#julie will be our third wheel...

[censoredhysteria]

so basically julie has a boyfriend his name is matthew but but julie has another boyfriend and his name is gideon.. but but gideon is actually named gordon but but he goes by gideon and and like.... MysticalPowers and PowersGraves... in one..!!

[lolitastories]

Ripples

Rafe Cameron

Part 1. Part 3. Part 4.

“People can be such assholes!” I groan, slamming the interrogation door behind me. “Get him back in a cell,” The novice officer nods and rushes past me.

“You’re bleeding,” I lean against his desk, giving him an annoyed look.

“Really?” I roll my eyes, placing my hand on my forehead again. I could feel blood coming from my eyebrow. “Jon be a good boy and tell the Sergeant I got something.” He turned in his chair, huffing out. He hated talking to the Sergeant and that's because for some reason he got on his bad side. He was a good officer but very nosy too.

“Don’t go bleeding on my desk!” I smile moving away and falling into his chair. I scavenge his drawers looking for the first aid kit. We had thankfully found the fisherman and arrested him with no problem. The problem came when he got pissed after spending almost 2 hours being questioned.

“Hey!” My fingers freeze as I sit up hearing a well known voice call out to me. “Julie just told me you finished with your interrogation.” I twisted my head, “I was worried so I decided to wait-” His expression changed and I flicked my head back avoiding eye contact.

“You waited since I left the country club?” Although he has done it before, it still warmed my heart.

“Yeah…”My hand awkwardly moved around the paperwork on the desk trying to act busy. “What happened to your face?” From the side of my eyes I felt him try and move closer but I was quick to slip out.

“I got work Rafe,” For a split second I turned to give him a smile and began to walk in the opposite direction. “I will talk-”

“No. There is no, I will talk to you later,” He sped up and blocked me from taking another step. I twist my body but his hand grips my chin and pulls me to look up to him. “Did that guy do this?” I don’t know why but the way his eyes were inspecting my wound or the way his thumb slightly caressed my chin, it was such a simple act but I melted. “My sweet girl,” My body felt like it was floating, like if he were to walk away I would follow like a lost puppy. His demeanor was so calm, so different from what many people in this island think Rafe could ever be.

“I’m okay Rafe,” It was a whisper but due to how close we were I knew he heard me. “Nothing that hasn’t happened before,” I grip his wrist and pull his hand away. I knew he was going to say something about it but thank god someone interrupted us.

“Detective,” We both turned our heads hearing the voice of the Sergeant behind me.”Nice to see you Mister Cameron,”

“How are you Sergeant?” They smile, shaking hands and I feel like a third wheel on the side. 

“Can’t complain,” He lets out a laugh. He turned his head towards me. “Other than a future bruise, you got something else?” I smile hearing the humor in his tone.

“He was telling us nothing at first until I showed him the video footage from the country club. He offered her a ride on his boat. He said she freaked and jumped out. But I know there is more that he is hiding”

“I know how persuasive you can be so I know that didn’t earn you that” He pointed at my wound.

“I might have slipped in his daughter in the conversation. I wanted to ask if you can do something about the warrants?” The fisherman had a prior charge involving his daughter. It ended with him not being able to see or even contact her until she is of age and can make the choice herself.

“You got it. And how about next time you play nice?”

“You got it Sergeant.” I simply nod. I take a turn to the side to allow him to move past me.

“Can I have a word?” My brows furrowed, what does Rafe have to talk to him about?

“Of course Mister Cameron,” I watch them walking away together.

“What the fuck?” I throw my hands up in confusion. Deep down I was feeling a little disappointed.

“What? Pouting because your boyfriend didn’t give you some kisses for that boo boo?” I laugh at Jon’s stupidity. Maybe there was some truth in his words but I was too prideful.

“What are you, 5?” I opened his bottom drawer where I had seen the first aid kit. “I wasn’t pouting.” I opened it up and pulled out an alcohol wipe.

“You choose to deny the pouting but not that he is your boyfriend?” My jaw dropped. 

“Noted.”

“Shut up.” I throw the wrapper at him, earning a laugh. “Stop laughing and get the fisherman into integration again,” We only have a certain time to keep them detained and I needed more answers.

“What?’ I drop the wipe at Jon’s sudden jump from his seat. “They signed his release 20 minutes ago.”

“Who did?”

“The officer said you told him.” When the fuck did I do that?

“I told that dumbass to put him in a cell, not to sign him off.” I slam my fist on his desk. I let out a heavy sigh and looked over to Jon. “Try and find out where he is and I will get the Sergeant to hurry with the warrant so we can have a reason to arrest him again.”

“You don’t think he would willingly agree to be questioned by you again?” I let out a fake laugh.

“Get to it. I don’t want to fire two people today.” He puts his hands up in defense before rushing away. I pick up the clean alcohol wipe and trash it before walking towards the room the Sergeant and Rafe walked too. As I walked closer I could hear faint words. I lean my ear against the door,

“Fuck the, innocent until proven guilty. Those people should be handcuffed while being in there. He shouldn’t have been able to hurt any woman let alone mine.” My eyes fell shut. A little smile played on my lips as a warm tingle formed in my chest.

“How can he sound so casual when all I have done is pushed him away?” I mean other than the kiss but that was less than 3 hours ago. I cleared my throat pushing the door open. “Sorry to interrupt Sergeant.”

“Your good detective, what happened?” I awkwardly forced my eyes to stay on something other than Rafe. I could always feel the amount of warmth when he was looking at me but at this moment It became more evident.

“The rookie released the fisherman and I need you to check on the warrant to see how soon we can get him back.” If things like this always fell back on my I would have worry line all over my face but the Sergeant was always good at keeping calm.

“Consider it done. Have you sent out for a search?” I nod as I release my hold on the door knob to let him through.

“Yes, when we find him I will be waiting outside for your call.”

“No.” I step back, seeing him pause. He turned around as I was halfway through the door frame. “Jon will take care of that. You will go home and take care of that wound.”

“But-”

“Take care of yourself. You will have your fun again when we get him back here and that could be hours so go home.”

“Yes sir.” He nods accepting my look of defeat. He has never sent me home for a simple cut or a bruise. My eyes open in realization. “What did you say to him,” There goes another door slammed as I walk towards Rafe. A grin was already playing on his lips. “What did you do Rafe?” Oh that blind affection I was feeling a moment ago was long gone.

“I didn’t do anything,” He shrugged. His tall figure moved closer, one hand cupping my face and the other removing my hair from it. “But he is right, you need to go home and rest.”

“Rafe I am not a little girl, this is my job and I have to be here. I don’t need you messing around with this.” It came out like a whine but I didn’t care.

“But you are my girl.” Okay, I am blind again. Fuck wondering how the hell he does this everytime. My arms falling like a ragdoll to my side. “You haven’t taken a day to yourself in months and you heard him, as soon as they catch him they will call you.” I let out a sigh of defeat. “You need to learn how to shut that pretty head of yours and not try to control everything.” I roll my eyes at the feeling of being scolded.

“I am not your girl Rafe,” I looked him up through my lashes.

“Yet.” He moves his body closer until I can feel his chest against mine. “Take all the time you want,” His hands slide down my neck, shoulders, until the circle around my waist. His warm breath moved to whisper in my ears. “I can wait.” I shake my head denying his words. My head didn’t want to believe he said that, no. What he did was demand me. Demand that I grip the front of his black shirt. Demand me to pull him closer until our lips touched once again. Demand that I stumble back with him until we bump into the table behind me. As he grabs my waist and places me on the table he demands that I wrap my legs around his waist and not to let him go.

“Baby,” He pulled away but didn’t he just ask me not to let him breathe? I pull him back into a more intense kiss. My fingers gripping the back of his neck as my tongue slides into his mouth earning a moan. My hip pushing against his and in seconds I could feel him. “Wait,” He pulls away once more. “As much as I want to fuck you right now-” He lets out a moan as my fingers slide past his waist line and into his pants. It was tight but I found a way to wrap my hand around him. “You are making it fucking difficult.” He groans. He grips my chin forcing me to look up.

“Want me to stop?” I bat my eyelashes and I begin to move my hand up and down with a tighter grip. He lets go falling forward. His hands grip the table on both sides, caging me. His forehead fell to rest on my shoulder and I could see how he was trying to control his breathing. “Shit,” I moaned, feeling him rub up against my core with his bulge. It sent a shiver down my spine but I couldn’t allow him the satisfaction, not when I loved the feeling of him coming undone with only my hand.

“No!, Faster,”My pace increased with every noise escaping his lips. My toes curled and the room around us became hotter. His thrust against my core became sloppier making my breath hitch when I felt my core tighten.

“Rafe?” I bit my lip holding back a moan.

“Keep going baby,” He whined. So soft, so good.” I swiped my thumb over his tip causing him to gasp and linger his thrusts with more force. “Don't-” He said dryly, shaking his head. “Don’t make this quick for me. Been waiting so long for just a touch,” I smile loving how he wasn’t afraid to show he needed me.

“Really?” I tease slowing down.

“Mh-hm” He nods eagerly, pulling his head up to find my eyes. As I admire how tightly he closes his eyes my mind moves to imagine how beautiful he was. I paused for a moment and took my time scaling my fingers up and down. Feeling every vein, curve, counting the inches, how thick he was to not fit in my hand. “Do what you want with me, I am here for you.” He lets out a sigh of relief when I continue pumping his dick. Now with more meaning and purpose. “Yes baby,”He stuttered out. His brow furrowed trying to hold back but I knew it couldn’t be for much longer. My fingers glazed effortlessly up and down with the help of his precum coating his dick.

“So good”He twitches at my words telling me he was done for. With a deep groan his lips parted. I sped up my hand the best I could in the confinement of his pants.

“I’ve been good,” He nods eagerly. He began to throw whimpers and curses as he came all

over my hand. Hot ropes of cum smearing through my fingers. I held back a satisfied laugh as I continue to work him through his orgasm, “You’re a dream, a fucking dream.” My hand slowly came to a stop once I knew he was done. I removed my hand and waited until he opened his eyes, a prominent tint of his cum right on my finger. I ran my tongue teasingly cleaning it up, catching how his breathing got caught up. “Baby you do that again and I will have to put a baby in you.”

[crowsofdarkness]

Time: Chapter Two

-gif not mine. credit to owner.-

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Content Warnings: fluff, angst, language, violence, and mentions of death.

Summary: Your relationship with Bucky could withstand anything, even time itself.

Authors Note: This series will have twenty one chapters, some of which will be short and quick, and takes place throughout the forties. I did my best to line up the days along with Captain America: The First Avenger. Tags are open if anyone is interested!

Tags: @that-blonde-girl @bookofriverr @starfly-nicole @ell0ra-br3kk3r @baw1066

Time Masterlist

July 2, 1941. 

The bottom of my sundress blew lightly in the wind as I hopped down the stairs of my apartment complex. Brooklyn in summer was beautiful and the warm sunshine always brought a smile to my lips. 

“Where ya headed, cookie?” 

Ignoring the comment from one of my downstairs neighbors, I went on my way down the other set of steps, worrying that I would be late. 

Steve had invited me over to his apartment for a small get together, grilling some hot dogs and watching the Dodgers game. He said it was a small group but I knew exactly who was going to be there; us and Bucky. 

Probably. Not likely. 

Ever since Steve walked me home months ago, we had become close. He would continue to come by the diner every shift I would work to walk me home. Our friendship had blossomed and I considered him as close as family, even though he was the only family I had here. 

Bucky, however, didn’t come around that often when Steve and I would hang out. Steve said that he was busy with some things but I never knew exactly what he was doing. Steve always said it was family matters but wouldn’t go into more detail. I knew a lot about Steve, about his parents dying and how he had been on his own for a while now. 

Bucky, however, I didn’t know much about. 

So if it was only Steve and I tonight, I was perfectly fine with that. 

Steve’s apartment was only one block from mine so after turning a corner, his complex came into view. I could see his bedroom window on the side that faced the factory across the street. 

My sandals clicked against the cement steps and I softly knocked on the door, expecting to see Steve on the other side. 

“Oh, hi,” I muttered, staring into the pair of blue eyes. 

There was a small smile playing at Bucky’s lips as he stared down at my dress. “Yellow is your color.” 

Feeling the heat rise to my cheeks at his comment, I shifted on my feet. “Is Steve home?” 

Bucky leaned against the door, allowing me to step inside. “He ran to the store to pick up some beers. He said to make yourself comfortable.” 

I sat on the couch, still feeling a bit uneasy about being alone with Bucky. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he would hurt me in any way. I was uneasy because of how my cheeks would burn up at the sound of his voice or the way my stomach would flip when he had that playful smirk on his face. 

“I didn’t know you would be here,” I mentioned, rubbing my sweaty palms on my knees. 

Bucky sat in the spot next to me on the couch and nodded. “Steve said you two were watching the game together. Figured you wouldn’t mind me third wheeling.” 

“There’s nothing to ‘third wheel’,” I insisted, almost too fast. 

He raised a brow at me, confusion on his face. “Really? The two of you have been with each other quite a lot.” 

“Steve’s a great friend. That’s it.” 

“It’s because he’s smaller than most guys, right?” Bucky questioned with a defensive voice. 

I immediately shook my head. “Not at all. We’re better off as friends, that’s all.” 

Truthfully, I didn’t want to tell Bucky that I had my eyes on someone else for a while now and I could confide in Steve about it. 

Bucky eyed me for a few moments and I felt myself shrinking under his gaze the longer he stared. I kept my own gaze glued to my freshly painted yellow toenails, thinking back to his earlier comment about how yellow was my color. 

With the silence flowing between us, it was then that I realized the soft tune of music coming from the record player. It bounced off the walls, throughout the small apartment, and suddenly I found myself humming along to the words. 

“This is a great song to dance to,” Bucky said. 

I turned my attention towards him. “Do you go dancing a lot?” 

“Every Friday night. You?” 

Bucky leaned back into the couch, his arm draping on the top of it and I could feel his fingers lightly brushing my shoulder. His touch spread warmth throughout my body and he had me melting at the tips of his fingers. 

“Uh, no. I’ve never actually been dancing before.” I admitted. 

His eyes doubled at my admittance and let out a small chuckle. “A girl like you has never been dancing?” 

“Haven’t found the right partner, I guess,” I shrugged. 

“What’re you doing Friday?” 

Crossing my arms over my chest, I turned my body more towards him. We were a few inches apart and my knee brushed against his thigh. 

“Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Barnes?” I raised a brow, feeling the flirtatious banter flowing around us. 

Bucky’s lips parted, ready to say something, but the front door to the apartment opened and in walked Steve, a large paper bag in hand. 

“You’re not bothering her, are you Buck?” Steve brushed some hair out of his face. 

I shook my head with a slight smirk. “He’s being a gentleman, don’t worry.”

The flirtatious cloud had drifted from us and while I busied myself helping Steve set up the food and drinks, much to his dismay about ‘you should sit and relax.’ Bucky and I can handle this’. We were in the kitchen, the two of us, while Bucky was out on the porch grilling the food so I took it as an opportunity. 

“Hey Steve?” 

“Yeah?” He asked, setting down the handful of beers on the table. 

“Is Bucky a good guy?” I held my breath, hoping for the best answer. 

Steve sighed and stuffed his hands deep into his pockets. “Buck is one of the best guys I know. If you’re worried about him treating you right, don’t.” 

Our conversation had seized the moment Bucky entered the apartment, a plate full of food bringing a smile to my face. 

“Hungry?” He asked once he saw my smile. 

“Starved,” I admitted. 

He motioned towards the couch. “Go sit, I’ll make you a plate.” 

I went to protest but with a small pat on my lower back from Bucky, I pressed my lips in a hard line and sat comfortably back onto the couch. My eyes drank in his appearance while he moved effortlessly around Steve’s kitchen, fixing me a plate of food. 

“Here you go, doll,” Bucky handed me the plate. 

My face burned once more at his pet name and soon we were all seated, watching the Dodgers game. I couldn’t stop myself from stealing glances towards Bucky. The way the sunlight sneaked its way through the blinds, casting his face in a warm glow. 

“Hey Bucky?” 

He gave me a worried look. “Everything alright?” 

I gave him a quick nod. “Pick me up at seven on Friday.” 

[chiyuuchu]

Kazuha meets his match <3 (31st July 2024)

Kadehara Kazuha x Reader

Prompt! Accompanying Aether to Liyue, Kazuha takes an interest in the traveler’s peer.

Aether and Kazuha had just arrived in Liyue, marveling at the bustling cityscape and its rich cultural vibrancy. The sun dipped low, casting golden hues over the rooftops and streets, as they wandered in search of a place to eat.

Aether suggested they visit a quaint diner he’d heard about, known for its traditional Liyue cuisine and warm atmosphere. As they entered, the scent of sizzling dishes and fragrant spices greeted them.

Seated at a cozy corner table, they were served a variety of delectable dishes. Amidst their meal, Aether’s eyes fell on a familiar figure just a few tables away. Y/N, a local dancer renowned for her traditional performances, was enjoying a meal with her friends—Hutao, Yanfei, Yunjin, Xiangling, and Xingqiu.

With a smile, Aether nudged Kazuha. “That’s Y/N. She’s a local dancer and knows all about Liyue’s traditions. She might be able to give us some insights into what i’m trying to figure out.”

Kazuha, intrigued, watched as Aether approached Y/N’s table with a friendly wave. “Y/N! Over here!”

Y/N looked up, her eyes sparkling with recognition as she saw Aether. “Aether! It’s so good to see you! And you must be...?”

Kazuha stepped forward with a charming grin. “Kazuha, at your service. It’s a pleasure to meet you, lady Y/N.”

“It’s very nice to meet you Kazuha. Say, aren’t you that wanted criminal at Inazuma? I’m sure Aether has told me about that before.” Y/n tilts her head with curiosity.

“I must admit, I’ve been told I have a knack for getting into trouble,” he said with a playful glint in his eye. “So, tell me, Y/N, do you think you’re into bad guys?”

Y/N laughed, a warm and melodic sound that seemed to harmonize with the ambient music. “Well, that’s certainly an intriguing introduction. But I do suppose it depends on how you define trouble.”

“Maybe I could show you sometime.” Kazuha said in his soft spoken voice.

Aether thought to himself: ‘He is definitely downbad.’

“Hey Y/n! Do you think we can join your dinner table tonight? I have not been in Liyue for quite some time.” Aether interrupted, clearly trying to get out of the sudden third wheeling position he was in.

“I suppose that I don’t see why not.” Y/n smiles.

As Kazuha and Aether joined Y/N and her friends, the table was filled with lively conversation and laughter. Hutao, ever the playful spirit, greeted Kazuha with a mischievous smile.

“Ah, another traveler! What brings you to our humble gathering?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.

Aether chimed in, “Kazuha here is just tagging along with me. We’re exploring Liyue and thought we’d drop by. Y/N has been gracious enough to let us join in.”

Yanfei, ever the legal expert and mediator, added, “It’s always nice to meet new people. And if Aether says you’re interesting, I’m sure you are.”

Kazuha’s eyes sparkled with interest. “I hope I can live up to the expectations. It seems like I’m in excellent company.”

Yunjin, with her grace and poise, nodded. “Now where were we? Oh! Y/N, tell us about your dance performances. I’ve heard they’re quite spectacular.”

Y/N’s face lit up as she spoke. “Oh, I’m very fortunate to perform traditional dances that celebrate Liyue’s heritage. It’s a blend of storytelling and art that connects us with our history.”

Xiangling, her eyes bright with curiosity, leaned forward. “I’ve heard you’re also gotten even more skilled with your polearm and Pyro vision. That’s a fascinating combination! How does that blend with your performances?” she quickly rambles with her enthusiasm.

Y/N nodded, clearly proud. “Yes, I sometimes do try to apply my abilities to add a dramatic flair to my dances. The fire especially help me to convey the message of the stories I perform.”

Kazuha, intrigued by this revelation, leaned in slightly. “Pyro wielding and a polearm applied into an artistic dance, you say? That sounds like a truly impressive combination. I must admit, I’m quite fascinated by it.”

Hutao raised an eyebrow, teasingly. “Careful, Kazuha. You might end up wanting to join one of Y/N’s performances yourself.”

Kazuha chuckled, his attention fixed on Y/N. “If it means I get to see such a talented performer in action, I just might take you up on that offer.”

As the evening progressed and the wine flowed, Kazuha's flirtatious nature became more evident. With a slightly tipsy grin, he turned to Y/N. “I must say, your talents and beauty are truly mesmerizing. I can’t help but be enchanted.”

Y/N laughed softly, clearly enjoying the company. “And what about you, Kazuha? What makes you such an intriguing person?”

Kazuha’s gaze softened as he took a sip of his drink. “Well, besides my charming self, I suppose it’s the sense of adventure and the appreciation for poetry that drives me. And tonight, I find myself captivated by someone who has stolen my attention so seamlessly.”

With a tipsy grin, Kazuha leaned in closer to Y/N, his words slightly slurred. “You know, Y/N, I have to say, your presence here makes this meal all the more delightful. I can’t help but feel that fate has a funny way of bringing people together.”

Y/N’s cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled, clearly enjoying Kazuha’s attention. “And what do you think fate has in store for us tonight?”

Kazuha’s gaze softened as he looked at her, his flirtation taking on a more genuine tone. “Perhaps it’s simply a chance to enjoy each other’s company. But if you’re open to it, I’d love to hear more about your life in Liyue. I’m sure there’s much I can learn from someone as captivating as you.”

“If you insist Kazuha.” Y/n can’t help but smile.

The evening continued with laughter, stories, and more wine. Kazuha’s charm and Y/N’s warmth created a delightful atmosphere, making the night unforgettable for everyone involved. As they parted ways, Kazuha made sure to express his appreciation.

“This has been a delightful evening. I’m grateful to have met such fascinating individuals. And Y/N, your company has made the most of my night.”

Y/N’s cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kazuha. It was a pleasure getting to know you. If you’re ever free, you know where to find me.”

With a final wave, Kazuha bid farewell, leaving Y/N with a memorable impression and a sense of anticipation for what future encounters might bring.

The next week, Aether, having wrapped up his business in Liyue, went out in attempt to find Kazuha so they could sail back to Inazuma. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the city. He decided to check in with Beidou at her dock, hoping she might have seen his friend.

“Beidou, have you seen Kazuha around?” Aether asked as he approached the ship captain, who was overseeing the final preparations for departure.

Beidou looked up with a knowing smile. “Ah, Kazuha? He’s been out and about with that dancer girl—Y/N, right? They seemed pretty interested in each other’s company. I got to give it to him, I never took Kazuha as a guy interested romance.”

Aether’s curiosity was piqued. “A dancer girl? Where might I find them?”

Beidou pointed towards a nearby park. “They were headed towards the fountain area. You should find them there.”

Aether thanked her and made his way to the park. As he approached the fountain, he noticed Kazuha and Y/N sitting on the edge, laughing together. The fountain’s soft splashes and the twilight cast a romantic glow over the scene.

Kazuha was holding a small, wrapped bundle and, with a playful grin, presented it to Y/N. “I made this for you. I hope you like it.”

Y/N’s eyes sparkled as she unwrapped the gift, revealing a delicate handmade bracelet. “It’s beautiful, Kazuha. Thank you so much.”

As they continued to exchange laughter and warm words, Aether decided to make his presence known. He cleared his throat, walking up with a friendly smile. “Kazuha, we’re about to set sail. Time to come back to Inazuma.”

Kazuha looked up, slightly startled but still smiling. “Ah, Aether. I guess our time here has come to an end. But I’m glad we had this moment.”

Y/N gave them both a warm smile. “It was lovely meeting you, Aether. I hope you both have a safe journey and do let me know when you both will visit again.”

Kazuha rose. “I’ll make an effort to make that soon, my lady.” Giving Y/N one last, lingering glance before following Aether. As they walked away, Aether couldn’t help but ask, “So, how was your little date?”

Kazuha chuckled, his gaze still drifting back towards Y/N. “It was quite delightful. I believe we made some.. rather interesting memories.”

The two headed back towards the docks.

“I’d definitely come back just to see her dances again and perhaps maybe more.” Kazuha smiled mischievously.

[valyrfia]

Thank you for what you said about Max and Charles on the podium. Maybe I’ve just been a part of this fandom for too long but all these asks and people genuinely mad that “Max was ignoring Charles” have been getting on my nerves.

I love Lestappen interactions as much as the next person but at the end of the day they’re there to do their job and their team is a big part of that. Max and Charles will be up there together again sometime; that mechanic? Might be their only time on the podium.

Plus that cute little talk in the cool down room (not to even mention them chatting away the whole press conference)?? We could have only dreamed of that just a few short years ago!! That would have sustained us for months and now people are complaining that it’s not enough… I’m crying

I’m glad it resonated! I think a lot of it is definitely people being too expecting of some crazy Lestappen moment every single week…the triple header of 2023 ruined our sense of expectation. In any world before October 2023, this weekend would’ve already been insane with Max and Charles on the front row, Max talking about padel with Charles so casually and so openly, the Checo third wheeling. Even for me who’s only been here since July 2023 it’s a little insane to see how far we’ve come, don’t know how all of you managed pre-2022. The way I like to manage my expectations of Lestappen is always to expect their interaction to be zero and then be pleasantly shocked when they actually start nattering away.

[mxqlss]

HEATHER — QH43

Sypnosis: In which, you wish you were in Heather’s shoes instead of being the third wheel in Heather and Quinns relationship with each other.

Pairing: QH43 x HEATHER // BSF!READER x QH43

jess' song choice:

December 3rd, 2023

I still remember the third of December, me in your sweater You said it looked better on me than it did you Only if you know how much I liked you

It was the third of December while Quinn and I were taking a walk around Vancouver sightseeing all the places in Vancouver I wanted to go check out and see.

"Y/N, you're freezing!" Quinn said as he pulled me to a stop, my body slightly shivering. I was wearing a jacket that wasn't made very well for the winter in Vancouver, "I'm sure I'll be fine!" I reassured him.

He shook his head at me while he took his sweater off and handed it to me. "Quinn, you'll be freezing!" I said shaking my head no as he offered me his sweater, "I'm wearing a more winter-style jacket for Vancouver, I'm sure I'll be fine" he smiled at me.

I gave in as I took his sweater and put it on, "It feels so funky, how are you comfortable in this and at the same time look good?" I asked as I fixed it to make it more comfortable around my body.

"Not sure, but I know for a fact that it looks better on you than me" he let out a soft chuckle. As we both stood there, Quinn's mouth let out a heavy breath. I looked at him in confusion as I turned around and saw one of our friends, Heather.

But I watch your eyes as she Walks by What a sight for sore eyes Brighter thank the blue sky She's got you mesmerized while I die

As she walked past she gave us a smile and wave, Quinn handing one back as he watched her walk away, he looked at her like he was in love with her every time he would see her.

Every time we would hang out with her, he would be so focused on her, mesmerized by her all the time while he forgot all about me, during parties or as a matter of fact. Anywhere we were with her, he would forget about me. She would have him mesmerized by her while I stood off on the side like a third wheel, dying on the inside.

Why would you ever kiss me? I'm not even half as pretty

July, this year. Quinn had kissed me at the lake house while everyone was gone out doing god knows what. Quinn kissed me, but why me? I wasn't even half as pretty as Heather. Compared to Heather I was nothing, so why did he kiss me and not Heather?

Did Quinn kiss me just to imagine him kissing Heather? I never looked like Heather, talked like her or even acted like her and I can't even be compared to her. No one can be compared to Heather, she was just so pretty and mesmerizing. Why did he ever kiss me when I was nothing like Heather at all?

You gave her your sweater, it's just polyester But you like her better Wish I were Heather

December fifth. It was the day where Quinn, Jack and Luke would play against each other, I was invited to watch on Jack and Luke's behalf while Quinn had invited Heather. I had rode with Jack and Luke since I spent my day with them leading up to the game hour

When Quinn and Heather arrived I felt my heart drop, she was wearing his sweater. The sweater he gave to me to use a few days before when I felt cold. The sweater made me feel closer to him. Heather was wearing it.

Watch as she stands with her, holding your hand Put your arm 'round her shoulder, now I'm getting colder But how could I hate her? She's such an angel But then again, kinda wish she were dead as she

They were together, Heather wearing his sweater as she held his hand. Quinn had put his arm around her shoulder, and I felt more colder and more distant. I wanted to hate her, but she was such an angel I couldn't. I wanted to cry in Jack and Luke's arms at that moment

I wanted her dead, but she was such an angel, so sweet and yet so caring. How could anyone hate her? She was Heather, always sweet and light as a feather. No one hated Heather, they all loved her to bits and pieces which made me want her dead even more

Walks by What a sight for sore eyes Brighter thank the blue sky She's got you mesmerized while I die

As Heather walked away to sit in the WAGS box, I stayed behind to give all three hughes boys a good luck hug, but as Heather walked away I saw Quinn do it again. I watched him as his eyes followed her walking away to the box

It had hurt me to see him mesmerized by her and yet only see me as a friend, or best friend. I felt Jack's hand on my back rubbing him softly as he knew how much I liked Quinn. Jack and Luke were the only people who knew I liked Quinn, and they didn't mind me liking him

But Quinn didn't seem to like me back so I hid it away and just stayed as his best friend for years on end, supporting him throughout his career of hockey. I always wished I was Heather, having Quinn look at me the same way he looked at Heather. I wanted to be Heather, but I guess there were different plans for me and it was to stay as his best friend.

Why would you ever kiss me? I'm not even half as pretty You gave her your sweater, it's just polyester But you like her better I wish I were Heather

I had gotten a new job, out in California. I had packed my stuff as I heard a knock at my door, I turned around in confusion slowly opening the door to be face-to-face with Quinn.

"You... You're leaving? For California?" Quinn asked me, I never told anyone except Jack, which I'm sure Jack told Quinn and Luke. I nodded in response "Yeah, they offered for me to work on the Anaheim Ducks Social Team"

"So, this is goodbye?" Quinn asked, his voice slightly cracking, making me want to sob in his arms right then and there. "Yeah. I guess it is" I let out a small smile. Most of my stuff was in the moving truck and I had my suitcase in hand since my flight was for today

"Oh, I forgot to hand this to you. I'll see you soon, Quinn" I said giving him a hug and handing him a little letter. There was where I had put my feelings away and left.

'I know you like Heather and that you both are together, but I just want to say I love you so much. But you like her better, right? I just wish I was in Heather's place. I really wish I was Heather. xoxo y/n'

authors note! : I lowkey just choose a song from an angsty playlist I had made with my friend and wrote something that just seemed to fit a specific hockey player. (In this case, it was Quinton)

Anyways! I'm trying to get my writing more fluent and better than it is currently, so tips would be greatly appreciated!!

xoxo, jess

[givethemsmut]

The Pack | Chapter Two

Characters: Dylan O’Brien, fem!reader

Pairing: Dylan O’Brien, Dylan x You

After Brody left I texted Alex, my best friend, filling her in on what happened. I can’t believe he was still pushing me for more.

Waiting for her text back I logged onto Instagram and saw a message from Tyler Posey himself. I was shocked and startled he found me from just my first name. We didn’t have any mutual friends that I knew of other than my dad.

I read the message: Hey, I met you on set today, I’m having a house party. Come through. Text me for the address.

I texted Alex the screenshot of his message and got nothing but an explosion of emojis. She was semi obsessed with Tyler Posey and Teen Wolf. I told her I’d get dressed and to pick me up in 20 minuets. A party sounded like the perfect way to forget Brody and probably the end of our friendship.

He was my best friend and we had crossed a line we couldn’t come back from.

I threw on some converse, jeans and a crop top with a cute bra peaking through. I pulled my hair out of the loose bun and made sure my mascara was perfect. I looked at myself in the mirror wondering if I was some kind of freak for not having sex yet before grabbing my clutch before heading outside.

Texting my dad so he wouldn’t worry I made sure to leave my location out. He wasn’t going to willingly let me party with a cast of actors my age.

Alex was beyond excited, “Is Tyler into you? Are you into him? Is he free game?”

I laughed knowing her obsession, “Alex, have him. He’s not my type. All serious, brooding, adventures. All yours.”

Alex laughed, “He isn’t the kind of guy to wait for sex either. He seems like a ladies man!”

We pulled up Tyler’s Hollywood house which was more modest than I thought. We rang the doorbell waiting outside when the oversized door flung open with Tyler holding a cold beer. “Come on in! Hey! Glad you could make it. Who’s your friend? I’m Tyler.”

Alex was a blonde bombshell so I wasn’t surprised he was checking her out. I introduced them to each other as we came inside and Tyler immediately showed us around.

“This is my place. Dyl and myself live here when we aren’t filming. Upstairs is off limits. Drinks are in the kitchen. The rest of the cast is here too.” He turned to Alex, “Can I make you a drink?”

He offered out his hand and she gladly followed, turning her head back at me in excitement. I followed along as the third wheel knowing beer was close by and I much needed one.

As I walked by the living room I noticed a giant fake Christmas tree and it was July. Close by the guy I bumped into was dancing with a beer in his hand. I figured he must have been part of the cast, he just looked MTV, yet I couldn’t help but smile at his happiness.

Tyler made both of our drinks with vodka, sliding it over to me and I slammed it back like I was a pro when really I wasn’t at all. I was a light weight on a mission to feel a buzz ASAP.

I let them flirt as I wondered around with another drink in my hand. I made my way past the people laughing and drinking down a hallway. They had art on the walls representing street art, tattoos and tribal work. I was surprised and inspired by the raw art.

Stumbling into a room that had the door cracked and wasn’t upstairs so that must of meant it wasn’t off limits. It was filled with awards, plaques and mile markers of their careers and lives. I saw a photo hanging of Tyler and the kid I ran into. He must be the room mate, Dylan.

I turned around and he was standing in the door way just watching me smiling. “Hey, you’re the girl I ran into. So what were you doing on set? Stalking Posey?”

My non-existent amusement was obvious, “So you live here too?”

He came inside the room and leaned against the desk, “I’m Dylan. You know Posey is talking to some blonde, right? You might wanna actually try flirting if you want his attention.”

I laughed knowing far too well he wasn’t my type, “Not interested in him. I have – had – it’s complicated and not really your business.”

He smirked, “You a fan of Teen Wolf?”

I walked out of the room down the hallway more, “Never seen it. Can you get me a refill? Thirsty.” He was trying very hard to gain any kind of information he could but it wasn’t working. He almost laughed, looked down and took my cup anyways.

He turned around reaching out, “Stay here. I’ll be back.” I was between another door way leaning against the frame as I nodded. “Use a heavier hand than your roommate.” I added as he walked away.

I was feeling buzzed and the drink he was getting me would be my 3rd. The room was empty, blank. I slide down the wall to sit on the floor when he came back with my empty cup and a bottle of Jack Daniels. “How’s this? I don’t know about you but I need a personal bartender tonight.”

I held up my cup silently as he poured and sat down too. I gave him a bone, “So Dylan, where’s your girlfriend or you a ladies man like your bestie?”

He signed and downed his drink, “Well we were in the middle of fucking and her phone went off-“ he paused unsure if he should say anymore. “It was whoever she’s been fucking behind my back.”

I felt awful for asking. “That’s never fun. Sorry dude.”

He leaned in pouring us more, “What’s complicated about your shit?”

Drinking my whole cup before going into it, “My best friend wanted to have sex and I didn’t. It’s complicated. We treated each other like a romantic relationship but it wasn’t.”

Dylan laughed, “So he was your friend with benefits?”

“Not exactly.” I stood up bored with the blank white walls, “You gonna give me the upstairs tour?” I was tipsy. I felt like I couldn’t stand straight up and he wasn’t any better as he got up.

“Hell yeah! Let’s go!” I followed him holding the bottle of whiskey as we snuck past the living room filled with the cast and their close friends. I didn’t see Alex in the crowd but the kitchen was out of view so I wasn’t worried. We went through a dark hallway past a bedroom with the door not closed all the way as Dylan peeked in and closed the door. He turned laughing, “Sorry. Ignore that.”

I only got a glimpse of the R-rated version of their own private party with a slender female riding someone I could only guess was Posey since the upstairs was off limits. Alex was the only blonde at the party I saw so I now knew where she went.

Dylan pushed open the door at the end of the hallway, “Welcome to my room.” I went inside immediately sitting on his bed taking my shoes off and as I took the room in I noticed the panties on the bed next to me. Looking down not moving I said, “Can you get rid of these? Kind of a bad juju.”

He noticed my vibe and lunged for the panties, “Shit! Sorry! Fuck.” He threw them away in his bathroom and sat down next to me offering me the bottle in which we beginning drinking out of now. His room was white, navy blue bedding, clean, some albums and what looked to be items from movie sets.

“You weren’t kidding about the almost sex…” I tried to fill the silence and that was the only thing I was thinking.

“Yeah, sorry. You want a pair of sweat pants? Get comfy.” I let my body lay back in some failed effort to feel less dizzy, “boxers sound better.”

He walked over to his draws and pulled out a black pair of boxer briefs and tossed them over to me. I stood up slowly as I unbuttoned my jeans and pushed them down my legs. Dylan didn’t take his eyes off me and I forgot how comfortable I was.

He coughed when my panties were revealed, “Um… I should leave the room… privacy.”

He didn’t attempted to move, stuttered and I simply laughed, “Why? It’s just panties… We’re adults, aren’t we?”

He changed the subject quickly, “You hungry? I’ve got the munchies. I’m gonna get us food. My laptop is there is you wanna put on something to watch.” I laughed as I pulled up his boxer briefs that felt like bike shorts but comfy.

He left the door open some as I decided to stand on his bed, I had a sudden urge to jump so I did. The alcohol was setting in and I wasn’t sober enough to watch a movie. I undid my bra under my shirt and tossed it to the floor with my jeans. I kept jumping til he returned with pizza bites, hot pockets and chips. He wasn’t kidding when he had the munchies.

He laughed and jumped up on the bed after setting the food down. I stopped suddenly and laid down, “Too much jumping. I have class early tomorrow. Save me, I don’t wanna go.”

He laid down too, “Well, you’ll be too hung over for classes.”

I had never felt this comfortable, not even with Brody. With the help of alcohol I sat up and removed my shirt, “Do you wanna kiss me?” His mouth opened without any words. He leaned in kissing me gently with his hands on the side of my face. He felt warm, soft.

The rest was a blur. I lost some memories but I still couldn’t find the will to regret it.

I felt more myself with Dylan than I had with Brody, my own father, my friends and Dylan got the one part of me I had been toting around like a prize.

[saintmeghanmarkle]

🍵 One person's experience meeting Meghan -- story found in comments here by u/ContentPineapple3330 🍵

One person's experience meeting Meghan -- story found in comments here Hi! Last week, I shared my own "2 degrees of separation" tea I heard on an airplane -- and we received some amazing comments from people sharing their own unique stories! However, below was a story we've never heard before, by reddit user Extreme-Sight who actually met her.

However, the comment appeared after the post was no longer "hot," and thus, it did not get the attention (I think) it deserved.

(Note: Ugh! I just tried to link to the subreddit so you can pass on the karma to the actual commenter, but alas -- it won't allow me to link it. So, just search for the username, and like the comment, if you have the time.)

The story, copy/pasted:

The Charity/third sector is packed to the brim in the UK, especially the cancer sector, and a Royal Patron can make all the difference. I'm lucky enough to have worked for one who had the late Queen as Patron. I was head of research, and we did (do) some great work in exploring holistic care for childhood cancers. One of the reasons I work in research and now in policy making for the Government, is that I'm wheelchair bound, and people can be uncomfortable with a disabled doctor.

My eldest son is a nurse who works in the same field.

So what's this got to do with Madam?

In 2019, planning had already started for the succession of Patronages once the Queen passed on, and it was suggested that Madam may want to take us on, a charity with children and families at its centre is a good look!So she came for a visit. These Royal visits are really important as big donors want meet and greets, we get a years worth of press and publicity and the staff and the families we support have a great day, we get donations for catering and funfair equipment and it's a party.

She was a fucking brat

She sulked when we told her team she couldn't have a photo op hugging the children and didn't want a sit down to talk to the mums about their experiences

My son wheeled me in the line for the meet and greet and when when I was introduced (I have a gender neutral first name) and our CEO explained my big patent, she reached over me to shake my sons hand, obviously flirting with someone almost half her age, completely ignoring me.

When he explained I was the genius (his words), she just said "oh" and walked off. Our CEO was gobsmacked at her rudeness and the Palace was so apologetic.

Anyway we got Queen Camilla. She's brilliant and has an amazingly dirty sense of humour.

Thank you for reading my TED talk on how not to make a first impression

📌 Link to original tea by u/Extreme-Sight post link author: ContentPineapple3330 submitted: July 18, 2024 at 04:03PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[fcble]

LOOSE ENDS — A collection of drabbles to pick up the threads I started months ago. TOTAL WORD COUNT: 3.0k FEATURING: Yoon Mingeun, Kang Haksu, Andrew Han, Ahn Jinguk, Lee Taein, Oh Kiyoung, The Midas Touch

JULY 2024. A direct epilogue to this drabble. Previously posted as screenshots on my main but I don't think anyone saw that so here we go again.

Two hours after having his phone confiscated, Mingeun knocks on Haksu's bedroom door.

Haksu opens it, looking clean and put together for someone just sitting in his room. Sitting in his room, and likely eavesdropping on everything they said. "I heard what happened," he says, confirming Mingeun's suspicions.

He steps inside, trying not to look too closely at the Bible on Haksu's bedside table, or the cross hanging above his bed, the only decoration on otherwise spotless wall. A diffuser sits on top his dresser, filling the room with a faint pine scent.

Haksu shuffles through the dresser for a moment, and tosses three iPhone boxes onto his bed. They're all slightly different variants of the iPhone 15, in blue and white and black.

"You can have any of them," Haksu says. "I don't know why our fans keep giving me iPhones when I use a Samsung."

Mingeun doesn't get gifts like that. Haksu has his phones, and Andrew received a high-end laptop. He must be doing something wrong.

He doesn't say anything, just points to the plastic container in Haksu's hands. "What's that?"

Haksu opens the lid, and that's when Mingeun realizes it's full of index cards. "SIM cards."

There must be fifteen or so in the box, by his best judgement. Each index card has the SIM card taped to it, with a phone number across the top and a series of dates running down the right side of the card.

"You keep these?" Mingeun asks, plucking one out of the box. The dates on it cover the end of 2022 and a few months of 2023.

"I trade them in if they get really bad," Haksu says. "The company pays for most of these. I switch them out when I need to."

He flicks through the container and eventually pulls out a card that looks no different from the rest of the cards. "Here. I haven't used this one in a while. You probably won't get too many calls."

The most recent date on it is June 2022. Mingeun accepts it, and tries to peel the card off without ripping the paper. The paper rips anyway.

He looks at the phones again. "This is fine with you? I can take it?"

Haksu nods impatiently. He produces a pen from somewhere and adds a new line to the index card: Mingeun's name and July 2024 to an unknown date. "I don't use them."

Mingeun picks the blue one, because it's the most basic model. His own phone is still the 12. The upgrade doesn't feel right, not when it happened because Daewoong confiscated his phone.

"Thanks," he says awkwardly.

Haksu waves him off. "Don't worry about it." The cards and the two remaining phones disappear back into his dresser, and Mingeun is left clutching his new phone like a lifeline.

SEPTEMBER 2024. A sequel to this drabble.

Andrew's second visit to the Danyoung Group is no less intimidating than the first. It doesn't have to be a meeting at all. It could be an email. A text message. An Instagram DM. Does Jinguk even use Instagram? Probably not.

His answer is one word. In hindsight, it's ridiculous he even thought otherwise. All it took was spending a day almost, but not quite, third-wheeling with Jaeseop and Jaeseop's girlfriend, Seoyeon. It wasn't supposed to be like that. It was supposed to be an outing for Fable on one of Jaeseop's rare days off, with Seoyeon accompanying them only because Jaeseop had so few days off. Then the rest of the group started dropping like flies in the days leading up their lunch: Kiyoung and Intak at the premiere of an anime film, Haksu on something akin to a date of his own, Byeonghwi doing something he's been incredibly cagey about, and Mingeun's second or third bout of house arrest this year. Andrew's lost count.

The lack of an audience at lunch gave Andrew the courage to ask Jaeseop about his predicament, and Jaeseop the freedom to chew out Andrew in public—all while Seoyeon sat there quietly and ate her food.

The direct consequence of that day is today. This time, Andrew takes the elevator to the ninth floor, and heads down the hall until he reaches the room labeled 923 in gold text on a shiny black plaque. He knocks first, then pushes the door open without waiting for a response.

The first thing he notices is that the view from the ninth floor isn't much different from the view from the fifteenth. This room, too, has a wall made entirely of glass. Better to lord over the people below you with, Andrew thinks.

He bows politely to Jinguk, standing near the window and doing the very lording Andrew was just thinking of. "Good afternoon."

"It's good to see you again, Andrew," Jinguk says. The words themselves might be warm, but the delivery lacks any sort of emotion. "Have you given any thought to my proposal?"

Straight to the point. Andrew hasn't even taken a seat. To be fair, he doesn't think he wants to take a seat. It's a far cry from the waffling Taein tends to do.

"I have," he says, hovering uncertainly near one of the two chairs in the room.

"Have a seat, and we'll talk." Despite his words, Jinguk doesn't make a move.

Andrew sits, against his better judgement. "I appreciate your offer," he says—calm, practiced, rehearsed, like he's staring down a camera—"but I'm going to have to decline. I'm staying with Fable." His heart jackhammers wildly in his chest, and he has to make a conscious effort to keep his knee from bouncing up and down.

"I suspected as much," Jinguk says. "I hoped you'd be more pragmatic."

Andrew is pragmatic. He's so pragmatic he knows he stands to lose too much if he leaves Fable now. And he's done his research on C Entertainment's artists. He sees two potential paths in that future: being indefinitely shelved or constantly scrutinized for payola.

He gives a half-hearted shrug. "I don't know if you're looking for pragmatism. You might want to try selfishness or greed. I can recommend Mingeun or Haksu." He doubts either of them would take Jinguk's deal, though he knows they'd be tempted in the same way he was.

Jinguk's expression grows stormy. His brow tightens, and he fixes Andrew with a disapproving look. "You must not understand the magnitude of your decision. This is not the sort of opportunity anyone can receive. They are liabilities, more so than you."

But Andrew is a liability too. He champions for himself, enough to butt heads with Mingeun on a wide range of topics. He'll bend and bend and bend—he had to, to debut—but he won't break. There are parts of himself he can't give up on, and that, he thinks, makes him more of a liability than someone like Mingeun. He doesn't say any of that out loud.

"They're people," he says, "not liabilities."

"This is a business, and you are an idol. It is a lesson both you and Taein-ssi have yet to learn." Jinguk's bottom lip curves up in a sneer.

Andrew doesn't know what he has to do with Taein. The side he picked, the battle line he drew in the sand. Something like that.

"It's unfortunate you have yet to come to your senses," Jinguk continues, though he doesn't sound disappointed or resigned in the slightest. He checks the time on his impossibly shiny watch. "My two pm will arrive shortly. I assume you know your way out."

Andrew nods quickly. He recognizes a dismissal when he hears one, and he's only too happy to leave. "If I ever come to my senses, you'll be the first to know."

As he leaves, he can't shake the feeling that he got off too easily, like he willing walked into the jaws of the beast and emerged unscathed. Jinguk appeared to respect Andrew's answer, even if he didn't appear to respect Andrew himself. It'll dog him, he knows, one more enigmatic piece in the puzzle of Jinguk's design.

OCTOBER 2024. Live Haksu reaction to this article.

"What is this?" Haksu asks. He pinches a sheet of paper between two fingers, as if it's poisonous. The glaring headline on the printed article reads, "Zenith Entertainment to Press Charges Against Fable Sasaeng." It's hard to read in the dim parking garage lighting, but Haksu has already committed the important parts to memory.

Taein's gaze, bored and disinterested, flicks over the paper and then Haksu. "It's what you wanted." He steps left in a valiant effort to get to his car.

Haksu mirrors his movements. If he could have snuck into his office to borrow his car keys, he would have. As it is, he has to settle for body-blocking his boss instead. "No, it's not. This is loud and messy. I wanted something discrete."

"Like a hit man," Taein says drily. He makes another unsuccessful attempt to get to the driver's side door of his car.

Haksu shrugs. That would be preferable. He folds the paper in half. Over the past couple of months, he's learned how to play Eunmyeong's game, picked up all her rules and added a few of his own. He's managing so far, by himself. He doesn't need Taein's lawsuit interfering with his carefully arranged house of cards.

"She never assaulted me," he says.

"Not everything is about you."

This is. Haksu knows that for a fact. From the moment he read the headline, he knew the anonymous A was Eunmyeong. No one else followed him home. He doesn't need to be a detective. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together could figure that out.

"Think about it, Haksu," Taein says. He rolls his shoulders back. "I'd like to leave work today."

Haksu doesn't budge. "Do you think this will stop her?"

"As much as I'd like to be able to predict the future, I can't say what she will or will not do." He levels a piercing gaze at Haksu. "Don't you know her better?"

There's an accusation in there, if he can be bothered to find it. He's been on more pseudo-dates with her than he'd like to admit. Not enough to have lost count, but enough to recognize certain pillars of their otherwise tenuous relationship. He would know her, if their relationship was more even. As it stands, she's so obsessed with him that they don't talk about much else. Haksu only knows what her last name is because she told his mom. He doesn't know when her birthday is. He doesn't know where she lives or where she grew up or what her favorite food is.

"I don't know her at all," he answers. "Why did it take you this long to press charges?"

"Proper legal cases take time," Taein says, forming each word slowly, as if they cause him physical pain.

Haksu opens his mouth.

"For the second time, Haksu, I don't have any mafia connections you can take advantage of."

Haksu closes his mouth.

Taein continues to speak. "I wouldn't go through with this if there wasn't a reasonable chance the charges would stick. Have faith."

If there's one thing Haksu has, it's faith. He has faith in spades. His faith only falters when it comes to Taein. He should trust his boss more. He doesn't. He steps aside reluctantly, finally giving Taein access to his car.

Taein doesn't even thank him. All he does is pull the driver's side door open and say, "It's not your problem to worry about. Focus on your work, and don't go around giving phone numbers to your group members."

Haksu takes personal offense to that. He tamps it down and responds with his usual decorum instead. "Good night, sajangnim." He doesn't think Taein hears him. The door slams closed as he speaks.

Taein's headlights cast dramatic shadows as Haksu turns tail, shredding the paper as he goes. He doesn't see a problem with giving Mingeun a new phone number—and a new phone. He doesn't approve of everything Mingeun does, but he doesn't have to. He was just doing his duty as a friend.

He pauses as he reaches the fresh evening air, the breeze a welcome respite from the stuffiness of the inside of the garage. Haksu stuffs the shreds of paper into his pockets. Taein can do whatever he wants. Fine. So can he. He wonders if she knows she's going to court soon. It would be courteous to warn her, wouldn't it? He watches Taein's Mazda make a sharp right and nearly bowl over a pedestrian. Then he slips his phone out of his back pocket and writes a quick text.

OCTOBER 2024. Not a sequel to anything. It's more of an update of what Kiyoung is up to and the relevance of The Midas Touch to Fable.

As a collective, The Midas Touch is louder, rowdier, and more energetic than Kiyoung remembers being at their age. The excitement of a newly debuted group is palpable, but not quite contagious. That, and it pales in comparison to the sheer malice simply radiating from Haksu.

"Who pissed you off?" he mutters under his breath, adjusting the mic pack clipped to the back of his waist band more than he should.

"None of your business," Haksu mutters back.

"You'll keep it together?"

"Of course." The words are sharp. He corrects himself a moment later, softening into a more relaxed posture and expression. "I always do." He has the gall to wink at Kiyoung.

It's uncomfortable, watching the ease at which Haksu slides between his true feelings and his perfect image. Kiyoung suppresses a shudder.

Their role today is a supporting one. It's an extremely staged moment in The Midas Touch's extremely staged day. The idea is to present them with the same friendly and relatable boy-next-door image they built as trainees. Kiyoung thinks there are other groups who already occupy that niche, but he's not their creative director or management in any way.

The original plan was for him and Haksu to make a brief appearance to congratulate them on their first music show win. It was supposed to appear spontaneous. That plan fell through last week, when it became very apparent that TMT would be the runner-up to a project group Kiyoung's never hehrd of. Almost all of their music is in English, with the excepption of the song they promoted to win a week's worth of music shows.

So the script was rewritten, and now Kiyoung and Haksu are congratulating them on their debut. Never mind the fact that they already did that, right after TMT's music show debut, back when Fable was promoting their own album. This time is different because Haksu has a cake. He also has strict instructions to give it to Shinji, according to the script Kiyoung read a couple of hours ago. Shinji is, according to the same script, the clumsiest member by far.

He suspects someone is already prepared to clean frosting off the floor.

The long-awaited signal from the couple of supervising producers—a frantic flurry of waving, gesturing, and ushering—finally arrives. The smallest glance sideways tells Kiyoung Haksu is immaculately prepared. He has his cake, and he's turned down the malice to a less overpowering level.

Kiyoung gets the door. He makes it two steps into the room before there are three handheld cameras focused on him—an important part of TMT's relatability. They're greeted with overlapping cries of, "Sunbaenim! You didn't have to!" and "Haksu-hyung, is that for us?"

Kiyoung feels sorry for the editors who have to piece this footage together.

Haksu unceremoniously shoves the cake towards Shinji. The eldest member of the group, Elias, swoops in and intercepts it instead. "He'll drop it," he says, balancing both the cake and his camera.

"That might be the point," Kiyoung concedes quietly.

Though he looks loathe to play along, Elias passes it back to Shinji.

"Congratulations on your debut," Haksu says, an ever-consummate professional.

Then, message delivered, he surprises Kiyoung by making a beeline back towards the door.

Kiyoung grabs him by the wrist. "You can't leave," he hisses under his breath.

"You can come too," Haksu says, tugging his wrist free.

Kiyoung jerks his head towards TMT. "They're filming." A camera is usually the magic switch that gets Haksu to play nice.

Haksu turns around and flashes his usual charismatic smile. "Can you please cut the cameras?" he asks, tone syrupy sweet.

"Deadass?" Arjun asks from behind his own camera. All five of them break into sycophantic laughter.

Kiyoung assumes the cameras are still rolling. "He's not usually like this," he says, making a rather pathetic attempt to salvage the remnants of Haksu's image.

A silent look passes through the group, communicating something Kiyoung can't even begin to imagine.

Elias seems to speak for all of them when he says, "I thought so." He angles his camera back to Haksu. "Anything else for today's TMT Log?"

He's giving them a way out. Kiyoung nearly sags with relief.

Haksu seems to compose himself, straightening up and clasping his hands together. "The Midas Touch are our very precious juniors who recently made their debut. They've worked very hard to get to where they are today. Please make sure to show them lots of love and support!" He rattles off a few lines that are much more fitting of his usual persona.

Elias gives them a little nod, and this time, when Haksu runs for the door, Kiyoung doesn't stop him. He recites his own parting message, spit-balling whatever comes to mind—another congratulatory message, a half-plea to the editors to showcase Haksu in a positive light, permission to visit Fable whenever they'd like.

"I thought you said you could keep it together," Kiyoung says quietly as soon as they're in the hallway again. He suspects most of that footage will be cut. Shinji didn't even drop the cake.

Haksu flicks his bangs out of his eyes. "I did."

They have very different definitions of keeping it together, he thinks, disconnecting his microphone. Whatever is happening in Haksu's head is something he'd never confess to Kiyoung.

"Everything is fine," Haksu says.

Kiyoung suspects this is supposed to be reassuring. He doesn't believe it at all.

[slut4converse]

Things in Heartstopper s3 that made me cry in no particular order

Charlie struggling with his mental health

Nick struggling with Charlie struggling with his mental health

Specifically the talk with Aunt Diane (Nick in a Captain America costume, yet he never comments on the fact that his aunt looks just like Peggy Carter?)

EVERYTHING to do with Elle's radio show oh my fucking god I felt so bad for her

Elle struggling with her dysphoria in a sexual context, and then learning how to set boundaries with Tao

VICTORIA SPRING

Michael Holden being the most adorable person I've ever witnessed on television

He is just SO SOFT I want to put him in a MICROWAVE

He is my BLORBO now

THE HALLOWEEN PARTY?!?!?!? THAT HAD NO RIGHT TO BE SO DEVASTATING

Obviously we have Nick crying on Tao's shoulder (which, btw, I LOVE Tao and Nick friendship, we stan character development)

But THEN we have Imogen getting HAMMERED and immediately jumping on Sahar's mouth. LESBIAN BEHAVIOR

Imogens struggles with her sexuality and comphet

Sahar and Imogens relationship is soooooooooooo me-coded, except my queer-awakening situationship was even worse, it ended with our friend group split into not just half but THIRDS, and today we passive aggressively read Hate Poem by Julie Sheehan aloud in our AP Lit class. (Go read it, it's great) (Just the two of us cause we were the only volunteers) (if there could be cinematic symbolism irl that would have been it)

DARCY'S GRANDMOTHER IS THE SWEETEST LITTLE OLD LADY I WANT HER TO ADOPT ME TOO PLEASE

TAO AND HIS VIDEO CAMERA HE IS SO ME CODED

Nick not knowing who he is without Charlieeee

TORI SPRING

I cannot stress this enough. TORI!!

Isaac's third wheel struggles

The jellyfish metaphor

CHARLIE'S SELF HARM SCARS

I ACTUALLY HAD TO PAUSE THE SHOW AND TAKE A BREATHER

Tara's panic attack

All the uni stuff

If I were British I'd be in 6th form rn

So it's hitting a little too close to home right now

GEOFF

GEOFF IS MY BITCH

WE LOVE GEOFF IN THIS HOUSEHOLD

TORIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Michael :D

That's all I've got off the top of my head but yk what we'll see where this goes

[humanteethmarksonhumanbone]

in honor of the fever dream that was july resulting it the creation of 8 (akbzkajaja EIGHT??? idk how i did that) OCs here is their introductions: +quizzes

Uni-ted Fears Crew (tma ocs) 

Molly Tindell she/her (it?) - avatar for the End, crisis hotline volunteer, 19 yo. After deciding to volunteer for a crisis hotline she discovers her abilities to… kill people like over the phone, technically the Fog™️ does it and shes just like a bridge. She thinks shes the chosen prophet of Death cause.. of course she does 🙄 /affectionate (shes the og oc)

Ángel Santiago he/she - avatar for the Eye/Hunt, priest in training, forces confessions 25 yo. Confessions Booths are inherently Eye coded but waiting for people to confess isn’t enough for the guy so she goes all s4 Jon and stalks people cornering the and munching on those juicy secrets cause like molly he has a prophet complex

Bridie Milligan she/her- avatar for the corruption/desolation, book restorationist 26 yo. After taking an internship at st Christina's she discovers a book that refuses to be restored (mold grows back, any work she does just come back worse) it becomes her obsession cause she believes in the preservation of memories and history, however the more she works with the book the more her own memories start to corrupt (basically the book is some artifact that destroys history cause irony, and preying on her worst fear of forgetting and letting people be forgotten)

Dante Montgomery he/him- avatar for the buried, traps people in catacombs 21 yo. The stereotypical rebellious kid of a rich family, hr grew up in France and was sent to England to avoid murder charges (hang with me) after he accidentally (?) killed his Ex boyfriend. After a few months at the university her discovers the Catacombs, gets lost and is presumed dead but actually he was just doing his avatar magical girl transformation thingy

+ Quetzál Gómez - they/he/she, Avatar of the Eye, journalism major investigating the creepy stuff that happens around the St Christina’s (they dont go to that university tho) he’s sort of unofficial, they just sort of appeared but i love her so he stay.

story: Saint Christina’s catholic university students individual (sometimes crossing) journeys to avatar hood 

Smithsonian Sapphic

Maya Barker she/they - Queer/Sapphic, works at an aquarium, Julies gf. Grew up near the ocean and loves all the creatures.

Juliette Vaughn she/her- demi sexual/demi romantic Bisexual, works at an art museum mayas gf. biggest history nerd with a tea addiction youll ever meet.

Fin Barker he/him -aro/ace maya’s twin brother, trans masc bass player, chronic third wheel (of his own volition)

story- museum curator x aquarium worker fall in love. My little cheesy hallmark where nothing bad happens ever. also they kiss infront of a sappho statue/painting cause obviously

Grove Springs

Lucy Maier she/her- from 1964 16yo.

Simone Chada she/they - from 2024 17yo.

story: so its all starts with Simone, she is a girl from our time (2024) and she finds this radio thing (like the ones you talk to and stuff) she gets into contact with another girl, Lucy.  They hit it off and become fast friends but over time they start to realize stuff specifically that they might not be from the same decade Lucy is from ‘64 and so yeah their just super confused and eventually odd stuff starts happening in the town, there are old styles of car from simone, “new” cars for lucy, shops start looking different (so basically their worlds are melding together into a mix of new and old stuff)  so they hypothesize that its the radio thats causing all of this and the only way to fix it is to destroy the radios to send thing back to normal but it might mean loosing each other

tldr: radio weirdness melds the past and present, the only way to stop is to destroy the radios even if it means loosing 

Silt verses ocs

pippa “sister strider” she/her- fell into the great gull river as a kid and eashrd up near a small rundown comune for thr Trawler man without many lf her memories. she grows up there being basically an extra hand.

lyra christopher they/he- used to live bear glottage, not alot is known about yheir backstory but they have alot of siblings. they are faithless and like pippa end up at the comune unconscious and injured.

story- pippa find lyra and nurses him back to health they become close friends dispitr lyras initial hesitation. However one day lyra goes my missing and is revealed to have been sacrificed with out pippas knowledge. Pippa is distraught and runs away where she eventually meets a god of lost things who is looking got her.

Maritime emos

Wilbur- Island resident, partially deft in his pedt ear. very mellow and sad. leads bowie around the island reluctantly

David “bowie”- goes to the island for a documentary hes making on the legends and haunted light houses

story- David goes to a small northern island reasrching thr myths and legends aamd haunted light house for a documentary hes making. Wil is forced to show him around the island and they fall in love. Bowie has to go home leaving Wil distrought however he makes his way back the the island a few years later

based on a dream i had

quizzes:

[sillypuppetsposts]

Can we have some headcanons of how Frank Frankly would act if them were a suitor of yours (that is, of the reader)? please and thank you

a/n ;; OHH,,, FIRST REQUEST *breakdances* also please, i’m assuming reader is meant to be masc or enby presenting since frank is gay ^^ Because i am feeling enby atm since I am gender-fluid! Also, Y/n is described as being a lively and happy person,, :)

tw / cw (?) ;; swearing (they curse at wally a couple of times), marriage (OMG COMMITMENT😰😰), wally being a little shit! :) plus, (maybe) some horror and arg elements so be cautious! also mentions and hcs of poly frank x eddie x reader :3

BEFORE DATING OR BECOMING YOUR SUITOR!

Tsundere alert!!!!

Anyways, they aren’t as affectionate as the other puppets. But, that’s okay! You know they’re your friend, and they love you and your other friends as well.

Little did you know…

Frank was more confused when they were feeling these strange feelings, they would get red in the face whenever you complimented them or gave them gifts of any sort. And they would sweat and get flustered when you would hug them or slightly touch hands.

As You know, they are the grumpiest neighbor. So, someone acting super affectionate towards them (besides Eddie and Julie) made them feel so, special.. <3

They go to Eddie first, asking him why they feel this way. But, Eddie is kinda… oblivious to attempts at this stuff, so he just thinks your being extremely kind to Frank. So, our Eddie pookie was not too much help 😭

So, they go to Julie. And, Oh, she tells them what they’re feeling alright.

“Wait. You feel strange around y/n? How?” | “You get butterflies in your-oh. OH! OH MY GOSH FRANK! YOU LIKE Y/N!!!” “Of course I do, Y/n’s my friend?” “… Frank, I mean you like them, romantically.” “oh. oh.. OH!”

So yeah, that’s how they figured out they liked you.

And, now they are definitely planning to court you… because of course they are.

“Hello, Y/n. Would you like to go butterfly watching with me?” “Oh! I would love to, Frank!!”

They plan this out, he asks you to go butterfly watching with you, and ask you about courting you.

(Which, may I add, Is so stinking cute like wtf where can I find a love life like this..I have no maidens erm… ☹️)

So, when you guys were walking towards a small hill a little bit away from the neighborhood. They decide they’ll ask you on the hill.

So, when. you reached the top they waited for you to be distracted, and got on a knee and… well, courted you.

It was adorable and you were blushing when you realized what was going on.

AFTER YOU START DATING OR BECOMING YOUR SUITOR <3

Oh goodness.

Cutest couple ever! Like everyone thinks you two are adorable!

Everyone thinks it’s cute because your guy’s trope is basically opposites attract!

Wally being a little shit, and third wheeling, but distracting you and Frank gets annoyed 😭

“what do you even see in him?” —frank, questioning your friendship with Wally. “He makes me laugh :)” — You, who thinks he’s a silly guy

CATCHING AND STUDYING BUTTERFLIES TOGETHER!!!! THOSE ARE YOUR GUYS’ DATES!!!!

You like to play office with them and Julie

They don’t like it because Julie always kicks down their desk after they go bankrupt 😭😭

you sleep in the middle of frank and eddie because if you don’t you end up falling off the bed because eddie is a rowdy sleeper

“how did you end up on the ground, dear?” -frank, worried “i rolled off” - you, who got fucking pushed off the bed when eddie was having a dream

when you, julie and frank were catching butterflies on a hill, they tripped, and rolled down like a tube, so when julie started to sprint on all 4s, you hopped on her back and acted like a cowboy trying fetch a stray sheep…

Frank is still traumatized about that til this day…

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

Leaks about Team Biden

Operation Let's Get Biden To Quit is up & running. This "leak" might also explain Jill's wardrobe 😬😳

"I, for one, didn’t have my money on Biden being controlled by a Gay Mexican Cabal."

Deep State cabal revealed! The Gay Caballero who is pulling Biden's strings by STEVE SAILER

JUL 04, 2024

Deep State theory surmises that our nominal leaders, with all their obvious flaws (such as senility), are actually puppets having their strings pulled by shadowy but nearly omni-competent massively funded institutions, such as the Intelligence Community, that routinely mount brilliant triple bankshot psy-ops to manipulate the public. Similar theories point instead to the World Economic Forum, Bilderberg, the Jews, and the lizard people.

As far as I can recall, however, few, whether conspiracists or realists, had theorized until now that the “Rasputin” of the Biden Administration is a … gay Mexican.

The head Gay Caballero turns out to be Anthony Bernal, the First Lady’s top aide."

From the New York Post by Steven Nelson Published July 4, 2024

President Biden’s inner circle has gotten smaller following his disastrous debate last week — with his wife’s top aide Anthony Bernal emerging as one of the 81-year-old’s key advisers alongside longtime confidante Mike Donilon, four sources close to or inside the White House tell The Post.

Bernal, 51, is a divisive figure for allegedly bullying and sexually harassing [male] colleagues — and his influence was likened by three sources to that held by the mystic Grigori Rasputin over the family and court of Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia.

First lady Jill Biden considers Bernal her “work husband” and he’s also close to scandal-plagued first son Hunter, whom Bernal greeted with a hug June 11 after his felony gun conviction.

The “openly gay” Bernal is an alumnus of that finishing school for Inner Party Elites, the University of Texas at El Paso.

“Donilon and Bernal are 100% the most important advisers post-debate,” said one Democratic source close to the administration.

… A White House source told The Post that many of the president’s old guard of longtime aides are believed to be left out of the loop of discussions “about what’s next” — saying Bernal, who frequently vacations with the first family, “seriously” has a Rasputin-like pull over the first family.

Another source said they agreed with the Rasputin analogy — describing Bernal’s influence and immunity from consequences for alleged personal misconduct as perplexing to fellow aides.

“He’s like a tick who has just latched himself on for the last 15 years,” this source said.

“Accurate and on point,” said a third source of the comparison to Rasputin, who was murdered in December 1916 by rivals who believed he was contributing to poor decision-making in the months before the outbreak of the Russian Revolution, in which the royal family was ultimately toppled and killed.

“Everyone has kept their heads down about Bernal and just tries to avoid him at all costs,” the third source said. “But everyone always predicted that this movie would end badly because of how he treats colleagues and always poisons the well for anyone else with the Bidens.

“He will go down with the ship but he’s also the one behind the wheel.”

One veteran Democratic aide went so far as to say “the country would be better off with Trump” than Biden if Bernal was helping run the government.

[lovebillyhargrove]

This evening after his shift Billy goes driving around the roads winding between the fields and the woods that are becoming vibrantly alive. He's already drunk a couple of beer cans, and there's a bottle of tequila somewhere under his backseat - the one that Harrington forgot in the camaro after their midnight graffiti rendezvous. There's still a third of it left.

He stops the car on the roadside for a minute, fetches the bottle, gets behind the wheel again and takes a sip. The stuff is strong, but Hargrove's stronger. If he hurries, he can make it to the quarry to watch the sun go down.

When he gets to the top - thank you, universe, not a soul in sight - he's already a little drunk.

The sunset is striking. The clouds, the glow, the dreams it awakens. Makes Billy drown in longing. He wishes Harrington was here to look at the same sky, to share the moment.

Darkness falls fast. It's strange, but on the other hand, it is still spring, summer is only gaining its power.

Hargrove's leaning back in his seat and watches the sky turn from a burst of colours into deep gray-blue, and then black.

He closes his eyes.

.

.

.

Love.

Love is a concept Billy didn't associate himself with. Like it wasn't for him. It was never for him. He got so used to this idea and this stance,

It dropped as a highly explosive bomb, bordering on a completely surreal notion, that something like that might actually happen to him.

He simply didn't think about it. It never crossed his mind, that he'd be in love one day.

Well, here he is.

Billy's drunk and feeling so deeply sincere. How much longer can he fight it for, how much longer can he still run from it.

The buzz in his head tells him

Be honest. Can't outrun the truth. No point in trying to hide from the word.

Billy is in fucking love, and he doesn't want it.

The fucking richie boy got him hooked no matter how much Billy tried to evade it.

He takes a long drag of the tobacco smoke and thinks: Fuck it.

He's so tired of struggling. If it's here, he's gonna let it consume him whole.

Tomorrow morning, when he's sober, he'll reconsider it.

But right now Billy can be honest with himself and stop fighting.

He's in fucking love. He wants to hide his face in the crook of Harrington's neck, where it's dotted with those dark irresistible moles and whisper into it

"I'm in love with you. And I haven't loved anyone except for my mom. My dad, too, but it's all messed up. All of it. My mom, my dad. All of it is so fucked up.

I want to inhale your smell, and kiss you till the break of dawn, until our lips are swollen and hurting, and that's how I know that

I'm in love.

I don't care if you're good or bad,

It knocks me down when you are.

Bad.

Bitchy.

Mean.

I just always want to be close to you. We can drive, drive wherever the road takes us and never look back.

It's a dream.

It's the dream.

I can't get enough of you,

Steve.

When you're not in the near, I yearn. When I see you with someone, I fucking .. fucking burn, like an oil spill in the ocean, toxic and murderous. I've never .. never burnt like that. For anyone, Harrington.

And I don't know what to do. I need to see your face, always, and think about you, always, and .. when I'm not looking at you, I must know that I will - in a minute, in an hour, in a day - see you.

It's the best and the worst feeling there is."

Billy can tell Steve, he's not afraid.

He won't. He's leaving soon, as soon as June comes to number 30. That's the plan. It feels so real now, although

Soon is still a stretch. It's only the beginning of May.

Despite all this, time does drip away, day by day.

"How am I supposed to leave if .. if you're here. I know I will, I can't stay, but it's gonna be flesh-ripping.

And that's even with you having no idea what's going on.

With you kissing your girl."

Fuck.

Billy's not gonna say a word. The feeling belongs to him, and only him.

He opens the door of the car and steps out of it. Comes to the edge of the cliff, drunk and swaying. One wrong movement and he is going down. Billy doesn't care. Even if he does fall, he's not gonna crash. He is sure that he will fly, high up, fucking soar. There is no fear. He can take it.

The radiant strobe beams coming from the camaro's headlights scatter somewhere far above the abyss.

A song starts playing, some old mix tape Billy made ages ago

There I was on a July morning

Looking for love

With the strength

Of a new day dawning

And the beautiful sun

At the sound

Of the first bird singing

I was leaving for home

With the storm

And the night behind me

And a road of my own

With the day came the resolution

I'll be looking for you

La la la la

Billy opens his arms, throws his head back, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. His chest is filled to the brim, overflowing. It's coming, it's getting him. The blow is tender, the blow is soft, the blow leaves no fucking chance for you to remain standing, that's how this bitch-love hits you. Strong and gentle, and you don't have a hope in hell of fighting back or escaping it, Billy knows, he has tried so damn hard.

He wants to cry and to laugh, and fucking sing and drive to

Him.

Look him in the face.

Not tell him anything, but be in his near.

I was looking for love

In the strangest places

Wasn't a stone

That I left unturned

Must have tried more

Than a thousand faces

But not one was aware

Of the fire that burned

In my heart, in my mind, in my soul

La la la la

Billy's stripped bare.

***

***

~ Harrington Harrington Harrington ~

When tomorrow comes and Hargrove opens his eyes to the morning light, the feeling is still here.

Riddle him this

How come is it even possible to have someone on your mind before you actually wake up?

~ Harrington Harrington Harrington ~

So ..

Last night he was wasted.

Today, in the early sunshine pouring through the window, there is nothing to rethink

Just to accept, whether he's drunk or high, or sober.

It's real.

God knows he never wished for it, but here it is.

I can't do anything about it. I've tried not seeing it, ignoring it, going against it. How can you fight an avalanche? It's laughable. You're so small. Insignificant. Not even a snowflake, or a grain of sand, you're nothing.

It takes you over. It doesn't ask any questions. It's not even aware of the fact that it has taken you over.

You can only give in because it doesn't matter anymore, what you do or not do.

***

Billy has tried fighting it till the last bullet.

He lost.

Hargrove puts his feet on the floor of his room and starts the new day.

He's hopelessly in love with Steve motherfucking bitch asshole Harrington.

***

Lyrics - Uriah Heep "July morning" (1971)

[droughtofapathy]

The Gilded Age's Broadway Divas: Dorothy Scott (Audra McDonald)

As Peggy Scott's pianist mother, Dorothy isn't afraid to give her husband a piece of her mind at every opportunity. Though enmeshed in bettering Black society up north, she worries for her daughter's safety down south. As she should.

Here she is boys, here she is world, the one you've all been waiting for. Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald. *The* Broadway Diva. Our reigning queen. Our legend. Our great soprano. Audra has won more Tony Awards for performance than any other actor, and is the only one to have an award in each of the four competitive categories for which she is eligible (Best Leading Actress in a Play/Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Play/Musical). As such, she is one of three theatre greats to have nominations across said categories: the others being the late greats Jan Maxwell and Angela Lansbury. With ten nominations in total, she is tied with Julie Harris and Chita Rivera for most performance nominations and will certainly surpass them the next time she comes to Broadway.

Audra McDonald's repertoire is so vast that this post became the hardest to narrow down. I have elected to highlight a little of everything: songs from shows that deserve a little more love here on Tumblr, Audra favorites, obscure gems, etc.

#1: "The Glamorous Life," Sondheim's 80th Birthday Celebration (2010)

We have no choice but to start with Sondheim. The third of six performers in the iconic Ladies in Red segment of the Sondheim 80th Birthday Concert, Audra takes on this exquisite A Little Night Music number sung by the teenaged Frederika in the movie version (we don't talk about it).

Among Sondheim standards such as "The Ladies Who Lunch" (Patti LuPone) and "Losing My Mind" (Marin Mazzie), some considered the inclusion of this number a little misplaced. I adore it.

According to the Word of God (Donna Murphy), some of the Ladies in Red were being sewed or even taped into their dresses just minutes before taking the stage.

#2: Lady Day at Emmerson's Bar and Grill (2014)

Though this particular show features music throughout and has a phenomenal cast album, it is classified as a "play with music," thus Audra was able to win her multi-record-breaking Tony in 2014. She plays the iconic Billie Holiday in 1959 at the tail end of her career. Here, she performs in a run-down nightclub and grows increasingly drunk and demoralized throughout the evening. It is an incredible piece of both singing and acting.

#3: "As You Make Your Bed," Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (2007)

Though the costume is something I feel we should all bear witness to, Audra's demonstration of her full operatic range adds another layer of excellence. A Weill and Brecht collaboration, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny was first performed in 1930. This clip is from the 2007 Los Angeles Opera production starring Audra and Patti LuPone. Audra plays Jenny Smith, "a whore." The production was recorded for PBS's Great Productions and won two Grammy Awards.

Truly, is there anything Audra can't do?

#4: "Wheels of a Dream," Ragtime Reunion (2023)

Ragtime. Oh, Ragtime. That we live in a world where Ahrens and Flaherty's magnum opus lost Best Musical to The Lion King is my villain origin story. Natasha Richardson (Cabaret) beating out Marin Mazzie for Leading Actress is something I have to accept, but this? In 1998, Ragtime won Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations, and Best Featured Actress for Audra McDonald's glorious Sarah. Sarah is a young woman at the turn of the century who has a baby with Brian Stokes Mitchell's (Broadway's Leading Man) Coalhouse Walker, and is taken in by Mother (Marin Mazzie), an upper-class white woman with no name after she is caught having partially buried the living child in Mother's yard. It is a masterpiece of musical talent with a breathtaking score and story.

This role won Audra her third Tony in the span of five years. Listening to Audra and Stokes reunite may well be the closest you ever get to hearing divinity. I implore you to seek out the full original cast album.

A reunion concert was planned for April 2020, but was postponed until this past year with Kelli O'Hara stepping in for the late Marin Mazzie as Mother. The concert was done as a benefit for the Entertainment Community Fund, and dedicated in memory of Marin, who passed away in 2018 from ovarian cancer, book-writer Terrence McNally who died of COVID complications in 2020 (lung cancer), and director Frank Galati, who died in 2023, also of cancer complications.

#5: Master Class (1995)

Master Class is yet another Terrence McNally work, this one a play depicting a fictionalized master class given by opera singer Maria Callas towards the end of her life. Audra, as Sharon, takes the part of her student, the second soprano. This play won Audra her second Tony, and garnered a Tony for the brilliant leading actress Zoe Caldwell, whom Audra partially named her firstborn child after some years later. Her daughter's middle name is in honor of Audra's other close friend, the late Madeline Kahn, who like Marin Mazzie, died of ovarian cancer at 57, the same age, though many years prior.

LINK TO MASTERPOST

[santoschristos]

Runa Raido by Mahaboka Today August 29th we enter the Runa Raidho manifestation period, which will last until September 13. Raidho- Wheel- Travels-Path (path meant as physical travel, not spiritual, also of the Soul The Runa Raidho or Reid represents the movement and strength of a person in the decisions to be made. A journey to be undertaken in search of everyone's values and consequently in search of oneself. Getting back on the right track and in order. The message in the Runa Raidho is that those who can see beyond the appearance must be prepared to embark on a journey, both in the mental as well as the spiritual and physical dimension in search of new horizons and new knowledge. On the contrary, the one who remains sitting in front of the stove in his house, waiting for a guru to ring at his door to sell him samples of prefabricated wisdom, will not go far. The journey that needs to be undertaken is an exploration of the unknown as well as a search for values that best fit to the consultant, therefore the journey leads to self-discovery. This requires loyalty, effort or sacrifice. The result pays largely for the adversity endured, because it coincides with self-affirmation and the awareness of what you can do and what you want. Raido reminds us that nothing is eternal, so he asks not to let adversity bring you down, just as you have to go through difficult times, in the same way, in the journey of life, you will also come across positive experiences. Divination If in the phase of divination the Runa Raidho comes out Straight, it is associated with communication and harmony of the elements at the end of a long journey, indeed Raidho also means search and struggle. Upside down on the other hand indicates impediments and delays in plans and projects already planned, disturbances, sudden trips and full of inconveniences. Indicates that, we need to observe. It’s very likely that we haven’t achieved the goals we set because our mental attitude is negative (that is, we don’t believe in our plans, nor in our abilities) and because we’re acting in the wrong way. We need to stop justifying ourselves and not accepting reality, face the facts and make the necessary decisions, even if they turn out unpleasant. This is the only way to go further. Raidho remembers that we need to move forward, step by step, without fear of facing adversity. When this rune appears, we need to trust that the problem beset us will soon be solved for good, provided that we keep our objectives clear and persevere. Raidho therefore advises us that, when the time to act comes, we should do it with confidence in our own forces. Raido can also announce the achievement, in a short time, of desired results or the next arrival of positive news from abroad. Regarding Love, Raidho warns us that there will be exciting and passionate moments in the love sphere, experiencing a sense of completeness seeing the need to love passionately fulfilled. For work instead: Raidho tells us that you need to prepare well and acquire proper training if your purpose is to achieve important professional objectives. In the case that at work what was expected has already been achieved, a period of calm and order will follow. And in the end, but not because of importance.. Hello. Regarding Health, Raidho warns us that health problems exist, they are not worrisome. In any case, Raidho recommends walking outdoors, doing yoga and exercising. Correspondence Syllabus : r Deities: Sun and Moon Tree : Oak Herb : Lavender Crystal : Chrysoprasium Color : Maroon Zodiac sign: Leo, period from July 23 to August 6. Animal : Nobody Tarot: V Major Arch - The Pope Astrology: Sun in Sagittarius / Moon in the third house I Ching: 45° esagramma, Ts'ui - 4.1251111111111 Rating 4.13 Fountain Runemal the Book of Runes Runica Paths of light The Power of the Runes the magic of the runes source --L'Antro celtico