram!

Source: Taika Drink Instagram

The main hot news from Taika was all the fun he had at the 76th Annual Emmy Awards (for Reservation Dogs!)

Source: Indigenous.tv Instagram / Post 2

Source: Pope of the Bowery Instagram

And some not so amazing news... but if you hadn't heard already, Taika's new project, Time Bandits has been cancelled by Apple TV. What's worse is they did on Kal-El Tuck (Kevin in Time Bandit)'s birthday Sept 17th. Jerks. I dont know of any petition or campaign to renew efforts-- but if you do please let me know, I'd love to share!

Source: Deadline

== Ruibo Qian ==

Our brilliant Pirate Queen is still visiting China, and she is BRINGING the cat content, I love it.

Source: Ruibo's Instagram

== Madeleine Sami ==

Our darling Archie has so much going on! Deadloch S2 is being filmed in Darwin, and the gals are having a great time!

Not to mention more Double Parked Episodes!

Source: PrimeVideoAuNZ Instagram

== Samba Schutte ==

Samba's new movie, Advanced Chemistry is making it's way around the country! Alec Moore, writer, producer of the movie is spreading the word-- wanna see if there are showings available near you? Check out their website!

Source: Alec Moore's Instagram

Did anyone get to go see Advanced Chemistry in LA?

How was the Q & A ?

Source: Samba's Instagram

Oh and GUESS WHO'S BACK with more Crew For Life Merch and Cooking classes! Wanna get in on them? ShopStands!

Source: Samba's Instagram

== Leslie Jones ==

Leslie's is back out giving the LA Sparks some love!

Source: Leslie Jones Instagram

== Rachel House ==

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) ended on the 15th, but we're still getting some cute shots of her, friends, and the cast of her new directorial movie Te Maunga (The Mountain)! Our Mary Reed really shined at the Festival!

Source: Rachel House's Instagram

== Minnie Driver ==

With everything going on with Mary, how could we forget our beloved Anne Bonny? Minnie's out here looking cute.

AND she and Rory Kinnear (The Badminton Twins) are going to be in the performance of White Rabbit Red Rabbit in Soho Place London in November! Thank you so much to our friends over at @adoptourcrew for keeping us appraised! Want to learn more? Visit White Rabbit Red Rabbit.

Source: Adopt Our Crew's Twitter

Continued in Part 3!

[noctiva]

I’m going to Toronto you have any recs on stuff to do ? 🫶

HMMMMMM!

go to sneaky dee’s bc their nachos are 2 die for. also a super fun venue for live music and nighttime events! I <3 sneaky dee’s

Kensington market! I promise u that you will be able to spend hours there alone

There’s a lot of cool vintage shops on queens st!

Just seeing the CN tower is neat but u can also grab dinner there! super nice view obv

High park is vvvv pretty. The cherry blossoms already bloomed and fell but it’s still a very nice place to walk through

Take the ferry or water taxi 2 Toronto island

Anddd it’s not IN Toronto specifically but, it’s literally like a 20ish minute drive from downtown - Pacific mall is one of my favourite places on earth. Three stories of wall to wall vendors. getting onigiri for like $2 is so peak

the AGO!! (art gallery of ontario) oh I love this place. they host such fun exhibits! I remember it used to be free evening entries on Wednesdays? idk if they still do that

[thatrickmcginnis]

PHILIP GLASS, Toronto 1989

I couldn't tell you why Philip Glass was giving a press conference in the backroom of the Rivoli on Queen West back in February of 1989, but he had a lot going on at the time and since memory fails me you'll just have to guess. Born in Baltimore in 1937, Glass is easily among the most famous composers alive today - a great accomplishment since his music, when it was first performed in the '60s, was considered hopelessly avant-garde. He accomplished this mostly by making himself ubiquitous - composing and performing his works everywhere he could, and taking on commissions like movie soundtracks to help make his distinctive version of minimalism less forbidding and more mainstream. I was part of that generation who came of age as Glass' music went from loft to music festival to opera house to movie theatre, so when I heard he was in town I tried to get a few minutes of his time for a portrait - and failed.

An invitation to a press conference with Philip Glass in the back of a club was my consolation prize when I couldn't arrange a portrait sitting. Normally I wouldn't have bothered, but I wanted to get some kind of portrait with Glass, and if an unposed, "undirected" portrait was all that was available, I'd take it. (I still debate whether this is a portrait at all, but a lot of people say it is, so I'll go with the crowd.) The late '80s were a crucial time for Glass: besides the soundtrack to Powaqqatsi (the sequel to Koyaanisqatsi, one of the great rep cinema stoner films of all time) he had provided one for Errol Morris' acclaimed documentary The Thin Blue Line, and he was working in more conventional classical idioms, like the string quartet and symphonic compositions. He could have been promoting any of these things when he sat down to talk to the press that morning in the Rivoli backroom.

When I pulled out my camera to photograph Philip Glass during a morning press conference in the back of a downtown club, the first thing I noticed was that there wasn't much in the way of light. I had come prepared, loading my Pentax Spotmatic with high speed Kodak film, but once I was able to judge that I had a decent exposure I was actually grateful. While I couldn't demand his attention like I could with a real portrait session, the single spotlight in that room with its black walls picked him out starkly; without any distractions in my composition, I was practically forced to take a minimalist portrait of a minimalist composer. In pursuit of this, I've pared down the pictures even more - taking out reflections and microphones, isolating Glass' face in each frame, tightening how the light hits his face with some digital assists. (I've even rendered one shot in colour, just to see what it would have looked like if I'd put colour film in my camera.) In the end I consider these more graphics than portraits, but they'll have to do until the (probably slim) chance I get to get Glass to sit down for a real portrait.

[the-empress-7]

Did all of this "my family's not safe" bs start after the Plat Jub trip to the UK? Or because they were able to stay at Froggy Cott and had the umbrella protection there and at the 2 events they attended, it wasn't an issue and now they don't have that umbrella because they are NFI to any BRF events yet want IPP so they can do anything/go anywhere they want in the UK (and elsewhere)? So they really don't want to see his family at all, they just want to be able to (private) jet in and out of the country any time they want and be treated as a head of state.

It all started since the night his pencil dick fell into her. For real, she started the "I fear for my life because I am not white" since the day she met him, it's when she staged the false break in at her Toronto rental, which then eventually led to him releasing the love shield statement.

You have to understand that she has carefully plotted this from all the way in 2016. In short order, Harry went from being her unwitting puppet to co-conspirator.

You are right that it has ramped up and there are a few reasons for it 1. The Queen died which messed up their timeline 2. FC was never good enough for them, even if they still had it, we'd still be here today. She was never going to settle for anything less than Windsor Castle. 3. Until last year (post eviction) Charles was still offering them accommodations at CH or St. James. Like I just said, not good enough.

Not having IPP status or whatever would look like its equivalent has really put a spanner in their plan to campaign their way to getting Harry elected as Head of the Commonwealth and then Co-King (readers please don't come argue with me about this paragraph, I know what the facts are but the Harkles do not).

[rayneisnotwet]

Well that isn’t what we expected is it? Trump winning the white house. In the salient words of Miss Juicy, ”What the hell we gon’ do now?”. Everyone has a different idea. “We need to engage in our communities!” , “I’m moving to Canada!”, “I’m doing c*ke in the bathroom!” some cry out. Others are disengaging from the zeitgeist, and with it, apparently, social media. But when people announce these reactionary ideas of theirs, it feels more like a child yelling that they hate their parents because they got their Xbox taken away than a serious strategy to avoid oppression. I get it though, everyone just wants a change now. The hottest new accessory is going to be a poorly thought out style choice. Short haircuts with clumsy dye jobs and a trashcan full of “I’m with her!” memorabilia is how everyone dealt with this last time. But what is really the answer to this feeling?

Well, you’re all in luck. Because as a Trans drag queen in the midwest with an enhanced ID, I have the insight into all these coping methods. I write this while smoking a skinny cig. sitting on a picnic table in my childhood backyard, on property that’s interest rates doubled so fiercely it convinced both my parents to vote Trump and pushed me farther left than I thought was possible before I just detransitioned into Mao Zedong. I doubt that social media breaks announced via Instagram story or a vote for a failed businessman turned reality star or a jar of Manic Panic Amazon Primed to your door is going to make any of us feel any better, or bring the dollar menu at the drive thru back.

The Canadian immigration website crashed in 2016 after Trump won the first time, and to be fair I can see why. Everytime I visit, a feeling of relaxation washes over me. Not just because it's where my boyfriend lives, but because it's a genuinely very easy place. People stroll instead of scurrying through the streets. Even in Toronto, the largest city. The food is fantastic as well. The cosmopolitan-and just like that, I started ordering them-attitudes lead to a huge mix of cultures that seem to coexist in a much more mixed fashion than the notoriously segregated US. Sure, there’s the french-speaking Quebecois, but every country has annoying people. The friendliness is no joke either (as long as it’s not a service worker), people ask you how you are as a question, rather than a greeting.

Canada isn’t a liberal wonderland though, despite what Justin Trudeau might lead you to believe. During my Toronto visit, I checked out Dundas Square, the canuck equivalent of Times Square (there was no one in knockoff Elmo costumes). As soon as we stepped out of the subway station it was awash with the sounds of protest. A First Nations demonstration played out, with people chanting “LET HIM GO!” while drum beats punctuated the cries. A woman sat on a speaker holding a microphone, telling the heart-wrenching story of her son who had been shot during a wellness check by police in the midst of a mental health crisis. I wanted to support and join in the chanting, but my boyfriend advised not to, warning me the TPS were just as brutal as any American police department, especially to Trans women. Moments later a man, middle aged, bald, and white, started hitting on me aggressively. My boyfriend immediately shielded me from him, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer and made a scene. Another man chimed in, “That's not a ‘She’ bro!”

We got out of there fast.

So while Canada may have a more charismatic leader on the world stage, and policies that protect its vulnerable communities slightly better than the US, it’s not a utopia for Queers. Least of all Trans women or Two Spirit people. The truth is there is no such thing as safe spaces. As long as tribalism is baked into our monkey brains, we will find something to point at and feel superior about over someone else. I’ve actually felt more disrespected in some majority white gay male bars than I have in dives in my hometown of bumfuck Jackson playing the UofM game on their tv. A word of advice to The Dolls, don’t underestimate the cruelty of men. 🚬 or not. That isn’t to say I hadn't found community in a lot of Queer parties.

I had started my post-election-pity-party at Necto in Ann Arbor for the finale of the UofM-student-powered drag competition reality show Runway Rumble. Michigan’s best and brightest new talent (and others) battling it out for the belt. Those of us that had been eliminated were doing a group number with the finalists and accepting awards. The energy was electric, people were excited to see each other and drinks were flowing. I can't speak for coke in the bathroom because I was in an outfit that didn't allow for bathroom visits, and frankly a bank account that didn't allow for coke.

With all the excitement and nerves in the air about who would clinch the win, it felt like our community’s political turmoil was dead and gone. Although, some people were drinking so much I thought they might go the same way.

Spoiler alert, Belladonna won the competition, and for me that was such a relief. To see a Trans woman win a competition like this and receive the recognition she so rightly deserved as a fixture in the Detroit scene was vindicating as a Doll Supremacist. Shoutout to you diva, you did that shit. Big shoutout also to one of the judges, Pineapple Honeydew, for finger-waving my look that night. I hugged Bella and joined in on the rest of the cast and crew who were inundating her with congratulations, and that's when I realized something. In this bar, on this stage, in THIS moment, Trump wasn’t president. He’ll never be president of Necto, or president of drag. This place, these people, were presidentless. This country may have elected him with the popular vote, but that didn’t matter here. His political success couldn’t take away Belladonna’s Drag excellence. Or Portia’s for creating the show. Or mine for leaving my mark on the show as Drama Diva and holder of the Golden Boot. No. Our community, its survival and ability to thrive, was entirely dependent on US, not THEM.

So yes, things will be much more difficult now. This will be a tough time for Trans kids, for immigrants, especially mexicans. A tough time for the elderly on social security, a battle for young mothers and young women trying NOT to become mothers. For blue collar workers in unions, for their families. Entire classes of people, communities, towns, families, they’ll be ripped apart. We’ve already seen how populism injected into right-wing politics can create the perfect siren’s song to attract members of our family, turning them into strangers. But at the end of the day, the days gotta end. Will we all take this lying down? Or with a smile on our faces, a tequila sunrise in one hand and our loved ones hand in the other? Our community, no, we protest and sing and dance and drink and dress up and be gay! Openly! Loudly! Until they realize we really aren’t going anywhere.

[sketchfanda]

Kirishima's Mystique: Weapon XXX-23

Canada, the great white north, a vast wide little land consisting of regions such as Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec. Currently within the serene wildness of the Canadian rockies, our resident Red Riot and his cotton candy link Alien Queen were having themselves a little camping trip. Nothing said summer fan like gong hiking around a different country as the sturdy and acidic pair were busy setting up shop. Mina busy prepping the picnic spot and gathering up some kindling for a campfire, that is when she wasn’t busy stealing some glances at her man.

Sensually biting her lip as his tanktop did a grand job showing off that pair of gun shows he called his arms. If there was a vet around,she’d have to call about some “sick pythons”, that was for sure, his biceps and biceps pumped and flexed from all that effort and goddamn was it making her thirsty as all fuck. Rubbing her thighs together as she tried to keep her dirty thoughts at bay, at least until they'd finished setting up camp. Pouting adorably as she thought of how lonely she and Kirishima felt without the third wheel of their tricycle.

Mina:"It's still such a bummer Maya couldn't join us on this trip. I mean granted not often she gets to visit home..."*The cotton candy bombshell quipped as she was still feeling a bit incomplete without their shared girlfriend. Maya of course was indeed spending a week or two in her home of Jagua del Toro which did remind Mina of one thing. They definitely had to go their for sure, she just knew that place wasn't just famous for its beaches, but especially the babes. The kind of babes she and Maya knew would get their Riot all nice and riled up....*

Kirishima:"Ah it is what it is, sometimes but hey next time around we might go with her there, right?"*The sturdy hero quipped in response as he continued nearing completion of the tent. Missing the erotic leer Mina shot his way as she began making her way towards him, lust glowing in her golden racoon eyes. Who could blame her when her man was looking so delicious and fuckable, those firm muscles of his in motion as he worked away on setting up their camp. She had to think it wasn't all bad given she and Kirishima could fuck as much as they wanted, loud as they wanted without anyone to bother them but the critters of nature.*

Any further personal musings of thought or conversation dirty or otherwise when they heard some very loud sounds incoming from nearby their way. Sounds of a very telltale nature that implied combat and conflict of a struggle that was very intense. Being of heroic personality of course the red and pink duo knew they had to intervene and go see what the situation was and just their luck that had to be quite a doozy. Upon investigation of course that wound up being proven to be quite the understatement.

But of course how often were you to likely run into some petite but well toned feisty but fierce girl clad in leather swinging pair of duel bladed claws in her hands like a wild animal. Small wonder she was fighting of course given she was going up against a group of misfits from the infamous Brotherhood, one of the most notorious quirk supremacist gangs around. Suffice to say that what was followed was an intense battle to say the least but numbers weren’t a problem when You had a duo like Pinky and Red Riot backing you up. Oh come on, you really think I’m gonna go into details about how the battle went?

Yeah I thought so, we all know what you’re all really here for so let’s get this show on the road, shall we? After the ragtag renegade band of villains were rounded up followed by some questions and statements with local law enforcement, the red and pink duo were soo back in their camp now with the added company of their new friend they'd saved. A young girl by the name of X-23, or Laura as she found most preferred to call her and to say her lifestory was complex and tragic was an understatement. But she wasn't one to dwell on the past, least compared to how she was then compared to now though it could be hard to tell with how calm, composed and stoic she was.

But she proved to be willing to try and socialise and it helped that Kirishima and Mina had a natural friendliness and affability about them that made them easy to like. Laura certainly had to say mina's peppy motor mouth and spunkiness rather reminded her of Jubilee in a way as the trio enjoyed some small talk and a little bit of the natural tranquillity and serenity of nature of course. Soon of course dusk began to make itself known as the Canadian wilderness became bathed in the fading light and shade of the setting sun as the trio enjoyed a little peace and quiet and making some s'mores around the campfire before Kirishima and Mina decided to call it a night but not before offering to set up a spare tent for Laura to enjoy some privacy as well as peace and quiet. Leaving her be to enjoy the campire while it lasted as they ducked into their own tent a few feet away.

Laura of course wasn't clueless or naive as she seemed to the duo and what they were really up to at this very moment. Her enhanced senses could pick up the sounds and scents of what was going on so close yet so far from her in their tent. The slapping of skin on skin, the clapping of asscheeks as Mina struggled to keep her volume down against the relentless assault of pleasure coming from her boyfriend as he danced the oldest dance known to men and woman with her sexy pink self. It was, quite frankly, intoxicating for the young woman as she felt leather clad thighs becoming soaked with sticky nectar flowing from her quivering pussy.

Oh she certainly appreciated their civility and politeness in not wanting to disturb or offend her with their passion and desire but if anything it made her curios. Despite how cool, calm and stoic she seemed, internally was a different story as she felt that innate primal beast within her stirring. The beast within that desired to mate and breed, sensing the presence of a strong, worthy alpha male, an instinct she felt the moment she'd laid eyes on Kirishima and his feats of strength and power from when he and Mina had helped her out earlier today. Hence she saw no lack of logic in her next set of moves to make as she got up from her seat by the weakening campfire and made her way over the lovers' tent.

The closer she got, the more intense the sounds and scents of their erotic mating hit her senses turning her on something fierce, a glowing red blush on her face as she silently panted with husky desire, eyes glowing with rising lust as she approached the tent. Kneeling down as she stealthily, slowly unzipped the entry way and peeked inside to find quite the delightful show happening before her. The sight of Mina mounted atop her chivalrous Himbo cowgirl style as she bounced her bubbly cotton candy pink booty on that shaft of his. Which she could gleam had to have quite the length and girth on it if the rising bump in Mina's stomach was anything to go by, the alien queen sensually biting her lip, perky pink titties bouncing as she caressed her man's washboard abs while he held her hips firmly.

Eijiro of course hadn't yet noticed their sudden voyeur but Mina's lust hazed golden eyes did, sending her a secret sensual smile Laura's way. The goth-like Wolverine clone knowing enough body language to know Mina wasn't just asking if she was enjoying this show but inviting her to join. After all why watch when it'd be better to share the fun together? Laura of course got the hint easily enough as to Mina’s delight, she began to strip down until she was naked as the day she was born.

Kirishima of course was none the wiser until he suddenly found his view of Mina bouncing on his Lil’ Riot suddenly obscured by Laura straddling his face as she sat and parked her toned perky ass atop it. Grinding and rubbing her slit before she let out soft gasps and moans as she felt his tongue respond to lick and lap away at her flowing nectar. Mina's sensual smile widening as she continued to bounce away on her lover's cock, leaning forward to press her lip's to their new sex friend's own. Tongues dancing together in their growing bond of intimacy as the girl most knew as X-23 expressed her gratitude in a way that felt fun and natural for her.

The campfire had long since gone out but the fires of passion in this threesome only continued to burn bright well long into the night as moans and the primal rhythm of skin on skin filled the wild Canadian air. The tent a tangle of limbs shifting and dancing through a variety of positions and combinations of 2 on one to one on one as one third of the kinky group would catch their breaths. Laura or Mina eating one another out as the hard-headed redhead pounded them doggy style or in missionary to Mina fingering herself with erotic delight as she looked on at the female Wolverine getting it deep and hard in a mating press. Laura was clearly no virgin by any stretch but hotdamn if it wasn't clear she hadn't been with someone on the level that Kirishima and his Alien Queen were at, and this was without their resident blue shapeshifting bombshell girlfriend!!

Naturally Mina was making plans to send Maya the details of this illicit little encounter with their lovely new friend, that is once they woke up in the morning of course. Right at the moment was about feeling as good as they possibly can, as Laura herself now watched on as she recovered her stamina. Probing her pussy with her fingers as she looked on at Mina getting it deep and hard while that flexible bubblegum pink bombshell body of hers was held by Kirishima in a full nelson as he knelt on the tent ground. Grunting and groaning as Mina was rocked with orgasms which only skyrocketed as she soon found Laura licking away at their conjoined loins, lust glowing in those cool eyes of hers. Which the horned girl of course found so damn hot....

By the time this little threesome had finally finished, dawn was kicking in as it bathed the wilderness in the radiant glow of sunrise's light. The tent warmly glowing adding to the afterglow shared by the 3 as Laura laid draped atop Kirishima while Mina spooned and hugged her boyfriend's side. Their bodies glistening with sweat and spent juices as Laura held a soft, rare little smile on her face, thinking to herself she needed more than just the one night. Reminding herself that she had come out looking to find herself spiritually and now she was thinking maybe she might be able to do that if she transferred to Japan, especially once she learned which campus Kirishima and Mina went to.

Not long after this unexpected acquaintanceship encounter in Canada, Laura's well known, imfamous father had his clone daughtered texting with enquiries about arranging a transfer or entry into an exchange program for hero schools in Japan. While Maya found herself getting a delightful surprise in the form of a few texts and videos, especially of the sexy variety from her fave Pinky and definitely liking what she saw. Reminding herself she should definitely get a few of her gal pals in Jagua to come meet her girlfriend and especially their boyfriend and ooh some gals in Japan should definitelt come to her little home paradise. The beaches were hot but the dudes and bitches were hotter!!

Sometimes it wasn't easy being a student for a hero school, especially when yours was the generation that had to deal with quirk erasing yakuza bosses, a quirk hoarder with a demon god complex and a nihilistic hand-freak among other things. But other times it made for quite the love life when you found romance especially when going camping somewhere like in some woods in Canada made you get lucky. Yeah a mouthful I know but hey, you know what they say. How sweet it is....

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Meghan Pitches ARO on Shark Tank by u/wenfot

Meghan Pitches ARO on Shark Tank I can see it now:MM: As a woman of color, Damond, you would be a perfect investor. You are in the pet food space, so my designer dog biscuits would add prestige to my -- oops, your portfolio.DJ: You forget that you abandoned your dog before you left for the UK and your other dog had his two front legs broken. Animal abusers aren't good spokespeople. I'm out.MM: Lori, you are the queen of QVC. I'm a discount duchess! We will be a royal success! My superb acting skills would be a major hit on QFC!LG: A bad actress can bring an infomercial down. You are a bad actress. I made millions of of Scrub Baby. You are not going to clean me out of my cash. I'm out.MM: Daniel, you made your fortune with KIND bars. I'm so kind, you'll love me! I have food experience: I stole (oops borrowed) recipes from my chef ex-boyfriend! And I make avocado toast! And jam! On toast! I write messages on bananas! We are people of color who have SOOOOOOO much in common!DL: I'm Kind of sick of your bullshit. I'm out.MM: Mark, you own sports teams! With athletes! I can make them happy in more ways than one! You're a tech czar and I own bot farms! I'd be ideal for your portfolio.MC: You're about as good a partner for me as CrowdStrike is for Microsoft. And I don't need you to be a yacht girl for the Mavericks: we have the entire Kardashian family for that. I'm out.MM: Mr. Wonderful! You're Canadian! I slept my way through Toronto! You're a member of the the Chevalier du Testevan wine experts! My grapes are nice and sour! This is such an amazing opportunity!KOL: The amazing opportunity here is to leave here and never show this to anybody again. You're a pig! Pigs get slaughtered. Your ScamJam should be taken behind the barn and shot! Whatever happens today, your future is in bad theater. Opportunity knocked, no one was home I will crush you like the vampire cockroach you are. You're dead to me.****These are all actual Kevin O'Leary quotes. post link: https://ift.tt/nI0jbVu author: wenfot submitted: July 29, 2024 at 06:15PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[easypeasylindyvesey]

Summary: After the unforeseen death of Abby’s boyfriend, one of the NHL’s star defenseman and her teammate, she severely struggles with managing her grief. She confides in Jimmy Vesey, who is not only another teammate of hers, but is one of the very few people she has a strong friendship with. That is until that night and the days that followed. Does this life-altering news change the trajectory of their personal perceptions of each other? Or does it entail a chance of crossing boundaries for the risk of moving on?

Word Count (excluding title and heading): 8,446

*(General) Warnings: (foul) language, mentions/discussion of death, suicide attempt (brief, closed door description), eventual confession of feelings, grief, panic attack(s), angst, eventual sexual implications but no smut, age gap (24-25/33-35)

----

JANUARY 2028  (Warnings: foul language (omg that’s it?? wow. i’m evolving!))

Did I start off the year in the way I anticipated? Obviously not. When do I ever?

I’m reminded that New York winters tend to be colder than my heart. There have already been two instances where practice was cancelled because of snow, and we just ended up having free days off. Of course, that affected the outcome of some games, but nonetheless, we’re reacting to it appropriately.

And on an unexpected day off, what does Jimmy want to do?

Drive to Brooklyn and go ice skating.

Well, we end up having to wait until the afternoon, around 3:00 or so, until it stops snowing and breaks out into a bright blue sky.

Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park can not be compared to the Rockefeller rink by any means, but it’s never frowned upon to leave Manhattan and its repetitive antics behind for a little bit. There’s actually not too many people skating by the time we find a bench and lace up our skates, but that never hurt anybody.

“Have you even ever been here?” I ask Jimmy. “Just wanna know why you wouldn’t wanna go back to Rockefeller.”

“New year, new experiences,” is all he tells me.

I slightly nod. “Got it.”

“Besides,” Jimmy interjects, “the views are unbeatable. You can literally see the Manhattan skyline. Hey, if we look close enough, we might be able to find the apartment.”

“That is most certainly a long shot, but I’ll take your word for it.”

After our skates are tied, we step on the ice, doing casual skating motions to get used to it. Music is playing nearby, it’s really fucking cold, and based on the thin clouds over the horizon, I have no doubt there’s going to be a beautiful sunset.

We don’t automatically separate from each other, as both of us look around, taking in the views. I forget there’s so many different towns in New York to explore, especially when you’re based in the city. There’s Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, and now Brooklyn. Maybe this should be a goal of ours this year: visiting the rest of the NYC boroughs. It’d be four new trips, all within a decent driving distance. It sounds a lot more reasonable than driving 6 hours to Boston and an even further drive to Toronto with Will.

Yeah. About that.

I let him know that I was definitely interested in still going up there during the All-Star weekend. He told me it would probably be the last 3 days. We’d take a flight out, have his parents pick us up at the airport, and just spend that time back at his house, getting to know his mom and dad. I’m still not certain it’s going to end up being a casual visit. There’s definitely something secret planned.

Whatever the case may be, I’m just looking forward to an actual trip. Jimmy doesn’t know about it yet, but if he ends up going back home for the break anyway, then there won’t be a use in telling him. Of course, it would end up being admitted on accident later on.

As for those two and their animosity toward each other, I’ve taken it upon myself to stay the hell out of it. I’m not saying that I won’t listen to the both of them, but I am not picking sides. The key is to hang out with them separately before I surprise them with the three of us going somewhere together, where they’ll be forced to get along. Being embarrassed in public has happened to everyone a fair share of times, but if they see two grown men getting into it, with one tiny woman attempting to break up their verbal scuffle, who is everyone going to look at first? Me.

In order to keep my mental sanity, I try to not entertain the possibility of that actually happening. I focus on where I am right now. As much as I would have been okay with hanging out at the apartment and spending our snow day in the way they should be utilized, I’m fine with Brooklyn and their fancy shmancy outdoor rink.

We start out by skating around the border of the rink, taking in the sights and strangers. Carefully moving around in slow, steady strides, observing the views around us, I break the silence before it gets to be too long. “I keep forgetting how relaxing this usually is.”

I can imagine Jimmy giving me a weird face in return. “That’s because you’re not under any pressure.”

I elbow him through his coat. “Yeah, and that we can go incognito, along with not having every moment of ours be televised.”

“There should be some sort of thing where we just don’t even end up playing a game,” he suggests. “Both teams compete in a speed contest around the rink, winner gets bragging rights and access to the best skate sharpening tools out there.”

“Don’t forget the trophy,” I remind him.

He sighs. “How could I forget about the plastic gold thing? Here Abb, want a gold star?”

Giving him a light shove, I start to skate a little further past him while maintaining enough space where we can hear each other. “I’m already a gold star.”

Jimmy pauses. “No, you’re silver at best.”

“And you’re bronze.”

“Hey, I can’t argue with that.” He catches up to me. “Single digit ice time doesn’t earn you medals.”

“Oh, would you cut it out?” I roll my eyes, smiling. “If you were not good enough to be in this league, you would have never been given the opportunity. You would not be here right now. Living your best life in New York doesn’t happen for the weak.”

“It is most certainly a life,” he trails off.

I take that comment with a hint of sarcasm instead of choosing to analytically reflect on it. I’m not sure if it’s what he truly meant, but I am not ruining the mood by asking.

We make it halfway around the rink before I stop short and he almost trips over my skate. “The hell you stoppin for?” He breathes out.

 I skate toward the glass rail. “The sky.”

It’s a 50/50 mesh of pink and orange, with the slightest tinge of yellow. I start fumbling in my coat pocket for my phone, taking off my glove so I can unlock it and open my camera, snapping a couple pictures before opening Instagram and taking a picture with that camera for my story highlight. After putting the location, I make sure it fully uploads before closing the app.

Turning around, I notice Jimmy’s phone is out too, aimed toward the top of the sky. I try jumping on my skates to photobomb the view.

He shakes his head. “Lemme get a pic of you.”

I scrunch up my face. “Really?”

“Yeah. He’s finally gonna be in one.”

I give him a little smile and lean against the rail, keeping it plastered on my face as I keep an eye on the camera lens.

After what I can imagine one too many pictures, unless he took a burst, he lowers his phone and looks toward me as if he’s going to drift off. “Stay here.”

And so he glides away. My best explanation is that he’s going to ask someone to take a picture of us. Sticking to that goal might not end up seeming like too much of a challenge for him after all.

It’s really unfortunate because I wanted us to have a pic together on New Year’s Eve. Since he got slightly buzzed and somewhat altered the mood, I’m not sure if there was ever going to be a good time to ask. I know it wouldn’t have worked after he stormed off. He was already in somewhat of a mood before everyone arrived. I guess it worked in my benefit, because staring at the potential photo we could’ve had would only be outweighed with bad memories instead of good. And I’m so tired of the bad.

As I continue to admire the view, out of the corner of my eye, I see him approach me next to the rink and tap me on the arm, whipping around as I catch him looking at me. “Gotta switch spots,” he informs.

Skating in front of him, I move over to the left side, and since I’m already left-handed, I feel more comfortable taking pictures if I’m on the left. I don’t know if there’s a justifiable phenomena for that, but it never fails.

A random couple stands in front of us, with the man holding Jimmy’s phone in his hand. “All right guys!” He says enthusiastically. “Smile!”

So we do.

The phone is lowered and returned, us exchanging “thank yous” and continuing to remain by the rail, taking in the view. Winters have some of the best sunsets, and I’m fortunate enough to live in a place where I can experience each of the four seasons.

“I’ll send it to you later,” Jimmy tells me.

I nod. “Okay.”

He’s able to pick up on the short response. “You alright?”

I gaze out, fixating on the skyline. “Yeah.”

“That didn’t sound convincing.”

“Well, then. You caught me.” I lean my arms over the rail.

“He painted such a nice view tonight,” Jimmy nudges my shoulder. “It’s almost as if he knew we’d be here.”

My face contorts. “I don’t think so.”

“Hey, come on. Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Be doubtful.”

“I’m not being doubtful. Just thinking rationally.”

He sighs, the frost leaving his mouth. “Not always your best approach.”

I don’t even bother to argue back, so I stand up and return the favor by nudging him. “Don’t test me.”

“Oh, I could never do that,” Jimmy defends. “Otherwise I’d be pushed over the rail.”

“And down into the water?” I smile. “I’d pay good money to see that.”

“You know what I would pay good money for?”

“Me moving out?”

“I was gonna say us going all the way this year, but I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed.” He flashes me a smile to prove he’s joking. Deep down in wherever his soul might be, I know he’s not.

I don’t respond.

“Am I crazy to think that?” 

“No.” I watch the colors in the sky start to sink lower. “Not at all.”

I feel a shiver roll down my spine. Either it’s due to the cold or perhaps it’s my nervous system warning me in some way.

“It’s definitely not out of the question,” Jimmy suggests quietly.

“Never,” I curtly reply. “Everyone’s gotta be willing to put in the effort, that’s all.”

I listen to the sound of nearby speakers, blasting music so everyone around the rink can hear it.

“It’s just not really what I’m thinking about right now, you know? I don’t want you to get so far ahead that you’re missing out on what you currently have.”

“Trust me, I won’t. This entire thing feels like a documentary.”

“Should we go book a film crew?”

“Can’t be that hard.”

“No, wait.” I pretend to ponder. “You might be onto something. This could make great reality TV!”

It really could.

We get ourselves off the rink and return our skates before beelining toward the Jeep and preparing for our 10 minute ride back, which turns into 25 because of traffic. New year, same shit.

The apartment, for whatever reason, feels colder as we walk back in, which does not help with the slush we dragged in on our shoes. We let them sit by the door in hopes it’ll melt while hanging up our coats.

“Same time next snow day?” Jimmy jokes, walking across the floor.

I remain by the door. “Book it.”

“Want me to make dinner?”

Sarcastically, I take my hand and hold it near my chest. “You would do that for me?”

“Long as I don’t burn the place down.”

I roll my eyes. “Shut up. You won’t.”

“Anyway,” he says, changing the subject, “you got any ideas?”

“I’m thinking chicken fettuccine alfredo, but there’s no alfredo sauce, so I’d resort to pesto sauce instead.” 

“Sign me up. You want to take your shower first so that I don’t interrupt when you’re cooking?”

Since when has he acted this thoughtful? I’m starting to think never.

I give him a little smile. “If you don’t mind…”

“Yeah, go for it.” He walks over to the coffee table and retrieves the remote. “No rush.”

Could this be the turning of a new leaf I’ve been waiting for??

No, it’s not. Don’t get sucked up in his little act.

Heading into my room, I look around my closet and find my Martha’s Vineyard shirt. Damn. I actually forgot about that.

It’s ironic I haven’t even worn it once yet. 

After finding a pair of sweats in my dresser drawer, I tuck the pajamas under my arm and head for the bathroom, shutting the door and turning on the light before pulling out the faucet and watching the water fall out. I take a look at myself in the mirror. My face is still red from the cold. Other than that, everything about my appearance remains unchanged.

As I step into the shower and pull the curtain closed, I feel like I could stay in here forever. Warm water is severely underappreciated during the winter. I’ll pay the heating bill, for all I care. Surely, Jimmy wouldn’t mind if I took an expense off his plate.

I cut my shower time incredibly short because I truly am hungry, so I dry off, change, and throw my hair up into an unbrushed ponytail, opening the door and walking out of the bathroom, retracting back onto the tiled floor to turn off the light. Going back into my room, I put my towel and underwear in my laundry basket and head back out into the kitchen.

My feet stop abruptly, as I’m taken aback by the sound of boiling water.

Jimmy turns around, standing near the pot. “I just dropped the fettuccine in there,” he says.

Questioning his tactics, I ask him, “You threw in a pinch of salt?”

“Course I did. You don’t wanna be eating bland pasta.”

Okay. This turning over a leaf thing might be real after all.

“You want me to cut the chicken?” 

I shake my head. “It’s already cooked. Just some left over.” I tug at my fingers. “But thanks.”

“Yeah, always.”

“I can take over.” Walking up next to him at the pot, I stir the pasta with the silicone spoon. “You go get a shower.”

“Sure you don’t want my help?” He insists.

I smile, meeting his eyes. “You’ve already done more than enough. Thank you.”

He returns the smile and walks around me, footsteps trailing off into his room and then hearing the bathroom door close less than two minutes later. I take advantage of the alone time by finishing up dinner and having it prepared by the time Jimmy’s done with his shower, taking out two reasonably large bowls and placing them on the coffee table, each with their own utensils and TV on, airing various pregame shows. I retrieve our water bottles from our rooms and place them down next to the bowls, cleaning out the pot by the time the bathroom door opens.

“You didn’t eat without me, did you?” is the first suspicious assumption he makes when he reappears.

“No,” I say over the running water. “It’s already on the table.”

“Oh, sweet,” he says in return, hearing him sit down on the couch as I start drying the pot with the dish rag, placing it back into the cabinet and going over to join him.

Sitting on the other end of the couch, I reach for my bowl and focus on the TV. We sit in silence for a few minutes while trying to figure out how to initiate a new conversation.

“So, uh, quick little question,” I say.

“I might have a quick little answer,” Jimmy replies. I can only imagine one of those dumb smirks appear on his face.

“Are you, uh, staying here during the All-Star break?”

The sound of a fork lightly scrapes against his bowl. “I haven’t fully decided yet, but I’m leaning toward going home.”

I remain quiet.

“We’re not obligated to be here anyway, so I don’t wanna have to stay here if I don’t need to.”

Well, that’s the thing. You stayed here all summer.

“But yeah, I’m definitely getting outta here. Why, you wanna come with?”

I turn my head to look at him. “No, no, no, I’ll stay here.”

“By yourself?” 

My lips draw together. “Why not? I’m not gonna destroy anything.”

“I know that, but I just would hate for you to be alone in here.”

That’s the other thing. I won’t be. Not in here, at least.

But I’m not gonna tell him, probably ever.

“You need a break,” I say. “You’ve quite literally been confined to this place. It’d do wonders. Trust me.”

“Just don’t adopt a cat when I’m gone.”

I guffaw. “You’re right. I won’t.”

He nods.

“I’ll adopt two!”

“Okay, fine. That would be my final straw, though. I’d officially kick you out. Bring them back to your own place.”

“Why won’t you just admit you like cats?” I put a forkful of chicken into my mouth. “You wanna act all macho and say you like dogs, but something in that little brain of yours tells me you would not be opposed to a cute meowing creature running around here.”

“I’m not saying I don’t,” Jimmy seems to contradict. “I just like dogs a little bit more.”

Shaking my head, I turn up the volume. “Lame.”

“Alright, I get it,” he says sarcastically. “God forbid I wanna be mundane. Leave me alone, will ya?”

“Not until you decorate for holidays around here. You don’t have any-”

“I have nothing for Valentine’s Day, before you even ask. And no, I am not buying anything.”

Pointing in his direction, I reach for my water on the table. “Lame again.”

“Men don’t decorate. That’s more of a woman thing.”

“Hey, you’re not pulling the sexist card here. Men can decorate. Y’all just choose not to.”

“It’s weird.”

I make a mental note of that. “Fine. I’m not getting balloons for your birthday, then.”

“Good. I don’t need them.”

“You don’t want cake, either?”

“Just give me a bagel breakfast.”

“Done. No presents?”

“Nope.”

“K. Don’t act all surprised when you don’t see any wrapped boxes.”

“I won’t. I’ve got a good poker face.”

“Have I seen it?”

He extends his arm and pushes my shoulder. “You will in 4 months.”

“Can’t wait.”

For the next 40 minutes, we watch the first period of a game, raving about how good dinner is, along with voicing our own commentary. I want to nitpick his brain a little more in terms of him leaving for break, only so I can plan accordingly. The trip to Toronto will be toward the end, so I have to figure out what I’ll be doing for the beginning. Maybe I will take advantage of the empty apartment.

Or maybe I can pay my condo a visit.

It won’t be the permanent one.

During the 2nd period intermission, both of us finish dinner, so I take our bowls to the sink and wash them out before loading them in the dishwasher. When I close it, I lean back against the countertop and take a minute to watch Jimmy in his rare state of contentment. 

Not being surrounded by that for a week will be odd. I shouldn’t even jump to conclusions yet. I still don’t have a timeframe as to when he’s leaving.

Only difference is he has the full ability now to not even walk back through the door.

—------

“Sure we’re going the right way?”

I stop in the middle of the sidewalk, gloved hands being shoved into my coat pockets. “Jim, we’re literally not going anywhere.”

“So we’re just, walking around aimlessly? That’s the whole point of this?”

Letting out a long sigh, I resume walking. “It’s called a walk for a reason, dumbass.”

We’re continuing our streak of outdoor activities, and nothing says outdoor activities like a walk around the city. I insisted we get out of the apartment for a bit since all we’ve recently been doing is rotting away, and although this is as mundane of an idea as it sounds, we can freeze our asses off in another way.

It’s almost noon, with the sun reaching its highest peak in the sky. Bundled up in our coats and hats, we welcome the cold air to invisibly hit our faces, meaning that we’re also open to the inevitable consequences of frostbite and crimson-colored cheeks when we go back. I’m glad we’re doing this.

“Wanna go sledding?” I joke, pointing to the fresh blanket of snow after last night’s accumulation.

“You got a sled?”

“No. But we can go buy one somewhere!”

“There aren’t any hills around here,” Jimmy confirms to me. “Guess you’re out of luck.”

Listening to our shoes scrape against the slush on the pavement, we follow the curve in the sidewalk, finding ourselves walking further down through Manhattan. My senses heighten when I notice we’re slowly approaching Central Park, almost tripping off the curb because of that lone distraction.

“You sneak in a beer this morning?” I hear him ask.

“I don’t drink that shit.”

“Come on,” he teases. “Sure you didn’t have one?”

“I swear on his grave.”

“Can’t argue with you there.”

Pointing my finger toward the Bethesda Fountain, I start speedwalking. “Look! The water’s spewing out!”

“Almost like you’ve never seen it before!” The sarcasm is extremely strong with this statement.

Ignoring Jimmy’s remark, I make it to the front of the fountain after having to pass several other people, because of the common social aspects you’ll notice in New York is how nobody likes to move. It’s as if they all want to get hit by oncoming traffic because they’re so consumed with the idea of wanting to replicate a statue, not knowing they could easily get pushed over by that one impatient person.

“Wanna go ahead and throw a penny in there?” He remarks again.

“I’m gonna throw you in there,” I mutter to myself.

“What was that?”

“I said that I am gonna throw you in that fountain,” I say loudly, on purpose, just so he can clearly hear me this time.

A few people look at us, and then divert back to what they were previously focused on. That’s another thing you’ll notice in New York. Everyone hears everything.

I’m honestly not surprised at how empty it is, considering how cold it’s been the last few days. This type of weather wants me curled up with blankets on the couch, watching TV, and drinking hot chocolate. But the more I think about it, I really feel the need to break free from the confinement and get outdoors. Winter is the season where you mainly stay inside, given the changes in the weather, but on days where you can watch the sun reflect off the snow, watching it glimmer, you almost start to think it’s not so bad for three months after all.

We walk closer to the fountain, watching the water make continuous circles, it also shining bright as the sun points down on it. I can almost see our reflections. Getting way too close would cause me to fall in. Then Jimmy would get the last laugh, and I’d hate him for it.

“Think it’s safe to drink?”

I turn my head to look up at him. “That’s your question?”

“I’m thirsty!” He complains.

“Then you should’ve brought water with you!” I mock at him.

“Wanna run across and pick up some coffee?”

“But we just got here!”

“We’ll come back!” He rolls his eyes. “God almighty, relax.”

I step closer, invading his personal space. “You don’t ever tell a woman to relax unless you want her to punch your teeth out of your mouth.”

As I trail off, waiting for him to catch up with me once again, I approach the door to the coffee shop on the opposite side of the fountain, holding the door open as I watch him shuffle over, hands in pockets, leaning out to grab the door as I step inside, relishing in the warm air that I have not felt since before we left.

Immediately, the indecisiveness has kicked in. Am I really in the mood for coffee? Or do I want to branch out and steer away from the norm?

So I order a hot chocolate while Jimmy orders his bland, boring, brutally brutal black coffee. Seriously, I don’t know how this man finds that appealing. Unless he tends to not find beauty in the small things. That actually makes sense to me.

We pay and walk back out the door and return to the fountain, opting to sit on a bench in the corner, far away from the people as possible.

“Don’t burn your tongue,” he tells me as I have my mouth on the opening of the cup.

I lower the cup and wrap my hands around the outside. “I’ll make sure your little friend gets the brunt of it,” I say, gesturing toward his lower half.

“I think it’d have its best effect if my pants were off,” he whispers. “Gonna wait till we leave.”

A devious smile forms on my face. “You’d really let me do that?”

“Oh, of course not,” he says, returning to his normal speaking voice. “That’d be a hospital trip, and quite an embarrassing one.”

“Just say it was an accident. You accidentally spilled it on yourself.”

“And it somehow seeped through? They’d know I’m lying.”

“I mean…it just sits there anyway.” I take a sip of my hot chocolate. “Doesn’t really serve a purpose.”

“How else am I gonna pee?” He looks around aimlessly, as if the answer will just fall out of the sky.

“You just won’t,” I say confidently. “Boom. Done.”

“I would love to know how your brain got wired like this.” He scoffs. “You sure didn’t learn it from me.”

“It’s literally been this way since I was seventeen,” I rush in to defend myself. “That wire exists in your brain, too.”

“Yeah, but not quite frequently. You change a normal conversation into an innuendo.”

“That’s where the fun is!” I tap the sides of my cup. “God, you’re literally so boring. Those thoughts are inevitable. It’s not like they’re…illegal or anything.”

“Just inappropriate.”

I pause. “Depends.”

“They about me?”

Thank goodness I didn’t take another sip when I was intending to because I would’ve choked. “Me? Dreaming about you? Ha! Never in a million years.”

“They about….” He continues pestering. “Another man?”

“Oh, get over yourself. No.”

“I overheard at New Year’s how you might get set up.” The intonation in his voice changes with those two words.

“Yeah, I already told them to not even think about it. I’m not ready for that.”

Jimmy nudges me in the arm. “Sure you are.”

“I’m not,” I deadpan. “Still way too soon.”

“Abb,” he says gently in case I start a riot in front of him, which I obviously won’t because we’re in public. “You can’t wait around forever.”

“Funny that you’re doing the exact same thing.”

“It’s different circumstances.”

“Sure, but I just don’t wanna feel unnecessary stress. I’d have to spill my trauma to a stranger. Does the sound of that not terrify you?”

“I mean, yeah, it sounds scary, but if he can’t handle it, let alone you, he doesn’t deserve an ounce of your time.”

I look down at my sneakers. “At least I can refute that since I already know a man whose been through it all with me.”

There’s a pause. “Tell him to give me a call if he starts fucking around with you.”

“Or what?” I turn to look up. “You’re gonna punch him?”

He shrugs. “Eh. Maybe make him lose a tooth.”

“Or burn his little friend,” I whisper hushedly, eyeing toward Jimmy’s lower half again.

“I am officially uncomfortable with this conversation,” he responds, to which I giggle. God, it feels so good to get under his skin like that.

Letting out a sigh, I watch the frost leave my mouth and disappear into the air, looking out at the fountain. I find it admirable how no matter what might be thrown in its path, whether it be inclement weather or the littering of city goers, it manages to continue standing tall, showcasing its beauty and strength. Perhaps that’s something I need to start doing. Maybe it’ll speed this process up so that I can stop thinking about it.

In an attempt to stop thinking about it, I change the subject. “Want me to set you up?”

Jimmy laughs. “Please. All the girls you’re friends with are taken. By our teammates.”

“I’m sure I could find someone. Or just create a fake profile for you on Hinge.”

“Yuck.” I watch his mouth interlock around the opening of his cup, swallowing a little bit of his coffee. “That is, quite literally, the wrong way to date. Filled with a bunch of lies and exploitation through dumb photos.”

“You’ll be happy to know I’ve never resorted to that.”

“Good,” he says, a little bit on the serious side. “You’re too authentic for that.”

I make sure to keep it brief, but I smile in the slightest.

“Besides, you’d be able to detect the lies right away. You don’t even have time to play games.”

I nod in agreement. “Yep. Not anymore.”

“But like….” Oh my God, does he have an off switch? “You wouldn’t be open to a fling?”

I take a few seconds to process what has literally just come out of his mouth before turning my head. “That’s literally considered a game.”

“Oh.” Stupid ass.

“Why? Would you?”

“I, uh-”

“Have done it before, haven’t you?” It comes out so serious as if his response could completely contemplate our friendship moving forward.

“N-no, I have not.”

And then a lightbulb appears atop my head. Right. He hasn’t done the deed yet.

But not all flings require that, right?

“Then what was the stutter for?” I form a smile. “You had to think about what you were gonna say, huh?”

“Just- just short circuited for a quick minute.”

I’m not buying it. “Uh huh. Sure.”

“I did!”

“Okayyy.” I watch a group of birds search around for crumbs on the brick pavement.

“Don’t you wanna get back out there, though?” God, he is so insistent on this. It’s not like it’s any of his business.

Standing up with my empty cup, I respond. “I do. Just not now when I’m having the concept being shoved down my throat.”

“That’s not- that’s not what I’m trying to do.” Jimmy rolls his eyes. “I’m just telling you to at least, even if it’s considered your bare minimum, put it in perspective.”

“I don’t need you telling me what to do.”

“I’m not-”

“Yes, you are, and I’m getting really tired of it.” I walk away from the bench and over to the nearby trash can, discarding my cup before making my way back. Resorting to the opposite end, I sit down, staring out past the fountain, choosing to not engage in any conversation that could send us down into a spiral.

It’s a couple minutes before he says something. “You’re right.”

I keep looking ahead. “About?”

“Pressuring you into the whole dating thing.”

“You’re one to talk for someone who isn’t even doing it.”

“And that may be true, but I’m just-”

“Looking out for me, I know,” I say annoyedly. 

He looks at me, eyes softening. Or maybe squinting due to the wind, who knows. “Not all hope is lost.”

I cock my head. “What are you implying?”

Now he softly smiles. “The truth.”

“Oh, shut up,” I say, my smile getting the best of me.

The corner of my eye picks up the movement of his hand as he pushes himself off the bench and stands before turning around. “I bet you won’t do that on the walk home.”

Lifting myself up, I flash him a smug look. “You thought wrong.”

I follow Jimmy through the sparse crowd and find ourselves back on the sidewalk in no time, braving the nipping winds and the end of morning traffic to return to the one place where there actually is heat. The hot chocolate counts, I guess. Even though it provided me with a temporary feeling of warmth, it lasted longer than anticipated.

And yes, we talk the other ear’s off for the 20 minute walk back. What else is there to do?

Well, just as we turned the corner of the street where the complex is, I stopped walking to see if he would notice, which he didn’t at first, but I picked up a clump of snow and rolled it into a ball with my gloves, and decided on where to aim it, before deciding on his back.

He stopped walking and turned around quite slowly, a confused expression on his face. “That was you?”

I look from side to side. “No…”

Bending down on the sidewalk, it’s his turn for his glove to be filled with snow. “You’re dead.”

Backing up, I try to outrun it, but it hits me at the hood of my coat, a couple pieces trickling down past and down the back of my sweatshirt. “No, you’re dead!”

Returning the favor, I make another snowball, throwing it straight at his midsection, planting my feet on the ground in case he tries to make a run for it.

Surprisingly, he doesn’t, so I bend down to create another one.

Until I’m quite literally swept off my feet as I’m lifted into the air, snowball falling to the pavement and breaking apart as I squeal. “What are you doing?!”

“Seeking my revenge!” 

“Put me down!”

“Are you forgetting something?”

I sigh, feeling my lips grow even more chapped. “Please put me down.”

As I sense the change in gravity, it’s another abrupt gesture that, this time, does not involve getting hit by snow, but rather me hitting it, as I feel my back hit the blanket of snow, my entire body almost covered in the white flakes. Thank goodness it’s fluffy and not rock hard.

And then my legs buck up to meet his, which I guess you could say is the initial catalyst for feeling the entire weight of his body fall on top of me, a low chuckle vibrating from his mouth as I continue laughing. In that moment, I don’t feel like I need to push him off of me. This, unlike the past two instances which involved body contact, is more of a tease rather than a proposed trick up his sleeve.

We spend a couple minutes looking at each other while we feel the snow start to seep into our clothes before Jimmy rolls over next to me, lying in the snow and letting out a sharp exhale, but one that’s filled with adrenaline in contrast to anxiety, dusts himself off, and then helps me up.

Our physical imprints will remain in that very spot until they’re covered up. But both of us know the truth.

—-----

“Over here is the kitchen, which is also easily accessible through the living room area,” the leasing agent explains to Will and I. “Plenty of storage space, room for pretty much anything your heart desires.”

We take a look around. I accompanied Will, as promised, to an apartment tour in Flushing. It’s pretty much a studio apartment, but it’s only for him, anyway. I, for one, would say it’s been a nice living space to see so far, however, I’m just here for support, and by no means trying to influence his opinion. Besides, he still has 2 more scheduled tours after this one, none of which until next week, so he’s keeping all of his options close together.

“And if you’ll follow me,” the leasing agent continues, listening to her heels click on the marble floor and down the hallway, “behind this door is the main bedroom.”

When the door pushes all the way open, my jaw could quite literally drop.

“That window is fucking huge,” I whisper, stepping onto the carpet.

“You’re right about that,” Will says, similarly taken aback.

The room itself is big, with a king bed, nightstand tables boarding both sides, a closet, and then, the big elephant in the room, the gigantic ass window. It’s safe to say he’d have to buy more than one pair of floor-length curtains to cover that.

“Quite the view,” the leasing agent pipes up. “Especially at night.”

“Hell, I could see myself living here,” I joke. “Been here for almost three years and it still never fails to amaze me.” I turn around to look at Will. “Think of all the sunlight you’ll get in here!” I exclaim, gesturing to the sun rays reflecting on the carpet.

“I’ll keep it in the back of my mind.”

We’re shown the in-washer and dryer unit, along with the outdoor facilities, like the pool and tennis court, before Will takes the business card with the agent’s contact information and we walk back to his car, which is quite a walk since there was no space on the street.

When we get in, the engine turns over and I hear him exhale the loudest of sighs.

I turn my head in his direction. “Overwhelmed already?”

He looks at me. “I didn’t like it.”

I raise my eyebrows. “What? Why not?”

“I don’t know.” He fiddles with his beanie. “Not really my style.”

My eyes roll to the back of my head as we pull out of the parking lot across from the complex. “Is it, like, a space factor, or you just think it’s ugly?”

“I don’t think it’s ugly, per se, but I just wasn’t a fan.”

“So you wouldn’t be upset if I ended up renting it?”

Will’s eyes divert from the road before returning his gaze. “Wait, like, actually?”

“No, you bozo. I already have a condo.”

“That’s right, that’s right,” Will digresses. “Sorry. You’ve just been at the apartment for so long that I forgot you had a place of your own.”

Me too.

“Maybe we can stop by and you can give me a tour,” he suggests.

“Like, right now?”

“Unless you have anything better to do.”

I really don’t.

Instead, I nod, taking his phone and opening Maps, typing in the address. “Let’s do it.”

Around half an hour later, because, you know, city traffic and all, we’re standing in front of my door as I fumble with the keys, having the immediate realization that I still have the condo key attached on my lanyard, along with the ones belonging to the apartment and my car. I could’ve sworn I stored it away in a drawer or something.

Inserting the key into the lock, I swing the door open and both of us step up into the entrance, shuffling around the other as I shut the door behind me. “Voila.”

Will looks around, as if he’s totally engaged in the sights. Nothing has moved, nor changed since I was last here, which was over a month ago. Now that I think about it, the reality is kind of pathetic.

“Nice place,” he remarks. His footsteps continue moving forward past the TV and halting near the bathroom.

“It really is.”

“This is the kinda space I need. I mean, this is, like, what? A thousand square feet?”

I shrug. “I don’t know the actual estimates, but yeah, probably around there.”

He scans the couch, the carpet, the kitchen counter, the microwave, and finally turns the corner to look in the bathroom. “How do you not feel claustrophobic in here?” I hear him call out.

“Because it’s just me,” I answer back.

His face re-emerges. “Wayyy too small.”

“Oh, you need a bathroom the size of a mansion?”

“Sure. Gotta get that superstar look somehow.”

Rolling my eyes, I go to join Will, looking into my own bathroom for the first time, and I mean really looking at it since that night.

“I remember getting ready in here,” I say aloud, “for dinner.”

He doesn’t say anything.

“Curling my hair, putting on my dress.” I sigh. “Anxiously waiting to be picked up.”

Still nothing.

“The last memory I had in here was a good one.” I shuffle behind him and walk into the doorway of my room. “Oh, how times have changed.”

I stand over toward my closet as I watch Will slowly enter, looking like a lost puppy. “Yeah, this is definitely a decent sized bedroom, too.”

“But I thought you wanted fancy shmancy richey shit,” I sarcastically whine.

He breaks out into a grin. “I’ve really failed if you’ve come up with the assumption that I have a self-entitled ego.”

“No, it’s just fun to push your buttons.” I smile back to prove I’m not lying.

I watch him walk over to the window and push the curtains aside, letting the sun pour through. “It’s a nice view.”

A puff of air slips between my teeth. “A very scenic one.” I walk over to stand next to him, pointing to the trees in the distance.

Will laughs. “And yet, there are no leaves.”

“Welcome to winter in New York. That’s why spring’s my favorite.”

“Not just because it’s your birthday?”

I shake my head. “No. Weather gets nicer, the sun’s out longer…” 

“And?”

“Would’ve been three years.”

That eerie silence infiltrates again.

“Abb, I am-”

“So sorry, yeah, yeah, blah blah blah.” I cut him off. “God. It’s crazy how time flies like that.”

“But you know what?” Will suggests. “There’s so much to look forward to this year.”

“Oh, really?” 

“Yep. There’s the rest of the season, Legoland…”

I can’t help but laugh.

“Toronto in a few days, my birthday, your birthday, Jim’s birthday.”

“As long as I don’t ruin it again.”

“You won’t.”

I let out a groan. “I hope so.”

“Maybe…signing a new contract?”

I give him a dumbfounded look. “Trying to pressure me, I see.”

“By no means at all.”

My concentration is on the bare trees. “I don’t know.”

“Abb,” he says somewhat seriously, “no one else is gonna mediate with me and Jimmy the way you have.”

“Hey, that’s not even my issue to fix,” I defend. “Whatever problems you have with each other have to be worked out between the both of you. I’m not picking sides.”

“And I would never expect you to, but it’s just stupid.”

“Which is why it needs to be talked about!” I roll my eyes. “But not now. You guys are my friends. I can’t make arguments saying that you’re each amazing and this and that because it’s all a bunch of crap. Grow up and hash it out, or maybe I will be the one that leaves.”

“Yeah!” Will exclaims. “Don’t even think of doing that.”

I walk back across the carpet and stop in the doorframe. “You’d see how easily provoked I can get.”

The sound of curtains shutting rings through my ears as I stand near the couch, waiting for Will to come out of my room. His keys escape the pocket of his coat, glancing around at everything one last time. “Ready?”

That word alone has me hightailing out the door, turning off the lights and securing the locks before we walk across the parking lot and back into the car.

When we’re finally on the road, Will breaks the quick moment of silence first. “I was only nagging you about the space because I just wanted to see how much extra I would have with the extra bedroom.”

I blink, then turn in my seat to look at him, eyes still remaining on the road. “Wait. You were actually serious about that?”

“I thought I made it perfectly clear. Anytime you get sick of him, between now and perhaps forever, or whatever! Even if you need to just get out of your own place.” The car stops at a red light and he shifts to look my way. “You can come stay with me.”

“I-”

“You don’t even need to tell him. Just come over.”

“I can’t do that.”

The car starts moving again. “And why’s that?”

Because it’ll only be a repeat of what I’m currently enduring.

“I’m just afraid of repeating the past.”

“What are you afraid of repeating?”

Leaning my head against the seat, I look up at the top of the windshield. “That night.” 

Taking a breath, I continue. “And everything else.”

We slowly enter back into Manhattan. Few words were exchanged after my ‘confession.’ I cannot make that decision again. If someone offers me to stay with them, even if they claim I won’t be imposing, and we’ll “work it out,” I won’t be doing it. I’ll deal with it all on my own. The last thing I want people thinking is “Hey! Look what the cat dragged in. Again!”

Will pulls up to the front of the entrance to drop me off. I unbuckle my seatbelt and have my hand on the door handle before he locks me in.

I turn around. “Hey, c’mon.”

“What’s the rush?” He drags out. 

I tap my fingers on the lock/unlock switch.

“So Vinny and I are gonna pick you up here, he’ll drop us off at the airport, and then we’ll board, fly in, and my parents will drive us back to the house. Just warning you right now they are very, very chatty.”

“Oh, great,” I say sarcastically.

“But they’re so excited to meet you, so just let them bombard you with questions, okay?”

I nod. “K.”

“And same thing, well, I guess, for when we leave. They’ll drop us off at the airport, we’ll fly back here, and Vinny will pick us up, drop you off back here.”

“Sounds like you already got it all planned out.”

“I do.” He adjusts the rim of his hat. “Is Jim going anywhere during break?”

I make an uncertain face. “He said he was thinking of going home, but I’m not sure yet. That’s why I wanna get back to figure out what the deal is.”

Will holds down on the unlock button, smiling. “You should’ve just told me that first. Go.”

I smile back. “Why, thank you.”

“No, thank you for coming with. It’s nice to not do these sort of things alone.”

“Yeah.”

Another bit of silence. 

I clear my throat. “Well, uh, I’ll see you.”

“We’ll let you know when we’re leaving to come get you, okay?”

“You got it. Bye.”

“Bye, future roomie.”

I stamp my foot. “God, shut up,” I mutter under my breath, and shut the door. I can hear him laughing before driving off.

When I get back inside, I take the elevator up to the top floor and get out, putting my key in the lock and turning it, letting the door move to the side as I step back into the apartment. The sound of the TV, for whatever reason, caused me to slightly jump, and as I shut the door and lock it, I remember that another person, who has the lease in his name, lives here too. In fact, he’s not even on the couch where I pictured him. He’s by the counter, coffee pot in hand. His eyebrows draw together. “Uh…hi.”

My head tilts. “Hi?”

“Where you been?”

“Just out.” I slide off my sneakers and then my coat, hanging it up on the hook by the door.

“I see.”

I scoff. “You okay?”

Jimmy rubs his hand over his eye. “Yeah. Just uh, just got up.”

I look toward the cable box. “It’s 11:30.”

“And it’s also a Saturday.”

I click my tongue. “Okay, fair.”

“Want a cup?” 

“I’m good, thanks.”

He comes from around the counter and moves to stand in front of me. “You weren’t here when I got up.”

“I told you,” I reiterate. “I was out.”

“And you didn’t come back with bagels?”

I just stand there.

His chapped lips break into a smile. “Relax, I’m just messing with you.”

I laugh to validate his attempt.

“So, listen.” He moves to sit down on the couch, placing his cup on the table. “I’m just letting you know about break, and, uh, that I’m gonna be going to Boston.”

Pretending to be surprised (which I’m not. In fact, I’m more relieved), it’s time to question him. “Well, good. You need a break.”

“It’s the only time I’ll really be getting one, anyway.” 

“How long are you gonna be gone for?”

“The whole week. I’ll drive back next Sunday.”

“And when are you planning on getting there?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon.”

My head decides on a slight nod. “Oh.”

“But hey. You’ll have this whole place to yourself for an entire week.”

Technically only four and a half days, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Oh, you bet I’m excited,” I tell Jimmy. “Aren’t you excited?”

“Very.” His lips enclose around the rim of his cup.

“And I’m sure your dad will be thrilled that I’m not there? Tell him I can hold my own now.”

He scoffs. “How about I don’t mention you the whole trip?”

“That’s only if he doesn’t ask, which he definitely will.”

“To hell with that.”

I continue lingering by the door. “Need help packing?”

“No, I’m not bringing too much anyway.”

Typical male response.

I sniff, pretending to start crying. “How am I gonna survive without you?”

He turns around. “Oh, chill out, Abb. It’s one week, not forever. You’ll see me walk back through that very door.”

“I will?”

“Yeah.”

We’ll wait and see on that one.

And to distract myself from the 0.1% chance of that actual reality occurring, I finally find myself walking toward the couch and sitting down next to him, inhaling the warm aroma of his coffee.

A new version of ourselves always develops after walking through here.

The early morning hours of March 21st, post-funeral, Jimmy’s birthday, Martha’s Vineyard, Halloween, Christmas dinner.

I might not recognize him when he comes back.

He’ll be alone.

And I’ll be surrounded by all of those haunting versions of him, wondering how the next one will be worse than the last.

Because that’s how it always ends up.

[funeralcity]

do u know anything about the toronto goth scene? a friend of mine wants to visit the city but like realllyy wants to go to a goth club - it seems like there's a facebook group that's supposedly kinda hard to get into? sorry if this is a little weird i know people don't normally ask about IRL meatspace stuff on here

not a weird question at all!! honestly i dont know if any goth clubs still exist at all in the city, only occasional goth events at a few places... a cursory look tells me that bi monthly goth event is happening at see-scape this saturday, the baby g is gonna have some kind of classic 80s goth&post-punk dance party on the 17th, and i know emo night at sneaky dees every friday is pretty popular (but that will be more like mcr type stuff rather than actual goth shit). there is an alternate clothing store called borderline plus near queen west & spadina, so going there and checking for flyers about anything happening might pay off? i dont use facebook and am not in any group so i cant help you with that :( i really wish i could give you a more helpful answer

sad to say but it feels like goth has really died at least in north america (well maybe things are different in proper big american cities like la or whatever) idk if its just that the like mass shooting moral panic successfully killed it in the mid 2000s or if its just the way rising prices of rent and everything have just killed anyones ability to run alternative spaces at all, its pretty sad. i wish i knew more goths irl myself it feels like this is the continent where the average "goth" is just a taylor swift fan who wears black :(

theres a pretty vibrant diy/hardcore/screamo scene in toronto too that i know a few people who are pretty involved in and could ask around about that kind of thing for you as well, but thats really really not the same as a goth club lol... forgive me for not being able to help you better but there just isnt really much at all any more. maybe i should try to get into that facebook group and see if there is like anything at all

[heatwa-ves]

I feel you so much on wanting ButtTootKing to come to the UK bc I live in Ontario in Canada and Suzie is coming to Toronto Pride and it is not reasonable for me to go to Toronto at any point this summer bc that's a massive train fare and I don't drive 🥲 so here's to hoping she comes to like London (Ontario) or Windsor or something at some point eventually!! We do get American queens here sometimes, like Kori is coming to Sarnia and Lana is coming to London and Crystal Methyd was in Hamilton a while back, just not as much ever since CDR started airing bc now we have homegrown Drag Race girls (aside from Brooke and Jackie)

Omg I really hope she does do a show near you!!! butttootking canada near u and uk near me 2026 trustttt I have hope! I don't really know anything about my local drag scene + I have never been to a drag show <- lives in a small town and is perpetually scared of doing new things. but I need to change that!!!! all this is to say if I get to see lydia perform I will die happy

[june-events-in-canada]

Celebrate Father’s Day 2025 in Toronto

Local Events, Brunch Cruises, and Urban Adventures Near RivetStays

If you're wondering how to make Father’s Day 2025 in Toronto extra special, we've got you covered. Whether you’re a local, visiting the city, or staying at one of our modern RivetStays rentals in downtown Toronto, there’s no shortage of memorable ways to spend time with Dad this June.

From classic car showcases and whiskey tastings to scenic brunch cruises and Blue Jays baseball, Toronto turns it up for Father’s Day weekend. Here’s your curated guide to the best events, activities, and places to eat with Dad.

🍳 Start with a Memorable Father’s Day Brunch

There’s no better way to kick off Father’s Day than with a standout brunch:

TOCA at The Ritz-Carlton – Upscale, interactive, and indulgent. Live cooking stations and artisan cheeses make this a luxurious pick.

Father’s Day Brunch Cruise – Sail across Lake Ontario on the Obsession III or Jubilee Queen with skyline views and a buffet-style brunch. It’s a top pick for both relaxation and wow factor.

🚗 Outdoor Fun: From Car Shows to Forest Trails

Does Dad love the outdoors or sleek machines? Toronto has both on tap:

Yorkville Exotic Car Show – One of the city’s most popular Father’s Day events. See over 135 rare and luxury vehicles on display along Bloor Street West. Admission is free and the vibes are high.

Kortright Centre for Conservation – Just outside the city core, this serene spot offers forest hikes, birdwatching, and fresh air—perfect for dads who prefer a peaceful escape from the concrete jungle.

🥃 Cheers to Dad: Tastings & Foodie Experiences

Give Dad a toast or treat him to a bite of everything Toronto has to offer.

Whiskeys of the World at Long Branch Social House – Sip and savor whiskeys from around the globe in a stylish local venue.

Kensington Market Food Tour – A flavorful walking tour through one of Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Expect street eats, multicultural bites, and local stories.

🎪 Add a Little Spectacle: Shows and Celebrations

Round out the weekend with a cultural experience or festival fun:

Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” at Ontario Place – High-flying acrobatics, mesmerizing visuals, and a story told through movement. This summer show runs through June 28 and adds magic to any family itinerary.

Toronto Pride Festival – Father’s Day falls during Pride Month, so if you're near Church-Wellesley Village, enjoy live music, inclusive energy, and colourful celebrations.

⚾ Watch the Blue Jays on Father’s Day

Baseball and Father’s Day go hand in hand. The Toronto Blue Jays will be playing at Rogers Centre, and it’s a fantastic way to celebrate—stadium snacks, cold drinks, skyline views, and all.

There’s something nostalgic and joyful about cheering on your team with Dad. Add it to your list.

🛏 Why Stay with RivetStays This Father’s Day?

If you're planning a stay in Toronto, RivetStays rentals offer clean, spacious, centrally located suites—ideal for family trips. You’ll be just minutes from the CN Tower, waterfront, entertainment districts, and all the Father’s Day 2025 action.

Whether you're planning a relaxing getaway or a full weekend itinerary, RivetStays gives you a comfortable home base to return to.

👋 Planning a visit? We’d love to host you. Explore our properties at rivetstays.com and book your Father’s Day 2025 Toronto stay early for the best availability.