#manny you know I have got seals for DAYS around here. seals up to the ceiling.

[chiropteracupola]

Wip battleship game: seal

kidnapped shapeshifter au:

“There’s many an upright gentleman who’ll take a seal-wife or a swan-wife, or a lady from under the hill, and I daresay that there might be a little of the same sort in you, if you look back far enough.” Putting his thumb and finger to David’s chin, Alan turned his face back and forth, as if what he sought might be seen somewhere in David’s features. “You’ve got something of the hare in your eyes, if you care to look for it.” “Have I truly?” asked David, and put his own hand over Alan’s.

foth ladyhawke au:

Guthrie scrapes out a few more careful words, using each smear of blood to its full potential, and blots the paper. Letting the candle-wax drip onto the folded curse, he seals it not by metal but with his own thumbprint, the same that he’d cut. When Guthrie lifts his hand away, his skin is whole once more, and he blows on it, as if to waft away lingering smoke.

treasure island selkie au:

At the top of the stone was an engraved hourglass, and Livesey traced it thoughtfully. This was nothing out of the ordinary, but the swirling, spiraling wave motif carved at either side was unfamiliar. Livesey found himself looking for little seals in the pattern, but found none. Not as much of a surprise as it could have been — her husband had evidently commissioned its carving — but the lack of them felt wrong all the same.

[365days365movies]

January 25, 2021: The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

The disaster movie is, oddly enough, a subgenre of action, while also throwing in a splash of adventure. What I mean by that is, like adventure, focus is slightly shifted away from the characters acting against each other, and towards interactions between the characters and the environment around them. Essentially, an external environmental factor, outside of humans, is the antagonist, sometimes quite literally.

Now, obviously, humans can still be villains in disaster movies, but the conflict of the film always have to revolve around the disaster itself, with all other characters merely players in a large conflict. In other words, you got a main guy, shit explodes, and our main guy has to survive, sometimes with assholes getting in their way. Disaster movies in a nutshell, right there.

This movie trend began with 1970’s Airport, considered by most to be one of the crown jewels of the genre, especially at the time. They died in the mid-’70s, and the 1981 movie Airplane! (one of my favorite comedies) was the death knell for the genre...for about 13 years. I grew up in the reboot era of the disaster movie, with Independence Day, Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, War of the Worlds, Titanic, etc. 

But today, we’re looking at what’s said to be the best of the best: the 1972 Academy Award-winning Ronald Neame film The Poseidon Adventure. This is Titanic before Titanic, but also after A Night to Remember...and the actual Titanic, obviously. All I know going in is that the ship is GOING DOWN. Also, Mermaid-Man’s in it. Hi, Ernest Borgnine!

Let’s go! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap

So, the opening text tells us RIGHT OFF that it’s New Years Eve, and that this ship, the S.S. Poseidon, is fucked. I’m impressed that we’re getting that out of the way immediately.

We cut to the ship, a cruise liner full of passengers during a storm. The Captain of the ship, Captain Harrison (Leslie Nielsen...LESLIE NIELSEN???)

From Airplane!? Wow! Never seen him in a dramatic role, so that’s awesome!

Anyway, things ain’t goin’ perfect. While a representative of the new owners of the ship forces them to go full speed (at considerable risk), the passengers include the disgruntled Mike Rogo (Ernest Borgnine) and his wife, Linda (Stella Stevens), the latter of which is going through a bout of seasickness. Other passengers include wide-eyed child Robin Shelby (Eric Shea) and his frustrated teenage sister Susan (Pamela Sue Martin); lonely runner James Martin (Red Buttons); married couple Betty and Manny Rosen (Shelley Winters and Jack “Grandpa Joe Who Could Walk The Whole Goddamn Time The Fuckin’ Faker” Albertson); “modern” preacher Reverend Frank Scott (Gene Hackman) and the more traditional Chaplain John (Arthur O’Connell); and singer Nonnie Parry (Carol Lynley), with her waiter admirer Acres (Roddy McDowall).

We’re introduced to these people in quick and efficient fashion, as well as their modus operandi. Rogo’s a detective-lieutenant, and his wife has a troubled past as a prostitute (and their relationship history is...complicated). The Shelby siblings are headed to see their parents overseas. James Martin’s a fitness-conscious bachelor and haberdasher who goes on morning runs. The Rosens have a son and 2-year old grandson in Israel that they’re going to visit, and are likely staying there. Frank Scott is an outspoken preacher, who believes that God only helps those who help themselves, and has been sent to Africa as a sort of punishment. And Nonnie Parry...well…

Well, she’s singing the song that won this movie the 1972 Academy Award for Best Original Song. YEAH. THAT SONG. You’ve almost certainly heard it, and its fame has far surpassed this movie at this point. 

That night, the song is sung at a New Years Party, at which all of our players are assembled. The Captain leaves for the deck, and discovers that an earthquake has just taken place off the coast of Crete. And underwater earthquakes create tsunamis. And tsunamis...well...the ship’s in for some trouble. Batten down, people. The New Year begins with great bombast and celebration...as the wall of water approaches.

Party’s over.

The ship tips, as the wall of water hits, and EVERYBODY goes falling. And I mean FALLING, it’s one hell of a scene. The ship flips entirely upside down, and people holding on to tables quickly fall. The lights go out. And all is quiet.

As the passengers come to, we get an accounting...of the survivors. After all, no way everyone could’ve survived that. The Rogos, Rosens, Rev. Scott, Nonnie, Acres, Martin, and the Shelbys all survive, although some of them need to be a little rescued from the ceiling.

The ship is now upside down. I’m sure that’ll be an issue eventually. For now, with some argument, Reverend Scott leads everyone in an effort to get up to the former floor, where injured waiter Acres is waiting. They use a Christmas tree as a ladder, and begin to climb up to a doorway out. Although, not everyone is inclined to go. Nonnie is the only surviving member of her band, which included her brother, and is only convinced by Martin to go. 

The group of people that we’ve been following go, but literally everybody else stays behind. Sadly, this includes Chaplain John, who’s resigned himself and the other to their likely fatal end. He and Reverend Scott have a heart-to-heart, and Scott makes one last plea to the rest. However, the ship’s Purser (Byron Webster) insists that they must stay behind and wait for help, and the vast majority agree with him. And as soon as our group gets to safety…

This movie...this movie is fucking brutal. The throngs panic and try to climb to safety, but the tree falls...and everybody dies as the ship begins its descent. And the Reverend watches. And holy shit. I’m shook. Real talk, I am SHAKEN by this, about as much as the Reverend is. This is...whoof.

The group head towards the kitchen, and find a fire door sealed in place. The reverend tries to open it, despite Rogo’s very realistic and good warnings about flashover (the event during which fresh oxygen is introduced to an oxygen-starved fire, reigniting it violently and quickly). Despite this, Rogo helps him with the door, and the fire is luckily not a flashover. Rev. Scott goes in and makes it out, scouting a path through the fire (and the bodies).

They all make it through the kitchen, getting closer to the engine room. And that’s when the water starts coming in.

Once again, they all make it through, and begin traversing the next obstacle: a narrow tunnel that leads to a ventilation shaft with a ladder. Also, Linda (Rogo’s wife) is wearing VERY TALL high heels as she climbs up the ladder. Lady. DROP THE SHOES!!!! 

They continue to make it through the shaft...and then another explosion hits! We lose our first party member, as Acres loses his footing and falls. Rogo almost goes with him, and Nonnie’s paralyzed with fear until Martin helps her.

By the way, I realize that reading this might be a bit cumbersome, as there are a lot of names here. But when you WATCH the movie, all of these people are distinct enough that remembering them isn’t too bad. And now...there are even more people.

That’s right! There are more people, being led by the Ship’s Doctor (Jan Arvan)...in the wrong direction. They head towards the bow, towards the water, despite Scott’s warnings. Scott’s frustration, the loss of Acres, and Rogo’s stubbornness leads to a confrontation. This leads to Scott making a bet with Rogo. He’ll scout ahead for a path to the engine room, and if there isn’t one, they’ll also head toward the bow. Rogo agrees, and gives him 15 minutes. Scott leaves, with Susan Shelby (teenage sister, remember) following behind. The rest search for food and supplies in the rooms nearby.

To Scott’s great dismay, however, the main passage to the engine room is destroyed. With Susan’s help, they look for more passages, eventually finding a path covered in oil. The Rosens have their own heart-to-heart, with Belle resigned to death, and Manny clinging to hope. Martin and Nonnie go together, with Nonnie breaking down over her lost brother, and Martin comforting her as best he can. They eventually reconvene, with Scott returned from the engine room successfully. However...Robin is missing. 

Scott goes back to get him...and that’s when the water comes back.

They all once again make it...but the water’s now flooded the passageway to the engine room. Scott takes a rope and tries to swim through the passageway, with the rope being used to guide everyone else through once he makes it. But, of course, he gets stuck when a metal sheet collapses on top of him. But that’s when a surprising ringer steps up to help.

Belle Rosen, the down-on-herself, most resigned-to-death member of the party, also happens to be a former swimming champion. She makes it through, and saves Scott from drowning...and has a heart attack in the process. She gives Scott a pendant for her grandson...and dies.

And that’s when I start tearing up. Fuck. I mean it, her death really got me. Talk about a heroic sacrifice.

Rogo goes to find them, and discovers that Belle’s gone. Scott tells him to get the others, without telling Manny what happened. But Manny figures it out, diving into the water. The rest follow, although Nonnie can’t swim. Martin tells her that he won’t go without her, and they go together. Manny’s the first to make it to the other side...and he sees Belle.

And that’s when I tear up again. FUCK.

Manny initially won’t leave Belle, and Scott pleas with him to come with. He asks to stay with her a little longer, and Scott relents. He gives Belle one last kiss...and goes to join the others. Thank God. I need Manny Rosen to live, goddammit. In fact...I really don’t want to lose anyone else.

A harrowing climb to the engine room takes place, and we reach the final door. And then, of course...an explosion.

Linda dies. Goddammit. And Rogo lashes out at Scott, blaming him for her death. But there’s no time for that now. Explosions cause a steam pipe to explode, blocking the exit, prompting Scott to do his own lashing out: at God. He jumps to open a valve for the rest, despite the hot steam. He screams at God to take him, instead of another of their lives. And in the process, he shuts off the steam...and his plea is answered in turn.

As Scott dies, he asks Rogo to get the rest through. But Rogo’s listless, not responding at all. Martin reams him out, rousing him again and getting him up to lead the survivors. 6 people left...and only 5 minutes of movie to go. They get to the thinnest part of the hull, where they hear scraping from the outside. They bang on the hull with pipes, and banging responds. A torch cuts through the hull...BUT IT’S NOT A TORCH, IT’S AN EXPLOSION AND EVERYBODY DIES

Kidding, of course, as they get rescued! And as they mourn their fallen, it’s discovered that these 6...are the only survivors. In the entire ship, these six were the only ones to make it out.

And THAT...is The Poseidon Adventure. FUCK TITANIC. See you in the Epilogue.

[believerindaydreams]

Me: omg this took forever to get to the action scenes

Me: whoo

Me: think I'll let this sit for a few days and then do the a03 post

Into the fire part 9

"Colonel Hsu. Sir."

Not sure what he wants to see me for. The Colonel's a busy man, with more to think about than two former soldiers leaving town.

"Boone, is it? I understand you were a good soldier. First Recon."

"Yessir."

He sighs; the kind of tired patience you get from a man who's seen too much and been awake too long. "I have to understand it that you're intending to leave the Mojave. Would you be planning to return to the NCR?"

"...that's not my intention. Sir."

He looks you dead-on. "It is my regretful duty to inform you that, as per the orders of Brigadier Cassandra Moore, your discharge has been cancelled and you are henceforth recalled to this base. No duties have been assigned to you at this present time."

Can't have heard that right. "I never reenlisted, sir.'

"I'm aware of that. But given the impending Legion situation, the NCR can't afford to let manpower stand idle. I'll tell the same to Vargas, when he comes in."

"Yessir. Am I dismissed?"

The Colonel's frowning. "Forgive me for saying so, but you don't seem to be very quick on the uptake. Care for a smoke?"

I take one, have it lit before remembering I'm giving it up. Too late.

"You could," Colonel Hsu says softly. "You could ask me how many people have been recalled like this. The answer might surprise you."

"How many, sir?"

"Just two. And I think you know the other one." He lights a cigarette of his own. "You might be curious to know what was important enough to fast-track Moore's promotion over my head. Or that she's left a standing order with me to contact her immediately upon concluding a conversation of this nature."

"Sir. If the NCR needs the manpower this badly-"

"Don't you have a wife? A pregnant one, I believe?"

The Colonel rubs his forehead with his knuckles. "I...am doing my best not to overstep my authority and my oaths. But more important than either, as far as I'm concerned, is my men. Still. If you're actually satisfied with this situation-"

The door swings open, hard, as though it's been kicked.

Arcade. Not the way I've ever seen him; he's dressed in stark black, holorifle at the ready, and his face is flushed like he's on Med-X. Maybe a few other things.

I've seen him at the Sierra Madre, and the Legion camp. I've seen him be frightened

What I'm looking at is cold-blooded.

"Colonel Hsu. I order you to stand down and surrender your prisoner."

"May I ask under whose authority?"

"Enclave."

The word drifts across the room like smoke; and there's no taking it back.

Maybe I shouldn't trust him. Maybe I never should have. An agent- spying with the Legion- and I've spilled my guts to him- "Where's my wife? Where's Manny?"

"Already evacuated. You're the last one."

And that makes it simple. Doesn't matter if I'm a traitor the moment I walk out that door, if the whole NCR army is ready to gun me down; everything I care about, I can only get back by following Arcade.

I can always gun him down once I see they're safe. Or if they're not.

"Don't let me hold you up, then," Colonel Hsu says.

There's a tiny smile on his face.

I don't need to understand what's going on here, to know I don't like it.

*****

"Look. I do have to close the shop eventually, you know."

Not good news, because Arcade told me to get Carla to the Westside Co-Op and not move once we got there. And after the trip here, crawling through the dirt and blowing hell out of anything that even twitched the wrong way, I really don't feel like another journey.

Carla is ignoring everything, cross legged on the floor and knitting. I think it's keeping her calm. "Look, this is important. Arcade Gannon told us to stay here, it's important Follower business."

"Never heard the name, I'm afraid. If you could leave, come back tomorrow-"

I don't know what I would have done next- refused to budge, probably- but the door swings open, and it's finally the duo I'm hoping for.

"Boone!"

And I wrap him in a bear hug. Still alive. Not visibly wounded. Maybe a bit startled.

"All right, we're here," Boone growls at Arcade. "Answers, now."

"Not in here," the exasperated clerk says. "Out. We're closed."

So that's how we end up on the street, drifting down a Westside alley in search of a place to sleep. It's too late to head for Freeside even if Carla was up for it.

Though right now she'd probably say yes to a trip to the moon. "You have no idea how much I missed you. Oh, Boone..."

"Nice to see you too," he says, voice softened. "But- what the hell? One minute I'm talking with the Colonel, next thing I know I'm being goddamn kidnapped."

That's weird. "Didn't you show him the sealed orders?"

Arcade shakes his head. "No time. There really wasn't at Camp McCarran, and then...well, let's just say we weren't talking for most of the trip here. You're going to have to explain it, Manny, because I don't think he'll believe anything I say right now."

"....okay. Well. To begin with, Spades was dicking around on the Major's terminal, trying to guess what they'd be doing next. Like he does."

"Yeah?"

"Not when you're around. We all thought you'd pop a stitch over it."

"Get on with it," Boone says, not unbending an inch.

"Okay. The Major had a set of sealed orders that he hadn't been able to crack, and I suggested Arcade, and everyone said great, let's see what it is. You know what those orders were? Fucking Cassandra Moore saying that the minute he could get word to either you or me, do it, get the whole unit back together, and then send the whole of First Recon back to Shady Sands. By Vertibird, no less."

"So what?"

You can drag a Boone to Lake Mead but you can't make him drink. "So? Betsy and Spades took off before you could say jump, they're going AWOL who knows where. Bitter stayed on because he's a stubborn fuck who won't leave his dad, and Sterling said he's old enough to chance it, which I bet they'll both regret-"

"For the love of- stop it," Boone says, crossing his arms. "I'm not moving one more step until I know what's going on."

"Boone, it wasn't going to be spelled out in words," Carla says gently. "But- there was the dating. Arcade said it matched up to not long after the Cottonwood Cove massacre."

"Is that what they called it?" Arcade asks. "You have to remember, they didn't exactly leave radios lying around at the Legion slave camp."

"...so you don't know it was all over the radio, or that Mr New Vegas was telling everyone about the NCR victories that nobody at McCarran had ordered," I say. "Boone. You fucking changed the shape of the war single handed, and the NCR figured out who did it, and they want you back."

"And if I thought it would be for any reason that could possibly end well for you," Arcade says tiredly, "I wouldn't have burned every bridge I have in the Mojave, by claiming to be Enclave. By the way, Carla, thanks for the fabric. You were right about the safety pins."

Boone takes his sunglasses off.

"That wasn't me," he says, voice distant. "I mean, it was, but- that was the Stealth Boys I found at Repconn. If I'd tried it bare-handed I would have plain died."

"...I don't think they're going to believe that," Carla says. "I think NCR is going to pin their hopes of ending this war on First Recon giving them the perfect killing machine, and that's why half your old unit deserted, and that's why we really, really need to leave the Mojave as soon as we can."

"Unless you really want to repeat the performance and head to the Legion camp again," Arcade mutters. "They'll be happy to see you, I daresay."

"I don't know what to believe anymore."

Desert's turning cold with night, now.

Who knows where we'll be by morning.

[avalindin]

It was a bounty hunter, I swear...

Tom Hiddleston fic

Ch. 9: Scream my lungs out

________

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

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________

Kali couldn’t cry. Her eyes already stung from the hospital the day and a half before. She’d made a promise. Soon she would be at it again but when she would close her eyes, she would have the memories of being friends with Mina to keep her moving forward.

“Obi?”

Kali tried not to force a smile as her mother set her hand on her shoulder.

“Sorry, mom. Just tired.”

“I know, baby. Gonna get a nap while we set up our things?”

“I’m not sure how deep a sleep I may be in.”

“I’ll send in Demi instead. Manny just got home from Ibiza. She could sneak in if you want.”

A small huff of laughter was heard for a second, but Peggy saw the fast blur of her baby girl rush from the car and around the side of the house. She brushed the gray hair over her ear and tried not to look in the rearview mirror. Instead, she looked over her shoulder with a heavy and hurting heart to the crinkled mailing envelope that Mina was too weak to close just days before. Kali wouldn’t be ready for it, but she also made a promise.

Kali made sure the door was closed as she kicked off her flats and tumbled to her old mattress. Her fatigue guided her eyes to shut on their own. She reached under her bed for the small worn Yoda doll that had been hers for so many years. Her nose pressed into the top of the fake green wrinkles. She remembered before her, the doll wasn’t just Donovan’s, it was also Mina’s, gifted to him as a result of a puppy love crush.

“Hey!”

Kali dreamt of the first time that she saw Mina.

She had been so mesmerized at the boys’ VHS collection on the large screen in front of her, that she didn’t see the loud child dressed in bold colors. The silence of the new girl’s sandals had stopped once she quit chasing Donovan around the house and focused her attention on Kali. She wasn’t ready for the new child to rush to Kali’s side and size her up and down.

She got back up to her feet and held out her hand to Kali.

“I’m Mina.”

She slowly took Mina’s hand and her help to get to her feet.

“Kali,” she mumbled into the doll.

“You don’t talk much,” she exclaimed, almost scaring Kali, “Just stick with me and we can fix that.”

“Glad you did,” sighed Kali.

Sleep slowly took her before she could feel her held back tears roll to the pillows.

-

He bit the edge of his nail as the wheels rolled on. He hadn’t been in Texas since the last time he’d ran from Kali. There was a bit of him that wanted to see her again but with how he left things with her, the only thing he wanted to do was pay his respects and leave. There was some struggle to whether they were his respects to pay or not. He’d meet Mina only twice. Once in San Diego during their stay at the Con and once when Tom made a surprise pit stop in Austin to whisk Kali away for a romantic weekend, right before everything went to shit.

“Oh...”

Tom smiled and had hurried to press his finger to his lips. He even leaned against the doorway.

“Your fine ass can be my delivery boy anytime you want.”

“Mina! Don’t fuck this one either! We can’t keep finding...”

Kali had stopped in front of Tom, waiting just for her.

“Welp,” shrugged Nina as she stepped back from the door, “You know the drill.”

She gave Kali a mighty shove into the hallway and slammed the door behind them. He smiled to her boldness and wished he could have known her better.

His long fingers wrapped around the flowers as his car pulled up to the steps of the church. It wasn’t until he got out of the car when he saw a few people descend the church steps to their cars. Some looked his way, but none gave him any bother.

“Excuse me,” he softly butted to the closest people, “Is it still going on?”

“No. We decided to cut it early. Her ashes are going to the after-wake and then home with us. Hope you brought food.”

His heart broke as he looked into the ordinary eyes of Mina’s parents. He lifted his hand with the flowers towards them.

“I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you are going through.”

“You knew Mina?”

“Only through Kali.”

Both looked at Tom and turned to leave void the flowers.

“Thank you but we know who you are.”

He was left on the steps with no cab in sight and not a clue of what to do next.

“Shit.”

-

His hand shook as he prayed for the strength to not lose his mind. He straightened his BDUs and slowly made his way up the cracked pathway. If the door hadn’t already been propped open, he wouldn’t have been able to go inside. Once his boots passed the threshold, he pulled the cover from his shaved head and set out to find his mother. Peggy pulled a tray of food from the oven and set them to cool on the counter. Her smile shown on the younger woman with warm olive skin and newly platinum blonde hair pulled up over her aid.

“Girls, just give these ten minutes to settle then dig in. Manny, fish, don’t hurt yourself.”

“Yes, Mama Tigger!”

“What about the guys?”

Peggy turned with enough force to twirl her dress in excitement.

“My Baby!”

She opened her arms to Donovan. He’d still grown a bit since the last time he’d been home.

“Hi, momma. Where’s everyone else?”

“Demi had to work but he’s on his way home. Kali is sleeping the funeral off.”

“In her room? Is she holding up?”

“Yeah, go out the back and use the side door.”

He kissed her brow and left with a few snacks in his hand to devour. He was careful to not step on his mother’s flowers as he stopped at the door of his nana’s old room. He still wasn’t used to it all. The knob turned with ease and his large hand pushed the door in. He saw his sister stir, making his hurry to stop the blaring sunlight from disturbing her room.

Kali could hear the door behind her. The quiet sounds of the grieving party outside her first door made her want to shove earbuds in her ears.

“Fuck,” she sighed as she clutched her Yoda closer.

“Terrible language, Ma’am. Now where the fuck did you learn that?”

She quickly turned and smiled as she rushed form her bed and into her brother’s arms. Donovan tried everything in his power to not cry but she was faster to wipe them away.

“I don’t… When did you get back?!”

“Today but I have to go back day after tomorrow. So, you got Nana’s old room, huh?”

“Uh, yeah,” she shrugged as she returned to the side of her bed, “It’s not much but...”

“I know.”

What was in the past was in the past and she liked it that way.

“So, did you get my package?”

“What package?”

“I mailed it to mom after last week. I thought she would have given it to you before I got here. There.”

He pulled something from the floor. He handed her a thick mailing envelope from the pile of mail that she never opened. She could feel the enamel in her back teeth clench when she saw Mina’s writing on the front.

“Fucking ass had me mail this without looking. Of course, she would make me work for her last words.”

Donovan took a seat next to his baby sister. Kali forced herself to exhale and reach for the seal. She ripped it open and pulled out a golden box along with a weak piece of paper.

“This was for the first one but yours will always be one with the Force, just like you.”

Donovan took the paper from Kali and gave a soft chuckle.

“You’d think her last words would be a little more wise-ass.”

“She always writes on the back.”

“How… Kal, I can’t read this out loud.”

“Got milk? Stupid cow.”

Donovan could feel his heart break as he saw Kali smile at the paper.

“What is it?”

Kali went back to the small golden box. Her fingers went for the small screw in the back. It turned until she couldn’t anymore. She wasn’t ready for the gentle lullaby notes of the Imperial March, so soft and mesmerizing as the turning dented wheel plucked against the small metal forks hidden inside. They were both quiet until Donavon cleared his throat.

“You need to take it back.”

“I know.”

Kali reached under her pillow for the small black box and slid it into her brother’s large palm. He flipped the ring box in his fingers and sighed.

“I really was going to marry her.”

“I know.”

“I would have been okay with an open marriage.”

“I don’t think you would have.”

“I would have done anything to make her happy.”

“You always did but she knew that ring was never for her.”

“Thanks, Nicholas Sparks.”

“You’re welcome, Muggle. We should get out there.”

Kali didn’t realize how hard she was staring at the until the flood of sunlight made her wince.

“Need a hand?”

“I’ll be fine. Can I get a minute?”

“Sure. See ya ‘round.”

Kali waited until the shuffle of his combat boots were around the bend. Her thumb pushed open the music box, but it wasn’t Mina’s gift. She gently pulled open the top of the inside for the piece of paper she guessed was waiting for her.

Her hands were shaking badly as she tried not to rip the last bit of confidence Mina always gave her.

Hey, bitch.

Sorry for the change in calligraphy but I need to do this quick before the other bitch comes back. First, I fucking love you. I was meant to be a part of your family no matter what. Kiss everyone for me, expect Donny. I’ll have something special for him when I see him again.  

Fuck my parents. If they have too, they’ll hurt you one more time. You were always so strong, little mouse but shit’s going south, and I may as well give you bad advice while I’m still here.  

This is about you know who. Wink, wink.

It will hurt but forgive him. We’re all scared. I was too. We do fuck up things when we’re scared, even if you never see that fine ass again.  

I’ll be waiting for you. Bring alcohol.

There was no reason to read it a second time. She folded it back to perfection and hid it back in the music box. When she got a moment, she would make sure she framed it in her memory. Kali got to her feet and straightened herself the best way she knew how. It was on her now to keep herself going with Mina still in her heart. She pushed her feet into her flats and out the side door.

“Might as well get this done with,” she shrugged.

Everything was quiet but heightened. The shuffle of feet, mainly towards the chairs where Mina’s parents were seated. They hadn’t always seen things eye to eye with the way she was brought up. While Kali was raised by a loving Peggy, Mina’s upbringing was a bit on the conservative side. They weren’t bad people, but they could have morally been better in supporting their only child’s decisions. Mostly, they blamed Kali or rather Peggy for their daughter’s downward spiral to Hell. Kali always laughed when those words came out of Mina’s mouth. She did what she could to move about the party and serve the guests without making absolute contact until Manny snatched the tray from her hands.

“Cock up, woman,” she signed, “Go on.”

It hurt her to move herself forward and stop in front of them. Really, she hadn’t thought of what would happen at this point. A slap across the face, a righteous rant about the unholiness that had become their daughter, or any number of things that had always gone through her head. The only thing she regretted was having a stomach full of delicious food as her nerves tried to poke her in the side.

“Things are starting to quiet down if you want to leave.”

Something simple where everyone would win. All would grieve in their own ways and Kali would make sure nothing smartass slipped out until they were gone for good. Mina’s mother was the first to react, just not in the way she expected. First, there was a smile. Then, she slowly got to her feet, smoothed out her skirt, and wrapped her arms around Kali. She was frozen in that moment, cautious in case of anything unexpected. Manny was within distance and ready for a fight. She gave a small enough hug back for it to count but her feelings for Mina’s mother made her feel worse.

Peggy stepped away from the kitchen for a moment. The pain in her chest for Mina grew worse. She sat on the back porch steps. Her aging fingers pulled the cigarette from her apron. It had been a long while since she’d given them up and now, she just wanted to get through the day. She put the nasty thing between her lips.

“What am I going to do Momma?”

Her mother had died the month before in her sleep. Kali miscarried early the month before that. She lit the end and inhaled the bitter smoke, feeling something else amiss. Each pull calmed her a little bit until she could hear raising voices from the house. She dropped the butt on the start of the driveway and hurried herself around the side of the house. She reached for Kali’s side bedroom door until a tall bit of movement got her attention. She craned her neck to the person she hoped to Hell she would never see.

“Son of a bitch.”

She locked eyes with Tom.

“Shit,” he whispered under his breath.

Kali ignored the voices from the kitchen.

“Our girl meant the world to us and her journey, God’s plan for her needed you in her path.”

Still cautious. She wasn’t sure if Mina’s parents would make a scene.

“I… don’t know how to answer that.”

Most everyone was preparing to go home with a few drunk stragglers waiting on Ubers and what family was left eating in the kitchen. Her skin felt like it was shrinking as her mother pulled away. Something was coming since Mina’s father was silent as he always was in her presence.

“We have something for you. One last bit of Mina.”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a silver chained necklace with a small black heart hanging down.

“Thank you.”

“I know it’s a bit much, but we put some of her ashes in there for you to have. You were a sister to her.”

“What?”

She kept as much surprise in as she could bear. Past that, she was more than happy to put aside her slight distain for them, for Mina’s sake.

“Now you’ll always a bit of her to taint.”

“Motherfucker.”

As soon as she closed her mouth, the bits of the house that were in an ear shot went silent as Mina’s father got to his feet, sporting the bible Mina would detest.

“God took her away because of you.”

It was good while it lasted.

“Get out. Just go. You have a right to grieve but just go pray rude behind my back like a normal person.”

Her hand clutched the chain tighter. It began to hurt. Voices quickly rose, including her own. Soon the words blended together, and faces grew red. Kali tucked the neckline into her dress so that it wouldn’t fly around the room at the rate her hand angrily tried to permanently show them the way out of her mother’s house.

When Mina’s mother refused to take another step, Kali tried to turn her to the exit. This caused her father to pull her hand away. Donovan and Manny took notice. Manny was out of the kitchen at once and set her sights on Mina’s father, wanting very badly to break his wrist on the way out the door. Donovan was able to pull her back a fraction and heavily insistent that they leave.

“Of course, we would expect this from you,” cried the mother.

“Would you like me to let my sister on her feet to you, because, believe me, I will.”

Demi stepped through the door with his scrubs still on, looking into what he had missed. Manny was tucked under Donovan’s arm, ready to fuck anyone up in a moment’s notice. Kali had tears streaming down her face.

“Just get out or I will fucking kill you myself!”

They turned on their heel without another breath. Their backs were to the car, slowly testing Kali’s building rage. Her hand grabbed Manny’s old field hockey stick.

“What the Hell are you waiting for?! For Mina to come back?”

She was out the door with Demi trying to hold her rage back without getting clocked with the wood.

“Please just go,” he begged.

“Mina was my fucking family! You couldn’t just love her as she was!”

There was a moment where Demi didn’t step with Kali and she paced towards them. Mina’s parents ran for the safety of their car. Peggy turned from Tom’s stare to the pure grieving hell the had become her daughter. The engine roared and the tires furiously sent the car back out of the driveway. Tom saw as Kali ran past him.

Her eyes filled with tears and she wasn’t sure what she saw. She sure as hell heard the Prius that ran over her mother’s mailbox as it fled from the neighborhood. Kali tried to control her breath. She turned back to Tom as he stood completely still. He knew he would be in a world of hurt but he knew it was where he wanted to be. Kali wasn’t sure of what to say but was pulled back from her speechlessness when Manny tackled Tom ruthlessly from his feet.

Tom saw how beautiful Kali still was. He could feel the breath leave him. Then, he could feel all the breath knocked out of him as a woman small than Kali nearly knock him out.

“Manny! No!”

“Jesus Christ,” screamed Tom as he tried to shield his face form her raining fists.

“Donovan! Get her off him now!”

“Fuck that! She fucking bit me!”

Kali grabbed what she could and jerked her sister away until she set her sights on Don.

“What the hell was that for?!”

Peggy was out of breath trying to separate her children. She saw a few people on their street peeking through their curtains and she didn’t need the cops called again on a small disturbance. She did raise fighters. What she didn’t expect was Tom helping to stop the fighting. That and Demi making a dive for Tom.

“Manwhore!”

“Good dammit!”

Peggy stepped back and tried to catch her breath.

“Knock it off,” she gasped.

Something was wrong and it wasn’t from the cigarette. It was too soon.

More guests from the kitchen either watched from the front porch or failed at helping stop the fighting in the front yard. When she got a breath, Kali held up her hand to her sister.

“I said I got this,” she turned her head to Tom, “You need to leave. Now.”

“Mom?”

Manny’s voice had changed quickly to the point on concern. All eyes turned to Peggy on the ground and clutching her chest.

Kali was terrified at the silence.

-

She remembered how Kali looked when she was in the hospital. She was so pale. She could feel herself asleep. Her chest was going to cave in. She knew the feeling.

“I’m so sorry, Midge.”

She could feel the tears streaming down her face. The doctor and the nurses couldn’t know what she had been through. Third birth, third baby to join her husband. She tried to hold herself, but she felt she deserved a few tears. Her fingers wanted to hold more than his tiny hand.

“Can I at least hold him? Please?”

With the nod of his head, the doctor stepped aside and unhooked her baby as quickly and carefully as they could. Once all the medicine and the plastic was free, the last bit of the baby was given to her. She steadied her breath. She had gotten skilled in being able to silently grieve.

“You are just so beautiful,” she whispered.

Her face was a mess, but she didn’t wish to waste a moment. Nothing could be missed in the last breaths her little boy had.

“You would have had so much fun, Jonah. I’m sure of it.”

She wanted to sing, to kiss him, but everything was too much. Her eyes burned into her love. She asked the staff not to tell her how much time went by; she couldn’t accept it. She held him a little while longer, even after he stopped breathing.

“Ms. Dawson.”

“You have to take him from me. Now.”

She understood the importance of her choice. Another baby would have the chance Jonah never would. She fought her voice. Her arms trembled as a nurse stepped forward and lifted the baby from Peggy’s arms. Through her tears, she watched her baby carried away to the next life and out of hers. All she wanted to do was die.

She wanted to stop breathing and let it all go.

“You can see her now.”

Kali and Manny were the first on their feet. Kali stopped for a second and looked back to Tom’s bruised face.

“Go,” he softly smiled, “I’ll watch your things.”

She didn’t wait for him to finish. He stayed where he was and looked to Donovan and Demi. He knew to keep his mouth shut. Donovan had a small, single scratch on his cheek. Demi wasn’t so lucky. His wrist was wrapped in a bandage and brace from trying to pummel Tom.

“Why are you here?”

“Dem. Not now.”

“No. Fuck your moral code of conduct, Army Bitch. I have a right to know.”

“Because I fucked up twice and when Peggy told me that Mina was gone, I thought Kali might want someone in the wake of losing her soulmate. If you want to beat me into the ground, guess what? Get in line, but for right now, can we set this aside until we know that another person in her life is okay?!”

He stopped and made sure he didn’t draw unwanted attention to themselves.

They were silent.

“I can do that,” sighed Demi, “Fucking Dummy.”

“Girls, chill out.”

She hated seeing her kids worried.

“You had a heart attack!”

“And you have school in the morning. I’m fine now.”

She always chose her words carefully. Manny tried not to meet her mother’s eyes.

“Hey!”

Peggy snapped her fingers. Kali knew why. Manny tucked her hair over her ear; the aid was somewhere dropped and hopefully together on the front lawn. She caught Peggy’s hands.

“Go home. Take some food with you and go back to school. If you don’t maintain that GPA, you’ll have to reapply.”

Peggy made sure Manny saw her hands as she signed. Manny shook her head. She stepped forward and hugged her around the tubes in her arms. Peggy held on for as long as she could.

“Hey,” she snapped her fingers again, “What do we do? Tell me. Both of you.”

“Calm your tits. Tits out. Out the door.”

Manny tried not to laugh.

“That’s my girl. Go on. I’m taken care of.”

Peggy let her hand go and watched her most adventurous child stop in front of Kali.

I’m sorry about your ass’s face, she signed.

“Don’t worry,” she signed back, “It’s an improvement.”

Manny vanished around the corner, leaving Kali with their mother.

“So. I’m sorry?”

“Why? What did you do?”

“It’s my fault he’s here.”

“Mom!”

“Wine was involved, and I forgot with all the commotion.”

“Unlike the scene on the front lawn? God damn it all, Margret!”

Kali huffed her breath and moved into the bed with her. Peggy giggled as she tried her best to comfort her little girl.

“I thought you might want a happy face.”

“Fuck you,” she pouted.

Tom’s eyes wandered. He wasn’t really sure what to do with himself. Manny snatched her purse from the seat next him, ignoring he was even there.

Hey, I’m going back to get my stuff. I’ll be back in a week for break. Dibs on the chicken salad.

“Fine. How’s mama?”

She wants to see everyone, her eyes finally burned into Tom, including you, stale tea.

“Fine,” he signed, “I deserved that.”

She stuck up her middle finger and left them behind. Donovan grabbed the cover on the seat next to him.

“Let’s go, Green Bean,” he nodded to Tom, “Mama’s orders.”

Peggy smiled at the small group entering her room.

“My boys,” she smiled.

Kali moved from the bed and into the nearest chair before it was taken. Tom stayed on the other side of the room.

“Where do you fucking think you’re going?”

Demi and Donovan stepped back as Peggy held her arm open to Tom.

“Well, I…”

“Now, young man.”

He wasn’t sure why, but he felt he was the reason she was in the hospital bed to begin with. He balanced himself over the bed and gave Peggy the hug she wanted.

“I’m sorry about this.”

She let go and let Tom slink back to the couch on the farthest wall. Time passed and Peggy hated to let her children go. She tried hard to put on a brave face, even with pain in her chest. Demi left to get his wrist checked out and Donovan left to go clean the house. Only Kali and Tom stayed behind. At one point Tom woke with Kali under his arm. The room was completely dark with the exception of the nurse’s station.

1:30am

He turned off his phone, glad that his story of a sick family member gave him the privacy of finding Kali again. It all felt like a dream. Soon it would all end again.

“You act like she’s going to bite.”

Tom looked to Peggy trying to sit up in the bed. He slipped away from Kali and pressed the right buttons at the start of the bed to make her more comfortable.

“Thank you,” she sighed.

“I’m sorry.”

Peggy pushed on her tortoise shell glasses to see the fade of shame in his face. She patted the side of her bed for him to sit. He obeyed. Peggy could feel the strength in her hand weaken. No matter what happened, she knew she would fine. If only she really meant it.

“If you are sorry, then you need to meant it, Thomas. I’m still furious but life is short Tom. Stop being a pussy and talk with Kali. Get closure. Understand?”

“I understand.”

“Oh, honey,” she wheezed, “Just look after her.”

“I promise.”

Kali woke, seeing Peggy reach up and embrace Tom. It was strange to see her mother so forgiving after all she’d been through. She quietly slipped out of the room. She took a few steps down the hall, letting her mind wander. She had held on to her anger for so long after Tom had left but she thought that maybe if it was for the best. She did love Tom, but the pregnancy had been such a surprise, even with the fight, it was all too soon for them. Kali wanted what she had in the beginning with

Tom, a beautiful raw downward spiral. Things were different now.

Tom looked over to the couch, seeing Kali gone.

“Go,” Peggy whispered, “Don’t leave her alone.”

“Please try and get some rest.”

She only gave a soft smile as she had for years. The second Tom was gone, there was a loud beep on the screen above her head. She quickly removed the monitor from her finger before any nurses took notice. She would be fine. The pain returned and all she had to do was close her eyes and breathe. It wasn’t the best way, but everyone would be fine in time. They’d have to be. Nurses were busy with a rowdy patient across the way and they wouldn’t be back for her vitals in another hour or so.

She closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

She was so tired, and she didn’t want to sleep anymore. Her feet shuffled as she tried to keep her head up. Her mind was unsettled but she knew she was helping. She stopped at the door of the small room. The cries from the crib broke her heart.

“Ms. Dawson?”

“Where’s the family?”

“They left without him.”

“What?”

“They were considering adoption until I came back with the paperwork. That was half an hour ago.”

“My God.”

Peggy rushed into the room as quick as her muscles could allow her. She reached into the crib and held the little baby. It calmed in no time, leaving a smile to Peggy and the nurses face. The baby responded wonderfully to her touch.

“That’s much better now, isn’t it?”

The baby fell asleep quickly, easing her as she was led back to her room with her new guest.

“Will anyone be back for him?”

“Child services is on the way now.”

“If I need to talk to the doctor, I understand but I’d like to take him.”

“Are you sure?”

Peggy sat on her bed. Her heart was filled with sorrow of her loss but slowly filling as the beautiful little boy slept soundly in her arms.

“Maybe all this happens for a reason.”

The nurse eased her hand on Peggy’s shoulder.

“He will be so happy.”

The nurse left them alone and Peggy did what she could to ready herself before the proper people found her. Her heart exploded when she was granted custody.

“Name?”

She signed the last of the papers and meet the deep brown eyes that found her.

“Donovan. After my late husband.”

“Kali?”

Kali rubbed her arms, cold from the hospital air. Tom removed his dress coat and placed it around her arms.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“I-I didn’t want to shout at 1 in the morning.”

“That’s probably wise. There’s some chairs around the corner.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“I work here janitorially.”

They sat by themselves, next to each other. Kali leaned against Tom as his arm drifted around her. It wouldn’t have been a great idea with eye contact. He fought himself to pull closer, pull her to his lap, to just hold her again. He would have to be fine with just that. She laced her fingers with his. His nose turned into her hair and smelled her. His heart was sore. The silence was needed.

“How did she go?”

He wasn’t given any details.

“She had a lot of headaches the past year. She’d been laid-off from her last job and she didn’t have the proper health insurance. Then there was a major nosebleed two weeks ago. It still seems so far away now. Mom took her to the ER, and she had a big clot in her brain.”

“Aneurysm?”

“It all happened so quickly. Even if she did have the means for having surgery, it wouldn’t have been enough. She was so full of life one day and then she was seizing and coding the next. Then, after two days, she made herself DNR. I couldn’t leave her.”

She sighed. She was so tired from all the tears. Tom kissed her hair. Kali knew what she wanted to say.

“I still love you, Tom. I was mad the after the fight and even worse when you left without saying goodbye, but I think it all was supposed to happen.”

“I know.”

He hated to agree.

“Mina did trust your character even if it did have shit moments. I’m willing to start over if you are but I need more time away from you.”

“I can live with that.”

Kali’s face slowly grew into a smile. Her eyelids slowly closed as she turned her face into Tom’s chest. He slowly reclined back in the uncomfortable chair ready for sleep to take him.

“Code Blue. Unit IMC.”

Tom and Kali both jumped at the sound of the intercom above their heads.

“The fuck?”

Kali rolled from the seat and watched the nurses rush down her mother’s side of the hall.

“No.”

Tom followed and was close behind once her eyes widened around the corner. They set off in a sprint to the rush filing into her mother’s room. Kali was frozen. Her mother disappeared in a sea of nurses racing to revive Peggy. Tom pulled her to the side from wheeling equipment. All she could do was hold Tom’s dress coat in her hands and ring the life from them as she watched her loving mother leave.

“Call it.”

“Time of death. 2:36am.”

-

“You got the list?”

Manny shook her head.

“I’m going to Japan next year. I’ll take a little more.”

Donovan rubbed at his arms through the Under Armor. Strange that he ran the whole way there, but he had a routine he liked to keep as well as the distraction. Kali was strangely relieved that they got a med student that was understanding of their situation.

“Demi.”

He just shook his head.

“I know why we have to do this now, but I just want to take my meds.”

It was a very long week for them.

“It’s okay. We’ll take Manny’s car if you want to go home.”

There was a small chuckle with a smile to follow.

“Maybe I’ll be the big spoon with your boyfriend.”

“There you are.”

Demi left his sister to do what he couldn’t handle anymore. Donovan grabbed the stiff cardboard box with the separated bits of his mother. Peggy had always wanted to travel but she was terrified to fly. Now, as agreed, she would see the world. With the box placed in the truck, everyone made a break for the backseat. Donovan turned for the road, but Kali was quicker.

“Hey, if you are taking the scenic route, can you pick up a few things at the market?”

“Sure thing. List?”

“Yeah. Be sure to get me the receipts when you get home.”

“Got it.”

Kali was able to settle herself in the driver’s seat. Manny was in the back without a word or sign. Silence was understandable. Everything blended so easily. The car stopped in the driveway. With the motor off, Kali could only sit there. Her eyes drifted over the two story home that her mother worked hard to pay off. The lawyer was a family friend and would make the last day of Shiva but thankfully Tom would be gone by then. Soon they would have to talk but there were things that she was and wasn’t feeling. Her eyes wondered to the mailbox that was back in the ground while they were gone earlier that morning. Tom must have been busy since then. She reached behind her.

“Hey,” she swatted at Manny’s bare leg, “We got work to do.”

Manny groaned but she knew. Kali was first in the house and taken completely by surprise. Demi was already on his feet and helping rearrange the family and friends that were already there. His pain meds always made him helpful and uppity. Peggy did have plans put in place. Kali had hoped it would be a few decades before they would happen but here it was.

Music came from the den, mostly 80’s rock and trash. Everyone agreed that was where the booze stayed. The kitchen would be put to use. There was food and a system for dirty dishes. That’s where she found Tom. She didn’t stay long as Manny stomped upstairs with half a bottle of Jack. She snapped to Donovan as he arrived home.

“I got her.”

Kali pushed her brown hair back and was carried with the system of the house. Most of the house had a flow. Only a few people upstairs at a time. Bathrooms stocked at all times. No empty plates in the house. No one had to leave for the week but there had to be breaks. Kali checked her phone the moment she felt some fatigue.

“Go have a lie down.”

Manny signed her.

“Where have you been for the last five hours? I thought you’d be out.”

“I almost got into a fight with Don, but we went for a run. I had a panic attack.”

“What?!”

“I’m a little better now and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, kid. We just grieve differently.”

“It’s almost midnight. Go to bed, man.”

She didn’t realize how the house had gotten quiet.

“Everyone else down?”

“Demi crashed in Mom’s bed. We got ourselves. Go.”

It wasn’t just her bed she was pushing Kali to. She stopped in the bathroom that was finally silent. She washed up as quick as she could before she cried. It didn’t stop her hands from shaking. Her hand could barely grab the doorknob.

“Kali?”

She sighed in relief as she heard Tom on the other side of the door. She used what strength she had to pull the door open. Tom was ready for anything as Kali stood in the quiet little bathroom.

“Hi.”

_____

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[bondedbrotherhoodau]

Complicated - part 2

Written by @VishousBDB_ and @YesImAGlowstick  (AU)

*~*~*~*~*

Lassiter:

“You’re a pain in the ass, y’know that?”

I didn’t care if he was shot. The second I started taking it easy on the goateed motherfucker was the second he’d eat me alive. And no, I’m not sure there was a pun intended there either.

The underground storage space near one of the highway bridges had been the best I could do at short notice. Already I could hear and feel the stream of cars that signalled the humans getting up, going about their days and driving to work. I, meanwhile, got to try and patch up a vampire that appreciated help about as much as he appreciated a sand paper enema.

The Brotherhood owned this little bolt hole for, I suspect, these exact circumstances; life threatening situations in which vampires cannot dematerialize home and need some place to wait the sun out. Which meant it had supplies: a little food, a little water, and halle-fucking-lujah, a med kit.

I would’ve preferred a doctor, mind, but in the process of getting the demi-god here, my phone had up and died. V’s was nowhere to be found, leading me to believe he’d lost it in the fight and the act of getting shot. Clever fucker that he was. Which meant I was up shit creek as far as calling for Manny or Doc Jane; y’know, the two people actually trained to handle this shit.

“V, can we make a memo that all these little bunkers need to be better equipped for next time,” I muttered, rifling through the kit and taking out the gauze, bandages, forceps and anything else I was going to need. “I’d settle for a live in doctor or, gee, maybe a phone charger.”

Not bothering with foreplay, I lifted the male to strip his coat, then ripped the shirt away. I flashed back to the fact I’d only seen this body, in far better condition, a few hours earlier. Looking down at the bullet wound, I cursed softly and grabbed a wad of gauze, applying pressure to keep all that bright crimson from seeping out.

“Alright Doc V, talk me through this shit. What do you want me to do?”

Vishous: *The angel had managed to get my ass to one of the bunkers we had for short emergencies. I was in and out on the way here. His body heat warmed me up. It was freezing and the adrenaline was long gone. I was shaking and the pain was pretty fucking extreme. My diamond eyes met his.* “ Is there any liquor in that duffle?” *I managed a smirk. I didn’t want to angel to worry but I had lost a lot of blood. And fuck me my chest wouldn’t stop bleeding. On top of that I was sure the bullet was still inside.*

Lassiter:

If he hadn’t already been bleeding out, I would’ve smacked him.

“Oh, sure. Jokes at a time like this. You’re so fucking /clever/,” I growl, pushing a little harder onto the wound with my failing gauze pad. “Seriously, you miserable fuck, talk me through this. I’m not a doctor, no, but I’ve been round long enough to know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

And I’m not going to let you die, I thought, taking a steadying breath. No way, no how. Looking around, I eyeballed the table across the room, by the other medical supplies.

“We’re moving. Here.”

I grabbed his hand and put it in place where mine had been, stemming the flow of blood. Before V could protest I had my arms under him, hoisting him up and carrying him across the room. He groaned, the sound grating down my spine as I acknowledged he was in pain.

Setting the male down on the table, I flicked on the lights and reached for whatever medically inclined tool, bag or supply was close, dragging everything to be in easy reaching distance.

“This is what we’ve got to work with,” I heard myself say, eyeing the instruments, forceps and what not. “So tell me. Or so help me Creator I’m going in blind all ‘Don’t Touch The Sides’ like.”

Vishous: *It fucking hurt when he moved me to the table. I almost wanted to throw up. His tone was serious as he placed the medical tools beside me. His eyes looked pleading. Dying here was easy. Even if I wanted to give up the angel would not let me. My hand was still pressed to the wound on my chest near my scarred shoulder. My hand was soaked* “You saved me. I owe you one Lassiter. I’m going to walk you through and try not to pass out from shock. Ive lost alot if blood and I will need to feed after. The bullet is still in my chest you will need to get it out and fast. As soon as I move my hand away, I’m going to bleed out. I am almost sure it nicked a subclavian artery. You are going to douse the tools in alcohol and then pour it in my wound. Then take the forceps and dig out the bullet as carefully as you can. Then I need you to cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding and infection. I may pass out so my hand is not an option.”

Lassiter:

“You don’t owe me shit until your dumbass is awake and breathing tomorrow, yeah?” I reply distractedly, moving my hands to follow his instructions. “Side note, push comes to shove, I’m giving you my blood. Y’never know. Could be good for you,” I manage a wry smile as I grabbed the alcohol and poured it over the instruments and the wound.

Then I didn’t have time for smart ass comments or ribbing the male, because fuck me, I was actually close to seeing his ribs. Following V’s instructions, while trying to ignore the sounds of pain and the excessive blood loss of the male, I also tapped into my angel senses. Cause fuck, I needed every advantage I could get right now.

Feeling for the bullet, I carefully withdrew it, breathing shallow as I tossed the metal into a bowl with a solid ‘ting’. Now for the fun part… Shiiiiiiiit.

Grabbing a lighter (thank you, V, for smoking) I ran it under the best tool I could find until the metal was hot enough to leave a scar on even /me/. Then…

“Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry.”

I pressed the instrument into the male’s chest, against the wound, sealing it.

Vishous: *The white hot pain on my chest was unbearable. I let out a scream that shook the room. And hey whadaya know. It was lights out…*

Lassiter:

The scream ripped at something inside me, my heart pounding in my chest. Worse though was the silence. Vishous passed out seconds before I withdrew the instrument. It took me a second to realise I was breathing hard, my ears ringing with the male’s scream of pain. Setting it down slowly, I watched the miserable burnt hole in his chest, watched for more blood to run free.

When nothing happened, I let out the breath I’d been holding, one hand shaking until I clenched it into a fist and switched to my next task. Dressing the wound.

Whatever gauze and bandages were still clean were applied to the wound and taped. With care I hoisted the male up, wrapping the bandages around his chest and shoulder to keep everything in place. Then I was lowering him back down, checking his breathing, the pulse at his throat. For a minute I stood there, staring down at the male with all the conflict raging in my head and knowing, without question, that if he’d died tonight… I wouldn’t be the same.

Cursing softly, I cleared away the dirty instruments. A little water and the ruined remains of V’s shirt helped me wipe away any blood across his chest and abdomen. Stripping off my coat, I removed whatever ammo and weapons were left and used it as a blanket, covering as much of Vishous’ bulk as I could.

With that done, the male breathing okay and no longer bleeding out, I took several big steps back from the table. Turning away, I dropped into a crouch, running my hands through my hair as I took a shuddering breath in and let it out. Too close.

That had been /way/ too close…

Vishous: *It seemed days had passed when I opened my eyes but that couldn’t be right cuz we were still down in the dark cashe. My chest was hurting like a sonofabitch and my throat was raw and burning. Fuck. I was alive thanks to the angel but now I needed to feed. No females around just the angel. He was sitting at my side watching me as I tried to sit up, he helped me. It was fucking embarrassing being this weak and vulnerable right now. * “Lassiter.” I swallowed hard. “Need blood…”

Lassiter:

When Vishous opened his eyes, relief ran through me I hadn’t been expecting. Helping the normally strong male struggle his way into a sitting position was brutal, but I was just pleased to feel him up and moving under my hands.

“Well, I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but your only source right now is ‘me’,” I mutter, dragging my coat back into place around the male’s waist. His chest was bare other than bandages, and the stark whiteness of them matched the pallor of his skin. “If you’re willing to try my vein… then I’m offering it.”

Presenting my wrist, I eyeballed the male.

“If it’s not your cup of tea, cool, just don’t bite my damn hand off, yeah? N’ once you’re done, lay the fuck back down. You’re too pale for my liking.”

Vishous: *Angel blood was like heroin for vampires. I had tasted him before and almost lost my shit. The high was unlike anything I have ever indulged in. Better than red smoke Phury used to ingest on the reg. But I would die if I didn’t drink from Lassiter. He wasn’t a female vampire so I just had to hope it would work. And I had to keep my fucking hands to myself. I pulled his offered wrist to my mouth and my fangs elongated. Though secretly I would of prefered his jugular vein even though it would be intimate. With a heavy sigh, not trusting myself, I bit down as gently as was possible with a starving vampire. His silver, hot blood poured down my throat. Filling me up, strengthening me. I could feel my body again, no longer cold or numb. The pain in my chest was gone and the high started to hit. My diamond eyes rolled in the back of my head and I tightened my grip on the angels forearm. I didn’t want to let go. And unnatural growling came from my throat. I was in pure ecstasy.* M…i…n…e

Lassiter:

There was a pleasurable pain that came from the bite, enough that had it been at my neck, the male would’ve gotten a whore worthy moan outta me. As it was, I withheld any sound, focusing on the male and what he needed to heal. The growl was a surprise though, and for a vampire that had been dancing on the edge of a reaper’s scythe not long ago, his grip was /strong/.

“Hold up,” I gasped softly, resisting the urge to pull away. “Yours?” A shiver ran up my spine. This was ‘not’ how I’d pictured this going. “V… do you… do you feel any better?”

Cause I was definitely feeling better about this.

Vishous: *It took every ounce of strength I had to pull away from the angel. I stumbled away from the male, tripping over my own feet and slamming into the steel wall furthest away from him. I winced but my body relaxed a fraction from the familiar shock of pain.* Stay….away….

Lassiter:

My hand automatically went to cover the wound on my other wrist as the male launched himself away from me like I was contagious. The flash of pain across his face /hurt/ me to see, and without thinking I dropped my wrist and moved toward him.

“V… you have to calm down. You’ll rip open the still healing wounds you knob,” I managed, throwing in the insult to try and simmer things down.

Even if my heart was racing and I wanted his lips in other places.

Vishous: *I closed my eyes and concentrated hard to fight myself on what the angels blood was doing to my body. It would be dusk soon and we could leave this place. I took a few deep breaths but that made it worse. I could smell him. And he smelled good. Like warm weather and spice. I wanted him. Needed him. I started slamming myself into the wall. The pain allowed me focus and with Lassiter approaching I was very afraid of acting on my emotions. I would never do anything the angel didn’t want. I wasnt that type of male. His blood enhanced my emotions. It took what was lying deep in my core and brought it to the surface. I had never been so fucking afraid.*

Lassiter:

The male slammed himself against the wall repeatedly. My heart ached at the pain he caused himself. The pain my proximity seemed to cause.

Dropping my hands that had been reaching for him, I backed up, till I was halfway across the room again. My shoulders slumped as I lifted my hands again in surrender. Misery settled in my stomach like a lead weight.

“Okay… okay… I’m over here. Stop V. Please… please stop hurting yourself. I’ll stay over here, aight? Just… just stop.”

Vishous: *The angel was smart and backed up giving me some space and room to breath. I stopped kissing the wall and slumped down on the floor. I could feel the blood trickle down my face and drip onto the hard concrete floor. I reached into the pocket of my leathers and pulled out a hand rolled. Putting the tip between my lips I searched for my lighter that I remember Lassiter has used to singe my wound. I could think clearly now and a lot of nicotine would calm my nerves. I looked up at the angel.* Throw me the lighter?

Lassiter:

He stopped nailing himself against the wall, and fuck me wasn’t that a bonus. I could smell the iron tang of blood on the air, but I fought the impulse to go to him again. Wasn’t like I was going to make things any better at this point.

Frowning, I reached into my pocket and drew out the lighter, tossing it the distance for the male to light up and take a deep inhale.

“Did you rip open your wounds?” I managed curtly, glancing down at my wrist and putting a little more energy into healing the bite marks there.

Vishous: *I finished my smoke and immediately lit up another.* Nah im tight. * My head stopped trickling blood and I hadn’t thrown up so no concussion. Yipee. Though passing out again would be welcome. The angel kept an eye on me from afar and as soon as dusk hit I stood up and dragged my ass to the door, calling back to the angel.* You driving? Head injury and all. * His blood high was mostly out of my system but fuck did I want to ride that high again. Me being me. Nope. Not happening. In the car I was too close to the angel. Maybe If I opened the door and just let myself out while he was going 90 on the freeway.*

Lassiter:

Saying nothing, I strode past the male. Thankfully there was already a vehicle in this storage unit, because the one we’d rocked up in was riddled with bullet holes. A doggen could definitely deal with ‘that’ later. Sliding into the drivers side, I jammed the key into the ignition a little harder than necessary. I almost bent the key as I turned it, the engine purring to life as Vishous got in and shut the door.

Beelining it out onto the road, I ignored ninety percent of the road rules, not to mention speed limits, and accelerated back toward the compound. The less time I spent with V in the car? The better. The last thing I needed was the fucker going postal on me again. Not after I’d worked so damn hard to save his goateed life.

“I hope Jane kicks your dumbass,” I mutter, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter, knuckles white.

#Complicated #Part2

#BondedBrothersAU

[sinsiriuslyemo]

Good afternoon, guys!! Here is the next episode of Cuba v DR!!

EPISODE 13

You knew it was bad news the second Eddie called just as you were getting out of your first couple’s therapy session to meet you at home. He’d said he wanted to talk and wanted both you and Nevada there, another red flag in your mind. Now you sat sipping your cafe con leche beside your husband with a tight grip on the cup.

“What do you think is wrong?” you asked softly. “Do you think he owes the Triad?”

Nevada couldn’t help the laugh that burst from him. “What the fuck are you talking about?” he asked. “Oye, you’re gonna break that cup.”

“Since when does he call a family meeting?”

“Baby, you’re being paranoid, even for you. It’s not a family meeting, he just said he wanted to talk, right?” Nevada said, propping one foot on the coffee table as his arm draped over the back of the couch behind you.

“Baby?” you asked, arching a brow.

“Yeah,” he replied, bobbing his shoulders. “You made me go to that couples therapy shit, and the therapist said, we gotta start trying to meet each other halfway. You said you like that lovey-dovey shit, so I’m trying to meet you halfway,” he answered softly. “Cut me some slack here.”

You took a deep breath and sighed. “You're right, it's probably nothing.”

“How’s Lily doing in school?”

“She's being quiet, a bit withdrawn but she seems a bit better.”

“That’s good--” Nevada was cut off by a knock on the door and he got up to open it. “Oye, tell your tia that she was being paranoid for no reason.”

Eddie furrowed his brows. “Tia what's wrong?” He moved to you, giving you a tight hug and kissing your cheek. “I'm sorry I made you worry, I just needed to talk to you both.”

“What about?” you asked as you stroked his hair. He was so grown now, it made you want to cry.

“Oye, what are you crying about?” Nevada asked, looking down at you.

“Greyson got offered a really amazing job,” Eddie said with a smile.

Nevada looked at his nephew. “Oh, good for him.”

“It's in Miami,” he added. “And I'm going to go with him…” It had taken him a while to adjust to the idea but he knew in his heart Greyson was it for him, he'd be stupid to let that go.

Nevada’s brows shot up on his forehead as he drew the corners of his lips downward. “Coño, good for you. What are you gonna do there?”

“I'm gonna transfer to the University of Miami and finish my degree. Then I'll see how it goes from there.”

“That's amazing sweetheart,” you said softly and pulled him into another hug. You already missed him.

“Still wanting to be a lawyer?” Nevada asked.

Eddie nodded. “Yeah, if I play my cards right I'll be the next one with a job offer. But it's gonna be good... safer,” he hesitated on the word, not wanting to upset or hurt either of the people he loved most.

You just nodded and smiled at him. “I knew you'd be one of the ones to get out,” you whispered and kissed his forehead. Immediately Eddie felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

“That’s great, mijo. You getting out, making a life for yourself. That’s all we want for you,” Nevada agreed.

Eddie grinned at both his adopted parents before nodding. “I haven't told him I'm coming along yet. I wanted to tell you guys first...I feel like I'm abandoning the family,” he confessed. “I have three siblings that need me…”

“No, you’re doing what every person does when they get to be your age. You’re starting your own life, making an example for your brother and sisters,” you replied.

“Exactly. You don’t have anything keeping you here, you’re not married, no kids, you gotta take advantage of that. It’s not like you can’t visit whenever you want,” Nevada added.

“You guys really believe I can do it then?” he asked with a smile. “Move out to Miami?”

“Yeah, why not?” Nevada replied with a shrug. “You can take care of yourself, you’re smart…”

“You got this,” you added as you nodded with a grin. “You’re gonna do great...but you better not forget to call every once in awhile, and visit as often as you can.”

“I'd never forget,” Eddie said with a smile. You smiled back, you'd miss him every moment but it was all outweighed by the pride you felt for Eddie. He was making it out.

“Tia thought you owed the Triads money,” Nevada couldn’t help but say with a chuckle. “Exagerada.”

“Oye! I worry! Carajo…he's my baby!”

“I’m not a baby anymore, tia,” Eddie groaned.

“That’s right, mijo, you tell her,” Nevada chimed.

“No, you'll always be my baby,” you said softly and smiled at him. “But you're also so grown, I'm so proud.”

“Yeah, we’re real proud, mijo,” Nevada agreed with a nod.

“Thanks,” Eddie answered, grinning at the both of you. “We still have a lot to do before the move, but...I think it’ll be good for us.”

“So do I,” Nevada said. “Get out of all this, away from the bullets...and now we have an excuse to come to Miami to see you.”

“Oh Miami,” you mused with a grin. “Now I'm really warming up to the idea,” you teased.

Eddie smiled at both of you. He felt significant relief. Things were going to be okay, he was sure of it.

Omar stood beside Jose in the club. The dancers all were either with customers in the VIP section or on stage. The few patrons that were in the club were all businessmen either on their lunch break or hosting a “business meeting.”

“Is it me, or is this the slowest day we've had since we took over?��� he asked, looking over at the man beside him.

Jose bobbed one shoulder. “It’s lunchtime. Not usually packed during the day.”

“Still, we usually have more people than this. We should try to do some promotional stuff. Get more people in here,” Omar answered.

Jose snorted a laugh. “I guess, hard to bring in people during work hours though.” He looked up at the ceiling for a moment before turning his head to Omar. “So I hear you’re looking for a roommate.”

“Yeah,” Omar answered. “Back in the day I lived with Manny, but since he moved to Attica, that’s out. Why? You interested?”

“My place isn't an option anymore. So yeah, I'm looking for somewhere new.” He gave a half shrug.

“Been trying to get my old place back,” Omar replied. “Extra room is yours if you want it.”

“How much for rent?”

“Not much. It’s rent controlled, so won’t ever go up.”

Jose nodded. “I'll take it.”

“Alright, sounds like a plan. I’m meeting up with Milagros later, so I’ll let you know if and when we can move in,” Omar said. He happened to glance up just as Destiny walked in for her shift and nodded a polite hello to her.

She offered a smile in return, giving him a friendly wave before heading to the dressing room.

“What’s going on with that?” Jose asked, having seen the exchange.

“Nothing,” Omar replied with a bob of his shoulders. “We took the kids to the park a few weeks ago.”

“Oh yeah, she's got one of them. Did Fallon have fun?” Jose asked with a quirked brow.

“Yeah, I mean she’s one, so she probably doesn’t know the difference,” Omar answered, shrugging.

“I dunno man, babies are like little slot machines. Gotta get the right combo to win with them. Eddie, cuando era un niño, used to think it was funny when I changed his diaper,” he said. “Fuckin’ funniest thing he'd seen all day apparently.”

“It’s cause they don’t know the real world yet,” Omar replied. “Either way, it was too weird. We probably won’t do it again,” he added.

“It's always a shit show when men and women are friends anyway.”

“That’s not true, it’s just that A) I’m technically her boss, what the fuck are we supposed to talk about? That’s why I don’t ever get involved with the dancers. And moreover B) I just got divorced, I don’t need to be dealing with another woman in my life,” Omar replied.

Jose shrugged. “Whatever you gotta do.” He patted Omar on the back before his brows furrowed as he noticed a patron sitting by himself. “You see the guy in the corner? Hasn't touched a drink or a dancer since he's come in.”

Omar turned his head to look; sure enough, sitting at a corner table was a man, dressed in casual clothes, looking around discreetly.

“Might be an inspector,” Omar said before he turned back to look at Jose with knitted brows. “We supposed to be having one this week?”

“No, we had one last month. It's too early for that.” Jose frowned and looked at the man. “Doesn't have a notepad like an inspector either.”

Knitting his brows, Omar started to walk over when the man stood up, taking one last look around. He met eyes with Omar and nodded once before he turned and left the club.

“We should tell Nevada,” Omar said, looking back at Jose.

“Go ahead, I'm gonna keep an eye out for a second.” Jose crossed his arms, frowning at the exit door.

“What do people exactly do at these kinds of parties?” Roxie asked as she wrote down names on envelopes for Rafael to then stamp. They had planned last minute to throw a gender reveal party as a compromise for not waiting until the baby was born to find out whether it was going to be a boy or a girl.

“I mean, whatever we want,” Rafael answered. “Usually you play games that either centers around the two of us or whether the baby will be a boy or a girl.”

She chuckled, “Like pin the nappy on the baby doll?” she teased.

“No, like...maybe we could make cookies, half in the shape of an apron, half in the shape of a briefcase and have people choose what they think the baby is,” he answered, immediately thinking of more activities as if the party was coming together in his mind. “Or we could make a list of things first time parents normally do and people can guess which one of us is likely to do what. Or we could get a board and write down our favorite names for a boy and a girl and people can pick which ones they like best. We can have prizes, blue and pink drinks, food…”

“I didn’t know I married such a party planner,” she mused as she jotted down his ideas. “What if I bake pink and blue cupcakes.”

“Sure...speaking of which, I’m surprised you were so calm giving the sealed envelope to another baker so she could bake the cake,” he replied with a smirk.

“I’m more frustrated about someone else baking the cake than someone else knowing. But I am eager to know who is in here,” she whispered with a poke to her belly.

“Well that was my point, I thought you might try to tell me that you make the cake blindfolded just so you could bake it,” he replied with a chuckle. “You think my sister will actually come to this?”

“I hope so. Have you spoken to her?”

“No,” he answered in a sigh.

“What about your mum?” she asked, stroking the back of his head.

“No,” he mumbled.

“You should try to reach out before the party,” she suggested.

He sighed heavily, putting a stamp on the envelope that would be sent to your place. “Yeah, I guess I’ll give her a call later.”

Picking up the next envelope, the hand that held a new stamp paused as he stared at the name. Clearing his throat, he tried to sound casual as he said, “You invited Amber and Troy.”

“Yes, of course. She’s my friend.”

His jaw clenched at the reminder. “What if I don’t want her there?”

“I don’t understand, she was at our wedding and you seemed fine. You see her at every Sunday dinner. What’s the difference?”

The difference was that Sunday dinner was out of his control, and her showing up at the wedding was him compromising, but he hated that Amber was able to insert herself so easily into his personal life.

“Nothing,” he replied softly, resentfully putting a stamp on the envelope despite his desire to burn it. “Just forget it; you want them there, it’s your party too, so I guess we’re inviting them.” He tossed the envelope carelessly in the pile and took up the next one.

“Do you have a preference on food?”

His jaw clenched as he shook his head and bit his upper lip, shaking his head. “No.”

She casually took Amber and Troy’s invitation back. “Stop acting as if your feelings mean nothing. You matter and so does how you feel. I will not have my husband uncomfortable at a party that is partly his.”

“I can grin and bear it if you really want to invite them, Roxie,” he said softly. “She’s your friend, not mine…” He hated saying that. He hated that he’d never explained to Roxie exactly why he didn’t want Amber so involved in his life. Especially because when he’d told some of what had happened between them, she had expected him to simple get over it, just like everybody else. As if he hadn’t already tried to for his own sanity. “So invite her if you want.”

“What did I just say?” She sighed. “I will not have my husband uncomfortable. That is what matters to me. I want us both happy and relaxed at the party.”

“I ignore her at Sunday dinner just fine,” he replied with a bob of his shoulders. “You clearly wanted to invite them, so invite them.”

She tore the invite in half, looking back down to her notes. “What if I made bangers and mash? I think people might like it.”

“Sure,” he replied, stamping another envelope.

They stamped in silence for a few moments before Roxie sighed and rubbed a hand over her face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly as he continued to stamp envelopes.

“I don’t like when we argue. I know it’s unavoidable, it just makes me feel sick to my stomach. I just want you to be happy, I know you feel the same about me. I just want to spend our days cuddling until we’re too old to hear if the other person has any disagreements,” she teased.

He smirked softly, eyes still on his task of getting stamps on all the invitations. “I don’t like arguing either but arguments are normal, disagreements are normal. To be honest, it wouldn’t be a real relationship if we never argued. Couples who never argue aren’t comfortable enough with each other to be vulnerable nor express how they really feel. I think we’re lucky, we have the normal amount of arguments and we always talk them through in the end.”

She nodded slowly and hugged him tight. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he replied. “We should find a role for Mowgli in all this.”

She chuckled and nodded. “Mowgli!” she called out, looking around. “Where is my fur baby?” The little sound of trotting filled the air as the pig snorted in response and nudged up against her ankles.

“Well, well, well...look who came around to the term fur baby,” Rafael teased.

“Well if you ask me, he’s my regular baby too,” she said in a baby voice as she picked up the pig and kissing his snout. “Because I’m your regular mummy, right?” The pig snorted again as she giggled and hugged him close.

“You think he’ll feel jealous of all the extra attention the baby will need?”

“Of course, he’s the prince of the castle right now,” she said as she set him up on the table, letting him hop back into her lap gently as she smiled. “My smart baby,” she cooed. “I worry that he’ll feel undervalued. I don’t want the new baby to affect his self esteem,” she said as she scratched behind the pig’s ear. “You are a prince, no one will change that. You’re just getting another prince or princess alongside you.”

“We’ll just have to be sure to make some time only for him “ Rafael answered as he scratched behind the pig’s ear. “That’s what they say to do with older siblings anyway.”

The pig trotted into Rafael’s lap, settling down on him.

“He keeps sniffing the birthing tub,” Rafael said after a moment. “You think he’ll try to jump in it when he see you in it?”

“Maybe, would you like us to take you swimming, my love? You want to swim?” She moved off the chair to kneel in front of Rafael where the piglet sat.

“Okay, first of all, he is not swimming in your birthing tub,” Rafael said, smirking before he playfully added, “Secondly, do we need to get the pig to go away for a few minutes?”

She grinned up at him mischievously and leaned forward to kiss Mowgli, eyes looking up at Rafael from beneath her long lashes.

“Mowgli, away with you, sir,” Rafael said, eyes locked on his wife’s.

The piglet landed on the floor, walking off into another room as Roxie was running her fingers up his thighs, just barely missing his groin.

He hummed and bent to kiss her lips softly, sucking her bottom petal. “I love you so much, Mrs Barba.”

“And I you, Mr. Barba,” she whispered as she unzipped his fly.

Omar ran his eyes over his phone as he sat in the passenger's side of the SUV. After a slow morning at the club he and Nevada had decided to check up on one of the warehouse where they would store the guns before moving them.

“Talked to Chastity, she’s already all but forgotten it all,” Omar mumbled. “Although between you and me it’s not a stretch to picture her swiping cards off a John.”

“I already knew she was doing it, and I chewed her ass out for it,” Nevada replied. “Only reason I haven’t tossed her ass out is cause of this prick at the precinct. She already knows, she does it again, I’ll slit her fucking throat wide-the-fuck-open.”

Omar gave a nod of acknowledgement. “This pendejo is really going after you. The last thing we needed was this fucker with a mission. You think you would’ve fucked his daughter the way he’s focused on you.”

“Maybe I did, who knows,” Nevada replied in a chuckle.

As they pulled up to the warehouse, Omar frowned and sat up. Parked across the street from the warehouse was a black, unmarked car. To anyone else it may have just seemed like someone who had simply parked and walked the rest of the way to their destination, but Omar and Nevada knew better.

“Now what?”

“Son of a bitch has this place being watched,” Omar muttered in disbelief. “The balls on this fucker...”

“Fuck it, let’s try the one on 198th,” Nevada said, driving past the car.

Omar nodded, looking back to his phone for a minute. “Hey, what was with your wife and her brother on Sunday? Melissa said it got pretty ugly. She still not talking to him?”

“Not that I know,” Nevada answered. “She hasn't even mentioned him since then.”

Omar snorted a laugh. “It’s not like it takes a lot to get on Dama’s bad side anyway. What’d he do, forget to wipe his feet at the door?”

“A few weeks ago he was talking to Lucia about how my job is dangerous y no se que carajo. Stupid shit, stuff he’s been saying since day one. Thing is, Lily heard them talking. They didn’t know she could hear what they were saying,” Nevada replied. “It was an accident.”

“Lily okay?” Omar asked. “Accidents and shit happen, I get that. But it doesn’t mean it didn’t do shit to the kid. As long as she’s okay, all is forgiven, right? What’s the point in being mad if she’s fine?”

“That’s what I said,” Nevada replied. “I mean she acted weird for a few days. Didn’t wanna talk to me, didn’t even want me around, but as soon as we talked to her, everything got cleared up.”

Omar chuckled. “And Dama’s still mad? Man, she can hold a grudge.”

“You’re telling me,” Nevada mumbled. “Imagine what it’s like living with her,” he added in a chuckle.

“Suddenly I’m very glad to be single,” Omar replied, chuckling as well. “How’s Lily otherwise? I’m sure her head was already jumbled before the Rafael stuff. And her arm. She okay?”

“Yeah, she’s good. Still got a little mouth on her,” Nevada answered with a smirk as he turned the corner and his smiled faded. “You gotta be fucking kidding me,” he mumbled.

He drove past the second unmarked car, again parked directly across the street from his warehouse. Taking out his phone, he called Chibby as he turned the SUV around and headed back to the club. “Oye, I want bird eyes on all the warehouses, we’re on the way back right now...alright, bye.” He hung up the phone. “You believe this shit?” he asked, looking over at Omar.

Omar shook his head. “What are we supposed to do with two cratefuls of heavy artillery?”

Nevada sighed. “We’re gonna have to use the club.”

“You outta your fucking mind, man? Where the hell are we supposed to put them?”

“We can use a couple of the VIP rooms. Tell the girls they’re being deep-cleaned,” Nevada answered.

“Shit, I don’t know about this, bro.”

“It’s two days, we’ll be fine,” Nevada said.

Omar sighed heavily, running a hand over his face and letting his head lean back against the headrest.

“Alright,” he relented finally.

[islanani-blog]

Allow myself to introduce my....self...

Ok so, it’s a new year, time for a new look…it’s time to break the mold of the old and be cool with what’s new.  Like that Tupac song goes…”it’s time for a change, let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live, and let’s change the way we treat each other.  You see the old ways wasn’t working so it’s on us to do what gotta do, to survive…”

The New Year tells me that it’s time for a change...it’s time to reintroduce myself.  It’s time for IslaNani sucka’s!  That sounds good, don’t it?  IslaNani….it’s….it’s….well it’s the soul in my food, my travels, and how I feel when I see my family and friends.  IslaNani is a state of mind, a sojourn of the spirit, very Metamucil…just close them eyes, take a deep breath and when you reopen them eyes, see the world for what it was intended to be…beautiful, loving, and filled with those we care about the most.  So…what does all this mean?  Shee-yit, it means I’m back fool!  But I’m changing up the game while staying true to what got me here and that is sharing my passion for life, food, and still making dumb assed uncle jokes along the way.  So, you ready?  I’m ready!  Let’s get down!!

Ok then, I recently got back from a 19 day trip to Hawai’i and I have to say it was transformative.  Not Transformative like Bumblebee or Optimus Prime Rib…but like it provided me the chance to be with my family as we found new things to love about a place we have gone for the last 10 plus years.  It was really cool to see new things and go on new adventures in a place that had become so familiar and laden with the same haunts each jaunt.  Think of it like looking at yourself in the mirror all the time, same old you.  You say to yourself “I’m good looking but it’s the same reflection every time.” Then one day you realize, “Hey, I have really nice ear lobes…those are some nicely shaped lobes.  I never realized how good looking those things are.  I’m gonna go out and show my badass lobes to the globe.”  I also came away with a new found appreciation for my family relationships in general.  We even made some new friends that we will be in touch with for years to come.  That’s what got me thinking about a shake-up in my blog postings.  I’m still sorting this out, but I feel like mixing up food and travel will be a nice blend.  Basically when I travel, I find something good that I ate and I come home and cook it.  So why not bring the two together?  Food and travel go hand in hand like Charlie Brown and Snoopy, ball games and hot dogs, a white Speedon’t and that one European dude at the beach playing badminton by himself for some reason…just matches made in heaven.  I mean damn, they have a full channel dedicated to it.  Not the European Dude Speedo Badminton Beach Championships (or the EDSBBC for short), but you know…travel.  One day I’ll have to audition for one of those Travel Channel shows.  We call it, “Can’t Take Him Anywhere Nice” starring Uncle Manny.  But sadly, that dream will have to wait.  Until then, I’m gonna show off some sweet Hawai’i pics and take on a couple different ways to prep up musubi as well as some egg rolls.  So slap on those board shorts and that chef hat and let’s get to work motha sucka’s!

Egg Rollin’ with the Homies

Egg roll wrappers (thawed)

2 chicken breasts

1 bell pepper diced

1/2 onion diced

2 tbsp. of minced garlic

Taco seasoning to taste

This isn’t exactly a new one, but it’s something that the wife had on our last trip and she wanted me to make it for her.  So to start, in a medium sized bowl, rub the chicken breasts with taco seasonings then put a little oil in a pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken breast until done, about 10 minutes.  Once done, remove from heat and place on a cutting board to cool.  While those breastesses cool down,  put the pan back on medium-high heat and add in the onion, garlic and bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Go back to the chicken and dice it up into small pieces, return the pan to the heat and mix in the chicken with the veggies and cook until it is all blended in.   When done, set aside and allow to cool for about half an hour.  While you wait, go like drink a beer or something.  Once you have waited for half an hour, or about 4 beers (because 4 beers in half an hour is about right isn’t it?) take out the egg roll wrapper and place a couple spoonful’s of the mixture on the bottom corner.  Wrap up the egg rolls and set on a cookie sheet, plate, or whatever flat surface you want to use.  From here you can pan fry them in oil, or if you are one of those do-goody “I don’t fry stuff because I’m healthy, but I’ll bake the sh*t out of it” types then that’s cool too.  Just put a little oil on a cookie sheet, brush a little oil on each egg roll and bake it at like 425 degrees or whatever temp you like.  Me?  I’m the “Fry-day is My-day” type so I puts ‘em in oil and eats ‘em up.  If I wanted to be healthy I’d eat a salad and run a mile.  So anyway, once these are done, you can set out some salsa for dipping or do it my way with a couple spoonfuls of sour cream mixed with Chipotle Tabasco for your dipping sauce.  This recipe feels very Guy Fieri, but who gives a spit, they taste good cuz!

Don’t Worry, Musubi Happy

Steamed white rice (sushi rice preferred but jasmine is ok for musubi)

Nori sheets

Portuguese sausage

Salmon

Teriyaki sauce

Furikake

What you want to do first is steam the rice.  While that steams, cut the sausage in long strips, then pan fry them on medium-high heat.  They will be done when they are a little brown and slightly crispy.  When done place on paper towels to cool but keep the oil from the sausage in the pan.  Now put the salmon in that same pan and on the same heat, drizzle on some teriyaki sauce and cook on one side for about 8 minutes.  Flip the salmon over, then, cook the other side for about 8 minutes, drizzling on more teriyaki sauce.  When done, remove from pan and set on a plate.  Next get the nori sheet and place on a sushi mat.  Cover the nori with rice, salmon, and Portuguese sausage.  Leave about an inch of space on the end of the nori so you can close and seal it.  Sprinkle on a little Furikake and then roll it up in the mat.  Taking a sharp knife, run it under some warm water and slice into equal-sized rounds.  With every other cut, run the knife under warm water since this will help the knife cut through the nori and not tear away at it.

So there it goes…my first post of the New Year.  Hope it was fun and informative because if not, too bad, it only goes downhill from here my dudes and dudettes!  If you decide to try these recipes at home, just take your time with it and have fun.  If you have kids, encourage them to help.  Give them the hot oil and frying pans as well as the sharp knives, then, leave them unattended while you go fetch another drink.  Nooo! I’m kidding!  Let them turn the oven on too…all right y’all, until next time, be cool.

As promised, I have a sweet ass video of Hawai'i! Turns out my inlaw's neighbor works for a great ocean excursion company called Trident Adventures and they took us out for a cruise early after Christmas. You can find them at www.tridentadventures.com and they are worth checking out. They had plenty of snacks and drinks for the kiddos plus they are just very nice people. The crew is great and run by military Vets so you get to be out on the water with our nation's finest. I guess the crew of Hawai'i 5-O was out on the boat as well as the dude from Aquaman so they have a pretty swank clientele list. Even Z list stars like me (I was in a Hollywood movie about Prefontaine for like point zero 2 seconds). Even though I didn't sign any autographs that day, the kids had a blast and saw half of the supporting cast from Finding Nemo. I'm talking full on Honu, Whales, small fishies...but hey, we were just around the corner from Disney's Aulani so it made sense...

[tachyonpub]

THE OVERNEATH by Peter S. Beagle preview: “Trinity County, CA: You’ll Want to Come Again and We’ll Be Glad to See You!”

In celebration of the release of Peter S. Beagle’s THE OVERNEATH, Tachyon presents glimpses from some of the volume’s magnificent tales.

Trinity County, CA: You’ll Want to Come Again and We’ll Be Glad to See You!

by Peter S. Beagle

“This stuff stinks,” Connie Laminack complained. She and Gruber were dressing for work in the yard’s cramped and makeshift locker room, which, thanks to budget cuts, was also the building’s only functional toilet. To get to the dingy aluminum sink, she had to step around the urinal, then dodge under Gruber’s left arm as he forced it up into the sleeve of his bright yellow outer coverall.

“You get used to it.”

“No, I won’t. They let me use my Lancôme in school. That smells human.”

“And has an FPF rating that’s totally bogus,” Gruber said. “Anything you can buy retail is for posers and pet-shop owners. Won’t cut it out here.”

Laminack unscrewed the top from the plain white plastic jar on the shelf below the mirror, and squinted in disgust at the gray gloop inside. “I’m just saying. Gack.”

Gruber smiled. Stuck with a newbie, you could still get some fun out of it. Sometimes. “Make sure you get it every damn place you can reach. Really rub it in. State only pays quarter disability if you come home Extra Crispy.”

“Nice try, but some of us actually do read the HR paperwork we sign.”

“Oh, right,” Gruber said. “College grad.” She gave him a hard look in the mirror, but dutifully started rubbing the D-schmear on her hands and arms anyway, then rolled up her pants legs to get at her calves.

“Face, too. Especially your face, and an inch or two into the hairline. Helps with the helmet seal.”

“Just saving the worst for last.”

Gruber laughed wryly. “It’s all the worst.”

“You’d be the one to know, wouldn’t you?”

“Got that right, trainee.”

By the time they headed out to the Heap, he was throwing questions at her, as per the standard training drill, but not enjoying it the way he usually did. For one thing, she’d actually done a good job with the D-schmear, even getting it up into her nostrils, which first-timers almost never did. For another, she seemed to truly know her shit. Book shit, to be sure, not the real-world shit she was here to start learning . . . but Gruber was used to catching new kids in some tiny mistake, then pile-driving in to widen the gap, until they were panicked and stammering. Only Laminack wasn’t tripping up.

It had begun to bug him. That, and the fact that she bounced. Like he needed perky to deal with, on top of everything else.

He waved back to Manny Portola, the shift dispatcher, who always stood in the doorway to see the different county crews off. It was one of Manny’s pet superstitions, and in time it had become Gruber’s as well, though he told himself he was just keeping the old guy happy.

Laminack waved to the dispatcher as well, which irritated Gruber, even though he knew it shouldn’t. He slapped the day-log clipboard against his leg.

“Next! Name the three worst invasives in Trinity.”

“Trick question.”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“No,” she insisted. “Definitely. You didn’t define your terms.” Her bland smile didn’t change, but Gruber thought he heard a tiny flicker of anger. Maybe he was finally getting to her. “Are we talking plants or animals here? ’Cause Yellow Star Thistle and Dalmatian Toadflax and Kamathweed are hella invasive, even if the tourists do like the pretty yellow flowers. And if we are talking animals, not plants, do you want me to stick to the Ds, or do you want me to rattle off the three worst things that have ever crawled or flown or swum in here from somewhere they shouldn’t? Which I could. And what do you mean by ‘worst,’ anyway? Because for my money, jet slugs are about as yucky as it gets, and there are a lot more of them up here now than there are China longs. So yeah, I call trick question.”

Gruber definitely wasn’t ready for two weeks of this. “Nobody likes a show-off, Laminack.”

“No, sir.”

For more info on THE OVERNEATH, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover design by Elizabeth Story

[random-thoughts-bin-exe]

Jeffree Star in Machiavelli quotes

I am not an expert on Jeffree Star Drama or Machiavelli quotes. (these are literally copy paste from good reads) I just am a person with time and some thoughts I need to get out.

“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.” ― Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Although many people online claim to already know truly how bad Jeffree Star is, I do believe that is just the tip of the ice berg. Racism, bullying, conspiring, jealousy, receipts... thats just a tiny fragment of Jeffrees toxic behavior. 

As the quote already illustrates, only a few people really get to see who you are and not what you portray yourself as. Jeffree has been taking advantage of this because after all, he is an influencer and his reputation matters more than the few people who do see the real Jeffree. Speaking of which....

“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.” ― Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

We should therefore ask ourselves: “Who are the people Jeffree has around him?”. The first names that come to mind are Shane Dawson, James Charles, Tati Westbrook, Gabriel Zamora, Nikita Dragon, Manny MUA, Laura Lee,  Dahvie Vanity, etc. Interestingly enough, all of these influencers have been cancelled one way or another.

Is it because bad people hang out around bad people? Or is Jeffree Star a common denominator in all of their cancellations? An interesting thought we should explore more...

“it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.” ― Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

All of Jeffrees influencer friends (mentioned above) have recieved opportunities, exposure or gifts from Jeffree. They “owe” him if you will.

Shane got his multi million dollar pallette deal with J* cosmetics

James Charles did collabs and was maybe introduced to morphe by J*

Tati was on Jeffrees private jet a few times and did various collabs

Gabriel, Nikita, Manny and Laura also got exposure and contacts

Dahvie Vanity I imagine also benefited from Jeffree somehow too

This is just one way Jeffree keeps his “friends” obedient and on his side. Another way in which he does this is fear, which I will illustrate by the following quote:

“ I keep dirt on everyone and they know to keep their mouths shut ” ― Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

JK thats Jeffree not Machiavelli. But it proves my point, that J*s friends are loyal because they fear he will cancel/destroy them.

“If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.” ― Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

As one might remember Gabriel, Nikita, Manny and Laura were rumored to have distanced themselves from Jeffreee before they posted the infamous picture and were cancelled just days later. It is a hell of a good timing for those racist tweets to resurface, dont you think? I believe Jeffree had knowledge of these tweets before and released them to drama channels once he felt they were too independent or not as easily controllable anymore. 

J* probably paid or helped drama channels get tea to destroy Gabriel, Nikita, Manny and Lauras careers. It kinda worked. All of them do not have the fame they could have had if it werent for them getting cancelled. Laura flopped entirely, Gabriel and Manny kept crawling back and Nikita... well she is Nikita and got herself  “cancelled” (not really) on her own.

“…he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.” ― Machiavelli Niccolo, The Prince

ok so listen.. how do James, Tati and Shane fit into this? well the answer is quite simple: they were all decieved into thinking they could be friends with jeffrey or benefit from him, without getting dragged and cancelled like jeffrees other exfriends. 

Jeffree at some point decided to cancell james. I think it might be jealousy but I do not know for sure. For the next incident I have a hypothesis:

Shane Dawson and Jeffree orchestrated the Tati and James situation by pushing her to make that video. That way Shane had scandalous material for his documentary and jeffree reached his goal of cancelling james. In order to severely damage james, jeffree said that whole “predator” thing, to really seal the deal. He did not anticipate James response and how well it was made, so he made that video saying hes done with drama, because he had no further solid evidence. He still continues to say this but says he legally cannot talk about it. convenient, huh?

This dramageddon was captured by Shane while filming his documentary on the drama in the beauty community. Im convinced the drama part of his series which he never posted, contained something Jeffree did not want the public to see, so he made shane a deal to make or increase of his percentage of profit from the conspiracy collection in return of the drama part to not be aired.

“A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways.” ― Machiavelli Niccolo, The Prince

the truth is... cancel culture is weak! have you ever heard about someone getting cancelled without jeffree star being involved? no, not really... My question therefore is: how do you cancel someone who cannot be cancelled? (god knows black twitter, black commentary channels, small youtube channels and others tried really hard) this is where dahvie vanity comes in.

in jeffrees video apology on being a racist piece of shit, he justified it by saying that this was the old jeffree who did dark and twisted things. he assured his followers, that he no longer is the old jeffree and has changed for the better. jeffree has not changed for the better, he has just gotten better at hiding it and deflecting the conversation. 

the easiest way to cancel him is to dig up something really vile about jeffrees past. guess who could probably do that? dahvie. while we are out here discussing dramageddon 3, jeffree is preventing  dramageddon 4. dahvie probably needs jeffree to retract his statements about him witnessing dahvie engaging in sex with minors for the fbi and chris hansen investigation. my theory is, he is threatening jeffree with exposing something from his past in exchange for him to retract the statement. maybe if he does end up in prison regardless of jeffrees statements, he might do so to better his reputation? we do not know 

[frontproofmedia]

Boxing Legends, Champions & More Give Their Predictions For Wilder vs. Fury II

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Published: February 18, 2020

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 18, 2020) — As fight night nears, boxing legends, world champions, celebrities and more shared their predictions for the highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder and undefeated lineal champion Tyson "The Gypsy King" Fury ahead of the historic, mega PPV event this Saturday, February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.   Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions, Top Rank and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation.   The heavyweight championship rematch has garnered debate ever since the controversial end of their first fight in December 2018, and remains a 50-50 fight just days before they square off again. Here are predictions from throughout the boxing world and beyond for Saturday’s main event, with the respondents leaning towards Wilder to retain his title over Fury, by an 18 to 14 margin:   Sugar Ray Leonard, Hall of Famer Wilder W 12: “I like Deontay Wilder to win, possibly by knockout, but, in truth, I don’t see either guy being knocked out. I think that Wilder not only has that powerful right hand, but that he has improved in his ability to set it up.   “On the other hand, I know that Tyson Fury has excellent boxing abilities and a tremendous chin from the way that he got up from the two knockdowns in their previous fight. In the end, I think that Wilder is always in shape and that he will use his speed and power to get the job done.”   Jamel Herring, WBO Junior Lightweight world champion Fury by Majority Decision: “If Fury can box the same way he boxed in the first fight, without any scares, he can pull it off. On the flip side, it’s hard to pick against Wilder, as he always looks more impressive in rematches.”   Manny Pacquiao, WBA Welterweight World Champion Wilder KO 10: “Never bet against a puncher, particularly one like Deontay Wilder. I look at Wilder like I do at a Mike Tyson, another puncher. I see Wilder winning this rematch with Tyson Fury by 10th-round knockout.”   Carl Frampton, former two-weight world champion Fury W 12: “I think it’s a very difficult fight to call. Fury won the last one by a mile, but I think Wilder will be more aggressive this time, which may play into Fury’s hands. Wilder can win by KO at any moment, but put a gun to my head, and I’d say Fury on points.”   Thomas Hearns, Hall of Famer Wilder W 12: “Deontay Wilder can box and win, but I think that his power will be the difference in defeating Tyson Fury. I believe that it will go to a decision again, but with Deontay Wilder winning it.”   Mikaela Mayer, undefeated super featherweight/2016 U.S. Olympian Fury by decision: “I Fury is the better boxer and smart enough to make the adjustments needed from the last fight. If he can avoid a bomb from the ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ I think he will win on the scorecards.”   Evander Holyfield, Hall of Famer Wilder W 12: “I’m picking Deontay Wilder based on his confidence and the fact that he does all of the right things to remain in great shape, and that he’s committed to his craft.   “Wilder’s not just a big guy with a right hand, but he’s also become more calculated in his approach. That’s why I’m picking him to win this second fight against Tyson Fury.”   Michael Conlan, WBO No. 1 Featherweight Contender Fury by decision: “He needs to be even more careful this time, but he looks like he’s put in some serious work and is ready finish what he started last time.”   Shawn Porter, former two-time world welterweight champion Wilder KO:” I have not had this hard of a time picking a winner of a fight after dissecting every component in a very long time.  I honestly believe that this fight right here will seal both of their legacies.   “This is a 50-50 fight for several reasons. Deontay Wilder will be much more patient and freer from the anxiety he had trying to put on a big show in the first fight. Tyson Fury is now two years from depression, two fights from the retirement he came out of to fight Wilder.   “Fury has changed trainers in order to take the fight to Wilder and win by KO. Fury still has his speed and quickness, while Wilder is still powerful and more confident. It’s going to be a great fight.   “It’s razor thin until the end. I’m picking Wilder to win by KO, Fury by points, or Fury by KO. This is a 50-50 fight. I said on ‘Inside PBC Boxing’ a couple of weeks ago that Wilder wins by KO, but I’m picking the fans to win.” Xander Zayas, 17-year-old welterweight prospect Fury by decision: “He will outbox Wilder and make the necessary adjustments. It will essentially be a repeat of the first fight, only more convincing.”   Larry Holmes, Hall of Famer Wilder KO 7-8: “Deontay Wilder will knock out Tyson Fury in the seventh or eighth round if he does what I know that he can do, which is stay on the outside, use his jab, throw that right hand over the jab.”   Colin Cloud, LIMITLESS at The Mirage  Wilder KO: “I predict Wilder will win by a knock-out in the first three rounds. I further predict Tyson will get ‘in the zone’ listening to some classic Jay-Z, Whereas Wilder will be listening to Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ album, because ultimately he is both a lover and a fighter.”     Adam Kownacki, undefeated heavyweight contender Wilder KO 7: “I’m going with Deontay Wilder, and I think it’s going to be a knockout in round seven. I think it will be a rematch similar to the one with Luis Ortiz, whom he stopped in the 10th round the first time and in the seventh round the second time.   “Wilder will be patient, wait for his opening, and then, he will deliver. I think Wilder lands the big right hand and that, this time, Fury doesn’t get up.”   Robert Garcia, trainer of Mikey Garcia Fury W 12: “I see Tyson Fury winning by a decision over Deontay Wilder. Unlike the first time, where he was knocked down twice, I believe that Fury will be fight more cautiously and that he’ll win a decision.”   Keith Thurman, former unified welterweight world champion Wilder KO: “I’m going with Deontay Wilder, who is one of the most dangerous punchers in boxing history. There’s something about the first time that you step into the ring with an opponent, the entire, ‘I’ve never seen you; you’ve never seen me before.’   “But the fact is, Wilder now knows the movement, the speed and the tactics that Tyson Fury has, but, of course, Fury has the ability to dance, move around and change it up. But as long as Wilder can keep up with and move with him, I believe that he will do what he does best.   “I believe that Wilder can end the fight at any moment, aiming that right hand straight down the pipe, which he just about did in the last fight. It’s a tremendous event, I missed the first one, but I’ll be present at this next one and another great heavyweight rivalry. Team BombZquad.”   Matt Goss, 1OAK Las Vegas at The Mirage   Fury W “So proud of Tyson and his mindset and all of the battles he has won in and outside of the ring. Massively respect you Tyson, from one Brit to another, go and do what you do best, TCB.”    Mikey Garcia, former four-division world champion Wilder KO 8: “I’ve got Deontay Wilder knocking out Tyson Fury in the eighth round. Wilder will be much more aggressive than he was in their first fight. Wilder will catch Fury with a big shot in the eighth round.”   Michelin Star Chef Akira Back, Chef for Yellowtail at Bellagio and Kumi at Mandalay Bay  Wilder KO 9: “Wilder in a 9th round KO.  And after he knocks out Fury, I hope he will have time to stop by Yellowtail to celebrate and have a shot with me.”    Ruben Guerrero, trainer of Robert Guerrero Fury W 12: “Tyson Fury is much more focused going into this fight. He’s not partying like he was, and he didn’t go into camp out of shape. He’s gotten God-centered in his life now, so I’m picking Fury to win by decision over Deontay Wider.”   Jermall Charlo, Undefeated WBC Middleweight World Champion Wilder KO 10: “Deontay Wilder by knockout in the 10th over Tyson Fury. Deontay has to establish the jab early to get close, then crank right hands repeatedly.”   Marcus Deegan, MC, Thunder from Down Under at Excalibur   Fury KO 2: "After Tyson Fury got up like a zombie from the dead after that devastating knock down in their first fight, it shows his heart is beyond those of a normal human. This time around, I believe Tyson Fury will be victorious via knockout in the second round."    Chris Colbert, interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion Wilder KO 8: “I feel like Tyson Fury is less confident for this fight, and I think that Deontay Wilder is going to win by knockout. I would like to see Fury put up a helluva fight, but I don’t think that will happen this time.   “Wilder has more hunger to come back and to do better in his rematches, like he did against Bermane Stiverne and Luis Ortiz. I don’t think Fury goes any further than eight rounds this time.”   Paulie Malignaggi, former two-division world champion Fury W 12: “I feel like it’s going to be Tyson Fury on points, but it’s a fight between the two best fighters in the weight class.   “The onus is Deontay Wilder to make the adjustments, whereas if Fury fights the same fight, odds are, he’s probably going to get the decision.   “I do think that Fury has to be careful with getting careless in spots, but Wilder can’t just fight believing that he can land one shot and get him out of there.   “Fury is a great boxer who can probably be better at avoiding the shot the second time around because he knows what he’s dealing with.”   David Benavidez, undefeated WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Wilder KO 11: “I think Deontay Wilder knocks out Tyson Fury in the 11th round, but I think it’s gonna be a close fight until that happens. Still, I think Wilder wins the fight.   “I think Tyson Fury will have a lot of success early, but that ultimately Wilder will catch him with that big right hand and knock him out.”   Andy Lee, former middleweight world champion Fury KO 2: “Tyson Fury can win this fight with Deontay Wilder in any way that he wants, whether by stoppage or knockout or accumulation of punishment on points.   “But the way that Fury’s looking in training, I will say that he wins by stoppage or knockout, and I’ll say he wins in round number two.   “I’m a former Kronk Gym fighter, and he’s being trained by [Emanuel Steward’s nephew Javon] SugarHill Steward, and you know what all of us Kronk Gym fighters want – knockouts.”   Anthony Dirrell, former two-time super middleweight champion Wilder KO 8: “I am picking Deontay Wilder to win the rematch with Tyson Fury, and I think that it will happen in Round eight or nine. “I just believe that Wilder will be better than he was in the last fight, and you can just look at his record in rematches against Bermane Stiverne and Luis Ortiz.”   Terry Fator, Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment at The Mirage  Fury KO 4: “I am a huge fight fan...it's why I never miss a presidential debate. My prediction--Fury in 4 when Wilder hits the floor.”    Charles Martin, former world heavyweight champion Wilder KO 8: “Deontay Wilder’s gonna win by knockout. I believe that Tyson Fury will be out-boxing Wilder for most of the rounds, but then, he will get stopped by that powerful right hand in the eighth.”   John Ryder, former WBA interim super middleweight champion  Fury KO: “I believe this fight will be a lot more explosive then the first. I believe Deontay Wilder will feel Tyson Fury can’t hurt him and will go for the KO very early and fade later in the fight. Tyson will get him out of there anywhere after the eighth round.”   Luis Ortiz, heavyweight contender Wilder W 12: “Deontay Wilder will win a decision over Tyson Fury, who will be coming in respecting Wilder’s power and being wary of taking a shot based on all of the evidence of Wilder’s previous fights with me, and from their first fight.   “Looking at what Wilder was able to do with me during the championship rounds of our first fight and also much sooner than that in our second fight, he’s going to be worrying about taking a similar shot, otherwise, there’s a locomotive coming.”   Bermane Stiverne, former world heavyweight champion Wilder KO:” I think Deontay Wilder will knock out Tyson Fury, it’s just a matter of when he lands the right hand or the left hook and finishes him off.   “Wilder’s power saved him in the last round against Fury the first time, but I think that now that Fury has tasted Wilder’s power, I think that has to be in the back of his mind.   “Whether it’s the first or the last round, just like Fury was doing well in the first fight, I think it’s going to be a knockout for Wilder.”   Michael Clift, “Barry Gibb”, The Australian Bee Gees Show at Excalibur Hotel & Casino  Fury W: “Wilder will come after Fury and try for a big knockout punch, that's his best hope. Fury will bide his time and use his reach and awkward style to wear Wilder down and strike when he sees him tiring. I'd like to see Wilder win but I think Fury will be too strong. Fury to win!”  

(Featured Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)

[othersportsnews-blog]

Zach Britton receives AL consecutive saves file as Orioles defeat Astros

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Zach Britton receives AL consecutive saves file as Orioles defeat Astros

BALTIMORE — Environment the American League file for consecutive saves converted demands a impressive display of consistency.

Persistence also performed a section for Zach Britton, because the Baltimore Orioles nearer went extra than fourteen months this season concerning tying the mark and breaking it.

Britton converted his 55th straight help you save option Sunday, blanking the Houston Astros in the ninth inning to seal Baltimore’s nine-7 victory.

He struck out the very first two batters and issued a stroll ahead of pinch-hitter George Springer bounced into a power participate in to end it.

“I under no circumstances believed I could put with each other one thing like that at this degree, with how fantastic these men are,” the still left-hander stated. “I will mirror on it ultimately. I just want to get back to pitching like myself regularly.”

Britton earned his fifth help you save on April fourteen and endured extra than two months on the disabled checklist with a strained still left forearm ahead of returning on July 5.

At that level, manager Buck Showalter refrained from employing Britton in the closer’s role until he was completely ready. Britton at last got the probability Sunday — and produced the most of it.

Britton broke the AL mark held by Tom Gordon, who notched 54 straight saves with Boston from 1998-ninety nine. Britton commenced his operate on Oct. 1, 2015, added 47 in a row very last season and is 6 for 6 this calendar year.

“A whole lot of us were being right here to see all of them and know how hard that is to do, primarily about that lengthy a time period of time,” Showalter stated.

The important league file of 84 is held by Eric Gagne of the Dodgers from 2002-04. Will save became an official statistic in 1969.

Baltimore broke a tie with two operates in the eighth in opposition to Luke Gregerson (two-three), employing a sacrifice fly by Manny Machado and an RBI single by Jonathan Schoop.

Britton produced the direct stand up, employing sixteen pitches to retire the AL West leaders.

Mark Trumbo homered and Adam Jones had 4 hits for the Orioles, who prevented a three-match sweep. Baltimore had lost 8 straight to Houston, dating to very last calendar year.

“We are not excellent every match. We are not without having our very own flaws or items we can do superior,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch stated. “There have only been a couple of nights where by we got it handed to us. Most of the time we’re in the match.”

The Astros 2 times fell driving by three operates ahead of coming back. Jose Altuve‘s 15th dwelling operate — the very first of his 4 hits — produced it three-all in the fourth, and Nori Aoki linked with two on in the sixth to knot the score at 6.

Houston added a operate in the sixth, but Trumbo tied it with a shot to still left top off the seventh.

Mychal Givens (7-) worked the eighth for the Orioles.

Astros starter Lance McCullers gave up 6 operates and nine hits, walked two and hit two batters in four two/three innings. In three commences this thirty day period, the appropriate-hander is -1 with a nine.88 Period.

“It really is up to me and the coaching workers to enjoy some online video and determine out what is heading on,” McCullers stated.

Extra Hinch: “He’s heading by a rut appropriate now and items are not heading his way. He’s not getting defeat all-around the ballpark as substantially as he is developing some havoc for himself.”

Baltimore’s Dylan Bundy allowed seven operates in 5 1/three innings, which includes both Houston homers.

TRAINER’S Space

Astros: 3B Colin Moran was positioned on the disabled checklist with a facial fracture. The harm happened Saturday evening when the rookie fouled a ball off his cheek, and he remained hospitalized Sunday. Houston recalled 1B Tyler White from Triple-A Fresno. … LHP Dallas Keuchel pitched 5 innings in his 2nd rehab appearance Saturday evening. He’s been on the DL since June 5 with a neck harm.

Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy, who’s been on the DL since June 19 with a fractured wrist, is having grounders but not but throwing. “Ideal now, the phase is getting the mobility back,” Hardy stated. He will see a hand expert in a 7 days, then look for to improve the wrist ahead of starting off baseball actions.

UP Subsequent

Astros: RHP Brad Peacock (eight-1, two.forty nine Period) aids Houston start a three-match interleague sequence in Philadelphia on Monday evening.

Orioles: Kevin Gausman (6-7, 6.11 Period) seeks to degree his file for the very first time since April 18 when Baltimore opens a three-match sequence at Tampa Bay on Monday evening.

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Extra AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

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