#they said jay being leader would have them leave work early | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ebiyoru · 1 year ago

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23:0823

i have a brigada eskwela for emerson scheduled before shift (9:00 - 11:30 to be exact) but as expected of my fear of waking up late for an early appointment, i refused to sleep and just waited for the morning to come.

i readied up at around past 6:00 am, and managed to get on the bus at past 7. i managed to sleep on the way to work, but got woken up by a slight traffic near our building. at first, i was confused as to where we currently are, but i recognized the crossroad ahead, the very place where my anxiety rises if i'm running late.

i initially thought the elementary school would be right behind the mall near our building, but because of my failure to check the location properly, i had to walk back to the choke point crossroads and walk around 15 mins in total just to get to the school. i thought i ran late, but we waited for another 10 or so minutes before we got started.

they had meetings for this prior to this day, but i wasn't able to attend those 2. they said i can just go there and still join, without much explanation to what i'm supposed to do or even prepare for.

i got there and there were a few kids who greeted and interacted with us - one did mano to all of us volunteers, a few girls gave each of us a strip of stationery paper (which i was intending to use as a bracelet) and some of them are being the young and free kids that they are.

after handing out the exercises for these kids, we were given our designated rooms. we started off by introducing ourselves and the students, which was followed by a warm up dance to get the day going.

i am stationed with 4 kids. i thought i'd teach them all myself but thankfully, i was accompanied by the group leader. i met rowena, raimiel, rio and jay. teacher myline pasia, the group leader, helped me by teaching rio and raimiel, leaving me with rowena and jay to coach.

they were pretty fast learners for grade 1 students. the only time it got challenging for me was when i needed to make jay and raimiel to sit down on their seats. but other than that, it wasn't too hard and i can say i enjoyed it. i don't know if i have a knack for teaching, but it was still a good experience.

after that, we proceeded to the school's meeting room/admin and were given our lunch. after eating (some of us even ate with the kids), the organizers did a little presentation. i guess it was kinda nice that i got to be on the 5th day (last day of brigada eskwela) because i get to see the slideshow of all the volunteers and all the students. rowena and leticia, the students i sat down with, seems really smart and studious with the way they interacted with us and with their classmates. they pointed out where they were in the photos during the slideshow/video presentation. the principal also said a few speech, as well as emerson's hr representatives. after giving out the bundles (which included notebooks, crayons, pencils, a shirt and a bag), we parted ways with the students. we stayed for a short while in the campus to take a few group photos and we proceeded to our own ways. i got on a trike and went to emerson.

i stopped by sm north edsa annex to buy a new screen protector and, hopefully, a phone case. but since im running out of time, and after a few times i asked around for nord 3's case and them saying no, i just rushed to the office and clocked in.

work went smoothly, i guess. i finished up a few workbenches. but for the most part (since i lacked sleep bc im basically awake since the day before) i kept on dozing off. i went easy with my workload and just did what i can in this state.

we ate dinner at puno. it isn't the resto's real name but we call it that because it is built around a tree. i don't know what kind of tree it is but it is situated at the middle of the place. the food is affordable and delicious. they even have chicken oil for the inasal, which is what i ordered (liempo). i really liked everything in that moment. the food, the interior design, the spacious tables, the not-skimpy portions and the people i'm with. but probably not too much for the soup.

we went to smne after and hart bought a tomiko car.

the few moments before my shift ended was quite nice. we talked about work and threw a few good-to-know facts, too. i also love listening to how knowledgeable my colleagues are with what we do. and i guess, i'm being reminded of lind's definition of a good, or maybe even passionate, type of work that he wants to feel. one that makes you want to extend your hours to, willingly. the one that makes you want to exert effort. one that you don't feel too draining to do. i am quite glad to see that eminating from some of these people. oh, how much of a sucker i am for passionate people.

after work, i got on p2p bus and fell asleep on the way home.

i don't know why, but i wasn't hungry yet i got off at shell to buy a can of blue seas tuna and a can of candies wrapped with white confectioners sugar. for some reason, i thought "i can't wait to bring this to work and let someone open the candy can. i was caught off guard bc that wasn't meant to be a thought that crosses my mind. yet, i feel excited just to make someone happy.

guessing i'm just stress-eating, i still walked to late night cravings (i think thats the name of the little pop up store at the front of builder's). i bought longsilog and extra rice for the tuna. it was a really good meal, but what caught my attention was how prim and precise the server is with their service.

they said sorry when they didn't notice me by the window bc they were chatting at the back of the stall. i said thats fine, i was kinda expecting it to happen, anyway, since i saw them chattering when i was approaching their stall. the way their face light up is almost so enticing and soothing.

i bought from this stall before when i was on the way home from biking but it wasn't for me so i haven't really tried their food. the wait for my order wasn't too long, and i was busy playing around with my phone anyway so i guess i just didn't notice. there's only 2 of them at work but was able to cook the food well. i ordered longsilog with the longganisa coming from the nearby town famous for this specific product. i clarified if it's the garlic flavor because i couldn't for the life of me to order the sweet variant.

the portion wasn't much but it was enough for the night and the price justified it, too. at first, i was afraid the longganisa will not be fresh because i always thought not too many people order this one. the 'secret sauce' was absolutely delicious. i wolfed everything down pretty quickly. there's the part where it's delicious and there's also half the part of me coming home too late since i still have office work the next day. i didn't think i can finish the whole can of tuna but i still did. i like this kind of tuna than the other more popular and affordable brand because i really believe they're not even selling tuna anymore. also, olive oil based ones are the best.

what really struck me is i noticed the shopkeeper was still checking their phone near the window, opposing my thought that they'll go back to their seats behind the stall to continue their interrupted time. i knocked on the window to buy a drink and they gladly obliged. they wiped the bottle clean of any wet or sticky residues before handing it to me. i asked where i can throw away the disposable cups and utensils i used and they took it from me to throw it inside. they thanked me and even added a 'take care' when they saw me leaving, and i returned the kind gesture. i went back after a few strides when i remembered i didn't put the chairs back to where they were positioned. the shopkeeper insisted they'd do it on their own and thanked me again, all with the pleasing expression on their face. it was all so refreshing and i found myself being so amazed by the quality of service they shared, even in that short amount of time.

i walked home because, like any other night, there's no more available transportation at this time. i did what i always do in long walks and tire my brains out of the repetitive things i overthink about.

the amount of sweat running down my body was crazy after walking that far. i took a shower before going to bed, which is something i was looking forward to the whole day. because of the lack of sleep, i was able to sleep pretty fast.

#2023:08

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defdaily · 4 years ago

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JAY B Interview [HYPEBEAST]

From GOT7 to H1GHR MUSIC’s JAY B

On the 11th of May, it was announced that GOT7’s leader JAY B had joined H1GHR MUSIC. Ever since his time in JYPE, Jay B has been taking on the responsibility of writing lyrics and composing songs for albums, even participating as a producer. On Soundcloud, he has released 5 mixtapes under the name Def., showing his ambition as a solo musician in various instances. That’s why the fact that he did not join a KPOP entertainment company but instead joined H1GHR MUSIC is not a particularly surprising thing. However, it’s no lie that this will bring a huge change to his career as an artist. <HYPEBEAST> met with JAY B and had a talk about the reason he decided to move (to H1GHR MUSIC), his new single ‘Switch It Up’, his future activities as well as his ambition.

HYPEBEAST: You’re known for being on “team mint chocolate”. You even left comments about it on <HYPEBEAST>’s instagram page.

JAY B: I like the way the flavour is pungent yet wrapped up in chocolate. I don’t really like plain chocolate. I like it when something is added to it, such as chocolate milk or white chocolate, but when I had mint chocolate for the first time, it was really revolutionary. After that, I’ve been enjoying eating it.

HB: It’s still something that sparks a lot of debate. There are also a lot of products released aimed to spark controversy.

JAY B: There’s something I always say. If I am eating it well and I like it, I just hope that you won’t say things like “why would you eat that?” to me. If you’re enjoying your food and then someone next to you says that sort of thing, you’d lose your appetite, right? Just don’t say that kind of thing to someone who’s eating. Let’s love one another!

HB: Your group, GOT7, left JYP Entertainment after 7 years. How did you feel promoting without a company for the past few months?

JAY B: I feel the same now. It’s more fun. Personally, one of the reasons why I decided to leave JYP was because I wanted to take on more challenges. Maybe it’s because of that but the time I spent as a kind of freelancer felt really new. Even though I won’t be able to know everything about what kind of system I’ll be working in, I got to learn about it roughly and gained a more serious attitude regarding work. I also felt a sense of pride and that it was precious.

HB: Out of the ‘challenges’ you mentioned, your photo exhibition was one of them, right? We heard that you like taking pictures.

JAY B: Even this morning, I saw a pigeon spread only one side of its wings. I’ve never seen that before, so I wanted to take a picture of it, but in a short moment it sensed that I was there and flew away. I’m the kind of person who takes a lot of pictures of those little moments. In that way, I got to hold a photo exhibition too. Honestly, I was embarrassed to do the exhibition. I was just going to try to do it personally as a small thing with the pictures I took myself, but JYPE said “let’s do it even better”, and as we exchanged ideas, the scale got a bit larger.

HB: Is there a particular theme that you like when taking pictures?

JAY B: I’m the kind of person who comes up with (themes) as I take the pictures. As I am taking pictures of something, thoughts like “ah, it would be fun to hold exhibitions with this kind of pictures” come to mind. For my first exhibition, I took pictures revolving around the theme of ‘loneliness’, ‘living alone’, and ‘even if you are living alone, you need someone by your side’. It was mainly involving people/figures, but I actually prefer taking pictures of landscapes or larger compositions.

HB: In the past, you’ve said “I think my next album will be a product that includes the loneliness felt in life”. Is it related to your first photo exhibition <ALONE>?

JAY B: There’s no relation between the two. I wanted to work out all the feelings I had after being under a lot of pressure as I lived my life. Putting aside whether the album is good or not, I think it will be an album where I honestly share what I felt when I felt pressured. I don’t know whether or not it will be released, and if it does, I don’t know in what form it will be released in, but for now I’ve just made the album with this theme. It might sound boring, but it contains a lot of my honest thoughts.

HB: We don’t know when or how, but it will probably be released through H1GHR MUSIC now right? After your contract ended with JYP, you probably received offers from various places, why did you choose H1GHR MUSIC?

JAY B: I’m well aware of the fact that I was protected by the fence called JYP. But as I mentioned previously, I left JYP because I wanted to try and experience something on my own. I also had doubts regarding whether I was an artist who could bring in as much profit as the company wanted. I think that changing my image in order to earn a profit is something that I’ve done a lot in the past. After leaving the company, I received offers from multiple places, and some were really good companies too. However, the most important thing was that it had to be a company that I could exchange opinions and create with. I think H1GHR MUSIC matched up with that the best.

HB: As the field of your promotions change, it will probably come with some concerns as well.

JAY B: I’m the kind of person who worries a lot and is cautious. My own concerns aside, I was really worried about whether H1GHR MUSIC’s image would be damaged because I joined. I thought people might say that an idol joining would muddy the waters* (*ruin the label’s image). No matter if there’s a good or bad reaction, H1GHR MUSIC has already accomplished things, and I would be a new addition. On top of that, I’m not someone who is just starting to make music. I’m making a new image based on the one I already had. Even so, just this once, I wanted to make a decision that was for myself. That’s why I was even more cautious with each and every step.

HB: Is the title of your new single ’Switch It Up’ referring to the changes you are going through?

JAY B: When I came up with the title, I did think that it was possible to give it that sort of meaning. I wanted to express a basic love story while also including the meaning of switching up my life. However, Jay Park hyung gave me some advice, saying that rather than doing that, it might be better for me to naturally blend in what I’ve already been doing. Following that advice, even though the title itself carries the meaning of change, the lyrics are just about love.

HB: How was your first production at H1GHR MUSIC?

JAY B: I had a lot of concerns and was worried. After I made the decision to join H1GHR MUSIC, I told Jay hyung that I wanted to release a song or an album quickly. It just so happened Cha Cha Malone was back in Korea, so we aligned our schedules and produced songs together. Everything happened naturally. Jay hyung said that I shouldn’t go all out from the beginning, and that it’s more important to keep going steadily. I agree with that. I’m satisfied with the result too. I worry a lot so I’m the type to ask around for opinions, but everyone said it was good. But honestly, I’m not sure how the public will react to it. (laughs)

HB: Sokodomo’s feature was really impressive, how did he end up participating in the song?

JAY B: The funny thing is, it really came about naturally too. When I went to the studio, sokodomo was there and he asked if he could stay while we were working on our songs, so we said it was okay. As we worked on songs like that, after I finished up my recording, sokodomo suddenly went into the recording studio. I was wondering “what’s going on?”, but what sokodomo showed us was really good. Turns out, while I was recording, he came up with some ideas and asked if it was okay if he tried it out which I didn’t hear. But what sokodomo came up with was a style that I couldn’t express well. And so right there and then, I cautiously asked if he would be willing to feature in the song, and he agreed without hesitation. That part was so good that I even thought “I can’t be eaten by (overshadowed) sokodomo”. Haha.

HB: In the past, you were a B-boy, and even in GOT7 you received a lot of attention for your dancing. So we were wondering if we would get to see you dance to ’Switch It Up’.

JAY B: You’ll be able to see it through the live clip that will be released at the same time as the single. There are various elements in the live clip. First of all, I tried really hard to make it look cool. I sang live with sokodomo too. I think there’s a lot to see. The dance comes on at the very end. I thought that since I’m a performer, I should dance too. Honestly, at first when I listened to ‘Switch It Up’, I thought it would be kind of hard to dance to it. But even so, I have to dance. Other artists are cool too, but I think Chris Brown is really cool. He dances and sings at the same time really well. Because dance was my beginning, and I gained interest in singing later on and ended up working hard at it, I can’t let go of dance.

HB: Do you have any plans or ideas for the next album you’ll release through H1GHR MUSIC?

JAY B: I think that I have to move quickly. I’ll have to wait and see what I’ll end up with, but for now, I think it’s closer to a chill vibe. ‘Switch It Up’ was chill, but it still had a kind of energy to it. Rather than that, I think it will probably be the kind of music that is suitable to listen to while going for a drive. I want to show music that’s groovier and more sensual as much as possible. But I still don’t know. It’s possible that the company might say “let’s go for pop.” I want to create things together with the company, so I’m open to accommodating their opinions for a couple songs.

HB: You’re also promoting with the name Def. and not Jay B. Why did you come up with the name Def.?

JAY B: Actually, even in the early days of GOT7, I didn’t feel any attachment to the name JB. I felt really strongly that it was a name that someone else came up with. I’m more comfortable with people calling me by my birth name, Jaebeom, too. Of course, I like it now. I wanted to separate Jay B and Def., that’s why they are separated. When I was in JYP, I got permission to release my music on Soundcloud, but I couldn’t release albums separately. So I released all the music that I couldn’t release as JB through Def. For now, I decided I would make music that people could approach more comfortably under the name Jay B, and I would release things that are more to what I want to do through Def. I’m not sure how it will end up in the future though.

HB: Listening to the music under these two names, there is quite a difference. The music you release under the name Def. has more characteristics of the neo soul genre.

JAY B: When I made <1/? Vol. 1>, I liked trap soul, so it contains a lot of that kind of music. After that as well, it mostly is filled with songs that were the style that I liked at the time. If you listen to my mixtape, excluding the intro and outro, there are about 5 songs. While I prepared those songs, I also worked on 15 songs that would be for GOT7 albums at the same time, making about 20 songs at a time. I’d work on GOT7 songs from morning till late night and if I had time, I would then work on my mixtape. That’s why they are songs that I really cherish. People might wonder why I would work so hard, but I thought that as an idol, I have to do my job well so that I can gain autonomy within the company. That’s why I worked hard and pushed myself to my limits.

HB: When will we be able to hear your music as Def.?

JAY B: Firstly, I want to get my name as Jay B out there, and later on I want to use the name Def. again when I can do what I want. Things that are more unusual, alternative, and experimental.

HB: Hearing you talk, we can really feel the love you have for music. You also seem like a realistic person.

JAY B: It’s because I feel that if I stubbornly insist on doing what I want to do and it doesn’t turn out well, I’d get a rough reality check. I’m a cautious person, so if I persist only on what I want and then fail, I’d end up thinking that I just have no aptitude for music, and I thought that is more dangerous. If that happens, I’d feel sorry for the music that I like and I might even think that there was something wrong with the music or genres that I like. People might say that that’s “not real”, but it’s “real” to me. It’s just my way of living.

HB: You’re currently also in the crew ‘ØFFSHORE.’ What kind of crew is it?

JAY B: It’s a place where people who sell songs commercially and people who make their own music gather. It started with the purpose of people with the same interests making fun music together and releasing it. Offshore has the meaning of “shore/coast”. On the shore, there are lots of living things. There are times when the waves crash but also times when it’s calm. Just like my Def. character, I think it’s a place where I can freely include things I’ve never done before. It will carry on in the future too, but we won’t have any eye-catching activities. We’ll just go on calmly.

HB: As you share your stories, we’re getting curious about Jay B as a producer too. Will we be able to hear songs that you produce for other artists someday?

JAY B: When I was in JYP, I’ve sent out songs that the publisher said would not work for GOT7. There were also songs that were selected by other people but could not be used because of my name. Now, I don’t think there will be those sorts of limitations, so I want to try producing for other people too. I don’t have confidence in being responsible for someone or nurturing trainees, though. I’m still busy trying to feed myself. But even so, I’d like to try to produce just one song for someone else. I would have a sort of image about someone, right? An image that they themselves wouldn’t even know. I think the process of trying to bring that out would be fun. Of course, I’m focused on my music now, but it would be nice if I got the chance someday.

HB: Another GOT7 member, Yugyeom, joined AOMG. Fans can’t help but look forward to the reunion of your unit ‘Jus2’.

JAY B: Since Yugyeom is in AOMG, I think that if we talk to Jay hyung, it’s possible that we will release something as Jus2. Jus2 and JJ Project both include Jay B, but they are also units that are part of GOT7. I think that if we work hard at promoting them too, fans would feel a sense of security. I think that from now on is the time when both I, as well as GOT7, have to really do well.

HB: You mentioned that you wanted to release 1 GOT7 album a year.

JAY B: I don’t know whether it will work out, but we have to try and plan for it. I’ve mentioned multiple times that GOT7 has not disbanded. I believe that I should keep my word. Right now, everyone is actually busy working on their own things. Even so, we want to try and make one song for GOT7 a month, so that we can promote about once a year.

HB: You have a strong image as a great leader and hyung in GOT7. What would you like to show as JAY B in H1GHR MUSIC?

JAY B: I would like to hear people say “ah, I guess they did a good job bringing him in”. I hope that when people listen to ’Switch It Up’, they won’t think that “Jay Park made the wrong choice this time”. I think it would be nice if people thought that I was worth anticipating. Not that they brought in some strange kid. I don’t want to get cursed at. Haha.

HB: Do you have a final goal you want to achieve as an artist?

JAY B: I don’t. I just want to keep on steadily and quietly making music. To me, saying that you want to receive some sort of reward or that you want to become something is quite vague. I just hope that I can gain the drive to keep going on steadily and continue that cycle of creation. That’s all.

Translation by @mindellay x @defdaily

May contain slight inaccuracies.

#jayb #got7 #h1ghrmusic #lim jaebeom

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theamityelf · 4 years ago

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VKs’ Other Parents

(I was content with just assuming everyone’s other parent was just a random henchman or regular human villain, but D3 made parentage matter, so I guess let’s do this.)

Mal: Daughter of Maleficent and Hades.

Sure. Fine.

Headcanon that I mention in Necronaissance: Mal can eat ambrosia, but it tastes disgusting to her.

Evie: Daughter of the Evil Queen and the Horned King.

He’s a king, and Grimhilde loves a man with a royal title. Her rationale was that him not having a face meant that he wouldn’t contribute any ugliness, somehow not thinking of the fact that maybe he had once had a face or maybe the lack of a face could be passed on. But it worked out for her.

(Another option is Hans, for similar reasons; royal title, but this time with handsomeness. Idk, I just think he would be too uppity to agree to it.)

Evie never met her dad, but she knows who he is. If she ever ended up in a situation where there were living skeletons nearby, they would bow to her, which would come as a surprise to Mal. But Hades strikes more fear into the living than the dead; the dead tend to serve either the Horned King or Chernabog or someone of the sort.

Carlos: Son of Cruella de Vil and Robert Callaghan (the villain from Big Hero 6; saved you a Google)

Gonna be honest, it’s just because he likes science.

Callaghan loves his son as much as he loved his daughter, but he died pretty early on the Isle. He didn’t have time to make robots to protect himself before he was attacked by someone who wanted the resources he was saving for himself.

Carlos meets Abigail, Callaghan’s daughter, after leaving the Isle; she falls into the big sister role readily and loves to encourage his nerdiness and give him advice.

Jay: Son of Jafar and Anastasia Tremaine.

Listen, I struggled with this one, because while I wanted his mom to be someone magical, I also need him not to be related to anyone he’s shipped with and there are only so few female villains. (I feel like that witch lady from the Mulan reboot, which I haven’t seen but I’ve heard about, would be a better fit for my criteria, but I really don’t want to make the Mulan reboot canon to Descendants.) The Tremaines aren’t white in Descendants canon, and them being of noble birth would appeal to Jafar.

Jay doesn’t know his mom is a Tremaine. He’s stolen from them so many times!

Uma: Daughter of Ursula and Chernabog.

I’ve gone into detail about this in Necronaissance already, but yeah. I stand by most of it.

Long story short, Chernabog saw everybody on the Isle getting busy, knew Ursula was one of the few who could handle him, and this led to Uma happening. Diverging from Necronaissance, though, I’m gonna say that Uma does know that her dad is Chernabog. Whenever he feels like talking to her, to see how she’s grown and stuff, he sends one of his followers/worshippers to fetch her from Ursula’s (or from the ship). This always happens at night, and Harry always walks with her but waits outside the cave while she talks to her dad.

Chernabog is more invested in her wellbeing than Ursula seems to be, but he’s not very good emotional support, because he always advocates for her to be “strong” and is proudest of her when she demonstrates strength as a leader.

Uma can eat ambrosia. It tastes great, compared to Isle food, but only fine compared to Auradon food.

Harry: Son of Captain Hook and Zarina.

I haven’t even seen the pirate fairy movie, but I get the gist that Zarina is a pirate fairy who was seduced by Captain Hook, and that seems like a prime candidate for one of the Hook siblings’ mom. I’ve read enough good fanfic on the subject to relent that it works for me. (There’s one where the backstory is that CJ said there’s no such thing as fairies and accidentally killed Harry’s mom when she was just a little kid, and the angst there is just Galaxy Brain.) Harry can speak the language of the fairies if he wants to, but it mostly comes out by accident, when he’s swearing. So, if he’s mad, you’ll hear a mix of English, Scottish Gaelic, and...bells. (He can also release small amounts of pixie dust, but you don’t want to know from where. I’m kidding. Gosh, that’s gross.)

(Another option is Madame Mim, because the way Harry acts could be her influence, but I can’t see her bedding someone as normal as a pirate captain; she’d definitely go more for Oogie Boogie, etc. I’d have made his mom Sarah Sanderson, but...)

Gil: Son of Gaston and Sarah Sanderson.

She would absolutely be the type for Gaston. I feel like both Sarah and Gaston really get around. When he discovered first-hand that she likes to torture her lovers, Gaston swore that he would never see her again, but that was a lie; he went back several times.

Gil was raised primarily by his dad, but he still goes to visit his mom every now and then. (It used to freak people out, how he casually strolled into her house, since every kid whose parents cared about their wellbeing even a little was warned not to follow the lilting song into the witch’s home.) She dotes on him and shows him whatever weird, creepy stuff she’s been up to. (She might excitedly say, “Gil! Look at this!” and then just hold up the severed leg of a frog.) Gil’s sweetness and his fairly go-with-the-flow personality serve him well, there. He loves his mom, and he’s the most affectionate of her kids, so he’s her favorite even if he’s his dad’s least favorite.

He’s also pretty cool with his aunts. Sure, Aunt Winnie can be grumpy and Aunt Mary once tried to cook him, but they tell really funny stories. It’s chill.

Freddie: Daughter of Dr. Facilier and Ursula.

Yeah, you knew the resemblance had to be addressed.

It was just a one-night stand, and Facilier had to keep Freddie because even as early as her birth, it was clear she would favor shadow magic over sea magic. He really didn’t want a kid, but he went with it. He never abused or neglected her physically, and he was always polite to her, but there was definite emotional neglect going on. (It’s canon from Wicked World; my hands are tied.) She didn’t mind her polite but distant relationship with her dad, until Celia was born and she saw how fatherly he could be. That stung, deep down, but she preferred to just joke about it.

She never spoke to Ursula and barely spoke to Uma; the obviousness of their resemblance made them uncomfortable. They did have a few awkward sisterly interactions, though; if either was in a position to do the other a solid and it wouldn’t cost them anything, they’d do it.

Freddie can eat ambrosia. It doesn’t taste like anything.

Celia: Daughter of Dr. Facilier and one of the Fates.

I mean, she is a fortune teller. No canon evidence indicates that she can actually see the future, but I’m saying she can, anyway, because I want to. Her skill with the cards comes from her dad, but her future sight comes from her mom.

Dr. Facilier’s got mad game with the magical ladies. The Fates aren’t consigned to the Isle, but they come and go as they please, and Facilier is always one to seek out opportunities where they can be found. While everyone else was fleeing and whispering to each other, frightened at the appearance of these primordial beings, Facilier had the wherewithal to seduce one of them and ask if she can get him off the Isle. Instead, she birthed his favorite daughter and said that she was the key to his freedom.

Celia never met her mom, but Facilier straightforwardly told her who it was when she asked. She can also eat ambrosia; it tastes great.

Dizzy: Daughter of Drizella Tremaine and Gaston.

Again, Gaston really gets around. He doesn’t care to parent his daughters, though; he’ll check in when he feels like it, but that’s very rarely. It used to hurt Dizzy’s feelings, so Drizella tried to buy her happiness by giving her new fabrics and crafting supplies, and Lady Tremaine sternly assured her that the Tremaine name was far more prestigious than “Legume”.

(Any additional thoughts or questions, feel free to tell/ask me.)

#disney descendants #mal bertha #evie grimhilde #carlos de vil #jay jafar #uma daughter of ursula #harry hook #gil legume #freddie facilier #celia facilier #dizzy tremaine

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luci-in-trenchcoats · 4 years ago

Text

Won’t You Stay (Part 15)

Summary: After the accident, the reader learns a secret of Jensen’s and the two start moving into the next phase of their relationship...

Masterlist

Square: Against The Wall

Pairing: Jensen x Director!reader

Word Count: 3,300ish

Warnings: mature (language, post domestic abuse, body image issues, smut (protected sex, wall sex, shower sex, hand job))

A/N: Please enjoy! Also written for @spnkinkbingo

_____

Sunday Night

“Everybody make it home alright?” asked Jensen the next night when you stopped over his apartment. You hummed and went straight for his fridge, finding a beer and cracking it open. You drank half of it down before you went to his couch and lay down on it, staring up at the ceiling.

“Did you see yourself on the news? You’re apparently a badass,” you said.

“My mom wasn’t too thrilled,” he said as he sat down in the chair, kicking his feet up on his coffee table. “She was very proud though.”

“She know we’re dating?” you asked.

“Yeah. She was surprised,” he said. “I haven’t dated for a while.”

You sat up and passed over the can of beer, Jensen taking a long drink, setting the empty can down on the coffee table. He rested his elbow against the chair arm and rested his head in it, looking over at you.

“My old girlfriend made a lot of comments about my body, like I said before. What I didn’t know was that for a while, she was putting diet pills in my coffee in the morning.”

You scrunched up your face and he nodded.

“I felt like shit. I was concerned. I thought something was seriously wrong and she never told me. I had tests done and the doctors couldn’t figure out what was making me lose weight. I lost a movie role because I got too small. I was miserable, except for her. She’d made me entirely reliant on her without me ever realizing. Then one night when my stomach was killing me, I looked for some pain medicine. I looked in her purse when there was none in the kitchen and that’s when I found the pills. I blew up on her and she did the interview right after and threatened me if I thought about leaving. Well, I dumped her ass and got the hell out of there.”

“I don’t understand some people,” you said as you held out your hands. Jensen stared and you opened your palms up, squeezing them shut a few times. He stood and walked over, letting you pull him down to the couch and into your lap. “You are perfect. That was so dangerous of her to do. Are you okay now?”

“Yeah. It took a bit but my system got back on track eventually,” he said. He was quiet as he sat back against your chest, your legs resting over top of his, Jensen nuzzling his head under your chin. “Don’t tell anyone, please.”

“I won’t,” you said.

“I know.”

You kissed the top of his head, Jensen finding your injured hand and holding it up.

“I hope you wanted all of this buzz. The Dark Woods is the most anticipated movie of the year now,” said Jensen.

“Strangely I don’t think the pressure will be that bad. What more can get thrown at us?” you said.

“I’d like some peace and quiet,” he hummed as he shut his eyes.

“Call it an early night?” you asked. “I’ll even big spoon ya.”

“I am big spoon, little missy,” he said despite burrowing more into you.

“Jay.”

“On occasion you can big spoon,” he said. “...Like tonight.”

“That’s my adorable boy,” you said.

“I’ve never been a proper little spoon actually,” he said.

“Oh, that changes tonight, Ackles. Get that cute tush up and let’s hit the hay. We’ve earned it.”

“This is kinda fun,” you giggled a few days later, flipping around in your harness a few feet off the ground.

“Our fearless leader,” said AJ, Jensen doing his own spins close by. “So your dad says he’s good for the stunt. Medical technically cleared him but ultimately it’s your call.”

“Dad,” you said, hanging upside down. He lifted his head up from his script and you waved him out of his chair and over to you. “I hear you want to do the stunt today.”

“Medical cleared me,” he said.

“I heard. You also have a concussion and your arm is still healing,” you said.

“It’s one drop on a wire,” he said.

“And say one in a million worst case scenario, you’re up in the air, something breaks and you fall. What then?” you asked. He sighed and threw his head back.

“Alright. I won’t do it,” he said.

“Jensen came up with a way for you to still do the stunt. Safely,” you said. Your dad tilted his head and you smiled. “Did...did we figure out something about this business you don’t know about? Oh, that’s awesome.”

“I’d be interested to hear what it is,” he said.

“So Jay and I can do the stunt like normal but for you, you’re gonna lie up on a platform with a camera below you and the camera is going to pull back,” you said.

“To make it look like you’re falling,” said Jensen. “Cut it with the other shots and nobody ever knows the difference.”

“Huh. That might just work. What gave you that idea?” he asked.

“We were playing with Jensen’s camera last night being stupid and it fell off the counter and we thought maybe that would work,” you said. “Jensen would like to try directing someday even.”

“Little power couple you two are turning out to be,” he said.

“Mark said we could pull it off,” you said. “You okay with that?”

“Yeah, I’m okay with it,” he smiled. “You’re in charge, boss.”

He went back to his chair and his script, Jensen righting himself.

“That went better than you were expecting,” he said.

“He gave in because I asked,” you said.

“He’ll be better by the time more stunt stuff pops up,” he said.

“Remind me to write less physical stuff for Hale in the third book,” you said.

“There’s gonna be a third book?” he said. “Yes!”

“I have an idea for how it all wraps up. Nothing is written yet,” you said.

“Can I read your drafts? Please? Pretty please?” he asked, bouncing up and down in his harness. “Please?”

“Perhaps,” you teased. “Maybe I’ll even tell you about Damian.”

“Who is Damian? Do not tease me like this woman,” he said as you started to laugh. “Y/N! That’s not fair.”

“Alright fanboy, once I get writing you can have a sneak peek,” you said.

“Awesome,” he said, doing a fist pump.

“We ready to roll yet?” you called.

“Five minutes and then it’s all yours,” said someone else.

“While you two are up there, I might as well use the opportunity,” said your dad from his chair. He smirked and pulled out his phone.

“No, no,” you said. “Dad! No! No embarrassing pictures!”

“Dad yes,” he laughed to himself, taking a few pictures. “Those will go nice on Instagram.”

“Next time I’m leaving you in the burning car!” you said. “I swear I’ll do it.”

“Oh wait, one more,” he said, spinning around to get a selfie with the three of you in it. “That’s the one.”

“Jensen, please tell me you have a normal father,” you said.

“I have a horrible feeling our dad’s would get along very, very well,” he said.

“I look forward to meeting my partner in crime,” said your dad.

“Oh. Lovely,” you said.

“We will delay the torture as much as possible, I promise,” said Jensen.

“We’ll see about that kid,” said your dad.

“Go sit down, you’re supposed to rest,” you said.

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, plopping back down. You felt yourself get pulled up and some crew walk over.

“Alright. I think we’re ready to start again.”

Two Weeks Later

“Oh my God. I am so happy to be home,” you said, shutting the door to find the apartment smelling like fresh cookies that night. “If you made me dessert, I am having sex with you tonight, even if I am exhausted.”

“I could very easily do all the work,” said Jensen, smiling as he stepped out of the kitchen, looking you up and down.

“Double fudgy chocolate chip,” you said, smirking as you saw the cookies on a plate. “That looks-”

Jensen grabbed your hips and walked you back against the wall, devouring you in a hungry kiss.

“Someone got horny in the four hours we haven’t seen each other,” you giggled.

“What can I say, I missed you,” he teased, working on getting your jeans off already. “And I may have found your super super super secret Lyle folder on your computer.”

“Oh no,” you said, immediately covering your face, Jensen chuckling as he pulled your pants down along with your underwear.

“You did give me access to your Lyle drive. I am so very happy I got access to your Lyle drive,” he said. He broke off for a minute before suddenly he grabbed your hips and pushed you up the wall. You yelped and threw your arms around the back of his shoulders, a condom over his now exposed cock. “The one about Lyle fucking Molly when she got home was too good to pass up.”

“Fuck, Jensen,” you said as he slid inside of you, your legs wrapping around his back. “You don’t do this.”

“I think we ought to start,” he said, kissing your neck and delivering a quick thrust that sucked the air out of your lungs.

“Why are you so good at everything?” you breathed out, getting lost in a kiss from him.

“Because screwing you is too much fun,” he said, smiling as he picked up speed and you pushed further up the wall. You held on tight, Jensen a bit rougher than you were used to from him but you did not mind at all.

“I feel a slight problem coming on,” you grunted, Jensen panting against your skin. “I don’t think you’re gonna be able to hold me up long enough to get me off.”

“Oh you shouldn’t have said that,” smirked Jensen. He pulled back and let you fall down the wall some before he thrust in again, a gasp falling from your lips. He did it again and you felt a slightly different pressure build in your core.

“Fuck,” you said, throwing your head back against the wall but not even caring.

“You can do it on your own,” he said, hands digging bruises into your thighs. “Come on, Y/N. Let loose.”

“I can’t,” you said, dropping your head on his shoulder, catching him slide in and out of you. “I can’t do it just that way.”

“Yes you can. Trust me. Don’t hold on so tight with those legs and let that gorgeous ass slide down. I won’t let you fall,” he said.

You hummed and eased the tension in your legs some, your body dropping down slightly as he thrust inside, hitting what you determined had to be your g-spot.

“Fucking shit,” you said, Jensen doing it again and again, your head spinning. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

You came without warning, a deep wave of pleasure settling through you that kept going, Jensen groaning as you felt him throb and eventually slow his thrusts.

“Fuck is right,” he said, shakily bringing you down to the floor before he lay back, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. “Give a man some warning before you try to kill him.”

“Sorry. Never...came from just that before,” you said, rolling off of him.

“Awesome,” he said. “Just needed the right angle for it.”

“Feel free to greet me that way anytime you feel like it,” you said.

“I will,” he said. He sat up and stroked your cheek softly before he got up, discarding the condom in the trash. “Shower?”

“Sure,” you said, staring up at him. He scooped you up in his arms, humming as he carried you into the bathroom. He set you down and you peeled off your shirt and bra, stepping under the shower head while he washed up at the sink.

“You didn’t eat yet, did you?” he asked.

“No. Not since lunch,” you said, putting a hand on your stomach when it grumbled.

“I made tacos out of leftovers from lunch today,” he said. “Want me to make some up for you?”

“Yeah. Thank you,” you said, tilting your head back. “Where’d you get the leftovers from? You ate all your lunch.”

“I went back for another serving. They stuck it in a tupperware container for me. Your dad mentioned it to me. He said there’s always leftovers. It makes for an easy dinner after a long day.”

“Oh yeah,” you said, smiling to yourself. “He used to do that a lot when I was little.”

“He asked on my way out today if we were living together,” he said. You turned around and looked at him through the steamy shower door.

“What’d you say?”

“Not much. I mean, it’s not every night we stay over each other’s places,” he said.

“True,” you said, spinning around, running some soap over your body. The door opened behind you and you looked over your shoulder, Jensen opening his mouth. “We haven’t been together that long. Barely a month and a half.”

“Yeah,” he said. “That’s what I said.”

“It would be irresponsible,” you said, turning around, Jensen swallowing as he looked you up and down. “It’s way too fast. Especially considering both of our pasts.”

“I completely agree,” he said.

“Good. We’re on the same page,” you said. He stared at you and you grabbed his shirt as he took a step forward into the shower. He kissed you roughly, walking the two of you under the water as you worked on getting his now soaked shirt off.

“Totally same page,” he said, ripping his shirt off his head. Green eyes and creamy skin greeted you as you kissed his jaw, pushing him back against the wall. “Or we could say fuck it and move in together.”

“I’m all for fucking it,” you said, reaching down and wrapping your fingers around his cock.

“Y/N, too soon,” he said.

“You can do it,” you said, winking at him as you stroked him slowly.

“My lease is up next month,” he breathed out, giving small thrusts of his hips into your hand. “If you’re serious.”

“When’s the last time you were even at your apartment?” you asked, brushing your lips over his scruff, Jensen shutting his eyes.

“A week ago,” he said. “I don’t want to ruin this.”

“Me either,” you said.

“Think we will?”

“Not really,” you said.

“What makes you say that?”

“Two months ago I was pretending to be happy. Now I am,” you said. He grinned and you made your fist tighter, Jensen rocking and back forth into it.

“Let’s do it,” he said.

“You sure?” you asked.

“I’m sure,” he said.

“Good,” you said. You smirked and jerked your hand around him, sucking at his neck as he came. He grunted and you moved away slowly. “My shower is bigger than yours after all.”

“I uh, I’m gonna heat up your dinner,” he said, taking a few shaky steps out the door. “Once my legs work again.”

“Take your time,” you said. “I have to wash up again anyways.”

Ten minutes later you stepped out of the bedroom in a pair of shorts and pajama shirt, Jensen scraping some meat and veggies from a pan into a tortilla shell. He slid the plate over to you and you started to eat, closing your eyes halfway through. You opened them when he put a glass down for you. You watched him clean up the pan and leave it in the sink to soak, smiling as he put some of the cooled off cookies in a container for later.

“Thanks for making me dinner,” you said, rubbing your eye as you finished up.

“It’s no problem. You’re exhausted by the end of the day,” he said, ruffling your hair as he took your plate away and set two cookies on a napkin in front of you.

“Still. You are too,” you said, taking a bite and popping the rest in your mouth.

“Yeah but I get breaks during the day and all I have to worry about is acting. You have to do my job and yours,” he said.

“I am so never acting again after this,” you said, eating the other one and wiping off your hands.

“I’m sure you’ll do some. At least Molly,” he said.

“If the movie doesn’t flop that is. You know how books turned into movies can go,” you said.

“Yeah but how often does the author get to do the screenplay conversion and direct? It’ll do very well. Your dad’s movies never flop,” he said.

“I suppose you have a point,” you said. “The trailer is going to need to be good.”

“You have to be months away from a trailer,” he said.

“I have a first trailer due out in two weeks,” you said. “We won’t even be done filming by then.”

“Do you get to pick what goes in that?” he asked as he checked the front door was locked, wandering back into the kitchen.

“Yeah. I have to be careful. I am so not doing one of those trailers that gives the movie away but I know the studio will push to put some of the bigger scenes in it,” you said.

“Do some of your wide location shots. Those ones you have of the forest are very pretty but still creepy in a way. Do some of those, throw in some questionable Hale and some of Lyle looking over his shoulder nervous. I’d go see that,” he said.

“...That’s not half bad,” you said. “You want to come in with me next Saturday to work it with the editor?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You have a mind for directing,” you said. “You don’t have to. I’ll be busy most of the day with that is all.”

“I’d actually really like to. I’m interested in the behind the camera stuff,” he said.

“Sounds good then,” you said. He smiled and leaned over the counter, smirking at you as you yawned. “What time is it?”

“Almost one in the morning,” he said.

“Let’s make a deal. As soon as filming is done, we take a week off and sleep,” you said. He laughed as you climbed off the stool. He threw an arm around your back and walked you into the bedroom, flipping off the light as you plopped down on top of the covers.

“Under the covers, silly girl,” he said. You were already half asleep though, Jensen pulling you up and moving you around before he was tucking you in. “Sleep tight, Y/N.”

“You too, Jens.”

____

A/N: Read Part 16 here!

#spnkinkbingo #supernatural #spn #jensen x reader #jensen ackles #supernatural series #supernatural reader insert #jensen ackles x reader #spn reader insert #jensen reader insert #jensen x #jensen ackles x you

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starlightaxolotl · 4 years ago

Text

Stormfront Chapter One

words: 2.9K

warnings: none really, one swear word, implied alcohol being consumed by underage people but not shown.

I finally bring the long awaited first chapter of Stormfront, my Ninjago Next Gen AU fic.

One: Not Without Risk

Zane walked out of the hide out and down the street, drawing the hood of the plain blue hoodie over his head. He knew he was being followed. If he made it to the prop apartment, he'd be clear. With his connections offline still, he had no signal to upload the information he had gathered on this impromptu meeting, having been lucky to even have been in the building when the meeting was called. For convenience, they allowed him to sit in before he left. They hadn't wanted to hold him up, but insisted he listened.

It had given him confirmation of his biggest theory: Harumi was building a network, one that spanned the entire continent of Ninjago, and one of her contacts had found something she was looking for. Something that would be in the city in the next two weeks.

Zane's hands itched at the thought. If she had already gathered contacts in every corner of the continent, who was to say this wasn't some sort of play—a ruse to throw him off. They could easily know he was infiltrating but choosing not to apprehend him…

But why?

Zane's mind and heart were racing at equal speeds. It was a lot to take in.

They knew where everyone lived. It was pinned out on a map of the city and surrounding suburbs, and they couldn't do anything about it. If they moved, they'd just be found again, and there was no evidence to suggest they wouldn't also reveal they knew what Zane was doing, breaking in and slipping among their ranks sporadically under another new fake name each time.

He crossed the street, glancing over his shoulder. In the alleyway behind him, a figure sat on a motorbike, ready to go at a moment's notice. Their visor was too dark for him to make out any details before he turned his head back to focus on the sidewalk in front of him. Distantly, he heard the engine rev before fading, driving away.

He had been followed. He was likely still being followed if he had to guess. He didn't want to be right this time.

It was taking a chance, but he needed to do it. He internally switched on every communication signal. As soon as he connected to the network, he uploaded the information to the coded file, encrypting it as he did. He called in to Pixal.

It didn't even ring once before she answered. "Are you safe? This call is early. You are not at the safe apartment yet." Zane could hear the worry in her voice, the strain of trying to stay calm. After over twenty years together, it wasn't shocking that he knew her this well.

"I am on my way home now, honey. I think we need to have a family gathering soon. Work is getting busy." His words, even out loud and inconspicuous to any passing ears, were coded.

I am on my way to the safe house. I think I am being followed. We need to gather the others. I have information. It is urgent.

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

Gigi Walker liked to think that as first alternate for the debate team that meant she was incredibly skilled at last minute arguments and persuasion. She had, after all, talked her way into first alternate from third alternate.

Which, of course, is why she found herself standing between her father and the front door of their apartment, arms crossed. "Come on, I just want to go on patrol once with Uncle Kai-I really don't think I'm asking for all that much! Enver's been on patrol!"

Jay raised an eyebrow at his daughter, grabbing his phone from the charger. "Enver is two years older than you, and not my kid. Kai's house, Kai's rules. My house-which you live in last I checked, by the way-my rules. This isn't up for debate Gigabyte, Your mom and I both said you're not going on patrol until you're older when you and Grant turned ten and started training-which you already started earlier than we wanted, if you remember!" He crossed his arms as well.

Jay walked towards the dresser next to the door, opening a drawer to grab his keys. "And Kai is starting patrol later tonight than normal, and you have school in the morning. Which, if I remember right, you've been almost late every day this week because you've been oversleeping!" He reached out to touch his daughter's shoulder. He had a sad smile on his face. "Stop trying to grow up so fast, trust me on this one. You're gonna miss this once you become a full time ninja-when you're nineteen at the earliest." He pulled his hand away from his stunned daughter, moving past her towards the door.

Gigi's mouth dropped open and she twirled on the spot, grabbing her dad's arm. "Nineteen? Last week your only condition was I had to be an adult!"

A small snicker came from behind. "Don't make him push it to thirty." Down the hallway, holding a laundry basket, was an auburn teen, smiling wryly at his twin sister. "And next to uncle Kai, no one holds a grudge like dad."

"You left your uncle Lloyd out of this, he holds a grudge worse than any of us and you know it. Remember when you accidentally broke his nose, kid?"

Grant groaned, head dipping back dramatically. "He still won't let me live it down or feel good about the fact it was the first time I landed a hit on him in a spar!"

Gigi giggled, and Jay looked back at her. "I've gotta get going-I hope I'm not making a mistake by leaving you and your brother here to do your homework-it's not too late for me to take you to Lloyd's so Aya can watch you two."

With a huff, Grant lifted the laundry basket. "I've got chores to keep me busy, plus Gigi and I still have to study for precalculus tonight. Big test tomorrow, and if I don't keep her on track it's not getting done before you and mom are home."

Jay smiled and nodded, pointing a finger at Gigi. "Doors locked, no friends over, got it?"

"Got it." She sighed, watching as her dad left before turning to look at her brother, skipping down the hall past him. "You've got me covered for the evening then?"

Grant shook his head, and sighed. "This is a terrible idea, Gigi."

"If this was a terrible idea, then they'd have hidden the files harder than that."

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

Lloyd looked at Zane, who looked just as pristine as usual, though his clothes suggested otherwise. He seemed scuffed up and anxious. "So, we're all here. Rip the bandage off, what did you learn this time?"

Zane looked around the secure room and the familiar faces around him. His team, his family, everyone actively working on this mission. Except for Enver, though he was going to be working on it soon, Zane supposed. "I do not have much, but something is arriving in the next two weeks-something big. Something they've been looking for."

The air in the room was still, stiff. Zane continued on. "She didn't say what it was over the phone, but Lex, the woman who has been training me for guard detail-she vouched for me personally, saying that they'd be stupid to waste my firearm skills on meaningless turf battles-said that this item is integral to their plan, and that things will fall into place once it's in Harumi's hands."

Lloyd made a face at the mention of their greatest enemy.

Harumi had spent the better part of the last two decades underground, but in the last few years signs had come back that she wasn't done trying to destroy Ninjago by starting with them. Her last big move had been...traumatic to their team at best. Lloyd looked away, hand moving to his side. Even through his clothes, he knew the size and shape of the scar that was there.

It had been luck that he lived at all.

"I also have gained confirmation of Harumi's code name being the Spider, not the princess. This means that there is an individual being called the princess that is not Harumi. Logically, I would assume this to be some sort of child of hers, or someone she is appointing as heir of the cause for unknown reasons, just in case."

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

Gigi pulled her hood down as she walked into the party, grinning under the black lights which picked up the swirls of white makeup she had drawn on her face for the event.

The room was hot, packed wall to wall with people who swarmed around the makeshift stage in the abandoned warehouse. Maybe it wasn't as abandoned as she previously believed though, knowing now that these parties across the warehouse district were tied as recruitment events for the Oni's Curse as they called themselves now, rebranding from the Sons of Garmadon they originally were. It showed a few shifts. The movement no longer hinged on Garmadon as their leader, which...arguably might be worse for Ninjago in some ways. Gigi had only ever heard stories, but it sounded like Harumi could be even worse on her own. It even-

Someone slammed into Gigi's back and she shouted, barely heard over the music in the warehouse. A hand grabbed her wrist, steadying her before she could faceplant into the small gap in the flooring.

"Careful!" A girl yelled, muffled by the music and the mask she wore. Gigi could tell she was smiling behind it though. "Get's a little hectic here, ya know?" She started dancing, still holding onto Gigi's wrist. Gigi started to dance with her. "First time?"

The song started to wind down and Gigi nodded, reaching into her pocket to put her ear protection in. "Yeah, didn't know these were so popular!" She looked around, taking it all in. "Especially on a school night!"

The girl laughed. "That's half the fun-who cares if we have school tomorrow, tonight we live!" She tipped her head back and laughed harder. After a moment she looked back at Gigi. "What's your name, twinkle toes?" She asked with a nod at Gigi's shining shoes. She hadn't expected the black lights to make the glitter so radiant-it was just glitter!

Gigi smiled, holding out her hand. "Gigi!"

The girl took hers, giving a loose shake. "Everyone calls me Ruka around here." The girl-Ruka-looked around, pushing her dark bangs out of her face. "Let's get something to drink before some idiot spikes everything." She looked at Gigi, her dark eyes bright in the party lights. "You down to hang, first timer?"

"Uh..." Gigi faltered. She needed to be alert for the mission-if she found some kind of proof maybe she could get some intel about the initiation process that they didn't already know about. Sticking with someone who knew the place was a good idea. "Sure. I could go for a pop can right now."

Ruka laughed again, grabbing Gigi's hand to pull her through the crowd. "Pop can, you really are a newbie aren't you?"

Gigi shrugged, sticking close to her newfound guide. "Parents aren't usually out at night together, it's kinda new to be able to slip out of the house unnoticed." Gigi could feel the beat of the music in her bones as they passed a set of speakers, rocking her body at its very core. Grant would hate it here.

She so owed him for the cover up.

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

Before she knew it, Ruka was pushing an unopened can of soda into her hand and pulling her once again around the makeshift dance floor. Gigi thought she heard her say something about a quieter place to hang around at in the party, but she wasn't sure. Even with ear protection in, her ears were ringing, and she was sure she'd feel unsteady from the sounds for hours after leaving the party.

"You were right," Gigi said as she leaned against the railing, popping the can of soda open. "It is quieter back here." She took a sip of the soda as she watched the people dancing below. Ruka leaned against the railing next to her, and Gigi smiled at her. "How did you get involved in coming to these parties?"

"Long story, but basically...my cousins." Ruka pulled off her mask, putting her hand through the elastics to keep it on herself. "They like the party scene, I...can tolerate it with the right people." She winked and as the strobe lighting passed over her face, Gigi could have sworn her eyes were red. Like fire red, but the next second they were back in the dark. "What about you, first timer?"

Gigi chewed on her lip, looking down at the party below. "I heard there's a little more than just a party going on, probably just a rumor."

"What, like drugs?" Ruka sounded irritated. "This isn't the place for that, Gigi. They're pretty strict about drugs."

That caught her attention. Gigi turned again. "What? No, that's not what I mean."

A loud voice cut through across the music. "Hey, hey, Rukaaaa!" Gigi looked left at where it came from. A girl with a high, neon streaked ponytail was sauntering over. Her combat boots made the metal catwalk clang loudly with each stomping step. The teen seemed cut from stone, all angles and neon paint, like a walking piece of graffiti. She eyed Gigi as Gigi did the same. "Who is this poppet?" Her face was intricately painted, streaks of white crossing over her lips in an upwards curve, and bright pink smeared around her eyes.

"Raz, this is Data. Data, Raz. My cousin I was telling you about." Ruka's voice was tight. It confused Gigi why she was calling her Data when she clearly remembered her name was Gigi just moments ago. "We were just talking about why we came out here tonight, told her you were big on the party scene."

Raz threw an arm around Gigi, pulling her close. "Data huh? Alias? Or do your parents really hate you that much?"

Gigi gave an awkward laugh. "Nickname." The two looked nothing alike. Then again, maybe they were cousins the same way she and Lark were cousins, cousins because their parents were so close they were practically family, but with no resemblance. "Pretty awesome party!" Gigi took a sip of her soda. Something about Raz made her uneasy.

Raz grinned wide, eyeing the soda. "Surprised no punch, Data. You and Ruka seem like punch girls-well, I know Ruka is."

"Her parents would notice if she accidentally got spiked punch. Said her brother is covering for her." Gigi looked at Ruka, who was undoing her buns-how had she not noticed they were purple before now? Ruka combed through her hair, pulling it into a ponytail. "And it's her first time here, I'm showing her the ropes. How things run, stuff like that."

Raz nodded, her grin still present. "Well then, I'll leave you to it." She squeezed Gigi's shoulder, and through her jacket Gigi could feel her sharp nails. "Don't let her give you too much hell, Data."

Gigi gave another awkward laugh, nodding before taking a sip of her soda. Raz slunk off, sauntering across the crosswalk towards a group of equally painted individuals. Gigi wrapped both hands around the can, and listened to the music for a minute before speaking. "Your cousin is...a lot."

"Tell me about it."

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

Grant was practically pacing the floor when he heard a knock at his window. His parents were on the way home and as he pulled open the curtain, sure enough his sister was on the fire escape outside. He unlocked his window, pulling her in. "Go get changed, if they see you-why do you smell like smoke? Were you smoking? Oh man you were smoking-if mom gets a whiff of you we're both going to be grounded so badly-"

"Relax! It's from the train stop. Some ass wouldn't stop smoking and I couldn't get away from them. I'm gonna go shower, cover for me with mom and dad until I'm done?" Gigi shut the window behind herself, and sat down on the ledge to take her boots off. "I made a friend tonight, she's just so...she's amazing, Grant, she really really is."

"Okay, that's great. Does she know anything about the OC?"

Gigi faltered. "I don't think so. I think her cousin does though, so I'm gonna have to go back a few times to get some more intel-and you're right, you would absolutely hate it there. It's so loud and you can feel the music constantly and-"

Grant pulled his now shoeless sister off his floor, shepherding her towards the door. "You. Shower. Now. We can talk about it later!"

#Ninjago #ninjago fanfic #ninjago next gen #ninjago stormfront #stormfront #stormfront au #ninjago next generation

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wezzaner · 5 years ago

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Evie’s and Doug’s relationship develops the best, Pt. 3.1: Descendants Timeline

Yes, there’s going to be another part to this. Even if you aren’t an Evie/Doug person, just give this a read. It’s more of a timeline analysis, actually.

This has taken me a lot longer than parts 1 and 2 did for a lot of reasons. The most important one was that I was very conflicted about what to write. And my conflict had absolutely nothing to do with the Evie/Doug relationship at all.

My conflict was strictly about how the writers did all the characters dirty with the canon timeline. All of them, I am making no exceptions. I am very confident in my interpretation of the Evie/Doug relationship that I actually have two different analysis depending on which timeline I chose to work with, but I am not choosing the canon timeline.

Why I chose not to work with the canon timeline:

Simply put, I am not about to do those characters a disservice.

If a year and a half have actually passed between D2 and D3, then I will lose all the admiration, respect, love and appreciation I have for Evie, Uma, Ben and maybe Mal. And I am not okay with that. And they don’t just screw over those four, it’s almost everyone. “They’re just characters”, yeah, I know that. But I grew up with them. And that’s not okay with me, screwing them up doesn’t sit well with me.

And the canon timeline is messed up anyway, I think.

Here’s the supposed canon timeline of the movies:

Over two years have passed since the VKs were brought from the isle.

The VKs supposedly being brought at the beginning of an academic year, around September.

Six months between D1 and D2 that would mean D2 took place between mid-February and late-May (second semester of an academic year, I am playing loose with the six months not being exact).

For D3 to take place a year and a half later, it would be mid-July to late-August. (Audrey is in the middle of summer school, again I am playing loose with the uttered timing being exact).

The problem is, someone posted about Jay being 17 and Carlos being 14 in the first book, and another pointed out yet somehow in D3 Jay is 18 and Carlos is only a year younger at 17. If someone could clarify that to me, I would be grateful.

The second discrepancy is Audrey’s royal return. Audrey says, “It has been a bit of a tough year.” Then proceeds to recap the entirety of the first two movies. Now, we know that Cotillion takes place six months after the coronation (televised report thing in the beginning of D2), that means Ben’s proclamation was passed SEVEN months before the events of D2 (which takes place over, like, three days). That actually leaves only five months between the events of D2 and D3 (again, playing loose with the ONE YEAR thing).

I am sorry, I just can’t get behind the canon timeline suggesting that:

Evie, heart of gold, compassionate, striving for goodness and equal opportunities Evie, put Dizzy and the other VKs on the back burner for a year and a half. I mean, Dizzy was sent an invitation straight away after cotillion, it probably took a few days. That’s not the Evie that was revealed after a strong character arc in D1 or the one developed in D2. I refuse to take that, I am sorry.

Uma, fiercely determined, a leader in her own rights, a rebel seeking retribution and a fair good life, just swam for a year and half around the barrier and in her time outs, discovered coconuts? What the actual hell? Uma is proactive, she won’t just hangout, staking the premises for a year and a half. She has her magic now, she would have done something, anything. But not make her presence and whereabouts known for 18 months? No, no way.

Mal left her arch enemy roaming. If there’s one thing Uma and Mal have in common, it is that they are both proactive. Mal won’t be sitting still, watching around for Uma. Mal would have scoured the freaking lands, seas and where ever else.

Finally, King Care Bear. Ben is the only AK who has been to the isle aside from guards and Lonnie. He saw, he knew, and he promised. He extended Uma the olive branch, he admitted he got sucked into his duties of being king and that the plan was always to start with four kids and expand the program. And he just abandoned ship for a year and a half? Going with the canon timeline destroys Ben’s… everything.

I am not okay with how this went. Not at all. It’s pissing me off and that’s why I refuse to take the canon timeline and just run with it.

Which is why, I have worked on putting together my own timeline, and I even put together a few points that prove it. This is gonna be all over the place, I hope you can follow.

Let’s establish the timeline, shall we?

Like I said before, I was going nuts trying to fit the timeline to the supposed narrative. I was almost loosing it when I found the clip (well, the poorly disguised recap really) that is Audrey’s royal return.

It made me pull my hair out, really.

Now, assuming that:

The academic year starts in early September and ends in early June (maybe late May),

Ben brings the VKs at the beginning of the school year (which is a perfect time, actually), then D1 takes place throughout September and early October and D2 occurs around early April. That gives space for Audrey to have a leave off her second semester and all, instead of just dropping out mid semester. (re-check the second discrepancy in the canon timeline for further detailing).

Now assuming that Audrey was accurate when she said, ‘a year ago’, that would place D3 around September, which I highly doubt because D3 takes place in summer. So, let’s assume she wasn’t accurate and that D3 takes place, say, mid- July.

That would make sense regarding:

The Dizzy situation. Maybe three months is how long it took for the arrangements of establishing the VKs integration program and all.

It would also explain how Uma spent only three months circling the isle because, as I said before, my girl Uma is a proactive, crafty little shit who wouldn’t just passively swim around for a year and a half waiting for shit to happen.

Also, Mal tells Ben they’re getting more guards for the Uma problem (scene right before the proposal), I don’t think they’d wait all this time to get more guards where the King resides, really.

Granted, that wouldn’t explain how much the isle changed and how everyone wants in on the move to Auradon and how all the parents are suddenly nice, good people looking out for their kids. But come on, D3 was a giant, unexplainable plot hole anyway. (I got issues with almost every minute in the movie, but I appreciate it for what it is. But come on, there should have been a screening process for people getting off the isle. Wasn’t that the point of the applications?)

This timeline though means that we’re in deep shit regarding how old everyone is:

Ben turns sixteen in D1 on coronation day and he’s still sixteen ya’ll, it hasn’t been a full year yet.

Jay is graduating, so Jay is eighteen.

I know Carlos and Jane are supposed to be younger, so I assume it is Jane’s sweet sixteen celebrated in D3.

I have no idea what’s up with Evie’s and Mal’s ages, though. But taking into consideration the birthday incident from the book, I suppose they are the same age? They’re either Ben’s age or they are seventeen. I keep going back and forth and that’s the only thing I can come up with.

From the whole sandbox/Shrimpy backstory Gil tells in D2, I can only assume Uma is the same age. No idea about Harry and Gil though, but I am assuming Uma’s age for them, give or take one year at most.

King Care Bear IS too young to be proposing. Ben’s and Mal’s relationship moved way too fast for a couple of sixteen-year olds. At least from my POV, you’re free to think what you want.

The entire franchise is just one major plot hole. That I love so much.

Please, please, please, take the time to let me know If I missed anything. This has been bothering me since I first saw the movie. Maybe I overlooked something or another. Either way, let me know what you think.

Relationships I’d consider canon-confirmed:

Only FOUR romantic relationships became canon in the actual Descendants timeline. Ben and Mal, obviously. Evie and Doug. Chad and Audrey (broken in somewhere between October and April). Carlos and Jane (Got together in April).

I am adding Jay/Gil in D3, we all saw that, right?

Harry/Uma post D3. Because you know it and I know it. And we all talk about how it will happen. Because it will happen.

The only couples who are confirmed true loves are Mal/Ben and Evie/Doug.

Harry/Uma will be confirmed post D3. Evie and/or Audrey will match make. Uma, tired of his flirtatious behavior, will seek Mal’s help to put Harry under a spell so she could save him with a true love’s kiss and assures Mal it will work. But she will get cold feet and Evie will get her sweet, sweet revenge.

He will be saved, of course.

Extra point I’d like to highlight:

Mal states in D1 that there’s no dating on the isle, that it’s mostly gang activity. That statement alone just explains all the relationship dynamics in the franchise involving any VK, but everyone is overlooking it.

It explains (somewhat, but not really) why Mal was hesitant about being in love in D2, thus doubting the concept of love, letting the pressure get to her and running off to the isle.

That explains Jay’s playboy attitude, as well, if you think about it. Which is close to Evie’s flirtatious personality pre-Doug. That explains Carlos’s hesitance to ask Jane out, he hadn’t done this before and he’s only fifteen.

That explains why Uma and Harry aren’t “together-together” even though they are together. Like I said above, Uma and Harry should be considered future-canon because “Uma knew, try as she might, she couldn’t hurt his feelings. It was all part of the game of question-and-rejection they’d played forever.” I haven’t read the books but thanks to tumblr, I know this exists.

Like for the core four, the isle wasn’t a safe environment for a relationship. It even explains why she would be reluctant to get with him and it develops Harry’s own flirtatious behavior. Like Jay! And, again, Evie pre-Doug.

You’re welcome, Huma people!

Now that the (well, MY) timeline is out of the way, I can go back to topic. I don’t know about what you think, but this timeline and the whole “gang activity” ordeal adds to Evie’s and Doug’s motive to take things slow.

Next part will all be about Evie’s and Doug’s relationship. I have a lot to say about that one.

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khhunniewriting · 5 years ago

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The Others (7)

[ Mafia/Gang AU ]

Kylie smiled seeing Ji-hoon walk up the driveway. It had been a while now since he moved out to live with Dok2. She decided to give him his space and allow him to do what he thought was best.

Her intentions for him had always been the same. He was to be a leader. How could she expect him to be a good leader if she did not allow him to grow independently? It was her belief that allowing Ji-hoon his freedom would cultivate the necessary characteristics.

Afterall, Dok2 had been the same. His parents allowed him to do as he pleased. Despite their relationship, Kylie had to admit Dok2 was an excellent role-model for Ji-hoon.

“Ji-hoon~” Kylie held her hands out in welcome.

Ji-hoon hesitated to approach her. “You know I’m only here to visit, Dad will be here for me on Sunday.”

Kylie looked over at the end of the driveway where Dok2′s car stood still. “I know...”

Dok2 could not face his wife after recent developments. He knew she wasn’t to blame for your leaving but blaming someone else was always easier. The biggest worry on his mind was the indescribable pain in his chest every time he thought of you.

If it weren’t for his pride, perhaps, he would have followed you. Instead, he let you go once again. There wasn’t much he could do if he went after you anyway.

His eyes followed Kylie and Ji-hoon as they went inside the house. One look of his wife reminded him that she had much more power than him at the moment. They both had extramarital affairs but unlike her Dok2 did not know the man his wife coveted. Kylie, on the other hand, knew about you.

Dok2 was within his right to be rid of Jia as she was the other man’s child but he was not so heartless after all. He allowed Kylie to keep her, in turn he distanced himself. Their partnership was becoming more and more strained as the years passed.

He drove off towards the Illionarie building with some dangerous thoughts.

\\\

Hoody groaned at the end of the day as she stepped into Jay’s office. Her hands and back were aching like never before. Her usual activities within the group consisted of much less physical labor. It was hard for her to suddenly put so much effort into a job she had no business doing.

“How was work?”

“Horrible,” she sighed. “I’m not meant for the nine to five life of honest hard work but I managed to convince her with some sob story about me being a single mom. She ate it up and now I’ve spent weeks learning how to do a job I have no interest in.”

“It’s for the good of the group,” Jay reminded her.

Hoody nodded in agreement. Thanks to Jay being back she no longer had to subject herself to earning money in degenerate ways. Under his direction, they were all doing much better.

“I will do my best boss.”

“I know.”

Jay and Hoody discussed everything that happened during her time with you. From the professional side down to the small talk in between. Hoody didn’t forget to mention you had brought your son along. However, she didn’t see him much as you left him to get his usual treatment with one of the spa’s best, an ex-sports physical therapist.

“I didn’t get a close look at him but he was there. I didn’t ask her about the kid but I heard the other women say he regularly visits around his game schedule. Apparently, he’s into basketball.”

“Really?” Jay also happened to love the sport. "I can work with that.”

Hoody’s head tilted, “What do you mean boss?”

As a collective AOMG’s current goal was to kidnap Leo, expose his existence to Dok2, and demand a huge sum of money from the Illionaire leader. However, Jay had another plan of his own that would quench a personal grudge he had for his rival.

“Don’t worry about it, just focus on your task and get me all the information you can on Y/N.”

“You can count on me.”

Hoody took her role in the plan very seriously. Everyone was counting on her to get them another step closer to economic freedom. As it was now, they were still recovering the assets that were lost or stolen when Jay was imprisoned. Every day it was a struggle to hang on to the reputation they had built but thanks to their loyalty it seemed they would soon be repaid.

She went to work earlier than asked to monitor your transportation methods. You always seemed to appear from the same direction prompting her to look for you there. It is how she managed to find out you used public transportation.

“Good morning Y/N.”

“Good morning Hyun-jung, you’re always here so early.” As the manager, it was your duty to open and start up all the systems that kept the place going. She was a professional in your eyes, always there waiting for your arrival. She had shown real initiative. “I don’t know how you manage with your baby daughter.”

Hoody did her best to act the part. It was easy with an imaginary daughter, she could make her out to be any way she wanted. “I’m lucky to have such a well-behaved baby.”

Hoody’s cover story as a single mother with an infant daughter earned her your sympathy and understanding. It was preferable for her to get close to you faster. She found it convenient to bring up your son if she offered information about her own supposed child.

“I remember when my son was a baby, he hardly gave me any trouble but he was constantly attached to me. I could hardly put him down without him instantly crying. I walked around the apartment with him strapped to my chest.”

“Is he still attached to you?”

You hummed wondering how to respond. “Leo is very independent but the bond between a single parent and their child is arguably stronger. He’s all I have and I think he knows that very well. Even now as a teenager he doesn’t push me away like I’ve heard teenagers tend to do.”

Hoody smiled, mentally taking note of every detail for later.

\\\

School continued to be boring for Ji-hoon when class was in session. Perhaps his aggression on the court had been resolved now that he had managed to make some friends but he was still disrupting lectures with his jokes or deciding not to participate.

“Lee Ji-hoon stand outside for the remainder of the class.”

Ji-hoon sighed relieved to be given what he wanted. Cjamm gave him a knowing look. By now he had learned of Ji-hoon’s intolerance for unnecessary work. He knew he never did any classwork or homework. Yet when they received their graded tests back Ji-hoon was always number one in the class.

After school, during practice, Cjamm told Leo and Bewhy all about Ji-hoon’s ordeal. Bewhy didn’t know what to make of it.

“I want to skip class too,” Cjamm muttered.

They were in the middle of a five on five game amongst teammates. With his usual starting lineup friends and the additional upperclassman who joined them to fulfill requirements, it was easy to play and talk. They were against other guys on the team that hardly got to play any real games.

“Why don’t you?” Ji-hoon passed the ball to him acting as if it was no big deal. For someone as naturally smart as Ji-hoon, it never dawned on him that all the repetition of lessons were crucial to the learning process of average students. He only needed to be told once how to solve a problem or learn a concept. He had a good memory as well so reading was enough for him to remember dates and names.

“We’re not all freakin’ geniuses like you!” Cjamm ran pas the blocker in front of him and shot the ball into the basket scoring two points for them.

Bewhy panted hardly able to keep up with the plays Cjamm and Ji-hoon were making during their heated conversation.

Cjamm was so frustrated he even yelled at Leo who had been minding his own business. “And you too!”

Leo’s head tilted unsure why he was getting yelled at.

“Why don’t you tutor me anymore?”

Leo inhaled and exhaled loudly to make a point. It was tiresome to teach Cjamm. He hardly sat still or took an interest in studying. He walked away before he could be questioned further.

“Hey come back here I’m not finished with you.”

Bewhy watched Ji-hoon carefully. “Something on your mind?”

“I just realized I understood Leo.” His wide eyes turned towards Bewhy. “He didn’t say anything just now but I think I understood what he meant and all he did was breathe.”

The last words were said with such contempt Bewhy had a good laugh. His new friend was incredibly amusing, arguably as amusing as Leo. “Congratulations, you have officially learned the language of Lee Leo.”

Just like that Ji-hoon began realizing Leo’s nodding, glances, sighs, glares... they were all different. Even if he never spoke a word to him Ji-hoon felt there was much more to Leo than he initially thought.

After practice, the four walked to the gate like usual with the childhood friends being the first to say goodbye.

Leo noticed Ji-hoon’s car wasn’t in its usual place. He hesitated to ask what was going on but the fact that he hadn’t immediately turned to leave was enough for Ji-hoon to speak up.

“Must be running late, you can go you know.” The once unruly kid searched the depths of his school bag for a small box. When he found it he realized it was empty. “Damn!”

He tossed the empty carton of cigarettes to the side.

Leo picked it up and handed it back to him with a hardened expression. His eyes bore into Ji-hoon’s scolding him without words.

“Are you pissed about the littering or the cigs?” Leo silently left leaving Ji-hoon to believe it was both. That kid needs to loosen up. “It’s not that bad you know,” he shouted in hopes he would hear him.

He did but he simply waved goodbye with his back still facing Ji-hoon.

“See ya-” Ji-hoon stood up straight when his eye caught sight of someone across the street.

It was a well-dressed man with sunglasses. The sun was setting making them nearly unnecessary unless they were meant to obstruct more than just the sun. His background made Ji-hoon suspicious of things others would dismiss as coincidence. He might have done that with this occurrence if the man didn’t suddenly take off.

The next day Ji-hoon’s car was waiting for him giving no time for him to search for the suspicious character.

“See ya-” Ji-hoon waved over his shoulder to the trio. Receiving a reply only from the duo that walked together.

It wasn’t until later in the week when practice ran late that Ji-hoon saw him again. He played it off well but Ji-hoon could tell under those glasses he had met eyes with him. A single glance in his direction gave him away.

Bewhy and Cjamm came up from behind unaware of the situation. “You rushed for nothing man, your ride ain’t even here.”

“Guess not-” Ji-hoon turned his attention towards them for only a second but that’s all it took for him to lose sight of him. Shit. “Where’s Leo?” Ji-hoon wondered when he saw the quiet kid wasn’t with them.

Bewhy turned around to see Leo hadn’t followed them. "Where is he?”

“He was right behind us a moment ago...”

“Hey Ji-hoon~” A group of girls walked past the three of them. They had been at the practice, watching and cheering them on. Lately, it seemed they were getting much more attention from the female population.

“Hey,” Ji-hoon returned the greeting sending the girls into a fit of giggles.

Cjamm recalled Leo walking behind them after they were momentarily stopped by the same group. “Maybe he got caught up.”

Bewhy looked back with worry. He knew Leo wasn’t one to deviate without saying something, not that he had to. “I’m going to go look for him.”

“I’ll go, my ride’s not here anyway.”

Bewhy reluctantly left it up to Ji-hoon. “Alright then, we’ll see you tomorrow.”

Leo calmly starred down the girl who pulled him away from his friends and to the back of the main building. There was no one around but the two of them.

“You always ignore me when I’m with my friends~”

Ji-hoon turned when he heard a hushed voice. The area around the buildings was relatively dark at this hour making it hard for him to make out much. He did, however, see two silhouettes. One was tall and motionless while the smaller one seemed to push up against him.

“So I thought if we were alone you might finally talk to me, Oppa.”

Leo sighed, he was being bothered once again despite his best efforts to politely decline the unwanted attention.

“There’s no need to be shy~” She held his hand in hers making Leo look at her. “I love you Oppa.”

Leo was never one to be rude or violent towards women. His mother had taught him well. All he wanted was to escape these kinds of situations without trouble. His lips parted ready to reject her once more.

“I-”

“Aren’t you too desperate Yu Naeun?” Ji-hoon came to Leo’s rescue. “Perhaps he’s too soft-spoken so I’ll help get the message across. HE DOESN’T LIKE YOU.” Every word was heavily pronounced in Ji-hoon’s practiced delinquent persona. The one he often used to hide his vulnerabilities. It often got others to back off, he hoped it would work on this girl.

Leo never expected this. He watched Ji-hoon and Nauen exchange words without really taking in the content until he saw her slap his former rival.

“You’re the worst Lee Ji-hoon!” She stomped off not once looking back.

Ji-hoon smirked, “You owe me one.” Leo gave him a pointed look that he accurately interpreted as I never asked for your help. He ignored the look and walked back to the gate with him. “You really need to speak up more. What would you have done if she attacked you?”

Leo rolled his eyes ignoring the fact that Ji-hoon thought he wasn’t capable of defending himself.

“You gotta be more aware of your surroundings, alright.” With that, the two parted ways, Ji-hoon getting into the car that awaited him and Leo walking in his usual direction home.

For a moment Leo hesitated to turn into the smaller street where his apartment building was. Once again he had that strange feeling that someone was watching him. He turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder.

Years of his childhood were spent in a Taekwondo dojang. If someone really were to pose a threat to him then he wouldn’t hesitate to use what he’d learned.

“Leo, what are you doing out so late?”

The teenage boy turned back to his original destination to see his neighbor and her boyfriend. They were walking hand-in-hand most likely just coming home like he was.

He decided to ignore the feeling for now since they were waiting for him. Haru and Kai watched him with worry probably wondering why he had just been standing around in the dimly lit streets so late in the evening. Luckily Leo didn’t have to say much.

Kai noted Leo had his sports bag hanging from one shoulder. “Were you at practice until now?”

Leo nodded following the couple inside the building.

Minsik couldn’t help but smirk as he came out of hiding. He had been only a few steps behind Leo before hiding behind the nearest building. “That kid-” Minsik couldn’t help but think Leo was hiding something.

He went back to AOMG after missing his chance.

“I almost had him!”

Hoody sat up eyeing the younger male. “What do you mean?”

“The kid the boss is so interested in.” Minsik fell back into the semi-comfortable leather couch boasting of his recent whereabouts. He was of a merc clan within AOMG named Higher. “I've been keeping an eye on him.”

“You better not screw this up Minsik!” Hoody knew Minsik was the only one bold enough to go against Jay. If he saw an opening he would take it in order to show up the Boss. It was pretty common knowledge within AOMG that Minsik had his eye on Jay’s position. “Stay out of our business.”

“Or what?” Minsik approached her slamming his hand down on the desk littered with information Hoody was going over. He invaded her personal space until his face was a mere inch from hers. “You gonna snitch on me again?”

Hoody scowled but remained silent on the subject.

Minsik leered over her. She was his superior in every way when it came to the group but he didn’t see it that way. His free hand clamped down on her neck squeezing just enough for her to struggle to breathe.

“I will never forget that its thanks to you that I was demoted.”

Hoody looked away unwilling to submit to his attempt at dominance over her.

Minsik let go once he heard approaching footsteps. He ignored Hoody’s coughs and instead went to greet those who were arriving like he didn’t just threaten his superior.

-end-

A/N: As you can see I’m very into this complex story. I’ve got many arcs in this fic but my favorite seems to be the half brothers going from rivals to teammates to friends to eventually finding out they are brothers. (Can’t wait for that!)

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postcards-to-home · 5 years ago

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Split Seconds: 2019

Amongst the dozen or so strangers around me I sit nuzzled between rows 6 &8. Philly lies some 10,000 feet below. The engine purrs softly with each flutter my eyes drift effortlessly towards stillness under the perpetuating night sky.

In dreams I see the faces of those I’ve met haphazardly in my travels. The students I bond with over memories of cheap wine and late-night thrills at Manly corso; the elderly who sit and chat with me about their grandchildren and medical procedures; even the uber drivers who share their love affairs found from words with friends. It’s the everything in-between crisscrossing the unconscious mind.

My new life I remind myself is in constant motion and so must I be. Zig-zaging terminals I curse under my breathe, praying to the lord for an on time departure. With my best friend in tow, my dingy gray suitcase, my day is a constant uphill battle of avoiding my ankles and slow-poke people. A love affair in the constant throws of “F*ck my life,” & “ I have the greatest job of all time,” (said no one ever).

Mentally I was trained for this. Laughably this entire year I have captured a total of 3 weeks combined training from the two firms I have been employed by- and I can say I think I’m doing A-ok. My 1st job out of college I learned its okay to decide if something is or isn’t right for you. Its 100% okay to move on too- and fast, if a better opportunity arises. It also taught me the value of obtaining strong leader figures in the office. Not necessarily how to be a manager but how to observe what works, how to engage with others effectively and ultimately how not too.

Mistakes are inevitable.

On my very 1st business trip to Hunt Valley, Maryland for whatever reason a conversation was provoked among an older gentleman and I and we chatted the entire way. Come to find out this sharp older gentleman was once the CEO of a hospital in the capital district; a professor at USC and was heading south to see family. The value from this conversation will always be intangible. It was the 1st time in my professional life I was able to speak not only about who I am as a person, But I had someone engage in a conversation with me for no other reason than pure interest, and in a non- creepy way. We spoke of antiques, my on again/off again ebay career and content of college curriculum. He explained he managed a young Entrepreneurs group on campus and worked with students to gain shareholders in their startups.

Before we departed ways he said , “Thank you for the lovely chat, I feel deeply that you will be successful one day with whatever you choose to do. You should feel really proud of yourself with hat you’ve accomplished.” (Paraphrased)

It was his words that propelled me into an orbit of motion, setting what would be the tone for the year. In that moment I etched realization into my mind that my abilities generate power I never was aware I held. There was my small voice-heard and admired. Channeling it to engage the right audience became possible after that.

I left my 1st job after just 6 months. Without any regrets. I sincerely miss mid-day banter with some of my co-workers, but thankfully we still stay in touch.

The road leading to my departure was a rocky one. Still living at home, thankful for my parents gratitude and safe haven I couldn’t help but feel left out of the mix from my peers. While they rounded of their senior years I was strapped to a desk sifting through excel spreadsheets. In no way did I ever want to back track into the college scene, making money is and always will be exciting. But doing what I was doing, well not so much.

I accepted a position as a Regional Manager for the institution I studied abroad at as many of you have recognized. I am sincerely thankful for the support received throughout this half of my journey this year. I travel, I meet with students both future and former, I do paper work sporadically and I idle at my desk when necessary. It has forced me to both think outside of the box as well as use my voice as the ultimate creative outlet and driving force for success. My soundboard-everchanging day to day.

Through my position I’ve managed to make student’s dreams come true a reward I’ll never take lightly. Its become my daily excitement to hear from students their own excitement about their journey ahead, even having the smallest footprint on their pathway to success has become gratifying in its own respects. Then there are my travels, though sporadic they have led me to meet old friends from my own time studying abroad and new friends alike.

The entire essence of meeting people has opened doorways never thought possible. The most delightful part of 2019 has been meeting others and hearing their own words of insight and stories they too long to share. Spending more time than intended on park benches with near strangers discussing their time in an indigenous tribe in brazil is just scratching the surface of my amusement. It’s a small victory for the once shyest little girl ever.

As I write this it has been 1 full year to the day since I have graduated. In that small span of time I celebrated the New Year in Iceland with two of the most important people in my life, Nick & Jay. We managed to survive Iceland in January, watch the fireworks at Hallgrímskirkja church on New Year’s Eve and not throttle each other after every petty argument, including the 20 minute screaming match that included phrases with “fiber one brownies” and “stupid , useless bitches.”

And then there was Australia. After visiting for the first time in a year in a half my heart felt fully mended. The winters chill couldn’t hold me from breakfast by the beach or wearing my heels to dinner with friends. Being reunited with people who changed my sense of self left that full circle feeling. Yes, quite literally I could have floated into the sun. That is until I had to venture home yet again and my whole world felt displaced yet again. I will live here one day I said outloud, despite what my dad whispers to my mom, “that will never happen.”

Even jay, My bestfriend came to Oz and fell in love with my world.Our trip in November couldn’t have been anymore magical. We soaked in the sun on the beaches of Noosa heads, swam in exotic Tea Tree Lake feeling rejuvenated and watched the sunrise at the Sydney Opera House. Skipping through the Royal Botanical gardens smelling flowers I knew life was grand. Nicole Reine was the Queen on the moment, just like my name says. To have jay wander through the castle I lived and Worked in let nothing but utter giddiness in me. Christmas came early and we couldn’t have enjoyed ourselves more. I will live here one day, felt firmer.

Some of my favorite moments were those sitting in the shed with loved ones after their returns from long journeys: Nick, Tommy, Grace and Emily. We all sat and shared stories from far away places as our minds melted to mush, the sun setting lower in the sky and the colors over Willard mountain fizzled from golden hues to cooling colors of the night sky. The small talks lingered near the kitchen table not on or next to but just around, the dogs lied close by, fading to sleep on the hard wood floors mom never could keep quite clean. It’s the comings and going that are hard to keep up with. But those moments always end as quickly as they come.

It’s a strange thing to realize the moment you leave your childhood home it will never be exactly how you left it. The stars you won at an arcade in Myrtle beach and hung on your ceiling will eventually come down. The color of your walls once chosen with excitement, will be painted over with fresh shades of cream your mother likes. And the emptiness of what once was but never will be, will swallow you whole. I realized this sad feeling creep up as I lay on my empty bedroom floor with my mom and dad huddled tightly around a pile of buttons. Not justa a pile but a ginormous, 40 pound pile of buttons once held safely in their jug, now shattered sharply amongst us. That’s what happens when you leave. Everything shifts, and somethings just can’t handle that. But I sure am sad about that jug of buttons, it was a lifetime labor of love collecting them.

There’s no jug of Buttons in our house on Center Street and im beginning to feel okay with that. Gramma’s blue oriental rug keeps our living room feeling nice and cozy. A small reminder she would have adored the space Jay and I call home.I can almost picture her now tinkering with my knick-knacks on the shelves, just ever so slightly so we wouldn’t notice. Marissa comes and goes as she pleases and the porch never does stay dirt free. I now see why mom’s kitchen floors never could stay clean. Its not Herrington Road but I’ll take it

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thatonebrobo · 5 years ago

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Beyoncé life story

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (/biːˈjɒnseɪ/ bee-YON-say; born September 4, 1981)[4] is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

During Destiny's Child's hiatus, Beyoncé made her theatrical film debut with a role in the US box-office number-one Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) and recorded her first solo album, Dangerously in Love (2003), which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also featured the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy". Following the disbandment of Destiny's Child in 2006, she released her second solo album, B'Day, which contained the US number-one single "Irreplaceable", as well as the UK number-one singles "Déjà Vu" and "Beautiful Liar". Beyoncé continued her acting career with starring roles in The Pink Panther (2006), Dreamgirls (2006), and Obsessed (2009). Her marriage to rapper Jay-Z and her portrayal of Etta James in Cadillac Records (2008) influenced her third album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), which earned a record-setting six Grammy Awards in 2010. It spawned the UK number-one single "If I Were a Boy" and the US number-one single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)".

After splitting from her manager and father Mathew Knowles in 2010, Beyoncé released 4 (2011), which was influenced by 1970s funk, 1980s pop, and 1990s soul. Beyoncé received widespread critical acclaim for her albums, Beyoncé (2013) and Lemonade (2016); the latter became the world's best-selling album of 2016. She became the first and only music act in Billboard 200 chart history to debut at number one with their first six solo studio albums.[5] In 2018, she released Everything Is Love, a collaborative album with her husband, Jay-Z, as the Carters.

Beyoncé is one of the word's best-selling music artists, having sold over 100 million records worldwide.[6] Her success during the 2000s was recognized with the Recording Industry Association of America's Top Certified Artist of the Decade, as well as Billboard magazine's Top Radio Songs Artist and the Top Female Artist of the Decade.[7][8] Beyoncé is the most nominated woman in the Grammy Award's history, with a total of 24 wins.[9] She is also the most awarded artist at the MTV Video Music Awards, with 24 wins, including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.[10][11] In 2014, she became the highest-paid black musician in history and was listed among Time's 100 most influential people in the world for a second year in a row.[12] Forbes ranked her as the most powerful female in entertainment on their 2015 and 2017 lists. She occupied the sixth place for Time's Person of the Year in 2016,[13] and in 2020, was named one of the 100 women who defined the last century by the same publication.[14]

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born in Houston, Texas, to Celestine "Tina" Knowles (née Beyincé), a hairdresser and salon owner, and Mathew Knowles, a Xerox sales manager.[15] Beyoncé's name is a tribute to her mother's maiden name.[16] Beyoncé's younger sister Solange is also a singer and a former backup dancer for Destiny's Child. Solange and Beyoncé are the first sisters to have both had No. 1 albums.[17] Mathew is African American, and Tina is of Louisiana Creole descent (African, Native American, and French).[16][18][19] Through her mother, Beyoncé is a descendant of Acadian leader Joseph Broussard.[18] Beyoncé attended St. Mary's Montessori School in Houston, where she enrolled in dance classes. Her singing talent was discovered when dance instructor Darlette Johnson began humming a song and she finished it, able to hit the high-pitched notes.[20] Beyoncé's interest in music and performing continued after winning a school talent show at age seven, singing John Lennon's "Imagine" to beat 15/16-year-olds.[21][22] In fall of 1990, Beyoncé enrolled in Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in Houston, where she would perform with the school's choir.[23] She also attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts[24] and later Alief Elsik High School.[16][25] Beyoncé was also a member of the choir at St. John's United Methodist Church as a soloist for two years.[26]

When Beyoncé was eight, she and childhood friend Kelly Rowland met LaTavia Roberson while at an audition for an all-girl entertainment group.[27] They were placed into a group called Girl's Tyme with three other girls, and rapped and danced on the talent show circuit in Houston.[28] After seeing the group, R&B producer Arne Frager brought them to his Northern California studio and placed them in Star Search, the largest talent show on national TV at the time. Girl's Tyme failed to win, and Beyoncé later said the song they performed was not good.[29][30] In 1995 Beyoncé's father resigned from his job to manage the group.[31] The move reduced Beyoncé's family's income by half, and her parents were forced to move into separated apartments.[16] Mathew cut the original line-up to four and the group continued performing as an opening act for other established R&B girl groups.[27] The girls auditioned before record labels and were finally signed to Elektra Records, moving to Atlanta Records briefly to work on their first recording, only to be cut by the company.[16] This put further strain on the family, and Beyoncé's parents separated. On October 5, 1995, Dwayne Wiggins's Grass Roots Entertainment signed the group. In 1996, the girls began recording their debut album under an agreement with Sony Music, the Knowles family reunited, and shortly after, the group got a contract with Columbia Records.

The group changed their name to Destiny's Child in 1996, based upon a passage in the Book of Isaiah.[32] In 1997, Destiny's Child released their major label debut song "Killing Time" on the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Men in Black.[30] The following year, the group released their self-titled debut album,[29] scoring their first major hit "No, No, No". The album established the group as a viable act in the music industry, with moderate sales and winning the group three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, and Best R&B/Soul Single for "No, No, No". The group released their Multi-Platinum second album The Writing's on the Wall in 1999. The record features some of the group's most widely known songs such as "Bills, Bills, Bills", the group's first number-one single, "Jumpin' Jumpin'" and "Say My Name", which became their most successful song at the time, and would remain one of their signature songs. "Say My Name" won the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and the Best R&B Song at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards.[27] The Writing's on the Wall sold more than eight million copies worldwide.[29] During this time, Beyoncé recorded a duet with Marc Nelson, an original member of Boyz II Men, on the song "After All Is Said and Done" for the soundtrack to the 1999 film, The Best Man.[33]

LeToya Luckett and Roberson became unhappy with Mathew's managing of the band and eventually were replaced by Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams.[27] Beyoncé experienced depression following the split with Luckett and Roberson after being publicly blamed by the media, critics, and blogs for its cause.[34] Her long-standing boyfriend left her at this time.[35] The depression was so severe it lasted for a couple of years, during which she occasionally kept herself in her bedroom for days and refused to eat anything.[36] Beyoncé stated that she struggled to speak about her depression because Destiny's Child had just won their first Grammy Award, and she feared no one would take her seriously.[37] Beyoncé would later speak of her mother as the person who helped her fight it.[36] Franklin was then dismissed, leaving just Beyoncé, Rowland, and Williams.[38]

The remaining band members recorded "Independent Women Part I", which appeared on the soundtrack to the 2000 film Charlie's Angels. It became their best-charting single, topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for eleven consecutive weeks.[27] In early 2001, while Destiny's Child was completing their third album, Beyoncé landed a major role in the MTV made-for-television film, Carmen: A Hip Hopera, starring alongside American actor Mekhi Phifer. Set in Philadelphia, the film is a modern interpretation of the 19th-century opera Carmen by French composer Georges Bizet.[39] When the third album Survivor was released in May 2001, Luckett and Roberson filed a lawsuit claiming that the songs were aimed at them.[27] The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 663,000 copies sold.[40] The album spawned other number-one hits, "Bootylicious" and the title track, "Survivor", the latter of which earned the group a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.[41] After releasing their holiday album 8 Days of Christmas in October 2001, the group announced a hiatus to further pursue solo careers.[27]

In July 2002, Beyoncé made her theatrical film debut, playing Foxxy Cleopatra alongside Mike Myers in the comedy film Austin Powers in Goldmember,[42] which spent its first weekend atop the US box office and grossed $73 million.[43] Beyoncé released "Work It Out" as the lead single from its soundtrack album which entered the top ten in the UK, Norway, and Belgium.[44] In 2003, Beyoncé starred opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr., in the musical comedy The Fighting Temptations as Lilly, a single mother with whom Gooding's character falls in love.[45] The film received mixed reviews from critics but grossed $30 million in the U.S.[46][47] Beyoncé released "Fighting Temptation" as the lead single from the film's soundtrack album, with Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Free which was also used to promote the film.[48] Another of Beyoncé's contributions to the soundtrack, "Summertime", fared better on the US charts.Beyoncé's first solo recording was a feature on Jay-Z's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" that was released in October 2002, peaking at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.[51] Her first solo album Dangerously in Love was released on June 24, 2003, after Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland had released their solo efforts.[52] The album sold 317,000 copies in its first week, debuted atop the Billboard 200,[53] and has since sold 11 million copies worldwide.[54] The album's lead single, "Crazy in Love", featuring Jay-Z, became Beyoncé's first number-one single as a solo artist in the US.[55] The single "Baby Boy" also reached number one,[50] and singles, "Me, Myself and I" and "Naughty Girl", both reached the top-five.[56] The album earned Beyoncé a then record-tying five awards at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards; Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Dangerously in Love 2", Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Crazy in Love", and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "The Closer I Get to You" with Luther Vandross. During the ceremony, she performed with Prince.[57]

In November 2003, she embarked on the Dangerously in Love Tour in Europe and later toured alongside Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys for the Verizon Ladies First Tour in North America.[58] On February 1, 2004, Beyoncé performed the American national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII, at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.[59] After the release of Dangerously in Love, Beyoncé had planned to produce a follow-up album using several of the left-over tracks. However, this was put on hold so she could concentrate on recording Destiny Fulfilled, the final studio album by Destiny's Child.[60] Released on November 15, 2004, in the US[61] and peaking at number two on the Billboard 200,[62][63] Destiny Fulfilled included the singles "Lose My Breath" and "Soldier", which reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[64] Destiny's Child embarked on a worldwide concert tour, Destiny Fulfilled... and Lovin' It sponsored by McDonald's Corporation,[65] and performed hits such as "No, No, No", "Survivor", "Say My Name", "Independent Women" and "Lose My Breath". In addition to renditions of the group's recorded material, they also performed songs from each singer's solo careers, most notably numbers from Dangerously in Love. and during the last stop of their European tour, in Barcelona on June 11, 2005, Rowland announced that Destiny's Child would disband following the North American leg of the tour.[66] The group released their first compilation album Number 1's on October 25, 2005, in the US[67] and accepted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2006.[68] The group has sold 60 million records worldwide.[69][70]

Beyoncé's second solo album B'Day was released on September 4, 2006, in the US, to coincide with her twenty-fifth birthday.[71] It sold 541,000 copies in its first week and debuted atop the Billboard 200, becoming Beyoncé's second consecutive number-one album in the United States.[72] The album's lead single "Déjà Vu", featuring Jay-Z, reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[56] The second international single "Irreplaceable" was a commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in Australia, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States.[56][73] B'Day also produced three other singles; "Ring the Alarm",[74] "Get Me Bodied",[75] and "Green Light" (released in the United Kingdom only).[76]

At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards (2007), B'Day was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Ring the Alarm" and Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration"for "Déjà Vu"; the Freemasons club mix of "Déjà Vu" without the rap was put forward in the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical category. B'Day won the award for Best Contemporary R&B Album.[77] The following year, B'Day received two nominations – for Record of the Year for "Irreplaceable" and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Beautiful Liar" (with Shakira), also receiving a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Pictures, Television or Other Visual Media for her appearance on Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture (2006).[78]

Her first acting role of 2006 was in the comedy film The Pink Panther starring opposite Steve Martin,[79] grossing $158.8 million at the box office worldwide.[80] Her second film Dreamgirls, the film version of the 1981 Broadway musical[81] loosely based on The Supremes, received acclaim from critics and grossed $154 million internationally.[82][83][84] In it, she starred opposite Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy playing a pop singer based on Diana Ross.[85] To promote the film, Beyoncé released "Listen" as the lead single from the soundtrack album.[86] In April 2007, Beyoncé embarked on The Beyoncé Experience, her first worldwide concert tour, visiting 97 venues[87] and grossed over $24 million.[note 1] Beyoncé conducted pre-concert food donation drives during six major stops in conjunction with her pastor at St. John's and America's Second Harvest. At the same time, B'Day was re-released with five additional songs, including her duet with Shakira "Beautiful Liar".

On April 4, 2008, Beyoncé married Jay-Z.[90] She publicly revealed their marriage in a video montage at the listening party for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, in Manhattan's Sony Club on October 22, 2008.[91]I Am... Sasha Fierce was released on November 18, 2008, in the United States.[92] The album formally introduces Beyoncé's alter ego Sasha Fierce, conceived during the making of her 2003 single "Crazy in Love". It was met with generally mediocre reviews from critics,[93] but sold 482,000 copies in its first week, debuting atop the Billboard 200, and giving Beyoncé her third consecutive number-one album in the US.[94] The album featured the number-one song "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"[95] and the top-five songs "If I Were a Boy" and "Halo".[56][96] Achieving the accomplishment of becoming her longest-running Hot 100 single in her career,[97] "Halo"'s success in the US helped Beyoncé attain more top-ten singles on the list than any other woman during the 2000s.[98] It also included the successful "Sweet Dreams",[99] and singles "Diva", "Ego", "Broken-Hearted Girl" and "Video Phone". The music video for "Single Ladies" has been parodied and imitated around the world, spawning the "first major dance craze" of the Internet age according to the Toronto Star.[100] The video has won several awards, including Best Video at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards,[101] the 2009 Scottish MOBO Awards,[102] and the 2009 BET Awards.[103] At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, the video was nominated for nine awards, ultimately winning three including Video of the Year.[104] Its failure to win the Best Female Video category, which went to American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me", led to Kanye West interrupting the ceremony and Beyoncé improvising a re-presentation of Swift's award during her own acceptance speech.[104] In March 2009, Beyoncé embarked on the I Am... World Tour, her second headlining worldwide concert tour, consisting of 108 shows, grossing $119.5 million.[105]

Beyoncé further expanded her acting career, starring as blues singer Etta James in the 2008 musical biopic Cadillac Records. Her performance in the film received praise from critics,[106] and she garnered several nominations for her portrayal of James, including a Satellite Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and a NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress.[107][108] Beyoncé donated her entire salary from the film to Phoenix House, an organization of rehabilitation centers for heroin addicts around the country.[109] On January 20, 2009, Beyoncé performed James' "At Last" at First Couple Barack and Michelle Obama's first inaugural ball.[110] Beyoncé starred opposite Ali Larter and Idris Elba in the thriller, Obsessed. She played Sharon Charles, a mother and wife whose family is threatened by her husband's stalker. Although the film received negative reviews from critics,[111] the movie did well at the US box office, grossing $68 million—$60 million more than Cadillac Records[112]—on a budget of $20 million.[113] The fight scene finale between Sharon and the character played by Ali Larter also won the 2010 MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.[114]

At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé received ten nominations, including Album of the Year for I Am... Sasha Fierce, Record of the Year for "Halo", and Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", among others.[115] She tied with Lauryn Hill for most Grammy nominations in a single year by a female artist.[116] Beyoncé went on to win six of those nominations, breaking a record she previously tied in 2004 for the most Grammy awards won in a single night by a female artist with six. In 2010, Beyoncé was featured on Lady Gaga's single "Telephone" and appeared in its music video.[117][118] The song topped the US Pop Songs chart, becoming the sixth number-one for both Beyoncé and Gaga, tying them with Mariah Carey for most number-ones since the Nielsen Top 40 airplay chart launched in 1992.[119] "Telephone" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.[120]

Beyoncé announced a hiatus from her music career in January 2010, heeding her mother's advice, "to live life, to be inspired by things again".[121][122] During the break she and her father parted ways as business partners.[123][124] Beyoncé's musical break lasted nine months and saw her visit multiple European cities, the Great Wall of China, the Egyptian pyramids, Australia, English music festivals and various museums and ballet performances.

On June 26, 2011, she became the first solo female artist to headline the main Pyramid stage at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival in over twenty years.[126][127] Her fourth studio album 4 was released two days later in the US.[128] 4 sold 310,000 copies in its first week and debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, giving Beyoncé her fourth consecutive number-one album in the US. The album was preceded by two of its singles "Run the World (Girls)" and "Best Thing I Never Had".[56][117][129] The fourth single "Love on Top" spent seven consecutive weeks at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest peak from the album.[130] 4 also produced four other singles; "Party", "Countdown", "I Care" and "End of Time". "Eat, Play, Love", a cover story written by Beyoncé for Essence that detailed her 2010 career break, won her a writing award from the New York Association of Black Journalists.[131] In late 2011, she took the stage at New York's Roseland Ballroom for four nights of special performances:[132] the 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé concerts saw the performance of her 4 album to a standing room only.[132] On August 1, 2011, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having shipped 1 million copies to retail stores.[133] By December 2015, it reached sales of 1.5 million copies in the US.[134] The album reached one billion Spotify streams on February 5, 2018, making Beyoncé the first female artist to have three of their albums surpass one billion streams on the platform.[135]

On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.[136] Five months later, she performed for four nights at Revel Atlantic City's Ovation Hall to celebrate the resort's opening, her first performances since giving birth to Blue Ivy.[137][138]

In January 2013, Destiny's Child released Love Songs, a compilation album of the romance-themed songs from their previous albums and a newly recorded track, "Nuclear".[139] Beyoncé performed the American national anthem singing along with a pre-recorded track at President Obama's second inauguration in Washington, D.C.[140][141] The following month, Beyoncé performed at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show, held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.[142] The performance stands as the second most tweeted about moment in history at 268,000 tweets per minute.[143] At the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won for Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Love on Top".[144] Her feature-length documentary film, Life Is But a Dream, first aired on HBO on February 16, 2013.[145] The film was co-directed by Beyoncé herself.

Beyoncé embarked on The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour on April 15 in Belgrade, Serbia; the tour included 132 dates that ran through to March 2014. It became the most successful tour of her career and one of the most successful tours of all time.[147] In May, Beyoncé's cover of Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" with André 3000 on The Great Gatsby soundtrack was released.[148] Beyoncé voiced Queen Tara in the 3D CGI animated film, Epic, released by 20th Century Fox on May 24,[149] and recorded an original song for the film, "Rise Up", co-written with Sia.[150]

On December 13, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her eponymous fifth studio album on the iTunes Store without any prior announcement or promotion. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, giving Beyoncé her fifth consecutive number-one album in the US.[151] This made her the first woman in the chart's history to have her first five studio albums debut at number one.[152] Beyoncé received critical acclaim[153] and commercial success, selling one million digital copies worldwide in six days;[154] Musically an electro-R&B album, it concerns darker themes previously unexplored in her work, such as "bulimia, postnatal depression [and] the fears and insecurities of marriage and motherhood".[155] The single "Drunk in Love", featuring Jay-Z, peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[156]

In April 2014, after much speculation,[157] Beyoncé and Jay-Z officially announced their On the Run Tour. It served as the couple's first co-headlining stadium tour together.[158] On August 24, 2014, she received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. Beyoncé also won home three competitive awards: Best Video with a Social Message and Best Cinematography for "Pretty Hurts", as well as best collaboration for "Drunk in Love".[159] In November, Forbes reported that Beyoncé was the top-earning woman in music for the second year in a row—earning $115 million in the year, more than double her earnings in 2013.[160] Beyoncé was reissued with new material in three forms: as an extended play, a box set, as well as a full platinum edition. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), in the last 19 days of 2013, the album sold 2.3 million units worldwide, becoming the tenth best-selling album of 2013.[161] The album also went on to become the twentieth best-selling album of 2014.[162] As of November 2014, Beyoncé has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and has generated over 1 billion streams, as of March 2015.[163]

At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2015, Beyoncé was nominated for six awards, ultimately winning three: Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Drunk in Love", and Best Surround Sound Album for Beyoncé.[9][164] She was nominated for Album of the Year, but the award went to Beck for his album Morning Phase.

On February 6, 2016, Beyoncé released "Formation" and its accompanying music video exclusively on the music streaming platform Tidal; the song was made available to download for free.[166] She performed "Formation" live for the first time during the NFL Super Bowl 50 halftime show. The appearance was considered controversial as it appeared to reference the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party and the NFL forbids political statements in its performances.[167][168][169] Immediately following the performance, Beyoncé announced The Formation World Tour, which highlighted stops in both North America, and Europe.[170][171] It ended on October 7, with Beyoncé bringing out her husband Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Serena Williams for the last show.[172] The tour went on to win Tour of the Year at the 44th American Music Awards.[173]

On April 16, 2016, Beyoncé released a teaser clip for a project called Lemonade. It turned out to be a one-hour film which aired on HBO exactly a week later; a corresponding album with the same title was released on the same day exclusively on Tidal.[174] Lemonade debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, making Beyoncé the first act in Billboard history to have their first six studio albums debut atop the chart; she broke a record previously tied with DMX in 2013.[175] With all 12 tracks of Lemonade debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Beyoncé also became the first female act to chart 12 or more songs at the same time.[176] Additionally, Lemonade was streamed 115 million times through Tidal, setting a record for the most-streamed album in a single week by a female artist in history.[177] It was 2016's third highest-selling album in the US with 1.554 million copies sold in that time period within the country[178] as well as the best-selling album worldwide with global sales of 2.5 million throughout the year.[179] In June 2019, Lemonade was certified 3× Platinum, having sold up to 3 million album-equivalent units in the United States alone.

Lemonade became her most critically acclaimed work to date, receiving universal acclaim according to Metacritic, a website collecting reviews from professional music critics.[181] Several music publications included the album among the best of 2016, including Rolling Stone, which listed Lemonade at number one.[182] The album's visuals were nominated in 11 categories at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, the most ever received by Beyoncé in a single year, and went on to win 8 awards, including Video of the Year for "Formation".[183][184] The eight wins made Beyoncé the most awarded artist in the history of the VMAs (24), surpassing Madonna (20).[185] Beyoncé occupied the sixth place for Time magazine's 2016 Person of the Year.[186]

In January 2017, it was announced that Beyoncé would headline the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. This would make Beyoncé only the second female headliner of the festival since it was founded in 1999.[187] It was later announced on February 23, 2017 that Beyoncé would no longer be able to perform at the festival due to doctor's concerns regarding her pregnancy. The festival owners announced that she will instead headline the 2018 festival.[188] Upon the announcement of Beyoncé's departure from the festival lineup, ticket prices dropped by 12%.[189]

At the 59th Grammy Awards in February 2017, Lemonade led the nominations with nine, including Album, Record, and Song of the Year for Lemonade and "Formation" respectively.[190] and ultimately won two, Best Urban Contemporary Album for Lemonade and Best Music Video for "Formation".[191] Adele, upon winning her Grammy for Album of the Year, stated Lemonade was monumental and more deserving.[192]

On June 13, 2017, Beyoncé gave birth to twins Rumi and Sir Carter at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.[193] In September 2017, Beyoncé collaborated with J Balvin and Willy William, to release a remix of the song "Mi Gente". Beyoncé donated all proceeds from the song to hurricane charities for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in Texas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean Islands.[194]

On November 10, Eminem released "Walk on Water" featuring Beyoncé as the lead single from his album Revival. On November 30, Ed Sheeran announced that Beyoncé would feature on the remix to his song "Perfect".[195] "Perfect Duet" was released on December 1, 2017. The song reached number-one in the United States, becoming Beyoncé's sixth song of her solo career to do so.[196]

2018–present: Everything Is Love and The Lion King On January 4, 2018, the music video of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 4:44 collaboration, "Family Feud" was released.[197] It was directed by Ava DuVernay. On March 1, 2018, DJ Khaled released "Top Off" as the first single from his forthcoming album Father of Asahd featuring Beyoncé, husband Jay-Z, and Future.[198] On March 5, 2018, a joint tour with Knowles' husband Jay-Z, was leaked on Facebook.[199] Information about the tour was later taken down. The couple announced the joint tour officially as On the Run II Tour on March 12[200] and simultaneously released a trailer for the tour on YouTube.[201] On March 20, 2018, the couple traveled to Jamaica to film a music video directed by Melina Matsoukas.[202]

On April 14, 2018, Beyoncé played the first of two weekends as the headlining act of the Coachella Music Festival. Her performance of April 14, attended by 125,000 festival-goers, was immediately praised, with multiple media outlets describing it as historic. The performance became the most-tweeted about performance of weekend one, as well as the most-watched live Coachella performance and the most-watched live performance on YouTube of all time. The show paid tribute to black culture, specifically historically black colleges and universities and featured a live band with over 100 dancers. Destiny's Child also reunited during the show.

On June 6, 2018, Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z kicked-off the On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, United Kingdom. Ten days later, at their final London performance, the pair unveiled Everything Is Love, their joint studio album, credited under the name The Carters, and initially available exclusively on Tidal. The pair also released the video for the album's lead single, "Apeshit", on Beyoncé's official YouTube channel.[205][206] Everything Is Love received generally positive reviews,[207] and debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 123,000 album-equivalent units, of which 70,000 were pure album sales.[208]

On December 2, 2018, Beyoncé alongside Jay-Z headlined the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 which was held at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.[209] Their 2-hour performance had concepts similar to the On the Run II Tour and Beyoncé was praised for her outfits, which paid tribute to Africa's diversity.[210]

On April 17, 2019, Beyoncé alongside media-service provider Netflix, premiered the 137-minute documentary and concert film Homecoming, mainly regarding Beyoncé's historic 2018 Coachella performances.[211][212] The film was accompanied by the live album Homecoming: The Live Album.[213] It was later reported that Beyoncé and Netflix had signed a $60 million deal to produce three different projects, one of which is Homecoming.[214] Homecoming received six nominations at the 71st Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.[215]

Beyoncé starred in the voice over role of Nala in the remake The Lion King, which was released on July 19, 2019.[216] In March 2017, director Jon Favreau stated that Beyoncé was his top choice for the role, and that the studio and himself would be willing to do whatever it took to accommodate her busy schedule.[217] On November 1, 2017, her role was confirmed in an official announcement.[218][219] Beyoncé is featured on the film's soundtrack, released on July 11, 2019, with a remake of the song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" alongside Donald Glover, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, which was originally composed by Elton John.[220] Additionally, an original song from the film by Beyoncé, "Spirit", was released as the lead single from both the soundtrack and The Lion King: The Gift – an album released alongside the film, produced and curated by Beyoncé.[221][222] Beyoncé called The Lion King: The Gift a "sonic cinema." She also stated that the album is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.[221] The songs were additionally produced by African producers, which Beyoncé said was because "authenticity and heart were important to [her]," since the film is set in Africa.[221]

During an interview for the Wall Street Journal, Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, revealed that the singer had borrowed some of her art pieces for a new project already in development.[223]

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyonc%c3%a9

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bluboothalassophile · 5 years ago

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How do you feel about gunslingers? I watched the Magnificent Seven remake this weekend and wondered what a jayrae gunslinging au would be like. Jay obviously the cowboy antihero and Raven could be the clever Saloon and/or Brothel owner who is also, secretly, a badass with a gun. Could replace your Game of Thrones. Glad you are being fair about that, I felt the same, disappointed. But I am also tired of reading the non stop hate about it.

Hello,

I’m down with a gunslinger AU, I grew up on Louis Lamore, so I’m completely down with a gunslinger AU! I don’t need to have another AU, but Goddamn it, here we go:

Outcast...

There are some people whom you do not cross.

She was one of them.

A daughter of a German Jewish tradesman and a Navajo Medicinewoman who had fallen impossibly in love. A love which had ultimately gotten herparents and siblings killed by a cult leader who wanted to marry her when shewas seven. Her parents disgust at his proposal had killed them when she wasmerely eight. She was a gun slinger since the age of nine, when it became shootfast or die. She was a tracker for lawmen when she was twelve. She was a coldblooded killer when she was fourteen; taught by an Apache rival who had helpedher find her parents killer. At fifteen she was a bounty hunter, neither Indiannor American enough to belong anywhere.

And at twenty-four she had exceeded her life expectancyhaving obtained a small ranch tucked away here in the mountains of Montannawhere she had gone to be anonymous from the prying eyes of the south. Not thatit did her much good.

It was a bit of a novelty, to the local God-fearing,Christian community to have a Jewish Indian in their midst. But she left thembe, and they left her be.

Her Apache mentor had perished several years back leavingher all alone. Having made most her money to buy her ranch in hunting down themost ruthless and brutal of outlaws; Indian, Mexican, freed slaves, andwhiteman alike. She hunted deserters of the United States Army, and she hadkilled poachers.

Her hand on her ranch was a freed slave, and voodoo priest, VictorStone; the only black man without a thousand miles, a different novelty to thepeople of Polson. Montana, who were accustomed to the Flathead’s and odd longrange hunters. And while she was a novelty in and of herself, she was mostlyaccepted. The local sheriff hired her for the occasional odd job, and she wasfriendly enough with her neighbors to get on.

And best of all, no one spread word about her ranch tuckedaway up here, no one. Not Indian or American alike.

At least she thought it was that way until today as shewalked into the saloon to deal with the chatty tender while she waited for the sheriffto meet up with her. Walking in she noticed him immediately, everything abouthim screamed predator, from the calm way he sat, to the poised position of hisbody. Her fingers twitched, but she breezed on by him

“Morning Rae, wasn’t expecting you till this afternoon,”Garfield smiled at her.

“Got an early start,” she answered briskly. Garfield got themessage that she wasn’t interested in talking and poured a glass of whiskey forher as she took her seat at the bar and kept an eye on the predatory male atthe counter. She took a sip of the alcohol and tried to calm her instincts.

She’d just wait for the sheriff to be done with his meetingbefore she cornered Garth to talk to him about his inquiry to her joining himfor the Fourth of July’s shindig.

~~~*~*~*~~~

Jason was not a fool.

He had been a street kid in Gotham, and adopted by Bruce Wayne,a ranching tycoon from Wyoming. Bruce had a love of adopting wayward childrenin need of direction, he and his wife; Selina loved all them. Richard was theeldest, Bruce’s first wife; Talia al Ghul’s twins were the second set of kids;Athanasia and Damian; whom Talia had died birthing. Then he had been adopted. ThenB had married Selina, which had brought Tim into the family, they had foundCass on the trip to Wyoming. Duke was a slave who B had adopted immediatelywhen a plantation business partner was going to whip the lad. The war hadhappened, and while they had largely stayed out of it, Duke had fretted aboutif he was a freed slave or a ward so B had legalized all the work to make Dukea legitimate son of his. Selina and B had just had their first child, Helena shortlyafter that, followed by another set of twins, Thomas and Bruce Junior. There’dbeen an adoption of a whore’s daughter from one of the railway camps, AlinaShelley and then B had taken in Jason’s youngest brothers; Terry and MattMcGinnis on his last trip to New York City. The lads had escaped the potatofamine and would’ve likely been put in the factories had B not found them

Now, it wasn’t unusual for Bruce Wayne to adopt so many children,he was a generous man. But now was not the time for generosity.

An outlaw named Bane had abducted his nephew and Jason wasfresh out of tracks to follow. The trail had run cold in Arizona, at least fromwhat he could find.

Then he had heard a rumor of a bounty hunter so good shecould find anyone or anything, a witch, a sorceress. Everyone had merely calledthe witch Raven.

A daughter of a German Jew, a Navajo Medicine woman, raisedby an Apache warrior, and an old Union officer, she was legend. The bountyhunter who captured criminals like Blood and killed them to bring them to justice.She was a legand, Jonah Hex had insisted she wasn’t to be trusted, but Jasonsimply didn’t give a damn at this point.

Dick and Barbara were going out of their minds, Bane wastormenting them with Tommy’s existence, and if it damned him to hell, Jason wasgoing to find his nephew.

He had expected a hag, a witch who he’d have to threaten, hehad expected something hideous and evil which would demand his soul as paymentfrom the moment he got to this nowhere town in Montana.

He hadn’t expected her though, she walked in, pale as ivory,slight of build, strong legs, hair black as midnight, eyes violet as lavendersin bloom, and a face proud and carved of stone. She was stunning, andbreathtaking, and the moment green met violet he knew he was looking into theeyes of a woman who was forged in hellfire and built of brimstone. A woman ofpurpose.

“Jason, this is the woman you were looking for,” the tendersmiled brightly as he looked her over. Her eyes were cold.

“You were?” she asked in a smoky monotone. “I don’t recall tellinganyone where to find me.”

“You did not make it easy.”

“Mmm,” she nodded her head slowly.

“Raven!” a young half breed walked in, his smile wasstrained and Jason recognized the sheriff that Roy had insisted on speaking to.“I see you two have met.”

“Not officially.” He answered.

“Raven’s the best tracker in the business,” the sheriff saidas he walked over to her. “Rae, this is Jason Todd, and his friend Roy Harper,they’ve got a job for you.”

“I’m retired.”

“They’re hunting down Bane’s crew.”

Now the woman’s eyes flashed with interest.

#bluboothalassophile #fanfic #one shot #gunslinger au #jason todd #raven #jayrae #redrae #raex

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defdaily · 4 years ago

Text

KNIGHT Magazine March 2021 Issue featuring JAY B

Translated by defdaily

JAY B: Back to the starting point, to set off again

At first sight, Jay B does not seem to have the looks of a popular “Flower Boy”; he has single eyelids typical in Korean boys, and the corners of his eyes crescent up with warmth and pureness as he smiles, drawing people close to him. “Sexy”, “Steady”, “Introverted”，“Warm”，“Sharp” and “Domineering” are all words fans use to describe him. These seemingly unrelated characteristics come together in Jay B and sparks a charisma that is unique to him.

9 years on since debut, he is an all-rounder who sings, dances and composes and his vibrant abilities are obvious to all. However, the entertainment industry is a place that is never short of talent and worthy competitors. Being GOT7’s leader and facing the responsibilities and stress, he did not go down an easy path. Through the endurance, he figured out his own direction of growth and pace - one that is neither nervous or rushed but instead calm and steady. The start of 2021 ushered in the end of his artistic contract and signing new companies, but that did not affect his pace; he made a comeback with his members, writing songs and preparing for his solo album, continuing to do what he is good at, facing the odds calmly and confidently, “2021 to me is a brand new start; I will return to the starting point and start anew.”

Embracing the essence, upholding greatness

Looking through Jay B’s portfolio, he went through many profile changes in the early years. From being an aspiring B-boy, to debuting as an actor, as a boy group duo JJ Project, and 2 years later debuting as GOT7 leader. At every stage, he did his best in whatever he wanted to do. Grabbing every opportunity and going forward earnestly. For dance, he once gave up on his studies and joined a professional dance group very early on. After debuting as a leader, in order to shoulder the responsibilities, he reigned in on his youthful flippance and impetuousness and learned to be tolerant. Through several details, he is managing well. When appearing on variety shows as a group, he made efforts to ensure that every member had the chance to showcase their talents. Before showcases, he is obviously nervous himself but would never forget to remind the others to drink up. He even prioritized group activities over his own, concertedly rejecting solo activities arranged by the company. Till date, he is still the one with the least solo activities. “Instead of myself, it would be better for the other members to begin their solo activities first.”

He is clear-cut and is never trapped between choosing one thing over the other. As a trainee, he also experienced a rebellious phase where he wanted to give up. When he did not know what he wanted, he would follow his heart. He once wrote on SNS “Do whatever you want. If you really love something, then follow your heart and do it.” His motivation sets him on a simple path; start off with love, and put in all his effort into it, working hard to hand in his best submission. He assigned the name Def. to his solo writing, which holds the meaning of “the best, the greatest of all”. Years ago, he had said in a variety show, “When I grow a little older, I must become a truly cool celebrity, and a multi-talented artist.” At that time, when faced with many fresh opportunities, he eagerly leapt forward to try them out, to bloom from all corners. Later, interviewers asked him what his future plans are for the next 5 years, and he said, “Definitely to continue my music-related work, and if my body allows me to, I will continue dancing.” And now, his dreams have more definitively settled on the area of creative music composing, hence, when asked whether he would consider moving into acting again, he said, “Now I can’t fully embody and express a character, but I think I should learn and understand deeply before going into acting. Learning to have restraint and storing one’s potential will help with a better start.

I will open up my heart

Some say the creative must embrace change at all times and maintain a keenness for observation; similarly, Jay B’s awareness of the world is astute and meticulous. He observes life through film lenses, and reflects upon his own feelings in the process. “Through the photos I take, I discovered that my photos are people-centric, and I often am curious about what they are thinking, how they are feeling at that very moment.” The happiness and sorrows of people often differ from one another, but they always leave marks. He likes to record down his surroundings, the people around him and the banalities of everyday life, and incorporate them into his creative works. For example, when writing the song “Rainy”, he laid out photos that he took on a rainy day on the floor of his studio, began arranging and rearranging them, and pondering over the sequences. Thus led to the birth of a rainy love story.

Whether it is on stage or composing music, the ever-changing styles he expresses are undoubtedly based on thoughts and experiences in life. In addition to photography, reading books, watching movies and having conversations with people who have experienced life are all some ways in which he draws inspiration from. “In the future I would like to ponder over everything that I experience genuinely in my life, and describe my true thoughts and feelings. It may not necessarily have to be positive; sometimes it can also be a form of relief by expressing the negativity in a straightforward manner.”

Having been in the spotlight of the entertainment industry for many years, he is no stranger to receiving criticisms, yet he always digests it quietly. His warm, honest aura, along with his sensitivity and sympathetic nature, creates a juxtaposition in his personality. On the performing stage, he is cool and powerful, as if he has an unlimited source energy waiting to be released. In everyday life, the same Jay B he stores that energy and softens up, creating an entirely different image. He is used to treating others with kindness, and knows how to live as himself: “Instead of paying attention to the criticism and living like someone else, I would rather be myself and accept the criticism.” He loves life, and likes to play with his three cats. He remembers a funny incident, “One of my cats likes to lick the carpet, so there was one time I accidentally stepped on the carpet and almost fell.” Like many young folks, during his leisure time, he reads and sleeps to relieve stress. When his schedule is packed, he would take a stroll at the working site, sometimes taking photos and videos and sharing them along the way. He has his own world, but it is not locked up at all; it is wide open and welcome for everyone to visit. There was once where he read a word in a book that reminded him of b-boying, so he simply left the house and b-boyed along the streets, posting a clip of it on SNS. He thinks that the name that Chinese fans call themselves sounds nice, but he also likes calling everyone “best friend”. Realizing he might sound impolite, he carefully added that it does not mean he does not like the former, just like an old friend with no filter who says what they want but never fails to consider your feelings.

Tackling the unknown is full of delight

“Unknown challenges, to me, are very interesting. I find tackling new things to be a really great thing.” In this new year, with a new company and new plans, Lim Jaebeom has started on his journey of transformation. Taking on a path that he has to take alone, even though he may still be adapting to this new identity and role, “I am really alone now, it feels fascinating yet a little awkward.” He understands to cherish, and wishes to continue making even greater music for the group. He also looks forward dearly for his music to find a place of its own in the music sphere. Being faced with the challenges that await him, he is eager to create a world of his own. At a certain program where he was asked by his members, “Are you happy?”, he hesitated and replied: “I don’t know.” In fact, he is just like the music that he writes - it does not shock or excite but you will never get bored of it after repeated listens; the kind of music he pursues is not one with intricate formal design or various showy techniques, but one that expresses of real and honest emotions triggered by real and honest events.

As he faces the ebb and flow of the tide calmly and inches closer to his dreams with each step, he is still the young boy he was before, fiery passion in his gaze, sincerely embracing change, maturing and growing through it. Perhaps he might not know when his personal happiness will arrive, but he has never stopped looking for it. For his era is imminent.

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tilltheendwilliwrite · 6 years ago

Text

Cries Of Thunder

Chapter Two

Master List | Thor Odinson Master List

Previous Chapter

Pairing: Thor Odinson x OFC | Word Count: 4877 Warnings: language

Want on or off the tag list? Please send an Ask!

In the end, they picked up Wilson as well. Sam had worked as a counsellor for the VA, Steve reminded them, and was the only one from this world, in this era who may be able to shed light on the thoughts of a woman in her position.

Bucky had grumbled a little, Sam had grumbled back, but when the heavily pregnant Nancy had rushed by, glowing and giggling about her day off, and how Pepper had convinced Fallon to take her position when her child was born, everyone knew they needed to talk this out.

If Fallon would working within the halls of Avenger central - though mostly in Pepper's division for Stark - no one wanted to be responsible for scaring her or doing something which could be triggering.

When Tony caught wind of the impromptu gathering, he’d arrived ready to party only to sigh and sit heavily down between Steve and Thor. “You shouldn't be discussing her like this. She’s not just some dame.”

“We don't think that either, Tony,” Sam said diplomatically. “But both Steve and Bucky have watched her tense and move away when they get too close. She's done it with me. With Clint. I think we all know she's had a tough go of it, and that some asshole hit her in the past. If she's gonna be working for Pepper, no one wants to upset her further by making her uncomfortable.”

Again Tony sighed. “She convinced her then?”

Friday spoke suddenly. “Boss, Miss Potts and Miss Smith are leaving for the day to go shopping. Miss Potts asked me to remind you to stay out of trouble.”

The men around the room chuckled while Tony glared at his watch. “It's ten in the morning!”

“And we’re sitting around drinking,” Thor smirked. “We are hardly ones to judge them for ducking out early.”

“Can you tell us what happened with Fallon, Tony?” Steve asked, steering the conversation back on point.

Tony sighed and sat back, crossing his arms and one leg over the other. A defensive position, one Thor knew the man assumed when he was uncomfortable with the conversation.

“Fallon and Pepper went to University together. They were sorority sisters though they lost touch with each other over the years. Nine months ago out of the blue, Fallon called Pepper up. I guess she’d seen Pep and me on TV at some gala or something in California and reached out. She needed help to get away from her husband and knew Pepper would believe her.” Tony thrust to his feet, went to the bar, and poured half a glass of scotch.

“How bad was it, Stark?” Bucky asked.

“He’d beaten her so badly she could barely answer the door when we showed up.”

“Shit!” Sam hissed.

Tony threw back half his drink. “I’ve seen a lot of terrible things. Horrible things. That was one to the worst.”

“Why the hell didn’t she call the cops?” Steve demanded.

“Because of who her ex is.”

“Who?” Thor growled.

“Easy, big fella. Your sparkles are jumping,” Tony muttered, eyeing the ripples of lightning running along Thor’s hands. “She was married to Jay Ivanov. No, not even married. He’d tricked her into believing they were married, kept her isolated and under guard for her protection, and beat the living hell out of her at every opportunity.”

Sam let loose another string of swears, the Captain and Barnes both scowled, but Thor only frowned. “Who is Jay Ivanov?”

“Publicly, he’s the only one of the Ivanov family to ever - allegedly - go straight. He’s a high powered lawyer, big time into politics, and friends with more powerful people than the President. Privately, he’s as dirty as the rest of his family. The sick sadist kept Fallon like a prisoner. His men turned a blind eye, and the one time she tried to go to the police, they called him to come and get her.”

“Jesus,” Steve hissed, shoving to his feet to join Stark and pour something stronger than the beer he’d been drinking.

When the bottle of Asgardian brandy appeared in Steve’s hand from beneath the bar, Thor’s heart gave a painful thump. Never again would they harvest the grapes to makes such a beverage.

Asgard was no more, and his people lived in a state of confusion, their future uncertain. So far, he’d been able to see them granted refugee status through the United Nations. The people of Midgard had been welcoming, and the people of Norway had opened their land to the beings they'd once worshiped with a welcoming embrace, but he still worried.

What if they changed their minds? What if one day in the future the people of Earth decided they no longer wanted Aliens on their planet? Tolerance was not a Midgardian strength. Neither was patience.

When the countries of the United Nations began clamouring for a look at the Sakaaran vessel, as well as what Asgardian technology they’d managed to bring with them, he’d resisted. Thor knew all too well what the people of Earth were capable of when they got their hands on technology they were not ready for.

In light of this, he’d put the ship under guard, but when people continued to try and sneak onto it, he’d asked Loki to cloak it instead. Though his brother complained, Loki had agreed with him and done what was needed.

Loki was another sticking point for the humans, but the two of them had had time on the eighteen-month-long voyage to Earth to sit down, talk, and clear the air between them. Loki’s hurt over Odin’s deceptions, over Thor’s own mistreatment of him, had festered and led him down the path to destruction. But in his heart, Loki was still Thor’s only brother. They’d made amends and formed a new pact between them. What they'd had to do to defeat Hela had bound them together. They were it. The last remaining sons of Odin and their people needed them both.

While Thor remained the public face of Asgard, Loki worked behind the scenes with their people. After all, he’d ruled Asgard for some years in his guise as Odin, and their people had prospered internally, though others of the realm had floundered. Combining their knowledge and abilities would only benefit their people in the future.

However, the humans saw Loki as a war criminal. They wanted him arrested and thrown in jail. But what prison would hold the God of Mischief if he wished to be free? None on Midgard. Instead, they’d bargained.

Dr. Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, whom Loki called no better than a charleton playing at the cosmos, was tasked with seeing Loki didn’t venture from their new land in Norway unless it was to arrive at the Tower in New York.

Now, Thor knew if Loki wished it he could go where he damn well pleased without Strange or anyone else being the wiser. After all, he’d fooled Heimdall’s eyes, but for his part, Loki was abiding by the restrictions placed upon him.

But Thor spent as much time as he could away from the sad, scared eyes of what was left of the Asgardians. He’d been a failure as their King. He’d failed to protect his father. He'd failed to protect his friends. He’d failed to protect his people. He’d failed to protect Asgard. He’d even failed to defeat Hela. Only unleashing Sutra on Asgard and bringing about Ragnarok had accomplished that feat.

What kind of King was he to abandon everything? What kind of leader was he? He’d spent more years running through the realms fighting than he had bearing the mantle of his responsibilities. He should have been there, ruling under his Father’s watchful eye instead of letting Odin waste away in a home not his own.

He was a failure as a King and a failure as a son and a failure as a brother. He’d let everyone down.

“How’d you get her out?” Bucky asked, breaking Thor out of his depressing thoughts.

“Ivanov was out of town on business, leaving her alone with only a handful of guards. Friday hacked their security. A few well-placed gas pellets later we were in and getting her out. Then it was doctors, and physical therapy, and making sure he’d never find her. We went through lawyers. Subsidiaries. Routed money through so many offshore accounts even Friday was confused-”

“I was not,” the AI denied.

“-so they couldn’t trace any trail back to Stark Industries. No one knew of Fallon’s connection to Pep, and no one will. When she filed for divorce was when she found out their marriage wasn't officiated. She owned nothing. He’d held her like a prisoner for years, and she was owed nothing!” Stark’s fist slammed onto the bar top. “We brought up the abuse, showed the evidence to his lawyers, and he laughed. Said she fell down a flight of stairs because she was clumsy. He pushed her down a flight of stairs! Pushed! Her word against his, they said, and with his connections and the fact for years he’d been spreading the rumour his wife was unstable, suicidal, and had moments of mania, we knew he’d get away with it. So Fallon called a stop to everything. All she wanted was a chance to start over. We got her that, hid them away, and made sure she was safe.”

“Them?” Steve asked.

“She’s got kids.”

“Christ!” Bucky snarled. “Didn’t he protest? Just to mess with her?”

“He can’t,” Tony smirked over the rim of his glass. “According to Ivanko, they never had children. He's said so publicly many times. Fallon was never meant to see the light of day after he got his hooks in her. He used those kids as leverage to keep her quiet.” The smile faded slowly from his face. “He beat her so badly when she was pregnant with the twins; they were born four weeks early. She’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met, and she’s just starting to get her feet under her. Ease into it with Fallon. If she’s Pep’s new assistant, you’ll all have to interact with her. Just… go easy. I find she’s more comfortable with me if I sit. Pepper said he was a loomer.”

“I do not know what that means,” Thor murmured, his heart aching for the woman who’d been through so much.

“Stand over her threateningly,” Steve explained. “Anything else?”

“Soft voice. Calm movements. Do not try and touch her. She does better if there is a piece of furniture between you and her.” Tony threw back the rest of his drink. “She doesn’t trust men.”

“An understandable reaction to what was likely a lot of years of hell,” Sam murmured.

“She seemed fine with the one at reception,” Thor grumbled, wondering what the difference was.

“Kenneth is as gay as Elton John and as non-threatening as a kitten,” Sam chuckled. “Not surprised they get along. He’d be safe to her. No sexual interest. The rest of us are question marks she needs help figuring out.”

“So let’s help her figure it out,” Steve said, handing a short glass of the Asgardian brandy to Bucky before holding out the third to Thor.

It was like a taste of home when it warmed his throat and brought an unshed tear to Thor’s eye.

***

Fallon ran her hand down the front of her tan tartan dress. Yes, she was fussing. Yes, she knew it would do little to hide the excess weight she carried around her middle, but she did it anyway.

The dress had been one Pepper had forced her into, but Fallon couldn't fault her eye for design. The pattern was subtle, the cut professional and flattering with the thin red belt and way the fabric draped across her waist. She even liked the flower at the collar, though the twins had both tried to grab and rip it off. It had taken every ounce of confidence to blowout and curl her hair, leaving it down for the first time in months, only to lose her nerve and twist it into her standard bun.

Jay had liked to use it against her-

She slammed the mental door on that memory and purposely added a touch more makeup before stepping into nude pumps.

Pepper had been ruthless in their shopping, forcing Fallon into store after store, only for Fallon to break down in the dressing room of the fifth one.

Nothing fit. Nothing ever fit. No one made clothing for a woman like her. It was the other reason Fallon's suits fit so poorly. They were the best she could do.

Of course, Pepper had been devastated for making Fallon feel bad, and angry at the stores she frequented for discriminating against fuller figured women. She'd apologized profusely, but it wasn't Pepper's fault she could walk in any store and buy clothing off the rack.

Fallon was grateful when she found yoga pants at Walmart that fit. It wasn't like she was looking to be the next great fashion icon; but Pepper insisted there had to be something, or someone, who made clothes for women who had, as Pepper put it, “perfectly normal bodies”. She'd had children and fought a battle Pepper couldn't even begin to imagine. If Fallon had scars and cellulite and stretch marks, each one was earned fighting for her babies.

Another round of tears ensued as well as a hearty Google search headed up by Friday, who eventually found places like Lafayette 148, Mynt 1792, and Lane Bryant, all designed for women of multiple shapes and sizes.

The rest of the afternoon had been a whirlwind of fittings and shopping the likes of which Fallon hadn't enjoyed since she'd been a size four back in Uni. The sales people were wonderful, the clothing fit or was easily tailored, and for the first time in a long time, Fallon had looked in the mirror and seen someone close to who she'd once been.

Pepper had paid for everything, insisting it had come out of Fallon's clothing allowance, but as Fallon had seen a few of the price tags on her new clothes, she was pretty sure Pepper had lied about the clothing allowance in order to see Fallon kitted out in a new wardrobe.

Lord knew the woman liked to spoil Fallon's kids with toys and clothes. Aunt Pepper never arrived without a present in hand. The twins were happy to play with anyone who paid attention to them, but Dylan adored Pepper and Tony. He wasn't old enough to remember the abuse of the man who'd been his father, but Fallon would never forget the night he'd walked into her son's room with the knife and stood over the sleeping boy.

“It would be so easy to slit his throat. His. Theirs.” He glared at the twins in their crib, “Yours.” He'd stared at her with soulless black eyes.

She'd known right then their days were numbered and the clock was winding down.

Fallon gave herself one last look in the mirror and nodded. No, this was not the woman she had always thought she'd be, but maybe Pepper was right. Surviving wasn't living, and if she never moved forward, never moved on, Jay still won. She would remain the broken woman he'd made her. Crushed and defeated.

She didn't want to be that person anymore; scared of her own shadow.

Slipping the gold bracelet over her wrist, the one Pepper and Tony had given her for her birthday, Fallon decided today would be the first step down the road to the rest of her life.

Of course, first steps were never smooth, and when she walked out of the bedroom to find Dylan had poured out an entire gallon of milk on the kitchen floor and Corbin and Emma were sitting in it splashing gleefully, she knew today would be no exception.

***

“I'm so sorry, Pepper!” Fallon said as she rushed into Pepper's office ten minutes late with a garment bag over her arm, her purse clutched under it, a pastry box in one hand and takeout tray with three cups in the other. “I swear it won't happen again.”

“Fallon.” Pepper smiled and shook her head. “I told you on the phone it was fine. If I walked out into a three toddler milk mess, I probably would have just called in sick.”

Nancy waddled closer and plucked the pastries from her fingers. “I hate you for these, and I love you for these. Get yourself settled, Fallon, and we'll get started in a few minutes.

“Here, Nancy. I got you that tea you like.” Fallon plucked the cup from the tray and held it out, causing her load to shift and her purse to slide out from under her arm. Resigned to picking up a mess, Fallon frowned when the resounding splat didn't occur.

Nancy smiled at someone behind Fallon while she took her tea. “Fast hands as always, Captain.”

Terror tore up her spine. Fallon stiffened and clamped her eyes shut for a moment before forcing all her muscles to relax one by one. Slowly she turned to face him and was grateful when Pepper took the tray from her shaking hand.

Less than a foot from her stood Steve Rogers, America’s Golden Son. “Ma'am,” he smiled, boyish and sweet. A little crooked, kind of like his nose.

Huh… She'd never noticed that before and wondered when he'd broken it. It had to be pre-serum. It wouldn't have stayed crooked otherwise. Her gaze shifted to his bright blue eyes and found concerned and a little confusion.

“Oh!” She'd been staring intently for lord knew how long and blushed to the roots of her hair. “Y-yes. Thank you, Cap- Captain.”

“See something you like, Fallon?” Pepper teased, not helping the deep red radiating heat from Fallon's face.

She took her purse and held it against her middle. “I-I… nose crooked!” she squeaked.

Steve chuckled. “Yeah. Throws people sometimes. They forget I was a little guy who had a propensity toward fighting.” He made to cross his arms, then seemed to decide against it and tucked his hands in his pockets, hunching over a little as he did.

It made him look - somehow - shy and vulnerable. A few more of Fallon's muscles relaxed. “I… kind of thought pre-serum or it wouldn't have stayed crooked.”

His grin widened. “Look at you go. I'll see Tony gets on those reports, Pep. Fallon, have a great first day.”

“Thank you!” Fallon beamed, proud of herself for not feeling the need to run and cower.

Nancy giggled once he was gone. “Don't worry, Fallon. It gets easier the longer you're around them.”

She headed out the door, Fallon and Pepper watching her go. “She… thought I was starstruck.”

“A lot of people are when they first meet Steve.” Pepper squeezed Fallon's hand. “I'm so proud of you!”

A new blush filled Fallon's face. “You were right yesterday. Surviving isn't living. I need to live in order to give my babies a good life. That includes not fleeing the room when a guy walks into it. And he was nice.”

“Steve is very nice,” Pepper said with a smile. “You'll see. Now.” She frowned at the garment bag over Fallon’s arm. “What’s that?”

She handed it to Pepper and tossed her purse on a nearby chair before tugging on the tie belt of her new - stylish - trench coat. “I figured I would be less likely to need to change clothes a third time if I just brought them with me.”

When Fallon pulled the coat open, Pepper gave a horrified gasp. “Oh, my god, Fallon! You could have taken the time to change at home!”

“With my luck,” she grumbled looking down on the soggy flower and stain splattered front of her new dress, “I would have changed only to have someone spit up on me. You know how Emma is.”

“Still with the acid reflux?” Pepper frowned making her way toward a panel inset in the wall and nearly invisible. She gave it a push, popping open the door that led into her personal washroom.

“Yeah. It doesn’t seem to matter what I try. The doctor figures she’ll grow out of it, I just don’t know when. And she got her chubby little hands on that,” Fallon pointed at her hair, “And made a complete mess of it.”

“Fallon, you’re hair is gorgeous. Just wear it down.”

Panic flared hot and acidic in her stomach. “I… I… can’t.”

Pepper stopped and looked at her. “Don’t let him win, Fallon.”

“Pep…”

“You did amazing with Steve, sweety. Take another step.”

Fallon squeezed her eyes closed. “It’s just… he used to use it as a weapon against me, but I couldn’t… I couldn’t bring myself to cut it.”

Pepper grabbed her hand and hung on tight. “I know. I know, Fallon. I remember you talking about your mom.”

“Hers was so beautiful,” Fallon smiled, sniffling a little to keep from crying. The welling of Pepper’s eyes had Fallon’s burning. “If you cry, Pepper, I’ll cry, and if I do that today, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop.”

“Right.” Pepper cleared her voice and fanned her face. “Go change. Use whatever of my stuff you need to, but I hope…” She reached up and gently pulled the last of the pins from Fallon’s hair, sending it tumbling to her waist. “I hope you leave this down. It really is something else, Sugar Bird.”

“Don’t start, Hot Tamale,” Fallon snickered when Pepper squawked a sound entirely at odds with her high powered executive look.

“Do not tell Tony about that! I will never live it down!” she cried as the door shut behind Fallon.

Giggling like a madwoman, Fallon quickly stripped out of her dress, sighing sadly at its state. It had taken an hour to pick out what she’d wanted to wear today. Insecurities and body image issues making her doubt herself until finally deciding on the pretty tan plaid. Then her entire morning had shot to hell, sending her scrambling through the closet in a panic, grabbing whatever was closest and would work with the nude shoes she had no time to change.

But once she was in it, she remembered why the deep red dress had made the cut. It was comfortable, the fabric soft against her skin. It had a cute little rounded collar which framed the v-neck, three quarter length sleeves, and a flowing A-line skirt which fell just below her knees. It was adorable and made looking at herself in the mirror easier. And when she used the wide bristle brush she found in the drawer beside the sink, it made her hair fall in curls and twists around her.

She couldn’t believe how much she looked like her mother. “Mama,” she whispered, awed by the woman in the mirror. There were no pictures anymore. Nothing left from her family. Jay had seen to that. He’d taken it all away, but staring back at her in the mirror, she found a face so similar to her mother’s Fallon gasped a ragged little breath.

“Fallon, honey? Everything okay?”

Fallon startled. “Yeah, Pep. I’ll be right out.” Taking a deep breath, she cleaned up her face, dusted on a little more blush, and opened the door.

Pepper’s jaw dropped. “Oh, Fallon! You look wonderful.”

A light flush came to her cheeks. “I kind of do, and I like it.” She passed her hand over her hip. “This fabric is so soft I want to pet myself.”

Pepper snorted a giggle and wrapped Fallon up in a hug. “You’re so cute! I love it. And your hair. God, I hate you for your hair.”

“Well, I hate your skinny ass, bitch.”

“You’re the bitch,” Pepper chuckled. “Come on. We’ll send one of the interns to take your dress to the dry cleaners.”

“Oh, they don’t have to do that!” Fallon protested.

Pepper waved her off. “What are interns for if not inane, mindless errands no one wants to do?”

“Maybe I should be calling you Boss Bitch,” Fallon chuckled.

“You do, and you’re fired,” Pepper snickered.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Shut up, ho.”

“Ms. Potts! What language! I may have to report you to HR.”

She rolled her eyes and flipped Fallon the bird. “You bring out the worst in me.”

“I bring out the sorority in you,” Fallon corrected. “Next you’ll be doing a keg stand and taking Tequila shots from Tony’s belly button.”

“Oh, god!” she burst out laughing. “For the love of Thor, please, please! Do not bring up frat parties and our sisterhood days. I will pay you not to tell Tony.”

“Not to tell Tony what?” Tony asked, striding into Pepper’s office without bothering to knock or have Nancy announce him.

“Nothing!” Pepper and Fallon said at the same time, prompting them both to look at each other and laugh.

“I see how it’s going to be,” Tony pouted. “You two are going to have your little secrets and inside jokes, and I’m going to be the odd man out.”

“Aww,” Pepper patted his cheek when he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Poor baby.”

“That’s right. Pity me.”

Fallon snickered, amazed at the relationship they had. “Pepper, do you mind if I leave a second change of clothes in your closet? Just in case I have another morning mishap?”

“Of course you can!” A slow grin spread across her lips. “You already did, didn’t you?”

“Maybe,” Fallon giggled.

Tony chuckled along with her. “Pepper, dear. I need to steal you away for a few minutes. Rogers nagged me about reports until I gave in and came to see you.”

She tugged a few of the hairs on his chin. “You weren't supposed to come and see me without those reports.”

“I'll go get started with Nancy,” Fallon smirked, finding them too sweet.

“Take your dress. Intern. Dry cleaners. Go.”

Pepper flicked her fingers, and Fallon snapped her heels together and saluted her. “Yes, ma'am! Right away, ma'am!” She grabbed the garment from the bathroom and quickly left the office, sliding the door shut as she went.

***

“I like this side of her. We're keeping her, right?” Tony asked once Fallon was out of the room.

“If I have anything to say about it. I'd forgotten how much fun we used to have together until yesterday with the shopping and the mani/pedis. Well, after I fixed my blunder.” Pepper had felt horrible, and even though she knew it wasn’t technically her fault but the designers for being assholes and not including women of all sizes in their designs, she’d still felt like such an ass for putting Fallon through all that pain when the woman had suffered more than any person should ever have to.

“Hey, you didn’t know.” Tony hugged her closer. “But look how great she looked today. She looked… confident and at ease and that’s a first.”

Pepper stroked Tony’s jaw, loving the feeling of his soft beard. “She almost lost it when Steve was here. I thought she was going to bolt for a second, but she did so well. Smiled and relaxed. You were right to start with him.”

Returning to the tower after dropping Fallon at home, Pepper had found the lot of them sitting around drinking, discussing Fallon. Once she’d gotten over her anger at them for talking about the woman like she was something less than human, and learned why they’d been discussing her in the first place, she’d reluctantly agreed to go along with their plan to introduce Fallon to the Avengers in small, short interactions so each could go easy with her.

Pepper may not like that they’d talked about Fallon’s private business, nor that Tony had spilled the beans about things Pepper knew Fallon didn’t want to be bandied about like fodder for the gossip mill. But she had to admit, the little interaction with Steve had been just what Fallon needed after her tough morning.

“Did he do that thing he does?” Tony asked.

“What thing?”

“You know. That, “Aw shucks, golly gee,” stuffs his hands in his pockets and smiles all crooked to make himself look sweet as apple pie and ice cream?”

Pepper arched a brow in amusement. “And just why do you pay so much intense attention to Steve?”

“I have no idea what you mean,” he said innocently.

She chuckled and ran her hand through his hair. “You can admit that he’s pretty. Even I think he’s pretty.”

“Auk!” he choked an insulted squeak. “How dare you say such a thing? I’m the only one you’re allowed to think is pretty!”

Pepper laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What if I said I thought you were… twelve percent prettier?”

“You’re never going to let that go are you?”

“No,” Pepper snickered. “Now, about those reports…”

Next chapter... coming eventually.

#Cries of Thunder #Thor Odinson #Thor x OFC #thor fanfiction #God of Thunder #God of Thunder fanfiction #avengers au

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arazialotis · 6 years ago

Text

Moto Grand Prix - Part 1

Pairing: Jensen x Reader

Word Count: Around 3000

Warnings: swearing

Summary: A request from @acortez82 An idea I liked so much I decided to to a little series out of it. Jared invites Jensen to not just any motorcycle race but the biggest one of all. The final race of the grand prix happening in Valencia, Spain. A hot rival between seasoned veteran Suarez and new to circuits Esposio makes the excitement buzz in the air. Although knowing nothing about the sport, Jensen can’t help but root for the rookie. And just perhaps, he will leave Spain with more than just the love of the track.

Everything I write is beta’d by the wonderful and pristine @misguidedconqueress I couldn’t do it without her!

I intend no hate or ill wishes to him or his family. This is purely just for writing and wasting my time. This is purely for a hobby and my enjoyment. Maybe some of you will enjoy it too. I am by no means a writer so I apologize in advance for any mistakes or grammatical/spelling errors. I appreciate any feedback or suggestions!

Let the race begin!

----

As soon as the clapperboard snapped down, marking the end of filming and the start of winter break, Jensen raced to his trailer; bags already packed, wanting nothing more to run back home to the warm sunshine in Austin. While the rest of the cast and crew were celebrating with champagne, he was putting together the last bits of his travel details. A knock on the trailer door startled him from his thoughts and he went to answer, dreading anything that could keep him at work longer. Jared appeared on the other side, bundled up from the chill up yet still beaming with delight.

“I was hoping to catch you before you rushed off.” He laughed, his breath fogging in the air. Jensen nodded his head, directing him to come in. The wind slammed the door shut behind them. “Man, I am so sick of this weather.”

“You and me both, brother.” Jensen chuckled. “When I signed up to become an actor, I thought it’d be palm trees and beaches. Had I known they were going to ship us off to Canada, I might have thought twice. So uh, you doing anything fun with your time off?”

“Actually that is what I wanted to talk to you about.” Jared started. “But first let me give you an early Christmas gift.” He said, handing Jensen an envelope.

Jensen eyed him suspiciously before taking it from him. “With it still being over a month away, I’m afraid I can’t yet reciprocate the gesture.”

“Would you shut up and just open it.” Jared playfully ordered.

He ripped open the seal with his thumb and pulled out its contents. His eyes widened with shock as he tried to process what he was seeing. He looked at Jared for clarification but received nothing other than a smile. He held two tickets in his hand, one for an airline and the other for some type of sporting event.

Jared couldn’t contain his excitement any longer. “I scored tickets to the MotoGP!” “The what?” Jensen asked, still confused.

“Dude.” Jared chastised. “Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The last race of the year… In Valencia! To determine the winner. Esposio is so close to taking the lead…”

“Wait. Wait. Hold up. So you are taking me to Spain?” Jensen clarified.

“I’m taking you to Spain!” Jared exclaimed.

“Dude!” Jensen went in for a quick bro hug. “This is going to be awesome. God, how can I repay you?”

***

A few short weeks later, both Jensen and Jared had ventured to Spain. Seeing sights, experiencing local cuisine, and breathing in the glorious ocean air revived their spirits after months in the desolate Canadian winter. But the main event had yet to take place. Jared couldn’t keep his mouth shut the entire time. Naturally it caught Jensen up to speed. Apparently, many people were rooting for the racer named Esposio. It was his first tour and he was neck in neck with a long seasoned veteran of the tracks, Suarez. Esposio needed to place first to take the championship, and on top of that Suarez had the home track advantage.

Jared had made a vast understatement when he said he had scored seats. The VIP Lounge which they had access to was positioned right over the Ducati and Yamaha garages and just past the finish line, allowing them a great view of all the action. Jared was already schmoozing with other high rollers in the lounge but Jensen prefered to keep quiet, leaned up against the railing and watching the commotion in the pits. Part of him even wished he could be down there, working in the trenches, but knew he’d screw something up.

Anxiety and excitement heighted as the time for the race drew nearer and nearer. Jared pointed out Esposio, on a Ducati bike numbered 34, decked out in a grey and red uniform. The rider appeared nervous, looking back and forth between other drivers, checking and rechecking his bike’s mechanics. Jensen could understand why. From what Jared had explained, everything for him counted on this last race.

Before the crowd could even realize it, the race had begun. The bikes whizzed passed the stands; already heading into the first corner. Jensen gulped against a lump in his throat, realizing how close the bikes were to each other and how low they got at each turn, the drivers’ knees literally scraping the edge of the track. He kept a sharp eye on 34, dreadfully anticipating a crash at any moment as the bike weaved in and out, skillfully attempting to move closer to the lead.

The bikes drove out of sight, but the crowd could still make out the whirring of the engines. They grew distant, the seconds drawing out, the roar slowly building up until the bikes were visible again. A few made their way closer to the line and flew by once again. The crowd roared, Suarez already taking a place in the top three. Another large group sped past with Esposio caught in the middle. Finally a few stragglers joined the rest, and just like that the first lap was over.

Jensen felt a slap on his shoulder, which drew him from the trance.

“So first lap over, what do you think?” Jared boomed, energized from the action.

“Man. It is crazy. You think they’d let us test run after they are finished?” He playfully questioned.

Jared chuckled. “Dude, you would die before you even got to the first corner.”

“I know how to ride a bike.” Jensen rolled his eyes.

They watched the group take another corner, darting low to the ground. “Not like that.” Jared remarked.

“Not like that.” Jensen agreed.

The racers took each lap at incredible speed, the entire thing couldn’t last over an hour. He had trouble keeping track of the leaders and laps as most everything was conducted in Spanish. So instead he found himself keeping his eyes fixed on Esposio. He was sure tactics and strategy were involved but to what extent he had no idea. Esposio seemed to keep in third or fourth place a majority of the race, weaving in and out, darting dangerously in between other bikes. Jensen was simply amazed.

When it came down to the final two laps, a hush seemed to come over the crowd as everyone waited with anticipation to see if Esposio would be able to pull ahead. Even Jared’s bubbly expression was replaced by intense concentration. Almost as if Esposio had been holding back on the gas pedal, a burst of speed gave way taking him to second place.

The distance between first and second was noticeable and they were both going full speed, Esposio persistently chasing Suarez. The final lap sounded and Suarez quickly glanced behind. Both took the first curve tightly and little by little Esposio was gaining on him. Jensen was practically holding his breath.

Coming up on the fifth turn of the track, they were neck and neck, fighting for control of the inside corner. Suarez beat him to it, pulling a bit further ahead. Esposio had caught back up by the eigth curve, and again started the dance for control. Jensen watched on the screen as Suarez seemed to jolt his bike towards Esposio, almost as a threat. Esposio backed off, taking the outside of the curve, but then came speeding up on Suarez taking advantage at the ninth and tenth.

With only four more turns left, the crowd began to hold their breath with Jensen. Esposio held the lead but not by much. Both riders were so focused on the track ahead, yearning so badly for the win. With only a few more nail biting minutes left, the gap between Esposio and Suarez began to grow and grow as did the hope for victory. Finally, Esposio crossed the finish line and the crowd erupted with a roar. Esposio continued down the track throwing his hands up in the air. His hands came back down on the bike before popping a wheelie, gaining more cheers from the crowd.

As he made his way around the track once more for the victory lap, celebrating with the crowd, it was clear some Suarez fans were leaving the stands with sour faces. Esposio went to the Ducati pit and joined in dancing with the crew, jumping up into the coach’s arms and being lifted into the air.

During the time between the initial celebration and the podium, Jensen finally was able to part with the track to do a bit of schmoozing and grab some hors d'oeuvres. By the time he made his way back, Mayer had already took his place in third and Suarez on second - sporting a clenched jaw that raged with jealousy. As the announcer continued Jensen could barely translate, something about a new driver making history, Clelia Esposio, and the crowd erupted again as the racer made his way to stage.

The red and gray helmet came off with a flow of long hair shining in the sun and Jensen was struck. Time slowed as she made her way to the middle, accepting a medal and trophy. She kissed the announcer on the cheek and laughed before throwing both her hands up into the air with a yell. Time came back to speed as her team raided the podium with shaken up champagne bottles spraying her. She continued to the laugh and joined in the riot as Suarez grudgingly left the stage.

“So we coming back next year?” Jared asked Jay.

“You never told me Esposio was a girl.” He said breathless.

“Didn’t I?” Jared seemed confused. “I’m pretty sure I did. You interested?” He teased.

“Shut up.” Jensen shoved him with his elbow.

Jared chuckled. “Good, less competition for me.”

Jensen pleaded with any powers-that-be he’d be able to meet her.

***

The following morning, after a brisk morning bike ride, Jensen was heading back to his room for a quick shower before he planned to meet Jared for brunch. The hotel was classical romantic, filled with red stone floors and archways. Yellow lanterns hung from the ceiling and vibrant plants decorated the lobby. Sounds of birds echod along with the chatter of guests. Jensen made his way to the elevator, pushing for the doors to close.

“¡Espera!” A voice called before a hand then, an arm appeared; stopping the doors from closing.

As you made your way into the elevator, Jensen caught his breath. Despite the lack of helmet hair or a uniform, he recognized you immediately.

“Lo siento y gracias.” You spoke in your broken middle school level Spanish.

You pushed your button before looking to meet the stranger; both of you staring at each other, his soft green eyes invited you in. You looked away, blushing for the moment that lasted too long.

“Oh, um… No hablo Espanol.” Jensen stumbled.

“Oh.” You laughed, picking up on his accent. “Me neither, at least not well, but I am picking it back up little by little the more time I spend here.”

Both of you remained silent glancing at your feet, waiting for the elevator moving slowly up.

“So um…” Jensen dared to speak again. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but uh, you look very similar to Clelia Esposio.” He kicked himself for asking a question he often was asked by fans. He knew you could easily blow him off if you weren’t interested.

You smiled and bit your lip, but excitement won over and you widely grinned, the victory of yesterday still resonating with you. “Actually that is because… I am…”

“Wow.” Jensen sighed. “You had an amazing race yesterday. I was there, watching the entire time.” “Hopefully not rooting for Suarez, that pig. Oh, don’t tell anyone I said that. Could cause a huge PR Scandal.” You laughed still getting used to all the publicity.

Jensen clearly understood. “You have my word.” He sincerely promised.

The atmosphere was suddenly interrupted as the elevator unexpectedly jolted down and then up again. You yelped and clung to the sides. The doors partially opened showing a concrete wall and then shut again. The elevator halted, the lights went off with only a dim light flashing. Jensen came from the corner he held steady to, to test the doors but they refused to open.

“Jeez.” He complained, taking a phone corded to the wall. “Hola. Ah yes, um… the elevator.” He looked at you desperate. “I have no idea what he is saying.” He whispered.

You gritted your teeth. “I can try.” You took the phone from him. “Hola Senor. Si, el ascensor no trabajar. Si. Mas despacio, por favor… uh huh. Si. Que?! Tres horas?! No. Senor. Por favor. Si, si… okay. Gracias.” You hung up and looked hopelessly at Jensen. “They are aware of the problem and have already contacted a crew, but it could take up to three hours.” You sat down on the floor defeated.

Jensen’s stomach grumbled and he joined you on the floor. Though he was hungry, he couldn’t help but be excited to steal more of your time. After a few minutes of silence, he dared to start a conversation again.

“Sorry for the, uh.” He peeled the sweaty shirt from his chest. “Smell. Went bike riding this morning, the pedaling kind.”

“Oh no problem, I think you smell good.” A blush hit you after you realized what you said. “Sorry, that was weird. Its fine, it smells fine, I mean not horrible. Um… So, you been a fan of MotoGP long?” You nervously ran your hand through your hair, trying to change the topic.

“Yeah, I mean no. I actually just found out about it. This was my first race and I learned about everything this weekend from my friend Jared who bought the tickets.” He explained. “But I think I will probably be a fan from now on.”

“You from the states?” You asked.

“Yeah Texas originally, then moved to Cali. Now I spend most of my time between Vancouver and Austin.” He rambled.

“Those are like opposites.” You pointed two fingers at an imaginary map to visualize the distance. “Cause of work or family?”

“Work.” He briefly stated.

“And what do you do?” You asked.

“Uh, me and Jared are actors.” Jensen shook his head, almost embarrassed.

“Wow.” Your eyes lit up. “Anything I would know?”

He laughed. “Mainly a TV show called Supernatural.”

Your brows furrowed as you tried to recall if you had seen it. “So like… monsters, and ghosts?”

“Yeah. It’s about two brothers who save people and hunt things, the family…” He stopped himself. “Yeah, like vampires and werewolves and shit.” You stifled a giggle. “I guess I’ll have to check it out.”

“Oh, you don’t have to say that.” He waved off.

“No, I want to.” You promised. “So Jared and um.. What was your name again?” “Jensen.” He reached out his hand and shook yours. “Jensen Ackles.”

Your tongue peeked out between your teeth. “Is that like a stage name?”

Jensen’s shoulders shook as he silently laughed. “Nope, that’s my real name.”

“You can tell me.” You pushed. “Clelia Esposio is…” You pointed your finger at him very seriously. “But you can’t tell anyone.” Your demeanor eased. “My real name is Y/N Y/L/N. It’s weird, only family and a few friends know.”

“Well Y/N.” Your name sounded enticing rolling off his tongue. “It is very nice to officially meet you. But I promise my only name is Jensen.”

“Fine then.” You pretended to pout. “Keep your secrets.”

He chuckled. Though the minutes dragged on, you and Jensen filled up the time chatting, getting to know each other, talking travel, playing 20 questions and would you rather. And what was three hours, both of you wished was longer. The lights blinked back on and the elevator shook to life. Both you and Jensen stood up, steadying yourselves against the wall. The elevator was heading back down to the lobby.

“I guess this is it.” You stated.

“I can say without a doubt, would recommend 10 out of 10 getting stuck in this elevator.” He joked. “But perhaps it was only the company.”

You bit your lip. “Ah, but if it wasn’t posted to twitter, who's to say it happened at all.” You teased back.

Jensen thought about it, and gave it. “Actually, you’re right.” He took his phone out of his pocket. “Do you mind? To commemorate the moment.”

“Of course not.” You smiled.

You leaned in close to him, grinning widely as his lips held tightly together forming a slight smirk.

He looked down at it and smiled ear to ear. “Perfect.”

“Find a good filter.” You pleaded. “I don’t want to look ugly.”

Jensen scoffed. “That’s not possible.” You found heat rising to your cheeks yet again. “Say uh, are you and Jared in town tomorrow night still? Perhaps we could go for tapas and dancing.”

“Yeah.” Jensen agreed. “I’d love that.”

“Wonderful. Meet me tomorrow night at Casa Montana? 11?” You asked.

“That should work.” He believed.

“Let me know officially through your tweet.” You winked. Jensen was about to ask for your number when the doors being pried open silenced you both. When they finally busted open, your freedom in containment was broken by the assault of flashing cameras.

“Ms. Esposio. Ms. Esposio. Clelia!” A crowd of Spanish reporters called.

Hotel security escorted you through the lobby, evading the group to the best of their ability. Jensen was left alone and unnoticed except for a bell clerk suffering through an attempt at an English apology. Before you were brought to a guarded service hall, you turned around to glance at Jensen once more, subtly licking your lips and parting with a wink.

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