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invisibleicewands · 2 months ago

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Hello! Here's a fan of your reviews again (they are really great)

Would you mind giving your opinion on Nye, please? I def need your insight on it!

Hi, Anon!

Thank you for your trust, I'm feeling a responsibility on my shoulders now... I'll try to do my best to deserve it, since you appreciate them.

It's not easy for me to write a 'review' about Nye tbh, because there's a lot to unpack and I am terribly slow in finding the right words for this kind of posts (proof is I'm replying only now).

Anyway.

First, I must tell you that my impression may be influenced by the lack of experience and culture in theatre and plays in general. Nevertheless, I think I'm not wrong if I dare to say that "Nye" may be considered a masterpiece. For the theme, the meanings, the perfect execution of all the cast, the writing, the visual impact of the lighting designs, the choreography, the tricks and the original technical solutions with the props on the stage, as well as the rollercoaster of emotions during the entire show. It's all amazing, all perfectly synchronized like the gears of a clock, a real wonder for the view.

The storytelling is neat and well built, the direction is fluid, meaningful flashbacks of the past alternated with the present ones, touching moments balanced with songs and dances, lighter jokes and deep thoughts. There's rhythm, there's a bit of drama and a bit of musical, sadness and happiness, cruelty and compassion; there's speed of execution but also time to breath, to reflect, not a single wasted moment. A perfect team job, a well oiled machine that runs full power for about 2 hours 30.

The actors are really all exceptional, professional, tireless, talented and admirable in their roles. I loved the precision of every movement, the perfect timing of their steps, the expressions, the attention on every little gesture, the care for the detail.

A mention for the performances of some of the supporter actors, excellent, well trained and at their best, who know how to stay on a stage and fully entertain the audience.

Sharon Small (Jennie), with her grit, her grace, her versatility, her patience (when she stays still in the background for minutes, wow), is perfect in portraying this special modern woman: strong, intelligent, nonconformist, but also romantic and soft.

Roger Evans (Archie), Nye's best friend, eternally loyal and protective, sometimes even jealous of Jennie: always on point, a reliable presence in every scene.

Tony Jayawardena (Churchill), with his impressive figure, as Nye's opponent and his doctor, crafty but funny at the same time, and... a very flexible dancer.

And then, obviously, him.

Last but not least: Michael Sheen.

Monumental. Powerful, in his presence on the stage. Inspired, with his long speeches. Ecstatic, during his vivid crazy dreams. Mesmerising. A natural born orator in a play which is his perfect environment. A driving force. He's not just playing a character. He's living an ambition, a mission, that represents the core of all the values, the qualities, the feelings and the things he loves more and in which he recognizes himself. He put his body and soul in this portrait, he cried and laughed, relentless, passionately, he bore the weight of an incredibly high emotional stress for months (all those rehearsals, every day, two times a day sometimes), showing an energy and an unimaginable stamina.

You can understand why he deeply felt this project: he fully believes in its message, and I sense there's also a lot of personal in it, emotions, situations that somehow belong to him. Nye, generous, crazy dreamers, fragile, stubborn, silly, irritating, strong, moving: he perfectly painted all these nuances, because they are also part of himself.

I could also add that some scenes reminded me others he already played in previous works (MoS, H.G. Wells, Dirty Filthy Love, The Passion), but maybe I'll keep these parallels for another post, since this is already too long. It's like there's almost a pattern in the choice of his characters, a little hint that he has a soft spot for some topics, definitely very important for him.

The same for other scenes that really impressed/touched me, but that would take too time to be discussed here.

It was an incredible show to put together, made with hard work, imagination, heart and dedication. To share a story and a message true for many people and different generations, in every eras. For those countries that have a NHS and for the ones that have not. To show how difficult but essential is to fight for the rights, against the social injustice but not only, to care about our families and the others. And affirming that making politics doesn't mean just balancing the books, but giving dignity to the people. This is how the politics becomes a real noble thing.

A huge effort, a great play, a deserved success. A necessary reminder.

(And now, after using too many adjectives, like Nye it's time to expand my vocabulary and find more synonyms.)

#Michael Sheen #Anon #Nye #theatre #review #I love Jennie's shoes

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dennissima · 9 months ago

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Magic night in London

Below there is the first picture I took when I went out the Blackfriars station.

It was a crazy journey from Milan to London and back in less than twenty hours. My flight from Linate was at 1:30 pm and I arrived at Gatwick at 14:20. Thank you Thameslink for taking me to South Bank (where this photo was taken).

At 4 pm I already reached the National Theatre.

You can easily guess the reason of my journey, right?

First of all, I spent my time losing myself in the National Theatre’s bookshop (yes, I bought two books: the Nye script and a playwriting manual).

When I set at Kerb I took advantage of the recharge station near a table to charge my phone meanwhile I was drinking something fresh in that warm day.

A friend of mine reached me and I was a bit distracted by how much I was nervous for what was going to happen.

The performance started at 7:30 pm so at 7 pm I was already waiting at my seat.

“Nye” started and I still don't have enough words to explain such a brilliant production it is. Great cast, amazing writing, and stunning set design. The performance was funny and moving. Almost three hours and I loved every minute. I left the Olivier theatre shaked by goosebumps.

Still excited because of the show, I reached my new friend @orth82 at the Stage Door for wait Michael Sheen. The kindest person in the world.

He was on fire on the stage, he gave everything through the character and he was exhausted. But he spent his time greeting everyone who was waiting for him at the stage door.

I was pretty nervous and I made a mess with the gift I bring to him, the books he signs for me an photos and hugs i forget to ask for.

(Please Michael, don’t hate me! I wanted to be brilliant but you make me clumsy!)

Look at him! It’s Michael Sheen! He’s gorgeus!

He stayed with us untill he asked “Did I miss anyone?” and then he took his bags and walked away.

So in that crazy night I was amazed by the performance, Michael knew for five minutes I existed and also meet wonderful people from Good Omens fanbase. They even take care of me and helped me to find food. Yes, I forgot to have dinner or eat something since lunch 🫠

Then it was time to back to Gatwick, my flight departure was at 7:30 am.

I enjoyed London by night and even catched a shooting star on the sky abobe the Thames.

Everything was magic!

I spent the night in airport. Thank you again Thameslink to made me move easily despite the strike and the interruptions and the cancelled trains.

Flight at 7:30 am. Arrived at Milan at 10:30 am (1 hour of tome zone!).

Exhausted but full of grace 🤩

#nye #michael sheen #london #national theatre #Michae Sheen knew that I existed for five minutes #new friends #London I love you

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mamuscript · 1 year ago

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On the Idea of Forgiveness:

For all that Aziraphale is a “being of love,” (and don’t get me wrong - I’m an Aziraphale defender until actual Armageddon) he consistently avoids opportunities to tell Crowley how he feels about him, while Crowley is consistently telling Aziraphale what he means to him, albeit also not explicitly.

The closest that Aziraphale comes to telling Crowley what he means to him is after the duo performs The Bullet Catch, and he says, “I knew you would come through for me. You always do.” Aziraphale clearly demonstrates how he feels about Crowley, thanks in large part to Michael Sheen’s sublime and peerless performance: the way he looks at him; the giddiness with which he grabs Crowley’s hand and drags him to the dancefloor; they way he relies on him; the way he bounces out into the world every day, full of conviction that Crowley will be by his side. And Aziraphale tells Crowley again and again, despite resistance from the demon himself, that he is a good person, a nice person. That is so important - Crowley needs to hear that, and he needs to know that Aziraphale believes that about him - but it’s all so subtle.

On the other hand, Crowley expresses to Aziraphale, again and again, that they’re a team. When the world is about to end and Crowley can’t think of any other ideas, he asks Aziraphale to run away and be with him. He shows up to protect Aziraphale time and time again, including from himself. He shows that he knows Aziraphale fully - “You have three reasons for calling me,” etc. He threatens everyone who poses danger to the angel. After the fire at the bookshop, when Aziraphale appears in his spectral form before Crowley, the demon tells him, “I lost my best friend.” Aziraphale could comfort him in this moment, he could return the sentiment. But instead, he only says, “I’m so sorry to hear it.”

And this one hurts the most - Crowley keeps letting things go and coming back to apologize, even though he isn’t wrong.

When they argue at the bandstand, it’s because Aziraphale is being deceptive, cruel, and sanctimonious. The angel is willing to sacrifice their relationship for his ideals, while Crowley is willing to sacrifice everything for their relationship. Aziraphale is clearly in the wrong, and yet Crowley comes crawling back - “Whatever I said I didn’t mean it. Work with me - I’m apologizing here.” When they argue over Gabriel, neither of them is wrong, per se, but Crowley has an excellent point - Gabriel is a significant threat to them both, and in particular to Aziraphale. Once again, Aziraphale dismisses him out of hand. But when Crowley learns that Aziraphale is in trouble, he comes back and apologizes (even though he wasn’t wrong) in order to protect the angel.

Crowley keeps putting himself out there, making himself vulnerable, swallowing his pride, and Aziraphale not only doesn’t do the same, he never even acknowledges it.

This is what withers my heart about that final scene. Crowley has put himself out there for Aziraphale again and again over thousands of years, has come far closer to telling Aziraphale what he means to him than the angel has to telling him. And despite the inevitability of the rejection he’s about to receive, he does it again. He makes himself vulnerable, he tells Aziraphale that all they need is each other - my guy comes so close to telling him that he wants to spend eternity at his side. And Aziraphale shoots him down again.

Not only does he cast Crowley aside, but he has the audacity to tell Crowley that he forgives him.

I’m not going to dissect that particular act of forgiveness (not right now, anyway).

But I will say this: that despite the ever-present topic of what Crowley may or may not have done to get cast out of heaven and whether he’s worthy of mercy, despite Aziraphale priggishly deigning to offer Crowley forgiveness not once but twice, despite the fact that Crowley has the black wings and Aziraphale the white… Despite all of that, in an ironic twist of fate (or rather, due to the unparalleled and masterful achievement of the storytelling here) the next time we see these two, it won’t be Crowley who will need to earn forgiveness. It will be Aziraphale.

#good omens #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #neil gaiman

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thealogie · 1 year ago

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ok but the timeline where we had that movie and johnny depp crowley... shudder

I thank the stars every day. I obviously think Johnny depp is an atrocious person and anything he’s in is kind of unwatchable to me now. But you have to admit he was really an excellent actor before he decided to phone it in and I see the vision there if this were being cast in the 90s. BUT even then it would be wrong because he was too cool in his acting. Like this movie!crowley is already so evil you really need a guy who is working hard every minute to make him baby girl against all odds.

The universe where the tv show gets made in 2017 with Michael Sheen and Johnny Depp is truly the darkest timeline

#many people could have played tv crowley imo but almost no one could play movie crowley. DT could like maybe salvage it barely

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fuckyeahgoodomens · 2 years ago

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Michael Sheen about David Tennant, bonding over working on Good Omens and their kids, Season 2 and suprises in S2, and David's bad habits. (MCM Comic Con, 30.10.2022)

Q: Now, I've watched a youtube video, it was a really strange fan video, it was lovely though, and it was about the bromance between you and David Tennant.

Michael: I'm sorry, I didn't... I don't know who you're referring to.

Q: I mean, what is he like to work with, he seems like a joy to work with and you guys get on really well.

Michael: I mean, it's like having and an albatros around your neck, really, he sort of does drag you down a lot of time... no, I feel very lucky, you know, David and I were in a film called Bright Young Things together many, many years ago - [applause] thank you very much, thank you, thank you - but we didn't get to act together in that and we didn't, you know, we didn't really know each other from that and we've know each other 'say hello to' over the years, but it wasn't until we did Good Omens the first series really that we - [another applause] thank you thank you - that we got to know each other and of course we spent a LOT of time together on that, and people were coming in and out, but it was essentially me and David sitting in the tent all day every day a lot of the time. And so we sort of slowly got to know each other doing that and then, actually it was probably doing the publicity for that and the press for that that we really got to know each other and and then because we both had babies within weeks of each other, you know, me and Anna and David and Georgia, you know, we got very kind of bonded then because of over that. And we say that, so David and Georgia's little girl Birdie and our little girl Lyra, we say, Lyra's only got one friend and that's Birdie. And we sort of got very close but we were very lucky, because you don't know the chemistry's gonna be like between you and another actor until you start working together. And, you know, interestingly David and I probably hadn't work together because a lot of time we were up for the same parts, or you know, there was only one David or Michael shaped hole in the cast and only one of us would fill it, so we didn't get to work together. And I've been a big fan of his work for years and years and really admired, you know, what he did, and so then get into work opposite each other, it just sort of clicked very quickly, and I remember when we did the table read for the first series of Good Omens and we were sitting there next to each other and starting to read the lines together and we'd not really talked about the characters much before then or how we were gonna do it abd you could sort of feel the two of us kind of adapting to each other over the first, you know, few pages and then we just kind of, it just clicked, the characters just clicked and we just sort of without having to talk about it we just instinctively understood how they would be together and I remember Neil Gaiman and Douglas the director saying that watching it was like that as well, you saw these characters sort of circling around each other a little bit and sniffing each other out and then bumph you're just suddenly dancing and it's been like that ever since, really. It was such a joy to come back and do the second series together again, and it was like... once we'd put the costumes on again, and we were on the Soho set - we filmed it up in Scotland and they've buil like entire block of Soho, on the first one where they only built a small amount of it and it was in a freezing cold carpark ouside Oxfordshire and it was miserable and this time we were in the lovely, warm soundstage with a whole of Soho built, and once we got the costumes on and I remember our first scene together - because David was a bit ill at the very beginning of the filming, so he wasn't there for the first few days - and then when we did get to our first scene together and it was just a walk across the street or something and it was almost like the costumes were walking for themselves, like they just knew what to do, the characters just sort of took over, weirdly, and we were in that kind of groove again. So it's an absolutle pleasure working with him and spending time with him and it's so lovely that we found these two characters, or these two characters found us, to be able to sort of put everything into, you know, and to feel so comfortable with each other. It's been brilliant and I hope when it comes out next summer I hope everyone really enjoys it, I think there's gonna be a lot of great surprises for people and I hope you enjoy it.

Q: I mean, Michael, that's all very well, that's very sweet, what a lovely story, but I want you to dish some dirt. Tell me, is there something... does he have a bad habit... does he have an annoying habit, that he wouldn't want us to know about?

Michael: About David?

Q: Yes.

Michael: Oh my goodness. David doesn't have any bad habits. Em, what can I tell you about him... I mean, he's a bit good to be true, really. He's always lovely to everyone... oh! I tell you what his bad habit is. He leaves it to me to... when there's a problem and we are unhappy about something, because I'm supposedly the grumpy one, he leaves it to me, so he can be the [imitating David:] 'Oh, I'm so sorry, it's just Michael has a wee problem with this, I don't know... it's not me, I'm fine with it, you know...', but, you know, the two of us have gone, 'Well, that's a bit out of order, innit?' and then I'm the attack dog who has to go out.

#good omens #michael sheen #mcm 2022 #david tennant #bts #birdie #lyra #gos2 #season 2 #michael about david #I love them #interview #michael interview #fun fact #bright young things #s2 interview #transcripts

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problematicwelshman · 2 years ago

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In the last 3 or so weeks Michael Sheen has been coming into my work to rehearse for the upcoming production of Amadeus. No, rehearsals are not being held at Sydney Opera House.

I have been a follower of MS for a while now so the opportunity to see him everyday has been well... cool... exciting... eye opening. I get to see who he interacts with, especially in his breaks. Let me tell you every person he talks with, he charms the pants off. Even people who have no idea who he is I can see them falling for him. The baristas, staff, students, and especially his cast mates. It's difficult to not observe his interactions, and the effect he has on people. My female colleagues even come up to me and say, "Gosh he seems so lovely" OR "he has a charming presence". Some have even expressed that they're surprised how attractive he seems. Then it dawns on me he is exceptionally flirtatious without meaning to be. If you're talking to him, he is engaged as if it's the most important thing in the world. He smiles with his eyes, he talks with his hands (gesticulates), and is ingratiated to have met you. One of the people I see him mostly with is one of his female co-stars. He lunches with her the most, and in my opinion is more his type than APAT. When they talk they lean into each other. They sit next to each other at a table but their chairs are turned toward each other so that nothing is between them. What I'm getting at is that there is an intensity to their exchange. Maybe it's because they're emotive thespians, classically trained. Maybe he is imparting his knowledge of character objectives. But why the frequency? I have also thought that his breaks would be a great opportunity for Anna and kids to visit him at work and have lunch with him. Where it's situated is in the heart of Sydney and there are plenty of attractions to keep Lyra entertained. Aquarium, Wildlife Park, Madame Tussauds are not far. However no visits...which leads me to think, what does Anna and the kids do all day??? We know she can drive, and I'm sure parking is of no issue when she has a bit of wealth to pay for parking. (Yep paid parking everywhere! MS catches Taxis to work) Anyway I try to keep my distance. I have chatted with him, and smiled at him and he has smiled back. I've felt bashful around him. He does have some unspeakable power when he comes into a room. There is no really telling what kind of relationship he has with APAT. I like to speculate It is one for convenience, but I also that maybe he is free to do what he wants so long as he comes back home to her and kids.

Thank you for all this amazing tea, Anon. Report back and let me know if you ever see Michael and APAT interact in person, because it would be really interesting to compare that to the interaction with the female co-star...

#Anonymous

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therealvinelle · 4 years ago

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Hi, love your metas and your fic. I think you mentioned somwhere that at the end of BD Aro was trying to prevent the fight. What were his motives? According to Edward, the Volturi are cowards, but I didn't get this feeling. Caius was begging for a battle, the guard vocally proclaimed willingness to die for the cause... hell, Jane had to be restrained from running to Bella and punching her in the throat. And I find it unlikely that their leader is less brave than them. Explain Aro's brain pls

Thank you so much! That’s really nice of you to say. And sorry for the late answer.

And explain Aro’s brain, whew. That is a very big question with a very long answer and this post will be a manifesto by the time I’m done. But you wanted Aro’s brain explained so manifesto it is.

So, before we go anywhere I have to make the distinction between Aro of the books and Aro of the movies. Those two are different people.

Starting with appearance, because casting does a lot for me and if a big deviation is made it better be like Ruth Wilson as Marisa Coulter, which is to say it better fit the character. Also, disclaimer, I think most of Twilight was miscast, and especially the Volturi. I’m forever dying at Caius looking like Lucius Malfoy. However, this is an Aro post, so we’re highlighting Aro.

Aro of the books is a twenty-something Greek with skin that has petrified and eyes covered in a milky sort of film, which totals to him looking perfect, as all vampires do, yet frail. When he walks it looks like he’s gliding. This is an otherworldly, ancient, inhuman being. He’s energetic and excitable, yes, but if anything that should add to how very other he is. Casting Michael Sheen is a clear signal that the movies were going in a completely different direction with Aro. Sheen is a great actor who played what he was given perfectly, but what he was given was a very different character.

In New Moon the book, Aro first rejects Edward request because this is Carlisle’s gifted son, and more, this is not what the Volturi do. They are not hitmen. It’s just a big no all around.

Bella enters, and the Aro she meets is a very polite and gracious man who’s delighted to see the human still alive, and pleased Carlisle’s son won’t be suicidal anymore. However, Edward fully intended to step into the sunlight in the middle of Volterra, specifically to provoke the Volturi, and he has broken the law with Bella. Further, Edward makes it clear that he fully intends to walk out of Volterra with his human still human, and that she’ll die of old age if he gets his way. Edward’s contempt of the law could not be more clear. However, Alice shows Aro that Bella’s fate is sealed, she turns or she dies. The law will be upheld. Aro is glad to hear it, and lets the Cullens all go home.

All in all, it’s a very tense occasion where Edward has put Aro in a difficult position, because he’s trying to force him to kill his best friend’s son, and Aro goes “YES THANK GOD” when Alice finally gives him an out.

New Moon of the movies was not this. Starting with the flashback (because I’m being thorough), Aro executes a lowly criminal himself. I object to that, I think that’s a menial task and Aro doing it himself made the Volturi look less regal, not more. Cut to the present day, Aro rejects Edward’s request because he doesn’t want to waste his gift. We get the whole meeting with Bella, and Aro… well I don’t know why he does any of the things he does. This guy never mentions his friendship to Carlisle, tries to kill our plucky heroes three times in the space of one minute (one, gives Felix the order to kill Bella, stopped by Edward. Two, moves to decapitate Edward, stopped by Bella. Three, he’s about to eat Bella, stopped by Alice), and when he lets them go it feels terribly convenient.

This was a guy written to be the villain of the series, and it showed.

Cut to Breaking Dawn part I’s ending scene, and while I love the song choice for the scene, and fully agree that Aro considers misspelling Carlisle’s name to be a capital offense, the scene itself… we are presented with a villainous, power-hungry megalomaniac who’s just waiting to strike against the Cullens.

We then get Breaking Dawn part II, and I haven’t seen that movie in years but I remember the fight scene well enough. Aro kills Carlisle with the biggest grin on his face, and gives the go-ahead to his Volturi to kill the surviving Cullens and their witnesses.

Contrast that with canon, where Aro’s first words to Carlisle are «Nothing would make me happier than preserving your life today». Now, he’s making it very clear that this meeting will most likely end with Carlisle’s death, but he’s not happy about it. He’s certainly not going to kill him with a smile on his face and laughter in his heart.

The movies needed a hammy villain, and that’s what Michael Sheen played. It is not who Aro is, at all. And he’s not the only character this happened to, but again, this is an Aro post so I’m not going to start raging like Don Corleone about what they did to my boys.

So, with the movies firmly expelled from the post, let’s look at the Twilight series from Aro’s point of view.

Or, rather, we’ll have to start earlier because Aro’s decisions throughout the series are pretty clearly motivated by Carlisle. And that means considering, “why is Carlisle so important, anyway?”

Consider these things: one, Aro is gifted with the power of knowing every single thought a person has ever had. He knows your soul. Two, Aro is the leader of the supernatural world, he has been for over a thousand years.

How many friends does a person with that power and in that position have?

Three, who does Aro even come into contact with?

Starting with number three, for Aro it’s going to be 1) criminals, 2) Volturi guard hopefuls, 3) Weirdos like Laurent who are wasting Aro’s time.

(“But what about the guard!” Well, while we observe close interpersonal relationships between Aro and Jane, and Aro and Renata, and one can assume Corin to be close to the wives, the distinction between Volturi coven and Volturi guard remains. The guards are servants, in some cases beloved servants, but servants nonetheless. It would be inappropriate and weird for Aro to start slumming it with Demetri and Felix)

So, Aro doesn’t get out much, which brings us to point two. The people he does meet, and who are willing to entertain a friendship with the Volturi leader, are going to be people who want something. And that might work for some rulers, Louis XIV built Versailles specifically to make his subjects do this for him, but he had something to gain politically from that. Aro does not, his power is supreme without a need to tolerate brown nosers. More, with his own and Marcus’ gifts, he’ll know right away that he’s being used for power. He would get nothing out of it.

Finally point one, Aro’s gift. Say that we have a vampire who’s not a weirdo and who thinks Aro’s a cool dude. Well, the question now is, who would ever want a person in their life who knows all there is to know about them? I wouldn't want anybody to know every thought I've ever had, I certainly would never seek out a person to know me that deeply when I could just go find normal people to be friends with instead. Not to mention how incredibly unequal such a friendship would be.

In short, I don’t think Aro has any friends.

Enter Carlisle a very amiable person who cherishes Aro for his personality, and doesn’t mind having his mind read. Aro just found a unicorn. Carlisle on his end likes Aro so much that he lives with him for decades. Even if you want to read their relationship as platonic, that’s still a very strong friendship.

Point being that Carlisle is unbelievably precious to Aro, and so very unique. Aro has lived for over three millennia, and never met anyone like this before. There won’t be another Carlisle.

This in turn makes him willing to stretch as far as he can to preserve that friendship and, as the plot thickens, keep Carlisle alive.

Fast forwards to 2006, and Aro is sitting in Volterra minding his own business when Carlisle’s son walks into town demanding his own execution. He has not committed any crimes. Not only is assisted suicide not something the Volturi even do, but this would ruin Aro’s friendship with Carlisle. Even if Carlisle was miraculously understanding of Aro killing his son (which I can’t imagine he would be), this would never leave the air between them. Carlisle could never be around him again after something like that.

So, Aro turns down Edward’s request. “Stupid Volturi man ruining my dramatic suicide, I’ll show him who’s boss!” Edward replies, and runs shirtless into the sunlight. I’m sure Aro was just dying, you had “The Sound of Silence” playing as he stared into nothingness because how is this happening to him. A whiplash of an hour later, Bella is alive again, Aro is happy, we can be done with this now, right? Right?!

No, Edward says, we cannot be done with this. He’s still refusing to turn Bella.

And so we get that whole New Moon exchange where Aro very tellingly shoves the part where Edward WALKED INTO THE SUNLIGHT IN VOLTERRA under the carpet and out of the conversation (for comparison: Irina is executed for false testimony and Bree for breaking a law she didn’t know existed), and he even allows Bella to leave human when he could easily have bitten her himself to keep the Cullens honest. This guy went out of his way to be lenient and show the Cullens good faith.

And then a few months later Irina walks into Volterra, bearing memories of what is unmistakably a Cullen immortal child.

Aro may care for Carlisle, but this is the guy who killed his baby sister so he’d still have Marcus’ gift. He will bend far, very far, for those he cares about, but he will not break. It’s duty above love, Volturi above Aro’s personal preferences. An immortal child is not an offense that can be tolerated, and so it’ll be Didyme 2: Aro Kills Someone He Loves Boogaloo.

By now I think it should be quite clear why I think Aro was trying to prevent the fight. Battle would have meant Carlisle’s certain death.

(And that’s even assuming the Volturi won the fight. With Bella there, there was a chance the Volturi wouldn’t prevail. But even before Bella started showing off, Aro was very much hoping this wouldn’t be another Didyme situation.)

#aro #volturi #carlisle cullen #twilight #twilight meta #twilight renaissance #the sad thing is that i have so much more to say about Aro #this is only the first of many posts #Anonymous #ask #i guess i also have to tag #aro/carlisle #sorry guys my terrible ship is leaking into my metas #but damnit IT'S A GOOD SHIP #long post

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orionsangel86 · 4 years ago

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But this makes no sense because we know that Cas was cut from the finale. This is FACT.--- interesting how you say FACT but don't follow up with any proofs. The source talking to Min about the finale days before it aired (and giving accurate info about it) confirmed the the 5 days of filming that Misha was talking about is false, because Cas wasn't even in the first draft. His story was officially over.

The source who confirmed to MIN (ha) before the finale aired (so November) said that Cas wasn’t in the first draft... so that source is calling MISHA a liar right? MISHA?

Because the source of the 5 days is MISHA himself. From M&Gs in MARCH.

Right let me try and sort out this timeline for y’all because you really will just believe anything some random source from a known fandom manipulator and liar is telling you sure.

*rubs temples*

March 2020

A “reputable and well like actor/cast member” told fans either at a Feb/March convention or something similar at the time that they were nervous because the finale script was still not complete, the writers were “frantically rewriting” due to requests for changes from higher ups. There was tension and discomfort among cast and crew that the finale script wouldn’t be complete in time for filming (which at that point was still only 2 weeks away before they shut down for covid) (the source of this is doing the internet rounds and has been since before summer from what I can tell. Its not new.)

15x18 filmed, “sources” at the time confirm to fans that there is a destiel scene and confirm that Cas dies but also that Cas is in the finale.

Sources also confirm that there was a small send off to the cast due to breaking up for covid. No one at the time said anything about this being a goodbye send off to Misha/Cas. It was a pre lockdown goodbye. Misha was supposed to still come back.

At a March Con, there are 2 Misha M&Gs. In 1 of them, Misha confirms Cas dies in 18 and that he was happy with the way Cas went. He also confirms that he will be back for the finale, but doesn’t elaborate. When asked if he thinks we will like the finale, he hesitates before saying it could go “one of two ways”. Read into that as you will.

The other M&G Misha confirms basically the same thing, but is pressed on his return to film. Misha confirms he expects to return to film for a further 5 days.

It is worth noting that Misha at this con was emotionally drained and “not himself” according to fans.

Everyone assumes that Misha being “not himself” at the con was because he was sad Cas dies, but he kept saying that he was happy with Cas’s death and proud of it. So I doubt that is what was bothering Misha. Could it be that he was aware of the constant finale script changes and he knew that there was fuckery going on even at that point which was putting his return into uncertainty?

Summer 2020 (Lockdown)

Misha confirms over zoom call with Michael Sheen that he is returning to film the finale. He also talks about grabbing Cas’s trenchcoat before he left because he was worried he might not come back again due to the pandemic and he wanted to keep Cas’s coat - also fits with the theory that maybe Misha was worried/ unsure if his role in the finale was safe at that point - but worth noting that as of August 2020 Misha was still being kept on tenderhooks about his role in the finale.

November 2020 (SPN returns and the narrative changes)

Suddenly all the “sources” have changed their story. One source confirms that Cas is no longer returning. Specifically says to someone who I trust that he was supposed to be in 20 but wasn’t anymore, but there are some clips of his voice in one of the episodes) (I didn’t want to believe this at first when I got this info before 19 aired but god I wish I’d listened.)

Please note that this source was correct about the voice stuff and also confirmed that he WAS initially in 20 but got cut.

Misha films a goodbye and thankyou video for the CW, reasserting the narrative that 18 was his last episode and suddenly there is all this confirmation that the goodbye cast party for lockdown was “for Misha” all along (it wasn’t).

Misha speaks to a fan and when asked about the script changes, he talks about coming back as Jimmy Novak for around “half a day” but that it wasn’t worth the quarantine. Fandom goes mad.

Misha also says that the finale was supposed to have a big reunion in 20 with the roadhouse crew and lots of Deans loved ones (but not Cas). Sam Ferris goes OFF on Twitter confirming this is bullshit. (I do NOT believe Misha lied here, I think that he was repeating a lie someone else told him as an excuse for him not returning.)

Jackles silently seethes in sexy sexy silence.

So, here is all the info I have and know about Misha and Cas being cut. You don’t have to believe me. I honestly don’t care if you do or not. But this is what I believe and nothing you or anyone (and certainly not a known fandom manipulator trying to twist the narrative to make them seem like an all knowing “i was right all along” type) can say will change this.

This info in my opinion all adds up to Cas initially being a big part of the script in initial drafts, then getting cut more and more due to network meddling and a desire to remove any Destiel ambiguity/keep focus on Sam/brother bond.

My own personal narrative (simply because the visual brings me joy and I’m clinging to it) is that Cas was cut completely in a version of the script around early summer, which leads to Jensen going OFF at everyone demanding they bring Misha back for the finale, so the writers add him in as Jimmy Novak as an attempt to satisfy Jensen, honour Misha, and satisfy the Network who at this point has told them NO CAS. Misha gets this version of the script (possibly the first version he has actually seen) and turns it down (probably because he sees it as a huge insult and tells them to fuck off as he should). Jensen then spends every hour of every day since only gushing about 15x18 and keeping silent or subtley throwing shade at the finale.

(To be clear I have made up the above paragraph because the concept is hilarious to me and Jackles sexy silence and fierce protection of Misha gives me life, but you gotta admit its in character and is the only explanation I can come up with for the absolutely ridiculous idea of bringing Misha back as Jimmy Novak)

Look, we are never gonna know the truth, but I have been holding onto the information from March for a whole year. The only thing that got me through the summer knowing Cas was dying in 18 was this mantra:

“Cas will be back Misha is filming 20 Cas will be back Misha films for 5 days Cas will be back because Misha is filming Misha has 5 days to film he’ll be a big part of the episode Cas will be back...”

Literally ALL SUMMER this was my brain so DO NOT tell me the information I clung on to for months was false. It was NOT false, it was the truth in March. It just wasn’t the truth any more in November thanks to a meddling asshole network and writers and execs who didn’t care enough to fight back.

I will NOT be gaslit by this November false narrative.

#spn conspiracy theories #castiel #destiel #anti spn finale #the randic nutwork #fuck the november narrative change #don't believe the bullshit #asks #anon #Anonymous

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voiceless-terror · 4 years ago

Note

Perhaps the "stop moving!" Prompt for Jon, where he's been kidnapped by yet another avatar group and they're trying to subdue him but he's fighting too much so they break something like his leg or wrist to make him stop 👀

Hello! I’ve been thinking about this prompt for a while, and I decided to set this during the Circus kidnapping (hope you don’t mind!) and tackled it with another prompt, this one by @give-me-a-minute-to-think who asked for “ a post-circus-kidnapped fic. like, how martin and timdiscover jon was kidnaped and their reaction (espically tims.) we see in canon martin addressing that fact, but not literally anyone else. i just want some complicated relatinship and tim to be nice to jon even a little.” Hope you two enjoy!

Jon’s pretty sure bones weren’t meant to bend that way.

It was his fault, really. He shouldn’t have put up a struggle. He should’ve realized the futility of his situation and yielded to the rough, unfamiliar hands forcing him into the van. But Jon’s nothing if not stubborn, so a few flailing arms and weak kicks were to be expected. And the retaliation, of course, should’ve also been expected.

“Stop movin’,” came the gruff voice of the delivery man, with a face so nondescript Jon could forget it if he looked away for only a second. He gives one last weak slap to the hands on his body. Wrong move.

A sickening crack could be heard along with a sharp cry- Jon’s cry, because the pain currently emanating from his one good wrist is white-hot and agonizing. His eyes are blurring and the inside of the van is stifling in its darkness, but even he could see that hands and wrists weren’t supposed to look like this. He bites back the nausea and sags back into the rough hands, rendered frozen by the pain. There’s a chuckle, low and sinister, and one of the men begins to whistle the tune from the calliope.

And then his arms are yanked behind his back and the pain reaches a dizzying crescendo as his body decides it’s had enough, and sinks into oblivion.

_______

He spends his days being touched.

Cold hands and a face with a permanent smile. Sometimes there’s more of them, as if he’s a spectacle to be watched and studied. The Strangers like to learn about bodies, foreign as they are to them. Nikola enjoys narrating the process, poking and prodding at the bruises and burns and the strange, twisted hands. He doesn’t bite back his gasps and whimpers, he’s gagged, but Nikola likes to hear them. Likes to hear the wordless grumble of his voice, rendered mute and unintelligible.

The weeks go by, he loses hope. He’s not there much anymore, he’s somewhere else, a place where the pain can’t reach him. He’s back in Georgie’s apartment, the Admiral purring in his lap. He’s back in Research with a smiling Tim and a woman he imagines to be Sasha. He even thinks back to Martin’s lunches a few months ago with a sort of fondness. People talked to him, people cared. People worried when he was gone.

Every once in a while, his daydreams are interrupted by the sting of bones knitting together wrong or the itching flare of infected tissue. He starts to think of his eventual skinning as a sort of blessing in disguise; Lord knows he’s wanted to scratch himself out of it more than once. He just wishes they would hurry it up, not draw it out so much. Shouldn’t he be ready by now?

And then Michael comes. He feels a strange, manic strength return to him at the promise of a story, even if it ends in his own demise. I want to know. Tell me, tell me. The Eye’s gaze doesn’t reach him, but the power it’s planted within him grows. By the end, he feels strong enough to reach for the door handle himself, ignoring the pain that raising his arm causes.

It’s locked. His one salvation is gone. But then Michael is too, and Helen gives him a different sort of hope. One that lands him directly in Elias’s office.

His injuries are ignored in favor of a more pressing threat- Melanie. The only thing that keeps him standing and lucid is the remaining strength he siphoned from Michael’s statement. But it’s an empty, sickening vigor, one that’s sure to leave him feeling more drained than ever once it fades. Elias says nothing as he stumbles after Melanie with a limping pace, arriving some five minutes after her. She’s sitting at her desk, silently steaming when Jon makes his way in the office, leaning heavily against the doorframe.

“Jon!” Martin’s bright voice pipes up. “You’re back! We were wondering…” His voice trails off as he takes in Jon’s appearance, dirty and gaunt and yet shining with a strange sheen. A thousand showers won’t erase the feeling of those cold, slimy hands on him, Jon knows. Tim’s head pops up from his desk and even he looks a bit concerned; it’s the most positive feeling he’s shown Jon in ages.

“He was kidnapped, apparently,” Melanie drawls, and Jon doesn’t take her ambivalence to heart. She feels trapped like the rest of them. And Jon’s safe now, so what does it matter? What does any of this matter?

“K-Kidnapped?” Martin sputters, making his way over to his side. Jon flinches back unconsciously, gripping tightly at the wall and Martin stops in his tracks, his face softening. “We didn’t- nobody told us-”

“It’s fine,” Jon croaks, though they all know it isn’t. “It was- it was the Circus. A-And I’ll tell you about it-” he nods in Tim’s direction, seeing his wide-eyed stare out of the corner of his eye.”-as soon as I have a rest, if that’s alright.”

Martin casts a critical eye over him, his gaze coming to rest at the stiff way in which he holds his arms. “Seriously? I think you should go to the hospital, Jon. You look-”

“I’m fine now,” Jon assures him- he’d wave away the concern if he could lift his arm at all. “Just- just a moment, please.”

He limps to his office and they let him, their eyes reminding him of those curious mannequins and the way they stared and dissected him as if he were a cadaver on display. You’re not there anymore, he tries to reason as he collapses into his office chair. There’s a statement on his desk and he wonders if it was Elias or one of his assistants who placed it there, just waiting for him to come back. He’s so hungry.

But opening the file is agony. His burned hand cries out at any touch, and his crooked one doesn’t cooperate. Still, he forces the movement and the tape recorder clicks on for him, a move that usually chills him but now feels like a small mercy.

The words spill from his lips, natural and all-consuming. It doesn’t energize him as much as Michael’s direct account, but it certainly goes down easier, untainted by the jagged edges of the Spiral. He only realizes at the end that the statement was written in French, a language he doesn’t speak. Another development. Elias would be proud. Probably is, sitting up there in his office. And in perfect and non-coincidental timing, his email pings with a message from the man himself, informing him of his new flat, the keys to which are in his bottom drawer.

A new flat. How considerate. He tries not to think of the lonely, unprotected darkness that awaits him there. No Georgie. No Admiral. That’s probably for the best, he thinks. You wouldn’t want to endanger them.

Martin knocks, startling him out of his maudlin thoughts. He’s got tea and biscuits and Jon is struck by not only how much he missed the normalcy of the act, but how horribly hungry he is. For real food. He almost feels giddy with the realization.

“Thank you, Martin.” He’s rewarded with a tired smile and more questions. More apologies. He’s been reading statements. Jon worries about this, but Martin brushes it off. Jon keeps his arms resting on his lap, out of Martin’s sight. He gives non-answers to his inquiries and he can tell Martin’s frustrated- he only wants to help, but Jon won’t let him. They end the conversation at a strange but polite stalemate, a promise that there will be time for them to talk. He’s surprised Martin lets him go like this, but perhaps he’s realized what Jon already did all those weeks ago.

He’s beyond saving.

And then he’s gone again, back to that big room with those terrible waxworks and that strange, lilting tune and the faces that were wrong, the voices that were stolen. Everything echoed, even the tiniest of whimpers. And the laughter. He wants to curl up and make himself small, hide under the desk but his limbs are stiff and immovable, glued to his seat. His breaths start to come in small, tremulous gasps when another voice speaks up from the doorway.

“The Circus?”

Tim. Jon meets his eyes, attempting to get his emotions under control. You’re not there anymore. You’re back, you’re safe.

“A month you were gone,” Tim’s stomping over to his desk and Jon pushes his chair back, trying to create space but all Tim does is collapse into the chair across from him, heaving a sigh. He hasn’t sat there in ages. “Fuckin’ Elias. Where did they have you?”

Jon slumps in his seat, the tension in his frame somewhat easing. “It was a Wax Museum. I-I think that’s where they’ll be attempting the Unknowing.”

“That’s a lead, then.”

“Yeah,” Jon let out a weak chuckle. “At least something good came out of this.”

Tim’s eyes go dark. “Don’t joke about that.”

Jon nods, slightly taken aback by the fervor of the words. “S-Sorry.”

“What did you see? What happened?” He’s leaning forward now, his interest getting the best of him. Jon opens his mouth; he plans to answer- he could describe the waxworks, the van that took him away, the layout of his prison- but that’s not what comes out.

“They wouldn’t- they wouldn’t stop touching me,” he says, his voice fading to a whisper with each word. “Everyday. She came in and she smiled and she kept talking about my skin and touching me and I-I-” And once again he’s back there, cold hands on his face and mocking voices in his ear and it’s wrong, so wrong-

A hand rests on his shoulder and he rears back, an automatic response of revulsion as his heart stutters in his chest. But it’s not a smiling mannequin, it’s Tim. Tim, who’s kneeling by his chair so he doesn’t loom, whose hands are warm and real, flesh and blood. He’s staring down at Jon’s lap, where his arms lay crooked and burned and broken. Useless.

“They needed me to stop moving,” he whispers, as if it’s a valid explanation. Tim’s jaw is clenched. It’s a barely concealed rage and Jon feels guilty that it scares him so much. And yet, in spite of that anger, or perhaps because of it, he takes the hand from his shoulder, gentle and slow so Jon can see the path of his movements. He puts two fingers to the crooked arm, an impossibly soft movement as he leans in to inspect the damage.

And there’s no ulterior motive behind it. It’s just a touch, careful and concerned, probing lightly at his arm like he’s something fragile that Tim doesn’t want to break. He feels a tightness in his chest that for once doesn’t have fear as its source.

“I would’ve looked for you. If I’d have known.”

Tim says the words more to his lap than to him. And yes, he suspected that if Tim knew the Circus had him, he would’ve looked. But it wouldn’t have been for him. His presence would only be incidental. Tim’s staring at his arm as if the power of his gaze could knit it back together right and whole. His hand remains in place, and Jon wonders if it’s for Tim more than him. It’s as if he has to be reminded that Jon’s real, that he’s here.

“I need to tell you something.” The words are loaded with import. “But not now. Are you still staying with your friend?” Jon blinks at the change in subject.

“N-No. I have a new flat, but-”

“You shouldn’t be alone,” Tim’s suddenly all business, rising to his feet and looking down at Jon with a face that allowed for no argument. “Not with this Circus business. You can stay at mine, after you go to A&E. You’re not okay.”

Jon stares down at his lap, all fight leaving him. “I know.”

He lets Tim take control, lets him do that aggressive sort of care-taking he was known for in the earlier days of their friendship. It’s not the same; there’s no gentle words, no teasing but stern instruction. Just a silent tending that feels familiar all the same. Tim’s the one who speaks to the doctors, who listens to their instructions and later explains to Jon what’s going to have to be done in the coming days, as if he were a child. He knows it’s going to be bad, painful. But Tim keeps his voice level and Jon is somehow reassured. When they get to his flat and Jon’s warm and medicated and settled on the couch, he asks the question and Tim answers, his voice fluid and his words made eloquent in their grief. And Jon understands.

Tim doesn’t let him sleep on the couch. He’s curled up in the bed under a mountain of blankets and he pretends not to notice Tim standing in the doorway like some sort of sentinel.

“I would’ve looked.” He repeats the words as if trying to convince himself of their veracity. “If I’d have known.”

Jon closes his eyes and tries to believe him.

ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28135263

#my writing #tma #the magnus archives #prompt fill #jonathan sims #tim stoker #martin blackwood #cw injuries #broken bones #angst #Anonymous

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justthehiddleswrites · 4 years ago

Text

Rumour Has It | Tom Hiddleston x Reader

Pairing: Tom Hiddleston x Reader

Summary: You are dating Tom Hiddleston but no one on set knows and you hope to keep it that way. When Tom’s big love scene comes up, your jealousy bubbles up and threatens to ruin the secret bliss you have created.

Warnings: jealousy, implied smut

“Someone will see us, Thomas.” you muttered as he pushed you against the door to his hotel room, his lips pressed against you.

“Let them see. I’m not ashamed of our relationship.” Tom pressed his hips into you. His hands raked down the sides of your body. “Unlike some people.”

You pushed Tom off of you and opened the door, slamming the door once you crossed the threshold.

You sighed. “It’s not shame and you know that. The rumour mill on set is bad enough under normal circumstances. I would rather not play out this relationship under the scrutiny of the cast and crew, thank you very much.” You slipped your shoes off and Tom did the same.

He sat on the edge of the bed to continue undressing. “You read too much into these things.” he smirked. “Everyone is too busy doing their job to pay attention.”

He beckoned you over as he tugged off his jeans. You slipped your panties off from under your dress and straddled his hips.

You cupped his face. “You are oblivious sometimes, aren’t you?” You kissed him, slipping your tongue into his mouth, hungry for more.

“I’m not oblivious to your effect on me.” Tom nipped at your neck.

You smirked as you wiggled in his lap. “And what effect is that?”

“Let me show you.” Tom pulled you tight against him.

You rode into the studio early that morning with Tom rather than waiting for your call time later in the day. Tom’s hand inched up your thigh in the back of the car.

“The driver will see.” you hissed, removing his hand, only for Tom to place it back on your knee immediately, squeezing.

“Frank is focused on the road.” Tom leaned over to nip behind your ear.

You shoved him back into his seat. “No!” you protested louder than you meant to.

“Everything alright back there, ma’am?” Frank called out, slowing down.

“Fine, Frank.” Tom responded. “She banged her knee against the console.”

You glared at Tom. “I’m about to bang something.” you whispered.

Tom leaned in close. “Save the dirty talk for later.” he teased.

You rolled your eyes before turning your attention to your phone for the rest of the ride. Once you arrived on set, Tom headed out to hair and makeup while you beelined for craft services. You skipped breakfast that morning for more “vigorous” activities.

“You’re here awfully early today.” a voice boomed behind you and you jumped, dropping your cup of tea.

You spun on your heels to punch Michael Sheen in the arm.

“Stop doing that! I dropped my tea.” You snatched a danish, reaching across Michael.

“If you’re so jumpy, perhaps more caffeine is not the answer.” Michael took a large bite of a cookie. “I would suggest decaf. And you still haven’t answer my question, why are you here?”

You took a long draw of coffee to avoid answer the question. Michael stared you down, tapping his foot in frustration.

“Can I help you?” you asked from behind your coffee mug and turned away from Michael to find a quiet place on set to watch Tom work.

“For heaven’s sake woman, it’s a simple question. It’s not like I’m accusing of having an illicit affair on set.” Michael blurted out.

You snorted coffee up your nose and started coughing, grateful you turned your back. Michael rushed to your side, pounded on your back.

“Breathe, darling. Breathe. So you have heard the rumours too?”

“I beg your pardon? What rumours?”

Michael grabbed you by the elbow and guided you behind a trailer. “There’s a bit of buzz of an on-set romance between our darling Thomas and someone.” he whispered conspiratorially.

You did your best to hide your shock. You did a poor job, but Michael took it as genuine surprise rather than embarrassment.

“Any idea who?” you choked out.

Michael glanced over his shoulder as though he was getting ready to spill State secrets, rather than flimsy gossip. “No idea. Which is why I would suggest keeping your eyes and ears open.”

A gaffer walked by and Michael leaned against the trailer looking like a cat who just ate the cream. He pointed his fingers at his eyes and then you as he strolled away.

“Eyes and ears open.” he hissed before ducking behind the trailer.

“Shit!” you muttered and stomped off to find Tom.

You never found Tom, chasing him throughout the production. By the time you caught up, he was prepping for a scene with the leading lady, Emma.

“What scene is this?” you asked a production assistant walking by. They shoved a script into your hand. You flipped to the tabbed page and read through the line.

“Fuck…”

“Precisely, my dear.” Michael sidled up to you again. “Do you think Mr. Hiddleston over there has a clause in his contracts, he must have a love scene in his films?”

You cleared your throat. “I wouldn’t know.”

“I know I would have a clause like that if I had an ass like that.” He sipped his tea.

“Michael!” You punched the man for the second time that day. Hardly a record for you.

“I’m just commenting. You can’t tell that is not a magnificent ass.” He grabbed you by the wrist and dragged you to the other side of the set before you could answer. “Let’s get a better view.”

Your stomach dropped as you saw Tom and Emma standing around in bathrobes. The director came to speak to the both of them and they nodded before slipping under the covers of the bed and handed their robes off. Tom whispered into Emma’s ear and she giggled. You seethed on the inside. Final light checks and the director strolled back to the camera.

“Action!”

Tom rolled on top of Emma and inhaled her before a moment before kissing her with a fervor. You overheard the smacking and dug your nails into the heels of your hands. Tom’s hips rolled underneath the covers and Emma moaned in response.

“I guess we know who the other half of the rumour is.” Michael hummed in your ear before sipping his tea.

You stormed off set leaving Michael in a daze. You ended up in Tom’s trailer, seething. You spied a picture of the two of you on a cork board by Tom’s bed. It was the two of you smiling out at a local pub. The entire cast and crew went out that night. And you and Tom stayed back after everyone else left. You sang off key karaoke and when Tom walked you back to your hotel room; he kissed you goodnight. The next morning you prepared yourself for him to shrugged it off as a drunken mistake when Tom showed up with coffee and croissants, but he asked you to dinner instead.

As tears fell onto your cheeks, the door opened to the trailer. Tom stepped in, back in his bathrobe. You wiped the tears from your face and put on a forced smile.

“Darling? Are you all right?” He grabbed your hands. “Michael said you stormed off set. You’re not sick are you?” His brow pinched in worry.

“Just a little sick to my stomach.” you snapped back.

“I’ll have someone bring you a ginger ale and some crac…” His voice trailed off as he caught your expression. “Oh. Are you mad about Emma?” He hooked his thumb towards the door.

You narrowed your eyes at him. “Why would be mad at my boyfriend basically having sex with a gorgeous and talented actress?” You spat out the words like a foul taste in your mouth.

Tom smiled. “I didn’t hear you complaining last night.” His joke fell flat as you stared blankly back at him.

“Michael says there’s a rumour you are dating someone on set.”

“Well that’s more than a rumour and you know that.” He pulled you closer and wrapped his arms around your waist. You turned your head to avoid his kiss. “Are you jealous of Emma?” Tom smirked.

“No.” you lied.

“You are!” Tom’s eyes widened. “You’re jealous of Emma. It’s acting, darling. You should know that better than anyone, love scenes are part of this job. But it means nothing.”

Your lip trembled, and you sniffled. “It seems so real in the moment. The moans and the…” You broke down sobbing.

Tom hugged you tight against his chest. “Shhh, darling. You are the one I want to be with. And the rest is just bullshit and mirrors.” He cupped your face. “I love you.”

Tom leaned down and for a split second his mouth opened to inhale you before pressing his lips to yours. You wrapped your arms around his neck and yanked you both down to the bed. Tom settled between your legs, hips pressed against you.

“That’s the first time you have said that.” you panted when the two of you broke contact.

“It is. But I meant every word. I love you. Do you feel the same?” Tom’s eyes glistened as he searched your face for a sign.

“I do.” Your fingers ran along his cheekbones. “I love you too.”

Tom smiled before kissing you again. His tongue slipping into your mouth and you did the same. Your hands ran along his back and tugged at the tie on the bathrobe.

“Thomas, have you seen—” Michael stopped in his tracks at the sight of you and Tom entangled on his bed. “I see that you have. This explains so much.” Michael rocked back on his heels.

Tom turned to stare at Michael. “Not a word.”

Michael gestured, zipping his lips. “Not a peep.”

You sat up. “I mean it, Sheen. If I get wind of a single rumour. I’m coming for you.”

Michael nodded. “I am the soul of discretion.” He thumbed at the door. “I’ll see myself out.”

Once the door latched shut, you and Tom glanced and each other before bursting into laughter.

He pecked your lips before kissing your nose and then forehead. “I need to get back on set. Are we good?”

You nodded. “Yes. I need to get to hair and makeup myself.”

“You are beautiful without it.” Tom smiled back.

“Thank you. And I need to put the fear of God into Mr. Sheen.”

Tom lifted himself off of you, tightening his robe. “An excellent plan. That man is the worst gossip.”

You giggled and kissed Tom one more time. “Meet me here after work?” You teased his chest through the top of the robe.

Tom tugged at the bottom of your shirt. “Do you have any plans?” His lips twitched at the corners into a smile.

“Bring your script. You definitely need more rehearsal time for that love scene.”

“I’m willing to put in the hours if you are.” he teased.

“Well, it’s for the film.”

“Ever the professional.” Tom smirked before kissing you as you walked out the door to hunt down Michael.

#tom hiddleston #tom hiddleston fanfiction #tom hiddleston fanfic #tom hiddleston x reader #tom hiddleston fluff #tom hiddleston imagine

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crowdvscritic · 3 years ago

Text

round up // JULY 21

‘Tis the season to beat the heat at the always-cold theatres and next to fans set at turbo speed. While my movie watching slowed a bit with the launch of the Summer Olympics on July 23rd, I’ve still got plenty of popcorn-ready and artsy recommendations for you. A few themes in the new-to-me pop culture I’m recommending this month:

Casts oozing with embarrassing levels of talent (sometimes overqualified for the movies they’re in)

Pop culture that is responding or reinterpreting past pop culture

Stories that get weEeEeird

Keep on-a-scrollin’ to see which is which!

July Crowd-Pleasers

1. Double Feature – ‘90s Rom-Coms feat. Lots of Lies: Mystery Date (1991) + The Pallbearer (1996)

In Mystery Date (Crowd: 7.5/10 // Critic: 6/10), Ethan Hawke and Teri Polo get set up on a blind date that gets so bizarre and crime-y I’m not sure how this didn’t come out in the ‘80s. In The Pallbearer (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 7/10), David Schwimmer and Gwyneth Paltrow try to combine The Graduate with Four Weddings and a Funeral in a story about lost twentysomethings. If you don’t like rom-coms in which circumstances depend on lots of lies and misunderstandings, these won’t be your jam, but if you’re like me and don’t mind these somewhat-cliché devices, you’ll be hooked by likeable casts and plenty of rom and com.

2. The Tomorrow War (2021)

I thought of no fewer movies than this list while watching: Alien, Aliens, Angel Has Fallen, Cloverfield, Interstellar, Kong: Skull Island, Prometheus, A Quiet Place: Part II, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith, The Silence of the Lambs, The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and World War Z. And you know what? I like all those movies! (Okay, maybe I just have a healthy respect/fear of The Silence of the Lambs.) The Tomorrow War may not be original, but it borrows some of the best tropes and beats from the sci-fi and action genres, so much so I wish I could’ve seen Chris Pratt and Co. fight those gross monsters on a big screen. Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 6/10

3. Dream a Little Dream (1989)

My July pick for the Dumb Rom-Com I Nevertheless Enjoyed! I CANNOT explain the mechanics of this body switch comedy to you—nor can the back of the DVD case above—but, boy, what an ‘80s MOOD. I did not know I needed to see a choreographed dance routine starring Jason Robards and Corey Feldman, but I DID. All I know is some movies are made for me and that I’m now a card-carrying member of the Two Coreys fan club. Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 6.5/10

4. Black Widow (2021)

The braids! The Pugh! Black Widow worked for me both as an exciting action adventure and as a respite from the Marvel adventures dependent on a long memory of the franchise. (Well, mostly—keep reading for a second MCU rec much more dependent on the gobs of previous releases.) Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 7.5/10

5. Liar Liar (1997)

Guys, Jim Carrey is hilarious. That’s it—that’s the review. Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 7/10

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6. Sob Rock by John Mayer (2021)

It’s very possible I’ve already listened to this record more than all other John Mayer records. It doesn’t surpass the capital-G Greatness of Continuum, but it’s a little bit of old school Mayer, a little bit ‘80s soft rock/pop, and I’ve had it on repeat most of the two weeks since it’s been out. Featuring the boppiest bop that ever bopped, at least one lyrical gem in every track, and an ad campaign focused on Walkmans, this record skirts the line between Crowd faves and Critic-worthy musicianship.

7. Double Feature – ‘00s Ben Affleck Political Thrillers: The Sum of All Fears (2002) + State of Play (2009)

In The Sum of All Fears (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 7.5/10), Ben Affleck is Jack Ryan caught up in yet another international incident. In State of Play (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 7/10), he’s a hotshot Congressman caught up in a scandal. Both are full of plot twists and unexpected turns, and in both, Affleck is accompanied by actors you’re always happy to see, like Jason Bateman, James Cromwell, Russell Crowe, Jeff Daniels, Viola Davis, Morgan Freeman, Philip Baker Hall, David Harbour, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Liev Schreiber, and Robin Wright—yes, I swear all of those people are in just those two movies.

8. Loki (2021-)

Unlike Black Widow, you can’t go into Loki with no MCU experience. The show finds clever ways to nudge us with reminders (and did better at it than Falcon and the Winter Soldier), but be forewarned that at some point, you’re just going to have to let go and accept wherever this timeline-hopper is taking you. An ever-charismatic cast keeps us grounded (Owen Wilson, Jonathan Majors, and an alligator almost steal the show from Tom Hiddleston in some eps), but while Falcon lasted an episode or two too long, Loki could’ve used a few more to flesh out its complicated plot and develop its characters. Thankfully, the jokes matter almost as much as the sci-fi, so you can still have fun even if you have no idea what’s going on.

9. Double Feature – Bruce Willis: Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995) + The Whole Nine Yards (2000)

Before Bruce Willis began starring in many random direct-to-DVD movies I only ever hear about in my Redbox emails, he was a Movie Star smirking his way up the box office charts. In the third Die Hard (Crowd: 10/10 // Critic: 7.5/10), he teams up with Samuel L. Jackson to decipher the riddles of a terrorist madman (Jeremy Irons), and it’s a thrill ride. In The Whole Nine Yards (Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 8/10), he’s hitman that screws up dentist Matthew Perry’s boring life in Canada, and—aside from one frustrating scene of let’s-objectify-women-style nudity—it’s hilarious.

10. This Is the End (2013)

On paper, this is not a movie for me. An irreverent stoner comedy about a bunch of bros partying it up before the end of the world? None of things are for Taylors. But with a little help of a TV edit to pare down the raunchy and crude bits, I laughed my way through and spent the next several days thinking through its exploration of what makes a good person. While little of the plot is accurate to Christian Gospel and theology, some of its big ideas are consistent enough with the themes of the book of Revelation I found myself thinking about it again in church this morning. (Would love to know if Seth Rogen ever expected that.) Plus, I love a good self-aware celebrity spoof—can’t tell you how many times I’ve just laughed remembering the line, “It’s me, Jonah Hill, from Moneyball”—and an homage to horror classics. Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 7/10

July Critic Picks

1. Summer of Soul (…or, When the Television Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

Even director Questlove didn’t know about the Harlem Cultural Festival, but now he’s compiled the footage so we can all enjoy one of the coolest music fest lineups ever, including The 5th Dimension, B.B. King, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, and Stevie Wonder, who made my friend’s baby dance more than once in the womb. See it on the big screen for top-notch audio. Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 9/10

2. Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

Robin Williams takes on the bureaucracy, disillusionment, and malaise of the Vietnam War with comedy. Williams was a one-of-a-kind talent, and here it’s on display at a level on par with Aladdin. Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 9/10

3. Against the Rules Season 2 (2020-21)

Michael Lewis (author of Moneyball, adapted into a film starring Jonah Hill), is interested in how we talk about fairness. This season he looks at how coaches impact fairness in areas like college admissions, credit cards, and youth sports.

4. Bugsy Malone (1976)

A gangster musical starring only children? It’s a little like someone just picked ideas out of a hat, but somehow it works. You can hear why in the Bugsy Malone episode Kyla and I released this month on SO IT’S A SHOW?, plus how this weird artifact of a film connects with Gilmore Girls.

5. The Queen (2006)

Before The Crown, Peter Morgan wrote The Queen, focusing on Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) in the days following the death of Princess Diana. It’s a complex and compassionate drama, both for the Queen and for Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen, who has snuck up on me to become a favorite character actor). Maybe I’ve got a problem, but I’ll never tire of the analysis of this famous family. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 9.5/10

6. The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)

This month at ZekeFilm, we took a closer look at Revisionist Westerns we’ve missed. I fell hard for Roy Bean, and I think you will, too, if for no other reason than you might like a story starring Jacqueline Bisset, Ava Gardner, John Huston, Paul Newman, and Anthony Perkins. Oh, and a bear! Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 10/10

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7. New Trailer Round Up

Naked Singularity (Aug. 6) – John Boyega in a crime thriller!

Queenpins (Aug. 10) – A crime comedy about extreme coupon-ing!

Dune (Oct. 1) – I’ve been cooler on the anticipation for this film, but this new look has me cautiously intrigued thanks to the Bardem + Bautista + Brolin + Chalamet + Ferguson + Isaac + Momoa + Zendaya of it all.

The Last Duel (Oct. 15) – Affleck! Damon! Driver!

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Nov. 11) - I’m not sure why we need this, but I’m down for the Paul Rudd + Finn Wolfhard combo

King Richard (Nov. 19) - Will Smith as Venus and Serena’s father!

Encanto (Nov. 24) – Disney and Lin-Manuel Miranda making more magic together!

House of Gucci (Nov. 24) - Gaga! Pacino! Driver!

Also in July…

Kyla and I took a look at the classic supernatural soap Dark Shadows and why Sookie might be obsessed with it on Gilmore Girls.

I revisited a so-bad-it’s-good masterpiece that’s a surrealist dream even Fellini couldn’t have cooked up. Yes, for ZekeFilm I wrote about the Vanilla Ice movie, Cool as Ice, which is now a part of my Blu-ray collection.

Photo credits: Against the Rules. All others IMDb.com.

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dennissima · 9 months ago

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Magic night in London

Below there is the first picture I took when I went out the Blackfriars station.

At 4 pm I already reached the National Theatre.

You can easily guess the reason of my journey, right?

First of all, I spent my time losing myself in the National Theater’s bookshop (yes, I bought two books: the Nye script and a playwriting manual).

When I set at Kerb at the understudy I took advantage of the recharge station near a table to charge my phone meanwhile I was drinking something fresh in that warm day.

A friend of mine reached me and I was a bit distracted by how much I was nervous for what was going to happen.

The performance started at 7:30 pm so at 7 pm I was already waiting at my seat.

Still excited because of the show, I reached my new friend @orth82 at the Stage Door for wait Michael Sheen. The kindest person in the world.

He was on fire on the stage, he gave everything through the character and he was exhausted. But he spent his time greeting everyone who was waiting for him at the stage door.

I was pretty nervous and i made a mess with the gift I bring to him, the books he signs for me an photos and hugs i forget to ask for.

(Please Michael, don’t hate me! I wanted to be brilliant but you make me clumsy!)

Look at him! It’s Michael Sheen! He’s gorgeus!

He stayed with us untill he asked “Did I miss anyone?” and then he took his bags and walked away.

Then it was time to back to Gatwick, my flight departure was at 7:30 am.

I enjoyed London by night and even saw a shooting star on the sky above the Thames.

Everything was magic!

I spent the night in airport. Thank you again Thameslink to made me move easily despite the strike and the interruptions and the cancelled trains.

Flight at 7:30 am. Arrived at Milan at 10:30 am (1 hour of time zone!).

Exhausted but full of grace 🤩

#nye #michael sheen #london #national theatre #Michae Sheen knew that I existed for five minutes #new friends #London I love you

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thisbentleyplaysqueen · 5 years ago

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Aight so none of you asked but here’s my Percy Jackson series fan cast

This is the first one I’ve ever done so I have no idea how this works. Also, I like the idea that the children be unknown actors so I only did the adults! Let’s get started!

Sally Jackson

Jennifer Hudson!!! The absolute queen! I think she would make an awesome Sally Jackson mainly because I love her acting and she deserves better after Cats.

Gabe Ugliano

David Cross. Honestly I’m not sure why I thought he would be a good Gabe...I think it’s because he was the bad guy in Alvin and the Chipmunks and that kinda stuck with me. I think he could pull off “jerk face step-dad”.

Chiron

Michael Sheen! Honestly the beard gives me ‘mentor that has been around for thousands of years and is honestly trying to keep this sixth grader from being killed by a “kindly one” on a field trip’ vibes. Also, he can do American accents (Prodigal Son is a great example). Not sure how he’d look as a centaur because my brain will not allow me to view that, so we’re just flying blind here.

Mr. D

So I’ve been a big advocate that Danny Devito should play Mr. D because if you listen to “Another Terrible Day” from the musical, to me that just screams Danny Devito. He could so pull it off!

Hades

Keanu Reeves just seems like he would be an awesome king of the underworld. He would threaten to trap Percy and his friends and I would clap just because it’s Keanu. Gah, I love him.

Poseidon

I don’t know if this is because I associate him with Aquaman or what, but honestly I want to see Jason Momoa as God of the Sea! Also, he could wear a Hawaiian shirt, chill and vibe, and wouldn’t have to go through the dangerous process of having abs on screen, so it would be great for him!

Zeus

GAH! Just... let me see Jeff Bridges as the King of the Gods! Look at him! I may know him as the Dude, the mentor from the Giver, and Kevin Flynn, but I would love to see him as an uber serious god who’s pissed because some kid stole his lightning bolt (we kinda saw that in the Giver and when Kevin Flynn Saw Some Things in Tron: Legacy, but I would like to see more).

Athena

I love Stephanie Beatriz, and it would be really cool to see her as the Goddess of Wisdom who does not approve of Percy, especially when it comes to her daughter. If not her, then I definitely would recommend Adria Arjona. In fact, now that I think about it, I would love to see her as Athena over Stephanie (but I love them both).

Hermes

I really think Tyler James Williams would be a cool Hermes. Also his ending in Whiskey Cavalier (where he presumably died or was kidnapped but we don’t know because it got cancelled) shows he deserves better. I would love to see him in this role!

Apollo

Will Smith would be an awesome Apollo! That scene from “The Titan’s Curse” where Apollo is driving his car across the horizon? I just see Will Smith. He would be so much fun!

Artemis

I just remember that in most scenes Artemis is portrayed as a young girl, about the same age as her Hunters. When I thought of that, all I saw was Erin Kellyman from her role as Enfys Nest in Solo. I would love to see her as Artemis!

Hera

I love Octavia Spencer and she serves “Queen of the gods” vibes at all times. I’m here for it!

Ares

Gonna be honest, this was my brother’s suggestion but I think Terry Crews would be a pretty cool Ares. I’m just curious about how he would pull of the biker vibe...

Aphrodite

I know in the book it says her appearance is always changing and I honestly do not have the strength to assign what actors would make a good Aphrodite so we’re just gonna skip this one.

Hephaestus

I love The Rock, and I would be happy to see him in any role in this series, but my brother suggested Hephaestus and I think it’s a pretty cool idea.

Aunty Em/Medusa

Honestly every time I thought about Medusa, I just thought of the White Witch lady from Narnia, so Tilda Swinton it is.

Mrs. Dodds

I honestly have no idea. For some reason, I can’t think of an actress that can pull off a southern accent that matches my image of Mrs. Dodds. So.....we’ll just move on.

Crusty

Ned Dennehy played Hastur in “Good Omens”, and he did such a good job of making my skin crawl. Those vibes are needed for Crusty the bed seller/ apparent child torturer.

Charon

This is another pull from “Good Omens” but Brian Cox did such an amazing job as Death! His voice just mixed with how I thought the ferryman of the Underworld, so bring him back for another death-related role!

And finally...

Kronos

Okay, so my brother made a suggestion of Andy Serkis as Kronos (since he is mainly just a voice character and ends up taking Luke’s form in the books if I remember right), and I could definitely see that! He voiced Snoke in Star Wars, and was the crazy white villain in Black Panther, but also (because I’m a total nostalgic) I just thought of someone who I could see voicing Kronos that I love so much....

BRUCE BOXLEITNER! For those who don’t know him, he’s mainly known as the voice of Tron in literally ANYTHING in the Tron franchise. He’s got this deep voice that would work so well for Kronos. Also, I miss seeing him in things that I deeply enjoy. Miss you king.

And that’s about it! Thanks for joining my excited rant.

#percy jackson and the olympians #pjo fancast #most of these are also self indulgent lol but that's the point of fancast #I should probably sleep because I am now reaching silly tired

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dreamonhunters · 4 years ago

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please don’t drop me home (because i haven’t got one anymore)

no trigger warnings!

it’s honestly just some soft mavin for the @rtwritingcommunity secret sunshine 2020 ! this was a gift for the lovely @griffinoliverwrites ♡

read it here on ao3!

His eyes open.

Bright sky above him, cornflower blue instead of crimson. There’s a few puffy clouds. No threat of rain, fortunately. A light breeze cools his face. Even after all these years, he’ll never quite adjust to waking up without a thin sheen of sweat covering his entire body. How he managed for so many years is a mystery.

Michael stretches, yawns, listens to the way his jaw clicks. For a moment, he’s content to just sit there. Listen to the birds in the trees. There’s a river nearby - he could’ve sworn he passed it last night, now that he thinks about it - and in the back of his mind he makes a mental note. Head in that direction. His water supply iswas running low.

That train of thought brings him back to reality. There’s still some bread in his bag, left over from the last village he camped at. He’ll eat that as he walks. Won’t be long before he finds something he can kill or another settlement.

And so he gets to his feet. No point in wasting daylight, and Michael hates to stay in one place for too long. Takes a moment to stretch out his cramped limbs, of course. Shoulders the battered leather satchel he’d thrown together and fiddles with the straps. Does this every morning, almost ritual like.

In his right hand, he carries a sword. Distinctive. It’s stolen, but he doesn’t bother himself with fine details like that. Bright blue blade, glittering and dancing in the morning sunlight. The weight is familiar, comforting.

Fortunately, it’s still cool. Dew-spun grass beneath his feet as he walks, a gentle birdsong serenading him. Immediately, he makes a move toward water. Where there’s water, there’s life, or something like that. And life means food.

Michael only stops once, to gather more water. One day too long in the desert can really fuck you up. He learnt that the hard way.

For the most part, he just walks. Hopes to find the edge of this forest before sundown, because he’s getting just a little tired of nothing but trees stretching on for miles. Easy food, sure, but it’s a little tiring on the eyes. Besides, if he can find a nice cave, that’s a useful base for at least a few days. Means he won’t have to carry his shit around for a while.

The day passes uneventfully. For once, Michael’s peaceful. Serene, almost. He makes better progress when he’s in a good mood. Doesn’t drag his feet so much. The sun keeps him warm as he travels. Brings out the little sun freckles high on his cheekbones and smattered across his nose. It’s been a few days since he last saw another human, and he’s more than happy to keep it that way for a little longer. The occasional animal is more than enough company for him.

The sun is low on the horizon before he reaches a clearing. A few horses graze peacefully at a distance, and just behind him appears to be some form of settlement. Stonework, definitely, and smoke curling up from what looks like a chimney. Michael’s heart leaps. That’s a few days of rest.

Well, a few days of rest if he can strike up a bargain with one of the villagers. That’s a lot easier said than done.

He’ll get there before sundown, and hopefully someone will be kind enough to take him in. May not have the charming aspect down just yet, but he can threaten his way into someone’s household for a night or two.

As he approaches, Michael straps his sword to his back. Doesn’t need to get off on the wrong foot by making himself look threatening.

Even at this hour, there’s a few people milling around. A young man leads his horse through the village, horseshoes softly clinking against the cobbles. There’s a small group of women chattering by a well, and a pair of children play close by. Already, Michael can sense that he won’t have to work too hard for a soft place to rest his head.

“You look lost,” a voice chimes behind him, in an accent he doesn’t quite recognise. Whirls around to face a taller boy, deep scowl already marring his features. Gives him a quick once-over. Probably about his age. Tousled hair, sandy blond in colour. Clad in various shades of green, soft fabrics making up comfortable garments. He’s lean, but Michael knows better than to underestimate people. The smile on his face is bright and friendly, considering Michael is a complete stranger.

“I’m not,” Michael answers. Maybe a tad too quickly. Because technically he isn’t, but he’s not exactly familiar, either.

“Nice to meet you,” the boy continues, seemingly undeterred. “I’m Gavin. Are you new here?”

Michael shrugs. “Just passing through.”

“Where are you staying?” Gavin presses. Usually Michael wouldn’t appreciate being pushed for so much information, but this boy seems...genuine.

He hesitates for a moment. Lying probably won’t do him any favours here. “I’m not.”

There’s confusion in those bright green eyes. Tilts his head to one side, as if looking at Michael from a slightly different angle will make the pieces fall into place. “Why are you here?”

“Passing through,” Michael repeats, somehow managing to keep a veneer of politeness to his voice. “Just planning to spend the night.

“You can stay with me then,” Gavin declares, and he’s just a little too excitable for Michael’s tastes already. They’ll be lucky if the house is still standing tomorrow.

Still, it’s an offer, and Gavin hasn’t even asked for anything in return yet. He’d be foolish to turn it down.

After a moment’s hesitation, he responds. “Thanks,” Michael murmurs, managing a tight-lipped smile. Not ungrateful, just...wary. Gavin isn’t a threat, not quite, judging from his lanky body and trusting smile. He’s just a little too enthusiastic.

Gavin doesn’t wait to see if Michael has anything else to say. Turns on his heel, glancing over his shoulder briefly to call to him. “This way, love!”

If Gavin notices his reluctance, he stays quiet about it. He’s chattering away aimlessly before Michael’s even started moving. Not that he knows what about. Just follows a close distance behind, trying to get his bearings with the area just in case he needs to make a run for it.

“...so I’ve been here most of my life, really, and the people are lovely. You’ll like it here,” he rambles, and Michael finally catches onto his stream of conversation. “I can introduce you to my neighbours tomorrow, and-”

“What did you not get about ‘passing through’?” Michael cuts in, eyes narrowed. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Gavin stops almost immediately, pouting. “But you can’t just leave, Micoo-”

“Michael.”

“That’s what I said,” he whines petulantly. “Anyway, you can’t just leave. Where are you even going?”

“Have you seriously never met a traveller before?”

“Well, yeah, of course I have. I’ve lived here all my life, give or take, and we get a lot of-”

“Cut to the chase.”

“I’ve met lots of travellers before.”

“So then why can’t I leave?” Michael repeats, exasperation slowly creeping into his voice.

“Because…” Gavin trails off, searching for the rest of the sentence. “Because I think you’d be missing out.”

“This village isn’t exactly big, Gavin,” he points out.

“No, but the people are nice, and we have plenty of food, and I should tell you this area is really safe compared to most of the forest, and-”

Michael cuts him off again. “You talk way too much.”

“Do I?”

He seems genuinely surprised. Michael almost feels bad for this poor, oblivious boy. Painfully unaware of himself. But, and he has to remind himself of this, it’s also his ticket to a comfortable bed. A free one, at that. Can’t insult the lad too much.

“Yeah. Whatever,” he resigns, shaking his head. His intonation is a little too flat for a question, and it’s more of a statement when he speaks again. “Where’s your house.”

“Just round this corner, love,” Gavin pipes up, completely unphased by Michael’s brief irritation. Or maybe he’s just too dense to notice. Michael can’t rule that one out just yet.

He keeps his mouth shut as Gavin lets him in, casting an appreciative eye over his temporary lodging. It’s sweet. Homely. Has that rustic charm stonework buildings tend to. A few torches light up the interior, casting a warm glow over the room. The wooden floor is clearly worn from years of use, but it’s partially covered by thick rugs in hues of forest green and deep emerald. There’s a flower pot in the window. A few chests line the far wall, small labels detailing the contents of each one, and a furnace burns low at the end of the row.

A large table dominates the room, far bigger than anyone who lives alone would ever need, and instantly Michael can tell Gavin hasn’t been alone this whole time. There’s more than he’s letting on.

“Dinner’s ready,” Gavin laughs, shutting the door behind them with a soft click. “Hope you’re not too fussy.”

He’s not. Michael will eat whatever he’s fortunate enough to come across.

The boy doesn’t wait for a response, already moving across the room to finish preparing his meal.

“Make yourself at home, love,” Gavin calls over his shoulder. Easier said than done, honestly, when you’re standing in a stranger’s home and don’t really know what to do with yourself. “I’ve got enough for two.”

In the end, Michael perches on one of the chairs positioned around that centerpiece table. Places his satchel down on the floor beside him, sword resting against the wall. Tries to keep his attention off Gavin for the most part. The flower pot in his window suddenly becomes extremely interesting.

“How long have you been travelling?” Gavin asks, jolting Michael out of his reverie. A wooden plate is placed in front of him. He can smell chicken, and once Gavin is close enough he can see some vegetables on the plate. Doesn’t look badly cooked, either.

“Couple years,” he replies.

Gavin doesn’t seem satisfied. “Why did you leave your home? Did you not like it?”

That’s an easy answer. His home isn’t easy to like. Fire and brimstone gets boring after seventeen years, truly, and there’s something desperately refreshing about feeling a cool breeze on your face in the morning. Even rain is thoroughly appreciated, despite how much it slows down his travels.

“I’m from the Nether,” Michael answers simply, because just those words should offer all the explanation he needs.

“Oh.”

They eat in silence for a few moments. Michael sure as hell isn’t starting a conversation, and Gavin seems to be mulling over his last response.

“What’s it like?” Gavin asks, finally breaking the silence.

“You’ve never been?”

Gavin shakes his head. “Heard stories.”

“They’re probably true,” Michael sighs, although the tension in his shoulders dissipates a little. “We don’t have water, everything’s on fire, the population is tiny.”

“How do you...survive?”

“I mean, you gotta wear face masks an’ shit. Can’t breathe properly down there.”

Gavin nods, seemingly enthralled. “So you came up here instead?”

Michael nods. “I was, like, seventeen? Only just. Got sick of always bein’ too hot and having nothing to look at.”

“But why don’t you stay anywhere? Isn’t it hard?”

If it weren’t for the air of near reverent tone of Gavin’s voice, Michael would be suspicious. He’s asking a whole lot of questions. But it’s his voice, the look in his big green eyes, that air of childlike curiosity he carries. Either he’s a damn good actor, or he’s hanging onto Michael’s every word. It’s endearing.

“Everything’s the same down there. There’s way more to see here.”

“Doesn’t it get tiring?”

Maybe a little, is what he’d like to say. Michael likes to keep moving, longs to explore every last part of the world he’s adopted, and yet something in him cries out for stability. For a home - a real one, not a temporary house he passes through or a cave on the side of a mountain. Something like this, like Gavin’s home, in a little settlement on the edge of a desert. Maybe in a forest. He likes it warm, not blisteringly hot.

“Not really,” Michael lies, the ghost of a smile on his lips. “Get to see some cool shit.”

“You’re so cool.”

He laughs, or at least attempts to. It’s more of a bark in the end, but his intention is clear. “Nothing’s stopping you from doing it.”

“I couldn’t,” Gavin protests. “That’s not my thing.”

“Don’t know until you try.”

Michael pushes his plate away from him, lifting his gaze to meet Gavin’s. “Thanks.”

He beams, gathering up Michael’s plate and placing it atop his own. “Glad you enjoyed. I’ve got a spare bed if you want it.”

“Yeah. Uh, thanks,” Michael repeats, because it’s been a long time since somebody offered him this kind of hospitality without some form of payment. “Do you, like, want something from me?”

Gavin frowns, eyebrows pulling together in a frown. “What’s that mean?”

“Like, payment?” he clarifies.

“What? No! Of course not,” Gavin gasps, shaking his head. “Why would I ask you to pay me? I would do this for anyone.”

Somehow, it’s not difficult for Michael to believe.

“Just...checkin’. Most people do,” he reassures, gathering up his belongings. “Nothing personal.”

Gavin seems to relax a little, nodding slowly. “You can stay here as long as you want, love. I don’t want anything in return.”

It’s more than just a little endearing. As Gavin leads him up the small stone staircase to his bedroom, Michael can’t help but be a little touched by the boy's generosity. He’s not heartless.

The upstairs is similarly outfitted in shades of green, with torches casting that same homely glow over the room. There’s a larger bed, intricate carvings covering the wooden bedposts, and a smaller one on the opposite end of the room.

“I hope this is good,” Gavin smiles, inclining his head towards the other bed.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s...yeah, it’s great,” Michael murmurs, taking a tentative step toward the other bed. Overwhelmed by Gavin’s kindness, really. He couldn’t remember anyone else who’d treated him so well. “Seriously, thanks.”

Gavin waves his hand dismissively. “Stop! I don’t just let every cute stranger into my house. You seem nice and I want to help you. So you don’t need to thank me.”

In any other situation, Michael would roll his eyes, but he can’t quite bring himself to do so. “Sure, cool.”

He tosses the satchel down beside his bed, easily within reach if he needs to make a quick getaway. Gavin may seem trustworthy, but Michael’s been crossed one too many times to fall for the nice guy front. The sword leans against the bedpost.

Gavin is silent for a while, and yet the silence between two near-strangers isn’t as awkward as one would first presume. There’s something strangely comfortable about it, actually, and Michael isn’t sure what to make of that. Chooses to push it to the back of his mind instead. That’s something to think about once he’s far, far away.

“G’night, love,” Gavin calls across the room. He’s changed into different clothes, although they’re still the same hues of emerald and tan. It’s not worth asking what his favourite colour might be.

“Night,” Michael responds. Pulls his shirt over his head, but that’s the only clothing he’ll shed. Gavin extinguishes the last of the torches, and they’re plunged into darkness.

He watches the moon through the skylight. The soft sounds of Gavin shifting stop it from becoming too silent, and Michael lets his heart rate slow. Couldn’t remember when it had gotten so quick, honestly.

Maybe he’ll stay here a little longer than he initially planned. The bed is warm and comfortable, fresh sheets holding that clean scent. He isn’t hungry or cold or miserable. For once, he’s completely at ease.

He can change his plans. Gavin said he’s welcome to stay, and Michael doesn’t think a few extra days would be considered overstaying his welcome.

(And so what if a few days turns into a few months, and a few years down the line he’s still here? And maybe there’s a sandy-haired boy laid beside him, familiar-looking, and the sword doesn’t rest against his bedpost at night. It’s unlikely, but certainly not impossible.)

#rayray writes #my writing #rtah #achievement hunter #ah #roosterteeth #minecraft au #mavin #michael jones #gavin free

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