#it’ll have a happy ending but i NEED all my ships to divorce at least once

[rowanisawriter]

wip wthursday

thanks for the tag @greypetrel and @baejax-the-great i have been in absolute hell this week suffering like st sebastian and now it’s thursday smh

here is fahad divorce fic, tagging @mllekurtz @andi-rigby @smoreofbabylon @quaksi (quak show me some of that nasty emmrook i beg)

.

“And the others?” Fahad asks, looking ahead again, his curls swinging as he moves. “Your last letter mentioned Illario gaining freedom to roam the de Riva compound? How is that going?”

Lucanis shrugs. “I assume he is happy with the outcome. I haven’t spoken with him in a while. Too much to do.”

“I see.” Fahad slows until he falls into step beside Lucanis. He tucks some of his hair behind his ears. Lucanis can see his profile in sharp relief against the afternoon sun, cut off now and again by a particularly large branch of heavy tree cover. Familiar as breathing, as falling asleep. Over the past year, Lucanis had spent considerable time worrying that he would forget small details like the exact shape of his nose, or the exact place where his freckles were. Now, he looks and sees just what he expects to see. There was never any need to worry.

Fahad meets his eyes. Slows to a stop. Lucanis stops too, a step ahead. “Thanks for coming,” he says. He sounds uncertain. Speaks haltingly. He nudges a root growing out of the dirt with the tip of his leather shoe. “I know you must be busy.”

“I am not too busy for you,” Lucanis says, and regrets it immediately.

Fahad’s eyebrows rise but he doesn’t speak, just lets Lucanis’s words sit between them in the fresh forest air. Spite suddenly whispers, “Rook.”

“Yes?” Fahad says.

“Miss. You, Rook.”

Lucanis’s face heats up. He looks away, down at his shoes. Fahad’s feet shift around the overgrown root he’s been kicking at.

“I missed you too,” he says, his voice soft.

[hebescus]

so,,,some of you wouldn't mind some fic recs so here's me recommending my favorite lawlight fics you probably have read before but i ramble about it anyway. here you go :

and indeed there will be time (incomplete/abandoned?)

Soulmate AU where you stop aging at 18 until you meet your soulmate. I'd say this is my favorite fanfiction of all time. Seriously. Doesn't make me cry hard but makes me cry repeatedly. The emotions, the bitterweetness, the writing, the characterization, the yearning UGHH. It's just out of this world. Every morning I check on this fic in case it's not abandoned after all bcs I have more hope on an update of this fic than life itself.

white chocolate roses (completed) & romance (oneshot sequel)

AU where Light is a cardiologist and L is his terminally ill patient. I didn't know what I expected, but I did not expect crying so hard that i still cry sometimes when i think abt it. The characterization is AMAZING and don't get me started with the writing. If you can tell what's gonna happen just by looking at the description and you can't take heavy angst, I don't think this fic is for you (srsly if someone warn me i'd never read it). But the last paragraph of romance tho....

This is How I Disappear (completed)

Canon divergence where L wins and Light is executed. You might know about this one, as you should. It's a genfic, but holy shit FEELS. Pure pain and beautiful writing, amazing characterization and oh my poor little heart. Even the description of light's bedroom made me weep. The relationship between soichiro and light really hits hard. It also explores L's feelings towards light, and it's very very canon. Simply one of the best dn fanfiction out there, really.

(more under the cut bcs it's long)

Seeking His Hand (incomplete)

Historical AU where L is a gentry seeking Light's hands for marriage. Regency era hoes come get your juice. Seriously, I'd sell my left lung to read this fic for the first time again. It'll bring you so much happiness for being the most romantic lawlight fic ever, and is really good. It's in character as far as historical au can go. the sexual tension between this two oh my god I can't wait, this one is amazing.

Of Music (incomplete/abandoned?)

AU where Light is a stressed college student who loves orchestra shows and meets L, their relationship grows through every show they attend. There's a lot of complication but not too dramatic, it's like enemies to lovers and friends to lovers being mushed together perfectly. Very interesting and oh my god the sexual tension between them and the teasings...i can't even. Misa's only here for like 5 seconds but holy shit i want to marry her. Probs abandoned but you can see the last chapter as an ending or open ending at least.

sugar and pumpkin spice (oneshot)

The best lawlight coffee shop AU. Seriously, you'll love it. As you can tell, I'm a fluff person and this...this is my comfort fic. The one that makes me slam the table after reading and screamed "I WANT MORE OF THESE KIND OF SHIT". Really heartwarming, really sweet, probably not for everyone because of that, but it is def written for me.

Silver Bells (oneshot)

About L and Light spending a real fucking soft christmas day as a married couple. You know i have a certain weakness for ships being married AND christmas. It is a win win but very fucking underrated. I love that it still includes the kira past but don't specify the redemption (the way i love my fix it/happy canon divergence). This is just golden and domestic and soft and i cried reading and rereading it.

One Last Night (oneshot)

Divorce. That's it that's the plot. But oh it will break your heart, build it, and break it again. This one is just...beautiful. the wording...the characterization- the pain. I'm not feeling the best while writing this so...i dont want to explain further i ignore tw for this i almost say it's worth it but pls don't do that so just go read it yourself, it's 👌👌

Change Of Circumstances (oneshot)

Another comfort fic. About Light being a Wammy's kid, building a friendship with L over the years until they fall in love. Seriously, we(me) need more Wammy!Light. This one is just cute. I don't know what to say other than it's just sooo adorable how they build a really strong connection and then fall in love. Childhood friends to lovers isn't the best au for lawlight imo but this one nailed it.

Wedding Date (oneshot)

About L and Light in Sayu's wedding. It's romantic in a lawlight way yknow. I just can't describe it but this fic makes me feel good. I mean, what a dream, to be in a wedding date amirite? And damn the yagami siblings really love the english (yes im quoting a song).

so there you go...i really am rambling. they're my favorite favorite lawlight fics and i have MORE (oneshots bcs it's hard to read multichap these days). but lmk if you want another one. you can tell my fic taste in here lmao but yeah that's all for me exposing my sappy ass.

[whimsicalfay]

The Letter - I really love this game!

So, I just finished playing The Letter for the first time and I have to say I really loved it. I think it might be becoming my new hyperfixation because I can't stop thinking about it.

I'm a huge fan of the horror genre and the supernatural aspects of the game alone made it me like it, it's a well put together horror story, not the most scariest I've read if I'm being honest, but it does keep you on edge. It makes you want to keep reading nonstop because you need to know what happens next. At least that was my case, I just couldn't put my phone down.

The story keeps you on edge because it makes you care about the characters. Even if you don't particularly like this or that one, you still care about their destiny (either because you like them and want to see them getting a happy ending or because you dislike them and want to see them suffer), you still want to know how their journey ends. You care, for good or bad.

I love that your decisions as a player actually hold weight and affect the story. How many visual novels have I played where my choices don't actually change anything? Well, in The Letter every little choice you make counts. It'll affect the story, the relationship between characters, the ending, everything. I usually play visual novels only once, even the ones with multiple endings, because most of them don't change much at the end. It's just the same ending with minor changes. The idea of playing it again just to get one different word in the epilogue it's not attractive, but with The Letter the suspense you felt the first time you played it remains for the second, third and all the times you play it.

I love that is a multi-POV story because I think that adds a different perspective not only to the story itself, but to the characters as well. A character that from one POV is perceived as frivolous and cold, in other is seen as kind and warm, for example. It adds depth.

SPOILERS AHEAD, I GUESS?

Now I'll talk about my personal opinion on the characters and ships (because yes, it has romance too, despite being a horror game).

My least favorite is probably Rebecca, and not because she's bad written, quite the opposite actually. All the characters have flaws, some even bigger than Rebecca's, the difference is that she lacks self-awareness. Her little obsession with Ash and the jealousy she felt every time he interacted with Isabella was a big indicator of her lack of self-awareness. She doesn't own up to her shitty behavior (I mean, she does, but it takes for her friends to die or for her to be in the brink of death to realize she wasn't precisely in the right) and I'm not really into characters with this type of characterization. It doesn't mean she isn't well written, because she is, it just means she, as a character, isn't my cup of tea.

Luke, for example, is the most flawed character, yet I still like him better than Rebecca because he's self-aware (and because I love villainous characters). He knows he's a shitty person and doesn't lie to himself about it. He accepts it. He embraces it, even. I like that in character. So, my problem with Rebecca is not that she's an obsessive creepy girl that wants to monopolize Ash because she firmly believes she's entitled to his attention and romantic love just because they've known each other since kids. I actually love the yandere archetype, I love obsessive creepy characters. My problem with her is that she doesn't realize she's that obsessive creepy girl. She doesn't realize she's toxic and a shitty friend to both Ash and Isabella in more than one occasion.

And this too is the reason why I don't like the Ash x Rebecca pairing. Not because I find it problematic (I actually love problematic ships, I mean, c'mon, I love yanderes) but because the ship it's not my kind of problematic. Just a matter of personal taste. So if any shipper sees this please don't get your panties in a twist, thank you.

My favorite character is probably Ashton. I have seen people say that he's the least interesting of them all and that he doesn't have a backstory tragic enough to be the way he is. I literally saw someone ask "what even is his pain?" But I don't believe Ash is supposed to be some Greek tragic character? It's not the way I interpreted it, at leat (yeah, in the true ending he, well, ends tragically, but I still don't think he's supposed to be a tragic character). All the characters are well written and their personalities make sense with their upbringing. His parents divorced when he was very young, way before he was old enough to understand that it wasn't his fault. And after the divorce each parent went to live on their own leaving him alone. He was a child and he was alone. Abandoned, at least that's how his kid's mind perceived it, by his own parents. So, to me, it makes sense for him to build up walls between him and his friends. It makes sense that he doesn't completely trust them. It makes sense that he believes that he knows better. He felt betrayed and abandoned by his own parents, and if his own parents abandoned him then why would people that aren't even related to him by blood not abandon him? He protects himself from that rejection, from that future abandonment, by building up walls. It'll hurt less to be left behind if he doesn't allow himself to get too close to anyone in the first place. I've seen some people say that Ash tries too hard to be a hero, but I don't believe he's trying to be a hero, I believe he's trying to feel worthy. Worthy of friendship, worthy of love, worthy of the people around him, damn, even worthy of being alive. Imagine the blow on a kid's self-esteem after they get "abandoned" by their own parents? If your own parents can't love you enough to stay with you, then who can? Probably no one, right? So he overcompensates. Because yes, he's afraid of abandonment but he also yearns for true long-lasting bonds. So he tries to solve everything by himself not because he believes he's some hero, but because he's trying to show to the people he cares about that he can be reliable, that they can depend on him, so maybe, maybe, they'll want to stay by his side. So maybe they won't abandon him. And each time he fails to prove that he can be reliable, that he can solve things on his own, it's to him a confirmation of his lack of worth. "He thinks he knows everything", yeah, because knowing everything is one of the few ways he knows to prove to himself and to others that he's useful, that he's worthy. I'm not saying you can't find those character traits annoying, that you can't dislike him, I'm just saying that you can't pretend that his characterization doesn't make sense. And when did this post become a dissertation on Ash's characterization? Lol.

The rest of the characters I love too. I just wanted to give my insight in my least and most favorite ones, because if I write something for the seven of them this post would be too long since I have a lot to say about them, in a good way of course.

TL;DR The Letter is an amazing game and if you haven't already played it yet then you have to play it right now, I promise you won't regret it!

[randomficsandshit]

Bellarke Fic Rec

*NONE OF THESE FICS ARE MINE*

Please do not forget. I have not written any of these. I’m simply recommending favorites of mine over the years. If you love something, send the author your love, not me :) and if any links don’t work, send me a message and I’ll see what i can do, this is a pretty old list 

There's A Nap For That 

Word Count: 6k+

AU. Based on that post: "If you both agree to take a nap instead of going out, it’s a date." Or: The one where Bellamy and Clarke keep taking naps together. You know, platonically. See also: Let Them Rest.

If You Wear A Dress and Have an Animal Sidekick, You Are a Princess

Word Count: 3k+

AU. Bellamy can't not take care of every animal he sees, and Clarke can't not find it endearing.

*Mouth Like Heaven, Kisses Like Stars

Word Count: 4k+

His eyebrows are knitted together in a slight frown, the kind he usually gets when he’s trying to work out a difficult problem. Finally, he meets her eyes again and says, almost hesitantly underneath his mask of bravado, “Well, I’m always here to lend a helping hand if you need it, princess.” Clarke actually chokes this time, and it feels like all the breath has been knocked out of her. -or, the time when everything goes downhill and bellamy just goes down.

Wingwoman 

Word Count: 1k+

AU. Clarke didn't think she'd need a wingwoman at the park playground when she's babysitting her one-year-old niece, but then Bellamy Blake strolls up, and Amelia rises to the occasion, luckily for her.

When Love Hits (Better Make It Worth The Fall)

Word Count: 4k+

AU. (She's All That) Four times Clarke gets hit on the head (+1 time she doesn't) during her last semester of high school, and every single time, Bellamy Blake is somehow involved.

All This Time

Word Count: 5k+

AU. Four times Bellamy innocently kisses Clarke, + one time he doesn't.

Take This Heart

Word Count: ~

clarke moves into bellamy's room. this is both soft and full of disdain for clarke's terrible... everything in season 3

You're Cool On The Internet, At Least

Word Count: 9k+

AU. Look, Clarke will not dwell on this. She will not get flustered just because a possibly cute guy on Facebook apparently shares her views on what constitutes a terrible person.

(Or: Clarke meets Bellamy on Facebook. They hit it off.)

(One of my personal favs)

We Came Out On Top

Word Count: 11k+

AU. “How can you guys be all like this and then be at each other’s throats during trivia night?” “Because it’s trivia night,” both Bellamy and Clarke said at the same time, sharing the same why don’t you get it tone. Bellamy, Clarke, and the trivia night rivalries only they care about.

She Does What The Night Does To The Day

Word Count: 5k+

AU. He assumes she would just giggle and continue petting him while saying how pretty he is, but instead, she pulls back with what might have been a leer had she not been three sheets to the wind, and says, “Your body is 65% water and I’m thirsty.” And then if that wasn’t bad enough, she stumbles out of his arms and fucking winks at him. Or at least he thinks it’s a wink. She used both eyes instead of one. or, the one where Bellamy is woefully and terribly oblivious.

The Giant Squid's Got Nothing On You

Word Count: 6k+

AU. Objectively, Clarke knows she’s probably right, but she still can’t help but lift her chin determinedly and say, “He is not going to find it.” She can barely hear her scoff in reply over the din of the cafe. “Yeah right,” says Raven, “The internet is forever, Clarke Griffin. He will find it eventually.” or, Clarke finds her new muse at the local cafe

Alone Together 

Word Count: 11k+

AU. Clarke shows up at Bellamy’s apartment at exactly two minutes to midnight on a Thursday. He's not sure how she ends up staying the night — or why he doesn't turn her away, when it happens again. And again.

Cold As The Wind Blows (so hold me in your arms)

Word Count: 3k+

AU. Clarke gets trapped in the storage room overnight, but at least she's not by herself.

Tequila Regrets

Word Count: 6k+

AU. Clarke and Bellamy have been roommates for a while, and Clarke has been in love with him for almost as long, but when she finds out that his terror of a boss has marked him as her next conquest, Clarke offers to pose as his fake girlfriend for the staff Christmas party to scare her off. She did not think this all the way through.

Mutual

Word Count: 6k+

AU. As acts of rebellion go, Clarke knows that getting a tumblr is both minor and pathetic. But it's her secret, her own tiny, online space where no one knows she's Clarke Griffin, Hollywood A-lister. She's just some nobody with like five followers and opinions no one cares about. And then she makes a friend.

Wish On Everything

Word Count: 11k+

AU. It's not as if Bellamy wanted anything bad to happen to his mother. All he wanted was to get custody of his little sister, so he'd know she was taken care of. And after eight years, he's basically given up all hope of that. Then his mother does die, and social services tells him he gets Octavia.

Legs Crossed Towards Each Other 

Word Count: 7k+

It starts with Raven wanting to set up Mr. Sinclair, out of what are probably genuinely good intentions. It's everyone else who turns it into a massive headache for Bellamy.

What The Hell Is The Catch? 

Word Count: 6k+

Bellamy gets tickets to take his AP US History kids to Hamilton, and Clarke figures he's going to need a chaperone. She's happy to help out. And if he says she owes him for it? Totally worth it.

If You Wanna Reach Me

Word Count: 5k+

AU. Clarke: So yeah, in the dream it's like We're in New York, I think. I'm not really sure, but you know how it is when it's a dream and you just know something. So we're in New York.

Jasper: whos we??????

Clarke: Most of us, I think? It's always kind of hard to remember when it's a dream. Like I just thought "everyone's here!" but I mostly interacted with Bellamy.

Raven: did u mean: real life

Time Enough For Rocking When We're Old

Word Count: 14k+

boston > boston/camb/brook > housing > apts by owner $2-300 Roxbury small room in 3-br 1-bath house, spouse preferred (Roxbury) Pair of siblings looking for housemate. Due to extenuating circumstances I will share with interested parties, I would prefer a roommate who is willing to get married for legitimate personal reasons that do not include sex or anything sketchy. If not interested in marriage, room still available for $300/month plus utilities. Pets okay, no smokers, NO DRUG USE. Please don't just email me to tell me this is fucked up, I know it is, you really don't have to tell me. If you are interested in the marriage part, a female spouse is preferred, but male would be okay too. I promise I will explain this if you really want details, but I'm not putting it online. Serious inquiries only.

Must Love Intersectionality 

Word Count: 2k+

AU. Bellamy hates his stupid history of colonialism class, until he makes a friend. Weirdly, the friend isn't actually in his class, they just share the same desk and like to write angry notes about the patriarchy. Bellamy's a fan.

Regardless Of Warnings, The Future Doesn't Scare Me At All

Word Count: 20k+

AU. 2 Chapters. After an argument with her mother about her unplanned pregnancy, Clarke Griffin ends up back in the small town where her father used to live, spilling her sob story to a sympathetic bartender. And then, somehow, she ends up moving in with the bartender and her brother.

(You Might Find) You Get What You Need

Word Count: 20k+

AU. Clarke needs a date to her ex's sister's wedding, and she's at the point of hiring someone off the internet when Octavia points out that her brother is always looking for money. So Clarke takes him instead.

Just As You Are 

Word Count: 10k+

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Clarke Griffin in need of a Latin tutorial partner will always end up paired with Bellamy Blake.

I've Been Dreaming Of You From The Other Side (I Know You So Well)

Word Count: 17k+

AU. Ten years ago, Clarke found out she had superpowers. Now she's all ready to start a new life: English teacher by day, vigilante by night. All she has to do is figure out how to be a superhero, avoid getting caught and shipped off by mandatory metahuman registration, and not strangle the stupid history teacher down the hall. It'll be fun.

She's Touching His Chest Now, He Takes Off Her Dress Now

Word Count: 26k+

If Clarke had thought arguments could actually lead to switching bodies with someone, she wouldn't have been surprised this one really did. But since that's actually impossible, waking up as Bellamy Blake is still a shock.

I Know That Fortune Is Waiting To Be Kind

Word Count: 20k+

When Bellamy is eleven, his mother dies, and he finds out his father was a prince, which makes him a prince too, albeit a bastard prince. And when he's twelve, his family decides he would be a good candidate for marriage to Princess Clarke of Arcadia. Princess Clarke thinks so too, but only because he agrees to come back in ten years and help her make sure the wedding never takes place. It seems like a really good deal, when he's twelve.

And Dream How Wonderful Your Life Will Be

Word Count: 19k+

Clarke has known Bellamy Blake for two months when she finds out two completely unexpected things about him: he's married, and he has an eight-year-old son. He's also getting a divorce and he needs a roommate, and she's got a spot. It's complicated.

One Deep Breath and One Big Step

Word Count: 17k+

Clarke Griffin has been groomed for Ark University and Sigma Kappa Upsilon sorority since she was a kid, and she's a little annoyed to discover, upon getting to college, that she really does like Sig-Kap. That she wants to pledge. There's just this weird thing where they don't seem to like her new friend Bellamy.

Write What You Know

Word Count: 13k+

Bellamy understands every individual choice that got him to this point. He started writing erotica to make some extra money, he didn't correct the assumption that he was a woman, made up some facts about his new persona, and now his publisher wants him to start making public appearances, so he needs someone to be that persona. And Clarke really is the logical choice. It all makes sense to him, when he thinks about it, but he will admit it is incredibly weird. Luckily, Clarke's still got his back.

When Can I See You Again? 

Word Count: 13k+

Bellamy doesn't recognize a lot of people he meets at conventions, even if he's met them a lot. It's just hard to keep track. But the girl who comes once or twice a year is pretty easy to remember. And that's before her foster mom shows up in a panic because she took a bus to Vegas alone. After that happens, it's basically all over.

But They Ain't Doing It Right

Word Count: 14k+

“So,” he begins, running a hand through his hair. It’s a lost cause trying to work it back into some semblance of order. “What is this?” “What do you mean?” He doesn’t meet her eye when he says, “Once is a mistake, twice is a pattern,” too busy picking at a loose thread in his hem. “Wanna go three times and just make it a habit?” she jokes weakly, and his head snaps back up, eyes boring into hers. She flushes under the intensity of his gaze. “Actually,” he begins slowly, “That doesn’t sound that bad.” or, the friends with benefits au that got away from me

Phone A Friend

Word Count: 7k+

Clarke does not ask Bellamy for tips on having a threesome because she's hoping to have a threesome with him. He's just the only person she knows personally who has actually had a threesome, so he seems like her best resource. And when the opportunity to have a threesome with him presents itself, it's not like she's going to just say no.

I'm Swept Away and My Heart Ensnared 

Word Count: 15k+

Raven hums low in her throat. “Well, at least Bellamy can make it up in time. So you won’t get too axe murdered.” Clarke wrinkles her nose, leaning on the banister of the upstairs porch. From here she can see the ocean, just a five minute walk away, and she breathes in brine soaked air. “He’s still coming?” “What do you mean if he’s still coming? He didn’t say anything otherwise.” She shifts from foot to foot, feeling herself colour slightly even though there’s no one there to see her. “I just assumed that because you and Miller couldn’t make it up anymore he wouldn’t come today.” “Why the hell did you think that?” “Because Bellamy and I aren’t exactly friends, Raven." or, Bellamy Blake and Clarke Griffin don't really like each other. Or at least that's what they tell themselves.

Afraid To Call This Place Our Own 

Word Count: 22k+ 

(Single mom!Clarke and Teacher!Bellamy, with the usual angsty shenanigans.)

And Are We There Yet (Home) 

Word Count: 2k+

A Bellamy POV and mini sequel to afraid to call this place our own. (this shit made me cry) 

Bloodstains and Innocence: A Clarke Griffin Mystery

Word Count: 27k+

Police Chief Clarke Griffin knows three things: 1) Charles Pike is dead. 2) Octavia Blake is the prime suspect. 3) Bellamy Blake a giant pain in the ass with no business being involved in a murder investigation, and yet here he is, working the case alongside her. A hurricane is approaching the sleepy little island of Arkadia, NC as evidence begins to mount against Octavia and Clarke wrestles with her increasingly complicated relationship with Bellamy, all while trying to answer one simple question: Who killed Charles Pike?

Is There An IUD That Can Stop The Image of You and Me? 

Word Count: 8k+

It's probably impossible to be friends with benefits with someone who might not even count as a friend, but "lab partners with benefits" isn't a thing yet. So that's probably the right term. Whatever it is, Clarke's enjoying it. As long as she ignores the whole feelings thing.

I’m Gonna Leave You Anyway

Word Count: 65k+

Modern AU inspired by the show You're the Worst, where Bellamy and Clarke hook up after a wedding.

                  And You Can Have This Heart To Break

Word Count: 37k+

Clarke knows she's being a little over-dramatic in her complaining about having to move to Maine, but it does seem pretty unreasonable of her mother to drag her to a small town in the middle of nowhere for the three months between high-school graduation and her starting college. As it turns out, the summer is great. It's just the summer ending that's the problem.

Museums and Mistletoe 

Word Count: 1k+

Clarke buys Bellamy a museum ticket for Christmas and he acts like it’s the best gift he’s ever received. She buys one for herself too, because she knows none of their other friends have the time to go—finding a day they can all get together to exchange gifts is hard enough—and if it gets her an uninterrupted afternoon with her best friend and all around favorite asshole, she’s definitely not complaining.

When In Brome

Word Count: 57k+

Octavia is the one who tells Clarke about "Untitled Gladiator Project," because she thinks Bellamy wants to be on it, and also thinks Clarke is the one who will be able to convince him to do it. Plus, it turns out Clarke actually needs to be involved, because all of the gladiators are required to have girlfriends with them, and, honestly, the more she hears about it, the more of a mess it seems like. On the other hand, it sounds kind of hilarious, and definitely right up Bellamy's alley, so there's probably no harm in trying out. It might be fun.

It’s All Internet Interaction

Word Count: 11k+

Bellamy is less than pleased when soap opera star Clarke Griffin lands the lead role in the Callister reboot. So, naturally, he writes about it. It’s not supposed to blow up. She’s not supposed to respond to it either, but here they are.

Just Dive Right In (And Follow My Lead)

Word Count: 24k+

Clarke Griffin needs a partner. Bellamy Blake just happens to walk into her rink. (Or: Bellamy and Clarke as ice dancing partners, training together through the years to the Olympics.)

Sleight Of Hand

Word Count: 56k+

Notorious criminal prodigy Bellamy Blake has been tasked with a seemingly impossible heist. Luckily enough, he just might have the right crew for it. *Personal Favorite*

And Then We Were Chasing Comets

Word Count: 21k+

If you told Clarke Griffin that she would become best friends with the resident black sheep of Arkadia, she would have difficulty believing it, let alone the fact that he apparently wrote an entire book about her. (Or: Clarke and Bellamy through the years, as childhood best friends.)

See Me In Hindsight 

Word Count: 16k+

“You’re kind of a mess,” He says mildly. “Thanks captain obvious.” The corners of his mouth twitch a little, like he’s holding back a smile. She is not remotely pleased by that. Not at all. Or, the one where they're project partners and maybe, perhaps, friends. (And maybe, perhaps, more.)

Challenge Accepted

Word Count: 30k+

He doesn't even like Clarke Griffin, he's pretty sure he hates how easy everything has come to her. So imagine his surprise when he finds himself at their office party looking through dick pics on her phone. “You can do better, Princess. In fact, I can do better.” As soon as she turns to him with raised eyebrows and an open mouthed grin he knows he’s said too much but she’s not going to let it drop. “Oh really, you think you can do better, Blake?” And he's never backed down from a challenge in his life.

Found Myself In A Second 

Word Count: 5k+

The one where Clarke finds a lost wallet belonging to one Bellamy Blake.

Every Rose Can Sting You 

Word Count: 15k+

Clarke expected to encounter annoying guys when she got forced into becoming the Bachelorette, but she didn't realise that the most annoying of them all would be the head cameraman. Because seriously, Bellamy Blake is a total prick. It's a good thing there's absolutely no chance of her ever actually liking him, because boy, would that be inconvenient…

Choking On Your Alibis 

Word Count: 7k+

Bellamy gets a girlfriend and Clarke handles it spectacularly well

[imherongraystairstrash]

If the whole promo thing is still going, what would you think of 56 for Henry/Charlotte?

I’m sorry I keep writing such long fics :( I just get too carried away sometimes, especially if I get to write a Hottie fic! (No joke, I squealed from excitement when I saw this request) Anyway, here it is:

Prompt #56: “I did it to protect you.”

Ship: Henry & Charlotte (Hottie/ Fairwell)

Charlotte stared at her husband’s expressionless face and counted each breath, each pulse she felt in her hand. With each beat of his heart, the same sentence repeated in her mind: please wake up. Charlotte kissed his hand and rested her forehead on it. 

She felt horrible. It was all her fault that Henry would never be able to walk again as she was the one to send them to Cadair Idris. The weight of her guilt was unbearable and she had no ways of relieving it. She looked at her husband again. Sweet Henry, with his wonderful boyish smile and his adorable freckles and the way he speaks so passionately of his experiments and— 

Charlotte held back a sob. No, she would not cry. She’d done enough of that and if she cried anymore, it would be absurd. That’s what her father used to say, anyway; don’t show too much emotion because it makes you look weak, Charlotte; you’re too sensitive, Charlotte; don’t cry over a bruised knee, you’re being incredibly dramatic, Charlotte. 

It wasn’t that her father was a bad man, he was just repeating what he’d been taught. As a result, however, Charlotte didn’t show much emotion through her facial expressions, at least not until she began fancying Henry Branwell. 

She was young and had thought all of the other boys rude or dull. But when she first met Henry, when she first had a conversation with him, her heart had yearned for him and had never stopped. 

How he spoke with such passion she had never seen in a man their age. His emerald eyes practically glowed as he spoke of his love for science. He was younger than she and yet he was so interesting, so different. She could have listened to him speak until the sun reached the horizon that night. Perhaps even longer. 

After that, she’d begun searching for his face every time there was an event. She loved him with every fibre of her body. He made her realize expressing emotion was not weak or sensitive and inspired her to be more open to others, to take a tiny piece of herself and display it to the world.

She sighed and switched positions again, resting her head on his chest and listening to the pitter-patter of his heart. The Silent Brothers said he would awake, but he was still asleep, and the longer he slept, the harder it was for Charlotte to trust the brothers. Lying so close to him made her remember of times gone by. Of memories she will hold close in her heart, like photographs in a box, so not to forget them:

She remembered how he fumbled for his stele, how he was red faced as he drew the second marriage rune over her heart. Though she had been nervous for that moment of the night, she found herself at ease with Henry, who never made her uncomfortable. Even though she thought he didn’t love her, she couldn’t feel nervous because all she could think about was how Henry was her husband and that he might one day love her. For now, he cared for her and that was all she needed. 

Charlotte didn’t realize how much she had yearned for love—utter and complete love—until Henry gave it to her. Now, she had grown so accustomed to being loved she couldn’t bear not having it.  

She closed her eyes and willed the tears away. Until, that is, she felt fingers in her hair and, startled, whipped her head up. Henry was looking at her, a sleepy smile on his wonderful face. Charlotte admired him for less than a second before she threw herself at him in very unladylike fashion, and fastened her arms around his neck. She dug her face into his neck. 

“I’m so happy you’re awake.”

She felt Henry chuckle under her. He placed the softest of kisses on her temple and held her. Charlotte allowed herself to bask in the embrace. How many times had she wanted to do this since they were married and hadn’t because she was convinced that he didn’t love her? That throwing herself at him would be unwanted attention?

She couldn’t help but think of a time when she was in a similar position as this, when they had been married for a couple of years…

Days Past:

“Henry, why did you let yourself get hurt like that?” Charlotte asked. She had been in his crypt with him, when they were frightened by a loud bang upstairs (most likely from one of the children upstairs), which prompted Henry to drop too much of a solution into another. Charlotte didn’t remember much of what happened next, only that she ended up behind Henry, who’d taken the brunt of the explosion, covering his forearms and parts of his neck and face in burns.  Thankfully, none were too severe and he should recover with little to no scarring. 

“I did it to protect you, Charlotte.” Henry said. 

Charlotte felt her heart sinking. 

“You let yourself get burned so that I wouldn’t get hurt?”

“Of course, Lottie. And I’d do it again and again.”

“Henry, you could have been killed.”

“I know.”

Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat. Henry had risked his life, his extraordinary life which he could spend inventing something that will save countless Nephilim lives, for her plain life. She was no wonder, nor could she ever dream of being more than a measly Head of Institute, but Henry? His life was irreplaceable. And yet he’d risked it for her’s without a second of doubt. 

She felt herself lean towards her husband before she knew what she was doing. By the time she realized, their lips were too close for her to back away. She stayed there, frozen on the spot, completely and utterly horrified. She looked at Henry’s wide eyes and knew she’d made a huge mistake. How foolish was she to not realize her protected her because of nothing other than friendship? Henry was fond of her, nothing more. He didn’t want this kind of affection from her. She was about to back away, hoping Henry would forget this embarrassing moment, when he lifted his head enough to catch her lips in his. 

Charlotte was frozen in surprise, for only a moment, before she began kissing him back. It was so sweet and wonderful that she allowed herself to be lost in it. It was only her and Henry and it didn’t matter that he didn’t love her the way she loved him because he was kissing her and he liked her enough to jump in front of that explosion so that she would be safe. For now, that was all she needed. His warm hand at the nape of her neck, how his thumb stroked where her jawline began made her feel as though electricity were coursing through her body. Most of all, it felt right; as though this was the way it was supposed to be.

She wished she could kiss him like this more often, that imitate moments didn’t occur once in a blue moon, but at least she was married to the man she loved, at least—

“Must you two do this in public? It’s such an eyesore.” 

Charlotte and Henry quickly pulled apart. 

Henry’s face was red from embarrassment. From the heat she felt on her cheeks, she didn’t doubt for a moment that she looked the same. 

“What is it, Will?” Charlotte said, trying to regain some composure.

“Those ghastly Silent Brothers have gone back to their lonely cave home, or whatever it’s called.”

“The Silent City,” Henry said helpfully.

“I couldn’t care less what it’s called.”

“Will,” Charlotte said, hiding her face in her hands. “A tiny bit of manners, please.” 

Will looked at her for a moment and then turned away in a dismissive gesture.

“Anyway, they said that Henry has to stay in that bed for a day or two… I guess that’s a blessing for the other institute inhabitants, since you can’t have—”

“Will.”

Will gave them a devilish smile. “Well, that’s it. Carry on, I guess.”

Charlotte still had trouble believing Will was twelve; so young and yet so quick to judge. He seemed to try to get her to hate him, but Charlotte could never do anything but love him. Every time she looked into his eyes, she saw that little boy, who begged to not let his parents into the Institute. Who pleaded for Charlotte to take him in. 

“What are we going to do with that boy?”

“He’s just going through something.” Henry said, “all young lads do. It’ll go away with age.”

Charlotte gave the door a long look. “I hope so.”

What she wanted to say, but didn’t dare voice out for fear, was that she hoped he was alright.

…

“What’s the matter, Lottie?”

Now, Charlotte looked into her husband’s eyes. They reminded her always of the first time they’d met and she was enthralled by them.

“Henry,” she said, putting a hand to his cheek. She could feel tears streaming down her face because she was going to have to tell him. Brother Enoch offered to be the bearer of bad news, as had Will, but she insisted on telling Henry herself. She knew he would want it to be her. But that didn’t make it any less difficult.

“Henry, darling, i—it’s your legs.”

Henry’s face smoothed out.

“You’re paralyzed from the hip down.” She said, choking out the words.

Henry caught her eye and then looked down, his eyebrow furrowing. He wasn’t angry; he looked confused. And then sad. 

“Lottie,” he said, looking up at her. “If you wish to get a divorce—”

Charlotte’s jaw fell open in horror. “Divorce?! Henry, why would I divorce you? I love you more than anything I could love in this world.”

Henry locked eyes with her and let out a deep breath in relief. 

He smiled at her with such genuine joy, her heart broke a little bit. “Then being paralyzed can’t be that bad. Not with you by my side.”

Charlotte didn’t restrain herself like she would have, before she knew Henry loved her back. Instead she threw herself in his arms and kissed him.

“I’ll help you the best I can, Henry.”

“I know you will, Lottie. You’re the sweetest woman God ever made. And you blessed me with being able to call you my wife.”

“It is I who is blessed.” Charlotte said, kissing him before he could say anything else. Henry was alright, which meant she would be alright too.

Tagging: @hitheresomeoneusingthus @livvyheronstairs @celias @tsccreatorsnet @ti-bae-rius (I think you enjoyed the snippet I gave for this one, so I’m tagging you in case you wanted to read the fic!) @rinadragomir @youngreckless @atla-lok143 @aceofjesper @autumnangel20 @julemmaes @cupcakesandkittens

If you want to be tagged, let me know!!

[jetaime-jespere]

all i can think about is if they miraculously bring TG and paget back, even if it’s just for one more season .... they have a really good chance to give us hotchniss, but knowing them they wouldn’t actually do it :(

i feel like if they did it right it could be so good and such a nice way to round off the series (hotch back in dc, emily deciding to retire, seeing them both finally at peace after everything they’ve been through? finally finding their way back to each other after everything??? please it would be perfect 😭)

also it’s not exactly going to harm the show, if anything more people are likely to watch.... please i just want one (1) happy ending for my favourites 🤲🏼 they deserve to grow old together

Oh, friend, you are not alone in hoping they bring them both back. I don’t think it’ll happen (I’m a pessimist at heart) but I think if they do, they would have to do some kind of Hotchniss reunion. They hinted at it for years (sometimes subtle, sometimes not - season 3 w/ divorce papers, season 5 w/ Hotch in hospital, season 6 with some subtle things here and there to name some examples) up until season 13. I have little faith in the CM producers to actually go this route, but I hope they would. I 100% agree it would bring things full circle at the end of their respective careers that haven’t been kind to either of them. Think about it - they’ve both sacrificed so much for their jobs - their whole lives, really, and a reunion would be closure to their story. It would be perfect indeed. I know a lot of people feel differently but I’ve shipped these two since 2010 so I’m a little biased. I do think they need a happy ending, and I do think Hotchniss would have been endgame at some point. I could discuss this for hours, so if you want to chat further, I’m all ears! 🙂

Not to mention - I think Thomas has been deliberately plopping hints at us for months, and Paget’s recent tweet leads me to believe they’ve at least tossed the bait in their direction. Patience is not my virtue, so until we know more, I will be anxiously awaiting any updates 🙂

[popculturebuffet]

The Loud House Valentine’s Day Double Feature (Back in Black and Stage Plight) or My My My Once Bitten Twice Shy

What is up my Loudites? And while I am returning to the Loud House I do have some sad news to get out of the way first.. i’m ending regular coverage of the Loud House. I don’t like doing this.. but when I picked up the show, I didn’t really have a set schedule.. and that was a bad thing as I didn’t get nearly everything I wanted done. Now I have one and honestly it’s been great: it allows me to stay focused and if I end up not feeling what I was going to do that day, provided it’s not a comission or specfically needed that day, I can swap things around a bit easier. 

The reason I bring this up is Nick’s way of scheduling means I CAN’T reasonably put the show on the schedule. They often don’t announce airdates until the wee before, which isn’t a bad thing WATCHING, and isn’t unresonable for a children’s network. But for someone who likes to have a concrete schedule at the top of the month, still flexable and able to make changes if they come up but at least some idea of what i’ll be doing and when, that’s a non-starter, as not knowing when a show’s going to be there or not really messes with things. In contrast Disney puts up their entire programming schedule for next month towards the end, so I know if a show’s coming back, and thus that it’ll probably be around for next month’s too. And if it goes away a week earlier than expected then super I have that space for other sttuff. But I just have too much other stuff, paid and on my own time, to keep friday’s open in perpetuity.

I will however still reviewing the show infrequently as I still love it, Season 5 will probably have plenty of episodes I want to talk about, already it has Leni running for mayor which sounds like one of my wonky spinoff ideas and I love it all the more for that, and ther’es tons of episodes I have and haven’t seen to dig into. So like Lori I won’t be in the house on a daily basis but i’m still going to show up a lot. I already have an April Fools special planned, as well as a retrospective ready for some time in the future. And of course if more Sam and Luna episodes show up, you know i’ll be on those as fast as humanly possible so yeah not leaving the show.. just not coveirng it because I like having some control of my schedule, it’s a thing with me. 

Good then we can get to why your ACTUALLY reading this unless you’ve already scrolled past or scrolled up to this. Next Sunday is Valentine’s Day, and so to continue Valnetine’s Shenanigans on this fine blog, i’m doing some romantic style episodes of the loud hosue for you. I did intend for this to be bigger, but frankly i’ve been running behind on reviews and running out of steam lately, so I paired it down to the two I wanted to do most. So for today we’ll be covering two of the show’s couples: One they badly need to bring back and I question why they haven’t, and one that I feel has gotten a lot of flack for things that aren’t it’s fault. Both are really adorable so expect some awkward blushing, bats, blood, and other stuff rhyming with B under the cut!

Back in Black: So we begin our double feature with Lucy

Yeah I have not covered this adorable harbinger of death enough on this blog, and intended to do this one, among other lucycentric episodes back in october.. and the fact I didn’t is a good argument for why I have a schedule now ain’t it? But sometimes your plans not panning out right at the exact time you planned them works out for you. Not getting to do Plan 9 From Mission Hill during Pride Month meant I got to do it on comission later. And not getting to do this one at Halloween means it still works fine just fine for valentine’s day.  

So we begin the episode with Lincoln working on his science project, with Rusty coming over to help. 

Shockingly though not only is he not just taking a nap or hitting on Lincon’s sisters while Lincoln works but actually helping, he’s actually good at it. I’m as suprsied as you. Though this is early in his characterization, so he hasn’t’nt been established as horribly sucking at everything or his friends being done with his bullshit QUITE yet. Give him time.  This is an interesting moment in the character’s history though, as it’s the episode that firmly establishes him as a close friend of Lincolns. While he was already turned from a member of a random violence gang to LIncoln’s buddy in the span of season 1, this episode cements him as one of his closer pals simply by him coming over and the two being fairly familiar with one another. Granted by that same token Girl Jordan should be in the group.. and I have nothing to add to that. Add Girl Jordan to the Lincrew. Just do it. 

Anyways Rusty brought his brother along. And you’d expect me to be terrified as there’s now three of them. But.. nope I like Rocky. He’s a chill kid and his personality goes together well with Lucy’s as while he’s a more typical kid, he’s still very subdued in his emotions like she is. Also he mentions both parents so my divorce theory.. is honestly still valid as this was three seasons ago and I could buy their mother left during that time. 

And yes Lucy’s in love.. and stalking him a bit as she follows him around the house sighing while he wonders who did that.. though it is a nice clue their compatible. When you can sense the presence of someone whose big running gag is showing up out of nowhere to scare the crap out of people that means something. And it’s either that you’d really get that person or your Wolverine. Or one of his kids. Or his clones. Or clones of his clones. What i’m saying is Rusty’s mom banged the wolverine and his family tree is really weird even by marvel standards. 

But I do give her a pass as she’s not trying to be creepy or obsessive, she just doesn’t know how to talk to him as he’s your average kid and she’s a creature of the night. It’s just a kid being shy which is very refreshing both because pre-savnio being fired the show had some very messed up ideas about relationships and gender politics at times, the latter of which actually crops up here, and because having grown up with the cartoons of the 90′s and 2000′s.. I had to put up with things like this. 

Full Disclosure: I DO ship sonamy.. but only after around Sonic Chronicles, where Bioware and then Sega decided to not make “Constantly harasses sonic despite him clearly not being interested and saying so vocally” and “Obessess over him to a point I worry she’s going to break his legs so he’ll never run away from her again”, as well as aging her up from 12. Still find her ungodly annoying at best and terrible at worst before that point, Sonic CD and Sonic Advance excluded. And yes I am that huge of a nerd, damn proud of it too. 

What i’m getting at is that a little girl unable to talk to a guy and only being kinda creepy because that’s what she does is LEAGUES better than “IT’S NOT CREEPY WHEN A WOMAN DOES IT”. Given this episode was written by a woman that probably helped a lot if not entirely but I don’t blame her for that.. more on that later. 

Point is she’s smitten but her first attempt to talk goes back as he rushes to leave after she tries talking to him.. and also appears out of nowhere to spook him. Come on man, your better than that. YOu sensed her before why not now? Up your game. But yeah Lucy’s depressed while Lincoln talks to her about it, about them leaving and once Lucy confesses she’s into rocky asks what he’s into. Lincoln.. has no idea as he’s barely been around Rocky. He’s just an average kid he dosen’t quite understand. Normal is the word he uses and Lucy ponders that.  We next see the three most traditionally feminine sisters, Lori, Leni and Lola, all pissed someone stole their stuff, though Lori does suspect Lola at first because let’s face it, this fits her MO of being an entitled brat and not being above petty theft. But no the culprit is Lucy who genuinely apologizes and understands that their mad but the other girls are fine with it given the context, which Lucy explained, and are happy to make her over.  This is where the problem I was hinting at comes in: ALL the girls are on board with this makeover plan. the problem is.. only the three who came in in the first place make actually sense making Lucy more tradiotnally feminine. Lori loves fashion and is a control freak who has troubles with empathy at times especially at this point in the series, Leni while not INTETIONALLY hurtful is kind of ditzy and thus can miss some cues, and Lola has a yawning starless void where her soul should be. For these three? Yeah this plot actually makes sense they wouldn’t think of Lucy’s feelings and actually help her use who she is to get rocky or tell her it doesn’t matter she’s beautiful as she is.. then presumably bring the wrath of god down on that poor child before things were cleared up.  The issue is more dragging the other sisters into it. It only fits the three above to really give a shit about making Lucy more “normal” and “Girly” and “Other stereotypical bullshit”. Luna is very chill and empathetic and would be the first to say “Wait maybe making her the opposite of herself isn’t a good idea”, Luan is likewise empathetic though I could possibly see it she really doesn’t need to be in this plot, Lynn ENTIRELY doesn’t fit as she prefers sports and getting dirty and what not and is the closest to Lucy out of the sisters and thus would probably be the most defensive about her not changing and that could’ve actually been interesting, Lana would be the same minus the being closest and Lisa is coldly detached a lot of the time and wouldn’t care about any of this on a good day. It feels HORRIBLY offensive and out of character to have them all suddenly be “nah your not girly enough”. These girls don’t give a shit about whose more feminine than who and it’s really bad to pidgeonhole them as that.  However.. I dont’ blame episode writer Gloria Shen entirely for this. She wrote it, she gets some of the discredit.. but she didn’t DIRECT the episode and a LOT can change from page to screen. No  THAT was series creator and known sexual preadator Chris Savino. And i’m not just blaming him because he’s a creepy asshole, but because the seasons he directed, seasons 1, 2 and most of 3, had a bad habit of having episodes where all the girls acted as a group and often to weak ends, like the green house, the one where they all fought, the gender swap episode or  heavy meddle.. which is a headache for another day. Point is it doesn’t surprise me he didn’t fix this or even genuinely cared to differentiate  them and it’d be until next season where the show fully became an ensemble piece. SO yeah I blame him on this not for his horrible history, but simply because it sounds like his writing style and as director, and a producer on the show, he had the power and responsibility to fix things and did nothing. So if it wasn’t directly his fault in the first place , he certainly didn’t fix it, call it out in storyboarding or well anything. So yeah shared blame all around.

So after a makeover montage, Lucy is uh... well I can’t describe the abomination they’ve created. 

I mean.. none of it works, and I think that’s very much the intent, dosen’t make it any less horrifying. Nothing about this is right: makeup REALLY shouldn’t go on a child in any circumstace so the blush on her cheeks is creepy and makes her look like one of those creepy porcelian dolls that i’m 100% sure either are planning to kill us all one day or were made to keep the souls of the damned trapped inside forever. The ear rings just look creepy and again are a bit much for an 8 year old, and the blonde hair just brings it all together. The pink outfit is fine.. I guess but the face is just so unsettling I can’t process the rest of her outfit and i’m not even going to try. 

Point is she looks terrifying, and not in the fun way she usually does, and Rocky dosen’t know what to make of this. Oh and if your wondering why he’s here Lynn just.. took a hockey stick to Lincoln’s project to get the Spokes Boys back over here, and Lisa mocked him for pointing out the obvious holes in their plan despite being 4 and LIncoln having a girlfriend at this point. Granted his relationship with Ronnie Anne at this point is also kinda effed up, but given you all pushed him in this direction, Lisa still has no room to talk and they amicably broke up at some point once the writers decided “Let’s pretend like this never happened and they were just friends, despite her being introduced with a crush on him and us still replaying episodes with said relationship in play, instead of actually dealing with this directly”. You may be easily able to guess what hte retrospective’s about at this point.  So Lori comes in for phase two .. WITH BOBBY!

Just.. I cannot tell you how much I needed my boy to calm me down after the last two scenes of horribly off character writing and ... that thing up there. He dosen’t do much this episode but every episode is better with Bobby and that’s a scientefic fact. So Lori claims they had a double date fall through which Bobby barely follows along with.. and it does kinda feel pressurey to kinda force Rocky’s hand here but her intentions ARE good, and a group date is a good way to relive presssure. It just ends up falling through becaue Lori wants her to act intentionally helpless, which makes no sense both for Lori’s personality given how driven and controlling she is and how Bobby clearly knows both things and likes the first and she worked on the second for him. So yeah the golf date falls through and Lori apologizes for being a bitch about all of this, as they all do, which again. .has me questioning WHY we needed the whole sister group instead of just Lori and co. Or even just Lori. The show REALLY needed to learn character ballance and while it is struggling on occasion, as seen with how lincolncentric this season has been so far, this episode reminds me it used to be MUCH worse. 

But Lucy thanks them because their intetnions were good, i’m going to need a citation on that given it came off as them wanting her to change because they found her weird nad not because they genuinely wanted to help her, and goes off to sulk about being alone. Lincoln dosen’t know what to do till the next day where, again suprisingly, Rusty had the right idea and had them come over to his place. We also find out he’s scared of blood.. which.. I can relate to. Seriously i’ve only insulted the guy once the whole episode

But we find that out because Rocky made his own because he actually found Lucy’s really cool, what a kid. So Lincoln gets the brothers over to his house by damaging the project himself then claming they need to go back and once he sees Lucy’s around has Rocky go into the kitchen to get them some sodas which he agrees to because why not. 

So in a nice little change-up on the running gag Rocky shows up startling Lucy and we get a really fucking cute scene as they hash things out. They have a normal conversation, finally getting past their shared awkwardness, in part because he admits he prefers her as herself.  As it turns out Rocky wasn’t scared.. he just thought she was too cool for him and felt intimidated and like Lucy had no idea what to say. The two then blush and after my heart melts and I freeze it back into shape in a few hours, the two decide to go look at her coffin collection and the next day proudly show off their perfected fake blood.. which destroys the project one more time. WAH WAH WAH. Oh rusty... I knew I could count on you to fuck up at least once. 

Back in Black Final Thoughts: First off Black in Black: Weird Name. I mean it kinda gives the game away, not that fans would thikn horrifying mistake lucy would stick but still, and dosen’t really fit. Call it “Why Do Ghoul’s Fall in Love” or something like that or something related to makeovers. Makeover Mistep. Don’t Make Me Over. Makeover Your Case... okay that last one sounds more like the Legally Blond equilvent of Cobra Kai but the point is it’s just weird.  Outside of the parts I already went in detail about why their dreadful.. this ep is pretty good. That one bit isn’t enough to derail the episode, merley take it’s goodness down a notch, and Lucy is genuinely fun to watch and her heartbreak is hard to watch, and Rocky was an engaging new character with lots of potetial. A large part of why I did this episode. is to ask WHY he hasn’t come back. Rusty’s now a major character, to the point he’s co-headlining an episode next week with Zach... why Zach’s getting an episode, a SECOND one at that I have no earthly idea but the point is the show’s getitng comfortable enought heir giving lincoln’s friends starring episodes without him too, as Liam got one , if alongside Lynn the power couple of 2021 I tells ya. My point is, besides when is Stella getting an episode dammit, that Rocky really should make a come back as he both provides another character for Rusty and the rest of the lincrew to bounce off of, and he and Lucy had genuine chemstiry and now she has her OWN cast there’s an easy story there about her friends reaction to her dating a non goth. There’s a lot of story potetial with this precious boy bring him back.  But overall Pretty in Black is a decent episode, worth checking out if you haven’t seen it and rewatching even if you have.

Stage Plight: So we open with Luann, whose one of my personal faviorites along with Leni, Luna, and Lucy. Granted I haven’t checked out her yearly bouts of going ax crazy on her family yet, but we’ll see in april. But outside of that, which is easy enough to isee iven it’s three episodes out of 214 where she’s like this and she gets her compuance, I find her precious, awkward, and entertaining, from her habit of saying “Get it “ to her love of puns, to the fact she’s essentially a wholesome version of the batman villian the ventriloquist..

Yeah in case you forgot about this gag, she often talks through her dummy Mr. Coconuts.. who functions as her sounding board and helps her figure things out, talks like he’s from the 40′s or 50′s, and in general is a delight. He also once or twice, including this episode acts of his own free will so I don’t know if this is a Child’s Play situation and a dying comedian put his body in her dummy and she’s just rolling with it, if she somehow put a piece of her soul in a dummy or what the hell’s going on here. Compared to the series recently what with it’s mayoral campagins, children murdering guys, and actualy factual spies, this is mildly sane. MIldly. This may also be a serious and untreated case of Disociative Identnity Disorder, but given it’s not framed that way, and Coconuts just seems to be Luann’s way of talking with herself, for now she has’nt gone full vintriloquist. Thoguh givne her april fools day behavior and her profession as a comedian, she probably WILL become the new joker at a some point. 

So the two are talking about Luann’s crush on Benny. Benny was introduced back in L is for Love and is one of the only three love interests there to actually return, and along with Sam the only onen to get multiple episodes about their relationship with their respective loud and a full personality. He was also MASSIVELY hated. For those who joined the fandom more recently, Luann was massively shipped with Maggie, an emo girl who showed up in Luann’s second spotlight episode and one where she didn’t torment her entire family, one I still need to see but have read about. It was pretty cute and nothing was wrong with that or the opposites attract dynamic. But said fans got REALLY and understandibly upset about his introduction and were presumibly none too happy he got to return and got his roll expanded.  And I.. genuinely like the kid. I have nothing against Maggie and in fact poly ship her with both Luann and Benny, as both seem like they’d be open to that and her dour demanor creates a nice contrast between the chipper luann and the somewhat chipper but also chill benny in the middle. I just feel he’s a very likeable character, sweet and awkward and very much on Luann’s wavelength. Like Sam he’s SIMILAR to his love intrest, having Luann’s love of puns, mime and the theater, but is also not quite as giggly about it and as I said has a bit more of a chill to him, in contrast to how sam is slightly more energetic to Luna’s near constant calm off stage. 

I also like him because he’s voiced by Sean Giabrone, an up and coming voice actor who I first met watching the Goldbergs as Adam. His other biggest role so far has been playing Jeff on Clarence, though he’s currently picked up another lead voice roll as Yumulack on Solar Opposites, easily one of the best parts of that show, and has done othe rminor and recurring work, but I feel he’s got the potetial to have a long and fruitful career in voice acting if he wants it. I mean he’s far from the first former ABC star or former Ron Stoppable to make a long and successful voice career of himself. Be the next will fredle man you can do it. 

But yeah I like him and think their cute together and feel demonizing a ship for one that had a low chance of happening isn’t fair, especially when you know, we’re in a fandom where incest runs rampant and is STILL a recurring problem to this day. Pick your fucking battles for god’s sake. As I mentioned you can put maggie in with this relationship or Still ship luaggie regardless. 

So back in the episode Luann and Coconuts notice Benny signing up for the school play and decide to join him. 

Yeah i’ve noticed that a LOT of school set plots are about one of the mains joining a play to either be near or play romantic lead with their crush, or romantic hyjinks happening anyway.  Seriously i’ts a lot. I DID think most of them were around romeo and juliet, and Proud Family, Pepper Anne, and Ned’s Declassified all are probably why, it’s actually way more diverse and i’m happy to give credit to shows and movies for that:  Jimmy Neutron used Macbeth (IN SPACEEEEEE), American Dragon Jake Long used Antony and Cleopatra, as did the comic strip Foxtrot (That one I remembered), Daria used the canterbury tales, Arrested Development used Much Ado about Nothing, and one of my faviorite instances is the film Get Over it. It’s a cheesy as hell early 2000′s high school pg-13 comedy, that I loved as a teen and nos nostalgicaly love but am aware it has issues and some stitled acting as an adult where our hero joins the high school play in order to win his ex girlfriend back from the douchebag she’s seeing now and ends up falling for his best friend’s kid sister instead. They do a mid summer’ night’s dream, which is not only awesome SOMEONE thought to use that one , as the film has given me a special affection for the play.. but it’s a cheesy musical version written by the gloriously over acted director of the play played by martin short. 

My faviorite part of it is the boy band style number about Hermia. Yes really. And I didn’t even get into the fact Siquo is one of the main character’s best friends, Kristin Dunst had to reshoot a scene while making the first rami spider-man , our heroes weird parents who are sex therapists and have no real filter AND offer Coolio a threesome on their advice show, and yes the actual coolio and yes that was an actual person that existed, or best of all the douchey rival who stole our heroes girlfriend, whose not only a former boy band member whose band peformed the song love scud, but also threatens our hero with nunchucks at one point. 

Just see this movie.. i’ll hopefully talk about it some day. 

Point is this kind of plot is stock.. but it’s the good kind you can do a lot of twists and turns with as every example mentioned, even the ones using the crush thing, had some clever twist or turn. And this one is no exception as we’ll see. 

So we meet Ms. Berardo, the schools HAMMY as hell drama teacher who gives herself an entrance and is just wondrously entertaining throughout. She’s played by Grey Delise Griffin, which I could recognize immodestly and man does she bring it. Seriously bring her back. Wonderful character. So our heroine and her leading man audition and in a refreshing change of pace they do not get the lead rolls, instead a modern valley girl and a jock who writes his stuff on his arms do so instead.  But since Bernado’s a bit nuts, she decides to have the Montagues and Capulets practice separately despite tha not making a ton of sense, to drive up tension and what not. I mean isolating an actor to drive up tension is a vallid technique but even having not read Romeo and Juliet since high school, over a decade ago, I can tell you they have several scenes together and this is a logistical nightmare. However our heroine finagles her way over to swapping camps so she can talk to Benny since honestly given the whole thing was a way to get to spend more time with him, she might as well quit otherwise. It also.. isn’t a bad tactic. She wants to know him before asking him out properly, which is fair and a good way to go, and they already know each other and are friendly, and it’s something she likes doing anyway as they were both involved with a play in his first appearance and her liking theater makes sense as she’s a comedian, and while she clearly prefers standup, it’s often a natural evolution to go fromt hat to acting in comedy stuff or making your own show, so it’s not a bad idea to learn that side of the buisness too. 

So Luann FINALLY gets to talk to Benny.. after fast ball specialing mr coconuts in the way of someone trying to sit down

But we get a really cute moment as the two just.. talk like two dorky teenagers; They talk about the real mimes of la, which I want badly to be a show.. even if it’s just to find out what the Mime from Animaniacs is up to now. Where DID that guy go? Did the anvil finally kill him? These are the kinds of things that keep me up at night.. which is probably why I’m finishing this at 4 in the morning. But the two have genuine chemistry with Luann offering him her banana, phrasing, and making a pun he chuckles at. It’s adorable as all hell. 

And Bernardo notices, and since her leads have no sparks she regretfully demotes them.. though their reaction is hilariously realistic as both are just happy to have less lines and walk off. She decides to cast Luann and Benny despite being freshman which would never happen but eh this is a unvierse with a snakebird and spies trying to destroy cherries with a death laser why I do I care two seasons later if two freshman got the leads in the play. Still I love the twist: our hero wasn’t trying to get the lead to creeiply force intamacy or anything.. the two just had natural chemistry and the director noticed that and wants to use it. 

But while this should be great.. it isn’t as Luann keeps dodging actually kissing Benny when they rehearse the kiss. The reason.. is really frigging endearing. Luann simply hasn’t kissed anyone before, this will be her first.. and naturally she’s REALLY nervous about having it in front of a crowd or Benny thinking she’s a bad kisser. And I mean... while I had no personal experience at that age in kissing, most media and personal accounts detail it as awkward as fuck. But that’s the irony: she dosen’t KNOW it’s always awkward and thus is putting a ton of pressure on herself like anyone her age.

So she breaks under the pressure despite the reasurances of her Dummy/Possible Sign that she needs therapy and while she finds a way out the next Day Benny has aburbtly quit because of “chess club”.. which he’s not in. Luann finds him and talks to him about it, worried it’s her fault.. and she’s right, though Benny bowed out because she clearly wasn’t comfortable with him and didn’t want to make her kiss him when she clearly wasn’t comfortable with it. What a man what a man what a mighty good man. Luann TRIES to explain.. and then lets Mr Coconuts do it. Which usually in high school would lead to humilating rejection. instead Benny brings out his own puppet Mrs. Appleblossom. 

Just those eyes.. black and souless.. like a doll’s eyes.. because htey are a doll’s eyes. So yeah Benny also has a puppet he uses to say the things he’s too nervous to say. Which is endearing even if again , KILL IT. KILL IT. I mean i’ts like tha tone guy from victorious if the puppets were actually charming and one of them looked like it was about to play hide the soul. Mrs. Appleblossom explains that Benny is also nervous and with the air cleared and the two realizing theyw ere nervous about the same thing... the inevitible happens

So that fades into the kiss happening on stage, with Luann’s family cheering her, our heroes take a fookin bow and Coconuts and Appleblossom look on.. and talk somehow...and somehow got in the seats on their own. 

Stage Plight Final Thoughts: This episode.. is one of the series best, with great pacing, a low amount of repetition and a relatable conflict, while building up Luann’s love intrest to be a wonderful and engaging guy, and giving us a hell of a guest character and Mrs. Gerardo. This episod eis great, the chemistyr between Gambrone and Pucelli is fantastic. This one is just awesome and worth a look especially if the ship contrversy had hit you hard. It really is good. And there’s always room for benny. Until the next rainbow it’s been a pleasure. 

[imagines-for-the-fangirls-soul]

Return to Me - Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen: Trust in Me

A/N: Hi all! There’s a lot of fashion in this chapter, I think like four different outfits, so bear with me. I hope you all like this chapter! This lays the foundation for some good shit coming up, and I’d once again like to apologize for the pain I cause all of you. I promise, this story will have a mostly happy ending, I just want to torture you all a bit before we get there! As always, let me know if you want to be tagged and what you think! (Also WOW I forgot how good he looked in TROS)

Pairing: Poe Dameron x Reader Word Count: 4,466 Synopsis: Although it seemed unlikely, the reader’s gathering was a success, and the planet of Manaan has agreed to supply the resistance with some much-needed help. Poe, Leia, and Black Squadron head to Serenno to accept these gifts, but another dinner party stirs up hard feelings between Poe and Lin, which eventually boil over into the tensions Poe and the reader are already feeling. 

Tag List: @xeniarocks​, @too-many-baes​, @araceli91103​, @idocarealot​, @treblebeth, @treestarrrrrrrr​, @thescarletknight2014​, @charlottie2998​, @ibikus, @mellow-f1, @mrsdaamneron, @trustme3-13, @missjess71, @ella-solei, @minelskede, @gleigh42, @usuallyweepingnacho, @givemethatgold, @and-claudia, @constantdisgrace, @wordsinwinters, @readingvogueonprivetdrive, @trshbb, @kaitlynw011, @ihave2muchtimeonmyhands, @fairytalesforever, @thanos-jeep, @mixedfandxms, @pastelbunny1501, @emotionalcal, @daniellajocelyn, @getyourselfaunicorn, @spider-starry, @jimhalpertcanbuymelove, @angelicaxhouston, @roserrys

Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

You awoke that next morning, your hand still firmly clenched around Poe’s mother’s ring. The sun had yet to rise over Theed Palace, although it was threatening to soon. As always, you had a dreamless sleep. 

You were reluctant to take off the necklace as you got out of bed but were certain that no one else should see it. It would be another little bit before Nové and Loré would come to get you ready for the day, and you decided to capitalize on the time. Your braid from last night looked fine this morning, so you left it alone as you scavenged through your wardrobe for something to wear for today. You pulled out a gown and accessorized it with different jewels, except for the one you wanted to wear most. 

Early morning, before light had broken over Naboo was your absolute favorite time to be in the palace. Although you truly felt that every part of Naboo was breathtaking, there was something magical that happened in the castle when the first break of light started to spill through the stained glass windows, shining a kaleidoscope of color across the long, tall halls. Few guards or workers were out for the day, so there was a quiet calm in the air as you moved down the hallway, gazing at the different colored light that touched your feet as you moved.

Through habit, you made your way towards the throne room, but on your way down, you heard a noise coming from one of the meeting rooms attached to the nearby hall. Carefully, you crept closer to the room, hoping to listen to who was speaking. Whoever was in the room, though, was talking so quietly that you couldn’t hear them until you were visibly standing in the doorway.

“Your Highness,” Broden said, sitting up. He was slouched in his seat, his finger on his forehead indicating that he had been up all night.

“Too early for a meeting, don’t you think, my lord?” you asked, stepping into the room. He motioned to the chair to his right and you took a seat.

“I was just waiting for a call from General Organa. I wanted to inform her of the success of yesterday’s dinner.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a success,” you said, looking at him curiously. “We got some promising responses, but—”

“I got a transmission last night. Senator Rebianakl of Manaan is dropping off supplies to Serenno today.”

“Really? What kind of supplies?” you asked excitedly.

“A ship or two, weapons, everything they can spare, she said.”

“That’s wonderful,” you said.

“I know. So, you’ll be coming with us to Serenno to accept their generous gift, won’t you?”

“Oh, I’m not sure about that,” you said, drawing back slightly.

“Why not? It’ll be the perfect opportunity to show off—”

“What?”

“You,” he said simply. “You’re the reason Manaan is giving us this wonderful gift.”

“That’s not true, it’s because of Lin. He was the one who convinced Avania.”

“True, but you cannot deny the spark you put in people,” he said kindly. “And this will help the Resistance. If you want to rebuild the Republic, in whatever capacity you desire,” he added, when you began to argue, “Then you should be there. The first step is the Resistance, the next is the Republic.”

“Without the Republic, the Resistance is just a bunch of outlaws.”

“You don’t believe that, and I don’t think the galaxy believes that either. Is there a reason you don’t want to go to Serenno?”

“No,” you said quickly, “I just want to be clear that I’m not going to be the one leading the Republic.”

“Or the Resistance?” he asked. You rolled your eyes.

“Of course not,” you said. “I want to do what’s right for the galaxy, but I am attached to Naboo and Naboo only.”

“I know,” he said. You sighed and smiled at him reluctantly. “So you’re really not coming with, then?”

“No.”

“But—”

“I need to meet with my council and figure out what’s next for our people, anyways.”

“Of course,” he said, “Would you like me to stay as well?”

“I think I can handle them for myself.”

“Very well. I should be back by tonight.”

“No need to worry, Sarsa,” you said with a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will.”

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

“Why are we going to Serenno, though?” Snap asked, following Poe through the jungle of Yavin-4, on their way back to Kes’s house.

“Because that’s where our base is supposed to be,” Poe said.

“Why don’t we just tell this count that we’ve found a new base?”

“We don’t have very many allies right now, and Leia wants to make sure we don’t lose any. We don’t really know if we can trust him, but until we’re sure we can’t, we can’t risk losing him as an ally. General Organa wants us there to accept the supplies with Lin Ral.” Snap nodded and looked at him curiously. “What?”

“Nothing. This is the same count who’s supposed to be marrying Y/N, though, right?”

“He’s not supposed to be marrying her,” Poe grumbled, “Her parents would just really like him to marry her.”

“And how do you feel about all of this?”

“Well, I’m not thrilled that my ex-wife is being pursued by him, but there’s not much I can do.”

“Except plan a romantic attic date, right?” Snap asked. Poe looked back at him and rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“You going to be okay around Lin Ral?” Snap asked.

“I’ll figure it out,” Poe said, giving him a tired smile.

“Good. While we’re on the subject of relationships, maybe we should talk about Suralinda, too.”

“I’d rather not,” Poe grumbled.

“Come on, at least tell me what happened so I can keep up to date when the two of you either sneak off to a storage closet together or glare daggers at each other.” Poe let out a small laugh and nodded his head as they neared his home.

“Sura and I are done. We’re great friends, and we’re better off staying that way.”

“Plus, you’ve got that pesky ex-wife of yours around,” Snap said with a smile.

“Plus, Y/N’s back,” he agreed. “It was stupid to get caught up with Sura. I know I hurt her, and I’m sure Y/N would be hurt, too, if she ever found out. I was just . . .”

“Lonely,” Snap finished simply. “It’s alright. There’s nothing wrong with that. And as far as I’m concerned, Y/N would have nothing to be angry about. You’re divorced, you don’t owe her anything.”

“Except that I’ve told her I love her every time I see her,” Poe said. “And I do, I absolutely do, I just don’t know how Suralinda fits into all of this. If what happened between us needs to be explained to Y/N—”

“You know,” Snap said, clapping Poe on the shoulder, “I think we’ve got bigger things to worry about right now. Don’t let this stuff trouble you.”

“Oh, believe me, I know. Which is why this trip to Serenno is doubly fun. Not only do I get to see the man who is trying to seduce Y/N, I also get to deal with the process of accepting the gifts from Manaan and schmoozing with the politicians.”

“Your favorite kind of day,” Snap said sarcastically.

“Exactly.”

They each dropped the bag of needed supplies at their feet right outside the door to Kes’s home. Snap wasn’t more than two steps up when Karé swung open the door. She beamed at Snap and wrapped him in a big hug, kissing his head every so often, as if on the short trip to the base, he had been in mortal peril.

It was hokey and overly emotional, but Poe couldn’t help but wish that you were the one coming out of his father’s house and wrapping your arms around him as you gently kissed.

He realized he was staring much too late, and by the time he did, Karé had already thrown the apple in her hand at him.

“Hey, Fly Boy, eyes to yourself,” she spat. Snap chuckled at her and laced his hand in hers. “You guys about ready to go?”

“Yep,” Poe said. “Got everything we needed from the base.”

“Perfect. I’ll let General Organa know.” She started to walk back towards the house, her hand still firmly in Snap’s. She pulled on his hand gently and he followed her into the house, leaving Poe outside alone for a few moments.

“Off to Serenno?”

Poe turned around to see his father walking up to the house, a basket of the freshest picks from his garden in his hands. The weight was clearly straining on his father’s old shoulders, so Poe quickly jumped down the steps and helped his dad carry it up onto the porch.

“We’re heading out soon,” Poe said, wiping the dust off on his pants.

“You’ll be careful,” Kes said.

“Always.”

“Then I’ll see you when you get back.” Kes wrapped him in a quick hug, pulling away just as Leia walked out of the house with Snap, Karé, and the rest of Black Squadron.

“Ready, Commander?” Leia asked with a gentle smile.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The flight to Serenno was quick, too quick for Poe’s liking. He had secretly hoped that on the way to Serenno he would run into some kind of snag that meant he wouldn’t have to rub elbows with the political elites of Serenno and Manaan, but as he made the smooth landing on Serenno’s surface, he knew he was in no such luck.

Lin Ral was waiting at the entrance to the castle on Serenno, an aggressively polite smile on his face. Leia smiled back at him gently, so Poe knew that he must, too. He gave him a polite nod and a little smile as they stepped up to face him. Poe looked up at the man, the one who was trying with all of his might to seduce you, and tried to figure out whatever he could about him from his welcoming presence.

“Welcome,” he said, “It’s good to have you back, General Organa, and I can see that you’ve brought Black Squadron with you.”

“Yes,” Leia said, “I thought it would be best to have them accept the gifts from Manaan with me as they are the ones who are going to be using them. May I introduce Commander Poe Dameron?” she said, motioning to him. Poe suddenly stood up straighter, trying to reach eye-level with Lin as he shook his hand.

“I’ve heard many stories about you, Commander,” Lin said with a jovial smile. “It is an honor to finally meet you.”

“Thank you. You as well, my lord,” Poe managed to say without a grimace.

“Senator Rebianakl will be here shortly. Let me escort you to the hangar,” Lin said, leading the group. He made sure to fall behind the group and ended up walking step in step with Suralinda.

“I wonder what stories he’s heard about you,” she said with a smirk. Poe managed a chuckle and shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

“And I wonder from whom,” she said, flicking her hair behind her back and walking away from him. He looked down at his shoes, knowing that Sura had yet to forgive him. As he stepped onto the hangar, Leia pushed his shoulder, drawing his eyes upright to see Lin Ral greeting a woman from Manaan. Leia was called up and exchanged pleasantries with Senator Rebianakl.

Poe studied the gifts she had brought. Three ships, two brand new X-Wings, and a cruiser that was only a little bit smaller than the one that had been lost with Vice Admiral Holdo. Rebianakl beckoned them all forward, and as they each surveyed the ships, they found crates full of ammunition and weapons, and food and survival supplies.

“So, what do you think?” Poe looked to his left and saw Lin standing next to him. Poe nodded and looked back at all the supplies.

“I think it’s going to bring some great help. We have a lot to thank Senator Rebianakl for.”

“I’m glad you agree,” he said with an obnoxious smile. “We’ve invited her to dinner, and she’d like everyone to join us.”

“Everyone?” Poe asked.

“Everyone,” Leia said, stepping forward. Poe looked into her eyes, finding no chance of a discussion available and nodded his head.

“Black Squadron will be there,” he said, to both Lin and Leia.

“Splendid,” Lin said, “I’ll inform Senator Rebianakl.”

Leia gave Poe a smirk as she stepped away, discussing something with Kaydel Co Connix. Poe looked across the hangar and found his squadron as he often always did, grouped together. He moved over to them and gave them a lackluster smile.

“What is it?” Jessika asked.

“We’re all having dinner with Senator Rebianakl,” he said with a frown.

“I’m not changing out of this jumpsuit,” she stated plainly. “I don’t even have anything else to wear.”

“Don’t worry,” Suralinda said with a smirk, “I think I have something that’ll fit you.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Jessika complained as Karé and Suralinda pulled her out into the hall. Snap walked up next to Poe and bumped his shoulder.

“Excited for dinner?” he asked.

“Oh, just thrilled.”

“Hey, maybe Lin Ral has a jacket you can borrow,” Snap said with a grin.

“I think I can manage,” Poe said, shaking his head with a laugh as he walked away from Snap.

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

“I didn’t join the Resistance to schmooze with the elites of the galaxy,” Poe said as Leia inspected his outfit, pulling on the sleeves of his jacket.

“You joined the Resistance to fix the galaxy,” she said, dusting off his shoulder blades, “And that’s just what you’re doing. And relax, Poe, you look great.”

“Well, I never said I didn’t,” he said with a smirk. Leia smacked his arm as she walked away, whipping the cape of her jacket out behind her.

“Don’t you look spiffy,” Jessika said, walking into the room, turning Poe’s attention. His eyes widened when he saw what she was wearing, but a smile washed over his face, too, at his friend who never liked to get dressed up, looking beautiful.

“Where did you find this?” Poe asked, stepping up to admire the billowy sleeves of her shirt. “You look great.” She rolled her eyes, but a slight blush fell on her cheeks.

“Suralinda. She had matching looks for herself, Karé, and I.”

“No kidding,” Poe said appreciatively. The doors to his left opened again and Karé and Suralinda walked in wearing their matching outfits. As if he couldn’t have smiled anymore, Poe grinned even larger.

“Absolutely beautiful,” Poe said honestly.

“Took the words right out of my mouth,” Snap said, walking into the room after the women. He wrapped an arm around Karé’s hip, matching Poe’s grin. “Hey, we look pretty good. Maybe we do have a future in politics.”

“Doubtful, knowing your manners,” Poe said, leading the group out the same door that Leia went through a few moments ago.

As they walked in, Poe took in the room around him. The halls of the Serenno dining room were very similar to the rest of the castle. Dark, nearly black marble walls covered the room, making the lighting covering the table illuminate eerily. At the head of the table was Lin Ral, and to his left and right, Senator Rebianakl and General Organa. An array of food had already been laid out on the table, and when Black Squadron entered, Lin beckoned them to the chairs around the table.

Poe took a seat next to Lin Ral’s mother, Neamia, and locked eyes with Leia, who he was sitting across from. The meal started as formal meals usually did, with the conversation turning to policies first and foremost. Poe managed to drown most of it out, adding a polite ‘ah’ and ‘mmhmm’ every few moments when the conversation went his way. However, he could barely withhold his contempt when Rebianakl said the thing he hated most about politicians.

“I hope that our donation will be remembered, my lord, when Manaan needs support in our new Republic,” she said. Poe couldn’t hide his contempt as he looked to Leia for a reaction. She quickly shook her head, forbidding him to speak his mind as Lin answered her.

“Of course, Senator. I just discussed with Queen Bhavisama last night that once all this business with the First Order is finally settled, we will have to start thanking everyone who helped us.”

Leia’s foot found him underneath the table as Poe started to open his mouth. He gave her wide eyes, and though it was clear that she wanted him to shut up, he couldn’t. Hearing Lin refer to you and him as a ‘we’ sent white-hot rage through his body.

“I was under the impression that Queen Bhavisama,” he said, the name tasting sour in his mouth, “Didn’t want to be a part of the new Republic.”

“I’m not sure I got that from her,” Lin said, a smile still on his face as he looked at Poe. “She is on the side of democracy, and therefore, the forming of the new Republic.” Poe plastered a fake smile on his face and nodded.

“Of course, but she’s still the queen of Naboo.”

“I think you’re underestimating everything she’s capable of,” Lin said, his smile falling ever so slightly.

“I think you’re not letting her speak for herself, or at least just not hearing it when she does.”

“I didn’t realize the two of you were so close.”

“Come again?” Poe asked, leaning over the table to give Lin a dangerous look.

“Well, it just seems that you know her so well to know exactly what she wants and doesn’t want.”

“Bhavisama and I are good friends,” Poe said, his fake smile from before completely gone. “I’ve known her for a long time, I think I’ve gotten her pretty much figured out.”

“Well,” Leia said loudly before Lin could counter, “Since Y/N isn’t here, I think it’s best not to argue about what she does or doesn’t want. I do know, Senator,” she said, turning her attention back to Rebianakl, but leaving a burning gaze on Poe, “That Bhavisama was very thankful for your generous donation and did want to extend her thanks.”

Senator Rebianakl smiled back at Leia, and the issue was put to bed as dessert was served. Poe stabbed at his food, but couldn’t bring himself to eat the sweet, chocolatey pie in front of him.

When dinner was over, he and the other members of Black Squadron were the first ones to stand. They had exchanged many looks during dinner, and after his interaction with Lin, he wanted to get as far away from Serenno as possible, as quickly as possible.  

“Poe,” Leia said, standing just as quickly. “Walk with me, won’t you?” she asked. He nodded and quickly exchanged a look with Jessika. She gave him a polite smile and escaped from the room with the rest of their squadron. Poe offered his arm to Leia and led her out of the room, back towards their new ships.

When they were in an empty hallway, she pulled her arm from his. Poe looked into her eyes and saw the lecture coming even before she opened her mouth.

“What the fuck was that?” she asked.

“What was what?”

“Don’t play stupid, Dameron. Just last night I have to keep Javos from embarrassing Y/N, I never expected I’d have to do the same with you.”

“I wasn’t trying to embarrass Y/N,” he said weakly, “I was just—”

“Look, what Lin said was stupid. I heard it, too, but he’s still our best chance right now. Even if he is trying to court Y/N.” Poe nodded and set his jaw. “What you did in there was also very stupid.”

“I know.”

“But you were right,” she said softly.

“How’s that?” he asked. Leia sighed and shook her head gently.

“Y/N is still just queen of Naboo. She doesn’t want anything to do with the reformation of the Republic. Her parents want to paint her as the figurehead of the movement, but that’s not at all what she wants. I think you were right to stand up for her, even if you did it stupidly.”

“Ah, there’s that classic Leia compliment-insult.”

“And you’ll hear many more if you don’t get your act together,” she said, looking up at him. “I can’t take any more setbacks.”

“I know,” he said, dropping his head. She patted his cheek softly, turning his eyes to her.

“Now why don’t you go help the rest of your squadron pack up and we’ll leave this curse of a planet.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Poe said with a smile.

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

Another long day had you feeling exhausted, craving nothing more than to fall into your bed and sleep for hours, but you still had to reach out to Leia. If you were going to be meeting with potential future members of the Republic, of course, she would want to know about that. You typed in the codes to contact Leia, but nearly fell asleep before a Holo appeared on the screen.

“Oh, hi,” you said, looking up to see Poe in Leia’s place. He smiled at you, making you smile back, feeling a twinge of excitement in your stomach.

“Hi.”

“I was expecting to get Leia.”

“Yeah, yeah, I figured. She’s not here right now. I just saw she was getting a transmission so—”

“Sure,” you said, “How are you?”

“Good. We just got finished up packing all of the supplies from Manaan. We’ll be taking off pretty soon.”

“You’re still on Serenno?” you asked in shock.

“Yes, Lin Ral wanted us to stay for dinner with Rebianakl.”

“You sound less than enthused about that,” you said with a smirk, “But you do look good.”

“Thanks,” Poe said with a smile, looking down at his suit jacket. “You know I’m not a big fan of fancy banquets and dinners.”

“You just don’t like the people,” you said.

“Very true. They’ve all got their own agendas that they try to work to their favor.” You nodded your head gently.

“Was this dinner like this?” you asked.

“A little,” he sighed, leaning back in his chair.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m just worried.”

“About what?”

“Just a couple things Lin said during dinner.” You sat up in your seat to look at him better.

“What did he say?”

“Basically, that you were going to lead the new Republic.”

“Yes,” you said with a sigh, “ He is under the same understanding as my parents that I’m going to be joining the senate once I’m done being queen.”

“And I may have argued with him about it,” he said reluctantly.

“Argued with him?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I just stood up for you, saying that you weren’t interested in joining the Republic like that.”

“Well, I appreciate you standing up for me,” you said, “But you really shouldn’t argue with Lin.” Poe rolled his eyes. “Poe.”

“No harm done,” he said with a brush of his hand, “If he’s too stupid to realize that the base we’ve created on his planet isn’t fake by now, I’m sure one conversation with him about you isn’t going to throw him off.”

“Lin isn’t stupid, Poe. If it really is the Resistance’s goal to fool him into thinking that Serenno is the new location for our base, then they’re going to have to do a better job than leaving a few officers in a situation room every few days or so.”

“It’s not just Lin we’re trying to fool,” Poe said, “It’s everyone. We don’t know who we can trust.”

“I know, but you can trust me,” you said quickly. “And I trust him.”

“I know you do,” he said with a sigh. “It’s just . . .”

“Just what?” you asked, crossing your arms over your chest.

“It’s been two years, Y/N,” he said carefully, “Maybe you aren’t thinking as strategically anymore.”

“Meaning what?” you asked.

“Meaning, I think you think more like a queen than a Resistance fighter sometimes.”

“That’s because I’m not a Resistance fighter anymore.”

“I know, which is why—”

“Why you don’t trust my judgement?” you interrupted.

“That’s not what I said, baby,” Poe said, leaning into the frame slightly. He had a tired look on his face.

“It is. I have assured you a million times that Lin is loyal, yet you still don’t believe me, and even go out of your way to insult him.”

“I believe you think he is loyal!” Poe exclaimed. “But the more I get to know him, the less I like about him. There’s something off about him, you’ve got to admit it. Even Leia sees it.”

“And what, I’m just the only one stupid enough to fall for his rouse?”

“I didn’t say that either,” he said with a frown.

“Didn’t you?”

“I didn’t,” he said with a frown. “We just can’t be taking risks right now, and he feels like a big one.”

“You thought that of me once, too,” you said delicately. Poe’s eyes widened. He nodded his head and his whole face fell into disbelief.

“Right. Look,” he said, glancing off to something, or someone, you couldn’t see, “I need to go.”

“Sure,” you said, looking away as tears started to prick in your eyes.

“I’ll talk to you soon. Stay safe.”

“Yeah, you too,” you said quietly. He turned off his commlink before you could, surrounding you in silence in the small room you were in.

[tobinheaths]

The Holiday: Chapter 1 - Happy Accidents

Characters: Christen Press, Kelley O’Hara, Alex Morgan, and Tobin Heath Ships: Preath, Kellex

Summary: Christen and Kelley are old college roommates who live on opposite sides of the country. While on the phone catching up each mentions to each other that they are sick of their lives and wish they could escape for the holidays. Christen is dying for a white Christmas and all Kelley wants is to spend it surfing on the beach. So they have an idea – what if they switch homes right after Thanksgiving until January 2nd so they can each get what they want? Little do they know they might just be getting everything they’ve ever wanted.

“Tell me it isn’t the best idea I’ve ever had.”

“Kell, I don’t know.”

“The snow, Chris. Think of the snow.”

“I mean -- I do want a white Christmas, but”

“No buts. Be spontaneous, live a little.”

Christen sighed into the phone. She had no real reason to say no. As a journalist it was easy enough to work from anywhere as long as she had her laptop and Kelley was right. Despite not seeing her all that often since they graduated college together, her former roommate still knew her better than most people. She couldn’t even lie and say she had been living more spontaneously if she tried. Maybe it was time to get out of her comfort zone. Christmas in New York City was something the California native had only ever dreamed about and now that she was getting the chance she decided she couldn’t turn it down even if it did feel eerily familiar to the way Kelley used to peer pressure her into going to frat parties with her. 

“Fine.” She gave in much to Kelley’s delight. 

“Oh my God, wait -- seriously? I wasn’t expecting you to actually say yes to that. Shit! You really must be more desperate for a change in scenery than I thought.”

“Honestly? Yeah, kind of. I mean other than my job it’s not like I have much of anything here for me right now. I need excitement and adventure.”

“You need New York.” Kelley said matter-of-factly. 

“Obviously it would be even better if you were going to be there with me but I know how much you love the beach and surfing. I couldn’t dream of tearing you away from that.”

“How selfless of you but selfishly, yeah. I’ve been dreaming about catching some waves for way too long now. I have over a month of saved up vacation time that I need to cash in before it expires come the new year and I can’t think of a better way to use it. It’ll be perfect, Chris. I promise.” At least she hoped, otherwise she’d never hear the end of it.

“So this Saturday after Thanksgiving then?” 

“Until January 2nd. Holy shit, I’m so excited!” 

Christen chucked into the phone. “I can’t believe you talked me into this but I am looking forward to it. There’s so much there that I’ve always wanted to do around the holiday time.”

“Yeaaah, just avoid all the big touristy shopping areas and you’ll be fine. Unless aggressive mobs of people, specifically moms trying to get the best deals for their kids, is your scene now?” 

“I’m not sure what you’re trying to insinuate but I can assure you, that is most definitely not my scene, you jerk.” 

Kelley laughed. “Hey you never know! You can be kind of a grandma sometimes.” 

“Go ahead, keep insulting me. See if I leave you a key to get into my place once you get here.” 

“Please, as if it’s the first time I’d have to crawl through a window.”

“You know, I’m not even going to ask--” 

Kelley laughed again. “I’ve gotta get back to work but I’ll be in touch okay? I’ll call you again later tonight so we can work out the rest of the details and book flights and everything.” 

“Sounds good, later Kells.” 

Christen hung up the phone and let her head fall into her hands. Had she really just agreed to that? 

///////////////////

“Okay, when you said a modest home I was expecting a little cottage not Daddy Warbuck’s mansion, Christen!” 

“Stop being dramatic, it’s not that big!”

“Yeah well it’s not that small either! How have I not been here sooner? You’ve been holding out on me!”

“No -- you’re just a workaholic who refused to take a break to come visit me. Figures I finally get you to my place and I’m not even there to enjoy it with you!” 

“Yeah well you have my shoe box apartment to feel claustrophobic in for the next month instead. Have fun with that.”

“Shut up, it’s not claustrophobic! It’s cute. Homey. I like it.” 

“What about a five story walk up and 600sqft apartment feels homey and exciting to you is beyond me but hey, as long as you’re happy, Pressi.” 

“I am happy,” was all she said as she stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the busy streets below. Kelley’s apartment wasn’t exactly in the heart of all the action but it was still in a desirable and bustling neighborhood. It seemed young and artsy which was right up Christen’s alley. She could already tell she was going to enjoy herself -- and that yoga studio just across the street. 

“Well I’ll leave it to ya, then. Have fun doing whatever it is you decide to do.”

“Thanks, yeah, you too. I left a list of all the best places to eat and where I’ve heard the best surf spots are. If you need anything else, just let me know. The TV system is a little tricky but I trust you’ll be able to figure it out.” 

“You’re the best, Chris. Seriously. Thank you! I hope my city lives up to your expectations. I’m not as well thought out and organized as you so I didn’t leave any lists but if you want some suggestions for food or anything feel free to shoot me a text. Oh believe me, I’ve already cussed out the TV a good six times but I finally figured it out. You and your fancy ass entertainment center and surround sound.” 

Christen rolled her eyes with a laugh. “Bye, Kelley!”

“Yeah, yeah, bye loser.” She chuckled and hung up the phone with a big smile on her face. She couldn’t help but feel so lucky and blessed to have such great friends in her life. She just wished she and Christen got to see each other more. 

/////////////

Kelley had only been back to California a handful of times since graduating from Stanford. It was all somewhat familiar to her but mostly just felt foreign anymore. It also didn’t help that where Christen lived now was over 300 miles from the University so she couldn’t even revisit her old stomping grounds if she wanted to. Not during this trip anyway, that’s not what it was about. The beach, sun, and surfing was what she came here for and Kelley was sure she would be perfectly happy doing nothing but every single day if that’s what it came down to. She had no set plans other than to just go with the flow and see where this month took her. 

With it being too late in the day to get down to the beach today Kelley decided she would opt for a lazy night in to get herself situated instead. She was exhausted from the 6 ½ hour flight and nothing sounded better than some good takeout and bad reality television. Maybe she’d even make a few phone calls to some of her old college buddies who lived in the area so they could get together one of the days in the upcoming month. Anything to keep herself busy. 

/////////////

...Ding dong...

The doorbell made Kelley jump as she was just washing the plate and utensils she used for her dinner. Obviously she wasn’t expecting anyone and Christen would’ve told her someone was coming or at least made the person aware she wasn’t home if someone was planning on stopping by, right? She was usually on top of things like that. So who could it possibly be? 

Kelley quickly dried her hands off on a hand towel and padded quickly through the home to the front door. She tried to peek and see who was there but knew she’d ultimately just have to face the music and open the door regardless. She was hesitant but the door opened and standing there was arguably the most gorgeous woman Kelley had ever seen except she was crying which she immediately tried to hide the second she saw it wasn’t Christen who opened the door. 

“Oh, sorry, um, is Christen here?” The brunette sniffled. 

Kelley just shook her head slowly trying to figure out what to say or do. “No, sorry, she isn’t. She’s out of town for the month and I’m staying at her place.”

“Fuck, right -- I totally forgot.” 

The suitcase she had trailing behind her made Kelley question whether or not Christen made some kind of plan that she had in fact forgotten about. “Were you um, supposed to stay here?” She asked motioning to the suitcase. 

“No,” eyes shot to the ground. She was embarrassed to admit the truth but also wasn’t in any position to lie. She probably seemed so pathetic to Christen’s poor friend. “I was just hoping to. My husband and I got into a terrible fight because I told him I wanted a divorce and I just didn’t really know where else to go.” Alex shrugged her shoulders looking back up to the freckle-faced woman. “I feel like an idiot for forgetting she wasn’t going to be here, I’m so sorry for bothering you.” 

“You’re not--” Kelley was quick to assure her. She didn’t know why but she felt for the woman and hated seeing her pretty blue eyes filled with tears. “I know you don’t know me but there’s obviously more than enough space here for the two of us if you wanted to stay.” 

“I couldn’t impose on your vacation like that…”

“Please,” Kelley chuckled but kept her soft tone. “You can save me from loneliness so I can stop yelling at the idiots on Love Island.” 

Alex laughed, it was small but still a laugh which was refreshing since she was sure she hadn’t even so much as smiled in the last few days since making the decision to divorce Servando. “That show is the worst. I love it.” 

They both laughed and Kelley invited the woman in. 

“Come on then, we can watch it together. I’ll get the booze.” 

Alex didn’t know her but for some reason she couldn’t say no. “Yeah, sure. Okay. Thank you so much, seriously. I’ll be out of your hair by tomorrow when I can find somewhere else to stay, promise.” 

“Really, I don’t mind the company. Don’t feel like you have to rush.” One of the things Kelley was looking forward to on this trip was getting to spend some time to herself but suddenly that all changed. She hated how much of a sucker she was for a pretty girl and it really didn’t help that this one was by far the prettiest of them all. 

“Thank you.” She smiled and tucked her suitcase to the corner by the stairs and followed Kelley into the living room before the New Yoker disappeared into the kitchen to get them one of Christen’s nice bottles of wine. She returned with two glasses and poured them each a glass that was filled with much more than any restaurant or bar would ever dream of serving their wine. Kelley never understood why places only ever served half full glasses, it was a total rip off. Maybe if she was trying to be formal she would’ve followed that rule but she wasn’t and she was sure Alex was in desperate need of a whole bottle at least. She knew she would be if she were in her position. 

“Cheers, um ---” It was that moment she realized they hadn’t yet introduced themselves and she felt silly for it. 

“Alex,” she said with a tiny smile through puffy and bloodshot eyes. “I’m just sorry you had to meet me this way.”

“Hey -- no, there’s no shame with me ever. Promise. It’s nice to meet you, Alex. I’m Kelley.” She took a sip of her wine before speaking up again. “If there’s anything you want to talk about feel free, otherwise I won’t pry. We can just get drunk and yell at the trashy TV shows if that’s what you need. Whatever it is, okay? I’m here. Which may sound a little weird coming from a stranger but any friend of Christen’s is a friend of mine.” 

Alex was taken aback by the warmth of Kelley’s personality. She already seemed wonderful, like maybe this was some kind of happy accident. Sure she loved Christen and knew she would make her feel better just the same but it was different and Kelley’s energy felt like exactly what she needed in the moment. The brunette took a long sip of her wine, grateful for the glass being completely filled and looked over to the pretty woman on the couch opposite of the one she was sitting on with a smile, admiring her features as she focused on the tv, trying to get the remote to unpause the episode she was watching. She almost got caught when Kelley looked back over to her, “Do you want me to restart the episode or are you okay watching it from about ten minutes in?” 

“No, no, don’t restart it, this is perfect.” The last three words were a lot more loaded than she thought Kelley would pick up on but the Stanford grad did and the happy little grin on her face told Alex she knew exactly what she meant. She had to keep herself from laughing and sipped on the wine to hide her own smirk. 

Yep, definitely a happy accident. 

[mirkwoodshewolf]

You gave me the greatest award of all; Rami Malek x reader

*Author’s note*

Hey guys well I finally managed to get some writing done. This came from a wattpad request and it was for our beloved Rami. Now I have been in love with this guy since I first saw him in Night at the Museum and I can’t tell how proud I am of him for coming so far since then. I’m looking forward to seeing him as the villain of the next Bond film as well as the final season of his series Mr. Robot.

Now not really any warnings just nothing but PURE, UNADULTERATED FLUFF with our beloved Rami Malek :) hope you all enjoy this :)

Taglist:

@psychosupernatural

@plethora-of-things

@ixchel-9275

@waddles03

@geek-and-proud

@queendeakyy

@coolcxt

@mexifangorl

_______________________________________________________

Telling Rami:

Two lines. I can’t believe this. Two lines equals pregnant.  And it wasn’t just for one pregnancy test, I went ahead and took three.  Cause I knew sometimes pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false positive so I went ahead and got three and shockingly all three said the same thing in the end.

I was sitting on mine and Rami’s hotel bed trying to calm myself down before I had a panic attack.  That’s when the door opened and I heard my dear friend Joey’s voice say.

“Yo Rami, Ben, Gwil and I are going out for…..(Y/n)?”

“Joey.” I whispered softly.  He ran up to me and knelt down in front of me.

“Hey, what’s going on squirt? Hmm? Why’re you crying?” he said as he stroked the side of my face.  See I had known Joey ever since we were 5 years old.  Our moms were best friends in college and when my mom moved us across to a new house, she finally reunited with her best friend and it was only fitting that I got along with the Mazzello children.

As Joe became a famed child actor, I got interested in some of the behind the scenes stuff like makeup and hair.  So by the time I graduated college, I got involved in some movie roles doing hair and makeup and that’s where I reunited with Joey in set of Wooly boys as an assistant makeup artist at the time.

We rekindled our lost times and he’s been like the ‘twin’ brother I’ve ever had (technically I was born the day after he was but we say screw the facts we’re twins in diapers).

After getting more experience I reunited with Joey being his main makeup artist for his role as Eugene Sledge in “The Pacific” and that’s where I had met the love of my life, Rami Malek.  From day one Joey had shipped us together and played matchmaker for us.  Then finally by the end of filming, Rami and I started going steady until finally we made it official.

So with my two boys at my side I could never go wrong.  At least until today.

“Promise me you won’t get mad.”

“That depends. Did someone say something to you? Cause if they did then I swear to god I’ll……”

“No, no Joey nobody said anything. It’s…..” I trailed off.

“Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right?” I nodded as he wrapped an arm around me. “So c’mon baby twin. Tell me why you’re crying? If you don’t I’m gonna bring out the tickle monster.”

“Okay, okay I’ll talk just please. Don’t bring that out. We’re in our 30’s Joey why must you resort to childish ways when you don’t get your way?”

“Uhh have you not been with me since our diaper years? Did you just meet me? Just because we’re in our 30’s doesn’t mean we have to stop pretending to be an adult. I mean is there an age limit to when I have to behave an adult?”

I rolled my eyes at him and he grinned at me playfully nudging me with his shoulder.

“So c’mon out with it babe.”

“It’s…..better if you just look in the bathroom.”

“Why the bathroom?”

“Please Joey just….look on the counter and you’ll see.” He stood up and went to the bathroom.  It was probably three seconds I heard the thundering of his feet racing back towards me.

His eyes were full blown wide and he was gaped in shock.

“You—you’re…..are you?”

“Yes.”

“Please tell me it’s Rami’s.”

“Of course it is dipshit who else have I been sleeping with for the past 10 years?”

“Okay, okay no need to get your pregnant hormones in a twist miss feisty pants.” He knelt back down in front of me and he continued, “But congrats I’m so happy for you two.” He hugged me and that’s when I said.

“But we can’t have it now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean—Rami doesn’t deserve to have the stress of dealing with me being pregnant and dealing with the next two of the biggest award shows to come. You guys got the Golden globes in three days and then the Oscars in a few weeks. Rami’s already under a lot of stress as it is. Adding a baby into the mix it—I’m worried he won’t be able to take it. And our relationship will be over.”

“Hey, you listen to me sis alright. Rami loves you to pieces. He’s never wanted anything more than your approval and love. If he were to ever turn you away just because of this—then Gwil, Ben and I will freely beat the fucking shit out of him. And you know they’ll back me up.”

“Yeah cause you guys have got the weird love triangle going on.”

“It’s not my fault they both want me.” He teased.  I scowled at him and he raised his hands up in defeat once more as he said, “Sorry, sorry getting off track. What I’m trying to say is that I believe Rami’s gonna still be right there with you. Hell he’s even talked to us on our guy nights out of how much he’s wanted to be a dad and have kids with you.”

“He’s said that?”

“If I’m lying I’m crying out velociraptor.” He gently wiped a tear away from my cheek and he said. “But you gotta talk to him. If word gets out to the press first and he finds out that way, it’ll completely blow this whole thing out of proportion.”

“Oh god I can’t even imagine what that would be like if someone found out and leaked it out to the media before I had told Rami. He’d think I was selling out our private life just for kicks.”

“So how about this; either before or after the Globes you tell him. And I can be your backup in case things get out of hand, which I know they won’t.”  I hugged Joe and said as I buried my face into his shoulder.

“Thanks Joey, you’re the best non-blood twin a girl could ask for.”

“We may not be related by blood but I’ll always be there for you baby sister.”

“I was born one day after you.”

“Still makes you the baby out of the two of us.”

Soon enough within three days the Globes finally arrived.  I was getting the final preparations of my makeup done when I felt arms wrap around my waist.  I smiled and said.

“Hey you.”

“You look beautiful.” Rami said as he leaned his head against mine, his nose pressed to my temple.

“Well you look quite dapper yourself Mr. Malek.” I said as I straightened his tie. He smiled softly and kissed my temple.

“How did I ever get so lucky to have you?” he whispered.

“Believe me, if anyone’s lucky it’s me. Plus you can thank Joe for that.”

“Yeah but let’s not give him the satisfaction.” He teased.  I playfully shoved him.

“So, you ready to go?”

“Yeah the car’s already downstairs waiting for us.” I grabbed my satchel bag and he held out his arm for me to take.  I wrapped my arm through his and we headed towards the elevator and headed outside to the car.

The driver drove us onward to the Beverly Hilton and the second we arrived, there was already an audience, crowds of press and paparazzi, as well as hundreds of other actors, directors, film makers, etc.

“You ready babe?”

“Ready.” I exhaled.  The second Rami stepped out, I could already hear the crowd cheering out my boyfriend’s name.  He reached inside for my hand and I placed it in his and he helped me out.  It was the usual from then on, pose for pictures, go to interviews and then meet up with Joe, Gwil, Ben, Lucy and Alan.

As the night went on the award show began and after a really bad joke said by one of the host’s about Freddie to which I lowered my head and prayed for forgiveness I began to feel a bit queasy.

So when they just went to commercial, I tried to drink some water but the urge to just vomit was too much.

“(Y/n)? Baby you okay?”

“I’ll be right back Rami.” I then raced as fast as I could towards the nearest restroom, I didn’t even care about shutting the door, I just collapsed to the ground and dove right over the toilet and puked as much as I could. “Oh god!” I groaned.

I spat a couple times before shakily getting back onto my feet.  I flushed all that I had eaten down the drain and headed over to the sink.  I rinsed my mouth out and cleaned my face up a bit.  Taking a couple of deep breaths trying to calm myself down and that’s when I heard a knock and a voice I did not expect to hear.

“(Y/n)? Are you okay love?” oh shit it can’t be him.  I took one final deep breath and peeked outside to see Brian May.

“Brian what are you—what are you doing here?”

“Well you raced out in such a hurry I got concerned.” See ever since filming, I’ve looked up to Brian as a sort of role model/father figure.  See my parents went through a pretty nasty divorce and it really affected me.

Especially when my dad said that he wanted to have his freedom and not have to deal with me anymore.  So when I heard my first Queen song, “Someday, one day” and heard Brian’s voice, it was an instant comfort to me.

And when Rami and Joe got involved with the movie and I actually got the chance to meet Brian and Roger, Brian was such a sweet man to me and we just sorta had that father-daughter connection kinda right away.  Crazy right? But it happened.

“I’m—I’m fine Brian just…..probably had a sudden attack of the stomach flu I guess. Or probably had some bad soup.” He cupped my face and felt my forehead.

“You don’t seem to be running a fever. Are you sure you’re alright?” I strained out a smile and nodded.

“Yeah.” He looked at me skeptically.

“Okay well….if you’re sure. But if you need to go back to the hotel room, I can take you back.”

“Thanks Bri. I promise I’ll just—stay away from the soup. And thanks for coming to check on me Brian.”

“No problem love.” He said as he gingerly stroked my cheek.  I smiled but suddenly felt the urge to puke again.

“Excuse me.” I immediately shut the door and went to the closest toilet and began dry heaving.

“(Y/n)? (Y/n) love are you sure you’re okay?” I spat and felt myself shuddering along the bathroom floor.  I then heard the door open and in came Brian.  I was about to rant at him telling him this was the ladies room but he cupped both sides of my face and just looked at me. “Alright, you can’t stay here. C’mon I’ll take you back to your hotel.”

“No, no, no. Rami’s award is about to come on. I have to be there for him!” I whined drowsily.

“He’ll understand. Your health is more important than some silly award show. Now come on, up we go.” He helped me stand up but thanks to my heels and wobbly legs, I nearly tripped over. “Here let’s get these things off.” He helped me get them off which decreased my size by 4in. and then we headed outside.

He rung up an uber and also texted Roger to tell Rami that I wasn’t feeling so good. When we piled in the uber, I shuddered suddenly feeling clammy and cold.  I felt Brian’s overcoat being placed over me.

“Thank you.” I whispered out in a hoarse voice.  He smiled softly and nodded.

When we got to the hotel, he helped me up to my room and got me situated into bed. He placed down some of Rami’s sweatpants and a t-shirt down beside me and he said.

“You can change into those once I leave.” I nodded as he stroked some hair out of my face.  All was silent for a brief moment till he suddenly spoke, “So when will you tell him?” immediately I looked at him wide-eyed.

“You—you know?”

“I’ve had three kids in the past, and my ex-wife Chrissie had extremely bad morning sickness, especially when my girls were born. Sometimes she was sick all day.” I sighed.  Guess I should’ve known better than to think I could hide this from him.

“I swear if morning sickness is like this I never want to have another kid after this.” He softly chuckled.

“But I’d say congratulations are in order.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” I muttered.

“Joe did mention this to me the other day.”

“He told you!?” I exclaimed.

“I sorta made him tell me. I’ve been noticing something off about you since yesterday. So don’t immediately blame him.” I shook my head as I buried it into my pillow.

“But how am I gonna tell him? Is he ready for such a responsibility? Am I? I don’t think I’m ready to be a mom.”

“Hey, listen to me love. You are ready. You’re smart, caring, beautiful, and have such a kind heart. I mean you’ve already had practice with Joe right?” I snorted out a laugh, remembering all the stories I told of me and Joey growing up together.

“In a way. But I know Joey won’t die if I make a mistake.”

“You’re not going to kill your baby. You already have that maternal instincts about you. I can’t put me finger on it but I just knew from day one that if you and Rami ever made it that far, you’d both make the best parents. Like Deacy and Veronica.”

“You really think so?”

“Absolutely.” He said as he stroked my cheek.

“Why couldn’t you have been my real dad?” he softly laughed and said as he stroked my cheek with his thumb.

“Believe me I wouldn’t mind having another daughter like you. But I’m happy being a surrogate father to you.” He added softly as he kissed my forehead.  His hand migrated from my cheek to my hair and with the gentle pets, it made me feel more relaxed. “Want me to turn on the telly to the awards so that you can still see him win?”

I nodded and he graciously turned on the TV and switched it to the golden globes. It was on a commercial break right now and that’s when Brian went up and walked towards the kitchen and I heard the fridge open then shut.

“Here, drink this.” He came back holding a water bottle in his hands.

“I’d feel more happy with a ginger ale.”

“I know you would, but right now you need to get hydrated. Plus sugar drinks are good during morning sicknesses.”

“What if I end up upchucking the water?”

“Then just take little sips.” He held the water out to me and I took it.  I unscrewed the cap and gently took a small sip just like Brian suggested and he placed a trashcan by my bedside just in case I did puke so that way I wouldn’t risk running to the bathroom and not making it.

The show came back on and they were just about to announce Best leading actor.  I waited with baited-breath as Brian lay beside me as all the actors names were spoken aloud.

“C’mon baby, c’mon.” I muttered.

“And the Golden globe goes to…..” Julianne Moore spoke as she opened up the envelope. “Rami Malek.” At that I was crying tears of joy.  Rami stood up and hugged Graham King the producer then Roger and Anita before going up on stage.

“God I wish I was there with him.”

“He knows you’re giving your love and support right now love.” Brian assured me. As Rami gave his speech, I wiped away the tears pouring down my face and I blew a kiss right at him even though I knew he couldn’t see it.

As the night went on, soon coming into the room was Rami with his Golden globe in hand.

“And there he is, first time Golden globe winner.” Brian praised.

“Thanks Brian.” He said as he set it down and the two men of my life hugged each other. When he finally looked towards me, I smiled up at him and I said.

“Congrats baby. You deserved it.”

“Yeah, how you feeling?” he asked me fully concerned as he came and sat down beside me.

“A bit better. Bri’s been taking care of me.” He thanked the rock legend again who merely waved it off modestly.

“It was no trouble. I’ll leave her to you now. It’s getting pretty late and I better head back home. Sleep well you two, and well done again Rami.”

“Thanks Brian, drive safe.” Brian bid us a final farewell before leaving our hotel room. He turned back towards me and he said, “Ready to get out of that dress?”

“Bout damn time too. This thing is so not comfortable to even lay in.” I sat up and he helped unzipped it and slowly removed the strap, but not before sneaking in a few quick yet seductive kisses along my shoulder.  I moaned.

“Rami.”

“Alright love, dress first. Fool around later.” I playfully rolled my eyes at him and he helped me out of the dress and grabbed the sweatpants and t-shirt Brian had set down for me.  Afterwards he lay down beside me and allowed me to rest my head on his chest.

“All that’s left is the Oscars.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” I looked up at him and he smiled down at me before capturing my lips with his.

Thank god I had rinsed my mouth out with mouthwash an hour ago, he slowly rolled me onto my back so that he was now hovering over me.  His tongue dancing with mine as I felt him tuck his hand underneath my—well his shirt and touch my stomach.  My eyes opened up suddenly and I separated from the kiss.

“Rami wait. Wait stop.” His eyes that were once filled with lust, now turned concerned as he said.

“What is it? Are you sick again?”

“No, no but—I……” I trailed off and turned away from him.  He lay down in front of me so that I could look at him.

“Hey, whatever it is you can tell me. What’s going on in that big brain of yours?”

“You—you know how I said that I might’ve had food poisoning earlier tonight?” he nodded. “Well I lied…..I’ve….actually known what it was for three days now.”

“What is it? You…..you’re not dying are you?” he choked out the word dying heartbrokenly.

“No, no it’s nothing like that. I…..I’m pregnant.” His face gaped like a fish and his eyes seemed to grow wider.

“Y—you’re…..”

“I understand if you’re not ready. I can just….we can just break it off if you want. I’ll be able to take it.” I began to ramble on until I felt Rami cup my face in his hands and he said.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa baby girl slow down. Who—what made you think I’d ever break up with you because of this?”

“You’re—you’re finally getting the recognition you deserve. All these award shows, the premiere we went to back in London in November. The last season for Mr. Robot and your James Bon role opportunity, I just—feared that with how you’re life is going you—wouldn’t have time for a baby. Or me.”

“(Y/n)…..that is far from the truth. Listen to me; the day I first met you all the way back during The Pacific, I knew from the moment I saw you, you were the one for me. You were the love of my life, and I never wanted to spend it with anyone else. And now you’ve…..” he placed his hand to my stomach and continued, “Now you’ve given me something extra special. A little portion of myself and a big portion from you.”

“I think the baby will look like you more.” I chuckled softly. He softly laughed and said.

“Now, I believe she will be as beautiful as her mother.”

“She?”

“It could happen.” I shook my head at him.

“So you—really want to be a dad?”

“Yeah of course. I love kids. And I want them with you. I know we’re gonna make some mistakes, but I believe we can make it work. We have practiced with Joe before.” I shook my head at him again.

“He’d be so pissed if he finds out we’ve been comparing him to a child.”

“C’mon his literally the definition of man-child.”

“I won’t deny that.” He pulled me close and I felt him kiss my forehead, down my nose giving it a teasing peck before gently kissing me on the lips. “I love you Rami Malek.”

“I love you (y/n) (l/n). Both of you.” He spoke softly as he placed his hand right over my stomach once again.

Baby reveal/proposal:

After all the award shows were over and 4 months had passed, Rami and I were putting the final touches to the baby reveal party that we were hosting at his mom’s place.

We invited the entire cast of BoRhap, and we’d have Brian, Roger and Adam on facetime to be apart of the experience since we wanted to time the reveal for them.

“Everything all set?” I asked.

“Yep, Sami and mom are finishing up the baseball smoke.” Said Rami.

“Great. Joe just texted me he’s on their way from picking up Lucy, Alan, Gwil and Ben at the airport. Should be here in about 40-45min.”

“Good thing I asked Joe to bring in his Yankee jersey.”

“You know if the powder damages his jersey he’ll kill you, right?”

“If he does then I know you’ll give the position of godfather to the other two.” I chuckled and wrapped my arms around him and the two of us kissed.  He then as always, knelt down and kissed my stomach and talked to my stomach. “Hello my beautiful princess.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, it’s gonna be a mini-you. A mini-Egyptian prince.”

“No it’ll be a sweet princess just like her mommy. Isn’t that right Cleo?” I rolled my eyes at him and pulled him back up and we kissed each other once again before he wrapped an arm around my waist and we walked off to finish prepping the backyard.

By the time everyone arrived, the party started to get into full swing.  I was with Rami about the position of godfather when he looked down at his phone to see that it was time.

“Honey, its time.” I then took out the I-Pad and called up Brian on facetime. While he gathered everyone, I waited for him, Rog and Adam to appear on screen.  When it finally answered al three of them appeared on screen.

“Hey there she is!” exclaimed Adam.

“Hey Adam, Rog, Brian. Hope I didn’t catch you three at a bad time.”

“Actually you’re right on time. We just got done with the show in Montreal.” Said Roger.

“Ahh that’s good. Okay so you guys ready?” they nodded. “Okay hey Gwil can you take the I-Pad so that Queen and Adam can see the show?

“Yeah I’ve got you.” He took the I-pad and I stood with Rami at the center of everyone.

“Okay first of all we’d like to say thank you to all who’ve taken the time to come here, and to those who are far away to see this magical moment.” Rami said.

“So the way we’re gonna do this is an alternate way to the football reveal.” I held up the baseball and said, “Joe may you please step forward?”

“You bet I will.” He exclaimed excitedly as Sami handed him a bat.

“Now we’d like for our former athlete Ben to step up.” Said Rami.  Ben set his beer down and I handed him the baseball. “Inside this baseball lies the gender reveal for our baby. Ben pitch the ball to Joe.”

“I think I’d be better if Ben Cardy was here. He can pitch a better ball than this guy.” Joe teased.

“Haha very funny Joe.” Ben sassed.  Rami and I stepped back and Ben and Joe stepped forward.  Joe was already in pitcher position with the bat ready.  If I didn’t know any better I’d say he was channeling his inner Pat Murray.

“Just don’t strike out Joey otherwise this’ll be a waste of time.” I teased him.

“Shut it baby twin!” Joey exclaimed.  Ben tossed the ball up and down a few times before finally making the pitch.  Joey then hit the ball with the bat and soon exploding was blue smoke.

“IT’S A BOY!!!” I exclaimed which made everyone cheer.  Rami hugged his mom and brother while I hugged his mom and sister. Joe who was covered in blue smoke at this point, took off his Yankees hat and tried to pat the powder away.

“Rami owes me a new jersey.”

“I’ll get you one for your birthday. Thanks for helping us out Joey.”

“Anytime sis. And congrats on the little guy in there.” He said placing his hands on my stomach.  “Hope you know this means I’m teaching him everything I know about baseball and taking him to every Yankees game.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less, especially since you’re the official godfather.” He looked at my flabbergasted.

“Are—you serious?”

“Yeah I mean—we’ve known each other since we were in diapers, who better to take care of my son than you. Maybe he can help you grow up too.” He suddenly hugged me tightly and spun me around.

“Hey Joe might wanna set my love down before you put her in a very early premature birth.” We heard Rami say.  He set me down and began apologizing profusely but I waved it off telling him it was alright. “I also have another announcement to make.” Rami proclaimed.

At this rate I was confused.  I turned to Joe who was merely grinning at me and gently pushed me towards Rami.  He came up to me and took my hand and he said.

“(Y/n); it—it feels like an eternity ago when the two of us first met. But I—I knew from the moment I first met you, that I wanted no one else. You’ve stuck by me through thick and thin, and you’re the love of my life.” He then got down on one knee and took out from his pocket a black velvet ring box.  

I covered my mouth as he opened up the box to reveal a beautiful large diamond engagement ring.

“Rami…..” he looked at me expectantly.  I felt tears form in my eyes and I couldn’t help but say Lucy’s quote from the movie from when Freddie had proposed to Mary. “Which finger do I put this on?” he chuckled softly.

“Wedding finger. Will you marry me?” I nodded.  He shuddered but then gestured for me to verbally say it much like he did in the movie.

“Yes!” He smiled and stood up and captured my lips with his as our friends and family cheered.  After we separated, Rami teased.

“Are you going to leave it in the box?” I giggled and took it out and placed it on my left ring finger.

“Oh Rami it’s beautiful. I love it.” He took my hand and cupped his fingers around the ring as he said.

“Promise me you won’t take it off.”

“I promise.”

“No matter what.”

“I love you Rami, you’re going to do such great things.”

“We’re going to do great things. Starting with this little guy in five months.”

“So do I get bragging rights for being right?”

“Yes, I’ll gladly take the heat. Little traitor.” He muttered the last part towards my stomach.  I playfully shoved him and that’s when Gwil came up with the I-pad.

“Alright girl let me get a close up look of that ring!” Adam proclaimed.  I giggled and showed my hand up to the screen. “Ohh yas girl you’ve got a rock! Perfect fitting for a queen such as yourself.”

“Thanks Adam. And thank you guys for be a part of this.” I said.

“You both deserve it. Congrats on the baby and keep us updated.” Brian said to me.

“I will.”

“And Rami, you better look after this girl for me. As her surrogate father I have the right to beat your arse if you fuck this up.”

“Brian!” I yelled at him embarrassedly.  Rami chuckled and said.

“No worries Brian. I’ve taken care of this girl for over 11 years, I wouldn’t dream of letting her go this time around.”

“You better, because Bri won’t be the only one ready to beat someone if things blow up to hell.” Said Roger.

“Make that three.” Stated Adam.

“Oh my god you three are awful!” I exclaimed which caused all of them to laugh softly. “Okay we’ll let you three go. We’ll see you all when you’re come to Madison Square Garden.”

“Sounds good to us love, I’ll make sure to send you some backstage passes.”

“Thanks Bri.” I blew them a kiss. “Bye guys, see you in 2 months.”

“See you then love.” They waved bye to me and I hung up on facetime.  Rami and I smiled lovingly at each other and he leaned his forehead against mine.

“I love you so much. Both of you.”

“I love you too Rami. And our little guy loves you too. I bet he can’t wait to meet you.”

“I can’t wait to meet him either.”

The birth:

I was watching from behind the camera as Rami was reading “The Empty pot” as part of the Storyline online.  Seeing him read this story, that was close to him when he was a child, made me think of all the future stories that he would tell our little boy in just three weeks’ time.

I smiled as I felt a gently kick to my lower abdomen.  As he continued to read on, I got so many visions of seeing Rami read to our son every night before bedtime.  He just had that warm voice that fit the perfect storyteller.

By the end of it all, he came up to me and we gently kissed each other.

“Did our little man enjoy story time?” he asked me as he placed his hands on my stomach. At his statement he felt a kick, we both chuckled and I said.

“He wouldn’t stop kicking throughout the entire time his daddy was reading the story.”

“Well I’ll read a thousand stories if it’ll keep him happy.” I smiled and kissed his cheek and nuzzled against his shoulder.

That night as I was getting ready for bed in the bathroom.  Removing my makeup and brushing my teeth, plus make one final trip to the toilet before finally settling down for the night.  Rami already lying on his side of the bed, just stared at me as I opened the bathroom door.

“What?”

“How beautiful you are.” He praised.  I smiled at him and walked over to the bed and he immediately sat up and gently wrapped his arm protectively around my stomach.  “I love you both so much.”

“We love you too.” I felt him kiss my temple, down to my cheek, quickly pecked my shoulder before finally placing a kiss to my stomach.  He then nuzzled his head at the junction where my neck met my shoulder and soon the two of us fell asleep.

As the night went on, I began feeling this sudden surge of pain plus a wetness between my legs.  At first I thought I might’ve had an accident but when I became ware of the sudden pain that hit me like a hammer to the head, I groaned.

“Rami……Rami wake up!” he groaned but sat up and he said.

“What is it?”

“I—I think my water just broke.” He quickly turned on the lights and he said.

“Are-are-are-are you sure?” I then let out a scream of agony and said.

“Oh yeah definitely contractions! Oh god AHHHHH!!!!”

“Okay, okay relax calm down okay. I’ll go get the bag and I’ll get us to the hospital. Just do your breathing exercises that we learned okay?” He helped me up and I began to breathe while he quickly put on a shirt and some sweats as well as grabbing the bag from the closet. “Aren’t you glad I convinced you to pack a bag early?”

“Not the time Rami!” I snapped.

“Right, right sorry. Come on love it’ll be okay.” We went out to the car and Rami drove us straight to the hospital while he got in touch with his mom as well as Joe.

After what felt like hours of pure torture, we finally arrived at the hospital and thankfully Joe was already there to help out.

“How you doing?” he asked me.  I glared at him and he said. “Right bad question.”

“Mrs. (Y/n) Malek?” a nurse came in.

“We’re here.”

“Okay well you weren’t supposed to be in till another three weeks.”

“Well the baby decided on now. And I’m pretty sure he gets to choose!” I growled out.

“Okay well we have our private delivery room all set up and arranged, we can take you there now.” Another nurse came in with a wheelchair and both Joe and Rami helped me into the chair and I was wheeled out.

God never did I have to go through anything so agonizing.  I don’t know who the fuck to blame for women suffering during labor but whoever it is, damn you bitch to hell and back.  I even demanded that Rami never seduce me into having sex ever again after this.  But in the end it all payed off.

For after 10hrs of labor, in my arms I now held my son. Our son.

Rami and I were in the recovery room just looking down at our precious 7lb. 12 oz. 22in long baby boy.

“I can’t believe he’s finally here.”

“I know. I told you, resembled his father to a T. Our little prince.”

“But we—never got to pick out a name.”

“Actually I did, during the Oscars. There was only one name that I wanted to name our son if we ended up having a boy, to which we did.”

“What is it?” I looked up at him and I said.

“How do you feel about Freddie Mercury Malek?” he was stunned.  He looked down at our boy before looking back up to me.

“That’s perfect. I—I think he would’ve loved that.”

“I believe so too. I wish we could’ve gotten the chance to meet him face to face.”

“You and me both my love.” We then heard a knock at the door and that’s when Joe peeked in.

“Hey hope this isn’t a bad time but, the guys want to facetime us.” Rami gestured for him to come in and that’s when Joe answered his phone and I heard Gwil and Ben’s voice saying hello.

“Joe told us you had gone into labor (n/n), how you doing?” asked Gwil.

“Exhausted but I’ll be better soon. Hope we didn’t interrupt you guys at a bad time.”

“Not at all (y/n), we were just having a little vacation together.” Ben said.

“To which by the way I am not jealous of you two right now.” Joe pointed out.

“Sure.” Dragged out Ben.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night Joe.” Mocked Gwil.  I rolled my eyes playfully at them.  God those three and their bizarre love triangle.

“Alright you three, no arguing in front of the baby.” Rami lectured.

“Yes Joe show us our little nephew.” Gwilym stated.  He then adjusted his phone so that the rest of the “band” could see the newest addition of the family.

“Aww my god!” cooed Ben.

“Ohh he’s so beautiful.” Awed Gwil.

“Have you guys picked a name yet?” asked Joey.

“Well this lovely lady has had a name at the ready since the beginning.” Rami said, “Guys, we’d like you to meet our son. Freddie Mercury Malek.” At hearing our son’s name, the guys went quiet for a moment.

“It suits him.” Ben finally spoke after the long silence.

“I agree, hello little Freddie.” Gwil added.

“The perfect name fitting the perfect newborn.” Said Joe.

“Well we’ll leave you to rest. Congrats mate, you too (y/n). Get some well deserve rest.” Gwil told me.

“Will do, thanks for checking up on me guys.”

“Hey you’re engaged to Rami and you’ve dealt with Joe your whole life. That makes you apart of the band as anyone else.” Said Ben. We waved goodbye and when Joe placed his phone back in his jacket he kissed the top of my head.

“I’ll go see get your mom and sister. Let them know their grandson/nephew has finally entered the world.”

“Hey Joey before you leave, can you grab me my phone it should be in the bag.”

“Sure thing.” He took my phone out of the bag and he handed me my phone.  As I opened my contacts, he and Rami gave each other a brotherly hug and he stroked my son’s head before placing a gentle kiss on top of his godson’s head. “I can’t wait till you’re big enough to catch a baseball champ. You’ll be just like your god papa Joey in no time.”

“So by that you mean totally sucks at pitching and can’t quite throw properly under pressure?” I teased.  He looked up at me with that bitch face of his.

“You are so lucky you just gave birth otherwise you’d be dead right now.” I stuck my tongue at him playfully and he went ahead and walked out.

“So who are you calling?”

“It’s a long shot but I’m gonna see if I can reach him.” I pressed facetime under Brian’s name.  Rami took our son while I held my phone as it showed my picture.  It rang for what felt like forever till finally I got an answer from the man himself.

“Hey love.”

“Hey sorry did I wake you up?”

“Just about to fall asleep after performing in Japan.”

“Oh god I’m sorry Brian I can call back later.”

“No, no it’s fine. Is everything okay?”

“Well I just wanted you to meet someone.” I then pointed my phone at Rami and hit the switch button and as soon as he saw him holding our baby, he gasped.

“Oh my god—you….you had the baby already?”

“Yeah.”

“10 hours in labor later and this gorgeous boy has finally entered the world.” Rami said.

“You’re right he is mighty handsome. But I can see that it looks like he had his mum’s nose.” I chuckled softly and I said.

“His name is Freddie Mercury Malek.” I switched the phone back towards me and after a moment of silence he answered.

“God what Fred would’ve said. He’d be floored about this, but definitely in the positive way.” I smiled at him. “My congratulations to you both, how you feeling love?”

“Tired, a bit achy but I’m just happy to have my son here at last.”

“I tell you there’s nothing greater than getting the chance to hold your baby for the first time. Treasure it while it lasts, both of you. Because before you know it they’ll be grown up and running their own company.”

“We will Brian.” Said Rami.

“I’ll let you get back to sleep, again sorry to wake you up so late.”

“Don’t worry about it. This was a good thing to be woken up too. Take care of yourselves and that boy of yours.” We smiled and bid Brian goodbye and he waved goodbye to us.  I set my phone down and Rami handed me our little Freddie.

“You know, this whole year has been crazy. Since the movie I’ve won practically every award for best actor for Freddie Mercury. But you—you’ve given me the greatest prize of all. Not only your answer of starting the next step in our relationship, but our child as well. Thank you for being and giving me my greatest award ever (y/n).”

“I could say the same to you Rami.” We kissed each other and just admired our child, born out of pure love and named after the most beloved man of all time.

[maulusque]

Nothing you post will ever be funnier than Fox marrying Palpatine, divorcing him, and taking all his money. the reason I find it so funny is because Sheev would 100% marry Fox, Fox knows all the skeevy shit he gets up to, he can’t let him testify against him if he ever ends up in court

alright pack it in everyone i have PEAKED

ok so imagine: Fox is Stressed to the fucking breaking point, and it’s at least 80% palpatine’s fault, so he comes up with this bullshit idea while drunk, to marry the asshole and then CLEAN HOUSE. and once fox decides that he’s going to do something, he’s gonna fucking do it, no matter how absurd. he’s scarily persistent and freakishly creative, he’ll make it work.

So when Fox starts hate-flirting with palpatine and leaving him suggestive notes, ol’ Palps sees an opportunity to tie up a potentially dangerous loose end- Fox and the other high-ranking officers of the Coruscant Guard don’t have chips, because Palpatine might need them to be doing something else during Order 66, and he needs at least some personal elite troops who absolutely can’t be compromised by the wrong person finding the wrong database in his secret files. But at the same time, that means that he’s relying on loyalty- to the republic, or to him, personally, to control them. He’s done a pretty good job with most of the command officers, little favors and gifts, smiles and recognition for their work, “oh certainly i can make sure your friend gets transferred to coruscant”, or providing a fund to keep 79′s open. That sort of thing. 

But Fox? That motherfucker knows his internet history, so when when Fox starts hitting on him with all the subtlety of an orbital strike, Skeevy Sheevy fucking JUMPS ON that shit. Flirting back even harder, setting up elaborate secret dates, showering Fox in expensive gifts. Fox is like “holy shit this asshole must be really fucking lonely if he’s this easy” and amps up his romantic efforts to take advantage. Sheev is thinking “wow this poor naive fool is so easily manipulated, i have his heart on a string” and they’re both just constantly one-upping each other with ridiculous over-the-top romantic gestures.

They’re going on dates and calling each other disgusting pet names like “sheevy-bear” and “my silver fox” within a week. Sheev uses what he thinks are sophisticated terms of endearment, Fox has to bite his tongue to keep from losing it on their “dates”. Fox meanwhile is just trying to see how ridiculous he can make his pet names, and the answer is pretty fucking ridiculous because the chancellor is just eating that shit up.

Palpatine proposes about three months into their mutual charade. Fox gets all weepy and cries when he accepts, partially because he’s a good actor, and partially because he really is quite stressed, ok. and he has no trouble acting elated and happy because he had no idea it would be this easy, he was expecting to be playing the long game for at least a year and a half. Palpatine is just eager to lock this down. keep your enemies closer, and all that. Plus, with all the fake dating they’ve been doing, Fox now knows MUCH more than just his internet history. He agrees to whatever ridiculous bullshit Fox demands for their wedding, because he just wants to get this official as soon as possible, and he’s supposed to be in love with this moron, so he just says yes to whatever Fox suggests. “Yes dear of course we can have pink carnations at the wedding. Yes of course we can import the cake from a hostile planet. Yes of course we can conduct the ceremony underwater and in zero-g, i agree it would be very romantic. yes of course i’ll sign this absurdly detailed pre-nup, whatever you want, my darling sexy fox.”

Fox has to disguise his tears of laughter as tears of happiness during the (secret, but still legally binding) wedding. Palpatine let him hire a screamo band and fox is wearing a neon orange suit, and Palpatine is trying to come up with something nice to say about the troop of interpretive dancers that Fox insisted on, and Fox is living.

Fox lets it last a month and a half- just long enough for them to go on their incredibly lavish, luxurious honeymoon cruise, which, despite the presence of Palpatine, is very relaxing, thank you very much. They return to coruscant, Fox takes a few weeks to himself, making sure he’s got himself a good lawyer, and then fucking TAKES THAT BASTARD TO COURT. Palpatine is completely blindsided, and now he has to salvage this situation, because if he doesn’t (and it’ll be hard- Coruscant allows no-fault divorce) then Fox gets EVERYTHING- all his money, all his assets, all his property on Naboo, his ships, his fucking wardrobe, and wait, has that clause really been in there the whole fucking time? his emergency powers as chancellor (Fox put that in there for a laugh, he really thought Palpatine would have at least skimmed the thing before signing it, right?).

So Palpatine is freaking out, trying to figure out what made Fox fall out of love with him, try to fix it, and simultaneously try to spin the media in his favor, because oh boy, Fox is NOT being quiet about this and now the Chancellor’s whirlwind romance and collapsing marriage is Trending on space-twitter and dooku is leaving him messages going “?????” . So the news networks are all broadcasting footage of Palpatine in the courtroom, begging Fox to take him back, sobbing (fake) tears of heartbreak, and Fox (who can’t resist drama) crying “you could NEVER truly love me, I see that now, marrying you was a MISTAKE” 

Palpatine is grinding his teeth and seething inside at having to act the heartbroken Remorseful Husband for Fox, and for the public, meanwhile Fox is having the time of his fucking life. He lets the drama drag on a bit, waffling back and forth about whether to go through with the divorce (publicly- of course he’s still divorcing the bastard, he just wants to see him suffer first). he’ll give an interview one day where he’s crying gently and talking about the “love we used to have, he used to be so sweet, but now he’s just cold” and then talking about all the sweet things his “sheevy-bear” has done for him (palpatine has resolved to murder Fox, quietly but very painfully, for putting those pet names in intergalactic news. Fox is doing it on purpose). He lets it almost seem like he’s talked himself out of the divorce, and yes, Marlene, maybe there is a chance he could make it up to me, Then the next interview he gives he’ll trounce on camera, wearing the most expensive fur coat palpatine has ever given him (over his armor, he can be somewhat professional) and raging about how “I could never love that bastard” and “he hurt me, i can barely even stand to see his FACE” and “good riddance to bad trash!”

After a few weeks of jerking Palpatine (and the raptly attentive public) back and forth, Fox gets down to business and finalizes the divorce. In the end, there’s very little palpatine’s lawyers can do, that pre-nup is airtight. including the bit about his emergency powers. So overnight, Fox becomes incredibly rich, incredibly powerful, and also the supreme commander of the GAR. how about that. And hmm what’s in these computer drives I legally own now? What’s this about contingency orders? oh YIKES. and oh, look at that, decades of records of bribery, corruption, and- hey, is this a chat log of texts with count dooku? 

Fox orders Palpatine’s arrest two days after the divorce. Palpatine tried to go into hiding, but it’s hard when your ex-husband now owns all your ships. and your house. and your clothes. Palpatine is crying for reals as he is is escorted off to jail. The great Sith Lord, done in by a foolish love-struck clone (does he ever figure out that Fox was just yanking his chain for stress relief? I choose to think Not).

Fox proceeds to fix everything, end the war, clone rights, ban leafblowers, yadda yadda. He retires to cruise the galaxy in his very nice space yacht. He also keeps the fur coat.

[star-trekkin-across-theuniverse]

Red Light, pt 1

Hockey AU - Featuring Star Trek AOS, first person OFC.

XXX

There was something about the smell of freshly cleaned ice that instantly transported me back to my childhood, and every time I came in to work, that reminder of happier times made the stress of this job worth it. It wasn’t that I disliked my job - in fact, I loved it. But it was stressful managing publicity and media for a hockey team.

The San Fransisco Enterprise has been the best team in the United Federation of Hockey for the past four years. After the retirement of General Manager Christopher Pike, however, the team had been struggling. There were new players, and the team just wasn’t gelling under team captain Jim Kirk. The starting line-up was a hot mess. Kirk was at centre, and a new trade, Spock, had traded in at season start with a personal record for goals from his team on New Vulcan. Spock was a precision player, head always in the game, brain always four passes ahead. Kirk, on the other hand, was a cowboy. He played tight in the corners, and was a hard hitter, but his strategy was better summed up as flying by the seat of his pants. The men had nearly come to blows in practice, and barely tolerated one another on the ice. That conflict made for an uneasy team all around.

Team morale was worsened when ‘Doc’ Puri, the journeyman goaltender who seemed to be able to stop anything, blew out his knee on a road trip. It was a career-ending injury, despite the advances to medicine that had come in the three-hundred plus years since the game had been invented. The new GM had to find another goalie, and quick. 

Which is what had been the biggest thing on my plate for the past week. Geoff M’Benga, the second string goalie, was in his first year in the pros. He was competent, but lacked the confidence to truly take the reins as the lead goalie. Talks had been heated, but finally, a trade was made with the Proxima Bees. The Enterprise’s draft pick for star goalie Leonard McCoy. McCoy was considered the best in the league, although his year had been off to a rough start. The man could stop almost anything, but the Proxima defense lines were weak and when they allow fifty plus shots on goal per night, there’s only so much one goaltender can do. McCoy was happy to be traded; the Enterprise had a solid defensive corp led by Montgomery Scott and Pavel Chekov, and the rumour was his marriage had just fallen apart and he was longing to get away from the drama.

I cleared my head of my musings, and filled my coffee cup at the pot in the corner of the office. The rich aroma of the coffee, countered with the cool tang of cleaned ice focused my thoughts on the day’s tasks. The press conference to announce the acquisition of McCoy was scheduled for 10. I needed a tight media release and some smiling players to welcome the new goalie. I pressed the button on my communicator to connect with the changeroom. 

“Kirk, Spock, please come to the administrative offices when you’re done showering,” I announced. The loudspeaker in the changeroom would be amplifying my voice over the din created by the showers, and I knew I could expect the men to arrive shortly. I logged into my PADD and pulled up McCoy’s current stats to begin the media release.

“I’m afraid Kirk is outside signing autographs and flirting,” Spock announced as he walked into the office. “I let him know you wanted to see us, and he said he would be up shortly.”

“How are you settling in, Spock?” I asked. The team was ten games into the season, and I’d been hoping to see a more cohesive group by now.

“I’m starting to understand Kirk’s playing style,” he admitted. “It’s not to my liking, but his recklessness does have some advantages.”

“You guys need a team-building retreat,” I laughed. “Strand you on an island so you have to cooperate to survive.”

Spock looked horrified at the suggestion. “Every practice is an opportunity to build our team,” he protested.

“Yeah, but part of what makes a team work is when you like each other. You have to be able to see your strengths and weaknesses and figure out how they complement each other. That’s easier to do when you are not only teammates, but friends,” I offered. He shrugged.

“I’m not sure that Kirk and I are destined to be friends,” he replied, without a hint of malice. “I fear we are too different.”

“More alike than you realize,” I countered. “But I have faith it’ll come.”

“We will see. As interesting as your perspective is, I hardly think you called us in here for a pep-talk,” he changed the subject quickly. The doors behind me opened and Kirk strolled in. Spock must have seen his approach.

“Leonard McCoy should land at nine this morning, and we have a press conference scheduled for ten. Marcus wants a couple of players at the scrum to welcome him. As top scorer and team captain, I felt you two were the obvious choices.” I directed my comments to both men. Kirk smiled his lazy, handsome smile and sat on the edge of my desk.

“Is that the only reason you picked me?” He asked. I raised my eyebrow in question and then realized he was trying to flirt. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

“I’m not one of your puck bunnies, Jim,” I reminded him. “I’m immune to the charms of hockey players.”

“I keep telling you that if you just give me one chance, I can change your mind,” he teased. I laughed in response.

“And I keep telling you, I am a professional, and cannot compromise my integrity by carrying on with someone at work.” 

“That’s kindest way I’ve ever heard someone say that I’m not their type,” he winked.

“I appreciate that you recognize it as that,” I laughed.

“I appreciate that you allow me to continue to flirt with you,” he shrugged. “Keeps my skills up.”

“As if you need practice, Jim Kirk!” I shook my head again, but couldn’t help but smile. Of all the hockey players I’d ever interacted with, Jim Kirk was the safest. He loved to flirt, he loved to play the romance card, but he always respected the women he flirted with, and never went too far, never made anyone uncomfortable. “Now, scoot, both of you. I have work to do.”

XXX

I checked over everything that was needed for the press conference. Media release was ready, the new jersey for McCoy had just come up from having his name and number sewn on, scrum room was clean, chairs out, mics working. I placed the script for the GM on the prompter, and made sure it was running at his speed, and then double checked it. Marcus was not the kind of leader to make friends, and he ran a tight ship. He made me uncomfortable, and as a result, I actively sought to minimize our interactions. Being called on the floor because I’d screwed up something simple was not on the agenda. 

I was waiting at the zamboni bay doors for the arrival of the new goalie, to bring him to the press conference. The shuttle arrived from the airport just moments after I’d stepped outside. Leonard McCoy stepped out, ballcap pulled low on his brow. He swung his equipment bag over one shoulder and grabbed his stick bag with his free hand. He scowled at me as he approached. I reached for the stick bag and he pulled back.

“I can manage my equipment just fine, sweetheart. Just tell me where it goes,” he growled. I cocked my head to one side and gave him a hard look.

“My name is Samantha Nelsen, not sweetheart. You are welcome to call me Sam, or Ms. Nelsen,” I corrected sharply.

“Where do I stow my equipment, Sunshine?” he snapped.

“I was under the impression this move was a happy one,” I countered, my tone equally sharp and I gestured to a dolly sitting just inside the doors. “Perhaps you can put on your big boy pants before the press conference? You have five minutes.”

He dropped his bags with a heavy sigh and turned to face me. He looked exhausted. His jaw was covered in a three day growth of stubble, and there were bags under his eyes that appeared to be packing their own bags. Aside from that, he was as undeniably gorgeous as all his headshots had made him out to be.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. I’m running on empty,” he apologized, pulling his ballcap off and rubbing a hand across his forehead. “Lawyer met me at the airport this morning to give me all the paperwork on my divorce. She took everything, the house, the car. She may as well have taken the goddamn team and the whole damn planet. All I’ve got left is my bones.”

“And a shiny new contract with the Enterprise,” I reminded him. “So let’s go counter some bad press with some good, shall we?” I offered a smile, hoping he realized I was effectively erasing his bad first impression. I headed toward the elevator, my heels clicking smartly on the hard cement.

“So you’re the media gal?” He asked, catching up with a quick skip. I pursed my lips and nodded.

“I prefer Manager of Broadcasting, Communications and Public Relations, media gal is kind of old fashioned,” I corrected with a wink, wondering exactly how many times I was going to have to straighten up this man’s language and bring it into the 23rd century.

“Of course, ma’am,” he nodded and bit his lip. I wasn’t sure if he was trying not to smile, or trying to bite back a smart comment. I suspected it might be both. I stepped on the elevator and held the door for him. As the doors closed, I turned and looked him over. 

“We need to stop in the office and grab you an Enterprise hat. Get rid of that ratty old Bees one. You glad to be back on Earth, at least?” I asked. He pulled his hat off again, and scrubbed his hand through his short, messy hair. I led him from the elevator to the office and pulled a hat out a closet full of swag. 

“I’ll let you know after I’ve had some actual sleep.” He pulled the hat on and checked his reflection in the mirror by my desk, slapping his cheeks a little to wake himself up. “This old face has a few more miles in it, anyhow.”

“Yeah, doesn’t look like you’ve stopped many pucks with it,” I teased, tipping my head toward the doors leading to the media room. He smirked.

“Why, Ms. Nelsen, I’d hazard you just told me you find me handsome,” he teased, meeting my eyes. With his temperament improved, and warmth in his eyes, it was undeniable, the man was stupidly hot.

“Focus on the press conference, pretty boy,” I laughed, opening the door for him. He walked in to the press conference, and I headed to the back of the room to manage the media.

[carewyncromwell]

Does Carewyn actually still love Andre orrrr...? (Sarahi wonders if I have any brain cells while looking to the skies for an answer and then facepalms. She be like Akemi plz STAHP what is wrong with you?)

[Jacob glances over at his sister, his eyebrows furrowed in both concern and a bit of curiosity.

Carewyn sighs.]

Carewyn: “No. I mean...not in that way.”

[Her gaze drifts, landing on the floor several feet away. Even though Carewyn really doesn’t like talking about this, the Veritaserum makes everything bubble up to the surface despite her best efforts.]

Carewyn: “Andre and I...we care about each other a lot. And I know we both really admire each other. I’ve always loved how comfortable Andre is around other people -- how he attracts everyone around him, just with his personality. His...charisma. He’s a smart, talented person, and I love spending time with him. But...well, when we were together...it just kept feeling like there was something in the way, for us. Like we weren’t in sync. If Andre ever said anything insensitive, I just...tried to ignore it, even if I really couldn’t. When we had disagreements...it always felt like Andre was more interested in being right than in seeing things from my point of view -- accepting that this was my truth, whether it is the truth or not. And I never really wanted Andre to know how upset I was about any of that, so I always just bottled it up until it burst out of me. I never wanted to disappoint him...because I knew he saw me as this amazing ‘Cursebreaker Cromwell.’”

[It’s clear the nickname leaves a sour taste in her mouth, from the way she says it.]

Carewyn: “He’s always had high expectations of me, but...well, that was mostly my own fault. I wanted to be my best for him, all the time -- just like I am with all of my friends. But it made me feel like that shell...that mask...was all he’d really liked, to begin with. It made me feel like a fraud. Like Andre would’ve never given me a second glance, if I hadn’t been able to look so exciting and glamorous -- that, once things were finally the way I wanted, he’d just...get bored of me. Worst of all...it just always felt like Andre wanted something more from me, and I...even now I have trouble articulating what that was.”

[She exhales heavily through her nose.]

Carewyn: “...I don’t know if we were ‘in love’ or not, but...I was happy with Andre. I loved being with him, when it was good. It’s just that when it was bad...it hurt too much. And there was no way either of us could think of to fix that. So, in the end...it just felt like if we wanted to salvage anything -- if we really wanted to support each other, and not spend our whole lives hating each other...we were better off separate. At least this way...we didn’t go the way Mum and Dad went. We stayed friends.”

[Jacob’s eyes are locked on his sister’s face, rippling grimly, as he reaches out and takes her hand.]

Jacob: “(lowly) ...I’m sorry, Pip.”

((OOC: For those of you who need context, Andre and Carewyn went out in their fourth and fifth year, only to break up near the end of that year, after the All-Wizard Tournament. Despite their problems while dating, the two have been able to maintain a friendship even now that they’re no longer romantically involved.

Andre/Carewyn as a ship is something that I’ve always enjoyed, as Andre is one of my favorite game-original characters alongside Talbott, Chiara, and Barnaby -- but really, as much as Andre and Carewyn have in common (love of fashion and Quidditch, confidence, intelligence, the ability to attract others around them), I knew they were never going to be able to last long as a couple, given how different their dreams for the future would be and what they need from a romantic partner. Carewyn has always had ridiculously high standards for herself, which naturally appealed to someone so enamored with achievement like Andre, but what Carewyn really needs is unconditional support, even if she may not articulate that properly. She loves the intellectual engagement Andre provides and she admires him greatly -- but she also needs someone who will be sensitive enough to pick up on her emotional needs, even when she has trouble asking for help or expressing those needs. It’ll be a lot easier for Carewyn to find that person once she goes through her character arc in year 6 where she’s forced to accept that there are things she just can’t control no matter what and that fear of getting hurt will only hurt her more in the end.

Despite this, I love Andre and Carewyn’s friendship -- it has echoes of my own parents, who likewise remained friends after they divorced, and that’s very meaningful to me. <3))

Honesty Ask!

[artificialqueens]

drawing new lines, chapter ten (Branjie) - Holtzmanns

past chapters here on ao3 | word count: 3594

AN: Already time for the penultimate chapter. Thank you all SO, so much for all the kind words, the sweet reviews, the tumblr asks, everything. I know this ship isn’t in its heyday anymore due to the new season but the fact that you still care enough to read and show some appreciation is the nicest thing, and is so encouraging as a writer. So thank you for all that YOU guys do for me, too <3 Writ beta’d this, of course, and continues to be the best, of course.

Of all the places that Brooke has ever wanted to get blackout drunk, a wedding shower is the last place she’s expected from herself.

It’s not that she wants to be messy, because she really doesn’t. She just wants the entire thing to be wiped from her brain in the near future, because so far, it’s absolutely nauseating.

Everything is just so fake. The ’congratulations’ banners that hang from every wall, the napkins and cupcakes and party favours and plates that are inscribed with N and B because Nina and her fiancé are somehow still together, somehow looking nauseatingly happy on the outside, even though Brooke knows the truth about how Nina’s been questioning her decisions. All of the fake happiness isn’t real, none of it is real when the two of them are probably going to break up a few years after getting married, when they’re not in the honeymoon phase anymore. It’s stupid.

So maybe Brooke’s jaded. A little bitter. But she’s allowed to be.

“You’re missing a riveting game of ‘pin the dick on the dude’, especially ‘cause someone just pinned one on his face.” Detox slides into the seat next to Brooke, a mimosa glass in each hand.

“Somehow, this is a version of pin the tail on the donkey that I don’t care to miss.” Brooke really doesn’t understand straight women. She doesn’t. Pinning a paper dick on a poster of Nina’s fiancé on the wall isn’t exactly high on her to-do list.

“Just wait ‘til her bachelorette party. The amount of dicks that are going to be involved? Oh boy.” Detox snickers, tapping her fingernails on the counter.

Brooke wrinkles her nose. “Are those really necessary?”

“As official bachelorette party planner, yes. All the dick decorations.” Detox wiggles her eyebrows. “Or should I say, dickorations-”

“Gross.” Brooke groans when Detox lets out a snicker. “If it’s on a dude, I don’t want it. Especially if that dude is Nina’s fiancé.”

“Is that why you’re sitting here all grumpy?” Detox hands Brooke one of the mimosas, and she doesn’t hesitate in taking a sip from it. “‘Cause of pin the tail on Ben’s crotch?”

“Is this not just so…convoluted to you?” Brooke trails her eyes around the room as she tries to come up with words to explain. But it’s hard, especially because everyone seems to be having fun. But what’s the point?

“What, party games?”

“No, everything else. Like, celebrating two people about to get married. As if half of marriages don’t end in divorce, anyway.”

Detox’s eyebrows raise to her hairline. “Woah there, wedding Scrooge. This is one of your best friends who’s about to get married, you know that, right?”

“Right,” Brooke sighs, “sorry.”

Detox shrugs. “Hey, don’t apologize to me. As long as you don’t spill to Nina about how you don’t like her schlong-related party games, I think you’re safe.”

“At least she’s happy.” Brooke looks over, sees the way Nina is giggling in delight while taking a sip of her drink.

Is Nina happy, though, when a couple of weeks ago she had been a mess over the same guy?

Brooke figures she has a chance to find out when the wedding shower ends and the guests head home, as she sticks around to help Nina tidy up the mess. It’s nice, as they clean up in tandem, Nina babbling about her dress and her wedding photographer, both of which make Brooke’s eyebrows rise when Nina tells her the costs.

“The venue is so nice, B, it’s gonna be by the lake and next to a winery, which means so many pretty pictures! We’re going on another tour of it in a few weeks and I can’t wait to start thinking about decorations and colour schemes and the flowers, all of the flowers. Will flower crowns for the bridesmaids be too much, you think?” Nina lets it all out in one breath, twirling the garbage bag in her hand as they clear up all the empty plates and cups.

“I bet it’ll be fine.” Brooke tries to be delicate with her words, not outright ask what she really wants to because maybe it’s a little bit rude, but-

She can’t help it.

“Nina?”

“Hmm?” Nina, sweet Nina, looks over at her with her eyes alight, a smile on her face, as if her drunk breakdown in the bathroom a few weeks had never even happened.

“So you guys are good, then?” Brooke supposes that they must be, for Nina to be back to her regular level of excitement about the wedding planning. Because what else could even explain it?

Nina tilts her head, her eyebrows in a gentle furrow. “What do you mean?”

Christ. Brooke doesn’t want to have to spell it out. “It’s just…a little different from how you were feeling the night of Detox’s birthday, that’s all. When you were slightly panicking over whether this was the right choice.”

Brooke’s curious, that’s it. Because how could Nina have jumped from the two extremes so fast? It makes no sense. How do you decide on someone just like that, after being on the fence for so long?

Nina shrugs. “It’s not me settling, if that’s what you’re wondering. Sometimes you just gotta go with what you have, y’know? He’s good enough, and I’m happy.”

Is she?

“Are you? A few weeks ago you were crying in the bathroom into a toilet bowl.” Brooke doesn’t mean for it to come out so bluntly, but it’s true, especially when Nina had looked more lost than Brooke had ever seen her before.

“I was also drunk, B.” Nina gives Brooke a look as if she should know better, and it makes her want to scream.

“But they always say that drunk words are sober thoughts.” Brooke knows she’s pushing into territory that she shouldn’t, that she should be happy that her friend is happy, but-

“Why do you care so much?” Nina turns towards her, leaning an arm against the counter and Brooke has to stop herself from shrinking under her gaze. “I was in my feelings. Relationships fluctuate, it’s normal to second guess decisions, even if they’re the right ones. I know you’re blissfully happy dating Vanessa, but not everyone is in a permanent honeymoon stage like you two.”

Brooke’s heart trips at the mention of Vanessa’s name. She’s been doing so well, trying not to think about her and pushing all feelings about her away. She’s been dealing, she has.

Because she has to.

“I’m-” Brooke pauses, because the tightening in her chest is pulling just a little too hard, making her forget any words that she can use to explain because…

Vanessa. Her smile, the way her eyes flutter when she sleeps, the way she loves snuggling with Henry, the way she yells at the TV.

But Brooke needs to scrub her brain of the memories, because Vanessa isn’t hers and won’t ever be hers, even though the entire world fucking thinks so because they had been such good actors.

Brooke’s always been good at nuking herself.

“You’re what?” Nina raises an eyebrow as she waits for her to continue, her face a little softer, less defensive. Brooke wants to laugh, she really does, at how Nina’s spun the focus onto her now. She’s good.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about Vanessa and I.” So what if Brooke scrubs at the counter a little too hard, trying to get rid of an imaginary stain that’s not even there in the first place?

Nina lets out a little laugh. “What, that you’re perfect with each other? The cutest couple? Yeah, we know.”

Brooke lets out a huff, because Nina doesn’t get it, no one gets it. “It’s not like that, we’re-”

“Doing great? Just fine, so you’re trying to make me question my own relationship instead?”

“We’re not together, okay?” Brooke’s voice breaks because of course it does, and she forgets how to breathe for a second because not keeping it inside anymore somehow feels wrong, against the rules.

Those arbitrary rules, the ones that left Brooke more of a mess than she wants to admit.

They’re not together. They’re not. Brooke’s always known that. So why is it suddenly hard to draw air into her own lungs?

“You guys broke up? When?” Nina’s face softens as she drops the garbage bag in her hands, her expression shifting to one of sympathy and Brooke hates it, she does, because she doesn’t need it. “Brooke, I’m so sorry-”

“We never were! This, all of this… It wasn’t real. None of it was fucking real.”

None of it was real.

Not the kisses, not the cuddles, not the constant texting, none of it.

Brooke’s known it since the beginning, she had signed up for it willingly with Vanessa. She had been ready to fool everyone, they both had been.

So why does the reminder hurt so damn much?

“What?” Nina’s eyebrows are raising higher and higher, and Brooke can see the cogs slowly turning in her brain. “What do you mean? How? What?”

“Haven’t seen you look this lost since we went to that French restaurant and the menu wasn’t in English.” Brooke tries to offer a little smile, because maybe if she stops now, doesn’t think about it, she can still get through this unscathed.

Though Nina has other plans.

“Stop deflecting, just…what? What do you mean it wasn’t real? The two of you being practically glued to each other, the way you looked at her like some light was shining out of her head…that wasn’t real?”

“I didn’t do that.” Brooke mutters it under her breath, because she didn’t. No way.

“Shit, Brooke. From the way you both looked at each other, I thought you were starting to like, fully fall in love. I’ve never seen you so smitten. Ever, actually. That had to be real.” Nina doesn’t believe it, Brooke can tell, from the disbelieving scoff in her voice.

Brooke almost wants to share the same denial.

“She asked me to be her fake girlfriend so that she could win a bet. Literally all it was.” Brooke doesn’t mean for her voice to sound so hollow, because it’s true.

That’s all it had been. All they both signed up for. Nothing more than that.

Is that why Vanessa had pulled away?

Brooke’s heart had started to take over by convincing her that maybe, maybe, there had been more between them. But there can’t be, not when the twisting in her chest feels way more painful than any scrape, any muscle soreness from a workout class. It’s too much, the fact that one person has the capacity to make Brooke feel like this, even when she’s not physically present and breathing in front of her.

Brooke’s not sure when Vanessa had first twirled her way into her soul, pushing aside any doubts and fears in her mind without either of them even realizing that she’d done so. It’s disconcerting, to look back now and realize how much of an exception Vanessa had been to Brooke’s ironfast rules. She’d been someone that Brooke could talk to, tell anything to. Someone that Brooke had felt comfortable pulling in close to her, someone that Brooke had invited over - not for sex, but to meet her pets. Make dinner with her. Someone that Brooke had gotten closer to without even realizing, someone that Brooke still cares for so damn much-

But she can’t. It’s not worth it, not when Brooke feels like she can’t breathe anymore because she misses Vanessa so much.

“No wonder you agreed in the first place.” Nina’s voice is soft as she reaches out, squeezes Brooke’s shoulder. “You never used to date.”

“Still don’t.” It’s a bitter laugh, the one that leaves Brooke’s mouth. Because she doesn’t. And won’t.

No fake dating, either. Not when it ends like this.

“But are you telling me none of that was real? Wait, let me finish-” Nina holds up a hand when Brooke begins to protest, shushes her, and Brooke has to stop herself from letting out a huff. “You’d light up like a Christmas tree, telling me about your dates and little things about her because you liked talking about her so much. And at the holiday party you guys fit so well together, you looked at her even when she didn’t notice with this tiny little smile on your face and before you call me weird for remembering that, it’s ‘cause you’re my best friend and I’ve never seen you look smitten before. Like, ever.”

“I’m just a really good actor.” It’s fruitless, not when Brooke doesn’t believe it herself, not really. “But now that you say it, it’s weird you remembered that, Nina. Sure that’s not a bunch of bull?”

Nina gives her a look. “Please. I lie to you about how you look good in magenta, not about shit like this.”

“Wait, what is that about magenta-”

Nina waves a hand. “Point is? You had something, Brooke. Maybe you still have it, I don’t know. You gotta tell me more. But is it worth not going after just because it didn’t start out that way?”

“Maybe it isn’t. Maybe I don’t want it.” Brooke doesn’t. Not if it makes her feel this shit.

“I’m calling bullshit on that. Not when you look so happy with her.” Nina’s looking at her like it’s so easy, like being with Vanessa is something that can happen without any complications whatsoever. She doesn’t get it.

Brooke sighs. “It’s not that easy.”

If only it could be. If only she had the option of just reuniting with Vanessa and smoothing everything over, having their previous expectations give into something else, something realer. But she doesn’t even know if Vanessa feels it either, if she’s on the same page.

Hell, Brooke doesn’t even know what page she’s on herself anymore.

Vanessa shouldn’t do something as stupid as going and calling Brooke.

She shouldn’t.

Who’s to say Brooke’s going to pick up, anyway? Not when Brooke had made it clear that they’re done, that whatever existed between them was done. That she never wants to see Vanessa again.

Quite frankly? Vanessa deserves it.

Except that Vanessa misses Brooke so fucking much.

She thinks back to her last breakup with Aquaria. It had been pretty amicable on both sides, the two of them letting each other go because they just knew that they weren’t a fit. That they’d be happier off separate from one another, and that constant irritations and bickering weren’t exactly an ideal setting to build a relationship upon.

Vanessa had healed from it. Sure, she’d allowed herself a little bit of shade, a little jealousy, but as far as breakups go, it hadn’t been devastating to the immediate world around her. She had been fine.

Brooke hadn’t even been Vanessa’s actual girlfriend, but this? This feels worse.

She can’t stop picturing Brooke on her couch, Brooke reaching for her hand without even realizing it. They way they have (had) so much in common, talking about all their fears and hopes and dreams because it had felt safe. Right.

And now that the friendship is gone-

Had it been a friendship? On paper, yes. They had been partners in crime who became fast friends. But then it had been more under the guise of faking it and sure, they had been faking it in front of their friends and on social media, but then there had been so much that they hadn’t shown to others. That had just been for them.

That has to count for something, right?

Vanessa opens their text chain for the twentieth time that day, biting her lip because the unanswered message really hurts, even though she had done the same thing to Brooke a few days before that. But she has to try, she has to try and reach out to Brooke again because if she doesn’t, then she’s not going to be able to live with herself-

Incoming call from Brooke Lynn Hytes, 8:12 p.m.

Brooke needs to hang up, she can’t do this, she shouldn’t do this, she-

“Hello?”

Breathe, she needs to breathe, maybe this was a bad idea, maybe she should hang up-

“Brooke? Are you there?”

God, she needs to say something before Vanessa thinks she’s a creep or something. She’s already written notes on what to say, for god’s sake, she just needs to get it out. Except that the words are trapped in her throat, wrapped up in layers of self doubt and second guessing and maybe this is a bad idea, going with her instincts and just calling without psyching herself out of it.

She can’t.

“I can hear your loudass breathing. Imma talk, then.”

Brooke’s not a loud breather. But maybe it’s better if Vanessa takes over, because she can’t talk, not right now.

“I’m sorry I iced you out. I didn’t know what else to do because I liked it so damn much. Spending time with you and doing things and just being with you and telling you everything and I started fucking catching feelings for you and I know that’s bad, I’m sorry, ‘cause I know you’re not interested and not into that shit and it’s fine, I can tamper it down I promise even though the bet is kinda done, I just don’t wanna lose you because this last little while has been shit without you ‘cause you’re the first one I wanna tell everything and the only one I wanna turn to and it’s fucking hard-”

“I love you.”

“What?”

Brooke doesn’t mean for it to come out, and shit shit shit, it’s too much and she needs to never open her mouth again because she’s gonna keep fucking up everything around her-

“Brooke?”

Brooke doesn’t know what dying feels like but maybe it’s akin to this, because her heart has never beat so fast and the living room around her is a little hazy, a little out of focus. The clock on her wall ticks loud enough to make her flinch, adding a slow drumroll to the way the blood is rushing in her veins.

There’s no taking it back now.

Maybe Vanessa will hate her. Maybe Vanessa won’t want to see her again. But she can’t keep living like this, not anymore.

“I fucking love you, and I’m sorry.” Brooke’s sorry because it’s going to keep messing everything up, Vanessa just has a few feelings and now Brooke’s gone and said this, but she’s not taking it back, not now. She can’t.

“The hell are you sorry for? Saying that? ‘Cause I love you too, so fucking much that it hurts and I miss you so much, B.”

The way that Vanessa’s voice breaks on the phone makes Brooke’s heart drop, because she doesn’t want her to be hurt anymore, to feel upset and Brooke can’t do this over the phone, she needs to be where Vanessa is in person because it’s too far, they’re too far.

“I’m coming over.”

Brooke is five subway stops too far from Vanessa.

The pattern that her fingers tap out on her thigh is reminiscent of her workout playlist, too fast and frantic but she’s going to implode if she doesn’t have the chance to move at all. The subway ads are only interesting to read for so long, and the bored commuters on the train are a stark contrast from her, some with their eyes closed, some with their noises buried in books.

Brooke wishes she could know the secret as to how they’re all capable of shutting off their minds just like that.

Maybe it’s easier for everyone else on this train because none of them are going towards Vanessa, because no one else has so many unspoken things to let out for once and for all. Because no one else on this train knows what Brooke is feeling, the jolt that’s now been sent to her heart after realizing she’s been changed by another person and never wants to go back.

Brooke wants Vanessa’s hand in hers, drawing soft circles while the warmness of her palm acts like an anchor, pulling the frantic beating of her heart back enough for her to breathe.

The ding and announcement of Vanessa’s stop is a relief, feeling like a weight lifted because now Brooke can move again, up the station stairs and even though her muscles are straining and she’s out of breath it’s better, because at least she’s doing something, making some progress. It feels strange, walking - no, running - through these familiar streets knowing what’s coming, knowing how different everything is going to be.

And Brooke wants it, welcomes it, for once in her life.

Of course Vanessa lives on the top floor, of course Brooke has to watch the floors climb ever so slowly, people coming in and out of the elevator as if they don’t have any cares in the world, as if they don’t get it, but it’s okay, it’s all okay when Brooke reaches the 20th floor and it’s Vanessa’s and she’s only one hallway away from her.

One hallway that shrinks into a handful of steps, a catch of a breath, a quick fiddle with her hair before Brooke knocks. Because Vanessa’s on the other side with wide eyes that sparkle, tugging Brooke inside by her wrist and going on her tiptoes to press a kiss to her lips that Brooke immediately deepens, and it’s worth it.

Because the kiss is real.

[ahsterism-a]

RICKY BOWEN META - EPISODE NINE 

okay, i have a Lot of thoughts about everything that happened in this episode, and i really need to get it out of my system, so i figured i’d compile a bunch of analysis all into one post. i’m gonna try and organize this into specific categories. 

RICKY & HIS PARENTS

Ricky knew that his mom and his dad were both coming to see the show in advance: he was prepared for this. He was nervous before the show started, obviously shown by how he shows up really early due to “opening night jitters,” which is a combination of never having done a musical before ( because he’s grown to really love being apart of it, he enjoys having somewhere to go after school and finding a family among everyone ), and specifically his mom’s presence ( “It’s just a lot. My mom’s coming tonight, and I’ve technically never been in a musical before ). He’s happy that his mom will be there, but it’s still hard because he misses her, and wants things to be normal. And then when Ricky peeks out from behind the stage and sees his parents, sees them HUG, he grins. He knows that parents split up, knows that these kinds of things happen, but remember he was convinced that they’d work it out. And in addition, he has a hard time dealing with change, so when he sees his parents looking happy together, it feels right. He doesn’t think things are fixed, but they’re together and happy for a moment, and it means the world to him. He doesn’t have to miss his mom for a night, doesn’t have to worry about any of that. 

So he performs, and despite a few technical issues, it’s going pretty great. Until Get’cha Head In The Game. Throughout the entire performance, he’s giving it his all, singing and dancing and smiling-- it’s evident how much EFFORT he’s put into the show ( especially compared to his dancing at the beginning ). And then he’s in the air, glances towards where his parents are sitting...and freezes. Because someone he doesn’t know walks in, and that someone puts an arm around his mom and kisses her on the cheek, and she’s pointing up at him, and he realizes it’s Todd. He already knew his mom had a new boyfriend, even talked to her about it when he called on Thanksgiving night, but in that moment, Ricky is RIPPED right out of his safe space. He’s already had an incredibly hard time adjusting to the divorce, it’s only been about three weeks since she moved out, and he didn’t even get a warning about this beforehand. It’s overwhelming-- he drops the basketball, he tenses, he can’t easily shake this. But he keeps going the best he can, even though he completely loses his sense of what he’s doing, is too wrapped up in suddenly being dragged right back into all his issues in the middle of doing something he’s come to love. 

It boils down to his issues with handling change and the divorce. He gets that his mom is moving on, but it’s too much too soon. He’s hurt, he’s angry, and he’s shaken. 

THE EFFECT THIS HAD ON HIM/GIVING UP HIS ROLE

The second Ricky goes backstage, he asks where Nini is, says he could really use a pep talk. We already knows it’s easiest for him to talk to Nini about these kinds of things, because he says it in episode 4. He’s shaking, seeking comfort. But then Carlos tells him Nini seems nervous, and Ricky IMMEDIATELY pushes aside his own problems to express concern for her. He’s done this with multiple characters a few times-- he’s naturally selfless, and deals with his problems essentially by not dealing with them. He hears about the dean of the art school in the audience, and he quickly realizes that this could change Nini’s life. And Ricky is screwing it up: “My mom’s new boyfriend decided to show up, and I wanna punch a wall. I feel like I need a miracle to face Act Two.” He believes he CAN’T do act two well after this-- he doesn’t think he’s GOOD ENOUGH, especially after all of that, and knows he can’t mess this up for Nini. 

So even though he’s still shaken and hurt and pretty much on the verge of tears, he goes right to E.J., and immediately tells him he has to play Troy. He outright says it: “No, I’m good, just not good enough to help Nini get where she wants to go...I’m screwing up out there! I can’t blow this for Nini.” Again, remember how much EFFORT Ricky put into this show, remember how he found a family with it, and after he messes up, he immediately GIVES THAT UP to give Nini a better shot. It repeats again that he’s selfless, and isn’t confident that he can go on like this, practically demanding that E.J. takes his place. 

He’s nowhere to be found in the preview, but once he isolates himself from the show, for my portrayal it absolutely hits him hard, and the breakdown hinted at goes into full swing. 

RICKY & HIS FEELINGS TOWARDS NINI 

Ricky is still in love with Nini. This is pretty much undeniable at this point. He starts the episode off by showing Big Red a song that he wrote for her. He took time out of his day when he was already nervous about the show to write her a song for opening night, one where he USES the word love. This is incredibly important for Ricky’s character. He went from not being able to say it, freaking out after seeing the post ( reasonably so ), and asking to take a pause, to saying it clearly in Just For A Moment. This isn’t to say he isn’t scared anymore, because he is, he’s still afraid that love means falling apart, still grappling with intimacy issues that stem from his life at home, but when he didn’t say it, they still fell apart. He misses her, not only as a girlfriend, but as his best friend, and so many things he does throughout the season prove how much he cares for her. 

But then they have that conversation in the hallway, and Ricky immediately assumes that she’s going to reject him. Why wouldn’t she? After he almost kissed her in episode 4, she pulled away, and even though she initiated this time, why would it be different? Even though he thought that almost kiss meant something, the second Nini brings it up, he immediately assumes it’ll be another rejection, and brushes it off. He doesn’t want to pressure Nini even further, but in doing so, he causes her to think he’s rejecting her, and it’s just a whole mess of miscommunication. But he couldn’t help it, he still thinks she doesn’t feel the same anymore. 

And then there’s what he does for her at the end, which I already talked about, but again, it shows just how much he cares about her. 

RICKY & HIS CONVERSATION WITH/FEELINGS TOWARDS GINA 

There are a lot of interpretations of this scene and Ricky’s dialogue, and I’m going to preface this by saying I am completely impartial to ships. What I want to do here is accurately analyze Ricky’s headspace at THIS POINT IN TIME. I love their friendship so much, and I’m here for slowburn romance, but currently in the show, he’s confused at best, and absolutely not there yet. 

For starters, Ricky has a reason to be acting as weird as he does. He’s staying closed off because he knows Gina is going to leave again. He knows she can’t stay for long, and doesn’t want to get attached to her being there when he’s just going to lose that again. That’s why he says it’s tough seeing Gina. It’s only been about a week, but he doesn’t want to make things worse for when she’s gone forever. 

And then, there are his feelings towards Gina as a whole. With the absence of Nini in his life, Ricky needed someone around that understood him, needed a friend that could get his complications and fill a missing piece. This isn’t to say that Gina was a rebound, because she ISN’T-- Ricky genuinely cares for her. But in Nini’s absence, he assumes that this sudden connection with Gina means he might have feelings for her. She makes him happy and he enjoys spending time with her, but it isn’t love, at least not at this point in time. Remember Ricky’s struggle with the word love-- hell, he’s known Nini since kindergarten and he still couldn’t say it. He doesn’t operate that fast, and given his feelings for Nini are still there, he doesn’t do a complete 180 with Gina. Still, Ricky thinks he might like Gina romantically, and I’m not saying he can’t, but right now, he was confused. 

Gina moves away, and Ricky is hurt-- he’s dealing with his parents separating and losing a friendship he valued and his mom’s new boyfriend, but amidst this, he and Nini were able to connect again, and the feelings that Ricky got confused and started to project were brought back to their original source. He’s also confused when Gina returns, because he thought he  might have had feelings for her, but he’s not sure if that’s really the case. He says “I’m not who I was a week ago,” because then, he was misinterpreting his own feelings. And then he says “Or maybe I’m just back to who I always was” NOT AS A REGRESSION OF HIS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, but to establish to the audience that he’s realizing his feelings for Nini never really left. His character development isn’t going backwards, and he and Nini don’t regress one another ( would episode 1 Ricky write a song using the word love and be devoted to performing in a musical? ). They’re just having trouble with communication, which is completely normal for teenagers. 

Also, remember that Ricky clings to normalcy. His life has told him over and over that change is negative, he doesn’t know how to handle it. Of course this all going to confuse him-- he’s a teenage boy dealing with a lot even outside of romantic feelings. The potential to like Gina is there, but his feelings for Nini are still genuine, and that doesn’t mean he’s going backwards. If he does have genuine feelings for Gina, he’d suppress them, both because she’s leaving and he still loves Nini. There’s nothing stopping him from having complicated feelings towards multiple people, that’s completely normal. Currently, his headspace is in a state where he is still in love with Nini and confused at best about Gina-- there’s still potential there, but the important thing is understanding the characters beneath the pairings and where they are now. 

[disneywonder-rp]

The Free Spirit

Hakuna Matata  

Character Name: Edie Elizabeth Moore Character Age: 18 Character Pronouns: She/Her Character Traits: Carefree, Optimistic, Romantic, Reckless, Impulsive, Irresponsible Occupation: High School Senior Faceclaim: Halle Bailey

General Information

In your short 18 years of life, you’ve discovered that life has a way of working out. Even when things seem bad, eventually it’ll be good. As a result you’ve come up with a philosophy: why worry when it’s all going to work out?  And lately, you just saw more proof that you’re right with your mom marrying your stepdad. You love them both, and are glad that they both are happy, and hope that eventually your brand new sibling will get the picture. Though in order to do that, you think they need to stop acting like the world is ending.

Biography:

Her childhood is, for the most part, a blur of golden moments- jumping into piles of red-gold leaves, patting snow into the perfect snowball, too-hot pizza burning her tongue, laughing so hard she can’t breathe. The other moments- muffled yelling, plates crashing angrily into the sink, doors slamming, the burning of tears just behind her eyes- well, Edie tries not to think about those. After all, that’s in the past now. She’s far more interested in what the future holds than in the ghosts of the pasts.

People said she adjusted too quickly after the divorce. She always took offense to that- was she supposed to be screwed up? Scarred for life? Severely traumatized? As far as Edie was concerned, the divorce was a fact. It had happened, and nothing she did could change that. Not that she’d want to, anyway. Her parents had been miserable together, as far as she could tell, and everyone was much better off this way. Besides, this way she got two Christmases every year, and her dad bought her pretty much whatever she wanted. So what if he was only trying to buy her love?

At school she’s known for being a bit of a party girl. Edie lives in the moment, only looking toward the future, completely ignoring the past. One unfortunate side effect of this is that she’s failing two classes (and almost failing the rest) mostly because of her inability to keep track of assignments and unwillingness to study, although there is a part of her that won’t admit that she actually does need academic help. Everything else in her life has worked out just fine without her help, she doesn’t see why this should be any different. Her devil-may-care attitude has also resulted in a number of bad decisions, most of which she’d rather keep hidden.

She has no idea what she wants to do with her life, and honestly she thinks it’s kinda BS that she has to figure it all out right now. She’d much rather continue living in the present, taking life one day at a time, doing whatever she feels like. Her mother thinks she’s applied to several colleges, but in reality she hasn’t even looked at colleges. She missed the SATs, has a terrible GPA, never did any extracurriculars, and doesn’t know what she would major in. Oh well- that’s a problem for future Edie.

As far as family life goes, she’s thrilled that her mom has found love again. Her mom deserves to be happy, and her new stepdad seems nice enough. Her stepsister, on the other hand…Edie’s not sure what to make of her. Shouldn’t she be happy for their parents, too? She doesn’t understand why she won’t even try. The idea that this is all a huge change and that everyone processes change differently, as gently suggested by her friends, sounds like a lame excuse. If you love someone, you at least try to be there for them.

Connections:

The “Evil” Stepmother - Parent

The Widower - Step-Parent

The Outcast - Step-Sibling

In Character:

What does Disney mean to You?

Disney means having fun and letting loose! Everyone loves those old cartoons, right? And if you don’t, it means you don’t have a soul. I mean, they’ve got everything- action, romance, mystery, tragedy, happy endings.

What do you hope to get out of the cruise?

I really want to prove I’m not the evil stepsister in this equation. My mom’s pretty great, and I’m pretty great too, and I think my new sister needs to see that. Hopefully being stuck on this cruise ship together will force her to come out of her shell a little and see us for what we are- her family. Also who wouldn’t want to go on a cruise?! Maybe by the end of this, she’ll see that this change isn’t the worst thing that could have happened to her.