#pls accept my humble offering this is all i have for you😭

[myloveforhergoeson]

ch 31 preview bc i feel bad for not posting in so long yayy

“Mr. Rocque, Kelly, please,” Roxanne pleaded, shaking fingers threaded, palms pressed together. She would’ve gotten down on her knees to beg if she, the band, and their two bosses weren’t already in the back of the limousine headed to Brand New Day’s album release party. “The Big Time Rush booking fee is for interviews and photoshoots, and- and millionaire’s birthday parties. Not for an advertising campaign for a band no one has ever heard of!” 

Though she winced at her desperate tone of voice, she hoped one final appeal would make the two adults change their minds. Despite spending the last 24 hours making similar statements since Gustavo’s call at the movie theater, neither of them had budged in their decision for the band to attend the party. She’d even taken the fight all the way to Griffin’s office, sitting atop the Rocque Records building and adorned in the strangest taxidermy the assistant had ever seen, hoping that even he would think it an odd request. 

Turns out that had been a mistake; Roxy had severely underestimated how much Griffin seemed to like her. America’s fourth most powerful CEO was no better than his money-hungry adversaries and deep down she knew that… She just wanted someone other than her friends to take her feelings into account just this once. 

With Griffin’s word as law, and whatever Gustavo was afraid of in Obdul’s briefcase when the tall man tapped on it, the band was set to attend the gathering and adhere to Brand New Day’s request. 

When Kelly sighed, shifting her gaze from the soft glow of her BlackBerry in the back of the dark limo to the writer, she just slowly shook her head. “You heard Griffin earlier, Roxy. They’re paying customers and Rocque Records has a contract to fulfil. As much as you dislike these boys-”

“These two,” The assistant automatically corrected, feeling James’ hand slide onto her shoulder as the limo turned a corner. “These two,” Kelly continued after a brief pause, “There’s a lot of money at stake here.”

That was the same answer the talent scout had given her all day - the same corporate talk about contract fulfillment, legal obligation, and reputation. Bullshit. 

��“Griffin said we have to,” Gustavo added in a flat tone, red glasses matching the tint of a neon sign zooming by outside the window behind him, suggesting that he wasn’t all too thrilled with the night before them either. “So we have to. Set aside whatever crap has you all up in a twist about this party! It’s only a few hours, okay?” 

With a huff, Roxy crossed her arms and pushed back into her seat, watching the endless stream of cars out the window beside the man’s head. Most of the time she and Gustavo were on the same page, especially when it came to breaking down emotional barriers in the writer’s room. If he was able to help her draw out the words to place on the page when she was struggling in the past, why was he so incapable of seeing her irritation now? 

“We’ll be okay, Rox!” From across the way, Carlos reached out to pat her knee, welcome warm contact on skin that felt as cold as ice. The charm from the bracelet she’d made him for Christmas jingled around his wrist. “The night will be over before you know it!”

Carlos’ optimism never ceased to amaze Roxy; She wished she could feel even a small portion of it at the present, but her confusing amalgamation of fear and anger had been too busy building up in her system all day. Too much time had already been wasted worrying about Mag and Dani since they’d moved to Hollywood. Past memories playing in her head like a bad movie plagued her dreams, causing her to reach out for James in the darkness of her room, only to feel the emptiness creep in when she remembered a few walls separated them in 2-H and 2-J. Horrible flashes of whatever may transpire tonight took hold of her imagination when she was awake, only fueling the fire of emotions rooted in her belly. 

And even that felt ridiculous to her because Mag and Dani were just people she used to be friends with, not the supervillains of epic proportions her mind was making them out to be. The hurt and confusion then mingled with shame for expecting the worst from them, dragging up situations in which they’d looked out for her at local gigs or sat up and listened to her complain on the phone all hours of the night while she tried to work out a new tune or melody. All the fun they’d had playing together, advertising for their band wherever they could, and drawing up big plans to hit the big time together.

Then, the cycle of emotions started anew, because if they were such great people, how could they so easily take her work and pass it off as their own? How could they be Brand New Day without her?

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Roxy tilted her head back into the hard headrest, focusing on the silence in the car since she’d been too fatigued to pick a radio station, and took a deep breath in an attempt to stave off the emotional overload.

Beside Carlos, messing with the material of his lap belt, Kendall nodded at his friend’s words. “Just a few photos for the news outlets and some social media posts saying how much we love the new album, then we’re so far out of here and everyone will forget about Brand New Day in a week.”

Though the both of them knew that last part probably wouldn't be true, Roxy wanted to believe it anyway. Internally, she cursed her past self for all the time and effort she’d put into promoting their band to friends, strangers, and whoever would listen, and all the wishes on shooting stars in clear Minnesota skies that one day they’d blow up and get to move out of their nothing town. 

Too little, too late, the girl thought, feeling the unpleasant sting of her nails cutting into her palm as they balled into tight fists in her lap. At least we all got what we wanted in the end.

James must have noticed her discomfort; The hand on her shoulder trailed down her arm to unwind the mess she might have made of her palm with her fresh manicure. 

“You also… Don’t have to come…” Logan tried to add but quickly winced when Roxy countered his comment with a nasty glare. 

“Are you kidding me? I’m the only one who knows what those two are like! This is all part of their big scheme to-” 

“Roxanne.” Gustavo cut her off with a grating exhale of her name. For a few seconds, the humming of the engine was the only sound heard between the seven. “Being in the entertainment industry means sometimes you have to do things you don’t like to do. Do you think I enjoy playing babysitter for the five of you? No! But if I want to stay Hollywood’s number one producer, that’s what I have to do!”

“Oh, stop it Gustavo, you flatter us too much!” Kendall said with a sarcastic smile in a clear attempt to ease some of the tension radiating off of his boss and assistant, which calmed Roxy only slightly. At least one of them was able to keep a level head at the present. “We all know you love us too much but simply can’t admit it - out loud or otherwise.”

Grumbling something under his breath, Gustavo turned to look at Kelly’s BlackBerry, signifying Kendall had won that part of the conversation for now. 

The frontman looked over to her too, for approval or something else she wasn’t sure, but she did catch the upward quirk of his lips. Momentarily, some of the tension left her body and she finally let her head rest on her boyfriend’s shoulder. If there was one thing she could count on tonight, it was her four friends. 

Like it or not, this was happening, so she might as well suck it up and be the bigger person. In public at least; The big tub of chocolate chip ice cream in her freezer and the floor of her kitchen were already calling her name no matter how hard she tried to ignore it. 

Even if it wasn’t his intention, Roxy found comfort in Kendall’s subtle smirk. As good as friends Mag and Dani had been to her in the past, their bond didn’t even come close to the one she shared with the Big Time Rush boys and her new friends at the Palm Woods. So, she took it as a sign. One that screamed “We’ve got your back, Roxy! Always!” in bright, flashy colors, big enough to rival the magnitude of the Hollywood sign looking out over the city they so loved. 

Maybe James had noticed it too, his hand tightening in hers before pressing a light kiss into her hair. The two savored the last bit of physical contact they’d have before the prying eyes of everyone at the party, because neither of them needed to add a potential relationship exposé to the list of things that might happen that evening. “Everything will be alright, baby. I promise.”

[thegamingcatmom]

I came across your fic, the sisters on Ao3 and the writing? Amazing! I binge read it in one go and honestly can't wait for more of the story.

Had a thought on that, like we get the vibes that kate will probably push Tanya's buttons with having MC's attention. And then the thought came of would Tanya be annoyed if Kate stole an indirect kiss 👀

Like it's not a massive thing, but could you imagine: they're feeding her, and she's got a drink with a straw or whatever, and kate gets this idea just eyeing the MC drinking who has no idea what's going on and just assumes oh Kate's just thirsty or whatever

The offer of, "You want a sip?" A cheeky grin from kate as she realizes this takes it just for the sole purpose of getting an indirect kiss, not even a kiss, but like just to have that small bit she can gloat over her sister. The confusion on Tanya as Kate takes it even if she doesn't drink it before realizing

I-

This is-

But WHERE are my manners:

Hi! 👋

And THANK YOU for your lovely words! They just put a huge smile on my face, truly. 🙈❤️

Now, to the good stuff:

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Oh, Kate will push buttons alright, and not just Tanya´s probs. Girl lives for being a nuisance, so I think MC would be well-advised to stock up on those headache pills. 💊😅

As for your idea with that indirect kiss?? I mean-

YES PLS???

I love that omg!!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Like, you have NO idea-

Okay so...what I´m trying to say here is:

"...it´s not a massive thing" is RIGHT up my alley. THAT´S what I´m talking about. Like, yknow, all those subtle things, that between-the-lines stuff. Like, YKNOW?? 🫣

God, I sound so unhinged rn-

OKAY SO, in my humble opinion, less is more when it comes to building up that tension and creating an atmosphere that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat, even if there´s little to no "action" going on, if yknow what I mean. It´s the little things that make you go absolutely bonkers because you´ve been suffering forever and you just wanna scream at them to just-

But they won´t. Not now. Not for a loooong time. You hate it (and you hate that you love it). With every little interaction, the cup fills a bit more. The less action you put into those interactions, the faster the cup fills. (Yknow what I´m saying?) Until, at some point, a single drop would be enough to make the cup overflow. YKNOW WHAT I´M SAYING??

Ahhh, it´s just the little things, yknow? Idc about smut (I mean), GIMME THE TENSION. 😭

Also, can you imagine the LOOK MC´s gonna receive from Kate??? As she´s drinking from that straw??? Those lips??? Around that straw???

CAN U IMAGINE TANYA´S LOOK????

Pls. That´s literally them in that exact scenario. I AM WHEEZING.

Meanwhile, MC´s just there like-

YKNOW??

Like, poor thing´s confused af and so innocent, but also kinda used to all that weird shit by now and she´s literally just woken up, trying to enjoy her breakfast, and Tweedledum and Tweedledee are already using up all her energy for that day and-

Is one sane day in this house too much to ask for??

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If it hasn´t become clear enough by now: You have broken me with this. I can´t unthink this now. In fact, Imma go ahead and save that shit for later because there´s no way I´m NOT gonna use this at some point.

...Wait, can I? Like, is it okay if I use your lovely idea for my story?? Please?? 😭

If not, just lemme know. Send me another ask or dm me or whatever suits you best. ✌️😊

...If you fail to do so, however...

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Thank you so much for your ask! You´ve made my day (and my night) with this!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

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EDIT:

😩🤌

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ANOTHER EDIT:

Okay but Tanya getting back at Kate by not only taking sip, but a whole BITE??? Despite knowing it'll have to get outta there at some point later again because vampires aren't made for human food??? And Kate just looks at her like-

challenge accepted

-and then it's basically just the two of them taking turns snatching something from MC's plate, trying their hardest to keep their faces somewhat neutral despite the horrid taste and, in the end, MC's plate is empty, she's still hungry because those two idiots have swallowed it all, and said idiots-

Well, looks like none of them is gonna get some now because 1) hooman's moody af because no food and 2) excuse them-

[crybaby-bkg]

I'm literally obsessed with your work??? Like all of them???? I love you so much???? Can I marry you? I have a ring pop somewhere--hold on, lemme find it--

You're so wonderful l look forward to seeing your content in my feed all the time 😭💙

omg I didn’t even see this earlier!!!!! BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 this was so sweet omg I’ve been feeling so down being on here so getting this message????? You’re tryna kill me !!! 🥺🥺🥺

but I humbly accept your ring pop marriage offer 😌 we are now one person so pls enjoy being attached to my hip for eternity <333

but seriously thank you so much love this was so so sweet to open up and find in my inbox!!! you made a good day great 🥺💙💙

[yamatossideboob]

ONE PIECE 1123 Spoilers!

This week's condolences:

Yes... teach the children well... this is how you combat transphobia

alternate title for this chapter: 'Vegapunk voice all according to keikaku'

I intially felt this chapter was mostly information we could have inferred, but tbqh the emotional perspective this chapter offers from Stella & co is really valuable. It goes a long way to giving them some much needed emotional spotlight on them that Egghead (imo) didn't offer enough of prior.

That sure is some selective conker haki if S-Snake and presumably Stussy and Kaku were spared. Maybe Haki Ancient-Style is a different kind of spice

Christ, all that and without any hostile intent... OP op

"THANK YOUUU!! GIANT ROBOOOO!!" my thoughts exactly, ty Luffy

Emet looks fairly kaput now... thank you indeed... this gives me a bad feeling though... we know Saturn is still present... what if he purloins Emet's remains and uses them for nefarious experiments? They're Ancient Kingdom tech, surely the spider bastard can extract much-sought info from this...?

the gay giants are right, let's vamoose from this debacle fellas

I think even in a denser chapter, this would still be my highlight. Our future Brave Warrior of the Sea is FINALLY GOING TO FUCKIGN ELBAF BABES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also like the moment of solace with Bonney... she's earned this ; ;

Sanji might be onto something... we're not quite done with Vegapunk yet lads, even if Egghead is just about over. Just a gut feeling...

I love how VP immediately assumes the evil Satellite is responsible for the Mother Flame robbery lmao. Shows what you know humble genius!

Dummy memories and vid footage to fool the hivemind is a solid answer tbh. York is pretty cute smart after all

"Also forgive me Lilith!!" putting the humble in humble genius

Wow, York had been planning this for much longer than assumed, and was pretty thorough about it.

Ah ykw I guess we never did learn just HOW York got the Mother Flame to the WG without the rest learning. Fair dues Oda.

Okay. I actually really do appreciate this perspective of the Vegapunks accepting their impending deaths and facing it head-on with one final plan. To learn one is going to die, to be killed by those one served, and for the 'crime' of wanting to uncover the secrets of the past, hidden for (assumedly) malevolent purpose... and then boldly deciding to not let it be for nothing... that's fucking good. I'm a sucker for when characters die on their own terms, especially when it's at the expense of the enemy, and I love this example. I've had such mixed feelings wrt Vegapunk throughout Egghead, but this has really tipped me more or less over in favour of auld applehead. ily Vegapunks. rip mates

"We were thinking the same thing!!" 😭😭😭

They really were trying to think of everything before the final hour...

"But that is stays incomplete is my only hope..." 😭😭😭😭😭

"NONE OTHER THAN OUT ULTIMATE TRIUMPH" SAY IT WITH ME LADS

"DEATH?? WHOSE, MINE??" I will forever love that there is always room for comedy in these dire moments.

The VPs wiping their memories feels. a little superfluous here, but I guess with York still present and the WG approaching, no chances could be taken for the ultimate You Didn't Win.

Man good thing Vegapunk is about to die or all those whats woulda given him a stroke

Poor Sanji... being told to let someone die just goes against so much of who he is :<

"I want your crew to be the ones who get it" 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

pls put the pruned pirate king down fellas he needs a nap

"ONWARD TO ELBAF ONWARD TO MY DREAM" FCKING SAY IT BRAVE WARRIOR OF THE SEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

god i'm so glad Egghead is over, this arc was immense but I'm beyond excited to see Elbaf after so many years of buildup!! AND a new chapter next week! On the road again nakama, I'll see ye all there! 💪✖️