#most of them surrounding la trip

[tirednotflirting]

very strange mix of many different anxieties going into this week. have a headache and stomachache. this is fine.

[u6is]

wish you were here right now

summary: at a lively yacht party celebrating his team's league win, Kylian ignores the chaos around him, staying on his phone with you—and the conversation quickly takes a steamy turn.

—kylian mbappé x reader: smut (PWP)

"The team are having this yacht trip to celebrate our win." Kylian said, his voice crackling over the phone line, "Would you like to join me?"

But you couldn’t. You had already promised your mom that you’d go on the family trip that had been planned beforehand.

"I'm sorry," you replied, trying to mask the disappointment, "I wish I could be there with you."

The line was silent for a moment before Kylian spoke up, his voice a mix of understanding and a hint of sadness, "It's alright, babe. I get it. You can't miss out on family time. I'll just have to party extra hard for the both of us." He laughed, attempting to lighten the mood.

You knew his teammates—or as he calls them, his "friends"—were probably lining up a night full of partying with female escorts in tow. Still, you trusted your boyfriend wholeheartedly. “Have fun, okay? Congrats again on the win. I’ll see you in a few days,” you said softly over the phone.

The family trip was nice. The sunsets were beautiful, and your mom’s cooking was always a delight.

But Kylian’s texts kept coming in. He sent pictures of the vast ocean and the lavish yacht. He talked about the fancy dinners and the wild parties, he said it wasn’t the same without you.

“Fireworks are set for tonight,” Kylian texted, attaching a shirtless photo of himself, clearly meant to tease you.

You couldn’t help but smile, imagining his playful grin and the way his eyes would light up when he knew he’d won you over.

You quickly typed back, “Sounds exciting.” But as you stared at the photo, you couldn't shake the feeling that Kylian was teasing you on purpose, his abs almost taunting you from the distance between you two.

The thought of him surrounded by those gorgeous women didn’t sit well with you, but you had promised yourself not to be that girlfriend.

“Send me a selfie?” Kylian texted, interrupting your thoughts.

You took a deep breath and stepped outside the balcony of your private hotel room, the cool sea breeze kissing your skin. You quickly snapped a selfie, standing in the sunlight. Your sundress, the one that hugged your body perfectly, flowed gently with the breeze, accentuating your curves. With a playful grin, you tilted your head just enough to catch the light, sending the photo with a casual, natural air, teasing him without even trying.

Kylian’s reply was quick, and you could almost hear the smirk in his words:

"Tu es la plus belle femme que j’aie jamais vue." (You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.)

"That dress is doing more than just looking good on you." His tone was cocky, playful, and definitely hinted at more than just teasing.

You felt a warm blush spread across your cheeks. It was all fun and games until his next message popped up: "I would take that dress off you in the blink of an eye."

As the night went on, the party was in full swing, with his teammates living it up and the escorts they brought along.

Achraf, one of Kylian's best friends and teammates, noticed Kylian hadn’t put his phone down all night. Standing up from the couch with a girl by his side, he walked over to where Kylian was still smiling at his screen.

Achraf gently grabbed Kylian’s phone, and Kylian looked up with a raised eyebrow. "What's up, Hakimi?"

"You’ve been on that thing all night," Achraf said, laughing. "You’re missing all the fun."

"I’m having fun," Kylian replied, still smiling.

"Yeah, fun with your phone," Achraf teased, tossing the phone back to Kylian. "I’ll grab you a drink, but seriously, put the phone down. You’re no fun to the girls."

Kylian just smirked, getting up and following Achraf. As they walked, he quickly typed out a message to you: "I’ll talk to you later, babe."

Kylian wasn’t really a big drinker, but tonight he’d indulge for the celebration. Still, his mind kept drifting back to you in that sundress. He’d saved the photo and found himself glancing at it over and over. There was something about the way you looked in that dress that had his thoughts spinning, intoxicated, not by the alcohol in his hand, but by the image of you.

A few minutes later, with the alcohol starting to take its effect, Kylian found himself reaching for his phone once more. His fingers typed out a message before he could stop himself.

"Can’t stop thinking about you in that dress," he texted, his words slow and a bit more daring than usual.

He stared at the screen for a moment, then added, "Maybe I should come see you sooner than planned."

"You haven’t seen me in my bikinis yet," you replied, adding a pleading face emoji, hoping to make it seem like an innocent tease.

As you hit send, a rush of excitement coursed through you. There was something thrilling about flirting with him like this, especially knowing that despite the many people on the yacht, including all the stunning women around, his attention was completely fixed on you.

Kylian’s reply was teasing and direct: "You’re driving me wild just thinking about it. Don't make me wait."

With a nervous giggle, you stepped into the bathroom, the cool marble floor beneath your feet. You untied the strings of your sundress, letting it drop to the floor. You looked at yourself in the mirror, your heart racing. The bikini was new, a surprise you had packed for when you’d finally get some time alone on the beach. The neon blue of the top contrasted with your tanned skin, and the bottoms hugged your hips perfectly.

You took a deep breath and held your phone up, angling it just right to capture the reflection in the mirror. The camera clicked, and you studied the image for a moment. You looked amazing. You bit your lip, feeling a mix of excitement and naughtiness.

Achraf was talking to him when Kylian’s phone buzzed with a notification. He smirked as he looked at the screen, feeling a surge of heat rush through him. The picture you sent him had definitely stirred something inside, an arousing thrill coursing through him.

Achraf glanced at Kylian, who was smirking with his head down, absorbed in his phone. "You're no fun, Kyks," his teammate remarked, but Kylian didn't hear him, lost in his own thoughts.

He glanced at the picture again, his eyes lingering on your reflection in the mirror. The neon blue bikini was a bold choice and it had definitely paid off. The way the bottoms hugged your hips, it was a sight that made his heart race.

You watched the screen, your heart pounding in your chest, as you waited for Kylian's response. The anticipation was almost unbearable, a thrill of excitement that made your skin tingle. The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity.

Then, his message appeared. "You have no idea how much I want to fuck you right now." It was raw, unfiltered, and incredibly arousing. The words sent a jolt through your body, and you felt your cheeks flush. You couldn't believe he'd said something so explicit, but the desire in his message was undeniable.

You took a step closer to the mirror, the cool air of the cabin brushing against your skin. Your eyes traced the curves captured by the bikini, and you felt your body respond to his words, a warm ache building between your legs.

Kylian's gaze was glued to his phone, his heart racing as he stared at the picture. His shorts began to tent as an erection grew, the fabric straining against his hardened cock. He shifted uncomfortably, the pressure increasing with each passing moment.

Amidst the laughter and chatter of his teammates, he couldn't ignore the ache in his pants. It was like a silent symphony playing only for him, a sweet torture that grew with every glance at your bikini-clad reflection.

Kylian excused himself, "I'll catch up with you later, mec," he says, struggling to keep his voice steady, thick with longing, and retreated to the cabin he had booked for privacy. The door clicked shut behind him, muffling the outside world.

He looked down at the bulge, a silent testament to his desire, and groaned. The shorts felt like a prison around his throbbing cock.

His phone chimed once more, a message from you lighting up the screen. "Your turn," you texted. "I want to see you."

Kylian didn’t waste a second. He sat on the edge of the plush bed in his cabin, the soft white sheets a stark contrast to his tanned skin. He looked down at the bulge in his shorts, his pulse quickening. With a devilish smirk, he unbuttoned his shorts, letting them fall to his knees, his cock springing free.

He took a moment to appreciate the sight before him. It was thick and hard, standing proudly against his abs. The tip was flushed a darker shade of pink, begging for attention. Kylian’s hand wrapped around it, stroking it gently. He took a deep breath, feeling the headiness of his desire for you.

With a grin, he held the phone in one hand and began to stroke himself with the other. The camera captured every inch of him, the way his hand moved up and down his shaft, the way his abs tightened with each stroke. He knew you'd love watching him, the same way he craved seeing you in your bikini.

The room grew hazy with his building arousal, the scent of saltwater and cologne filling his nostrils. The sound of the waves outside was a gentle serenade to his own escalating rhythm, the stroke of his hand against his skin echoing in the quiet cabin.

He sent the video, his heart pounding as he awaited your response.

It took you a moment to process the video. Kylian, your sweet, loving boyfriend, was masturbating for you. The sight of him, so raw and vulnerable, made your core throb with desire. You watched him stroke his cock and you realized you had never wanted him more.

Your hands shake as you place your phone on the counter, pressing the record button. Your eyes remained glued to the screen as you reached behind and untied the strings of your bikini top, letting it fall to the floor. Your breasts bounced freely, the cool air of the room teasing your already hardened nipples.

You stepped closer to the phone, your heart racing as you slid your hand down the front of your bikini bottoms. You felt the wetness of your desire, and a soft moan slipped from your lips as your fingers grazed your clit.

As his phone chimed once more, Kylian watched the video you had sent in response. His eyes locked onto your every move. The sound of your breathing grew heavier, the sight of your hand disappearing beneath the fabric of your bikini driving him wild. He stroked his cock faster, his thumb swiping over the pre-cum that had gathered at the tip.

He couldn't help himself—his need to hear your voice was too strong. With one hand still wrapped around his shaft, he called you with the other. He facetimed you amidst the noise of the party, his teammates cheering and music blasting in the background. The line connected, and your face appeared on his screen, illuminated softly by the warm glow of your bathroom. "I'm so fucking hard for you right now," he growled into the phone.

Your breath hitched when you heard the raw desire in Kylian's voice. The sound of the waves outside the cabin grew distant as you focused on the sensation of your fingers playing with your clit, tracing delicate circles as you watched him stroke himself in the camera. "Oh, baby," you moaned, "me too."

"Take those bottoms off," Kylian ordered, his voice thick with lust. "I want to see all of you."

Your hands trembled as you hooked your thumbs into the waistband of your bikini bottoms. You pulled them down slowly, your pussy exposed to the cool air. Your phone was propped up on the sink, the camera clearly capturing you as you stood right in front of it. Kylian's eyes were glued to the screen, his breaths coming in quick, shallow pants.

"Fuck, you're so wet," he murmured, his hand moving faster on his cock.

The sound of his voice, the sight of him stroking himself, it all sent you spiraling into a frenzy. You stepped closer to the sink, spreading your legs apart for the camera, giving Kylian the full view of your aroused pussy.

"Oh, baby," Kylian murmured, his voice thick with lust, "you're so fucking wet for me." His hand moved faster, the slick sound of his hand against his cock echoing in your ear.

From your perspective, everything is cloaked in darkness, as if he's in a private space, alone with his desire. The only sounds are his groans and the strokes of his hand on his cock. You feel entirely exposed for him, and it gives you the confidence you need.

You could feel yourself getting wetter just hearing him. You slid two fingers inside yourself, the sensation making your toes curl. "Kylian," you gasped, your voice a needy whisper, "I want you so bad."

"Fuck, me too, baby," he groaned, the sound of his hand moving up and down his cock a sweet symphony to your ears. "I wish I could be there to taste you."

Eventually, you notice it, Kylian’s eyes were hooded with desire as he watched you touch yourself. He took a deep, shaky breath, then spoke in a commanding tone that sent shivers down your spine. "Add another finger inside of you, baby."

Your body responding to his voice. The feel of your three fingers sliding in and out of your wetness was heavenly. "Just like that," Kylian instructed, his breathing becoming more ragged. "Imagine it's my cock, pumping deep inside of you, making you moan like you do when we're together."

You closed your eyes, the image of Kylian fucking you playing in your mind like a steamy home-made video. The sounds you made were pure, raw desire, echoing like a melody of forbidden passion.

"Turn around for me baby," Kylian's voice was a command, yet it held an undertone of longing, the kind that made your knees weak and your pussy clench with anticipation. You obeyed, feeling a thrill at the thought of him watching you so intimately despite the miles between you. You turned around, the soft curve of your ass on full display.

Your free hand reached out to the wall for balance as you began to finger yourself, the other hand buried deep inside your pussy. The sensation was exquisite, a delicious mix of pleasure and vulnerability that had you gasping for air.

You arched your back. The sensation was surprisingly erotic, and you couldn’t help but tip your hips back, pushing your ass towards the camera.

"That's it," Kylian's voice was strained, his need for you palpable through the phone. "Now, touch your clit. Slowly."

You shifted your other hand from the wall to your clit. You took a shaky breath, your heart racing at his command. Your fingertips grazing the swollen bud of your clit. The sensation was electric, sending waves of pleasure through your body. You began to rub it in slow, deliberate circles, feeling your arousal spike.

He watched as your other delicate fingers move in and out, his gaze intense as he tried to mimic your motions with his own hands, imagining it was his cock instead

Kylian watched, his breath hitching as he stroked his cock in time with your movements. "Fuck, baby, your ass looks so good," he murmured, his eyes never leaving the screen. "I can't wait to fuck you again."

Your ass and legs began to tremble, the tension in your body building with every stroke. You could feel your orgasm approaching, a tidal wave of pleasure threatening to crash over you. "Kylian," you gasped, your voice trembling as much as your body, "I'm going to cum."

His groans grew louder, his strokes faster, "Do it, baby. Cum for me."

With trembling legs, you began to slap your pussy, trying to hold back the impending orgasm. Your other hand clamped over your mouth, desperately trying to muffle the sounds escaping you, your body trembling with unrestrained pleasure.

The stinging sensation mixed with the pleasure of your fingering was overwhelming. Each slap echoed through the quiet room, a rhythmic punctuation to Kylian's strokes and your gasps.

You slid a finger again, feeling your cum ooze. The sight was so erotic, so raw, that you couldn't help but look at the camera behind you, a tired smile playing on your lips. You knew Kylian was watching, his eyes devouring every inch of your exposed flesh, and the thought made you hotter.

"Putain bébé, t'es tellement sexy," (Fuck baby, you're so sexy)

Kylian's voice was a hoarse whisper, the sound of his hand still working his cock in the background.

His hand move faster, his strokes becoming more erratic. The tension in his body was palpable, his muscles tightening with every second that passed. And then, with a loud groan, he came.

Kylian's cum shot out in thick ropes, splattering against his abs and stomach. The sight was mesmerizing, a beautiful mess of white and your desire. He painted himself with his release, his hand moving in slow, lazy circles, smearing it across his skin.

"Oh, fuck," he murmured, his eyes never leaving yours, "That was incredible."

You watched him through the phone screen, panting and flushed, the aftershocks of your orgasm still rippling through your body. You couldn't believe what had just happened—how you'd both given into the moment, separated by miles of ocean yet feeling closer than ever.

He took a picture, capturing his cum-covered abs and his still-hard cock. He sent it to you without a word, and you stared at the image, a strange mix of satisfaction and longing filling you. The stark white of his cum against his tanned skin was a powerful visual, a testament to the intensity of his desire for you.

With your own arousal still pulsing through you, you pulled your bikini bottoms back up, feeling the sticky wetness of your cum against your skin. You couldn’t help but feel a sense of naughtiness as you adjusted the panties. They felt like a secret, a deliciously dirty little part of you that Kylian had unlocked from afar.

"I want to fuck you, baby," Kylian's voice was a low rumble, the sound of his need resonating through your body. You could feel your pussy clench at the words, the desire for him to fill you up so intense it was almost painful.

"I want that too," you whispered, your voice barely audible. "So much."

The line went quiet again, the only sound the distant laughter from outside the cabin and the steady beat of your own heart. You felt a sense of longing, a deep ache that no amount of self-pleasure could ever truly fill.

"I miss you," Kylian finally said, his voice softer now, the passionate haze of his orgasm giving way to a tender vulnerability.

You grabbed your sundress from the floor and slipped it on, your legs still trembling from what had just happened.

You felt your own heart swell at his words, the distance between you suddenly feeling like a tangible void that needed to be filled. "Me too," you murmured, leaning against the sink, the coolness of the marble a stark contrast to the heat of your skin.

Kylian took a deep, shaky breath, then stood up from the bed. He reached for a towel, wiping the last remnants of his pleasure from his stomach and cock. His erection began to subside, the need momentarily sated by the intense orgasm he'd just had. He pulled his shorts back on, his cock still half-hard, the fabric clinging to his skin like a second layer.

As he buttoned them up, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that it wasn't your hand touching him.

"I'll be home soon," Kylian promised, his voice still thick with lust. "And when I do, I'm going to fuck you like it's the last time we'll ever be together."

The words hung in the air, heavy with desire and promise. You felt a shiver run down your spine, a thrill that was both terrifying and incredibly exciting. "I'll be waiting," you murmured, your voice a mere whisper of a promise.

Exhaustion enveloped your body as you whispered that you’d call him by morning, and with shared "I love yous," the call ended.

Kylian remained in a euphoric haze, as he stepped out of his cabin, he tried to mask the storm within. But his mind raced with the memory of your sounds, your body.

He found Achraf and walked over to him.

"There you are, the best player in the world," his teammate joked, his voice thick with drunken cheer as he raised his cup in a toast.

That night, Kylian felt like a God, basking in the praise of his teammates. Yet, his thoughts were consumed by the longing to return to you, to worship you—his Goddess.

note: ngl, that leaked convo from when he was still at Monaco..man’s a freak 😭 this fic gives off “I’m doing it, are you?” meme LMAOOO bye 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[holdmytesseract]

Okay so I saw your post asking for an idea with Daryl in season one of his show, so here goes:

Reader is also American, who has been with the nuns for a while. Five years, maybe. She went looking for something (you can decide what!) and ended up stranded in France. Naturally, she picked up French and sort of became a translator for Daryl. One day, maybe when they’re at the school with all the kids and the sick teacher, the kids can see the way Daryl looks at reader, and vice versa, and they’re continuously teasing them about it. Daryl obviously doesn’t understand what they’re saying, but he figures it out by the way reader acts all shy and bashful and suddenly can’t look him in the eye when the kids are around. The ending is totally up to you!

Idk this is a silly idea. You don’t have to write this if you don’t want to, ofc. I love and appreciate you regardless 💜

He loves me - he loves me not... 🌼

Daryl Dixon x fem!Reader

Summary: When a strange man suddenly stumbles into your life, you didn't think much of it. Until you had to admit to yourself that you had fallen in love with him - and it didn't stay unrecognised...

Warnings: possible Spin-Off S1 spoiler, usual TWD stuff? fluff, some slight drama... idiots in love?

Set in S1 of the Spin-Off series!

Word Count: 4,2k

a/n: Thank you, @dixons-sunshine , for that wonderful request! 🧡 And a HUGE thanks to @fictive-sl0th , for being my translator and for helping me along with this. 🧡

EoH Masterlist °☆• Daryl Masterlist °☆• Masterlist

"A bunch of bad decisions," was the man's answer to your question.

"How did you end up 'ere?" He threw it immediately back at you. "A bunch of bad decisions, huh? Well... I could say the same." You took a deep breath of the fresh Spring air. "I, uh, travelled to France for my boyfriend. He had a work trip which took him here. Paris, to be exactly. It was meant to be a surprise, but... When I arrived at the hotel he stayed in, I caught him in bed with another woman, so, yeah... Should've stayed at home in LA." He looked at you; chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. "'M sorry 'bout that." "Don't be. He was an asshole." You immediately waved him off. "After a few days, I decided to fly back home, but then everything collapsed... The world collapsed. I was forced to stay. That's when I met Isabelle. We both needed help, so she took me with her. That's how I ended up here. Unfortunately, neither me nor the nuns were able to help her sister - but that's a different story." You gave the man a soft smile, which he answered with a nod; once more biting the inside of his bottom lip.

You had shown the stranger - Daryl, around the abbey and were now on your way to the kitchen, in order to get the man Isabelle had so suddenly dragged into your life something to eat. You weren't a nun, but it has been a long time since you had lastly seen other people besides the women who lived here - let alone a man... You felt nervous and awkward, but also a strange kind of happiness and excitement. Perhaps it was normal. Especially in a world like that...

He had followed you in silence then; his eyes taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. However was the silence highly unpleasant - at least for you, so you decided to start another conversation - even though you knew that what you were about to ask him was probably the most stupid way to get him indulged in another chat... "Are your clothes fitting? They alright?" You gazed over at the gruff and visibly marked, yet undeniably handsome fellow American.

You noticed how he began to fumble with the beige suspenders he wore; giving himself a once-over. "Yeah, thank ya. Jus'... Ain't what 'm bein' used to." You could imagine. After all, you saw what he had been wearing when Isabelle had brought him in... Tattered jeans, a washed up black shirt and a more or less damaged and yellowed leather vest with angel wings on it. Oh, and that poncho. You reckoned he went from 'bad boy biker' to 'good boy church-goer' only within a few days. The black slacks, light blue woollen sweater and the suspenders were definitely not his style, and yet it suited him to perfection - that was at least what you thought.

"Sorry about that. It's the only men clothing we got around here. Obviously," you joked; trying to light the mood - and it worked. The man snorted out a small laugh.

That was the first memory you held of Daryl Dixon. You couldn't deny that your eyes had gotten stuck on Daryl that day - and now, a few days, weeks or even months, who knew, later you still hadn't been able to pull them away. Was it love at first sight? You didn't know. All you knew was that the man who had stumbled into your life out of nowhere drew you in like a moth to a flame.

When the abbey fell and only Isabelle, Sylvie, Laurent and you were left, you didn't even think a second about parting ways with Daryl. He certainly was stuck with the four of you now - and vice versa. The mission was clear... Bringing Laurent to the nest; first destination Paris.

Like always proved the way to be more difficult than anticipated; with a lot of stones getting thrown into your path. That was most likely the reason why you ended up imprisoned by a horde of kids and teenagers, who lived inside their old school. Well... 'imprisoned' wasn't the right term anymore after a thorough conversation - and a little white lie. Quite the opposite... You had become guests and even got invited for dinner; no longer being considered a threat. Luckily.

Now you were standing in the former classroom turned into a kitchen to do the dishes. You volunteered for this; wanting to give something in return for the kids' hospitality. To your slight surprise volunteered Daryl as well, what got only smiled at by Isabelle and Sylvie - much to your confusion. You didn't know what was so funny about that... Yet.

"Almost done," you stated with a smile and handed the man beside you one of the last plates needing to be cleaned. The archer took it with a grunt; his hand accidentally brushing yours - and you could've sworn that your stomach did a 360; his touch leaving a sizzle behind on the skin of your hand. It caused you to stop in your movements and lift your head to meet the mysterious man's eyes - blue-greyish pools, in which you got immediately threatened to drown. It took you everything to hold on. All you could see and focus on was him; causing the rational part of your brain to immediately send a distress message to your heart and asking what was going on. Well... Deep down you knew and it wasn't really difficult to figure it out... Falling in love with a man you barely knew. Was it a good idea? Probably not. Could you prevent it from happening? No.

"Madame Y/N, père (father) Daryl!" The voice of a young boy suddenly cut through the air and caused you to fall from cloud nine back down to earth. Blinking, you turned your head - and your attention to the approaching child, whose footsteps could be already heard against the wooden floor. Unbeknownst to you, did it take Daryl a second to get himself together as well; the archer highly confused about what just happened. The foreign feeling coursing through his veins did not fail to scare him a little bit.

"Dans la cuisine! (In the kitchen!)," you called back; leading him to the right destination. The boy appeared in the door frame within a few seconds; a huge smile on his face. "Allez! Nous avons allumé le générateur! (You have to come! We powered up the generator!) " The kid exclaimed happily; a huge smile on his face. "Nous serons avec vous dans une minute. Nous avons presque terminé ici (We'll be with you in a minute. We're almost done here.)," you answered and gave him a smile in return. He nodded, "Bien! (Alright!)" and stormed off again.

You turned back to Daryl; instantly seeing the question marks displayed on his face. He didn't even ask you to translate for him. You just did it. It sort of came naturally to you. By now you literally had become his personal translator - together with Isa. Sylvie was still a little shy around the man and Laurent was improving his English skills.

"He said we have to come. They powered up the generator. Guess it's time to watch some TV," you explained; smiling. "Let's get this done and go." Daryl nodded; the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "A'right."

Once you and Daryl were finished with the task at hand, you made your way through the building and up to the attic; side by side. "Did ya already speak French as you got stranded 'ere?" The archer suddenly spoke up to break the not necessarily unpleasant silence between the both of you. You shook your head. "No, I didn't. I remembered some words I learned back in school. Basic stuff, you know?" "So ya learned to speak French?" You nodded, "Yeah, I did." and shrugged your shoulders. "Had to. I spent now over ten years in France. Had a lot of time to learn the language... Isa was a good teacher, and Laurent the best classmate." The man beside you nodded; chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. You noticed from the very beginning that he had the tendency to do that. A habit, possibly?

When you reached the attic, everybody was waiting for you and Daryl already. The kids were antsy and bubbly; full of anticipation and impatiently waiting for the big screen to light up.

Daryl sat down on an empty seat beside a young, blond boy. Your plan was to join him, but Laurent waved you over with a smile; silently asking to sit with him. Of course, you couldn't say no to the boy's wish, and sent your fellow American an apologising gaze, which he acknowledged with a jut of his head; telling you it was okay. So, you sat down beside Laurent with a smile and wrapped an arm around him; halfway hugging him. He meant a lot to you. After all, you knew him since the day he was born. He was family - just like Sylvie and Isabelle.

No minute later, the screen lit up and the 'TV programme' started to play - much to all kids' joy and excitement. The series you were watching was one you were familiar with... 'Mork & Mindy'. It was a series you didn't catch when it first got shown on TV, but your dad introduced you to it a few years later. Glancing over to Daryl, you could see on his face that he knew 'Mork & Mindy' as well. The man's lips were curled up in a soft smile. It definitely looked like he was visiting the past in his mind; probably thinking back to his childhood.

It wasn't the only glance you stole at Daryl that evening. Your eyes wandered way more often to him than you actually noticed. You didn't, but quite a few another pairs of eyes did... Familiar and unfamiliar...

It was already quite late when everybody returned from the wonderful 'movie night' and retreated to their rooms. You shared a room, and bed with Isabelle - not for the first time in all those years, so neither of you had a problem with that. Why would you?

The nun had already settled down in bed and watched you join her with a small smirk on her lips. A smirk you knew quite well by now. "What?" She looked at you; still smiling. "The French are very poetic and love poetry, you know."

Why is she telling me this? You asked yourself.

"Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point," the blond woman spoke in her native tongue to quote Blaise Pascal; her smile never faltering. You frowned. "The heart has reasons the mind doesn't know? What's that supposed to mean, Isa? Is there something you want to tell me, or...?" The nun just smiled. "Oh, I think you know what I mean. Well, at least your heart does. I noticed, you know." You raised an eyebrow and crossed your arms over your chest. "Could you please stop talking in riddles? Noticed what?"

A soft chuckle left Isabelle's lips. You didn't get it. "The way you look at him."

And suddenly, it fell like scales from your eyes, causing your cheeks to turn beet red. "I-I..." You stammered; looking everywhere but at your friend. "You, uh... You see that?" "I dare to say that it's not very subtle, Y/N." You swallowed. "O-Oh..."

Isabelle smiled and patted the free space on the bed beside her. Cautiously, you climbed in and sat down on the old mattress; criss-crossing your legs. "Why are you embarrassed? You don't have to. L‘amour, l‘amour - ça arrive toujours." You smiled softly at her; fumbling with your hands. "I don't know... It's just... I actually barely know him. How can I fall in love with a stranger?" Isabelle shrugged her shoulders, "Your heart knows. Isn't that enough? Don't question it." and placed a hand on your wrist. "Perhaps isn't Laurent and the mission the only reason God sent Daryl to us..." She smiled again, and you couldn't help but widen your smile.

Your friend wasn't the only one who noticed the looks you were giving Daryl - like you found out on the next day. You were supposed to go on a small mission with Lou - the kids' group leader and Daryl, but you headed out on the once intact and most likely beautiful school yard earlier; deciding to get some fresh air. You watched Laurent play with a some of the other kids; smiling. Some were playing tag, some hide & seek and a few others had a huge rope and were skipping. You didn't think much of it at first, but then you listened closer to what the two girls were singing while swinging the rope. Your brain instantly translated the song, since you knew it so very well. You sang it yourself, back in your school days...

"Y/N and Daryl sitting in the tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Y/N with a baby carriage!"

You blinked, had to listen twice to make sure you heard that right... You did. They were singing the kissing song, including your and Daryl's name... "Hey, ya a'right?" The sudden sound of the voice from the man in question urging to your ears ripped you out of your thoughts, but didn't improve your situation. Not even in the slightest. You could still hear the girls singing - now even louder as it seemed; given the fact that Daryl joined you to sit on the small wall by the fence.

Instantly, your cheeks reddened; shocked and even a little embarrassed that also the kids - strange kids noticed that, and of course, because Daryl's presence.

You cleared your throat; quickly nodding. "Yeah, uh, sure. All good." You could tell from the look on your crush's face that he was quite suspicious about your behaviour and answer, but he dropped it and accepted your answer with a nod.

The both of you continued to watch the kids with an unpleasant silence between you, until you noticed a young girl approaching you with a smile. "Y/N?" You gave her a smile. "Oui?" "Tu es américaine? (You are from America, right?)" You nodded. "En fait, je viens de Los Angeles. (Yes, I am from Los Angeles.)" The girl nodded and glanced shortly at the bulky man sitting beside you. "Et père Daryl, il est aussi américain? (And father Daryl is American, too?)" You nodded once more. "Oui, il est. (Yes, he is, too.)"

She smiled and brought out a daisy from behind her back. "Donc, tu connais la comptine 'Je t’aime' ou ça n'existe pas en Amérique? (Do you have the 'He loves me - he loves me not.' game in America as well?)"

You swallowed hard at her words; knowing of course exactly what she meant - or rather what she hinted at. "Je crois que oui, mais je ne l’ai jamais entendu en français. (We do, yeah. But I, uh, don't know how it goes in French.)" The little girl's eyes widened; now shimmering with excitement. "D‘accord! Je te montrerai! (Alright! I show you!)" She started the 'He loves me - he loves me not.' rhyme; all the while plucking petals from the daisy. You listened closely; trying to be attentive.

Meanwhile Daryl was 'just' a silent participant of whatever was going on. The archer didn't understand a single word - besides his name - of what you and the girl had talked about. Until she pulled out the daisy from behind her back...

She finished plucking the daisy until the last petal. A big smile lit up her sweet face as she gazed at you, then Daryl and back at you again. And before you could even say something, she brought out another daisy; now stretching out her hand to you. "C'est ton tour! (Now your turn!)" The excited child in front of you announced.

You would've lied, if you said you didn't see it coming. Of course you did - and that child was a smart girl. She also knew what she did.

Swallowing hard once again, you gently took the daisy from her small hand - a nervous smile on your face. Doing like the girl showed you, you started the rhyme; trying to remember how it went and plucked the petals of the little flower in your hand.

"Je t'aime, un peu, beacoup, tendrement, passionnément, à la folie, pas du tout..." Of course was destiny a lousy traitor and you landed at 'beacoup'- a lot... Now you couldn't prevent the blush from spreading all across your cheeks. You desperately tried to play it cool, given the fact that the man who literally was this all about was sitting right beside you - most likely knowing what was going on. Sure, he may not speak French, but you were quite certain that he knew the game you and the little girl had just played. He knew what was going on. You did not dare to look at Daryl; too afraid of his reaction.

And the little girl? She just giggled and once more looked from you to the archer and back, before she turned on her heels and ran away.

Unpleasant silence lingered between you and Daryl. The man knew the game you had just played - but he was still oblivious of your feelings for him. Yes, the little girl's looks were quite revealing, but why would such a beautiful, stunning creature like you fall in love with a brute, messed-up redneck like him? Impossible. He needed a proof; to test this insane theory.

"Y/N-" Your name leaving his lips was enough to send you into a frenzy - and you panicked. Hastily standing up from the little wall, you fled; quick steps carrying you as far away from the archer as possible.

After the 'incident' in the school yard, you and Daryl didn't talk for days. Only necessary conversations were held. Nothing more. And even during those, you struggled. You couldn't look Daryl in the eyes. Not even for a second. You were sure that the others noticed as well, but just didn't decide to intervene. Your usually extroverted and open self had turned into a shy, bashful woman - as soon as Daryl invaded your space. You were just too afraid of rejection and unrequited feelings - what in your point of view was most likely the case. You may not knew him a long time, but you could tell that he was a lone wolf. He didn't need your or any other company.

You sat on one of the big, wooden tables, close to the edge of the rooftop. A few candles were the only source of light, as you overlooked the once so bright and shiny city of love, which had turned dark, cold and dead. At least at night. The rusting, decaying Eiffel Tower looming above the darkness; only illuminated by the full moon shining from above the sky. It held a strange kind of beauty.

Footsteps and some rustling noises coming undoubtedly from behind you piqued your attention. Nevertheless, you didn't turn to face the approaching person. You didn't have to. You knew by the sounds of the heavy boots connecting with the concrete ground to whom the steps belonged - and it caused your heart immediately to speed up...

Daryl.

Wordlessly, he took a seat beside you; picking nervously at his hands. From the corner of your eye you saw that he was still wearing the black slacks, woollen sweater and suspenders. Did that man ever sleep? Apparently not.

Silence was still lingering between the both of you; spread over your bodies like an invisible blanket - until the archer cleared his throat. "Can't sleep?" You swallowed hard and shook your head; nervosity skyrocketing. "I, uh, needed some fresh air," you answered; still not deigning to look at him. Daryl nodded - rather to himself than to you, and chewed on the inside of his bottom lip for a moment; contemplating his next words.

"Couldn't sleep 'n was thinkin' the same." You didn't answer; not having the slightest clue what to say.

Daryl kept quiet as well; recognising that what he had on his mind turned out to be way more difficult to say than he anticipated... His brain worked hard to try and figure out a new plan, but not really successfully.

He had to suppress a groan. Why were things like this always so difficult and complicated? He just wished he could just follow an instruction...

After a few minutes and a trillion failed ideas, Daryl just threw wind into caution and went: Fuck it - and go like a bull at a gate.

"Yer avoidin' me."

Three words... Three words shouldn't leave such a sting on your heart, right? And yet they did. You were walking a thin line between being ashamed and nervous. "I-I do?" Daryl snorted out a scoff; crossing his muscular arms over his chest. "Ya ain't shittin' me, woman. I ain't blind or stupid." "W-Well, I... I don't mean to, it's just... complicated...," you stammered; unable to find the right words to explain this to the man. "'S complicated now, but a week ago it wasn't? Why? 'S not makin' sense." And he was right. You knew he was. He had backed you up against the wall. You ran out of arguments and white lies; leaving you no space to escape.

"It... It's because..." You sighed. "You know why. You know what happened in that school yard. You're a smart man, Daryl. Don't tell me you didn't figure it out and count one and one together."

The archer's heart fluttered at your words. He did read the sign correctly - and the realisation made his stomach flip. A sensation he hadn't felt often in his life before. Something he never thought he'd be graced with experiencing.

Daryl could tell how nervous and antsy this conversation made you, so he tried to keep it together. For yours and his sake.

Though, nobody said this was easy... And words weren't exactly his strong suit.

"A'right, listen..." He may have been ineloquent, but he knew how to compensate it. Especially when body language failed him as well.

"There was this man. Jus' a normal guy in this broken world. He went out lookin' for somethin', but... All he found was trouble. 'N tha' trouble brought him to a place so far from home. All across the ocean, 'n... All the man wanted was to go back 's fast 's possible; this bein' the only damn thing on his mind... Gettin' back home; back where he thought he belonged. But then somethin' happened 'n suddenly he saw things with diff'rent eyes..." "What happened?" Your mouth spoke quicker than you brain could think. Daryl shrugged his shoulders; the tiniest of smiles tugging at the corners of his lips. "A woman."

Your eyes widened and you finally dared to turn your head to look at him - directly into his beautiful blue-grey eyes, and it almost left you breathless. "H-He... He fell in love?" You witnessed Daryl chewing on the pad of his thumb, before he gave you a nod. "Yeah, 's what people do, right?" He slid cautiously closer to you, until his hand brushed the back of your hand. "Fallin' in love..." Daryl whispered in his deep, raspy voice, and slowly took your smaller hand in his big, clammy hand; loosely intertwining your fingers.

Your heart almost stopped; a gasp leaving your lips as the final realisation kicked in... He reciprocated your feelings. They weren't unrequited. The love was mutual - and it caused a firework of emotions to explode within you; blowing away all the negativity. The shyness, the embarrassment, the shame.

A smile spread over your whole face - so bright it could light up the whole world. Daryl was sure of it. Throwing caution to the wind - driven by the love coursing through your veins, you quickly leaned over and pressed your lips against Daryl's. You could tell that he was slightly taken by surprise - but he did not pull away. The archer could never reject you. Quite the opposite...

He lifted his free hand and gently cupped your cheek in his palm; feeling your soft skin beneath his calloused fingertips and locking your lips to his. The kiss was clumsy and slightly chaotic; given the fact that he hadn't kissed somebody in a very long time. Not that you minded. You weren't better. In your eyes the kiss was perfect. Daryl-like.

You smiled; still with your eyes closed, before you slid closer to the archer as well. You rested your head against his shoulder; feeling the fabric of his woollen sweater slightly scratch your cheek.

"Yer comin' with me back home, right?" You nodded instantly. "I'd love to." Daryl smiled and squeezed your hand. "Yer gonna love Alexandria... The Commonwealth, n' all the people livin' there. I jus' know it."

Tags: @angelwings-crossbowstrings @belitoxx @fictive-sl0th @dixons-sunshine @loz-3 @making-the-most-0f-it @dilfdixon @txtttttttttttttt @whore4romance @mikaela-granger @sweetz19 @marvelcasey05 @mischief-dream @stitchintimefan @bigbaldheadname @erebus-et-eigengrau @km-ffluv @0-aubrie0 @secretsicanthideanymore @stiveroon @mayday2007 @cakesandtom

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[jnkgrnde]

— can you stand the rain?, clarisse la rue, pjo

FREE PALESTINE: LINKS TO HELP

summary — in which, you and clarisse get into an argument that causes you to kiss in the rain.

pairings — clarisse la rue x black!fem!reader (daughter of poseidon)

content includes — arguing, kissing in the rain, best friends to lovers, jealous!clarisse

authors note — TELL ME BABY CAN YEWWWW STAND THE RAINNNNNN 🗣️🎤 this is def butt but this has been in my drafts for way too long so!

it was a beautiful, sunny day in long island. the smell of strawberries from the fields established themselves as today’s scent for the camp, the lake was cool enough for a dip.

it was a perfect day.

and it was a perfect day for you and clarisse to hang out with each other. you wanted to convince her to take a day off from training and take a swim in the lake to cool off for the day, before eventually doing something stupid later.

you knew clarisse was up because she was always up before you, so you decided to knock on the ares cabin door first to find her. her younger brother told you she wasn’t there and that you could find her at the sparring field. you thanked him with a smile before leaving to find her. lo and behold, there was clarisse la rue in her armor with her electric spear, training with a dummy.

you didn’t know how long she’d been out here, but the training dummy looked about out of comission. “d’you wake up on the wrong side of bed or did you add him to your hate list?” she halted her movements, dust flying beneath her shoes.

“did you need something, sweet thing?” and there she went with the nicknames. she knew you loved them, and she also knew you’d get tripped up by them. “so i was thinking we’d take a dip in the lake today.” and you knew what she was gonna say,

“y/n, you know i have to train today—“ “but that’s what you do everyday, clar! please? just for today?” you begged. you gave her your infamous puppy eyes, ones you knew she couldn’t turn away from. she groaned dramatically. “… you got me. i’ll meet you by the canoes in ten.” you grinned with excitement. “thank you thank you!” you kissed her cheek before running off.

she stood frozen for a second before a smile started spreading across her face. her cheek felt tingly in the spot you kissed her in.

you wore a white overshirt with a blue swimsuit underneath, paired with jean shorts. you carried a bag, sunglasses in your hair. you walked over to the lake, a smile on your face knowing you could be in one of the places you loved most.

you saw clarisse standing near the canoes watching the water. she had a towel laid out and was just taking her shoes off when you covered her eyes. “boo.” clarisse feigned annoyance, but still let a smile grace her lips.

you set down your bag on the sand, taking your shirt and shorts off. “not gonna join me, clar?” “nah. gotta keep watch, y’know, for butterflies and stuff.” you rolled your eyes with a smile before walking into the water, eventually going deep enough to wear you can float. you swam out enough for the sun to beam down on you, and just let yourself feel the water.

clarisse watched you. she loved watching you anytime, but she especially loved when you were in your environment. she took note of the smile on your face and how you occasionally paddled your hands to make sure you kept yourself afloat, although with your powers and everything, it wasn’t hard.

clarisse admired her surroundings before her eyes caught a boy staring at you — carter from hephaestus cabin. he was deeply tanned with a good build and curly hair, and had scars all over his hands and face from working on weapons for the camp.

carter watched with a small smile. he held a gold necklace in his hands, twisting them around. it had a sea turtle pendant, and it shined in the sunlight.

clarisse furrowed her eyebrows. she didn’t like what she was feeling — you were just friends, right? it’s just her being protective over you. she didn’t want you to get hurt or anything. she was sure that’s what it was.

it was a while before you decided to get out of the water. you didn’t realize how long you’d been there before noticing that it was starting to get a little cooler. you swam, then walked back to shore, but not before being stopped by carter.

to you, carter was a sweet, caring boy, just not for you specifically, because you had your sights set on someone else. he was starting to show he liked you, and got bolder as time went on. “hey, y/n. i made you something.” he told you nervously but still with a smile. he held out the necklace to you, the sea turtle shining in the light.

you let out a genuine smile before thanking him, not noticing the burning daggers being glared into the back of his head. he offered to put it on for you, so you turned and he slowly locked the chain together.

“thank you, carter.” you smiled before walking over to clarisse. you found her not so happy, actually stuffing things into your bags. “hey, clar, what’s wrong?” you reached out to touch her arm, and she pulled away like you were a hot pan burning her.

you furrowed your eyebrows in hurt and confusion. her face was scrunched up and she looked at you like you disgusted her. she shoved your bag to your chest before storming off back to the main campgrounds.

“clarisse!” you slung your bag on your shoulder and ran to try and catch to her, but she was already gone. your heart squeezed in your chest and you frowned before continuing to walk to your cabin.

a million thoughts swirled around in your head — why was she acting like this? you were just friends, right? you knew she was protective of you, yes, but not to this extent. you opened the doors to the poseidon cabin, where it was empty. you assumed percy was probably out with annabeth on a date, probably.

clarisse didn’t know why she felt this way; she hated it. she hated the way she acted when you touched her, or how she felt giddy and mushy inside whenever you look at her with your pretty eyes. she hated feeling the way she did around you, because she usually feels guilt, anger, or needing to please her father. that’s how she thinks she’s supposed to feel, how she’s wired to feel.

you make her actually feel like a good person, and she knew she impacted you with the way she acted that day.

it was later at night at the dining pavilion. torches were lit, dryads were flying around with silver platters with food, and campers from different cabins were chatting and laughing with eachother. the energy was high, seeing as there was a planned campfire tonight, with the apollo cabin leading the sing along.

you and percy sat at the poseidon table. his plate was full, and he had blue soda on the side. you gave him a small smile. “have you not eaten since breakfast?” you asked. “nah. annabeth wanted to go on a hike and i forgot to eat after.” you flicked his forehead. “why didn’t you tell me? i have a secret stash in the cabin!” you whisper-yelled. “i’m sorry!” he whined. you both laughed as the conversation flowed.

clarisse stole many glances from the poseidon table, specifically from you. despite what happened earlier in the day, you still smiled. her chest squeezed at the sound of your laughter. she poked her tongue against her lips before looking down at her plate.

it was after dinner where you and clarisse actually saw each other. she was sitting with the ares cabin, and you were sitting with percy and a couple other mutual friends. every time you looked up from the fire, there was clarisse who was staring at you no matter what. you quickly looked away every time you made eye contact.

the empty seat next to you was soon filled, but not by who you actually wanted it to be. carter sat next to, playing with his hoodie strings and smiling at you. “d’you need something, carter?” you asked. you didn’t mean to sound annoyed, but you weren’t as enthusiastic as you were earlier.

“well, i wanted to know if you were free later this week? i-i had something planned and-“ “no, she’s not free.” and standing in front of you was the woman of the hour.

you snapped your eyes up at the familiar voice. she held a glare directed at carter. before anybody could say anything, chiron announced that the campfire had to end early, seeing there was a storm starting to move in. “so, um, are you coming?” carter persisted. “i’ll get back to you on that, carter.” you gave a small smile before getting up. you shot clarisse a look before walking back with percy to the poseidon cabin.

the night was dark, and thunder started rolling in. the camp turned in for the night, all except for one. there was a tapping on your window, waking you up from your sleep. you groaned, already starting to yell at whoever it was before you recognized clarisse.

you furrowed your eyebrows, “what are you doing here?” she held her hand out without a word. you hesitated, looking back at percy to see him fast asleep. you looked back at clarisse, and she looked desperate. you slipped on your shoes before taking her hand and letting her guide you out the window.

she walked with you, out to the woods and seemingly to your secret spot, the spot that was reserved for you and clarisse only. “clarisse, why are we out here?” you asked her once you finally stopped.

your emotions were already starting to heighten, the rain slowly following. she stared at you for a second. “i’m sorry.” she apologized. “why? you left me with no explanation like i was some animal on the street and ignored me. why?”

she breathed out a heavy breath. “him.” she whispered. “what?” “because of carter!” she snapped. you were confused, “what does this have to do with him?” clarisse looked at you like she begged you to understand, like you were supposed to know why.

“because he likes you,” she put out simply, “and i don’t want him to.” you blinked while taking in her words. she was closer to you than before now, her breath on your face. she soaked you in, watching the rainwater run down your face. she came to the realization.

“i like you,” she barely spoke. “i like you, and i don’t want him to like you.” you stood in shock. clarisse liked you. she liked you back, and you had no clue. you cupped her jaw and pulled her down to your lips. it was passionate, like she would die without feeling you again. you pulled away, “so, you stormed off because you liked me?” clarisse rolled her eyes with a smile. “well, when you put it like that.”

you pulled her back with a laugh and the rain getting lighter throughout the kiss, eventually allowing the stars to shine.

[lintwriting]

I was here when mouthwashing was just a demo. here are some things I noticed.

I caught on to the fact that Curly was likely innocent and that Jimmy was an unreliable narrator based on the "Take Responsibility" word scramble and Jimmy's asshole behavior. Because of this, I also did not think there would be supernatural horror, I thought it’d be man-made and psychological, which I was right about.

What I did not expect was the subtle depiction of how workplaces fail victims of rape and misogyny.

What I did not expect was how backgrounded the late stage capitalism critique ended up being.

late stage capitalism: a red herring

From the Demo, you focus a lot on the corporation as the main antagonist, probably because Wrong Organ devs were hiding the villain protagonists.

Ominous posters, a Polle monster chasing you, those ominous TV commercials glorifying working for a corporation, the fact that all this horror was over fucking tooth-rotting mouthwash. Really paints the picture of a corporate horror or conspiracy a la “Time to Orbit: Unknown,” where every chapter unveils a new corporate conspiracy for money and power.

but instead, in mouthwashing, the capitalist aspects are merely plot devices to explore the horror surrounding mismanagement and its consequences.

A power tripping coworker and an enabling manager who got him the job. An eager-to-please kid and an established supervisor willing to take advantage. Flaws in how the hierarchy is decided, leading to the one person who shouldn’t have had power getting the power. Lack of sensitivity training (or whatever that’s called) surrounding things like Title IX concerns, such as the uneven gender dynamics or what to do in the event of a crime or the fact that the person doing the psych evals isn’t getting any evals.

Notice that none of these things are unique to capitalism, they’re issues you’d have to plan for in any workplace/organization, whether that be socialist or capitalist or whatever. The capitalism exacerbates the issues or catalyzes the consequences of them like a plot device, but the issues don’t originate from there.

For example: the lack of any woman other than Anya.

Yes, this was most likely exacerbated by late stage capitalism understaffing to cut corners, leading to skeleton crews, but that the crew we DO have is mostly male is more related to misogyny or gender roles.

Perhaps women don't want to work on these freighters because of the danger of being trapped in a confined space with men. Maybe the jobs required for these freighters, like mechanic or pilot, are male-dominated. Or maybe the hiring manager had a bias where they viewed men as more competent, etc. The fact of the matter is that the cause is the same when you dig down deep into it: misogyny.

Or the layoff. The laying off of the crew is its own form of evil, but its consequences aren’t the ones being explored within this story. Most of the crew die of the horrors within the ship before they ever have to face it. In fact, the horrors within the ship don't really even have anything to do with the layoff at all. It’s a bit of a red herring.

Rather, the actual cause of this game’s horror is the mismanaged fallout of Jimmy’s assault. Most obviously in that scene where we see Curly for the first time, wherein Curly doesn’t take Anya’s safety concerns seriously, even when Jimmy is actively threatening to make everyone disappear so neither of them have to face the consequences of the assault.

I initially misread that scene as Curly evilly conspiring to let Jimmy crash the ship so neither of them would take the fall, hence us finally seeing Curly's “true face.” Because I read what Jimmy said as inherently threatening and serious, I thought Curly had agreed to that awful plan and only got cold feet at the last minute.

It’s only from reading other comments that I realized Curly had most likely assumed Jimmy was blowing hot air and needed to cool down in that scene. Or that he was making an inappropriate joke akin to his 'sexually attracted to cartoon horses' thing and wasn't being serious. Curly didn’t realize Jimmy was actually talking about a real plan until it was too late stop it (makes me wonder if Jimmy was actually attracted to the horse, too).

Thus, it goes from a story about corner-cutting late stage capitalist megacorps to a story about cartoonishly evil, power-tripping men to a story about how we enable these men with failures in our system.

Much like how the beginning of the game, when Jimmy crashes the ship, a failure in the safety systems is what allows the crash to happen (Seriously? One pilfered key is all you need to send your ship into a crash?), a series of social safety nets had to have failed to let him into the cockpit in the first place. The true face is not Curly conspiring to crash the ship out of cowardice and greed, but his inability to face what his friend has done.

[mi-co-uk]

𝗄𝖺𝗇𝗌𝖺𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾

─★ " ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵃʸ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ " ˚‧｡⋆part one‧₊ ᵎᵎ

2.2k words

𝗇𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 || 𝖺𝗎 𝗆𝖺𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍 || <- 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝗈𝗎𝗌 || 𝗇𝖾𝗑𝗍 ->

none of it was fair. none of it had ever been.

he stared at the screen blankly. overwhelmed and conflicted.

chris had resented matt - albeit more than he likely should've. but how you stared at him when you left was ingrained in his memory. a look of betrayal, disgust almost. chris didn't think it was fair. matt had you just to abandon you as if you weren't the most perfect he'd laid eyes on. if it were chris, he wouldn't have even considered moving to LA with the possibility of losing you. but you weren't his.

he was admiring from afar, just as he always had. when you were too pretty for him to form a sentence around, when you had other commitments to matt, when you were a whole plane ride away. the thing is, now you weren't.

the dim light of his phone wasn't nearly reminiscent to how impactful what it showed was. you were in LA. and you weren't far at all - not that you knew it.

──★

you refused contact, feeling as much betrayed by all of them for the break up, due to the role they each played in it. you didn't know exactly how the conversations played out between them but you felt you didn't need to. they had a plan to move, one they'd neglected to tell until last minute as if you were a window to close or tv to shut off before leaving the house.

you moved on. you made your own name for yourself in spite of matt, which was the reason you were in LA currently. your life was incomparable to the way it was 4/5 years ago, a desperate attempt to eliminate the vulnerability that version of you reeked of. brand deals, money, friends, fame, whatever. you built yourself up and up and up but you still didn't get it. your status was bigger than theirs was when they left you, abandoned you for it. yet still, you can't emphasise with their decision. you didn't have to leave your friends back in Boston for it all, so why did they? if you had to, would the fame be worth abandoning your friends, your family? never. so why did it happen to you? why did they let it happen to you? and so casually.

so you made yourself stronger, less codependent. but did your heart burn still, for that friendship, for that love? ashamedly - yes.

──★

matt held onto his pathetic idea that it would eventually go back to the way it was. if it did, he could forgive himself.

he never meant to hurt you. he was so lost in the idea of a new life, not to mention his lack of ability to speak up for himself and what he wanted for his future. he wasn't secure in himself like his brothers were, knowing what's best for their career and having full motivation for it all. he wouldn't wanna question their plans, so he didn't. that was the dynamic. he understood why it hurt you, he just hadnt anticipated it before taking the action.

his life moved relentlessly forwards, growing, depite the fact matt still felt like the same dumb kid that couldn't think for himself. all he knew now was that he missed you, endlessly.

──★

every second in the LA air made your skin crawl. surrounded by people who'd never had to fight to earn anything in their lives, money thrown around carelessly, dogs having more privilege than your used to. but that's not why your skins crawling. it's because you wish you were here for different reasons.

it's pathetic and old news you remind yourself. you really didn't think about them endlessly as it seems, but being in the place they traded you for made it different. you couldn't let yourself enjoy it.

you wished you were there for them, visiting them in their well earned home, showing you their new lifestyle. but you weren't, and that was burning you from the inside out. it was a scenario to play out in your head but it wasn't reality.

it was for instagram. a special trip they payed for, dragging a bunch on content creators to a week purposefully to make content and promote their love for the app. dinners, parties, photoshoots and more for seven days. of course it had its perks, allowing your account to grow through exposure, payed-for hotels and dinners, aswell as photoshoots being your specialty. they went all out.

first night was a welcome dinner - dress code, wine, respectable behaviour, which definitely contrasted the content youre used to seeing from some of the people you saw at the evening. some faces you recognised, some you didn't, some looked very different in person - probably due to a lack of filters. you'd made polite conversation, getting along well with a guy that had recognised and approached you, you'd admitted to not knowing him but he filled you in on those details nonetheless - aswell as who some other people in the room were.

he was funny - jokes similar to matts (which definitely didn't help the anxious ache in your chest). you couldn't help but overanalyse every word he said and every gesture. there was a few flirtatious comments here and there from the both of you, but you kept comparing him to matt.

you hadn't moved on romantically. neither had matt. it was easy enough to distract yourself from other things, it's not like you weren't fulfilled in your life. but LA had too many negative associations it came with - it relentlessly reminded you of matt. it was almost unbearable.

for a split second, you even wished you could see him again. you had never wished for this - he chose to leave you, why would you want to confront him again? you made your point, it wasn't one that could be misunderstood and that was enough. you could sleep easy at night. it was enough closure to tolerate. however you pitifully found yourself wishing. and as per usual, the universe loved to mock you.

of course they were here. if anything could make you regret wishing for them more than your own mind would, it would be your own dumb luck that proved it to you in action.

pretend it's not real. it's not happening. don't look. ignore them. it's not real.

you strain your eyes to focus on the guy sat beside you in one of the restaurant booths, other people stood holding various alcoholic beverages and making polite conversation. you quickly peak to see all three start to enter where everyone else is, having had their names ticked off the list to state their arrival. eyes back ahead, do not look again.

"funny to me how everyone's actin'. I know for a fact that guy is high off his ass every night except tonight."

you politely giggle, glad that he can almost talk enough to entertain himself while you hold off from trembling in anxiety.

"what would you be doing tonight?" he inquires.

"oh I'm not from here. I'd be back in Boston with my dogs - my sisters looking after them"

"not high off your ass?" he smirks.

"ooh depends. but I definitely wouldn't be in a fancy restaurant surrounded by borderline millionaires." you laugh, hopefully not in a way that shows how nervous you were.

he laughs in response, eyes scanning back and forth between yours. hearing movement behind him, he looks over his shoulder that rested on the booth seat. your eyes feel heavier as you watch nick walk across in front of the seats, chris and matt following behind, clearly not seeing you at all. they head towards a corner of the room with evidently a couple people they know, greeting them joyfully.

"there they go." he mutters.

"what do you mean?"

his attention is directed back towards you, eyebrows furrowed. "them? they're the sturniolo guys. they're at almost every influencer function I fucking see. shits crazy. can't escape 'em."

you allow yourself to look at them again, grins across all their faces as the taller guy they know laughs obnoxiously at one of chris' jokes.

you contemplate admitting that you know them, spilling the details of the messy breakup or at least just acknowledging verbally that you know them. you decide not to - playing down how much it hurts could diminish the pain a touch. at least you hope so.

you don't realise you're staring until chris' eyes meet yours. your entire body immediately burns with heat - embarrassment, anger, regret, maybe even desperation. the moment feels as if it lasts longer than is possible, finally interrupted when the guy sat next to you places his glass on the table in front of you. with your focus brought back, you take the opportunity to stand up from your seat.

you mutter quickly something about needing a drink, taking both of the glasses on the table and you head towards the main refreshment table. you force yourself not look in chris' direction, you're not trying to bring him over to you - you just can't fucking breathe.

the air feels colder as you move, but no more breathable than previously. you steady yourself by placing your hands on the table in front, eyes fluttering open and closed as your breathing becomes more erratic.

a hand is placed on the small of your back, the heat setting into your body as all but your head freezes in place to secure yourself. it takes effort to look to your left, met with chris' features, more mature than you remember them being.

you wish you could've analysed his face a little longer, but the panic on your face is too obvious for chris' comfort, needing to snap you out of it.

"you okay?"

you preferred being angry. it made the times you forgot about the pain all the more appreciated. those times felt weightless, like you finally knew how to breathe properly. but just feeling sad, there were no painless moments. it felt like the skin of your neck tightened, like something was tugging at you to pull the tears out. sadness was vulnerability and pathetic. anger was control.

chris had brought you outside the restaurant, sitting on some rusty bench in an alleyway while you listened to the cabs drive by. the air was more tolerable, a lack of heat that came from the overwhelming space inside. he was fiddling with his fingers, completely unsure of what he was supposed to be doing. you give yourself a couple more moments, knowing that the gnawing bug at the back of head would get even more vicious or leave completely depending on how this conversation was going to go.

chris finally looks over to you, eyebrows furrowed in concern. he's a little relieved in seeing a lack of fear in your expression. in response, you rest your head against his shoulder, and he places his head atop yours. there wasn't any pressure, as if the chris in front of you was the one from your scenarios, placed beside you for comfort to dull the harshness of reality. it was the most at ease you'd felt in years. you're eternally glad chris noticed you first as oppose to matt.

"'m really sorry, kid."

you breathe in deeply, "'s okay." you mutter quietly.

his regret sets in deeper, the situation never having felt old to him. the psychological torture of loving you so deeply and knowing he could never have you, just for you to be treated bad enough for him to lose you completely. and here you were now, seemingly feeling a similar pain yet still comforted by him. he understood your pain more than you knew.

"not okay though," he looks ahead of you both, breath hitching, "I wanna tell you how much it hurt to be without you but I don't think that's fair."

you lean into the crook of his neck closer. "I guess not."

it used to be easier telling him how you felt, but you don't handle situations the same anymore. you try and remind yourself than he abandoned you as much as matt did, not wanting to let down your guard despite the new calmness you were feeling.

"it is good to see you though." he looks back at you, eyes meeting again.

"yeah?"

he nods in response, "you look, um."

"older?" he smirks slightly at your answer, "so do you. mr beard."

"'s not that long. shaved a couple days ago." he scratches at his face as he responds.

"well your face use to be smoother than mine, so."

"whatever, kid." his smile grows wider as he watches your face light up a little more.

"why do I look different?" you peer up at him.

he scans your features a little more intently, comparing the memory of you to the stranger in front of him. it wasn't you necessarily, nothing he could pinpoint specifically. but you weren't the same girl he spent his younger years with. your heart seemed buried a little deeper inside you now.

"well, you're shorter."

you let out a scoff, "I am not!" you laugh it off, chris giggling in response.

the laughs fade out as reality sets back in. things couldn't go back to how they use to be.

"chris?"

he hums in response, looking back down at you pulled close to him.

"I missed you too."

taglist: @pair-of-pantaloons @oopsiedaisydeer @corspebridedelrey @browniepop62 @izzylovesmatt @sturniolosrtewsexy @courta13 @sturns-mermaid @emely9274 @baebadoobee4ever @fw-lee @afr8idofrats @stvrniolotrxpl3ts @chrxsprettygirl @franticroads @m4gz-png @sosasturns @clairomatt @allisonclairee @mattshorsenecklace @whor3ing @matts-girlfriend @obsessedwiththesturniolos @shadowthesim237 @xeneasworld @chrisslut04 @jetaimevous @eeyoresturnz @dolliraez @mattswifeyy @pizzapocketpocketpizza @rolesturnz @pink1man

[whatifitis]

♡ The Story of Tonight - LH 44 ♡

Summary: Your whole life, you lived in complete darkness. No sign of hope or light or love. Everything was just black and white. But after meeting your soulmate, what happens?

Author's note: this is based off this request! i hope i did it justice and im so sorry for the long wait. this is not proofread and feedback is always appreciated <3

WC: 2418

CW: fluff, essentially my ramblings after having no sleep

The paddock was abuzz with thrill and anticipation for the events that may occur today. The Monaco Grand Prix is today and there are three drivers who are in the lead to be this year's World Champion: Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and none other than Sir Lewis Hamilton. 

It is your first time attending a Grand Prix after having followed the sport for basically your whole life. After saving money for years and fighting tooth and nail for a decent ticket, you were officially set to attend one of the most anticipated races out of the calendar year. 

You were practically born a Ferrari fan, it was in your blood to support your team through thick and thin. You grew up watching your favorites become drivers for Ferrari, I mean, everyone is a Ferrari fan at the end of the day. Although, it was often difficult at times to appreciate certain aspects. Everyone always raved about Ferrari and its color scheme, mainly being red. Talk about how the color matched the spirit of Ferrari with passion and fiery. But you never understood it. 

To this day, you still see black and white. There was no color, no life, just you drowning in a world of nothing. Growing up, most of your friends and family were lucky enough to meet their soulmate young, allowing them to finally see everything the world really had to offer. They were lucky enough to appreciate colors with their person. But here you were, almost halfway through your life and you still lived in black and white. 

For so long of your life, you were angry. You just wanted to be like everyone else. You wanted to see what everyone saw. You wanted to meet your person. You wanted to know how it felt. How it felt being in love and knowing that the person in front of you was it for you. You wanted to know how it felt to be secure, happy. But now you’ve learned that maybe it’s just not for you. Not everyone is meant to fall in love and be loved. So, it’s okay. You’ve learned how to live without it and how to be content with the life you have now. 

Now, you know better. You spend your days working and appreciating the moments you get with your friends and family. And today, you were ecstatic because you were able to pay for a trip to Monaco to watch the Grand Prix, not just for you, but for your best friend as well. It was the least you could do considering she’s been there for you for every waking moment that you may have needed her. 

The two of you were getting ready in the hotel, probably overthinking every little aspect but atleast neither of you were alone. 

“Okay, I still don’t know if I wanna wear a dress or if I wanna go with pants. Like, how hot is it going to be? I know the weather app can tell me but Monaco heat could be different from London heat. Also, which one won’t make me seem out of place? I don’t wanna look like I don’t know what I’m doing even though that is the case.” you started rambling, panicking because you were about to be surrounded by people who are famous and, not to be rude, but probably snobby. 

“Hmm, maybe those jeans with a white t-shirt? And you can layer that red jacket on top so if it gets too hot, you can just take it off.” your friend, Faith, says. 

Walking over to the mirror, you place the shirt and pants in front of you to see how it would come together, “I could use the black purse, right? And maybe some jewelry?”

“Yes, babe. You’re gonna look fit. You know, I bet you that you will pull today. Someone is gonna ask for your number and I’m willing to bet so much money that it’ll be one of the drivers. Who knows, maybe it’ll be Lance Stroll? Or or… a retired driver… like someone who’s name starts with a ‘J’ and is also British.” your friend jokingly states, pursing her lips are you. 

“First of all, I think Jenson Button is married… with children. Second of all, I’m not pulling anyone or anything. The only thing I’ll probably pull is a muscle or a door that says it needs to be pushed.” 

“Right… Well, put your clothes on so we can get going. I wanna get there before the race actually starts. Come on, chop chop.” Faith claps her hands at you, trying to get you to actually hurry up. 

-=+=-

The paddock seemed to be a lot calmer than what you thought it would actually be like. For so long, you assumed that people were constantly running around and that things were always being moved. In reality, it’s quite calm. Everyone just walks and talks throughout the day, no sense of urgency at all. 

You and Faith were sitting on a bench and talking while you waited for the race to start. 

“No, what I’m saying is that I would’ve been sick as a character on Glee.” 

Raising an eyebrow at your friend, you entertain her “Yeah? How so?”

“Well, first of all, I wouldn’t be the worst or the best singer. I’d be about average. I’m also a mid dancer. But, I have some pretty good jokes. I also think I could’ve had some sick lore with Jessie. Like I could’ve been his baby mama.”

With a hand running down your face, “Faith… what the fuck?” you laugh. 

“What? Did I lie? No, and here’s why. Honestly, my castmates, especially Lea Michele, would absolu-” Faith was explaining until she was interrupted by shouts and hollers from fans and cameramen. 

The both of you turned to look at what all the commotion was when all of a sudden THE Lewis Hamilton was sprinting past. As per usual, the man was wearing his headphones and just trying to get from one place to another without much interruption or distraction. However, he looked up from the ground and locked eyes with you. 

Colors. 

You saw colors? How could that be possible? One second everything was normal and black and white. Now everything is golden. Okay, not exactly golden but pretty damn close. It’s so beautiful. You almost cried from the overwhelming emotion of finally understanding what people were talking about. But, how can this be? People are only able to see color when they meet their soulmate. So was… Lewis Hamilton was your soulmate?

“Fuck.” you said. 

“Huh?” Faith turned to you. 

Lewis had already disappeared into a garage by the time you came to your realization. He was gone. 

“He’s my- Lewis- He’s- No, it’s not possible.”

“Babe, spit it out. Yes, that was Lewis Hamilton and you missed the opportunity to take a pic of him for you dad because you were too busy drooling over him.” 

“No. Faith. He’s- I can see colors.”

“Holy shit! No way. That’s amazing, babes. Congra- WAIT. NO.”

“Yes!” 

“Oh my fucking god. But… Lewis?”

“Everything was normal until we locked eyes. When we locked eyes, everything just… changed. I can see every color. Green. Blue. Purple. Red. He was wearing red. A really nice red…” 

“Yeah, no shit. We have to get a hold of him. He’s your soulmate.” 

“No. I’m probably wrong. It’s probably someone else that was in that crowd.”

“Did you make eye contact with any of them?”

“No”

“Right, so, you’re a dumb bitch and Lewis Hamilton is your soulmate. Let’s go find him.” Faith states, jumping from her seat on the bench. 

“Faith, no. Sit back down. We are no-”

You were reaching for Faith’s hand, pulling her back to sit down next to you when a blonde woman in red came out racing towards you. 

“Hi. I’m so sorry to bother you. But I’m gonna need you to come with me, please. At the request of Lewis Hamilton. He wishes to speak with you as soon as possible. Preferably before he has to get in the car.”

You and Faith stood there in shock. Complete silence swallowed you whole and the only way you were brought out of your empty mind was for Faith to physically pull you off the bench and towards a hallway which only allowed drivers and crew members. 

The two of you followed the blonde woman down a few corridors before she turned to face you again and began introducing herself, “Hello. I’m so sorry but I probably should have introduced myself. Can’t imagine how strange it was for me to come up and demand you come with me. I’m Angela and I’m Lewis’ personal trainer. Lewis said that as he was walking to the garage, he saw you and that’s when it happened.”

“Yeah. She saw color and oh my god. I’m so excited for this. I’m sorry for speaking for her but she needs a moment before she’s able to talk again. It’s quite overwhelming for her, I think.” Faith rambles. You appreciate her doing so. 

You simply nod and watch as Angela turns her back to you and continues leading you. After passing a few more corners, you found yourself in the Ferrari garage. You watched as all the engineers raced around and made a few final inspections on the car. Some of the guys were already strategizing and discussing possibilities of certain things happening in the race. 

From the corner of the room, everything moved in slow motion in front of you. You could feel your breathing as it quickened in pace. A strange feeling, you must admit. Every single person in this room had a job to do. Lewis counted on all these people to help him win races. It’s hard to imagine the weight on his shoulders. 

Before you could fold into yourself and escape into a space in your head, Faith poked your rib and pointed to a wall in the room. Well, to be specific, it was Angela walking towards Lewis and letting him know of your arrival. Lewis looked up at you again and it was like a second wave of liveliness. The first time he looked at you, the world came to life and surrounded you with color and warmth. Now, when he looks at you, it’s like you’ve just come to life. After years of just surviving, now you get to live… and possibly even feel things you haven’t before. 

In the blink of an eye, Lewis was standing right in front of you. 

“Hey, I’m Lewis.” he states, holding his hand out for you to shake. 

You softly place your hand in his, trying to hide the nervousness coursing through your body, “Hi, I’m Y/n.”

“Y/n. That’s a beautiful name.” he smiles and you completely melt. His eyes crinkle in the corners as sparkles lace his brown eyes. What a beautiful sight. You could definitely get used to this. 

“Thank you.”

“I’m so sorry about all the chaos, by the way. It’s been a hectic day and the race is about to start. But when I saw you, and I saw everything. Like my world came to life. When it happened, I guess I was in quite a bit of shock. It also didn’t help being separated by so many people. Once I got the chance, I immediately called Angela and asked her to find you for me. I really want to talk to you and get to know you. Possibly after the race? We could go somewhere quiet. Preferably somewhere where there won’t be many people.” 

“Yeah. Yeah, no, that’d be great. I’d love to talk. I’d really like to get to know you.”

“I’m glad the feeling is mutual then. And I guess it’s a good thing you look good in red. You’ll be surrounded by a lot of Ferrari in the future. That is, if you’re okay with that.”

Barely one conversation in and he already had you blushing and melting, “I’d love that. Now that I can finally see it, I think I can safely say that red is indeed my color.” you let out a soft laugh. And to your surprise, he laughs too. 

“Agreed. I gotta get back to work now. But feel free to watch the race down here. We can get you and your friend some headphones so you can hear everything and you’ll be able to watch the race through those monitors.” Lewis explains, pointing to where the monitors can be found, “Oh and I’m so sorry. It’s quite rude of me to not introduce myself to your friend. Hi, I’m Lewis.”

Faith and Lewis exchange greetings and chat for a moment before Lewis ends up going back to work again. 

“I’ll find you after the race, yeah?”

“Yeah. I’ll be here. Although I might pass out once all the adrenaline wears off. I did not expect to be in the Ferrari garage today, let alone meeting you and finding out you’re…”

“A pleasant surprise. It’s made my day, honestly. This may be better than a podium or race win. Okay, talk later, darling.” With a kiss on the cheek, Lewis walks off to his car and begins his pre-race routine. 

Everything today was so unexpected. You had saved for this trip for months and now that you’re finally here, you meet your soulmate? It’s all so terrifying and new. You don’t know how this will go. For all you now, you could completely fumble everything and end up back where you started, alone and void of so many things. But for now, you’ll appreciate this special moment. You’ll appreciate the feeling today has brought you and take everything one step at a time. If everything works out, this will be the person you’ll be running home to, and that is something you honestly can’t wait for. 

-=+=-

“And the story of tonight? Sir Lewis Hamilton seems to have found his soulmate. He’s been going around the paddock and just looking at and observing just about anything. Just admiring random objects and the colors they are. Just a few minutes ago, he was observing a potted plant very closely, inspecting the colors it had to offer him. Now, who do we think the lucky girl is? The one who gets to take Sir Lewis Hamilton home. The one who will get to comb through the complicated braids of life with the legend himself.”

[gatitties]

Warm

─La squadra di esecuzioni x teen!fem!reader (platonic)

─Summary: You make some new friends on your little trip to the beach

─Warnings: none

Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four

When Polpo told Risotto that a new person was joining his team, he wanted to refuse, but for obvious reasons, he couldn't say no to his boss, they already had enough problems on their own, he didn't need to have Polpo watching his every move in detail. Money was already a problem, thinking about having to feed another mouth... made him grumpy for a few days, the rest of the team wasn't very enthusiastic about the idea of ​​having to put up with another teammate either, what if that person is an idiot? someone who doesn't cooperate? problematic? what if that person is completely incompetent? too weak? The cloud of annoying thoughts encompassed all the members of La Squadra a week before you arrived.

Risotto found himself overthinking the situation as if it was the first time a person was thrown into the team without being able to express his opinion on whether it was a good idea or not, it happened with the majority that now make up the team, all without a vote to choose, they were forced to be the killer dogs of the mafia. But as the leader of the squad, he needed to be firm, respectable, he had to take careful steps with the new recruit, even when he preferred not to have to confront the problems between some of the members, he had to have some presence as a leader and impose himself.

But when he saw you walking through the door that day, he felt that all the weight he carried on his shoulders lightened, you were a teenager, you seemed nervous and insecure, your steps were careful like those of a prey surrounding its predator, everyone ignored you while Prosciutto led you to your room. Risotto wasn't the best at deciphering people's behaviors, he's preferred the comfort of solitude for a long time now, if he can help it, he'd rather not face other people's problems, take the fast track to fix things or ignore them until they decide to disappear somehow, but the moment his eyes fell on your hunched figure he knew you weren't going to cause him any trouble.

He had a lot of headaches because of Ghiaccio, Formaggio and Melone, a lot of confrontations, differences at the beginning of the relationships as a team, although Prosciutto, Pesci and Illuso helped establish a much more peaceful environment, he always had the final say in the discussions, he had to remain with that frown, imposing look and stand up to his full height to instill that feeling of superiority, even in moments where all he wanted to do was run away to his room to rest from all the fuss. It didn't work on you. His terrifying appearance ─as many others describe─ and his intimidating methods didn't affect you, yes, the first few weeks were uncomfortable for you, but that was until you adapted and began to create bonds with the team, despite not having to always be on guard, you never seemed to be withdrawn towards his behavior when he raised his voice in the most heated discussions between the team, perhaps because most of the time they were words not directed towards you.

"Psst Risotto are you there?"

And you found yourself in his office more than anyone else did, no one ever entered that small dark room unless he called them personally or they had an occasional question, but most of them knew how to do their job, what they should or shouldn't do, you didn't, so you preferred to ask before doing something that could be a problem, the small sofa against the wall next to the table was like a second bed for you the moment you started to gain confidence with your leader. He didn't think having someone keeping him company while he had an insufferable pile of paperwork was really a positive thing, normally he would rather lock himself away and concentrate on his tasks without distractions, in complete silence. Inevitably Risotto got used to you frequenting and perpetrating his privacy, anyway it's not like you were his shadow, you were just a little curious and he, being the oldest of the team, had most of the answers to your questions.

"Do you want a cookie? I stole them from Ghia, but he'll think it was Melone so it's okay."

"Didn't he catch you last time? You know how Ghiaccio is, if you steal from Formaggio he won't complain or yell at you."

"No, Illuso snitched because I left him without hot water to shower the day before" you laughed like an evil little elf, chewing the cookies, they tasted better when they weren't yours" Plus Maggio's taste weird, I think he has stomach problems, they're digestive and it feels like you're eating dirt."

"How do you know what it feels like to eat dirt?"

"I just know…"

He decided to continue with his work, feeling more and more frustrated because the damn computer didn't seem to pay attention to him, lately he had been having some complications, despite everything, his expressionless face remained just as impassive, and it was in these moments that he knew that not even he, who had almost perfect control over the features of his face,  could deceive you, that the lies didn't reach your ears because your senses were much stronger, enhanced by your stand, it was extremely easy to discover someone's true thoughts.

"Risotto… you're trying to copy with the windows key, you're supposed to press control c and v."

You peeked over his shoulder as soon as you knew his neutral mood was starting to mix with irritation, you too had discovered a lot of things about the team in these two months, Risotto was like a grandfather trying to understand the technologies, you took the time to make him a little list with little commands because he always seems to forget them, you even made a little doodle next to it, although the drawing looked like a deformed clown made of sticks, the only thing distinguishable was the hat with bells and the red eyes, if not, it could very well have been a random gothic clown.

After a while you always go off to do something, he's started to appreciate you spending a little bit of your time with him, it's a little reminder that he doesn't always need to be locked away in his solitude with work stuck.

"(Y/n), was looking for you."

"Hey Pesci" you quickly closed the kitchen cabinet, hoping he wouldn't see you putting the half-eaten packet of cookies back in its place "What do you want?"

"Prosciutto and I are going to the coast tomorrow, I thought you'd like to come, you can go to the beach while we take care of some personal matters."

"I'd love to! Thanks for telling me."

The man gave you a small smile, he had remembered the little chat the other day, while you were helping him make dinner, he remembered that you said that it had been a long time since you'd been to the beach and he thought it wouldn't be a problem if you accompanied them even if they went for other reasons. You made sure to leave a small backpack ready before going to sleep, the next morning you made sure to leave enough food for your little pet, although you threatened Illuso to keep an eye on it in case something happened, with everything ready, you settled into the backseat of Ghiaccio's red car, ─who only trusted Prosciutto or Risotto to drive it─ the breeze was cool, just what you needed for a hot summer day, the music in the car sounded much better than in Formaggio's old van and Prosciutto turned up the volume when he heard you and Pesci humming the song on the radio, you don't know if it was because you sang badly and he didn't want to listen to you or because he liked the song too, but it livened up the time of arrival.

"We'll be here in a couple of hours, be on time..." Prosciutto glanced at you, lighting a cigarette, waiting for Pesci to finish grabbing some things from the trunk "and watch your things, there are a lot of people with long arms around here."

You gave him a thumbs up as you checked that you had everything in order in your backpack, while they went deeper into the suburbs, you approached the beach with enthusiasm. Pesci gave you some directions, since he knew the area, you managed to get to a part where there were hardly any people, you didn't waste time, once you arranged your things, you jumped into the waves to cool off. You spent enough time in the water for your skin to wrinkle, so you decided to lie down on your towel, letting the sun dry you slowly, all your tranquility was broken when a beach ball hit your face.

"Ow sorry! Can you pass it?"

A rather unruly black-haired boy in an orange swimsuit came a little closer, waiting for you to throw back his form of entertainment, his companions waited behind, it was a quick glance, but it was certainly a group of strange people, just like your group, they all seemed so eccentric that they could be stand users, but it wasn't something that worried you too much. You smiled at the boy and quickly returned his ball, he thanked you and everyone continued with the game, this event happened at least four more times, apparently the boy was terrible at controlling the ball.

"I'm really sorry, I usually play much better, I swear, I don't know what's wrong with me today."

"Don't worry about it, what's your name?"

You threw the inflatable ball back, starting a small talk with the one you knew as Narancia until his friends yelled at him to get back in the game, it took him a few seconds to react, looking at the ball in his hands and at his friends, his eyes shining for a moment before he spoke again.

"Do you want to join? Fugo is fed up with us losing because of me, do you want to be my partner?" you looked at his group for a moment and nodded, you still had some time before the two brothers returned "Great!"

You decided not to question the swimsuits of his friends, one with green holes and strawberry print, another purple with ladybug pins on the sides, another with a tiger animal print, not to mention the man who had the swimsuit with a zipper in the middle of his… yeah, the only normal ones were the gothic man, the girl and Narancia, much simpler than the others. After a brief introduction the game began, you and Narancia were definitely not a good team, you lost almost every game, but in exchange you laughed a lot at his stumbles, unlike the others, the boy didn't know how to control his body on the sand. You were happy to receive a message from Pros warning that they would take a while longer, and would call you when everything was finished, which gave you time to have one of the craziest Uno games.

"Giorno you son of a b-" the gothic dad wanted to lash out at the blond, but a warning look from Bruno made him curl his tongue "Stop skipping me!"

Fugo stopped playing after the first game because Narancia was getting on his nerves, Mista had the entire deck of cards with him and Bruno was having a little fight with you over who won first, since Abbacchio and Giorno were too focused on their fight, Trish decided to just watch as chaos formed.

"Uno! Uno!"

Since no one was paying attention to Narancia, he almost ended up winning, almost because you all decided not to let him win, putting aside rivalries to focus on a common enemy. The buzz on your phone sounded as Mista shouted that he had won, laughing in his friends' faces, he had somehow managed to discard the large amount of cards ─which could very well have been the entire damn deck─ that he had, taking a quick glance you read the message from Prosciutto, it was time for you to go.

"Thanks for inviting me to hang out Narancia, it's been nice meeting you all, but I have to go now."

You offered them a small wave as you gathered your things, they replied briefly, your small and unexpected company had been nice, before you could leave Narancia grabbed your wrist gently.

"Hey wait, do you want to exchange numbers? We can meet up to play more times."

"Sounds good, sure."

You added your number to his phone just like he did to yours, promising to talk soon, you said goodbye again, you wiped the dry sand off your legs and headed out into the streets, abandoning the relaxing sound of the waves, on the way to the agreed upon spot you saw a souvenir shop, you debated internally for a few seconds whether to go in or not.

"I don’t think anything will happen if they wait five more minutes."

You shrugged, entering the small shop, there were a ton of pins, magnets, postcards… it had a small area for fishing gear too, but what caught your eye the most was a small camera, it looked a bit outdated, it was even on sale, maybe the reason you ended up buying it along with a magnet for your poor fridge at home, it felt bare without anything decorating it. With long steps you quickly arrived where they left you at the beginning of the day, you wanted to make a comment about why Pros seemed paler than usual, almost sick ─although still smoking─ and Pesci looked all sweaty as if he had done a triathlon, but you decided to keep quiet, clearly they didn't have as much fun as you, you noticed how the discomfort piled up on their shoulders, creating a heavy and silent atmosphere, so you took the liberty of trying to make whatever had complicated the mission for them go away.

"Pesci, Pros! Smile!"

You raised the camera just as the two turned to look at you, they could barely react when the flash momentarily blinded them, Prosciutto had a hard, darkened look, although a little lost since he wasn't expecting the photo, he was hunched over with one hand on the car door while Pesci, much more unprepared, came out with his eyes half-blinking, you also caught how some of the things he was carrying slid directly into the trunk carelessly, you, on the other hand, were occupying the lower right corner with a small closed-eye smile. The photo came out slightly overexposed, burning a little the edges where the sun illuminated the most, plus it was slightly crooked and poorly framed, you will have to practice your skills more from now on.

"Where did you get that?" Prosciutto looked over your shoulder, grimacing at himself, you hadn’t caught his best angle "Whatever, come on, I don’t want to spend any more time here, I hate the saltiness in the air."

The light music and your constant chatter about new friends made the tension in the men’s muscles disappear for the rest of the trip, focused on giving short answers or asking you questions about your day, you kept them from thinking too much about what had happened during their time in the small coastal town. The one-sided conversation was slowly fading away, your loud voice filled with enthusiasm about your free time turning into a short murmur over the music, when Pesci looked back due to how quiet you had become, he found you asleep, ─in a position that would make your neck hurt later─ it was incredible how easily your energy was drained, his brother always says he finds you passed out in the living room late at night with the TV on while teleshopping commercials light up the room, or maybe you just rest badly, the mattresses in the house are shit.

"Wake up, I'm not going to carry your stuff, we already have enough to carry on our own."

Prosciutto patted your shoulder, placing his hand down for a moment to carelessly shake you awake, he wasn’t always the gentlest at waking you up, but at least he wasn’t worse than Melone or Formaggio… they had unique ways of making your consciousness flee the world of dreams as if you were going to have a heart attack. You rubbed your eyes a little dazedly, feeling a stab of pain in your cervical spine, you ignored as much as possible the discomfort at the back of your neck, grabbing your things and waving at Ghiaccio, who had come out just when he heard you arrive to check that his car was unscathed.

You let out a satisfied sigh when you entered, everything was quiet, you quickly went to the kitchen to leave the magnet of the picturesque town, feeling proud of giving a more personal touch to the house, immediately you went up to the bathroom, you wanted to take a shower and remove the sticky layer of cream, sand and saltiness that had stuck to your skin and hair.

"Finally I can-" you watched silently as Illuso, in your room, played around and talked with that stupid squeaky voice that people put on to talk to babies or animals, with your rat, he looked back at you silently "...Am I interrupting something?"

"Yes."

The shadows on his face dimmed, still with your little pet in his hands, the little animal recognized you, raising one of its paws as you had taught it as a greeting, you held back a cry of pride, more focused on noticing how Illuso also seemed excited about the progress you were making with the training, although the small smile he could have vanished as quickly as it came when he turned his gaze towards you again, as if this whole situation was your fault, you closed the door again, well, you could let them spend some time together in the comfort of your room, because you know that without a doubt your room is the most comfortable and much better than the others.

"I suppose I can bother Risotto for a while…"

With a new found energy, your feet bounced against the floor, with a smile from ear to ear, you knocked on the door so familiar to you. While you often came to ask questions or to get advice from your leader on something, many other times you were just bored, and deciphering emotions from outwardly stoic people is quite fun, besides, it never hurt to help a goth with basic office problems, there was an enemy out there much worse than the traitors that Risotto had to kill almost daily, the internet.

BONUS!

"And I can share those…? Gifs? By message, you say."

Risotto looked at his phone, the small pixelated images twisted tirelessly in the small space, you had offered to give him some advice on how to use emojis, gifs or stickers, was it something useful or necessary? No, definitely a waste of time, but how funny would it be to see the faces of others when they see how their leader ─who only sends messages as if they were work emails through the group chat─ starts using emojis without context? You need to record their reactions.

"Yes, yes, and you can send it as many times as you want, in fact, if someone doesn't answer you quickly, you need to send them a lot, they will answer faster."

"I see, thanks for the help, I'll try to remember everything."

The rest of the team is not very happy when they see that they have at least a hundred meaningless messages from his boss, Ghiaccio swears that he will throw his phone against the wall if he sees another gif of an exploding kitten.

[maple-tree-hills]

Percy Jackson AU where instead of Poseidon being absent in Percy’s life, he helps raise him. But Percy doesn’t know his dad is Poseidon. He thinks Peter Johnson is a marine biologist and a fisherman who is frequently on long business trips for his job. Maybe Sally and Poseidon are divorced, and she marries Smelly Gabe or maybe they’re still together, who knows.

Just, instead of Percy being in anger at the gods for neglecting their children he’s in disbelief that his very normal father is Poseidon. They go on fishing trips together all the time and he dresses like a tacky Hawaiian tourist. Not a god. He refuses to believe this despite Grover being a satyr, and Mr. Brunner being a centaur.

I’m not sure if Percy should know all of the gods or not. Maybe he knows Mr. D already as Cousin Dexter. Cousin Dexter has shown up a couple of times in his life. He’s a devil for the drink and a known alcoholic, so why is he at this weird camp playing cards with Grover and Mr. Brunner? And they start talking about the gods and demigods again. And Mr. D calls him ‘mortal.’ And Percy’s like yeah, no Cousin Dexter has had a bit too much to drink despite the fact that he can’t smell any alcohol on him, and he’s only been drinking Diet Coke. Percy switches subjects as to why Mr. D isn’t drinking any alcohol. Apparently, his father won’t let him drink alcohol anymore and is forcing him to work at this summer camp. Percy is happy to hear this because at least someone isn’t having Cousin Dexter’s shit anymore.

Then they switch gears back into the conversion about gods existing and he’s sure Grover, or Mr. Brunner, or Mr. D will say sike, but none of them do. They all seriously believe in the gods. Well Percy is stubborn and won’t be convinced this easily.

And then he finds out that Hades stole the master bolt and has his mother, and he’s like uncle Hector? Uncle Hector is a god of the underworld? And he has my mother and stole Zeus’s lightning bolt? No way. Uncle Hector lives in LA and works at a music producing studio. He is not the god of the underworld. He is not Hades, this is insane and Percy does not appreciate being punked. He’ll admit some supernatural stuff is real because a minatur killed his mom, but being a demigod no way.

And they keep telling Percy about the family drama and he’s still in disbelief. All he knows about uncle Zane is that his father is not on good terms with him. There’s no way uncle Zane who his father HATES, who works in the Empire State Building is Zeus. There’s just no way.

And then he finds out about the Big Three and forbidden children thing. And he goes ‘That can’t be true uncle Hector has two kids: cousin Bianca and cousin Nico.’ And he just accidentally spoils to everyone that Hades has not kept his end of the pact about fathering more mortal children.

And then they’re on the road going through quests fighting against Alecto again, Echidna, and Medusa and Percy still can’t believe the gods are real.

It isn’t until he gets to the underworld that he starts believing. There seated on a dark throne surrounded by skeletons is Uncle Hector? Uncle Hector is actually Hades? He’s freaking out he’s never seen his uncle this way before. He’s terrifying and keeps demanding this Helm of Darkness thing in exchange for his mother. Where’s Nico he wants to hang out with his cousin?

And maybe Percy sasses him because what the heck uncle Hector sending furies after your nephew and holding your sister-in-law hostage and accusing your nephew of theft is not cool. And things for the most part will proceed like they do in the book for the most part. I could see Hades when he’s pretending to be a human behaving similarly to Jay Duplass’s portrayal of him in the TV show. Just a comical uncle who is most certainly not lord of the underworld.

(I’ve only seen the TV and I’ve almost finished the first book so far, but I do know Hades has two kids named Bianca and Nico)

[potionroulette]

📌 POTION ROULETTE ✧

✯

All about the comic and characters ‼️

Updates every Monday and Thursday at 2:00PM EST

In 1886, Webbigail gets elected as the queen. Secrets are uncovered, and four people, Chilli, Oliver, Millie and Izaac need to take their old friend ,Dylan, who's been manipulated back. But they can't without any obstacles. Secrets get uncovered, and our characters lives get ruined.

📍#comicpage for comic pages

📍 #ask for asks

📍#potion roulette webcomic for anything related to PR!

📍#textpost for textposts

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Protagonists:

☆

Oliver Sallow:

Name: Oliver July Sallow

Age: 24

Gender: Male

Species: Border Collie

Job: Farmer

Partner: Chilli

Voice Claim: Jack Kline from Supernatural

Theme: Alien Blues - Vundabar, Johnny - American Murder Song

Oliver was born in Clovelly, and lived there for most of his life. After his mother broke up with his dad and moved out, his dad decided for them and his brother to move to London for a while. When they decided to move back to Clovelly, Oliver stayed, now 16 with the excuse that he’d be better by himself. That wasn’t true though, as the only reason he stayed is Chilli. They grew up together and when the new queen was elected, everything changed. In general what you have to know about him is that he’s EXTREMELY happy go lucky, but gets sick extremely easily so his trips to the doctor are monthly (mostly because he refuses to eat other fruit other than lotus). His voice is melodical and fun to listen to, and he usually wears his cape, but sometimes doesn’t. His favorite color is green and blue cause he wants to do anything to be matching with Chilli.

Chilli Frensby:

Name: Chinyere "Chilli" Frensby

Age: 23

Gender: Male

Species: Labrador

Job: Unemployed (Later opens a restaurant)

Partner: Oliver

Voice Claim: Antes De Las Tres - Un Fantasma

Theme: Same as above. + Little Dark Age - TGMT + Blah Blah Blah - The Oozes

Chilli had an immensely difficult childhood. His parents were thieves and we're hung for their crimes when he was 4. He lived with his beloved grandma in a poor condition and one day lost her. A few days later he met Oliver, who he ended up connecting to more than anyone. Chilli is the bright logical mind of the group and sadly the one who understands everything. In addition, he has a very monotone voice which only shows emotion when he's scared or surprised. He always carries the compass that tracks down Dorothy with him. One thing you need to know about Chilli is that he never ever forgets difficult times.

Millie Tuffin:

Name: Millie Tuffin

Age: 29

Gender: Female

Species: Cocker Spaniel

Job: Babysitter

Partner: None

Voice Claim - Jerry from Soul

Theme: Bella Belle - The Electoswing Circus + The Angry River - The Hat

Millie lived in a poor condition as a kid since her family didn't have much money but she succeeded in life and visits her family regurarly. She loves looking for her significant other and when people do tell her about a person she always gets nervous and turns them down. For now she's a babysitter, mostly babysitting Izaac and Dylan's kid, Jason. She met Izaac when shed temporarily work at an office a few years prior. Now, she follows the gang in their little aloof adventures to uncover the mystery that surrounds the Queenies.

Izaac Clampitt:

Name: Izaac Clampitt

Age: 31

Gender: Male

Species: German Shepherd

Job: Office Worker

Partner: Dylan (Broke up for a day or two until the incident.)

Voice Claim: And When I Die - The Heavy (a little more low pitched)

Theme: Same as above. + Poor Isaac - The Airborne Toxic Event

Izaac has always been a calm individual, but due to his anxiety of losing close people due to him losing his sister at a young age, he and Dylan's break up hit harder than anticipated especially since they have a son. He is a sucker for the color purple and loves bubble baths with Dylan. When he and Dylan got together again, he was filled with hope for the future, nothing will go wrong when they're together. He has a straightforward voice and always gets the point across no matter what. When he cries he breaks hearts due to him being so fragile when he loses people despite his muscularity.

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Antagonists:

Dylan Bluebell:

Name: Dylan Poppy Bluebell

Age: 30

Gender: Trans Male

Species: Australian Shepherd

Job: Florist

Voice Claim: Pineapple Soda - Hi, I'm Chris

Theme: Same as above. + Yeah Yeah Yeah (V2) - Jack Conte

Although he was an antagonist for a small period of time, Dylan was abused for 3 years by his ex and when he met Izaac his life changed. He has an obsession with snow and ice and loves pretty shades of blue. He painted the spirals on his, Oliver and Chilli's clothes himself. He is easily manipulated and when he and Izaac got back together he promised he'd never leave. He has a soft, shy voice and stammers easily when he's nervous. Dylan usually flicks his ears when he is excited.

Skylar Husker:

Name: Skylar Husker (Real Lastname is: Ashworth)

Age: 30

Gender: Female

Species: Husky

Job: Bookshop Keeper (Works for Dorothy on the side.)

Voice Claim: Ellen Harvelle from Supernatural

Theme: Ghosting - Mother Mother, Let Down - Radiohead

Skylar always had a hatred for the world and how unfair it is since she was young. After her best friend went to war and never came back (American Civil War) she decided to do anything in her power to ruin the world. When she met Dorothy, she knew exactly what to do. She and Dori were inseparable, and had a few one-of flings together, but never actually ended up feeling like that. She is a master of manipulation, and she changes her voice accordingly to the person she is controlling.

Webbigail Queenie:

Name: Webbigail "Webby (ONLY BY MURIEL)" Queenie

Age: 40

Species: Samoyed

Gender: Female

Job: Queen

Voice Claim: Lindsey Perez from Saw

Theme: John The Revelator - Depeche Mode + Run Rabbit Run - The Hoosiers

Webbigail never wanted to be queen, she hoped her sister would but her father's request haunted her life. She is terrible as a queen and does her best to always keep everything under control but she's unable to. She has a husband, unofficially since they decided to keep the relationship a secret, Muriel and a son, Charlie, who she sees only on weekends. She and her sister never had rivalries but she knows her life won't end well. She has a melancholical voice and always droopy tail and eyes.

Dorothy Queenie:

Name: Dorothy "Dori" Queenie

Age: 34

Species: Miniature Pinscher

Gender: Demigirl

Job: Unemployed (Terrorist kinda)

Dorothy was always cheerful and full of joy. When she realized her sister became Queen instead her ego took over her and she now hunts down people who support her and kills them with her two helpers. She doesn't trust Dylan, however she's fully aware of Skylars capabilities and they're partners in crime. Her last target is her sister, and she knows how to destroy her, let's just say she knows how to mix plants a lot...

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Side/Minor Characters:

Jason C.B:

Name: Jason Clampitt Bluebell

Age: 8 (10 when Libby and Lola are born, 14 when they're 4)

Gender: Male

Species: Bull Terrier (Izaacs grandad was a bull terrier)

Job: Child.

Voice Claim: Mackenzie from Bluey

Theme Song: Present Tense - Radiohead

This critter hasn't appeared many times in the comic however he is an absolutely feral child and chews on chairs and jumps on beds. He loves playtime and waking up people in their sleep to see their reaction, however he is always protective of his loved ones.

Libby C.B and Lola C.B:

Name (s): Libby Clampitt Bluebell and Lola Clampitt Bluebell

Age(s): 4, 4 (after the story ends)

Gender(s): Intersex Male, Female

Species: German and Australian shepherd mixes

Job: None, Children.

Voice Claim(s): Libby: Jean Luc from Bluey in the french dub, Lola: Little Ivy from Lackadaisy

Theme Song: Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn

The two little inseperable siblings. They don't appear in the current story, however they will appear in mini comics and in a time skip in the end! Lola is a smart daring and adventurous naive child whilst Libby is shy and introverted but still follows his sister in her shenanigans.

Muriel Melville:

Name: Muriel Melville

Age: 38

Gender: Male

Species: Shetland Sheepdog

Job: Office Worker

Voice Claim: Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes Movie 2009 (Robert Downey Jr.)

Theme Song: Too Close - Sir Chloe

I don't remember him appearing...

(I won't be adding June and April here! (Olivers Dad and Brother) Or Any other relatives my apologies!

CHARACTER WORLD: (any other links are found there.

Credit to @peteytheparrot for textpost inspiration

[camisoledadparis]

THIS DAY IN GAY HISTORY

based on: The White Crane Institute's 'Gay Wisdom', Gay Birthdays, Gay For Today, Famous GLBT, glbt-Gay Encylopedia, Today in Gay History, Wikipedia, and more … January 11

1755 – Alexander Hamilton, 1st United States Secretary of the Treasury (d.1804); One had to wonder what the current occupants of the White House would think if they knew of the ruckus caused a couple of centuries ago by Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, the American patriots who became the first secretary of the treasury and president, respectively. George, whom everyone knows had no children of his own, surrounded himself with a circle of young male revolutionaries who he called his "family." Among his favorites were John Laurens, who once fought a duel to defend George's honor sullied by some cad now lost to history; and Alexander Hamilton. George was thought by his enemies to be a bit soft on the boys and was suspected over being overly fond of young Hamilton in particular.

While in Washington's service Hamilton befriended a group of other young officers, with one of whom, John Laurens of South Carolina, he had a particularly close relationship. When the two were apart on separate assignments, they exchanged affectionate letters. In September 1779, gently chiding Laurens for not corresponding as often as he would have liked, Hamilton wrote, "like a jealous lover, when I thought you slighted my caresses, my affection was alarmed and my vanity piqued."

Between 1779 and 1782, Hamilton and Laurens exchanged a series of love letters, reprinted in Jonathan Katz's Gay American History, in which Laurens addressed Hamilton as "'My Dear' and offered flowery protestations of undying affection, to which Hamilton responded with the touching declaration: "'I love you'." To this day the letters are explained away on the grounds that 18th century men "were classical scholars whose thoughts and actions were colored by the grandeur of antiquity."

Despite the prestige of his appointment on Washington's staff, Hamilton wished to serve in combat like—and perhaps with—his friend Laurens. Using the pretext of a minor disagreement with the general, Hamilton requested and received a transfer in February 1781. The incident left no hard feelings on either side.

Hamilton and Laurens participated in several military campaigns together later that year but were again separated on August 15, 1782, when Hamilton wrote to his friend, addressing him as "My Dear Laurens." Looking beyond the successful conclusion of the war, Hamilton suggested that both of them should be members of the congress of the new country. "We have fought side by side to make America free, let us hand in hand struggle to make her happy," he wrote in a letter ending, "Yours forever."

It is doubtful that Laurens ever read this letter, for he was killed in a skirmish on August 27. Upon hearing of his friend's death from Major General Nathanael Greene, Hamilton wrote back that he felt "the deepest affliction at the news," adding, "I feel the loss of a friend I truly and most tenderly loved."

Файл:Bojidar Karageorgevitch — Википедия

1868 – Prince Bojidar Karageorgevitch (d.1908), Serbian artist and writer on art, was a member of the Serbian House of Karaorđević. He was a world traveller. He gave singing and drawing lessons and later earned his living as an art critic and translator. He was a contributor to the Encyclopædia Britannica, Figaro, La Revue de Paris, Revue des Revues, Magazine of Art, and other publications.

Prince Bojidar lived in France for most of his life as this family were in exile. Bojidar travelled a lot and went on a number of trips around the world. He served in the French Army and fought in the French campaign at Tonking and was decorated with the Cross of the Legion of Honour. To earn a living he gave singing and drawing lessons before becoming a translator and journalist

During one of his trips abroad, he travelled extensively around India, visiting thirty eight cities. He wrote a book about his experiences called Enchanted India in which he offered an account of the Indian people, their religious rites, and other ceremonies.

He was drawn to the cabarets of Montmarte, the haunt of artists, writers, poets, philosophers. It was there he met and befriended French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, pioneer of modern dance Loïe Fuller, French poet, novelist and noted orientalist Judith Gautier, Suzanne Meyer-Zundel, Austrian composer Hugo Wolf, painter and illustrator Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and founder of the Ballets Russes Sergei Diaghilev.

His lover was painter Jules Bastien-Lepage, fourteen years his senior, who predeceased him when Prince Bojidar was only 22 years old. The artist, long ailing, had tried in vain to re-establish his health in Algiers. He died in Paris in 1884. Prince Bojidar, was with him at the end and wrote,

"At last he was unable to work anymore; and he died on the 10th of December, 1884, breathing his last in my arms. At his grave's head his mother and brother lovingly planted an apple-tree, which every spring showers down its wealth of pearly petals over the last resting-place of the great master whose loss we all mourn."

1950 – Rick Bébout is best known for his role in The Body Politic collective in the 1970s and '80s, and for his writings then and since on gay life in Toronto.

One of thousands who had fled to Canada from the United States during the Vietnam War, in 1977 Bébout joined a small group of Toronto lesbian and gay activists who were publishing The Body Politic, a 'gay liberation journal' that had soared to prominence both in Canada and abroad.

Particularly interested in design, he brought the resource-poor publication to an astonishing level of graphic sophistication, while also contributing to its unique voice by writing in its pages.

But his interests extended well beyond sexual politics. Like many other refugees who have settled in Toronto, he was passionate about the city that had embraced him, editing in 1972 The Open Gate: Toronto Union Station, a book that helped prevent the destruction of the iconic building.

Despite his interest in mass politics, he was intensely private and writing was the medium in which he conducted much of his life, particularly in his later years. Notably, he carried on a decades-long correspondence with novelist Jane Rule. (Their letters are being prepared for publication by a US scholar.)

Living with HIV since the mid-1980s, Rick suffered an apparent stroke on June 4, 2009, and died on June 10, 2009, of HIV-related illnesses.

1962 – Today's the birthday of Welsh politician Chris Bryant. Born in Cardiff, Wales. He studied English at Oxford University and theology at Rippon College, Cuddesdon.

Bryant is openly gay, but he was ridiculed in the press when he was discovered to have a Gaydar profile featuring pictures of him wearing only underpants, whilst an MP. In an interview with Attitiude magazine he later described the incident as 'very, very, very, very unpleasant ... I didn't sleep much for about three months.'

Chris Bryant's "Gaydar" picture.

He later appeared looking very buff in swimming trunks at a parlimanetary swimming fundraiser.

In early 2010 Bryant 'married' his partner Jared Cranney in the first civil partnership to be held in the Houses of Parliament.

1972 – Chad Donovan is an American performer and director of gay pornographic films. He has won numerous awards as a performer and director, and is a member of the GayVN Awards Hall of Fame and the Grabby Awards Hall of Fame.

Donovan was born into a Southern Baptist family. His rigid religious background and sexual precocity led to experimentation at an early age. "My first experience with a guy was about eight, just playing around and fingering buttholes. We probably didn't even get hard." Donovan's large endowment prompted teasing from his classmates as he reached puberty. "Through high school I had a difficult time because I had to change clothes for gym and stuff. I nearly failed gym class because I didn't want to change clothes. I got made fun of. Plus, not to mention, I hit puberty at ten. So all these little boys were bald as a peacock and here I am, full out baby's arm holding an apple."

Donovan was introduced to the gay pornographic industry by performers Chase Hunter and Tony DeAngelo. They worked as strippers at a 1470 West, a gay bar in Dayton, Ohio where Donovan was bartending. "We were kind of fucking around, having threeways occasionally. They took pictures of me, sent pictures all around," he recalls. Gay adult studios Catalina Video and Falcon Studios showed interest, and Donovan chose to work for Falcon. He was eighteen years old.

Donovan earned a $2,000 scene rate for his first movie. "When you're a kid living in Ohio, that's a lot of money. And a trip to San Francisco for three days. I did the one scene and two photo layouts. It was fantastic. What more could you ask for?" He filmed the scene with Hunter Scott and Anthony Moore. The scene was released by Falcon in 1994 in the film "Workin' Stiff." Donovan went on to film roughly 50 titles as a performer over the next decade.

In 2001, Bob East of Men of Odyssey broached the idea of directing. "He asked me if I'd be interested in directing. He said I seemed to have a good knack for finding talent, I've been in the industry long enough, why don't I try putting a movie together? So I did." That film was titled "Movin' On," and it was during production that he met and began a relationship with cast member Antonio Madiera, which continues to this day. "I had no intention of getting a boyfriend out of it. I hired the kid, I really liked the way he looked, he performed like a champ, and every time I looked down—when I wasn't even shooting him, I'd be shooting other boys in a scene—he'd be looking up at me with these puppydog eyes. I just couldn't resist."

Donovan's final onscreen sexual performances (as of December 2007) were in 2004. One of those films, "Studs 'N Pups" for MSR Videos, was the first time he and boyfriend Madiera performed together. Madiera continues to act occasionally, usually in films that Donovan directs. In 2007, Donovan helmed Basic Plumbing 3 for Falcon Studios; the film starred Chase Hunter and brought them back together 16 years after Hunter introduced Donovan to the industry. Although essentially retired as a sexual performer, Donovan occasionally appears in nonsexual roles. His early roles remain in circulation as they are continually repackaged into compilation tapes.

1974 – Max von Essen is an American stage and screen actor, and vocalist.

Raised on Long Island, von Essen is a graduate of South Side High School in Rockville Centre, New York. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and after graduation toured with Liza Minnelli. He is a member of the Von Essen family, who are part of the German and Swedish nobility. A son of Rita and Thomas Von Essen, who was the New York City Fire Commissioner during the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, he is the youngest of four children. He is openly gay.

He toured Europe in West Side Story and was a cast member of the U.S. national tour of Chicago. He made his Broadway debut in Jesus Christ Superstar in 2000 as Disciple and Jesus of Nazareth understudy. He appeared in Les Misérables on Broadway as the replacement for Fauchelevent and other roles, and starred in Dance of the Vampires alongside Michael Crawford in 2002. He played the role of student revolutionary leader Enjolras (replacement) in the Les Misérables Broadway revival in 2006 at the Broadhurst Theater.

In 2006, he was a soloist at the biggest Andrew Lloyd Webber musical gala to date, held in Tallinn, Estonia. He performed in the national tour of Xanadu as "Sonny" in 2008[8] and in the Roundabout Theater Company Off-Broadway production of Maury Yeston's Death Takes a Holiday at the Laura Pels Theatre in 2011. In 2015, von Essen played the role of Parisian aristocrat Henri in the Broadway production of An American in Paris, for which he received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical nomination.

Max von Essen is now a star of the off-Broadway play “Yours Unfaithfully,” and lives with his partner, Daniel Rowan, in a Hell’s Kitchen duplex.  

Dylan Rice at the OUT Music Awards

1976 – Today is also the birthday of American singer Dylan Rice. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1998 (where he studied poetry) and now lives in Chicago. In 2004 he released an album called Wandering Eyes.

In July 2006, Dylan, who is openly gay, performed his stadium-rock anthem "The Faces of Victory" for 20,000 people at the Gay Games Closing Ceremonies at Wrigley Field in Chicago, joined onstage by Styx bassist Chuck Panozzo, and backed by a chorus of Chicago LGBT rockers. Written especially for the Gay Games, the song was also recorded in the studio with Panozzo, released as a single, and was highlighted in the official Gay Games VII commemorative DVD in December 2006.

For more information about Rice, visit his website at www.dylanrice.com Under the "Music" tab you can even download some of his songs.

1984 – The Wall Street Journal allows staff writers to now use the word "gay" as a synonym for "homosexual" in article and headlines.

2008 – It was reported on this date that the Socialist mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, had been given increased police protection after US security services informed their French counterparts that he might be attacked by terrorists. While monitoring internet traffic related to Al-Qaeda the CIA discovered that Delanoë was listed as a target. As mayor of France's biggest city he is the most prominent gay politician in the country.

[callmewrinkles3]

Long story short - DR3 x Fem!OC

Masterlist.

Summary: Summer break 2023 means a trip back to Perth to see how construction is going on the farm and but especially to spend Em’s birthday with family.

Warnings: Mentions of past abusive family dynamics, mentions of sex, past pregnancy loss.

Words: 6k

A/N: Hey hey! We know you’ve missed oneshots so here’s Em’s birthday for you to enjoy. We may have cried multiple times writing this, just very normal. It was pretty great lol. Hope you enjoy it and let us know what you think! All our love, Alex and Cíara.💜

August 2023

The summer break every year - with the exception of 2018 and 2020 - had involved being in the States. It was usually LA and sun for a few days, or a week somewhere in the mountains for Dan to do altitude training to prepare for races like Brazil and Mexico. But that summer things were different. With the farm construction happening fast thanks to the baby’s due date coming so soon, and Blake and Charlie being adorable, the three of them were flying back home to spend the full two weeks of the shutdown in the Australian winter. It was still milder than a European one, Em giggling as the boys changed into thick hoodies before ending the journey that had started in Italy.

Dan wanted to take full advantage of the time off, conspiring with Charlie to plan Em’s thirty third birthday. She knew it was happening and just let him plan it. Even with her dislike of parties she knew Dan wouldn’t go too overboard, so she just laughed and told him to do what he wanted. Having it surrounded by people felt strange. The year before had been just the two of them in their little bubble, and before that it had always been with Dan. She hadn’t had her parents involved since she was ten and had her final birthday party before secondary school. Because she was a summer baby her parents had acted like she didn’t need a party. The kids in school wouldn’t realise there was no party to be invited to.

She insisted it wasn’t necessary to organise anything but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Dan wanted his pregnant wife to be as happy as she could be before the chaos of the last half of the season happened so it was a full thirteen days surrounded by their people before the flight back to Faenza.

Em had to admit that it was a perfect idea. Ever since she’d found out about the pregnancy and told Grace she needed her mother there for all the questions she had. It was a blessing to spend time and to ask the questions she was embarrassed about - even when Michelle butted in and made jokes at her expense. It was there with her family and she felt good. She could call either of them any time that she wanted but it was no substitute for actually being there. She needed the hugs and physical contact that only a mum could give.

What Em had needed the entire time was for the woman who’d promised to love her as her own to wrap her in a cuddle and remind her that everything was going to be fine. That she was going to spend Christmas with her beautiful newborn baby girl. And when Grace said it Em believed it.

They got to spend the two weeks with family and eating good food, being looked after before the world could intervene. That’s what Grace and Joe had always done for Dan and they pulled Em into that world, looking after their kids when they needed it the most.

But the best thing about staying with her in laws and not the building site that was currently their farmhouse was getting to stay in Dan’s childhood bedroom. Grace hadn’t redecorated since he’d left for Italy half his life ago, the old school NASCAR posters on the wall and karting trophies on shelves. The photos of his family and friends were there to surround Dan with reminders of his childhood. Em refused to mention the one of Dan and Michael on their school football team that had disappeared when she was in the shower one morning. She couldn’t ruin their time at home talking about something like that. As far as she was concerned the picture was never there. It was the same way they were all pretending Michael had never been in their lives. Grace and Joe knew better than to ask about him.

That whole situation hurt a little less every day, but it still ached. It was easier when they weren’t in the paddock. The plan was to spend more time in Italy so Dan could be at the factory more where Michael wouldn’t really be. In London and Perth they could avoid his neighbourhood and the places he liked to go. But race weekends it was impossible. They shared the same garage, the same hospitality. They turned left to go into Dan’s driver room at Budapest and Spa and knew that he was the other side of the too flimsy wall having turned right. They could and did run into him at any time. Em wanted to tell him how she was, how the baby was. How his niece was. But Lulu wasn’t going to be his niece. She wasn’t going to even know him. It gutted Em that her brother wasn’t in her life anymore but he’d made his decision and it didn’t hurt as much. But it hurt the most during the parties Dan held in Perth.

The first one was ridiculous and unexpected, held two days after they arrived in Australia. It was part Charlie’s idea and part Dan’s, the decision made between them to celebrate Blake and Em. Neither of them realised that it was happening when they arrived back at the Ricciardos that afternoon. Blake had brought her to take a look at kitchen fittings for the farmhouse, the plan to bring Dan back to look at her top picks before they were put into the rebuilt kitchen. She was getting the kitchen of her dreams and she was taking advantage, copper fittings and marble countertops on the wooden cabinets. There was all the storage she wanted, the plans were ready for her to show Dan and see what he thought. It was their forever home and she couldn’t wait.

She arrived back to Grace and Joe’s to their family there, Charlie’s brother Cal and his boyfriend standing near the back nervously. Blake’s parents had flown out to be there too. Dan stood on a rickety kitchen chair, his hand on Blake’s shoulder to stay steady.

“I’m usually good at saying stuff but this is really hard. The last…the last year or so has been really hard. And there’s two people who could have walked away but didn’t, and this is to make sure they know how loved and appreciated they are. Blake, you’re my brother. You more than anyone else had a reason to yell at me and tell me to get my shit together - sorry Ma.”

“Just this once!” Grace called as Dan collected himself.

“Emmy, you married me and you love me and we’re having a baby and I still don’t know why you decided to stay through everything that was said about you. But you are the best woman I’ve met in my life, and I love you to pieces. You know. But this is just to say thank you to all of you for being there and helping. Cause I wouldn’t be in a seat again without you all.”

It was scattered applause and Em reached for her husband to give him the biggest hug, pulling him tight for a moment as Lulu kicked against him.

“You’re gonna be the best dad, Dan. We love you so much. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

The words were completely true, even with everything that had happened. The emotional and physical pain. The embarrassment being turned away from the paddock in Spa the year before thanks to stupid mind games. The hospital visit and the therapy and the near screaming match with her parents. Because they were home with their baby coming soon and in love. It was hard and worth it.

She spent that day swapping between Isaac and Isabella on her knee, Cal and Ryder taking the other child and playing. The last thing she said to Cal before he left was that Ryder was a keeper, watching the younger man blush. He was a sweetheart like the rest of their family.

Blake and Charlie were the last ones to leave, hugs to everyone the order of the day. Finally they left, Em going nearly straight to bed to sleep thanks to missing her usual afternoon nap.

Em told Dan not to make a huge fuss of her birthday, that a relaxing day would be fine. But she knew really that there was no chance her husband or family would let her birthday pass like that. It was the one day where they could shower her with love and affection without her complaints so they took full advantage.

She woke up that morning to Dan covering her in kisses, pulling her in for slow birthday sex that had them both gasping for breath and desperate to keep quiet. Her husband held her even tighter for a few moments before they got up, Dan leading her to the kitchen where Grace and Joe sang Happy Birthday as she came in. There were pancakes and bacon waiting for her with a candle lit on the top of a lavender iced cupcake. She started tearing up immediately, not even attempting to pretend that it was the pregnancy hormones that caused her emotions. It was happy tears. She was happy and loved and that was what she cared about. She and Dan had made it through, and the joy that morning compared to the worry of the previous year was so different.

It felt like a dream compared to the year before, her husband by her side and she was pregnant with their baby. They were getting everything they wanted and life was good. Nobody was taking this from her and she spent her morning curled up against Dan on the couch as he kept whispering how much he loved her, making her grin and kissing her cheeks with each smile.

Nothing had prepared her for the birthday party that Blake, Charlie, and Dan had prepared for her at the Clarke’s farm. Dan led her into the barn where they’d held their wedding, a shout of “SURPRISE” ringing around the room. She loved it so much, lavender decorations everywhere as their families were all there. She started tearing up of happiness again, tears spilling over as Isaac and Isabella came running over to her yelling “happy birthday Auntie Emmy!”.

She honestly didn’t expect gifts from people. Dan had been the first person to give her gifts just because, but there was a table tucked away in the corner with presents for her to open later. It was insane to her how many there were, everyone saying she could open them later. Charlie’s parents hugged her and pulled a chair out to urge her to sit, Em watching as Isaac and Isabella brought over their presents for her.

The first one that Isaac insisted on her opening had Toy Story wrapping paper, and inside was a huge box with everything she could ever want to make friendship bracelets with. They had a tradition to make new ones every time they were in Perth with the kids, weaving thread and beads together to make cute ones. Isaac explained how he wanted new ones, and he wanted them to make new ones for the baby too.

“They’re gonna be teeny tiny cause the baby’s gonna be like Iz’s dolly, but we need them to have lots so they grow!” He explained to Em, clearly happy to have a new cousin to play with.

“You’re so right, Baby. I love it, thank you! You’re gonna come over at the weekend and we can make some before I go back to Europe?”

With a nod and a kiss on his aunt’s cheek Isaac ran back to his uncle Dan, the promise of getting to go look at the cattle on the farm too alluring. Instead his little sister took his spot on Em’s lap, handing over a box wrapped in lavender unicorn paper. Inside it was a bright pink Barbie box. The doll had brunette hair like Em, complete with a travel set. There was a neck pillow, a suitcase that looked like Em’s own one, and everything else Barbie her could need.

“It’s just like you!” Isabella exclaimed as soon as the paper was ripped away and dumped on the other side of the table. It really did nearly look like her.

“Oh my God, I love it.” She kissed her niece’s curly hair, holding on tightly as Isabella pointed out the phone and camera. “Thank you so, so much, Baby girl. I love it so, so much. It’s the best.”

“Can we play tomorrow?” The little girl asked, looking up with big eyes and an angelic face. It was nearly impossible for Em to say no.

“After school, ok? But then we can, promise. And we’ll have some more cake, but don’t tell your Mum and we’ll make sure to save some for her.”

At the start she didn’t ask why a Barbie doll, it came from her niece and that was what she cared about. But while during the party Isabella kept asking about the baby and patting Em’s tummy, she couldn’t stop wondering why. Once Isabella was safely occupied with one of Charlie’s nieces she decided she had to ask, walking over to her sister in law and getting the words out. As soon as Michelle began to speak Em regretted asking.

“We were in the kitchen and she came to tell me and Mum that you come up with the best stories for the Barbies while you play, but you never had one growing up so you didn’t have a favourite Barbie. She thought because you travel so much Travel Barbie would be your favourite. I couldn’t say no, Em. I’m sorry you never had one.”

Em never thought Isabella would remember that single conversation. It was months ago, the week before her wedding. If she’d realised Isabella would think about it she wouldn’t have said it.

Part of the therapy that Mildred was working on with her was giving her that allowance to be a kid. She’d never gotten to be, but Mildred told her to do the things she wanted to. Spend time with her niece and nephew and play with them. She’d made a bundle of friendship bracelets before seeing Taylor Swift as part of it. So when Isabella asked if she wanted to play Barbies Em said yes immediately.

She and Dan were on babysitting duty, the four of them were downstairs playing with Isaac’s cars. Instead of playing he and Dan had fallen asleep thanks to exhaustion and a sugar crash from the final wedding cake tests. The two girls were alone and Isabella pulled Em upstairs before taking out a Barbie carry case and asking Em to do braids in Skipper’s hair.

It was while Em was twisting the slick strands of plastic hair when Isabella asked her about her favourite Barbie as a kid. She couldn’t tell the truth and break her niece’s childhood. The truth was that her parents thought dolls were ridiculous and she was never allowed to have them growing up, that she had puzzles and non fiction books. Even fiction books had to be by certain authors or she couldn’t read them because they wouldn’t “develop her brain”.

The short answer, the easy one, was “Oh, I didn’t have any Barbies.” Followed by asking if Isabella wanted her hair to match Skippers and a child sitting in Em’s lap to get her french braids put in the subject matter was closed. She was convinced that Isabella had forgotten about it. The next topic of conversation was how pretty her flower girl dress for the wedding was and how she looked “like a fairy princess” in it. But she hadn’t.

Her thoughts were pinned on the topic after she spoke to Michelle. Em went mostly through the motions for the rest of the party, hugging her friends and talking to everyone. Chloe and Scotty made a surprise appearance for her, a giant hug and a promise that Em was coming out with Chloe and Charlie in a couple of days for lunch.

The box with the doll stayed in her hand and all she could imagine was a couple of years time when her daughter started playing with it. She couldn’t imagine having a baby, going through pregnancy and labour to not even want the result. To never really want a baby like her parents never wanted her. Even thinking about her baby girl not having the entire world hurt so much it made her want to cry. It was still four months until she’d arrive and Em and Dan would do anything to keep her safe and love her. Her nursery in London was ready to go, the last thing a photo collage Em wanted to make of all the adults who would love Lulu. The only reason her room in Perth wasn’t ready was because of the construction, but the furniture had been delivered and was sitting in an outbuilding. They already had enough to fill the playroom and the nursery even though Lulu would sleep in their room for the first few months. The travel arrangements were ready to go. They even had Lulu’s luggage all set.

Em had never really understood how someone couldn’t love their own child, but as she counted down the days to her due date it was even harder. She knew there was reasons why, she knew some people weren’t pregnant in good situations. But when she was pregnant and married and had tried for a baby? It was irrational to her that you wouldn’t want that child.

But while the birthday party continued she refused to let herself go there. She wouldn’t let herself think about why her parents were the way they were and how much that hurt. And she definitely wasn’t thinking about how the last time she came home from this room her former best friend had left her life in the most unceremonious of ways. That wasn’t raining on her parade, not today. So she walked over, hugged her husband, whispered how much she loved him and how thankful she was for the wonderful day she was having.

“Remember when you weren’t the party kind and I had to drag you anywhere?” Dan joked, kissing her cheek as she smiled.

“I reckon you were the one who dragged me to different ones ever since we met. But you know me, Dimples. I still don’t like big things much but this? This is nice. These are the ones I like.”

Even at 33 she hated when she was the centre of attention and people sang happy birthday to her. She wasn’t sure if anyone actually liked being surrounded by friends singing off key and out of tune, but for the first time it didn’t feel weird. The people who were around her had been supporting her through every single good and bad moment in the last five years. They loved her no matter how broken or weird she felt. They made sure that she knew how loved she was, no matter what. Every single person had wormed their way into her heart when she’d tried to keep people out. So when the singing ended and she took a deep breath to blow out the birthday candles in one breath she had one wish in her mind. To keep every single person in this room in her life forever.

The winter meant the sun was setting early, exhaustion hitting Em hard. She’d needed naps more and more since she’d become pregnant and this was the second time in a week that she hadn’t had one. After her third yawn and as the kids were getting cranky they all decided to head home. It took Dan to make her sit down and not help clear up, Charlie’s parents half shooing them out of the barn warning that the cleaning was sorted, to go home and rest. Joe drove them back, Grace in the front seat as Em rested her head against Dan’s shoulder and half dozed while the other three made conversation in low tones.

Her husband had to shake her to wake her up when they got back to the house, Em stretching as she undid her belt. It was tempting to stay and sleep in the car, but her back was sore enough after a night in a comfy bed. Sitting up in a car would be worse.

Dan didn’t want to wake her when they arrived back at the house, but it was safer for her to get out of the car on her own instead of Dan lifting her out. He helped her up and closed the door behind her.

“Did you have a good day, Kiddo?” Joe asked a half awake Em as they walked back into the house. Dan’s arm was around her waist to help keep her up and stop her from tripping up with tiredness.

“Best birthday of my life. You didn’t need to do it, but thank you for doing it for me.”

“It’s what you deserve, Darling,” Grace insisted. Her mother in law pushed a kiss to her forehead before Dan brought Em up to bed.

Before they made it into their room Dan dragged her into the bathroom, getting Em to sit on the toilet as he took her makeup off fully and helped rub her moisturiser in. She was too tired to do it, almost deciding to just sleep without washing her face. But as delicately as possible Dan wiped it off, using crouching in front of her as an excuse to stroke her cheek and steal kisses from his wife.

Once they were ready to go to bed Dan lifted her off the toilet and across the hallway to deposit her on the bed, Em giggling at his actions. It didn’t take long for him to pull her dress and leggings off, replacing them with clean underwear and one of his old, worn shirts that was soft enough for Em. She laughed as he kept stealing kisses from her as he pulled the shirt over her bump, rubbing gently

“I’m lazy and sleepy but I can still change my clothes on my own, Babe.”

“You know very well that I love undressing you. Even if you actually have to wear something to bed because we’re at home.”

If they were in the apartment or even on the farm they wouldn’t be wearing anything. The skin to skin contact in bed always made Em relax and help her sleep better but considering they were at Dan’s parents they had to be semi decent. Em wore one of his shirts and Dan would at least keep his underwear on. Even when he complained more than once.

“Any excuse to see me naked, right?” Em smiled before kissing his cheek and finally laying down to be able to rest. “C’mon Dimples, your wifey is exhausted. Come to bed.”

She patted the mattress beside her to wait for Dan to crawl into the bed and she could get into his arms. She knew it’d take him longer to fall asleep than her. Every night since she’d gotten that positive pregnancy test he’d started his own little night time ritual of telling the baby a story while kissing and stroking her bump. He wasn’t joking about wanting to be a hands on dad, so since day one he did everything in his power to connect with their baby. It didn’t matter how long was left until she was in his arms, he wanted his daughter to know who her daddy was from day one.

From all the things he did or could do those five or ten minutes as they wound down for bed were some of his favourite of the day. Most nights Em stayed awake listening to what her husband was saying while she read. Other nights like this one she fell asleep easily and left her loves to have their late night chats.

“Before I get in I have one last thing for you.” Dan pulled a colourful Happy Birthday gift bag that was hidden in the bottom drawer of the wardrobe. “I know you’re going to say I’ve given you too many gifts, but it’s your birthday and our anniversary so birthaversary rules mean I get to spoil you. If you let me I’d spoil you every day. I’m so lucky to get to love you and be your husband. I couldn’t say this earlier cause I’d start crying, but I just…thanks, Emmy. I couldn’t do any of this without you. And you’ve made me the happiest man in the world. I love you.”

“I love you too, Danny. So much. Marrying you is the best thing I ever did. And this better not be lingerie that won’t fit me anymore.” He laughed at her words and handed over the bag, sitting up beside her in the bed. It was six years of being around Dan, of him getting overexcited and determined to spoil her rotten at all times. She’d jokingly complain about how he got her too much, but he was like that for everyone. She learned to get used to how Dan showed his love with gifts and making life easier for people. This was another one of those occasions so she sat up on the bed with a pillow supporting her back, looking at her husband as he smiled.

“You’re the hottest mama in the world, Baby girl. But no, it’s nothing like that. Just open it, ok?”

The second Em opened the bag and saw the stuffed crocodile inside she started crying. Pregnancy hormones couldn’t be blamed for these tears.

When she was three her parents brought her on a trip to a holiday camp in Wales. She barely remembered any of it apart from a little playground beside the pub there, but it was the kind of place that was where they could take her for a weekend to prove how normal they were. An hour from Liverpool, two nights and enough photos to prove they took their daughter away on holiday.

One of the few things she did remember was how much she loved Captain Croc, the crocodile mascot that wandered around. They’d gotten her a teddy, the first one she remembered having. He was vivid green and yellow, blue dungarees with yellow interlocking Cs and big white eyes. He was her comfort toy, hugging him in her tiny arms and bringing him everywhere until she started primary school.

She thought she remembered the feeling of having a new best friend to play with and make up games. Now she knew it was probably her brain trying to make a memory to help her cope with a messed up childhood.

The one definite memory that Em did have was how thirty years later she watched her husband tear up as he looked at a photo of her tiny self holding Captain Croc. Dan held it together until they made it back to the hotel after they left her parents house with the final box of things she was taking. Once they were in that room he started sobbing because he didn’t understand how nobody was there to hold that little girl and tell her how perfect she was. He sobbed because he knew that it was one of the few really happy moments she had in her early childhood. Not that she realised that it should have been better then.

But above all Dan sobbed because that’s what their baby might have looked like. It was the week after she should have had their first baby. They should have been parents. Imagining how their baby could have been hurt like that by anyone cut him to the core and he sobbed in Em’s arms as she held him and promised that they would do better. They would make sure their baby was so loved. She was used to the casual cruelty of her own parents, the way they used words as weapons. Dan who’d never known anything but support and love didn’t understand it.

This teddy meant more than just a gift from her husband to remind her of a bright spot in her life. It was the reminder of slowly healing wounds that still weren’t fully scabbed over. That photo had opened them up more again, and the teddy reminded her more. The day she told Dan the story he held her as they both sobbed. He’d have done anything to have a little girl who looked just like his Emmy. Anything to see his Emmy holding their mini me baby but life was unfair and cruel. Instead of holding their baby that day they held each other, promising that one day it was going to happen. They were going to get to have their family and be happy, no matter what.

But in the final hours of her birthday, thirty one years after she first held her teddy, Em started sobbing again. She had no idea how Dan had found an exact copy of the Captain Croc she’d loved so much but he did. Hers was too delicate, kept in a box in the apartment in London to be shown to her kids as a memento. But he’d found a brand new one, making child and adult Em sob with happiness.

“I knew that a certain little lady wanted to give you a Barbie because you never had one, so I thought that Barbie could do with having a friend. And in a couple of years when our little lady is able to she’ll want to play with them too.” Dan helped Em pull him out of the bag. It should have been easy but her hands were shaking so badly that she couldn’t get him out fully.

The adrenaline and relief flowing through her body made her shake like a leaf in Dan’s arms. Em didn’t know how she had gotten this lucky. She had friends who flew hours to see her for her birthday, a family who loved her enough to make a big deal of her. And the most loving and caring husband in the world. She still didn’t know what she did to deserve it and get it, but she was so thankful for it. It was yet another day where even with everything that had happened, even with the way her parents acted and her family was it was worth it because she had Dan. She’d have done it over and over if this was the result. She was married to the love of her life, she was having their baby, and they were happier than she thought possible.

It took longer than she expected to calm down her sobs, Dan holding onto her tightly. He ran his hand against her back, whispering how much he loved her in between pressing kisses to her face and head. It was whispers of how proud he was of her, how much he loved her, how wonderful she was. And most importantly how he knew that their baby loved her already.

“Marrying you a year ago was the best decision of my entire life, you know that, right?” Em whispered, her voice still shaking with sobs. “Y’know, right?”

“I know. We’re still a couple of hours away from exactly a year.” Dan checked his watch, it was ten in Perth, two in London. This time a year ago he was waiting for Em to come back and pick out wedding rings with him before their four pm appointment.

“Happy anniversary, my Love. It was the best idea we ever had.”

Her birthday overshadowed the fact that it was their first wedding anniversary. A year ago they were running around London, Em buying her wedding dress in Marks and Spencer as Dan wore a suit she loved him in. The two of them standing in the registry office in Kensington and promising to love each other, desperate to keep the other happy and get through the next few months together.

It was hard to believe that 365 days had passed since she finally became Mrs Ricciardo. She loved it. She’d loved being his wife every single day, even the horrible ones. It was a year where she’d woken up at her husband’s side every single morning and she could never take it for granted.

“Happy anniversary, Baby girl. You and our little one here are the greatest things that ever happened to me,” Dan whispered as he pulled her up, close enough to finally give Em a kiss while he rubbed her bump.

“Happy anniversary, Danny. Here, for you.” Em reached across and pulled the wrapped package out from under the bed. She’d been wracking her brain about what to get him, but in the end it was an easy decision. Dan opened it quickly, Em watching as he realised what it was.

Traditionally the first anniversary was paper, and she found someone on Etsy who made star charts of the night sky on important dates. It was the sky above London the night they met, Monaco the first night they spent together, Spa when they said they loved each other for the first time, and London when they’d got married. The poster was their important moments highlighted and she saw the grin spread across his face.

“You are amazing. Thank you. This is…it’s everything.” He put it to the side as he pulled her in, holding her as she began to lull to sleep.

“You know what’s crazy? Next year we’re gonna be celebrating our birthdays and anniversaries with her.”

“That’s all I want. The three of us snuggled up together doing nothing all day.”

Em couldn’t help but smile, imagining how it would be to wake up with their baby and her husband right there. No plans needed except spending the day with the loves of her life. She didn’t want anything else and it felt greedy to even consider asking to get anything else. She got to marry her Dan and love him openly, and their baby was strong and healthy and growing. It was more than she could have imagined.

“We’ll cuddle and eat cake. She better like lemon drizzle. I mean I’ll settle for chocolate fudge if I have to.”

“She might not. I mean I’ve been eating it so much she might hate it. Or she’ll be obsessed.”

“Lulu’s half you, Emmy. She’s obsessed already I think.” Em laughed at his tone, curling into Dan.

“Can I sleep like this?” She asked, hiding her face against Dan’s chest. She felt ridiculous holding Captain Croc in her arms as she could feel sleep hitting her while her husband was holding her tightly. But she felt just as defenceless as the little girl in the photos. The big difference between the Em of thirty years ago was that now there were people who looked after her and hugged her on the bad days. Who made sure she was eating and cared for. She’d never had someone love her unconditionally like that until Dan was in her life.

“Anything you want, birthday girl.”

Em’s wishes were Dan’s commands, so she fell asleep in her husband’s arms, head on his chest as her teddy was between them with Dan’s low whispers to their baby echoing in her ears. It might be immature, a grown woman and soon to be mother getting that comfort, but she wanted and needed it. The rest didn’t matter. She and Dan were happy and that was what was important.

—

Taglist: (Let us know if you wanna be added!)

@dr3lover @sabrinaselina55 @majx00 @tall-tanned-tattoo @lovingdennishauger @lauehr @msolbesg @f1medlife @idkwtfimdoing2 @leclercsbae @hiphopdancer101universe @mehrmonga @lewispool @saintandrea-droidsmuggler @coldheartedmar @sugarbabygirlofdaddy @nonsensical-nonce @a-distantdreamer @tita010 @leslizzle @javden @mloyer @saintandrea-droidsmuggler @magical-imagination-kgp @danarysstormborn @kakorrhaphiphobia @g-l-o-b-e-w-h-o-r-e @elizanav @neiich @luckyladycreator2 @scotlynaurora @belledawnidk

[mikoyamisheadcanonblog]

Haunted Cave Showdown!!!

****Zine****

🐅Law🐅🌷Kid🌷👒Luffy👒

Zine: Halloween Zine (Treat)

Title: Haunted Cave Showdown!!!!!

Pairing: None

Word Count: 2014

The day was supposed to be simple, actually it was an annual event for the Heart Pirates. They had spent days researching and mapping out the best route for the best-haunted spots. Preparing themselves for the horrible frights that would await them and seeing who was braver. Who could make it through the haunted house without screaming, without getting caught. It was a fun little game they played every year; their captain was the usual winner while second place usually changed between the crew.

So how the hell did this happen? Law thought to himself as could feel a vein twitch glaring at Luffy and Kidd sitting across him. The two captains ignored his irritated glare, as they argued over the last piece of meat, Shachi and the Straw Hats cook prepared. He could feel a headache starting to form, reaching for the last piece of meat for himself and bit into it.

“HEY!!” Luffy growled pushing Kid’s head to the side, “I WANTED THAT PIECE,”

“You were slow,” Law answered, taking another bite into the tender flesh of the meat, ignoring his throbbing headache.

“THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MINE,” Kid growled glaring at Law.

Law only continued eating the meat, it could be out of hunger, or it could be out of pettiness that his peaceful time was ruined by the two most annoying captains in the Grandline.

“Sanji,” Luffy called out, “I am hungry, make me more food,” he grinned and laughed like a fool pissing off Law even more. As he tried to focus on the last few bites of the tender meat. He remembered during his travels with the Strawhats the cook went out of his way to bring a nutritious meal to everyone in the crew and somehow managed to keep up with Strawhats endless appetite.

“I heard there is treasure in this cave,” Nami said, he also remembered her greed. She took a seat next to him, she could hardly contain the greedy look in her eyes, or how her voice went a pitch hire at the mention of treasure.

Law grunted as a response; he had heard rumors of a treasure hidden deep in the cave too. But that wasn’t what led him to this island, this small little cave. It was the horror stories surrounding it.

‘A story about a greedy pirate captain who hid his gold deep in the mountain, apparently and to silence his men from sharing where the gold was hidden, he murdered them all in the same cave he buried his gold and himself. Rumor had it anybody that ventured into the cave would be trapped in the hellish abyss as his spirit kept the poor soul from ever getting to his treasure,’  Penguin’s voice recited the story for the first time to the crew. It was this story that caught their attention, and what would make this trip a challenge.

“Let’s make a deal,” Nami continued ignoring Law’s annoyance, “I heard you and your crew like to explore haunted places,”

Law grunted again, it seemed like his crew was talking to the Straw Hat crew and sharing their plans. He wishes they wouldn’t. The Straw Hats had a way of drawing people in, the more drawn to them, the faster one gets caught in their chaos.

“I am only interested in one thing, and Luffy is about the thrill of adventure bring me the treasure hidden in the cave,” Nami said surprising no one, “You, Luffy, and Kid should be enough to handle the cave and any monsters that are in it,”

Law raised an eyebrow and put his plate down, “What is in it for me?” he questioned the woman before him.  

“You get to enjoy your annual event without Luffy tagging along,” she crossed her arms over her chest, the threat was obvious. She was an excellent navigator, she was sure she would chase him around draggling

 A frown etched on his face while his golden eyes narrowed as he stared at the navigator. “Bring me the treasure and you can enjoy time with your crew peacefully,”

Law continued to glare at the woman before he found himself having to agree.

--

In yet another twist, Law stood in front of the mouth cave, he was wearing a costume but so were the other two. He tried arguing against the idea of wearing a costume, it would be pointless and get in the way of exploring the cave.

“I think we should have added more blood to Captain’s costume,” Penguin said, his arms across his chest while he was looking over their Captain’s costume. “It is fun,” he reassured his captain, “besides we are starting to make bets on make it through the gave the fastest,”

Law frowned, “Bets?” he could tell he was leading the charge.

Luffy was chuckling ready to rush into the cave, his costume looking like the late great Gol D. Roger. With a cap and hat. Even Kid seemed to be enjoying the costume aspect of this whole charade as his crew was decorating with heavy make-up and skintight leather.

“Yeah,” Penguin explained the bet and how it worked, somehow annoying Law more. When did his life become a game and why did his crew decide to join the game. He felt a vein twitch but figured it was a losing battle.

“I will come out first,” he told his crew.

“Pfftthh,” Kid started laughing, “The scrawny loser like you handling this cave, you will be hiding with your between your legs,” Kid boasted.

Law glared at the red-haired idiot even the moron Luffy stopped his chuckling to glare at Kid.

Kid’s statement lit the fire for their competitive side. They glared back at one another; this became more of a competition of courage.  Those who stayed the longest in the cave would be declared the winner.  And have gloating rights over the other captains. And Law wants to win to go back to his peaceful life without the Straw Hats & Kid Pirates.

“Ready,” Nami shouted, “Set, Go,” a cloud of dust trailed behind them as the three men ran into the haunted cave with no hesitation.

“Do you really think there is a ghost?” Usopp questioned.

“Who knows?” Robin said, “but chances of them running into a corpse is high,” she kept her pleasant smile on her face, “It would be a great discovery wouldn’t it,” she turned her smile to Usopp. Who stared at her in horror, “I heard there is many lost souls in there,”

“D-d-don’t say that!!” He shouted.

--

Inside the cave it was dark and damp, with little light to guide them. Luffy tripped over what looked like a rock as he stumbled around the cave but quickly regained balance. There was a loud ‘thunk’ followed by loud cursing from Kid hitting a low part of the cave.

“I can’t see,” Kid grumbled.

“That is what makes it a challenge,” Law said, pulling out a flashlight and glancing around the dark cave. It was creepy, chains hung from the ceiling for some unknown reason and swung gently thanks to the gentle breeze from the mouth of the cave.

“Why do you have a flashlight!!” Luffy almost shouted, he stretched his long arms towards Law almost slamming into him.  He grinned stupidly at Law, “I will stick close to you,” he said.

“I came prepared,” Law growled trying to push Luffy away from him, but the young pirate wrapped around him tightly. “And that isn’t the point of this game,”

“It seems like you two losers will be sticking together,” Kidd bragged pushing past them deeper into the cave, “and I will be the winner of this little game,”

Law and Luffy glared at Kid once again as he awakened their competitive side, “Not in the direction you are heading,” Law growled, finally pushing Luffy off him and walking past Kid. “AND I AM NOT A LOSER,” he flipped off Kid and Luffy before heading deeper into the cave.

As expected, this cave was creepier the deeper than explored, the three males stuck together arguing when they could but only stopping when they heard a strange sound or the lights would play tricks on their eyes. Before they would act like it was nothing, Law would try to rationalize the noise or the shadows he saw moving, while Kid would boast loudly, he wasn’t scared and Luffy would just laugh.

“Did you see that?” Kid said as a shadow bounced around the flashlight, a chain began swinging around more.

“That isn’t funny,” Law glared at Kid, the only person who could control metal in the cave.

“I am not doing it,” Kid growled back as he eyes the swinging chain, “It is moving on its own,”

Luffy was laughing before another laughter began to echo him causing him to pause and look confused. He glanced where the laughter could be coming from while the other man froze and glanced around too.

“What sort of tricks are you pulling, Trafalgar?” Kid grabbed Law by the scruff of his shirt, “You are so desperate to win you are using cheap tricks,” the laughter echoed around them before it slowly quieted down.

“If you are scared, Eustass-ya you can be the first to leave,” Law pushed his hand off of him and adjusted his hat. In truth he was starting to get a little freaked out too, all these sounds weren’t normal, and neither were the shadows. He kept trying to rationalize everything, but nothing made sense.

The strange shadows that danced around him, that increased in size or disappeared, was Luffy playing shadow puppets but every time he glanced at Luffy, the boy was distracted entertaining himself with his own shadow. Or it was the wind that created the strange noises they were hearing but they were too far away from the opening of the cave for the wind to even reach them. Or Kid messing with the chains, but Kid seemed just as bothered by the weird chain swing.

“Look what I found,” Luffy said holding a large skull, he grinned before he laughed again, a silver crown on his head. “It was next to this weird button I pressed,”

Law raised an eyebrow, “You pressed what?”

“A button,” Luffy snickered.

The cave started shaking violently and the sound of water echoing through the cave. The three devil fruit users paused, trying to figure where the sound was coming from before they saw rushing water barreling towards them.

Law could feel a vein twitch and he glared at the grinning idiot, before the three men started running. Luffy continued chuckling, he would stretch his hand and touch every strange rock or button he found, causing the cave to shake and traps to open up.

“Stop pressing stuff,” Law growled, feeling a headache building. Luffy pressed another strange rock and falling boulders began to fall from the ceiling.

Luffy seemed unbothered by everything and was getting a thrill by it. Kid was cursing at Luffy but also was getting a strange thrill as well as he punched the boulders flying at him.

“Can’t stand the thrill?” Kid bragged.

The three men were still battling one another on who could come out on top. Neither one wanted to lose the other as they were fighting with one another but also racing the water that would drown them if they didn’t move fast enough. They could soon see the exit and slowed down their steps, glaring at one another.

First to exit would lose.

---

“I WIN,” Nami shouted.

The three captains were lying on the ground in a shallow pool of water. They had been pushed out at the same time almost drowning, along with the three captains, treasure seemed to have followed.

Nami grinned, picking up a few gold pieces before glancing at the rest of the crew, “Pay up,” She told them.

[acupofcoffee-asia]

Ita\ Aprile 2024, un soggiorno veloce ma intenso nella contea di Lingshan, Guangxi, Cina.

En\ April 2024, a quick but intense stay in Lingshan County, Guangxi, China.

Ita\ Non so descrivere la sensazione che ho provato quando la macchina del nostro accompagnatore si è fermata al varco del villaggio. Case da entrambi i lati della strada, con delle grandi porte decorate e striscioni rossi con scritti caratteri neri. Si trattava di uno dei villaggi della contea di Lingshan, di cui ora non ricordo il nome.

È a Lingshan che ho avuto l’esperienza più forte, anche se per pochi giorni, sono stata accolta nella quotidianità del luogo, in particolare dalla famiglia della mia cara amica Ling, tra cene con parenti e battute di pesca.

En\ I can’t quite describe the feeling I had when our driver’s car stopped at the entrance of the village. There were houses both sides of the road, with large decorated doors and red banners with black characters written on them. It was one of the villages in Lingshan County, but now I don’t remember the name.

It was in Lingshan that I had the most powerful experience, even though I stayed only a few days. I was welcomed into the everyday life of the place, especially by my dear friend Ling's family, with dinners with relatives and fishing trips.

Ita\ La giornata per me più indimenticabile è stata quando, un giorno, siamo andati in barca, in mezzo alle ninfee a pescare. Siamo stati cullati dalla brezza della barca in movimento, ho imparato i movimenti del pescatore; mi sono impegnata molto per pescare nel modo giusto, nonostante io sia vegetariana e in fondo, sia stata contenta di non aver pescato neanche un pesce, ero contensissima di avere la possibilità di condividere quel momento con loro. E che posto mozzafiato.

En\ The most unforgettable day for me was when, one day, we went fishing by boat, surrounded by lotus flowers. We were rocked by the breeze as the boat moved, and I learned the fisherman's movements. I tried really hard to fish the right way, even though I’m a vegetarian and, in the end, I was happy I didn’t catch a fish. I was simply thrilled to have the chance to share that moment with them. What a breathtaking place.

Ita\ Non volevo chiudere gli occhi per portarmi a lungo nella mente l’immagine di quel lago e delle ninfee che si muovevano al nostro passaggio, del silenzio, rotto ogni tanto da un guizzo o da una nostra parola, scambio o risata.

En\ I didn’t want to close my eyes, so I could keep in my mind the image of that lake and the lotus flowers moving as we passed, the silence, only interrupted sometimes by a splash or by one of us speaking, exchanging words or laughing.

[welcometololaland]

*knock knock* ✊🏼 at the doors of your askbox.. could you be so kind as to share a funny moment from eurotrip 👀 i swear i think about this wip like once a week at least 🤗 tyvm xx

here you go! something i wrote ages ago when i was in a spiral about impressionism and henry and alex in paris 💜 (i haven't posted a snippet in ages so please consider this my wip wednesday/seven sentence sunday for time and all eternity...until i finish stats):

It’s late-morning by the time they reach the banks of the Seine, and Henry has to admit that he’s surprised when Alex shoves another pastry into his hand, tells him to eat up and then hauls him towards the Musée D’Orsay. It’s not that he doubts Alex’s ability to appreciate impressionism, it’s more that Alex’s general zest for life and relatively short attention span don’t seem well matched with over three thousand things to look at. Henry would know. Last time they went to a museum, Alex threw up in a gutter before making disparaging comments about Botteccelli’s seminal work. 

“Okay, so, I’ll be honest,” Alex says, as soon as they make it past the admissions stand. “I know Van Gogh is cool and all, but I really wanted to see a museum in a train station.”

Henry smiles to himself, shoving his wallet back into his pocket after a particularly heated argument about who would buy tickets. The cashier looked suitably confused, and Henry – beaten down by his desperate desire not to make a scene – had relinquished financial control. It’s not escaped his attention that Alex seems to be making a point of paying for everything today, and Henry is already planning on how to get him back. Then again, he can’t escape the feeling that a lot of the pointless arguing would simply go away if he paid for a little less, and Alex stopped worrying so much about balancing the scales. 

“It doesn’t disappoint,” Henry points out, looking up to appreciate the domed ceiling, bright light filtering through the glass panels. The space is so pleasantly lit, it almost feels as if they are outside in the warm, summer breeze. “While we’re here, should we give the impressionists our time?”

Alex snaps a couple of pictures then gestures for Henry to lead the way, trailing after him with childlike wonderment as he keeps taking in his surroundings, almost tripping on one of the stairs.

Because it’s Alex, everything has to be a competition, and it’s not long until they’re bickering over which art is the most interesting. Henry is quite frankly offended that the beautiful midnight colour and brushstrokes of Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhône go unappreciated in favour of Renoir’s Bal du moulin de la Galette, because it ‘has more people in it’. Similarly, Cézanne’s The Card Players and Apples and Oranges get passed over in favour of Manet’s The Luncheon on the Grass and Courbet’s The Artist’s Studio.

“You know,” Henry mutters, bumping Alex’s shoulder as they turn to another Courbet, this one the controversial L'Origine du monde, a close up of a woman’s vulva, her legs spread. “You can’t just like all the ones with naked women in them.”

Alex snorts. “Henry, just because you can’t appreciate the female form—”

“You know that’s not true.”

“Well, you did once tell me you were gay.”

“And you promptly vomited in a gutter.”

Alex pokes his foot with one of his crutches. It seems that he’s learned that they can be used as a weapon.

“It doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate art,” Henry continues in a slightly argumentative tone he knows Alex will thrive on. “Renoir’s Girls at the Piano is one of my favourites and there are no men in it.” 

“There are no men in a bowl of apples and oranges either,” Alex says drily, “and you thought that one was good.”

“It is good,” Henry insists. “The point is not the subject, it is the colour and composition.”

“Then why didn’t Cézanne pick a more interesting subject?” Alex bites back. “I’m just saying, it was a boring choice. Oh look, another Birth of Venus…”

Thankfully, Alex doesn’t have further commentary on the voluptuous form of the goddess, but he does seem enthralled that both Bouguereau and Cabanel wanted to paint the scene, Venus rising out of the water, surrounded by sea nymphs. He claims to like the Bouguereau one more, purely because no baby comes out of the womb standing, which Henry now understands is not Alex completely missing the point but simply trying to get a rise out of him.

Unfortunately, it always seems to work. Henry wonders whether he needs to do some self reflection.

[mcbride]

Daryl Dixon Rewatch S1E04 - La Dame de Fer

without a doubt the weakest ep of the season, it stars with Daryl having some sort of premonition dream, in which he sees Laurent surrounded by walkers passing right by him without even noticing he's there. all this supporting my theory the Nest people want to turn the kid into a walker so he can rise again as the new Messiah.

(exactly how i feel after the work week i just had!)

anyways more thoughts and ramblings after the jump...

Daryl strolling through Paris, listening to music, seeing old couple sharing precious time together while people watching through windows gives me the frenchest vibes ever. unfortunately, he cannot read a map to save his life.

i don't hate Genet, and i can even understand her pragmatism. i feel this will turn into a religion vs. science debate, in which both sides want to use to boy to "cure" humanity.

i will never ever forgive this show for killing Antoine the pigeon dude, who was legit one of the most likable characters in all of twdu with only a couple of mins of screentime. his dying wish was to free his pigeons. "The birds. Free. Let them free. The pigeons." - here we go, if he was the one making an analogy between Caryl and the pigeons always returning home to the one who waits for them in the last ep, this also seems an omen for caryl being set free of their responsibilities, trauma and guilt so they can finally fly freely together. and if so, then it's kinda poetic.

Daryl is usually a fighter not a hugger, but we need to care about his bonds with this random people, so Isa hugs him. how fun would it be if you were not left to wonder what will happen next. Daryl cares about people, it's just who he is. and guess what? he already knows where Laurent run off to.

"Paris kinda sucks." Daryl, YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT! but it makes up for it in beautiful cinematography.

oh look, now Isa knows how to kill walkers! poorly, but at least she ain't just acting like a deer in headlights.

the dude they take hostage is slut shaming the heck out of Isa, and Daryl be like *shrug* je ne comprends pas, bitch, but let me tell you a story about little Jimmy being forced to kill his piglet one day. the most random Christmas tale ever told, but despite Daryl saying he made up the whole story, i can't help but think it's his story. and that is heartbreaking!

ironically, Daryl who was wholly against torturing a whisperer back in s10, is now full on let's fuck this guy up for info right in front of a nun! of course, i can't help but think it makes total sense cause at the time, he was really just trying to protect Carol from that kind of violence when she was already on edge.

Isa needs to tell Daryl something, he be like NAH, i'm busy, i got a kid, your kid, to save, please schedule an appointment.

Sylvie is finding love for the first time ever, and she's wondering if Isa is harboring any romantic feelings for Daryl. he's the one, the messenger to deliver Laurent, so he is a means to an end. she already loved and lost a lot before the apocalypse. which probably means she is totally getting the feels for Daryl, she just doesn't know he's taken already. just wait till you meet his formidable wife!

Daryl learned some French already. he grunts "bon appétit," as he leaves piglet!dude to be eaten by walkers. SAVAGE!

Daryl fights Quinn, but let's him live cause he's Daryl - he wouldn't kill the kid's father right in front of him.

we have come full circle. Daryl returning a lost kid to his "mother" (*whisper yells* Sophia), and watches her make the ultimate sacrifice by going back to Quinn so she can give the kid a chance to leave the city. not before, she sorts of totally guilt trips him into taking Laurent to the nest. obviously, for some reason, Daryl is the only dude in the whole of France capable of taking the kid there. *rolls eyes loudly* remember, there's reasons everywhere. the universe keeps working to keep Daryl there, so Carol can find him (and together they will save Laurent - that's my theory!).

and it finally ends with Daryl looking at some Paris landmarks, and giving the most longing look at Lady Liberty. he is homesick!

see y'all next week for ep 5!!! it's gonna get interesting!

35 days left until the premiere of THE BOOK OF CAROL!!!!!