#let him want santa fe

[starseized]

u know what, jack kelly needs a d.isney princess in his life. he needs someone who won't make fun of his dreams. bc as much as his friends thought they were helping, their dismissal of it was lowkey rooted in 'we need you to help us' and not 'this is whats best for you' and the only person who ever actually supported him was crutchie.

so he needs someone who will look him in the eye and tell him his dreams aren't stupid and he doesn't have to grow out of them.

[pityroadart]

Here's my piece for the @mcspirkevents Big Bang! I was paired with the excellent @twinkboimler and their fic Jim Kirk's Guide to Delivering the Goods, which you can find here (E, AOS McSpirk, 60k)

Summer just started, and Jim is bored out of his mind. The courses he needs to take aren’t being offered until the second half of the summer, so he has an entire month to bother his roommate Bones. At Bones’ suggestion to get a job, Jim fixes up a motorbike and starts making deliveries to people in town, including a cute Vulcan professor named Spock. But when Jim is beaten up while making a delivery, it’s Spock who delivers Jim back to the apartment he shares with Bones. After the meet-cute from hell, Spock and Bones start dating… and so do Jim and Spock. With neither roommate aware they’re both dating the same man, there’s only so long that things can go well for them before the other shoe finally drops.

Also as part of my Big Bang offerings, I made a fic playlist (below) — partly a love letter to McSpirk, partly a love letter to myself and Fletcher's overlapping music taste.

Thank you again to Fletcher @twinkboimler for working on this project with me, it's been an absolute joy!

Until the Birds Return on Spotify

Tracks and choice lyrics below the cut (contains vague spoilers):

Astronaut | Future Crib

I wanna be an astronaut Fly into space I wanna see Mars from Venus I wanna go to that place And if you come with me They'll be room in my ship I'll take you up there with me It can be just you and me

Afraid of Heights | boygenius

I never rode a motorcycle I never smoked a cigarette I wanna live a vibrant life But I wanna die a boring death

Day by Day | Old Sea Brigade

Time and time again, I think I'm falling through space And I wake up in my bed just sweating in sheets

... Then I think of you growing old and it breaks my heart

Factories | Autoheart

When you found my body by the lake You wasn't sure if I was still alive

You and Your Friend | Snake River Conspiracy

Must we go run through our lives with our eyes closed To the loving happiness that we can share I think I'm in love with you and your friend

My Gal, My Guy | Darlingside

My (guy) he's the bluest ocean, (he) Waits under the bluest sky for me I belong to (him) When I'm in the water

Santa Fe | Autoheart

Heaven sent You were like a present I should not have kept A sticker on your forehead saying 'breakable And I broke you bad

Coat on a Hook | The National

Two days, we're still not talking You're the opposite of an open book Come back for me

Top to Toe | Fenne Lily

So I'm changing all my days To make your nights It's just not right

Pigeon Song | Patrick Wolf

Now the pigeons gather 'round my feeding hand And we talk 'til the evening fades I have learnt how it goes What you wait for never shows And what you least wanted, holds you down like a stone

Hornets | The National

But I don't wanna leave And I don't wanna hide I just don't wanna run Into you tonight

Tea, Milk & Honey | Oh Pep!

If you stick with me, I'll make sure your time is all right If you don't understand where I am now, it's better if we leave it

The Spiritual | Jukebox the Ghost

We might have kissed a bit too soon I could feel what was coming and I didn't mean to hurry you I just knew that time would find our fingers linked, through and through Forgive me, I'm human too

Bike Dream | Rostam

Two boys, one to kiss your neck And one to bring you breakfast Get you out of bed

Don't Go | Yazoo

Can't stop now Don't you know I ain't never gonna let you go

Jenny | The Mountain Goats

I hopped on back of the bike, wrapped my arms around you I sank my face into your hair And then I inhaled as deeply as I possibly could You were sweet and delicious as the warm desert air And you pointed your headlamp toward the horizon We were the one thing in the galaxy God didn't have his eyes on 900 cc's of raw whining power, no outstanding warrants for my arrest

Old Old Fashioned | Josh Ritter (Frightened Rabbit cover)

Oh let's get old fashioned Back to how things used to be If I get old, old fashioned Would you get old, old fashioned with me?

[forhappysake]

Fluffy Surprise

Author's Note: Not proofread and the first fic I've written in like six months so read if you dareeee

Summary: Reader decides to give Spencer a present when he returns to their new home.

Warnings: People with cat allergies, beware! (?) Fluff ofc.

You moved into the new house two weeks ago.  Technically, you moved all your stuff into the new house two weeks ago. In boxes. Lots and lots of heavy boxes.

Spencer had come up with a system, labeling each box with the room it would go into at the new house. You had worked together to pack everything, label each box, and unload the boxes into your new home. 

And it seemed like the moment he set the last box down and you were ready to start setting the place up, his phone rang. 

Spencer had been gone for one week. 

The case was halfway across the country, somewhere in Santa Fe. You couldn’t exactly be mad at him for being gone, but unpacking and trying to organize everything without his input was a nightmare. You were finishing the last box in your shared bedroom, carefully placing his clothes on wooden hangers and organizing them in the closet, when your phone rang. 

Spencer’s name lit up the screen. You answered quickly. 

“Hi, Spence,” you said, plopping down on the freshly made bed.

You could tell how tired he was from the long pause he took before responding. “Hey, honey. How’s the unpacking?” he asked with a small sigh. 

You frowned to yourself, worried about how tired he sounded. “Oh, it’s alright. I’d like you to look through all the rooms when you get home, just to make sure everything is where it should be.” You let out a soft laugh, “I also had a hard time hanging up all the pictures and paintings without you, so we may have to straighten some of them up when you get back.” 

Another pause followed, though this time you could envision him nodding to himself. “We can do that,” he said. “I’m sorry you had to do it all by yourself. I promise I’ll find a way to make it up to you.” 

You rolled your eyes. “It was fine, Spencer. Besides, I’m pretty sure chasing a serial killer or something gives you an excuse.” 

He sighed on the other end of the line. “That’s what I wanted to talk about. We caught the unsub this evening. I’m hoping to be home late this evening, but it probably won’t be until after you go to bed.”

You smiled, content with the thought of him coming home to your freshly decorated home. “Oh, I’ll be staying up. I want to see your reaction to the place.”

“Alright,” he said, clearly too tired to urge you to go to bed instead with a list of facts about the health benefits of a good night’s sleep. 

You sighed. “As much as I'd love to stay and chat, I’ve got about fifteen more boxes to go.” 

“I understand. I should probably get some work done, too. Files, reports, you know how it is,” his voice was barely a whisper now, the exhaustion beginning to get the better of him. 

“Don’t work too hard, Spence,” you cautioned. “I’ll see you tomorrow night. I love you.”

“I won’t. I love you too,” he answered. The end of his line promptly went dead.

You looked around the bedroom, discarding your phone on the bed. You couldn’t help but wonder if there was something you could do to make Spencer’s return home a bit more special. 

You sat up and leaned over, furrowing your brow and resting your head in the palm of your hand as you tried to think of things Spencer liked. Of course, Spencer liked a lot of things. He liked sweet coffee, puzzles, and a classic novel in some foreign language you couldn’t comprehend. 

None of those things were overly special, in your mind. As you sat and wracked your brain, a thought finally came to you. 

One month ago, walking by a local cat cafe, Spencer spotted the most beautiful calico. She had fluffy hair, one black ear, one orange. Her little paws were white and she was so well mannered. Spencer and yourself had gone in immediately and he had spent your time inside doting on the calico, whose name, you learned, was Calypso. 

You bolted up from the bed and out into the living room, finding your purse sitting among the unpacked boxes. You shot out to the car, and without a second thought, drove the ten minutes to the cat cafe. 

You said a silent prayer that the cat was still available as you pulled into a parking space across the street. As if on cue, you looked up to see the same cat lounging lazily in the window sill, green eyes poised on you. 

The adoption process was quick, quicker than you anticipated. Fifty dollars later, you were on the road with Calypso in the passenger seat, sitting demurely in the carrier the shelter had provided you with to take her home in. 

On the way home you had to stop at PetSmart to pick up a litter box, a few toys, and a scratching post with the hope that your new furry friend would not decimate your new furniture. Calypso remained in the carrier, watching quietly from the shopping cart as you agonized over which treats to get. 

Soon enough, you were on your way home. The moment you walked through the front door, you set the carrier down and allowed Calypso to wander free. She was tentative at first, gently sniffing the floor and getting the feel for her new surroundings. However, after ten minutes, she perched herself on the kitchen counter, looking quite like the queen of her own castle. 

You took this chance to open her new toys and scatter them about the house, as well as find a secluded corner for her litterbox.

For the rest of the day, the cat watched you unpack boxes. Beady green eyes noting your movements until you disappeared from her sight. Occasionally, if you left the room for too long, you would turn to find that she had followed you. In these moments, you would stop to offer her a gentle petting and giggle as she flopped down on the floor, furry belly up to the sky. 

It was six hours after his phone call that Spencer arrived at home. 

2:19 a.m. was the time on your watch when you heard the lock turn and rose to greet him at the door. Calypso, seated in the corner of the room on a side table, perked her ears up at the new noise coming from the entrance. 

Spencer locked the door behind him and turned to face you, reaching out and pulling you in for a long hug. 

You rubbed your hands up and down his back. “Are you happy to be home?” you asked, your voice muffled by his shoulder. 

“You have no idea,” he said. He pulled away only to examine the living room. Spencer nodded in approval. “It looks really good in here. You did a great job.”

You smiled warmly, nerves settling in your stomach as you realized he’d not yet noticed the cat in the corner of the room, who was still watching him with suspicious eyes. 

“Spencer, I have to tell you something,” you said, wanting to explain yourself for doing something as impulsive as adopting a cat while he was away. 

His face suddenly became very serious. “What is it? Did something happen while I was gone? Are you alright?” 

The questions came quickly and you shook your head to reassure him. “No, Spencer, it’s nothing bad. Here, come look.” You grabbed his hand and pulled him forward until the two of you were standing behind your couch in the middle of the living room. 

“Look around,” you said. 

Spencer’s tired eyes traversed the room. You watched as they landed on paintings, the television, the clock, and nearly everything but the cat who sat entirely still in the corner. 

“I don’t understand,” he said, brow furrowed. “Did you make some major change I don’t know about? If you did, I’m sure that it’s f-”

At that moment Calypso jumped off the side table. The soft thump that accompanied her landing on the floor was enough to stop Spencer in his tracks. Finally, you watched as the feline caught his eye. 

“You didn’t,” Spencer said, his voice barely above a whisper. His reaction wasn’t telling you much, and you were afraid that he was not pleased. 

You started trying to explain yourself. “Well, I knew that you had a long week. I wanted to do something special. I know how much you enjoyed spending time with her at the cafe and now that we have the space I figured…”

You trailed off. In the time you had spoken, Calypso had crossed the room, climbed the couch, and began butting her head up against Spencer’s hand. Panic was setting in. Why wasn’t he reacting? 

Just when you were about to push him to say something, you looked up to see a large grin plastered on his face. Spencer gently wrapped his arms around the cat and picked her up, holding her close and petting in between her ears. 

“This is the most thoughtful present ever. I love her,” he said. His excitement reminded you of a little child and pulled at your heartstrings in a way that could have made you cry. 

You sighed in relief. “I’m so glad.” 

With Calypso still draped over one arm, Spencer reached out for you, pulling you to his side. He planted a soft kiss on the top of your head. “Thank you so much. I love her. I love you,” he said, smile still evident on his face. 

“I love you too,” you said, turning to face Calypso, who looked all too content to be wrapped up in Spencer’s arms. 

“I think she’s trying to steal my man,” you joked, nudging Spencer on the side. 

Spencer laughed. “I don’t think you have to worry too much about that. My heart has room for two lovely ladies.”

[loverboykirstein]

sdv secret santa // sugar and spice

sebastian (sdv) x afab!reader

wc: 1470

mdni -> toys/vibrators, oral (reader receiving), fingering, pet names

***fixing the red ribbon bows in your hair, you emerged from your bedroom to the sight of sebastian on your couch, holding a small box wrapped in gold paper. 

staring at him for just a moment, your eyes met, a slight flush to his face, fidgeting ever so slightly with the frays on his jeans. 

“what’s this?” you giggle, leaning over him, hands behind your back. “it’s not christmas yet,”. 

“i just wanted to beat santa, obviously,” a small laugh, soft hand pulling you to sit next to him. “c’monnn, open,”. 

gently opening the paper along the folded edges, met with a sleek box that made your face run hot.  i know we talked about these, i didn’t think he’d actually get one***

 ᥫ᭡。thank you @bvnnybrains for asking me to participate in this!!! i hope i fulfilled your wishes and created a reader that fit you! mwuah!!  ᥫ᭡。

the life you had begged for, cried for, pleaded for, filled your log cabin with cinnamon and vanilla that soaked your airways, settling at the base of your throat. 

your dogs napping by the warmth of the fireplace, cuddled up against each other without a single care in the world. 

the suns setting rays saying their goodbyes through blinding orange streaks through your double-paned glass, missing its warmth already. 

“c’mere,” sebastian ushered you over, snowman printed oven mitts covering his hands. 

a small skip in your step, bubbling with excitement as your infinite wait was over. 

twelve near perfect cookies, baked to perfection, more than ready to replace your dinner with as many as your heart desired. what else were you supposed to do on christmas eve? 

“open,” sebastian hummed, catching your chin under his finger to pull your attention towards him. 

pulling apart a fresh baked treat, rewarding your obedience with sugar and spice, mixed with the love they had been missing all this time. 

“oh my god,” a soft hum from your chest, a satisfied smirk on seb’s lips as he wiped away the crumbs on yours. “these are so good,”.  

“now get your cute ass ready, don’t we have somewhere to be?” 

skipping off to the bedroom, rushing for no real reason at his gentle demand. 

with the sun shutting its eyes, power grids took over, illuminating hundreds of thousands of lights strung across yards, roofs, trees, and everything in between far beyond your comprehension. 

sure, the valley had many, but you were dying to see the neighborhoods that lined the outskirts of Zuzu, rich families who didn’t mind the electric bill that came with their decorations. 

and besides, it was the anniversary of your first date together, this was a celebration of swallowed nerves and a shared first kiss. of course you were excited.  

despite the snow coating your farm, you put on your favorite dress, yellow with little red flowers, covering your arms with a matching red sweater. 

you knew he already started your yellow volkswagen, giving her ample time to warm up before taking her out on the salted roads towards Zuzu, knowing you only needed to face the cold for a few short seconds. 

fixing the red ribbon bows in your hair, you emerged from your bedroom to the sight of sebastian on your couch, holding a small box wrapped in gold paper. 

staring at him for just a moment, your eyes met, a slight flush to his face, fidgeting ever so slightly with the frays on his jeans. 

“what’s this?” you giggle, leaning over him, hands behind your back. “it’s not christmas yet,”. 

“i just wanted to beat santa, obviously,” a small laugh, soft hand pulling you to sit next to him. “c’monnn, open,”. 

gently opening the paper along the folded edges, met with a sleek box that made your face run hot. 

i know we talked about these, i didn’t think he’d actually get one. 

“is this..?” you looked up at him, doe eyes shimmering, nervous excitement bubbling in your tummy. 

“mhm, let’s try it out, see if you can handle it,” he peppered a few small kisses on your jawline, a shiver down your spine that mixed with the swell of your burning hot blood. 

far out of your agreed upon budget, a bluetooth vibrator that worked inside and outside, built to nestle up to your cunt under your panties. 

“will you help me?” looking at the purple toy, you fell a little confused, worsened by your embarrassment, pulling you shy and submissive, something seb hadn’t yet experienced since your stumbled introduction the very first time you met. 

knowing it would be a bit of a stretch to even get it in, you took this chance to play dumb, to see him fall apart at your request. 

“what’cha need help with, hmm?” his purrs melted your insides, bones mushy and fingertips tingling. 

“y-y’know…getting it in ‘n stuff,” you shrugged, a slight pout on your lips. 

“i think i can make that happen, bunny,”. his thumb brushed against your lip, still jutted slightly at your exaggerated embarrassment, drawing a slight giggle from the depths of your lungs. 

“be a good girl and don’t get greedy, m’kay?” his tone fell deeper, stronger. 

you nodded as you watched him fall to his knees, pushing your thighs apart to welcome him in. 

feathered kisses met the plush of your thighs, vein-ridden hands pushing the skirt of your dress up high enough to expose the panties that matched  the ribbons upon your hair. 

his heavy breathing tickled your skin, warm against the slick you barely noticed already pooling out of you. 

“off, now,” his tug at the red fabric barely holding on to your false innocence, you lifted your hips just enough for him to yank them off you, throwing them on the floor. 

leaving no time for games, no teases that made you beg for more more more, he drug his tongue up your slit, brushing against your clit just enough to send vibrations through your skull. 

hands on either thigh, he pulled you closer, suffocating in your scent and ready to die right there. 

his tongue starved for more, dancing around your hole as you squirmed under his touch, restraining your hips from bucking into him entirely. 

“ ‘s fucking good,” he mumbled under his breath, sloppy sucks on your already aching clit, drawing breathy moans out past your bitten lips. “ ‘s fuckin’ good for me,”. 

he somehow always managed to unravel you in a matter of seconds, pulling apart the threads that held your thoughts together. 

“baby..” you whined in frustration, so easily wound up from such a short moment of lost touch. 

ignoring your whine for attention, he made a mess of his face instead, your syrup mixing with his saliva, dripping down your cunt and coating his lips. 

“babyyyy..” you whined again, allowing your hips to kick into him, wanting so much more from him, needing more from him. 

running your fingers through his hair, you tried to pull his face away, forcing him to pay attention to your pleas. 

“what did i say about getting greedy, hm?” he unwillingly pulled away, a shimmer of deviance in the corners of his eyes. 

you huffed out in annoyance, jutting your lip out again at his remark, knowing that there was no way on planet earth you wouldn’t get greedy with him between your legs. 

despite his passive reprimand, you felt the cold touch of his fingertips trace your swollen slit, middle dipping into your squishy hole without warning. 

a single sharp gasp pooled out from your open lips, jaw already slacked. rhythmic in nature, pumping in and out of you at an agonizing pace. 

“babyyyyy…” you whined again, wiggling your hips towards him in fevered need. 

“yes, bunny?” his words slightly slurred, eyes blown out as they were pulled away from your sopping wet cunt, slick pooling into his hand. 

“another?” you dressed your wish in sugarcane, too sweet refuse. 

wordlessly accepting your plea, slipping his ring finger in right beside. 

slow scissoring, gushy pumps as he barely stretched you out, just enough to his liking. 

quiet whimpers, goosebump ridden skin, wanting so much more. 

as quickly as his fingers filled your hole, they were gone, leaving you whimpering in frustration. 

his fingertips glossy against the light as he pulled away, fingers finding the toy he had already prepared for you before settling it back into its box. 

“you ready?” he looked at you through his lashes, eyes glassy, matching his lips. 

“mhmm,” you nodded, chest and neck burning up with your unexpected excitement. 

cold to the touch, he coated the silicone in the mix of spit and slick, slowly circling around your entrance until you silently begged for more friction, trying to restrain yourself as much as you could. 

dipping the toy inside your already desperate walls, hissing at the stretch forced so quickly. 

uncomfortably full with something other than his cock, silicone end snuggled up your slit to press against your swollen bud. 

“now..you ready..?” he raised from his knees, pulling your skirt back over the sticky mess of your pussy. 

a meek nod, still adjusting to the weight of the toy inside your tight, gummy walls. 

slipping his phone out from his back pocket, a few swipes as you picked at the side of your thumb, startled at the sudden wave of vibrations buzzing inside and out. 

 bitten lip whimpers, pushing your thighs together at the unfamiliar feeling, collapsing into it nonetheless. 

through his hooded stare, his thumb toying with the pulses and strengths, watching your nerve endings react to each change. 

“c’mon darling, the lights are waiting for you. gotta prove you can still stay on the nice list, yeah?”. 

he’s so going to pay for this.

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

it's a miracle i finished a work on time! i hope you enjoyed! mwuah!  

ᥫ᭡。

[wekiaam]

2D NEWSIES: What I would change

I just realised I've been making fake concept art for a nonexistent animated Newsies adaptation for four years now. Over time, I've been getting so many ideas for this adaptation if it ever became real, I thought I would share them with you guys! This includes story changes, cut and additional songs and ideas for characters and style. I would love to know your thoughts on these!

When I started making concept art for "2dsies" as I came to be called, I intended for it to be based on the Broadway version and the Broadway version only. However, stories on stage differ a lot from stories told on screen, it just doesn't work the same way. I do still prefer the storyline of Broadway Newsies, but I think the best version would be a combination of the best parts of all different versions, plus some necessary changes. I would want Newsies to be a love letter to every production we've had, to everyone who made happen and every theatre kid who's been geeking out over it since 1992, while also being its own standalone movie that can be enjoyed by anybody. I am in no way an adequate screenwriter, these are just a few suggestions I have for a better story!

Story

Like I said, the story will be based mainly on the Broadway storyline, meaning we still have Artist Jack, Katherine, and most elements from the show that aren't in the movie. It will, however, be quite different from the show and the movie, and maybe add some more of the real events from the newsboy strike. There are still some details and scenes I would like to add and some I would remove completely.

- I like the history lesson opening from the movie, it gives people just enough background information on the real historical events the story is based on. I don't know if it should be Racetrack or Jack narrating, though.

- In Santa Fe (prologue), Crutchie mentions he's afraid the other boys will find out about his bad leg, even though they all literally know him as Crutchie, and it seems to be the first time Jack tells him about his dream of going to Santa Fe, even though they've clearly been best friends for a long time. It feels off, UNLESS they only just met, which is why I love @raggedy-albert 's theory so much. I would have the scene start off with them as kids, and have them grow up throughout the song.

- I want to add a scene in the beginning of Katherine at the New York Sun to establish her character and motivations, and possibly a little foreshadowing. Just an idea for a scene; she goes to the editor to let him read her story covering the trolley strike, but he reminds her of "her place" and that she's lucky enough to be in the position she's in and that she should go review a vaudeville or something. This would not only give her a similar motivation to the newsies, but also, if we're gonna bring the women's rights movement into the story let's do it right!

- Of course I'd also like to add more romantic interactions between Jack and Katherine, to make their relationship more believable. However, I don't think they should be a couple immediately after the finale, I was more thinking of an open ending to their relationship where Jack takes his first step to staying in New York by finally asking her out.

- Maybe add the actual scene where Jack and Davey visit Brooklyn instead of having them tell the other newsies what Spot said right before Seize the Day. Show don't tell, you know?

- A scene where Jack visits Crutchie at the refuge, similar to the one in the movie, but with the sadness Jack describes it with in the show. Again, show, don't tell. Show me how Jack visits the place of his nightmares again only to find his best friend in a worse state than ever and being unable to save him.

- Katherine punches Jack after the rally. Give it to me.

- Additional scene after Jack and Katherine's song after the rally where Jack formally apologizes to the newsies. Because in the show it just cuts from "omg he's a sellout *spits on the floor*" to "yay captain Jack is back" and it just doesn't sit right with me.

Songs

- There should be an entirely new Pulitzer song. The Bottom Line is good but by far the most skippable song on the cast recording, and The News Is Getting Better (the off broadway cut song) is a little Better but not quite the evil capitalist song we need.

- Swap Something to Believe In for When I See You Again. It's such a sweet song and I think it suits Jack and Katherine a lot better. It's much more "Neither of us know what tomorrow brings but when I'm with you I know we can change things for the better, even if it's scary but for now let's be here together and forget the world for a bit" instead of "I love you but I'm still gonna chase my cowboy dreams"

- Cut Letter From The Refuge, since my idea was to have this be a scene instead.

- Some lyric changes!

In Santa Fe: "Crutchie's callin' me, he's fine, just too damn slow"

In Once And For All: add this lyric from the movie, "Better to die than to crawl".

In Seize the Day: "Friends of the friendless seize the day, raise up the torch and light the way", not in the song but in the reprise where all the working children of the city gather before the finale.

Additional: "Still it seems like the dream of a boy, not a man", from The Truth About The Moon, a cut song from the movie that was supposed to be sung by Sarah. I don't know where I would put this lyric, but it could be said or sung by Jack as he realises what he's really looking for is not actually Santa Fe.

Characters:

- I want to add more girls to the background newsies, first of all.

- Sarah still won't do anything for the plot, but Davey and Les could mention that they have a sister. She's still canon to me.

- Speaking of Les, let's make him more likeable and also more helpful.

- Snyder has two scary dogs with him at all times.

- Just and idea, maybe Denton could still be a character if we replace Darcy with him, or maybe combine the two. Have him be Katherine's chaperone and friend formally, but also her reporter bestie. They could be a fun journalist duo!

Style

- The movie will still include the iconic choreography, which means it couldn't be fully 2D, but rather a mix between hand drawn and CGI.

-I would love for the backgrounds in the movie to be similar to impressionist and romantic art styles from the 19th century, to really sell how it's a story told from Jack's perspective. Especially his dream-like imaginations of Santa Fe would be brilliant in this style.

- I want to include a lot of weather foreshadowing. Rain right before Seize The Day and the sun breaking through when Davey starts singing. Mist surrounding Snyder and sudden darkness whenever he's near. A beautiful sunset when Jack and Katherine are alone on the rooftop. And of course, partly cloudy, clear by evening. It's such a cool way of visual storytelling when you have a plot that has no magic involved, like in most Disney movies.

- The real people characters' designs (Pulitzer, Hearst, Roosevelt) can be based on political cartoon caricature versions of themselves.

And lastly, quotes from the movie I liked that could be inspiring for the animated movie:

-"When I created the World..." "🙄" and "Where was I?" "You created the World, chief?"

- "No, we'll be just a bunch of angry kids with no money"

-"What, you couldn't stay away?" "Well I guess I can't be something I ain't." "A scab?" "No, smart."

Many of these ideas are still in development. Some might work, some may not, but I will be basing any future work I'll post on here on these ideas. I would love to see you guys  discuss and add on to these!

[gunsandspaceships]

MCU Timeline: Thor

This timeline is based on the actual data from the movie and other directly connected movies (The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World) and not on Fury's Big Week (see the reason here).

965 AD - The last great war in the Nine Realms. Frost Giants from Jotunheim attack Midgard. Odin's army battles them in Tonsberg, Norway. He loses an eye, but defeats them and takes The Casket of Ancient Winters and Loki, son of Laufey, king of Jotunheim.

~11th century AD - the last time Lady Sif and The Warriors Three visited Midgard.

The main events of the movie take place in November 2011 (see explanation at the end of this post):

Shortly before November 20th - Loki anonymously shows Jotuns a secret passage to Asgard.

~November 20th:

Day-Evening - Thor's coronation ceremony is interrupted by the Jotuns breaking into Odin's Vault. The Destroyer kills them. Thor, Loki, Lady Sif and The Warriors Three go to Jotunheim. Thor starts a fight with Jotuns. Odin takes everyone back to Asgard and banishes Thor, stripping him of his powers.

Night - exiled Thor ends up in Midgard (Puente Antiguo, New Mexico, somewhere near Santa Fe) where Jane Foster, Erik Selvig, and Darcy Lewis accidentally hit him with a car. On top of this, Darcy uses a taser on him and he wakes up in the hospital (though not for long).

In Asgard, Loki learns that he is a Jotun and the son of Laufey. Odin falls into Odinsleep.

~November 21st:

Loki "temporarily" takes the throne of Asgard as the only remaining successor.

Early morning - events of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Thor's Hammer" one-shot. Somewhere near Flagstaff, AZ.

Note: locations were determined by the distances on the sign from the one-shot.

Morning - locals find Mjolnir near Thor's landing site. Thor runs out of the hospital. Jane hits him with her car again.

Around noon - Coulson finds Mjolnir. S.H.I.E.L.D. builds a "fortress" around the hammer. The scientists give Thor clothes and food. S.H.I.E.L.D. takes Foster's, Selvig's and Lewis' equipment and all their data.

Note the warm clothes that all the characters wear (except for the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, but they always wear suits even if it's freezing outside), the bare trees everywhere, the brown grass and bushes, and the tangerines (their season is late fall - early spring).

Evening - Thor and Jane head to Mjolnir's location.

Night - Thor storms the "fortress" around Mjolnir, but is unable to lift the hammer. S.H.I.E.L.D. places him under arrest, and Coulson attempts to interrogate him. Loki visits him and informs that Odin is dead and Frigga does not want Thor to return. Selvig takes Jane back to their base, but then returns to rescue Thor with a fake driver's license.

Why it's late November: Look at the "DOB," "Issued," and "Expires" dates. They all say November 21st. That's a little weird. We also know that this DL is fake and that it was somehow made by Selvig, Jane, and Darcy on the same night. There will be another fake ID in Iron Man 2 with a date tied to the actual date of the events. Based on these little clues and other things that scream "late November", I would take a chance and guess that this day in Thor is November 21st.

Selvig and Thor talk and drink at a bar. Selvig asks Thor to leave town, but gets drunk and Thor carries him to Jane's van. Jane and Thor spend a PG-13 night together.

Loki goes to Laufey with an offer to let him kill Odin and take the Casket.

~November 22:

Despite Selvig's request, Thor stays.

Lady Sif and the Warriors Three arrive in Midgard.

The battle with the Destroyer. Thor sacrifices himself and dies. Odin sees this, and Mjolnir flies to Thor, now worthy, and brings him back to life.

Notice the store with Christmas decorations in the background.

Loki brings Jotuns to Asgard and then kills Laufey. Thor gets there and fights Loki, who is trying to destroy Jotunheim. Thor destroys the Bifrost to save Frost Giants. Loki falls into the remains of the Einstein-Rosen Bridge.

Early 2012 - Dr. Selvig is invited to work on Project Pegasus (S.H.I.E.L.D.-NASA study of the Tesseract).

Fury's Big Week note: as we can see, the movie tells us in every way that the events take place at the end of the year, and not in late May - early June.

Why 2011:

In The Avengers, Fury mentions that the events of Thor happened "last year." He says that on May 4th, 2012, so "last year" is 2011.

All the clues in the NASA location scene in The Avengers tell us that Dr. Selvig and Clint were there for no more than a few months: Selvig did not have enough time to complete his calculations, did not reach the testing phase, and had not enough time to get closer to Barton. This means he started working on the Tesseract in 2012, not earlier.

Before this, a month or two (not too much, not too little) had passed since the main events of Thor, as evidenced by the way Fury and Selvig talk about it in Thor's mid-credits scene.

It's hard to imagine Loki or Thanos going more than a year without action.

In Thor: The Dark World, Darcy says that Thor was last "gone for two years," that is, if we count from the fall of 2013 (events of Thor: The Dark World, where Thor reunites with Jane), we get the fall of 2011, the exact period we've established here.

Iron Man (2008) Timeline

The Incredible Hulk (2008) Timeline

Iron Man 2 (2010) Timeline

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Timeline

The Avengers (2012) Timeline

[moka44]

There for me (Jimmy x F!reader) TW: does mention death and weed

It was the second game of the season. The day already started to feel busy because of school, than basketball practice, then lastly cheerleading at game. As the bell rang you pasted by Jimmy and Bryson. Everyone knew you and Jimmy were together so when you seen him you gave him a quick kiss an said hi to the him and Bryson of them. "how was work?" you asked. "great." Jimmy responded sarcastically. "Awww my poor baby." you said looking at him, " i have practice right now so ill see you at the game. Remember do your best and ill be cheering for you." you finished as you gave him kiss bye.

Jimmy's POV

As she was walking away i couldn't help but smile. "Awww jimmys in loveeee." i hear Bryson say teasing. "shut up man" i replied playfully pushed him but i mean he isn't wrong. As we walked into the gym i stopped to look at the girls basketball 2003-2004 banner. "Your mom? Crazy that she used to play with Coach. Senior year bro. Think she'll come to one of you games finally?" I heard Bryson ask. I just laughed it off saying "yea right man." We entered the gym hearing the girls basketball team practices. "Faster. Fast feet, fast feet. Come on. Move the feet! Get a body on someone. Come on." We heard Dezban say. "that's my baby mama. Floor general. Takes after me." Bryson said. "You sure its not the other way around?" I joked. "Bro shut up." Bryson replied but as soon as we looked back at the court my girl made a basket. "See now my girl takes after me." i turned saying to Bryson laughing.

Pov ended

When practices ended you went home to take a quick shower and got ready for the game. Back at school walking into the gym to meet up with the other cheerleaders reader ended up seeing Jimmy again. "Hey handsome." saying as you gave him a hug. "Hey babe." hugging you back. "how was practice?" he asked. "it was pretty good. Dez was floor general of course. But you ready for the game?" you asked. "Yea just waiting on Nataanii, but im pretty sure he'll be here soon" he replied. As you both continued talking you see his team and Coach all meeting in the locker room. "ill see you after the game babygirl." Jimmy said giving you a kiss but it wasn't a normal kiss it was with all his feeling like a reminder to you that he loves you. You couldn't help but smile in the kiss, you felt everything in his kiss. both pulling away looking each other in the eyes, "good luck pretty boy." you said giving him another kiss before walking away. Jimmy could stare at you all day but he couldn't right now since he had a game to play.

Everyone notices Nataanii wasnt there at the game. Something felt off to you, This is the same Nataanii that got you and Jimmy together. He was like your brother. You soon snapped out of your daze as jimmy came up to you giving you a quick kiss on the cheek as his good luck kiss. As the game started you can definitely feel the tension. Santa Fe was definitely getting to them. When Mason knocked Jimmy down all you wanted to do was run to him to make sure he was okay. The guy helped jimmy up, he gave you a quick look knowing that you were worried, he gave you a nod letting you know he's good. As Jimmy was going to make his second free throw you seen the assistant coach come in with officers, you knew something was off when the game started. you just didn't want to be right.

Dez ended up telling you what happened, She gave you a hug as you cried. You soon put your feeling to the side and thought about Jimmy, that was all you can think about. As you and all the family member of the team walked into the locker room you went straight to jimmy, giving him a strong hug. you put all your emotions into the hug telling him that you both will get through it and that youll always be there for him. "No way. I just saw him. We were at the cistern." Jimmy said. His coach tried to walk up to him but he got up and ran out the locker room. You tired to chase after him but he was gone, you knew where he was going.

mini time skip at the Cistern

"I thought i would find you here." you said walking up to him. He looked at you than looked away, "sorry for running out like that." Jimmy said. "You don't have to apologize, i would of done the same." you responded as you sat next to him pulling out a joint. Jimmy might seem like a tough guy but only with you, he shows his soft side. You lit up the joint taking a hit than passing it to jimmy. He knew you weren't going to force his to talk, that was always one of the things he loved about you. He took the joint to take a hit as you laid your head on his shoulder. he thought about how glad to have you sit here with him to make he was okay. You both sat there in silent looking at the town, "I appreciate you coming here to comfort me." Jimmy said breaking the silents looking down at you. "I'll be here for you no matter what. never forget that okay?" you looked back at him. He knew he would never have to question anything you say, you can tell him the would was ending tomorrow and he will believe you. Jimmy leaned in to give you a kiss, you couldnt help but kiss back. You both pulled away, "I love you." Jimmy said staring into your eyes. You smiled at him giving him another kiss. You both stayed at Cistern for a couple more hours when you both deiced to head to your house to end the night, but you both definitely showed how much you love each other. *wink*

————————————————————————

A/n: This has been on my mind since i watched the movie. if you haven't seen Rez ball on Netflix please go watch it. It’s an amazing movie!! I hope you like it I been out the game for a bit lol. I’m sorry that’s it’s short🥺

[ave09]

hello :)

i saw your request for some jeremy jorden characters, so do you think you could maybe write something for jack kelly ? there’s a jack kelly x reader shortage on tumblr 😔

it could lowkey be wtv, but if you want a prompt, maybe just bf headcanons & just stuff jack and reader get into ?

you don’t have to right anything out of your comfort zone, but i was just giving you a little blurb/headcanon idea :)

thanks! 🤍🤍

Dating Jack Kelly Headcanons

(implied female reader)

Note; I loved this so much, and if you want more headcanons, either Jack or other JerJor characters, let me know!

this man is a SIMP

S-I-M-P

will worship the ground you walk upon

jack has a rough exterior but deep down is the sweetest sweetheart you’ll ever meet

he’ll pick you flowers while selling papes because he’s gotta look out for his girl

he’ll come see you late at night and chuck pebbles at your window in hopes you’ll come out and see him

this man is very touchy 

he always has his arm around your waist, or holding your hand

BIG CUDDLER

this man gives the best cuddles ever

he’ll pull you flush against him and hold you close and kiss your head and play with your hair and is just so sweet

he’ll deny it, especially in front of the boys, but playing with his hair is his kryptonite

he’ll be exhausted and refusing to sleep, the moment you mess with his hair, he’s a goner.

he’s a soft snorer

but he says he’s not

but you know better 

he’ll tell you all about his santa fe dreams, that he’ll make a name for himself out west and you’ll come with him

he’ll discuss his dreams of a family with you; because of course he’s going to be such an amazing dad

he’ll draw you

CONSTANTLY

he especially loves drawing you when you’re asleep

because it’s the one time you look fully at peace, your head on his chest, arm resting across his torso, just so at peace with the world.

he’ll make you paper rings

anytime there’s a small slip of paper, EVERYTIME, he’ll fashion it so it’ll fit around your ring finger

and you keep every single one

big on pet names

princess is his default 

but sweetheart, sugar, and angel make occasional appearances

overall, life with jack is well… perfect; and you wouldn’t have it any other way!

[persuasivetfs]

A Favor Part Two

After his merger with The Ali Gomaa, Muhammad had wanted some alone time to get acquainted with his new form, preferably in the solitude of a bedroom, but Rajesh had hurried the man along into his car instead.

The pair only had 14 hours to drive from San Diego to Sante Fe, check into their hotel, and arrive at the convention center before 9 AM opening time.

In the meantime, Muhammad was to spend as much time soaking in information about Ali Gomaa as he could. His personal connections, his career, his knowledge of body-building.

“Hey, I thought that this body ‘doubling’ thing was going to handle all that,” Muhammad protested, his insecure voice sounding like a whisper in a cave coming out of Ali Gomaa’s chest.

“Body ‘doubling’ takes time, man. Besides, it's not like you got anything else to do for a 12 hour car ride, right?” Rajesh pointed out, as he threw the last of Ali’s bags into the backseat of his car.

Muhammad sighed and did as he was told.

For this project, Rajesh had prepared for him a series of curated videos. Interviews, exercise and diet plans, footage of past competitions, video footage of Ali spending time with his loved ones, even snippets of reels from the Instagram account Rajesh managed for his boss.

After 6 hours, all the information began to blur together, making Muhammad feel more out of his element than being made 100 pounds heavier with pure muscle.

Still if he couldn’t trust his memory, Muhammad could at least trust Rajesh. The two had been best-friends since childhood. If Rajesh said all he needed was to watch some videos and the body would naturally do the rest so he would.

In the middle of the drive, the car suddenly swerved down the main road.

“Rajesh!” Muhammad yelled in alarm, glaring at his friend. “I’m sorry, Mr.Gomaa I was distracted and-“ Rajesh started but as the two looked at each other they started laughing at the absurdity of the situation. They were Muhammad and Rajesh, not Rajesh and Mr.Gomaa despite Muhammad’s new appearance yet it’d been so easy for the two to lean into those roles without a second’s hesitation.

“You really had me going there for a minute,” Rajesh chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye.

“You weren’t kidding about this man’s knee jerk reaction to yell at you,” Muhammad said with a smirk. “Though maybe keep your eyes on the road, next time. Inshallah we actually make it to Santa Fe in one piece,” Muhammad chided, drawing an annoyed nod and an eye roll from Rajesh. Muhammad pretended not to notice.

The rest of the ride was largely uneventful, even with Rajesh forced to go over the local speed limit to make it there in time.

This drew a feeling of immense annoyance from Muhammad’s body, but he took a breath and let it go. It was getting harder and harder to alleviate the man’s naturally high levels of irritation. If he wasn’t careful he could explode on Rajesh in a way their friendship might not recover.

Once in Santa Fe, the pair quickly signed in at the hotel, dumped off their belongings and then headed down to the convention center.

Before he even got his foot in the door Muhammad found himself greeted by an endless list of fellow competitors, coaches, and fans. It brought to him a stream of new memories rooted in sensations. The musty scent of tanning spray, the adoration in the voice of strangers, the sizzling heat of the stage lights. The last feeling made his stomach twist in agony, but he soon forgot it as Rajesh pushed him backstage.

Many of Muhammad’s fellow competitors for the Men’s Classic round were already present and ready for the stage, muscular bodies glistening with spray tan and sweat making last minute preparations with their fully clothed support teams.

“Remember, what we talked about. Let your body focus on the right movements while you keep yourself calm under the hot lights. I’ll get your pre-ordered tanning spray from the booth while you get undressed,” Rajesh hastily explained before walking off.

After Muhammad stripped down to nothing but a clingy black speedo, he didn’t have much time for standing around before he found himself joined by an attractive older stranger.

The stranger was a man in his early 50s with a number of wrinkles and confident silver hair lined with black. Despite his age, the man was clearly in top shape, with massive pectorals peeking out under a cotton shirt. The kind of older man that Muhammad dreamed about whisking him off his feet and into his luxury penthouse apartment.

“Looking good as always, Ali, though not always on time it seems,” the man greeted, taking Muhammad into a platonic hug.

Looking at his lanyard hanging around the stranger’s shoulder, he was able to read that this was the other part of Ali’s competition team: Yusef Darbandi.

“Alhamdulillah we arrived here in one piece, Yusef. Rajesh nearly got us killed with his speeding to get us here on time,” Muhammad fumed. Yusef laughed.

“That boy sure is devoted isn’t he? At least for the last few years. Before then I always thought he was planning on using you for the start of his own career and ditching us at his earlier convenience, but he’s really proved me wrong,” Yusef admired, watching Rajesh as he waited at the body spray booth.

“That Rajesh boy’s a good kid. Dedicated and clever. I just wish he wasn’t so reckless. He could go so far otherwise,” a wave of fatherly affection washed over Muhammad as he spoke.

While once he had been a contemporary, Muhammad was starting to see Rajesh as a young man who needed a mature man’s careful guidance and training. He was hard on Rajesh, sure, but he’d been no less harsh on his own three sons. Boys needed a rigid sense of discipline, otherwise they’d become easily distracted and misled. Rajesh was no exception.

“Good to see you, Coach Yusef. I’m glad they let you backstage before Mr.Gomaa arrived,” Rajesh greeted as he returned with the tanning spray.

“He’s a legend, Rajesh. The winner of Mr.Tehran International in 2005 and 2009. Of course they let him in,” Muhammad bristled. Rajesh looked away.

“Oh, take it easy on him. I’ve been denied access to competitions, ID badge or not on multiple occasions. Now before you go on, Ali, make sure to put some perk into those pectorals. You may be a seasoned pro, but you always forget such a simple technique,” Yusef corrected.

“I’ll remember, Yusef. How could I not, with you nitpicking my movements all these years?” Muhammad prodded back, making both laugh.

While slightly annoyed at the critique, Muhammad nonetheless adjusted himself at Yusef’s suggestion, puffing out his chest as if he was before a cheering crowd.

Rajesh worked methodically as he sprayed Ali’s body with the oil, his hands mapping perfectly along Ali’s impressive triceps and quads with a surgeon’s precision. Still there were times when as Rajesh was rubbing his hand to massage the oil deeper into Ali’s skin, his fingers would linger, tracing along his pecs and abs in a way that felt more than platonic. Muhammad had a sense that Ali wouldn’t have noticed such a gesture, but Muhammad did, causing Rajesh to look away nervously as if he’d just been caught doing something he shouldn’t.

Once he was done, Muhammad posed before Yusef and Rajesh, taking in Yusef’s last-minute critiques before the man firmly slapped him on the ass.

“Now, get out there and win yourself another gold trophy! Prove again that this sport isn’t just a young man’s game,” Coach Yusef encouraged with a thumbs up.

“Good luck out there, Mr. Gomaa!” Rajesh cheered up, a proud smile upon his face.

Muhammad nodded giving them a thumbs up in return before joining the other men for the line out to the stage. As he waited, immense dread crept up and along his intestines. The immense heat, the bright lights, the waiting crowd, the keen eyes of the judges. It was all too much.

His body wanted to bolt, and it needed to stay on that stage performing the bodybuilding poses Muhammad otherwise had no real knowledge of.

He took a deep breath, and allowed his natural sense of calm to worm deep into his new form. Everything was going to be okay.

The tingling sensations died down.

Once free of the anxiety, Ali’s form moved on autopilot, swaggering out onto the stage to great applause. The heat was sweltering and the lights were blinding, but Ali eased himself into his movements allowing the crowd and judges to examine him from every angle. Muhammad did not know the names for the poses he performed, but in this body it felt as natural as riding a bike. You never really forget.

In the end, Ali Gomaa won second place, an end result he was satisfied with though not as much as first place would have been.

“Congrats, champ. Didn’t even need Rajesh to body double for you. I’m proud,” Yusef greeted once Muhammad came off the stage, his skin tingling from being under the lights.

The excitement of the crowd had gotten to him and he decided to flex one of his impressive biceps to show off his new found confidence.

“What can I say? Guess I’ve learned not to take things so seriously,” Ali said with a hearty laugh.

Rajesh said very little, but smiled reticiently as if hiding something but Muhammad didn’t think of it much. What would his best-friend have to hide?

It was only much later after the three had dinner at the hotel restaurant, and bid Yusef a goodbye back to his room that the two had alone time again.

“I’m sorry I keep snapping at you,” Muhammad began but Rajesh waved it off.

“You’re doing great as Ali, man. Better than I did. At the very least if you can’t remember to pose right, you can always fall back on losing your temper. So stay focused, shower, and rest. We got 2 more days of work ahead of us,” Rajesh’s face seemed to twitch with jealousy, but quickly softened. He gave Muhammad a supportive pat on the back, then shut his room door behind him.

Muhammad did as Rajesh asked of him. He showered, struggled in vain to scrub off the tanning oil, then laid out in bed with a towel wrapped around his waist.

Absent-mindedly, Muhammad flexed his right bicep. The muscle contracted, releasing a burst of blood flow into his brain. It reminded him of his first big victory. The ecstatic crowd, the desert heat, the judges proclaiming Ali Gomaa as the first place winner of the Men’s Classic Bodybuilding competition of Cairo in 2009 but that hadn’t been his memory, hadn’t it?

He stood up from the bed with a grunt and walked to the room’s body-length mirror. His towel abandoned to the bed, Muhammad admired Ali’s body in all its bronzed glory.

Muhammad flexed, he posed, he practically pirouetted as he strove to feel every sensation, every inch of this body. Yet as he caught a glimpse in the mirror, he stopped himself.

This wasn’t him. He tried to tell himself it wasn’t true, but the face that stared back at him said otherwise.

Muhammad tried to think of his family, his friends, his life, but they all felt very distant and far away. Ali’s family and friends seemed distant too at least. Yet when thoughts turned to Rajesh, Muhammad felt this strangeness in him.

For on one hand he felt that Rajesh was his best-friend, his contemporary, and he was being brutally honest, his crush. Yet on the other he felt that Rajesh was his student, almost an adoptive son, while he was his elder.

The more he thought about it the more his urges kept blurring together. Rather than just a crush, or a platonic student, Muhammad began to see Rajesh as a potential younger lover. As a man who needed his guidance in the ways of bodybuilding and sex between men. As this change occurred his interest in Yusef officially faded. That man was Ali’s idol, an older trailblazer, not something to be fucked but admired. Rajesh though, he was fair game.

He imagined himself towering over Rajesh in this body, the younger men dressed only in a bright red singlet and his bookish glasses. Him turning Rajesh around and guiding him to a bending over position facing the railing, as he slowly lowered his singlet over his sculpted ass cheeks.

Muhammad was already stroking Ali’s dick at this point, moaning softly. The cheap metal railing would shake as he shoved a beer can’s worth of his dick in and out of his friend’s tight hole.

He came like a rocket onto the carpet with a satisfied gasp. Suddenly too tired to worry about who he was or who he was becoming Muhammad crawled into bed. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad to be stuck this way, he sleepily reasoned, especially if he ended up with Rajesh as his boy toy.

While I planned this story as a two-parter, I wanted to linger a bit on Muhammad’s changing mindset in the early days of the convention. So this is going to be a three parter instead.

Stay tuned for the finale whenever I’m done editing. Peace ✌️

[riddles-n-games]

That Night In Prague Rant

Let me start off by saying Hannah and Toby's story was amazing and heartbreaking, Libby and Nash were also sweet and supportive of one another, Xander is awesome at giving emotional depth to others even in the strange circumstance of tackling, and Secret Santa was quite literally a blast. But there's one story I haven't mentioned yet, have I? You know which one since it's the literal title to this rant/critique.

To get the basic pleasantries out of the way, I loved the promise ring scene, the way Jameson admires Avery lighting up and wanting to see the world through her eyes, the fact he wrote her postcards, and Avery's protectiveness of him. That's it. Great. Now we can get to the real stuff. My dear Jennifer Lynn Barnes, when you announced this book back in February during the month of romance, I recall that this book promised to deliver on ROMANTIC stories and showing us how a Hawthorne man loves. Why the heck did you keep trying to insert every possible wink wink nudge nudge moment possible in Avery's POV then?

When she stated Avery was gonna have a POV again, I was excited but I wasn't sure if I should leap for joy. See, given how Averyjameson were portrayed in the last book, I was somewhat disappointed since I really wanted to see Avery through Jameson's eyes in a more romantic light. It was an eyeroll, unfortunately, and what a missed chance for a wedding dress ref in the race outfit scene since he gave her a promise ring.

However, people were saying, ah, it's Jameson, he's a teenage boy. And ok, I did bite my tongue after that because alright, that's just him (though I am still bitter about his lack of development in TBH), but that wasn't the case with Avery. She's my girl, I can always rely on her, right? Three books of build up with a pretty solid character voice made her who she became in TFG. Cool, I was ready to go back. And as I said so many times before, she gave Jameson depth which helped us see what so many did not and I loved how she didn't let him get away with certain things. She was sensible.

WTF was this then? This is not Avery Kylie Grambs. This is A Very Random Imposter (you come up with the anagram). Imagine my fricken surprise when out of nowhere Jameson As A Girl.

The crimes of the story: "after a lengthy and not quite G-rated negotiation" (WT actual F), "like his body wasn't tense in all the right ways", "smile of his made me want to do things", “I would let him demonstrate all the many, many reasons he had to be that smug", "His search had been... thorough" (????).

This sounds so cringey and unlike Avery. It felt like JLB was trying to force Max and Jameson and Rohan into her POV. Clearly after only two years of not being in her original character's POV and changing through 5 main characters (which was a horrible idea in the first place), she's managed to mish-mash her only properly developed character into sounding like another person.

The innuendos here are the worst I've seen. Avery has never been crass or sexually charged so why start that now? We already have characters that take on that route and now you're trying to ruin Avery with that? PUH-lease. Jameson was enough in TBH and now you're trying to ruin my girl? NO. Absolutely NOT. If JLB wanted to implement this in the og trilogy, then it should have been done earlier but no, Avery was never that girl and she shouldn't be now.

This isn't and cannot be listed as character growth in the slightest because if she sounded the same after a year in TFG post THL and also sounded like her normal self in Secret Santa which is in the same book as TNIP, there should be no reason why she sounds like this here. It ruins the continuation in her character POV which is something that at this point should be solid as stone. Not to mention, not everything works for everyone and that's ok. While I hate it, it makes more sense in Jameson's POV than hers. In Avery's POV, I cringe at it because it sounds so unnatural for her and feels like I'm looking at someone trying to fit into a crowd they just don't mesh with.

Three books solidified that. Why else did we fall in love with TIG in the first place? Partly because of who Avery was and who she became over the course of the trilogy. She stood out amongst the crowd. Did she have a similar way of thinking about puzzles like Jameson? Yes. Did she have a different approach to romance? Yes. Did she help Jamie become a more sensible guy? Yes! Was their flirty banter fun and interesting? Always. That's part of what made me love them so much in the first place but it shifted so suddenly that now they're sounding like Savannah and Rohan.

In October, when we had the preview of more chapters, I immediately noted this sounds like a very different Avery, either older or an alternate universe version of her. If she wants to do this with Rohannah, go ahead; they're a new budding romance so that has room for whatever she didn't use in other ones but leave Averyjameson as we've known them to be for three novels that solidified who they are. I know other romances should be given a chance, I never said that shouldn't be the case but if I'm being given the chance to see my favorite ship being in the spotlight, then do it right one last time. You have three books as your guideline.

Anyways, I'm dissatisfied so I will be doing a rewrite of TNIP since this is a shorter thing to take care of than a whole novel. Have a great day and thanks for reading. Fics will be out at some point, God, so much real life work to do.

[nyx-thedragon]

Newsies thoughts part 3

so I just finished watching Newsies 1992 for the fourth time, and noted down a bunch of things I noticed or thoughts I had. I didn't do this the third time I watched bc that one was with my brother and I wanted to focus on the movie and talking and joking with him lol.

anyway, I noted down a lot of things, so prepare for a long post. (these are in order of when I thought of them, and I'm typing them from my notes app so enjoy my train of thought/how my brain thinks)

1- shoutout to Mr Kloppman for taking care of the boys

2- what's the story behind the lady that comes in singing about her son in "Carrying the Banner"? she fucking slays, but I'm very confused about it

3- they're literally just a bunch of teenage boys who've been dealt an awful hand in life but try their best to keep everyone's morale up and stay positive (me realizing how sad the reality of the newsboys is)

4- all the older newsies taking care of and helping the little ones I love them so bad

5- you can tell how close the newsies are with each other I love it. family for real

6- why does Les carry a wooden sword almost the whole movie?

7- "this is my brother David. he's older" "oh, no kiddin'"

8- love love love how all the newsies just adopt David and Les into the group immediately

9- Pulitzer needs a magnifying glass to read the big-ass headline lmao

10- Seitz lowkey seems to kinda be on the newsies' side

11- why does the crowd boo when the old guy is holding up the "round 58" sign? (during the scene where there's a boxing match going on)

12- Les and Davey immediately follow Jack in running from Snyder even though they've never been in trouble with the law

13- Davey stops Les from putting his head in the horse mask thing (?) (when they're in Medda's theatre)

14- Jack just staring at Davey while Medda coos over Les

15- genuinely Jack did not need to pull Davey by his tie. he could've grabbed his shoulder, but no. had to pick the gayest option

16- Davey inviting Jack to his house after just meeting him literally like not even 12 hours ago. and then inviting him to stay the night?? down bad behavior for real. and he seems so nervous to introduce him to his parents too ??

17- Sarah Jacobs please give me a chance please please please

18- ngl the scenes with Jack and Sarah are a little bit like,,,cringe?? idk they just don't feel right idk if they have enough chemistry for Sarah to realistically be Jack's love interest

19- bro just casually steals a horse and no one goes after him ??? (during Santa Fe)

20- the stupid fucking calculation thing Pulitzer does with his arms omg it's so funny for no reason

21- Kid Blink either doesn't see or just doesn't care that one of the Delanceys is mocking him

22- Jack puts his hand like right next to Davey's face and then slowly moves it away lol (when Jack is asking Davey what he should say to the other newsies when first planning the strike)

23- Davey staring longingly at Jack while he's up writing "strike" on the board

24- "i need some of those...what do you call 'em?" "whatever you want!" (from a random newsie in the crowd, love whoever that was)

25- Spot Conlon hears Davey say one sentence and is like 'yeah this guy never shuts up once you get him going, i can tell' (hence "walking mouth")

26- who is the newsie that just appears behind Jack while they're in Brooklyn talking to Spot??

27- Mush and Davey friendship i love you so

28- where does Race get a harmonica from for "Seize The Day"?

29- love all the littles standing on the statue pedestal during "Seize The Day"

30- Jack and Davey jump up on the statue pedestal and start kicking each other. playing footsie, boys?

oh dear lord i did not realize i noted down this much holy shit

31- Davey immediately looking for Les when the cops show up

32- the Refuge needs better security at the gate cuz how did newsies sneak in TWICE

33- they had time to choreograph a whole dance routine bro (the little seize the day reprise thing)

34- "everyone remain calm" "let's soak 'em for Crutchie!"

35- Davey gets pulled away by someone in the crowd while trying to help Jack (during the big scene when they get ambushed by the police at the distribution place)

36- why are half of the Brooklyn guys grown ass men?? and they're intimidated enough by Spot Conlon to let him be the leader? man i love Spot Conlon he's so cool

37- Spot and Kid Blink lowkey friendship love it

38- Dutchy being horizontal for the picture

39- the workers at the restaurant just watching the chaos of "King of New York"

40- i hate Snyder's face. it makes me uncomfy

41- Sarah Jacobs, how is your hair perfect right after waking up tell me your secrets

42- if they wanted the Jack and Sarah love interest story to actually work better, they should've fit more scenes of them talking

43- nah cuz actually wdym Jack's "real" name is Francis?? he doesn't look like a Francis at all (this is just me being baffled that he could be named Francis, of all things)

44- who is letting Kid Blink hang off the fucking balcony bro he is nawt gonna land on his feet

45- Race and Blink being Medda's #1 hype men <3

oh my fucking god i'm so sorry this is so long i apologize profusely. if you've made it this far, go get a little treat for yourself

46- Jack and Davey are so grabby with each other when Davey is warning Jack about Snyder

47- Medda i love you !!! (tried to fight off the police to defend Race. "he's just a child")

48- how are the newsies losing the fight against the police? there's like a thousand of them and not as many of the police (or at least it seems there's a lot less police)

49- Denton trying to get to Jack when he's captured by the police

50- Race trying to gamble with the judge, he's so unserious

51- the look Jack gives Davey when Snyder starts telling the truth about Jack (his real name, his dad not being out West)

52- i keep accidentally mixing up Specs and Dutchy lol. probably cuz they both wear glasses (i feel so bad for this omg i'm so sorry Specs and Dutchy)

53- no yeah, security at the gate of the Refuge is awful. 6 boys snuck in at once !!

54- why did Pulitzer tell Jack to shut up and listen THREE TIMES when he wasn't even talking ???

55- Davey was just standing in the courtyard outside Pulitzer's, how did no one see him?? he wasn't even hiding, dude

56- Mush shows up to get the "Newsies Banner" papers twice - once by himself and again with Kid Blink

57- "can you read? read that" (Race making sure the kids will be able to read the paper love him for that)

58- Race and Les's little friendship moment is cute ("when the distribution bell starts ringin', will we hear it?" "nah")

59- Race's reaction to Roosevelt is funny. "Roosevelt!?" (bro is shocked)

60- Denton hanging out with Les while Davey gets his papes

61- Race cheering when Jack kisses Sarah. "Jackie boy!"

whew oh dear lord I am so so so sorry for this being so fucking long. I didn't even realize I had noted down so many things I feel bad for making folks have to read this whole thing if they want to see all my thoughts. maybe I should split this in half and have two posts instead of this long one?? idk let me know what you think. also, if I got the names wrong for any newsies, please let me know I'm still learning lol.

uh yeah, this post is over now. stay hydrated, get some rest, and stay cool

[youthereader]

Near Zero part 6.

PAIRING: cillian murphy as j. robert oppenheimer x fem!reader

SUMMARY: 1.1k words. Brought on as part of the Manhattan Project, your old physics professor sees you in a new light.

RATING: E; barebacking, infidelity, age gap (10+ years), secret relationship

A/N: Although based on real life characters, this is J. Robert Oppenheimer as played by Cillian Murphy, a fictional character, and does not intend to be accurate. This is merely for entertainment. This is the first of two parts in Santa Fe! A little smutty, a little fluffy.

masterlist

You would be forgiven for forgetting there is a wide, wide world beyond Los Alamos by how isolated it is. The train takes you and a dozen colleagues out to Santa Fe and in between listening to the men speaking, you take in the countryside.

Though the days are getting colder, the sun remains, everything swallowed by its brightness as the train crawls along. You are wedged between Robert and the window, and hear Feynman admit to bringing his bongos.

“Whatever for?” you chuckle. “Richard, your poor wife.”

Robert had been jealous of Feynman when you danced during the mixer, but Richard was happily married, coming along to visit his spouse in Santa Fe as she was treated for tuberculosis.

“It might do her some good,” he retorts, shrugging.

“Or get you thrown out.”

He rolls his eyes. Lately, you’ve been teased for being a bore again, which suits you fine. Since the incident with Nichols, you don’t want to stick out at all, or to be seen as adventurous. He granted the weekend pass, but up until boarding that morning you hadn’t felt sure of anything.

The journey is a little over an hour, and once you arrive, Robert lets you past him to make your descent from the carriage. Your group idles in the entryway to the station, before you break off into pairs or trios. Some are leaving to find a bar, others to the few hotels in town. You have your suitcase in one hand and your coat in the other, Feynman and Robert shaking hands and separating.

There are worse things, to be seen with Robert walking down the main street, you suppose. You give Feynman a short wave as he goes to find transport to the hospital, keen to see his wife. Robert beside you, his hand touches the small of your back.

“You should have sent your things ahead,” he murmurs.

“I can carry this,” you say, but he stoops to take your suitcase from you.

You walk together to the hotel, reaching the front desk and check in separately. You join again at the steps to the elevator, eyes meeting.

“Meet you here in an hour for lunch?” he asks, friendly.

“Of course, Oppie,” you reply, beaming at him. “See you then.”

You arrive at your room, your suitcase with a bellhop beside you. You give him a generous tip, shutting the door as you kick off your shoes. You take out a cigarette and light it, tossing aside your hat on a chair as you walk through. Your room is modest, but far grander than anything you’ve ever slept in. Like so many others before the war, the struggle to make ends meet meant only dreaming of rooms like this, with a bed made for you, tiny little soaps and monogrammed towels on rails in a washroom all to yourself.

There’s a knock in the distance as you wander, and you move back to the door to answer it, not peeking through the spyhole. Robert stands there without his hat, hands on his hips.

You smile at him, letting him through. You agreed earlier that being seen taking separate elevators, going to two different rooms, was the better idea.

“How is your view?” he murmurs, coming through.

You follow him as he looks out the window, lifting your cigarette back to your lips. He takes in the stretch of street below.

“It’s better now,” you murmur.

He takes a moment for the words to stick, and he glances back, his eyes dropping to your bare feet.

“Are you sure you don’t mind I visit your room? I only would impose in case mine was bugged.”

He makes it sound as if he is unworthy of your attention, and you glance away with a smile, exhaling.

“You are so beautiful,” he says, and you stare at him, your cheeks warm. “You are always so beautiful.”

Occasionally his words still astonish you, even after learning his language over the years. He approaches you, hands coming up to hold your face. You kiss him for the first time in days, sighing as he pulls you into an embrace. When he pulls back, he takes your cigarette for a quick puff.

“Are you quite hungry yet?” you murmur.

“Starving,” he replies, and he kisses you again.

He all but devours you as you walk into the bedroom, cigarette hastily mashed in the ashtray, the dish nearly knocked off the nightstand in your hurry. Your tongues tangle as you give yourself to him, your chest a vice as your pour into him, holding his face as your hips cradle his.

A bed. A whole bed to yourselves, and it’s heavenly. His hand is under your dress and between your thighs, your breath catching as he rubs you over your underwear, the weight of his body on yours pressing you further down…

In no time at all, you both are naked, rolling together with the blankets pushed aside. Your hair curtains you both as you lie on top of him, your legs twining. Not quite joined, you stretch out the moment longer, revelling in the fact that there are no barriers between you. This is the first time you’ve seen each other completely naked, and he can’t stop touching you everywhere, caressing you and kissing you.

You cry out when he pushes inside you, pulling you down, your whole body shaking as he stretches, his blue eyes endless beneath you. The smell of his bare skin makes you want to cry.

“Robert,” you moan, eyes fluttering shut when he rubs where he splits you open.

He kisses the column of your neck and grazes his teeth there, knees pulling up for better leverage, fucking you slow and hard. You dissolve into pure pleasure, slumping forward as he holds you against him, chest to chest…

“Darling,” he whispers, and then he curls his fingers in your hair.

You kiss him hard, having recovered enough to be fully within your body once again. He groans, muffled against your lips. You cling to one another, and you sense him trying to delay the inevitable, his breath coming in short pants against your neck. The push and pull of your bodies becomes a frenzy, as he gives in to it all, pulling back at the last second to finish on your stomach.

You both stare down at the mess, panting together, his forehead pressed to yours.

“Are you alright?” he whispers, and you nod dazedly.

“I would like a drink now,” you whisper, and he nods.

A beat or two and then he begins to chuckle, long and low, slumping so he lies half on top of you, his growing laughter filling your ears.

Also, congratulations to Cillian for winning the Golden Globe for Oppenheimer! I was at work when he won so I didn't get to see his speech live. :/ Anyway, thank you for reading and know that all likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated. 🖤

Taglist: @indulgence-be-thy-name @forgottenpeakywriter

[spoiled-fawn]

Meeting Johnny

Western AU; Mail Order Spouse Trope

WC: 2,726 CW: None

AN: I'm alive! Sorry this is so short, this was a good stopping point and I need to work on my world-building for Soap before getting to the next part. Just know- I haven't given up on this AU (It's literally my firstborn, blood, and soul, but I will be a bit slow until my brain juices stay flowing. I hope ye enjoy <3

Please see the Introduction for the explanation and precursors to the scene.

Introduction, Biography

--------

Johnny’s proposal to you was quick in terms of a few letters exchanged; three letters in, he invited you to come out and sent you enough money to figure out accommodations to get to him. As soon as you read those words at the post office, you ran home high on endorphins and adrenaline began packing your bags without grandiose care in the world. The fire inside you licked at the bottom of your heart, anger at staying in this shithole for far too long and feeling a sense of belonging- the sense of feeling wanted to make you have an ulterior purpose in life as if a phoenix reborn and spreading its wings while nose-diving into the unknown. When your parents came home as you zipped your bags, you sincerely couldn’t give a flying fuck as you shoved past them and began berating your parents with a grand show of a public yelling match for the neighbors to hear. 

Good for you! 

You had already planned how to get to him after receiving his first letter back; First step, buying a train ticket that led you to Santa Fe, New Mexico. From there, you had to embark on the Gila Trail, before having to buy your horse and head out on the San Diego Crossings wagon road by yourself. 

This trip was a long haul, and you prayed that Johnny would trust in your quickly established faith to wait out for you. The promise of a strong and loving man is all you could think about...

While in your adrenaline-filled escape, you hadn’t plucked the book in your room that hid his photo as a bookmark, but thankfully had grabbed the letter that gave you his directions. While you scavenge your mind to have a solid image of him, you think over his features and re-read the letters countless times.

Johnny has a background of all sorts, having grown up in a family that held their bond strong, especially after his father had passed in a mining cave-in, which rendered him the man of the house from a young age. Even in his brief telling of these events, you could tell he’s moved out to California to find a deeper meaning of himself, create the line in concrete for it to harden as he ages. 

That isn’t to say that he has lost his sense of boyishness, not at all in fact. His stories that he wrote even contained small doodles along the borders to better depict what he was writing about, and it was half your mind to cut them out and keep them as little bookmarks or place them in your wallet as a keepsake. He was playful, writing jokes about the smallest things, even letting you in on some secrets about the people in his town before you got there.

While the sense of his flame burned hot in multiple directions, deep in his hearth was a passionate man. Just as he seemed so sweet, with a flick of his wrist the writing would turn into something hot enough to make you blush, averting your eyes as your mind ran wild with his thoughts. He seems to enjoy a bubble bath… but maybe only when you’re in it with him. Even writing about the future and him stating he wants a family by any means, you could only imagine a deep possessiveness inside of him to claim you as such. Even if you were able to have his biological children or not, he’d still make sure you felt like you did.

But back to your journey. 

The course of the trains provided you an oversight of the new lands you had yet to ever see, as it was the beginning stages of territories turning into states. The rides were long, and adjusting to the set time zones was a large throw-off to your circadian rhythm. Having already traveled two states west, it was difficult to decide on which line would grant you the fastest access to Johnny. Luckily enough, a kind person in the Denver station helped point out that taking the route from northern Nevadah into California would grant you the fastest time, and ease your solo traveling. 

The kind person stated that they were in a similar situation and now waiting for the train, having a bit of time to offer some advice while making it toward their end goal. Thanking them with bountiful wishes and good luck’s in their journey, you were on your way.

It took four more days to find yourself in Temecula, California. An astonishing change from the desert lands that reflected the sun so brightly now showed the capabilities of a plush environment of greenery and clouds. The train station was reached as the sunlight began pouring in over the mountains; being quick on your feet, and from the other settlers being far too tired, you found a deal on the last remaining horse available. 

Traveling by horseback prompted challenges with reading Johnny's directions, and you did not want to admit that you were lost. The lack of directory and signage left you getting flustered already by noon and being left alone in such a rural area in between towns felt far more daunting than any part of this trip. Passing by stagecoaches who all seemed to know their way around, you filed in line through a secondary road filled with houses in the valley of the small mountains.

Three hours later and a small urge to cry while having given up on re-reading the letter, you accepted defeat when you saw someone sitting on their porch down a dirt road with his house being the only one there.

“Hi! Excuse me, sir?” The sound of your voice breaks through the stillness of the settling valley, enough to make the man look up from the table he is currently hunched over.

“Would you mind helping me out by giving me directions?” Willing yourself to not blush or shrink into your large coat, embarrassment running through your chest while in the new environment.

For a moment, the man doesn't seem to acknowledge you, having to do a double take before his eyes widen in surprise. The toothpick that was delicately hanging on his lip falls to the ground, less he even notices before he sits up straight readjusting his hat, and clears his throat.

“‘Course, my dear. How can I be of service.” His accent is rich, leading you to believe that he’s been raised in the West, and has a perfectly smooth twang to his speech as it leaves his side smile.

“I’m looking for the country store… There’s supposed to be an old Coke sign on it.” The words leave you in a higher pitch than you’d normally speak, having a handsome stranger stare at you with a wide-eyed stare as he watches your lips move. “And to be honest- I wouldn’t know if I’m in the right place to begin with.” 

As if snapped back to reality again, eye contact cut short as he blinks before looking down the road and then back to you. “Ah, store’ way down yonder with a crossing sign. If yer’ headed west then a left will take you to the interstate,” A nod confirms his sense of confidence in his directions, explaining it plain and simple as the roads that his house lies on.

The smile that crosses your face lights your eyes, and it's the most relief you’ve gotten ever since getting on horseback. “Thank you, I really do appreciate it.” Your hands pull on the reigns of the horse, already turning around to try and beat sunset before it's too dark to ride alone.

Before you’re out of earshot, “When you’re in, you gotta stop and ask Ms. Bell for somma’ her sweet tea. But remember, take a right, and you’ll end up right back here to me.” The wink that leaves him makes you question if you’re seeing things in the late light of the day, but you’re sure he can see the blush that burns your cheeks.

A laugh leaves you before nodding in response, now clicking your horse into a quick trot while you’re high on the adrenaline from the interaction. Well… at least you have a backup plan in case your bachelor doesn't work out.

Arriving far too quickly than you’d expect, the store was only a few minutes down the road and concealed by a line of trees. Hitching your horse and walking into the store on stiff legs, you plan on following the stranger's advice to get some sweet tea.

The bell above the door jingles as you walk in, catching the attention of the older woman behind the counter. Here eyes take in your form, surprised such a fresh-faced person has arrived this late into the day. “How can I help you, sweetheart?” Her voice rings out a bit rough, someone who knows how to pull her weight if trouble would arrive.

“I’m actually looking to get to someone's home near town, but I was told to make my way from this store to not get lost.” A pause as your eyes take in the scenery of the rustic store; A layer of dust settled onto the wooden floors as shelves are stocked with an assortment of canned goods, spices, and a few refrigerators labeled as eggs and milk. “Met a stranger on the way and was told I should get some sweet tea here, too.”

Her eyes, still studying you as you speak and noting your accent, or lack thereof, bring a small quirk to her face. “Well, lemme get you some of my tea while you get yourself found.” Leaving her seat she makes her way to a wall in the back, pulling out two large mason jars with a light brown liquid. 

“That stranger you met- was he small ways up north fr’mere?” The smile on her face grows as she walks back to her seat at the register as you walk forward to meet her.

“Yes… A lone house down a single road. Blue eyes, brown hair, and some stubble.” The answer is pulled from you automatically, reciting the mental image of him.

“Toothpick in his mouth?”

The question is almost absurd in how spot-on she is, but then again this is a very small town. “Yes.”

The answer makes her laugh, somewhat un-ladylike when compared to the women from your home, and the noise makes you startle in place for a second.

“That damn Johnny makes me work my ass off to keep this tea in stock. He’s been so stressed waiting for his person to come ‘nd has been drinking me straight out of this stuff.” She levels when calming down for a moment, now placing the jars in bags.

She has yet to look back up at you and fails to notice your limbs seemingly frozen in place as the air leaves your lungs. That was Johnny?

“I’m so sorry ma’am. Did you say that was Johnny? As in MacTavish?”

The rustle of the brown paper bags stops, her eyes darting up to find yours. “Well, I’ll be damned.” She murmurs lowly before a sly smile takes over her face. “You’re here, and you’re damned too good from what you made yourself out to be, sweetheart.” 

Still frozen with your mind reeling, adrenaline begins to pump back into your bloodstream while a jolt alights your muscles. “Oh- I’m so sorry ma’am, I must get going its getting late and-”

The sliding of the jars on her counter interrupts your rambling, “Ah ah, its Ms. Bell dear, and you best be taking this with you to him. Don’t worry bout nothin’ but I’m happy to welcome you to the town.” 

If you looked now, you could notice the tremor in your hands. Nodding and taking the bag, a rush of endless ‘thank you’s’ and an elated smile seats itself permanently before loading the bags on the saddle and turning back around to start galloping forward back towards where you once were.

—

The sound of horses and wagons isn’t a constant to Santa Ysabel during the night hours, usually only occurring after the dayshift ends. As Johnny sits on his porch, his mind muddled with confusion as he stews over his soon-to-be partner arrives, thoughts of the stranger asking for directions makes him confused.

Fresh toothpick in his mouth as he widdles away at a bar of tallow, working to pull off glycerine for work. Surely that wasn’t a coincidence, right? The picture you sent was muddled down with water stains, and he blamed it on the damn train that sent your envelopes out this way. It was beginning sunset, and though he couldn't make out most of your features because of the coat you concealed yourself in- 

The bar of soap drops to the ground and he curses, now jumping out of his mind and into the present. 

The sound of hooves beating and approaching make him look up.

There, Here, you’re back again and the whites of your teeth are illuminated by the fading sun to show your smile.

Slowing down your horse to a stop, breathing in a slight pant as compared to your horses, the smile never leaves you.

“Figure you need some more directions, sweetheart?” His drawl leaves him, standing to make his way towards you. 

“Take off your hat.” The response is curt, and demanding in a way, but that glimmer of excitement makes it sound so sweet.

Johnny himself is befuddled for a moment, eyebrow cocked but complies anyway. Now raising the hat off of his head and holding it to his chest, his eyes answer for him. This what you wanted?

A small sound of excitement leaves you, nodding before your leg swings over your saddle, dismounting with a small jump and walking forward.

“Johnny, it's me.”

A swear leaves his mouth, accompanied by a rush of air before he drops his hat to the side and plucks hit toothpick out with it. The smile that coats his face makes him appear so young and boyish at heart as he moves forward with arms open to wrap around your hips with a low growl, “C’mere you,”

You could be embarrassed by the small squeal that leaves you, but you couldn’t give a rat's ass on anything right now. He spins you around for a quick moment, arms around your body as he lifts you easily with his strength.

Staring down into his eyes, you grab a shoulder while the other hand cups his jaw. “Didn’t know it was you until Ms. Bell said something.”

He laughs, head tilting back in bewilderment at the situation and excitement. “Talkin bout her sweet tea?” He asks while setting you down on your feet, hands never straying as he pulls you against him and traverses over your body.

“Yes, gave me some to bring home.”

The use of home sparks his heart with a bright thrum, butterflies encasing his stomach while he rumbles out a laugh. The texture of his hands is both soft and ruff, his thumbs rubbing over your cheekbones before one hand moves to brush over your hair, cupping the back of your neck.

“Well, in that case, welcome home, sweety.” The rumble sends a shiver down your spine, eyes darting over his face before settling on his lips. A breath settles before you look back into his sharp blue eyes, as he looks at you seemingly waiting for permission.

A small nod of your head and gently pulling him towards you, the band on the back of your head pulls you forward as he brings your lips together. The taste of him has a spice to it, the favor of cinnamon cotes his lips and brings a slow burn over yours while his body’s warmth brings another wave.

The stubble of his beard rubs your face- and it's a welcome feeling as compared to the winds of the valleys whipping past you. Something you’d gladly leave your skin bright red and raw from hours of the feeling.

Before growing too heated, you part with a small gasp and trail him slightly before blinking to find his smirk growing as a low rumble vibrates against you. “Let's get you settled in, then we can celebrate s’more.”

--------

[Who do you all think the reader met at the train station? If you get the song reference for their meeting you get two gold stars! I hope yall enjoy.]

[alsoamalthia]

Fandom question!

Have any Supa Strikas HCs going round?

*kicks the door open* I'M BACK!

Okay, first of all, anon, I opened this Ask when you sent me this but I held it there because I haven't really thought of any headcanons and it's only now that I got to gather some.

Most of these are basically just piggyback riding on other people's headcanons with a little addition of my own based on my observations.

Let's start with my fave headcanon.

1. Coach is divorced.

This is adding on to that one headcanon I saw that says Coach is going through a divorce and Rasta is the only one he told about it (I forgot who said this but if you're reading this, I hope you don't mind me hopping on to it).

My headcanon is the series started with him still married, and sometime in the middle of the series (around S3-S5), he's going through a divorce and by S6-S7, it has been settled.

The reason I hopped on to this headcanon is how in License to Coach(?), I noticed how his home wasn't designed for a single user. In addition to having a bed for two people (I design houses yet I do not know what it's called), there are some design choices in the house that doesn't look like they're made by Coach and looks like they're the design choice of another person. Well, at least that's based my own understanding of Coach and how I think he chooses his furnitures lol.

2. Big Bo was a top student.

So he has a library of books and it had been implied that he actually reads them. It's basically just that. He probably read encyclopedias for fun when he was a child.

3. Shakes was a theater kid.

Or he secretly is.

I haven't seen Rookie Season so I don't know if this is canon lol. Okay, so he can sing; this I know is canon. I think he secretly sings Santa Fe in the shower.

He auditioned for the role of Marius or Enjolras in their school's production of Les Miserables. He got accepted for the role of Marius but rehearsal schedules are conflicted with his football practice so he had to drop it.

4. Skarra once had a band in HS.

Again, I haven't seem RS so I don't know if this is canon.

I feel like he'd sing something Fall Out Boy or My Chemical Romance. I also want to think this is how he met Kat. Kat once sang with them. I know the canon first meeting was 'business reasons' but hey, you asked for headcanons and this is it for me.

[thiswasinevitableid]

What It's Worth (Indruck)

A big yeehawgust prompt winner was: Undead Cowboy. This fill is NSFW and does mention blood

The stars stud the sky, the sliver of moon rising from the mesa meaning Duck can see them clearly as he lays on his back in the dirt. 

His bedroll is okay, but the memory of frost in the air makes him wish he’d had time to snag a few more spare blankets. But all he could manage this morning was the essentials.

He wasn’t going to spend a single minute longer in that damn place than he had to. 

They lost the farm in West Virginia two years ago, when Duck was seventeen. His uncle, Papa Newton’s brother, had offered to let the family move to his property outside Santa Fe. 

It seemed like a fuckin miracle. Until they settled in and Duck realized his uncle intended to treat them as free labor rather than family. If he has to polish one more round of dishes he’s gonna throw the whole dinner table out the fucking window. 

A week ago, when his uncle started making noises about finding his “niece” a husband, Duck decided there was no point in sticking around. Not if that’s how his uncle intended to use him. 

So here he is, as far from town as a days ride could get him, hidden from view of anyone on the trails. He’s keeping a small fire up; seems worth the risk to keep the coyotes and cougars from getting too close. 

There are footsteps, barely audible, on the other side of the fire. A shadow, with two red pinpoints about six feet off the ground. 

He doesn’t have a gun; unlike Winnie, his horse, they all belonged to his uncle, and the fucker might call him a thief and send the sheriff after him if he snuck one away. 

“Do not be alarmed.” The voice in the darkness is lilting and weak, “You are in no danger…no danger from…from…”

A thud as the body hits the earth, landing in the ring of firelight. Duck cautiously sits up, buck knife in hand, as the stranger groans and raises up onto his knees with a woozy shake of his head. 

The red Duck saw comes from the glasses the man wears on his narrow nose. His whole face is angles. His hair is silvery in the light, which is odd given the fact he appears only a few years older than Duck. 

“You okay?”

The visitor grips the knees of his pants, “No. I am so very, very thirsty.”

“I got a little water to spare.”

A weak laugh, “Nono, that will not save me. I need…I need…” He tips his head up with a sigh, as if steeling himself in order to make the request, and fangs catch the scant moonlight. 

Duck’s heard the stories about vampires and even weirder things out in the desert. He never put much stock in them; he spent his childhood in the woods, then the desert. He understands how easily folks can spook themselves out in the wild. 

“Please say you ain’t after my blood.”

“I am. I have not fed in so long, I was too ambitious in my travels to Greensboro. Too weak to catch an animal. If I go much longer I will become feral, mindless, draining any passerby until they are a husk” he looks up, frightened, “Please, please help me.”

“Uh.” Duck looks around like someone wrote the right thing to do in the sand. He wouldn’t let a human die of thirst. And he doesn’t want anyone getting their throat ripped out. But this feels like a real good way to trick a kind-hearted traveler into being dinner. 

“I will do anything you ask” a shudder and a groan, making the stranger hunch forward, “take me to bed, ask me for my weight in gold, the keys to the city, anything, please.” He sobs, trying to crawl forward but only making it to the bottom of the bed roll and clutching it.

“Okay.” Duck begins unbuttoning his shirt, “Okay. You can have a drink, but I, I keepin my knife on me, y’hear?”

“Perfectly. I would not begrudge you such measures, not when you are helping me.” He struggles forward until he’s straddling Duck’s knees. He’s dressed like the cowboys Duck watches with envy as they ride past the house, except every piece of clothing is black. 

“Rather impractical in a desert, I know. But I find it suits me.”

“It does.” Duck doesn’t catch the answer in time. The last thing he needs is some fella thinking he’s flirting with him. 

“You are very kind. Oh” he notices Duck pulling his shirt collar to the side, “I need not drink that way, I assume you do not wish me to be any closer than necessary. Your arm will suffice.”

“I, uh, I work with my hands and arms so this’ll be less of a pain in the neck. Or not but, uh, you know what I mean.”

The vampire nods, delicately scooting into Duck’s lap. He shivers as the visitor noses his throat, humming happily. 

“You smell divine.”

“I been on the trail all day, doubt I smell like a basket of roses.”

“Better.” The voice purrs, “now, this will only hurt a moment.”

Fangs sink into his skin and his entire body lights up in pain, telling him to fight, to run like a jackrabbit. Then all at once it subsides, pleasure rolling like a wildfire on the prairie, lighting up nerve after nerve until he wonders if they’ll burn out. 

The vampire has one hand in his hair, supporting his head, the other pressing down on his shoulder, and through the fire crackling in his brain he can tell he’s talking.

“...So good, thank you, thankyouthankyouthankyou.” The deep bite is over, but he continues nipping at the skin, licking and sucking at the blood. He’s wiggling closer, hips bucking a little, making the neediest sounds Duck’s ever heard between his thanks and praise of everything from Duck’s eyes to the way he tastes. 

If he could guarantee the man on top of him would be like this, Duck wouldn’t be half as put off the idea of getting married. 

Gradually, the touch on his neck changes to deliberate licks, the last one ending with a kiss as the vampire sits back on his heels. He looks drunk.

“I..I am very grateful for your help.”

“You don’t say?” Duck teases. 

“Have I not made that clear–oh! Oh it is a joke.” He grins, mouth still a bit red, “You are a very charming human. And my offer stands; you may ask anything you wish of me as payment.”

He could get a train ticket, or the money to buy one. A place to stay. Clothes he didn’t have to fix up to be right himself. 

“That’s real decent of you to offer but I wouldn’t make someone pay me for a drink if they were dyin of thirst. Don’t seem right to ask you to.”

“You are very kind. I will not intrude on you any longer.” The vampire tries to shift out of his lap and hisses. Duck looks down and sees why.

“Y’know, most fellas have a harder time doin’ that once they’re drunk.”

“It, it is nothing” he looks away, embarrassed, “it is merely the natural response to feeling full and safe while in the arms of a handsome man.”

“That so?” Duck licks his lips, “tell you what. Since you biting me got me all riled up, I changed my mind. I want this” he palms the vampire through his pants, “as my fee.”

“Gladly.” Wiry arms drape over his shoulders as Duck undoes the buttons and pulls his dick from his trousers. It’s a nicely sized thing, big enough to be tempting without feeling intimidating, and when he wraps his hand around it the responding squeak is almost a chirp. 

“There we go, sweet thing, lemme get my hands on you.”

“Only if I am permitted the same honor.”

“Hmmm” Duck pretends to think as he steadily strokes the shaft, “dunno, why should I let you feel me up?”

A pout, “Because I will be so very good for you. I was good for you when I fed, wasn’t I?”

“You were, sweet as a peach. Okay, you can touchAHhey” he laughs as hands greedily paw his sides and thighs. 

“Thank you, oh you are lovely to touch, lovely to hold.” Kisses spread across the closing wound on his neck, “what a lucky creature I am to have found so wonderful a human oh, ohohoh” his hips jerk wildly and he cums on Duck’s fingers. 

“Pent up?” He kisses a cheek that he suspects would blush if it could. 

“So it seems. Goodness, such things seldom take me by surprise.” A playful kiss to his ear, followed by a nip, “shall I return the favor?

Duck feels one half of him lean into the idea, the other wrench so far back he thinks it might dislocate his joints. 

“Nah. I’m, uh, I’m too, uh, tired, fuck, not not turned on, uh. Fuck.”

The vampire cocks his head, then nods, “Then I will not press the matter. Would you like me to stay awhile?”

“Yeah.” He murmurs, “Yeah I would.”

Duck nestles down into his bedroll as his visitor gets his clothing back into order, and falls asleep to long fingers in his hair and a gentle voice telling him of the moths and bats fluttering across the desert sky. 

—--------------------------------------------------------------------

He goes home when his uncle finally finds him and tells him that if he won’t do his family duty, he’ll find someone to marry Jane, Duck’s sister, to. 

Jane’s only 14. 

Duck spends the whole ride home hoping the lousy fucker gets thrown by his horse. 

A month later, he’s traveling with the old asshole and the equally cold-hearted, sneering woman he married to a party in Santa Fe. Mr. Indrid Cold, one of the area's richest and most mysterious residents, is said to be in search of a wife, and so Duck is in the most masculine dress he could find, hair still short and chaperones scowling as they enter the fine house off the city square. 

Duck tries to occupy himself in small talk, and while some of the women there won’t give him the time of day, others invite him into their cluster to hold crystal punch cups and whisper some of the most ridiculous shit he’s ever heard. 

“They say he’s a vampire!”

“Don’t be silly, my aunt said she saw him out in broad daylight.”

“Some of them can do that. It depends on their age.”

“Not this theory again, Josephine.”

“I told you, my name is Joe.”

“Anyway, even if your aunt did see him, that won’t help us. They say he throws one of these every few years and no one actually sees him in attendance. He just watches from somewhere so he can learn about us.”

Duck shudders at the idea; this whole thing is already a pain in the ass. It doesn’t need to be a creepy pain in the ass on top of that. 

“Pardon me.” A man with the blandest features imaginable addresses the group, “may I accompany you for a turn around the gardens?”

He’s offering his hand to Duck. 

“Is this a fuckin joke?”

A mild smile, “Not at all. I have been dying to speak to you since you arrived.”

Duck takes the offered hand, lets the man link their arms as they head into the courtyard. The gardens are stunning, if a bit overgrown, and Duck points out where a screech owl has hollowed out one of the trees. 

“Glad they kept the ones that actually grow here. Some folks try to bring the trees from back east out to make their gardens and they just up and die. On account of it bein, y’know, a fuckin desert.”

“That does seem rather ill-advised.”

They talk more about Duck’s move to the desert, and the longer they speak the more Duck feels like he knows the man’s voice. He just can’t place it. 

“I take it you are not a fan of the proceedings?”

“I, uh, I ain’t not, uh-”

“You do not need to lie, Duck.” A small smile. 

“It just ain’t my world.” He looks down at the dress, “rather be in sackcloth than this fuckin thing.”

“Mmm, I imagine you’d make a rather striking cowboy.”

“Like to think so. Aw fuck.” He turns to where the clock is striking eleven, signaling the end of the party, “I didn’t hobnob nearly enough.”

His companion squeezes his arm, “I would not worry too much about that.”

They say their goodnights and he rejoins his aunt and uncle, only to discover that they’ve booked him a room at a nearby hotel while they stay in a finer one across the road. Almost like they’re hoping his being alone might tempt their host into appearing at the foot of his bed like a fucking ghost.

He chucks his party outfit into the corner, the night hot enough that he decides to risk sleeping in the buff. The church on the other side of the square has just finished ringing midnight, and his eyes are going leaden, when there’s a shuff of his window opening. 

He’s five fucking stories up. 

Frozen, he watches a huge, winged figure squeeze through into the room. It’s some sort of fucking moth-man thing, and it’s glowing, red eyes are looking right at him. 

“Don’t come another fuckin step closer.” Duck grabs his boot from the ground, ready to throw it. 

Four arms raise in placation, “You are not in any danger from me, Duck. You were before, you are not now, and you never will be.”

“Your voice…are you the fuckin-”

“-Vampire from your camp? Yes.” Reality snaps for a moment and then the silver-haired man is standing there, clad in a simple black shirt and pants. 

“Holy fuck, I thought vampires could only turn into wolves and bats and shit.”

“My moth form is actually my true one. It is a long story. But the point of it all is: I am also Indrid Cold. And was your companion for much of this evening.” He clips a pin to his shirt and the same bland face comes into view. 

“Jesus.” Duck breathes as Indrid returns to his usual human appearance and sits on the bed. 

“Parties overwhelm me. A small enchantment is the best way to see if there are any guests I wish to know better. Up until now there have not been.” He sets his hand on Ducks covered knee, “why your aunt and uncle sent you here as anything other than a handsome bachelor, I shall never know. You looked so unhappy tonight all I wanted was to take you in my arms and whisk you off somewhere you could be yourself.”

“I, I didn’t mean to hide it from you.”

“I knew at the campsite. I can see the future, and when you rejected further advances it told me what was behind them.” A gentle, fanged smile, “you are a good looking man, Duck. I have not ever seen you as anything else.”

He relaxes, tucks his legs in so Indrid can come closer and stroke his cheeks.

“I throw this party every few years to keep my sire off my back about the matter of marriage. I suspect that may not be the case after tonight.”

“Y’know, getting down on one knee is more traditional than climbing through a window.” Duck teases.

Indrid laughs, “Nothing so rushed. I came because I could not stand another moment away from you. And because do have an offer for you. If you allow me to court you, know that I will never claim ownership over you, nor force you to live as you are not. If you wanted to ride from here to Alaska I would not stop you. Whatever freedom you desired would be yours. I’ve no need to control you, my sweet” he grins, “but I do ask for the chance to make you mine.”

The heat in his voice is clear as a spring sky. 

“That so?” Duck kisses him once, “how are you gonna prove bein’ yours is worth it?”

A longer, deeper kiss, Indrid nipping his lip as he pulls back, “However you wish. Though the idea you are about to suggest is one I am very much in favor of.”

“Yeah?”

“If I might be so bold, ah, I…the futures show you enjoying it immensely if I take my true form.”

Duck hesitates, “Let me see it again?”

The bed groans as the mothman reappears. He’s toffee-brown, chest so downy that Duck’s hand sinks into it. 

“Fuck, you’re real fuckin soft.”

“Thank you” A chirp of pleasure, “oh that spot has been itching for hours.”

“Which part of you did you, uh, see me enjoyin?” 

Indrid opens his mouth, in which Duck can see rows of small, sharp teeth along with the pointed canines. His tongue extends, long and flexible, “ith!”

It should scare the fuck out of him,  but all Duck does is kick the covers aside and lay back, spreading his legs. 

“Get to it.”

“Gladly.” A fuzzy cheek tickles his left thigh as Indrid nuzzles him. Then he gasps as teeth drag down the skin. 

“Do not think I did not notice your reaction to my bite last time. Most humans find it neutral or painful. Few moan as I drink them down.”

“Didn’t even know I was moanin’. Was too busy listening to you be a cute needy thing.”

“I was, wasn’t I.” The tongue teases his folds, “I will be as obedient and sweet as you desire, my darling one, for I do need you.”

Duck wants to say something flirty in reply, but then the tongue pushes into him and he moans. It’s incredible, pressing and teasing, happy little chirrs floating up from Indrid as he takes Duck to pieces. 

When his tongue presses on a certain spot, Duck yelps, and his hands flail for something to grab. They land on Indrid’s antenna, and a pleading, chirping groan breaks from the vampire. 

“Ohhhyes, it’s been ages since someone toyed with those.” He messily laps at Duck’s dick, “mmmf, you could make me do just about anything by pulling on them.”

“Want you to fuck me.” His horny brain blurts it out without warning and he clamps a hand over his mouth. 

“Do you wish me to?” Indrid sits up, wings fluttering shyly and hands soothingly petting Duck’s legs. 

“I do, I really fuckin do, but I can’t risk-”

“You would not be. I cannot have children with humans. At least not that way.”

“You sure?”

“Completely.”

Duck takes a deep breath, “Then come down here and fuckME, oh, ohfuck.” His heels dig into the bed as Indrid sinks into him. His cock must be as strange as the rest of him, if the way writhes inside him is anything to go by. 

It’s also fucking huge. 

“A-apologies.” Indrid is jerking and twitching, clearly trying to keep from moving to fast or pushing too deep, “I, I have never done this with a human before. I did not account for the size, god how tight you are, how small, oh you’re delightfully warm too.”

“Fuck.” Duck groans, tilting his hips to try and fit more inside him. 

“Do not strain yourself. My, my anatomy will do the work in a moment.” He purrs, running two hands through Duck’s hair, “I am here to serve you, not make you exert yourself.”

He says it with such sincere affection that Duck leans over to kiss one, quivering wing. 

“Oh that’s fuckin wild” He gasps as another part of Indrid’s cock presses into him, still flexible but firm, pushing him open. Several spread wider outside of him, catching at his dick and Indrid pushes deeper with hungry, demanding growl. 

Duck doesn’t black out, but if you asked him to describe the what happens next in detail in court, hand on the bible he wouldn’t be of much use. His legs hook onto Indrid’s own, claws dig into his hips, and Indrid’s cock drives into him, his bulk meaning Duck’s face ends up pressed to his chest.

 From there he has no choice but to cling to him, feeling the purr in his chest as he promises Duck he will do this and more whenever he asks, be at his service, be good for him because his body is worth that, because Duck is worth that, and just as tears prick his eyes from the intensity of sensation, from the fact the can feel himself cumming, tightening around Indrid as best as his body can manage, there’s a cascade of thank yous, and then his lover cums in him, so much that it runs back down the shaft and is Indrid trills and thrusts a final time. 

“Goodness” Indrid pants, rolling them over so Duck is atop him, cock slipping free as he does, “that was incredible, but I do feel I must ask if you are alright.”

“Better than, sugar.” Duck smooths his hands over Indrid’s chest, “ain’t sure I can walk for a few minutes though.”

“Well then, if you need anything, I shall simply fetch it for you.”

“Indrid? Did you mean it? About wanting me to stick around.”

“Nothing would make me happier. But if you need time to decide, or if you do not want to stay, I will not be angry.” He grins, tracing a heart on Duck’s cheek, “though I will add, imagine the look on your wretched uncle’s face when he learns Mr.Cold would like you to stay and be courted, and that Mr. Cold has already bought a fine suit the handsome Mr. Newton.”

Duck chuckles, “Yeah, that does sweeten the deal. Ain’t the only thing makin’ it worthwhile though.” 

Indrid chirps happily, and wraps his wings and arms protectively around him. 

(To be fair, his uncle nearly fainting from shock the next afternoon is extremely fucking worth it).

[ya-what--ya-erster]

Goodbye Don't Last Forever

Javey. Kind of funny ngl. Enjoy.

David Jacobs was eighteen and newly graduated when his girlfriend, Francis Sullivan, left for Santa Fe, leaving no goodbye and no way to contact her.

David went crazy when she left. He loved her and she left without a word to him. He made some stupid (but not too regrettable) decisions in the time after. Dyed his dirty blonde hair a dark shade of brown. Started wearing his glasses again. Went outside only when required (as in almost never). Stopped talking to many of his friends.

Only two of the habits died, and fortunately it was those last two. He found himself to be pretty fine within a few months of her being gone.

Six years later, David Jacobs was 24 years old and getting a new roommate.

"Hi, are you David?" A confident voice came from behind him.

He turned to face- woah he's hot- the person asking the question.

"Yeah, yes, that's me. David Jacobs. Hi."

The man smiled and held out a hand to shake.

"Jack Kelly."

Those eyes... that handshake. So familiar. But the familiarity was out of reach in David's mind.

So he stood up a little straighter, smiled back, and said, "Nice to meet you in person finally. I mean I trusted Albert enough to not find me a serial killer roommate but... I feel very assured now, haha..."

"I won't kill ya, Davey."

Davey...

"Good to know. Same here. Do you need help taking anything up?"

Jack shook his head. "All I's got is this." He nodded to a moderately sized suitcase that he was gripping.

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't-"

"It's nothing, Dave. I just had to leave kinda quickly and didn't have much anyways."

"Well, uh. Let me uh... I guess, follow me?"

...

David was down bad for his roommate. And, down bad as in like, Taylor Swift "if I can't have him/I might just die it would make no difference."

Something about him, Jack, felt so familiar in all the most wonderful ways. His smile was a smile David felt like he had seen dozens of times.

David wanted to know why. He wanted to know why this boy felt so natural in the environment. Why he seemed to be the missing piece in David's life.

He was going to find out.

Not today though, he decided, when Jack entered the apartment looking like he was about to burst into tears.

"Hey, are you okay?" David asked slowly.

Jack nodded stiffly, putting his head down and throwing his bag and coat to the floor.

"Jack, you look sad."

"I'm fine."

"Jack."

"I ain't- you don't gotta be all in my business." Jack was heading to his tiny bedroom, so David grabbed his arm to stop him.

"You can tell me, you know?"

Jack leaned forward, hugging David, beginning to cry.

"Woah, hey. Hey, it's alright, let it out..." David wished Jack would hug him more often, and not while crying.

Jack continued to cry for maybe three minutes, David didn't know exactly. What David did know is that when Jack made eye contact with him, he looked like he had done something horrible.

"I ain't a real boy, Dave."

David's heart could have shattered just then, hearing Jack sound so broken.

"What do you mean, you aren't a real boy?"

"I wasn't- I'm not- I am a boy. I know and promise that I am but I just- wasn't born that way and I feel like a fraud and I get sad sometimes."

"That's okay to be sad, Jack. But you're a boy, I know you are. If you say you're a boy, you're a boy. No, how old are you?"

"Twenty-four."

"Okay, Jack Kelly, you are no boy, you're a freakin' man."

Jack smiled a little, wiping his eyes dry.

"Thank ya, Davey."

...

David was having none of this "stay up until 3 AM painting" bullshit.

"Jack Kelly, you will start going to bed at a decent time or so help me-"

"I'm fine, Dave!" Jack defended himself.

"You drank four coffees today and three energy drinks. I don't even know how you're still alive!"

"Fine, fine. I will be in bed no later than midnight."

"Is that the best I'm gonna get?"

"Yup."

David sighed, deciding to give in.

"At least show me what you've been working on into the ungodly hours of the night?"

"Maybe someday." Jack smiled mysteriously and disappeared once again into his room.

David was not staring at his fine ass as he retreated. He wasn't.

...

"Davey, do you got any food?"

David was regretting getting a roommate but also enjoyed having someone around. He didn't appreciate having to buy random shit every other week because Jack had a craving and pretty much no money. (He spent his money on rent and art supplies, which David didn't mind because his apartment was cheaper and Jack's art was amazing.)

"We have fruit snacks and spaghetti-o's if that qualifies as food. We might also have a banana."

Jack strolled into the kitchen area after David's previous statement and pulled out a packet of fruit snacks, a can of spaghetti-o's, and the blender.

"What the fuck are you doing?" David asked, shocked and amused all at once.

"I'm making me some dinner, you want some?"

"Jack, there is no way in Hell you are going to eat- drink spaghetti-o's and fruit snacks put through the blender. It's gonna be terrible."

"Actually, no it isn't. My old friend dared me to do it and it actually tastes good."

David had a brief memory flash through his mind.

"Francis! I dare you to put the two most different things you can think of in the blender and then drink it." Race shouted.

"Okay, I'll do it." Francis smiled that daredevil smile of hers and got started. Spaghetti-o's and fruit snacks.

When it was complete, Francis took a long drink.

"Wow. That's actually not terrible."

"Davey, you good?"

David nodded. "Sorry, just. You just reminded me of something."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Ex-girlfriend."

"Thought you said you're gay?"

"She kind of helped me out on discovering that."

"Well. That's nice of her. How so?"

"Uh. It's a long story."

"I bet I can handle it. Besides, I have an abomination to drink. I'll listen."

"Oh. Okay. Well. Basically, she decided she was going to Santa Fe and wasn't going to, you know, say goodbye to me or anyone. And I spent a long time angry and then realized I didn't really miss her romantically at all and just was pissed, and then me and my friend Albert accidentally fucked when we were drunk and I was like 'wow that's allowed?' and anyways uh Al and I aren't and weren't interested in each other at all, we were just drunk like I said, but then it all made sense why I wasn't like, sad over the 'love of my life' leaving because it was just a high school girlfriend and I'm not even into girls. So I'm not even mad at her anymore really I'm just gay and confused and I've talked a lot now sorry."

David looked up at Jack for a reaction. He was wearing this face... David could not name the emotion.

"What was her name?"

Huh. Weird question.

"Why?"

"Well, I was just wonderin' if maybe I met her, since I's come here from Santa Fe and all."

"Oh. Yeah, uh. Her name's Francis Sullivan."

"Have a picture?"

"Yeah, one sec." David scrolled through his phone's camera roll until he found her. "Here."

The picture made Jack frown, and David kind of would have done anything to make him smile again.

"You know her?" David asked.

"Yeah, uh. I knew her."

David's heart sped up.

"Really? Is she doing okay? Is she alright? Do you know where she lives, cause I might need to go-"

"Davey. Stop."

"What?"

"You can't exactly go visit her."

"Why not?"

Jack seemed to be looking inside himself instead of at David when he spoke.

"She was... the real depressed type, Dave. Always sad. She never smiled, I don't think. She was in a real bad state of mind."

"What're you-"

"She ain't alive no more."

Everything stopped in David's head.

"What?"

"I'm real sorry, Dave. She just ain't... But I'm here."

"What's that supposed to mean? 'You're here?'"

Jack hesitated before opening his mouth. "She didn't exactly... die the way you're thinking. She, uh. She just... more... changed? She ain't Francis anymore. She cut her hair and went on T and got top surgery and goes by a boy's name now, and he/him. So, uh, tellin' ya she died was probably not the brightest idea but that was an in-the-moment decision."

"Good for him. What does that have to do with you being here?"

Jack made absolute eye contact with David, wondering how he could be so fucking stupid, and held it. Held it as he crossed the room and held it up until the moment he pulled David into a hug.

"I'm sorry for leavin' you. I just had ta get away."

David jerked away from Jack in a quick movement.

"You? You're... You- I can't-" David's brain was moving too quickly and all he could think to do was punch Jack in the face as hard as humanly possible.

Which he did.

"Son of a bitch- Dave! I only told ya cause I thought you said ya weren't mad anymore!"

"Yeah, well. Now I am, asshole. You... You deep friend burnt-ass dino nugget dickhead. You absolute.... I can't even. How dare you? I fucking loved you, yes even if I'm gay now, and you, you just ran the fuck off and never bothered contacting me for six years. I would have understood if you needed to leave, needed to leave me, needed... whatever. I would have given you your space. I hate you."

Jack looked hurt. It made David feel good. All that pain he went through and it was being passed on.

"Davey-"

"David."

"Right, sorry. David. I'm really sorry. I don't- I never meant ta hurt you. To be honest, I thought you'd be glad if I left and never came back."

David felt less good.

"I just- I wanted to feel like I could be free. It didn't really... go as planned. Because I just realized I wanted to come back. Mostly for you."

David didn't stop to think. David just kissed Jack like he was hungry for it.

"I fucking hate you." He said, pulling away.

"No you don't."

"Don't test your luck."

A small moment of touching silence passed.

"So..." Jack started. "You slept with Al?"

"Now I actually do hate you. Get out, I'm calling him. Maybe he'll be nice to me."

"Davey... I love you. I always did."

"I'm... good to know. I can't- I'm still mad, bitch."

Jack just laughed, and he knew right then that it would all be fine.

A/N: hope y'all liked it :) It'll be on ao3 asap