#nickie (sweet charity)

[catboymoses]

Lesbian activity: ↓↓↓

Bebe Neuwirth and Allison Williams Sweet Charity, 1986

Photographer: Martha Swope Source

[broadwaydivastournament]

BROADWAY DIVAS SUPERLATIVES: Bosom Buddies - Icons Only

Yes, yes, there are so many iconic friendships on and around Broadway (Bernadette and Mary Tyler Moore, especially), but this time there's no "other" option.

Video Clips & Stories Beneath the Cut: More Polls

Angela Lansbury & Beatrice "Bea" Arthur: Angela and Bea first met in 1965 during rehearsals for the production of Mame, in which Angela played the titular Mame, and Bea her "bosom buddy" Vera. Both women would earn Tony Awards for their iconic, never-to-be-bested portrayals. They remained lifelong friends for the next five decades until Bea's death in 2009, where Angela hosted her memorial service at the Majestic Theatre. As the story goes, Angela's legendary Jessica B. Fletcher is named "B" for Bea.

"She was a class act and a real joy to work with. When I first met her I thought I was meeting this patrician, classically trained actor, but she has a mouth like a longshoreman. No kidding. She loved telling dirty limericks." - Bea Arthur on Angela Lansbury, 2003.

Ann Reinking and Bebe Neuwirth: Forever linked by dance and the great Bob Fosse, Ann and Bebe met in passing during the special 3,389th performance of A Chorus Line, but would not come to know each other closer until Sweet Charity, where Annie took over Charity for Debbie Allen during the run, and Bebe played Nickie (Tony Award). They remained dear friends until Annie's death in 2020, working together in Fosse, and of course, the 1995 revival of Chicago that persists to this day.

“I fell in love with her, I continued to fall in love with her. I am in love with her forever. There was a trust between us, there was a connection between us that was beyond anything that had any logical explanation. I felt sometimes--this may sound strange, but it’s the truth--I felt sometimes I looked in her eyes and I time travelled.” - Bebe Neuwirth on Ann Reinking, 2021

Carol Burnett & Julie Andrews: Though they may have never starred in an official Broadway show together, Carol and Julie are too iconic to pass up here. They met in 1961 and are both still alive, kicking, and enduring friends. They did a series of television and stage specials together, including Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall (1963, Emmy Award), Julie and Carol at Lincoln Center (1971) and Julie & Carol: Together Again (1989). They also both starred in Putting it Together as the part, one after the other. And as a story goes, Carol and Julie were "caught" kissing as a prank on their friend Mike Nichols, but were instead discovered by Lady Bird Johnson.

"As we sat in the darkened hotel hallway on the sofa in front of a bank of three elevators waiting for him, we started to feel rather foolish, and we thought 'Let’s do something to make him laugh.' We decided to pretend we were making out," she said at the time. "He’d called our room and said he was coming right down, so we thought, well, the first person off the elevator would be Mike. But it wasn’t." - Julie Andrews recounts the story to Oprah magazine.

Chita Rivera & Gwen Verdon: Before there was Annie and Bebe, there was Chita and Gwen. The original Velma and Roxie duo in the 1975 Chicago, Chita and Gwen remained friends until Gwen's death in 2000. As Chita recounts, Gwen Verdon was the first person to tell her she had her own talent and didn't need to be her understudy. Years later, they were starring together in Chicago. Chita and Gwen shared the role of Charity (alongside many others) in the benefit concert production of Sweet Charity in 1998. It would be Gwen's final stage appearance. Though Fosse brought his own drama, Chita and Gwen never fell out.

"Our relationship was what it was from the day I stood beside her in “Chicago.” She was a strong woman. She was private. She used to, which is really kind of cute because I would call her on it, sometimes dramatize a story and would say, “Isn’t that right, Chita? Don’t you remember that?” And I wasn’t even there. I would find myself saying, “Yeah, absolutely.” She was so terribly funny, really, really funny." - Chita Rivera on Gwen Verdon, 2019

Donna Murphy & Marin Mazzie: Donna and Marin met while doing the Passion workshop in 1993, and their friendship endures to this day, despite Marin's death in 2018. After all, "and should you die tomorrow, another thing I see: your love will live in me." Marin sang at Donna's daughter's christening. Donna sang at Marin's remembrance concert. She still writes her memorial posts to Marin each year on the anniversary of her passing. Donna played Mother in the earliest workshop of Ragtime, before Marin took over and made that role what it will always be.

"She would always be the first person to say "how are you doing?" That kind of kindness and selflessness in a way--it's not that I didn't appreciate it then--I really did. So I don't need to smack myself in the head and say "why didn't you realize how rare and beautiful it was?" I did. What I couldn't calculate was how much I miss it." - Donna Murphy on Marin Mazzie, 2018.

Kelli O'Hara & Victoria Clark: Our first and only mother-daughter duo, though who is mother and who is daughter is up for debate. Kelli and Vicki met playing mother and daughter in the 2005 The Light in the Piazza as Clara and Margaret Johnson. They remain dear friends to this day and the only pair alive, well, and not dangerously close to death... Kelli and Vicki, trained opera singers, also reunited for Dido and Aeneas in 2016. Their friendship has survived a few awkward situations, such as being up against each other (alongside fellow Piazza star Celia Keenan-Bolger, and that's a story in and of itself) for the role of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific.

"I just started calling her Mother, because I felt like I could be who I was without covering up. Why she called me Mother back is pretty obvious, but she was, for me, always the rock. I felt like, Okay, she loves me, warts and all. Hopefully." - Victoria Clark on Kelli O'Hara, 2016.

[theroyalsims]

ROYAL TWINS CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAY, SHOWER CHARITIES WITH PRIVATE DONATIONS

It's Prince Nicky and Princess Ingrid's birthday!

The Palace marked the special occasion with a brand new photo of the birthday boy and girl. Nicky and Ingrid's new portrait shows the two in casual wear - which fully reflect their chill, no-fuss nature. Nicky reportedly hates wearing tuxes (sources claim he finds it "stiff and restricting"), while Ingrid apparently abhors big skirts and heavy tiaras (which is perhaps why she's often photographed wearing the smaller pieces from the royal vaults). Talk about two peas in a pod!

The lovely new shot was captioned:

"Wishing Prince Nicholas and Princess Ingrid a very happy birthday. On the occasion of their birthday, Their Royal Highnesses have made private donations to twenty-three charities that are close to their hearts. For more information on Their Royal Highnesses' charities and patronages, please visit the royal website."

As to which charities were selected, no full list is available, however, a few seem to have confirmed the royal donations via social media. One such charity is the No More Bullies - Brindleton, which took to their online account and wrote:

"The happiest birthday to the very generous Prince Nicky and Princess Ingrid. Thank you for including No More Bullies Brindleton in your birthday celebration! Cheers!"

Another charity is the Brindleton Rainbow Youth Club (BRYC), a non-profit that supports LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults. The BRY posted:

"It's your birthday, but you gave us gifts! Thank you very much, YRH Prince Nicky and Princess Ingrid! Your donation goes a long way! All of us at BRYC wish you the best, happiest, and most wonderful birthday!"

Such a sweet gesture from our royal birthday celebrants! Happy birthday, Your Royal Highnesses!

[vintagestagehotties]

Hot Vintage Stage Actress Round 1

Helen Gallagher: Nancy in High Button Shoes (1947 Broadway); Gladys Bumps in Pal Joey (1952 Broadway); Nickie in Sweet Charity (1966 Broadway)

Bernadette Peters: Bettina in Johnny No-Trump (1967 Broadway); Ruby in Dames at Sea (1968 Off-Broadway); Josie Cohan in George M! (1968 Broadway); Gelsomina in La Strada (1969 Broadway)

Propaganda under the cut

Helen Gallagher:

No additional propaganda submitted

Bernadette Peters:

shes so fucken pretty just look at her im in love with how pretty she is

[ashleywool]

Is it weird when your name is Ashley yet there’s a character named Ashley in the show? I get tripped up when people have similar names to me so I can’t imagine the struggle during a job

I was born in 1987 and I was given the most popular girls' name of 1987, so I'm used to it.

My last musical in high school was Sweet Charity (not the most appropriate choice for high school but what are you gonna do). Our Charity was also named Ashley, and they reassigned the roles of Nicki and Helene in the "Baby Dream Your Dream" scene to give two of us (Betsy and Carmen) more stage time. I was Betsy. Carmen was played by another Ashley. And thus, the "Baby Dream Your Dream" scene became known as "The Ashley Scene."

This is, however, the first time I've been in a show with a character named Ashley.

In our first reading, the role of Amy/Shauna was played by the lovely Jessica Tyler Wright, which added more twists; we had character Ashley, actor Ashley, character Jessica, and actor Jessica. And actor Ashley and character Jessica were the same person.

[stopthefeeling]

I have reached a new level of mentally ill: imagining how Buck would fit in the Emmerdale village

Initial thoughts are: him and Manpreet would probably have a very short fling.

He would be best friends with Liam and they'd go to all the murder mystery nights together. They get drunk and have lots of deep and meaningfuls.

I just know he would be on Moira like a dog in heat and that would be a long and disastrous affair with a side of horny for but scared of Cain.

He would be very protective of Victoria because she has a lot in common with Maddie.

He would annoy Marlon with all his food questions but Marlon would be secretly fond of him.

Buck 1.0 probably would've tried it on with Kim but mature Buck knows better.

He would be called to Jimmy and Nicola's house more times than he cares for to deal with sex incidents, which is unfortunate because Nicola is desperate to impress him so he gets involved with all the village events. Jimmy just wants him to help out at the scrapyard with his muscle.

Suni and Nicky would keep pestering him to go out to the local gay bars and after a while he gives in because they're sweet kids really.

Kerry keeps drunkenly hitting on him, he does not give in on that one.

He would have a brief rivalry with Mack because Mack thinks he's into Charity he's lowkey into both of them but they quickly get up to hijinks.

[musical-dreamcasts]

Hadestown - Danielle Steers (she/her) as Persephone, requested by anon

Birthday: June 20, 1991 (age 31)

Birth Place: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England

Theatre credits include: Lady (The Cher Show), Catherine Parr (Six), Zahara (Bat Out of Hell), Ensemble/Cover Killer Queen (We Will Rock You), Carmen (Sweet Charity), Judge/Saleswoman/Understudy Pilar (Legally Blonde), Swing/Cover Nicki Marron (The Bodyguard), Dynamite (Hairspray)

(Pictured on the right is Jewelle Blackman, who is currently playing the role in the Broadway production)

Credits: Unknown, Matthew Murphy

[zenlesszonezero]

[artbydiegocelma]

"Hey, Big Spender! Spend a little time with me..." Paula Kelly and Chita Rivera performing one of my favourite Fosse numbers in Sweet Charity.

[aliveandfullofjoy]

Hi friends! Yesterday I shared my ten favorite new-to-me movies of 2021. Just for kicks, as a bonus, here are ten(ish) performances that I saw for the first time last year that I found especially moving! No extensive writing because I’m a little pressed for time, but please as always consider this a personal endorsement of these performances. I’ll also include ways to watch them (as of this current writing: January 18, 2022).

So! Ten(ish) new-to-me film performances that I found moving in 2021, in alphabetical order!

01. Eddie Bracken, Hail the Conquering Hero (dir. Preston Sturges, 1944) I watched two very similar Preston Sturges films in 2021, and I fell in love with both of them - this one and The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek - and while Bracken is the male lead of both, he competes with his equally funny costars in that film. Not so here: this one is all Bracken all the time. He makes an absolute meal of this film, a ridiculous wartime farce that feels almost like a more self-aware Dear Evan Hansen. By far the funniest performance I saw last year. (Hail the Conquering Hero is available to rent online and can be viewed at this link.)

02. Ruby Dee, Claudia McNeil, Sidney Poitier, and Diana Sands, A Raisin in the Sun (dir. Daniel Petrie, 1961) I may be cheating a bit by including four performances in one slot, but the Raisin quartet share so many scenes together that I think it works. The rest of the cast is great too (including Ivan Dixon and Louis Gossett, Jr.), but it’s these four who have the film’s most memorable and moving moments. They share so many scenes and they’re all tremendous: McNeil as Lena the matriarch, Sands as the radical Beneatha, Dee as Ruth, and the recently departed Poitier as Walter. This is a beautifully rendered adaptation of a landmark play, and these four give unforgettable performances. (A Raisin in the Sun is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

03. Alex Descas, 35 Shots of Rum (dir. Claire Denis, 2008) Such deep, sad eyes on Alex Descas. I wrote about how much I loved 35 Shots of Rum on my top ten films post, so I’ll keep this brief, but Descas absolutely owns his long stretches of silence more than many other actors could. His chemistry with his onscreen daughter Mati Diop is palpable in its bittersweet, frustrating complexity. A beautifully understated performance. (35 Shots of Rum is currently streaming on MUBI.)

04. Barbara Loden, Wanda (dir. Barbara Loden, 1970) Calling Wanda a landmark film almost feels like an understatement. With it, Barbara Loden became the first woman in cinema history to direct, produce, write, and star in a film. Even without Wanda, Loden is a fascinating figure in her own right, as a Tony-winning character actor who died far too young of breast cancer, but it's her staggering directorial debut that will probably prove to be her most enduring work. Her direction is astonishing, feeling like a predecessor to A Woman Under the Influence and Mikey and Nicky, but her performance is the heart of the film. She's onscreen for almost every minute of the film's runtime, and she's utterly mesmerizing in her soft-spoken desperation. It's remarkably unaffected work, and undoubtedly one of the finest leading actress performances of the decade. (Wanda is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

05. Giulietta Masina, Nights of Cabiria (dir. Federico Fellini, 1957) Sweet Charity, the Broadway musical adaptation of Nights of Cabiria, has some great moments, but I tend to struggle with the ending. After spending all this time watching this woman suffer at the hands of everyone she knows, how could she possibly resolve to move forward, smiling? It always leaves me more gutted than moved. Turns out the source material got it right the first time. Through Cabiria's tears and smiling face, there is no doubt that she'll be okay. Giulietta Masina’s performance is one that defies description. She embodies all of Cabiria’s heartache and dashed dreams and somehow, even in the face of her most crushing blow yet, she finds hope. It’s a magical, phenomenal performance. (Nights of Cabiria is currently streaming on MUBI.)

06. Walter Matthau, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (dir. Joseph Sargent, 1974) The Taking of Pelham One Two Three was one of the great surprises of my film-viewing life last year. I knew it existed but I was floored by how great it was: Sargent’s taut direction, Peter Stone’s masterful script, a huge cast of great actors gleefully digging into their roles, the delicious grime of 1970s New York City, the music... it’s all great. Walter Matthau, perhaps at his sleepiest and droopiest, is the bone-dry stoneface at the film’s center. He walks the tonal tightrope perfectly, and he’s responsible for the final shot in the film, one of the absolute best I’ve ever seen. Everything about this movie is great, but he’s the MVP. (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is available to rent online.)

07. Madhabi Mukherjee, The Big City (dir. Satyajit Ray, 1963) Madhabi Mukherjee is the heart of The Big City. This is another film I wrote about at more length on my top ten films post, but her performance is the reason why the film works as well as it does. She beautifully and honestly realizes Arati’s journey from shy housewife to a profoundly skilled worker and the various shades of confidence and conflict that comes with that. Just breathtaking. (The Big City is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and HBO Max.)

08. Rosaura Revueltas, Salt of the Earth (dir. Herbert J. Biberman, 1954) Made in the shadow of the Hollywood Blacklist, Salt of the Earth feels like something that almost shouldn't exist. Written, directed, and produced by men who were blacklisted, the film is so unapologetically leftist that it’s not hard to imagine a hypothetical campaign from conservative McCarthyists to destroy the film. The vast majority of the actors are non-professionals, but the film's key role of Esperanza is given to the great Mexican actress Rosaura Revueltas. Esperanza is the emotional center of Salt of the Earth and Revueltas delivers one magnificent performance in bringing her to life: her journey from reserved housewife to radicalized unionist is thrilling and deeply moving. Revueltas was also blacklisted from working in Hollywood, but it's impossible to imagine her getting a role half as good as this in the racist studio system at all. It’s a tremendous performance. (Salt of the Earth is currently streaming on Prime Video and can be viewed at this link.)

09. Gena Rowlands, A Woman Under the Influence (dir. John Cassavetes, 1974) If Gena Rowlands never made another film, she would still be a titan of acting for her performance as Mabel in A Woman Under the Influence. She's legendary, and rightfully so: her Mabel emerges as an unflinchingly authentic human being, a whole bunch of nervy contradictions bundled together into one woman stuck in a marriage with an emotionally stunted husband who doesn't fully understand her. Watching her relationship with Peter Falk in all its tumultuous episodes is an exercise in strength. That the film was so brilliantly directed by her real-life husband Cassavetes only makes it that much more special. (A Woman Under the Influence is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and HBO Max.)

10. Hideko Takamine, Twenty-Four Eyes (dir. Keisuke Kinoshita, 1954) I can't believe I hadn't seen any of Kinoshita's other films up to this point, but Twenty-Four Eyes seems like a great place to start. Anchored onto a devastating performance from the great Takamine, the film follows roughly two decades in the life of a woman who works as a schoolteacher during the rise and fall of Japanese nationalism. An unambiguously anti-war film released less than a decade after the end of World War II, the emotional climax hits like a ton of bricks, and Takamine’s performance is a huge reason why. It’s an unabashedly sentimental film, but thanks to the sensitive filmmaking and Takamine’s complex performance, it thoroughly earns the audience’s tears. (Twenty-Four Eyes is available to rent online and can be viewed at this link.)

Honorable mentions, in alphabetical order: Lucille Ball in Dance, Girl, Dance (dir. Dorothy Arzner, 1940), Jeannie Berlin in The Heartbreak Kid (dir. Elaine May, 1972), Roscoe Lee Browne in Uptight (dir. Jules Dassin, 1968), Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones (dir. Otto Preminger, 1954), Mati Diop in 35 Shots of Rum (dir. Claire Denis, 2008), Heather Donahue in The Blair Witch Project (dir. Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), America Ferrera in Real Women Have Curves (dir. Patricia Cardoso, 2002), Jane Fonda in Barbarella (dir. Roger Vadim, 1968), Dolores Gray in It’s Always Fair Weather (dir. Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1955), Dan Hedaya in Blood Simple (dir. Joel Coen, 1984), Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (dir. George Cukor, 1954), Boris Karloff in The Body Snatcher (dir. Robert Wise, 1945), Burt Lancaster in Sweet Smell of Success (dir. Alexander Mackendrick, 1957), Ida Lupino in The Bigamist (dir. Ida Lupino, 1953), Marcello Mastroianni in Big Deal on Madonna Street (dir. Mario Monicelli, 1958), Jack Nicholson in The Last Detail (dir. Hal Ashby, 1973), Edmond O’Brien in The Bigamist (dir. Ida Lupino, 1953), Stig Olin in To Joy (dir. Ingmar Bergman, 1950), Laurence Olivier in The Entertainer (dir. Tony Richardson, 1960), Peter in Funeral Parade of Roses (dir. Toshio Matsumoto, 1969), Michelle Pfeiffer in Grease 2 (dir. Patricia Birch, 1982), Parker Posey in Josie and the Pussycats (dir. Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont, 2001), Pete Postlethwaite in Distant Voices, Still Lives (dir. Terence Davies, 1988), Edward G. Robinson in The Sea Wolf (dir. Michael Curtiz, 1941), Renato Salvatori in Rocco and His Brothers (dir. Luchino Visconti, 1960), Sylvia Sidney in Fury (dir. Fritz Lang, 1936), Nicholas Smith in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (dir. Nick Park & Steve Box), Jean-Louis Trintignant in Three Colors: Red (dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1994), Orson Welles in Touch of Evil (dir. Orson Welles, 1958), Natalie Wood in Splendor in the Grass (dir. Elia Kazan, 1961), Wu Nien-jen in Yi Yi (dir. Edward Yang, 2000), and Zhang Ziyi in 2046 (dir. Wong Kar-wai, 2004).

[scrapyardboyfriends]

Caught up with the episode. 

When I envisioned this moment, I was kind of expecting even more fireworks but I was also envisioning it originally happening without Al dead so that definitely changed things. It’s all just a bit sad now and there’s just like...so many terrible things she’s done that they haven’t even gotten into and probably never will like guilt tripping Aaron and forcing him to leave and Liv’s death etc. 

But I was really impressed that they actually let Paddy take her to that house. That was great. I didn’t think they’d ever let him have the kind of backbone to do that. I do wish he’d just take Eve and go though. Chas deserves to be alone, at least for now. I know that’s maybe not fair on Eve but wake up kid, your mom’s terrible. Big brother Aaron could tell you so many stories. 

I enjoyed everyone yelling at her in the pub and Moira’s whole outburst but then I also need the Kyle stuff to come out so Chas can feel doubly bad because while the Kyle stuff really is entirely down to Cain in terms of actual responsibility, so many events were set in motion because of Chas and her stupid affair. And I just want it all out there. 

It did kind of annoy me that Charity was backing her up. I mean I kind of wanted her to but I also just really want her to call her out for having an affair with Al of all people after she forced Charity out of the pub because she had slept with him. Like I just want her to call her out for being a massive hypocrite and disowning everyone and being generally awful to her entire family, putting herself on some moral pedestal but then going and doing this. And then I’d want Charity to support her because she’s not like Chas. She’s not just going to be a hypocrite and disown her. But I want Chas to feel guilty about that support because she knows she didn’t offer it. 

As for the rest of the episode...

I can’t even care about the Nicky stuff because I know they’re just going to do something inexplicably convoluted with him so I’m just...waiting for it. 

Marlon and Naomi were good in the kitchen together. Although the moment she said “yes chef”, I just couldn’t stop thinking of The Bear. But I hope that partnership works out. The pub could use some non Dingle life. 

The Arthur stuff is sweet. I really liked that scene with Gabby. Although it almost felt weird for her to remember she had a brother again after being so entrenched at Home Farm the last couple years. The group hug with the teens was cringe but lovely. Elliot kind of had a weird look before he joined the hug so I don’t know if that will be anything more or not. The Ethan/Marcus conversation with him was also kind of cringe but it’s a nice gesture and I like the idea of him having people to talk to. I do also wonder if they’re going somewhere else with Arthur’s story or if this lovely bit of acceptance is it for now and just setting the stage for the future when they do decide to have this younger set of teens start dating?

I still just don’t know what to make of Ethan and Marcus in general. I just really wish they’d given them more of an actual story in getting together because when they fail at that, I really have a hard time connecting with a couple. That was half my problem with Vanity back in the day but at least they got story after that a bit. I mean maybe this thing with the creepy boss will end up being something bigger for them but also this isn’t really what I would have wanted for them. But also...was something more supposed to happen or did it happen off screen and they’ll reveal it later? Or will the boss be back? Cause that one spoiler article I read said something about sexual assault and right now it’s a little more mild sexual harassment. Still creepy vibes and I don’t blame Marcus for feeling uncomfortable but yeah...I don’t know where that’s going.  

Wow...it’s been a long time since I’ve actually posted about Emmerdale. Since I haven’t watched it in a month. Oops. 

[aftgficrec]

Staff Recs Christmas Shorts 1 🎄

Looks like you forgot to check your stocking! It’s filled with short and sweet holiday treats! Look for another post of Christmas short fics soon. - AFTG Fic Rec Fam

Staff Recs December 2021 Christmas/Winter here

Staff Recs December 2021 More Christmas/Winter here

Staff Recs December 2021 Christmas Shorts 2 here

A very Covid Christmas by Lyndis [Rated G, 1602 Words, Complete, 2021]

Andrew never thought he would ever mind having a very good excuse to not see his chosen family over Christmas. But the sad and bitter truth was that he did mind and it sucked.

She Tastes Like Peppermint by paperbackrainbows [Rated G, 2092 Words, Complete, 2021]

A Christmas-themed coffee shop AU featuring barista!Allison and her co-worker Matt, where she falls in love with a certain girl with a certain order.

all i want is what is real by kandr3il [Rated G, 1248 Words, Complete, 2021]

christmas with the foxes, some years later

underneath the tree by awoogah123 [Not Rated, 1128 Words, Complete, 2021]

To say Neil's excited for his and Andrew's first Christmas together in their new apartment is an understatement.

Xmas The Spot series by Fire_Bear [Rated, T/G, Collection, Last Updated Dec 2021]

part 1: O, Christmas Tree [T, 1987 Words]

Nicky asks Neil and Andrew to decorate the Christmas tree - what could go wrong?

part 4: Better Than His Word (G, 1866 Words)

Matt tells Neil about WishList, a programme for a charity that helps grant wishes. It's the perfect thing to spend his money on, but Neil might just find something else to spend it on when he overhears someone's wish in the grocery store...

words in the wind (Tumblr Prompts) by Willow_bird [Rated T/M, Collection, Last Updated Oct 2021]

Chapter 5: christmas morning with the monsters [T, 1980 Words]

Sleepy, cozy mornings were a new thing for Neil.

Fuck off, Steve by P0tatonoah [Rated G, 972 Words, Complete, 2021]

Kevin is wrapping a football, ocean green eyes squinting, tongue sticking out in concentration. “Aaron? Don’t just stand there sighing longingly, help the boys with their wrapping.” Steve says behind me, Damn you Steve. “Go on, no need to blush.” He adds, waving me on. Damn you to hell.

Just Like Magic by history11huh [Not Rated, 1358 Words, Complete, 2021]

Part 2 of Heaven Can't Help Me Now series recced here

Aaron and Kevin's Christmas morning! Honestly, just cute.

Tiffany Blue by vertigo [Rated T, 3987 Words, Complete, AFTG Winter Jam 2020]

"Are you buying him a racquet?" Andrew asks, he looks sleepy, his glasses are askew and half of his face is obscured by King's fluffy tail.

And a Cup of Cocoa by Mystrana [Rated G, 1463 Words, Complete, AFTG Winter Jam 2020]

While Nicky is determined to help his cousins and Neil enjoy the snow, Andrew is busy trying to find the perfect cup of hot chocolate for Neil.

to the moon (and back) by ephemeralsky [Rated T, Collection, Complete, 2020] 

Chapter 3: you, me, and this (toppled) christmas tree (2131 Words)

A quiet winter day where Neil doesn't exactly go for a morning run and the cats act like the menaces that 

Not that he cared. by poly_pr1nce [Rated T, 637 Words, Complete, 2020, Locked]

Prompt: Can you do some wholesome fluff?? Andrei celebrating Christmas??

Darwinism by ruletheroost [Rated T, 1656 Words, Complete, 2020]

The Foxes are at another Christmas banquet and can never seem to catch a break.

tw: bullying, tw: lewd comments, tw: violence

I Always Wanted a Real Home by gluupor [Rated G, 1710 Words, Complete, 2019]

Part 2 of the Tales from a Quirky Small Town series (recced here)

So when, exactly, did Andrew decide that Kevin and Neil were his family?

A story from my Gilmore Girls universe.

Snow Angels by foxyexy [Rated G, 1394 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Winter 2019]

The Foxes aren’t going to let Neil spend Christmas alone this time.

Where the Love-Light Gleams by priorwalter [Rated G, 2165 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Winter 2019]

“Come on, we have to make the head of the snowman. It’s the most important part, unless you want her to not have a brain,” Neil says, taking Andrew’s hand and half-dragging him to a patch of fresh snow. 

Little Fish (The Ground-Level Expectations Remix) by Anonymous [Rated G, 1962 Words, Complete, AFTG Remix 2020]

Wherein Aaron realizes his family has never owned a pet before, buys a few gifts, and introspects his way through a holiday shopping mall.

I have you two by EarlGreyjoy [Rated G, 493 Words, Complete, 2019]

"Where have two been? “ Nicky asked the twins hearing them whispering to each other.

All I want for Christmas is a fucking miracle! series by ScriptaManent [Rated G, Complete, 2018]

part 1: Snow Angels (1426 Words)

Jean had never seen snow before, but he had never asked to join Jeremy in Canada for Christmas break. All he could see was white and cold, except for one ray of sunshine walking ahead of him.

part 2: The Three Spirits of Christmas: nightmares, angel, and hope (4219 Words)

Christmas in Canada felt like a dream, it reminded Nicky of Germany and of the wonderful time he had spent with Erik. After all that had happened to the Foxes, after their victory against the Ravens, Nicky had only one wish for that day: to give his cousins a first proper, happy Christmas.

wonderful tonight by exyjunkies [Rated G, 1553 Words, Complete, 2018]

Right after hosting the Foxes Christmas party, Neil and Andrew have a moment to themselves in their living room.

Blanketed by exactly13percent_OLD (hymbeaux) [Rated G, 1460 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Winter 2018]

A week before Christmas, Neil and Andrew are snowed in.

False Alarm by scepterofstardust [Rated G, 2132 Words, Complete, 2017]

Andrew still has fears, as much as he tries to pretend otherwise. Neil is a bit slow at recognizing them.

Peppermint Toads by alexjosten [Rated T, 2587 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Winter 2017]

Andrew discovers a student is hiding a secret that could put Kevin in danger. He stays at Hogwarts over the winter break to resolve it.

Staying by Leahelisabeth (fortheloveofcamelot) [Rated G, 1466 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange 2017]

A soft sleepy Christmas Eve morning. Nothing but fluff.

tw: anxiety

the foxes by shewhoisntnamed44 [Rated G, Collection, Updated 2017]

Chapter 2 [271 Words]

"what the fuck is this neil?", andrew said as he slowly removed a jumper from the bag neil had given him.

[wickedpact]

Crim pls do a J/N fic rec post at some point in the future I trust you more than I trust myself looking rouge through AO3

im kinda eh abt the concept of fic recs myself just bc the whole 'Different Strokes For Different Folks' thing (idk how many times someone i liked in a fandom made a fic rec list and i ended up not liking anything they posted). plus i have weirdly specific tastes and i.. .. honestly havent read a ton of joenicky fic! (i have a FAT to-read list) but ive been asked this a couple times now so i will slap together a couple joenicky fics i like (not comprehensive, i only spent like 15 minutes making this. also not in any particular order.)

Kiss Each Other Clean by moodlighting

i like this whole fic, but the last 6 or so paragraphs in particular SEND ME TO SPACE, i love cuddling. also [joe voice] nickel neekee

what you seek is seeking you by bankrobbery

i actually recced this one once before. idk its cute i just Like It. (also nicky pretending not to know english bc a customer is pissing him off is Very Funny and i love it)

with every inch of my heart by smilebackwards

i like this one a lot, i think nickys pov should Always be this tender. i dont like miscommunication trope much, (esp with joenicky) but i do like this fic-- the miscommunication in question is far-fetched but its joenicky so of course it is. just enjoy the Angst™

i love michelangelo seeing nicky all dirty and bloody after a fight and being like 'DAMN this bitch is fine' (same). (AND the fact that nicky only agrees to travel with him in the name of wasting the pope's money lmao). the fact that joe and nicky broke up But They Still Snuggle. nile knowing like 2 things about joe and nicky's breakup & pretty much immediately taking nicky's side. joe looking at the creation of adam and bein like 'EH'.

nicky carrying around his little joe drawing? nicky carrying around a spare toothbrush for booker? nicky telling little children stories about a princess locked in a coffin under the sea? ('perhaps someday, if an iron coffin is caught in a net or washed up onto the shore, they’ll remember the princess, a victim and not a monster' EXCUSE ME)

(also 'I have drawn you a thousand times since we parted. I sculpted your likeness, just so that I could pretend to cup your cheek. You are so much warmer than marble, hayati.' R O M A N C E)

Pas Un Ange by inlovewithnight

there are a lot of fics i love in a way thats like 'this fic is fun but it doesnt feel like something that would happen in the Actual Canon' (which is fine!) but this one Does feel like it could happen in The Actual Canon which is cool

this fic also has probably my favorite depiction of nicky's relationship with god/religion in any fic ive read ('[nicky's] peace had come only after walking away from faith as a competition of intensity in favor of faith as a steady compass that he followed like the beat of his heart in his chest.'). i love the whole Drama played out by the background characters and how they all have their own ideas and motivations & nicky is just kind of resigned to being caught in the middle of it.

(also love how near the beginning joe's like 'the Right thing to do in the situation would be stay at this river and help these people.... ... ....... ... .... ... anyways see ya guys later gotta go find nicky'.)

also joe chatting up a pig and the five minutes later chatting up some goats was so cute. & nicky trying to tell the baby's mother how to save it!!!! </3 AND THEY ARGUE ABOUT CHARITY on the way home (not before joe injects a comment abt nickys ass into regular conversation bc Romance™) its a bit of a sad fic tho, that poor baby 🥺

Intercession by PrincessDesire

can i interest you in some Swamp Man Nicky in this trying time?

someone recced this fic to me and i dont remember who. but note that the major character death tag is not, in fact, for a major character but for a background one. neither joe or nicky perma!die in this. also normally i dont like fics where joe or nicky are bi bc Thats Not Canon Babey but i do like this one, i love joe's relationship with Grace and how nicky's perception of that relationship gets flipped on its head halfway thru the fic. i also love joe's Weariness Of Immortality, like when joe talks about how 'youthful' nicky makes him feel. his pov just kind of Feels like an old man and i like it

theres a smut scene in this fic which im personally not big on smut scenes but theres this bit where joe tries to figure out condoms and its very cute. also 'You have many kinds of magic, Nicky. All your spells have worked.' ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).

also i just like how WHIPPED joe is from like the first 3 seconds he sees nicky. theres one bit where nicky's like 'ill come visit you!' and joe's like 'when🥺' and nicky's like 'as soon as you like!' and joes like 'now?????🥺🥺🥺 literally come home with me???' incredible.

also the Magic System was cool. i also love how nicky just Accidentally made himself immortal. what a man. also i like this line 'it would never occur to [nicky] to attend any service that wasn’t going to have a direct outcome. Grace takes comfort from it, so maybe that’s the only outcome needed.' idk its so sweet

edit: also i cant believe i forgot the iconic line 'Yusuf is a man of two minds, one large and underutilized, the other small and underutilized.' absolutely iconic & relatable

[broadwaydivastournament]

Movie Musical Divas Tournament: Round 2

Chita Rivera (1933-2024): Sweet Charity (1969) - Nickie | Once Upon a Brothers Grimm (1977) | Pippin: His Life and Times (1982) as Fastrada

"chita rivera deserves justice. despite her starring turns in multiple stage productions, she was denied the opportunity to reprise her roles on screen. for west side story, she was "too old" (and let's be real, was considered "too ethnic") so the studio went with rita moreno who despite being a year older was more conventionally pretty (meaning she looked less overtly ethnic like chita). and then with bye bye birdie they just made rosie a white woman and you can't tell me it wasn't because they didn't want to depict an interracial relationship. in short. justice for chita, one of the best dancers we'll ever see." - anonymous

Rita Moreno (1931- ): West Side Story (1961 - Anita)* | Singin' in the Rain (1952 - Zelda Zanders) | The Vagabond King (1956 - Huguette) | The King and I (1956 - Tuptim)** *Dubbed by Marni Nixon for "Tonight Quintet" and Betty Wand for "A Boy Like That" **Dubbed by Leona Gordon

"I hope someone else sends in some good words about her, because I don't think I could do her justice myself. She's RITA MORENO for god's sake!!!" - anonymous

This is Round 2 of the Movie Musical Divas tournament. Additional polls in this round may be found by searching #mmround2, or by clicking the link below. Add your propaganda and support by reblogging this post.

ADDITIONAL PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

Chita Rivera:

Photos and video submitted by: anonymous

Rita Moreno:

Photos and video submitted by: anonymous

[discotthelion]

🎵 Hazbin Hotel and Playlists🎶

Due to my summer classes starting on Monday, I thought it could be fun to create a playlist for some of the most popular ships in the fandom. Perhaps most of you know these songs or think they don't fit, or even believe this is a bit goofy, but it's all for fun at the end of the day and more for leisure. Again, these ships are what I believe are the most common (for the main cast anyway), and if you don't see yours here, sorry! However, I would love you to add it to the list. This is somewhat long (and I can't include all the characters, not by a long shot, sadly, so there will also be no crossover with Helluva Boss)...be prepared.

This took fucking forever.

Alastor:

Being my fav character, it's unsurprising I'll start with the Strawberry Pimp. This radio host is probably the most shipped character in the fandom regardless of him being canonically asexually and (depending on who you ask) aromantic. I mean, he is even being paired with himself at this point. Unfortunately for fans (but not Alastor himself), I feel he will happily sink most of these ships in the future. But, hey, we can still have fun for now!

Alastor/Husk: "How High The Moon" by Ella Fitzgerald Or "You're Nothing Without Me" from City of Angels

Alastor/Angel Dust: "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" covered by Ella Fitzgerald Or "Geraldines Routine" by Tape Five Or "Maybe this Time" from Cabaret

Alastor/Vox: "Losing My Mind" from Follies Or "From the Gallows" by IDK How But They Found Me Or "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard

Alastor/Charlie: "Bad Boy Good Man" by Tape Five Or "The Scorpion and the Frog/Trust Me" from The Devil's Carnival Or "Hey, Little Song Bird" from Hades Town Or "The Music Box" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Alastor/Vaggie: "Minnie The Moocher" by Cab Calloway Or "The Way You Look Tonight" from Swing Time

Alastor/Lucifer: "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" from Anything Goes

Alastor/ Sir Pentious: "I Don't Know How To Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar

Alastor/Mimzy: "Anything you can do" from Annie Get Your Gun Or "Take back Your Mink" from Guys and Dolls

Alastor/Rosie: "Jolly Holiday" from Marry Poppins Or "A Little Priest" from Sweeny Todd Or "Right Hand Man" from Something Rotten

General Songs: "Party Like its 1929" by Tape Five Or "The Hi De Ho Man (That's Me)" by Cab Calloway, Or "Overture/All that Jazz" from Chicago Or "I Can't Be Bothered Now" from Crazy For You Or "Be A Clown" from Pirate Or "Make 'Em Laugh" from Singin' In The Rain

Angel Dust:

I adore Angel, which is rather funny since, in real life, I am a prude. Regardless of gender (or lack of it), any overly licentious character bores me intensely and sometimes can become annoying. Nonetheless, Angel is charming, especially if you watch streams with his voice actor.

Unlike Alastor, we know for CERTAIN, Angel has a very vigorous sex life and will eventually get a boyfriend (the consensus being Husk). He also gets shipped with a lot of characters. However, in my perspective, for his persona, it makes sense.

Angel/Husk: "Suddenly Seymore" from Little Shop of Horrors Or "If I loved you" from Carousel Or "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" From Damm Yankees Or "Heaven Help My Heart" from Chess

Angel/Sir Pentious: "Monkey Tree" by Mother Mother Or "Anaconda" by Nicki Minaj Or "S&M" by Rhianna Or "I Wanna Be Your Slave" by Måneskin

Angel/Valentino: "I Say No" from Heathers Or "Could I Leave You" from Follies Or "Break Free" by Queen

Angel/Vox: "Domestic Bliss" by Glass Animals Or "The Rich Man's Frug" from Sweet Charity Or "Judas" by Lady Gaga Or "Primadonna" by Marina and The Diamonds

Angel/ Baxter: "Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show Or "Hermit the Frog" by Marianna and The Diamonds Or "Love Potion Number 9" by The Searchers

Angel/Cherri Bomb: "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha Or "We Are Golden" by Mika

Angel/Charlie: "Bubblegum Bitch" by Marina and The Diamonds Or "The Seraph" from 35MM Or "Hotel Californa" by The Eagles

Angel/Vaggie: "I won't say I'm in Love" from Hercules Or "All Men are Pigs" by Studio Killers Or "Lolipop" by Mika

General Songs: "Bring on the Men" from Jekyll & Hyde Or "Rose Tint My World/Wild and Untamed Thing" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Or "Grace Kelly" by Mika Or "Sugar Daddy" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch Or "Un-Reborn Again" by Queens Of The Stone Age Or "Big Spender" from Sweet Charity

Husk:

I enjoy Husk; he's dry and defiantly not for everyone, kind of like a martini. Moreover, that cat possesses eyebrows bigger than Kim K's ass, so brownie points. From what I gathered, he's an old insecure Russian/Las Vegas-born alcoholic who enjoys performing magic shows and can speak multiple languages. Additionally, he cheats when playing at the table and is surprisingly good with kids.

Husk doesn't have as many ships as Angel or Alastor, so the lists start getting sparse from here on out.

Husk/Charlie: "Let Me Be Your Wings" from Thumbelina Or "Daddy Issues" by The Neighbourhood Or "As Long As He Needs Me" from Oliver Or "Oh, Ms.Believer" By Twenty One Pilots

Husk/Niffty: "Real Boy" by Lola Blanc Or "Wooden Heart" from G.I Blues Or "Be my Yoko Ono" by The Bare Naked Ladies

Husk/Crymini: "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga (covered by Halestorm) Or "Goin' Down" by The Pretty Reckless Or "Lolita" by Lana Del Ray

General Songs: "Send in the Clowns" covered by Judy Collins, Or "American Pie" by Don McLean Or "Poker Face” by Lady Gaga Or "Reaper Man" by Mother Mother Or "Being Alive" from Company

Charlie/Vaggie:

I don't think anyone can talk about Charlie without Vaggie. The pilot wouldn't exist if it weren't for Charlie's dream and Vaggie's enthusiastic support, the two almost resembling a Don Quixote and Dulcinea dynamic (or Jack Skellington and Sally-Esque relationship). The princess of Hell and her very mad (but very cute) moth begin the pilot as girlfriends and are a power couple if there ever was one. I am definitely excited for the show to further explore their individual arcs. I'm not going to lie, more so Vaggie.

These two hardly get shipped with anyone but each other (excluding the Charlie/Alastor shippers). Moreover, some have been detailed above. So, the list is a bit smaller than Husk's (sorry).

Charlie/Vaggie: "Gimme Gimme" from Thoroughly Modern Millie Or "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera Or "We're Simply Meant to Be..." from The Nightmare Before Christmas Or "Almost like Being in Love" from Brigadoon

Charlie/Vox: "The Ladies' Choice" from Hairspray Or "Unworthy of your love" from Assassins Or "Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra Or "Born to Hand Jive" from Grease

Vaggie/Cherri Bomb: "Love In The Middle Of A Firefight" by Dillon Francis Or "When We're High" by LP

General Songs (Charlie): "To Dream the Impossible dream" from Man of La Mancha Or "I Have Confidence" from The Sound of Music Or "My Grand Plan" from The Lighting Thief Or "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Funny Girl Or "Back to Before" from Ragtime Or "Spread A Little Sunshine" from Pippin

General Songs (Vaggie): "Class Fight" by Melanie Martinez Or "All Good Girls Go to Hell" by Billie Eilish, Or "Motorcycle Emptiness" by Manic Street Preachers Or "Exquisite Corpse" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch Or "Hit Me Like a Man" from The Pretty Reckless Or "The Starry Night" from Starry

Niffty:

I am 90% sure Niffty is a Yandere or was in an Inez Serrano from No Exit type situation (but a straight version). She is an insanely cute and creepy character. I don't have as much to say here other than I love her implied sadistic nature and can't wait to learn more about her relationship with the characters.

Niffty/Baxter: "By the Sea" from Sweeny Todd Or "Gingerbread Man" by Melaine Martinez Or "Obsessed With You" by The Orion Experience Or "Don't You" by Darren Criss

Niffty/Sir Pentious: "The Trolly Song" from Meet Me in St. Louis Or "Sweet but Psycho" by Ava Max Or "The Garden" by July Talk

Niffty/Mimzy: "A Women's Touch" from Calamity Jane Or "Jenny (I wanna Ruin our Friendship)" by Studio Killers Or "Heather" by Conan Gray

General Songs: "Screw Loose" from Cry-Baby Or "Adelaide's Lament" from Guys and Dolls, Or "The Horror of our Love" by Ludo Or "People Watching" by Conan Gray

Sir Pentious:

Everyone loves Sir Pentious and wishes to be shot by his ray gun. That's a fact. Undebatable. Again, somewhat similarly to Angel, Viv has hinted at a future love interest. Kind of. We know that the snake has the hots for someone (I personally think it's his hat/Sarcasm). Funny enough, Sir P's top ships (outside of Cherri) are actually characters that haven't appeared yet. Unlike Husk and Veggie, he has quite a few ships. It must be his impeccable style.

Sir PentiouS/Molly: "Rock Candy Baby" by Montrose Or "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel Or "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top

Sir Pentious/Arackniss: "Black Widow" by Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora Or "Lost on You" by LP

Sir Pentious/Baxter: "Radioactive" by Mariana and the Diamonds Or "Black Magic" by Little Mix

Sir Pentious/Cherri Bomb: "Cherry Bomb" by The Runaways Or "Wild Wild Life" by The Talking Heads Or "Breakin'a Sweat" by Skrillex & The Doors

Sir Pentious/Lilith: "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry Or "New Perspective" by P!ATD Or "Killer Queen" by Queen Or "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne

General Songs: "When Your Evil" by Voltaire Or "I'm Going Slightly Mad" by Queen Or "100 Eyes" by Beats Antique Or "The Evil Has Landed" by Queens Of The Stone Age

That's all I can think of for now, but I hope I added to your music collection at the very least!! Again if you want to add or change anything, that would be awesome. Also, let me know your favourite Ships💕

[theoldguard-recs]

Old Guard Comforting Fic Recs

So! *gestures at everything in 2020* This has all been stressful. But you know what’s been great? The Old Guard and the sheer joy of comfort fics. Myself (cactusdragon517) and @lightdescending​ have put together a small list of fics we think are comforting and we hope you enjoy! Some have been previously recommended on this blog; others are new.

(Under a cut for easier scrolling on the dashboard)

what never was is now by ionsquare

This is a story about friendship and forgiveness. And learning how to live through immortality.

Friendship, team as family, Booker and Nile bonding.

Nile-Centric | Gen | 2708 words

What I Loved: I love this fic that's all about the team as family, but especially Nile's relationship with Booker. In this fic, it's very much a brother-sister bond and ionsquare does a delightful job at making this fic warm and gentle. It's soothing, in a way! Team as family is one of my favorite tropes. @ionsquare is on Tumblr and has written other fics for The Old Guard.

Feed My Soul by AphroditesTummyRolls

   “You left me to wake up all alone in our bed.” He said, his voice a velvet-soft rumble into the still morning air.    “I was going to make you breakfast.” Nicky replied, a little breathless as he held up the meticulously trimmed basil cuttings in his hand, as if that could sway Yusuf’s mind.    His hair fell into his eyes, and Nico pushed it back with his free hand, letting it fall around his ears and frame his face down to his cheekbones. It was long— he hadn’t had it cut since long before the Merrick job, and ever since he had simply not bothered with it.    He looked like one of the angels of old poetry. He looked like the Renaissance muse he had once been— the reclined nude in that Florentine piazza, more pure than the marble under his feet, and more luxurious than the pillows under his head and body. He had gazed at him just as he was now, full of liquid heat and a gleam that told Yusuf with all but words how he wished to ravish him. He was unabashed under Yusuf’s brush, just miles of soft skin, and his long brown hair falling in his eyes.

Porn with feelings, Going Back To Malta, long-haired Nicky, hair-pulling, anal sex, anal fingering, tender and sweet loving Joe/Nicky | Explicit | 4,430 words What I Loved: Okay, so first and foremost, this is definitely just straight up porn. And it is legit my favorite kind - It's so full of love and care and the sheer dedication they show for each other makes this fic sing.  It's absolutely lyrical and poetic and so spot-on. There are so many moments that take my actual breath away, in so far as how this fic has been written and how much care is given to their love. I said, in my original review of this, that it's like the warmth of Malta infuses the whole fic. It is breath-taking. For all of these reasons and more, this is one of my favorite cheer-up fics. @aphroditestummyrolls is on Tumblr and has written other fics for The Old Guard.

War Games by AirGiodSLV

   “Speaking of keeping up,” Andy muses. “We need to start training you.”

   Training, Nile discovers, involves what Andy calls ‘retrieval missions’ and what Nile calls ‘capture the flag’.

Nile-Centric | Teen and up | Gen | 5367 words

Found family, team bonding

What I Loved: This fic fits in so perfectly with my headcanon that the team frequently plays games like capture the flag to learn how they fight together, especially once Nile joins. I love love love how Nile is exasperated but eager and how much fun the others have with her. This fic feels like a romp - Like, the most fun thing ever. It makes me want to play capture the flag and I suck at that game. This feels like a favorite movie, comforting and fun. AirGiodSLV is on AO3 and has written other fics for The Old Guard.

Artifacts by praycambrian

“When Andy does this, it is love,” Nicky says. “What you do is love also. Don’t stop, if you can help it.”

Ongoing collection of loosely connected snippets pre-, during, and post-canon.

Creator chose not to use archive warnings. Family, vignettes, ancient history, queer history, art history, food, music, love, immortality, families of choice, POV multiple.

Andy/Quynh, Nicky/Joe, Nile, and Booker | 3007; chapter length varies | General

What I loved: Hhhh what isn’t there to love! This author has a gorgeously poetic writing voice – every word deliberate, the diction impeccable, the writing style utterly lyrical and poignant and gorgeous. I can tell that the author has put so much research, time, care, and thought into every single one of these vignettes and I’m living for them! The historical and cultural elements included are so thoughtful, and the author includes links to learn more in the notes often. The author is on Tumblr as @praycambrian and has written other fic for The Old Guard!

Stalefish by Amiril

“Don’t look at it as a curse,” Joe had told her, a month earlier. “Think of it as an opportunity. What did you want to do that you were always too scared to try?”

No archive warnings apply. Social media, team bonding, extreme sports, getting together, team as family.

Nile / Andy and Nile-centric | ~2000 words | Teen and up  

What I loved: Nile adjusting to being immortal, learning how to skateboard, and flirting with Andy! God it’s so good. This is just a really sweet fic, and I love the banter. I feel like this author did a really great job exploring Nile’s POV, and this remains one of my top fics for the pairing so far. The author is on Tumblr as @runawaymarbles and has written other fic for the Old Guard!

On Their Side by ViridianPanther

Pam Marks is surprised and delighted when four young (looking) people make a big purchase at her Help the Refugees charity shop in suburban England. The political winds and the recession are catching up with her. She’s glad to know there are people on her side.

outsider POV | found family | teen | <5k

What I loved: the team helping in other ways; a really good OC POV! This fic feels like a warm hug. The author is on tumblr as @viridianpanther!

Full Fathoms Deep by sixthlight

It started on the midnight to eight shift, sometime before three, the witching hour even by ship standards.

Quỳnh-centric | ~9300 words | Teen

What I loved: This is the “How Quỳnh left the ocean” missing scene fanfic that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I read it. Quỳnh’s experience as a traumatized woman is treated with such care and respect, and I am utterly in love with the POV of the outsider through whom we engage with this story. It’s a love letter to marine science, an exploration of deep care and compassion making a difference when it’s needed most, and has moments that are deeply funny. The author is on Tumblr as @sixth-light and has written other fanfic for the Old Guard!

Stay safe, take care, and we hope these can help if you need them.

[onegentlemansescapades]

The stupendous Thelma Oliver (Helene), Chita Rivera (Charity), and Helen Gallagher (Nickie) in the national tour production of Sweet Charity (1967 - 1968)