#to no one's surprise....marty slays AGAIN

[viggos-mortensen]

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

[helenaheissner]

Love During Robot Fighting Time: Chapter 5

Hello, lovelies! Hope y'all are doing well :) 

Don't forget you can read two chapters ahead on both this story and "Magical Girl Exorcist Squad", as well as twenty chapters ahead on "A Dream of Summer Rain", by becoming a paid subscriber on my Substack or my Patreon!

***

Keith

12 Months Earlier

“And that’s why you don’t mess with the future champ!” I screamed as I started doing a poorly choreographed victory dance. I’d just slayed a flipper called… Well, Flipper. It looked like a dolphin, and the bottlenose was used to… You get the idea. And it was piloted by these guys from San Diego who had been jeering at me the entirety of the match. 

It was my first match in the pros. I was surprised to have won. But not nearly as surprised as everyone else clearly was. So I danced like the uncoordinated idiot that I was, no partners in sight so I had to be content with my own (not-so) sick moves. 

Marty Weston pulled me aside into an interview. “So, Keith Calloway, how you feeling right now, kid?!”

“I’m feeling pretty great. I think I’ve provided everyone with a good demonstration of what’s gonna happen to them when they face me!” I said, the barely-earned confidence flooding out of my mouth with each screamed syllable. 

“Bold words,” Marty said. “You think you’re gonna live up to them?”

I grabbed the mic out of his hands and grinned maniacally. “I think there’s a new sheriff in town, and you best believe he’s gunning for the crown!”

Everyone went wild, and it was at that point I decided this would make a good angle for a pro career. 

Because I’m an idiot. 

***

“So, Keith,” Eric said, and it felt like I’d been slapped. What the hell was happening to me?

“Yes,” I said, hurriedly putting my hands under my rear while I sat in the uncomfortable plastic chair. 

Eric Gaines was the owner of Gaines Auto Body and Bodybuilding, south Los Angeles’ premier destination for car detailing and weightlifting. Eric was, quite simply put, a hulking specimen of testosterone. He looked like he didn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere on his body- just raw muscle as far as the eye could see. He’d been my sponsor the past year, and he’d been conciliatory when I’d lost the finals last year. The unspoken caveat was that I needed to turn it around next year. 

And so far… I was letting him down. 

His office was all white walls and hardwood floors with a dark brown finish, his desk made of pure glass. He sat on a workout ball, while his guests were made to sit in the most uncomfortable plastic chairs imaginable. Probably a business negotiation strategy- the man had a truly staggering number of books on the subject on shelves lining his walls. “Last night didn’t exactly go as planned.”

“No, sir, it didn’t.”

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Um… I mean, I could tell you about how my loss was a fluke, but it would probably just sound like an excuse,” I said. 

“You’re right, it would,” he said with a shockingly earnest smile. Was he being passive-aggressive? I could never tell.

“I’d like to say it won’t happen again-”

“But you can’t guarantee that, and that’s completely reasonable,” he said with a conciliatory shrug. 

“Uh… Yeah,” I said. 

“But you’ll do the best you can?”

“Yes! Absolutely.”

“That’s good. Because anything less than that… Any more of these ‘flukes’, and you and I might have to reconsider our arrangement,” Eric said. “Sponsoring a robot fighter like yourself is an eccentric rich man’s game, and I’m merely an eccentric middle class man running a small business. I have a bottom line. And a reputation. And given your… Antics, in the ring, if you keep losing, it might not be great for that reputation, or that bottom line. Do we understand each other?”

“Yes, sir!” I said. 

“That’s good to hear, Keith,” he said. 

Slap. Seriously, why did that keep happening today? Sure, taking off that dress last night had been one of the single most painful experiences of my life, but that didn’t MEAN anything. Definitely. Not one bit. Not even a tiny little sliver of anything. 

“The money for this month should have already been deposited in your account,” Eric continued. “Anything else you need for the time being?”

“No, sir,” I said. 

“Good. Let’s talk again next week.”

We shook hands, and I left and stepped out into the hot midsummer air of Culver City. That was one meeting down for today. That just left the second one… And probably the much more painful one. 

I’d called Underhill last night, against my instincts. He’d texted back saying if I wanted to resume our conversation from last night, we could meet for lunch the next day.

We met at a retro diner in Inglewood with old movie posters all over the walls and fifties music playing on the speakers and waitresses wearing old timey dresses as uniforms. I’d been here before, and I’d probably been able to ignore it before, but the uniforms were… Really, really freaking cute! They were pink with white polka dots, and they had red aprons over the front. The women all wore their hair up, and I pictured myself with long hair, down past my shoulders, and in the process of putting it up, spending an hour each morning brushing it and applying product and arranging it and… 

Oh boy. 

Boy?

Right, that’s what I was. That’s all I’d ever be. I wasn’t really tr… 

But I wasn’t exactly cis, now was I? Cis people don’t spend their downtime fantasizing about being the opposite gender. 

So what was I? A girl? Non-binary? Gender fluid? 

Did I even like being a boy?

I ordered a black coffee after being sat in a booth in the back corner of the oblong establishment, drumming my fingers on the table while staring into my drink. 

“Hi,” Underhill’s voice called out as he approached. I looked up- he wore a black and gray flannel button-down and jeans, his hair messy but still framing his face well, his stubble somewhat grown in compared to last night. His eyes were… Big and friendly and inviting, and I… 

No, no, bad! I chastised myself. “Hi.”

He sat down. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

I sipped my coffee, then exhaled deeply. “So. Before we go any further. I need you to promise me that this will remain confidential.”

“Sure thing. Scout’s honor,” he said, holding up the obligatory three fingers, smiling broadly with all his perfectly straight pearly whites. 

 “You were a Boy Scout?”

“Eagle Scout!” he said. 

“Of course you were,” I muttered. 

The waitress, a young black woman named Connie, came over and asked if we were ready to order, to which Underhill replied he just wanted a black coffee. 

“A fellow black coffee drinker, I see,” I said. “A man of culture. Duly noted.”

He chuckled. “You’re stalling.”

I gave a much more nervous chuckle. “Yeah. I am.”

I pulled out my phone, and showed him a photo of me from last night. After Mom had gotten done doing my hair. 

“Oh wow, look at you,” Underhill said with an approving smile. “You look pretty. Did you do your own makeup?”

I felt myself blush. “I’m not wearing makeup in that photo.”

“You’re not? Dang. Good for you.”

I chuckled again… Actually, no, that wasn’t quite accurate; I giggled. I freaking giggled- what the hell was wrong with me? “Thanks. My mom did my hair for me.”

“So she knows?”

“Both my parents do,” I said, stirring my coffee with a spoon. “They were… Completely supportive, and completely unsurprised.”

“So, you’re-”

“I don’t know,” I cut him off. “If you were about to say the ‘t word’ that is. I don’t know yet. But… There’s a chance that I am.”

Connie came back and asked if we wanted anything to eat. Simultaneously, Underhill and I both said, “A Denver omelet, side of hashed browns.”

Connie raised an eyebrow and smirked, then jotted it down on her pad. “Sounds good, kids.”

“A woman of culture,” Underhill smiled at me again, the kind of smile that you saw in dental commercials- seriously, killer smile. 

A burst of warmth ran through me at being called a woman- Gender Euphoria? The articles certainly would have called it that. Was this… This couldn’t just be my immature ass getting off on tricking people into thinking I was trans. That would be ridiculous- no cis person would ever be happy with something like that. 

“I try,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I guess I just wanted to ask you- and I need you to be honest here- do you think I’m trans?”

He flinched. “Um… I’m not really sure it’s up to me whether or not you’re trans.”

“I know that, I know that, I just… My parents think I am, and I’m starting to think that maybe, MAYBE, I might be. What do you think?”

“I think that you shouldn’t be looking for someone else’s approval on this sort of thing.”

Dammit. That was a good point. 

“But at the same time, if you’re hoping I’ll say yes and tell you you’re trans-”

I scrunched up my face again, closing my eyes and nodding in spite of myself. Ugh, what is wrong with me?!

I felt a hand covering mine. I opened my eyes to find Underhill squeezing it. “Look,” he said, “I’m not an expert. Yes, my best friend is a trans girl, and I’ve learned a lot about this stuff from her. All I can really tell you is what I think she would say- which does slightly beg the question of why you wanna talk to me about this and not Faith.”

“Because she hates me,” I monotoned.

He opened and closed his mouth, then nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good point- she does. She REALLY does.”

“Not that I don’t deserve it,” I said from the corner of my mouth.

“Oh come on, don’t be like that-”

“I’m a total jerk whenever we’re both around each other.”

“Yeah, but you’re not when you’re out of the ring,” Underhill said. “You play the heel because our sport is populated mostly by weird nerds with questionable social skills- the audience likes a good douchebag. Yeah, you lay it on thick sometimes, but also Faith is terrible at reading social cues from people she doesn’t know super well.”

“Maybe I should dial it back,”  I said. “That whole schtick was one thing when I was on a winning streak. Right now… That ain’t me.”

“Heh. Maybe,” Underhill said. “Backtracking, though: if Faith were here, and she didn’t hate you, I’m sure she would tell you that wanting to be a girl and being a girl are the same thing, but that only you can decide what you want.”

“That’s good advice,” I said, trying to ignore the hollow feeling in my chest. Connie came back with our orders, as well as a single chocolate milkshake with two straws. “We didn’t order that,” I said. 

“Yeah, I put it in for you,” Connie said. “You two were being super cute, figured why not.”

“C-cute?!” I stammered. It was then that I looked down and realized Underhill’s hand was still covering mine. He seemed to realize the same thing, and slowly withdrew his hand, but still smiling that winning smile. 

“I mean, hey, we’re both real good lookin’,” he said. 

Connie gave him a thumbs-up as she walked away. I buried my face in my hands, the heat from my red cheeks burning my palms like a hot stove. 

“You wound me,” Underhill said with a laugh.

“Why?”

“Embarrassed to be assumed as my date? She wounds my fragile male ego.”

I smiled in spite of myself. “Shut up- aren’t you embarrassed? People might think you’re gay!”

“So?” Underhill shrugged. 

“So?!”

“So,” he said. “Not really a big deal to me. If it was the right guy, I could probably call myself hetero-flexible. And besides, you’re…”

“I’m…”

“A question mark,” he said. 

“Damn you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Besides, you do realize we live in southern California, yes? This is arguably the most queer friendly place on the whole of God’s green earth.”

“You… You raise an excellent point,” I acquiesced. He really did- if this, whatever it was, was a part of me I wanted to explore, I did live in one of the better places to do that in. And if I wanted to wear a dress outside my home, even if it were just to go down to the market for groceries, it wouldn’t be THAT abnormal in Venice Beach. 

He took a sip from the chocolate shake, and, on impulse, I went for a sip as well, our faces, our mouths very close together as we both sipped. It was his turn to blush, then, and I laughed in earnest and without embarrassment when he did. 

“I thought you said you didn’t mind,” I needled him.

“Lol, just caught me by surprise,” Underhill said. “Bold move, that was.”

“I’m a bold girl,” I said, the words tripping out of my mouth before I could stop them. I’d just called myself a girl without even meaning to, and it felt… It felt amazing. It felt like a hot bubble bath after a long walk, like dry socks on a damp afternoon, like the warm and soft comfort of my bed after a long day. 

Dammit. 

“That you are, ma’am,” he said. There was that smile again. 

Dammit. Dammit dammit dammit.

“You’re a good guy, Underhill,” I said. 

“Thanks. But call me Zeke.”

“You’re a good guy, Zeke,” I said, then finally took a bite of my omelet. Delicious!

“Thanks. Also, there’s actually something I wanted to ask you,” Underhill… Zeke said. 

“What’s that?” I said between bites. 

“What got you into the robot fighting game, anyway?” he asked. “For me it was just a fun thing to do with my engineering program buddies- I never expected to actually go anywhere with it.”

“... It’s a little embarrassing.”

“Calloway, we’re professional science nerds.”

“Fair point,” I said. “I, uh, always wanted to build my own Gundam, ever since I was a little kid.”

“Ayyy, I love me some Gundam.”

“You do?”

“Hell yeah! Never get to talk about it though because Faith hates it.”

“What the- she hates Gundam? She’s a robot fighter, and she hates giant robot anime?”

“Obviously she doesn’t hate giant robot anime- look what our bot is named!”

“Touche,” I said. 

“She’s strictly a super-robots girl,” Zeke said. 

“Ahhh, I see, I see,” I said. “That makes sense. No disrespect, they certainly have their place, but I lean more towards real robots.”

“Fair and valid.”

“I actually have a bunch of Gundam on Blue Ray,” I said, leaning forward in my seat. I never got to talk about Gundam with anyone, much to my chagrin, though the whole ‘no life outside of work’ thing probably contributed to that. “You wanna watch it together sometime?”

“Sure!” he said. “When works for you?”

“I’m free tonight,” I said. 

“Awesome!” he said. “Can’t wait.”

I smiled. “Me neither.”

***

Buy my books here!

[wexregolden]

It’s afternoon now and I got a few hours of sleep which is great 👌🏼 And my brain is kinda working again so I can finally write a little more of what I’m thinking.

I was kinda afraid because, well, every s4 so far kind of fucked up but I have to admit that I really really enjoyed this one!

LUDOVICO FUCKING BESSEGATO IS BACK!!! And Besse really slapped this season!! I don’t know what to even say about the talent of that man - he’s back with his gorgeous shoots and cinematography and I respect that! 😌 Thanks to him for the changes he did during the season, that made the story so fitting into their world and country. The genius of season 1 and 2 is back and I love what he did with season 4!

Sana was stunning this season, wow! I really loved Bea’s acting and interpretation of Sana. She was so gentle, kind, loving and fierce and I loved her a lot this season! She is flawed, definitely, and she makes mistakes but that’s what made her seem so real. I love her bond with the girlsquad, that scene with them damaging the car and getting Sana into their middle again was so beautiful and made me cry. I especially loved the Sana x Eva dynamics. And don’t get me started on her family! Her mom is an angel <3

The way they portrayed religion seemed so beautiful but I’m not going deeper into this one and judging it as I’m not in the place to do so without being a muslim myself. Gonna stick to Elia’s saying and not talk about something I don’t know about. (Also, that Elia and Sana thing??😂)

Malik and Sana literally were the cutest and I love what Ludo did to their relationship a lot. That scene at the end with him and the kids being in the greenhouse? Sana standing outside and waving at him? Definitely the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Also the scene with them being at the pool, Sana wearing her burqini? Poetic cinema!

I know it’s Sana’s season and I love how this one actually was about her, that there was way less drama that wasn’t around her or took away her time to shine. Ludo managed to somehow connect nearly everything to her and I love his work here. But I still need to mention my boys Marti and Nico. I like how they didn’t only treat them in the background somewhere, kissing a little and that’s it but still their drama somehow made sense in Sana’s story. Still, Marti was a little bitch sometimes this season, who would have guessed I’d say that one day. Some of his actions felt a little out of character when you still have s2 Marti in the back of your head. But he’s a dumbass and emotional and confused teenager so I kind of get his actions even if I’m not the biggest fan of them but guess it might be real? But at least it all turned out good and the beach scene was the cutest 🌈

The Marti and Sana talk *chef kiss* 👌🏼😘 I loved the og bench scene when I watched it first but the more often I watched it the more it bothered me. Isak trying to tell Sana how to act regarding hate as he know it himself... even if racism & islamophobia and homophobia are totally different things. That’s why I appreciate so much what skamit did there and that Martini didn’t try to teach Sana anything or say they’re the same. He looked at it from different perspectives and established that racism and homophobia isn’t the same but that he can still kind of feel Sana’s struggle.

Filippo was the hero of the season and I love how everyone came to him and asked for help. He’s a darling. And hilarious. PRAISE FILIPPO. I love that they picked the found family trope up again 🤧

Gio, ahhh my boy! He’s such a lovely character and I loved him so much this season. And him telling Canegallo to get in line.... SLAY!!! Also Gioeva endgame!!! ❤️ Let’s not talk about that sex scene tho, I’m trying to forget it. But hey, at least they’ve showed safe sex 👌🏼

THE SOUNDTRACK!!!!! Where does Ludo find all those PERFECT songs for each situation??? WHERE? The soundtrack was once again perfect this season, I loved it so so so much! It’s perfect and I already have so many of the songs stuck in my head.

I just have to mention the hide and seek scene here which somehow became one of my favourites in the whole show, don’t ask. It was so beautiful and emotional! I started crying the moment Nico walked through the dark house on his own and the moment he entered the room with Marti in it, it was over for me! AND THE SONG CHOICE. I love their friends playing “matchmaker”, locking them in and forcing them to make up, love it. It was the perfect picture between it being sad, emotional but so funny and cute too. And the desperation and tension you could feel between Marti and Nico ufff.

Loved the different POV clips at the end, it was so well done! The Luca and Nico one probably were my favourites.

The hug that Luca gave Silvia 🥺🥺🥺

And Marti being like “Can we throw that fisherman into the water?”YES BOY. Always hard to see homophobia like that :(

Oh, but I also loved the Filippo one. Him taking a std test and Ele and him swearing to always use condoms? LOVE ME SOME GOOD SAFE SEX TALK! And I’ve missed their sibing-dynamic <3

The ending was a masterpiece! I love how the show started and ended with Gioeva and them reading texts from each other. And them getting together again YES ENDGAME ❤️ I was a sobbing mess when the shots at the beach started, it was just so so so beautiful! Them jumping into the water together, cinematographic masterpiece, Besse strikes again! I was a sobbing mess and probably understood way too little of the last clip but it was still so beautiful and such a bittersweet ending, I loved it but I’m sad at the same time ✨

Skam Italia always handled the character developments and their relationships and friendships so well, that’s what I love so much about the show. So I loved how they brought all of them together one last time and showed that they rock the whole relationship part! 💕

I’m still way too emotional about everything that happened in the last hours so I’m surprised I even managed to write all of that here and I’m sorry for every possible mistake I made. Still wanted to write down all my feelings somehow. I could still cry about it being over for now but I’m so glad it happened and I got to witness it. Especially after crying in the middle of the city after the news of the cancellation. That’s what makes getting s4 even more special and I’m so grateful. Skam Italia and all the characters mean the world to me and I’m so thankful for them and the story that made me realise it’s okay to be different, not straight, it’s okay to not feel well and lonely and that you’re allowed to express those feelings. And most of all it taught me one thing: Tu non sei solo. ❤️

Grazie mille Skam Italia 💛

[captainkippen]

Bewitched

This ficlet wasn't a prompt I just felt like writing it. Inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

***

Buffy and Andi were sat halfheartedly researching the effects of vampire bites on mummies to settle a bet with Marty when Cyrus came bursting into the library.

“Where is it?!” He demanded, beginning to sift frantically through one of the many piles of old dusty tombs they'd left on Dr. Metcalf's desk.

“Where's what?” Asked Buffy, jumping up in concern. Andi ran to the door to see if anybody was chasing Cyrus. Usually the only reason he ran anywhere was if some sort of creature or crazed witch was in quick pursuit, but today there was no one. She shot a quizzical look at Buffy. “What are you looking for Cyrus?”

He gestured at the pile of books unhelpfully. “Big book… y'know, chunky… lots of spells?”

“The Grimoire?” Andi asked

Cyrus spun around and pointed at her. “Yes! Exactly! The Grimoire! Where is it?”

The Grimoire was an excessively large, and exceedingly ancient, volume of texts that had been gifted to Buffy by her watcher, Dr Metcalf, after the first time she'd slayed a vampire in Shadyside. It was made up by a collection of spells, potions, incantations and information about various otherworldly creatures that was supposed to aid Buffy and her friends in keeping the mortal world safe. It wasn't always particularly helpful though, as a large chunk of it was written in Latin, and Cyrus was the only one that could read most of it.

“Why do you need the Grimoire? Are we in danger?”

“Potentially!”

Cyrus was working himself into a frenzy, as he often did when it came to these things. Buffy sighed, she knew it had been too quiet for too long regarding local supernatural happenings, their peace and quiet had to end at some point. She just wished it wasn't today.

“Calm down and explain,” Andi said, taking him by the shoulders and steering him into a chair. She guided him through several breathing techniques until he had chilled out enough to use full sentences.

“I think someone might've bewitched TJ Kippen,” he said, taking the bottle of water Andi offered him.

Buffy frowned. “The captain of the basketball team?”

Cyrus nodded. “Or he's possessed, maybe. That's why I need to check the book.”

Buffy sat down across from him, biting her lip. It was the worst when Slayer duties popped up at school. She and her friends regularly ended up looking like freaks as a result of it.

“So what lead you to this conclusion?” Andi asked, sliding The Grimoire out from under Dr Metcalf's desk. They often hid it from Cyrus to save him from himself; more than once he had managed to keep himself awake too long by pouring over the contents of it. His fascination with the supernatural could be a little unhealthy at times. Andi placed it on to the table as carefully as she could, yet it still managed to make a loud thump as it hit the surface. Buffy was never sure if it was just a really heavy book or it just liked to make its presence known.

“Well I was in the hall, y'know just hanging by my locker as you do,” Cyrus started. “And TJ came up to me.”

“Right…”

“And then he asked me to go to the movies with him.”

“Okay?”

Cyrus stared at them as if they had not reached the conclusion that was so obvious to him. “So I ran away and came here to find the book? I mean obviously there's witchcraft as hand here.”

There was a stunned moment of silence. Buffy and Andi exchanged looks of exasperation.

“You think,” Andi said slowly. “That TJ Kippen is bewitched because he asked you out? That's your only evidence?”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “You so need an intervention. You know not everything can be explained by witches, right?”

“Well, what other explanation is there?!” Cyrus asked.

Andi placed a comforting hand on his. “Cyrus… I think he was just asking you out. You know, on a date, like a normal non-bewitched teenager?”

Cyrus made a noise of disbelief and shook his head. “Pfft, it's TJ Kippen, guys. He's all cool and popular and athletic. I'm the loser who runs into glass doors and falls asleep in class talking about demons. People like him do not go for people like me. That's not how the social hierarchy works. This is High School. There's no way.”

“Hm, no. I still think he was just asking you out,” Buffy said, reasonably. “But if he didn't think you were a freak before he probably does now. Did you even say anything before you ran away?”

“What was I meant to say?” He frowned. “'Oh sure TJ, that'd be great, but sorry I gotta run and check you're not being used as a tool of malice by an evil witch now. Catch ya later!’ Don't be ridiculous.”

“I think you're the one being ridiculous here,” Said Andi. “Okay, let's just consider for a moment that he was let's say possessed… why would somebody go to all that trouble to possess a teenage boy just so he'd ask out another teenage boy?”

“To throw off the social hierarchy! To cause chaos! To distract us and split us all up so they could pick us off one by one and reign evil over Shadyside!”

They stared at him.

“Do you even hear yourself right now?” Buffy asked.

“You definitely need an intervention,” Andi said gravely, echoing Buffy's earlier sentiment.

“But-” he started to process. Buffy put a hand up to silence him.

“No buts!” She said. “Consider the alternative for a moment, which is that TJ's seen you around, likes you, and thought today 'hey I'm gonna talk to that cute guy, Cyrus Goodman, and see if he'd be willing to go out with me!’ Doesn't that sound much more likely?”

“Absolutely not. Now let me see the book.”

Buffy groaned and Andi snatched the book away before Cyrus could pick it up.

“No,” she said, cradling it to her chest. “Look just… let's talk to TJ first, do some investigating. If you can find literally any other reasonable symptoms of magic being involved then you can look at the book.”

“But how am I meant to talk to him when all I did just now was squeak and run away?”

“Start with an apology,” Buffy suggested. “Tell him he caught you by surprise, and give him an answer about the movies. Try not to make yourself look like an idiot again.”

“You got this,” Said Andi.

“Right,” Cyrus nodded to himself and got up, pushing his chair back so it scraped loudly against the old wooden floors. “Right. I got this.”

They watched as he marched his way out the doors, then silently counted down from five. Right on time he popped his head back through.

“Can't I just take the book with me?” He asked. “In case?”

“No!” They chorused, and Buffy pulled a shoe out from her gym bag to throw at him. He made a loud noise of fright and disappeared back through the door once again.

Andi looked at Buffy, exasperation written across her face. “Boys,” she sighed.

“Boys,” Buffy agreed, shaking her head. “Can't live with them, can't slay 'em.”

[duketheman]

“The Newport Story”

Third Generation

Key Largo, Florida 2004

“Harry and Julia”

I was 12 years old when our Grandmother passed, but I’ve never forgotten what she told us: Be kind, Honest, Hard working & Proud of who you are! Never forget where you came from! Grandma Nippy would tell us stories of her & my Grandfather “Joe”. He was an Oilman through & through. He met her in Houston, when it was just a small Oil town; where they fell in love. She always told us he was her Knight in Shining Armor. He passed some years later. We never got to meet him, but we knew him nevertheless; Our Grandmother made sure of that!

My name is Harold Joseph Newport & this is my Story:

I always said to myself, Harry: You’re going places! I’m lucky to have had the parents I did, because they taught me to go after my Dreams.

After returning from Afghanistan & being discharged from the Army, I did just that!

I love the Sea & am Captain of the “Willow”, best little Tour Boat in “The Keys”! Always liked going it alone & never thought about getting married until I met Julia.

She, along with friends hired “The Willow” to tour the 113 Mile journey across the prettiest Islands this side of Heaven! She was more than Beautiful, she was a Dream come true & my heart nearly stopped when I saw her!

Suddenly, going it alone wasn’t important to me anymore! I said to myself: Harry, you’re gonna marry that girl; so I did everything possible to get her attention. After returning to the shore of Key Largo, I ask her to dinner & to my surprise she says: Yes, I was hoping you would to ask me out!

My heart begins to pound in my chest. I'm ecstatic! So begins my journey of Love!!!

I make reservations at “Sundowners”, It’s famous for foods of the Caribbean.

I arrive at the “Hotel Marriott” on the Bay & knock on her hotel door, Room# 103 at 6:00 pm sharp.

She opens the door! Hi Harry, you’re right on time! I'm looking at a real Lady. She is absolutely Gorgeous & I'm nervous as Hell!

We arrive at “Sundowners” at 7:30pm. We order Shrimp & Mahi with Lemongrass sauce, White wine & Arora Marti for desert. The meal is absolutely delicious. We enjoy ourselves immensely. It’s like we’re made for each other!

After dinner I take her Dancing at the “Caribbean” Club. I’m with the prettiest girl there & proud of it! We dance until closing. On the way back to her hotel, we stop for coffee & we talk until dawn. I don’t want it to ever end but I know I have to get her back to her room. When we get to her door, I just kiss her. She looks at me, smiles, wraps her arms around me & kisses me, really kisses me; she says; Harry, I had a wonderful time. Thank you. I ask her: Can I see you again? Of course she says: I’m free today! Call me, you got the number!!! Ok I reply, I will certainly call you! She winks at me & says: See you later Alligator & shuts the door. I kicked my feet together & tell myself: God you’re lucky Harry….

I give her time to get some sleep, call her & ask: What do you want to do today?

She replies: I want to see the Dolphins swim Harry, I love Dolphins Harry; can you take me to see the Dolphins? I answer: Your wish is my Command Milady!

I pick her up at 2:00pm, she’s wearing Shorts with a Black Bandeau. She's Beautiful & I’m in awe! We take the “Willow” out to see the Dolphins swim. She says: I always loved Dolphins. They bring you luck you know? They brought us together Harry! She asks: Harry, Do you believe in love at first sight? I say: I do indeed. I fell in love with you at first sight! She replies: I know Harry, I sensed it. Harry she says: I love you too!

We get back to Shore at 8:00pm or so & go for dinner at the Hotel. Afterwards, I escort her up to her room & open the door for her! Harry she says: Stay with me tonight? I answer: Of course I will! This night is the beginning of the rest of my life!

We stand a moment by the bed, & just look at each other. I take her in my arms, caress her face; look into her eyes & say: I love you! She replies: Me too my Harry, I love you! I gently lay her down on the bed. Her beauty takes my breath away & she is my every Dream. I begin to caress her body with my lips. Like a Panther on the prowl, I taste her every essence moving downward; as if searching for my next meal. I find myself between her thighs, hungering for what awaits me. I taste the hanging fruit & it’s sweet. She quivers & moans, calling my name. I’m aroused & can feel myself throbbing. I move my tongue up & downward, slipping it inside & out of her; driving her insane with pleasure. I return to the fruit of life, for the much anticipated nectar about to flow. I take it between my lip’s hitting it with my tongue in a fast motion until she explodes, releasing her love juices. I waste not a drop as it drunkens me with ecstasy.

I move back to her side & say: I love you. She looks at me & replies: I love you too. She sits up, forces me down as she moves to take my throbbing Manhood into her mouth, pumping it dry. The pain of ecstasy is great & lasting, as she’s careful to draw it out slowly. She sits up, smiles at me, then returns to my side, stroking me until I become aroused again. We make love until both of us are exhausted, falling asleep embraced in each other’s arms. When we awake we talk about us. Then she says: Harry, I’ve got to go home to Louisiana tomorrow Harry! I didn’t know what to say! I ask: Don’t go? I say: You can’t, besides I want you to meet my Parents. They live in Madison County, about 3 hours from here. Please Darling stay? She answers: Ok Hary. I’ll stay. I love you Harry, & I want to meet your parents. Ok then I say, it’s settled! I will call my Mother today & let her know.

I call my mother that evening & tell her I’m bringing a girl home to meet her tomorrow. She’s out of her mind with happiness. She says: Harold, it’s about time son!

I call Julia & tell her: we're expected at my parents house tomorrow. We both decide to rest up so we're at our best for Mother & Father. I pick Julia up at 8:00am & we head for the Airport. Madison County is approximately 740 miles from Key Largo so, flying is the way to go!

We land at Valdosta Regional Airport, in Georgia at 1:30pm. Madison County is nestled in the corner of Florida Bordering Georgia. Father picks us up & is happy to see me. He asks: And who do we have here son? I answer: Father, this is Julia & I’m madly in love with her! He turns to me, smiles & says: Well, that is good news! Turns to Julia, says: I’m very happy to meet you. Now let’s go home, Mother’s expecting us!

The Mansion my Parents live in is only 30 minutes from the Airport. My Grandmother left it to us. It's a Beautiful old place, but much to large for me.

We reach Newport Mansion & my Mother is sitting on a swing out in the Courtyard waiting for us. I’m reminded of my days here as a child & how much time my Grandma Nippy spent with us. She taught us how to be who we are, & my Mother carried it over to our adulthood. Mother’s happy to see us. As soon as we step out of the car, she asks: Lemonade? All at once we answer: Please? Mother I say: I would like to introduce you to Julia. Father adds: And he’s madly in love with her! Smiles & raises his lemonade in a toast! Mother says: ‘O Goodie, that’s wonderful news, wonderful indeed. Come on, let’s sit here in the shade & catch up! She takes Julia by the hand and says: You sit here Dear, next to me. I want to get to know you. The two of them get along really well. Mother likes her, I can tell! We talk for hours, until we hear the Dinner bell! Dinner is served says the Butler! We go inside & are seated at the table. That huge table I remember so well. I whispered to Julia: What do you think of them my Love? She smiles & replies: I love them so much. Harry, I didn’t know you were rich! I say: I’m not my love, My Grandparents were in Oil & my parents inherited the place, not that they needed it. My father & Mother did quite well on their own. I had everything I ever needed growing up! Julia says: It’s all just Beautiful, Harry; I love you! I’m so happy you brought me here. Thank you Harry!

After dinner I propose to her, on one knee. I slip the ring on her finger & Say:

My Darling;

~My heart in aches to hold you close

thundering in of storm~

~Sending bursts of lightning strokes

throughout my mortal form~

~Of that my soul in catches fire

raging through of through~

~Spewing flames of hot desire

burning love of you~

~I would walk ten thousand miles

slay a Beast from Hell-

~To lay beside you just a while

and know you to be well-

~To embrace you in my mortal arms

kiss your pouting lips~

~Hold you of one hundred yarns

hurling unto bliss~

~You rule my every thought of day

in paint my every dream~

~Shower me in sweet array

caress me with your gleam~

~You are my every longing of

my every heart’s desire~

~My one in only Goddess of love

within my soul of fire~

~I would climb the highest high

swim the deepest deep~

~Just to look into your eyes

in hold you in my keep~

~I would ride the wind of Hurricanes

cross of sea afire~

~Suffer one thousand times of pain

bathe in of Pariahs~

~Just to hold you of embrace

kiss your lips of wine~

~Brush the tender of your face

be of so divine~

I love you Julia, Will you Marry me?

She stands & begins to cry in happiness. She replies: Yes my Darling, I’ll Marry you! My Mother is crying too! She says: Harold, I never knew you were so poetic. I say: Mother I love you, can we have the wedding here? She replies: Of course you can son! Just like us, right Charles? Yes Dear he says! My Father shakes my hand, says: I’m proud of you Son & hugs Julia. Welcome to the Family Julia he says! The Butler brings in a Bottle of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut Gold Champagne. My Mother always had impeccable taste in wine. She had that in common with Grandma Nippy. It's already iced down, I think my Mother sensed I would propose tonight! The Butler pours each of us a glass, my Father; raises his Glass in a toast & says: May you be as Happy as we are! We raise our glasses back, & Mother adds: Here Here! I never seen my parents as happy as they are this night!

I married Julia Rae Marcantel 3 months later, on the grounds of Newport Mansion just like my Parents before me. Her parents flew in from Shreveport Louisiana & her Father, The Rev. James Ray Marcantel, walked her down the aisle. He & her Mother Rachael became close friends with my parents & remain so today! My siblings attended & were part of the Wedding. My sister Jamie drove in from Little Rock with her husband Bill, she was the “Maid of Honor”! My 2 Brothers Richard & Lewis flew in from Dallas. Richard is the oldest & was my “Best Man”. We're expecting our first child, a boy; in 6 months & we’ve never been happier. My parents are already buying out the Baby stores & Julia’s are in strong competition!

To be continued:

Duke Sherman

[staytiny-angel]

Becoming Elite 4/?

Tags: @toosweetme @theworldiscolorful @panic-angel3314 @panda-girl1999 @unabashedwwesmut @athoughtfulmindwrites

Rating: M

Warning: SMUT. All of the smut.

Pairings:

past Dean Ambrose/Seth Rollins

Kenny Omega/Seth Rollins

Chapter Summary: Kenny comforts Seth after their confrontation with Dean.

Author’s Note: Warning! This is the first time I’ve written any kind of slash smut in years. Please forgive me if I’m rusty as fuck.

Kenny and Seth’s Hotel Room - Still Monday night after Raw

After walking Kenny and Seth to their hotel room, Marty and The Bucks said goodnight, each hugging Seth to show their support. Kenny locked the door behind them and went over to where Seth was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring off into space.

Kenny sat on the bed beside his friend putting his arm around him. The act of kindness seemed to trigger something in him. Seth buried his face in Kenny’s shoulder and sobbed “It’s n-n-never going to change. I’m b-b-broken. Hunter and Stephanie broke me.”

Kenny looked up at the ceiling with a broken look in his own eyes. It was so hard to see his friend suffering. “What do I keep telling you? You are NOT broken, Seth! Yes, we are not society’s vision of good but we have standards and morals where Triple H and Stephanie are pure fucking evil and have none. I’m not going to lie to you or sugarcoat things for you, babe. You fucked up. Letting yourself get sucked into their bullshit was the dumbest thing you’ve EVER done but you know that now. You’re not that spoiled, entitled bratty princess that I watched walk around here with the WWE Title for the better part of a year anymore. I hate to say it but you ripping your knee to shreds was the best thing that ever happened. It made you start to realize that they were destroying you not helping you and when you realized it what did you do? You took them out. YOU DID, Seth Rollins. You slayed the King and his Queen and they haven’t been seen here since. Did you make mistakes? Absofuckinglutly. Did you try to fix them and make things better? YES! You may not be a good man Seth, but you ARE an honorable one and in my book that matters more.”

Seth’s eyes had grown wider and wider throughout Kenny’s passionate words. “You really think that, Ken?” Seth said quietly with a look of surprise on his face. “Have I ever lied to you, Sethie?”

Seth silently shook his head he knew that Kenny almost never lied. It just wasn’t something he saw the point in. It was simpler for him to just tell the truth.

Seth impulsively leaned forward and kissed his friend. Kenny sank into the kiss for a minute before pulling back. “Woah, Sethie. We haven’t gone there in quite a while and you’re upset. Are you sure you want this? I won’t take advantage of you when you’re this in this kind of emotional state.”

“I need you, Kenny,” Seth said shakily

“I need to be touched by someone who loves me. I know we’re not in love in the same way that I am with Dean or you are with Kota but we do love each other and I need you.”

Kenny winced internally at the mention of the reason he had moved to America. 

‘Nope, not going there, Omega not right now, probably not ever. This is about Seth. This is a new beginning. It’s not about you and Kota’s neverending soap opera bullshit.’

Kenny leaned in and pressed his lips to Seth’s, after a passionate kiss that left both men breathing hard Kenny pulled back “All right Seth, come on babe” he said pulling the smaller man further onto the bed. “I’ve got you.” The two men laid side by side still fully clothed passionately kissing, hands moving everywhere.

Bright blue eyes looked deeply into soft brown ones. “C-c-clothes Ken, off,” Seth said with a stuttered moan. Kenny immediately stripped both of them of their shirts, then went for Seth’s belt buckle. “Why do you always wear these fucking skinny jeans,” Kenny said breathy and impatient. “Because they make my ass look amazing.” Seth returned with a smirk. Kenny laughed “God knows that’s the fucking truth.” Working together they managed to get Seth’s too tight jeans and Kenny’s slightly baggier ones off, along with their underwear so that both men were naked “How are we doing this baby?” Kenny asked his voice filled with lust “Fuck me, Ken.” Seth sighed “No one’s wanted me like that in so fucking long.” Kenny moaned softly at the thought of sinking his cock into Seth’s ass.

Kenny took a deep breath and croaked “Lube? Rubbers?” “Your side of the bed, top drawer.” Kenny rolled onto his other side to retrieve the items only to let out a shouted moan as Seth pounced on him in a flurry of movement “Sethie!” Seth looked up at him, brown eyes wide with fake innocence as he grinned around Kenny’s cock. “Oh fuck Seth, so fucking good at that babe. All the way baby, suck me all the way down your throat.” Seth immediately obeyed, almost gagging himself on Kenny’s cock causing the blond man’s eyes to almost roll back in his head.

“Fuck, you’re too fucking good at that Sethie. You better stop if you want that pretty ass filled tonight.” After a few more minutes of teasing Seth finally let go of Kenny’s cock, drool and precum dampening his beard. Kenny mock scowled at him “You are gonna pay for ambushing me like that Sethie baby.” Seth shook his head, bi-colored hair flying everywhere as he grinned impishly.

“You know you like me when I’m hungry for your cock.”

“I like you period, Sethie. Your expert cocksucking skills are just an amazing bonus.”

Kenny smiled at him happy that Seth was smiling again, that he could help his friend feel better if only for a little while.

“Can I fuck your brains out now?”

Seth dramatically flung himself on his stomach then lifted up on his hands and knees wiggling his ass at Kenny with a giggle.

Kenny almost fell off the bed laughing. “You’re a fool.” Kenny said still laughing softly “I’m the fool you want to fuck so it doesn’t really matter now does it?”

Kenny finally retrieved the lube and condoms from the bedside table and popped the cap on the bottle soaking his fingers in the slippery substance, he circled Seth’s tight opening with a finger teasing him as a little bit of payback for his earlier actions, Seth moaning at the sensation “Come on Kenny, please don’t play with me. I don’t like it when you play with me.”

“Oh Sethie, don’t lie to me, baby,” Kenny said lightly spanking Seth with his other hand. “You love it when I play with you,” Kenny said slowly easing a finger into the other man. Seth gasped, then moaned loudly as Kenny added another finger scissoring them slowly as he prepared Seth to take his cock.

Seth started slowly thrusting against Kenny’s probing fingers, head hanging down, his cock throbbing with pleasure. “Kenny! Come on, I’m ready! Please, please fuck me now.”

Kenny tore open the silver packet quickly rolling the latex down his aching cock. He slicked himself up with lube before pressing the head of his cock against Seth’s stretched hole, easing himself inside his friend. Seth moaned loudly “F-f-f-fuck Kenny! Feels so good!”

Kenny grabbed Seth’s hips and slowly started thrusting back and forth. “Fuck, Seth…you…..still have the tightest fucking ass.” He started moving faster and faster shifting his hips from side to side trying to find…..“Holy fuck!!!” Seth yelped as Kenny finally found the angle to hit Seth’s prostate. “There you go, babe. Am I going to make you cum baby, just from this? Without either of us even touching your cock?” Kenny rasped. “Yes, yes Kenny! I’m gonna cum..shit…fuck.” Seth let out a long low moan, head dropping to the mattress as he came hard. Kenny moaned himself as Seth’s ass tightened around his cock as he came undone underneath him. Kenny thrust a little faster and harder chasing his own climax. Finally, Kenny moaned loudly as he orgasmed filling the condom as Seth moaned and shuddered again at the feeling of warmth inside him. Kenny pulled out, stroking Seth’s back soothing the man before tying off the condom and throwing it into the trashcan beside the bed. “Feel better Sethie?” “Yeah….” Seth replied still trying to catch his breath. “Just want to lay here with you for a moment, then shower time.” Kenny eased himself behind Seth cuddling the other man before whispering “I’m here now, Sethie. I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you anymore.”

AN: please, please leave me feedback. I’m dying over writing this.

[buffystylez-blog]

Bad Eggs

Directed by: David Greenwalt

Written by: Marti Noxon

Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Head, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz, Kristine Sutherland, Jeremy Ratchford, and James Parks

Welcome to Episode Twelve, in which Buffy’s mum tries to teach Buffy about responsibilities like going to the library and picking up clothing.

And speaking of clothing:

Outfit 1

This is probably something I found boring as a teen but have probably worn to work as an adult.

I think I’d even wear Joyce’s outfit.

This matching of the eye colour to her shirt is wonderful. I’ve started using purple eye colour again and I feel pretty great about it. The hair is good. It seems like she has foils. Or were they still streaks? Were foils a new thing?

Outfit 2

Buffy missed the class where they get eggs and have to pretend they’re babies. I never had to do this in my high school, but weirdly felt left out because of all the times this was used in TV and books. I’m sure the Wakefield twins had to look after eggs.

Luckily she didn’t miss this beautiful jumper. I recently bought a fluffy pink jumper from a local op shop and I. Bloody. Love. It.

Brown pants again. I guess we loved them.

Hair is good.

Even in a low pony. Damn her. I’m assuming she’s just added a jacket for slaying. If I’m wrong, well... I don’t really care.

Outfit 3

CUTE PYJAMA ALERT.

I love a floral pyjama. I also love a paisley pyjama. I also just love pyjamas.

During the night the egg starts this bullshit and it kind of looks like my avocados.

They’re all called Algernon. We have a couple at work as well. Sadly they do not grow an endless supply of avocados. If only. Then we might have our smashed avocado and own a house too.

This kind of reminds me of those Sticky Hands toys.

Source: Alibaba.com

If these are anything like Sticky Hands, they’ll stick against some windows for a bit and then get fluff and dust all over them and get put in a bin.

Outfit 4

Buffy and Willow seem to have had a rough night. This may explain this look from Buffy. It’s... a lot of aubergine.

The burning question I had about these egg assignments was where they got the perfectly shaped baskets from.

I remember the jokes in this episode being pretty strong. I don’t have a strong memory of this outfit.

Outfit 5

This particular slayer patrol/make-out session begins with discussion of their future and ends with a tombstone. FORESHADOWING.

This is a cute necklace.

The egg has started its bullshit early.

I love that when faced with some nightmare insect creature even the slayer uses whatever is handy to kill it.

Good choice. Both weapon and nail colour.

CUTE PYJAMA ALERT.

Outfit 6

I feel like this is something I hated as a teen. I don’t know if I hate it now. I think the pants probably seemed too short to me. I do like the plaid. I would definitely wear Willow’s outfit any time.

I find it very hard to believe these three women are going to the same place.

I know Cordelia would hate to think she was wearing something from two years ago but she’s channelling Clueless with this and it is classic.

Pretty sure Danny Strong is credited for the first time as Jonathan in this episode.

So Buffy’s been having some troubles with these vampire douchebags, Lyle and Tector Gorch, who look like the below:

One is James Parks, son of Michael Parks. Michael Parks sadly passed away this year. You may remember James and his father as the detectives in Kill Bill vol 1. The other is Jeremy Ratchford, who was in Cold Case.

The eggs are up to a lot of bullshit. They’re basically the spawn or whatever of this big alien thing in the school’s basement and it’s using the spawn or whatever to control people and make them do shit for it, I guess.

The James Parks one is eaten by the alien thing and then Buffy is almost eaten by it too but kills it from the inside.

The Jeremy Ratchford one doesn’t like the Carrie energy coming from Buffy and, sensing she is more than a match for him, promptly fucks off. Personally, I feel like there’d be more blood. Or ink.

Outfit 7

I’m assuming this is some training gear she had stashed in the library. It’s fine.

I guess I like that Buffy is comfortable enough around Angel to wear trackies in front of him. Too bad shit is about to get VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.

Next up, a surprise for Buffy. It’s… Not great.

Until next time, Slayerettes.

Screencaps from screencapped.net