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astrognossienne · 3 years ago

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tragic beauty: lupe vélez - an analysis

“I had to play with boys, girls found me too rough.” - Lupe Vélez

This is an analysis I’ve wanted to cover for a while for quite a few reasons. Primarily because, in a few ways, I see myself in her and, as such, feel the need to defend her and assert her true legacy: as a pioneer. Which brings me to the main reason I wanted to do this: to correct the scurrilous rumours about her premature death cooked up by a hating ass imbecilic Aquarius whose infamous book doesn’t deserve to be named. So if you want to hear the truth about this lady, read on.

Known as the “Mexican Spitfire”, Latin bombshell Lupe Vélez was (an to an extent, still is) a much-maligned and terribly misunderstood woman. A true Cancer, she was a force of nature and unconsciously antagonized others and made them uncomfortable because of her authenticity to herself and her emotional nature. Born during a storm, she had a naturally stormy personality. She could be hilarious and charismatic one moment, and depressive and vicious the next. Instead of anyone trying to understand her, they just stuck her with the “spicy fiery Latina” stereotype, not knowing or caring what was behind it. The harshness of her life before stardom may explain some of her fearsome, yet fun, personality; she grew up with violent trauma – watching her father kill and almost be killed during the Mexican Revolution. She also is believed to have had undiagnosed bipolar disorder, which would explain her extreme moodiness and outbursts.

One of the first Latina actresses to make an impact in Hollywood, she was subjected to the racist, sexist Hollywood tropes that forever typecasted her—she was called “senorita cyclone,” and the “hot tamale”. The Hollywood press willfully misunderstood Vélez’s sex positivity and consistently portrayed her as a woman who took great pleasure in her body, and indeed, the tempestuous Vélez had numerous affairs, including a particularly torrid one with a young Gary Cooper, and a tumultuous marriage to “Tarzan” star Johnny Weissmuller. But in 1944, at age 36, she found herself pregnant with the child of a little known-actor name Harald Ramond, who would not marry her and this reality made her come undone, and like my other baby Carole Landis, she succumbed to an drug overdose. Her promiscuity, right or wrong, became part of the way her stardom was packaged and promoted. Also, the press naturally compared her to (and pitted her against) Hollywood’s only other female Mexican star—the “high-class” and elegant Dolores Del Rio. The press couldn’t even find sympathy for her even in death and a false story was printed that she drowned in the toilet after vomiting up a spicy Mexican dinner. Her death is parodied and mocked to this day. Again, she’s a true Cancer in the sense that the same imperfections that everyone else has, she is seen as less than human for having them. I hope to help right that wrong by honoring Vélez for being the trailblazer that she is. At any rate, Vélez would seem to be a prototype for contemporary female stars, from Madonna to Rihanna, who have proclaimed their pleasure in their body and their sexual liberation — a pro-sex activist before her time, doomed to suffer the rejection of a more puritanical age.

Lupe Vélez, according to astrotheme, was a Cancer sun and Leo moon. She was born María Guadalupe Villalobos Vélez in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, to young upper-middle class parents. Her father, Jacobo Villalobos Reyes, was a colonel in the military, and her mother, Josefina Vélez, was an opera singer. They also had another son, John and daughter, Annette. The Villalobos family were considered prominent in San Luis Potosí and most of the male family members were college educated. The family was also financially comfortable and lived in a large home with servants. As a young girl Lupe showed an interest in performing, but her father was outraged at his daughter’s “low-class” dreams, and forbade his daughter from being in show business. All that changed during the war. Her family was in a state of upheaval—the Mexican Revolution was happening, her father had been presumed dead in the war and all their money was gone. While most of her family members were too proud to get jobs, a teenage Vélez did just that, supporting the family by working as a saleswoman in a department store. She then finagled an audition with a local theater. However, her father was indded alive and well and soon returned home from the war. Because at that time becoming an artist and coming from a well-to-do family was seen as embarrassing, her father refused to let her use his last name in theater, so she used her mother’s surname.

She proceeded to seek out venues where she could dance the then-popular “shimmy.” In 1925 she was cast in the big stage revues Mexican Rataplan and !No lo tapes! and became a big audience favourite. Her name got around to American stage star Richard Bennett (father of American film stars Constance and Joan Bennett), who was looking for a Mexican cantina singer for his new play. Lupe traveled to Hollywood but was rejected for the part for being too young. While in Hollywood, Lupe met film and stage comedienne Fanny Brice, who took a liking to Lupe because of her sparkling personality. She put in a good word for Lupe to impresario Florenz Ziegfeld (creator of the Ziegfeld’s Follies), who could use Lupe in one of his Broadway musicals. However, MGM producer Harry Rapf heard of Lupe as well, and offered her a screen test. When producer Hal Roach saw the test, he immediately signed her to a contract. Vélez soon made her major film debut in Douglas Fairbanks’ action-romance The Gaucho in 1927. The film was a huge hit and Vélez was an overnight sensation.

Along with her professional life gaining steam, so did her love life. Vélez sought out some of Hollywood’s hottest men, which wasn’t hard for a hot and sexy number like Lupe; men flocked to her like bees to honey. She was romantically linked with Gary Cooper, Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, cowboy Tom Mix, “Tarzan” actor Johnny Weissmuller, Errol Flynn, John Gilbert, Henry Wilcoxon, singer Russ Columbo, Randolph Scott, author Erich Maria Remarque (who wrote All Quiet On The Western Front and later married Paulette Goddard), Clayton “Lone Ranger” Moore, director Victor Fleming (director of Gone With The Wind), and boxers Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey.

One of her first conquests was cowboy star Tom Mix. She also had an with newcomer Clark Gable, who cut off their romance because he was afraid Lupe would run all over town discussing their sexual secrets, which she did. Soon she had a torrid affair with comic genius Charlie Chaplin in 1928. Lupe revitalized Chaplin’s libido after he had gone through a torturous divorce from his wife. Whatever time she had for the many men in her life, that same appreciation didn’t extend to other women and she would frequently battle with the other females with whom she had to work with and would often threaten them; when she was starring in director D.W. Griffith’s Lady of the Pavements, she had to co-star with an actress named Jedda Goudall, whom she hated, and the two had a ferocious cat-fight on the set. When she made her final appearance on Broadway in the Cole Porter musical “You Never Know”, Vélez and fellow cast member Libby Holman feuded viciously. The feud came to a head during a performance where Vélez punched Holman in between curtain calls and gave her a black eye, which pretty much ended the run of the show. Vélez was territorial about the men in her life, she was vicious toward any woman who might be competition for her man or an acting role. She mocked Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn and Shirley Temple, and her arch nemesis Dolores Del Dio by doing imitations of them.

When she was cast in the film The Wolf Song in 1929, she met Gary Cooper and immediately started what would be her first widely publicized romance. Theirs was a one-sidedly volatile relationship; he would often appear in public with scratches and bruises. One time, she attacked him with a knife during a fight. He needed stitches. By the end of their time as a couple, Copper had lost 45 pounds and was physically exhausted. He was ordered by the studio to take a vacation. As he boarded a train, Vélez shot at Cooper but missed. Lupe soon moved on to other men; she had a thing for fighters. In addition to having a brief fling with boxer Jack Dempsey, she conducted a flagrant, but secret, affair with the black boxer Jack Johnson. In those days, blacks and whites almost never conducted sexual affairs out in the open. She met Olympic swimming champion Johnny Weissmuller at the hotel where she was staying that was owned by film star Marion Davies. One problem: Weissmuller was already married. But no matter, he dumped his wife for Lupe and married her October 8, 1933 in Las Vegas. Theirs was not a happy, serene marriage, and they constantly battled, with Lupe filing for divorce several times in 1934 and changing her mind each time. Weissmuller’s patience was so strained he dumped a plate of salad on her head at Ciro’s nightclub. Finally, in 1938 she filed a petition that was finalized in 1939.

After having many hit pictures with MGM, they unceremoniously dropped her. The excuse was that the studios were no longer going to make Spanish versions of their films and there was no longer a need for Latin actresses. Vélez returned to Mexico in 1938 to star in her first Spanish-language film. Arriving in Mexico City, she was greeted by 10,000 fans. The film La Zandunga, was a critical and financial success and Vélez was slated to appear in four more Mexican films, but instead, she returned to Los Angeles. She soon went to RKO Studios and starred in the B-movie The Girl From Mexico. Despite its lowly status, the picture became a tremendous hit with audiences. RKO rushed her into another film, this time called Mexican Spitfire, playing an emotionally volatile singer named Carmelita. The 1940 film became another smash for Lupe. The Spitfire series of eight slapstick comedy films rejuvenated Lupe’s sagging career. In late 1941, she had an affair with writer Erich Maria Remarque whose wife, actress Luise Rainer later wrote that Remarque told her “with the greatest of glee” that he found Vélez’s volatility hot.

At this same time Lupe took on another lover in the form of a French 27-year-old bit actor named Harald Ramond. He was a strong and controlling man who knew how to tame Lupe. After she discovered that she was three months pregnant, she announced her engagement to Ramond without his knowledge or consent. When he learned of her pregnancy, he refused to marry her. Deeply hurt and stunned, she felt backed into a corner; she knew her career would be ruined in Hollywood if word got out she was pregnant and unmarried. It just wasn’t done in those days. And despite her wildness, Lupe was a devout Catholic, so abortion was out of the question. She could see only one way out: suicide. On December 18, 1944, at the age of 36, Vélez swallowed 70 Seconal pills, she lay down on her pink satin pillow on her over-sized Hollywood bed and arranged herself like a movie star, with her hands folded across her chest and went into an eternal sleep. Dramatic to the end, Lupe went out of this world in glamorous style. She left a suicide note addressed to Harald, which read:

“To Harald, May God forgive you and forgive me too, but I prefer to take my life away and our baby’s before I bring him with shame or killing him. How could you, Harald, fake such a great love for me and our baby when all the time you didn’t want us? I see no other way out for me so goodbye and good luck to you, Love Lupe.”

THAT is the truth. But the bottom line is: how she lived her life as well as the circumstances around her death are all irrelevant at the end of the day. What matters is the loss of a great multi-talented, pioneering Mexican star and a legacy unrealized and stunted by a world that wasn’t ready for her.

Next, I’ll talk about the most famous of her paramours, the yin to her yang, a perfect example of the special chemistry that Taureans and Cancers share, the strong, silent hero of the silver screen: Taurus Gary Cooper.

Stats

birthdate: July 18, 1908

major planets:

Sun: Cancer

Moon: Leo

Rising: Gemini

Mercury: Cancer

Venus: Leo

Mars: Pisces

Midheaven: Pisces

Jupiter: Virgo

Saturn: Aries

Uranus: Capricorn

Neptune: Cancer

Pluto: Gemini

Overall personality snapshot: She may have seemed at times to be a shy, vulnerable, romantic individual who only wanted to please, but underneath she had a voracious appetite for adoration and respect, and would not stop until she got it. Without a doubt, she had a very warm feeling for others, and domestic security with plenty of happy togetherness is high on her list of priorities. When it came to cooperation with others, however, she had her limits because she was profoundly individualistic and, albeit in a charming manner, she insisted on doing things her way. Ultimately the most important thing for her was believing in herself and being true to her standards and aspirations. Most of all, she needed to fulfill her creative potential, which was like an intimate companion with whom she shared her life. You nurture it, protect it, and then you show it off, and whatever walk of life you are in, you tend to be a fine performer.

This gave her a lot of self-respect and a touch of vanity as well, and her emotional sensitivity combined with her underlying imperiousness tended to impress others and made them take her seriously. She was a devoted member of her flock, and she zealously and jealously protected and promoted whomever she was devoted to. When it came to developing her own talents, however, she seemed to know that she had to pull away in order to grow into her greatest self. Others may have thought she was a bit of a show-off but that was not the case: she simply had a deep sense of the importance of her own creative talents, and she felt only half alive if she did not honour them. Although she was pretty sensitive to criticism or rebuffs, she was just as committed to honesty and personal integrity; and despite her vanity, she eventually learned to laugh at herself.

She had a very good memory and found it easy to learn subjects that interested her. She was very kind and thoughtful towards others. Her imagination was very keen, but if it got carried away, she may have experienced irrational fears. Even though she may have tried to maintain a scientific and objective outlook, her mind was actually dominated by her emotions. When it came to careers, she may have felt initially vague or confused about what she really wanted to do. She was eventually forced to give up her career of choice by events out of her control (as was evidenced by the tides turning from the “Mexican spitfire” female ideal due to the changing of the times). There was probably some element of self-sacrifice involved somewhere in her choice of career (the element of sacrifice being that she had to sacrifice her child, and ultimately her life, in relation to her reputation as an unwed mother as well as her unborn child’s reputation as an illegitimate child). She had good technical and scientific ability due to her, at times almost fanatical, attention to detail. She was also fastidious when it came to matters of health, diet and appearance. She was not afraid of work and was very resourceful and capable. She also worked well in a team. She became very annoyed if somebody else questioned the way that she operated. Her energy levels were somewhat inhibited, her self-confidence reduced, and her ambitions restricted through fear of failure. Times of strength and weakness alternated within her. Even though her decision-making ability could be ineffectual through over-caution, she often seemed to be placed in situations where a quick decision was needed. When she succeeded, it was mainly through her own efforts. She also showed a tendency towards wanting to start at the top, wanting to avoid the hard work that gets you there.

She belonged to a generation with a rational and logical attitude to life. There was a conflict between tradition and convention, and the experimental and unconventional. As an individual, she had to learn to strike a balance between the erratic and the conventional. As a member of this generation, she had the ability to come up with original ideas which could be of practical value. She was part of a very artistically talented and creative generation that wanted to escape from the demands of the world around them into a world of excitement and glamour. She was part of an emotionally sensitive generation that was extremely conscious of the domestic environment and the atmosphere surrounding her home place and home country. In fact, she could be quite nostalgic about her homeland, religion and traditions, often seeing them in a romantic light. She felt a degree of escapism from everyday reality, and was very sensitive to the moods of those around her. Bow embodied all of these Cancer Neptunian ideals. As a Gemini Plutonian, she was mentally restless and willing to examine and change old doctrines, ideas and ways of thinking. As a member of this generation, she showed an enormous amount of mental vitality, originality and perception. Traditional customs and taboos were examined and rejected for newer and more original ways of doing things. As opportunities with education expanded, she questioned more and learned more. As a member of this generation, having more than one occupation at a time would not have been unusual to her.

Love/sex life: It wasn’t easy to be passionate and emotionally explosive and also hold on to her dignity, but this was what she wanted to accomplish. She tried to conceal the pulsating softness of her sexual nature behind a façade of control and bluster. She thought that her display of strength and jolly self-confidence would hide her vulnerability and her susceptibility to virtually any sexual diversion. Of course, no one was really buying this cover up. They saw the luscious edges of her erotic hunger peeking through her disguise. That’s why they were all so anxious to be around her. The biggest problem in her sex life was how to deal with change. She loved it and she hated it. She loved following the lead of her feelings and surrendering herself to the moment. Too much consistency, even loving consistency, was apt to leave her bored and dissatisfied. But she also saw change as a threat to her sense of control and to the emotional security that she valued so highly. Because of this duality in her thinking, her reaction to changes in her sex life was abrupt, contradictory, and (horror of horrors) a little undignified.

minor asteroids and points:

North Node: Gemini

Lilith: Libra

Vertex: Scorpio

Fortune: Gemini

East Point: Gemini

Her North Node in Gemini dictated that she needed to prevent her idealism from influencing her thoughts to such a high degree. She needed to consciously develop a more clear-minded and analytical approach involving her thought processes. Her Lilith in Libra was definitely working overtime here. Relationships somehow caused her to err, and her partner choices caused much suffering. She expressed herself through others. As a lover, she was aggressive, yet co-dependent. As a mistress, she was not above trying to cause a divorce, which she did with Johnny Weissmuller and she ultimately became fatally despondent when she found herself pregnant with a bit actor's baby. She used her good looks as a weapon to help her get ahead in the movie industry. Also, Lilith in Libra strangely enough, manifested itself as a sort of lighter female Capricorn archetype, and she pulled herself up by the bootstraps in a rather glamorous way, going to work after her father left the family unit. As such, she exhibited graceful gumption right until the very end. Her Vertex in Scorpio, 5th house dictated that she had a desire or continual need for feeling irresistible and irreplaceable on all levels of intimacy, whether spiritual, intellectual, emotional, or physical. From the fires of hell to the heights of heaven, the further and deeper the range of interaction she could experience with another the more fulfilling. She had a childlike orientation, in all of its manifestations, toward relationships on an internal level. That implicit trust, or perhaps naivete, that was instilled in our childhood persisted far into maturity. The concomitant explosions and occasional tantrums when these constructs are violated also accompany this position. She had a need for fun, creativity, and excitement in a committed relationship, no matter how many years it has endured. She often had deep fears, typical of children, of abandonment, as well as a need for universal acceptance, no matter how she acted, which she needed her partner to respect and nurture, rather than rebuke, especially in adulthood. Her Part of Fortune in Gemini and Part of Spirit in Sagittarius dictated that her destiny lay in travel, education and communication. She was able to overcome enemies by her words and by her writing. Happiness and fulfillment came from being able to express herself fully. Her soul’s purpose lay in seeking truth, justice and fairness. She felt spiritual connections and saw the spark of the divine when she studied, broadened her mind through new philosophies, or looked for inspiration outside the home. East Point in Gemini dictated that she was often insatiably curious and loved to collect little bits of (what seemed to be useless) information and trivia. Her interests were quite varied, and she may have been somewhat scattered. Sometimes her curiosity could appear cold and callous as her level of objectivity was potentially high. There was usually an openness to learning in any situation.

elemental dominance:

water

fire

She had high sensitivity and elevation through feelings. Her heart and her emotions were her driving forces, and she couldn’t do anything on earth if she didn’t feel a strong effective charge. She needed to love in order to understand, and to feel in order to take action, which caused a certain vulnerability which she should (and often did) fight against. She was dynamic and passionate, with strong leadership ability. She generated enormous warmth and vibrancy. She was exciting to be around, because she was genuinely enthusiastic and usually friendly. However, she could either be harnessed into helpful energy or flame up and cause destruction. Ultimately, she chose the latter. Confident and opinionated, she was fond of declarative statements such as “I will do this” or “It’s this way.” When out of control—usually because she was bored, or hadn’t been acknowledged—she was bossy, demanding, and even tyrannical. But at her best, her confidence and vision inspired others to conquer new territory in the world, in society, and in themselves.

modality dominance:

mutable

She wasn’t particularly interested in spearheading new ventures or dealing with the day-to-day challenges of organization and management. She excelled at performing tasks and producing outcomes. She was flexible and liked to finish things. Was also likely undependable, lacking in initiative, and disorganized. Had an itchy restlessness and an unwillingness to buckle down to the task at hand. Probably had a chronic inability to commit—to a job, a relationship, or even to a set of values.

house dominants:

2nd

3rd

1st

The material side of life including money and finances, income and expenditure, and worldly goods was emphasized in her life. Also the areas of innate resources, such as her self-worth, feelings and emotions were paramount in her life. What she considered her personal security and what she desired was also paramount. Short journeys, traveling within her own country were themes throughout her life; her immediate environment, and relationships with her siblings, neighbours and friends were of importance. The way her mental processes operated, as well as the manner and style in which she communicated was emphasized in her life. As such, much was revealed about her schooling and childhood and adolescence. Her personality, disposition and temperament is highlighted in her life. The manner in which she expressed herself and the way she approached other people is also highlighted. The way she approached new situations and circumstances contributed to show how she set about her life’s goals. The general state of her health is also shown, as well as her early childhood experiences defining the rest of her life.

planet dominants:

Neptune

Mercury

Sun

She was of a contemplative nature, particularly receptive to ambiances, places, and people. She gladly cultivated the art of letting go, and allowed the natural unfolding of events to construct her world. She followed her inspirations, for better or for worse. She was intellectual, mentally quick, and had excellent verbal acuity. She dealt in terms of logic and reasoning. It was likely that she was left-brained. She was restless, craved movement, newness, and the bright hope of undiscovered terrains. She had vitality and creativity, as well as a strong ego and was authoritarian and powerful. She likely had strong leadership qualities, she definitely knew who she was, and she had tremendous will. She met challenges and believed in expanding her life.

sign dominants:

Cancer

Gemini

Leo

At first meeting, she seemed enigmatic, elusive. She needed roots, a place or even a state of mind that she could call her own. She needed a safe harbor, a refuge in which to retreat for solitude. She was generally gentle and kind, unless she was hurt. Then she could become vindictive and sharp-spoken. She was affectionate, passionate, and even possessive at times. She was intuitive and was perhaps even psychic. Experience flowed through her emotionally. She was often moody and always changeable; her interests and social circles shifted constantly. She was emotion distilled into its purest form. She ventured out to see what else was there and seized upon new ideas that expanded her community. Her innate curiosity kept her on the move. She used her rational, intellectual mind to explore and understand her personal world. She needed to answer the single burning question in her mind: why? This applied to most facets of her life, from the personal to the impersonal. This need to know sent her off to foreign countries, where her need to explore other cultures and traditions ranked high. She was changeable and often moody. This meant that she was often at odds with herself—the mind demanding one thing, the heart demanding the opposite. To someone else, this internal conflict often manifested as two very different people. She loved being the center of attention and often surrounded herself with admirers. She had an innate dramatic sense, and life was definitely her stage. Her flamboyance and personal magnetism extended to every facet of her life. She wanted to succeed and make an impact in every situation. She was, at her best, optimistic, honorable, loyal, and ambitious.

Read more about her under the cut.

Lupe Velez was born on July 18, 1908, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, as Maria Guadalupe Villalobos Velez. She was sent to Texas at the age of 13 to live in a convent. She later admitted that she wasn't much of a student because she was so rambunctious. She had planned to become a champion roller skater, but that would change. Life was hard for her family, and Lupe returned to Mexico to help them out financially. She worked as a salesgirl for a department store for the princely sum of $4 a week. Every week she would turn most of her salary over to her mother, but she kept a little for herself so she could take dancing lessons. With her mature shape and grand personality, she thought she could make a try at show business, which she figured was a lot more glamorous than dancing or working as a salesclerk. In 1924 Lupe started her show business career on the Mexican stage and wowed audiences with her natural beauty and talent. By 1927 she had emigrated to Hollywood, where she was discovered by Hal Roach, who cast her in a comedy with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Douglas Fairbanks then cast her in his feature film The Gaucho (1927) with himself and wife Mary Pickford. Lupe played dramatic roles for five years before she switched to comedy. In 1933 she played the lead role of Pepper in Hot Pepper (1933). This film showcased her comedic talents and helped her to show the world her vital personality. She was delightful. In 1934 Lupe appeared in three fine comedies: Strictly Dynamite (1934), Palooka (1934) and Laughing Boy (1934). By now her popularity was such that a series of "Mexican Spitfire" films were written around her. She portrayed Carmelita Lindsay in Mexican Spitfire (1940), Mexican Spitfire Out West (1940), The Mexican Spitfire's Baby (1941) and Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event (1943), among others. Audiences loved her in these madcap adventures, but it seemed at times that she was better known for her stormy love affairs. She married one of her lovers, Johnny Weissmuller, but the marriage only lasted five years and was filled with battles. Lupe certainly did live up to her nickname. She had a failed romance with Gary Cooper, who never wanted to wed her. By 1943 her career was waning. She went to Mexico in the hopes of jump-starting her career. She gained her best reviews yet in the Mexican version of Naná (1944). Bolstered by the success of that movie, Lupe returned to the US, where she starred in her final film as Pepita Zorita, Ladies' Day (1943). There were to be no others. On December 13, 1944, tired of yet another failed romance, with a part-time actor named Harald Maresch, and pregnant with his child, Lupe committed suicide with an overdose of Seconal. She was only 36 years old. (x)

#lupe velez #cancer #star analyses #astrology #long ass post #tragic beauty #mine

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bestburritos-blog1 · 7 years ago

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Best Burritos in the States

LOCO COCO'S TACOSKITTERY, MELoco Coco's is the work of Luis and Ramona Valdez, two San Diego transplants with a passion for burritos. It began life as a tiny walk-up counter in 2004, but now serves its adoring fan base in a full-on cantina and dining room. Since the Valdezes come from SD, they naturally added a local favorite in their California burrito, a steak- and French fry-filled marvel improbably located in a coastal Maine town. It might just trick you into thinking you're staring at a different ocean -- that is, until the throngs of living L.L. Bean catalogs walk by.A good burrito means different things to different people. Some want a feast bigger than their forearms. Others want to load up as many sauces, guacs, and creams as possible. Still more crave flour tortillas fluffier than their overpriced pillow (it's from Brookstone!). But no matter your personal philosophy, there's no denying the quality of these 33 beauties. Although they come from different walks of life, the sight of any one of them would make your coworker instantly regret his sad salad lunch. We compiled this list using trusted friends, editors, publications, and our own damn bellies, and we're pretty proud of it, but if you think we missed something major, we know you'll tell us in the comments.

ANNA'S TAQUERIA

BROOKLINE, MA

The undisputed burrito champ of Boston, Anna's has amassed a mini-empire since it first opened in 1995. It's now repping six locations in the greater Boston area, and locals speak of it in the same reverent tones usually reserved for David Ortiz. The tortillas are steamed with cheese, which might be inauthentic, but is also amazing. And you have the option to super-size, so take it.

BELL STREET BURRITOS

ATLANTA, GA

Hear us out! Yes, we know a chicken and broccoli burrito sounds like the kind of blasphemy that leads to plagues. But in the hands of this lauded Atlanta spot, it's a sin worth committing. The chicken & broccoli (rest assured, it's loaded with Jack cheese) is one of Bell Street's four burrito specials, but you can also go with a less gonzo option off its basic burrito menu -- a menu that includes steak, ground beef, shrimp, green chilies, potato, pork, chicken, beans, and even more broccoli.

CALEXICO

NEW YORK, NY

When the three Vendley brothers moved from California to New York, they missed the Cal-Mex food they grew up with, so they did the natural New York thing and opened a food cart. A Vendy award and hot Martha Stewart Show appearance soon followed, as did several brick-and-mortar locations. Now, you can enjoy their trademark marinated steak burrito all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. Lesson learned: never underestimate Martha Stewart's masterful control of NYC street food.

CHANGOS

AUSTIN, TX

Changos abandons any pretensions and focuses instead on great burritos and tacos. You're working on three levels with the burritos here: Super (beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomato, salsa), Maximo (all that with a choice of meat), or Bongos for Changos (the Maximo with guac). Despite the latter's flashier name, we're advocating you go middle of the road with a Maximo. Don't let the hordes of UT kids (it's right next to campus) get in your way.

BLACK BEAR BURRITOS

MORGANTOWN, WV

Black Bear has tons of live music and a nice selection of beers on tap, but this isn't your typical Mid-Atlantic pub. The place also has a lengthy selection of burritos that toe the line of heresy -- a stir fry "Mr. Teri Yaki" burrito?! -- without leaping right over it. Start with the Irie Member. If you're up on your Rastafarianisms, you'll know "irie" is an excellent state of existence and in this case, it indicates a Jamaican jerk sauce covering pineapple, beans, cheese, rice, jicama, and your choice of meat.

CHILE PEPPER

YUMA, AZ

Chile Pepper already wins points for having a drive-thru -- it's called Mr. G's and it serves the same recipes as the Chile Pepper sit-down location. But it's also got great food at dirt-cheap prices. The excellent bean-and-cheese burrito is just $1.89. Seriously, a large Coke is more expensive! Make the most of this opportunity by cruising by Mr. G.'s for a baker's dozen, since scoring double-digit orders of burritos is much more exciting than a basket of blueberry muffins.

DOS TOROS

NEW YORK, NY

The Calexico bros drew their inspiration from California's Imperial Valley, but the brothers behind Dos Toros (Leo and Oliver Kremer) went with a more traditional muse: the SF Mission District. Like so many West Coast transplants, they were bummed out by the burrito scene when they arrived in New York, so they decided to rectify the problem with some recipes from home. After putting in time in Mexican restaurant kitchens and honing their burritos with an impressive 10-day food quest, they opened Dos Toros. The New York Times was one of the first to heap praise on the carnitas, but the paper of record certainly wasn't the last. Today, Dos Toros' strong pork game is well-established, as is the restaurant's burgeoning rap career.

EL FAROLITO

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

It's hard to stand out in San Francisco's Mission District, an area so well-known for its glorious burritos, there's an entire category known as "Mission-style." But El Farolito certainly does. Just check out how thoroughly it crushed the competition in Esquire's reader poll for most "life-changing" burrito. Devotees will accept no substitutes, which is probably why the line winds well out the door on any given night. If you can manage to push through the crowds of tipsy 20-somethings, order the carne asada.

AL & BEA'S

LOS ANGELES, CA

You probably already thought we were crazy for recommending a basic bean-and-cheese at Chile Pepper. But we're about to do it a second time, because the one at Al & Bea's is just that good. Although most California burrito spots require beef, pork, or at least some French fries, people clamor around the bean-and-cheese because of its impossibly perfect balance with the Al & Bea's red house sauce. It might seem boring, but it's the best move at this nearly 50-year-old institution.

EL LIMON

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA

Philadelphia has several strong players (think Los Gallos Mexican Taqueria, Cucina Zapata), but if you want the very best, take a field trip over to Conshohocken. There, you’ll find El Limon, an unassuming little taqueria that’s packing some serious burritos. As any fan will tell you, getting it without the place’s otherworldly mole is a sin and a crime, so go wet-style. And while you’re there, you might as well take advantage of the FREE MARGARITAS. This is not a joke. Go there now.

EL ZARAPE

SAN DIEGO, CA

Shrimp? Good. Steak? Great. Pico de gallo and a special sour cream sauce? Outstanding. All this and more (cheese! guac!) can be yours if you order one of El Zarape's surf & turf burritos. El Z burritos aren't exactly monsters, so this isn't the kind of burrito that'll bust your gut. But it is the kind you'll have dreams about for years to come.

FLAMING AMY'S BURRITO BARN

WILMINGTON, NC

Usually when something's advertised as "hot, fast, cheap, and easy," it's not a compliment. Unless it's geared at one of the creative burrito creations at Flaming Amy's, in which case it's a laudable guarantee. The Wilmington destination is known for getting a little wild with its menu -- think Philly cheesesteak- and cheeseburger-inspired burritos. Before you tango with a Philly Phatboy, though, try the titular Flaming Amy, which comes loaded with jalapeños, chipotle peppers, and green chiles. Or, if the thought of a single jalapeño makes you wince, go with the Fajitarrito. (You're not the only one with portmanteau play, Quesarito.)

FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO

AUSTIN, TX

Named for the song that ruins every music fest (sorry, Skynyrd), Freebirds has conquered seven states and counting since it emerged in 1987. You have 15 free fixings and several house salsas and sauces to choose from here -- but don't get distracted by all the noise. Make a beeline for the quesarito, which was building a rep at Freebirds long before Taco Bell hopped on the train.

GARBO'S GRILL

KEY WEST, FL

Despite its growing fame, Garbo's is still operating as a humble food cart next to the bar Grunt's. While the fresh fish burritos have their own following, husband-and-wife team Eli and Kenna Pancamo are renowned for their Korean BBQ burrito, which rolls marinated beef short rib, cabbage, scallions, carrots, daikon, Sriracha, and citrus-soy dressing into one amazing Key West dish.

GORDITOS

SEATTLE, WA

You know a burrito means business when it requires a knife and fork. The Burrito Grande (or "Baby burrito") at Gordito's Healthy Mexican Food (good one, guys) is so stuffed with meat, beans, rice, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole that it requires two large tortillas. It also requires an iron stomach and fierce determination, because it's legit the size of a fat baby.

HABANERO'S GRILL

SAN ANTONIO, TX

You might have some trust issues with a burrito that spells cheese with a "z," but this San Antonio selection is the real deal. The Cheezy Beef features ground beef (duh), Spanish rice, refried beans, lettuce, tomato, and three types of "cheeze" (queso, cheddar, Monterey Jack). Sounds like it can't get much better, right? Wrong. Habanero's also has a crazed cocktail menu that includes Big Red-A-Ritas and Pop Rocks margs. And if you haven't eaten a superior burrito with a crackling candy drink, have you really lived?

ILLEGAL PETE'S

DENVER, CO

Have you heard the one about the salsa that was so hot, it nearly killed a guy? That'd be the House Hot salsa at Illegal Pete's, which nearly gave Pete a heart attack when he was still honing the recipes. Obviously that's a big sell for spice fanatics, but milder burrito fans will also find a lot to love about the Colorado mini-chain. There's the green chile, which you can smother on any burrito. There's the Tex-Mex-ified pesto sauce, which is made with poblano peppers. But most importantly, there's the Mexican Coke-braised carnitas. Make sure you get those in your illicit tortilla.

#burrito #fastfood

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tiredassmage · 1 year ago

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smokescreens & signal flares

Oh lawd it is finally here. The Nar Shadaa disaster night that has been kickin’ my ass the last week is finally done, lol. Featuring @commander-krios‘s lovely Dash to my disaster Leo, lol, and a blink and you’ll miss it name-drop to @jbnonsensework‘s Rees for the lulz, lol.

What started off as a silly little piece spawned from oc dating asks just wondering what would happen if we set Leo and Tyr loose in the same cantina turned into... one of the longer pieces I’ve written in a while and a bit of an emotional heavy-hitter of a character study. Send help. x,D

Leo hits the Nar Shadaa cantinas between jobs looking for a quick distraction from feelings he’s been trying to avoid naming for far longer than he’d ever like to admit. An off-duty Cipher happens to take notice.

Rating: M for sexual themes // Caution warnings for alcohol use and a brief exploration of homophobia - external and internalized.

“Y’know…” The smuggler’s voice slurs as he props a shoulder back into the seat, swirling the remnants of his drink in his glass. “I’ve heard interestin’ things about… this antiques dealer.” Leo hiccups and nods across the cantina again.

Tyr tips back his shot carefully before he follows the smuggler’s indication, lip twitching briefly at the burn. This would not be his choice, but it went a fair ways to explain how thoroughly in his cups his company was.

Leo bites at his lip. “Whatch’ya think, Cap’n?”

Tyr’s eyes briefly dip to his watch before they narrow slightly.

Instead of an answer, he paints a friendly smile across his lips and claps the smuggler’s shoulder. “I think…” You’ve had plenty enough. And if he went home with almost anyone else in this cantina, he’d end up cold in a gutter somewhere.

Not that this was his problem to worry about, exactly, but… He was off-duty at the moment - as much as a Cipher could be - and that idealistic streak Keeper had given him a mildly concerned frown about earlier seemed to be catching up with him a bit more than usual.

He tugs lightly at the captain’s jacket and lets his gaze drop as Leo’s eyes settle back on him. “Maybe we should get out of here.”

Leo huffs. “Wha’s a matter, flyboy?” He slams his cup a bit heavily against the table. Tyr’s thankful it’s practically empty. “Havin’ trouble keepin’ up?”

Tyr lets out a chuckle as he shakes his head and brushes a hand under Leo’s jaw. The smuggler almost instantly caves to the gentle caress, leaning forward eagerly. There’s something flickering in his dark blue eyes that the agent could’ve recognized just about anywhere: an unfulfilled longing begging desperately for fulfillment, even if only in distraction.

Still, Tyr leans in a bit closer, letting Leo’s eyes wander down his jaw to partially parted lips. “I dunno, Captain… You still haven’t rated your company.”

Leo’s teeth dig subtly at his lower lip again. “How uh… rude of me, huh..?” he says.

Tyr plays at hesitating, letting the smuggler’s gaze roam for a few moments longer. “I could think of a few ways you could make that up to me.” His thumb brushes against Leo’s ear and he tangles a few fingers into his loosened dark locks.

Leo doesn’t resist when Tyr finally presses a kiss to his lips. In fact, the smuggler surrenders almost surprisingly easily. His faint whimper isn’t entirely drowned out for Tyr by the cantina music as his fingers dig around Tyr’s shoulders, needily pulling him closer.

He breaks from his lips, hearing Leo gasp before he presses a kiss to his neck. Leo wraps a hand around the back of his neck and Tyr finds his opening to slip a hand inside the smuggler’s jacket. Datapad, commlink, something - aha.

Tyr’s breath is warm against his ear, “What say we take this back to your ship, Captain?”

Leo nods, so Tyr stands and pulls the smuggler up after him by the hand. Leo giggles as he sways a bit on his feet before Tyr slips an arm around his waist, hooking his thumb in the smuggler’s belt loop. Exchanging another quick kiss gives Tyr an opening to tuck the smuggler’s datapad away in his pocket to crack later. It’s easy enough to keep a smile on his lips for his subject, but his eyes carefully scan the cantina again as he leads them out, Leo’s head contentedly lolling against his shoulder.

There. The man Leo had been eyeing almost all night, still tucked into a quieter corner of the cantina. The lights are too bright and flashing to really make eye contact (probably better that way), but Tyr gets the impression that their exit isn’t entirely missed and that was all he really wanted. For once, the agent was actually counting on being noticeable

o-o-o-o-o-o

Tyr's breath catches quietly in his throat as Leo's arms wrap around him, hands snaking up his back underneath his jacket.

Shit. He hadn’t accounted for that. Rookie mistake.

Leo only breaks the kiss they'd tangled in to crook a brow at him. A lopsided smile lolls across his lips. "Say, cap'n." He nearly starts to giggle. "Is that… a vibroblade in your pocket, or…?" His features split as a snorting laugh tumbles out of him, muffled only faintly as he presses his face against Tyr’s shoulder.

Tyr pulls him flush against his chest, one hand squeezing his ass. Leo inhales sharply, tossing his head back to clear bangs from his hazy blue eyes.

Tyr catches his chin with his free hand, eyes locking together as his smile widens playfully. "What's to say I'm not a bad man?"

Another little amused snort issues from the smuggler. "All sorts of 'em here, ain't there?" Leo purrs.

Tyr takes the opportunity to spin them, pinning the smuggler against the wall with enough force it knocks a bit of the wind out of him. Leo squirms slightly, but only to get slightly more comfortable against the wall, his dark blue eyes locked fully on the way Tyr bites his lip, letting his own eyes wander as he hooks a few fingers along Leo’s waistband. "Man's gotta stay prepared in these parts. We have a problem, Captain?"

Leo only chuckles again, one hand reaching up to twist in a stray lock of his hair. "No," he muses. "I’d say that makes you a smart man."

Tyr’s smile widens again like a reward. "Good boy."

Leo whimpers as he's taken in another kiss, Tyr easily dominating again, tongue slipping past his lips. Leo grips desperately at his shoulders before he's shoving at the jacket. Tyr barely breaks their lock long enough for them to pant for breath until he's ready to slip out of his jacket.

Leo leans heavily back into the wall as Tyr steps back to toss it aside on the captain's footlocker. He's down to a simple tee and carefully slips out of the extra holster, setting aside the previously concealed blade and his pistol while they have a moment. For now, he also leaves aside Leo’s datapad, but the smuggler’s eyes are anywhere but Tyr’s hands.

He raises a brow over his shoulder. The smuggler has a rather pleasant flush to his cheeks now. It paints a smirk across Tyr’s lips. "Like what you see, Captain?"

Leo nods wordlessly. Tyr's eyes narrow before he motions the smuggler over with a finger. "So. Where were we?"

He lets Leo chase him until the back of his legs hit the bed, then stops him with a hand against his chest.

He clicks his tongue in mild disapproval. "At least make yourself comfortable, Captain," he says quietly, working Leo out of his jacket and adding it to the pile.

And finally, they fall into bed. Leo's hands roam easily across his back under his shirt as Tyr toys with his hair. Leo shifts slightly to let him pull it free from the tie, dark strands falling in messy waves. Tyr starts to work a few knots out with his fingers before Leo brings a hand up to pull him down for another kiss that trails away from his lips and down his throat. Tyr awards him a contented sigh and closed eyes, slipping a hand underneath the captain’s shirt to idly trace fingertips over his hip.

"Dax.., was it?"

Tyr hums acknowledgment, quirking a brow as his gaze draws back to the smuggler’s.

The edge of hunger in Leo's dark blue eyes seems to have quieted, overtaken by something a bit more uncertain.

Tyr brushes his bangs carefully back out of his eyes, noting how the smuggler’s eyes flicker shut for a few moments underneath his touch. "I oughta let my crew know I'll be spending the night," he murmurs, "If… you'd like?"

"Yeah." The response comes after a moment of silence, Tyr’s fingers brushing carefully back into his hair.

Tyr nods and presses a soft kiss to his forehead. Leo's hand trails down his arm as he pulls away, catching his wrist before he stands completely.

"Dax?"

Tyr cocks his head.

"You'll be back?"

Tyr smiles faintly. "Worried I'll run off, Captain?"

Leo lets go and tosses his head, loose hair falling across his eyes and half-concealing a lopsided smile, but not before a bit more color dapples across his cheeks.

Tyr's smile widens just a touch. "And miss the opportunity to make an entrance?"

Leo toys with his hair and Tyr gives him a pat on the shoulder. "Stay put."

He stoops to collect the smuggler’s datapad on his way out. Hopefully, the captain's sense was a bit stronger sober.

o-o-o-o-o-o

The ship is silent in the hangar without the rest of the smuggler’s crew, so Tyr only wanders as far as the couch in a nook of the ship that felt built for crew interactions. Still, he hesitates a moment, breath catching in his throat as he listens to the silence to ensure the smuggler hadn’t followed him nor that his crew had returned without warning.

Once he’s sufficiently satisfied he has enough privacy, he settles in and turns his attention to the datapad he’d lifted off the captain back at the cantina. Leo had surprisingly retained enough of a sense of direction to lead him back to the appropriate hangar where his ship was docked without Tyr having to crack it earlier for the details, but now he wants to follow up on his suspicions. Someone ought to know the man was alive and well, at least.

It only takes him a few minutes, tops. Tyr checks his contacts. It’s a relatively short list for a smuggler - or at least the ones used with any noteworthy frequency. But there’s one that’s more common than any other - someone called ‘Dash.’

Tyr checks over his shoulder again before he links the contact through his holo.

He recognizes the man that answers from the cantina, though the frown is a lot more noticeable across his handsome features this time.

“Who is this?” Then the irritable twist of his brow sharpens. “Wait-”

“Call me a concerned citizen,” Tyr interrupts with a brief wave of a hand.

“How’d you get this frequency?” Dash snaps. “I’ll give you a whole new meaning of ‘concerned’ if-”

“Cool your jets and keep your voice down.” Tyr shrugs a nonchalant shoulder, if only to keep play with the cool persona Leo was acquainted with from the cantina. Though he does check again over his shoulder, keeping an eye out for their wayward smuggler. “Ain’t nothin’ happened to our mutual friend. Just seemed a little too in his cups, is all.”

“And now you’re on his holo.” Dash snorts as his arms fold across his chest. “Forgive me if I’m not inclined to trust you.”

“Tell ya what,” Tyr says, “You don’t have to. Ship’s docked where he left it. Why don’t you bring yourself by?”

Dash huffs. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

Dash eyes him suspiciously before he heaves a sigh. “I’ll be there. Try anything? And I’ll kill you.”

“Pleasure doing business.”

Dash barely spares time for an irritated growl before the holo quiets and Tyr sets the datapad aside carefully by the holo to be rightfully found in the morning.

o-o-o-o-o-o

When he returns to the room, Leo’s curled up with one of the pillows, a hand twining idly in a long lock of dark hair with unfocused eyes settled somewhere along the wall.

Tyr props a shoulder in the doorway and flashes a grin. “Miss me?”

Leo blinks, brought back into the present before he smiles and tosses his hair back over his shoulder. “You stayed.”

Tyr bluffs a light huff of laughter. “‘Course I did, gorgeous,” he teases as he saunters over. “Y’don’t find goods like this just anywhere, right?” He momentarily caresses Leo’s ass before he falls back into bed with him, Leo rolling onto his back to let Tyr straddle him again.

Tyr brushes his hair back from his eyes. “Hey,” he says as his features soften, “Wha’s a matter? Somethin’ on your mind?”

Leo shakes his head, but his gaze remains elusive. Tyr works fingers gently through his hair for a few more moments, carefully teasing out knots he comes across. Leo’s fingers tangle in his shirt at his sides, twisting slowly a few times until the fabric is pulled more taught across his back.

Tyr stops and looks back down at him. “If you’re uncomfortable, just say the word,” he says. “You owe me nothing, Captain.”

Leo’s head shakes again. “It’s… It’s not…”

Tyr’s hands settle on either side of his head, just enough to brace himself. “Drinks catchin’ up with you, handsome?”

Leo’s nose screws up in a mild frown that pulls a faint breath of a chuckle out of Tyr. He settles beside the smuggler, resting against one arm. “D’you wanna talk?”

Leo’s frown wavers for a moment as he shuffles to face him. “Awfully uh… awfully accommodation’ for a man I picked up at a cantina.”

Tyr offers him a softer smile before he reaches out and traces a finger softly down Leo’s nose. “Troubles are a credit a piece, Captain,” he says. “Sometimes cheaper. They ain’t so easy to solve, though.”

Leo grunts, lightly smacking at his hand and making Tyr’s smile widen for a moment before he settles quietly as the captain contemplates. “I dunno…” He nuzzles a bit against the pillow, eyes dropping to follow where his hand tangles with Tyr’s shirt where it dips across his chest.

Tyr merely waits and, for that, Leo finds himself grateful. Something about it all still felt… off. This time.

This was… a habit of his, truthfully. Had been for… years. As far back as cadets? Father would’ve done the military a favor and killed him then if he’d ever found out, he was sure of it.

Still, it'd felt… a lot more harmless back then.

It was what he heard the other boys or older soldiers describe more as a home tour crush - all fireworks and bright eyes that never really covered ground before you were packing up on the next shuttle out again. He still remembered the unit daring each other to spray paint the CO’s speeder, how their cheeks had been nipped pink by the frosted air that seemed to always hug Ziost the night he'd finally said he'd do it.

There'd been the one with eyes as vibrant as the leaves after the first thaw, shaggy hair, and a contagious laugh. That first kiss still hit harder than any stim or adrenal he'd ever experimented with. But he'd been assigned to a different squad in the end and they'd lost touch during deployments.

Tonight was one of the quieter ways this ‘habit’ of his had ended for the night.

Something twisted in his chest, like it was clawing to get out, trying to make it past the way his throat seized at the idea of ever breathing a word of it aloud.

It felt a lot more like racing tonight than drowning. And no matter what he tried, the speeder wasn't ever fast enough.

Every time, no matter what regret greeted him in the mirror the next morning, how many times he'd let himself be led astray by ulterior motives behind glittering eyes and seductive smiles, a part of him always craved a return of the burning touch of the night before - how it felt so right in the moment, how it felt like… him.

Freedom. Like how captains talked about endless stars and the hyperlanes.

And it always came back, in the end. Especially when… with… Dash.

Fuck.

Tyr’s hand gently wraps around his arm, fingertips gliding over the faint trace of veins beneath his skin. Leo’s eyes sting as he watches, trying to keep control of his breathing under the intensely seeing storm gray eyes of his partner for the night.

“We don’t have to talk,” he says gently. “But you’re safe here, Leo. I promise.”

Leo buries his face against his chest before the sting in his eyes can finally overwhelm him as Tyr’s arms wrap around him, pulling him closer and brushing through his tangled hair carefully.

‘Dax’ asks him no further questions, occasionally murmuring assurances against his hair over quiet sobs muffled against his shoulder.

Tyr lays with him until he quiets, his breathing levels out. Leo’s nestled in against him, still tucked against the crook of his neck, his breath puffing warm against his skin in steady intervals. He’s finally got most of the tangles and knots worked out of his hair by the time he’s certain the man’s night has finally caught up with him.

He sighs quietly with the faintest touch of a frown across his lips. With a little luck, it’d be… a step for the wayward captain. At least it seemed the man had one good friend looking out for him.

Tyr eyes his watch again over Leo’s head. Soon, he reckons he’ll have to deal with that.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Tyr’s eyes snap open at the subtle sense of disturbance, breath stilling silently in his lungs. The drinks at the cantina and the warmth of Leo tucked against his chest must have lulled him into the temporary sense of security.

Leo’s still asleep though. Good.

Tyr carefully extricates himself from the smuggler’s embrace, socked feet quietly connecting with the floor as he drops into a crouch. He snags his pistol from the footlocker and checks the thermal clip quickly. Full charge.

He throws one last glance back at Leo. The captain’s barely shuffled to curl a bit more into the pillow in his absence.

Another check of his watch. His eyes narrow slightly. Maybe. But this was also Nar Shadaa.

He tucks in against the door first, checks one way down the hall towards the crew area and the ship’s entrance, then over his shoulder towards the bridge.

It’s quiet, still easier to hear his own breathing. He counts… one set of footsteps.

Tyr moves towards the entrance.

And a hand wraps firm around his right wrist and jerks. Tyr grunts as his back slams into the opposite wall. There’s a new pistol level under his chin before most would be able to react. “Whoa, whoa now, easy,” he drawls, easing a smile across his lips as his eyes settle on their would-be intruder.

Dark brown eyes, cybernetics - the same man from the cantina. That made this easier and… slightly more complicated. The sharp draw of his brow really brings out the glare. He wouldn’t have to work himself out of a fight he’d given up an advantage on, at least. If he played this right.

Tyr raises his other hand, keeps his finger carefully off the trigger. “Drop it,” Dash growls.

“We can’t start with ‘hello?’” The barrel digs against his neck and Dash’s eyes narrow. “Easy, friend.” Tyr emphasizes his free, empty hand. “Why don’t you put that piece away?”

“You better have a damn good reason for me not to shoot you right now.”

Tyr wets his lips. “Your friend’s had a long night. Let’s keep this civil, alright?” Dash’s grip flexes around his blaster, so Tyr throws a quick nod down the hall. “Just… see for yourself, yeah? He’s asleep. Finally.”

Dash hesitates and spares a glance down the hall, but doesn’t slack his grip until he finally takes a step back. “You’re not going anywhere. Yet.”

Tyr rolls his shoulders and nods. He offers his pistol to Dash. “I will be expectin’ that back before I leave.”

Dash huffs humorlessly, but takes it. “We’ll see about that.” He points down the hall with the barrel of his own. “Move.”

Tyr keeps his hands where Dash can see them, leading down the hall to the captain’s quarters. He steps off to the side and leans a shoulder against the doorway. “See?” he says quietly with a nod into the quarters. “Just keep your voice down. I think he needed the sleep.”

Dash squints suspiciously at him a moment longer before he peers in. It doesn’t feel right to give the stranger a clean shot at his back, even supposedly disarmed, but-

A breath he hadn’t quite consciously been holding eases out of his lungs to find Leo surprisingly just as promised. Finally, he lowers his blaster and stashes it away to step in and actually confirm there’s nothing wrong. For the moment, he elects to ignore the discarded jackets, carefully settling on the edge of the bed.

Leo sighs in his sleep, brow briefly twisting in a way that makes Dash hold his breath again until the smuggler settles blissfully unaware once more in the deep throes of sleep.

Tyr clears his throat quietly from the doorway. Dash looks up to see he’s awkwardly taken a step inside, but he lingers, not wanting to infringe on the slim good graces he’s managed to earn. “So, uh… we good?”

Dash sighs. If he thought it’d actually do any good, he’d have quite a bit to say to Leo about the whole thing right about now. Foolish.

But… He frowns. “I still don’t trust you,” he says carefully. “If I find out you did anything-”

Tyr holds up both hands placatingly. “You’ll hunt me down, I’m sure,” he says. “I’m…” He frowns slightly and folds his arms across his chest again, looking over the sleeping form of the smuggler. “I’m just… glad he’s got a decent friend.”

Dash looks away and rolls his jaw. “Yeah,” he gives carefully, though the word still wavers against his best attempts. “He’s uh… He’s… a mess, but…” He draws in a breath carefully and slowly before he finally looks back over at the stranger. “I uh… suppose I owe you thanks, then.”

Tyr shakes his head. “Don’t mention it.”

Dash’s gaze settles back on the smuggler, a hint of worry still creeping across his features.

Tyr’s gaze drops to the floor for a moment. “I uh… I should… probably be going then, I guess.”

Dash blinks. “I’d consider that wise.”

Tyr nods, chewing on his lip slightly as Dash stands. Tyr pushes away from the doorway to accept the pistol Dash offers back to him. He holds on for just a moment longer when Tyr has the barrel. “Still. Do remember. I don’t know who you are or what motivated you… But it won’t matter. Understood?”

“Like crystal,” Tyr says. Dash releases the pistol and, for the moment, Tyr tucks it into his waistband. “Look, it’s uh… It’s not my place-”

“It’s not,” Dash warns carefully.

Tyr shakes his head. “Look, you… seem like someone he trusts,” he says. “That’s… valuable. Just…” He sighs and looks around Dash’s shoulder. “I don’t know what is or isn’t between you two,” he says quietly, “But… I think he cares about you. A lot. And you seem like one helluva friend.”

When he looks back at Dash, there’s a tension in the hard set of his jaw. Hmm.

“Take care of each other, friend. Alright?”

Dash rolls his jaw carefully before he clears his throat. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Right.” Tyr steps past him and collects his jacket and discarded items, strapping holsters carefully back into place on his way back out of the room.

Dash, for his part, stands careful guard over Leo until the stranger pauses at the door to look over his shoulder, finding Dash’s gaze one last time.

“You should… probably stay with him tonight,” Tyr suggests. “I… said I’d stay the night. I don’t like breaking promises.”

Dash merely nods. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but… I will. Don’t worry about it.”

“Right… Thanks. I think.” Tyr pulls his jacket together a bit more over his shoulders and makes for the exit.

Dash waits for the quiet to fade to Leo’s small snores before he closes his eyes and carefully pinches the bridge of his nose.

He looks back over his shoulder and reaches out to tuck a stray lock of raven hair back behind Leo’s ear. Even that simple action was enough to get his heart racing a little harder in his chest. And he hadn’t done it nearly as much as he’d wanted to.

What a fucking mess they’d all gotten into, huh..?

#dot words #swtor fanfiction #swtor fanfic #swtor smuggler #imperial agent #republic trooper #swtor trooper #ch: leo ashold #ch: tyr #dash felaeon x leo ashold #ch: dash felaeon #friends ocs

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