#richard looks really stylish as well

[cursed-elo-images]

Why are they so stylish look at them 🥺🥺🥺

Seriously not only are they talented at making music BUT also choosing outfits for the day

…and I will never understand why 🥲🥲🥲

ELO

[starleska]

Ok, spill the beans about this Mad Mod blorbo of yours. Gimme the details

aaaaaaaa!!!!!! oh my gosh yes yes yes thank you for the opportunity i would love to gush about him - and hopefully get some other people interested 🙈🙈🙈 prepare for an infodump!!!

this is Mad Mod, real name Neil Richards: a brilliant, stylish villain, and an iconic enemy of the Teen Titans!! now, Mad Mod's been around for a while, first appearing in Teen Titans #7 as a fashion designer-turned-smuggler working on Carnaby Street, and later with a more hipster design in the New 52 DC comics. however, the version you'll see me yelling about most (and i think that most are familiar with) is the Mad Mod from the 2003 animated Teen Titans show (see above) 💖

Mad Mod is very much emblematic of his name: he's a crazy British bad guy whose aesthetic, interests and personality are influenced by 60's Mod culture. he speaks with a pronounced Cockney accent (voiced by Malcolm McDowell, who you may know as Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange), dresses in trim, fashionable, Mod-style suits and other outfits (e.g., military parkas), and is an extreme Anglophile: believing British culture and values (ostensibly Mod culture, but also Britain and/or England as a monolith) are superior to others. his original beef with the Teen Titans is their lack of manners: Mad Mod believes them to be poorly behaved, and in need of 'teaching' and 'correcting' (please make no assumptions about me or my taste from this 🙈).

i think Mad Mod is fascinating for a lot of reasons, with the first being his incredible technological capabilities. you see, Mad Mod is not technically the young man you see in the image above: he's actually well past middle-age, but is capable of constructing high-tech illusions using gadgets, robots and screens (shown to be controlled using his ruby-topped cane, which he is quite proficient with!). in Teen Titans, Mad Mod is first shown projecting this younger version of himself as a hologram in a constructed, confusing labyrinth which mimics a school. behind the scenes, Mad Mod - physically an old man - is using this younger version as an avatar to torment the Teen Titans. however, later on Mad Mod devises a technology which allows him to steal youth from other people. in the episode Revolution, Mad Mod steals Robin's youth, reverting his own physical form to a younger version - confirming that the Mad Mod we see in his debut episode is how he looked when he was younger: the skinny, suited redhead with the pretty smile 😉

a lot of people will remember Mad Mod for one thing: the hypnosis. a big gimmick of Mad Mod's is his use of custom-built hypnoscreens: large screens which play repetitive spirals intended to hypnotise and/or brainwash the observer. his goals expand beyond just trying to hypnotise the Teen Titans into being more well-behaved; he later attempts to brainwash them and the entirety of Jump City into believing the American Revolution never happened, and that he is actually their English king. with regards to his love of Britain and England, Mad Mod is...not particularly well-adjusted, and i'm saying that as a Brit 🙈💖

a lot of people are very taken by the unique design of Mad Mod's episodes - specifically his chase sequences, which contain fun references to popular British culture (like Monty Python and The Beatles). taken to be an avant-garde extension of the giant illusions he builds, Mad Mod's style borrows a good deal from 60's pop art, and uses stark, black-and-white imagery with noticeably different rendering than other characters and backgrounds. it's honestly really cool!!! you may recognise a similar art style used in Across the Spider-Verse with Spider-Punk, AKA Hobie Brown 🔥

everything about Mad Mod is explicitly British (particularly English), but his view of Britishness and correct behaviour is both out-dated and extraordinarily narrow. i theorise this is because he never quite reconciled with growing older and the Mod subculture going out of style...he's obsessed with regaining his youth, and despite being The Most British Thing Since Austin Powers, he continues to live in America and push a very odd, caricatured idea of Britishness onto other people that is unique to his worldview. as Cyborg sums up neatly, "Man, I bet even real British people don't like you!"

but, all of that lore aside - you came to know why Mad Mod is my latest blorbo!!! well...just look at him 🥴 he's capital e 'Evil' with a penchant for tying people up and absolutely no respect for other people's personal space 🥺💖 he also has that attractive combo of being abrasive and degrading, whilst also being soft and elegant. not to mention he's a total goofball;;; there's nothing i love more than a villain who's having a great time, and he is having a blast 🙈

you know this guy is Tumblr Sexyman material too: the suits, the cane-twirling, the crazy powers...who cares that he's actually a grandpa? sexualising old men is a national sport on this website 😂 on a physical level he hits a lot of beats for me...gangly, bespectacled (with tinted lenses!!!!!), ginger and crooked teeth??? man 😳😳😳 it doesn't help that i've already had a handful of f/os who are meant to represent a specific decade/style/etc, one of whom is literally Austin Powers;;; my taste is terrible, but consistent 😂😂 all in all, please visualise little cartoon hearts coming off my icon whenever you see me posting about this freak 🥰🥰🥰 if you're a lover of silly villains too, the DCAU is a great place to look!! shout out to my pal @iriso-page for sending the fateful ask that triggered my fixation in a cascade 🙈 thanks so much for sending this in - hopefully this causes a couple other people to check him out too 😉

[wondersofluxury]

From Cocktail Glassware to the Phenom 100 Jet: Accessories for Modern Elite Living

Modern luxury lifestyle is not about beautiful spaces any longer; it’s all about finer accessories, unique experiences, and the best styles. As you’re fashioning the life of sophisticated taste, so does each detail become a method through which to enjoy the flawless for your life. Perfect glassware to savor a drink in parties when cocktails are happening or just the ultimate watch, enhancing more elegance on style-that says it all. And when you’re all set for that next escapade, a yacht charter or private jet will really take things up another notch. Let’s look into some of the most desired pieces and experiences that make modern elite living so chic and unique.

For that standout bar, how about some sophisticated glassware?

The foundation for any spectacular entertaining in the home involves glassware-the high-end, stylish ones. Proper cocktail and bar glassware in a house are an atmosphere builder and not merely providing your guest something to drink. It will come in handy on just the right release of flavor from that cocktail or champagne glasses building a room’s ambiance.

Cocktail Glassware: from highball glasses to martini glasses, serve every drink the way it should be by carrying a variety with you.

Floating Pool Bars: a floating bar pool accessory lets you enjoy your favorite cocktail while floating under the sun!

Bar Glassware Sets: Full bar glassware sets will give your home bar that consistent, polished look that impresses the guests.

The look of your home bar speaks about you and your personality. Well-arranged bars always attract people, especially if they have a classic set of glassware for all occasions. You might host an intimate party or throw a huge celebration; the right glassware makes all the difference between luxury and just a simple affair.

Perfect Your Timepieces with Quality Watch Accessories

For anyone who appreciates elegance and punctuality, a luxury watch is more than just an accessory; it is a personality statement. Quality timepieces are appreciated for fine craftsmanship, but proper care is equally important. That’s where the Wolf Watch Winder comes in. Wolf watch winders are not only made to keep automatic watches wound but also to style them up.

A high-end watch needs a high-end accessory to go with it. Here’s why a Wolf Watch Winder should be on your list:

Preserves Precision: They keep precision by ensuring that your automatic watch is wound and keeps running, even when you are not wearing it on daily duty.

Elegant Display: Most winders are in lavish cases, making each watch a showpiece.

Safe Storage: It keeps your watch safe from dust and elements and makes it ready for any occasion.

Best Luxury Watches for Men: Your Guide to Timeless Style

Choosing the correct watch will mean finding the right one that is made with durability and will fit right into your style. Best luxury watches do have a lot of completing power for your outfit compared to any accessory. In this regard, knowing some of the better brands helps in making that informed choice. Here are some top luxury mens watches to keep an eye on:

Gucci Watches for Men: These include Gucci watches for men, which epitomize Italian elegance and blend style with precision into all of their pieces.

Classic Swiss Brands: Such brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe are just legends at the craft, and in any case, always fashion.

Modern Icons: Brands such as Richard Mille make watch statements bold, modern, and instantly recognizable.

Whether one is looking for an iconic luxury watch or a modern one, there’s going to be something special in these bad boys, filling the best of both worlds.

Design An Unforgettable Space with Luxury Home Decor

Your home is a place of comfort and beauty created by your personal style and taste. From lavishly comfortable furniture to statement pieces of decor, luxury home decor can make the environment of your space even greater. When you choose any of your home decor items, think about creating harmony while making bold style choices inside your rooms.

Elegant Centerpieces: A beautiful, high-end centerpiece of the room instantly makes that room look polished and put together.

Luxurious Textures: Velvet or silk is great in creating a warm and cozy feel.

Unique Lighting: A chandelier or sculpted lampshade can easily transform an ordinary room into an extraordinary one.

In decorating with luxury, pieces are chosen based not on their beauty alone but the meaning they carry. It’s not just about filling space; it’s telling stories about your taste, personality, and experience.

Adventure Awaits: Take to the Skies and Seas in Style

Living the high life is not only about enjoying beautiful spaces but also about new adventures. Those who value the thrill of discovery and the finer things know that there’s nothing quite like setting sail on a private yacht charter or soaring through the clouds in a private jet. Imagine traveling in style, whether it’s cruising around the Mediterranean or hopping on the Phenom 100 Jet to reach your next destination. These are truly next-level experiences that blend adventure with the ultimate in convenience and comfort.

Yacht Charters: A yacht charters offer a very unique travel experience, the privacy of your own space combined with the elegance of luxury cruising.

Phenom 100 Jet: The Phenom 100 is a sophisticated light jet designed for quick and comfortable travel, perfect for weekend getaways.

Seamless Luxury: Chartered yachts and private jets offer luxury and convenience, minus the hassle of traveling commercially.

Final Touches: Accessories That Complete the Modern Lifestyle

The final touches is what brings any look or experience together. From the glass of wine in exquisite cocktail glassware to the exact tick of a high-end watch, every little detail is part of your lifestyle. Here’s how you can bring your modern elite life full circle with just a few final ideas:

Floating Bar Pool: Swim in your pool with a glass of wine or cocktail at your floating bar.

Luxury Home Decor Accents: This might be the fine art piece, an exquisite rug, or even one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures for that space polished look.

Watch Winders and Cases: Have them in their best conditions at all times to get ready for that special moment.

All these things, from the bars themselves to that Phenom 100 jet, finally sum up into an exclusive, luxurious sense of private lifestyle.

[quotes121sworld]

Samantha Armytage shares a loving selfie with husband Richard Lavender from their night out at the Crown

Samantha Armytage and her former Sunrise co-stars crossed paths at a lavish Crown event in Sydney on Wednesday. But the Farmer Wants a Wife host made no mention of her former colleagues when she posted pictures from the event on Thursday. Sam, 46, shared a loving selfie of herself with her husband, equestrian entrepreneur Richard Lavender, from the event and re-shared the video of Julie Bishop. Notably absent from their feed were Sunrise stars David "Kochie" Koch, Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta, who also attended the posh event. "Thank you Crown Sydney for a fun evening at Vivid," Sam captioned her post.

Samantha Armytage shares a loving selfie with husband Richard Lavender from their night out at the Crown - but doesn't mention her former Sunrise co-stars, who she crossed paths with after Kochie revealed the truth about their 'feud'.On the evening, which took place on Crown's luxurious CIRQ rooftop, Sam looked incredible in a blue floral dress which she paired with a stylish pair of beige knee high boots. The glamorous event proved to be the who's who of Sydney's media scene, attracting the likes of Today show's Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, former Foreign Secretary Julie Bishop, TV presenter Erin Holland and model Francesca Hung.David Koch, who recently announced his departure from Sunrise, also looked handsome that night in a navy plaid suit, white shirt and blue floral tie.

Sam, 46, shared a loving selfie of herself with her husband, equestrian entrepreneur Richard Lavender, from the event and re-shared the video of Julie Bishop

Notably absent, however, were Sunrise stars David "Kochie" Koch, Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta, who also attended the posh eventThe TV veteran, 67, completed his look with a pair of black shoes as he posed alongside co-host Natalie Barr, 55, who looked radiant.Earlier in the day, Kochie decided to settle the much-hyped feud with his former co-host Sam on The Kyle And Jackie O Show.In a surprise revelation, Kochie dismissed the feud rumors by saying, "No, we didn't get a bad ending," apparently baffled by the question.However, when pressed further by presenter Jackie "O" Henderson for her announcement following Sam's departure from Sunrise, Kochie remained reticent.

On the evening, which took place on Crown's luxurious CIRQ rooftop, Sam looked incredible in a blue floral dress which she paired with a stylish pair of beige knee high bootsRather than answering directly, he pointed out that Sam had publicly expressed her desire to "get out of the media.""Don't forget that Sam has said quite publicly that she wants to get out of the media and that scrutiny." ,' he said.Kochie said Sam sent him a "really nice message about the announcement" that he was stepping down as the show's host."She sent me a really nice message, as did ex-co-host Mel." "Cochi said.Rumors of a feud between the two have circulated since Sam left the highest-rated breakfast show Seven, but have never been confirmed.After Kochie quit, Sam shared a souvenir photo of herself and her former colleague on Instagram last month, along with a kind but simple message."I want to wish Kochie all the best in his future." And to many well-deserved nights ahead," she wrote. Read the full article

[jonesyjonesyjonesy]

jpj, rp, and jb at melody maker awards (November 28th, 1979) feat. Dave Lewis

“Mention celebrating and, well, you’ve got John Bonham. Arriving with the immaculately dressed Richard Coles and the rest of the, dare one say, heavy backstage entourage, he heads straight for the bar and hearty laughter is soon heard to ring out. Peter Grant arrives by chauffeur driven Rolls. Although his character is said to be nothing like as fearsome as one would imagine, he always looks so awesome. I mean really. Not so Mr John Paul Jones, of course. Down for the day from his Sussex home in similar style. He’s wearing the most incredible baggy jeans, cowboy boots, check shirt and light brown bomber jacket, with turned up collar. His hair is what I notice first of all. It’s nigh on shoulder length, but more stylish than I’ve seen it in a long time.” —Dave Lewis x

[xkitcharmont]

♛･*˚ INTRODUCING: CROWN PRINCE KIT CHARMONT 💝

inspired  by  :  PRINCE CHARMING, of cinderella — additional : leopold mountbatten ( kate & leopold ), prince kit ( cinderella - 2015 ), prince henry but like more enlightened and not an elitist ( ever after ), princess anneliese ( barbie as princess & the pauper ), the nutcracker/prince eric ( barbie in the nutcracker ), princess ann ( roman holiday ) — can you tell he’s a prince yet — anne lister ( gentleman jack ), sam baldwin ( sleepless in seattle ), aragorn ( lord of the rings ), clark kent ( superman 1978 ), also ig just like tom hanks in rom-coms vibes

full name. christopher reginald lancelot charmont preferred name. kit !!! faceclaim. richard madden dob. 7 may 1986 (taurus) occupation. prince of ulstead (first in line)

!! quick first impression: he is courteous, he is perhaps a little too formal when you first meet him, but it’s all warmth and sincerity. no dry sarcasm here but he does love to crack a joke. perfect posture. very much a prince, through and through. wide, brilliant smile. nice cologne. 😌

physical description.

curly brown hair ; short trimmed beard (soft !!)

5ft 9 ¼ (175.9 cm)

clothing: neat, stylish, tones of gold, green, blue, grey, white. 

( for more information on kit, please also view his full little introduction here ! it’s a more detailed version of the information below :3 )

birthplace. ulstead, france orientation. biromantic, demisexual

song. vienna, by billy joel

You got your passion, you got your pride But don't you know that only fools are satisfied? Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true When will you realize... Vienna waits for you?

> JUST KIT THINGZ  👑

highest level of education. masters in international relations

other skills/training. naval training, equestrian training, military training, an insane knowledge of microsoft and google suite (he is an excel master), also notion pages and every calendar app known to man.

languages spoken.

fluent : english, french, spanish, italian, german, latin, ASL ( french & american )

learning : mandarin, arabic, japanese, russian

hobbies.

sports : fencing, polo, rowing, spelunking, rock-climbing, hiking

fun : baking !!! :3 man loves to bake, and do scrabble, and trivia !!!!, and KARAOKE !!

music : piano, he sings pretty well too smh

kit quirks.

he has SWORDS (but he keeps them at home). 

as a kid, his favourite stories were of pirates.

he sends weekly emails to his brothers called ‘ulstead uppity updates’ (UUU ; the ‘triple U’). these detail everything happening in royal meetings, including minutes, latest decisions, and any proposals the brothers should look over.

he bakes a lot, and is very good at decorating cupcakes and cakes. he likes to bake pies. everything he makes in excess is given to his neighbours, or to passers-by, or to local orphanages and shelters.

his two cats: vienna (the tortoiseshell) and antoinette (a black cat). both of them are rescue cats. 

you’ll see him biking around with a cat backpack on sometimes. if you wave, he’ll ring the little bike bell and smile !!

he likes to listen to music in the open, not through headphones. so he usually only plays it freely in his home. he loves music up to the early 2010s. after that it is a void.

> THE PAST

kit charmont was raised in ulstead, france with his two little brothers (florian & philip), and their mother and father (king hubert)

in his teens: 

kit stayed mainly within ulstead, finishing all his relevant studies. 

not really a party animal, not many close friends, was known as a very polite kid but kind of quiet and kept to himself

literally the one who like stays at home doing homework for the next school year.

smartest kid in school, valedictorian, all of that. started learning languages at this time, president of the academic decathlon, hehe

in his twenties:

kit studied his undergraduate degree in arts, while also commencing more rigorous royal studies to complement his duties. 

he also began training with the royal army and navy

it’s within this decade that his mother dies.

in his 20s-30s:

kit began to want more from life. always prepared, and very self-aware, he knew that in order to be the king/brother/son that his family needed, then he needed to make sure he was okay. 

his late 20s/early 30s was a time of self-reflection and soul-searching. he started to travel alongside his royal duties, learning as much as he could of the world and ‘living’ as much as he could before he stayed permanently within ulstead’s borders.

his travels took him all over the world, but he would not have stayed for more than 2 weeks somewhere before he came back to ulstead. 

he knew his father was preparing to pass the crown to him soon, and he wanted to be ready. 

marriage ???? no !!!

he finished his travels around age 34. but just because he stopped travelling, it didn’t mean he stopped learning. this man is the literal definition of ‘lifelong learning’. much to his father’s chagrin, he was still balancing time between princely duties and his personal passions. but no one could say that the royal court ever suffered, because kit was always on time and did his homework, providing substantial discussion etc.

he got along really well with his father, until it came to the marriage thing. 

he had to marry ??? what why ??? so that someone could take care of him ??? not right now ://

but then ella ....

you know the story. the beautiful maiden in the gorgeous dress, attending the royal ball in ulstead. no one knows who she is, but look! she’s caught the crown prince’s eye. who was she!

heart-eyes. heart-eyes EVERYWHERE.

he’s not sure he fell in love, but he had never been more ready to fall in love than at that moment. he would have leapt into love for her.

BUT THEN MALEFICENT #$%^$

she knows what she did !!!! >:((( 

> PRESENT

now the charmonts are in elias. 

kit was the last one to leave ulstead. he understood the need to protect his brothers, but he couldn’t fathom why his father wanted him to escape too. who would be left to protect their kingdom? who would be the one to come up with a plan? his father’s aging advisors? that snivelly Grand Duke??

and by last to leave, i mean he left a few days after his brothers. he fought tooth and nail with his father that he should stay. tried every trick in the book. but eventually, he surrendered to his father’s desperation.

he’s been at elias now for at least a 1.5 years. he was there for the big battle with hades and maleficent (let’s just say he played a super small role and didn’t do much other than general fighting).

he lives in an apartment all by himself. and two cats: vienna & antoinette. they have lil cat backpacks.

he has no horse :(( he has a car here, but mainly rides his bike around elias. 

he spends his days doing a ‘work from home’ situation, still attending royal meetings and fulfilling his duties. things have recently become more difficult due to his father’s exhausted state. it’s hard to be semi-king of your kingdom when you’re an ocean away.

other things he does in elias:

volunteers time with different organisations, such as orphanages, homeless shelters, and fundraising events

he started the ‘chatty cafe’ in the community centre. on tuesday and thursday afternoons, you get to just sit and chat about anything, and there’s free coffee, tea, and snacks. kit is always there, without fail, to chat to anyone who needs it.

bit of a good samaritan around elias, just known for doing nice things like helping someone with their groceries, paying for the items of the people in the queue, getting a cat out of a tree hehe

[ MENTAL STATE ]

kit has always done very well with like self care and all that. 

but being stuck in elias makes him restless. he’s not sure if he wants to make a life here. he’s got his cats, he’s got his hobbies, but it feels like the longest business trip in the world. and the worst part is, he’s not meant to act like a prince here.

they’re meant to be ‘in hiding’ technically, so he introduces himself as only ‘kit’. and it comes with its perks — he has to admit it’s a little freeing to now have that time he used to crave. the time to just be whoever he wanted to be. only it came a decade too late because he literally just got into the rhythm of being an almost-king in ulstead, and now he has to be .... HIDING ????

being in hiding from a witch, being kept away from his beloved home country .... this was NOT in his ten-year plan.

he’s so proud of being a prince, he loves his kingdom so much. WHY CAN’T HE JUST GO HOME !!!!!

on the family front: he and florian are tense atm (have been for a few years now), and ... kit doesn’t know how to fix it :((

> FUTURE

he’s going to defeat maleficent if it’s the last thing he does honestly

he wants to learn more about magic, or at least request the help and assistance of magic-users who could know something to combat/defend against maleficent

then he’s going back to ulstead

(maybe fall in love?? 🥺)

> TAKEN connections 🕺

florian charmont. brother

philip charmont. brother.

aurora capulet-charmont. sister-in-law

maleficent faery. enemy !!!! ⚔️🔥 IT’S ON SIGHT

elsa arnadalr. dear old friend (lil sis elsa)

anna arndalr. LITTLER SIS ANNA

james sullivan. friend. (met once at a business conference, had the best time, lost touch but will come back together again !!)

more to coooommmee ...

> WANTED connections 🎂

neighbours : want some free food ? need some pet-sitting done ? nervous to talk to the land-lord and need some help ? kit is your guy. his apartment building is a bit ‘posh’ and on the rich side. 

chatty cafe : as explained above, the chatty cafe is a thing he started in the community centre. every tuesday and thursday afternoon he and other volunteers sit down and chat with anyone who needs it; there’s free tea, coffee, and snacks.

stranger in need, is a friend indeed : kit doesn’t shy away from asking if someone needs assistance. there’s very little he can’t do. study help? yes. language help? yes. assistance with navigating forms and paperwork? YES. 

did someone say ... prince charming ? : similar to the above but more the ‘damsel in distress’ route hehe. here is literally prince charming. can end up hilarious, serious, dramatic, sad, you name it. not necessarily romantic. ( any gender !!! :3 )

you’ve got a friend in me : kit has never had ... uhh ... friends. the closest people to him are his brothers, and the captain of ulstead. he needs people that he interacts with as just himself, not as someone helping out or doing something. people he can chill with — and honestly, they need to make him chill.

he likes trivia nights, board games, karaoke, HIKING, sports, PLSSS

he is also a music lover, will go to any concert pls

can you tell i want him to have friends :///

barbie as princess and the pauper (i'm just like you !!! you’re just like mEEEE !!! ): listen .. bear with me ... someone who also deals with a lot of responsibility and stress. please raise your hand. now you are officially the erika to kit’s anneliese. best friendism and cats.

tough love : in addition to friends, he needs people who will tell him straight up that he needs to slow the heck down and run at a normal human being’s pace for once. force him to take a vacation pls. 

it’s witchcraft (frank sinatra vc) : he would like to learn more about magic so he can better defend his kingdom and family against maleficent :((

[czolgosz]

thank you to @loonful​ for the tag :-) ik i usually rb these from you but i felt like making my own post this time !

anyway. 2022 recap !!

top 3 films

as i’ve said before, i don’t really watch movies. but i will try to remember the few things i have watched...

cromwell (1970): i am always bringing this one up for my favorite movie of the year and here it is again. FEATURES I LIKED: richard cromwell is there! the guy playing king charles i actually looks a lot like the real one. it’s the english civil war. the beginning was kind of goofy but i liked it; nice music. i loved the energy of the guy playing prince rupert of the rhine. oh and the costumes were nice ! even if they did have the cavalier soldiers looking stylish 😑 i love stereotypical cavalier fashion but they were NOT wearing that into battle... ah well at least most of them had some sort of armor

romeo and juliet (1968): i watched this one in english class last school year lol. anyway tybalt my beloved i really liked his portrayal (i think i did anyway... it’s been a while)

gone are the days! (1963): ...tbh i never actually watched it all, just the scenes from the play that i really liked (it’s an adaptation of the play purlie victorious). but what i did watch was really good!! i noticed they changed a few things/added some scenes but they really don’t take away from it at all :-)

top 3 books

idk if it’s normal to put the dates next to book titles but i love to put dates on things

vivian grey (1826–27) by benjamin disraeli: i’ve talked about this one enough i think

chicago (1926) by maurine dallas watkins: better than the musical or movie imo! it’s much more fun and it has a better ending i think. also it has some great characters that aren’t in the musical/movie or aren’t as developed in those adaptations. i really recommend it ^_^

“i done my duty”: the complete story of the assassination of president mckinley (2002) by jeffrey w seibert: probably my favorite leon czolgosz book next to the manner of man that kills! the cover is really bad though. however that is not important

top 3 improvements

i got more into history :-) i’ve been meaning to be a history enjoyer for years but didn’t start until late 2021, and didn’t really get into it that much overall until this year... idk if this really comes off as an improvement but it is an improvement to me

my drawing skills have definitely gotten better!

i’ve improved at essay-writing i think..? look i can’t think of anything else ok 😭

top 3 resolutions

read more...

draw/create more...

go outside more...

favorite song:

“come josephine in my flying machine” sung by billy murray & ada jones... ? idk though this is a hard question

favorite quote:

“pray have a care whoe you trust, the world is false; and for myselfe, those that were my father's freinds (pretended ones only) were myne; it required time to acquaint myselfe with them and they tripped up my heeles before I knew them, for though they were relations yet they forsooke me.”  — richard cromwell in a letter to his brother henry (punctuation added by me)

[hauntedbythefanficsofmypast]

BatMom- Dick Grayson

This is the beginning of a five part series, starting with Richard Grayson.

Masterlist

Part 1[Here]

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Dick Grayson, Her First Bird.

Marinette sighed as she stepped out of her car thanking her driver as he pulled her luggage out of the trunk. She turned looking up at the mansion taking in the appearance and remembering how he described it all those years ago. When Marinette first got to know Bruce Wayne, before he broke her heart. Although she couldn’t place her blame on him, after all Bruce wasn’t looking for love. No, he was looking for revenge and Marinette was looking for love in the wrong place. They were two different people and while Bruce did love her, he didn’t love her. Marinette knew that, and she accepted that while it took sometime, she moved on. But now she was back after what she would call a cry for help, but Bruce would call a request for assistance. Although he would never really admit that he asked for help. 

She walked up to the door and knocked politely thinking of the person who would most likely answer. Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce’s honorary father, and technical butler. If the man was anything like Bruce described him he’d answer the door.

“Hello?” Alfred greeted open the door taking in Marinette’s stylish yet obviously comfy clothing. “Ah, you must be Miss Marinette, Master Bruce has told me much about you. You’re here to help him with Young Master Richard.” Marinette laughed softly pushing her sunglasses up allowing her to see her twinkling blue bell eyes. 

“Now Mister Pennyworth, you and I both know Bruce doesn’t ask for help. He implies that he needs it, but refuses to say the word. Then if you say it he will deny ever needing it.” Alfred let his lips twitch as he grabbed Marinette’s bags. Gesturing for her to enter the manor.

“Miss Marinette, I think I am going to enjoy having you around.”

Marinette walked calmly down the hall to Richard’s room, she paused taking a deep breath knocking gently on the door. “Richard may I come in?” She was silent, an understanding smile covering her face. She sat down by the door, side sitting as she slipped her shoes off. “Very well, I will not come in without your permission. However I simply cannot sit out here in silence, that’s much too boring and I abhor silence! Did you know turkeys were once worshipped as Gods? The Mayan people saw them as vessels of the Gods, so much so that they domesticated turkeys to have roles in religious rites. Sounds absolutely silly right? Though I can’t fault them as it is their beliefs, and they had not actually met Gods unlike me.” Marinette smiled as she heard another body sit down on the other side of the door. “In fact I believe they’d be surprised at how unbelievably silly they are! As well as tiny, but don’t let that trick you, even without their chosen human they pack a nasty punch. They are also very protective of those they call their own. Of course not many know that, very few have been blessed to be chosens, and unfortunately quite a few have abused the power. I fear that I may one day abuse it myself. Though my little Goddess always tells me it’s not possible.” The door creaked open slightly and one breathtakingly blue eye peered out at her.

“You’re a chosen?” He asked softly, causing Marinette to smile brightly, as she patted the spot right next to her.

“I am actually the Guardian of them, Tikki is my patron and I her champion. She is the Goddess of Creation and Good Luck, her opposite is Plagg God of Destruction and Bad Luck. Would you like to meet her?” Dick Grayson was quick to open his door and sit next to Marinette his eyes sparkling for the first time in a long time.”Tikki, come out and say hello.”

“Hello there.” Tikki said softly, flying around the young boy’s head giggling. “I’m Tikki and this is my chosen Marinette!”

“Hi I’m Richard Grayson, but I prefer Dick.”

“Nice to meet you Dick.”

“Golly Tikki! It’s nice to meet you too, and you Miss Marinette!”

———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson, After the Fight.

Lady Noir slipped into the tower, careful not to let her power flare and alert the half demon her dear Robin had befriended. She made her way to the kitchen and began unpacking the groceries she had bought, leaving the Chinese take out on the counter. She didn’t even pause when the doors slid open revealing Robin. Who stared at her unimpressed, arms crossed and a slight glare in place. “I suggest you drop that glare Birdie, or else I shall not give you the Chinese I brought. Or the chocolate milk, I know it is still your favorite.” She turned to him with a smirk flipping her braid over her shoulder as she took in her baby bird.

“Did he make you come here?” He said with no emotion in his voice, but Lady Noir could hear the silent plead. The begging for her to say that Batman hadn’t sent her to reprimand his wayward bird. Lady Noir snorted as she unboxed the take out pulling out her favorite and breaking apart her chopsticks. 

“Nonsense, B can’t make me do everything for him. This is something he needs to fix himself.” She said before sitting down on the stool posture as elegant as ever. She calmly ate her Chow mein, waiting for her first bird to come to her. Robin glanced out the window before slowly making his way over sitting across from her at the breakfast bar. “Can’t a cat want to see her favorite bird?” She questioned looking at her noodles with an amused smile as Robin snorted.

“Considering you’re using Plagg instead of Tikki I am a little more worried.” Robin said surveying the hero in front of him, watching as her smile wavered. He hated when her smile waved; she had one of the most beautiful smiles he ever saw. He had always wanted to smile as brightly as she did, and never believed her when she said he already out did her. However since the split between him and Batman. Robin had rarely smiled. “Why is Lady Noir here and not Ladybug?” He questioned looking into her eyes, blue hidden by a green protection. Lady Noir placed her chopsticks down before reaching a shaking hand out to his cheek stopping short.

“Plagg, claws in.” She called softly letting the transformation drop before softly caressing his cheek, moving her other hand up to hold his face gently. Tilting it side to side to assure there were no injuries. “You know Tikki, if she came she’d refuse to leave without you.” Marinette said as her thumb gently brushed the bottom of Robin’s mask. “May I?” She asked softly, but Robin could see the desperation in her blue bell eyes. He grabbed her wrist gently squeezing it, not liking when her eyes closed in resignation. He panicked when she began pulling her hands away, and gently pulled them back to his face. Nodding as he enjoyed the familiar warmth. Marinette gave him a gentle smile as she removed the mask, revealing her Dickie Grayson almost all groan up. “There’s those beautiful blue eyes.” She said softly as a few tears fell from her own. “I’m sorry to intrude Dickie, but after-after what happened last month-I just-I wanted to-I had to see you. I had to see you in person myself. I need to make sure you are okay. Oh baby bird, when I saw you on the news frozen and unable to defend yourself. At the mercy of the Brotherhood of Evil, I-I was terrified.” Dick squeezed her hand gently before standing up and moving to the other side of the breakfast bar. He dragged her into his arms hugging her tightly wrapping his cape around them as best he could.

“I wasn’t scared.” He admitted softly as she cried on his shoulder. “They didn’t scare me, because I knew that no matter what. I knew that you’d come for me, I don’t know about Bruce anymore, but I knew you’d always come for me.”

———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson, Ladybug v.s. Tarantula.

Ladybug landed gracefully on the build and launched herself at Tarantula tackling the girl off Nightwing. She gripped the girl by her throat slamming her head against the concrete with an almost inhuman growl. Straddling the girls hips asuring no chance of escape before viciously rain punches down on her.

“How. Dare. You.” She growled stopping after the fifth punch, snapping out and grabbing the arm Tarantula tried to hit her with. She glared before breaking the girl's wrist in her grip. “How dare you lay your hands on my bird. How dare you attempt to rape him!” She growled out standing up and dragged the girl up by her ponytail. “Kaalki, open a portal.” She dragged the girl to the portal ignoring her attempts to get away.

“I don’t kill, in that department you are unlucky. You see, I’m going to send you somewhere no one knows about. You will never see another human being for the rest of your life. Have fun little girl, for you shall never hurt another again.” Ladybug growled out the fire in her eyes scaring Catalina.

“No please! No I’m sorry, forgive me!” She cried out but was ignored as Ladybug threw her through the portal.

“Close it Kaalki.” She said both her and the God ignoring the girls cries. “I don’t not forgive rapists.” She turned back to her blue bird hurrying over and pulling the sobbing young man into her arms. Cradling and rocking him slowly, he wrapped his arms around her waist crying into her shoulder. “I got you baby bird, let it out. I’m here now, I’m here you’re safe. I’ve got you I’m right here.” She whispered softly, running her fingers through his hair. “I’ve got you.” She kissed his temple softly. 

———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson, Batman’s Cowl.

She leaned against the clock tower watching Batman on his first patrol with his Robin. A frown on her face as she watched them feeling older than ever when she never heard the familiar cackle. No, there would be no cackles in Gotham for a long while. She watched as the Batmoblie rolled into an alleyway, and the duo jumped down. She looked up at the sky begging herself not to cry, at the cruelty of life. Her blue bird was never meant for the cowl but there was nothing she could do. Her bird was anything if not stubborn, he had made his decision and she would not be mad like the League was. No, she would support him and her newest bird. No matter how violent he was towards her. She’d be there every step of the way to make sure the cowl didn’t darken her Birdie.

———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson, Court of Owls.

Lady Noir glared down at the man below her as her combined powers from Tikki and Plagg rippled.

“The Gray Son belongs to the Court.” William Cobb said to her emotionlessly from where he stood above her bird. Nightwing-no his mask was gone, that was her Richard, her Dickie staring up at her with those terrified blue eyes.

“You’re wrong he belongs to no one but himself.” She said firmly, taking in her bird’s unfortunately great grandfather. “And if I have to beat that into you to prove it, so be it. No one, especially not blood lays a hand on my bird and gets away with it.” She flung her yo-yo out wrapping it around his wrist and yanking him forward and off balance. Before propeling herself forward with her baton. Beginning a dangerous dance of which she refused to lose.

“Hey baby bird.” She said softly, hiding her pain as her transformation dropped. She sank to her knees pulling his head into her lap gently playing with his hair. “I’ve got you.” Dick sobbed softly into her lap letting his emotions run freely. Coming to terms with the fact that Haley’s Circus wasn’t his home, they were simply grooming him to be a killer. Taking comfort in his one constant since the loss of his parents. His heart breaking even more over the fact that they had planned to hand him over to them. He knew Marinette would never, she’d never do that to him.

———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson, Death of her Eldest.

Marinette sat despondent as she started at the casket in front of her. Tears falling down her face hidden by a black veil. Her eldest was gone, she’d lost another child. She couldn’t protect another one of her boys, how many would she fail. Tikki and Plagg sat on her shoulders hidden by her black graying hair and her veil. A sob broke from her as she brought one hand up to her face. Attention landing on the mourning mother who finally broke since the news. Since her first baby bird died and she wasn’t there, just like she wasn’t there for her Jay-bird. Life was cruel, so cruel to take two of her birds from her. People turned away from the mother allowing her to let her grief out, they all knew it was a terrible fate. To outlive your children, she had no idea of the three boys wishing to comfort her. Yet fearing they’d make it worse.

———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson Becomes Ric Grayson.

Yes she had been deeply upset to find out her eldest had faked his death. Then she had been pissed at Bruce for telling her Baby bird the family would know. She resolved to spend as much time as she could with her birds. She never thought it would backfire like this, never thought she’d watch her son get shot in the head. Yet here she was by his bedside in Gotham Advance Medical Hospital. She had barely left his side since, she didn’t want to lose her son again. So every day she sat there holding his hand and reading books out loud to him. They day those beautiful blues opened though had not been happy, for what mother would be happy when the rule son asks who they are. It was weeks later that she finally visited again, breaking into ‘Ric’s’ apartment. “Shit, pulling stuff like this will get ya shot lady.” Rick grumbled looking at the unfamiliar woman with graying black hair.

“Please you wouldn’t shoot me, even now guns make you uncomfortable.” Marinette states calling him out and causing the man to tense. “I’m not here to fight, I just could leave without saying goodbye please allow me that.” She took his silence as a go ahead, still not turning around to look at him. “The day I realized I saw you as my son was amazing yet heartbreaking. I loved you so much, you were my boy yet I knew I would never be your mother. I watched you grow into such an amazing and beautiful young man, and now I’ve lost you again. Only this time you may never remember me.” She stood up and turned to Ric not hiding her tears as she cradled his face. “I will always love you.” She said softly kissing his forehead before stepping back and walking past him closing the door behind her as she left. Leaving Ric feeling as if someone important had just left.

 ———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson, Remembrance.

“Not Ric.” He said softly, staring at the ground before slamming his foot down and breaking the crystal. “Dick” He said, turning to Barbara-Batgirl, turning to Batgirl and Beatrice smiling softly. “It’s Dick and I need to find my mom. I need to apologize to her as soon as possible.” Batman landed besides Batgirl the rest of the bat family following. “Let’s hurry up and take care of Joker. I need to see mom.”

Dick walked through the door to Marinette’s penthouse, holding take out from her favorite Chinese place. “Is that you Jay-bird? Did you guys take care of the Joker? I’m sorry I couldn’t help. I wish I never sprained my ankle.” He heard her sigh softly from the couch as she hadn’t turned around yet. “Jason? Baby bird don’t ignore me.” She called out slightly annoyed but he could hear the underlined affection. “Jason Todd-Wayne I swear.” She turned on the couch gasping when her eyes met his eyes. “Hi mom, I’m home.” He said softly rubbing the back of his head.

“Oh baby bird, oh my boy!” She cried out trying to stand as she started crying. She limped  around the couch, causing him to rush towards her wrapping his arms around her waist. 

“Hey mom, sorry for hurting you.”

“Oh my baby bird, I’m so happy.”

———————————<3————————————

Dick Grayson, his Wedding day.

She stood by the door watching him adjust his tie as he looked in the mirror just making it worse. “Honestly Dickie, are you ever going to get a tie right?” She teased walking over and slowly fixing it. She brushed it down gently, her eyes tearing up when she spotted the bluebells in his breast pocket. “Birdie.” She said softly reaching up with her right hand and cupping his cheek gently. “I am so proud of you.” She whispered as a tear slid down her face. “You’ve grown so much and now you’re marrying a beautiful woman that loves you so much.” Dick gently wiped the tear off her cheek. 

“Don’t cry. I hate when you cry, it makes me feel guilty.” He said causing Marinette to snort as she shook her head. Tikki flew out from her hiding place in Marinette’s clutch doing a circle around Dick. “Hello Tikki, I’ve missed you.” Tikki smiled softly at the man standing in front of her.

“And I you Young Grayson, if I may I wish to give you my wedding gift now.” She flew up kissing his forehead gently giggling as her power rippled around him. “Young Grayson, I grant you and your chosen mate Good Luck and Fortune in your future together.” Dick looked at her in surprise while Marinette shook her head looking at her Patron.

“You always have to outdo me.”

[adamwatchesmovies]

Ninja Scroll (1993)

I know Ninja Scroll is a favourite for many, but an anime classic? Let's dial it down a bit. This film was released at the right time. That's why it's influential.

Jubei (voiced by Dean Elliot) is a wandering swordsman-for-hire whose path crosses with the ninja Kagero (voiced by Wendee Lee). Learning that his old enemy Genma Himuro (voiced by Richard Epcar) has resurfaced and is leading a group of eight demons to thrust the country into civil war, Jubei joins forces with Kagero and a shady government spy named Dakuan (voiced by Stephen Apostolina) to stop the malicious forces.

The film's visuals are solid. There are many sequences of action and the movements are fluid, the blows have impact and the stakes feel high. The character designs, their abilities and roles in the story make them memorable. Seeing the heroes battles the demons to the death is exciting. To a certain extent, I also enjoyed the plot. The overall story is simplistic, mostly an excuse to get our heroes and their opponents face to face but subtle touches here and there go a long way. There's political intrigue, the demon's motivations aren't as simple as taking over/destroying the world, and Kagero’s master isn’t really that nice of a guy. You’re unsure how things will go, even if our heroes manage to beat the villains.

It's ironic that Ninja Scroll is credited (along with Ghost in the Shell and Akira) for showing North America that animation could tell adult stories. The film is like a 13-year-old who's just discovered boobs. The story is caked in violence and sex. Every major scene sees either a demon woman or Kagero taking off her clothes, having sex with someone, getting sexually assaulted, rejected sexually, or involves some advance made regarding the fact that as a woman, she would be awesome naked in bed, etc. It gets downright vile when the visuals lingers on a long rape scene. From there, Kagero and Jubei of course have to fall in love. That's what she's there for. With this film and Wicked City I get a strong sense that director Yoshiaki Kawajiri either doesn’t like women, doesn’t know how to relate to them, or has never met one.

I have mixed feelings about the violence of Ninja Scroll as well. It slows down as the picture progresses, but the carnage is nearly as excessive as the sex. People get decapitated, dismembered, electrocuted, cut in half vertically, horizontally, or die from their heads getting sliced in two. On its own it might be fine. Combined with the over sexualization of so many female characters, it'll make any adult feel like they're too old to be watching this.

I wonder how much of the success of Ninja Scroll is due to it being released back in the mid 90’s when so many wanted anime to be taken seriously. It’s violent, gory, contains adult material and very stylish. This was the film many people had been waiting for. Even if you don't care for it, you can't help but say "woah!".

Maybe another visit down the line will change my mind. For now, I recommend the film but more for scholars than casual fans of anime, and hardly at all to those looking for "adult animation". Ninja Scroll is sexist, and gratuitous. It's also historically important, groundbreaking, and influential. (English Dub on VHS, February 29, 2016)

[tabloidtoc]

OK, March 15

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Britney Spears' revenge

Page 1: Big Pic -- Melissa and Joe Gorga during a beach day in Miami

Page 2: Contents

Page 3: Contents

Page 4: Tiger Woods on the mend -- Tiger is counting his blessings as he recovers from a terrifying car crash

Page 6: Queen Elizabeth announced in a statement that her grandson Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan Markle wouldn't be returning as working royals, noting that it was no longer possible for them to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service, and almost immediately, Harry and Meghan shot back with a seemingly rude reply, saying we can all live a life of service and service is universal -- no one was more disappointed in Harry's response than his brother Prince William and William finds this behavior both baffling and sickening and he can't get his head around it and William feels the family has been understanding and fair while Harry and Meghan continue to sit on their high horse flinging insults and from William's perspective there is simply no excuse for snide and ego-driven swipes made towards the queen -- especially right now, since three days prior to Her Majesty's statement, Prince Philip was rushed to a London hospital and the queen's been worried sick about her husband and should not be dealing with this added stress -- the whole situation has left William feeling hopeless and he fears Harry is too wrapped up in his own self-importance to see the hurt he's caused and that is unforgivable in William's eyes

Page 7: As Soleil Moon Frye's messy divorce drags on, a loyal pal from the past is providing a shoulder to cry on in Brian Austin Green who she reconnected with while shooting her upcoming documentary Kid 90 -- Brian can feel her pain because he's still hashing out his split from Megan Fox so he knows exactly what Soleil is going through -- they've been friends for more than 30 years and they're going to see each other through this tough time

* Tom Cruise got all pumped up for Mission: Impossible 7, but now that filming has wrapped, he's desperate to stay in fighting shape for the next installment -- Tom was thrown for a loop when the studio postponed filming M:I 8 instead of shooting the movies back-to-back so now he's putting himself through the wringer doing crunches, pullups, squats and weights but Tom's brutal, military-style workouts have friends and loved ones, including his rumored new girlfriend, M:I7 costar Hayley Atwell, worried that he could be pushing himself to the breaking point and everyone wants him to take it down a notch, but he won't listen -- physically, Tom still thinks he's invincible, but the fact is he'll be turning 60 in less than two years and if he keeps going at this pace, there's a big change he's going to do some serious damage

* Life has been twice as nice for Christine Quinn since she found out she was expecting -- the Selling Sunset star, who's pregnant with her and businessman husband Christian Richard's first child, isn't holding back when it comes to treating herself -- the famously free-spending realtor has been splurging on designer maternity clothes and lingerie to lounge around in at her L.A. mansion and she has flowers delivered daily for every room in the house

Page 10: Red Hot on the Red Carpet -- stars rock statement-making halter dresses -- Lili Reinhart, Camila Morrone, Brie Larson

Page 11: Chrishell Stause, Naomi Campbell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Page 12: Who Wore It Better? Uzo Aduba vs. Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron vs. Kaia Gerber, Bella Hadid vs. Naomi Scott

Page 14: News in Photos -- Steve Martin did what he does best while filming scenes of his upcoming mystery-comedy series Only Murders in the Building in NYC

Page 16: Nicole Scherzinger stepped out for lunch with beau Thom Evans in West Hollywood, a casually dressed Reese Witherspoon matched her shirt to her Draper James canvas tote while boarding a private plane in L.A., Paris Hilton and Carter Reum

Page 17: Rebel Wilson stopped by the gas station to fill up her car in L.A., Mariska Hargitay took a selfie while shooting Law & Order: Organized Crime in NYC

Page 18: Sarah Jessica Parker assisted customers at her eponymous shoe line's store in NYC, Chrissy Teigen at lunch at Wolfgang Puck in L.A., Naomi Osaka with her trophy for winning the Australian Open in Melbourne

Page 20: The Masked Singer panelist Jenny McCarthy in a golden tiara and caped dress before taping a new episode, for a recent date night Outer Banks stars Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline whipped up a cozy plant-based dinner in L.A., Jason Sudeikis filled up on a sandwich on the set of Ted Lasso

Page 22: Bella Hadid strutting around Manhattan, Helena Christensen and her dog Kuma in NYC

Page 23: In partnership with Ziploc Janel Parrish created the Hot Mess Makeup Line in Vancouver, Cara Delevingne in Puma's new eco-friendly line

Page 24: Usher stopped by the dry cleaners West Hollywood, Padma Lakshmi and her pooch braved the cold weather in stylish jackets in NYC

Page 25: Tia Mowry for Late July Tortilla chips, four days before filing for divorce from her husband Kanye West of nearly seven years Kim Kardashian looked somber while out and about in L.A., during a stroll Busy Philipps stopped to check out something on her phone in NYC

Page 26: Scott Disick matched his 'do to his drink at the Sugar Factory in Miami, Justin Long stocked up on groceries in L.A., new couple Mod Sun and Avril Lavigne were inseparable after a date night in L.A.

Page 28: Inside My Home -- Claire Holt's airy abode

Page 30: Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott have taken the next step in their almost two-year relationship: they've secretly tied the knot -- they've been talking about getting married for about a year and just decided to go for it and the intimate ceremony took place in front of a few family members at Jonathan's Las Vegas home on Valentine's Day and it was spur of the moment, but that's how Zooey likes to do things and now Jonathan too and they put it together in a matter of days and everyone got a verbal invite to come -- Zooey wore a Bohemian-inspired gown and flowers in her hair while Jonathan wore an all-white suit and Zooey serenaded Jonathan with a love song she had written -- guests including Jonathan's twin brother Drew Scott and sister-in-law Linda Phan were treated to a gourmet buffet and video and arcade games -- now the couple's eager to grow their family and Jonathan will be a great stepdad to Zooey's children Elsie and Charlie but he's been saying for months that he can't wait to have kids of his own and they've already started trying

Page 31: Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds are one of the most charitable couples in Hollywood and now the big-hearted duo are ready to take the next step by adopting a baby in need -- Blake and Ryan who share daughters James, Inez and Betty have donated millions of dollars to organizations working to protect the rights of immigrant children separated from their families and awaiting deportation -- day by day they've been warming up to the idea of providing an orphan with a forever home -- Ryan jokes that Blake is a baby machine who would have no trouble getting pregnant again, but their hearts really go out to these kids

* Ever since Bridgerton became a monster hit, the sizzling chemistry between Rege-Jean Page and costar Phoebe Dynevor has fans convinced that they're an offscreen item as well, but Rege-Jean's girlfriend Emily Brown is fed up with keeping their real-life romance under wraps and she's starting to feel like Rege's dirty little secret -- Emily has been dating Rege for two years and shares a home with him in East London -- the show's producers have been happy to let the rumors about Rege and Phoebe fly because it made their steamy sex scenes that much more believable -- Emily, a part-time soccer player and copywriter from Manchester, loves to go to pubs and party, which she and Rege used to do before the show came out -- Rege insists that keeping their relationship on the down-low is no big deal, but Emily wants everyone to know that the hunky Duke of Hastings is spoken for

* Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have got the parenting thing down pat, and they're ready to share their know-how by penning a how-to manual -- their friends have been begging them for advice for years and Mila and Ashton make having kids look like a fun adventure and for them, it really is -- now that Ashton has wrapped up shooting his new thriller Vengeance, he and Mila finally have a little downtime and the handbook will include the duo's dos and don'ts for raising their children Wyatt and Dimitri like they never argue in front of the kids and make sure to treat them equally -- Mila's the stricter one and Ashton's the softie, but it's a team effort and it works and they admit it can get a bit chaotic, but they don't sweat the small stuff

Page 32: New parents Kit Harington and Rose Leslie may be in baby heaven, but they're dealing with the home renovation from hell -- the Game of Thrones alums, who recently welcomed their first child, have been up to their ears fixing up their 15th-century country manor, which is turning out to be a huge money pit -- Kit and Rose bought the $2.4 million spread shortly before tying the knot in 2018 and had no idea what they were getting into and the couple got hit by sticker shock when they finally got their plans approved to put in a new kitchen, master bath, pipes and flooring and it's going to cost them an extra half a million at least -- they still think it's the perfect place to raise a family, but overseeing an army of builders and designers with a newborn at home is leading to some serious sleep deprivation

* As Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles' romance heats up, the couple is planning a heart-to-heart with her ex-fiance Jason Sudeikis -- after filming wrapped on their movie Don't Worry (for the love of all that's holy, please put in a comma) Darling, the lovebirds flew to London to meet with Jason, who's been on the set of Ted Lasso in England because Olivia, who shares two kids with Jason, wants to clear the air and have a calm conversation about how everyone moves forward from here, and she wants Jason to realize that Harry is here to stay and Olivia needs Jason to understand this is a serious relationship, whether he likes it or not

* Baby Boom -- these celebs recently welcomed little ones -- Wilmer Valderrama and fiancee Amanda Pacheco welcomed a baby girl, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahones and fiancee Brittany Matthews welcomed a daughter named Sterling Skye, Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith welcomed a son named August Harrison

Page 34: Cover Story -- Britney Spears fights back -- she is ready to reclaim her life and she's looking to take down anyone who stands in her way, starting with her father, Jamie Spears

Page 36: In the wake of the #FreeBritney movement, Justin Timberlake who dated Britney Spears from 1999-2002, and publicly insinuated her cheating ruined their relationship, took to Instagram to offer a mea culpa, saying he wanted to apologize to Britney who he cares for and respects and he knows he failed -- he also contacted Britney directly to express his regrets over how he handled their breakup because he wanted to do the right thing and Britney accepted his apology and she was touched by the gesture and thought it was absolutely sincere and they had a nice little chat and it made Justin feel better knowing that Britney didn't hold any grudges

Page 38: They're So Grown Up -- the kids of some of Hollywood's biggest celebs are striking out on their own -- Ava Sambora is the daughter of Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora, Maya Hawke is the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, Damian Hurley is the son of Elizabeth Hurley and Steve Bing

Page 39: Lily Sheen is the daughter of Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen, Jack Depp is the son of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, Lola Consuelos is the daughter of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Page 40: Interview -- Dwayne Johnson -- with a new TV sitcom based on his early years, The Rock reveals all about his rollicking adventures growing up

Page 42: Slim Down for Spring -- how these stars got their best bodies ever just in time for the warmer weather

Page 46: Style Week -- Sara Sampaio is fronting Michael Kors' new campaign for its latest perfume, Gorgeous

Page 48: What's Hot Right Now -- break a sweat stylishly in LoveShackFancy X Beach Riot's limited-edition collection -- Nina Agdal

Page 49: Preppy Tennis Fashion -- Lele Sadoughi turns to '70s and '80s country club looks for its spring/summer 21 accessories

Page 50: Gift Guide -- self-care session -- pampering gifts that benefit body and mind because, hey, there's never been a better time to treat yourself -- Miranda Kerr

Page 52: Chrissy Teigen is a fan of affordable de-puffing and brightening holographic foil eye masks

Page 58: Buzz -- costars reunited -- Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay for Law & Order: Organized Crime, 13 Going on 30's Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner reconnected on the set of their upcoming movie The Adam Project

Page 59: Rachel Bilson shared a snap of herself with O.C. costar Melinda Clarke, Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel who played a beloved couple on Boy Meets World starred in Panera Bread's new commercial for Valentine's Day, Rebel Wilson and Adam Devine of Pitch Perfect met up during Super Bowl LV game in early February

Page 60: Sound Bites -- Jennifer Love Hewitt on her night out with Betty White, Henry Golding on expecting his first child, Drew Barrymore on never going under the knife, Salma Hayek discussing billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault

Page 61: Tiffany Haddish on taking a chill day, Colin Jost on letting Scarlett Johansson plan their wedding, Cameron Diaz on whether she plans to return to Hollywood, Kehlani on feeling sexier as a mom

Page 62: Horoscope -- Pisces Connie Britton turned 54 on March 6

Page 64: By the Numbers -- Ana de Armas

[clydesgod]

Mothering Sunday

A small drabble for Mothers day (UK) featuring Richard and Krista Clydesgod. Featuring some other characters.

It was a cool, crisp spring morning at the Clydesgod manor. Krista had spent most of the morning making all of the kids breakfast and opening gifts from them all. Well, mostly all of them. Richard was actually yet to give her a gift, insisting he was still ‘working on it’. Krista knew he probably was planning something creative. She didn’t really mind, she couldn’t wait to see it.

She was washing the plants from breakfast. They had a washing machine, sure, but she never trusted those machines. She preferred washing them by hand, it was almost relaxing when she got into a rhythm. She placed the last plate onto a rack, and looked around to look at the window outside. Where was little Dewi?

“Mabon? Dear?” She asked, turning her head to look directly at Mabon. He was lounging in his big chair, taking a much needed day off from working at the local council. He worked himself almost to death sometimes, he was really keen on getting a possible position at the Senedd Cymru. He looked over at her, placing his newspaper onto his lap as he began to move his hands around, trying to think of where he could be.

“I do not know,” He signed, thinking Krista knew. Mabon couldn’t speak English, though he did speak fluent Welsh. However, people do find his accent to be rather difficult to understand, so he did take lessons in British sign language in order for people to understand him much better. He didn’t really need to do it around Krista though, he was more or less just practicing. “I think he said he was going to work on something upstairs, no?”

Krista sighed, drying her hands on a teatowel nearby. She moved over towards Mabon, placing a little smooch on the top of his forehead.

“Thank you dear, keep up the good work!” She mused, patting his cheek as she left Mabon with a pink flush on his cheeks. She moved on, heading upstairs through the big manor. Rhys was outside, messing about on the swing. Gwyneth was in her room as usual, probably drawing in her own time at her new desk.

Richard never stayed in one place. Often moving from playing outside to watching TV at his whim. He had a bit of an active imagination, and did tire out easily after playtime. Once she got to his room, she was rather shocked to find it closed shut. Richard would’ve never usually done this, what was he planning? 

She knocked on the door, not wanting to burst inside in case he was still working on something.

“Dewi?” She asked, “May I come in?”

A pause.

“Er. Ooooooooooooooooooooone second. I'm still finishing up a little thingy.” He replied, the sound of something falling over being present during his reply.

Suffice to say, Krista got a bit worried. She stayed patient however, waiting outside of his room. Waiting, and waiting.

She knocked again, a bit more concerned now.

“Richard? Are you okay? It’s been 10 minutes now.” She asked, almost tempted to open the door.

“One more second pleaaaaaaase.” This time, the sound of glitter falling around being present.

More time passed, and she knocked again.

“R-richard. It’s been half an hour. I hope you’re not making me a huge mess I’ll have to clean up?” She half-joked.

“Mmmmmm lemmie just add this ooooooooone thing and…” He paused, Krista’s hand was now inches away from the doorknob.

“...Yeah! It’s done now-”

The door swung open, Krista stumbled into Richard’s bedroom by accident. Maybe the wait got her a bit too nervous. She wasn’t too sure what he was planning, the last thing she’d want to do was find her son all covered in glitter and glue...again.

However, she’d open her eyes wide as she saw what Richard had got her. His arms were outstretched, and he held in his hand what looked like a hairband with 2 fake unicorn horns on it. They had been painted pink, and had glitter all over it. Glue was dotted all around as well.

Richard was beaming, holding it up towards her like it was an offering for some kind of god.

“I know people always look at you because you don’t have horns and we all do so I made you something so people won’t look at you anymore!!! I made the horns pink like your hair and, and the glitter is like...erm...like it’s very cool and stylish.” He said, his voice somewhat shaky as he moved the make-shift headband around to show her all the little details.

“I got most of the stuff to make this from Gwyneth’s room and I...mom? What’s wrong?”

Krista, not saying a word, took the makeshift horns from Richard, slowly examining them. It was a child’s work, sure, but something about it felt...special. She’d try to put it on, struggling a bit as she didn’t want to accidentally snap it in her hands. It sure didn’t help that her hair was much different than everyone else's. She turned her head, looking at a little mirror that Richard kept in his room. She looked, well, ridiculous...but she didn’t seem to care whatsoever.

“I hope you don’t mind but I sort of used all the glue so can we get some more tomorrow?” He asked, as Krista looked down at him. She slowly knelt down, wrapping her arms around his head and bringing him into a comforting , gentle hug.

“Oh Dewi...it’s so...it’s so wonderful. Thank you so much dear,” she replied, her voice sounding genuine as something got caught in her eye. “I can’t thank you enough, dear. You’ve made my day...just don’t tell Rhys and Gwyneth that, okay?”

She giggled, pulling away from the hug but keeping knelt down. She looked over at Richard’s ‘work space’, seeing a mess of paint and glitter all over the floor. He at least knew to have something covering the carpet...but it didn’t help that it was his bedsheets. Oh well, she could easily throw that in the washing machine.

“Thank you mama.” Richard replied, hugging her back as he wrapped his arms around her legs. Krista only chuckled, patting his head as she looked back at herself in the mirror. She was pretty sure people didn’t stare at her because of a lack of horns...but she honestly didn’t mind.

“Say, where did you even get these things from? I don’t remember your father taking you to the clothes store. I didn’t even know you had unicorn toys.” She asked, poking the fake horns as she pondered.

“Oh! I took them from Gwyneth’s room! She had those big unicorn things so I just took the horns off them! I even borrowed one of her hairbands!”

Krista fell silent, and looked down at Richard. He was smiling, still hugging into her leg. She let out a sigh, he had good intentions...but he really needed to ask for permission first.

Around 20 years later...

“Mom.” Richard sternly said, entering the living room as he held a small wrapped up present in his hand.

“Yes dear?” Krista replied, wearing the same horns on her head as she acted confused to what was wrong. She kept them all this time, maintaining them and wearing them every mother’s day. She thought it was cute. Richard did as well, until he turned into a teenager and started despising her for keeping it all this time.

“You can’t keep doing this to me,” he replied, sitting down next to her on the couch as he handed her his present. “If Vitalis was here he’d mock me for the rest of my days.”

“Doesn’t he do that already?” She asked, taking the present from him and looking at it. It was a little small, but she didn’t mind. “Anyway, let me see what’s inside here then.”

As she unwrapped the gift, Richard turned on the TV in an attempt to distract himself from her reaction. He didn’t really get her anything special this year, just a nice necklace he saw on sale. He never really knew what she wanted so he just settled for jewelry.

Despite Richard’s thoughts, Krista’s eyes shone like the stars, taking the necklace out and promptly putting it around her neck. It was a silver chain necklace, with a little octopus design below it. She looked over at Richard, making sure he saw how grateful she was.

“Thank you little Dewi!” She exclaimed, suddenly wrapping her arms around his head and pulling him into a hug.

“M-mOM!” He replied, struggling to get out of her grip. She knew he always acted annoyed but, deep down, he loved it.

It was just another mothers day for Krista Clydesgod.

[writingformadderton]

The Book of You and I - Part 12

Ship: Madderton

Word Count: 2591

Summary: Rocketman, a proposal, the Golden Globes and a wedding. We reached the end ;)

Additional Tags: fluff, proposal, slow dancing, Niall Horan, Rocketman, wedding

Dedicated to @taron-eggmcmuffin❤️ 

Part 11  Part 1

---

A few months late, the premiere of Rocketman in Cannes took place.  It’s still unreal to Taron that they got a four minute standing ovation for it. He got to sing Rocketman with Elton at the beach and the whole evening happened in a blur.

It's November 2019 now and his birthday is getting close. This year was wild and full of adventures. He feels Richard wrapping his arms around him from behind and smiles softly when he presses a kiss onto his temple.

"Everything alright?" Rich asks and rests his head on his shoulder admiring the sight Taron has from their balcony. The sun was going down over London and the sky was covered in a beautiful soft red.

"Yeah, I was just thinking about this crazy year," he admits and leans his head against Richard’s.

"It really has been crazy," Rich admits, giggling. "You're the actor of the year."

Taron grins when he hears the proud in Richard’s voice. "Mm and my boyfriend is the most stylish man this year," he says just as proud making Richard smirk. He jumps up and pulls Richard onto his chair, sitting down on his lap, "I didn't imagine my life would take such a beautiful turn after the accident."

Richard watches him lovingly and nods. "Everything happens for a reason," he says and wraps his arms around his boyfriend, "And I'm glad you're my reason for that shit that happened."

"Well I'm glad you're my reason too," Taron says and starts playing with Richard’s curls. "I would be very lonely without you."

"Me too, bub."

-

Taron stands there with a smile as his friends sing Happy Birthday to him. They are at Elton's place and Rich and Elton invited some friends and family. Jamie, Bryce, Dex and Bernie. Keeley, Sophie and Joe. Richard’s and Taron’s parents and little sisters. Niall Horan, who became a great mate of Taron and Richard after a night out and a surprising meeting in a bar is also here.

"Make a wish!" Niall cheers as he leans down to blow out the candle and Taron closes his eyes shortly before blowing out the candles.

Richard wraps him into a hug and kisses him lovingly. "What did you wish for?" he whispers.

"I'll tell you when it happens," he whispers back and smiles at him adoringly.

 -

A bit later, Taron sits on Richard’s lap, enjoying the company of his friends and family. Suddenly someone asks Niall and Elton to play some songs and all get up to dance. Rich tries to pull him up, "Come on let's dance."

"Why should I dance now?" he laughs and watches his boyfriend adoringly.

"You loved to do it," he says and smirks at him.

Taron starts to get nervous and plays with his hands, "I-I'm not sure if I'm still able to-."

"Trust me. I'll guide you," Richard says and Taron’s face softens as he gets up.

"Fine," Taron sighs and follows Richard onto the dance floor.

Niall starts singing the song that Rich suggested he could play. Taron used to love that song. "When you feel your love's been taken, when you know there's something missing," he starts his song Flicker.

Taron looks up at Richard and listens closely to the lyrics. "When you feel there's something missing. Sounds familiar," he jokes and Rich smirks.

I'm afraid that what we had is gone.

Richard thinks back to when Taron couldn't remember him that day in the hospital and swallows. Everything they had was gone, but it came back so much stronger.

They continue dancing both listing to lyrics and taking them in differently than they did before the accident.

When you lay there and you're sleeping

Hear the patterns of your breathing

And I tell you things you've never heard before

"You did that a lot. Telling me things I've never heard before," T giggles and Richard chuckles.

"True."

Then I look in my heart

There's a light in the dark

Still a flicker of hope that you first gave to me

That I wanna keep

Please don’t leave

When Richard meets Taron’s eyes again, they are filled with tears. "Why are you crying now?" he asks confused and carefully strokes over his cheek continuing to dance.

"I'll tell you later." he says and smiles up to him happily. He buries his face in his shoulder and breathes in Richards cologne. When the song ends all of their friends stop dancing and look at them.

"What's going on?" Rich asks laughing and Taron takes a step back.

Niall sits down on the edge of the stage and grins at his mates and Elton watches them from the piano stool. "Okay, here we go," Taron says and smiles at Richard. "I won't talk much because then I'll probably start crying, but there are a few things I wanna tell you," he says and Richard nods slowly not knowing what to expect, "When I met you, I didn't know about our past and we had a rough start because of that. But you gave me a choice and the chance to get to know you all over again. You took the time to get to know me all over again. And I don't think that anybody else would have done that." Taron shrugs his shoulders. "I changed. I don't have to remember the past to know that. But somehow you stayed," he smiles softly, "You're my flicker of hope, you've always been. I don't ever want to be parted from you as we were all this time ago," he kneels down and opens a little box with a ring. "I know this is pretty fast but when did we ever do something as it should be? Do you want to marry me, Richie?" he asks and sees his beautiful deep blue eyes fill with tears.

"Yes," Richard nods and his hands are trembling when Taron puts on the ring. They fall into a tight hug while the rest cheers and cry into each other's shoulder.

 -

A bit later, they are standing outside on Elton’s balcony where Taron was honest about his feelings for the first time and enjoy the little time of silence. Richard looks at Taron curiously and turns towards him, leaning against the balustrade. “So what did you want to tell me after the dance?”

“I just realized you were my flicker of hope in all of this shit and I guess that made me a bit emotional.” Taron admits and blushes softly. “And my birthday wish turned true when you said yes.”

Rich looks at him speechless for a moment before he pulls him close and connects their lips to a loving kiss. “You are the cutest person I know,” he admits and smiles at him.

“Well, I hope so,” Taron giggles softly.

 -

Only three months later they are back at the Golden Globes, Taron being nominated with his performance in Rocketman. He’s sitting next to Elton and even though he hides it really well, he feels a bit anxious about Richard not being with them. Richard had been away shooting in Spain and wasn’t able to make it in time, his flight back only attended ten minutes ago and he didn’t want to suddenly walk inside this room full of people.

When his name gets called Elton and David start cheering loudly next to him and Taron smiles shyly not believing his ears. He gets up nervously, hugging Lucy and Rami, who are at the same table and walks towards the stairs.

On stage, he quickly hugs Chris and Scarlett who give him his globe and takes a deep breath. He thanks everyone included on the movie, Elton, David, Dex and hopes he didn’t forget someone. Then he takes another deep breath and smiles, “And I wanna thank my fiancé Richard, who just came back home from shooting in Spain half an hour ago. I am eternally grateful for everything you did, and I’ll see you later,” he says and gets distracted by the audience starting to clap and cheer. Taron looks to his side a bit startled when he sees Scarlett stepping out of his vision. His eyes widen when he sees his fiancé standing there with a bright smile and nothing than pure adoration and proud in his eyes.

Richard chuckles feeling Taron falling into his arms and wraps his arms tightly around him. “I’m so proud of you.” he says and T pulls back beaming. Richard kisses him lovingly before letting him get his golden globe, stammering another thank you and coming back grabbing his hand. Rich leads them down from the stage and out of the room. As soon as they closed the door behind them, they are standing in the empty hallway and Richard cups his face with both hands kissing him hungrily.

Taron moans into the kiss and kisses him back passionately. “Oh fuck I missed you so much!” he admits and Richard nods agreeing. It’s been the first time that they were parted longer than a week, at least for Taron.

“I missed you too, bubs. But now I’m here,” Rich smiles at him and hugs him tightly burying his face in his neck.

Taron fondles over his curls lovingly and smirks, “You’re tired from your flight?”

“Yeah. And I really wanna get out of this suit,” Richard groans and smirks up to him. “I can’t wait to fall asleep next to you tonight,” he says and bops Taron’s nose with his own.

“We’ll try to get out of here as soon as we can, I promise,” Taron says smiling and grabs his hands. “You’re gonna come with me so they can engrave my name on it?” he asks and Richard agrees immediately.

A little while later, Jamie is joining the table of all their friends and winks at T. “Seems like you have to pay for dinner,” He grins and pulls him into a strong hug. “Congratulations, mate. You deserve it!”

“Thank you,” Taron answers smiling and hugs him back. “Yeah, seems like I have to pay,” he giggles.

 -

Richard nearly fell asleep in Taron’s arms during the talks with their friends and is incredibly tired already. When they finally leave, it’s already 2am and Richard rubs his face tiredly, yawning. He pats himself hard on his cheeks, trying to wake up enough to drive and T glances at him.

“You’re sure you wanna drive?” Taron asks worried and watches him closely. Richard looked terribly tired and exhausted.

“Yeah, I’ll be okay,” he says and yawns again, opening the car door.

“Richie, you’re exhausted,” T tries softly.

“Well, who should drive then, huh?” he asks confused and wants to get in.

“I-I could try,” Taron says barely audible. This was so stupid.

“Taron, love,” Richard starts softly, “It’s dark and already late. You barely drove short ways during the day so far. You really think that’s a good idea?”

“Not better than letting you drive now,” Taron mumbles and Richard watches him observantly.

Richard could see that Taron was scared. Scared of another accident, scared that something happened to them. He walks over to him and nods. “Okay, I trust you,” he says and hands him the keys. He hugs Taron tightly and presses a kiss onto his forehead, “I know you can do it and I’ll be right there.”

Taron nods and quickly gets in, taking a few deep breaths until Richard got in on the passenger side. T turns the key around and starts the car, buckling up. His fingers wrap themselves tightly around the steering wheel as he sets the blinking lights. “Okay, here we go,” He mumbles more to himself and bites his lower lip.

Richard glances over at him and sees how nervous and uncomfortable he looks. He reaches over to him and places his hand on his thigh, fondling him calmingly. “I know you can do it, bubs. Take a deep breath, focus on the street and don’t let anything stress you out. I’m right here,” He says calming and rubs tiny circles on his inner thigh before squeezing encouragingly.

Taron starts driving and his stomach protests against it almost instantly, but he decides to continue his drive. He is lucky about every red-light and Richard’s encouragements from time to time help him to focus. When he parks the car in front of their house he starts giggling, not believing he just drove them all the way home in the middle of a cold night in January. He rests his head on his hands on the steering wheel and groans, “OH my god, that was fucking scary!”

Richard watches him with a smirk and rubs his back. “I am so proud of you,” he says and grins widely as Taron looks up at him. “Look at you, my brave boy,” his voice gets soft and adoring as he fondles over his cheek.

Taron nestles his face in his hand and closes his eyes for a moment. “Wouldn’t have been able to do this without you next to me.” he places his hand on top of Richard’s and smirks, “Just like so many things.”

“Shut up,” Richard chuckles and connects their lips sweetly, “God, I am so proud of you after today.”

Taron blushes wildly, “You definitely need sleep,” He says and makes them both laugh into their kiss.  

 -

Their wedding day is the most emotional day Taron can remember. He’s crying most of the time, cuddled into Richard, overwhelmed by everything that’s going on. Richard takes it as it is and thinks it’s cute, cuddles him and showers him with kisses. Walking down the alley with his mum towards Richard was the scariest and most exciting thing he ever did and saying yes felt amazing. When he saw Richard’s deep blue eyes fill with tears as he saw him, his measured sweet lover crying just seeing him in his wedding suit, he knew he finally was where he belonged. Dancing to Your song, holding each other close, while sharing loving kisses from time to time and staring into each other’s eyes felt perfect.

He watches Richard talking to his little sisters and imagines him with children. How cute would be Richard as a father? His heart warms at that thought and he feels happy and peaceful.

Taron never thought he would ever be able to be happy again or just smile. The first couple months after the accident he went through hell, feeling useless and lost. A good cry was almost welcome, because it was those days, he didn’t feel numb.

Meeting Richard let those feelings disappear and then come back stronger after their first confrontation with a part of the truth. But the more time he spent with the Scottish and the closer they got again, the more he felt alive. Truly alive.

Maybe he would have never experienced how it feels to truly love someone. Maybe he would have never learned to take care of himself and be aware of his feelings. There were a lot more “maybes” on his list, but he knows one thing for sure-

“You’re alright?” he gets interrupted in his thoughts.

Taron looks up into his favorite pair of blue eyes. “Yes, I am more than alright,” he says.

“So, Mr. Madden, would you like to dance with me?” Richard asks and winks at him as he grabs his hand.

“I would love to,” Taron answers giggling and shakes his head.

- Richard Madden, his husband, was the realest and best thing that ever happened to him.

@multicoloredchicken @primaba11erina @maddertonmyheart @madderton-obsessed @fuseburner @sarahegerton96 @ispewglitter

[crimehathnofury]

Hey guys it’s Pike. I got a question for you. What comes to your mind when you think of Heaven's Gate? What pops in your mind? What’s the first thing you see? Shiny gates opening to the afterlife? Or is a really cool looking landmark that resembles it? Well one thing that pops into my mind is a California cult. One that has murder in it’s end. That’s my topic for today. The cult known as Heaven’s Gate and it’s leader Marshall Applewhite. So let's begin shall we?

I figure we start with a little information on Marshall Applewhite. He was born on May 17th 1931, in Spur Texas. He had 3 siblings and his father was a presbyterian minister. He had become a very religious child. So he went to school at Corpus Christi. He went to college at Austin College, where he was active in quite a few school organizations and only moderately religious. After he earned a bachelors in philosophy in 1952 he enrolled at Union Presbytrian Seminary to study theology. He got married as well to a lovely girl named Anne Pearce and later they had 2 children Mark and Lane. Early in his studies he decided he wanted to pursue music. He became the music director of a presbyterian church in North Carolina. He was a baritone singer and loved spirituals and the music of Handel. In 1954 he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Austria and New Mexico as a member of the Army Signal Corps. In 1956, he left and enrolled at the University of Colorado, got his masters degree in music. His focus was musical theater. He moved to New York where he was unsuccessful in becoming a professional singer. He then worked as a teacher at the University of Alabama. However, he lost that position after pursuing a sexual relationship with a male student. His religious education was not ok with same sex relationships. So of course that left Applewhite more than a little frustrated with his desires. In 1965 his wife found out about the affair and they got divorced 3 years down the road. He then left UA and moved to Houston where he served as the Chair of the music department at the University of St. Thomas. Students said that he was engaging and stylish. He was also a well known singer, served as the choral director of an Episcopal church and performed with the Houston Grand Opera. Apparently, while in Houston, he was out as gay. Although he still pursued a relationship with a woman. Who while under pressure from her family left him. This of course upset him greatly. This apparently caused him to have another affair with a male student.  In 1970 he left his job. In 1971 he moved to New mexico and owned a delicatessen. Though he was popular with his customers he moved back to texas later that year. A year after that his father passed. Then a year after that he met Bonnie Nettles.

Bonnie Nettles was a nurse interested in Theosophy and Biblical Prophecy. The 2 became close friends. Applewhite even went as far to say that he felt like he had known Nettles for a long time. That they even met in a previous life. Nettles told Applewhite that their meeting was foretold by aliens. She also told him that he had a divine assignment. Around this time, Applewhite began to search for alternatives other than the christian doctrine, like astrology. Also he had visions one telling him that he was made for a role like Jesus. Applewhite soon started to live with Nettles. Although they cohabitated, their relationship was not a sexual one. The relationship though did fulfil his longing for a loving yet platonic relationship. Before meeting Applewhite, Nettles was married with 2 children. As soon as she got closer with Applewhite her husband divorced her and she lost custody of her kids. Applewhite had closed himself off from his family. EVentually he started to see Nettles as his soulmate. Some acquaintances speculated that she had a strong influence on him. The 2 would then later together opened a bookstore called the Cristian Arts Center, that held a great deal of books from many spiritualities. They also started something known as the Know Place, teaching classes on theosophy and mysticism. They closed that business a short time after. In February 1973 they both decided to travel and teach their beliefs. Pretty cool. Not going to lie. Traveling sounds fun. Exploring faith and just having a great time. However with the little money they had led them to do odd jobs and even sell their blood. They only ate bread rolls, camped out, and sometimes skipped out on their lodging bills. A mutual friend from Houston corresponded with them, accepted their teachings, and in may 1974 she became their first convert. Sometimes while traveling Applewhite and Nettles they would poner the life of St. Francis of Assisi. They would also read books written by Helena Blavatsky, R. D. Laing, and Richard Bach. They kept a King James version of the bible and studied quite a few passages from the New Testament. They focused on teachings about Christology, asceticism, and eschatology. APplewhite also read a lot of science fiction books. June 1974, they had their beliefs solidified into a good outline. They had concluded that they were chosen to fulfil biblical purposes. They had been given higher level minds than other people. They had made a pamphlet that described Jesus as a texan much like Applewhite. They considered themselves the 2 witnesses in the book of revelation. So they would go to churches and tell people they were the 2 or the UFO 2. Applewhite and Nettles believed they would be killed and then would be restored to life, then transported to a spaceship. Not going to lie, their ideas were poorly received. 

In August 1974, Applewhite got arrested for failing to return a vehicle that he had rented in Missouri. Like really? He was extradited to St. Louis, and was jailed for 6 months. At this time he had said that he had a divine right to keep the car. While in jail he pondered theology and abandoned occult topics in favor of extraterrestrials and evolution. When he was released, Nettles and himself began to try and reach these extraterrestrials . As well as seek like minded people. They advertised for meetings to recruit disciples or what they would call the crew. At these meetings Nettles and Applewhite would promote themselves as being from another planet, The Next level, who needed people to participate in an experiment. They said that the people who participated would be granted a higher evolutionary level. At this point they were calling their group the Anonymous Sexaholic Celibate Church. But then changed it to the Human Individual Metamorphosis. Applewhite and Nettles sent advertisements to California. They were invited to speak to New Age devotees in April 1975. They were able to persuade half of the 50 that were there. They continued to have success in recruiting people. At a meeting in Oregon in September 1975 30 people left their homes to follow them prompting media coverage. It was a lot of negative. Not so shocking. Commentators and former members of the group mocked them and suggested brainwashing. By 1976, Applewhite and Nettles had decided to be called Do and Ti. And by 1985 Nettles had died. Applewhite had claimed that she had gone to her Next Level. After her death applewhite changed his view on the ascension process. He previously taught the group that they would physically ascend from earth and that death caused reincarnation. But Nettles death left behind an unchanged body had forced him to say that ascension would be spiritual. He concluded that her spirit traveled to the spaceship and she got a new body.

In the wake of Nettles death, Applewhite had become increasingly paranoid. He feared there was a conspiracy against the group. One member recalled that Applewhite didn’t get close to new recruits. He feared that the government was sending in infiltrators. The group increased focus on sexual suppression; Applewhite and seven others opted for castration.In Applewhite’s views sexuality is one of the most powerful forces that attached humans to their bodies. In the late 1980’s the group laid low as much as possible. Only few people knew it still existed. Then in October 1996 2 things happened. The comet Hale-bopp approached the earth. The other was the group renting a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe California and recorded 2 videos in which they offered their viewers one last chance to evacuate earth. Applewhite now believed that Nettles was aboard the spaceship trailing the comet coming to pick up the others. He stated to his followers that the deceased would be taken by the vessel. In March 1997 they isolated themselves and recorded their farewell messages. Then a mass suicide started on March 22nd. They took barbiturates and drank alcohol. Then they put bags on their heads. They wore nikes and all black uniforms that said Heaven’s Gate away team. 39 dead. It was one of the biggest group suicide since Jonestown in 1978. All I can think of is how this occurred? What do you guys think? If someone was compelling enough do you think you guys would follow without question? Even if it seemed wrong? Let me know. I’m all ears to hear what you guys think. Hopefully you guys like this. I’ll try to cover more cults more often. Bye for now.

[kevrocksicehouse]

A new recurring feature in which the Kevrock audience (both of you, don’t be shy!) is invited to weigh in on the best female actor of a particular decade. Today the ‘70s, when men were men and women played prostitutes (Seriously. So many prostitutes) Your candidates:

Faye Dunaway. Coming off ‘60s triumphs Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), she appeared in Arthur Penn’s Little Big Man (1970) playing a randy frontier missionary who becomes a prostitute. She then played the evil (and sexy) Milady de Winter in Richard Lester’s tongue-in-cheek version of The Three Musketeers. In 1974 she was in two movies nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. In Roman Polanski’s Chinatown, one of the decades best, she played the daughter of a loathsome tycoon with a big secret (“She’s my sister, She’s my daughter…”) and was rewarded with her own Oscar nomination. And in also-nominated (Really) The Towering Inferno she looked pretty in an evening gown. She was superfluous in Sydney Pollack’s Three Days of the Condor (1975) but won an Oscar the next year in Sidney Lumet’s Network as a programming executive who merges a network’s news and entertainment departments and has a new anchor killed for low ratings. She closed out the decade with a stylish thriller, The Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)

Jane Fonda. Fonda won an Oscar for Klute, where she played a prostitute. She followed up this triumph by being photographed sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, which got her black-balled in Hollywood for five years. When things cooled off she made three films and got three Oscar nominations in a row. She was a fine, brittle Lillian Hellman in Fred Zinneman’s Julia (1977). She won for the aftermath-of-Vietnam drama Coming Home (1978) and got another nomination as a TV reporter who becomes woke about the danger of nuclear power in The China Syndrome (1979). She also did two comedies: Neil Simon’s 1978 California Suite and  1979’s The Electric Horseman, where she costarred with Robert Redford.

Goldie Hawn. She started the decade by winning a Supporting Oscar for Gene Saks’ 1969 Cactus Flower,  did the well-received comedies There’s a Girl in my Soup, Butterflies are Free, and $, (where she played a prostitute because of course she did.) She broke through with Steven Spielberg’s The Sugarland Express (1974) and co-starred with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie in Hal Ashby’s underrated Shampoo (1975). She played another prostie in the comedy, western The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox (1976) and co-starred with then-hot Chevy Chase in the comedy suspense film Foul Play (1978). Not one of these films lost money.

Diane Keaton. Keaton’s rep in the ‘70s rests on both the movies she did with Woody Allen and her role of Kaye Adams in The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974). Her work as Kaye is underrated (even by the Keaton herself) but crucial to depicting the isolation of the Corleone’s world and the expected subservience of a Mafia wife. The way she almost whimpers “They’re my children too” is one of the most heartbreaking moments in both films. She was a true partner to Allen in Play It Again Sam (1972), Sleeper(1973), and Love and Death (1975). She won an Oscar for playing Annie Hall (1977) and making audiences love her (“La-di-dah”) and deserved one for making them hate her in 1979’s Manhattan (if only for the way she pronounced “Van Gogh”). And while her character in 1977’s Looking for Mr. Goodbar had anonymous sex in singles bars, Keaton did make it through the decade without playing a prostitute.

Barbra Streisand. Streisand, who only made two films in the 60s, started the 70s with the Vincent Minelli reincarnation musical, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) and the comedy The Owl and the Pussycat (1970) where she played a prostitute, just to get it out of the way. She did Irvin Kershner’s mad housewife comedy Up the Sandbox (1972), Peter Bogdanovich’s manic screwball tribute, What’s Up Doc? (1972), and Peter Yates’ slapstick For Pete’s Sake (1974), where she plays a housewife who almost becomes a prostitute, but it doesn’t take.  She had her biggest hit of the decade with Sydney Pollack’s blockbuster weeper The Way We Were (1974). She reprised her Oscar-winning Funny Girl role with Funny Lady (1975), starred in the worst A Star Is Born remake (1977), and reteamed with her What’s Up Doc? costar Ryan O’Neal for the romantic comedy The Main Event (1979). 

So, what’s your choice for Queen of the 70s? Vote in the comments section. Write-in votes accepted. No profanity unless it’s funny. Results in two weeks. Ish.

[96harmony96]

Chapter 2

Just before I exited the elevator into the vestibule of Waters Field & Leaman, the advertising firm I worked for on the twentieth floor, Lauren whispered in my ear, “Think about me all day.”

I squeezed her hand surreptitiously in the crowded car. “Always do.”

She continued the ride up to the top floor, which housed the headquarters of Jauregui Industries. The Crossfire was her, one of many properties she owned throughout the city, including the apartment complex I lived in.

I tried not to pay attention to that. My mom was a career trophy wife. She’d given up my father’s love for an affluent lifestyle, which I couldn’t relate to at all. I’d prefer love over wealth any day, but I suppose that was easy for me to say because I had money—a sizable investment portfolio—of my own. Not that I ever touched it. I wouldn’t. I’d paid too high a price and couldn’t imagine anything worth the cost.

Megumi, the receptionist, buzzed me through the glass security door and greeted me with a big smile. She was a pretty woman, young like me, with a stylish bob of glossy black hair framing stunning Asian features.

“Hey,” I said, stopping by her desk. “Got any plans for lunch?”

“I do now.”

“Awesome.” My grin was wide and genuine. As much as I loved Cary and enjoyed spending time with him, I needed girlfriends, too. Cary had already started building a network of acquaintances and friends in our adopted city, but I’d been sucked into the Lauren vortex almost from the outset. As much as I’d prefer to spend every moment with her, I knew it wasn’t healthy. Female friends would give it to me straight when I needed it, and I was going to have to cultivate those friendships if I wanted them.

Setting off, I headed down the long hallway to my cubicle. When I reached my desk, I put my bag and purse in the bottom drawer, keeping my smartphone out so I could silence it. I found a text from Cary: I’m sorry, baby girl.

“Cary Taylor,” I sighed. “I love you . . . even when you’re pissing me off.”

And he’d pissed me off royally. No woman wanted to come home to a sexual clusterfuck in progress on her living room floor. Especially not while in the middle of a fight with her new girlfriend.

I texted back, Block off the wknd 4 me if u can.

There was a long pause and I imagined him absorbing my request. Damn, he texted back finally. Must be some ass kicking u have planned.

“Maybe a little,” I muttered, shuddering as I remembered the . . . orgy I’d walked in on. But mostly I thought Cary and I needed to spend some quality downtime together. We hadn’t been living in Manhattan long. It was a new town for us, new apartment, new jobs and experiences, new partners for both of us. We were out of our element and struggling, and since we both had barge loads of baggage from our pasts, we didn’t handle struggling well. Usually we leaned on each other for balance, but we hadn’t had much time for that lately. We really needed to make the time. Up for a trip to Vegas? Just u and me?

Fuck yeah!

K . . . more later. As I silenced my phone and put it away, my gaze passed briefly over the two collage photo frames next to my monitor—one filled with photos of both of my parents and one of Cary, and the other filled with photos of me and Lauren. Lauren had put the latter collection together herself, wanting me to have a reminder of her just like the reminder she had of me on her desk. As if I needed it . . .

I loved having those images of the people I loved close by: my mom with her golden cap of curls and her bombshell smile, her curvy body scarcely covered by a tiny bikini as she enjoyed the French Riviera on my stepdad’s yacht; my stepfather, Richard Stanton, looking regal and distinguished, his silver hair oddly complementing the looks of his much younger wife; and Cary, who was captured in all his photogenic glory, with his lustrous brown hair and sparkling green eyes, his smile wide and mischievous. That million-dollar face was starting to pop up in magazines everywhere and soon would grace billboards and bus stops advertising Grey Isles clothing.

I looked across the strip of hallway and through the glass wall that encased Mark Garrity’s very small office and saw his jacket hung over the back of his Aeron chair, even though the man himself wasn’t in sight. I wasn’t surprised to find him in the break room scowling into his coffee mug; he and I shared a java dependency.

“I thought you had the hang of it,” I said, referring to his trouble with the one-cup coffee maker.

“I do, thanks to you.” Mark lifted his head and offering a charmingly crooked smile. He had gleaming dark skin, a trim goatee, and soft brown eyes. In addition to being easy on the eyes, he was a great boss—very open to educating me about the ad business and quick to trust that he didn’t have to show me how to do something twice. We worked well together, and I hoped that would be the case for a long time to come.

“Try this,” he said, reaching for a second steaming cup waiting on the counter. He handed it to me and I accepted it gratefully, appreciating that he’d been thoughtful about adding cream and sweetener, which was how I liked it.

I took a cautious sip, since it was hot, then coughed over the unexpected—and unwelcome—flavor. “What is this?”

“Blueberry-flavored coffee.”

Abruptly, I was the one scowling. “Who the hell wants to drink that?”

“Ah, see . . . it’s our job to figure out who, then sell this to them.” He lifted his mug in a toast. “Here’s to our latest account!”

Wincing, I straightened my spine and took another sip.

* * *

I was pretty sure the sickly sweet taste of artificial blueberries was still coating my tongue two hours later. Since it was time for my break, I started an Internet search for Dr. Terrence Lucas, a man who’d clearly rubbed Lauren the wrong way when I’d seen the two men together at dinner the night before. I hadn’t gotten any further than typing the doctor’s name in the search box when my desk phone rang.

“Mark Garrity’s office,” I answered. “Camila Cabello speaking.”

“Are you serious about Vegas?” Cary asked without preamble.

“Totally.”

There was a pause. “Is this when you tell me you’re moving in with your billionaire girlfriend and I’ve got to go?”

“What? No. Are you nuts?” I squeezed my eyes shut, understanding how insecure Cary was but thinking we were too far along in our friendship for those kinds of doubts. “You’re stuck with me for life, you know that.”

“And you just up and decided we should go to Vegas?”

“Pretty much. Figured we could sip mojitos by the pool and live off room service for a couple days.”

“I’m not sure how much I can pitch in for that.”

“Don’t worry, it’s on Lauren. her plane, her hotel. We’ll just cover our food and drinks.” A lie, since I planned on covering everything except the airfare, but Cary didn’t need to know that.

“And she’s not coming with us?”

I leaned back in my chair and stared at one of the photos of Lauren. I missed her already and it’d been only a couple of hours since we’d been together. “she’s got business in Arizona, so she’ll share the flights back and forth, but it’ll be just you and me in Vegas. I think we need it.”

“Yeah.” He exhaled harshly. “I could do with a change of scenery and some quality time with my best girl.”

“Okay, then. She wants to fly out by eight tomorrow night.”

“I’ll start packing. Want me to put a bag together for you, too?”

“Would you? That’d be great!” Cary could’ve been a stylist or personal shopper. He had serious talent when it came to clothes.

“camila?”

“Yeah?”

He sighed. “Thank you for putting up with my shit.”

“Shut up.”

After we hung up, I stared at the phone for a long minute, hating that Cary was so unhappy when everything in his life was going so well. He was an expert at self-sabotage, never truly believing he was worthy of happiness.

As I returned my attention to work, the Google search on my monitor reminded me of my interest in Dr. Terry Lucas. A few articles about her had been posted on the Web, complete with pictures that cemented the verification.

Pediatrician. Forty-five years of age. Married for twenty years. Nervously, I searched for “Dr. Terrence Lucas and wife,” inwardly cringing at the thought of seeing a golden-skinned, long-haired blonde. I exhaled my relief when I saw that Mrs. Lucas was a pale-skinned woman with short, bright red hair.

But that left me with more questions. I’d figured it would be a woman who’d caused the trouble between the two men.

The fact was, Lauren and I really didn’t know that much about each other. We knew the ugly stuff—at least she knew mine; I’d mostly guessed her from some pretty obvious clues. We knew some of the basic cohabitation stuff about each other after spending so many nights sleeping over at our respective apartments. she’d met half of my family and I’d met all of her. But we hadn’t been together long enough to touch on a whole lot of the periphery stuff. And frankly, I think we weren’t as forthcoming or inquisitive as we could’ve been, as if we were afraid to pile any more crap onto an already struggling relationship.

We were together because we were addicted to each other. I was never as intoxicated as I was when we were happy together, and I knew it was the same for her. We were putting ourselves through the wringer for those moments of perfection between us, but they were so tenuous that only our stubbornness, determination, and love kept us fighting for them.

Enough with making yourself crazy.

I checked my e-mail, and found my daily Google alert on “Lauren Jauregui.” The day’s digest of links led mostly to photos of Lauren, in black tie sans tie, and me at the charity dinner at the Waldorf Astoria the night before.

“God.” I couldn’t help but be reminded of my mother when looking at the pictures of me in a champagne Vera Wang cocktail dress. Not just because of how closely my looks mirrored my mom’s—aside from my hair being brown, long and straight—but also because of the mega-mogul whose arm I graced.

sinu Cabello Barker Mitchell Stanton was very, very good at being a trophy wife. She knew precisely what was expected of her and delivered without fail. Although she’d been divorced twice, both times had been by her choice and both divorces had left her exes despondent over losing her. I didn’t think less of my mother, because she gave as good as she got and didn’t take anyone for granted, but I’d grown up striving for independence. My right to say no was my most valued possession.

Minimizing my e-mail window, I pushed my personal life aside and went back to searching for market comparisons on fruity coffee. I coordinated some initial meetings between the strategists and Mark and helped Mark with brainstorming a campaign for a gluten-free restaurant. Noon approached and I was starting to feel seriously hungry when my phone rang. I answered with my usual greeting.

“camila?” an accented female voice greeted me. “It’s Magdalene. Do you have a minute?”

I leaned back in my chair, alert. Magdalene and I had once shared a moment of sympathy over Corinne’s unexpected and unwanted reappearance in Lauren’s life, but I’d never forget how vicious Magdalene had been to me the first time we’d met. “Just. What’s up?”

She sighed, then spoke quickly, her words flowing in a rush. “I was sitting at the table behind Corinne last night. I could hear a bit of what was being said between her and Lauren during dinner.”

My stomach tensed, preparing for an emotional blow. Magdalene knew just how to exploit my insecurities about Lauren. “Stirring up crap while I’m at work is a new low,” I said coldly. “I don’t—”

“she wasn’t ignoring you.”

My mouth hung open a second, and she quickly filled the silence.

“she was managing her, camila. She was making suggestions for where to take you around New York since you’re new in town, but she was doing it by playing the old remember-when-you-and-I-went-there game.”

“A walk down memory lane,” I muttered, grateful now that I hadn’t been able to hear much of Lauren’s low-voiced conversation with her ex.

“Yes.” Magdalene took a deep breath. “You left because you thought she was ignoring you for her. I just want you to know that she seemed to be thinking about you, trying to keep Corinne from upsetting you.”

“Why do you care?”

“Who says I do? I owe you one, Camila, for the way I introduced myself.”

I thought about that. Yeah, she owed me for when she ambushed me in the bathroom with her catty jealous bullshit. Not that I bought it as her sole motivation. Maybe I was just the lesser of two evils. Maybe she was keeping her enemies close. “All right. Thank you.”

No denying I felt better. A weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying around was suddenly relieved.

“Something else,” Magdalene went on. “she went after you.”

My grip tightened on the phone receiver. Lauren always came after me . . . because I was always running. My recovery was so fragile that I’d learned to protect it at all costs. When something threatened my stability, I ditched it.

“There have been other women in her life who’ve tried ultimatums like that, camila. They got bored or they wanted her attention or some kind of grand gesture . . . So they walked away and expected her to come after them. You know what she did?”

“Nothing,” I said softly, knowing my man. A man who never spent social time with women she slept with and never slept with women she associated with socially. Corinne and I were the sole exceptions to that rule, which was yet another reason why her ex sent me into fits of jealousy.

“Nothing more than making sure Angus dropped them off safely,” she confirmed, making me think it’d been a tactic she’d tried at some point. “But when you left, she couldn’t chase after you fast enough. And she wasn’t herself when she said good-bye. she seemed . . . off.”

Because she’d felt fear. My eyes closed as I mentally kicked myself. Hard.

Lauren had told me more than once that it terrified her when I ran, because she couldn’t handle the thought that I might not come back. What good did it do to say that I couldn’t imagine living without her when I so often showed her otherwise with my actions? Was it any wonder she hadn’t opened up to me about her past?

I had to stop running. Lauren and I were both going to have to stand and fight for this, for us, if we were going to have any hope of making our relationship work.

“Do I owe you now?” I asked neutrally, returning Mark’s wave as he left for lunch.

Magdalene exhaled in a rush. “Lauren and I have known each other a long time. Our mothers are best friends. You and I will see each other around, Camila, and I’m hoping we can find a way to avoid any awkwardness.”

The woman had come up to me and told me that the minute Lauren “shoved her dick” in me, I was “done.” And she’d hit me with that at a moment when I was especially vulnerable.

“Listen, Magdalene, if you don’t cause drama, we’ll get by.” And since she was being so forthright . . . “I can screw up my relationship with Lauren all by myself, trust me. I don’t need any help.”

She laughed softly. “That was my mistake, I think—I was too careful and too accommodating. she has to work at it with you. Anyway . . . I’ve taken up my minute. I’ll let you go.”

“Enjoy your weekend,” I said, in lieu of thanks. I still couldn’t trust her motivation.

“You, too.”

As I returned the receiver to its cradle, my gaze went to the photos of me and Lauren. I was abruptly overwhelmed by feelings of greed and possession. she was mine, yet I couldn’t be sure from one day to the next whether she’d stay mine. And the thought of any other woman having her made me insane.

I pulled open my bottom drawer and dug my smartphone out of my purse. Driven by the need to have her thinking as fiercely about me, I texted her about my sudden desperate hunger to devour her whole: I’d give anything to be sucking your cock right now.

Just thinking about how she looked when I took her in my mouth . . . the feral sounds she made when she was about to come . . .

Standing, I deleted the text the moment I saw it’d been delivered, then dropped my phone back in my purse. Since it was noon, I closed all the windows on my computer and headed out to reception to find Megumi.

“You hungry for anything in particular?” she asked, pushing to her feet and giving me a chance to admire her belted, sleeveless lavender dress.

I coughed because her question came so soon after my text. “No. Your choice. I’m not picky.”

We pushed out through the glass doors to reach the elevators.

“I am so ready for the weekend,” Megumi said with a groan as she stabbed the call button with an acrylic-tipped finger. “A day and a half left to go.”

“Got something fun planned?”

“That remains to be seen.” She sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Blind date,” she explained ruefully.

“Ah. Do you trust the person setting you up?”

“My roommate. I expect the guy will at least be physically attractive, because I know where she sleeps at night and paybacks are a bitch.”

I was smiling as an elevator car reached our floor and we stepped inside. “Well, that ups your odds for a good time.”

“Not really, since she found him by going on a blind date with him first. She swears he’s great, just more my type than hers.”

“Hmm.”

“I know, right?” Megumi shook her head and looked up at the decorative, old-fashioned needle above the car doors that marked the passing floors.

“You’ll have to let me know how it goes.”

“Oh, yeah. Wish me luck.”

“Absolutely.” We’d just stepped out into the lobby when I felt my purse vibrate beneath my arm. As we passed through the turnstiles, I dug for my phone and felt my stomach tighten at the sight of Lauren’s name. she was calling, not sexting me back.

“Excuse me,” I said to Megumi before answering.

She waved it off nonchalantly. “Go for it.”

“Hey,” I greeted her playfully.

“camila.”

I missed a step hearing the way she growled my name. There was a wealth of promise in the roughness of her voice.

Slowing, I found I was speechless, just from hearing her say my name with that edginess I craved—the sharp bite that told me she wanted to be inside me more than she wanted anything else in the world.

While people flowed around me, entering and exiting the building, I was halted by the weighted silence on my phone. The unspoken and nearly irresistible demand. she made no sound at all—I couldn’t even hear her breathing—but I felt her hunger. If I didn’t have Megumi waiting patiently for me, I’d be riding an elevator to the top floor to satisfy her unvoiced command to make good on my offer.

The memory of the time I’d sucked her off in her office simmered through me, making my mouth water. I swallowed. “Lauren . . .”

“You wanted my attention—now you have it. I want to hear you say those words.”

I felt my face flush. “I can’t. Not here. Let me call you later.”

“Step over by the column and out of the way.”

Startled, I looked around for her. Then I remembered that the Caller ID put her in her office. My gaze lifted, searching for the security cameras. Immediately, I felt her eyes on me, hot and wanting. Arousal surged through me, spurred by her desire.

“Hurry along, angel. Your friend’s waiting.”

I moved to the column, my breathing fast and audible.

“Now tell me. Your text made me hard, camila. What are you going to do about it?”

My hand went to my throat, my gaze sliding helplessly to Megumi, who watched me with raised brows. I lifted one finger up, asking for another minute, then turned my back to her and whispered, “I want you in my mouth.”

“Why? To play with me? To tease me like you’re doing now?” There was no heat in her voice, just calm severity.

I knew to pay careful attention when Lauren got serious about sex.

“No.” I lifted my face to the tinted dome in the ceiling that concealed the nearest security camera. “To make you come. I love making you come, Lauren.”

she exhaled harshly. “A gift, then.”

Only I knew what it meant for Lauren to view a sexual act as a gift. For her, sex had previously been about pain and degradation or lust and necessity. Now, with me, it was about pleasure and love. “Always.”

“Good. Because I treasure you, Camila, and what we have. Even our driving urge to fuck each other constantly is precious to me, because it matters.”

I sagged into the column, admitting to myself that I’d fallen into an old destructive habit—I’d exploited sexual attraction to ease my insecurities. If Lauren was lusting after me, she couldn’t be lusting after anyone else. How did she always know what was going on in my mind?

“Yes,” I breathed, closing my eyes. “It matters.”

There’d been a time when I’d turned to sex to feel affection, confusing momentary desire with genuine caring. Which was why I now insisted on having some sort of friendly framework in place before I went to bed with a man. I never again wanted to roll out of a lover’s bed feeling worthless and dirty.

And I sure as hell didn’t want to cheapen what I shared with Lauren just because I was irrationally scared of losing her.

It hit me then that I was off balance. I had this sick feeling in my gut, like something awful was going to happen.

“You can have what you want after work, angel.” her voice deepened, grew raspier. “In the meantime, enjoy lunch with your co-worker. I’ll be thinking about you. And your mouth.”

“I love you, Lauren.”

It took a couple of deep breaths after I hung up to compose myself enough to join Megumi again. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yes. Everything’s fine.”

“Things still hot and heavy with you and Lauren Jauregui?” She glanced at me with a slight smile.

“Umm . . .” Oh yes. “Yes, that’s fine, too.” And I wished desperately that I could talk about it. I wished I could just open the valve and gush about my overwhelming feelings for her. How thoughts of her consumed me, how the feel of her beneath my hands drove me wild, how the passion of her tortured soul cut into me like the sharpest blade.

But I couldn’t. Not ever. She was too visible, too well known. Private tidbits about her life were worth a small fortune. I couldn’t risk it.

“she sure is,” Megumi agreed. “Damn fine. Did you know her before you started working here?”

“No. Although I suppose we would have met eventually.” Because of our pasts. My mother gave generously to many abused children’s charities, as did Lauren. It was inevitable that Lauren and I would’ve crossed paths at some point. I wondered what that meeting would have been like—her with a gorgeous blonde on her arm and me with Cary. Would we have had the same visceral reaction to each other from a distance as we’d had up close in the Crossfire lobby?

she’d wanted me the moment she saw me on the street.

“I wondered.” Megumi pushed through the revolving lobby door. “I read that it was serious between you two,” she went on when I joined her outside on the sidewalk. “So I thought maybe you’d known her before.”

“Don’t believe everything you read on those gossip blogs.”

“So it’s not serious?”

“I didn’t say that.” It was too serious at times. Painfully, brutally so.

She shook her head. “God . . . listen to me pry. Sorry. Gossip is one of my vices. So are extremely hot women like Lauren Jauregui. I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to hook up with a gir whose body screams sex like that. Tell me she’s awesome in bed.”

I smiled. It was good to hang out with another girl. Not that Cary couldn’t also be appreciative of a hot guy, but nothing beat girl talk. “You won’t hear me complaining.”

“Lucky bitch.” Bumping shoulders with me to show she was teasing, she said, “How about that roommate of yours? From the photos I saw, she’s gorgeous, too. Is she single? Wanna hook me up?”

Turning my head quickly, I hid a wince. I’d learned the hard way never to set up an acquaintance or friend with Cary. He was so easy to love, which led to a lot of broken hearts because he couldn’t love back the same way. The moment things started going too well, Cary sabotaged them. “I don’t know if he’s single or not. Things are . . . complicated in his life at the moment.”

“Well, if the opportunity presents itself, I’m certainly not opposed. Just sayin’. You like tacos?”

“Love ’em.”

“I know a great place a couple blocks up. Come on.”

* * *

Things were going well in my world as Megumi and I headed back from lunch. Forty minutes of gossip, guy-ogling, and three awesome carne asada tacos later, I was feeling pretty good. And we were returning to work a little over ten minutes early, which I was glad for since I hadn’t been the most punctual employee lately, even though Mark never complained.

The city was thrumming around us, taxis and people surging through the growing heat and humidity as they crammed what they could into the insufficient hours of the day. I people-watched shamelessly, my eyes skimming over everyone and everything.

Men in business suits walked alongside women in flowing skirts and flip-flops. Ladies in haute couture and five-hundred-dollar shoes teetered past steaming hot dog vendor carts and shouting hawkers. The eclectic mix of New York was heaven to me, stirring an excitement that made me feel more vibrant here than anyplace else I’d ever lived.

We were stopped by a traffic light directly across from the Crossfire, and my gaze was immediately drawn to the black Bentley sitting in front of it. Lauren must’ve just gotten back from lunch. I couldn’t help but think about her sitting in her car on the day we’d met, watching me as I took in the imposing beauty of her Crossfire Building. It made me tingly just thinking about it—

Suddenly, I went cold.

Because a striking blonde breezed out of the revolving doors just then and paused, giving me a good, long look at her—Lauren’s ideal, whether she’d been aware of it or not. A woman I’d witnessed her fixate on the moment she’d seen her in the Waldorf Astoria ballroom. A woman whose poise and hold over Lauren brought out all my worst insecurities.

Corinne Giroux looked like a breath of fresh air in a cream-colored sheath dress and cherry red heels. She ran a hand over her waist-length hair, which wasn’t quite as sleek as it’d appeared last night when I’d met her. In fact, it looked a little disheveled. And her fingers were rubbing at her mouth, wiping along the outline of her lips.

I pulled my smartphone out, activated the camera, and snapped a picture. With the proximity of the zoom, I could see why she was fussing with her lipstick—it was smeared. No, more like mashed. As if from a passionate kiss.

The light changed. Megumi and I moved with the flow, closing the distance between me and the woman who’d once had Lauren’s promise to marry her. Angus stepped out of the Bentley and came around, speaking to her briefly before opening the back door for her. The feeling of betrayal—Angus’s and Lauren’s—was so fierce, I couldn’t catch my breath. I swayed on my feet.

“Hey.” Megumi caught my arm to steady me. “And we only had virgin margaritas, lightweight!”

I watched Corinne’s willowy body slide into the back of Lauren’s car with practiced grace. My fists clenched as fury surged through me. Through the haze of my angry tears, the Bentley pulled away from the curb and disappeared.

[ashadeofpemberley]

Celebrity Tag Crush Game

Name five celebrities you crush on (whether the crush is romantic/sensual/aesthetic/talent-envy or what-have-you) and tag folks to do the same! I was tagged by @maplesyrupao3​ 💕

I crush more on fictional characters than real people but I’ll do my best:

1. Anne Hathaway

She’s just so classy and stylish and yet totally relatable. She also played Jane Austen so I have to include her... it’s like a law.

2. Richard Armitage

Just. Just look at his perfect face. 

3. Bea Arthur

It is a personal goal of mine to be Bea Arthur when I get older. She is responsible for 95% of my sense of humor.

4. Robert Pattinson

I think he handles fame (and rabid fans) really well and he has the most amazing smile when he laughs.

5. John Mulaney

Every millennial’s favorite comedian... I am no exception.