#marcus baker gif set

[fabledenigma]

In the Source Link, you will find a gif pack of Felix Mallard in Ginny and Georgia Season Two.

Felix plays the role of Marcus Baker, the twin brother of Maxine and former boyfriend of Ginny.

*This is a work in progress

Trigger Warning - anger, drinking, depression, drug use

Source - FabledEnigma

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

Can I have depressed marcus? he's in his bad thoughts and reader goes to him and tells him she's tehre

Warnings: dark thoughts, depression

my taglists are here+you can requests hereat any time

—

The ones who suffer in silence are the ones that hurt the most. They hide their pain so perfectly and seem fine most of the time, forcing smiles and pretending, that no one realizes they are hurting until it’s too late.

Marcus Baker was deeply broken inside. On the outside he looked the same, smiling and pretending. Inside, it’s a different story.

Old demons came back to haunt him out of the blue, intrusive thoughts filling his mind with doubts, self loathing and self-destruction. He tried to make everything go away by heavy drinking and smoking, but it was only working for a short time. Once the numbing effects dissipated, it got hard to breathe again. He skipped class to lay in bed all day, incapable of finding the energy to get out of bed.

He never had a sparkle like his sister Maxine, but you could sense that something was wrong. He was not his usual self. His head was down when you weren’t looking, his eyes were dull and his smiles forced, he favored hoodies and stopped wearing his woody aftershave. He even showed up to school drunk two days ago.

The morning bell was about to ring and you couldn’t seem to find Marcus. According to your last texts, he said he would be coming and help you study for the History quiz before first period, but he was not there.

You were on your third round of the building when you saw Max. You grabbed her arm and stopped her. ‘’Have you seen Marcus?’’

‘’Yes. At breakfast this morning. He stole the last strip of bacon from my plate. We rarely get bacon during weekdays so I was really mad,’’ she said with a strange look in her eyes. ‘’But he won’t be coming to school today. He had a doctor appointment. A…a checkup for his concussion!’’

His accident was months ago. It didn’t make sense.

‘’Oh. Okay. Thanks for telling me.’’ You forced a smile and left for History class.

During the whole day, you couldn’t focus on anything else than Marcus. Typical teenager in love behavior one might say, but you weren’t thinking about how much you loved him or the quirky things he did. You were thinking about how off he had been these past weeks. And that doctor appointment felt strange on Max’s tongue. As if she was not completely telling you the truth.

Max was working on the school’s musical so you stayed behind after working extra-curricular and offered her a ride. She talked about everything Wellington during the whole time. It was headache inducing.

When you got to the Bakers’, she thanked you for the ride and got worried when you turned off the car.

‘’It’s time for dinner, I don’t think my parents will appreciate you showing up.’’

Mr. and Mrs. Baker loved you and often invited you for dinner so this was a made up lie. A terrible one, at that.

‘’I have homeworks to give him and notes for him to copy. It won’t take long.’’

‘’You can give them to me,’’ she offered quickly. ‘’I’ll give it to him—’’

‘’No.’’ You undid your seatbelt and got out of the car despite Max’s protests.

As expected, Ellen was pleased to see you and even offered to stay for dinner — she made spaghetti. The only person who was being strange was Max, which confirmed she was hiding something from you. Before she could follow you upstairs, Ellen called her to set the table.

Marcus was laying on his bed, staring absentmindedly at his ceiling. He had heard your footfalls in the hallway, but he couldn’t bring himself to turn his head to look at you. Not because he was lazy or had a kink in his neck. Because seeing you would remind him of how terrible of a boyfriend he’s been lately.

You walked up to his bed and laid down beside him. He didn’t say anything or acknowledge you. It was sad to see. Was this what Max was trying to hide from you? You reached a hand to card through his hair, about couldn’t help but think about that one time Max asked if you loved him even with greasy hair.

‘’Whatever you are feeling right now, you are not alone. When things get tough, know that I’m here. You can talk to me or not talk to me — whatever you decide —, but I’m here.’’

Hearing those three simple words meant a lot to Marcus.

It was quiet for a moment. You expected Ellen or Max to call for dinner since it was almost ready when you got here, but neither did.

You had shifted positions and was now hugging him from the back. It had confused Marcus at first, the positions usually reversed, but after settling into your embrace, he felt a sense comfort and protection wrapping around him, which was really nice.

‘’I’m having a really hard time,’’ he admitted quietly.

You hugged him tighter against your chest. ‘’If I could, I'd take that bomb in your head and disarm it. I would shut all those dark thoughts and replace them with…pink sheeps playing hopscotch.’’

He huffed a short laugh, imagining the sheeps. It’s probably the only laugh you’ll get out of him today.

‘’I love you, Marcus. I love you even at your darkest.’’

—

All and more taglist: @spiokybirdstarfish @kenqki @liidiaaag @hawkegfs  @gillybear17  @areaderinlove @acornacreacure @black-rose-29 @fudge13 @cece05 @rosie-cameron

[thebisexualdogdad]

Roses are red, violets are blue, all I want for this V-Day is to do you!” Abby littman x male baker reader.

Abby Littman x Male!reader

"So what do you think Abby wants for valentine's day?" You ask your sister taking a seat next to her at the table to eat breakfast before school.

"I don't know you're her boyfriend," Max scoffs.

"And you're her best friend, this is our first valentine's day together I don't know want to screw it up," you sigh as Marcus comes down the stairs and grabs the box of cereal, "Marcus what are you doing for Ginny for Valentine's day tomorrow?"

"Nothing, valentine's day is fucking stupid," Marcus says taking a handful of cereal right out of the box and stuffing some in his mouth.

"Right Marcus is the last person I should ask about this kind of stuff," you say when your mom joins you guys in the kitchen.

"Marcus for God's sake can you please use a bowl," she says watching Marcus pour milk into his mouth directly from the carton.

"Mom, what are you and dad doing for valentines day?" You ask her.

"The same thing we do every year, we have a table reserved at blue farm why?" She responds, taking the milk carton from Marcus who rolls his eyes at her.

"Because Y/N doesn't know what to do for Abby and he's running out of time," Max taunts.

"Get her flowers, that's always nice," Ellen says with her usual chipper attitude.

"That's so basic," Max says dramatically.

"None of you are any help," you huff, getting up from the table.

"Teenagers," Ellen mutters to herself.

That day at school Abby and Max are walking to class together when Max remembers your conversation over breakfast.

"By the way Y/N is freaking out about Valentine's Day tomorrow," Max chuckles.

"Why? It's not that big of a deal," Abby replies.

"Because he thinks he has to get it perfect for you being your first valentine's day together and all," she shrugs.

"Well tell him he doesn't, I really don't care if we do anything," Abby says.

Max doesn't tell you.

Mostly because she forgot and partially because she really couldn't care less plus she is also only slightly bitter that she's the lone Baker without a valentine this year.

You avoided Abby all day trying to quickly put something together and the next morning at school she goes to her locker to find flowers and chocolates (that were very clearly the leftovers from the store but she doesn't mind) inside waiting for her with a note saying to come by your place at 5pm.

"Max I thought you were going to tell Y/N not to do anything," Abby says.

"Oh yeah no I didn't do that," Max states.

"Do you at least know what he has planned?" Abby questions.

"Nope," Max replies, taking the box of chocolates from her and beginning to eat them, "wow he really couldn't spring for the good stuff?"

5 o'clock comes around and Abby nervously waits on your doorstep unsure what she's about to walk into.

"Hey, happy Valentine's day," you say, kissing her sweetly and letting her inside.

She sees some pizza boxes on the kitchen island and thought maybe you didn't go over the top like she anticipated.

"So what are we doing tonight?" She asks curiously.

"Close your eyes," you say and she chuckles, closing them as you guide her to the door to the backyard, "okay you can open them."

She opens her eyes to see a small screen and projector set up in front of the lawn chairs with some basic fairy lights hung up around it, pizza and soda ready to be eaten.

"Y/N," she smiles.

"I know it's not a lot but I wanted to do something special for you and it's probably really lame cause every restaurant was booked up so all I could get at the last minute was pizza and-" you ramble before being cut off by Abby kissing you.

"It's perfect," she says, "oh I got something for you too."

Abby hands you a card and you open it up seeing a handwritten message inside.

"Roses are red, violets are blue, all I want for this V-Day is to do you," you read out loud and laugh, "okay well that would have been a much easier date to plan for."

"Y/N I don't care about this cheesy holiday as long as I'm with you I'm happy," she says wrapping her arms around your neck.

"So should we skip the movie and go right upstairs or…" you say raising an eyebrow.

"We should definitely go upstairs now and watch the movie later," she nods, giggling as you pick her up and kiss her, carrying her up to your bedroom.

[arixwrites]

Marcus Baker x OFC Pt. 4

Pt 1  Pt 2  Pt 3

Marcus Baker x Allison Littman

words: 1.2k

Marcus and Allison were in art, their last period of the day. The seating arrangement was very flexible in the class, you could sit anywhere you like. Ever since Marcus and Allison did shrooms together (and kissed), they sat together every class period. Their “spot” was the table all the way at the back of the class. They were both finished with their assignment early, so they were planning what they would do after school. It wasn’t explicitly said but they were keeping the fact that they hang out away from their twin sisters. They liked staying inside their own bubble. They didn’t want any attention on this weird situationship that they had because then that would lead to questions and labels. They were both happy with just hanging out. However, they had not communicated this to one another. And that’s why this is on Allison’s agenda for today’s hangout. Allison will finally ask the question: “What are we?”  

Marcus was immersed in a sketch on the margin of his notebook. Allison rested her head on her hand and quietly admired the way his hair fell into his eyes, ‘You want to come over after school?’ 

Marcus looked up and flicked the hair from his face, ‘Yeah. I can pick up Blue Farm and meet you there’, Allison agreed, ‘What do you want?’

Allison smiled sweetly, ‘Turkey club with sweet potato fries, please. And ranch! Do not forget the ranch. Joe’s is the best.’ 

‘Yes, ma’am’

_______________ 

Allison rode home with Abby after school. Abby peeked her head into Allison’s room, ‘Are you sure you don’t want to come hang out at Norah’s? I know you’re just going to be sitting in your room alone.’

Allison shook her head, ‘No, I’m fine. I have a load of math homework to catch up on anyway. Believe me, I wish I could go.’ 

Abby knocked on the door frame, ‘Have fun!’ 

‘Oh, I will!’ Allison yelled back. Her sister had no idea.

_________________

Marcus had called in their order right when they got out of class, so by the time he made it over to Blue Farm it would be ready. Unfortunately, it was not. It was unusually busy today, so Marcus still had to wait for his order. He texted Allison, ‘blue farm’s busy. be there in a bit’

Allison liked the message and responded, ‘k. don’t forget the ranch!’. Marcus laughed and rolled his eyes. ‘i wonttt’ His order number was called at the counter. He grabbed the to-go bag when the shrill voice of his twin sister piped up behind him, ‘Hey Marcus! Whatcha doing here?’ Maxine stood behind him with Norah and Abby flanking her. 

‘Getting food, Maxine. What else?’  He replied in a purposefully condescending voice. 

She dug through his bag, ‘Hmm.. that’s a lot of food.’

‘Yeah, I’m erm,’ he cleared his throat, ‘hanging out with my chem partner, so I got us some food.’ No one knew about these meet-ups that he and Allison were having and he wanted to keep it that way. He also didn’t want his sister knowing all of his business.

‘At home?’ Max asked.

‘No, at their house. Can I go now?’ 

‘Yeah, whatever. Have fun, ' Maxine responded. Marcus walked out of Blue Farm and started skating to Allison’s. ‘Geez, what’s up with him?’ Max looked over at Norah and Abby for reassurance. They both shrugged. 

When he was halfway to Allison’s he realized he forgot the stupid ranch. 

____________________

Allison answered the knock at the front door and let Marcus inside, ‘Hey.’

‘Hey,’ Marcus responded and shut the door behind himself. He set the bag of food on the table by the door and grabbed Allison by the waist. He gave her a long and hard kiss. Allison moaned in delight as Marcus pushed her against the wall. Allison wrapped her arms around Marcus’s neck and ran her hands up into his hair. 

After a bit longer, Allison pulled back but they still kept their arms around each other, ‘What was that for?’ 

Marcus gave Allison a quick peck and a smile, ‘I forgot the ranch.’  Allison couldn’t help but laugh.      

Her jaw dropped and she lightly pushed Marcus away, ‘Oh my… you said you wouldn’t! I even reminded you!’

Marcus picked up the Blue Farm bag and they both walked into the kitchen. He sat down at the island, ‘I know, I know, but I have a good reason.’ Allison went to the fridge and grabbed them both drinks. Marcus started pulling their take out boxes out of the bag, ‘I ran into Max and your sister at Blue Farm. Max wouldn’t let me leave without asking a bunch of questions first.’ 

Allison gasped, ‘What kind of questions? What did you say?’ She rounded the island to sit in the stool next to Marcus.

Marcus placed Allison’s box of food in front of her and grabbed one of the drinks Allison placed on the table. He shook his head, ‘Just Max being her usual pushy self. She started asking me questions about what I was getting, who I was getting it for, and where we were going to be. I didn’t know what to say, so I just told her that I was hanging out with my chem partner.’ 

‘Oh,’ Allison munched on a fry. Allison guessed this was as good a time as any to bring up their “relationship”, ‘Yeah, I’ve been wanting to ask you: What are we exactly? What’s the plan here?’ 

Marcus swallowed his food, ‘I mean, I like spending time with you. I like kissing you,’ Allison blushed, ‘I just don’t want a relationship right now.’ Marcus feels like an asshole for saying it, but it’s true. After losing his friend, he just doesn’t think he has it in him to get so attached to someone like that for a while. He has a lot of fun with Allison, but he doesn’t want to deal with the inevitable hurt that comes with a relationship. He knows he’ll fuck it up somehow. 

Allison is quiet. She takes a bite of her sandwich to gather her thoughts. ‘I guess we’re on the same page then because I really like kissing you too and I’m not looking for a boyfriend right now either. My last boyfriend was a bit of dick,’ Allison shrugs, ‘So, I am OK with continuing whatever it is that we’re doing, this “no strings thing”, but I do have one condition,’ Marcus nods for her to continue, ‘No one can know. We need to keep this under wraps just like we’ve been doing. If people find out we’re doing this you’ll probably get a high five, but me? I’ll get labeled a slut by everyone at school. So, do you agree? We keep this secret.’

Marcus nods, ‘Yeah, if you’re okay with it then I am too. To everyone else we’re acquaintances. We barely even know each other. We just also do this from time to time,’ Marcus put his hand on the back of her chair and leaned in close. Allison met him half way and their lips touched. Allison ran her hands through his hair and tugged. Damn she loved his hair. Marcus groaned and Allison snuck her tongue in. Allison leaned back and gave Marcus a soft peck on the side of his mouth. ‘Mm, those sweet potato fries taste really good,’ Allison laughed. Marcus smirked and grabbed a fry out of her box.         

[echoalyssa]

Hey I was reading your AMAZING Marcus Baker fics and was wondering if you could right when where he helps his S/O(reader) with their insomnia????? Please I would really appreciate it!!!

A/N: Awww! Thank you so much!! That seriously means a lot to me! And if anyone reading this has any suggestions for mental health imagines please don’t hesitate to ask!

You’re reading a book in Marcus’ bed, one leg draped over his, your head on his shoulder. He’s sketching in his sketch pad, the one he doesn’t really let anyone see, even you hadn’t seen the whole thing.

It’s getting close to lights out. His digital alarm clock reads 12:57 AM in red. You’ve seen the little yawns from him, the way his blinks have gotten slower and heavier.

You’ll have to head home soon, leave your boyfriend to get his beauty rest while you stay awake and stare at your ceiling per usual.

Marcus turns his head and presses his lips to your temple. He mumbles a sleepy “I love you.”

And you know you need to leave him. You turn your head and press your lips to his. “See you in the morning?”

He frowns, flips the sketchbook closed and leans to place it on his bedside table. He rubs an eye with his fist.

“You don’t have to go.”

“I know,” You respond, a smile touching your face. He’s adorable like this, like a puppy. “You need to sleep.”

He nods, agreeing that sleep is a good idea. “You don’t have to go.”

You kiss him again, and drag your fingers through his hair. “You won’t go to sleep if I’m here babe.”

He frowns at you, his bottom lip popping out. “I know you don’t sleep. Not that you don’t sleep well. But that you don’t sleep. I’ve seen it on your face, whenever you take your makeup off. I don’t know what’s keeping you up or why but I want to help. Talk to me.”

It’s a lot for someone who looks like they’ll pass out in the next couple of minutes.

“I have insomnia.” You offer.

He nods, putting together the pieces even though his brain is muddled. “That makes sense. Have you been prescribed anything? Does Melatonin help you? How can I help?”

“I’ve tried everything. Absolutely everything. But… I feel relaxed with you.”

“So stay with me tonight! I’ll play with your hair. We can leave a movie on in the background. You can wear my shirt. Anything you want.”

Your eyes drift to his shirt and he laughs and does the hot guy thing where he reaches for the back of his shirt and pulls it up and over his head. He hands it to you and you peel off your own shirt, shed your bra, and tug it on. His scent envelope you immediately.

You snuggle up closer to him. His arm goes back around your waist and he tugs you closer so your front is pressed against his side. You tilt your head up and situate your face into his neck.

“I’ll stay up as long as you need me too.”

You hum, “No you need your sleep.”

He hands you the remote and you immediately go to netflix and pick Criminal Minds. You flip to a random season and a random episode and then nudge your boyfriend. “Spencer gives you a run for your money.”

He scowls and flicks your arm. “JJ gives you a run for your money.”

You stick your tongue out at him and settle in for the intro. Marcus makes it through a whole episode before he drifts off. But something about him being close, your favorite show, his shirt, and possibly the meds, you’re starting to feel the drowsiness set in.

Halfway through the second episode Marcus wakes up and starts apologizing profusely and but you lull him back to sleep by running your nails across his scalp.

By the end of the second episode you’re asleep, you hadn’t even remembered to turn off the tv.

[justafairytailofinnocence]

Hello dears 💖 this is a request from @twilightsublime hope you enjoy 😊.

Caius volturi X reader🍰

Vampires and sweets 🧛‍♂️🍰

Those foolish mortals have no idea do they, my brothers are fools for letting something so threatening go to waste. The Cullen’s shall rue the day they met me; I should’ve been the ruler. I hate all mortals including the Cullen’s they have such a ridiculous culture; I should’ve killed them right there, but my foolish brother wouldn’t allow it.

Caius was angry from the fact his brothers decided to just let the mortals go, the Cullen’s have already broken the rules. Humans should be seen as a food source not as a love interest, but then again turning them should be a privilege. Marcus turned to him; his features speak of sadness “You seem aggravated brother” his voice whispered in a husk. “I’m not aggravated, the Cullen’s are keeping something that will bring us all in danger and yet he let’s them go” Caius sneered.

“It’s making us look like fools” Caius had no idea what aro’s intention were, but it seemed farfetched. “My mind is already made-up brother; I have decided once Bella turns, she will be of value I can sense it” Aro smiled enthusiastically. “You say that about any human with interesting features, we should’ve just turned them into slaves” Caius walks out of the room “Isabella is something special, I hope they reconsider especially Alice” Aro smiled, he had faith they will return. “I also must confess I miss my dear friend Carlisle; he was truly entertaining to keep around” he placed his hands together.

“He was as useless as the rest” Caius sneered walking towards the door “My isn’t someone in a mood” Aro sighed. Caius was always like this; it wasn’t his choice mostly his brothers teased him. “I’m going for a walk perhaps something should enlighten me” Caius muttered “Nothing ever will” Marcus whispered in a husk. “I’m certain dear brother something shall” Aro sat back on his throne while Marcus was rather inanimate, he looked like a statue.

Caius walked down the halls to which the guards stared and said nothing, he could see the cobblestone street. He didn’t glide across the streets like he used to, it would be too risky, and the sun was the worst decision. Caius would not even bat an eye to the groups of tourists as they are useless creatures that shall be sacrificed.

Caius was walking through the streets of Volterra sticking in the shadows as something caught his scent. “What is that distasteful scent” He couldn’t identify what was it was but the smell was something like strawberries or even chocolate and caramel. He had never even thought something like this was possible, the man was raised 200 years ago he wouldn’t have even set foot outside the castle unless it were necessary.

The smell was rather hypnotising after a while and when he walked in, he saw a woman that seemed rather beautiful. Her scent was nice, she smelled like every flavour known to man. “What is this” Caius sneered at the odd-looking sweets; he had seen them before but never understood why mortals enjoyed them so much. “It’s a strawberry and vanilla cake sir, I made it myself” the baker spoke “I’m y/n, enjoying the festival so far”.

Caius looked into the bakers eyes and in that moment felt an instant connection. She fascinated him and perhaps his brothers were right he did find something enlightening. “Your scent mortal it’s quite odd” she smelt like those sweets but perhaps it was just the potent scent of vanilla. “Beautiful” Caius muttered he was entranced by her being.

“Out of all mortals you seem quite the lady perhaps you could be useful to me after all”.

Y/n smiled at the odd-looking man; she was used to the festivals “enjoy yourself”. Caius sneered at the mortal; she should be bowing down to him. “Ah where do you think you’re going” y/n turns to see his odd looking crimson red eyes. “Oh, to get the delivery out of the truck” y/n smiled, Caius hatched a plan, and it may not have been the most useful, but it would keep him busy.

“I needed an order of your…baked foods” Caius sounded ominous “Oh of course” y/n replied. “Coming right up” y/n went off behind the settings. Y/n was busy and, in that moment, Caius had gotten rather annoyed from waiting. “All done so shall we head up to the castle, I’m sure everyone will love it” y/n smiled with glee.

Caius didn’t smile but merely nodded “oh dear y/n indeed they will” he walks up to the castle with y/n. Once they entered through the doors, his brothers stared at him and his guest “ah dear brother you’ve returned and brought a guest it seems” Aro spoke down to Caius. Y/n was scared to say the least, but she was happy if they could take the treats and go. “Her scent is rather…delightful” he steps close to the young thing. Marcus looked bored and didn’t even acknowledge the couple. “Are you lost dear, if my brother brought you to us, it means he sees something special within you” he reaches down to the girls eye height. “You must be extraordinary, may I” he reaches his hand out towards her. “No need” Caius grabs the girls hand; he knew as soon as she touches Aro’s hand she will die. He can listen to anyone’s thoughts including any vampire and Marcus can tell if a couple have a connection. Caius of course had no gift but he was still ruthless.

“I shall take her back to the group” Caius walks her away from Aro “Very well enjoy the festivities dear they are truly wonderful” he dismissed the girl. “Should we keep an eye on that mortal” Marcus questioned “Indeed she was quite odd, I do suspect our dear Caius is up to something” Aro wasn’t stupid he knew very well when someone lied.

“Your brothers seem to like me” y/n speaks awkwardly “indeed they seem to be weary of you humans” Caius spoke with no emotion. “Well, that should be the order, I hope you enjoy it here’s the bill” y/n gave the piece of paper.

“$120” he reads out loud “You should feel privileged to be alive young one” he drops the piece of paper. “Sir I need the money; I can’t just leave expecting nothing” y/n grew confused “I want you all to myself your scent is magnificent”. Caius wrapped his slim arm around the young woman “stay with me for a while” he whispered. This broke so many violations however he loved to see the humans squirm with fear.

“Sir please get off me” Y/n screamed trying to break free from his grasp “Hm fine I suppose you do have a job don’t you” he smirked. “Thanks for your payment I guess” y/n quickly scampered away from the creep and yet he watched her walk away.

“Please do come back again” Caius loved the look of terror on the poor girls face.

She’ll come back they always do.

Anyways that's all I have for now:

Ta Ta 💫

[tomtenadia]

A Little Braver - 70

Helloooo... So, yours truly will be in Italy for ten days from tomorrow. I am not taking my laptop with me, but I will read all your Rowaelin fics and I have one ready to be posted. So as a gift, I am going to leave you with ch 70.

Another big day for Rowan and for Brullo too.

MASTERLIST

It was May and the sun was shining up high. Rowan rolled out of bed and smiled. It was a special day. A year ago his new adventure as a paramedic had started. His plan b.  The best decision of his entire life.  On that day he was going to have a meeting with Chief Harker and discuss his future. He hoped Lys had given him a good review but most of all, he wanted to stay at east. Not just for Aelin. The entire team was incredible and he had bonded deeply in the past six months. He was one of the family through and through.

 He leaned over and kissed Aelin. They had a belated birthday party. Her official one came on a day she was on shift. The team threw a full on shindig at the firehouse, but then he had taken her out. They had an opera date night and dinner at Enda’s restaurant and once back home he had given her his special present.

But while she was still sound asleep, he was giddy. He made waffles using the super cool waffle maker Aelin had given him for his birthday. He loved it. He looked around the kitchen and swore. They were weeks away from moving to their new house and a lot of stuff was being packed already. Had it been for Aelin they would have left it until the night before. He had managed to convince her to start at least pack the non essential items. Turned out that some of his cooking tools counted as non essential to Aelin. Which made sense since she was not the one cooking. In the two years they had been together the amount of fancy utensils had grown and Aelin kept being puzzled by why they needed such a large selection of pots and pans and oven dishes and why they needed about five different types of knives? She had laughed at him when he told her that there was a special one to cut bread. Once at Enda she had asked the man if it was true and the man had showed him the collection of utensils in a professional kitchen.

The cousins had become a permanent fixture in their life and Rowan was glad to have them back. Sellene had started working full time at the restaurant and Enda had hired her as baker. Aelin was a fan of his cousin’s cakes.

He looked away at the mantle piece and saw the box with the fragment of the old hangar. It was there, prominent. Aelin wanted to have it out so that when people would ask what it was she could answer saying that it had been the best fire of her life. In April they had celebrated two years together and some days Rowan still could not believe Aelin had chosen him.

He was woolgathering when a set of hand brushed his midriff and felt her lips deposit a kiss on his naked back. He had put shorts on, but the day was lovely so he had opened the window and was enjoying some rare warmth in Orynth.

“Good morning, paramedic Whitethorn.”

He turned her in his arms and kissed her “morning, captain.”

“Ready for the big day?” Her words a whisper against his lips.

“Will you still love me if I don’t end up at east?” He kissed her “what if I end up in a regional house?” His gaze landed on her “please tell me our house in the north falls under Marcus’ jurisdiction.”

Aelin smiled “it does, it’s still in a city postcode.”

He relaxed and Aelin bumped his nose “were you making waffles?”

“Yes, are you okay with them?”

“Very much…”

Breakfast had then lead to a shower and illicit activity and now Rowan felt that he was running late. He had said goodbye to Aelin promising to see her at the station after the meeting.

He felt bad showing up in front of the chief is his paramedic uniform, but he was meant to go on shift afterwards. Surely the chief would understand. Then he realised it was his military training kicking in. Showing in front of a superior in nothing but perfect uniform was the rule.

He climbed the steps quickly and at the reception he announced himself to the secretary. Chief Harker came to meet him a few minutes later “Rowan…”

“Morning, chief.”

“It seems like yesterday when you were standing in that hall for your interview,” he made polite conversation until they reached his office.

“Sit down, please,” and he took out his file and opened to read it “So, we are here for your six months review. Anything you’d like to say?”

Rowan nodded “these have been the best six months I could have asked for. I love my job, deeply. I have an amazing team and two wonderful partners who have taught me so much.”

The chief gave him a huge grin “Lysandra wrote a very in depth review of your training months,” he paused “and she asked me to add that it was made with the eyes of a senior paramedic, not as a friend. It was based on your actions, skills and what you showed in the field.”

“Thank you.”

“Rowan Whitethorn has proven to be a very skilled paramedic. He accepted all the teaching from myself and Miss Lochan but has also shown the ability to work independently if the situation asked for it. He displayed great people skills with the patients, making them comfortable and reassuring when panicking. Mr Whitethorn is eager to learn and displayed great passion for the medic career. He is calm and focused and on a couple of occasions he had demonstrated to perform wonderfully under pressure. He fits perfectly with the firehouse and also has become an asset for the paramedics team. It is my judgment that Mr Whitethorn be fully granted the status of paramedic and work under miss Lochan as her permanent partner.”

The chief stopped reading and his heart was racing madly in his chest. He had done it.

“I guess that Lysandra’s report speaks for itself.”

Rowan nodded.

“I had a good feeling about you from the start and I usually I am good at reading people.”

“Thank you sir for this opportunity.”

“Lysandra reported to me very frequently, and I have known the woman for a long time and it takes a lot to impress her. You and Elide are the only two paramedics she actually ever liked or trusted and that is the biggest endorsement.”

Rowan nodded once more, feeling that words would fail him.

“And yes… you will be staying at east. I am not separating a team that works. I am sure you are aware that Lysandra is planning to step down and join the academy as instructor.”

“She hasn’t said it officially but I think everyone suspects it.”

“Lysandra confirmed it to me last week. She will do her last shift today at east and then become an instructor. She is six months pregnant and firehouse life is taking a toll on her.”

Rowan had noticed and on every call he had been worried. It was getting harder for Lys to do most things. She had progressively let Elide be in charge while she was overseeing things. At the firehouse she struggled to sleep and she was always tired. Aelin had explained to him that Lys wanted to stay until his appointment was permanent, but it had been hard on the woman and Aedion had been appearing for visits more and more frequently.

“I guess you are eager to go back to the station and celebrate.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Go, you deserve it.”

Rowan did not bother to text Aelin. He just jumped in the car and drove to east station.

He walked through the common room doors with a sad face just to mess with them. He just hoped Lysandra hadn’t said anything.

Aelin was the first one who spotted him “Ro?”

He sighed dramatically “they sent me to the worst station in all of the TFD. The team is bonkers and don’t get me started on the captain,” he was struggling to contain his grin “she is such a menace.”

And when they all finally registered his words they exploded. Aelin ran to him and jumped in his arms, kissing him all over his face “You are at east.”

He stared in her eyes “I am.”

Aelin climbed down and the rest of the team went for a hug and then he awkwardly enveloped Lysandra in his arms “thank you,” he kissed her head “for everything. For all you taught me and all the opportunities.”

Lysandra caressed his face and sniffled “you have been an incredible student,” then she turned to the team while still sniffling “I guess it’s time to make it official,” she grabbed Elide and Rowan’s hands “This is my last shift in the firehouse, then I will officially transfer at the academy as instructor.” She was now crying “my little boy here is making it hard to cope with firehouse life,” she patted her bump “Elide will be the new PIC and Rowan her partner,” she blew her nose quite hard “I love you all, this is the best team I could have asked for and knowing that Elide has a great partner makes it much easier for me to step down.” She tuned to Elide and with her hand she reached her collar and removed her insignia and stepped closer to her friend “Elide, you are officially the PIC. You worked hard for this and I know you will do great. I trained you, I know what you are capable of,” then she hugged “I will miss you.”

Rowan moved beside Aelin and pulled her to him.

Lysandra pulled back and breathed in “I will see you all and I am sure Aelin will fill me in on all of your adventures,” then she looked at her friends “you are not allowed to cry, I am the pregnant one, it’s my prerogative,” a friendly punch on Brullo’s shoulder “and we also have to celebrate our lieutenant today.”

That had been the plan, to wait for Rowan’s news and the celebrate with the hope of a quiet shift.

Enda had sent food over and Sellene had prepared the cake. It was in the shape of the firehouse, at the front she had an engine parked near a number 30 and the ambulance with a figurine beside it that looked a lot like Rowan.

Aelin had it commissioned a week before. Lysandra had told her in secret that Rowan was staying at east and she had set her plan in motion.

“Did Sellene do that?” asked Ansel eyeing the cake.

“She has become a pro.”

“I feel guilty eating it.”

Rowan chuckled “Don’t worry, Asterin, Aelin surely doesn’t.”

The woman in question punched him gently on the shoulder “beware captain or I ask chief Harker to ship you to the worst regional team they have.”

He grinned and kissed her.

The boys started to distribute the cake around and when everyone had a piece Aelin took the stage. She walked in the middle of the common room “Shush everyone, it’s speech time.”

The team fell silent “today is a special day for many reasons,” she walked to Brullo and placed her hands on his shoulders “Brullo, our dear lieutenant celebrates thirty years as a firefighter. An achievement that very few have reached. You have been a mentor and a good friend, you made me feel welcome when I started at east a long time ago. You did it with all of us. You are the dad of this firehouse and its beating heart. Thank you.” She hugged him and the man blushed and Aelin turned to Lys “bitch, you are my best friend and I love you and it will be so strange not to have you around,” Aelin took her hand “but you are moving on for a wonderful reason and the academy is lucky to have you full time. I can’t wait to see you and Ae deep in diapers and baby stuff. You two deserve this.” The two women hugged fiercely and Lysandra started crying again blaming the hormones.

Finally Aelin turned to Rowan and stopped in front of him, her eyes locked with his “Ro, a year ago you embarked in your plan B. You overcame everything life threw at you, graduated from paramedic school and today you are officially part of this family. I am proud and I am glad you can call east your second family.” Rowan pulled her to his chest and kissed the crown of her head but did not add anything. Aelin knew how he felt.

“Right,” she pulled back “now you can eat.”

They were all eating cake when three men appeared on the doorstep.

“Lor, guys, you made it,” Elide walked to them and kissed her boyfriend.

“Sorry we had a few things to do.”

“Come on, there’s plenty of cake,” added Ress waving at the men.

“Flight school business?”

Lorcan nodded.

The three men had decided to open a flight school but had not realised how complicated the bureaucratic process would be. Sellene had offered to help with all the legal parts and after months it finally looked like they were almost ready to go.

“We think we are only a few weeks away,” Lorcan looked at Rowan “you are an elite boy, any chance you can come at the site and check our planes?”

Rowan hesitated “sure you guys know how to do checks and all?”

“But you are the test pilot.”

Rowan turned and walked away and Lorcan followed him “Rowan!”

They reached the bunks room and Rowan stopped.

“Why can’t you help us?”

“Because I don’t want to.” His words almost a growl. He knew he was letting his friends down but he couldn’t fly anymore. The days of the wildfires had made that very clear.

“I am not a pilot anymore, Lor. That chapter of my life has closed a while ago… I just can’t…”

Lorcan sat at his side and sighed deeply “I miss him too…” and for a moment he let himself vulnerable “I watched him die… and all I could do was watch the action unfold from the CIC,” Rowan could feel the anger in his friend’s words “I was not out there,” Lorcan stood and began pacing “I hated being a fucking commodore, being in that hole and watch my men die. I fucking hated every single moment of it.”

“Have you talked to Elide?”

“About what?”

“This? Lor, I know you grew up in a family where emotions were seen as a sign of weakness…’” Rowan stood too and stopped in front of his friend “But I know what pushing emotions away does to you. I have done it for so long that it fucking messed up with me.”

“I can’t…”

“Lor… start with Elide, then when you feel a bit more comfortable I can recommend you the organisation I used.”

“What if Elide leaves me?”

Rowan shook his head, the woman would do no such thing. He was positive of that.

“Elide will not leave you. You need her.”

“Fine, you win.”

Rowan smiled “I can come one day and play glorified mechanic… I am not flying.”

“Come on Chaos, let’s get back, they are celebrating without us.”

When they got back both Aelin and Elide looked at them and Rowan nodded. It was all fine he seemed to say to the two women. Lorcan joined Elide while Vaughan and Connall were  busy talking with the team.

They were all having fun when dispatch alarm put a hold on the festivities “you three stay here. This is not over. Lorcan, you know the house.” Shouted Aelin as she ran to the engine.

The three men followed them on the apparatus floor and watched the vehicles go.

“Embankment station. Drunken man in the water, apparently.”

Aelin groaned “just what I needed, to get wet.”

They arrived at the location ten minutes later and saw a crowd gathered around the pier.

Aelin got off the engine and walked quickly to the crowd “away, I need you all to stay far away and let us work.”

“I am the one who called you guys. I was walking the dog when I saw it happen. He just stumbled and fell…”

“Do you know how long has he been down?”

The woman looked at her watch “A good five minutes already.”

“Ress, Wes with us we are going in. Grab your scuba gear. Quickly.”

Very swiftly they grabbed their masks and respirators, abandoned bunker gear on the pier and the the three of them plus Manon, jumped in the water. They had to work fast.

The four disappeared under water and the team waited. Brullo had the lifesaving buoy ready for the victim. Although it was May the waters of the Florine could still be quite cold.

The minutes passed but no one emerged.

“The water is too murky,” added Rowan while following the operations.

“Time is ticking…” said Lysandra “ten minutes without oxygen and he is brain dead.”

Rowan was pacing and felt useless but until they found the man, his job was to wait.

All of a sudden a movement and Manon broke the water “Aelin got him,” she said while removing her respirator. Wes followed a moment later and then Aelin and Ress emerged. Aelin had passed her respirator to the unconscious man in her arms. With Ress they swam slowly and Brullo threw the buoy. They placed it around the victim and the team on land pulled him closer and out of the water.

Aelin sat on the pier and coughed a bit and Rowan tried to ignore it for a second. He and Elide were checking the vitals of the man. His breathing was shallow but the respirator had done his job and prevented him to drown. The four firefighters grabbed some blankets and Lys pushed him to Aelin. The situation was under control.

“Let me check on you,”

She coughed once more “I am fine. I just drank some water.”

“That is my job to decide.”

“You are so bossy.”

He took out his stethoscope and listened to her lungs and did a few more checks “make sure you dry quickly once you are back at the station.”

“Love you too.”

Rowan rose and grinned at her and went back to Elide and Lys and they got ready to go to Med.

Aelin’s team got back to the station and as soon as they got there, the four who had been in the water ran to get changed into dry clothes then went back to the common room to continue where they had left off and noticed Lorcan, Connall and Vaughan waiting for them.

“Had a nice swim?” Vaughan passed a plate to Aelin “Fancy coffee you all? It’s warm.”

The team nodded and the two men started distributing the drinks.

“I was saying to Lorcan that is amazing to watch you guys spring into action. You’d put the response time in the airforce to shame.”

“Aelin is our drill sergeant,” joked Nox “she sneaks on us and runs drills even in the middle of the night and times us.”

Aelin finished to take a bite of her cake “I am just making sure we are the best house. You all want to keep Dorian happy, right?”

The team nodded. Dorian was a good chief but they knew they did not want to be on his bad side. His reaction on the day Aelin was attacked and had not listened to Lysandra had convinced them that the chief could be scary when mad.

“No ma’am. Dorian is a cinnamon roll with a dark side.” The joke had come from Asterin and the team laughed.

When the paramedics came back they found the team eating and laughing “look at them, we are working and they are here being lazy,” said Lys walking slowly  in the common room.

“Elide and Rowan are working…” Aelin smiled at her friend and Lys replied by sticking her tongue out “Wait until you are in my situation then it will be me making fun of you.”

Rowan walked to the table and grabbed an apple while all the others went back to their cakes “Don’t anger the woman…” he said walking to Aelin who was finishing her huge slice of chocolate cake.

Lysandra plopped heavily on the sofa and started massaging her belly “yeah don’t anger the stranded whale.”

“You are just glowing, darling,” jested Elide.

“Lys, why don’t you go home? You look exhausted.”

“My shift is not over yet.”

Aelin placed the fork down “Lys, Elide and Rowan can finish this shift.”

“You are trying to get rid of me early.”

Aelin stood and sat at her friend’s side “No darling. I am just worried about you and your little boy.”

Lysandra leaned back “Ae, is coming to pick me up.”

Aelin smiled and kissed her friend on the cheek “good.”

An hour later Aedion arrived at the station and joined east team in the common room and went for his wife.

“Thanks for convincing her,” he said to her cousin.

While his wife was getting changed he walked to Brullo and congratulated the man for his big anniversary, then walked to Rowan “Aelin told me the good news. East is lucky to have you.”

Rowan grinned “I guess that having two ex airforce an ex navy and ex army would have been too much for your station.”

Aedion raised his arms in a yielding motion “I am surrounded.”

His wife appeared ten minutes later, bag on her shoulder and the whole east team was there for her.

Elide ran for a hug “You have been the best partner I could have asked her. If I am the PIC it’s thanks to you.”

Lys shook her head “no, you got there by yourself.  You are ready, Elide,” and her stare turned to Rowan “now you got him.”

Aelin jumped in the hug “I will miss not having you around here.”

Not long after the three women were sobbing and slowly the whole team joined in for a gigantic group hug.

When Lys protested she could not breath they pulled back “This is not a goodbye. I will probably still annoy you all. You are my family after all and love you all,” a sob broke from her “when I joined east I had no idea I would find this, friends, an amazing husband,” she patted her belly while Aedion pulled her to him “This place will forever be in my heart.”

“Just try and be nice to the students,” the joke had come from Manon to break the poignant moment and Lysandra chuckled “I am wonderful teacher.”

“I can vouch for that,” added Rowan while holding Aelin.

“Come on now let me take you home.”Aedion grabbed her bag and slowly walked out while the whole of east station followed them outside.

Once the couple was away they got back inside “Do you remember the days when they were both denying their feeling and drive us insane?” Said Aelin while going back at the big table and at her cake.

“They were so cute,” added Ansel “Lys would ignore him, but as soon as she was with us ladies she would gush on how hot he was.”

“Yes, making me sick. Ae is my cousin…” and she shivered “ugh.”

The team laughed and Rowan held her from behind with his chin on her head “was she ever like that about me?”

“Captain, I can safely say that the entire female population of this firehouse had at some point improper thoughts about you.” The comment had come from a deadpanned Asterin and Ansel raised her hand straight away “amen to that.”

Rowan laughed hard and kissed her head “sorry ladies, but this man here is happily taken but thanks for the fan club.”

The afternoon had been calm and east team was hoping in a very quiet shift. Something that rarely happened.

But the peace was broken by dispatch alarm.

“All units on scene, high rise fire on South market st.”

The whole team jumped into action “all units? Five firehouses, this must be a beast.” Commented Aelin while donning her bunker gear “come on, quickly.”

“Cap, it’s in the financial district,” added Nox once in the engine.

“Skyscrapers… and that’s us hoping in a nice boring shift.”

When they approached the area they were not ready for the raging fire engulfing the top half of the skyscraper in front of them.

“Fuck.”

TAGS:

@rowaelinismyotp​ @swankii-art-teacher​ @whimsicallyreading​ @elentiyawhitethorn​ @aelin-bitch-queen​ @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity​  @mis-lil-red​ @thegreyj​ @sailorsassley​ @leiawritesstories​ @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon​ @rowanaelinn​ @backtobl4ck​ @susumaus98​  @gracie-rosee​ @mybloodrunsblue​ @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah​ @whoever-you-choose-to-love​  @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart

[luvrlou]

Masterlist

IT

Bill Denbrough

Richie Tozier

"Please cuddle me all day"

Summary: Your boyfriend Richie comes over to hang out with you but all you want to do is sleep.

Eddie Kaspbrak

Beverly Marsh

Ben Hanscom

Mike Hanlon

Stanley Uris

Henry Bowers

Reginald “Belch” Huggins

Victor Criss

Patrick Hockstetter

Seaquest DSV

Lucas Wolenczak

Happy Couple

Summary: On Captain Bridger’s tour of the SeaQuest he meets Y/N and Lucas, the only teenagers, and the only ones who can sustain a healthy relationship.

Newsies 1992

Jack Kelly

Spot Conlon

Surprises on Set (Gabriel Damon x Reader)

Summary: Max flys Y/N out to Universal Studios to visit her boyfriend, Gabriel Damon, who has been very moody lately.

David Jacobs

Racetrack Higgins

Kid Blink

Skittery

Mush

The Outsiders

Ponyboy Curtis

Dating Ponyboy Curtis Would Include:

Sodapop Curtis

Dallas Winston

Johnny Cade

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

Luna Lovegood

Draco Malfoy

Ginny Weasley

Back to the Future

Marty McFly

George McFly

Lorraine Baines

The Mighty Ducks

Charlie Conway

Spy Deal

Summary: Coach Orion has a little job for his younger sister

Adam Banks

Guy Germaine

Ken Wu

Luis Mendoza

Dean Portman

Fulton Reed

Dream a Little Dream

Bobby Keller

Dinger Holfield

Dating him would include

What are my Flaws

Summary: After being invited to a party some truths come out after a silly drunken conversation.

Goonies

Mikey Walsh

Clarke “Mouth” Deveraux

Andy Carmichael

Malcolm in the Middle

Malcolm Wilkerson

Reese Wilkerson

Nail Polish

Summary: Y/N finds Reece's many bottles of nail polish and paints his nails.

Unexpected

Summary: A sworn enemy sparks a romance at a Halloween party?

Miraculous Ladybug

Adrien Agreste

They're Whipped

Summary: Head canons about some miraculous characters being whipped for you.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Nino Lahiffe

They're Whipped

Summary: Head canons about some miraculous characters being whipped for you.

Luca Couffaine

Chloe Bourgeois

They're Whipped

Summary: Head canons about some miraculous characters being whipped for you.

Félix Graham de Vanily

The Black Phone

Vance Hopper

Finney Blake

Bruce Yamada

Billy/Paperboy

Robin Arellano

Sidemen + Friends

KSI

Wroetoshaw

What Happens in Mykonos Stays in Mykonos

Summary: After a drunken night of clubbing Harry and Y/N exchange some intoxicated words.

Behzinga

Vikkstar

Zerkaa

Miniminter

TBJZL

Calfreezy

Drunk on Cam

Summary: Cal and his girlfriend have a bit too much fun helping Tobi film his video.

"Y/N and Cal being our favourites"

Summary: If a fan made a compilation of Cal and Y/N's best moments.

Stephen Tries

Twitter

Summary: A little twitter thread

Harry Pinero

Yung Filly

Ginny & Georgia

Matt press

Get Out Of Your Own Way

Summary: Matt Press can never seem to get out of his own way.

Marcus Baker

Abby Littman

Young Zion Miller

Young Joe

Beta Squad

Chunkz

KingKennyTv

Niko Omilana

Cutie Patooties

Summary: Niko's day seems to lighten up incredibly after a certain guest is invited into the studio.

Sharky

Aj Shabeel

Childhood Crushes

Henry Hart

Out with the Old, In with the New?

Summary: When a certain supervillain returns to Swellview an old face pops back up.

Jasper Dunlop

Cody Martin

Zack Martin

Andre Harris

Jack Brewer

Milton Krupnik

Jerry Martinez

Hudson Gimble

Max Thunderman

Edmond Pevensie

[ciceroisthefamilycat]

A young-adult sports drama set against the backdrop of the HBCU experience. It follows a young tennis hopeful from Beverly Hills and an elite baseball player from Chicago as they contend with the high stakes of college sports, while also navigating the highs, lows and sexiness of unsupervised early adulthood at a prestigious Historically Black College.

Geffri Maya (Private Practice) as Simone Hicks. During her teen pregnancy in season 2 of All American, the former tennis player entered into a relationship with Jordan Baker. The two eloped to Las Vegas without their parents’ permission, so their marriage was ultimately annulled. The adoption of Simone’s son, Shay, is an open one. Simone was rejected from Princeton University, where her mother had planned for her to attend. (an interview with Maya)

Peyton Alex Smith (Legacies) as Damon Sims, a nationally ranked high school baseball prodigy who is originally from the south side of Chicago, but his family moved to an affluent neighborhood shortly after his Little League team was involved in a controversial national scandal. That experience had more of a long term effect on him than he realized. Baseball, once his number one love, has now become like a job, in part due to his mother-turned-manager.

Kelly Jenrette (The Handmaid’s Tale) as Amara Patterson. A successful journalist-turned-journalism professor, Amara is Simone’s aunt and the most popular professor on campus. Despite her success as the youngest full-time professor in Bringston’s history, Dr. Patterson’s unapologetic activism occasionally puts her at odds with her family.

Cory Hardrict (The Chi) as Coach Marcus Turner who played baseball at Bringston University and was drafted into pro ball, only to have an injury sideline his career. Now assistant head baseball coach at Bringston, he is tough, blunt, and committed to raising honorable young men.

Sylvester Powell (90210) as Jessie Raymond, Jr. An Atlanta native and varsity baseball player, Jessie became friends with Damon as teen ballplayers on the national scene. Though he is skilled and hard-working, he doesn’t have Damon’s natural gift on the field, and constantly being in his shadow is complicating their friendship.

Netta Walker (Chicago Fire) as Keisha McCalla. Having grown up on campus with her dad, an administrator at the University, Keisha is the life of the party and the unofficial mayor of Bringston University — knowing everyone and everything, despite only being a freshman. Although Pre-Med, she would pursue her dream of dance instead of medicine if given the choice — much to her father’s dismay.

Camille Hyde (Katy Keene) as Thea Mays, a queen-bee sophomore that gives off slight mean girl tendencies. A tennis prodigy, she takes her responsibility for representing the Black community in the sport very seriously. Simone’s arrival at Bringston shakes things up for Thea as her instant dislike of her rival clashes with the bond they share as Black women in Tennis.

In the backdoor pilot, Leonard Roberts appeared as Bringston President Zeke Allen, Nadine Ellis appeared as Damon’s adoptive mother Ms. Sims, John Marshall Jones appeared as Head Coach Leonard Shaw (who became embroiled in scandal), Rhoyle Ivy King appeared as Keisha’s friend Nathaniel, and Derek Rivera appeared as baseball player Santiago Reyes, amongst other guest appearances. All American regulars Daniel Ezra, Michael Evans Behling, and Samantha Logan featured prominently in their main roles as Spencer James, Jordan Baker, and Olivia Baker respectively.

Executive Producers: Nkechi Okoro Carroll,Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden and Robbie Rogers.

Berlanti Productions produces in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The backdoor pilot, 3x17 “All American: Homecoming,” was directed by  Michael Schultz and premiered July 5, 2021; it is currently still available on the CW website (in the U.S.)

The CW Teaser 2021-2022, featuring clips from the backdoor pilot

[dream-a-little-bigger-x]

Paralles | Chapter 10

Add yourself to my taglist! | Here’s my masterlist! | Parallels Masterlist

Characters: OC! Violet Grace Dawson, Luke Patterson, Julie Molina, Carrie Wilson, Bobby Wilson, Reggie Peters, Alex Mercer, Flynn nolastname, Willie nolastname, Nick Danforth-Evans, Dirty Candy 

Guideline: Sunset Universe is the universe in which Sunset Curve is famous and Violet is friends with Carrie, Julie and Flynn. Candy Universe is the universe in which Dirty Candy is more famous and Sunset Curve has broken up. 

Song(s) used: Boy Bye - Emma Bale

Warnings: I wrote this after watching Ginny and Georgia, so.... I added Marcus Baker as a character don’t @ me. Minor anxiety. 

Words:  4,231

The second Violet woke up the day after her date with Luke, her phone started ringing. Glancing down at the screen, Carrie’s picture smiled back at her. Violet chuckled, not surprised that the girl was FaceTiming her at this moment and immediately picked up. 

Before Violet could even greet her best friend, the blonde girl attacked her with the important question. “How was it? Tell me everything!” 

Violet chuckled as she sat down on her bed with the phone angled in front of her. “It was so amazing! He took me to this fancy Italian restaurant called “Figurati Italia”, which I’m pretty sure means “Imagine Italy”.” She sounded dreamy and resembled a lovesick puppy. It scared Carrie a little as the girl droned on and on about how chivalrous and amazing Luke had been on the date. 

“He did say something about a blind date you guys had set us up on…” Violet continued after minutes of dream-talk about the date. “What’s that about?”

Carrie swallowed harshly. Being reminded of that mistake made the guilt well up in her stomach. “That was – uhm…” She searched her brain for the right words. “Violet – other Violet – was so in love with Luke and the boys knew Luke had a minor crush on Violet too, or at least they thought he did. So, we set them up on a date, before the whole Sunset Curve thing blew up. When they realized what we had done, Luke kinda laughed in her face and told her he’d never date her…” 

Violet’s jaw dropped. “What an asshole!” she snarled. “And you let me go out with him?!”

“I’m sorry, Vi! But this is different, this is – this is to get you back!” 

Violet chuckled, her second of anger switching out into worry. “And what if that’s not how we get me back?” 

“Then we’re just gonna have to find another way and in the meanwhile, get you used to this universe?” Carrie suggested. Her stomach felt weird in that moment, like a bad omen, a foreboding that something terrible was going to happen. 

The brunette girl nodded her head slowly, trying to wrap her mind around the idea of being here. Forever. She wasn’t the Violet that used to live here. She was nothing like her. Or at least, she didn’t think she was, judging from the stories she’d heard. People would notice, at some point that she wasn’t who they knew her to be. There had to be a way to mislead them. To learn to be the Violet they knew. 

“Do you know if Violet had some sort of diary? Just so I can get a sense of what she was like, how her brain worked and stuff?” 

Carrie pondered over it for a moment. “She did have this songbook she used to write her songs and thoughts into? I believe she hid it in her nightstand.” 

Violet immediately dove towards the white nightstand and opened the first drawer, finding a bright blue fake leather notebook with ‘VGD’ embossed in gold on the front. 

“I found it…” 

Curiosity rose within both girls. Carrie had never been allowed to look into that unless it was a song Violet was willing to share. Though she knew there was more in there than she was allowed to see. Violet’s biggest secrets, her deepest thoughts. They were all stored in there and now, the girls were granted a free pass into Violet’s mind. 

“What’s in it?” Carrie asked. 

“Songs, mostly,” Violet replied as she browsed through the notebook. She halted at a song titled ‘Homesick’ and as her eyes scanned the lyrics, she could feel every single feeling her parallel self was feeling in that moment. Her eyes halted at the date that was scribbled at the very top of the page. “Care… Around what time did you set her up with Luke on that blind date?” 

“Uhm…” Carrie hummed as she pondered about the question. “I’d say around March 2018 or something.” 

Violet’s heart dropped. “Huh…” 

“What?” Carrie asked. 

“I think Violet may have written a song about him,” she mumbled, but Carrie heard her, loud and clear. “It’s kinda heartbreaking…” Her fingers traced over the stains of run-out ink. Violet had been crying while writing this song. “Luke’s an asshole…”

“That’s no news,” Carrie scoffed. 

Violet stared at the paper while the gears in her brain started doing their work. “He needs to pay for what he did… He needs to pay for breaking that poor girl’s heart.” 

“And how are you gonna do that? He’s so self-absorbed and obsessed with his fame, he won’t even notice you’re trying to make him pay for what he did…” Carrie reasoned, but to no avail. Violet was already plotting the perfect scheme in her mind. 

“Vivi,” her mother walking into her room made her snap out of her train of thought. “Can you go to the store for me, please? I forgot the feta cheese for dinner tonight.” 

Violet rolled her eyes at her mother. “Of course, ma, I’ll go in a minute.” 

“Don’t call me ‘ma’,” her mother frowned. “And get outta bed, it’s past noon!” 

The girl managed a smile. “Sorry, mom. I’ll go in a minute.” 

Her mother shot her a smile before turning on her heel and leaving her daughter’s bedroom, letting Violet and Carrie to their conversation. 

“I hear there’s a super cute new bag boy in the store around the corner,” Carrie informed with a smirk. “Total cool guy. Guitarist and has a motorcycle.” 

“Huh,” Violet hummed as the gears in her brain started working yet again. “I do have a thing for guitarists, don’t I?” 

“That you do,” Carrie agreed. 

Violet chuckled before saying goodbye to Carrie and getting off her bed. After throwing on some fresh clothes and doing her makeup, Violet left the house for the store with the scheme unfolding in her brain. The new bag boy would be the perfect pawn in her plan. 

Though, when she entered the store and laid her eyes on the new bag boy, she didn’t expect him to be this gorgeous. His sharp jawline and high cheekbones, along with the perfect swoopy brown hair was enough for her heart to nearly burst out of her chest. 

“Fuck,” she muttered and made her way towards the cheese aisle. With her mind set on the pretty bag boy, she searched the shelves for the feta cheese and once she had found it, she reached for it. Being in such a rush, however, caused her to take the packet behind it with her, causing it to fall to the floor. “God dammit, stupid cheese,” she groaned to herself as she bend down to pick it up. 

A hand bumped with hers as she reached for it, and, when she looked up, she stared straight into Pretty Boy’s light brown eyes. Violet swore they stared right through her soul, baring every little piece of her. 

“What’s the cheese done to you?” he asked, chuckling as the two of them got up again, both holding the cheese. 

She regathered herself from the impact the boy had on her ovaries and flicked a strand of hair out of her face. “It did what I want you to do.” She confidently said, her lips slightly parting as it had always been one of the many tricks she had up her sleeve. 

Pretty Boy’s eyes skidded from the left to the right, trying to figure out what she meant. 

Smirking, Violet wrapped her hand tighter around the cheese and, as he was still holding it, pulled it closer towards her, pulling him along until his face was inches away from hers. “Fall for me,” she whispered before letting go and pushing past him. 

“You got plans tonight?” he shouted after her. 

Violet smirked and turned around, glad her plan was working. “Yep, I’ll be at Red and Blue tonight,” she told him, hoping he’d get the hint. Judging by the smirk that lifted his plump lips, Violet knew she was winning. 

“I’ll see you there then.” 

And the boy managed to keep his word. That night, when Violet was at Red and Blue with Julie, Flynn and Carrie, the Pretty Boy showed up too. Her breath hitched in her throat as she noticed him approach her. 

“You didn’t,” Carrie gasped in Violet’s ear. 

“I did.” She smiled at the boy. “Hey,” she greeted when he was close enough. 

“Fancy seeing you here,” he teased as he reached for her hand and kissed the back of it like a true gentleman. “I never got your name.” 

She went on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his ear. “Violet Dawson,” she introduced herself over the loud music. 

“Marcus. Marcus Baker.”  The two of them smiled at one another, causing Violet’s world to stop spinning for just a moment. “Wanna dance closer to the DJ? The atmosphere’s always better there.” Violet bit down on her lower lip as she nodded her head in response. Marcus then led her through the sea of dancing people, holding on tight to her hand. 

As the two danced together to the music, Violet noticed Luke walking into the club with his bandmates closeby. His eyes skidded across the crowd and halted when they met Violet’s. He hadn’t even noticed who she was dancing with until he had approached them. 

“Hey,” he said, “Who’s this?” 

“Marcus,” Pretty Boy introduced himself with a smile as he reached his hand out for Luke to shake, which the rockstar completely ignored. “Okay…”

“You wanna get out of here?” Luke asked Violet, cocking his head towards the door. 

Violet’s eyebrows knitted together, “I’m actually having fun, Luke. I’d rather stay.” She looked up at Marcus, shooting him a quick, apologetic smile. “But you can go if you’re not having fun.” 

“Oh, uhm… No, I’m staying. You want something to drink?” he asked instead, and Violet could tell he was getting a little nervous. 

“Sure. You want something, Marcus?” 

Marcus hummed and grabbed Violet’s hand again before guiding her towards the bar, leaving Luke to trail behind them. 

“When were you gonna tell me you had a boyfriend?” Marcus asked, his lips pressed to her ear to make sure only she would hear. 

Violet chuckled. “Oh, he’s not my boyfriend. We went on like one date and I think he’s desperate for another, but I’m not really that interested.” 

“Ah,” said Marcus, nodding his head. “You need me to make sure he knows that?” 

Violet smirked. “No, I’ve got another idea for that.” She said and confidently made her way to the stage. Marcus watched as she walked, his lips turned up into a smirk. 

She grabbed the microphone on the stand and cleared her throat before nodding at the band, telling them to start playing the song. While the upbeat, bass-driven music chimed through the venue, the girl started swaying her hips before starting to sing with her eyes focused on Luke. 

“You thought I'd worry That I've made the wrong decision But I'm moving on way faster than I thought I think I've grown out Your destructive efforts Still you're holding on to all the things we loved”

A soft, yet distinctive guitar riff chimed in at the pre-chorus and when she looked up, she found Marcus next to her with a guitar in his hands and a smile on his face. 

“You want me to come back Like I want you anytime Now I'm here with somebody Now it's the sad boy you play out And again I'm falling Yet again that's no surprise Thought I left it behind”

Having Marcus there gave her the confidence to really go for it on the chorus. She started moving her hips to the music while singing the lyrics to Luke, who stood near the bar, watching her and Marcus like a hawk. 

“But I don't want this You think I want you back But I'm so over this Boy bye And I'm not homesick You think I want you back But I'm so over this For now?”

The music went back to its bass-driven core and while Violet focused on Luke at the back of the club, Marcus couldn’t keep his eyes off of Violet as she sang. From the moment they had met, he had found her interesting. She was this overly confident, attractive woman and it intrigued him. He wanted to know what she was compensating for. 

“Friends keep asking why we're not together So I guess you haven't told 'em what you did Oh You may be sorry It's not better late than never And I think this time I'm glad we called it quits”

As even Marcus grew more confident on the guitar, Violet made her way over to him and leaned on his shoulder. This action made him look up. Neither of them could hide the smile crawling to their lips as their eyes locked. 

“You want me to come back Like I want you anytime Now I'm here with somebody Now it's the sad boy you play out And again I'm falling Yet again that's no surprise Thought I left it behind”

She stepped away from Marcus again and for a few seconds, kept eye contact with him until she got lost in the music and let herself go during the chorus. 

“But I don't want this You think I want you back But I'm so over this Boy bye And I'm not homesick You think I want you back But I'm so over this For now?”

Her eyes landed on Luke again to see his reaction on her performance. She didn’t like what she saw though. He looked at her in the same way he had during their dinner. The literal embodiment of the heart eyes emoji. It frustrated her, but it didn’t distract her from the song. 

“But we gotta stop the playing round The playing round For Gods sake Oh we gotta quit the playing round It's more than we can take Oh we gotta stop this playing round The playing round For Gods sake Oh we gotta stop the playing round It's more than we can take”

“But I don't want this You think I want you back But I'm so over this Boy bye And I'm not homesick You think I want you back But I'm so over this For now?”

Marcus took Violet’s glance his way as a sign to really go at it on the guitar and show off a little. It did seem to impress her as she turned towards him, giving him that same smirk she did in the store. 

“But I’m so over this Boy bye And I'm not homesick You think I want you back But I'm so over this Boy bye Boy bye”

She let out a very last hum as the band stopped playing, Marcus included. The crowd then burst out into applause and even the guitar boy next to her clapped for her. Her cheeks heated up whilst she locked eyes with him. 

“I didn’t know you could sing,” Marcus said, placing the guitar back where he found it. 

Violet shrugged. “Didn’t know you played guitar.” That was a lie, Carrie did tell her that, but it was the right thing to say as it caused Marcus to bare his pearly white teeth that nearly caused Violet to get a heart attack. 

“That was hot,” Luke grunted in her ear when she and Marcus approached the bar for another drink.  

Violet furrowed her eyebrows. “You didn’t get the hint, did ya?” she asked and Luke tilted his head a little, the smirk vanishing from his face. “Leave me alone, Luke. Please?” 

“Wha– Violet?” Before he could say anything else, Marcus had already whisked her away to go and dance on the dancefloor with a drink in their hand. None of it made much sense to Luke, but he figured it was just the new way Violet operated. Maybe she didn’t want to be exclusive. Maybe he needed to try harder. 

And that’s what he was going to do. 

Try harder.  

Violet was almost scared to turn up to practice the next day. Luke would probably hate her for rejecting him and it would make everything awkward and weird. It wasn’t going to end well and she knew that. 

When she arrived at the garage, she was proven right. Luke acted cold towards her as soon as she entered the studio and everyone could feel how the warm, comfortable bond they had, had turned ice cold. 

“No, Bobby!” Luke groaned for the nth time that rehearsal. “It’s a B chord, not a C chord! Are you ever gonna get it right?!” His voice was thundering through the garage and it startled each and every person in that room. 

Violet glanced over to Carrie, who furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She hadn’t been informed about the conversation Violet and Luke had had the other day, but she could tell something had been off about the two since rehearsal started. 

“Luke, calm down!” Alex yelled at the lead guitarist. He did know what had happened between the two and he knew Luke was taking it out on everybody else instead of owning up to it like an adult. 

Luke scoffed, “No, Alex! This is exactly why we broke up in the first place! Because we don’t work!” His eyes flicked over to Violet, making her feel like there was a different layer to that sentence. They wouldn’t work either. 

“No, you’re just mad because you got rejected!” Alex fought back. At least someone mentioned the elephant in the room. The girls on the sofa gasped and all three of them immediately looked at Violet, who shrunk in her seat behind the piano. 

Luke clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Rub it in, why don’t you?” he muttered before placing his guitar on its stand and gathering his stuff. 

As he started to make his way to the door, Violet got out from behind the piano and ran after him. “You can’t run out of rehearsal, Luke! Come on! Just because I didn’t wanna go on a date with you, doesn’t mean you have to quit the band!” 

“I do though,” he said and turned around. With a few large, but slow-paced steps, he stopped in front of the brunette girl that had broken his heart and hurt his fragile reputation. 

“Why?” 

Sighing, Luke muttered,“Because I joined for you, you idiot.” 

Violet couldn't possibly say anything to that and let Luke walk away again. The feelings she had been feeling for him all this time finally got reciprocated. By a different version of Luke, that is, but still. It didn’t quite matter which Luke said it. She heard it coming from his mouth. The words she’d been wanting to hear for years. 

“I am so sorry, guys,” she breathed, hiding her face in her hands. “This is all my fault.” 

“It’s not your fault, Violet,” Reggie said, shrugging. “Luke’s just stubborn. He can’t take no for an answer.” 

It was supposed to make her feel better, but it didn’t quite. She had ruined any and all chances she had of returning to her own universe just because one version of that guy had hurt her years ago. 

“Can we end rehearsal early then?” Alex questioned, coming out from behind his drums. “I got a date with Willie tonight.” 

Violet smiled. At least that was a thing here. “Yeah, sure. It’s not like we’re gonna be able to perform at Chubbie’s anyway,” she said, shrugging. 

“We’ll get there, don’t worry,” Alex tried to soothe her and placed a hand on her shoulder as he passed her on his way to the door. 

“Yeah, we’ll be ready in time,” Reggie agreed as he, along with Julie and Flynn left the garage, leaving Violet with the Wilsons. 

Violet shook her head, trying to wrap it around what had just happened. “How can we be ready in time when the gig is this weekend?” she mumbled to herself when Carrie wrapped her arms around the girl. 

“I know how to get your mind off of everything,” she said, pressing her temple against Violet’s. “Girl’s night at my place.” 

Violet couldn’t help the smile reaching her cheeks. That did sound like a good plan. The best plan, even. It would keep her mind off Luke and the gig and the whole universe thing. It would calm her nerves and anxieties. 

Or at least, she thought it would until they arrived at the Wilson’s house. A group of girls stood at the front door, angry expressions on their faces and arms crossed in front of their chests. 

“Where have you guys been?” Kayla asked, grumpily. “We’ve been waiting here for over an hour!” 

Carrie squeezed her eyes shut. “Fuck, I forgot about rehearsal…” she muttered. 

“Rehearsal for what?” Violet questioned, unaware of any gigs that were happening for Dirty Candy. Though, judging from Kayla’s shocked face, there was a gig she should be aware of. 

“The gig this Saturday!” she sneered. “A mega-important gig at that!” 

Carrie and Violet glanced at each other, eyes widened in complete horror. The exact same day as the gig at Chubbie’s with the boys from Sunset Curve. As Kayla and the girls started yelling at Carrie and Violet, the latter completely zoned out. She couldn’t hear a word of what was said. All she could think about was how she might be stuck here for the rest of her life if she didn’t perform at Chubbie’s on Saturday with the boys. 

What if they didn’t show up after that humongous fight? What if that wouldn’t be the thing they had to do to get her back? 

The girl’s storming off snapped Violet out of her thoughts, yet she still found herself in some sort of state of shock. Nothing felt right anymore and everything kind of sucked. There was no way she was ever going to survive in this universe if stuff like this kept happening. 

“Vi?” she could hear Bobby’s voice in the far distance. “Are you okay?” 

She coughed, shaking herself back. “Yeah… Yeah. I’m okay,” she clearly lied but the Wilsons didn’t push further and instead took her inside where the girls watched some movies together. 

Within half an hour, Carrie had already fallen asleep and Violet couldn’t bear watching the rest of the movie. Her mind was restless and kept running back and forth over her options and every possible scenario that could happen. 

There was only one thing that could keep her mind off everything. So, she hoisted herself up from the couch and made her way to the music room where she took a seat at the piano. 

Her fingers grazed the keys, letting a soft melody fly out the instrument. A content sigh left her body as she let the music take her away. It felt nice to let everything out of her system. It seemed to be her one and only escape to her from this crazy world. 

“You okay, Vi?” Bobby’s voice shook her out of her thoughts, causing to stop playing the piano. “You seemed a little out of it earlier.” He moved over towards her and sat down next to her. Their shoulders touched and it caused a weird spark to send shivers down Violet’s back. Something she had never felt before. 

“Yeah… Everything’s just… a lot, you know?” Bobby tilted his head, urging her to elaborate. “The switching universes, Luke suddenly being into me, the pressure of being in Dirty Candy…. It’s just – a lot… I’m used to being on my own, writing music with my best friends, but now I’m suddenly supposed to be this whole other person…. It’s exhausting.” 

A single tear rolled down her cheek, which Bobby caught with his thumb just before it reached her lip. The two locked eyes and for a second, Violet found herself drowning in his eyes. She had never noticed how gorgeous they were until now. The dark brown, the slight twinkle that was in them. She had never seen him up close like this. Her eyes took that liberty to scan his entire face. From his eyes to his nose and cheeks to his lips. Before they could move back to his eyes, Bobby closed the gap between the two of them and kissed her, full on the lips. 

Violet was startled, at first, but quickly melted away under his touch, closing her eyes as he deepened the kiss. The kiss lasted longer than it should’ve, but Violet didn’t quite mind. Or at least not until her mind drifted back to Luke and she felt like she was kissing him instead of Bobby. 

This caused her to flinch back. 

“Sorry! I shouldn’t have…. I’m sorry,” she quickly muttered before getting up and running out. 

Though it was a mistake to Violet, Bobby didn’t quite see it like that. If it were up to him, this would’ve happened a lot earlier and could happen a lot more often. He had never admitted it to anyone, but he had been in love with Violet for years. Those feelings had never been reciprocated, so he didn’t act up on them either. Violet was just Violet. Until now.

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[junker-town]

How Kliff Kingsbury’s arrival changes USC’s whole equation

It’s not as simple as USC hiring an air-raid guy and throwing more. The offense’s priorities will shift in more fundamental ways.

In each of the last last five years, Southern California has produced at least two of the 10 pro-style quarterback recruits on the 247Sports Composite. Texas has produced a handful of its own, but no region has churned them out like SoCal.

USC signs QBs from that group frequently, but the Trojans have struggled to field top offenses anyway. Yet out at Texas Tech, where top-10 QBs Texan or otherwise don’t sign, Kliff Kingsbury coached two top-10 offenses by S&P+, never ranked lower than 39th (his first season), and coached three QBs who are currently drawing paychecks in the NFL.

In 2018, while coaching for his job, injuries forced Kingsbury to start three different QBs with three-star true freshman Alan Bowman as the primary guy. The Red Raiders still finished 26th nationally in Offensive S&P+ and came within narrow margins of winning shootouts with both Oklahoma (51-46) and Texas (41-34) in back to back weeks.

Now the QB King is headed to the preeminent program in the most talent-rich part of the country for talented QBs and offensive skill players. USC’s decision to retain Clay Helton, only to completely overhaul his entire staff and offensive approach, was a curious one. But by landing Kingsbury as the offensive coordinator, the Trojans have married talent and coaching in a way that will overhaul a blue-blood program’s scheme.

Historically, USC’s built its offense around running backs.

Some used to refer USC s Tailback U for its prodigious success in churning out star RBs like O.J. Simpson, Marcus Allen, and Reggie Bush.

For years and years, the Trojans’ offense was built around the pro-style I-formation. Under Pete Carroll, they brought in Norm Chow to bring West Coast passing into the mix. Clay Helton added some spread formations and RPOs, but the offense was still centered around running the ball and then flinging it around against defenses keying the RB.

Kingsbury’s offenses, on the other hand, have been known for featuring QBs first, then mixing in whichever skill players fit best in any given year.

Kingsbury built around Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and then Davis Webb, Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes, Nic Shimonek, and Bowman at Tech. All threw a ton of passes and, with one big exception, were not primary options in the run game themselves.

But Kingsbury’s also shown a willingness to build schemes around specific skill-position players. The main shift he will bring is philosophic. Instead of just riding an RB, Kingsbury’s intention is to get the ball to “a player that can score,” as his former coach, Mike Leach, has put it. Kingsbury uses the run as a constraint for when teams overplay the pass.

In 2012, Kingsbury earned his chance at the Texas Tech job when he coached Manziel to a Heisman at A&M. One of their favorite tactics that year was to run RPOs that paired spread passing sets with the QB draw. Even Nick Saban had no answers when his team would use dime personnel and cover up all of the routes, only to watch Manziel run wild on the draw:

Over the years at Tech, Kingsbury didn’t coach another QB with the same kind of quickness as Manziel. But he was able to regularly reshuffle the tactics to feature whatever was on offer from their recruiting classes.

In 2013 at Tech, Kingsbury built the offense around flex TE Jace Amaro, foreshadowing one of the most popular trends in the spread offense today. The Red Raiders moved the big man was moved around to different slot positions, where he could run routes against LBs and produced 106 catches for 1,352 yards and seven TDs.

In 2014, Tech went tiny, with little slot WR Jakeem Grant and star RB DeAndre Washington leading the way for the offense, each checking in under 5’9. (Washington’s 2014 and ‘15 seasons were the only 1,000-yard rushing seasons anyone had at Kingsbury’s Tech.)

In 2018, various QBs did most of their damage, throwing to a WR corps led by the 6’6 Antoine Wesley, with 6’5 T.J. Vasher as an option on the other side of the field.

Whether they had speedy players you couldn’t catch in space or big matchups on the outside, Kingsbury’s Red Raiders were built around throwing them the ball and then running only after you committed all in to stopping the pass — and not always then.

USC faced two big questions heading into this offseason. Kingsbury is positioned to answer both of them.

The first was whether Clay Helton was the right man to maximize the next two or three seasons with JT Daniels and Amon-Ra St. Brown. That tandem has been playing together for four years in a row now, dating back to their time together at Mater Dei High School, where they put up huge numbers and became five-star recruits together. USC will probably have each for two more years before the NFL comes calling.

The other question was whether Helton was the right man to maximize USC’s massive advantages relative to their competition across the Pac-12. The Trojans are sitting on a goldmine of QB and skill-position, with recruiting edges no one else has. Why shouldn’t the top program in the capital of seven-on-seven football not be on the cutting edge of spread offensive styles? It’s especially important with another Mater Dei QB/WR tandem, five-stars Bryce Young and Bru McCoy, on the way to college ball in 2019 and ‘20.

For the last few years, USC’s struggled in part because it was built to dominate in the trenches but couldn’t.

The main conceit of Helton’s pro-style offense with a spread flavor and Clancy Pendergast’s 5-2 defense was to leverage USC’s ability to recruit blue-chip linemen on both sides of the ball. Then, the Trojans could focus the game around what happened inside the box.

On offense, they aimed make you stop their rushing attack without conceding easy yardage on screens and play-action. On defense, you’d better be able to block all of the monstrous big men they were going to send into the backfield from close proximity.

That didn’t pan out. Despite an amazing cast of receivers, tight ends, and defensive backs, USC has struggled to win consistently in the Pac-12.

Now Kingsbury is going to flip the script on offense.

Opponents will have to beat the Trojans by first having answers for their skill-position talent and then dealing with the OL and rushing attack with whatever resources are left. They can send extra help toward the trenches after ensuring Daniels and St. Brown haven’t burned them downfield.

A program that has struggled to develop OL will now be able to zero in on a simplified playbook, while the QB checks through a menu of schemes designed to unleash the highly skilled and explosive TEs and WRs who grew up not far from the L.A. Coliseum

USC’s tradition is tailbacks. But if Kingsbury does what he sets out to do, the Trojans are going to win with great throwers and catchers instead.

[dream-a-little-bigger-x]

Parallels | Chapter 14

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Characters: OC! Violet Grace Dawson, Luke Patterson, Julie Molina, Carrie Wilson, Bobby Wilson, Reggie Peters, Alex Mercer, Flynn nolastname, Willie nolastname, Nick Danforth-Evans, Dirty Candy 

Guideline: Sunset Universe is the universe in which Sunset Curve is famous and Violet is friends with Carrie, Julie and Flynn. Candy Universe is the universe in which Dirty Candy is more famous and Sunset Curve has broken up. 

Song(s) used: Somebody - Lemonade Mouth / Finally Free - Julie and the Phantoms

Warnings: The reunion of the Pattersons... 

Words:  6,591

Marcus had been droning on about his day at work on the way back to Violet’s place but she hadn’t heard a word of it. Even in her room, he was still going on and on about his day while Violet zoned out. She’d been all up  in her own mind, thinking about Luke and his story. Right now, she was adamant that this had to be her unfinished business. Not getting Luke to fall in love with her or get him to stop being an asshole, but having him make amends with his parents, especially his mom. 

“So then this older lady comes in between us and –” 

Violet cut Marcus’ story short, “Do you think you can help me write a song?” 

The boy shut his mouth as he looked at the girl in front of him with confusion written in his eyes. “Did you listen to a word I said?” he asked and moved to her bed where she was sitting. 

“I’m sorry, Marcus.” She squeezed her eyes shut as she realized that he had been talking the entire time and she hadn’t heard a word of it. “Today’s just been so intense and I’ve been all up in my own head, I’m sorry.” 

Marcus grimaced before opening his arms and pulling her to his chest. “What’s happened?” His fingers soothingly traced up and down her arm, leaving a burning sensation in their wake. 

Violet inhaled deeply, unsure of how honest she should be. “Luke had been avoiding me for some reason and when I talked to him, it turned out he had run out on his parents years ago because they didn’t support the dream he was pursuing. He had written his mom a song which he showed me and the girls and it was just – intense, you know?” 

Marcus hummed and pressed a kiss to Violet’s head. “And now you wanna write a song?” 

“Yeah, because Luke’s been so open to me about everything… I wanna do the same for him, you know?” 

Marcus carefully pushed Violet off him and crawled off the bed to grab the acoustic guitar that resided in the corner of the room before returning to the bed and settling onto the very end of it with the guitar in his lap. “Got any ideas?” he asked and started strumming the guitar. 

Violet smiled. This boy would go all the lengths for her. Even writing a song for someone else was something he’d do with a charming smile plastered on his face and love in his heart. It was going to break her, having to say goodbye to him.  

After trying multiple melodies and rhythms and lyrics, the two of them finally managed to figure out the right composition for this song. Their voices sounded sweet like honey as they blended together into a perfect harmony.

“Oh, we're gonna let it show We're gonna just let go of everything Holding back our dreams And try to make it come alive Come on let it shine so they can see We were meant to be Somebody”

They stopped singing and Marcus stopped strumming his guitar. Their eyes lingered on each other for a moment whilst smiles were plastered on their faces. The smiles were tender and filled with admiration for each other. 

“You are an amazing songwriter,” Marcus complimented as he leaned forward to place the guitar safely on the floor. Violet’s chest was aflame. The movement caused a whiff of his cologne to fill up her nostrils and ever since hooking up with him, it had become one of her favorite scents in the world. 

As Marcus sat up again and before he could say anything else, Violet had already launched herself into his arms to hungrily and lustfully kiss his soft, plump lips. It startled the boy at first, but he quickly melted into it and pressed her closer to him until she was sitting in his lap. Their bodies were flush against each other, skin burning in the wake of each touch. Violet craved him. She craved his body and his kiss. She craved Marcus Baker. 

It was moments like this when she realized that Luke didn’t play a vital role in her life. He was just a friend that she kissed once. He was nothing more than that. While Marcus was someone she wanted to be with for a lot longer than she’d like to admit. He wasn’t just a part of her plan into getting Luke to fall in love with her or make him pay for what he had done. Marcus was Marcus, and he was more than just a pon. 

But then reality hit and the crushing sadness of not being able to stay here for forever with Marcus rushed back in. All of this was just temporary. A temporary fix. A temporary love that won’t last forever.  

-

“Are we ready to rock and roooolll?!” Reggie called out enthusiastically when he entered the rehearsal space where Violet and Julie already were with Alex. 

Violet snickered at the boy’s excitement. “Someone’s chipper this morning,” she said. 

The bassist looked the girl up and down, the smile on his face fading into a worried frown. “You look like you haven’t slept at all… What were you up to so late last night?”

Reggie knew his friends like the back of his hand. Even Violet, who wasn’t who she said she was, but he didn’t know that just yet. He thought he was starting to know this girl properly, all while she was keeping this big secret. It was going to crush him and their friendship when he did find out. 

“I spent last night with Marcus,” Violet answered when in the corner of her eye, she noticed some movement coming from the door. Turning her head, her eyes landed on Luke, Bobby and Carrie. They had just entered the rehearsal space when Violet had mentioned her new boyfriend, which wasn’t a name Luke wanted to hear, judging from the look on his face just then. 

“Oooh!” Alex, Julie and Reggie cooed, wiggling their eyebrows suggestively. 

Violet rolled her eyes at them when she focused back on that part of the group. “He helped me write a song,” she said with a small smile tugging at her lips. “You wanna hear?” 

“Obviously,” Julie responded with a playful roll of the eyes before she went to sit down on the sofa the boys had placed in their rehearsal room. Carrie joined her while the boys took their instruments. 

Violet herself sat down behind the keyboard, Bobby taking the spot beside her to take over like they had done with every other song they had sung together. 

“I wrote this one for you, Luke,” Violet confessed. Her heart was going a million miles an hour and she couldn’t seem to slow it down. Especially when those big, beautiful eyes looked right into hers. “You were so open with me when you sang your song for your mom, that I felt I had to return the favor… So…” 

“Let’s hear it!” Alex encouraged her with the excitement of a five-year-old on Christmas. 

Violet smiled, heaved in a deep breath and then placed her shaky fingers on the keys. A gorgeous melody floated out of the instrument and into the room. Smiles found their way to each and every face in that room, except for one. Luke. While Bobby took over from Violet on the piano and mimicked the melody she had been holding for a good few seconds, Luke stared at her with a panicked frown while she moved about the room where Reggie and Alex had picked up their instruments and joined in on the song. 

“Can you see me? 'Cause I'm right here Can you listen? 'Cause I've been trying to make you notice What it would mean to me To feel like somebody We've been on our way to nowhere Tryin' so hard to get there”

Violet smiled as Luke, too, picked up his guitar and started strumming the instrument. Focusing her words on him as she sang, Luke moved around a little until he was in his usual spot where his microphone stood at the ready. 

“And I say, oh We're gonna let it show We're gonna just let go of everything Holding back our dreams And try to make it come alive Come on let it shine so they can see We were meant to be”

Smiling from ear to ear, Luke decided to echo Violet’s words on the post-chorus, adding a new volume to the song. 

“Somebody (somebody) Somebody, yeah (somebody)”

“Somehow Someday Someway Somebody”

It was almost as though everyone else in the room had disappeared and it was just Violet and Luke in there, singing together. Just like that time in the recording booth. It felt like magic. They felt like magic. 

“I'm so tired Of being invisible But I feel it, yeah Like a fire below the surface Trying to set me free Burnin' inside of me 'Cause we're standing on the edge now It's a long way down”

Snapping herself out of this daydream, Violet turned to Alex. The drummer shot her a knowing look, but she decided to ignore it and turn to Reggie instead. He was ready to rock out with her on the chorus. 

“But I say Oh, we're gonna let it show We're gonna just let go of everything Holding back our dreams And try to make it come alive Come on let it shine so they can see We were meant to be”

For the post-chorus, Violet moved to Bobby, giving him some attention too during the song. He, along with the other boys, now sang along as they started to know the words by heart. 

“Somebody (somebody) Somebody, yeah (somebody)”

“Somehow Someday Someway Somebody”

Before Violet could even open her mouth to sing the bridge, another voice chimed in instead. Luke was improvising his way through the bridge, but it sounded great. It sounded even better than what she had come up with with 

“We will walk out of this darkness Feel the spotlight glowing like a yellow sun Oh oh oh oh oh”

Violet moved over to Luke and extended her microphone towards him. Sharing the mic, the two of them sang the rest of the bridge together as though they had known the song all their lives. It was just something about the way Luke looked at her that she knew what she had to sing. It was like she could feel what he wanted her to sing. 

“And when we fall we fall together Till we get back up and we will rise as one, oh, oh ,oh”

The boys lapsed back into the chorus while Violet hit the high notes and ad libbed her way through the very last bit of the song. Their voices blended together perfectly. Almost like they had been doing this together for years. 

“Oh, we're gonna let it show We're gonna just let go of everything Holding back our dreams And try to make it come alive Come on let it shine so they can see We were meant to be”

“Somebody (somebody) Somebody, yeah (somebody)”

“Somehow Someday Someway Somebody Somebody Ooh ohh oh”

The two girls on the sofa burst out into applause while Luke and Violet drowned in each other’s eyes. She vividly remembered the kiss they had shared and how it made her feel. The image was imprinted in her brain so vividly, she felt the urge to do it again. But she didn’t and instead, turned to Carrie as her voice echoed through the studio. 

“That was an amazing song, Vi!” she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her best friend. 

She could almost intercept the blush from spreading to her cheeks. “Thanks… I have Marcus to thank, though. I wouldn’t have been able to write it without him.” That made Luke turn cold all of a sudden. He broke eye contact and his shoulders tensed. 

“It’s a great song,” he mumbled before turning around to place his guitar back in its spot. 

“It’s yours if you want it? Play it during your gigs?” 

Luke smiled at her and she warmed up from the inside. “Why? What’s in it for you?”

“You can have it on one condition,” she added, her smile turning into a cautious smirk. Luke tilted his head, showing he was all ears. “You have to go talk to your mother…” 

“Got any plans today?” the dm read. 

Violet’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she spotted his name at the top of her screen. Luke Patterson had sent her a message. That was something that hadn’t happened before. 

“None at all…” 

As she pressed ‘send’, Violet squeezed her eyes shut before feverishly starting to type another text. 

“Does that make me sound pathetic and lame?” 

Her eyes focused on the dots on her screen, the anxiety rising within her. He must think she was the biggest loser on this planet. A girl with no plans, whatsoever in the middle of the summer. 

“I could never think you’re pathetic or lame,” Violet’s stomach fluttered at the message but stilled when the dots reappeared. “Does that make me sound pathetic and lame?” 

“Just a little,” she replied, but quickly typed another message before she could hurt his feelings. “JK, of course not :)”

Violet dropped her phone on her chest as she fell back on her bed. While her eyes peered at the off-white ceiling, her mind started racing and her heart sped up. Her crush on the boy was definitely back, but in a different intensity. And this time, she felt as though he reciprocated those feelings. Like she actually stood a chance with him. 

Her phone buzzed on her ribcage, causing her to snap up and reach for it, holding it over her face as she read the message. 

“Wanna come over and write together?” 

A squeal erupted from her throat. Luke actually wanted to hang out with her. He wanted to spend some time with her. Alone. Just the two of them. Something about this felt like a dream or a prank they were pulling on her. But then again, there was no reason for him to prank her. Besides her rejecting him but that was water under the bridge, right? 

Especially after the other night on Bobby’s car. 

“Sure! Send me your address and I’ll be there in an hour?” 

Violet’s eyes focused on the screen as Luke typed his reply. “I’d rather you come now…” 

Her heart skipped a few beats, making her wonder how she was even still alive. 

The next text that came through was his address, so, as quickly as she could, she started to get ready. After putting on a few different outfits before landing on a skater dress with a white tee underneath and some sneakers, putting her hair into a pony and doing her natural make-up look she always did, she made her way over to Luke’s. 

The Pattersons lived a few blocks away from Violet’s. She had almost forgotten they lived there as the Luke in her universe now lived in Beverly Hills with the boys, if they were home, that is. 

The quaint bungalow-style home sat in a remote location in Los Feliz. It was surrounded with trees and bushes. The winding road to the front door meandered through patches of grass. Something told Violet that she’d feel at home here. It looked the part. Homely and secure. It was a nice change from the big house her mother now lived in with her new partner. 

“Hi,” Luke greeted as he opened the front door. He stepped aside and let Violet in before shutting the door behind her. The girl waited for him to guide her through the house, which he did. Very quickly. He didn’t stop to let her take everything in and instead, led her to the very back of the house where his bedroom was. 

“My parents are home, so I hope you don’t mind working in my room,” he mentioned before plopping down on his freshly made bed. He had cleaned his room, Violet could tell. There was no way Luke would ever be this neat a person. 

As Violet’s eyes took their time looking around the room, she noticed a few things. The first thing was the abundance of posters that adorned his walls. From Green Day to My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. All rock bands. All undoubtedly inspirational points for the young musician. Then, she noticed the multitude of guitars. An acoustic and two electric guitars sat in the corner of his room while he had a second acoustic one on his lap. The last thing she noticed was the picture on his desk. It was one of him and his parents. All three of them had wide smiles on their faces, his parents on either side of him with arms wrapped around each other. It warmed Violet’s heart knowing Luke had a great bond with his parents in this universe. That wasn’t the case in her universe. 

“I had an idea for a melody,” Luke then said, snapping Violet out of her train of thought. She turned around and headed towards his bed where she sat down next to him whilst a fun melody floated through his guitar. 

“Been so long and now we’re finally free,” Violet sang the line that had been pestering her for about a week. Luke’s head snapped up at this and he shot her the most excited smile she had ever seen. It caused her stomach to flutter once again. 

From that moment on out, the two of them wrote an entire song in one sitting. It was like it poured all out of them at once. Like they had it bottled up in their minds and everything spilled out in that one moment. 

“I got a spark in me Hands up if you can see And you're a part of me Hands up if you're with me Now 'til eternity Hands up if you believe Been so long, and now we're finally free”

The last notes rang out into the room. Neither of them could stop smiling. “Yeah!” Luke called out excitedly and ran a hand through his hair while his eyes were focused on Violet. Her wide smile faded into a more tender one when she noticed the way he was looking at her. If it weren’t for the knock on the door, she probably would’ve kissed him then and there. 

“I brought you guys some snacks,” the soft voice of Emily Patterson called out as she walked into the bedroom with a plate filled with freshly baked cookies. “How’s the songwriting going?” she asked the couple as she placed the plate on Luke’s nightstand next to Violet. 

“We’re almost done,” Violet told her with a smile. “Thanks for the cookies.” 

“You’re most welcome, dear.” Her eyes flicked to her son for a second, who was signalling to her to leave them alone. Though Emily wouldn’t be Emily if she listened to her son’s wishes. “Do you wanna stay for dinner? I’m making spaghetti!” 

“Oh,” Violet brought out and glanced over at Luke, who clearly didn’t love his mother’s presence right now. “I don’t wanna be a burden…” 

Emily swatted her hand. “You’re not a burden at all, dear! I insist! You and Luke can go to rehearsal together afterwards!” She sounded so excited, Violet couldn’t say ‘no’ to her, so she didn’t. 

“Okay, yeah, sure! I’d love to stay for dinner!” Violet cringed at her own level of excitement, but it seemed to appease Emily, so it didn’t matter how annoyingly excited she sounded. The woman then turned and left the bedroom, and once the door fell shut, Luke turned to his guest. 

“What?” Violet asked, giggling. 

“I’d love to stay for dinner!” Luke mocked her with his voice high and the excitement level matched with hers. “Seriously?”

Violet raised her hands in defense. “Your mom sounded so excited! I couldn’t say ‘no’ to her!” 

Luke shook his head, but the smile that shone through on his face, told Violet he wasn’t actually disappointed in her. It was, however, the end of that conversation as Luke just turned back to his guitar and the song they were working on together. 

Violet couldn’t help the butterflies in her stomach during the rest of the day. Not only did she love being so close to Luke, physically, she loved his family too which made her closer to him in a figurative sense as well. Her gut-feeling was correct; she very much did feel at home here. 

As Luke and Violet made their way to Julie’s house for practice at the studio, they talked about the deepest topics. He told her about the one day he almost lost his mother due to a minor heart attack and how he’d been keeping an eye out for her ever since that day. 

“That day gave me a lot of perspective,” he said. “We’d had a fight before that, about football and music and school, so when she nearly collapsed in front of me, I was so frightened. I thought I was gonna lose her. I thought I was gonna lose her and have her die thinking I didn’t love her. So, that’s why since that day, I’ve been less focused on music and football, and more on mom and school. It’s one of the reasons why Sunset Curve broke up in the first place.” 

“That must’ve been so scary! I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” Violet muttered and brushed her fingers against the back of his hand to show her that she was there for him, with him. 

Luke shrugged. “It’s fine now. She’s a lot better and we haven’t had such a petty fight ever since, so that’s good!” 

“A blessing in disguise,” Violet chuckled lightly, and it caused Luke to chuckle too. The sound was like music to her ears. She loved hearing Luke laugh. Especially after a story like that one. 

“Ah, our love birds finally decided to show up!” Alex exclaimed as the two entered the studio where everyone was waiting for them. Violet felt a blush violently rushing up to her cheeks at Alex’s word choice whilst Luke shrugged it off and reached for his guitar. 

“Mom was holding us up,” he said nonchalantly, revealing the fact they had in fact been together before rehearsal too. 

Both Carrie and Julie shot Violet a knowing look, which didn’t help the blush fade, but Violet coughed and walked over to where they had set up the keyboard. “Luke and I wrote a song together, which I think you’ll like,” she announced and, along with Luke, showed the others what they had been working on. 

After a few tries, the band finally started to get it and, eventually, they were able to play the song without any of them messing anything up. 

As usual, Violet started behind the keyboard, her fingers floating over the ivories and, with all the passion and excitement in her voice, she started singing the song she’d written with Luke. 

“Hearts on fire We're no liars So we say what we wanna say I'm awakened No more faking So we push all our fears away”

Her eyes landed on Luke, who was staring at her with an admiring smile on his face. She shot him a wink as she sped up the melody a little, her voice becoming stronger. 

“Don't know if I'll make it 'cause I'm falling under Close my eyes, and feel my chest beating like thunder”

Now she closed her eyes and vanished in the moment, letting herself get swept up in the music. 

“I wanna fly Come alive Watch me shine”

Grabbing the microphone off the stand, Violet moved from behind the keyboard and joined the boys. She halted between Luke and Bobby as they joined in on their guitars along with Alex on drums and Reggie on bass. All while Luke’s voice entangled with hers during the chorus. 

“I got a spark in me Hands up if you can see And you're a part of me Hands up if you're with me Now 'til eternity Hands up if you believe Been so long, and now we're finally free”

The music slowed down a little again and Violet made her way over to Reggie. While Violet sang the verse, he mouthed along with her, a smile on his face. Violet loved making music with these guys. It brought out a whole new version of her. A version they knew already, but she had yet to find. 

“We're all bright now What a sight now Coming out like we're fireworks Marching on proud Turn it up loud 'Cause now we know what we're worth”

She then turned back to the mic stand between Luke and Bobby, and as Luke joined in on the pre-chorus, their eyes locked and they didn’t let go for a good few beats. 

“We know we can make it we're not falling under Close my eyes and feel my chest beating like thunder”

Luke’s eyes stayed on her while she closed hers and turned back forward. She focused on the notes she had to hit, which gave him the opportunity to watch her as she did. 

“I wanna fly Come alive Watch me shine”

He joined in on the chorus again, while Bobby, Reggie and Alex took care of the backing vocals. 

“I got a spark in me Hands up if you can see And you're a part of me Hands up if you're with me Now 'til eternity Hands up if you believe Been so long, and now we're finally free”

Now, Violet turned to Bobby, giving him some attention too but she could still feel Luke’s gaze on her. It made her only slightly nervous, so she quickly moved over to the drums where she rocked out with Alex for a moment. 

“I got a spark in me Hands up if you can see And you're a part of me Hands up if you're with me Now 'til eternity Hands up if you believe Been so long, and now we're finally free”

The music slowed into the bridge when Violet returned to the mic stand and secured her microphone on it before turning towards Luke, taking the stand with her. Sharing her mic, Luke echoed the words she sang to him. 

“I got a spark in me”

“I got a spark in me”

“And you're a part of me”

“And you're a part of me”

Everyone else in that room could sense the chemistry oozing off of the two. They only needed one shared look to know that everyone was thinking the exact same thing; those two were madly in love with one another. 

“Now 'til eternity”

“Now 'til eternity”

“Been so long, and now we're finally free”

As Violet returned to her spot while hitting that high note, the boys lapsed back into the chorus with Reggie and Luke on lead vocals and Bobby and Alex on backings. The ad libs Violet added throughout gave the song all the more volume. 

“I got a spark in me Hands up if you can see And you're a part of me Hands up if you're with me Now 'til eternity Hands up if you believe Been so long, and now we're finally free (yeah, yeah, yeah)”

“I got a spark in me Hands up if you can see And you're a part of me Hands up if you're with me Now 'til eternity Hands up if you believe Been so long, and now we're finally free”

The song faded out, all four boys stopping playing their instruments while Violet’s last notes rang out into the studio. 

“Finally free Yeah”

A sense of adrenaline and pride lingered in the air as the band stood in place, panting and glancing at each other. All of them knew that this song right there was going to be a hit. If only they actually released any music. 

“That was epic, Vi!” Bobby exclaimed. Violet had to blink a few times to register what Bobby had just said. The excitement eluding from Bobby’s face was new. Something she wasn’t quite used to as she just knew him as Carrie’s older brother. 

The girl let out an airy chuckle. “Well, I didn’t do it alone,” she said and looked over her shoulder to Luke, who had this tender smile on his face that she couldn’t quite place. 

“You guys are like the golden duo!” Reggie called out, beaming as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. 

“The world thinks so too!” Carrie called out, raising her phone in the air. Confusion ran through Violet’s mind as she inched closer towards her best friend. “I live streamed the entire song and all I’m getting is praise so far!” She showed the band the saved recording of the live stream, along with all the comments underneath it. “They love Violet Sunset!” 

The boys let out a cheer and shared high fives while Violet could only feel herself crumple. Noticing this, Luke wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. “We don’t have to do anything else with this if you don’t want it, Vi,” he said and squeezed her against his body. As he let go to place his guitar on its stand again, the lack of his warmth in Violet’s body made her shiver. 

“I’m gonna head home,” Reggie spoke up. “Parents want me to watch over Archie.” Violet had learned that Reggie was the middle child of three boys. Archie was his nine year old younger brother, Nate was his older brother and off to college already. He didn’t have to worry about their parents fighting anymore or watching Archie. But Reggie did. 

“I’ll come with,” Alex chimed in and emerged from behind his drums. 

“Me too,” Luke added and hopped over to his friends, stopping near Violet. “You’re gonna get home okay?” he asked chivalrously with a careful hand on the small of her back. 

“Uhm, yeah,” she squeaked out. “I’ll be okay. Thanks.” The two smiled at each other before the three boys left the garage. 

“So you and Luke, huh?” Carrie started with a smirk, placing her chin in her hand. 

-

“So you and Violet, huh?” Alex teased as the boys made their way down the street together. 

Luke chuckled and was grateful for the sun setting so the boys couldn’t see how madly he was blushing. “What are you talking about?” he asked, playing it off. 

“You and Violet have crazy chemistry together!” Reggie exclaimed while plucking a branch of leaves off a tree that hung overhead. 

“I have chemistry with everyone that I sing with!” Luke countered, wondering if he really wasn’t imagining everything that happened between him and Violet. He caught a glimpse of Alex’ and Reggie’s glance at one another and halted both boys by placing a hand on Reggie’s arm. “No, look!” he said and turned to Reggie to face him. 

“I believe, I believe that we’re just one dream”

He grabbed the back of Reggie’s neck, forcing the boy to look at him. 

“Away from who we’re meant to be That we’re standing on the edge of…”

He paused dramatically, “Great.”  

Reggie swallowed harshly as he blinked rapidly. “Wow, I see chemistry,” Alex agreed while Reggie was still trying to get his bearings. 

“That was pretty hot,” Reggie agreed, coughing. Wanting to tease the boy even more, Luke pressed his fingers against his lips before touching Reggie’s lips, startling the boy into a nervous cough. “Girls, am I right?” 

“Yeah,” Luke agreed as he walked away from his friends. 

“No,” Alex responded before following Luke. Reggie needed a few more seconds before he was able to move and follow the boys. All while Luke was all up in his head about the whole chemistry thing. Was it just a singing thing or was there actually something between him and Violet? 

-

The girls kept pestering Violet for information on her and Luke. Information Violet didn’t let go of, let alone she knew about herself. She didn’t know what it was exactly she felt for Luke. Aside from familiarity, warmth, bliss, alternated with absolute dread and fury because of what another version of the boy did to her and the fact that she wasn’t going to be here in a month. 

“Enjoy it while it lasts, buttercup,” Carrie told her when the two of them were alone after they’d left Julie’s. Violet’s confused glance must’ve tipped Carrie off as she continued. “Go on a date with him, kiss him, fuck him. Do what you didn’t get to do when you were in your universe! You only don’t wanna date this version of him because he reminds you of the Luke you know, the Luke that broke your heart.” There was some truth to Carrie’s words. The anger and resentment only came from him having the same face as the person who had broken her. 

“I guess you’re right…” Violet replied. “I guess I –” she stopped in her tracks when she noticed a group of people in front of Carrie’s security gate. Under the street light, she could make out the faces of the girls in her band. Dirty Candy stood in front of Carrie’s house, presumably waiting for them. 

“Girls,” Carrie seethed through her teeth, crossing her arms in front of her chest. 

“We saw your live stream,” Kayla started, but it didn’t sound bitter or filled with resentment. It was cautious and filled with regret. “You shine up there with those boys, Violet… I wish we could still have that…” 

Violet’s mind ran through all the words aimed at her. There had to be a way to be in Dirty Candy while also being in Violet Sunset with the boys. There had to be a middle ground. Something to keep everyone happy. Especially Carrie. 

“We could… On one condition…” Violet trailed off, making sure she had everyone’s attention. “We don’t stick to bubblegum pop but branch out a little.” 

Kayla exchanged glances with the other candies, all of them wordlessly assenting. “What did you have in mind?” 

Violet smiled. All of it was going to fall into place. Everything had to fall into place. This was how she was going to get back to her universe. Not just by getting the band back together, but by letting everything fall into place. Including herself and Luke.    

“You didn’t have to come along,” Luke said as he nervously fiddled with the rings on his fingers as they stood in front of his front door. He had dreamt of taking a girl like Violet home with him. He just hadn’t expected it to actually be Violet, nor in this circumstance. 

Violet shrugged in response. “I wanted to make sure you actually went through with it. Now right the doorbell. We’ve been standing here for five minutes like complete idiots.” 

Nervously, Luke lifted his hand. He hesitated, and Violet noticed this, so she placed her hand over his and forced his finger to the button. His eyes flicked towards her, panic and regret fleeting through his eyes. 

“You got this,” Violet encouraged him right before the door opened and his father appeared in front of them. Mister Patterson was a tall gentleman, his hair and eyes matched Luke’s perfectly while his slightly crooked nose supported the thick glasses. 

“Lukas…” Mitch mumbled, chuckling in relief. 

“Hi, dad…” Luke’s voice managed something just above a whisper, but it failed him further, forbidding him from saying anything else on the matter. 

At this moment, Violet jumped into the rescue. “Hi, I’m Violet, a friend of Luke’s,” she introduced herself and politely stretched out her hand for Mitch to shake, which the old man did, with confusion written all over his face. “Could we come in for a moment? Luke’s got something important to say but he’s going to need a moment… or five…” 

Mitch nodded his head and stepped aside, allowing the teenagers to walk in. Violet grabbed Luke’s hand and pulled him inside while also pulling him back to earth. The warmth of her hand engulfed him and sent some fresh confidence into his veins. 

“Did I hear the doorbell?” Luke’s mother sounded as she entered the living room where all three of them halted. The woman’s eyes landed on the girl in her living room before flicking to her own son. “Luke…” Tears pooled in her eyes as she spoke his name. 

“Hi mom,” he said and cleared his throat. His eyes flicked over to Violet, who gave him an encouraging nod while her fingers curled around his hand, squeezing it for extra support. 

“I– I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry… I’m sorry for the fight we had and I’m sorry for running out on you like that. We should’ve talked about it like adults, but instead, I ran away like a child.” Luke’s eyes became watery and even Violet started to struggle. “You were right, mom… I wasn’t ready for life in the spotlight or life on the road. It’s hard… It’s so hard and every day, I wished I still had you and dad by my side…” 

“Oh, Lukas…” Emily choked on her tears before opening her arms to take her long-lost son into a hug. Violet let go of his hand, allowing the boy to reunite with his mother. “I was wrong too, darling,” she whispered. “You’re doing great up there. You’re thriving, you’re making amazing music, doing what you love.” 

Luke carefully pushed his mother off him, keeping her at arm's length so he could look into her eyes. “Yeah, but none of that’s worth it without you supporting me. I hate doing what I love without knowing the people I love are supporting me.” 

“Just because we weren’t in your life anymore, doesn’t mean we didn’t support you,” Mitch chimed in with a teary smile. “We’ve been proudly watching your every move from a distance, son.” Mitch laid a hand on Luke’s shoulder, a movement that made Violet tear up even more. She was glad she had come along. She didn’t want to miss this moment for the world. 

“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your girlfriend?” Emily then chuckled, her eyes landing on Violet, who silently stood behind Luke with tears running down her face. 

Luke turned his head and let out a laugh. “She’s not my girlfriend, but this is Violet. My best friend,” he smiled at her and outstretched his hand for her to take and join him by his side. “She’s brought me back with my two feet on the ground. She’s the reason I’m still breathing.” 

Emily looked at Violet and smiled a thankful smile. “Thank you,” she said and pulled the girl in for a hug. 

The two teenagers stayed at the Pattersons for dinner and while Emily showed Violet some old photos of Luke afterwards, Violet couldn’t keep her eyes off the boy. Every now and again, she glanced over and caught him looking at her, too. 

“Thank you,” he mouthed when their eyes locked for the nth time and Violet just smiled. This meant a lot to Luke, she could tell. She hoped he could tell he meant a lot to her, too.  

It was going to suck, big time, when she had to leave. 

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[junker-town]

Bengals 7th-rounder Woodside put up huge college numbers

He was really productive at Toledo. How will that translate?

Update: The Bengals took Woodside with the 31st pick of the seventh round. That’s a pretty good idea on their part. Here’s a story on Woodside from before the draft:

Most years, there’s at least one quarterback in the NFL Draft who put up massive passing numbers in college, won lots of games, and still garners almost no draft hype.

This year, that’s Toledo’s Logan Woodside.

There are other (bigger) mid-major quarterbacks in this draft who didn’t have Woodside’s college numbers but have tantalized the NFL world anyway. The most notable is Wyoming’s Josh Allen, who could be a top-five pick despite lame numbers. Woodside accomplished a lot with the Rockets, but he hasn’t gotten much public attention as a draft prospect.

“I think that’s a lot of the media, honestly. I think I met with a bunch of teams here, and they really like what they’ve seen out of me, and you know, I’m just gonna continue to do what I do,” Woodside told SB Nation at the NFL Combine in March. He’s talking like a guy just hoping to get picked late in the draft or signed afterward. “I know a team hopefully will take a shot on me, and when I get that opportunity, I’m just gonna make the most of it.”

Woodside is notable because he posted obscene numbers at Toledo.

He is the Rockets’ career record-holder for passing yards (10,514), touchdowns (93), and efficiency rating (162.9). He had a 29-9 record there and sits 12th on the FBS career efficiency list.

There’s a long list of mid-major quarterbacks who have lit up college defenses and not stuck in the NFL, but the list of QBs (minimum 700 attempts) who were more efficient than Woodside is short: Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, Marcus Mariota, Tim Tebow, Kellen Moore, Ryan Dinwiddie, Colt Brennan, Bryce Petty, Johnny Manziel, Danny Wuerffel, and Jameis Winston.

Those players are a mix of NFL stars, busts, and guys who just never made it. Six of them were or will shortly be first-round picks, and the rest at least managed brief spells as NFL backups. If Woodside doesn’t hang around the league for a few years, he’ll be an anomaly.

And, look: Woodside makes some nice throws.

He didn’t spend his college career just throwing a bunch of check-downs and screens. He can push the ball downfield with accuracy and hit receivers running any kind of route. Let’s watch him drop some dimes against more talented Miami and BYU teams over the last two seasons.

Here’s Woodside putting a ball into a tight window so his receiver has a great chance to catch it despite gaining almost no separation on a fly route:

(The guy dropped it, but that’s not Woodside’s fault.)

Here’s some improvisation to set up a throw into a narrow, closing window:

And here’s a lovely bit of pitch-and-catch on a corner route:

Woodside’s arm strength is nothing special. The ball sometimes flutters a bit out of his right hand. But his credentials as a Guy Who Can Make Some Throws are beyond question. If he gets some more mustard on those throws in the NFL, he’s easy to get excited about. At the least, he’s going to be a really fun preseason QB.

You haven’t heard more about him for a few reasons.

One root of the matter is that he’s small.

You’ve heard a lot about Allen, the consensus top mid-major QB in the 2018 class. Allen is a fascinating prospect and might be great, but he wasn’t great in college. His passer rating in 2017 was 35 points lower than Woodside’s. The Toledo quarterback averaged 9.4 yards per throw to 6.7 for Allen. Woodside threw for more yards per attempt (7.1) in his lone game against a Power 5 team, Miami, than Allen did in general. (In Allen’s two games against power competition, he averaged 3.7 yards per throw.)

But Allen is 6’5 and 237 pounds. He’s the biggest quarterback in the class, and the ball zips out of his hand in a way that makes scouts drool. Woodside is 6’1, 201. At the combine, he was the lightest QB and the fourth-shortest.

Another problem is that he played in the MAC.

“Ben Roethlisberger played in the MAC. Khalil Mack, Antonio Brown,” Woodside said. “I don’t think that’s a problem. I think the MAC is one of the best conferences in college.”

The MAC consistently rates near the bottom of mid-major leagues in S&P+, an opponent-adjusted advanced stat. But it’s not a wide-open conference that appears to juice passing stats, despite its reputation for wild weeknight games. In 2017, the average MAC team threw for 219 yards per conference game, slightly under the national average of 229. Woodside threw for 268, and he had better stats in non-conference games than he did in the MAC.

Still, if Woodside’s a good pro, he’ll buck a trend. The MAC has had 10 quarterbacks drafted this century, and only two have started in the NFL for any extended period. One is Roethlisberger — who was like Woodside in college, if Woodside were the size of an aircraft carrier — is the only one who stuck as a starter. The other was Byron Leftwich, another big QB whose time at Marshall came while the herd were in the MAC. Only two others, Toledo’s own Bruce Gradkowski and Akron’s Charlie Frye, have even recorded NFL stats.

Woodside is unlikely to get picked before the third day of the draft.

But Woodside doesn’t lack for confidence. Why should he?

He spent his last two seasons setting college defenses on fire. Woodside knows he’s small, but he’s spent years trying to build a game that can thrive in spite of that.

“First and foremost is knowledge of the game,” he said. “I know the game really well. I know our system really well at Toledo and how we wanted to attack on [offense]. And, you know, anticipation and accuracy, those are two of the things that I really tried to hone in on, and I feel like that’s what it takes to be a quarterback in the National Football League.”