#michael jackson family approved

[gravehags]

it's close to midnight

Pairing: Cardinal Copia x f!Reader (Curator!Reader)

Rating: Teen

Tags: halloween fic a few days late, emeritus family trauma, terzo being a little shit, everybody being dumbasses, be kind this is the first thing i've written in a long time

Words: 1,481

Summary: Erzebet. Celeste. Alessia. Their names are burned into your mind.

a/n: i just think the emeritus brothers can be sad as a treat. eat up.

~~~

“Please don’t tell me that’s what I know it is.”

You’re gesturing towards Terzo’s pumpkin carving, looking tired beyond your years. With a haughty sniff he hides it from your view.

“I don’t expect you to understand high art,” he says snottily, causing all three of his brothers to look at him disbelievingly.

“Idiota, that’s literally her job,” Secondo snarls, flinging pumpkin guts across the table.

The song coming from the portable speakers fades out and the bombastic opening notes of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” invade the space. 

“Speaking of jobs,” Terzo continues in his catty tone, “who the fuck put this playlist together? “Thriller”? For Halloween? Groundbreaking.”

“Me, bitch,” you snap and before Copia or Primo can reach to stop you, you’ve taken a wad of pumpkin innards and slapped it on the top of Terzo’s head, making sure to mush it in real good. You swear you see tears well in his eyes as he lets out a horrified wail and dashes out of the room to Primo’s bathroom to wash it out.

“Well done, amore,” Copia murmurs, nudging you with his elbow. His two older brothers nod appreciatively from their side of the table.

“You know I’m surprised I managed to convince all of you to ditch the Halloween gala this year,” you say as you carve, “Kinda feels like something the Papas and the number one Cardinal should be at, no?”

Secondo waves dismissively.

“It’s the same old shit, every year. The same fawning siblings and clergy, the same shitty punch spiked by Terzo. The best part of last year’s event was seeing you and this one–” he jerks his head towards Copia, “--attempt to flirt. Oh, and seeing you in that costume you wore.”

You blush and scoff but Copia frowns deeply and gives his brother a look, who simply shrugs back at him.

“We’d much rather spend such a sacred day with you, fiore mio. And if it means we don’t have to put on a papal performance, so much the better.”

“What are you all talking about?”

Terzo returns to the room, his hair soaking wet and when he leans over you and shakes like a dog, you let out an undignified squawk.

“Fuck off, dollar store Bela Lugosi,” you growl, smacking him repeatedly in the arm as he resumes his seat at the table.

“I’d take offense but that actually might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, sorellina.”

Copia looks at his watch and his eyes dart to each of his brothers.

“Almost midnight,” he says softly, and the tone immediately has you looking at him with curiosity.

Primo grunts, setting his carving tool down and stretching.

“What happens at midnight?” you whisper to Copia. He doesn’t respond, but instead looks to each of his brothers as if seeking their approval for something.

“How would you like to meet our mothers, sorella?” Secondo asks, and Copia’s shoulders drop with relief. You’re taken aback.

“I…I thought–”

“Come along,” Primo says, walking over and gently urging you up out of your chair, “and wear your coat.”

You follow him out the door of his quarters, as Secondo and Copia trail behind you. Terzo lingers at the back, and you can see him gathering something in his arms. As your group shuffles down the corridors, there’s a reverent hush that lingers amongst you. Copia grabs your hand and briefly raises it to his lips, giving you a small smile. You’re dying to ask him for details but your desire to remain respectful about…whatever the hell is happening…leaves you quiet. When you exit a large door into the biting damp cold of the dark outdoors, you link arms with your beloved and pull him close.

“Just a little bit further,” he murmurs into your hair before placing a kiss on the top of your head. Lanterns have been placed all along the pathway you walk and when a group of darkened stone monuments come into view, it all becomes clear. 

“Hello, mama,” Primo says with the voice of a much, much younger man. Grouped together in a semi-circle stand three ornately carved marble tombs, presided over by a statue of who you can only assume is Lillith with outstretched arms. Terzo sidles past you to place large candles where the names of the women are carved. Secondo takes his vintage zippo lighter out of his coat pocket and tosses it at his younger brother.

“I…I didn’t even know these graves were out here,” you admit, sniffling slightly in the cold. Gently, you lower yourself to plop down on the wet grass. “Will you tell me about them?”

The brothers beam at you, then at Copia, before Primo speaks.

“My mother’s name was Erzebet,” he begins, “she was the last of a dwindling line of nobles from the Carpathian Mountains. Her marriage to…that man was arranged. She hated him but bore her responsibilities - and his child - all the same. I was fortunate to spend my childhood with her in her family home while Nihil absconded off on whatever dalliance he was amusing himself with that week. I don’t think she wanted me to join the Ministry - I think she was always worried it would turn me into my father. She…she did not handle me leaving well. She was put into an institution - no one in the clergy would ever tell me where no matter how insistent I was. After she died I was able to learn where they kept her - and I had her body moved out of that grave with simply a number on it…to here. Where her only child could bring her the most beautiful of flowers. Dahlias are her favorite.”

You don’t even know what to say to this revelation, but the way Primo’s tone cracked on his final word has your heart plummeting into your stomach. You have so many questions but you bottle them up for a later time, instead choosing to reach across the space to take Primo’s long, aged hand in yours.

“She sounds wonderful. She must have been to have a son like you.”

He smiles at you, painfully soft, and you dutifully look away as he wipes his cheeks with the back of his hand. 

“We won’t tell all their sad stories tonight,” Secondo murmurs, “I’m sure you can deduce the common denominator and it is far too cold and tonight is for celebration.”

“Tell me their names, at least. Tell me something about them.” you sniffle, leaning into Copia’s side.

“Celeste. She was an artist.”

“Alessia. An actress.”

“To Erzebet, Celeste, and Alessia, then,” you say, “May they know peace in their afterlives and may they be proud at raising such fine sons, all. And…” your voice lowers, tone darkens, “know that I mean it when I say this but…say the word. Say the word and I’ll end him.”

A hush descends upon the brothers.

“You’re not joking, are you sorellina?” Terzo murmurs, looking at you curiously.

“For what he did to them? To all of you? Say less.”

Copia squeezes your hand and gives you an intense look before standing with a grunt and reaching down to you to help you up.

“If he continues to make shitty comments about my mustache at staff meetings, I might eh, take you up on that, amore. Seriously, how long have I had this thing? Does he forget about it after every time he sees me?”

The four of you stretch and groan after getting off the ground.

“Come on, let's all thaw out inside and listen to more of our sorellina’s horrible Halloween playlist.”

You and Terzo begin loudly bickering as you leave the cemetery, giving Copia a chance to linger behind with Primo and Secondo.

“I understand you want to take this relationship slow,” Secondo begins, voice low, “but boy, if you don’t marry that woman I will.”

Copia laughs softly through his nose and nods.

“All in good time. But eh, she likes men with hair so I think Primo and Terzo have a leg up on you in that regard.”

Secondo sputters with outrage before calling out to you.

“Piccolina! My brother and his shitty mustache just told me you don’t like bald men! Che cazzo?”

You’re puzzled, standing in the doorway looking at each brother.

“Copia, why are you lying to him? We've been over this before - if you die, Secondo inherits me, then Primo, then Terzo. Stop trying to stir shit!”

“‘Inherits’ her? Like an antique armoire?”

The Cardinal sighs deeply, trying his best to ignore the viciously smug look on Secondo’s face.

“Can we just go back to carving pumpkins? And Terzo, we are not putting yours out for display.”

“Oh, you don’t like the self portrait of my—”

You shove him into the wall and he yelps.

“This is why you’re last on the inheritance list.”

“Merda.” 

[jackiequick]

Ben Carter ~ Rebel Just For Kicks | Marvel Studios OC

Full Name: Bennett Sawyer Carter

Nicknames: Ben, Benni, Benji, Sawyer, Scout, Ace

Alias: Oliver Halloway, Jackson Harper, Dean Nolan, James Shepherd, Bellamy Wheeler, Jonathan Hunter, Leon Lance etc

——

Date Of Birth: October 16th, 1984

Place Of Birth: New York City

Place Of Residency: Washington, DC

——

Family: AGENT 13, Sharon [CLASSIFIED] — Sister

—————

“I wanted to be teacher but my father didn’t allow it. So now I live in the shadow of my older sister, but I do this job to protect her.”

“Did you really just challenge me to burger eating contest?”

“Yippee ki yay, mother-oops, sorry, there’s children present..”

“Man, I need a break. Who wants pie?”

————————

Personality: 

He is delightful blend of charm and goofiness, often bringing humor to even the most serious situations. His clumsy nature leads to lighthearted moments, endearing him to those around him. 

Beneath his playful exterior lies a fiercely loyal protector; Ben would selflessly throw himself into harm's way to shield his loved ones, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their safety. 

With a quick wit and a knack for sarcasm, he deftly navigates tense scenarios, using humor to defuse potential conflicts. Friendly and charismatic, he easily connects with others, making him a beloved figure among friends and allies alike.

-------

Background 📖

Growing up in a family where his sister, Sharon (AGENT 13), was clearly the high achiever, Bennett always felt the pressure to live up to his family’s expectations. 

His dream of becoming a teacher was dismissed by his father, who pushed him toward a path of espionage or government work like his sister. While Sharon excelled, Bennett found solace in humor and developing a carefree persona to cope with the pressure.

—

“I don’t want to be like Sharon or you or even aunt Peg, dad! I want to teach and travel, not go around getting myself into trouble.” Ben replied.

“Son, you will be a fine young agent just like me. Being a teacher is too small of a career and you won’t be paid much.” Michael, his father, add in a stern tone. “You’re a Carter, act like it.”

“But I am not fit for that kinda job…”

“You say that now, but you will be.”

“Dad...”

—

While Ben respected his father and admired Sharon’s achievements, he couldn’t help but feel torn. More than anyone in his family, Aunt Peggy Carter had always fascinated him. She was a legend in her own right, a brilliant strategist, co-founder of S.H.I.E.L.D., and a woman who had helped shape the modern intelligence world. Yet, despite her immense legacy, Ben wondered if Aunt Peggy might have understood his desire to take a different path.

Sometimes, when the pressure became too much, Ben found himself wondering, What would Aunt Peg say if she were here?

Deep down, he believed she would have told him to follow his own path, to be his own person. Unlike his father, Peggy might have recognized that having goals—big or small—was important. But Ben never had the chance to ask her. And that uncertainty gnawed at him.

Would Peggy have supported his choices? Or would she have dismissed his dreams like his father had?

This question haunted Ben, even as he tried to balance his own desires with his family’s expectations. He longed for a mentor who would understand him, someone who wouldn’t see his dreams as "too small."

Though he eventually followed the path set out for him, Ben’s inner struggle never fully disappeared. He carried the question of Peggy’s approval with him, both as a source of strength and as a reminder of what he had given up.

---

-------

—Relationship with Sharon Carter 🛠️

Growing up, Sharon and Bennett shared a close bond. As the older sibling, Sharon was protective of her little brother, often looking out for him when their father’s strict expectations weighed heavily on him. In their early years, they had a lot of fun together—playing games, pulling pranks, and exploring the streets of New York. Sharon was always the more confident and adventurous one, while Ben was more cautious, happy to follow her lead.

But as they got older, the gap between them began to widen. Sharon embraced the world of espionage with determination, diving headfirst into training and missions. She became the perfect soldier in their father’s eyes, the embodiment of the Carter legacy. 

Ben, on the other hand, grew unsure of himself. He admired Sharon’s strength and skill but resented the fact that her success only made him feel more inadequate. Often feeling torn between his personal dreams and the family legacy.

Despite their differences and the tension that arose from their father’s expectations, Ben and Sharon deeply cared for each other. Sharon was fiercely protective of Ben, even if she didn’t always understand his reluctance to embrace their family’s legacy. Ben, in turn, admired Sharon’s strength and independence, even if he resented the comparisons made between them.

As Ben began to settle into his own role in intelligence work—whether by choice or circumstance—Sharon continued to watch out for him. He didn’t want to live in Sharon’s shadow, but he also didn’t want her to get hurt. Part of his decision to follow the family path came from his desire to protect Sharon—to make sure she never faced the dangers of their work alone.

—

"I do this job for a lot of reasons," Ben once confided in a rare moment of vulnerability. "But mostly? I do it to protect you."

Sharon, uncharacteristically quiet, nodded. "I don’t need protecting, Ben."

"I know," he replied, looking down shaking his head and then looked straight at her. "But I’m still going to try."

——

—-

They weren’t as close as they had been in their childhood, but they had come to respect each other’s choices. 

Sharon continued to work in her career, while Ben had found his own way, even if it wasn’t the life he originally wanted.

————

———————

——

| CARTER — S.H.I.E.L.D. Associate | ⚖️ |

While Bennett initially resisted the idea of following in his family’s footsteps, particularly those of his father and sister, he eventually found a place within S.H.I.E.L.D., albeit on his own terms. He didn’t strive to be a leader or a figurehead, but he knew that protecting those he cared about—and finding his own way to make a difference—was important.

Reluctant Start, Natural Talent

After years of pushing back against his father’s expectations, Bennett’s path eventually led him to S.H.I.E.L.D. He realized that, whether he liked it or not, his family’s legacy wasn’t something he could easily escape. Yet, when he decided to join S.H.I.E.L.D., it wasn’t out of a desire to live up to the Carter name exactly—it was about finding his own purpose. He just wanted to make his mark in a way that felt authentic to him.

Though Ben had always been reluctant to pursue espionage, he discovered he had a natural talent for certain aspects of the job. He wasn’t the best strategist or mastermind like other agents, but he excelled in the physical and tactical elements of the work.

——

"Watch it, Carter. You're like a kid in a candy store," Maria Hill remarked dryly, watching as Ben eagerly examined the array of weaponry laid out in the SHIELD armory.

Ben scoffed, flashing a grin. "Hill, lighten up. It's a wall full of guns, knives, and other weaponry! Look at this," he said, picking up a sleek new handgun and examining it with gleaming eyes. "And ooh, is that a new set of bows and arrows? Bet Clint would love this!"

Hill shook her head, but she couldn’t hide the faint smirk on her face. Ben's enthusiasm, though sometimes overwhelming, was infectious.

——

~ Role within S.H.I.E.L.D. ⚙️

Active S.H.I.E.L.D. Associate: Bennett works as a simple, yet kind field agent, engaging in various missions and tasks for the organization.

Hand-to-Hand Combat: Skilled in close-quarters combat, always eager to improve and test his fighting abilities.

Weaponry Enthusiast: Excited by weapons, particularly guns, rifles, knives, and advanced tech. He enjoys trying out new gear.

Scouting Missions: Loves scouting and reconnaissance missions, especially because they let him travel and explore new places.

Undercover & Surveillance: Although reluctant at first, he secretly enjoys undercover work and surveillance, finding it both challenging and exciting.

——————

———

————————————

—Strengths & Weaknesses 🖥️

Strengths

1. Charisma and Charm

2. Loyalty and Protectiveness

3. Wit and Humor

4. Adaptability

5. Combat Skills

6. Empathy and Understanding

Weakness

1. Self-Doubt

2. Emotional Burden

3. Reluctance to Embrace Leadership

4. Tendency to Avoid Conflict

5. Clumsiness

6. Difficulty Accepting Help

——————————

———

———

Fun Facts & Quirks! 🧲

- Foodie at Heart -> This man loves burgers, pies, ice cream, donuts and etc. Depending on where he is, Ben will find some sort of food to eat.

“Did you seriously go and buy milkshake?” His teammate asked.

He shrugged and pointed, “What? You were takin’ too long. I got hungry.”

- Clumsy Charmer -> He is notoriously clumsy at times, often stumbling on his own feet or bumping into something by accident.

“Who put a damn step there? That wasn’t there before!” He shouted almost tripping over but caught himself quickly.

- Tv & Film Fan -> He is often found quoting a line from his favorites or referencing a form of media. However he doesn’t always like to repeat the same thing, more than twice.

“No more Punzel! If I have to hear Zachary Levi’s voice one more time, I’m done.” He shouts during moving night.

His friend gasps, “How dare you? Flynn Rider is wonderful!”

- Dreamer -> Despite having to cut out being a teacher in his life, he always wondered what he might’ve showned those young minds.

“I could’ve been a History teacher or English..? Not math, I suck at that subject! Hell, I might quit this job and find out..”

- He talks to favorite things -> He will talk to his car, his guns and jacket. You already know if Ben had a pet he will be chatting with that animal too.

He grins seeing his favorite handheld gun and picked it up, “Hello sweetheart, gods, I missed you.”

Other things include: Ben is a music lover, mildly superstitious, enjoys collecting items, fear of heights etc.

————

—————

Additional information | 📬 |

-> Favorite Hero

Bennett will never admit it but he enjoys the heroes he seems on the streets and in his line of world.

You would think because his aunt Peggy association to Captain America, automatically that’s his favorite. He admires and respects Steve Rogers greatly, hell he hopes to have enough goodness in his heart to be like him, but not his favorite.

He actually secretly admires Spider-Man for his wit, willingness to help out, relatability and kindness towards others. He only seen the hero from afar but he can tell why people online like him.

~~~

-> Dating Life

When it comes to dating, Bennett tends to casual date. Nothing serious. He enjoys meeting new people and exploring connections without the pressure of committing or wanting to make they both hit it off well.

He has had serval crushes over the years, nothing notably strong or anything. However he once had a significant crush on a fellow agent, but he never acted on it, fearing it could mess up their professional relationship. He didn’t to push anything.

His flirting style is light-hearted and humorous. He tends to use playful chill banter and finding whatever he can as a simple ice-breaker. His charm is evident in his ability to make others smile, and he often employs self-deprecating humor to put his crushes at ease.

Currently, Bennett is single and he doesn’t mind it actually. Honestly, he thinks no one can compete with his notorious lack of skills and put up with him half the time to his bad jokes. But hey? We might be wrong and there is a certain someone out there for him.

~~~~

~ Hobbies and Interests |🛋️| ~

Cooking: Bennett enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. He loves trying out new recipes, especially when it comes to making burgers and desserts. His friends often joke that he should open a food truck.

- “Who needs a Michelin star when you can make the perfect burger at home?”

Movie Buff & TV Binge-Watcher: Bennett has a soft spot for action flicks, buddy cop movies, and classic comedies. He often spends his free time rewatching old favorites or discovering new series to binge.

Collecting Vintage Memorabilia: Bennett enjoys collecting vintage movie posters, old records, and retro tech. His apartment is littered with relics of the past, from vinyl records to an old-fashioned radio. He particularly loves hunting for rare finds at flea markets and antique shops.

- “You can laugh at my vinyl collection all you want, but there's nothing like listening to the Life Is A Highway on the original record.”

Tinkering with Cars: Bennett inherited a love of cars from his father. He spends weekends tinkering with his car, working on engine repairs, or upgrading parts. He’s not a full-blown gearhead, but he enjoys spending time in his garage fixing up his old, reliable ride.

——

————

-> Fears and Insecurities |🪤| <-

Fear of Failure: Bennett often worries about not living up to his family legacy or his own potential. This fear sometimes holds him back from pursuing more serious relationships or challenges.

- “What if I’m just not cut out for this? What if I let everyone down?”

Insecurity About His Role & Fitting In: Sometimes he can feel like he’s qualified to be an agent, and to overcompensate that with humor.

- “I mean, I’m just a guy who likes burgers and makes a lot of bad jokes… how did I end up here?”

Fear of Not Finding His Own Path: Bennett has always wanted to follow his own dream of being a teacher or traveling, but the weight of family expectations and his current career pulls him in another direction. He’s afraid that he’ll never get the chance to live the life he truly wants, and instead, be stuck in a role he didn’t choose for himself.

- "Maybe it’s too late to figure out what I want. Maybe this is just who I am now…"

Insecurity About His Intelligence: Though he’s smart and capable, Bennett sometimes feels overshadowed by more academically inclined people, like the tech geniuses or strategists he encounters in SHIELD. He’s more street-smart than book-smart, and while he’s skilled, he occasionally doubts whether he’s as sharp as others around him.

- "Sure, I can shoot straight, but can I crack codes and come up with genius plans? Not so much. Maybe I’m just the muscle here."

~~~~~

-> Signature Style

Bennett tends to dress in casual, comfortable clothing—jeans, graphic tees, sweaters, thick jackets and sneakers.

He has a penchant for customizing his gear and equipment, adding personal touches that reflect his personality, such as stickers or playful designs.

~~~~~~

-> Habits

Midnight Snacker: Bennett has a habit of raiding the fridge late at night, often resulting in humorous situations when caught.

- “Don’t judge me, if my stomach is craving a handful of cereal at 1 in the morning.” He mumbled as he eats the mouthful of Honey-Nut Cheerios.

Movie Marathoner: He loves binge-watching movie series and often tries to convince friends to join him, complete with snacks and drinks. Sometimes he is found watching classic footage he got stored away somewhere while sipping a nice cup of coffee. Such as old race car footage.

Non-Stop Talker: Ben has a real habit of making one handed comments, give a witty compliment or over speaking in a conversation, especially when it’s not needed. Sometimes he can’t help it but spit out a few sentences and split out of the room just as quickly. Or if he gets nervous, he might ramble until someone shuts him up.

Short-Term Memory: He will never admit it but Ben has a tendency to forget things easily or get distracted, which results in issues for himself and others. People need to often repeat what they said a few times or Ben has to write it down somewhere to make sure he did it. He wonders if it’s on-set early Alzheimer like his aunt Peggy has but tries not to think about it too much. 

- “Can you repeat that? I only got caught half of what you said…” He replied looking up at you with a soft smile.

Vintage Fashion Enthusiast: One thing he will never admit nor you will ever except is for Ben to find fashion a causal factor in his life. He has a habit of wearing or finding timeless pieces whenever he went. Either a classic leather jacket, wrist watches, a necklace and or thick sweaters for colder temperatures. They’re simple items but a small part of him gets excited to wear them.

~~~~

~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~

Hope you like him! I might consider to continue his story soon hehe 😉

Let me know what you think

Tags: @gaminggirlsstuff @gcthvile @missstrawbs2001 @djs8891 @starkleila @aidanxsophxoxo @mandylove1000 @yetanotherwells @rickb-chaos @topgun-imagines @hardballoonlove @buckysteveloki-me @sherloquestea @ximehs @savemewattpad @theonlyblackcanary @terry-perry @triptuckers @daughter-of-melpomene @superspookyjanelle

[magicthatmustbelove]

Right Back Where We Started From

From: "Reviere"

A follow-up to the "Best Of Joy" imagine in which Y/N and Michael are unintentionally expanding their family at 51 and 45 and must break the news to their five other kids.

Note: This is the one and only This Is It Era imagine that I have done and will ever do. Just wanted to post something a little joyful on today in an alternate universe where June 25th never happened.

TII Era

Link to original imagine: https://www.wattpad.com/941880667-reverie-michael-jackson-imagines-best-of-joy%E2%9C%A8

“You fill up my senses, 

Like a night in the forest

Like the mountains in springtime

Like a walk in the rain

Like a storm in the desert.

Like a sleepy blue ocean

You fill up my senses

Come fill me again,”

You pulled the flannel blanket up to your chest with a contented sigh, the glow of the fire kept you warm but couldn’t compete with the warmth you felt in your heart, watching your beautiful family. 

Your son Mikey sang the John Denver tune beautifully as he strummed his guitar. There was no doubt he’d inherited his musical talent from his father. Clair and Sean gently swayed in their chairs while your twin girls, Wendy and Eliza were tucked on either side of Michael’s lap. Your dog Hooter slept soundly under your chair. 

You tried picturing the small baby that would be here in the next seven months and how they’d fit in among the diverse personalities of your other kids. 

It had been days since you’d discovered that you were pregnant with your sixth child at forty-five years old but it still didn’t feel real. It was such a huge risk to take. You hadn’t had a newborn in the house for nearly eight years and you were sure you were completely done having babies.   

Life has thrown you a curveball; a sweet, precious little bundle of joy. 

Michael had taken the news very well but you had yet to tell your kids that the family was expanding. Your eldest, Clair, was headed back to college in the morning so you and your husband figured it was the perfect time to give the news. 

You catch Michael's ardent gaze, the glow of the fire highlighting his handsome bone structure. You grin, extending your hand to hold his. 

“Our kids are so amazing. We’ve got such a great family,” you whisper. 

Michael smiles before gently kissing your knuckles. 

“Our new edition is gonna make everything perfect,” He replied. 

Mikey had set down his guitar and the family loudly applauded. You suddenly find yourself tearing up, hot tears streaming down your face. 

Your hormones have been in overdrive lately.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Mikey asked, squinting through the fire to see your tearful reaction. 

Your husband grins, leaning over to rub your back.

“I’m fine,” You assure your teenager. “It’s just such a beautiful song. It always makes me cry,” 

Clair smiles as she pushes her long curly hair away from her face.

“I admit, it was beautiful. I didn’t know you had it in you, twerp,”

She playfully punches her brother’s arm.

“It was excellent, son,”  Michael complimented. “Keep practicing that guitar. Who knows, maybe one day we could work on something together,” 

A big grin stretches across your son's face, pleased with his father’s approval. 

You smile and push the blanket off your lap. 

“Who wants s'mores?” You ask

Your kids’s faces lit up from the youngest to the oldest. 

“Me! Me!” The twins cheer. 

Hooter barks, joining in their excitement. You giggle before turning to Michael. 

“Sweetie, will you help me get the stuff for the s’mores?’ 

Your husband nods. 

“Of course, baby,” 

He gently scoots the twins off his lap before helping you out of your chair. Truthfully, you needed no help at all getting the ingredients for the snack but your nerves were on edge, worrisome about how to break the news to your kids.

You open the cupboard, your eyes landing on the bag of marshmallows at the top self. Before you can stretch on your toes to get them, Michael effortlessly grabs them. 

You heave a heavy sigh. 

“Baby, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?”

A small grin tugs at your lips as you retrieve a box of graham crackers. 

“I feel fine, Mike. I’m just nervous about telling the kids about the new baby,”

Your husband grins. 

“I’m sure they’ll take it well, Y/N. The girls would love a baby brother or sister,”

You break a square off a Hershey’s bar, sighing as you nibble into it. 

“That’s because they never had one,” you reply, matter-of-factly. “Our older ones have already gotten the experience. It’s not like this is our second or third child, Mike. This is number six,” 

“I come from a large family and we never complained when Mother was havin’ another baby,” Michael shrugged. “Our kids will be fine,”

You sigh again. 

“I sure hope so,” 

The kids had grown restless by the time you returned and you figured you’d wait until they’d stuffed their mouths to break the news.  You were roasting marshmallows for your third s’more, your kids entertaining themselves with a twig branch duel when you decided you couldn't take it anymore. 

You glanced at Michael, giving him a knowing look.  

“Hey gang!” he calls softly, whistling to get their attention. “Time out for a moment. Everybody sit down. Your mother and I have something we wanna tell ya,” 

Your children got the last bit of giggles out of their system before plopping down in the chairs. Wendy rushed up to you and you grinned before pulling her into your lap. A silence fell among the seven of you and a worried expression settled on Clair's face. 

Your husband stood and grabbed your hand as you took a deep breath. 

“Your dad and I,” you started slowly. “We're going to have another baby. I'm pregnant,” 

Your oldest let out a sigh of relief,  a hand pressed to her chest. 

“Oh mom, you have no idea how nervous you made me,” she grins. “I'm happy for you and Daddy,” 

Your youngest son's face twists into a confused expression. 

“But you and dad are so old,” Sean muses. “How did that even happen?” 

“Same way you got here, son,” Michael replies. 

You giggle and Sean pulls a disgusted expression. 

“Ha! Good luck!” Mikey turns to his brother with a laugh. “I'm going off to school next year while you get to be on diaper duty,” 

You shoot him a stern glare.  

“I mean, congrats Mom and Dad,”

You hug Wendy to your chest tighter with a smile. 

“I know it might seem unfair with school and teenage life and Daddy just starting to be home again, “ You speak, glancing into the eyes of each of your babies. “But I promise. Nothing is gonna change. We’ll still be our strong, loving family unit,” 

“Can we get a little sister?” Eliza questions while bouncing on Clair's knee. 

Michael smiles. 

“We'll get whatever God blesses us with, Princess,” he replies. 

You smile at your husband, suddenly never loving more than you did at that moment. 

A weight feels like it's been lifted off your shoulders. The news had seemed to go over well. All that was left was surviving the ups and downs of the next seven months but with your family at your side, you knew you could survive anything.

✨

[thesimulationswarm]

Balsam, Chapter 4: A Little Cemetery

This is a story about trauma. What trauma does to a person, and what trauma does to a community. And how, in the midst of it, people find their way to joy, delight— even love.

Pairing: Joel Miller x original female character Summary: After the events of tlou, Joel and Ellie try to establish a “normal life” in Jackson, but neither of them are any good at normal. A town doctor tries to care for residents who have experienced unspeakable trauma, and struggles to overcome her own past at the same time. Joel finds himself drawn to her, as their lives become increasingly intertwined. Meanwhile, outside Jackson, troubling things are happening… Rating: explicit 18+ MDNI Word count: 5.7k Warnings: slow burn (there will be smut eventually), canon-typical violence, descriptions of medical situations, trauma/PTSD symptoms, painful adolescent social dynamics, LGBTQ issues, Ellie and Joel figuring out how to be family, Tommy and Joel figuring out how to be family

Series masterlist

At the council meeting, it was Jenna Starkey who saved Dr. Connor. 

She sat up straight, eyes puffy but dry, and looked at the people of Jackson. “He got to die with his wife, his baby, and his dignity. I know it’s what he would’ve wanted.” Maria watched the audience nodding gravely at her words and murmuring among themselves. Most people there had seen enough of violent deaths to know going quickly was better than going slowly. 

But there were dissenters. Big Michael, of course, who felt betrayed by Nina. He’d come to her to save his closest friend, and instead she’d killed him. He was calm today, at least— subdued, the weight of grief settling down into his shoulders.

Archie Hayes, who ran the butcher shop, said Nina “had no right to take the Lord’s work into her own hands.” Maria saw Nina’s eyebrows rise at that, and knew what she was thinking: pretty rich for someone who spent his days eviscerating chickens and sawing through the leg joints of lambs. 

But thankfully Nina kept her mouth shut. Tact wasn’t always her strong suit.

Then there was a group of women from the kitchens, where Starkey had worked. Chrissy, Lena, and shy Marisa Robinson, her face stained with tears. They all came up together and spoke about what the community had lost when Starkey died, and how he hadn’t even been given a chance to survive. The testimony had emotional impact, but it ultimately couldn’t outweigh the opinion of Starkey’s widow.

Maria watched the crowded room carefully, assessing every face and posture. She had experience reading juries, but it was harder when the jury was the size of a small town. Sure, Nina wasn’t on trial— not in any official sense. This was just a discussion of what had occurred on the day that Starkey died. She knew the council members, and knew that given the circumstances, the majority would not favor any sort of formal charge.

But even if most folks approved of Nina’s actions, any serious objections still spelled trouble, and she was alert for signs of them in the meeting room. The doctor could walk freely out of here today, then be attacked in the street tomorrow. She’d seen it before: an accused murderer acquitted, only to be hit by a rival gang. Or simmering tensions could grow over time until they split the town into rival factions.

Maria kept her exterior carefully controlled as she sat there on the dais, but underneath she was edgy, preoccupied. She had wanted to believe that, in the safety of Jackson, they’d moved beyond mercy killings. But after this last brutal winter, their environment was more hostile than ever. Spring had begun, but the patrol attacks hadn’t stopped, and she was afraid that something truly awful was happening outside of Jackson. She could see the signs gathering, like dark clouds massing on the horizon. 

They would need to be prepared.

And she worried about Nina, too. The doctor was efficient and effective at what she did. She clearly cared about Jackson and the people who lived there. But Maria knew that as a person— as a friend— Nina was troubled. She���d seen flashes of it over the years they’d known each other. Nina had that stubborn self-sufficiency, an unwillingness to let other people in. She could be reckless, with her temper and her predilection for dangerous men. And then there were her episodes, when she went flat and unresponsive for hours or even days at a time.

After the incident with Starkey and then Big Michael, she’d shut down like that. Anya and Brandy had to physically lift her from the street where she’d knelt, and hold her arms as they’d walked her back to her place. Maria had followed them and taken Nina upstairs to her apartment above the clinic. She sat her at the kitchen table and made a cup of tea.

Nina had stared down at the cup with empty eyes, and made no effort to lift it to her lips.

And as Maria stood there and watched Nina’s insensate face, she’d wanted to shake her, make her snap out of the trance she was in.

She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t pissed off. Not that she disagreed with what Nina had done, exactly, but she was not too pleased with how she’d done it. Not telling Starkey. Not telling Starkey. Doing it out in the street, in front of half the town. The cavalier way she’d administered a lethal injection, then snapped at the dead man’s shocked best friend. It was going to stir people up in Jackson, make things difficult for Maria and certainly for Nina as well. And then the woman wouldn’t even speak or meet her eyes. Yes, Nina couldn’t help it— but it still rankled.

Maria had looked around her kitchen, struck by how sad her living quarters were: the battered table, the single chair, one chipped dinner plate on an otherwise empty shelf. No personal touches— art or flowers or knickknacks. Her home looked abandoned, even though someone lived there.

She’d leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching the tea grow cold on the table. Her back and her feet ached, but as frustrated as she was, she hadn’t been willing to leave her friend when she was like this. Didn’t want her to “wake up” all alone. So she waited, as shadows slowly lengthened down the peeling wallpaper.

Finally, a flicker of awareness returned to Nina’s features. She shifted in her chair.

“You okay?” Maria asked.

Nina shrugged her shoulders. “Guess so. It’s been a weird day.”

“That’s one word for it.” Maria pointed to the cup, and Nina finally raised it to her lips. “I know you couldn’t save him, Nina. But some people are going to be upset about how things went down.”

Nina was quiet for a long moment, looking out the window at the tangle of tree branches, the darkening sky.

“There’s a quote I think about sometimes,” she spoke softly. “Something an old French doctor wrote. ‘Every surgeon carries about him a little cemetery, in which from time to time he goes to pray, a cemetery of bitterness and regret, of which he seeks the reason for certain of his failures.’”

Maria sighed deeply.

“Girl, you’ve got to get your act together.”

Joel watched from the back of the room, arms crossed over his chest. He was relieved to see which way things were going, but the whole thing was bullshit. Maria and Tommy knew Nina wasn’t a murderer, and they were still parading her up there in front of the town, while they debated what she’d done.

Calling it democracy. He’d seen how democracy could go—what happened in Kansas City, wasn’t that the will of the people?

Nina sat at a table beside the council members, with her dark hair pulled back and her chin held high. He watched her face, but her expression was hard to read— she didn’t look scared, or angry. Maybe just a little sad. She answered the questions people asked politely, matter-of-factly. Didn’t get emotional up there, unlike some of the townspeople.

Ellie was sitting a row in front of him, beside a group of other teenagers. She’d wanted to come here today and see what it was all about. He knew she was feeling anxious about it.

“It’s fucked up,” she told him last night at dinner, shoveling food into her mouth. She’d never stopped eating like a starving animal. “It’s like people here forgot that everyone is gonna die, and now they’re mad at Dr. Connor because she reminded them.”

She was a smart kid. Smarter than him by a mile, which made him proud and also nervous. He stared at the tilt of her small shoulders, the glossy strands of her ponytail. He would’ve liked to sit with her, but he didn’t want to crowd her or embarrass her around the other kids. He was trying to be a good… whatever he was to her.

He was surprised by how relieved he felt when the council announced that, “after hearing from all interested parties,” they felt the doctor’s actions “had been justified by extraordinary circumstances.” Nina stood and Maria walked her out through the back, with a hand pressed between her shoulder blades.

There was a flurry of movement as a woman pushed through the back row roughly and stormed out to the street. It was the quiet girl from the dining hall, the one who always looked scared of Joel. She’d been up there crying like a widow with Starkey’s other coworkers. Bunch of girls who were either sleeping with the guy or wanted to be, hard to be sure.

As the door slammed behind the girl, voices rose in the room. People were getting up from their seats, talking to each other, standing around in small groups or walking down the aisles to leave. There was a lot to gossip about, he supposed.

He moved toward Ellie, who was still with the other kids. As he stepped into her line of site, she shot up from her chair and strode quickly over to him. For a second, he was worried— then he realized what was happening. She didn’t want to talk to him in front of the other teenagers.

Jesus, was he really that embarrassing? He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to affect a casual stance. 

“Doin’ okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“I’m gonna head home. You wanna come, or…” He trailed off, looking over her shoulder at the clump of kids.

“Actually, some of us were going to go hang out for a bit?”

“Sure, sure. Just, uh, be home before dinner time?”

“Dinner time. Okay.” She gave him a sharp little nod of agreement, then turned to rejoin the group.

He wasn’t really sure what to do with himself now. He saw Tommy up at the front of the room, talking to a few men. Thought for a brief moment of going up there, but he wasn’t ready yet. He still hadn’t spoken to him since that night he’d met Maria at the bar.

Ellie was moving toward the door now, walking with a boy and a girl who both looked vaguely familiar. He watched as she turned her head toward the girl and laughed. Then the boy looked at the two of them, smiling, and said something he was too far away to hear. Now that he could see more of his face, he recognized the kid who was always walking that dog around town. A tall teenager, a little gangly, but with a nice thick head of hair and a brooding look. Ellie smiled back at him.

So that’s why she was so dead set on working with the dogs. She had herself a little crush on the boy who trained them. And it looked like she was actually making friends.

He walked slowly behind the group for half a block, trying to hold back the smile that wanted to erupt across his face. Then he turned off toward home.

The three of them went to an empty house on the north side of town. It was small and a little sad looking, with a caved-in section of roof. The front door was boarded shut, but Brandy led them around to the back, past a lurching, rotting porch and in through the kitchen door. Ellie ran her finger down the coiled cord of a telephone that hung on the wall, feeling the satisfying way it sprang back after she tugged on it.

In the living room, dust swirled through the air and a floral couch sagged against the wall. Brandy plopped down in the middle, and Ellie and Chuy took the sides. Now that they were out of the crowd, Brandy had grown quiet, and Ellie could see the strain on her face.

“Well that was fucking dumb,” Ellie sighed. “I mean, at least they let her go and all. But I don’t see how any of that meeting was necessary.”

“She didn’t have a choice,” Brandy agreed softly. “As soon as I saw him lying there, I thought, ’This guy is going to fucking die.’”

“I still can’t believe you were there for that.” Ellie was honestly a little jealous. She’d never seen anybody die like that, a shot of poison into the vein. Not that she wanted it to have happened, but if it was going to happen— well, she was super fucking curious about it.

Brandy looked queasy, and she realized she’d said the wrong thing. Dumb, dumb, dumb. She tried to think of a more supportive response, but her mind went blank. Why was this so hard?

“I always liked Starkey, you know? He was nice. And I— I’ve never actually— ” Brandy broke off, her voice cracking. She stared down at her lap. Ellie wanted to put a hand on her shoulder, or maybe rub her back reassuringly, below the smooth cascade of her hair. But she wasn’t sure if she should— was that weird? Was it too much?

“I’ve never seen someone die before,” Brandy choked out.

Oh shit. Poor Brandy. She was biting her lip, and Ellie watched the way the sharp line of her teeth indented the delicate skin. Again, she thought about touching her, comforting her. Again, she kept her hands down at her side.

“The first time is hard for everybody,” Chuy spoke gently. “I don’t think anyone really gets over it.”

Brandy turned and looked at him. “I didn’t think it would be so bad, because I’ve known a lot of people who’ve died. But I keep thinking about his face when he died and the weird look his eyes had, and the way he was breathing. It was awful, kind of a rattling, drowning sound.”

Chuy nodded. “I know what you mean. After my dad died, I kept seeing it whenever I closed my eyes.”

“Your dad died?” Ellie was shocked. The way Chuy talked about his dad, she’d thought he was still alive. He was always bragging about the great scientist who had discovered all kinds of things about cordyceps.

Chuy let out a ragged breath. “It was before I came to Jackson. We were surrounded by infected just outside Denver, and he fought them off as long as he could. Really he— he saved my life. He saved Coco, too. She was his dog. He trained her to smell the infections and everything, and I only took over because he was gone.” Ellie thought about the sweet, obedient dog, and how bonded Chuy had always seemed to her. 

“I’m so sorry,” Brandy said, leaning closer to Chuy.

“As soon as the infected were all dead, he began to walk back towards me and Coco. And that’s when Coco started barking at him—she’d never barked at him before. And I knew right away what that meant. I don’t think he realized until then, either, because he looked down at his arm and he had this horrified look when he saw where he’d been bitten. And then he just… shot himself.”

“Jesus,” Ellie breathed. She saw Riley’s face, contorted with pain, how it had looked that day in the the fucking Halloween store. Facing defeat. Way I see it, we got two options.

“There are these little things I thought about for a long, long time,” Chuy went on. “Like how Coco looked at him with her teeth barred, snarling at him. Or the way his arm jerked as he pulled the trigger.”

Ellie nodded— she knew about those kind of memories, too. You really didn’t get over your first time. The look in Riley’s eyes, when she wasn’t Riley anymore. It was same look Sam had that day in the motel. And the way they’d both charged her… She blinked, trying to clear the pictures out of her mind.

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and looked at Chuy. His face was serious and sad, but calm. She didn’t understand how he could just talk about this kind of stuff. Whenever she even thought about it she felt like she couldn’t breathe, like she was drowning on land.

And that was when she saw it— Brandy and Chuy, holding hands. 

Their arms were resting on the couch between them, their fingers intertwined. There was something so casual about their posture, like… like they’d done this before.

She wanted to throw up.

She was a fucking idiot. Brandy wasn’t like her, and she didn’t like Ellie, no matter how much she laughed at her jokes. Chuy and Brandy were wired the right way, the normal way. Like Joel and Tommy and Maria and maybe everyone else in this godforsaken town, except her.

Joel was cooking dinner when he heard the door bang open, followed by the sound of feet stomping rapidly up the staircase.

“Ellie?” He called out. No answer.

“Ellie?” He repeated himself, louder this time. Again, no answer.

He sighed, turning the burner on the stove down to its lowest setting and wiping his hands on a dishrag. He stopped to pick up the jacket she’d tossed on the floor in the entryway— no matter how many times he’d told her, she never hung it up.

The door to her room was shut. He stood at the top of the stairs for a second, trying to decide what he should do, then stepped forward and rapped on the door with his knuckles.

“What?”

“Can I come in?”

“Fine.” Her voice was clipped, affecting annoyance, but underneath that he could hear the quiver she was trying to suppress. She was crying, or had been crying. His heart sunk.

She was sitting by the window, knees drawn up to her chest. She didn’t turn to acknowledge him when he walked in, kept herself angled toward the gray sky outside. Still, he could see that her face looked puffy and blotched, eyes ringed with pink.

“You doin’ okay?”

She took a sharp breath in. “What the fuck do you think?”

He sat down on the edge of her bed, a few feet from her. 

“What happened?” Just a couple hours ago she’d seemed so happy. Walking down the street with her friends, her body loose and light. Whatever upset her, it made the rage well up in him like a fountain. If those kids were mean to her, so help him God he’d snap their little necks.

“You wouldn’t understand,” she replied bitterly.

“I might.”

She huffed out something between a snort and a sigh. “No, you wouldn’t. You don’t know what it’s like to be a fucking freak.”

He felt sick to his stomach, remembering how hard he’d gone at her over working with the dogs. Telling her she needed to be careful, that people would turn on her if they found out, drive her out of town or worse. How was a girl supposed to settle in and make friends with that hanging over her head?

“Ellie.” She wouldn’t look at him, twisting her head further away, her shoulders hunched protectively. He moved over to the windowsill and lowered himself beside her.

“There’s nothin’ wrong with you, Ellie. You’re not a freak, you’re— you’re a—” He faltered, trying to find the right words.

Her head whipped around and she pinned him with her eyes. Angry, anguished, pleading. “What do you think I am?”

“You’re a miracle,” he said softly.

She shook her head at him, then took a deep breath, opening her mouth as if to say something. But no words came. After a moment, her face crumpled and she leaned forward to bury herself against his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her. He rubbed circles against the bird wings of her shoulders, feeling them heave as she sobbed against him.

“Shhh, shhh. Shhh, s’okay.”

Jack and Old Michael had asked Tommy to help with enlarging the sheep enclosure. He knew it was going to be a long day’s work, digging out fence post holes by hand. Now that the ground had finally thawed and farm work could begin in earnest, there were a thousand back-breaking jobs like this to keep him busy in the coming months.

Not that he truly minded a day’s work in the sun. He whistled as he walked toward the barn, auger slung over his shoulder. When he rounded the corner into the field, work was already well underway. Michael was laying down markers along the far end, while Jack was up near the gate, throwing his post hole digger at the ground with all the force his wiry body could muster.  

A few feet away from him, Joel was kneeling, hacking away at the roots of a scrubby bush that was in the way. Tommy’s heart sped up— it’d been a good two weeks since he and Joel had spoken. He’d seen his brother in passing, but he wouldn’t so much as meet Tommy’s eyes.

Tommy knew he’d fucked up. Maria had made it plenty clear to him, that night she came home after running into Joel at the bar. He should’ve told Joel as soon as he and Ellie returned from their trip to the Fireflies. But they’d both seemed so worn down and troubled, that day when they’d stumbled back into Jackson. He knew Joel’s moods, was used to tiptoeing around his rage, taking care not to poke the bear. He’d figured he should give them some time to settle in before explaining why Maria had to know about Ellie. And then… well, the time had never seemed right.

And he was a coward when it came to his brother. Had been since he was knee high to a grasshopper.

As he approached, Joel looked up. Tommy could tell by the way his eyes widened that he wasn’t expecting to see him there, either. He stole a glance at Old Michael; even from this distance he could see the amusement on the man’s face. He sighed. Little old fucker thought he was playing matchmaker, getting the feuding Miller brothers out here to build a fence together.

At least there was work to be done. Tommy set himself up a little ways down from Jack, drilling out the next hole. He felt sweat starting to bead on his forehead as he leaned his weight into his arms, wrenching the handles of the auger around and around.

The four men settled into a rhythm with each other, despite the tension hanging in the air. Despite Tommy and Joel not exchanging one word. They took turns digging holes and clearing brush, setting poles and tamping dirt. It was chilly but not freezing, and the work kept them plenty warm.

Around noon they took a break, cooling down in the shadow of the barn. Jack’s sister, Roberta, brought out sandwiches and iced tea. Bread, cheese, pickles, and hefty slices of chicken— it tasted so damn good after all that work. 

Joel had sat down as far away from Tommy as he could, on the far side of Jack and Old Michael. But after they finished eating, the two other men excused themselves to go use the facilities, conveniently leaving the brothers alone. Subtle as a goddamn sledgehammer, those guys. 

But in truth, he was grateful for the chance.

Tommy looked out across the field, not sure how to start. There was so much he wanted to say to his brother, and a lot of it he’d probably never find a way to put into words. 

“I’m sorry, Joel.”

“Don’t.” The response came swiftly, a warning.

“I should’ve told you. I feel terrible about it.”

“You shouldn’t’ve told her in the first place,” Joel hissed. 

“It was the night before you left. I thought I was gonna be the one leaving with Ellie in the morning. And I knew it was dangerous. There was a real chance I wouldn’t come back.” Tommy kept his voice soft and even, trying not to let Joel draw him into yet another fight. “I couldn’t walk out on my pregnant wife, maybe for good, without her even knowing why. I couldn’t risk my child growing up not knowing me, and thinking it was ‘cause I didn’t care.”

Tommy looked at his brother. Shoulders set, jaw taut, radiating tension. But he was quiet at least. Not yelling and not storming off, which counted as a victory when it came to Joel.

“But I was gonna do it, Joel. I was gonna take the chance I’d never see my kid grow up, for you. It wasn’t— it wasn’t really about the cure.”

Joel let out a long breath. They sat for a moment in silence.

“And Maria let me go,” Tommy continued. “I know you think she hates you—“

“She does.”

“Okay, she does. But she trusts me when I say I need to do what’s right. And I trust her. You’ve got to know that she’s safe,” he said, his voice pleading. “She’s family now, Joel. Like it or not.”

He could see Joel clenching and unclenching his fist, that nervous habit he had. He took a few deep breaths, then finally turned to look Tommy squarely in the eyes. There was anger in his expression, but mostly there was sadness. And the cold glint of fear.

“I’ve accepted that, Tommy. But I need you to understand, too. Ellie—Ellie is family now, too. We protect her. Like she’s one of our own.”

Nina stood in the dining hall, tray in hand, looking for a place to sit. She was conscious of eyes on her, sizing her up. A feeling akin to being in a middle school cafeteria. She’d avoided coming here for the past week or so, but she couldn’t stay away forever. And anyway, she had business to see to today.

The Millers were all sitting together for a change— Tommy, Maria, Joel, and Ellie. They looked happy, the four of them, as they talked over their dinner. Even Joel looked a little lighter, the brow not as pinched and the scowl not cut so deep. He looked younger when he wasn’t so surly, she noticed. He must’ve wrecked some hearts in his day, with that jawline and those curls and the solid muscle bunching below his shirt. He could probably wreck some hearts right now, here in Jackson, but from what she’d seen he wasn’t terribly interested in that.

As she approached, he looked up suddenly. His eyes caught on hers, wide and dark and a little surprised to find her watching him. Then he looked back down at his plate, suddenly seeming very interested in his potatoes.

“Mind if I join for a minute?” Nina gestured toward an empty chair at one end of the table, beside Tommy and Maria.

“Doc! Please, have a seat.” Tommy gave her a warm smile, and she felt a little rush of gratitude for his friendliness. She liked to pretend she didn’t care what people thought of her, but the past couple of weeks had been rough. Not just the occasional nasty looks, but the general sense of discomfort people had around her, the awkwardness and trepidation and pity.

“I won’t stay long. Don’t want to interrupt your family time. But I do need to check in with you all about something.”

“Nina.” Maria fixed her with one of her looks. “You know you’re always welcome here, and you know you can’t stay in your apartment all day. Stay and eat.”

So she tried to sit and be companionable as she worked through her serving of stew, but her mind was elsewhere. She knew Maria was worried about her and was trying to be supportive by insisting she join their family dinner. But the more stressed she felt, the less she wanted to be around people, putting on a performance of normalcy. She’d rather be back in her clinic, studying her medical textbooks or preparing elderberry tinctures or something productive. Not making small talk with the Millers, however nice they might be.

She was also acutely conscious of Joel sitting a few few away, and keeping quiet much like she was. Twice she looked up just as his eyes were skidding away from her. Was he watching her because she’d been watching him? Or was he just… watching her?

“So Doc,” Tommy began, “you said you had something to talk to us about?”

She set down her spoon. “I have to go to Lava Hot Springs next week, to meet Mo. Starkey was supposed to go with me, like he did in the fall.”

“Shit.” Tommy rubbed an anxious hand along the back of his neck. “I completely forgot.”

“You’re going to meet the smuggler? That’s so fucking cool,” Ellie broke in, eyes shining.

“Ellie,” Joel admonished her quietly.

“What? You know it’s cool.”

“I know it’s unfortunate timing, but I’ve got to meet him. We’re going to be in bad shape if I don’t.”

“No, you’re right. We can’t afford to miss the rendezvous.” Maria looked pensive, running through the logistics in her head. “Someone else needs to go with you. It’s too dangerous to travel that way alone.”

“I hate to say this,” Tommy said with a sheepish look in her direction. “But I think most folks’d be hesitant to go with you right now, Nina. Not for any good reason, but they might be afraid that…” He trailed off.

“What, like she’s gonna execute them if they sprain an ankle or something? That’s bull-“

“Ellie!” 

Joel was glaring daggers at the girl, but Nina flashed her a smile. Tommy was right: people might not want to join her on a trip right now. But Ellie was also right: it was bullshit.

There was a moment of silence, everyone thinking through the options. Then Tommy spoke. “I’ll go.”

Nina caught the way Maria’s eyes flicked at his, widening in alarm, before she composed herself. She knew Maria didn’t want him going on any more patrols, not when she was so close to her due date, and not when things outside Jackson had been so treacherous. Tommy, for his part, didn’t look terribly happy about the plan, but he was resolute: it had to be done.

“No, Tommy. You gotta stay with Maria now. I’ll go.” Everyone turned to look at Joel, who went back to spooning soup into his mouth, nonchalantly.

“That could work,” Tommy mused.

“Is that okay with you, Nina?” Maria was giving her a look she didn’t quite understand— studying her, warning her maybe.

The thing that was disturbing him was that Ellie wasn’t mad. She was annoyed and a little mopey about being left behind, but she wasn’t getting in his face and blowing up at him. She left him alone while he packed his rucksack with clothes and supplies.

He didn’t like it. Kept thinking about what Nina had told him that night in the bar. It’s a good thing that Ellie’s acting out. It’s what teenagers did in normal times.

She hadn’t gone out to work with the dogs, either. Not since that day last week when she came home in tears. He’d even told her, with a great deal of discomfort, that it was okay if she wanted to keep doing it. 

She’d given him a shocked look, but then she just shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. “I dunno, I’m not really that into it anymore.”

“What about… somethin’ else? Some other kind of farm work? Or maybe somethin’ with food, like the bakery?”

“Um, maybe. I guess I’ll talk to Maria about it when you’re gone.”

She had that flatness about her that she got now and then. She’d been that way for a long time after he’d gotten stabbed and she’d been taken by those goddamn fundamentalist creeps. He’d worried then that there was a side of her that was gone for good. That was the way he felt about himself— that parts of the man he’d once been were buried too deep to ever get back.

But she’d resurfaced from that, eventually. She was probably stronger than him, in addition to smarter. Still though, occasionally she would get that look in her eyes. Or that lack of a look, that kind of sad emptiness. It made him feel sick. And he didn’t really know how to help her, because he himself had never learned how to overcome that kind of pain. He just lived like a twisted version of himself in its shadow.

Now he was leaving her while she was in one of those moods, and he felt awful about it. He thought about offering not to go, but he couldn’t do it to Tommy. As he’d reminded Joel, his brother had been willing to put his life on the line for him. For him and for Ellie. And now it was his turn, to look after Tommy and Maria and the baby.

And then there was Nina. He kept thinking about her, and kept trying not to think about her. Kept thinking it was a bad idea to go on this trip with her, when for weeks he’d been daydreaming about her while he fucked his fist in the shower. He barely knew how to act when he was around her in mixed company. How would he get through a week on the road, just the two of them?

There were a number of reasons why he’d hadn’t made any kind of move on her, and didn’t intend to. She was young and tough and smart as a whip, and she was frankly out of his league. He hadn’t hooked up with someone new in over a decade and he wasn’t sure he even remembered how. He’d had no reason to think she was interested.

But despite all that, he wanted to be near her. He wanted to hear her talk with her low, melodic voice. He wanted to look at her dark eyes and darker lashes, the bronze expanse of her skin. The way her hands moved, skillful and gentle, and the way her wide hips swayed as she walked.

She was the fishhook; he was the fish.

[cleoselene]

was reading about how the Michael Jackson biopic is going to be not only fawning but aggressive against his victims. It's ghastly enough that he abused these boys, now men, when they were children and when he was alive, but these filmmakers and the members of his family who approved it and are pocketing the money from it are abusing these men all over again, and all of Jackson's fans are participating as well

the argument with biopics of musicians is that they always inevitably end up puff pieces because it's so important for the films to feature the music and no estate is going to sign off on letting them use the music for an unfavorable portrayal, so this happens

bold take: Michael Jackson was a pedophile. We don't need to hear his music in a film about his life. We don't. We can listen to it whenever we want, it's all out there on streaming services, plaing all the time on oldies radio stations, for sale to consume on its own. If you want to honestly portray a life of a man who did such horrible things, you don't need to stop and appreciate the bops

but none of the people involved in making this have any interest in the truth. Don't know how you can watch what James Safechuck and Wade Robeson said while baring their soles in Leaving Neverland and still keep your stan goggles on. It's fandom to the point of it becoming a serious character flaw to react to those men's accounts with anything but empathy

[tearsinthemist]

John Roberts’ Secret Trump Memo Revealed in Huge SCOTUS Leak

Corbin Bolies

Sun, September 15, 2024 at 9:33 AM CDT·3 min read

1.3k

The Supreme Court was hit by a flurry of damaging new leaks Sunday as a series of confidential memos written by the chief justice were revealed by The New York Times.

The court’s Chief Justice John Roberts was clear to his fellow justices in February: He wanted the court to take up a case weighing Donald Trump’s right to presidential immunity—and he seemed inclined to protect the former president.

“I think it likely that we will view the separation of powers analysis differently,” Roberts wrote to his Supreme Court peers, according to a private memo obtained by the Times. He was referencing the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to allow the case to move forward.

Roberts took an unusual level of involvement in this and other cases that ultimately benefited Trump, according to the Times—his handling of the cases surprised even some other justices on the high court, across ideological lines. As president, Trump appointed three of the members of its current conservative supermajority.

I Saw the Grim Brutality of a Conservative Supreme Court Close Up

Such was the case in March that debated whether Colorado, or any state, had the authority to remove an official from a federal ballot. Roberts persuaded the other justices to make their opinion—that states could not unilaterally drop a federal candidate from the ballot—unsigned to authoritatively signal their unanimity, according to the Times.

The judges agreed, until the conservatives sought to include an additional proposition that mandated anyone seeking to enforce the Constitution’s ban on insurrectionist candidates get congressional approval. Four justices—Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Amy Coney Barrett—thought that idea went too far, and wrote concurrences in disagreement. Roberts himself wrote the majority opinion.

Roberts also took charge of the court’s ruling that declared the government went too far in charging those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.

He had initially assigned the case to Samuel Alito but abruptly took it over himself days after the Times revealed Alito’s wife Martha-Ann hung an upside-down U.S. flag—an emblem of the “Stop the Steal” movement, and propagated by some Jan. 6 rioters—outside his home, according to the Times. It was unclear whether the two episodes were linked; none of the justices answered the Times’ questions

Michael Ian Black: Can We Stop Acting Shocked About Alito Family Shenanigans?

The switch, however, was unusual among court standards. Such instances usually only occur when a decision changes, experts told the Times.

Thus came the Trump ruling. The conservatives had voted to grant Trump, and all presidents, expansive immunity for “official” acts during their tenure. But Roberts again took the case for himself, prompting some at the court to wonder whether he may have taken on too much. He got pushback from justices both liberal (Sotomayor) and conservative (Barrett), though the opinion made it through in July, providing Trump with a clear win.

The clear loser? Judge Tanya Chutkan, who must decide how the ruling applies to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s still-pending case against Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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[goyountokki]

Go Younjung's Movies and Series Recommendation

It is known among fans that actress Go Younjung loves to spend her spare time watching movies and share her watching list through instagram posts. Let's check out all the movies and series that Go Younjung has recommended.

Fight Club (1999)

Synopsis An unnamed narrator (played by Edward Norton) who is discontented with his white-collar job forms a "fight club" with a soap salesman Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt), and becomes embroiled in a relationship with an impoverished but beguilingly attractive woman, Marla Singer (played by Bonham Carter). This movie is based on the 1996 novel by Chuck Palahniuk <Fight Club>.

The Big Short (2015)

Synopsis In 2008, Wall Street guru Michael Burry realizes that a number of subprime home loans are in danger of defaulting. Burry bets against the housing market by throwing more than $1 billion of his investors' money into credit default swaps. His actions attract the attention of banker Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), hedge-fund specialist Mark Baum (Steve Carell) and other greedy opportunists. Together, these men make a fortune by taking full advantage of the impending economic collapse in America.

The Lives of Others (2007)

Synopsis In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck). Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders Wiesler to get the playwright out of the way.

Seven (1995)

Synopsis Set in an unnamed, crime-ridden city, Seven's narrative follows disenchanted, nearly retired detective William Somerset (Freeman) and his newly transferred partner David Mills (Pitt) as they try to stop a serial killer from committing a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Synopsis While out hunting, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds the grisly aftermath of a drug deal. Though he knows better, he cannot resist the cash left behind and takes it with him. The hunter becomes the hunted when a merciless killer named Chigurh (Javier Bardem) picks up his trail. Also looking for Moss is Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), an aging lawman who reflects on a changing world and a dark secret of his own, as he tries to find and protect Moss.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Synopsis It is the first year of Germany's occupation of France. Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) assembles a team of Jewish soldiers to commit violent acts of retribution against the Nazis, including the taking of their scalps. He and his men join forces with Bridget von Hammersmark, a German actress and undercover agent, to bring down the leaders of the Third Reich. Their fates converge with theater owner Shosanna Dreyfus, who seeks to avenge the Nazis' execution of her family.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Synopsis While racing toward the town of Red Rock in post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunter John "The Hangman" Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive prisoner (Jennifer Jason Leigh) encounter another bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson) and a man who claims to be a sheriff. Hoping to find shelter from a blizzard, the group travels to a stagecoach stopover located on a mountain pass. Greeted there by four strangers, the eight travelers soon learn that they may not make it to their destination after all.

Gran Torino (2009)

Synopsis Retired auto worker and Korean War vet Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) fills emptiness in his life with beer and home repair, despising the many Asian, Latino and black families in his neighborhood. Walt becomes a reluctant hero when he stands up to the gangbangers who tried to force an Asian teen to steal Walt's treasured car. An unlikely friendship develops between Walt and the teen, as he learns he has more in common with his neighbors than he thought.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Synopsis In mid-1980s Texas, electrician Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey) is stunned to learn that he has AIDS. Though told that he has just 30 days left to live, Woodroof refuses to give in to despair. He seeks out alternative therapies and smuggles unapproved drugs into the U.S. from wherever he can find them. Woodroof joins forces with a fellow AIDS patient (Jared Leto) and begins selling the treatments to the growing number of people who can't wait for the medical establishment to save them.

Becoming Who I Was (2017)

Synopsis After being identified as the reincarnation of a venerated Buddhist master, young Padma Angdu makes an arduous journey with his aging guardian from Northern India to Tibet to find his rightful place in the world.

American Psycho (2000)

Synopsis In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night. The cast is filled by the detective (Willem Dafoe), the fiance (Reese Witherspoon), the mistress (Samantha Mathis), the coworker (Jared Leto), and the secretary (Chloë Sevigny). This is a biting, wry comedy examining the elements that make a man a monster.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Synopsis Young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking.

Django Unchained (2012)

Synopsis Two years before the Civil War, Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave, finds himself accompanying an unorthodox German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) on a mission to capture the vicious Brittle brothers. Their mission successful, Schultz frees Django, and together they hunt the South's most-wanted criminals. Their travels take them to the infamous plantation of shady Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), where Django's long-lost wife (Kerry Washington) is still a slave.

Monster (2003)

Synopsis The film follows serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a street prostitute who murdered seven of her male clients between 1989 and 1990 and was executed in Florida in 2002. It stars Charlize Theron as Wuornos and Christina Ricci as her semi-fictionalized lover, Selby Wall (based on Wuornos's real-life girlfriend, Tyria Moore).

Black Mirror (2011)

Black Mirror is a British anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker. The series explores various genres, with most episodes set in near-future dystopias containing sci-fi technology—a type of speculative fiction. The series is inspired by The Twilight Zone and uses the themes of technology and media to comment on contemporary social issues. 

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a 2018 American Western anthology film written, directed, produced, and edited by the Coen brothers. It stars Tim Blake Nelson, Tyne Daly, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Heck, Grainger Hines, Zoe Kazan, Harry Melling, Liam Neeson, Jonjo O'Neill, Chelcie Ross, Saul Rubinek, and Tom Waits. It consists of six vignettes set on the American frontier.

We Need to Talk about Kevin (2011)

Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) is a travel writer/publisher who gives up her beloved freedom and bohemian lifestyle to have a child with her husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly). Pregnancy does not seem to agree with Eva, but what's worse, when she does give birth to a baby boy named Kevin, she can't seem to bond with him. When Kevin grows from a fussy, demanding toddler (Rocky Duer) into a sociopathic teen (Ezra Miller), Eva is forced to deal with the aftermath of her son's horrific act.

Stranger Things (2016)

(Picture above is drawn by Go Younjung herself)

Set in the 1980s, the series centers around the residents of the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana, as they are plagued by a hostile alternate dimension known as the Upside Down, after a nearby human experimentation facility opens a gateway between Earth and the Upside Down.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are hitmen with a penchant for philosophical discussions. In this ultra-hip, multi-strand crime movie, their storyline is interwoven with those of their boss, gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) ; his actress wife, Mia (Uma Thurman) ; struggling boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) ; master fixer Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) and a nervous pair of armed robbers, "Pumpkin" (Tim Roth) and "Honey Bunny" (Amanda Plummer).

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

During World War II, 8-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and his family leave Berlin to take up residence near the concentration camp where his father (David Thewlis) has just become commandant. Unhappy and lonely, he wanders out behind his house one day and finds Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a Jewish boy of his age. Though the barbed-wire fence of the camp separates them, the boys begin a forbidden friendship, oblivious to the real nature of their surroundings.

Bleak Night (2010)

Bleak Night is a 2010 South Korean coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Yoon Sung-hyun. The film is about a father's search for answers following his son's death, and the shifting dynamics at play among three high-school friends.

Chernobyl (2019)

Chernobyl is a 2019 historical drama television miniseries that revolves around the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 and the cleanup efforts that followed.

Gone Girl (2014)

In Carthage, Mo., former New York-based writer Nick Dunne and his glamorous wife Amy present a portrait of a blissful marriage to the public; when Amy goes missing on the couple's fifth wedding anniversary, Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance; the resulting police pressure and media frenzy cause the Dunnes' image of a happy union to crumble, leading to tantalizing questions about who Nick and Amy truly are.

Before Sunrise (1995)

On his way to Vienna, American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meets Celine (Julie Delpy), a student returning to Paris. After long conversations forge a surprising connection between them, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train with him in Vienna. Since his flight to the U.S. departs the next morning and he has no money for lodging, they wander the city together, taking in the experiences of Vienna and each other. As the night progresses, their bond makes separating in the morning a difficult choice.

Joint Security Area (2000)

Joint Security Area is set in the Korean Demilitarized Zone separating the countries of North Korea and South Korea and revolves around a fatal shooting incident involving soldiers from both sides, which leads the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to investigate and gradually unveil the unexpected truth.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and fearless British race car driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary vehicle for the Ford Motor Co. Together, they plan to compete against the race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

Memories of Murder (2003)

In 1986, Park (Song Kang-ho) and Cho (Kim Roi-ha) are two simple-minded detectives assigned to a double murder investigation in a South Korean province. But when the murderer strikes several more times with the same pattern, the detectives realize that they are chasing the country's first documented serial killer. Relying on only their basic skills and tools, Park and Jo attempt to piece together the clues and solve the case in this thriller based on true events.

Million Dollars Baby (2004)

Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran Los Angeles boxing trainer who keeps almost everyone at arm's length, except his old friend and associate Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman). When Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) arrives in Frankie's gym seeking his expertise, he is reluctant to train the young woman, a transplant from working-class Missouri. Eventually, he relents, and the two form a close bond that will irrevocably change them both.

Enemy at the Gates (2001)

Vassili (Jude Law) is a young Russian sharpshooter who becomes a legend when a savvy polical officer (Joseph Fiennes) makes him the hero of his propaganda campaign. Their friendship is threatened when both men fall in love with a beautiful female soldier (Rachel Weisz). As the battle for the city rages, Vassili faces the ultimate challenge when the Nazi command dispatches its most elite marksman (Ed Harris) to hunt down and kill the man who has become the hope of all Russia.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

In 1963, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar are hired by rancher Joe Aguirre as sheep herders in Wyoming. One night on Brokeback Mountain, Jack makes a drunken pass at Ennis that is eventually reciprocated. Though Ennis marries his longtime sweetheart, Alma and Jack marries a fellow rodeo riders, the two men keep up their tortured and sporadic affair over the course of 20 years.

Check the next recommendation post here

[wildandmoody]

My last #Michaelpost for the day is that in the past 48 hours of my even learning that there's gonna be a Michael Jackson biopic movie in the first place we got a release date, staff announcement and two cast member announcements and Oh Boy. The hysteria in Certain Corners of the internet has Already been a time, on top of the Everything Else. Dear oh fucking dear!

Just to make things clear I am not a biopic watcher, At All. I'm hardly even a movie watcher at all outside of Godzilla. Biopics about Black legends are not exactly known for being all that great, as far as I know. But that aside Jaafar Jackson, who I knew from his r&b career, has been cast to play his uncle and another kid playing his younger self. Most of the staff working on this movie seemed to have worked on the Queen biopic from a few years ago that was really popular. All of this to say that i don't have any expectations of this being any particular flavor of Really Good or Really Bad.

But what I AM scared of is the actual accuracy of the execution......

BECAUSE I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. With a white man screenwriting this, AND this film having to be palatable to hollywood approval, how on earth could it possibly cover the intricacies of the fact that sooo much of what Michael went through was due to direct and indirect racism and ableism? How is Jaafar going to portray older, vitiligo-and-lupus-and-ED-afflicted Michael without it coming off as tacky and looking bad? Speaking of which, -how on earth- is a movie two hours long going to condense EVERYTHING that Michael did, accomplished, suffered through and more throughout his life? The Jackson family has a part in overseeing its production, will they overlook the severity of the verbal and physical abuse he endured? Certain aspects of his life will have to be focused on more than others, but which?? Will the movie be more down-to-earth as they claim? Will Jaafar sing over his uncle's songs or will they have Michael's voice over Jaafar's acting (kind of the option I'm hoping for)? Will actual clips of Michael be used in the film? They promised unreleased music just for use in this film, how will they decide on what to choose and will it be officially released later? Just . How could you possibly condense the life of the most recognizable public figure who will ever live? You can't portray a man like him on-screen through other people idk. You just can't. It's so easy to mess this up. I somehow also just expect it to be Okay. This should have been a multi-episode special like American Dream was, or docu series like it ought to be. I'm more baffled than scared!!!

[purvlereign]

Greetings and salutations!!!

Ashanti. 20. Black. Cis female.

• college student (i graduate next year tho!!!)

• an amazingly talented aspiring writer (who often suffers from writers block unfortunately 😒)

• old school enthusiast (old music? old movies? i LOVE them)

• christian (i don’t discriminate but pls don’t follow me if you’re gonna disrespect my religion. thanks ❤️)

• womanist (i don’t subscribe to the underlying white supremacist ideology of feminism. don’t like it, don’t interact)

• straight (but i heavily support the lgbtq+ community. i love y’all motherfuckers)

• pro-black (that doesn’t mean i’m anti-white, folks 🤣😭)

SPECIAL TAGS — ##brain puke = random shit, ##christianity talk = where i make posts concerning Christianity, ##heated like bey = rants, ##miss franklin approved = music recommendations & other stuff pertaining to sanging, ##ladies and gentlemen ✨ashanti✨ = personal shit, ##they don’t have the range = shady edits of horrible singing.

These are a few of my favorite thinnngs!!! 🤩

FAVE TV SERIES — Criminal Minds, Law and Order: svu, Euphoria, A Different World, Touched by an Angel, Roots (2016), The Jeffersons, Any Day Now, Good Times, Big Little Lies, Family Ties, In Living Color, Gimme a Break, Star, Everybody Hates Chris, Moesha, King of the King & more.

FAVE MOVIES — Dreamgirls, Imitation of Life (1959), The Color Purple (1985), Clara’s Heart, A Bronx Tale, The Lovely Bones, Ray, Hairspray (2007), What’s Love Got to Do With It, Eve’s Bayou, The Player’s Club, Beloved, Moonlight, Cooley High, Sparkle (1976 & 2012), Jason’s Lyric, Def by Temptation, I Passed for White, Friday, Remember the Titans & more.

FAVE MUSICAL ARTISTS — Michael Jackson, DeBarge, Halle Bailey, NSYNC, Queen, Whitney Houston, Switch, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, El DeBarge, Dru Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Selena, Bobby DeBarge, P!nk, Boyz II Men, Ella Mai, Jodeci, Chico DeBarge, Christopher Williams, Justin Timberlake, Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner, Mahalia Jackson, Prince, Bebe & Cece Winans, Pearl Jam & MANY more.

Please read through this CAREFULLY before you decide to waste your time and mine. ❤️

DNI — radfems, terfs, maps, racists, homophobes, transphobes, xenophobes, conservatives, overly sensitive white liberals, gaylors, toxic arianators, toxic barbz, toxic lambs, toxic beyhives, toxic armys, toxic swifties, abuse apologists, tiktok psychologists, misogynists, misandrists, misogynoirists, white supremacists, colorists & chronically online motherfuckers.

sideblog: @phtharticdelights (where i share my writing)

[mediamonarchy]

https://mediamonarchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241107_MorningMonarchy.mp3 Download MP3 Harsh hangovers, LL QJ and Ghislaine gave a TEDx Talk + this day in history w/Mexican NXIVM and our song of the day by Matt Finlay on your #MorningMonarchy for November 7, 2024. Notes/Links: Kamala’s Koncession Speech Mixed With Ke$ha Kovers Live On Media Monarchy (Audio) Video: Let it out 🤡 #LiberaLaReacción #LiberalMeltdowns (Audio) https://x.com/Ran_Dumb_Libs/status/1854304010561282256 Video: Alright, this is the best one. I’ve seen em all. Nothing else comes close. (Audio) https://x.com/LibertyLockPod/status/1854279489741615199 Video: HUGE Trump victory causes media MELTDOWN | Free Media (Audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ0wPnRgd3A The Comas – “Invisible Drugs” (Audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyQak-haIBQ Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91 https://apnews.com/article/quincy-jones-dead-a9e31c7e39c448d8971519f47a22dd21 #MorningMonarchy: February 9, 2018 – Quincy bombs https://mediamonarchy.com/20180209morningmonarchy/ Quincy (Zero Fucks) Jones dropping knowledge or creating diversions in stunning interview https://x.com/g3rd3r/status/961416110628257792 Quincy Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincy_Jones Video: Quincy Jones Dead at 91 (Audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IojSf9ocWhY Video: Quincy Jones – “In Cold Blood” (Inst. // Audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPr0lcuopHI Cover Art: Quincy Jones – A Life in Photos; Mr. Jones’s extraordinary musical talent was perhaps matched only by his work ethic, making him one of the most prolific people in music. https://archive.is/R3Kg1 Three women were checked into Stephen Paddock’s suite at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, October, 2017. https://x.com/I_Am_JohnCullen/status/1853386258334290180 Search: three women in paddock hotel room in vegas 2017 https://search.brave.com/search?q=three+women+in+paddock+hotel+room+in+vegas+2017&source=desktop&summary=1&summary_og=296a600f880bef9cfd9ed5 Stephen Paddock’s hotel records show three women registered in his room (May 27, 2018) https://baltimorepostexaminer.com/stephen-paddocks-hotel-records-show-three-women-registered-room/2018/05/27 Video: BANNED VIDEO: Did you know that Ghislaine Maxwell gave a TEDx Talk? No??? That’s cause it was scrubbed from the internet. Thankfully for us the Internet is forever. Steal and share! WARNING: Don’t put this on YouTube. Your channel will be banned. #AnonFlood (Audio) https://x.com/ElizabethPDove/status/1853224317229658476 Search: Ghislaine Maxwell ocean project https://search.brave.com/search?q=Ghislaine+Maxwell+ocean+project&source=desktop&summary=1&summary_og=da33d6011c536dbcd51341 Wannadies – “Hit” (Audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFq5YucL_iE November 2014 – Page 3 – Media Monarchy https://mediamonarchy.com/2014/11/page/3/ Flashback: #NewWorldNextWeek: Episode211 – sElection Updates, Israeli Terror, GCHQ WTF? (Nov. 7, 2014) https://mediamonarchy.com/nwnw211/ #ThisDayInHistory/#MorningMonarchy: November 7, 2017 – Apple isn’t saving bra photos — but your iPhone is looking at boobs (Audio) https://mediamonarchy.com/20171107morningmonarchy/ #PumpUpThaVolume: November 7, 2017 ♬ Andrew Weatherall & Lorde https://mediamonarchy.com/20171107pumpupthavolume/ #ThisDayInHistory/#MorningMonarchy: November 7, 2018 – FDA Approves Super-Potent New Opioid (Audio) https://mediamonarchy.com/20181107morningmonarchy/ #PumpUpThaVolume: November 7, 2018 ♬ Molly Burch & Laura Gibson https://mediamonarchy.com/20181107pumpupthavolume/ #ThisDayInHistory/#MorningMonarchy: November 7, 2019 – American family murdered by Mexican NXIVM drug cartel (Audio) https://mediamonarchy.com/20191107morningmonarchy/ #PumpUpThaVolume: November 7, 2019 ♬ The Good, The Bad and The Queen & Menahan Street Band https://mediamonarchy.com/20191107pumpupthavolume/ #NewWorldNextWeek: Internal Passports Come to USSA + Chemical Credibility & Aramco IPO https://mediamonarch...

[sheetmusiclibrarypdf]

The Simpsons Main Theme (Jazz Play Along sheet music)

The Simpsons (Main Theme) Jazz Play Along with sheet music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcpZbueuLxg

The Simpsons (Background music) Jazz Play Along with sheet music

The Simpsons

The Simpsons is an American animated television sitcom created by Matt Groening that has aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company since December 1989. It is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its eponymous family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield, and lampoons American culture, society, and many aspects of the human condition. The popularity of The Simpsons led to the release of the 1990 double platinum album The Simpsons Sing the Blues, which contains original songs performed by the cast members of the show as their characters. The album spawned two hit singles—"Do the Bartman" and "Deep, Deep Trouble". A less successful sequel, The Yellow Album, was released in 1998. Three soundtrack albums featuring music and songs from the show have been released—Songs in the Key of Springfield in 1997, Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons in 1999, and The Simpsons: Testify in 2007. The first two charted on the US Billboard 200, reaching number 103 and 197, respectively.

The Simpsons Movie: The Music, a soundtrack album featuring the score of The Simpsons Movie, was released along with the feature-length film in July 2007. The choral piece "Spider Pig" that appeared in the film and on the soundtrack entered the charts in several countries around the world. The Simpsons was a hit for Fox Broadcasting Company from the start and the network instantly received hundreds of requests from sellers wanting to create merchandise based on the show, such as clothing, alarm clocks, bubble gum, notebooks, posters, and air fresheners. The merchandise was highly successful, generating an estimated US$750 million in revenue during the first year of sales. As commented by AllMusic reviewer Jason Ankeny, "an LP proved inevitable" when, after the series premiere, "the characters' licensed images were everywhere from T-shirts to action figures". In 1990, David Geffen, founder of the record label Geffen Records, decided to record an album featuring characters from The Simpsons. His idea was approved by Fox and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and the show's writers were assigned to write original, humorous lyrics for the cast members to perform. The finished result became the hip-hop blues album The Simpsons Sing the Blues, released in December 1990. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 1991. A mid-twenties African American man wearing a sequined military jacket and dark sunglasses. He is walking while waving his right hand, which is adorned with a white glove. His left hand is bare. "Do the Bartman", co-written by Michael Jackson, was released as the first single from The Simpsons Sing the Blues. It reached number one on the singles charts in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, eventually becoming certified gold in the latter country with 400,000 units sold. In Ireland, "Do the Bartman" spent nine weeks at number one on the Irish Singles Chart—only seven singles have managed a longer run. The single was accompanied by a popular music video that became the number one music video on rotation on the American MTV network in November 1990. "Deep, Deep Trouble", the second single from The Simpsons Sing the Blues, did not achieve as much popularity as "Do the Bartman" but managed to reach number one in Ireland and the top ten in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. A music video was produced for this single as well, premiering in March 1991. The third and final single, "God Bless the Child" (a cover of the Billie Holiday song with the same name), failed to chart. In March 1997, a soundtrack album titled Songs in the Key of Springfield was released that included many of the musical numbers from the series' first years (1990–96). The album featured much of the work of The Simpsons composer Alf Clausen, who has co-written, arranged, produced, and conducted almost all music that is used on the show. This compilation of songs did not match the success of the previous Simpsons album, but peaked at number 103 in the United States and number 18 in the United Kingdom, where it was certified silver with more than 60,000 units sold. Following the popularity of The Simpsons Sing the Blues, The Simpsons executive producer James L. Brooks wanted to produce a follow-up album, also with original music not previously featured in the series. The cast members recorded this second studio album based on The Simpsons, named The Yellow Album and scheduled for release in 1993, but Groening was against it; as a result, it was not released until November 1998. It was poorly received by critics and did not chart. A sequel to Songs in the Key of Springfield was released in October 1999, titled Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons. It contained songs that had appeared in the series since the previous soundtrack album was released, as well as some earlier ones that did not make the cut in Songs in the Key of Springfield. Most of the 53 tracks featured were composed by Clausen. The album peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200. The Simpsons: Testify, the third and latest album (as of 2012) to feature music from The Simpsons, was released eight years later in September 2007. Like its predecessors, the majority of the tracks were composed by Clausen. The album, which did not chart, contains songs from the series' eleventh season (1999) to its eighteenth season (2007). The Simpsons Movie, a feature-length film based on the television series, was released in theaters in July 2007. Brooks chose Hans Zimmer to compose the score of the film, as they were good friends and regular collaborators. This score was released in July 2007 on a soundtrack album called The Simpsons Movie: The Music, which peaked at number 108 in the United States. While working on the score, Zimmer turned the "Spider Pig" song sung by Homer in The Simpsons Movie into a choral piece that he originally did not intend to put into the film. However, it ended up being used and was included in the soundtrack. Zimmer's "Spider Pig" was popular and appeared on the singles charts in several countries, reaching number three in Ireland, eight in New Zealand, 14 in Norway, 23 in the United Kingdom, and 53 in Sweden. In addition to appearing in The Simpsons Movie, the members of the punk rock band Green Day recorded their own version of the Simpsons theme for the film. It was released as a single in July 2007 and became a top-twenty hit in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Read the full article

[music-n-romantic-dreams]

I don’t want to ruin my relationship with JK I wanna be his friend so badly.

He’s my rival in music.

I want us to be close.

I’m not interested in walking a path that makes him my enemy.

It’s stupid.

Especially over girls.

If someone truly loves and belongs to you they’ll come without any conflicts.

I lost so many people in music.

I refuse to be an enemy of Jungkook.

I need him.

Artemis already has my future set up for me.

So it’s important for me to focus on establishing connections that truly fulfill me, make me happy and help me become who I need to be in the future.

Also I’m extremely protective of Artemis.

I don’t want her exposed to toxic situations and conflict and chaos again.

I’m coming into her life to show her that there’s so much more to life then fighting one another.

I won’t let anyone get in the way of that.

We aren’t afraid to check family and those we love if they fall out of alignment.

It’s just a warning and me setting up boundaries.

Nothing is set in stone yet.

But understand if you think that I’m easy you got it misunderstood.

I literally abandoned my family.

I won’t let anyone get in the way of my future and my peace and the peace of the family that I’m building.

If you wanna join and you get approval from Artemis then join.

But if you’re unsure then I’m sure you’ll find love and be happy elsewhere 💟

I’m far too simplistic and grateful to fight for things that don’t truly want me.

I’d rather be alone, but I got Artemis so I’m never alone anymore.

Because I’m not focused on romance right now anyway I’m just trying to get the foundation for my home in place.

[carewyncromwell]

[Marauders Era/Golden Era] Ed Rosier Playlist

"More Than Just The Spare (deleted song)” ~ Frozen

“Shine” ~ Matt Beilis

“How Bad Can I Be?” ~ The Lorax

“Don’t Say You Love Me” ~ Fifth Harmony

“Role of a Lifetime” ~ Bare

“One Song Glory” ~ RENT

“Part of Me” ~ Katy Perry

“Man in the Mirror” ~ Michael Jackson

“A Change in Me” ~ Beauty and the Beast

“When I Grow Up” ~ the Pussycat Dolls

“If I Had You” ~ Adam Lambert

“I’ll Stand by You” ~ The Pretenders

“Top of the World” ~ Greek Fire

The younger son of the esteemed Rosier family, Edmund -- or “Ed” as nearly everyone calls him -- knows he’s made a lot of mistakes in his life. He turned his back on the first and truest friend he ever made in his life; embraced his family’s blood purist ideals purely out of a desperate desire to please them; let his jealousy of his older brother poison their relationship to the point he refused to even speak to him; and broke the heart of the love of his life because he was convinced that they could never build a future together. After losing both his lover and his brother during the First Wizarding War and breaking away from his parents’ toxic influence and blood purist rhetoric, however, Ed has fought hard to turn over a new leaf. He’s now embraced Muggle technology and pop culture in a way he never would’ve before and he’s done a lot of soul searching, wanting to make up for who he used to be and chase a better and more fulfilling future for himself. And maybe now that he’s become the songwriter for an up-and-coming band, reconnected with his childhood best friend, and even decided to fight back against the growing Death Eater influence rather than stand back passively the way he did before...maybe he’ll finally earn that happily-ever-after he’s always wanted.

[tedkennedyswife]

hi! are there any good books about Joan or featuring her?

AHello, yes! Not a lot but the ones that exist are pretty good.

Joan: The reluctant Kennedy by Lester David

Joan was interviewed a lot for this book. It’s excellent, the only thing is that it chronicles her life only until 1974. I loved learning about her childhood and teenage years.

2. The Joan Kennedy story: Living with the Kennedys by Marcia Chellis (1985)

A tell-all published by her ex-assistant who worked for her from 1979 to 1982-1983 I think. Of course I don’t approve of the author’s sneaky ways, but it is juicy and gives an in depth insight about what was going on privately during Ted’s last campaign.

3. The Joy of Classical Music: A guide for you and your family by Joan Kennedy (1994)

This is the only book written by Joan. Unfortunately it’s not an autobiography. I would say it’s 25% biography and 75% classical music. The pics are great though: there’s one pic of her as a girl scout, one of her and her family during Christmas, etc. All the pics were posted here of course.

4. Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot by J. Randy Taraborrelli (2000)

I loooove J. Randy Taraborrelli, I’ve read a few of his books (Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe) and I really like the way he writes. He does a lot of research for his books and all of his books are real page turner. This book doesn’t disappoint, it’s excellent.

5. The Kennedy Women: The saga of an american family by Laurence Leamer (1996)

A book about allllll the Kennedy women, starting from the 1800s. This book is so well researched. Oh and it’s also 992 pages, a brick!

6. The Kennedy Wives: Triumph and Tragedy by Amber Hunt and David Batcher (2014)

This one is good, but it’s more like an overview. It’s not as in-depth as some of the other books listed here.

Happy reading and thank you for your question :)

[bigfan-fanfic]

Now Let’s Have a Talk About Journalistic Integrity (Headcanons)

Requested by anonymous for  Crossover reporter headcanons: Clark and Lois mentoring Mary Jane Watson, Cat Grant poaching Peter Parker from JJJ.  SAVE THE SPIDER BABY!  

Now, just take into consideration that this is not the Michelle Jones MJ portrayed by Zendaya in the MCU but more of my idea of Mary Jane Watson as shown throughout multiple media. Also Peter Parker is much the same as his MCU portrayal, except without his whole 

Okay, here’s some things to know about Lois Lane.

She’s actually older than Clark by about three years.

She’s also one of those people who generally sees anyone younger than her as “smol baby” which is part of the reason she’s often so dismissive of Clark when they first meet.

“Miss Lane, we should really think about not going into there-”

“Can it, Smallville. I’m older than you.”

Not to mention Clark pretty much doesn’t seem to ever get any older (and she swears one day she will find what kind of moisturizer he uses and steal it because that stuff has gotta be from the fountain of youth or something.

She’s also very much annoyed with Perry for planning to stick the newest intern with her and Smallville instead of Stupid Kenneth down in Entertainment or Joyce in Sports.

The girl is cute and she seems pretty eager (although Lois isn’t really into the perky nickname MJ she gives herself. Is this girl even old enough to know who Michael Jackson was? Besides, Lois is the one who gives the nicknames around here) but Lois is ready to set aside her personal issues and help uplift another young woman trying to drill her way through the patriarchy in journalism, so she makes sure she’s the best dang mentor she can be.

MJ is eager to prove herself and often reminds Lois of herself, but really she reminds her of Clark a lot more. While Lois has a dedication and commitment to the truth, no matter whom it’ll hurt, MJ and Clark always seem to focus on the people behind a story. It’s something Lois admires in them, but struggles with herself.

Lois’ upbringing under General Sam Lane and her sister Lucy was not a happy one, and she has frequently come into conflict due to her commitment to honesty and the truth, even when exposing the military and government in falsehoods. She doesn’t talk to her family, she hasn’t seen her sister in years. 

MJ is bright, and smart, and she’s good at both writing and listening. Lois knows she’s going to go far, but she has Smallville to help bolster her spirit. Lois knows what these idealistic people need. Someone like her to warn them about how harsh the world can be, who can help them weather the darkness with their light intact. 

Meanwhile Clark becomes fast friends with MJ. She actually quickly discovers his secret due to witnessing his quick change in a phone booth while getting Lois coffee.

Clark learns that MJ doesn’t have any family in Metropolis, and that her family didn’t approve of her leaving New York and thus don’t speak to her, and he invites her to the Kent farm for holidays. Basically she becomes a little sister to Clark 

Lois tries to stop herself from being jealous when MJ scores a big interview with Superman that skyrockets her career at the Planet. Because honestly it’s a little irksome when you expect to hear a familiar smooth-voiced “Miss Lane?” and receive an “Ah, Miss Watson?” instead.

Still, Lois and MJ and Clark become a fine journalistic team, with MJ often volunteering to take Clark’s place when he needs to be Superman at a function.

Also, MJ flies nicely under the radar since people tend to like the media narrative of the subtle flirtation between Lois and Superman, so MJ can “safely” go interview Lex Luthor without being kidnapped. MJ also ends up working for the League to get information.

Meanwhile, we have Peter Parker working to make a quick buck at the Daily Bugle. He’s a good photographer, particularly of posed Spider-Man shots, so JJJ knows he has talent, but he also knows he’s not gonna pay a snot-nosed young adult full price for anything.

So Peter is doing professional-level work for peanuts... until CatCo Worldwide Media gets wind of his talents.

It starts with Cat Grant taking a visit to New York to make the rounds and meet the local talent and such, and she sees a Bugle front page spread of Spidey.

And Cat Grant prides herself on being able to spot talent a mile away, so of course she decides to pay J. Jonah Jameson a visit. Needless to say, he does not make a good impression on her.

She offers Peter triple whatever Jameson pays him to work for CatCo Worldwide Media (later this tripled salary triples again after she learns that Peter really was paid some horribly low fees.

People are interested in superheroes, she knows, but Peter needs to prove he’s got what it takes, so she has him come out to National City to get her a fabulous shot of Supergirl.

Of course, the world being what it is, Peter can’t help but break out his suit to assist Supergirl against a villain, and to thank him, Kara makes sure he gets a really good photo.

Peter practically yelps when Cat introduces him to her assistant, “I want to say... Kiera?” and Kara has to shush him.

But basically, Supergirl and Spiderman team up on occasion, because who should be the one to get sent to check on Peter’s progress but Kara?

Also also probably Peter almost definitely but maybe but like totally has a crush on Lena because she’s awesome and one of his science heroes but also he totally crushes on Cisco when they have one of their interdimensional thingies and they get to meet. Also Cisco being like “whoa, Spider-Man’s real here!”

Also, though, for real, Peter meeting Iris and Barry and just having super crushes on both of them.