#lineman paper

[frankiecatphotography]

https://www.zazzle.com/rusty_the_lineman_wrapping_paper-256960960879916158

Rusty the Lineman Wrapping Paper - save 20% (ZMERRYMAIL23)

[deathblacksmoke]

and i want you for all time | jolly x reader

pairing: jolly karlsson x reader

cw: just very soft things <3 marriage proposals, foiled plans, plotting & scheming, one oblivious boy

word count: ~900

author’s note: ages ago, an anon requested a jolly proposal. i finally got inspiration, with a little twist 🩷

title from “wichita lineman” by glen campbell

He doesn’t know you know.

He’s blissfully unaware that you were waking up from your nap, no longer asleep, when he slipped the ring sizer onto your finger. He doesn’t know that you’d seen the text, right before he had unsent it, asking someone if they had time that week to help him with ring shopping.

“What did you unsend?” you’d gone into the living room to ask him, just to see what he’d say.

“Sorry, it was for Matt and Noah,” he’d responded, thinking he was being slick. You could read the fib all over his face. “Asking about rehearsals. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Oh, okay,” you’d conceded, allowing him to think his secret was still safe.

He didn’t know that you’d gone into the nightstand on his side of the bed, looking for Advil, and found a tiny red velvet box. You didn’t go so far as to look inside, letting him keep the mystery, but your heart skipped with excitement, your hands shaking.

He doesn’t know you have a little plan of your own, too.

He’s been so overly excited by his own plot that he’s been uncareful, distracted — he hasn’t had the time to notice what you’ve been doing.

He doesn’t have the faintest idea that the moment you saw the unsent text, you decided you wanted to beat him to it. He has no clue about the pretty white gold band you’d been eyeing, that you decided to pull the trigger on the moment you knew.

He underestimates how well you can read him — after all these years together, you always find yourself a step ahead of him. Even if you didn’t know about his plans, treating you to a gift certificate to the nail salon the day before a planned picnic in the park would have given him away.

Luckily you don’t care much for surprises; you don’t need them. The only thing you need is Jolly, and the effort he puts forth is the only thing you need to keep the excitement. You would be happy if he proposed with a ring pop, or a piece of string, or a torn piece of notebook paper. As long as you get to spend your life with him.

He deserves the surprise and excitement that he tries so hard to create for you, and you almost feel bad co-opting the day that he created so he could ask you. Knowing him, he’ll be able to find the humor in it, the joy in a moment not going as planned — a moment hopefully going better than planned.

He pulled out all the stops, brought all your favorites, and his guitar. He’s such a cliche sometimes. You sit cross-legged on the brand new quilt he’d purchased for the occasion, while he lies with his head in your lap. You braid flowers into his hair, and his eyes are closed, soothed. He’s so gorgeous like this.

You aren’t quite sure what his plan is, when the question is coming. Judging by the way his hand fidgets in his jacket pocket, you don’t have much time.

“Hey, Jolls,” you say, getting a hum in return. You run your fingers through his hair, hoping he won’t notice how badly you’re shaking. “I wanted to ask you something.”

He opens his eyes with a vague look of concern — he’s so focused on you, as he always is, but right now you feel like you’re burning. There’s a question in his gaze, and you decide to get on with it.

“I got this for you,” you start, pulling the ring out of your front pocket, holding it up in front of him. A soft smile spreads across his face, a twinkle in his eye. “Will you marry me?”

His eyes go as wide as you’ve ever seen them, before he scrambles up to sit in front of you.

“Are you serious?” he asks, his voice shaking. He takes the ring from your hand, not bothering to answer before he slides it on his finger. He takes the little red box out of his pocket, opens it and presents it to you. It’s the perfect thing, just what you would pick for yourself. “I was going to ask you today.”

“I know, darling,” you tell him, and he has the nerve to look surprised. You take the box from his hand, admire the ring for a moment before closing it and taking his hand in yours. “You’re awful at keeping secrets, Joakim.”

His cheeks flush the prettiest shade of pink. His eyes cast down to your joined hands, flips them over to look at the ring on his finger. Without needing to ask, he opens the box again, slipping the ring onto your finger, too.

“I wish you’d let me ask you,” he says under his breath. It’s clear to you that he isn’t actually upset. You won’t allow yourself to feel guilty anymore, not when he’s smiling like that, cheeks tinged and hands shaking in yours.

“Wanted to do something sweet for you,” you respond, and he brings your hand up to his mouth, pressing kisses along your knuckles. “You were dragging your feet anyway.”

You barely get the words out before he tackles you to the ground, both erupting into a fit of giggles and sweet kisses.

tags <3

@circle-with-me @darksigns-exe @baddestomens @sitkowski @ladyveronikawrites

@mysticdoodlez @somebodyels3 @sorrowsofsilence @collapsedglasshouses @cookiesupplier

@spicywhenspeaking @fadingangelwisp @lma1986 @abiomens @agravemisstake

@cncohshit @dominuslunae @poisongirl616 @iknownothingpeople @thisbicc

@alwaysfightforwhoyouare @theanarchymuse95 @shilohrosechicken

[planetcleer]

anyway regarding modern day losers club and friday nights!!!!

mike and ben both play football and are, respectively, derry high's star quarterback and best offensive lineman (and help lead the varsity team to three state championships!!!) and are super tight w the rest of the team

eddie obviously joins the cheer squad freshman year, the first boy in derry high history, after being dared on a whim by richie, and is instantly like?? REALLY into it, so he sticks with it all four years and eventually becomes co-captain. he's also fucking adored by the girls on the squad and is one of the flyers lmao

the rest of the losers have their own resident spot in the student section of the bleachers that no one dares touch, and they all pile into richie’s or bill’s car to travel to away games

stan pretends not to be into it at first but he rivals richie in sheer volume every time the beavers score. he also crochets matching scarves and hats for everyone, and is always loaded with snacks and hand warmers

richie doesn't actually sit in the bleachers, like, 98% of the time. you can find him hanging off the railing flirting with eddie at almost any given moment, and standing on the middle rung leading the student section in cheers, which is wild bc he generally has zero school pride

bev gets really into face painting and sits all of them down before games to cover them in paint and glitter. sometimes she ropes bill in to paint remarkably intricate cartoon beavers on their cheeks (richie makes jokes about it being the closest he’ll ever get to one to which no one high fives him)

bill is generally pretty quiet and attentive during the games, bc he writes for the school paper and also does sketches (think courtroom sketches lmao) for it, but he and bev will fully scream at the top of their at the refs for letting shit slide w the other team or calling stupid penalties

eddie is super protective over ben and mike. he's prone to stomping out to the field in the middle of the game to chew tf out of a rival player for tackling mike too roughly or trying to talk shit/start a fight w ben between plays. richie LIVES for this (“rock his shit eds!!!! get his ass!!!!!!!”) and mike & ben have learned by now just to let it happen but do always post up and have his back. one of the guys does shove eddie once and eddie makes a show of falling down and screaming his head off until he’s benched, and when he sees him again after the game he just winks and blows a kiss at him

the losers will make an appearance at the house party of choice after every game w the rest of the team/squad but they have their own tradition of going to the 24hr diner in town and cramming into the corner booth in the back and then all sleeping over at one of their houses

bonus unrelated headcanons:

richie is a drama/theater kid and literally ROCKS it, isn’t as big a fan of the musicals but still does really well, prefers the straight plays and improv club (same loser energy brought to his shows)

stan is either a mathlete or on the debate team and also is on the swim team!! (same loser energy brought to his meets)

bill runs track and cross country (same loser energy brought to his meets)

mike also writes for the school paper, he does a weekly history column, he and bill spend a lottt of time together working on their articles

eddie starts wearing makeup to games freshman year for fun but ends up really loving it, bev buys him his first palette, brush set, etc etc that christmas and they practice together, and eventually he starts leaning into a more fully femme style. he also stops gelling his hair (bless)

[sgnjimmy]

Jake Kim x reader, no 8? Thx

★ 𝓙𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝔁 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻

≛ 𝙰/𝚗: hey-yo, so sorry for taking so long. I have issues with responsibility so ya know. again so sorry and here it is!! I hope I made it justice.

≛ 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 616.

"Have you seen? Lineman is dating!" You open the office door suddenly.

"What?" Jake asks with his down, working on the papers on his desk.

"He's dating. And going around showing pictures." You scrunch your face in disgust. "... And saying things."

By the tone you're using, Jake knows exactly what kind of things he's sharing.

He's honestly surprised to learn that Lineman is in a relationship. He figured he'd at least date once before this "event" would occur.

It's funny how things are... And also sorta weird.

"Seems like a nightmare from hell." Jake states, still not raising his head from his work.

"Yeah, tell me about it." You grab the chair in front of his office desk and land on it with a heavy thud. "Can't believe he's dating… 'nd I'm not!"

"If it helps you, me neither."

"No, I know. I mean like– in general. I never dated, you know."

Oh.

Oh, he thinks.

Jake moves his head up to look at you in surprise. He stays quiet for a while, and you come to think it was better if you had said nothing.

"... Me neither."

"... You don't have to say that, to um, make me feel better…"

"I'm not." He tells you.

The chair under Jake starts to feel cold against his skin, and he quickly grows uncomfortable. You both hold each other's gaze without noticing. And as the minutes go on, Jake can no longer sit still under your stare.

Your eyes feel heavy, he desperately wants to run away from it. Jake turns his head to avoid your gaze and feels heat rush up to his cheeks.

"But you shouldn't complain."

"Huh?" You say as if he had woken you up from a deep slumber. "What do you mean?"

"You shouldn't be complaining about not being in a relationship." Jake moves his head back to face you, tiling his chin smiling. "After all, I'm all yours for you to take."

You feel your heart failing a beat. What did he just–

Jake winks at you.

And you realize he was just teasing… Ah, you must be really out of your mind to have believed he had feelings for you, of all people.

"Sure, sure." You try to laugh it off as if he didn't just filled your heart with fake hope. "I should…" You clean your throat. "Um, get going."

As you raise from your seat and walk towards the office door, Jake shouts your name, fastly walking your way — placing his body in front of you.

"Wait." He says while bloking the door. "God, I guess I'm really a coward."

"Jake… what– what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to tell you that I– that I…"

He move his eyes down, and he find himself locking his vision on your hands, Jake holds them and places a kiss on each knuckle.

"I'm trying to say that I love you." He says, expressing his deepest thoughts as he raises his eyes from your hands.

This information takes out your breath for the second time today. So all that teasing was actually real. He meant all of that?

The countless times you got mad at yourself for pinning on your boss were all meaningless now. He liked your back!

"Please say something…" He prays you to return his feelings, but all this silence from your side has starting to make him feel worried. "I like you, but what about you? Y/n, do you?"

Instead of a proper answer, you take your hands off of his tender hold to grab the back of his neck, pulling the leader of Big Deal for a kiss. As Jake kisses you back, he feels his insides melting.

So this is what kissing was like.

This is how kissing you was like.

As soon as you pulled back and ended the kiss, Jake was already addicted to the feeling of your lips on his.

© 𝙨𝙧𝙜𝙣𝙟𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙮 2023

[wannaeatramyeon]

Jake Kim x Reader: Betting on love

Big Deal's gambling arc 2.0 but make it fun

It was Jason that noticed the longing looks, Brad that cringed at Jake's increasingly corny lines, and Lineman that started the bets.

It was also Jerry who caught Lineman trying to solicit money from the other members of the crew.

"What's that?" Jerry looks down at Lineman, trying and failing to hide some paper behind his back.

"Morning Jerry! Weather's nice today, huh? May I say your bald head is looking gloriously shiny-"

Cobra-quick, Jerry swipes the sheets, eyes scanning over the page, one hand holding a flailing Lineman back.

Jerry furrows his brows at the list of dates, names and figures before him. Everyone is betting on when Y/N and Jake would get together?

He considers this.

"50,000 won. Put me down for 2 weeks time."

Listen, it didn't have to come to this. If you and Jake could stop pussyfooting around one another and make the whole of Big Deal feel less like a third wheel, that would have been preferable.

But you couldn't, and they might as well make a quick buck out of it.

Jake, shrewd and clever, would have usually noticed the escalating amount of shenanigans if he wasn't too busy following you around with heart eyes.

.

.

It begins with a book of pick-up lines left on Jake's desk.

(This reeks of Jason's handiwork, trying to work things to his advantage but thinking he could take the high road by being subtle.)

Jake's brows knit together as he flicks through the pages. Huh, some of this stuff is pretty good. A bit cliched but...

Like a puppy, Jake bounds over to you the next morning, greeting you with his usual cheesy grin. His arm comes round your shoulder, and you feel the heat of him like a brand.

You wonder if today is finally the day he asks you out. You're not dense, you know you're practically attached at the hip. Jake's flirting is obvious, your flirting is obvious. (The collective groan from Big Deal can be heard for miles.)

Instead,

"Hey Y/N! So God Dog, Hostel and Workers walk into a Big Deal bar-"

(The collective groan gets louder. Jason is the loudest.)

.

.

"Lovers' lunch offer?"

With pockets full of lint, you and Jake are never one to turn down a deal.

(Brad knows this too. Big Deal allowances are not generous. He has arranged this especially and feels like a goddamn mastermind.)

Lovers? Well it's certainly not an unwelcome thought. Jake sneaks a glance at you as you peer into the store window. He knows you like the back of his hand, he knows how well you would both fit. But the jump from friends to lovers seems gargantuan and completely terrifying.

"Come on!" You grip his wrist, dragging him in and breaking him out of his reverie.

Candles? Tablecloth? Friggin rose petals?

"They're really going all out here," Jake comments, smoothing down his shirt. It's just another place on Big Deal street, yet he feels oddly giddy. Fidgety. Like he wants to reach out and clasp your hand between his.

You raise your eyebrow in amusement at Jake's odd demeanour before examining the menu.

It's all prepackaged ramen.

Which, you guess is fine. If it's cheap.

...You gawk at the cost.

There is zero percent, absolutely no chance in hell, you are paying these prices. Did the owner think people were idiots? The markup is astronomical.

"This place sucks." you say, standing to leave.

"It does suck," Jake agrees and joining you, having seen the prices for himself.

Later that night:

"Brad, you idiot!"

"Fuck you Lua, you know I can't cook. You want me to serve them some burnt turd instead?"

"Then why the hell did you overcharge them so much?"

"You think candles and rose petals are FREE?"

.

.

"Who's been littering here?"

Jake frowns at the spread before him. Usually everyone knows to leave the street in a good condition, but sometimes stray teenagers still linger around and try to make the most of the pier and the ocean.

Lovers and troublemakers. Jerry does a good job of scaring them off.

It all looks a bit too organised to be litter. "I think they just left their stuff," you remark.

Crouching down and looking into the wicker basket, Jake sees everything still pristinely wrapped. It does look organised. Very fancy too. Some cheeses, unopened wine, a whole goddamn baguette. Whoever left this here must have gone in a hurry.

You squat down besides him, "Huh, all these things look untouched."

He recognises the look you give the food. He's seen you look at him like that sometimes too.

Either way, just because Jake is strapped for cash doesn't mean he doesn't have his dignity. He's not eating or letting you eat someone's trash that's been sitting out in the sun for god knows how long.

"Y/N," Jake pulls you away as you start to pout, "We're not eating that, that's pretty gross."

Upon seeing the Big Deal Leader bin all his precious food and ruin his meticulously set up picnic, Lineman cries on Lua's shoulder.

"That food was expensive as shit," he wails, "That's my whole week's allowance!"

.

.

You don't get to be Big Deal's No.2 without being able to pull a few strings.

It would send most people on a power trip, Jerry isn't most people. He's kind and patient and fair. So what he usually asks, he usually gets.

If he wants the Big Deal street to be empty and like a ghost town, it will be done.

You spot a tumbleweed, "Jake? Where's everyone?"

"Beats me."

Jake scrolls through his phone, just in case there was an event he's currently missing. Nope, nothing, nada.

"Y/N. I was thinking the other night... how would you rather die?" Listening round the corner, Jerry feels like he might die on the spot. With his limited experience, even he knows this topic is a romance killer, "I thought drowning might be peaceful but the water in my lungs..."

"Jumping to your death might be fun?" You tap your chin thoughtfully, "It needs to be super high up though-"

And if Jerry wants the Big Deal street to be crowded and absolutely rammed, then so be it.

"Is there a festival or something?" you ask.

Jake scrolls through his phone again, just in case there was a festival he's currently missing. Nope, nothing, nada.

Jerry watches from a nearby building, feeling like an all powerful puppetmaster.

Ok, so his initial idea of giving you two privacy was a bust. Now he has pivoted to forcing closeness.

You would get jostled about with lots of accidental touching, leaving both of you a blushing mess. Maybe someone would trip you up, and Jake would catch you in his arms. He would gaze down at you, the spark between you-

"EVERYONE!" Jake's voice drifts up to him, "I HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT'S SO BUSY. BUT IF YOU BUMP INTO Y/N AGAIN, I WILL KILL YOU. GOT IT?"

A chorus of "Yes, sir!"

Lua watches it all unfolding next to Jerry. "Cheer up Jerry. It was a pretty shitty plan, to be fair."

.

.

For the day Lua bet on, she was blessed with divine intervention.

The heavens parted and rain descended, catching you both stranded in the downpour. Doesn't every romance have a kiss in the rain?

You shiver in your t-shirt, arms hugging yourself. "Jake, take off your coat for us to use as an umbrella!"

With strength even Jake didn't know he possessed, he does not look at you. He cannot. The shower has started to soak through your top, making it almost transparent and baring your- Jake gulps.

He would be lying if he said he never imagined you and your body (almost every night, though that's completely besides the point). This though? This is indecent. Like he is taking advantage of the moment.

Jake starts to shrug off his own coat, deciding to let himself get soaked and to preserve your modesty until -

Look, Jake knows he has a great body. He keeps himself in excellent shape. Girls swoon over him, guys swoon over him, and don't think he didn't notice how your eyes rove over his chest and abs and tattoos. You thought you were being discreet? Discreet, his ass. And speaking of ass, he's seen you checking that out too.

But the thought of now revealing his body to you. Knowing that his shirt will be soaked through, and you will both be standing like you're topless. Not because he's been training, not because it's an unusually hot day, not because of some other shit.

This. This is unfairly intimate. Like it's the start of something. Something that leads to other things.

An extremely alien feeling of self-consciousness and demureness hits Jake. Is this what it feels like to be shy?

He want this. He would love this. Yet it feels like a first-time of sorts with you, and it really deserves more prestige than this situation allows.

Jake chooses to run off instead, taking his jacket with him.

"Come on Y/N! Let's just run home," he shouts back.

Hmph, you think, soaked to the bone and chasing after him. Chivalry is dead.

.

.

Big Deal is not without its problems.

And one of the big fucking huge problem is that everyone is a gangster, or at least a gangster in training.

Sugarcoat it all you want, sure there is passion involved and you're protecting the street. Typical dangers still lurk. It's a fact.

With trembling hands, you apply the bandage Jake around his chest. Round and round it goes, until the stitches and wound are completely hidden.

It's not the first time you've done this, and it won't be the last. You know what being in Big Deal means.

Nevertheless, it upsets you every time.

"Shh, Y/N. Don't be like that," Calloused fingers come up to wipe the tears from your cheeks. You didn't even realise you were crying.

"You should be so lucky," Jake's ever comforting smile comes into focus, "Getting your hands all over me."

Your laugh is wet, but you do laugh. Jake always makes you laugh.

And then you reach out, pressing your hand to his heart, feeling it thrum beneath your fingers, the thump-thump-thump calming your own nerves. Needing to feel Jake's own beat to ground you.

You're always the first port of call when Jake gets into trouble, somewhere along the way it just happened. And every time without fail,, your stomach drops and you feel sick as you sprint towards his side.

Jake places his hand over yours, "Thanks for always being there for me."

As you peer up at him from beneath your wet lashes, he thinks about what it means to regret something.

In his brief years of being alive, there are already many. But if he didn't do this, it might be the biggest regret of them all.

With his other hand, Jake tilts your face towards him. He doesn't notice the tear tracks on your cheeks, or the slight quiver of your lips.

All he can see is the love in your eyes, certain that it reflects his own.

Jake presses his lips to yours, and you can feel his smile.

.

.

" YEONHUI!" Sinu bursts in, almost knocking the door off its hinge in his excitement, "Jake and Y/N finally got together!"

"Huh?" Yeonhui tilts her head at this development, "I thought Jake was injured?"

"Whatever," Sinu flaps his hand in dismissal, "He's fine."

"So those brats made the jump huh? At least it didn't take them ten years."

"Yeonhui..." Sinu whines, curling himself round her back and smooching her cheek, "You still going on about that?"

"Hmph."

"At least we won the bet. I'll treat you out to dinner?"

"You better, we still have ten years of dinners to make up for!"

[blackbat05]

After the storm

Jake/Gimyeong Kim x Reader

Summary: Big Deal is finally free from the clutches of Charles Choi. You and Jake have started to navigate life after.

Genre: PG-13

A/N: The day when Big Deal is happy, I will be happy!

A car can be seen from where you were standing at the kitchen. Something’s wrong with the way it speeds down the beaten road. Wiping your hands, you hurriedly move into the living room, ordering the children to leave their toys.

You really hate this, you do. Especially when you see the fear in their eyes despite having done this for too many times. They shouldn’t have.

Jake comes out from the study, body tensed. He scoops the twins up in each arms, familiar with the protocol. He tells the oldest of the two, Elle, to not come out unless either one of you comes to get them. Gently lowering Anna onto the cushion, he makes sure that they’re tucked out of side before closing the bunker to join you in the kitchen.

You’re assembling your pistol, Jake’s rifle already on the kitchen table. He arms himself with his weapon, ready to head out and blow off the heads of whichever genius who thought it was a good idea to attack the family of Big Deal’s former leader.

“Stay behind me.”

Jake lifts his rifle, ready to shoot. Until…

The car comes to a screeching stop. Jake doesn’t move from his position and neither do you. The windows wind down and a pair of hands stick out forming a heart. You instinctively lower your gun but Jake still keeps it up.

“Don’t shoot! We come in peace bro!” Sinu cheerfully pokes his head out. “Hey sis-in-law! Ouch!” He gets pulled back in by Yeonhui who is now giving him an earful.

“I told you we should have called first! Now we scared the little ones!” She opens the door, quickly replacing her displeasure with a huge smile as she comes to you for a hug. “I’m so sorry, we would have called but this dumbass here insisted that there wasn’t any need. Now, where are my precious girls?”

You walked over the bunker where the twins were, reassuring them it was only their favourite Auntie and Uncle much to their delight. Forgetting the fear a few seconds ago, they clambered out, demanding to be held by the two of them.

The rest of the gang spill out of the car, each grumbling about how the distance had done a number on their bodies. Jason and Brad start to unload various goods from the car, moving to the porch to set them up. Lua carries a paper bag in each hand, both filled to the brim with party decorations. Lineman races to the kitchen to get the cake into the fridge in time with Jerry following him to defrost the meat.

“You guys…”

“What?” Yeonhui replies nonchalantly. “You don’t think we forgot Elle and Anna’s birthday? They are Big Deal too.” She looks at the two girls climbing all over their uncle and father. “Alright! Who wants to help Lua with the decorations?”

Squealing, the girls were carried away to join Lua who was now bickering with Lineman on the right way to put the fairy lights, leaving you and Yeonhui for some much needed catch up.

She tells you that Big Deal was doing extremely well. Not as a gang under Charles Choi’s manipulation, but as the brains in running one of the biggest malls in South Korea. It provided usual food, leisure and entertainment, but most importantly?

It provided a safe haven for youths who were dubbed as “runaways” and with nowhere to go. For those who were old enough to work, they were mentored by Jason and Brad who now ran a taekwondo studio and nail salon respectively. For those who were still young, there was a Library ran by Jerry to make sure that they still had a chance for education. It looks like Jake’s advice for Jerry wasn’t in vain.

“Lua and Lineman are training the new recruits. Pretty impressive I must say, seeing how our boys and girls are called up to provide security for the biggest events in Seoul.”

You’re happy that each member of the crew are doing well. It seemed like a millennia when Jake decided to leave Big Deal for both of your sakes.

“It’s better that way,” he tells you.

 “How are you?” Yeonhui looks at you with concern.

You sighed. “I’m alright. I’m just worried for Jake.”

Yeonhui frowns, understanding what you mean by that. After the crews had been dismantled, Charles Choi went off the map with his allies. Nevertheless, Jake was still forced to look back every once in a while to make sure that no one would hurt you or your daughters. Sinu had offered help but Jake flatly refused. He had to deal with his past demons alone once and for all. You look at Jake playfully tickling Anna on her stomach.

“It’ll take time for him to heal. He’s been through a lot. All you can do is to continue being there for him.”

“I know he’s trying to protect us but he’s taking too much on his own.”

“He’s a man of many mysteries. You don’t have to rush into it. I know when he’s ready, he’ll open up to you. For now, enjoy what you have.”

As you process Yeonhui’s words, Jason’s voice rings out. “Beef’s ready! Let’s eat!”

The night falls and the fairy lights shine brighter in the darkness. After multiple rounds of barbeque and a round of birthday cake with whipped cream on everyone’s faces, you invite the crew to stay for the night at the spare ranch Jake had insisted on building at times like these. As everyone starts to turn in for the night, Jake approaches you from behind.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

“I spoke with Yeonhui just now. Everyone seems to be doing well.”

Jake nods, leaning against the sink.

“Did you ever wish you could back with the crew? Then maybe you don’t have to be facing all these demons alone.”

He comes closer, holding you by the waist. “What makes you say that?”

“I just feel that I’m not helping at all. I’m pretty sure even Lua would be more useful than I am.” You attempt to focus on the dishes but Jake holds you in place.

“Don’t say that. You are my greatest rock and forever will be.”

You can’t help but to be a little overwhelmed by emotions.

“Because you saved me that day, I was able to continue living. I was able to have the live I thought I could never have in this lifetime. I’m sorry if I made you think otherwise.”

You gently hold the side of his face, the scars on his nose and cheek more prominent in the moonlight.

“No, you didn’t. But I want you to know that we’re here to help you. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. I almost lost my husband once, I’m not going to risk that again you hear me? We are going to get through this together.”

He holds your hand in his, wanting to stay like this for a while more. Unfortunately, the little patter of feet signaled that one of the munchkins was awake.

“Daddy? I can’t sleep.” Elle rubs her eyes while she drags her stuffed rabbit that Jerry gave her for her third birthday.

Jake reluctantly detaches himself from you, picking up his princess with ease. He mouths for you to wait for him in your shared room before the two disappear, once again leaving you to your thoughts.

Life after was never easy. It only meant more variables thrown into the mix. But all you and Jake had to do was to take it one at a time. It was like after a storm-

A rainbow would be awaiting at the end of the road.

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - January 1st

 Happy 2023! Here is the last few fic I read in 2023--enjoy and remember to leave a comment/kudo for your friendly fic author.

~*~ 

Until I Fall Away by Sineala 

Tensions are high between Steve and Tony after Steve finds out the Illuminati exist. He says a few things to Tony that he probably shouldn't have... and he doesn't say a few things to Tony that he probably should have. Then Zeke Stane murders Tony, and Steve can no longer say any of it. But there's a funny thing about superheroes: sometimes they get second chances.

Pseudonym Salacity by Amuly

Steve finds out that his boyfriend, the genius industrialist billionaire Tony Stark, is Iron Man. And likes it. A lot.

A Brighter Word Than Bright by BlossomsintheMist

“S’okay, Steve,” Tony finally remembered how to slur out. “Just … just feels like a lot.”

“It is a lot, sweetheart,” Steve murmured, his fingers delving even deeper into Tony. “You’re stretching open really nice for it, though. You’re real good and relaxed, aren’t you?”

Nothing Pure Enough by Sineala 

You shouldn't be able to develop a Hanahaki fixation on someone you've never met who's been dead for decades. But Tony has always been special.

Steve Rogers is a Tactical Genius by Swankyo0

The press is constantly theorizing that Steve Rogers is in love with Tony Stark. They aren't wrong. And Steve will do whatever it takes to get Tony to date him.

Shut your mouth and turn me inside-out by doctorziegler

They say patience is a virtue, but Tony Stark has always been a sinner.

doubt the stars are fire, doubt the sun moves by meidui

When Private Lorraine pulled him behind shelves with sultry words and devoured his first kiss, when Peggy kissed him in that wind whipped tunnel, bright and fierce like her gaze after. They wanted him and showed him a hell of a kiss, but this feels—

This is gentle, so gentle, like he's made of paper or glass instead of two hundred pounds of muscle and he could break in someone's mouth.

-

This is what they do: Steve gets hurt and Tony kisses him better.

Support your local poledancer by BladeoftheNebula

Tony can't believe he managed to land himself a hot lineman boyfriend who's everything he could ever want and more.

But being with a man who gets called away at all hours isn't easy, and Tony will do anything to prove that he can lie down on the wire and love living life on the line.

Playing the part (remix) by nanasekei

“We have five days of this ahead of us, Cap. Call me crazy, but I think if we don’t spend the entire time fighting over every little thing, we might have a chance of actually pulling this off.”

-

Tony tells a joke, that turns into a lie, that turns into him having to pretend to Steve Rogers' husband for five days. Just his luck.

Fairytale of New York by iam93percentstardust

After a bad breakup on Christmas, Bucky Barnes swore off both relationships and Christmas for good. Years later, he's now the world’s leading expert on how to survive being single in a world designed for couples (tax breaks, anyone?). He’s got a movie deal coming up for his bestselling book, Facebook Status: It’s Not That Complicated, and his own talk show where he offers advice to struggling singles.

He’s got exactly two problems in the world: Steve and Tony, his very attractive, very married neighbors who think that love is the greatest thing since sliced bread and Christmas is the world’s best holiday. But it’s fine because, for the most part, he can ignore them and they can ignore him.

And then a wrench gets thrown into his plans when his sister foists her two children, Kate and Harley, off on him for the holidays. Here’s the thing—it doesn’t matter if you don’t celebrate Christmas when the kids do.

So Bucky finds himself swallowing his pride and knocking on his neighbors’ door, asking for help with this whole Christmas thing. But in Steve and Tony’s cozy apartment, Bucky slowly starts finding himself enjoying Christmas again—and maybe even falling in love.

The Secret Omega by iam93percentstardust

Clint would like it to go on the record that he never meant to hide his status as an omega. He’s even proud of it. But now he’s been living as a beta for so long that going off the suppressants feels unnatural, and, moreover, he has no idea how to tell his king that he’s been lying to him for the better part of a decade.

Which is a problem.

Peace of Mind by Sineala

Steve has picked up his shield again, left the Secret Avengers, and rejoined the main Avengers team at Tony's side. He is, in fact, literally at Tony's side, as he finds Tony suffering from a migraine and takes care of him. After their many disagreements, Steve is grateful for the chance for the two of them to be friends again, with no secrets between them. But if there aren't secrets anymore, then how in the world did Steve not know Tony has gotten migraines since childhood?

I'd Dream of You by someonelsesheart

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing, Rogers. You’ve got that look that you get when you find a wounded animal that you want to bring home. You think you can fix him. Listen to me now, Steve. Nobody can fix Tony Stark.”

Salt of the Earth by RurouniHime

She's slower to wake out here, less apt to leap into awareness. Maybe it's the clean air, or the steady hush of wind.

Seasons Won't Change by Captain_Panda

Tony's ready, willing, and able to propose.

But the Heat Death of the Universe might arrive before he gets down on one knee.

How many times can one man pop the question before getting an answer?

Wet Whiskers by antigrav_vector

When Iron Man is hit by a stray spell and latches onto Steve for the duration... well. Things happen.

Mostly fluff. Fluff happens.

And some identity porn.

Patron of the Arts by Sineala 

Steve and Tony try something new in bed. Well, okay, on Tony's desk. Definitely something new, though. It's time for some roleplaying!

three weeks by orphan_account

Tony Stark is missing and he's pretty sure no one's coming for him.

Yours, Steve by soniclipstick (veriscence) f

Tony has read the news, he’s seen footage of the infighting and the arrest and Steve’s bloody body on the courthouse steps. He might not remember, but he understands why Steve can barely look him in the eye anymore.

But there’s a ring on the chain of a set of dog tags that have no business being in Tony’s safe. And it fits his finger perfectly.

Breathe and Release by exfatalist 

Since being honorably discharged from the Army after an injury sustained while deployed in Afghanistan, Steve Rogers has found a new center of balance as a yoga instructor at a small Manhattan gym. It just stands to figure that one day media crisis-plagued billionaire Tony Stark would come waltzing in and throw everything off. As he guides his controversial new student on the journey to inner peace, Steve learns to deal with some negative energy of his own, and finds something unexpected on the way. [ Non-Powered AU, Modern!Steve. ]

The Don'ts Of Dating (And How They Can Win You A Man) by Mozzarella

In which Steve Rogers fills in the Don't column of "Cosmo's Dos and Dont's of Dating" and somehow makes it work, while Tony Stark marvels at the fact that he's picking this weird (yet unbearably sweet) artist from Brooklyn over Captain Goddamn America.

AU where Tony is known as Iron Man but Cap's identity is secret even to the other Avengers.

The Unlikely Wingman by Sineala

Clint doesn't see why he should have to follow Captain America's orders. But he also doesn't see why Captain America should have to sit around looking miserably lonely, either.

Closing the Circuit by Sineala

Steve and Tony are trapped in a warehouse with a bomb. Steve's leg is broken, Tony's armor has failed, and they have mere minutes left to live. That's what they think, anyway.

[warwickroyals]

beginning - previous - next

you moved upstate, so typically now

[???] So, what happened after that? They just kept arguing?

[SAM] No, I gave them the money, if only to shut them up.

[???] Honestly, Sam, you’re always the one to do the right thing for all the wrong reasons.

[SAM] Them having milk wasn’t my priority; people were beginning to stare. I’m not getting recognized at a fucking Walgreens. I might as well get caught smoking crack.

[SAM] I mean, no offence to crackheads—

[???] Or Walgreens

[SAM] —or Walgreens, but I’d rather not get papped refilling a prescription. Everyone already thinks my family is insane thanks to my dad.

 [???] Harsh.

 [SAM] I mean, yeah, but that’s the way the press thinks, so . . . Fuck, I just wanted to go somewhere. I never go anywhere, I get everything delivered.

[LIAM] If you wanna go somewhere, tonight’s Y2K night at ROXIE’S. You’re always welcome.

[SAM] Y2K night? Are you supposed to dress up or whatever? Because absolutely not.

[???] No, they just play a bunch of Kylie Minogue. C’mon! It’ll be fun! It’s March Break.

[SAM] It’s called reading week and I have a ton of papers to grade. Turns out not taking my meds for almost a week torpedoes my productivity. Who would’ve guessed?

[???] The girls are dying to meet you, just sayin’. [HE LOWERS HIS VOICE] Also the DJ there . . . so hot. I spoke to him one time. He’s so sweet, but he’s built like a fucking lineman.

[SAM] Is this supposed to make me wanna go?

[???] Oh, please, you don’t have to be such a Goddamn virgin all the time.

[SAM] I’m not a virgin, I’ve fucked—

[???] Um, sir, the proper term is to make love.

[SAM] [SCOFFS] Okay, then I guess I am a virgin if that’s the standard. Like . . . ?

[SAM] I don’t know why you’re wasting your time trying to convince me, Liam.

[LIAM] Because you’re my friend. You’ve been moping around your apartment all month. Enjoy yourself, babe. Life is too short for bullshit.

[analyzingtaylor]

Are you invested in this relationship because she is dating a sports guy or you genuinely think Travis is a great match. To me, he seems like great match on paper but a lot depends how he reacts to her fame, media's obsession and obnoxious swifties over a period. He handling everything now is a good sign but they are in the honeymoon phase. Even Joe went with whatever Taylor suggested during the first 2 years on handling media.

Also, I am unsure how he will take his retirement. Do athletes transition smoothly post retirement or spiral? I see a lot of parallels between popstars and these footballers. Interviewers asking about retirement openly once you turn 30+ and we all know how stars spiral once they become old news.

I am invested for both those reasons. I always want people to be happy, but this is more appealing to me than anything TS has been involved with before because there are so many similarities and complementary differences.

I know he is not of Hollywood, but people should view professional athletes as entertainers. Being paid to perform for a mass audience is its own unique lifestyle.

TK’s retirement will be very smooth because he has always enjoyed attention and style and the spotlight, and he will keep those things.

His brother Jason will probably miss the game more, because the competition and the brotherhood seems to be the only thing that ever mattered to him and it’s just going to end. But he’s probably the only unanimously loved person in the history of Philadelphia (Ben Franklin had some haters, yo!) . In Jason’s case, he has a chance to be a great commentator, which is rare for an interior lineman.

[thelaithlyworm]

[ID Quilt of the silhouette of a linesman at the top of a power line, against a mottled grey background. End ID]

[arisingonmorningsinnocent]

"We've all heard about writer's block: the psychological inhibition that stops writers from writing. I don't believe professional writers experience writer's block. To me, writer's block is just as nonsensical as "quarterback's block" in a football game. If quarterbacks run a passing play but don't throw the ball to a receiver, the quarterbacks do not have a psychological inhibition that stops them from throwing the football. The quarterbacks don't have any open receivers or they don't see a receiver who is open or they are running from a 300-pound defensive lineman. Quarterbacks can always throw the ball. They may throw it well or they may throw it poorly, but they can always throw it.

"Writers may write well or they may write poorly, but they can always write. If writers can't write, they don't have the information they need to write.

"If you are experiencing writer's block on a white paper, ask yourself whether what you are writing contributes to your goals and strategies. Examine how you organized the content based on your goals and strategies. Do you have ideas that don't belong together? Do you need to make changes to the organization? Do you need to work on information in another section of the white paper so you can better understand what to put in the section that you are having trouble writing? As soon as you understand the source of your difficulty, you will be able to write."

--Al Kemp, Writing White Papers

[frankiecatphotography]

Rusty the Lineman Wrapping Paper - 50% Off with code EARLYBFDEALZ

[goldendiie]

Fillmores dad tries contacting Sarges family to warn them about their sons sickness

idk if i'll ever actually finish this, but here's a quick bit of nonsense that i wrote about it:

At forty-nine years old, Colonel Thomas Jones thought of himself as successful. He was married by the time he was twenty, a war hero by twenty-three, and the father of two wonderful boys by twenty-five. He worked in a mechanic shop, and he was content to grow old in the same town he had grown up in.

For the record, his sons were successful, too. His eldest, Wade, was a lineman in the next town over. He made good money, had a gorgeous wife and a little baby girl named Jolene. His youngest, Willie, had been a rather successful army man, served two tours in Vietnam; now, he apparently owned a surplus store somewhere in rural Arizona. Thomas Jones had yet to get out there, but he was proud, nonetheless. His boys had turned out to be fine young men.

Thomas thought idly about it—come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Willie in the better part of three or four years. Though, it ought to be a busy life, running a business; work always came first, anyways. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to fly him out for the holidays, if he had the time. After all, Willie probably wanted to meet Wade’s little girl. Thomas smiled at the thought: his family all together again, and his little granddaughter too. It would be nice to crack open a beer with his sons, and talk sports or whatever else.

“Tom,” His wife, Beth, said; she stuck her head into the living room, all blonde hair and dark eyes. “There’s a man at the door for you.”

“Who is it?” Thomas asked, indifferent. He looked back to the television—he had been idly watching the Sunday afternoon football game.

“I don’t know,” Beth said, disappearing again. “He just said he needs to speak with you urgently.”

Thomas rose from his seat and switched off the television, frowning at the score. He stretched quietly, snagging his beer from the end table as he made for the front door.

He did not know what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t what he found: there was an expensive black car in his lot, and a rather expensive man on his doorstep. He was extremely tall with graying-brown hair, wearing a crisp suit and horn-rimmed glasses; nearly like the politicians he’d see on television.

“I’m looking for Thomas Jones,” the man said, smoothly.

“That would be me,” Thomas replied, watching the man warily. “Do I know you, sir?”

“Not yet.” The man extended his hand, of which was adorned with an expensive watch. “Roger Callahan.”

“Pleasure,” Thomas said flatly. “What, exactly, do you want, Mr. Callahan?”

Roger Callahan smiled kindly; but, something strange flickered in his eyes, as though he were somehow malicious. “May I come inside?” he asked.

Thomas stared back at him, wishing that he could simply say no. Yet, he obliged, stepping aside. “Sure thing.”

They found themselves at the kitchen table. Thomas watched his wife hover around the stove, fixing a pot of coffee; she stole a wary glance at him, eyebrows raised. Roger Callahan looked almost comical: tall, lanky, and far too rich to be sitting in the kitchen of a lowly mechanic.

He began, “Mr. Jones—

“Colonel,” Thomas corrected.

“Right.” Callahan bared his teeth in something of a grin. “Colonel Jones. We have much to discuss.”

Thomas crossed his arms, disliking the man’s elusiveness. “About?”

“Your son,” Callahan said grimly. “Our sons, actually.”

Confused, Thomas raised his eyebrows. He took a swig from his beer, leaning forward to lean on the kitchen table. “I’m listening.”

In a series of well-articulated and rather upsetting sentences, Callahan told him a story that Thomas Jones found quite unbelievable. His son Willie had, apparently, not left the military by choice: actually, he had been dishonorably discharged under some backwater code that Thomas had never heard of. Callahan produced the discharge papers, sliding them across the table.

“The code is in place for a reason. As a military man yourself, I think you’d understand that,” Callahan said smoothly. “It bars homosexuals from participating in military service—and, removes those in violation of this code from their position.”

Incredulous, Thomas slid the papers back to him. “Are you implying that my son is a homosexual?”

“I’m not implying it,” Callahan replied, “I’m stating it as a fact.”

He continued, claiming that Willie and Callahan’s own son had been seeing one another romantically for the better part of two years. “I had no idea,” Callahan said, “I was actually paying your boy to keep tabs on my son, but…” He huffed, irritated, “Apparently he was taking the money and lying through his teeth about what was actually happening.”

“You must have the wrong family,” Beth cut in from beside the stove, annoyed. “Willie is a good kid. Always went to church, never acted out… This doesn’t sound like him, at all.”

“He’s been seeing my son consistently for two years, Thomas,” Callahan said, dismissively, “My son is a good-for-nothing peacenik with no future. I suppose it’s had an effect on your boy.”

“Why should we believe you?” Thomas asked. “I don’t trust anyone who calls their kid good-for-nothing."

“The discharge papers speak for themselves,” Callahan replied, “I’d think that you’d agree with the codes more than anyone else, Colonel.”

Thomas shook his head, scoffing. “Mr. Callahan, I think it’s time you got the hell off of my property.”

“Colonel Jones, you need to accept that—”

“Accept what?” Thomas snapped, rising from his seat, “That some asshole is trying to slander my son?”

“Tom,” Beth said warningly, “Back off.”

Thomas dropped back into his seat. Callahan stared back at him, expression infuriatingly even.

“I just figured that you’d want to know,” Callahan said lowly. He stood from his seat, pulling a business card from his pocket. “I’ll be going, now. Call this telephone number if you need to reach me.”

With that, he left out the way he came, shutting the front door quietly behind him.

Thomas deflated, resting his head into his hands. His wife appeared behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

“Do you believe him?” Thomas asked lowly.

“I don’t know,” Beth replied. “I don���t want to believe him.”

“Mm.”

Thomas was anxious for the rest of the day. He didn’t exactly know what to think: the discharge was a plain fact, but he wished to believe that the rest of Callahan’s story was untrue. In the case that it was, however… The only option he really had was to try and get help for it. Certainly, there were institutions that strove to fix illnesses like that?

That evening, he resolved to call Willie out in Arizona to speak to him personally. Beth lingered close by his shoulder at the telephone, evidently hoping to listen in.

[colloquialbitchisms]

BLINDSIDED BY FOREVER PLAYLISTS FOR MY SHIPS / PART 1

feel free to change tenses & pronouns as needed, or even combine multiple prompts into one. be creative!!

LINE WITHOUT A HOOK — RICKY MONTGOMERY

“i don't give a damn about the way you touch me when we're alone.” “you can hold my hand when no one's home.” “i can feel all my bones coming back, and i'm craving motion.” “it's a curse and it's growing.” “all my emotions feel like explosions when you're around.” “i need you here to stay.” “if i could take it all back...” “i swear that i would pull you from the tide.” “i am a wreck when i'm without you.” “i broke all my bones that day i found you.”

DIVIDE — BASTILLE

“in these darker days i push the limit to the love you offer.” “there's a riot in my head, demanding we do this forever.” “why would we divide when we could come together?” “just bodies that collide, lost and found each other.” “looking back around, glamourize the chaos.” “don't leave me alone.” “won't let you go like this.”

SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS — THE CHAINSMOKERS

“i don't see myself upon that list.” “where'd you wanna go?” “how much d'you wanna risk?” “i'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts.” “just something i can turn to.” “somebody i can kiss.” “i want something just like this.” “i'm not the kind of person that it fits.” “somebody i can miss.”

CHATEAU LOBBY #4 ( IN C FOR TWO VIRGINS ) — FATHER JOHN MISTY

“play piano in the hotel lobby.” “i've never done this.” “people are boring, but you're something else completely.” “damn, lets take our chances.” “dating for twenty years feels pretty civilian.” “first time you let me stay despite your own rules.” “you left a note in your perfect script: ‘stay as long as you want.’ and i haven't left your bed since.” “i haven't hated all the same things as somebody else since i remember.” “what are you doing with your whole life? how about forever?”

DIE FOR YOU — STARSET

“i will run alone tonight.” “without you by my side.” “i guess you had a place you had to get to.” “i know inside, the walls you hide behind.” “i saw the truth inside, the real you.” “because i know you're lost when you run away.” “when are you coming home?” “there's no pain i won't go through, even if i have to die for you.” “the only hell i know is without you.” “it's taking all my will just to run alone until i bring you home.” “i'll search the skies for you and i'll follow.”

WICHITA LINEMAN — GLEN CAMPBELL

“i hear you singing in the wire.” “i know i need a small vacation.” “i need you more than i want you.” “and i want you all the time.”

I AM YOU — KIM TAYLOR

“i am tied by truth like an anchor.” “i'm floating freely in the heavens, held in by your heart's gravity.” “even though sometimes you don't know who i am.” “i am you, everything you do. anything you say you want me to be.” “all my senses awaken to the changes, and i feel alive inside my own skin.” “linked eternally in what we can't undo.” “i am you.”

STARRY EYED — ELLIE GOULDING

“take me in, and throw out my heart, and get a new one.” “you look at me; it's like you hit me with lightning.” “so we burst into colours.” “fall head first like paper planes in playground games.” “everybody's starry-eyed.”

DON'T MISS ME — MARIANA'S TRENCH

“you know, it's not like i miss your laughter.” “it's not like i miss your face.” “i tell myself i could do with the space between me to you.” “i'm just a drink away from honesty.” “so who knows what's true?” “but i'm wondering if maybe you don't miss me too?” “a foot out the door, a foot in the grave.” “i guess some people try to raise the dead; some people try to live instead.” “that's too much time, but much too little now.”

ECHOES OF YOU — MARIANA'S TRENCH

“i've never given into madness.” “but i'm better now than before.” “i've never really panicked.” “you inhale ‘til your lungs get sore.” “stirs of whispers trail and linger.” “you still haunt the corner of my eye.” “echoes of you, repeating from the beating of your tell-tale heart.” “i want to make it vanish, but the notes of an old mistake still ring louder every day.” “i still insist i see the ghosts.” “i can't stop myself from falling.”

PAPER RINGS — TAYLOR SWIFT

“cat and mouse for a month, or two, or three.” “now i wake up in the night and watch you breathe.” “kiss me once, ‘cause you know i had a long night.” “kiss me twice, ‘cause it's gonna be alright.” “three times ‘cause i've waited my whole life.” “i like shiny things, but i'd marry you with paper rings.” “i hate accidents, except when we went from friends to this.” “you're the one i want.” “without all the exes, fights, and flaws, we wouldn't be standing here so tall.” “you're the one i want. in paper rings, and picture frames, and all my dreams.”

ABSOLUTELY SMITTEN — DODIE

“she knows this feeling all too well.” “she feels her heart begin to swell.” “handsome stranger, you've made her insides turn to jelly.” “kiss you until your her lips turn blue.” “that girl just there, yes, she's the one.” “pretty lady, look at how he's smiling.” “i think he likes you.” “but it's too late. you're absolutely smitten.” “i believe in fate.” “i'm absolutely smitten, i'll never let you go.” “i'll never let you go.”

MARRY YOU — BRUNO MARS

“it's a beautiful night.” “we're looking for something dumb to do.” “i think i want to marry you.” “is it the look in your eyes or is it this dancing juice?” “i know this little chapel on the boulevard we can go.” “who cares if we're trashed.” “shots of patrón and it's on.” “i'll go get a ring.” “if we wake up and you wanna break up, that's cool.” “tell me right now.” “just say ‘i do’.”

ALIEN LIKE YOU — THE PIGOTT BROTHERS

“i know that you don't know that i know what you know.” “we've got secrets between us that nobody else would believe if we told them.” ”so, let the stars align.” “broken souls will become whole tonight.” “lift your eyes and let me in.” “would you ever wake at night and realize the reason why you knew me then is maybe i'm an alien too?” “i know that believing is hard with the feeling that home must be millions and millions of lightyears away.” “let's not be scared ‘cause we know love's a world above this one.” “we've both spent way too long hearing voices on the radio.” “we can't let anybody know.”

STATE OF GRACE — TAYLOR SWIFT

“all we know is touch and go.” “i never saw you coming, and i'll never be the same.” “you come around and the armor falls.” “now all we know is don't let go.” “you were never a saint, and i loved in shades of wrong.” “we learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts.” “this love is brave and wild.” “this is a state of grace. a worthwhile fight.” “love is a ruthless game unless you play it good and right.” “this is the golden age of something good and right and real.”

[sea-salted-wolverine]

Hey, did you know that digital space exists in real space?

Did you know that the Internet is an interconnected network of physical connections between computers?

Did you know that vast sections of that physical network are still in lead casing cable with paper insulation put up in the forties? Did you know that the only reason those networks can handle today's Internet traffic are because they were massively overbuilt throughout the cold war, and we've been living off that largess for the last 50 years?

If you have a high-speed fiber optic connection, if you have 5G, if you have cell service, the other end of that connection is older than your parents. Telecom companies are much more interested in making a profit by providing a service than maintaining the network required to provide that service.

[edit: Tumblr ate the rest of the reblog]

There is only a very small handful of skilled senior linemen who maintain the physical structure of the internet that we all live our lives on. As in the entire West Coast has a few hundred. the apprenticeships are open and pretty plush as far as apprenticeships go, but they can't fill demand fast enough. The old guys are retirement age but there's that giant gap mentioned above. plus there's been a massive technology leap and backward compatibility issues because if you have a 5g connection and the server you're accessing has a fiberoptic hardline, somewhere in the middle there are patches of the network that haven't been updated since the Carter administration.

so the guy who goes out to fix it is a 60-something should-be-retired lineman with a twenty-something following him around trying to pull together the knowledge base of a 40-year career so they can update a 70-year-old utility structure to handle modern-day traffic.

.

[wannaeatramyeon]

lineman’s bounty is so cheap i’m screaming 😭😭

Lineman and Jake Kim discovering Big Deal's bounties...

"What's wrong?" Jake takes in Lineman's lack of energy, his defeated form, practically being able to see the black cloud over his head.

Lineman thrusts several pieces of paper in his boss's face, gripping it so tight it took effort to pull it from his hands.

This spells more trouble.

Jake skims over the words, face darkening as he sees the portrait of each of his beloved Big Deal crew with the words 'DEAD OR ALIVE' printed in stark font underneath.

It might as well be a death sentence.

He leafs through them. Pictures of himself, Jerry, Jason, Brad all staring back at him except-

"Here's me," Lineman says, showing the final wanted sign with tears in his eyes and his face scrunched up with rage.

"I'm sorry," Jake sighs, dropping his eyes, thinking about his failure as the leader, "This is all my fault-"

"NO! LOOK!"

Lineman stabs at the text right at the bottom.

Oh.

"I'M WORTH ONE ARCADE GAME!" Lineman punctuates each word with a further stab, spraying spittle and foaming at the mouth.

As he screams out the word 'game', his hand pierces clean through the paper.

"Think of it this way," A smile tugs at Jake's lips. The first time he felt any joy since the whole plan went to shit, "You're in the least danger."

Jake ruffles Lineman's hair, and the words and actions do nothing to appease the latter's anger. His boss is being patronising as hell right now, Jake didn't even make any attempt to hide his grin.

Seriously. Fuck it all.

Steam billowing out in ears, Lineman storms off in search for Choi Bongae.