#they’re Whiskey and Papa respectively.

[dykeredhood]

The way I keep forgetting W and P in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet is so Dean Winchester of me

[krispyweiss]

Sound Remembrance: Gary Brooker and Mark Lanegan - Among the Best of their Respective Generations

At first listen, Gary Brooker and Mark Lanegan had little in common.

The English gentleman Brooker was the smooth-yet-powerful voice of the loved-by-a-cult-of-diehards Procol Harum, which came out of the 1960s playing a mix of Baroque, music-hall, hard-rock and symphonic music. And the American punk Lanegan was the raspy-yet-forceful voice of the also cultish Screaming Trees, who came out of the 1990s, before settling a wildly diverse, post-grunge career of solo and collaborative work.

The commonalities? Both were vastly under-recognized and both were among the greatest vocalists of their respective generations.

They also hold an important place in Sound Bites’ life, as Procol Harum and Lanegan’s solo work were first introduced to the blog by his father.

Papa Sound Bites revered Procol and Brooker and with his big ears also heard something special in Lanegan. Their music - among with many others’ - became part of the soundtrack of our shared times together.

My dad died, not unexpectedly, in the middle of the night in early 2012. And when I awoke to start the fatherless phase of my life, I immediately played Procol Harum’s Grand Hotel. When the runout groove ran out in the pre-dawn hours, the next LP was Lanegan’s Whiskey for the Holy Ghost.

The music helped to sustain me as I pondered the most-earth-shattering event in my life to that point.

So when Brooker’s Feb. 19 death at age 76 was announced Feb. 22, followed hours later by Lanegan’s death at 57, Sound Bites was shaken. Much more so than with your typical celebrity death(s).

Not only had two of my favorite musicians moved on, it felt like another severing of another string that held me and my father together.

It wasn’t, of course, because those strings are indestructible. But it felt that way.

Brooker and Lanegan’s music and legacies couldn’t be more divergent. But to Sound Bites, they’re inseparable - artists I’ve been listening to on a regular basis for decades and musicians who remind me of a man I revered, loved and, most importantly, genuinely liked and enjoyed spending time with.

I also like and genuinely enjoy spending time with Brooker and Lanegan. And if there’s any comfort in this it’s that I can still spend time with them, and by extension, my dad, through the music.

But these deaths sting.

2/23/22

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

Meanwhile Back At Mama’s

Fandom: The Outsiders

Pairing: Darry Curtis x Female Reader

Characters: Darry Curtis, Reader, Sodapop Curtis, Ponyboy Curtis, Mama & Papa Curtis, Dally Winston, Johnny Cade, Steve Randle, Two-Bit Matthews, 

Word Count: 1206 // Rating: Teen

Summary: Baby tell me what you think about this

Tags/ Warnings:  Established Relationship, Heartache, Dead Parents, Canon Character Death, Dreams, Lost Dreams, New Relationships, Wishing, Parenting, Song Fic [x]

Notes: I’m doing 12 days of Songfic’s for Halloween. Not halloween related just a challenge to write everyday [updated 9/22]

12 Days of Songfic Spooktober (Oct 19th - Oct 31st)

Runnin round in this new truck Bank lets me borrow from month to month I’m runnin out of credit, find a little Cash on the radio Standing still they’re blowing past, numbers on cars goin NASCAR fast What I wouldn’t give for a slow down, don’t ya know? Cause where I come from, only the horses run When the day is done, we take it easy

Darry Curtis used to hate living at home. Growing up he had been the eldest and therefore the tester child for all their parent’s rules and regulations that seemed to melt away when his younger siblings came along. He was expected to be the best in school, do the most to help out at home and still keep his job at the gas station to help keep the family afloat. He was allowed to date though he hated bringing girls back home as he had to share a room with his two younger brothers which gave him no privacy.  

Though he loved his brothers and his parents he couldn’t wait to escape. He’d worked hard for four years to keep his grades up and maintain his football career to earn him a scholarship. It wasn’t an ivy league college or anything but it was still respectable. He couldn’t wait to move out. His job at the gas station provided enough income that he could give some money to his folks and have some stashed away for moving into his dorm. 

Meanwhile back at Mama’s The porch light’s on, come on in if you wanna Supper’s on the stove and beer’s in the fridge Red sun sinkin’ out low on the ridge Games on the tube and Daddy smokes cigarettes Whiskey keeps his whistle wet Funny the things you thought you’d never miss In a world gone crazy as this

Then it happened. His parents went out one night and never came home. They were killed in a car accident by a drunk driver sending the boys into a tailspin. Overnight Darry found himself stuck with a dilemma, leave his family and go to college which would mean the boys became wards of the state or quit his dreams and keep his family together. He would like to say it was a hard decision but it wasn’t really. He’d lost his parents and he loved his brothers too much to leave them. So with a heavy heart, he took over everything.

For the first few months, they survived on some of their parent’s savings whilst Darry ran around to see to odds and ends that he hadn’t fathomed would be a problem. Getting a lawyer to oversee the transference of the house to be legally his was more of a hassle than he had anticipated. After that, he had to search around town for a job. Though his job at the gas station was good he couldn’t get any more hours and his parent’s savings wouldn’t last forever so he was forced to leave and get a job as a roofer. Though he could bring in enough money it meant he was home less. This meant that life became work and sleep and his eye was off the ball ‘parenting’ wise. Sodapop dropped out of school and took up his old gas station job against his wishes. 

He struggled. He was trying to keep Ponyboy on the straight and narrow whilst pinning down a job and corralling Sodapop into some sort of line. This was also a challenge because with Sodapop came a raft of waifs and strays who seemed to adopt their house as their own. Even with fewer people living there it was still jammed packed every day meaning that the only solace Darry got usually was in his own room, formally that of his parents. And bringing girls back was also a no-go. He didn’t want to promote a promiscuous lifestyle to the boys but he also didn’t want girls to think he was trying to make a new family.

Well I found a girl and we don’t fit in here Talk about how hard it is to breathe here Even with the windows down can’t catch a southern breeze here One of these days gonna pack it up and leave here

Then along came Y/N. She was a whirlwind who came into his life without warning. She was a cousin of Dally’s in town for the summer. She was a year or two younger than him but she seemed to be the maturest of the bunch and took to him like a duck to water. Whilst the boys played games in the living room she seemed to favour hanging out in the dining area/kitchen with him. She started coming over at night. Then earlier to have dinner. Then she ended up cooking dinner for the whole troop much to Darry’s delight as he hated having to cook each night. She had dropped out of school, not having much interest in it, and had been sent to stay with her aunt who was trying to convince her to go to college. Whilst in town she got a job as a waitress and when Darry had a day off the two of them would head into town to a bar or to a movie giving them both a rest from the boys. Over the course of the summer they had come to realise how much they meant to one another and when the time was approaching for her to head home Darry knew he couldn’t let her go. Without thinking he blurted out at dinner one night how she could stay with them until she found a place in town if she didn’t want to go home. 

Oh I miss yeah a little dirt on the road, I miss corn growing in a row I miss being somebody everybody knows, there everybody knows everybody I miss those small-town routes, walkin around in muddy boots The sound of rain on an old tin roof It’s time we head on back

She never left. The two fell into a comfortable relationship which turned intimate just after that Christmas and Darry felt a little more comfortable with his decision not to go into the big wide world. They still had the occasional itch. When Sodapop moved out and Ponyboy went to college Darry became wistful for the things he could have done if tragedy hadn’t struck him so young. But then he’d look at Y/N. Sitting in the cab of his truck singing to the radio or sitting on the front porch drinking sweet tea and he’d rethink it. 

They were happy. Though their routines were going to work, having dinner and sleeping they didn’t mind. It was mundane but it was enough.

Cause meanwhile back at Mama’s The for-sale signs goin up and I’m gonna Dump this truck and the little I got On a loan to own and a three-acre lot Put supper on the stove and beer in the fridge Goin’ for broke and we’re gonna be rich Watch the sun setting on the ridge

Baby tell me what you think about this Me and you back at Mama’s Yeah me and you back at Mama’s

[silverandarsenic-hcs]

The Papas & Ghouls + Drinking

in honor of my whole family being messy drunks heres something no one asked for: 

Papa I: Beers on one of those fated nights where the Emeritus brothers gather around a campfire and share old stories with a lot of anger subtext and tension like cowboys in those movies, but usually he drinks liquor and neat. Not much of a drinker, but if you get him started he can make a serious dent in a good bottle from the cellar.

Papa II: It’s well known this brother is always one for a party, no matter if it ends with plenty of women in his bed or his head in the toilet. he’ll probably drink anything but i saw that post someone made with a picture of tobias that said “hes sitting like he just poured himself some triple malt and told you to crawl to him” and that is a lot of papa II energy. Drinks on special occasions, when he’s stressed, after work, when he wants to party, when his s/o wants to drink, and every event in between.

Papa III: He can and will drink anything. Any type of wine, liquor, beer, mixed drinks, margaritas, shnops, sour puss, whatever you give him. If he’s showing off for a soon-to-be lover, he’ll drink expensive whiskey, but if he’s alone or just with friends, he’ll order a cosmo. he doesnt care what people say about the things he orders. 

Cardinal Copia: very much Mom Energy in the way that he drinks.someone brings out a bottle of Girls Night Out strawberry wine and he says “I wont tell anyone were staying in if you dont!!!!” not much of a beer guy, but can appreciate a fine brew here and there, and a good whiskey if he’s in the mood. only drinks on special occasions or at a nice dinner with s/o

Aether: BBQ beer dad. he wears New Balance sneakers and runs around asking “how many dogs and how many burgers” with whatever beer his s/o bought from the nearest store. Not one to get wild at a party, so he’s either the DD or just has a couple beers. Thinks its more fun to watch his friends get drunk and do stupid stuff than to take part in the shenanigans himself. 

Swiss and Dew: I’m going them together because they’re the same. They will drink anything. tide pods, every type of alcohol they can get their hands on, garbage juice, literally a n y t h i n g you can drink. its already in them. they are the reason aether doesnt get wasted - take care of them as best he can and stop them from burning down the whole town, and its hilarious to watch. When Swiss is alone hes still the life of the party and the craziest out of everyone, but less body slamming tables and more drunk moral conversations. Dew is the same on his own and will go absolutely fucking feral if he’s alone, around friends, or with strangers. Dew and Swiss are the Zane and Heath, respectively, of the ghouls. 

Rain: A wine guy. Bars make him uncomfortable and its really not his scene, but he’s down to go to a club and dance his little ass off any time. Shockingly, he goes alone a lot of the time, and aside from telling the occasional person that comes up to him trying to hit on him, he spends the night alone and enjoys every single second of it. He’ll have the occasional mixed drink if he’s with one of the higher ups who like them, and a beer if hes with the boys, but if theres wine, perhaps a nice chardonnay, he’ll always choose that. 

Mountain: Beer guy. Liquor makes him get drunk way too fast and he likes to keep it decently chill. He’s no beer expert, but he knows what he likes and what he doesnt, and him and Aether argue about which beer is the best whenever theyre together. Mountain says aethers beer tastes like piss and aether says mountains beer taste like something dew would drink, the ultimate insult. On the scale from bbq dad (1) to feral drunks (10) he’s a solid 4. only gets wild if he’s pissed off about something, and keeps up with Swiss and Dew EASILY.

The Ghoulettes: As soon as they get a sip of alcohol in them, they turn into the lesbian jersey-italian aunts who go over the top for everythiing, if you wake up in the middle of the night to consume shredded cheese from the bag, youll fine them splitting a bottle of wine and laughing hysterically in the kitchen over what, you dont know. They might turn on some loud music and make you dance with them if you cant escape first, but theyre both happy drunks so you don’t mind.

- Kat

[desiraypark]

When the Sun Sleeps in Canto Bight [9]

Previous Entire Series

CHAPTER PLAYERS Kylo Ren Ruby Girard Solo Sanya Solo, Daughter of Kylo and Ruby (5) Ben “Little” Solo, Jr., Son of Kylo and Ruby (4) Aida Solo, Daughter of Kylo and Ruby (2) Leia Organa Solo, Kylo’s mother Sheev Palpatine, Leader of the Palpatine Gang Ap’lek, a Knight of Ren Cheap Restaurant Patron Girlfriend of the Cheap Restaurant Patron (imagine a Jean Harlow character) Flora Chauntaine, Evin’s Wife/Ruby’s Friend Threepio, Leia’s butler CHAPTER CONTENT Fluff; happy family; slight sexual reference; mild violence; disparaging comments.

The series now takes place in a setting that can be compared to a city in 1930s U.S.A. A depression is slightly referenced through consumers’ interest in music.

Ruby intently watched her reflection as she put finishing touches on her makeup. A pink satin dress with long, ruffled sleeves adorned her curves. Her lips were still as she applied lipstick, but they twitched and formed into a smile when she heard the giggles of children. Kylo thumped into the bedroom like a fairytale giant. Sanya and Little clung to his legs like koala bears, and Aida sat on his shoulders. “Please, be careful,” Ruby urged. “Please, be careful,” Kylo mocked. “You all hear your Mama?”

The children giggled, and Ruby whirled around. “Oh, you all think that’s funny, huh?” Ruby asked. She grabbed Sanya and tickled her ribs, causing the little girl to break out into a fit of giggles. Ruby turned her attention to Little, and he left his father’s leg to run around the room--making his parents’ plush bed his destination. “Little, what did your mama say about gettin’ on that bed?” Kylo’s voice boomed. He pulled the two-year-old off his shoulders and held her in his arms, as Little quickly kicked his shoes off. Sanya took her shoes off and hopped on the bed, as well. But Little was letting his guard down. Ruby used the moment to attack--taking his little foot into her hand and tickling it. The boy fell back and filled the room with a pained laugh. Kylo watched the scene play out--looking Ruby over in the process. He bit his lip at the sight of her round ass in the form-fitting dress. “I’ve got a mind to shoot another baby in you with that dress on,” he said. Ruby’s eyes widened. “Kylo!” she said through clenched teeth. “They don’t know what I’m talking about,” he said back. He kissed Aida on the cheek and put her down on the bed. Then, he took a seat behind Ruby and kissed her neck. “What are you all going to do tonight?” Ruby asked, looking at the kids but talking to Kylo. “I know what we’re gonna do, but it’s a secret,” Kylo answered. Sanya jumped up. “Ooh, tell us, Papa, pleeeeeease!”  “It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you!” Kylo said, giving her nose a little tap with his index finger. ____________________ “Grandma, Grandma, Grandma!” Sanya and Little shouted through the large foyer of Leia’s home. The little lady with the coiffed updo flew out of the study.

“There are my grandbabies!” she said, her voice husky and strong. 

She bent down and pulled the two into her arms. Kylo followed behind, holding a duffel bag and carrying Aida in his free arm. Leia stood up and snatched the youngest right from Kylo’s arms. 

“There she goes with those chubby cheeks!” she said. Aida grabbed Leia’s lapel and mumbled and blubbered something nonsensible. Then, Leia gave her a peck on the cheek. “Kids, go into the kitchen. Threepio has a surprise for you.” “Oooh!” Sanya and Little said. They ran toward the kitchen. “Stop that running!” Kylo shouted at them. Leia’s shoulders lifted, frightened by her son’s stern voice. The children slowed their pace. “Stars, Ben. They’re alright!” Leia mumbled. Kylo wiped some drool from Aida’s mouth with his thumb. “Funny, when I was a kid, you’d have my head for running through the house.”

Leia rolled her eyes. “The past is the past.” “What kind of surprise does Threepio have?” Kylo asked. “Some fresh baked cookies,” Leia said, beaming.  “They can have two. I just took them for burgers and shakes, they’re never gonna go to fuc--go to bed.” Kylo handed the duffel bag off to Leia. “I should be back in about an hour. Two hours tops.” 

Leia stared at him in awe.

“Good evening, Mom,” she said to herself. “Good evening, Ben. How are you? Oh, I’ve been fine. That’s great. Business is good on this end. What about you?”

“Good evening, Mom. I’m glad business is good,” Kylo said. He bowed mockingly. “Business will be better for me when I make my way to it.”

He kissed Aida on the forehead and uncharacteristically kissed Leia. Both of them froze at the display of affection but said nothing of it. Kylo swallowed and turned on his heels. “Thanks, Mom. Shouldn’t take more than an hour,” he said, rushing for the door. ____________________  

“Now, your mom, on the other hand--I have a great deal of respect for her. A lot of people folded--giving up their businesses for pennies. But your mother’s got that Organa blood in her. If you ask me, the Organas are a gang all on their own.” Kylo chuckled. “I’d have to agree with you on that.” Sheev Palpatine took puffs of his cigar on the other side of Kylo’s desk. “I don’t like to force people to fall in line with me. You make the offer appealing, they’ll fall soon enough. Especially when they’re in need.” Kylo nodded. “And the Organas have never been in need.” “Precisely.” Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “Come in.” Ap’lek opened the door. “Boss, there’s a customer who wants to meet the manager.” “For what?” Kylo asked, annoyed. “Didn’t like his food.” “Fuckin’ hell…” Kylo mumbled. “I think he’s just lookin’ for trouble, Boss…” Kylo rose from his seat. “I should be heading home, anyway,” Sheev said, also rising. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. Don’t forget--Trudgen and Cardo only. Through the flower shop, into the alley, and behind the bakery.”

“I won’t forget,” Kylo said. “Let me walk you out.”

Kylo and Sheev walked behind Ap’lek and into the recently upgraded dining area of The Garden Lounge. 

“I’ll be over in a minute,” he told Ap’lek. 

His eyes fell on a couple. The man looked to be his father’s age and of course, the woman he was dining with was young enough to be his daughter. She had platinum blonde hair in Marcel waves, was covered in diamonds, and wore a mink stole over her white satin dress. The man sat at the table with his arms folded. Kylo escorted Sheev to his car. Before Sheev climbed in, he held a finger up.

“Oh, by the way. Requests for Ruby’s records are going up,” he said.

“Are they now?” Kylo asked, a small smile forming on his face.

“Didn’t I tell you? You make something appealing enough--people will want it. If everyone thinks she’s tops, they’ll want to be associated with her,” Sheev said. He sat in his car, but Kylo held the door. “Now, wait, Sheev. You’re talkin’ like Ruby has no talent,” he said. “Like you’ve gotta force her on people.” “Oh, no, she is, talented Kylo. No mistake about it. But it’s like I told you before, her voice is too raw. Too powerful. People have been wanting music they can sip champagne and dance to--not drink whiskey and cry to.” Sheev started his engine. 

“But, with the way things are going now, I think people may be coming around. We’ll see.”

Sheev closed his door and waved goodbye to Kylo. Then, Kylo went back into the lounge and stopped at the troublesome table. The woman’s plate was empty, and her face was reddish--her lips pursed. The man’s plate was almost empty--some beef left on the bone; a corner of mashed potatoes left. “What’s the problem?” The man held up his check. “I just don’t think this was worth what I paid, buddy.” The blonde rolled her eyes. “But you ate the whole damn thing,” Kylo said. “Don’t get me wrong, it was okay, but it wasn’t worth this amount. I’d like a senior’s discount or something.” Kylo stared at the man, mulling over how to handle this. He looked at the plate again, then back into the man’s eyes. Then, he looked at the woman’s plate, and into her sapphire blues. 

“Did you enjoy your meal, ma’am?”

“I--” 

“It’s not about whether we enjoyed it or not,” the man said. He pointed at his date. “She could have made this for me herself for cheaper. This didn’t blow me away, at all.”

Kylo knocked the man’s plate into his lap. “Well, get her to make something for you next time.”

“Now, wait a minute!” the man shouted. He jumped up from his seat, but Kylo slapped him across the face, sending him back down on his butt. 

“Pay this ticket and get the fuck out,” Kylo said. He glanced at the woman, who was smirking. 

“I hope you find some more enjoyable company this evening, Miss.”

“As do I!” she agreed. Kylo walked back toward his office. 

“You’re always fuckin’ embarrassing me!” he heard the woman screeched.

Ap’lek watched the man pay the bill, then walked into the office, shaking his head.

“The things men do to impress new pussy,” Ap’lek said. 

“Do you got a pair of balls in your fuckin’ underwear, Ap’lek?” Kylo asked, lighting a cigarette. 

“Yeah, Boss,” Ap’lek answered, releasing air from his nostrils. “Why do you ask?”

“Don’t come in here like a little bitch askin’ me to take care of some fuckin’ table. Especially with Palpatine here. He already thinks you guys are fuckin’ useless.” Kylo blew a puff of smoke into the air. “My kids know how to handle a fuckin’ conflict with more fuckin’ brass than you. Get a fuckin’ grip.”

“Sorry, Boss,” Ap’lek said. He tipped his head in reverence. “I just didn’t want to create any trouble.”

“That fuckin’ prune wasn’t gonna be no trouble. He just wanted to get out of payin’ a bill. Use your fuckin’ common sense.”

“Yes, Boss.” “I’m gonna look over a few books, then I’m gettin’ the fuck outta here,” Kylo said, opening his desk drawer. “Yes, Sir...”

____________________

“It’s a shame you couldn’t stay for the after-party, Ruby,” Flora said. She stopped her car in front of the Ren house. 

“I know. I just miss my babies so much,” Ruby said. She looked up at the darkened house. “They’re all probably knocked out.”

Flora chuckled. “I’m sure my kiddos are, too.”

“I miss having you around, Ruby. All of that testosterone gets to be too much.” Ruby laughed.

“You know you don’t have to go to every engagement, Flo,” Ruby suggested in a sing-songy voice.

“Oh, you’re crazy!” 

Ruby threw her head back and let out another laugh. “You don’t trust Evin after all of these years?”

“Oh, I trust Evin. I don’t trust the boys. Or the chicks at the clubs. The only reason I drove you home is because I miss talking to you alone.”

Ruby rolled her eyes and smiled. “I think you should trust your husband, Flo. He loves you and wouldn’t dream of stepping out on you.”

“Yeah, sure, sure…” Flora said. She hugged Ruby. “Come record with us again,” she said, pulling away.

“I’ll try. I’m just so tied up with Sidious Records. I can’t record with anyone else right now.”

“How much longer are you contracted with them?”

“Two more years. Or until my records start to tank,” Ruby answered.

“Well, from the sounds of it, that’s gonna be a long time. Your records are always on the radio,” Flora said. Ruby smiled. 

“Yeah, it is nice to hear myself,” Ruby said, warmth befalling her. “Thanks for dropping me off. Get back to the club.” 

Ruby gave Flora one more hug before stepping out of the car and into the house. It was pitch black and eerily quiet. She walked up the stairs and peeked into the bedrooms. No Kylo, no kids. Ruby went back downstairs and grabbed the phone.

“CB West Information...” the switchboard operator said. 

“Hello, I’d like to be connected with PAR-1956.” “One moment, please.” Ruby fiddled with the phone cord. “This is Leia Organa’s residence, may I ask who is speaking?” “Hi, Threepio! This Ruby. Is Kylo there?” Ruby asked. “Good evening, Mrs. Ruby. No, he isn’t, but the children are. He dropped them off to attend an emergency meeting.”  “He did?”

“Yes, ma’am. Would you like them brought to you?” he asked.

“Um…” Ruby thought about it. “No, I’ll come to get them myself. I’ll be over soon.”

TAG LIST @aloneandsleepless​

@tsarinastorm​

@sister-winter73​

@clydes-hole​

[cassiemortmain]

Erin go Bragh!

Ireland forever!  New story in my collection of AU ficlets from the Bransons’ life in Ireland - their marriage, their children, their work, and their experiences of life during the turbulent years of the 1920s and beyond.  Also published on ff.net.

It’s been a while since I posted one of these stories... this one is something I have wanted to write for a long time.  Happy New Year, lovely fandom!

All images not mine.

***

The Count at Ripon

"Really, Branson, I thought I gave the orders."

Lady Sybil's words ring in Tom's ears as he finds a place to park the car, then comes racing back to find her.

She is so reckless, so passionate. Qualities he normally admires in her.

But today, he feels they are going to get her into trouble. Both of them, if he is honest with himself.

Can you imagine what would happen to me if anything goes wrong here today? I'll be out on my ear.

Running under the archway, Tom shades his eyes from the brightness that breaks over him as he entered the courtyard.

Where is she?

He can picture her even before he finds her. Eyes wide, mouth in an O of excitement, standing on tiptoe as she tries to see what's happening on the stage.

Then he sees her. About halfway towards the front, her hat bobbing in a sea of people.

He shoulders his way through the crowd, his one thought to get to her before anything happens. "Can we call it a day, milady?"

He can hardly hear Lady Sybil's reply over the tumult. "Don't be silly. This is the moment we've come for."

The speaker on stage continues to bellow over the roar of the unruly crowd as he looks around, his senses on full alert.

He knows what that roar means. He'd been in the middle of it before, in Dublin, when things were about to go horribly wrong. And he doesn't like it.

Especially not with her there, in the heart of the action.

"This lot aren't interested in politics. They're spoiling for a fight."

Tom can hear the panic starting to come through in his voice. But Lady Sybil's not listening.

He wants to put his arm around her, shelter her, guide her outside to where it's safe. But it's not his place to do that. So he has no choice but to stand beside her.

If anyone tries to hurt her, he'll have to come through me...

A familiar voice beside them, sure of its authority. "Sybil! What on earth are you doing here?"

It's Matthew Crawley. Tom feels an unaccountable stab of dislike for him.

Lady Sybil's shining-eyed as she turns towards her cousin. "I couldn't miss this."

A rueful smile on the other man's face. "Couldn't you? I could."

But Tom has seen the interlopers filtering into the back of the courtyard and the violence they are bringing with them. He's beyond words now, knowing he has to take some kind of action to protect her, whatever the cost.

"I don't like the look of this, milady."

He steps forward to confront one of the men, trying to win him over. But he's pushed aside, hard. The man is bent on trouble, whatever form that might take, and he's not interested in Tom's efforts to make peace.

Then, the man's eyes meet Matthew's, who's in a belligerent mood.

It only takes a minute for the situation to boil over. The man takes a swing at Matthew and misses, and Matthew gives as good as he gets and then some.

But somehow, Lady Sybil is caught in the middle of it all.

Horror-struck, held back by a member of the rough mob, Tom sees her trip, fall, strike her head on the corner of a table.

Then she disappears beneath the feet of the surging crowd.

He feels his heart almost burst out of his chest as he pushes free and races over to where he saw her fall.

Matthew's there too, looking worried as he touches her head, something which would be an unpardonable liberty for Tom.

There's blood on Matthew's fingers.

Tom's focus zeroes in on a single point in the universe. The point where a girl lies, unconscious on the ground. The point where the happiness, the joy of his life, the love of his heart, is fully revealed to him.

I love her. I love her so much. How could I not have known?

"Oh, no. Oh, please God, no."

The utter panic in his eyes.. he can't hide it now.

They both lift Sybil up. Then Matthew leads the way back to the car, while Tom carries her out of the courtyard.

It's the most precious burden he's ever carried. She's so light, light as a feather. But she carries the weight of his heart with her.

***

Time is a blur after that. He's aware of nothing but her, aware of nothing but his longing for her to wake up, smile at him, reassure him that she is going to be all right.

He finds himself in the entrance hall of Downton Abbey, not even sure how he got there. Lady Mary emerges from the drawing room, an anxious look on her face.

"I've come to fetch you, my lady. We've taken Lady Sybil to Crawley House in the village."

"What's happened?

"I took her to Ripon for the count. She got injured in a fight."

The emotion on Lady Mary's face is raw. She gasps, covering her mouth before pressing his hand with hers.

In the midst of everything, he's jealous of her for a moment. Because she has the right to feel as she does, and to show it to the world.

Unlike him. Who has to remember his place.

"Take me there at once."

And he does.

When Lady Mary jumps out of the car and runs inside, there's nothing for him to do but wait. One thought races through his mind like a prayer to the God of his childhood.

Please, God, let Sybil be all right. I will do anything as long as she's all right…

At least there's one advantage to being the chauffeur. No one expects him to feel anything, so no one will be looking at him.

*** 

Later on, they bring her home. She's conscious now, leaning heavily on Matthew as he guides her to the front door.

Tom's arms ache to pick her up again, but he knows he can't do that. Ever again.

He has to know, so he speaks to her sister without being spoken to first.

"She's not badly hurt, is she?"

"I don't think so, no."

"Thank God."

"Better be prepared. I'm afraid Lord Grantham will hit the roof."

Somehow, it's important that Lady Mary understand. "I never would have taken her there. I may be a socialist, but I'm not a lunatic."

"I'm not sure Papa knows the difference."

There's a moment of mutual understanding, almost respect between them. He's never had much time for her before – he's always found her something of a cold fish, always calculating, too aware of presenting the perfect façade to the world. But now he can see her love for her sister on her face.

Which gives them something in common, for the first time.

"You'll let me know how she gets on?"

She's surprised at his request, but he doesn't care what she thinks. As long as Sybil will be all right, nothing else matters. Certainly not his so-called dignity.

She agrees. Then she leaves him alone.

*** 

Anguish fills Tom's soul as he turns away.

He walks slowly back to the car and drives it round to the garage. As if in a dream, he returns to his cottage, takes off his jacket, pours himself a glass of whiskey and drinks it so fast he coughs.

Sitting down at the empty fireside, his face falls and he runs his hands through his hair. He'll get no sleep tonight. The mingled joy and despair of today's revelation will take care of that.

His feelings overwhelm him like a spring tide as he works his way down the half-empty bottle.

It's hopeless, he already knows it. He and she can never... but it doesn't matter. The dark, star-pierced canopy of night swirls over his head, but he barely notices the time passing.

Early the next morning, William brings him a note from Lady Mary to let him know that Sybil will recover.

He reads it twice, to make sure, then closes his eyes, crunching the paper in his fist as a tear slips down his cheek. The first one he has shed in many years.

Oh, my love…

Nothing will ever be the same again. Whatever happens next, he's lost. Lost for all time.

[avani-hub]

God Save The Prom Queen. (Otayuri Mafia Au)

⚠⚠⚠ Warning! This story is gonna have some adult like moments and language, so if you’re uncomfortable with that then I don’t suggest you come here! ⚠⚠⚠

Prom Queen, they called the youngest son of the most dangerous Mafia man in the world, Prom Queen.

Otabek couldn’t imagine being so bold.

But he could see it as he looked over at the boy, biting his lip. He had the perfect. body, all long and lean, pale white skin and his hair was bleached blonde.

He also dressed like one, the boy seemed to flip one elegant finger at gender roles and binaries and wore whatever he liked, which tonight was a black shorts and a black lace top he’d stolen from Mila, topped off with pink lipgloss and dark pink eyeshadow.

“I’d stop staring Atlin, Yakov is very protective of his youngest boy, even if he does let him go out and get high as fuck at three in the morning at the club.”

Otabek jumped as he turned around to see Phichit Chaulount standing behind him, sipping on a glass of something bright purple while his date watched over him protectively and slightly possessively.

“I-I wasn’t staring at him, I was just looking at a girl…” Otabek mumbled into his drink as the Thai pimp walked closer, laughing as he hugged Otabek.

“Oh Otabear, you were staring at that boy like Ciao-Ciao stares at me, like you were starving.” Phichit teased him as Otabek’s cheeks burned in shame.

“No need to be ashamed Otabear! It’s good to see you taking interest in someone, I was close to setting you up with one of my boys.” Otabek choked on his whiskey and Coke.

Phichit truly had no shame, offering up one of his prized sugar babies, a contract with one could cost you somewhere around a million dollars. “Uh-uh, thank you Phichit but I wouldn’t have accepted, not my kind of thing.” Otabek stuttered, eyes snapping back over to Yurio as he stood up.

“I have to go.” He cut Phichit off as he started to follow the boy, he was off for cigarette from what Otabek could see he pulled a pack of menthols out of his Chanel purse and fumbled with his lighter out on an open balcony. Perfect chance for Otabek to step in.

“Need a light?” Yurio jumped a little as he stepped forward and offered his lighter. “Yeah, thanks.” Yurio took his lighter and lit his cigarette, handing it back.

“No problem, I’m Otabek, and you?” Otabek lit his own cigarette and leaned back on the railing. Even out here he could feel the heat and energy of the club. “Yuri Plisteky.” Yuri answered back sighing as he tilted his head back, exposing a pale neck interrupted only by a void black choker with a silver ring with two silver chains that disappeared into his shirt.

“I like your choker, what’s it connected to?” Yuri smirked and leaned forward conspiratorially, Otabek felt himself still.

Chanel No.5, Dove soap, raw vodka and cigarette was Yuri’s smell and it envoloped Otabek as the boy whispered in his ear: “They’re connected to my nipple piercings.” There was a rush of warmth to Otabek’s groin and he had to suppress a groan.

“And your father let you leave the house like that?” Yuri scoffed. “My old as fuck father was about six inches deep in a Russian Victoria’s Secret model, and besides it’s my birthday.”

“Oh?” Otabek felt his heart rate speed up a little, because really he wanted the boy to be legal, then woo him with his muscles and motorcycle before whisking him off to his hotel room to bang him through the weekend. “And how old is the birthday boy turning today?”

“18.” Otabek groaned then when the beat dropped on a song that could cover it. So this beautiful little fairy was legal? Otabek was going to have a stroke and love it.

“At least papa isn’t stupid, he filled my purse with everything a birthday boy could need.” He showed Otabek the contents of his purse, sniggering.

Inside was lube, about 20 condoms, the plan B pill, a bottle of Vicodin, a wad of cash and his phone along with another phone. Well beyond stocked for a one night birthday stand.

“But papa expects me to use this on a girl, but…” Otabek actually said ‘eep’ as one slender hand reached across the space between them and toyed with his zipper.

“You’ve been eyeing me all night Atlin, I’ve seen you, got everything I ever needed to know about you twenty minutes ago and I know that under all leather and linen you’re ripped and fuckin hung.”

Otabek groaned out loud then, as he unzipped his pants and a pale, slim hand darted in to toy with him through his boxers.

“Take me to your hotel room Atlin, and then fuck me until the sun comes up and don’t stop until we both pass out” Yuri whispered in his ear, Otabek blushing hard as he was groped by Yuri. For a virgin he was talented with those slim fingers.

“Listen here you little hellcat.” Otabek growled at him, wrenching Yuri’s hand out his pants and spinning around, pinning him to the wall, Yuri groaning. “I ought to take you to the back alley and teach you some damn manners, but.”

Otabek tugged on those blonde locks making Yuri groan and whine. “I’ll take you to my hotel and really show you what respect and manners mean you little brat.”

Phichit was wide eyed as Otabek dragged Yuri through the club, tugging lovingly on his chains, quickly turning Yuri in a moaning mess.

“He works quick…” Celestiano yelled over the music, Phichit nodding in agreement.

Victor wasn’t going to like it one bit that he’d let his baby brother go off with total stranger but he knew the two of needed a night of mindless passionate sex. “Enjoy yourself you horndog!” Phichit yelled to Otabek who flipped him off before he disappeared out the door with Yuri.

He smirked into his drink and raised it up. “God Save The Prom Queen!”

××××

Otabek didn’t know how he even made it to his hotel room, it was a blur of strawberry flavored kisses and purple neon lights.

'God this boy is gorgeous.’ Otabek thought with a happy groan as he effortlessly ripped his shirt off, loving how Yuri mewled in surprise and squirmed.

But what really made him come undone was when Yuri wrapped legs that seemingly went on for miles around his waist and moaned: “Fuck me please sir!” His head was thrown back, skin flushed cotton candy pink and his emerald eyes wide in lust and Otabek was hooked.

He went at Yuri for hours, the sheets soon becoming mess from orgasm after orgasm, lube, sweat and by four am overwhelmed tears.

Only when Otabek could feel the scratch marks burning on his back and those handprints on Yuri’s pale hips were staying there for a while, he rolled over and laid on his back panting hard, Yuri doing the same.

“For a first time.” Yuri huffed, wiping his hair back from his eyes. “That was fucking amazing.” Otabek nodded, so worn out he couldn’t speak, still ingraining those faces Yuri had been making in his mind.

“These sheets are fucking disgusting but.” Yuri faceplanted into Otabek’s chest and snuggled in sighing. “I want to nap here Atlin, don’t leave until I fall asleep please? I’ll feel less like a prostitute.”

Otabek nodding and wrapped his arm around Yuri’s slim waist and drifted off.

×××××

When Otabek woke up the next day, Yuri was gone but scribbled in pretty pink lipstick on his mirror was Yuri’s phone number with a message which read:

“Had a great time last night Atlin, call me sometime when you get bored and your dick too hard that even jacking off doesn’t help call me~”

Otabek groaned and shook his head as he picked up his phone and dialed in the number.

“Hey Yura, it’s me Otabek…wanna go out for dinner sometime?” He smiled as he stared out towards the water.

God Save The Prom Queen and now, save his king.

//Blame @kawaiilo-ren for this