#of course is mullet James

[nickybloodhead]

Kinktober day 29: Breath Play

James had you in missionary, his hands holding your thighs to keep your legs open while he was balls deep in your eager hole. You scratched his back every time he buried himself deep in you, his hips bucking in a relentless rhythm.

James had been so needy after being out all day, his impatience had driven him to wake you up in the middle of the night just to fuck you once and for all; he kissed your collarbones and breasts, his balls slapping against your ass with each thrust.

"I can never get enough of you baby, you're like a fucking addiction and I want you so bad" His hands let go of your legs to caress the contours of your body, he cradles your tits and kneads them as he sucks one of them. He stops laying on your body and kneels to fuck you harder, he rests a hand on your neck gently, it makes your brain melt and you moan desperately.

You grab his wrist and force him to tighten his grip on your throat, you bite your lip and squeal as you feel the slight pressure, but you need more, he seems surprised by your reaction but gets the message, he chuckles and squeezes your throat a little harder.

You cling to his arm and gasp as you feel his thrusts getting rougher and rougher, his fat cock is stretching you deliciously, the pre cum and your slick helping to make the slide smooth and fast.

"Come on James, you can choke me better than that" With your voice cracking you tell him in a teasing tone and wink teasingly, he raises his eyebrow and smiles sideways, his hand wraps around your throat tightly, clench as his hips crash hard against your pussy, the bumps hard enough to move you off the bed.

"That's the way you want it, huh? I was trying to make love to you but you're the filthy one who wants it rough" Shortness of breath makes you gasp at his words, you wrap your legs around his waist and pull him closer to you, he grunts keeping his firm grip on your neck.

Your walls contract around his length, you're close as he is, his hips stutter in his thrusts, your mouth hangs open as you watch him lose control, drool dripping from the corner of your mouth.

You bring your hand down to fiddling with your clit, make circles over the swollen bud until you feel the climax flood your body, with his hand wrapped tightly around your throat and your back arched you cum, wave after wave of your wetness dripping around his girth, you gasp for air and moan his name repeatedly until you're done. His hand withdraws from your neck, you feel him pull out of you, you see him masturbating on your belly, his head turned back with his mouth open, his chest damp with sweat and his fist pumping his cock until he milks the last drops of his cum.

Your chests rise and fall, trying to even out your breathing, you smile sleepily at James, take his hand and pull him to lie down next to you. You snuggle against his warm body and drift back to sleep.

And finally, it's here... I don't know about you, but I hate family reunions, they're always so uncomfortable.

[jimmyspades]

My mom made a point to say she really liked Alan’s hair here….. bf got the parental seal of approval

[floredaqueen]

billy and isa after a huge fight? 👀👀 (love, love, LOVVEEE your art and fics! keep up the great work, baby doll! you’re so fab :))

Hello, helloo!!♡

I love love LOOOOVVVEEE YOU!! And you're so lovely ♡♡ I hope I can do your ask justice (also sorry in advance if it takes me forever to finish but I hope you enjoyy♡>///< ♡♡

BLURB +18

TW: Deals w/Bullying, Heavy Profanity, Billy being a dickhead. Hurt w/Comfort The usual ♡

...

Isa and Billy don't really fight, especially since Isa is very conflict avoidant. She's getting better at that communication, but they rarely ever yell, scream, or say mean things to one another. If they ever did fight, it was probably during the first year they met; their senior year...

The first week of senior year for Isabela was like riding a bike. Easy A's all across the board. The Latina was already climbing the academic totem pole, and now, with all of her extracurriculars, she'd be moving faster and to new heights. She made time for other important tasks, not having much of it for boys or crushes.. that is until she heard about the new boy from Cali.

Rumors were already spreading, and he hasn't even been seen on campus anywhere yet. Just a few greetings on account to the popular girls at school, including her friend - and co-captain of the cheer squad- Nova James.

Still, though, to the intelligent Latina, it was all up to interpretation.. until she saw him strutting in with his denim on denim ensemble. His dirty blonde mullet perfectly quafted, and his ocean blue gaze stared down anyone, whether intentional or not. Her Hersheys chocolate gaze heavied one every perfect aspect he had to offer. His chilled chin was probably a dream to lovingly scratch, his very well-shaped hair, his piercing blue eyes that made her fold into herself, and his beautiful smile. He was all perfect.. too perfect.. which is why she wasn't surprised he turned out to be a complete asshole.

When they first crossed paths, he didn't even acknowledge her, the Cali boy bumping into her and only rolling his eyes in annoyance before brushing her off to the side. That when she knew he was a jerk, even if he was the most beautiful boy she's ever seen.

Later that day, she'd see him a few more times. He was notably in her calculus honors class, looking as confused as one who wasn't ready for this level of comprehension. Out of the corner of her wide eyes, Isabela could Billy trying to get someone's attention... and then he turns to her. He turns to her, whispering, "Hey,"s and "Excuse me,"s until he decides to get her attention by force.

The next thing the fresh-faced senorita knows is she's being hit on the side of the head with a balled up piece of notebook paper. She didn't believe it at first, still trying to process it right as he threw another. The second ball of paper clung to her hair as she turned around to face him, an annoyed expression on her face as she met his eyes.

As "taboo" as Isabela was to Billy, he had to admit that she wasn't half bad looking. In fact, she looked veey sweet with her pouting lip. Her eyes were so full and bright even theough her glasses, like a deer. He found it cute when she very clearly was getting nervous just by the look of him. He knew he could have that effect on people.

Billy smiled with teeth, his eyes setting on her filled out worksheet to note that she one hundred percent knew what she was doing. All of the questions filled out precisely by the slightly timid hispanic. A smart girl too? He knew it's be fun to make her lose her cool.

"What?" Isabela would whisper in annoyance, already wanting this interaction to be over. Of course, quite the opposite happened, Billy dragging on his words as if he was spelling it out for her. top!

"You mind helping me with this assignment? I'm a little lost," He asked, all with a toothy smile. Isa dead panned for a moment, letting herself express a bit of her annoyance with an eyebrow before turning to her own worksheet.

"Clearly," She muttered under her breath before handing him her notes. He looked over them and then stashed them in his notebook on the other side of her desk.

"The hell are you doing??"

"I'm gonna need this if I plan on passing any assignments for this week," Isabela huffed at his snark response as she tried to snatch his folder. Swiftly he moved his things, and her worksheet, away from her grasp.

"Give it back!" She whispered with an annoyed twitch with her upper lip. She even tried to grab at it, Billy quickly gripping her wrist only to throw her hand back in her direction.

"I don't hear that magic word, sweetness," With an eye roll and the crossing of her arms, Isa let it go, hoping she can get it back at least at the end of the day.

...

It'd be like that for the rest of the school year. Isa would be minding her business (and admiring Billy from afar) and the asshole in question would tease her and steal her work if he managed to get his hands on it. As annoying as it was it never got violent.. and it was pretty tame.. until one day.

Isa couldn't shake the feeling of so many eyes on her. She was able to hold her head high, but it felt near impossible today. When she did catch a few guys staring and snickering, she realized it was at her.. was there something on her face? In her hair..? What was their deal??

The hispanic scholar would soon find that out when she was approached by Tommy Hagan. The freckle covered guy was snickering as he walked over, crossing his sweater clad arms as he leaned against the locker beside hers.

"Wheeler, when were you gonna let me in on your dirty little secret..?" He jibed mischievously as Isa attempted to ignore him while retrieving her materials for her next class.

"What are you on about, Hagan..?" She turned to face him, her eyes rolling in response to his snarky grin. He casually shrugged his arms, not-so-subtly cornering her against the metal lockers while simultaneously spilling all of beans to her.

"Well, it seems that a hefty amount of my friends know what's under that pretty skirt of yours.. and I was wondering if I could get in on th-" Before Tommy could even finish his sentence, he was met with a hard slap against his face. It even has him stepping back a bit, giving Isabela ample time to hastily walk away from that conversation.

She knew for a fact he was spouting bullshit.. but it was strange that he had the balls to tell her, so who told him that? Who would even believe it? Whoever it was, she couldn't take for another second someone trying to shit on her perfect reputation and perception of who she really was.

By 6th period, things had only gotten worse, the overwhelmed Isabela finding herself hiding behind the abandoned bleachers that clung to the outskirts of the outdoor basketball court. She was calming herself down, attempting to get lost in one of her favorite Shakespeare fables, wondering if she'd ever find something as tantalizing as this culture phenomenon wrote about instead of having to deal with the likes of these jerks in this podink town..

One of her dainty, delicate hands wiped the tears developing in her eyes from the thought of all the mean and assuming words that were thrown her way today. Isa continued to keep her focus on the pages until she heard a snap of a twig.

The snap was caused by none other than the pretty boy she's been trying steadily to avoid, one of his calloused hands running through dirty blonde curls as the other flicked at his lighter to light the cigarette between his full lips.

She thought quickly.. too quick. She practically scattered as she jumped off the bleachers only to hide behind them on the other side as the rest of possey appeared beside him. The hung out beside on her side, too close to wear she kept herself as hidden as she could.

Their conversation went about as the latina thought it would, overhearing the socialites go on and on about on about their usual. Having or crashing parties, stealing booze from their parents' liquor cabinets, unprotected sex in the most obscene of places.. and girls.. but not just any girls. It was hurt they were joking about..

"Man, Isabela is so damn up tight," Tommy starts with a heavy huff. The side of his face was stilly slightly red from the hearty slap the latina previously gave him.

"The prude acts like she has a stick up her ass every time a guy walks up to her," He jibed, earning a soft giggle from Carol as they both relaxed against the brick wall.

"Only because she's never had dick in her life," She deduced, taking another hit of her tobacco stick.

"Yeah.. because she's boring," Billy finally snorts while crossing his denim covered arms. They both look at him with curious eyes, confused about his knowledge of the mouse that was way closer than they thought she was.

"I dont know about you, but I'm not getting a hardon for someone who's probably going to end up with cats because she doesn't know how to open her legs, "

The other takes, Isa's heard before. They were superficial and petty, especially coming from the two infamous idiots who's never worked for anything. But from Billy? Like an idiot, she thought he'd be above this, but his words hit right on her already racing heart.

"Good point," Tommy nodded, stomping out how own cig as Billy started.

"That's why I spread that rumor about her. Was trying to do her a favor. Maybe she'll actually get laid and get her first taste of dick.." The blonde said matter-of-factly as if she should be thanking him.

"Seems Billy has a soft spot for the prude," Carol would scoff teasingly, her face practically egging him on to prove her wrong. Billy, of course, denies her accusation.

"Nah. You won't ever see me going out with that bitch.."

All of those words.. those mean hurtful words. As much as she promised herself not to let it hurt her, Isa couldn't stop the constant stream of tears going down her cheeks. She tried to remain quiet, but a soft sniff of a breath gave her away.

"Who's there??" The alpha of the pack of wolves called out, his sharp blues finding sorrowful wide does eyes as Isa revealed herself to the group. They all sighed, embarrassed that she just happened to be there to listen to the conversation about her. With the tears still running down her glowing cheeks, they felt a little guilty. Not Billy, though. All Billy could think about was how pretty she looked when she cried. All sweet and innocent, even if they're hope was crushed.

"..you spread those rumors about me..?"

"C'mon, Wheeler- it was a j-"

"You're the reason why guys are following me??? Why everyone is calling me a slut, and how I simplemente no puedo guardarlo en mis pantalones cuando tÚ ERES EL VERDADERO PERRO,"

It was silent for a few seconds after that, the wind the only thing between them before Billy broke the airy stillness with a chuckle.

"You're just upset that I wouldn't waste my time on someone like you.. but," He lazily takes a heavy step forward in her direction.

"If you keep that up..." The way his eyes relaxed gave Isa pause, and then she could feel her body tense as he invaded her space. "..I might throw you a bone,"

Right then and there, she completely tensed, her hand swinging open palm to connect with his face for a hard slap. Neither of them had time to register it as the left side of Billy's face stung.

"You don't know what I could do for you," Isa's voice shook in a shaky whisper, stepping ever closer towards her bully.

"You thinking thay one would get a leg up just by being with you, when you can't even fathom how lucky you'd be to have me. To be with me..." Her sharp eyes stayed on Billy as he scoffed and kept his head held high, obviously not expecting the slightly menacing utterance of her words. For some reason, it was hard to keep a steady eye contact.. The braniac then tilted her head as her brows furrowed.

"..maybe, you wouldn't be so insecure.." was the last thing she said before she turned around and grabbed her things. Billy sucked his teeth, not even realizing that his nails were digging into his own palms.

He watched as everyone around him brushed it off as her being sensitive.. but he knew she was right. And that was something he hated about her. She was always. Fucking. Right.

...

Every other day after, Billy couldn't ignore the heavy weight in his chest. Best believe he tried, using all the usual tricks he had up his denim sleeve. But no matter how much drugs, girls, and bench pressing he did, he knew what he had to do to really get over.

Suddenly, after the usual attempt to mind melt at one of Tommy's parties, he found himself at the Wheeler residence. It was nicer than he anticipated, turning off the loud engine so as not to disturb anyone else.

Isabela was half asleep, cuddling her pillow in nothing but a tank top, mint colored undies, and sunflower socks she had recently bought from the mini market. So, when she heard -and soon saw- rocks being thrown at her window..

Begrudgingly, she got up, her footsteps as light as a feather. Billy annoyingly felt his body slightly perk uo at the sound of the front door unlocking, only to see Isa all tuckered out and peering up at him.

"Good, I got your attention.." He jibed, his hands stuffed in his jean pockets as his sharp blues took her in. Usually, Billy excelled at eye contact.. but this time around, his eyes roamed a lot more than he meant for them to.

Her curls were all messy, her nipples were poking out of her baby tee, and her bottom lip was pouted out. Fuck. Out of all the times to feel something for this girl, this was the worst time.

"What do you want, Hargrove?" She huffed, watching as he slightly awkwardly straightened up.

"I just wanted to.. uh.." He began to trail off, his eyes drifting down to her legs. Billy then only realized how he's never seen them before. They've been hidden by all the loose jeans and maxi skirts she'd wear.

He didn't expect them to be so.. toned. Every smooth curve was built with muscle even though she was known to be light on her feet. Not to mention her huge thighs.

"Yea- okay.." She rolled her eyes, going to close the door in his face only for Billy to swiftly propped his arm up against the hatch.

"I came here to... apologize" There was a long pause after that, the latina blinking a couple of times before parting her lips.

"Well, you're very bad at it," He scoffed, annoyed at her snarky remarks she'd conjure up from every word he spoke.

"Yeah, I've gathered that," He'd pause, letting the air between them fill the silence for a bit as he thought about what to say.

"You didn't deserve what I put you through. It wasn't right, and—" and as he continued to practally ramble, Billy became all the more aware of being under her scrutiny. He could feel her big brown, fatigued eyes studying his every word before her whole demeanor relax.

This.. this whole situation was weird. Why the hell did he feel like this? No girl has ever made him think twice about the words that would flawlessly flow from his kissable lips. And out of all the girls at Hawkins, it was some measly little book worm that had him fumbling.

Isa wasn't doing good either. She was starting to believe him, her mind running through his emotions as he spoke. Billy seemed sincere, but Latina refused to expose her sympathy. Her expression stayed neutral.

By the end of it, the silence between them returned and thickened, Billy cleared his throat before he crossed his strong arms.

"..As much as your apology is appreciated, I don't accept it..." She softly spoke, grabbing the edge of the hatch. As he tried to protest, he was met with a door being shut in his face.

♡♥︎♡...♥︎♡♥︎

[eyesthatroll]

NOBODY'S LOVE

pairing: luke hughes x fem!reader

summary: your best friend is getting married, this is supposed to be a happy day, right?

warning(s): sad shit, idk

word count: 1.7k

author's note: would first like to give a disclaimer that i am not meaning any ill will toward any blondes who meet the beauty standard, it's just a plot line within the story. secondly, here are the songs that i listened to while writing this, that you could also listen to, to better the experience:

-Nobody's Love by Maroon 5

-Can I Be Him by James Arthur (acoustic version!)

-Everything You Want by Vertical Horizon

really hope you enjoy. sort of ends on a cliffhanger but i kind of like this a lot for the moment. as per usual, reblogs + feedback / constructive criticism are always appreciated. sending my love —mari

You can't help the sour expression that twists your features as your gaze remains fixed on Luke and Lacey. They're entwined in an intimate dance on the crowded floor, more akin to grinding than traditional dancing, with his hands gripping her waist as she moves against him.

Luke, as always, looks gorgeous, his white dress shirt slightly unbuttoned to reveal the glimmering silver chain nestled against his neck, and droplets of sweat glistening on his chest. His hair had at last emerged from the clutches of that dreadful mullet, now a lush cascade of curls artfully styled, with their length nearly reaching the nape of his neck.

She looks absolutely stunning, adorned in her sleek, form-fitting, white lace reception dress that gracefully accentuates every curve of her figure. Her blonde hair, meticulously blown out, showers down her back like a silken waterfall, its length elegantly concluding just below her waist. Of course, Luke had to marry a girl who was the epitome of the beauty standard.

You savor another mouthful of your White Russian, the sweet liquid sliding down your throat in a single, indulgent gulp. The empty glass collides with the table, emitting a sharp clink that punctuates your mounting inebriation. The responsible choice at this point, would be to balance it out with some water to regain sobriety. However, the longer you fixate on Luke and Lacey, the more you find yourself making repeated trips to the bar for another round.

Drinking, aside from providing a numbing effect to shield you from the emotional turmoil of observing Luke and Lacey, also effectively distracts you from dwelling on the rather disheartening image you must present: a solitary figure at a table in the back corner, solemnly nursing your drinks amidst the vibrant celebration of your best friend's wedding.

In this moment, regret gnaws at you for not scrounging up a plus one. Granted, you wouldn't have genuinely cared for the guy, but at least it would have spared you the pain and humiliation of sulking alone the entire reception. You could have been dancing with him, providing a buffer against the impending flood of tears as you watched Luke dance with Her.

Finishing off your glass, you stand up from your seat, and begin an unsteady journey back up to the bar, your gaze fixated on the ground in hopes of not having to make conversation with anyone. You slump on one of the barstools, and the bartender sends you a look of pity, shaking his head before you can even open your mouth to ask for another refill.

"Boss man says you're cut off, sorry." He apologizes, his hands efficiently polishing an empty glass.

Your mouth drops open, bewilderment etched across your face. You rub at your eyes, hoping to shake off the daze. "Boss man?"

He nods affirmatively. "Mr. Hughes."

Your face goes blank at his words. The revelation that Luke had noticed your excessive drinking at his wedding and even went as far as instructing the bartender to cut you off, feels like another dagger to your already wounded heart. An overwhelming sense of embarrassment envelops you, clinging to you like a suffocating second skin. Tears threaten to spill from your eyes, and with a heavy heart, you make a hasty retreat to the nearest bathroom, craving the solitude it offers for your impending emotional breakdown.

You rush into the bathroom, the door slamming shut behind you with a resounding thud. Your back meets the cool, unforgiving surface of the door, and you sink down to the floor in despair. Sobs wrack your body, escaping your quivering lips in a heartbreaking symphony of agony. Your elegant dress, once a symbol of celebration, now clings to you in disarray, its baby blue fabric gathering at your ankles. Unchecked tears stream down your face, creating dark rivulets against the pastel material, as you draw your knees up to your chest, a fragile attempt to find comfort amid the chaos of your sentiments. Snot drips from your nose, and you make no effort to wipe it away, too lost in your own despair to care about appearances.

The pounding music from outside serves as a veil, muffling your cries and offering you a small refuge, shielding you from the judgmental eyes of the reception as you succumb to this moment of pathetic, emotional turmoil.

You shouldn't have come. The realization hit you like a sledgehammer to the chest the moment Luke's voice choked out his vows to Lacey. It was in that poignant moment that you understood that attending this wedding had been a grave mistake. A searing pang of bitterness and longing seized your chest, an agonizing blend of emotions that consumed you entirely.

Luke poured his heart out to Lacey, and your own heart burned with a fiery jealousy you couldn't extinguish. You wished desperately that it was you standing at the altar, facing Luke with the warmth of family and friends as witnesses. You yearned for the opportunity to exchange vows with him, to profess your love openly and honestly, but it was a privilege that belonged to Lacey. Beautiful, intelligent, and sweet Lacey.

You searched relentlessly for a rational reason to despise her, an explanation that could somehow justify your feelings towards her, but she remained an enigma of kindness and grace. Lacey always went out of her way to strike up conversations with you, treating you with unwavering honor and consideration. She respected the cherished traditions you shared with Luke as best friends, even went as far as asking you to be a bridesmaid in the wedding. She truly was the epitome of an angel in human form, embodying virtues and qualities you felt outperformed your own shortcomings by a mile. Even so, you hated her. You didn't show it, but you felt it in your chest every time she was around, or Luke mentioned her.

You're unsure how much time passed as you sat there, silently weeping. A soft knock on the bathroom door, however, jolts you back to reality, and you unsteadily scramble to your feet, trying to compose yourself in a quick manner. As you gaze at your reflection in the mirror, a bitter, mirthless laugh escapes your lips. The person staring back at you is hardly recognizable.

Your once-radiant makeup is now a smudged mess. Black mascara and eyeliner have streaked down your cheeks, giving you the appearance of a disheveled raccoon. Your eyes are swollen and red from crying, and your foundation is ruined, marred by tear stains that have traveled all the way down to your neck. The reflection staring back at you is a stark contrast to the composed, put-together version of yourself you had intended to be at Luke's wedding.

You hastily tear off a few sheets of paper towels from the dispenser, letting them soak under a stream of warm water for a few moments before setting to work. The damp paper towel becomes a weapon against the lingering evidence of your emotional breakdown as you scrub mercilessly at your skin, each harsh stroke a testament to your turmoil. You ignored the stinging pain that accompanied it, and only when the paper towel had become a shredded, saturated mess, rendering it unusable, did you finally cease your relentless efforts.

Exhaling a series of deep breaths, you wipe at your eyes one last time, a sudden exhaustion mixed with the overwhelming desire to be alone, washing over you.

The night was far from over, and the lively atmosphere of the party still pulsed through hall. Family members of both Luke and Lacey, along with a scattering of friends and NHL players, mingled and celebrated. Your eyes scanned the crowded space, contemplating the possibility of making a discreet exit through the back door, escaping without notice.

As you inch closer to the side exit, your heart skips a beat when a sudden hand lands firmly on your shoulder. Startled, you instinctively clutch your chest, the adrenaline from the surprise coursing through your veins. You turn around, your breath slowing at the relief of seeing it's only Jack. His intense gaze locks onto yours, his hand still resting on your shoulder as he asks, "Leaving without saying goodbye?"

Your voice quivered, barely rising above a harsh whisper, as if the music's deafening volume could somehow amplify your confession. "I can't be here."

Jack's gaze softens with a deep understanding as he witnessed the raw emotion you could no longer conceal. His gentle touch finds its way to the small of your back, effortlessly drawing you into his comforting embrace. Your body quivers with dejection, and you give in to your overwhelming afflictions, sobbing uncontrollably into his collar.

"I shouldn't have come, Jack. It hurts too much," you stutter, your sobs punctuating each word like an unwelcome intruder within a happy home. He stays silent, his hands tenderly massaging your back in a desperate attempt to offer solace. Though it's a mutual understanding that the one person who could truly comfort you in the situation, could never know the reason behind your pain.

"I'm sorry, Y/N," he says, his apology carrying the weight of an unspoken truth. Jack shouldn't be apologizing for his brother, but he can't help it. He was there throughout the entirety of you realizing your newfound feelings for Luke. He truly believed that the two of you were destined to be together, especially after you had confided in the him about what happened between you and Luke that one night.

He was there when the light dimmed in your eyes, the day when Luke introduced everyone to Lacey just a week after meeting her, claiming immediate love at first sight. You are like the little sister he never had, and he found himself standing at a crossroads, torn between the pain his little brother had caused you and his desire for both of you to find happiness. But the realization that it might not be with each other changed the dynamic within everything.

"What's going on here?"

[in-hav3n]

i have this idea of you reacting to james' mullet haircut for the first time, like you don't like it at first sight but after a few days you start to get into it <3 he was so hot in that era btw

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐄 

As you parked in front of the studio around 2pm, you were still wondering what was this important thing James needed to show you. You knew they were preparing a few new songs but you were sure he showed you all the riffs ideas they got. The only clue you had was a note he wrote this morning and left on the table.

"Meet me in the studio this afternoon, have something to show you".

Your first reaction was to smile at the note. You were used to these random quick messages, addressed to you for many reasons, like "Can you please buy bacon ? I'm hungry for it" or "Giant barbecue with the guys on Saturday night?". But this one was particularly mysterious…

More and more intrigued, you came into the studio's little kitchen a few minutes later, greetings the band and the studio's management, hoping that at least one of them could help you to discover what it was.

"Do you know why James asked us to all come here today?", Kirk handed you a coffee mug. You shook your head at his question, thanking him for the drink.

"Absolutely no idea and honestly, I thought you could help me..."

"Sorry honey", Lars added as he was playing with his drumsticks, pretending he was playing on invisible drums. "Jaymz is the best when it's about keeping secrets or hiding informations".

"Oh yes, he is...", you answered with a smirk, taking a sip of the hot drink, wondering when your boyfriend would show up to put an end to this mystery.

And just at the thought of him, his truck was heard outside, roaring into the parking area until he stopped the engine.

"There he is!", Jason said as he peeped through he window. "and...oh oh...", you saw the bassist opening his eyes like if he had noticed something. "NO he didn't!".

You frowned even more at his words, wondering what was happening. But soon enough you got your answer...James finally came into the room, joining you all and you discovered the big change he had done with his hair.

Everyone reacted to it of course, some laughed, others couldn't believe their eyes. And you, well. You just stared, eyes and mouth opened, realizing slowly that your boyfriend had cut those beautiful long hair of his you loved to do a mullet instead.

When he had finished greeting everyone, he came over you, wearing a proud grin on his face.

"So...", he started, hands on his hips, "do you like it baby?". He posed then to show his haircut in different angles.

"I...hum...", you mumbled, searching for the right words. You didn't want to disappoint him but honestly, you didn't like it...

"You?", he added, encouraging you to speak and it was worst. You couldn't lie to him. So you sighed and pouted, feeling sorry already for the words you were about to say...

"I'm sorry James, I don't like it...". You saw his smile fading away and you felt bad for it so you quickly added, "but if you like it then it's great!", hoping this would comfort him.

"I do like it"!, he defended himself, crossing his arms. "And I thought you'd have too ! But seems like no one does!", he complained, even pouted slightly and you felt bad.

"I know James but...you have to understand it's really...unusual and very 80s", you told him, still feeling bad.

"Well I like it and I'll keep it!", he declared and you didn't talk about his haircut anymore...

...until a few few days later.

Lying down on a deck chair, enjoying the beautiful spring sun, you were focusing on some papers you need to read for your job. James was out too, a few meters away, cutting some wood pieces with his axe for the next winter.

Lost in your thoughts for a second, proceeding to understand something you just read, you looked up from your paper and your gaze landed on him. He was wearing a black short, his working boots and had taking off his flannel shirt he had tied up around his waist. Some what drops were rolling from his forehead to his cheeks, some of his long hair were stuck on his back due to the sweat.

And this is how you realized that this haircut was absolutely sexy on him. It awaken you something primal, something you've never felt or thought before. He truly looked like a strong wood man and this was exciting.

James stopped his task for a moment, grabbed the bottle of water he let near the tree trunk and drank a big gulp, some water even ran along his bare chest. And soon he noticed your glance in his peripheral vision, smirking as he put the bottle down, wiping his lips with his palm.

"Enjoying the view baby?", his question put you out of your trance. You blinked a few times before you realized he had caught you. You blushed and smirked at him too, biting your lips.

"Forget what I said a few days ago..."

"About?", he wondered, walking over you with his axe on his shoulder. You looked more at him with sparkling eyes, biting your lips.

"Your haircut is absolute sexy". James frowned at first but then cracked a laughter at her revelation.

"Sexy uhm?...what made you change your mind sweetheart? A few days ago, you told me it was horrible".

"I don't care anymore. I changed my mind. Come here you sexy man!", you giggled as you grabbed him by his shirt's sleeve, ready to embrace those primal needs you were feeling...

A/N : I love those asks about James hairstyles! The mullet is definitely one of his most iconic one. I personally like it but I know some don't lol. Thanks for asking this sweet anon, hope you'll like it :)

[jimblejamblewritings]

the fake date plot | part 3.

Summary: Gryffindors, seventh years, classmates, unrequited love. Just a few things Y/N and James Potter had in common. When a brilliantly dumb plan is hatched the two end up getting something a little different than what they wanted.

Warnings for the Series: literally none that I can think of this is supposed to be just good fluffy fun

Pairing: James Potter x reader

Word Count: 4.4k

A/N: there is music in this chapter so here's a spotify playlist —> click here

Previous Part | (Series Chapter List)

You waved Alice over to the Gryffindor table when she came down for breakfast. The two of you were always early. After realizing your roommates weren’t morning people, you started to sneak to breakfast and avoid the squeaky dip in the floor right before the door. It was always you and Alice in the mornings for about twenty minutes before even the professors came to eat. Your friend sat down right in front of you. 

“You know my friend, Lucille, right?” she asked as she piled her plate with breakfast pastries. 

“Yeah. The girl with the mullet?” 

“Yes. Great, so she’s telling me that Xeno was staring at you the entire time at the party and complaining about you leaving with James. So now, we just want to know what’s going on between you two?” 

“I was drunk off my rocker. All he did was help me, James and I are just friends.” 

That word felt oddly right in your mouth. You and James were acting but a real friendship seemed to be forming. Since you both were going to come clean to Xeno and Lily once reaching your goals, you’d be happy to be real friends when the whole situation was over. 

Although keeping up appearances without someone else to know the secret was kind of draining. You wanted to tell Alice. You thought so as you and your friend walked to class. Maybe just maybe you could tell Alice.

Of course, you’d have to talk about it with James first. He’d probably want to tell the marauders. And you couldn’t tell Dorcas by any means. Because Dorcas talked a lot and she would tell Lily by complete accident and ruin the plan. You bent down to get your books out of your leather school bag and prepare for Charms. 

“Hey, so I’m thinking we go to Hogsmeade this weekend like the whole group. Of course, I’ll have to see if James isn’t asking Lily out. Although, I’m starting to be friends with the others I think so maybe Peter and Si—” 

You looked up to see Xeno instead of Alice sitting next to you. He gave you a smile that you meekly returned. 

“Is that an invitation for me?” 

You nodded. “Do you like karaoke?” 

You honestly didn’t hear Xeno’s answer. He sat next to you for the rest of the class and you had a hard time focusing. Maybe James’ plan was actually working. This was the longest conversation you ever had with the man next to you. The moment class ended and Xeno and Alice left you for their classes, you ran to the quidditch pitch to try and find James. 

He usually practiced or went over plays in his free time before lunch. You guys had given each other your school schedules on the first day so you could speak with each other privately or meet at different classrooms. James was right where you expected him, polishing his broom and cleaning the end of it. He grunted in surprise when you launched yourself at him, arms around his neck. 

“Xeno wants to go to karaoke, we have to move the date up to this weekend!” 

James left as he moved you off him. “Did you tell him we were going on a group date this weekend?” 

“Well, I thought I was talking to Alice but I turned around and it was him and I panicked.” 

“Okay, we’ll make it this weekend. You know, I’m glad this plan is working for one of us.” 

“Has Lily still not budged?” 

He shook his head. You tried to comfort James but it didn’t work. He put up the polish and held out a hand to help you off the bench. The two of you started the walk back to the castle. James looked at you multiple times before finally opening his mouth. 

“I know this is shitty of me but can we continue the karaoke plan even if Xeno asks you out? It’s just I’m not getting anywhere and I’m not sure why and Lily doesn’t se—” 

“Prongs.” You tried to shut him up. “Yeah, we can continue. I’m only having luck because of your plan.” 

“Thanks.” 

You linked your arm in his. “Don’t mention it. Come on, we’re totally going to get our people.” 

“Totally.” 

“Skip with me, Jamie.” 

“Of course, my lady.” 

The two of you skipped through the halls until you made it back to Gryffindor, ignoring the stares of the other students. People were bound to talk about it which would only help your case but you found you didn’t care. You wanted to stop thinking of James as just a coworker for the plot and more like a buddy. 

You told James, when the two of you reached the Gryffindor Tower, that you would ask Lily to Hogsmeade instead of him. She was more likely to go with roommates instead of a boy she knows has a crush on her. The moment your roommates found out it was karaoke night at the small pub next to Three Broomsticks, they were down. 

They also insisted on dressing you the moment you mentioned that Xeno was in the group of people going. You pulled down at the tight silk slip dress going barely past your butt that Dorcas had lent you. She swatted your hand before you reached the entrance of the school, insisting you looked great. 

Everyone else met you a few minutes after. Despite this being the start of how you guys were supposed to date, you and James walked with your crushes to Hogsmeade. You were up at the front and he was in the back of the group. You wondered if your friend was having better luck than you. Xeno was complimenting you but you were just unsure how to respond. Maybe you should have gone over flirting with James before the weekend had arrived. 

The group reached the small pub where almost no one else was. Three Broomsticks was way more popular but usually the small pub also had customers. Peter looked in the window of Broomsticks to see a bunch of people gathered around a stage. The Sugar Quills were playing and everyone was listening to them. You all shrugged. Sure, listening to the band would be fun but now you all had the small pub all to yourselves. 

The bartender seemed to be happy to see customers and greeted you all. You took the couch up at the front, overjoyed it was finally free for once. As expected, Sirius was first to the karaoke machine while you all were ordering drinks and food. You were curious what he was going to pick. A lot of muggle songs were covered by wizard bands or just got popular that his pick was the luck of the draw. 

You slapped a hand to your mouth when the first notes of Lady Marmalade started playing. The marauders looked at the rest of you. 

“He’s tone deaf,” Peter explained. “But loves singing.” 

Remus nodded. “Every day in the shower, under his breath, loves duets. Don’t worry, you can laugh. He’s already told us he doesn’t mind the laughter, he actually likes it cause it means you’re paying attention and enjoying the performance. It’s not like he doesn’t know he’s bad but he just thinks he’s not a strong singer.” 

“We haven’t had the heart to tell him the truth,” James said before turning to cheer his friend on. 

After their explanation, you all got comfortable and enjoyed Sirius’ performance. It was horrible singing but he looked so happy. He couldn’t dance either. That somehow made it so much more endearing. His arms were just flailing and his knees were shaking. But Sirius could strut like any runway model. He finished the performance with a spin before handing the mic to Mary. 

Between bites of sliders, fries, nachos, and desserts, you enjoyed everyone’s singing. Mary’s I Will Survive made the bartender dance. Lily found the trunk of accessories and costumes for karaoke to perform September which she put on a funny voice for.

She passed the mic to Alice’s other Hufflepuff friend who grabbed the group of Puffs to sing Hotel California on inflatable instruments. Alice stayed on stage to sing Superstition with her inflatable piano. She handed you the mic and your roommates cheered you on as you held up both hands and shuffled your way to the stage. You shuffled through all the songs available which was basically every single one. 

“I’m not a good singer,” you murmured into the mic as you picked a song. “Okay, this one.” 

It was a French song you knew because one of your childhood neighbors was an older French couple who moved to Uk because the wife was working in the Ministry of Magic as a liaison between the UK Ministry and France’s Circle of Magic. It wasn’t a dancing song, making you worried that you wouldn’t be as entertaining as everyone else so far. But Tous les garçons et les filles was a song that you were comfortable with. 

The others swayed on the couches and armchairs as you sang softly. Your smile got bigger when Sirius started singing with you, eyes closed, as he swayed on the couch. Bless him. The beautiful solo turned duet ended with soft claps from your friends before you handed the mic to Xeno. His hand covered yours, fingers rubbing slightly before continuing to the small stage. You didn’t know he was a fan of The Turtles but there he was singing Happy Together.  

“Do you mind if I sing another?” 

“Let’s go!” Sirius shouted, making all of you laugh. 

“Perfect.” Xeno ran a hand through his hair. “Frank, boys. Want to help me out?” 

Everyone ooh’d at the notion of backup singers. People made their own plans to do backup for each other. Frank Longbottom stood at the front of the backup crew, hands on his hips in a sassy pose as if he was born ready for this exact moment.

Xeno faced the back so he could dramatically turn around when it was time to sing Somebody to Love. You felt your cheeks get hot as you blushed from the song. It felt like he was staring right at you for most of the song. Or were you making it all up? He was definitely staring, right?  

The boys left Frank on stage at his request of being the next singer. He took your route of performing a slower song. Dorcas was the first to pull out her wand and let the tip of it light up ever so slightly as Frank continued his performance of Tiny Dancer. You, Mary, and Lily squealed when he approached Alice and held her hand. Frank had always been an unnoticed sweetheart that you guys couldn’t help but melt at his gesture. He ended the song and gave it back to Alice. 

She grabbed Mary and forced her onstage to do a duet of Ain’t No Mountain High. They swapped out Alice and added Marlene and Lily to perform Proud Mary. The girls forced all of you off the couch to dance which you did.

You shimmied shoulders with James before turning to Xeno and dancing with him a little. The song ended and James was up next. He looked Lily in the eye as he took the mic that was in her hands even though Marle was closer. She looked away quickly, almost nervous. 

James picked Build Me Up Buttercup. His singing voice was deeper than you thought it would be. You smiled as you watched him direct his attention to Lily who seemed to be enjoying it but wasn’t making any moves. James sat next to her and gave the mic to Xeno’s friends. He wasn’t listening too hard as they sang I Want You Back or when Dorcas sang L-O-V-E or when Peter sang I’m a Believer. However, Lily didn’t move much closer to him but she did give him a smile. 

You all laughed when Marlene picked I’m Coming Out. Sirius informed you she sings that at every opportunity despite coming out every other week since fourth year. She gave the stage to Remus who was the only person that hadn’t performed since y’all been there. The songs were coming to an end and you all would probably leave after thirty minutes or so of talking. Your mouth dropped open when Remus opened his mouth to sing It’s Not Unusual. 

Sirius nodded as he leaned over. “Voice of an angel that one.” 

“No kidding.” 

You shivered, rubbing up and down your arms after Xeno took a short run to the bathroom. James moved over when he spotted you out of the corner of his eyes. You looked away from Remus’ stellar performance for a moment to see a sweater underneath your nose. James was now in a t-shirt. 

“You seemed uncomfortable too,” he whispered. 

“The girls picked this outfit. It’s cute but I don’t think I’m drunk enough to wear it.” 

He laughed. “That the only reason you accepted my outfit?” 

“I took four shots before you even arrived at our dorm.” 

“Four shots? No wonder you were blackout by the end of the night.” 

You were about to say something else but the two of you were interrupted by Remus calling the boys on stage. James left the couch while you put on his jumper. You never thought you would see the day that the marauders plated Y.M.C.A.

How many times had they sung the song? Because they had a whole routine that didn’t seem to be made up on the spot. No one was looking at one person to follow the moves they were doing. This was an entire production. James tapped his head three times and you knew it was the signal. 

Nervous was an understatement as you approached the stage when the marauders finished their song. Remus winked at you and you would have thought he knew what you and James were doing but that was impossible. It was time for the acting performance of your life. James and you had to look in love to everyone else but simultaneously oblivious to each other. Easier said than done. 

Naturally, you picked Crocodile Rock. Not quite the romantic duet but it was one of your favorite songs and the most comfortable for acting. You and James spun around, held hands, danced like you were in your own world.

When Alice choked on her drink after James dipped you, you thought you might actually convince them. James didn’t linger on stage, giving the mic to Peter the moment the song ended. Peter, in a bit  of shock, called Dorcas and Mary up with him. The three of you laughed when he picked Play That Funky Music — a perfect way to end karaoke. 

Everyone talked a little after before the whole group left the pub to head back to the castle. Being a seventh year was great, there was basically no curfew as long as you had your id on you to check back in with whoever was at the front.

Everyone had kind of defaulted back to walking with their friend group, except you and James who were now at the very front of the pack. You stumbled a little at the end of the Hogsmeade oath. James held your elbow to stop you from face planting completely. 

“You and platforms are clearly not friends.” 

“Shut up.” You made it only two steps before tripping again over a branch. “I’m sorry, help me please.” 

James laughed as he took off his shoes. You raised your eyebrows as he told you to take your shoes off. James switched with you, charming the platforms so they would fit properly on his feet. 

“Can you even wa…” 

He had no problems making it back to the castle. He didn’t even have problems making it up the stairs. You didn’t follow the rest of the Gryffindors, making sure Alice got back to Hufflepuff then the Ravenclaws made it to their tower. You paused outside of Ravenclaw common room when Xeno stopped. He turned to face you. 

“Tonight was a lot of fun. You should hang out with us a lot more.” 

“You were a great singer.” 

“Thank you,” Xeno said with a smile. “You were good too, I’m not lying.” 

You looked away from him for a moment before meeting his eyes again. “Well, thank you. Bye.” 

“Wait, wait a minute. I’m not letting you walk to Gryffindor alone.” 

A smile crept onto your face as he walked with you. The two of you were right in step with each other up until you reached the entrance of your House. Xeno grabbed your hand. 

“You looked really nice tonight… Hey, at the party, that was your first time drinking, right?” 

“Was it that obvious?” 

“You did kind of shout it to the world.” 

“No, I was talking to James about it.” 

“You were shouting it over the music. So was that your only first?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“You’ve shagged before? Or snogged maybe?” 

“No,” you whispered. 

“Oh.” 

“Oh?” 

“Nothing. I’ll see you around, yeah?” 

Xeno tapped your shoulder and gave you a side hug before leaving for his dorm. You felt tears start to well up. Before you knew it, the tears were streaming down your face as you stepped inside. You ran up to your dorm where almost everyone in the Gryffindor group was hanging out and playing cards. Trying to hide your face you went to your wardrobe to find some pajamas and your toiletry bag. You turned back around with a bundle of clothes in your hands, hiding half of your face. 

“What does it mean when someone says oh because the person they’re talking to hasn’t even kissed someone before?” 

Sirius shrugged, not looking up but shuffling the cards. “If they’re saying oh then they probably think the person is a loser virgin. Don’t get why that matters though… What? I don’t care if they’re a virgin or no—” 

Sirius looked up when Peter shoved him with an elbow and pointed at you. The other boy stuttered through trying to cover up what he said, not realizing you were asking because you were said person. The tears were coming down a bit harder. 

“Where’s James?” 

“Our room,” Peter said. 

Thanks barely left your throat as you left the room. You practically ran to the boys’ dorm, knocking on it softly. Groaning could be heard from the other side. James shuffled his slipper covered feet, opening the door with a bit of annoyance. You looked up at his half closed eyes. 

“I’m sorry, were you sleeping?” 

James opened his eyes when your voice sounded different. “Oh, Y/N, what happened?” 

You shook your head. “Can I just stay here for tonight?” 

James moved aside so you could come in. He had been asleep but was glad you came in because he was still in clothes from karaoke night and needed to change and properly get ready for bed. The two of you went into the bathroom. James tried to make you laugh as you both brushed your teeth, looking at each other through the mirror. He was succeeding a little bit. 

You both decided to just clean yourself up without making the other leave the bathroom. Besides, you wanted to vent with each other. James got into the shower, stripping from behind the curtain and throwing his clothes into a pile a little bit away. You got into the bathtub filled with bubble bath taken from James’ prime selection of bathing tools.

It was apple scented and clearly one of his favorites based on how empty it was. The bubbles covered all your important bits. James made the curtain levitate so it would cover his bottom half but opened the shower more so he didn’t have to shout for a conversation. 

“She gave me a side hug. A side hug! Girls don’t even give their friends side hugs, what does that mean? We are friends or supposed to be,” James said as he ran a washcloth over his body. 

“Was she weirded out when she hugged you?” 

“No.” 

“Then maybe she’s confused? We talk a lot in our dorms. I think she likes you but is concerned about how it makes her look.” 

“Huh?” 

“Well she’s spent a long time building up the perfect Head Girl image and no time for men especially you James. You are the definition of himbo jock that gets the nerdy perfect girl. It’s so cliché when you think about it.

"Next thing you know, you guys will get married at nineteen, have three kids too young and then she’ll resent you for the rest of her life and you will divorce and marry some barely legal Gryffindor to relive your glory days like the pathetic man you’d become and she’d get revenge by marrying your best-friend turned brother you turned out to be a better man than you ever were. It’s a typical fiction story whether book or movie, especially in the muggle world.” 

James laughed. “Thank you for that, bug.” 

You audibly shrugged. “We just have to show her that you’re more than a himbo jock who only cares about sports and banging the one girl he can’t have.” 

“Sounds good… and what about you?” 

“What about me? Sirius made it clear that Xeno thinks I’m some loser virgin. What do I do about that?” you asked as you finished washing up. 

“Sex isn’t the most important thing in a relationship and Xeno needs to realize that. He seems to be into your looks, that’s not the only thing. What if you guys get married then what?” 

“Are you insinuating I’m going to be an ugly sixty year old?” 

“I’m just saying sometimes looks fade. Xeno needs to see that dating is better than a one night stand or even a friend with benefits.” 

“Thanks. I guess we’re gonna start dating now?” 

“Phase two starts next Wednesday,” James confirmed. 

“How are we doing it?” 

You swore you could hear him thinking from where you were. 

“Do you mind getting drunk again?” 

“I was planning on living hangover free for the rest of my life.” 

“Can you fake it?” 

“How good of an actress do you think I am?” 

“I got it!” James clapped his hands. “Small party in our dorm, tell your roommates that they’re invited.” 

“I’m trusting you James… Okay, I’m getting out of the tub now.” 

“Eyes are closed.” 

You looked over to see he was so serious about not looking. You slipped into your pajamas, a set of shorts and a short sleeved shirt with a bunch of teddy bears on them. You hopped up on the counter to do your skincare, telling James you were dressed and he could look again. 

“Love the bears.” 

“Are you being sarcastic?” you asked as you applied toner. 

“No,” he scoffed. “Maybe I just like bears. Can you throw me my briefs?” 

“These?” 

“You don’t have to hold them like they’re soaked in basilisk venom.” 

“It’s your panties,” you said with a toss. 

“Um, ladies wear panties. These are briefs.” 

“You know in some countries they’re all panties.” 

James left the shower to put on the rest of his clothes. He stood behind you as you stayed sitting on the counter. You lifted your leg a little so he could grab his pants. You looked at him through the mirror and smiled. 

“Your curls are so pretty.” 

“Thank you. Everyone else in my family has bone straight hair but I finally started learning to take care of it. You have a lot of skin care… What?” James asked when you whipped around. 

“James Potter. This is just seven steps.” 

“SEVEN?” 

You sat on your knees and pulled your products closer to you. “Here. I’ll show you.” 

James was happy to hear he got six steps instead of seven because he had already washed his face with a cleanser. Technically with soap but you didn’t want to think about that. James listened intently as you went through the steps of toner, green tea and aloe serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and a light oil. You were positive everything was going in one ear and out the other but at least he stood still when you wiped the cotton pad of toner over his face. 

The two of you heard commotion in the dorm room. One set of footsteps followed by more sound. Remus’ voice was very loud as he asked if James was down in the common room. You pulled away for a moment so he could shout to his friends that he was in the bathroom and they could come in before returning to the aloe vera serum you were spreading on his face. 

Peter opened the door. His eyes went wide as he squeaked and then closed the door quickly. Sirius and Remus, who were looking for pajamas after using the cleaning spell on themselves because they just couldn’t be bothered to take a proper shower, looked over at him. Sirius took off his shirt, his question coming out muffled. 

“What’s the problem, Wormy?” 

Peter moved away from the door. “Y/N’s in there and Prongs is shirtless.” 

The other two boys went wide-eyed. At first they didn’t believe him but they heard James laugh from the bathroom and you yell at him to give something back before he ruins it with his grubby fingers. When the bathroom door opened, the other marauders tried to look as nonchalant as possible in their beds.

James was no longer shirtless but in a white henley but you did come out of the bathroom with him. Instead of leaving, you made him move over so you could share his bed. The room was extra quiet as the boys tried to eavesdrop. 

“Can we not bother with the pillow barrier?” you asked James. “I’m still kind of upset.” 

James opened his arms. “Come here.” 

The other three marauders heard nothing else. You and James had wanted to go to sleep after the eventful night. Besides, there was lots to plan when it was a more respectable time of the day. 

(part 4)

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[artemisrogers]

Holier than Thou James Hetfield x Kirk Hammett

Songs to listen to during story

It's only a few weeks after the end of the black album tour, and the band decided to go ahead and spend a few days outdoors for camping. Kirk doesn't want anyone finding out his dirty secret with James. Of course what happens in the woods, stays in the woods.

I couldn't sleep for the life of me! I've tried counting sheep, sleep pills, something to help me out. Lars, Jason, and James were sleeping in their tents. Knowing I wasn't gonna sleep anytime soon I quietly unzipped my tent and stepped out into the cool air. I put my hands in the pockets of my jeans, a slight wind blowing my hair around and put a small shiver up my spine as I was in my sleeveless shirt too.

I didn't really pay much attention to what was going on. When I heard a zipper open I looked over and saw James' tall figure coming out. From the looks of it he couldn't sleep either still in his black leather jacket, blue ripped jeans and black tank top from earlier.

I felt my cheeks heat up and looked away shaking my head. James walked to me seeing me, I hope not what I just did.

"Hey James, couldn't sleep either?"

"Yeah but a different reason for it."

"Oh?" I said my brain not registering fully what what intended.

He pulled me flush against him and I blushed in the darkness when I felt, something hard against my softness. I mean yeah James and I have fucked, kissed, given head to each other, all that but it still caught me off guard every time!

"J-James your not think about fucking out in the damn opening?"

"Why not?"

"What if we wake up Lars or Jason or one of them sees us?!" I said flustered and nervous.

James chuckles softly as he starts to kiss my neck. I let out a shaky whimper feeling my own arousal growing. I hated how he fucking knew how to take care of me. I kissed him on the lips and prayed we wouldn't get caught Red Handed at this point. I knew just as well as James did that when, he wanted something he got it. Especially when he was drunk.

I bit my lips trying to hold back a moan when he started to grind his hips against me. Whispering dirty things in my ear I hid my head in his neck inhaling his scent. My nipples were already erect and James gently walked me backwards. My back roughly hit a tree as he kissed me passionately, a make out session breaking out. He groaned gripping my hips tightly as I tangled my fingers in his long mullet.

"Ghah James!"

"Such a good submissive for me aren't you? Always obeying me giving me attention!" James said his voice rough as he began to unbuckle my belt.

I helped him by pulling both my boxers and jeans down exposing my half soft dick to the air. As James knelt down and gave my dick a few tugs, pulling a few moans out of me he took the head of my cock in his mouth. I held on to the tree as my knees buckled, his warm mouth sucking my gardening cock. His tounge swirled the head as he took me deeper bobbing, up and down and played with my balls.

I panted feeling the familiar throbbing in my cock. I wanted him to make me cum, fuck me. Use me as his little toy. He pulled off with much disappointment for me as he turned me so my ass was facing him, and my front was against the tree. I gasped softly as I felt his finger tease my hole, stretching me out. I knew I was close as my balls got heavy.

"Fuck fuck gonna c-cum James! Please let me cum!''

"Go ahead baby boy you earned it." James cooed as he reached down and squeezed my balls. encouragingly.

Letting out a loud moan I shot my hot load onto the tree in front of me. James lined up his cock against my entrance as he slowly pushed inside me. I moaned when I finished riding my orgasm. James gripped my hips pushing balls deep into me and thrusting hard and fast. Gasping for air my moans and whimpers mixed with his grunts. Wet slapping noises could be heard in the silence.

I felt his hot breath on my neck his breath shaky. I knew he was getting close as I felt my balls getting full again. My hair is all in my face sticking to my upper back and cheeks , from the sweat on my face.

"Shit I'm gonna cum all inside that hole okay?! Yes yes just like that. F-fuck!" James groaned loudly as he thrusts one last time emptying his load inside me, gripping me for support. A few seconds afterwards I shot another load onto the tree. Both of us panting still connected to each other, we rode out our highs. I was completely satisfied and exhausted from the rough sex session.

James pulled out and pulled his pants up as did I. We went back to my tent together and ended up falling asleep on each other. I laid on his chest as he wrapped an arm around me holding me close to him. This was something that we both needed!

[shuddupsiky]

The glow up of the 20th century

Sirius and James stepped onto the busy platform, where the Hogwarts express train sat in all its shiny glory. James was whispering to him all the people he could see who had gotten a glow up over the hols. Peter was waddling mechanically over to them, heels getting caught on the front of his trolley a few times.

“And then there’s Lily, obviously, and Frank is looking pretty good, oh fuck pads look at-,” James was interrupted by Peter, who had finally made it to them.

“Alright lads?”

“Alright Pete,” Sirius murmured back, barely hearing him. He was too busy looking for someone.

They hadn’t seen Remus all Hols! Neither did he write back – to any of them! He was probably too busy out hanging with his cool London friends. Sirius felt such strong resentment toward them, merely for the fact that they’d taken his their moony away from him them!

Okay.

So maybe Sirius had the slightest, smallest, practically miniscule crush on Remus.

But it really wasn’t his fault! It was Remus’s, for being so fucking hot!

As James and Peter were stuck in conversation about the dick size of Mick Jagger, they started heading toward the train. Sirius followed them like a lost puppy, stepping into the train and going to their usual compartment.

“Sirius…Sirus? SIRIUS!”

“Hm? What? Whassup?”

“You went away with the fairies for a bit there mate. I was just gonna ask if you’re fine with Remus sitting next to you,” James said with a knowing look. Both the boys knew about his ‘barely there’ crush on Remus.

“Yes,” Sirius replied, practically straight away. Maybe a little too fast. James and Peter shared a look. Sirius fucking hates when they do that!!

Every time a person walked past their compartment, Sirius would look up quickly, only to realize that its not Remus and look back down again.

Cool it Black!

He saw someone walk past in the corner of his eye. Its probably not moony, just rela-

“Alright boys?”

James squealed like a schoolgirl. He always gets excited when the group reunites. Sirius rapidly looked up and – oh. Oh fuck. Now there’s someone who has had a massive fucking glow up.

“Hi Remus!!” James all but yells.

“Alright thanks mate,” Peter replies, wincing a bit from James’s excessive volume.

Nodding his head at James and Peter, just once, he smirked and pulled his luggage in, slumping down in the seat next to Sirius.

Remus was… well he was really bloody hot. His curly golden locks that once sat around his head, had been shaved around next to his ears, into a mullet. He must’ve gotten a tan somehow in grimy grey London because his skin was practically glowing, all tanned. Of course, he had yet another growth spurt because he was even fucking taller than before, and he’d really… filled out. Broad shoulders, his arms were bigger, his jumper was a little more tight fitting and fuck if Sirius didn’t love it. Couldn’t help that his gaze went down to Remus’s hands, nearly moaning at the fucking size of them, at the slightly chipped nail polish someone had done on his nails.

You know what they say about guys with big hands-

Remus looked at him, still smirking and nudged him with his shoulder.

“Alright pads? Good summer?”

Sirius just stared at him, before processing that Remus was talking to him.

Y-yeah thanks moons. Good summer. You?” Sirius stuttered out, smiling at him softly. He looked at James and Peter across from them and saw them making kissy faces at each other. Fuck off guys.

Remus smiled back. “Yeah, great summer. Hung out with my mates from London for a bit, then me an’ my ma went to Fiji, can you believe?”

Oh. That explains the absence of letters and writing. And the fucking tan.

“Wow that’s so cool Remus! My hols weren’t as exciting as that, mostly just James and I bumming around the local town he lives close to. Which is still like 30minutes away because he lives in buttfuck nowhere.”

“Oi! The easygoing Potter lifestyle clashes with big city pace! Besides you live there too!”

“You can shove the ‘Potter lifestyle’ right up your arse where it belongs mate,” Sirius retorts, snorting.

 “What? S’not just me! Pete lives out there too! Wormtail back me up here!”

Peter held his hands up in surrender. “Hey, it was my parents choice, not me. I think I’d prefer to live in London with Remus to be honest with you.”

“Oh. Well then. Fuck you too Wormy.”

Remus had his head thrown back, laughing openly and loudly. In a position like Sirius’s, he couldn’t not miss an opportunity to stare at the expanse of neck, dotted with fading hickies. Fuck.

“I forgot how fucking stupid you lot are. ‘Specially you pads,” he looked at Sirius, with a downright obscene smirk playing on his lips, practically begging for Sirius to retaliate.

“Oh fuck off! I’m the most smart!”

And so, that’s how the train ride went, the whole way there. Playful banter, little jabs, and laughter. When they arrived at Hogwarts, Sirius’s was sure he was in love.

Fuck you Remus Lupin.

[unpopularvivian]

My Ttte Human Designs (Edward):

Headcanons:

Kind, helpful, loyal and wise. Is willing to give good advice to anybody who needs it. (If they deserve it of course)

Is actually pretty young, even younger than Gordon. (Hey, being wise doesn't mean you're a grandpa)

His human age is 43 while his actual age is 128.

His personality is way more assertive and serious. On top of that, he's a lot more sarcastic and he's now the burnt out mentor™️.

Do NOT call him "Old Iron", it triggers him so much that he will thrown you out of a window if you do. The nickname gives him bad memories when he was working at his old railway and had to deal with a nasty crane called Rick. Rick constantly harassed him and called him names which ties in with Edward's weird bias of cranes.

He needs COFFEE.

Has really bad insomnia and it gives him horrifying nightmares as a result.

Gay asf.

He and Toby are married for 10 years. Had a thing with James but broke up with him. Their relationship now are more like brothers.

When he was red, he was a fucking gremlin. Didn't listen to anybody and just did his own thing. He eventually calmed down and become a functioning member of society.

Tired dad of Thomas and taught him all of the pranks he knew. (Toby didn't approve of that)

Is a pretty honest guy in general. But, that also leads him being unintentionally savage with his wording. He ended many people's careers on accident (Or on purpose).

He does smoke but only in rare situations.

He's pretty tall if you compare him with other characters. Only James is taller than him by a couple inches.

Is really good at playing the drums. Maybe, a bit TOO good.

Loves heavy metal and rock music and literally has hundreds of metal and rock music albums stored in his closet.

He HATES mullets and having his hair down. He doesn't why he hates them so much but maybe the pandemic has something to do with this... (Although to be fair, him having his hair down looks more like a wolf cut than a mullet)

[orangetubor]

I'm back again!

DOMES! so- what can u tell me about the space and education domes. I'm so interested. Why are they separated based off of activity? Are all the domes in a giant ish dome? ALSO WHAT DO MARTIANS FARM. POTATOES? what kind of recreational activities are in the recreational dome?

Also what are the fatal flaws of your ocs... I love finding out about this stuff if u cant tell. Any funny (or otherwise) story that any of them would tell about another to like describe one of them? (that sounds very confusing but basically when I introduce folks that are my idiot friends, I give a memorable story that makes people go "ah, that's such a (friend name) thing" (e.g. One of my ex friends from school ate her essay out of spite - she wrote it on rice paper and wanted to spook the teacher)

And yes I've seen the whole "I think I'm attracted to you because youre the hottest person I know" so AMAZING JOB- I love ur ocs!!!

Respectfully curious,

a nerd who likes knowing lore and science (and character!!)

(I'M SO SORRY FOR HOW LONG THIS IS I'M JUST REALLY INTERESTED)

I'm gonna do the flaws first bcs it won't take as long so:

Martha: gets sad cuz she doesn't have a specific 'thing' like the rest of her friends (jenny's the tech guy, Evelyn's the animal guy) and she gets sad cuz she thinks you need a thing to work in and aspire to in order to live your life to the fullest

Tammy: doesn't think. Like at all ever. No internal dialogue nothing in that brain half the time she's just playing rock music on loop. Lights are on but no one's home except the lights aren't even on

Jenny: builds little robots and then gets existential about creating a pseudo life to fulfil one singular purpose. Continues to build little robots anyway.

Thomas: internal dialogue goes 100 miles a second and so when he has to take a second to actually think he just. Blanks. He also has awful memory due to things getting pushed so far back by unrelated tangents

Genji/James: has a mullet

Aled: catastrophises a LOT and overthinks literally everything he's just handing Thomas a hair bobble and he's like 'wait is this elasticy enough. Oh no there's a hair on it oh no. What if my hands sweaty what then-' baby girl it is a hair bobble

Georgie: previous break ups have left her feeling like she isn't interesting enough, now she has to always give her two cents or else she thinks she's forgettable

Dane: ~\_(°u°)_/~

Sahrah: given her uniqueness as a weird fucked up entirely new species she feels like her life has to be perfect so that her mother species doesn't get a bad rap, especially since her mother is the first of her kind to live in mars. Also she's really supposed to be a litter animal but she was the only one who survived to birth so she's lonely a lot of the time

Fun story: Martha says 'the first time me and Tammy met was when she needed someone to show a dead bee to. She asked me if I wanted to pet it'

And ... DOMES!;;

educational dome has the schools and colleges in it, a few corner stores for hungry students, it's not that interesting other than the fact that there are geese for some reason

Space dome is basically just space science stuff, it's got telescopes, research for crops, rockets, exploration base, it's also the original dome! The very first one built by the robots they sent here so that the researchers had somewhere to stay.

What kind of crops do martians grow? Well, any they can get there hands on, there are several small climate controlled domes used to grow different things, deserty, tropical, whatever Ireland is, and some animal domes that rotate various animals and grain, it's also home to the farm house that hosts the majority of Halloween parties. There's also the eden dome, which isn't connected to the farm fines, but to the space domes! It was home to the very first crops grown on mars. (Which, of course, included potatoes) and then if course. The big dome. The super massive one that uses my new favourite thing: AQUAPONICS!! obviously you can't feed an entire small country with just plain kabd, you need stacks! You need later upon layer of fish, water, wires, dirt, plants, synthetic sunlight, and more fish! They also synthesize a lot of meat because it's sci-fi. I can do what I want. And it's better for the air cuz farm animals produce a lot of gas

The recreational domes have shops, cinemas, various sports centres, a nice park, and also hosts lots of festivals. There's also a small 'market dome' that's connected to the residential dome so you don't have to go all that way to pick up some eggs or something. (Martha and Tammy's favourite thing to do is go roller skating at 'saturns rings' also there's a diner where the waiters are all in roller skates)

As to why they're separated, it makes it easier for me to design them in a cool way. Also the air inside is very different to the air outside, so smaller domes make it easier to manage, and keep out the sticky martian sand while building.

Martian sand is ridiculous

[crayons-cats-chaos]

A trauma-dump about Christianity (TW: Religious Abuse)

I'll be using this place to also trauma dump since Debbie the Therapist wants me to talk about things where people can actually see them to feel less embarrassed like I did things wrong. ANYWHOOOOZLEEEE I was raised in a Southern Baptist Family. My grandparents lived in Kentucky in the mountains and my grandfather was a Pastor. So I got the lovely religion AND the mountain horror stories. But that's a story for another time. My dad, being raised in the church, also made us be an active part. I remember spending every Sunday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday there. I had a lot of "rules" because he wanted us to appear as the perfect God Fearing Family. Some of them are as follows:

1) I could NOT wear pants to church. EVER. Even during youth activities I had to wear squorts. Which doesn't sound too bad until you're playing kickball in a squort and fall.

2) I HAD to ALWAYS have my hair done. A l w a y s. And I had to look presentable even if I was super sick, which brings me to 3

3) Even if I was sick, I still had to show up. Didn't matter if I was feverish and hallucinating, I was going to "at least try" to go to church.

4) Boots are a N O. If you wear boots, you're a whore. Snowboots come off the SECOND you step inside and you have to have a presentable pair of shoes to switch into and carry your boots around with you.

5) I had to read the bible (king james) front to back multiple times a year. I had to be an encyclopedia of religion. I could pull random verses out of my ass at the drop of a hat on command. And that's exactly what my father intended. Because I was to be the perfect little Christian "Girl Next Door" (spoiler alert: the girl next door turns into the Final Girl) 6) I had to be a part of EVERY activity. It didn't matter what it was, if it was for adults I was the entertainment, if it was for kids I was the show off, if it was for community display I was the example. 7) I was not allowed to cut my hair unless it was cut to match my mother's because she knew what was "acceptable". I had a legit mullet with a spiral perm for a while, guys, it was BAAAAAADDDDDDD. 8) I bet you guys saw this one coming: I was NOT allowed to watch or read Harry Potter. Yep. I actually went to a book burning when I was a child. Of course, I didn't know what we were burning at the time. 9) I ALSO was not allowed to watch Pokemon or Digimon when my grandparents were in town. They said they were demons and trying to possess kids. 10) If I was at an adult function, I was to be seen not heard unless I was entertaining. 11) Music was STRICTLY Christian, and further than that I could not listen to/perform anything that had drums. No, I'm not kidding. 12) I was allowed to be in the school choir and sing with them, but otherwise? No. 13) Sex Ed? HAHAHAHAHAHA (Jokes on them I was taught the hard way) 14) No halters, spaghetti straps, two piece bathing suits, shorts/skirts shorter than my fingertips or anything that showed even a miniscule amount of cleave. Even if i was at the pool. I had to wear a T shirt and shorts over my bathing suit anytime I was not in the water. There are so many more, but this is what I can think of off the top of my head. Incoming next post with some situations I've endured. Mind you, my religious abuse spanned from birth to about....15 ish. I started to really rebel around 11-12.

[lastchancevillagegreen]

Tuesday, 27 June 2023:

Wild Life (Deluxe Edition) Wings (Capitol) (reissue released in 2018, original album released in 1971)

This was the third album (the second album has yet to find it's way to my mailbox) I bought in the bizarre Sound of Vinyl sale I spoke about in the previous post involving The Jam's compilation Snap!. That sale involved upwards of 175 titles that were free of charge but for which the customer would have to pay shipping costs. The Jam's double album with bonus 45 cost a mere $8 and change to mail, but this double album (with no bonus 45) cost $10 and change.

So why am I buying a Macca album that I've never much cared (and truth be told, like so many other things in my collection, I once owned this back in the day)? Well, it wasn't because it was free. On 13 May I finally made my way through the massive book The McCartney Legacy Volume 1: 1969-1973 and boy, did I develop a taste for those early records of his that are discussed in detail within the book: 1970's McCartney, 1971's Wild Life and 1973's Red Rose Speedway. Even crazier is the fact just two weeks ago I watched the bonus Blu Rays in the Super Deluxe version of Red Rose Speedway because they included one television show I've not seen since it aired on TV and then another show that has never aired.

The first was the one hour TV special James Paul McCartney, a bizarre variety special that is corny beyond cornball. It aired in 1973 and featured the original members of Wings (the McCartneys, of course, along with Denny Laine, Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell). The second special that McCartney devised and created that is just terrible to a certain degree: The Bruce McMouse Show. Both of these shows are discussed at length in the book. In Bruce McMouse, the premise is Wings are giving a concert (some of it is authentic, some of it obviously staged--Macca's phony introductions to the songs are colossally staged) and their music disrupts a family of animated mice living below the stage where Wings is performing.

This silly premise and show caused dissension in the ranks of Wings (McCullough and Seiwell were none too pleased with the fact they had to act with an imaginary animated mouse family). The animation is pure Saturday morning cartoons and the script (for the mouse family) is abysmal humor like you find in the worst of comedy television.

The live show, on the other hand, is fantastic. Wings is one rocking band. I believe the live show presented was from late 1970, perhaps very early 1971 and Wings is on fire. Denny Laine wears black nail polish (okay, on just one nail, but still), Henry McCullough is a hell of a live lead guitarist and at one point falls down on his back and rips out a guitar solo all while Denny Seiwell proves to be a magnificent drummer. (I ended up really liking the latter two musicians via the book's presentation, and ended up really disliking Mrs Macca.)

So what does that have to do with this album? In this concert they let loose with a live version of Wild Life that I simply got stuck in my head for one week! This is the only version of the song I've played (in my playing the three albums I mentioned, I cherry picked what I played and the title track of Wild Life was not one I played because I had yet to see The Bruce McMouse Show. When I saw this album offered for free on the Sound of Vinyl, I snapped it up after one day of deliberation. I plan on blasting the title track later this week!

Above you see the cover of the album with a hype sticker followed by the gatefold and then the back of the album cover. And man, is that not one of the worst haircuts McCartney suffered from back then? Did he invent the mullet?

Below you will see a close up of that hype sticker on the album cover. The second photo shows you the sticker that is on the back of the album which announces the tracklist.

This album comes with a booklet. Below is the cover of the booklet. That is a drawing Macca did of his vision of what the group looked like. The second photo is the back of the booklet.

I don't normally shoot photos of plain inner sleeves, but this album has an inner sleeve that mimics the original sleeve. It is certainly far different from the normal white inner sleeve as you can see.

When I bought this album I remember thinking these were the weirdest record labels I'd ever seen. I'm not claiming Macca was the first person to use photos on labels, but I certainly cannot recall any before although I'm certain there has to be some I have forgotten. Anyhow, the book I keep mentioning does a good job explaining why Macca opted for his labels to look like this and why he refused to allow the Apple logo on any of his first two post-Fabs releases (think Apple lawsuit and his abhorrence of Allen Klein). You make your claims for Lennon being the smart Beatle and the defacto leader and I'll make my claims for it being Macca. Anyhow, below are both sides of the labels for the first album, the album proper.

The second album is all outtakes, singles and single edits. It too is found in a yellow sleeve, so I didn't shoot a photo of that. But I did provide photos for both sides of the label.

[medievalraven]

I just spent 20 mins studying your pfp trying to find a cursed edit.

This is what you've done to me Lauren.

Don’t give me ideas, bro.

[majwrites]

Halloween Plans

Eddie Munson x platonic!Reader

Reader has no plans for Halloween and Eddie helps them to figure out what to do.

Notes: contains some swearing, M*A*S*H is mentioned

"Eddie, I have a problem", you stared into your wide open wardrobe, staring at the sweaters. "I'm going to be honest with you, I don't see it. But maybe if you point it out to me, we can freak out about it together", Eddie stared at your clothes in confusion.

"You see my M*A*S*H sweater, right?". "Yeah, I've known and loved it since approximately 1982", you had worn that sweatshirt every Halloween, without fail, for the past four years but now the streak would break. "I don't have any pants to wear with it, my green corduroys ripped the other day and I'm not about to go into one of these fucked up stores to get army style pants", you thought back at all the adventures you had gone through with these corduroys. They must have been the most resistant piece of clothing your mom had ever sewn.

"Does that mean you'll go as something else this year?", he looked like he was already thinking of other possibilities. "Unfortunately. But I have no idea what to wear, it's only one more week, I have work to take care of and my mom said my corduroys can't be fixed. The fabric has gotten so thin it would just rip apart more if she'd try to sew it back together". "You could be a cat again, or a mouse", suggested Eddie, "it's an easy to make costume". "Ed, last time I went as an animal was in first grade. If I start again I'll never hear the end of it", you were thinking harder. Meanwhile Eddie started suggesting your favourite movies, maybe you'd find a character there. "Escape from New York?" "I don't wear a mullet anymore". "Once upon a time in the west?". "I could but I'm not really in the mood for that". "James Bond?" "Probably. I think I need a whole chart to decide what to dress like for Halloween. I just wanted to wear my M*A*S*H outfit", Eddie had seen you wear the corduroys and the sweatshirt individually on many occasions, but both together were reserved for Halloween. It had always brought across the message, with your self made dog tags and that green hat you'd wear on cold enough nights.

"You'll find something else, I'm sure", but there was something other than your inability to choose an outfit, another question plagued Eddie. "I sure hope I will", you shrugged. "Are you coming to hellfire on Halloween?", he watched your reaction. "Are you sure I'm invited? I don't really play that much anymore ever since I graduated", you'd love to go though. "You're a founding member, I bet everyone would be excited to get to know you", Eddie was sure about this one. "Are you sure the new kids would accept me? I must be ancient to them", you had graduated a year prior to the year Eddie should've graduated. Both of you had started the Hellfire Club in your sophomore year and to you that time had long passed. You have started college, gotten a job and D&D has unfortunately been left behind. "Of course they will. They've seen our old club photos and they'll all look up to you, so why don't you join us for a final round of D&D on Halloween", Eddie looked at you with his best puppy dog eyes, "and if you're up for it you could stay after the session and we'll listen to that new Billy Idol album you haven't showed me yet". "Oh right, I got so worked up about my costume that I forgot about that", you made your decision at that moment, "alright, I'll be there for the Hellfire party".

[aftertheskyy]

Merlin Throughout the 20th Century

for @gayfirebender!! happy holidays luv!! Just imagine Merlin living his best life through the 20th century while he waits for Arthur. I think at some point he’d travel the world and explore life beyond the shores of Avalon. 

1900s:

Merlin wears a jacket with coattails

I realize they were made in the 1890sh era but he also owns a penny farthing bike

As photographs become more popularized, Merlin becomes worried about being caught and seen repeatedly as more time passes

But he learns to love them and owns like 10 cameras by the end of the decade

He also befriends the Wright brothers at some point in time

And becomes obsessed with the Sherlock Holmes novels

I’d also love to imagine Merlin wandering through any modern city

1910s:

Merlin is totally aboard the Titanic, you can’t change my mind

When World War I breaks out, I can’t imagine Merlin doing anything else except being a medic for those four years

And Merlin develops a love for Irving Berlin

And silent films. Merlin loves films.

He travels all around the world right? So he’s totally part of the women’s suffrage movements

Also imagine Merlin wearing a newsboy hat because yes

1920s:

Merlin wearing oxfords (those black and white ones)

Upon seeing one of the first sound films, Merlin almost loses it. That’s how happy he is

Merlin watching Steamboat Willie

I think Winnie the Pooh was published around here; Merlin loves those stories

And the Great Gatsby

AND FLAPPERS OKAY

Merlin works as a bartender during this time-- I can’t imagine him in the 20s doing anything else

And he’s really good at the Charleston

Also Merlin enjoying Harry Houdini’s work and considering approaching him regarding magic. After thinking it over many times, he decides not to

Loving Lon Chaney’s Phantom of the Opera

1930s-40s:

Chocolate chip cookies were invented here-- Merlin eats at least 5 a day

When Snow White is released, he starts a Disney phase

And I think he would really enjoy Hollywood-- his favorite movie is Gone With the Wind

And he helps with the construction of the Empire State Building

When the Second World War breaks out, Merlin enlists in the army again as a medic

The whole time he’s hoping it’s time for Arthur to come back. He can’t imagine a greater time of need

1950s:

Merlin peaks in the 50s, that’s all I have to say

With the war over, he begins to wear bright colors and sport coats

Merlin becoming fascinated by space travel

He loves Elvis and Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry-- music is a huge component of his life

He joins a barbershop quartet

He buys his first television here and enjoys I Love Lucy and The Roadrunner Show

He attends the Olympics in Australia

Film-wise, he loves Singing in the Rain and Gene Kelly

And he loves loves loves Abbott and Costello

And does a killer Humphrey Bogart impression

Merlin loves jukeboxes and milkshakes, too

He tries growing sideburns-- a friend quickly implores him to stop

1960s-70s:

Merlin is a consistent viewer of Gilligan’s Island, Looney Tunes, the Carol Burnett Show, etc

He loves tie dye and flowers and is thoroughly stoned for about a week

PRIDE MOVEMENTS YOU BETTER BELIEVE MERLIN WAS THERE

The whole time he thinks of Arthur, wishing he could be there

AND WOMENS RIGHTS AND CIVIL RIGHTS YOU KNOW HE’S PARTICIPATING

He keeps up to date with space exploration and hosts a bunch of people over for the moon landing

He’s jumping up and down with excitement the entire day

Merlin loving the Beatles and the Temptations

He goes back and forth between light pop music and heavy metal. Everyone’s very confused but he loves all of it

Reading the Peanuts comics daily

He goes to Woodstock with a friend group and is so hyper the whole time

Merlin loving Mary Poppins and in awe of Julie Andrews

He’s an avid fan of the Bee Gees, much to his friends annoyance

He buys stock in Apple (yes he does)

His favorite movies include Star Wars, Grease, and any James Bond film

1980s-90s:

All I can say is neon

He tries to grow a mullet. It doesn’t work.

He’s an avid viewer of MTV

Loves Bon Jovi and David Bowie.

Like

Obsessed with David Bowie

His new favorite movies are ET, Indiana Jones, and The Breakfast Club

And he’s obsessed with arcade games and everything-- Pac Man, Centipede, Galaga...

It’s very rare that you would see Merlin in the 80s without Ray Bans

And he’s in a Rubik’s cube club, among the first people to create algorithms and stuff to solve them

He brings a boom box to Avalon one day, just like John Cusack in Say Anything

In the 90s, nothing much changes except he has a new love for Britney Spears

He finally buys a computer and ends up sitting at it all day

And soon he becomes a technology whiz

He loves the electronic age

And of course, Merlin jumping on the Y2K trend, wondering if that’ll be the year Arthur returns

[feverinfeveroutfic]

chapter eleven: let go of my world

“let’s face it: none of us are going to have a happy, normal relationship.” -buffy the vampire slayer

Every so often over the course of a few months, Belinda checked in on Sam again at the apartment. The latter wished she hadn’t inadvertently made one of her few friends left behind her servant, however, there was very little which she could do at that point. All the while, she was expecting to hear back from Eric: if nothing else, it could be the last big thing she ever could do before her body gave out on her first. 

Each and every day she missed Alex. She yearned to see him again, whether it was with Trans-Siberian Orchestra or with someone else, and she yearned to feel him close to her again. 

The time slipped in and out of her mind all the while, and to the point in which she struggled to keep her own mind together. The seasons seemed to blend all together into a thick soup of nothingness right before her eyes. 

The sole way in which she could tell time was by way of asking Belinda, who barely visited her in the end anyway, or by the power of her own art. 

It used to be she could date her drawings no problem but this time around she found it nearly impossible to do such a thing. She wasn’t that old but she knew what it felt to be so old that she could hardly do anything for herself in the way in which she used to before. 

She could only hope, as well. After all this time, the sole thing that kept her going and relishing in each and every day, despite of the proverbial fog that surrounded her all the while, was the feeling of hope. The hope that the pain would die down before she died herself. The hope that Testament would in fact keep their word in the future and she could in fact see them again. The hope that Belinda wouldn’t have to help her so much. The hope that the therapy would at the very least alleviate things to where she could do simple things such as tell time and raise her left foot off of the ground. 

And then one day, like clockwork, Belinda’s phone rang in the most beautiful fashion ever, the most beautiful noise in the world to Sam right at that moment. It came about in a day in which the feeling of fever had returned to her and she kept an ice pack upon her head to ease the temperature back down. She closed her eyes and she hung on every nondescript word from the next room. A temperature so high that it was difficult to even so much as discern as to what was happening in the next room.  

Everything had become a hallucination right then and there. 

“Sam?” Belinda called from the next room: she sounded as though she stood a mile underground and inside of a sunbaked sewer pipe. 

“Yeah?” she called back to her in a feeble voice and with a heavy breath in her lungs. 

“We’re going to San Francisco, baby!” 

Even with the heat inside and the pain simmered underneath, Sam still lunged to her feet and she followed Belinda out to California. 

“God, take me home,” Sam muttered. “Take me home to Testament.” 

Right before her very eyes, through the fire and the fog, there came that little Danish man with the slight mullet around the smooth bald spot upon his head and his deep-set eyes alight at the sight of her. 

“I heard you’re not doing too well,” he confessed to her; it was right then she noticed the wedding band gone from his finger. The soft look on his face told her everything that she needed to know right then as well. He was losing his hair and she was losing her mind. 

“I have multiple sclerosis,” she told him in a broken voice. “Some days, it’s nearly impossible to do anything because the pain is so bad, or I've got a high fever. I feel my mind slipping away more and more every day it feels like.” 

“Not to make light of your situation, but that literally sounds like a lyric James would’ve written,” he told her in a soft voice. 

“You should relay it back to him,” she joked. “Relay it back to him for the next Metallica album.” 

“We are already in the process of putting one out, but I think I can work something, however.” 

“Oh, yeah? You guys are doing a new one?” 

“Calling it Death Magnetic. We're aiming for some time next year—maybe around the time Testament and Exodus both put out their new ones.” 

“I miss you, Lars,” she told him. 

“I miss you, too, Sam,” he replied. “And I am going to miss you when you’re gone, too.” 

“You better,” she teased him. 

Through the fog, he shifted his weight and inched closer and closer to her. 

“I may have a new girlfriend now after my marriage to Skylar ended, but I’m always going to think about kissing you every so often, though,” he confessed to her in a soft whisper. “I am European. What do you want.” 

She giggled at him and she caressed the side of his face with the tips of her two main fingers. 

“You are European,” she remarked. She couldn’t remember if Lars kissed her on the cheek or not, but the next thing she knew, she was in a brand-new room with Belinda and Testament, which at that point consisted of Chuck, Eric, Alex, Greg, and one of Slayer’s many drummers, Paul Bostaph. 

It was as if the rest of the year hadn’t happened, and she had found her way back to them again. 

That alone was enough to make her recoil back. 

She shook her head and she hobbled back towards the back door. 

“Sam, what’s wrong?” Belinda called after her; the five men in the room paid very little attention to them, but Sam didn’t want them to see her like this, anyway. 

She buried her face in her hands and turned away from all of them. Belinda rested a hand on her shoulder and leaned in closer to her. 

“Are you okay?” she whispered to her. 

“No,” Sam wept. “I want to die, Bel. I want to fucking die. I can’t keep doing this. I'm not getting any better and everything’s just slipping away around me.” 

“Therapy’s not helping?” 

“It’s barely helping. I can’t keep doing this. You're the first person I've told this to, too, but I gave myself until 2010 to live. If I don’t improve by then, I don’t want to keep going.” 

Nothing could deny the wounded look upon Belinda’s face at that. 

“And here it is, summer 2008,” she said in a soft voice. She nibbled on her bottom lip and then she took out a smooth rectangle out from her pocket. 

“What’s that?” Sam asked her. 

“My new phone. I can get internet on this thing...” Belinda typed something on the smooth touch screen. Meanwhile, in the next room, their voices became more and more indistinct, and yet, even with her own brain fog, Sam recognized Alex’s big one against the tapestry of nothing. 

Belinda led her back to the room and they returned to their spots on the edge of the room as Testament proceeded to jam out a new song from their new album. 

“There’s a doctor near here,” Belinda started right into Sam’s ear, “there’s a few doctors near here, actually—all of them give the option to die with dignity.” She sighed through her nose and she raised her gaze up to Sam with a grave look upon her face. 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Belinda whispered to her. 

“Well, I can’t do it right now,” Sam confessed to her. “I have Testament to worry about in the meantime. I have to at least see them off again when Alex and Greg are back in the saddle again.” 

“Well... yeah. Obviously.” Belinda nodded her head at that. “But when you’re ready, anyway.” 

The two of them fell into brief silence, and they turned their attention off to the right. To think all five of these men had their whole lives ahead of them at that point.  

It seemed so backwards to Sam, that she had numbered days from that point forward, and they were going ahead into their golden years as a band reunited. She looked over at Chuck, who looked as healthy as he had ever been in years at that point with his long hair down past his shoulders and over his barrel chest. There was Eric, who had filled out with time and recovery himself, and yet he never sprouted a single gray hair on the crown of his head. Greg and his full beard, and he had still remained slender and svelte even after almost five years, even after over twenty years. Their new-to-them drummer Paul off in the back somewhere with his little drum kit in order to practice. And then there was Alex, still a boy at heart even with his lanky little body and his scruffy little bob of inky black hair complete with that gray streak over the right side of his forehead. 

These five men, with a brand-new album on the horizon and possibly a tour that summer, with everything at their fingertips in a way that she had only dreamed of before. 

There came a point in which she had to let go and let them go about their merry way. It was their life from that point onward, not hers. She had her own to deal with and worry about in the end. 

“Yes,” Sam replied to her as they launched into their old song “The Ritual” right then before them. For a while, Sam had forgotten this song, and the way in which it spoke to her, especially at that very moment: the way Chuck crooned over the lyrics and the way Alex mourned over the solo. As if her boys were singing her to sleep, and it also felt as though they were bleeding from the loss of her. 

“I’ll do it,” she told Belinda in a low voice. Belinda then sighed through her nose and she jotted down a couple of phone numbers for her. 

Neither of them said anything as Testament’s jam session continued for the whole entire day, just like twenty years ago. Sam thought about Teddy right then, another one with his whole life ahead of him: all she could hope for was that he would see them if and when they came to San Diego in the future, especially since that was his home. There was in fact, nothing better than seeing them at home, something that she could wholeheartedly attest to. 

By the session’s end, Belinda offered to take Sam back to the loft for the evening, lest one of them know of her plan, but even with the plan a very real possibility, there was no way she could miss any more of these sessions, if and when her condition acted up again. 

When the two women returned home to New York the next day, and Belinda walked with Sam back to her front step, she handed her the piece of paper. 

“If and when the time comes,” she started again, that time in a lower voice. “Don’t you dare tell me about it. I don’t want to know. And I know for a fact that Marla, Zelda, and your parents aren’t going to want to know.” 

Sam nodded her head. 

“Now, the big question: what should I do with your art?” Belinda asked her. 

“Donate it. Donate everything. Apparently, you’re pretty much my manager now. You've got to take care of these things for me, Bel.” 

She closed her eyes and bowed her head at that. Without further hesitation, Sam unlocked her front door once again, and she lugged her things into the front part of the apartment. 

“Sam?” 

“Mm-hm?” 

“In case I never see you again—” Belinda threw her arms around Sam’s body and held her as close as ever. Sam closed her eyes and relished in that moment with her. If nothing else, besides the memories, she could take in Belinda’s essence one last time before she went, either by dignity or by the stripping away of her own nerves. 

She had no clue if she was to see Belinda again before she flew out to the Bay Area again, but at the same time, she knew that she would be alone all the while. 

All alone on that large airplane from New York City to San Francisco. Had she still been a fashion student, things would have been a lot rosier. If anything, she thought about her training as a fashion artist: she did have her journal on hand, after all. 

With the ache in her back, she lunged for her purse and she took out her journal and her pencil. She plunked it open and began to sketch it out. A bit of comfort for the one always in pain. Something soft and sweet and silky in texture, and something sporty to keep herself moving in the face of it all. She hoped that Belinda would see her intent there and roll with it as she stepped off of the plane and back into the Bay Area. Her leg ached from the pain and she hobbled along the sidewalk. 

Everything around her felt like a dream at that point, and the heat in her head only added to the feeling. A dream and a fairytale, like something straight out of her own childhood. 

Her memory was slipping sideways, every which way possible and there was nothing she could do about it. 

There was a stretch of time in which she found it all the more difficult to walk even with the cane. Everyone was getting ahead in life, and especially at that age, but she seemed to be losing her mind each and every day. Even with the therapy behind her all the time it felt like, she still had plenty of trouble abound. 

The memory of Lars was still with her, even as she stumbled her way somewhere. She swore that she needed someone else there with her just to help her out with some other things. She yearned to have Belinda with her or at least her mother. 

The condition hit her harder than a ton of bricks, especially when the world around her seemed to falling away yet again. She had ventured into a rouse of pure blackness once again, one that was loaded up with sheer agony and pain. The end was upon her, and all too quickly on top of this as well. 

It didn’t seem that long ago that life was faring so well for her and yet, something had to happen to make her realize that she didn’t know what she had right before her. Something had to happen for her to realize the preciousness of it, of all those times in school and with Testament. 

She was an art student, a fashion student, and an earth science student, and she graduated from the latter two high up in the field. 

And yet, through the veil of the disjointed haze around her, therein stood a vague dark figure at the very pinnacle of the light. He stood there, misshapen, and she swore that this was the mysterious man from her dreams, and he had all but come to life right before her very eyes, in all of his dark glory. 

But then again, he was nothing more than a figment of her own mind, the part of her that wanted to improve on everything that she had found flaw in over the course of the last twenty or so years. 

The figure loomed before her and he extended a hand out to her as if he was about to comfort her, right out of the gray timeless haze, as timeless and amorphous as the ocean itself. 

“Sam?” 

She recognized the voice but she couldn’t exactly tell as to who was saying it, if it emerged from the mouth of the figure before her or if it came from somewhere else behind her. 

“Sam!” 

She blinked several times and she saw that she was back in the front room there, and with Eric as well. He had plunked his guitar across his lap and even though she had sustained yet another momentary lapse of memory, he remained straight-faced all the while. 

“It happens,” she told him with a gentle massage of her right temple. 

“Comes with the whole deal,” he followed along with a frown and a sullen nod of his head. He ran his stubby fingers through his inky black hair and leaned closer to her. 

“You know what’s something I'm really going to miss about you?” Eric started again. 

“What’s that?” 

“I would say, ‘everything’, but I don’t think for one minute that it would encapsulate how I feel about you, though,” he confessed as he adjusted the wedding band on his left ring finger and then followed it up with a smirk. 

“Oh, no, Eric, don’t.” 

“I’m thinkin’ about it,” he confessed to her, and he showed her a sly smirk and a wink of his brown eyes. 

“I also want you here because we’re gonna be on the road again—Alex will be with us, too, I guess his contract with Trans-Siberian Orchestra is up at the end of this year so he’ll be able to join us for this tour and then anything else we might have in store. I want you here because—you said you wanted to seize the day.” 

“I do,” Sam replied with a nod. 

“Well then—” Eric held the pick in between his fingers and he treated her to a wandering riff that reminded her of “The Ritual.” “Seize it.” 

He then turned his attention to her, and he leaned to the side, and he pressed his lips to the side of her face. 

“What was that for?” she asked him. 

“For being you all these years,” he replied in a soft voice. “I don’t know where I would be without you, Sam. Sam I am.” 

Though she knew she had returned home again, she sustained another lapse in memory, and this time it came about in a much longer fashion. She swore that she saw Trans-Siberian Orchestra again with Alex for his final tour with them, but she couldn’t hardly recall it. 

All she could remember was pain in her body and the realization that Alex was once again, about to move onto greener pastures, and that time with the band that he had watched grow and change from the ground up from the very beginning. None of it felt fair to her, especially after what Eric had said to her. She was as important as anyone, even with the aches and pains and the loss of memory and mobility every so often. 

Her memory returned almost at the very last minute one summer, and she knew that that was it after that. The time was whittling down for her. 

And yet, by some strange stroke of luck, she managed to capture a message from Alex on her old phone, which she barely used. Or at least she thought she barely used. 

It was as if he knew what she wanted for herself, and he had planned on telling her goodbye. 

“Samantha, hi! It’s Alex.” She cracked a smile at the sound of his voice, now warmer and rounder than ever. “I know, it’s been a while—a couple of years, actually—that's what happens when you have prior obligations to a whole mess of other things. Anyways, uh—meet me up in the woods upstate tomorrow evening, right near the place where Stormtroopers of Death recorded their first record. You know where it is. It's pretty important and I don’t know who else to talk to about it. I'll see you then.” 

With the return of clarity came the ability to drive once again. But as far as she knew, it could go away again once the medication wore off. 

“After this, I'm just going to go back to the Bay Area and ask for those pills,” she said aloud on the ride up to that place: she couldn’t remember what had happened the day before, but she did in fact remember the way up to that old place. “I’m done with this.” 

It was a bout of news in which she swore that would never happen to her as she made her way back to that old quiet place in the woods. She wondered as to the matter of importance surrounding it as that old patch of the forest stirred up so many memories, especially since it was right near where Stormtroopers of Death had recorded that very first album and she oversaw the whole thing. Like a lifetime ago, and it had all but slipped away from her at that point. 

He loomed against the trees as if he was a wiry giant who inhabited them, complete with that full mop of inky black hair that fanned out from his head as if he was lying flat on his back. 

“Please give me a reason to live, Alex,” she muttered to herself as she hobbled closer and closer to him. She had set the date and she was going to live by it as well, especially with all that had happened up to that point in the last couple of years. The clock was ticking over her head and if nothing else, Alex was going to be the last person she would ever see. If nothing else, he had to know that she planned on going soon. 

“I’m so glad I was able to catch you here when I did,” he greeted her in that smooth voice of his, so gentle and soothing even after all these years. He ran his fingers through his hair so she could better see his face, into those deep steely blue eyes and upon those delicate little cherry lips. To think she would never caress those lips again after this. But it was what she had to do for herself: there was no way she could live on with the insurmountable pain in her body. 

“Now, I want you to understand that I haven’t told anyone about this. I haven’t told my brother or either of my parents this yet, it’s just that big.” 

“What is it?” 

“I met someone.” 

“You met someone,” she echoed him. 

“Yes.” 

Sam squinted her eyes at him. “A woman?” 

He shifted his weight and bowed his head a bit, and he showed her that sweet expression, the one that she was all the more familiar with especially when it was thrown her way. 

“Yeah. We, uh... met through mutuals and more or less hit it off right on the spot.” 

“Is she musical like Zelda?” 

“Not really. She’s an architect. She’s got like a bunch of degrees surrounding it, too. I mean, a bunch of degrees, too: you think the two of us worked hard in school. Her education extends back to the Souls of Black tour, believe it or not.” 

“Holy wow,” Sam blurted out, stunned. 

“She’s also an artist herself, and a writer,” he continued, and almost to the point of gushing. “Like a Renaissance woman of sorts.” 

“Makes me feel pale in comparison,” she confessed with a shake of her head. 

“Don’t,” he told her with a wave of his hand. But then Sam stepped away from him and towards the trees. 

He frowned at her. “Is everything okay?” 

“Yeah, I just didn’t really expect to hear all of this. When you told me it was good news, I was thinking of... something else.” 

He turned his head to the side a bit, bemused. Silence surrounded them right then. Sam had nothing else to tell him, especially with the medicine wearing off right then and there for the wearing of her nerves. But then she thought of it as he knitted his eyebrows together and tilted his head to the side, as if he was a curious puppy. 

“I just want you to be happy,” she told him in a small voice. 

“Well... I feel the same with you, Samantha,” he promised her. “You always looked great to me whenever you were happy. If anything, I always loved it whenever you felt happy.” 

He pursed his lips together and then he opened his arms for her. She lunged for him, but he held her back from his little body. 

“I want you to be happy regardless,” he said to her in a low voice. “I know, the clock is ticking for you. But look at you, though! You're doing amazing. And you always have, too—even when the car impaled you and you had been knocked unconscious for four months straight.” He threw his arms around her: the mere caress of his hands and his arms made her ache even more, but he was holding her and that was all that mattered to her at that moment. 

“You know I always love you, right?” he whispered to her. 

“Of course.” 

She thought of kissing him, but she had already had her fill of kisses, between Lars and Eric in particular. He then lifted his head as if something caught his attention. Sam turned around for a look herself: the bus rolled up to the bus stop up the street, right before that ramshackle old building. 

“I have to go, Samantha,” he told her. “I’d hug you longer, but—” He shrugged and gestured back to the bus, and he bowed away from her: all the while, he put his sunglasses back on over his face despite the waning sunlight. 

“Call me when you get home,” she called out to him, and he lowered his sunglasses and flashed her a wink. To think, she had just had him in the palm of her hand at one point. He was so close and just like that, he slipped away from her yet again. She had been handed opportunity after opportunity when the two of them were together, and even more so when they tied the knot with one another, and yet she squandered every change. 

Even their short marriage couldn’t suffice it. It made no sense to her, especially when she looked back on all of her memories with him. She seemed to be the obvious choice, and yet she was the one who had missed it the whole time. She never actually told him how she felt about him. 

Sam shook her head as she watched Alex take his seat on the bus for the long ride back to his new woman. She shook her head at herself more than anything. 

She had no one to blame or get angry at other than herself, enough to make anyone want to return to the doctor for those pills. 

He was so close right then, and yet she remained so far away at the same time. And she knew that it was time to let go of her world at that point. But there was one thing that still nagged at her, one thing that would always remain with her even after twenty-five years of living in New York, surrounded by fellow lost souls and each and every one of them as fleshly and earthly as her. She watched the bus lumber away up the street into the setting sun and away from the quiet place, and all the while, she focused on it. 

Somehow, by some dark magic, she was able to find the last glimmer of light within her, the thing that told her to keep going despite the monolithic, searing pain all along her dying nerves. 

Somehow, by the matter of inadvertence, Alex had given her a reason to live, and it made her shake her head about, even with the pain in her shoulders and within her neck. 

That afternoon at Marla and Charlie’s place. A fleeting thought, but a thought nevertheless, as dastardly as Stormtroopers of Death themselves. 

That was it. 

And then, through the haze of her breaking mind, she thought of those words. Alex was still her best friend no matter what happened, but she had to let the air out of the bag, even as he disappeared off into the sunset. 

“She’ll never love you the way that I’ve loved you,” she said aloud. “No one will ever love you the way that I have loved you.”