#the candy curtis case

[dallasgallant]

Halloween headcanons

Talked about 1960s Halloween [Here] and think I may do it for future holidays as they pop up! But I also thought I’d do some actual headcanons, maybe drawings if I think of some later on

Dallas, Two-bit, Steve and Soda all really like the ‘trick’ part of the night, sometimes they can rope Johnny or the others into it. Pony’s got a weak throwing arm though… (egging, toilet paper, the works.)

For when they trick or treated going over to the west/south side of town would be the equivalent of a “King sized” neighborhood (this was before there were too many mini bars of candy, it was practically all full size and homemade treats)

Johnny loves popcorn balls the best. You hear a sickening crunch… it’s not a spooky sounds record it’s him.

Mrs. Curtis would always have them take costume lineup photos as kids at least once. Dally has always been a victim of Red eye photos (except for the few years he was gone to New York) as they got older it turned into more candid photos of the boys sprawled across the living room or porch.

As he’s gotten older Pony stays back to hand out stuff rather than collect it on his own, thinking he’s too tuff™️ — he is however working on his Halloween gore makeup. Goal is to scare children.

Their dad was the type to sit in a lawn chair at the end of the drive (in this case on the sidewalk) with a few buddy’s and tell stories and pass out candy. -> Darry now does this tradition if he doesn’t have a friend call him up to go out.

Soda likes candy corn. Like really likes it- all of the brothers do and it baffles the rest of the gang. However, Steve likes wax candy so he can’t talk.

Pumpkin carving always ends up in flinging the guts everywhere and a chorus of ‘aw my hair!’ You’d think they’d learn by now. They don’t.

Pony and Steve get particularly fussy about their hair but then you also get pumpkin seeds and decorations out of it so maybe it’s ok.

Dally can carve the best jack o’ lantern though.

Two-bit crashed a soc costume party once for three hours without getting noticed.

By the end of the night the rest of the gang will show up at the Curtis door (usually blitzed) and they all swap treats… that they got through reputable means… and watch whatever horror marathon is on before the tv ends for the night (24 hour tv is very very new)

Pony has a love hate relationship with Horror movies

Johnny however is utterly fine with gore and does better than Pony, who will sometimes gag at his own makeup. He’s very “Aw that’s gross… cool.”

Soda and Steve also go to parties a lot, sometimes the others will join them other times they’re too busy causing chaos.

Cherry, Bob, Marcia and Randy always do coordinated and planned group costumes that usually win then attention or a contest or two. They go to the more traditional teen Halloween parties

[winstonsns]

i read your cuteness aggression for the curtis!reader and i’m in love! can you maybe do preferences with a curtis!reader who’s a year younger than pony? thank you and have a wonderful day/afternoon/night! ☺️

the gang and 13 year old curtis!reader (request)

pairings: ponyboy x reader, johnny x reader, soda x reader, darry x reader, dally x reader, two-bit x reader, steve x reader

warnings: cussing

authors note: this is strictly platonic guys!! i feel like i’ve been falling off lately LMAO. i hope u guys enjoy though 💗

word count: 1.0k

PONYBOY CURTIS

the two of you are the closest in the gang, being the closest in age and him being a protective older brother to you

he doesn’t always feel the closest to his siblings because him and darry are always arguing, soda’s in the middle and doesn’t interfere anymore

but you’re always one to comfort pony after he gets into a heated argument with his oldest brother

he helps you with homework a lot since you’re not far behind him, he helps you study and get super high grades so darry isn’t on your ass for shitty grades

pony also reads you books when you’re stressed, it’s also just something he enjoys doing in your presence

quality time means a lot to him because his brothers are never home, he’ll read a magazine or do homework in a room with you, it gives him a sense of safety

JOHNNY CADE

the two of you aren’t exactly the closest in age but you talk to each other about everything

you and johnny hang out at the lot and sometimes fall asleep there, when you wake up, you direct him to your house so he can sleep there too

sometimes he’ll give you little gifts for fun, remembers a lot of things you tell him

if you talk about a book or item you want once, he’ll get it as soon as he can

he really appreciates your friendship and will do anything to keep it and strengthen it

probably let’s you borrow his switchblade even though he always has it on him, has backups too

SODAPOP CURTIS

he’s the most annoying but loving brother to you, always asking you if you have a partner yet and teasing you if you do

“ooooh.. who were you hangin’ out with today, y/n? you like them?”

“soda, i’ve been friends with them for years!”

“yeah, but do you like them?”

he’s the embodiment of the trend ‘i know love is real because (name) is real and they are full of it’

soda makes sure you have a lot of attention and love, doesn’t necessarily try to replace your parents but is somewhat nurturing to you

he doesn’t rant to you often because he knows it can be overwhelming, you’re just a kid, as he puts it and shouldn’t be dealing with others problems

sometimes he’ll take you to the DX after school so you can gossip and you can learn about working

DARRY CURTIS

darry’s your eldest brother and is extremely protective of you, always checks up on you and asking about your day

he has the same expectations for you and ponyboy, he checks over your homework but is calmer with you

he wants you to be with some sort of guardian wherever you go, even if you’re walking down the street for fun

he knows it’s not the safest for you to be alone, especially at night

because he doesn’t have the best relationship with his brothers, he makes cake with you more often than he does with the others

he does not let you participate in rumbles, he says it’s way too dangerous for you to fight

DALLAS WINSTON

he fucking hates kids so it’s a surprise he enjoys your presence

you remind him a bit of himself, you’re a bit of an ‘outcast in the outcasts’ because you’re the youngest and told you can’t do anything

so dally teaches you how to live in case you ever get put on the streets, teaches you what to do in the worst case scenarios

he’s hard on you though, it’s tough love and he can get really frustrated if you get hurt or in trouble because he’s taught you how to protect yourself

steals random stuff for you, most of the time it’s candy or random sweets like popcorn from the drive in, sometimes it’s a drink

TWO-BIT MATTHEWS

you remind him of his younger sister, he feels obligated to protect you in some way

most of the time, soda and darry are working so they aren’t home most of the time, pony’s hanging out with johnny so keith watches over you

sometimes he calls himself your babysitter because he thinks it’s funny, it’s even better that he knows you’re fully capable of taking care of yourself

he’ll tell you super inappropriate jokes and when darry’s there, he’ll smack him on the back of the head

“two, knock it off. she doesn’t needa hear that stuff!”

“i didn’t even do anything, super—“

he steals stuff for you too, whether it’s something related to your studies or a random item you want for some reason

STEVE RANDLE

originally didn’t want to be around you, he doesn’t want to be around ponyboy and you’re with him all the time

but eventually, steve warms up to you and lets you hang out with him and the gang sometimes

he’s actually pretty smart and not many people expect that from him, he helps you with homework even though he can get frustrated at times if you don’t understand

if you’re into cars, expect him to teach you all about them and for him to invite you to the DX

maybe he lets you help him fix some of the cars, of course you won’t get paid money, instead snacks he gives you for free

soda will come up to you in the morning as you’re barely awake, talking to you

“steve said to come to the DX after school, gonna teach you some stuff about cars.”

[cha0ticatfy]

➜ 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙

( Jake Jensen! x Innocent Reader )

━━━━━━━❈✦❀✦❈━━━━━━━━━━━━━━❈✦❀✦❈━━━━━━

• Plot: Just Jake giving comfort at a SA situation.

•Important to read before continuing!:

I do not romanticize, normalize or promote the consensus of any type of Abuse.

I do not romanticize the BARE MINIMUM that a person or in this case a man should do in a situation like this.

This is pure fiction and I wrote it because I empathize as SA survivor.

I do not intend to take this topic as a subject of romanticization, if this content triggers you DO NOT READ IT, I send a hug to all the survivors out there ♡!

•WARNINGS!!

•The content of this fanfiction is for people over 18 years of age, any interaction by minors will be blocked without hesitation.

•SA/SH topics •Fluff Jake Jensen •Naive reader •talking about despersonalitation and desrealization! •mentions of abuse •angst •difficult content that can trigger sensitive people • (does not implied consensual sex)

•I tried to be as less explicit as possible but I left writings open for this.

•Author's note: I wanted to make a fluff thing with Jake jensen So bad! there are many things mentioned here that unfortunately happen daily.

THIS IS PURELY FICTION, I DO NOT AGREE, NOR DO I SUPPORT BAD THINGS MENTIONED HERE. IF THIS IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA KEEP SCROLLING ♡

LIKES, REBLOGS AND COMMENTS ARE VERY APRECIATED 🧚‍♀️💗🌷

ANY MISTAKE OF WRITTING ITS COMPLETY MY FAULT, INGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LENGUAJE.

A knock on the bathroom door makes you come out of your depersonalization in the shower, letting the warm water run through your body, trying to "clean yourself"

Running the duck-shaped sponge over and over your thighs and waist, as if a second skin were going to come off, trying to assimilate what happened.

"Darling is everything fine?" said Jake, worried about the time you took in the shower, 20 minutes longer than usual, usually he wouldn't ask why you took so long, but your strange appearance when you returned home made him hesitate.

"I..I yes! almost ready Jakey."

You said clearing your throat so as not to show signs of having cried.

What a shame, what a shame to have to confess all this to Jake, surely he would be angry if you confess such a thing, he could be disappointed on you or maybe he would be annoyed!

You shook your head and rolled yourself up in the withe bath robe.

Taking small steps to get out of the shower, He came to hug you and take you to bed

"You know I missed you so much today my little girl."

He commented while kissing your cheeks and slowly untying the knot of the towel, showing lovely caresses on your naked body, letting his fingers slide over the wet skin of your arms, the only thing that separated him from you was a stupid robe that he himself gave you thinking about how much you like comfy things.

He had missed his girl a lot, his sweet Angel.

He stayed at home, working on Curtis's computer programming, that's why he decided to let you go to the supermarket alone, but he ended up missing you more than usual.

You tensed before his action, remembering that what happened was absolutely your fault, you cheated on him, you lied to him, you broke the promise to be loyal.

Guilty thoughts invaded your mind, he would never do that to you and you betrayed the relationship.

"Uh..Jakey I think it's better that I...put my clothes on."

You tried to hide your gaze from across the room, avoiding his possible angry reaction.

The man separated from you and took you by the waist, arching his eyebrowns in concern, he wanted to go further.

Something like this had never happened in the time that you both have been together, you usually like to please him and he like to please you too, an implicit mutual agreement of pleasure.

You received a kiss on your forehead, he understand before the clear evidence that today you would not do anything in the room with him "It's Okay princess, we can watch a movie downstairs if you want."

He smiled kindly, "we can eat hundreds of candies just for today my girl"

He gave you a kiss on the cheek, his love lenguaje was always physical contact.

Other times that idea would sound like the best idea on the planet, but your stomach was in a knot to even think about food or candies.

He understanded your decision, smiling tenderly, maybe you were not in the mood or you were very tired he thought, and without wanting to ask why he left the room.

A quiet cry came out of you, the sadness it was very strong, your chest hurt and you did not feel that your body was on the planet, a horrible depersonalization attacked you.

You couldn't keep hiding this from him, he's so good to you and you cheated on him!

━━━━━━━❈✦❀✦❈━━━━━━━━━━━━━━❈✦❀✦❈━━━━━━

Your body lying on his chest while he was still sitting on the couch, watching one of those comedy movies while he played with your hair.

"Honey you haven't touched your plate since i turned on the tv."

The man was worried, usually you could eat candies until you got a headache that would force you to go to sleep with you both snuggled up.

You couldn't pay attention to the movie, In any moment the tears could come out of your eyes, Jake's laughter only made you smile weakly.

"Don't you think it's funny? it's a paradox." he said raising his arm pointing to the TV.

You nodded shyly without understanding the plot of the movie, your mind was elsewhere while your eyes focused on a fixed point, in the distance listening to the dialogue of the movie he chose.

Jake realized that something strange was happening, something different, that its not you, the things are not usually like this.

"Jakey...?" you spoke, you finally spoke.

After hesitating, you had thought of just telling no one, and omitting the truth to Jake, but you would probably feel worse.

With a shy tone you looked for his eyes, he was still playing with your hair but paying attention to the television.

"Ja..Jakey?" with a broken voice you called him again, and this time the man paid attention, he turned his head to see you.

"Tell me princess, are you alright?"

In his eyes you could see the adoration and the total concentration that he gives you when you want to talk to him.

He was with a doubt if there was something strange, something that he didn't know yet.

"You can count on me for anything, even if you need to hide a..."

Before before he could finish the joke, you interrupted him.

"I'm your angel?" The question took him by surprise, he frowned his gaze in doubt.

"Of course you are doll, my only and beautiful Angel."

His tone that exudes confidence makes you believe him every time he says anything to you, every time that he is so confidently affirming something to you...you believe him.

Small kisses were distributed all over your face, his affection was one of the things that made you happy the most and he knew it, he knew he needed to have that protective instinct with his sweet girl.

You nodded at his words, a little better but still worried, even so you had cheated on him, still you betrayed him, those words you repeated to yourself over and over again

"you still cheated on him".

Lovingly he rubbed the top of your head and gave you a kiss, a warm kiss, a kiss of love.

He loves you and you know it, he always shows it.

He doesn't deserve this but you couldn't take it anymore, you couldn't hide it anymore, big tears, tears that you had contained since the morning came out.

"Jakey..I-I'm so..so sorry"

Between words, small gasps from the loss of air before the uncontrolled crying worried the man, he paused the movie and incorporated in the couch.

He had never seen you cry like that, and he honestly didn't like that your angelic and innocent face had another expression other than happiness and emotion in the face of little things.

"Doll what happened? you are scaring me."

Because for you to have to interrupt one of his jokes, things had to be serious, you really liked to laugh out loud at what came out of his mouth, but not this time.

No words just cries and silence.

"Tell me what's wrong so I can help you."

He cleared the hair from your face to see you, with his fingers he took your jaw and raised your face, tears and eyes like a hurt lamb were shown on your face, the shame, the sadness and the fear.

His eyes were desperately looking for yours.

"Honey what's up, you can trust me, you're really scaring me"

You sniffled, "No..Jakey.."

You moved your head to the side again and again refusing to speak, he gave you a warm hug, "Anything princess, I'm for you."

You whimpered from the center of your stomach.

"Promise...that you won't tell anyone, and that you won't get mad at me."

Your swollen lips from biting them so much to not let the words come out of your mouth caught his attention, when you are quiet you usually bite your lips until you slightly hurt them.

You raised your little finger to seal a promise, a very common habit between the two of you when you have a secret to keep.

Jake nodded and intertwined his little finger with yours, with a face of doubt that was more evident than anything else.

"Please..Jakey promise me I'll still be your favorite person after this."

You said while playing with the sleeves of your nightgown and with your head down.

"I promise I will continue to see you sexy after this princess."

He said winking his eye, still not knowing that this was more serious than he thought.

You smiled slightly and started.

"Today... I..I went to the supermarket.."

The man grabbed your head and ran his hand through your hair waiting for you to finish telling the story.

Not knowing what was going to come out of your mouth was that was making Jake nervous.

"Everything was fine... but in the fruit hall..."

Jake smirked.

"Are you going to tell me you're like this because you stole a grape from his bag again and got caught?"

The man laughed, trying to soften the tension of the moment, because honestly with your naivety it was very likely that you would be caught stealing grapes.

You raised your head in denied.

"I met a man.."

Your heart was beating fast, as if you had run hundreds of kilometers, your hands were cold and your mouth was dry.

His heart dropped from his chest to his stomach, his first thought was that you stopped loving him, that the spark went out and you found someone else, he swallowed thickly.

"A..and I was trying to reach something from a high shelf"

Jake's breaths were slow, almost like he was being charged $100 a breath.

You waited for a sign on his face to continue, looking at his two eyes, because of his height you had to raise your head a bit, and it was almost like the times when you were on your knees in front of him, like when he has a stressful day.

More tears came out of your eyes going through your soft big eyelashes as you remembered what happened next.

"He...he was nice at first but..."

After being silent, Jake spoke

"But? what happened next?..babe?" he took your knee with his hand that was going up and down quickly.

"He...he lied to me." he tilted his head a little and opened his lips between, he didn't know what that really meant.

"He..he said that could help me reach what was on the higher shelf."

The change in your gaze was drastic, that's where Jake suspected what happened.

Hiccup and insignificant sobs came from your mouth.

"I said yes, and..And he got behind me..And.."

Jake wanted to rush the way you told everything, but he couldn't be too anxious or he would lose your trust and the small talk that you both had about this.

"How was he?" Dumb question, maybe he didn't know, he didn't know what to ask, you closed your eyes quickly and brought your hands to your face, when tears kept coming out of your eyes, he wiped each one of them with his fingers.

"I hear you."

"Tall, and..and he have green eyes.." he nodded.

"And... I thought it was fine that he was getting behind me...Jakey..I swear it was a very high shelf for me"

You tilted your head, looking for pity in his eyes and making your eyebrows furrow in sadness.

And it's true, anything compared to you is taller unless if you're wearing the black heels you bought for Christmas.

"But then... he started running his nose down my neck..and... there weren't many people in the supermarket to ask for help."

Loud sobs kept coming out of your mouth.

Jake closed his eyes for a moment, he knew where this was going to go and he wasn't liking it.

He wanted to rip this moment out of your brain and burn it with the crumpled papers from his office, you don't deserve this, not to his sweet girl.

In case it was what he believed, he was sure that he would do everything possible to kill whoever hurt his girl .

"And... and it seemed strange to me when..when he.."

You lowered your eyes in shame to have to say it out loud so you lowered your tone.

"He was...just like you."

Jake tilted his head, he didn't understand what was happening, and after giving you the time to talk he expressed himself

"Could you repeat that?"

You agreed "He was like you."

Jake put his elbows on his legs, a curious look followed by taking your left hand.

"what does that mean doll?"

"Yes, when... when you and I played in the room... you... you are... was it..hard?"

Jake sighed and his exhalation took a long time to come out, he took his glasses and ran his hand over his face, he was frustrated, angry, annoyed, but not with you, with the guy who had dared to do something as cruel as insinuating and abusing your innocence.

The information chilled his bones, as if a bucket of frozen water had been dropped on him while he slept.

"And..and"

"he lift my skirt, and he.. rubbed his thing against me"

You shook your eyes at remembering the feeling of the man behind you rubbing himself.

Jake couldn't think of anything else but the way in which even talking about this, you were ashamed but even so, he appreciated the trust you have in him.

You sniffed at the amount of fluid coming out of your nose.

"Jakey..he still had his pants on but I could feel him..sorry..sorry I..I didn't mean to cheat on you!"

He looked up, your face eager for his forgiveness, afraid that he was mad at you.

How could he be mad at you?

How could he be mad at you for something that wasn't your fault?

How could he blame you for having no idea of the cruelty of some men?

Something got damaged inside him, something consumed him at your words, in your innocence you thought that was cheating on him.

"And...And I had noticed that he was following me before but...but I thought he wanted to make friends!"

You are too innocent and sweet for this world.

He tilted his head

"Doll..a lot of people out there are mean."

And he blamed himself for not coming with you, he blamed himself for not quitting his stupid computer programming job to protect you.

You lowered your head while your hands continued to play with your nightgown

"I...I feel...dirty."

"I believe you doll, you are very brave for talking to me about this, if what he did made you uncomfortable then it was wrong, you are not dirty, or bad, you were just getting into your business, he is sick"

After that Jake's silence was worrying for you, he didn't speak at all, you could only see you in both eyes, looking for words to tell you.

"You don't deserve this, I'm not going to leave you alone"

You smiled tenderly.

"I'm not mad at you because you are my Angel, and Its also because I love you so very much no matter what."

Jake's words were like a glass of water in the middle of the desert.

"He asked me.. if I wanted to be his girl for the night."

He just wished this was a bad dream, he wished he hadn't had to work to come with you, he wished that man hadn't touched your innocence in such a cruel and depraved way.

The seat of the armchair became more and more uncomfortable, and the darkness of the room only illuminated by the television gave a dramatic aspect at the revelation.

"I told him that I had a boyfriend... and... he told me that I was probably a stupid boy who doesn't know how to play well."

The words were on the tip of your tongue, you remembered everything in detail.

As if nothing, you finished telling the story,

you wiped away your tears with your thumbs, your head started to ache from crying for so long.

"Doll, you didn't cheat on me, you were just minding in your own bussines, this is not your fault, you are not dirty, you are not bad, he is."

After the two of you were silent, and Jake looked at you with the worried face you've never seen before, you took a piece of candy from the bowl and unwrapped it to put it in your mouth.

"Jakey?... are you mad... at me?"

He looked for your gaze, swallowing his tears, to be strong for you.

"Princess... what? no! absolutely not, I wouldn't be upset with you at all, you are not alone"

Your eyes lit up through so many tears, you swallowed the strawberry flavor of the caramel.

"Seriously?" he nodded and hugged you tightly.

"Sorry, sorry for not coming with you, sorry for not protecting you my girl"

He said and you giggled.

"This isn't your fault Jakey...maybe if I hadn't put on my favorite skirt he wouldn't have lifted it."

Every cell in his body caught on fire, with the force of his being he hated that man so much, and blamed himself for not protecting your innocence.

"You know this is abuse, and pretty girls who had been abused have to speak up right?"

He said putting your hair behind your ears and taking you to lie on your chest.

"Mmm..I thought I was cheating on you"

He kissed your head.

"Nothing that man did has anything to do with you, or your look, or your skirt or your gentleness, he's rotten inside, and deserve death."

Tears came to your eyes as you remembered everything again like a vivid memory.

"Jakey...I didn't want that he.." Jake shushed you.

"I know honey, I know, let me take care of this."

Tears stained his t-shirt.

"th..thank you.."

"¿Jakey?"

A soft sound came out of his mouth, giving you permission to continue.

He was rubbing your back and you clung to his shirt like your life depended on it

"I..think... I think I don't want to go to a supermarket again for a while."

His hard look scared you, but he was just thinking of ways in which he and Lloyd could help him capture and kill that idiot.

"Don't worry princess, I can take care of that... so you can't had to go to there again..but I can help you, find a safe space you know..to get over this."

Your heart jumped with joy, like the flowers that bloom in spring, he was not angry with you!

He understood you and supported you, there was nothing more you could ask for than to feel understood.

"I'm sorry..for..for not having sex with you when I went out to the shower."

You wiped away your tears as high-pitched sobs escaped your puffy red lips.

He inhaled air scented with your perfume, still wondering what he did to win over a girl as sweet and innocent as you.

It seemed you cared more about what he thought than your own abuse.

"We can stop doing it for a while if that bothers you ...I wouldn't mind at all, I care..I really care 'bout you and your safety"

"Uh..I like cuddles...we can do that!!"

The man nodded trying to give you a smile of encouragement, he knew that these issues are more difficult to overcome than they seem, and a false step could trigger you.

"Sleep" he said "you need to rest my brave little girl, thank you for telling me."

you let out a deep exhalation.

"Jakey?" an "uhm" came from the man's lips.

"what if I had a nightmare?"

you said raising your eyes to meet his gaze, He thought about going to the room to get your stuffies but he didn't want to leave you, not again, not for a moment more..

"I'll fight with your nightmares then."

A soft sigh left your body as you settled into Jake's chest.

"I love you...a-and sorry to ruin your movie."

The man clenched his jaw, what happened to you it's not fair and it never will be.

He is not capable of getting angry with you for interrupting a movie, much less for trusting him.

He continued to draw circles on your back, and you started to fall asleep, but only this time he would not be able to sleep.

In his eyes you are an ethereal angel, and he would know very well who to require to to take care of that situation.

Perhaps it was difficult for him, because one part of your spark had gone out, seeing you discouraged or depersonalizing at any time, but he was not selfish, you felt it even more and needed support.

To see how before leaving home you replaced your skirts or dresses with comfy pants.

You Patiently waiting for him at home, anxious to see him walk through the door with the supermarket purchases, and making a list on pink paper with many stickers so that he would not forget what you need, because you would not return to a supermarket in a long time.

And he became more careful, avoiding spooning you in bed, because that could remind you of that episode or get you triggered.

Also take care, what he said with you, worrying about seeing you depersonalize at any time or feel sad at some inopportune time.

fill you with courage so that you decide to go to a psychologist or to talk about small details that you focused on while that horrible episode happened.

He would do whatever it took not to abandon his girl, and anything to make that man pay for what he did with his sweet angel.

[auntmaryjo-blog-blog]

December 26, 1963

We've had our Christmas and a nice one it was. Due to Curtis's work schedule the Holcomb's Xmas celebration was held on the weekend. Mom Holcomb prepared a sumptuous meal which preceded the opening of gifts. The gift opening revealed a record for Lee (from me), a paint by number set (from Lee), pillow cases from Jean & Curtis and a check plus $5 bills for Lee and myself from the Holcombs. We managed to snag Kaye and Earl for a few hours Christmas Eve so that my family could open their gifts in our "Christmas House" as Mother calls it. I really went all out on decorating this year what with a musical stocking above the piano; candle sticks, a reindeer, and creche, on the piano; candy dish, Christmas card basket, camel candle holder, and red candle on the coffee table; paper bell and choir angel on the record player; little Xmas trees on the den tables and the metallic spirals above the TV; as well as dining table decoration which consisted of glass goblet filled with gaily colored ornaments. Lee put a stocking and bells on the front door and hung a Merry Christmas sign on the garage door. All in all we had quite a display. Back to our Christmas Eve gift opening...Lee received socks from Mother and Dad and a beautiful sweater from me (he had picked it out) as well as socks from Aunt Stella. I was given a beautiful purse by Mother and Dad and a pretty blue wool cardigan sweater by Leroy and a Damask tablecloth from Aunt Stella and stoneware plate from Aunt Myrtle. Highlight of the present opening was Mac who opened his two gifts with those active front paws and promptly went to chewing on his new chew toys. He never bothered any of the gifts under the tree before Christmas but he seemed to know these gifts were his.

[whileiamdying]

Paul Morrissey, Andy Warhol’s Cinematic Collaborator, Dies at 86

In films like “Trash” and “Women in Revolt,” he brought movement, character and something resembling a story line to the Warhol film aesthetic.

Paul Morrissey, center, with Andy Warhol, right, and an unidentified man in Los Angeles in 1966. “My films derive from Andy’s,” Mr. Morrissey said in 1972. “I use a lot of this technique but add direction, story and a little more selection.”Credit...Steve Schapiro/Corbis, via Getty Images

By William Grimes Oct. 28, 2024

Paul Morrissey, whose loose cinéma-vérité films made with Andy Warhol in the late 1960s and early ’70s captured New York’s demimonde of drug addicts, drag queens and hipsters and turned an unlikely stable of amateur actors into underground stars, died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 86.

The death, in a hospital, was caused by pneumonia, said Michael Chaiken, his archivist.

In films like “Flesh,” “Trash,” “Heat” and “Women in Revolt,” all made on budgets of less than $10,000, Mr. Morrissey brought movement, character and something resembling a story line to the Warhol film aesthetic, which had consisted of pointing a camera at an actor or a building and letting it run for several hours. (Warhol’s “Empire” was a continuous shot of the Empire State Building that lasted eight hours and five minutes.)

Relying on a shifting collective of amateur actors, like Joe Dallesandro and Viva; transgender performers, like Jackie Curtis, Holly Woodlawn and Candy Darling; and marginal downtown characters, Mr. Morrissey concocted a distinctive blend of squalor and melodramatic farce that captivated many critics and even, in some instances, translated into box-office success.

The scripts, such as they were, were almost entirely ad-libbed. The stars simply portrayed themselves. And the plots defied synopsis.

Mr. Morrissey, front, with, from top, Joe Dallesandro, Holly Woodlawn and Jane Forth, in a publicity photo for Mr. Morrissey’s 1970 film “Trash. ”Credit...Henri Dauman/Jour De Fete Films

“Trash,” Mr. Morrissey’s biggest critical and commercial success, followed the trials and tribulations of Mr. Dallesandro playing a heroin-addicted gigolo earnestly, if groggily, trying to support his wife, played by Ms. Woodlawn. “Women in Revolt” took the theme of women’s liberation and grafted it onto a sendup of Hollywood women’s pictures of the 1930s, with Ms. Curtis, Ms. Woodlawn and Ms. Darling striking poses and reflecting on their status in a sexist society.

In any case, Mr. Morrissey believed fervently in star power first and last. “Andy and I really try not to direct a film at all,” he told The New York Times in 1972. “We both feel the stars should be the center of the film.” Holly Woodlawn, he insisted, would be remembered long after Pablo Picasso was forgotten.

Mr. Morrissey finished his tour of duty with Warhol by making two horror films intended for a broader audience: the 3-D “Flesh for Frankenstein,” released in 1973 under the title “Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein”; and “Blood for Dracula,” released in 1974 as “Andy Warhol’s Dracula.” They were dismissed by most critics as campy gore fests.

“He was great because he shot beyond the margin,” Maurice Yacowar, the author of “The Films of Paul Morrissey” (1993), wrote in an email. “In the party scene in ‘Midnight Cowboy,’ John Schlesinger gives us a teasing glimpse at the new subculture, but Morrissey really dug into that world. Henry Jaglom, Jim Jarmusch, Hal Hartley — all the American independents who give us big feelings from small stories about offbeat characters — their founding father was Morrissey.”

“Flesh for Frankenstein,” released in 1973 under the title “Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein,” was dismissed by most critics as a campy gore fest but acquired a cult following.Credit... EMI Film Distributors LTD, via Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images

Mr. Morrissey was born on Feb. 23, 1938, in Manhattan to Joseph and Eleanor Morrissey, and grew up in Yonkers, N.Y. He attended Roman Catholic schools and studied English at Fordham University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1955 and began making 16-millimeter silent films. His first effort, a one-reeler, showed a priest saying Mass on a cliff top and then throwing his altar boy over the edge.

Despite the subject, Mr. Morrissey was not rebelling against the church. He enjoyed perplexing interviewers by fully endorsing his Jesuit education, heaping scorn on liberals and denouncing sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll even as he presented, without comment, scenes of shocking degradation on film.

“With us, everything is acceptance,” he once said of his collaborations with Warhol. “Nothing is critical. Everything is amoral. People can be whatever they are, and we record it on film.”

After serving in the Army, Mr. Morrissey ran, and lived in, an underground cinema in the East Village, where he showed his own films and those of others, including “Icarus,” an early effort by Brian De Palma. Mr. Morrissey later took pains to explain that he was not part of the experimental-film movement. With his interest in stars and narrative, he was, as he liked to put it, “independent of the independents.”

Mr. Morrissey was introduced to Warhol in 1965 by the poet and filmmaker Gerard Malanga at a film screening, and the Factory phase of Mr. Morrissey’s career began. At the time, Warhol was making experimental films at the commercial loft on East 47th Street known as the Factory. The titles capture their static, impassive aesthetic: “Hair Cut No. 1,” “Shoulder,” “Couch.” The camera stared, unblinking, and whatever happened, happened — or didn’t.

Mr. Morrissey in 2000 in his Manhattan apartment. “People can be whatever they are, and we record it on film,” he once said.Credit...Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Accounts differ about this period. Mr. Morrissey himself revised his version of events, gradually reducing to the vanishing point Warhol’s participation in the films that went out under his name after 1965.

At the time, however, Mr. Morrissey conceded more ground. “My films derive from Andy’s, but his were being made without direction, without preparation, with total improvisation,” he told The Times in 1972. “I use a lot of this technique but add direction, story and a little more selection.”

After working on “My Hustler” (1965), Mr. Morrissey took over as director on “Chelsea Girls” (1966), the first Warhol film to break completely with the catatonic approach typified by “Empire” and reach a wider, if still underground, audience.

“Lonesome Cowboys” (1968), a series of arch allusions to the Hollywood western (with a cross-dressing sheriff), disturbed audiences with a gang-rape scene, and Mr. Morrissey later found it wanting. With “Flesh” (1968), “Trash” (1970) and “Heat” (1972), however, he moved to the front ranks of independent filmmakers, a position solidified with the giddy “Women in Revolt” in 1972.

[jadelotusflower]

Stargate rewatch: 2x03 - Prisoners

Jack-and-Daniel duel pointer fingers, and SG-1 get thrown into prison for trespassing on sacred ground/aiding a fugitive. The justice system works swiftly in the future on this planet now that they’ve abolished all lawyers.

“It’s like we’re in Botany Bay.” This always annoyed me! Botany Bay was not the original (colonial) name for Sydney Harbour - that was Port Jackson/Sydney Cove. Whilst the First Fleet did first arrive in Botany Bay in 1788 with the intention to found a colony there, it was considered unsuitable for settlement and they relocated slightly north. However use of Botany Bay as shorthand for the colony did persist in Western culture, so it’s understandable that Daniel would make this mistake since it's not his area of expertise. Nevertheless, he’s wrong.

Jack removes Daniel’s glasses as a sign of weakness in a prison environment, while director David Warry-Smith breathes a sigh of relief.

But surely not being able to see is a greater weakness - again we play the game of just how bad is Daniel’s eyesight, really?

This episode is credited to Terry Curtis-Fox, the first of three he would write for the show, although he also gets a senior advisor credit this season.

Bonnie Bartlett is our guest star du jour, playing Linea. She was Ellen Craig on St Elsewhere, but I remember her best as Arnie and Danny Devito’s mother in Twins.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, or rather, powerful women in prison bearing power sources. A great deal of the first few seasons is SG-1 stumbling into situations and making poor decisions.

"I've long believed that the best way to get knowledge is to give it." Linea's philosophy aligns with SG-1's so you can see the appeal - but one of the lessons they'll learn over the years is that those willing to give knowledge so freely are the ones to be wary of, and that they themselves must temper their willingness to hand out guns and tech out like candy. One of the overarching themes of the show is that knowledge should be earned, not given.

Linea creates cold fusion with the power of plants, and Sam is practically giddy with dreams of eliminating pollution.

LOL, Jack checks under the table in case it's a trick. However he does not ask the pertinent question of why she is in prison before offering to take her with them.

Daniel brings this up, to which Sam and Jack argue that the justice system they've experienced isn't exactly balanced - the reasoning is fair enough since they're stuck there without Linea's help. The real stupidity comes later in the episode when they give her free rein of the SGC database.

There's a nice ratcheting tension in this scene as the prisoners slowly surround and close in around SG-1 as they talk. It doesn't come to anything, just a reminder that our heroes are not in a safe place.

Teal'c points out they have no transmitters to open the iris, so Jack tells Daniel to think of alternate gate addresses. Er...what about the Alpha Site? i.e. the very planet Daniel gated to from Apophis's ship not two episodes ago?

We have two new SGC faces - Major Warren from SG-3 wanting to retrieve SG-1 (guess Makepeace was out sick?) played by Colin Lawrence who apparently was also in pilot episode but I have no memory of him. Assuming that guy didn't die I'm going to say it's the same character, who will apparently pop up again in seasons 3 and 5 so I'll have to keep an eye out. The other guy is Major Kovacek of SG-9 who wants to maintain diplomatic relations with the Taldar, but this is his only episode.

Hammond decides this a job for a series regular, and makes his first trip offworld. It is amusing to watch Hammond be direct while Kovacek lawyer-speaks around him.

"There was an experiment with tragic consequences - [thousands] died." Linea is a master of doublespeak - she doesn't actually lie to Sam, just gets her Kenobi on with a certain point of view, admitting she's not innocent knowing that will actually make Sam trust her more.

For a planet with "almost no crime" the Taldar sure are sending a lot of people to prison.

Daniel gets KO'd yet again, this time via strangulation. He's revived by Linea's Power of Plants, which also cure the new arrival Simian's blindness, enabling him to later tell the team that she's the "Destroyer of Worlds".

"Well, you actually won a fight, Danny boy." Bad Irish accent aside, maybe Jack did call him Danny more than I remember. His look of pride, despite knowing Daniel did absolutely nothing to win that fight, is very sweet.

Apparently Daniel gets his best ideas while passing out, recalling the planet SG-3 was scheduled to visit - the very same mission Hammond ordered Warren to go on rather than postpone to try and extract SG-1. I do love it when a plot knits together like this.

Everyone has a nice little reaction to Daniel distributing the gruel - Sam with a grimace, Teal'c refusing to take any, and Jack with a little sarcastic "thank you."

They escape, Simian jumping through behind them. While Sam is showing Linea how to use a computer, Warren brings Simian to Hammond.

Jack has bruises around his neck in this scene from the earlier fight, a nice little bit to continuity. Daniel doesn't seem to though - the result of Plant Power?

Linea uses her knock-out device on Sam and escapes with a message: "Thank you for your kindness. All debts have now been paid." Sinister!

We can assume that Linea didn't actually give Sam enough info about her "activators" since the tech is never mentioned again and the SGC certainly doesn't master cold fusion. But hey, SG-1 made it home, that's certainly a fair exchange for letting a murderous psychopath loose on the galaxy, right?

We will of course see Linea again (in younger form) next season, but she had the potential to be a great recurring villain and for the SG-1 to face the consequences of their recklessness here. It's a real shame that didn't get explored.

[ear-worthy]

Charts & Hearts Podcast: Nerding Out About Rom-Coms

You have to give serious props to the Charts & Hearts podcast. Its origins began in August 2019 as the Nature Finds A Way podcast, a pop culture biology podcast where the co-hosts weed out biology fact or fiction in favorite books, TV shows and movies. The podcast looked at the science in movies such as Jurassic World, Alien, Harry Potter, and The Mandalorian season two. 

Then in May 2022, the podcast co-hosts announced a seismic change. They were migrating their existing podcast into a new podcast called Charts & Hearts. In this new podcast with the same feed, the co-hosts are still using science to work their way through an epic list of rom-coms "in the hopes of creating the most epic spreadsheet podcasting has ever seen."

Once a science nerd, always a science nerd. The new show even dropped its serious-toned intro music for a bouncy, rom-com-y intro ditty that sets the exact mood needed to chat about romantic comedies.

In the last 17 months, the podcast has discussed such terrific rom-coms as The Holiday, 27 Dresses, Mamma Mia, The American President (one of my favorite episodes), and, of course, Dirty Dancing.  

To be clear, this show is not a rewatch podcast. The show and the co-hosts will not go into exhaustive detail about each movie. They assume you have watched the film. In the case of cozy rom-coms, fans often watch at least 50 times. 

I think listeners will enjoy how the co-hosts dissect these films with a mixture of humor and the brain of a scientist. It's like mixing Neil DeGrasse Tyson with Sarah Silverman. In the Mamma Mia episode, for example, the co-hosts discuss how they love the Colin Firth character so much because he revels in his ridiculous nature, while Pierce Brosnan struggles to play his role so straight.

What co-hosts Lindsay Curtis and Sarah (anonymity requested and granted)  do in Charts & Hearts is to find and categorize rom-com tropes and discuss them with hot takes and a little bit of science. Sarah is a web developer who likes knitting and tide pools. If you don't know, tide pools are isolated pockets of seawater found in areas where the ocean meets the land, such as rocky ledges. 

Lindsay Curtis is a podcast editor/ producer and a digital marketing expert, who likes cetaceans and the TV show West Wing. 

As co-hosts, Lindsay and Sarah work together like peanut butter and chocolate in Reese's candy. They're a perfect combination. They finish each other's sentences, and lead each other to seamless transitions. 

The tone of Charts & Hearts is sharp-witted and analytical without being condescending to the rom-com art form. I like that aspect of the show. The co-hosts can have fun at the expense of the format, but do not descend into malicious mockery. 

If you're a lover of rom-coms, I recommend Charts & Hearts. The show is equal parts science, analytics, film critique, humor, and wit.

[magicmiss]

,,In another life, we met and loved each other (bis)’’

Night version of this post

[maagicmiss]

It’s funny cuz sometime I scroll down my procreate library and I see discarded/forgotten sketches and it’s like :

[georgiapeach30513]

Go To Sleep

🖤🖤🖤🖤

Summary:  You have a date

Pairings:  Bucky X Joshua, Nick Vaughan X Reader

Rating:  floof

Warnings:  mild language, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  1.7K

Desperate Lives AU Masterlist

Bucky & Brooklyn Masterlist

“Hey Bucky,” you nearly shout at him as you open the door and you’re back to finding your things.  Bucky’s head leans down the hallway in confusion.  “You’re early.”

"Finished early,” he starts following you down the hallway and to your bedroom.  Noticing the outfits on your bed before you close the door in his face.  “What are you doing?”

“Changing.”

“I kinda liked the robe,” you roll your eyes trying to find the perfect outfit.  None of them.  “What’s the deal with your room?”

“What’s the deal with all the questions?  You’re the one that is early,” you sigh and just pull on the closet thing to you.  It’ll have to do.  You don’t know much about the guy.  Just that he’s a friend of a friend or something like that.  He’s a good guy you were assured.

You open the bedroom door up, and Bucky is still standing there, giving you a long look down your body, “You look nice.  Did I miss something?”

“Um...you are early.  Sarah took Joshie to get pizza, and a new board game.  Why are you here early?”

“I finished work...” a knock on the door leads you both to look towards the front.  “Early.  Who is that?”

“My date.”

“Date?”

Ignoring him you go to open the door and Nick extends a hand out to you, and then looks at Bucky, “Hey Bucky.”

“Nick?  You’re going on a date with Nick?”

“Yep, that’s the plan.  Let me go get my, purse.  Bucky, I’ll text you the location in case there’s an emergency with Joshua, don’t hesitate,” you don’t mind continuing to talk since Bucky is following you through the house.  “I’ll text on my way home to make sure Joshua is asleep.  Woah,” you exclaim when he’s right behind you as you turn around.  “Back off.”

“Is dating a good idea?”

“Miss Kitty was the one who orchestrated this.  She has an ex...”

“Curtis.  Yeah, Nick is friends with him, but I mean in general.  Dating?  And he’s picking you up at your house.”

“I see.  Well,” you give a quick glance to the front and Nick just awkwardly stands there in the doorway looking around the décor.  “There’s a reason Joshua isn’t here.  There’s a reason I’m texting you my location.  It’s not in case of an emergency.  Curtis is a cop.  He showed me his background check.  Also there’s a reason I’m going to let you know when I’m heading home.  My son...”

“Our son.”

“Our son will not see him.  My...” Bucky narrows his eyes at you and you grit your teeth, “Our son will not meet him, he’ll not know him, he’ll not even know a name unless it’s serious.  If this is a problem, Sarah is plenty capable of keeping him by herself.  It would be a big disappointment for him though, because they’re getting popcorn with candy and all the stuff to make a giant and disgusting sugar cookie pizza.”

“Sugar cookie pizza?”

“It’s something Nana created for him when he was having a bad day.  Giant sugar cookie, cream cheese and marshmallow fluff as the sauce, and a bunch of candy.  Enough to put you in a sugar coma.  He enjoys making it and wanted to do it with his dad.  Now please, I really need to leave for my date before our son gets here and sees me with another man that is not his father.  You are the only man in his life.  Steve doesn’t count.  Goodbye Bucky.  I’ll see you when I get home.”

Bucky follows you out to the front door, and holds out a hand for Nick to take in his own.  You give him a quick eye roll before Nick’s hand barely presses on the small of your back, leading you to his car.  And wouldn’t you know it, he opens the door for you.

Bucky is angry.  He is pissed, he wants to hit something, but he doesn’t.  His body instead just paces around the foyer waiting on his son and Sarah.  Annoyed, but knowing he doesn’t have a right to be annoyed.  He’d been here with Becca, been there with Mrs. Drysdale.  It’s a step they all take.  Date or date around until they realize what they have in front of them.  

He’s still pacing when Sarah arrives with Joshua who jumps into Bucky’s arms.  He finally feels his anger slowly melting off of him with the touch of his son.  His sweet little boy smell, mixed with a bit of blueberries.  “Buddy, why don’t you go ahead and take your bath.”

“That’s grownup talk for you need to talk to Nana.  Did you not want mama to go out with friends?  Do you want to be her friend?” the little boy gives his dad a smile, and Sarah starts chuckling.  “I want you to be friends,” Joshua gives Bucky a couple of winks before he wiggles out of his arms.  “You want me to tell her I want you as ‘friends’?  Azzie and Icy’s dad lives with them.”

“Don’t worry about it right now, buddy.  Just go get your bath so we can make your sugar cookie pizza.”

“Ugh!  She told you?  That was going to be a surprise.  Oh well, we’re going to watch a movie.  Nana got us Trouble to play too,” the little boy turns, but then stops looking at Bucky.  “Can I take one in mommy’s bath?  I take longer baths.”

“Joshua, go upstairs to your bath.  The longer the bath the less time you get with your dad,” he gives Nana a quick okay before going up the stairs to his bathroom.  Sarah waits until she hears the water running before she looks at Bucky.  “He normally bathes after eating.  We’re having pizza and a sugar cookie pizza.  I’m sure he’s going to be nice and saucy for bed.  Probably falling asleep on you.  With you already being here, and demanding he bathe, you saw him?”

“She’s on a date.”

“I’m aware.  Single women do date James.  Tell me, did it bother you?  Did you wish it was you taking her out on a date?  Did you say anything negative about her choice of dating?”

“How do you do that?  You always know.  I told her I didn’t expect anything from her, but I didn’t expect her to be dating a whole man.”

“As opposed to half a man?  James, when you broke up with your girlfriend, she had already agreed to go on dates.  She has to get this out of her system.  The only man she was ever in a relationship with was Simon.  She’s dated but he was the only one that kept calling.  It’s hard for women, and she loves you.  Be patient with her, but show her how good of a father that you can be.  But you sweetheart, don’t need to jump into a relationship.  She’s worth the wait, because you know that wait is going to lead you to more children, marriage, and the life that you’ve wanted.  She’ll figure it out.  She’s always wanted you in her life.  Even when she tried to deny it.  Even when she tried to prove she didn’t.”

“How did she do that?”

“One date with Steve.  She and him both hated it.  She admitted she just wanted to say that what happened was a fluke, that she fell for you because of comfort, but Steven is comfort, and she didn’t feel anything.  Give her time.  Be consistent with that giggling little boy that is drying off upstairs and is excited about a night with his dad.  I don’t think you realize how much he’s always wanted you.  Steve talked about you all the time with him.  I know that you are angry at him, but he did try.  He was always trying to get her to be honest with you,” the two of them stop when a still slightly damp little Joshie bounds down the stairs and is jumping back in Bucky’s arms.

“Let’s make the sugar cookie pizza, and then eat pizza!”

________________________________________________________________

“Street performers don’t get enough credit,” Nick tells you with a smile.  “I’ve been here before.”

“What did you perform?” throughout the night Nick had kept getting closer to you, his hand constantly brushing against yours, but never grabbing your hand, and honestly for that, you’re thankful.  

“Oh, just a trumpet.  Play at a restaurant some weekends.  Like this,” the two of you stop and watch someone playing the guitar.  “She’s not even looking at the crowd.  She’s playing here, but the music is for her.  Her eyes are closed and she’s letting the music lead her,” leaning forward he places a twenty dollar bill in her jar.  “Performers perform yes.  But they have to feel it first.  It resonates with them first, and then, we get more out of it.”

“I’ve never looked at it like that, Mr. Vaughan,” you know it’s getting late.  Know that while you’re young, you have a child that you need to get back to relieve his father for the evening.  

“I know, I should be getting you back.  Bucky the babysitter or the dad?” 

“Dad.”

“Didn’t know he had a kid.”

“Neither did he.  I do need to be getting back, Nick.  It’s late, and I’m sure my son has pestered Bucky to death,” you roll your eyes to look up at Nick with a smile.  You watch his Adam’s apple bob for a second and you’re almost scared of what he’s going to do.

“I had fun.  This is nice.”

“It was.  Thank you for this evening.”

________________________________________________________________

You walk into your new home and get a bit frustrated at the mess.  Mess in the kitchen mess in the living room, but when you walk over to the couch and see Joshua snuggled tightly on Bucky’s chest you have to take a moment to breathe.  The mess completely forgotten, because this in front of you is what you’ve always envisioned.  Joshua with his father.  Going over to grab a blanket to cover them up, Bucky’s eyes shine up at you.

“I can leave.”

“I wish you’d stay.  For him, I mean.  He’s comfortable.  Plus...”

“I’m sorry about the mess, we’ll clean it in the morning.  How was the date?”

“Shh, don’t wake up our son.  I’ll see you in the morning Bucky.  Goodnight.”

Leaning forward you give them both a kiss to their forehead, whispering a soft goodnight to Bucky.  As you walk away you hear a sweet little, “You think she bought it daddy?”

“Shh, if she knows you’re awake, she’ll make you clean up this mess.”

Lingering only to watch him snuggle tighter into Bucky, “You’re comfy.  I want her to go on a date with you.”

“Me, too.”

“Then ask her.”

“She’s worth the wait Joshie.  Now go to sleep.”

Masterlist

[avatarvyakara]

Strands of Webbing

A Spiderverse Fanfic

Prompts 157-168

“Traversing the Web”

First | Previous | Next

157. Genealogy

"Richard and Mary Parker," says Peter B, writing the names at the top of a piece of paper next to his own.

Noir nods. "Same here. Never met them, though."

"Curtis Parker and Hida Haraka," says Peni.

"I think my mother's name was Susan? She left us a note next to the egg sac."

"Ranjit and Mina Prabhakar," says Pavitr.

"…Peter Parker and Marie-Jane Watson," says Mayday, pointedly.

"Reinhold and Miriam Pauker," says the Cob.

"Albert and Claire Reilly," says Mabel.

"…how did this start?" Miguel asks Miles, from the other side of the room.

The other Spider-Man shrugs. "They started talking about blood types in case anyone needs some for transfusions, and it turned into making a family tree."

Miguel blinks. "But…they're from different universes, so the blood would glitch out of existence inside their bodies anyway—"

"They'll figure it out," Gwen reassures him. "Eventually."

"Why's Pavitr there?"

"Apparently he's got some English blood on his mom's side and they think he might be related."

"And El Porquito?"

"He just turned up. He does that."

"And we wouldn't want it any other way," says Miguel fondly.

158. Tribute

Peni doesn't accept payment for her work. So whenever someone needs something, or has been given something, they leave her snacks and treats instead. Gray has a bit of a minor advantage here—the textures of smells and tastes work on overdrive in his world to counteract the sparsity of colour—and candy buttons from his universe are the most stolen item in her workshop. But she's also developed a taste for peda, which has started a minor black market trade from Pavitr and Roshni's worlds.

Miguel would happily accept payment for his work if literally any of the Spiders around here had any money.

("Put your wallet away, Porquito.")

159. Quarantine

"Dude, if your world's really shutting down because of a global plague…" Gwen begins.

Peter sighs. "Nah, it's fine, guys, it's fine. Spider-Man's still out at work, I can still write science articles, MJ's been editing papers, the villains have actually been lying low for the most part…the only thing that's a bit frustrating is that May gets cranky if she can't go out. Buuuut I think I've found a way around that."

"…Peter."

"What?"

"What?" says Miles, before the answer dawns on him. "Oh. Peter, you didn't…"

"What? She likes the fresh air. You can't get fresh air on the ground in this city." Peter lifts his ten-month-old daughter up to the camera. "Here, May, say hi to Auntie Gwen and Uncle Miles!"

"Baaah!" says May happily, on general principles.

"Aw, hi sweetie!" Gwen coos. "Look at how big you're getting! Peter B. Parker, we are not done here. How are you!"

"Gah!"

"She's gonna say my name first."

"Nuh-uh, it's gonna be me. Hey, May, it's Uncle Miles!"

"Mmmmah!"

"See?"

"You're already daddy's superhero," murmurs Peter to May, who giggles.

160. Student

"You can really teach me?"

The kid has potential, Olivia can admit that to herself. But Carolyn Trainer is a Doctor Octopus for a very different sort of world. She's much more into blending virtual reality and physical than looking for new ones. Reasonable, but not the most transferable of skills. Besides, she's already got a pretty good student back at home, even if she's still waiting for the right time to involve Mr. Morales in her…off-the-books research.

Still, she can definitely pass on a few tips.

"Well, I'll try, kid. First of all…actually, first and foremost, don't get too attached to your mentor figures. You might end up kidnapping them without their realizing it, then having a car thrown at you by their super-powered nephew whom you're now not allowed to kill yourself. That gets annoying."

"I…what?"

161. Forward

"This is Peter Pauker," says Miguel, prodding the Cob forward. "Please don't show him any pirate holos."

Peter, who looks like a half-crazed shaman with a moustache worthy of a cowboy, shiny white glasses, and a raggedy red cloak with a tight hood, is still looking around in astonishment.

"Welcome to Brooklyn, my man!" says Miles, cheerfully.

He's still in his spider-suit. So is Gwen, and Peter B., and Billy, and Ham.

Peter leans over to Miguel.

"You're sure I haven't just joined a cult of demons in Hell, right?"

"Seriously? Not to put too fine a point on it, but you're the one with the fangs."

"To be fair," says Miguel, "this is Brooklyn."

Miles looks mildly insulted. "Hey, not cool."

"What can I say, parcero, the Bronx has you beat no matter the century."

"Just please tell me Staten Island has remained the same," mutters the Cob. "We just managed to get rid of the British a few years ago. You know, the bad ones. It's still got that strength of spirit, right?"

The other Spiders look at one another.

"Dude," says Miles, putting a friendly hand on Peter's shoulder, "I am so sorry."

162. Gradation

“I’m serious,” Peter insists. “Whenever I’m around, the universe just won’t let people swear. If you think it’s a swear word, you can’t use it. It’s a curse. I’ll prove it.”

The pig goes to the fridge, and takes something out. “Miles, what delicious delicacy do I have in my hands?”

“Uh...applesauce?”

“Very good! Tall, dark, and breezy, your turn. What’s this?”

“Miles just said it was [bleep].”

The other Spiders blink.

“[Bleep]. [Bleep]. Jumping catfish, what the...[bleep]. [Bleep].”

“I rest my case,” says Peter, walking out of the room. (With his snack, of course.)

But not far enough that he doesn’t hear Noir suddenly roar, “GODDAMN APPLESAUCE!”

“Peter! Language!”

“...sorry.”

This is apparently too much for the other Spiders, who burst out laughing.

Being a cartoon is fun.

163. Similarity

Sometimes, diplomacy is required.

It's nearly midnight, it's probably somewhere in Japan in the mid-19th Century, and there's a spider-demon at the bottom of a crevice near a waterfall. Trying to hide.

Keep away!

It sounds deep and yet surprisingly feminine. It also manages to sound both alluring and deadly while at the same time conveying a terrible panic.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," calls Peni in what she hopes is the right Japanese for the time. (SP//dr's helping to translate and feeding her the words in her head, but it's not always perfect.) "I'm a friend. I'm not gonna hurt you."

Jorōgumo, down in the crevice, stares at her—and then shakes her many-eyed head in puzzlement.

You're…you're like me?

Peni smiles. "Kind of."

Jorōgumo waves her front legs around in confused despair. But…you're not like me. You're human. Nearly.

"Oh! That extra bit is probably from Takara here," she says, patting SP//dr on the leg. "We're SP//dr—that means, well, spider. We're best friends. And you're a jorōgumo, right? A golden orb spider?"

The spider-spirit nods, miserably. I didn't want to be. I still don't.

Peni sighs. "I don't think you have a choice. But it's okay, you're not alone. There's a whole bunch of us. We can help. It's going to be alright."

There's silence from the crevice.

Can you stop it from happening? whispers Jorōgumo. It gets so hungry. I try to only go after bad guys, but…it keeps coming back.

"I don't know," says Peni. "But I'll try. I promise you. Just…come out. It's okay."

There's a pause, and then a scuttling noise. Slowly but surely, the giant golden spider climbs out of the crevice. As it does, it changes into a young woman, wearing a raggedy red kimono with blue and white wave patterns. (It is August, after all.) She looks strangely familiar.

Peni holds out a hand, which the other Spider takes, and pulls her to the surface. It's not so bad a place, this waterfall, in the moonlight.

"My family name is Pākā. Pākā Peni." She beams, and bows.

The girl—she can't be much older than seventeen (or thirty, or seventy-five)—smiles nervously and bows as well.

"Haraka. Haraka Hida."

…well, that she wasn't expecting.

164. Magnetism

“He’s not too bad-looking,” muses Mayday. “You know, for a guy from the 18th Century.”

“He’s also your father,” says Hobie, bluntly. “Sort of.”

“May has a point, he is right comely,” muses Billy.

“...for you, I have no words.”

“Do you think someone should tell him those are replicas?”

“I want to see how long it takes him to find out.”

Peter Pauker, swinging away at what he knows to be automata dressed as pirates but hoping to put on a decent show for his new friends, is having the time of his life.

165. Dybbuk

"You're actually Peter Parker?" asks Olivia in amazement.

The Superior Spider-Man snorts. "Hardly. I merely took over his body and let his consciousness decay in my own dying form. I like to think I'm putting it to good use."

"As…Spider-Man."

"The Superior Spider-Man, thank you very much."

Well, someone’s proud.

"A psychic transfer…" muses Olivia. "Huh. Do you still have the schematics for that device?"

"I might do. But these are fascinating." Spider-Man is poking at her arms. "A fluid-filled polymer with pulses running through to control movement…oh, marvellous." The mask is removed. Peter Parker stares at her work with a peculiar interest that Olivia's only really seen in the mirror. Even Rosie and Carolyn and Luke were more interested in the person their counterpart was, rather than her tech. Not that she’s one to talk, give her science over people most days of the week, it’s just that it’s…

…actually she's not too sure how she feels about this.

"Guess you didn't need yours anymore, huh." She slowly retracts her arms.

"Oh, you'd be surprised,” says her counterpart, not seeming to notice. “I just swapped them out for a more…lightweight model. Not dissimilar to your own. Now," and Peter Parker sits down while Otto Octavius looks up, "what can you tell me about the multiverse?"

166. Crier

“HEAR YE, HEAR YE! THE MASKED DEMON KNOWN AS THE COB HAS ONCE AGAIN STRUCK UPON OUR BELOVED ISLE! TWO INNOCENT THIEVES WERE...innocent thieves, who wrote this garbage?...TWO INNOCENTS FRIGHTENED NEARLY TO DEATH BY THE SPAWN OF SATAN!”

“...wow,” says Mayday. “Old J. Jonah Jameson actually found his niche. Deafened by the sound of his own voice.”

Peter Pauker laughs, and they go back to leaping across the rooftops.

167. Mayfly

Life is measured differently in the ‘30s. Peter is nineteen; that’s old enough to hold a job, be working for several years, be an adult for two. His older counterpart is thirty-eight; by that age, Peter’s half-surprised he doesn’t have kids already. (Only half; Parker luck probably came into play.) Porker is...actually Porker is probably timeless, which is helpful because it marks him as that much less likely to die on the job. And the rest are just...okay, not children, nearly adults, but so small.

Peni sees it differently, he knows. What to him is the insurmountable gap of years she sees the same way as being born in different weeks of the same month. Kid’s basically got three times the lifespan he hopes for, six times the lifespan he expects. To her, they’re all kids.

(And yet she’s working a job deemed too risky for most adults even in her time. At fourteen—she started a year ago, same as him, but was bitten at nine. For him, a child; for her, basically a baby.

Sometimes he wonders whether her uncle, nice as he seems, actually is Doc Ock, only out to torment his own niece instead of the unsuspecting “lessers” of New York in general. He's half-worried that he'll find out her Aunt May looks like another super-villain—and one-eighth-worried that she wouldn't need to.)

168. First

It is Peter Pauker's terrible misfortune to be in his home dimension when a black portal opens in the air, and three figures drop out over the southern shore of Manhattan.

A black-and-white giant, flashes of red lightning crossing its featureless ebony face to make a hideous expression. A white wraith with terrible burning eyes, smallest—human height—and possibly most terrifying. An enormous black spider—no, not a spider, a harvestman.

They land on the nighttime rooftops, barely seeming to touch the surface.

itsnotthesamewithouthimisit

That's the giant's voice. It bypasses the ears and scares the mind into remembering it. It sounds…oddly feminine. And young. And familiar.

noitsnot

imisshimtoo

That's the harvestman, deep voice sinking through to the bone and freezing it solid. And also familiar.

focus

werenotgoingtoletKarnturningtraitorspoilourhunt

besides

weneedourstrength

theOneWorldsarecloserthanever

That's the wraith’s voice. Familiar, and terrifying for it, because Peter's heard that one in his own universe and he doesn't like the implications one little bit.

icansmellit

itsclose

The black one twitches, glitches, and suddenly is looking directly at Peter.

dontplaywithyourfoodtoday

letsjusteatit

The wraith again. She sounds distinctly annoyed.

icalldibs

The giant's lightning-mouth has split apart, revealing a deep red cavern and a deep black tongue.

youalwayscalldibs

The black harvestman is already spinning out a line of thread between its front limbs. It sounds amused.

imagrowingspider

ineedsomethingsweet

There’s no time for banter. Peter has two choices at this point. Make a jump, and try to fight off these monsters on his own. Or take the Gizmo Device and hide in another world. Get help.

He wouldn't be the Cob if he let others get hurt (again) for work he should be doing. The burden of capacity, Uncle Bernhard always called it.

“You dare to come to my world?” he shouts. “Stealing the voice of the woman I love? You are not welcome in this place, foul impersonators!”

The three demons look at him like cats watching a very angry one-legged mouse.

thevoiceofthewomanitloves

ihopeitsnotyouagainJennix

rememberthatlasttime

That’s...that’s Gwyneth’s voice. Twisted and warped, but it’s her.

hahahaaa

iremember

itwassofunny

iloveyouyouknowido

youcanfightit

iknowyourestillinthere

wellofcourseiamsilly

whereelsewouldibe

howdidittasteMorlun

High-pitched and giggly.

likeautumnleavestumblingthroughasilentcity

Rumbling and soft.

betyouthisonetasteslikecowardice

italreadyreeksoffear

theseshadowsgetmoreandmorerealisticeverytime

“Coward? Hah! Better insults have been spluttered by dying rats!”

oohfeisty

Peter draws his sword and revolver, and leaps. The Cob’s special abilities push him hundreds of feet into the sky...

It occurs to him, as he's high in the air, perhaps a split second too late, that perhaps he's still the Cob in spite of never backing away from a fight—

[cloveroctobers]

Wtv, it’s cool / j. Farrell | October prompts !

A|N: idk where the fandom is for this show but I’m out here! Although this will probably flop in the notes department—that’s okay! I just felt like I should write something for ‘ol Jimmy boy. Also sucks that the show’s been cancelled but I can’t say I’m surprised? There’s been absolutely no promo for bridge and tunnel and the last season kinda set it off just in case.

Plot/prompt: #20. “There’s a guy standing in the backyard with a knife, that you?”

WARNINGS: reader is related to Mikey, bi reader, + angst = the relatable feeling of being left out + possible triggers for a violent crime although it is not explained in graphic detail!

⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘

October 29th, 1983 - October 30th, 1983

approx. 11:49pm to 12:13am

There was no reason Bonnie Polanco should be held up inside her aunt and uncle’s house on hallow’s Eve. Some might say this was a choice but she did not make the choice for her untimely death. Bonnie Polanco did not deserve to be the victim of a senseless crime.

Do not think Bonnie didn’t have choices to be out in the city tonight. She was sure her acquaintance Stacey Ross would be there if she wasn’t with the rest of the gang tonight. Their circles (outside of the main crew) brushed by each other every so often but Bonnie grew to distance herself once the nose candy came out to play. That wasn’t her style, not to say that she didn’t explore other uppers by mouth but Bonnie knew her limits. She preferred a nice shot of tequila, and lime; would be on the next taxi or train ride back to Long Island.

The rich kids weren’t for Bonnie full time despite her going off to some fancy private university. Bonnie knew after a few years she’d lose touch with these kids and during the reunion, they’d still boast some more about their privileged opportunities and she might even hook up with a college fling in the backseat of their corvette or BMW.

That was a option but that wasn’t ultimately what Bonnie wanted.

She was alone, bowl of popcorn and m&ms sitting on the coffee table as she lounged in her pajamas watching a movie starring the horror queen herself, Jamie Lee Curtis, in a film called, “Prom night.” Bonnie had a pillow clutched to her chest, elbow pressing into the arm of the couch as she watched the scene slowly unfold in front of her.

Bonnie remembered Mikey and the boys heading to the theaters to see this one. This surely pissed Bonnie off and she let her cousin have it. She told him that they should’ve been the ones to go together but that completely slipped his mind. Going to the movies was their thing and Bonnie’s love for film started once she moved down here from New Jersey to Long Island in high school and began work at the drive-in.

Mikey didn’t see the big deal, thinking it was just something regular to do and couldn’t understand why Bonnie was upset over this. He was often oblivious, always been that way; constantly moving onto the next thing and not thinking about the possible consequences after. Sure it was something small but it always felt like Bonnie came second to Mikey’s—no—their shared friends. It also went over his head when he decided to start dating Tammy Ocampo, the first friend out of his group that Bonnie really bonded with. In fact she was the only one out of the girls that Bonnie really got along with.

That slowly developed into a crush which Bonnie put a stop to once Mikey and Tammy were together longer than a month. Bonnie hated being the third wheel but Tammy always wanted to include her knowing how she felt when it came to the rest of the group. Bonnie knew she had to understand that their history was much longer before she even came into the picture. However it slowly began to feel like she was only their “friend” because of her relation to Mikey and that was a shitty feeling.

It only started to feel that way once they all ended back in Long Island after school.

Bonnie did her best to drown that feeling out as Mikey left the house not long after his parents. The girl was going over scripts at the kitchen table when Mikey came trotting down the steps to grab a drink before he left.

“This is what you’re doing on all hallow’s Eve, prima?”

“What else would I be doing, Mike?” Bonnie grumbled, cheek pressed into the knuckles of her hand, “I’ve got a pretty demanding job even as a intern as a writer’s assistant.”

Mikey hummed as he flicked at the pages just for Bonnie to slap his hand away, “I thought a part-time job gave you some time to breathe. Do you even have a costume for Halloween?”

“I’ll most likely be at the office.”

“That’s not what I asked you?”

“We can’t wear anything crazy but I can get away with some headwear.”

Mikey snorted at his cousin, “cat-ears? I dunno…Doesn’t really seem like your style. You should have worms coming out of your head like that one lady…Medusa.” He snapped his fingers at Bonnie who scrunched up her nose, “because you’re a book-worm. Get it?”

“That’s not…I’m putting elf ear prosthetics on although I plan on being a fairy for the night…whenever I get off.” Bonnie answered, mumbling the last part.

Mikey pushed his lips outwards with a tilt of his head in thought, “I can’t wait to see that!”

“Actually…could you paint them for me? Please. They don’t exactly match with the rest of my skin.”

Mikey nodded glancing at the clock, “of course. Just remind me, you know I forget things sometimes. Look, I’ gonna head out. Will you be here when i get back?”

“I think I’ll be the only one here.” Bonnie dryly joked, knowing that her aunt and uncle went down to Jersey for the weekend and would be back in the morning sometime.

Mikey breathed out a small laugh, leaving the beer on the table as he went around to kiss Bonnie’s cheek, “try and have a good night by separating from work and have some fun, dammit!”

Once the door shut behind the bronzed man Bonnie let out a low sigh, “thanks for the invite!”

And that was the last time Mikey Diaz saw his cousin alive.

A hour or two had passed with Bonnie having to get up for a bathroom break. She tried to hold her bladder for as long as she could and until a commercial came on but that tequila always went through her pretty fast. Shaking out her damp hands, she was just exiting the half-bath downstairs when her ears picked up on the phone ringing. Jogging into the kitchen, Bonnie plucked up the device from the counter, answering it.

“Diaz residence, this is Bonnie speaking.”

“Bonnie!” Jimmy Farrell’s voice yelled through the phone making her sigh as she rested her elbows against the counter, “what’s going on? Don’t tell me you’re still at home?”

“Story of my life, Jimmy.” Bonnie replied, “where are ya?”

“Ya know, the usual, down by the bar. I’m using the pay phone outside. It’s crazy in there.”

“You would think people would have gotten their partying done yesterday.”

“Is that where you were?”

“Nah, that was Friday’s plans.” Bonnie winked, knowing Jimmy could probably picture that as he laughed.

“Ah, of course it was!” Jimmy commented followed by a brief silence, “it’s good to hear your voice, ya know?”

Bonnie couldn’t help it but she instantly felt herself chewing down on the tip of her tongue, although that did not stop the sudden words flying out of her mouth, “is it now? I’m starting to forget what all of you look like.”

“…what do you mean by that?”

“I’m saying…I know we’ve all been busy but it seems like the rest of you always have time for each other.”

“This got to do with Tammy and Mikey?” Jimmy was the first to know about Bonnie’s small crush on Tammy and Tammy was the first to know about her feelings for Jimmy back when they were all teenagers.

Bonnie’s hand tightened on the cordless phone, “I’m over Tammy and Mikey. It is what it is, I stepped back and I respect it. That’s what you do for family right? And It’s not just about them it’s about all of you.”

“What about us, Bon?”

“Why wasn’t I invited tonight?”

Jimmy paused.

“I—we assumed you’d be workin’? Aren’t you? Most of the time you can’t come out because you’re working. And you know you don’t have to ask, just come show your face.”

Huffing Bonnie clenched at her hair, “it’s just feels nice to be included sometimes, even if I can’t or I’m too tired to be there. It’s not something you guys should take personal…it’s starting to feel like you don’t want me around.”

“Who said that?! We love having you.”

Bonnie clenched her eyes shut, feeling them sting as she listened to Jimmy say this. Maybe it was the tequila that had Bonnie a little emotional tonight but a dance party for one might kick that feeling away. Right now? She was on the phone with her old childhood love interest and to hear how genuine the curly haired man sounded felt nice, yet the hurt felt more overpowering.

“Listen…I don’t mean to sound selfish or make everything about me. And I know I sound immature but I just needed someone else to know that I’m still here.” Bonnie felt her voice shake and Jimmy suddenly began to feel like shit.

He pulled at the cord of the payphone as he heard the tone of his dear friend’s voice change. Jimmy Farrell was always fond of Bonnie Polanco, sure he might have been head over heels for Jill Shore but he valued his friendship with Bonnie. He didn’t learn about Bonnie’s feelings until homecoming when they were sixteen and he and Jill called it quits for the 50th time. Jimmy took Bonnie to homecoming because he wanted to, not for pity or to get back at Jill. Jimmy liked spending time with Bonnie, she was driven, slightly spiritual, and allowed Jimmy to be his emotional cancer self—without judgment.

The least he could do was listen to his friend’s concerns.

“How can I forget? Pags and I always ask Mikey about you when we don’t see that pretty face in awhile.” Jimmy told.

Bonnie scoffed, “oh shut up.”

“Seriously! I’m not jokin’, I’m the main one always in your business and Mikey hardly knows shit. I’ve been trying to catch up, left some messages for your uncle to relate to you but I hear you don’t get home until almost eight every night! Are you out with someone else when you get out of work?” Jimmy ranted and it almost made Bonnie smile that someone still cared.

The answer was no.

Neither her uncle or her aunt told Bonnie that Jimmy called for her every so often. Part of Bonnie wanted to believe that it was because of time differences with Bonnie getting home at the latest during the week. However when Bonnie’s uncle did pick her up from work, there was never a conversation about Bonnie and Mikey’s friends. It was always about work with her Tio and with her Tia? She was more concerned about Bonnie’s love life and when she would be someone’s wife.

“Is this your way of asking me if there’s someone else?” Bonnie teased, beginning to move around the kitchen.

Jimmy rubbed at the back of his neck, “well I guess yeah! I want to make sure they’re making you happy.”

“I make myself happy.”

“Sure, sure. That’s fine and dandy,” Jimmy said, “but don’t you want to share that with someone else too? From what I can tell…you sound lonely.”

Bonnie was silent at that for a moment, almost making Jimmy think that the line disconnected. He was just about to say, ‘hello,’ when Bonnie came back in over the line.

“Whatever, it’s cool.”

Jimmy shook his head, not wanting his friend to brush this off. It was common for Bonnie to put things to the side at the expense of others and he hated when she did that.

“How’s Maya?”

See.

“Oh…you don’t know about that. We ended awhile back…she’s with someone else out there. Part of me saw it comin’ but it stung for a bit.” Jimmy stated.

Bonnie hummed. She’s only heard about Maya, didn’t have the chance to meet her but from what she heard Jimmy was smitten with her. Before Bonnie got the chance to meet Maya she was off again…without Jimmy.

“So that means you’re back with Jill. That’s tiring isn’t it?”

Jimmy frowned, “how do you just assume that?”

“It’s the same story all the time Jimmy! And you didn’t deny it.”

“I thought we were talkin’ about you.”

Bonnie summarized, “Okay. I’m lonely and you’re in a exhausting on and off again relationship that’s been going on long before I even got here.”

“We’re open…” Jimmy finalized but it sounded more like a question which made Bonnie laugh as she began going through the cabinets in search of another snack.

Jimmy cleared his throat knowing that there wouldn’t be much time left of this call, “look, I’m always gonna love Jill but we can’t keep holding each other back. It’s her time to go explore the world and the thing between Maya and I was just new, passionate but temporary. It probably would have always been that way.”

“Sexual?”

“Whatever.” Jimmy bit, “I’ve always been sure about you, Bonnie.”

Bonnie couldn’t help but to roll her eyes, “is that so? Meaning?”

“Maybe you’re what I truly need and I was just too stupid and too late to realize that.”

Bonnie was pacing now.

“Jimmy Farrell, are you drunk?”

“I’m sober. Didn’t even touch anything but water tonight for this exact reason. I needed a clear head to say what I’m thinkin’.”

Bonnie stopped in front of the door that led to the backyard. Her eyes went into slits as the automatic lights turned on to a silhouette in the backyard with something glimmering in their hand.

“…There’s a guy standing in the backyard with a knife, that you?”

“A what? How could I be there if I’m on a pay phone with you?”

Bonnie rushed to the door, making sure it was locked and quickly went to the front door to do the same. Next she went to the windows.

“Bonnie? Say something. What’s goin’ on?”

“Is it Pags or Mikey messin’ with me? Maybe they left the bar?”

“No. I would of saw them leave.” Jimmy swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked towards the front door of the establishment, “please tell me you’re pulling my leg just to get me to shut up about the possible idea of you and me getting together.”

“I wouldn’t go to this extreme and I think you know that, Jimmy.” Bonnie felt her heart race as she jogged around the house, turning the tv off to listen to any sound of the intruder.

Then she went back into the hallways to dig in the closet for the metal baseball bat her uncle kept in there. And when she kicked the door shut she was met with the same menacing figure holding a knife. The phone slipped from in between her cheek and shoulder.

Jimmy listened fearfully at the multiple thuds, objects breaking, and your scream that sounded through the phone. He also hollered your name just as the call ended.

The year was 1993; Almost ten years to the exact date when the crew lost Bonnie. It never completely erased from Jimmy’s mind since he was the one who found her and the last that held her. Jimmy Farrell became quite successful as a photographer, alternating his most of his career between Alaska and New York. He was excited to be close to home, in queens for a shared showcase with his old friend Mikey.

“I just want to thank you all for coming tonight,” Mikey started as a circle of familiar and some unfamiliar faces surrounded the two, “I also want to thank my brother Jimmy Farrell for taking the time out of his busy schedule to collab with little ‘Ol me on this very special project.”

Jimmy scoffed with a roll of his eyes as Mikey playfully shook his shoulder, “As you all know it’s not easy work stepping into the art scene and it’s been extremely hard for kids like us. The bridge and tunnel kids. We might not fit your standards but you can never say we aren’t determined, ain’t that right, Jimmy?”

“Absolutely.” He dipped his head, hands lightly clasped in front of him.

Mikey kept a square glass in his hand as he took a deep breath. Jimmy could tell Mikey was nervous and was honored that he picked him to share this moment with. If he stopped fidgeting, Jimmy would have given him a hand as a sense of comfort but he was aware that just him standing up there with Mikey was enough.

“I’ve been in a bit of a fog lately and couldn’t figure out why,” Mikey continued, “it took awhile for me to just do it. Just to be here right now, Despite what my parents said in the beginning and what the art critics said once I started to take art seriously. The last time I put something out was almost a year ago and I knew I needed a nice kick in the ass to continue my craft…which is why I reached out to Jimmy here.”

Jimmy raised his brows wondering if this was his cue to take over and with Mikey briefly holding his hands out to carry on, he took over speaking.

“Mikey didn’t have any consideration for time. My phone’s ringing off the hook and it’s four in the morning! With us having a four hour time difference and I’m thinkin’ whoever the hell this is, deserves a nice kick to the face,” Jimmy explained as he earned some laughter, “I pick it up, still half asleep and to my surprise…it’s Mikey Diaz. He’s one of the bridge and tunnel kids I went to talking to once every two months to talking to every day after that call. At first I thought it was horrible news however that call did change my life.”

Mikey joked, “along with the phone bill, Jimmy.”

“Hey, you started it.” Jimmy argued making Mikey place his hand on his own chest in surrender.

“…Which brings us to this piece here.” Mikey held his arm out to large canvas that was covered with a sheet, “I’m not sure how many of you know what really pushed me to be a artist. It was dark times and not just the rejection of a proposal and finding love with someone else.”

He sent a wink out into the crowd to his wife, Lucy, who blew a kiss his way.

“It was the lost of my cousin, also a upcoming artist, Bonnie Polanco.” Mikey went silent, staring down into his glass for some time.

Jimmy cut in, “she suffered a tragedy back in 1983 at the Diaz household in Long Island. She was murdered at the age of twenty-five and…someone like her can’t be forgotten. Her birthday is tomorrow and we always wonder what plays or movies she would have written and directed.”

“Bonnie should still be here with us,” Mikey found his voice again, “which is why Jimmy and I wanted to keep her memory alive for her thirty-fifth birthday this year. Bonnie was a writer with so much to say that writing was often easier than speaking most days. If you let her, she could go a whole twenty-four hours without saying a single thing but being around guys like Jimmy, another one of our friends, Pags who’s also here with us tonight out in the audience, and myself? We couldn’t have that.”

“Oh no,” Jimmy laughed, “she would always crack with me first though.”

Pags spoke up from the audience, “Yeah, sure in your dreams, Jimbo!”

“Whatever.” Mikey added with a laugh.

“It’s cool?” Jimmy pointed.

Mikey paused at that, picking up on the phrase.

He smiled at his friend as he suddenly ripped the cover off the canvas. His eyes scanning the picture in happiness before his eyes shifted to Jimmy who soon walked over.

“Wow, look at her.” Jimmy breathed.

The image was a picture Jimmy took of Bonnie mid-morning by one of the ponds downtown at home. Jimmy just purchased some film for his new camera and wanted Bonnie to be his first test subject. Sure he was doing a lot at that time, working her angles and even got down on the ground, on his back, to get this particular shot. She had her arm raised to shield herself from the lens but not enough.

Mikey ended up using pieces of the photo that was enlarged on the canvas while the rest happened to be painted by Mikey himself. Mikey also included pieces of her script, she was the only one who wrote in script out of the bridge and tunnel kids—unless they were signing away something.

“Bonnie was working on rough drafts of a untitled story. Most of these words that you see in her handwriting are from that story and some from her own: Q.T.J.—quick thoughts journal that she kept at my parents’ house.” Mikey explained, finally taking his eyes off the artwork to peer at the faces behind him.

Tammy had her hand covering her mouth, tears shining in her eyes.

Mikey turned back to Jimmy who said the next words with him, “This is: Bonnie’s Cool.”

Jimmy reached out to smack Mikey’s shoulder who grinned at him. This was also Jimmy’s first time seeing the image but once he sent over some photos for Mikey to use, he left that creative expression up to him and Jimmy was glad he did. He reached out to share a hug with Mikey who accepted easily accepted the invite.

“This is fuckin’ nuts man.” Jimmy held onto his friend who laughed.

Mikey squeezed the curly headed man, “Couldn’t have done it without ya, Jimmy.”

“…thank you man. Thank you for sharing Bonnie with us forever.” Jimmy found himself whispering.

Mikey began to respond but his words began to fade out. Jimmy found himself seeing Bonnie off to the side, watching as he embraced her family. There she stood, playing with the rings on her fingers like she often did when she was deep in thought. Her head turned back to the art and she found herself scowling at it with a small smile playing on her full lips.

“Thought I told you no photos and to get rid of it, Jimmy?”

“And why would I do that?” Jimmy asked, “It helps to look at when I’m missing you.”

Bonnie huffed in her gold dress as she peered over at Jimmy underneath her eyelashes.

“Whatever.”

“I love you, ya know? Even if we only got to explore that as friends.”

“Nah, I’ll always remember homecoming.” Bonnie winked.

Jimmy thought about that and laughed, “that over the top kiss we shared in front of that moron?”

“ well I enjoyed myself. bruce was being a asshole as usual and you did me a favor by not pushing me off when I planted one on ya.”

“Just for him to be here tonight.”

“Where?”

Bonnie followed Jimmy’s line of sight and grimaced, “and he was talkin’ all that shit about my weight in high school and look at him now? Ten years later, holy shit!”

Bonnie held her mouth open as Jimmy laughed at her, his eyes scanning every detail in her face.

“I wish you could really be here, Bon.”

“I know but it’s fine. I was going to say something corny like, im always here in your heart or something.” Bonnie answered with a shake of her head, making Jimmy snort as she continued, “I’m okay, you’re all doing okay and that’s all that matters.”

Jimmy swallowed, “…I wish we had more time. Wish I could hold you one last time.”

Bonnie stopped twisting her ring and began walking towards Jimmy and Mikey who still held onto each other. Jimmy felt his breathing hitch and closed his eyes as Bonnie got closer. He could still smell her, the light floral scent of baby’s breath—which was strange no doubt, and he wondered if anyone else was witnessing this. He hoped not, he wanted to be selfish and have this moment just to himself. However he knew Mikey felt the brush of coldness that engulfed their bodies in their embrace.

Jimmy and Mikey finally stepped back leaving Jimmy to pat his friend’s face who wiped and sniffed away some tears. They broke apart smiling as Tammy, Pags, Stacey and Jill came up to stand beside them…admiring Bonnie one last time.

⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘ * ⋆·˚ ༘

Continue along with my fall anthology prompts here

[ontheoddoccasioniwritestuff]

Valentines Day for Nerds (Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader)

Summary: Spencer’s favourite holiday is often taken up mostly by work, but this year his enjoyment doesn’t seem to be as disruptive in the BAU bullpen. The team soon realise why.

AN: It’s a bit late- who am I kidding? IT’S ALWAYS HALLOWEEN IN OUR HEARTS! This was a part of @imagining-in-the-margins fic swap, for the brilliant @agntprentiss <3 

For my smut fic from the swap, check out A Little Indulgence (18+ only!)

Reader uses she/her pronouns!

Word count: 1.7k words

Gif credit to @imagining-in-the-margins​ <3

Your name: submit What is this?

The first breach of boredom was Penelope practically skipping into the bullpen, her arms cradling a bouquet of flowers as if it were an infant. The bold orange roses contrasted with the dyed black petals of its counterparts as they were planted upon Spencer’s desk.

“Delivery for Doctor Reid!” trilled Penelope, clapping her hands now that they were free of said delivery. Dropping his pen onto his unfinished paperwork, Spencer pivoted the base of the bouquet before he found a small black envelope.

It held a little card with two pumpkins, happy faces carved into them both. Inside were the following words:

 Black is for new beginnings,

Orange is for enthusiasm,

Spooky times are afoot tonight,

Watch out for ectoplasm!

I spent ten minutes trying to think of a rhyme for that. Happy Halloween, Cara Mia!

Y/N xxx

Spencer beamed as he placed the bouquet at the edge of his desk, next to the fake severed hand that now held the card in its stiff fingers. He scratched his bristly cheek. Less than a day until he could shave this off. It’d be worth it though.

“Is it from Y/N?”

He looked up to see Penelope had lingered like a lost spirit, waiting to see if her trials of passing on the bouquet had been worthy enough for her to move onto the next world – her Batcave. She was poised with a hopeful expression.

“Yes,” Spencer said, watching Penelope lean up on her tiptoes as she tried to rein in her delight.

She clapped her hands, her purple painted nails clicking as they tapped together, “Are my two favourite ghost hunters up to much this Hallow’s Eve?”

“We’re going to see the Phantasmagoria re-enactment after we go trick-or-treating with Henry tonight.”

It was hard to ignore the absolute glee with which Spencer spoke. Even if one completely ignored the way his voice carried a light excitement, the way his eyes lit up and his broad smile almost fell off his face was enough to connote that he was very excited for tonight. It was also hard to ignore the mild bemusement on the faces of everyone who heard.

Glad to be back and bearing witness to his elated behaviour regardless, Emily cracked a smile, “Maybe she’ll cling to you when she gets scared.”

A heat crawled up Spencer’s neck and he tried to return to work now in hopes that his gift’s display would be cut off. He’d rather sit in the glow of receiving the flowers without mockery.

To the team’s credit, no one ribbed him for it.

The flowers were not the last gift though.

Soon Penelope reappeared, “Your Cupid has returned with another gift for you!”

As he tore at the paper and revealed an Edgar Allen Poe pin – the titular Raven he instantly attached it to his satchel strap – in pride of place, just like the bouquet.

Derek was the one to notice how Spencer’s sandwiches had been cut into little pumpkins. Some digging and Spencer revealed that he had gotten Y/N to order a cutter online. He held his lunch in one hand, his collection of classic Halloween short stories in the other, with a childish glee that no one wanted to squander.

When Spencer climbed the steps to drop off a file to Hotch around mid-afternoon, Rossi walking behind him noted the brand-new socks. A classic odd pairing, and obviously they were Halloween themed. This kid left no opportunity untaken when it came to celebrating Halloween – more than his own birthday.

But Rossi was not closed enough to get a good look at them, and no one else was as close. So, he recruited Emily and Derek to discover what the pattern was. It was Emily and Derek who upped the stakes by wanting to get a glimpse without arousing suspicion. Now that outright asking Spencer was not an option, the game began as they dropped several pens as an excuse to bend over and strain for a flash of those socks.

Derek eventually resorted to a pantomime attempt at tripping in front of Spencer’s desk and gave the jig up straight away by shouting to a stressed Emily (whilst also catching the attention of Hotch through his office’s blinds): “IT’S IT!”

A few language barriers hurdled later, and hindsight brought them both clarity. The red splodge on Spencer’s ankle was officially defined as a balloon.

“So tell us! What’s the other one?” Emily said, her voice strained with how much she was invested in this single sock.

Spencer hiked up his trouser leg to display the skeletal zombie sewn into the sock. “It’s Curtis Danko from When Good Ghouls Go Bad. Y/N had it commissioned for me!”

JJ was watching nearby, unaffected by the tensions of the sock bet. She knew the film because Y/N had wanted to show it to Henry the other week when she babysat him. But upon further inspection, the R.L. Stine film – while intended for kids – might be a little intimidating for Henry to watch without his profiler mother and godfather, police officer father, and favourite auntie there to protect him from the cursed statue.

No one else in the bullpen knew the film.

The team soon discovered that Spencer was not the only one to be on the receiving end of such gifts. Six o’clock rolled around and Y/N entered the bullpen. She was wearing a fuzzy black scarf, some sparkles shining within the wool. At the tail of it, a lucky black cat patch was sewn onto the end. It caught Rossi’s eye and he hid behind a folder as he smiled. The three times that Spencer had forgone a card game with him (in favour of knitting the scarf on the flights back from cases) had been riddled with playful teasing. It was good to see that it was worth it.

Especially when Spencer saw Y/N wearing it and his back snapped straight up. His chair flew backwards, spinning around with the effort that Spencer had launched himself from it, and he and Y/N embraced each other with casual affection.

“How was work today?”

“Not as boring as I thought. But, I have to say: I’m meant to call you Cara Mia.” Spencer’s eyes darted to the card Y/N had sent that morning.

Y/N caught onto his meaning, “Should I stop?”

“Never.”

She rubbed her nose against his and Spencer went pink again, giggling like a teenager. True, he was as smitten with Y/N as Gomez was with Morticia. Then he remembered he was in the workplace as Y/N went to greet the rest of the team, and Spencer’s pink became a scarlet.

“Aww, Pretty Boy,” Derek grinned at him from his desk chair, “You’re so cute!”

“It’s like Sergio!” Emily said, admiring the scarf with her thumb rubbing over the stitches around the cat patch.

“Make sure he’s safe tonight,” Y/N squeezed her hands for a second.

Then JJ appeared from her office, coat and bag over her arm, and she, Y/N, and Spencer wished the bullpen a Happy Halloween before they left.

They had three hours before the Phantasmagoria started. Plenty of time to get ready.

Henry was right behind the front door of his home. The second it opened, he bounced at Spencer’s feet, his tiny hand clutching onto two of his fingers to drag him inside. He was babbling away at such speed that Y/N could barely keep up. She gave Will a wave across the ironing board where he was diligently ironing Will’s cape.

“Well don’t you look handsome!” Y/N beamed at Henry while JJ combed his hair back, slick with gel. It was something he agreed to but only if Spencer was doing the same. Which he was, occupying the downstairs bathroom as he prepared his own costume.

The moment Spencer had finished shaving everything bar the moustache, he was plonked in front of the television. Henry smoothed out his cloak and put in his plastic fangs in to watch the rest of his new favourite Halloween film, The Little Vampire. He mumbled along with Rudolph’s lines and sat enraptured as he pointed out to Spencer the flying scenes. Luckily for him, Will and JJ were getting dressed as Frederick and Freda Sackville-Bagg upstairs to join in the Halloween spirit – last year’s Halloween date night disaster long forgotten.

Henry put in his plastic fangs and hissed at Y/N who emerged in her long sleek black dress. As she stepped across the room as elegantly as Morticia, Spence spied that she was wearing the black spiderweb tights he had bought her today.

“Hello, Gomez,” She smiled radiantly at Spencer, smoothing out his suit jacket as he stood before her. He presented her with a red rose that matched her lipstick to a tee.

As she breathed in the flower’s scent, he kissed her cheek, enjoying her giggle at the bristle of his ‘stache, “You’re stunning.”

“Thank you, and you’re handsome as ever.” She swung their linked hands between them in the opposite way she poised on her tiptoes. “Maybe we should have taken a tango class.”

And she laughed loudly at Spencer’s wincing at such a thought.

“It’s ok, Cara Mia. I’ll settle for a kiss instead.”

Oh, that was something he could do forever. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles then the inside of each wrist.

Unfortunately, Henry interrupted the stream of kisses that were headed in Y/N’s way. “Ready to go!” He skipped his way between the happy couple.

It was hard to be mad at Henry, especially with how adorable he looked beside his parents and with his bright orange pumpkin bag ready to collect candy. He felt safe with his four favourite adults guarding him.

“Tonight,” Y/N whispered into his ear and he could hear the smirk in her words, “After the Phantasmagoria.”

Spencer beamed, his dimples delightfully framing that smile. One day maybe, they would have their own Wednesday, Pugsley, and Pubert to join them. And maybe then Derek would dress up as Uncle Fester.

[magicmiss]

‘’In another life, we met and loved each other’’

[maagicmiss]

Levi in a future chapter

[super-unpredictable98]

Hard Candy (~Misfits AU~)

Chapter 9: You Can Be So Much Better

Warning: Strong language, weed, implied smut, mention of p*dos, death, and alcohol.

(Hard Candy Masterlist)

gif from: @fuckyeahmisfitsgifs​

- That... That ain't normal - Nathan pointed his joint at a group of young people gathered at the park.

- She used to go to my school - Alisha sneered - she was a huge slut.

- What are you guys talking about? - I opened my beer and joined everyone on a bench.

- That lot over there - Curtis said - bunch of religious freaks.

- Oh, I've seen them around, the Virtue weirdos - I squinted to get a better look.

- D'you want some? - Nathan offered me his joint.

- I don't smoke, gotta take care of the pipes - I pointed at my throat.

- Not even skunk? Have you ever tried it?

- Nope.

- C'mon, just this once won't kill ya, life isn't fun without a little mischief. You don't wanna end up like them, do ya?

- I used to be like them, Nathan...

- Wait, really? - Kelly turned to me.

- Yeah, when I was a kid I wore outfits like those with giant glasses and didn't have any friends.

- How did you become... This? - Nathan asked while taking the bottle from my hand to get a swig.

- This?

- Yeah, a sexy badass rock goddess.

- Well, finishing secondary school I decided that I wasn't happy with the person I was and I wanted to be someone different. You guys wouldn't believe what some hair dye, a pair of contacts, and a new wardrobe can do.

- Here - Nathan took a long drag - inhale through your mouth alright?

I agreed and parted my lips slightly. He exhaled the smoke and I took it all in before he closed the small distance between us with a kiss, leaving me covered in goosebumps.

- Like that, don'tcha? - Nathan's knowing smirk only made everything hotter.

- This is happenin’ with girls in my state as well - Kelly was still staring at the group - no one's even gettin’ pregnant anymore.

- What about your friends, Si? - I turned to face Simon, who was quietly standing a few steps away.

- I believe that's generally referred to as a paedofile ring? - Nathan joked and I pushed his shoulder in protest.

- I'm not a paedofile - was all Simon could say.

- Yeah? You'd screw your own sister for a slice o'cheese... 

- Fuck, Nate - I choked on my drink.

- I don't even like cheese - Simon mumbled.

- That makes it even worse, you sick bastard - Nathan replied while slapping my back to help with the choking situation.

- Oh, look, there's more - Alisha said as a young couple dressed just like the others in the park approached us.

- Oy, you! Why are you all dressed like dumbasses? - Nathan asked, clearly meaning to wind them up.

- There's a meeting in the community center tonight - the young man ignored the wind-up - you should come along and find out. All of you.

- Right, cool, see ya there, buddy - Nathan mocked once again.

- I know him, he used to be a riot case - Curtis gaped - this is weird...

I finally managed to stop coughing and watched as Nathan blew a stream of smoke between his plump lips. He noticed my eyes on him and winked teasingly.

- Can I have some more? 

- Sure - he passed me the joint.

- No, I want it the other way.

- Alright, you little tart, c'mere - Nathan signed with his finger for me to come  closer, a cheeky grin tugging at his lips.

-------------------------------------------------------

We waited for Sally all day, but she didn't show up, no one did. It was almost time to go and we had done absolute shit. I was playing soccer with Nathan while the others were chatting.

- Where d’you think she is? - Kelly asked.

- I think she's gone on holiday - Simon was even quieter than usual - she said she was going to Greece.

- Nah - Curtis leaned back - they would've sent someone to cover for her.

- We should phone probation headquarters and ask them to send someone now, to supervise us! - Nathan took the ball from me and was doing kick-ups to show off.

Alisha and Curtis quietly left after exchanging a look, at this point we were used to them sneaking off together, I did the same thing. We had this policy of "don't judge us we won't judge you".

I tried to steal the ball from Nate, but before I could, he kicked it really hard against the wall, right next to Simon's head.

Simon finally snapped and threw the first thing he could get his hands on: a box of pins that was laying around. Nathan screamed and tried to protect his face even though he couldn't possibly get hurt.

- Well, this is intense... - He unsuccessfully fought a grin.

Simon looked at him with anger before leaving the room, Nathan once again kicked the ball, this time hitting the glass door just as Si was leaving.

- Why did you do that? - I turned to him legitimately disappointed, he never knew when to stop.

- Do what? I'm just playin’...

I simply shook my head and ran after Simon. I followed him to the locker room, where he was getting ready to leave.

- Si, are you ok? Did you get hurt?

- No, I'm fine.

- Sometimes you just gotta ignore him - I shrugged - he'll get tired and stop. He thinks everyone takes his wind-ups the same way I do.

- But it's not like that is it? - Simon shut his locker - He's not nearly as mean to you.

- I'll talk to him, alright? I'll tell him to back off.

- You're the only person he'll listen to...

- Nathan isn't this monster you think he is - I brought his chin up to look into his eyes - he just likes to joke around, doesn't mean he doesn't like you.

- I just wanted to be his friend...

- Have you told him that?

- He'd laugh at me.

- Nate has a million problems and traumas, humour is just his way of dealing with it, deep inside you two are not that different. You're just the Eddie to his Richie, you know? 

Simon nodded and hugged me, it was really unexpected, but I just held him back. I can't imagine how much he must be suffering with all this, but there was something else...

- Thanks - he whispered.

- Si, what's going on with you? Did something happen?

- No, nothing, I just... I need to go.

-------------------------------------------------------

Next morning came and I was still thinking of how I should talk to Nathan about Simon. I was distracted with the music playing in my earphones until I noticed a girl talking to Nate in front of the Center while he rolled a joint.

I grabbed his hand and he smirked when his gaze met my thighs, barely covered by a red plaided skirt. 

He lit up the joint as we walked to the Center, I pulled out my earphones and did the same with Nathan. He brought me closer, blowing the smoke in my direction, I could get used to that... 

- Panic! At The Disco - he read my shirt - are they any good?

- Good? They are fantastic! My favorite band of all time.

- I better listen to it then.

Kelly, Simon, and Curtis were already waiting in the locker room, looks like Sally didn't come in again... 

- So, what's up? - I sat on the bench.

- Alisha’s gone mental - Kelly said.

- What? 

- She’s acting like a freak, we don't know what happened.

- Well, I gotta take a piss - Nathan groaned - hold that for me, Lyds.

He gave me the cigarette as he unzipped his jeans. I thought about taking a drag, but I would probably just end up embarrassing myself and coughing my lungs out. Kelly grunted as she turned away from the urinal.

- I'm worried about Lisha - Curtis sighed - she's saying all this weird stuff about sex, that she's saving herself until she's ready to make a proper commitment.

- It's a sad day for all of us when a bird like that decides to pull up her knickers - Nathan finished and turned to him.

- You realize that's my girlfriend you're talking about... How would you feel if I  made a comment like that about Lyds?

- I wouldn't mind, I know she's hot and you have eyes - Nathan shrugged mindlessly.

- Hey, Lollipop - Curtis gave me a look - your ass looks amazing in that skirt.

I threw my head back laughing at Nathan's face, while I strutted towards them to give Nate his joint.

- Alright, knock it off! - He shouted - Only I can call her that... You win, sorry.

- Have you finished? - Kelly asked.

- The beast is back in its cage - Nathan announced making me laugh even harder.

- Ew!

- He's asleep - He put one finger in front of his lips.

- I can wake him up - I whispered, grabbing Nathan's interest.

- Oh, someone's feelin' randy? - He waggled his brows with the cigarette dangling between his lips.

- Quit dickin' around! - Kelly scolded.

- It's that lot we saw yesterday! - Curtis pushed Nathan - She's dressed like that.

- It's the storm - Simon muttered.

- How d'you know that? You don't know that... - Nathan furrowed his brows.

- When weird stuff happens it's always the storm, haven't you worked that out yet?

- He's right, Nats - I nodded.

- Did you suddenly grow a set o'balls? - Nathan teased.

- I've always had a set of balls, you've just never seen them! - Simon's choice of words wasn't the best, but good for him...

- That is about the gayest thing I've ever heard!

- Shut up! - Kelly exclaimed - We need to find out what's goin' on with 'er.

- And you need to stop being such a wanker, yeah? - I folded my arms.

Nathan looked at me with a cryptic look before pulling me in with one hand on my ass and blowing the smoke from his cigarette in my face once again with a shit-eating grin.

- Sorry, what was that? - He caressed my chin with his thumb.

- Twat...

- Me? - He leaned closer - What did I do? 

- You’re a cocky bastard.

- It's not my fault you get horny so easily, Lyddie! Want me to take care o’that for you?

- But Alisha...

- She can wait twenty minutes, c'mon.

-------------------------------------------------------

We tried to do some research on the Virtue group, but there wasn't much to explain what happened to Alisha. All we knew was that they would have a meeting in the Center later that night. 

Curtis decided it would be a good idea to go and find out what happened. I offered to go with him, but he said he should go alone, they might get suspicious if too many of us show up willingly.

I went to work for the day and told Nathan that I would be back later with Kelly to give Curtis back-up, if needed, we could all eat and hang out for a bit there.

When I arrived, Kelly was already there with Nathan, both sitting in front of an untouched pizza box.

- Finally! - Kelly moaned - This dickhead wouldn't let me touch the pizza until you arrived.

- Well, I didn't wanna start without you...

- That's sweet - I kissed the top of his head.

I sat down and we each got a slice, I was starving so I didn't really mind getting a little messy.

- Someone's hungry - Nathan chuckled as he watched me wipe the sauce from my chin with the back of my hand.

- Haven't eaten all day, can't eat before you sing.

- Why not? 

- It can give you acid reflux.

- That sucks a big one - Nathan leaned against me - I could never do it.

We kept eating, chatting, and laughing, but I knew eventually I would have to get down to that subject:

- Hey, Nathan - I murmured - there's something I need to talk to you about... Why do you give Simon so much grief?

- I'm just screwin' around - he said with a mouthful of pizza - you know that.

- I know, but it's not screwing around for him, he has something going on, you're just making things worse.

- She's right - Kelly agreed - I've read his mind, he's been thinkin’ some very weird shit, just leave ‘im alone, yeah?

- Do you love him? - Nathan turned to her in all (lack of) seriousness.

- Dick! - She slapped him across the head.

- Ow, Jesus! Alright, touchy... I'll leave your boyfriend alone.

I was happy with the answer, hopefully now Simon would get some peace. 

- Is this a sock? - Kelly pulled something from under the mattress

- Oh my God... - I covered my mouth not to laugh.

- Ew, it's crusty - Kelly tossed it.

- Don't put that on my pizza! - Nathan snickered.

- Why d'you sleep with a crusty sock in your bed?

- Alright, y’caught me... It's my wank sock.

I snorted as Kelly stopped mid-bite and put the pizza back in the box. 

- Use some tissues! - She winced.

- That requires plannin', who's that organized? When you just knocked one out, you're feelin’ cheap and deflated with a pool of rapidly coolin' spunk on your stomach, you don't have time to get tissues. You need something to mop up with and it's usually a sock.

I simply took it off the pizza box and grabbed another slice, Kelly watched that  horrified.

- Are you really gonna eat that?

- I think I'm past being grossed out by anything Nathan does...

- Maybe your power is super-wankin' - Kelly joked.

- I am very good at it - Nathan replied - but I gave up, I obviously haven't got one, it's bullshit. 

- You're better off without it, they're a pain in the ass.

- You know why it is though? You can't improve on perfection - Nathan flexed his bicep.

- Oh, dear, you're far from perfect - I fake-pouted.

- Yeah? That's not what you said earlier... Look, but don't touch - he teased when I tried to reach for his arm.

I ignored his warning and wrapped my hand firmly around it. He silently watched me with that unreadable look on his face.

- You heard that, didn't you? - Nathan looked at Kelly.

- Yeah, it was fuckin' nasty, mate...

- What are you thinking about? - I felt my cheeks blush.

- I can't help it, ok? - Nate finished his pizza - I'm a guy!

- For fuck's sake... Can't believe you traveled in time to be with this prick, you're way out of his league - Kelly shook her head.

- You did what now? - Nathan widened his eyes.

- Fuck... - I knew this was gonna happen eventually.

- I shouldn't have said that - Kelly rubbed her eyes nervously - seems like you two need t’talk, yeah? I'm goin’ now.

- You're gonna leave me alone here? - I called after her while she went down the stairs.

- Well, it's your story.

- Thanks a lot, Kelly...

- I'm sorry! - She mouthed before leaving.

- So? Wanna tell me what this is about? - Nathan looked me deep in the eyes.

- It's a long story...

- We have all night, Lollipop.

I explained to him almost everything: our friendship, how I fell for him, how he turned me down because of his wife and kid, how he sent me the message to go back in time, how I essentially gave up my entire life to be there.

- And you did all this... For me? 

- I mean, yeah. You said I shouldn't give up, so I didn't.

- I don't even know what t’say, I just... No one's ever done somethin' like that for me before.

- Well, now that you know... Remember that girl from the bowling alley? The one with the glasses?

- Yeah.

- That was me.

- You? Wow, you weren't kiddin' when you said you were different... I'm sorry  about that whole thing, those girls deserved the beatin' you gave them.

- You saw that?

- Oh yeah, It was quite the show - he nudged my arm - so I guess that means  you've been havin' the hots for me for a decade now? All nervous and flustered when I said hi...

- Twat! - I pushed his shoulder.

- Lyds - Nathan nervously bounced his leg - there's somethin' I've been wantin’ to ask you for a while... After Curtis said those things t'you, I knew it was time. 

- Alright - I let my chin rest on my fists.

- You're the first girl who never asked me to change the way I am, I didn't even need to get you drunk before shaggin'! You're beautiful, and funny, and sexy, and you're the only one who can beat me at table football, so I guess what I'm tryin' to say is... Jesus, I'm completely shite with this feelings crap.

- What?

- Lydia - he cleaned his throat and ran his hands over his face a couple times - d'you wanna be my girlfriend?

I slowly stroked his cheek with my knuckles before kissing him hungrily. It felt so unreal, but at the same time so right.

- That's a yes then? - He giggled.

- Yes... - I took his face in my hands and kissed the tip of his nose.

- So the future, huh? What does it hold for me?

- A haircut, which I hope I can talk you out of, your curls are way too beautiful to cut.

- If you like them, they're not goin' anywhere.

The silence that followed this sentence was more meaningful than a million empty words we could say to each other. I made it! I changed the future, I rewrote history!

- Hey, you two - Kelly's voice was a scared echo - we've got a problem.

- What? - I leaned over the edge.

- Just saw those freaks, pretty sure they kidnapped Curtis...

- Shit - Nathan hissed, already getting up.

The three of us quietly sneaked into the probation worker's office to see what was happening in the meeting. The group entered the room with a few kids, including Curtis. The girl who was trying to chat up Nathan earlier was there, she seemed to be their leader. 

- We should go there - I reached for the door, but Nathan pulled me back.

- No, there's too many o'them and I'm not very good at fightin’...

- I can make a force field around us.

- How long can you hold it? - Kelly asked.

- I don't know, I never tried for a long period of time.

One by one, the leader stood in front of the new people and said something to them, it was like some sort of magic. She definitely had a power, turns out Simon was right... Again.

- She put one of those ribbons on 'im, they're all wearin’ 'em - Kelly whispered.

- You mean one o’these ribbons? - Nathan pointed at the box on the desk.

- Get some - I told him - we might need them.

For the rest of the night, we stayed there in the office. Only when the sun came up, we had the nerve to leave the room.

- Oh my God, Simon! - I sighed relieved when I saw him walking in - Thank God you're ok.

- Have you guys seen Curtis? 

- They got him last night - Nathan stretched with a groan - that was some spooky shit.

- Alright, we need a plan - I bit my nails - where the fuck is the probation worker anyway?

- You were suckin' up to her last week - Nate pointed at Simon - where is she?

- I don't know... - Simon nervously ran his hand over his hair.

- We need to tell someone what this girl's doin' - Kelly said.

- Oh sure! Help, everyone has stopped takin' drugs and urinatin' in the streets - Nathan mocked - this is every policeman and parent's wet dream... Come on, Barry, you're good at this stuff, think of somethin'.

- Who's Barry? - Simon asked.

- You are - Nathan looked at him as if it was obvious.

- His name is Simon - I raised my brows - I just said it two seconds ago.

- Is it? I thought it was Barry... Sorry, man - Nathan tapped Simon's shoulder as he stared back agape.

- No one else is gonna do shit, now it's down to us - Kelly shouted - we need t’get Alisha away from here, find out what they've done to ‘er.

- What about her power? We can't touch her - Simon muttered.

- What if that Virtue bitch shows up? - Nathan turned to me scared - We need to  gear up.

-------------------------------------------------------

We all ran around the Center looking for stuff that could be helpful. We ended up finding rubber gloves and each of us grabbed our iPods to blast some music, this way we wouldn't be able to hear whatever this crazy cunt was saying.

- Okay, Lollipop, which song should I pick? You're the music expert, enlighten me - Nathan gave me his iPod.

- I'm not a music expert.

- Well, you're my rockstar West End bound girlfriend, that's close enough...

- Girlfriend? - Kelly cocked an eyebrow.

- Nate asked me last night - I smiled.

- Finally... - She elbowed me.

- You might get a little deaf for the next few days, but at least you won't become a Virtue zombie - I selected for him the same song I selected for myself: "Thnks fr th Mmrs" by Fall Out Boy.

We wandered for a bit until we found Alisha, she was going into one of the storerooms, thankfully, alone.

- We take ‘er through the fire exist, you guys go 'round the back and make sure nobody's there, don't screw up! - Kelly demanded.

- We won't - Nathan assured her - let's do it.

Nathan, Simon, and I did exactly as Kelly instructed, we just didn't expect to bump into Curtis on our way out. He was very well dressed, just like the rest of the kids in the group.

Curtis said something we couldn't hear, Nathan and Simon replied, but none of us knew what the other was saying.

- Can you believe Sally didn't show up again? - I said, probably way louder than I intended - Hope she's not dead in a ditch somewhere... Right?

Curtis stared at us with pure confusion on his face, at some point we just gave up on trying not to look suspicious and left.

We ran to the fire exit, we could see Kelly's shadow and Alisha's too. So far everything was going according to plan. Nathan was saying something, without realizing that Kelly wouldn't be able to hear us. I took off my earphones and Simon did the same.

- How is she supposed to hear us? - Simon pointed at the iPod.

- Kelly, turn your iPod off! - Nathan turned the music off as well.

He started banging at the door, not thinking this would just bring more attention to us. Soon we could hear Alisha protesting while Kelly tried to drag her out. 

- Lydia! - Kelly screamed - Nathan! 

- Kelly, open the door! - Nathan shouted.

- They're coming, Kelly, let her go! - I kicked the door as a group of zombies walked in our direction.

- Help! - Kelly was definitely in danger now.

- We need to go - Simon grabbed both our arms.

- We can't leave her! - I cried - Kelly!

- Come on, now! - Simon urged.

I shook my head regretfully as we all ran away leaving Kelly behind. Those zombies seemed to be everywhere. No matter how fast we ran, there was always more waiting for us around the corner. 

We were next to the flyover when a huge group surrounded us, dozens of them coming from all sides.

- Use your power, save us! - Nathan pleaded at Simon.

- After everything you've done to me you want me to save you?

- Yes! Get on with it, you little freak! - Nathan shook Simon by the shoulders.

- Si, you can't leave me alone here, please, don't do this to me! - I felt tears running down my face, the last thing I wanted was to become that person I used to be.

- You were the one who told me to stand up for myself - Simon looked at me with sadness.

- Not when we're all about to be kidnapped! 

- I'll help you, but not him...

- I can't leave Nathan here.

- Then I'm sorry, Lyds - Simon murmured before becoming invisible.

- You're gonna save yourself? - Nathan looked around for him - You selfish bastard, I'll remember this! I thought we were friends!

I made a force field around the two of us as the zombies got dangerously close.

- I guess we're about to find out how long I can hold it - I gulped.

We just stood there for a while, the zombies waiting around the big translucent blue bubble. I had no idea how we would be able to get away... And that was when a man with an orange hoodie and a mask appeared out of nowhere, like a miracle.

- Get on! - His voice was muffled.

Nathan and I didn't think twice before jumping on his BMX, I know everyone says "don't ever get in a car with a stranger", but no one ever said anything about bikes... Nathan went on the back, I sat in the front, where usually you'd put a basket.

The man was insanely great at pedaling, we were able to lose the zombies in a matter of seconds. When we were far enough, he stopped, throwing us both out with the impact. 

- Who are you? - Nathan looked at him in awe - Thanks for savin' us, but you could've stopped less abruptly...

I dusted myself off and tried to take Nathan's hand, but the man grabbed my wrist and leaned in to whisper something in my ear: "You come with me".

- Hey, that's my girlfriend! You can't take her! - By the horrified look on my face, Nathan must've understood what was going on.

- Nathan, I need to go with him - I recognized his voice immediately - just for a bit, can we meet at Kelly's?

- D'you know him? - Nathan looked at me with worry.

- I just... I'll explain later, ok? Be careful, Natty, turn up the music again.

- Ok - he nodded slowly - you be careful too!

- I will, don't worry.

I jumped back on the bike and he took me away, leaving Nathan alone. It hurt me to leave him like this, but I knew I had a lot of explaining to do at the moment...