#these are the intermission talking heads which for some reason are different white guys | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

hanoella · 3 years ago

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Affettuoso- With Feeling (Part 8)

Pairing: Bucky x Pianist!Reader

Set after the events of TFATWS: In an effort to start over and make a home in Louisiana, Bucky meets a friend of Sam’s who ends up being his landlord. With only a driveway to separate them, he finds that he’s not the only one looking for a fresh start.

Series tags/warnings: Slow Burn, Eventual Bucky x Reader, Mentions of Domestic Abuse, Canon Level Violence, PTSD, PG-17 Romantic Content (oooooh), talk of sex

Part 8 Word Count: Just under 8k

A/N: It's starting to heat uppppppp👀. I always sort and curate the music so that you can listen to the music as you read the story and match the tone, starting from where I insert the song. Unfortunately, tumblr is being idiotic, and now I can't post the songs to play in-app for some reason. Sorry guys😭 If you haven't given it a try, I highly recommend!

Once again, thank you for all your support! Every heart and comment motivates me and is just so wonderful.

Taglist!: @vicmc624 @officiallykuute @undiadeestos @tailsoflightning @buckys2thicc @mischief-siriusly-managed

Winter

Bucky looked in the mirror nervously, mussing his hair up. It was a bit longer than when he had first come to Louisiana, and he had been overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices when it came to men’s hair products. He thought it looked okay, using the man on the front of the packaging as reference. It was a good thing you two were taking your car. He wasn’t sure if his work would’ve survived the motorcycle helmet. Glancing over the rest of his ensemble, he gave himself a nod of assurance. It was concert weekend, and also the day you were going on your first date. After contemplating on when to go, you had suggested a late night dinner after that weeks second concert and Bucky had thought it was a fine idea at the time. Though, now, he realized that he would have to sit through the concert first.

He picked up the bouquet of flowers he had gotten with the hair product the other day and headed to the door. Before leaving, he bent down to pet a sleepy Alpine, who was currently dozing peacefully in the last rays of the sun for the day.

“Wish me luck.” He said to the cat, who purred in response.

He left and crossed the driveway to your house. Knocking on your screen door, he waited expectantly.

“Come in!” He heard you call from inside.

He opened the screen door and crossed the threshold. He’d done it plenty of times before, but this time felt different. Seeing that the living room and kitchen were empty, he headed down the hall to your bedroom, where the light was filtering out of. Cautiously opening the door, he saw you sitting at the vanity, dressed in your typical rehearsal outfit of a blouse and slacks, and putting on the final touches to your makeup. You blinked to adjust to the mascara and turned towards him, a smile spreading across your cheeks.

“Hey!” You stood up to hug him and then take him in. “You look great, Buck.”

“Thanks, you too.” He replied, still coming across rather stiff from the nervousness. You looked up at him, slightly amused but keeping it to yourself. After a moment of gazing at your features that were complemented by the makeup you had just put on, Bucky cleared his throat and gifted you the bouquet.

“Oh, these are beautiful. Thank you so much.” You said as you admired the large white peonies, accented by bundles of pink hydrangeas and various types of eucalyptus. A green satin bow held the stems together as you felt the velvety petals between your fingertips. You grabbed his hand afterwards and squeezed it as you held the bouquet to your chest. “Thank you,” you repeated as you looked up at him. Bucky felt slightly more at ease, giving you a small but genuine smile.

“Of course.”

You set the bundle down gently before going over to your bed and unzipping the garment bag and holding the dress out for him to see.

“Is this too much to wear for the concert and then dinner? I figured I’d dress a little simpler so I don’t stand out too much at the restaurant.”

Bucky stepped closer and touched the luxurious navy blue fabric. The dress was cut so that it had a slight halter neckline, exposing minimal shoulder. It wasn’t until he saw the bottom end of the dress that he caught a glimpse of what you normally liked to wear. Flowers and greenery adorned the bottom half of the skirt, detailed in such a way that it looked like they had been painted right on the dress. The soft pastel brushstrokes formed rounded petals and long wispy leaves.

“It’ll look great on you.” He said with affection in his tone. “But you don’t have to change anything for me. All the gowns that you wore before looked great too, but what really makes them is the fact that you’re wearing them.”

It was your turn to blush, turning slightly to try and hide the pink on your face. You thanked him softly before excusing yourself to the kitchen to get a vase for the flowers. As you were filling the vase with water, you held your hand to your cheek in an effort to cool down your face. Coming back to your room, you put the flowers in water and turned to Bucky, who had sat himself down on the edge of the bed.

“Ready to go?”

---

Bucky sat on the green velvet couch in your dressing room, reading something on his phone as he listened to the rustling behind the room divider behind him.

“How do I look?” You asked, coming out from behind the divider and into the room. You were dressed in the gown from earlier, now with black flats and earrings that mimicked flower petals falling in the wind. You had decided on a more romantic look for your hair, settling on large loose waves, one side pinned back with a dainty silver bar clip.

He couldn’t help but smile.

“Beautiful.”

Who knew one word could give you such a fluttering in your stomach.

“Thank you.”

You sat next to him, folding one leg underneath of you and leaning against the couch, facing him.

“Are you going to be okay up in that box all by your lonesome?” you teased, reaching across and grabbing the tips of his fingers with yours.

“I hope so. I’ve got a date tonight.” He replied playfully. He always felt so warm, so comforting. You looked at him with affection before your eyes flitted to the clock behind him.

“I should probably get to the stage.” You sighed while you said it, reluctantly starting to get up and pull your hand away. Before you could completely escape his grasp, he squeezed your hand slightly.

“You’ll do great. See you after?” His look was slightly reminiscent of a puppy. You smiled wistfully and squeezed his hand back.

“See you after.”

You separated in the hall, you going one way to the stage and him going the other way to the box. Before he stepped inside, he realized he didn’t have a program. He made his way to the front and found an usher with a stack of programs.

“Can I have one of those?” He asked, coming off slightly more gruffly than he meant to.

“Sure, sir.” The usher handed him one and Bucky thanked him before turning. Halfway down the hall, he picked up the whispering of another usher who had come up to the one that had the programs.

“Is that Ms. Novikov’s boyfriend?”

“No way, is that who that was?”

“He always sits in her own personal box. It has to be.”

Boyfriend. Such a funny word. Bucky hadn’t been anyone’s boyfriend in decades. It almost felt silly to be dating somebody. It was like someone blowing all of their money on something they couldn’t afford. It felt reckless to invest so much feeling and time and emotion when he had so little of those things on his own. Yet, what little he had, he gladly spent on you.

“He is so hot. I would just let him-“

Bucky’s eyes widened as he heard several terms he didn’t understand. Clearing his throat, he walked a little faster back to the box.

---

You had laughed so hard that you were crying as Bucky tried to repeat some of the stuff he had overheard. Deciding to check on him during intermission, you had popped up to the box for a minute. After complimenting you on your playing, having performed what Bucky thought to be amazingly, as you usually did, he couldn’t stop the face he had made as his mind thought back to the usher. Needing to sit down, you had sat in one of the seats in the box, doubled over in a combination of laughing and crying.

“It’s not that funny!” Bucky whisper-yelled at you, as you gasped for breath, face in hands. He turned around to see that the next several boxes were looking over to see what the commotion was. One particular look on an older woman’s shocked face made him turn around quickly and try not to laugh.

“It’s not funny!” He said again, though now he was obviously trying to hold back his own laugh, which just made you laugh even harder.

Starting to calm down, you leaned back onto the seat, still clutching your stomach. Letting out some deep breaths, a burst of giggles fell out of your mouth, evolving into full on laughter again.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” You said, regaining some semblance and wiping your eyes carefully as to not ruin any makeup. “That is just hilarious. I love it.” You concluded as you sighed and closed your eyes.

“You are just… something else.” Bucky replied, a huge smile overcoming his face despite the fact that he was shaking his head. The lights flickered overhead to signal the end of the intermission. You got up, straightening out the skirt of your dress and giggling.

“You can meet me at the dressing room after.” You said, waving your fingers at him. He had the same smile on his face as he watched you sweep aside the curtains and disappear. As embarrassing as it was, Bucky was thankful that it had broken the ice, no longer leaving him feeling awkward, nervous in your presence. As he was turning back to face the front, Bucky made eye contact with the same old lady in the box next door. Quickly, he cleared his throat and settled in his seat, adjusting so that he was sitting up straighter.

Several minutes went by before the conductor came back out, followed by you. He gave his usual introduction of the piece, explaining the history and the background behind the melody they were about to hear. This one was another piano feature- this time by Chopin.

The opening note was long and forceful, followed by a back and forth of a set of notes on your left hand that quickly sped up into an impressive speed. Your right hand entered the melody, quickly flitting back and forth to the end of the keys. The quickening of the keys sounded desperate, like a hare running frantically to safety from the jaws of a predator.

Both of your hands ran down from the higher keys to the low ones, somehow managing to hit very precisely on each intended note on the way down. Once in the lower octaves, the melody slowed. Your hand movements were graceful, body language and tone changing to one of peace. You spent some time exploring the gentle melody, conveying a feeling similar to the quiet after the storm. Just as Bucky expected the end of the melody, what would’ve been a period in the phrase of the major key, turned into a comma. The minor key from before took control of the music once more, somehow more desperate than before. The pace of your breathing sped up as you put more force behind the fleeting notes. The minor key evolved into a more complex intertwining of notes before unraveling into a major key once again, saying its last words and taking its last breath before dissipating into the auditorium.

Applause burst forth from the crowd, conveying more than Bucky could ever put into words about how incredible your performance was. How incredible you were. Still catching your breath, you stood at the conductor’s prompting, stealing a glance at Bucky, who was standing as he clapped, before bowing in acceptance of the praise.

---

After the concert, he drove you to New Orleans. At the restaurant, you were sat at a table on the edge of the dining room behind a low privacy partition. It was dimly lit, the small candle in the middle of the table creating a very intimate atmosphere. You sat across from each other at the two-person table, browsing the menu. Yours was laid flat on the table as you leaned over it, resting your chin on your clasped hands. Bucky’s was held up, serving as a way for him to sneak glances at you. The candlelight gave your hair an ever-moving sheen. It was nothing compared to how it lit the color of your eyes as you met his eye and smiled.

The romantic piano music played softly in the background as he set the menu down and let a gentle smile overtake his features. Your eyelids slowly lowered. You loved the little crow’s feet that appear by his eyes when he genuinely smiled.

“How’d I do on the first date setting?” You asked. The cozy restaurant had been your pick.

“You hit it out of the park. It’s very nice.” Bucky replied, leaning in a little closer so that he could cross his arms slightly onto the table.

“Isn’t it? There’s a few of them across the country. I used to at the one in New York while I went to Julliard. Can you guess what I did?” You chuckled as you pointed your head in the direction of the live piano music coming from the stage.

“Hmm… Dishwasher? No wait, valet?”

Bucky lives for the smile that comes across your face when you try not to laugh at his antics.

“Absolutely. Always wanted to be a valet. It’s my dream job.” You joked back with a twinkle in your eye. The waiter came up to the table, causing you both to lean slightly back. After introducing themselves and setting two glasses of water down, they asked for your drink order. Bucky nodded for you to go first, ever the gentleman. You turned your head towards the waiter, your gaze lingering on Bucky before giving full attention towards them as you spoke.

“What are some of the best whiskeys you have to recommend?”

Bucky could’ve spit out his water. This place could not be cheap. His suspicions were confirmed as the waiter started listing off various whiskeys that were at least a decade old. About three whiskeys into the list, you saw Bucky tilt his head out of the corner of your eye. Glancing at him, you raised your eyebrows as if to ask if he was interested. He raised his eyebrows and gave a small nod.

“We’ll have that one please.” You said, stopping the waiter when he finished the description. You had selected the sixteen year old single malt with notes of plums, apricots, white truffles, honey, dark chocolate, and hazelnuts. As soon as the waiter turned around, Bucky leaned in and gave you a look of incredulousness.

“Doll, I am all for the finer things in life but that whiskey has got to be a pretty penny.”

You leaned in as well, with a dreamy look on your face.

“Well, if it gets you to call me ‘doll’ then I’ll buy the whole bottle.”

---

Bucky actually did end up liking it so much that you ordered a bottle to take home. He had tried to stop you from paying for it, but you insisted, saying this whole date was on you.

“Just pay for the next one. I picked the fancy place, so I should pay! Besides, you do so much for me all of the time.”

Eventually, he caved in and let you, the assurance of a second date placating him. Dinner had been equally as delicious and sprinkled with easy conversation. Dessert was set on the table with two spoons to share. The entire night was going wonderfully. At this point, with a few bites of dessert left, both of you were lounging while listening to the gentle music as he held your hand across the table.

A group was getting up from the table across the divider when one of them glanced over and recognized you.

“Irina Novikov!”

Your hand left Bucky’s instinctually as you looked in the direction of the voice. Easing when you realized it was a concert goer, you smiled as the group came over to your table.

“We just came from your performance, you did an excellent job. We’ve been coming all season and it’s wonderful to be able to talk to you in person.” A middle aged man said as the rest of his group nodded enthusiastically.

“The pleasure’s all mine. I’m so happy that you enjoy the music that we perform.” You said, shaking his hand.

“Would you, perhaps, be willing to sign our programs?”

“Absolutely.” You said, as you took the pen. You paused slightly before writing the signature. Bucky could tell that you hadn’t thought about it before- how to sign the new name. You signed everyone’s program, making sure to ask for their name and including a short thank you for their support.

“I look forward to seeing you in the audience the next time you’re able to visit.” You said as you handed back the last program and pen. They graciously thanked you and walked away, leaving you to look at Bucky, who was admiring you.

“What?” You asked, cheeks flushing.

“Nothing. You’re just so good to them. Does that happen often?”

“I try to be. I’m sure if I had more people always coming up to me I’d be less patient. To answer your question, it happens occasionally. It happened a lot in New York when I played with the symphony up there. But that was a long time ago.” You looked down wistfully, thinking of the past. Then, you looked up and grabbed his hand.

“But I’m pretty happy where I am now. Don’t doubt that.”

Bucky felt a fluttering in his chest.

After settling the bill and giving Bucky the bottle of whiskey, you put your coat on and held Bucky’s hand as you walked to out of the restaurant. On the way home, he drove as you hummed along to the radio, watching the road signs and the streetlights pass. Eventually the highway turned into main streets and main streets turned into side streets. Maybe if he drove slower, the night didn’t have to end.

Parking in the driveway, Bucky signaled for you to wait before he jogged around the front of the car, opening your door and holding out a hand.

“Oh, what a gentleman.” You laughed as you took his outstretched hand and stepped out of the car. Taking his arm, you let him walk you to your front door. You turned the key and opened the door, turning on the lights before facing him again.

“Well. This was wonderful. I had such a good time.” You said, hugging him around the neck. He wrapped his arms tightly around your waist.

“Me too.”

You pulled back, letting your hands run down his arms and holding his hands in yours.

“I think it’s safe to say that there will be a second date.” You stated teasingly, squeezing his hands.

“I would say you’re right.” He said, boyish charm coming through. You wondered if this is what he was like back before the war. Smiling, you looked into his eyes.

“Thank you for taking me out. You’re so lovely to be with, and it feels unreal to be with you. I think I’ve wanted this for a long time.” Affection was laced throughout your tone.

Bucky opened his mouth to say something and nothing came out. He squeezed your hands once, as if to make sure you were real, and shook his head.

“You took the words right out of my mouth. That’s exactly how I feel about you.”

There was a slight pause before Bucky closed the gap between you. Your bottom lip was between his and you closed your eyes as your hands held his face to yours. You felt your fingertips scrape across his stubble as he held you in his arms, hands supporting your back as he deepened the kiss. After a few moments, you pulled back, a flush over your face and the cold air exposing your breathlessness. He let out a quiet breathy laugh and you did the same.

“You have… no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” He said as he softly put his forehead to yours.

“You took the words right out of my mouth.” You repeated his phrase with amusement. Reluctantly, you took your arms from around his neck and trailed them down to his hands, grabbing both. You took a moment to appreciate how perfectly his hands felt in yours, vibranium and all.

“Goodnight, Buck.”

He squeezed your hands lightly before slowly letting go of your hands.

“Goodnight.”

Putting his hands in his pockets, he waited for you to exit the house, reciprocating your wave as you softly shut the door. Letting out a deep breath, he walked leisurely across the driveway and up to his apartment. He loosened his tie with one hand as he greeted Alpine with the other. She followed at his heels as he got ready for bed, hopping up onto his chest when he finally laid down. Curling up into a ball, she purred as he scratched her neck. Alpine fell asleep almost immediately, but Bucky lay awake, the image of you laughing at something he said across the candlelit table occupying the forefront of his thoughts.

---

The second date had to be rescheduled due to business that Sam and Bucky had to take care of, once again, in D.C. Reluctantly, he had texted you to reschedule.

Have to go to DC tonight with Sam… Go out when we come back?

Bucky watched the bubble type.

If you don’t want to go out again, just say so

He felt like vomiting.

KIDDING! Of course we can.

Taking a deep breath, he typed out a reply.

Not funny. Almost gave me a heart attack. You gonna be okay for a few days?

I’ll be fine, just take care of yourself and be safe, please.

Will do, doll.

A little heart emoji you sent back made Bucky smile before he tucked his phone away and boarded the plane.

---

After a few days of cut-and-dry investigation, they were done by Saturday night. Since they were flying commercially, they had one more evening to kill before the next flight. Bucky was standing idly outside of the crowded comic book store that Sam was currently in. AJ had called Uncle Sam, asking if he could check for a specific volume of a comic that he liked. Happy to oblige, Bucky had told Sam that they could make the stop. Though, once seeing how crowded it was, Bucky opted to stay outside. Feeling a buzz in his pocket, he took out his phone to see a text from you pop up on his home screen. You had sent him a picture of Alpine curled up on the bed next to the dress you were going to perform in.

Alpine has approved my dress selection this evening!

Smiling at his screen as he sauntered down the sidewalk, he typed out his reply.

I agree with Alpine. Very nice selection.

He sent the text and paused, standing in place for a moment before sending a short addendum.

Sorry that I can’t be there.

It’s okay, there’s plenty others :)

Bucky looked up and saw that he had wandered a few stores down from the comic book shop. Craning his head, he didn’t see Sam yet. Turning back to the store in front of him, he glanced at the window display. A set of earrings on the edge of the display caught his eye. The soft pearls and winding gold took him back to another time. It was very reminiscent of the fancy jewelry that adorned the movie stars during his youth.

Glancing back down to the comic store, he had yet to see Sam out front. He took the opportunity to slip into the jewelers. There was a well-dressed couple looking at specific pieces of jewelry but otherwise, the store was empty. An unoccupied salesman approached Bucky warily.

“Can I help you sir?”

“Yes, um… I was interested in getting something from the window display.” Bucky said in a low tone as he gestured to the front. He was overly aware of how ‘rough around the edges’ he looked.

“Which one?” The salesman asked as Bucky followed him to the front. After the earrings were pointed out, the salesman took them out of the case. He gave a little background as he handed Bucky the set.

“This is from our vintage-inspired collection. Modeled after jewelry from the post-art-deco era in the 1930’s, these earrings are the perfect modern gift with a vintage twist.” They dangled on the velvet earring holder as Bucky took a closer look. They were perfect.

“How much?” Bucky asked.

“They’re a bit expensive sir- four hundred dollars.” The salesman said uneasily.

“I’ll take them.”

He paid for the gift and stepped out onto the street, stuffing the earring box into his pocket. No sign of Sam yet. Making his way back up the street, he checked his phone to see that you had texted him a link. He sat on the bench and tapped on the link, which took him to a video that you had uploaded of the opening piece from the night before. He smiled as he saw that you had recorded it from his usual spot in Box One. You walked across the stage on screen, doing your usual bow and taking a seat at the bench. He put the speaker of the phone up to his ear and waited for the playing to start.

“What’re you listening to?”

Bucky almost dropped his phone as Sam cackled.

“Are you finally done?” Bucky said, annoyance seeping out his tone.

“Yeah, c’mon.” Sam said, smirk still on his face.

That night in the hotel room, as Bucky was settling into bed, he played the video once more, this time actually getting to listen. It was a soft melody, warm and deceivingly intricate, lulling him to sleep.

---

The second official date was up to Bucky to plan, since you had gotten to plan the first one. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but he wanted it to be a surprise.

Dress code? You had asked.

He texted back to wear something comfy and casual. He had gone back to his roots, opting for dinner and a drive-in movie. Remembering your favorite snacks from grocery shopping, he made sure to stock up beforehand, stealing your keys and tucking them into the trunk of the car along with a cozy blanket.

He straightened out the wrinkles in his light grey long-sleeve shirt and checked to make sure his jeans and sneakers didn’t have mud on them from the driveway earlier. Satisfied with his appearance, he snagged his leather jacket and went to warm up the car.

Several minutes after he had gotten in the drivers seat and started the car, you stepped out of the house. Your white headband kept the hair out of your face as you locked the door behind you. You had put your hair into two braids that fell against the fuzzy crème sweater. With your outfit completed with light-wash jeans, white sneakers, and a small cross-body bag, Bucky thought you looked absolutely adorable.

“Hey.” He greeted you with a huge smile.

“Hey!” You replied as you messed with the seatbelt. After it clicked, you looked up at him, allowing Bucky to get a better look at you. You had put on a more natural set of makeup that just enhanced your already present features- your eyelashes curling just at the tips, your lips glossy and tinted-pink.

“Where are we going?” You asked.

“You’ll see.”

A coy smile came upon his lips as he shifted the car into drive. It was a longer drive and you made easy conversation as the sun started to set. It always set so early in the winter, making it feel way later than it was. Bucky exited the highway and you perked up curiously, looking to see if you recognized anything. Eventually, he merged into the turn lane, waiting for the light so that he could turn onto the street with a huge sign that read Drive-In Movies, This Way.

“Are we going to a drive-in movie?” You questioned excitedly. Bucky laughed at your enthusiasm and nodded his head.

“Yup. We are.”

You looked forward excitedly as the light turned green and he turned onto the road. Bucky pulled up to a toll booth and rolled down the window. A man peered into the car momentarily before ringing up the register.

“Twenty four dollars please.”

Wordlessly, Bucky pulled out his wallet and handed the man the cash. Letting his left arm hang out of the window while he waited for the change, he took his right and cupped it against the side of his mouth in a dramatic fashion.

“I remember when these used to be a dime.”

Your mouth twisted in an effort to hold back your laughter as Bucky thanked the man for the change. As you pulled off, you couldn’t help but snort.

“Okay, that was cute.” Bucky teased, getting the crow’s feet in the corner of his eyes that you liked so much. You gave him a wide smile as he pulled into the last row. Your eyes grew wide at the trailers playing on the screen.

“Wow, this is amazing. I’ve never been the a drive-in before. The screen is huge!” You turned your head. “And there’s a snack bar!”

“Hold on,” Bucky said as he popped the trunk and exited the car. He lifted the bag out of the trunk and came back around to the door, ducking his head so that he could see you.

“I’ve got some of your favorite,” he said as he passed you the bag of snacks, “and a blanket to stay warm in.”

Your eyes lit up as you looked through the snack bag. He had gotten a variety of candy he’s seen you eat, as well as chips and a bucket of kettle corn.

“Of course, if you want anything else, you can still go to the snack stand.”

“No, Buck, this is great. You’re amazing.” You said as you shook your head, still ruffling through the bag. He laughed and got back into the car, throwing the blanket into the back seat and pushing his chair back. As you got situated, the sun set fully and the movie began playing.

---

There were about thirty minutes left in the movie, and you and Bucky had finished up with the snacks and settled into your seats. The action on the screen did little to distract you from the way Bucky’s thumb rubbed the top of your hand. You stole a glance at him and he met your gaze with an easygoing smile on his face.

“Do you like the movie?” He asked when you did not turn back.

“Oh, yeah, I like it. I’ve actually seen it before. I just really like being here with you.” You propped your elbow up on the center console and rested your chin against your palm, looking at Bucky with a dreamy look in your eyes. “Am I distracting you from the movie?”

Bucky leaned closer to you with an amused look on his face.

“Yes, but I have also seen this movie before.”

It only took a few moments before his lips met yours, parting slightly to taste your strawberry lip gloss. His hand came up to softly hold your face, his thumb brushing against your jawline. When you came apart, the expression on your face made him swallow thickly. Hooded eyes and slightly parted lips tempted him beyond his means. This time, you leaned in to meet him in the middle, no hesitancy behind your actions. You captured his bottom lip, giving it a little kitten lick before gently sucking on it. Bucky let out a small groan into your mouth unintentionally, making your breath hitch.

You kissed for a while, small noises escaping both of you as you tilted your head occasionally to deepen the kiss. Bucky felt something stir in him that hadn’t in a long, long time. It was absolutely intoxicating, being with you like this. All he wanted was a little more. Breaking the kiss, he pulled back just a little, slightly breathless, just as you were. You let out a breathy laugh, cheeks warm and lips swollen. A beat passed before Bucky said something that made you almost choke.

“If we’re going to keep kissing, you should come over here and sit on my lap.”

You turned your head, looking through the car windows. There was no one parked particularly close to you, and your windows were tinted anyway. With an excited grin on your face, you scooted backwards over the center console until your back was resting on the driver’s side door. You were angled slightly to face him, your outstretched legs over his lap and on the center console towards the backseat. You hooked your arms around his neck and giggled. You hadn’t done anything like this since you were in high school.

He chuckled with you before closing the gap. You felt each others smiles as you kissed. Slowly, the kiss deepened. His arms wrapped around your waist as he tilted forward, leaning over you and giving him better access as you opened your mouth to let his tongue in. His hands moved to support the back of your head and your lower back, causing you to groan slightly and shift in his lap.

Bucky opened his eyes in surprise, panicking silently. You hadn’t noticed, eyes still closed as you continued to kiss him. He cursed in his head, shifting you up slightly so that your leg wasn’t resting right on his crotch. Thankfully, he was wearing jeans and you hadn’t given any indication that you had noticed. He chastised himself in his head.

C’mon man, you’re not fifteen anymore. You can’t go around getting stiff every time you kiss a girl.

The bright lights cut back on, startling you and Bucky apart. You squinted your eyes and looked out towards the screen. The credits had just finished. Looking back to Bucky, you both laughed before kissing once more.

---

Afterwards, he took you to a classic diner, treating you to dinner and dessert. There was a jukebox in the corner that you and Bucky had looked at, racking up a few songs. You had danced slightly in your seat when your favorites came on, making him grin like a love-struck fool.

The diner had been close to the drive-in, so the drive home was still pretty long. Full and content, you had dozed off to the tune of the radio playing softly in the background. Choosing to let you sleep, he drove back silently, looking over at you with a smile every once and a while.

He pulled up to the driveway and parked the car, gently leaning over to rub your arm.

“Hey,” he said quietly, “We’re home.”

You hummed in acknowledgement as you yawned and let you eyes adjust to the lights in the car.

“Mmm. Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“It’s okay, it’s late. Let’s get you inside.”

You slowly got up and out of the car, gravel crunching underneath of your shoes. Bucky walked with you up to the front door.

“Goodnight, Bucky.” You said groggily, leaning forward to kiss him. He met you halfway, pecking you on the lips.

“Goodnight.”

He watched you cross the threshold, giving you his usual three-fingered wave when you turned back to wave goodbye.

---

For the third date, you had told Bucky to wear his suit and tie. He had no idea what to expect. Hearing thunder outside, he took a peak through the blinds. The wind was really starting to pick up. Grabbing his phone and wallet, he gave Alpine a quick scratch before heading out. The wind was harsh, even for Bucky’s standards. He jogged across the driveway and up the porch, knocking on the door. A few seconds later, you answered, stepping out onto the porch.

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting the weather to be like this. I got us a reservation at the museum’s restaurant but I don’t think it’s a good idea to travel that far in the rain.”

You looked out at the sky as the wind whipped your hair around your face. Bucky took the moment to admire how attractive you were. You had on an emerald satin cowl-neck dress that had a slit up the side. Dainty gold earrings matched the shimmering tennis bracelet you on. Your heels gave you some height and made it look like you were showing off an ungodly amount of leg.

“I’m sorry Buck,” you started, looking back to him. “I think we’ll have to go out some other time.”

“I understand. You look beautiful, by the way.” He said as he grabbed both of your hands.

You thanked him with an affectionate smile before getting a thoughtful look on your face.

“Would you like to come in for a drink?”

---

You padded back to the living room with two glasses, heels discarded at the door. Bucky, sans coat and tie, had opened a bottle of whiskey. Tucking your leg under your knee, you sat close, facing him. You held out the glasses, letting him poured a small amount in each. He sat the bottle down and you held out your glass to clink it to his. You took a sip of liquid courage, trying to steel your nerves. You held your drink in your lap and put your arm up on the back of the couch, leaning your head on your hand.

“It’s strange how, once we started seeing each other, how much of a rush it feels. Does it feel like that to you?”

“I do. It feels like… I just can’t get enough.” He said with a chuckle.

“It’s quite nice.” You smiled softly. “To find someone you have an understanding with.”

Bucky nodded as he sipped on his drink. You’d only known each other for half of a year, but if he thought about it harder, you had spent a lot of that time together, especially during the last few months. Bonds are also strengthened during trials and tribulation- you were both people looking to start over, to live happily, to do what you love and have a sense of fulfilment.

“I just think you’re amazing. I think it’s amazing that you want to be with me. I went through so much for so long, and now I finally remember what it feels like to have a sliver of happiness. So thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to be with anybody,” you started, looking down at your drink, “-and I would imagine it’s been the same for you.”

“Yeah. Since before the war.”

“There’s been nobody since?” Your face changed to one of empathy. Bucky took another sip of his drink.

“Nobody. Except you.” He glanced at you with a look of resolution and longing. Gently, you smiled back at him.

“I must be one lucky gal to catch you this late in the game.”

You looked at each other affectionately and kissed. It wasn’t rough, but still filled with passion. After a moment, you pulled apart. You looked up at him through your eyelashes and bit your lip. Bucky swallowed thickly.

“How… fast do you want to take things?”

He blinked in surprise at your words. He hadn’t expected a straight forward discussion about it, but then again, dating in this age was much different. It did make things refreshingly simpler.

“I, uh…”

You looked at him expectantly and he cleared his throat and apologized.

“Sorry. This is all new for me.”

You set a hand on his thigh encouragingly and offered to go first.

“I can start. I… haven’t been with anyone, physically, since my last relationship and you know how that ended. He could be a little… forceful, and that aspect of our relationship has proven to be one of the hardest things to heal from.”

At this point, you were looking down at your hand, tapping a soothing rhythm from muscle memory onto his thigh.

“… I’m sorry. That must be extremely painful to deal with. Nobody should have to go through that.” He put a hand onto your knee reassuringly, rubbing it with his thumb. You shook your head quickly.

“It’s in the past. I’m happy with where I am now. At the end of the day, that’s what matters. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself… Either way, I guess what I’m trying to say is… I’m not completely sure what I’m ready for, and I might not know until the opportunity presents itself. Please, be patient with me as I figure this. It’s not because I don't trust you or think you'll hurt me, I just...” You trailed off.

“Of course. Whatever you need. Don’t be afraid to tell me if you’re uncomfortable,” he assured you. “If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t been with anyone… ever.”

“Really? Like, you’re not just saying that to make me feel better?” You looked at him in a way that implied that he better not be messing around.

“I mean, I’ve gotten a little handsy before,” he said in slight defense, lightening the tension. “but I’ve never been with anyone like that. We didn’t talk about stuff like this in the 40’s. It was expected that you… you know, wait until marriage. People still got together physically, but it was way less common back then. Believe it or not, Steve wasn’t the only gentleman out there.”

You nodded your head and looked at him, clearly impressed.

“No, I totally believe that. Wow. Playboy Sergeant Barnes, waiting for the right girl. You know they write about you like you basically invented premarital sex.”

“Pfft.” Bucky couldn’t hold back his laughter. You both fell apart into a round of giggles. You took another sip of your drink and tried to settle down, wiping your eyes and letting out a deep breath.

“So, are you waiting? To be married? It’s totally fine if you are, I’m just curious.”

Bucky shrugged his eyebrows, now bringing his arm to rest against the couch behind you.

“Not anymore. I think I might’ve then, but that was a lifetime ago. I think what matters most is how comfortable I feel with the person. Besides, it’s rude to keep a lady waiting.” His tone changed, wearing a teasing smile on his face. You rolled your eyes, though still smiling, and put a hand on his chest lightly.

“Very funny, Buck. I’m glad we got to talk about it.”

“Me too.”

The rest of the night was filled with cooking together and watching a movie, only to be distracted by each other. You had been making out with him for quite some time before you separated from him, yawning and stretching your arms over your head.

“Alright, I’m tired. Wanna sleepover?”

“What happened to taking things slow?” He half-teased.

“Well, I figured since you’ve already slept over here once, it wasn’t anything new. Plus you are so warm and it’s so cold.” You bantered. Changing to a more serious tone, you reiterated- “Only if you want to.” Bucky squinted his eyes as he thought and then mentally shrugged, getting up off of the couch.

“Sure.”

He followed you down the hall. You padded lightly to your room, pulling your hair to the front of your shoulder.

“Do you need clothes?” You asked as you started unzipping the top of the dress. Instinctively Bucky looked aside.

“No, I’m good, thanks.”

You responded “okay” as you stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind you to change in privacy. He looked around before unbuttoning his shirt and shrugging it off, leaving him in a plain white t-shirt. He did the same with his pants before getting in bed on the side you don’t sleep on. Bringing one arm up under the pillow to prop himself up slightly and resting the other on his midsection, he let out a deep breath, getting comfortable. The sheets were extremely soft, and they smelled like you. Hearing the door open, he watched as you came out in a loose long-sleeve t-shirt and soft flannel sleep pants.

“Comfy?” You asked with a smile, hanging up the dress on the door.

“Yeah.”

You got into bed on your usual side and laid on your stomach, propping yourself up on your forearms as you looked down at him. Your hair created a curtain, blocking the light from the lamp and creating your own little bubble.

“Goodnight.” You smiled at him sleepily.

“Goodnight.”

He kissed you softly before settling back down. You turned off the lamp and scooched up next to him. He sighed in contentment and moved his arm so that he was holding you to him. With your head resting on his shoulder, he fell into the best sleep he had had in years.

---

The next morning, Bucky floated back up to consciousness to what felt like bliss. Stirring awake, he blinked his eyes open to find the source of the comfort- you. You were still asleep, curled up next to him, face against his arm. Carefully, he slid out of the bed so as to not disturb you, and went to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. He breathed in the morning as he looked out at the bare landscape. After experiencing cryofreeze and the depths of Siberia, the cold couldn’t phase him.

What did phase him, was the warmth he experienced with you. His entire life up until this point had been frigid. Losing his family, his friends, his life, his willpower. Everything around him was nothing but cold to the touch. Then, you came in with a burst of red warmth, thawing him out and letting him feel again. Feel something other than pain and confusion, anger and abandonment. The feeling of actually being happy, which was new and overwhelming.

He hadn’t noticed his breath growing heavier. Putting a hand to his chest, he tried to slow his breathing. Being happy also meant that it could now be taken away. He hadn’t had anything to lose in a long, long time.

The creaking of the floorboards caught Bucky’s attention, and he was able to calm himself down with the distraction. He poured another cup of coffee as you walked into the kitchen. Turning around, he saw you stretch your arms above your head before settling down on the barstool at the counter.

“Good morning.” You greeted him with a sleepy smile, slouching over the counter to watch him pour the exact amount of cream and sugar that you liked into the cup.

“Good morning.” He echoed, handing over the mug and leaning against the counter across from you. “I’m sorry if I woke you up.”

“You didn’t. The delicious smell of coffee did.” You took a sip and sighed. “And maybe the cold did too.”

You reached over the counter for his hand. The warmth of his palm brought much needed heat to the tips of your fingers. He squeezed your hand slightly tighter than normal and you thought nothing of it. You lifted the mug to your mouth by one hand and took a longer drink before settling back in your chair. Your unbrushed hair framing your face as the light of the winter morning lit up your eyes.

Bucky’s breath sped up slightly as he looked at you, completely enamored and terrified of the feeling that was swelling in his chest.

#bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes angst #bucky x you #bucky barnes fluff #bucky x reader #bucky barnes fic #bucky imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes x reader

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ohshit-itsyagorl · 4 years ago

Text

Four Dipshits and a Michelle

Part 3!

Part 1, Part 2

Read the story on AO3 HERE

Summary: Michelle never believed in soulmates. But what happens when she turns seventeen and gets her mark? What happens when she inevitably finds the person with the matching tattoo? And what is she supposed to do with Peter Parker. Her best friend in the whole world. Her crush. Someone she feels drawn to for some inexplicable reason.

Trigger Warnings: This chapter contains (very) brief mentions of Pedophilia and Rape.

She woke up warm and comfortable, nestling into the warm body under her.

Wait.

She opened her eyes. It was still dark outside, which wasn’t surprising considering it was the middle of January, but then she turned her head to look down. She was on top of Peter, the only thing separating them from being skin to skin was her (his) thin t-shirt.

She had a ridiculous urge to reach out and run her fingers through his hair (it looked really soft), but she restrained herself. Then, when she moved her hips, Peter let out a soft groan, and she realized three very important things all at once. She was wet (she couldn’t remember her dream but she had a bad feeling she knew what kind of dream it was), she was on top of Peter, and this was very, very not okay. She screamed.

Peter’s eyes flew open and he shot up to a seated position, accidentally throwing MJ to the end of the bed. “Oh, shit, M. I’m so sorry—”

“Don’t worry about it,” she mumbled, completely embarrassed. Why couldn’t she have just quietly removed herself from him? Why did her traitorous mouth have to open and ruin everything? Wasn’t the rest of her body bad enough?

“What time is it?” He asked, rubbing the back of his neck. Michelle watched the muscles move under his skin with the movement.

She pried her eyes away and checked the clock. “6:56,” she said. “We need to get up at 7:00 anyway. Might as well get it over with.” Peter was looking at her curiously. “Just say it,” Michelle said, dreading the worst.

What he said next, however, was not what she was expecting. “You make a good blanket.”

MJ stared at him. Then started giggling like crazy, falling into his arms which quickly wrapped around her to steady her. It was all just so ridiculous: waking up to find herself tangled up with her best friend. It would be a great story to tell someday. Definitely not now, but maybe someday.

Her forehead was resting between his pecs as her shoulders shook with silent laughter. She looked up at him, tears leaking out the corners of her eye, to find him grinning down at her. Without thinking she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. “Thanks for making that not horrible,” she mumbled into his skin. He chuckled.

Then she remembered he was literally only wearing boxers, and she wasn’t wearing a bra. She pulled back and cleared her throat. “We should, um—we should probably get ready for school,” she said.

Peter cracked a smile. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” He made to get up and MJ shifted off his lap, face and chest slightly red.

Michelle pulled Peter’s sweats off, trusting the shirt to cover herself as Peter rummaged through his drawers to pull out the appropriate clothing. “Hey, Pete?”

“Yeah?”

“I can get away with wearing the same jeans two days in a row, but I think I should probably borrow one of your shirts, and, um,” god, this was embarrassing, “can I maybe borrow some deodorant?”

“Oh, yeah, no problem at all.” Peter was still digging through his dresser. “Deodorant is in the bathroom next to the sink and shirts are second drawer from the top. Have at it.” He pulled on a pair of jeans and turned to smile at her. Then it disappeared as he saw she wasn’t wearing any pants.

Michelle could feel herself heating up, so she quickly grabbed her bralette and jeans and rushed to the bathroom.

Only after putting it on did she realize that, in her haste to get away from Peter, she hadn’t grabbed a shirt. She looked at herself in the mirror, making sure he wouldn’t be able to see the spider, and steeled herself before walking back into his room.

Peter looked up as she entered, and his eyes dropped to her breasts. He couldn’t see it, could he? The lighting in the bathroom wasn’t the best, and her bralette was white. She decided to try and play it off. “Parker, I know you’ve never seen a girl in her bra before, but it’s rude to stare.”

“wha—I wasn’t! I mean, I was, but it’s not like that!” He spluttered. At least his eyes were back on her face. She walked past him, still gaping like a fish, and opened the second drawer to find over fifteen shirts, all with a different math or science pun. She rummaged through the shirts to find the least offensive one, finally settling on a find x, here it is t-shirt and pulling it over her head. Since it was still rather large on her slim frame, she pulled it up and tied a not in the front just over her bellybutton.

When she looked back up at him, he was grinning like an idiot. “What?” She asked.

“Your soulmark isn’t anywhere on your stomach or back,” he said. “Is it really on your ass?”

“I am not telling you anything about that,” MJ muttered, shaking her head but trying to suppress a grin nonetheless. At least he didn’t see it (but he was looking).

——————————————————————————

When MJ sat down at their lunch table, she was not expecting to look up and find everyone staring at her. “What?” She asked, thoroughly confused.

Betty leveled an unimpressed look at her. “That’s Peter’s shirt, MJ. Why are you wearing Peter’s shirt?”

She looked down. “Oh, the heating went out at my apartment so I slept with Peter.”

Cindy raised her eyebrows and gave Betty a pointed look. Betty sighed and leaned down to dig through her backpack, coming back up with a crumpled twenty dollar bill and leaning across the table to hand it to Cindy.

“Wait. What’s going on here,” Michelle said.

“Cindy bet me you and Peter would, you know, before the end of the school year,” Betty started.

“And you did,” Cindy added, “so I win.”

Shit.

Michelle felt her face grow hot. “No!” She cleared her throat. Everyone was looking at her now. “Um, no, we didn’t sleep together, god, you guys. I stayed over at his house because I couldn’t go back to mine. We slept in the same room. That is literally all the happened.”

Cindy let out a disappointed sigh and handed the twenty back to Betty.

Michelle looked between them. “Wait, is that why you said Peter might be my soulmate? To get us to, uh, to do it?” Cindy’s guilty look gave her away. “Oh my god, you guys. Please never attempt this again.” She flipped them off for good measure.

“What was that for?” MJ looked behind her to see Peter approaching the table, a curious expression on his face.

Fuck.

Cindy opened her mouth to say something but MJ cut her off, “Nothing, Parker. They were just pissing me off. Drop it.”

Thank god Ned wasn’t there. He probably would have told Peter the second he had a chance. She could feel her face flushing again. Damnit.

Peter just shrugged and pushed her to the left a few inches so he could squeeze in next to her. Betty gave her a pointed look, eyes flashing between her face and where her shoulder and arm touched Peter’s. Michelle flipped her off again.

—————————————————————————

January, February, and March came and went. The snow started to melt, and MJ started to get used to her tattoo. After that first night at Peter’s house, the showers hadn’t been so bad. She did learn, though, that she had to be careful about touching her mark. If she so much as accidentally brushed it her loins would start to burn and she’d have to take a brief intermission from actually showering to get herself off.

She was embarrassed to admit to herself that happened at least once a week. She hated soulmates and their stupid tattoos. She felt like she couldn’t talk to anyone about what she was going through. She had tried to broach the subject with her mom, but had learned nothing. For all she knew, no one experienced the same insufferable sex drive she did.

Just like her to somehow have fucked up something predestined by the universe. Stupid soulmark.

That’s how she found herself in Mr. Miln’s health class halfway through April, no longer able to lean her head on her left hand, lest it brush against her soulmark. She had her sketchbook out and was sketching Flash sleeping in the corner, drooling on his notebook when Mr. Miln called the class to attention.

“7th period, listen up, this is the class you’ve all been waiting for.” A loud snore came from the corner, and MJ caught Peter’s eye as they both tried not to laugh. “Flash! Keep your eyes open, please.”

Flash lifted his head off his desk. “Huh?”

“Eyes. Open,” Mr. Miln repeated, clearly irritated. “Today we’ll be talking about soulmates.” MJ rolled her eyes. This would be interesting. She looked back down at her sketchbook. “Now, as I’m sure all of you are aware, everyone has a soulmate, someone who is supposed to be perfect for you.

“Clearly, that doesn’t always work out, but in most cases, soulmates are happy with their predestined partner.” Michelle bit back a humorless laugh at that. Mr. Miln continued, “Everyone will get their soulmark at midnight on their seventeenth birthday, usually it represents at least one of the people in that particular soul bond.” A spider. Michelle was pretty sure she didn’t want to meet the person represented by a fucking spider.

MJ started to drown out Mr. Miln and focused more on her sketch. This one was of Peter with his head in his hand, mouth hanging open a little as he stared at the projector at the front of the classroom. But then something caught her attention.

“Sometimes soulmates can experience strong sexual desire, even before they know who their soulmate is. This is usually stimulated by touching the soulmark, and can even be known to bring the person to climax solely from attention to the mark.”

A fit of giggles broke out across the classroom, but Michelle wasn’t laughing. Her old, fat health teacher was describing exactly what she had been going through for the last three months. She looked over at Peter, who was now sitting forward in his chair, suddenly much more interested in what Mr. Miln had to say. MJ couldn’t blame him, she knew it probably sounded pretty interesting. Unless, of course, it was something you were experiencing.

“Stop laughing,” Mr. Miln snapped. “Strong erogenous marks are the sign of true mates, a very rare occurrence. For true mates, it is impossible to resist the pull of the bond. They are equals, perfect matches for each other, and they always produce prodigal heirs.”

Fuck. That wasn’t good. How was she supposed to ignore her soulmate if she truly was a true mate? She resolved that she would be the first true mate to break the cycle the universe had set. She noticed Peter giving her a funny look, and she realized she was scowling.

Wrinkles, he mouthed. She scowled deeper, flipping him off under the table. He just laughed quietly and turned back to the board. She caught herself smiling, and turned back to the board too.

“Now, with soulmates consent is necessary, but with true mates, it’s a little trickier. Once the bond is realized between two true mates, it is impossible to ignore the urge to procreate, since they are made for each other to create the perfect offspring, so consent is technically not possible.” MJ’s head snapped up at that. Rape, that’s what it was. Rape. This was bad. Really, really bad. She felt sick to her stomach. She was going to puke.

Everyone met their soulmate (or true mate) sometime in their life. Michelle just hoped she had a long time before that point. Maybe she would meet them when she was eighty. That sounded okay. They couldn’t possibly have forced sex as eighty-year-olds.

“Because of the purpose of procreation, true mates will find one another by the time they’re twenty five.” Mother fucker. “Soulmates, however, can meet at any point in their lives.”

Why couldn’t she have just had a normal soulmate? She didn’t feel special at all. She felt violated, if that was even possible when it came to knowledge.

“Just like soulmates, true mates will only know they have found their match when both parties have seen the other person’s tattoo. True mates can also feel the other’s sexual desire, although it is not very strong when neither or only one of them has their tattoo” Mr. Miln looked out to the class. “Questions? Yes, Flash.”

Flash looked from the projector to Mr. Miln. “What happens when one true mate is under eighteen and one is older. Is that considered pedophilia?” He snickered into his hand.

“Ew, gross, Flash,” said Lee from her spot at the front of the classroom.

“Detention,” said Mr. Miln in a bored tone. Flash started to argue but Mr. Miln cut him off, “Speak and I’ll make it two detentions.” He turned to the rest of the class. “Alrighty, folks, Pair off with the person next to you and come get this Venn diagram and word bank. I don’t think I need to explain the activity to you as I’m hoping you all know what a Venn diagram is.”

MJ looked over at Peter, who was already walking to the front to pick up worksheets for them. She used the time to pull their desks together, and by the time she was done, he was back. He sat down at his desk and passed her one of the papers.

“So, was it just me or was all that true mate stuff, like, really creepy?” He said. Michelle could have hugged him for that. She was so happy he understood, even if he didn’t know she thought she was a true mate.

“Yeah. It sounded an awful lot like rape to me,” she replied.

They fell silent, and spent the next ten minutes working on the diagram. After that, they just made fun of Flash. With two minutes to the bell, Mr. Miln asked them to turn in their papers.

“Great job today, class. Don’t forget to follow me on twitter @caramel-health, and have a great day. Dismissed.”

MJ rolled her eyes. Without fail, Mr. Miln had plugged his twitter handle everyday this year, and even when they had a sub, he left it in the day’s notes.

As the rest of the students filed out of the class, MJ lagged behind. Peter looked back at her, but she just waved him on and mouthed go.

When everyone had left, Michelle walked up to Mr. Miln. “Um, I just had a question about—about true mates.”

He looked up at her. “Shoot.”

“Is there any way to, um, to suppress the… the sex drive?”

He looked at her with pity. “You think you are one, don’t you?” He asked. She nodded her head slowly. Mr. Miln took a deep breath, “No, Michelle. I’m sorry if that’s not what you wanted to hear. It should lessen after the first round of sexual intercourse, but other than that…” He shook his head solemnly.

Michelle swallowed thickly, blinking back tears. There was no hope. The only thing she could do was try and live life to the fullest while she still could. She nodded with a quiet thank you and turned to leave the room.

“Michelle,” Mr. Miln said. “There has not been one case where true mates didn’t work out.”

She shook her head and kept walking.

——————————————————————————

The rest of the school year went by in a blur.

Michelle tried her best to never touch her mark, she really did, but it seemed to grow more and more sensitive as time went on. The worst was when Peter had given her a hug after they won nationals again and the mark had burned hotter than it ever had before. She had fallen into him panting and shaking. He held her, asked her if she was okay, if she needed water. She hadn’t been able to talk. Her knees were weak, the only thing holding her up were Peter’s muscled arms wrapped around her waist. Her whole body felt like it was on fire and she couldn’t get back to the hotel fast enough. When everyone went to sleep after the long day, she brought her hands up to her left breast and stroked the spider until she quietly came. Thank god no one had woken up.

She got up and went to the bathroom, quickly changing into her bikini and sneaking down to the hotel pool. It wouldn’t close for another two hours, so she wasn’t in a huge rush. She just needed to clear her head and be alone for a bit.

She wasn’t in the pool for five minutes when she heard the door open and Peter’s voice said, “Oh, you’re here too. Couldn’t sleep?”

MJ shook her head, leaning back to float on top of the water. One glance at Peter and she saw that he was still ripped as hell, so she closed her eyes. She couldn’t deal with that right now, not in the state she was in. She felt the pool ripple as he slid into the water, then felt him grab her ankles and slowly start to drag her around the pool. It was oddly calming, and Michelle just let go of the tension and tried to relax.

After a few minutes, Peter tapped her ankle and she lifted her head out of the water, but that caused her to sink, and she floundered for a moment until Peter grabbed her and pulled her around to his back. She looped her arms around his back, wrapped her legs around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder.

Peter took a deep breath. “Remember what Mr. Miln said that day about true mates?” He asked. Michelle stiffened, tightening her hold on her best friend’s neck.

“Yeah. What about it,” she asked carefully.

“I think I am one,” he blurted. She could feel his stomach muscles tense beneath her legs.

“One what?” She couldn’t assume. She needed to hear him say it.

“A true mate,” he said, so quietly she could barely hear him. She breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t alone, Peter was like her, or at least he thought he was. “I know I don’t have my mark yet, but I can feel them, Michelle, and it’s really fucking weird. I don’t know if I like it. One moment I’ll be fine and the next I feel this shiver running through my body. It’s kind of the worst, to be honest,” he laughed softly.

“I think I’m one, too,” she said. “Whenever I touch my mark I feel the same way. I’m actually surprised I’m not losing it right now, considering the piggyback ride you’re giving me at the moment.

“I guess that means we’re not each other’s true mates then,” Peter said. Michelle felt a pang of sadness low in her gut at the words, but just nodded against his neck. “Well,” he said, “next time I get randomly horny in class, you can cover for me.”

Michelle laughed. “Ditto.”

“You know what else that means, M?” He asked. She hummed. “It means your mark really isn’t on your ass.”

“Shut up, Parker.”

————————————————————————

Soon after that, the school year was over. Michelle said goodbye to everyone even though she knew she’d be seeing them over the summer, and she, Peter, and Ned walked down the steps of the school entrance arm in arm, laughing and talking about what the summer held for them.

“I’m so glad we’re done with AP Bio,” Peter said. “I don’t think I could look at another picture of a cell with spontaneously combusting.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Pete. Remember you signed up to take AP Chem with me next year,” Michelle reminded him.

Peter grinned at her and her heart did a little backflip. “Nah, that’ll be easy,” he said.

Ned gave Peter a funny look. “Dude, you’re crazy, you know that?”

Part 4

#peter parker #peter parker fanfiction #peter x michelle #peter parker soulmate #michelle jones #soulmate #smut #eventual smut #fluff #spideychelle #au #best friends #soulmarks #potentially triggering

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straykats · 5 years ago

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Hi, I'd like to request a scenario with Hyunjin where the reader is also an idol who's very famous for her dancing talent, they bump into each other backstage at an awards show and the reader compliment him a lot, praises him and asks for a private lesson from him cause she really admires him... His reaction is up to you... 😊

I’m not really sure how award ceremonies run behind the scene, so I based this off my experiences when I was in music ensembles..? I had like.. three different openings for this typed out, but I think this was the best one i could work with lol sorry if it’s kinda iffy jcdknd

-----------

“30 minutes until the opening ceremony!”

As the staff pops back out of your dressing room, your make-up artist does the final touch ups. “Okay, y/n, you’re all done! Be sure to wink a few times - I didn't spend all that time on your eyes for no reason!”

You laugh and thank your stylists and makeup artists before leaving the room… Well, it wasn’t really a room. All the female artists had been grouped into one massive hall, divided into smaller sections by pin-up boards. You had heard that all the male artists were in another massive main hall. On your way out, you pass many signs of well known groups, your mind rushing with names. Politely greeting everyone you pass, you make your way out into the hall.

As a fairly new artist, this was your first award show. You weren’t completely oblivious of how things ran, but sometimes you wished you were part of a group, not a soloist. While being a soloist had its pros, it was often at times lonely, as you remember now, standing in front of the elevator doors.

“... late, Channie-hyung’s gonna scold you, and Minho-hyung’s gonna make you practice way more. See you soon, hyung!”

You look up to see a tall guy walking towards you, dressed in a blue suit. He was looking at the ground, his hair covering his face. As he got closer, you greet him.

He looks up, and your heart jumps - you recognised him. Hell, you looked up to him.

You were sure a lot of people did. He was rather tall.

“Ah, hello-” He greets you back, and stops next to you. “You’re y/n, right?”

“Oh!” You nod your head. “Yes, I’m surprised you know me.”

“You’re surprised?” Hyunjin lets out a laugh. “You’re one of the most looked forward to rookie this year. Or, like… For me, anyways.” He blinks a few times, frowning, before rephrasing himself. “I mean, I look forward to a lot of your performances. You’re a very good performer. I wish I was like that when I debuted… Ah, I’m Stray Kids’ Hyunjin-”

“Hyunjin-sunbaenim, yeah, I know-” The elevator pings, door opening. You both step inside. “What floor are you going to?”

It turns out that he was going to the same floor as you - that is, you were both on your way to the main stage. While you were going just to get ready to be seated, he was going to prep for some MC-ing.

“You’re an amazing dancer, you know, and being able to sing like that, while dancing? I never understand how my members can do it,” Hyunjin says.

“Oh, I’m- I’m nothing compared to you. You’re control is so much better than mine, and you’re ability to synchronise all the different movements! I was such a fan-”

“Was?”

“Oh, no- i didn’t mean-”

Hyunjin starts laughing, and you laugh too. You had always wondered what would happen if you met the idols that had inspired you, but you never would have thought they would be teasing you in an elevator.

“You were one of my idols,” You confess. “I looked up to you a lot as a trainee… and even now. I really hope I can perform like you one day!”

Hyunjin seems a little taken aback. “I- Wow, thank you, y/n. I guess i’m not a rookie anymore, but I haven’t been in the industry for too long, so to hear something like this…”

The tips of his ears are red, and you turn away. The elevator doors open, and you both step out.

“Anyways, I’ll- I’ll see you around, yeah? Fighting, y/n!”

You nod and bow.

The awards ceremony goes smoothly. You’re sitting two rows in front of Hyunjin, and in any other circumstances, you would probably find yourself turning around to look at him. It still seemed a little unreal to you that you had talked to him so soon after your debut.

You watch Hyunjin MC during some of the small breaks, reading out live comments and praising the performances in the first half of the show. Stray Kids perform as well, and you watch earnestly, your eyes scanning the members for Hyunjin. He had changed into a red jacket for this stage, the outfit complementing all the other members outfits, black and red and white.

The intermission comes after their performance, and you wish you could find the boys and praise their performance, but you were performing the opening stage for the second half. You make your way out of the sitting area and find your way back at the dressing rooms… You had only twenty minutes to change and get all your makeup touched up. It took just over fifteen minutes, everyone rushing and double checking.

You’re getting mic’d up backstage when you hear someone call your name. You look around, seeing a person clad in red diverging from a larger group.

“You’re performing next, right?”

You nod, feeling a little guilty that you couldn’t face Hyunjin directly due to the staff securing your mic.

“Good luck! I’ll be cheering for you, y/n!”

“Thank you…! And good job, your performance was amazing!”

You can finally turn around to face him, and how does he still look so good after such a powerful performance?

“Well, I should let you go. You only have a few minutes, and I need to get changed too…”

He starts walking off, but you call out his name again.

“I- I don’t know if this is out of place or wrong of me to ask, so I fully understand if you deny-”

“Y/n, quickly!”

Your head snaps around at the staff member’s voice, adrenaline filling your veins at the idea of performing in front of such a large crowd. You take a deep breath. “I would really appreciate if you could… teach me, someday? Dancing, that is.”

He’s blinking at you, his tongue between his teeth. You weren’t sure if this was a good or bad reaction.

“I’ll talk to my manager about it! But go, y/n! Rip the stage apart for me, yeah?” He pats your shoulder and gives you a charming smile. You can only bow your head as he hurries off.

“Y/n, we’re live in a few seconds!”

“Sorry, coming!”

The performance goes alright, to say the least. Nerves got the better of you at the beginning, and you start a beat late, but you manage to recover. By the end of the first verse, you’re calmer. When the dance break comes, you’re feeling fierce, and the adrenaline in your was converted to energy which you showed brilliantly in your performance.

You’re sweating by the end of your stage, and you make your way backstage to the staff handing you towels and bottles of water. In less than half an hour, you’re ready to return to your seat.

You catch Hyunjin’s eye as you walk to your seat and he throws you a thumbs up.

The van ride back after the awards show lulls you to sleep, and you try to focus on the passing lights to stay awake. You’re pretty much on the verge of sleep when you feel your phone vibrate. Pulling it out, you see a message from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: hey, y/n! This is Hyunjin, we talked a few times tonight. You’re performances were very good tonight! I talked to my manager, and I should be able to meet up with you for a few dance practices at the following address. I’ll be looking forward to a reply :)

A location is sent, directing you to a dance studio between both yours and Hyunjin’s company. You try to get your manager’s attention to talk to them about this meet-up, but you’re asleep before you can formulate a sentence. Tomorrow, then. Tomorrow, you will reply.

#hwang hyunjin #hwang hyunjin imagine #stray kids #stray kids imagine

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skvaderarts · 4 years ago

Text

Chapter Eleven: Rumination

You can check out the Masterlist Here for more links to places to read!

Note: As per usual, I want to extend a warm thank you to Aureux, HunterJamie, BeansWithBones, RubixaSeraph, Random Reader Nothing Special, and He Who Wanters for their wonderful comments. I smiled like an idiot when I was reading your feedback. In fact, I wasn’t originally planning on writing out this part of the story, but I was so happy that I did. This intermission dinner chapter is for you guys! Enjoy it before things… change a bit. Thank you once again for your continued support. Means the world to me!

-~-

A bay window that spanned the entire outward-facing wall that overlooked the street below was all that separated the cozy dining room from the raging torrent of stormwater just outside the stone rowhouse. As the windows whipped and churned outside, the interior remained dry, even as the window rattled slightly in an earnest effort to not open in response to the prodding storm that it held at bay. The well-built structure served its purpose gallantly, those that dwelled within its walls not needing to worry if their home was going to come crashing down on top of them at any moment. And considering the fact that it was now time for dinner, that was a welcome relief.

In the center of the room sat an oblong table with seven chairs around it. Although generously sized, the eating space had originally been designed with six people in mind. This was clearly illustrated by the presence of the seventh chair at the table. Although it matched relatively well (I mean, what doesn’t match a white table?) The seat clearly originated from an alternate source; the custom stitched patchwork cushions in each seat being the only thing that tied everything together. And it was all very charming in a rather arts and crafts farmhouse sort of way.

Various eating apparatuses were carefully positioned around the table, the placements having been set by the children while Kyrie was busy importing food front the kitchen into the eating space. As a result, several things on the table were crooked, but no one honestly minded. The little ones had tried their best, and that was all that really mattered at the end of the day.

While Kyle, Carlo, and Julio clambered into their seats, their adoptive mother opened the curtains to allow what meager light there was outside to shine into the room. While the space was not claustrophobic, at this given moment in time, it was a bit crowded. Four adults and three young children made for quite the dining experience, especially when everyone present was so vastly different than everyone else. Or, at least they were at first glance. It was true that their personalities were quite different, but they were all united by common goals and the care that they showed for one another. Even when that care was thrown for a loop as the children bickered with one another, causing a bit of a ruckus before Kyrie shushed them gently. They had a guest, after all. This was no time to be rowdy.

“Now now,” She said with a happy but stern tone,” were at the table. No fighting.”

Just as Kyrie was in the process of setting down the ceramic bowls she had ladled hot soup into, Nero emerged from the living room with V in tow. A moment later, Nico joined them. She came down from the second floor of the house and slipped into the dining room, eager to experience whatever culinary delights Kyrie had prepared for them today. To say that she was a wonderful cook would be an understatement, and Nico was not a picky eater. She would eat just about anything that the brunette woman put in a plate in front of her, as long as she had cooked it.

Nico sat down between the two oldest boys, prepared to pester them senseless if the need should arise. V, almost predictably, sat nearest to the corner of the room, his back facing the doorway as if he were poised to take flight should the need arise. This entire situation was entirely foreign to him. In his entire life, he had never been invited to or subsequently experienced a family dinner. That was most certainly due to the fact that he hadn’t any family to speak of until now. In the blink of an eye, he had died, returned from the brink of damnation, and then awakened as if it were all an unpleasant dream, only to find out that he had quite the extended family. It was all a bit much to take in all at once, but he was trying. As much as he hated to admit it to himself, he longed for Griffon’s familiar -if not antagonizing- voice within the confines of his mind. He had grown used to the wisecracking bird’s little jabs and jests, as they had always provided ample entertainment and distraction from the concept of actually having to socialize with those around him. As much as he wanted to get to know everyone, his social battery was rapidly depleting and he would be remiss to not acknowledge that being alone in his new room was a tempting venture.

In his current state, he felt very exposed and vulnerable, and that was not a sensation that he generally enjoyed. V couldn’t pinpoint what it was but, in a way, he felt like he was missing something. Yes, obviously he was missing much at the moment. Namely his loyal summons and their accompanying tattoos, but this was born of something more than that. When his mind wandered, his hands normally stopped that from occurring by turning his attention to something else entirely. But that something had been misplaced, and V was just now realizing what it was that was amiss. As he combed over the remnants of his still marginally fragmented memory, it occurred to him that he hadn’t the slightest idea where his beloved book had gone. Or his cane for the matter. While he didn’t require it to walk, it most certainly made him feel more secure in his person, as it reduced the risk of him falling flat on his face and breaking every bone in his body, or something else equally tragic and dramatic. And his book served a similar purpose, only for his mind instead of his body. He desperately craved a distraction despite not having a clear reason to need one.

As his subconscious drifted into idly thought, he was suddenly made aware of his surroundings again when a small hand tugged on him. He snapped out of his delirium only to find that Carlo had clambered into the seat beside him. While Nero, Nico, and Kyrie were engaged in some sort of conversation with one another about the dinner that he had yet to taste, the small child had seen fit to take his bowl of soup and relocate. No one seemed to notice except for V, as their current conversation proved a formidable distraction.

The young child smiled shyly at him before reaching for the nearest spoon with the intention of eating his soup. V felt a wave of silent panic hit him as the thought of the young child tipping the bowl by mistake and scalding himself crossed his mind. He was on the taller side for a child his age, but not quite at the height required to reach the table safely. V held his hands out and gently stopped the child, garnering a curious look from him as he scooped him up and sat him down next to the table. V then took the cushion out from underneath himself and sat it on top of the existing one in the child’s chair before ushering for him to climb back up. After noticing the child’s hesitation, it occurred to him that he might not be able to do so, so he lifted him up under the arms and plopped him back down into his again.

Carlo smiled and then turned back to his soup, ready and eager to finally eat his dinner. V internally sighed, unnaturally relieved that the sweet child before him hadn’t managed to harm himself. While the liquid wasn’t hot enough to do any notable harm to an adult, it was to a child his age, and he felt compelled to prevent that. V then turned his attention to his own bowl of soup and somewhat hesitantly ate a spoonful himself. Admittedly, he hadn’t been that hungry before now, which was uncommon for him. But now that he had tried it, he was beginning to warm up to the concept. There were descriptor words that he could use to describe how good this soup was, but he had made the decision a lifetime ago to only use those specific words under special circumstances. This wasn’t quite what he had in mind when he had set those restrictions. Regardless, this soup was delicious.

After eating several spoons of the soup, it occurred to V that he hadn’t thanked Kyrie for dinner. He glanced up from his bowl and was slightly startled when he noticed that Nico and Nero were both staring at him like he’d grown a second head while Kyrie giggled happily. V mentally kicked himself. Why was his spatial awareness and concentration so bad today? Sure, he had plenty of reasons to not be feeling quite himself, but this still. Concentrating wasn’t something he had ever had an issue with. This was... unsettling.

V stared back at them, his eyebrow raised. What had he done this time? See this, this was why V was bad at small talk. The eye contact made his skin crawl, even when it came from people he actually liked. He could physically feel himself recoil in discomfort the longer they looked at him like this. After a moment he glanced back down at the bowl and continued eating. “... This is delicious. Thank you.”

If it was possible for a smile to physically render a person blind, then Kyrie succeeded. V stared at her and in surprise as she smiled, practically radiating actual light from her happiness. “Oh, thank you! I’m glad you like it! I noticed the weather, so I thought this would be a perfect time to make soup. And then you Nero brought you home and you seemed sick, so my mind was made up!”

Nico smirked and folded her arms as she gestured towards him. “I didn’t think you even ate food, V! Wow, it’s weird seeing you do… normal stuff, ya know?”

Nero nodded in agreement. Obviously, V ate food. He was a living, breathing being. But there was just something so oddly unnatural about having him over to eat with them. V was too mysterious and subtle to bother with petty normal people things like eating over with family. Or so Nero had figured for some reason that he couldn’t pinpoint. He didn’t really know what to say about it. In a way, he had been so wrapped in mystery and suspicion when they had first met that nothing he did or didn’t do didn’t seem unnatural or suspicious, but now he knew him much better than he had before. And yet somehow this was still just so surreal to him.

V shrugged as he finished eating his food, unsure of what to really say to that. “I would imagine that’s because I’m not exactly normal.”

That all too familiar smirk returned as he put down the empty bowl, not at all noticing that he was the first person to finish eating by a longshot. He hadn’t exactly eaten the food quickly so much as he had simply not stopped eating it for even a moment from the second he tasted it. Part of him wanted to ask for more of it, but he decided against it. He had felt quite queasy earlier that day. It was best not to push it for now. He would sleep on this and see how he felt tomorrow.

Nero shook his head before going back to his food. “You got that right, V.”

-~-

When Kyrie had asked Nico to throw the clothes in the laundry while she put the kids to be, she didn’t hesitate. It was a better idea than allowing her to try and get them to calm down and actually go to bed. A much better idea. The last time that she had tried to do that, they had been up until three in the morning, and she had fallen asleep only to wake up the next morning to a catastrophic mess in the kitchen. No one wanted that.

Nero had volunteered to do the dishes in an act that had led to no small amount of friendly teasing from Nico before they had all gone their separate ways. And in an act that actually took every adult at the table by surprise, V volunteered to help him. Kyrie had insisted that he didn’t need to help since he was a guest, but he had politely insisted, partially from an incessant need to feel less useless, and because he had literally nothing better to do. And that was how they had ended up alone in the kitchen.

As Nero finished washing one of the dishes, he passed it to V who then dried it and placed it effortlessly in the overhead cabinet. Nero shrugged as if to ask his brother a question, testing the limits of how far he could push V in regards to jokes.

“So what the hell,” He said as he handed him another cup. He accepted it nonchalantly as he leaned against the counter,” Have you always been this freakishly tall?”

V scoffed at the comment, idly drying the plastic drinking cup,” Absolutely. Walking with a cane simply makes that less apparent.”

Nero nodded. That made sense. “Then… why didn’t you just get a longer cane?”

V seemed to consider the question for a moment. Or rather, he debated if he should go into that right now. “I… wasn’t afforded the opportunity to pick in the situation I was in. I needed to act fast, or I wouldn’t have lived long enough to think about it later.”

An eyebrow went up at the answer. What the hell was he going on about? Had he been under attack? Nero knew just by the way that he answered that question that he wasn’t going to elaborate any further, at least not right now. But he still couldn’t help but wonder what he was referring to. His life before they had met seemed to be just as chaotic as ever. Would he ever tell him about where he came from? One thing at a time.

He gestured towards Nero’s arm almost lazily.” So, how did your arm grow back?” There was genuine curiosity in his tone, masked under a thick layer of sarcasm. He asked the question so bluntly that it nearly gave Nero whiplash. He stopped washing the dishes for a moment and gave V a sideways look. He didn’t sound like he didn’t care so much as he sounded totally unimpressed, almost like he already had an idea what had happened. Nero briefly considered showing him his Devil Trigger instead of just telling him about it and then came to his senses. If he triggered in the kitchen, he'd probably break everything in here. That, and he’d probably give V a protracted stroke, and he already had enough problems right now.

“I got some new powers and they just kinda fixed it. It’s complicated. I don’t know how to make it make sense,” Nero shrugged, unsure of how to really explain what happened. He wasn’t honestly one hundred percent sure himself. Just grateful.” It works like a normal arm and everything, but Nico modified the Devilbreakers so I can still use them. It’s pretty sweet.”

V nodded to himself, taking in what Nero had just told him. “So it didn’t grow back so much as it replaced itself, then.”

Nero paused for a moment to hand him the last dish before nodding to himself. “Yea, basically,” Nero turned the tap off and wiped his hands on the dish towel,” Why, you planning to cut something off and taking notes? I don’t recommend it. It’s fucking painful.”

He dried the dish and placed it in the cabinet, pausing for a moment. V gave Nero a subtle yet sympathetic look, nodding slowly. “Yes… I imagine that it did,” he reached over his head and closed the cabinet door,” And no, I don’t plan on losing any parts of my body. Dying again isn’t on my agenda as of yet.”

Nero stared at him for a moment in disbelief at the deadpan way he had just said that before bursting out into genuine laughter. Seriously, what the absolute fuck was wrong with him. He leaned on the counter for support for a moment as he tried to stop laughing, slightly lightheaded. V let slip a brief snicker before going totally silent again, trying not to let Nero’s stupidity get to him. When Nero finally stopped laughing, he shook his head and just rolled his eyes. “

“You’re the darkest asshole I’ve ever met in my entire life, you know that right,” Nero folded his arms and shook his head, suppressing a final laugh,” I and saw you fucking laugh.”

V shook his head once, his serious facial expression remaining. “No, I didn’t. I don’t laugh.”

Nero rolled his eyes again. Uh-huh. I’m sure.”

V scoffed, smirking wickedly. “That wasn’t a laugh. You’d be able to tell the difference.”

Nero turned in the direction of the doorway, en route to the stairs. “Whatever, V. Just-” Nero stopped for a moment, something occurring to him for the first time since they’d first met,” Actually what the fuck is your name anyway?”

He folded his arm, blinking a few times quickly. The totally calm look that he had on his face never wavered. V figured he’d ask that at some point, but it still didn’t change his answer. At least for right now. “No. Go to bed.”

Nero just looked at him for a second before. He had never thought that V actually had a sense of humor until now. Well, at least more of one than Vergil had. That wasn’t a very high bar to meet. Nero practically shuttered at the thought of Vergil ever trying to tell a joke. No, Dante had inherited all the funny genes. He utterly refused to believe that Vergil could be funny. And he never wanted to hear him laugh. EVER. He had just developed a phobia he didn’t even know existed.

As Nero took a step towards the bottom stair, he glanced back at V. For a moment the gravity of everything that had happened in the last two days hit him all at once and he couldn’t help but feel slightly emotional. He liked V. He didn’t know if he would ever tell him that straight to his face, but he did. And he was glad that he was back. Maybe they could start over. After he’d lost Credo, he didn’t think he had it in him to be close to anyone like that again. Not with that kind of relationship. But he was a different person now, so he could only hope, even if hope was a dangerous and foolish thing.

“... I’ll see you in the morning, V.”

V smirked, quietly pleased with himself. He turned towards the guest room, glancing back at him as he headed down the hall. “Yes,” he stopped for a moment, turning back to face him,”... Goodnight, Nero.

-~-

Finally, some wholesome family time for V! It only took his entire life, but here we are! As always, thank you guys for reading! The next chapter will be out on Friday, June 5th between Noon and 6 pm, depending on what’s going on. And also, how do you feel about these slower chapters. Obviously, we’re working towards something with some ACTION, but I hope I’m not boring you with the pacing. Let me know! And thanks for the kudos, everyone! Yes, you too, anons! This is the most read fic I’ve ever written. Amazing. Just wow. I couldn’t be happier!

P.S.I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this, but I made a website just for reading my fics. It’s free if you want to check it out. I hope you like it. I made sure everything was really easy to navigate. Here’s the link: https://skvaderarts.wixsite.com/skvaderarts

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macklives · 5 years ago

Text

homestuck recap

i hated this so fucking much bc my 2 am bitch-ass didnt want to read a recap thats probably longer than any slowburn out there

anyways here it is

also, uhhH sorry im using this as a end of session discussion bc that shit gets explained in her as well. and im not writing up more recaps of a recap so this is where im done for the day. (by done for the day i mean last nights session, im still doing a liveblog soon. i just wrote this yesterday)

also that this is long

you dont have to read it, theres nothing of importance

ive been coping with humor to get me through it

neato.

have fun with what i suffered through:

why was “beta” the only thing unhighlighted?

like did i miss a page???

OH its the beta version of HS thats why

damn its like 5 pages and thats it

mmh

well youll all be happy to know im clicking every single one of these links again bc i like looking back like ahh i remember that. good times. also in case i forgot some shit existed.

do you think andrew had fun writing this? or was he like “fuck”

thats a lot of fucking package talk. good thing im not confused as of now and remember it pretty clearly. of else, this early on in the recap, id be screwed.

god remember when i did an analysis on each item and what it did

i feel as if i have the technology engrained inside my head right now

cruxite, alchemeter, all that jazz

flashbacks are starting up already

yeah, that was the good part in homestuck where i knew 100% that i probably would continue on this liveblog in its entirety, ngl

that one explosion scene. bc it kept me going.

OH W A IT SHIT

i just realized how the intermission spades probably fucking foreshadowed the whole jack revolts thing and gains the ring, which was also technically JOHNS fault considering he slashed up the doll in the first place

my god, i guess thats the only good aspect of the recap. looking back at things and realizing the missing pieces.

oh that makes sense for the whole “this prototyping had no effect on the enemies, since he was already in the medium” i didnt actually think about that

little did rose know where that would get her right now

oh yeah

there’s still the whole entire lab terminal thing and how mom basically knows the place exists. i guess we’re still venturing onto that and itll come up later when we find out how mom knows SO MUCH about the game.

still think shes some weird spy or secret agent

i kinda love her ngl

anyways, theres literally no reason for skaia to produce a cloning machine. so technically, they only sent the meteors in, right? so who put the cloning machine in if not mom?

oh yeah that impact was nerve wrecking asf

and still at this point in the comic i called dave fuckboy red

huh, how times change

i hated reading that whole paragraph ngl, the frustration just kicked me in the boobs again

yeah nobody else got tornadoes, huh?

OH that makes also much more sense

bc she did prototyped them before she entered the medium.

i gotcha

man one of my favorite edits i made, rose hitting that meteor with a bat

are you

telling me

the exiles structures they arrived on were in the form of the items the kids used to enter the medium?

THE EGG

THAT EXPLAINS “EGG”

of course it was 413 years ago. that was never explained. simply vague “many years in the future....” but i expected no less from this

man serenity is the most wholesome character in hs no doubt

damn thought andy here was really gonna spoil us jade’s planet

okay cool, im glad i now have the layout to the whole “their stations went to the coordinates of the home button” shindig

man i honestly dont know what else to say besides “yeah cool recap” when i already pretty much know what went down? ofc im looking into each link and shit and adding in things when i see fit, but otherwise its just me going “ah good times” yknow

the whole meteor thing kinda makes sense now?

we’re still missing a few pieces of info but we’re getting there, folks

oh yeah that reveal

god jade and dave have it in the shits for parents huh

bro isnt the best and jade has a fucking dog

who lowkey

is doing better than bro

who knew a fucking dog is a better guardian than bro lmfao

dreambot = terminator. im telling you.

sorry im still on that idea and it will never leave unless i have the actual proof in front of me that its not going to become a thing. meaning, ive finished hs and theres still no terminator dreambot or either andrew himself gives me a canon letter with “the robot is not arnold, mackenzie, pls just let it be”

why is the entire game session highlighted

i swear to god if this is like to a second recap or smth of the whole game session i may fucking CRY

okay thank god its just a design of the skaia layout

which is honestly cool

idk why its blurry tho but i can at least see the layout now. which is honestly how i pictured it anyways.

yeah, john did make a huge impact in his friends’ life and i find that so fucking touching

yep. got that. everything loops around. cool.

especially when the trolls come in. god we havent even gotten to that recap portion yet, we havent even gotten to the INTERMISSION

pls can this be the halfway point to the recap

AT LEAST

so they were exiled after the whole jack: ascend thing, right? considering theyre way in the future. man no fucking wonder.

speaking of jack

man that whole dad and jack interaction was gold, ngl

OH THAT EXPLAINS THE RING THEN

and wow, andrew’s really giving us the best female content huh. andrew is the true god of equality and diversity.

also hey, i didnt realize that wow. so PM tricked the queen in showing the parking ticket to be able to take the present from jack. she’s a smart cookie, that one..

she and PM basically snitched on jack and it was the best thing that has happened to me so far

oh yeah okay

but why did AR panic over bec? bc thats something we havent learned yet, right?

anyways

exile town, the only town which should exist. facts. i dont make the rules.

noice

i love PM being queen. like.. thats canon now. shes an actual queen.

yeah that was a fun game and the consorts were cute

fuck yeah the dick head

hate them even more now that i know john was killed because of them

anyways, i wonder what dick move dave’s denizen did? maybe thats why its filled with lava bc the denizen was like “fuck it. make the land red. kill them all”

UH WHAT

WHAT

OH MY GOD HOW DID I JUST FORGET NANNAS LETTER LIKE THAT LMFAO

THEIR TITLES WERE THERE THE WHOLE TIME!

so i still dont know what they mean but i can gather it has something to do with the game giving them abilities. considering dave is the “knight of time” and he can go back in time. whack.

which means john can either control someones breathing or simply wind. and rose is... like that one girl in the winx club who does the sun shit. bc whenever i think of light powers, i think of stella.

and jade is space. witch of space.

nice

i have no idea what that means ngl

okay finally

we’re at the trolls

maybe this recap will end soon

i remember when i thought they were internet bullies

yesss

someone asked if i basically knew the trolls were on a different veil than the kids, so not presently with them, and i know lol. i was making a joke before btw. jsyk. dont think im incompetent to forget these things when sometimes i choose to forget it so i can add in a joke

it be like that, i annoy many

then again, pls dont assume im trying to say im not incompetent bc im also a fucking dumbass and DO forget shit and i have no excuse

imagine being so bored on the meteor, your last resort is speaking to aliens

ngl me if i was ever trapped on a meteor and could potentially do that

nah ik its bc its their only hope at helping with their session or whatever tf CG said to john. but there was BOUND to be a conference meeting between them like “okay guys. humans. that needs to be sorted out” and you just hear CG screaming in the background

i cant wait to meet them honestly bc im growing on all 4 of the ones we’ve seen already. and on top of that, i know what they look like and i know theyre not THAT bad, just a little on the crayy zee side sometimes

but theyre trying

OH MY GOD

I GET IT

FUCK

DOES THAT MEAN THE INTERMISSION IS *APART* OF THE MAIN FUCKING STORY??

AND SPADES IS WV FOR THE TROLLS

GOD D A M N

wow

i didnt expect that. but maybe the signs were there and i was just willingly choosing to ignore it or smth bc “haha couldnt be, right”

flashbacks to how i thought the trolls were humans

anyways, i guess he got his revenge on the kids version of “snowman” ie the black queen. but really

he did not have to do that. he could have cut off the finger and fled. but he decided “nah, lets implode her” so the loml is dead and all i got was a catchy song

i knew they were different types of “bullies” but now i just have to replace bullies with uhh

trolling strategies

anyways, this is cute. i love how they’ve come to be friends through mutual frustration. good part in the comic.

i wonder why it explodes

more importantly

....

terminator time?

this was my favourite sequences of dialogues in the whole entirety of homestuck. that is to say the back and forth thing that the kids went through to become a sort of wingman for the other.

absolutely gold.

all except AT’s rap.

GC was the only smart one with the linear shit

anyways fuck he still has to kill the denizen now but apparently its hard to beat for a sleeping dick head so

that will be fun for the future

john will probably need to kill A LOT of imps to get there

yeah rose is a badass bc she slayed that thing with needles of all things

OH and the white queen was the cursive

damn did AR ever do the whole guide process to a kid yet? maybe he will with dave, idk

oHHH

i fucking SEE

thats why he said DNA

to use it and replace all the life forms in the ocean

fucking neat wow

man that sounded sarcastic but im genuinely impressed bc all i got was bullshit as i read jaspersprites log

so thats the secret. it was “meow” bc that somehow translates to the genetic code she needs then. and that code apparently took fucking years to write as well. sick. whack. oh man.

derse is very pretty, ngl

and wow shit

“dave had already been awake in his tower all along without realizing it” how tf does someone just

do that, awake in both places at once

i didnt even fucking realize that fact as i read that pesterlog wow

ah yes, around the time things got confusing

okay so the capsule makes sense bc at first i didnt know it was a fucking time capsule so i got confused as to how it just apparated the game lmfao

the more you know i guess *twinkle*

i find that a neat concept tho

like the whole whatever you prototype affects the imps and shit

yeah so that whole “he had no advice” basically impacted his future

no shit dave wanted to reset things bc he probably thought he caused some sort of bad butterfly effect and killed his best friend

fuck calsprite thats all im gonna say

i read that first sentence and i think i got an aneurysm

and then everything else just made me sad again

i mean good thing he fucking did amirite?

we got pain at first but now we got cool shit like idk

fucking DAVESPRITE

damn idk how that works

will rose have like two minds now? or will this be some steven universe fusion shit?

“and understood their meaning” course well i fucking didnt so could you pls elaborate, rose?

okay but then what the fuck did he use that was inside the fucking box

bc i thought he used his knife?

im only every going to refer him as that now, thank you andrew

alright okay..

god that was a lot

i dont know what will happen once i click on those links but i am going to see that for myself bc i refuse to add ANYTHING ELSE

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shadowsndaisies · 6 years ago

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Carrie: The Musical

a/n: okay so kind of excited for this one! this is my first Riverdale piece, and in honor of the 2nd musical episode, I just watched. I wrote this for Carrie from last year, and I’m planning to do another one based off of Heathers now that we’ve seen that beautiful fit. This piece is broken in sections as you’ll see, be aware of the warnings before you read!

Fandom: Riverdale

Pairing: Sweet Pea (kinda)

WC: 4297

Synopsis: Carrie episode from season 2 re-write

WARNINGS: character death, panic/anxiety attack (more so at the very end)

masterlist

Pre-Show: Rehearsals Begin

“I can’t believe you’re doing the musical,” Sweet Pea grumbled as you got off your bike.

“Good morning to you too, Pea,” you sighed.

“First Topaz ditches us because of the Blossom chick, then Fangs dips because of Keller, Jughead joined yesterday, and now you, what the hell am I supposed to do?” SP ranted and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes.

“First off I’m not actually performing and neither is Fangs and secondly you could always join the production,” you offer as the two of you enter Riverdale High.

Sweet Pea scoffed at that, “please tell me you’re joking,” he added a deadpan as his eyes slid to you.

“Not exactly, Pea, if we’re all in the musical, don’t you think you should probably come to see why?” you say as the two of you approach your locker.

“Hell no,” he stated simply, crossing his arms and leaning down to be closer to your eye level.

“Okay, well, enjoy being on your own for a bit Pea, because the rest of us have rehearsals today, I’ll see you later,” you nodded, after exchanging your books.

You tap Pea’s shoulder twice before walking away, shaking your head as his grumbles about enjoying the time off would suit him just fine.

After class you found yourself sitting in the circle with the rest of the main cast Kevin was giving a basic intro when Fangs finally showed, he slid into the circle between you and Kevin.

“Nice of you to show Fogarty,” you whispered to him, a playful look on your face.

“I’m a busy man, (y/n) you know that,” he winked slinging his arm on the back of your chair causing you to chuckle softly and shake your head.

You would’ve continued your conversation too if Cheryl hadn’t begun to sing. You had to give the redhead props, as she sang Carrie you could totally see her embodying the role of Carrie White. Although when she was done the smile that had come to your lips during her performance disappeared as soon as the thud that sounded with the falling of the sandbag was heard. You had physically jumped and Fangs’ arms had instinctively gone to pull you back, just in case.

Sweet Pea and Fangs were the same in that sense, the two of them had consistently been putting themselves in the line of danger to save you for years. A fight breaks out, the boys immediately push you behind them or one of them gets you out. For Fangs the reasoning was easy, he was your best friend, the flirting was all for fun and just a part of both of your natural natures. With Pea, the relationship was a bit different as often times he got a little too protective but at the same time would never give the honest answer, he was one of your closest friends and god were you grateful for him.

When rehearsals ended, shortly after the Cheryl and the sandbag fiasco Fangs walked you back outside to your bike, except when you got there you saw Sweet Pea waiting, leaning against his own Harley.

“Hey Sweets, what are you doing here?” you asked slowly as you and Fangs approached your bikes.

“Fangs texted me about the sandbag,” he stated and you rolled your eyes before glaring at your other friend.

“Seriously? I wasn’t even close to it, Cheryl’s the one who could’ve gotten hurt. Hell, I’m not even actually in the musical, I’m helping with costumes and filling in as an ensemble dancer and voice,” you clarify.

“Dead, she could’ve gotten dead,” Fangs argued.

“You’re not helping, Fogarty,” you squint at him.

“From now on, if you’re going to insist on doing this stupid musical because it is stupid, then I’m there, every time,” Sweet Pea decided.

“Fangs is going to be there constantly, and I don’t need a babysitter, I’m a big girl, Pea,” you attempted to object.

“You know this doesn’t really seem like you need me for this argument, so I'm just going to head out, I’ll see you guys back at Sunnyside,” Fangs managed to get out as you glared at Pea and he stared back.

It was once the roar of Fangs bike could no longer be heard did Sweet Pea speak up, “I know you’re a big girl, okay. Trust me I’m well aware, but here’s how it’s going to go down, I’m going to be there, end of story,” he stated.

You couldn’t help but scoff, “look Sweet Pea, I’m grateful for the fact that I have you and Fangs always looking out for me, but this time I have to say no. If something’s going on we’ll figure it out, okay? I’ve got Jughead and Toni and Fangs all in the musical. Not to mention I’m actually friends with Betty and Archie and Cheryl and pretty much everyone else, if anything happens I’m protected. And you’ll be the first to know. But you gotta give me space this time,” you sigh before starting your engine, revving it so that Sweet Pea wouldn’t be able to get another word in.

Act 1: B & V

Days began to go by without another incident, Jughead told you he’s looking into the whole sandbag incident and that he’s got his eyes open, Cheryl and Josie seemed to have made up, or gotten to the in the works stage of the process and your costume game was going strong, so was your ensemble voice. However, the tension between Veronica and Betty was beginning to become even more palpable. Though things did come to a peak during Veronica’s The World According to Chris number.

“Okay, Veronica I am obsessed with everything that just happened,” Kevin praised as those of us, not in the number clapped from our seats in the audience.

“Thank you,” Veronica smiled, her hands clasped together and a gleeful smile splayed on her lips, “it helps to be off-book and in full costume,” Veronica sent you a silent thank you which caused you to smile back.

The dry laugh from Betty drew all of your attention though, “don’t be so modest. You are the literal embodiment of Chris,” she began and you couldn’t help but send Jughead who was a few seats to your left a look of worry. “Never had a role been so perfectly type-cast.”

“Oh no…” you mumbled a hand already coming up to pinch the bridge of your nose.

“Betty…” Archie began but stopped himself when Veronica raised her hand, you also didn't miss the sigh that Kevin let out, one very similar to the one you let out as everyone straightened in their seats, the drama something they craved.

“What was that, Betty?” Veronica asked, walking closer to the girl who was once her best friend.

“I mean, think about it,” Betty began again, her tone flat as if this were boring her and were completely obvious. “Spoiled rich girl, check. Major daddy issues, check. Bad to the bone, trying to control everyone around her, including her boyfriend and best friend, check, check, check,” Betty finished taking a few steps closer to Veronica as well.

Fangs let out a sigh before turning to you, your fingers still pinching the bridge of your nose, trying to fight an oncoming headache.

“What do we do?” Fangs mouthed, looking straight at you.

“Nothing,” you shook your head and mouthed back, this was one argument where you all had to keep your mouths shut until there was more information.

Intermission #1: a conversation

“Yo, Red,” I need to talk to you,” you shouted through the halls of Riverdale High School when spotted the familiar flob of red hair by his locker.

“Hey, (y/n), what’s up?” Archie nodded, switching out some of his books.

“How are Veronica and Betty? I mean I like them, really I do, but the tension with the musical, and the incident that happened after the Chris number, I’m a little worried,” you explained.

“Don’t worry about it, they’re sorting it out, but trust me, it’s getting better,” he promised before shutting his locker and reattaching the lock. “All you need to focus on is making sure that we look like we’re from Carrie, yeah?” he nodded before walking away.

“Sure thing, Andrews,” you sighed before heading off to your next class as well.

Act 2: Cheryl Blossom

Some more time went by and the cast was becoming stronger and stronger and then Kevin got another note, of course, you weren’t supposed to know. But you were a Serpent and that meant you and Jughead were family. When Kevin decided to talk to Cheryl things turned out very different than how you all were expecting them too.

“Due to some unforeseen circumstances...” Kevin began, clearly upset. Fangs had moved his hand to hold Kevin’s shoulder soothingly, though, Kevin had pushed it away. “...Cheryl will no longer be playing the role of Carrie White,” your eyes widened.

Sure Cheryl was being targeted but Cherry Bombshell never backs down from a fight, ever. Clearly, you weren’t the only one to be surprised as everybody immediately began asking “What?” and “Why?”. As your eyes danced around looking carefully at everyone sitting in the circle they couldn’t help but fixate on Ethel Muggs for a moment, she seemed to be fighting a proud little smirk and failing.

“Let’s just say Penelope Blossom isn’t much of a stage mom,” Kevin announced to everyone before leaning towards Toni, she was sitting on the other side of you while Fangs was to your right.

Toni gave a quick nod before grabbing her stuff and walking away, you shared another look with Fangs, there was some weird shit going down in this musical.

“In the meantime, Cheryl’s understudy will assume the role,” Kevin concluded with a curt nod.

“Understudy?” Ethel asked the smirk had been wiped away by the new information.

“I appointed one after the sandbag incident,” Kevin explained and your eyes narrowed on Ethel as she let out what seemed like an irritated sigh, “Midge Klump.”

Applause erupted from all of us as our attention went to Midge who’s smile brightened and cheeks flushed just enough for us to notice.

Intermission #2: Sweet Pea Returns

“Fangs mentioned things have been getting kind of intense over at the musical,” Sweet Pea noted as casually as he could while the two of you were playing a game of pool in the nearly empty Whyte Wyrm.

“Yeah, figured you must be the soul that Fogarty cries his sweet little heart out to,” you snorted, taking a sip of your water and lining up for your shot.

“Just wanted to check in, see how you were doing,” he continued.

Your eyes squinted slightly as you adjusted your angle before taking your shot, another of the striped balls landing in a hole, a smile on your lips you turned back to your giant of a friend. “Careful Sweets, almost sounds like you care,” you laugh.

You were about to place your hand down to continue your turn but Sweets pulled you back by your wrist, forcing you to turn to him, “Damn straight I care, you tell me what’s going on,” he said seriously, eyebrows furrowed, gaze focused on yours.

And your mouth went dry, suddenly all words taken from you, the look on his face was serious, deadly serious.

“Fangs told you about the second note, didn’t he?” you whispered, you were just so close, a whisper was all you needed.

“You tell me, okay,” he repeated, his voice still low and still serious.

Your hand came up to grab the one he had on your other wrist, “I promise, Sweets. I’ll tell you,” you nodded and he let you go.

“Good, now finish your shot so I can mop the floor with you,” he said, clearing his throat, and that soft look, one that almost looked like fear was gone, and his normal hardened by the world facade was back.

“It’s not nice to tell lies,” you shot back, sparing him another careful glance before turning back to the table.

Act 3: The Cooper Drama

As soon as we started working with Midge as Carrie we had to do a full breakdown of the new dynamic, so we finally let Alice Cooper take the stage, it was going really well and then Betty’s name slipped her mouth. Your head dropped at the realization of what was coming next, Fang's hand came down on my shoulders, his thumb rubbing slightly soothing circles into the blade.

“Mom?” Betty’s voice was soft as she called out to her mother after the older Cooper finished her lines form the song.

“Don’t leave me, Betty,” Alice begged, a soft hiccup in between. “Don’t leave me like all the others,” she added before rushing off stage, Betty got up and followed right after her.

“Am I directing a train wreck?” Kevin asked and that caused me to sit up straight. Fangs shrugged his shoulders before lifting a cup. “And where’s my tea?” Kevin added causing Fangs’ arm to freeze.

“Alright that’s enough drama for me, I’m heading home. Fangs, you good or you need a ride?” you asked standing up and grabbing your bag.

“Rehearsals aren’t done yet!” Kevin interjected.

“Guess it’s a good thing I’m not on stage then,” you sighed, offering the group a peace sign before walking out of the auditorium and to your bike.

Intermission #3: your interview

“Why are we in the music room, Jones?” you asked, a bored expression over your face as you sat down on one of the stools.

“It’s your turn for confession,” Jughead jokes.

“Bless me, father, for I have sinned,” you shot back sarcastically.

“No, but really, this is your time to talk about what it’s been like working behind the scenes and with the cast,” Jughead prodded.

“Kevin’s my friend Jughead. And he asked me to help with costumes. I agreed. The cast is just more of my friends, so it’s been cool. I mean I’m not really one for people’s drama so that’s been a bit much but I don’t know. Fangs is breathing down my neck constantly because Sweet Pea’s doing the same to him. Oh! I just finished the digital file for the program mock-up, I sent it to Kevin so he could make some final adjustments before sending them to print,” you offer.

“This is lame, you know that? You’re giving me lame stuff to film, boo,” Jughead shook his head and you laughed.

“Sorry, my life isn’t some telenovela-like some of our other friends,” you scoff.

“Such a shame too, you could’ve been a star, kid, a star,” jughead trailed with a slight accent, causing you to roll your eyes.

“You’re something else, Jones, you know that?” you laugh as the bell rings.

Act 4: The Show Begins

On the night of the show, I arrived with a bag in hand, inside was my best dress. I wasn’t going on stage but I had been a lot of help and so Kevin had asked me to dress nice. When I walked into the dressing rooms everyone was preparing themselves.

As the curtain call drew closer and closer I had already changed and now was running around to make sure everyone looked perfect. We were all singing You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet as we went.

“You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night you'll never forget. You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night we'll never forget,” everyone was singing

“This will be just great,” Archie sang before I pulled him away from Veronica and to his costume.

“Oh, my life is gonna take flight. Can't wait till Saturday night, yeah…”

Sheriff Keller came in to take a picture of Kevin, and then they ushered you into the photo too.

“Eighty bucks for a tux?” Kevin sang the next line, gesturing to his own clothes, causing me to laugh.

“Damn, we better get laid,” Moose cut in.

“You've been prayin' for that since the seventh grade,” you sang back causing Moose to snort in return.

“It's the least we deserve after everything we've paid,” Alice added from where she was curling her hair.

“Got the food,” Archie.

“Got the drinks,” Chuck.

“Got the limo for ten,” Veronica.

“And we won't get a chance like this again,” everyone.

“We'll be leaving as boys but we're coming home as men,” boys.

“This will be just great! Yeah, my life is gonna take flight,” Chuck.

“Can't wait till Saturday night,” Ethel.

I walked out into the hall to hand costumes out to everyone as they passed.

Toni came first, “You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night we'll never forget.”

Then the rest, “You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night we'll never forget. You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night we'll never forget. You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night we'll never forget. You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night we'll never forget. You ain't seen nothin' yet. It's gonna be a night we'll never, no, never, we'll never forget. A night we'll never forget,” then they were ready.

Intermission #4: 10 minutes til places

“Ten minutes till places! Where is Fangs?” Kevin announced before looking to you.

“I don’t know, Kevin. I’ve been trying to find him myself,” you shook your head.

Sweet Pea hadn’t told you if he was coming tonight but you knew Fangs would know.

“Okay, you know what? You!” Kevin pointed at one of the many co-stage managers he had gotten to help with the musical, “give (y/n) your headset. I need to be able to talk to her in case we have a costume malfunction.”

The girl handed it to you with a smile before walking away to help finish final touches.

“Why’d you really give it to me?” You asked, your friend as you adjusted the headset.

“Keep your eyes open, I’ve got this queasy feeling,” he mumbled before walking away.

“(Y/n)!” Jughead called out to you from where he was behind the camera.

“Yeah, what’s up, Jughead?” you asked.

“When we find Fangs, stick with him, okay? Or find Sweet Pea and sit with him,” Jughead told you.

“Jug! Are you serious? I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” you grumbled before walking away.

Not even five minutes passed before you saw Jughead again, this time he was being thrown out of Ethel’s dressing room, “Really, Jones?” you asked.

“I think Ethel’s the one who wrote the notes, sounded like a guilty conscious to me,” Jughead responded, turning the camera towards me, and then to the side again, “Hey Moose!”

“Out of my way, Jones,” Moose spit back, a hand to Jughead’s chest for good measure.

Your eyes met Jug’s over the top of the camera, you were vaguely aware that he was filming you again, “What is going on with this musical, man?” you muttered.

“Something, diabolical,” Jughead answered, squinting his eyes slightly as he looked after the direction in which Moose had gone.

Act 5: The Final Act

The musical had been going well, you were sitting next to Jughead and Kevin in the middle of the front row, watching Alice Cooper sing before it all went to hell.

“All right, Carrietta, it’s time to come out of your closet,” Alice announced and the stagehands took their queue to raise the closet set.

We were supposed to see Midge, on her knees and she should’ve been singing, instead, your hands began to sweat and your heart began to move much more rapidly and you felt something sour rise up your throat. Midge was on stage, but not how it should’ve been.

“Uh, Kevin, did you reblock this scene? Why isn’t she on her knees singing?” Cheryl’s voice had an edge to it, the same edge that had made it slightly more difficult for you to breath.

Kevin could only stutter and my hand came up over my mouth, the feeling as if I were about to cry, or faint, or vomit all swirling through me. Because on stage was Midge, she was on the wall, suspended in place by multiple daggers in her body and around her, was bloody letters, “I AM BACK FROM THE DEAD ALL THOSE WHO ESCAPED ME BEFORE WILL DIE... B.H.”

“Oh god, no,” you muttered.

“I don’t think that’s part of the show,” Jughead murmured.

“Oh my god,” Kevin was finally able to spit some words out.

“Somebody should help her, for god's sake help her!” Cheryl screamed, and that caused Alice to turn around.

When Alice Cooper let out a scream of pure fear everyone began to move, but you were frozen the panic of the situation was getting to you, everyone seemed to close and the room felt like there wasn’t enough air and everything was too loud.

“(Y/n)!” Jughead shouted from where he was beside you.

“I-I can-can’t-” you shook your head violently and your body began to shake.

You were so focused on how your hands were shaking you didn’t realize when someone else came to stand before you, allowing Jughead to go run after his girlfriend.

“(Y/n),” his voice was stern and low and had an edge to it that made you look up.

There was Sweet Pea, he was staring at you so carefully but also with what looked like relief, then he notices your hands.

“Hey, just breath, okay, you’re going to be fine,” he attempted to soothe.

“Fine!” you shot back between ragged breaths. “She-she’s dead…” you tried to gasp for air and then Sweet Pea made a decision, he slipped his arms around you from where you were sitting, and with a small grunt lifted you into his arms.

His giant stature allowed him to move through the crowd relatively easily and he didn’t stop until he got you outside.

“Hey, I’ve got you, you’re going to be okay” he whispered a few minutes after he had set you on one of the picnic tables outside in the back, it was quieter there and the cold air helped to get you to calm down, his arms were on both sides of you and then you were hugging him.

He froze this time, surprised at how you had basically latched your arms around him, but his arms moved to wrap around you, and he squeezed you just enough to remind you he was here.

“You’re freezing,” he noted, his voice a soft whisper, just like it was that day at the Wyrm. He pulled away from you for a moment to slip his jacket off, he was wearing the leather one today, and then it was enveloping you.

“C’mon let’s get you home,” he said softly.

“I don’t want to go home, Pea. I don’t want to go back to an empty trailer, not tonight,” you whispered.

“Then you’ll come to mine, I told you I’m not letting you out of my sight,” he nodded, offering you his hand.

You nodded before grabbing it.

The Curtain Call

You were sitting on Sweet Pea’s bed, staring at a picture on the wall.

“That was a good day,” Sweet Pea said, his voice soft as he set some stuff to the side of you on the bed.

You didn’t respond and your hands were tucked under your legs to keep them from shaking.

“I got some clothes for you to change into,” he continued, but your eyes stayed focused on the photo. “(Y/n).... C'mon, work with me, tell me something,” he asked and you slowly turned to him.

He sighed and grabbed a wipe as he took in your disheveled face, makeup smudged and streaked over your face. “C’mere,” he said as he tilted your face up to him, tucking your hair back and slowly wiping at your face.

Your lips parted as he swiped the wipe by your chin, “I’m terrified,” you admit to him, voice cracking.

Sweet Pea kept one hand gently on your face as he threw the wipe into the trash bin, “Nothing’s going to happen to you, while I’m here, okay? I’ve got you. All the serpents do,” he promised, but it did little to soothe your nerves.

“That’s not the reason,” you breathed as one of your shaky hands came up to grip onto Pea’s wrist.

He stays silent, eyes flicking to yours as he grabbed your scrunchie from your wrist, his hands moving to your hair.

“I’m terrified for who’s next,” you continued and your eyes watered. “I don’t want to watch another person die.”

He tied your hair in a half bun and swept a few of your baby hairs from your face before crouching down to be eye level with you, “They’re gonna get this guy,” he said seriously.

“You don’t know that,” your voice cracked as you met his eyes.

“I don’t have to. Because what I do know, is that no one is going to touch you, because I’m here, always,” he reminded. “Here, these should sort of fit, get comfy, we can watch a movie or something,” he nodded to the clothes on the bed.

He walked out to go and change himself and carefully you unzipped your dress and changed into the black boxer shorts and grey t-shirt he had left for you.

When he came back he laid on his bed and you fell in beside him. With one arm over your waist, he started the movie. You fell asleep before the halfway mark, and his grip on you tightened slightly. There was no way in hell he was going to just let you go.

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theaterkid821 · 6 years ago

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Gather ‘round peeps. It’s story time. (Spoilers for changes so don’t read if you’re seeing it soon in the future)

Pre-show

So the first thing I feel like I need to say is that if you are a purist for what they call BMC 1.0, you may not like this. There were a lot of changes to lyrics and lines. It was the same show we all love, but it was different. I loved most of the changes but I can see why some people wouldn’t.

In Will Roland’s bio, he says “actor/singer/human.” That’s not important to the show, but it was important to me that you know that.

Also something for my fellow plus size people, the seats are not the most accommodating. Hopefully that isn’t a deterrent, but it is something you should probably know.

They have a thing called squiptheline.com where you can preorder your merch and pick them up. I got poster, sticker pack, and lip balm (they are mountain dew and mountain dew red)

And then it begins...

They had the SQUIP do the intro and it was beautifully hysterical.

They lit up the dot on the “i” (which was a little pill) on the curtain-thing

The shelves behind Jeremy’s bed were full of nerd shit and it was beautiful.

Jeremy has glasses. Nerd level even higher

Jeremy’s dad comes on with unwashed bowls of cereal, old pizza boxes, and cartoons on. Really adds to his depressed aesthetic.

When he’s leaving, you see the mailbox full of mail.

He comes back on as the bus driver so quickly.... how?

During the dance bit, he runs into everyone and shouts “girls!” and then shouts “boys!”

Instead of “so Jenna Roland... I mean slutty” dialogue, they change it to “What are you staring at.... I’ve never even noticed him.”

Signup comes from up above. It’s awesome.

Christine comes on to catch her Eos chapstick (as someone who uses Eos chapstick, I can tell you this is 100% accurate) and then dramatic application

After second verse, before Michael’s entrance, they have Chloe talk dodge a question about her and Jake’s breakup and then Jenna says she saw him with someone. To which Chloe responded, “tell me everything” and then exited.

George Salazar is amazing and I love him.

Even from the beginning, with Michael you weren’t sure on the LGBTQ+ spectrum he was, but he DEFINITELY wasn’t straight.

(Headcannon #1 they used; Michael’s has 2 moms); when seeing the infamous “boyf” “riends,” he took out his phone to take a selfie and said “my mothers would be thrilled!”

Play thing came down from the sky again and Christine lay on the floor for a little bit so you could see her face underneath until it covered her

She did the chorus line dance!

The awkwardness of the scene before I Love Play Rehearsal. 10/10.

The popular kids knocked Christine and Jeremy off the chairs (my poor babies!)

Slightly after Jake impressing Christine: “Why are you guys doing the play anyways” “Brooke’s doing it because of Chloe, Chloe’s doing it because of me, and Rich is doing it because he’s my boy” “and why are you doing it” “well i’m doing it because of you”

Bathroom scene even had the florescent lights come down.

Rich flushes Jeremy’s head down the urinal (poor child I wanted to hug him)

They whispered “so its like... drugs?” “it’s better than drugs Jeremy”

ITS FROM JAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN. ‘Nough said

The projection behind the backup was TERRIFYING. They projected people all in white behind them doing the movements.

The rolled the bed on stage for 2 Player Game

Screaming “The cafetorium!” and then having the quieter music as they sit and play the game, emotionless was beautiful.

“You’re like this bottle of Crystal Pepsi that expired in 1996″ “Is that safe for human consumption?” “Gets better with age”

They had a projection of the game in the background at the end.

They had fog in the shoebox as well as a blue light

“to activate take with mountain dew... not sure why.... and this is important, to deactivate-we’re sold out!”

And then never ended that thought...

“how do you feel?” “like...” singing to add to the dramatic moment and then... “a chump.”

“this guy is hooking me up with a case of ecto-something (i forget). It’s the ghostbusters drink they discontinued in the 90s!” “What does it taste like?” *whispered* “Ghosts!”

(Headcannon #2 they used; Jeremy being a furry); “my default mode you can also set me for... sexy anime female in cat suit with tail.”

They added an intro to Be More Chill

They cut out “i’m a super computer Jeremy, I’m made of math”

The SQUIP was sitting on the clothing rack for the clothing store part

Chloe broke a hanger after hearing he went with Madeline

For Do You Want a Ride, it started with Brooke began by slowly dragging the straw in and out of her soda can ;)

For the Reprise of Be More Chill, they had both the old lady in the track suit, and a lady in the scooter

her license plate said “bingo queen”

SQUIP comes back on in this weird jacket

New song here! Synched Up!

The SQUIP fixes his vision and he doesn’t need the glasses

It’s hard to describe the song, but it’s about friends being “synched” and how everyone is hiding something underneath.

You hear Michael a couple times, but you don’t see him

Talking about Mr. Reyes “his dreams are dead. That’s why he eats so many hot pockets” (hot pockets is sing-song)

When Jeremy says he was doing performance art, Christine has her own idea for a performance art piece. You don’t hear anything about the idea until then end when she’s squatting and shouts “and then I give birth to the bowling ball!”

You don’t hear it because the SQUIP is talking to Jeremy saying she’s unusual because she doesn’t seem to care what anyone else thinks.

During play rehearsal: “bring me patient zero!” “cough!” (she says cough). Then Brooke says her line in stressed iambic pentameter.

They had little hearts for Guy I’d Kinda Be Into

The SQUIP was all ready to point to Jeremy at the end and then was like “wtf” when she said Jake

They had bleachers for the football field for the scene before and during Upgrade

“She wants to make out with you” “Ive never made out with anyone in my life”

End of Brooke’s solo in the beginning, they changed. “So kiiiiiiiiiiiiss meeeeeeee.” *giant pause and then repeated melody* “like noooooooooooooooow”

They added dialogue after Jake and Christine which lead to this layering thing of them all singing “I’m tired of being the person that everyone thinks that I am”

Loser Geek Whatever is so much more emotional than even when i saw it off broadway.

The SQUIP came back out in a very elaborate dress/jacket thing. It was cool

They played a jazzy version of the Pants Song during intermission

Christine dressed as a sexy princess

They added more harmonies to Halloween

Chloe was wasted for Do You Wanna Hang

The SQUIP fell onto the bed after going into factory setting

They took out the

Michael In the Bathroom... if you have a chance to see George Salazar perform this live, I highly recommend

Christine and Jeremy communicating through sounds is beautiful and just... a mood.

There was a sparkly red bra behind them

Rich takes a pumpkin and sets the house on fire.

For Smartphone hour, the changed the first verse of the chorus to “Rich set a fire and he burned down Jake’s house” which helps me immensely (fun fact, someone once thought I was crazy because my friend once texted me “did Rich set his own house on fire, or Jake’s house?” and they saw it and thought my friends were arsonists. I mean, I am somewhat insane, but... not for that reason)

Michael and the dad’s female characters came down from the ceiling.

Michael had shark slippers, Rich had unicorn slippers, and Jeremy’s dad was in a onesie that said “naughty”

I have said this before and I will say this again, it takes real courage to be on stage in front of a few hundred people and sing whilst in your boxers

Michael was wearing weed socks and was smoking of course

Jeremy’s dad thought he was burning incense lol

Christine: “Everyone is hurting and I don’t know how to help. So I guess I’ll just do theatre.” got such a laugh

They basically rewrote all the lyrics for Pitiful Children

Robotic kick-line

Christine knows what a SQUIP is because someone in her theatre camp took one and is now in a mental hospital... coincidence?

The SQUIP comes down from the sky and his chest lights up

Michael breaks through the paper scenery for “MICHAEL MAKES AN ENTRANCE!”

Everyone in zombie costumes for the fight scene makes the parallels to the game so much better

Rich has the lisp!

(Headcannon #3 they use; Rich and Michael); “anti-social headphones kid... is he single?” *sees him* “oh hiiiiii.” “Hi Rich,” *very awkwardly* “Bye Rich!” If you don’t want it, you don’t have to see it. But if you do ship it... oh my god.

He puts on his glasses again!

(Headcannon #4 they use; calling the group the squad); they rewrote the verse for Chloe, Jake, Brooke, and Jenna. they say to Jeremy “we’re your squad” not exactly the SQUIP squad, but still

When asked what her SQUIP looked like, Christine said RBG

For the date, Jeremy suggests the performance art she said she wanted to do.

At the end, there’s a projection of the SQUIP in the background

I’m tagging people who liked the previous post or commented so... Tag list: @molly-wonder-queer @72748-blog @simranthefangirl

#Be More Chill #be more chill musical

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koltarmi · 6 years ago

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Things I liked/noticed about Amélie the Musical UK

Before the show:

• A friend and I watched Amélie at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, which is absolutely tiny. (Picture below) It seats about 200 people and is in the middle of no where. It was a hour’s walk from Newbury Station, but he scenery was quite nice. We got two seats in the front and they were cheap (about £26) because there was a pole, but it was so skinny it didnt block anything.

• Because it was in the middle of nowhere, the surrounding area was beautiful and nothing like a traditional theatre. There was a nearby stream and everyone was sitting on on these iron park benches and just enjoying the view.

• The theatre and stage is tiny. So tiny it makes the theatre that I work at which only seats 50 people look like Carnegie Hall.

• The cast : Audrey Brisson as Amélie, Chris Jared as Nino, Johnson Willis as Collignon/Dufayel, Kate Robson Stuart as Suzanne, Sioned Saunders as Gina, Faoileann Cunningham as Georgette/Sylvia, Oliver Grant as Lucien/Mysterious Man, Caolan McCarthy as Hippolito/Elton John, Samuel Morgan-Grahame as Joseph/Fluffy, Josh Sneesby as Blind Beggar/Gnome, Jez Unwim as Raphael/Bretodeau

• Here’s the set:

ACT ONE

• The show starts with the subway light effect and a transit announcement in French.

• I really hope the UK cast records an album and that it includes the “Everybody’s Connected” song because I love it.

• All the actors spoke with a French accent and used French words when saying hello, goodbye, thank you and etc.

• So instead of having a child actor play young Amélie they used a puppet controlled by the guy who plays Lucien while Audrey provides the voice. And holy shit the puppet was terrifying. It had Dora the explorer choppy hair and had this wooden sheen. It also had the ability to blink which added to the creepiness factor.

• Because of the limited space the actors played their own instruments, ocasionally switching off with someone else when they were in the scene.

• The photo booth doubles as a door frame, the background of the sex shop, and a confessional booth in Notre Dame. The large sign that says “Photo Booth” has a light inside that turns on and which makes the inside of the booth visible from the outside and it looked super cool.

• Instead of it being a tourist from Brussels being on top of Notre Dame, they go back to a tourist from Quebec like in the film. The actor stood on top of the photo booth Instead of jumping, the tourist shoots himself and falls on to a crash mat, killing Amadine.

• Amélie describes her mother’s death using the word “squish’

• As they transition scenes, they straight up drag Amadine’s body off stage and it is hilarious.

• The garden gnome is used as an urn for Amadine’s ashes. Like they literally pour her ashes from the urn into the gnome.

• “Times Are Hard For Dreamers” was moved from the first act to the second act and is after “No Place like Gnome”

• I really want “Going Around Circles” to be in the album and I hate that it isn’t cause it’s a bop.

• Hippolito and Joseph smoke while in The Two Windmills, giving it a more Paris vibe

• A bit off topic, but I went to the Two Windmills cafe in France. The food is so good. If you’re a fan of the movie, I definitely reccomend you visit! (Some photos included below.)

• The guy who flirts with Amélie in the cafe leaves his number on a receipt. As she cleans up his table, she stuffs the receipt into her mouth.

• After, Suzanne invites Amélie to go our for drinks with her, Gina, and Georgette, but Amélie refuses.

• The two pianos on stage convert into Georgette’s tobacco counter and the market where Collignon and Lucien work.

• The clock at the top doubles as Amélie’s apartment. The face of the clock slides open into two doors. There aren’t actually any stairs so to get up there, a pulley with a lampshade is dropped down and Audrey just grabs onto it and swings into the apartment. I kept getting nervous every time she went up because the pulley moved so fast, even though it says in her bio that she grew up doing several Cirque du Soleil shows.

• Speaking of Audrey Brisson, SHE IS SO TINY AND I LOVE HER. Like I’m a pretty short person and she was shorter than me.

• Dufayel has the camera to see the outside world like he did in the film.

• One thing they added was at the beginning if each scene they stated the date, time and occasionally the weather, humidity and etc which is a callback to the film. The whole story of Amélie (by which I mean the events that happen within the show) takes course over three months.

• Chris Jared, who played Nino was HOT, in my opinion at least. The headshots were in black and white in the program, so I didn’t know he was older until I saw a few grey hairs, but he was still super hot in a DILF kinda way.

• They make it clear that Collignon hates figs which is why he gets annoyed when Lucien sings “Three Figs”. He’s so disgusted by figs that he vomits in his hat before putting it back on.

• When Amélie starts her quest to do good deeds, she calls Suzanne and asks for a day off. Suzanne agrees and asks slyly, “What’s his name?” Amélie replies with, “Dominique Bredoteau.”

• They included the scene where Amélie goes door to door looking for Bredoteau, another callback to the film.

• Due to the inaccessibility of the second floor besides the lampshade pulley, if a character needed to stand out, they would climb and stand on top of the photo booth. Amélie stood on it in “Tour de France” and Nino stands on it during “When the Booth Goes Bright”

• When Amélie calls Bretodeau, the phone is held by an ensemble member who makes the ringing noise. When he picks it up, the light in the photo booth turns on, revealing Amélie wearing a scarf around her head and a pair of sunglasses as she speaks to him.

• Before “Goodbye Amélie”, as the report of Princess Diana turns into one of her fantasies, Amélie reaches into the TV and puts on a sparkling tiara as Elton John enters.

• She stands on top of the two pianos placed back to back as they serenade her. At the very end of the sing, she lies down across them with her arms crossed and her tiara on her chest as she winks at the audience.

• There’s actually an intermission.

ACT TWO

• It starts with everyone on the subway. Amélie and Nino are on the opposite end of the train car and they sing a lovely duet. I don’t remember the exact lyrics, but there was metaphor of being lost at sea hinting at “Halfway”. I love the song and I need it in a cast album.

• At the end of the song Nino, stands in front of the audience as if exiting a subway car and Amélie sees him, but she immediately sinks into her seat so that he doesn’t see her.

• Nino leaves his photo album on top of the photo booth when he goes to catch his last train. Audrey Brisson is so small that even on her tip toes she couldn’t reach the top of the booth, so she climbed the door frame of the booth to reach the album.

• During intermission, the grocery stall is replaced with a display case full of different sizes and colors of dildos fo the sex shop scene.

• In the scene where Nino laments the loss of his photo album, (“years of his best work” as he calls it) his coworker is polishing a large black dildo with a cloth.

• Audrey plays the piano as she sings “Halfway” and its absolutely beautiful, so much so that I had tears in my eyes and I got a tattoo inspired by the song in Amsterdam.

• What isn’t beautiful is the return of the Young Amélie puppet during “Halfway” who is visible through grown-up Amélie’s clock apartment.

• She calls Nino from her seat on the piano bench while he’s standing behind the piano, which I thought was brilliant staging. It shows how strong their connection was, but despite that, there was still an obstacle preventing them from meeting each other which was Amélie’s reluctance to reach out to him.

• She leaves him with the riddle of solving Xeno’s paradox along with a photo strip of her dressed in a Zorro costume, which is another callback to the film.

• They also narrate Amélie forging a letter from Gina’s late husband. She does so by taking some of the letters he wrote her before Amélie returning the box of letters to Gina.

• Collignon comes into the cafe, complaining about Lucien. Seeing a chance to get back at him, Amélie serves him a fig tart. As Collignon becomes sick, three people wearing nightmare fig costumes bust out of the photo booth and haunt him. The lights around him and the cafe go dark and turn nightmarish meanwhile Amélie is brightly lit in the downstage left corner by the cigarette counter, as she leisurely unwraps a mint and pops it into her mouth. Collignon is shaken out of his fig nightmare when Lucien enters the café to grab his attention. Collignon admits as a young man he wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer, but his mother wanted him to be a grocer and so he became one despite having no love for it. The reason he is so mean to Lucien is because he sees how much care and love Lucien takes when handling the produce that it makes him bitter. He apologizes to Lucien. Lucien replies he has no idea what he’s talking about and offers to close up the shop for Collignon, who agrees and says that Lucien is a good boy. I love this addition as it doesn’t sweep Lucien and Collignon’s plotline under the rug like the Broadway production does. It’s addressed and resolved before the end of the show.

• After the fig-induced nightmare sequence, Raphael rushes in to the cafe in distress. Instead of going into “No Place Like Gnome” they pause the scene in the cafe.

• They narrate that 275 km away Nino posts flyers of Amelié in the Zorro costume around the city and they move into “Thin Air” instead. Nino comes in from the side of the clock and stands on top of the photo booth. Again because of the limited space, the posters are just stuck around the metal framing of the clock.

• They return back to the café after “Thin Air”. After “No Place Like Gnome” as Amélie spray paints Hippolito’s quote below the clock, she notices the posters and panics ripping one off, but leaves the rest hanging. A took a picture of the set at the end of the show.

• Amelié sends another photo strip to Nino writing, “It has come to my attention that you are looking for me. This Friday. 5pm. Montmartre Carousel. Bring five francs.”

• Amelié wears the Zorro costume in “Blue Arrow Suite”. The ensemble acted as the carousel and had blue arrows on the back of their instruments or on them. For those playing smaller instruments, they wore blue gloves and pointed towards the next “arrow”. The top of the hill was the photo booth and Nino pulls a red stand of binoculars out of fucking nowhere.

• Joseph says Georgette looks lovely when she’s flushed. She replies she’s flushed because of her gluten intolerance.

• When Nino and Amelié are set to meet at the cafe, the airline hostess is one of the customers there and joins in signing “A Better Haircut”

• They cut out the line where Nino says he loves Amelié and doesnt even know her name in “A Better Haircut” and I’m honestly so glad they did that. It works so much better Instead it just goes, “But you know I think she understands me/ I don’t know why she would understand/She may not even feel the same/But I don’t even know her name” with the “She may not even feel the same” part being dragged out a bit more.

• Georgette gets Hippolito to write down Amelié’s address on a page in his notebook that he tips out and gives to him.

• As Amelié sits in her clock apartment, the photo booth is turned so the side that is the door faces the audience. Nino waits below in front of it as they sing “Stay”. As they sing, Amélie moves from her apartment to the top of the photo booth. Again I love the staging, the use of different levels shows both the emotional and physical distance separating them.

• At the end of “Stay”, Nino realizes she won’t be opening the door. He looks like he gets an idea and walks away as the booth is turned to show the photo booth side. Amelié collapses in on herself and cries. From his window, Dufayel tells Amelié there is nothing to fear and shows her his new painting: it’s Amelié drinking a glass of water, making her the girl with the glass.

• Instead of opening the door, Nino climbs through a “window” aka on top of the photo booth (at least that was my interpretation of it, it wasn’t very clear how he got in)

• They sing the “Halfway (Reprise)” and do the the famous kiss on the cheek, neck and eye. Honestly, the tension between them was insane and had whole audience dying with anticipation as we collectively held our breaths. Audrey Brisson and Chris Jared have such crazy good chemistry. When they finally kissed it was like a sigh of relief washed over the audience.

• As the ensemble kneel before Amelié and Nino, Raphael stands, stating that he finally goes on a trip with Suzanne by his side, who then stands up beside him and smiles at him.

• In “Where Do We Go From Here?” one of Nino’s line is changed instead of singing, “Will there be sweet things?” It goes “Will you be with me?” and Amélie’s reply sticks to the original lyric as she answers with, “I hope so.”

• After bows, the cast sing a finale song that combines “When the Booth Goes Bright” and “Times Are Hard for Dreamers”. I cannot stress enough how badly I want a cast album of this show.

In Summary

• The show has improved so much and fixes a lot of the issues the Broadway version had.

• Overall, the UK production stays more faithful to the movie, including lots of callbacks and scenes from the film itself as well as the overall atmosphere of the Paris.

• I. Need. A. Cast. Album. Of. The. UK. Production.

#amelie #amélie uk tour #amélie the musical #audrey brisson #musical theatre

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bethhxrmon · 6 years ago

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All I Ask of You Pt. 7

“We start with stars in our eyes. We start believing that we belong, but every sun doesn’t rise, and no one tells you where you went wrong.” - “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen

Pairing: Peter Parker x Original Female Character

Word Count: 4,358

Warnings: More infidelity, more emotional angst, descriptions of depression

Summary: Annie finally hears her dad’s side of everything while comparing herself to a murderous fictional character.

A/N: Soooo, against all odds I managed to get this chapter up on time! Feedback is always appreciated, I like knowing what you guys think!

MASTERLIST

Playlist

Saturdays were meant to be spent being White Swan while claiming to be hanging out with friends. They weren’t supposed to be for letting her father explain himself or justify his cheating. However, because he offered to take her to the matinee of Phantom of the Opera, she had been won over. Granted, she would be stuck hearing her dad’s side anyways, it would either be over a bribe or him cornering her while she was in the apartment with him. Ever since her mom said she told Annie why they really moved, her dad had been waiting to tell her more. All Annie wanted was to move on and forget about it all, that was the best way to get over the news that she never wanted to hear.

Annie ate some chicken nuggets and looked over at her dad. Forcing her to sit and talk before the show was probably for the best. If he had waited until after, she would have booked it and called Peter or Ned, even MJ or Tina if she had to. Listening to her dad justify being the root of all the issues in their small family was not how Annie felt a lunch at McDonald’s should be spent either, but there were too many things going on that she didn’t have a say in that she didn’t have the motivation to cut her dad off.

“I know what you’ve been expecting me to say,” Carter Hardwick started.

Annie swallowed a chicken nugget, “You couldn’t possibly know, and even if you did, I’d bet I’m right.”

“You know, you’re not as perceptive as you think. Before your mom said anything, did you know anything was wrong?” he asked, drinking the black coffee he bought for himself.

Annie looked down, “I knew it was weird that Melanie quit tutoring me and that we moved.”

“But you know what else? Why your mom and I didn’t divorce?” he asked.

She shrugged, “Because me not having a broken home mattered more to mom than your need to tap it without wrapping it?”

Her father’s forehead creased as he sighed, “Well, that factored into it… but do you remember your mother’s partner at the firm?”

“Yeah, Jim, cool dude, what about him?” Annie prompted.

“They were seeing each other as well, I suppose she left that out, didn’t she?” he questioned.

Annie blinked, her grip tightening on the flimsy plastic cup her caramel frappe was in. Her dark eyes looked up to meet her dad’s. It had to be a lie. There was no way that both of her parents had been the bad guy in the relationship. Who was the victim supposed to be then? Could it be her even if she hadn’t known what was going on?

It was silent while Annie took a few drinks of her overly sweet iced coffee. There wasn’t exactly a manufactured response or a pre-ingrained retort for her to deliver. She couldn’t just run away, there wasn’t someone she could run to and ask to help her ignore everything going on around her.

All she could do was slowly nod, “Oh… she forgot that, I guess… well, anything else you wanted to say?”

“Actually, yes, you know how you were adopted right?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

He cleared his throat, “It’s the way you were adopted, well, the way you had been found.”

“Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?” she spat.

“Hey, I need you to calm down.”

“Why should I? I was doing great back home and you move me here without hearing me out and I find out why we’re even here… and now you’re gonna distract me with my birth parents or some bullshit like that?”

“You don’t know what you want and you don’t know the full story. Besides, acting isn’t sustainable, I’m doing what’s best for you. One day you’ll understand.”

“But you’ve never asked what I wanted or even what I like. It’s like you don’t care about anything I work on.”

“Now you’re being self-centered.”

“Because fucking my tutor was such a selfless act, wasn’t it?”

“You say that like your mother-”

“I’m mad at her too, okay?! Just tell me about ‘how I was found’ or whatever because apparently that’s gonna be enough of a distraction for me to stop being pissed at you.”

“You were found in a lab, being experimented on. You were a test tube baby. There, now you get that truth you were looking for,” her dad responded with a shrug.

Annie’s jaw dropped, and her eyes widened as she quickly shook her head, “That’s gotta be some kind of messed up joke, Dad, seriously.”

“Annika, it’s true. I don’t know what that means for you, but I felt like you needed to know,” he replied.

She closed the box of remaining chicken nuggets, “Right, because you thought now was such a great time.”

“Ann, I-”

“Whatever, we’ll be late to the show. Let’s go.”

It was difficult to know what to do with the new information. All of it was nearly too much for Annie. She couldn’t even bring herself to cry or say anything more. Her entire body seemed to numb itself on instinct, almost like it knew if she really took long enough to feel anything that she would end up breaking down in the middle of the McDonald’s that was only a few blocks away from the theatre she was going to. That show was the only thing keeping her anywhere near her dad. The tickets he had purchased last minute were nowhere near each other, and Annie knew that was for the best. Annie had no clue how she would have been able to sit next to her dad for two and a half hours straight after everything he had said. Especially when she had a feeling that she was going to crack and end up crying eventually.

The theatre was nearly packed, and Annie sat in the seat that was printed on her ticket which was nice and far away from her dad. He wasn’t someone she was sure she could ever manage to talk to again. Sure, he wasn’t the only guilty one out of her parents, but he was also the one who never bothered to see why she enjoyed the things that she did. It felt like he would never notice what she liked unless it was something she liked. When it came to classic novels, they were fine, but the minute Annie admitted that the only reason she was about to start War and Peace was because of the musical made based on it, the conversation would run dry.

What she needed was a chance to process everything. Though, it seemed like there wasn’t enough time for that. Even in a room full of patrons, all she could think about what how different she was from everyone. Sure, she was dressed somewhat nicely in a floral dress and a grey cardigan, making her seem just as normal as the other people there. However, no one else she knew of was an abandoned science project.

Watching the musical, Annie came to multiple realizations. They ranged from the obvious like how she would kill to be Christine when she was old enough to truly make something out of herself. When she would be able to spend all of her time acting instead of having to wait for a class or rehearsals for some after school production. Then there were the less clear realizations like how Annie could only relate to Erik, the phantom. No one else was like him, he had abilities that no one else was able to compare to, and he seemed to be just as lonely as she felt. At least, that was what she gathered by the end of the first act.

Tears were in her eyes as intermission started, but at least that wasn’t completely frowned upon. She quickly wiped under her eyes, attempting to keep her eyeliner and mascara from smudging. Whether she succeeded or not was to be determined because she couldn’t see her reflection all that well from the phone screen in the dimly lit seats. That wasn’t why she was turning her phone on, though. Her dad had to be kidding himself if he thought she was going to go home with him. No, she was going to call someone to walk back with her, so she first messaged Peter.

Pete, can you do me the biggest favor of all time?????? -Annie

Yeah, what do you need? -Peter

Meet me on Broadway in an hourish????? It’s kinda important and kinda a long story and I don’t have time to tell it all rn -Annie

I’ve got the internship, I’m so sorry -Peter

It’s cool, see ya later then -Annie

There wasn’t long left in the intermission, and Annie needed to get someone to help her. She scrolled through her contacts, pression on Ned’s name.

Hey are you doing anything??????? -Annie

Not really, what’s up??? -Ned

Could you meet me on Broadway soon, like an hour? If not it’s cool, but yeahhhh…. -Annie

Yeah! I’ll be there, everything okay? -Ned

It’s a long story, but I’m fine -Annie

Okie dokie! I’ll be there dude -Ned

The house lights started to dim down and Annie turned off her phone again as the second act began. She watched as all of the brightly colored costumes crossed the stage for the first song. While she had seen the musical before, it was never while she was in the audience. Seeing the dancing almost made her forget everything going on.

Forgetting everything was for the best, she didn’t want to have a complete mental breakdown on Ned when he came by. That would only leave her feeling terrible and probably leave Ned feeling as confused as ever. So instead she tried to focus on the musical, only the musical. Though, that wasn’t much better of an option as the plot continued.

What was worse was that Annie knew exactly what happened, she knew that Christine was going to have to face Erik again and that Raoul was going to try and save Christine. Despite knowing all of that, Annie still felt tears falling down her face. Whether it was because of her dad or because of everything happening in the show, she wasn’t completely sure. Either way, Annie was positive that her makeup was smudged all over her eyes, but she didn’t make a move to wipe her eyes. Not when it was only halfway through the second act.

It was seeing Erik proposing to Christine that truly made Annie start crying. She knew that Christine would reject him and that he would kidnap her, and that Raoul would just run off to save Christine. By all rights she shouldn’t have been connecting with Erik so much. She was a soprano who just wanted to get by and perform but got thrown into situations from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Still, hearing Erik’s singing about how lonely he had been all those years felt much more relatable. No one else was different in the same way she was. Though, she wasn’t a murderer, at least, she didn’t think so. Maybe the only reason she hadn’t cracked all the way was because no one rejected her for her powers. Then again, only one person knew she had powers and they lived across the country.

By the time the show finished, Annie’s eyes were irritated from her sweater rubbing tears away from them. She quickly filed out of the theatre with almost everyone else hoping that if she left quickly enough that her dad wouldn’t catch her. He didn’t see her, or he did and chose to not talk to her. Either way, Annie ran a hand through her dark curls as she made her way back outside to the chilly December air.

Maybe a dress hadn’t been the best idea, but there were so many emotions coursing through Annie that she hardly noticed how cold it had gotten. It took a bit of walking around on the street to finally see Ned, and she rushed right over to him. She didn’t want to be around a crowd of strangers for longer than she had to.

“There you are! I was gonna call you if I didn’t see you soon,” Ned told Annie, hugging her.

Annie gave a small shrug, “I was watching a musical and-”

“Is that why you’ve got that raccoon-eyes look going on?” he asked.

Annie sighed, “It’s a sad musical okay? I mean, no one super important dies, but it’s just… it’s emotional, ya know?”

“Yeah, and because of this, we’re getting you some chocolate or something. Do you wanna talk about why you’re here alone, though?” Ned questioned, starting to walk towards Times Square.

Annie shook her head a little, “Not really, it’s just more family drama that was also a bribe that I was dumb enough to take.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning my dad wanted to clear his name by taking me to McDonald’s and Phantom of the Opera.”

“Are you gonna tell me what he said?”

“Probably not, it’s kind of a lot.”

Ned nodded a little, “Got it, we’ll just get some chocolate and take the subway home and we can talk about literally anything else.”

“That sounds like a fucking plan, Ned, let’s go!” Annie replied, a small smile on her face.

They continued walking in a comfortable silence, but Ned must have noticed the expression on her face change as she started to think again. He cleared his throat a little and nudged her, nodding at all of the terribly done costumes pretending to be Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

“Fucking hell, Ned, those are so creepy, I’m out,” Annie said, pulling Ned away by the wrist.

Annie pushed past a few people who were trying to hand her and Ned CDs and other different items. The area was just so crowded, and Annie felt her legs getting cold as she led the way into the Hershey’s store. While that store was crowded too, there was at least chocolate and a heater making the experience bearable.

“Alright, you can get anything, it’s on me, dude,” Ned said.

Annie shook her head firmly, “No, that’s not okay, you don’t have much money. Besides, weren’t you saving up for a Lego Sandcrawler thing?”

“That’s not important, you’re not doing too well-”

“I’m fine. My family just sucks,” Annie insisted.

Ned shrugged, “Not doing too well, bad family life, same difference. I’m getting you something and you’re picking.”

“But that model-”

“I can keep saving up for it later, right now, you need the emotional support that only chocolate can give.”

It didn’t matter how much Annie protested, Ned continued to insist as he picked up a package of mini cookie crunch bars for himself. Though, Annie really didn’t think he needed to pay, Ned felt that it was the least he could do. Whereas Annie was starting to feel like she owed him for getting from Queens to Manhattan right when she asked.

Ned sighed a bit, “Come on, I’m insisting. You know you’d do the same thing for me.”

“Maybe… maybe I wouldn’t,” Annie countered as she picked up a bag of fun sized Almond Joys

He shook his head, “You would, I mean, you’d say that you wouldn’t, but then you would anyways.”

By the time Annie thought of something else to say, Ned had taken the bag to pay for everything. She didn’t even have a chance to protest again because he was paying. Though, being around someone else was enough to make her feel normal for a little bit. Especially as they walked back to the subway station to get back to Queens.

They talked about little things until there was another quiet between Ned and Annie. The two teens sat next to each other on the subway, eating their candy. People poured in and left as they went to different places as they waited to get through the Queens Midtown Tunnel. It had taken a little effort to get in fast enough so they both had seats, but Annie was quick enough for both of them.

“So, you saw that musical… was it any good?” Ned asked.

Annie gave a small nod, “Yeah, it was great actually. Phantom’s always been one of my favorite musicals. Right up there with The Great Comet, but that got taken off Broadway before I even moved here. Which is a shame because it had a lovely soundtrack… on the bright side, it means I can use one of the songs from it for my audition. But I would rather get to see it… sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself.”

“No, you’re fine. I think it’s really cool you know all that stuff. I know Peter thinks the same thing, I’m sure Tina does too. You’ve got your ‘thing’, ya know?”

“My ‘thing’?”

“Yeah, like Peter and me are great at science and MJ is always reading and writing… you’re good with theater stuff. You really shouldn’t be at a science school, though,” Ned pointed out.

Annie laughed a bit, “Oh, you don’t need to tell me twice, my dad was the one who pulled that. There’s who knows how many great performing arts schools here, I could get mentored by someone, dammit, but he suddenly decided I needed to be more practical. As if he has any room to talk.”

“That’s a shame… but seriously, I’m not sure if you’ll do great at the audition, favorites and stuff, ya know? But if anyone were gonna pull off getting the lead role after being here for a month, it’d be you,” Ned told her, smiling a bit.

Annie smiled back, “You know what? That’s the best thing anyone’s told me in ages, thanks, Ned.”

When the subway finally stopped at the right place, Ned walked Annie back to her apartment. They stopped talking about anything remotely serious, instead talking about the new Star Wars movie coming out in about a week. There were so many theories they were going over. If there wasn’t much reason to be excited for Christmas, Annie had plenty of reasons to be excited for Star Wars, even if she probably wouldn’t get to see it right away.

That evening, Annie finally got the chance to suit up and she wasn’t taking crap from any petty criminals. It was pretty normal for her to go all out with her powers when she was busy being royally pissed off. She wasn’t over her parents both turning out to be terrible. Not to mention how pointless everything felt.

All she could do was exert the energy out through using just a bit too much of her powers. While it left her a bit short of breath, Annie was able to really feel something when she felt energy coursing through her. She was breathing quickly as she shoved back a man so he was thrown nearly three blocks away.

“Jeez, Swan, I’d hate to see what that guy looks like,” commented an all too familiar voice.

Annie turned around, fighting to roll her eyes, “He was trying to mug an old lady, he probably deserved it anyways.”

“Not to say I disagree, but have you ever thought of a more pacifist approach?” Spider-Man asked, jumping down into the alleyway Annie stood in.

Annie shrugged, “Maybe I’ve considered it, and maybe that doesn’t interest me too much. Anyways, we don’t work together again until Monday, what’re you following me around for?”

“Your powers just keep sending all these shockwaves around the city. I-I mean, normal people can’t tell, but I kinda can. You know, senses dialed to eleven and all,” he told her, his hands behind his back.

Annie nodded, “Yeah, so I’m working a bit more today than normal, is that really such a bad thing?”

“Well, if you’re hurting people, then it kind of is a bad thing,” Spider-Man pointed out, leaning against the wall.

“They’re bad people, Spidey, they did shitty things and I’m stopping them.”

“But there’s more than one way to do it.”

“I don’t need your moral compass today.”

“I feel like you do.”

Annie huffed, starting to walk away. The only reason she didn’t say anything was because she knew he had a point. At the same time, why should she even care about anything else? It felt like there just wasn’t any point in her trying to save people.

As she walked further, Annie noticed Spider-Man following her and she tugged the white hood of her suit more as she looked up at him. It was almost as if he was trying to be obvious. When she saw him give a little wave, she knew that he was doing this on purpose.

“You should give me a lift!” Annie called out.

Spider-Man nodded, jumping down again, having an arm around Annie as he webbed the top of the building. They made it to the top and Spider-Man patted the spot next to him on the ledge for Annie to sit next to him. She sat, seeing her silver leggings and black combat boots dangling from the ledge, cars driving back and forth beneath her feet.

It was already pretty dark because of how close to winter it was getting. The weather was cold enough that Annie had a couple shirts beneath her hoodie in an attempt to make sure she wouldn’t freeze to death. Though with the combination of emotions she felt starting to cancel each other out, Annie couldn’t bring herself to feel much at all.

Sometimes that happened on its own, where after going a million miles a minute Annie would simply stop and it felt like there was nothing. Those were the times when it felt like nothing could touch her and she was invincible. Even with Spider-Man next to her, the one person who could ever come close to understanding her, she felt like there was no one else in the world.

“Um… I don’t really like it when things get quiet. I-I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your thinking, but seeing you fight like that… w-well it worries me,” he started.

Annie looked at the masked hero, “Hey, hey, you don’t need to worry about me. I’m just a little pissy today.”

“Then explain you leaving for a few days with no warning. Y-you leave for a few days and come back. If you need to talk-”

Annie frowned, “I don’t wanna talk about it. It doesn’t fix everything happening in my life. I just… stuff happens and I can’t sneak out or I can’t get myself to because I know I’ll be a liability.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, his eyes squinting.

She shrugged, “Like, when I get told something, or things go wrong I’m not gonna be any help. I mean, I get in the way a lot already, I’m sure-”

“You don’t. Maybe we don’t agree on everything, but it beats being the only hero wandering around. Come on, think about it. There’s two million people in Queens, right?”

“Yeah, your point being?”

“Well, we each get a million people. Then less bad things can happen. I mean, one million’s a huge number, that’s more than enough for both of us.”

Annie breathed out, seeing her breath fog in front of her, “Hypothetically, yeah, that works… but not all of us have Iron Man supplying us.”

“Well maybe that could change. Maybe we could work together for more things! Come on, we understand each other in a way no one else could.”

“I don’t know about right now, but maybe someday. After we finish everything with Tina, we could think about that.”

Getting back into her apartment, Annie found herself feeling just as numb as she had felt since her dad told her everything. Though, she did feel like she could get through it one way or another. Things weren’t completely bleak, she wasn’t entirely alone. Still, she didn’t want to talk about what had her thinking far too much.

Just as she was about to turn off her light to go to bed, Annie’s phone went off. Peter was calling her, and why he was calling her when it was almost midnight she had no clue. Still, she picked it up.

“Hey?” Annie answered.

“Hi… I um… I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.”

“Don’t worry about it, Ned helped me. Why’re you calling so late? Not that I mind, just, you should be sleeping.”

Peter gave a nervous laugh, “I could ask you the same thing, but I had a question. How would you like to see The Last Jedi with me and Ned on Thursday night?”

“Wait, like, the premiere?” Annie questioned.

“Yeah, it’d be kinda late, but would you like to? Mr. Stark gave me three tickets and you said something about liking that type of thing, so I thought you’d like that and-”

“Pete, I’d love to!”

“What about your parents? Are they gonna be okay with it?”

“They can go fuck themselves. If they won’t let me I’ll sneak out,” Annie told him.

The conversation didn’t grow much from there, both of them sounding as tired as ever. She could hardly believe that he’d asked her. If she hadn’t been so conflicted, she would have felt like it was close to a date. Except it wasn’t, Ned was going to be there. They were all just friends.

Annie was being silly, there was no way Peter could like her like that. Especially if she ever told him the things her dad had told her. And after seeing what lying did to her parents, she didn’t want to be in a relationship if Peter didn’t know she was a superhero, and she didn’t want him knowing. Though, being friends wasn’t too bad either. She still got to see Peter smile his dorky smile and geek out over nearly everything. Things were going to get better eventually.

Tag list: @flushings-here / @upsidedownparker / @gaypanda / @ijustdontknowsometimes / @lionsfandomsandbearsohmy (just ask to be added to the tag list)

#peter parker #peter parker imagine #peter parker x reader #peter parker x you #peter parker fanfic #peter parker x oc #trans peter parker #spider-man #spider-man x reader #spider-man x oc #spider-man: homecoming #mcu #original characters #series #trans spider-man #marvel #writing #fanfic #upsidedownparker

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closetofanxiety · 6 years ago

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Show Review: Constitution State Wrestling

Last night, I went down to beautiful Groton, Conn. (”The Nuclear Submarine Capital of the World”) with Mark, Mike, and Joel to see a show put on by an indie promotion that was totally new to us. It was, in many ways, a prototypical Local Indie Experience. Let’s count the ways:

National Anthem

This, in many ways, is the earliest and most significant sign that you’re attending a Local Indie as opposed to a National (For Lack of a Better Term) Indie (the national anthem might be played before a Shindie, too, but that’s another subject entirely). Local indies always make everyone stand up for the national anthem, national indies do not. The local indie maintains, at least in vestigial form, a connection to the idea that this is a sporting event, and sporting events begin with the anthem. In this case, the anthem was a pre-recorded instrumental track, but people clapped after it was over anyway.

Public Venue

Unlike a National Indie, which will be in a bar or a rock club or a private fraternal organization’s event hall or a Catholic church with an absurdly Catholic name (New York City national indies only), the Local Indie show will take place in a high school gym or a town hall or a rec center or some other building they can get with a discounted rental fee because of political connections. In this case: Ella T. Grasso Technical High School, a magnificent example of 1970s brutalist school architecture. It was an air-conditioned gym, though, which you wouldn’t expect on the Connecticut shoreline, so kudos to the Constitution State Wrestling folks for that choice.

Advertising and Local Celebs

It’s not a Local Indie without a program, and this show had a program listing the entire card, providing some detail on the two main events (there can be only one main event in reality but whatever) and listing all the local sponsors of the show. As a bonus, there were also signs leading to the venue that just said “Wrestling” with an arrow pointing vaguely in the direction of the school. I cherish these signs of Local Indiedom! There was also a woman from a rock radio station on hand, whose duties were limited to introducing herself and then, later, introducing the women’s match. It’s not a Local Indie without an appearance from a random local celeb: TV meteorologists, disc jockeys, mayors, and others are all perfectly acceptable.

At Least One Wrestler Who’s in the Military

In our case, that was “The Soldier of God” Ronnie Ribbs, which is absolutely one of the best Local Indie names I’ve ever heard in my life. Ronnie Ribbs! “Soldier of God” is a little weird, though. Kind of a Taliban vibe there. Also, since that’s a lot of verbiage to put on your ring gear, that meant Ronnie Ribbs had the acronym “SOG” on the seat of his red, white, and blue trunks which, if you didn’t know what it stood for, could be a little embarrassing. Anyway, he was introduced as a soldier in the U.S. Army, always good for a patriotism pop at a Local Indie. Groton, though, is a Navy town, and when Ribbs was rolled up by opponent “Sensational” Scott Levesque with help from cheating heel manager “High Class” Rich Bass, a guy behind me said, “Just one more reason the Army sucks at everything.”

Event Name That is Not a Cool Pop Culture Reference

Constitution State actually fell down on the job here, as this event did not appear to have a name at all. But a key distinction between a Local Indie and a National Indie is that the latter will usually go with some impenetrable hip pop culture reference (or, worse, just use numbers for each show, like they’re the UFC), whereas local indies are still committed to calling things, like, “Final Showdown” and “Summer Smash Up” and “Brattleboro Brawl” (Brattleboro local indies only) and, of course, “SEASON’S BEATINGS.”

Random Ex-WWE/F Guy

In this case, that role was filled by Gangrel, who really should be getting some of the indie wrestling nerd attention being lavished on PCO. Gangrel is a blast to see live; he gets insanely into it, and takes bumps that are ridiculously bad ideas for a man of his age. He was in the main event here, and the crowd was pretty exhausted by the time it started, but he got them right back into what was really kind of a straightforward brawl with southern New England bad guy Trigga the OG, accompanied, of course, by evil schemer “High Class” Rich Bass, who I’ve never seen before. The crowd was NUTS for Gangrel. When he won, the pop was huge, although it was slightly disappointing that only Joel chanted “Fang and bang! Fang and bang!” Gangrel loved that though. He pointed to Joel and did the throat-cross-into-the-hook-’em-horns thing.

Local Wrestling Academy Students’ Match

Often, this is a battle royal, but thank God that was not the case here. Instead, we saw Matt Taven trainees Joey Bones and Todd Harris, the latter working a “rich prick from Newport” gimmick. Both guys were decent, show real promise, and, notably, had really good gear. Invest in yourselves, aspiring wrestlers! You’ll stand out from the pack.

A Comedy Match That Isn’t Funny

I like comedy wrestling. I know lots of people don’t, but that’s why they make different kinds of ice cream. However, there’s a Chuck Taylor/Orange Cassidy comedy match, and then there’s a Local Indie comedy match, which is basically like a Three Stooges short mixed with some inexplicable Attitude Era flourishes. In this case, it was the awesomely-named Necromancer (short, stout guy with Papa Shango face paint and no apparent ability to speak to the dead) vs. 2Buff w/ The Buffdad, a legitimate father and son duo whose gimmick is that they are not, in fact, buff, but that they constantly do that thing where they put their hands behind their heads and swivel their hips, kind of like a Chippendale dancer would do on an episode of “Designing Women.” Laughs were notably absent, at least from the four of us. Mercifully, this match was broken up by James Ellsworth, who was booked as a random ex-WWE guy but is now, once again, an actual WWE guy. What must he have thought, staring out at the 250 or so people in a high school gym, knowing that in three nights he’ll be facing Asuka on live national television in front of maybe 12,000 people. Anyway, Ellsworth issued an open challenge, and another classic Local Indie thing happened: some loud music hit, and a guy walked out to answer the challenge, but instead of the “Oh shit you gonna get it NOW” reaction from the crowd, there was puzzlement, as no one knew who the challenger was. It didn’t help that he looked like just A Dude in red basketball shorts and a white t-shirt. Later we would learn that he is Wildman Kongo and he would go on to have a bad match with James Ellsworth in front of a tired crowd.

Excitable Fans

Hot crowd, especially before the intermission! At the start of the lone tag team bout, which pitted Brutal Bob Evans and “Tough Tim” against two guys called Riot City’s Most Wanted who looked like indie wrestlers circa 2003, one young fan became so enraged at the heels that he jumped the rail, the first time I think I’ve ever seen that at a show. He was about 11, though, and his friends quickly pulled him back over, so we were spared the sight of Brutal Bob having to PROTECT THE BUSINESS by breaking a child’s jaw. Local indie fixture the Fogman was also there. He’s not really excitable, necessarily, but he’s a fan. We talked to him during intermission and, I mean, he’s an OK guy. He’s his own biggest fan, but what’s so bad about a little self-confidence?

A “Ladies’ Match”

Never a women’s match or just “a match,” on a Local Indie it’s always a LADEEEEES MATCH, the segregation compounded here by having the radio station woman do the only thing she did all night by announcing the competitors, Isana and Jawsolyn. The regular ring announcer was a rockabilly guy, complete with Rev. Horton Heat necktie and suede shoes. He was fine. Isana is a big lass but mobile and specializes in suplays, while Jawsolyn’s gimmick is that she is a shark. That should have gone over better in a coastal town, but people were mostly politely indifferent to this match which, in fairness, was slow and clunky.

One National Indie-Caliber Match

Increasingly, the people who promote and book Local Indies are fans of national indie wrestling, or Japanese wrestling, or British wrestling, or what have you. In this, their tastes diverge from those of their fanbase, which mostly consists of normal, blue collar Americans who just want a fun night out instead of weirdos arguing about BOLA lineups on Reddit all night or people who will slash your tires if you so much as say a disparaging word against Kenneth Omega. To try to satisfy their own creative longings, the promoters and bookers usually put one match on the card that could be on the card of a PWG show or Beyond show or AAW show or whatever. This is normally received by the Local Indie crowd with the same quiet endurance 205 Live is received by WWE crowds, but tonight was an exception. Matt Cross and JT Dunn, meeting for only the second time ever, had a tear-down-the-house 20-minute match that had the good blue collar people of America’s Nuclear Submarine Heartland going absolutely nuts and bananas. This was, indeed, a great match, one of the best I’ve seen all year: neither guy worked heel, but both of them wrestled as though they were actually trying to win an athletic competition, which is rarer than it should be in pro wrestling. Dunn dominated the first half of the match by keeping Cross on the ground and softening him up with wear-down holds to try and create openings for hard strikes. In the second half, Cross was finally able to take to the air, and made his spectacular offense seem credible and devastating. There were, by my count, three “This is awesome” chants, a “Both these guys” chant, and a “Fight forever” chant. People LOVED this match. YOU SEE, VINCE? PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIKE WRESTLING WHEN ok I’m not going to start with that. But it was nice to see a normal American wrestling crowd go nuts for a match that would not be out of place in Reseda or wherever the hell PWG shows are now.

#show reviews #indie wrestling #indy wrestling #Constitution State Wrestling

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thefinalcinderella · 7 years ago

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DIVE!! Book 4 Chapter 7-LINE

Have a nice, soft Sachiya chapter, in which I wonder if me not understanding half the things Youichi says is because of my limited Japanese skills or because he’s just a weird guy

Full list of translations here

Previous | Next

“DIVE!! to Sydney!! MDC”

His hand holding the cheering flag was getting damp due to sweat. It was a white flag that blurred the oil-based ink. It was the size of a lunch tray, with sketches of Tomoki, Youichi, Shibuki and Reiji drawn in the four corners that didn’t look like them at all. For a supporter, one absolutely needed to prepare a flag if nothing else, and so the day before Sachiya left for Osaka, he went to the hardware store to gather supplies for making his masterpiece.

Next to Sachiya, who never let go of the flag even once, from just a while ago Keisuke was watching the progress of the competition with a grave look. Keisuke during competitions was always like this, rarely ever opening his mouth. Making up for that, Kayoko and Ooshima were exchanging opinions on the progress up till now.

“When the sixth-round finishes, is Tomo still going to be in fourth place? Even I can place Yamada’s genius at just once glance, but I didn’t think Asama would hold out until this far.”

“The difficulties of his techniques are high and their rates of failure are low. That’s the strength of a veteran for you. But it’s alright, there isn’t much difference between the scores. Rather, Sakai-kun can keep up with that youthfulness of his. But what’s more…”

“What’s more is that Shibuki is being risky. So far he’s getting points at an incredible pace in his top form, but the degree of difficulty of his final dive is 1.6 at any rate. Even if he got perfect 10s from all the judges, that’ll only be 48 points. He has to widen his lead considerably by the ninth round. 600 points is too tough.”

“On the contrary, Sakai-kun’s last dive is the 4½ with a degree of difficulty of 3.5. If he got all perfect 10s, 105 points will roll into his lap just like that.”

“I’ve never seen all perfect 10s in my life. So, what about Youichi?”

“I can’t read him. As the degrees of difficulty of his second half are impressive, if his original condition returns, a huge turnaround won’t be just a dream for him. But, currently he’s struggling while still in pain. Even emerging into just ninth place with that body is amazing of him.”

Kayoko said, while imploring to Keisuke’s profile. After the intermission, when Kayoko reported to him about Youichi’s high fever after she returned to the stands, all he murmured was “is that so”, not even moving an eyebrow. Had he known? Or was he killing his emotions?

“Anyways, there are four more rounds to go.”

“Four more rounds…”

Kayoko and Ooshima murmured uneasily, then resumed concentrating on the competition.

It was the seventh round of the finals. The divers on the stage who were getting a little bit tired were literally unrolling the fierce battle that they devoted themselves wholeheartedly into.

For the MDC this round, only the top batter Reiji had already finished his performance. He had suddenly made some kind of breakthrough from the fourth round, and was doing unprecedented offensive performances in rapid succession, but regrettably in this round he overdid the backward somersaults that he was poor at as he made his entry, and cried at the harsh penalties in points. But even so Sachiya shouted “Rei-kun!” at Reiji as he got out of the water and continued waving his flag around.

Scores, rankings and other things like that should be left to the coaches. In this competition Sachiya decided to devote himself only to cheering. No matter who won, no matter who lost, he will wave his flag with all his strength, until the very end.

He didn’t really understand what a supporter is, but that was surely it.

Sachiya still didn’t know why he went to a diving club in the first place, when he was afraid of heights.

“Weaknesses should be overcome only during childhood,” his mother said imperiously, taking him for the first time to the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center in fourth grade. Although he was told what diving was, the moment he looked up at that towering diving tower, Sachiya felt like his eyes were going to pop out of their sockets.

He didn’t need to climb up the stairs or stand on the platform. In just one moment, at just one glance, Sachiya understood it instinctually. Just like how moles can’t fly in the sky, sheep can’t hunt, and snakes can’t scratch their backs, I can’t dive.

But, his heartless mother said,

“If diving’s no good, we’ll try skydiving next.”

With that one sentence, Sachiya quickly decided to join the MDC.

Although, when she tried thinking it about it more, his mother who was only energetic at the beginning for anything quickly gave up, telling Sachiya that “you can quit if you want to quit” when he didn’t try to go on the higher than three-meters platforms even after being in the club for two years. And just recently, she went by the saying of “weaknesses might not be something to overcome, but something that goes along well with you”.

But why had he continued to go to the MDC for four years until now?

That was one of the Three Great Mysteries of Sachiya’s thirteen years of life.

Fortunately, Keisuke was an understanding coach, never forcibly dragging the unwilling Sachiya up to the platform, pretending not to see him as though he was “it” in a game of tag. Nonetheless, there was no one who took a one-way, one-hour trip to the pool every day just to become “it”.

By discovering the hobby of watching the synchro moms, it was also a fact that he was able to remarkably fill up the practice time that had been unmanageable free time. But, at the Sakuragi High School’s pool which served as their practice venue in the summer, there were neither shape nor form of the synchro moms.

It was obvious that if he went to practice, he could meet his MDC clubmates, but they, who were older, were all busy with practice unlike Sachiya, so they couldn’t exactly keep him company. Even though he had a mountain of things he wanted to talk to and consult them about.

Yes, Sachiya was always anxious to talk to them, who were like his big brothers.

For example, the summer of fifth grade. There were cases of paranormal activity happening one after the other at Sachiya’s elementary school. For several days, any phenomenon that happened in school was taken as the deed of a ghost. If there were smudges floating on someone’s desk, they were the tears of a woman who had committed suicide a long time ago. If the water in the toilets didn’t flow, it was the grudge of a man who had drowned to die a long time ago. And finally, the hands of evil extended to Sachiya. During class, a bug that came in through the window had unfortunately landed on Sachiya’s hair whorl. Needless to say, that was the ghost of a man who had killed a bug a long time ago. “Sacchin got possessed by a ghost!” everyone screamed as they left their desks.

After school, Sachiya went to the Sakuragi High pool, on the verge of tears. Until now, though humans and animals and insects lived in harmony with each other, in just a few days everything was dominated by those that cannot be seen. The world suddenly transformed, becoming too complex for Sachiya. He wanted Tomoki to say, “Those are all just lies.” He wanted Reiji to say, “Bugs are just bugs.” But when he arrived there, they had already began practicing quietly. Definitely not an atmosphere for proposing a discussion on ghosts.

Reluctantly, Sachiya sat down at the poolside, watching everyone’s practice.

Tomoki dived from the seven-meter platform. Reiji dived. Ryou dived. Every time the water splashed up, it got illuminated by the setting sun. Youichi dived from the ten-meter platform. A higher splash got illuminated by the setting sun. A constant repetition. Before long the water brilliantly reflected the evening sun, and the dim light that held the scent of summer embraced everyone’s shadows as well. A usual snapshot of summer.

When Keisuke said, “That’ll be all for today,” even though he didn’t discuss with anyone, for some reason Sachiya felt like being silent. It’s alright. The stars are turning properly, and I’m not possessed by a ghost…

This was also the case in the winter of sixth grade, when Sachiya’s parents had a huge fight in front of him for the first time.

He had never, ever seen such a fierce quarrel between his parents, who were usually so close, before. The reason was that his father, who worked in an appliance shop in Akihabara, and his mother, who also worked in Akihabara as a personal computer instructor, both had stubborn disagreements on “the Akihabara outlook”.

“So then, are you saying that amateurs who don’t know anything about the products shouldn’t come to Akihabara?”

“I’m saying that if you come, then come as armed as you can. Akihabara is a battlefield. Whether you sell or buy, it’s a real, all or nothing battle. It’s not a child’s land where such a lack of self-reliance where you keep saying to make it cheaper without knowing the quality or model of a product can be accepted.”

“But, it’s also the consumption of those amateurs help support Akihabara. If they stop coming here, then Akihabara will only be occupied by electronics nuts.”

They both loved Akihabara from the bottom of their hearts, nothing more than that, but both his father and mother refused to give way, and when the next morning came, they turned their faces away.

What do I do. Are they going to divorce like this? It’s all Akihabara’s fault. Would Akihabara be occupied by nuts someday?

Finishing the day with uneasy feelings, Sachiya headed for the Tatsumi pool after class. His father, mother, little sister and himself had lived happily like usual until then, but maybe that was something that didn’t come easily and naturally. He wanted to ask about those feelings, but since he knew nobody was up for that right now, he quietly watched practice.

Tomoki dived from the ten-meter platform. Reiji dived. Ryou dived. And then Youichi. Every time, their limbs carved vivid, solid, perpendicular lines into the sky. Many, many times over.

When practice was over, Sachiya still came to feel like being silent. It’s alright. Mom and Dad aren’t going to divorce. Even Akihabara can’t steal away anyone.

This summer, he faced his biggest crisis. In July of 1999, the destruction of mankind was predicted. As the original evidence was that famous Nostradamus this tine, and the target comprised of all of humankind only, the sense of impending crisis encompassed all of Japan, not just limited to schools and homes. As expected, it was only this time that Sachiya wasn’t able to reach the conviction of “everything will be alright” even when he was watching everyone practice.

And so after practice, he waited for everyone at the locker room to try to ask them.

“Well, everyone, what do you think of Nostradamus?”

Tomoki said, “Who’s that, an American?”

Ryou said, “Stupid, he’s the great demon king who’s gonna destroy the human race.”

Reiji said, “Nostradamus and the great demon king are probably two different people.”

Youichi said, “Is the great demon king a person? It’s descending from the skies, right? If you think about it normally, you won’t be the first to get destroyed.”

Shibuki said, “Are those kinds of dramas popular in Tokyo?”

Sachiya etched it into his mind that he would never go to them for a consultation ever again. At the same time, he felt somewhat silly about his frightened self, and when he went home he became unafraid of neither Nostradamus nor the great demon king.

When he looked back in this way, they were truly his big brothers who were ignorant of things like common sense and fads of the world, and could not be relied upon on land. But once they were on the water, they were always cool, strong, shining, brimming with courage, and protecting Sachiya’s peace. Every time the world’s axis went off-kilter, it was restored by the perpendicular line of the ten-meter.

And so, one of his Three Great Mysteries might have actually been unravelled a long time ago.

As Asama Takashi’s petite back sank into the water, power filled Sachiya’s hand that was gripping the flag.

Of all of his MDC big brothers, Tomoki, Reiji and Shibuki were competing in today’s competition with reasonable results. Sachiya didn’t know anything about the quality of their performances, but he could make a rough guess based on the way the splashes rose, the scores the judges gave, and listening to Kayoko’s and Ooshima’s conversations. Tomoki and Shibuki were equally well matched. Reiji showed an unusual assertiveness. Only one person…

Youichi, the only one who was forced to struggle, reappeared on the head of the dragon.

The alias that Tomoki gave to the diving tower, concrete dragon. Youichi tamed this beast with his natural-born talent and hard work and reigned on its head like a king, but somehow today this dragon beneath his feet was in a stormy temper.

“Youichi-kun!”

Even while waving his flag around, Sachiya couldn’t help but feel anxious deep down.

The big brother among big brothers who was always ahead of everyone else. The boss of the other side of the MDC. How could that Youichi get a fever on the day of such an important competition…

Don’t panic. You’re not an elementary school student anymore, so don’t cry. Though he told that to himself, when he heard about that from Kayoko, Sachiya still wanted to cry.

What’s more, his next event was a super dive with a degree of difficulty of 3.0.

“Forward 3½ somersaults in pike position. It’s a high-risk dive for him currently.”

Kayoko’s expression as she looked at the entry table was also dark.

“Really? But pikes are his specialty.”

“But for this dive, he’s going to dive with an approach. There’s the problem. He isn’t very good at taking in the rhythm of an approach. In addition, today he lost his perception because of his high fever. If he was unsteady during his approach and messes up the rhythm…”

“It’ll be the end of the road.”

Listening to the conversation between Kayoko and Ooshima, Sachiya wanted to cry more and more.

For four years, Youichi protected Sachiya silently, and now he was in a desperate situation. Yet he couldn’t do anything about it. That was irritating, frustrating, shameful, and he felt the tears building at the back of his eyes.

Please let Youichi-kun finish his performance without any problems.

Sachiya’s noisy, uproarious heartbeat was noticeably beating fast. The whistle signalling the beginning of the performance sounded.

One. Two. Three.

Youchi always dived out with that timing, but today he was unusually cautious, and not moving his feet quickly. He stopped at the back of the platform, and his posture, which had always been striking, felt unsteady and delicate right now.

Four. Five. Six.

Youichi was looking down in concentration, his shoulders also delicately shaking. Beside Sachiya, Keisuke’s breath was caught in his throat, Ooshima cast his eyes down from being unable to watch, and Kayoko’s hands were clasped together as though she was praying.

Seven. Eight. Nine…

Right on “ten”, Youichi began to run.

At that moment, Sachiya stood up quickly and thrust the flag in his right hand up high to the ceiling.

The tiny grip of the flag carved a perpendicular line with all of its best effort into the air.

Please, please…

Keep the axis of this world straight.

Rankings as of the Seventh Round (Cumulative)

① Yamada Atsuhiko (403.59 points)

② Okitsu Shibuki (403.41 points)

③ Asama Takashi (381.72 points)

④ Ogawa Shinobu (373.68 points)

⑤ Sakai Tomoki (371.94 points)

⑥ Matsuno Kiyotaka (355.74 points)

⑦ Fujitani Youichi (342.99 points)

⑧ Tsuji Toshihiko (342.57 points)

⑨ Moriya Kazuteru (312.84 points)

⑩ Nakayama Masahiko (309.48 points)

⑪ Maruyama Reiji (307.02 points)

⑫ Kaburagi Shinji (294.63 points)

#DIVE!!#dive novel translation

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that1nkyone · 7 years ago

Text

Spectrum Ch 29

[ 1 ] - [ 2 ] - [ 3 ] - [ 4 ] - [ 5 ] - [ 6 ] - [ 7 ] - [ 8 ] - [ 9 ] - [ 10 ] - [ 11 ] - [ 12 ] - [13] - [ 14 ] - [15 ] - [ 16 ] - [ 17 ] - [ 18 ] - [19 ] - [ 20 ] - [ 21a ] - [ 21b ] - [22] - [23 (Intermission) ] - [ 24 ] - [ 25 ] - [ 26 ] - [ 27 ] - [ 28 ]

Hey! It’s been a while! Remember this story? Remember what’s happening?

... maybe I should do another recap at some stage.

Chapter 29! In which there’s discussions, repercussions and more than a few concussions.

---

“So… so you haven’t been able to SAVE.”

Yellow boots fell into step behind yellow claws, padding upon the grimy, tiled floor.

Frisk took in a shaky breath.

“No… not since close to the start of all this.” They said, softly. “It’s… it hurts every time.”

The human had been grasping the front of their sweater nervously since they’d begun this conversation, trying to focus hard on simply getting the words out.

The scientist frowned, looking down.

“I see.” She muttered. “Man, it’s, uh - w-weird to be talking about this.” She laughed, nervously. “I-I didn’t think anyone e-except… Flowey knew about this stuff.”

Frisk gave her a weak smile, as Alphys’ face contorted in thought.

“… Y-you know, I always believed that it was Determination that gave… F-Flowey that ability to mess with the timeline. B-but I guess that was only half the picture?” Her claw curled beneath her chin. “You… you said that your ability stopped working around when Gaster became a problem.”

Frisk took in another shaky breath, their smile dropping. “…Uh-huh.”

The human really wished that they were talking about just about anything else.

Frisk had always struggled a lot to voice this topic in the past. Their ability to SAVE wasn’t something they’d wanted to openly discuss with anyone but Sans. But Alphys had been patient, and the human had slowly managed to get out the main points of their story as they’d meandered down the hall.

They’d quickly (and nervously) told the scientist that they didn’t want to use their ability to abuse time, nor did they intend on using it again - but to their surprise, Alphys hadn’t seemed concerned about that at all. She’d smiled reassuredly at them and Frisk realized that she really did trust them on that front. They wondered why they hadn’t expected that.

Instead, she’d seemed more interested in the mechanics behind their ability - trying to piece together how it all worked.

The human was startled out of their thoughts to feel a claw on their shoulder, and looked up at the scientist.

“F-Frisk… we can take a break talking about this for now, if you like.” Alphys said, softly. “I don’t… want to make you remember anything terrible.”

She withdrew her hand. “I just want to know if there’s maybe a reason why… G-Gaster would be chasing after you.”

The human breathed out, releasing their sweater.

“Yeah…”

They frowned, thinking hard. Their nerves were starting to fade.

“… I think I have an idea why Gaster would want me to start from my last SAVE.” Frisk said. “Maybe he wants to… to do things differently?”

Alphys blinked, snapping her fingers.

“O-Of course!” She frowned. “… but that wouldn’t make sense unless he remembered your time travel. A-and, if I’m correct in my theory - only those in control of the timeline remember - right?”

She looked over at Frisk.

“S-so… only you would remember anything, right?”

Frisk frowned, slightly.

“I… I think so.”

There’d been some exceptions to that rule. For instance, they knew Sans never explicitly remembered time jumps. He’d told them that, himself.

But…

They couldn’t help but think of the voice that had screeched from their own phone, about ten minutes earlier.

—

HE’LL REMEMBER.

THEREFORE, HE’LL WIN.

—

Their gaze rose to the white, floating spectre, leading them further and further down the hall.

“… I’m not sure if I’m the only one.” They admitted.

Frisk was startled when the yellow, spherical shield that surrounded them suddenly brightened, humming a little louder. They glanced up at the scientist, who was staring with her eyes narrowed directly at the strange, white creature. Her arm remained high in the air, electricity crackling around her claw.

“You don’t have to keep holding that up, Alphys.” Frisk said, blinking.

“A-a-after what you’ve told me, a-and after what this guy tried to do, I-I’m not taking any chances!” Alphys said, sternly.

Memoryhead moved like a spectre, leaving a trail of white pixels in its wake. The phone at Frisk’s side had made no sound, since they’d left the room.

They’d been trailing after the creature, encased in Alphys’ bubble shield, ever since they’d left the room with the DT Extractor. The scientist had been wary of any potential danger - and even Frisk was still reeling from the terrifying experience that had happened almost ten minutes earlier. But Memoryhead had made no move to attack them, nor block their path.

“I can’t believe we’re following this thing.” The scientist sighed. “D-didn’t it just try to take out a chunk of your SOUL?”

“Yeah.” Frisk said, staring hard at it. “But it knew a lot of things. And I think it does want to help us.”

They frowned. “I just don’t think it really knew the right way to.”

“Do you think it knows any better, now?” Alphys asked, blinking.

The human shook their head. “I’m not sure…”

By all means, Frisk should have felt cautious. Even if this creature no longer meant them harm, it was still a little unpredictable.

All the same, they couldn’t help but feel that Alphys’ shield was probably unnecessary.

The human watched as Memoryhead turned to face them once more, patiently waiting for them to follow.

Frisk waved back at it.

It cowered in response. They lowered their hand, perplexed.

“… F-Frisk, I don’t know what you did, back there…” Alphys muttered, as the Memoryhead hurriedly turned to continue on its way. “… but I think it’s scared of you?”

The human shrugged. “I don’t know.” They turned back to face Alphys with a small smile. “You were the one who really told it off, back there.”

“W-well, yeah! But who the heck would ever be scared of me?!” Alphys huffed, her shield brightening some more.

They continued on down the hall. While the darkness was as encroaching and intimidating as always, Frisk found themselves much more relaxed. The stench of batteries that had assailed them and the screeching electronic noises were all gone.

They couldn’t quite find it in themselves to be afraid of this place.

And the next time the Memoryhead paused to look back at them, it made no further movement at their approach.

Alphys grew hesitant, stopping on the spot.

“What now?” She mumbled, gently pushing Frisk behind her.

The white creature watched them, quietly. Frisk noted another small green glimmer from within it. It seemed to shudder at the glow, a low electronic hum reverberating from it.

The human frowned, concerned enough to step out from behind Alphys.

“What’s the matter?”

The being silenced. And after a short pause, it turned to the hallway wall beside it.

Frisk blinked. It was one of the many large, black monitors that lined the halls of the True Lab. The green text glowed faintly in the darkness, flickering on at their presence.

This monitor was still displaying one of Alphys’ log entries. The Memoryhead tilted its form at the sight, and Alphys suddenly stumbled forward, waving her hands in embarrassment. The electric bubble shield fizzled out as she did so.

“W-wait… wait…” A bead of sweat formed on her head. “That’s not meant to be - I-I was in a bad place when I wrote - ”

Memoryhead suddenly extended a limb to the left of the monitor. The formless limb pressed into the wall - and Frisk was startled to see a small patch of concrete slide away, revealing a small, black, square pad.

Alphys blinked. “… Huh?”

The Memoryhead withdrew its limb. The pad was glassy and dark, and Frisk could see green light flickering within it.

Hesitant, the creature slowly reached for it again, its limb splitting into five points. It pressed them against the surface. A green light scanned downwards, and the device beeped an affirmative.

The large, black monitor suddenly jutted out a little more from the wall. It swivelled into a portrait position, and a very different display of green glyphs appeared upon the black screen.

Frisk squinted at the symbols. They couldn’t read any of them.

Another limb peeled away from the creature, its tip separating into five digits as well. It deftly typed upon the symbols, and Frisk and Alphys were startled when a door-shaped chunk of the neighbouring wall suddenly pushed in with a loud CLANK.

With an electronic hum, it slid up into the ceiling…

…revealing a dark, cavernous chamber that Frisk had never seen before.

Alphys stepped forward, blinking slowly. She seemed more fascinated than alarmed.

“…Th-this is…”

The room was huge - almost hundreds of feet in length and width, Frisk thought. The floor was industrial concrete, but the walls appeared to have been carved out from the caverns. The lights, connected to wires that snakes up the walls, were dim - a fierce emergency red.

There was a mess of towering machines scattered about at the cavelike walls of the place. The centre of the room was spacious. Pipes and wires snaked up the sides of the room, towards the very top of the cavern.

But what caught Frisk’s attention was the floor. It seemed to be covered in burns, and chalk dust - circular glyphs and symbols scrawled out upon it.

A large ’S-7’ was painted in faded yellow upon the concrete floor.

“… what is this place?” The human asked, stepping forward.

Alphys stepped up beside them, her eyes wide as her gaze drifted about the room.

“… Backup generators… power grids…” She looked upwards at the pipes and wires. “… Th-there’s the water supply for the main power chamber…”

Alphys looked over at Frisk, blinking slowly.

“… we’re in the CORE Underground.” She said, in quiet wonder. “I-I was… never allowed down here. It was all sealed off - f-for the most part.”

Frisk blinked, startled.

“… We’re underneath the facility?”

The scientist nodded, still deep in thought as she observed the room. Her gaze rose, and her spines drooped.

“… Oh my God.”

Frisk followed her gaze. There, in the upper-corner of the room, was the blinking red light of a security camera.

The red recording light was flickering wildly, and the lens was cracked. Whatever footage it was gaining would not be all that comprehensible.

Alphys carefully wrung her hands.

“… so… this must be where Gaster worked.” She mumbled. “All those years ago.”

Frisk’s stomach dropped at that. They glanced down at the floor.

And were startled to see a myriad of white, dusty shards.

“… Alphys?”

The scientist spun to face Frisk - then her gaze travelled further to the right, her eyes suddenly becoming wide.

“No way.”

Frisk turned as well - their gaze following the trail of shards to the shattered remains of a Blaster skull.

It lay scattered at the base of a cylindrical machine, overhanging tubes and wires still attached to what remained of it.

Frisk swallowed, stepping back.

Several more machines of this nature lined the wall. Only one or two were occupied with dusty shards of Blaster remains - the rest had been emptied.

Alphys approached their left, adjusting her glasses. She traded her fear for observation, peering closer at the machines.

“…I-it looks like Gaster made Blasters using these.” She mused, quietly. “… I-It doesn’t look like a lot of them made it out well-developed, though.”

Frisk blinked, slowly. So many shards and chunks appeared to have been left behind by the finished product.

“… The ones Gaster had at the beginning looked a lot less like… this.” They knelt beside the lifeless skull on the floor, frowning.

There’d been a time when they’d been deeply afraid of these things. Now, Frisk couldn’t help but see a little of Sans or Papyrus in them.

They weren’t sure how to feel about that.

The human heard Alphys stepping away from them, and they glanced up. The scientist was heading towards the center of the room, staring at the circular, chalk-white glyphs drawn on the charred concrete.

Frisk stood and hurried after her.

“… What’re these?”

Alphys held her claws, her lenses going white in the dim light.

“… r-really old magic.” She mumbled. “I’m not too familiar with this.”

Frisk blinked. “Old magic?”

Alphys bent down, picking up a bone from the middle of the circle. The human peered closely, realizing that it was actually a fairly large Blaster tooth.

“… he must have made those first Blasters using this method.” Alphys said, quietly. “Th-these are arcane circles - h-he must have taken these teeth… and infused them with magic the old-fashioned way.”

She looked back the the machinery. “B-but maybe he started… wanting to speed up production…?” A claw rose to her chin. “I-I wonder what materials he used? They’re not like any other creature I’ve seen in the Underground…”

It probably wasn’t a question that was going to be answered anytime soon, Frisk thought. Gaster’s methods of crafting weaponry were perhaps too old-fashioned or complicated for them to comprehend.

“…Oh!”

Frisk was startled out of their thoughts as Alphys suddenly dropped the tooth. They followed her gaze, noticing that there was a large, hulking door at the end of the room. It reached upwards, almost halfway up to the cavernous ceiling.

And to the right, there was a huge wall filled entirely with switches. Below these switches was a control panel that curved inwards like a ‘C’ shape, the many buttons dimly flickering.

Frisk blinked, as Alphys scurried over. The wall reminded them of those old fuse boxes they’d seen outside of houses on the Surface - only there were ten times more switches than they remembered.

“What’s that?” They asked, as Alphys arrived at the control panel. She began reading the labels on the buttons.

“ ‘Upper Hotland…’ ‘Snowdin Town…’ ’King Asgore’s Castle…’ “

Frisk watched as the scientist’s features brightened.

“… I-It’s the power network! Th-this is where the CORE distributes its power into the entire Underground!”

Her eyes suddenly grew wide in terror.

“… He must have redistributed power to the CORE itself! N-no wonder the CORE’s getting more unstable!”

Frisk rushed over. “Can you shut it off?”

Alphys shook her head. “This is a redistributor. I-I still need to get to the CORE controls to try shutting it down.”

Her gaze grew firm. “B-But I can definitely buy us some time, so the CORE’s not under so much pressure!”

Alphys got to work, her claws stampeding at the controls.

“W-we’ll still need some power to make our way back up to the main control floor. But I’m not letting this place get overloaded!”

Frisk nodded. Then, they blinked and looked over their shoulder, back towards the passage of the True Lab.

Glowing faintly in the darkness, Memoryhead still lingered at the doorway.

It appeared nervous.

Hesitant at first, Frisk turned to face it.

“…Aren’t you gonna come with us?” They asked. The being seemed to flinch away at the question.

“C-come with us?” Alphys’ voice sailed over their shoulder. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Frisk turned to face the scientist.

“… I don’t know if it’s a good idea to be left alone in there.” They said, with a small frown.

The scientist blinked, looking down at the controls.

“… you can say that again.” She said, her claws beginning to stampede on the buttons.

The human turned and hurried back over to the True Lab passage. Memoryhead observed them in silence, its warped features all narrowing as it withdrew slightly. Frisk stopped up, a good five feet away from it.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” They said, waving their hands. The creature seemed a little more at ease, leaning back in towards the doorway. Yet Frisk noted they seemed hesitant to venture any further.

“You knew about this place.” They said.

Three eyes opened on the creature. The gaze was astray, as if hesitant, and Frisk crossed their arms in thought.

“You really know a lot about the Lab and the CORE, huh?”

Memoryhead grew still. Frisk watched it, startled, as another green glimmer seemed to illuminate their being, briefly.

It twitched and flickered on the spot, and the human stepped forward, hands raised.

“Sorry.” They said, quickly. “A-are you okay?”

The Memoryhead stilled. Its eyes closed, and its spectral form seemed to droop a little, as if weighed down.

Frisk lowered their hands. The creature looked exhausted, and the human feared that it would vanish at any second.

So, they took a deep breath.

“… We really need to save our friends.”

The Memoryhead’s three eyes reopened. Frisk stood up straight to face it.

“… I know you’re scared… but if there’s anything else you can do to help us, we’d really appreciate it.” They said, softly.

There was a silence. Frisk glanced down at the shards of bone on the ground, from the shattered Blaster skull, nearby.

“I’m pretty scared, too.” They smiled. “You already know that.”

They were startled when a white limb reached forward into their vision. Blinking, they stepped back as the Memoryhead slowly picked up a bone shard from the ground.

The shard crumbled to dust in its grasp.

The being looked down at Frisk, another green glimmer rippling through its form. It seemed more concentrated, this time - focusing in on its center.

Hesitant, the human extended a hand.

“… Maybe you shouldn’t be in the lab, at the very least.” They offered, with a small shrug.

“N-nobody should!”

Frisk spun around, startled to hear Alphys’ voice calling across the room from the controls.

“Nothing good ever- ever happens there!” The lizard monster added, still hammering at the buttons.

She’d briefly turned to eye the Memoryhead with some suspicion. The creature veered back, slightly.

Her gaze dropped to Frisk, and she gave a quick smile before turning back to the controls. The lights began to dim, slightly - the power-down causing the facility’s turbines to groan.

Frisk turned back to the Memoryhead, still hovering at the True Lab’s doorway. It had lost its features, once more, as it gazed down at the pile of bone shards.

With renewed certainty, Frisk held out their hand, again.

“You can stick real close to us, if you like.” They offered.

Memoryhead hesitated.

Then, it drifted forward, finally leaving the Lab that it had haunted for years.

< HuNtInG! >

< LoOk LiKE us! LoOK liKe US! LoOK AT US! >

< fAStER FaStER fAStER FAsTeR! >

< wATcHing yOU! WaTCHinG yOU!! SeE YoU!! >

It was dark.

The dim lighting that remained was an all-encompassing violet. It seeped into the steel walls. It stained them.

The beast heard the chatter from far behind him. It echoed everywhere. Shrieks and roars and growls.

< BrOkE it! BrOKe iT! BReAk aNd bRoKE! >

< He’LL bE ANgRieR aNd AnGrIEr ANd aNgRIEr aND aNgRieR - >

< SHaRds aNd DUsT! DuSTy sHaRDs! >

< WHere ArE yOU? WhERe aM I? WHerE Are tHEy? >

Out.

The beast wanted to get out.

Away from those voices, away from those faces, away from… whatever had put them here in the first place.

He did not want to be here. Not for any longer.

His claws pounded the steel beneath him. And the claws of the Other kept pace beside him. The taller, slender skeletal creature who’d been with him since…

… since the beginning?

When had that been?

It didn’t matter. He had to escape this place. The both of them did.

That was all that mattered. Nothing else.

The two of them had been running for a while, now. There was no move to fight back. There were too many skulls. Too many faces.

Too many jaws saying too many things.

The beast didn’t like it.

They’d been chased - away from the circular passage that they’d awoken in. They’d turned left, right… up and down steps. They’d retreated away from the violet light that seeped into everything, and run deep into the darkness.

They could see, at the very least. But they were still lost. The beast didn’t know where they were. He couldn’t remember.

He only remembered… a room. Lights blinking in front of him.

A tall, dark figure.

Hands. Many of them. Hands with holes that surged forward.

Driving into his forehead.

His sternum constricted, and he shook his head.

No. No thinking.

He did not want to think on that any further. Useless thoughts.

He just wanted to get out.

Something caught his eyesocket, to the left. A break in the darkness. A change in the wall that rushed by him.

Snapping to attention, he spun to the Other.

< this way! >

He grasped the Other’s upper foreleg gently - but firmly - in his jaws, and slammed on the brakes with a screech. The Other gave a startled yelp, but he didn’t lose momentum as he was redirected.

It was a turnoff. A new direction.

They’d both arrived at a long hall - a dim, blue light glimmering at the very end.The steel beneath them changed in pattern. The ceiling above them was plaster, instead of steel.

Something different. Something new.

That was a start.

The whine of a laser charge filled the air, and the Beast and the Other exchanged a glance. They both ducked down, a flurry of laser fire shooting over their heads.

He felt his spines burn and he gave a yowl as the heat of the blasts scorched him. The skulls pursuing them chattered from a good distance behind them.

The Beast knew that the duo could not duck into shelter, nor change direction. They were trapped in a straight line.

There was a screech on steel as he suddenly slammed his claws into the floor, screeching to a stop. He whirled around, laser fire and smoke building up in his jaws.

He roared.

The Other spun to join him as they both shot lasers up into the ceiling of the hall. Smoke and debris clattered down from above their pursuers. They spun away and continued to run.

Most of the horde that had pursued them were chattering and shrieking in the confusion of the chaos. Two skulls, however, had charged through the smoke - making a beeline towards the retreating skeletal creatures.

The skulls would not stop. The Beast knew this. They would keep being chased if they kept running like this.

But if he could distract them…

He glanced over to the Other, blinking.

If he distracted them, then one of them could get to safety…

The Beast wanted to leave this place. He knew that.

But there was something more important than that, he knew.

He spun around to face the oncoming skulls. The Other noticed this, and stumbled to a stop.

< WHAT ARE YOU DOING? >

The Beast snarled back at him, with urgency.

< you go! keep moving! >

Protecting… yes. He would distract them, he would take the fire. The Other could get away, unharmed.

It made sense. He didn’t understand why, but that didn’t bother him, anymore. It felt right.

The Other needed to be protected.

The two other skulls charged forward, light gathering in their maws. His tail twitched, as he began to do the same.

And then, he was shoved aside by a force far too strong to be a single skull.

The two beams of light skimmed past him, barely singing his shoulderblade.

The frustration was instant. He spun and snapped at the culprit - and was startled when he realised it was the Other.

He'd crouched beside the Beast, having ducked out of the way of the blast himself. The Other snarled back over at him, and the Beast growled, confused.

said the Beast, spines raised.

< WHAT ABOUT YOU?! > The Other said, huffing.

The Beast shook his head. < chasing us both. > He turned back to the two skulls, who had swung around, preparing for another attack. < you keep moving. i stop them. >

The Other snorted, like some kind of stubborn pup.

< NO. >

There was a pause.

< no? > The Beast asked.

< YOU CAN’T. > The Other replied, almost incredulously. < YOU’RE TOO SLOW. >

There was a brief pause.

Then, the Beast swiped out a claw, tripping up the Other’s foreleg.

The lankier of the skeletal creatures fell forward with a yelp, out of the path of the laser blast. The Beast dodged just as quickly, as the two skulls swept over them with incessant chatter.

< ‘slow?’ > he chuffed down at him.

He yowled in surprise as the grounded Other kicked up into his sternum, and he staggered back.

< SLOW. > The Other sprang to his feet, ducking down to avoid a skull that had flown in from above. < SLOW… AND LAZY! WHY DON’T YOU RUN?! >

The Beast gave a low growl back. < you run! stay out of my way! >

The Other seemed to bristle at this, stepping back.

There was a loud shriek from their left. The Beast reacted, but not fast enough - instead it was the Other who had responded, spinning on the spot in time to face an incoming skull.

It shrieked, gathering light in its maw - but he darted forward, clamping his jaws over its own snout. He tossed it hard against the wall. It bounced off and across the floor, before righting itself in the air and speeding off with a shriek.

The Other turned to look back at him stubbornly, his tail giving a proud wag.

< STAYING HERE! > He huffed.

The Beast's patience was running thin. He heard the second skull swoop in from beside him, and he immediately snapped to attention - leaping up and swiping down at the creature. The skull hit the ground and it screeched as he landed upon it, forepaws shattering it into shards. It fell silent.

< numbskull!! > He spat at the Other.

The taller skeletal creature shoved him, snarling.

< KNUCKLEHEAD!! >

A shriek sounded, and they both spun to face the source, startled.

The battered skull that the Other had tossed earlier hovered at their left. It floated in front of the smoke that the two of them had created - and several other floating skulls were emerging from the haze.

Sweat beaded on the Beast’s forehead.

They had been too loud. Waited too long.

< move!! > The Beast snapped at the Other, turning to face the horde. But he suddenly felt a tug around his neck, and he was being pulled and yanked backwards.

The Other had bitten down on some strange, soft material that was embedded in his collarbone.

< YOU MOVE! > The Other growled at him, muffled.

As a bright light formed in the maws of the other skulls, the Beast realized that there was no room for argument, this time. He turned away from the horde, and the Other released him as they charged away. The collective laser impacted feet from them.

Sparks and smoke blew out from behind them, and the two continued dashing down the hall, towards the light of the exit.

They drew closer and closer. They were almost ready to leave this place behind.

And just as suddenly as the Beast had begun to feel the relief of escape, the light was blotted out.

The two of them slammed on the brakes as several floating skulls clustered before them, at the doorway.

< how did they… ? > The Beast stepped back, snarling. Then, he caught sight of a turnoff, further up the hall - close to the exit.

He glanced over his shoulder, seeing the remainder of the group emerging from the smoke.

The group of skulls had split up and surrounded them.

They may have been broken and nonsensical, but they functioned well enough as a pack.

Fire built in his jaws. They could try breaking through - but they would be swarmed again.

A low snarl vibrated through his chest. Roaring and lasers could only work for so long. What else could they do?

< we go forward. > He said.

< NO. >

The Beast spun to the Other - who was, strangely, staring up at the ceiling. He followed his gaze, blinking when it arrived at the cracks in the plaster. A couple small chunks fell free - loose from the blast they’d done, earlier.

< WE GO UP. > The Other said, fire crackling in his jaws.

And with that, he shot the beam up into the ceiling.

Debris clattered down. Dust and plaster billowed out from the impact, and the floating skulls were thrown in disarray once more.

The Beast ducked back out of the way of the falling debris. He could barely make out the Other rearing up on his hind legs, clawing away chunks of plaster at the large hole in the ceiling, before pulling himself up through the opening.

He turned on the spot and peered back down, his eye sockets glowing orange in the darkness.

< FOLLOW ME! >

The Beast heard the loud, confused chatters and cries in the haze around him, and quickly leapt up through the hole the Other had made. He had to wriggle a bit to get through - his ribcage was wider than that of the Other.

Besides the dim light and smoke that billowed up from the newly-made hole, they found themselves in pitch blackness. It was another long dark hall, the Beast could see - much like the one they’d left. The floor was tiled, rather than steel. There was no sign of light - not even in the direction where the exit had been.

The chatter of the other skulls rose from beneath them, and the Beast crouched down, suddenly cautious.

< quiet. > He rumbled. The Other picked up on his behaviour and dipped his head, his body crouched and careful.

The Beast glanced down at their newly-made escape, still billowing with smoke.

< need to leave. > He said. < skulls will see. they’ll come through, soon. >

The Other nodded. < WE’LL FIND ANOTHER WAY, THEN. > He began to trot down the darkened hall - but paused when the Beast didn't follow, instead remaining poised at the hole.

< … WHAT IS IT? >

The Beast looked up at him.

< they’ll keep following. > He said. < we make too much noise. they’ll keep chasing us. >

He looked back down at the hole, then turned to look behind him.

< exit is close. >

He deftly hopped over the hole, walking past the Other. He positioned his skull facing downwards, at the none-too-blastproof tiled floor - and the layer of plaster ceiling beneath it.

The Beast would drop behind the pack, this way. Leading them away from the exit.

< i’ll distract. > He said, his bottom jaw clicking open, and fire beginning to spark in his teeth. < you go the other way. get away before they see you. escape. >

There was a pause.

< NO. >

The flames died in his jaws. He turned to face the Other, his orange-lit eye sockets narrowed in the darkness.

< TOO MANY TO FIGHT ALONE. > He said. < WE GO FIND A WAY AROUND. >

The Beast turned on him.

< you need to be safe. > He said, firmly. < you’ll be hurt. >

The Other frowned.

< TOLD YOU BEFORE. I’M NOT LEAVING. > He said, simply.

The Beast blinked.

< why? >

< YOU’RE BEING DUMB. > Came the reply. < IT’S A DUMB IDEA. >

The Beast snarled in frustration. The Other was being too stubborn. (As usual.)

< you listen. > He growled. < supposed to listen to me. trust. >

The Other seemed to shrink back at this.

He said, firmly.

The Beast huffed, turning back to face the floor.

< you don’t need to. don’t have to worry. >

< WHY SHOULDN’T I?! > Came a low growl. < YOU CAN’T EVEN PROTECT YOURSELF! >

There was a sudden silence.

The Beast turned to face the Other, eyesockets gleaming light blue. His sternum was tight, his tail beginning to twitch.

< say that again. > He growled, his voice soft and dangerous.

The stubborn pup had the nerve to snarl back.

< YOU CAN’T PROTECT YOURSELF!! I CAN’T LEAVE YOU ALONE - >

Something in the Beast snapped.

He was flying at the Other with claws outstretched before he even registered it.

His claws slammed down on the side of the Other's ribcage and the taller skeletal creature was slammed onto his side - pinned to the floor. He'd been too startled to dodge.

And just as suddenly as the Beast had acted, a pang shot through his chest.

Wrong.

Still, the Beast remained there, snarling lowly. The Other struggled under his claws, pushing back with an indignant growl.

< GET OFF!! >

< no. > He growled. He was trying to be reasonable. Trying to make the Other see. < you get away from here. you run, and be safe. i will be fine . >

< NO, YOU WON’T. > The Other growled, lowly.

He began to struggle, again - and the Beast grew frustrated.

< quiet! they’ll find us! >

The Other shot back, growling louder, pushing harder against his claws.

< no! > He hissed back down < you can’t stay! i can’t protect you like this! >

The Beast was startled when the Other suddenly stopped struggling. His orange-lit eyesockets had grown wide, and confused.

< ...P-PROTECT…? >

The Beast hesitated for a second. It cost him - and he was finally shoved away. He stumbled backwards as the Other sprang to his feet, turning to stare at him.

< I’M SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING YOU! > He said, incredulous.

The Beast stepped back, blinking.

… huh?

There was a loud screech.

He ducked down, as another floating skull shot out of the darkness and whipped over his spines. It seemed to be alone, having wandered from the main group, up through the hole in the floor. The Other snapped at it, and it darted away, light gathering in its jaws.

The Beast charged forward, shoving the Other out of the beam’s path. They both continued to run down the dark hall with the momentum. The laser skimmed over their heads and illuminated their surroundings in a blinding white.

The Beast spun to the Other, growling lowly.

< wrong! > He said. < it’s my job! i protect you! >

That was the way it was supposed to be. That was the way it had always been! Where had the Other gotten such a strange idea?

< YOU’RE HURT!! > The Other shot back at him, the rage disappearing from his expression. < THIS PLACE IS… IT’S HURTING YOU!! YOU NEED TO LEAVE! >

Another blast skimmed over their backs. The area lit up in burning white, once again

And in the illumination, the Beast saw the crack in the Other’s eye socket, clear as day.

And for a brief second, he could have sworn that he'd seen a large, black, gaping hole - right there in the Other’s head.

The image vanished, and the Beast hurriedly shook his head, growling lowly.

< they’ll get you. > He shot back, insistently. < they’ll get you, again! now, go! >

The Other shook his head again, and the Beast saw distress in his features, this time. The taller skeletal creature glanced over his shoulder, stopping in his tracks and kicking out with his back legs at the pursuing skull.

It went flying back with the impact, with an indignant screech.

The Beast stumbled to a stop as the Other suddenly darted forward, into his path. The orange light in his eyes were blazing, as he swerved to face him.

< YOU ALWAYS DO THIS!! > He cried.

The Beast froze. He stepped back, eyesockets wide.

< YOU ALWAYS GET HURT! YOU ALWAYS GET TIRED!! I NEED TO PROTECT YOU!! >

There was a long silence. Something was stirring in the Beast's mind. A conflict. A voice.

It wasn’t… this wasn’t supposed to happen. The Other was not meant to worry, not like this.

(But he did. He had - he always had.)

A wave of dizziness overcame the the Beast, and he shook out his skull.

This was...

... how long had things been like this?

< YOU ARE TIRED. YOU ALWAYS ARE. >

The Beast looked over at the Other, who was now staring down at the tiles.

< AND NOW YOU ARE HURT. > He whined, quietly. < IF... IF I LEAVE YOU ALONE, NOW… >

He looked back up at the Beast.

< … YOU MIGHT NOT COME BACK. >

A chill went through his bones. He took a step back.

Was he... had he really not considered any of this? He was trying to protect the Other, not abandon him.

... but that wasn't the problem, was it? The Beast was... he was strong. He was strong, he could fix this. He could distract the floating skull swarm, he could control the situation. The Other would be safe, and then everything would be okay.

He could fix this... he could control this... he could protect...

... why didn't any of that sound right, anymore?

< YOU’LL DISAPPEAR. >

The Beast looked up, no longer in his thoughts. The Other was staring hard into space, and he realized that he was trembling - his bones rattling softly with tremors.

< YOU’LL DISAPPEAR, AND I WON’T SEE YOU, ANYMORE. I WON’T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE! >

Something clenched in the Beast’s own SOUL.

The Other snarled at him. < SO YOU DON’T… DO ANYTHING STUPID!! >

There was a long silence.

The Beast stared at the Other in the darkness. He found himself without anything to say, or do.

Nothing he'd thought before sounded right, anymore. The Beast wasn't sure if it was because he'd given up, or... simply because he'd been wrong. This wasn't about fixing things, quickly.

His gaze lowered under the Other's stare.

< i… >

There was a series of shrieks, and the Other’s upset gaze grew startled - directed over the Beast’s shoulder. He snapped to attention and spun around, stepping backwards to the Other’s side.

Several pairs of glowing white rings rose out the gaping hole in the floor. The light illuminated their surroundings the slightest bit - casting stark shadows on the chipped and marred surfaces of the pointed, jagged skulls.

The horde had found them.

The Beast stepped back. He did not shoot, nor move to run. His mind was full - stunned. He couldn’t think of a plan.

He didn't have control... he couldn't fix anything. He understood, now.

He'd failed. He'd been weak. He'd been foolish.

The Beast had been weak, in many ways. Some small part of himself felt ashamed that his physical strength had not been enough to eliminate the danger. But there were other parts, he knew. Other parts that had been rash, and fearful and selfish.

He'd done this.

A small voice rose in his consciousness, and his head rose - watching the Other step forward. He'd moved in front of him, giving a brief rattle of his bones as if to intimidate the swarm of skulls that chattered their teeth in response.

The Beast looked up at the group, his bones feeling as heavy as stone.

... he'd done this...

The light gathered in the jaws of the horde. The Other was poised in his stance, ready to jump back…

And suddenly, a throbbing pain wracked the Beast's skull.

He flinched, a low, surprised snarl escaping him. It was in his eye socket. It was... flashing, lighting up the pitch black area with yellow and blue...

The Other had noticed. He’d quickly spun to face the Beast, his eye sockets wide and alarmed.

< WHAT IS THAT?! >

An electronic hum surrounded them all. It was loud - almost deafening for the Beast. The Other seemed to register it, suddenly looking around, alert. A couple of the skulls seemed to be reacting similarly, inspecting the air nearby. But the main bulk of the horde were still more interested in approaching the two skeletal creatures.

One skull floated closer, snarling as its surroundings grew lit by the fire in its teeth.

The electric hum suddenly became a loud screech. Instinctively, the Beast braced himself.

< get down. > He whispered.

A streak of black sliced across the air in front of the approaching floating skull.

It shattered into shards.

The air sliced open around them - gashes of blackness even darker than their surroundings. An earsplitting roar echoed through the halls.

The skull horde began to shriek and scatter, swarming about in a confused panic. One skull clattered to the floor, several clean holes punctured in its jaw as it rattled upon the tiled floor, chattering loudly as shards dropped off it.

The Beast paid no attention. Instead, he’d crouched to the floor, eyesockets narrowed in pained focus.

It was like something was trying to split his skull open.

The pain was immense, but he focused hard. He shut his bad eye and ducked his head down, hearing the skulls dart about in panic.

He watched as one flew into a rift. He watched as several holes suddenly tore into its fragile cranium. The lights in its eyesockets went out before it hit the tiled floor with a smash.

His gaze darted to the Other. He too, had ducked down - with the same wariness about the black scars in the air.

The Beast shut both eyes, his skull throbbing terribly.

He had no control over any of this. It was a horrible pain. But it was familiar.

... It was another familiar piece. Another memory. He could process that, now.

He stubbornly held onto the thoughts he had, the feelings, the hazy memories that he’d seen. Everything in this moment.

The Beast held on to what he had.

It was moments before he’d realised that the roaring of the dark rifts stopped. The cacophony had faded, giving way to the muted chatterings of skulls.

Relief flooded him as the pain in his head grew less and less intense. He shakily tried to rise onto his feet, managing to take in his darkened, blurred surroundings.

The rifts were gone. But they had obliterated much of the horde. The remainder, seven more skulls, drifted about aimlessly in stunned confusion.

His gaze flicked to the Other. He was still crouched, and safe, quietly staring down at the dusty shards upon the tiled floor.

< … F-FEEL ILL. > He trilled, shakily.

The sound of static suddenly trickled into the Beast’s senses. He blinked, finding it familiar. It was a call.

He knew it. The Other knew it, too. And so did the other floating skulls.

The horde suddenly aligned into a perfect formation, drifting away from the two of them.

< SaFe. >

< NeEd tO Be sAFe. >

< HE’s hERe. hE’ll FIx uS. >

< FIx It! fiX IT! FIX IT! >

The skulls whizzed past them, down the hall and into the darkness. Their chattering echoed off the walls, before finally fading into silence.

The two glanced at each other a moment.

Then, they both crumpled to the ground, exhausted.

The Other panted heavily, while the Beast trembled with fatigue. His skull was throbbing. His mind was full, trying to sort through the things he’d managed to hold onto.

He was annoyed at how hard it was to put the pieces together. Hard to think. The Beast knew things were muddled, out of place. He pushed against the haze that plagued him, tried to reach out to the fragments.

But was no good. He was stressed, exhausted. He couldn't fix this.

Not at the moment.

< … NO GOOD. >

His gaze darted to the Other, who was pushing himself back up on his long, shaky legs. His eyesockets briefly flickered white, briefly, before he looked over at him.

< … I WANT TO PROTECT YOU. YOU WANT TO PROTECT ME. > He looked down, frowning. < WE ARE NOT VERY GOOD AT THIS. >

The Beast chuffed, quietly.

It was odd. Silly, even. Now more than ever, the Beast was afraid for the Other. But all the same, he knew he could rely on him.

What was that called? What did that mean?

< …are we a pack? > He asked, doubting the word as it slipped out.

The Other tilted his head in thought.

< DON’T THINK SO. > He said. < WE’RE NOT CARRYING ANYTHING. >

There was a long silence.

And the Beast snorted in laughter.

As much as he could laugh with a mouth like this, anyway. The Other huffed in response, trotting over and clamping his jaws around the remains of the Beast's hood, trying in vain to tug him to his feet.

< YOU NEVER CARRY MUCH, ANYWAY. > The Other said, with a muffled growl. < LAZYBONES. >

The Beast’s tail flicked amusedly from side to side, and he stopped laughing, batting him away.

< baby bones. > He retorted.

The Other released him, drawing back.

< I’M NOT. > He said, pointedly.

The Beast nodded, the pang returning to his sternum.

< no. you’re not. > he agreed.

Their attention was taken by a sudden flicker of light. Their gaze was drawn further up towards the source - a steel hall drenched in violet light.

The Beast rose to his feet, his spines raising, slightly. Then, he stalked forward.

The Other followed, trotting ahead and peering around the corner. The Beast walked around him, peering down the hall from the other side.

A ball of churning light met his gaze. Surrounded by a circular passage. Blast burns everywhere - in the tiled floor and walls.

The Beast felt his sternum tighten.

< … back where we started. > he crooned.

The lasers, the shrieks… the hands. The violet.

They hadn’t escaped from this, after all.

He shook his head.

No, he decided. They weren’t meant to escape. He’d been afraid of this place. And he still was - but he couldn’t humour that, right now.

A small voice pushed him on.

They’d been here for a reason. They had woken up in that small room for a reason. They just needed to figure out what.

< DON’T SEE ANY SKULLS. > The Other pointed out, with a trill. < WE’RE SAFE FOR NOW, BROTHER. >

The Beast nodded. < they’re still around. still alive. > He looked down the hall. < hiding? >

He stared hard at his surroundings. Then, he blinked.

He stared back at the Other.

< … ‘brother?’ > He echoed.

The Other looked back at him.

< YES? > He asked.

There was a sudden pause. The two stared at each other, suddenly very still.

It would have been a far bigger shock to the Beast if it hadn’t felt so obvious in retrospect.

They were not a ‘pack.’ Of course they weren’t. They were family.

< … I FORGOT. >

The Other - his brother, looked disheartened at this news. The Beast stepped forward, a weight in his sternum.

< don’t think we did. > He said, quietly. < not really. >

They’d forgotten what a brother was, of course. They’d forgotten each other. But in some way, they’d known.

Neither one could leave the other behind.

How could they?

The Beast felt dizzy, and he sat down, trying to reach for the pieces of his mind, once more. And the clearer things became, the more he understood for certain that he hadn’t wanted this. He hadn’t wanted any of this.

< … i didn’t want you here. >

He felt his brother’s eyes on him. The Beast glanced over at him, eyesockets dim.

< this is the place where i lose everything. > He said, simply.

The Other approached him with a low whine, and he knew the both of them were having trouble thinking. His brother was struggling with his mind as much as the Beast was, and it was a frustrating thing, not knowing all the answers.

Not knowing how to fix anything.

The Beast shook his head, growling lowly.

He wanted more information. Whether it was this place, or perhaps themselves - nothing more could prompt them. Nothing more could clear the haze.

It was a mess. It was too much.

But maybe…

… maybe they didn’t need to know everything now.

Just pieces. Steps.

The Beast groaned, shutting his eyes in frustration.

He’d known that he’d lost so many things. Even other… people. Friends. He knew that much, at least. And he wasn’t sure if any of it would come back.

< … i don’t want to lose my brother, too. > He said.

It was as simple as that.

The Other stared at him a moment.

< YOU HAVEN’T. I’M STILL HERE, REMEMBER? >

His tail fell into a wag.

< GOOD JOB. > He chirped.

A low hum of electricity suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

The both of them turned to face the source, looking at the churning ball of light.

It was familiar. He remembered it.

And he remembered that it was terrifying.

It was a terrifying sight, in ways that the Beast could not explain. But he was drawn to it. It was important. It wasn’t right.

It wasn’t meant to look like that. Huge, and crackling and violent. That wasn’t right.

Something had to be done about it.

< that room. > He said, suddenly.

The Other stood up tall. < THAT ROOM? > He blinked. < ISN'T THAT... WHERE WE WOKE UP? >

< yes. yeah. > The Beast nodded, looking through the glass of the chamber. < we need to go there. >

His brother seemed to bristle at this. He was staring hard at the chamber, his tail tucking slightly between his legs.

< THIS PLACE IS DANGEROUS. > The Other said, softly.

The Beast looked over at him, as his brother shook himself out, his bones rattling with the force. A stern expression appeared on his long features.

< … WE CAN’T LEAVE. > He said. < THERE WAS SOMETHING WE NEEDED TO DO. >

The Beast looked over at him, nodding in approval.

Yes. They both had to find ways to focus. At least for now.

< any ideas? >

A loud scream of pain tore through the halls.

The both of them spun to look at the bright and crackling chamber. The sound had echoed from that direction - muffled, but familiar.

The Beast peered into the chamber - to the far right of the huge, crackling ball of energy.

And from this angle, he could see a room - jutting out into the chamber. It was small - a large window facing the chamber’s interior. The window was shattered.

And there was someone inside the room.

A figure of black.

The Beast’s spines grew rigid.

He had seen him before. He knew him.

He’d been there at the start of all this. Before any of this.

The owner of the hands.

But instead of the tall, dark imposing figure he’d seen when he’d woken up in that room, the monster looked… shaken.

His many black limbs had sagged to the floor. Some arms had grasped at the walls and windows, as if bracing himself. His skull was warped… it seemed to have been splitting in two. He was tensing and shivering, his entire form constricting.

Around him hovered the remaining floating skulls. They were still chattering - almost as if they were pestering him. His face turned into a scowl.

With a shaking, drooping arm (with a second arm growing out of the elbow) he waved a hand. The horde vanished in a flash of light, and he seemed to relax. The split in his skull seemed to be narrowing, and the arms began to steadily pull themselves in.

The Beast stepped back from the hall.

The dark monster had been stunned. He was collecting himself.

… They needed to move.

< … we have to stop him. > He said, shoulders lowering. His brother followed his gaze.

< … YEAH. > He frowned. < WHAT DO WE DO? >

The Beast shook his head.

< take him away from here. > He said, simply. < pick him up. take him away. he can’t stay in here. >

< HE’LL MAKE THINGS WORSE. > Nodded his brother.

The room was close. If they could get to him before he’d collected himself…

This monster was tricky, though. He could do terrible things - and the Beast remembered his speed.

< he might escape if he sees us. > He said, thoughtfully.

Suddenly, his brother perked up, looking around the circular hall.

< NOT IF HE CAN’T GO ANYWHERE. >

The Beast glanced over at him. < what do you mean? >

< WE COULD SPLIT UP. > He stamped his forepaws excitedly, gesturing around the outside of the chamber with his snout. < CUT HIM OFF FROM BOTH SIDES. >

His eyes shone. < A TRAP! IT’LL BE A TRAP! >

Split up…

The Beast's spines rose.

Leave him alone, without an escape…

The Beast looked back at his younger brother, taking in a deep breath to wash away the encroaching panic.

… They could work together. They already had in the past - repeatedly. But those had just been small things, the Beast thought. Maybe they’d helped each other in larger ways than he’d thought. Or remembered. But…

This was… bigger. The larger things were dangerous. Messy. He had to protect.

He had to protect…

< ...it’s a good idea. >

He drew in a shaky breath.

Maybe his brother would be hurt. But his brother had a good idea. It was a good idea. His brother had those a lot. He’d saved them from being swarmed by the skulls. He’d saved them from many things. His brother had helped.

He had to trust that.

< okay. let’s do it. >

He could not listen to his instincts. Not with this.

The Beast turned away from his brother, ready to start stalking in his own direction before the panic could reach him, again. But he suddenly felt a tug on the hood embedded on his collarbone.

< ONE MORE THING! >

The Beast glanced back, startled. His brother released his jaws from the blue material.

< IF EITHER OF US ARE IN TROUBLE, WE CALL FOR HELP! > He said, firmly. < REMEMBER, OKAY? NO DOING THIS ALONE. >

The Beast blinked, slowly.

< … okay. >

The Other nodded firmly. < ALRIGHT. BE CAREFUL, BROTHER. >

He glanced over at the circular passage. Then, taking in a deep breath, he darted silently to the right, beginning to circle around the large chamber to one side of the control room.

The Beast slowly turned to look at the churning ball of energy in the center of the large chamber. He slowly stepped out into the hall, stalking towards the reinforced glass.

He took in his faint, beastly reflection. He didn’t find it fitting… or right, or familiar at all - but that didn’t cause him alarm. It only seemed to cause resolve.

He saw his features crease, thoughtfully.

The Beast drew in a deep breath, himself. His eyesockets briefly flickered with white.

And he began to stalk to the opposing side of the control room, like he and his brother had planned.

#Spectrum #Undertale #Gasterblaster AU

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bewarecreepercomics · 7 years ago

Text

Showcase #73: The Coming of the Creeper! (Image Heavy)

The cover just says it all, doesn’t it? Everybody wants this guy. And by ‘wants’ I of course, mean ‘hates’. It’s not a bad cover; it has eye catching colors, it has no glaringly empty spaces, and it has our hero, doing something dynamic. That something being falling through the air, ripping up papers, while gunmen in wildly differing positions all over the city try to shoot him at this one, single moment.

Yeah, okay that’s a little goofy, but it looks cool.

The first page gives us some creepy imagery involving what becomes something of a theme in Ditko’s main Creeper story: Masks, false and hidden faces.

Our comic opens with a (literal) bang-

-As scientist Professor Yatz is kidnapped for ransom, and his assistant shot.

Smashcut to Jack Ryder destroying his own career on live television.

Two thoughts on this dialogue:

1. No Jack. Those two things are not the same at all.

2. As for police violence, well, my present-day self can see where this guy is coming from, but this was written in 1968. Let’s see, can we think of anything that might have been going on around that time that might get people looking more closely at the topic of police brutality?

...No, I couldn’t think of anything either.

So the network is rife with cronyism and Jack gets himself fired-wait, unemployment? Isn’t Ditko an Objectivist? Doesn’t he inject that into every single project he’s involved with? Aren’t they super not on board with social programs like that? Then again, even Ayn Rand had to get onto Social Security eventually, because it turns out the “If You’ve got Yours, Fuck Everybody Else” method of social policy is less solid than one might initially believe.

Well whatever. Jack does the No-Job Jig, while dumping what I assume is his contract and...throwing up the horns? Get used to this bizarre gesture because our pal Steve Ditko cannot get enough of it. It is used three times on the page this panel comes from alone.

However, luck is with Jack on this day!

Turns out the head of security for the network likes the cut of Jacks jib, as well as his constant hand signals for rockin’ out, and hires him for the security team right on the spot. I have no idea if that is legal or not, but opportunity knocks, when one door closes another opens, yaddadee, yaddadoo.

A quick side note- Even though every single other iteration of Ryder ever written has him as a talk show host/newscaster/journalist, that panel of him snarking at the pacifist is the only mention Ditko ever makes of him being in that position. For the rest of Steve Ditko’s body of work involving him, Jack has a job in security.

He gets offered a pretty important job right out the door. Especially for someone who hasn’t even read the employee’s handbook yet. Taking over for his unfortunate co-worker in an...investigation into ties between the underworld and foreign communists...involving the forced ‘repatriation’ of communist defectors...

...at the behest of the C.I.A.

Hold on a sec.

Why is the C.I.A. leaving this to a nobody security team of a nameless tv network, in an unspecified city?

Guess it doesn’t matter! There is never a second word said about this. Jack, with his thirty seconds of security experience, takes the job immediately. Tasked with scoping out a party thrown by one Angel Devlin (Really?) and Major Smej (Really???) he heads out, only to be deterred by one missing fact: It’s a costume party, and his costume of ‘White Man With Terrible Fashion Sense’ just isn’t going to cut it.

I’m a little confused as to how a special order, an order you make specially, can have odds and ends left over, but okay, let’s see what you can throw together, Jack!

This box of odds and ends seems to contain a yellow zentai suit, matching makeup, a green wig, a sheepskin rug with the longest and straightest wool I’ve ever seen, and stripperific gloves, underoos, and boots. Uh, what kind of “special adult order” was this? Not that I’m judging or anything. We all have needs!

Also, Ditko never shies away from ass shots of this character. Ever.

Cue instant mugging! Jack, you aren’t even the Creeper yet. You just now put that costume on. Why are you doing that?

Oh look, time for an intermission!

...Okay...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Behold, our bad guys; Angel Devlin, and Major Smej. Further proof that if yor name sounds like anything (or is a tortured string of mostly consonants) you are destined for villainy.

Jack does attempt to snoop around, but he is wearing a huge sheepskin rug and man-panties, so he gets called out pretty quick.

Here’s a little bonus cameo of the pacifist and the ex-boss, seen here as a teletubby and Judge Claude Frollo. Hi guys, we really needed to see you again.

In his complete lack of subtlety, Jack as been found out by several of the costumed goons that are strewn about the party. He gets into a fight that no one notices, knocks one of them through a secret door that no one notices, and ends up stabbed by a second foe. Does anyone notice? No. It is so unnoticeable in fact, that we have to be told it has happened. Probably the good old CCA in action.

This secret tunnel is exactly what Jack has been looking for, so he goes exploring. With a knife wound in his side. He also has to fight a few thugs while he’s at it. With a knife wound in his side. Are we sure he was really stabbed, or was he maybe lying to us?

Nah we can absolutely take his word for it that he was totally stabbed. You see? By the time he locates the abducted Professor, his completely bloodless knife wound has left him slightly winded!

But the dastardly goon who stabbed him went and did the sensible thing: instead of chasing after his wounded prey, he went and told his boss! Unheard of! They, along with their henchmen, start trying to pry open the conveniently jammed secret door.

Totally unnoticed by anyone else, of course.

To be fair, we don’t get much of the layout of this house. They could just be far away from any of the other partygoers. It seems like, as far as most of them are concerned, this is just a legit party. Our villains are fairly secure in their assumptions that nobody suspects a thing.

Giving us this nicely creepy panel. Good job. Aside from a small color mishap around the eyes, this panel looks extra good.

But while our villains are posing like they are in a Looking Sinister contest, they are apparently giving Jack and the Professor about a years worth of time to do stuff.

Turns out the Professor isn’t wanted by the Reds just because he dared to leave home. He is a very talented scientist who has learned how to play, if not god, then certainly a demiurge with molecular physics, as explained(?) here:

Fearing that neither of them are getting out of this alive, the Professor decides tho burn his notes, inject Jack with an experimental serum that enhances strength, agility, stamina, and healing speed(which his captors didn’t confiscate for some reason), and implant his molecular rearrangement device into Jacks open wound.

Sure Prof! Just shove that right up into my perforated kidney! I’m sure everything will be juuuust fine.

They have enough time to do all of this without interruption, by the way. Not a single acknowledgement of pain from Jack in this entire time. This guy flies by the seat of his pants so hard that he has to wear his underwear on the outside.

Unfortunately, one of the goons Jack clocked on the way through the secret tunnel wakes up right about now.

Most unfortunate. Poor Professor Yatz was as good at bullet catching as he was at molecular physics. If only he’d had a device of some sort, something that could, I dunno, rearrange molecules to disguise him as one of those goons, so that he might escape. If only.

Jack re-clocks the murderous mook, and our villains, after eighty-four years of not being noticed, finally lever the hidden door open, only to be confronted with smoke and surprise fists as our hero escapes!

Behold! The quickest thinking henchman ever!

Somebody give that clown a raise!

The ruse works perfectly, especially since Jack manages to stomp on the pacifists head on his way out the window. Jeez Steve, we get it, you were pro-war. No need to rub it in.

Escaping into the yard isn’t much help for our hero, as he is still severely outnumbered, and, y’know, wearing one of the most saturated color schemes the Silver Age could offer. He does start to pull himself together though, noticing that his wound is practically gone, and that his appearance, as well as a few belts of cackling laughter seems to unsettle his opponents.

However, he gets a little too into the, uh, ‘swing’ of things...

...And accidentally pops a cop. Now, this gives plenty of setup for the police to have problems with him in later issues of the story-instead of the cops being corrupt, or disliking him for being a vigilante, or making them look bad, he full on assaults an officer of the law mere minutes after properly becoming the Creeper. He makes a very big mistake, and it mars his relationship with the police for the rest of his story.

Switching back to just plain Jack, he manages to throw the cops off his trail, but also overhears that they have been unable to locate our villains. This clearly will not stand. A man has died here! And that annoying pacifist is still pontificating about violence! Unacceptable! Something must be done!

So Jack goes right back into Creeper mode because let’s face it, Jack is boring. Thus we are given my favorite panel in the entire issue...

Heck yeah. I love high contrast shading you guys.

Creeper tracks the villains and their remaining gang into the garage, which also seems quite a lot bigger on the inside. and manages to ambush them while making the most noise that he possibly can.

Raucous laughter is sneaky!

What follows is roughly seven pages of pretty good fight sequence, before the police finally hear what’s going on and get their blue butts in gear.

There’s action!

Thrills!

Spills!

Ass shots!

And the witty banter the Silver Age is famous for!

Heh.

When the police finally arrive, they find the corpse of poor Yatz, the defeated villains, and a fleeing Creeper. Jack manages to escape once more by ducking out of the pursuing officers line of sight and switching back to himself.

He does this all the time. It becomes a kind of running gag.

In the end, the cops bust that gang for good, the Creeper is given his eternal moniker, and both the underworld and the overworld finally agree on one thing.

They gotta, gotta have that man.

And so the comic comes to a close, with Jack cheekily declaring that he won’t let anybody know about Yatz’s revolutionary device, so that only a responsible person can use the power it holds.

Himself, of course.

Stay tuned, for as the comic promises, more Creeper is coming soon.

#The Creeper #Jack Ryder #Showcase

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crying-saeyoung · 8 years ago

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Hey there! Is it okay if I request the RFA + Saeran reacting to a autistic MC who gets sensory overload from being in public places, like stadiums or musicals? I love your head canons so much, especially the one with Saeran and Saeyoung being autistic. Love you and your blog!! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

if anyone wants to request some more saeyoung and saeran autistic requests, feel free cause I’m totally for getting deep into that (the last headcanon it really was just barely touched)! For this imagine, Saeyoung isn’t autistic because of the given situation I wrote, but Saeran is! None of the other members are autistic, either, just Saeran in this specific headcanon. -Green

Yoosung:

-oh b o y

-you guys don’t go out that often, but there was one movie you went to go see at the theater, Ghost in the Shell (i went to see this movie recently and I strongly recommend that if you’re autistic to be wary of this film)

-right away wam bam no thank you mam . there was a bunch of heavy flashes, and you just couldn’t take it. not really sensory overload but stick with me

-you had to excuse yourself from the theater room and get yourself something to drink and close your eyes, take a few deep breathes because the flashes just kept repeating in your head and it really really hurt your eyes and gave you the worst headache

-thankfully Yoosung figured it out pretty quick that the lights were too much for you and came to your side

-he was actually kind of mad because he asked the ticket seller if it had too many flashing lights and he said no, but here you were in pain

-so he chewed the guy out and demanded for a refund and tickets to a new movie

-he apologized to you a lot, but by the time the Trolls title came down all you could do was laugh and kiss him

Saeyoung:

-a aa

-it really sucked because it happened in your own god damn home

-Saeyoung, while ignoring you hahaha, had music literally blasting all through the apartment, enough to have it shake

-he thought he plugged in his headphones and actually didn’t realize they were unplugged so he was acting like everything was normal

-unknown to him wow, you were sobbing on the floor and rocking yourself back and forth because you couldn’t even speak enough to tell Saeyoung to stop the music!! ! wow!!!

-the pressure of the loud music and the floors shaking made you feel like you were being torn apart and you just wanted to run out of the house but you felt like you couldn’t move

-the only reason he heard you sobbing was because his headphones were UNPLUGGED!!! W O W !

-saeyoung oh my GO D

-he takes off his headphones in worry like “wow why are you crying???” but then he understands when he. fuck i ng takes off his headphones.

- WO WOWW!!!! AmaZING how that works…

- “OH SHIT I’M SO SORRY”

-apologies don’t stop coming out of his mouth as he quickly turns off the music

-he has no idea what to doooo

-he tries to distract you???

-tells you a bunch of depressing jokes and gets some stuffed animals and starts to start a little skit with them

-it does manage to calm you down, but now you’re laughing and sobbing

-then you just sob and stop looking at him at all

-because the situation your in is depressing and you hate it. you hate it so much, and so does he.

-so for now, he holds you. and he wants to promise he’ll never let you go, but right now, he can’t.

-you two sob together and there’s really no happy ending here.

-wow

Jumin:

-you got a sensory overload when you were on vacation with Jumin

-Jumin had left your side at one of the parties you two were at, and it was really for a just a few minutes

-but when he left that’s when the band decided to come out and just blast music and shine neon lights from every corner in the damn room

-you didn’t have Jumin by your side to help you or distract you, so you had nothing else to do but look for somewhere to hide

-you were shaking and crying as you decided to hide under a dinner table and rock yourself while just trying to block out the noise and hide in your legs from the flashing lights

-you didn’t even notice how loud you yourself were being because you were so focused on trying to get all the noise ou t

-the reason Jumin found you so fast was because he heard your yelling and sobbing

-he didn’t even think of trying to get you out from under the table. instead he crawls under and joins you, shoving you into his chest, holding you so tight and rubbing your back and hair until you calm down

-he lets you shake and blubber around all you need, and he gets your chewlery out from your personal pocket in Jumins coat aww you fill it with all your small toys for situations like this, he always has it on him isn’t that cuute

-after you calm down a bit, he refuses to leave under the table until his guards shove the band off the stage and make the lights mellow and soft for you again

-and he will glare at literally everyone around the table who didn’t help you and threaten to sue them

-jumin my love no plz no

Jaehee:

- :(

-it happens in the coffee shop

-it was just a really really busy day for you two and was really just too much for only two baristas

-Jaehee enjoys it because she thinks that the place is becoming more popular!

-you would like to enjoy it , ,, because you are happy you two are getting popular !

-but serving the dishes and getting around all the people and all their talking is proving to be way too much for you

-what happened to the comfortable, homey atmosphere? the regulars and a few strangers sprinkled here and there?

-now there were strangers everywhere

-you were barely able to sit the last plate down before you rushed out of the shop, running right by a regular who you knew rather well

-you actually ran a lot farther then you were intending to,, you ran all the way to the public park

-which was a lot less public today. it was quiet and calm and let you just breathe

-you had no idea how long you were out there, just sitting all by yourself and holding yourself before you heard a familiar little pit pat of heels

-next thing you knew you were surrounded by a hug from Jaehee who was sobbing

- “Babe?? omg?? are u okay?!!”

-she was so wo r r i e d and she felt so BAD,,,

-Jaehee actually closed the store just so she could find you after the regular told her you ran out

-aww BABE,, you felt so bad but so special??? you knew how much those customers meant for the expansion your company

-she reassured you that now she would open up hiring so you can relax during the busy days and never have this happen again

-and the rest of the afternoon is spent cuddling on the park bench

Zen:

-lets face it, it ain’t that hard to get a sensory overload with this guy,,,

-the crowds surrounding you because of his popularity…

-the flashes of cameras from those crowds…

-the musicals…

-to be fair, since dating you Zen has acted more mellow and less intense or light savvy musicals. He always asks the director what he plans for sounds and effects before participating in a play

-bc?? what is the point?? of acting in a musical his darling cannot watch?

-there is no point

-but the one time he doesn’t ask because he was just so excited about the role… hhhh

-it was a live performance, so there was a lot of people there. Though you always got the special seat away from everyone else and practically just the best seat in the theater because you deserve only the best

-there’s a very dramatic part right before the intermission where Zen and another character fall to the ground, seemingly dying or smth

-but the lights are very BAM BAM BAM!!! the white lights in the dark theater flashing so fast, people who weren’t autistic would get a headache

-and the music… it was all made to be dramatic so there was such a heavy BOOM in it all that you could feel thunder in your chest and pulse inside you

-Zen is actually thinking of you the whole time this is happening because you’re the closest to the stage, you would get the worst of this and oh my g o d he’s never ran so fast

-as soon as the intermission is announced he actually jumps off the stage and runs to you to make sure you are okay

-you’re shaking quite a bit, and once he comes near you, you push and shove at him to get away because you’re freaked out from the sudden hit of everything

-god, it feels like you can’t even see. it was such a horrible experience you can’t even cry or yell, you just need to move and run and get out

-Zen does calm you down, eventually. the intermission is a little longer than planned because Zen’s whole break was spent holding you and calming you down

-he gets pretty mad at the director for not telling him about this, or warning the audience, because that was seizure worthy.

-when the two of you get home, expect lots of kisses and stims to be played with!!

Saeran:

-awww dang guys

-he wanted to bring you to one of his favorite parks as a lil cute date, but it was occupied by a huge farmers market.

-you’re already flapping your hands dude but you try to keep it at a minimum for your babe

-little do you know he’s EXACTLY the same omg you nerds

-why are you even GOING IN THE MARKET it’s such a bad idea but you two just want to have a good ti mee,,, is that too much to ask

-i cry

-you guys are experiencing it in different ways. Saeran surprisingly isn’t having that rough of a time because he has you as a distraction from all the people and noise.

-but u ain’t. you are crumbling apart and you’re only still on your feet because of your grip on your boyfriends hand

-EVENTUALLY he asks “hey, how are you doing?” and you’re just kinda like “you know, not that?/? great???”

-first he thinks that it’s because of him and his heart almost BREAKS but then,,, he sees you flapping your only free hand and Saeran is just like OH BABE NO

-legit picks you up and runs out of the market

-only stops when you tell him that OMG that’s far enough Saeran !! Aaa!?? where ARE WE,??

-Saeran really doesn’t care because he loves you so much and just holds your hands because he’s too scared to hug you or kiss you

-the two of you get really quiet after that and eventually you two spend the whole day laying down in the sun in the middle of nowhere in the city , just staring at each other and giving each other hand kisses every now and then

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talesofzero · 7 years ago

Text

Soldiers of Fate - Ch. 7

Cossover; Chapter 7 - O Captain! My Captain!

Time for an intermission of sorts.

~2800 words

“Checkmate.”

Their eyes went wide, presumably skimming the board for their mistake. It could be difficult to tell what they were looking at with their lack of pupils.

“How are you so good at this stupid game?” they growled, flicking over the white king piece.

“I’ve played it many times,” I said, not that it would have mattered. God or not, the being was terrible at chess. Daiba could have beaten them.

But the game board vanished along with all the pieces. The god was finicky and, just like after attempting a few rounds of cards, said, “We should play a different game.”

They seemed to pay no attention to the many scenes surrounding us. Appearing like portholes in the void, the windows showed the progress of each remaining man. When two met, the portholes would fuse into one. Similarly, below our feet was a slab of glass, underneath which was a flat mock-up of the map where all the men wandered.

Each of their locations were marked by symbols along the map. A grayed-out star showed where my corpse lay in the jungle, and I could watch my killer’s progress through the forested region. So often, the symbols would move close enough to almost touch, yet the portholes did not. The two men would never see each other.

The god only looked up from our games when two men met, looking back down when it became apparent they wouldn’t fight. Things had gone on in this manner since I’d woken from death to find myself in the odd, endless area. Beyond the table where we both sat was a web of red threads. There must have been billions of them, surrounding us like a nest. They stretched out and up beyond what I could see.

“What’s a human game you haven’t played?” the god asked, dragging my attention from where Daiba looked over some silver object he’d found.

“How can I explain the rules if I haven’t played it?” I asked.

They huffed like a child. “Very well. Just name another game.”

“If you simply want a luck game, there’s always War. It’s another card game, but you’ll have just as much of a chance to win as I would.” And I would hardly have to pay attention, which was good. I was far more interested in the goings on of the other game, even if they weren’t.

But a couple rounds into flipping cards over, they perked up like a cat spotting prey. With a snap of their fingers, sound filtered in from one of the windows - one with a younger me and a boy about Daiba’s age.

“Your partner is a cruel one,” the god said as I realized what the silver object he’d been tinkering with was.

The blast made me wince while the god grinned. I wouldn’t deny that Daiba was capable of murder, but this…

“How was he able to activate that?” I asked as the young boy lied about his injuries and the other me didn’t seem to realize the extent of his own. “Daiba wouldn’t know how to work an explosive or a bear trap for that matter.”

The god flicked a long strand of hair behind its back with a shrug. “He had a drive and willingness to use the information, so I gave it to him. I’ve been setting all of this up for some time, so I’ve gathered knowledge from different worlds on how these traps function. If he or anyone else wants to set a trap, who am I to hold them back?”

“But Daiba wouldn’t want something like that.”

At the god’s laugh, all the red threads shook as though whipped in a storm. “Really? You’re still making excuses for him?” They gestured to the window with a wave of their hand as Daiba shot the other boy point blank. The boy hadn’t even seen his death coming. Just like I hadn’t.

“You did something to him,” I said. Daiba’s stare was too cold, too empty. No one could have denied that Daiba was emotional. He wore his heart on his sleeve and on his face and everywhere else.

That was not Daiba.

The god clicked their tongue. “I don’t see why you keep making excuses for him just because you didn’t expect him to be such a cold-blooded murderer. He killed you too after all.”

“All the more reason for me to believe you altered his mind in some way,” I said. “If his true aim is to win, why take me out so quickly?”

I’d found him sitting against a tree, shivering with his clothes soaked through. He aimed his gun at me at first, only lowering it once he realized who I was. I offered to let him use my cape to warm up while he let his clothes dry, but he refused with a quick “no.”

“What happened to you?” I asked. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” he said, his voice even under the trembling. “I just came from the place with all the snow. It was damn cold.”

“Run into anyone yet?”

I knew from the way his eyes darted to the side that he was about to lie. “I had a scuffle with some guy, but he ran off,” he said.

I couldn’t be angry with him, not in some impossible situation like this, but I couldn’t let him make such a mistake again. “You initiated a fight, didn’t you?” I asked.

He remained silent for a stretch, until blue-tinged lips murmured “Better to shoot first. I’m not going to die here.”

Based on where he’d spent his childhood, I could understand why he had such ideals. Under different circumstances, I may have accepted them. “We won’t die here,” I said, keeping my voice calm so as not to set him off. The last thing I needed was him broiling with rage in a place like this. “But our best chance at survival is to join with the other teams. It seemed none of them wished to participate either, and I feel certain we have better odds as a group.”

For the first time, he looked at me, his brows pinched. “No one would win. Eventually we’d just get stabbed in the back. We have to fight, Captain.”

“Even if we were to win one or two fights, one of them would take us down eventually, and I will not sacrifice seven other worlds for the sake of one. Our enemy is not each other. It’s the one who put us all here. We must fight that god.”

He staggered to his feet with a snarl. “You don’t win a battle by just letting the enemy win. If you don’t fight back, you have nothing. Our odds might be low, but they’re better if we stick together and just take out anyone we come across.”

“Even that boy who looks much younger than you? You’d be willing to kill a child?”

“We’ll lose all the children in our world otherwise! The other teams don’t deserve to win anymore than we do. I’m not going to lose my world. I’ve already lost enough.”

He must have been acting on fear to be so unreasonable. Perhaps his shaking from the cold hid his trembling from anxiety. But fear was not an excuse for me to let him remain such a danger to the others.

Drawing my saber, I used the blade to snag the gun from his holster. He wasn’t quick enough to grab it from me, his hands swiping empty air. “Captain, what are you doing?” he snapped.

“If anyone attacks, I’ll defend us, but I cannot allow you to initiate. We’re going to find another way out of this, Daiba. I need you to cool your head and take stock of the situation. I understand where you’re coming from, but you’re playing a fool’s game.”

Though his face remained a mask, his shoulders dropped in defeat. I could still sense his anger stirring like lava beneath a cooled surface, but he followed without further argument when I asked him to, always a few steps behind.

Perhaps I should have attempted to talk to him more. Perhaps I should have kept an eye on him.

Hindsight and all that.

But I never would have expected him to snatch his own gun from my holster and shoot me through the back. I never would have expected it because Daiba would not do something like that. I refused to believe it, even as I felt myself hit the ground. Death snatched me up too quickly. The last thing I was able to do was look up and see his empty expression.

He wore it even now, as he faced off against another version of me. But this time his plan failed him. Even without eyes, the other me managed a perfect shot, and Daiba went down. We were the first ones out, and he was the only one to have killed.

“Disappointing,” the god sighed. “Looks like your world’s out of time. I’d hoped the boy would have stirred things up a little more, but four kills isn’t bad. You trained him well.”

“Bring him here,” I said.

They turned enough to presumably be looking at me, pupil-less eyes narrowing. “Giving me orders now? You should watch your tongue.”

“I want to talk to him.”

“Why? You’re both dead now. You gain nothing.”

I shrugged. “Call it curiosity. It’s a terribly human thing. I want to ask why he did all of that - why he killed me.”

Though their gaze remained a thin line, they returned to watching the corpses in the porthole. “He killed you because you stood in the way of his victory,” they said. “That should be apparent.”

“Then let me hear him say it.”

I couldn’t imagine those words coming out of Daiba’s mouth, not without prompting. Daiba did not posses the stone-faced resolve I’d seen him wear. He was too honest, too angry and too fearful. The first time he saw a dead man, he nearly broke into a fit of empty laughter. When faced with the threat of death himself, he backed away trembling. His emotions were simply that unstable. Perhaps he was too young for me to ask any more of him, but he was learning.

I was not training him to be a merciless killer. I would never accept such an insult.

The god sighed, a sound like metal being torn apart. “Poor man’s still alive,” they said as they snapped their fingers.

Before I could look to see what they were talking about, Daiba appeared beside me. His eyes were blown wide but didn’t appear to see anything. I was forced from my chair as his legs dropped out from under him, as though he’d forgotten he was standing.

“Daiba?” I called, holding his limp form up by my arms hooked under his.

He spoke as though he were fighting off sleep. “...Captain? What’s…? Where…?”

“He just died, so he’s not altogether at the moment,” the god said, still focused on the goings-on of the game. “Ah, I suppose I lied. He only got three kills.”

Glancing to the view of the game, I watched one of the other men shoot the younger version of me through the head. The shot to the gut must not have finished him off, poor bastard.

“Oh, this is getting fun,” the god sang.

But I had no interest in the game. We were out of it, after all. What the other teams did was up to them. Perhaps they could come together. Perhaps not.

Easing Daiba to the ground, I let him sit and gather his bearings. After a few dozen blinks, he was able to see clearly enough to look at me. I knelt in front of him, waiting. I doubted I should need to ask a question. He would know what I wanted to hear.

His hand rose to clutch his head as he came back to himself. “Captain, you’re… you’re alive?”

“Yes and no. We both appear to be in some sort of purgatory, but we both died.” A twitch of my head brought Daiba’s gaze to where the god sat. From there, his eyes trailed around the room until he found the map under his knees.

“I died?” he echoed. “I remember I killed you, and then…” His teeth sank into his lower lip so hard that blood welled up from the abused skin. “I-I’m sorry, Captain. I just wanted… I just thought…” His other hand shot to his head as well, his eyes clenched shut. “Dammit! That was insane! What was I doing!? I killed that guy! I just shot him!”

Another echoing snap cut him off. His eyes tore open, and his arms shot to hold his stomach. I had to clutch his shoulders to keep him from pitching forward. “No, no, no,” he whispered. “This is… This happened before. No, not again. Not again!” His whole body trembled just like back in the jungle. A line of blood ran from the corner of his mouth, followed by a river. It bubbled from his lips, choking him with every breath.

“What did you do!?” I demanded from the god.

“I’ve given you enough time,” they said, their voice as empty as their eyes. “I’m returning his wound to him. I don’t like bringing back corpses under someone else’s orders.”

“You bastard,” Daiba snarled. Blood splattered along the floor with each of his words. “You were the one!” Despite my attempts to hold him steady, he forced his feet beneath him. “I’ll kill you! I won’t let you get away with this.”

Daiba staggered to his feet as the god watched him, unflinching. The whole of Daiba’s shirt and sleeves were dyed red, blooming further across the fabric with his every step. I stood to ensure he wouldn’t fall again. There was nothing more I could do.

Bloodied hands curled into the front of the god’s pure-white shirt even as Daiba hacked and choked up more globs of blood. His whole body shook like a plucked cord.

“You did everything on your own,” the god said. “Do not try to pretend otherwise. And you cannot kill me. You can’t even harm me. This is the end for you. Accept your death with some grace.”

Daiba’s teeth shone with spit and blood as he smiled. “One of us is going to make you bleed, you bastard. We’ll make you hurt.”

The light vanished from his eyes even before I caught him. By the time I settled him to the ground, he was nothing but a lifeless doll. The god had simply reversed time in bringing him here alive and then had allowed it to flow again. That must have been it then. I finally understood.

I knew how the game worked.

“Why did I remember dying when he didn’t?” I asked, one last curiosity.

“I let you maintain that memory,” they said as they scowled down at their bloodstained clothes. “It’s such a pain to explain to humans that they’ve died.” They clicked their tongue again before looking at me. “Since there are others now, I think I’ll play with one of them. I’m done with you.”

Another snap, and fire punched through my back. The pain blinded me, but it was familiar. I was able to catch myself on one knee before I hit the floor. “He’s right,” I said through rasping breaths. “You can’t keep this up. We’re going to rebel, and you will bleed.”

“Oh?” they answered with clear disinterest. I could see a hazy outline of them through the white fog in my vision, watching some other window instead of me. It seemed my death was only entertaining by someone else’s hands.

“You did manipulate him, didn’t you?” I demanded. I wanted to hear them admit it. No more lying. I’d had enough.

“I merely encouraged the ideas already in his head. He wanted to win, so I showed him how. I gave him the necessary tools, but it was still all by his own hand. If he hadn’t had the drive in the first place, my inflating it would have meant nothing.”

“Of course he wanted to win,” I said with a low growl. “We all do. Anyone would. It’s the fact that we can bury that primal drive that makes us human. We’re willing to care about more than just ourselves, but you wouldn’t understand.”

Somehow the cool glass floor hit my cheek. I couldn’t see anything. The pain was fading.

“So I needed a catalyst,” they scoffed. “He made for an easy one. It doesn’t matter. Give up. This is your end.”

“No it’s not,” I breathed. “I remember.”

Their voice wavered. “Remember what!?”

Like Daiba, I forced a smile with what was left of me. “Everything.”

The sound of the god screaming in denial followed me to another death. For now, everything was up to those who were left. For now, I was gone.

For now.

Living: 10 Dead: 6

#Harlock fic #Daiba fic #eo fic #oc fic

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