#the trailer is very uh…. cheesy. and i don’t get the music choice?

[wishbonemotel]

I… actually don’t completely hate the dragon age trailer….

[andrea-lyn]

For the holiday prompts- I love cheesy fluffy Hallmark Xmas movies, so one of these but insert Malex? Maybe Alex is a famous singer who is alone at Xmas cause his family sucks and the only people he surrounds himself with are people who work for him. Of course he's lacking the Xmas spirit cause he doesn't usually do holidays. He stumbles into (or gets stranded in) a small town and meets Michael. They fall in love and now Alex has this found family and is reminded of what's really important !!

I’ll Be Home For ChristmasMichael/Alex, Hallmark AU“What do you mean I can’tbring it in? The engine is rattling!” Alex protests. He’d taken the phone fromhis assistant when clearly no progress was being made. “I rented it from you, Ineed a new one!” The agency tells him that they’re very sorry, but being thatit’s the holidays, they have no other cars available. 

The best they could do was to send him to the auto repair shop in town and promiseto reimburse him when he returned it. When Alex Manes had made it big on the music scene, he thought he’d be donewith these types of situations, but here he is, as frustrated as ever. He’s notsure who he wants to blame here, but he’s pretty sure this one comes back tohim. He’s the one who’d wanted to spend Christmas in Roswell after his fatherand brothers had waved him off, too busy with their own plans to have Alex forthe holidays.Instead, he’d come to a place that held old memories.He hasn’t been here in years, but when his mother had still been alive, thishad been her absolutely favorite place, and it’s why Alex had wanted tobe here. If he’s going to survive the stupid holiday season, he might as welltry relaxing somewhere that his mother used to love – not that he enjoysChristmas, because in the Manes family, it’s just another holiday where yourfamily lets you down.“Find me the auto repair shop,” he directs his assistant, hanging up the phoneand pinching the bridge of his nose. She nods frantically and takes his cell from him. “Yes, sir, but um…”Alex narrows his eyes. “What?”“It’s just, it’s the twenty-first?”Alex stares at her, not sure where she’s going with this, but he’s not about tointerrupt. He waits and stares at his young assistant.“You said that I could head out today to start the drive back, so I could spendChristmas with my family. Because it’s really important to me,” she says,starting to look nervous. “I can find you all the information you need, but ifI don’t get going soon, I’m not going to be able to make the drive up to SantaFe to catch my flight. I…um…” she’s near to babbling and looks close to tears,as if Alex is that much of a grinch that he’d prevent her from spending timewith her family.Shit, he’s not that bad, is he?

He knows that he’d struck it big a few years ago with some of his solo stuff,but he’s tried as best as he can to keep grounded. Maybe it’s just that hedoesn’t get the point of these holidays and it reflects in hismanagement style. They don’t decorate his house or his trailer, no one isallowed to suggest Christmas songs for Alex to cover, and his team getsbonuses, but they’re not Christmas gifts.“Yeah, of course,” Alex agrees, hurrying to make sure he doesn’t sound like anasshole. “I can take care of the car. Just give me the information and I’lltake care of it. Small town like this, there’s nothing else to do, right?”She looks almost relieved enough to cry, which kind of makes Alex feel like anasshole, because is he really that much of a bad boss that his staff thinksthat he’d deny them going home to their families for the holidays, just becausehe doesn’t see the point of celebrating with his own?“Just tell me where I’m going,” Alex says.The last thing Alex is expecting is to be told to go to a junkyard lot,but here he is. He’s adjusting his leather jacket and sliding his sunglasses upto the top of his head, watching the whole town flock to the Christmas treemarket that Roswell hosts once a year while Alex stands there beside his rentalcar, keys in hand, wondering who the hell here is supposed to look at his car.“Excuse me?” Alex calls to the man in a Santa hat, working near the cash. He’scounting bills and swaying a little to the music that’s playing over theloudspeakers nearby. It’s blaring out, drowning out the sound of thetownspeople milling around. Alex reaches out to touch the man’s shoulder,trying to get his attention. “Are you the owner?”When the man turns, Alex swallows with an audible click.“Yeah!” says the most handsome guy Alex has seen in ages. Under the Santa hat, goldenhoney curls spill out like they can’t be contained, and when he grins, his eyesactually look like they sparkle in the lights. “Hey, hold on, you gotta just…”He closes his eyes. “Can’t miss my favorite part here.”Alex is so confused, but then the guy croons along to the music playing overhim.“Baby, all I want for Christmas,” he sings, loud and not off-key, butdefinitely not with any talent that would make him famous. He opens his eyesand points to Alex, hands over his heart as he draws out, “is you.” Alex rolls his eyes, which is the normal human reaction to that, but he alsocan’t help being somewhat charmed.“And all I want is my rental car fixed,” Alex retorts, jangling the keys.“Well, that’s me,” he says. “Michael Evans,” he says, reaching out to shake hishand. “Certified mechanic, temporary tree-lot runner, and mediocre singer.”After he shakes Alex’s hands, he takes the keys. “What’s wrong with it?”Alex gives a bewildered shrug, because if he knew, he’d try and fix it himself.“I don’t know. It’s rattling?” Michael looks him over like he’s debating what he’s about to say. He looks overhis shoulder to the other people manning the cash booth (a couple of women anda guy), then back at Alex. “Okay. Give me the keys. I can look at it during afew breaks, but it means it’s not gonna get done soon. You going to be okay ifyou stick around?”What other choice does Alex have? Beyond that, what else had he been planningto do?In order to go see his mother’s old haunts, he’d need to get a taxi and this feelslike the kind of personal thing that he wants to do on his own.“Fine,” Alex says, waving a hand to let him have the car. “I guess I’ll just…”He turns and stares at the trees, hears the holiday music, and looks at all thepeople decked up in red and green. It’s like the holiday spirit puked on thearea around him, but if this is what he needs to tolerate to get his car fixedby the town’s handsome mechanic, he can deal. By the time he turns around, Michael’s gone, but the women at the cash are eyeinghim with a speculative eye, which means Alex has probably been clocked. Heheads into the trees to get lost before this ends up an autograph session,winding his way around and finding a bench near a trailer near the back of thelot. He digs out his phone to text Kyle about where he is and the updates on hissituation, scrolling through texts and emails to pass the time. He doesn’t evennotice that most people have left with their trees because he’s started tolisten to some demos to give them approval, taking advantage of the time to gothrough them. It must be hours before the car is done, but Alex doesn’t actually notice thetime passing. The tree lot isn’t the worst place to spend an afternoon,especially in a quaint and quiet town like Roswell. Michael comes to get him eventually. “Hey!” he calls over to him, wiping offhis hands. He has to duck through the trees so he can hold out the keys to him.He’s still wearing the Santa hat, but his shirt bears a few new grease stainsnow. “Thanks for waiting. I know this place can be a bit much,” he admits. Alex stands, prying the air pods out of his ears. The sun’s gone down, so thejunkyard is illuminated by twinkling lights and the stars above cutting throughthe light pollution, and Alex’s instincts are to complain that he shouldn’thave to wait around like this, but on the other hand, what else is he supposedto do in Roswell?“You’re Alex Manes, aren’t you?” Michael says, handing over the invoice for therental company. “Sorry I probably ruined your eardrums earlier,” he jokes. “it wasn’t so bad,” Alex admits, standing and taking the invoice from him. He’sstill just as handsome now – maybe even more, because he tugs off the hat andhis curls spill loose with it. The soft twinkling lights highlight the anglesof his face and the softness of his lips and god, Alex wants to kiss him morethan he’s wanted to kiss anyone in recent memory. “So uh,” he manages, findinghis voice. “I’m new in town. What’s a guy do to entertain himself in Roswell?”“Well,” Michael says. “If you’re okay with waiting ten more minutes, you couldcome to dinner with me and my family?”That’s way more than Alex had been anticipating. “I…”“You’re not intruding. They’ve been curious about you since you turned up,”Michael says, and Alex’s mind flashes back to the people at the desk staring athim. “Besides, Liz’s family owns the local diner and you can’t leave Roswellwithout a meal at the Crashdown. You should come, have dinner with us. That, orI’m gonna bring it back to your hotel, but one way or another, we’re gettingyou to try it,” he warns.Alex laughs in protest. “Okay! Okay, I’ll come to dinner with you.”Michael’s smile is as beautiful as the rest of him; so is the way he breathesin and then holds it, like he’s trying to hold onto a little hope, before helets it out. “You won’t regret it.”Alex absolutely doesn’t. That one dinner turns into lunch the next day, then it becomes Alex hangingaround the junkyard with his guitar, singing his half-written songs whileMichael works on cars. With the tree lot packed up, it’s back to normal, butMichael keeps up the lights and the sound system still plays carols. “Myparents and siblings love Christmas,” he’d explained with a warm grin. “I loveit too.”“I don’t get it,” Alex admits, “The holiday spirit. I guess because my motherdied when I was so little and my father’s not exactly the warm and fuzzy type.Half the time, he wasn’t even there because he or my brothers were out of thecountry on a mission. For me, Christmas was just another week that I didn’thave a family.”“That’s really sad, you know,” Michael says, and pries his guitar back fromAlex. He sits in the back of his pickup and nods to him. “Come on, you can’thate it so much that you won’t at least sing along,” he coaxes, playing theopening chords of Winter Wonderland, and when Michael gets to, “a beautifulsight,” he winks at Alex, which makes him flush.He ducks his head down and sings with Michael, listening to how their voicesharmonize together and sound so right. It all feels right. It feels perfect. At least, right up until the moment Alex’s other life comes into town and burnsit to shreds.Alex is starting to love his lunches at the Crashdown. He’s made friends ofMichael’s friends and by now he’s in tight with his family, and they’ve alltaken him on as a project, sympathetic to the fact that he’s alone onChristmas. He drinks at the Wild Pony every night, then meets Michael forbrunch before he goes to work. Liz makes sure he’s well fed, Maria keeps himdrinking, and Michael and his siblings occupy his time with holiday parties andchores. Right now, he’s in the middle of helping Isobel stuff Christmas cards when hehears a familiar voice.“Holy shit, you weren’t joking about this place being a hellhole.”Kyle Valenti, as loud as ever. Alex tenses up when he sees the hurt onMichael’s face. He rushes out to meet his manager at the door, giving him awarning look even as Kyle pulls him into a hug. He’d said those things when Alexhad first come into town – trust Kyle to repeat them now, after Alex has had acomplete change of heart.“Outside?”“Nah, I’m starved,” Kyle says, pushing past Alex. “Besides, we’re not gonna behere long, so let’s grab some lunch and talk.” Alex tenses up, but he leads Kyle to the only other open booth, which is theone beside Isobel and the others. He’s not facing Michael, which is for thebest, because he doesn’t want to see his face after that first insult. It doesn’t get better.Kyle’s as direct as ever. “So listen, we got a flight to Bora Bora,” he says,once lunch is delivered and he’s in the middle of eating fries like it’s hisjob. “The rest of us figured that it’d be shitty for you to sit here in Roswelland sulk in some stupid town…”“Kyle,” Alex warns.“And since you don’t do the holidays, it’s perfect. The resort doesn’t go infor the festivities, so it can be an Alex Manes special. Get drunk, find a hotguy to sleep with, and then back on tour in the new year.” Usually, any other year, he’d be eager to hop on a plane and do exactly asKyle’s listed. Kyle’s not wrong, that is what he excels at, but somehow thisyear is different. Staring at Michael’s curls in the booth over, he knows why,even if he doesn’t want to say it out loud. “Anyway,” Kyle says, finishing with the burger and laying down a few bills topay for his lunch. “The tickets are back at the hotel for you, okay? I’ll seeyou at the airport and then we’re Bora Bora bound,” he says with an excitedsmile, squeezing Alex’s shoulder as he bounds out, unaware of the damage he’scaused in the course of a thirty-minute lunch. Alex slowly stands, heading back to join the others, but when he gets there, itlooks like Michael is on his way out. “I…wait…”It doesn’t help. “You’re leaving, huh?” Michael says as Alex settles. “I get it. Why would youwant to spend the holidays in a stupid little town like Roswell when you couldbe off living the rock star life with drugs and sex in some tropicaldestination.” He hasn’t looked up at him, won’t meet Alex’s eye. “Shit, BoraBora, if I had that kind of money, I’d go too.”“Michael…”Michael digs into his pockets for crumpled bills to pay for his meal. It hitshim, belatedly, that it’s Christmas Eve. He’d spent so much of his life tryingto ignore the holiday and the one year he finds something he wants, reallywants, and he’s losing it because of his life outside of this town.“I get it,” Michael cuts him off. “We’re just a town you pass through, right?It was never going to be anything.” He stares at his boots, shaking his head,like he’s talking to himself. “It was never gonna be anything,” he repeats, andbefore Alex can protest, he’s gone.In the hotel nearby, Kyle’s waiting for him to pick up the tickets and leave. Tomorrow,this whole town will go have dinner with their families and curl up by thefireplace exchanging gifts. They’ll kiss under the mistletoe and drink spikedegg nog, and they’ll be happy in a way that Alex is only starting torealize he wants.He wants it. It’s not just the holiday spirit and that warmth.He wants Michael. He wants the man who’s sat with him at every meal at theCrashdown. He wants the man who tells the dirtiest jokes to get Alex to laugh asloud as possible. He wants Michael, who drinks with him at the Pony and thendances badly to the Christmas music Maria puts on, who wears reindeer antlersat the junkyard while he’s fixing cars, who plays the guitar while Alex singsfor him. He wants him and maybe he’s starting to understand the Christmasspirit, because he wants to shower him in love and gifts and kisses, butMichael thinks he’s about to leave to go to Bora Bora.“Hey,” Alex says, glancing over to Isobel, who looks at him cautiously -- likeshe’s deciding how cruel to be in return for Alex’s insults about the town. “Doyou have a guitar I can borrow?”His equipment is back in Los Angeles and if he wants this surprise to actuallybe a surprise, he can’t walk up to Michael and ask him for his. When Isobeldoesn’t answer, he figures that she’s trying to freeze him out, but Alexdoesn’t have time for it.  It’s Christmas Eve, he only has so long to prove to Michael that he’s not theman that the world wants him to be, especially not right now.“Please, Isobel,” Alex begs. “I need to win him back.”That seems to do the trick. “If that’s the case, Maria can help,” Isobelsuggests. “The Pony’s always got music nights, and if it’s to win over Michael,then I think she’ll be okay loaning it out.”“Thank you,” Alex exhales in a rush, kissing her hand before he bolts to thePony to get what he needs. He has to show Michael that he’s not Alex Manes,rock star. Right now, he’s just Alex Manes, who’s a guy wanting to prove thatthere’s more for him here than there is on some island.By the time he gets to the junkyard, it’s started to snow. Big heavy flakesfrom the sky obscuring the stars, but it gives the world a glow, especiallywith the junkyard lights. Alex can see that the lights are on inside theAirstream and Alex heads over, standing under the twinkling lights a few feetfrom the door. He’s performed in front of thousands of people before, and yet he’s never feltas nervous as he does right now. “I don’t want a lot for Christmas,” he begins without the guitar, adding in thechords after, and playing as he sings. It’s the first holiday song he’s evercovered that wasn’t with Michael playing guitar for him, but when the Airstreamdoor opens and Michael steps out, Alex knows it’s the most important song he’sever sung in his life.Michael looks stunned to see him, but he steps down into the snow. He’s onlywearing a cream sweater and a pair of sweatpants, no jacket to speak of. Thesnow lands in his curls, dissolving as he gapes at Alex, open-mouthed. The cover he’s doing is slow and sweet, but the only thing that matters is thechorus to Michael’s favorite song. “Baby,” he sings, barely more than a softplea, “all I want for Christmas is you.” He doesn’t sing anything beyond that,cautiously putting the guitar down as he approaches Michael. He waits for a signal to stop.Alex looks for a twitch or a flinch. He looks for a single sound that wouldtell him that Michael doesn’t want this, but by the time Alex crosses the fivesteps separating them, he hasn’t seen a single one, which is why he feelsconfident grabbing Michael’s face with both his hands and kissing him under thetwinkling lights, snowflakes cascading towards the ground.He’s on the tips of his toes, like he’s desperately eager to make this kisslast as long as it possibly can, tangling his fingers up in Michael’s curls theway he’s thought about since the moment he met him days ago, and when he easesback, he’s still nervous despite the fact that Michael’s hand is tangled up inAlex’s leather jacket, like he’s going to refuse to let him go.“You’re an idiot,” Michael laughs fondly when they finally drift apart. “You’rechoosing me over Bora Bora? You don’t even like Christmas. You don’t even knowme!”He’s still not letting go.“This is the first time I’ve felt like I had a home or a family in years,” Alexgets out, his voice low and determined. “You’re the first person I’vefelt like myself around in ages. I think I’m figuring out that it’s not that Idon’t like Christmas, but I’ve never had someone to show me how good it can be.Fuck Bora Bora,” he swears. “I mean it. Michael, all I want for Christmas isyou, if you’ll have me.”Michael grins at him and Alex’s breath catches as he sees the lights reflectedin Michael’s eyes. “I’ve been dreaming of having you in about ten different ways,” Michael informshim, tugging Alex towards the Airstream as he wanders idly backwards. “I neverthought I’d get what I asked Santa for Christmas,” he jokes. “Maybe you’ve been a nice boy this year,” Alex suggests, traipsing after himwith a wide-eyed besotted look.Michael smirks as he steps inside, casting Alex a filthy smirk before he pullsoff his shirt. “Baby,” he says, and pushes Alex to the bed. “I’m definitely onthe naughty list for the thoughts I’ve had about you.”Naughty or nice, Alex thinks that they both got exactly what they wanted thisyear, and if anyone had told Alex that this is what he’d be yearning for at thestart of the year, he’d think they were insane. Now that he has it, he knowsthat the only madness would be not having this, not wantingMichael.With Michael finally in his arms, Alex isn’t going to let go.It’s rude to take back the gifts you’re given, after all.*It’s December 21st and Alex turns over in bed to see snow fallingoutside the window. He’s warm in bed, curled up with thick blankets, but despitethat warmth, he’s missing the body heat of someone pressed up against him. Heturns, with a whine of protest, sleepy eyes opening to see Michael sitting nearthe door, tugging on his boots, along with his denim jacket. “Wear the puffer,”Alex mumbles sleepily. “You’re gonna freeze out there in the tree lot all day.”Michael pulls on his other boot and wanders back to bed to give Alex a kiss onthe cheek. “I’m sorry, is my sleepy husband asking me to wear his expensivegifts?”“What’s the point of being a rock star if I can’t spoil you?” Alex asks,yawning in the middle of his words as he grabs at Michael’s jacket to try andpull him in for another kiss. “Your Santa hat’s by the door,” he mumbles, stilldebating whether he wants to go back to sleep.“Thanks, babe,” Michael says, adjusting the hat as it jingles and jangles.“Don’t forget, you’re on stage at noon to lead the carols,” he says, pocketinghis keys. Alex stretches his whole body out and stares at Michael with a happy grin,thinking about the days ahead and the activities they’ll be doing to ring inthe holidays. His house in Los Angeles has been sold, the fancy cars gone, andwhile Alex hasn’t stopped touring and has the same team supporting him, he’slearned an important lesson.It’s one thing to have a career that you love, but having friends and familyaround you at the same time makes life so much better.“I’ll see you there, Santa,” Alex promises, voice low and thick with the headypromise.“Thanks Mrs. Clause,” Michael teases as he goes, whistling a very familiar songon his way out, and as Alex falls back to sleep, the last thing he hears isMichael singing, “I don’t want a lot for Christmas…” under his breath, whichcoaxes Alex back to sleepy warm and perfect dreams about the life he’s made forhimself.

[lycorogue]

I Was Thinking Of You (full story)

You can also find it on AO3, or on FFN, or even on DA if you prefer.

So, I know that everyone is talking about “Miraculer” (it was a STUPID GOOD episode), but I also found out that “Silencer” finally got an English dub (along with “Bakerix” and “Onichan”). I figured I’d ride the potential Lukanette wave that could resurge with this dub release, so please forgive my shameless plugging. >3< This story was a birthday gift for the awesome @thetauruspixie <3

I Was Thinking Of You

Summary: Girls' Day derails when Marinette realizes the male lead of a romance movie reminds her of someone other than Adrien. (No tie-ins with “Silencer”)

Rating: General Audiences

Words: 3565

Status: Completed One-shot UPDATE: This story now has a sequel stand-alone story: Acting Weird

"Marinette!" Rose ambushed her classmate as Marinette walked the gangplank onto The Liberty. As Rose pulled Marinette into a tight hug, Juleka strolled up beside them.

"Yeah," Juleka mumbled, "Thanks for coming over." She didn't hold eye contact with Marinette, but she did brush her bangs off her face briefly.

"No problem. Thanks for inviting me over." Marinette smiled despite getting crushed by her petite friend.

"Rose!" Juleka softly scolded. Like a dog heeling, Rose released Marinette and scurried beside Juleka instead, her arm wrapping around Juleka's.

"It's fine, really." Marinette giggled. "Is everyone else coming over as well?"

"Mylène is already below deck, Alya should be here shortly, and Alix won't be able to make it. Her dad grounded her for rollerblading through the Louvre." Rose chirped as she pulled Juleka along to the stairs, Marinette following beside them.

"That sounds like Alix." Marinette shook her head, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face as they descended into the hull of the ship.

"Oh, hey, Marinette." Luka scooped up his plated sandwich and walked around the breakfast bar that separated the ship's galley from the main living area. His voice was as soft and soothing as usual, and he flashed her a gentle smile.

"Hey, Luka. Are you going to join us?"

"Yeah, we don't mind," Mylène chimed in from the sectional. She then pivoted a bit more to greet the girls coming down the stairs. "Hey, Marinette. Nice to see you."

"Same!" Marinette waved to her friend, but quickly changed focus back to Luka.

"Nah, that's alright. Thank you, though. It's such a nice day, I'm going to enjoy some sunshine on the deck. But you ladies are all welcome to join me if you'd like." He rested a hand on Marinette's shoulder as he passed her. "Especially you." His fingers slid back off her as he turned and climbed up to the deck.

"Subtle." Juleka mumbled as she shook her head, and walked around the sectional to sit beside Mylène.

"Huh?" Marinette struggled to get her bearings.

"He is so sweet!" Rose squeaked. "Marinette, I think-"

"Rose." Juleka shook her head. "Not the time."

"Oh, right. Sorry." Rose scurried around to sit beside Juleka. "Come on, Marinette, we were thinking of watching a movie today." She opened up Juleka's laptop and set it on the circular coffee table.

"What movie?" Marinette nestled herself on the other side of Mylène.

"Well, I was thinking we could watch the Ladybug movie." Alya stood about half way down the stairs, the DVD in her hand, and held up for the group to see. "Hey, girls, Luka told me you were all down here."

She was greeted with a quick choir of "hey" back from the group.

"Ladybug & Chat Noir again, Alya?" Marinette groaned. She could only watch an animated movie about herself so many times. Especially since it was barely based on fact.

"I thought you'd relish the chance to listen to Adrien's voice for nearly two hours." Alya hurdled the back of the sectional in order to plop beside Marinette.

"Yeah, but he's playing Chat Noir! I just can't take it seriously. He seems so overly goofy in it." Marinette held up a hand and turned away from her bestie. "As much as I enjoyed watching the movie, I need a bit of a pallet cleanser. We've been watching it practically non-stop since it came out on DVD."

"Alright, then what should we watch?" Mylène looked around the group, waiting for any sort of suggestion.

"Oh, I know!" Rose leapt off the sectional and sprinted to Juleka's room. Barely a minute later she was back out and snuggled next to Juleka on the sectional. "I love this movie! You're not sick of it yet, are you, Juleka?" She held the DVD out to Alya as she looked up at Juleka with puppy eyes.

"Nah," Juleka gave her a soft, half-smile back as she brushed her hair out of her face. "It makes you happy, so it's cool."

"Goodie! Girls, I think you'll really love it!" Rose hugged Juleka tight as she waited for confirmation from the group.

"Want of Two? Rose, what the heck is this?" Alya flipped the DVD over to read the back cover. "'Gareth has always been a loner, and he was convinced that it was by choice. Then he met Julia, an independent motocross racer in town for a tournament. Suddenly, Gareth realizes he's not as happy to be a lone wolf as he once thought, and he tries desperately to make Julia part of his life. Problem is, she's been burnt before, and has become a bit of a loner-by-design herself, only relying on her skeleton pit crew for both racing and emotional support. Is it even possible for Gareth to convince Julia to take down her protective wall? Or will he be forced to learn to live without her again once the tournament is through, and she moves on to the next town?'" Alya blinked a few times as she tried to register what she just read. "This sounds so terribly cheesy. We're definitely watching it!" She laughed and popped the case open.

"I'll grab the popcorn!" Mylène ran to the galley to start up a bag in the microwave.

As Alya put the DVD into Juleka's laptop, Marinette glanced at the stairs behind her. Always been a loner. That description of both main characters made her instantly think of Luka. She never saw him hanging out with anyone besides his sister and her friends, and she couldn't recall any friends mentioned aside from her classmates. For such a sweet and caring boy, Luka did seem to be quite the loner.

"This is going to be great, right, Em?" Alya elbowed Marinette, which brought her attention back to the laptop. "Something up?"

"No. Just was wondering if we should ask Luka again to join us."

"I don't know if he'd be into watching a movie," Rose offered. "He's really into music, and likes socializing with us, but I don't think I've ever seen him just sit and watch something."

"He prefers being more interactive," Juleka added. "Reading books and watching films or TV is too passive."

"Oh." Marinette gave the stairs one last glance as the movie started.

Everyone was instantly sucked into the cliché romance movie. Gareth was suave, charming, a bit damaged, and his actor was handsome. Julia was strong, humorous, wounded, and her actress was almost blindingly beautiful. The chemistry between the leads was palpable, and from the moment they were on screen together it was obvious that they both wanted the other, even if Julia denied Gareth.

The girls alternated between passing around the popcorn bowl and the box of tissues as the drama continued to unfold between the leads. Scenes were also frequently accompanied with hushed mutterings of how the leads had characteristics that very much matched Ivan, Nino, or Juleka, depending on the situation.

Gareth's attempts to get Julia to fall for him was also very much like Chat Noir, Marinette quietly contemplated as the movie slid into its third act. In an instant she went from rooting for Julia to accept Gareth to hoping Gareth learns his love for her is enough; he didn't actually need them to be together.

In the end, Julia did open up to Gareth, who became part of her pit crew and toured with her on the motocross circuit. They rode off in the trailer together, the wind blowing through the windows, whipping Julia's short hair around her face as she gave Gareth a loving gaze. Her crew were all in the back, smiling at Julia's happiness. The trailer disappeared down the highway, and the credits started to roll.

"Wasn't that beautiful?" Rose squeaked as she blew her nose. Juleka instantly wrapped an arm around her, and rubbed her shoulder.

"Gareth is so much like my Ivan." Mylène pulled her knees up and hugged them; a huge grin on her face. "He seems like a loner, but he's really this gentle soul who wants to be loved. I'm so glad someone saw that."

"I get that, but I thought Gareth was more like Nino." Alya walked the empty popcorn bowl to the breakfast bar. "He was actually pretty goofy when he thought he could be himself. He was also willing to do whatever it took to defend Julia; a protector first and foremost. That's my man to a T."

"Goofy romantic also describes Rose," Juleka added with a little smirk, making Rose blush slightly.

"What about Adrien though?" Alya grew her own smirk as she leaned on the sectional back behind Marinette.

"Wh-what?" Marinette nearly fell off the sectional as Alya leaned in closer.

"I'm sure you saw bits of Adrien in Gareth as well, girl. So, what parts reminded you of him?"

"Was it his chiseled body and green eyes?" Mylène held up the DVD cover, which had Gareth and Julia on the front.

"Maybe it was how kind he was to everyone as he tried to make friends of his own?" Rose wiped more tears off her cheeks as she leaned into Marinette.

"Or how he never knew who his father was?" Juleka offered.

"Oh! Uh-" Marinette blushed as she realized it was actually Luka whom she was thinking of the whole movie. She never really knew much about Luka and Juleka's dad, or if they even had the same one. They never really talked about him. Luka was also a bit of a loner, even though he was one of the sweetest people Marinette had ever met. He seemed willing to do whatever it took to make his sister and her friends happy; anything to make sure Marinette was happy.

"I dunno. It's different for me and Adrien. We're not a couple."

Alya leaned further over the back of the sectional, making herself eye level with Marinette. "Yeah, but-"

"But nothing. He sees me as just a friend, so what's the point?" Marinette slid off the sectional. "Excuse me. I think I just need some air." She walked around the sectional and Alya, never taking her eyes off the floor.

"Marinette?" Rose stood, but Juleka grabbed her wrist and shook her head.

"Luka," Mylène mouthed to Alya, who nodded back and watched Marinette climb the stairs.

Marinette was greeted instantly by the sorrowful strumming of a lone guitar as she reached the deck. Luka sat at the bow, his eyes closed as he played. Nearly a quarter of his sandwich still sat on his plate beside him.

"Hey, Luka. I hope I'm not interrupting."

He didn't stop playing. He simply opened his eyes and slowly raised his head to acknowledge her.

"Not at all. Why aren't you hanging with your friends?"

"Well, they're your friends too, aren't they?" Marinette walked to the bow and leaned against it as Luka continued to play.

"I suppose they are, but you ladies need some time to yourselves too, don't you? I'm sure it could be weird to have Juleka's older brother hanging with you all the time."

"I wouldn't mind." Marinette truly wouldn't mind Luka spending as much time as possible with her, but at the same time, she knew he was right. Especially when she had Adrien Problems, it would certainly be weird to have Luka in the room too.

"You're very sweet, Marinette."

"This is a sadder song than you normally play." She moved his sandwich off the wooden crate beside him so she could sit down.

"I guess it was a bit of a sadder day, but it does seem a bit brighter now that you're with me." He shifted his fingers to a higher octave, and plucked the strings instead of strumming them. He even added some extra percussion beats by periodically tapping the guitar with his hand. It still had a soft melancholy undertone to it, but the new melody made Marinette smile.

"You shouldn't feel afraid to ask if you could hang out with us if you're feeling lonely or down."

"I appreciate the offer. You're always so kind, caring for others like that."

"Well, what about you? I feel like you're the one cheering me up every time I see you."

"About the same subject too, it seems."

He was right. She first met Luka while she was upset about Adrien not being able to come to the Music Festival. He had played a song to perk her up, and was kind to her until she smiled. Then she was upset about being a third wheel on Adrien's date with another woman. Yet again, Luka played her a song to lift her spirits and to vocalize, so to speak, the sorrow she had in her heart. At the ice rink, he did all he could to distract her from Adrien's date, in order to again make her smile. It nearly worked, too. Even at the end of their pseudo-date, Luka directed Marinette to talk to Adrien about her feelings. She had chickened out in the end, but it was sweet to know that Luka was cheering her on.

"Yeah, but I don't need help with that today. So today it's your turn." She gently bumped his shoulder with her own, careful to not hit his arm and disrupt his playing.

"You know what? I think just having you here is enough." He smiled at her, and switched up his fingering again. The melancholy left his song. His eyes closed and his head swayed a little as his fingers danced against the strings.

"Luka? If you don't mind me asking, do you have any friends outside of my classmates?"

He stopped playing.

"I like you guys. I don't really need any friends besides your class. You're all some really cool kids. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I guess we are, but don't you have any friends from your own class? School seems like it would be boring without friends with you."

"It is, but things are different for my grade. We weren't taught to be as accepting and loving as you guys were. I just don't fit in with them, but that's fine, because I truly enjoy having all of you as my friends."

"That's so sad. I'm sorry you don't really connect with your classmates."

"Don't worry about it. It gives me time to think about my songs. Ones like this."

The notes were slow at first, but quickly picked up until they were practically skipping off the strings. Marinette couldn't help but smile as she tapped her foot along, and her head swayed in time with his. There was so much life and optimism in the song. So much cheerful energy. She could picture a lively strut through the bustling streets of Paris as Luka played each note. All too soon, the song ended.

"That was amazing! What was your inspiration?"

"You were, actually."

"Oh!" Marinette blushed as she looked at her knees, her hands gripped hard on each side of the crate she was sitting on.

"You're a very special person, Marinette. You're so upbeat, and cheerful, and determined whenever you're helping your friends. This is the song that should be playing whenever you're around, and the song that plays in your heart every moment of your life. If I could, I'd chase all sadness from your heart so the proper song could play within it instead."

"Luka, I-" He was so sweet. He was always so kind to her, and he was gentle. He was romantic, and subtly suave. He never once pressured her, and always wanted what was best for her. Could he truly be attracted to her as well? Was it possible that he didn't just think of her as a friend like Adrien did?

"I'm sorry. I know you like Adrien." Luka shifted away from Marinette. "I just wanted you to know the kind of life a girl like you deserved."

"Luka, we're friends, right?" She still couldn't bear to look at him. She was probably wrong. Luka was older than them. Marinette was his younger sister's friend and classmate, and Luka probably just thought of her as a surrogate sister.

"I will always be your friend, Marinette."

"I thought so." Another friend. She enjoyed having him in her life, and was glad that they were friends, but it figured that was all Luka wanted from her as well.

"Did you not want us to be friends?"

"No! No I do!" Marinette flailed her arms about a bit, nearly smacking Luka in the face. "I just- With that song, I thought- Nevermind."

Luka's grip tightened around his guitar. His eyes wide and gorgeously teal.

"Marinette? Did you want us to be more than friends?"

She wasn't sure. An hour ago, even ten minutes ago, she would have told him no. She was in love with Adrien, not Luka. However, Luka was right there. He was kind, and made her smile. She didn't stammer (as much) around him, and she loved spending time with him. It was clear that Adrien wasn't going to see her as more than "just a friend," but maybe Luka did. She deserved happiness, right? That's what Luka told her. So, maybe she could let her heart have him instead of Adrien.

"I- I don't really know. But, I think-"

Luka put down his guitar and leaned in close, so tantalizingly close. His eyes never once drifted from hers. It felt like he was searching her very soul, wishing for a specific answer, and she hoped she had the right one for him.

"Do you know how I feel, Marinette? About you?"

"I think so."

"If you aren't positive, I'd love to spend as much time as you need convincing you, but only if that's what you want."

"I do. I think I really do." Marinette leaned closer as well.

"I want you do to this for you, not for anyone else."

"I am."

Luka raised his hand to Marinette's jawline, and let it hover close enough to her cheek she could still feel his body heat.

"You sure?"

She nodded, and rested her hand on his, pressing it against her cheek. Her heart raced as she felt his fingers against her skin.

"Then, may I?" Luka whispered as his lips crept closer to hers.

Marinette nodded again.

He pulled gently on her jaw, angling her face better as his lips lightly brushed against hers. It was a sweet, chaste kiss, but electricity still shot through Marinette. Her arms moved on their own. One wrapped around Luka's waist, as the other reached up for his hair, holding him against her.

Luka actually liked her back. He wasn't Adrien, and that felt surprisingly amazing. There were no games. There were no nerves. She could reach out for him whenever she wanted, and he could do the same. His lips felt so soft, and his hair silky, but it was more than that. Her heart was playing the song Luka had written about her.

Far too soon, Luka pulled away, instead resting his forehead against hers.

"I can't believe I could ever be this lucky," he whispered.

"I'm the lucky one." Marinette discretely shifted her hand to her purse, wondering if Tikki's luck brought Luka to her.

Their quiet moment instantly imploded as four voices hooted at the top of their lungs, cheering and clapping for the couple. Marinette jumped as she turned to see Juleka, Rose, Alya, and Mylène at the top of the stairs, celebrating.

"How romantic!" Rose chirped and nuzzled her folded hands, one foot popped behind her.

"Well, so much for Adrien, I guess." Alya teased before giving Marinette a thumbs up.

"It's about time you two got together. Ivan and I were wondering what was going on between you two, and you know it had to be obvious if Ivan noticed it."

"I'm so happy for you," Juleka intoned.

Marinette blushed, but Luka took her hand, and she instantly felt fine. She was happy the girls found out. She wanted the world to find out. She was happy, and Luka gave that to her.

"Thanks, everyone. Sorry if I interrupted Girls' Day." Luka gave them all a soft smile, and Marinette instantly noticed it wasn't the same one he always gave her.

"This is way better than 'Girls' Day'." Rose ran over and pushed Luka and Marinette closer together. "Oh! We all need to set up Group Date Night!"

"Yeah, Nino has got to hear about this." Alya was already dialing as she walked to the stern of the ship.

"I need to let Ivan know too." Mylène briefly bounced on her toes before jogging back below deck to make her own phone call.

"Come on, Rose, let's give them space." Juleka took Rose's hand and pulled her below deck as well.

"Well, that got out quick," Luka chuckled, a bit embarrassed.

"I'm glad." Marinette tucked herself against Luka's side.

He again tapped his forehead against hers, his eyes closed as he took her in through that simple touch.

"Me too." He pulled back enough for their eyes to meet. "Do you mind if I indulge myself a little?"

Marinette brushed Luka's cheek, directing him back to her. "Only if it means I can too."

Their lips met once more, and Marinette hoped she'd never get used to the electricity that shot through her.

[doux-amer]

I FINALLY SAW CAPTAIN MARVEL AND I GOT EMOTIONAL WATCHING IT. Okay, calming down now. As a lot of you know, my expectations were low as the marketing was lackluster, I was nervous about certain choices that were made, etc., and even though I avoided any CM chatter, I heard murmurs of mixed reactions...so my expectations were pretty much on the floor when I went to see it. I just hoped it would be fun even if it was okay, but uh...I REALLY ENJOYED IT. It’s not perfect and when I was talking to Alanna, she said people said it reminded them of CA:TFA (it really does in certain ways and I get why they said it, but TFA, for all its cheese and its weaknesses, is one of my favorite MCU movies lol). BUT! I! LOVED! IT! I don’t care about the unevenness because all that fell to the wayside by the sheer, all-encompassing joy I felt watching it. 

This is how I wanted to feel watching Wonder Woman because I adored Diana as a little girl and it didn’t happen although I kept quiet about my disappointment because I wanted people to go support it anyway as it was super important that it did well. THIS THOUGH. I wanted to punch my fist in the air so many times and laugh and hug and hang out with Carol. I JUST. GOD. 

I’ve experienced unfettered happiness and fun before with Marvel—that’s how I felt with The Avengers and with Spider-man: Homecoming. But this? This was the first time I was a fan of someone from the comics before seeing a movie and seeing it come to life the way I so hoped she would. It was extremely special because of that particular element and I got emotional because of it which I didn’t expect. I really felt disconnected to Carol from what I saw in the trailers and was afraid the movie wouldn’t resonate because it would be very white feminist-y. It wasn’t. And that hero on the screen? THAT WAS MY GIRL CAROL. I’m kind of getting slightly misty-eyed writing this. But GOD, I waited years for this and it’s just overwhelming wth!

I’m going to do my usual bullet points. If you want to avoid spoilers, scroll past this long post:

I was turned off by the silliness of the trailers and Carol’s more serious moments came off as unconvincing in them, so I expected not to connect with her. I WAS WRONG. I GOT MY GIRL. I’M WEEPING! She’s emotional! She’s feisty and bullheaded. She can be serious and fueled by anger. She can be fun even when she’s a fierce warrior, but not to the point that it’s distracting! Her humor is very much her own and very much Carol. It’s not witty. It’s goofy. She clearly finds herself hilarious which I LOVED. SHE’S SO DORKY, SMILING AT HER OWN JOKES. 

The movie stayed away from what could have been a cringeworthy white savior undercurrent by making Carol culpable in the suffering of the oppressed. I know the Skrulls are aliens and look like them unlike the other aliens we’ve seen who you can’t exactly forget are played by POC characters, but lbr that narrative is about refugees and...look at current events lmao. As a Kree warrior, even if she unknowingly participated in the Kree-Skrull war ignorant of the truth, she hurt a lot of innocent people. And that’s great! It’s not that she was this pure person swooping in to save the weak or whatever. This is something she had to grapple with once her memories came back and her eyes were opened and she knew she had to make amends.

It reminded me strongly of Tony in IM1 with Obie dealing under the table to terrorists and becoming a part of a corrupt machine without meaning to. It didn’t matter that that was the case; he still felt responsible and accountability became a huge part of his story.

This origin story reminded me of Cap’s, not because of the whole military aspect to it lol but because of how she’s “just human.” Carol never gives up and Steve doesn’t either. They get knocked down? They’ll shake it off and stand back up. I might’ve gotten a little emotional here too which I didn’t expect. Plus she wanted to prove to herself that she could do whatever the hell she set her heart on. The other parallel was the whole fighting for the government/military who end up not being so great and going rogue thing.

It made me sad because we won’t get the Steve-Tony-Carol friendship we so deserve, but lol while the credits were rolling, my sister was like “Yeah, Tony’s going to die” because she’s the obvious successor. Originally she said it was because of his powers when I asked why and then she agreed when I pointed out that it’s not just because of his powers, but in terms of personality and a whole slew of things that reminded me of him AND Steve (it’s like Peter in CA:CW and SM:H). She feels like the linchpin holding the MCU together like them too. 

Like the fact that Carol was the reason for the Avengers’ existence! That was obvious, but that scene where Fury’s typing on the computer and he looks at that photo of her before changing the name of the initiative? HM....I WAS VERKLEMPT.

Also, I loved how they made her get her powers. It wasn’t an accident. No one sacrificed their life for her. She got her powers because of her own actions. She got her powers because she was being a HERO. SHE IS WHO SHE IS BECAUSE OF HERSELF. LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!

Speaking of that, I was surprised by the Mar-Vell plot twist because we all thought that would be Jude Law and I expected Annette Bening to be someone else (who she sort of ended up being anyway) lol. I didn’t mind that they did that. Love that she was Carol’s mentor.

I loved the female relationships. CAROL AND MARIA’S SCENES. MARIA BELIEVING IN HER. MARIA TALKING ABOUT HOW HARD IT WAS FOR HER AS A SINGLE MOM AND A WOMAN IN THE AIR FORCE, BUT CAROL DIDN’T CARE ABOUT THAT. THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR LIFE TOGETHER...BINCH...I MAY HAVE BLINKED OUT A TEAR!!!!! Carol being cute with Monica! Monica urging her mom to be a hero while Maria wanted to watch out for her because she has Monica to think of now, not just herself. Monica being responsible for Carol’s Captain Marvel getup! Carol and Maria getting involved with Lawson because she was their ticket to proving themselves and moving up! 

And yet the movie didn’t get too hammy and heavy-handed with feminism (I hate it when some people write stuff that way because I find it extremely sloppy and ineffective)! We didn’t have to have a female villain just because we had a female lead superhero. We didn’t have to have moments where Carol says preachy lines. That moment where she just raised her eyebrow at the motorcycle dude? Fantastic. She didn’t have to deal with that scumbag. That moment where Yon-Rogg tried to pull a typical Man Move TM by trying to make her prove herself to him (and trying to take ownership of her development and strength)? She didn’t have to be all cocky and say some quip or cheesy af line. She wasn’t even that angry because he’s not worth it. He’s an ant beneath her foot. He’s irrelevant. She just says it straight up that she doesn’t have to prove anything to him, and that was what made that so powerful for me. It resonated because she said it like it was the truth, plain and simple, and it WAS. 

No romance shoved in not because Carol didn’t need no man as a Strong Woman but because there are more important things at stake and honestly, the romance was with her wife Maria her relationships with other humans and the Skrulls were the emotional crux. They’re an important part of who she is and of rediscovering her identity. God...like her relationship with Fury? So well done. It was the buddy cop movie that I so wanted. I loved their jokes and their mutual respect for each other. I love how they became so important to each other and we saw Fury deeply care about someone and showing that. One of my favorite scenes is the one where they’re washing dishes together. 

They also didn’t shove Coulson in too much which I was afraid of. We got to see where Fury started off, a greener one but one who was as compelling because he was so human. We got to see Fury deeply caring about someone and so openly (this is the guy who said, “I'm just an old man who cares very much about you“ to Tony in AoU). It was nice seeing how the whole belief in superheroes thing truly started with the both of them (Coulson had his whole Cap thing, but I feel like this was the moment where he imagined having a hero like that in his own time was possible).

Uh let’s see. I love Goose. I don’t particularly care for animals in movies even though I know people obsess about them, but they didn’t overdo Goose’s part. 

All the little callbacks to the comics! KSD showing up! 

The period part of the period piece wasn’t overdone which I appreciated. Carol typing made me laugh, the slow download and AOL shoutout made me laugh, and damn, the fashion and music? I was over the moon. You didn’t have to go over the top to make us immersed in the 90s. Also, my heart sang when we got Carol on a bike on the open road in a leather jacket. The bliss I felt is indescribable tbh.

Ooh the special effects were good for the most part! Loved seeing her fly and loved seeing her gut ships and destroy missiles. It felt real. Space didn’t feel cheesy af to me which was a problem I had with GotG 1. 

Speaking of flying and punching things, it was so viscerally satisfying to see her do that. One of the things that really did it for me was how she enjoyed her powers. It was exhilarating seeing her fly for the first time (similar to seeing Tony taking out the suit for a test flight in IM1). Her little laugh/whoop of excitement? That’s what it would be like to discover you can fly! That grin when she breaks free of the Kree dampening her powers and she can feel her powers at full force running through her? That’s what it would be like to be at 100% and have all that. I wanted to jump out of my seat and feel what she felt. It made her powers not feel very OTT-overpowered? Carol has....too many powers and is super strong to the point that she’s overpowered, but uh...idk I didn’t have a problem with it here, mainly because of this. 

The post-credits scenes were good too like....WOW, HUH. I watched this in Dolby (my first Dolby experience!) and I GOT EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY THIRSTY OVER STEVE IN A BEARD AND OUT OF HIS SUIT AND A TIGHT WHITE SHIRT!!! I DON’T KNOW HOW I KEPT IT TOGETHER BECAUSE I ALMOST DIDN’T WHICH WOULD’VE BEEN EMBARRASSING. BUT PHEW!!!!!! STEVE? WHAT A *****!!! Thought the scene was nice too even though I wish Carol got better hair. I assume she flew and that’s why she looks so bedraggled, but uhfhghdaoifhas I hated her hair in this and want Carol to get the nice hair she deserves (preferably a short butch cut...thanks. C’mon, Brie wants it too). OH, ALMOST COMPLETELY FORGOT TO MENTION THAT IT BROKE MY HEART TO HEAR HER SAY, “YOU CAN’T TELL ME WHO I AM. I DON’T KNOW WHO I AM” AND TO NOT KNOW WHERE SHE BELONGS. SHE’S NOT KREE, BUT SHE’S NO LONGER FULLY HUMAN NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF HER POWERS BUT BECAUSE OF HER LIFE ON HALA AS WELL. I loved how we saw her journey to accepting that and who she is now and how that was all tied up nicely with her wearing her old leather jacket the Rambeaus kept for her and her new suit as she goes into space. What a great moment and a nice visual cue to a comics cover I really like of Carol wearing her jacket over her suit and staring up at the stars. I feel like trying to find her place and her identity are important to her so I loved that we got that here and we’ll hopefully see more of that.

There are a bunch of negatives here (a bunch of stuff about the Tesseract that go against canon, the Skrulls (makeup, personalities, nerfed powers and threat level imo, etc.), subpar writing and acting at moments, etc.), but I seriously don’t care at all because I enjoyed the ride. My happiness dwarfs every little thing I could have nitpicked. I don’t care!!! I had so much fun! I liked the movie a lot!

[midtownvaledictorian]

Duty Calls

Being an intern on the Spider-Man: Homecoming set gets you into some interesting situations...

(2,250 words)

Warnings: mostly fluff with some smut at the end (oral-male receiving)

When you got an internship with Marvel after your second year of college, you thought life was perfect. You’d be working with real directors, real publicists, and even real actors. You had been majoring in film production, and after especially impressing one of your professors, he put in a good word for you with some friends of his at Marvel. Before you knew it, you were on a plane to Atlanta to help with the new Spider-Man: Homecoming movie. You thought you’d be in the action—reviewing film, setting up interviews, sitting in on meetings. Little did you know, intern was basically codeword for errand girl. Every morning you woke up at five so you could get all of the directors and leads their coffee before they arrived on set, then going back to grab the orders for all of the extras and crew. You were constantly running paperwork and messages back and forth, making phone call after phone call. The only cool part was letting the actors know that they were needed back on set when they were in their trailers. Typically you just knocked on their doors and gave a little “Mr./Miss Whoever, you’re needed on set.” Which was normally followed by a “be right out!” Sometimes they even added your name on the end. It wasn’t much, but it meant a lot that they cared enough to remember your name, and whenever they passed you on set they’d be sure to thank you for coffee or whatever else you had done for them that day. You could never figure out why people tried to demonize movie stars. Either all of them were amazing people, or you were on the nicest set ever. 

If you ever had free time, you would spend it with a boy named Harrison. He was best friends with Tom Holland, and tagged along on set all the time. You two got along really well, probably because you were the only two there who weren’t professionals. You never wanted to intrude on their little time together though, so whenever Tom came round when you and Harrison were hanging out, you made sure to come up with an excuse to leave them be. Tom and Harrison would always fake pout and beg you to stay around, but you would always reply “duty calls,” which would earn a “duty sucks,” from the boys. It was your little inside joke and you savored it. You had an inside joke with a movie star. “Y/N!” One of the directors called to you. You got together all of the papers you were working on and rushed over. “Listen, Laura’s feeling pretty sick. I think this heat wave has finally gotten to her. Anyways, I just sent Tom off to take twenty, can you let him know that we’re done for the day and that we’re starting an hour early tomorrow? Then you’re free to go, great work today.” “Yes sir, see you bright and early!” You made your way to Tom’s trailer, you could hear him listening to 90’s R&B inside. You knocked louder than usual to make sure he could hear you over the music. “Mr. Holland? John wanted me to let you know that-” You were cut off by him swinging the door open. “How many times have I told you to call me Tom?” He said with a raised eyebrow. “And how many times have I continued to call you Mr. Holland? I’m like the assistant to the assistant to the assistant to your assistant. I need to keep it professional,” you stated. “Anyway, Laura feels pretty sick so we’re all done for the day. We’re starting an hour early tomorrow to make up for lost time. Have a good night.” “Wait!” You spun around to see what was the matter. “Uhh, could you help me get out of this suit?” “Uh, yeah, of course.” He opened the door more to let you into his trailer, Shoop by Salt-N-Pepa was blaring over the speaker. He quickly went to his phone to turn it down, looking slightly embarrassed by his song choice. “I love Salt-N-Pepa,” you said. “No way!” He sounded like a teenager from Queens, he cleared his throat and tried again in a much deeper, English voice, “uh, no way.” You couldn’t help but laugh as a blush started to form on his cheeks. “Sorry, sometimes I just get a little stuck in Peter-mode.” You brushed off the situation so as to protect him from any more embarrassment. “R U Ready was the only song I danced to at my senior prom, I’m still amazed they played a song that good.” 
“I still don’t get the difference between homecoming and prom.” “Well,” you started to explain as you began undoing the back of his suit, “homecoming is like a cheaper version of prom, and everyone is allowed to go. Only upperclassmen can go to prom, unless you get asked by one. Plus homecoming is usually like a community thing, too. There’s a week full of activities to lead up to it, then a big assembly on Friday where all of the classes compete against each other, seniors always win. And then there’s the huge football game, one of the players will usually have an afterparty, and then the next day you dress up, fight a hangover, then go get more drunk.” You explained  as he shimmied out of the muscle suit, leaving himself in nothing but a little thong that the costume crew forced him to wear with the suit. You turned around quickly, seeing as you could practically see half of his dick under the tiny fabric. “Sorry! Sorry, uhh, I kinda forgot. Costume crew is just really used to it to be honest. I’m sorry.” Both of your cheeks were bright red. “No, no. You’re fine, I get it,” you laughed, trying to diffuse the situation. Luckily Tom quickly changed the subject back as he threw on a pair of nike joggers. “Did you ever get asked when you were younger?” “Yeah I went all four years actually.” “Doesn’t surprise me.”
“Why do you say that?” “Well because, you’re you.” You laughed at the pitiful response, “What’s that supposed to mean, Spidey?” “Oh come on, you’re smart and sweet.. and beautiful.” “Oh please, you’re only saying that because I never mess up your coffee order.” You said with a smirk. “No really, I mean it. Why do you always act so, cool around me? I mean, I’m not trying to say that I’m some big shot actor that every girl should swoon over. But, the makeup team always flirts with me and tries to talk to me off set. You almost seem to run away from me. Do you not like me?” “No! Tom, it’s nothing like that. It’s just, I know you get treated like that all the time, and I figured you didn’t like it much. So I didn’t want to be that person, I guess.” “I would like it if it was coming from you.” He looked at you sheepishly. “What?” He took a step towards you, putting a hand on your waist. “I would like it, if you tried flirting with me. I always try to with you but, you always seem to run away before I really have a chance.” He put a hand on your chin and lifted your face up, you were inches from his lips. Your heart was beating so fast. You wanted nothing more than to crash your lips into his, but wait. 
“Is this a test?” You asked, slightly stepping away. “Jesus, Y/N, stop thinking about the internship for one goddamn second, and think about the moment.’’ With that, he pressed his lips against yours. It was easily the best kiss of your life. It felt like you were in the movie. “That was so cheesy,” you laughed. He fake frowned at your remark before grabbing your hands and falling back onto the couch, bringing you down with him. You straddled his lap and continued to kiss him, running your hands through those perfect curls. You started kissing along his jawbone, working your way down to neck. You kissed more aggressively at the nape of his neck, surely leaving marks. Makeup crew is gonna be so pissed. Tom let out a deep, throaty moan, “You’ve already found my weakness,” he chuckled. You were confused at first, then you felt the bulge start growing underneath you. You raised an eyebrow, letting him know you were fully aware of his growing erection. “C’mon, there’s very thin fabric between us and you were kissing my neck. There’s really nothing-” You cut him off with a kiss, knowing he would defend himself forever. A moan escaped your lips as you began grinding on him. Noticing your parted lips, Tom took the bottom one in between his teeth, pulling gently. Wetness started to pool between your legs, “looks like you’ve found mine, too.” You said with a smirk. Every professional thought completely left your head as you began palming him through his thin sweatpants. Instinct took over, and you found yourself placing kisses down his stomach. Soon you were on your knees in front of him. Tom looked down at you, biting his lip with anticipation. He lifted himself off the couch a bit so that you could pull down his sweatpants. You forgot that he wasn’t wearing any underwear underneath, so when his dick finally sprung out, you were shocked. It was just so, big. You were just sitting there, mouthing gaping, staring at Tom Holland’s dick. “You don’t have to, if you’re not comfortable I completely understand we could just talk or-” “No! Believe me that’s not it, at all. I want to.” You smiled up at him before taking his length in your hands. You gave him a few pumps before taking the tip of your tongue and barely rubbing it across the base. His jaw was clenched and he was staring at you with a desperate look in his eyes. You couldn’t help but smirk at the power you had over him. “Please, Y/N,” he moaned. And with that, you licked his length, base to tip, before swirling your tongue around the head. You lapped up the faint pre-cum that dribbled from his tip. He groaned loudly before running his hand through your hair. You began taking his length, savoring the feeling of his hand in your hair as you bobbed up and down. You could hear him muttering little praises in between throaty moans. You could tell he was close, his breathing was shaky and getting caught in his throat and the grip on your hair was getting tighter. It was time for the big finale. You looked up at him and waited for his eyes to lock on yours. Once they did you took his entire length down your throat, which you’ll admit was quite challenging. “Oh, fuck Y/N,” he groaned as hot cum filled the back of your throat. You stood up, not really knowing what the appropriate next step was in this situation. Luckily, Tom decided for you. He grabbed your hand and pulled you back down to the couch and wrapped an arm around you as he wriggled his sweats back on. You had to admit, it felt nice to be snuggled up under Tom Holland’s arm. Your bliss was rudely interrupted by a knock at the door. Both of you stood up, wide-eyed. “Tom, you in there?” It was Harrison. “Fuck!” You whispered. You would never be taken seriously if anyone found out what happened. Tom led you into the bathroom and held a finger to his lips, telling you not to make a sound. You heard to door open from the bathroom, your heart was beating so fast. “What’s up, mate?” Tom asked cooly. “I’ve been waiting at the car forever man, didn’t Y/N come by and tell you that we were done for the day?” “Oh, yeah, I just uhh, got caught up. I’ll be right out, yeah?” “Sure, hey speaking of Y/N, do you know where she is? Her car is still here but I can’t find her anywhere.” “That’s weird man, I have no idea. I’ll call her. See you at the car in five?” “Yeah see you.” Tom closed the door and let out a relieved sigh. You came out from the bathroom, still nervous. But when you and Tom made eye contact, you couldn’t help but bust out laughing. “Oh, there you are! God, Harrison’s been looking all over for you? What were you doing in there?” He joked. “Paperwork,” you retorted. The two of you giggled more before Tom came over and placed his hands on your waist. “So how would you like coming over later? We could watch a movie, drink some beers, maybe I could return the favor.” He said with a raised eyebrow. “How could I say no to that?” “Perfect, does seven sound good? I’ll text you the address.” “Sounds great, Mr. Holland.” The two of you started towards the door before you stopped him. “Wait, we probably shouldn’t leave at the same time.” “See, I knew you were the smart one.” He gave you a quick peck before you made your way out of his trailer, secretly thanking your professor for putting in that good word with Marvel.

[whiskeystained-a]

miss congeniality sentence meme ** change pronouns, etc to fit your muse!

"wimp!” “yep. the three stooges.” “this broad’s got two asses.” “i really love this borscht.” “that is one really, really purple russian!” “his victims didn’t get a chance to choke on a peanut!” “you’re not killing anyone, you peanut eating bastard.” “how’s your head, my little broski?” “i shouldn’t have moved!” “you made a choice. it was wrong, but that’s it. it’s over.” “by the way, you look like hell.” “is this you not arguing? cause you suck at it.” “no i get these made special by the same guy that put the tattoo on my ass.” “i forgot the alamo.” “i got a cousin in texas.” “not unless it’s the miss lamaze pageant.”  “yeah, right, in a thong.” “in a tasteful one piece!” “i don’t even own a dress, i don’t even own a brush.” “what part of that is supposed to shock me?” “damn right. the spinning, the twirling, the smiling. the cute little tap number.” “i don’t know, man. she’s got a lot of rage.” “so join the marines.” “my god, can you really be this superficial.” “hard to believe, right?” “especially without their knowledge!” “if you are ( muse name ) i quit here and now.” “yeah kinda having a bad hair day. hair decade, really.” “you like caps?” “it is always yes, never yeah. sit down.” “have i offended you in some way?” “i haven’t seen a walk like that since jurassic park.” “it’s not the bloody ice capades.” “because i’m preparing to run away!” “it takes a very secure man to walk like that.” “it’s all in the buttocks! don’t i look pretty!?” “hey hey! i’m gliding here! asshole.” “when she gets there, he’s gonna take one look at that fake rack and send her back.” “look, she’s gonna cry again.” “oh! if i only had a brain!” “i am somewhat less than amused.” “with some work she’ll be ready for the world’s finest trailer park.” “both painful and grotesque, isn’t it.” “hopefully remove the beer stains and steak residue.” “as long as it doesn’t say thank you very much for the country music award.” “yeah, well, my iq just dropped ten points.” “i am in a dress, i have gel in my hair, i haven’t slept all night, i am starved, and i’m armed. don’t. mess with me.” “my god, i’m good.” “operation thong has commenced.” “why don’t you stun gun yourself.” “one little mistake, and i’m a bloody bellhop.” “washington -- nice apples.” “she’s obviously been drinking too much coppertone.” “yeah, i’m talkin’ to you -- i’m lookin’ at you.” “at least she thinks i’m funny.” “i wake up every morning, look in the mirror and say who is that old (man/woman) wearing my pajamas?” “don’t cry for me ... alabama.” “OH JESUS CHRIST! sorry, i had a bite of my bagel and i forgot to pray.” “they slammed their doors when i said chocolate. they didn’t give me a chance to say fat free!” “excuse me! i am in the middle of a rem cycle over here!” “no armored car?” “that would be in my other dress.” “this (man/woman) has no talent!” “listen to me, you old fruit cake.” “how dare you, you cupcake!” “you are not having sex on this stage.” “i know, you think i’m gorgeous.” “what’s her talent, bar tending?” “of course he had a gun. it’s texas. everyone has a gun. my florist has a gun.” “i don’t have a gun. my ancestors were quakers.” “what’s the other seventy percent, cleavage?” “i would so love to hurt you right now.” “you have sarcasm and a gun!” “i am a miserable, grumpy, old elitist. and that works for me.” “none of your damn business, that’s why.” “you look good wet.” “those better be candy dishes.” “it’s for the little baggies under your eyes.” “oh, good, hairspray, something i recognize.” “it stops the suit from riding up!” “that would be harsher punishment for parole violators. . . and world peace.” “that was charming. are you drunk?” “glad you enjoyed it. now if you’ll excuse me i have to go unscrew my smile.” “hey, listen to me, sparky.” “well, leg waxing. fake orgasms. the inability of men to commit.” “what, you want me to beat it out of her?” “uh, it’s light beer, and she’s gonna throw it up anyway.” “i’ll sit here with my very large, very cheesy pizza.” “first step pizza, second step flaming batons.” “i guess we’ll be needing some more pizza.” “this is my third one of these and i don’t feel a thing!” “don’t worry about that, we all suck.” “no wonder you’re still a virgin.” “speaking of illegal, have you ever committed a crime?” “one time, i stole red underwear from the department store.” “my mother wouldn’t buy them for me! she said they were satan’s panties!” “ --- anyway, he attacked me.” “(he/she)’s just got a boot up (his/her) ass about something!” “(he/she) threw a chair out the window!” “why don’t you jump on (him/her) dressed like a bavarian fruit cake!?” “where are you getting your information from, a pajama party?” “betrayal implies an action, you just stood there!” “part of the job is following orders!” “the other part of the job is using your brain!” “take the rule book and just throw it out the window!” “i like the rule book! i like knowing what i can and cannot do!” “don’t do that! that slow creepy thing in the shadows! (name) used to do that!” “you’re a genius.” “no, i’m just pissed off.” “if i ever had a child, i imagine they’d be somewhat like you. which is perhaps why i’ve never reproduced.” “maybe (he/she) couldn’t take the pressure. (he/she) ate four slices last night!” “i overslept my beauty sleep.” “which one of these is, uh, lipstick?” “i forgot my breasts, hold on i’ll be back.” “that was incredibly stupid of me.” “oh, shit.” “that must’ve hurt.” “not even a traffic ticket. model citizen, beauty contestant, pageant director, loving (mom/dad.)” “a sniveling, obsequious, weasel of a human being.” “(his/her) assistant (name)? asshole (name)?” “you ate pizza, you stole panties, you’re a wild woman.” “wait a minute, i’m not with him with him it’s not like that.” “come on, muffin!” “(he/she) certainly lit my fire.” “what, disgusting perverted (name)?” “you’re drinking my talent!” “i once saw a girl who rearranged furniture.” “that and a right hook.” “oh, (he/she)’s kicking (his/her) ass!” “we’ll be back with our final five lesbians. err, interviews.” “can we say lesbians?” “you got a problem with that?” “terrific answer. damnit.” “my god. i did it.” “and if anyone tries to hurt one of my new friends, i would take them out. i would make them suffer so much that they’d wish they were never born. and if they ran, i would hunt them down.” “a brief shining moment and then that mouth.” “yes. wear the crown. be the crown. you are the crown.” “i was right in the middle of my song! and there was this big explosion!” “where you’re going, i’m sure they’d love to meet a former beauty queen.” “yeah, he means m-e-a-t.” “when i met you, dennis rodman looked better in a dress! but now you’re a lady!” “you know what you’re under arrest, get in the car.” “you got a really good shot at that insanity plea.” “twenty five years of bitching beauty queens and what do i get? FIRED!” “get it, the women’s correctional facility?” “i don’t know, maybe we could have dinner?” “no, just a casual dinner.” “if we happen to have sex afterwards, so be it.” “you think i’m gorgeous, you wanna date me.” “and i’m suddenly very aware and proud of my breasts.” “that’s funny, me, too.”

[lalka-laski]

If you lived in Bikini Bottom, would you befriend Spongebob or Plankton? Neither, really. I feel like I have more of a Sandy energy. Positive and upbeat but levelheaded.  Do you have any bananas in your house right now? I have TWO loaves of banana bread as well as two leftover bananas in the freezer for another loaf when the time comes. For some reason banana bread is the official food of quarantine?

Which overrated tattoo are you sick of seeing? I’m really not in the business of judging people’s ink. Tattoos are so personal (and obviously permanent) and it just feels wrong to criticize someone’s choices. Unless of course, we’re talking swastikas or something. 

Is it easy to distract you? Unbelievably easy 

Do you prefer to drink from glasses or mugs? Mugs! 

What was the last thing you taught a younger kid? I haven’t been around kids in over a month so I can’t remember. Now I’m sad! 

Are the clocks in your house mostly digital or analog? Exclusively digital 

Do you like watching movies made with CGI or do you prefer hand-drawn ones? No preference

Where did your parents buy their car(s)? The Chevrolet dealership in my hometown

Do you know why your grandparents chose your mother’s name? I actually don’t. I’m assuming just because it was a moderately popular girl’s name in the 60s. 

What is your favourite kind of soup? I just had this Indian Chickpea soup from Wegmans that was BOMB. I also love me some broccoli cheddar; specifically with Vermont white

Have you ever made your own musical instrument? Oh very often as a kid! I was crafty AND musical

What do you think of Leighton Meester’s singing voice? I forgot she sang. I guess she’s fine? I’m sure she’s autotuned to death but it doesn’t bother me.

Do you think you’d do well at teaching the English language to a foreigner? Not at all. It’s too difficult to teach something that comes to you so innately and naturally. 

How long have your neighbours lived there? I think I’m actually the “newest” neighbor in my building. 

Is it weird to hear your name in movies or TV shows? I actually just had this conversation! On a show Glenn was watching this guy was talking to a character named Elizabeth and repeated her name 10 times in a two minute span. It was so disorienting for me!

Why do so many people seem to hate the Jonas Brothers? I think more people like them than hate them nowadays, no?

If you attend school, what time do you usually get home after? I’m done with school my dudes

When was the last time you really needed to just let loose? I’ve been a little on edge lately (possibly PMS?), so now would be good. 

Have you ever been blackmailed? Not that I know of

Do you suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome? YES although not that often anymore, thankfully

Would you rather have novels based on your life or a series of comic books? Novels, since that’s my preferred medium. Although seeing myself as a comic book character would be pretty cool.

Have you written a resume before, either for yourself or someone else? Both. I’m the go-to girl in my friend group for resumes and cover letters.

Did you know that they plan on releasing a movie based on The Smurfs? This must be an old survey

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live underwater? I’d rather DIE

Have you ever worked in a bakery? If not, would you like to? I have not and would never. I don’t care for baking much as it is and I’m soooo over food service jobs.

What is your favourite thing about snow? It looks beautiful! I dream about a majestic, snow princess wedding.

Is there a big personality difference between you and your sibling(s)? Oh yes, we’re all distinctly different. Our personalities, temperaments, intellects, personal styles, hobbies, etc. Yet we all get along wonderfully (as adults!) 

Do you enjoy decorating things with stickers? I love using stickers in my journals and on handwritten notes/envelopes etc! 

Did you lose anything recently? Did you end up finding it? I lose my phone multiple times a day

What colour oven mitts do you have? I have a yellow pair and then one single green one with a girl and a speech bubble saying “Hot, hot vegetarian action!” My sister in law thought it was hilarious.

Why do you/don’t you watch award shows? I sometimes do. I like being part of something that loads of other people are witnessing in real time. Plus, live-tweeting is fun as hell. 

Do you ever do the exercises featured in some magazines? I used to follow the exercises in Seventeen religiously. Actually, I followed ALL the tips in Seventeen religiously. 

Have you ever watched What The Buck? What do you think of it? Not a clue what that is 

Do you consider Lady GaGa’s appearance artistic, or just plain weird? Of course I think she’s artistic 

What do you usually do when you have trouble sleeping? I usually just lay there in misery instead of doing anything to possibly help myself.

What was the last thing you used scissors for? Cutting open a bag of frozen veggies 

Have you ever used some kind of food as a facial mask? I just talked about this with my friends! I love DIY beauty treatments and I’ve used various ingredients for face masks: coffee grounds, bananas, plain yogurt, egg yolks... 

How many USB cords do you have lying around? Uh, I’ve never counted

Are you satisfied with your social life (or lack thereof)? My social life was really taking a positive turn JUST before Covid hit. But honestly, my new quarantine social calendar is a lot of fun. I have a Zoom or Houseparty video chat almost every night. The downside of that though is that I’m drinking a LOT more than normal but what can ya do?

Do you know anybody whose initials spell something? JAR. I’m sure I can think of others but that comes to mind first.

What is your favourite flavour of Kool-Aid? Red? Or is there a blue flavor? Because I love blue things 

Is there a specific food you think NEEDS to be at Christmas dinner? My mom’s cheesy potatoes and also, pierogi.

Would you be able to re-string a guitar? Not if my life depended on it

What TV show do you just assume you wouldn’t like? Most popular shows don’t interest me. I don’t mean that in a hipster way, I’ve just never been a fan of TV. And what few shows I do like are usually trash. (I admit it!)

Do your friends have more money than you? Almost all of them do Do you have more bread or cheese in your house? Always cheese.

What was the last movie trailer you saw? Couldn’t tell ya

Did you purchase any meat product when you were at the store last? I don’t eat meat!

Have you ever been told that you have chubby cheeks? I have extremely chubby cheeks although people usually try to word it in a more polite way 

Do you know how to properly use a saw? Nope and I wouldn’t dare try

Isn’t it a shame that what Kanye West did at the VMA’s overshadowed what was supposed to be a night dedicated to Michael Jackson? Oh yeah, I lose sleep over it every night